bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter‐ and intra‐observer variability in the selection of therapy for infantile hemangiomas among pediatric dermatologists in Spain
Authors: Colmenero María , del Boz Javier , Bernabeu Wittel José , Roé Esther , Feito‐Rodríguez Marta , Vicente‐Villa María Asunción , Martín‐Santiago Ana , Palencia Pérez Sara Isabel , Azon Antoni , Valdivielso‐Ramos Marta , Torrelo Antonio , Sánchez Moya Ana Isabel , Campos‐Domínguez Minia , Garnacho‐Saucedo Gloria , Azaña Defez José Manuel , Vera Casaño Ángel , Tercedor‐Sánchez Jesús , Alcalá Rebeca , González‐Enseyat María Antonia , Giacaman Aniza , Hernández‐Martin Ángela , Monserrat García María Teresa , Bauzá Ana , Domínguez‐Cruz Javier , García‐Doval Ignacio , Grau‐Pérez Mercè
Published: May 2022

Background

Guidelines and expert recommendations on infantile hemangiomas (IH) are aimed at increasing homogeneity in clinical decisions based on the risk of sequelae.

Objective

The objective was to analyze the inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement among pediatric dermatologists in the choice of treatment for IH.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional inter‐rater and intra‐rater agreement study within the Spanish infantile hemangioma registry. Twenty‐seven pediatric dermatologists were invited to participate in a survey with 50 clinical vignettes randomly selected within the registry. Each vignette contained a picture of an infantile hemangioma with a clinical description. Raters chose therapy among observation, topical timolol, or oral propranolol. The same survey reordered was completed 1 month later to assess intra‐rater agreement. Vignettes were stratified into hemangioma risk categories following the Spanish consensus on IH. The agreement was measured using kappa statistics appropriate for the type of data (Gwet's AC1 coefficient and Gwet's paired t test).

Results

Twenty‐four dermatologists completed the survey. Vignettes represented 7.8% of the Spanish hemangioma registry. The inter‐rater agreement on the treatment decision was fair (AC1 = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.47). When stratified by risk category, good agreement was reached for high‐risk hemangiomas (AC1 = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.51–1.00), whereas for intermediate‐ and low‐risk categories, the agreement was only fair (AC1 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16–0.46 and AC1 = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.27–0.48, respectively). Propranolol was the main option for high‐risk hemangiomas (86.4%), timolol for intermediate‐risk (36.8%), and observation for low‐risk ones (55.9%). The intra‐rater agreement was good. The inter‐rater agreement between pediatric dermatologists on the treatment of IH is only fair. Variability was most significant with intermediate‐ and low‐risk hemangiomas.
Comparative seed longevity under genebank storage and artificial ageing: a case study in heteromorphic wheat wild relatives
Authors: Gianella M. , Balestrazzi A. , Ravasio A. , Mondoni A. , Börner A. , Guzzon F.
Published: May 2022

Seed longevity is a complex trait that depends on numerous factors. It varies among species and populations, and within different seed morphs produced by the same plant. Little is known about variation in longevity in different seed morphs or the physiological and molecular basis of these differences. We evaluated the longevity and oxidative stress status in heteromorphic seeds aged in two different storage conditions.

We compared controlled ageing tests (seed storage at 45°C and 60% relative humidity; a method of accelerated ageing used to estimate longevity in genebank conditions) with storage in a genebank for up to 40 years (−18°C and 8% seed moisture content). We employed as study species two wild wheats characterized by seed heteromorphism: Aegilops tauschii and Triticum monococcum subsp. aegilopoides. We estimated the ROS content and the expression of genes coding for enzymes related to the H2O2 scavenging pathway.

Results confirmed that seed longevity varies between different seed morphs. Different storage environments resulted in different longevity and survival curves. ROS levels, even if with variable patterns, were higher in several aged seed lots. We observed consistency in the expression of two genes (GSR and CAT) related to ROS scavenging in the late phase of pre‐germinative metabolism.

Differences in seed longevity between morphs were observed for the first time under genebank conditions. Our results suggest also that controlled ageing tests should be used with caution to infer ranks of longevity under cold storage.
Usage pattern of chemicals, biologicals and veterinary medicinal products in Indian aquaculture
Authors: Patil Prasanna K. , Mishra Sudhansu S. , Pradhan Pravata K. , Manna Sanjib K. , Abraham Jawahar T. , Solanki Haresh G. , Shahi Neetu , Swain Priyabrata , Sahoo Satya N. , Avunje Satheesha , Sharma Krupesha S. R. , Geetha Rajamanickam , Priyadharshini Raju , Nagaraju Vinay T. , Paniprasad Kurcheti , Kumar Ashok , Debnath Dipesh , Panikkar Preetha , Raja Ramalingam A. , Saraswathy Ramamoorthy , Bhuvaneswari Thangavelu , Mallik Suman K. , Sood Neeraj , Kumar Chandra B. , Sanil Nandiath K. , Vinoth Sakkarai P. , Alavandi Shankar V. , Vijayan Koyadan K. , Jithendran Karingalakkady P. , Jena Joykrushna
Published: May 2022

The use of chemicals, biologicals and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) helps in healthy and sustainable fish production. Information on the use of these products is essential for assessing farming practices, potential human health and environmental risks. A questionnaire‐based nationwide survey covering aquaculture farms (n = 2936) producing carps, tilapia, pangasius and rainbow trout in freshwater and shrimp in brackishwater estimated the use of 52 different types of inputs which included disinfectants (597 g t−1), probiotics (2.28 kg t−1), environmental modifiers (22.82 kg t−1), nutritional supplements (1.96 kg t−1), natural anti‐infective agents (293 g t−1), herbicide and piscicides (844 g t−1), antibiotics (2 mg PCU−1), antifungal (4 mg PCU−1), and antiparasitic (14 mg PCU−1) agents. The bulk of these inputs was used for soil and water quality improvement and had low environmental and human safety concerns. The multivariate analysis revealed significant variation in the frequency and quantity of compounds use among farm groups. Redundancy analysis revealed a significant association between the number of products used and stocking density. The survey also showed a considerable influence of education and farming experience on the usage pattern of aquaculture inputs. Results of the study indicated greater reliance of farmers on the use of disinfectants for biosecurity, nutritional supplements for enhanced growth and environmental modifiers for maintaining soil and water quality in culture systems. Though there was no use of restricted antibiotics and antiparasitic agents, the development and implementation of standard regulatory guidelines are essential for safe and effective use of inputs for sustainable aquaculture.
Modeling wetland restoration scenarios in Gavkhooni International Wetland
Authors: Pirali Zefrehei Ahmad Reza , Kolahi Mahdi , Fisher Judith
Published: May 2022

One of the challenges for managers is to ensure the long‐term sustainability of wetlands by protecting their ecological values against natural and human pressures. This study has evaluated the past vulnerability status of Gavkhooni International Wetland, Isfahan, Iran, using a combination of GIS and multicriteria spatial decision support systems (MC‐SDSS) processes, to propose restoration scenarios. Three scenarios were developed from criteria established using field studies and expert opinion: (1) wetland restoration to preserve existing water bodies, (2) determination of susceptible regions as habitat replacement for aquatic communities, and (3) a combination of the two previous scenarios. Finally, a map was developed classifying the regions into five categories by area of priority. The northern regions of the wetland were prioritized based on the results of the first and the second scenarios. The third scenario provided the highest opportunity to obtain an optimistic state, that is, normal conditions, for the wetland marginal regions, especially in the central region (between the east and west). In a pessimistic state and optimistic state of the third scenario, almost all parts of the center to the south of the wetland show the lowest priority restoration scenarios. According to the different scenarios, the central regions of the wetland are less affected by agricultural activities and human settlements. In general, the results show that the Gavkhooni Wetland is unstable based on functional, environmental, social and economic conditions. According to the criteria and the MC‐SDSS model, the government can adopt and implement the necessary policies and programs to improve the condition of the wetland.
Return Versus onward Migration: Go Back or Move On?
Authors: Bijwaard Govert E. , Wahba Jackline
Published: May 2022

This paper examines the impact of unemployment on out‐migration by distinguishing between return and onward migration and controlling for total earnings. We use Timing‐of‐Events models and control for the endogeneity of total earnings, unemployment and out‐migration using administrative data from the Netherlands. Our findings suggest that unemployment triggers return migration more than onward migration. When total earnings are low unemployment increases the hazard of return migration. When total earnings are high the hazard rate of onward migration for unemployed immigrants increases. Thus, these findings highlight that out‐migration is affected both by unemployment and by total earnings as well as by the interaction between the two.
Spatial dynamics for an SIRE epidemic model with diffusion and prevention in contaminated environments
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Wei , Teng Zhidong , Zhang Long
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a reaction–diffusion SIRE epidemic model in contaminated environments is proposed, in which the effect of protection for susceptible individuals is included by the nonlinear incidence functions and . When the space is heterogeneous, the basic reproduction number is derived, by which we find that if , the disease‐free steady state is globally asymptotically stable, while , the disease is uniform persistent. Furthermore, when and additional conditions hold, the global asymptotic stability of special endemic steady state is obtained in homogeneous space. Finally, the theoretical results are validated by numerical simulations, some open questions are illustrated.
Can Conferralism Account for Systemic Racism?
Authors: Ásta
Published: May 2022

Conferralism about race is a version of social constructivism about race, where the agents of construction seem to be individual agents. However, an important aspect of racism is systemic or structural, and seemingly not about the behavior of individual agents. Can conferralism account for that? In this paper, I begin to address that question by focusing on recent criticism of conferralism by Linda Martín Alcoff and Aaron Griffith.
Effects of varying field geometry and machine configurations on spatial field traffic intensity: A case study for winter wheat harvest
Authors: Augustin Katja , Focke Martínez Santiago , Duttmann Rainer , Hertzberg Joachim , Kuhwald Michael
Published: May 2022

Increasing traffic intensities in agricultural work processes increase the risk of subsoil compaction. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the geometry of the field and size of the machine influence the traffic intensity. This study focuses on analysing the influence of the machinery and field geometry on the traffic intensities in the field based on wheat harvest operations performed with one combined harvester. For this purpose, 177 routes on 59 different fields are simulated with a route planner, and subsequently, the tracks and traffic intensities are modelled. The structure of the field was specified using eight different shape indices. The analyses showed that the configuration of the machines mainly influences the total passed area and the wheel load distribution on the field. Independent of the machine, the geometry of the field has an influence on the area proportions in the headland with wheel passes above 5 and 10. The indices that highly correlate with traffic intensity are the mean interior edge ratio, the interior area ratio and the mean fractal dimension. It means that the larger the field area in proportion to the perimeter and the infield area, the larger the area fraction with more than 5 or 10 passes. Moreover, this area share increases with the complexity of the field geometry, expressed by the mean fractal dimension. Consequently, the size of the field mainly influences the traffic in the headland because of the removal of the crop.
Practical Prosody: New Hope for Teaching German Plurals
Authors: Schuhmann Katharina S. , Smith Laura Catharine
Published: May 2022

German plural formation appears unsystematic and largely arbitrary to many second language (L2) learners. While some approaches have attempted to identify patterns and rules to help L2 learners (e.g., Anton et al., 2017; Di Donato & Clyde, 2020; Kraiss, 2014), one central observation from linguistic analysis has been absent from pedagogical advances: German plurals show a strong tendency to end in a syllabic trochee (e.g., Wegener, 1999; Wiese, 2000, 2001, 2009). This article seeks to bridge the gap between linguistic insights and L2 pedagogy by presenting an instructional approach integrating the trochee. We provide support for this approach based on an exploratory study comparing two groups of L2 speakers that both received several suffix‐predicting rules for specific word endings and completed controlled practice exercises on plurals. Crucially, only one group received additional instruction on the prosodic pattern of German plurals. While both groups made gains, the prosodic training group showed a greater increase in confidence and accuracy in plural formation, particularly among lower‐proficiency speakers. The prosodic training group also produced more trochaic plurals for nonce words, thus responding more like native speakers. Overall, we suggest that this linguistically‐informed strategy might help students learn plurals more effectively by delimiting suffix options based on prosody.
Hip‐Hop Pedagogy, Social Justice, and Transnational Media Studies: Eko Fresh's “Aber” and Joyner Lucas's “I'm Not Racist” in Dialogue
Authors: Uca Didem , Zambon Kate , Stehle Maria
Published: May 2022

This article examines hip‐hop as a vehicle for teaching social justice in college‐level media and cultural studies courses taught in English or German through engagement with Black American rapper Joyner Lucas's “I'm Not Racist” (2017) and Turkish‐German rapper Eko Fresh's “Aber” (2018). Drawing on hiphop's status as an art form grounded in activism, the authors propose that hip‐hop offers productive avenues to learn critical media analysis in a comparative framework and develop dialogic practices that transcend the classroom space. While both tracks suggest possibilities for overcoming political differences through their staging of dialogues between opposed parties, the social, linguistic, national, and historical contexts in which each artist operates and their different approaches to these dialogues lead to two thematically and formally similar yet culturally specific tracks. The included teaching materials in this article aim to lead learners to critically examine the various forms of dialogue as they function within their individual contexts and beyond: the staged dialogue of the music videos; the critical dialogue between the videos and their audiences in the process of reception; and the transnational dialogue occurring between the artists' works. These pedagogical approaches demonstrate how hip‐hop texts and contexts provide opportunities to analyze key topics such as discrimination based on race, nationality, and religion within a social justice‐oriented framework.
Telling a Good Story: Proficiency‐Based Teaching, Advanced‐Level Literary Discussions, and Social Justice
Authors: O'Brien Traci S.
Published: May 2022

Scholars in our profession have long called attention to the gap between language classes and upper‐level content courses. Some current trends, such as decolonizing the curriculum and using the lens of social justice, are highlighting an additional gap, which they perceive in students' preparedness to deal justly with an unjust world. This article examines some representative publications of these trends and shows how their shift away from a focus on target language learning may, in fact, exacerbate both gaps. Because they advocate restructuring world language curricula around something other than the target language and culture, these trends may distract teacher‐scholars from proven approaches – a distraction which can, in turn, hinder students from reaching Advanced or Superior levels (ACTFL, 2012). In contrast, this article argues that using the ACTFL Guidelines and proficiency‐based teaching are most useful to support students in learning to tell “good” stories, which empowers them to reach Advanced and Superior proficiency. A student‐centered, proficiency‐based approach helps teacher‐scholars bridge the gap between language and content courses as well as between individual students' proficiency in upper‐level classes. This article's last section provides detailed examples of multilevel tasks for common texts read in a literature class created for a wide range of proficiency levels.
Life Beyond the Classroom: Project‐Based Learning in a World Language Writing Course
Authors: Brooks Lauren J. , Kerschen Katherine
Published: May 2022

This article describes the implementation of project‐based learning in an upper‐level German as a Foreign Language writing course at a North American university. This pedagogical approach focuses on active learning, learner autonomy, collaboration among peers, tangible products, and developing transferable skills with meaningful, real‐world tasks and assessment. It reimagines the traditional teacher‐centered world language classroom with the goal of helping students to develop the skills and mindset necessary to be successful life‐long learners in a variety of contexts. This pedagogical report maps out the course design, texts, activities, and assessment procedures in order to function as a resource that can be adapted by other instructors. It demonstrates the potential of this approach for improving students' linguistic and non‐linguistic skills and contributes to the growing body of scholarship on best practices for project‐based learning in the world language classroom.
Cross‐sectional risk assessment of zoonotic Streptococcus suis in pork and swine blood in Nakhon Sawan Province in northern Thailand
Authors: Khantasup Kannika , Tungwongjulaniam Chanatda , Theerawat Ratana , Lamaisri Taweeshock , Piyalikit Kanjarat , Nuengjamnong Chackrit , Nuanualsuwan Suphachai
Published: May 2022

A cross‐sectional study evaluated the risk of zoonotic Streptococcus suis (S. suis) illness from consuming raw pork and swine blood in Nakhon Sawan Province. A four‐step risk assessment recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission was used to evaluate the risk along the pork supply chain. A total of 480 pork and swine blood samples were collected from the abattoir (n = 120) and retail (n = 360) during December 2020 and January 2021. Streptococcus suis in samples was enumerated using a culture‐based technique and then confirmed by the biochemical and molecular technique. Streptococcus suis was serotyped by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Two positive swine blood samples were contaminated with non‐zoonotic S. suis serotype 23 at retail. In the case of all negative samples, the deterministic prevalence becomes zero and then the risk could not be estimated. Otherwise, the beta probability distribution was used to describe the probabilistic prevalence, while the maximum likelihood estimator was applied to estimate the upper limit of a probability distribution of concentration. The district averages of probabilistic prevalences of zoonotic S. suis in pork products at abattoir and retail were 9.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The district averages of concentrations of zoonotic S. suis in pork and blood samples from abattoir were 6.8 × 10−3 cfu/g and 6.83 cfu/ml and in pork and blood samples from retail were 2.3 × 10−3 cfu/g and 2.30 cfu/ml, respectively. The overall annual risk estimate per 100,000 population in pork and swine blood from abattoir and retail were 9.8 × 10−11, 2.2 × 10−6, 5.4 × 10−13, and 8.3 × 10−8. These risk estimates were negligible (<10−6) except for the annual risk estimate in swine blood from the abattoir. The results from this cross‐sectional risk assessment should prompt the food safety regulator to cautiously sample by taking into account the duration of sampling and sample size.
Ideas y prácticas de comunicación en cuatro alianzas multisectoriales en Cali (Colombia), 2012 – 2017
Authors: Rodríguez Quintero Ricardo , Correa Méndez Ángela María
Published: May 2022

Las alianzas multisectoriales para afrontar problemas sociales complejos conforman un área del funcionamiento institucional y de estudio consolidada. Sin embargo, los análisis sobre la comunicación en tales dinámicas no son frecuentes y hacen parte de un amplio conjunto de temas alusivos al fenómeno multisectorial. Se caracterizan y comparan cuatro casos desarrollados en Cali (Colombia), entre 2012 y 2017, con énfasis en ideas y prácticas de comunicación, mediante entrevistas e información secundaria. Se aplica un modelo analítico multidimensional sobre los participantes, el liderazgo, la alineación de objetivos, la institucionalización, el afrontamiento del cambio, el sentido del vínculo, la gestión simbólica, la participación, las perspectivas conceptuales, las relaciones de fuerza, la gestión de comunicación, la equidad en la visibilidad de logros, la generación de valor y la adopción de teorías foráneas. La comunicación es una práctica altamente valorada, de sentido práctico, informacional y participativo, pero es una dimensión implícita de la colaboración.
Marketing de influencia: análisis de credibilidad e intención de compra impartidas por un líder de opinión
Authors: Brito Rhor María Dolores , Chachalo Carvajal Grace Pamela , Murray Álvarez María Gabriela
Published: May 2022

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la credibilidad e intención de compra por parte de los consumidores hacia la publicidad encubierta y descubierta mediante un líder de opinión. Para medir las dos variables se creó un influencer (MILA.ec) y un producto ficticios (VITAL FREE). La credibilidad se evaluó mediante la percepción de los consumidores hacia la cuenta del influencer cuando tenía 21.200 versus 2.100 seguidores. La intención de compra se midió a través de la exposición de VITAL FREE por MILA.ec de forma encubierta y descubierta. Los resultados mostraron que la cuenta con mayor número de seguidores era considerada más sincera para el género femenino y tenía mayor influencia sobre el estilo de vida para el grupo de personas de 16 y 25 años.
A Two-Layer Heterogeneous Ant Colony System With Applications in Part-Picking Planning
Authors: Xie Liangang , Li Xianda , Wei Xiangzhi
Published: May 2022

The tape carrier packaging machine with multiple sucking discs is designed for modern, high-speed packaging production line, which is an important part of the electronic manufacturing process. The efficiency of the part-picking can directly affect the efficiency of the packaging production line. The problem involves at least three coupled sub-problems: the number of picking rounds, the matching relationship between the parts and sucking discs, and the picking order. Because the actual industrial production requires real-time or soft real-time scheduling, the challenge is how to efficiently solve this multi-dimensional combinatorial optimization problem within a fairly limited time. The existing advanced algorithms such as the genetic algorithm and the simulated annealing algorithm usually require complex and time-consuming encoding and decoding while solving this problem. In contrast, the ant colony algorithm has advantages in the convergence rate and parallel computing, especially for searching high dimensional paths in dynamic environments. In order to further improve the comprehensive performance of the ant colony algorithm in solving multi-dimensional coupled optimization problems in extremely limited time, we propose a novel two-layer heterogeneous ant colony system based on three strategies: (1) a bottom-up two-layer solution framework to decouple the original tightly coupled problem into a loosely coupled problem composed of two sub-problems; (2) a candidate cluster augmentation strategy based on the Delaunay triangulation to improve the diversity and quality of the clusters; (3) a co-evolution between a pair of heterogeneous colonies by mixing the high-quality pheromone properly as well as a co-evolution based on the prior knowledge. Finally, through a large set of comparisons, the average picking efficiency of Two-layer Heterogeneous Ant Colony System improved by the three proposed strategies is 13–16% higher than that of other popular heuristic algorithms.
The Effects of Sport Organization Messaging Bias on Consumers: A Gender Focus
Authors: Whitburn Damien , Taylor Chelsey , Turner Paul , Karg Adam
Published: May 2022

Little research has investigated gender bias of organization communications, effects of bias on consumer perceptions and intentions, and resulting behaviors. A data scrape of social media and website content and a member survey of Australian not-for-profit sporting organizations provided data for this study. Variances were identified in content and consumer perceptions of messaging, with this shown to be related to gender. Influence of consumer perceptions on satisfaction, relationship quality, behavioral intentions, and consumer behaviors was observed. This highlights that gender bias impacts perceptions of organizational communications, presenting a barrier to engagement. In addition, gender-balanced messaging was shown to lead to greater participation, increased consumption of media, longevity of tenure of sport membership, increased instances of engagement, and higher levels of volunteerism. As such, strategies displaying gender equity can assist organizational efficiency and effectiveness in addition to providing community and participant benefits.
Participation, not penalties: Community involvement and equitable governance contribute to more effective multiuse protected areas
Authors: Fidler Robert Y. , Ahmadia Gabby N. , Amkieltiela  , Awaludinnoer  , Cox Courtney , Estradivari  , Glew Louise , Handayani Christian , Mahajan Shauna L. , Mascia Michael B. , Pakiding Fitryanti , Andradi-Brown Dominic A. , Campbell Stuart J. , Claborn Kelly , De Nardo Matheus , Fox Helen E. , Gill David , Hidayat Nur I. , Jakub Raymond , Le Duong T. , Purwanto  , Valdivia Abel , Harborne Alastair R.
Published: May 2022

Accelerating ecosystem degradation has spurred proposals to vastly expand the extent of protected areas (PAs), potentially affecting the livelihoods and well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) worldwide. The benefits of multiuse PAs that elevate the role of IPLCs in management have long been recognized. However, quantitative examinations of how resource governance and the distribution of management rights affect conservation outcomes are vital for long-term sustainability. Here, we use a long-term, quasi-experimental monitoring dataset from four Indonesian marine PAs that demonstrates that multiuse PAs can increase fish biomass, but incorporating multiple governance principles into management regimes and enforcing rules equitably are critical to achieve ecological benefits. Furthermore, we show that PAs predicated primarily on enforcing penalties can be less effective than those where IPLCs have the capacity to engage in management. Our results suggest that well-governed multiuse PAs can achieve conservation objectives without undermining the rights of IPLCs.
Targeted epigenomic editing ameliorates adult anxiety and excessive drinking after adolescent alcohol exposure
Authors: Bohnsack John Peyton , Zhang Huaibo , Wandling Gabriela M. , He Donghong , Kyzar Evan J. , Lasek Amy W. , Pandey Subhash C.
Published: May 2022

Adolescent binge drinking is a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders later in life including alcohol use disorder. Adolescent alcohol exposure induces epigenetic reprogramming at the enhancer region of the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) immediate-early gene, known as synaptic activity response element (SARE), and decreases
Arc
expression in the amygdala of both rodents and humans. The causal role of amygdalar epigenomic regulation at
Arc
SARE in adult anxiety and drinking after adolescent alcohol exposure is unknown. Here, we show that dCas9-P300 increases histone acetylation at the
Arc
SARE and normalizes deficits in
Arc
expression, leading to attenuation of adult anxiety and excessive alcohol drinking in a rat model of adolescent alcohol exposure. Conversely, dCas9-KRAB increases repressive histone methylation at the
Arc
SARE, decreases
Arc
expression, and produces anxiety and alcohol drinking in control rats. These results demonstrate that epigenomic editing in the amygdala can ameliorate adult psychopathology after adolescent alcohol exposure.
Drought soil legacy alters drivers of plant diversity-productivity relationships in oldfield systems
Authors: Xi Nianxun , Chen Dongxia , Bahn Michael , Wu Hangyu , Chu Chengjin , Cadotte Marc W. , Bloor Juliette M. G.
Published: May 2022

Ecosystem functions are threatened by both recurrent droughts and declines in biodiversity at a global scale, but the drought dependency of diversity-productivity relationships remains poorly understood. Here, we use a two-phase mesocosm experiment with simulated drought and model oldfield communities (360 experimental mesocosms/plant communities) to examine drought-induced changes in soil microbial communities along a plant species richness gradient and to assess interactions between past drought (soil legacies) and subsequent drought on plant diversity-productivity relationships. We show that (i) drought decreases bacterial and fungal richness and modifies relationships between plant species richness and microbial groups; (ii) drought soil legacy increases net biodiversity effects, but responses of net biodiversity effects to plant species richness are unaffected; and (iii) linkages between plant species richness and complementarity/selection effects vary depending on past and subsequent drought. These results provide mechanistic insight into biodiversity-productivity relationships in a changing environment, with implications for the stability of ecosystem function under climate change.
Swarm of micro flying robots in the wild
Authors: Zhou Xin , Wen Xiangyong , Wang Zhepei , Gao Yuman , Li Haojia , Wang Qianhao , Yang Tiankai , Lu Haojian , Cao Yanjun , Xu Chao , Gao Fei
Published: May 2022

Aerial robots are widely deployed, but highly cluttered environments such as dense forests remain inaccessible to drones and even more so to swarms of drones. In these scenarios, previously unknown surroundings and narrow corridors combined with requirements of swarm coordination can create challenges. To enable swarm navigation in the wild, we develop miniature but fully autonomous drones with a trajectory planner that can function in a timely and accurate manner based on limited information from onboard sensors. The planning problem satisfies various task requirements including flight efficiency, obstacle avoidance, and inter-robot collision avoidance, dynamical feasibility, swarm coordination, and so on, thus realizing an extensible planner. Furthermore, the proposed planner deforms trajectory shapes and adjusts time allocation synchronously based on spatial-temporal joint optimization. A high-quality trajectory thus can be obtained after exhaustively exploiting the solution space within only a few milliseconds, even in the most constrained environment. The planner is finally integrated into the developed palm-sized swarm platform with onboard perception, localization, and control. Benchmark comparisons validate the superior performance of the planner in trajectory quality and computing time. Various real-world field experiments demonstrate the extensibility of our system. Our approach evolves aerial robotics in three aspects: capability of cluttered environment navigation, extensibility to diverse task requirements, and coordination as a swarm without external facilities.
Neural-Fly enables rapid learning for agile flight in strong winds
Authors: O’Connell Michael , Shi Guanya , Shi Xichen , Azizzadenesheli Kamyar , Anandkumar Anima , Yue Yisong , Chung Soon-Jo
Published: May 2022

Executing safe and precise flight maneuvers in dynamic high-speed winds is important for the ongoing commoditization of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, because the relationship between various wind conditions and its effect on aircraft maneuverability is not well understood, it is challenging to design effective robot controllers using traditional control design methods. We present Neural-Fly, a learning-based approach that allows rapid online adaptation by incorporating pretrained representations through deep learning. Neural-Fly builds on two key observations that aerodynamics in different wind conditions share a common representation and that the wind-specific part lies in a low-dimensional space. To that end, Neural-Fly uses a proposed learning algorithm, domain adversarially invariant meta-learning (DAIML), to learn the shared representation, only using 12 minutes of flight data. With the learned representation as a basis, Neural-Fly then uses a composite adaptation law to update a set of linear coefficients for mixing the basis elements. When evaluated under challenging wind conditions generated with the Caltech Real Weather Wind Tunnel, with wind speeds up to 43.6 kilometers/hour (12.1 meters/second), Neural-Fly achieves precise flight control with substantially smaller tracking error than stateof-the-art nonlinear and adaptive controllers. In addition to strong empirical performance, the exponential stability of Neural-Fly results in robustness guarantees. Last, our control design extrapolates to unseen wind conditions, is shown to be effective for outdoor flights with only onboard sensors, and can transfer across drones with minimal performance degradation.
Swarms of flying robots in unknown environments
Authors: Soria Enrica
Published: May 2022

An optimal planning algorithm enables swarms of flying robots to explore unknown environments autonomously and safely.
A Team-Based Activity to Support Knowledge Transfer and Experimental Design Skills of Undergraduate Science Students
Authors: D’Ambrosio Lisa M.
Published: May 2022

Experimental design may be considered an essential learning objective of undergraduate science education. This skill not only requires learners to be able to identify novel questions, generate hypotheses, create experimental models, and anticipate data outcomes but also demands that students are able to effectively transfer and apply knowledge from previous learning experiences to novel contexts.
Modification of the lithospheric mantle induced by recycled crustal components: Insights from Early Cretaceous appinites from the Liaodong Peninsula, NE China
Authors: Yan Xiang-Yu , Yang De-Bin , Xu Wen-Liang , Yang Hao-Tian , Mu Mao-Song , Wang An-Qi , Quan Yi-Kang , Hao Le-Ran
Published: May 2022

The term “appinites” refers to amphibolerich mafic rocks, as one of the most typical products of partial melting of a metasomatic lithospheric mantle. This paper presents results of integrated geochemical and isotopic analyses for six Early Cretaceous (125–119 Ma) appinitic plutons from the Liaodong Peninsula, northeastern North China Craton (NCC), to not only investigate the properties of the metasomatic lithospheric mantle induced by variable recycled crustal components but also to discuss a hydrous mantle source. The appinites originated from partial melting of sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), and can be geochemically categorized into three groups distinguished by the input of different recycled crustal components (e.g., terrigenous sediments and delaminated lower continental crust) on the basis of two distinct Hf-O isotopic arrays. Based on the occurrence of voluminous amphiboles (50–60 vol%) and minor clinopyroxene remnants, a petrogenetic model was proposed to interpret the formation of appinites. Asthenospheric upwelling caused by the subduction and roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific plate firstly resulted in partial melting of the SCLM to yield basaltic magmas. Subsequently, numerous hydration reactions between early anhydrous minerals (e.g., olivine and pyroxene) of basaltic magmas and hydrous melts derived from terrigenous sediments and delaminated lower continental crust occurred to produce the studied appinites. Ultimately, the recycled crustal materials can serve as the metasomatic agent not only to transfer the enriched isotopic signatures into the studied appinites but also to represent hydrous components to play the part of hydrous reactions. The high abundance of amphibole in the studied appinites is indicative of a hydrous lithospheric mantle beneath the eastern NCC.
Fibrinogen Early In Severe paediatric Trauma studY (FEISTY junior): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: George Shane , Wake Elizabeth , Jansen Melanie , Roy John , Maconachie Sharon , Paasilahti Anni , Wiseman Greg , Gibbons Kristen , Winearls James
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Trauma causes 40% of child deaths in high-income countries, with haemorrhage being a leading contributor to death in this population. There is a growing recognition that fibrinogen and platelets play a major role in trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) but the exact physiological mechanisms are poorly understood.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective multicentre, open-label, randomised, two-arm parallel feasibility study conducted in the emergency departments, intensive care units and operating theatres of participating hospitals. Severely injured children, aged between 3 months and 18 years, presenting with traumatic haemorrhage requiring transfusion of blood products will be screened for inclusion.

Sixty-eight patients will be recruited and will be allocated to fibrinogen replacement using fibrinogen concentrate (FC) or cryoprecipitate in a 1:1 ratio. Fibrinogen replacement will be administered to patients with a FIBTEM A5 of ≤10. All other aspects of the currently used rotational thromboelastometry-guided treatment algorithm and damage-control approach to trauma remain the same in both groups.

The primary outcome is time to administration of fibrinogen replacement from time of identification of hypofibrinogenaemia. Clinical secondary outcomes and feasibility outcomes will also be analysed.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has received ethical clearance from the Children’s Health Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/17/QRCH/78). Equipment and consumables for sample testing have been provided to the study by Haemoview Diagnostics, Werfen Australia and Haemonetics Australia. FC has been provided by CSL Behring, Australia. The funding bodies and industry partners have had no input into the design of the study, and will not be involved in the preparation or submission of the manuscript for publication.

The use of viscoelastic haemostatic assays and early fibrinogen replacement has the potential to improve outcomes in paediatric trauma through earlier recognition of TIC. This in turn may reduce transfusion volumes and downstream complications and reduce the reliance on donor blood products such as cryoprecipitate.

The use of FC has implications for regional and remote centres who would not routinely have access to cryoprecipitate but could store FC easily. Access to early fibrinogen replacement in these centres could make a significant impact and assist in closing the gap in trauma care available to residents of these communities.

Outcomes of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and submitted for presentation at national and international scientific fora.

Trial registration number

NCT03508141.
Seizure prophylaxis following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SPSAH): study protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial of short-term sodium valproate prophylaxis in patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Chen Yuqi , Fang Mei , Wu Pei , Xie Zhiyi , Wu Honggang , Wu Qiaowei , Xu Shancai , Li Yuchen , Sun Bowen , Pang Bo , Zheng Niandong , Zhang Jianmin , Hu Xin , You Chao
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Seizures are a common complication that leads to neurological deficits and affects outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). However, whether to use prophylactic anticonvulsants in patients with aSAH remains controversial. Our study aims to determine whether short-term (7 days) sodium valproate could prevent seizure occurrence and improve neurological function in patients with SAH caused by anterior circulation aneurysm rupture and treated with clipping.

Methods and analysis

In this multicentre randomised evaluator-blind placebo-controlled trial, 182 eligible patients with good-grade aSAH planned for surgical clipping will be enrolled from four neurosurgical centres in China. In addition to standard care, patients will be randomly assigned to receive sodium valproate 20 mg/kg daily or matching placebo. After aneurysmal clipping, patients will be followed up at discharge, 90 days and 180 days. The primary outcomes are the incidence of early and late seizures. The secondary outcomes include aSAH-related complications, sodium valproate-related adverse effects, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (on discharge, at 90 days, 180 days), rate of good outcome (defined as mRS 0–2), all-cause death (at 90 days, 180 days) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (at 180 days). All analyses are by intention-to-treat.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will be conducted according to the principles of Declaration of Helsinki and good clinical practice guidelines. This trial involves human participants and has been approved by the ethics committee of West China Hospital. Informed consent will be achieved from each included patient and/or their legally authorised representative. Preliminary and final results from this study will be disseminated through manuscript publishing and international congresses presentations. Any protocol amendments will be approved by the ethics committee of West China Hospital and subsequently updated on ChiCTR.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR.org identifier: ChiCTR2100050161.
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions for people living with both frailty and multiple long-term conditions: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Young Hannah M L , Yates Thomas , Dempsey Paddy C , Herring Louisa Y , Henson Joseph , Sargeant Jack , Curtis Ffion , Sathanapally Harini , Highton Patrick J , Hadjiconstantinou Michelle , Pritchard Rebecca , Lock Selina , Singh Sally J , Davies Melanie J
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The number of people living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) is predicted to rise. Within this population, those also living with frailty are particularly vulnerable to poor outcomes, including decreased function. Increased physical activity, including exercise, has the potential to improve function in those living with both MLTCs and frailty but, to date, the focus has remained on older people and may not reflect outcomes for the growing number of younger people living with MLTCs and frailty. For those with higher burdens of frailty and MLTCs, physical activity may be challenging. Tailoring physical activity in response to symptoms and periods of ill-health, involving family and reducing sedentary behaviour may be important in this population. How the tailoring of interventions has been approached within existing studies is currently unclear. This scoping review aims to map the available evidence regarding these interventions in people living with both frailty and MLTCs.

Methods and analysis

We will use a six-stage process: (1) identifying the research questions; (2) identifying relevant studies (via database searches); (3) selecting studies; (4) charting the data; (5) collating and summarising and (6) stakeholder consultation. Studies will be critically appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Ethics and dissemination

All data in this project will be gathered through database searches. Stakeholder consultation will be undertaken with an established patient and public involvement group. We will disseminate our findings via social media, publication and engagement meetings.
Development of a concussion public policy on prevention, management and education for schools using expert consensus
Authors: Mylabathula Swapna , Macarthur Colin , Guttmann Astrid , Colantonio Angela , Tator Charles
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Concussions are a major public health concern, and, thus, specific policies have been developed for implementation targeting vulnerable populations such as school-aged children and youth in the school setting, in whom the majority of concussions are sports related. Currently, concussion policies exist in various jurisdictions, including Canada’s first concussion policy for schools, Ontario’s PPM158, initiated in 2014. However, these policies are often variable in terms of content and comprehensiveness. Our objective was to develop a consensus for the content of concussion policy for schools.

Methods

Following a pilot study in one Ontario school board in 2015, which identified missing elements in existing concussion policy, we employed a modified Delphi method to develop consensus for the content of concussion public policy for schools. We used an integrated knowledge translation approach with participation from a multidisciplinary stakeholder group of 20 experts including principals, school board directors, physicians, policymakers, public health representatives and parents.

Results

Based on the experts, we created a list of 30 policy recommendations for concussion policy in the school setting. This comprehensive list reflects the diverse perspectives of the experts and addresses the role of parents, teachers, coaches, school administrators, referees, trainers, physicians/nurse practitioners, public health and students.

Conclusions

This is the first expert consensus for content of concussion public policy for schools and can be used for policy development or enhancement in schools in other jurisdictions. We provide a comprehensive list of 30 recommendations to guide best practices for policy development and implementation to enhance school-based concussion prevention and management.