bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photochemically Mediated Ring Expansion of Indoles and Pyrroles with Chlorodiazirines: Synthetic Methodology and Thermal Hazard Assessment
Authors: Joynson Ben W. , Cumming Graham R. , Ball Liam T.
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate that arylchlorodiazirines serve as photo‐activated halocarbene precursors for the selective one‐carbon ring expansion of N‐substituted pyrroles and indoles to the corresponding pyridinium and quinolinium salts. Preliminary investigations indicate that the same strategy also enables the conversion of N‐substituted pyrazoles to pyrimidinium salts. The N‐substituent of the substrate plays an essential role in: (1) increasing substrate scope by preventing product degradation, (2) enhancing yields by suppressing co‐product inhibition, and (3) activating the azinium products towards subsequent synthetic manipulations. This latter point is illustrated by subjecting the quinolinium salts to four complementary partial reductions, which provide concise access to ring‐expanded products with different degrees of increased C(sp3) character. Thermal analysis of the diazirines by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) provides detailed insight into their energetic properties, and highlights the safety benefits of photolyzing—rather than thermolyzing—these reagents.
Supercapacitor Degradation: Understanding Mechanisms of Cycling‐Induced Deterioration and Failure of a Pseudocapacitor
Authors: Mazloomian Katrina , Lancaster Hector J. , Howard Christopher A. , Shearing Paul R. , Miller Thomas S.
Published: June 2023

Owing to a reputation for long lifetimes and excellent cycle stability, degradation in supercapacitors has largely been overlooked. In this work, we demonstrate that significant degradation in some commercial supercapacitors can in fact occur early in their life, leading to a rapid loss in capacitance, especially when utilized in full voltage range, high charge‐discharge frequency applications. By using a commercial 300 F lithium‐ion pseudocapacitor rated for 100,000 charge/discharge cycles as an example system, it is shown that a ∼96 % loss in capacitance over the first ∼2000 cycles is caused by significant structural and chemical change in the cathode active material (LiMn2O4, LMO). Multi‐scale in‐situ and ex‐situ characterization, using a combination of X‐ray computed tomography, Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, shows that while minimal material loss (∼5.5 %), attributed to the dissolution of Mn2+, is observed, the primary mode of degradation is due to manganese charge disproportionation (Mn3+→Mn4++Mn2+) and its physical consequences (i. e. microstrain formation, particle fragmentation, loss of conductivity etc.). In contrast to prior understanding of LMO material degradation in battery systems, negligible contributions from cubic‐to‐tetragonal phase transitions are observed. Hence, as supercapacitors are becoming more widely utilized in real‐world applications, this work demonstrates that it is vital to understand the mechanisms by which this family of devices change during their lifetimes, not just for lithium‐ion pseudocapacitors, but for a wide range of commercial chemistries.
Reinforcement schedule thinning following functional communication training: A systematic review
Authors: Davis Tonya N. , Akers Jessica S. , Exline Emily , Avery Suzannah K. , Wicker MacKenzie
Published: June 2023

Functional communication training (FCT) is a highly effective intervention to reduce challenging behavior. However, continuous reinforcement of the functional communicative response typically used during FCT cannot be maintained in natural settings. Reinforcement schedule thinning addresses this drawback. In order to better inform practice and future research, we conducted a systematic review of all peer‐reviewed studies published between the years 1985 and 2022 that implemented schedule thinning following FCT. We identified 82 articles with 296 participants and 401 applications of schedule thinning. We summarized each application according to characteristics of the participant, FCT, and schedule thinning procedure. We identified nine unique schedule thinning procedures. The four most prevalent were multiple schedules, chained schedules, delay‐to‐reinforcement, and response restriction with a correlation between the function of challenging behavior and the selected schedule thinning approach. Notably, there was great procedural variability across each procedure. Very few studies were conducted in natural settings or involved natural change agents in selecting the terminal schedule of reinforcement or as schedule thinning implementers. Although there is ample evidence supporting the efficacy of schedule thinning after FCT, more research is needed to determine the most effective procedures necessary to ensure that the benefits of FCT can be maintained via schedule thinning in natural settings.
Mechanofluorochromic behaviours of functionalized carbazole‐based difluoroboron compounds with different aryl substituents moieties
Authors: Dou Sihu , Xu Maocai , Tian Jiazhuang , Zhang Bangcui , Gao Shuling , Yang Yanhua , Wang Baoling , Li Xiangguang , Gou Gaozhang
Published: June 2023

To better understand the relationship between molecular structure and mechanofluorochromic characteristics, three carbazole‐based N^O‐chelated difluoroboron compounds (Cz‐S‐BF2, Cz‐PhNp‐S‐BF2, and Cz‐BNp‐S‐BF2) with different aryl substituents moieties were designed and synthesized. The mechanofluorochromic behaviours of Cz‐S‐BF2 (luminescence from bluish‐green to yellowish‐green, emission from 504 to 535 nm) without aryl substitution and Cz‐PhNp‐S‐BF2 (luminescence from green and yellow, emission from 521 to 557 nm) with a phenyl‐naphthalene group underwent reversible conversion using the grinding–fuming process. For Cz‐BNp‐S‐BF2 this was not apparent due to the well coplanarity of the binaphthalene moiety. Mechanofluorochromic properties were demonstrated through XRD patterns measurement. We envisage that this study will provide a practicable reference to acquire organic molecules with mechanofluorochromic characteristics.
Strategy for implementing blockchain technology in accounting: Perspectives of stakeholders in a developing nation
Authors: Chowdhury Emon Kalyan , Khan Iffat Ishrat , Dhar Bablu Kumar
Published: June 2023

This study applies the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model to explore the factors that potential users may prioritize when intending to use blockchain technology in accounting. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 217 respondents. Both factor analysis and regression models were applied to achieve the study's purposes. The findings indicate that respondents consider privacy, usefulness, cost, and facilitation issues when intending to use blockchain technology in accounting to enhance data reliability and reduce the workload of auditors. Bangladesh, a developing country, has immense opportunities to ensure a transparent society by applying blockchain technology in accounting, with cooperation from stakeholders such as firms, the government, regulatory authorities, and users of accounting information. It is expected that the findings of this study will help the concerned authorities to formulate appropriate strategies for the implementation of blockchain technology in the field of accounting in Bangladesh.
Strategic orientation, risk‐taking, corporate life cycle and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices: Evidence from ASEAN countries
Authors: Setiarini Asri , Gani Lindawati , Diyanty Vera , Adhariani Desi
Published: June 2023

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations have become increasingly important in the business world. Companies are expected to operate responsibly and sustainably, and stakeholders are demanding greater transparency and accountability. Our research aims to examine the influence of determinants on ESG practices in ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam), as measured by ESG performance on the Refinitiv Eikon. Although there have been many studies discussing ESG, only a few have discussed this relationship by involving strategic orientation, risk taking and corporate life cycle simultaneously. We use panel regression based on a sample of 2373 observations from 2004 to 2022. The results show that the prospector strategy orientation encourages a greater increase in ESG practices compared to the defender strategy orientation, which means that companies with a prospector orientation are more willing to practice ESG because they have strategic resources. The increasing risk‐taking by companies will reduce ESG practices. The more mature the company's life cycle stage will improve ESG practices. This brings implications that the strategy orientation chosen by the company, risk‐taking, and corporate life cycle are the determining factors for companies implementing ESG practices in ASEAN countries. This research contributes to the literature related to corporate sustainability by considering ESG as one of the measurements of sustainability which is currently the main investment trend being observed in financial markets, especially ASEAN countries which are the best areas to invest.
Exploring the differences and evolution of college students' computational thinking in programming learning through data analysis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zeng Xinyao , Li Panpan , Wang Bing
Published: June 2023

Programming has received extensive attention for the embodiment of computational thinking (CT) skills. However, the lack of in‐depth research on the characteristics of college students' CT skills in text‐based programming learning has resulted in the unknown distribution characteristics and evolution patterns of their CT skills, which cannot effectively constitute an effective tracking analysis of their CT skills, thus affecting the cultivation of creative thinking and problem‐solving skills for them. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to explore the characteristics of college students' CT skills through text‐based programming work and discover the overall characteristics, individual differences and evolutionary patterns of their CT skills on the relation between text‐based programming and CT skills through data analysis. It was found that there are roughly five categories of CT difference and four major categories with nine subcategories of CT evolution among college students. The results showed that the Control and Data skills were the students' dominant skills. In contrast, Algorithm skills were relatively weak. Only about 1/3 of the students had the phenomenon of continuous skill improvement, and programming learning did not have a significant impact on the improvement of CT skills for some students. Finally, we propose several suggestions for CT skills development strategies in response to the students' characteristics in CT skills. The study can not only fill the gaps of the current study but also identify the evolutionary characteristics of students' CT skills, which can effectively intervene in college students' programming learning and help improve their CT skills.
A study of clinical and molecular characteristics in bilateral primary breast cancer
Authors: Li Bin , Xu Weiqi , Cao Jianing , Guo Duancheng , Tao Zhonghua , Jin Juan , Hu Xichun
Published: June 2023

Background

Bilateral primary breast cancer (BPBC) is a rare type of breast cancer. Studies on the clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics of BPBC in a metastatic context are very limited.

Methods

A total of 574 unselected metastatic breast cancer patients with clinical information were enrolled in our next‐generation sequencing (NGS) database. Patients with BPBC from our NGS database were regarded as the study cohort. In addition, 1467 patients with BPBC and 2874 patients with unilateral breast cancer (UBC) from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) public database were also analyzed to determine the characteristics of BPBC.

Results

Among the 574 patients enrolled in our NGS database, 20 (3.5%) patients had bilateral disease, comprising 15 (75%) patients with synchronous bilateral disease and 5 (25%) patients with metachronous bilateral disease. Eight patients had bilateral hormone receptor‐positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor‐negative (HER2−) tumors, and three had unilateral HR+/HER2− tumors. More HR+/HER2− tumors and lobular components were found in BPBC patients than in UBC patients. The molecular subtype of the metastatic lesions in three patients was inconsistent with either side of the primary lesions, which suggested the importance of rebiopsy. Strong correlations in clinicopathologic features between the left and right tumors in BPBC were exhibited in the SEER database. In our NGS database, only one BPBC patient was found with a pathogenic germline mutation in BRCA2. The top mutated somatic genes in BPBC patients were similar to those in UBC patients, including TP53 (58.8% in BPBC and 60.6% in UBC) and PI3KCA (47.1% in BPBC and 35.9% in UBC).

Conclusions

Our study suggested that BPBC may tend to be lobular carcinoma and have the HR+/HER2− subtype. Although our study did not find specific germline and somatic mutations in BPBC, more research is needed for verification.
Sport identification, moral perceptions and collective action: A study with young football players
Authors: Cocco Veronica Margherita , Bisagno Elisa , Cadamuro Alessia , Rubichi Sandro , Stathi Sofia , Vezzali Loris
Published: June 2023

We conducted a cross‐sectional study investigating whether sport identification predicts different forms of collective action intentions aimed to redress the unfavourable condition faced by disadvantaged individuals. In doing so, moral perceptions (moral convictions, moral violation and moral obligation) were tested as mediators. Participants were young football players from the grassroots of a professional Italian club (N = 111). Results revealed that sport identification was indirectly associated with greater willingness to engage in both normative and non‐normative solidarity‐based collective action via stronger moral obligation perceptions; moral convictions mediated the relationship between sport identification and normative collective action, while no mediation effects emerged for moral violation. We discuss findings in relation to collective action and sport research.
Phytochemical Diversity, Classification and Antibacterial Activity of Some Medicinal Plant Species from Tabuk (Saudi Arabia)
Authors: Elbalola Abdelrahim A. , Abbas Zahid Khorshid
Published: June 2023

The main objectives of this study were to investigate the intra‐specific and inter‐specific phytochemical diversity and classification of nine important medicinal plant species from Tabuk region (KSA), namely (Pulicaria undulata L., Pulicaria incisa Lam., Artemisia herba‐alba Asso., Artemisia monosperma Delile, Artemisia judaica L. and Achillea fragrantissima Forssk. from Asteraceae family, Ducrosia flabellifolia Boiss. from Apiaceae family, Thymus vulgaris L. and Lavandula coronopifolia Poir. from Lamiaceae family); to evaluate the antibacterial potentials of the plant extracts, and to inspect the possible associations between phytochemical diversity and contents of different phytochemical classes with the antibacterial activities of plant extracts. GC/MS technique was used to identify phytochemicals in the plant extracts. The standard disk diffusion technique was used to conduct the antibiotic susceptibility against four pathogenic bacterial species (two Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and two Gram negative species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A total of 160 different phytochemicals belonging to 30 compound classes were separated and identified. A. fragrantissima had the highest phytochemical diversity and P. incisa had the lowest one. Phytochemical beta diversity was 6.2362. Ethanol outperformed other extraction solvents in terms of antibacterial activity, while Pulicaria undulata and T. vulgaris ranked highest among plants in this regard. Gram positive bacterial species were more sensitive to plant extracts compared to Gram negative species. Phytochemical diversity and antibacterial activity of plant extracts against E. coli and P. aeruginosa were positively correlative, terpenoid and benzene & substituted derivative contents exhibited significant (p<0.05) positive correlations with the antibacterial activity against E. coli, terpenoid contents also showed positive correlation with activity against P. aeruginosa; benzene & derivative showed positive correlation with activity against the rest of bacterial species,
Development of Fluorescent Isocoumarin‐Fused Oxacyclononyne – 1,2,3‐Triazole Pairs
Authors: Vidyakina Aleksandra A. , Shtyrov Andrey A. , Ryazantsev Mikhail N. , Khlebnikov Alexander F. , Kolesnikov Ilya E. , Sharoyko Vladimir V. , Spiridonova Dar‘ya V. , Balova Irina A. , Bräse Stefan , Danilkina Natalia A.
Published: June 2023

Fluorescent isocoumarin‐fused cycloalkynes, which are reactive in SPAAC and give fluorescent triazoles regardless of the azide nature, have been developed. The key structural feature that converts the non‐fluorescent cycloalkyne/triazole pair to its fluorescent counterpart is the pi‐acceptor group (COOMe, CN) at the C6 position of the isocoumarin ring. The design of the fluorescent cycloalkyne/triazole pairs is based on the theoretical study of the S1 state deactivation mechanism of the non‐fluorescent isocoumarin‐fused cycloalkyne IC9O using multi‐configurational ab initio and DFT methodologies. The calculations revealed that deactivation proceeds through the electrocyclic ring opening of the α‐pyrone cycle and is accompanied by a redistribution of electron density in the fused benzene ring. We proposed that the S1 excited state deactivation barrier could be increased by introducing a pi‐acceptor group into a position that is in direct conjugation with the formed C=O group and has a reduced electron density in the transition state. As a proof of concept, we designed and synthesized two fluorescent isocoumarin‐fused cycloalkynes IC9O‐COOMe and IC9O‐CN bearing pi‐acceptors at the C6 position. The importance of the nature of a pi‐acceptor group was shown by the example of much less fluorescent CF3‐substituted cycloalkyne IC9O‐CF3.
Highly Soluble Cyclic Organoalanes Based on Anionic Dicarbenes
Authors: Merschel Arne , Vishnevskiy Yury V. , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Ghadwal Rajendra S.
Published: June 2023

Cyclic organoalane compounds [(ADCAr)AlH2]2 (ADCAr = ArC{(DippN)C}2; Dipp = 2,6‐iPr2C6H3; Ar = Ph or 4‐PhC6H4 (Bp)) based on anionic dicarbene (ADC) frameworks have been reported as crystalline solids. Treatments of Li(ADCAr) with LiAlH4 at room temperature afford [(ADCAr)AlH2]2 with the concomitant release of LiH. Compounds [(ADCAr)AlH2]2 are stable crystalline solids and are freely soluble in common organic solvents. They are annulated tricyclic compounds with an almost planar central C4Al2‐core embedded between two peripheral 1,3‐imidazole (C3N2) rings. At room temperature, [(ADCPh)AlH2]2 readily reacts with CO2 to form two‐ and four‐fold hydroalumination products [(ADCPh)AlH(OCHO)]2 and [(ADCPh)Al(OCHO)2]2, respectively. Further hydroalumination reactivity of [(ADCPh)AlH2]2 has been shown with isocyanate (RNCO) and isothiocyanate (RNCS) species (R=alkyl or aryl group). All compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Ion Pairing of κ6N Complexes with Rare‐Earth Elements in the Solid State and in Solution
Authors: Wingering Perrine M. R. , Hohnstein Silvia , Krämer Felix , Dilanas Melina E. A. , Ruiz‐Martínez Cristina , Fernández Ignacio , Breher Frank
Published: June 2023

The rare earth element complexes (Ln=Y, La, Sm, Lu, Ce) of several podant κ6N‐coordinating ligands have been synthetized and thoroughly characterized. The structural properties of the complexes have been investigated by X‐ray diffraction in the solid state and by advanced NMR methods in solution. To estimate the donor capabilities of the presented ligands, an experimental comparison study has been conducted by cyclic voltammetry as well as absorption experiments using the cerium complexes and by analyzing 89Y NMR chemical shifts of the different yttrium complexes. In order to obtain a complete and detailed picture, all experiments were corroborated by state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical calculations. Finally, coordination competition studies have been carried out by means of 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy to investigate the correlation with donor properties and selectivity.
Synthesis of Neuraminidase‐Resistant Sialyllactose Mimetics from N‐Acyl Mannosamines using Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Rivollier Paul , Samain Eric , Armand Sylvie , Jeacomine Isabelle , Richard Emeline , Fort Sébastien
Published: June 2023

Herein, we describe the efficient gram‐scale synthesis of α2,3‐ and α2,6‐sialyllactose oligosaccharides as well as mimetics from N‐acyl mannosamines and lactose in metabolically engineered bacterial cells grown at high cell density. We designed new Escherichia coli strains co‐expressing sialic acid synthase and N‐acylneuraminate cytidylyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni together with the α2,3‐sialyltransferase from Neisseria meningitidis or the α2,6‐sialyltransferase from Photobacterium sp. JT‐ISH‐224. Using their mannose transporter, these new strains actively internalized N‐acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) and its N‐propanoyl (N‐Prop), N‐butanoyl (N‐But) and N‐phenylacetyl (N‐PhAc) analogs and converted them into the corresponding sialylated oligosaccharides, with overall yields between 10 % and 39 % (200‐700 mg.L−1 of culture). The three α2,6‐sialyllactose analogs showed similar binding affinity for Sambucus nigra SNA−I lectin as for the natural oligosaccharide. They also proved to be stable competitive inhibitors of Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase. These N‐acyl sialosides therefore hold promise for the development of anti‐adhesion therapy against influenza viral infections.
Utility and performance of cell blocks in urine cytology: Experience at three teaching hospitals
Authors: Greenland Nancy Y. , Khorsandi Nikka , Peng Yue , Balassanian Ronald , Tabatabai Z. Laura , Tiffany Shing Tze Wai , Vohra Poonam
Published: June 2023

Background

The use of cell block (CB) preparation is underused in urine cytology (UC) and varies among hospitals. In addition to confirming a diagnosis, CBs can be useful in cases of metastatic disease, diagnoses requiring immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and for ancillary studies. The role of this study is to examine the performance of CBs for UC at three affiliated teaching hospitals.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of UC cases with a CB was conducted at a county hospital, Veterans Affairs hospital, and tertiary university‐based hospital. For each specimen, patient demographics, specimen type, volume, original diagnosis, and IHC stains were recorded. Each case was reviewed for diagnosis based on ThinPrep alone, diagnosis based on ThinPrep and CB, utility of CB for diagnosis, and CB cellularity.

Results

A total of 250 UC specimens with CB from 186 patients was identified. Bladder washes were the most common (72.1%). IHC stains were performed on 17.2% of cases. On blinded review, CB preparation was deemed useful in 61.2% of cases, with the highest rate for suspicious for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC) cases (87.0%). The diagnosis based on ThinPrep review changed with incorporation of CB in 13.2% of cases, with the highest rate for SHGUC cases (43.5%).

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that use of CB in UC confirms the final diagnosis in more than one‐half of cases and changes the diagnosis in a subset of cases. Use of CB was most helpful in the SHGUC category. Further evaluation of the types of cases in which CB are prepared is warranted.
Metal‐organic framework (MOF) thickness control for carbon dioxide electroreduction to formate
Authors: Nie Zhihao , Yu Licheng , Jiang Lili , Li Ming , Ding Shan , Xia Baokai , Cheng Chi , Duan Jingjing , Chen Sheng
Published: June 2023

Decreasing particle size (like thickness) is a common strategy to enhance the activities of catalysts. In this work, we have synthesized two coppers, which are bismuth‐based metal‐organic framework (CuBi‐MOF) catalysts with different thicknesses (134.8 and 2.0 nm). In contrast to common expectations, large thickness CuBi‐MOF has exhibited superior activities as a comparison to its small‐thickness counterpart in terms of carbon dioxide electroreduction to produce formate, characteristic of high selectivity (Faraday efficiency > 90%), a wide window of potential (−0.6 to −1.6 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), and large current densities (up to −380 mA cm−2). The mechanism study has been performed by using density functional theory calculations, which highlight the strong synergic effect between Cu and Bi sites in large‐thickness CuBi‐MOF for activating CO2 molecules. Consequently, large‐thickness CuBi‐MOF could show smaller Gibbs free energies compared to its small counterpart for binding with reaction intermediate (*COOH, 1.1 vs. 1.8 eV). The result of this work could provide new insights into catalyst design toward a number of electrochemical systems.
Self‐Assembled 1D/3D Perovskite Heterostructure for Stable All‐Air‐Processed Perovskite Solar Cells with Improved Open‐Circuit Voltage
Authors: Meng Yan , Zhang Wenyuan , Zhang Xiao , Deng Yaxin , Zhang Haolin , Zeng Gangyi , Liu Guangyao , Li Xin
Published: June 2023

Environmental instability and photovoltage loss induced by defects are inevitable obstacles in the development of all‐air‐processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium iodide ([EMIM]I) is introduced into the hole transport layer/three‐dimensional (3D) perovskite interface to form a self‐assembled 1D/3D perovskite heterostructure, which significantly reduces iodine vacancy defects and modulates band energy alignment, resulting in pronouncedly improved open‐circuit voltage (Voc). As a result, the corresponding device exhibits a high power conversion efficiency with negligible hysteresis and a high Voc of 1.14 V. Most importantly, together with the high stability of the 1D perovskite, remarkable high environmental and thermal stabilities of the 1D/3D PSC devices are achieved, which maintain 89 % of unencapsulated device initial efficiency after 1320 h in air and retain 85 % of the initial efficiency when heated at 85 °C for 22 h. This study affords an effective strategy to fabricate high‐performance all‐air‐processed PSCs with outstanding stability.
Evidence of exposure to flecainide in a newborn by keratinous matrices testing and interpretation of the findings
Authors: Arbouche Nadia , Raul Jean‐Sébastien , Kintz Pascal
Published: June 2023

Pediatric poisoning represents a serious problem all around the world. Abuse or neglect of children by adults must be highlighted in children exposed to drugs to which they would not normally have access. Usually, segmental hair analysis would allow in these contexts to determine whether the exposure was unique or repetitive. Hair and nail samples from a 9‐month‐old girl were received in our laboratory for analysis, after the child was hospitalized due to severe dehydration caused by her mother's neglect. At the admission, flecainide, an antiarrhythmic never prescribed to the child, was identified in the daughter urine. Using an LC–MS/MS method, flecainide tested positive in the child's hair at the following concentrations: 66 pg/mg (root to 1 cm), 61 pg/mg (1–2 cm), and 125 pg/mg (2–3 cm). Traces below the limit of quantification (1 pg/mg) were also present in the nail clippings. These concentrations are much lower than those obtained in adults under daily treatment. Given the different pharmacokinetic and dynamic parameters in children, the different rate of hair growth, and the greater porosity of the hair, which makes it more prone to external contamination, the interpretation of hair findings in children remains very complicated. In this case, it can be assumed that the presence of the drug in the urine indicates systemic incorporation and that administration had occurred for some months (three positive segments). The interpretation of hair tests from young children needs a global review of all the findings, as a positive result cannot stand alone to claim repetitive exposures.
A randomized controlled feasibility trial of metacognitive training with adolescents receiving treatment for anorexia nervosa
Authors: Balzan Ryan P. , Gilder Madeline , Thompson Matthew , Wade Tracey D.
Published: June 2023

Objective

This pilot study investigated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the metacognitive training for eating disorders (MCT‐ED) program in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). We report attrition and subjective evaluation as well as changes to cognitive flexibility, perfectionism and eating disorder pathology relative to waitlist controls.

Method

Female (n = 35, aged 13–17 years) outpatients with a diagnosis of AN (n = 20) or atypical AN (n = 15) completed baseline measures of cognitive flexibility, perfectionism, and eating disorder pathology (May 2020–May 2022). Participants were randomly allocated to either treatment‐as‐usual (TAU) plus MCT‐ED or TAU waitlist condition. All participants completed post‐intervention and 3‐month follow‐up questionnaires.

Results

The MCT‐ED condition had a treatment attrition rate <15%. Participants provided positive evaluation of the program. There were large between groups differences favoring MCT‐ED at post‐intervention and 3‐month follow‐up for concern over mistakes perfectionism (respective ds = −1.25, 95% CI [−2.06, −.45]; −.83, 95% CI [−1.60, .06]) with a significant group difference post‐intervention but not 3‐month follow‐up.

Discussion

Findings provide tentative support for the feasibility of MCT‐ED as an adjunct intervention for young people with AN, however replication is needed with a larger sample size to further explore its efficacy.

Public significance

Metacognitive training for eating disorders (MCT‐ED) is a feasible adjunct intervention for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. The intervention, which targets thinking styles and is delivered online by a therapist, received positive feedback, had high treatment retention, and led to reductions in perfectionism by the end of treatment compared to wait‐list controls. Although these gains were not sustained long‐term, the program is suitable adjunct intervention for young people with eating disorders.
Age effects on Nazca booby foraging performance are largely constant across variation in the marine environment: Results from a 5‐year study in Galápagos
Authors: McKee Jennifer L. , Tompkins Emily M. , Estela Felipe A. , Anderson David J.
Published: June 2023

Foraging outcomes dictate the nutritional resources available to an organism and may vary with intrinsic factors, like age. Thus, understanding how age affects foraging performance, alone or in interaction with extrinsic factors (like environmental quality), improves our understanding of aging processes in the wild. We examined how foraging traits, measured across five breeding seasons, change with age, environmental variation, and their interaction in Nazca boobies (Sula granti), a pelagic seabird in Galápagos. We evaluated the hypotheses that (1) foraging performance is better in middle‐aged birds than in young ones, and that (2) foraging performance is better in middle‐aged birds than in old ones. Furthermore, favorable environmental conditions will either (3) attenuate age differences in foraging performance (by relieving constraints on young, inexperienced and old, senescent age classes), or (4) accentuate age differences (if middle‐aged birds can exploit abundant resources better than other age classes can). Incubating birds tagged with GPS loggers (N = 815) provided data on foraging performance (e.g., total distance traveled, mass gained) to evaluate interactions between age and environmental variation (e.g., sea surface temperature). Poor environmental conditions associated with the cool phase of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation increased foraging effort, including foraging distance and duration, for example. Across age classes, foraging boobies responded similarly to environmental variation except for female mass gain rate: age‐related declines in mass gain rate were reduced under favorable environmental conditions. Birds of different ages also searched in somewhat distinct areas in the poor conditions of 2016, but not in other years. In several foraging traits, including foraging duration and distance, female boobies showed predicted early‐life improvement and late‐life decline, following the established pattern for reproductive traits in this species. Thus, deficits in resource acquisition (this study) may contribute to the poor survival and reproductive outcomes previously observed in old Nazca boobies, particularly in females.
Wild canids and the ecological traps facing the climate change and deforestation in the Amazon Forest
Authors: de Oliveira Geovana Linhares , Viana‐Junior Arleu Barbosa , Trindade Paulo Henrique Santos , dos Santos Iara Ramos , de Almeida‐Maués Paula Cristina R. , Carvalho Fernando Geraldo , Silva Daniel Paiva , Wiig Øystein , Sena Leonardo , Mendes‐Oliveira Ana Cristina
Published: June 2023

Ecological traps occur when species choose to settle in lower‐quality habitats, even if this reduces their survival or productivity. This happens in situations of drastic environmental changes, resulting from anthropogenic pressures. In long term, this could mean the extinction of the species. We investigated the dynamics of occurrence and distribution of three canid species (Atelocynus microtis, Cerdocyon thous, and Spheotos venaticus) considering human threats to their habitats in the Amazon Rainforest. We analyzed the environmental thresholds for the occurrence of these species and related to the future projections of climatic niches for each one. All three species will be negatively affected by climate change in the future, with losses of up to 91% of the suitable area of occurrence in the Brazilian Amazon. A. microtis appear to be more forest‐dependent and must rely on the goodwill of decision‐makers to be maintained in the future. For C. thous and S. venaticus, climatic variables and those associated with anthropogenic disturbances that modulate their niches today may not act the same way in the future. Even though C. thous is least dependent on the Amazon Forest; this species may be affected in the future due to the ecological traps. S. venaticus, can also undergo the same process, but perhaps more drastically due to the lower ecological plasticity of this species compared to C. thous. Our results suggest that the ecological traps may put these two species at risk in the future. Using the canid species as a model, we had the opportunity to investigate these ecological effects that can affect a large part of the Amazonian fauna in the current scenario. Considering the high degree of environmental degradation and deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, the theory of ecological traps must be discussed at the same level as the habitat loss, considering the strategies for preserving the Amazon biodiversity.
Turning observations into biodiversity data: Broadscale spatial biases in community science
Authors: Geurts Ellyne M. , Reynolds John D. , Starzomski Brian M.
Published: June 2023

Biodiversity community science projects are growing rapidly in popularity. The enormous amounts of data generated by these programs are transforming how we conduct ecological research and conservation management. However, as with other biodiversity surveys, community science datasets suffer from biases in time and locations of observations. To better use these data, we modeled the spatial biases present in the popular community science platform, iNaturalist. iNaturalist uses crowdsourcing to collect georeferenced and time‐stamped observations of all taxa worldwide. With its wealth of biodiversity data, iNaturalist is now being used to answer a broad range of questions in ecology and conservation, but little is known about the platform's spatial biases. We focus on the more than 1.75 million iNaturalist observations available (as of December 2021) from British Columbia, Canada, a region with a strong community science presence and diversity of ecosystems. Using machine learning and species distribution modeling, we examined which landscape factors (e.g., protected areas, roads, human population density, habitat zones, elevation) were most important in determining where observations are taken, and we created a predicted probability map revealing how likely different regions are to be sampled by community scientists. We found strong road biases for observations in iNaturalist, with over 94% of observations within 1 km of roads. In addition, human population density and broad habitat ecosystem zones played a large role in predicting where iNaturalist observations occur across the landscape. These methods demonstrate tools for modeling the effects of spatial biases in large opportunistic datasets that can then be used to produce more accurate species distribution and biodiversity models from community science data.
Validation of heart failure algorithm for diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Shu , Zhu Xiaomei , Zhang Yunlong , Li Fengjie , Guo Shubin
Published: June 2023

The aim of the meta‐analysis was to generate a more comprehensive understanding of the HFA‐PEFF score in the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and to pose clues in the field of scientific and clinical practice. Electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase were systematically searched. Studies investigating the use of the HFA‐PEFF score to diagnose HFpEF were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative Likelihood Ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under the curve of summary receiver operating characteristic, and superiority index were calculated. Five studies with 1521 participants were included in this meta‐analysis. In the pooled analysis of the ‘Rule‐out’ approach, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.98 (0.94, 1.00), 0.33 (0.08, 0.73), 1.5 (0.8, 2.5), 0.05 (0.02, 0.17), and 28 (6, 127). In the pooled analysis of the ‘Rule‐in’ approach, the pooled sensitivity and specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.69 (0.62, 0.75), 0.87 (0.64, 0.96), 5.5 (1.8, 16.9), 0.35 (0.30, 0.41), and 16 (5, 50). This meta‐analysis indicates that the HFA‐PEFF algorithm showed acceptable specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis and exclusion of HFpEF. More relevant studies on the diagnostic validity of the HFA‐PEFF score are needed in the future.
BERT‐TriF: An inductive short text classification model for power equipment defect records
Authors: Ye Zhenhao , Guo Bingyan , Qi Donglian
Published: June 2023

The descriptions of power equipment defect records are often characterized by colloquial short texts. Standardized classification of a large number of colloquial defect descriptions has laid a solid foundation for building a power equipment knowledge graph and improving the level of intelligence in the field of power inspection. Using deep learning and natural language processing technology, this paper proposes a text classification model for power equipment defect records named Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers with Family Feature Fusion (BERT‐TriF). The model firstly leverages BERT to semantically represent the input text. To extract family history as well as text implicit information, we creatively propose a family feature fusion algorithm for training. An improved multi‐head attention mechanism is developed subsequently to enhance text semantic category features and strengthen the learning ability of the model. By comparing BERT‐TriF and baseline models such as TextCNN, TextRNN, and fastText on the specified and generic text dataset, the experimental results demonstrate that it has better performance, robustness, and universality for short text classification.
The garlic extract‐loaded nanoemulsion: Study of physicochemical, rheological, and antimicrobial properties and its application in mayonnaise
Authors: Hassanzadeh Hamed , Rahbari Mahshid , Galali Yaseen , Hosseini Mohamadyar , Ghanbarzadeh Babak
Published: June 2023

In this research, garlic extract (GE)‐loaded water‐in‐oil nanoemulsion was used as a novel preservative and antioxidant in mayonnaise. GE (5%, 10%, 15%, and 25%) as a dispersed phase, olive oil as a continuous phase, and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a low HLB surfactant, with a constant surfactant/garlic extract ratio (1:1), were used in the formulations of water‐in‐oil nanoemulsions. The properties of the active nanoemulsion, including droplet size, free radical scavenging capacity, antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus [25923 ATCC]), and gram‐negative (Escherichia coli H7 O157 [700728 ATCC]) were evaluated. The results showed that the mean droplet size of nanoemulsion increased from 62 to 302 nm and antioxidant capacity was also improved from 95.43% to 98.25% by increasing GE level from 5% to 25%. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) showed that antimicrobial activity against S. aureus could be observed only in high levels of GE (25%) in the formulation of nanoemulsion. The results of the total count analysis showed that the GE‐loaded nanoemulsion (NEGE) was effective against the microorganisms, particularly after 4 months of storage. The incorporation of GE and NEGE did not affect significantly the acidity of different mayonnaise samples; however, they affected the concentration of the primary product of lipid oxidation. Adding GE and NGE did not significantly affect the rheological properties of mayonnaise and all samples showed shear‐thinning behavior. Sensory evaluation showed that the samples with NEGE had higher scores in texture, spreadability, and mouthfeel, while the control samples had better scores in appearance, color, taste, and total acceptance. In general, the samples containing free GE (not encapsulated) had the lowest scores in all organoleptic characteristics.
Physiochemical characteristics and sensory properties of plant protein isolates–konjac glucomannan compound gels
Authors: Yao Yueying , He Wenmeng , Xu Baojun
Published: June 2023

In this study, the effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) at different concentrations on the physiochemical and sensory properties of soy protein isolate (SPI), pea protein isolate (PPI), or peanut protein isolate (PNPI) compound gels were investigated. The results revealed that when the ratio of PNPI to KGM was 90:10, the denaturation temperature of PNPI could be significantly enhanced to 119.32°C by KGM modification. Concerning the textural and microstructural features, the amount of KGM addition had positive correlation with the hardness and chewiness of each compound gel, however, too much KGM addition will cause the unstable internal structure of the PNPI/KGM compound gels (70:30 and 60:40). Furthermore, sensory results indicated that PNPI/KGM (80:20), PPI/KGM (80:20), SPI/KGM (80:20) had great potential to be considered as prototypes for novel plant‐based products, which generated the highest acceptance scores of 5.04, 5.94, and 5.36 in each group, respectively.
Determinants of coexisting forms of undernutrition among under‐five children: Evidence from the Bangladesh demographic and health surveys
Authors: Sumon Imran Hossain , Hossain Moyazzem , Ar Salan Sifat , Kabir Mohammad Alamgir , Majumder Ajit Kumar
Published: June 2023

In many underdeveloped and developing countries, epidemiological and nutritional transitions are leading to an increase in malnutrition, resulting in pediatric diseases and eventually deaths. Therefore, this study intents to determine the important factors of the presence of coexisting forms of malnutrition (CFM), i.e., pediatric undernutrition. This study used the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)‐2017/18 dataset consisting of 7127 under‐five children. The logistic regression model has been utilized to gain explicit and in‐depth knowledge of the relationship between the presence of pediatric undernutrition with socioeconomic and demographic factors. Findings revealed that about 31%, 22%, and 8% suffered from stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively. The prevalence of stunted, underweighted, wasted, and CFM among children in the Sylhet division is higher than in any other region. A child of a secondary‐level completed mother is 27.6% (OR: 0.724, 95% CI: 0.58–0.90) less likely to suffer from undernutrition than a child of an uneducated mother. The rate of undernutrition of children was less among children of highly educated parents. Age, birth order of the child, twin status, mother's age, body mass index (BMI), working status, parental educational qualification, cooking fuel, toilet facility, region, residence, and wealth index are important for determining the nutritional status of a child. The authors believe that the study findings will be helpful to the policymakers to take proper actions for achieving the sustainable development goal (SDGs) by reducing pediatric undernutrition in Bangladesh by 2030.
Impact of social isolation and leisure activities on cognition and depression: A study on middle‐aged and older adults in India
Authors: Mishra Bijeta , Pradhan Jalandhar
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Recent studies highlight the negative impact of social isolation and involvement in leisure activities on enhanced well‐being of individuals. However, there is dearth of evidence on relationship between social isolation and leisure activities on cognitive abilities and depression of older adults in the Indian context. The paper reports the impact of social isolation and leisure activities on cognitive functioning and depression of older adults.

Methods

Data were collected from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), and 63,806 participants aged 45 years or above were considered for the study with adherence to the exclusion criteria. Multivariate analysis was carried out to analyse the group‐based differences.

Results

Social isolation (F = 102.09, p < 0.01; η2 = 0.09) and leisure (F = 224.54, p < 0.01; η2 = 0.07) had a statistically significant impact on the cognition and depressive symptoms of participants. Socially isolated older adults with little involvement in leisure activities had the worst cognitive functioning (M = 32.76, SD = 4.41), whereas middle‐aged adults who were actively involved in leisure activities and experienced the least social isolation exhibited the best cognitive functioning (M = 32.76, SD = 4.41). However, leisure and age as independent factors did not have a significant impact on depression.

Conclusion

Socially isolated participants, irrespective of age, and involvement in leisure activities exhibit poor cognitive functioning and are more likely to suffer from depression as compared to their counterparts. The findings of the study can be used to design intervention strategies aimed at reducing social isolation by incorporating leisure activities to ensure the optimal functioning of middle‐aged and older adults.