bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Income Effect of Participation in Agricultural Production: The Case of Smallholder Maize Farmers in Tanzania
Authors: Msengi Daudi Moses , Akyoo Adam
Published: October 2023

Agriculture is an important sector of the Tanzanian economy, contributing about 26.9% to GDP. About 80% of the population depends on agriculture as a source of income. Extant literature shows mixed results regarding the relationship between agricultural participation and income. This study investigated effect of agricultural participation on income in Tanzania. The National Sample Census of Agriculture data 2019/2020 with a sample of 11,812 households was used. The study employed a quasi-experimental design. Propensity score matching was used to analyse the effect of household participation in maize production on income in Tanzania. The findings show that households participate in maize production have a negatively and significantly effect on their household income. Again, the use of fertilizer, off-farm employment, land size, and type of seed used positively and significantly influenced participation in maize production. On the other hand, sex of the household head, membership in cooperative, use of irrigation and herbicides had negative and significant effects on participation in maize production. Consequently, there is a need to provide necessary agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, improved seeds and a more enabling environment for land ownership to be used in maize production among smallholder farmers.
Steps for Security and Privacy Protection in NLP-based Marking Systems
Authors: Djara Tahirou , Amoussou Carlos
Published: October 2023

This paper provides an overview of the methods and techniques used to ensure the security and privacy protection of Natural Language Processing (NLP) based test scoring systems. NLPs improve the accuracy and efficiency of correction systems. However, these systems process sensitive data such as student responses, which raises security and privacy concerns. We examine the components of such a system and then propose measures such as access controls, homomorphic encryption, firewalls and blockchain mixed together to secure the system. Next, we safeguard privacy through methods such as differential privacy protection, anonymization and pseudonymization of data. In addition, we insist on the integration of a browser monitoring module to detect any cheating during composition. In this article we partly present a system called "GestStudent New Generation" in which we integrate most of the security concepts to secure the whole system and guarantee privacy protection. Finally, we conclude by stressing the importance of continuous evaluation of these security and privacy measures to ensure the trust and reliability of NLP-based examination marking systems.
Groundwater Assessment Using MIF Technique in a Small Basin of Malwa Region, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Priyamvada M.  , Sahu M. L. , Awasthi M. K. , Nema S. , Turkar R. K.
Published: October 2023

Water, a vital natural resource and essential component for all living organisms, exists in two primary forms: surface water and groundwater. Groundwater, a significant global resource, is unevenly distributed worldwide. Enhancing groundwater recharge is a fundamental hydrological parameter for assessing, managing, and modelling groundwater resources. However, determining recharge rates is a complex and challenging task, despite its crucial role in recharge assessments. The current study has been conducted in northwest part of Madhya Pradesh. The Neemuch and Mandsaur district comes under semi-arid zones and faces the problem of scarcity of water annually. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate groundwater potential zones using an integrated approach using geospatial tools. Various thematic parameters i.e., slope, rainfall, geology, drainage density lineaments, geomorphology and soil were considered for identifying evaluate potential zones. Thematic maps were generated using SRTM DEM, Sentinel-2 Imagery, and Survey of India (SOI) toposheets at a scale of 1:50000. The selected thematic factors were integrated for the determination of the groundwater potential of the study area, with appropriate weightage factors given to different themes by means of the multi-influencing factor (MIF) approach. This process was repeated for other layers, resulting in reclassified layers. These layers were then combined to delineate zones classified as “very good”, “good”, “moderate”, “poor”, and “very poor” for groundwater potential. The assessment of groundwater potential information using geospatial techniques can aid in identifying suitable locations for providing safe drinking water to rural populations. This comprehensive integrated approach of RS and GIS in assessing groundwater potentiality offers valuable insights for effective identification of suitable areas to meet the potable water needs of rural communities.
Studies on the Available Nutrient-Supplying Capacity of Soil in Degradation Vulnerable Soils of Central Dry Zone in Tumkur District, Karnataka, India
Authors: Shafnas, I.  , K. S. Anil Kumar, , H. C. Prakasha,
Published: October 2023

Land degradation resulting from various natural and anthropogenic activities including the loss of organic matter, decline in soil fertility, erosion, acidity, alkalinity and the effect of toxic chemical is a serious global environmental problem, which may be triggered by climatic factors and their aberrations. The detailed reconnaissance soil survey was carried out in Tumkur district of Karnataka to study plant available nutrients in degradation vulnerable soils of central dry zone in Tumkur district, Karnataka during 2021-2022 using remote sensing, GIS and field studies. Satellite imageries (Sentinal -2) of three seasons were used along with soil map to delineate the degradation soils through visual interpretation. Using this map resource characterization was carried out. Out of thirteen soil pedons studied from Tumkur district, nine pedons were studied from central dry zone of Tumkur covering six taluks. These pedons belongs to Alfisols, Inceptisols and Entisols soil order. Soils were very strongly acidic (4.54) to very strongly alkaline (9.33) with non- saline nature in all pedons. The organic carbon content was low high, with higher content in Hosahalli of Madhugiri and decreased with increased depth in pedons. Available nitrogen was low to high and available phosphorus and potassium were low to medium in range. Secondary and micronutrients is soil was low to high, except zinc and boron, showing deficiency in most of the pedon. Soil fertility status assessment of different major soils of central dry zone of Tumkur help in developing sustainable management plan for improving the productivity and also growing the suitable crop, by preventing the degradation.
Rainfall Versus Water Balance Components Using R Software: A Case Study on a Micro-watershed in the Mid-lands of Kerala
Authors: Bowlekar A. P. , Sathian K. K. , Venu Vaisakh
Published: October 2023

Quantitative information on an area’s water balance components is essential to plan water management activities. In most cases, these water balance components, viz. rainfall, runoff, soil moisture, groundwater storage, and evapotranspiration, will be missing, especially in the developing world. At the same time, most countries have rainfall data in a reasonably acceptable spatial resolution. Hence, if a relationship between rainfall and other water balance components can be developed, then using these relations, the values of those water balance components can be determined. Hence, a study has been taken up in which important water balance components, viz. rainfall, runoff, soil moisture, the height of groundwater table from MSL, and evapotranspiration, are measured from a watershed, and the relationship between rainfall and other components have been determined through regression analysis. R software was used to determine relationships between rainfall and other water balance components. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) between rainfall vs. runoff was 0.83, rainfall vs. soil moisture was 0.80, rainfall vs. the height of GW table from MSL was 0.72, and rainfall vs. evapotranspiration was -0.64, which indicates a good correlation in the majority of the cases. The relationship between rainfall vs. runoff, rainfall vs. soil moisture, rainfall vs. the height of the GW table, and rainfall vs. evapotranspiration was a polynomial equation with degrees 4, 3, 5, and 3, respectively. The study concludes that it is possible to estimate most other water balance components using the regression estimates by measuring the rainfall. These relationships can be used effectively in water management programs.
Humic Acid as Combined with Different Levels of N-P-K Fertilizer and Farmyard Manure to Enhance a Fodder Maize-Cowpea Intercropping System
Authors: Dhamodharan P. , Raguramakrishnan M. , Arivukkumar N.
Published: October 2023

In the summer season of 2021, a research study was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam. The primary objective was to assess how varying doses of humic acid, in addition with the recommended fertilizer dose, affected the growth and physiological characteristics of African Tall fodder maize and CO 9 fodder cowpea under intercropping system. The study was laid down by using randomized block design with 12 treatment combinations, each replicated three times to reduce the experimental error. The study's results highlighted that applying 125% of the recommended fertilizer dose, supplemented with enriched farmyard manure at a rate of 750 kg/ha, and applying 20 kg/ha of humic acid with addition of foliar spray treatments comprising 1.0% Urea and 0.5% CaCl2 (Treatment 8) were found to yield the highest plant height, number of leaves per plant, branches per plant, and increased dry matter production. Furthermore, this approach demonstrated superior physiological attributes, including agronomic growth rate, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate at various crop growth stages. Notably, this treatment also exhibited the largest leaf area when compared to control treatments (Treatment 12).
Ansiedade na Pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil: Um Estudo Longitudinal
Authors: C. Martins Rafael , R. Almeida Thales , M. Demenech Lauro , N, Silva Lucas
Published: October 2023

Objective: To measure the prevalence of anxiety longitudinally at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the associated factors. Method: A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 485 participants brazilians through a online questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics, individual health characteristics, stress, and anxiety were assessed using Chi-Square tests (to investigate the relationship between categorical variables and the outcome), Student's t-tests (to analyze the relationship between numerical variables and the outcome), and the Mann-Whitney test for the income variable.. Descriptive analysis was performed using means, standard deviation, and prevalence. Results: During the first data collection period (T1), 20.6% of respondents had clinically relevant anxiety, while in the second data collection period, 22.7% of participants had clinically significant anxiety. Among the analyzed periods, 15.6% of participants who did not have anxiety in the first data collection developed clinically significant anxiety in the second period, and 50% of those who were anxious in the first moment did not have clinically significant anxiety in the final period. It was possible to identify significant associations between the incidence of anxiety and being up to 24 years old, lower education level, high levels of fear of COVID-19, low physical activity, high levels of stress, and lower family income. At the same time, significant associations were observed between the incidence of recovery and higher education level, not having lost family members to COVID-19, lower levels of stress, and higher family income. Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of anxious symptomatology among Brazilians, sociodemographic and behavioral factors could be identified as risk and protective factors for the development of clinically significant anxious symptomatology. Keywords: Pandemics, COVID-19, anxiety, mental health.
Avaliação da Personalidade na Era do Big Data: Uma Revisão Sistemática
Authors: M. Carvalho Nathalia , M. Silva Cristiane , Natividade Jean Carlos
Published: October 2023

The range of naturalistic observations of personality in online environments has been expanded with new communication technologies. That made it possible to capture a large volume of digital footprints (Big Data). This research aimed to carry out a systematic literature review of national and international scientific articles that used digital footprints to observe personality in the period from 2011 to 2020. The articles were accessed in the electronic databases PsycINFO, SciELO, Scopus (Elsevier), and PePSIC. In total, 25 articles were found, the most used social networks to obtain digital traces were Facebook and Twitter. It has also been found that personality assessment using digital footprints has been used for different purposes, such as developing product recommendation systems and automatic cyberbullying detection systems. The importance of Brazilian researchers to acquire the technical resources necessary to conduct empirical research on personality and big data is discussed, considering that only one of the articles found was published by Brazilian researchers.Keywords: Personality, digital footprints, social networks, observation methods, Big Data
Motoric Cognitive Risk and Incident Dementia in Older Adults
Authors: Chung Jeehae , Byun Seonjeong
Published: October 2023

Importance

Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) is a novel predementia syndrome; however, whether it can estimate dementia in a nationwide population or has additive estimation validity over cognitive or motoric components alone remains unknown.

Objective

To examine whether modified MCR, which incorporates the timed-up-and-go and one-leg-standing tests, improves estimation validity for incident dementia over using cognitive or motoric components alone.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nationwide cohort study evaluated data from individuals aged 66 years who participated in the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages in Korea from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2013, and examined the association between MCR and incident dementia using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Data were collected from the index date (the date on which the participant had the screening) until dementia onset, death, or the end of the follow-up period, whichever came first. The 2 subtypes were defined as subjective cognitive declines with timed-up-and-go impairment or one-leg-standing impairment. The data set was generated with permission from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, and data analysis was conducted from August 2, 2021, to January 31, 2022. Individuals diagnosed with dementia or psychotic disorders or those who had a documented history of dementia medication use before the index date were excluded.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was incidence of dementia, defined as an individual receiving their first dementia medication with the relevantInternational Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, codes after the index date.

Results

Among the 1 137 530 participants (53.7% women), 15 380 (1.4%) met the MCR criteria for the timed-up-and-go subtype, and 32 910 (2.9%) met the criteria for the one-leg-standing subtype. The mean (SD) follow-up period was 7.02 (1.38) years. Participants with MCR demonstrated an approximately 2-fold higher risk of incident dementia than those without MCR (timed-up-and-go subtype, adjusted hazard ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.94-2.13; one-leg-standing subtype, adjusted hazard ratio, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.98-2.12).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of participants aged 66 years of the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages, modified motoric cognitive risk had higher adjusted hazard ratios of incident dementia than individual cognitive or motoric components. Motoric cognitive risk may be a practical screening tool for estimating dementia among individuals in their mid-60s ; however, further investigation of the clinical and neurobiological aspects is necessary.
Lengthy and Variable Delays in Oncology Drug Coverage Determination
Authors: Haque Waqas , Rana Iemaan , Zahid Sohail , Hsiehchen David
Published: October 2023

This cohort study examines the variability in time to pharmacy and therapeutics committees’ determinations of coverage of approved oncology drugs across multiple payers.
Diverse Research Teams and Underrepresented Groups in Clinical Studies
Authors: Bains Ashank , Osathanugrah Pawarissara , Sanjiv Nayan , Chiu Cedrick , Fiorello Marissa G. , Siegel Nicole H. , Peeler Crandall E. , Distefano Alberto G. , Lee Hyunjoo J. , Ness Steven , Desai Manishi A. , Titelbaum Jenna R. , Pira Tony , LaMattina Kara C. , Christiansen Stephen P. , Cabral Howard J. , Subramanian Manju L.
Published: October 2023

Importance

Several ophthalmic diseases disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority patients, yet most clinical trials struggle to enroll cohorts that are demographically representative of disease burden; some barriers to recruitment include time and transportation, language and cultural differences, and fear and mistrust of research due to historical abuses. Incorporating diversity within the research team has been proposed as a method to increase trust and improve engagement among potential study participants.

Objective

To examine how demographic factors of potential research participants and personnel may be associated with patient consent rates to participate in prospective ophthalmic clinical studies.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included patients from an urban, academic hospital who were approached for consent to participate in prospective ophthalmic clinical studies conducted between January 2015 and December 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Multivariable logistic regression assessing associations between patient and research personnel demographics and rates of affirmative consent to participate was used.

Results

In total, 1380 patients (mean [SD] age, 58.6 [14.9] years; 50.3% male) who were approached for consent to participate in 10 prospective ophthalmic clinical studies were included. Of prospective patients, 566 (43.5%) were Black; 327 (25.1%), Hispanic or Latino; 373 (28.6%), White; 36 (2.8%), other race and ethnicity; and 78 (5.8%) declined to answer. Black patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.24-0.44; P < .001) and Hispanic or Latino patients (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.20-0.47; P < .001) were less likely to consent compared with White patients. Patients with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to consent than patients with higher socioeconomic status (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.33-0.53; P < .001). Concordance between patient and research staff race and ethnicity was associated with increased odds of affirmative consent (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.99-3.73; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and those with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to participate in ophthalmic clinical studies. Concordance of race and ethnicity between patients and research staff was associated with improved participant enrollment. These findings underscore the importance of increasing diversity in clinical research teams to improve racial and ethnic representation in clinical studies.
PELP1 inhibition by SMIP34 reduces endometrial cancer progression via attenuation of ribosomal biogenesis
Authors: Yang Xue , Liu Zexuan , Tang Weiwei , Pratap Uday P. , Collier Alexia B. , Altwegg Kristin A. , Gopalam Rahul , Li Xiaonan , Yuan Yaxia , Zhou Daohong , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Sareddy Gangadhara R. , Valente Philip T. , Kost Edward R. , Viswanadhapalli Suryavathi , Vadlamudi Ratna K.
Published: October 2023

Endometrial carcinoma (ECa) is the fourth most common cancer among women. The oncogene PELP1 is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers, including ECa. We recently generated SMIP34, a small‐molecule inhibitor of PELP1 that suppresses PELP1 oncogenic signaling. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of SMIP34 in treating ECa. Treatment of established and primary patient‐derived ECa cells with SMIP34 resulted in a significant reduction of cell viability, colony formation ability, and induction of apoptosis. RNA‐seq analyses showed that SMIP34‐regulated genes were negatively correlated with ribosome biogenesis and eukaryotic translation pathways. Mechanistic studies showed that the Rix complex, which is essential for ribosomal biogenesis, is disrupted upon SMIP34 binding to PELP1. Biochemical assays confirmed that SMIP34 reduced ribosomal biogenesis and new protein synthesis. Further, SMIP34 enhanced the efficacy of mTOR inhibitors in reducing viability of ECa cells. SMIP34 is also effective in reducing cell viability in ECa organoids in vitro and explants ex vivo. Importantly, SMIP34 treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the growth of ECa xenografts. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of SMIP34 in treating ECa.
Nanographene‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework Thin Films: Optimized Packing and Efficient Electron‐Hole Separation Yielding Efficient Photodetector
Authors: Xu Zhiyun , Liu Yidong , Chandresh Abhinav , Pati Palas Baran , Monnier Vincent , Heinke Lars , Odobel Fabrice , Diring Stéphane , Haldar Ritesh , Wöll Christof
Published: October 2023

Organic semiconductors, specifically polycyclic aromatic chromophores like pentacene, coronene, and nanographenes (hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene, HBC), are often utilized in optoelectronic applications due to their intriguing single‐molecule properties. However, the integration of these aromatic compounds into optoelectronic devices frequently encounters significant obstacles, primarily due to the unpredictable and challenging control over the structure and morphology of their condensed phase. Rather than resorting to chemical modifications or advanced thin‐film manufacturing methods such as chemical vapor deposition, the so‐called metal‐organic framework (MOF) approach is employed to create a highly photoresponsive, nanographene‐based thin film employing a layer‐by‐layer, liquid‐phase epitaxy method. It is demonstrated that the novel Cu‐HBC MOF thin film exhibits excellent photoresponsive behavior under ultraviolet illumination, including a fast response time (˂ 0.02 s) and high current switching ratio (≈104), which significantly outperforms an isostructural MOF Zn‐HBC. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the metal nodes inside the MOF can be used to enhance the photoresponse by efficient exciton splitting.
Stability Optimization of 0D Cs3Cu2Cl5 Single Crystal with High Green Emission for Optoelectronics
Authors: Liu Yaoyu , Wang Tianyu , Ji Zongshuai , Liu Guanfeng , Chen Yunhe , Ding Xin , Teng Bing , Ji Shaohua
Published: October 2023

Cs3Cu2Cl5 is unstable owing to ionic migration and lattice decomposition in the atmosphere. In addition, obtaining large bulk single crystals of Cs3Cu2Cl5 is challenging. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed for synthesizing a Cs3Cu2Cl5 single crystal that exhibits excellent crystallinity and photoluminescence (PL) properties using an antisolvent‐assisted method. Na+ is doped into the Cs3Cu2Cl5 lattice to replenish the lattice defects caused by chlorine vacancies, thus leading to stronger chemical interactions between Cu+ and Cl− ions. Moreover, Na+ doping circumvents ionic migration and lattice decomposition, thereby enhancing the PL intensity and maintaining the long‐term stability of Cs3Cu2Cl5 in the atmosphere. Incorporating 10% Na+ into the Cs3Cu2Cl5 lattice enhances the PL intensity by 18%, and the high‐stability PL can maintain more than 48.5% of the PL intensity after 90 d in an atmospheric environment. In addition, a white light‐emitting device (LED) is fabricated using the 10% Na+‐doped Cs3Cu2Cl5 crystal powder and it exhibits a high color‐rendering index (93.7) and correlated color temperature (7120 K). Additionally, it exhibits superior stability, even at a high temperature of 120 °C. Thus, the excellent high‐temperature stability of Cs3Cu2Cl5 can promote its practical application in LED.
Cause specific mortality in an Italian pool of asbestos workers cohorts
Authors: Ferrante Daniela , Angelini Alessia , Barbiero Fabiano , Barbone Fabio , Bauleo Lisa , Binazzi Alessandra , Bovenzi Massimo , Bruno Caterina , Casotto Veronica , Cernigliaro Achille , Ceppi Marcello , Cervino Daniela , Chellini Elisabetta , Curti Stefania , De Santis Marco , Fazzo Lucia , Fedeli Ugo , Fiorillo Germano , Franchi Alberto , Gangemi Manuela , Giangreco Manuela , Rossi Paolo Giorgi , Girardi Paolo , Luberto Ferdinando , Massari Stefania , Mattioli Stefano , Menegozzo Simona , Merlo Domenico Franco , Michelozzi Paola , Migliore Enrica , Miligi Lucia , Oddone Enrico , Pernetti Roberta , Perticaroli Patrizia , Piro Sara , Addario Sebastiano Pollina , Romeo Elisa , Roncaglia Francesca , Silvestri Stefano , Storchi Cinzia , Zona Amerigo , Magnani Corrado , Marinaccio Alessandro
Published: October 2023

Background

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and is causally associated with malignant mesothelioma, lung, larynx and ovarian cancers.

Methods

Cancer risk was studied among a pool of formerly asbestos‐exposed workers in Italy. Fifty‐two Italian asbestos cohorts (asbestos‐cement, rolling‐stock, shipbuilding, and other) were pooled and their mortality follow‐up was updated to 2018. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed for major causes of death considering duration of exposure and time since first exposure (TSFE), using reference rates by region, age and calendar period.

Results

The study included 63,502 subjects (57,156 men and 6346 women): 40% who were alive, 58% who died (cause known for 92%), and 2% lost to follow‐up. Mortality was increased for all causes (SMR: men = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03−1.05; women = 1.15, 95% CI 1.11−1.18), all malignancies (SMR: men = 1.21, 95% CI 1.18−1.23; women = 1.29, 95% CI 1.22−1.37), pleural and peritoneal malignancies (men: SMR = 10.46, 95% CI 9.86−11.09 and 4.29, 95% CI 3.66−5.00; women: SMR = 27.13, 95% CI 23.29−31.42 and 7.51, 95% CI 5.52−9.98), lung (SMR: men = 1.28, 95% CI 1.24−1.32; women = 1.26, 95% CI 1.02−1.53), and ovarian cancer (SMR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.08−1.84). Pleural cancer mortality increased during the first 40 years of TSFE (latency), reaching a plateau thereafter.

Conclusions

Analyses by time‐dependent variables showed that the risk for pleural neoplasms increased with latency and no longer increases at long TSFE, consistent with with asbestos clearance from the lungs. Peritoneal neoplasm risk increased over all observation time.
Urinary C‐peptide and total triiodothyronine as energetic biomarkers for studies of lemurs
Authors: Beeby Nina , Baden Andrea L. , Higham James P.
Published: October 2023

Measuring energy balance and energy metabolism can provide crucial information for understanding the ecological and behavioral drivers of an animal's energetic and physiological condition. Both urinary C‐peptide (uCP) of insulin and urinary total triiodothyronine (uTT3) have been validated as noninvasive biomarkers of energy balance and metabolic activity in haplorrhine primates. This study attempts to validate uCP and uTT3 measures in strepsirrhines, a phylogenetically distinct primate clade, using the ruffed lemur (genus Varecia) as a model. We experimentally manipulated the diet of captive black‐and‐white (Varecia variegata) and red (Varecia rubra) ruffed lemurs at Duke Lemur Center across a 4‐week period. We collected urine samples from subjects (n = 5) each day during 1 week of control diet, 2 weeks of calorie‐restricted diet and 1 week of refeeding, designed to temporarily reduce energy balance and metabolism. We also tested the outcome of filter paper as a storage method by comparing to controls (frozen at −20°C) to assess its suitability for studies of wild populations. We successfully measured uCP and uTT3 levels in frozen urine samples using commercial enzyme immunoassay kits and found that both biomarkers were excreted at lower concentrations (C‐peptide: 1.35 ng/mL, 54% reduction; TT3: 1.5 ng/mL, 37.5% reduction) during calorie‐restricted periods compared to normal diet periods. Filter paper recovery for uCP was 19%, though values were significantly positively correlated with frozen control samples. uTT3 could not be recovered at measurable concentrations using filter paper. These methods enable noninvasive measurement of energetic conditions in wild strepsirrhines and subsequent assessment of relationships between energy balance and numerous socioecological drivers in primate populations.
Phylogeography, genetic diversity, and intraspecific genetic structure of the black‐horned capuchin (Sapajus nigritus)
Authors: Szynwelski Bruna E. , Mares‐Guia Maria A. M. M. , Filippis Ana M. B. , Gonçalves Gislene L. , Tokuda Marcos , Wagner Paulo G. C. , Wu Stacy , Oliveira Vanilce P. , Lima Marcela G. M. , Lynch Jessica W. , Freitas Thales R. O.
Published: October 2023

Recent molecular studies have clarified the overarching taxonomy of capuchin monkeys, but intraspecific genetic diversity remains unexplored for most capuchin species. One example is Sapajus nigritus, the southernmost capuchin monkey, found in Brazil and Argentina; its phenotypic diversity has been recognized as two geographic subspecies, but the intraspecific genetic structure of this taxon is poorly known. Here, we sampled across most of this species' geographic distribution, producing a newly sequenced data set for genetic analyses that included 78 individuals from 14 populations. We investigated the intraspecific diversity, genetic structure, and evolutionary history using three mitochondrial markers. Our results indicated that S. nigritus populations exhibited high levels of genetic structure. We found strong support for two monophyletic clades within this species with a deep phylogenetic split, and clear separation from other related taxa. Vicariance events seem to have played a prevalent role in shaping S. nigritus genetic differentiation. The Paraíba do Sul River may have driven the deep divergence between southern and northern clades, whereas the Tietê River may have had a weaker, more recent effect on the divergence of populations within the southern clade.
Molecular Rotors: Fluorescent Sensors for Microviscosity and Conformation of Biomolecules
Authors: Paez‐Perez Miguel , Kuimova Marina K.
Published: October 2023

The viscosity and crowding of biological environment are considered vital for the correct cellular function, and alterations in these parameters are known to underly a number of pathologies including diabetes, malaria, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, to name a few. Over the last decades, fluorescent molecular probes termed molecular rotors proved extremely useful for exploring viscosity, crowding, and underlying molecular interactions in biologically relevant settings. In this review, we will discuss the basic principles underpinning the functionality of these probes and will review advances in their use as sensors for lipid order, protein crowding and conformation, temperature and non‐canonical nucleic acid structures in live cells and other relevant biological settings.
Niedrige Temperatur Hydrierung von CO2 zu Methanol in Wasser auf ZnO‐geträgerten CuAu‐Nanolegierungen
Authors: Mosrati Jawaher , Ishida Tamao , Mac Hung , Al‐Yusufi Mohammed , Honma Tetsuo , Parliniska‐Wojtan Magdalena , Kobayashi Yasuhiro , Klyushin Alexander , Murayama Toru , Abdel‐Mageed Ali M.
Published: October 2023

Die Optimierung von Prozessen und Materialien für die Valorisierung von CO2 zu Wasserstoffträgern oder Plattformchemikalien ist ein wichtiger Schritt zur Eindämmung der globalen Erwärmung und zur nachhaltigen Verwendung von erneuerbaren Energien. Wir berichten hier über die Hydrierung von CO2 in Wasser an ZnO‐geträgerten CuAu‐Nanolegierungen, basierend auf ≤7 mol % Au. Die CuxAuy/ZnO‐Katalysatoren wurden mit Hilfe von 197Au‐Mössbauer, In situ‐Röntgenabsorption (Au LIII‐ und Cu K‐Kanten) und Umgebungsdruck‐Röntgenphotoelektronen (APXPS) spektroskopische Methoden zusammen mit Röntgenbeugung und hochauflösender Elektronenmikroskopie charakterisiert. Bei 200 °C stieg der CO2‐Umsatz bei einer Erhöhung der Cu93Au7‐Beladung von 1 auf 10 Gew.‐% signifikant um das 34‐fache (von 0.1 auf 3.4 %), wobei die Methanolselektivität bei 100 % blieb. Eine begrenzte CO‐Selektivität (4–6 %) wurde bei einer Temperaturerhöhung bis auf 240 °C beobachtet, die jedoch mit einem ≈3‐fachen Anstieg der CO2‐Umwandlung einherging. Auf der Grundlage von APXPS, während der CO2‐Hydrierung in einem H2O‐reichen Gemisch segregiert Cu bevorzugt an der Oberfläche in einem hauptsächlich metallischen Zustand, während leicht negative‐geladenes Au tiefer in den unterirdischen Bereich eintaucht. Diese Ergebnisse und detaillierte Strukturanalysen sind Gegenstand des vorliegenden Beitrags.
Selective CO2‐to‐Syngas Conversion Enabled by Bimetallic Gold/Zinc Sites in Partially Reduced Gold/Zinc Oxide Arrays
Authors: Zhao Rui , Zhu Ziyin , Ouyang Ting , Liu Zhao‐Qing
Published: October 2023

Electrocatalytic CO2‐to‐syngas (gaseous mixture of CO and H2) is a promising way to curb excessive CO2 emission and the greenhouse gas effect. Herein, we present a bimetallic AuZn@ZnO (AuZn/ZnO) catalyst with high efficiency and durability for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 and H2O, which enables a high Faradaic efficiency of 66.4 % for CO and 26.5 % for H2 and 3 h stability of CO2‐to‐syngas at −0.9 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The CO/H2 ratios show a wide range from 0.25 to 2.50 over a narrow potential window (−0.7 V to −1.1 V vs. RHE). In situ attenuated total reflection surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy combined with density functional theory calculations reveals that the bimetallic synergistic effect between Au and Zn sites lowers the activation energy barrier of CO2 molecules and facilitates electronic transfer, further highlighting the potential to control CO/H2 ratios for efficient syngas production using the coexisting Au sites and Zn sites.
pH‐Responsive Near‐Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters
Authors: Zhou Shaochen , Gustavsson Lotta , Beaune Grégory , Chandra Sourov , Niskanen Jukka , Ruokolainen Janne , Timonen Jaakko V. I. , Ikkala Olli , Peng Bo , Ras Robin H. A.
Published: October 2023

Near‐infrared (NIR) fluorophores with pH‐responsive properties suggest merits in biological analyses. This work establishes a general and effective method to obtain pH‐responsive NIR emissive gold nanoclusters by introducing aliphatic tertiary amine (TA) groups into the ligands. Computational study suggests that the pH‐responsive NIR emission is associated with electronic structure change upon protonation and deprotonation of TA groups. Photo‐induced electron transfer between deprotonated TA groups and the surface Au‐S motifs of gold nanoclusters can disrupt the radiative transitions and thereby decrease the photoluminescence intensity in basic environments (pH=7–11). By contrast, protonated TA groups curb the electron transfer and restore the photoluminescence intensity in acidic environments (pH=4–7). The pH‐responsive NIR‐emitting gold nanoclusters serve as a specific and sensitive probe for the lysosomes in the cells, offering non‐invasive emissions without interferences from intracellular autofluorescence.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2‐Disubstituted Allylic Fluorides
Authors: Usman Fuad O. , Gogoi Achyut R. , Mixdorf Jason C. , Gutierrez Osvaldo , Nguyen Hien M.
Published: October 2023

Although there are many methods for the asymmetric synthesis of monosubstituted allylic fluorides, construction of enantioenriched 1,2‐disubstituted allylic fluorides has not been reported. To address this gap, we report an enantioselective synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted allylic fluorides using chiral diene‐ligated rhodium catalyst, Et3N ⋅ 3HF as a source of fluoride, and Morita Baylis Hillman (MBH) trichloroacetimidates. Kinetic studies show that one enantiomer of racemic MBH substrate reacts faster than the other. Computational studies reveal that both syn and anti π‐allyl complexes are formed upon ionization of allylic substrate, and the syn complexes are slightly energetically favorable. This is in contrast to our previous observation for formation of monosubstituted π‐allyl intermediates, in which the syn π‐allyl conformation is strongly preferred. In addition, the presence of an electron‐withdrawing group at C2 position of racemic MBH substrate renders 1,2‐disubstituted π‐allyl intermediate formation endergonic and reversible. To compare, formation of monosubstituted π‐allyl intermediates was exergonic and irreversible. DFT calculations and kinetic studies support a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation process wherein the rate of isomerization of the 1,2‐disubstituted π‐allylrhodium complexes is faster than that of fluoride addition onto the more reactive intermediate. The 1,2‐disubstituted allylic fluorides were obtained in good yields, enantioselectivity, and branched selectivity.
The sensor‐actuators stealthy cyber‐attacks framework on networked control systems: A data‐driven approach
Authors: Xin Liang , Yang Biao , Long Zhiqing
Published: October 2023

In this study, we address two fundamental questions that are crucial for designing stealthy cyber‐attacks similar to false data injection. The first question involves obtaining an accurate dynamic model of the target to ensure stealthy performance under a
detector. The second question pertains to understanding the opponent's ongoing detection tactics, such as dynamic watermarking, and developing a counter‐strategy. To answer the first question, we propose a data‐driven framework that calculates the accurate dynamic model used in stealthy false data injection cyber‐attacks, including zero dynamics attacks, covert attacks, and replay attacks. To address the second question, we present a scheme against the dynamic watermarking defense strategy, which typically detects replay attacks. We validate the methods introduced in this study through an experimental setup of a cyber‐physical system, which includes an omnidirectional mobile robot, a wireless network router, and a remote control center.
An adaptive sliding mode controller for electro‐hydraulic servo systems combining offline training and online estimation
Authors: Gao Qun , Su Xiaoyu
Published: October 2023

In order to improve the tracking accuracy of electro‐hydraulic servo systems under nonlinear disturbance, an adaptive sliding mode controller (SMC) based on generalized regression neural network (GRNN) is proposed. The nonlinear factors and external disturbances of systems are considered in the controller, and an improved GRNN is used. In addition, the neural network achieves nonlinear approximation of the unknown part by online learning, determines the parameters of the SMC in real time by training the model offline, and reduces the impact of online estimation errors on the system to improve control accuracy. Finally, the effectiveness of the control method is verified by simulation.
Nitrogen‐sparging assisted anoxic biological drinking water treatment system
Authors: Keithley Asher E. , Woodruff Peyton , Williams Daniel J. , Dugan Nicholas R. , Lytle Darren A.
Published: October 2023

Existing heterotrophic denitrification reactors rely on microorganisms to consume dissolved oxygen (DO) and create conditions suitable for denitrification, but this practice leads to excessive microbial growth and increased organic carbon doses. An innovative reactor that uses nitrogen gas sparging through a contactor to strip DO was developed and tested in the lab. It reduced influent nitrate from 15 to <1 mg/L as N with nitrite accumulation <1 mg/L as N. It maintained a consistent flow rate and developed minimal headloss, making it easier to operate than the denitrifying dual‐media filter that was operated in parallel. Gravel, polyvinyl chloride pieces, and no packing media were assessed as options for the nitrogen‐sparged contactor, and gravel was found to support denitrification at the highest loading rate and was resilient to nitrogen‐sparging shutoffs and intermittent operation. This innovative reactor appears promising for small drinking water systems.
Revisiting Amides as Cosolvents for Flame Resistant Sodium Bis(oxalato)borate in Triethyl Phosphate Electrolyte
Authors: Aram Hall Charles , Colbin Lars O. Simon , Buckel Alexander , Younesi Reza
Published: October 2023

In selecting electrolytes for Na‐ion batteries, simply importing the analogue of common lithium‐ion battery electrolytes to sodium‐ion batteries does not address safety concerns like toxicity and flammability. Electrolytes based on sodium bis(oxalato)borate (NaBOB) in organophosphates like triethyl phosphate (TEP) largely alleviate these specific safety concerns. However, it may be beneficial to obtain solutions with higher ionic conductivities than NaBOB in TEP, and compare the performance in Na‐ion batteries with high mass loading electrodes. Here, we have shown that N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), and N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) cosolvents almost double the ionic conductivity (from ~3.5 mS/cm to ~7 mS/cm) without sacrificing the flame‐retarding properties of the base NaBOB in TEP electrolyte. The physical properties of these cosolvent electrolyte mixtures are investigated, along with the electrochemical performance of these electrolytes full‐cells based on hard carbon anodes and Prussian white cathodes with near‐commercial areal capacity (~2 mAh/cm2).
Über die Lichtabsorption einiger organischer Nickelsalze
Authors: Pestemer Max , Alslev‐Klinker Anneliese
Published: October 2023

In den Absorptionsspektren der organischen Nickelsalze einbasischer Carbonsäuren (Essigsäure, Propionsäure, Buttersäure) bleiben die Banden des Ni(II)‐Ions und des Anions weitgehend erhalten. Bei den Salzen mehrbasischer Säuren (Oxalsäure, Weinsäure, Zitronensäure) treten bei der ersten und dritten Absorptionsbande stärkere Verschiebungen infolge Komplexbildung auf.
Entzündung von Kohlenwasserstoff‐Luft‐Gemischen durch adiabatische Verdichtung
Authors: Rögener H.
Published: October 2023

n‐Heptan‐, n‐Pentan‐, n‐Butan‐Luft‐Gemische wurden durch adiabatische Verdichtung zur Entzündung gebracht. Der Druckverlauf während der Verdichtung und der Entwicklung der Selbstzündung wurde registriert. Verändert wurde der Druck und die Temperatur nach Verdichtung sowie das Kohlenwasserstoff‐Luft‐Verhältnis. Die Selbstzündung erweist sich als zweistufiger Prozeß. Die neuen Ergebnisse werden mit bereits bekannten verglichen. Der Vorgang läßt sich als Überlagerung von Kettenexplosionen deuten.
Zur Wärmetheorie der Flammengeschwindigkeit
Authors: Bartholomé E. , Hermann C.
Published: October 2023

Durch Verwertung der Erkenntnis, daß in Flammen die chemische Reaktion erst in der Nähe der Flammenendtemperatur abläuft, gelingt es, die Differentialgleichungen einer Wärmetheorie der Flammengeschwindigkeit zu lösen. Man erhält für die Flammengeschwindigkeit Ausdrücke, die in allen Einzelheiten durch das Experiment bestätigt werden. In günstigen Fällen gelingt sogar eine Absolutberechnung der Flammengeschwindigkeit. Daraus folgt, daß in vielen Flammen der Vorgang der Wärmeleitung für den Fortpflanzungsmechanismus der Flamme ausschlaggebend ist.
Wasserstoffbrückenbindung und chromatographische Trennbarkeit isomerer Stoffe
Authors: Hoyer Herbert
Published: October 2023

Moleküle mit innermolekularen Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen zeichnen sich gegenüber ihren Isomeren ohne diese Bindungsbesonderheit hinsichtlich der zwischenmolekularen Kräfte, die von ihnen ausgehen, durch größere Kohlenwasserstoffähnlichkeit aus. Bei der chromatographischen Adsorptionstrennung solcher isomeren Paare mit Kohlenwasserstoffen als Lösungsmittel und einem Adsorbens, das OH‐Gruppen an seiner Oberfläche trägt, sollte sich diese größere Kohlenwasserstoffähnlichkeit der Isomeren mit inneren Wasserstoffbrücken dadurch zeigen, daß sie die chromatographische Säule schneller durchsetzen als die wasserstoffbrückenfreien. Eine große Reihe von Trennungen mit Kieselgel und Aluminiumoxyd als Adsorbens im Gebiet der Oxy‐ und Amino‐Antrachinone, der aromatischen Oxynitro‐ und Oxyazoverbindungen bestätigte die Erwartung ausnahmslos. Dabei wurde beobachtet, daß die Wintersteinsche Regel über die Adsorptionsrangordnung als Funktion der Hydroxylgruppenzahl ungültig ist, wenn innere Wasserstoffbrücken in den hydroxylreicheren Molekülen existieren. Auch die Wintersteinsche Beziehung zwischen Farbtiefe und Adsorptionsrangordnung läßt sich nicht auf isomere Stoffpaare übertragen, wenn eines der Isomeren innere Wasserstoffbrücken hat.
Ein Beitrag zum Thema „Farbbildung”︁ bei Adsorption
Authors: Cruse K. , Mittag R.
Published: October 2023

Am Beispiel des Trinitrobenzols wird gezeigt, daß eine farbige Adsorption in gleicher Weise beschrieben werden kann wie eine Farbbildung infolge Anregung eines Moleküls durch Dipole.

Neben der Dipolkraft des Adsorbens bedingt die Adsorptionsaffinität eine Verstärkung der Anregung, so daß Dinitrobenzol trotz Bildung eines an sich farblosen Dipol‐Komplexes auch mit blauer Farbe adsorbiert werden kann.
Radioaktive Indikatoren bei der Untersuchung von Pulverreaktionen
Authors: Lindner Roland
Published: October 2023

Die Messung der Beweglichkeit innerhalb des Kristallgitters ist notwendig zur Kenntnis des Diffusionsstadiums von Festkörperreaktionen. Zur Durchführung solcher Messungen sind radioaktive Indikatoren besonders geeignet, wobei die Eigenschaften: kleine Strahlungsreichweite in festen Stoffen, Unterscheidbarkeit isotoper Atomarten und Nachweisbarkeit kleinster Mengen – wichtig sind. Es werden die verschiedenen Methoden zur Messung der Selbstdiffusion, die apparativen Anordnungen und die bisher untersuchten Systeme besprochen.
Zusammenhänge zwischen Form und Abscheidungsbedingungen elektrolytisch gewachsener Metallkristalle V. Einfluß von Gestalt und Orientierung der Substratkristalle auf die Reproduktion der Unterlage
Authors: Fischer Hellmut , Matschke Horst , Pawlek Franz
Published: October 2023

Der basisorientierte Reproduktionstyp. – Reproduktion und Anpassung. – Bedeutung der Form und Größe der Substratkristalle. – Einfluß der Orientierung der Substratkristalle.
Zur Theorie der polarographischen Kurve III: Der Mittelwert der polarographischen Stromstärke
Authors: Strehlow H.
Published: October 2023

Die Schwingung eines Galvanometers in einem polarographischen Stromkreis wird berechnet und die Rechnung mit dem Experiment verglichen. Eine Korrektur für die Stromstärke bei endlicher Zackengröße wird gegeben.
Darstellung der Aktivitäten eines Zweistoffsystemes durch kalorische Daten
Authors: Musil A. , Breitenhuber L.
Published: October 2023

In vorliegender Arbeit wird ein rechnerischer Zusammenhang zwischen dem Temperaturgradienten des Aktivitätskoeffizienten mit dem Konzentrationsgradienten der Mischungswärme und anderer kalorischer Daten gebracht. Kennt man für ein Zweistoffsystem die Mischungswärme erstens als Konzentrations‐ und Temperaturfunktion bzw. zweitens in Hinblick auf eine erweiterte Gleichung als Konzentrationsfunktion allein bei einer festen Temperatur und ebenfalls bei einer festen Temperatur die Aktivitäten bzw. Aktivitäts‐koeffizienten als Konzentrationsfunktionen, so können letztere Gröβen nach den in vorliegender Arbeit entwickelten Formeln für jede beliebige Temperatur berechnet werden. Die Bedeutung der Zusammenhänge, die auch auf andere kalorische Daten erweitert werden, wird in Hinblick auf die experimentellen Methoden diskutiert.