bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexting and institutional discourses of child protection: The views of young people and providers of relationship and sex education
Authors: York Leanne , MacKenzie Alison , Purdy Noel
Published: July 2021

This article focuses on discourses of child safety and protection of stakeholder organisations (SOs) and school pastoral care co‐ordinators (PCCs) on educating young people about sexting. Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with the representatives of four organisations who assist schools in the delivery of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE); and with three PCCs in three different types of secondary schools in Northern Ireland to ascertain how their school educates and responds to sexting. Focus groups were also conducted with 17 (10 girls and 7 boys) 16–17‐year‐olds to explore their views on sexting. The results of this study reveal that the predominant discourse in RSE is child safety and protection, and abstention from sexting. The three main groups (young people, SOs and PCCs) vary, however, in how they view sexting behaviour: the stakeholders are largely cautious and counsel against sending sexual pictures, while the young people regard it as normal behaviour. RSE provided by the schools is inadequate and unrealistic, and does not represent what actually goes on in young people’s sexual lives. Young people want to be consulted on the content of RSE lessons and resources; and RSE content should desist from telling them not to sext and enable them to explore appropriate relationship behaviours, including sexting. Teachers should feel confident in teaching such material and should have access to appropriate training.
Unlocking the structural features for the xylobiohydrolase activity of an unusual GH11 member identified in a compost‐derived consortium
Authors: Kadowaki Marco A. S. , Briganti Lorenzo , Evangelista Danilo E. , Echevarría‐Poza Alberto , Tryfona Theodora , Pellegrini Vanessa O. A. , Nakayama Darlan G. , Dupree Paul , Polikarpov Igor
Published: July 2021

The heteropolysaccharide xylan is a valuable source of sustainable chemicals and materials from renewable biomass sources. A complete hydrolysis of this major hemicellulose component requires a diverse set of enzymes including endo‐β‐1,4‐xylanases, β‐xylosidases, acetylxylan esterases, α‐l‐arabinofuranosidases, and α‐glucuronidases. Notably, the most studied xylanases from glycoside hydrolase family 11 (GH11) have exclusively been endo‐β‐1,4‐ and β‐1,3‐xylanases. However, a recent analysis of a metatranscriptome library from a microbial lignocellulose community revealed GH11 enzymes capable of releasing solely xylobiose from xylan. Although initial biochemical studies clearly indicated their xylobiohydrolase mode of action, the structural features that drive this new activity still remained unclear. It was also not clear whether the enzymes acted on the reducing or nonreducing end of the substrate. Here, we solved the crystal structure of MetXyn11 in the apo and xylobiose‐bound forms. The structure of MetXyn11 revealed the molecular features that explain the observed pattern on xylooligosaccharides released by this nonreducing end xylobiohydrolase.
Influence of fractional flow reserve on grafts patency: Systematic review and patient‐level meta‐analysis
Authors: G. Toth Gabor , Collet Carlos , Langhoff Thuesen Anne , Mizukami Takuya , Casselman Filip , Riber Lars Peter , Van Praet Frank , Junker Anders , Nagumo Sakura , De Bruyne Bernard , Okkels Jensen Lisette , Barbato Emanuele
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate the impact of invasive functional guidance for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) on graft failure.

Background

Data on the impact of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in guiding CABG are still limited.

Methods

Systematic review and individual patient data meta‐analysis were performed. Primary objective was the risk of graft failure, stratified by FFR. Risk estimates are reported as odds ratios (ORs) derived from the aggregated data using random‐effects models. Individual patient data were analyzed using mixed effect model to assess relationship between FFR and graft failure. This meta‐analysis is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020180444).

Results

Four prospective studies comprising 503 patients referred for CABG, with 1471 coronaries, assessed by FFR were included. Graft status was available for 1039 conduits at median of 12.0 [IQR 6.6; 12.0] months. Risk of graft failure was higher in vessels with preserved FFR (OR 5.74, 95% CI 1.71–19.29). Every 0.10 FFR units decrease in the coronaries was associated with 56% risk reduction of graft failure (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.59). FFR cut‐off to predict graft failure was 0.79.

Conclusion

Surgical grafting of coronaries with functionally nonsignificant stenoses was associated with higher risk of graft failure.
Enhanced Catalytic Performance of Fe‐containing HZSM‐5 for Ethane Non‐Oxidative Dehydrogenation via Hydrothermal Post‐Treatment
Authors: Wu Lizhi , Fu Zhiyuan , Ren Zhuangzhuang , Wei Jinhe , Gao Xinhua , Tan Li , Tang Yu
Published: July 2021

A facile strategy is applied to construct Fe supported ZSM‐5 (Fe/HZ5‐HTS) via hydrothermal post‐treatment and applied to ethane non‐oxidative dehydrogenation. Compared with Fe/HZ5‐IWI prepared by incipient wetness impregnation, Fe/HZ5‐HTS exhibits superior catalytic activity and long catalyst stability with 6000 minutes time‐on‐stream. An obvious volcanic curve is observed between the ethylene generation rate and Fe content, and 1.0Fe/HZ5‐HTS exhibits the highest ethylene generation rate with 0.166 mmol C2H4 s−1 gFe−1 over different Fe loading, which is twice as much as that of 1.0Fe/HZ5‐IWI. According to various characterizations, isolated Fe3+ species and carburized Fe species are active sites, and the better catalytic performance over 1.0Fe/HZ5‐HTS is ascribed to more disperse Fe species and exposing more Fe species in the surface. Besides, the lower ethylene desorption temperature and higher ethane desorption temperature over Fe/HZ5‐HTS could suppress the overreaction of the ethylene to generate coke and increase ethane residence reaction time, resulting in less coke deposition and facilitating the catalytic performance.
Application of poultry litter and moisture effects on rye–ryegrass–fescue baleage
Authors: Nieman Christine C. , Coblentz Wayne K. , Coffey Kenneth P.
Published: July 2021

Subsurface poultry litter application improves nutrient utilization compared with surface application through reduced nutrient runoff, and increased forage nutritive value. This study compared the effects of subsurface (SUB) or surface (SURF) poultry litter application against controls (CON; no litter) for baled silages made at high moisture (HM) or low moisture at (LM) Booneville, AR, in 2018. Mixtures of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.] baled silages were compared for nutritive value and silage fermentation characteristics. Data were analyzed as a split‐plot design with three fertilizer treatments as whole plots, and initial bale moisture as subplots. Pre‐ensiled P and K were greater (P < .05) for the mean of SURF and SUB than for CON. Neutral detergent fiber was greater (P = .02) in CON versus the mean of SURF and SUB. In post‐ensiled bales, propionic (P < .05) and succinic acid (P < .05) concentrations were greater in the mean of SURF and SUB than in CON, and greater in SUB than in SURF. Moisture had positive (P < 0.05) relationships with fermentation acids, and negative relationships with pH, water‐soluble carbohydrates, and starch. Overall, very few differences between SUB and SURF were detected, baleage nutritive value was not improved with SUB poultry litter application, and fermentation characteristics were most affected by the initial bale moisture.
Highly Sensitive Fluorescent pH Microsensors Based on the Ratiometric Dye Pyranine Immobilized on Silica Microparticles
Authors: Chandra Anil , Prasad Saumya , Iuele Helena , Colella Francesco , Rizzo Riccardo , D'Amone Eliana , Gigli Giuseppe , del Mercato Loretta L.
Published: July 2021

Pyranine (HPTS) is a remarkably interesting pH‐sensitive dye that has been used for plenty of applications. Its high quantum yield and extremely sensitive ratiometric fluorescence against pH change makes it a very favorable for pH‐sensing applications and the development of pH nano‐/microsensors. However, its strong negative charge and lack of easily modifiable functional groups makes it difficult to use with charged substrates such as silica. This study reports a methodology for noncovalent HPTS immobilization on silica microparticles that considers the retention of pH sensitivity as well as the long‐term stability of the pH microsensors. The study emphasizes the importance of surface charge for governing the sensitivity of the immobilized HPTS dye molecules on silica microparticles. The importance of the immobilization methodology, which preserves the sensitivity and stability of the microsensors, is also assessed.
Biosurfactant production by native marine bacteria (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus P1‐1A) using waste carbon sources: Impact of process conditions
Authors: Moshtagh Bahareh , Hawboldt Kelly , Zhang Baiyu
Published: July 2021

The high cost of biosurfactant production is an obstacle for widespread commercial applications. Cost‐effective generation of biosurfactants could be achieved using industrial wastes and by‐products as substrates and tailoring cultural conditions. In this work, waste streams including refined waste cooking oil and crude glycerol were compared to each other and to commercial carbon sources. Based on this assessment, the waste cooking oil was selected for further studies. A response surface methodology (RSM) was then used to study biosurfactant production by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus P1‐1A strain (a strain indigenous to the North Atlantic Ocean) using the refined waste cooking oil as the sole carbon source. The concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, and NaCl, as well as the initial pH and temperature were varied. The emulsification index was measured as the response. The cultural conditions to reach the maximum emulsification index (68.17%) were 0.0435 v/v (4.35 vol.%) refined waste cooking oil, 6.5 g/L ammonium sulphate, 13.5 g/L NaCl, initial pH of 7.7, and temperature of 34.8°C. The experimental validation of the predicted response under optimum conditions was performed with 862 mg/L of the biosurfactant product generated. The product showed high thermal, pH, and salinity stability. The use of this indigenous bacteria combined with the use of a no‐cost carbon source from waste has the potential to not only reduce costs associated with biosurfactant production but also to produce a biosurfactant better suited to treat oil spills in the harsh environment of the North Atlantic and other cold waters.
Design, Synthesis, and in vitro Evaluation of Tubulin‐Targeting Dibenzothiazines with Antiproliferative Activity as a Novel Heterocycle Building Block
Authors: Guerra Walter D. , Lucena‐Agell Daniel , Hortigüela Rafael , Rossi Roberto A. , Fernando Díaz J. , Padrón José M. , Barolo Silvia M.
Published: July 2021

We prepared a series of free NH and N‐substituted dibenzonthiazines with potential anti‐tumor activity from N‐aryl‐benzenesulfonamides. A biological test of synthesized compounds (59 samples) was performed in vitro measuring their antiproliferative activity against a panel of six human solid tumor cell lines and its tubulin inhibitory activity. We identified 6‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐6H‐dibenzo[c,e][1,2]thiazine 5,5‐dioxide and 6‐tosyl‐6H‐dibenzo[c,e][1,2]thiazine 5,5‐dioxide as the best compounds with promising values of activity (overall range of 2–5.4 μM). Herein, we report the dibenzothiazine core as a novel building block with antiproliferative activity, targeting tubulin dynamics.
Translational Pharmacogenomics: Discovery, Evidence Synthesis and Delivery of Race‐Conscious Medicine
Authors: Davis Brittney H. , Limdi Nita A.
Published: July 2021

Response to medications, the principal treatment modality for acute and chronic diseases, is highly variable, with 40–70% of patients exhibiting lack of efficacy or adverse drug reactions. With ~ 15–30% of this variability explained by genetic variants, pharmacogenomics has become a valuable tool in our armamentarium for optimizing treatments and is poised to play an increasing role in clinical care. This review presents the progress made toward elucidating genetic underpinnings of drug response including discovery of race/ancestry‐specific pharmacogenetic variants and discusses the current evidence and evidence framework for actionability. The review is framed in the context of changing demographics and evolving views related to race and ancestry. Finally, it highlights the vital role played by cohort studies in elucidating genetic differences in drug response across race and ancestry and the informal collaborations that have enabled the field to bridge the “bench to bedside” translational gap.
Reductive C−N Coupling of Nitroarenes: Heterogenization of MoO3 Catalyst by Confinement in Silica
Authors: Yang Fu , Dong Xuexue , Shen Yang , Liu Mengting , Zhou Hu , Wang Xuyu , Li Lulu , Yuan Aihua , Song Heng
Published: July 2021

The construction of C−N bonds with nitroaromatics and boronic acids using highly efficient and recyclable catalysts remains a challenge. In this study, nanoporous MoO3 confined in silica serves as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for C−N cross‐coupling of nitroaromatics with aryl or alkyl boronic acids to deliver N‐arylamines and with desirable multiple reusability. Experimental results suggest that silica not only heterogenizes the Mo species in the confined mesoporous microenvironment but also significantly reduces the reaction induction period and regulates the chemical efficiency of the targeted product. The well‐shaped MoO3@m−SiO2 catalyst exhibits improved catalytic performance both in yield and turnover number, in contrast with homogeneous Mo catalysts, commercial Pd/C, or MoO3 nanoparticles. This approach offers a new avenue for the heterogeneous catalytic synthesis of valuable bioactive molecules.
Organic fertility inputs synergistically increase denitrification‐derived nitrous oxide emissions in agroecosystems
Authors: Saha Debasish , Kaye Jason P. , Bhowmik Arnab , Bruns Mary Ann , Wallace John M. , Kemanian Armen R.
Published: July 2021

Soil fertility in organic agriculture relies on microbial cycling of nutrient inputs from legume cover crops and animal manure. However, large quantities of labile carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in these amendments may promote the production and emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) from soils. Better ecological understanding of the N2O emission controls may lead to new management strategies to reduce these emissions. We measured soil N2O emission for two growing seasons in four corn–soybean–winter grain rotations with tillage, cover crop, and manure management variations typical of organic agriculture in temperate and humid North America. To identify N2O production pathways and mitigation opportunities, we supplemented N2O flux measurements with determinations of N2O isotopomer composition and microbiological genomic DNA abundances in microplots where we manipulated cover crop and manure additions. The N input from legume‐rich cover crops and manure prior to corn planting made the corn phase the main source of N2O emissions, averaging 9.8 kg/ha of N2O‐N and representing 80% of the 3‐yr rotations’ total emissions. Nitrous oxide emissions increased sharply when legume cover crop and manure inputs exceeded 1.8 and 4 Mg/ha (dry matter), respectively. Removing the legume aboveground biomass before corn planting to prevent co‐location of fresh biomass and manure decreased N2O emissions by 60% during the corn phase. The co‐occurrence of peak N2O emission and high carbon dioxide emission suggests that oxygen (O2) consumption likely caused hypoxia and bacterial denitrification. This interpretation is supported by the N2O site preference values trending towards denitrification during peak emissions with limited N2O reduction, as revealed by the N2O δ15N and δ18O and the decrease in clade I nosZ gene abundance following incorporation of cover crops and manure. Thus, accelerated microbial O2 consumption seems to be a critical control of N2O emissions in systems with large additions of decomposable C and N substrates. Because many agricultural systems rely on combined fertility inputs from legumes and manures, our research suggests that controlling the rate and timing of organic input additions, as well as preventing the co‐location of legume cover crops and manure, could mitigate N2O emissions.
Wing transparency in butterflies and moths: structural diversity, optical properties, and ecological relevance
Authors: Gomez Doris , Pinna Charline , Pairraire Jonathan , Arias Mónica , Barbut Jérôme , Pomerantz Aaron , Daney de Marcillac Willy , Berthier Serge , Patel Nipam , Andraud Christine , Elias Marianne
Published: July 2021

In water, transparency seems an ideal concealment strategy, as testified by the variety of transparent aquatic organisms. By contrast, transparency is nearly absent on land, with the exception of insect wings, and knowledge is scarce about its functions and evolution, with fragmentary studies and no comparative perspective. Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) represent an outstanding group to investigate transparency on land, as species typically harbor opaque wings covered with colored scales, a key multifunctional innovation. Yet, many Lepidoptera species have evolved partially or fully transparent wings. At the interface between physics and biology, the present study investigates wing transparency in 123 Lepidoptera species (from 31 families) for its structural basis, optical properties, and biological relevance in relation to visual detection (concealment), thermoregulation, and protection against UV. Our results suggest that transparency has likely evolved multiple times independently. Efficiency at transmitting light is largely determined by clearwing microstructure (scale shape, insertion, coloration, dimensions, and density) and macrostructure (clearwing area, species size, or wing area). Microstructural traits, scale density and dimensions, are tightly linked in their evolution, with different constraints according to scale shape, insertion, and coloration. Transparency appears highly relevant for concealment, with size‐dependent variations. Links between transparency and latitude are consistent with an ecological relevance of transparency in thermoregulation, and not so for protection against UV radiation. Altogether, our results shed new light on the physical and ecological processes driving the evolution of transparency on land and underline that transparency is a more complex coloration strategy than previously thought.
Responses of soil respiration to rainfall depth and frequency in semiarid grassland communities
Authors: Zhang He , Xiong Peifeng , Jia Zhao , Zhou Junjie , Niu Furong , Xu Bingcheng
Published: July 2021

Climate change is increasing the extreme precipitation depth and frequency, which may cause a strong response of ecological processes in drought regions. To investigate how rainfall depth and frequency alter soil respiration (SR), a rainfall simulation experiment was conducted in grassland communities dominated by Artemisia gmelinii and Lespedeza davurica in Loess Plateau of China. SR rate (Rs), soil temperature (Ts) and soil volumetric water content (Sv) were monitored before and after the rainfall treatments, that is, four depths (5, 10, 20 and 40 mm) and three frequencies (40 mm × 1, 20 mm × 2 and 10 mm × 4) during the growing season (June to September). Results indicated that the response magnitude of Rs increased with rainfall depths, reaching the maximum under 40 mm, and the increments were tightly related to rainfall frequency and community type. The increase and mean value of Rs in A. gmelinii community were significantly higher than those in L. davurica and bare land under same rainfall depth. L. davurica community was more sensitive to rainfall lower than 10 mm, whereas it had weaker but longer response under rainfall larger than 10 mm compared with A. gmelinii community. Successive rainfall events dampened the pulse effect of Rs but generated more cumulative CO2 emission in vegetation communities. Ts and Sv varied significantly with rainfall depth and co‐regulated SR. These findings implied more CO2 will be released from soil in the semiarid grasslands under extreme and successive rainfalls and emphasized the importance of species impact on SR for soil carbon evaluation under future rainfall regimes.
Proteomics to improve phenotyping in obese patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kresoja Karl‐Patrik , Rommel Karl‐Philipp , Wachter Rolf , Henger Sylvia , Besler Christian , Klöting Nora , Schnelle Moritz , Hoffmann Anne , Büttner Petra , Ceglarek Uta , Thiele Holger , Scholz Markus , Edelmann Frank , Blüher Matthias , Lurz Philipp
Published: July 2021

Aims

Recent evidence points towards a distinct obese phenotype among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to identify differentially expressed circulating biomarkers in obese HFpEF patients and link them to disease severity and outcomes.

Methods and results

From the LIFE‐Heart study, 999 patients with HFpEF and 999 patients without heart failure (no‐HF) were selected and 92 circulating serum biomarkers were measured using a proximity extension assay. Elevation of identified biomarkers was validated in 220 patients from the Aldo‐DHF trial with diagnosed HFpEF. HFpEF patients were older and had more comorbidities including coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes as compared to no‐HF patients (P < 0.05 for all). After adjusting for covariates, adrenomedullin (ADM), galectin‐9 (Gal‐9), thrombospondin‐2 (THBS‐2), CD4, and tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL‐R2) were significantly higher in obese HFpEF patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, n = 464] as compared to lean HFpEF (BMI <30 kg/m2, n = 535) and obese no‐HF patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m2, n = 387) (P < 0.001 for both); these findings were verified in the Aldo‐DHF validation cohort (P < 0.001). Except for CD4 these proteins were associated with increased estimates of left atrial pressure in a linear fashion. Importantly, ADM and CD4 were associated with increased mortality in obese HFpEF patients after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusion

Obese HFpEF patients exhibit higher circulating biomarkers of volume expansion (ADM), myocardial fibrosis (THBS‐2) and systemic inflammation (Gal‐9, CD4) compared to obese non‐HFpEF or lean HFpEF patients. These findings support the clinical definition of a distinct obese HFpEF phenotype and might merit further investigation.
Unraveling All‐Inorganic CsPbI3 and CsPbI2Br Perovskite Thin Films Formation – Black Phase Stabilization by Cs2PbCl2I2 Addition and Flash‐Annealing
Authors: Breniaux Edouard , Dufour Pascal , Guillemet‐Fritsch Sophie , Tenailleau Christophe
Published: July 2021

Phase formation and transformation of 3D inorganic halide perovskites CsPbI3 and CsPbI2Br were investigated by in‐situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) in nitrogen or air from 30 °C up to 320 °C. Thin films were obtained by spin‐coating of a liquid solution of salt precursors dissolved in DMSO under normal conditions. XRD data analysis, by using the Le Bail method, evidenced for the first time, to our knowledge, the spontaneous crystallization of black orthorhombic γ phase at ambient temperature, for both 3D perovskite phases. For once, this black γ phase could be studied upon heating. It transforms to the black tetragonal β and cubic α phases. The reverse transitions were also evidenced upon cooling. The influence of the all‐inorganic 2D Cs2PbI2Cl2 material addition over the black phase stability was unprecedently analyzed by in‐situ XRD. The mixture of the 3D and 2D phases, or mix [3D+2D], exhibits an improved stability of the black phase compared to the single 3D phase, and tends to induce highly oriented thin films and increased compactness, probably due to chemical insertion or anchoring. Finally, flash‐annealed thin films at various temperatures (RT<T<325 °C) of CsPbI2Br in air, alone and in the presence of the 2D phase, were studied. A more textured layer is evidenced for the mix [3D+2D] thin film, showing larger grains and more compact films above 200 °C. The mix [3D+2D] film flash‐annealed at 300 °C remained black for four days after air exposure and 50 % relative humidity.
A Simple Synthetic Route to [Rh(acac)(CO)(NHC)] Complexes: Ligand Property Diagnostic Tools and Precatalysts
Authors: Guillet Sébastien G. , Pisanò Gianmarco , Chakrabortty Soumyadeep , Müller Bernd H. , de Vries Johannes G. , Kamer Paul C. J. , Cazin Catherine S. J. , Nolan Steven. P.
Published: July 2021

An operationally simple, user and eco‐friendly synthetic protocol for the synthesis of [Rh(acac)(CO)(NHC)] complexes is described. Insights into the mechanism are provided using operando spectroscopy. The spectroscopic fingerprints of these complexes are correlated to NHCs reported electron‐donating descriptor values, highlighting a new strategy to evaluate carbenes’ electronic properties. An assessment of these complexes in catalytic applications is also reported, showing promising results in the catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic ketones.
Rhodocenium Functionalization Enabled by Half‐Sandwich Capping, Zincke Reaction, Diazoniation and Sandmeyer Chemistry
Authors: Wiedemair Markus , Kopacka Holger , Wurst Klaus , Müller Thomas , Eichele Klaus , Vanicek Stefan , Hohloch Stephan , Bildstein Benno
Published: July 2021

In continuation of our exploration of metallocenium chemistry we report here on innovative ways toward monofunctionalized rhodocenium salts applying half‐sandwich capping reactions of cyclopentadienyl rhodium(III) halide synthons with cyclopentadienyl ylides containing pyridine, phosphine or dinitrogen leaving groups, followed by Zincke and Sandmeyer reactions. Thereby amino, diazonio, bromo, azido and iodo rhodocenium salts containing valuable functional groups are accessible for the first time. Target compounds were characterized by spectroscopic (1H/13C/103Rh‐NMR, IR, HR‐MS), structural (single crystal XRD) and electrochemical (CV) methods and their properties were compared to those of isoelectronic cobaltocenium compounds. These new functionalized rhodocenium complexes significantly expand the so far extremely limited chemical space of rhodocenium salts with promising options for the future development in the area of rhodocenium chemistry.
Optimized Integration of Hybrid Renewable Sources with Long‐Life Battery Energy Storage in Microgrids for Peak Power Shaving and Demand Side Management under Different Tariff Scenario
Authors: Bhattacharjee Ankur , Samanta Hiranmay , Ghosh Aritra , Mallick Tapas K , Sengupta Samarjit , Saha Hiranmay
Published: July 2021

Herein, a novel cost‐effective demand side management and peak power shaving are demonstrated by optimized scheduling of renewable energy source integrated grid‐connected hybrid microgrid and vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) storage. To promote the waste to energy for the rural and urban communities, the biogas energy source is integrated along with the combined solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy sources. As a long life and scalable battery storage solution, VRFB storage is adopted for peak shaving and microgrid performance reliability. Power generation from the renewable sources, VRFB charge–discharge, and grid power usage are scheduled considering two practical electricity tariff profiles, thus making the overall microgrid system operation cost‐effective and efficient. The optimized cost of energy management is determined considering the operation and maintenance cost of energy source and battery storage, grid tariff profile, and power import and export. The performance of the overall control scheme is experimentally validated by a grid‐connected hybrid microgrid consisting of 10 kWp solar PV, 1 kW wind turbine, 15 kVA biogas engine generator, and 1 kW 6 h VRFB storage. The proposed energy management scheme is scalable and a generalized one that claims to be suitable for large‐scale renewable energy integrated power systems as well.
A review on combustion instabilities in energy generating devices utilizing oxyfuel combustion
Authors: Abubakar Zubairu , Mokheimer Esmail M. A. , Kamal M. Mustafa
Published: July 2021

This paper reviewed theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies on combustion instabilities in combustors for energy‐producing devices such as gas turbines, boilers, and furnaces utilizing oxyfuel combustion technology. Oxyfuel combustion as a CO2 capture technology gives encouraging and promising solutions for controlling greenhouse gases emission from combustion devices. However, the major concerns with oxyfuel systems are the combustion instabilities mainly arising from the CO2 dilution required for controlling excessive temperatures. Higher dilution levels or significantly nonuniform distribution of CO2 in the mixture can potentially lead to static and/or dynamic instabilities associated with local flame extinction and unsteady heat release rate, respectively. As in the case of lean premixed air/fuel flames, combustion instabilities are among the most critical operational challenges encountered in CO2‐diluted oxyfuel systems as well. Existing literature on flame instabilities has predominately focused on air‐fuel flames, with very few research studies dedicated to the same phenomena in oxyfuel combustion. With an ever‐increasing push toward carbon capture and reduction in NOx emissions, it has become important for the combustion community to accelerate research efforts in the direction of oxyfuel combustion systems. This review study on flame instabilities in oxyfuel combustors is one small step in that very direction. This paper starts with discussions on the theoretical mechanisms of combustion instabilities. Then a range of numerical and experimental studies, from premixed to non‐premixed flames, are presented and discussed. The main objective is to summarize recent progress in understanding instabilities in oxyfuel combustion systems, focusing primarily on the effect of CO2 dilution on flame stability. A range of experimental and numerical studies by various groups have strongly associated both static and dynamic instabilities in oxyfuel systems with diluent concentration, suggesting higher concentrations potentially result in a stratified mixture field which leads to higher heat release fluctuations and pressure oscillations. As such, many combustion systems use hydrogen enrichment to enhance static stability while employing flow and/or fuel modulation to dampen dynamic instabilities in oxyfuel combustors. Finally, we highlight and summarize some of the key issues and unsolved questions that still challenge researchers and, therefore, need to be the focus of future research work as regards to oxyfuel combustion.
Machine learning to advance the prediction, prevention and treatment of eating disorders
Authors: Wang Shirley B.
Published: July 2021

Machine learning approaches are just emerging in eating disorders research. Promising early results suggest that such approaches may be a particularly promising and fruitful future direction. However, there are several challenges related to the nature of eating disorders in building robust, reliable and clinically meaningful prediction models. This article aims to provide a brief introduction to machine learning and to discuss several such challenges, including issues of sample size, measurement, imbalanced data and bias; I also provide concrete steps and recommendations for each of these issues. Finally, I outline key outstanding questions and directions for future research in building, testing and implementing machine learning models to advance our prediction, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders.
Effects of energy storage by the seaweeds on their ecosystem
Authors: Semerciöz Ayşe Selcen , Soyalp Kardelen , Ulu Gizem , Özilgen Mustafa
Published: July 2021

In marine environment, every species store energy for its own use and deliver it to its predator. Phytoplankton and seaweeds take place at the beginning of the food chain, grow in shallow waters with photosynthesis, and compete for the solar energy. Although the biomass of the phytoplankton amounts 1%‐2% of the total global plant carbon, they carry out more than 40% of the global photosynthesis. In the food chain, the largest amount of exergy is destroyed and the largest amount of entropy is generated while going from the first to the second species in the food chain, most probably because of the conversion of the plant cell into an animal cell. Results of this study indicated that the chemical nature of the stored material, for example, fat, protein, or carbohydrate, is not related with the location of the species in the food chain. Global production of macroalgae was approximately 3 million tons in 2012, and their consumption is projected to reach 13 million tons by 2050. If the energy available for the phytoplankton should be stored by the seaweeds grown in man‐made farms in irrational amounts, competition of the seaweeds with the phytoplankton may be a major blow to marine ecology.
A Bayesian time‐varying autoregressive model for improved short‐term and long‐term prediction
Authors: Berninger Christoph , Stöcker Almond , Rügamer David
Published: July 2021

Motivated by the application to German interest rates, we propose a time‐varying autoregressive model for short‐term and long‐term prediction of time series that exhibit a temporary nonstationary behavior but are assumed to mean revert in the long run. We use a Bayesian formulation to incorporate prior assumptions on the mean reverting process in the model and thereby regularize predictions in the far future. We use MCMC‐based inference by deriving relevant full conditional distributions and employ a Metropolis‐Hastings within Gibbs sampler approach to sample from the posterior (predictive) distribution. In combining data‐driven short‐term predictions with long‐term distribution assumptions our model is competitive to the existing methods in the short horizon while yielding reasonable predictions in the long run. We apply our model to interest rate data and contrast the forecasting performance to that of a 2‐Additive‐Factor Gaussian model as well as to the predictions of a dynamic Nelson‐Siegel model.
Influence of composite flour constituents and extrusion temperature in the production of analog rice
Authors: Sumardiono Siswo , Budiyono  , Kusumayanti Heny , Prakoso Novian Indra Agung , Paundrianagari Fawzia Puti , Cahyono Heri
Published: July 2021

This study was conducted to determine the effect of composite flour (CF) constituents and different extrusion temperatures on the production of analog rice and community perceptions about the produced rice. CF was produced by mixing modified cassava flour (Mocaf) and snakehead fish flour (SF) in the following ratios: 100:0; 97:3; 94:6; 91:9; and 88:12. Analog rice was then extruded from CF at the following temperatures: 50, 70, and 90°C. The analog rice was tested for physical properties (bulk density and cooking time), chemical properties (nutrient content), and organoleptic properties. The results showed that CF and extrusion temperature affect the nutrient content of analog rice. The best analog rice formulation constituted of CF with Mocaf:SF ratio of 91:9 and extrusion temperature of 70°C, and contained 14.34% water, 0.85% ash, 71.83% carbohydrate, 11.24% protein, 1.12%, calcium 1,113 ppm, and 2.43% dietary fiber. This study included 42 respondents aged 20–23 years, including 20 males and 22 females. All the respondents showed acceptance for the analog rice, suggesting that it could substitute ordinary rice as a staple food.
White matter degeneration in remote brain areas of stroke patients with motor impairment due to basal ganglia lesions
Authors: Cao Xuejin , Wang Zan , Chen Xiaohui , Liu Yanli , Wang Wei , Abdoulaye Idriss Ali , Ju Shenghong , Yang Xi , Wang Yuancheng , Guo Yijing
Published: July 2021

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have revealed distinct white matter (WM) characteristics of the brain following diseases. Beyond the lesion‐symptom maps, stroke is characterized by extensive structural and functional alterations of brain areas remote to local lesions. Here, we further investigated the structural changes over a global level by using DTI data of 10 ischemic stroke patients showing motor impairment due to basal ganglia lesions and 11 healthy controls. DTI data were processed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) maps, and multivariate pattern analysis was used to explore brain regions that play an important role in classification based on FA maps. The WM structural network was constructed by the deterministic fiber‐tracking approach. In comparison with the controls, the stroke patients showed FA reductions in the perilesional basal ganglia, brainstem, and bilateral frontal lobes. Using network‐based statistics, we found a significant reduction in the WM subnetwork in stroke patients. We identified the patterns of WM degeneration affecting brain areas remote to the lesions, revealing the abnormal organization of the structural network in stroke patients, which may be helpful in understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying hemiplegia.
'We did everything we could': An account of toxic leadership
Authors: Paton Calum
Published: July 2021

Background

The UK government's reckless and incompetent response to Covid‐19 has produced an outcome which is amongst the worst in the world, and arguably the worst in terms of deaths per 100,000 population of major countries (especially when one measures mortality from Covid in terms of cause of death on the death certificate, rather than the UK government's own measure—death of a tested individual within 28 days of testing). This article updates my initial analysis in this journal over a year ago, and traces the negligent and shambolic policy‐making, and supine official scientific advice, which has led to such a dismal outcome.

Methods

It does so by examining the policies and approach of the UK government from the begining of the pandemic (in UK terms, January 2020) up to June 2021. All relevant declarations, speeches, decisions, public interviews and policies were noted on a daily basis, examined and critically assessed—along with daily data and information over the whole period on Covid's threat to, and spread across, the UK.

Conclusions

On three successive occasions, Boris Johnson and his compliant Ministers acted too late and too weakly to prevent avoidable death and illness. At the time of writing the vaccination programme in the UK has been destabilised by the government—yet again—having failed to secure its borders, this time against the Delta variant (Indian mutation) of the virus. Overall, in terms of border control, quarantine, testing, tracing, isolation and timely and enforced lockdown, the government put short‐term, superficial considerations above coherent strategy. It dressed up its incompetence as a superficial libertarianism and defence of the economy, but thereby managed to achieve the worst of all worlds in terms of three egregious failures—appalling health outcomes; (ironically) worse economic damage than countries which took draconian action; and (also ironically) continually recurring restrictions as a result of earlier failure to take strong action to suppress Covid and keep it at bay. Public reaction in England (unlike in Scotland and Wales) to the Johnson government's shenanigans has not been commensurate with that government's level of failure, which sadly reflects a debasement of the political culture in England.
Neurulation in the posterior region of zebrafish,Danio rerioembryos
Authors: Gladysheva Julia , Evnukova Evdokia , Kondakova Ekaterina , Kulakova Milana , Efremov Vladimir
Published: July 2021

The neural tube of amniotes is formed through different mechanisms that take place in the anterior and posterior regions and involve neural plate folding or mesenchymal condensation followed by its cavitation. Meanwhile, in teleost trunk region, the neural plate forms the neural keel, while the lumen develops later. However, the data on neurulation and other morphogenetic processes in the posterior body region in Teleostei remain fragmentary. We proposed that there could be variations in the morphogenetic processes, such as cell shape changes and cell rearrangements, in the posterior region compared to the anterior one at the different stages. Here, we performed morphological and histochemical analyses of morphogenetic processes with an emphasis on neurulation in the zebrafish tail bud (TB) and posterior region. To analyze the posterior expression ofsox2andtbxtawe performed whole mount in situ hybridization. We showed that the TB cells of variable shapes and orientation are tightly packed, and the neural and notochord primordia develop first. The shape of the neural primordium undergoes numerous changes as a result of cell rearrangements leading to the development of the neural rod. At the prim‐6 stage, the cells of the neural primordium directly form the neural rod. The neuroepithelial cells undergo sequential shape changes. At the stage of the neural rod formation, the apical regions of triangular neuroepithelial cells of the floor plate are enriched in F‐actin. The neurocoel development onset is above the apical poles of neuroepithelial cells. The expression domains ofsox2andtbxtabecome more restricted during the development.
Comparative structural and techno‐functional elucidation of full‐fat and defatted flaxseed extracts: implication of atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Authors: Nie Chengzhen , Qin Xiaopeng , Duan Ziqiang , Huang Shasha , Yu Xiao , Deng Qianchun , Xiang Qisen , Geng Fang
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

The relatively inferior techno‐functionality of flaxseed protein/polysaccharide complexes, especially regarding emulsifying and antioxidant activities, has partially limited their implication in the health food system. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) on the physicochemical, structural and selected techno‐functional properties of flaxseed extracts.

RESULTS

The results obtained showed that the full‐fat and defatted flaxseed extract solutions (5 mg mL–1) displayed a sustainable decline in pH (−54.06%, −48.80%, P < 0.05) and zeta potential values (−29.42%, −44.28%, P < 0.05), but a gradual increase in particle sizes, as visualised by an optical microscope, during 0–120 s of APPJ treatment. Moreover, the APPJ led to initial decrease but subsequent increase in protein carbonyls and secondary lipid oxidation products, and concurrently changed the spatial conformation and microstructure of flaxseed extracts, as indicated by endogenous fluorescence properties and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the protein subunit remodeling and gum polysaccharides depolymerization were different for full‐fat and defatted flaxseed extracts after 30 s of APPJ exposure. Importantly, the emulsifying and antioxidant activities of defatted flaxseed extract were particularly improved, as assessed by cyro‐SEM and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity following 15–30 s of APPJ treatment, as a result of the changing interactions between protein and gum polysaccharides, as well as the release of specific phenolic compounds.

CONCLUSION

APPJ could serve as a promising strategy for tailoring the specific techno‐functionality of flaxseed extracts based on mild structural modification. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Optimal management of patients with operable pancreatic head cancer: A Markov decision analysis
Authors: Rieser Caroline J. , Narayanan Sowmya , Bahary Nathan , Bartlett David L. , Lee Kenneth K. , Paniccia Alessandro , Smith Kenneth , Zureikat Amer H.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is an emerging strategy for operable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). While NAT increases multimodal therapy completion, it risks functional decline and treatment dropout. We used decision analysis to determine optimal management of localized PDAC and consider risks faced by elderly patients.

Methods

A Markov cohort decision analysis model evaluated treatment options for a 60‐year‐old patient with resectable PDAC: (1) upfront pancreaticoduodenectomy or (2) NAT. One‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. A subanalysis considered the scenario of a 75‐year‐old patient.

Results

For the base case, NAT offered an incremental survival gain of 4.6 months compared with SF (overall survival: 26.3 vs. 21.7 months). In one‐way sensitivity analyses, findings were sensitive to recurrence‐free survival for NAT patients undergoing adjuvant, probability of completing NAT, and probability of being resectable at exploration after NAT. On probabilistic analysis, NAT was favored in a majority of trials (97%) with a median survival benefit of 5.1 months. In altering the base case for the 75‐year‐old scenario, NAT had a survival benefit of 3.8 months.

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrates a significant benefit to NAT in patients with localized PDAC. This benefit persists even in the elderly cohort.
Role of High‐Risk HPV Detected by PCR in Malignant Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: McCormick Justin P. , Suh Jeffrey D. , Lee Jivianne T. , Wells Christine , Wang Marilene B.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Prior studies suggest that there may be a link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and malignant sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP). This systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed to further evaluate this potential association.

Study design

Systematic review with meta‐analysis.

Methods

The Medline and Embase databases were used to identify case–control studies reporting the risk of malignant SNIP in patients with high‐risk HPV subtypes identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Meta‐analysis was performed to determine pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Twenty‐one studies were identified, including a total of 841 subjects with SNIP. Seventeen studies were included in the final analysis, as four studies did not have any HPV‐positive tumors in either group. A total of 56 malignant SNIP and 551 benign SNIP were ultimately identified. The pooled log‐OR was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.03–2.57) for all high‐risk HPV subtypes. Stratification by high‐risk HPV subtype showed a log‐OR of 1.67 (95% CI: 0.88–2.46) for HPV‐16 and log‐OR of 2.68 (95% CI: 1.30–4.05) for HPV‐18.

Conclusion

Infection with high‐risk HPV subtypes may be associated with an increased risk of malignant SNIP. HPV‐18 showed the greatest overall average effect size of the common high‐risk subtypes.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:926–932, 2022