bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of metal organic framework modified with carboxylated attapulgite and adsorption properties for organic dye
Authors: Wu Fanhua , Zhang Yuyu , Li Tao , Liu Yongfeng , Liu Yi , Yuan Zhiang , Qu Rongjun
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prepare carboxylated attapulgite (APT-COOH) and then be used as one of the ligands to prepare metal organic framework (MOF) hybrid materials to reduce the cost of MOF materials and improve the dispersed condition of APT. And then the materials were used to enrich anionic dye Congo red from aqueous solution.

Design/methodology/approach

The MOF hybrid materials were designed by means of facile reflux method rather than hydrothermal method, characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer and pore structure. The dispersed degree of APT-COOH in the MOF materials was validated according to adsorption efficiency for Congo red.

Findings

Due to introduction of APT-COOH, the microenvironment of the MOF materials changed, leading to different adsorption behaviors. Compared to the MOF material without APT-COOH, the adsorption capacities of the hybridized MOF materials with different amounts of APT-COOH introduced increased by 4.58% and 15.55%, respectively, as the initial concentration of Congo red solution of 300 mg/L. Meantime, hybridized MOF materials were suitable to remove Congo red with low concentration, while the MOF material without APT-COOH was appropriate to enrich Congo red with high concentration.

Research limitations/implications

The microstructure of MOF hybrid materials in detail is the further and future investigation.

Practical implications

This study will provide a method to reduce the cost of MOF materials and a theoretical support to treat anionic dyes from aqueous solution.

Originality/value

APT-COOH was prepared and used as one of the ligands to synthesize MOF material to improve the dispersed degree of APT-COOH and reduce the cost of the MOF materials. The adsorption efficiency was greatly enhanced with low concentration of Congo red solution, and the results indicated that hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, and p-p conjugation were involved in the adsorption process. The prepared MOFs materials exhibited excellent adsorption efficiency, which made the present materials highly promising and potentially useful in practical application as adsorbents to enrich anionic dyes such as Congo red from aqueous solution.
Dispersive interactions in the adsorption and corrosion inhibition effects of Alstonia boonei on mild steel in acidic environments
Authors: Obike Anthony Ikechukwu , Emori Wilfred , Louis Hitler , Ogbuehi Godwin Ifeanyi , Okonkwo Paul Chukwuleke , Bassey Victoria Mfon
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the adsorption properties of a proven traditional medicine of West Africa origin, Alstonia boonei with an attempt to evaluate its application in the corrosion protection of mild steel in 5 M H2SO4and 5 M HCl.

Design/methodology/approach

Phytochemical screening and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were used to characterize the methanolic extract of the plant. Gravimetry, gasometry and electrochemical techniques were used in the corrosion inhibition studies of the extract and computational studies were used to describe the electronic and adsorption properties of eugenol, the most abundant phytochemical in Alstonia boonei.

Findings

The extract acted as a mixed-type inhibitor in both acidic solutions, with improved inhibition efficiency achieved with increasing concentration. While the efficiency increased with temperature for the HCl system, it decreased for the H2SO4system. The mechanism of adsorption proposed for Alstonia boonei was chemisorption in the HCl system and physisorption in the H2SO4system, and the adsorptions obeyed Langmuir isotherm at low temperatures. Computational parameters showed that eugenol, being a representative of Alstonia boonei, possesses excellent adsorption properties and has the potential to compete with other established plant-based corrosion inhibitors.

Research limitations/implications

As opposed to pure compounds with distinctive corrosion effects, plant extracts are generally composed of a myriad of phytoconstituents that competitively promote or inhibit the corrosion process and their net effect is evident as inhibition efficiencies. This is, therefore, the main research limitation associated with the corrosion inhibition study of Alstonia boonei.

Originality/value

Being very rich in antioxidant properties by its proven curative and preventive effects for diseases, the interest was stimulated towards the attractive results that abound from its corrosion protection of metals via its anti-oxidation route.
Social capital in e-commerce era: toward a deeper knowledge of its conceptualization and empirical measurement in agribusiness
Authors: Lang Le Dang
Published: November 2021

Purpose

E-commerce, with technology as its backbone, is an indispensable business trend associated with the wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Recently, its intensifying role has also been noticed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, technology adoption to pursue an e-commerce model for agribusinessmen is not easy, while the COVID-19 has made them lose customers and led them to crises. In that context, the role of social capital (SC) has increasingly been paid significant attention, especially for micro and family businesses. Agribusinessmen can use SC to adopt technology, renew and reinforce their businesses in the global agricultural supply chain disruption context. However, there seems to be a dearth of an integral measurement of social capital (IMSC) to apply to the practice effectively. Recognizing this need, the current study aims to develop an integral scale for SC.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a widely accepted and rigorous scale development process, a mixed-methods research design and essential statistical techniques to develop an IMSC.

Findings

The result develops an IMSC consisting of nine facets: linking-corporate, bonding-bridging, trust in political institutions, trust in public services, generalized social trust, norms and social sanctions, subjective safety, civicness and community cohesiveness. The scales of these facets are found to be unidimensional, reliable and valid.

Originality/value

This is the first study developing an IMSC to contribute to the extant literature. The study also provides managerial implications for practitioners to strengthen SC and adopt technology to improve their businesses.
Functional complementarity of seed dispersal services provided by birds and mammals in an alpine ecosystem
Authors: García‐Rodríguez Alberto , Albrecht Jörg , Farwig Nina , Frydryszak Danuta , Parres Aida , Schabo Dana G. , Selva Nuria
Published: November 2021

Endozoochory is an important ecosystem function that, in temperate and boreal regions, is carried out mainly by birds and mammals. Due to their different quantitative and qualitative contributions to seed dispersal, these animals usually differ in their effectiveness as seed dispersers. However, there is still little information about how spatio‐temporal differences in frugivory between birds and mammals may create complementarity in their seed dispersal services.

We investigated the complementarity of seed dispersal services provided by avian and mammalian seed dispersers of bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus in an alpine ecosystem, the Tatra Mountains (Poland). We collected bird droppings and mammal scats containing bilberry seeds in coniferous forests and alpine meadows. Birds were identified by DNA barcoding techniques while mammals were visually assigned in the field. We analysed the effects of habitat, microhabitat and timing of seed dispersal on the quantitative contributions of each species to the total seed rain and conducted ex situ germination experiments to assess the quality of the seed dispersal services.

At least 13 bird and three mammal species dispersed bilberry seeds in the Tatra Mountains. Two species of thrushes—song thrushes Turdus philomelos and fieldfares T. pilaris, brown bears Ursus arctos and red foxes Vulpes vulpes were the most effective dispersers. Quantitative and qualitative contributions to seed dispersal differed between birds and mammals. Mammals, particularly brown bears, dispersed the majority of bilberry seeds in both habitats. The total seed rain provided by birds and mammals differed according to the habitat, microhabitat and timing of seed dispersal. Birds dispersed most seeds in the middle of the fruiting season and within the forest, while seed dispersal by mammals peaked in the upper meadows and at the end of the season. Seeds defecated by birds had higher probability to germinate as their droppings contained less seeds and were defecated in more suitable microhabitats than seeds defecated by mammals.

Synthesis. Despite differences in the quantity and quality of seed dispersal, both bird and mammal species are effective bilberry dispersers. Complementary seed dispersal by these two groups guarantees the arrival of bilberry seeds to different microhabitats suitable for germination and during the entire fruiting season, maximizing the chances of bilberry seedling recruitment.
‘You can make change happen’: Experiences of emergency medicine leadership in the Pacific
Authors: Phillips Georgina , Shailin Shivani , Lee Dennis , O'Reilly Gerard , Cameron Peter
Published: November 2021

Objective

We sought to explore the activities, responsibilities and experience of leadership from Pacific emergency medicine (EM) doctors. Additionally, we explored knowledge, attitudes, leadership gaps and training insights for individual clinicians, and from a Pacific regional perspective.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews of invited Pacific EM doctors occupying a leadership role in their countries. Data were recorded, transcribed and triangulated with written field notes. Whole interviews and responses per topic were analysed using data‐platform‐based and manual methods. Inductive and deductive coding and thematic content analysis was performed in partnership with Pacific co‐researchers to determine overall meaning. Monash University granted ethics approval.

Results

Twelve doctors participated (11 verbal, one written response), representing six different Pacific Island countries. Four key themes were identified which reflected both the individual agency of the Pacific EM doctors and how their experience was constituted by others; professional identity and style; nurturing relationships and building solidarity; growth through experience, education and challenge; and progress and precarity. Pacific EM leaders perform clinical, management, advocacy and education tasks, and build their capacity and resilience through leadership training. They have a strong desire for regional solidarity and networking.

Conclusions

Pacific EM doctors embrace leadership in their home countries and collaborate to drive positive change, build teams and gain recognition. As pioneers and advocates for EM, they bear high responsibility and risk burnout. These findings can inform future targeted leadership training and contribute to building Pacific regional networks for career sustainability and specialty advancement.
An intercontinental comparison of insect seed predation between introduced and native oaks
Authors: SUN Xin , LI Haidong , ZHANG Aibing , HIRKA Anikó , CSÓKA György , PEARSE Ian S. , HOLYOAK Marcel , XIAO Zhishu
Published: November 2021

Novel interactions between introduced oaks and their natural enemies across different continents provide an opportunity to test the enemy release hypothesis (ERH) at local and global scales. Based on the ERH, we assessed the impacts of native seed‐feeding insects on introduced and native oaks within and among continents. We combined a common‐garden experiment in China and biogeographic literature surveys to measure seed predation by insects and the proportion of acorn embryos surviving after insect infestation among 4 oak species with different geographical origins:Quercus mongolicaorigin from China,Q. roburandQ. petraeafrom Europe, andQ. rubrafrom North America. Mostly supporting the ERH, oaks in introduced continents escaped seed predation compared to those in native continents and compared to other native oaks in introduced continents. Common‐garden comparisons showed that total acorn infestation rate of introducedQ. rubra(sectionLobatae) was considerably lower than that of native oaks (sectionQuercus) in China and Europe, likely because of the differences in seed traits associated with different oak sections. Literature surveys showed that seed predation of introduced oaks was lower in the introduced continent than in the native continent. Embryo survival was higher in introducedQ. rubrathan native oaks in China and Poland. However, insect seed predation of recently introducedQ. rubrain China was similar to that in Europe, which is not consistent with the ERH. Our results suggest that reduced acorn attack by native insects and higher embryo survival after acorn damage could increase the establishment success or invasion risk of introduced oaks in non‐native continents.
Sex‐dimorphic distribution and anti‐oxidative effects of selenomethionine and Se‐methylselenocysteine supplementation
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhang Jiayu , Zhong Yuting , Qin Liqiang , Li Jianxiang
Published: November 2021

Selenium (Se) is a vital trace element in human beings and is essential for protection against oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the accumulation and antioxidant effects of two organic seleniums, L‐selenomethionine (SM) and L‐Se‐methylselenocysteine (SMC), through in vivo and in vitro experiments. L02 cells were pretreated with 10 nM SM or SMC for 24 h, followed by exposure to 100 nM of H₂O₂. Cell viability, apoptosis, and antioxidant capacity were detected to evaluate SM and SMC's protective effect. Organic selenium (SM and SMC) and inorganic selenium (sodium selenite, SS) were compared in terms of their in vivo accumulation and antioxidant capacity when supplemented daily and subsequently deprived in SD rats. Our results show that SM or SMC pre‐treatment could significantly prevent elevated apoptosis and declined antioxidant ability. We found that organic Se supplementation resulted in higher Se accumulation than inorganic Se in the liver and kidney. The antioxidant capacity of liver and kidney tissues from rats fed with either organic selenium was significantly improved and was higher than that of SS. In summary, this study suggests that organic selenium supplements are more effective in facilitating Se accumulation in liver and kidney, enhancing antioxidant capacities, thereby protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Practical Application

This study compared the antioxidant capacity of sodium selenite, L‐selenomethionine, and L‐Se‐methylselenocysteine in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that organic selenium has a stronger antioxidant capacity and that significant differences exist in its absorption and conversion in male and female rats. Our results provide theoretical guidance for dietary supplementation of selenium.
To drink, or to exercise: That is (not) the question! Daily effects of alcohol consumption and exercise on well‐being
Authors: Lee Seojin Stacey , Yu Kyunghwa , Choi Eunsoo , Choi Incheol
Published: November 2021

Drinking alcohol and exercising are two of the most popular ways of dealing with stress. Despite the fact that they often co‐occur, few studies have examined the role of the two activities together in everyday well‐being. The current research aimed to investigate the dynamics between these two daily activities and various indices of well‐being in a natural environment by using a daily diary method and ecological momentary assessment. We asked 478 adults to record their alcohol intake, exercising activity, and momentary well‐being, three times a day for 2 weeks. Significant detrimental effects of drinking alcohol and beneficial effects of exercising on well‐being were observed on the next day, whereas no significant effect of well‐being was found on the likelihood of drinking and exercising on the second day. Furthermore, sleep quality was identified as one of the factors influencing the changes of well‐being induced by the drinking and exercising engaged in the previous day. The present research allows us to deepen our understanding of the lagged relationship between the daily activities of drinking alcohol/exercising and well‐being and demonstrates the underlying mechanism for the observed effects. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Effectiveness and equity evaluation of an insurance‐wide telephone‐counseling program for self‐management of chronic diseases: The Health Coach Study
Authors: Renneberg Babette , Schulze Julian , Böhme Sylvia , West Stephen G. , Schüz Benjamin
Published: November 2021

Trajectories of chronic illnesses depend on patient socioeconomic status (SES). This study examines main and equity effects (age, gender, education, region of residence) of a brief telephone self‐management intervention on self‐rated health and depressive symptoms of health insurance clients with chronic illnesses. Randomized invitation design (n = 2628) with predominantly male (82%) older individuals (modal age = 65–74) with one or more chronic illnesses. Primary outcomes: Self‐rated health and depressive symptoms. Intervention: Brief CBT‐based telephone counseling. Propensity score matching was used to equate intervention and control groups (n = 1314 pairs). Change score models were used to analyze changes in health‐related outcome measures. The intervention resulted in improvements in self‐rated health (d = .37) and fewer depressive symptoms (d = .17) over 4 and 6 months. There were comparable effects across education and regions, but younger and female participants profited more from the intervention compared with older and male participants. A brief telephone‐based intervention led to improved self‐rated health and well‐being in a large sample of participants with chronic health conditions. This effect was observed over and above regular medical care. The intervention was equitable with respect to education and region, but not age and gender.
Do common assumptions about the wetland seed bank following invasive plant removal hold true? Divergent outcomes following multi‐year Phragmites australis management
Authors: Rohal Christine Brenda , Reinhardt Adams Carrie , Reynolds Laura Kay , Hazelton Eric Lewis Goff , Kettenring Karin Marie
Published: November 2021

Question

Limited funds and compressed timelines frequently translate into a reliance on seed banks for native plant recovery following invasive plant management. This approach assumes: (a) baseline seed bank communities are sufficient for native plant recovery regardless of site environmental conditions; (b) different management actions variably impact native and invader seed banks; (c) management actions reduce invader seed banks; while (d) native seed banks do not decline following management; and (e) returning above‐ground vegetation reflects the seed bank. Do these assumptions hold true in the context of invasive Phragmites australis management?

Location

Great Salt Lake wetlands, Utah, USA.

Methods

Across six sites, we applied six Phragmites management treatments (solarization, or glyphosate or imazapyr herbicide in the summer or fall with mowing) for three years, and monitored two more. Each year, we assessed the above‐ground vegetation and seed bank using the seedling emergence method.

Results

Site environmental conditions drove baseline seed bank communities: seed banks differed substantially across sites with varying anthropogenic degradation as less disturbed sites had greater seed bank richness. Different management actions had similar impacts on native and invader seed banks. Phragmites seed density was reduced after herbicide treatments while native seed bank communities were unaffected. Above‐ground vegetation generally reflected seed bank communities. However, native graminoids were present in seed banks but surprisingly rare above‐ground.

Conclusion

Commonly held assumptions about invasive plant management and native recovery from the seed bank did not all hold true. Native seed banks were particularly insufficient for recovery at sites with greater degradation, suggesting managers should prioritize management at less degraded sites or consider revegetation in highly degraded sites. Despite reductions in Phragmites seed bank density, Phragmites propagule pressure remained high, requiring a long‐term management commitment. Often seed banks are insufficient and revegetation of desired above‐ground species is necessary to meet restoration goals.
On the uneasy alliance between moral bioenhancement and utilitarianism
Authors: Kudlek Karolina
Published: November 2021

Moral bioenhancement (MBE) is often associated with a consequentialist, especially utilitarian, framework, owing to its capacity to prevent great harm and motivate acts in accordance with basic moral principles such us universal impartial altruism or benevolence. However, it remains unclear whether we could de facto justify MBE on utilitarian grounds. This article examines whether there is a plausible utilitarian case for MBE and what the obstacles for justifying MBE on utilitarian grounds could be. More specifically, it explores the relationship between MBE and basic utilitarian principles, as well as its effects on utilitarian moral judgment. It seems that MBE could modify moral agents in ways that would accord with the main utilitarian demands and facilitate the adoption and realization of utilitarian prescriptions. Although MBE would, in principle, create preconditions for achieving utilitarian ends, I argue that there are certain limits to this claim. I identify and elaborate several ways in which MBE could undermine utilitarian moral judgment.
What if a friend asks me to assist their suicide?
Authors: Cowley Christopher
Published: November 2021

There has been plenty of philosophical discussion about the morality and/or rationality of suicide and physician‐assisted suicide. There has also been plenty of discussion about non‐prosecution policies (such as the British DPP 2010 Guidance) as a legal response to cases of one friend assisting the suicide of another. There has been much less attention paid to the particular conversations that might follow the request for suicidal assistance, and to the particular kinds of moral complexity involved. I will consider a ‘Subject’, who wants to commit suicide, but lacks the means or the information to do so, and therefore asks his ‘Friend’ for assistance. (Importantly, the Friend is not a physician.) Without aiming for anything comprehensive or theoretical, I sketch three ‘easier’ cases and two ‘harder’ cases, in order to explore the sorts of things that might be said, and thought, by each party, based on the different sources of meaning and morality.
The diagnostic accuracy of the faecal immunohistochemical test in identifying significant bowel disease in a symptomatic population
Authors: MacDonald Scott , MacDonald Linda , Godwin Jon , Macdonald Angus , Thornton Michelle
Published: November 2021

Aim

Provisional research on the faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT) for symptomatic colorectal patients has shown a high negative predictive value but has lacked long‐term patient follow‐up, raising the possibility of missed diagnoses of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this work is to describe the long‐term diagnostic accuracy of the FIT for CRC and significant bowel disease (SBD) in a symptomatic population in NHS Lanarkshire.

Method

From October 2016 to February 2019, all primary care referrals of symptomatic colorectal patients in NHS Lanarkshire were asked to provide a FIT. The baseline demographics, investigations and diagnoses for each patient were prospectively completed until February 2021. A FIT result of ≥10 μg haemoglobin (Hb)/g faeces was considered to be positive.

Results

A total of 5250 patients were identified (median age 62 years; 46% male; median follow‐up 31 months) with 65.1% (3418) being FIT negative. The SBD rate was 6.2% and the CRC rate was 2.9% (151). The SBD rate was significantly higher in the FIT‐positive group (13.8% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.001) and 32.9% of patients with FIT ≥ 400 μg Hb/g had SBD. The sensitivity of FIT ≥ 10 μg Hb/g for CRC was 87.4% and for SBD it was 76.9%. Specificity was 66.6% and 66.7%, and the negative‐predictive value was 99.4% and 97.7%, respectively. Sensitivity for CRC could theoretically be increased to 94.8% if FIT‐negative patients were to undergo flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Conclusion

A FIT‐only referral pathway for symptomatic colorectal patients will miss over 12% of cancers and over 23% of SBD. Theoretically, combining FIT‐negative patients with flexible sigmoidoscopy increases the sensitivity for CRC. The FIT offers a mechanism for prioritizing patient access to investigations, particularly in resource‐limited areas; however, further work to identify FIT‐negative patients diagnosed with CRC is required.
Outcomes of kidney transplant recipients with ESKD due to plasma cell dyscrasia: A case series
Authors: Dinh Alex R. , Wong Sandy W. , Martin Thomas G. , Wolf Jeffrey L. , Webber Allison B.
Published: November 2021

Transplant centers have historically been reluctant to proceed with kidney transplantation in individuals with plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) due to concern for high rates of PCD recurrence and PCD‐related mortality. As novel therapies for PCDs have improved hematologic outcomes, strategies to optimize kidney transplantation in individuals with PCD‐mediated kidney disease are needed. In this single‐center case series we discuss our protocol for the transplantation of individuals with ESKD attributed to PCD as well as the hematologic and allograft outcomes of 12 kidney transplant recipients with ESKD attributed to PCD. Median follow‐up time after kidney transplantation was 44 months (IQR 36, 84). All patients had a functioning allograft 1 year after kidney transplantation. 9/12 patients were alive and had a functioning allograft 5 years after kidney transplantation. Five patients experienced relapse of PCD (of whom three responded well to subsequent therapies) and four patients developed secondary malignancies, including three patients with urologic malignancies. This case series demonstrates that patients with kidney disease attributed to PCD have favorable outcomes with kidney transplantation. Transplant evaluation in patients with PCDs should involve a multidisciplinary team of transplant nephrologists and oncologists to select appropriate candidates. Providers should consider screening for urologic malignancies pre‐ and post‐transplantation.
CDX2andSATB2positivity in pilomatrix carcinoma: Avoiding an erroneous diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of gastrointestinal origin
Authors: Kenny Bret , Osmond Allison
Published: November 2021

An 80‐year‐old female presented with a slowly growing 2‐cm nodule on her shoulder over a 1‐year period. Histopathologic sections of a biopsy specimen showed a multinodular, dermal‐based basaloid tumor with areas of clear‐cell change, stromal induction, as well as significant cytologic atypia and atypical mitotic activity. An initial investigation revealed positive staining of CDX2, a well‐known marker of tumors of gastrointestinal origin. The case was referred to our dermatopathology service for consultation to determine if the lesion was in keeping with a cutaneous metastasis. On receipt of the case, an extended immunohistochemical panel was performed including SATB2, which displayed a similar pattern of staining as seen with CDX2. Although pathologists are most familiar with CDX2 and SATB2 as markers of gastrointestinal origin, the recent dermatopathology literature highlights that primary adnexal lesions of the skin also display positivity for CDX2 and can exhibit SATB2 positivity. We share a case of pilomatrix carcinoma with positive expression of nuclear CDX2 and SATB2, adding to the recent literature to (a) increase recognition of this staining pattern in hair follicle tumors, and (b) discuss briefly the shared molecular underpinnings in the tumorigenesis of gastrointestinal tumors and tumors of hair follicle origin that help clarify this underrecognized immunohistochemical pattern.
The experience of a severe hypoglycaemic event from the perspective of people with diabetes and their caregivers: “What am I going to do?”
Authors: Stuckey Heather L. , Desai Urvi , King Sarah B. , Popadic Lyuba , Levinson William , Kirson Noam Y. , Hankosky Emily R. , Mitchell Beth
Published: November 2021

Aims

Among people with diabetes using insulin, severe hypoglycaemia (SH) can be a life‐threatening complication, if untreated. The personal experiences during an SH event from the perspectives of people with diabetes and their caregivers are not well‐characterized. This study assessed the perceptions of the event and the decision making processes of people with diabetes (T1D n = 36; T2D n = 24) and their caregivers during SH events.

Methods

In‐depth one‐on‐one telephone interviews were conducted with dyads of people with diabetes and caregivers in the United States (n = 120). An initial synopsis and inductive codebook schema were used to analyse the data with two independent coders (kappa = 0.87–0.89). Themes were developed from the codes, and codes were re‐mapped to the themes.

Results

Four themes were formed: (1) Caregivers scramble to do the right thing and support people with diabetes in treating SH; (2) Decision making capacity is impaired during an SH event, often a panicked time; (3) People learn to manage SH events through their own experiences and frequently make lifestyle changes to prevent and treat future events; and (4) Discussion with healthcare providers about SH, and particularly SH treatment, is limited.

Conclusions

SH events are stressful and often evoke emotional reactions that can impair decision making. Thus, advance treatment planning of SH events needs to occur. Much of the knowledge about SH treatment derives from prior experience rather than healthcare provider guidance, suggesting a need for healthcare providers to initiate proactive discussions about SH treatment.
From financial structure to economic growth: Theory, evidence and challenges
Authors: Xu Guangdong
Published: November 2021

This paper surveys the theoretical and empirical literature on the contributions of financial structure to economic growth. Whereas the theoretical literature clarifies the channels through which banks and financial markets may affect resource allocation and hence economic performance, the empirical evidence on the connection between financial structure and economic growth is mixed. There are several methodological problems inherent in the literature, including disparate studies that have been frequently mixed and confused, unsolved econometric issues (endogeneity, heterogeneity and omitted variables) and failure to consider the interaction between banks and capital markets. More rigorous single‐country studies are called for.
Internet of things‐based deeply proficient monitoring and protection system for crop field
Authors: Prabu A. V. , Kumar G. Sateesh , Rajasoundaran Soundararajan , Malla Prince Priya , Routray Sidheswar , Mukherjee Amrit
Published: November 2021

The production rate of crops is significantly declining due to natural disasters, animal interventions and plant diseases. Internet of things (IoT) and wireless sensor networks are widely applied in crop field monitoring systems to observe the quality of each plant and the field. This work proposes IoT based crop field protection system (ICFPS) that monitors and protects the crop fields from animal intrusions. This proposed system uses ultrasonic sensors, hyperspectral cameras, voice recorded buzzers and other agriculture sensors to protect the entire crop field. This system uses numerous sensor nodes and cameras for gathering field objects (images and environmental objects). The proposed ICFPS creates deep learning techniques such as recurrent convolutional neural networks (RCNN) and recurrent generative adversarial neural networks (RGAN) for feature extraction, disease detection and field data monitoring practices. This proposed work develops a smart city‐based agriculture system using cognitive learning approaches. This proposed system analyses crop field data and provide automatic alerts regarding animal interferences and crop diseases. Moreover, the cognitive smart crop field system observes various field conditions which support for good production rate. In this system, sensors and camera‐enabled agriculture drones are coordinated with each other to collect the field data regularly. At the same time, the proposed work trains the RCNN and RGAN units using effective crop field datasets to attain realistic decisions within minimal time intervals. The experiment details and results show the proposed ICFPS works with 8%–10% of more classification accuracy than existing systems.
Cardiac fibroblasts display endurance to ischemia, high ROS control and elevated respiration regulated by the JAK2/STAT pathway
Authors: Beà Aida , Valero Juan García , Irazoki Andrea , Lana Carlos , López‐Lluch Guillermo , Portero‐Otín Manuel , Pérez‐Galán Patricia , Inserte Javier , Ruiz‐Meana Marisol , Zorzano Antonio , Llovera Marta , Sanchis Daniel
Published: November 2021

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and more than four out of five cases are due to ischemic events. Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) contribute to normal heart development and function, and produce the post‐ischemic scar. Here, we characterize the biochemical and functional aspects related to CF endurance to ischemia‐like conditions. Expression data mining showed that cultured human CF (HCF) express more BCL2 than pulmonary and dermal fibroblasts. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis showed overrepresentation of genes involved in the response to hypoxia and oxidative stress, respiration and Janus kinase (JAK)/Signal transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) signaling pathways in HCF. BCL2 sustained survival and proliferation of cultured rat CF, which also had higher respiration capacity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production than pulmonary and dermal fibroblasts. This was associated with higher expression of the electron transport chain (ETC) and antioxidant enzymes. CF had high phosphorylation of JAK2 and its effectors STAT3 and STAT5, and their inhibition reduced viability and respiration, impaired ROS control and reduced the expression of BCL2, ETC complexes and antioxidant enzymes. Together, our results identify molecular and biochemical mechanisms conferring survival advantage to experimental ischemia in CF and show their control by the JAK2/STAT signaling pathway. The presented data point to potential targets for the regulation of cardiac fibrosis and also open the possibility of a general mechanism by which somatic cells required to acutely respond to ischemia are constitutively adapted to survive it.
Aposematism and mimicry in birds
Authors: Hedley Esme , Caro Tim
Published: November 2021

We review the literature on warning coloration in birds starting from Alfred Russel Wallace's premise that aposematism may advertise difficulty in subduing prey rather than simply unpalatability. Across diverse taxa, there is a good deal of anecdotal information to suggest that signals, usually involving conspicuous coloration, are associated not only with distastefulness but with informing predators that prey will be difficult to catch. There are also examples of aposematism being associated with both Müllerian and Batesian mimicry. In Aves there are now several examples of competitive mimicry which involves resembling larger non‐predator species. We stress that broad‐sense aposematism dissuading predators from attack can operate throughout the predatory sequence in birds. Throughout, we suggest new avenues of research that are likely to be promising and which will reinvigorate rigorous research on warning coloration in birds.
Segmenting and equalizing narratives in the ILO's standard‐setting practice
Authors: HAHS Jenny , MÜCKENBERGER Ulrich
Published: November 2021

In shaping the employment relationship internationally, the ILO initially reproduced the Western normative narrative of the standard employment relationship (SER). When the global South and women gained a stronger voice within the ILO, a contrasting egalitarian narrative emerged, challenging the SER hegemony and creating a layering of narratives. Combining historical institutionalism and structuration theory, the authors follow the development of these narratives and consider how the resultant legal and normative conflicts between them can be explained by focusing on the composition of ILO membership and the representation of women in International Labour Conferences over time. The authors draw a number of legal‐political conclusions from their findings.
Orthorhombic‐like atomic arrangement in hafnium‐oxide‐based nanoparticles
Authors: Fujimoto Konomi , Sato Yukio , Fuchikami Yoshifumi , Teranishi Ryo , Kaneko Kenji
Published: November 2021

Size effect on ferroelectricity in nanoparticles (NPs) has been an important issue for decades. For NPs with a perovskite‐type crystal structure, which are the most popular ferroelectrics, ferroelectricity is believed to disappear for sizes below a critical value. However, newly discovered hafnium‐oxide‐based systems exhibit stronger ferroelectricity for thinner films that may be advantageous to produce smaller ferroelectric NPs, and the ferroelectricity is believed to originate from a polar orthorhombic phase. In the present study, zirconium‐doped hafnium oxide NPs with diameters of ∼3−4 nm were synthesized and then were clarified to be of a metastable phase with an orthorhombic‐like local atomic arrangement. This study implies that ferroelectricity may possibly be obtained in hafnium‐oxide‐based NPs.
Site construction of Eu2+ and sensitized luminescence of Eu3+ in LaF3:Eu nanophosphor
Authors: Chen Wanping , Ouyang Yuejun , Mo Min
Published: November 2021

LaF3:Eu nanophosphors were prepared by a traditional hydrothermal method with citric acid as a reducing agent. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy were used to study the nanophosphors. The formation of three different luminescence centers of Eu2+ and two different luminescence centers of Eu3+ is attributed to the existence of abundant surface defects in this nanophosphor. Eu3+ is effectively excited by energy transfer from Eu2+ to Eu3+. The excitation wavelength of Eu3+ covers a broad spectral range from 250 to 480 nm. The nanophosphor shows a tunable luminescence color varying from blue to white and then to red, which is explained from three aspects of Eu concentration, energy transfer, and concentration quenching. Utilizing the surface defect of nanoparticles to control the reduction of Eu3+ is considered a promising strategy for exploring Eu2+ and Eu3+ codoped phosphor suitable for the lighting and display application.
Narcissistic individuals exhibit poor recognition memory
Authors: Giacomin Miranda , Brinton Christopher , Rule Nicholas O.
Published: November 2021

Here, we examine face memory among individuals who are self‐focused and care little about others' needs: grandiose narcissists. Given narcissistic individuals' excessive self‐focus and tendency to disregard the needs of others, they may struggle to recognize faces and their surrounding environment. Indeed, narcissistic individuals demonstrated worse recognition memory than non‐narcissistic individuals in recognition memory tests for faces (Studies 1 [N = 332] and 2 [N = 261]). This difference also occurred for nonsocial stimuli (i.e., objects, houses, cars), suggesting a broad recognition deficit (Study 3A [N = 178], 3B [N = 203], 3C [N = 274]). Narcissistic individuals' excessive self‐focus predicted this memory deficit (Study 4 [N = 187]). Grandiose narcissism may therefore influence visual recognition memory, highlighting the potential for future research linking personality and cognitive performance.
The effects of choreito on a model of nocturnal polyuria using Dahl salt‐sensitive rats
Authors: Iwamoto Takashi , Torimoto Kazumasa , Gotoh Daisuke , Hori Shunta , Nakai Yasushi , Miyake Makito , Tokita Yohei , Kobayashi Ryohei , Aoki Katsuya , Fujimoto Kiyohide
Published: November 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether Dahl salt‐sensitive rats fed a high‐salt diet would show features of nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria and to examine the efficacy of choreito (CRT) on nocturnal polyuria.

Methods

Dahl salt‐sensitive rats were divided into three groups. Group A was fed a 4% salt diet, group B a 2% salt diet, and group C a normal 0.3% salt diet. In groups α and β, other rats were further divided into two groups: The rats in group α were fed a 2% salt plus 3% CRT diet, and those in group β, were fed a 2% salt diet. Each rat was placed in an individual metabolic cage for 24 hours every week for 6 weeks. Water intake, urine production, voiding frequency, and voided volume per micturition were recorded.

Results

The systolic blood pressure increased in the group fed a 4% salt diet compared to groups fed with a 2% and 0.3% salt diet. The urinary volume was higher in the groups fed with 4% and 2% salt than in the group fed with 0.3% salt. Further, water intake in the group fed a 2% salt plus 3% CRT diet was significantly lower than that in the group fed with a 2% salt diet.

Conclusions

Dahl salt‐sensitive rats fed a 2% salt diet were candidates for a model of nocturnal polyuria. Using this model, we suggest that CRT reduces water intake in the active phase and contributes to water restriction in the treatment of nocturnal polyuria.
New forms of cultural nationalism? American and British Indians in the Trump and Brexit Twittersphere
Authors: Leidig Eviane , Ganesh Bharath , Bright Jonathan
Published: November 2021

Diaspora networks are one of the key, but often invisible, drivers in reinforcing long‐distance nationalism towards the ‘homeland’ but simultaneously construct nationalist myths within their countries of residence. This article examines Indian diaspora supporters of Brexit and Trump in the United Kingdom and the United States who promote exclusionary nationalist imaginaries. Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, it analyses British Indian and Indian American users that circulate radical right narratives within the Brexit and Trump Twittersphere. This article finds that these users express issues of concern pertinent to the radical right—for example, Islam and Muslims and the left‐oriented political and media establishment—by employing civic nationalist discourse that promotes cultural nationalism. It sheds light on digital practices among diaspora actors who participate in the reinvigoration of exclusionary nationalist imaginaries of the Anglo‐Western radical right.
Digital health for functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Pathipati Mythili P. , Shah Eric D. , Kuo Braden , Staller Kyle D.
Published: November 2021

Background

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are a common but challenging set of conditions to treat. Gastroenterology practices often struggle to meet the needs of patients with functional disorders given the need for careful monitoring, frequent communication, and management of stressors that occur outside of the clinical setting. In recent years, applications in digital health have created a new set of tools that can improve the care of these patients, including through improved symptom tracking, physiologic monitoring, direct provision of care, and patient support.

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to evaluate how digital applications are being used to manage functional gastrointestinal disorders today, with several examples of relevant technologies and organizations. It also the shortcomings of current treatment strategies and how they can be overcome.
From atoms to ecosystems: elementome diversity meets ecosystem functioning
Authors: Fernández‐Martínez Marcos
Published: November 2021

The elemental composition of plants (the elementome) is a reliable indicator of their functional traits and the ecological strategies that they follow, and thus represents a good predictor of how ecosystems work. Biodiversity and, especially, functional diversity are also widely recognized as important drivers of ecosystem functioning, mainly because of niche partitioning amongst different species. Here, I review evidence indicating that plant elementomes relate to their ecological niches and how plant elemental concentrations may shift in response to abiotic and biotic drivers. I propose the use of ecosystem elementome diversity as a universal metric to compare ecosystems and investigate diversity–ecosystem functioning relationships. Future research using this promising novel approach will bring together elementomes, diversity, and ecosystem functioning.
Residential particulate matter, proximity to major roads, traffic density and traffic volume as risk factors for preterm birth in California
Authors: Costello Jean M. , Steurer Martina A. , Baer Rebecca J. , Witte John S. , Jelliffe‐Pawlowski Laura L.
Published: November 2021

Background

While pollution from vehicle sources is an established risk factor for preterm birth, it is unclear whether distance of residence to the nearest major road or related measures like major road density represent useful measures for characterising risk.

Objective

To determine whether major road proximity measures (including distance to major road, major road density and traffic volume) are more useful risk factors for preterm birth than other established vehicle‐related measures (including particulate matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and diesel particulate matter (diesel PM)).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 2.7 million births across the state of California from 2011–2017; each address at delivery was geocoded. Geocoding was used to calculate distance to the nearest major road, major road density within a 500 m radius and major road density weighted by truck volume. We measured associations with preterm birth using risk ratios adjusted for target demographic, clinical, socioeconomic and environmental covariates (aRRs). We compared these to the associations between preterm birth and PM2.5 and diesel PM by census tract of residence.

Results

Findings showed that whereas higher mean levels of PM2.5 and diesel PM by census tract were associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, living closer to roads or living in higher traffic density areas was not associated with higher risk. Residence in a census tract with a mean PM2.5 in the top quartile compared with the lowest quartile was associated with the highest observed risk of preterm birth (aRR 1.04, 95% CI 1.04, 1.05).

Conclusions

Over a large geographical region with a diverse population, PM2.5 and diesel PM were associated with preterm birth, while measures of distance to major road were not, suggesting that these distance measures do not serve as a proxy for measures of particulate matter in the context of preterm birth.