bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in Sand and Silt Deposited Areas of Dhemaji District of Assam
Authors: Sonowal D. , Sarma J. K. , Das P. K. , Barman I. , Deka S. D. 
Published: June 2021

The study was undertaken in sand and silt deposited areas of Dhemaji district in Assam, primarily to measure physical and social capitals as livelihood assets, compute Sustainable Rural Livelihood index, study selected personal, socio-economic and psychological attributes of farmer respondents as well as to find out the relationship, if any, between Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and the selected personal, socio-economic and psychological attributes of the respondents. A descriptive research design, following an ex post facto approach was utilized for the study. A multi-stage, purposive cum proportionate random sampling design was adopted for the study in order to select 100 respondents.
With respect to the selected personal, socio-economic and psychological attributes of the respondents, the study revealed that most of the respondents (88%) were young to middle aged and had medium level of formal education (57%). The study revealed that the proportion of farm families belonging to small and medium sized families were almost equal (46% and 43% respectively). Majority (61%) of the respondents was marginal farmers and belonged to the low and medium level of annual income categories (respectively 41% and 46%). On the other hand, a large majority (70%) had low level of annual expenditure pattern, medium level of economic motivation (68%) and risk bearing ability (70%).
The computed Sustainable Rural Livelihood Index score (49.89%) was found to be on the lower side, indicating its relatively low strength based on physical and social capital indices. Correlation analysis of the independent variables of the study with Sustainable Rural Livelihoods revealed that five independent variables, viz., age, education, size of land holding, expenditure pattern and risk bearing ability were positively and significantly correlated with Sustainable Rural Livelihoods.
The study reveals that a productive human capital falling largely in the young to middle age category holds promise for socio-economic development in similar situations. However, illiteracy, coupled with lower formal education would mean that skill development ought to be the focal area for capacity building in the agricultural sector. . Strategic agricultural technology interventions suited for sand and silt affected areas have to planned keeping in mind seasonal uncertainties and low cost technologies.
Growth of Various Phases of Gallium Oxide
Authors: Bae Si‐Young 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this article, we review the growth of various phases of gallium oxides (Ga2O3). There are five polymorphs of Ga2O3, α, β, γ, δ, and ϵ (or κ), of which β‐gallia is the most thermodynamically stable one. In the past decade, remarkable advancements in producing β‐Ga2O3bulk substrates have been made. At present, 4‐inch β‐Ga2O3substrates are commercially available. The other phases of Ga2O3are less thermally stable; however, the material properties of different crystal structures suggest their potential for a broad range of applications. In order to better understand the characteristics of various phases of Ga2O3, growth methods for bulk and epitaxial thin films of Ga2O3and structural properties are reviewed herein.
Multilayer Integration for Organic Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Guo Xiaojun , Huang Yukun , Ouyang Bang , Han Lei , Hou Xiao , Tang Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe organic thin‐film transistor (OTFT) owns advantages of low processing temperature and excellent mechanical flexibility for creating truly flexible or stretchable electronics on arbitrate substrates. Beyond extensive research efforts in organic semiconductor (OSC) materials, stacking of the OSC and other layers for high performance OTFTs and circuit integration in a manufacturable way becomes vital. In this article, the advantages of OTFTs over inorganic counterparts are discussed in details. Then the suitable devices structures and multi‐layer material stacks for integration are introduced. The key processes for OSC deposition, device multi‐layer stacking, and especially OSC patterning are described. Finally, the circuit integration techniques, including not only the process for formation of via interconnection but also the circuit styles and integration architectures, are reviewed.
Quantum‐Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wu Zhenghui , Sun Xiao Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe article first introduces the application prospects of quantum‐dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) in display market by showing some prototype products. Then, it presents the fundamentals and background of colloidal quantum dots (CQDs), the key materials in QLEDs. The concept of quantum confinement effect is introduced. Based on the understanding of quantum confinement effects, the article further explains the band structures of CQDs and their size‐dependent luminescent properties. The history of developing high‐quality CQDs and the core/shell structures of CQDs are also summarized. Then the fundamentals of QLEDs including the device structures and working mechanisms are introduced. The evolution of the device architectures of QLEDs is presented. The explanations on the working mechanisms and device physics are especially focused on how the charge transport layers affect the physical processes, such as charge injection, exciton quenching, and injection balance in QLEDs. The main loss mechanisms in QLEDs understood by the scientific community so far are elaborated, which include Auger recombination, Förster resonance energy transfer, and field‐induced quenching. Finally, the article is concluded with the summary of most urgent challenges in commercialization of QLED‐based display. Some other promising applications based on QLEDs are also mentioned.
Urea Melt Marbles Developed by Enwrapping Urea Melt Droplets with Superhydrophobic Particles: Preparation, Properties, and Application in Large Urea Granule Production
Authors: Deng Xiaoqian , Huang Chunni , Liu Shuyuan , Yang Chao , Wu Pan , He Jian , Jiang Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUrea melt droplets (UMDs) spontaneously spheronize and form large urea granules after condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces without dust generation. However, they break and coalesce when colliding with each other; moreover, they adhere to the surface and form tails when rolling. These problems limit the practicality of the process using UMDs for large urea granulation directly. Urea melt marbles (UMMs) are introduced to overcome these drawbacks by enwrapping UMDs with superhydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder, thus enhancing the elasticity and maintaining the sphericity. A premixing–melting process is developed to obtain UMMs and lower the PTFE powder consumption to half of that required in the traditional liquid marble preparation. The best determined elasticity modulus of UMMs reaches 44.9 ± 3.6 Pa, and the sphericity is 0.9992. No adhering or tailing occurs during rolling granulation. Large urea granules obtained through UMMs meet all requirements for the commercial urea products and exhibit additional advantages of protection against moisture and slow release of fertilizer.
Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐Related Protein 6 Cell Surface Availability Regulates Fuel Metabolism in Astrocytes
Authors: Chow Hei‐Man , Sun Jacquelyne Ka‐Li , Hart Ronald P. , Cheng Kenneth King‐Yip , Hung Clara H. L. , Lau Tsun‐Ming , Kwan Kin‐Ming 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEarly changes in astrocyte energy metabolism are associated with late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. A previous study suggested an association between a synonymous SNP (rs1012672, C→T) in LRP6 gene and LOAD; and that is indeed correlated with diminished LRP6 gene expression in the frontal cortex region. The authors show that LRP6 is a unique Wnt coreceptor on astrocytes, serving as a bimodal switch that modulates their metabolic landscapes. The Wnt‐LRP6 mediated mTOR‐AKT axis is essential for sustaining glucose metabolism. In its absence, Wnt switches to activate the LRP6‐independent Ca2+‐PKC‐NFAT axis, resulting in a transcription network that favors glutamine and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) catabolism over glucose metabolism. Exhaustion of these raw materials essential for neurotransmitter biosynthesis and recycling results in compromised synaptic, cognitive, and memory functions; priming for early changes that are frequently found in LOAD. The authors also highlight that intranasal supplementation of glutamine and BCAAs is effective in preserving neuronal integrity and brain functions, proposing a nutrient‐based method for delaying cognitive and memory decline when LRP6 cell surface levels and functions are suboptimal.
Opportunities and constraints in women's resource security amid climate change: A case study of arid‐living Namibian agro‐pastoralists
Authors: Hazel Ashley , Meeks Gillian , Bharti Nita , Jakurama John , Matundu Justy , Jones James Holland 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveWe describe the composition and variation of women's resource strategies in an arid‐living Southern African agro‐pastoralist society to gain insights into adaptation to climate‐change‐induced increased aridity.MethodsUsing cross‐sectional data from 210 women collected in 2009 across 28 agro‐pastoralist villages in Kaokoveld Namibia, we conducted principal‐component (PC) analysis of resource variables and constructed profiles of resource strategies from the major PCs. Next, we explored associations between key resource strategies and demographic measures and fitness proxies.ResultsThe first two PCs accounted for 43% of women's overall resource variation. PC1 reflects women's ability to access market resources via livestock trading, while PC2 captured women's direct food access. We found that market strategies were more common among married women and less common among women who have experienced child mortality. Women with higher subsistence security were more likely to be from the OvaHimba tribe and had a higher risk of gonorrhea exposure. We also qualitatively explored drought‐induced pressure on women's livestock. Finally, we show that sexual networks were attenuated during drought, indicating strain on social support.ConclusionsOur results highlight how agro‐pastoralist women manage critical resources in unpredictable environments, and how resource strategies distribute among the women in our study. Goats as a commodity to obtain critical resources suggests that some women have flexibility during drought when gardens fail and cattle die. However, increased aridity and drought may eventually overwhelm husbandry practices in this region.
Untersuchungen zum Verständnis und zur Kontrolle der Stereoselektivität der Humulen‐Synthase
Authors: Schotte Carsten , Lukat Peer , Deuschmann Adrian , Blankenfeldt Wulf , Cox Russell J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDie nicht‐kanonische Terpencyclase AsR6 ist für die Bildung von 2E,6E,9E‐Humulen während der Biosynthese des Tropolonsesquiterpenoids (TS) Xenovulene A verantwortlich. Die ligandfreie Kristallstruktur von AsR6 und die Struktur im Komplex mit Thiolodiphosphat und dem cyclisierten Reaktionsprodukt offenbaren ein neues Farnesyldiphosphat‐Bindungsmotiv. Dieses besteht aus einem binuklearen Mg2+‐Cluster und der essenziellen Aminosäure K289 und es ist in allen an der TS‐Bildung beteiligten Humulen‐Synthasen konserviert. Struktur‐geleitete ortsgerichtete Mutagenese von AsR6 und dem homologen Enzym EupR3 identifiziert eine einzelne Aminosäure, L285/M261, die die Produktion von entweder 2E,6E,9E‐ oder 2Z,6E,9E‐Humulen bestimmt. Ein möglicher Mechanismus für die beobachtete Stereoselektivität wurde mit verschiedenen Isoprenoiden untersucht und die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass M261 die Kontrolle über die Produktbildung hat.
Remarkable Size Effect on Photophysical and Nonlinear Optical Properties of All‐Carboatomic Rings, Cyclo[18]carbon and Its Analogues
Authors: Liu Zeyu , Lu Tian , Yuan Aihua , Wang Xia , Chen Qinxue , Yan Xiufen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractInspired by recent experimental observation of molecular morphology and theoretical predictions of multiple properties of cyclo[18]carbon, we systematically studied the photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of cyclo[2N]carbons (N=3–15) allotropes through density functional theory. This work unveils the unusual optical properties of the sp‐hybridized carbon rings with different sizes. The remarkable size dependence of the optical properties of these systems and their underlying nature are profoundly explored, and the relevance between aromaticity and optical properties are highlighted. The extrapolation curves fitted for energy level of frontier molecular orbitals, maximum absorption wavelength, and (hyper)polarizability of considered carbon rings are presented, which can be used to reliably predict corresponding properties for arbitrarily large carbon rings. The findings in this study will facilitate the exploration of potential application of cyclocarbons in the field of optical materials.
Comparative Performance of Ten Electrodes in Electro‐Fenton Process for Removal of Organic Pollutants from Water
Authors: Oturan Nihal , Bo Jiang , Trellu Clément , Oturan Mehmet A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractElectrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs), based on the in situ generation of the powerful oxidant, hydroxyl radical (.OH), have been developed for effective destruction of recalcitrant organic pollutants. Electrode materials used both as anode and cathode constitute one of the key parameters affecting the process efficiency. The electro‐Fenton (EF) process is one of the most powerful EAOPs in water/wastewater treatment. Inversely to other EAOPs, in the EF process, .OH can be generated both in the bulk solution (from reagents formed at the cathode) and on anode surface. Therefore, the role of anode/cathode couple is of great importance for this process. This study focuses on the comparative performance of ten electrodes (5 anodes, 5 cathodes) through more than fifty combinations during removal of the antibiotic p‐aminosalicylic acid (p‐ASA), taken as target pollutant. The following parameters were chosen for performance assessment: oxidative degradation kinetics, the time needed for complete destruction of p‐ASA, mineralization rate, mineralization current efficiency and energy consumption. The results obtained highlight the following sequence for the performance of anodes: BDD > PbO2 > Ti4O7 > Pt≈DSA, and that of cathodes: carbon sponge ≥ carbon felt > graphite > stainless steel≈titanium.
Advancing the Anode Compartment for Energy Efficient CO2 Reduction at Neutral pH
Authors: Peugeot Adèle , Creissen Charles E. , Schreiber Moritz W. , Fontecave Marc 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEnergy efficient CO2 reduction in neutral pH requires the development of electrochemical devices operating with minimal energy input. To reach this objective, we propose an original approach focused on the anode compartment where the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) takes place. Different anode catalysts, anolytes and membranes were tested, and the components resulting in the most energy efficient and stable CO2 reduction reaction device were selected. A stainless‐steel‐based anode with significant OER activity and stability in a wide pH range was used to compare symmetric (neutral catholyte and anolyte) and asymmetric (neutral catholyte and alkaline anolyte) configurations. The gain in energy efficiency for carbon products of 6–8 % in the asymmetric configuration highlighted the advantages of a pH gradient. Although a Nafion membrane gave the highest energy efficiencies, the pH was unstable. Therefore, bipolar membranes that can maintain a pH gradient emerge as the best option for long‐term electrolysis. This work paves the way for the development of highly energy efficient CO2‐reduction devices with cathodes operating in low pH conditions.
Pervasive inflammatory activation in patients with deficiency in very‐long‐chain acyl‐coA dehydrogenase (VLCADD)
Authors: Vallejo Abbe N , Mroczkowski Henry J , Michel Joshua J , Woolford Michael , Blair Harry C , Griffin Patricia , McCracken Elizabeth , Mihalik Stephanie J , Reyes‐Mugica Miguel , Vockley Jerry 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesVery‐long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD) is a disorder of fatty acid oxidation. Symptoms are managed by dietary supplementation with medium‐chain fatty acids that bypass the metabolic block. However, patients remain vulnerable to hospitalisations because of rhabdomyolysis, suggesting pathologic processes other than energy deficit. Since rhabdomyolysis is a self‐destructive process that can signal inflammatory/immune cascades, we tested the hypothesis that inflammation is a physiologic dimension of VLCADD.MethodsAll subjects (n = 18) underwent informed consent/assent. Plasma cytokine and cytometry analyses were performed. A prospective case analysis was carried out on a patient with recurrent hospitalisation. Health data were extracted from patient medical records.ResultsPatients showed systemic upregulation of nine inflammatory mediators during symptomatic and asymptomatic periods. There was also overall abundance of immune cells with high intracellular expression of IFNγ, IL‐6, MIP‐1β (CCL4) and TNFα, and the transcription factors p65‐NFκB and STAT1 linked to inflammatory pathways. A case analysis of a patient exhibited already elevated plasma cytokine levels during diagnosis in early infancy, evolving into sustained high systemic levels during recurrent rhabdomyolysis‐related hospitalisations. There were corresponding activated leukocytes, with higher intracellular stores of inflammatory molecules in monocytes compared to T cells. Exposure of monocytes to long‐chain free fatty acids recapitulated the cytokine signature of patients.ConclusionPervasive plasma cytokine upregulation and pre‐activated immune cells indicate chronic inflammatory state in VLCADD. Thus, there is rationale for practical implementation of clinical assessment of inflammation and/or translational testing, or adoption, of anti‐inflammatory intervention(s) for personalised disease management.
Broadening the ecological mindset
Authors: Ellison Aaron M. , Barker Plotkin Audrey A. , Patel Manisha V. , Record Sydne 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOver the past three decades, the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology (HF‐SRPE) has been at the forefront of expanding the ecological tent for minoritized or otherwise marginalized students. By broadening the definition of ecology to include fields such as data science, software engineering, and remote sensing, we attract a broader range of students, including those who may not prioritize field experiences or who may feel unsafe working in rural or urban field sites. We also work towards a more resilient society in which minoritized or marginalized students can work safely, in part by building teams of students and mentors. Teams collaborate on projects that require a diversity of approaches and create opportunities for students and mentors alike to support one another and share leadership. Finally, HF‐SRPE promotes an expanded view of what it means to become an ecologist. We value and support diverse career paths for ecologists to work in all parts of society, to diversify the face of ecology, and to bring different perspectives together to ensure innovations in environmental problem solving for our planet.
Underrepresented youth experience barriers prior to field experiences
Authors: Bonfield Susan , Dorta Dalia , Vargas‐Barriga Jorge 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEnvironment for the Americas has developed a model internship program that helps to recruit diverse youth for internship positions on federal lands and with non‐governmental organizations. To improve the program, we have conducted almost a decade of surveys to examine the barriers diverse youth may face when applying for these positions and working at sites where staff, visitors, and other interns may be predominantly White. Our model has been very successful in addressing barriers, including those presented by Bowser and Cid within this Forum. Survey responses show that issues of connection, confidence, comfort, and capability can be addressed through considerations of culture, staff awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion, training, communication, and mentorship.
Southern introgression increases adaptive immune gene variability in northern range margin populations of Fire‐bellied toad
Authors: De Cahsan Binia , Kiemel Katrin , Westbury Michael V. , Lauritsen Maike , Autenrieth Marijke , Gollmann Günter , Schweiger Silke , Stenberg Marika , Nyström Per , Drews Hauke , Tiedemann Ralph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNorthern range margin populations of the European fire‐bellied toad (Bombina bombina) have rapidly declined during recent decades. Extensive agricultural land use has fragmented the landscape, leading to habitat disruption and loss, as well as eutrophication of ponds. In Northern Germany (Schleswig‐Holstein) and Southern Sweden (Skåne), this population decline resulted in decreased gene flow from surrounding populations, low genetic diversity, and a putative reduction in adaptive potential, leaving populations vulnerable to future environmental and climatic changes. Previous studies using mitochondrial control region and nuclear transcriptome‐wide SNP data detected introgressive hybridization in multiple northern B. bombina populations after unreported release of toads from Austria. Here, we determine the impact of this introgression by comparing the body conditions (proxy for fitness) of introgressed and nonintrogressed populations and the genetic consequences in two candidate genes for putative local adaptation (the MHC II gene as part of the adaptive immune system and the stress response gene HSP70 kDa). We detected regional differences in body condition and observed significantly elevated levels of within individual MHC allele counts in introgressed Swedish populations, associated with a tendency toward higher body weight, relative to regional nonintrogressed populations. These differences were not observed among introgressed and nonintrogressed German populations. Genetic diversity in both MHC and HSP was generally lower in northern than Austrian populations. Our study sheds light on the potential benefits of translocations of more distantly related conspecifics as a means to increase adaptive genetic variability and fitness of genetically depauperate range margin populations without distortion of local adaptation.