bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting monoamine oxidase A for T cell–based cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Xi , Li Bo , Kim Yu Jeong , Wang Yu-Chen , Li Zhe , Yu Jiaji , Zeng Samuel , Ma Xiaoya , Choi In Young , Di Biase Stefano , Smith Drake J. , Zhou Yang , Li Yan-Ruide , Ma Feiyang , Huang Jie , Clarke Nicole , To Angela , Gong Laura , Pham Alexander T. , Moon Heesung , Pellegrini Matteo , Yang Lili
Published: May 2021

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) restrains antitumor T cell immunity, suggesting potential use of MAO-A inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy.
Host Genome-Wide Association Study of Infant Susceptibility toShigella-Associated Diarrhea
Authors: Duchen Dylan , Haque Rashidul , Chen Laura , Wojcik Genevieve , Korpe Poonum , Nayak Uma , Mentzer Alexander J. , Kirkpatrick Beth , Petri William A. , Duggal Priya
Published: May 2021

Shigellais a leading cause of moderate-to-severe diarrhea globally and the causative agent of shigellosis and bacillary dysentery. Associated with 80 to 165 million cases of diarrhea and >13% of diarrheal deaths, in many regions,Shigellaexposure is ubiquitous while infection is heterogenous.
Factors determining chance of type 2 diabetes remission after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: a nationwide cohort study in 8057 Swedish patients
Authors: Stenberg Erik , Olbers Torsten , Cao Yang , Sundbom Magnus , Jans Anders , Ottosson Johan , Naslund Erik , Näslund Ingmar
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Bariatric and metabolic surgery is an effective treatment option for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Increased knowledge regarding factors associated with diabetes remission is essential in individual decision making and could guide postoperative care. Therefore, we aimed to explore factors known to affect the chance of achieving diabetes remission after bariatric and metabolic surgery and to further investigate the impact of socioeconomic factors.

Research design and methods

In this nationwide study, we assessed all patients with T2D who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery between 2007 and 2015 in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. Remission was defined as absence of antidiabetic medication for T2D 2 years after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with diabetes remission, with missing data handled by multiple imputations.

Results

A total of 8057 patients were included. Mean age±SD was 47.4±10.1 years, mean body mass index 42.2±5.7 kg/m2, mean hemoglobin A1c 59.0±17.33, and 61.7% (n=4970) were women. Two years after surgery, 6211 (77.1%) patients achieved T2D remission. Preoperative insulin treatment (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.30), first-generation immigrant (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.77), duration of T2D (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.90), dyslipidemia (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.81), age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.97), and high glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99) were all associated with lower T2D remission rate. In contrast, residence in a medium-sized (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.61) or small (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.71) town and percentage of total weight loss (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.04) were associated with higher remission rates.

Conclusion

Among patients with T2D undergoing RYGB surgery, increasing age, HbA1c, and diabetes duration decreased the chance of reaching diabetes remission without cut-offs, while postoperative weight loss demonstrated a positive linear association. In addition, being a first-generation immigrant and living in a large city were socioeconomic factors having a negative association.
Effects on child growth of a reduction in the general food distribution ration and provision of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements in refugee camps in eastern Chad
Authors: Fenn Bridget , Myatt Mark , Mates Emily , Black Robert E , Wilkinson Caroline , Khara Tanya
Published: May 2021

Background

We used the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Standardised Expanded Nutrition Survey data to evaluate the effect of a change in food ration on child growth in refugee camps in eastern Chad.

Methods

We compared trends of wasting and stunting prevalence over time and the association between the coexistence of being both stunted and wasted using Pearson’s χ2test. We analysed the effect of an approximate 50% reduction in the general food distribution, with the introduction of a 20 g daily ration of small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements given to all children aged 6–23 months, on child growth. This was done using interrupted time-series analysis to observe differences in levels and trends in mean height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) over time and by age group (6–24 months and 24–59 months).

Results

Overall the prevalence of stunting and wasting decreased significantly over time. The odds of being both stunted and wasted was 1.38 higher than having one or the other condition separately (p<0.001, 95% CI=1.29 to 1.47). Trends in mean HAZ and WHZ before and after a ration change in 2014 indicate that growth had either slowed down or worsened. In the period following the ration change, children 24–59 months saw a significant decrease in mean HAZ of 0.04 per year (p=0.02, 95% CI=−0.07 to –0.01) and for the younger age group, there was a significant decrease in mean WHZ of 0.06 per year (p=0.03, 95% CI=−0.12 to –0.01).

Conclusions

The dual burden of stunting and wasting is a considerable challenge in refugee camp settings. Changes to the food distribution had adverse effects on child growth for both age groups. Broadening the scope of interventions aimed at children in camps is essential when tackling malnutrition with increased efforts essential during periods of wider food assistance shortages.
Single direct oral anticoagulant therapy in stable patients with atrial fibrillation beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation
Authors: Choi Young , Lee Yunhee , Kim Sung-Hwan , Kim Sunhwa , Kim Ju Youn , Kim Tae-Seok , Hwang Youmi , Kim Ji-Hoon , Jang Sung-Won , Lee Man Young , Oh Yong-Seog
Published: May 2021

Objective

Optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation has not been well established in the era of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC).

Methods

Using Korean National Health Insurance Service data, we analysed 4294 patients with AF who were prescribed DOAC beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation. Subjects were classified into the monotherapy group (DOAC single therapy, n=1221) or the combination therapy group (DOAC with an antiplatelet agent, n=3073). The primary ischaemic endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke or systemic thromboembolism. The secondary endpoints were all-cause death, major bleeding defined as a bleeding event requiring hospitalisation and net adverse clinical events. Propensity score matching was performed to balance baseline covariates.

Results

Among included patients, 94% had drug-eluting coronary stents. During a median follow-up of 19 (7–32) months, the monotherapy group had a similar risk of the primary ischaemic endpoint (HR 0.828, 95% CI 0.660 to 1.038) and all-cause death (HR 1.076, 95% CI 0.895 to 1.294) compared with the combination therapy group. Risk of major bleeding was lower in the monotherapy group (HR 0.690, 95% CI 0.481 to 0.989), which was mostly driven by reduced gastrointestinal bleeding (HR 0.562, 95% CI 0.358 to 0.883). There was no significant difference in net adverse clinical events between the two groups.

Conclusions

DOAC monotherapy showed similar efficacy in preventing ischaemic events and was associated with lower major bleeding events compared with combination therapy in patients with AF beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation.
Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide at 1 year predicts mortality in wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy
Authors: Law Steven , Petrie Aviva , Chacko Liza , Cohen Oliver C , Ravichandran Sriram , Gilbertson Janet A , Rowczenio Dorota , Wechalekar Ashutosh D , Martinez-Naharro Ana , Lachmann Helen J , Whelan Carol J , Hutt David F , Hawkins Philip N , Fontana Marianna , Gillmore Julian D
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (wtATTR-CM) is a progressive and fatal condition. Although prognosis can be determined at the time of diagnosis according to National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC) transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) stage, the clinical course varies substantially between individuals. There are currently no established measures of rate of disease progression. Through systematic analysis of functional, biochemical and echocardiographic disease-related variables we aimed to identify prognostic markers of disease progression in wtATTR-CM.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study of 432 patients with wtATTR-CM diagnosed at the UK NAC, none of whom received disease-modifying therapy. The association between mortality from the 12-month timepoint and change from diagnosis to 12 months in a variety of disease-related variables was explored using Cox regression.

Results

Change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration (∆ NT-proBNP) at 12 months from diagnosis was the strongest predictor of ongoing mortality and was independent of both change in other disease-related variables (HR 1.04 per 500 ng/L increase (95% CI 1.01 to 1.07); p=0.003) and a range of known prognostic variables at the time of diagnosis (HR 1.07 per 500 ng/L increase (95% CI 1.02 to 1.13); p=0.007). An increase in NT-proBNP of >500 ng/L, >1000 ng/L and >2000 ng/L during the first year of follow-up occurred in 45%, 35% and 16% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion

Change in NT-proBNP concentration during the first year of follow-up is a powerful independent predictor of mortality in wtATTR-CM.
Thermodynamic theory of irreversible processes and generalized hydrodynamics of fluids
Authors: Eu Byung Chan
Published: May 2021

In this article, a review is presented of the thermodynamic theory of irreversible processes, based on the Clausius inequality representative of the literal forms of the second law of thermodynamics as stated by Kelvin and Clausius. Generalized hydrodynamic equations in conformation to the law are presented for transport processes in fluids removed far from equilibrium. They generalize the Navier–Stokes–Fourier hydrodynamics to flows of nonlinear irreversible processes.
ARE THE BEGINNING AND ENDING PHASES OF EPIDEMICS CHARACTERIZED BY THE NEXT GENERATION MATRICES? – A CASE STUDY OF DRUG-SENSITIVE AND RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS MODEL
Authors: YANG HYUN MO
Published: May 2021

In epidemiological modeling, the basic reproduction number is usually defined as being the spectral radius of the next-generation matrix evaluated at the trivial equilibrium. The global stability of the trivial equilibrium point was determined by the left eigenvector associated with that next-generation matrix. More recently, the fraction of susceptible individuals was also obtained from the next generation matrix. The gross reproduction number and the fraction of susceptible individuals were calculated by revisiting the drug-sensitive and resistant tuberculosis model. Hence, the next-generation matrices shed light on the evolution of the dynamics: the beginning of the epidemic via the basic reproduction number and approaching the epidemic’s steady-state via the susceptible individuals’ asymptotic fraction.
Sensitive Detection of Aqueous Methanol by Electrochemical Route Using Mesoporous α-Fe2O3 Doped CdSe Nanostructures Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Abdullah M. M. , Faisal M. , Ahmed Jahir , Harraz Farid A. , Jalalah Mohammed , Alsareii S. A.
Published: May 2021

The proper coupling of different semiconductor nanostructures is a promising strategy to enhance the electrocatalytic activity for better performance of chemical sensor-based electrodes. Herein, we demonstrate the successful combination of mesoporous iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) doped cadmium selenide (CdSe) semiconducting nanocomposite for the sensitive detection of liquid methanol by the electrochemical technique. The active nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile modified sol-gel method in the presence of Pluronic F127 as a structure-directing agent, followed by a simple sono-chemical procedure. The structural, elemental, and morphological features of the as-synthesized α-Fe2O3/CdSe nanocomposite were fully characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the purity, crystallinity and nanoscale dimension of synthesized materials. Compared to bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) or CdSe modified GCE, the newly developed nanocomposite modified GCE with structure (α-Fe2O3−CdSe/Nafion/GCE) was found to be superior in methanol sensing. Outstanding sensor sensitivity of 0.2744 μAmM−1 cm−2, low limit of detection (LOD) at (S/N = 3) = 0.041 ± 0.005 mM and a wide dynamic range from 0.2 up to 800 mM have been obtained. The current electrode system exhibited also good operational stability, reproducibility, and repeatability during methanol sensing. The current research findings indicate the possible potential application of current nanocomposite as an efficient electrochemical sensor for other target analytes.
Review—Bipolar Plates for the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Satola Barbara
Published: May 2021

Bipolar plates are one of the key components of vanadium redox flow batteries. They electrically conduct and physically separate adjacent cells in series and provide structural support to the stack. Bipolar plates are exposed to harsh conditions due to the acidic vanadium electrolyte and high potential differences which occur in vanadium redox flow batteries. Therefore, the material needs to fulfil good electrical conductivity, sufficient impermeability and mechanical stability as well as long-term chemical and electrochemical resistivity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon-polymer based composites which are preferentially applied for bipolar plates in the vanadium redox flow battery. It addresses the composite materials, their production, properties, degradation mechanisms, designs and costs. In addition, it covers challenges and potentials for further development and optimization.
Do Not Miss the Tumor: A Novel Presentation of Osteosarcoma
Authors: DePalma Michael , Gupta Sachin , Nguyen Jie , Talwar Divya , Arkader Alexandre , Wells Lawrence
Published: May 2021

Antalgic gait is a common clinical presentation among pediatric patients and can have many different etiologies, with rare life-threatening etiologies including primary bone malignancies. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone in pediatric and adolescent patients. The incidence rate of osteosarcoma has been reported as high as 5 to 7 per million among patients 19 years old or younger with males slightly more affected than females and African-Americans more than other racial groups. This report describes the case of a five-year-old African-American female who presented with an antalgic gait secondary to osteosarcoma in the left distal femur and follows her through treatment. In this case, the age is atypical as the peak incidence for osteosarcoma is around 16 years of age and is postulated to coincide with growth spurts. Osteosarcoma can have a range of presentations making it difficult to diagnose, which can cause delays in treatment and potential poor patient outcomes. Due to this, such a diagnosis must be included in the differential for patients presenting with antalgic gait. Because primary-care physicians and pediatricians may be the first medical providers to encounter patients with osteosarcoma, it is imperative that such clinicians are familiar with the signs and symptoms associated with osteosarcomas in order to reduce the risk of metastasis and disease progression and prevent treatment delays. Additionally, we believe these clinicians should have a low threshold to refer patients to orthopedists or oncologic specialists in the cases of persistent pain or inconsistencies with history, physical exam, and diagnostic studies. Finally, direct communication and discussion between radiologists and referring clinicians helps decrease delays in diagnosing of osteosarcoma and other life-threatening conditions.
Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Demagnetizing Rotor of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Zhou Bifeng , Tang Guoning , Luo Yiping
Published: May 2021

This study performs a dynamic modeling and analysis of the axial uniform demagnetization rotor of a motor to investigate the demagnetization peculiar for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). First, the air‐gap change in the motor is analyzed by constructing a dual coordinate system of stator and rotor, and the unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) model under uniform demagnetization and eccentricity is constructed. Second, combined with the UMP and the self‐gravity, a dynamic model of the rotor under a uniform demagnetization and eccentricity is established. Lastly, the accuracy of the mathematical model of UMP under uniform demagnetization and eccentricity is confirmed by the mutual corroboration of Maxwell simulation and MATLAB calculation; and based on the dynamics model, the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system under different degrees of uniform demagnetization are studied. This study provides a theoretical basis for the accurate demagnetization fault diagnosis and vibration control of PMSMs in the future.
Direct Position Determination with Single Sensor Based on Signal Periodicity
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wang Ding , Gao Lu , Yang Bin
Published: May 2021

Due to practical limitations on size and cost, aerial vehicles generally cannot equip complicated sensors to form sensor array for target localization. In this paper, we investigate the direct position determination (DPD) of stationary source via single moving sensor. First, we analyze artificial signal structure and construct the DPD model with the frame periodicity of artificial signal. The model incorporates Doppler information extracted from both transformation frames and adjacent samples into target localization. Secondly, we consider the effect of oscillator instability and present an iterative solution for joint estimation of target location and phase noise caused by oscillator imperfection. The proposed technique fully exploits periodic structure of artificial wireless signal, which leads to significant enhancement in localization performance. Both theoretical analysis and simulations are presented to confirm its effectiveness.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on Shaped Charge Warhead of Guided Ammunition
Authors: Ma Guangsong , He Guanglin
Published: May 2021

To study the jet penetration capability of shaped charge warhead of guided ammunition, a variable cone angle‐shaped charge liner was designed. LS‐DYNA software is used to simulate the penetration capability of shaped charge warhead with three different metal materials (copper, steel, and aluminum). Numerical simulation results show that the velocity of the shaped charge jet formed by the three kinds of materials is valuminum > vcopper > vsteel, and the residual velocity after penetration is Vsteel > Valuminum > Vcopper, the time when the jet starts to break is tcopper > tsteel > taluminum, and the penetration completion time is Tcopper < Taluminum < Tsteel; therefore, according to the numerical simulation results, copper was selected as the liner material, and the principle prototype is made for the experiment. The results of numerical simulation and experiment show that the shaped charge warhead with copper shaped charge liner has good penetration ability and after‐effect damage ability to steel target after penetrating the guidance section, steering gear section, and control section.
β-Cell Function and Clinical Outcome in Nondiabetic Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kiyohara Takuya , Matsuo Ryu , Hata Jun , Nakamura Kuniyuki , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Kamouchi Masahiro , Kitazono Takanari , Ago Tetsuro , Ishitsuka Takao , Ibayashi Setsuro , Kusuda Kenji , Fujii Kenichiro , Nagao Tetsuhiko , Okada Yasushi , Yasaka Masahiro , Hiroaki Ooboshi , Omae Tsuyoshi , Toyoda Kazunori , Nakane Hiroshi , Sugimori Hiroshi , Arakawa Shuji , Fukuda Kenji , Kitayama Jiro , Fujimoto Shigeru , Arihiro Shoji , Kuroda Junya , Fukushima Yoshihisa , Kumai Yasuhiro , Matsuo Ryu
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:

Little is known about how β-cell dysfunction affects clinical outcome after ischemic stroke. We examined whether β-cell function is associated with clinical outcome after acute ischemic stroke and if so, whether insulin resistance influences this association in a prospective study of patients with acute stroke.

Methods:

A total of 3590 nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke (mean age, 71 years) were followed up for 3 months. β-Cell function was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment for β-cell function (HOMA-β). Study outcomes were poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 3–6) and stroke recurrence at 3 months after stroke onset and neurological deterioration (≥2-point increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score) at discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between quintile levels of serum HOMA-β and clinical outcomes.

Results:

The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios for poor functional outcome and neurological deterioration increased significantly with decreasing HOMA-β levels (
P
for trend, <0.001 and 0.001, respectively). These associations became more prominent after adjustment for HOMA-insulin resistance and were substantially unchanged even after further adjustment for other confounders, namely, body mass index, dyslipidemia, hypertension, estimated glomerular filtration rate, stroke subtype, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission, and reperfusion therapy (odds ratio [95% CI] for the first versus fifth quintile of HOMA-β, 3.30 [2.15–5.08] for poor functional outcome and 10.69 [4.99–22.90] for neurological deterioration). Such associations were not observed for stroke recurrence. In stratified analysis for the combination of HOMA-β and HOMA-insulin resistance levels, lower HOMA-β and higher HOMA-insulin resistance levels were independently associated with increased risks of poor functional outcome and neurological deterioration.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that β-cell dysfunction is significantly associated with poor short-term clinical outcome independently of insulin resistance in nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.
On the Emergence of Intersexual Selection: Arbitrary Trait Preference Improves Female-Male Coevolution
Authors: Bull Larry
Published: May 2021

Sexual selection is a fundamental aspect of evolution for all eukaryotic organisms with mating types. This article suggests intersexual selection is best viewed as a mechanism with which to compensate for the unavoidable dynamics of coevolution between sexes that emerge with isogamy. Using the NKCS model it is shown by varying fitness landscape size, ruggedness, and connectedness, how a purely arbitrary trait preference sexual selection mechanism proves beneficial with high dependence between the sexes. This is found to be the case whether one or both sexes exploit such intersexual selection.
Daughters of the Revolution: Negotiating Filial Piety in Post-2011 Egypt
Authors: Amin Nareman
Published: May 2021

Based on interviews conducted in 2018 and 2019 with young middle-class Muslim Egyptians, this article demonstrates how a political event such as the Egyptian revolution of 2011 can cause a shift in family relations and notions of filial piety, especially for young women. I argue that the revolution gave my female interlocutors the ability to question aspects of the social and religious structures in which they grew up, including parental authority. I analyze in-depth the cases of three women who were disappointed in their parents’ use of the religious moral mandate of obedience to and respect for parents (birr al-wālidayn) to discourage their daughters from participating in what the women believed was a just, moral cause. This moral dissonance did not push the young women to resist their familial obligations or subvert relational hierarchies, but they have negotiated the parameters of their subordination to their parents, including how to be dutiful daughters.
Cladistic analysis and taxonomic review of the millipede tribe Arthrosolaenomeridini Hoffman, 1976 (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)
Authors: BOUZAN RODRIGO SALVADOR , INIESTA LUIZ FELIPE M. , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO DOMINGOS
Published: May 2021

Chelodesmidae is one of the most diverse families belonging to the Polydesmida, comprising almost 800 described species distributed in 172 genera, 20 tribes and two subfamilies. Among the tribes within the Neotropical subfamily Chelodesminae, Arthrosolaenomeridini represents a very interesting group occurring in the Central-West region of Brazil. Currently the tribe contains three genera: Arthrosolaenomeris Schubart, 1943, Gangugia Schubart, 1947, and Angelodesmus Schubart, 1962. In this study, we conducted a cladistic analysis including 18 species of Arthrosolaenomeridini and 7 species of other associated Chelodesminae tribes as an outgroup. The matrix is composed of 64 morphological characters from which 39 are herein proposed for the first time. The data were analyzed under the parsimony criterion using TNT 1.5. Based on the results, Arthrosolaenomeridini was recovered as monophyletic with Macrocoxodesmini + Telonychopodini as sister group. Arthrosolaenomeris Schubart, 1943 and Gangugia Schubart, 1947 were recovered as monophyletics. The genus Angelodesmus Schubart, 1962 was recovered as paraphyletic and redefined as monotypic. The tribe is now composed of the genera Arthrosolaenomeris (6 spp.), Gangugia (6 spp.), Angelodesmus (monotypic), Abiliodesmus n. gen. (4 spp.) and Folcloredesmus n. gen. (monotypic). In addition, we conduct a taxonomic revision of the tribe Arthrosolaenomeridini providing detailed redescriptions, drawings, and distribution maps for all species and genera, including the two new genera and the ten new species proposed: Arthrosolaenomeris saci n. sp.; A. curupira n. sp.; A. caipora n. sp.; A. iara n. sp.; Gangugia boitata n. sp.; G. cuca n. sp.; G. boto n. sp.; G. mula n. sp.; Abiliodesmus mapinguari n. sp. and Folcloredesmus thomasi n. sp. Furthermore, we include an identification key to all the genera and species.
Raja mauritaniensis: a replacement name for Raja africana Capapé, 1977 (Rajiformes: Rajidae), a junior homonym of Raja africana Bloch & Schneider, 1801 (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T. , FRICKE RONALD
Published: May 2021

Raja africana Capapé, 1977 is a primary junior synonym of Raja africana Bloch & Schneider, 1801 and therefore permanently invalid (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, article 57.2) and must be replaced. Raja africana Bloch & Schneider, 1801 was first described by Bloch & Schneider (1801: 367), based on a specimen from Guinea, West Africa (eastern Atlantic Ocean). The unique holotype is extant in the Zoologisches Museum of the Humboldt University, Berlin (ZMB 7837, a partial dry skin). The species was treated as valid as Urogymnus africanus (Bloch & Schneider 1801) by Compagno & Roberts (1984: 285), but later synonymized with Urogymnus asperrimus (Bloch & Schneider 1801) in the subfamily Urogymninae of the family Dasyatidae (Myliobatiformes) by Compagno (1986: 141), Capapé & Desoutter (1990: 63) and Séret (2016: 1418). It is widespread in the eastern Atlantic, Red Sea and Indo–West Pacific.
Three new species of Hyalella (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from the Southern Brazilian Coastal Plain
Authors: TALHAFERRO JORDAN TUPARAI , BUENO ALESSANDRA ANGÉLICA DE PÁDUA , PIRES MATEUS MARQUES , STENERT CRISTINA , MALTCHIK LEONARDO , KOTZIAN CARLA BENDER
Published: May 2021

In this study, three new species of Hyalella (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) are described based on specimens collected in wetlands located in three freshwater ecoregions (Southeastern Mata Atlântica, Tramandaí-Mampituba and Laguna dos Patos) of the southern Brazilian Coastal Plain (states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina). Hyalella minuana n. sp. was recorded in the southernmost region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This species is characterized by presenting smooth body surface, epimeral plates not acuminated, nine serrate setae on the inner face of gnathopod 1, and peduncle of uropod 3 with four cuspidate setae with accessory seta and without plumose seta on the margin of the telson. Hyalella lagoana n. sp. was recorded in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul and southern region of Santa Catarina. This species shows body surface smooth, epimeral plates not acuminated, nine serrate setae on the inner face of gnathopod 1, peduncle of uropod 3 with five cuspidate setae with accessory seta, and telson with six cuspidate setae with accessory seta without plumose seta on the margins. Hyalella sambaqui n. sp. was recorded in the state of Santa Catarina. This species is characterized by presenting smooth body surface, epimeral plates not acuminated, six serrate setae on the inner face of gnathopod 1, peduncle of uropod 3 with three cuspidate setae with accessory seta, and telson with three cuspidate setae with accessory seta and four plumose setae on the margin of the telson.                The new records elevates the known diversity of species of Hyalella in the Brazilian territory to 33 species (19 in the southern Brazilian region) and to 83 species in the Americas.
Saturation of the internal tide over the inner continental shelf. Part I: Observations
Authors: Becherer Johannes , Moum James N. , Calantoni Joseph , Colosi John A. , Barth John A. , Lerczak James A. , McSweeney Jacqueline M. , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , Waterhouse Amy F.
Published: May 2021

Broadly-distributed measurements of velocity, density and turbulence spanning the inner shelf off central California indicate that (i) the average shoreward-directed internal tide energy flux (〈FE〉) decreases to near 0 at the 25 m isobath; (ii) the vertically-integrated turbulence dissipation rate (〈D〉) is approximately equal to the flux divergence of internal tide energy (∂x〈FE〉); (iii) the ratio of turbulence energy dissipation in the interior relative to the bottom boundary layer (BBL) decreases toward shallow waters; (iv) going inshore, 〈FE〉 becomes decorrelated with the incoming internal wave energy flux; and (v) 〈FE〉 becomes increasingly correlated with stratification toward shallower water.
Evaluation of the Skill of Monthly Precipitation Forecasts from Global Prediction Systems over the Greater Horn of Africa
Authors: Endris Hussen Seid , Hirons Linda , Segele Zewdu Tessema , Gudoshava Masilin , Woolnough Steve , Artan Guleid A.
Published: May 2021

The skill of precipitation forecasts from global prediction systems has a strong regional and seasonal dependence. Quantifying the skill of models for different regions and time scales is important, not only to improve forecast skill, but to enhance the effective uptake of forecast information. The Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction project (S2S) database contains near-real-time forecasts and reforecasts from 11 operational centers and provides a great opportunity to evaluate and compare the skill of operational S2S systems. This study evaluates the skill of these state-of-the-art global prediction systems in predicting monthly precipitation over the Greater Horn of Africa. This comprehensive evaluation was performed using deterministic and probabilistic forecast verification metrics. Results from the analysis showed that the prediction skill varies with months and region. Generally, the models show high prediction skill during the start of the rainfall season in March and lower prediction skill during the peak of the rainfall in April. ECCC, ECMWF, KMA, NCEP, and UKMO show better prediction skill over the region for most of the months compared with the rest of the models. Conversely, BoM, CMA, HMCR, and ISAC show poor prediction skill over the region. Overall, the ECMWF model performs best over the region among the 11 models analyzed. Importantly, this study serves as a baseline skill assessment with the findings helping to inform how a subset of models could be selected to construct an objectively consolidated multimodel ensemble of S2S forecast products for the Greater Horn of Africa region, as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization.
An Experimental Analogue Evaluation of Asian and Asian Americans’ Immediate Reactions to Therapist Microaggressions
Authors: Kuo Patty B. , Imel Zac E. , Tao Karen W.
Published: May 2021

Microaggressions are subtle, everyday exchanges that convey discriminatory messages. In psychotherapy, client reports of microaggressions are negatively associated with important therapeutic processes and outcomes. However, many studies are retrospective and correlational, and cannot establish the causal impact of specific therapist statements. In this study, Asian and Asian American participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk ( N = 66) watched a brief animated counseling vignette, and were randomly assigned to four types of therapist responses to the client (control, subtle, moderate, and overt microaggressions). We assessed emotional reactions, perceptions of the session, and offensiveness of therapist statements. In general, moderate and overt microaggressions were rated much more negatively (Cohen’s d’s > 1.0) than subtle microaggressions or control statements (which were not significantly different from each other on any measure). We discuss implications for research, practice, and training.
Which are the intermediate determinants of gender inequalities in mental health?: A scoping review
Authors: Cabezas-Rodríguez Andrea , Utzet Mireia , Bacigalupe Amaia
Published: May 2021

Background:

Gender segmentation in the labour market and women’s greater burden of domestic work and caregiving increase their risk of developing mental health problems, especially in vulnerable social groups.

Aims:

The objectives of this study were to identify and describe the role of working and labour conditions, domestic work and caregiving and social support in gender inequalities in mental health, as well as to assess whether studies have taken an intersectional approach, describing its role in gender inequalities in mental health.

Methods:

We carried out a systematic review of scientific articles published between 2010 and 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, WoS and PsycInfo, in Spanish and English, conducted in the European Economic Area in populations aged between 25 and 65 years. Studies were excluded if they were qualitative, focused on sexual identity or factors based on biological differences, or considered use of medical services, medicalisation or suicide as the outcome variable.

Results:

A total of 30 articles were included, of which only four concerned studies in which intersectional analysis had been performed. The mental health of men was seen to be more influenced by employment conditions and that of women by working conditions, the double presence and civil status. Further, depending on the size of the household (women) and unemployment (men), people in lower social classes had poorer mental health outcomes.

Conclusions:

The results may be useful for designing policies focused on reducing gender inequalities in mental health. Additionally, they show the need for taking an intersectional perspective.
Culture of Care Enhancement in Egypt: The Impact of Laboratory Animal Science Training on Participants’ Attitudes
Authors: Hosney Mohamed , Badr Abeer M. , Fahmy Sohair R. , Afifi Ahmed , Baumans Vera , Gaafar Khadiga M.
Published: May 2021

Cairo University was the first academic institution in Egypt to establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), as mandated by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Animal-based research should be performed in accordance with international regulations to monitor the humane care and use of the laboratory animals. Until 2018, the formal training of researchers in the appropriate and correct methods of animal handling during sampling and administration, as well as their husbandry demands, was an uncommon practice in Egypt. In 2018, the Egyptian Association for Animal Research Advancement (EAARA) organised the first international course in laboratory animal science (LAS), in collaboration with Utrecht University (The Netherlands) and the Faculty of Science, Cairo University, to raise researchers’ awareness and increase their knowledge of the principles that govern the humane use and care of laboratory animals. A total of 26 researchers from a number of fields (veterinary medicine, dentistry, science, medicine, pharmacy and agriculture) enrolled in the course. In the responses to the post-course questionnaire, 24 (92.3%) participants stated that the principles of animal welfare (Three Rs) were well explained. In addition, 18 (69%) participants found that the course improved their skills in animal sampling and handling. Of the 26 participants, 22 (84.6%) became aware of their responsibility towards their experimental animals and agreed that the different methods of euthanasia were well explained. In conclusion, the general assessment of the course revealed a positive outcome regarding the culture of animal care; the course was repeated a year later, and several participants were enlisted as trainers in this second course.
Evidence for complementary effects of code- and knowledge-focused reading instruction
Authors: Vollebregt Meghan , Leggett Jana , Raffalovitch Sherry , King Colin , Friesen Deanna , Archibald Lisa MD
Published: May 2021

There is growing recognition of the need to end the debate regarding reading instruction in favor of an approach that provides a solid foundation in phonics and other underlying language skills to become expert readers. We advance this agenda by providing evidence of specific effects of instruction focused primarily on the written code or on developing knowledge. In a grade 1 program evaluation study, an inclusive and comprehensive program with a greater code-based focus called Reading for All (RfA) was compared to a knowledge-focused program involving Dialogic Reading. Phonological awareness, letter word recognition, nonsense word decoding, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written expression and vocabulary were measured at the beginning and end of the school year, and one year after in one school only. Results revealed improvements in all measures except listening comprehension and vocabulary for the RfA program at the end of the first school year. These gains were maintained for all measures one year later with the exception of an improvement in written expression. The Dialogic Reading group was associated with a specific improvement in vocabulary in schools from lower socioeconomic contexts. Higher scores were observed for RfA than Dialogic Reading groups at the end of the first year on nonsense word decoding, phonological awareness and written expression, with the differences in the latter two remaining significant one year later. The results provide evidence of the need for interventions to support both word recognition and linguistic comprehension to better reading comprehension.
In the smoke of the people’s opium: The influence of religious beliefs and activities on protest participation
Authors: Suh Chan S
Published: May 2021

How does religion shape individual decisions to participate in protests? On the one hand, past literature from Tocqueville’s perspective has suggested that people’s involvement in religious activities leads to engagement in civic activities. On the other hand, the Marxist approach has pointed to the possibility that one’s religious belief may rather lead to decreasing participation in civil society. Combining these two conflicting perspectives, this study examines the influence of religious beliefs and activities on protest participation, an increasingly important form of civic participation in contemporary times. Using the World Values Survey across 48 countries, the author’s findings provide support for the Marxist approach by suggesting that people’s religious beliefs are significantly and negatively associated with one’s participation in protests especially in non-Western religions. Additionally, while the results fail to support the Tocquevillian perspective that one’s religious activities are directly related to protest participation, religious activities do have a countervailing effect by minimizing the negative influence of religious beliefs people hold on protest participation. This study provides important implications to further our understanding on the paradoxical relationship between religion and civic participation.
Effect of Exercise Intensity on the Healing of the Bone-Tendon Interface: A Mouse Rotator Cuff Injury Model Study
Authors: Chen Huabin , Li Shengcan , Xiao Han , Wu Bing , Zhou Li , Hu Jianzhong , Lu Hongbin
Published: May 2021

Background:

Injuries at the bone-tendon interface (BTI) are common findings in clinical practice. Rehabilitation procedures after BTI surgery are important but are controversial.

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of different exercise intensities on BTI healing by means of an established mouse rotator cuff injury model.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 150 specific pathogen free male C57BL/6 mice, with supraspinatus insertion injury, were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups according to postoperative rehabilitation of different exercise intensities: (1) control group, (2) low-intensity exercise group, (3) moderate-intensity exercise group, (4) high-intensity exercise group, and (5) increasing-intensity exercise group (IG). The specimens were harvested 4 or 8 weeks postoperatively for microarchitectural, histological, molecular biological, and mechanical evaluations.

Results:

Histological test results showed that the degrees of tissue fusion and polysaccharide protein distribution at the healing interface at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery were significantly better in the IG than in the other 4 groups. Synchrotron radiation micro–computed tomography showed that the quantity of subchondral bone at the enthesis (bone volume/total volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number) was higher and trabecular separation was lower in the IG than in the other 4 groups. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that the healing interface in the IG expressed more transcription factors, such as sox 9, runx 2, and scleraxis, than the interfaces in the other groups. Although no significant difference was seen in the cross-sectional area between the groups at postoperative weeks 4 and 8 ( P > .05), the tensile load, ultimate strength, and stiffness of the specimens in the IG were significantly better than those in the other 4 groups ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

The rehabilitation program with increasing-intensity exercise was beneficial for BTI healing.

Clinical Relevance:

The results of this study provide evidence supporting the use of a simple and progressive exercise rehabilitation program after rotator cuff surgery.
Life cycle assessment applied to waste management in Italy: A mini-review of characteristics and methodological perspectives for local assessment
Authors: Camana Daniela , Toniolo Sara , Manzardo Alessandro , Piron Mirco , Scipioni Antonio
Published: May 2021

Life cycle assessment (LCA) and related tools are commonly used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of waste treatment scenarios. This manuscript presents a mini-review of studies published over the last 10 years in Italy and aims to investigate how life cycle thinking tools are applied to assess the environmental sustainability of local-level waste policies. Results reveal that different waste flows, technologies and policies have been investigated independently and in varying detail. Review suggests that boundary selection significantly affects LCA results; integration of different waste systems is therefore crucial to avoid spatial or temporal shifts of environmental impacts. Moreover, the description of methodological characteristics, limitations and transversal aspects of Italian waste management studies allows various stakeholders to assess the reliability of past and future research for waste policy planning and rebound effects prevention. This review also highlights the need to define minimum requirements of transparency and ease of reporting of the studies to private and public stakeholders. Finally, the paper investigates whether using both the organisational LCA and the life cycle sustainability approach for the overall waste management process may be useful to develop a standard method to address multi-functionalities and multiple sites.
Services and surveillance during the pandemic lockdown: Residents’ committees in Wuhan and Beijing
Authors: Yang Zhenjie , Zhu Guilan , Li Linda Chelan , Sheng Yilong
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lockdown of Wuhan, and strict control was imposed in many major Chinese cities, including the national capital of Beijing. Residents’ committee workers at the grass-roots level have played a critical role in the enforcement of the government’s pandemic prevention and control measures, through their day-to-day service and surveillance as local community managers. This article examines their work in Wuhan and Beijing neighbourhoods during the most critical periods of the outbreak, from late January to June 2020, and the challenges the workers faced as executors of the government’s community-based prevention policy. The two cities have developed different community strategies because of very different epidemiological situations and city functions.
A fuzzy-inference-based reinforcement learning method of overtaking decision making for automated vehicles
Authors: Wu Qiong , Cheng Shuo , Li Liang , Yang Fan , Meng Li Jun , Fan Zhi Xian , Liang Hua Wei
Published: May 2021

Intelligent decision control is one key issue of automated vehicles. Complex dynamic traffic flow and multi-requirement of passengers including vehicle safety, comfort, vehicle efficiency bring about tremendous challenges to vehicle decision making. Overtaking maneuver is a demanding task due to its large potential of traffic collision. Therefore, this paper proposes a fuzzy-inference-based reinforcement learning (FIRL) approach of autonomous overtaking decision making. Firstly, the problem of overtaking is formulated as a multi-objective Markov decision process (MDP) considering vehicle safety, driving comfort, and vehicle efficiency. Secondly, a temporal difference learning based on dynamic fuzzy (DF-TDL) is presented to learn optimized policies for autonomous overtaking decision making. Fuzzy inference is introduced to deal with continuous states and boost learning process. The RL algorithm decides whether to overtake or not based on the learned policies. Then, the automated vehicle executes local path planning and tracking. Furthermore, a simulation platform based on simulation of urban mobility (SUMO) is established to generate the random training data, that is, various traffic flows for algorithm iterative learning and validate the proposed method, extensive test results demonstrate the effectiveness of the overtaking decision-making method.