bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen Dominated Atmospheres on Terrestrial Mass Planets: Evidence, Origin and Evolution
Authors: Owen J. E. , Shaikhislamov I. F. , Lammer H. , Fossati L. , Khodachenko M. L.
Published: November 2020

The discovery of thousands of highly irradiated, low-mass, exoplanets has led to the idea that atmospheric escape is an important process that can drive their evolution. Of particular interest is the inference from recent exoplanet detections that there is a large population of low mass planets possessing significant, hydrogen dominated atmospheres, even at masses as low as $\sim 2~\mbox{M}_{\oplus }$
∼
2

M
⊕

. The size of these hydrogen dominated atmospheres indicates the envelopes must have been accreted from the natal protoplanetary disc. This inference is in contradiction with the Solar System terrestrial planets, that did not reach their final masses before disc dispersal, and only accreted thin hydrogen dominated atmospheres. In this review, we discuss the evidence for hydrogen dominated atmospheres on terrestrial mass ($\lesssim 2~\mbox{M}_{\oplus }$
≲
2

M
⊕

) planets. We then discuss the possible origins and evolution of these atmospheres with a focus on the role played by hydrodynamic atmospheric escape driven by the stellar high-energy emission (X-ray and EUV; XUV).
Induced sputum metabolomic profiles and oxidative stress are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity: potential use for predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine
Authors: Zhu Tao , Li Shanqun , Wang Jiajia , Liu Chunfang , Gao Lei , Zeng Yuzhen , Mao Ruolin , Cui Bo , Ji Hong , Chen Zhihong
Published: November 2020

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly heterogeneous disease, and metabolomics plays a hub role in predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) related to COPD. This study thus aimed to reveal the role of induced sputum metabolomics in predicting COPD severity. In this pilot study, a total of 20 COPD patients were included. The induced sputum metabolites were assayed using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system. Five oxidative stress products (myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), neutrophil elastase (NE), and 8-iso-PGF2α) in induced sputum were measured by ELISA, and the metabolomic profiles were distinguished by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was used for pathway enrichment analysis, and a significant difference in induced sputum metabolomics was observed between moderate and severe COPD. The KEGG analysis revealed that the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway was downregulated in severe COPD. Due to the critical role of glycerophospholipid metabolism in oxidative stress, significant negative correlations were discovered between glycerophospholipid metabolites and three oxidative stress products (SOD, MPO, and 8-iso-PGF2α). The diagnostic values of SOD, MPO, and 8-iso-PGF2α in induced sputum were found to exhibit high sensitivities and specificities in the prediction of COPD severity. Collectively, this study provides the first identification of the association between induced sputum metabolomic profiles and COPD severity, indicating the potential value of metabolomics in PPPM for COPD management. The study also reveals the correlation between glycerophospholipid metabolites and oxidative stress products and their value for predicting COPD severity.
Cytochalasins from Xylaria sp. CFL5, an Endophytic Fungus of Cephalotaxus fortunei
Authors: Ma Kai-Liang , Dong Shi-Hui , Li Hang-Ying , Wei Wen-Jun , Tu Yong-Qiang , Gao Kun
Published: November 2020

Three previously undescribed cytochalasins, named xylariasins A‒C (1‒3), together with six known ones (4‒9) were isolated from Xylaria sp. CFL5, an endophytic fungus of Cephalotaxus fortunei. The chemical structures of all new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses and electronic circular dichroism calculation, as well as optical rotation calculation. Biological activities of compounds 1, 4‒9 were evaluated, including cytotoxic, LAG3/MHC II binding inhibition and LAG3/FGL1 binding inhibition activities. Compounds 6 and 9 possessed cytotoxicity against AGS cells at 5 μM, with inhibition rates of 94% and 64%, respectively. In addition, all tested isolates, except compound 6, exhibited obvious inhibitory activity against the interaction of both LAG3/MHC II and LAG3/FGL1. Compounds 1, 5, 7, and 8 inhibited LAG3/MHC II with IC50 values ranging from 2.37 to 4.74 μM. Meanwhile, the IC50 values of compounds 1, 7, and 8 against LAG3/FGL1 were 11.78, 4.39, and 7.45 μM, respectively.

Graphic Abstract
The spring bounces back: introducing the strain elevation tension spring embedding algorithm for network representation
Authors: Bourne Jonathan
Published: November 2020

This paper introduces the strain elevation tension spring embedding (SETSe) algorithm. SETSe is a novel graph embedding method that uses a physical model to project feature-rich networks onto a manifold with semi-Euclidean properties. Due to its method, SETSe avoids the tractability issues faced by traditional force-directed graphs, having an iteration time and memory complexity that is linear to the number of edges in the network. SETSe is unusual as an embedding method as it does not reduce dimensionality or explicitly attempt to place similar nodes close together in the embedded space. Despite this, the algorithm outperforms five common graph embedding algorithms, on graph classification and node classification tasks, in low-dimensional space. The algorithm is also used to embed 100 social networks ranging in size from 700 to over 40,000 nodes and up to 1.5 million edges. The social network embeddings show that SETSe provides a more expressive alternative to the popular assortativity metric and that even on large complex networks, SETSe’s classification ability outperforms the naive baseline and the other embedding methods in low-dimensional representation. SETSe is a fast and flexible unsupervised embedding algorithm that integrates node attributes and graph topology to produce interpretable results.
Endovascular aneurysm repair in short and angulated aortic aneurysmal neck: A retrospective case series of single centre experience
Authors: Tien Tran Quyet , Bang Ho Tat , Van Quang Nguyen
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to analyse the outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients with aortic aneurysms with short and angulated aortic neck.

Methods:

This was a retrospective case series of single centre experience. Patients diagnosed with infrarenal abdominal aneurysm with or without iliac aneurysm who underwent endovascular treatment between May 2012 and August 2020 were included in the study.

Results:

Standardised information of 95 patients who met the inclusion criteria was documented (71 males, 24 females; average age: 73.8 ± 17.6 years). There were 45 patients in group H (short and/or angulated aortic neck anatomy) and 54 patients in group F (control group). The clinical presentations, intervention-related characteristics, and early as well as mid-term results were not statistically different between the two groups. In group H, cases of short aortic neck had higher risk of early type IA endoleak (4 patients, 57.1%).

Conclusion:

Endovascular aneurysm repair in the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm is considered safe and effective in cases of both groups. Treatment outcomes and complications were not statistically different between the groups. Nevertheless, cases of aortic short neck had a greater risk of early type IA endoleak and reintervention.

Highlights:
Short and long-term outcomes of the peripheral arterial indirect bypass in diabetic patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: Single-center case series
Authors: Baram Aram , Baban Zana T.
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the main cause behind non-healing painful foot ulcers, disabilities and amputation diabetic patients. Diabetes Milletus (DM) negatively affects long-term patency and limb salvage operations. Peripheral indirect femoropopliteal bypass is one of the most common method of revascularization for diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia. Our study shows short and long-term outcomes of infra-inguinal indirect bypasses in diabetic patients. We evaluated the QoL of our series of patients after bypass surgery.

Methods:

Prospective observational single center study with retrospective analysis of the data conducted over 13 years from February 2007 to February 2020. A total of 150 diabetic patients with features of CLTI of the lower limbs were admitted for revascularization. All patients underwent infra-inguinal indirect (non-Angiosome) bypass using autologous great saphenous vein graft only.

Results:

A total of 150 type 2 diabetic patients included; 107 male (71.3%) and 43 female (28.7%). Age ranged from 42 to 77 years with a mean of 61.77(±6.83) years. The commonest presentation was major tissue loss (category 6) in 45.3% of the cases, rest pain (category 4) was present in 28.6% of the cases followed by minor tissue loss in another 28% of the cases, while only 26% of the cases had minor tissue loss (category 5).

The three most common types of bypasses were femoro-popliteal infra-genicular (FMPOP-IG) (56%), femoro-popliteal retro-genicular (RG) (25.3%) and femoro-posterior tibial (F-PT) (10%).

Preoperative quality of life (QoL) measured by VASCUQoL-6, Most of the patients (61.9%) had VASCUQoL-6 of 4 and 5. At 3 months the maximum VASCUQOL-6 remained at 11 while at 36 months, the minimum VASCUQoL-6 was 17.8 and maximum reached 20.

Conclusion:

It is necessary to have the possibility of performing open indirect bypass revascularization for diabetic patients with CLTI, even in the absence of possibility for endovascular therapies.

Highlights:
Forest discovery: place relationships on an environmental science, arts and humanities (eSAH) field trip
Authors: Goralnik Lissy , Kelly Sarah Minette , O’Connell Kari , Nelson Michael Paul , Schulze Mark
Published: November 2020

Sense of place describes both affective and cognitive — emotional and intellectual — connections to place. Affective outcomes, tied to arts and humanities education, can facilitate these connections. But little research explores environmental science, arts and humanities (eSAH) curricula on place relationships. Additionally, most research on the sense of place focuses on repeated visits to a place over time, rather than short-term experiences like a field trip. Finally, digital technology is a growing trend across science education, but little research investigates its use in field-based contexts. Our research begins to address these gaps. This article describes an eSAH field trip for middle and high school learners. Using a conventional content analysis, we present pilot data from two high school field trips. Our findings illuminate a framework for understanding active and passive place relationships in the context of short-term interdisciplinary field learning experiences.
High genetic diversity in the clonal aquatic weedAlternanthera philoxeroidesin the United States
Authors: Williams Dean A. , Harms Nathan E. , Knight Ian A. , Grewell Brenda J. , Futrell Caryn Joy , Pratt Paul D.
Published: November 2020

The distribution of genetic diversity in invasive plant populations can have important management implications. Alligatorweed [Alternanthera philoxeroides(Mart.) Griseb.] was introduced into the United States around 1900 and has since spread throughout much of the southern United States and California. A successful biological control program was initiated in the late 1960s that reducedA. philoxeroidesin the southern United States, although control has varied geographically. The degree to which variation among genotypes may be responsible for variation in control efficacy has not been well studied due to a lack of genetic data. We sampled 373 plants from 90 sites across the United States and genotyped all samples at three chloroplast regions to help inform future management efforts. Consistent with clonal spread, there was high differentiation between sites, yet we found six haplotypes and high haplotype diversity (meanh= 0.48) across states, suggesting this plant has been introduced multiple times. Two of the haplotypes correspond to previously described biotypes that differ in their susceptibility to herbicides and herbivory. The geographic distribution of the three common haplotypes varied by latitude and longitude, while the other haplotypes were widespread or localized to one or a few sites. All the haplotypes we screened are hexaploid (6n= 102), which may enhance biological control. Future studies can use these genetic data to determine whether genotypes differ in their invasiveness or respond differently to control measures. Some states, for instance, have mainly a single haplotype that may respond more uniformly to a single control strategy, whereas other states may require a variety of control strategies. These data will also provide the basis for identifying the source regions in South America, which may lead to the discovery of new biological control agents more closely matched to particular genotypes.
Identification of resistant clones of Eurasian (Myriophyllum spicatum) and hybrid (Myriophyllum spicatum × Myriophyllum sibiricum) watermilfoil to an operational rate of fluridone
Authors: Chorak Gregory M. , Thum Ryan A.
Published: November 2020

Genetic assays to identify herbicide-resistant plants are a promising tool to reduce herbicide failures. However, the genetic basis of herbicide resistance is frequently unknown. In clonal weed species, DNA fingerprinting could be a useful tool to identify known resistant versus susceptible genets (clones) that occur in multiple locations, without an immediate need for understanding the genetic mutation(s) conferring resistance. Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) and hybrids with native northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum × Myriophyllum sibiricum Kom.) are mostly clonal invasive aquatic plants, and the same clones can be found in multiple waterbodies. Previously, a clone was confirmed as resistant to the commonly used herbicide fluridone, and a recent genetic survey in Michigan identified this genotype (MG-237) in at least seven other lakes. We hypothesized that MG-237 collected from different lakes would also exhibit fluridone resistance. However, MG-237 may have accumulated resistance mutations at different times during its spread across Michigan, resulting in fluridone-resistant and fluridone-susceptible MG-237 clones distributed in different lakes. We used a herbicide assay to test the response of several accessions, including MG-237 accessions from multiple lakes, to the Michigan operational rate of 6 µg L−1 fluridone. We found that all accessions of MG-237 exhibited resistance to 6 µg L−1 fluridone. A second genotype (MG-377) was also resistant to 6 µg L−1 fluridone. The rest of the accessions were found to be significantly injured by 6 µg L−1 fluridone. Our results suggest that 6 µg L−1 fluridone would not effectively control waterbodies dominated by MG-237 or MG-377, whereas waterbodies dominated by the other genotypes in our study would likely be controlled. Although more studies are needed to identify the variation in sensitivity of the accessions tested here and the genetic basis of fluridone resistance in Myriophyllum, our results suggest that multilocus genotype data may be an effective tool to identify and track herbicide-resistant genotypes of Myriophyllum in the short term.
Reanalysing the 2007–19 glaciological mass-balance series of Mera Glacier, Nepal, Central Himalaya, using geodetic mass balance
Authors: Wagnon Patrick , Brun Fanny , Khadka Arbindra , Berthier Etienne , Shrestha Dibas , Vincent Christian , Arnaud Yves , Six Delphine , Dehecq Amaury , Ménégoz Martin , Jomelli Vincent
Published: November 2020

The 2007–19 glaciological mass-balance series of Mera Glacier in the Everest Region, East Nepal, is reanalysed using the geodetic mass balance assessed by differencing two DEMs obtained from Pléiades stereo-images acquired in November 2012 and in October 2018. The glaciological glacier-wide annual mass balance of Mera Glacier has to be systematically decreased by 0.11 m w.e. a−1to match the geodetic mass balance. We attribute part of the positive bias of the glaciological mass balance to an over-estimation of the accumulation above 5520 m a.s.l., likely due to a measurement network unable to capture its spatial variability. Over the period 2007–19, Mera Glacier has lost mass at a rate of −0.41 ± 0.20 m w.e. a−1, in general agreement with regional averages for the central Himalaya. We observe a succession of negative mass-balance years since 2013.
“The Worst Divorce Case that Ever Happened”: TheNew York TimesWomen's Caucus and Workplace Feminism
Authors: Whyte Marama
Published: November 2020

In 1974, women at theNew York Timesmade national headlines when they filed a class-action sex discrimination lawsuit. The drama of the court case, however, has overshadowed the formation of theTimesWomen's Caucus two years prior, in 1972. A focus on the Caucus, the daily labor its members undertook in the years before and after filing suit, and the behind-the-scenes negotiation of internal office politics reveals the years-long process of consciousness raising and workplace organizing required to undertake a lawsuit in this novel legal area. Activist newswomen operated with unique restrictions and necessarily distanced themselves from the feminist movement, while quietly advocating for feminist goals. Caucus members drew from the feminist, labor, and union movements strategically rather than ideologically, and laid the foundation for substantial shifts in women's participation and representation in the mainstream media.
Oleamide rescues tibialis anterior muscle atrophy of mice housed in small cages
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuyuki , Watanabe Natsumi , Kitakaze Tomoya , Sugimoto Keiichiro , Izawa Takeshi , Kai Kenji , Harada Naoki , Yamaji Ryoichi
Published: November 2020

Skeletal muscle atrophy causes decreased physical activity and increased risk of metabolic diseases. We investigated the effects of oleamide (cis-9,10-octadecanamide) treatment on skeletal muscle health. The plasma concentration of endogenous oleamide was approximately 30 nm in male ddY mice under normal physiological conditions. When the stable isotope-labelled oleamide was orally administered to male ddY mice (50 mg/kg), the plasma concentration of exogenous oleamide reached approximately 170 nm after 1 h. Male ddY mice were housed in small cages (one-sixth of normal size) to enforce sedentary behaviour and orally administered oleamide (50 mg/kg per d) for 4 weeks. Housing in small cages decreased tibialis anterior (TA) muscle mass and the cross-sectional area of the myofibres in TA muscle. Dietary oleamide alleviated the decreases in TA muscle and resulted in plasma oleamide concentration of approximately 120 nm in mice housed in small cages. Housing in small cages had no influence on the phosphorylation levels of Akt serine/threonine kinase (Akt), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) in TA muscle; nevertheless, oleamide increased the phosphorylation levels of the proteins. Housing in small cages increased the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II and sequestosome 1 (p62), but not LC3-I, in TA muscle, and oleamide reduced LC3-I, LC3-II and p62 expression levels. In C2C12 myotubes, oleamide increased myotube diameter at ≥100 nm. Furthermore, the mTOR inhibitor, Torin 1, suppressed oleamide-induced increases in myotube diameter and protein synthesis. These results indicate that dietary oleamide rescued TA muscle atrophy in mice housed in small cages, possibly by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and restoring autophagy flux.
Gallic acid affects intestinal-epithelial-cell integrity and selected amino-acid uptake in porcine in vitro and ex vivo permeability models
Authors: Tretola Marco , Bee Giuseppe , Silacci Paolo
Published: November 2020

Gallic acid (GA) is widely used as a dietary supplement due to several health-promoting effects, although its effects on intestinal-epithelial-cell integrity and transport remain mostly unknown. The present study aims to clarify the effects of GA on tight junctions and intestinal nutrient uptake through in vitro and ex vivo models. Both intestinal porcine enterocyte cell line-J2 cells and porcine middle-jejunum segments were treated with 5 (T5), 25 (T25) and 50 (T50) µm GA and mounted in Ussing chambers to determine transepithelial resistance (TEER), claudin-1 (CLDN1), occludin (OCLN), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein (in tissues and cells) and mRNA (in cells) expression. In addition, uptake of l-glutamate (l-Glut), l-arginine (l-Arg), l-lysine (l-Lys) and l-methionine (l-Meth) together with cationic-amino-acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) and excitatory-amino-acid transporter-3 (EAAT3) expression was evaluated. No apoptosis was observed in GA-treated cells, but TEER and CLDN1 protein abundance was lower with T50 compared with untreated cells. l-Arg and l-Lys uptake was greater with T5 than with T25 and T50. Ex vivo, T50 decreased the TEER values and the protein levels of CLDN1, OCLN and ZO-1, whereas T5 and T25 only decreased CLDN1 protein expression compared with untreated tissues. Moreover, T25 increased l-Glut and l-Arg uptake, the latter confirmed by an increased protein expression of CAT-1. GA influences intestinal uptake of the tested cationic amino acids at low concentrations and decreases the intestinal-cell barrier function at high concentrations. Similarities were observed between in vitro and ex vivo, but different treatment times and structures must be considered.
Irregular recruitment of the echinoid Echinocyamus pusillus and its implications for biological traits analysis
Authors: Warwick Richard M. , Pearce Bryony
Published: November 2020

Size-frequency analysis of the echinoid Echinocyamus pusillus from six offshore areas in the southern North Sea and eastern English Channel reveal five distinct cohorts, suggesting a lifespan of five years. In all six individual areas one or more year-groups are absent, due to the unsuccessful recruitment of planktonic larvae to the seabed in some years, giving a false impression of a shorter lifespan. A relatively long lifespan and planktotrophic larval development are remarkable for such a small species, which reaches a maximum test length of 7.3 mm in the area, such traits being more typical of large-sized macrobenthic species. The feeding mode is akin to that of many meiobenthic taxa. The architecture of the test confers exceptional strength and resilience to mechanical perturbation.
Identification of Leishmania infantum in blood donors from endemic regions for visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Pereira Loren Queli , Ferreira-Silva Márcia Maria , Ratkevicius Cristhianne Molinero Andrade , Gómez-Hérnandez César , De Vito Fernanda Bernadelli , Tanaka Sarah Cristina Sato Vaz , Rodrigues Júnior Virmondes , Moraes-Souza Helio
Published: November 2020

Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic protozoonosis observed in over 60 countries, with over 500 000 new cases recorded annually. Although the diagnostic procedure of its symptomatic forms is well established, for asymptomatic patients, who represent about 85% of those infected, there is no consensus on the best method for its identification. Recent studies have presented molecular techniques as viable identification methods, with good sensitivity and specificity indices in asymptomatic individuals. Therefore, we aimed to use molecular methods to assess their effectiveness in identifying the presence of asymptomatic infection by Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) individuals from endemic regions of Brazil. Screening was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and confirmed by sequencing the cytochrome B gene. Of the 127 samples [from 608 blood donors who had participated in a previous study, of which 34 were positive by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) rK39] tested by qPCR, 31 (24.4%) were positive. In the sequencing of 10 qPCR-positive samples, five were identified as L. infantum. Complimentary samples of the ELISA rK39 and conventional PCR showed only reasonable and low agreement with qPCR, respectively. The qPCR confirmed the presence of infection in five of the 10 sequenced samples, ELISA confirmed three, and the conventional PCR confirmed none.
Age-related loss of resources and perceived old age in China
Authors: Liu Huijun , Yang Ru , Feng Zhixin
Published: November 2020

Life expectancy in China has increased. This paper explores the age when older adults (aged 60 and above) consider themselves to be an ‘older person’ and how age-related loss of resources (five dimensions: early cumulative factors, decline and loss of health resources, reduction and loss of economic resources, weakening and loss of social support resources, and personal role transition and experiences of losing family members) could impact their perceived old age. Using two waves of data from the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (CLASS) in 2014 and 2016 (6,244 participants in 2014 and 2,989 participants in both 2014 and 2016), we found that the mean perceived old age is around 70 years at baseline (2014). Higher level of educational attainment and occupational types (early cumulative factors), better health condition, receiving support from friends and taking care of grandchildren are significantly associated with the perception that old age begins at an older age at baseline, while being Han-Chinese, being an urban resident (early cumulative factors) and reporting better health condition have significant positive effects on the perception that old age begins at an older age in the later wave. Our findings suggest that the age standard of older adults should be adjusted dynamically in response to social development and longevity, and also highlight the importance of early cumulative factors in shaping the ageing process besides age-related factors.
Citizen-centred or state-centred? The representational design of International Parliamentary Institutions
Authors: Winzen Thomas , Rocabert Jofre
Published: November 2020

As a result of the spread of International Parliamentary Institutions (IPIs), international organisations face crucial questions of representational design. We introduce a distinction betweencitizen-centredandstate-centredIPIs in international organisations (IO). Drawing on original data, we show that, even though parliaments might seem likely to foster citizen representation in the international realm, they in fact often follow state-centred representational designs. We further find that citizen-centred IPIs are a near exclusive phenomenon of a few, democratic regional integration projects. Given the prevalence of state-centred representational designs, we conclude that IPIs’ potential to represent different cross-border communities, concerns, and conflict lines than intergovernmental IO bodies remains institutionally limited. IPIs are thus unlikely to challenge these bodies in similar ways as often observed in the relationship between the European Parliament and the European Union's Council of Ministers.
How to Catch the Devil? Performance Materiality and Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable
Authors: TAUBERT T. SOFIE
Published: November 2020

Stage machinery enters the historical narrative often enough through mishaps and interruptions. This article takes as its starting point a report of the Paris opera director Véron in order to think about the role of materiality in the analysis of past performances. The occasion, depicted in the report, is the opening night of Robert le Diable, written by Eugène Scribe and composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer. The article discusses two key questions on the historiographic value of the report as a source for performance analysis. (1) How can we unfold the performativity of a past performance through archival documents? (2) What is the impact of the materiality of machinery, bodies and space in the theatrical interplay?
Reusing Props at the National Theatre, London: Considering Theatre Materiality in a Historiographical Context
Authors: FÖRSTER SASCHA
Published: November 2020

Over the last years, the National Theatre, London (NT) has presented props and costumes in its restaurant, the Green Room, and in its bar, the Propstore, thereby shedding a different light on theatre objects. It also widely advertises the option of hiring costumes and props from its Hire department. These practices challenge theatre studies to reconsider the usage of theatre objects and their manifold stage lives not only as stories of (in)animation, but as what I call potentials of reusage. Presenting theatre objects in unusual locations like a restaurant emphasizes that these objects are built or manipulated in theatre workshops, thereby shedding light on the craftsmanship that is foundational to every production. The labour of the workshops, as well as different backstage operations, has been ignored by theatre historiography. Analysing the NT's different staging of props invites us to look into the hidden histories of theatre materiality.
Disjointness graphs of segments in the space
Authors: Pach János , Tardos Gábor , Tóth Géza
Published: November 2020

The disjointness graph G = G(𝒮) of a set of segments 𝒮 in ${\mathbb{R}^d}$, $$d \ge 2$$, is a graph whose vertex set is 𝒮 and two vertices are connected by an edge if and only if the corresponding segments are disjoint. We prove that the chromatic number of G satisfies $\chi (G) \le {(\omega (G))^4} + {(\omega (G))^3}$, where ω(G) denotes the clique number of G. It follows that 𝒮 has Ω(n1/5) pairwise intersecting or pairwise disjoint elements. Stronger bounds are established for lines in space, instead of segments.

We show that computing ω(G) and χ(G) for disjointness graphs of lines in space are NP-hard tasks. However, we can design efficient algorithms to compute proper colourings of G in which the number of colours satisfies the above upper bounds. One cannot expect similar results for sets of continuous arcs, instead of segments, even in the plane. We construct families of arcs whose disjointness graphs are triangle-free (ω(G) = 2), but whose chromatic numbers are arbitrarily large.
Neurodevelopmental evaluation strategies for children with congenital heart disease aged birth through 5 years: recommendations from the cardiac neurodevelopmental outcome collaborative
Authors: Ware Janice , Butcher Jennifer L. , Latal Beatrice , Sadhwani Anjali , Rollins Caitlin K. , Brosig Soto Cheryl L. , Butler Samantha C. , Eiler-Sims Patricia B. , Ullman Shade Catherine V. , Wernovsky Gil
Published: November 2020

This paper provides specific guidelines for the neurodevelopmental evaluation of children aged birth through 5 years with complex congenital heart disease. There is wide recognition that children with congenital heart disease are at high risk for neurodevelopmental impairments that are first apparent in infancy and often persist as children mature. Impairments among children with complex congenital heart disease cross developmental domains and affect multiple functional abilities. The guidelines provided are derived from the substantial body of research generated over the past 30 years describing the characteristic developmental profiles and the long-term trajectories of children surviving with complex congenital heart conditions. The content and the timing of the guidelines are consistent with the 2012 American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics scientific statement documenting the need for ongoing developmental monitoring and assessment from infancy through adolescence. The specific guidelines offered in this article were developed by a multidisciplinary clinical research team affiliated with the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative, a not-for-profit organisation established to determine and implement best neurodevelopmental practices for children with congenital heart disease. The guidelines are designed for use in clinical and research applications and offer an abbreviated core protocol and an extended version that expands the scope of the evaluation. The guidelines emphasise the value of early risk identification, use of evidence-based assessment instruments, consideration of family and cultural preferences, and the importance of providing multidimensional community-based services to remediate risk.
The Effects of Positional Change on Hemodynamic Parameters in Spinal Immobilization
Authors: Gökçen Emre , Demir Vahit
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

The use of a long backboard and cervical collar are commonly recommended by international guidelines for spinal immobilization, but both devices may cause several side effects. In a recent study, it was reported that spinal immobilization at 20° eliminated the decrease in pulmonary function secondary to spinal immobilization performed at 0°. Spinal immobilization at 20° is a new recommendation, but other potential effects need to be explored before it can be implemented in clinical use.

Study Objective:

Hemodynamic observation is important in the management of trauma patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spinal immobilization at a 20° position instead of 0° on hemodynamic parameters.

Methods:

This study included 53 healthy volunteers who underwent spinal immobilization in the supine position (00) and in an elevated position (200). Systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI), left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV), cardiac output (CO), inferior vena cava diameter inspiration (IVC diameter insp), IVC diameter expiration (IVC diameter exp), and inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVC-CI) were measured at the 0th and 30th minutes of spinal immobilization in both positions. The data were compared for demonstrating the efficiency of both positions in spinal immobilization.

Results:

A statistically significant difference was found in the parameters of the IVC diameter (exp), IVC diameter (insp), LVOT-VTI, LVSV, and CO through the measurements starting in the 0th minute of the transition from 0° to 20° (P <.001). Delta values (∆) of hemodynamic parameters (∆IVC diameter [exp], ∆IVC diameter [insp], ∆LVOT-VTI, ∆SV, ∆CO, ∆IVC-CI, ∆MAP, ∆SAP, ∆DAP, and ∆HR) were similar in spinal immobilization at 0° and 20°.

Conclusion:

The findings obtained from this study illustrate that spinal immobilization at 20° does not cause clinically significant hemodynamic changes in healthy subjects compared to spinal immobilization at 0°.
State Preparedness for Crisis Standards of Care in the United States: Implications for Emergency Management
Authors: Ingram Annie E. , Hertelendy Attila J. , Molloy Michael S. , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: November 2020

State governments and hospital facilities are often unprepared to handle a complex medical crisis, despite a moral and ethical obligation to be prepared for disaster. The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has drawn attention to the lack of state guidance on how hospitals should provide care in a crisis. When the resources available are insufficient to treat the current patient load, crisis standards of care (CSC) are implemented to provide care to the population in an ethical manner, while maintaining an ability to handle the surge. This Editorial aims to raise awareness concerning a lack of preparedness that calls for immediate correction at the state and local level.

Analysis of state guidelines for implementation of CSC demonstrates a lack of preparedness, as only five states in the US have appropriately completed necessary plans, despite a clear understanding of the danger. States have a legal responsibility to regulate the medical care within their borders. Failure of hospital facilities to properly prepare for disasters is not a new issue; Hurricane Katrina (2005) demonstrated a lack of planning and coordination. Improving disaster health care readiness in the United States requires states to create new policy and legislative directives for the health care facilities within their respective jurisdictions. Hospitals should have clear directives to prepare for disasters as part of a “duty to care” and to ensure that the necessary planning and supplies are available to their employees.
An observational study on Ca supplementation and dietary intake during pregnancy on low birth weight and small for gestational age
Authors: Dai Wei , Deng Xiaohui , Li Lanlan , Qiu Jie , Mao Baohong , Shao Yawen , Xu Sijuan , Yang Tao , He Xiaochun , Cui Hongmei , Lin Xiaojuan , Lv Ling , Tang Zhongfeng , Liu Qing
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of dietary Ca intake and Ca supplementation during pregnancy on low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Design:

A birth cohort study was conducted in 2010–2012 at the Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Lanzhou, China.

Setting:

A birth cohort study.

Participants:

Totally, 9595 pregnant women who came to the hospital for delivery at 20 weeks of gestation or more, and who were 18 years of age or older.

Results:

Compared with non-users, Ca supplement users had a reduced risk of LBW infants (OR = 0·77, 95 % CI: 0·63, 0·95) and a reduced risk of nulliparous women giving birth to LBW infants (OR = 0·75, 95 % CI: 0·58, 0·98) (P < 0·05). More specifically, both the use of Ca supplement before conception and during pregnancy (OR = 0·44, 95 % CI: 0·19, 0·99) and during pregnancy only (OR = 0·80, 95 % CI: 0·65, 0·99) had the main effect of reducing risk of nulliparous women giving birth to LBW infants (P < 0·05). There was no association between Ca supplementation and SGA (OR = 0·87, 95 % CI: 0·75, 1·01) (P > 0·05). However, higher dietary Ca intake during pregnancy decreases the risk of both LBW (quartile 2: OR = 0·72, 95 % CI: 0·55, 0·94; quartile 3: OR = 0·68, 95 % CI: 0·50, 0·62) and SGA infants (quartile 2: OR = 0·77, 95 % CI: 0·63, 0·95; quartile 3: OR = 0·71, 95 % CI: 0·57, 0·88, quartile 4: OR = 0·71, 95 % CI: 0·57, 0·88) (P < 0·05).

Conclusions:

Ca supplementation and adequate dietary intake of Ca during pregnancy are associated with a decreased risk of LBW infants born to nulliparous women.
Assessment of genetic divergence in diploid cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) germplasm using fibre quality traits
Authors: Manivannan A. , Waghmare V. N.
Published: November 2020

Cotton is one of the most important crops among natural fibres. Fibre quality determines the spinning ability, which is negatively correlated with yield and yield-contributing traits. Limited efforts have been made to improve fibre quality and yield in diploid cotton. Therefore, screening a large panel of germplasm lines can help identify genotypes with better fibre quality and yield. We evaluated 712 desi cotton genotypes for fibre quality traits. The genotypes showed a significant difference for all the traits, suggesting considerable variability for fibre quality improvement. Fibre length and strength showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. Heritability was high for fibre strength, length, and elongation. Fibre length and strength were positively correlated; however, micronaire was negatively correlated with these two traits. Superior accessions were identified for fibre length (11), strength (20), uniformity (7), and elongation (25) among genotypes. Most of the desi lines (71%) had medium micronaire values. Twenty accessions identified were ideal for spinning, showing the fibre strength-to-length ratio of one. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distance grouped all 712 accessions into four major clusters. Principal component analysis biplot revealed that accessions AC3418, 360-SP1, AC3522B, Kanpur A, Gao16CB-9, and AC3370 were genetically diverse. The superior accessions for fibre quality identified in this study are potential lines for the diploid cotton improvement programme.
Accidental socialism: a natural experiment in Haiti 1796–1820
Authors: Ferrero Mario
Published: November 2020

For some 25 years in revolutionary Haiti, most of the productive land was nationalized and run as state property. This paper shows that this economic system can be accurately described as agrarian socialism. Its life and death are compared with the experiences of 20th-century socialist regimes and their transition to a market economy, paying special attention to the kindred case of São Tomé. Haitian socialism is interesting because it was the unintended, accidental product of an emergency situation: the killing or flight of all the French landlords, which made their land vacant property and drove the state to run it in the public interest to defend the revolution. Therefore, it can be read as a natural experiment in socialism in the absence of a socialist ideology and of a socialist party that could hold the system together, constrain its income distribution, and control its eventual privatization.
Clinging to Guns and Religion? A Research Note Testing the Role of Protestantism in Shaping Gun Identity in the United States
Authors: Vegter Abigail , den Dulk Kevin R.
Published: November 2020

How does social identity shape Protestant attitudes about guns in the United States? Numerous studies show that religion shapes attitudes about guns, but the role of Protestantism in forming those attitudes is undertheorized and undertested. We draw from the extensive literature on religion-as-identity and the burgeoning literature of gun-ownership-as-identity to test the theory about the role of Protestant religion in cultivating a gun identity. We argue that for many Protestants, gun ownership has taken on the characteristics of a distinctive social identity, but that there are clear differences between different types of Protestants—notably, evangelicals and mainliners—that render the expansive category of “Protestant” largely irrelevant as an explanatory variable. While that finding might seem straightforward to scholars of religion and politics, the broad categorical approach—that is, treating “Protestant” as explanatory—has proven surprisingly durable in studies of gun ownership and attitudes about gun control. The analysis uses a recent Pew survey with batteries of questions about gun identity, gun policy, and religion. While this research note does not fully testwhythis relationship between Protestantism and gun identity exists, we do show that the relationship not only exists but also affects gun policy attitudes.
Evaluating cereal rye and crimson clover for weed suppression within buffer areas in dicamba-resistant soybean
Authors: Hodgskiss Connor L. , Young Bryan G. , Armstrong Shalamar D. , Johnson William G.
Published: November 2020

As herbicide-resistant weeds become more problematic, producers will consider the use of cover crops to suppress weeds. Weed suppression from cover crops may occur especially in the label-mandated buffer areas of dicamba-resistant soybean where dicamba use is not allowed. Three cover crops terminated at three timings with three herbicide strategies were evaluated for their effect on weed suppression in dicamba-resistant soybean. Delaying termination until soybean planting or after and using cereal rye or cereal rye + crimson clover increased cover-crop biomass by at least 40% compared to terminating early or using a crimson clover–only cover crop. Densities of problematic weed species were evaluated in early summer before a blanket POST application. Plots with cereal rye had 75% less horseweed compared to crimson clover at two of four site-years. Cereal rye or the mixed cover crop terminated at or after soybean planting reduced waterhemp densities by 87% compared to early termination timings of crimson clover and the earliest termination timing of the mix at one of two site-years. Cover crops were not as effective in reducing waterhemp densities as they were in reducing horseweed densities. This difference was due to a divergence in emergence patterns; waterhemp emergence generally peaks after termination of the cover crop, whereas horseweed emergence coincides with establishment and rapid vegetative growth of cereal rye. Cover crops alone were generally not as effective as was using a high-biomass cover crop combined with an herbicide strategy that contained dicamba and residual herbicides. However, within label-mandated buffer areas where dicamba cannot be used, a cover crop containing cereal rye with delayed termination until soybean planting combined with residual herbicides could be used to improve suppression of horseweed and waterhemp.
Seed-shattering phenology at soybean harvest of economically important weeds in multiple regions of the United States. Part 1: Broadleaf species
Authors: Schwartz-Lazaro Lauren M. , Shergill Lovreet S. , Evans Jeffrey A. , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar V. , Beam Shawn C. , Bish Mandy D. , Bond Jason A. , Bradley Kevin W. , Curran William S. , Davis Adam S. , Everman Wesley J. , Flessner Michael L. , Haring Steven C. , Jordan Nicholas R. , Korres Nicholas E. , Lindquist John L. , Norsworthy Jason K. , Sanders Tameka L. , Steckel Larry E. , VanGessel Mark J. , Young Blake , Mirsky Steven B.
Published: November 2020

Potential effectiveness of harvest weed seed control (HWSC) systems depends upon seed shatter of the target weed species at crop maturity, enabling its collection and processing at crop harvest. However, seed retention likely is influenced by agroecological and environmental factors. In 2016 and 2017, we assessed seed-shatter phenology in 13 economically important broadleaf weed species in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] from crop physiological maturity to 4 wk after physiological maturity at multiple sites spread across 14 states in the southern, northern, and mid-Atlantic United States. Greater proportions of seeds were retained by weeds in southern latitudes and shatter rate increased at northern latitudes. Amaranthus spp. seed shatter was low (0% to 2%), whereas shatter varied widely in common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) (2% to 90%) over the weeks following soybean physiological maturity. Overall, the broadleaf species studied shattered less than 10% of their seeds by soybean harvest. Our results suggest that some of the broadleaf species with greater seed retention rates in the weeks following soybean physiological maturity may be good candidates for HWSC.
Exoskeleton kinematic design robustness: An assessment method to account for human variability
Authors: Sposito Matteo , Di Natali Christian , Toxiri Stefano , Caldwell Darwin G. , De Momi Elena , Ortiz Jesús
Published: November 2020

Exoskeletons are wearable devices intended to physically assist one or multiple human joints in executing certain activities. From a mechanical point of view, they are kinematic structures arranged in parallel to the biological joints. In order to allow the users to move while assisted, it is crucial to avoid mobility restrictions introduced by the exoskeleton’s kinematics. Passive degrees of freedom and other self-alignment mechanisms are a common option to avoid any restrictions. However, the literature lacks a systematic method to account for large inter- and intra-subject variability in designing and assessing kinematic chains. To this end, we introduce a model-based method to assess the kinematics of exoskeletons by representing restrictions in mobility as disturbances and undesired forces at the anchor points. The method makes use of robotic kinematic tools and generates useful insights to support the design process. Though an application on a back-support exoskeleton designed for lifting tasks is illustrated, the method can describe any type of rigid exoskeleton. A qualitative pilot trial is conducted to assess the kinematic model that proved to predict kinematic configurations associated to rising undesired forces recorded at the anchor points, that give rise to mobility restrictions and discomfort on the users.