bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of use of digital technology for communication among older adults: analysis of data from the health and retirement study
Authors: Lund Brady
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the potential impact of eleven social and psychological factors – anxiety, closeness with family and friends, intellectual curiosity, life control, life satisfaction, physical health, religiosity, self-esteem, sociability, socioeconomic status and works status and demands – on the use of digital technology by older adults for the purpose of communicating with family and friends.

Design/methodology/approach

A path analysis, which uses ordinary least squares regression to examine relationships among variables, is used to perform a secondary analysis of data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study. A correlation matrix, which displays the direct relationships among variables, is also incorporated.

Findings

Statistically significant direct influences are revealed between the use of digital technology for communication and three factors: intellectual curiosity, self-esteem, and sociability. These three factors are themselves moderated by the influences of the remaining eight factors. While most factors relate to an increase in the adoption of social uses of digital technology, increased anxiety and increased work demands (for those who are employed) are related to decreased adoption, while increased religiosity has a mixed effect (reduced intellectual curiosity but increased sociability). These findings suggest a few avenues for identifying and intervening in the lives of physically and socially isolated older adults, by illuminating correlates of technology adoption.

Originality/value

While many studies have examined factors that correlate to increased technology adoption, this study is original in that it focuses specifically on the use of digital technology for communication with family and friends (i.e. use of email, messaging, social media) while also focusing on social and psychological factors (many of which can be changed through intervention) rather than innate and uncontrollable factors like age, gender and ethnicity.
The presence of Tularemia infection in patients with Japanese spotted fever
Authors: Kondo Makoto , Matsushima Yoshiaki , Umaoka Ai , Iida Shohei , Nakanishi Takehisa , Habe Koji , Yamanaka Keiichi
Published: May 2021

In our previous study, by measuring serum cytokine levels in the acute and recovery stage of Japanese spotted fever (JSF), IFN‐ɤ and IL‐6 were proved to be the critical immunological cytokines against Rickettsia japonica (R. japonica) infection. Tularemia is an infectious disorder caused by tick biting or contact with infected animals, and is also known as rabbit fever. There have been no confirmed cases in the recent two decades in Japan. We measured serum anti Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) IgG titer using indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit in the acute and recovery stage of three patients with JSF. The result of the IgG titer was compared with the cytokine concentrations of IFN‐ɤ, IL‐6, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐9, and IL‐33, eosinophil count, and CRP quoted from our previous report. Two of three cases have anti F. tularensis IgG, and the IgG levels between acute and recovery stage were unchanged. These two cases showed low IFN‐ɤ concentration and CRP, but IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐9, IL‐33 levels and eosinophils were high compared to those in the F. tularensis IgG‐negative patient. IL‐6 concentration was unchanged between the three patients. Residents living in the endemic area of JSF in Mie prefecture, Japan, may have antibodies against F. tularensis, although tularemia has never been reported. The cases of having the F. tularensis antibody showed a mild inflammatory response of JSF and might skew to type 2 immunological condition even in the acute phase of JSF.
Semi‐supervised deep autoencoder for seismic facies classification
Authors: Liu Xingye , Li Bin , Li Jingye , Chen Xiaohong , Li Qingchun , Chen Yangkang
Published: May 2021

Facies boundaries are critical for flow performance in a reservoir and are significant for lithofacies identification in well interpretation and reservoir prediction. Facies identification based on supervised machine learning methods usually requires a large amount of labelled data, which are sometimes difficult to obtain. Here, we introduce the deep autoencoder to learn the hidden features and conduct facies classification from elastic attributes. Both labelled and unlabelled data are involved in the training process. Then, we develop a semi‐supervised deep autoencoder by taking the mean of intra‐class and the whole population of facies into account to construct a classification regularization term, thereby improving the classification accuracy and reducing the uncertainty. The new method inherits the profits of deep autoencoder and absorbs the information provided by labelled data. The proposed method performs well and produces promising results when it is used to address problems of reservoir prediction and facies identification. The new method is evaluated on both well and seismic data and compared with the conventional deep autoencoder method, which demonstrates its feasibility and superiority with respect to classification accuracy.
Activist Hedge Funds and Takeovers: Their Effects on Employment and Performance
Authors: Kuvandikov Azimjon , Pendleton Andrew , Goergen Marc
Published: May 2021

This paper analyses the impact of activist hedge funds (AHFs) on post‐merger workforce downsizing and operating performance. AHFs have been widely criticized for achieving short‐term gains at the expense of other stakeholders, such as employees. The results show that AHF ownership and presence in acquiring firms is a significant determinant of post‐merger employment reductions. There is little evidence that these mergers and acquisitions have better operating performance relative to other takeovers. However, there is a negative effect of AHF ownership on labour productivity. Overall, the results are consistent with the view that AHF involvement in takeovers does not lead to sustained gains in performance.
‘Reopen the Coal Mines’? Deindustrialisation and the Labour Party
Authors: Sutcliffe‐Braithwaite Florence
Published: May 2021

Different groups on the left have invested a variety of cultural meanings in the image of the British miner and the mining community. Tracing these over time, this article suggests that mythologised images of the solidaristic miner and the ‘traditional’ mining community flatten and simplify our understanding of the past, and of change over time in Britain's coalfields in the era of deindustrialisation since the mid‐1950s. Oral history interviews conducted in the coalfields suggest that while much has been lost—most importantly, decent jobs, strong local economies and certain community ties—there have also been gains, such as growing egalitarianism in gender roles. Finally, the article suggests that an industrial strategy, but more importantly, a raft of policies such as community wealth building and Foundational Economy strategies are needed to bring back some of what has been lost while also working with the grain of more positive social changes.
Forensic soil provenancing in an urban/suburban setting: A sequential multivariate approach
Authors: de Caritat Patrice , Woods Brenda , Simpson Timothy , Nichols Christopher , Hoogenboom Lissy , Ilheo Adriana , Aberle Michael G. , Hoogewerff Jurian
Published: May 2021

Compositional data from a soil survey over North Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, are used to develop and test an empirical soil provenancing method. Mineralogical data from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and magnetic susceptibility (MS), and geochemical data from X‐ray fluorescence (XRF; for total major oxides) and inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS; for both total and aqua regia‐soluble trace elements) are performed on the survey's 268 topsoil samples (0–5 cm depth; 1 sample per km2). Principal components (PCs) are calculated after imputation of censored data and centered log‐ratio transformation. The sequential provenancing approach is underpinned by (i) the preparation of interpolated raster grids of the soil properties (including PCs); (ii) the explicit quantification and propagation of uncertainty; (iii) the intersection of the soil property rasters with the values of the evidentiary sample (± uncertainty); and (iv) the computation of cumulative provenance rasters (“heat maps”) for the various analytical techniques. The sequential provenancing method is tested on the North Canberra soil survey with three “blind” samples representing simulated evidentiary samples. Performance metrics of precision and accuracy indicate that the FTIR and MS (mineralogy), as well as XRF and total ICP‐MS (geochemistry) analytical methods, offer the most precise and accurate provenance predictions. Inclusion of PCs in provenancing adds marginally to the performance. Maximizing the number of analytes/analytical techniques is advantageous in soil provenancing. Despite acknowledged limitations and gaps, it is concluded that the empirical soil provenancing approach can play an important role in forensic and intelligence applications.
Sarcopenia as a predictor of initial administration dose of afatinib in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Nie Xin , Zhang Ping , Gao Jia‐Yin , Cheng Gang , Liu Wei , Li Lin
Published: May 2021

Background

Sarcopenia has recently emerged as a new condition with increasing importance in lung cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sarcopenia on tolerance and efficacy of afatinib.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 35 patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with first‐line afatinib. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) was measured at the third lumbar vertebra using routine conducted computed tomography (CT) images for evaluation of disease burden. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index (SMI = SMA/height2) ≤38.5 cm2/m2 for women and ≤52.4 cm2/m2 for men based on previous criteria. Fisher's exact tests, Kaplan–Meier method, and logistic regression modeling were used.

Results

The median age at diagnosis was 65 years (range,39–84 years). A total of 24 (68.6%) patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) related to afatinib were diarrhea (94.3%) followed by rash (77.1%) and paronychia (60%). Overall, 19 (54.3%) patients had dose reduction. Sarcopenic patients had a significantly higher rate of grade ≥ 2 diarrhea (75.0 vs. 27.3%, p = 0.011) and toxicity‐related dose reduction (75.0 vs. 9.1%, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis also showed that sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] 51.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4–1081.3, p = 0.01) was an independent risk factor for dose reduction of afatinib. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) for afatinib was 12.0 months (95% CI: 10.6–13.4). Both dose reduction and sarcopenia did not affect therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions

Toxicity‐related dose reduction is common with initiation of afatinib 40 mg/day. Sarcopenic patients might begin treatment with a low dose of afatinib according to tolerance.
Rhesus monkeys as a translational model for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Souder Dylan C. , Dreischmeier Isabelle A. , Smith Alex B. , Wright Samantha , Martin Stephen A. , Sagar Md Abdul Kader , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Salamat Shahriar M. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Colman Ricki J. , Beasley T. Mark , Anderson Rozalyn M.
Published: May 2021

Age is a major risk factor for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) but seldom features in laboratory models of the disease. Furthermore, heterogeneity in size and density of AD plaques observed in individuals are not recapitulated in transgenic mouse models, presenting an incomplete picture. We show that the amyloid plaque microenvironment is not equivalent between rodent and primate species, and that differences in the impact of AD pathology on local metabolism and inflammation might explain established differences in neurodegeneration and functional decline. Using brain tissue from transgenic APP/PSEN1 mice, rhesus monkeys with age‐related amyloid plaques, and human subjects with confirmed AD, we report altered energetics in the plaque microenvironment. Metabolic features included changes in mitochondrial distribution and enzymatic activity, and changes in redox cofactors NAD(P)H that were shared among species. A greater burden of lipofuscin was detected in the brains from monkeys and humans of advanced age compared to transgenic mice. Local inflammatory signatures indexed by astrogliosis and microglial activation were detected in each species; however, the inflamed zone was considerably larger for monkeys and humans. These data demonstrate the advantage of nonhuman primates in modeling the plaque microenvironment, and provide a new framework to investigate how AD pathology might contribute to functional loss.
Structural correlates of sensorimotor dysfunction in heavy cannabis users
Authors: Wolf Robert Christian , Werler Florian , Wittemann Miriam , Schmitgen Mike M. , Kubera Katharina M. , Wolf Nadine D. , Reith Wolfgang , Hirjak Dusan
Published: May 2021

Sensorimotor dysfunction has been previously reported in persons with cannabis dependence. Such individuals can exhibit increased levels of neurological soft signs (NSS), particularly involving motor coordination and sensorimotor integration. Whether such abnormalities may also apply to non‐dependent individuals with heavy cannabis use (HCU) is unknown, as much as the neural correlates underlying such deficits. In this study, we investigated associations between NSS and gray matter volume (GMV) in males with HCU and male controls. Twenty‐four persons with HCU and 17 controls were examined using standardized assessment of NSS and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T. GMV was calculated using voxel‐based morphometry algorithms provided by the Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12). Individuals with HCU showed higher NSS total scores compared to controls. In particular, significant NSS‐subdomain effects were found for “motor coordination” (MoCo), “complex motor tasks” (CoMT), and “hard signs” (HS) expression in HCU (p < 0.05, Bonferroni‐corrected). Compared to controls, persons with HCU showed significant NSS/GMV interactions in putamen and inferior frontal cortex (MoCo), right cerebellum (CoMT) and middle and superior frontal cortices, and bilateral precentral cortex and thalamus (HS). In between‐group analyses, individuals with HCU showed lower GMV in the right anterior orbital and precentral gyrus, as well as higher GMV in the right superior frontal gyrus and left supplementary motor cortex compared to controls. The data support the notion of abnormal sensorimotor performance associated with HCU. The data also provide a neuromechanistic understanding of such deficits, particularly with respect to aberrant cortical–thalamic–cerebellar–cortical circuit.
Individual differences in the engagement of habitual control over alcohol seeking predict the development of compulsive alcohol seeking and drinking
Authors: Giuliano Chiara , Puaud Mickaël , Cardinal Rudolf N. , Belin David , Everitt Barry J.
Published: May 2021

Excessive drinking is an important behavioural characteristic of alcohol addiction, but not the only one. Individuals addicted to alcohol crave alcoholic beverages, spend time seeking alcohol despite negative consequences and eventually drink to intoxication. With prolonged use, control over alcohol seeking devolves to anterior dorsolateral striatum, dopamine‐dependent mechanisms implicated in habit learning and individuals in whom alcohol seeking relies more on these mechanisms are more likely to persist in seeking alcohol despite the risk of punishment. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the development of habitual alcohol seeking predicts the development of compulsive seeking and that, once developed, it is associated with compulsive alcohol drinking. Male alcohol‐preferring rats were pre‐exposed intermittently to a two‐bottle choice procedure and trained on a seeking–taking chained schedule of alcohol reinforcement until some individuals developed punishment‐resistant seeking behaviour. The associative basis of their seeking responses was probed with an outcome‐devaluation procedure, early or late in training. After seeking behaviour was well established, subjects that had developed greater resistance to outcome devaluation (were more habitual) were more likely to show punishment‐resistant (compulsive) alcohol seeking. These individuals also drank more alcohol, despite quinine adulteration, even though having similar alcohol preference and intake before and during instrumental training. They were also less sensitive to changes in the contingency between seeking responses and alcohol outcome, providing further evidence of recruitment of the habit system. We therefore provide direct behavioural evidence that compulsive alcohol seeking emerges alongside compulsive drinking in individuals who have preferentially engaged the habit system.
Penile inversion vaginoplasty outcomes: Complications and satisfaction
Authors: Hontscharuk Rayisa , Alba Brandon , Hamidian Jahromi Alireza , Schechter Loren
Published: May 2021

Penile inversion vaginoplasty helps to alleviate gender dysphoria and improve quality of life in many transgender individuals. Overall, the procedure is associated with high post‐operative satisfaction, even when complications occur. Adverse events related to vaginoplasty are commensurate with other genitourinary reconstructive procedures performed for other diagnoses (ie, cancer or congenital issues). Here, we explore the incidence of complications following vaginoplasty, emphasizing the challenges in defining and managing these adverse events. In addition, outcome measures to assess patient satisfaction will be reviewed.
Viral hepatitis in haemophilia: historical perspective and current management
Authors: Isfordink Cas J. , van Erpecum Karel J. , van der Valk Marc , Mauser‐Bunschoten Evelien P. , Makris Michael
Published: May 2021

The introduction of clotting factor concentrates has substantially improved the lives of people with clotting factor deficiencies. Unfortunately, the transmission of blood‐borne viral infections through these plasma‐derived products led to a huge epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus and viral hepatitis in people with haemophilia (PWH). In a significant proportion of PWH exposed to these viruses, the ensuing decades‐long chronic infection resulted in excess morbidity and mortality. Fortunately, developments in the safety of blood products, as well as vaccination and highly effective antiviral treatments have improved the prospects of PWH. The present article reviews the background of the viral hepatitis epidemic in PWH, the natural history of hepatitis B and C infections and their long‐term management.
Myelodysplastic syndrome patients display alterations in their immune status reflected by increased PD‐L1‐expressing stem cells and highly dynamic exhausted T‐cell frequencies
Authors: Moskorz Wiebke , Cosmovici Christine , Jäger Paul S. , Cadeddu Ron P. , Timm Jörg , Haas Rainer
Published: May 2021

Little data are available for the expression of immune checkpoint (IC) molecules within myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Here, we report increased PD‐L1+CD34+CD38− and PD‐L1+CD34+CD38+ stem cell frequencies within MDS patients compared to stem cell recipients in remission. Additionally, we observed exceedingly similar PD1+ and Tim‐3+ T‐cell frequencies between acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and MDS samples that were elevated compared to patients in remission. Furthermore, we found highly dynamic Tim‐3+ and PD1+ T‐cell frequencies within serial samples of relapsing MDS with excess blasts (MDS‐EB II) patients, correlating with further disease markers. These findings support the idea of a potential successful implementation of IC inhibitor treatment in suitable MDS patients.
Aquatic and terrestrial proxy evidence for Middle Pleistocene palaeolake and lake‐shore development at two Lower Palaeolithic sites of Schöningen, Germany
Authors: Krahn Kim J. , Tucci Mario , Urban Brigitte , Pilgrim Julien , Frenzel Peter , Soulié‐Märsche Ingeborg , Schwalb Antje
Published: May 2021

The archaeological sites in the open‐cast mine of Schöningen, Germany, represent outstanding archives for understanding Middle Pleistocene interglacial–glacial transitions and human adaption. Aquatic microfossil and pollen assemblages from the ‘Reinsdorf sequence’, likely correlated to Marine Isotope Stage 9, document environmental changes from a thermal maximum to succeeding glacial conditions recorded in two sequences of excavation sites 12 II and 13 II. Multi‐proxy analyses enable detailed reconstruction of lake‐shore and landscape developments despite variable microfossil preservation in changing carbonate‐ and organic‐rich deposits. Rich aquatic vegetation with abundant charophytes suggests repeated phases with water depths of 0.5–2 m at site 13 II, while even greater temporary depths are deduced for 12 II DB. Mesorheophilic and mesotitanophilic ostracod species indicate stream inflows with medium–low calcium contents of >18 mg Ca L–1 originating from nearby springs. Diatoms point to meso‐eutrophic conditions and an alkaline pH of the lake water. Interglacial conditions with thermophile forests but no aquatic microfossils preserved, suggesting a dry or only temporarily flooded site, mark the beginning of the sequence. Continuous presence of aquatic organisms and overall dominance of small tychoplanktonic diatoms during a subsequent cool steppe phase provide evidence for increased water depths and unstable habitats characterized by erosion and probably prolonged periods of lake ice cover. During the succeeding boreal forest‐steppe phase, surface runoff into the productive, shallow lake decreased due to a more extensive vegetation cover. Concurrently, intensified groundwater input in contact with the nearby salt wall caused elevated salinities. Following a lake level drop, stream inflows and lake levels increased again towards the end of the Reinsdorf sequence and promoted development of a diverse fauna and flora at the lake shore; thereby maintaining an attractive living and hunting environment for early humans during a phase of generally cooler temperatures and landscape instability at the transition into a glacial period.
The seven ways eukaryotes produce repeated colour motifs on external tissues
Authors: Galipot Pierre , Damerval Catherine , Jabbour Florian
Published: May 2021

The external tissues of numerous eukaryote species show repeated colour patterns, usually characterized by units that are present at least twice on the body. These dotted, striped or more complex phenotypes carry out crucial biological functions, such as partner recognition, aposematism or camouflage. Very diverse mechanisms explaining the formation of repeated colour patterns in eukaryotes have been identified and described, and it is timely to review this field from an evolutionary and developmental biology perspective. We propose a novel classification consisting of seven families of primary mechanisms: Turing(‐like), cellular automaton, multi‐induction, physical cracking, random, neuromuscular and printing. In addition, we report six pattern modifiers, acting synergistically with these primary mechanisms to enhance the spectrum of repeated colour patterns. We discuss the limitations of our classification in light of currently unexplored extant diversity. As repeated colour patterns require both the production of a repetitive structure and colouration, we also discuss the nature of the links between these two processes. A more complete understanding of the formation of repeated colour patterns in eukaryotes will require (i) a deeper exploration of biological diversity, tackling the issue of pattern elaboration during the development of non‐model taxa, and (ii) exploring some of the most promising ways to discover new families of mechanisms. Good starting points include evaluating the role of mechanisms known to produce non‐repeated colour patterns and that of mechanisms responsible for repeated spatial patterns lacking colouration.
Implementing digitally enabled collaborative innovation: A case study of online and offline interaction in the German automotive industry
Authors: Aalbers Rick (H.L.) , Whelan Eoin
Published: May 2021

In the context of implementing collaborative innovation, a range of digitally enabled infrastructures impact core organizational activities. Automotive manufacturing is one such industry where competitors now openly collaborate, facilitated through new technologies, in an effort to enhance collective innovation systems. We conducted a longitudinal case study of the first open innovation network in the German automotive industry to determine how online and offline channels interact to fuel firms' joint search for external ideas. Delving into the physical, virtual and cognitive enablers of collaborative innovation, our findings suggest that, while online platforms can help to facilitate knowledge sharing processes that promote collaborative innovation, firms implementing digitally enabled collaborative ideation need to develop additional mechanisms based on stronger offline interactions. As such, our findings contribute to a better understanding of how online technologies can facilitate knowledge sharing processes to enhance collaborative innovation.
Weight loss with bariatric surgery or behaviour modification and the impact on female obesity‐related urine incontinence: A comprehensive systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sheridan William , Da Silva Ana Sofia , Leca Bianca M , Ostarijas Eduard , Patel Ameet G , Aylwin Simon JB , Vincent Royce P , Panagiotopoulos Spyros , El‐Hasani Shamsi , le Roux Carel W , Miras Alexander D , Cardozo Linda , Dimitriadis Georgios K
Published: May 2021

Women with obesity are at risk of pelvic floor dysfunction with a 3‐fold increased incidence of urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and double the risk of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and European Association of Urology (EAU) recommend that women with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 should consider weight loss prior to consideration for incontinence surgery. This systematic review and meta‐analysis will assess this recommendation to aid in the counselling of women with obesity‐related urinary incontinence (UI). Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, and SCOPUS were systematically and critically appraised for all peer reviewed manuscripts that suitably fulfilled the inclusion criteria established a priori and presented original, empirical data relevant to weight loss intervention in the management of urinary incontinence. Thirty‐three studies and their outcomes were meta‐analysed. Weight loss interventions were associated in a decreased prevalence in UI (OR 0.222, 95% CI [0.147, 0.336]), SUI (OR 0.354, 95% CI [0.256, 0.489]), UUI (OR 0.437, 95% CI [0.295, 0.649]) and improved quality of life (PFDI‐20, SMD ‐0.774 (95% CI [−1.236, −0.312]). This systematic review and meta‐analysis provide evidence that weight loss interventions are effective in reducing the prevalence of obesity‐related UI symptoms in women. Bariatric surgery in particular shows greater sustained weight loss and improvements in UI prevalence. Further large scale, randomized control trials assessing the effect of bariatric surgery on women with obesity‐related UI are needed to confirm this study's findings.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding as a tool for biodiversity assessment and monitoring: reconstructing established fish communities of north‐temperate lakes and rivers
Authors: Euclide Peter T. , Lor Yer , Spear Michael J. , Tajjioui Tariq , Vander Zanden Jake , Larson Wesley A. , Amberg Jon J.
Published: May 2021

Aim

To evaluate the ability of precipitation‐based environmental DNA (eDNA) sample collection and mitochondrial 12S metabarcoding sequencing to reconstruct well‐studied fish communities in lakes and rivers. Specific objectives were to 1) determine correlations between eDNA species detections and known community composition based on conventional field sampling, 2) compare efficiency of eDNA to detect fish biodiversity among systems with variable morphologies and trophic states, and 3) determine if species habitat preferences predict eDNA detection.

Location

Upper Great Lakes Region, North America.

Methods

Fish community composition was estimated for seven lakes and two Mississippi River navigation pools using sequence data from the mitochondrial 12S gene amplified from 10 to 50 water samples per waterbody collected in 50‐mL centrifuge tubes at a single time point. Environmental DNA (eDNA) was concentrated without filtration by centrifuging samples to reduce per‐sample handling time. Taxonomic detections from eDNA were compared to established community monitoring databases containing up to 40 years of sampling and a detailed habitat/substrate preference matrix to identify patterns of bias.

Results

Mitochondrial 12S gene metabarcoding detected 15%–47% of the known species at each waterbody and 30%–76% of known genera. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) assessment of the community structure indicated that eDNA‐detected communities grouped in a similar pattern as known communities. Discriminant analysis of principal components indicated that there was a high degree of overlap in habitat/substrate preference of eDNA‐detected and eDNA‐undetected species suggesting limited habitat bias for eDNA sampling.

Main conclusions

Large numbers of small volume samples sequenced at the mitochondrial 12S gene can describe the coarse community structure of freshwater systems. However, additional conventional sampling and environmental DNA sampling may be necessary for a complete diversity census.
Pyrodiversity and biodiversity: A history, synthesis, and outlook
Authors: Jones Gavin M. , Tingley Morgan W.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Pyrodiversity is the spatial or temporal variability in fire effects across a landscape. Multiple ecological hypotheses, when applied to the context of post‐fire systems, suggest that high pyrodiversity will lead to high biodiversity. This resultant “pyrodiversity–biodiversity” hypothesis has grown popular but has received mixed support by recent empirical research. In this paper, we sought to review the existing pyrodiversity literature, appraise support for the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis, examine potential mechanisms underlying the hypothesis and identify outstanding questions about pyrodiversity and future research needs.

Location

Global terrestrial ecosystems.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review of research related to pyrodiversity and the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis. We also examined how two individual species with distinct relationships with fire (spotted owl Strix occidentalis and black‐backed woodpecker Picoides arcticus) respond to pyrodiversity as case studies to illustrate underlying mechanisms.

Results

We identified 41 tests of the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis reported from 33 studies; 18 (44%) presented evidence in support of the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis, while 23 (56%) did not. Our literature review suggested that support for the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis varies considerably with no consistent patterns across taxonomic groups and ecosystem types. Studies examining the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis often define pyrodiversity in different ways, examine effects at different scales and are conducted in ecosystems with different natural fire regimes, baseline levels of biodiversity, and evolutionary histories. We suggest these factors independently and jointly have led to widely varying support for the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis.

Main Conclusions

Clarifying the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis will be facilitated by stronger development of the different potential mechanisms underlying pyrodiversity–biodiversity relationships, which can be aided by examining how individual species respond to pyrodiversity. Future research would benefit from a closer examination of the role of scale (e.g. scale dependence) in pyrodiversity–biodiversity relationships, standardization of pyrodiversity metrics, broad‐scale mapping of pyrodiversity, and macroecological study of pyrodiversity–biodiversity relationships.
Responding to the biodiversity impacts of a megafire: A case study from south‐eastern Australia’s Black Summer
Authors: Geary William L. , Buchan Anne , Allen Teigan , Attard David , Bruce Matthew J. , Collins Luke , Ecker Tiarne E. , Fairman Thomas A. , Hollings Tracey , Loeffler Ella , Muscatello Angela , Parkes David , Thomson Jim , White Matt , Kelly Ella
Published: May 2021

Aim

Megafires are increasing in intensity and frequency globally. The impacts of megafires on biodiversity can be severe, so conservation managers must be able to respond rapidly to quantify their impacts, initiate recovery efforts and consider conservation options within and beyond the burned extent. We outline a framework that can be used to guide conservation responses to megafires, using the 1.5 million hectare 2019/2020 megafires in Victoria, Australia, as a case study.

Location

Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Our framework uses a suite of decision support tools, including species attribute databases, ~4,200 species distribution models and a spatially explicit conservation action planning tool to quantify the potential effects of megafires on biodiversity, and identify species‐specific and landscape‐scale conservation actions that can assist recovery.

Results

Our approach identified 346 species in Victoria that had >40% of their modelled habitat affected by the megafire, including 45 threatened species, and 102 species with >40% of their modelled habitat affected by high severity fire. We then identified 21 candidate recovery actions that are expected to assist the recovery of biodiversity. For relevant landscape‐scale actions, we identified locations within and adjacent to the megafire extent that are expected to deliver cost‐effective conservation gains.

Main conclusion

The 2019/2020 megafires in south‐eastern Australia affected the habitat of many species and plant communities. Our framework identified a range of single‐species (e.g., supplementary feeding, translocation) and landscape‐scale actions (e.g., protection of refuges, invasive species management) that can help biodiversity recover from megafires. Conservation managers will be increasingly required to rapidly identify conservation actions that can help species recover from megafires, especially under a changing climate. Our approach brings together commonly used datasets (e.g., species distribution maps, trait databases, fire severity mapping) to help guide conservation responses and can be used to help biodiversity recover from future megafires across the world.
Strain generation and right ventricular systolic function: The sum of all its parts
Authors: López‐Candales Angel , Vallurupalli Srikanth
Published: May 2021

Background

Speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) has provided a reliable means to enhance characterization and quantification of global right ventricular (RV) systolic function. The use of Automated Functional Imaging (AFI) software has been previously used to quantify RV longitudinal peak global strain (PGS) values during two‐dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiographic examinations. However, there is a paucity of data regarding relative strain contribution of each individual regional segments when compared with global strain assessment. Consequently, our goal was to use AFI STE to examine the strain contribution of each regional segment when assessing RV function.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 107 patients that met our study criteria to correlate 2D TTE measures of RV systolic function to both RV AFI STE longitudinal peak global strain (PGS) and each individual regional RV free wall (RVFw) and inter‐ventricular septum (IS) strain values.

Results

We found that TTE variables of RV systolic function only correlated with PGS (RVFAC; P < .0001, TAPSE; P < .0001, and TA TDI S’; P < .0001) but none of the six individual regional AFI strain values. When PGS was not included in the multivariate analysis, only the mid RVFw and mid IS strain regions correlated with measures of RV systolic function.

Conclusions

Regional differences do exist with regards to strain generation along the RVFw and IS. These differences could be physiologically and anatomically explained based on our current understanding of RV muscle fiber arrangement. Further research is now needed to better characterize RV function in different clinical entities.
The role of higher education institutions in transnational networks for teaching and learning innovation: The case of the Erasmus+ programme
Authors: Fumasoli Tatiana , Rossi Federica
Published: May 2021

Within the scholarship on internationalisation in higher education, transnational networks are seldom mentioned and even less studied. However, recent EU policy initiatives have attempted to enhance this form of internationalisation in order to tackle issues of employability, skills and competences and innovative curriculum development. Within European transnational networks, higher education institutions are posited to play a central role, as they are considered engines of socio‐economic development in the so‐called Knowledge Economy. To explore empirically the significance of higher education institutions in such networks, this article presents an analysis of 991 European networks promoting educational innovation within the Erasmus+ programme between 2014 and 2018. We analyse the role of higher education institutions by network size, governance, membership, and associated types of innovation. Our findings confirm expectations about the pivotal role of higher education institutions. However, expectations should be significantly nuanced, as higher education institutions tend to lead comparatively small networks. Also, higher education institutions tend to favour general innovative themes rather than specialised topics. Our contribution is threefold. First, it increases our understanding of higher education institutions' capacity to engage with multi‐level, multi‐actor, multi‐country innovation networks. Second, it sheds light on how higher education institutions have engaged with different priorities in EU's modernisation agenda. Finally, our paper extends the scholarship on internationalisation in higher education by looking at transnational networks in teaching and learning as an emerging phenomenon.
The effect of equal fluoride concentrations in silver diamine fluoride and potassium fluoride on demineralized dentin during pH‐cycling: chemical data
Authors: Alhothali Marwa , Exterkate Rob , Lagerweij Maxim , Buijs Mark , van Loveren Cor , van Strijp Guus
Published: May 2021

The actual contribution of silver in silver diamine fluoride (SDF) towards the anti‐demineralizing effect is unclear. This study compared the effects of single applications of three concentrations of fluoride (4.1%, 1.025%, 0.26% F−) in the form of SDF and potassium fluoride (KF) on demineralized dentin in a 15‐day non‐microbial pH‐cycling model. Calcium loss and uptake in de‐ and remineralization buffers were analyzed daily. Fluoride release in both buffers was analyzed on days 1, 2, 3, and 8. The net calcium results of de‐ and remineralization cycles revealed dose‐response protection without significant differences between equal fluoride concentrations of SDF and KF. In the demineralization cycles, all fluoride treatments, except KF 0.26% F−, significantly inhibited demineralization, with KF 4.1% F− being the most effective. In the remineralization cycles, remineralization was enhanced in all fluoride concentration groups in a dose‐response manner with no difference between similar fluoride concentrations of SDF and KF. Daily fluoride effects were constant throughout the experiment. Fluoride analysis revealed statistically significant differences in fluoride release between the treatments on day 1 that diminished on days 2 and 3. The non‐microbial model showed no differences between SDF and KF in inhibiting demineralization and enhancing remineralization of dentin lesions.
RETRACTED: DAE‐GAN: An autoencoder based adversarial network for Gaussian denoising
Authors: Samanta Abhishek , Saha Aheli , Satapathy Suresh Chandra , Lin Hong
Published: May 2021

Image denoising is one of the most classic problems in computer vision for restoring corrupted images. It has been approached by using various traditional state of the art architectures in convolutional neural network (CNN), which has demonstrated considerably better results than the prior methods. There has been recent advancements in approaching the problem using generative adversarial networks (GAN), which has shown considerable promise. In this paper, we propose a novel denoising adversarial architecture to generate denoised image samples from a noisy distribution. A denoising autoencoder has been employed as the Generator to learn image distributions and generate denoised images while the discriminator penalizes the generated output. We employ an additive loss comprising of root mean square and mean absolute error for the Generator function. The model is trained adversarially followed by extensive experiments. We achieved PSNR and SSIM values comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art for a range of blind and non‐blind Gaussian noise.
College‐level placement for heritage language learners
Authors: Ji Jingjing
Published: May 2021

The accuracy of placement results undoubtedly affects students' subsequent learning achievements in language programs. Although there has been a growing body of studies in the field of heritage language (HL) education, research on HL placement remains scarce, and little is known about the most appropriate and effective ways to place heritage language learners (HLLs). This article synthesizes and qualitatively analyzes the types of common practices and principles that college‐level language programs in the United States have adopted to place HLLs. A total of 752 peer‐reviewed journal articles published from 2000 to 2019 were retrieved from three databases, and 16 articles were included for the final content analysis. Three recurring themes, (1) the definitions of HLLs, (2) HL placement methods focusing on biographical questionnaires and locally designed placement tests, and (3) logistics, are identified in the review. This article discusses the current knowledge in these three areas and unpacks the implications for future HL placement design and implementation.
Passive acoustic monitoring of the endangered African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) using autonomous recording units and ecoacoustic indices
Authors: Favaro Livio , Cresta Eleonora , Friard Olivier , Ludynia Katrin , Mathevon Nicolas , Pichegru Lorien , Reby David , Gamba Marco
Published: May 2021

African Penguins Spheniscus demersus are endangered and declining seabirds which make extensive use of vocal signals for intra‐specific vocal communication. Accordingly, passive acoustic monitoring tools could be developed as robust population monitoring methods that cause minimal disturbance to the birds. In this study, we collected soundscape recordings at the Stony Point penguin colony (Betty’s Bay, South Africa) during the breeding season in 2019 to document the circadian rhythms of vocal activity of this species and to investigate whether the magnitude of variation of three different ecoacoustic indices correlates with the number of ecstatic and mutual display songs counted in recordings, which might inform on the breeding activity of the colony. Indeed, whereas ecstatic display songs are produced by males during intersexual competition and territorial defence, mutual display songs are given by parents returning to the nest after foraging trips. We found that the vast majority of the display songs (> 80%) occurred between 04:00–08:00 and 17:30–21:30 h. We also found that the Acoustic Entropy Index was a good predictor of the number of penguins’ songs within a recording. Overall, our study shows that African Penguins vocalizations have the potential to assist the monitoring of this species while minimizing disturbance.
Variations of colour, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities during the production of low temperature dried pasta in various durum wheat genotypes
Authors: Cabas‐Lühmann Patricia A. , Manthey Frank A. , Elias Elias M.
Published: May 2021

This research was conducted to determine the effect of milling and pasta making on yellow pigment content, soluble brown pigment content, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and peroxidase (POD) activity in semolina and pasta derived from ten durum genotypes. Results showed that pasta colour was impacted more by the milling than by pasta making. The loss of yellow pigment content, POD activity, PPO activity and soluble brown pigment content due to milling was 1.3×, 4.4×, 6.2× and 17.5×, respectively, greater than losses due to pasta making. Dry pasta contained 62%, 31%, 16% and 25% of the original yellow pigment content, brown pigment content and PPO activity and POD activity in the grain, respectively. Semolina yellow pigment content had a positive effect on pasta colour while semolina protein content, ash content and speck count had negative effects. These results indicate the importance of selecting genotypes that have high yellow pigment content and excellent milling qualities.
Flavour characteristics of rice wine fermented with mixed starter by moulds and yeast strains
Authors: Chen Lihua , Wang SanXia , Ren Lixia , Li Dongna , Ma Xia , Rong Yuzhi
Published: May 2021

Mixed starter of pure mould and yeast was designed to circument the problem of flavour characteristics in rice wine. The result underlined that the mixed starter (Q7) made by simultaneous inoculation of Rhizopus oryzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Candida glabrata had the highest contents of α‐amylase (8.02 ± 0.96 U/g) and sensory scoring (92.05 ± 2.24), presenting relatively strong flower‐aroma, wine‐aroma, Qu‐aroma and rice‐aroma. Meanwhile, the total concentration of flavour compounds in rice wine (RQ, 125.828 mg L−1) obtained from rice fermentation using Q7 were better than the commercially available rice wine (SS, 125.828 mg L−1). The E‐nose analysis showed that the flavour components in RQ differed dramatically from SS. The E‐tongue results indicated that the sourness, sweetness and umami aftertaste were greatly higher in RQ, and the bitterness and astringency are lower compared with SS. This study provided a method to improve the flavour and quality of rice wine.