bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of glycemic gap upon mortality in critically ill patients with diabetes
Authors: Lou Ran , Jiang Li , Zhu Bo
Published: June 2021

Aims/Introduction

Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and blood glucose fluctuation are associated with the outcome in critically ill patients, but the target of blood glucose control is debatable especially in patients with diabetes regarding the status of blood glucose control before admission to ICU. This study aimed to investigate the association between the glycemic gap which is calculated as the mean blood glucose level during the first 7 days after admission to ICU minus the A1C‐derived average glucose and the outcome of critically ill patients with diabetes.

Method

This study was undertaken in two intensive care units (ICUs) with a total of 30 beds. Patients with diabetes who were expected to stay for more than 24 h were enrolled, the HbA1c was tested within 3 days after admission and converted to the A1C‐derived average glucose (ADAG) by the equation: ADAG = [(HbA1c * 28.7) – 46.7 ] * 18‐1, arterial blood glucose measurements were four per day routinely during the first 7 days after admission, the APACHE II score within the first 24 h, the mean blood glucose level (MGL), standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV) during the first 7 days were calculated for each person, the GAPadm and GAPmean were calculated as the admission blood glucose and MGL minus the ADAG, respectively, the incidence of moderate hypoglycemia (MH) and severe hypoglycemia (SH), the total dosage of glucocorticoids and average daily dosage of insulin within 7 days, the duration of renal replacement therapy (RRT), ventilator‐free hours, and non‐ICU stay days within 28 days were also collected. The enrolled patients were divided into a survival group and a nonsurvival group according to survival or not at 28 days and 1 year after admission, and the relationship between parameters derived from blood glucose and mortality in the enrolled critically ill patients was explored.

Results

Five hundred and two patients were enrolled and divided into a survival group (n = 310) and a nonsurvival group (n = 192). It was shown that the two groups had a comparable level of HbA1c, the nonsurvivors had a greater APACHE II, MGL, SD, CV, GAPadm, GAPmean, and a higher incidence of hypoglycemia. A lesser duration of ventilator‐free, non‐ICU stay, and a longer duration of RRT were recorded in the nonsurvival group, who received a lower carbohydrate intake, a higher daily dosage of insulin and glucocorticoid. GAPmean had the greatest predictive power with an AUC of 0.820 (95%CI: 0.781–0.850), the cut‐off value was 3.60 mmol/L (sensitivity 78.2% and specificity 77.3%). Patients with a low GAPmean tended to survive longer than the high GAPmean group 1 year after admission.

Conclusions

Glycemic GAP between the mean level of blood glucose within the first 7 days after admission to ICU and the A1C‐derived average glucose was independently associated with a 28 day mortality of critically ill patients with diabetes, the predictive power extended to 1 year. The incidence of hypoglycemia was associated with mortality either.
Understanding behaviour to improve the welfare of an ornamental fish
Authors: Brandão Manuela Lombardi , Dorigão‐Guimarães Felipe , Bolognesi Marcela Cesar , Gauy Ana Carolina Dos Santos , Pereira André Vitor Salinas , Vian Lethicia , Carvalho Thais Billalba , Gonçalves‐de‐Freitas Eliane
Published: June 2021

Some common practices in aquaculture, ornamental trade and fish facilities may disturb the behavioural repertoire of fish and its natural adaptive value, reducing welfare and impairing fish production. Hence, it is necessary to understand fish behaviour, as well as the factors affecting it, to improve the quality of fish's life under artificial environment. Here, we reviewed the behaviour of the angelfish Pterophyllum scalare, an Amazonian cichlid used worldwide both as an ornamental fish and as a fish model in scientific research. We characterized social, reproductive and feeding behaviour, as well as the amazing cognitive ability of the angelfish. In addition, we reviewed the effects of environmental enrichment and suggested some important variables that need to be considered for rearing P. scalare. In this review, we show for the first time a synthesis on behaviour and a best practice overview to improve the welfare of angelfish as a target species. Nonetheless, most topics reviewed fit a broader set of fish species, particularly ornamental ones. This synthesis can therefore open a path for further behavioural research applied to the welfare of angelfish and bring insights to other fish species.
First confirmed complete incubation of a flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) egg in captivity
Authors: Benjamins Steven , Cole Georgina , Naylor Adam , Thorburn James A. , Dodd Jane
Published: June 2021

An egg of the critically endangered flapper skate Dipturus intermedius was successfully incubated to hatching in captivity in what is believed to be a first for the species. Water conditions (temperature, salinity, flow rate) were recorded, with mean water temperatures ranging from a monthly mean of 8.3 ± 1.2 to 13.2 ± 0.3°C and salinity from a monthly mean of 30.5 ± 1.2 to 36.6 ± 2.3 ppt. Hatching occurred after 534 days, suggesting that flapper skate eggs take c. 5700 growing degree‐days to incubate to hatching. The egg's prolonged embryonic development raises concerns about flapper skate eggs' vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbance.
Evidence of egg‐laying grounds for critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) off Orkney, UK
Authors: Phillips Natasha D. , Garbett Amy , Wise Daniel , Loca Sophie L. , Daly Olivia , Eagling Lawrence E. , Houghton Jonathan D. R. , Verhoog Peter , Thorburn James , Collins Patrick C.
Published: June 2021

Essential fish habitats (EFHs) are critical for fish life‐history events, including spawning, breeding, feeding or growth. This study provides evidence of EFHs for the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) in the waters around the Orkney Isles, Scotland, based on citizen‐science observation data. The habitats of potential egg‐laying sites were parametrised as >20 m depth, with boulders or exposed bedrock, in moderate current flow (0.3–2.8 knots) with low sedimentation. This information provides a significant contribution to the understanding of EFHs for flapper skate.
First report and characterization of Tenacibaculum maritimum isolates recovered from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farmed in Chile
Authors: Valdes Sara , Irgang Rute , Barros María C. , Ilardi Pedro , Saldarriaga‐Córdoba Mónica , Rivera–Bohle Javier , Madrid Enrique , Gajardo–Córdova Johana , Avendaño‐Herrera Ruben
Published: June 2021

The present study reports on the first isolation of Tenacibaculum maritimum in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farmed in Chile. In March 2020, two cages raising rainbow trout (~250 g) in the Los Lagos Region suffered a disease outbreak. In total, 17,554 fish died (3.5%–4.8% accumulated mortality). Microbiological analysis of the diseased fish obtained two representative isolates (i.e. Tm‐035 and Tm‐036). These were obtained from the external gross skin lesions—typical of tenacibaculosis—of two fish. Phenotyping, PCR tests and sequencing of the 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes confirmed the isolates as T. maritimum. The pathogenic potential of Tm‐035 was further assessed by bath challenging Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which killed 70 ± 15% of fish within 11 days. Dead fish presented the same external clinical signs as did the farmed rainbow trout specimens. This research further broadens the known host distribution of this pathogen. Furthermore, the virulence experiments demonstrated that T. maritimum does not have a specific host. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the risk of T. maritimum for the O. mykiss farming industry.
Use of an Evidence‐Based Approach to Improve Influenza Vaccination Uptake in Pregnancy
Authors: Dehlinger Cynthia , Nypaver Cynthia , Whiteside James
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Influenza can be a significant health threat for any affected individual. Pregnant women are a high‐risk population because of the likelihood of developing severe disease. Although the influenza vaccine has been recommended for use by pregnant women since 2004, current vaccination rates among pregnant women are lower than the general population and other high‐risk groups.

Process

A quality improvement project was undertaken during the 2019‐to‐2020 influenza season to increase the uptake of the influenza vaccine by women who were pregnant. The primary objective of the project was to increase the influenza vaccination rate compared with the rate in the previous season. The project had a secondary objective of standardizing documentation of the patient's vaccination status in the health record to capture data for performance measures. Interventions directed at patients, health care providers, and the health care system were simultaneously implemented as recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force.

Outcomes

Data were collected from 2967 records with 1480 from the 2018‐to‐2019 season and 1487 from the 2019‐to‐2020 season. Compared with records from the 2018‐to‐2019 season, the rate of those associated with a documented influenza vaccine was higher in the 2019‐to‐2020 season (63% vs 59%; P = .01). The rate of records without vaccination status codes was significantly less in the 2019‐to‐2020 season compared with the 2018‐to‐2019 season (14% vs 23%; P < .001).

Discussion

Although interventions were effective in improving influenza vaccination uptake among pregnant women, vaccination rates still remain below the 80% goal set by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Bundled interventions have proven to be more effective than individual interventions, although which interventions are most effective remains unclear.
Akt3‐mTOR regulates hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mouse
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Ding Hong , Wang Ya , Yuan Zihao , Zhang Yajie , Chen Guiquan , Xu Yun , Chen Ling
Published: June 2021

Akt signaling has been associated with adult neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). We reported cognitive dysfunction in Akt3 knockout (Akt3‐KO) mice with the down‐regulation of mTOR activation. However, little is known about the effects of Akt3 signaling on hippocampal neurogenesis. Herein, we show that progenitor cells, neuroblasts, and mature newborn neurons in hippocampal DG expressed Akt3 protein. The Akt3 phosphorylation in hippocampal DG was increased after voluntary wheel running for 7 days in wild‐type mice (running WT mice), but not in Akt3‐KO mice (running Akt3‐KO mice). Subsequently, we observed that the proliferation of progenitor cells was suppressed in Akt3‐KO mice and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin‐treated mice, whereas enhanced in running WT mice rather than running Akt3‐KO mice. Neurite growth of neuroblasts was impaired in Akt3‐KO mice and rapamycin‐treated mice. In contrast, neither differentiation of progenitor cells nor migrating of newly generated neurons was altered in Akt3‐KO mice or running WT mice. The levels of p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation were declined in Akt3‐KO mice and elevated in running WT mice depending on mTOR activation. Furthermore, telomerase activity, telomere length, and expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were decreased in Akt3‐KO mice but increased in running WT mice rather than running Akt3‐KO mice, which required the mTOR activation. The study provides in vivo evidence that Akt3‐mTOR signaling plays an important role in the proliferation of progenitor cells and neurite growth through positive regulated TERT expression and activation of p70S6K and 4EBP1.

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The role of stroke nurses in thrombolysis administration in Australia and the United Kingdom: A cross‐sectional survey of current practice
Authors: Hamilton Helen , Dale Simeon , McElduff Benjamin , Craig Louise E. , Fasugba Oyebola , McInnes Elizabeth , Alexandrov Anne W. , Cadilhac Dominique A. , Lightbody Elizabeth , Watkins Dame Caroline , Middleton Sandy
Published: June 2021

Background

The role of stroke nurses in patient selection and administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) for acute ischaemic stroke is evolving.

Objectives

To compare differences in stroke nurses' practices related to rt‐PA administration in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) and to examine whether these differences influence rt‐PA treatment rates.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, self‐administered questionnaire administered to a lead stroke clinician from hospitals known to provide rt‐PA for acute ischaemic stroke. Chi‐square tests were used to analyse between‐country differences in ten pre‐specified rt‐PA practices. Non‐parametric equality of medians test was used to assess within‐country differences for likelihood of undertaking practices and association with rt‐PA treatment rates. Reporting followed STROBE checklist.

Results

Response rate 68%; (Australia: 74% [n = 63/85]; UK: 65% [n = 93/144]). There were significant differences between countries for 7/10 practices. UK nurses were more likely to: request CT scan; screen patient for rt‐PA suitability; gain informed consent; use telemedicine to assess, diagnose or treat; assist in the decision for rt‐PA with Emergency Department physician or neurologist; and undergo training in rt‐PA administration. Reported median hospital rt‐PA treatment rates were 12% in the UK and 7.8% in Australia: (7.8%). In Australia, there was an association between higher treatment rates and nurses involvement in 5/10 practices; read and interpret CT scans; screen patient for rt‐PA suitability; gain informed consent; assess suitability for rt‐PA with neurologist/stroke physician; undergo training in rt‐PA administration. There was no relationship between UK treatment rates and likelihood of a stroke nurse to undertake any of the ten rt‐PA practices.

Conclusion

Stroke nurses' active role in rt‐PA administration can improve rt‐PA treatment rates. Models of care that broaden stroke nurses' scope of practice to maximise rt‐PA treatment rates for ischaemic stroke patients are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study demonstrates that UK and Australian nurses play an important role in thrombolysis practices; however, they are underused. Formalising and extending the role of stroke nurses in rt‐PA administration could potentially increase thrombolysis rates with clinical benefits for patients.
A systematic review of dental‐related emergency department visits among Medicaid beneficiaries
Authors: Cothron Annaliese , Diep Vuong K. , Shah Savyasachi , Brow Avery , Thakkar‐Samtani Madhuli , Okunseri Chris , Tranby Eric P. , Frantsve‐Hawley Julie
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Dental‐related emergency department (ED) visits are a growing public health concern. Dental insurance coverage is a strong predictor of dental service access. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to assess the incidence of dental‐related ED visits for Medicaid dental enrollees compared to those with other insurances.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched for surveillance and observational data published in English from January 1999 to April 2020 to address the following PECOT question: Do patients with nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC) (P1), or patients with any dental condition (P2) who have Medicaid (E) compared to other insurance status (private insurance, Medicare, no insurance) (C) have a differential incidence of single dental‐related ED visits (O) in the literature search results from 1999 to April 2020 (T)? A critical appraisal was performed using a combination of the AXIS tool (for cross‐sectional studies with observational data and MetaQAT (for public health evidence).

Results

This systematic review included 32 studies. Overall, risk of bias was low. Due to significant statistical heterogeneity, a synthesis without meta‐analysis was conducted. NTDC ED visits ranged from 16.0 percent to 79.8 percent for Medicaid patients and 0.9 percent to 57.2 percent for uninsured patients. The range for any dental visit to the ED was 2.2–63.8 percent for Medicaid patients and 2.9–40.8 percent for uninsured patients.

Conclusions

The results of this study support expanding insurance coverage in Medicaid programs to reduce ED use for NTDC visits in the United States.
Genetic analysis of a possible case of canine X‐linked ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Moura E. , Daltro S. R. T. , Sás D. M. , Engracia Filho J. R. , Farias M. R. , Pimpão C. T.
Published: June 2021

In the present report, we describe targeted next‐generation sequencing of theEDAgene of a male poodle with a clinical and histopathological diagnosis of X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. The result was compared with the reference sequence and with the result of the sequencing of a normal dog'sEDAgene. No point variant, small deletion or insertion were found in the exons and splice sites, but a transition and a transversion were found in the intron 6 and 3′ UTR, respectively. The cause of the dysplasia of the affected dog in this study is neither a point variant nor a small deletion or insertion in the exons and splice sites of theEDAgene. Therefore, patients with phenotype of XLHED may have other types of variants in theEDAgene or variants in other genes of theEDAsignalling pathway.
Epidemiological aspects of superficial fungal infections in Koranic schools in two localities of Senegal (Thies and Touba)
Authors: Badiane Aïda Sadikh , Diongue Khadim , Seck Mame Cheikh , Ndiaye Mouhamadou , Ndiaye Daouda
Published: June 2021

Background

In developing countries, superficial fungal infections (SFI) are endemic and cause a therapeutic problem because of the duration and cost of treatment. Community living and promiscuity are key factors in the direct or indirect transmission and spread of these diseases.

Objectives

The objective was to study the epidemiological aspects of SFI, among koranic school children in two localities in Senegal.

Patients/Methods

School koranic students were recruited in Thies and Touba. Diagnosis of fungal diseases was carried out using conventional techniques (microscopic examination and culture).

Results

Among 210 children, the overall prevalence of SFI was 25.71%, with 27.63% in Touba and 20.68% in Thiès. The clinical lesions were epidermophytosis (0.5%), intertrigo (0.9%), palmoplantar keratoderma (KPP) (0.9%), onychomycosis (7.7%) and tinea capitis (TC) (90%). The species responsible for the SFI were Trichophyton soudanense (85.18%), Microsporum audouinii langeronii (9.25%), Trichophyton rubrum (3.70%) and Chrysosporium keratinophilum (1.85%). The prevalence of infection was higher among boys (85.18%).

Conclusion

Superficial fungal infections are prevalent in koranic school children and attention should be given to non‐dermatophytic species that could be responsible for SFI.
COVID‐19 vaccination in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients—Current state and future directions
Authors: L’Huillier Arnaud G. , Ardura Monica I. , Chaudhuri Abanti , Danziger‐Isakov Lara , Dulek Daniel , Green Michael , Michaels Marian G. , Posfay‐Barbe Klara M. , Vàsquez Luciola , Benden Christian
Published: June 2021

Background

Population‐level COVID‐19 immunization will play a key role in slowing down the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic on a global scale and protect the most at‐risk individuals. Thanks to a formidable universal effort, several SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines have been marketed less than a year since the first documented COVID‐19 case, with promising safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity results in adults. As children were not included in the initial trials, no vaccine is currently approved for individuals <16 years of age. Similarly, immunosuppressed individuals, such as solid organ transplant recipients, were excluded from initial vaccine trials, limiting the understanding of vaccine immunogenicity and safety in this at‐risk population. Thus, data regarding COVID‐19 vaccination in pediatric solid organ transplantation recipients are currently lacking.

Methods

Members of the International Pediatric Transplant Association review the current general status of COVID‐19 vaccines focusing on pediatric‐specific issues.

Results

This review provides an overview of COVID‐19 vaccines in pediatric SOT recipients and highlights the current paucity of data in both pediatric and transplant settings in terms of safety, immunogenicity, and clinical efficacy.

Conclusions

Vaccine trials including children and transplant recipients are underway and will be necessary to characterize COVID‐19 vaccine safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy, which will determine potential future research directions.
Living donor liver transplantation for hepatic malignancies in children
Authors: Pire Aurore , Tambucci Roberto , De Magnée Catherine , Sokal Etienne , Stephenne Xavier , Scheers Isabelle , Zech Francis , Gurevich Michael , Brichard Bénédicte , Reding Raymond
Published: June 2021

Background

Living donor liver transplantation is a treatment option for unresectable hepatic tumors in children.

Methods

We enrolled 45 living donor transplantations performed between 1993 and 2018 for liver malignacies, which included hepatoblastoma (n = 33), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 10), hepatic angiosarcoma (n = 1), and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1).

Results

No mortality or major morbidities were encountered in any donor, and the complication rate was 9%. In the hepatoblastoma group, 5‐year overall and event‐free survival rate in recipients was 87.4% and 75.8%, respectively, and mortality was significantly higher in patients after rescue transplantation (p = .001). Inferior vena cava replacement in these recipients appeared to be associated with reduced mortality (p = .034), but this was not confirmed when rescue patients were excluded (p = .629). In hepatocellular carcinoma group, both 5‐year overall and event‐free survival rates were 75.4% each, and invasion of hepatic veins was significantly associated with increased risk of recurrence and death (p = .028). The patient with rhabdomyosarcoma died from EBV‐induced lymphoma 2 months after transplantation. The patient with angiosarcoma was in complete remission at the last follow‐up. Overall, 5‐year graft survival rate was 81.3%, and one patient underwent re‐transplantation due to chronic rejection.

Conclusions

Pediatric oncological liver transplantation has become a key player in the management of malignancies with cancer cure in 84% of patients in this series. Living donor liver transplantation for pediatric recipients with unresectable tumors might be a beneficial surgical option, which is technically safe for donors and recipients, thus, allowing timely planning according to chemotherapy protocols.
Precarious Citizens: Iraqi Jews and the Politics of Belonging
Authors: Saleh Zainab
Published: June 2021

This article examines the politics and practices of citizenship among Iraqi Jews, using one woman's life history to explore the dynamics of exile and belonging. In 1950–1951, the Iraqi government issued a law that stripped Iraqi Jews who had migrated to Israel of their citizenship. Iraqi citizenship laws and directives did not only define citizens and noncitizens but also emerged as a venue of internal differentiation. Ruling elites facilitated political closures and constructed internal others within the very category of the Iraqi citizen, whereby practices of denaturalization and deportation of citizens became forms of state and colonial governmentality. In Israel, Iraqi Jews faced systems of racialization since their Arabness was associated with the enemy and racial inferiority. Iraqi Jews found themselves entangled in structures of power that rendered their Arab Jewishness an unintelligible category. However, Iraqi Jews resisted these conditions of dispossession and exclusion, and asserted a notion of Iraqi citizenship based on political activism with the aim of writing themselves onto the Iraqi social and political landscapes. Their political activism—whether in Iraq, Israel, or the diaspora—became sites of resistance that carved new ideas about community and undermined formal and legal definitions of citizenship. [citizenship laws, exclusion, legal violence, exile]
Nonimmigrant Others: Belonging, Precarity and Imperial Citizenship for Chuukese Migrants in Guam
Authors: Smith Sarah A. , Castañeda Heide
Published: June 2021

Micronesians from nations in the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States can enter the country visa‐free as “nonimmigrants.” This status creates a perpetual state of precarity; they are never considered legal “immigrants” nor are they on any path to permanent US resident status. Rather than illegalization and bordering practices, precarious status is the result of territorial arrangements, ongoing imperial interactions, and securitization efforts. The case of Chuukese migrants in the US territory of Guam demonstrates how graduated forms of citizenship manifest within liminal zones of empire. The result is accompanying political and social exclusions for both migrants and residents of exterior territorial‐holding sites. The experiences of the people bound by these exclusions elucidate connections between human mobility, imperial citizenship, militarization, and empire maintenance.
Government Funding for Faith‐Based International Development: Empirical Evidence from a U.S. Survey
Authors: Turner Haynes Susan
Published: June 2021

In a move that some equate with a “turn to religion,” state, regional, and international donors now all seek to partner with religious organizations to deliver international humanitarian aid. Evidence indicates, however, that this invitation is not always accepted. The United States serves as a prominent example. Although the United States went so far as to establish an office in USAID to facilitate coordination with faith‐based organizations in 2002, the number of religious organizations receiving USAID funds remains low. My research suggests that this is also true of faith‐based aid applications. An online survey of over 400 U.S.‐based nonprofits with international operations reveals that perceptions of government bias likely deter many religious NGOs in the United States from applying for government funds. While this explanation may be unique to the United States, it may also provide a testable hypothesis to scholars studying similar dynamics in other donor countries and organizations.

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The effects of crowdsourcing contribution type and temporal consistency on new product development success
Authors: O'Hern Matthew , Akdeniz Billur , Du Shuili
Published: June 2021

Extant literature suggests that individuals contribute to crowdsourcing programs in various ways but offers few insights about whether participants' creative contributions (original new product submissions) or their evaluative contributions (scoring or commenting on others' submissions) have a greater impact on their ability to create commercializable new products. Using a large‐scale data set obtained from the crowdsourcing website Threadless.com, our study examines the relative impact of participants' creative and evaluative contributions and the effects of different types of evaluative contributions on submission success (i.e., a participant's ability to generate a commercializable new product). Our findings reveal that submission success is enhanced when participants generate both creative and evaluative contributions. In addition, we find that submission success depends not only on the volume of the creative contributions that a participant makes but also on the temporal consistency with which said contributions are made (i.e., adopting a consistent vs. a sporadic submission pattern). Specifically, our findings show that a participant's creative contribution consistency enhances their submission success, especially when creative contribution volume is high. This research extends the existing crowdsourcing literature by offering new insights about how contribution type and contribution consistency in a crowdsourcing program impact submission success.
Fish pigmentation and coloration: Molecular mechanisms and aquaculture perspectives
Authors: Luo Mingkun , Lu Guoqing , Yin Haoran , Wang Lanmei , Atuganile Malambugi , Dong Zaijie
Published: June 2021

Fish coloration, evolved from selection and adaptation, is a prominent feature of remarkable aquaculture merits. Fish possess more pigment cell types than any other vertebrates and are an excellent model for the study of mechanisms underlying skin coloration and pigmentation at levels from molecular genetics to system biology. How to effectively improve skin colour in ornamental and aquaculture fish has long been a focus on selective breeding programmes. In this review article, we introduce different types of chromatophore and early development of pigmentation, describe cellular mechanisms related to morphological and physiological changes of body colour and demonstrate applications of single‐sex control and molecular marker–assisted breeding in body colour selection. We also reviewed genes that have been found involving in neural crest migration and development, as well as those involved in melanin‐based coloration and other types of pigmentation, and explored how to use transgenic technology for enhancing fish body colour. The applications of genome editing and other omics technologies in relation to fish coloration are also illustrated. Finally, we present our perspectives about future fish coloration research and practice in aquaculture. Taken together, this review is expected to provide an update on cellular and molecular mechanisms in fish coloration and pigmentation, which will likely promote body colour–based molecular breeding programmes in aquaculture.
Attitudes towards oldest‐old adults (age ≥80 years): A survey and international comparison between Swedish and Austrian nursing students
Authors: Heckemann Birgit , Schüttengruber Gerhilde , Wolf Axel , Großschädl Franziska , Holmberg Christopher
Published: June 2021

Background and rationale

Ageism in nursing, particularly regarding oldest‐old adults (age ≥80 years), adversely affects patient safety and care quality. Nurse education can reduce ageist attitudes. Swedish and Austrian nursing students’ attitudes towards adults age ≥80 years have not been assessed.

Aims

To analyse attitudes towards adults age ≥80 years among nursing students from universities in Sweden and Austria.

Design

A prospective cross‐sectional survey including the four‐factor, 26‐item validated Ageing Semantic Differential scale and demographic questions.

Methods

A pen‐and‐paper survey was administered to nursing students at the Medical University of Graz, Austria (May–June 2019); an online survey was conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (January–June 2020). Demographic data were analysed descriptively; means and individual item ratings were calculated for each country. Multiple logistic regression was performed for each factor of the instrument: (1) Instrumentality, (2) Autonomy, (3) Acceptability and (4) Integrity. Six independent variables were included in the regression analysis.

Results

In total, 136 Austrian and 222 Swedish students responded (88% women). Compared with Austrian students, Swedish students were older and had more positive attitudes about oldest‐old adults. Swedish students’ median factor ratings (7‐point scale) were 3.62 (Factor 1), 3.50 (Factor 2), 2.71 (Factor 3) and 3.80 (Factor 4). Austrian students’ median ratings were 4.25 (Factor 1), 3.83 (Factor 2), 3.28 (Factor 3) and 4.00 (Factor 4). Regression analyses showed that the variables country, older family member/acquaintance, and age were associated with the different factors.

Discussion

Compared with Austrian students, Swedish students’ attitudes towards oldest‐old adults were more favourable. We discussed the findings at individual, interpersonal/intergroup and societal/cultural levels and present implications for education and research.

Conclusions

Nurse education should address ageism as a multilevel phenomenon, and include the person‐centred care perspective. Further research comparing nursing students’ attitudes from different cultures is needed.
COVID‐19 and tourism: What can we learn from the past?
Authors: Aronica Martina , Pizzuto Pietro , Sciortino Caterina
Published: June 2021

The impact of the COVID‐19 crisis on tourism flows is without precedent in terms of speed and severity. In this paper, we try to infer a possible future scenario for the tourism sector, evaluating the medium‐term effects of past pandemics on tourist arrivals. We find that pandemics lead to a persistent decline in tourist arrivals, with the effects being larger in developing and emerging countries. Interestingly, the effects are heterogeneous across countries and episodes, and depend on several economic conditions such as the overall health system performance, the severity of the shock, and the uncertainty induced by the pandemic event.
Accuracy of medial‐to‐lateral transcondylar screw placement using an aiming device and preoperative computer tomography planning for the treatment of humeral intracondylar fissure
Authors: Pardo Maite , Morris Andy P. , Frazzica Fabio , Barnes Duncan M.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To determine the accuracy of transcondylar screws placed from medial‐to‐lateral using preoperative planning on computed tomography (CT) and an aiming device in elbows with humeral intracondylar fissures (HIFs).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Twenty‐five client‐owned dogs with HIF.

Methods

A 4.5‐mm transcondylar screw was placed in 34 elbows with HIF. humeral condylar diameter (HCD) was measured at the humeral condylar isthmus on CT. Entry and exit points were planned at 0.3 × HCD cranial and 0.2 × HCD distal to the medial epicondyle and 0.3 × HCD cranial and 0.3 × HCD distal to the lateral epicondyle. An aiming device was used to guide drilling from the medial entry point to the lateral exit point. The difference between planned and actual screw entry and exit points, and the angular deviation of the actual screw axis from the planned screw axis, was assessed on the postoperative CT scans.

Results

Thirty‐three out of 34 screws were completely within the humeral condyle. Thirteen out of 34 screws were placed less than 2 mm from planned entry and exit points in both the transverse and the frontal plane. The axis of the screw deviated by a mean of 3.2° (transverse plane) and 3.5° (frontal plane) from the planned axis.

Conclusion

Humeral transcondylar screws placed with the technique tested here were entirely within the humeral condyle in 33 out of 34 elbows.

Clinical Significance

Use of CT planning and an aiming device allows accurate placement of transcondylar screws from medial‐to‐lateral in dogs with HIF.
Statistical and Continuous Wavelet Transformation-Based Analysis of Combustion Instabilities in a Biodiesel-Fueled Compression Ignition Engine
Authors: Sharma Prabhakar , Sharma Avdhesh Kr.
Published: June 2021

Experimental evaluation of cyclic variability or combustion instabilities of waste cooking oil biodiesel–diesel blends powered compression ignition engine is presented in this article. An advanced in-vehicle combustion analyzer armed with a piezoelectric pressure sensor was used for accurate measurements eradicating the experimental uncertainty. Cyclic variation in the combustion was investigated using the statistical and wavelet analysis method. Results of statistical methods and wavelet analysis were agreeing with each other toward self-validation. Statistical methods were used to calculate the mean and coefficient of variations, while the wavelet method has the potential to analyze the cyclic variation topography together with the intensity of variations in the engine combustion cycle, especially at low engine load conditions. Overall combustion analysis including wavelet analysis and statistical method indicates a more silent and smoother engine operation with biodiesel blending as it enhances combustion stability in unmodified diesel engines in comparison with conventional diesel fuel.
Maximum Total Point Motion of Five Points Versus All Points in Assessing Tibial Baseplate Stability
Authors: Niesen Abigail E. , Garverick Anna L. , Hull Maury L.
Published: June 2021

Maximum total point motion (MTPM), the point on a baseplate that migrates the most, has been used to assess the risk of tibial baseplate loosening using radiostereometric analysis (RSA). Two methods for determining MTPM for model-based RSA are to use either five points distributed around the perimeter of the baseplate or to use all points on the three-dimensional model. The objectives were to quantify the mean difference in MTPM using five points versus all points, compute the percent error relative to the 6-month stability limit for groups of patients, and determine the dependency of differences in MTPM on baseplate size and shape. A dataset of 10,000 migration values was generated using the mean and standard deviation of migration in six-degrees-of-freedom at 6 months from an RSA study. The dataset was used to simulate the migration of three-dimensional models (two baseplate shapes and two baseplate sizes) and calculate the difference in MTPM using five virtual points versus all points and the percent error (i.e., the difference in MTPM/stability limit) relative to the 6-month stability limit. The difference in the MTPM was about 0.02 mm, or 4% relative to the 6-month stability limit, which is not clinically important. Furthermore, results were not affected by baseplate shape or size. Researchers can decide whether to use five points or all points when computing MTPM for model-based RSA. The authors recommend using five points to maintain consistency with marker-based RSA.
Effect of Additives on Wettability, Thermal Stability and Electrochemical Properties of γ-Al2O3-Coating Separator for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Yan Ji , Li Zhen , Wang Min-Yun , Gao Ke-zheng , Zhang Yong , Wang Li-Zhen
Published: June 2021

Physical properties of separator, as important parameters in affecting electrochemical performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries, should be paid more attention. In this study, three kinds of surfactants and dispersants were adopted to investigate their effects on thermal stability, wettability, and electrochemical properties of γ-Al2O3-coating polyethylene-based separator. The experimental results showed that with the synergistic helpfulness of PEG-2000 as a surfactant and D-067 as a dispersant, γ-Al2O3-coating polyethylene separator demonstrates superior thermal stability (no significant thermal shrinkage after heating at 120 °C), electrolyte uptake ability, and improved wettability (contact angle of 27.9 deg). Based on further testing results in Li//mesocarbon microbeads coin cells, the cell with γ-Al2O3-coating polyethylene separator exhibits higher capacity and superior cycling stability than the other two bare counterpart separators at room temperature after 200 cycles. These results demonstrate that the as-prepared separator is highly promising for lithium-ion battery application with the help of a suitable surfactant and dispersant.
Speech acoustics and mental health assessment
Authors: Espy-Wilson Carol
Published: June 2021

According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer from Major Depression Disorder (MDD) and another 20 million have schizophrenia. MDD and schizophrenia are among the most common precursors to suicide and, according to a 2018 CDC report, suicidality is the second leading cause of death in youth and young adults between 10 and 34 years of age. While suicidality has historically been at low rates in the black community, it has recently become a crisis for black youth. It is the second leading cause for the death of black children between 10 and 14 years of age, and it is the third leading cause of death for black adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age. Our work is focused on understanding how a person's mental health status is reflected in their coordination of speech gestures. Speech articulation is a complex activity that requires finely timed coordination across articulators, i.e., tongue, jaw, lips, velum, and larynx. In a depressed or a psychotic state, this coordination changes and, in turn, modifies the perceived speech signal. In this talk, I will discuss a speech inversion system we developed that maps the acoustic signal to vocal tract variables (TVs). The trajectories of the TVs show the timing and spatial movement of speech gestures. Next, I will discuss how we use machine learning techniques to compute articulatory coordination features (ACFs) from the TVs. The ACFs serve as an input into a deep learning model for mental health classification. Finally, I will illustrate the key acoustic differences between speech produced by subjects when they are mentally ill relative to when they are in remission and relative to healthy controls. The ultimate goal of this research is the development of a technology (perhaps an app) for patients that can help them, their therapists and caregivers monitor their mental health status between therapy sessions.Q&A will follow the presentation
Investigation of sonic boom waveforms and metrics at elevated receiver locations
Authors: Downs Robert S. , Kaye Sophie , Page Juliet A.
Published: June 2021

Microphones used for aircraft noise measurements are sometimes positioned above local ground level, for example to accommodate environmental protection or to comply with certification regulations. Acoustic waves reflected from the ground can interfere with waves propagating directly to elevated receivers. A modeling study was conducted of sonic boom waveforms received at ground level versus at elevated positions, using source characteristics for an early X-59 low-boom aircraft configuration (C609) and a variety of atmospheric conditions. Ground impedance effects from different ground cover types were also considered. Among several acoustic metrics, it was found that perceived level of loudness (PL) and A-weighted sound exposure level were in general the most sensitive to differences due to receiver position. Location within the boom carpet also affected receiver levels based on the angle between the incoming ray and the ground: the difference between metrics at ground and elevated receivers was generally higher at undertrack locations where that angle was largest. Depending on atmospheric conditions and receiver location within the carpet, predicted PL at an elevated receiver was lower than the level at the ground by up to 5.0 dB for a receiver height of 4 ft and 2.2 dB lower for a 1.6-ft receiver.
Dynamically varying timbre cues interfere with listeners’ pitch perception
Authors: Anderson Ryan , Shen Yi , Shofner William P.
Published: June 2021

One timbre cue that has been studied psychophysically is the spectral centroid of a steady-state harmonic complex, which corresponds to the “brightness” of the complex. Complexes having higher spectral centroids tend to be perceived as having higher pitches even with a constant fundamental frequency (F0). To further understand pitch-timbre interactions, the current study investigates whether dynamically varying spectral centroids of harmonic complexes affect the pitches. Normal-hearing listeners ranked the pitch of two harmonic complexes on each trial. In some trials the spectral centroid of one complex swept from low to high frequencies across its duration while the centroid of the other complex varied from high to low. Other trials had centroids moving from high to low then low to high across the interval. F0s of the two complexes differed by one just noticeable difference. Results show that a more recent rising spectral centroid tends to bias listeners to generate “higher pitch” responses, while a more recent declining spectral centroid tends to bias listeners to generate “lower pitch” responses, even when the rising and declining stimuli had identical long-term spectra. The results suggest that the spectral centroids at various temporal position of a harmonic complex do not influence pitch perception equally.
Forward masking of spectrotemporal modulation suggests modulation-frequency-selective channels
Authors: Conroy Christopher , Byrne Andrew J. , Kidd Gerald
Published: June 2021

Physiological data from several species suggest that the auditory system detects complex patterns of spectrotemporal modulation via spectrotemporal modulation-frequency-selective channels, a subset of which may be directionally selective (i.e., prefer upward sweeping versus downward sweeping modulation). Psychophysical data suggesting the same, however, are scarce. In this study, we sought evidence of such channels using a psychophysical forward masking paradigm. The detectability of target spectrotemporal modulation (i–25-Hz/0.5-cyc/oct) applied to the final 55-ms of a 590-ms broadband-noise-like carrier was measured following exposure to masker spectrotemporal modulation applied to the initial 505-ms of the same carrier. Four maskers were tested: one with the same spectral modulation frequency as the target but a flat temporal envelope (0-Hz/0.5-cyc/oct), another with the same temporal modulation frequency as the target but a flat spectral envelope (–25-Hz/0-cyc/oct), and two with the same spectral and temporal modulation frequencies as the target and either the same (–25-Hz/0.5-cyc/oct) or opposite ( + 25-Hz/0.5-cyc/oct) sweep direction. Forward masking was greatest for the masker fully matched to the target, intermediate for the masker with the opposite sweep direction, and negligible for the other two. Taken together, these findings suggest that detection of the target may have involved a spectrotemporal modulation-frequency-selective channel with directional selectivity.
Testing the relationship between musical training and context effects in music perception
Authors: Shorey Anya E. , Whiteford Kelly L. , Stilp Christian E.
Published: June 2021

Contrast effects occur in all sensory modalities and are critical for auditory perception. When successive sounds differ in their spectra, the auditory system exaggerates this difference, and we perceive a larger change than is physically present. This is known as a spectral contrast effect (SCE). For example, when a context sound is filtered to emphasize the frequencies of the French horn (a predominantly low-frequency spectrum), listeners categorize a later target sound as tenor saxophone (comparatively higher-frequency spectrum) more often [Stilp et al., Atten. Percept. Psychophys. 72(2), 470–480 (2010)]. Musicians outperform non-musicians on many auditory tasks, including pitch discrimination, but whether this ‘musician advantage’ extends to SCEs in music perception is unknown. Here, on each trial, non-musicians and musicians heard a context sound (string quintet filtered to emphasize the frequencies of the horn or saxophone) before categorizing the target sound (six-step series that varied from horn to saxophone). Musicians are predicted to have larger SCE magnitudes than non-musicians due to their enhanced auditory skills. However, if musicians do not show larger SCEs, this suggests musical training might improve only some aspects of music perception. Results from this task, a pitch discrimination task, and musical experience questionnaires will be discussed.