bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions between mental illness recovery processes in the family
Authors: Galimidi Netta , Shamai Michal
Published: September 2021

Objectives

This study is designed to understand the experiences of the recovery processes of people with schizophrenia and their parents and to explore the connections between the processes of the different family members.

Background

There is extensive evidence in the professional literature that understanding the recovery process of individuals with schizophrenia must include all family members. However, there is a gap in the knowledge regarding the way family members experience both their individual process and its connection to the processes other family members undergo.

Method

This research employed qualitative methodology in which 15 families were interviewed through semistructured interviews (i.e., 15 adult individuals with schizophrenia and their parents). Thematic individual, dyadic, and triadic levels analysis were employed.

Findings

Two main themes emerged: elements of the recovery processes of family members that led toward family recovery and connections among the recovery processes of family members.

Conclusion

In spite of the predominance of the pharmacological paradigm in the area of mental health, the family still plays an important role in the recovery process, which is a systemic process involving all family members. As a result, every family member undergoes some processes that contribute to recovery of the others and of the entire system.

Implications

The characteristics of the family system interactions during the recovery process should be taken into account in understanding and providing interventions for people with schizophrenia, and should be integrated into all types of interventions provided to these families.
Analoging the digital: Designing better binary option contracts
Authors: Tian Yisong S.
Published: September 2021

Binary option pays a fixed dollar amount if it matures in the money and nothing otherwise. While this cash‐or‐nothing payoff structure is very attractive to speculators, it also creates incentives to manipulate the underlying asset price in order to gain extra payoff. In this paper, we propose better designs for binary options that disincentivize market manipulation and highlight two key features of such designs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the new contract designs using numerical examples.
Effects of different definitions of low muscle mass on its association with metabolic syndrome in older adults: A Korean nationwide study
Authors: Jeon Yerim , Son Ki Young
Published: September 2021

Aim

We aimed to investigate the association between low muscle mass (LMM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the definition of LMM.

Methods

This study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2008 to 2011. We used appendicular skeletal muscle adjusted for height (ASM/Ht2) and weight (ASM/Wt) as definitions of LMM. Class I and Class II LMM were defined as ASM/Ht2 or ASM/Wt from 1 to 2 standard deviations (SDs) or 2 SDs below the mean for young adults, respectively.

Results

A total of 6370 participants were included in analysis: 58.5% were women. The mean age of participants in this study sample was 72.3 ± 4.8 years. In the fully adjusted model, ASM/Ht2 was inversely related to MetS prevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.770, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.600–0.988 for class I, aOR 0.473, 95% CI, 0.327–0.684 for class II). In contrast, MetS prevalence increased in class I (aOR 1.902, 95% CI 1.510–2.396) and class II LMM (aOR 2.831, 95% CI 2.194–3.655) using ASM/Wt. ASM/Ht2 was proportional to the waist circumference and the number of metabolic features, whereas ASM/Wt was inversely proportional in both sexes. Stratified analysis showed that the association was robust regardless of the cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusion

In Korean older adults, ASM/Wt is positively associated with MetS prevalence, whereas ASM/Ht2 is inversely associated, regardless of the cardiovascular risk factors. Waist circumference and the number of metabolic features were directly proportional to ASM/Ht2, but inversely proportional to ASM/Wt. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1003–1009.
OPTIMAL CHECKS AND BALANCES UNDER POLICY UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Gratton Gabriele , Morelli Massimo
Published: September 2021

Political checks and balances are debated desiderata in the evaluation of democratic systems. We suggest a framework where the pros and cons of checks and balances are, respectively, the reduction of type‐I errors and the increase of type‐II errors in policy decision making. Political checks and balances are less desirable for intermediate levels of competence of the political class when accountability is high. In policy areas where the effects of reforms are harder to evaluate and accountability is low, political checks and balances are always desirable. Positive constitutional design reveals the possibility of constitutional traps, with politicians choosing less desirable regimes.
Full densification of zirconium carbide ceramics sintered under high pressure at low temperature
Authors: Ke Boren , Ji Wei , Zou Ji , Zhang Jinyong , Wang Weimin , Fu Zhengyi
Published: September 2021

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) ceramic is one of the most important and promising materials with a high melting point. However, its low diffusion coefficient affects its densification behavior, which dramatically limits its engineering application. For polycrystal ceramic materials, sintering by thermal diffusion is the most widely used method for consolidation. But in view of the difficult densification behavior of ZrC, it is necessary to develop new sintering methods together with another driving force. In the study, we reported an ultra‐high‐pressure sintering strategy to fully densify ZrC ceramic under 1.7 GPa at 1600℃. The sintered sample exhibited high density, fine grain size, excellent mechanical properties, and a large number of crystal defects, including dislocation networks and walls, which were similar to those in deformed metals. Its hardness increased to 2057.44 HV0.1 because of its unique microstructure.
Impact of the objective response to and number of cycles of platinum‐based first‐line chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma on overall survival of patients treated with pembrolizumab
Authors: Kato Minoru , Kobayashi Takashi , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Ito Katsuhiro , Hikami Kensuke , Yamada Takeshi , Ogawa Kosuke , Nakamura Kenji , Sassa Naoto , Yokomizo Akira , Abe Takashige , Tsuchihashi Kazunari , Tatarano Shuichi , Inokuchi Junichi , Tomida Ryotaro , Fujiwara Maki , Takahashi Atsushi , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Shimizu Kosuke , Araki Hiromasa , Kurahashi Ryoma , Ozaki Yu , Tashiro Yu , Uegaki Masayuki , Kojima Takahiro , Uchida Junji , Ogawa Osamu , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Kitamura Hiroshi ,   Japan Urological Oncology Group
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To investigate the impact of the number of cycles and objective response to chemotherapy on overall survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab.

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective study included 755 patients from 59 institutions with advanced, chemoresistant urothelial carcinoma who received pembrolizumab. The associations of the overall survival with the number of cycles and best objective response were investigated using Cox multiple regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 391 patients received standard first‐line chemotherapy and pembrolizumab as a second‐line treatment, and were included in the final analysis. Of the 391 patients, 185 received less than four cycles, 134 received four to six cycles and 72 received more than six cycles of first‐line chemotherapy. An objective response (complete or partial response) to chemotherapy was observed in 145 patients (37.1%). Univariate analysis showed that the overall survival of patients who received more than six cycles or responded to chemotherapy (complete or partial response) was significantly longer than that of patients who received less than four cycles or did not respond to chemotherapy (stable or progressive disease). At multivariate levels, no correlations were observed between overall survival and the number of cycles of or the response to chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Therapeutic benefit of pembrolizumab can be expected irrespective of the objective response to and number of cycles of platinum‐based first‐line chemotherapy.
A Bayesian meta‐analysis of infants’ ability to perceive audio–visual congruence for speech
Authors: Cox Christopher Martin Mikkelsen , Keren‐Portnoy Tamar , Roepstorff Andreas , Fusaroli Riccardo
Published: September 2021

This paper quantifies the extent to which infants can perceive audio–visual congruence for speech information and assesses whether this ability changes with native language exposure over time. A hierarchical Bayesian robust regression model of 92 separate effect sizes extracted from 24 studies indicates a moderate effect size in a positive direction (0.35, CI [0.21: 0.50]). This result suggests that infants possess a robust ability to detect audio–visual congruence for speech. Moderator analyses, moreover, suggest that infants’ audio–visual matching ability for speech emerges at an early point in the process of language acquisition and remains stable for both native and non‐native speech throughout early development. A sensitivity analysis of the meta‐analytic data, however, indicates that a moderate publication bias for significant results could shift the lower credible interval to include null effects. Based on these findings, we outline recommendations for new lines of enquiry and suggest ways to improve the replicability of results in future investigations.
The static on‐demand bus routing problem: large neighborhood search for a dial‐a‐ride problem with bus station assignment
Authors: Melis Lissa , Sörensen Kenneth
Published: September 2021

We introduce a novel optimization problem to support the planning and routing of on‐demand buses in an urban context. We call this problem the on‐demand bus routing problem (ODBRP). Given are a fleet of buses with fixed capacity, a set of bus stations and travel times between them, and a set of transportation requests. Each transportation request consists of a set of potential departure and a set of potential arrival bus stations, as well as a time window, that is, an earliest departure time and a latest arrival time. The aim of the ODBRP is to (1) assign each passenger to a departure and arrival bus station and (2) develop a set of bus routes to fulfill each request in time while minimizing the total travel time of all users. We present the static version of the ODBRP, as well as a straightforward large neighborhood search heuristic to solve it. The performance of the heuristic is established by comparing it to an off‐the‐shelve heuristic solver (LocalSolver). We also use our heuristic to solve (slightly modified instances of) the well‐known dial‐a‐ride problem. The results found by the heuristic for the on‐demand bus system are compared to those of a simulated traditional public bus system with fixed lines and timetables. A thorough analysis of the comparison demonstrates that total user ride times can be significantly lower in an on‐demand public bus system and shows that an on‐demand bus system works best with a large number of small buses.
One‐dimensional electrospun ceramic nanomaterials and their sensing applications
Authors: Wang Yuting , Wu Hui , Lin Dandan , Zhang Rui , Li Heping , Zhang Wei , Liu Wei , Huang Siya , Yao Lei , Cheng Jing , Shahid Muhammad , Zhang Mengfei , Suzuki Takahiro , Pan Wei
Published: September 2021

One‐dimensional sensing materials that are prepared via electrospinning and controlled annealing exhibit intrinsic properties, such as electron transmissivity, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat capacity, as well as optical and mechanical characteristics. Particularly, the electronic transmission characteristics of the ceramic fiber materials, such as the electrical conductivity, photocurrent, magnetoresistance, nanocontact resistance, and dielectric properties, exhibited great potential for applications in the next generation of electronic sensing devices. First, electrospun ceramic materials with different structural and functional characteristics were reviewed here, after which the strategies for improving their properties, as well as the method for assembling the flexible devices, are summarized. Moreover, the electrospun ceramic nanofibers were detailedly discussed regarding applications in device construction and wearable electronics, such as photosensors, gas sensors, mechanical sensors, and other energy storage devices. Finally, the future development direction of the electrospinning technology for multifunctional and wearable electronics skin was proposed.
Life‐form diversity across temperate deciduous forests of Western Eurasia: A different story in the understory
Authors: Loidi Javier , Chytrý Milan , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Alessi Nicola , Biurrun Idoia , Campos Juan Antonio , Čarni Andraž , Fernández‐Pascual Eduardo , Font Castell Xavier , Gholizadeh Hamid , Indreica Adrian , Kavgacı Ali , Knollová Ilona , Naqinezhad Alireza , Novák Pavel , Nowak Arkadiusz , Škvorc Željko , Tsiripidis Ioannis , Vassilev Kiril , Marcenò Corrado
Published: September 2021

Aim

To analyse the biogeographic patterns of Temperate Deciduous Forests (TDFs) in Western Eurasia based on different life‐forms and forests layers and explore their relationships with the current climate, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate and topography.

Location

Western Eurasia.

Taxon

Vascular plants.

Methods

We delimited nine regions encompassing the variability of TDFs in Western Eurasia and collected 1000 vegetation plots from each. We deconstructed the plant communities into three layers, tree, shrub and floor. We used (i) generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to analyse the influence of current climate, historical climate and topography on species richness by accounting for regional effects and (ii) redundancy analysis (RDA) with variance partitioning to describe the variation in life forms along abiotic gradients. The three forest layers were analysed jointly and separately.

Results

The Balkans, Alps and Carpathians appeared to be the richest in plant species, whereas the British Isles and the Hyrcanian region were the poorest. Annual temperature range and annual mean temperature were the best predictors of species richness for the whole dataset and for the shrub layer. The tree layer richness was mainly explained by the annual temperature range and by elevation, whereas the forest floor richness was more related to the annual temperature range and the annual mean temperature differences between the LGM and current climate. The current climate was the main predictor of the composition of the whole community, the tree layer and the floor layer, while the shrub layer was also influenced by historical climate.

Main conclusions

Our overview of the diversity of temperate deciduous forests in Western Eurasia demonstrates different patterns and drivers across life‐forms and forest layers. While the diversity of trees is mainly linked to current climatic conditions, the shrub layer is also driven by postglacial‐glacial climatic stability, suggesting a different origin from forest trees.
A methylation study implicates the rewiring of brain neural circuits during puberty in the emergence of sex differences in depression symptoms
Authors: Chan Robin F. , Copeland William E. , Zhao Min , Xie Lin Y. , Costello Jane , Aberg Karolina A. , van den Oord Edwin J.C.G.
Published: September 2021

Background

Women are 1.5–3 times more likely to suffer from depression than men. This sex bias first emerges during puberty and then persists across the reproductive years. As the cause remains largely elusive, we performed a methylation‐wide association study (MWAS) to generate novel hypotheses.

Methods

We assayed nearly all 28 million possible methylation sites in blood in 595 blood samples from 487 participants aged 9–17. MWASs were performed to identify methylation sites associated with increasing sex differences in depression symptoms as a function of pubertal stage. Epigenetic deconvolution was applied to perform analyses on a cell‐type specific level.

Results

In monocytes, a substantial number of significant associations were detected after controlling the FDR at 0.05. These results could not be explained by plasma testosterone/estradiol or current/lifetime trauma. Our top results in monocytes were significantly enriched (ratio of 2.48) for genes in the top of a large genome‐wide association study (GWAS) meta‐analysis of depression and neurodevelopment‐related Gene Ontology (GO) terms that remained significant after correcting for multiple testing. Focusing on our most robust findings (70 genes overlapping with the GWAS meta‐analysis and the significant GO terms), we find genes coding for members of each of the major classes of axon guidance molecules (netrins, slits, semaphorins, ephrins, and cell adhesion molecules). Many of these genes were previously implicated in rodent studies of brain development and depression‐like phenotypes, as well as human methylation, gene expression and GWAS studies.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the emergence of sex differences in depression may be related to the differential rewiring of brain circuits between boys and girls during puberty.
Heightened among‐individual variation in life history but not morphology is related to developmental temperature in reptiles
Authors: Noble Daniel W. A. , Senior Alistair M. , Uller Tobias , Schwanz Lisa E.
Published: September 2021

Increases in phenotypic variation under extreme (e.g. novel or stressful) environmental conditions are emerging as a crucial process through which evolutionary adaptation can occur. Lack of prior stabilizing selection, as well as potential instability of developmental processes in these environments, may lead to a release of phenotypic variation that can have important evolutionary consequences. Although such patterns have been shown in model study organisms, we know little about the generality of trait variance across environments for non‐model organisms. Here, we test whether extreme developmental temperatures increase the phenotypic variation across diverse reptile taxa. We find that the among‐individual variation in a key life‐history trait (post‐hatching growth) increases at extreme cold and hot temperatures. However, variations in two measures of hatchling morphology and in hatchling performance were not related to developmental temperature. Although extreme developmental temperatures may increase the variation in growth, our results suggest that plastic responses to stressful incubation conditions do not generally make more extreme phenotypes available to selection. We discuss the reasons for the general lack of increased variability at extreme incubation temperatures and the implications this has for local adaptation in hatchling morphology and physiology.
Germinated seeds of three Cucurbita varieties: Physical characteristics, minerals profile, and drying behavior
Authors: de Moraes Maria Suiane , de Melo Queiroz Alexandre José , de Figueirêdo Rossana Maria Feitosa , Paz de Matos Joana D'arc , da Silva Luís Paulo Firmino Romão , do Nascimento Silva Semirames , Vieira Agdylannah Felix
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics and mineral profile of seeds of three Cucurbita varieties, one of the species Cucurbita maxima (variety Crown, one Cucurbita moschata (var. Jacarezinho) and one Cucurbita pepo (var. Italian), in natura and germinated forms. Additionally, perform the drying of the germinated samples at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70°C, evaluating the adjustment by different mathematical models to predict the process, calculate the effective diffusivities, and determine the activation energy and the thermodynamic properties of the samples. The seeds were germinated until 96 hr. Then, the unit mass, apparent specific mass, real specific mass, porosity and unit volume, and the mineral profile were determined. The germinated seeds were crushed and placed to dry with a thickness of 0.5 cm until reaching the equilibrium water content. Germination resulted in an increase in unit mass, unit volume, real density, and porosity; reducing the apparent density. The minerals were presented in different proportions, with emphasis on the calcium content in the Crown variety, potassium and phosphorus in Italian variety, and magnesium in Jacarezinho variety. The Henderson and Pabis modified model was the one that best fitted the experimental data of the three varieties. The effective diffusivities of the germinated seeds increased with increasing drying temperatures. The activation‐energy value was higher in the Crown variety, followed by Jacarezinho and Italian. The greatest enthalpies and entropies were determined in the Crown variety and the highest Gibbs free energies in the Italian variety.

Practical Applications

The knowledge of the physical aspects, the minerals concentration, and the use of drying germinated pumpkin seeds results in products with good palatability, expanding the possibilities for industrial and commercial use. The drying of agricultural products in a convective dryer makes it possible to reduce the water content to a certain value, minimizing microbiological activity and reducing chemical deterioration reactions, essential to increase shelf life, control waste, and allow the use and consumption of a product with high quality on a large scale. The contribution to the area consists of determining important values for seed processing industries interested in greater energy efficiency and in the precise adaptation of processes and equipment, with a view to reducing costs and maximizing the quality of the final product.
EFhd2 brain interactome reveals its association with different cellular and molecular processes
Authors: Soliman Ahlam S. , Umstead Andrew , Grabinski Tessa , Kanaan Nicholas M. , Lee Andy , Ryan John , Lamp Jared , Vega Irving E.
Published: September 2021

EFhd2 is a conserved calcium‐binding protein that is highly expressed in the central nervous system. We have shown that EFhd2 interacts with tau protein, a key pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. However, EFhd2’s physiological and pathological functions in the brain are still poorly understood. To gain insights into its physiological function, we identified proteins that co‐immunoprecipitated with EFhd2 from mouse forebrain and hindbrain, using tandem mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, quantitative mass spectrometry was used to detect protein abundance changes due to the deletion of the Efhd2 gene in mouse forebrain and hindbrain regions. Our data show that mouse EFhd2 is associated with cytoskeleton components, vesicle trafficking modulators, cellular stress response‐regulating proteins, and metabolic proteins. Moreover, proteins associated with the cytoskeleton, vesicular transport, calcium signaling, stress response, and metabolic pathways showed differential abundance in Efhd2(−/−) mice. This study presents, for the first time, an EFhd2 brain interactome that it is associated with different cellular and molecular processes. These findings will help prioritize further studies to investigate the mechanisms by which EFhd2 modulates these processes in physiological and pathological conditions of the nervous system.

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Relating neurosteroid modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission to behaviour
Authors: Belelli Delia , Phillips Grant D. , Atack John R. , Lambert Jeremy J.
Published: September 2021

Studies in the 1980s revealed endogenous metabolites of progesterone and deoxycorticosterone to be potent, efficacious, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR). The discovery that such steroids are locally synthesised in the central nervous system (CNS) promoted the thesis that neural inhibition in the CNS may be “fine‐tuned” by these neurosteroids to influence behaviour. In preclinical studies, these neurosteroids exhibited anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, analgesic and sedative properties and, at relatively high doses, induced a state of general anaesthesia, a profile consistent with their interaction with GABAARs. However, realising the therapeutic potential of either endogenous neurosteroids or synthetic “neuroactive” steroids has proven challenging. Recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the use of allopregnanolone (brexanolone) to treat postpartum depression has rekindled enthusiasm for exploring their potential as new medicines. Although neurosteroids are selective for GABAARs, they exhibit little or no selectivity across the many GABAAR subtypes. Nevertheless, a relatively minor population of receptors incorporating the δ‐subunit (δ‐GABAARs) appears to be an important contributor to their behavioural effects. Here, we consider how neurosteroids acting upon GABAARs influence neuronal signalling, as well as how such effects may acutely and persistently influence behaviour, and explore the case for developing selective PAMs of δ‐GABAAR subtypes for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Febrile seizure incidence and age at first occurrence are associated with changes in placental normalized gene expression: the ‘3D’ pregnancy cohort study
Authors: Thébault‐Dagher Fanny , Robles Morgane , Herba Catherine M. , St‐Pierre Joey , Brochen Celia , Muckle Gina , Lupien Sonia J. , Séguin Jean R. , Fraser William D. , Vaillancourt Cathy , Lippé Sarah
Published: September 2021

Self‐reported maternal prenatal stress (MPS) has been associated with earlier febrile seizure (FS) age of onset in offspring. Studies are needed to understand how the biological systems associated with exposure to psychological MPS are linked to seizure disorders in children. The present study aimed to investigate whether placental markers of MPS are linked to FS incidence and age at first occurrence. A subsample of children with FS (n = 28) and matched controls (n = 84), were drawn from the longitudinal 3D pregnancy cohort (N = 2366 mother–child dyads). Expression of placental genes associated with glucocorticoids, serotonin and fetal/placental growth were analysed from placental tissues, compared between groups and associated with age at first FS. Overall placental normalized gene expression was statistically different (p < .001). Children with FS showed overexpression of the serotonin transporter (mean difference = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.9–1.13), connexin 43 (mean difference = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.30–1.09), zonula occludens‐1 (mean difference = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.42–1.26) and underexpression of glucocorticoid receptor β (mean difference = 0.84, 95% CI = −1.49 to 0.19) and serotonin receptor 2B (mean difference = 1.57, 95% CI = −2.35 to 0.78) compared to controls. Increased expression of the serotonin transporter predicted 37.2% in variation of age at first FS. The correlation matrix showed pregnancy‐specific anxiety during the second trimester was moderately associated with age at first FS (r = −0.38) but was not a significant predictor in the regression model. Although our current results do not display a significant effect of self‐reported MPS on FS, the present study is the first to show that placental gene biomarkers usually known to be associated with MPS display different expressions in children with FS. Specifically, our results suggest that placental genes associated with the glucocorticoid, serotonergic and fetal/placental growth systems may be candidate mechanisms leading to increased vulnerability offspring in FS. Because self‐reported MPS was not found as a significant predictor in our statistical models, future studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms causing the observed changes in placental genes and their association with seizure disorders.
Spoiling for a fight: A relational model of daily work‐family balance satisfaction
Authors: Wan Min (Maggie) , Shaffer Margaret A. , Singh Romila , Zhang Yejun
Published: September 2021

Previous studies demonstrate that both work and family factors explain employees’ work‐family balance satisfaction (WFBS); however, relatively less is known about the within‐person dynamics of WFBS on a daily basis. In this study, we adopt a relational perspective and draw on Cognitive and Affective Processing System and Conservation of Resources theories to clarify work and family relational influences on WFBS. First, we examine the effects of both work and family interpersonal conflict on WFBS through the mechanisms of employees’ negative work reflection and negative affective state. Second, we test whether job and family crafting behaviours, especially increasing job and family social resources, serve as personal resources that buffer the negative influences of work and family interpersonal conflict. Findings from our daily study indicate that negative work reflection mediates work interpersonal conflict and WFBS, while negative affect mediates family interpersonal conflict and WFBS. Interestingly, we only found support for the beneficial moderating role of increasing family social resources but not increasing job social resources. We discuss theoretical and practical implications as well as future research directions.

Practitioner points

Organizations and practitioners should provide interventions (e.g., conflict resolution workshops, team‐building programs, or counselling services) that can resolve occurrences of work and family interpersonal conflict, thereby preventing its harmful role in daily work‐family balance satisfaction.

Managers may offer formal and informal support enhancing employees' daily relational crafting behaviours, especially increasing family social resources, which can mitigate the detrimental effect of family interpersonal conflict on work‐family balance satisfaction.
The widely distributed, edible seaweeds in Peru, Chondracanthus chamissoi and Chondracanthus chamissoi f. glomeratus (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta), are morphologically diverse but not phylogenetically distinct
Authors: Arakaki Natalia , Suárez‐Alarcón Sigfried , Márquez‐Corigliano Diego , Gil‐Kodaka Patricia , Tellier Florence
Published: September 2021

Chondracanthus chamissoi is part of the diet of coastal people from Peru and is exported dehydrated to Asian countries for direct consumption. Although it is considered endemic to Peru and Chile, its range has extended to distant regions, such as Korea, Japan, and France. Using morphological and molecular approaches, we examined specimens from Peru assigned to C. chamissoi (including the taxon of uncertain status Chondracanthus glomeratus) to improve phylogenetic and geographical information and characterize its morphological variability. Twenty‐one localities on the Peruvian coast were sampled, obtaining 102 COI and 27 rbcL sequences. To differentiate both entities, morphological characters such as thallus size, consistency, arrangement of main and secondary axes, branching patterns and location of reproductive structures, were analyzed on 46 specimens. While morphological characteristics are clearly contrasting among the two groups, both COI and rbcL phylogenies revealed a well‐supported clade with no genetic differentiation between the two morphologies. Therefore, the phylogenies indicate that C. chamissoi and C. glomeratus form a single taxonomic entity with high morphological variability, large geographic distribution and at least two morphological forms. The smaller form of C. chamissoi can be identified as C. chamissoi f. glomeratus. Such morphological variability can be of interest for future aquaculture development.
Habitat selection of Coot (Fulica atra) and Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in a remnant Mediterranean wetland (Italy): Implications for conservation
Authors: Talbi Awatif , Samraoui Farrah , Samraoui Boudjéma , Zullo Francesco , Battisti Corrado
Published: September 2021

The habitat selection of two abundant and widespread Palearctic rallids (Coot Fulica atra; Moorhen Gallinula chloropus) across a range of wetland types was investigated. The distribution of these two species varied according to water depth, as implied by the dominant vegetation present in the study area. Coots most frequently used wet dune slacks dominated by Phragmites australis, whereas Moorhens were mostly present in anthropized ecotones. It is hypothesized that because these two rallid species respond differently to various environmental pressures, they could be used as useful indicators for biomonitoring remnant wetlands. Indeed, they are relatively generalist, common, widespread and medium‐sized species, relatively easy to detect and exhibit a high sensitivity to specific water‐related habitat types, also at a small‐scaled spatial resolution.
Application of WASP model to simulate water pollution control of Duriangkang Dam
Authors: Wimordi Calvin , Yudianto Doddi , Guan Yiqing
Published: September 2021

Located in Batam City, Duriangkang Dam plays an essential role in providing clean water in the area, also being the first and largest estuary dam in Indonesia. However, with a total effective water volume of 107,000,000 m3, Duriangkang Dam is now heavily polluted because of enormous wastewater loads from both domestic and industrial sources that are directly discharged into the dam. The practice of fish farming has also contributed to its demise. Based on water samples collected during 2016 to 2018, the water condition for Duriangkang Dam is no longer classified as the 2nd class of raw water, based on Indonesian water standards. The present study utilizes the WASP model to evaluate and simulate possible solutions for controlling the Duriangkang Dam water pollution rate. The water quality indicators of dissolved oxygen (DO), total phosphorus (TP) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentrations are modelled. The calibration and verification results indicate the model exhibited an excellent fitting for DO, BOD and TP concentrations. Under several scenarios, it was determined that the best way to control the pollution rate within the dam is by implementing scenario 8, which include total control of the fish farms and domestic wastewater loads.
Optimal hydropower generation of Maithon multi‐purpose reservoir system
Authors: Sagar Priti , Parhi Prabeer Kumar , Bharti Birendra
Published: September 2021

The present study focuses on optimizing the hydropower generation capacity of a multi‐purpose reservoir system considering various constraints, including reservoir water mass balance, minimization of sediment, maximum and minimum reservoir water storage, maximum and minimum reservoir water releases, reservoir water drawdown levels, reservoir overflows, maximum flood zone space, and maximum and minimum storage constraints under 50%, 70% and 90% dependable inflow conditions The focus is the Maithon multi‐purpose reservoir system located at Maithon, a distance of 40.2 km from Dhanbad, the coal capital of India, in the State of Jharkhand. The study results indicate the derived policy is capable of producing maximum annual hydropower of 146,519.48 MWh/year for a 50% dependable inflow condition, 105,512.02 MWh/year for a 70% dependable inflow condition and 58,924.38 MWh/year for a 90% dependable inflow condition, compared to the existing hydropower generation of 129,428.4 MWh/year (average of last 10 years). A trade‐off between reservoir release water releases, mostly for meeting irrigation water needs and maximizing energy generation, was determined for use by various stakeholders and managers of reservoir operations.
Limitations and gaps in global bat wing morphology trait data
Authors: Crane Matt , Silva Inês , Grainger Matthew J. , Gale George A.
Published: September 2021

Species’ life‐history traits have a wide variety of applications in ecological and conservation research, particularly when assessing threats. The development and growth of global species’ trait databases are critical for improving trait‐based analyses; however, it is vital to understand the gaps and biases in the available data.

We reviewed bat wing morphology data, specifically mass, wingspan, wing area, wing loading, and aspect ratio, to identify issues with data reporting and ambiguity. Additionally, we aimed to assess taxonomic and geographic biases in trait data coverage.

We found that most studies used similar field methodology, but that data reporting and quality were inconsistent/poor. Additionally, we noted several issues regarding semantic ambiguity in trait definitions, specifically around what constitutes wing area.

Globally, we found that bat wing morphology trait coverage was low. Only six bat families had ≥40% trait coverage, and, of those, none consisted of more than 11 species in total. We found similar biases in trait coverage across International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List categories, with threatened species having lower coverage.

Geographically, North America, Europe, and the Indomalayan regions exhibited higher overall trait coverage, while both the Afrotropical and Neotropical ecoregions showed poor trait coverage.

The underlying biases and gaps in bat wing morphology data have implications for researchers conducting global trait‐based assessments. Implementing imputation techniques may address missing data, but only for smaller regional subsets with substantial trait coverage.

Due to generally low overall trait coverage, increasing species’ representation in the database should be prioritised. We suggest adopting an Ecological Trait Standard Vocabulary to reduce semantic ambiguity in bat wing morphology traits, to improve data compilation and clarity. Additionally, we advocate that researchers adopt an Open Science approach to facilitate the growth of a bat wing morphology trait database.
Explaining early generics: A linguistic model
Authors: Hinzen Wolfram , Mattos Otávio
Published: September 2021

Preschoolers naturally form mental representations that capture generic knowledge about object kinds. These have been considered to pose a special explanatory and learning challenge. We here argue for a new deductive model of them, where (i) the representations in question have a linguistic format from the start; (ii) they are inherently structurally simpler compared to reference to individuals or quantifications; and (iii) formed in communicative contexts because communication in humans is linked to language. In this model, specific language‐related resources explain the scope and limits of the forms of knowledge obtained, illustrating how language and cognition develop in tandem.
Potent T cell‐mediated anti‐inflammatory role of the selective CB2 agonist lenabasum in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Tiberi Marta , Evron Tama , Saracini Stefano , Boffa Laura , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Chintalacharuvu Subba R. , Atamas Sergei P. , Chiurchiù Valerio
Published: September 2021

Background

Lenabasum is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor type‐2 (CB2) agonist able to exert potent anti‐inflammatory effects, but its role on T cells remains unknown.

Objectives

The present study was undertaken to investigate anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of lenabasum in T lymphocyte subsets and its in vivo therapeutic efficacy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods

Mononuclear cells from 17 healthy subjects (HS) and 25 relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients were activated in presence or absence of lenabasum and analysed by flow cytometry and qRT‐PCR. EAE mice were treated with lenabasum, and clinical score and neuroinflammation were evaluated.

Results

Lenabasum significantly reduced TNF‐a production from CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in a dose‐dependent manner in both HS and RRMS patients. In MS patients, lenabasum also reduced activation marker CD25 and inhibited IL‐2 production from both T cell subsets and IFN‐γ and IL‐17 from committed Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively. These effects were blocked by the pretreatment with selective CB2 inverse agonist SR144528. In vivo treatment of EAE mice with lenabasum significantly ameliorated disease severity, reduced neuroinflammation and demyelination in spinal cord.

Conclusion

Lenabasum exerts potent T cell‐mediated immunomodulatory effects, suggesting CB2 as a promising pharmacological target to counteract neuroinflammation in MS.
Narrative care: Unpacking pandemic paradoxes
Authors: Caine Vera , Steeves Pamela , Berendonk Charlotte , Blix Bodil H. , Jean Clandinin D.
Published: September 2021

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, public health has issued three interrelated dominant narratives through social media and news outlets: First, to care for others, we must keep physically distant; second, we live in the same world and experience the same pandemic; and third, we will return to normal at some point. These narratives create complexities as they collide with the authors' everyday lives as nurses, educators, and women. This collision creates three paradoxes for us: (a) learning to care by creating physical distance, (b) a sense of togetherness erases inequities, and (c) returning to normal is possible. To inquire into these three paradoxes, we draw on our experiences with Ingrid, an older adult who requires in‐home physical care, and Matthew, a man with multiple disabilities including severe oral dyspraxia and developmental delays. We outline how narrative care is a counterstory to the dominant narratives and enables us to find ways to live our lives within the paradoxes. Narrative care allows us, through attention to embodiment, liminality, and imagination, to create forward looking stories. Understanding narrative care within these paradoxes allows us to offer more complex understandings of the ways narrative care can be embodied in our, and others', lives.
Undergraduate researchers’ graduate school intentions during COVID‐19
Authors: Morales Danielle X. , Grineski Sara E. , Collins Timothy W.
Published: September 2021

There is emerging literature on the disruptive effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on college students, but little is known about the impacts on undergraduate researchers (UGRs). On the basis of survey data collected in Summer 2020, this paper examines how less competent mentorship and COVID‐19–related difficulties shaped UGRs’ graduate school intentions. Results suggest that the pandemic strengthened UGRs’ graduate school intentions when UGRs experienced fewer COVID‐19–related difficulties. The pandemic weakened URG's graduate school intentions when they had a less competent faculty mentor. Having a more competent postgraduate mentor had a positive effect on UGRs’ graduate school intentions in response to the pandemic. Those findings indicate that higher quality postgraduate mentorship may serve as an effective surrogate for lower quality faculty mentorship. Findings suggest that immediate strategies are needed to bolster graduate school aspirations among specific groups of UGRs in response to the pandemic. UGRs of particular concern include those who were highly impacted by COVID‐19 with less competent mentors, were first‐generation college students, had less prior research experience, had their Summer 2020 research experiences canceled, and were social/behavioral sciences majors.
Comparison and reproducibility of three methods for maxillary digital dental model registration in open bite patients
Authors: Aliaga‐Del Castillo Aron , Vilanova Lorena , Janson Guilherme , Arriola‐Guillén Luis Ernesto , Garib Daniela , Miranda Felicia , Massaro Camila , Yatabe Marilia , Cevidanes Lucia , Ruellas Antonio Carlos
Published: September 2021

Objective

To compare and assess the reproducibility of 3 methods for registration of maxillary digital dental models in patients with anterior open bite.

Settings and sample population

Digital dental models of 16 children with an anterior open bite in the mixed dentition were obtained before (T1) and after 12 months of treatment with bonded spurs (T2).

Methods

Landmarks were placed on all T2 models and 3 registration methods (R1, R2 and R3) were independently performed by 2 observers. R1 was based on 10 landmarks placed on posterior teeth. R2 was based on 5 landmarks on the palate (2 anterior, 2 posterior and 1 central). R3 used regions of interest around the 5 palatal landmarks used in R2. The differences between the registration methods were calculated by comparing the mean differences and standard deviations between the corresponding x, y and z coordinates of 6 corresponding landmarks in the T2 registered models. Repeated measures analysis of variance followed by post‐hoc Bonferroni tests were used for comparisons (P < .05). The agreement between methods and the intra and interobserver reproducibility were assessed with Bland‐Altman tests and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results

Comparisons of R2 with R3 methods showed greater agreement, mean differences ≤0.50 mm for all landmarks, than comparisons of R1 with R2, and R1 with R3, mean differences >0.50 mm for most of the y and z coordinates (P < .05). The R1 and R3 methods presented excellent intra and interobserver reproducibility and R2 method had moderate interobserver reproducibility.

Conclusions

Longitudinal assessments of open bite treatment using digital dental models could consider the posterior teeth and/or the palate as references. The R1 and R3 methods showed adequate reproducibility and yield different quantitative results. The choice will depend on the posterior teeth changes and dental models’ characteristics.
Accuracy of MRI and X‐Ray Measurement of Displacement Distance of Humeral Lateral Condyle Fractures
Authors: Guo Lin , Li Xiaofeng , Wang Zhi , Zhu Shan
Published: September 2021

Objective

To investigate the accuracy of X‐ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in evaluating the displacement of humeral lateral condyle fracture (HLCF) in different positions of the forearm based on human cadaveric HLCF models.

Methods

Three human cadaveric elbow HLCF fracture models were successfully established. The wrist joint was fixed, and the forearm was rotated forward along the mid‐axis. The maximum distance between the two segments of the lateral fracture gap was defined as LFS (lateral fracture space) distance, and the maximum distance between the two segments of the fracture gap at the anterior and posterior margins of the fracture model was defined as PFS (posterior fracture space). The LFS and PFS distances of the human cadaveric elbow HLCF fracture models were measured during forearm rotation at 0º, 45º, 90º, and 135º rotation using a Capture Motion System (CMS), positive and lateral elbow X‐ray, coronal and sagittal MRI scans, respectively, and the CMS measurements were considered as the true fracture gap distances. The values obtained by CMS, X‐ray, and MRI measurements for both LPS and PFS distances in the HLCF fracture model at each position during rotation were recorded. The LFS and PFS distances were measured by two independent orthopaedic and joint imaging physicians. The data were measured three times by each physician, and the final values were the average of the two measurements. The outcomes were determined by whether a statistical difference exists in the LFS and PFS among the CMS, X‐ray, and MRI groups.

Results

The interobserver agreement tests between the two observers showed good agreement in the measurements. A multiple sample ANOVA showed statistical differences in the LFS distances of HLCF measured at 0º, 45º, 90º, and 135º rotated by three radiographic measurements (P < 0.05). The LFS distances obtained by MRI and CMS measurements were greater than those obtained by X‐ray measurement in all positions using the LSD test (P < 0.05), and no statistical difference was found between the CMS and MRI methods in each position (P > 0.05). The same results were observed in terms of PFS values obtained by CMS, X‐ray, and MRI measurements at 0º, 45º, 90º, and 135º pronation. It was statistically different among the three groups as shown by multiple sample ANOVA (P < 0.05). The CMS and MRI measurements were greater than the X‐ray measurements (P < 0.05), while no statistical difference was observed between the CMS and MRI measurements (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

X‐rays often underestimate the degree of displacement of HLCF fractures; MRI measurements are closer to the true values compared with X‐ray.