bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning method for the supplement, correction, and prediction of the nonlinear dynamics in pattern formation
Authors: Chen Yi , Wu Di , Duan Li , Kang Qi
Published: February 2021

The pattern formation and spatial–temporal chaos are interesting issues in nonlinear dynamics. A novel model based on machine learning methods is designed to learn and imitate the pattern evolution in Bénard–Marangoni convection (BM convection). There is a supercritical process, which is an inevitable and unique experimental phenomenon, on the way to chaos in BM convection. A single layer of fluid uniformly heated at the bottom is used as the experimental system. During the experiment, the temperature difference between top and bottom of the liquid layer is increased first to make the system enter the supercritical convection state and then decreased after a while; surface temperature distribution of the liquid layer is measured in real time with an infrared thermal imager, which visualized the formation and re-organization of cellular convection during the supercritical state. The temperature data are used as the material that meets the conditions of machine learning and then the machine learning method in charge of predicting the picture of temperature distribution that it never has seen before in two steps. The experimental data are used to train an auto-encoder model based on convolutional neural networks and an RNN–CNN joint model, in which the former is used for extracting low-dimensional features of the temperature field, and the latter is used for predicting evolution results of the low-dimensional features and recovering them back to the temperature field. The models have finally achieved the objectives of supplementing the missing experimental data and correcting actual experimental data by comparing the actual experimental results with the prediction results of the machine learning approach and theoretical analysis results. On the other hand, active exploration has been undertaken in predicting physical experimental results that have never happened before.
A methodology to devise consistent probability density function models for particle dynamics in turbulent dispersed two-phase flows
Authors: Minier Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this article is to propose a generic methodology to build consistent Lagrangian models for polydisperse turbulent two-phase flows where the main issue is to devise a stochastic model for the velocity of the fluid seen by discrete particles. By consistent, it is meant that such models should meet the requirements set forth by Minier et al. (Phys. Fluids, 26, 113303, 2014) and, in the limit of vanishing particle inertia, retrieve the state-of-the-art stochastic models referred to as generalized Langevin models (GLMs) used for the simulation of turbulent single-phase flows. The methodology is generic in the sense that the resulting stochastic models for polydisperse two-phase flows are not limited to one particular fluid model but allows extending any GLM formulation to the two-phase flow situation. This is obtained by introducing a specific operator, which represents how statistical characteristics of fluid particles are transformed, or mapped, to the ones pertaining to the velocity of the fluid seen. In practice, this operator can be worked out separately from first principles or by resorting to some physical inputs. Once it is expressed, the present methodology shows how to extend a GLM for fluid particles to obtain a two-phase GLM formulation in a consistent manner. This is helpful to decouple physics-based developments used to obtain such an operator from the construction of practical stochastic models while ensuring that they remain consistent with fluid descriptions.
Short-term responses of tree squirrels to different-sized forest patches on new clearcuts in a fragmented forest landscape
Authors: Sullivan Thomas P. , Sullivan Druscilla S.
Published: February 2021

Abstract Context Tree squirrels disappear when forests are clearcut. The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) may occupy retention forest patches on new clearcuts, but with conflicting results with respect to area, isolation, and edge effects of patches. Aims We tested the hypothesis that abundance, reproduction and body mass of T. hudsonicus and G. sabrinus populations would be greater in large than small patches of retention forest on new clearcuts. Methods We measured demographic responses of both sciurids from 2014 to 2016 in replicated (n = 4) treatments of four sizes (ha) of retention patches (means of 0.53, 1.50, 4.13 and 18.73) in south-central British Columbia, Canada. Key results Mean abundance of T. hudsonicus per sample line was similar among treatment sites, ranging from 0.7 to 1.7 (2014), 1.0 to 1.7 (2015) and 0.5 to 1.3 (2016). There was a positive linear relationship of mean abundance of red squirrels and increased basal area of conifers in the larger patches. Mean numbers of G. sabrinus were consistently highest in the 4.13 ha patch class in all years and appeared to decline over time in the other patches with fewest captures in the smallest patch size. There was a significant positive linear relationship between mean overall abundance of G. sabrinus and total density of overstorey trees. Conclusions Mean abundance, reproduction and body mass (red squirrels) of both sciurids were generally similar among patch sizes, and hence these results did not support the hypothesis. Implications Although our results were short-term, habitat quality was apparently sufficient to maintain the occurrence of T. hudsonicus across patch sizes ranging from 0.3 to 20.0 ha. Glaucomys sabrinus also occurred in several patches (13 of 16), albeit at low and variable numbers.
Mountain pine beetle: an example of a climate-driven eruptive insect impacting conifer forest ecosystems
Authors: Sambaraju Kishan R. , Goodsman Devin W.
Published: February 2021

Climate change is altering the survival and reproductive capacity of plant-feeding insects in multiple ecosystems worldwide, in some cases creating conditions highly suitable for population eruptions. Forest ecosystems are particularly sensitive to climate change as their vulnerability is manifested, in part, as an upsurge in natural disturbances such as native insect outbreaks. The mountain pine beetle (MPB),Dendroctonus ponderosaeHopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a phloem-feeding bark beetle indigenous to western North America that attacks most species of pine including its major hosts, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine. Adult mass aggregation, mediated by pheromones, helps the beetle to overcome tree defenses eventually killing the tree. Recent outbreaks of this insect have caused extensive pine mortality and have affected millions of hectares of forested area in western North America. Climate is a major driver of these outbreaks. In this review, we describe the direct influences of various climate-related factors on MPB development, outbreak behavior, and range expansion and their indirect impact on MPB epidemiology via influences on host trees and MPB-associated fungi. We also underscore the ecological and economic consequences of the recent, unprecedented MPB outbreak. Of serious concern currently is whether climate change will facilitate rapid establishment and spread of MPB in naïve pine forests. MPB will likely adapt quickly to new thermal environments under climate change given its short generation time; however, uncertainties and gaps in our understanding of MPB population dynamics (e.g., trophic interactions) in newly invaded habitats preclude an accurate assessment of outbreak potential and spread at this time.
Pacing behaviour of middle‐long distance running & race‐walking athletes at the IAAF U18 and U20 World Championship finals
Authors: Menting Stein Gerrit Paul , Hanley Brian , Elferink‐Gemser Marije Titia , Hettinga Florentina Johanna
Published: February 2021

The current study analysed the pacing behaviour of athletes competing in the middle‐long track event finals of the IAAF Under 18 and Under 20 World Championships between 2015 and 2018. Official finishing times, 1000‐m split times and positioning data of 116 female and 153 male athletes, competing in the middle‐long distance running (3000 m, 5000 m and 10,000 m) and race walking (5000 m and 10,000 m) events, were gathered. Repeated measures analysis of variance, with 1000‐m speed as within‐subjects factor and final ranking (medallist, Top 8 or Top 12, rest of the field) as between‐subjects factor, was performed to compare the pacing behaviour between athletes. Positioning of the athletes was analysed by Kendall tau‐b (Tb) correlation between the intermediate position and final position. Overall, medallists increased their speed throughout a race, with the exception of the 5000 m running event, in which a parabolic pacing behaviour was exhibited. The 1000‐m segment in which a significant (P > 0.05) difference in speed was exhibited between differently ranked athletes coincided with a strong (Tb > 0.7) correlation between intermediate and final positioning. These combined results point towards a separation between the athletes during the race, as the Top 8 or Top 12 and the rest of the field are unable to match the speed of the medallists. The distance, discipline, sex, age category and behaviour of competitors all influence the pacing behaviour of young track athletes during international level competition, emphasising the importance and complexity of developing adequate pacing behaviour in track athletes.

Highlights

The distribution of effort over an exercise task (i.e. pacing) is an important factor in endurance exercise competition. The pacing behaviour of athletes is determined by many aspects, such as the biomechanical characteristics of the task, the exercise environment and the age of the athlete

Sport specific competition data from youth athlete sports events can provide insight into the pacing behaviour of developing athletes. These insights could assist in the optimalisation of the development of pacing behaviour of young athletes in the future.

The current study analysed the 1000‐m split times and positioning data of athletes competing in the running (3000 m, 5000 m and 10,000) and racewalking (5000 m and 10,000m) finals of the U18 and U20 IAAF world‐championship.

The difference in final ranking impacted the pacing behaviour of the athletes, with the medallists increasing their speed throughout the race and the other athletes separating from the medallists either early (rest of field) or later in the race (Top 8 or Top 12 athletes).
Controlling transport properties at LaFeO3/SrTiO3 interfaces by defect engineering
Authors: Butt Mehwish Khalid , Zeeshan Hafiz Muhammad , Zhao Yang , Wang Shuanhu , Jin Kexin
Published: February 2021

The formation of conductive LaFeO3/SrTiO3 interfaces is first time reported by pulsed laser deposition via controlling the defects of SrTiO3, which are closely related to the surface of substrate. It is found that the interfaces grown on SrTiO3 substrates without terraces exhibit the two dimensional electron gas. Moreover, the conductive interfaces show a resistance upturn at low temperatures which is strongly diminished by light irradiation. These interfaces favor the persistent photoconductivity, and the enormous value of relative change in resistance, about 60 185.8%, is also obtained at 20 K. The experimental results provide fundamental insights into controlling the defects at conductive interfaces of oxides and paving a way for complex-oxides based optoelectronic devices.
A nonlinear mixed model approach to predict energy expenditure from heart rate
Authors: Kortelainen Lauri , Helske Jouni , Finni Taija , Mehtätalo Lauri , Tikkanen Olli , Kärkkäinen Salme
Published: February 2021

Objective. Heart rate (HR) monitoring provides a convenient and inexpensive way to predict energy expenditure (EE) during physical activity. However, there is a lot of variation among individuals in the EE-HR relationship, which should be taken into account in predictions. The objective is to develop a model that allows the prediction of EE based on HR as accurately as possible and allows an improvement of the prediction using calibration measurements from the target individual. Approach. We propose a nonlinear (logistic) mixed model for EE and HR measurements and an approach to calibrate the model for a new person who does not belong to the dataset used to estimate the model. The calibration utilizes the estimated model parameters and calibration measurements of HR and EE from the person in question. We compare the results of the logistic mixed model with a simpler linear mixed model for which the calibration is easier to perform. Main results. We show that the calibration is beneficial already with only one pair of measurements on HR and EE. This is an important benefit over an individual-level model fitting, which requires a larger number of measurements. Moreover, we present an algorithm for calculating the confidence and prediction intervals of the calibrated predictions. The analysis was based on up to 11 pairs of EE and HR measurements from each of 54 individuals of a heterogeneous group of people, who performed a maximal treadmill test. Significance. The proposed method allows accurate energy expenditure predictions based on only a few calibration measurements from a new individual without access to the original dataset, thus making the approach viable for example on wearable computers.
Measurements of cardiac efficiency and internal work of the left ventricle via reconstructed impedance cardiography
Authors: Kuang Shi-Jiang , Xiao Qiu-Jin , Kuang Ming-Xing , Zhao Hui , Li Bing , Dong Li-Qiang , Ruan Ying-Lan
Published: February 2021

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate methods for measuring the cardiac efficiency (CE) and internal work (IW) of the left ventricle via reconstructed impedance cardiography (RICG). Approach. On the basis of the physiological context and Bernoulli’s equation in physics, methods of measuring the CE and IW were proposed. The CE, IW, internal work index (IWI), and other data from 180 healthy adults and 144 patients with cardiovascular disease were measured. Main results. The CE of 180 healthy adults was 22.5 ± 2.2%, and the IWI was 22.3 ± 5.2 J l−1 m−2. CE decreased with age, and the CE of the younger group (23.5 ± 1.9%) was larger than that of the older group (21.5 ± 1.9%), P < 0.01. The IWI increased with age, and the IWI of the younger group (19.0 ± 3.8 J l−1 m−2) was smaller than that of the older group (24.8 ± 4.3 J l−1 m−2), P < 0.01. There were no significant difference in CE (22.4 ± 2.2% and 22.6 ± 2.2%) or in the IWI (21.9 ± 5.1 J l−1 m−2 and 22.6 ± 5.2 J l−1 m−2) between the male and female groups. The CEs and IWIs of patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and heart failure were 17.4 ± 2.4% and 41.8 ± 15.6 J l−1 m−2, 17.6 ± 3.0% and 35.1 ± 10.4 J l−1 m−2, and 15.8 ± 3.5% and 42.1 ± 15.6 J l−1 m−2, respectively. These CEs were all smaller than that (21.6 ± 2.0%) of the healthy contrast group P < 0.01, while the IWIs were all larger than that (24.6 ± 4.8 J l−1 m−2) of the healthy contrast group, P < 0.01. Significance. The CEs and IWIs measured in this study may reflect physiological changes in healthy humans and pathogenic conditions in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Minority carrier lifetime in HgCdTe(100) epilayers and their potential application to background radiation limited MWIR photodiodes
Authors: Kopytko M , Sobieski J , Gawron W , Kębłowski A , Piotrowski J
Published: February 2021

Measurements of minority carrier lifetime have been carried out on nonintentionally doped HgCdTe(100) layers grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on GaAs substrates. The studies have been carried out in order to investigate the possibility of applications of HgCdTe(100) epilayers to fully depleted P–i–N photodiodes operated at near-room temperatures and the background-radiation limit. Post-growth annealed layers show n-type conductivity with a residual donor concentration of about 1015 cm−3. The cadmium molar composition (0.262 < x < 0.336) was chosen for mid-wave infrared devices operating at 230 K to 300 K. Results show that at high temperatures, the samples show clearly Auger-limited lifetimes determined by the background doping. The measured lifetimes at 300 K range from 5 to 11 µs, and from 0.2 to 1 µs, for the cut-offs of 4 µm and 5.4 µm, respectively.
General rules for the inductive characteristics of a piezoelectric structure and its integration with piezoelectric transformer for capacitive compensation
Authors: Ju Bin , Fang Liang , Wang Qing , Xu Jiawen , Li Guoli , Liu Yongbin
Published: February 2021

Additional inductive components are typically required in the driving applications of piezoelectric transformers (PTs) for the capacitive compensation. This compensation of such transformers can realize a zero-voltage switching state and obtain high efficiency. Recently, researchers have found that a piezoelectric structure can exhibit good inductive characteristics in the frequency range between resonance and anti-resonance, and it can be used as a substitute for an inductor in certain scenarios. This study first conducts a theoretical derivation and identifies the general rules for realizing an inductive piezoelectric structure. Then, the corresponding influencing factors of the inductive characteristics of the piezoelectric structure’s impedance are analyzed. Finally, a piezoelectric inductor (PL) is integrated with a PT in accordance with the inductive characteristic of the former. Simulation and experiment studies are conducted to investigate the system level characteristics, and results indicate that the capacitance of the integrated PT (IPT) is well compensated within the corresponding frequency range. Simultaneously, the transfer characteristics of the IPT are better than those of the single PT. Hence, the PL can be extended for minimization and efficiency enhancement of piezoelectric sensors and actuators in the future.
Fast and robust magnon transport in a spin chain
Authors: Kiely Anthony , Campbell Steve
Published: February 2021

A protocol for fast and robust magnon transport in a one-dimensional spin chain is devised. Employing an approximate mapping between the chain and a single harmonically trapped particle, we exploit the known analytic control protocols for the latter and adopt them to achieve fast, high-fidelity transport in the chain. We compare the performance with finite time adiabatic protocols, showing that the designed scheme allows for significantly faster and more stable transport. Furthermore, we show that a sharp transition exists between regions in which the protocol is effective and when it breaks down, giving rise to a heuristic speed limit for the process.
Spatial distributions of the fields in guided normal modes of two coupled parallel optical nanofibers
Authors: Kien Fam Le , Ruks Lewis , Chormaic Síle Nic , Busch Thomas
Published: February 2021

We study the cross-sectional profiles and spatial distributions of the fields in guided normal modes of two coupled parallel optical nanofibers. We show that the distributions of the components of the field in a guided normal mode of two identical nanofibers are either symmetric or antisymmetric with respect to the radial principal axis and the tangential principal axis in the cross-sectional plane of the fibers. The symmetry of the magnetic field components with respect to the principal axes is opposite to that of the electric field components. We show that, in the case of even

E

z

-cosine modes, the electric intensity distribution is dominant in the area between the fibers, with a saddle point at the two-fiber center. Meanwhile, in the case of odd

E

z

-sine modes, the electric intensity distribution at the two-fiber center attains a local minimum of exactly zero. We find that the differences between the results of the coupled mode theory and the exact mode theory are large when the separation distance between the fibers is small and either the fiber radius is small or the wavelength of light is large. We show that a slight difference between the radii of the nanofibers leads to strong asymmetry of the intensity distributions of the guided normal modes.
Penetration of n
=  2 resonant magnetic field perturbations in EAST
Authors: Ren Jie , Sun You-Wen , Wang Hui-Hui , Gu Shuai , Qian Jin-Ping , Shi Tong-Hui , Shen Biao , Liu Yue-Qiang , Guo Wen-Feng , Chu Nan , He Kai-Yang , Jia Man-Ni , Wang Yong , Sheng Zhi-Cai , Luo Zheng-Ping , Zeng Long , Gong Xian-Zu , Liang Yun-Feng , Wan Bao-Nian
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the penetration of n = 2 magnetic field perturbations, where n is the toroidal mode number. The n = 2 intrinsic error field (IEF) is measured in an ohmic heating plasma using the compass scan method, i.e. the toroidal asymmetry in the threshold current for the penetration of n = 2 resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs). Its amplitude is 55.5 A in equivalent coil current or B
r,3/2 = 0.1 G and the toroidal phase of the IEF is around 170.6° (129°). Phasing scans (scans of the phase difference between the upper and lower coil currents) of the n = 2 RMPs are carried out to obtain the effects of the n = 2 spectrum on field penetration. The observed dependence of the field penetration on the spectrum is consistent with those of simulations using the MARS-F code. One of the interesting phenomena is that the n = 2 mode often stimulates an n = 1 mode. The dominant poloidal harmonic of the n = 1 mode is m = 2, and the dominant poloidal harmonic of the n = 2 mode is m = 3. The evolution of the n = 1 mode has two stages, i.e., an initial small island growth stage, and a later saturation stage. In the initial stage, the amplitude of the n = 1 magnetic island grows, while the phase remains fixed. When the amplitude of the magnetic island exceeds a certain threshold, it enters the second stage, in which the magnetic island is locked into another phase and its amplitude starts to saturate. The phase in the initial small island stage depends linearly on the phase of the applied n = 2 RMP, which suggests that the n = 2 mode is directly driven by the coupling between the n = 1 and n = 2 modes. The phase in the second stage is either locked to the phase close to the previously measured n = 1 IEF, or is locked to the phase close to the n = 2 response field. This suggests that the final phase of the n = 1 mode depends on competition between the locking effect induced by the n = 1 IEF and the nonlinear coupling effect between the two modes. This might be an issue in the MHD control application using high-n RMPs in the future ITER device.
Simulating the Other in Social Work Pedagogy: Pathologising the Oppressed through Neoliberal/Colonial Practice Teaching
Authors: Joseph Ameil J
Published: February 2021

The use of simulated service users or ‘clients’ in social work education has lacked critical analysis in research and teaching. What is often overlooked are attentions to how constituting essentialised clients and simulating them advances historically entrenched forms of injustice in social work education and practice. This gap in research and literature in social work education should signal to the field an issue with the pervasiveness of the hegemonies of biomedical disciplinary knowledge in social work. This gap should also highlight the need to ask how, why and to what end is critical analysis an ongoing omission from a pedagogical practice that is proclaimed as very central and essential to social work practice skills education. This article explores some of these gaps in the literature within the social, historical, and political contexts that shape how neoliberalism/colonialism influence the perpetuation of these omissions in social work education. Specifically, this article explores how the use of client simulation in social work works to reproduce ideas of an innocent professional self and a pathological Other, while ejecting or separating social and political analyses of social problems, marginalising and obscuring critical perspectives, and forgoing attentions to social justice and epistemological nuances within social work.
LINC00857 contributes to proliferation and lymphomagenesis by regulating miR-370-3p/CBX3 axis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Huang Yan , Lin Yuanyuan , Song Xiangxiang , Wu Depei
Published: February 2021

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains to be a high aggressive and invasive malignancy with enigmatic etiology. Ectopic expression of long non-coding RNAs is widely involved in the progression of human cancers. We discovered that LINC00857 level was remarkably elevated in DLBCL tissues compared with non-tumor controls. High LINC00857 level predicts lower survival rate, more advanced tumor node metastasis and larger tumor size. LINC00857 overexpression promoted DLBCL cell proliferation and facilitated cell cycle as evidenced by elevated Cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) accompanying with reduced p21 level. LINC00857 overexpression also suppressed DLBCL cell apoptosis as evidenced by elevated Bcl-2 protein level, reduced Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels. On the contrary, LINC00857 knockdown using short hairpin RNAs inhibited DLBCL cell proliferation yet induced cell apoptosis. LINC00857 knockdown also repressed tumor growth in vivo, concomitant with decreased Ki67 level. Besides, microRNA miR-370 was down-regulated in DLBCL tissues and served as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) target of LINC00857. We further validated that chromobox homolog 3 (CBX3) served as a downstream target gene of miR-370-3p. LINC00857 level was reversely correlated with miR-370-3p level yet positively correlated with CBX3 level. In addition, CBX3 overexpression alleviated the impact of LINC00857 knockdown on DLBCL cell survival. In conclusion, our findings indicated that LINC00857 contributes to DLBCL proliferation and lymphomagenesis through regulating miR-370-3p/CBX3 axis.
The Microstructural Plasticity of the Arcuate Fasciculus Undergirds Improved Speech in Noise Perception in Musicians
Authors: Li Xiaonan , Zatorre Robert J , Du Yi
Published: February 2021

Musical training is thought to be related to improved language skills, for example, understanding speech in background noise. Although studies have found that musicians and nonmusicians differed in morphology of bilateral arcuate fasciculus (AF), none has associated such white matter features with speech-in-noise (SIN) perception. Here, we tested both SIN and the diffusivity of bilateral AF segments in musicians and nonmusicians using diffusion tensor imaging. Compared with nonmusicians, musicians had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right direct AF and lower radial diffusivity in the left anterior AF, which correlated with SIN performance. The FA-based laterality index showed stronger right lateralization of the direct AF and stronger left lateralization of the posterior AF in musicians than nonmusicians, with the posterior AF laterality predicting SIN accuracy. Furthermore, hemodynamic activity in right superior temporal gyrus obtained during a SIN task played a full mediation role in explaining the contribution of the right direct AF diffusivity on SIN performance, which therefore links training-related white matter plasticity, brain hemodynamics, and speech perception ability. Our findings provide direct evidence that differential microstructural plasticity of bilateral AF segments may serve as a neural foundation of the cross-domain transfer effect of musical experience to speech perception amid competing noise.
Political Trust in East and Southeast Asia: The Joint Effects of Education, Corruption Perception, and Urbanization
Authors: Jiang Anli , Zhang Tony Huiquan
Published: February 2021

This article examines how education, corruption perception, and urbanization jointly influence political trust in Asia. Previous literature proposes a “performance-based evaluation” thesis whereby corruption perception is associated with political trust. We hypothesized this association could be moderated by individual educational attainment and socioeconomic statuses. Applying multilevel models to the Asian Barometer Survey (2001–2016) data, we found interaction effects of education, the urban–rural divide, and corruption perceptions in shaping political trust in 14 East and Southeast Asia societies. For rural Asians, education does not affect political trust when they perceive low corruption; it leads to lower trust when they perceive high corruption. For urban Asians, such an interaction does not exist, and education monotonically erodes political trust no matter how they perceive the severity of corruption.
Fall prevention education for people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chanes Daniella Cristina , Piza Felipe Maia de Toledo , San Martin Gustavo , Leão Eliseth Ribeiro , Dos Santos Oscar Fernando Pavão
Published: February 2021

Background

Online spaced education (OSE) is a method recognized for promoting long-term knowledge retention, changing behaviors and improving outcomes for students and healthcare professionals. However, there is little evidence about its impacts on patient education.

Objectives

The aim of this research was to compare knowledge retention using educational brochure and OSE on individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to verify the impact of educational methods on fall outcome.

Methods

Individuals with MS (n = 230) were randomly assigned to two types of patient education—educational brochure (control) and OSE (intervention). During 12 weeks, the intervention group received multiple-choice tests on fall prevention. Knowledge retention, behavior change and fall incidence were assessed before intervention and after 3 and 6 months. The participants’ satisfaction with the education method was also evaluated.

Results

Knowledge retention was similar between groups, and behavior change was observed in both groups. There was a significant reduction in fall rate in the intervention group, from 0.60 to 0.27 at 6 months (P < 0.001). Participants’ satisfaction achieved an average of 8.75, with no differences between groups.

Conclusion

Individuals demonstrated significant improvement in fall rate outcome in both groups with no significant difference. In regard to test scores and satisfaction, results were similar between groups.
Abortion & ‘artificial wombs’: would ‘artificial womb’ technology legally empower non-gestating genetic progenitors to participate in decisions about how to terminate pregnancy in England and Wales?
Authors: Romanis Elizabeth Chloe
Published: February 2021

‘Artificial womb’ technology is highly anticipated for the benefits it might have as an alternative to neonatal intensive care and for pregnant people. In the bioethical literature, it has been suggested that such technology will force us to rethink the ethics of abortion. Some scholars have suggested that a pregnant person may be entitled to end a pregnancy but, with the advent of ectogestation, they may not be unilaterally entitled to opt for an abortion where the other genetic progenitor does not agree. Following two high-profile cases in England and Wales in the late 70s and 80s, English law is clear that genetic progenitors who do not gestate have no say in abortion decisions. It might be argued, however, that ectogestation casts doubt on the exclusion of all claims by genetic progenitors. In this article, I assess what a legal challenge to a decision to opt for abortion might look like with the advent of this technology, by examining whether genetic progenitors have the locus standi or grounds to seek an injunction to prevent abortion. I argue that such a challenge is unlikely to be successful.
Entry, egress and vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Hong
Published: February 2021

The high infectivity and pathogenicity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have caused the COVID-19 outbreak, one of the most devastating pandemics in more than a century. This pandemic has already left a trail of destruction, including enormous loss of life, a global economic slump, and widespread psychological damage. Despite assiduous world-wide endeavors, an effective cure for COVID-19 is still lacking. Surprisingly, infected neonates and children have relatively mild clinical manifestations and a much lower fatality rate than elderly adults. Recent studies have unambiguously demonstrated the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected pregnant women to fetuses, which creates yet another challenge for disease prevention. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanism for entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells, the basis for the failure of the lungs and other organs in severe acute cases, and the evidence for congenital transmission.
Shanghai memory as a digital humanities platform to rebuild the history of the city
Authors: Cuijuan Xia , Lihua Wang , Wei Liu
Published: February 2021

With the development of digital technology, Memory Projects, such as the American Memory and the Venice Time Machine, have been explored continually as typical digital humanity projects. In these projects, humanists are able to look into the thousand-year-history with a macro view by a ‘data telescope’, as well as numerous micro views by ‘data microscopes’. This article investigates representative historical memory and city memory projects from over the past 20 years and analyses the purpose, investigation, cooperation, methods, implementation, and technical routes adopted. The following problems are apparent: resource decentralization and fragmentation, duplication of database construction, single-user service mode and low utilization rate of cultural heritage resources, etc. This study provides an overall technical route to solve these problems by examining ongoing practice. The Shanghai Memory Project, undertaken by Shanghai Library, uses knowledge reorganization and data reconciling technologies such as Big Data, Semantic Web, and Knowledge Graph to construct an overarching Humanities Research Environment, which is co-constructing, sharing, and interconnecting to avoid problems of resource decentralization and database duplication. The Project provides a user service model, which combines the library creating knowledge with user-generated content. Implementing data visualization technologies, such as AR, VR, etc., the project improves the collection display and promotes the utilization of the resources. The Urban Memory Project is a comprehensive program that relies on cooperation and interdisciplinary collaboration, co-construction, and the sharing of data. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Urban Memory Projects play a significant role in helping to develop the Digital Humanities’ infrastructure.
The small DUF1127 protein CcaF1 from Rhodobacter sphaeroides is an RNA-binding protein involved in sRNA maturation and RNA turnover
Authors: Grützner Julian , Billenkamp Fabian , Spanka Daniel-Timon , Rick Tim , Monzon Vivian , Förstner Konrad U , Klug Gabriele
Published: February 2021

Many different protein domains are conserved among numerous species, but their function remains obscure. Proteins with DUF1127 domains number >17 000 in current databases, but a biological function has not yet been assigned to any of them. They are mostly found in alpha- and gammaproteobacteria, some of them plant and animal pathogens, symbionts or species used in industrial applications. Bioinformatic analyses revealed similarity of the DUF1127 domain of bacterial proteins to the RNA binding domain of eukaryotic Smaug proteins that are involved in RNA turnover and have a role in development from Drosophila to mammals. This study demonstrates that the 71 amino acid DUF1127 protein CcaF1 from the alphaproteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides participates in maturation of the CcsR sRNAs that are processed from the 3′ UTR of the ccaF mRNA and have a role in the oxidative stress defense. CcaF1 binds to many cellular RNAs of different type, several mRNAs with a function in cysteine / methionine / sulfur metabolism. It affects the stability of the CcsR RNAs and other non-coding RNAs and mRNAs. Thus, the widely distributed DUF1127 domain can mediate RNA-binding, affect stability of its binding partners and consequently modulate the bacterial transcriptome, thereby influencing different physiological processes.
RNA helicase-mediated regulation of snoRNP dynamics on pre-ribosomes and rRNA 2′-O-methylation
Authors: Aquino Gerald Ryan R , Krogh Nicolai , Hackert Philipp , Martin Roman , Gallesio Jimena Davila , van Nues Robert W , Schneider Claudia , Watkins Nicholas J , Nielsen Henrik , Bohnsack Katherine E , Bohnsack Markus T
Published: February 2021

RNA helicases play important roles in diverse aspects of RNA metabolism through their functions in remodelling ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), such as pre-ribosomes. Here, we show that the DEAD box helicase Dbp3 is required for efficient processing of the U18 and U24 intron-encoded snoRNAs and 2′-O-methylation of various sites within the 25S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence. Furthermore, numerous box C/D snoRNPs accumulate on pre-ribosomes in the absence of Dbp3. Many snoRNAs guiding Dbp3-dependent rRNA modifications have overlapping pre-rRNA basepairing sites and therefore form mutually exclusive interactions with pre-ribosomes. Analysis of the distribution of these snoRNAs between pre-ribosome-associated and ‘free’ pools demonstrated that many are almost exclusively associated with pre-ribosomal complexes. Our data suggest that retention of such snoRNPs on pre-ribosomes when Dbp3 is lacking may impede rRNA 2′-O-methylation by reducing the recycling efficiency of snoRNPs and by inhibiting snoRNP access to proximal target sites. The observation of substoichiometric rRNA modification at adjacent sites suggests that the snoRNPs guiding such modifications likely interact stochastically rather than hierarchically with their pre-rRNA target sites. Together, our data provide new insights into the dynamics of snoRNPs on pre-ribosomal complexes and the remodelling events occurring during the early stages of ribosome assembly.
Protecting, Empowering, or Penalizing Motherhood? The Contradictory Treatment of Women in Chilean Social Policies
Authors: Gideon Jasmine , Ramm Alejandra , Minte Gabriela Alvarez , de la Cruz Pincetti Catalina
Published: February 2021

This article contributes to the discussion of gendered social policy in Latin America. Despite considerable attention to the Chilean case, few studies have provided a comparative analysis of how the articulation of gender through motherhood differs across social sectors. We contrast the case of the health sector with the examples of housing and labor market policies to demonstrate that the framing of motherhood in Chilean social policies is not uniformly articulated. We note the diverse and contradictory nature of gendered narratives and practices across the sectors and argue that it still predominantly shapes women’s access to social policy.
Doxycycline-induced idiopathic intracranial hypertension in a patient with Lyme disease
Authors: Campetti Dana , Kelly Andrew , Diaz Karen
Published: February 2021

Doxycycline is widely used to treat early and disseminated Lyme disease. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, is a rare but serious adverse reaction to this medication. This article reviews the pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a patient with disseminated Lyme disease complicated by doxycycline-induced IIH.
Leadership, Teamwork, and Collaboration: The Lived Experience of Conducting Multisite Research Focused on Quality and Safety Education for Nurses Competencies in Academia
Authors: Schuler Monika S. , Letourneau Rayna , Altmiller Gerry , Deal Belinda , Vottero Beth A. , Boyd Teri , Ebersole Nancy W. , Flexner Randi , Jordan Janet , Jowell Vicki , McQuiston Linda , Norris Tommie , Risetter Mary Jo , Szymanski Kathleen , Walker Danielle
Published: February 2021

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers to conducting a multisite national study in nursing academia unsupported by grant funding.

BACKGROUND

Scholarship focused on the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies stimulates opportunities for research and collaboration among nurse educators and clinicians. Twelve members of the QSEN Academic Task Force collaborated on a multisite study of the effectiveness of a QSEN teaching strategy and published the findings.

METHOD

A descriptive phenomenological reflective approach using Kim’s critical reflective inquiry model was used to explore the lived experiences of the original study investigators. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological reduction.

RESULTS

Findings revealed seven facilitators and one overarching barrier to conducting academic research projects of this scope.

CONCLUSION

Participants found that strong leadership, a commitment to teamwork and collaboration, and a shared interest were critical to conducting a successful national study across academic settings.
SARS-CoV-2 safety
Authors: Baker Terrance L. , Greiner Jack V. , Vesonder Modesta
Published: February 2021

Protecting nurses in healthcare facilities from SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for maintaining an adequate nursing force. Foundational guidelines, consistently utilized, protect the nursing staff from infection. This article describes guidelines designed to reduce acute infection and associated morbidity and mortality among nursing staff and improve compliance with infection prevention protocols.
Fetoscopic Laser Ablation Therapy for Type II Vasa Previa
Authors: Chmait Ramen H. , Catanzarite Valerian , Chon Andrew H. , Korst Lisa M. , Llanes Arlyn , Ouzounian Joseph G.
Published: February 2021

(Abstracted from Fetal Diagn Ther 2020;47:682–688)

Fetoscopic laser ablation therapy is a treatment option currently under investigation for vasa previa. Compared with conservative treatment, laser ablation has the potential to eliminate the risk of fetal exsanguination due to premature rupture of membranes, allow for outpatient management of pregnancy, reduce the risk of iatrogenic preterm delivery, and increase the likelihood of a vaginal birth.
Casual Genetic Variants in Stillbirth
Authors: Stanley Kate E. , Giordano Jessica , Thorsten Vanessa , Buchovecky Christie , Thomas Amanda , Ganapathi Mythily , Liao Jun , Dharmadhikari Avinash V. , Revah-Politi Anya , Ernst Michelle , Lippa Natalie , Holmes Halie , Povysil Gundula , Hostyk Joseph , Parker Corette B. , Goldenberg Robert , Saade George R. , Dudley Donald J. , Pinar Halit , Hogue Carol , Reddy Uma M. , Silver Robert M. , Aggarwal Vimla , Allen Andrew S. , Wapner Ronald J. , Goldstein David B.
Published: February 2021

(Abstracted from N Engl J Med 2020;383:1107–1116)

Stillbirth is defined as fetal death in utero at ≥20 weeks' gestation. It makes up 60% of all perinatal deaths, but the cause remains unknown in 25% to 60% of cases.
Noninvasive Prenatal Testing as Compared to Chorionic Villus Sampling Is More Sensitive for the Detection of Confined Placental Mosaicism Involving the Cytotrophoblast
Authors: Van Opstal Diane , Eggenhuizen Geerke M. , Joosten Marieke , Diderich Karin , Govaerts Lutgarde , Galjaard Robert-Jan , Go Attie , Knapen Maarten , Boter Marjan , Cheung Wai Y. , van Koetsveld Nicole , van Veen Stefanie , de Valk Walter G. , Jehee Fernanda , de Vries Femke , Hollink Iris , Hoefsloot Lies , Srebniak Malgorzata
Published: February 2021

(Abstracted from Prenat Diagn 2020;40:1338–1342)

Confined placental mosaicism (CPM) describes a chromosomally abnormal placenta with a chromosomally normal fetus. Confined prenatal mosaicism may be detected prenatally by either chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which evaluates the DNA released from cytotrophoblast (CTB) into maternal blood.
Reducing Perinatal Health Disparities by Placing Equity at the Heart of Performance Improvement
Authors: Pardo Christina , Atallah Fouad , Mincer Shifra , Minkoff Howard
Published: February 2021

Multiple studies have demonstrated that low income and Black women in the United States are more likely to suffer from severe maternal morbidity and mortality during childbirth, even when accounting for the site of service. Structural racism, social determinants of health, and personally mediated racism are factors that may play a role. Assessing them is, therefore, critical in the attempt to deliver safe and equitable health care, which is a fundamental charge of performance-improvement committees. We argue that, for performance-improvement committees to fulfill their mandate, they must include equity as an organizing principle. A low rate of adverse outcomes in the overall population served by a hospital is not sufficient if, when stratified by race, a particular group is found to have rates above acceptable limits. In this piece we outline the process by which those charged with assuring optimal quality in departments of obstetrics and gynecology can include equity in their portfolio. This is a key step in moving beyond the recognition that disparities exist and toward a consideration of the specific ways in which inequity contributes to morbidity, and then to implementing steps to mitigate its effects.
Randomized Clinical Trial or Real-World Evidence: How Historical Events, Public Demand, and the Resulting Laws and Regulations Shaped the Body of Medical Evidence
Authors: Mackowiak John I. , Mack Christina D. , Irwin Debra E. , Zura Robert
Published: February 2021

The signing of the 21st Centuries Cures Act in 2016 was a confirmational step in a long journey toward an understood use and need for real-world evidence (RWE), even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had the legislative authority to accept RWE since 1962 to demonstrate efficacy. The 21st Century Cures Act, as well as the subsequent FDA guidance published in 2017 and other supporting guidance, documents that since are opening the doors for the clinical and research community. They specifically allow for labeling changes and indication expansion based on RWE. The legislative discussion of efficacy requirements started in the late 1950s, when evidence of effectiveness was not required in the United States before the marketing of a drug or medical device, and calls for the real-world comparative effectiveness research were being made by Senator Estes Kefauver. When the thalidomide tragedy stuck, Congress and the Kennedy Administration rushed to pass a new law to require that drugs be “effective in use.” The regulations subsequently drafted by the FDA to enforce the law often required placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs). In the 1980s, some started to label the RCT as the gold standard for medical evidence. The use of real-world data for new indication approval was not specifically prohibited by the 1962 law, but the new 2016 law sent a clear mandate to FDA, requiring the agency to review new forms of evidence such as RWE.