bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bird Eye View of Fertiliser Industry of India
Authors: Bishnoi Rajesh Kumar , Das Abhijit , Gaware Utkarsha Pramod , Baviskar Paresh Pundlikrao , Bhupender .
Published: June 2020

This paper attempts to provide a highlight of fertiliser industry of India by focusing on growth rate of industry and demand and supply side of fertiliser in India. Discussion is also made on consumption pattern of fertilisers in Indian states. And at last to know more about the industry porter’s five forces model analysis is done. Secondary data is used from published sources and the data which is available at public domain. Various tables and graphs are used to demonstrate the data. Different comparison and relations were made where necessary. After the FAO reports of 2016, India is using 165.85 Kg of fertiliser per hectare of arable land. China stands at 1st rank and India ranks 2nd and in nitrogenous and phosphatic fertiliser consumption. The Indian fertiliser market was worth INR 5,437 Billion in 2018. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach INR 11,116 Billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% during 2019-2024. In case of Urea, India has achieved 80-85% of self-sufficiency, and rest is imported from our joint ventures in abroad. To meet the demand of urea by indigenous production and to reduce the imports, Government of India, is investing an amount of Rs. 37971 Crore Rupees for revival of five fertiliser plants in India. Since FY 2016-17, the food grain production is increasing with the fertiliser consumption in India, because use of fertiliser is an important factor which impacts the food grain production in India. Unfortunately the, heavy use of urea is misbalancing the ideal fertiliser application ratio. To improve this ratio farmer’s has to move from straight fertilisers towards NPKS complex fertilisers for supplying the essential nutrients required by the plants for growth.
Determinants of Tax Compliance of Micro and Small Business Enterprise (MSE) Category “C” Taxpayers, the Case of Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Tessema Mitiku Melese
Published: June 2020

This study sought to identify the determinant of tax compliance in Ethiopia, specifically focusing on Micro and Small business enterprises operating in the Gurage zone. The researcher outlined a detailed literature review and identified the variables for this research to be tax rate, tax knowledge, tax compliance cost; the attitude of Micro and small enterprises and tax system. The research employed both descriptive and explanatory research design. A sample size of 325 was used from a population of 1726 micro and small business enterprises category “C” taxpayers in the Gurage zone. Data was collected using questionnaires and the structured interview. The collected data was consequently analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist software (SPSS V.22) and the findings of the research presented using tables, various chart types and graphs.  The results showed that tax rate, tax knowledge, tax compliance cost, the attitude of SME's and tax system significant determine tax compliance of taxpayers. Tax rate, Tax system and compliance cost predominantly affect tax compliance. Concerning the cost of tax compliance, the study revealed that Micro and Small businesses incur different costs such as salary of accountants, fees to tax consultants, cost of stationeries, etc. that contributed for their non-compliance and estimation of Micro and Small Enterprises tax is another problem-related tax system. However, the taxpayers do feel and strongly agree that the taxation system in Ethiopia is in great need of improvement.  The study then recommended that the current tax law should be amended to incorporate provisions that grant special tax incentives to MSEs to improve voluntary tax compliance by MSE taxpayers. The study also recommended that the ERCA should disseminate information on the tax rate and tax system more frequently to improve the levels of tax know-how for voluntary tax compliance.
Gruesomeness conveys formidability: Perpetrators of gratuitously grisly acts are conceptualized as larger, stronger, and more likely to win
Authors: Scrivner Coltan , Holbrook Colin , Fessler Daniel M. T. , Maestripieri Dario
Published: June 2020

While associated with extreme terrorist organizations in modern times, extensive accounts of grisly acts of violence exist in the archeological, historical, and ethnographic records. Though reasons for this dramatic form of violence are multifaceted and diverse, one possibility is that violence beyond what is required to win a conflict is a method by which violent actors communicate to others that they are formidable opponents. The formidability representation hypothesis predicts that formidability is cognitively represented using the dimensions of envisioned bodily size and strength. We tested the informational ramifications of gruesome acts using two vignette studies depicting individuals who either did or did not grievously damage the corpse of a deceased foe. Participants rated the individual's height, bodily size, and strength, as well as his aggressiveness, motivation, and the capacity to vanquish opponents in future conflicts. Results indicate that, as predicted, committing gruesome acts of violence enhances perceptions of formidability as measured both by envisioned bodily size and strength and expectations regarding the outcomes of agonistic conflicts. Moreover, the gruesome actor was perceived as more aggressive and more motivated to overcome his enemies, and this mediated the increase in conceptualized size and strength. These results both provide further evidence for the formidability representation hypothesis and support the thesis that overtly grisly violence is tactically employed, in part, because it conveys information about the perpetrator's formidability.
The Follistatin‐like Protein 1 Pathway Is Important for Maintaining Healthy Articular Cartilage
Authors: Chaly Yury , Hostager Bruce , Smith Sonja , Hirsch Raphael
Published: June 2020

Objective

We sought to determine whether follistatin‐like protein 1 (FSTL1), a protein produced by articular chondrocytes, promotes healthy articular cartilage and prevents chondrocytes from undergoing terminal differentiation to hypertrophic cells.

Methods

In vitro experiments were performed with immortalized human articular chondrocytes. The cells were transduced with a lentivirus encoding human FSTL1 small hairpin RNA or with an adenovirus encoding FSTL1. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used for gene expression analysis. Protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. Co‐immunoprecipitation was used to identify interacting partners of FSTL1. FSTL1 expression in human articular cartilage was analyzed using confocal microscopy.

Results

Downregulation of FSTL1 expression in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)‐stimulated chondrocyte pellet cultures led to chondrocyte terminal differentiation characterized by poor production of cartilage extracellular matrix and altered expression of genes and proteins involved in cartilage homeostasis, including MMP13, COL10A1, RUNX2, COL2A1, ACAN, Sox9, and phospho‐Smad3. We also showed that FSTL1 interacts with TGFβ receptor proteins, Alk1 and endoglin, suggesting a potential mechanism for its effects on chondrocytes. Transduction of chondrocytes with an FSTL1 transgene increased COL2A1 expression, whereas it did not affect MMP13 expression. FSTL1 protein expression was decreased in human osteoarthritic cartilage in situ.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that FSTL1 plays an important role in maintaining healthy articular cartilage and the FSTL1 pathway may represent a therapeutic target for degenerative diseases of cartilage.
NIDA: Plethora of treatments for SUDs, regardless of substance
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2020

When people refer to “evidence‐based” treatment, they mean treatment that has been proven to be effective and has been incorporated into strict protocols via manuals, so they can be replicated. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been tracking the many treatment models for general substance use disorders, as well as for specific substances. Motivational interviewing (MI), medication‐assisted treatment (MAT), contingency management (CM) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are all evidence‐based modalities, explained Ruben Baler, Ph.D., NIDA health scientist, in an email to ADAW.
USPSTF recommends screening for illicit drug use in adults
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2020

Last week, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended screening for “unhealthy drug use” by asking questions — not by drug tests — in adults. There is a proviso: “Screening should be implemented when services for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate care can be offered or referred.”
Boosting Activity on Co4N Porous Nanosheet by Coupling CeO2 for Efficient Electrochemical Overall Water Splitting at High Current Densities
Authors: Sun Hongming , Tian Caiying , Fan Guilan , Qi Jianing , Liu Ziting , Yan Zhenhua , Cheng Fangyi , Chen Jing , Li Cheng‐Peng , Du Miao
Published: June 2020

Developing highly active nonprecious electrocatalysts with superior durability for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial to improve the efficiency of overall water splitting but remains challenging. Here, a novel superhydrophilic Co4N‐CeO2 hybrid nanosheet array is synthesized on a graphite plate (Co4N‐CeO2/GP) by an anion intercalation enhanced electrodeposition method, followed by high‐temperature nitridation. Doping CeO2 into Co4N can favor dissociation of H2O and adsorption of hydrogen, reduce the energy barrier of intermediate reactions of OER, and improve the compositional stability, thereby dramatically boosting the HER performance while simultaneously inducing enhanced OER activity. Furthermore, the superhydrophilic self‐supported electrode with Co4N‐CeO2 in situ grown on the conductive substrate expedites electron conduction between substrate and catalyst, promotes the bubble release from electrode timely and impedes catalyst shedding, ensuring a high efficiency and stable working state. Consequently, the Co4N‐CeO2/GP electrode shows exceptionally low overpotentials of 24 and 239 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER, respectively. An alkaline electrolyzer by using Co4N‐CeO2/GP as both the cathode and anode requires a cell voltage of 1.507 V to drive 10 mA cm−2, outperforming the Pt/C||RuO2 electrolyzer (1.540 V@10 mA cm−2). More significantly, the electrolyzer has extraordinary long‐term durability at a large current density of 500 mA cm−2 for 50 h, revealing its potential in large‐scale applications.
Polyanion Sodium Vanadium Phosphate for Next Generation of Sodium‐Ion Batteries—A Review
Authors: Chen Gongxuan , Huang Qing , Wu Tian , Lu Li
Published: June 2020

Polyanion‐type sodium (Na) vanadium phosphate in the form of Na3V2(PO4)3 has demonstrated reasonably high capacity, good rate capability, and excellent cyclability. Two of three Na ions per formula can be deintercalated at a potential 3.4 V versus Na+/Na with oxidation of V3+/4+. In the reversible process, two Na ions intercalate back resulting in a discharge capacity of 117.6 mAh g−1. Further intercalation is possible but at a low potential of 1.4 V versus Na+/Na accompanied by vanadium reduction V3+/2+, leading to a capacity of 60 mAh g−1. Due to its marvelous electrochemical performance, it has attracted a lot of attention since its discovery in the 1990s. To develop truly useable polyanion‐type vanadium phosphate, better understanding of its crystal configuration, sodium ions' transportation, and electronic structure is essential. Therefore, this review only focuses on the inside of crystal configuration and electronic structure of polyanion‐type vanadium phosphate, Na3V2(PO4)3, since there are a few good reviews on various processing technologies.
Direct Growth of Nanopatterned Graphene on Sapphire and Its Application in Light Emitting Diodes
Authors: Chen Zhaolong , Chang Hongliang , Cheng Ting , Wei Tongbo , Wang Ruoyu , Yang Shenyuan , Dou Zhipeng , Liu Bingyao , Zhang Shishu , Xie Yadian , Liu Zhiqiang , Zhang Yanfeng , Li Jinmin , Ding Feng , Gao Peng , Liu Zhongfan
Published: June 2020

Direct growth of graphene films on functional substrates is immensely beneficial for the large‐scale applications of graphene by avoiding the transfer‐induced issues. Notably, the selective growth of patterned graphene will further boost the development of graphene‐based devices. Here, the direct growth of patterned graphene on the c‐plane of nanopatterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) is realized and the superiority of the patterned graphene for high‐performance ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (UV‐LED) is demonstrated. As confirmed by density functional theory calculations and analog simulations, compared to the concave r‐plane the flat c‐plane of NPSS is characterized by a lower active barrier for methane decomposition and carbon species diffusion, as well as a greater supply of carbon precursor for graphene growth. The synthesized patterned graphene on the c‐plane of NPSS is verified to be monolayer and high quality. The patterned graphene enables the selective and well‐aligned nucleation of aluminium nitride (AlN) to promote rapid epitaxial lateral overgrowth of single‐crystal AlN films with low dislocation density. Consequently, the fabricated UV‐LED demonstrates high luminescence intensity and stability. The method is suitable for obtaining various patterned graphene by substrate design, which will allow for greater progress in the cutting‐edge applications of graphene.
Tumor Microenvironment Targeting Nano–Bio Emulsion for Synergistic Combinational X‐Ray PDT with Oncolytic Bacteria Therapy
Authors: Park Wooram , Cho Soojeong , Kang Dongkyu , Han Jun‐Hyeok , Park Jung‐Hoon , Lee Byeongdu , Lee Joonseok , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: June 2020

Various cancer therapies have been developed, but tumor recurrence with incomplete tumor killing and remaining tumor cells/tissues is frequent in monotherapies. Herein, a nano–bio therapeutic emulsion formulated with multifunctional nanoscintillators and anaerobic Clostridium novyi‐NT spores for synergistic image‐guided combinational cancer therapy is reported. MRI visible nanoscintillators (NSs) are synthesized with a NaGdF4:Tb,Ce@NaGdF4 core/shell structure for an image‐guided X‐ray photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the normoxic peripheral tumor. An anaerobic oncolytic bacterium (C. novyi‐NT) therapy is combined to treat the hypoxic central tumor tissues. Photosensitizer‐coated NSs (PS‐NSs) and C. novyi‐NT spores are emulsified with clinically available ethiodized oil (Lipiodol) to be the nano–bio therapeutic emulsion and injected into the tumor with computed tomography image guidance. The distribution of nano–bio therapeutic emulsion, including PS‐NSs and anaerobic C. novyi‐NT spores in the tumor site, is confirmed by both X‐ray and T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Following the image‐guided X‐ray PDT and anaerobic C. novyi‐ NT combination treatment, apoptotic cell death in cancer tissues, including both peripheral and central tumor regions, is significantly higher than in the control groups. This combination therapy approach using a nano–bio therapeutic emulsion is expected to overcome the limitations of conventional cancer therapy, resulting in increased cancer‐therapeutic efficacy.
Thermomechanical Nanocutting of 2D Materials
Authors: Liu Xia , Howell Samuel Tobias , Conde‐Rubio Ana , Boero Giovanni , Brugger Juergen
Published: June 2020

Atomically thin materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, are promising candidates for future applications in micro/nanodevices and systems. For most applications, functional nanostructures have to be patterned by lithography. Developing lithography techniques for 2D materials is essential for system integration and wafer‐scale manufacturing. Here, a thermomechanical indentation technique is demonstrated, which allows for the direct cutting of 2D materials using a heated scanning nanotip. Arbitrarily shaped cuts with a resolution of 20 nm are obtained in monolayer 2D materials, i.e., molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), by thermomechanically cleaving the chemical bonds and by rapid sublimation of the polymer layer underneath the 2D material layer. Several micro/nanoribbon structures are fabricated and electrically characterized to demonstrate the process for device fabrication. The proposed direct nanocutting technique allows for precisely tailoring nanostructures of 2D materials with foreseen applications in the fabrication of electronic and photonic nanodevices.
High‐Efficiency Perovskite Quantum Dot Hybrid Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells with Near‐Zero Driving Force
Authors: Wang Yifan , Jia Boyu , Wang Jing , Xue Peiyao , Xiao Yiqun , Li Tengfei , Wang Jiayu , Lu Heng , Tang Zheng , Lu Xinhui , Huang Fei , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: June 2020

To take advantages of the intense absorption and fluorescence, high charge mobility, and high dielectric constant of CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), PQD hybrid nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs) are fabricated. Addition of PQDs leads to simultaneous enhancement of open‐circuit voltage (VOC), short‐circuit current density (JSC), and fill factor (FF); power conversion efficiencies are boosted from 11.6% to 13.2% for PTB7‐Th:FOIC blend and from 15.4% to 16.6% for PM6:Y6 blend. Incorporation of PQDs dramatically increases the energy of the charge transfer state, resulting in near‐zero driving force and improved VOC. Interestingly, at near‐zero driving force, the PQD hybrid OSCs show more efficient charge generation than the control device without PQDs, contributing to enhanced JSC, due to the formation of cascade band structure and increased molecular ordering. The strong fluorescence of the PQDs enhances the external quantum efficiency of the electroluminescence of the active layer, which can reduce nonradiative recombination voltage loss. The high dielectric constant of the PQDs screens the Coulombic interactions and reduces charge recombination, which is beneficial for increased FF. This work may open up wide applicability of perovskite quantum dots and an avenue toward high‐performance nonfullerene solar cells.
A Light‐Switchable Liquid Metamaterial Mirror
Authors: Cormier Sean , Salmon Andrew R. , Kos Dean , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: June 2020

A metamaterial film composed of gold nanoparticles wrapped in thin thermoresponsive polymer shells is described. The nanoparticle shells are kept partially hydrated so that the film acts as a “liquid mirror” and shows subtle interactions due to its composite metamaterial nature. Optically heating the film collapses the polymer, increasing the gold fill fraction and raising the reflectivity. This in turn decreases the optothermal absorption, making both the reflectivity and optothermal absorption nonlinear. When the polymer collapses, the film buckles due to thermophoretic flows competing against surface tension. These interactions generate a remarkable array of dynamic behaviors. Exposing the films to light causes an insulator‐to‐metal transition. Defects can be healed by returning the film to the liquid phase. Laser illumination of micrometer‐scale regions generates local dimples at low power and sinters microscale tracks at high power. When microbeads are combined into these films, optical switching results in quenching of their photoluminescence as well as the ability to manipulate their spatial position in real time.
Chemical Insight into the Structure and Formation of Coke on PtSn Alloy during Propane Dehydrogenation
Authors: Wang Zhe , Chen Yuzhuo , Mao Shanjun , Wu Kejun , Zhang Kaichao , Li Qichuan , Wang Yong
Published: June 2020

Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) catalyzed by PtSn/Al2O3 is a vital industrial process for producing propylene, a significant building block in the chemical industry. However, coke produced in the process deactivates the catalyst and the energy‐intensive regeneration procedures can produce considerable CO2 emission. In this work, coke on the spent catalysts is analyzed by thermogravimetric‐mass spectra, Raman spectra, 1H solid NMR spectra, and infrared spectra. Several C3 species, including propyl, propylidene and propylidyne are found on the surface of the PtSn alloy. Several reaction pathways are investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is also found that this coke can be hydrogenated to propylene in the PDH process. These results could provide theoretical guidance for optimizing process parameters in industry.
Enhanced Solar Photothermal Catalysis over Solution Plasma Activated TiO2
Authors: Yu Fei , Wang Changhua , Li Yingying , Ma He , Wang Rui , Liu Yichun , Suzuki Norihiro , Terashima Chiaki , Ohtani Bunsho , Ochiai Tsuyoshi , Fujishima Akira , Zhang Xintong
Published: June 2020

Colored wide‐bandgap semiconductor oxides with abundant mid‐gap states have long been regarded as promising visible light responsive photocatalysts. However, their catalytic activities are hampered by charge recombination at deep level defects, which constitutes the critical challenge to practical applications of these oxide photocatalysts. To address the challenge, a strategy is proposed here that includes creating shallow‐level defects above the deep‐level defects and thermal activating the migration of trapped electrons out of the deep‐level defects via these shallow defects. A simple and scalable solution plasma processing (SPP) technique is developed to process the presynthesized yellow TiO2 with numerous oxygen vacancies (Ov), which incorporates hydrogen dopants into the TiO2 lattice and creates shallow‐level defects above deep level of Ov, meanwhile retaining the original visible absorption of the colored TiO2. At elevated temperature, the SPP‐treated TiO2 exhibits a 300 times higher conversion rate for CO2 reduction under solar light irradiation and a 7.5 times higher removal rate of acetaldehyde under UV light irradiation, suggesting the effectiveness of the proposed strategy to enhance the photoactivity of colored wide‐bandgap oxides for energy and environmental applications.
Peasecod‐Like Hollow Upconversion Nanocrystals with Excellent Optical Thermometric Performance
Authors: Fu Huhui , Liu Caiping , Peng Pengfei , Jiang Feilong , Liu Yongsheng , Hong Maochun
Published: June 2020

Trivalent lanthanide (Ln3+)‐doped hollow upconversion nanocrystals (UCNCs) usually exhibit unique optical performance that cannot be realized in their solid counterparts, and thus have been receiving tremendous interest from their fundamentals to diverse applications. However, all currently available Ln3+‐doped UCNCs are solid in appearance, the preparation of hollow UCNCs remains nearly untouched hitherto. Herein, a class of UCNCs based on Yb3+/Er3+‐doped tetralithium zirconium octafluoride (Li4ZrF8:Yb/Er) featuring 2D layered crystal lattice is reported, which makes the fabrication of hollow UCNCs with a peasecod‐like shape possible after Ln3+ doping. By employing the first‐principle calculations, the unique peasecod‐like hollow nanoarchitecture primarily associated with the hetero‐valence Yb3+/Er3+ doping into the 2D layered crystal lattice of Li4ZrF8 matrix is revealed. Benefiting from this hollow nanoarchitecture, the resulting Li4ZrF8:Yb/Er UCNCs exhibit an abnormal green upconversion luminescence in terms of the population ratio between two thermally coupled states (2H11/2 and 4S3/2) of Er3+ relative to their solid Li2ZrF6:Yb/Er counterparts, thereby allowing to prepare the first family of hollow Ln3+‐doped UCNCs as supersensitive luminescent nanothermometer with almost the widest temperature sensing range (123–800 K). These findings described here unambiguously pave a new way to fabricate hollow Ln3+‐doped UCNCs for numerous applications.
Graphene Field‐Effect Transistors on Hexagonal‐Boron Nitride for Enhanced Interfacial Thermal Dissipation
Authors: Liu Donghua , Chen Xiaosong , Zhang Ying , Wang Dingguan , Zhao Yan , Peng Huisheng , Liu Yunqi , Xu Xiangfan , Wee Andrew Thye Shen , Wei Dacheng
Published: June 2020

Owing to its atomic thickness, thermal dissipation is one significant bottleneck for the practical application of graphene in electronics. Here, it is demonstrated that a high‐quality ultraclean van der Waals interface can be obtained after modifying the SiO2/Si substrate with hexagonal‐boron nitride (h‐BN) by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition, which improves the mobility and the interfacial thermal dissipation of graphene field‐effect transistors (FETs). On h‐BN, interfacial thermal resistance decreases by more than 77% and the saturated power density of graphene FETs increases by 2–3‐folds to 3.45 × 105 W cm−2, higher than the power density of current CPUs (≈100 W cm−2), demonstrating its potential in future graphene‐based electronics.
Ion‐Activated Greatly Enhanced Conductivity of Thin Organic Semiconducting Films in Two‐Terminal Devices
Authors: Kapetanakis Eleftherios , Katsogridakis Charalampos , Dimotikali Dimitra , Argitis Panagiotis , Normand Pascal
Published: June 2020

The energetics of metal/organic semiconductor (OSC) and polymer electrolyte/OSC interfaces play a key role in the operation of a variety of electronic and optoelectronic devices. Despite extensive research in the field, the way such energetics impact on device properties is often poorly understood and overlooked. They can cause unusual phenomena as reported herein in the case of metal/OSC/electrolyte systems for which an increase of up to three orders of magnitude in the conductivity of thin OSC films is observed. Using coplanar electrode devices and OSC films made of regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) materials, it is shown that such a phenomenon results from synergistic effects between the metal/P3HT interface energetics, charge transport, and electrolyte conductivity. The experiments make evident the existence of a thickness‐dependent electrostatic potential at the P3HT surface, which leads to ion‐assisted hole accumulation at the upper edge of the P3HT film. Together with the potential of the investigated two‐electrode devices for sensing applications, this study provides new insights for the development of electrolyte‐gated transistors and can serve as a generic method for the extraction of parameters like the space‐charge width of metal/OSC junctions.
Wearable and Stretchable Strain Sensors: Materials, Sensing Mechanisms, and Applications
Authors: Souri Hamid , Banerjee Hritwick , Jusufi Ardian , Radacsi Norbert , Stokes Adam A. , Park Inkyu , Sitti Metin , Amjadi Morteza
Published: June 2020

Recent advances in the design and implementation of wearable resistive, capacitive, and optical strain sensors are summarized herein. Wearable and stretchable strain sensors have received extensive research interest due to their applications in personalized healthcare, human motion detection, human–machine interfaces, soft robotics, and beyond. The disconnection of overlapped nanomaterials, reversible opening/closing of microcracks in sensing films, and alteration of the tunneling resistance have been successfully adopted to develop high‐performance resistive‐type sensors. On the other hand, the sensing behavior of capacitive‐type and optical strain sensors is largely governed by their geometrical changes under stretching/releasing cycles. The sensor design parameters, including stretchability, sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis, and dynamic durability, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the promising applications of wearable strain sensors are highlighted in detail. Although considerable progress has been made so far, wearable strain sensors are still in their prototype stage, and several challenges in the manufacturing of integrated and multifunctional strain sensors should be yet tackled.
Recent Advances in Motion Control of Micro/Nanomotors
Authors: Yang Qingliang , Xu Lei , Zhong Weizhen , Yan Qinying , Gao Ying , Hong Weiyong , She Yuanbin , Yang Gensheng
Published: June 2020

Micro/nanomotors are able to convert energy in different forms into propulsion and movement with predesigned directions and velocities, enabling them to be self‐propelled carriers and vehicles for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other biomedical cargos to the target sites such as tumors. However, the inadequate energy and noncontrollable moving directions remain the grand challenges for their promising applications. Recently, an increasing attention has been paid to these issues and numerous reported researches have focused to design and develop more efficient and precisely controllable micro/nanomotors with different methods. This review aims to summarize those studies and to introduce newly developed micro/nanomotors including synthetic micro/nanomotors and biohybrid motors, discussing the control mechanisms as well as advantages and limitations thereof. Conclusions and future perspectives are also provided in brief.
Ring Airy‐Like Beams along Predesigned Parabolic Trajectories
Authors: Hong Shihan , Yang Xinyu , Zhou Kangzhu , Wu You , Fu Xinming , Deng Dongmei
Published: June 2020

By phase‐modulating ring Airy Gaussian beams, ring Airy‐like beams propagating along predesigned parabolic trajectories are presented which combine the properties of accelerating beams and abruptly autofocusing beams analytically and numerically for the first time. The enhancement of the quadratic term ratio α shortens the autofocus distance and increases the slope of the beams after autofocusing. Interestingly, the main lobe tends to break into pieces as α increases and the possible reasons have been discussed. Furthermore, the distribution factor β and the radius of the primary r0 can prominently affect the autofocus distance and the intensity at the focal point but do not change the slope of the beams after the autofocusing. In addition, the self‐healing properties are validated to be retainable while RAiG beams via predesigned parabolic trajectories with various α.
Synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation, and in silico studies of novel 1,3‐diaryltriazene‐substituted sulfathiazole derivatives
Authors: Işık Mesut , Akocak Süleyman , Lolak Nabih , Taslimi Parham , Türkeş Cüneyt , Gülçin İlhami , Durgun Mustafa , Beydemir Şükrü
Published: June 2020

In the present study, a series of eleven novel 1,3‐diaryltriazene‐substituted sulfathiazole moieties (ST1–11) was synthesized by the reaction of diazonium salt of sulfathiazole with substituted aromatic amines and their chemical structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), 13C‐NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectroscopy methods. These synthesized novel derivatives were found to be effective inhibitor molecules for α‐glycosidase (α‐GLY), human carbonic anhydrase (hCA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with KI values in the range of 426.84 ± 58.42–708.61 ± 122.67 nM for α‐GLY, 450.37 ± 50.35–1,094.34 ± 111.37 nM for hCA I, 504.37 ± 57.22–1,205.36 ± 195.47 nM for hCA II, and 68.28 ± 10.26–193.74 ± 19.75 nM for AChE. Among the synthesized novel compounds, several lead compounds were investigated against the tested metabolic enzymes. More specifically, ST11 (4‐[3‐(perfluorophenyl)triaz‐1‐en‐1‐yl]‐N‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamide) showed a highly efficient inhibition profile against hCA I, hCA II, and AChE, with KI values of 450.37 ± 50.35, 504.37 ± 57.22, and 68.28 ± 10.26 nM, respectively. Due to its significant biological inhibitory potency, this derivative may be considered as an interesting lead compound against these enzymes.
Compound craniosynostosis, intellectual disability, and Noonan‐like facial dysmorphism associated with 7q32.3‐q35 deletion
Authors: Bukowska‐Olech Ewelina , Dmitrzak‐Węglarz Monika , Larysz Dawid , Wojciechowicz Bartosz , Simon Dorota , Walczak‐Sztulpa Joanna , Jamsheer Aleksander
Published: June 2020

Objective

Craniosynostosis (CS) is the premature fusion of the cranial sutures, occurring either in isolated or syndromic form. Syndromic CS, which was described in over 180 genetic syndromes, accounts for 15–30% of all CS cases and usually originates from mutations within the FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and TWIST1 genes. However, causative alterations in other genes, or rarely copy number variations (CNVs) were also reported. In this article, we describe a patient with Noonan‐like facial dysmorphism accompanied by intellectual disability and compound CS, involving coronal, sagittal, and squamous sutures.

Methods

We applied karyotyping, copy number variations analysis using array comparative genomic hybridization, and microarray‐based genes expresion analysis.

Results

We have shown that the index carried a large and rare heterozygous deletion, which encompassed 12.782 Mb and mapped to a chromosomal region of 7q32.3‐q35 (HG38 – chr7:131837067‐144607071). The aberration comprised 109 protein‐coding genes, including BRAF, that encodes serine/threonine‐protein kinase B‐Raf, being a part of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway.

Discussion

The RAS/MAPK pathway plays an essential role in human development; hence, its dysregulation not surprisingly results in severe congenital anomalies, such as phenotypically overlapping syndromes termed RASopathies. To our best knowledge, we report here the first CNV causing haploinsufficiency of BRAF, resulting in dysregulation of the RAS/MAPK cascade, and consequently, in the phenotype observed in our patient. To conclude, with this report, we have pointed to the involvement of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway in CS development. Moreover, we have shown that the molecular analysis based on both DNA and RNA profiling, undoubtedly constitutes a comprehensive diagnostic and research strategy for elucidating a cause of genetic diseases.
Measuring intrarater association between correlated ordinal ratings
Authors: Nelson Kerrie P. , Zhou Thomas J. , Edwards Don
Published: June 2020

Variability between raters' ordinal scores is commonly observed in imaging tests, leading to uncertainty in the diagnostic process. In breast cancer screening, a radiologist visually interprets mammograms and MRIs, while skin diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and psychiatric conditions are graded based on clinical judgment. Consequently, studies are often conducted in clinical settings to investigate whether a new training tool can improve the interpretive performance of raters. In such studies, a large group of experts each classify a set of patients' test results on two separate occasions, before and after some form of training with the goal of assessing the impact of training on experts' paired ratings. However, due to the correlated nature of the ordinal ratings, few statistical approaches are available to measure association between raters' paired scores. Existing measures are restricted to assessing association at just one time point for a single screening test. We propose here a novel paired kappa to provide a summary measure of association between many raters' paired ordinal assessments of patients' test results before versus after rater training. Intrarater association also provides valuable insight into the consistency of ratings when raters view a patient's test results on two occasions with no intervention undertaken between viewings. In contrast to existing correlated measures, the proposed kappa is a measure that provides an overall evaluation of the association among multiple raters' scores from two time points and is robust to the underlying disease prevalence. We implement our proposed approach in two recent breast‐imaging studies and conduct extensive simulation studies to evaluate properties and performance of our summary measure of association.
Prevalence of low anterior resection syndrome and impact on quality of life after rectal cancer surgery: population-based study
Authors: Pieniowski E H A , Nordenvall C , Palmer G , Johar A , Tumlin Ekelund S , Lagergren P , Abraham-Nordling M
Published: June 2020

Background

The prevalence of major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) after rectal cancer surgery varies from 17·8 to 56·0 per cent, but data from high-quality studies are sparse. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of LARS and its association with quality of life (QoL) in a large, well defined, population-based cohort.

Methods

This was a population-based study that included all patients who had curative rectal cancer surgery with total or partial mesorectal excision in Stockholm County in Sweden between 2007 and 2013. Patients without a remaining stoma, free from cancer and alive in April 2017 were eligible for the study. The LARS score questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30 and Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score were used as outcome measures. Adjusted mean scores (and differences) of EORTC QLQ-C30 for LARS groups were calculated using repeated measures ANCOVA regression models while adjusting for predefined confounders.

Results

In total, 481 patients (82·6 per cent response rate) were included in the analysis. Mean follow-up time was 6·7 (range 3·4–11·0) years after surgery. The prevalence of LARS was 77·4 per cent (370 of 478 patients), with 53·1 per cent (254 of 478) experiencing major LARS. Patients with major LARS reported worse on all EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales (except for financial difficulties) than patients without LARS. A higher mean LARS score was associated with a greater impact on bowel-related QoL.

Conclusion

After anterior resection for rectal cancer, the majority of patients suffer from major LARS with a negative impact on QoL.
Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed N−H Insertion Reaction of Phosphoryl Amides with α‐Aryl Diazoesters for the Synthesis of α‐Phosphoryl Amino Esters
Authors: Son Jeong‐Yu , Baek Yonghyeon , Kim Sanghyuck , Lee Kyungsup , Lee Phil Ho
Published: June 2020

An efficient rhodium(III)‐catalyzed N−H insertion reaction is developed from the reaction of phosphoryl amides with α‐aryl diazoesters under aerobic and mild conditions, which produce α‐phosphoryl amino esters in good to excellent yields with high selectivity, a broad substrate scope, and a good functional group tolerance. Also, Rh(III)‐catalyzed N−H insertion reaction of alkenyl phosphonic amides with α‐aryl diazoesters was successful.
Introduction of data analytics in the engineering probability course: Implementation and lessons learnt
Authors: Shankar P. Mohana
Published: June 2020

Data analytics‐based tools are used extensively in industry, business, science, engineering, and medicine. Efforts are being made to transform the undergraduate course in engineering probability by incorporating the data analytics while retaining the concept‐driven topics. The author has been engaged in these efforts since 2017–2018. This manuscript reports on a number of data analytics‐based assignments alongside the traditional ones consisting of exercises requiring proofs, derivations, and calculations created during the fall quarter of 2018–2019. These assignments rely on computational tools and are connected to the theoretical concepts allowing the students to understand and appreciate the use of conceptual topics to practical application in machine vision, robotics, medical diagnostics, and so forth. The details on these assignments along with their implementation, results, and lessons learnt and conclusions drawn are presented.
Did university violate student's right to due process?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: June 2020

The plaintiff had been regularly taking Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder since he was six years old. However, his medication was changed only weeks before he began his second year at Northeast Ohio Medical University in September 2015.
Using a Nitrophenol Cocktail Screen to Improve Catalyst Down‐selection
Authors: Shultz Lorianne R. , Hu Lin , Feng Xiaofeng , Jurca Titel
Published: June 2020

The catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4NP) with excess NaBH4 is the benchmark model for quantifying catalytic activity of nanoparticles. Although broadly useful, the reaction can be very selective. This can lead to false positives and negatives when utilized for catalyst down‐selection from a broader materials candidate pool. We report a multi‐nitrophenol cocktail screening methodology incorporating 4NP and other amino‐nitrophenols, utilizing Ag, Au, Pt, and Pd nanoparticles on carbon support. The reduction of the cocktail proceeds with no deleterious side reactions on the time‐scale tested. The resulting kinetic rates provide an improved correlation of relative catalyst activity when compared to performance with other reducible moieties (e. g. azo bonds), or when compared to solely 4NP screening.
Impact of climate change mitigation policies on corporate financial performance: Evidence‐based on European publicly listed firms
Authors: Secinaro Silvana , Brescia Valerio , Calandra Davide , Saiti Buerhan
Published: June 2020

This study examines the relationship between climate change and firm performance in the context of European publicly listed companies. We conduct a multivariate regression analysis using Corporate Environmental Performance and Corporate Financial Performance as independent and dependent variables, respectively. A financial statement analysis of European publicly traded firms with high environmental performance shows that they register high corporate financial performance. Environmental performance positively impacts financial performance (β = .013, p‐value < .01). Return on equity (ROE) is positively related to firm size and CE1 (carbon emissions) intensity but negatively linked to CE2, CE1 & 2, and capital intensities. However, return on investment (ROI) is positively correlated with all the control variables, including capital intensity, firm size, and growth. The results confirm that the firm‐wide adoption of environmental practices reduces environmental risks, and thereby lowers production costs and increases profits. These findings can guide policymakers and organizations pursuing climate change mitigation and sustainable business solutions.
Curriculum design from theory to practice: preparing Japanese students to study abroad using content‐based language teaching
Authors: Miller Lisa R. , Klassen Kimberly , Hardy Jacques W.
Published: June 2020

This paper documents the design, implementation and evaluation of a content‐based language teaching (CBLT) curriculum for an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme at a Japanese university. The aim of the programme is to prepare students for study abroad in Anglophone universities in a two‐year time frame. This curriculum redesign project integrated second language learning theory with backward design curriculum development theory in an institutional setting where administration mandates and changing student and faculty populations impacted the process. The curriculum team conducted a needs analysis with multiple data sources, implemented the curriculum, and then, conducted an evaluation utilising various sources. The needs analysis revealed several surprises, countering faculty and curriculum designers’ intuition. Likewise, conflicting student and faculty feedback in the evaluation of the curriculum posed difficulties for drawing conclusions about the curriculum’s effectiveness. The university context, with its emphasis on academic freedom and research, requires adjusting theoretically based processes used in compulsory education levels, such as adopting an adaptable approach to curriculum design. As more universities require faculty to write and revise curricula, the authors call for more tertiary‐level curriculum design case studies that illustrate successes or shortcomings for curriculum design theory in the face of real‐world challenges.
Promoting effective early grade reading: the case study of primary teachers’ preparation programmes in Kenya
Authors: Wawire Brenda Aromu
Published: June 2020

This study explores how the primary school teacher preparation curriculum prepares pre‐service teachers to teach reading in lower primary schools in Kenya. High‐quality reading teacher preparation is among the critical aspects that need to be addressed in order to curb the literacy challenges faced by early grade students living in low‐resource contexts. In this article, a case study of the Kenyan Primary Teacher Preparation programme is presented using data from the primary teacher education syllabus [PTES] and interviews of pre‐service and in‐service teachers from Western Kenya. Findings suggest that the pre‐service teaching programmes curriculum has limited content and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) critical to equip teachers to teach emergent readers from multilingual contexts. The curriculum content needs to be revamped to include more core literacy components and early literacy PCK, practicum apprenticeship specific for the needs of early grade literacy instructors, and content on early literacy formative and summative assessment. Suggestions and recommendations are offered on how to restructure the Kenya primary teacher programmes to ensure high‐quality reading teachers’ preparation.
Integrating top‐down and bottom‐up effects of local density across scales and a complex life cycle
Authors: Mutz Jessie , Underwood Nora , Inouye Brian D.
Published: June 2020

Effects of group size (local conspecific density) on individual performance can be substantial, yet it is unclear how these translate to larger‐scale and longer‐term outcomes. Effects of group size can be mediated by both top‐down and bottom‐up interactions, can change in type or direction across the life cycle, and can depend on the spatial scale at which group size is assessed. Only by determining how these different processes combine can we make predictions about how selection operates on group size or link hierarchical patterns of density dependence with population dynamics. We manipulated the density of a leaf beetle,Leptinotarsa juncta, at three nested spatial scales (patch, plant within a patch, and leaf within plant) to investigate how conspecific density affects predator‐mediated survival and resource‐mediated growth during different life stages and across multiple spatial scales. We then used data from field predation experiments to assess howL. junctadensities at hierarchical scales affect different aspects of predation. Finally, we incorporated predator‐ and resource‐mediated effects of density in a model to explore how changes in group size due to density‐dependent predation might affect mass at pupation for survivors. The effects ofL. junctadensity on predation risk differed among scales. Per capita predation risk of both eggs and late instars was lowest at high patch‐scale densities, but increased with plant‐scale density. The final mass of late instars declined with increasing plant‐scale larval density, potentially because of truncated development of high‐density larvae. Predation incidence (i.e., group attack rate) increased with larval density at all spatial scales. A high coefficient of variation (i.e., greater aggregation) ofL. junctadensity was associated with lower predation incidence at some scales. Our model suggested that predator‐ and resource‐mediated effects of density interact: lower survival at high larval density is mitigated by high final mass of larvae in the resulting smaller groups. Our results emphasize the importance of spatial scale and demonstrate that effects of top‐down and bottom‐up interactions are not necessarily independent. To understand how group size influences fitness, predator‐ and resource‐mediated effects of density should be measured in their demographic and spatial context, and not in isolation.