bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘What about the coffee break?’ Designing virtual conference spaces for conviviality
Authors: Bastian Michelle , Flatø Emil Henrik , Baraitser Lisa , Jordheim Helge , Salisbury Laura , van Dooren Thom
Published: November 2022

Geography, like many other disciplines, is reckoning with the carbon intensity of its practices and rethinking how activities such as annual meetings are held. The Climate Action Task Force of the American Association of Geographers (AAG), for example, was set up in 2019 and seeks to transform the annual conference in light of environmental justice concerns. Mirroring shifts in geographic practice across the globe, these efforts point to a need to understand how new opportunities for knowledge production, such as online events, can operate effectively. In this paper, we offer suggestions for best practice in virtual spaces arising from our Material Life of Time conference held in March 2021, a two‐day global event that ran synchronously across 15 time zones. Given concerns about lack of opportunities for informal exchanges at virtual conferences, or the ‘coffee break problem’, we designed the event to focus particularly on opportunities for conviviality. This was accomplished through a focus on three key design issues: the spatial, the temporal, and the social. We review previous work on the benefits and drawbacks of synchronous and asynchronous online conference methods and the kinds of geographic communities they might support. We then describe our design approach and reflect on its effectiveness via a variety of feedback materials. We show that our design enabled high delegate satisfaction, a sense of conviviality, and strong connections with new colleagues. However, we also discuss the problems with attendance levels and external commitments that hampered shared time together. We thus call for collective efforts to support the ‘event time’ of online meetings, rather than expectations to fit them around everyday tasks. Even so, our results suggest that synchronous online events need not result in geographical exclusions linked to time‐zone differences, and we outline further recommendations for reworking the spacetimes of the conference.
Metformin promotes smear conversion in tuberculosis‐diabetes comorbidity and construction of prediction models
Authors: Wang Yili , Zhou Yanbing , Chen Liyu , Cheng Yuhui , Lai Hongli , Lyu Mengyuan , Zeng Jiongjiong , Zhang Yao , Feng Ping , Ying Binwu
Published: November 2022

Background

The comorbidity of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern. Metformin is commonly used in DM but the potential effectiveness in comorbid patients is uncertain. This retrospective study aims to investigate the effect of metformin on TB‐DM comorbidity and construct prediction models.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with TB‐DM in West China Hospital were retrospectively enrolled from Nov 2013 to Sep 2019. Electronic health records of patients were extracted. Two‐month smear conversion (2SC) was considered an outcome indicator of TB. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression (LR) were used to assess the role of metformin and other independent predictors. Meanwhile, prediction models were built by LR, elastic net regression, support vector machine, k‐nearest neighbors, and random forest.

Results

A total of 927 individuals were recruited, among which 408 (44.01%) were metformin‐exposed patients. A higher 2SC rate was observed in the metformin users. Other impact factors such as smoking, glucose, and creatinine levels were also identified. Multivariable models were then constructed using filtered variables. The support vector machine model yields the highest AUC (0.808, 95% CI: 0.767–0.849) and specificity (83.24%). LR model outperformed others in terms of sensitivity (69.71%).

Conclusion

This retrospective study of a large population from southwestern China provides strong clinical evidence for the positive effects of metformin in TB‐DM. Metformin is associated with a better therapeutic outcome and promising for the adjuvant therapy of TB‐DM. Furthermore, a combination of support vector machine and LR models is recommended to discriminate the patients with poor treatment outcomes.
Pedological Construction Supervision during the construction process—Status of implementation and future prospects
Authors: Bosold Maike , Brauckmann Hans‐Jörg , Broll Gabriele , Meuser Helmut
Published: November 2022

Background

In Germany, soil protection plays an increasing role in environmental protection. But construction sites are still not enough incorporated in soil protection measures. Pedological construction supervision (PCS) in construction projects can help to prevent soil damage during the construction processes.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the state of implementation of PCS in Germany and the PCS courses for soil professionals in Germany.

Methods

A questionnaire survey has been conducted to get information about how strong the PCS is deployed and accepted.

Results

The legal basis of PCS is described and its development as well as the state of implementation is explained. The PCS is more and more incorporated in construction processes especially related to large ground movements for energy cables. The new DIN 19639 specifications supported this process. A PCS certification course for soil experts has been established in Germany to get a certificate as soil expert. Meanwhile, about 160 certified PCSs work in the field of soil protection at construction sites.

Conclusions

PCS on constructions sites is well established in Germany but it has to be applied on more construction sites in the future. A new soil protection ordinance in Germany in 2023 and the planned legislative change in the soil protection act will strengthen PCS. There is a great demand for certified pedological construction supervisors (PCSs). Training courses on PCS are needed, and PCS knowledge should be integrated into university courses.
Hydrothermal treatment of hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa L.): impact on its dehulling yield, fatty acid profile and nutritional characteristics
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Tamilselvan T. , Shakeb Mohammad , Prabhasankar Pichan
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Hemp seeds are highly nutritious and a sustainable source of protein and omega‐fatty acids. The outer shell of the seeds restricts its utilization in the food industry. Dehulling of the seeds leads to a lot of processing losses due to high oil content and hard shell of the seed. Therefore, in the present study, hydrothermal treatment of the hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa L.) before dehulling was proposed to reduce the endosperm breakage and improve dehulling yield of seeds.

RESULT

The hemp seeds were subjected to four types of treatments, namely moisture addition (at 14%) with tempering for 10 min and 60 min followed by drying (28–30 °C) and steaming at atmospheric pressure for 5 min and 10 min. Results from the study showed that the hydrothermal treatments impacted the hardness of the endosperm and therefore improved the dehulling yield by 1.3 to 1.5 folds. Also, the dehulling losses significantly reduced from 26.80% to 9.52% after the steaming treatments. Though steaming to some extent affected the colour of the dehulled seeds compared to other treatments, it showed an increment in protein digestibility from 86.53% to 88.73%.

CONCLUSION

Among all the hydrothermal treatments, steaming showed significant improvement in the yield of dehulled hemp seeds. It reduced endosperm breakage without affecting the seeds' fatty acid profile and nutritional quality. It can be concluded that steaming as a pretreatment can be used for improved dehulling of hemp seeds, aiding the better valourization of hemp seeds in the food industry. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Orthogonal systems of spline wavelets as unconditional bases in Sobolev spaces
Authors: Srivastava Rajula
Published: November 2022

We exhibit the necessary range for which functions in the Sobolev spaces can be represented as an unconditional sum of orthonormal spline wavelet systems, such as the Battle–Lemarié wavelets. We also consider the natural extensions to Triebel–Lizorkin spaces. This builds upon, and is a generalization of, previous work of Seeger and Ullrich, where analogous results were established for the Haar wavelet system.
State ownership may not be bad: Based on bibliometric research (2002–2021)
Authors: Chen Ming , Wu Jiao
Published: November 2022

Over the past two decades, the world's view of the state‐owned enterprise reform (SOER) has shifted. Based on the WOS database and CiteSpace, this study analyzes the SOER from seven dimensions and reveals that the SOER is heating up and closer to co‐research. China and the United States have become important research centers, and Chinese state‐owned enterprises have become the main research objects. Moreover, this study finds that the concept of the SOER has changed rapidly after 2012 and supports state ownership in five aspects: economic drive, resource access, innovation promotion, social responsibility enhancements, and state governance.
Fine vertical structures of cloud from a ground‐based cloud radar over the western Tianshan mountains
Authors: Chen Ping , Yang Lianmei , Zeng Yong , Tong Zepeng , Jiang Yufei
Published: November 2022

In this study, the grounded‐based Ka‐band millimetre‐wave cloud radar (MMCR) is used to analyse the cloud characteristics over the western Tianshan mountains. The cloud top height (CTH) obtained by MMCR is verified by comparing it with the Fengyun‐4A (FY‐4A) observations. Overall, the MMCR‐obtained CTHs are attenuated and lower than the FY‐4A‐obtained CTHs under precipitation conditions. Thus, the FY‐4A data is used to complement MMCR data when there is rainfall. The diurnal, seasonal variation and vertical structures of the cloud are further examined using the combination of MMCR and FY‐4A. The result indicates that the CTH and cloud base height (CBH) are highest in summer and lowest in winter. Also, clouds tend to form frequently at night in spring, summer, and winter. Although in autumn, clouds tend to form most frequently in the morning. This may be related to the diurnal variation of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. Moreover, the CTHs occur most frequently at heights of 8–9 km in spring and autumn, 9–10 km in summer, and 7–8 km in winter. The high CTHs caused by the strong convective activities in summer may be related to sufficient water vapour transport. These corrected CTH data are also used to classify cloud types, the results indicate that the proportion of high clouds is highest in summer, while the proportion of medium clouds is lower than in the other three seasons. Also, the average CTH of the low, medium, and high clouds is highest in summer and lowest in winter.
Free functioning gracilis transfer for brachial plexus reconstruction using the internal mammary vessels as recipients: A case report
Authors: Taib Bilal Gani , Choong Jia , Madura Tomas
Published: November 2022

Adult brachial plexus injuries are often associated with concomitant trauma to the axillary or subclavian vessels. In patients planned for free functioning gracilis transfer (FFGT) this poses a challenge to reconstructive surgeons where using the standard donor vessels can lead to endangering the circulation in the affected extremity or risk flap loss due to the poor perfusion pressures. This case report describes the use of a FFGT for upper limb reconstruction in a 22‐year‐old patient with a pan plexus injury and concomitant axillary artery injury following a high energy motorcycle accident. Ipsilateral internal mammary vessels were used as donor vessels after removing the 3rd and 4th costal cartilages. The gracilis muscle was harvested in its whole length, including a small transverse skin paddle, and transferred to the upper extremity. It was secured to the clavicle proximally, weaved into the Flexor Digitorum Profundus tendons distally and neurotised by the spinal accessory nerve. The procedure and postoperative course were uneventful and the follow up at 18 months showed MRC grade 4 in elbow flexion with only a slight contour deformity at the donor chest site. This is the first report demonstrating the use of internal mammary vessels for FFGT reconstruction in the upper extremity after removing two costal cartilages to achieve sufficient pedicle length.
The hazardous orienteering problem
Authors: Santini Alberto , Archetti Claudia
Published: November 2022

This article studies the Hazardous Orienteering Problem (HOP), a variant of the more famous Orienteering Problem (OP). In the OP, a vehicle earns a profit for each customer it visits (e.g., to pick up a parcel) subject to an upper bound on the tour time. In the HOP, the parcels picked up at some customers have a probability of triggering a catastrophic event. The probability depends on how long the parcels travel on the vehicle. If any catastrophic event triggers, the entire collected profit is lost. The goal is to determine the tour that maximizes the expected profit. The problem has interesting applications in routing of hazardous material, cash‐in‐transit, and law enforcement. We propose a mixed‐integer nonlinear formulation and techniques both to obtain dual bounds and to produce primal solutions. Computational tests investigate the efficacy of the methods proposed and allow to gain insights into solution features.
Fusion steady‐state robust filtering for uncertain multisensor networked systems with application to autoregressive moving average signal estimates
Authors: Liu Wen‐Qiang , Liu Wei , Li Shuang , Tao Gui‐Li
Published: November 2022

This article is concerned with the centralized fusion (CF) robust steady‐state Kalman filtering problem for a class of multisensor networked systems with mixed uncertainties including state‐dependent and noise‐dependent multiplicative noises, missing measurements, packet dropouts, and uncertain noise variances. By using a model transformation approach, the initial multisensor system under study is transformed into a multi‐model multisensor system only with uncertain noise variances. By introducing an augmented state vector, the CF system is obtained. In the light of the minimax robust estimation method, and based on the worst‐case fusion system with conservative upper bounds of uncertain noise variances, the CF robust steady‐state Kalman estimators (predictor, filter, and smoother) are proposed in a unified form. By means of the permutation matrices and Lyapunov equation method, the robustness of CF estimators is proved. The accuracy relations among the robust local and fusion steady‐state estimators are proved. An example applied to autoregressive moving average signal estimation is put forward, and the robust CF steady‐state signal estimators are proposed. Simulation experiment shows the correctness of the proposed approach.
Clinical outcomes of pediatric patients receiving multimodality treatment of second central nervous system relapse of neuroblastoma
Authors: Tringale Kathryn R. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Casey Dana L. , Kushner Brian H. , Luo Leo , Pandit‐Taskar Neeta , Souweidane Mark , Cheung Nai‐Kong V. , Modak Shakeel , Basu Ellen M. , Kramer Kim
Published: November 2022

Background

In high‐risk neuroblastoma, multimodality therapy including craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is effective for central nervous system (CNS) relapse. Management of post‐CSI CNS relapse is not clearly defined.

Procedure

Pediatric patients with neuroblastoma treated with CSI between 2000 and 2019 were identified. Treatment of initial CNS disease (e.g., CSI, intraventricular compartmental radioimmunotherapy [cRIT] with 131I‐monoclonal antibodies targeting GD2 or B7H3) and management of post‐CSI CNS relapse (“second CNS relapse”) were characterized. Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate factors associated with third CNS relapse and overall survival (OS) were used.

Results

Of 128 patients (65% male, median age 4 years), 19 (15%) received CSI with protons and 115 (90%) had a boost. Most (103, 81%) received cRIT, associated with improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1–0.5, p < .001). Forty (31%) developed a second CNS relapse, associated with worse OS (1‐year OS 32.5%, 95% CI: 19‐47; HR 3.8; 95% CI: 2.4–6.0, p < .001), and more likely if the leptomeninges were initially involved (HR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3–4.9, p = .006). Median time to second CNS relapse was 6.8 months and 51% occurred outside the CSI boost field. Twenty‐five (63%) patients underwent reirradiation, most peri‐operatively (18, 45%) with focal hypofractionation. Eight (20%) patients with second CNS relapse received cRIT, associated with improved OS (HR 0.1; 95% CI: 0.1–0.4, p < .001).

Conclusions

CNS relapse after CSI for neuroblastoma portends a poor prognosis. Surgery with hypofractionated radiotherapy was the most common treatment. Acknowledging the potential for selection bias, receipt of cRIT both at first and second CNS relapse was associated with improved survival. This finding necessitates further investigation.
Identification of rheumatoid arthritis in German claims data using different algorithms: Validation by cross‐sectional patient‐reported survey data
Authors: Callhoff Johanna , Albrecht Katinka , Marschall Ursula , Strangfeld Anja , Hoffmann Falk
Published: November 2022

Objective

To evaluate different algorithms for the identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in claims data using patient‐reported diagnosis as reference.

Methods

Within longitudinal data from a large German statutory health insurance, we selected a random sample of persons with ICD‐10 code for RA (M05/M06) in ≥2 quarters in 2013. The sample was stratified for age, sex, and M05/M06. Persons were asked to confirm RA diagnosis (gold standard), which was linked to claims data given consent. Analyses were weighted to represent the total RA population of the database. Positive predictive values (PPVs) and discriminative properties were calculated for different algorithms: ICD‐10 code only, additional examination of inflammatory markers, prescription of specific medication, rheumatologist appointment, or combination of these.

Results

Of 6193 persons with a claims diagnosis of RA, 3184 responded (51%). Overall, PPV for the ICD‐10 code was 81% (95% confidence interval 79%–83%) with 94% (92%–95%) for M05 and 76% (73%–79%) for M06. PPVs increased (with loss of case numbers) if inflammatory markers (82% [80%–84%]), rheumatology visits (85% [82%–87%]) or specific medication (89% [87%–91%]) had been used in addition. Specific medication had the best discriminative properties (diagnostic odds ratio of 3.0) among persons with RA diagnosis.

Conclusions

The ICD‐10 codes M05 and (less optimal) M06 have high PPVs and are valuable to identify RA in German claims data. Depending on the respective research question, researchers should use different criteria for identification of RA.
Wafer‐scale Ge epitaxial foils grown at high growth rates and released from porous substrates for triple‐junction solar cells
Authors: Depauw Valérie , Porret Clément , Moelants Myriam , Vecchio Emma , Kennes Koen , Han Han , Loo Roger , Cho Jinyoun , Courtois Guillaume , Kurstjens Rufi , Dessein Kristof , Orejuela Víctor , Sanchez‐Perez Clara , Rey‐Stolle Ignacio , García Iván
Published: November 2022

Germanium is listed as a critical raw material, and for environmental and economic sustainability reasons, strategies for lower consumption must be implemented. A promising approach is Ge lift‐off concepts, which enable to re‐use the substrate multiple times. Our concept is based on the Ge‐on‐Nothing approach that is the controlled restructuring at high temperature of a macroporous Ge surface, forming a Ge foil weakly attached to its parent wafer. Its suitability as III–V epitaxy seed and support substrate has previously been demonstrated with proof‐of‐concept solar cells. This work focuses on bringing this concept to the next level, by upscaling the detachable area to a full 200‐mm wafer scale, increasing foil thickness for sufficient light absorption in the Ge bottom cell, and improving the control on the strength that is bonding the suspended foil to its parent. By introducing a new high growth‐rate epitaxy process from GeCl4, and by engineering the GeON structure to introduce pillars with ad hoc density and shape, we fabricated P‐type foils with tunable boron doping up to 15 μm in thickness and 11 cm × 11 cm in area, for which the detachment strength could be adapted to the stresses induced by the solar cell process steps. The surface roughness and the electrical and crystal qualities of these foils were inspected by AFM, SIMS, SRP, ECCI, and TEM to check the GeCl4‐based epitaxy conditions and to check that the ad hoc pillars were not introducing any damage. Small‐area triple‐junction lattice‐matched GaInP/GaInAs/Ge solar cells were fabricated on 7‐μm‐thick Ge foils with various pillar densities and on a standard reference Ge wafer. The III–V layer nucleation was virtually the same on both substrates and the solar cells on the GeON foils performed in the same way as the cells on the Ge wafer, albeit a small loss in short‐circuit current and open‐circuit voltage that can be attributed to the thickness reduction and absence of rear‐side passivation. We conclude that it is possible to gain control on the GeON detachability and upscale the concept to areas relevant for the space PV industry, proving that porous germanium is a serious candidate for replacement of bulk Ge wafers in view of a more sustainable multijunction solar cell process.
Modification of silica particles with poly(phenylboronic acid) brushes for fabricating hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres
Authors: Li Die , Hong Mei , Wang Yan , Bao Chunyang , Xu Xiaoling , Chen Jing , Peng Bin , Zhang Jingyu , Wang Bingyu , Zhang Qiang
Published: November 2022

Porous carbon nanospheres have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent advantages in specific surface area, pore distribution, and electronic conductivity. Herein, boron‐doped hollow carbon nanospheres with mesoporous walls have been successfully synthesized via a combination of hard/soft templating and boronic acid/sugar ligation. Surface‐initiated Cu(0) mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization was used to initiate the polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate from the surface of silica. 4‐carboxy‐3‐fluorophenylboronic acid was introduced as a boron precursor by N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride coupling and fructose was introduced as a carbon precursor by boronic esters. After carbonization and template etching, boron‐doped porous carbon spheres could be obtained. We believe such in‐situ heteroatom‐doped method has great potential in preparing hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres with excellent properties.
Potent insecticidal activity of Eleocharis dulcis (Burm. f.) Trin peel extract and its main components against aphids
Authors: Li Jingjing , Kang Zhanhai , Yu Hualong , Feng Yingjian , Zhang Xinxin , Zhao Yujing , Dong Lili , Zhang Lihui , Dong Jingao , Li Yaofa , Ma Shujie
Published: November 2022

Background

Aphids are significant pests of cash crops and food farm crops. Botanical insecticides are safe for aphid control, especially for organic farming. In this study, Eleocharis dulcis (Burm. f.) Trin. peel extract (EDPE), a new botanical insecticide, was investigated for its active compositions against several agricultural aphids.

Results

The results showed that the EDPE had high insecticidal activity against Sitobion avenae Fabricius, Aphis gossypii Glover, Megoura crassicauda Mordvilko, and Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, with half‐lethal concentration (LC50) values of 95.92, 81.04, 140.31, and 255.73 mg/L after 48 h of treatment. In the pot culture assay, the aphicidal effects of 25% EDPE soluble liquid (SL) at a concentration of 0.016% were 68.98 ± 5.61%, 79.33 ± 8.27%, and 88.82 ± 3.91% after the first, third, and seventh days of treatment, respectively. Nine compounds were identified by bioactivity‐directed fractionation: 4',5'‐dimethoxy‐6,6‐dimethylpyranoisoflavone (1), 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxylonchocarpin (2), 4‐hydroxylonchocarpin (3), 4‐methoxylonchocarpin (4), barbigerone (5), lonchocarpusone (6), 6a,12a‐dehydrodeguelin (7), 13‐homo‐13‐oxa‐6a, 12a‐dehydrodeguelin (8) and deguelin (9). Among them, 4‐hydroxylonchocarpin (3) showed the highest aphidicidal activity against M. crassicauda, S. avenae, and A. pisum, with LC50 values of 97.24, 140.63, and 112.31 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion

These data contribute to a better understanding of the aphicidal activity of EDPE and its main component, 4‐hydroxylonchocarpin. This will help to develop new botanical insecticides to contro aphids. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Subseasonal predictability of onset, duration, and intensity of European heat extremes
Authors: Pyrina Maria , Domeisen Daniela I. V.
Published: November 2022

Successful weather forecasts on subseasonal time‐scales can support societal preparedness and mitigate the impacts of extreme events. Heatwaves in particular can, in certain cases, be predicted on time‐scales of several weeks in advance. Heatwave predictability is commonly assessed in terms of heatwave intensity. In addition to heatwave intensity, we assess the predictability of heatwave onset and duration, which are crucial components of early‐warning systems and emergency preparedness plans. The forecast skill of heatwaves is investigated over the European region in the subseasonal forecasting system of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The heatwaves are first detected in ERA‐Interim reanalysis data over the period 1998–2017 and then allocated into six clusters in the following regions: Black Sea (BSea), Russia (Ru), Western Europe (WEu), North Sea (NSea), Scandinavia (Sc), and Eastern Europe (EEu). The European regions with the highest predictability in heatwave onset and duration are the clusters Ru, Sc, and NSea. The WEu cluster has the lowest bias in heatwave intensity and is found to be the most predictable region in terms of the number of heatwave events with predictable intensity at lead week 2. Heatwave intensity is generally found to be the most predictable characteristic of European heatwaves, being predictable by the model ensemble mean up to lead times of 3 weeks. Furthermore, this analysis identifies the most predictable heatwaves, allowing for a further investigation of the physical mechanisms and heatwave characteristics leading to enhanced heatwave forecast skill over different European regions.
Unveiling the zwitterionic and stepwise mechanism for the domino reactions of amidine with 1,2,4,5‐ and 1,2,3,5‐tetrazines
Authors: Haghdadi Mina , Hamzehloueian Mahshid
Published: November 2022

The mechanisms of the domino reactions between 4,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,3,5‐tetrazine (TTZ 1) and 3,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (TTZ 2) with amidine 3, have been studied at the M06‐2X/6‐311G(d,p) level of theory. The domino reactions of TTZ1 with amidine comprise three consecutive reactions, an aza Diels‐Alder (ADA) reaction with a stepwise mechanism, a retro Diels‐Alder (rDA) reaction, and an amine elimination process, which leads to the resulting aromatic triazine ring. However, the most favorable pathway for domino reaction of the amidine with TTZ2 consists of nucleophilic addition, N2 elimination, and cyclization steps which is deal with the formation of a neutral intermediate. The N2 loss step in both mechanisms is spontaneously, with extremely exergonic formation of the corresponding intermediates. Finally, NH3 is removed through an irreversible intramolecular elimination. The global electron density transfer (GEDT) calculations unleash the polar natures of the first step of the reactions.
Microbial community shifts in pearl millet root zone soils with Guiera senegalensis intercropping along a rainfall and soil type gradient in the Sahel
Authors: Mason Laura , Debenport Spencer , DeLay Chelsea , Diedhiou Ibrahima , McSpadden Gardener Brian B. , Assigbetsee Komi B. , Rich Virginia , Dick Richard P.
Published: November 2022

The Sahel of West Africa has vulnerable agroecosystems that threatens food security. A potential solution is intercropping with the indigenous shrub, Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. Previous research of the Optimized Shrub‐intercropping System (OSS) (high density of ∼1,500 shrubs ha‐1 and coppiced residue incorporation) has been shown to dramatically improve pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] yield, which is attributed to improved soil quality, nutrient and water availability, and harboring a distinct microbial community. Whether this response is consistent over a climate and soil type gradient in farmers’ fields has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective was to determine the impact of G. senegalenis on soil chemistry, enzyme activity, microbiomes, and metabolic pathways of millet root zone soils in farmers’ fields. The experiment was a three‐by‐two factorial with three rainfall and soil type sites along a north–south gradient in the Senegal Peanut Basin and two sampling locations (millet root zone soil within and outside the influence of the G. senegalensis). Guiera senegalensis shifted certain predicted bacterial metabolic pathways and enriched some bacterial and fungal genera. Notably, the increased crop growth due to G. senegalensis positively correlated with the abundance of genera having plant growth promoting properties (e.g., Enterobacter agglomerans and Paraburkholderia). Paucibacter, a genera that has deleterious and/or pathogenic properties, was highly abundant in non‐shrub soil but completely suppressed beneath the shrub. The results showed that G. senegalensis in farmers’ fields even at typical, low densities, where coppiced residues are annually burned, still increased soil chemical and microbial properties, suggesting that a more important factor than litter is the presence of shrub roots that provide root turnover and exudates, and water inputs through hydraulic lift.
Theoretical Study on the Degradation Mechanism of Sulfonamide Catalyzed by Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Chen Xin‐Rui , Li Dong‐Heng , Liu Hu‐Qiong , Zheng Yan , Li Lai‐Cai
Published: November 2022

Sulfonamide and its derivatives have made great contributions to medicine and can be used to synthesize sulfonamides‐based antibacterial drugs. However, improper treatment of the sulfonamides may bring severe environmental pollutions. In this paper, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation method was used to study the adsorption properties and degradation mechanism of sulfonamide on different surfaces of titanium dioxide (TiO2), i. e. TiO2 (101) and TiO2 (001). First, by calculating the adsorption energy, we obtained the most stable adsorption configurations of sulfonamide on different TiO2 surfaces. In both cases, the sulfonamides lie parallel on the surfaces of TiO2 and the amino group attached directly to the benzene ring forms hydrogen bonds with the oxygens on the surfaces of the TiO2 while the sulfonyl groups interact with the titanium of the surfaces. After that, six possible degradation pathways were investigated in detail based on the stable configurations. According to the calculation results, we conclude that the optimal degradation path of sulfonamide on TiO2 surface is the path initialized by attacking carbon atom attached to the sulfonyl group in sulfonamide with hydroxyl radical, for which the reaction barrier on TiO2 (001) surface is 13.8 kcal/mol, and that of TiO2 (101) surface is 13.1 kcal/mol. Therefore, the degradation effects of the two surfaces are similar. Our present work indicates that the effect of TiO2 in degrading sulfonamide is remarkable, which provides a theoretical basis for the subsequent development of the degradation method of sulfonamides‐based antibiotics.
Effect of the Position and Amount of the Electron‐Donating Groups in Substituted 2,4,6‐Triphenylpyrimidines on their Thermal, Optical and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Slobodinyuk Daria G. , Slobodinyuk Alexey I. , Strelnikov Vladimir N. , Shklyaeva Elena V. , Abashev Georgy G.
Published: November 2022

2,4,6‐Triphenylpyrimidine derivatives have been synthesized from the corresponding aromatic aldehydes and methyl ketones via a two‐step procedure, which include an aldol‐crotonic condensation followed by the reaction of the resulting chalcones with ammonium acetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid with DMF as a solvent The compound structures have been identified by NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The thermal, optical and electrochemical properties of the compounds obtained have been studied. The synthesized 2,4,6‐triphenylpyrimidines are characterized by blue emission. It has been shown, that these compounds have narrow band gaps and high fluorescence quantum yields.
Regulating Lithium Plating/Stripping Behavior by a Composite Polymer Electrolyte Endowed with Designated Ion Channels
Authors: Hu Ajuan , Sun Zongqiang , Hou Qing , Duan Jianing , Li Chen , Dou Wenjie , Fan Jingmin , Zheng Mingsen , Dong Quanfeng
Published: November 2022

The urgent demand for high energy and safety storage devices is pushing the development of lithium metal batteries. However, unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation and uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth are still huge challenges for the practical use of lithium metal batteries. Herein, a composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) endowed with designated ion channels is fabricated by constructing nanoscale Uio66‐NH2 layer, which has uniformly distributed pore structure to regulate reversible Li plating/stripping in lithium metal batteries. The regular channels within the Uio66‐NH2 layer work as an ion sieve to restrict larger TFSI− anions inside its channels and extract Li+ across selectively, which result in a high Li‐ion transference number () of 0.6. Moreover, CPE provides high ion conductivity (0.245 mS cm−1 at room temperature) and expanded oxidation window (5.1 V) and forms a stable SEI layer. As a result, the assembled lithium metal batteries with CPE exhibit outstanding cyclic stability and capacity retention. The Li/CPE/Li symmetric cell continues plating/stripping over 500 h without short‐circuiting. The Li/CPE/LFP cell delivers a reversible capacity of 149.3 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 99% after 100 cycles.
Differential fault analysis on the lightweight block cipher plug‐in plug‐out
Authors: Xiao Haiyan , Wang Lifang
Published: November 2022

In recent years, many lightweight block ciphers were proposed to provide security for resource‐constrained environments such as Internet of Things (IoT). PIPO, which stands for “plug‐in plug‐out”, is just a lightweight bit‐sliced block cipher offering excellent performance in 8‐bit AVR software implementations. In fact, PIPO owns 64‐bit input and output, 128‐bit secret key. In this article, we consider the differential fault analysis (DFA), a typical side‐channel attack, on the PIPO cipher. More concretely, for the first time, we apply the mixed attack model, which considers the DFA on the encryption state and key schedule simultaneously, to recover PIPO's 128‐bit master key. The theoretical analysis shows that, in average, after injecting 4‐byte faults, the complexity of obtaining the master key reduces from 2128 reduces to 214. In fact, this attack model alleviates the assumption on attacker than the bit‐injection case. It should be noted that our analysis also holds for other bit‐sliced block ciphers. Finally, the simulations show that our proposed DFA on PIPO cipher is rather practical.
High Amylose Corn Starch Gels—Investigation of the Supermolecular Structure
Authors: Ulbrich Marco , Scholz Fanni , Braun Burga , Bussert Robert , Flöter Eckhard
Published: November 2022

Aqueous gels based on two high amylose corn starch (HACS) genotypes with different amylose (AM) contents (HYLON V [HACS‐50] and HYLON VII [HACS‐70]) are prepared by gradation of the polymer concentration (6 and 9% w/w) and storage duration (1 and 14 days). The supermolecular structure of the wet gels is investigated by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and the dried starch gel material examines crystallographically using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and morphologically using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In particular CLSM reveals that the gel structure shows changes with the storage time. XRD experiments reveal the existence of the B‐type crystalline structure as well as a remarkable portion of the V‐type, and higher crystallinity (Xc) is found after long‐term storage. Observation of the dried gel material's surface facilitates the assumption of a fractal‐based arrangement (structure of retrograded starch) within the starch gel network. The results are discussed closely with obtained data related to the molecular level of the gel matrix involved starch polymers, which are reported in previous publications.
Optimising inflammatory bowel disease surveillance and dysplasia management—Where do we stand?
Authors: Al Bakir Ibrahim , Kabir Misha , Yalchin Mehmet , Hart Ailsa
Published: November 2022

Patients with longstanding extensive colitis are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and are therefore enrolled into colonoscopy screening programmes with the aim of detecting pre‐cancerous dysplastic change. However, current surveillance programs face multiple limitations relating to low levels of patient enrolment, missed lesions resulting in interval cancers, and uncertainties in the management of dysplasia. Patient counselling regarding the endoscopic and surgical management options of dysplastic lesions can prove particularly challenging, due to the variable risk of progression to cancer. In this review, we discuss the histopathological diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)‐associated dysplasia, describe the techniques to maximise dysplasia detection, and present a standardised multi‐disciplinary approach to managing patients with dysplasia. The challenges presented by this patient cohort highlight the clear clinical need for further research into the development and validation of non‐invasive markers of CRC risk in IBD patients undergoing surveillance.
Treatment options, complications and long‐term outcomes for limb fractures in pet rabbits
Authors: Hetterich Johannes , Joos Diana , Beyerbach Martin , Cigler Pia , Hackenbroich Christian , Hatt Jean‐Michel , Müller Kerstin , Thöle Milena , Fehr Michael , Reuschel Maximilian
Published: November 2022

Background

Limb fractures represent the most common orthopaedic disease in pet rabbits. However, only a few studies have evaluated therapeutic details of limb fractures. There are no data available for long‐term outcomes of limb fracture treatment.

Methods

The medical records of six institutions were reviewed retrospectively to identify cases of traumatic limb bone fractures in pet rabbits between 1999 and 2020. The medical records (n = 387) were analysed for details of fracture prevalence, aetiology, therapy protocols, treatment complications, outcome and long‐term effects. In addition to the retrospective data evaluation, 13 rabbits were re‐evaluated in person in recent clinical analyses, including orthopaedic examination, radiography and computed‐tomographic imaging. Details of long‐term effects of fracture treatment were requested over the telephone for a further 232 animals using a standardised questionnaire.

Results

Long bone fractures accounted for the majority of all fractures (296/387; 76.5%). Hindlimb fractures (301/387; 77.7%) were more common than forelimb fractures (86/387; 22.2%), and tibial fractures and combined fractures of the tibia and fibula (119/387; 30.8%) were observed most frequently. Most fracture treatments were based on osteosynthesis procedures (243/328; 74.1%). Treatment complications occurred in 130 out of 328 (39.6%) cases. A high bodyweight (p = 0.047) and an older age (p = 0.01) were found to be significant risk factors for the emergence of therapy complications. Overall, 75.4% of animals (175/232) had a satisfactory long‐term outcome. Limb posture anomalies were evaluated in 61 cases (26.3%).

Limitations

The multi‐centre approach led to the inclusion of various institutions, veterinarians, treatment protocols and rabbit populations that might have influenced the results. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively, so there were some data that were lacking or could not be collected in a standardised manner. Furthermore, rabbit owners' evaluation of long‐term outcomes might be prone to error, despite the use of a standardised interview questionnaire.

Conclusion

Limb fractures are a common orthopaedic issue in pet rabbits. The patient's bodyweight and age are significant risk factors for the emergence of complications during the fracture treatment process. Long‐term orthopaedic effects, such as abnormal limb posture and permanent lameness of the affected limb, were observed regularly.
Succinate‐based plasticizers: Effect of plasticizer structure on the mechanical and thermal performance of poly(vinyl chloride) plastic formulations
Authors: Godbille‐Cardona Gabrielle , Nicell Jim A. , Marić Milan , Leask Richard L.
Published: November 2022

A new family of succinate‐based plasticizers, consisting of molecules with a linear alkyl chain capped with n‐alkyl succinates on both ends, was evaluated as potential bio‐based plasticizers for stiff polymers. The influence of the central and side alkyl chain lengths on the mechanical and thermal properties as well as the migration behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/plasticizer blends was evaluated. The central chain length had the greatest influence on plasticizer performance, with shorter chains leading to blends with higher stress at break and surface hardness, whereas long chains produced softer blends. An optimum chain central length of five carbon atoms was observed, with longer chains leading to reduced compatibility and exudation of the plasticizer at higher plasticizer concentrations. The entire family of plasticizers performed comparably or better than the commercial plasticizer di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) when incorporated into the blend at concentrations of 20–60 parts per hundred resin (phr). Overall, the succinate‐based plasticizers/PVC blends all exhibited equal or improved tensile properties (by up to 77%), surface hardness (reduced by up to 43%), glass transition temperature (reduced by up to 11°C), and migration into organic media (reduced by up to 38%) when compared with blends with DEHP at 40 phr.
Attitudes Towards Older People in the Labour Market and in Politics: A Cross-National Comparison
Authors: Siemieńska Renata
Published: November 2022

The aim of this chapter is to compare attitudes towards people over 70 as potential workers in the labour force in countries with different social welfare regimes, cultures, demographic and economic situations. Life course theory/perspective suggests a multidisciplinary paradigm. It suggests to examine how people live in different structural contexts and how economic, social and cultural changes influence attitudes towards older people and their presence in public life. The social context is defined in micro and macro scales (e.g. individual and family situations of persons in different stages of their life, their economic situation, occupational experience, social activities) within different societies. The basic assumption is that a particular life course stage of a person influences subsequent experiences and also attitudes towards seniors. As predicted age, gender, education, and life satisfaction are factors that differentiate attitudes. The differences found in 1990 are still observed to some extent in 2012. A significant proportion of respondents expect older people to withdraw to the private sphere. Some of them expect older people to be active in non-governmental organizations, informal assistance relationships, institutions established for older people which allow the needs of older people to be satisfied. In reality older people are kept on the margins of mainstream public life.

The data of World Values Survey conducted in 2012 have been used in the analyses shown in the chapter. Eleven countries have been selected to show the situation in different countries with different history and welfare systems. The data are unique. The set of questions asked internationally in the wave of the study has not been included in the next waves of WVS. However, we may consider that the findings presented in the chapter are important for understanding the actual situation of older people, the perception of their social and cultural capital, the respondents’ willingness to see them as part of labour force and to be included in public life. The recent statistical data and reports show that older people are still poorly represented on decision-making positions in politics and economic institutions.
Massless scalars and higher-spin BMS in any dimension
Authors: Bekaert Xavier , Oblak Blagoje
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Starting from the asymptotic kinematics of massless scalar fields near null infinity in any spacetime dimension, we build two higher-spin extensions of the Carrollian definition of the BMS group and its generalisations. The first extension exhibits conformal properties reminiscent of the singleton in Anti-de Sitter space. The second acts on the space of radiative solutions of the d’Alembert equation, i.e. on Sachs’s representation of BMS, which we relate to the scalar massless Poincaré representation and extend to any Carrollian manifold. The corresponding enveloping algebra is a higher-spin extension of BMS that can be interpreted as the asymptotic symmetry of a putative exotic higher-spin gravity theory around Minkowski spacetime. Along the way, we provide a pedagogical introduction to Carrollian geometry and its relation to BMS.
BRST symmetry and the convolutional double copy
Authors: Godazgar Mahdi , Pope C. N. , Saha A. , Zhang Haoyu
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Motivated by the results of Anastasiou et al., we consider the convolutional double copy for BRST and anti-BRST covariant formulations of gravitational and gauge theories in more detail. We give a general BRST and anti-BRST invariant formulation of linearised $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 0 supergravity using superspace methods and show how this may be obtained from the square of linearised Yang-Mills theories. We demonstrate this relation for the Schwarzschild black hole and the ten-dimensional black string solution as two concrete examples.