bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived stress among older adults during COVID‐19 outbreak: A cross‐sectional study in Southern Iran
Authors: Shahabi Nahid , Mohseni Shokrollah , Dadipoor Sara , Rad Roghayeh E. , Hassani Laleh
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

The stress associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic significantly affects people's lives, especially older adults. The present study aimed to identify risk factors leading to the perceived stress associated with COVID‐19 among the adults over 60 years old of Southern Iran.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted in December 2021 in Bandar Abbas among older adults. The COVID‐PSS‐10 (Perceived Stress Scale) questionnaire was distributed among the older adults receiving healthcare services from health centers in Bandar Abbas selected through a convenient sampling method. Then, answers to the questions resulted in the score (without units).

Results

A total number of 456 participants between 60 and 90 years with an average age of 64 ± 5.12 years took part in this study. The mean ± SD score of total perceived stress was 16.45 ± 8.36 (the mean score of stress was 10.30 ± 6.16 and coping was 6.15 ± 3.83). Of the total, 129 participants (28.28%) were grouped as the high‐stress group. Results showed that the 70–79 years age group had higher odds of belonging to the stressed group than the 60–69 years age group (odds ratio = 2.336). Moreover, participants with a diploma were 57% more stressed than illiterate participants. The latter perceived less stress and had lower odds of belonging to the high‐stress group. The employed were 61% less likely to be categorized in the stressed group than the unemployed. Among women, 43% were less likely than men to be in the high‐stress group.

Conclusion

As the present findings showed, the risk factors of perceived stress induced by COVID‐19 are old age, low education, unemployment, and masculinity. Therefore, planning to improve stress‐coping skills such as entertainment, strengthening social relationships, physical activity, and the peace of mind of this population are suggested under the supervision of geriatric specialists and psychiatrists.
AMP‐activated protein kinase inhibition in fibro‐adipogenic progenitors impairs muscle regeneration and increases fibrosis
Authors: Liu Xiangdong , Zhao Liang , Gao Yao , Chen Yanting , Tian Qiyu , Son Jun Seok , Chae Song Ah , de Avila Jeanene Marie , Zhu Mei‐Jun , Du Min
Published: December 2022

Background

Following muscle injury, fibro‐adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are rapidly activated and undergo apoptosis at the resolution stage, which is required for proper muscle regeneration. When excessive FAPs remain, it contributes to fibrotic and fatty infiltration, impairing muscle recovery. Mechanisms controlling FAP apoptosis remain poorly defined. We hypothesized that AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in FAPs mediates their apoptosis during the muscle regeneration.

Methods

To test, AMPKα1fl/fl PDGFRαCre mice were used to knock out AMPKα1 in FAPs. Following AMPKα1 knockout, the mice were injected with phosphate‐buffered saline or glycerol to induce muscle injury. Tibialis anterior muscle and FAPs were collected at 3, 7 and 14 days post‐injury (dpi) for further analysis.

Results

We found that AMPKα1 deletion in FAPs enhanced p65 translocation to the nuclei by 110% (n = 3; P < 0.01). AMPKα1 knockout group had a higher gene expression of MMP‐9 (matrix metalloproteinase‐9) by 470% (n = 3; P < 0.05) and protein level by 39% (n = 3; P < 0.05). Loss of AMPKα1 up‐regulated the active TGF‐β1 (transforming growth factor‐β1) levels by 21% (n = 3; P < 0.05). TGF‐β promoted apoptotic resistance, because AMPKα1‐deficient group had 36% lower cleaved Caspase 3 (cCAS3) content (n = 3; P < 0.05). Fibrotic differentiation of FAPs was promoted, with increased collagen protein level by 54% (n = 3; P < 0.05). Moreover, obesity decreased phosphorylation of AMPK by 54% (n = 3; P < 0.05), which decreased cCAS3 in FAPs by 44% (n = 3; P < 0.05) and elevated collagen accumulation (52%; n = 3; P < 0.05) during muscle regeneration.

Conclusions

These data suggest that AMPK is a key mediator of FAPs apoptosis, and its inhibition due to obesity results in fibrosis of regenerated muscle.
Tailored opening questions to the context of using medical questionnaires: Qualitative analysis in first‐visit consultations
Authors: Abe Tetsuya , Nishiyama Junji , Kushida Shuya , Kawashima Michie , Oishi Naoko , Ueda Kento
Published: December 2022

Background

Communication skills required for doctors do not consist of simple uses of particular linguistic forms but include uses that are sensitive to the interactional context. In consultations where the doctors have pre‐existing information about their patients, this can complicate the context of problem solicitation. We investigated how doctors tailor opening questions to a context in which they get pre‐existing information from a medical questionnaire (MQ) filled out by the patients.

Methods

The data for this study were 87 video recordings of first visits to the department of general medicine at a university hospital in Japan. We qualitatively analyzed doctors' practices in problem solicitation in an opening phase using conversation analysis and triangulated it with quantitative analysis.

Results

Open‐ended questions accounted for 26.4% of opening questions. Among the closed‐ended questions, 75.0% were confirming questions about symptoms. In cases with open‐ended questions, doctors minimized the relevance of the MQ to problem solicitation by giving license to repeat the description from the MQ. In cases with closed‐ended questions, doctors highlighted the relevance of the MQ by sharing the MQ. Through these practices, they avoided patients' possible confusion about problem presentation while simultaneously maximizing the possibility of soliciting the patients' narratives.

Conclusions

Doctors adjusted the level of relevance of pre‐existing information to problem solicitation through both verbal and nonverbal management of the MQ. It will be useful to instruct such context‐dependent practices to improve communication skills in medical school curriculum.
Production of iturin A by Bacillus velezensis ND and its biological control characteristics
Authors: Tang Zhongmin , Cao Xiaojie , Zhang Huili
Published: December 2022

Bacillus subtilis, as a biocontrol bacterium, possess a variety of biological functions and the capacity to control plant pathogens. Iturin A is a biosurfactant with broad‐spectrum antifungal activity produced by fermentation of B. subtilis. In this study, the dynamic parameters of solid‐state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SMF) of Bacillus velezensis ND were compared, and a method for producing iturin A with a yield of 12.46 g/kg utilizing SSF was proposed. It has significant advantages over SMF and has the highest yield of all previously reported studies. B. velezensis ND also contains protease activity, cellulase activity, iron‐carrying activity, the ability to synthesis 3‐indoleacetic acid (IAA), fixation nitrogen, and degrade phosphorus. In cotton pot experiments, it can effectively increase cotton growth and minimize Verticillium wilt. This strain's superior fermentation efficiency, biological function, and biocontrol ability are sufficient to demonstrate its promise for the development and use of biocontrol agents.
Deglacial dynamics of the Foxe–Baffin Ice Sheet, Frobisher Bay, Nunavut, Canada revealed by submarine landform mapping
Authors: Todd Brian J. , Dowdeswell Julian A. , Shaw John , Campbell D. Calvin , Mate David J.
Published: December 2022

Previous interpretation of the nature and distribution of subaerial glacial landforms established that Frobisher Bay in southeastern Baffin Island was glaciated in the Late Wisconsinan by ice flowing southeast from the Foxe–Baffin Ice Dome. New seafloor mapping within the bay has revealed submarine glacial landforms that are described and interpreted in the context of their subglacial, ice‐marginal, glaciomarine and marine process environments. Interpretation of the evidence confirms that ice occupied Frobisher Bay, flowing from the northwest to southeast, parallel to the orientation of the bay. Relatively rapid ice velocities are indicated by the presence of ice‐moulded bedrock and megaridges flanking a deep trough (>700 m) along the faulted southern flank of Frobisher Bay. In shallower regions, areal scouring and channelisation indicate the widespread presence of glacial ice. As ice retreated to the northwest towards the Foxe Ice Dome, De Geer and recessional moraines were deposited at the ice front. The latter correlate spatially with the extensive Frobisher Bay Moraine System on land. Two iceberg ploughmark populations are evident, with smaller relict features in shallow water in rare locations in the northwest of the bay, and larger relict and modern ploughmarks in deeper water in outer Frobisher Bay.
Social and financial performance of microfinance institutions and its drivers: Evidence from MENA region
Authors: Abdelkader Ines Ben
Published: December 2022

The paper examines the determinants of social and financial performance of microfinance institutions using a database obtained from the MIX, consisting of 79 MFIs from the MENA region. The results reveal the existence of a possible trade‐off between profitability and outreach since MFI, oriented toward female borrowers, are likely to be less profitable than others. Another interesting finding is that non‐profit non‐governmental organizations (NGO) perform better in operational self‐sufficiency than MFIs with a different legal status. Overall, the specific institutional variables and macroeconomic factors appear to be critical determinants of the social and financial performance of MFIs.
Optical characterization of curved organic light emitting diodes with different thicknesses of barrier layers and cylindrical radii of curvatures
Authors: Käläntär K.
Published: December 2022

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) light sources were bent to study theoretically and experimentally the effect of bending on the optical characteristics. First, the effect of superstrate thickness on the emitted light was theoretically studied for cylindrical and spherical bent OLEDs, and the transmission and the reflection coefficients were simulated. In the second step, four OLEDs were fabricated; three of them with polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) superstrates and one with glass superstrate for comparison. In the third step, three jigs were fabricated with radii of R0 = ∞ mm (plane), R2 = 143 mm (cylinder), and R5 = 56.7 mm (cylinder). The OLEDs were fixed on the jigs and the on‐axis and off‐axis spectra of each were measured. In addition, the effect of barrier thickness on the optical characteristics was studied by changing the thickness from 100 to 150 nm. The reduction in bent radius resulted in shifts of the spectra toward the shorter wavelengths, and meanwhile, the width of the spectra was reduced. Similar result was found when the barrier layer was increased; that is, the peaks of the shorter spectra increased resulting in narrow bandwidth spectra. By bending a flexible OLED, a color change acquires and it increases with the bending radius, as well as by the increase of the barrier layer thickness.
Quantitative characterization of duodenal gastrinoma autofluorescence using multiphoton microscopy
Authors: Knapp Thomas G. , Duan Suzann , Merchant Juanita L. , Sawyer Travis W.
Published: December 2022

Background

Duodenal gastrinomas (DGASTs) are neuroendocrine tumors that develop in the submucosa of the duodenum and produce the hormone gastrin. Surgical resection of DGASTs is complicated by the small size of these tumors and the tendency for them to develop diffusely in the duodenum. Endoscopic mucosal resection of DGASTs is an increasingly popular method for treating this disease due to its low complication rate but suffers from poor rates of pathologically negative margins. Multiphoton microscopy can capture high‐resolution images of biological tissue with contrast generated from endogenous fluorescence (autofluorescence [AF]) through two‐photon excited fluorescence (2PEF). Second harmonic generation is another popular method of generating image contrast with multiphoton microscopy (MPM) and is a light‐scattering phenomenon that occurs predominantly from structures such as collagen in biological samples. Some molecules that contribute to AF change in abundance from processes related to the cancer disease process (e.g., metabolic changes, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis).

Study Design/Materials and Methods

MPM was used to image 12 separate patient samples of formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded duodenal gastrinoma slides with a second‐harmonic generation (SHG) channel and four 2PEF channels. The excitation and emission profiles of each 2PEF channel were tuned to capture signal dominated by distinct fluorophores with well‐characterized fluorescent spectra and known connections to the physiologic changes that arise in cancerous tissue.

Results

We found that there was a significant difference in the relative abundance of signal generated in the 2PEF channels for regions of DGASTs in comparison to the neighboring tissues of the duodenum. Data generated from texture feature extraction of the MPM images were used in linear discriminant analysis models to create classifiers for tumor versus all other tissue types before and after principal component analysis (PCA). PCA improved the classifier accuracy and reduced the number of features required to achieve maximum accuracy. The linear discriminant classifier after PCA distinguished between tumor and other tissue types with an accuracy of 90.6%−93.8%.

Conclusions

These results suggest that multiphoton microscopy 2PEF and SHG imaging is a promising label‐free method for discriminating between DGASTs and normal duodenal tissue which has implications for future applications of in vivo assessment of resection margins with endoscopic MPM.
Resolutions to Remain Union Free in ′23
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: December 2022

Holiday decorations have been packaged away for another year. Vacations from work have come to an end. Early sunsets await everyone for the next several months. Year‐end parties are now a memory.
Quality assurance assessment of intra‐acquisition diffusion‐weighted and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging registration and contour propagation for head and neck cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Naser Mohamed A. , Wahid Kareem A. , Ahmed Sara , Salama Vivian , Dede Cem , Edwards Benjamin W. , Lin Ruitao , McDonald Brigid , Salzillo Travis C. , He Renjie , Ding Yao , Abdelaal Moamen Abobakr , Thill Daniel , O'Connell Nicolette , Willcut Virgil , Christodouleas John P. , Lai Stephen Y. , Fuller Clifton D. , Mohamed Abdallah S. R.
Published: December 2022

Background/Purpose

Adequate image registration of anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is necessary for MR‐guided head and neck cancer (HNC) adaptive radiotherapy planning. Despite the quantitative capabilities of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) MRI for treatment plan adaptation, geometric distortion remains a considerable limitation. Therefore, we systematically investigated various deformable image registration (DIR) methods to co‐register DWI and T2‐weighted (T2W) images.

Materials/Methods

We compared three commercial (ADMIRE, Velocity, Raystation) and three open‐source (Elastix with default settings [Elastix Default], Elastix with parameter set 23 [Elastix 23], Demons) post‐acquisition DIR methods applied to T2W and DWI MRI images acquired during the same imaging session in twenty immobilized HNC patients. In addition, we used the non‐registered images (None) as a control comparator. Ground‐truth segmentations of radiotherapy structures (tumour and organs at risk) were generated by a physician expert on both image sequences. For each registration approach, structures were propagated from T2W to DWI images. These propagated structures were then compared with ground‐truth DWI structures using the Dice similarity coefficient and mean surface distance.

Results

19 left submandibular glands, 18 right submandibular glands, 20 left parotid glands, 20 right parotid glands, 20 spinal cords, and 12 tumours were delineated. Most DIR methods took <30 s to execute per case, with the exception of Elastix 23 which took ∼458 s to execute per case. ADMIRE and Elastix 23 demonstrated improved performance over None for all metrics and structures (Bonferroni‐corrected p < 0.05), while the other methods did not. Moreover, ADMIRE and Elastix 23 significantly improved performance in individual and pooled analysis compared to all other methods.

Conclusions

The ADMIRE DIR method offers improved geometric performance with reasonable execution time so should be favoured for registering T2W and DWI images acquired during the same scan session in HNC patients. These results are important to ensure the appropriate selection of registration strategies for MR‐guided radiotherapy.
Methods and operational aspects of human‐centred design into research processes for individuals with multiple chronic conditions: A survey study
Authors: Han Hae‐Ra , Lee Ji Won , Saylor Martha Abshire , Parisi Jeanine M. , Hornstein Erika , Agarwalla Vidisha , Jajodia Anushka , Li Qiwei , Weikert Mike , Davidson Patricia M. , Szanton Sarah L.
Published: December 2022

Aim

To examine ways in which human‐centred design was integrated into a nursing school's research processes involving individuals with multiple chronic conditions.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey study.

Methods

Three surveys were sent out, with surveys 1 and 2 involving faculty who had worked closely with design strategists and survey 3 as a school‐wide survey eliciting experience with human‐centred design, respectively.

Results

Survey respondents (n = 7 for surveys 1 and 2 and n = 36 for survey 3) had no or minimal experience with human‐centred design. Faculty respondents indicated it helped engaging various stakeholders, particularly in intervention development. Key lessons learned included: (1) the importance of designer involvement from study conception, (2) distinguishing a design strategist's skillset from strictly visual design, (3) challenges during the ethical review processes, and (4) sustainability of resources. The dynamic approach of human‐centred design has benefited our efforts to advance the science of caring for individuals with multiple chronic conditions.
Finding balance: understanding the energetics of time‐restricted feeding in mice
Authors: Gallop Molly R. , Tobin Selene Y. , Chaix Amandine
Published: December 2022

Over the course of mammalian evolution, the ability to store energy likely conferred a survival advantage when food became scarce. A long‐term increase in energy storage results from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, two tightly regulated parameters that generally balance out to maintain a fairly stable body weight. Understanding the molecular determinants of this feat likely holds the key to new therapeutic development to manage obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions. Time‐restricted feeding (TRF), a dietary intervention that limits feeding to the active phase, can prevent and treat obesity and metabolic dysfunction in rodents fed a high‐fat diet, likely by exerting effects on energetic balance. Even when body weight is lower in mice on active‐phase TRF, food intake is generally isocaloric as compared with ad libitum fed controls. This discrepancy between body weight and energy intake led to the hypothesis that energy expenditure is increased during TRF. However, at present, there is no consensus in the literature as to how TRF affects energy expenditure and energy balance as a whole, and the mechanisms behind metabolic adaptation under TRF are unknown. This review examines our current understanding of energy balance on TRF in rodents and provides a framework for future studies to evaluate the energetics of TRF and its molecular determinants.

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Altered sensory integration from body and language development in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yoshimura Yuko , Hasegawa Chiaki , Tanaka Sanae , Ikeda Takashi , Yaoi Ken , Iwasaki Sumie , An Kyung‐min , Kikuchi Mitsuru
Published: December 2022

Aim

Although atypical sensory motor processing has been investigated in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), whether or not atypical sensory motor processing is related to altered language function in children with ASD remains unclear.

Methods

This study examined the relationship between sensory motor processing and language conceptual inference ability in 3–10‐year‐old children with (n = 61) and without (n = 114) ASD. Language performance was assessed using the language conceptual inference task of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K‐ABC). Sensory processing was assessed using the Caregiver Sensory Profile.

Results

In children with ASD, altered processing of the fine motor/perceptual factor scored by sensory profile was found to be significantly related to language conceptual inference ability in the K‐ABC, representing the integrated abilities of language comprehension and language expression, which reflect language semantic concept formation.

Conclusions

For children with ASD, the results suggest a relationship between difficulties of integrating sensory information perceived from the body adjusting fine movement and deficiencies of language semantic conceptual formation.
Blood MAPT expression and methylation status in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Mori Hiroaki , Yoshino Yuta , Ueno Mariko , Funahashi Yu , Kumon Hiroshi , Ozaki Yuki , Yamazaki Kiyohiro , Ochi Shinichiro , Iga Jun‐ichi , Ueno Shu‐ichi
Published: December 2022

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the expression levels and methylation status of microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) in the blood of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls.

Methods

Fifty AD outpatients and 50 healthy contorls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for processing of complementary DNA and genomic DNA. MAPT messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was analyzed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The methylation rates of four cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine (CpG) sites in the upstream region of MAPT exon1 were evaluated by the pyrosequencing method.

Results

No significant differences in MAPT mRNA expression levels were found between AD and control subjects (AD 0.97 ± 0.49 vs. control 1.0 ± 0.64, p = 0.62). MAPT mRNA expression levels were not correlated with any other clinical characteristics or results of psychological tests. MAPT mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in AD subjects treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs) (n = 25) than in subjects not treated with AChEIs (n = 25) (unmedicated 0.83 ± 0.33 vs. medicated 1.12 ± 0.59, p = 0.049). The AD subjects did not differ from the control subjects in methylation rates at selected CpG sites. MAPT methylation status were not correlated with clinical characteristics, the results of psychological tests, or MAPT mRNA expression.

Conclusion

MAPT mRNA expression levels and methylation status in blood do not appear useful as biomarkers for AD or the examined CpG sites were not genetically significant for MAPT gene expression or AD pathology. However, AChEIs may alter MAPT mRNA expression. Further studies are needed to explore blood biomarkers that can discriminate AD patients from controls.
How do young people with a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome understand and experience cancer survivorship? “With Li‐Fraumeni syndrome, it’s just an intermission”
Authors: Werner‐Lin Allison , Forbes Shepherd Rowan , Rising Camella J. , Thompson Ashley S. , Huelsnitz Chloe , Wilsnack Catherine , Boyd Patrick , Sleight Alix G. , Hutson Sadie , Khincha Payal P.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Adolescents and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors face unique medical and psychosocial sequalae, including chronic health conditions, late effects of treatment and fear of recurrence. The meaning of cancer survivorship may be further complicated for AYAs with hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. This study used a patient‐centered framework to investigate how AYAs with Li‐Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) consider cancer survivorship.

Methods

An interprofessional team conducted 30 semi‐structured interviews with AYAs (aged 18–41, mean 31 years) enrolled in the National Cancer Institute's LFS Study (NCT01443468). Twenty had experienced at least one cancer diagnosis. Interview data were thematically analyzed by an inter‐professional team using interpretive description and grounded theory methods.

Findings

Participants viewed “survivorship” as a period marked by no evidence of formerly diagnosed disease. By contrast, participants felt the label “survivor” was tenuous since LFS is characterized by multiple primary malignancies and uncertainty about intervals between one diagnosis and the next. Many AYAs viewed survivorship as requiring a high degree of suffering. Though many personally rejected “survivor” identities, almost all articulated its various functions including positive, negative, and more complicated connotations. Instead, they chose language to represent a range of beliefs about survival, longevity, prognosis, and activism.

Conclusions

AYAs with LFS struggle with the term “survivor” due to their multi‐organ cancer risk, short intervals between malignancies, and evolving identities. Loved ones' cancer‐related suffering informed perspectives on survivorship. Survivorship care for AYAs with cancer risk syndromes requires interprofessional interventions that address their unique biomedical and psychosocial needs.
Towards dsRNA‐integrated protection of medical Cannabis crops: considering human safety, recent‐ and developing RNAi methods, and research inroads
Authors: Willow Jonathan , Silva Ana I. , Taning Clauvis Nji Tizi , Smagghe Guy , Veromann Eve
Published: December 2022

Owing to the expanding industry of medical Cannabis, we discuss recent milestones in RNA interference (RNAi)‐based crop protection research and development that are transferable to medical Cannabis cultivation. Recent and prospective increases in pest pressure in both indoor and outdoor Cannabis production systems, and the need for effective nonchemical pest control technologies (particularly crucial in the context of cultivating plants for medical purposes), are discussed. We support the idea that developing RNAi tactics towards protection of medical Cannabis could play a major role in maximizing success in this continuously expanding industry. However, there remain critical knowledge gaps, especially with regard to RNA pesticide biosafety from a human toxicological viewpoint, as a result of the medical context of Cannabis product use. Furthermore, efforts are needed to optimize transformation and micropropagation of Cannabis plants, examine cutting edge RNAi techniques for various Cannabis–pest scenarios, and investigate the combined application of RNAi‐ and biological control tactics in medical Cannabis cultivation. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Correlative Atomic Coordination and Interfacial Charge Polarity in Al2O3/GaN and Al2O3/Si Heterostructures
Authors: Wang Chuanju , Li Xiaohang
Published: December 2022

Al2O3 is used to form Al2O3/GaN and Al2O3/Si heterostructures for many electronic and optoelectronic devices. Yet the origins of the positive interfacial charges in the Al2O3/GaN heterostructure and negative interfacial charges in the Al2O3/Si heterostructure are often elusive. Herein, in‐depth studies of the Al2O3/GaN and Al2O3/Si heterostructures are conducted, especially on how the atomic coordination structure affects the interfacial charges. It is discovered that the octahedral [AlO6]9− coordination surpassed tetrahedral [AlO4]5− coordination at the Al2O3/GaN interface, whereas tetrahedral [AlO4]5− coordination dominated at the Al2O3/Si interface. Therefore, the interfacial charge polarity is correlated with the nonstoichiometry atomic coordination of Al2O3 at the two interfaces. This study reveals the atomic origin of charge polarity at high‐k/semiconductor interfaces and could facilitate the development of high‐performance optoelectronic and electronic devices through engineering the atomic coordination structure of the high‐k materials.
On input‐to‐state stability Lyapunov functions for mechanical systems
Authors: Aleksandrov Alexander , Efimov Denis , Dashkovskiy Sergey
Published: December 2022

For two canonical models of mechanical systems with disturbances presented by Rayleigh‐ and Liénard‐type equations, several designs of Lyapunov functions are investigated. Under given restrictions, the existence of these functions implies global or local input‐to‐state stability property for the systems. The proposed stability conditions are constructive, which is demonstrated in applications.
Environmental sustainability in South Africa: Understanding the criticality of economic policy uncertainty, fiscal decentralization, and green innovation
Authors: Udeagha Maxwell Chukwudi , Muchapondwa Edwin
Published: December 2022

South Africa, like most developing nations, is confronted with choosing between the need to advance their economy and the need to protect the environment. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN‐SDGs‐7, 11, 12 & 13) provide a strong foundation for this investigation. To this end, the current research investigates the combined impacts of economic policy uncertainty, fiscal decentralization, and green innovation on environmental sustainability for the instance of South Africa with yearly frequency data from 1960 to 2020. The current research leverages on dynamic ordinary least squares, fully modified ordinary least squares, and canonical cointegration regression. The Maki cointegration test shows how the variables being evaluated have an equilibrium connection across the time period under review. Empirical findings support the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework. These findings imply that, in the first stages of economic expansion, ecological environment is being sacrificed for economic progress (scale stage). Based on the EKC hypothesis, long‐term quadratic economic growth reduces emissions by 0.162% whereas a 1% rise in economic growth increases emissions by 0.791%. Similar to this, long‐term economic globalization and economic policy uncertainty impair ecological sustainability, whereas long‐term fiscal decentralization and green innovation raise it in South Africa. These results have broad environmental repercussions. The present investigation supported environmental stick measures and investment in initiatives on a fundamental change from fossil‐fuel energy consumption base to renewables. The final portion highlights further insights.
Temperature dependence of the work function in barium fluoride ultra‐thin films on semiconductors for hybrid thermionic converters studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Bolli Eleonora , Mezzi Alessio , Kaciulis Saulius , Serpente Valerio , Bellucci Alessandro , Trucchi Daniele M.
Published: December 2022

Thin films based on barium fluoride (BaFx) have demonstrated the capability to reduce the work function of photovoltaic (PV) anodes in hybrid thermionic devices for the conversion of thermal‐to‐electrical energy. Because PV anodes integrated in thermionic converters can operate at temperatures higher than room temperature, in this study, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) were used to investigate the temperature dependence up to 300°C of the chemical and physical properties of BaFx thin‐films, deposited on gallium arsenide and silicon, that represent possible candidates for PV anodes. A correlation between chemical composition and work function reduction by 0.5 ± 0.1 eV for the thin films on both GaAs and Si has been found as a function of temperature from room temperature to 300°C. According to XPS analyses, this effect can be ascribable to the thermal desorption of the first contaminated layers of BaFx coatings.
Consistent inverse probability of treatment weighted estimation of the average treatment effect with mismeasured time‐dependent confounders
Authors: Yan Ying , Ren Mingchen
Published: December 2022

In longitudinal studies, the inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) method is commonly employed to estimate the effect of time‐dependent treatments on an outcome of interest. However, it has been documented that when the confounders are subject to measurement error, the naive IPTW method which simply ignores measurement error leads to biased treatment effect estimation. In the existing literature, there is a lack of measurement error correction methods that fully remove measurement error effect and produce consistent treatment effect estimation. In this article, we develop a novel consistent IPTW estimation procedure for longitudinal studies. The key step of the proposed method is to use the observed data to construct a corrected function that is unbiased of the unknown IPTW function. Simulation studies reveal that the proposed method outperforms the existing consistent and approximate measurement error correction methods for IPTW estimation of the average treatment effect. Finally, we apply the proposed method to analyze a real dataset.
CoS2/MoS2 Hollow Heterostructure as High‐efficiency Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Xiong Jiabin , Cao Zhenyu , Wang Huicheng , Ban Dingding , Zhou Ziqing , Li Yanqiang , Chen Siru
Published: December 2022

Developing high‐efficiency bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to realize low‐cost water splitting is the premise for large‐scale production of hydrogen. The catalytic activity of an electrocatalysts greatly depends on its composition and structure. In this work, we report the preparation of hollow CoS2/MoS2 heterostructure using ZIF‐67 as the precursor. The ratio of Co and Mo are optimized to maximize the synergy of CoS2 and MoS2, due to their specific catalytic activity for OER and HER. The optimized CoS2/MoS2 exhibits good bifunctional catalytic activity in view of its low overpotentials for HER (170 mV) and OER (270 mV), as well as small cell voltage of 1.66 V for overall water splitting. This work provides a facile strategy to controllable fabrication of efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications.
Nickel Supported on Multilayer Vanadium Carbide for Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: Huang Nongfeng , Su Tongming , Qin Zuzeng , Ji Hongbing
Published: December 2022

A multilayer vanadium carbide MXene (m‐V2C) was used as a robust oxy‐carbide support to prepare a series of Ni/m‐V2O3‐V2C catalysts with various Ni amounts by an impregnation method and used for dry reforming of methane (DRM). The results show that the Ni addition increases the catalyst alkalinity, and the interaction between the Ni metal and m‐V2C increases with increasing Ni amount. Ni/m‐V2O3‐V2C with a Ni amount of 13 wt% showed optimal CH4 and CO2 conversions of 94 % and 89 %, respectively. In addition, 13Ni/m‐V2O3‐V2C exhibits excellent catalytic stability and anti‐coking ability in a 90‐hour stability test, which is attributed to the strong metal‐support interaction. In situ DRIFTS analysis showed that methane activated on the Ni particles generates CHx and H, while CO2 interacts with m‐V2O3‐V2C to form carbonates on Ni/m‐V2O3‐V2C; carbonate species come into contact with methane pyrolysis products and quickly form formate species, which are further decomposed into CO.
Effect of sewage on compressive strength and geometric texture of the surface of concrete elements
Authors: Witkowska‐Dobrev Joanna , Szlachetka Olga , Malarski Maciej , Czajkowska Justyna , Miturski Maciej , Nowak Piotr , Dohojda Marek
Published: December 2022

This paper presents the results of a study on the compressive strength, weight loss, surface roughness, elemental analysis and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) measurement after 270 days of seasoning concrete cubes measuring 100 × 100 × 100 mm in solutions of sewage from the post‐grit chamber as well as sewage from the activated sludge chamber in three different environments, that is, acidic, neutral, and alkaline. The value of the compressive strength of the samples stored in the tested environments varied depending on the type of the tested wastewater and its pH in relation to the control sample. The most influence on compressive strength was acidic environment—the decrease was approximately 12.7% in the post‐grit chamber and 9.5% in the activated sludge chamber. Samples which had been seasoned in the post‐grid chamber were characterized by UPVs ranging from 4805.3 to 4864.6 m/s. Samples seasoned in an activated sludge chamber achieved UPVs ranging from 4689.7 to 4778.9 m/s. The average relative error between the compressive strength values calculated from the ultrasonic method according formula (3) and the measured values does not exceed 4%. The conclusions from the 3D measurements of roughnesses show that parameters Ra, Rz, Sa, and Sq are the most reliable in assessing the roughness intensity of corrosion damage of concrete caused by sewage. Elemental analysis proved that in the acidic pH solution of sewage from the post‐grit chamber, the presence of calcium was not identified at any of the points tested.
Wildlife friendly fence designs and elk fence crossing behavior
Authors: Visscher Darcy R. , Macleod Ian , Janzen Michael , Visser Kaitlyn , Lekas Sander , Vujnovic Ksenija , Vujnovic Dragomir
Published: December 2022

Fencing is a ubiquitous feature of our agricultural landscape. Fences necessarily have the potential to reduce habitat connectivity for resident ungulate populations. Unsuccessful fence crossings have the potential to cause injury or death to wildlife, as well as resulting in damage to the fence in terms of time and maintenance costs. Wildlife friendly fence designs may provide landowners and ungulate managers the opportunity to mitigate risks associated with wildlife crossings. Using remote cameras (n = 12) along the perimeter fence of the Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve, Alberta, we quantified and compared elk crossing behaviors at standard 4 strand fences and gates as well as 3 strand fences and gates both with experimentally modified top and bottom strand heights. We found that wildlife friendly designs promoted behavioral options for elk of various demographic classes to cross fences. Our results suggest that the number of strands and the height of the top and bottom strand are important determinants for animals deciding to cross over, through, or under fences. While difficult or problematic crossings were primarily determined by how the individual crossed and made up a proportionally small number of crossings, the sheer volume of crossings we observed suggests that any modification which increases fence permeability to elk will likely result in less damage to fences and the crossing individuals.
A low‐pressure compressed air insecticide applicator to manage plague on prairie dog colonies using all‐terrain vehicles
Authors: Tripp Daniel W. , Sullivan Amy E. , Sack Danielle A. , Emslie Alexis C. , Drake Maximilian K.
Published: December 2022

Vector control is an important tool for plague management in native wildlife such as prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and black‐footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). Given the success of previous prototype high‐pressure air (HPA) dusters, we developed a low‐pressure air (LPA) duster that can be mounted on and powered via all‐terrain vehicle (ATV). We describe the duster prototype and compare performance to commercially available dusters and previous high‐pressure air dusters. In 2021, we infused 0.05% deltamethrin (dust) into black‐tailed prairie dogs burrows (C. ludovicianus) in Larimer County, Colorado. We then captured prairie dogs and compared flea abundance and prevalence on a site dusted with prototype LPA dusters to a non‐dusted site. The mean amount of dust (g) dispensed per burrow was higher using the LPA duster ( = 6.37, 95% CI = 6.24–6.50) from ATVs when compared to HPA prototypes ( = 5.39, 95% CI = 5.27–5.52, P ≤ 0.01) and the commercial dusters used previously ( = 5.29, 95% CI = 5.05–5.50). Low‐pressure air and HPA dusters had shorter operating time than the commercial dusters (1 second per burrow versus  = 7.69, 95% CI = 7.42–7.95, P ≤ 0.01). Mean flea abundance and prevalence of flea infestation in 2021 was lower on the site dusted with prototype LPA dusters ( = 0.13 fleas, 95% CI = 0.00–0.31, prevalence = 0.065) than on a non‐dusted site ( = 8.61 fleas, 95% CI = 6.05–11.17, P ≤ 0.01, prevalence = 1.0). The LPA dusters offer several advantages over previous duster designs, including continuously generated low‐pressure compressed air, a durable build, and efficient operation from ATVs. Future work should focus on calibration at higher doses of dust and assessment of larger air tanks and more durable fuse systems. Accurate and efficient equipment along with quality control monitoring are vital to the ongoing success of vector control as a plague management tool.
Teaching Transformative Service Learning
Authors: Schank Christoph , Halberstadt Jantje
Published: December 2022

Service learning describes an increasingly established form of teaching and learning at universities combining academic learning with real-world problem solving. While traditional approaches work within existing social systems and, in the worst case, reproduce and perpetuate social problems, critical and transformative approaches aim at systemic changes in social practice, while showing their potential to address sustainability entrepreneurial competences that are key for (future) agents of transformation. This understanding of service learning challenges students and lecturers, and requires a structured, well-thought-out pathway. Our chapter introduces transformative service learning as a promising approach for entrepreneurship (oriented) education. The argumentation for it is competence-oriented while focusing on the abilities that can promote sustainable development. In addition, the chapter addresses the role of the lecturer, which to date has been rarely and very unsystematically examined. The paper also proposes the specific service learning IOOI tool that aims to support lecturers, especially in the early stages of service learning courses, and help streamline programs.
“I would help the lecturer with marking”: Entrepreneurial Education Insights on Academic Resilience from the Perspectives of Engineering Students in South Africa
Authors: Mapaling Curwyn , Webb Paul , du Plooy Belinda
Published: December 2022

Abstracts

Several factors contribute to the alarmingly high youth unemployment rate in South Africa. Barriers such as lack of access to education and practical work experience reflect these statistics and the socio-economic implications of graduate unemployment. This qualitative case study investigated the perceptions of engineering students' academic resilience in the context of higher education by using a youth development approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online via Zoom with a sample consisting of 10 participants (aged 22–28 years), namely four Civil engineering students, four Electrical engineering students, and two Industrial engineering students. Six students were South African, whilst the remaining four were international students. Seven participants self-identified as male and three as female. Findings are discussed in terms of the three themes which emerged from the thematic analysis: (a) personal character strengths; (b) access to guidance, resources, and information and (c) a sense of belonging and social connection. This study focused on engineering education and developed a new interdisciplinary understanding of how entrepreneurship education may contribute to engineering students' academic resilience as a packaged support system that speaks to their psychosocial, educational and economic needs.
Developing Responsible and Sustainable Innovations in Entrepreneurship Education—Introducing the Sandbox Approach
Authors: Meyer Verena , Martins Flavio Pinheiro , Reihlen Markus , Pleß Fabian , Zadeh Yasmin Azim
Published: December 2022

As entrepreneurship educators, we typically bring together students in entrepreneurial teams and let them develop and work on their own ideas. Most of the time, their ideas are innovative, interesting, and inspiring. They also increasingly take sustainability into account, still this needs to be fostered systematically. So how could we support these students to tackle global challenges and develop sustainable ideas? To develop more sustainable ideas, entrepreneurship education concepts need to bridge the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. Developing innovation communities within a framework of an open innovation process presents a suitable approach with a possible long-term impact in this regard. The “Sandbox Innovation Process” combines a structured open innovation process while fostering an innovation community enabled to solve regional challenges. Using this workshop concept, participants can experience the “Sandbox Approach” at firsthand and develop comprehensive concepts for their common challenges. This workshop is a starting point to reflect on how researchers and educators in entrepreneurship can become key drivers for developing sustainable solutions. This is supported by a framework that takes contextual constraints into account and reflects on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Finnish State and International Cultural Relations, 1945–1975
Authors: Clerc Louis
Published: December 2022

Culture was no exception in Finland’s foreign policy during the Cold War: international cultural relations were one more stage on which the basic play of Finland’s Cold War domestic and foreign policies was performed. In the maze of justifications for improving the state’s capacity to coordinate and direct Finland’s spontaneous cultural relations used by its main Finnish administrators, historical memories, conceptions of desirable directions for Finland’s national development, the necessities of Finland’s geopolitical situation and more concrete notions linked to commercial and economic development appeared fundamentally important. The slow institutionalization of this cultural diplomacy and the activities it conducted aimed at Finland’s geopolitical stabilization and participation in international developments, and the country’s state-led cultural modernization.
Locally Refined B-Splines
Authors: Kermarrec Gaël , Skytt Vibeke , Dokken Tor
Published: December 2022

The univariate minimal support B-spline basis (UMB) has been used in Computer Aided Design (CAD) since the 1970s. Freeform curves use UMB, while sculptured surfaces are represented using a tensor product of two UMBs. The coefficients of a B-spline curve and surface are respectively represented in a vector and a rectangular grid. In CAD-intersection algorithms for UMB represented objects, a divide-and-conquer strategy is often used. Refinement by knot insertion is used to split the objects intersected into objects of the same type with a smaller geometric extent. In many cases the intersection of the resulting sub-objects has simpler topology than the original problem. The sub-objects created are represented using their parents’ UMB format and deleted when the sub-problem is solved. Consequently, no global representations of the locally refined bases are needed. This is contrary to when locally refined splines are used for approximation of large point sets. As soon as a B-spline is locally refined, the regular structure of UMB objects in CAD is no longer valid. In this chapter we discuss how Locally Refined B-splines (LR B-splines) address this challenge and present the properties of LR B-splines.