bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyaniline based polymers in tissue engineering applications: a review
Authors: Rai Ranjana , Roether Judith A , Boccaccini Aldo R
Published: September 2022

A number of electrically conducting polymers, such as polyaniline (PANi), as well as functionalized aniline copolymers and composites, which are simultaneously biodegradable and conductive, have been applied for developing electrically conductive scaffolds for tissue engineering (TE) in recent years. The rationale behind these scaffolds is to induce ‘electroactivity’ in scaffolds, as many research works have shown that an intrinsic electrical activity leads to both increased regeneration rates and improved healing of damaged tissues. PANi is the conductive polymer of choice because it is economical and easy to process with a variety of methods. The resultant PANi based biomaterials have shown biocompatibility, conductivity, suitable processability, positive cellular response, as well as an intrinsic antibacterial effect in numerous research studies. The analysis of the literature has revealed that PANi based scaffolds have been investigated for TE applications including skin/wound healing, bone, cartilage, nerve/spinal cord, vascular, skeletal muscle repair and for the treatment of infertility. Although PANi based materials find widespread applications in other sectors, they are still far away from being commercially exploited as scaffolds for TE despite positive research results. This review aims to discuss and critically assess the current state of PANi based TE scaffolds for different applications. A future perspective for utilizing PANi based biomaterials for applications in TE is discussed, including recent considerations about potential cytotoxic effects.
Modelling and statistical analysis of emotions in 3D space
Authors: Garg Divya , Verma Gyanendra Kumar , Singh Awadhesh Kumar
Published: September 2022

Emotional Intelligence provides an impetus for simulating human emotions in systems to make emotionally-sensitive machines. Integrating emotion-based theories and principles maturing with research in affective computing, we propose a novel statistical approach that can evaluate the correlation between different emotional states. It provides a way specialists can address the development of the entire passion experience, as reviewed through self-report. We also represent a three-dimensional model that can accommodate affect variabilities and analyze the distribution of affective states in valence, arousal, and dominance. The main idea is that human emotions can be quantified by measuring their degree of emotions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first step in this direction, and we have proposed and successfully implemented it to induce feelings in robots and games.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Crisis Analysis
Authors: Stern Eric
Published: September 2022

85 long form essays

Contemporary societies are increasingly crisis-prone, and crises have profound implications for the rapidly changing political, economic, and social landscape. Crises pose major challenges to governments, communities, leaders, and organizations. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Crisis Analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly emerging and evolving field of crisis studies and explores its connection to several relevant neighboring fields of knowledge. Crises are complex, unfold in diverse political and socio-technical contexts, and must be studied and understood from multiple angles and disciplinary perspectives. This Encyclopedia brings together contributions by experts from political science, public administration, management, international relations, public health, sociology, economics, media and mass communications, the law, and many other fields to explore important theoretical, methodological, empirical, and practical issues related to crisis and crisis management. Articles focus on concepts (crisis as well as closely related concepts such as emergency, disaster, resilience, security etc.), contingencies (natural hazards, major accidents, pandemics, terrorism, social and political conflict among many others), historical and contemporary cases, classic and cutting edge research methods, different “phases” of the crisis/emergency management cycle, as well as documenting a wide range of pitfalls and good practices that can help to forewarn and forearm current and future crisis managers.

The 85 essays in this Encyclopedia fall into six main categories: Theory, Concepts, Metatheory and Methodology, Crisis Governance and Regional Perspectives, Bridging Gaps, and Cases & the Evolving Socio-Technical Context. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Crisis Analysis is a key reference for anyone involved in the study, research, or practice of crisis and emergency analysis and management.
Maternal Health, Pregnancy and Offspring Factors, and Maternal Thyroid Cancer Risk: A Nordic Population-Based Registry Study
Authors: Kitahara Cari M , Slettebø Daltveit Dagrun , Ekbom Anders , Engeland Anders , Gissler Mika , Glimelius Ingrid , Grotmol Tom , Trolle Lagerros Ylva , Madanat-Harjuoja Laura , Männistö Tuija , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Troisi Rebecca , Bjørge Tone
Published: September 2022

Thyroid cancer incidence is higher in women than men, especially during the reproductive years, for reasons that remain poorly understood. Using population-based registry data from 4 Nordic countries through 2015, we examined associations of perinatal characteristics with risk of maternal thyroid cancer. Cases were women diagnosed with thyroid cancer ≥2 years after last birth (n = 7,425, 83% papillary). Cases were matched to controls (n = 67,903) by mother’s birth year, country, and county of residence. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models adjusting for parity. Older age at first pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 1.18, 95% (confidence interval) CI: 1.08, 1.29), and benign thyroid conditions (ORs ranging from 1.64 for hypothyroidism to 10.35 for thyroid neoplasms) were associated with increased thyroid cancer risk, as were higher offspring birth weight (per 1-kg increase, OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.22) and higher likelihood of offspring being large for gestational age (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.43). Unmarried/noncohabiting status (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.98), maternal smoking (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.84), and preterm birth (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.98) were associated with reduced risk. Several factors (e.g., older age at first pregnancy, maternal smoking, goiter, benign neoplasms, postpartum hemorrhage, hyperemesis gravidarum, and neonatal jaundice) were associated with advanced thyroid cancer. These findings suggest that some perinatal exposures may influence maternal thyroid cancer risk.
Effects of habitat disturbance on the reproductive ecology of Arum pictum ssp. sagittifolium: from pollination to seedling recruitment
Authors: Borràs Joshua , Lázaro Amparo , González-Estévez Miguel A , Cursach Joana
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

The loss of natural habitats may strongly affect the fitness of plants that depend on animals for reproduction. However, very little is known regarding the differential effects of habitat disturbance on the distinct phases of the reproductive cycle of plants, especially in non-rewarding species.

Methods

We assessed the effects of habitat disturbance on the entire reproductive cycle of Arum pictum ssp. sagittifolium, a species with deceptive pollination that is endemic to the western Mediterranean Basin. For this, we performed hand-pollination and bagging experiments, evaluated the role of pollinators and dispersers on reproduction, and estimated seedling recruitment in three natural and three disturbed populations (according to their surrounding natural habitat) in Mallorca Island.

Key Results

Pollinators were sphaerocerid flies (mainly Coproica, with ~50 % of visits) and staphylinid beetles, and were required for sexual reproduction. Habitat disturbance differently affected the reproductive phases of A. pictum ssp. sagittifolium. Habitat disturbance had a positive effect on Shannon pollinator diversity (but not on pollinator richness), and total pollinator and Coproica abundance were three times higher in disturbed habitats, where overall seed production was also ~30 % higher in natural habitats. Seed production increased with Coproica abundance, but only in natural habitats. Seed dispersers of A. pictum ssp. sagittifolium were birds, mainly Sylvia atricapilla. Although habitat disturbance did not influence disperser diversity or abundance, the majority of seedlings appeared under adult plants and in natural habitats.

Conclusions

Overall recruitment was higher in natural habitats, but this effect could have been masked by only assessing pollinator and disperser numbers, as processes related to the quality of these interactions might be influencing fitness. Our study highlights the need to study different reproductive phases and their multiple components and processes to properly understand the effects of habitat disturbance on the regeneration of plant populations.
Writing Trajectories of Grammatical Complexity at the University: Comparing L1 and L2 English Writers in BAWE
Authors: Staples Shelley , Gray Bethany , Biber Douglas , Egbert Jesse
Published: September 2022

Grammatical complexity has been established as a key indicator of language and writing development (Ortega 2003; Bulté and Housen, 2014; Crossley and McNamara 2014). The present study uses the Register-Functional approach to complexity (Biber et al. 2022) to compare the development of L1 English and L2 English writers across year of study and discipline in the British Academic Written English corpus. It also introduces a novel method of examining developmental trajectories that uses both inferential statistics and descriptive measures to account not only for relationships between the year of study and use of linguistic features, but also for the shape of the trajectories and frequencies of occurrence over time. Statistical analyses reveal significant relationships for most of the complexity features. Means and confidence intervals indicate overall similarities in trends from early undergraduate to graduate-level writing across L1/L2 English writers, but also key differences in the developmental trajectories, including greater use of phrasal complexity features and less use of clausal features by L2 English writers in early levels, as well as distinct use of complexity features across certain disciplines.
Detection and characterization of new mangromicin analogs by tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kamiya Yoshiyuki , Nakashima Takuji , Taniguchi Takako , Takahashi Yōko , Ōmura Satoshi , Taniguchi Hisaaki
Published: September 2022

Many useful natural products are usually screened based on their biological activities. On the other hand, various natural products can be detected based on their physicochemical properties. We have already reported the isolation and characterization of mangromicins from a cultural broth of Lechevalieria aerocolonigenes K10-0216 using physicochemical screening. In this report, we have conducted the mass spectrometry-based screening of new mangromicin analogs based on the neutral loss pattern originated from the unique cyclopentadecane skeleton of mangromicins. Two novel analogs were detected showing characteristic neutral loss pattern found in eight known mangromicin analogs. We propose the structures of the newly-found analogs based on the mass spectrometric as well as genomic and metabolic pathway data.
Monks relax sibling competition over parental resources in Tibetan populations
Authors: Zhou Liqiong , Ge Erhao , Micheletti Alberto J C , Chen Yuan , Du Juan , Mace Ruth
Published: September 2022

Why parents in some societies induce some of their sons to become religious celibates is an evolutionary puzzle. Some have speculated that this might be associated with brother competition for family resources. However, the behavioral ecology of monks and the possible links with competition between brothers remain unexplored. Here, we use demographic data from Amdo Tibetan agropastoralists in western China to evaluate what factors determine the probability of becoming a monk and explore the possible association between wealth and having a monk brother. We found that boys with at least one older brother are more likely to become celibate monks. Patrilocal heads of household, who inherit parental property, are more likely to be first-born sons, whereas men who marry uxorilocally, that is they move to their wife’s household, are generally second- or later-born sons. Moreover, we find that men with at least one monk brother are wealthier than men who only have non-celibate brothers. Together, these results suggest that sending a son to the monastery is a way for parents to decrease competition between brothers over family resources. Harsh and resource-limited environments, like the one we consider, can lead to the emergence of communal households, including polyandrous families, which used to be common in Tibetan areas. Directing one son to become a religious celibate offers a potentially effective solution to brother competition in our population.
Deep learning models for disease-associated circRNA prediction: a review
Authors: Chen Yaojia , Wang Jiacheng , Wang Chuyu , Liu Mingxin , Zou Quan
Published: September 2022

Emerging evidence indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) can provide new insights and potential therapeutic targets for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, traditional biological experiments are expensive and time-consuming. Recently, deep learning with a more powerful ability for representation learning enables it to be a promising technology for predicting disease-associated circRNAs. In this review, we mainly introduce the most popular databases related to circRNA, and summarize three types of deep learning-based circRNA-disease associations prediction methods: feature-generation-based, type-discrimination and hybrid-based methods. We further evaluate seven representative models on benchmark with ground truth for both balance and imbalance classification tasks. In addition, we discuss the advantages and limitations of each type of method and highlight suggested applications for future research.
Uniparentality: advantages for range expansion in diploid and diploid-autopolyploid species
Authors: Reutemann A Verena , Martínez Eric J , Schedler Mara , Daviña Julio R , Hojsgaard Diego H , Honfi Ana I
Published: September 2022

Uniparental reproduction, the capacity of an individual to produce offspring autonomously, is expected to facilitate range expansion of populations. Paspalum spp. reproduce uniparentally by sexual (self-fertility) and asexual (apomixis) reproduction and biparentally by sexual (self-sterility) reproduction. We evaluated the relationship between contrasting reproductive strategies (uni- and biparentality) and their impact on the colonizing ability and geographical range sizes of populations. We determined the cytotype composition of 16 populations of P. indecorum, P. cromyorhizon, P. pumilum and P. maculosum and assessed the sexual (self-fertile and self-sterile) and apomictic proportions by cyto-embryological analyses, fertility rates and seed flow cytometry. Data obtained regarding reproductive modes were compared to the distribution range of each cytotype and species. Sexual diploids with moderate degrees of self-fertility and mixed pollination syndromes showed wider distribution ranges than self-sterile diploids. In sexual diploids, increased rates of self-fertility relate to larger distribution areas. In agamic complexes, self-fertility reduces the differences in range sizes between biparental diploids and uniparental tetraploids. In such complexes, the range size of diploid cytotypes explains the range size and dispersal of apomictic tetraploids. Thus, uniparental reproduction via self-fertility and apomixis describes patterns of geographical parthenogenesis in South American species.
Inhibition of YAP/TAZ-driven TEAD activity prevents growth of NF2-null schwannoma and meningioma
Authors: Laraba Liyam , Hillson Lily , de Guibert Julio Grimm , Hewitt Amy , Jaques Maisie R , Tang Tracy T , Post Leonard , Ercolano Emanuela , Rai Ganesha , Yang Shyh-Ming , Jagger Daniel J , Woznica Waldemar , Edwards Philip , Shivane Aditya G , Hanemann C Oliver , Parkinson David B
Published: September 2022

Schwannoma tumours typically arise on the eighth cranial nerve and are mostly caused by loss of the tumour suppressor Merlin (NF2). There are no approved chemotherapies for these tumours and the surgical removal of the tumour carries a high risk of damage to the eighth or other close cranial nerve tissue. New treatments for schwannoma and other NF2-null tumours such as meningioma are urgently required.

Using a combination of human primary tumour cells and mouse models of schwannoma, we have examined the role of the Hippo signalling pathway in driving tumour cell growth. Using both genetic ablation of the Hippo effectors YAP and TAZ as well as novel TEAD palmitoylation inhibitors, we show that Hippo signalling may be successfully targeted in vitro and in vivo to both block and, remarkably, regress schwannoma tumour growth. In particular, successful use of TEAD palmitoylation inhibitors in a preclinical mouse model of schwannoma points to their potential future clinical use. We also identify the cancer stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) as a Hippo signalling target, driven by the TAZ protein in human and mouse NF2-null schwannoma cells, as well as in NF2-null meningioma cells, and examine the potential future role of this new target in halting schwannoma and meningioma tumour growth.
Less Is More? Antibiotic Treatment Duration inPseudomonas aeruginosaVentilator-Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Albin Owen R , Kaye Keith S , McCreary Erin K , Pogue Jason M
Published: September 2022

Recommended antimicrobial treatment durations for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have evolved over the past few decades. In this Viewpoint, we provide a narrative review of landmark trials investigating antimicrobial treatment durations for VAP caused by P. aeruginosa, and appraise iterations of expert consensus guidelines based on these data. We highlight strengths and weaknesses of existing data on this topic and provide recommendations for future avenues of study.
Crisis and state transformation: Covid-19, levelling up and the UK’s incoherent state
Authors: Richards David , Warner Sam , Smith Martin J , Coyle Diane
Published: September 2022

This article provides a novel account of recent UK governance reforms, describing what can be termed an ‘incoherent’ state, ill-equipped to address complex, multi-dimensional policy challenges. This is evidenced through two interrelated case-studies: Covid-19 and levelling up. We highlight how the tradition of strongly centralised government combined with an ad hoc approach to reform has undermined inter-governmental relations and limited the possibility of effective policy. We conclude by arguing that current levelling up proposals, focused on redesigning sub-national government, reflect these deficiencies and therefore offer an insufficient remedy for the UK’s imbalanced economic geography and resulting inequalities. The failure of past reform highlights the need for systemic transformation—including a new governance framework—to address meaningfully the UK’s geography of discontent.
Blood biochemistry and hematology of adult and chick brown pelicans in the northern Gulf of Mexico: baseline health values and ecological relationships
Authors: Jodice Patrick G R , Lamb Juliet S , Satgé Yvan G , Fiorello Christine
Published: September 2022

The northern Gulf of Mexico supports a diverse community of nearshore seabirds during both breeding and nonbreeding periods of the annual cycle and is also a highly industrialized marine ecosystem with substantial levels of oil and gas development particularly in the west and central regions. Stakeholders in the region often assess risk to species of interest based on these differing levels of development. We collected blood samples from 81 adult and 35 chick eastern brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) from 10 colonies across the northern Gulf of Mexico and used these to establish baseline values for hematology and blood biochemistry. We assessed the potential influence of body condition, sex and home range size on hematology and blood biochemistry. We also assessed potential influences of oil and gas activity by considering differing levels of oil and gas development that occur regionally throughout the study area. Although blood analyte concentrations of adults and chicks were often associated with these regional differences, the pattern we observed was not entirely consistent with the differing levels of oil and gas activity across the Gulf, suggesting that regional levels of oil and gas activity around breeding sites may not be the primary drivers of hematology and blood biochemistry. We note that baseline values or reference intervals are not available for other nearshore seabirds that breed in the northern Gulf. Given that exposure and risk may differ among this suite of species based on diet, foraging strategies and life history strategies, similar assessments and monitoring may be warranted.
Perianal Crohn’s Disease and the Development of Colorectal and Anal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Johansen Martha Pollen , Wewer Mads Damsgaard , Nordholm-Carstensen Andreas , Burisch Johan
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the literature on the incidence and risk factors for colorectal cancer and anal cancer in patients with perianal Crohn’s disease.

Method

A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar. A meta-analysis was then conducted using a random-effects model.

Results

Five studies were included in the systematic review. Of the total patients, 26.5% had perianal Crohn’s disease. The median follow-up was 6 years. In total, 127 cases of colorectal cancer were found [0.43% of the included Crohn’s disease patients]. Perianal involvement was present in 50% of colorectal cancer patients [0.89% of the population]. Three of the studies specified the cancer to be rectal or anal, which were present in 68 and 24 cases [0.3% and 0.1% of patients], respectively. In a subgroup analysis of rectal and anal cancer, perianal involvement was most frequent in anal cancer, accounting for 46% of the cases. In the rectal cancer group, 37% had perianal involvement. The higher incidence of colorectal cancer in patients with perianal Crohn’s disease was confirmed in a meta-analysis.

Conclusion

Half of the patients with colorectal cancer and anal cancer were found to have perianal Crohn’s disease. In patients with perianal involvement, there was a higher percentage of anal cancer compared with rectal cancer. These results support the theory that patients with perianal Crohn’s disease are at increased risk for developing colorectal and anal cancer. Studies collecting more detailed data regarding patients and their cancers are needed to further specify the disease course.
Efficacy of Matrine, Rotenone, and Pyrethrin Against Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Their Impact on Aquatic Organisms
Authors: Liang Mingrong , Zhang Senquan , Zheng Xiaobin , Deng Jiefu , Yang Jiaqi , Liang Yuling , Li Zhiqiang , Yue Xinlu , Lu Yongyue , Xu Yijuan , Wang Lei
Published: September 2022

Chemicals, including toxic bait and dusts, are the main means of controlling the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (abbreviation ‘RIFA’), which is a serious invasive pest. To identify environmentally friendly chemicals for controlling RIFA, we tested the toxicity and horizontal transfer of three botanical insecticides—matrine, rotenone, and pyrethrin—and their impact on aquatic organisms (i.e., three fish and one shrimp). The LD50 value of matrine, rotenone, and pyrethrin was 0.24, 50.929, and 13.590 ng/ant, respectively. Matrine, rotenone, and pyrethrin had effective horizontal transfer and caused significant secondary mortality. After exposure to donor workers, 90.75%, 90.75%, and 100% of recipient workers in the 0.025% matrine, 1.0% rotenone, and 0.3% pyrethrin dust treatments, respectively, died within 48 h. Furthermore, 0.025% matrine dust caused significant tertiary mortality (49.5%). Tertiary mortality caused by 1.0% rotenone and 0.3% pyrethrin dusts was very low, only 7.75% and 18.5%, respectively. In a field trial, the comprehensive mortality effect of 0.05% matrine, 1.50% rotenone, and 0.375% pyrethrin dust was 74.96%, 30.10%, and 29.27%, respectively, after 14 d of treatment. Matrine had low toxicity to the fish Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and 37.5 mg/L pyrethrin had low toxicity to the fish Cirrhinus molitorella, H. molitrix, and Oreochromis niloticus. However, rotenone was highly toxic to all three fish. The shrimp Neocaridina denticulate was not sensitive to matrine, rotenone, or pyrethrin. Matrine dust has highly effective horizontal transfer, and 0.05% matrine dust has great potential for managing RIFA in organic farms, aquaculture farms of H. molitrix, and water resource regions.
Choice Reminder Modulates Choice-Induced Preference Change in Older Adults
Authors: Huang Yi , Li Manling , Yu Rongjun
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Choices not only reflect preference but also shape preference. The choice-induced preference change (CIPC) occurs when making a decision modifies people’s attitudes about the options. When people rate a series of items and then must choose between 2 items rated as equally attractive, they later rate the unchosen item as less attractive than before. One explanation is that the choice and the equal preference for 2 options cause a psychological discomfort known as cognitive dissonance, which can be reduced by changing the preference. The current study aims to investigate the age-related differences in the CIPC effect, and how an explicit reminder of the previous choice modulates this effect.

Methods

Using an artifact-controlled free-choice paradigm, with a sample of 79 younger and 76 older participants, we manipulated the choice reminder in 2 experiments.

Results

We found that compared with young adults, older adults are less susceptible to CIPC when their previous choices were not explicitly reminded. After boosting the salience of choice-preference incongruency by reminding participants of their previous choices, older adults showed comparable CIPC as young adults.

Discussion

Our results suggest that older adults tend to downweigh the information that leads to cognitive dissonance and use this strategy only when such information is relatively implicit. The diminished CIPC in older adults could be one of the emotional regulation strategies that older adults engage in to maintain positive emotional states when making difficult decisions.
Ageism in the Discourse and Practice of Designing Digital Technology for Older Persons: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mannheim Ittay , Wouters Eveline J M , Köttl Hanna , van Boekel Leonieke C , Brankaert Rens , van Zaalen Yvonne
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives

Involving older persons in the design process of digital technology (DT) promotes the development of technologies that are appealing, beneficial, and used. However, negative discourse on aging and ageism are potential underlying factors that could influence which and how DTs are designed and how older persons are involved in the design process. This scoping review investigates the explicit and implicit manifestations of ageism in the design process of DT.

Research Design and Methods

Seven databases were screened for studies reporting on the design of DT with older persons between January 2015 and January 2020. Data regarding study and DT characteristics, discourse about older persons, and their involvement in the design process were extracted, coded, and analyzed using critical discourse analysis.

Results

Sixty articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Various forms of exclusion of older persons from the design process were identified, such as no or low involvement, upper-age limits, and sample biases toward relatively “active,” healthy and “tech-savvy” older persons. Critical discourse analysis revealed the use of outdated language, stereotypical categorizations, and/or design decisions based on ageism in 71.7% of the studies.

Discussion and Implications

A discrepancy was found between an “ideal” discourse regarding the involvement of older persons throughout the design process and actual practice. Manifestations of ageism, errors, and biases of designing DT with older persons are discussed. This article calls for more authentic inclusion of older persons and higher awareness toward the implications of ageism in the design process of DT.
Examining the longitudinal relationship between visibility and persistence on stress and technology-assisted supplemental work
Authors: van Zoonen Ward , Sivunen Anu E , Treem Jeffrey W
Published: September 2022

This study examines the longitudinal relationship between two affordances of organizational information and communication technologies (ICTs)—that is, visibility and persistence—and individuals’ subjective stress and technology-assisted supplemental work (TASW). We propose that visibility and persistence associated with organizational ICTs are often more aptly construed as probabilities for action, rather than merely possibilities for action. The hypotheses are tested using latent change structural equation modeling drawing on two-wave survey data from 437 employees of a global industrial logistics company headquartered in a Nordic country. The findings highlight that visibility is associated with increases in TASW, but not in subjective stress, while persistence is associated with decreases in TASW and subjective stress. We suggest that visibility may pressure workers into extending their workdays, while persistence may operate as an important resource for employees reducing subjective TASW and stress as well as intra-individual changes in TASW and stress over time.
Virulence-related metabolism is activated in Botrytis cinerea mostly in the interaction with tolerant green grapes that remain largely unaffected in contrast with susceptible green grapes
Authors: Soares Flávio , Pimentel Diana , Erban Alexander , Neves Catarina , Reis Pedro , Pereira Marcelo , Rego Cecilia , Gama-Carvalho Margarida , Kopka Joachim , Fortes Ana Margarida
Published: September 2022

Botrytis cinerea is responsible for the gray mold disease, severely affecting Vitis vinifera grapevine and hundreds of other economically important crops. However, many mechanisms of this fruit-pathogen interaction remain unknown. The combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of green fruits infected with B. cinerea from susceptible and tolerant genotypes was never performed in any fleshy fruit, mostly because green fruits are widely accepted to be resistant to this fungus. In this work, peppercorn-sized fruits were infected in the field or mock-treated, and berries were collected at green (EL32) stage from a susceptible (Trincadeira) and a tolerant (Syrah) variety. RNAseq and GC–MS data suggested that Syrah exhibited a pre-activated/basal defense relying on specific signaling pathways, hormonal regulation, namely jasmonate and ethylene metabolisms, and linked to phenylpropanoid metabolism. In addition, putative defensive metabolites such as shikimic, ursolic/ oleanolic, and trans-4-hydroxy cinnamic acids, and epigallocatechin were more abundant in Syrah than Trincadeira before infection. On the other hand, Trincadeira underwent relevant metabolic reprogramming upon infection but was unable to contain disease progression. RNA-seq analysis of the fungus in planta revealed an opposite scenario with higher gene expression activity within B. cinerea during infection of the tolerant cultivar and less activity in infected Trincadeira berries. The results suggested an activated virulence state during interaction with the tolerant cultivar without visible disease symptoms. Together, this study brings novel insights related to early infection strategies of B. cinerea and the green berry defense against necrotrophic fungi.
Marked Men: Identity and Surveillance in Late Medieval Italy (Perugia, 1411-45)
Authors: Dean Trevor , Skinner Patricia
Published: September 2022

This article presents and analyses an exceptional and unused source: lists of the patrolmen and court-servants of the judges of fifteenth-century Perugia. These lists are exceptional because of the wealth of detail they provide on the provenance and physical description of these men, personal information that was written down as a sort of identity record. We describe and explain the nature of the source and use the data for multi-faceted exploration of personal identity, discussing the history and historiography of age, stature, hair, beards, facial disfigurement, marks, scars, eyes, noses and skin colour.
Among-individual variation in white seabream (Diplodus sargus) spatial behaviour and protection in a coastal no-take area
Authors: de Benito-Abelló Carmela , Bentes Luís , Sousa Inês , Pedaccini Marie , Villegas-Ríos David , Olsen Esben Moland , Gonçalves Jorge M S , Horta e Costa Bárbara
Published: September 2022

Marine protected areas (MPAs), and specially no-take areas (NTAs), play an important role in protecting target populations from fisheries. When developing spatial conservation and management tools, the design has mainly focused on population-level measures of fish home ranges, spawning and feeding areas, and migration routes. Intraspecific differences in fish behaviour, however, are often not accounted for, even though they could influence the level of realized protection. In this study, we investigated the intraspecific variation in spatial behaviour of a harvested fish, Diplodus sargus, and how it impacts the degree of protection granted by a NTA in the south of Portugal. We identified four behavioural types according to their spatial behaviour: residents, commuters, seasonal visitors, and single users. Time at risk (i.e. outside the NTA) greatly varied among the four groups, but also over the year for the seasonal and the single users. Our study shows how acoustic telemetry can assist spatial conservation and fisheries management and provides novel insight regarding the role of individual variation in behaviour to understand protection granted by MPAs to harvested species. It also suggests that incorporating such information into all stages of MPA design and implementation can result in increased resilience of the protected populations.
Long-term outcomes of papillary muscle relocation anteriorly for functional mitral regurgitation
Authors: Oi Keiji , Arai Hirokuni , Nagaoka Eiki , Fujiwara Tatsuki , Oishi Kiyotoshi , Takeshita Masashi , Anzai Tatsuhiko , Mizuno Tomohiro
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the patients who underwent restrictive annuloplasty (RA) plus papillary muscle relocation anteriorly (PMR-A) with the risk factors in mitral valve repair for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).

METHODS

Eighty-six patients underwent mitral valve repair with RA for FMR. Thirty-five of them received additional bilateral papillary muscle relocation for severe leaflet tethering. The papillary muscles were relocated posteriorly (PMR-P) early in the study. Then, in the later period, the technique was modified to PMR-A, in which the papillary muscles were relocated anteriorly for 24 cases. The survival of the patients undergoing RA + PMR-A was examined retrospectively, adjusting for differences in patient background.

RESULTS

Twenty-three deaths were observed during the follow-up period out of the 86 cases. Independent preoperative risk factors for survival were left ventricular ejection fraction, patient age and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level. Among the patients with BNP <1000 pg/ml, 5-year survival after RA plus PMR-A was 84.7%, while RA alone was 78.6% and RA + PMR-P 57.1%. Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for the preoperative risk factors showed a significantly higher hazard ratio of RA + PMR-P to RA + PMR-A (12.77, P = 0.011), while the hazard ratio of RA alone to RA + PMR-A was not significantly different. Furthermore, reverse remodelling of the left ventricle was observed for 3 years only in RA + PMR-A.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival for patients who underwent RA plus bilateral PMR-A was promising. Patients with significantly higher BNP had lower survival after valve repair for FMR.
Modelling differences in reproductive effort between iteroparous and semelparous reproductive strategies in Bromeliaceae
Authors: Bodine Erin N , Bush Caroline , Capaldi Alex , Jabaily Rachel S
Published: September 2022

Quantifying reproductive effort (RE), the trade-off between devoting resources to reproduction versus individual growth, in plants presents a number of challenges. Of particular interest is comparing RE between reproductive strategies, such as those in Bromeliaceae: semelparous, where individuals undergo a one-time and subsequently lethal sexual reproductive event, versus iteroparous, where individuals reproduce sexually multiple times by producing clonal offshoots called pups. We introduce a dynamic model of vegetative and reproductive growth in long-lived Bromeliaceae rosettes accounting for the allocation of resources over developmental time. We compare multiple definitions of RE in semelparous and iteroparous Bromeliaceae at critical times during development and over the entire reproductive life of the individual. While others have posited that semelparous taxa exhibit higher RE than comparable iteroparous taxa, our results indicate that this will only occur in limited circumstances: when RE is calculated over the lifespan of a rosette started from seed, semelparous RE is greater when pup mass is accounted for as if it were purely vegetative; or when RE is calculated over the lifespan of the genetic individual, semelparous RE is greater when the ratio of vegetative to inflorescence mass in each pup is greater than that of the originating rosette started from seed.
Responsive neglected tropical disease programme delivery: listening and responding to the views and perceptions of beneficiaries
Authors: Dauda Nurudeen , Harvey Danny , Martindale Sarah , Hume Hannah , Aliu Folake Oluwayemisi
Published: September 2022

In neglected tropical disease (NTD) programmes, beneficiary feedback mechanisms (BFMs) can be utilised to enhance programme quality and strengthen health outcomes by promoting the participation and empowerment of local stakeholders. This article reflects on the experiences of the Ascend programme in embedding a BFM in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria where key NTD data collection tools were adapted and prioritised across various elements of the NTD programme. Findings suggest that listening and responding to the needs of beneficiaries and building upon existing systems within NTD programmes is highly valuable in informing the planning and delivery of NTD activities.
Resuming NTD activities in the context of COVID-19: an investigation into the advantages of risk assessment processes to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 during NTD delivery
Authors: Radvan Ioasia , Aliu Folake Oluwayemisi , Bettee Anthony , Cisse Abdourahim , Gbewo Sonnie Ziama , Olobio Nicholas , Sagno Michel
Published: September 2022

Background

The neglected tropical disease (NTD) sector is adapting to the uncertain circumstances of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The development of the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Action (RAMA) tool was driven by partners of the programme Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of NTDs (hereafter called Ascend) to enable countries to recommence NTD activities following the World Health Organization advisories of April and July 2020. This article explores the advantages of the RAMA process for NTD delivery.

Methods

The analysis used interview transcripts with NTD practitioners in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria and results from the monitoring of compliance with COVID-19 mitigation measures in Nigeria.

Results

Three themes emerged from the results: adaptability and innovation, collaboration and government ownership and preparedness.

Conclusions

The advantages of the RAMA tool suggest its importance in mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 during NTD delivery. There is the potential for the tool to be adapted for use throughout future pandemics.
Evaluation of digestively resistant or soluble fibers, short- and medium-chain fatty acids, trace minerals, and antibiotics in nonchallenged nursery pigs on performance, digestibility, and intestinal integrity
Authors: Kerr Brian J , Trachsel Julian M , Bearson Bradley L , Loving Crystal L , Bearson Shawn M D , Byrne Kristen A , Pearce Sarah C , Ramirez Shelby M , Gabler Nicholas K , Schweer Wesley P , Helm Emma T , De Mille Carson M
Published: September 2022

Three experiments (EXP) were conducted to determine the effect of feed additives on performance, intestinal integrity, gastrointestinal volatile fatty acids (VFA), and energy and nutrient digestion in nonchallenged nursery pigs. In EXP 1, 480 pigs (6.36-kg body weight, BW) were placed into 96 pens with 5 pigs/pen, and allotted to 1 of 10 dietary treatments: 1) negative control containing no feed additive (NC), 2) NC + 44 mg chlortetracycline and 38.5 mg tiamulin/kg diet (CTsb), 3) NC + 5% resistant potato starch (RSpo), 4) NC + 5% soluble corn fiber (SCF), 5) NC + 5% sugar beet pulp (SBP), 6) NC + 0.30% fatty acid mix (FAM), 7) NC + 0.10% phytogenic blend of essential oils and flavoring compounds (PHY), 8) NC + 50 mg Cu and 1,600 mg zinc oxide/kg diet (CuZn), 9) NC + 5% resistant corn starch (RScn), and 10) NC + 0.05% β-glucan (BG) for 28 d. There was no impact of dietary treatment on BW gain or feed intake (P ≥ 0.22). Pigs fed diets containing SCF, CTsb, and RSpo resulted in microbial community differences compared to pigs fed the NC (P < 0.05). In EXP 2, 48 barrows (12.8 kg BW) were selected at the end of EXP 1 and fed the same dietary treatments they had previously received: 1) NC, 2) NC + 5% RScn, 3) NC + 5% SCF, and 4) NC + FAM for 8 d. There was no effect of feeding diets containing RScn, SCF, or FAM on in vivo intestinal permeability (P ≤ 0.21). Ileal or colon pH, concentrations of VFA did not differ due to dietary treatment (P ≥ 0.36), but pigs fed diets containing FAM resulted in a greater butyric acid concentration in the cecum compared to pigs fed the NC (P ≤ 0.05). In EXP 3, 156 pigs (6.11 kg BW) were placed into 52 pens with 3 pigs/pen and allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments arranged in a factorial manner: 1) NC, 2) NC + 5% RSpo, 3) NC + 0.30% FAM, and 4) NC + 5% RSpo + 0.30% FAM for 24 d. Feeding pigs diets containing RSpo did not affect BW gain (P = 0.91) while pigs fed diets containing FAM grew improved BW gain (P = 0.09). Colonic butyric acid concentrations were greater in pigs fed diets containing RSpo (P = 0.03), while pigs fed diets containing FAM exhibited reduced total VFA concentrations (P = 0.11). The results indicate that supplementing diets with digestively resistant but fermentable fibers, short- and medium-chain fatty acids, or antibiotics do not have a consistent effect, positive or negative, on markers of intestinal integrity or barrier function, intestinal VFA patterns, ATTD of energy and nutrients, or on pig performance.
Filth Fly Parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Monitoring Techniques and Species Composition in Poultry Layer Facilities
Authors: Pagac Alexandra A , Geden Christopher J , Burgess Edwin R , Riggs Montana R , Machtinger Erika T
Published: September 2022

Muscid flies, especially house flies (Musca domestica L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), are a major pest of poultry layer facilities. Augmentative biological control of muscid flies with pteromalid wasps has gained increased attention in recent years. Knowing which pteromalid species are present in a specific area could produce more effective filth fly control. The purpose of this project was to survey parasitoid populations in poultry layer facilities in central and southeastern Pennsylvania from June through September. Two genera of parasitoids, Spalangia and Trichomalopsis, were collected over the course of the survey. Overall, out of 3,724 parasitized pupae the species collected in order of most to least common were Spalangia cameroni Perkins, Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, Trichomalopsis spp., and Spalangia endius Walker. House fly parasitism overall and by each parasitoid species varied by location and over the four study months. A second objective was to evaluate a new parasitoid trap for surveying parasitoid wasp populations. This device uses a combination of house fly third instars and development media. This was compared to a more traditional method, the sentinel bag, which uses only fly pupae. A higher proportion of Spalangia spp. emerged from the new trap design and more Trichomalopsis spp. emerged from the sentinel bag. This suggests that using this new device alongside the traditional collection method may result in more accurate sampling of pteromalid populations.
ESG and investment arbitration: a future with cleaner foreign investment?
Authors: Goh Nelson
Published: September 2022

The importance of mitigating climate change, upholding good social policies and good governance have led to the rise and use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in the world of finance and investment. Banks, funds and other financial institutions have increasingly sought to measure whether the investments they make promote ESG. This will invariably permeate the world of foreign investment law, as States and claimants become increasingly aware of ESG and ESG-related concerns. This article seeks to consider how the ESG movement has impacted international investment law and arbitration, and how is it likely to do so going forward.
Evidence of persistence of weak magnetic cycles driven by meridional plasma flows during solar grand minima phases
Authors: Saha Chitradeep , Chandra Sanghita , Nandy Dibyendu
Published: September 2022

Long-term sunspot observations and solar activity reconstructions reveal that the Sun occasionally slips into quiescent phases known as solar grand minima, the dynamics during which is not well understood. We use a flux transport dynamo model with stochastic fluctuations in the mean-field and Babcock–Leighton poloidal field source terms to simulate solar cycle variability. Our long-term simulations detect a gradual decay of the polar field during solar grand minima episodes. Although regular active region emergence stops, compromising the Babcock–Leighton mechanism, weak magnetic activity continues during minima phases sustained by a mean-field α-effect; surprisingly, periodic polar field amplitude modulation persists during these phases. A spectral analysis of the simulated polar flux time series shows that the 11-yr cycle becomes less prominent while high frequency periods and periods around 22 yr manifest during grand minima episodes. Analysis of long-term solar open flux observations appears to be consistent with this finding. Through numerical experimentation, we demonstrate that the persistence of periodic amplitude modulation in the polar field and the dominant frequencies during grand minima episodes are governed by the speed of the meridional plasma flow – which appears to act as a clock.