bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From Chlorinated Solvents to Branched Polyethylene: Solvent‐Induced Phase Separation for the Greener Processing of Semiconducting Polymers
Authors: Wu Yunyun , Ocheje Michael U. , Mechael Sara S. , Wang Yunfei , Landry Eric , Gu Xiaodan , Xiang Peng , Carmichael Tricia Breen , Rondeau‐Gagné Simon 
Published: October 2021

AbstractDespite having favorable optoelectronic and thermomechanical properties, the wide application of semiconducting polymers still suffers from limitations, particularly with regards to their processing in solution which necessitates toxic chlorinated solvents due to their intrinsic low solubility in common organic solvents. This work presents a novel greener approach to the fabrication of organic electronics without the use of toxic chlorinated solvents. Low‐molecular‐weight non‐toxic branched polyethylene (BPE) is used as a solvent to process diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based semiconducting polymers, then the solvent‐induced phase separation (SIPS) technique is adopted to produce films of semiconducting polymers from solution for the fabrication of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). The films of semiconducting polymers prepared from BPE using SIPS show a more porous granular morphology with preferential edge‐on crystalline orientation compared to the semiconducting polymer film processed from chloroform. OFETs based on the semiconducting films processed from BPE show similar device characteristics to those prepared from chloroform without thermal annealing, confirming the efficiency and suitability of BPE to replace traditional chlorinated solvents for green organic electronics. This new greener processing approach for semiconducting polymers is potentially compatible with different printing techniques and is particularly promising for the preparation of porous semiconducting layers and the fabrication of OFET‐based electronics.
Maize and sorghum root growth and yield when intercropped with forage grasses
Authors: Sarto Marcos Vinicius Mansano , Borges Wander Luis Barbosa , Bassegio Doglas , Rice Charles , Rosolem Ciro Antonio 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntegrated crop–livestock systems that intercrop forage crops with grain crops are effective for increasing forage production and improving nutrient cycling and soil health. However, the potential for root competition when maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] are intercropped with forages in sandy soils is unknown. The objectives of this study were (a) to evaluate the root growth and production characteristics of maize and sorghum intercropped with forage grasses and (b) quantify above‐ and belowground biomass in a tropical integrated cropping system. Two 3‐yr experiments were conducted in which maize and sorghum were intercropped with forage grasses: guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.), ruzigrass [Urochloa ruziziensis (Germ. & Evrard) Crins], palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst ex A. Rich.) R. Webster], or an Urochloa hybrid. Monocropped maize and sorghum were used as controls. Fine roots (≤3 mm) were sampled in the monocropped and intercropped systems at soil depths of 1.0 m. Intercropping guineagrass and palisade grass with maize and sorghum resulted in 40% greater dry matter production than intercropping with ruzigrass and the Urochloa hybrid. The positive effect of intercropping forage grasses in the low‐fertility sandy soil was greater for sorghum than for maize because of lower root growth competition. On average, intercropping maize and sorghum with forages increased the total above‐ and belowground biomass by 30 and 50%, respectively, compared with monocropping. In summary, intercropping maize and sorghum with forage grasses is a viable option to enhance biomass during the off‐season in tropical integrated crop–livestock systems.
Fodder development in sub‐Saharan Africa: An introduction
Authors: Boote Kenneth J. , Adesogan Adegbola T. , Balehegn Mulubrhan , Duncan Alan , Muir James P. , Dubeux José C.B. , Rios Esteban F. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLivestock systems play a key role in the sustainability and livelihood of sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). The human population in SSA is rapidly increasing, resulting in steady growth in the demand for animal‐sourced foods (ASF). Most current agricultural production practices in SSA coupled with poor management, health challenges and indigenous breeds, result in low crop and livestock productivity and often do not meet local demands. To improve productivity, locally adapted technologies and management practices need to be widely adopted. This special issue is a collection of contributions addressing major aspects of crop and livestock systems in SSA. Key topics addressed include the present status of feedstuff availability in SSA, improved fodder production and utilization practices, new cultivars, soil management, forage conservation, use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) tools to measure forage nutritive value, and social and economic aspects of crop‐livestock systems. The overarching goal of this special issue is to provide insightful information that can be used for the future development and implementation of efficient and sustainable integrated systems. SSA will have a key role in feeding itself and the world in the future, and livestock systems and cropping practices are crucial components of this process.
Deep tillage and nitrogen do not remediate cumulative soil deterioration effects of continuous cropping
Authors: Rubio Valentina , Quincke Andrés , Ernst Oswaldo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractShort‐term solutions like increasing N fertilization and decompaction with deep tillage (DT) have been proposed to mitigate soil degradation in continuous cropping systems. However, the joint evaluation of these factors in established no‐till systems is limited. This work aims to quantify corn yield losses generated by the cumulative degradation of soil quality of intensified no‐till cropping systems, quantify to what extent yield losses could be mitigated by soil DT and N fertilization, and identify the most important process involved in yield reductions. Eleven experiments were installed during 2014 and 2015, on a typic Argiudoll with different soil quality generated by more than 50 years of contrasting land uses. A split‐plot design was employed; the main plots were for DT (with and without) whereas the subplots were four N rates (0, 60, 120, and 240 kg ha−1). Overall, soil physical quality (SPQ) and carbon losses were associated with yield depletions. An increase in bulk density of 0.1 g cm−3 was associated with a 15.8% yield decrease. Deep tillage improved SPQ and modified water and N dynamics. However, these changes were small, variable, and did not affect corn growth. N fertilization improved yields but did not eliminate differences linked with land degradation and previous crop effects. Soil organic carbon had a better association with yields than bulk density, macroporosity, and penetration resistance. The results of this study highlight the importance of evaluating remediation practices to soil degradation under real conditions, regardless of its greater complexity for interpretation.
User‐guided global explanations for deep image recognition: A user study
Authors: Hamidi‐Haines Mandana , Qi Zhongang , Fern Alan , Li Fuxin , Tadepalli Prasad 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe study a user‐guided approach for producing global explanations of deep networks for image recognition. The global explanations are produced with respect to a test data set and give the overall frequency of different “recognition reasons” across the data. Each reason corresponds to a small number of the most significant human‐recognizable visual concepts used by the network. The key challenge is that the visual concepts cannot be predetermined and those concepts will often not correspond to existing vocabulary or have labeled data sets. We address this issue via an interactive‐naming interface, which allows users to freely cluster significant image regions in the data into visually similar concepts. Our main contribution is a user study on two visual recognition tasks. The results show that the participants were able to produce a small number of visual concepts sufficient for explanation and that there was significant agreement among the concepts, and hence global explanations, produced by different participants.
Microbial effects on plant phenology and fitness
Authors: O'Brien Anna M. , Ginnan Nichole A. , Rebolleda‐Gómez María , Wagner Maggie R. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPlant development and the timing of developmental events (phenology) are tightly coupled with plant fitness. A variety of internal and external factors determine the timing and fitness consequences of these life‐history transitions. Microbes interact with plants throughout their life history and impact host phenology. This review summarizes current mechanistic and theoretical knowledge surrounding microbe‐driven changes in plant phenology. Overall, there are examples of microbes impacting every phenological transition. While most studies have focused on flowering time, microbial effects remain important for host survival and fitness across all phenological phases. Microbe‐mediated changes in nutrient acquisition and phytohormone signaling can release plants from stressful conditions and alter plant stress responses inducing shifts in developmental events. The frequency and direction of phenological effects appear to be partly determined by the lifestyle and the underlying nature of a plant–microbe interaction (i.e., mutualistic or pathogenic), in addition to the taxonomic group of the microbe (fungi vs. bacteria). Finally, we highlight biases, gaps in knowledge, and future directions. This biotic source of plasticity for plant adaptation will serve an important role in sustaining plant biodiversity and managing agriculture under the pressures of climate change.
In vitro and in vivo study of carboxymethyl chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol for wound dressing application
Authors: Akbari Alireza , Rabbani Shahram , Irani Shiva , Zandi Mojgan , Sharifi Fereshteh , Ameli Fereshteh , Mohamadali Marjan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAntibacterial, good biosafety, and wound healing enhancers, are the most favorable factors for wound dressing. Designing nanomaterial of the scaffold for supporting skin regeneration is a complicated process. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) structure similar to the glycosaminoglycan and antibacterial activity combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (PVA/CMC) can lead to satisfactory properties for wound management. In this study, a collection of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds are fabricated by blending the constant PVA concentration (9%) with a limited area of CMC concentration (2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%). PVA/CMC scaffolds characteristic was investigated through a scanning electron microscope, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle tests. The fiber diameter values were measured for PVA (144.60 nm), chitosan (131.57 nm), and average different concentration of CMC in PVA/CMC (104.7 ± 2.45 nm). In vitro potential of the scaffolds were evaluated by using human dermal fibroblast cells and human placental‐derived mesenchymal stem cells. According to in vitro results, PVA/CMC4% scaffold was selected as the optimized wound dressing for skin tissue engineering. The in vivo wound healing data in rat models illustrated more healing capacity of PVA/CMC4% dressing in which accelerating wound closure and freshly healed tissue with high similarity to the normal skin was reorganized.
Preparation of bagworm silk/polyaniline composite
Authors: Komaba Kyoka , Goto Hiromasa 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBagworm silk (BS) is the strongest natural fiber as known. We present the development of a bagworm‐based conducting synthetic/natural fiber composite for creating a flexible and strong textile. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, reflection UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron spin resonance, and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) were used to evaluate the composite. BS/PANI sheet resistivity was 1.0 × 102 kΩ/cm. The electrical conductivity measurements and magnetic measurements evaluated that the charge carriers of the composite were radical cations (polarons) of polyaniline.
Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Psoriatic Arthritis in Relation to Presence and Timing of Antirheumatic Treatment
Authors: Remaeus Katarina , Johansson Kari , Granath Fredrik , Stephansson Olof , Hellgren Karin 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate pregnancy outcomes in relation to antirheumatic treatment before and during pregnancy, as a proxy of disease severity in pregnant women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), compared to those without PsA.MethodsOur study focused on a Swedish nationwide registry–based cohort study that included 921 PsA pregnancies and 9,210 non‐PsA pregnancies occurring between 2007 and 2017 (matched 1:10 based on maternal age, year of delivery, and parity). We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) overall, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and stratified by presence, timing, and type of antirheumatic treatment. Adjustments were made for maternal body mass index, smoking, education level, and country of birth. The outcome of preterm birth was also stratified by parity.ResultsPregnant women with PsA versus those without PsA were more obese, more often smokers, and more frequently had a diagnosis of pregestational hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Increased risks in PsA pregnancies versus non‐PsA pregnancies were primarily preterm birth (adjusted OR 1.69 [95% CI 1.27–2.24]) and cesarean delivery (adjusted OR 1.77 [95% CI 1.43–2.20] for elective delivery, and adjusted OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.10–1.84] for emergency delivery). The risks differed according to the presence, timing, and type of antirheumatic treatment, with the most increased risk in PsA pregnancies (versus non‐PsA) occurring with antirheumatic treatment during pregnancy (adjusted OR 2.30 [95% CI 1.49–3.56] for preterm birth). The corresponding adjusted OR for preterm birth in women with PsA who were exposed specifically to biologic treatment during pregnancy was 4.49 [95% CI 2.60–7.79]. Risk of preterm birth was primarily increased in first pregnancies.ConclusionCompared to non‐PsA pregnancies, risks of preterm birth and cesarean delivery were mostly increased in those exposed to antirheumatic treatment during pregnancy, especially biologic treatments. As parity influences the risk of preterm birth in women with PsA, special attention to first pregnancies is warranted. Women with PsA should receive individualized monitoring during pregnancy.
Understanding the effects of message cues on COVID‐19 information sharing on Twitter
Authors: Zheng Han , Goh Dion Hoe‐Lian , Lee Edmund Wei Jian , Lee Chei Sian , Theng Yin‐Leng 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAnalyzing and documenting human information behaviors in the context of global public health crises such as the COVID‐19 pandemic are critical to informing crisis management. Drawing on the Elaboration Likelihood Model, this study investigates how three types of peripheral cues—content richness, emotional valence, and communication topic—are associated with COVID‐19 information sharing on Twitter. We used computational methods, combining Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modeling with psycholinguistic indicators obtained from the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count dictionary to measure these concepts and built a research model to assess their effects on information sharing. Results showed that content richness was negatively associated with information sharing. Tweets with negative emotions received more user engagement, whereas tweets with positive emotions were less likely to be disseminated. Further, tweets mentioning advisories tended to receive more retweets than those mentioning support and news updates. More importantly, emotional valence moderated the relationship between communication topics and information sharing—tweets discussing news updates and support conveying positive sentiments led to more information sharing; tweets mentioning the impact of COVID‐19 with negative emotions triggered more sharing. Finally, theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed in the context of global public health communication.
Dynamic Visualization of Free Radicals at Single Oxygen Bubbles using Chemiluminescence
Authors: Xu Yanyan , Liu Kang , Jin Rong , Jiang Dechen , Fang Danjun 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe generation of free radicals is a key process in the formation and the collapse of the bubbles in water, however, the direct and dynamic observation of the radicals in this process at single bubbles has never been achieved. Here, the hydroxyl (OH.) and oxygen (O2.−) radicals at single oxygen bubbles are continuously traced using chemiluminescence (CL), in which these radicals at the bubble react with the surrounding luminol in the solution emitting the light. Varied increase trends of luminescence are observed in the generation of a bubble, floating, short parking at the water/air interface and the final explosion, revealing the complexity in the distribution of radicals at the bubble unprecedentedly. Despite more radicals are observed at the bubble generated at a deep position under the water for the stabilization, almost the same amount of radicals are included in the bubbles that is independent on the water pressure during the production of the bubble. This rich information collected from the dynamic study of bubbles illustrates the complicated generation and distribution process of radicals at the bubbles, and will facilitate the understanding of the function about the bubbles.
Polyelectrolyte/Gold Nanoparticle Nanotubes Incorporating Doxorubicin‐Loaded Liposomes
Authors: Enomoto Yuto , Akiyama Motofusa , Morita Yoshitsugu , Komatsu Teruyuki 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAnticancer agent doxorubicin‐loaded liposomes (DoxLs) were drawn spontaneously into nanotubes comprising multilayers of polyelectrolytes and gold nanoparticles (PAuNTs). We describe a unique structure of PAuNTs incorporating DoxLs (DoxL‐PAuNT). The number of DoxLs adsorbed on the tube interior surface was ascertained as 2.4×103. Heating stimuli engendered gel‐liquid crystal phase transition of DoxL in the capillary, subsequently inducing efficient release of Dox without structural changes of the tubule or liposome. Furthermore, antitumor activity of the DoxL‐PAuNTs on cancer cells was elucidated.
Ratiometric Detection of microRNA Using Hybridization Chain Reaction and Fluorogenic Silver Nanoclusters
Authors: Wong Zheng Wei , Ng Jeck Fei , New Siu Yee 
Published: October 2021

AbstractmiRNA (miR)‐155 is a potential biomarker for breast cancers. We aimed at developing a nanosensor for miR‐155 detection by integrating hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and silver nanoclusters (AgNCs). HCR serves as an enzyme‐free and isothermal amplification method, whereas AgNCs provide a built‐in fluorogenic detection probe that could simplify the downstream analysis. The two components were integrated by adding a nucleation sequence of AgNCs to the hairpin of HCR. The working principle was based on the influence of microenvironment towards the hosted AgNCs, whereby unfolding of hairpin upon HCR has manipulated the distance between the hosted AgNCs and cytosine‐rich toehold region of hairpin. As such, the dominant emission of AgNCs changed from red to yellow in the absence and presence of miR‐155, enabling a ratiometric measurement of miR with high sensitivity. The limit of detection (LOD) of our HCR‐AgNCs nanosensor is 1.13 fM in buffered solution. We have also tested the assay in diluted serum samples, with comparable LOD of 1.58 fM obtained. This shows the great promise of our HCR‐AgNCs nanosensor for clinical application.
Vaccine and vaccination as a part of human life: In view of COVID‐19
Authors: K.B. Megha , Nayar Seema A. , P.V. Mohanan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundVaccination created a great breakthrough toward the improvement to the global health. The development of vaccines and their use made a substantial decrease and control in infectious diseases. The abundance and emergence of new vaccines has facilitated targeting populations to alleviate and eliminate contagious pathogens from their innate reservoir. However, along with the infections like malaria and HIV, effective immunization remains obscure and imparts a great challenge to science.Purpose and scopeThe novel Corona virus SARS‐CoV‐2 is the reason for the 2019 COVID‐19 pandemic in the human global population, in the first half of 2019. The need for establishing a protected and compelling COVID‐19 immunization is a global prerequisite to end this pandemic.Summary and conclusionThe different vaccine technologies like inactivation, attenuation, nucleic acid, viral vector, subunit, and viral particle based techniques are employed to develop a safe and highly efficient vaccine. The progress in vaccine development for SARS‐CoV2 is much faster in the history of science. Even though there exist of lot of limitations, continuous efforts has put forward so as to develop highly competent and effective vaccine for many human and animal linked diseases due to its unlimited prospective. This review article focuses on the historical outlook and the development of the vaccine as it is a crucial area of research where the life of the human is saved from various potential diseases.
Predictors of activities of daily living in heathy older adults: Who benefits most from online cognitive training?
Authors: Roheger Mandy , Kalbe Elke , Corbett Anne , Brooker Helen , Ballard Clive 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the course of activities of daily living (IADL) functioning and possible predictors of performance changes in healthy older adults conducting either a General Cognitive Training (GCT) or a Reasoning Cognitive Training (ReaCT) or no training (control group, CG) over a period of 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.Setting and participantsAn online, home‐based GCT and ReaCT including n = 2913 healthy participants (GCT: n = 1096; ReaCT: n = 1022; CG: n = 794) aged 60 years and older.MethodsMultilevel analysis were calculated to explore the nature of our outcome variables of IADL part A (independence) and part B (difficulty of tasks), and to detect possible predictors for participants’ performance on IADL after CT.ResultsThe random slopes models fitted better for the outcomes IADL Part B in the GCT group (χ2(2) = 18.78, p < .01), and both IADL Part A and Part B in the ReaCT group (χ2(2) = 28.57, p < .01; χ2(2) = 63.38, p < .01, respectively), indicating different changes over time for individual participants. Female sex was a significant predictor of IADL change in the ReaCT group, showing that females benefited most in both IADL scores (IADL A: 0.01, p < .01; IADL B: 0.004, p < .01). No other significant predictors for IADL changes were identified.Conclusion and implicationThe particular effectiveness in women is of clinical relevance, as IADL is typically more impaired in women than in men in advanced age. Following a personalized medicine approach, identifying predictors of non‐pharmacological intervention success is of utmost importance.