bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Writing bodies and bodies of text: Thinking vulnerability through monsters
Authors: Henriksen Line , Kjær Katrine Meldgaard , Blønd Marie , Cohn Marisa , Cakici Baki , Douglas‐Jones Rachel , Ferreira Pedro , Feshak Viktoriya , Gahoonia Simy Kaur , Sandbukt Sunniva
Published: December 2021

In this article, we suggest approaching writing as a vulnerable practice marked by an unstable boundary between bodies: bodies of text and bodies of writers. We present an exercise‐method that we refer to as Monster Writing, which we have developed in order to engage with these instabilities as well as in order to address experiences of difficulty, anxiety and uncertainty in relation with the text and writing process. Though the writing process can at times be exciting and thrilling, and at other times perhaps a little tedious and mundane, for some it also presents (more than) occasional encounters with one's own insecurities, shame and doubt. We argue that this potentially more painful relationship between writer and text should be awarded more attention in scholarship on writing, and that a way of doing so is through the framework of feminist theory on vulnerability, embodiment, and the monstrous.
Mapped Predictions of Manganese and Arsenic in an Alluvial Aquifer Using Boosted Regression Trees
Authors: Knierim Katherine J. , Kingsbury James A. , Belitz Kenneth , Stackelberg Paul E. , Minsley Burke J. , Rigby J.R.
Published: December 2021

Manganese (Mn) concentrations and the probability of arsenic (As) exceeding the drinking‐water standard of 10 μg/L were predicted in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA) using boosted regression trees (BRT). BRT, a type of ensemble‐tree machine‐learning model, were created using predictor variables that affect Mn and As distribution in groundwater. These variables included iron (Fe) concentrations and specific conductance predicted from previously developed BRT models, groundwater flux and age estimates from MODFLOW, and hydrologic characteristics. The models also included results from the first airborne geophysical survey conducted in the United States to target an entire aquifer system. Predictions of high Mn and As occurred where Fe was high. Predicted high Mn concentrations were correlated with fraction of young groundwater (less than 65 years) computed from MODFLOW results. High probabilities of As exceedance were predicted where groundwater was relatively old and airborne electromagnetic resistivity was high, typically proximal to streams. Two‐variable partial‐dependence plots and sensitivity analysis were used to provide insight into the factors controlling Mn and As distribution in groundwater. The maps of predicted Mn concentrations and As exceedance probabilities can be used to identify areas where these constituents may be high, and that could be targeted for further study. This paper shows that incorporation of a selected set of process‐informed data, such as MODFLOW results and airborne geophysics, into a machine‐learning model improves model interpretability. Incorporation of process‐rich information into machine‐learning models will likely be useful for addressing a wide range of problems of interest to groundwater hydrologists.
Expectations of a new opt‐out system of consent for deceased organ donation in England: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Bailey Pippa K. , Lyons Hannah , Caskey Fergus J. , Ben‐Shlomo Yoav , Al‐Talib Mohammed , Babu Adarsh , Selman Lucy E.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

In 2020 England moved to an opt‐out deceased donation law. We aimed to investigate the views of a mixed stakeholder group comprising people with kidney disease, family members and healthcare practitioners towards the change in legislation. We investigated the expected impacts of the new legislation on deceased‐donor and living‐donor transplantation, and views on media campaigns regarding the law change.

Methods

We undertook in‐depth qualitative interviews with people with kidney disease (n = 13), their family members (n = 4) and healthcare practitioners (n = 15). Purposive sampling was used to ensure diversity for patients and healthcare practitioners. Family members were recruited through snowball sampling and posters. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes with six subthemes were identified: (i) Expectations of impact (Hopeful patients; Cautious healthcare professionals), (ii) Living‐donor transplantation (Divergent views; Unchanged clinical recommendations), (iii) Media campaigns (Single message; Highlighting recipient benefits). Patients expected the law change would result in more deceased‐donor transplant opportunities.

Conclusions

Clinicians should ensure patients and families are aware of the current evidence regarding the impact of opt‐out consent: expectations of an increased likelihood of receiving a deceased‐donor transplant are not currently supported by the evidence. This may help to prevent a decline in living‐donor transplantation seen in other countries with similar legislation. Media campaigns should include a focus on the impact of organ receipt.

Patient or Public Contribution

Two patient representatives from the Kidney Disease Health Integration Team, Primrose Granville and Soumeya Bouacida, contributed to the content and design of the study documents.
Journey to Transplant: Developing a social support network counselling intervention to improve kidney transplantation
Authors: D'Cunha Hannah , Partin Melissa , Kurschner Sophie , Chu Sauman , Bruin Marilyn , McKinney Warren , Hart Allyson
Published: December 2021

Context

Kidney transplant is superior to dialysis for the treatment of end‐stage kidney disease, but accessing transplant requires high patient engagement to overcome barriers. We sought to develop an educational counselling intervention for patients along with their social support networks to help patients access the waiting list.

Methods

Utilizing an Intervention Mapping approach, we established a conceptual framework to develop a behavioural intervention that can be reproduced across kidney transplant centres. The approach includes needs assessment, identifying behavioural determinants and process objectives and integrating targeted behavioural change theory.

Results

The Intervention Mapping process resulted in the development of a group counselling session, titled Journey to Transplant (JtT). This intervention was designed for kidney transplant candidates along with members of their social support networks and guided by a transplant healthcare professional. The session begins with standardized educational information to improve knowledge and normalize emotional barriers to transplant. This education is followed by a tailored counselling intervention, including the presentation of the individual patient's calculated likely outcomes on the kidney transplant waiting list. Finally, JtT incorporates patient and support network goal setting to address the specific barriers for that patient in accessing kidney transplantation.

Conclusion

A systematic Intervention Mapping approach to develop the JtT intervention helps ensure the intervention is efficacious, acceptable and feasible for transplant centres to implement. JtT engages the patient's social support network, targeting known barriers to transplant and utilizing established behaviour change theory to motivate concrete actions to improve the likelihood of kidney transplantation.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study includes a patient and family advisory committee comprised of kidney transplant candidates and their family members to guide the final language and content of the intervention guide, and the conduct of the implementation and pilot testing of the intervention. However, patients and family members were not involved in the intervention mapping development process itself described in this manuscript, which was informed by focus group data from patient and family study participants.
Hepatitis C coinfection and extrahepatic cancer incidence among people living with HIV
Authors: Willis Sarah J. , Kim H. Nina , Achenbach Chad J. , Cachay Edward R. , Christopoulos Katerina A. , Crane Heidi M. , Franco Ricardo A. , Hurt Christopher B. , Kitahata Mari M. , Moore Richard D. , Silverberg Michael J. , Tien Phyllis C. , Westreich Daniel , Marcus Julia L.
Published: December 2021

Objectives

We assessed the incidence of extrahepatic cancer among people with HIV/HCV coinfection and the potential impact of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) on extrahepatic cancer risk among people with HIV/HCV coinfection.

Design

Our study cohort included adults who initiated HIV care at a CNICS site in the US during 1995–2017, excluding those with previous cancer and without HCV testing.

Methods

We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios for extrahepatic cancer incidence among patients with HIV/HCV coinfection compared with those with HIV monoinfection. Standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) weights were used to create a ‘pseudopopulation’ in which all patients were treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), and to compare extrahepatic cancer incidence among patients with untreated HIV/HCV coinfection with the incidence that would have been observed if they had been successfully treated for HCV.

Results

Of 18 422 adults, 1775 (10%) had HCV RNA and 10 899 (59%) were on ART at baseline. Incidence rates of any extrahepatic cancer among patients with HIV/HCV coinfection and HIV monoinfection were 1027 and 771 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively. In SMR‐weighted analyses, the risk of any extrahepatic cancer among patients with untreated HCV coinfection at baseline was similar to the risk if they had been successfully treated for HCV. Patients with untreated HCV coinfection at baseline had higher incidence of kidney, lung and inflammation‐related cancers than if their HCV had been successfully treated, but these associations were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

We did not find evidence that treating HCV coinfection with DAAs would reduce the incidence of extrahepatic cancers among people with HIV receiving ART.
Archiving of mutations in HIV‐1 cellular reservoirs among vertically infected adolescents is contingent with clinical stages and plasma viral load: Evidence from the EDCTP‐READY study
Authors: Fokam Joseph , Mpouel Bala Marie Laure , Santoro Maria‐Mercedes , Takou Désiré , Tala Valère , Beloumou Grace , Ngoufack Ezechiel Semengue , Chenwi Collins , Pabo Willy Leroi Togna , Njume Debimeh , Teto Georges , Dambaya Beatrice , Djupsa Sandrine , Sosso Samuel , Ateba Francis , Kamta Cedric , Bala Lionel , Njom Nlend Anne‐Esther , Koki Ndombo Paul , Colizzi Vittorio , Perno Carlo Frederico , Ndjolo Alexis
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Globally, HIV‐related adolescent deaths have increased about 50%, especially for those who are vertically infected. This could be driven by archived drug resistance mutations (DRMs) as children grow up, which might jeopardize antiretroviral therapy (ART). Our objective was to compare HIV‐1 genotypic variation between plasma RNA and proviral DNA of vertically infected adolescents (aged 10–19 years) failing ART.

Methods

A comparative study was conducted in 2019 among 296 adolescents with perinatal HIV infection (ALPHI) failing ART in health facilities of the Centre Region of Cameroon. The WHO clinical stage, CD4 count and plasma viral load (PVL) were measured. For those failing ART (PVL ≥ 1000 copies/mL), RNA (plasma) and proviral DNA (buffy coat) were sequenced in the pol gene at Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon. HIV‐1 subtypes and DRMs were interpreted using Stanford HIVdb v.8.8 and MEGA‐X.

Results

Of the 30% (89/296) failing ART, 81 had both RNA and DNA sequences generated and three were excluded for APOBEC mutations: the mean age was 16 ± 3 years; female‐to‐male ratio was 3:5; median PVL was 46 856 copies/mL [interquartile range (IQR): 19 898–271 410]; median CD4 count was 264 cells/μL (IQR: 131–574); and 42% were at WHO clinical stage 3/4. Subtype concordance between RNA and DNA viral strains was 100%, with CRF02_AG being predominant (65%) and two potential new recombinants found (A1/G/K; F1/G). Adolescents with DRMs were significantly higher in plasma than in proviral DNA (92% vs. 86%, p < 0.0001). Prevalent DRMs by drug class (RNA vs. DNA respectively) were at position M184 (74% vs. 67%) for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), K103 (63% vs. 59%) for non‐NRTIs, and V82, L76 and M46 (2% vs. 2%) for protease inhibitors. A total of 35% (27/78) of adolescents had concordant DRM profiles in RNA and DNA, while 27% (21/78) had DRMs only in proviral DNA. The presence of archived DRMs was associated with advanced clinical stage 3/4 (OR = 0.14, p = 0.0003) and PVL < 5 Log (Copies/mL) (OR: 4.88, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Although plasma RNA remains more sensitive for detecting HIV‐1 DRMs, about a quarter of ALPHI experiencing ART failure in an African setting might have archived DRMs in viral reservoirs, indicating clinically occult resistance. Thus, to ensure effective ART success, proviral DNA profiling (alongside RNA genotyping) would provide additional DRMs for adolescents with advanced clinical stages and/or moderate PVL.
Malaysian dental therapists’ job motivation, job satisfaction, intention to leave and perceived future roles
Authors: Zakaria Noor Azhani , Ab‐Murat Norintan , Che Musa Muhd Firdaus
Published: December 2021

Objective

To assess Malaysian dental therapists’ job satisfaction, motivation, turnover intention and perceived future roles, following recent changes in the regulations that allow them to provide dental care within their scope of practice in the private sector.

Methods

A self‐administered questionnaire was distributed to public dental therapists who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Questions included items on social structure, job satisfaction and motivation (based on the Warr‐Cook‐Wall scale), turnover intention (based on four cognitive processes) and perceived future roles. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of dental therapists’ turnover intention.

Results

Overall, a majority (>90%) of the participants had high job satisfaction and job motivation, with total mean scores of 45.70 ± 6.86 and 21.16 ± 2.63, respectively. A total of 8.3% intended to leave the public sector to work in a different organization. Of those who chose to remain as a dental therapist in the next five years, only 7% considered working in the private sector. The significant predictors for turnover intention were educational attainment, years of working experience, job satisfaction level and future preferred working sector.

Conclusion

Although the newly introduced Dental Act allows dental therapists to expand their roles to the private setting, very few intended to do so. This could be related to them having a high level of job satisfaction and job motivation while serving in the public sector.
Thermosonication of peach juice: investigation of PPO and POD activities, physicochemical and bioactive compounds changes, and development of FT‐IR–based chemometric models for the evaluation of quality
Authors: Baltacıoğlu Hande
Published: December 2021

In this research, the effect of thermosonication on peach juice was investigated. Enzyme inactivation increased with increasing power, temperature, and time. Enzymes were completely inactivated by thermosonication at 60 °C that was lower than the complete inactivation temperature (70 °C) of thermal treatment. Generally, as pH decreased, titratable acidity and °Brix increased by increasing temperature for each thermosonication treatment. The color of peach juice was preserved, and it became lighter. The bioactive components were protected with thermosonication. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy with chemometrics was used to evaluate polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity and quality attributes during thermosonication treatment. Moreover, the treatment methods were differentiated using principal component analysis, and models that correlated enzyme activity, quality attributes, and bioactive compounds with infrared spectra were constructed using partial least‐squares. FT‐IR with chemometrics can be used as a reliable method in peach juice quality determination during thermosonication.
Remittances and the future of African economies
Authors: Adekunle Ibrahim Ayoade , Tella Sheriffdeen Adewale , Ogunjobi Festus Olalekan
Published: December 2021

African nations have, with the passage of time, over‐relied on remittance inflow to augment domestic savings for growth and development. Although remittance—both as a viable investment financing option and as a growth complementary factor—helps drive growth and development, concerns of fading altruism exist. As regards altruistic giving, decreasing external financing options might overwhelm growth and development. We argue that the altruistic connection, which has been the bedrock of sending remittances to African countries, could eventually fade into oblivion. We assigned numerical weights to establish the influence of remittances on the future of African economies. We took cognizance of endogeneity of regressors and accounted for cross‐sectional dependence. We found a positive relationship between remittances and financial development besides the influence of exchange rate, technological change, inflation and population on the latter. African governments, donors, investment partners and the society at large should be concerned about fading altruistic connections from old and young African migrants. Altruism could be a springboard to the diversification of external capital sourcing and creation of a migrant policy that puts Africa at the forefront of development ahead of seeking increased worker remittances from abroad.
Polydioxanone thread insertion in combination with radio frequency treatment does not exhibit synergistic efficacy: Animal study with pigs
Authors: Li Kai , Zhang Xiao , Guo Wei , Wang Li , Wang Gang , Gao Lin
Published: December 2021

Background

Polydioxanone (PDO) thread insertion and monopolar radio frequency (RF) treatment are two common antiaging modalities. The efficacy and safety profile of PDO in combination with RF treatment is unknown.

Aims

To investigate pathological changes in skin in response to PDO + RF treatment in an animal model.

Methods

PDO threads were implanted into the skin of young white domestic pigs. RF treatment was performed on the PDO insertion sites 2 weeks after the PDO procedure. Skin biopsies were taken at 6 and 12 weeks after PDO for histological examination.

Results

Both PDO and PDO + RF treatments induced the fibrous granular formation surrounding the PDO threads. There were more exaggerated inflammatory responses such as development of nodular panniculitis and adipocyte necrosis in the skin at 6 weeks after PDO + RF as compared with PDO alone, which was largely resolved at 12 weeks. All treatments led to thickened and replicated interlobular septa, many of which were connected to the collagenous network in dermis. In all treatment groups, the cross‐sectional areas of the dermal collagenous bundles were significantly increased at both endpoint times as compared with the baseline level. PDO + RF treatment did not lead to increases in neocollagenesis as compared with PDO or RF treatment alone.

Conclusions

Our data showed that RF and PDO induced comparable levels of collagen remodeling in the skin. PDO + RF treatment did not exhibit evident synergistic effects of derma collagen remodeling but rather amplified the inflammatory responses in the skin. Therefore, combined treatment is not recommended.
Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders in children and adolescents: An international Delphi study‐Part 2‐Development of Axis II
Authors: Rongo Roberto , Ekberg EwaCarin , Nilsson Ing‐Marie , Al‐Khotani Amal , Alstergren Per , Rodrigues Conti Paulo Cesar , Durham Justin , Goulet Jean‐Paul , Hirsch Christian , Kalaykova Stanimira I. , Kapos Flavia P. , King Christopher D. , Komiyama Osamu , Koutris Michail , List Thomas , Lobbezoo Frank , Ohrbach Richard , Palermo Tonya M. , Peck Christopher C. , Penlington Chris , Restrepo Claudia , Rodrigues Maria Joao , Sharma Sonia , Svensson Peter , Visscher Corine M. , Wahlund Kerstin , Michelotti Ambrosina
Published: December 2021

Background

Unlike the psychosocial assessment established for adults in the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), a standardised psychosocial assessment for children and adolescents with TMD complaints has not yet been established.

Objectives

To develop a new standardised instrument set to assess the psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents by adapting the psychosocial status and pain‐related disability (Axis II) of the adult DC/TMD and by including new instruments.

Methods

A modified Delphi method was used to survey 23 international TMD experts and four international experts in pain‐related psychological factors for consensus regarding assessment tools for psychosocial functioning and pain‐related disability in children and adolescents. The TMD experts reviewed 29 Axis II statements at round 1, 13 at round 2 and 2 at round 3. Agreement was set at 80% for first‐round consensus level and 70% for each of the second and third rounds. The psychological experts completed a complementary Delphi survey to reach a consensus on tools to use to assess more complex psychological domains in children and adolescents. For the psychological experts, the first round included 10 open‐ended questions on preferred screening tools for depression, anxiety, catastrophising, sleep problems and stress in children (ages 6–9 years old) and adolescents (ages 10–19 years old) as well as on other domains suggested for investigation. In the second round, the psychological experts received a 9‐item questionnaire to prioritise the suggested instruments from most to least recommended.

Results

The TMD experts, after three Delphi rounds, reached consensus on the changes of DC/TMD to create a form to evaluate Axis II in children and adolescents with TMD complaints. The psychological experts added tools to assess depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, catastrophising, stress and resilience.

Conclusion

Through international expert consensus, this study adapted Axis II of the adult DC/TMD to assess psychosocial functioning and pain‐related disability in children and adolescents. The adapted Axis II protocols will be validated in the target populations.
Efficacy of empiric antibiotic treatment of late-onset neonatal sepsis caused by Enterobacteriaceae: A systematic review
Authors: Akselsen A.B. , Sheth C.C. , Veses V.
Published: December 2021

Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition, where an adequate empiric antibiotic treatment is crucial. The objective of this systematic review is to assess whether the World Health Organization’s recommended treatment regime remains applicable for late-onset neonatal sepsis caused by Enterobacteriaceae, in the time of increased antimicrobial resistance. PubMed was searched for articles from 2009 to 2020. A total of 49 articles were eligible for inclusion. The review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. For Klebsiella spp. 100, 68 and 63% of the studies found sensitivity to ampicillin, gentamicin and third-generation cephalosporin in <50% of the isolates. For Escherichia coli, the corresponding values were 88, 50 and 42% respectively, whilst for Enterobacter spp. 100, 70 and 94% of the studies found <50% sensitivity to these antibiotics. Overall, there is low sensitivity to all agents in the WHO’s recommended empiric treatment regimes (WHO recommends ampicillin plus gentamicin as first-line treatment and third-generation cephalosporin as second-line treatment). A revised guideline for empiric antibiotic treatment of neonatal sepsis is urgently needed due to the increased threat of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacteriaceae causing neonatal sepsis.
Immunological tolerance in the evolution of male pregnancy
Authors: Parker Jamie , Dubin Arseny , Schneider Ralf , Wagner Kim Sara , Jentoft Sissel , Böhne Astrid , Bayer Till , Roth Olivia
Published: December 2021

The unique male pregnancy in pipefishes and seahorses ranges from basic attachment (pouch‐less species: Nerophinae) of maternal eggs to specialized internal gestation in pouched species (e.g. Syngnathus and Hippocampus) with many transitions in between. Due to this diversity, male pregnancy offers a unique platform for assessing physiological and molecular adaptations in pregnancy evolution. These insights will contribute to answering long‐standing questions of why and how pregnancy evolved convergently in so many vertebrate systems. To understand the molecular congruencies and disparities in male pregnancy evolution, we compared transcriptome‐wide differentially expressed genes in four syngnathid species, at four pregnancy stages (nonpregnant, early, late and parturition). Across all species and pregnancy forms, metabolic processes and immune dynamics defined pregnancy stages, especially pouched species shared expression features akin to female pregnancy. The observed downregulation of adaptive immune genes in early‐stage pregnancy and its reversed upregulation during late/parturition in pouched species, most notably in Hippocampus, combined with directionless expression in the pouch‐less species, suggests immune modulation to be restricted to pouched species that evolved placenta‐like systems. We propose that increased foeto‐paternal intimacy in pouched syngnathids commands immune suppression processes in early gestation, and that the elevated immune response during parturition coincides with pouch opening and reduced progeny reliance. Immune response regulation in pouched species supports the recently described functional MHC II pathway loss as critical in male pregnancy evolution. The independent co‐option of similar genes and pathways both in male and female pregnancy highlights immune modulation as crucial for the evolutionary establishment of pregnancy.
Shade tree canopy cover affects coffee plant traits across elevations in coffee farms in southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Getachew Merkebu , Verheyen Kris , Tolessa Kassaye , Ayalew Biruk , Hylander Kristoffer , Tack Ayco , Garedew Weyessa , Bauters Marijn , Boeckx Pascal , De Frenne Pieter
Published: December 2021

Coffee is an important crop in the global south. However, ongoing changes in the climate system reinforce the need to quantify coffee plants' ecological and eco‐physiological traits to assure coffee production in the future. One way to assess how environmental changes affect coffee performance is via leaf traits, most notably leaf carbon and nitrogen concentrations (to reflect the nutrient status), leaf stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) to determine intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), and specific leaf area (SLA) to describe carbon gain relative to water loss within a plant canopy as these traits are related to yields. Therefore, we sampled coffee plants growing at contrasting elevations using a space‐for‐time substitution approach for warming and superimposed a canopy cover gradient to assess whether increasing canopy cover could modulate responses to temperature. Three coffee shrubs were sampled in each of 59 coffee farms in southwest Ethiopia across elevations of 1500–2160 m a.s.l. and along canopy cover gradients from open to deep shade. Soil nutrient concentrations, light availability, soil temperature and moisture were quantified for each coffee shrub. Elevation and shade tree canopy cover significantly and interactively affected WUEi. Elevation was found to be the driving factor for microclimate and soil factors which indirectly influenced both SLA and WUEi. Both of these coffee leaf traits are moderately governed by soil temperature whereas leaf N and C:N are mainly controlled by soil temperature and soil chemical variables. As elevation increased, WUEi kept increasing at light (< 35%) to intermediate shade levels (35–65%), and the values decreased at dense shade levels (65–100%) at high elevations, suggesting that coffee plants growing at high elevations with light shade can assimilate more CO2with minimum evaporative water loss. SLA declined with elevation. Leaf N and leaf C:N responded negatively and positively to shade canopy cover, respectively. In sum, elevation and canopy cover interactively determined microclimate and coffee leaf traits. Our findings are useful to adjust the intensity of shade, along with other tree‐level management tools, to modulate climate‐change effects on coffee at the farm level.
Effects of sexual dimorphism on pollinator behaviour in a dioecious species
Authors: Moquet Laura , Jacquemart Anne‐Laure , Dufay Mathilde , De Cauwer Isabelle
Published: December 2021

Floral traits often display sexual dimorphism in insect‐pollinated dioecious plant species, with male individuals typically being showier than females. While this strategy is theorized to be optimal when pollinators are abundant, it might represent a risk when they become scarce, because the disproportionately high number of visits on the most attractive sex, males, might preclude efficient pollen transfer from males to females. Here, the effect of sexual dimorphism on pollination efficiency was assessed in experimental arrays of dioecious Silene dioica that were exposed to one frequent visitor of the species, Bombus terrestris, and that differed in the magnitude of sexual dimorphism for either flower number or flower size. We found that flower number dimorphism negatively affected the number of visits on female plants, on female flowers and on the number of female flowers visited after a male flower. However, flower number dimorphism had no effect on the number of pollen grains deposited per stigma, presumably because the decrease in the number of visits to female flowers was compensated by a higher number of pollen grains deposited per visit. Flower size dimorphism did not affect visitation patterns and pollen transfer in our experimental arrays. These results highlight the need to jointly study visitation patterns and pollen receipt on stigmas when exploring the effect on floral phenotypes on pollination efficiency.
African perspectives on just war
Authors: Cordeiro‐Rodrigues Luís
Published: December 2021

Most Anglophone just war theory has been written from the point of view of Western philosophy. Nevertheless, other philosophical traditions outside the West have also produced sophisticated and innovative ideas about the morality of war, although they have been largely neglected. In this article, I overview for the first time the literature regarding jus ad bellum in contemporary African thought and contend that there are four kinds of arguments regarding the justification to initiate a war. Namely, these are arguments that justify resourcing war on consequentialist grounds; therapy rationales; rebutting wrong justifications; and arguments based on consensus and negotiation.
Product diversion by vertically differentiated firms
Authors: Smith Evelyn O. , Shulman Jeffrey D.
Published: December 2021

Retail sellers authorized to sell a branded product may divert some units to an unauthorized dealer thus enabling the dealer to become a direct competitor. Because these sellers vary in quality, it is often unclear what type of seller is more motivated to participate in diversion. We develop an analytical model to demonstrate how vertically differentiated sellers make diversion decisions responding to an unauthorized dealer under unique circumstances not considered by previous research. The model demonstrates that when diversion occurs, the low‐quality seller can actually earn a greater profit than the high‐quality seller. Furthermore, a higher quality differential can lead to an overall profit loss for the high‐quality seller when both sellers divert. The sellers will divert products to the competing dealer if and only if they are sufficiently similar to each other. The low‐quality seller has an incentive to divert more units in general, and is motivated to divert alone when the quality differential is not too high. Additionally, changes in vertical differentiation have nonmonotonic effects on the sellers. Overall, the results establish seller vertical differentiation as a new key variable in analyzing product diversion and demonstrate its unique consequences for the authorized sellers and the unauthorized dealer.
Changes in blood bone markers after the first and second bouts of whole‐body eccentric exercises
Authors: Huang Tsang‐Hai , Nosaka Kazunori , Chen Trevor C.
Published: December 2021

The present study compared the first (EC1) and second (EC2) bouts of whole‐body eccentric exercises to examine the effects of the magnitude of muscle damage on changes in blood bone markers. Fifteen sedentary young men performed nine eccentric exercises of arm, leg, and trunk muscles, and repeated them 2 weeks later. Blood samples were taken before and 2 h and 1–5 days following each bout to analyze plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin concentration, serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), type 1 C‐terminal telopeptide (CTX‐1), procollagen type I N‐terminal propeptide (P1NP), bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), undercarboxylated‐osteocalcin (ucOCN), carboxylated‐osteocalcin (cOCN), and leptin concentrations. All except ucOCN changed significantly (p < 0.05) after both bouts. When comparing bouts for peak changes, P1NP (bone formation marker) and CTX‐1 (bone resorption marker) increased less after EC2 (peak: 137±96% and 7±6%, respectively) than after EC1 (146 ± 80% and 30 ± 21%, respectively), whereas BAP (bone formation marker) increased more after EC2 (18 ± 16%) than after EC1 (4 ± 15%) (p < 0.05). Leptin (49 ± 58%) and cOCN (14 ± 10%) increased more (p < 0.05) after EC2 than after EC1 (−30 ± 15%, 9 ± 26%). Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were evident between peak CK activity and peak CTX‐1 (r = 0.847), P1NP (r = 0.815), BAP (r = −0.707), ucOCN (r = 0.627), cCON (r = −0.759), and leptin (r = −0.740) changes after EC1, but many of these correlations disappeared after EC2. This was also found for the relationships between other muscle damage markers (myoglobin, muscle soreness, and muscle strength) and the bone markers. It was concluded that bone turnover was affected by eccentric exercise, but muscle damage was unfavorable for bone formation.
Effect of confirmation and structured inquiry on attitudes toward school science
Authors: Toma Radu Bogdan
Published: December 2021

Guided and open inquiry strategies are found to improve students’ attitudes toward science. Yet, confirmation and structured inquiry are more often enacted by teachers. The effectiveness of these approaches involving high teacher guidance remains unexplored. Students in six classes (N = 119, Mage = 11.25 years) were assigned to control (lecture) or treatment (confirmation or structured inquiry) groups. The intervention consisted of two units of 3 h each. Following the intervention, students in the structured inquiry condition reported more intentions to enroll in school science than their counterparts in the confirmation inquiry or lecture group. There were no differences in enjoyableness, self‐efficacy, usefulness, and relevance of school science between pedagogical conditions. The findings support the use of structured inquiry over confirmation inquiry and lecture‐based strategies for developing students’ science career aspirations, which has implications for science teacher professional development and the design of instructional resources.
Identification of the novel HLA allele, HLA‐C*04:01:01:129, in an individual from northeast India
Authors: Tambe Manisha , D'Silva Selma Z. , Rajak Jyoti , Phuntsok Tenzin , Singh Meenakshi
Published: December 2021

The novel allele HLA‐C*04:01:01:129 as compared to HLA‐C*04:01:01:01 displays polymorphism at two positions; gDNA 2905 (C → T) and 2910 (T → A).
Preharvest phenotypic prediction of grain quality and yield of durum wheat using multispectral imaging
Authors: Vatter Thomas , Gracia‐Romero Adrian , Kefauver Shawn Carlisle , Nieto‐Taladriz María Teresa , Aparicio Nieves , Araus José Luis
Published: December 2021

Durum wheat is an important cereal that is widely grown in the Mediterranean basin. In addition to high yield, grain quality traits are of high importance for farmers. The strong influence of climatic conditions makes the improvement of grain quality traits, like protein content, vitreousness, and test weight, a challenging task. Evaluation of quality traits post‐harvest is time‐ and labor‐intensive and requires expensive equipment, such as near‐infrared spectroscopes or hyperspectral imagers. Predicting not only yield but also important quality traits in the field before harvest is of high value for breeders aiming to optimize resource allocation. Implementation of efficient approaches for trait prediction, such as the use of high‐resolution spectral data acquired by a multispectral camera mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), needs to be explored. In this study, we have acquired multispectral image data with an 11‐band multispectral camera mounted on a UAV and analyzed the data with machine learning (ML) models to predict grain yield and important quality traits in breeding micro‐plots. Combining 11‐band multispectral data for 34 cultivars and 16 environments allowed to develop ML models with good prediction capability. Applying the trained models to test sets explained a considerable degree of phenotypic variance with good accuracy showing r squared values of 0.84, 0.69, 0.64, and 0.61 and normalized root mean squared errors of 0.17, 0.07, 0.14, and 0.03 for grain yield, protein content, vitreousness, and test weight, respectively.
Characterization and first‐in‐human clinical dose‐escalation safety evaluation of a next‐gen human freeze‐dried plasma
Authors: Cancelas Jose A. , Nestheide Shawnagay , Rugg Neeta , Eckerman Anna , Macdonald Victor W. , L. Charles Matthew , Markstrom Luke , Atkinson Andrew J. , King Melissa R. , Snyder Michele , Burgess David , Murto James , Valiyaveettil Manoj K. , C. Pehta Joan , Penegor Stephen A.
Published: December 2021

Background

Early plasma transfusion is life‐saving for bleeding trauma patients. Freeze‐dried plasma (FDP) provides unique formulation advantages for infusion in the prehospital setting. We describe characterization and clinical safety data of the first, next‐generation FDP stored in plastic bags with rapid reconstitution.

Study design and methods

Coagulation and chemistry parameters on 155 pairs of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and their derivative FDP units were compared. Next, a first‐in‐human, dose‐escalation safety evaluation of FDP, involving 24 healthy volunteers who donated either whole blood or apheresis plasma to create autologous FDP, was performed in three dose cohorts (270, 540, and 810 ml) and adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Cohort 3 was randomized, double‐blind with a cross‐over arm that compared FDP versus FFP using descriptive analysis for AEs, coagulation, hematology, and chemistry parameters.

Results

FDP coagulation factors, clotting times, and product quality (pH, total protein, and osmolality) post‐lyophilization were preserved. FDP infusions, of up to 810 ml per subject, were found to be safe and with no serious AEs (SAEs) related to FDP. The average time to reconstitute FDP was 67 s (range: 43–106). No differences in coagulation parameters or thrombin activation were detected in subjects infused with 810 ml of FDP compared with FFP.

Conclusion

This first next‐generation FDP product preserves the potency and safety of FFP in a novel rugged, compressible, plastic container, for rapid transfusion, allowing rapid access to plasma in resuscitation protocols for therapy in acute traumatic hemorrhage.
Effect of Anatomical Sites on the Mechanical Properties of Spinal Dura Subjected to Biaxial Stretching
Authors: Tamura Atsutaka , Nishikawa Soichiro
Published: December 2021

The spinal cord is encased by spinal meninges called the pia, arachnoid, and dura maters. Among these membranes, the dura mater is the thick and outermost layer and is the toughest and strongest. Thus, mechanical failure of the dura mater can lead to spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks or hypovolemia, resulting in a complication or exacerbation of unfavorable symptoms involved in a mild traumatic brain injury. To develop protective equipment that can help prevent such injuries, accurate characterization of the spinal dura mater is required, especially regarding the mechanical properties at different anatomical sites. In this study, we used an equiload biaxial tensile tester to investigate the mechanical properties of porcine meningeal dura mater along the whole length of the spine. The resultant strain of the dorsal side was greater than that of the ventral side (P < 0.01), while the circumferential direction was significantly stiffer than the longitudinal direction (P < 0.01) at lower strains regardless of the spinal level. We also found that the material stiffness progressively increased from the cervical level to the thoracolumbar level at lower strains, which implies that the dura mater inherently possesses structurally preferred features or functions because the neck requires sufficient flexibility for daily activities. Further, Young's modulus was significantly less on the dorsal side than on the ventral side at higher strains (P < 0.05), suggesting that the dorsal side is readily elongated by spinal flexion even within the range of physiological motion.
The Effect of Surface Geometry of Solid Wall on the Collapse of a Cavitation Bubble
Authors: Sun Yurong , Du Yuxin , Yao Zhifeng , Zhong Qiang , Geng Siyuan , Wang Fujun
Published: December 2021

The objective of this paper is to reveal the influence of different surface geometric conditions on the dynamic behavior characteristics of a laser-induced bubble collapse. A high-speed camera system was used to record the oscillation process of the laser-induced bubble on plane solid walls with different roughness and a wall containing reentrant cavities full of water or gas. The focus is on the quantitative analysis of the morphological characteristics of the cavitation bubble near the solid wall under different surface forms during the first two oscillation periods. The results show that the dimensionless ratio γ, defined as the distance from the center of the bubble to the wall divided by the maximum radius of the bubble, has a great influence on the change of the cavitation shape in the direction of the vertical wall. Different surface geometries without gas in our cases have no significant effect on the collapse time of cavitation bubbles. While for the surface containing gas, the direction of movement of the bubble accompanying the microjet will greatly change during the collapse of the cavitation bubble, and the collapse time seems to be independent of the dimensionless ratio γ. These achievements shed the light for engineering to avoid the damage of the microjet caused by designing suitable surface geometry.
Time-Varying Formation Control for Heterogeneous Planar Underactuated Multivehicle Systems
Authors: Wang Bo , Nersesov Sergey G. , Ashrafiuon Hashem
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a distributed control approach for time-varying formation of heterogeneous planar underactuated vehicle networks without global position measurements. All vehicles in the network are modeled as generic three degree-of-freedom planar rigid bodies with two control inputs, and are allowed to have nonidentical dynamics. Feasible trajectories are generated for each vehicle using the nonholonomic constraints of the vehicle dynamics. By exploiting the cascaded structure of the planar vehicle model, a transformation is introduced to define the reduced order error dynamics, and then, a sliding-mode control law is proposed. Low-level controller for each vehicle is derived such that it only requires relative position and local motion information of its neighbors in a given directed communication network. The proposed formation control law guarantees the uniform global asymptotic stability (UGAS) of the closed-loop system subject to bounded uncertainties and disturbances. The proposed approach can be applied to underactuated vehicle networks consisting of mobile robots, surface vessels, and planar aircraft. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
A Constitutive Model of Human Dermis Skin Incorporating Different Collagen Fiber Families
Authors: Yuan Zhonghui , Huang Qinyi , Liang Xudong , Zhong Zheng
Published: December 2021

Skin tissue is a complex heterogeneous material abundant with fibers. Various models capturing its anisotropy, nonlinearity, and viscoelasticity have been developed. However, the existence of multiple fiber families and their differences have been largely ignored. Furthermore, inhomogeneous deformation over the thickness is observed in the skin under shear deformation, which the traditional skin models do not predict. In this paper, we propose that two fiber families with distinct mechanical and structural properties exist in the skin within the framework of a general structure tensor-based constitutive strain energy model. Our constitutive model considers fiber families’ distinct properties and the consequent inhomogeneous deformation in the skin, showing good agreement with in vivo measurements of human face skin.
Compensating for Soft-Tissue Artifact Using the Orientation of Distal Limb Segments During Electromagnetic Motion Capture of the Upper Limb
Authors: Bons Zachary , Dickinson Taylor , Clark Ryan , Beardsley Kari , Charles Steven K.
Published: December 2021

Most motion capture measurements suffer from soft-tissue artifacts (STA). Especially affected are rotations about the long axis of a limb segment, such as humeral internal-external rotation (HIER) and forearm pronation-supination (FPS). Unfortunately, most existing methods to compensate for STA were designed for optoelectronic motion capture systems. We present and evaluate an STA compensation method that (1) compensates for STA in HIER and/or FPS, (2) is developed specifically for electromagnetic motion capture systems, and (3) does not require additional calibration or data. To compensate for STA, calculation of HIER angles relies on forearm orientation, and calculation of FPS angles rely on hand orientation. To test this approach, we recorded whole-arm movement data from eight subjects and compared their joint angle trajectories calculated according to progressive levels of STA compensation. Compensated HIER and FPS angles were significantly larger than uncompensated angles. Although the effect of STA compensation on other joint angles (besides HIER and FPS) was usually modest, significant effects were seen in certain degrees-of-freedom under some conditions. Overall, the method functioned as intended during most of the range of motion of the upper limb, but it becomes unstable in extreme elbow extension and extreme wrist flexion–extension. Specifically, this method is not recommended for movements within 20 deg of full elbow extension, full wrist flexion, or full wrist extension. Since this method does not require additional calibration of data, it can be applied retroactively to data collected without the intent to compensate for STA.