bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Surface Chemical Stability of LiMn2O4 Cathode by Strontium Enrichment at Grain Boundaries
Authors: Shu Yuming. , Zeng Jingyao. , Huang Jiangnan. , Hu Guorong , Du Ke , Peng Zhongdong. , Cao Yanbing B.
Published: October 2021

LiMn2O4 (LMO) cathodes suffer from limited cycle life, resulting from Mn dissolution and side reactions between electrode and electrolyte. In this study, Sr‐modified LMO is prepared by using a simple strategy. The nature and position of large‐radius Sr ions are investigated, alongside their influence on the structural stability of the bulk. SrMnO3 (SMO) is found to be enriched at grain boundaries of LMO, with Mn−O−Sr bonds forming at the SMO/LMO interface. Furthermore, stable SMO alleviates the migration of Mn ions in LMO associated with structural integrity and suppresses side reactions between the electrode and electrolyte. The modified LMO cathodes maintain their structural integrity and display improved rate performance and cycling stability under harsh conditions. Remarkably, the discharge capacity of a Sr‐modified LMO||Li half‐cell maintains 94.8 % at 25 °C and 79.6 % at 55 °C after 500 cycles. Consequently, enrichment of strontium at grain boundaries presents a promising strategy for developing cathodes for long‐term use.
Disentangling the direct, indirect, and combined effects of experimental warming on a plant–insect herbivore interaction
Authors: Kharouba Heather M. , Yang Louie H.
Published: October 2021

There is increasing evidence that climate warming will have both direct and indirect effects on species. Whereas the direct effects of climate warming represent the proximate physiological consequences of changing abiotic conditions, the indirect effects of climate change reflect changes mediated by at least one other interacting species. The relative importance of these two kinds of effects has been unclear, limiting our ability to generalize the response of different species to climate change. Here, we used a series of experiments to disentangle some of the key direct and indirect effects of warming on the growth of monarch butterfly caterpillars (Danaus plexippus) and showy milkweed plants (Asclepias speciosa) during a window of rapid growth for both species. The effects of warming differed between direct, indirect, and combined effect experiments. Warming from 26°C to 30°C directly increased the growth of both monarch larvae and milkweeds, with monarch and milkweed growth rates showing similar sensitivity to warming. However, in a subsequent experiment, we did not observe significantly increased growth when comparing caterpillars and plants reared at 27°C and 31°C, suggesting that small differences can change the direct effects of warming. When caterpillars that were maintained at laboratory temperatures were fed leaves from host plants that were exposed to warmer temperatures, warming had a negative indirect effect on larval growth rates likely mediated by decreases in milkweed leaf quality. In experiments combining direct and indirect effects, we observed a net positive effect of warming on larval growth rates. Warming had no combined effects on milkweed growth, potentially due to opposing positive direct and negative indirect effects on growth mediated via increased monarch herbivory. These results show how variability among the direct, indirect, and combined effects of even relatively simple, short‐term climatic perturbations can present challenges for predicting the broader effects of climatic warming in multispecies communities.
Habitat‐specific behavior, growth rate, and survival of piping plover chicks in New Jersey, USA
Authors: Stantial Michelle L. , Cohen Jonathan B. , Darrah Abigail J. , Farrell Shannon , Maslo Brooke
Published: October 2021

Anthropogenic disturbance has been demonstrated to affect the behavior of beach‐nesting birds, yet the energetic consequences of recreational activities have received less attention. Because precocial chicks are often displaced as a result of disturbance events, lower access to food may lead to lower fitness. We studied the influence of site characteristics and human disturbance on behavior, habitat use, growth rate, and survival of piping plover chicks in New Jersey, a portion of the Atlantic Coast population that continues to demonstrate poor demographic output. Sites varied in levels of human disturbance and access to high‐quality foraging habitat, which are two critical components of fledging success. We found that compared to chicks with access to bayside foraging habitat, chicks at sites without such access experienced higher rates of anthropogenic disturbance, spent less time in moist‐substrate habitats, and spent more time in upland dunes. Foraging rates were greatest for chicks in moist‐substrate habitat with bayside access and for chicks in the oceanside intertidal zone without bayside access. Further, overall chick growth rates were higher for chicks reared at sites with bayside access. Chick survival increased with age, decreased with increasing precipitation, and increased with bayside foraging habitat availability. Human disturbance was likely limiting chick access to foraging opportunities at sites open to the public, with an apparent effect on growth rate. Maintaining access to high‐quality foraging habitat that is free of human activity through habitat restoration, supplementary food, or beach closures could help to increase reproductive success in New Jersey.
Antimicrobial activity of red pigments derived from Monascus purpureus: A comparison to industrial red pigments
Authors: Gökmen Gökhan Gurur , Şılbır Mehmet Selim , Göksungur Yekta , Kışla Duygu
Published: October 2021

Background

In recent years, the various advantages of fungal pigments over other natural or synthetic pigments have opened new avenues for wide range of applications in different industries. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity of fungal pigment produced by Monascus purpureus CMU001, against some Gr(+) and Gr(−) bacteria, yeasts and molds.

Method

In this study, the 96‐well microplate dilution and macro dilution methods were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of pigments on tested microorganisms. Therefore, the microbial plating method was performed to observe the antifungal activity of pigment since the MIC values could not be determined on molds.

Results

The antibacterial activity of Monascus pigment against all tested bacteria was higher than the commercial red pigment. The minimum bactericidal concentration on Bacillus cereus ATCC11778 was determined as 256 mg/ml for the commercial pigment and 128 mg/ml for Monascus pigment. The MIC values could not be determined for both pigments against yeast and molds even at the highest possible concentration.

Conclusion

The Monascus pigments have a big potential to use in different industries such as foods, textile, and biomedical products, since the high inhibitory effects was confirmed on various food‐borne and pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Although the specific mechanism and properties of the antimicrobial activity of Monascus pigments are still unknown, the differences between lab‐produced and commercial pigments showed that the antimicrobial activity was based on the type of microorganism, growth conditions, and the composition of culture medium.
Sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar phosphoproteins profile of beef M. longissimus thoracis with different pHu at different days postmortem
Authors: Ijaz Muawuz , Li Xin , Zhang Dequan , Bai Yuqiang , Hou Chengli , Hussain Zubair , Zheng Xiaochun , Huang Caiyan
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

The abnormal ultimate pH (pHu) in postmortem muscles affect the meat quality and results in substantial economic losses. Dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat linked with the higher postmortem pHu values and exhibited many quality issues such as dark color, tough texture and shorter shelf life. This research aimed to investigate the effect of protein phosphorylation on variations in beef pHu in order to explore the possible mechanisms underlying DFD meat formation.

RESULTS

Glycogen and lactate contents were higher, while L* and a* were lower in high pHu beef. Shear force was higher in intermediate pHu group. Global phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic proteins was higher in low pHu samples on day 1 and of myofibrillar proteins was higher in intermediate pHu meat on days 1 and 2 postmortem. Sarcoplasmic protein bands with different phosphorylation levels were identified as containing some glycometabolism and stress response proteins and phosphorylated myofibrillar protein bands were identified sarcomeric and metabolic proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Phosphorylation of multiple proteins of glycolytic pathway and contractile machinery may play critical roles in development of DFD beef. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Rate of Development of Venous Thromboembolism in Lateral Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Anderson Brian P. , Sioshansi Pedrom C. , Conway Robert M. , Minutello Katrina , Bojrab Dennis I. , Hong Robert S. , Sargent Eric W. , Schutt Christopher A. , Bojrab Dennis I. , Zappia John J. , Babu Seilesh C.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for surgical patients. This article aims to determine factors that may have contributed to the development of VTE in patients undergoing lateral skull base surgery, to assess the validity of the Caprini Risk Assessment Model (RAM) score in this subset of patients, and to determine the efficacy of mechanical DVT prophylaxis alone in preventing VTE.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent skull base surgery for vestibular schwannoma, and the rate of VTE was assessed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and treatment factors were examined to determine risk factors associated with the development of a postoperative thrombotic event. Caprini RAM scores were compared for patients who developed a VTE.

Results

Among 197 patients, the rate of VTE formation was 3.5%. No individual risk factor independently contributed to the development of a thrombotic event. The mean Caprini RAM score was 4.06 in patients who did not develop a VTE and 5.14 in the patients that did develop a VTE (P = .005). The Caprini score was significant for the risk of VTE formation, with an odds ratio of 2.8 (P = .009, 95% CI = 1.3–6.2).

Conclusion

Venous thromboembolism rates are relatively low following lateral skull base surgery. While there is no individual risk factor associated with increased VTE risk, the Caprini RAM score appears to be a useful predictor of risk. The Caprini score may be useful in identifying high‐risk patients who may benefit from chemoprophylaxis for VTE prevention.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:662–667, 2022
Anisotropic Particles through Multilayer Assembly
Authors: Kozlovskaya Veronika , Kharlampieva Eugenia
Published: October 2021

The anisotropy in the shape of polymeric particles has been demonstrated to have many advantages over spherical particulates, including bio‐mimetic behavior, shaped‐directed flow, deformation, surface adhesion, targeting, motion, and permeability. The layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly is uniquely suited for synthesizing anisotropic particles as this method allows for simple and versatile replication of diverse colloid geometries with precise control over their chemical and physical properties. This review highlights recent progress in anisotropic particles of micrometer and nanometer sizes produced by a templated multilayer assembly of synthetic and biological macromolecules. Synthetic approaches to produce capsules and hydrogels utilizing anisotropic templates such as biological, polymeric, bulk hydrogel, inorganic colloids, and metal–organic framework crystals as sacrificial templates are overviewed. Structure‐property relationships controlled by the anisotropy in particle shape and surface are discussed and compared with their spherical counterparts. Advances and challenges in controlling particle properties through varying shape anisotropy and surface asymmetry are outlined. The perspective applications of anisotropic colloids in biomedicine, including programmed behavior in the blood and tissues as artificial cells, nano‐motors/sensors, and intelligent drug carriers are also discussed.
A computer aided drug discovery based discovery of lead‐like compounds against KDM5A for cancers using pharmacophore modeling and high‐throughput virtual screening
Authors: Tariq Asma , Rehman Hafiz Muzzammel , Mateen Rana Muhammad , Ali Moazzam , Mutahir Zeeshan , Afzal Muhammad Sohail , Sajjad Muhammad , Gul Roquyya , Saleem Mahjabeen
Published: October 2021

KDM5A over‐expression mediates cancer cell proliferation and promotes resistance toward chemotherapy through epigenetic modifications. As its complete mechanism of action is still unknown, there is no KDM5A specific drug available at clinical level. In the current study, lead compounds for KDM5A were determined through pharmacophore modeling and high‐throughput virtual screening from Asinex libraries containing 0.5 million compounds. These virtual hits were further evaluated and filtered for ADMET properties. Finally, 726 compounds were used for docking analysis against KDM5A. On the basis of docking score, 10 top‐ranked compounds were selected and further evaluated for non‐central nervous system (CNS) and CNS drug‐like properties. Among these compounds, N‐{[(7‐Methyl‐4‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrocyclopenta [c] chromen‐9‐yl) oxy]acetyl}‐l‐phenylalanine (G‐score: −11.363 kcal/mol) was estimated to exhibit non‐CNS properties while 2‐(3,4‐Dimethoxy‐phenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐chromen‐4‐one (G‐score: −7.977 kcal/mol) was evaluated as CNS compound. Docked complexes of both compounds were finally selected for molecular dynamic simulation to examine the stability. This study concluded that both these compounds can serve as lead compounds in the quest of finding therapeutic agents against KDM5A associated cancers.
Modelled changes in selected agroclimatic indices over the croplands of western Canada under the RCP8.5 scenario
Authors: Agyeman Richard Y. K. , Huo Fei , Li Zhenhua , Li Yanping
Published: October 2021

To assess the potential change in agroclimatic indices in western Canada, this study used a convection‐permitting Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model to conduct simulations for the current climate (CTL, 2000–2015) and future climate under the RCP8.5 scenario based on a pseudo‐global‐warming (PGW) approach. Both CTL and PGW simulations were bias‐corrected to the GEM‐CaPA dataset using a multivariate quantile mapping method. An evaluation of the CTL simulation of daily maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation during the growing season against the gridded observations has been performed, indicating good agreements in the spatial patterns of air temperature and precipitation in western Canada. The PGW − CTL differences in several selected agroclimatic indices were then examined. Due to rising temperatures, substantial increases in growing degree‐days (GDD) by 800–1,200° days and reductions in frost days by 10 to 20 days, favouring regional crop production, are found in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. However, global warming also poses great risks to Canadian agriculture by modifying heat accumulations and water availability during the growing season. Plant heat stress will substantially increase by ∼50° days in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, offsetting the positive effects caused by the reduction in frost days and increase in GDD. The southern Canadian Prairies will experience statistically significant increases in the number of dry days and precipitation deficit, suggesting an exacerbation of water stress on the Canadian Prairies by global warming.
Goal‐striving stress and repeated measures of adiposity in the Jackson heart study
Authors: Cain‐Shields Loretta , Glover LáShauntá , Joseph Joshua J. , Bertoni Alain G. , Sims Mario
Published: October 2021

Psychosocial stressors are determinants of increases in adiposity. Both psychosocial stressors and adiposity are higher among African Americans (AAs). Therefore, clarifying the stress‐obesity link in AAs is important. The stress associated with goal striving is particularly relevant to AAs because opportunity for upward mobility is not always equal. Goal‐striving stress (GSS) has not been assessed with adiposity, a potential result of GSS. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether GSS would be associated with repeated measures of adiposity [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐height ratio (WHR)] in AAs. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationship between GSS with repeated measures of adiposity across three exam periods among 2902 AAs, and sex was assessed as a moderator. Models were adjusted for demographics, health behaviours, morbidities, and daily discrimination. GSS was positively associated with repeated measures of adiposity in women but not men: WC [estimate (standard error) p‐value] [0.003 (0.001) p < 0.01] and WHR [0.003 (0.0007) p < 0.01]. This suggests that high stress due to goal striving may contribute to greater increases in adiposity in AA women over time. Community‐based interventions should continue to consider focused support group models as viable options for goal‐striving related stress reduction.
General helicity formalism for two-hadron production in e+e− annihilation within a TMD approach
Authors: D’Alesio Umberto , Murgia Francesco , Zaccheddu Marco
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We present the complete leading-order results for the azimuthal dependences and polarization observables in e+e−→ h1h2 + X processes, where the two hadrons are produced almost back-to-back, within a transverse momentum dependent (TMD) factorization scheme. We consider spinless (or unpolarized) and spin-1/2 hadron production and give the full set of the corresponding quark and gluon TMD fragmentation functions (TMD-FFs). By adopting the helicity formalism, which allows for a more direct probabilistic interpretation, single- and double-polarization cases are discussed in detail. Simplified expressions, useful for phenomenological analyses, are obtained by assuming a factorized Gaussian-like dependence on intrinsic transverse momenta for the TMD-FFs.
AdS (super)projectors in three dimensions and partial masslessness
Authors: Hutchings Daniel , Kuzenko Sergei M. , Ponds Michael
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We derive the transverse projection operators for fields with arbitrary integer and half-integer spin on three-dimensional anti-de Sitter space, AdS3. The projectors are constructed in terms of the quadratic Casimir operators of the isometry group SO(2, 2) of AdS3. Their poles are demonstrated to correspond to (partially) massless fields. As an application, we make use of the projectors to recast the conformal and topologically massive higher-spin actions in AdS3 into a manifestly gauge-invariant and factorised form. We also propose operators which isolate the component of a field that is transverse and carries a definite helicity. Such fields correspond to irreducible representations of SO(2, 2). Our results are then extended to the case of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 AdS3 supersymmetry.
The mucosal immune system and IgA nephropathy
Authors: Gesualdo Loreto , Di Leo Vincenzo , Coppo Rosanna
Published: October 2021

Abstract

The precise pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is still not clearly established but emerging evidence confirms a pivotal role for mucosal immunity. This review focuses on the key role of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in promoting the onset of the disease, underlying the relationship among microbiota, genetic factors, food antigen, infections, and mucosal immune response. Finally, we evaluate potential therapies targeting microbes and mucosa hyperresponsiveness in IgAN patients.
Root and shoot growth of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are differently affected by increasing subsoil biopore density when grown under different subsoil moisture
Authors: Koch Mirjam , Boselli Roberta , Hasler Mario , Zörb Christian , Athmann Miriam , Kautz Timo
Published: October 2021

A column experiment with five different pore densities (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pores column−1) and two varying moisture regimes (comparatively dry and comparatively moist regime) in the subsoil part of the columns was established. In each pore, Lumbricus terrestris was introduced for 28 days before sowing wheat plants. After 40 days of plant growth, watering was stopped to induce progressive topsoil drying. Parameters describing the shoot hydration, mineral uptake, and aboveground biomass were quantified. Root biomass and root length densities (RLD) were measured separately for six soil layers. Under dry subsoil conditions, plants grown under increasing biopore density showed an increase of the RLD and an improved shoot hydration but the aboveground biomass was unaffected. Since RLD but not root biomass was enhanced, it is assumed that roots were able to explore a larger volume of soil with the same amount of root biomass. Thereby, subsoil water likely was used more efficiently leading to an improved hydration. Under moist subsoil conditions, plants grown with increasing biopore density revealed enhanced shoot biomasses and nutrient uptake while the belowground biomass was unaffected. The improved nutrient uptake can be ascribed to, first, the higher subsoil water availability favoring mass flow driven nutrient uptake, and second, to direct and indirect effects of earthworms on the availability of soil nutrients. It is concluded that high biopore abundancies have the potential to improve not only the belowground but also the aboveground biomass. This, however, largely depends on subsoil moisture.
Direct numerical simulation of the scouring of a brittle streambed in a turbulent channel flow
Authors: Dalla Barba Federico , Picano Francesco
Published: October 2021

The natural processes involved in the scouring of submerged sediments are crucially relevant in geomorphology along with environmental, fluvial, and oceanographic engineering. Despite their relevance, the phenomena involved are far from being completely understood, in particular for what concerns cohesive or stony substrates with brittle bulk mechanical properties. In this frame, we address the investigation of the mechanisms that govern the scouring and pattern formation on an initially flattened bed of homogenous and brittle material in a turbulent channel flow, employing direct numerical simulation. The problem is numerically tackled in the frame of peridynamic theory, which has intrinsic capabilities of reliably reproducing crack formation, coupled with the Navier–Stokes equations by the immersed boundary method. The numerical approach is reported in detail here and in the references, where extensive and fully coupled benchmarks are provided. The present paper focuses on the role of turbulence in promoting the brittle fragmentation of a solid, brittle streambed. A detailed characterization of the bedforms that originate on the brittle substrate is provided, alongside an analysis of the correlation between bed shape and the turbulent structures of the flow. We find that turbulent fluctuations locally increase the intensity of the wall-stresses producing localized damages. The accumulation of damage drives the scouring of the solid bed via a turbulence-driven fatigue mechanism. The formation, propagation, and coalescence of scouring structures are observed. In turn, these affect both the small- and large-scale structures of the turbulent flow, producing an enhancement of turbulence intensity and wall-stresses. At the small length scales, this phenomenology is put in relation to the formation of vortical cells that persist over the peaks of the channel bed. Similarly, large-scale irregularities are found to promote the formation of stationary turbulent stripes and large-scale vortices that enhance the widening and deepening of scour holes. As a result, we observe a quadratic increment of the volumetric erosion rate of the streambed, as well as a widening of the probability density of high-intensity wall stress on the channel bed.
A dynamic Markov model to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Kidney Team at Home intervention in The Netherlands
Authors: Redeker Steef , Ismail Sohal , Eeren Hester V. , Massey Emma K. , Weimar Willem , Oppe Mark , Busschbach Jan ,   the Kidney Team at Home consortium
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The Kidney Team at Home program is an educational intervention aimed at patients with chronic kidney disease to assist them in their choice for kidney replacement therapy. Previous studies have shown that the intervention results in an increase in knowledge and communication on kidney replacement therapy, and eventually in an increase in the number of living donor kidney transplantations. The study assesses the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared to standard care.

Methods

A dynamic probabilistic Markov model was used to estimate the monetary and health benefits of the intervention in The Netherlands over 10 years. Data on costs and health-related quality of life were derived from the literature. Transition probabilities, prevalence, and incidence rates were calculated using a large national database. An optimistic and a pessimistic implementation scenario were compared to a base case scenario with standard care.

Results

In both the optimistic and pessimistic scenario, the intervention is cost-effective and dominant compared to standard care: savings were €108,681,985 and €51,770,060 and the benefits were 1382 and 695 QALYs, respectively.

Conclusions

The superior cost-effectiveness of the intervention is caused by the superior health effects and the reduction of costs associated with transplantation, and the relatively small incremental costs of the intervention. The favorable findings of this implementation project resulted in national uptake of the intervention in The Netherlands as of 2021. This is the first time a psychosocial intervention has been implemented as part of standard care in a kidney replacement therapy program worldwide.
The impact of Clean Spark Spread expectations on storage hydropower generation
Authors: Condemi Claudia , Mastroeni Loretta , Vellucci Pierluigi
Published: October 2021

Storage hydropower generation plays a crucial role in the electric power system and energy transition because it is the most widespread power generation with low greenhouse gas emissions and, moreover, it is relatively cheap to ramp up and down. As a result, it provides flexibility to the grid and helps mitigate the short-term production uncertainty that affects most green energy technologies. However, using water in reservoirs represents an opportunity cost, which is related to the evolution of plant production capacity and production profitability. As the latter is related to a wide range of types of variables, in order to incorporate it in a large-scale prediction model it is important to select the variables that impact most on storage hydropower generation. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the variables influencing the choices of price maker producers, and, in particular we study the impact of Clean Spark Spread expectations on storage hydroelectric generation. In this connection, using entropy and machine learning tools, we present a method for embedding this expectations in a model to predict storage hydropower generation, showing that, for some time horizon, expectations on CSS have a greater impact than expectations on power prices. It is shown that, if the right mix of power price and CSS expectations is considered, the prediction error of the model is drastically reduced. This implies that it is important to incorporate CSS expectations into the storage hydropower model.
Breath figure templated self-assembly of surface-acylated cellulose nanowhiskers confined as honeycomb films
Authors: Liu Huan , Pang Bo , Zhang Kai
Published: October 2021

The self-assembly of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) in confined geometries provides a powerful method for the fabrication of novel structures. Herein, ordered honeycomb microporous films were first prepared with surface-acylated CNWs (CNWs-SU) through the breath figure method. Resulting films showed highly porous order over large regions and the iridescent color was only displayed by their rims, which is different from traditional dish-cast CNW films showing the iridescent color over the whole area. This is mainly due to the condensation of water droplets forming three-dimensional (3D) geometry, which forced CNWs-SU to self-assemble into cholesteric architectures in confined geometry and resulted in the iridescent color of the rims after drying. The mechanism was further studied by investigating the critical influencing factors, primarily the concentration of CNW-SU suspensions, the relative humidity of the atmosphere and the surface-attached moieties. In particular, CNW-SU suspensions with a concentration of 3 mg/mL at the relative humidity of 75% preferentially formed honeycomb films with uniform pores. Too low or too high concentrations of CNW-SU suspensions or relative humidity are not preferable for uniform porous films. CNWs-SU with further immobilized octadecane or fluoroalkyl groups on their surface strongly affected the formation of uniform porous films because of higher hydrophobicity and accompanying inhomogeneous condensation of water droplets. This work provides a novel method to study the interactions of CNWs beyond the planar geometry and the formation of uniform porous films solely with CNWs with structural colors open up interesting possibilities for broad application in photonic nanomaterials.

Graphic abstract
Artificial biocrust establishment on materials of potash tailings piles along a salinity gradient
Authors: Sommer V. , Palm A. , Schink A. , Leinweber P. , Gose N. , Karsten U. , Glaser K.
Published: October 2021

Biocrust communities provide a pallet of ecosystem services, such as soil stabilization, altering of hydrological cycles and primary production, and often are the first colonizers of unvegetated surfaces during succession. Therefore, artificially establishing biocrusts can improve soil properties, for example, by stabilizing bare soil surfaces against erosion or by accumulating nutrients. In this study, the establishment of artificial biocrusts was tested for the restoration of potash tailings piles that result from potash fertilizer production and mostly consist of NaCl. A biocrust cover as primary vegetation could decrease the saline seepage waters by trapping rainwaters, thereby reducing the environmental pollution. In a laboratory experiment, we created a salt gradient by mixing the tailings materials with non-saline dune sand. Surface material of the abandoned potash tailings pile Neuhof-Ellers (NE) and material of the Infiltration Hampering Stratum (IHS) were tested, along with a treatment with bone charplus (BCplus) and sodium alginate. A mixture of 50% (w/w) IHS and dune sand was most successful for the establishment of green biocrust microalgae, based on increased biomass and photosynthetic performance. The chlorophyll a content was negatively correlated with the electrical conductivity (EC), and was significantly increased in the BCplus and sodium alginate treatment, while biocrusts failed to establish on pure tailings piles substrates. The limit of the substrates EC for biocrust establishment was 35 mS cm−1. This limit provides a baseline for future studies that should use BCplus and sodium alginate to increase the success of biocrust establishment on potash tailings piles.
Impacts of large-scale landscape restoration on spatio-temporal dynamics of ecosystem services in the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Chen Hao , Fleskens Luuk , Schild Johanna , Moolenaar Simon , Wang Fei , Ritsema Coen
Published: October 2021

Context

From 1999 onwards, China has initiated a large-scale landscape restoration project in the Chinese Loess Plateau, which has had profound but variable impacts on the local ecosystem services supply. The dynamics of ecosystem services throughout the restoration process remain poorly understood.

Objectives

To analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics in ecosystem services before and after the implementation of the land restoration project, and to understand trade-offs and synergies between multiple ecosystem services.

Methods

We used the InVEST model and statistical yearbook data to quantify the ecosystem services over the period 1990–2018 for the Yan’an area and applied the concept of ecosystem service bundles to understand the dynamics of 11 ecosystem services over its 13 constituent counties.

Results

A significant increase of fruit production, sediment retention, habitat quality, aesthetic landscape value, and learning and inspiration value was found over time in the Yan’an area, while a decrease of timber production and water yield was also observed. The majority of the county-level ecosystem service bundles were transformed from having a focus on timber production to aesthetic landscape value. The dynamics of ecosystem services change induced by land restoration was discovered to start with increasing regulating services at the expense of provisioning services, while cultural services exceeded regulating services and occupied the main proportion subsequently.

Conclusion

Both trade-offs and synergies were found between provisioning, regulating and cultural services. Implementation of the large-scale restoration project is recognized as a key driving force inducing change of ecosystem services, starting with an improvement of regulating services followed by a gradually evolving prominence of cultural services.
Designing for robot-mediated interaction among culturally and linguistically diverse children
Authors: Kim Yanghee , Marx Sherry , Pham Hung Viet , Nguyen Tung
Published: October 2021

This qualitative study explored the design and implementation of a humanoid social robot that mediated collaborative interactions among culturally and linguistically diverse kindergarten children in a US school. The robotic mediation was designed to help children have positive interactions with one another. The study was grounded in theories of childhood development, intercultural communication, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Design research and ethnographic qualitative research methods were used to design, test, and improve the robot’s mediation skills over a ten-week period of active use in a real-world classroom setting. Findings describe the challenges we faced in designing robot-mediated interaction activities as well as the solutions we implemented through repeated ethnographic observations, summarized as (1) anticipating children’s communication styles with flexible design, (2) inviting children to participate with personalized, friend-like communication, (3) enhancing engagement with familiar contexts, and (4) embracing language diversity with a bilingual robot.
Der Unterschied zwischen Sagen und Tun beim Trainingsfleiß
Authors: Müller Gerhard , Kunst Felix , Stutzig Norman , Heinzel-Gutenbrenner Monika , Bombana Manuela , Giurgiu Marco , Bös Klaus , Jekauc Darko
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

Gesundheit, Freude/Spaß, Figur und Gesellschaft sind Motive für sportliche Aktivitäten. Es ist unklar, welcher Zusammenhang zwischen ihrer Ausprägung, Alter, Geschlecht, Schmerzen und Trainingsumfang besteht.

Material und Methoden

In dieser Untersuchung wurden 792 sportlich aktive Männer und Frauen (68 % Frauen und 32 % Männer, Alter M = 53,5 Jahren, SD = 11,9, Range 24–85 Jahre) zur Ausprägung ihrer Motive für sportliche Aktivitäten, ihren Rückenschmerzen und dem Trainingsumfang ihrer sportlichen Aktivitäten befragt. Zur Überprüfung der Effekte auf den Trainingsumfang wurden Regressionsanalysen gerechnet.

Ergebnisse

Das Motiv Gesundheit war bei Männern und Frauen das stärkste Motiv für ihre sportlichen Aktivitäten, ohne einen signifikanten Effekt auf den Trainingsumfang zu haben. Bei Frauen hatten die Motive Freude (BFreude = 0,23, t = 3,6, p < 0,001, r = 0,25), Figur (BFigur = 0,127, t = 2,0, p = 0,05, r = 0,16) und Alter (BAlter = 0,03, t = 2,5, p = 0,01, r = 0,17) einen kleinen (Figur, Alter) bis mittleren Effekt (Freude) auf den Trainingsumfang. Bei Männern hatten nur Rückenschmerzen einen signifikanten positiven Effekt (BRückenschmerzen = 1,4, t = 4,2, p < 0,001, r = 0,35) auf den Trainingsumfang (starker Effekt).

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung

Bei sportlich aktiven Frauen fördert die beim Training empfundene Freude (intrinsische Motivation) und der Wunsch nach einer besseren Figur (introjizierte Regulation = externen Anforderungen entsprechen) den Trainingsumfang. Für sportlich aktive Männer steht möglicherweise die Lösung des gesundheitlichen Problems im Vordergrund: Je größer das Problem (Rückenschmerzen) desto höher ist der Trainingsumfang. Vermutlich haben sie die Erfahrung gemacht, dass körperliches Training die Rückenschmerzen reduziert.
2DPackLib: a two-dimensional cutting and packing library
Authors: Iori Manuel , de Lima Vinícius Loti , Martello Silvano , Monaci Michele
Published: October 2021

Two-dimensional cutting and packing problems model a large number of relevant industrial applications.The literature on practical algorithms for such problems is very large. We introduce the , a library on two-dimensional orthogonal cutting and packing problems. The library makes available, in a unified format, 25 benchmarks from the literature for a total of over 3000 instances, provides direct links to surveys and typologies, and includes a list of relevant links.
Analysis of banana and cocoa export commodities in food system transformation, with special reference to certification schemes as drivers of change
Authors: Alho Carlos F. B. V. , da Silva Amanda F. , Hendriks Chantal M. J. , Stoorvogel Jetse J. , Oosterveer Peter J. M. , Smaling Eric M. A.
Published: October 2021

Food systems analysis is increasingly being applied to understand relations between production, distribution, and consumption of food products, the drivers that influence the system, and the outcomes that show how well the food system performs on health and nutrition, on environmental sustainability, and on income and inclusiveness. Little attention has gone to the position of global export commodities, where production and consumption are far apart. Banana in Costa Rica and cocoa in Cote d’Ivoire were the subject of this study to find out what major drivers determine the functioning of these systems. Next to identifying drivers such as population growth and increased plant disease pressure, it was found that the typical far-away setting and different living conditions between producer and consumer countries required a special eye on governance as a tripartite arena (government, private sector, civil society) with their power relations, and on certification schemes as a driver that follows from corporate social responsibility. The certification schemes addressed cover all food system outcomes, although health and nutrition in a less conspicuous way. The descriptions of the functioning of the schemes were also linked to living wages and incomes for banana plantation workers in Costa Rica and cocoa smallholder farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. Although very meaningful, certification schemes so far do not prove to be a silver bullet, but they do have the potential, in combination with other measures, to help positive food system transformations.
Association between diabetes and acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, non-Hopkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
Authors: Zhao Ji Zhong , Lu Yu Cheng , Wang Yan Min , Xiao Bo Lian , Li Hong Yan , Lee Shao Chin , Wang Li Juan
Published: October 2021

Objective

Diabetes increases the risk for cancers. However, whether it is associated with hematologic malignancies is not clear. The present study investigated the association between diabetes and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (ML), non-Hopkin lymphoma (NHL), and multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

Newly diagnosed adult cancer patients were recruited consecutively from our clinical database. Peoples from a local enterprise were recruited to create a small-scale population-based dataset. We compared the diabetes prevalence between the cancer patients and the local people; an increase in diabetes prevalence in the cancer patients suggests an association between diabetes and the cancer(s).

Results

We found that the prevalence of diabetes was 19.7%, 21.3%, 12.5%, and 12.0% in ALL, AML, NHL, and MM, respectively, which was higher than that (9.1%) in the local people. Despite that there were more male than female cancer patients, there were more female than male diabetic patients. The increase in diabetes prevalence occurred in ALL and NHL patients aged 18 to 39 years old as well as in AML patients over 40. In MM patients, the increase in diabetes prevalence (18.6%) occurred only in females. Approximately 70% of the diabetic patients were undiagnosed before the diagnosis of the blood cancer. Approximately half of the pre-existing diabetic patients had anti-diabetic treatment, with over 70% of them still had poor glycemic control.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that diabetes is associated with ALL, AML, NHL, and MM, at least in adult patients.
Exploring Gender Roles in Highly Religious Families
Authors: Leavitt Chelom E. , Allsop David B. , Price Amber A. , Marks Loren D. , Dollahite David C.
Published: October 2021

Background

Many world religions explicitly and/or implicitly promote gender hierarchy and the patriarchal nature of gender roles is a nearly universal theme within these traditions. Notwithstanding the hierarchical patterns often apparent in religiously defined gender roles, complementarity in gender roles is also an essential characteristic of many religions.

Purpose

Religious teachings regarding gender roles may dualistically foster relational health or cause relational harm—depending on the particular teachings and, perhaps most saliently, depending on how religious teachings are applied and lived out within marriages and families. We aim to explore, through interviews with highly religious wives and husbands, the influences and meanings that wives’ and husbands’ religious beliefs and practices have in connection with their perspectives and lived experience of gender roles in the context of marriage and family life.

Methods

We conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews with 198 individuals using a racially and ethnically diverse sample consisting of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families (N = 476 individuals). Questions regarding gender within relationships were not included on the interview questionnaire but gender-related issues spontaneously surfaced in many of the interviews. Participants’ comments involving gender were identified using NVivo 12 software and were then qualitatively analyzed using a team-based methodology (Marks in Current Psychol, 34(3): 494-505, 2015).

Results

Two themes addressing the nexus of gender and religion were identified: Theme 1: Sanctity and Complementary Gender Roles in Sexual Relations; Theme 2: Interpreting and Safeguarding Gender Roles. Primary data excerpts are presented to illustrate each theme and implications and applications are discussed.

Conclusions and Implications

Professionals and individuals may examine how religious doctrine is translated into gender attitudes and roles. As individuals understand the many ways highly religious families view gender, gender roles, and gender attitudes, they may be open to examining a wider range of gender interpretations that still remain consistent with their doctrine.
NASA concept vehicles and the engineering of advanced air mobility aircraft
Authors: Johnson W. , Silva C.
Published: October 2021

NASA is conducting investigations in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft and operations. AAM missions are characterised by ranges below 300 nm, including rural and urban operations, passenger carrying as well as cargo delivery. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a subset of AAM and is the segment that is projected to have the most economic benefit and be the most difficult to develop. The NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology project is developing UAM VTOL aircraft designs that can be used to focus and guide research activities in support of aircraft development for emerging aviation markets. These NASA concept vehicles encompass relevant UAM features and technologies, including propulsion architectures, highly efficient yet quiet rotors, and aircraft aerodynamic performance and interactions. The configurations adopted are generic, intentionally different in appearance and design detail from prominent industry arrangements. Already these UAM concept aircraft have been used in numerous engineering investigations, including work on meeting safety requirements, achieving good handling qualities, and reducing noise below helicopter certification levels. Focusing on the concept vehicles, observations are made regarding the engineering of Advanced Air Mobility aircraft.
Chaotic systems learning with hybrid echo state network/proper orthogonal decomposition based model
Authors: Lesjak Mathias , Doan Nguyen Anh Khoa
Published: October 2021

We explore the possibility of combining a knowledge-based reduced order model (ROM) with a reservoir computing approach to learn and predict the dynamics of chaotic systems. The ROM is based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) with Galerkin projection to capture the essential dynamics of the chaotic system while the reservoir computing approach used is based on echo state networks (ESNs). Two different hybrid approaches are explored: one where the ESN corrects the modal coefficients of the ROM (hybrid-ESN-A) and one where the ESN uses and corrects the ROM prediction in full state space (hybrid-ESN-B). These approaches are applied on two chaotic systems: the Charney–DeVore system and the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation and are compared to the ROM obtained using POD/Galerkin projection and to the data-only approach based uniquely on the ESN. The hybrid-ESN-B approach is seen to provide the best prediction accuracy, outperforming the other hybrid approach, the POD/Galerkin projection ROM, and the data-only ESN, especially when using ESNs with a small number of neurons. In addition, the influence of the accuracy of the ROM on the overall prediction accuracy of the hybrid-ESN-B is assessed rigorously by considering ROMs composed of different numbers of POD modes. Further analysis on how hybrid-ESN-B blends the prediction from the ROM and the ESN to predict the evolution of the system is also provided.
The Green Deer: Chaya as a Potential Source of Protein for the Ancient Maya
Authors: Schwarcz Henry P. , Ford Anabel , Knyf Martin , Kumar Anil
Published: October 2021

Archaeologists have used isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) of the collagen of human bones, as well as knowledge of available nutrients, to infer that the diet of the ancient Maya was drawn from the resources of the Maya forest landscape. The interpretations have focused on plant carbohydrates from maize and protein dominated by white-tail deer. The δ15N values of bone collagen suggest that most of the protein requirements of the Maya could have been satisfied with a mixture of wild animal flesh and wild and cultivated plants including beans. Chaya, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, domesticated before the Spanish conquest, has a high-protein content and the potential to have been a significant contributor to the ancient Maya diet. Chaya is easily propagated, is grown in home gardens by the Maya today, and is a significant part of the local traditional diet. Chaya's stable isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) resembles that of other terrestrial plants, but its values for nitrogen (δ15N) are significantly higher. Consumption of chaya would result in slightly higher δ15N values in humans than expected from the consumption of terrestrial animals. Thus, chaya is situated well as a component of the complex, diverse, and varied diets of ancient Mesoamericans.
Monotonicity of the midpoint and trapezium estimates for integrals
Authors: Jameson G. J. O.
Published: October 2021

The ‘midpoint’ approximation to the integral $$\int_0^1 f $$ is

$${M_n}\left( f \right) = {1 \over n}\sum\limits_{r = 1}^n f \left( {{{2r - 1} \over {2n}}} \right)$$
.