bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges Encountered by School Heads in Carrying out Instructional Supervisory Activities in Public Secondary Schools in Lindi Region-Tanzania
Authors: Chiwamba Sarah Vincent , Kigobe Janeth
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges heads of schools encounter while carrying out their instructional supervisory activities in schools. The study conducted in Lindi region, Tanzania Mainland. Creswell (2014) elaborates, “mixed-methods research involves the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data, integrating the two forms of data using a distinct design with philosophical assumptions as well as the theoretical framework”. The study used descriptive design in which qualitative and quantitative approaches were involved. The study sample comprised of teachers (N=114), heads of schools (N=57) from 57 randomly selected secondary schools. Data collected through questionnaires, focus group discussion and interview. The study findings revealed several challenges encountered by heads of schools while carrying out their instructional supervisory activities in public secondary schools in Lindi Region. The challenges identified by this study included; multiple responsibilities, lack of qualification, negative attitude of teachers toward supervision, inadequate training among heads of schools and large number of teachers as well as poor communication skills. Heads of schools have to be relieved with multiple responsibilities by school boards. The study recommends leadership training to heads of schools, establishment of good communication system through which teachers will not consider supervision negatively. Moreover, provision of awareness seminars to teachers on the importance of supervision. As for further research, the study recommends the comparative study involving a number of heads of schools to determine the role of an individual head of school in effective supervision at school.
Development and Design of Laboratory Scale Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland System
Authors: Vishal Thaksande , Selvakumar S. , Kannan Balaji , Boomiraj K. , Sivakumar U. , Jayabalakrishnan R. M.
Published: June 2022

Wetlands have traditionally functioned as a natural filtration system. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a cost-effective and efficient green technology for treating many different types of wastewaters. The efficiency of constructed wetland depends upon the type of media, vegetation, effluent concentration, and applied hydraulic load. The objective of the present paper is to Development and Design a laboratory scale constructed wetland system. The important considerations in the design are the size of the wetland, aspect ratio, depth of each layer, and slope. The length, width, and height of the CWs are 1.2 m; 0.3 m; and 0.65 m; respectively. The total volume of CWs is 0.234 m3 and the treatment section in the system consists volume of 0.135 m3. Twelve sampling points are provided to collect the water from the different layers (media) of the wetland. An aeration pipe is provided at the bottom of CWs. With the laboratory scale constructed wetland system, we can analyze the different types of wastewater.
Response of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Genotypes for their Germination and early Seedling Parameters Grown Under Different Saline levels
Authors: Kumawat Sarla , Kumawat Ravi , Gothwal D.K. , Kumawat Kana Ram
Published: June 2022

Seedling establishment is a most critical stage that determined the crop production at later stages. An in vitro investigation was carried out at the Laboratory of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sri Karan Narendra College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) in Rabi season 2016-17 to study the response of fenugreek genotypes for their germination and early seedling parameters under five salt stress levels viz. 0.0 mM, 40 mM, 80 mM, 120 mM and 160 mM. Fifteen seeds of each genotype were sown in sterilized Petridish and seedling observations were recorded. Results revealed that the average value was found maximum in the control and minimum at higher salinity level for most of traits. Higher reduction was found at higher salinity levels for most of the characters viz., plumule length, radicle length, seedling length, plumule to radicle length ratio, plumule fresh weight, radicle fresh weight, plumule dry weight, radicle dry weight and seedling vigour index but germination percentage showed less reduction. The contrast between mean of various genotypes in control  conditions (S0) versus Sm (mean of S1, S2, S3 and S4) for each character also showed that overall mean was highest in control as compared to the overall mean of salinity levels for all the traits. This investigation concluded that higher level of salinity (above 60 mM) adversely most affected to seed germination and other early seeding traits rather than (below 40 mM) lower salinity levels. Based upon the rank totals of genotype over different salinity levels S1, S2, S3 and S4 (Sm) and characters, the RMt-303 was found to be most desirable genotype followed by UM-385, RMt-143 and RMt-305. These lines would be used as a viable option under saline conditions and better exploit in hybridization programme.
Efficacy of Kangaroo Mother Care among Low Birth Weight Newborns at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shaikh Tayyaba haque , Sangi Rumana , Raza Muhammad Saad , Shaikh Noor UL Ain , Jamro Saifullah , Ahsan Aliya Kemal , Chohan Muhammad Nadeem
Published: June 2022

Aim: To assess the efficacy of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) among low birth weight neonates at a tertiary care hospital

Study Design: A cross-sectional study

Place and Duration. The Kangaroo mother care ward, CMC Children Hospital, Larkana from August 2019 to February 2020.

Methodology: Total 345 low birth weight patients were included. Newborns were kept in KMC position. Axillary temperature was measured during KMC position. Stratification of study variables was done while post-stratification chi-square test or independent sample student t-test was employed to see the impact of effect modifiers on the outcome (efficacy) considering p-value ≤0.05 as significant.

Results: Out of a total of 345 LBW neonates, there were 198 (57.4%) boys and 147 (42.6%) girls. The mean age of neonates was 12.01\(\pm\)7.68 days while majority 177 (51.3%) were aged less than or equal to 10 days. The mean body weight was 1997.22\(\pm\)243.48 grams. The mean gestational age was noted to be 35.35\(\pm\)1.37 weeks. There were 104 (30.1%) neonates who belonged to rural areas while 241 (69.9%) were from urban areas. The mean mother’s temperature was 37.58\(\pm\)0.98 C. The mean room temperature was 33.11\(\pm\)2.59 C. The mean initial temperature was 35.40\(\pm\)0.48 C. The efficacy of KMC was observed to be in 242 (70.1%) cases.

Conclusion: The KMC was found to be effective and useful in caring LBW neonates.  Further advantages of KMC are low cost, promotion of exclusive breast-feeding and increased mother’s confidence in handling LBW babies.
Knowledge Regarding COVID-19 Awareness among Private Dental Practitioners in Karachi
Authors: Jahangir Mohammad Feroz , Darvesh Sajjad Ali , Kumar Kelash , Nazir Saadia , Sultan Jawaid , Naz Irum
Published: June 2022

Objective: Study is to assess knowledge about corona among private dental practitioners in Karachi.     

Study Design: Prospective cross sectional study.

Materials & Methods:  This study is a cross-sectional study conducted during the time period of May, 2020 to Sept, 2020 in Karachi. The online questionnaire was divided into 2 sections, the first one included a biodata section including years of practice and clinic area. The second section comprised of knowledge regarding disinfection techniques against COVID-19 and modes of transmission of COVID-19. There were 10 multiple choice questions to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on different surfaces found in the clinic. Effectiveness of various disinfectants and hand sanitizers was asked and the viability of SARS-CoV-2 on steel surfaces, tissue papers, glass and plastic material.

Results: As our study focuses only private dental practitioners, we contacted them through emails and questionnaires were sent. Responses were received by 125 dentists and 20 dentists did not provide with completely filled questionnaire. Among total of 145 dentists, 67.2% (n=84) were males and 32.8% (n=41) were female practitioners. Amongst 125 dentists, 58.4% (n=73) had adequate knowledge regarding disinfection, viability of virus on different surfaces and proper protective equipment. 33 dentists scored total of 6 out of 10 with only 19 dentists having score of <6. 

Conclusion: The global pandemic of 2019 has led to drastic changes in healthcare setups and way of providing healthcare services. In this study we found that around 60% of dentists have adequate knowledge about disinfection and modes of transmission of COVID-19. Private dental practitioners need to take adequate protective measures and disinfection techniques to prevent transmission.
Isolation and In Silico Characterization of Defensin Genes from Some Indigenous Plant Species of Pakistan
Authors: Aslam M. , Hussain F. , Ahmed N. , Jamil A.
Published: June 2022

Aims: Damage of crop plants due to pathogenic attacks, postharvest crops spoilage and lethal effects of chemical pesticides has enforced scientists to find some potential natural alternative. Plants produce different types of antimicrobial peptides including defensins in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Defensins are small cysteine rich, cationic peptide with 40-45 amino acid residues with a variety of biological activities. Hence defensins have pharmaceutical and agricultural significance especially wide range of antifungal activities.

Methodology: Nine plant species viz Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Conyza bonariensis, Alhagi marorum, Sonchus arvensis, Brassica compestris, Eruca sativa, Cirsium arvensis and Brassica juncea were selected for the study. Four set of primers were applied on extracted genomic DNAs and four amplified genes were isolated from different plants species by PCR. The amplified genes were cloned via pTZ57R/T in E.coli. The cloned fragments were sequenced and characterized by different bioinformatics tool such as coding length and peptide sequence, site of cell aggregation, peptide physico-chemical properties, antimicrobial properties and gene expression pattern.

Result: The amplified products from B. napus, B. nigra, B. compestris, E. sativa and B. juncea were about 330 bp in length and showed upto 85% nucleotide homology to the reported defensins. Deduced amino acid sequence from Bn-Def, Es-Def Bj-Def and Bc- Def showed the conserved defensin domain. These sequences were also characterized for different characteristic like charged amino acids, pI value, shelflife and stability.  Sonchus arvensis didn’t give any specific product by prescribed set of primers. However the products from Alhagi marorum was about 770 bp and B. napus was of 270 bp but both give homology below 30%.

Conclusion: This study showed that in silico characterization of deduced antimicrobial peptides from different plant species has depicted these as an effective alternative to communal therapeutics. However, further work is needed to verify defensins specific activity at protein level.
Calanais Fields Project
Authors: Johnson Melanie , Flitcroft Catherine , Verrill Lucy , Hastie Mhairi , Newton Anthony , Tams Adrian , Warren Graeme
Published: June 2022

Excavations at Calanais, Isle of Lewis (NGR: NB 2125 3265) in 1999 and 2000, through the University of Edinburgh, revealed fragments of a prehistoric field system buried beneath blanket peat. Stone structures including buildings, walls, clearance cairns and heaps and cobbled surfaces were identified and excavated. Environmental analyses indicate that these features, associated with a buried soil, represent prehistoric farming activity, and radiocarbon determinations indicate that they are likely to be no later than Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age in origin. This excavation is important as it is one of very few recent prehistoric excavations in the Hebrides on the blacklands instead of machair, in addition to showing evidence for an agricultural landscape in close proximity to a major ritual monument (Calanais Standing Stones).
Uso da teoria dos leilões na determinação da disponibilidade a pagar por produtos tecnológicos: uma análise experimental
Authors: Brito Marcos Antônio , Vieira Wilson da Cruz , Sousa Eliane Pinheiro
Published: June 2022

Este trabalho teve como objetivo testar a validade de hipó-teses e teoremas da teoria dos leilões a partir de dados de experimentos realizados com estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) e da Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA) na avaliação de produtos tecnológicos e verificar se a utilização de uma âncora como os três primeiros dígitos do CPF influencia no momento da avaliação de um produto e se a informação é importante quando se avalia um bem. O foco da pesquisa foram cinco produtos eletrônicos (pendri-ve, câmera digital, celular, relógio e porta-retrato digital). As hipóteses foram testadas mediante o teste de igualdade de médias, bem como pela utilização de regressão linear simples sem constante e de um modelo de regressões aparentemente não-correlacionadas (SUR). Os resultados evidenciaram a ocorrência da “maldição do leiloeiro” em todos os expe-rimentos; a validade do teorema da equivalência de receitas em mais da metade dos experimentos; os participantes nos experimentos de leilões na UFV mostraram maior disponibilidade a pagar pelos bens, exceto pelo pendrive; e o CPF funciona como âncora para a avaliação dos produtos, principalmente aqueles cujo valor é de 3 dígitos.
Impactos das características socioeconômicas e demográficas sobre os diferenciais de rendimentos do trabalho entre migrantes e não migrantes no Ceará
Authors: Da Silva Filho Luís Abel , Dos Santos José Márcio , De Siqueira Rogério Moreira
Published: June 2022

As desigualdades nas estruturas produtivas e regionais corrobora disparidades salariais em todo o país. Adicionada a isso, as características socioeconômicas e demográficas da força de trabalho têm forte influência nos diferenciais de rendimentos oriundos do trabalho. Nesse sentido, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar os diferenciais salariais entre migrantes e não migrantes intermunicipais no Ceará. Os dados utilizados foram obtidos a partir dos Censos Demográficos do Brasil, dos anos de 2000 e de 2010. Inicialmente, discute-se as evidências empíricas a partir da literatura vigente; e, em seguida, recorre-se à Regressões Quantílicas com o fito de analisar os impactos das características socioeconômicas e demográficas do capital humano nos diferenciais de rendimentos do trabalho ao longo da distribuição condicional dos salários. Os resultados mostram que há diferenciais de rendimentos entre migrantes e não migrantes e que as características dos indivíduos ocupados no mercado de trabalho do Ceará corroboram de forma diferenciada entre os grupos em apreço.
A Reforma da Previdência: entre o discurso e a verdade
Authors: Lima Sérgio Ricardo Ribeiro , Barreto Ricardo Candea Sá
Published: June 2022

O estudo objetiva investigar a relação do orçamento da Seguridade Social (fontes e gastos) com a proposta de Reforma da Previdência. Neste sentido, busca-se desvelar a verdadeira natureza do "déficit" da Previdência Social. Esta pesquisa baseia-se na análise teórica institucionalista das transformações do papel do Estado, como suporte para a análise das propostas da Reforma da Previdência nos governos Temer e Bolsonaro. Neste sentido, será feita uma análise comparativa das fontes e dos recursos da Seguridade Social, pela ótica do governo e pela ótica dos dados oficiais. As conclusões deste estudo assumem que a Reforma da Previdência é o resultado de um problema estrutural do capitalismo, cuja lógica de desenvolvimento contém internamente contradições profundas que levam cada vez mais a crises sistêmicas. A análise realizada demonstrou que não há crise financeira na Previdência Social, mas sim, mecanismos institucionais de manipulação de dados que forçam a demonstração de endividamento.
Influência das políticas industriais de inovação no comportamento inovativo da indústria nacional no período de 2003-2014
Authors: Macêdo Larissa Daiana de , Rosário José Francisco Peixoto
Published: June 2022

O processo de desenvolvimento econômico vem apresentando significativas transformações tendo a inovação como fator determinante, uma vez que a adoção de novas tecnologias tem influenciado a competitividade entre empresas e países. Nesse contexto, as políticas industriais assumem relevância e deve ser vista como estratégia de fortalecimento da indústria, capaz de orientar e incentivar políticas tecnológicas. No Brasil, estas questões passaram a integrar a agenda das políticas nacionais no início dos anos 2000 e, a partir de então, o governo intensificou os esforços para promover a inovação no país. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo compreender o impacto das políticas de inovação no comportamento inovativo dos diversos setores que compõe a indústria nacional, no período de 2003 a 2014. Para tanto, foi realizada uma análise de regressão com dados em painel, utilizando dados da Pesquisa de Inovação (PINTEC) acerca de 32 setores, como proxy dos resultados das políticas industriais na geração de inovações. Constatou-se que as variáveis M&E, P&D e GOV foram as mais significativas para influenciar positivamente a taxa de inovação. Pode-se afirmar que a política industrial nos moldes propostos é ineficaz para a promoção e geração de inovações e crescimento do país. Faz-se necessário, portanto, a elaboração de um diagnóstico mais conciso dos problemas da indústria nacional com a delimitação de objetivos e metas mais concretos, de forma a promover maior dinamismo ao SNI.
Radical Allylation, Vinylation, Allenylation, Alkynylation, and Propargylation Reactions Using Tin Reagents
Authors: Rosenstein Ian J.
Published: June 2022

This chapter describes the use of allyl‐ and vinylstannane reagents for a variety of radical‐based transformations. The processes discussed include direct addition of radicals to allyl‐ and vinylstannanes, multicomponent or multistep cascade reactions that terminate with an intermolecular allylation or vinylation, cyclizations onto allyl‐ or vinylstannane moieties, and allylstannylation reactions. Allylation reactions have provided a framework for the exploration of stereoselective radical reactions, and models for explaining the stereoselectivity obtained by a number of approaches are presented. Examples are provided to illustrate the scope of applications of allyl‐ and vinylstannane radical reactions in synthesis, as well as the ways that the newly introduced allyl and vinyl groups have been subsequently manipulated. A comparison is made to radical allylation and vinylation reactions that employ non‐tin‐based reagents.
Nanobiomimetic Medicine
Authors: Chang Meiqi , Dong Caihong , Huang Hui , Ding Li , Feng Wei , Chen Yu
Published: June 2022

The application of nanotechnology in medicine aims at developing the precise theranostics of diseases by leveraging the extraordinary effects of engineered nanomedicines, materdicine, and biomaterials. However, finely controlling the biological behavior of nanomaterials in the complex living systems remains a great challenge in terms of accuracy and intelligence. Inspired by nature, biomimetics has become an attractive strategy based on the highly ordered natural biological structure for the development of clinically valuable materials and technologies, arising from the superior bioavailability. The rapid development of biomimetics in nanomedical applications prompts the authors to propose the concept of “nanobiomimetic medicine”, which is a considerable subdiscipline in nanomedicine and materdicine that applies the concept and strategies of biomimetics to facilitate and promote the disease theranostics. Herein, the authors aim to furnish a state‐of‐the‐art review on the latest progress in the field of nanobiomimetic medicine. The design strategies, structural features and biological properties of biomimetic materials are initially introduced to reveal the inherent bionic mechanism and the potential structure‐function relationships. Furthermore, advances with respect to the applications of diverse biomimetic materials are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future direction of nanobiomimetic medicine are discussed and prospected in order to stimulate more biomimetic fundamental and technological breakthroughs in nanomedicine.
Intrinsically Bioactive Manganese–Eumelanin Nanocomposites Mediated Antioxidation and Anti‐Neuroinflammation for Targeted Theranostics of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Sun Duo , Liu Kaijun , Li Yang , Xie Tian , Zhang Mi , Liu Yu , Tong Haipeng , Guo Yu , Zhang Qianhui , Liu Heng , Fang Jingqin , Chen Xiao
Published: June 2022

Overproduced reactive oxygen species and the induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation often result in secondary injury, which is associated with unfavorable prognosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, current medications cannot effectively ameliorate the secondary injury at traumatic sites. Here, it is reported that intrinsically bioactive multifunctional nanocomposites (ANG‐MnEMNPs‐Cur, AMEC) mediate antioxidation and anti‐neuroinflammation for targeted TBI theranostics, which are engineered by loading the neuroprotective agent curcumin on angiopep‐2 functionalized and manganese doped eumelanin‐like nanoparticles. After intravenous delivery, efficient AMEC accumulation is observed in lesions of TBI mice models established by controlled cortical impact method, evidenced by T1–T2 magnetic resonance and photoacoustic dual‐modal imaging. Therapeutically, AMEC effectively alleviates neuroinflammation, protects blood–brain barrier integrity, relieves brain edema, reduces brain tissue loss, and improves the cognition of TBI mice. Mechanistically, following the penetration into the traumatic tissues via angiopep‐2 mediated targeting effect, the efficacy of AMEC is synergistically improved by combined functional moieties of curcumin and eumelanin. This is achieved by the alleviation of oxidative stress, inhibition of neuroinflammation via M1‐to‐M2 macrophage reprogramming, and promotion of neuronal regeneration. The as‐developed AMEC with well‐defined mechanisms of action may represent a promising targeted theranostics strategy for TBI and other neuroinflammation‐associated intracranial diseases.
A Review of Preconcentrator Materials, Flow Regimes and Detection Technologies for Gas Adsorption and Sensing
Authors: Chowdhury Aminur Rashid , Lee Tse‐Ang , Day Coco , Hutter Tanya
Published: June 2022

A preconcentrator is a device used to lower the detection limit of a gas sensor, often integrated upstream of the sensor. Gas preconcentrators have attracted great research interest because of their wide range applications including atmospheric pollution detection, breath analysis, and homeland security. Nanoporous materials, such as carbonaceous adsorbents, metal‐organic frameworks, metallic adsorbents, and oxides, are used to preconcentrate gases for improving detection capability. In this review, preconcentrator materials, detection technologies, and integration with detector configurations are surveyed. Current limitations and future improvement opportunities are also discussed.
Heterogeneous Transfer‐Learning‐Enabled Diverse Metasurface Design
Authors: Zhang Jie , Qian Chao , Fan Zhixiang , Chen Jieting , Li Erping , Jin Jianming , Chen Hongsheng
Published: June 2022

With the rapid growth in intelligent metasurfaces in the recent years, deep learning has attracted attention to transform the ways in which metasurfaces are simulated and designed. The unique advantages of deep learning lie in the powerful data‐driven modality, which allows a computational model to learn useful information using hierarchically structured layers. Among the various successful examples, there are forward and inverse designs. However, such designs are inherently data‐hungry. Thus, the data utilization efficiency must be maximized, and green metasurface design must be achieved. Here, the authors propose heterogeneous transfer learning to allow transferrable and data‐efficient metasurface design. The key to this method is a flexible network framework, which integrates feature augmentation and dimensionality reduction. The concept is demonstrated through three scenarios, i.e., metasurfaces with different parameterizations, different physical sizes, and completely different geometries, where the relative error reduction reaches up to 50%. Furthermore, an inverse metasurface design is proposed, which combines the forward predicted network and heuristic algorithm. This work considerably reduces the workload on data collection and overcomes the limitation that previous works only focused on fixed physical structures. The authors have also envisioned a “global metasurface gene bank,” in which researchers can freely “withdraw and save data” for various applications.
Stable 24.29%‐Efficiency FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Methyl Haloacetate‐Lead Dimer Complex
Authors: Zhan Sheng , Duan Yuwei , Liu Zhike , Yang Lu , He Kun , Che Yuhang , Zhao Wenjing , Han Yu , Yang Shaomin , Zhao Guangtao , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: June 2022

Formamidinium methylammonium lead iodide (FAMAPbI3) perovskite has been intensively investigated as a potential photovoltaic material because it has higher phase stability than its pure FAPbI3 perovskite counterpart. However, its power conversion efficiency (PCE) is significantly inferior due to its high density of surface detects and mismatched energy level with electrodes. Herein, a bifunctional passivator, methyl haloacetate (methyl chloroacetate, (MClA), methyl bromoacetate (MBrA)), is designed to reduce defect density, to tune the energy levels and to improve interfacial charge extraction in the FAMAPbI3 perovskite cell by synergistic passivation of both CO groups and halogen anions. As predicted by modeling undercoordinated Pb2+, the MBrA shows a very strong interaction with Pb2+ by forming a dimer complex ([C6H10Br2O4Pb]2+), which effectively reduces the defect density of the perovskite and suppresses non‐radiative recombination. Meanwhile, the Br− in MBrA passivates iodine‐deficient defects. Consequently, the MBrA‐modified device presents an excellent PCE of 24.29%, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.18 V (Voc loss ≈ 0.38 V), which is one of the highest PCEs among all FAMAPbI3‐based perovskite solar cells reported to date. Furthermore, the MBrA‐modified devices without any encapsulation exhibit remarkable long‐term stability with only 9% of PCE loss after exposure to ambient air for 1440 h.
Genetic diversity, gene flow, and differentiation among wild, semiwild, and landrace chile pepper (Capsicum annuum) populations in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Pérez‐Martínez Ana L. , Eguiarte Luis E. , Mercer Kristin L. , Martínez‐Ainsworth Natalia E. , McHale Leah , van der Knaap Esther , Jardón‐Barbolla Lev
Published: June 2022

Premise

Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae) was originally domesticated in Mexico, where wild (C. annuum var. glabriusculum) and cultivated (C. annuum var. annuum) chile pepper populations (>60 landraces) are common, and wild‐resembling individuals (hereafter semiwild) grow spontaneously in anthropogenic environments. Here we analyze the role of elevation and domestication gradients in shaping the genetic diversity in C. annuum from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Methods

We collected samples of 341 individuals from 28 populations, corresponding to wild, semiwild (C. annuum var. glabriusculum) and cultivated C. annuum, and closely related species Capsicum frutescens and C. chinense. From the genetic variation of 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, we assessed the population genetic structure, inbreeding, and gene flow through variance distribution analyses, genetic clustering, and connectivity estimations.

Results

Genetic diversity (HE) did not differ across domestication levels. However, inbreeding coefficients were higher in semiwild and cultivated chiles than in wild populations. We found evidence for gene flow between wild populations and cultivated landraces along the coast. Genetic structure analysis revealed strong differentiation between most highland and lowland landraces.

Conclusions

Gene flow between wild and domesticated populations may be mediated by backyards and smallholder farms, while mating systems may facilitate gene flow between landraces and semiwild populations. Domestication and elevation may overlap in their influence on genetic differentiation. Lowland Gui'ña dani clustered with highland landraces perhaps due to the social history of the Zapotec peoples. In situ conservation may play an important role in preserving semiwild populations and private alleles found in landraces.
Nanodiamond composites: A new material for the preservation of parchment
Authors: Palmieri Elena , Cicero Cristina , Orazi Noemi , Mercuri Fulvio , Zammit Ugo , Mazzuca Claudia , Orlanducci Silvia
Published: June 2022

In this work, the application of nanodiamond (ND)‐composites and dispersions as consolidating agents for parchment substrates has been studied. Different nanocomposites and ND‐based dispersions have been tested showing very promising results and making ND a potential high‐performance additive in the field of restoration. The effect of ND treatment on parchment has been evaluated by analyzing the variations in the parchment denaturation temperature, with respect to the untreated samples, by means of the Light Transmission Analysis (LTA), before and after artificial aging. The hydrolysis/gelatinization degree of the collagen molecule has also been analyzed by means of the Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform IR (FTIR‐ATR) spectroscopy on the same samples investigated by LTA. ND composites, at certain concentrations, seem to improve the structural stability of the collagen networking, contrasting the thermo‐hygrometrically induced aging. Therefore, ND has confirmed to be a promising material to be applied for the restoration and conservation of Cultural Heritage.
A Cell Trappable Methyl Rhodol‐Based Fluorescent Probe for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection
Authors: Fosnacht Kaylin G. , Hammers Matthew D. , Earp Mary S. , Gilbert Annie K. , Pluth Michael D.
Published: June 2022

Hydrogen sulfide is a biologically important molecule and developing chemical tools that enable further investigations into the functions of H2S is essential. Fluorescent turn‐on H2S probes have been developed for use in cellulo and in vivo, but the membrane permeability of these probes can lead to probe leakage and signal attenuation over time. Here we report a cell trappable fluorescent probe for H2S, CT‐MeRhoAz, which is based on a methylrhodolazide scaffold derivatized with an acetoxymethyl ester group. Prior to ester cleavage, the CT‐MeRhoAz probe generates a 2500‐fold turn‐on response to H2S, which is enhanced to a 3000‐fold response for the carboxylic acid form of the probe. Additionally, the probe is highly selective for H2S over other biologically relevant sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen‐based analytes. Live cell imaging experiments confirmed the biocompatibility of CT‐MeRhoAz and also that it is cell trappable, unlike the parent MeRhoAz scaffold.
Photoluminescence Quenching in CsPbCl3 upon Fe Doping: Colloidal Synthesis, Structural and Optical Properties
Authors: Chakraborty Saptarshi , Mandal Prasenjit , Viswanatha Ranjani
Published: June 2022

Doped perovskite lead halide nanocrystals (PHNCs) are promising materials for various optoelectronic applications, but the major challenge faced by the researchers is the inability to dope foreign elements into perovskite lattice because of the strong lead‐halide bond energies. In this work, we have used Fe as a dopant in CsPbCl3 to explore different doping techniques based on the colloidal synthesis of PHNCs to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques. We are able to dope a relatively higher amount of Fe (∼10%) than reported and observe clear optical signatures when the precursor does not have pre‐existing Pb−Cl bonds. We prove that there are two competing processes inside a doped PHNC – one is the effect of dopant energy levels, and the other is surface passivation by halide ions. Using the most optimal synthesis strategy, we show that although Fe does act as a luminescence quencher in perovskite similar to II–VI quantum dots (QDs), the quenching requires much more Fe compared to trace amounts of Fe required in traditional QDs. Our work will assist in giving an overall comparative idea of doping and finding the most optimized strategy and help identify the underlying physical processes in perovskite based QDs.
Association of hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms with health‐related quality of life among long‐term oropharyngeal cancer survivors
Authors: Aggarwal Puja , Nader Marc‐Elie , Gidley Paul W. , Pratihar Raj , Jivani Shirin , Garden Adam S. , Mott Frank E. , Goepfert Ryan P. , Ogboe Christopher Wallace , Charles Camille , Fuller Clifton D. , Lai Stephen Y. , Gunn G. Brandon , Sturgis Erich M. , Hanna Ehab Y. , Hutcheson Katherine A. , Shete Sanjay
Published: June 2022

Background

This study investigated the association of hearing loss and tinnitus with overall health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among long‐term oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors.

Methods

This study included OPC survivors treated between 2000 and 2013 and surveyed from September 2015 to July 2016. Hearing loss and tinnitus were measured by asking survivors to rate their “difficulty with hearing loss and/or ringing in the ears” from 0 (not present) to 10 (as bad as you can imagine). Hearing loss and tinnitus scores were categorized as follows: 0 for none, 1–4 for mild, and 5–10 for moderate to severe. The primary outcome was the mean score of MD nderson Symptom Inventory Head & Neck module interference component as a HRQoL surrogate dichotomized as follows: 0 to 4 for none to mild and 5 to 10 for moderate to severe interference.

Results

Among 880 OPC survivors, 35.6% (314), reported none, 39.3% (347) reported mild, and 25.1% (221) reported moderate to severe hearing loss and tinnitus. On multivariable analysis, mild (OR, 5.83; 95% CI; 1.48–22.88; p = 0.012) and moderate (OR, 30.01; 95% CI; 7.96–113.10; p < 0.001) hearing loss and tinnitus were associated with higher odds of reporting moderate to severe symptom interference scores in comparison to no hearing loss and tinnitus. This association of hearing dysfunction was consistent with all domains of HRQoL.

Conclusions

Our findings provide preliminary evidence to support the need for continued audiological evaluations and surveillance to detect hearing dysfunction, to allow for early management and to alleviate the long‐term impact on QoL.
Examination of risk factors for discontinuation of follow‐up care in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Howren M. Bryant , Christensen Alan J. , Pagedar Nitin A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Little research has examined discontinuation of follow‐up care in patients with head and neck cancer. This exploratory study sought to examine key demographic, disease, and behavioral factors as possible correlates of discontinuation (N = 512).

Methods

Cross‐sectional study examined correlates of discontinuation of follow‐up care within 1 year. The primary outcome was defined as a disease‐free survivor not returning to cancer clinic for two consecutive follow‐up appointments within the first year of care and not reentering oncologic care at any point thereafter. Demographic, disease, and behavioral factors were examined using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

One hundred twenty‐six (24.6%) patients discontinued by 12‐month follow‐up. Being unmarried (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.01–1.63, p = 0.041) and having elevated depressive symptomatology (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.07, p = 0.034) were significantly associated with discontinuation. Receipt of a single (vs. multimodal) treatment approached significance (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 0.96–3.07, p = 0.071).

Conclusion

Approximately one quarter of patients disengaged from important follow‐up care within 1 year. Lack of social support, depressive symptomatology, and single treatment modality may be important correlates of discontinuation of care in patients with head and neck cancer. Additional studies of this outcome are needed. Improved understanding of correlates associated with discontinuation could facilitate the identification of at‐risk patients and further development of interventions to keep patients engaged at a crucial time in the survivorship care trajectory.
Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in two children; case report on clinical course, challenges in diagnosis and the role of FDG‐PET/CT‐scan
Authors: Sahba S. , Huurnink A. , Van den Berg J. M. , Tuitert B. , Vastert S. J. , Ten Tusscher G. W.
Published: June 2022

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA, also called Still's disease) is a rare childhood auto‐inflammatory disease with significant morbidity. This case report illustrates the clinical course and highlights diagnostic challenges. FDG‐PET/CT imaging may be beneficial in the diagnostic process for some cases, in order to achieve rapid diagnosis and early treatment.
Reactivity‐Tunable Palladium Precatalysts with Favorable Catalytic Properties in Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Liang Siou‐Wei , Guo Yingjie , Lee Wan‐Ching , Zeng Pin‐Rui , Lin Tzu‐Hao , Xie Pei‐Zhen , Kang Hsuan‐Hao , Lu I‐Chung , Chang Yu‐Chang
Published: June 2022

In this study, two (HO)R2P→Pd(II)Cl2←NHC precatalysts (1 s) were designed and synthesized. Using these precatalysts, unreactive aryl chlorides, benzyl chlorides, or benzoyl chlorides were highly efficiently converted to the desired products in three to tens of minutes at 35 °C. Upon deprotonation of 1 s, density‐functional theory calculations and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed that NHC was dissociated from the deprotonated precatalysts. Although it is difficult to ascertain the NHC dissociated from Pd(II) or Pd(0) species, the proposed anionic (O−)R2P→Pd(II)Cl2 species could be reduced using ethoxide to form Pd(0) catalytic species. The cation and anion functions of salt additives were systematically elucidated. The cation size could be used to modulate the catalytic properties of 1 s through outer‐sphere electrostatic interactions between the coordinated R2P(O−) and alkali metal ions. Moreover, the basicity of base was proportional to the catalytic yields. This study introduces newly designed Pd(II) precatalysts with superb catalytic properties that are stable and remarkably efficient.
LGBTQI+ responsive school counseling: Exemplary school counselor educators’ curricular integration
Authors: Luke Melissa , Goodrich Kristopher M. , Brammer M. Kathryn
Published: June 2022

Experiences of 17 school counselor educators who integrated LGBTQI+ issues in their school counseling curricula were explored. This consensual qualitative research study resulted in four categories: turning points, professional reasons to integrate, school counseling andragogy, and integration and balance of knowledge/skills/awareness. Implications for teaching and future research will be explored.
Microcrystallization and lattice contraction of NiFe LDHs for enhancing water electrocatalytic oxidation
Authors: Zheng Zhicheng , Wu Dan , Chen Gen , Zhang Ning , Wan Hao , Liu Xiaohe , Ma Renzhi
Published: June 2022

The lattice‐oxygen‐mediated mechanism is considered as a reasonable mechanism for the electrochemical catalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of NiFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs). A NiFe LDH with distinct lattice contraction and microcrystallization was synthesized via a simple one‐step method using sodium gluconate. The lattice contraction is attributed to the interaction of carbon in sodium gluconate and iron in NiFe LDH. The NiFe LDH with optimized microcrystallization and lattice contraction shows a low overpotential of 217 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and excellent durability of 20 h at a high current density of 100 mA cm−2. The results revealed that a contractive metal–oxygen bond could boost the intrinsic activity of active sites and the microcrystallization promotes an increase in the number of active sites in terms of unit area. The chemical environment of oxygen elemental characterization and resistance at different chronopotentiometry times confirm that the lattice oxygen element is indeed involved in the process of OER, supporting the lattice‐oxygen‐mediated mechanism of NiFe LDH. Density functional theory calculations reveal that contractive metal–oxygen bonds induced a reduction of the adsorption energy barrier of intermediate products, thus improving the intrinsic catalytic activity. The special characteristics of microcrystallization and lattice contraction of NiFe LDH provide a strategy to improve both the number and the intrinsic activity of active sites in a versatile manner.
Bacteriophage‐built gels as platforms for biomedical applications
Authors: Tian Lei , Jackson Kyle , Zhang Amy , Wan Zeqi , Saif Ahmed , Hosseinidoust Zeinab
Published: June 2022

Bacteriophages, or phages (bacterial viruses), have seen a resurgence in their applications following the emergence of antimicrobial‐resistant superbugs that pose enormous risks to human health and food supplies. Phages present numerous advantages over conventional small‐molecule antibiotics, including that they are highly selective bacteria‐killers and demonstrate low inherent cytotoxicity to human health. Notwithstanding the direct therapeutic applications of these innate bacteria‐killing viruses, they have also garnered attention as biological nanoparticles. Due to the diversity in sizes and shapes of phages, self‐replicating capacity, geometrical batch‐to‐batch consistency, and ease of synthetic modifications, phages are excellent building blocks for creating bioactive biomaterial platforms. In this review, we provide a brief history of the development of phage‐based materials and identify key stakeholders who are driving innovation in this space. In addition, we explore various phage‐based gel structures and provide a critical analysis of how their structures produce distinct advantageous properties that can be exploited for applications in solving challenges in biomedical engineering.
Calculation of the phase separation rate in two‐phase flow of non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid and gas bubbles flowing inside the T‐ and Y‐junctions using random vortex method (RVM)
Authors: Noori Yaser , Teymourtash Ali Reza , Zafarmand Behrooz
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the phase separation rate in a two‐phase flow of non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid and gas bubbles flowing inside T‐ and Y‐junction channels with branch angles of 45° and 135° is numerically investigated. The numerical simulation is carried out using the random vortex method (RVM) for the Reynolds number of liquid phase at the inlet of the channel Rem = 250 for various power‐law indexes (n = 0.2–1.4). The result of this research represents valuable information about the effect of branch angle and also the power‐law index on the phase separation. The result shows that when increasing the branch angle, the phase separation is increased, while when increasing the power‐law index, the phase separation is decreased. The acceptable conformation between this study and the experimental results shows the capability of the evaluated method.
Programmable Analytical Feature of Ratiometric Electrochemical Biosensor by Alternating the Binding Site of Ferrocene to DNA Duplex for the Detection of Aflatoxin B1†
Authors: Liu Dong , Jia Fan , Wei Ya , Li Yuye , Meng Shuyun , You Tianyan
Published: June 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Ratiometric biosensor is among the promising strategies for the advanced analysis; its applicability in multiple scenarios, however, is seriously limited for the fixed analytical feature. Here, we reported ratiometric electrochemical biosensors with programmable analytical feature by alternating the binding site of ferrocene (Fc) to DNA duplex for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). DNA duplex was synthesized with AFB1 aptamer and its complementary DNA (cDNA) with Fc molecular tagged on aptamer or cDNA. For analysis, aptamer‐AFB1 complex stripped from the electrode, and free cDNA triggered hybridization chain reaction to produce double‐stranded DNA for methylene blue (MB) absorption. In this way, redox currents of Fc (IFc) and absorbed MB (IMB) at the electrode were collected to produce the ratiometric signal of IMB/IFc as a yardstick for AFB1. When Fc was tagged on aptamer, IFc decreased with higher concentration of AFB1 (cAFB1), the resultant biosensor allowed detection with an On/Off (IMB/IFc) mode; when Fc was tagged on cDNA, IFc kept constant as cAFB1 varying, offering an On/Constant (IMB/IFc) mode for the detection. Consequently, biosensor with On/Off mode showed a linear range of 0.1—100 pg/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0650 pg/mL, while biosensor with On/Constant mode offered a wider linear rang of 1—10000 pg/mL but a relatively poor LOD of 0.330 pg/mL. Our work revealed the vital importance of binding site of probes to DNA, and this principle can endow ratiometric biosensor with programmable analytical feature (e.g., linear range, LOD), allowing detections in various scenarios.
Photocatalyzed Functionalization of Alkenoic Acids in 3D‐Printed Reactors
Authors: Jorea Alexandra , Ravelli Davide , Romarowski Rodrigo M. , Marconi Stefania , Auricchio Ferdinando , Fagnoni Maurizio
Published: June 2022

The valorization of alkenoic acids possibly deriving from biomass (fumaric and citraconic acids) was carried out through conversion in important building blocks, such as γ‐keto acids and succinic acid derivatives. The functionalization was carried out by addition onto the C=C double bond of radicals generated under photocatalyzed conditions from suitable hydrogen donors (mainly aldehydes) and by adopting a decatungstate salt as the photocatalyst. Syntheses were performed under batch (in a glass vessel) and flow (by using 3D‐printed reactors) conditions. The design of the latter reactors allowed for an improved yield and productivity.