bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOX9 has distinct roles in the formation and progression of different non‐small cell lung cancer histotypes
Authors: Bao Jie , Närhi Katja , Teodòsio Ana , Hemmes Annabrita , Linnavirta Nora M , Mäyränpää Mikko I , Salmenkivi Kaisa , Le Quesne John , Verschuren Emmy W
Published: May 2021

The transcription factor SOX9 is a key regulator of multiple developmental processes and is frequently re‐expressed in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its precise role in the progression of NSCLC histotypes has, however, remained elusive. We show that SOX9 expression relates to poor overall survival and invasive histopathology in human non‐mucinous adenocarcinoma and is absent in murine early minimally invasive and low in human in situ adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, despite wide SOX9 expression across advanced NSCLC histotypes, its genetic deletion in the murine KrasG12D;Lkb1fl/fl model selectively disrupted only the growth of papillary NSCLC, without affecting the initiation of precursor lesions or growth of mucinous or squamous tissue. Spatial tissue phenotyping indicated a requirement of SOX9 expression for the progression of surfactant protein C‐expressing progenitor cells, which gave rise to papillary tumours. Intriguingly, while SOX9 expression was dispensable for squamous tissue formation, its loss in fact led to enhanced squamous tumour metastasis, which was associated with altered collagen IV deposition in the basement membrane. Our work therefore demonstrates histopathology‐selective roles for SOX9 in NSCLC progression, namely as a promoter for papillary adenocarcinoma progression, but an opposing metastasis‐suppressing role in squamous histotype tissue. This attests to a pleiotropic SOX9 function, linked to the cell of origin and microenvironmental tissue contexts. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Factors influencing participation rates in clinical late‐effect studies of childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Helligsoe Anne Sophie Lind , Henriksen Louise Tram , Kenborg Line , Dehlendorff Christian , Winther Jeanette Falck , Hasle Henrik
Published: May 2021

To ensure external validation of a study population in clinical late‐effect studies of childhood cancer, the participation rate must be high. This study investigated demographic data in Nordic late‐effect studies and potential factors impacting participation rates such as cancer type, time since diagnosis, and duration of clinical examinations. We found 80 published studies originating from 16 cohorts, with median follow‐up of 6.0 years (range 3–14). The overall participation rates ranged from 27% to 100%. The highest participation rates were seen in studies of survivors with solid tumors (92%) and the lowest in hematologic malignancies (67%) and central nervous system tumors (73%). The clinical examination in 10 studies (62.5%) lasted for more than 3 hours. Neither duration of the clinical examination nor time since diagnosis seemed to affect the participation rate. We encourage future studies to describe the recruitment process more thoroughly to improve understanding of the factors influencing participation rates.
Socioeconomic disparities in survival after high‐risk neuroblastoma treatment with modern therapy
Authors: Zheng Daniel J. , Li Anran , Ma Clement , Ribeiro Karina B. , Diller Lisa , Bona Kira , Marron Jonathan M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Modern therapeutic advances in high‐risk neuroblastoma have improved overall survival (OS), but it is unclear whether these survival gains have been equitable. This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and overall survival (OS) in children with high‐risk neuroblastoma and whether SES‐associated disparities have changed over time.

Procedure

In this population‐based cohort study, children <18 years diagnosed with high‐risk neuroblastoma (diagnosis at age ≥12 months with metastatic disease) from 1991 to 2015 were identified through the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Associations of county‐level SES variables and OS were tested with univariate Cox proportional hazards regression. For a subcohort diagnosed after 2007, insurance status was examined as an individual‐level SES variable. Multivariable regression analyses with treatment era and interaction terms were performed when SES variables reached near‐significance (p ≤ .1) in univariate and bivariate modeling with treatment era.

Results

Among 1217 children, 2‐year OS improved from 53.0 ± 3.4% in 1991–1998 to 76.9 ± 2.9% in 2011–2015 (p < .001). In univariate analyses, children in high‐poverty counties (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17–2.60, p = .007), and those with Medicaid (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.05–1.86, p = .02) experienced an increased hazard of death. No interactions between treatment era and SES variables were statistically significant in multivariable analyses, indicating that differences in the OS between SES groups did not change over time.

Conclusions

Survival disparities among children with high‐risk neuroblastoma have not widened over time, suggesting equitable access to and benefit from therapeutic advances. However, children of low SES experience persistently inferior survival. Interventions to narrow this disparity are paramount.
Oral anticoagulant therapy and outcome in patients with stroke. A retrospective nation‐wide cohort study in Austria 2012–2017
Authors: Preinreich Jasmina , Sheikh Rezaei Safoura , Mittlböck Martina , Greisenegger Stefan , Reichardt Berthold , Wolzt Michael
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Patients with stroke are at high risk of recurrence of vascular events. Non‐vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are used as secondary prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of NOAC and VKA, and their impact on re‐stroke or death in Austria.

Methods

We analyzed retrospective data between 2012 and 2017 from medical services covered by the health insurance funds, which provides health care for all residents in Austria. Patients without anticoagulant medication 3 months preceding the index event were eligible.

Results

76 354 patients were discharged with a hospital diagnosis of stroke. From these, 16 436 patients with a median age of 78 years received VKA or NOAC. After adjustment, the recurrence of stroke was less frequent in patients with NOAC compared to those with VKA (HR 0.87; 95%CI 0.77–0.97). However, there was no difference in mortality rate after adjustment for age, sex, and co‐morbidities for patients with NOAC (HR 1.0; 95%CI 0.92–1.08). Diabetes (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.08–1.45; HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13–1.38) and cardiovascular disease (HR 1.43, 95%CI 1.24–1.65; HR 1.27, 95%CI 1.16–1.39) were significantly associated with re‐stroke or death. Younger age (p = 0.0028; HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.99–0.99) was significantly associated with re‐stroke, and advanced age (p < 0.0001; HR 1.09, 95%CI 1.08–1.09) with death.

Conclusion

NOAC prescription is related with a reduced risk of re‐stroke but increased mortality compared to patients with VKA. The event risk is associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and age.
Toughness improvement of epoxy thermosets with cellulose nanocrystals
Authors: Qin Xiulian , Ge Wenming , Mei Honggang , Li Lei , Zheng Sixun
Published: May 2021

We report the toughness improvement of epoxy thermosets by the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Pristine CNCs were functionalized via surface‐initiated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer/macromolecular design via interchange of xanthates (RAFT/MADIX) polymerization. The pristine CNCs were first surface‐treated with 4‐cyano‐4‐(isopropoxycarbonothioylthio)pentanoic chloride and then poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐grafted CNCs (CNC‐PVPy) were synthesized with the xanthate‐functionalized CNCs as chain transfer agent. Notably, the as‐obtained CNC‐PVPy can be dispersed into epoxy thermosets in the form of single fibrous nano‐objects, i.e. the nanocomposites of epoxy with CNCs were successfully obtained. The uniform dispersion of CNCs in epoxy matrix is attributable to the compatibilizing effect of PVPy chains. The introduction of CNCs markedly improved the toughness of epoxy thermosets. When the mass fraction of CNC‐PVPy was 30 wt%, the nanocomposites displayed the maximum critical stress intensity factor (K1C) and critical fracture energy (G1C) of 1.76 MN m−3/2 and 0.66 kJ m−2, respectively. The toughening of epoxy thermosets is mainly attributed to the plastic deformation of epoxy matrix, which is initiated from CNCs. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Women’s experiences of advanced breast cancer in a resource‐limited Arab context: A Stakian multi‐case study
Authors: Fearon David M. , Hughes Sean , Brearley Sarah G.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women, globally. Women are more likely to present with more advanced cancer and palliative care needs in low‐resource contexts. There is limited research on Arab, Muslim and African women’s experiences of advanced breast cancer. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the experiences of advanced breast cancer in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

Methods

Using a constructivist Stakian multi‐case study approach, eight cases were constructed with women with advanced breast cancer (n = 8), family members (n = 10) and health professionals (n = 9). Data were collected longitudinally (up to nine months per case) and included semi‐structured interviews and audio‐journals. Data from 58 interviews and 31 journal entries were thematically analysed.

Results

Three key themes were identified: 1. Destiny: Maure women appreciate that Allah is all powerful and maintains control over their destinies and their breast cancer. 2. Patience & Acceptance: a fear of causing offence to Allah influences how women express their experiences of breast cancer and its treatments. 3. Journeying in search of a cure: Maure women have limitled access to information around their cancer and its treatments. Women use their own observations and interpretations to understand their breast cancer and guide their pursuit of treatment and a cure.

Conclusion

Maure women feel reassured that life and cure remain possible because of Allah’s sustenance; but are aware that the gift of life is fragile. They experience restricted power over how they express negative experiences, access to information, and healthcare decisions.
Compassion in pediatric oncology: A patient, parent and healthcare provider empirical model
Authors: Sinclair Shane , Bouchal Shelley Raffin , Schulte Fiona , M. T. Guilcher Gregory , Kuhn Susan , Rapoport Adam , Punnett Angela , Fernandez Conrad V. , Letourneau Nicole , Chung Joanna
Published: May 2021

Objective

Compassion has long been considered a cornerstone of quality pediatric healthcare by patients, parents, healthcare providers and systems leaders. However, little dedicated research on the nature, components and delivery of compassion in pediatric settings has been conducted. This study aimed to define and develop a patient, parent, and healthcare provider informed empirical model of compassion in pediatric oncology in order to begin to delineate the key qualities, skills and behaviors of compassion within pediatric healthcare.

Methods

Data was collected via semi‐structured interviews with pediatric oncology patients (n = 33), parents (n = 16) and healthcare providers (n = 17) from 4 Canadian academic medical centers and was analyzed in accordance with Straussian Grounded Theory.

Results

Four domains and 13 related themes were identified, generating the Pediatric Compassion Model, that depicts the dimensions of compassion and their relationship to one another. A collective definition of compassion was generated–a beneficent response that seeks to address the suffering and needs of a person and their family through relational understanding, shared humanity, and action.

Conclusions

A patient, parent, and healthcare provider informed empirical pediatric model of compassion was generated from this study providing insight into compassion from both those who experience it and those who express it. Future research on compassion in pediatric oncology and healthcare should focus on barriers and facilitators of compassion, measure development, and intervention research aimed at equipping healthcare providers and system leaders with tools and training aimed at improving it.
Two‐Step Flash‐Light Sintering of Copper‐Based Inkjet‐Printed Patterns onto Polymer Substrates Used in Flexible Electronic Devices
Authors: Kang Minkyu , Choi SungJun , Shin Dongho , Lee Caroline Sunyong
Published: May 2021

High‐speed flash‐light sintering to fabricate inkjet patterns on the flexible substrates employed in lightweight devices is used. A two‐step sintering process, i.e., presintering to cause slight necking of copper nanoparticles (CNPs) and final sintering to complete densification, is used to sinter copper‐based inkjet patterns. These patterns are more dense and less resistive than those formed via one‐step sintering. The specific resistivity of the pattern created using only the second sintering step is 2.65 × 10−7 Ω m and that of the two‐step pattern is 0.84 × 10−7 Ω m, and the value shows little change over 180 days. Two‐step‐sintered patterns on a polyimide substrate exhibit very dense microstructures, surface porosity <7%, and no damage. Thus, highly conductive copper‐based inkjet patterns on a flexible substrate are successfully fabricated.
Performance Analysis of a Prototype High‐Concentration Photovoltaic System Coupled to Silica Optical Fibers
Authors: Lo Piccolo Giuseppe Mattia , Morana Adriana , Boukenter Aziz , Girard Sylvain , Ouerdane Youcef , Montagnino Fabio Maria , Gelardi Franco Mario , Agnello Simonpietro , Cannas Marco
Published: May 2021

High‐concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems are one of the most promising technologies for the generation of renewable energy with high‐conversion efficiency. Their development is still at an early stage, but the possibility of integrating high‐concentration systems into buildings offers new opportunities to achieve the net‐zero‐energy building goal. Herein, the optical and energetic performance of a hybrid daylighting−HCPV prototype based on pure‐ or doped‐silica optical fibers (OFs) to guide 2000× concentrated sunlight inside the buildings is evaluated. There, the light can either be used to illuminate interior spaces or projected on solar cells to generate electricity. The system equipped with a single 400 μm core‐diameter OF is demonstrated to achieve a total efficiency of 15% and an optical efficiency of 45%.
Gold Albumin Sandwich Structures for Enhanced Biosensing Using Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Rüger Fabian , Keusgen Michael , Vornicescu Doru
Published: May 2021

The sensitivity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is limited by physico‐optical constraints like the quality of the optical elements, resolution of the optical detection element, and temperature control, but also by the surface area of the gold layer, which serves for interaction events. To increase the utilized sensing surface area, gold‐coated chips are loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The nanoparticles are synthesized by two different methods and in different sizes. Experimental conditions are elaborated to bind AuNPs stabilized in citrate buffer directly to a SPR surface, which is coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) prior to binding. The formed sandwich structures are functional without additional coupling steps and provide a time‐efficient tool for rapid and sensitive detection of various biomolecules. The AuNPs are successfully loaded with streptavidin (SaV). This allows convenient immobilization of all kinds of biotinylated molecules (e.g., enzymes, antibodies, etc.). The latter strategy has the advantage to circumvent the denaturation of proteins, which is caused by close contact to gold surfaces. Limit of detection and limit of quantification are found to be in the femtomolar range.
Independent Channel Method for Nanoribbons with Dislocation and Fano Defects
Authors: Sánchez Vicenta , Sánchez Fernando , Wang Chumin
Published: May 2021

In 2D materials, the dislocation is a common structural defect at finite temperatures as its appearance reduces the free energy by rising entropy, whereas many clusters of atoms or molecules, called as Fano defects, can be adsorbed on their extensive surface. Herein, the electronic transport in a long square nanoribbon with planar dislocation and Fano defects is studied within the tight‐binding formalism including nearest‐ and next‐nearest‐neighbor hopping integrals. To this purpose, a new convolution method is developed to transform the nanoribbon into a set of independent channels, where a real‐space renormalization procedure is applied. Despite the almost unaltered densities of states, the ballistic transport of periodic nanoribbons is mostly destroyed by the introduction of such structural defects, except for several energies in the case of Fano defects, and dissimilar conductance spectra are found in these two analyzed cases.
A Perfect Andreev Reflection Induced by Anderson Disorder in a Normal–Superconductor Junction
Authors: Zhang Shu-feng , Zhang Tian-yi
Published: May 2021

The electronic transport properties of a 2D normal metal superconductor are studied by a nonequilibrium Green's function method. The normal metal is the non‐inverted HgTe/CdTe quantum well doped by electrons. It is found that Andreev reflection (AR) is enhanced in the weak disorder regime while weakened in the strong disorder regime. However, the AR coefficient can be perfect () with vanished fluctuations in the moderate disorder regime, whereas other scattering processes are forbidden. The mechanism goes that Anderson disorder leads to a topological Anderson insulator with bulk states localized while edge states still extensive. Multiple ARs and spin‐momentum locking cooperate to vanish the normal reflection and leave AR only. A detailed numerical study shows that fixing the Fermi surface in conduction band, a large enough junction width, and a strong coupling between the normal and superconducting leads are necessary for perfect AR.
Hole Trapping at Acceptor Impurities and Alloying Elements in AlN
Authors: Lyons John L. , Van de Walle Chris G.
Published: May 2021

Hole localization is a root cause of difficulties in p‐type doping of aluminum nitride. Herein, the stability of localized holes in AlN and their susceptibility to self‐trapping within bulk material or in the presence of isovalent elements and acceptor impurities are calculated. It is found that self‐trapped holes are metastable in bulk AlN, and also exhibit a very low barrier to detrapping. However, holes become trapped in the presence of acceptor impurities as well as isovalent elements such as B, In, and Sc, and may contribute to the broad luminescence observed in AlN alloys. It is also found that hole trapping contributes to the large ionization energies for acceptors in AlN. Most acceptors can also trap a second hole, becoming positively charged and further exacerbating difficulties in doping aluminum nitride p type. The stability of trapped holes is found to scale with atomic size mismatch to Al.
Design and implementation of a hand‐held robot‐assisted minimally invasive surgical device with enhanced intuitive manipulability and stable grip force
Authors: Yang Yingkan , Kong Kang , Li Jianmin , Wang Shuxin
Published: May 2021

Background

The conventional hand‐held minimally invasive surgical devices commonly suffer from non‐intuitive manipulability and restricted flexibility for operation.

Methods

A hand‐held surgical device with enhanced intuitive manipulability and stable grip force was proposed for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The dexterous instrument and isomorphic handle were designed, and the cable transmission structure and model of the instrument were analysed. A modelling method for grip force pre‐compensation was proposed to produce stable grip forces under different posture.

Results

The prototype of the proposed MIS device was developed, and the related experiments were carried out. The maximum opening angle error was 1.2°. Compared with the non‐compensation model, the variation of grip force reduced 8 times with the pre‐compensation model. The animal vivo experiments verified the feasibility and practicability of the device.

Conclusions

The proposed hand‐held device could provide intuitive manipulability and stable operation, which contributes to the performance improvement of the MIS.
Cross talk between hepatitis B virus and innate immunity of hepatocytes
Authors: Golsaz‐Shirazi Forough , Shokri Fazel
Published: May 2021

Innate immunity plays a major role in controlling viral infections. Recent exploration of sodium taurocholate co‐transporting polypeptide receptor as specific hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor in human hepatocytes has provided appropriate cell culture tools to study the innate immunity of hepatocytes and its cross talk with HBV. In this review, we give a brief update on interaction between HBV and innate immunity using the currently available in vitro cellular models that support the complete life cycle of HBV. We will discuss how HBV can act as a ‘stealth’ virus to counteract the innate immune responses mediated by the pathogen recognition receptors of hepatocytes and escape the first line of surveillance of the host immune system. We give an overview of the cellular components of innate immunity that present in these in vitro models and discuss how activating these innate immunity components may contribute to the eradication of HBV infection.
Brackish groundwater and reverse osmosis concentrate influence soil physical and thermal properties and pecan evapotranspiration
Authors: Ben Ali Akram R. , Yang Hui , Shukla Manoj
Published: May 2021

The use of brackish groundwater (BGW) to supplement irrigation shortfalls has increased because of decreasing surface water availability in the arid areas of the southern United States. Reuse of reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate, a by‐product resulting from desalination of BGW, can increase irrigation portfolio. This 2‐yr greenhouse study aimed to quantify changes in physical and thermal soil properties, and evapotranspiration (ET) rate of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] irrigated with BGW and RO concentrate. Another objective was to predict soil thermal conductivity (K) using soil electrical conductivity (EC) and soil volumetric water content (VWC) data of 2017–2018. Three irrigation water treatments with four replications were prepared namely, control (EC = 0.8 dS m−1), BGW (EC = 4.0 dS m−1), and RO concentrate (EC = 8.0 dS m−1). Soil physical properties determined were texture, moisture content, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, and moisture retention. Thermal properties measured were conductivity (K), diffusivity (D), resistivity (ρ), and heat capacity (C). The ET and leaching fractions (LF) were determined using water balance. Pecan irrigated with RO concentrate had the lowest ET among irrigation treatments. Soil thermal conductivities and soil water contents in BGW and RO irrigated pots were higher than the control. However, increases in heat capacity with increasing irrigation water salinity were most pronounced. The new four parameters‐based model using EC and VWC explained 96% of variability of K (average R2 = .96, RMSE = 0.096, normalized RMSE [NRMSE] = 11.14%). The sensitivity analysis showed that the contribution of VWC to K was greater than that of EC. Results indicate that continuous irrigation with RO concentrate can be done for up to 1 yr. A new irrigation scheduling protocol based on optimal LF and soil salinity is needed to sustain pecan production in southern New Mexico.
Keep a work journal for reflection and responsibility
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: May 2021

While scrolling through LinkedIn recently, I happened upon an article from Harvard Business Review titled “The More Senior Your Job Title, the More You Need to Keep a Journal.” Dan Ciampa wrote, “Journal entries should provide not only a record of what happened but how we reacted emotionally; writing it down brings a certain clarity that puts things in perspective.” He added, “A personal journal should be part of any leader's toolkit.”
Leading during COVID‐19 crisis reaps valuable lessons learned
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2021

As much as we all yearn to put COVID‐19 behind us, we must first take advantage of this opportunity to look back and consider what we've learned along the way and how it can help us improve for the future. And that's why members of the Student Affairs Today Advisory Board took the time to share their valuable lessons learned from leading through this crisis.
Reduce liability by planning ahead, treading carefully when enforcing pandemic‐related expectations
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2021

As you hurried to develop and implement pandemic‐related expectations during the fast‐paced changes of the past year, your main concerns centered on protecting the health and safety of your campus community. But now's the time to also ensure you're protecting your institution's legal liability when enforcing compliance with those expectations, according to legal experts who presented a virtual session of the Association for Student Conduct Administration's annual conference.
Did appeals court find university was negligent for failing to protect student from assault?
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: May 2021

A female student lived in a Northeastern University residence hall during her first year at the university. Another first‐year student, A.G., lived in the same residence hall.
Early journey formative for new VP
Authors: Santovec Mary Lou
Published: May 2021

Her experience immigrating to the United States holds a special significance for Tonantzin Oseguera, Ed.D., the new Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University‐Fullerton. When she was 13, she left her father in Mexico City where she was born and made the perilous trip across the border to join her mother in California. Her own journey has made her extra sensitive to students who have few resources.
C36and C35E (E=N and B) Fullerenes as Potential Nanovehicles for Neuroprotective Drugs: A Comparative DFT Study
Authors: Reina Miguel , Celaya Christian A. , Muñiz Jesús
Published: May 2021

Doped fullerenes are extraordinary materials with unique electronic and optical properties, which also show potential for diverse biomedical applications. Employing density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations; we studied the propensity of C36and C35E (E=N and B) fullerenes as potential nanovehicles for certain neuroprotective drugs that are efficacious for Parkinson's disease. Baclofen, modafinil, rasagiline and rivastigmine were systematically studied to analyze whether they could be carried by small fullerenes. C36and C35N fullerenes represent promising nanostructure candidates, due to their adsorption energy (physisorption) and favorable electrostatic interaction for the molecular transport of baclofen and rivastigmine drugs. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the effect of temperature on these interactions,ab initiomolecular dynamics (AIMD) were also performed. The results from this work are expected to motivate additional investigations concerning these systems, using both theoretical and experimental approaches, in order to demonstrate their versatility as novel carbon‐based nanovehicles.
The role of competitive amplification in explaining sustained performance heterogeneity
Authors: Wibbens Phebo D.
Published: May 2021

Research Summary

This article introduces a formal model of long‐term resource dynamics under uncertainty. The model demonstrates the importance of competitive amplification for the emergence of sustained performance heterogeneity. In some markets, small differences in resource positions tend to amplify over time into large performance differences. The model predicts that this amplification and the resulting performance heterogeneity are largest in markets where firms compete for critical resources that are highly scalable, carry high sunk cost, depreciate rapidly and exhibit strong time‐compression diseconomies. Amplification emerges because in these markets an advantaged firm tends to have a stronger incentive to invest than a follower. Prior theories had paid little attention to the critical role of such competitive interactions in shaping long‐term resource dynamics.

Managerial Summary

In some markets, performance differences between competitors are much larger than in others. For instance, in high‐tech markets just one or a few firms tend to generate a large share of profits, while in utilities many different firms can exhibit similar performance levels. The mathematical model in this article suggests that the characteristics of the critical resources in a market play an important role in whether firms in that market will have similar versus very different performance levels. For instance, competition for resources that are not capacity‐constrained and depreciate rapidly—such as innovative technologies—tend to induce advantaged firms to extend their leads, which over time causes any small differences in resource positions to amplify into large performance differences. Conversely, capacity‐constrained and long‐lived resources—such as industrial plants—tend to induce attenuation of performance differences.
The Laboratory Study of Metallurgical Slags and the Reality
Authors: Sichen Du , Huss Joar , Vickerfält Amanda , Berg Martin , Martinsson Johan , Allertz Carl , Kojola Niklas
Published: May 2021

The development of new materials and their production processes along with the environmental constraints demand new data of high quality, especially thermodynamic and physical property data. As slags play a crucial role in metallurgical processes and recycling, the need of better understanding of the reaction mechanisms between slag and metal is also increasingly felt. High precision data and better understanding of the reaction mechanism require efficient collaboration between the researchers in the laboratory and in the industries. Unfortunately, in some cases, the reported data are not obtained in well‐controlled experimental conditions. Without the knowledge of the experimental conditions, the use of the data in industrial practice would possibly lead to unintended results. In other cases, the measurements themselves, even their principles, are questionable. This review article addresses how to make the laboratory investigation more relevant to the industrial reality. Some existing uncertainties in the laboratory studies are also discussed. To help a sensible discussion, some specially designed experiments are conducted to support the argument. The review is focused on slag properties (namely, sulfide capacity, phosphate capacity, apparent viscosity, and apparent interfacial tension) and studies of interfacial slag phenomena.
Photodeformable Liquid Crystalline Polymers Containing Functional Additives: Toward Photomanipulatable Intelligent Soft Systems
Authors: Huang Shuai , Huang Yinliang , Li Quan
Published: May 2021

Deformable liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) have been an attractive topic for years because of their great potential in intelligent soft systems such as artificial muscles, soft robotics, and smart optical devices. However, the application of conventional thermal‐responsive LCPs is usually limited by the low thermal conductivity of the polymer matrix and the high dependency on external heating device. In comparison, light‐controlled methods have many advantages, including being noncontact, remote in situ, and the ability to manipulate the spatial resolution of LCPs, which facilitate the development of diverse untethered and remotely manipulatable intelligent soft devices. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in the development of photodeformable LCPs by incorporation of organic or/and inorganic photoresponsive components as functional additives because the diverse functions of the incorporated components can be facilely combined with the directional shape‐morphing behaviors of LCPs in these systems via the interplay among the functional building blocks, mesomorphic phases, and polymer matrices. This review focuses on the design strategies, manufacturing methods, and working principles of photomanipulatable LCPs with incorporated photosensitive organic dyes or/and inorganic nanocomponents. Their possible applications and future developments are also briefly summarized.
Preparation and Flocculation Property of Cationic Chitosan‐DADMAC‐β‐Cyclodextrin Copolymer
Authors: Zhang Jia , Guan Guohao , Lou Tao , Wang Xuejun
Published: May 2021

Dye wastewater, especially anionic dye wastewater, poses a serious risk to the environment and human health. To solve this problem, it is necessary to develop new flocculants with high efficiency and biodegradability. Herein, a copolymer of chitosan‐diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride‐β‐cyclodextrin (CDC) with multiple functional groups is synthesized by microwave‐assisted copolymerization and used as flocculation to remove anionic dyes from wastewater. The experimental data show that the best removal ratios of the prepared CDC can reach 99.8% and 98.9% for acid black 172 and reactive orange C‐3R, respectively. In addition, the CDC can maintain good removal ability at different pH, temperature, and dye concentration. The excellent flocculation ability and wide application range endow the CDC flocculant with the potential application of anionic dye wastewater treatment.
Realization of Anti‐Markovnikov Selectivity in Pd‐Catalyzed Oxidative Acetalization and Wacker‐Type Oxidation of Terminal Alkenes
Authors: Ura Yasuyuki
Published: May 2021

Catalytic oxidative acetalization and Wacker‐type oxidation of terminal alkenes normally proceed with Markovnikov selectivity to afford internally oxyfunctionalized compounds, such as internal acetals and ketones. Thus, the realization of anti‐Markovnikov (AM) selectivity in these reactions is challenging. This account focuses on our recent development of Pd‐catalyzed AM oxidation of terminal alkenes (mainly styrenes and aliphatic alkenes), that is, oxidative acetalization (oxidation to terminal acetals) and Wacker‐type oxidation (oxidation to aldehydes). The key factors that enhance the yield and AM selectivity of the products found in our studies are: 1) the steric bulkiness of the oxygen nucleophiles that attack on the coordinated alkenes, 2) the electron‐deficient cyclic alkenes as additives that withdraw electrons from Pd, 3) the slow addition of substrates in the case of the aliphatic alkenes, which suppresses the isomerization of the terminal alkenes into internal alkenes, and 4) the halogen directing groups in the case of aliphatic alkenes.
The culturally responsive science teaching practices of undergraduate biology teaching assistants
Authors: Barron Hillary A. , Brown Julie C. , Cotner Sehoya
Published: May 2021

Science as an enterprise has been and continues to be exclusionary, perpetuating inequities among whose voice is heard as well as what/whose knowledge is recognized as valid. Women, people of color, and persons with disabilities are still vastly outnumbered in science and engineering by their White, male counterparts. These types of imbalances create a gatekeeping culture of inequity and inaccessibility, particularly for traditionally underrepresented students. Science classrooms, especially at the undergraduate level, strive to mimic the broader practices of the scientific community and therefore have tremendous potential to perpetuate the exclusion of certain groups of people. They also have, however, the potential to be a catalyst for equitable participation in science. Utilizing pedagogies of empowerment such as culturally responsive science teaching (CRST) in undergraduate classrooms can mitigate the gatekeeping phenomenon seen in science. Teaching assistants (TAs) engage in more one‐on‐one time with students than most faculty in undergraduate biology education, yet minimal pedagogical training is offered to them. Therefore, training for improved pedagogical knowledge is important for TAs, but training for CRST is critical as TAs have broad and potentially lasting impact on students. This study explores the ways in which undergraduate biology TAs enact CRST. Using constructivist grounded theory methods, this study examined TAs' reflections, observation field notes, semistructured interviews, and focus groups to develop themes surrounding their enactment of CRST. Findings from this study showed that undergraduate biology TAs enact CRST in ways described by four themes: Funds of Knowledge Connections, Differentiating Instruction, Intentional Scaffolding, and Reducing Student Anxiety. These findings provide new insights into the ways undergraduate science education might be reimagined to create equitable science learning opportunities for all students.
Novel hybrid models for the design of upflow anaerobic filters separated in phases
Authors: Maldonado Maldonado Julio Isaac , Márquez Romance Adriana Mercedes , Guevara Pérez Edilberto , Pérez Pacheco Sergio Alejandro , Rey Lago Demetrio José
Published: May 2021

In this paper, upflow anaerobic filters separated in two (UAF‐2SS) and three phases (UAF‐3SS) were evaluated for treating landfill leachate, varying volumetric organic load (2.25–4.64 kg/m3‐day), temperature (20°C–34°C), and depth ratio in reactors. Eight hybrid models were formulated, obtaining a determination coefficient upper to 0.7.
Prediction of preterm pre‐eclampsia according to NICE and ACOG criteria: descriptive study of 597 492 Danish births from 2008 to 2017
Authors: Rode L. , Ekelund C. K. , Riishede I. , Rasmussen S. , Lidegaard Ø. , Tabor A.
Published: May 2021

Objective

The aim of this national study was to examine the incidence of preterm pre‐eclampsia (PE) and the proportion of women with risk factors for PE, according to the criteria suggested by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), during a 10‐year period in Denmark.

Methods

Data from The Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish Medical Birth Registry were used to obtain the incidence of preterm PE with delivery < 37 weeks' gestation and risk factors for PE for all deliveries in Denmark from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017. The proportion of women with at least one high‐risk factor and/or at least two moderate‐risk factors for PE, according to the NICE and ACOG criteria, and the detection rate for preterm PE were examined. Race, socioeconomic status and the woman's weight at birth were not available from the registries used, and information on Type‐2 diabetes was found to be invalid.

Results

Of the 597 492 deliveries during the study period, any PE was registered in 3.2%, preterm PE < 37 weeks in 0.7% and early‐onset PE < 34 weeks' gestation in 0.3%. These proportions remained largely unchanged from 2008 to 2017. Overall, the NICE criteria were fulfilled in 7.5% of deliveries and the ACOG criteria in 17.3%. In the total population, the NICE criteria identified 47.6% of those with preterm PE and the ACOG criteria identified 60.5%. The current criteria for offering aspirin treatment in Denmark largely correspond to having at least one NICE high‐risk factor. In 2017, a total of 3.5% of deliveries had at least one NICE high‐risk factor, which identified 28.4% of cases that later developed preterm PE.

Conclusions

The incidence of preterm PE remained largely unchanged in Denmark from 2008 to 2017. Prediction of PE according to high‐risk maternal factors could be improved by addition of moderate‐risk factors. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Epidemiological study of congenital malformations of the vertebral column in French bulldogs, English bulldogs and pugs
Authors: Lackmann Felix , Forterre Franck , Brunnberg Leo , Loderstedt Shenja
Published: May 2021

Background

Congenital vertebral body malformations (CVBMs) have retrospectively been investigated in British and American canine populations. This study prospectively evaluates occurrence, localization, type and characteristic of CVBM along the entire vertebral column in a cohort of French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pug dogs from Germany.

Methods

Prospective clinical and radiological screenings for CVBM were performed in brachycephalic dogs presented for reasons unrelated to neurological problems. Neurological and orthopaedic examinations as well as radiographs in two orthogonal planes of the entire vertebral column including the tail were performed in all dogs. Cobb angle and vertebral step were determined. Associations between CVBM, tail malformation, neurological deficits and occurrence of concurrent orthopaedic diseases were investigated.

Results

A total of 707 VBMs were identified in the whole vertebral column of 169 of 265 brachycephalic dogs. The most common types of CVBMs were ventral wedge shape (48%), dorsal wedge shape (14%) and shortened vertebral body (14%). A new type of malformation was investigated: dorsal wedge shape vertebrae. There was significant association between severe tail malformations with CVBM. Neurological deficits were significantly associated with ventrolateral wedge shape, dorso lateral hemivertebrae, Cobb angle > 30% and vertebral step ≥1.75 mm. Orthopaedic conditions were not significantly associated with CVBM.

Conclusion

Kyphotic Cobb angle and vertebral step are radiological findings associated with neurological deficits. We propose severe tail malformation as an easy and accurate selection factor for determining breeding dogs.
Prevalence of porcine respiratory pathogens in slaughterhouses in Shanxi Province, China
Authors: Yue Weidong , Liu Yihui , Meng Yukai , Ma Haili , He Junping
Published: May 2021

Background

Porcine respiratory diseases remain the biggest challenge in pig‐based food production and are a public health concern. Despite control measures, persistent outbreaks have been reported worldwide.

Objective

To establish an early detection mechanism for pig farm disease outbreaks based on slaughterhouse risk and environmental assessment.

Methods

We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of porcine respiratory disease‐causing pathogens including Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Haemophilus parasuis (HPS). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse the lungs of 491 pigs from 19 slaughterhouses across 11 cities in Shanxi Province, China.

Results

PCR detected MHP, PCV2, PPRSV and HPS in 76.99%, 67.00%, 11.82% and 19.55% of the samples, respectively; 10.12% were negative for all four pathogens. Co‐positivity rates for two and three pathogens were identified. The results confirmed significant correlations between PCV2 and MHP (p = .001, p < .05), HPS and PCV2 (p = .01, p < .05) and MHP and PRRSV (p = .01, p < .05). No significant correlation was observed between HPS and MHP (p = .067, p > .05). Positive MHP and PCV2 rates were low in areas with high vegetation coverage. The overall pathogen positivity rate was higher in both lower and higher temperature environments.

Conclusions

Interactions among pathogens may increase disease severity. Furthermore, environmental assessment and pathogen surveillance within pig slaughterhouses can be an effective approach for early detection and mitigation of new disease threats before broad dissemination occurs among a herd.
Development of an ELISA for distinguishing convalescent sera withMycoplasma hyopneumoniaeinfection from hyperimmune sera responses to bacterin vaccination in pigs
Authors: Ding Honglei , Wen Yukang , Xu Zuobo , Zhou Bingqian , Tlili Chaker , Tian Yaqin , Wang Zhaodi , Ning Yaru , Xin Jiuqing
Published: May 2021

Vaccination with inactivated bacterin is the most popular and practical measure to control enzootic pneumonia. After immunisation with inactivated bacterin,Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaecolonised on the respiratory tract and lung stimulates the humoural immune responses and produces IgG and IgA antibodies. ELISA is a widely used serological method to detectM. hyopneumoniaeantibodies. However, commercial IgG‐ELISA kit cannot distinguish between inactivated bacterin‐induced hyperimmune sera and convalescent sera stimulated by natural infection. SIgA‐ELISA method needs to collect nasal swabs, but collecting nasal swabs is not easy to operate. Establishment of a discriminative ELISA detecting humoural IgG from convalescent sera but not hyperimmune sera facilitates to evaluate the natural infection ofM. hyopneumoniaeafter inactivated bacterin vaccination. We expressed and purified a recombinant protein named Mhp366‐N which contains an epitope recognised by the convalescent sera but not hyperimmune sera. The developed discriminative IgG‐ELISA could discriminate between inactivated bacterin‐induced hyperimmune sera and convalescent sera and was reproducible, sensitive and specific toM. hyopneumoniaeantibody produced by natural infection. Compared to SIgA‐ELISA method, discriminative IgG‐ELISA was more convenient to detect IgG antibody from sera than IgA from nasal swabs, although it has limited sensitivity in the early stages of infection. Additionally, to some extent, it has a potential to avoid the interference of maternally derived IgG antibodies. The established discriminative IgG‐ELISA was efficient to judge the serological IgG antibodies induced from natural infection or inactivated vaccine stimulation and provided a useful method to investigate and evaluate the live organism infection after the application of inactivated bacterin.
Challenge of Virus Disease Threats to Ensuring Sustained Uptake of Vitamin-A-Rich Sweetpotato in Africa
Authors: Kreuze Jan , Cuellar Wilmer J. , Low Jan W.
Published: May 2021

Orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes (OFSP) are a rich source of pro-vitamin A and can alleviate vitamin A deficiency in the developing world. In Africa, traditional varieties have been almost exclusively white-fleshed and introduction and breeding of orange-fleshed varieties into Africa has been severely hampered by virus diseases to which many varieties are susceptible. Breeding progress to generate resistant varieties has been slow due to rare and recessive occurrence of resistance in breeding populations. Production of virus-free seed is complicated by the fact that most sweetpotato viruses show no or only limited symptoms and very low virus concentrations when infected by individual viruses, making them difficult to detect. Even single infections can lead to significant yield losses, but when they combine severe disease complexes are generated, which can lead to total crop failure. Significant efforts have been made in characterizing and understanding virus interactions in sweetpotato over the last two decades to address this challenge; they are reviewed in this chapter. We also review the state of the art in detection of viruses in support of seed systems and breeding. We conclude with recommendations for the most urgent future research directions needed to address virus problems in sweetpotatoes.
Formalizing the Institution for Event-B in the Coq Proof Assistant
Authors: Reynolds Conor
Published: May 2021

We formalize a fragment of the theory of institutions sufficient to establish basic facts about the institution

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for Event-B, and its relationship with the institution

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for first-order predicate logic. We prove the satisfaction condition for

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and encode the institution comorphism

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embedding

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in

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.
Introduction to the National Mineral Deposit Database of China (2020)
Authors: Qi Fanyu , Li Xiaolei , Shang Yuntao , Meng Jie , Gao Xuezheng , Kong Zhaoyu , Li Haixin , Yan Haifei
Published: May 2021

The National Mineral Deposit Database of China (2002) (also referred to as the Database 2002) has been ranking top in terms of daily data distribution volume in the National Geological Archives of China (also referred to as the NGAC).