bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circular RNA expression alteration identifies a novel circulating biomarker in serum exosomal for detection of alcohol dependence
Authors: Liu Yunyun , Li Jiande , Bu Huanhuan , Wang Hongxuan , Zhang Yuanpei , Shen Qingyu , Li Mei , Lu Zijing , Rong Xiaoming , Zheng Dong , Peng Ying
Published: April 2021

Alcohol dependence (AD) is one of the most common and detrimental neuropsychological disorders. Recently, more and more studies have focused on circular RNA as markers for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the circular RNA expression alteration in serum exosomal and to identify a novel circulating biomarker for the detection of AD. We first isolated exosomes from serum and then investigated the circRNA expression alterations by high throughput whole transcriptome sequencing. The data were then analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Moreover, we verified the circRNA‐seq by qRT‐PCR. Furthermore, we analyzed the correlations between the levels of hsa_circ_0004771 and both Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS). The diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0004771 in AD patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC). In this study, 254 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, with 149 upregulated and 105 downregulated. GO analysis showed that these differentially expressed circRNAs from exosomes might be associated with the regulation of neuron projection and axon regeneration. KEGG analysis revealed that T cell receptor signaling and antigen processing and presentation pathway had a regulating effect on upstream levels. We found that hsa_circ_0004771 was related to the severity of AD. The AUC for the diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0004771 in AD patients was 0.874. These findings indicated that circRNA in serum exosomes provide novel targets for further research on molecular mechanisms of AD. Among these, hsa_circ_0004771 may be a sensitive biomarker that was related to the severity of AD.
The effectiveness and tolerability of anti‐seizure medication in alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and GRADE of the evidence
Authors: Lai Jou‐Yin , Kalk Nicola , Roberts Emmert
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims

Anti‐seizure medications (ASMs) have been used historically as treatment options in alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). In the past 10 years, there have been no large‐scale meta‐analyses comparing ASMs with placebo or the current AWS treatment standard, benzodiazepines. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ASMs in AWS.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) via searching Medline, Embase and PsychINFO from database inception to March 2020 involving adults age >18 years with AWS. We included 24 RCTs reporting on a total of 2223 participants. Efficacy outcomes included the number of participants experiencing AWS related seizures or delirium, Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised (CIWA‐Ar) score reduction and rescue medication requirements. Tolerability outcomes included adverse event rate and dropout because of adverse events, alongside severe and life‐threatening adverse event rates. Quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results

There was no evidence of significant improvements in any efficacy outcomes when comparing ASMs with placebo or benzodiazepines. When compared with benzodiazepines, ASMs demonstrated significantly increased odds of requiring rescue medications (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.32, 9.28; P = 0.012). When comparing ASMs with placebo, there were significantly more dropouts because of adverse events (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.05, 3.28; P = 0.034). Most results were of very low quality with the majority of included studies conducted before 2000.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta‐analysis found no evidence to support general first line clinical use of anti‐seizure medications in alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment.
Tobacco Use and Oral Health
Authors: Ford Pauline J. , Rich Alison M.
Published: April 2021

This review outlines the important oral implications of tobacco use. The lining of the mouth (oral mucosa), if exposed to tobacco and its products in a susceptible individual, can develop benign, potentially malignant, and malignant tumours. Treatment and prognosis depend on tumour type, how early it is detected, its size and site in the oral cavity and whether it has spread. Advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a 20% 5‐year survival rate. Tobacco use also increases the risk of periodontitis, peri‐implantitis, caries, alveolar osteitis and halitosis. Although less life threatening than OSCC, these tobacco related conditions create a substantial financial and health burden for individuals and society. Dental practitioners routinely examine the oral cavity for signs of mucosal and tooth changes, are experienced in recognising variations from normal and have established management and referral pathways. They are also ideally positioned to provide brief interventions to assist their patients to quit smoking.
Thrombosis in immune thrombocytopenia — current status and future perspectives
Authors: Swan Dawn , Newland Adrian , Rodeghiero Francesco , Thachil Jecko
Published: April 2021

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which a combination of defective platelet production and enhanced clearance leads to thrombocytopenia. The primary aim for therapy in patients with this condition is the prevention of bleeding. However, more recently, increased rates of venous and arterial thrombotic events have been reported in ITP, even in the context of marked thrombocytopenia. In this review we discuss the epidemiology, aetiology and management of thrombotic events in these patients. We consider the impact of ITP therapies on the increased thrombotic risk, in particular the use of thrombopoietin‐receptor agonists (TPO‐RAs), as well as factors inherent to ITP itself. We also discuss the limited evidence available to guide clinicians in the treatment of these complex cases.
Outcomes of methotrexate‐associated lymphoproliferative disorders in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs
Authors: Harada Takuya , Iwasaki Hiromi , Muta Tsuyoshi , Urata Shingo , Sakamoto Aiko , Kohno Kentaro , Takase Ken , Miyamura Tomoya , Sawabe Takuya , Asaoku Hideki , Oryoji Kensuke , Fujisaki Tomoaki , Mori Yasuo , Yoshimoto Goichi , Ayano Masahiro , Mitoma Hiroki , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Niiro Hiroaki , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Oshiro Yumi , Miyoshi Hiroaki , Ohshima Koichi , Takeshita Morishige , Akashi Koichi , Kato Koji
Published: April 2021

Recently, the use of targeted synthetic or biological disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (ts/bDMARDs) in addition to conventional synthetic (cs)DMARDs including methotrexate (MTX) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has increased. However, whether ts/bDMARDs are associated with the development and clinicopathological features of MTX‐associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX‐LPD) in patients with RA remains unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of 121 patients with MTX‐LPD. Results showed that prior use of ts/bDMARDs was not associated with the different histopathological subtypes of MTX‐LPD. Patients with polymorphic‐type LPD had a better event‐free survival than those with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), classical Hodgkin lymphoma and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma. The pathological subtype of lymphoma could predict the clinical outcome of MTX‐LPD. In patients with DLBCL, the use of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitors prior to MTX‐LPD onset was associated with a higher non‐relapse mortality. Further, patients with RA previously treated with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors more commonly required chemotherapy than those treated with csDMARDs alone, indicating disease aggressiveness. Hence, special caution should be observed when managing patients with MTX‐LPD previously treated with JAK or TNF‐α inhibitors for RA.
Palisadegrass pastures with or without nitrogen or mixed with forage peanut grazed to a similar target canopy height. 1. Effects on herbage mass, canopy structure and forage nutritive value
Authors: Homem Bruno G. C. , de Lima Italo B. G. , Spasiani Paola P. , Ferreira Igor M. , Boddey Robert M. , Bernardes Thiago F. , Dubeux José C. B. , Casagrande Daniel R.
Published: April 2021

Nitrogen (N) inputs to pasture systems coupled with grazing management strategies based on monitoring and control of canopy structure may provide conditions for greater productivity and enhanced forage nutritive value. This 2‐year study assessed canopy structure and nutritive value responses of three pasture treatments, namely, (1) mixed Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] R.D. Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha Stapf]) cv. Marandu and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg.) cv. BRS Mandobi pastures without N fertilizer (GRASS + LEGUME); (2) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass pastures fertilized with 150 kg N/ha (GRASS + N); and (3) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass without N fertilizer (GRASS). Grazing management was similar across pasture treatments, using continuous stocking and a target canopy height of 20–25 cm. Herbage mass was greater in GRASS + N and GRASS + LEGUME pastures than in GRASS in summer and spring (p = .014). The leaf:stem ratio in the grass mass (p = .731) was similar between treatments. Grass crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) were greatest in the GRASS + N pasture (p < .001). Grass neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration was greater at GRASS and GRASS + LEGUME pastures than in GRASS + N (p < .001). Forage peanut had a greater IVDDM and CP concentration and a lower NDF concentration than Marandu palisadegrass. Nitrogen application or the presence of the legume increased green herbage mass and improved forage nutritive value in canopies with similar height.
Visual representation fidelity and self‐explanation prompts in multi‐representational adaptive learning
Authors: Joo Hyun , Park Jongchan , Kim Dongsik
Published: April 2021

In their prior research on adaptive instruction for multi‐representational learning, the researchers explored various perspectives on designing visual representations and scaffolds. However, controversies and discrepancies regarding the fidelity of visual representations and self‐explanation prompts have yet to be resolved. This research thus examines types of visual representations and self‐explanation prompts and thereby suggests instructional strategies for multi‐representational adaptive learning. Sixty‐nine college students participated in a 2 × 2 between‐subjects study design (schematic only and adaptively increasing the fidelity of visual representation as well as fixed and fading self‐explanation prompts). Adaptively increasing visual fidelity was shown to be effective for mental model construction. Knowledge inference was most enhanced in the group utilising both adaptive approaches. The increased germane cognitive load appears to have mediated, in particular, the effects of visually adaptive instruction. This research suggests that visually adaptive instruction should include customized self‐explanation supports to ensure successful multi‐representational adaptive learning. This research reveals that sequencing visual representations with increasing fidelity as learning progress in instructional materials and offering fading support for prompts tailored to learning progress are the two effective and complementary ways to ensure customized learning.
Pregnancy‐associated hemorrhagic stroke: A nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Enomoto Naosuke , Tanaka Hiroaki , Katsuragi Shinji , Hayata Eijiro , Hasegawa Junichi , Nakata Masahiko , Takahashi Jun C. , Sekizawa Akihiko , Ishiwata Isamu , Ikeda Tomoaki
Published: April 2021

Aim

The number of maternal deaths due to pregnancy‐associated hemorrhagic stroke has not decreased despite a gradual decrease of maternal death in Japan. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy‐associated hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed pregnancy‐associated hemorrhagic stroke patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy between 2013 and 2017 among 407 Japanese maternal and perinatal centers. Patients were divided into good or poor outcome groups and their maternal backgrounds and neonatal prognoses were compared.

Results

We analyzed 61 cases, including 41 survival and 20 death cases, obtained from a secondary survey. Among the 61 hemorrhagic stroke cases, 62% were related to hypertensive disorders. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were observed in 75% of death cases. Use of MgSO4 or antihypertensive medication did not differ between the poor and good outcomes groups. In cases with antepartum onset of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, outcomes were poor in 12 and good in 6 cases. Nine patients with poor outcomes and one with a good outcome had hypertension at the outpatient department without systemic evaluation (p = 0.043). Six poor outcomes patients and one good outcome spent more than 1 day from diagnosis at an outpatient clinic. Neurosurgery was performed in 11 poor outcome patients.

Conclusion

Pregnant women who present with a hypertensive disorder at an outpatient clinic probably need to undergo blood tests and careful observation. Delayed systemic evaluation and intensive care for only a few days may result in the development of hemorrhage.
Contextualizing the Association Between School Climate and Student Well‐Being: The Moderating Role of Rurality
Authors: Nguyen Amanda J. , McDaniel Heather , Braun Summer S. , Chen Lingjun , Bradshaw Catherine P.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

In rural communities, understanding and improving school climate may benefit youth facing unique contextual challenges to well‐being. As education research rarely focuses on rural schools, we aimed to examine school climate and student well‐being with a particular focus on rural schools, compared to suburban schools.

METHODS

Cross‐sectional survey data were collected from 62,265 students in 22 rural and 78 suburban Maryland middle and high schools. Student self‐report data were collected on school climate (safety, engagement, and environment) as well as internalizing problems, behavior problems, stress, substance abuse, and future orientation. Multiple‐group, multilevel models were fit to compare between rural and suburban schools.

RESULTS

On average, rural students reported significantly lower perceptions of safety and engagement than suburban students. Safety and engagement were generally associated with higher youth well‐being. A number of moderated effects were observed, which generally suggested stronger associations between school‐level climate—particularly engagement—and more positive outcomes for rural compared to suburban students.

CONCLUSIONS

Students' perceptions of safety and engagement were associated with student well‐being, in some cases with stronger associations for rural students. These findings suggest that efforts to improve school climate may be particularly impactful for rural students.
Migrant birds disperse haemosporidian parasites and affect their transmission in avian communities
Authors: de Angeli Dutra Daniela , Filion Antoine , Fecchio Alan , Braga Érika Martins , Poulin Robert
Published: April 2021

Migration has an important impact on the transmission of pathogens. Migratory birds disperse parasites through their routes and may consequently introduce them to new areas and hosts. Hence, haemosporidian parasites, which are among the most prevalent, diverse and important bird pathogens, are potentially dispersed when infecting migrant hosts. Further, migrant hosts could enhance local parasite prevalence and richness by transporting new parasite strains to new areas. Here, we hypothesize and aim to evaluate if 1) migratory birds spread parasite lineages along their routes, and 2) localities crossed by more migratory birds have greater prevalence and richness of haemosporidians. For the first hypothesis, we tested whether parasite lineages found 1) in both migrants and residents, and 2) only in residents, differ in their frequencies of occurrence among localities. For the second hypothesis, we tested for a relationship among localities between the overall local haemosporidian parasite richness and prevalence, and the proportion of migratory bird individuals present in a locality. We combined a dataset on 13 200 bird samples with additional data from the MalAvi database (total: ~2800 sequenced parasites comprising 675 distinct lineages, from 506 host species and 156 localities) from South America, and used Bayesian multi‐level models to test our hypotheses. We demonstrate that parasites shared between resident and migratory species are the most spatially widespread, highlighting the potential of migrants to carry and transmit haemosporidians. Further, the presence of migrants in a locality was negatively related to local parasite richness, but not associated with local prevalence. Here, we confirm that migrants can contribute to parasite dispersal and visiting migrants are present in regions with lower Plasmodium prevalence. Also, we observed their presence might raise Haemoproteus community prevalence. Therefore, we demonstrate migrants enhance pathogens spread and their presence may influence parasite community transmission.
Corporatization in local government: Promoting cultural differentiation and hybridity?
Authors: Berge Dag Magne , Torsteinsen Harald
Published: April 2021

Corporatization implies disintegration of public authority, leading to not only structural but also cultural differentiation of government, transforming it into a fragmented and hybrid governance system consisting of an authority and multiple autonomous or semi‐autonomous operators. This article addresses corporatization at the local government level in Norway, exploring if and how this change in formal structure triggers the emergence of separate cultures in the operator entities. Described as an institutionalization process, new norms, cognitions and identities seem to develop in these entities, creating a sense of ‘us’ (the municipal company) and ‘them’ (the municipality), thus strengthening the regulative separateness through normative and cultural‐cognitive elements. Findings from our multiple‐case study indicate that this process may be relatively fast and strong, transforming local government into a system comprising various hybrid types, especially segregated and assimilated types. The stronger the structural differentiation is, the stronger cultural differentiation seems to be.
Systemic reprogramming of phytohormone profiles and metabolic traits by virulent Diplodia infection in its pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) host
Authors: Hu Bin , Mithöfer Axel , Reichelt Michael , Eggert Kai , Peters Franziska S. , Ma Ming , Schumacher Jörg , Kreuzwieser Jürgen , von Wirén Nicolaus , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: April 2021

The widespread ascomycetous fungus Diplodia pinea is a latent, necrotrophic pathogen in Pinus species causing severe damages and world‐wide economic losses. However, the interactions between pine hosts and virulent D. pinea are largely not understood. In the present study, systemic defence responses were investigated in non‐inoculated, asymptomatic needles and roots of D. pinea infected saplings of two P. sylvestris provenances under controlled greenhouse conditions. Here, we show that D. pinea infection induced a multitude of systemic responses of the phytohormone profiles and metabolic traits. Shared systemic responses of both pine provenances in needles and roots included increased abscisic acid and jasmonic acid levels. Exclusively in the roots of both provenances, enhanced salicylic acid and reduced indole‐3‐acetic acid levels, structural biomass, and elevated activities of anti‐oxidative enzymes were observed. Despite these similarities, the two pine provenances investigated different significantly in the systemic responses of both, phytohormone profiles and metabolic traits in needles and roots. However, the different systemic responses did not prevent subsequent destruction of non‐inoculated needles, but rather prevented damage to the roots. Our results provide a detailed view on systemic defence mechanisms of pine hosts that are of particular significance for the selection of provenances with improved defence capacity.
Efflux and assimilation of xylem‐transported CO2 in stems and leaves of tree species with different wood anatomy
Authors: Salomón Roberto Luis , De Roo Linus , Bodé Samuel , Boeckx Pascal , Steppe Kathy
Published: April 2021

Determining the fate of CO2 respired in woody tissues is necessary to understand plant respiratory physiology and to evaluate CO2 recycling mechanisms. An aqueous 13C‐enriched CO2 solution was infused into the stem of 3–4 m tall trees to estimate efflux and assimilation of xylem‐transported CO2 via cavity ring‐down laser spectroscopy and isotope ratio mass spectrometry, respectively. Different tree locations (lower stem, upper stem and leafy shoots) and tissues (xylem, bark and leaves) were monitored in species with tracheid, diffuse‐ and ring‐porous wood anatomy (cedar, maple and oak, respectively). Radial xylem CO2 diffusivity and xylem [CO2] were lower in cedar relative to maple and oak trees, thereby limiting label diffusion. Part of the labeled 13CO2 was assimilated in cedar (8.7%) and oak (20.6%) trees, mostly in xylem and bark tissues of the stem, while limited solution uptake in maple trees hindered the detection of label assimilation. Little label reached foliar tissues, suggesting substantial label loss along the stem‐branch transition following reductions in the radial diffusive pathway. Differences in respiration rates and radial xylem CO2 diffusivity (lower in conifer relative to angiosperm species) might reconcile discrepancies in efflux and assimilation of xylem‐transported CO2 so far observed between taxonomic clades.
Recurrent equine capillary haemangioma treated with adjunctive laser photocoagulation therapy: a case report
Authors: Conturba Bianca , Lo Feudo Chiara Maria , Stucchi Luca , Stancari Giovanni , Olivieri Lara , Ferrucci Francesco
Published: April 2021

The aim of the present work was to describe a case of recurrent capillary haemangioma at the coronary border of the left front limb in a 6‐month‐old thoroughbred filly successfully treated with diode laser ablation and adjunctive laser photocoagulation therapy.
Psychometric function for speech-in-noise tests accounts for word-recognition deficits in older listeners
Authors: Ross Bernhard , Dobri Simon , Schumann Annette
Published: April 2021

Speech-in-noise (SIN) understanding in older age is affected by hearing loss, impaired central auditory processing, and cognitive deficits. SIN-tests measure these factors' compound effects by a speech reception threshold, defined as the signal-to-noise ratio required for 50% word understanding (SNR50). This study compared two standard SIN tests, QuickSIN (n = 354) in young and older adults and BKB-SIN (n = 139) in older adults (>60 years). The effects of hearing loss and age on SIN understanding were analyzed to identify auditory and nonauditory contributions to SIN loss. Word recognition in noise was modelled with individual psychometric functions using a logistic fit with three parameters: the midpoint (SNRα), slope (β), and asymptotic word-recognition deficit at high SNR (λ). The parameters SNRα and λ formally separate SIN loss into two components. SNRα characterizes the steep slope of the psychometric function at which a slight SNR increase provides a considerable improvement in SIN understanding. SNRα was discussed as being predominantly affected by audibility and low-level central auditory processing. The parameter λ describes a shallow segment of the psychometric function at which a further increase in the SNR provides modest improvement in SIN understanding. Cognitive factors in aging may contribute to the SIN loss indicated by λ.
In Vivo
Generation of BK and JC Polyomavirus Defective Viral Genomes in Human Urine Samples Associated with Higher Viral Loads
Authors: Addetia Amin , Phung Quynh , Bradley Benjamin T. , Lin Michelle J. , Zhu Haiying , Xie Hong , Huang Meei-Li , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: April 2021

Defective viral genomes (DVGs) can have a significant impact on the production of infectious virus particles. DVGs have only been identified in cultured viruses passaged at high multiplicities of infection and RNA viruses collected from clinical specimens; no DNA virus in the wild has been shown to contain DVGs.
mSphere of Influence: Viruses—Pathogens or Expert Cell Biologists?
Authors: Spriggs Chelsey C.
Published: April 2021

Chelsey C. Spriggs works in the field of DNA viral entry with a specific interest in virus-host interactions.
Global burden of maternal bereavement: indicators of the cumulative prevalence of child loss
Authors: Smith-Greenaway Emily , Alburez-Gutierrez Diego , Trinitapoli Jenny , Zagheni Emilio
Published: April 2021

Background

We provide country-level estimates of the cumulative prevalence of mothers bereaved by a child’s death in 170 countries and territories.

Methods

We generate indicators of the cumulative prevalence of mothers who have had an infant, under-five-year-old or any-age child ever die by using publicly available survey data in 89 countries and an indirect approach that combines formal kinship models and life-table methods in an additional 81 countries. We label these measures the maternal cumulative prevalence of infant mortality (mIM), under-five mortality (mU5M) and offspring mortality (mOM) and generate prevalence estimates for 20–44-year-old and 45–49-year-old mothers.

Results

In several Asian and European countries, the mIM and mU5M are below 10 per 1000 mothers yet exceed 200 per 1000 mothers in several Middle Eastern and African countries. Global inequality in mothers’ experience of child loss is enormous: mothers in high-mortality-burden African countries are more than 100 times more likely to have had a child die than mothers in low-mortality-burden Asian and European countries. In more than 20 African countries, the mOM exceeds 500 per 1000 mothers, meaning that it is typical for a surviving 45–49-year-old mother to be bereaved.

Discussion

The study reveals enormous global disparities in mothers’ experience of child loss and identifies a need for more research on the downstream mental and physical health risks associated with parental bereavement.
Evaluating the impact of menthol cigarette bans on cessation and smoking behaviours in Canada: longitudinal findings from the Canadian arm of the 2016–2018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Surveys
Authors: Chung-Hall Janet , Fong Geoffrey T , Meng Gang , Cummings K Michael , Hyland Andrew , O'Connor Richard J , Quah Anne C K , Craig Lorraine V
Published: April 2021

Objective

To evaluate the impact of menthol cigarette bans in seven Canadian provinces between 2016 and 2018.

Methods

Longitudinal data from the Canadian arm of the 2016 and 2018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. 1098 non-menthol and 138 menthol smokers were surveyed pre-menthol and post-menthol cigarette bans. Multivariate logistic regression models examined associations between pre-post ban changes in smoking behaviour, including differences between menthol and non-menthol smokers in quit attempts and quitting.

Results

At follow-up, 59.1% of pre-ban menthol smokers switched to non-menthol cigarettes; 21.5% quit smoking and 19.5% still smoked menthols, primarily purchased from First Nations reserves. Menthol smokers were more likely than non-menthol smokers to make a quit attempt (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.61, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.51), and to remain quit (aOR=2.30, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.01). Menthol smokers did not differ significantly from non-menthol smokers in quit success (aOR=1.72, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.01); however, daily menthol smokers were more likely than daily non-menthol smokers to quit (aOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.24), and daily menthol smokers who quit before the ban were more likely than daily non-menthol smokers to remain quit (aOR=2.81, 95% CI 1.15 to 6.85).

Conclusions

Although menthol smokers were most likely to switch to non-menthol cigarettes, the menthol ban was also significantly associated with higher rates of quit attempts and quit success among menthol smokers compared with non-menthol smokers, and may have helped to prevent relapse among menthol smokers who had quit smoking before the ban. Results confirm and extend evaluation of Ontario’s menthol ban across provinces covering 83% of the Canadian population.
Review of the ecosystem approach in Cumberland Sound, Nunavut, Canada
Authors: Tallman Ross F. , Marcoux Marianne
Published: April 2021

Historically, fisheries have been monitored at the individual stock level, without consideration to connectivity to other species or activities in the ecosystem. The ecosystem approach requires that the stock and fishery be seen in the context of predators, competitors, prey, by-catch impacts, other fisheries, and abiotic environmental variables so that management is holistic. In this study, we describe the components of the ecosystem approach applied in the scientific investigation of fisheries in Cumberland Sound, Nunavut. Relative to other Canadian Arctic locales with commercial fisheries operations, the Cumberland Sound area has a greater biodiversity and abundance of fishes and marine mammal species. These components support active fisheries for Arctic Charr, Greenland Halibut, and Beluga Whale, as well as Ringed, Bearded, and Harp Seals. The species and their fisheries are variable in character, their ecosystem effects, and their response to the environment. We describe the species dynamics and their fisheries within an ecosystem context. We briefly note the challenges to developing an overarching model of the system such as the integration of the different life histories of the species, as well as the incorporation of future non-fisheries-related disturbances.
Electrical conductivity of the quark-gluon plasma: perspective from lattice QCD
Authors: Aarts Gert , Nikolaev Aleksandr
Published: April 2021

A discussion on the electrical conductivity of the quark-gluon plasma as determined by lattice QCD is given. After a reminder of basic definitions and expectations, various methods for spectral reconstruction are reviewed, including the use of Ansätze and sum rules, the Maximum Entropy and Backus-Gilbert methods, and Tikhonov regularisation. A comprehensive overview of lattice QCD results obtained so far is given, including a comparison of the different lattice formulations. A noticeable consistency for the conductivities obtained is seen, in spite of the differences in the lattice setups and spectral reconstruction methods. It is found that in the case of quenched QCD little temperature dependence of $$\sigma /T$$

σ
/
T

is seen in the temperature range investigated, while for QCD with dynamical quarks a reduction of $$\sigma /T$$

σ
/
T

in the vicinity of the thermal crossover is observed, compared to its value in the QGP. Several open questions are posed at the end.
Cascade Synthesis of a Class of Two-Element-Order Fractional Immittance Functions
Authors: Liang Guishu , Zhou Andong
Published: April 2021

The passive synthesis of the fractional-order driving-point immittance functions is of great significance for the modeling and design of fractional-order circuits. This paper studies the synthesis of a class of two-element-order fractional immittance functions based on variable substitution. First, the method of realizing the two-variable immittance functions corresponding to this kind of two-element-order fractional immittance functions is established; second, we perform the inverse substitution of variables to realize the two-element-order fractional immittance network; finally, the synthesis program of this kind of two-element-order fractional immittance functions is proposed, and specific examples are given for simulation verification. This synthesis method overcomes the disadvantages of using a multi-port transformer, and is more conducive to network analysis.
DEJIT: A Differential Evolution Algorithm for Effort-Aware Just-in-Time Software Defect Prediction
Authors: Yang Xingguang , Yu Huiqun , Fan Guisheng , Yang Kang
Published: April 2021

Software defect prediction is an effective approach to save testing resources and improve software quality, which is widely studied in the field of software engineering. The effort-aware just-in-time software defect prediction (JIT-SDP) aims to identify defective software changes in limited software testing resources. Although many methods have been proposed to solve the JIT-SDP, the effort-aware prediction performance of the existing models still needs to be further improved. To this end, we propose a differential evolution (DE) based supervised method DEJIT to build JIT-SDP models. Specifically, first we propose a metric called density-percentile-average (DPA), which is used as optimization objective on the training set. Then, we use logistic regression (LR) to build a prediction model. To make the LR obtain the maximum DPA on the training set, we use the DE algorithm to determine the coefficients of the LR. The experiment uses defect data sets from six open source projects. We compare the proposed method with state-of-the-art four supervised models and four unsupervised models in cross-validation, cross-project-validation and timewise-cross-validation scenarios. The empirical results demonstrate that the DEJIT method can significantly improve the effort-aware prediction performance in the three evaluation scenarios. Therefore, the DEJIT method is promising for the effort-aware JIT-SDP.
A lower bound on critical points of the electric potential of a knot
Authors: Lipton Max
Published: April 2021

Consider a knot [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] with charge uniformly distributed on it. From the standpoint of both physics and knot theory, it is natural to try to understand the critical points of the potential and their behavior.

We show the number of critical points of the potential is at least [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the tunnel number, defined as the smallest number of arcs one must add to [Formula: see text] such that its complement is a handlebody. The result is proven using Morse theory and stable manifold theory.
Towards the merger of Hawking radiating black holes
Authors: Li Huiquan , Wang Jiancheng
Published: April 2021

We discuss the merger process of binary black holes with Hawking radiation taken into account. Besides the redshifted radiation to infinity, binary black holes can exchange radiation between themselves, which is first redshifted and then blueshifted when it propagates from one hole to the other. The exchange rate should be large when the temperature-divergent horizons are penetrating each other to form a single horizon with unique temperature. This will cause nonnegligible mass and angular momentum transfer between the black holes during the merging process of the horizons. We further argue in the large mass ratio limit that the light hole whose local evaporation is enhanced by the competing redshift–blueshift effects will probably evaporate or decay completely before reaching the horizon of the heavy one. We also discuss the possibility of testing Hawking radiation and even exploring the information loss puzzle in gravitational wave observations.
RECENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE OF VARIOUS PHOTO-CATALYSTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND ENERGY PRODUCTION: A REVIEW
Authors: SHAH ZARBAD , ARSHAD TOFAIL , SHAHEEN KAUSAR , KHAN SHER BAHADAR , SALMAN SYED MUHAMMAD , UDDIN ALA
Published: April 2021

Photo-catalysis has shown a prominent and effective role for the degradation of textile dyes and organic compounds on large scale to keep environment and water reservoirs clean and usable. Photo-catalysts produce hydrogen through water splitting which is an eco-friendly source of renewable energy. Photo-catalysts are used for solar cells construction. Photo-catalysis generates an electron–hole (e−–h[Formula: see text] pair due to light interaction. The electron–hole (e−–h[Formula: see text] pair produces⋅OH and O[Formula: see text], which play the main role in degradation process; it leads to redox reaction and oxidizes organic pollutants to H2O and CO2. Major causes of water, air and soil pollution are organic pollutants, heavy metals and non-biodegradable dyes released by different industries. These pollutants especially phenols and dyes have seriously affected the water reservoirs. This paper gives a critical review on visible and solar light photo-catalysis and techniques used for the photo-degradation of hazardous pollutants. A systematic study has been carried out from the published literature on photo-degradation of organic pollutants, factors effecting the photo-degradation and the various operating parameters. The role of semiconductors/nano-catalysts for eco-friendly renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen and solar cells production is also elaborated for future energy crises. The published data has shown that different parameters, such as pH of the system, light intensity, catalyst amount, initial concentration and amount of photo-catalysts play a crucial role for the degradation of various dyes and organic pollutants. Photo-catalysis has also shown significant results for remediation of volatile organic pollutants and acid gases from air. This review has focused to find an efficient, low cost and result oriented photo-catalyst and the effective environment for reaction. The concluded data has shown that photo-catalysis is economically suitable and fit for the treatment of waste water, industrial effluents and energy production.
Class-preserving Coleman automorphisms of finite groups whose Sylow 2-subgroups are semidihedral
Authors: Zheng Tao , Guo Xiuyun
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we mainly investigate the class-preserving Coleman automorphisms of finite groups whose Sylow [Formula: see text]-subgroups are semidihedral. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is a finite solvable group with semidihedral Sylow [Formula: see text]-subgroups, then [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-group and therefore [Formula: see text] satisfies the normalizer property. As some applications of this result, we also investigate the normalizer property of the following groups: the groups whose Sylow [Formula: see text]-subgroups are semidihedral and Sylow subgroups of odd order are all cyclic, the groups [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] a nilpotent normal subgroup and [Formula: see text] a maximal class [Formula: see text]-group, and the wreath products [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] a group whose Sylow [Formula: see text]-subgroups are of maximal class with order [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] a rational permutation group.
The variation of the electric field along optic fiber for null Cartan and pseudo-null frames
Authors: Ertuğ Gürbüz Nevin
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we introduce new frame and new transformation associated with combined Korteweg–de Vries–modified Korteweg–de Vries (KdV–mKdV) equation, the mKdV and the KdV equations with respect to the null Cartan frame in Minkowski 3-space. Direction of the state of polarization of monochromatic linear polarized light wave traveling in the optic fiber is given by the direction of electric field vector. We show that the electric field vector [Formula: see text] can be expressed as a linear combination of null Cartan frame apparatus using this new transformation in Minkowski 3-space. Later, we study rotation of the polarization plane along optic fiber according to null Cartan frame and Frenet frame of pseudo-null curve in Minkowski 3-space. Finally, we obtain Lorentz force equations via null and pseudo null electromagnetic curves.
Limit Elastic Analysis of Functionally Graded Rotating Disks Under Thermo-Mechanical Loading
Authors: Madan Royal , Bhowmick Shubhankar
Published: April 2021

In this work, the thermo-mechanical limit elastic speed analysis of functionally graded rotating disk has been reported. Three different material models, i.e., power law (P-FGM), sigmoid law (S-FGM), and exponential law (E-FGM), along with varying disk profiles, namely uniform, tapered, and exponential disk profiles, are considered. The methodology adopted is variational principle wherein the solution has been obtained by Galerkin’s error minimization principle. Halpin–Tsai method was used to estimate the modulus, modified rule of mixture for yield strength, and the rule of mixture for density and coefficient of thermal expansion. This study aims to analyze the effects of material models, grading indices, aspect ratio, and disk geometry on disk performance when subjected to combined thermal and mechanical loadings. Finite element analysis has been performed to validate this study and good agreement between both the methods is seen. The study shows a substantial difference in the limit speed for different disk profiles changing from uniform thickness to exponentially varying thickness. The von Mises stress distribution and location of yielding at limit speed are shown for different indices, material models, and disk profiles. In P-FGM, limit speed decreases with the increase in grading indices whereas in E-FGM, limit speed decreases with the decrease in grading indices. For increase in aspect ratio, limit elastic speed decreases in all the cases.
Time-Dependent Response of Incompressible Membranes Based on Quasi-Linear Viscoelasticity Theory
Authors: Dadgar-Rad Farzam , Firouzi Nasser
Published: April 2021

In this work, large deformation of incompressible, hyperelastic membranes based on the quasi-linear viscoelasticity (QLV) theory is formulated. Time integration algorithm and the expression for consistent fourth-order tangent tensor are presented. The formulation covers isotropic as well as anisotropic polymeric and biological materials. To solve numerical examples, a nonlinear finite element formulation in the Lagrangian framework is developed. Finally, several examples are provided to investigate the applicability of the present formulation. It is found that the numerical results are in good agreement with the analytical and experimental results available in the literature.
Temperature Effects on Mobile Charges in Thermopiezoelectric Semiconductor Plates
Authors: Qu Yilin , Jin Feng , Yang Jiashi
Published: April 2021

We study the temperature effects on mobile charges in a thermopiezoelectric semiconductor plate through pyroelectric and thermoelastic couplings. The macroscopic theory of thermopiezoelectric semiconductors is used. A set of two-dimensional (2D) equations is derived for extension and bending with shear deformation of the plate. A few solutions are obtained. Numerical results show that the distribution of the mobile charges in the plate can be manipulated by the temperature field. In the case of temperature-induced uniform extension, a combination of physical parameters is identified which characterizes the strength of the coupling between the temperature field and the mobile charge distribution. The results obtained are fundamental to piezotronic devices involving temperature effects.
Direct Growth of Ag/Ni(OH)2 Composite on Cu Foam by a Modified Galvanic Displacement Reaction Followed by Electrodeposition
Authors: Lv Sa , Wang Huan , Yang Fan , Yang Jia , Wang Chao , Chi Yaodan , Yang Xiaotian
Published: April 2021

The Ag/Ni(OH)2 composite has grown directly on Cu foam substrate via a modified galvanic displacement reaction between the mixed solution (AgNO3 and KBr) and Cu foam, followed by subsequent electrodeposition. Cu foam functions as a reducing agent and electrode substrate. The in situ growth strategy enables the active material to form a strong connection with the substrate, which is beneficial for the fast ionic/electronic transport and lowers the equivalent series resistance. On the other hand, the introduction of Ag improves the electrical conductivity of the material and increases the specific surface area, and even participates in the electrochemical reaction as an effective constituent. Such factors can significantly boost the electrochemical performances of the product, including a high specific capacitance of 1755[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 2.5[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] coupled with long-term cyclic stability at 83.87% (5000 cycles).
Site Occupancy, Surface Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Ce3+ Added Ni–Mn–Zn Ferrite Nanocrystals Synthesized Via Sol–Gel Route
Authors: More Vikram , Borade R. B. , Desai Kirti , Barote V. K. , Kadam S. S. , Shinde V. S. , Kulkarni D. R. , Kadam R. H. , Alone S. T.
Published: April 2021

Ferrite nanoparticles of Ni[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]CexO4 ferrite system were produced using sol–gel auto combustion technique. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the single phase cubic spinel structure of the samples with space group Fd-3m. Replacement of Fe[Formula: see text] ions by Ce[Formula: see text] ions increases the lattice parameter 8.4105 Å to 8.4193. Average crystallite size obtained from Scherrer method varies from 21.73[Formula: see text]nm to 22.71[Formula: see text]nm with replacement of Fe[Formula: see text] ions by Ce[Formula: see text] ions. Williamson–Hall and strain-size plot analysis confirms the nanocrystalline nature of the samples and the micro-strain induced in the cubic crystals is of tensile type. Cation distribution suggests that Zn[Formula: see text] ions occupy tetrahedral — A-site while Ni[Formula: see text] ions occupy octahedral — B-site. Majority of the Mn[Formula: see text] ions prefer A-site and majority of the Ce[Formula: see text] ions replace Fe[Formula: see text] ions at octahedral — B-site. High resolution transmission images confirm the homogeneity and nanoparticle nature of the samples. Two main characteristics absorption bands corresponding to spine structure are observed in the Fourier transmission infra-red spectra within the wavenumber range of 350–600[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. Stiffness constant, Young’s modulus, rigidity modulus, bulk modulus and Debye temperature were estimated using FTIR data. Debye temperature obtained from the Waldron equation varies from 676[Formula: see text]K to 692[Formula: see text]K with the addition of Ce[Formula: see text] ions. Higher values of elastic moduli are suitable for industrial applications due to increased mechanical strength.
Inertial manifolds for functional differential equations with infinite delay
Authors: Le Anh Minh
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we consider a class of functional differential equations with infinite delay in a real separable Hilbert space. By using the Lyapunov–Perron method, we prove the existence of inertial manifolds for mild solutions. The obtained results can be applied to Lotka–Volterra diffusion models with infinite delay.
Chapter 7.2 Mount Erebus
Authors: Sims Kenneth W. W. , Aster Richard C. , Gaetani Glenn , Blichert-Toft Janne , Phillips Erin H. , Wallace Paul J. , Mattioli Glen S. , Rasmussen Dan , Boyd Eric S.
Published: April 2021

Erebus volcano, Antarctica, is the southernmost active volcano on the globe. Despite its remoteness and harsh conditions, Erebus volcano provides an unprecedented and unique opportunity to study the petrogenesis and evolution, as well as the passive and explosive degassing, of an alkaline magmatic system with a persistently open and magma-filled conduit. In this chapter, we review nearly five decades of scientific research related to Erebus volcano, including geological, geophysical, geochemical and microbiological observations and interpretations. Mount Erebus is truly one of the world's most significant natural volcano laboratories where the lofty scientific goal of studying a volcanic system from mantle to microbe is being realized.