bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of dual‐purpose winter wheat yield and its components to sowing date and cutting timing in a semiarid region of China
Authors: Yang Jingning , Lai Xingfa , Shen Yuying
Published: September 2021

Dual‐purpose winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been advocated on the Loess Plateau of China to fill feed gap and integrate crop–livestock systems; however, the effects of sowing date on the recovery after cutting and interactions between various management practices are largely unclear. Field experiment was conducted in 2015–2017 in semiarid northwestern China to investigate the effects of sowing date and cutting timing on forage yield, grain yield, and its components of dual‐purpose winter wheat cultivars. The experiment combined four cutting treatments, that is, winter cutting, spring cutting, winter–spring cutting, and control, two sowing dates (22 Sept., 2 Oct.), and two cultivars (early to mid‐maturing Zhongmai and late‐maturing Longyu4). Results showed delayed sowing decreased forage yield by 33.4%, but still had the potential to produce an average of 1.6 t ha−1 of forage, with average protein content of 290 g kg−1. Response of winter wheat grain yield to cutting ranged from −38.9 to 1%, with a delay of 1–7 d in maturity. Delayed sowing induced insignificant yield penalties. More forage and higher kernel protein content were produced if crops were cut in winter–spring, but this came with large reductions (30.1% in Longyu4 and 38.9% in Zhongmai) in grain yield, mainly due to reductions in kernels per spike and kernel weight. This study suggests that Longyu4 and Zhongmai are suitable varieties for dual‐purpose winter wheat in the Loess Plateau. For higher forage and grain yield, Longyu4 is suitable for sowing in middle or late September, whereas Zhongmai is suitable for delaying sowing. Winter cutting or spring cutting is acceptable to maintain the forage and grain yield, whereas winter–spring cutting is disadvantageous to grain yield in our study area.
Testing the strength and direction of selection on vocal frequency using metabolic scaling theory
Authors: Francis Clinton D. , Wilkins Matthew R.
Published: September 2021

A major challenge for studies assessing drivers of phenotypic divergence is the statistical comparison of taxa with unique, often unknown, evolutionary histories, and for which there are no clear expected trait values. Because many traits are fundamentally constrained by energy availability, we suggest that trait values predicted by scaling theories such as the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) can provide baseline expectations. Here, we introduce a metabolic scaling‐based approach to test theory involving the direction and magnitude of ecological and sexual selection, using vocal frequency as an example target of selection. First, we demonstrate that MTE predicts the relationship between the natural log of body size and natural log of vocal frequency across 795 bird species, controlling for phylogeny. Family‐wide deviations in slope and intercepts from MTE estimates reveal taxa with potentially important differences in physiology or natural history. Further, species‐level frequency deviations from MTE expectations are predicted by factors related to ecological and sexual selection and, in some cases, provide evidence that differs from current understanding of the direction of selection and identity of ecological selective agents. For example, our approach lends additional support to the findings from many cross‐habitat studies that suggest that dense vegetation selects for lower frequency signals. However, our analysis also suggests that birds in non‐forested environments vocalize at frequencies higher than expected based on MTE, prompting intriguing questions about the selective forces in non‐forest environments that may act on vocal frequency. Additionally, vocal frequency deviates more strongly from MTE expectations among species with smaller repertoires and those with low levels of sexual dichromatism, complicating the use of these common sexual selection surrogates. Broad application of our metabolic scaling approach might provide an important complementary approach to understanding how selection shapes phenotypic evolution by offering a common baseline across studies and taxa and providing the basis to explore evolutionary trade‐offs within and among multicomponent and multimodal traits.
Long‐term outcomes after heart failure hospitalization during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a multisite report from heart failure referral centers in London
Authors: Ta Anyu Anawinla , Badawy Layla , Cannata Antonio , Bromage Daniel I. , Rind Irfan A. , Albarjas Mohammad , Piper Susan , Shah Ajay M. , McDonagh Theresa A.
Published: September 2021

Aims

Patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) had worse in‐hospital outcomes during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, their long‐term outcomes are unknown. We describe long‐term outcomes among patients who survived to hospital discharge compared with patients hospitalized in 2019 from two referral centers in London during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods and results

In total, 512 patients who survived their hospitalization for acute HF in two South London referral centers between 7 January and 14 June 2020 were included in the study and compared with 725 patients from the corresponding period in 2019. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. The demographic characteristics of patients admitted in 2020 were similar to the 2019 cohort. Median (IQR) follow‐up was 622 (348–691) days. All‐cause mortality after discharge remained significantly higher for patients admitted in 2020 compared with the equivalent period in 2019 (P < 0.01), which may relate to observed differences in place of care with fewer patients being managed on specialist cardiology wards during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Conclusion

Hospitalization for HF during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with higher all‐cause mortality among patients who survived to discharge. Further studies are necessary to identify predictors of these adverse outcomes to improve outpatient management during a critical period in the management of acute HF.
Systolic pulmonary regurgitation affects the outcome of patients with severe systolic heart failure
Authors: Hsiao Shih‐Hung , Hsiao Chao‐Sheng , Chiou Kuan‐Rau
Published: September 2021

Aims

Little is known of the impact of systolic pulmonary regurgitation (PR) on acute decompensated heart failure (HF). We assessed the prevalence and prognostic significance of systolic PR in patients with severe HF.

Methods and results

According to recent 10 year echocardiographic database of E‐Da Hospital, 533 patients admitted for first systolic heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction <35% were under investigation. Systolic PR was defined as the presence of pulmonary backward flow persistent after QRS in electrocardiogram. Isovolumic contraction/relaxation time and myocardial performance index were derived by tissue Doppler imaging. Right ventricular (RV) function was assessed by RV fractional area change. Estimated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was assessed by the ratio of peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity to the RV outflow tract time–velocity integral. The factors associated with systolic PR were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Cox proportional regression analyses were used to estimate the impact of cardiovascular events including HF rehospitalization and cardiovascular death. For estimated prevalence of 5480 control subjects, echocardiographic screens in those with normal left ventricular ejection fraction were performed. Of 533 systolic HF cases, 143 (26.8%) had systolic PR during indexed hospitalization. Among 143 cases, 86% systolic PR disappeared during late follow‐up. In control subjects, 0.3% (18/5480) had systolic PR. Systolic PR correlated to RV dysfunction, estimated PVR, E/e′, sign of low cardiac output, and pulmonary oedema. Systolic PR was associated independently with further cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 2.266, 95% confidence interval 1.682–3.089, P < 0.0001) including cardiovascular death and HF rehospitalization.

Conclusions

Systolic PR is not uncommon in systolic HF and is associated with high PVR and RV dysfunction. Systolic PR significantly impacts cardiovascular outcome.
Synthesis of a Sterically Encumbered Pincer Au(III)−OH Complex
Authors: Engbers Silène , Trifonova Evgeniya A. , Hess Kristopher M. , de Vries Folkert , Klein Johannes E. M. N.
Published: September 2021

We report the synthesis and crystallographic characterization of a novel Au(III)−OH complex featuring a N^N^N‐pincer ligand. Reactivity studies towards oxygen atom transfer (OAT), a type of reactivity previously reported for a Au(III)−OH complex, indicate that this complex provides both a sterically encumbered Au atom and a sterically poorly accessible OH group leading to no reactivity with a series of phosphines. The steric encumbrance sets this example apart from the known examples of Au(III)−OH (pincer) complexes, which commonly feature planar ligands that provide little control over steric accessibility of the Au and O atoms in these complexes. Implications for the mechanism of OAT from Au−OH complexes are briefly discussed.
Synthesis of (−)‐(R)‐Sitagliptin by RhI‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroamination
Authors: Berthold Dino , Breit Bernhard
Published: September 2021

We report of a concise synthesis of (R)‐sitagliptin monophosphate – a drug predominantly applied in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Utilizing our recently developed RhI‐catalyzed hydroamination of allenes for the stereoselective construction of the inherent chiral amino function, a new approach to (R)‐sitagliptin monophosphate on a 3.5 mmol scale was established.
Continuous Flow Organocatalytic Chlorination of Alkenes
Authors: Iordanidis Nicolaos S. , Zografos Alexandros L. , Gallos John K. , Koftis Theocharis V. , Stathakis Christos I.
Published: September 2021

A regioselective anti‐dichlorination and allylic chlorination of isolated double bonds is described. Such chlorination reactions benefit from a combination of methyl phenyl sulfoxide and TMSCl. The method has been appropriately adjusted to fit the continuous flow technology requirements, aiming to a broader industrial implementation for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important compounds. Towards the same direction, a catalytic protocol has been developed, using sub‐stoichiometric amount of sulfoxide and environmentally friendly H2O2 as the stoichiometric oxidant, with comparable efficacy.
An Overview of Antifouling Strategies for Electrochemical Analysis
Authors: Zhou Lin , Li Xinru , Zhu Boyu , Su Bin
Published: September 2021

Fouling is a key issue which limits the practical applications of electrochemical sensors (ECSens) in both in vitro and in vivo analysis. The analytical sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), selectivity, reproducibility and life‐time of ECSens are all greatly affected by fouling. Although numerous methods and materials have been developed to minimize the fouling effect in past several decades, not all of them are suitable for constructing antifouling ECSens. In this paper we present an overview of surface antifouling strategies for ECSens. We begin with a short summary of sources and impacts of fouling under both in vitro and in vivo environments. Then the current surface antifouling strategies for ECSens are discussed, including self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), antifouling polymers, porous coating, in‐situ electrochemical and photocatalytic cleaning. The antifouling mechanisms, advantages and challenges of each strategy are briefly summarized. The article ends up with a short conclusion and perspectives. We hope this article is helpful for constructing and designing ECSens with both outstanding antifouling performance and electrochemical activity for electrochemical analysis.
Measuring multi‐volatility states of financial markets based on multifractal clustering model
Authors: Huang Xun , Tang Huiyue
Published: September 2021

Measuring multi‐volatility states is an important component of financial risk management. In this paper, taking 17 years' high‐frequency data of the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index (SSEC) as an example, we set out to propose a novel model of multifractal clustering model (MCM), combining multifractal algorithm with k‐mean clustering algorithm, to measure the multi‐volatility states of financial markets. The empirical results present that the financial markets are multifractal and the multifractal parameter Sα measured by multifractal algorithm correlates well with the performance of financial markets. Meanwhile, the multi‐volatility states recognized by k‐mean clustering algorithm based on Sα have obvious statistical significance. More importantly, the experiment results show that by the loss functions and Diebold–Mariano (DM) test, generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model with the multi‐volatility state measured by MCM is superior to others measured by Markov switching (MRS) model and hidden Markov model (HMM) as well as that without the multi‐volatility states, which indicates that MCM has best performance of measuring the multi‐volatility states of financial markets. The robustness of MCM is also  evaluated by Shenzhen Securities Component Index (SZSE) instance set, SSEC instance sets with different time intervals, and different volatility models. The results still prove that MCM has strong robustness on measuring the multi‐volatility states of financial markets.
Ni migration in solid oxide cell electrodes: Review and revised hypothesis
Authors: Mogensen Mogens B. , Chen Ming , Frandsen Henrik Lund , Graves Christopher , Hauch Anne , Hendriksen Peter Vang , Jacobsen Torben , Jensen Søren Højgaard , Skafte Theis Løye , Sun Xiufu
Published: September 2021

Severe degradation of Ni‐YSZ (yttria stabilized zirconia) electrodes of solid oxide cells (SOCs) due to Ni migration is well known, but the literature contains apparent contradictions. The mechanisms are still under debate. Fine structured Ni‐YSZ composite electrodes often degrade at operation temperature (700–950°C), because Ni particles lose electrical contact with each other as larger Ni‐particles grow on the expense of smaller ones. Another type of Ni migration, which may be very damaging, is the relocation of Ni in the most active part of the Ni‐YSZ cermet electrode next to the dense YSZ electrolyte. Emphasis is put on the migration of Ni away from the YSZ electrolyte in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). This is seen as an important obstacle to the commercialization of SOC systems.

Apart from temperature, degradation of Ni‐YSZ electrodes in SOCs is related to Ni‐YSZ electrode overpotential and the local redox potential of the gas mixture inside the porous Ni‐YSZ electrode. A unifying Ni migration mechanism is proposed, and methods of alleviating the electrode degradation are discussed. The hypothesis is that Ni migrates via surface diffusion of Ni(OH)x species below ca. 800°C and via Ni(OH)x species in gas phase above ca. 900°C.
Horizontalverspannung nicht bindiger Böden durch die Rütteldruckverdichtung mit Tiefenrüttler – Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen
Authors: Gasser Daniel , Marte Roman , Tschuchnigg Franz
Published: September 2021

Vibrationsverdichtungsverfahren zur tief reichenden Verbesserung nicht bindiger Böden werden seit den 1930er‐Jahren eingesetzt. Verwendet werden entweder Tiefenrüttler oder Aufsatzrüttler. Die Planung der Verdichtungsmaßnahme wie auch die anschließende Qualitätskontrolle erfolgt bis heute fast ausschließlich auf der Grundlage von empirischen Zusammenhängen. Diesbezüglich hat sich der Einsatz von indirekten Untergrunderkundungsmethoden wie z. B. Ramm‐ oder Drucksondierungen und die arbeitsbegleitende Aufzeichnung von Verfahrensparametern etabliert.

Im gegenständlichen Beitrag werden experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Erfassung der Horizontalverspannung im Untergrund in der Folge von Rütteldruckverdichtung mit Tiefenrüttler vorgestellt, um Grundlagen für das bessere Verständnis der Steifigkeits‐ und Festigkeitserhöhung verbesserter, nicht bindiger Böden zu erlangen. Des Weiteren werden in verkürzter Form Ergebnisse einer stark vereinfachten numerischen Simulation zur Abschätzung der Verspannung diskutiert.

Es wurde ein großmaßstäblicher Verdichtungsversuch realisiert. An zwei Versuchsfeldern mit unterschiedlichem Verdichtungsraster kam neben herkömmlichen Methoden zur Erfassung des Verdichtungserfolgs (Ramm‐ und Drucksondierungen) das Inklinodeformeter erstmals für diesen Anwendungsfall zum Einsatz. Neben dem qualitativen Verlauf der Verspannung über die Tiefe konnte auch der Einfluss des Verdichtungsrasterabstands messtechnisch aufgezeichnet werden.
Products of an Early Cretaceous extensional mechanism in the central Great Xing'an Range: Felsic plutons in the Zhalantun area and their parental magma compositions and diagenetic processes
Authors: Huang Xiao , Guo Rong‐Rong , Li Zong‐Hui , Yan Ming , Sun Bao‐Liang
Published: September 2021

Late Mesozoic extensional mechanisms in the Great Xing'an Range (GXR) and relevant crust–mantle interactions are complicated, which result in widespread magmatisms with diverse parental origins and petrogenesises. In this paper, we present the lithology, whole‐rock geochemistry, and zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotopes for granodiorite‐monzogranite rocks (GM) and their enclaves of quartz monzodiorites in the Zhalantun area, east of central GXR. Zircon U–Pb dating results reveal that both GM rocks and their enclaves of quartz monzodiorites yield a nearly identical crystallization age of ~125 Ma. The GM rocks exhibit weak peraluminous and high‐K calc‐alkaline compositions with high SiO2, Na2O + K2O, and Al2O3 contents, and low MgO, Mg#, Fe2O3T, and TiO2 contents, which are characterized by fractionated REE patterns, relatively strong negative Eu anomalies, enrichments of LILEs (e.g., Rb, Ba, and K), and depletions of Nb, Ta, P, and Ti. The parental origins for GM samples were juvenile crustal materials, with positive zircon εHf(t) values of +2.5 to +12.9. The whole‐rock and zircon geochemical simulations limit slightly lower GM magma crystallization temperatures (TTi‐Zrn) of 683–824°C and relatively more oxidizing conditions (log(fO2) = FMQ+7.6–FMQ‐6.8), and further confine that they were probably formed by ~10–35% degrees of fluid‐present partial melting of lower to middle crustal materials, with fractional crystallization and/or residual mineral phases of plagioclase, amphibole, clinopyroxene, and garnet. By contrast, the enclaves of quartz monzodiorites possess lower SiO2 and Na2O + K2O compositions, but higher MgO, Mg#, Fe2O3T, and TiO2 values, which are consistent with metaluminous–weak peraluminous and high‐K calc‐alkaline series. All quartz monzodiorites exhibit sub‐parallel right‐declined REE patterns, negligible to none Eu anomalies, enrichments of LILEs, and depletions of Nb, Ta, and Ti. Combined with mineral morphology and disequilibrium structures, the whole‐rock geochemical and Hf isotopic simulations imply that parental magmas for quartz monzodiorites were hybrid mixtures between ~50% host GM acid magmas and ~50% ancient crust compositions, with a wide range of zircon εHf(t) of +14.0 to −7.7, slightly higher TTi‐Zrn of 710–835°C, and lower log(fO2) of FMQ+8.2–FMQ‐10.5. Taken together, felsic plutons in the Zhalantun area correspond to an episode of extensional mechanism‐related crust–mantle interactions, which might be induced by either the Mongol‐Okhotsk domain or Palaeo‐Pacific tectonic domain, or both of them.
Depositional age and provenance analysis of the Wufoshan Group in the southern North China Craton: Constraints from detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes
Authors: Li Zhensheng , Jiang Rourou , Cao Gaoshe , Ma Xueting , Zhang Jiaodong , Zhang Yan , Jia Chao
Published: September 2021

The Late Precambrian Wufoshan Group from the southern North China Craton (NCC) is significant for its contribution to our understanding of the Precambrian evolution of the NCC, which consists of the Lower Ma'anshan, Upper Ma'anshan, Puyu, Luotuopan, and Hejiazhai formations. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes from the Puyu, Luotuopan, and Hejiazhai formations are used in this study to constrain the depositional age and provenance of the Wufoshan Group and crustal evolution of the NCC. The Puyu Formation is characterized by detrital zircon U–Pb age populations of ~2.13 Ga and ~2.50 Ga, similar to the Lower–Upper Ma'anshan formations from the literature. The Luotuopan Formation exhibits age populations of 1.85–2.18 Ga and 2.28–2.98 Ga, with mainly negative εHf(t) values and scattered positive εHf(t) values clustering at two groups of 2.48–2.52 Ga and 2.64–2.97 Ga. The Hejiazhai Formation displays age populations of 0.98–2.00 Ga and 2.51–2.79 Ga with mainly positive εHf(t) values, whose depositional age is constrained as Neoproterozoic era by the youngest graphical detrital zircon age of 976 ± 20 Ma. Provenance studies indicate that the Mesoproterozoic Lower–Upper Ma'anshan and Puyu formations were sourced from the middle Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO), while the Neoproterozoic Luotuopan and Hejiazhai formations were derived from the southern TNCO and the North Qinling Terrane, respectively. The clastic rock series in the southern NCC is divided into Luotuopan type and Hejiazhai type by detrital zircon U–Pb age pattern and Hf isotopic characteristics, suggesting Late Mesoarchean to Early Palaeoproterozoic (2.47–2.97 Ga) crustal growth in the interior NCC, and Late Palaeoproterozoic to Early Neoproterozoic (0.98–2.08 Ga) crustal growth in the marginal NCC. The crustal evolution of the NCC can be classified into three stages, namely >3.0 Ga continental nuclei generation, the Meso‐Neoarchean massive growth, and the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic interior reworking and marginal growth.
Speech pathology service enhancement for people with head and neck cancer living in rural areas: Using a concept mapping approach to inform service change
Authors: Foley Jasmine , Ward Elizabeth C. , Burns Clare L. , Nund Rebecca L. , Wishart Laurelie , Graham Nicky , Patterson Corey , Ashley Amy , Fink Julie , Tiavaasue Emily , Comben Wendy
Published: September 2021

Background

Speech pathology (SP) services provide swallowing and communication intervention to people with head and neck cancer (HNC) across the continuum of care. However, difficulties exist with access and delivery of services in rural areas. The study aim was to identify actionable goals for SP change, utilizing a concept mapping approach.

Methods

Eleven SP staff from two regional/remote services completed the concept mapping process. Multivariate analysis and multidimensional scaling were used to develop a final set of prioritized goals for change.

Results

Between the two participating health services, 30 actionable goals were identified within the “green‐zone” on the go‐zone graph of importance and changeability. Among the most highly rated areas for change was the need to deliver and receive more support for training, mentoring, and supervision to consolidate skills.

Conclusions

This methodology enabled identification of prioritized, actionable changes to improve SP services for people with HNC living in regional/remote areas.
Agua Salud project experimental catchments hydrometric data, Panama
Authors: Regina Jason A. , Ogden Fred L. , Hall Jefferson S. , Stallard Robert F.
Published: September 2021

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) instrumented the Agua Salud (AS) Experimental Catchments as part of an ongoing series of land‐cover related experiments in the steep, saprolitic, lowland, seasonal tropics of central Panama. The sites include tree plantations, rotational grazed pastures, native forests from 10 to over 80 years old, and a monoculture grassland. This data note provides a brief description of the instrumented catchments, rainfall and discharge data collection methods, data processing, and online availability.
Geomorphology and vegetation drive hydrochemistry changes in two Northeast Greenland streams
Authors: Pastor Ada , Skovsholt Louis J. , Christoffersen Kirsten S. , Wu Naicheng , Riis Tenna
Published: September 2021

Climate change is causing drastic landscape changes in the Arctic, but how these changes modify stream biogeochemistry is not clear yet. We examined how catchment properties influence stream nitrogen (N) and dissolved organic carbon concentrations (DOC) in a high‐Arctic environment. We sampled two contrasting headwater streams (10–15 stations over 4.8 and 6.8 km, respectively) in Northeast Greenland (74°N). We characterized the geomorphology (i.e., bedrock, solifluction and alluvial types) and the vegetation (i.e., barren, fell field, grassland and tundra types) cover of each subcatchment area draining into each sampling station and collected water samples for hydrochemistry characterization. The two sampled streams differed in geomorphology and vegetation cover in the catchment. Aucellaelv catchment was mostly covered by a ‘bedrock’ geomorphology (71%) and ‘fellfield’ vegetation (51%), whereas Kæerelv was mostly covered by ‘alluvial’ geomorphology (65%) and ‘grassland’ and ‘tundra’ vegetation (42% and 41% respectively). Hydrochemistry also differed between the two study streams, with higher concentrations of inorganic N forms in Aucellaelv and lower DOC concentrations, compared to Kærelv. The results from the linear mixed model selection showed that vegetation and geomorphology had contrasting effects on stream hydrochemistry. Subcatchments with higher solifluction sheets and limited vegetation had higher nitrate concentrations but lower DOC concentrations. Interestingly, we also found high variability on the production and removal of nitrate across subcatchments. These results indicate landscape controls to nutrient and organic matter exports via flow paths, soil organic matter stocks and nutrient retention via terrestrial vegetation. Moreover, the results suggest that climate change induced alterations to vegetation cover and soil physical disturbance in high‐Arctic catchments will affect stream hydrochemistry, with potential effects in stream productivity, trophic relations as well as change of solute export to downstream coastal areas.
Factors accelerating agricultural innovation and sustainability: The case of paddy farmers
Authors: Aydoğan Mehmet , Demiryürek Kürşat , Özer Osman Orkan , Uysal Osman
Published: September 2021

The primary purpose of this study is to reveal the factors accelerating both the innovativeness and sustainability levels of paddy farmers. The data used in the study were obtained from the questionnaires conducted with 70 paddy farmers in the Bafra district of Samsun province, Turkey, determined by a simple random sampling method. Paddy farmers were divided into three groups as low, medium, and high innovativeness groups with hierarchical cluster analysis. An ANOVA was used to compare the socioeconomic and farming characteristics of the paddy farmers, and accelerated failure time models were used to analyze the factors affecting the innovativeness and sustainability variables. The research results indicated that the number of years of formal education, the agricultural experience, the amount of labor per unit area, the animal assets, the share of agricultural income in the total income, the number of memberships to farmer organizations, paddy production area, sustainable agriculture area, and cooperation scores differed from the innovativeness groups. The farmers' collaboration in agricultural activities increased the likelihood that they are an innovator. The results concluded that the number of years of formal education, global good agriculture practice, agricultural experience, household size, animal assets, and women's employment influenced both the innovativeness and sustainability variables. Encouraging the participation of women in agricultural production in rural areas, including sustainability-related issues in addition to technical issues in farmer training programs, and ensuring the participation of women in such training are issues that should be considered in future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:824–835. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

The organization and increased cooperation between farmers increase innovativeness. Innovative farmers are more sustainable than non-innovative farmers. The participation of women in farm activities positively affects agricultural sustainability and innovation. The agricultural innovations raise sustainability.
Ovarian function following use of various hemostatic techniques during treatment for unilateral endometrioma: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Araujo Raquel Silveira da Cunha , Maia Sabina Bastos , Baracat Clara Micalli Ferruzzi , Fernandes Clarissa Queiroz Bezerra de Araujo , Ribeiro Helizabet Salomão Abdalla Ayroza , Ribeiro Paulo Augusto Ayroza Galvão
Published: September 2021

Objective

To compare the effect of hemostatic techniques (bipolar energy versus hemostatic sealants versus suture) on the ovarian reserve of patients submitted to laparoscopic cystectomy for the surgical excision of unilateral endometrioma.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial conducted in a teaching hospital included 84 patients with unilateral endometrioma. The patients underwent laparoscopic stripping for excision of the unilateral endometrioma between March 2018 and February 2020. Three different hemostatic techniques—bipolar energy (Group 1), hemostatic sealants (Group 2), and suture (Group 3)—were compared. Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured before, and 1 and 6 months after surgery to determine changes in ovarian function.

Results

Following surgery, AMH levels decreased in all the groups; however, this decrease was not statistically significant. Comparison between groups showed no statistically significant differences in AMH levels between the three hemostatic techniques used. Six months after surgery, median AMH levels were: 1.65 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR] 0.62–2.08 ng/mL) in Group 1, 1.87 ng/mL (IQR 1.27–2.97 ng/mL) in Group 2, and 1.53 ng/mL (IQR 1.18–2.44 ng/mL) in Group 3.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that there is no difference between the different hemostatic techniques used in laparoscopic cystectomy for the treatment of unilateral endometriomas.

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03430609.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03430609
Negative histology in surgically managed tubal ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Shehab Qasem J. , Dolloway Lucasta , Damra Amal M. , Al Zoubi Mazhar S. , Albeitawi Soha N.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To determine the rate of negative histology following salpingectomy for suspected ectopic pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective case series in a university hospital in the southwest of England was carried out. The records of all patients who had a salpingectomy for suspected ectopic pregnancy between January 2007 and December 2012 were reviewed. The primary outcome was the histology result.

Results

In total, 359 salpingectomies were performed for suspected ectopic pregnancy over 6 years. On histologic examination, 4.7% of fallopian tubes did not have evidence of an implantation site or trophoblastic tissue. When the macroscopic appearance of the fallopian tube was correlated with the surgical findings (e.g., rupture with large hemoperitoneum) and follow‐up notes were reviewed thoroughly, the histology of 0.84% of all salpingectomies was not consistent with a tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Conclusions

True negative histology for surgically managed ectopic pregnancy is less than 1%.
Fabrication of collagen with polyhexamethylene biguanide: A potential scaffold for infected wounds
Authors: Ramasamy Sripriya , Muthusamy Senthilkumar , Nagarajan Sureshbabu , Nath Asha V. , Savarimuthu Jayaraj Santiyagu , Jayaprakash Jayanthi , Gurunadhan Ragunathan Manikavali
Published: September 2021

Bacterial infection remains a great challenge in wound healing, especially in chronic wounds. Multidrug‐resistant organisms are increasing in acute and chronic wound infections, which compromise the chance of therapeutics. Resistance to conventional antibiotics has created an urge to study new approach/system that can effectively control wound infection and enhance healing. Wound cover/dressing must exhibit biocompatibility and effectiveness in reducing bioburden at the wound site. Collagen, a natural biopolymer, possesses advantages over synthetic and other natural materials due to its unique biological properties. It can act as an excellent wound dressing and controlled drug delivery system. Currently, antiseptic agents such as silver, iodine, and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)‐incorporated scaffolds have become widely accepted in chronic wound healing. In this study, PHMB‐incorporated collagen scaffold has been prepared and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which showed retention of collagen nativity and integration of PHMB. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the porous structures of scaffolds. The cytotoxicity analysis showed PHMB is nontoxic at the concentration of 0.01% (wt/wt). The agar diffusion test and bacterial adhesion study demonstrated the effectiveness of PHMB‐incorporated collagen scaffold against both gram positive and negative strains. This study concludes that PHMB‐incorporated collagen scaffold could have the potential for infected wound healing.
Influence of electron beam irradiation on extracellular matrix of the human allogeneic skin grafts
Authors: Łabuś Wojciech , Kitala Diana , Klama‐Baryła Agnieszka , Szapski Michał , Kraut Małgorzata , Smętek Wojciech , Glik Justyna , Kucharzewski Marek , Rojczyk Ewa , Utrata‐Wesołek Alicja , Trzebicka Barbara , Szeluga Urszula , Sobota Michał , Poloczek Ryszard , Kamiński Artur
Published: September 2021

The nonviable allogeneic human skin grafts might be considered as the most suitable skin substitutes in the treatment of extensive and deep burns. However, in accordance to biological security such grafts require the final sterilization prior to clinical application. The aim of the study was to verify the influence of electron beam irradiation of three selected doses: 18, 25, and 35 kGy on the extracellular matrix of human skin. Prior to sterilization, the microbiological tests were conducted and revealed contamination in all examined cases. Individual groups were subjected to single electron beam radiation sterilization at proposed doses and then subjected to microbiological tests again. The results of microbiological testing performed for all irradiation doses used were negative. Only in the control group was a growth of microorganisms observed. The FTIR spectrometry tests were conducted followed by the histological evaluation and mechanical tests. In addition, cost analysis of radiation sterilization of individual doses was performed. The results of spectroscopic analysis, mechanical tests, and histological staining showed no significant changes in composition and characteristics of tested tissues after their irradiation, in comparison to control samples. The cost analysis has shown that irradiation with 18 kGy is the most cost‐effective and 35 kGy is the least favorable. However, according to biological risk reduction, the recommended sterilization dose is 35 kGy, despite the higher price compared to the other doses tested.
gp130 Cytokines Activate Novel Signaling Pathways and Alter Bone Dissemination in ER+ Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Omokehinde Tolu , Jotte Alec , Johnson Rachelle W
Published: September 2021

Breast cancer cells frequently home to the bone marrow, where they encounter signals that promote survival and quiescence or stimulate their proliferation. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokines signal through the co-receptor glycoprotein130 (gp130) and are abundantly secreted within the bone microenvironment. Breast cancer cell expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor (LIFR)/STAT3 signaling promotes tumor dormancy in the bone, but it is unclear which, if any of the cytokines that signal through LIFR, including LIF, oncostatin M (OSM), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), promote tumor dormancy and which signaling pathways are induced. We first confirmed that LIF, OSM, and CNTF and their receptor components were expressed across a panel of breast cancer cell lines, although expression was lower in estrogen receptor–negative (ER–) bone metastatic clones compared with parental cell lines. In estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) cells, OSM robustly stimulated phosphorylation of known gp130 signaling targets STAT3, ERK, and AKT, while CNTF activated STAT3 signaling. In ER– breast cancer cells, OSM alone stimulated AKT and ERK signaling. Overexpression of OSM, but not CNTF, reduced dormancy gene expression and increased ER+ breast cancer bone dissemination. Reverse-phase protein array revealed distinct and overlapping pathways stimulated by OSM, LIF, and CNTF with known roles in breast cancer progression and metastasis. In breast cancer patients, downregulation of the cytokines or receptors was associated with reduced relapse-free survival, but OSM was significantly elevated in patients with invasive disease and distant metastasis. Together these data indicate that the gp130 cytokines induce multiple signaling cascades in breast cancer cells, with a potential pro-tumorigenic role for OSM and pro-dormancy role for CNTF. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Myrtenol alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic pregnant rats via TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Xuemei Liu , Qiu Shengjie , Chen Guiying , Liu Mingyuan
Published: September 2021

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a special kind of diabetes that arises only during pregnancy. A woman with GDM has a higher risk of developing type‐2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. In this exploration, we intended to scrutinize the therapeutic actions of Myrtenol against the streptozotocin (STZ)‐provoked GDM in rats. GDM was provoked in the pregnant rats via injecting the 1% of STZ (25 mg/kg) and then treated with the 50 mg/kg of myrtenol. The glucose level and bodyweight of animals were noted. The lipid profile, that is, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein, and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) was determined by respective kits. The lipid peroxidation and antioxidants status were examined using assay kits. The status of proinflammatory markers was investigated by assay kits. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling proteins were studied by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. The hepatic and pancreatic tissues were examined microscopically. Myrtenol treatment notably decreased the status of blood glucose and lipid profile and improved the HDL in the GDM rats. The status of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory markers were substantially reduced by the myrtenol and it enhanced the antioxidants status of GDM animals. Myrtenol treatment remarkably downregulated the mRNA expressions of TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling proteins. The histological findings also proved the therapeutic actions of myrtenol. Altogether, the findings of this investigation unveiled the therapeutic actions of the myrtenol against the STZ‐provoked GDM in rats. Myrtenol could be a promising therapeutic agent to treat GDM in the future.
Extracorporeal photopheresis and multimodality therapy in patients with T‐cell cutaneous lymphomas: Real‐life experience in Argentina
Authors: Baquero Rey Jenny Andrea , Zambrano Franco Evelyn Andrea , Andrade Miranda Andrea , Marciano Sebastián , Mazzuoccolo Luis Daniel , Enz Paula Andrea
Published: September 2021

Background

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) as a part of multimodality therapy, is one of the treatments for Sézary syndrome (SS) and advanced stage mycosis fungoides (MF). This study aims to describe cutaneous and peripheral blood responses of patients with MF and SS who received multimodality therapy.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional retrospective study, patients with MF or SS who received ECP treatment in combination with at least one additional systemic treatment between 2011 and 2018 were included. ECP consisted of a two‐session cycle every 2 to 4 weeks. Cutaneous and blood responses were evaluated with updated criteria.

Results

Twenty‐eight patients (11 (39%) with MF and 17 (51%) with SS) were included. Their median age at diagnosis was 63 (57‐67) years. The median number of treatments before ECP was 2 (1–3). Seven out of 11 patients with MF (63%) underwent an assessment of cutaneous response. Five patients (70%) presented a partial response; 1 (15%), stable disease, and 1 (15%) progressive disease. Thirteen of the 17 patients with SS (76%) underwent evaluation. One patient (8%) presented a complete cutaneous response; 6 (46%), a partial response; 5 (38%), stable disease; and 1 (8%), progressive disease. None of them relapsed during the study period in both groups. No ECP‐related adverse effects occurred during the study.

Conclusion

Most patients with SS and MF who underwent multimodality therapy with ECP had favorable cutaneous and blood response. It is safe to combine ECP with other treatments. Studies with large numbers of patients are necessary to assess the effects of ECP on patient survival.
Engineering play with blocks as an informal learning context for executive function and planning
Authors: Gold Zachary S. , Elicker James , Evich Carly D. , Mishra Aura A. , Howe Nina , Weil Abigail E.
Published: September 2021

Background

Engineering play is an emerging framework for understanding young children's constructive block play as an engineering design process. Few studies have evaluated engineering thinking, language, or behavior in preschool‐age children, especially quantitative evaluations that systematically document specific early engineering behavior. More research is needed to support diverse children's engineering education in ecologically valid classroom contexts and understand relations with the key cognitive domains that predict school readiness.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The present study investigated the associations of executive functioning and planning skills with preschoolers' engineering play behaviors with wooden unit blocks, tested the moderating role of disability status in these associations, and provided additional reliability and validity data on the Preschool Engineering Play Behaviors (P‐EPB) measure.

Design/Method

Participants were 110 preschoolers (44% female; 25% children with disabilities) observed and coded during 15‐min block play sessions with a peer partner. Children completed separate formal assessments of executive function and planning.

Results

A one‐factor engineering play variable including six behavior categories (i.e., communicating goals, problem‐solving, explaining how things are built/work, following patterns and prototypes, logical and mathematical words, and technical vocabulary) was significantly and positively associated with executive function and planning for children with disabilities.

Conclusions

Results provide new knowledge about early engineering measurement and implications for teaching and learning engineering across multiple academic disciplines and with children from diverse developmental backgrounds.
Newcomers as unwitting victims? Examining department leaders' denial of information support and team leaders' resentment during organizational socialization
Authors: Nifadkar Sushil S. , Wu Wen
Published: September 2021

Newcomers depend on organizational insiders to successfully adjust to their organization, with their direct team leaders playing an important role in facilitating their assimilation during organizational socialization. However, in certain circumstances, team leaders may refrain from supporting newcomers, based on their experiences from before newcomers joined the organization. The purpose of this study is to examine team leaders' preexisting perception of deprivation and resentment toward their department leaders as factors that may influence the extent to which they provide support to newcomers. Drawing on relative deprivation theory, we propose that the denial of task‐related information to team leaders by their department leaders before newcomers join the organization triggers resentment in team leaders. We further propose that team leaders' preexisting resentment toward their department leaders influences their level of support to newcomers. We tested our hypotheses through data collected from team leaders before newcomers joined their organization and matched data collected from team leaders and newcomers after the latter joined the company. The results indicate that team leaders' preexisting experience of resentment toward their department leaders influences the support they provide to newcomers, an uninvolved target.
Can feeding strategies alter immune signaling and gut sepsis in critical illness?
Authors: McClave Stephen A.
Published: September 2021

The insult necessitating admission to the intensive care unit propels the patient along a course involving increasing oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and adverse outcomes. As the largest immune organ with the greatest microbial burden, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may change the speed and direction the patient follows along this pathway. The gut's influence is mediated by a complex process of cross‐talk immune signaling between the intestinal epithelium, the liver, and the microbiome. Agents that invoke this response vary from mitochondrial DNA, inflammatory cytokines, and bacterial organisms to short‐chain fatty acids and bile salts. The site of action of these agents again varies widely from pattern‐recognition receptors, G protein receptors, and farnesoid X receptors in the gut and liver to transcriptional factors in epithelial cells, hepatocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Whereas the initial focus of response may be local within the GI tract and liver, the process extends in a systemic manner to affect immune tissue and various organs at distant sites. The gut can modulate this cross‐talk signaling through numerous strategies in the design of nutrition therapy. The physiologic response to luminal nutrients and short‐chain fatty acids, and more novel approaches like using phosphorylated polyethylene glycol, bovine serum–derived immunoglobulin, and specialized proresolving molecules, may help slow disease progression and even reverse the patient's course toward one of health and recovery. The optimal benefit to be derived from nutrition therapy may have more to do with the degree to which immune cross‐talk signaling can be modified by such innovative strategies.