bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graph Ricci Curvatures Reveal Atypical Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Elumalai Pavithra , Yadav Yasharth , Williams Nitin , Saucan Emil , Jost Jürgen , Samal Areejit
Published: November 2021

While standard graph-theoretic measures have been widely used to characterize atypical resting-state functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), geometry-inspired network measures have not been applied. In this study, we apply Forman-Ricci and Ollivier-Ricci curvatures to compare networks of ASD and typically developing individuals (N = 1112) from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange I (ABIDE-I) dataset. We find brain-wide and region-specific ASD-related differences for both Forman-Ricci and Ollivier-Ricci curvatures, with region-specific differences concentrated in Default Mode, Somatomotor and Ventral Attention networks for Forman-Ricci curvature. We use meta-analysis decoding to demonstrate that brain regions with curvature differences are associated to those cognitive domains known to be impaired in ASD. Further, we show that brain regions with curvature differences overlap with those brain regions whose non-invasive stimulation improves ASD-related symptoms. These results suggest the utility of graph Ricci curvatures in characterizing atypical connectivity of clinically relevant regions in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Resolving isomeric posttranslational modifications using a nanopore
Authors: Ensslen Tobias , Sarthak Kumar , Aksimentiev Aleksei , Behrends Jan C.
Published: November 2021

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are crucial for cellular function but pose analytical problems, especially in distinguishing chemically identical PTMs at different nearby locations within the same protein. Current methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, are technically tantamount to de novo protein sequencing1. Nanopore techniques may provide a more efficient solution, but applying the concepts of nanopore DNA strand sequencing to proteins still faces fundamental problems2–4. Here, we demonstrate the use of an engineered biological nanopore to differentiate positional isomers resulting from acetylation or methylation of histone protein H4, an important PTM target5,6. In contrast to strand sequencing, we differentiate positional isomers by recording ionic current modulations resulting from the stochastic entrapment of entire peptides in the pore’s sensing zone, with all residues simultaneously contributing to the electrical signal. Molecular dynamics simulations show that, in this whole-molecule sensing mode, the non-uniform distribution of the electric potential within the nanopore makes the added resistance contributed by a PTM dependent on its precise location on the peptide. Optimization of the pore’s sensitivity in combination with parallel recording and automated and standardized protein fragmentation may thus provide a simple, label-free, high-throughput analytical platform for identification and quantification of PTMs.
Social network analysis of Twitter data from Pakistan during COVID-19
Authors: Batool Syeda Hina , Ahmed Wasim , Mahmood Khalid , Sharif Ashraf
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The use of social media has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media platforms provide opportunities to share news, ideas and personal stories. Twitter is used by citizens in Pakistan to respond and comment on emerging news stories and events. However, it is not known whether Twitter played a positive or negative role in spreading updates and preventive messages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to analyse content from Twitter during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

NodeXL was used to retrieve data using the keyword وائرس کورونا (written in Urdu and which translates to Coronavirus). The first data set (Case Study 1) was based on 10,284 Twitter users from the end of March. The second data set (Case Study 2) was based on 10,644 Twitter users from the start of April. The theoretical lens of effective message framing was used to classify the most retweeted content on Twitter.

Findings

Twitter was used for personal and professional projections and included certain tweets included political motives even during the unfolding health crisis. There appeared to be very few successful attempts to use Twitter as a tool for health awareness and risk communication. The empirical findings indicate that the most retweeted messages were gain-framed and can be classified as personal, informative and political in nature.

Originality/value

The present study provides insights likely to be of interest to researchers, health organizations, citizens, government and politicians that are interested in making more effective use of social media for the purposes of health promotion. The authors also provide novel insights into the key topics of discussions, websites and hashtags used by Pakistani Twitter users during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor market policies, informality and misallocation
Authors: Jha Priyaranjan , Hasan Rana
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand labor market regulations and their consequences for the allocation of resources.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a theoretical model to study labor market regulations in developing countries and how it affects the allocation of resources between the less productive informal activities and more productive formal activities. It also provides empirical support for some theoretical results using cross-country data.

Findings

When workers are risk-averse and the market for insurance against labor income risk is missing, regulations that provide insurance to workers (such as severance payments) reduce misallocation. However, regulations that simply create barriers to the dismissal of workers increase misallocation and end up reducing the welfare of workers. This study also provides some empirical evidence broadly consistent with the theoretical results using cross-country data. While dismissal regulations increase the share of informal employment, severance payments to workers do not.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical exercise is constrained by the lack of availability of good data on the informal sector.

Originality/value

The analysis of the alternative labor market regulations analyzed in this paper in the presence of risk-averse workers is an original contribution to the literature.
The influence of 3-DOF film thickness disturbance on transient performance of typical spiral groove dry gas seals
Authors: Chen Yuan , Shang Hao , Li Xiaolu , Li Yuntang , Wang Bingqing , Peng Xudong
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence rule and mechanism of three degrees of freedom film thickness disturbance on the transient performance of spiral groove, upstream pumping spiral groove dry gas seal (UP-SDGS) and double-row spiral groove dry gas seal (DR-SDGS).

Design/methodology/approach

The transient performance of spiral groove, UP-SDGS and DR-SDGS are obtained by solving the transient Reynolds equation under different axial and angular disturbance coefficients. The transient and steady performance of the above-mentioned DGSs are compared and analyzed.

Findings

The film thickness disturbance has a remarkable impact on the sealing performance of DGS with different structures and the calculation deviations of the leakage rate of the UP-DGS will increase significantly if the film thickness disturbance is ignored. The axial and angular disturbance jointly affect the film thickness distribution of DGS, but there is no significant interaction between them on the transient sealing performance.

Originality/value

The influence mechanism of axial disturbance and angular disturbance on the transient performance of typical SDGSs behavior has been explained by theory. Considering small and large disturbance, the interaction between axial disturbance and angular disturbance on the transient performance have been studied.
Developing a measure to assess clinicians’ ability to reflect on key staff–patient dynamics in forensic settings
Authors: Polnay Adam , Walker Helen , Gallacher Christopher
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Relational dynamics between patients and staff in forensic settings can be complicated and demanding for both sides. Reflective practice groups (RPGs) bring clinicians together to reflect on these dynamics. To date, evaluation of RPGs has lacked quantitative focus and a suitable quantitative tool. Therefore, a self-report tool was designed. This paper aims to pilot The Relational Aspects of CarE (TRACE) scale with clinicians in a high-secure hospital and investigate its psychometric properties.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-professional sample of 80 clinicians were recruited, completing TRACE and attitudes to personality disorder questionnaire (APDQ). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) determined factor structure and internal consistency of TRACE. A subset was selected to measure test–retest reliability. TRACE was cross-validated against the APDQ.

Findings

EFA found five factors underlying the 20 TRACE items: “awareness of common responses,” “discussing and normalising feelings;” “utilising feelings,” “wish to care” and “awareness of complicated affects.” This factor structure is complex, but items clustered logically to key areas originally used to generate items. Internal consistency (α= 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.55–0.76) demonstrated borderline acceptability. TRACE demonstrated good test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.78–0.98) and face validity. TRACE indicated a slight negative correlation with APDQ. A larger data set is needed to substantiate these preliminary findings.

Practical implications

Early indications suggested TRACE was valid and reliable, suitable to measure the effectiveness of reflective practice.

Originality/value

The TRACE was a distinctive measure that filled a methodological gap in the literature.
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces’ and argon DBD plasma: potential eco-friendly cleaners for fire-damaged silver gelatin prints
Authors: Elattar Laila M. , Darwish Sawsan S. , Rashed Usama M. , Ali Maha Ahmed , Eldeighdye Shaimaa M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims at examining the potentiality of using Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces’ (Hs) aqueous extract to remove soot stains from the surface of fire-damaged silver gelatin prints. It further studies the cleaning efficiency and impact of both a contact method and a noncontact method with argon dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD Ar. plasma) on the different properties of silver gelatin prints. Accordingly, it prompts using economic, eco-friendly materials and methods in the photograph conservation field.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aims of this paper, four silver gelatin prints were stained with soot and treated with the Hs aqueous extract as a contact method and DBD Ar. plasma combined with the aqueous extract as a noncontact method. The assessment was carried out using digital microscopy, atomic force microscopy and spectrophotometer to study the efficiency of the tested treatments and their impact on the surface of the photographs. Fourier transform infrared was used to monitor the state of the binder after cleaning. Furthermore, the pH and the mechanical properties were measured.

Findings

The contact method resulted in lower concentrations of Hs extract that efficiently cleaned the surface without causing any stains or damage to the treated photographs. The noncontact method (plasma with an aqueous extract) proved to be less effective in cleaning and made the binder more susceptible to deterioration.

Originality/value

This paper reveals the success of Hs aqueous extract in cleaning soot on vulnerable photographs' surfaces.
Effects of green technology plasma pre-treatment on the wettability and ink adhesion of paper
Authors: Özsoy Samed Ayhan , Acıkel Safiye Meriç , Aydemir Cem
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The surface energy of the printing material can be increased to desired levels with different chemicals or methods. However, the important thing is that the surface properties of printing material are not affected negatively. In this way the aim of this paper provide that the surface properties of matte and glossy coated paper is improved by the argon containing atmospheric pressure plasma device because the plasma treatment method does not occur surface damaging on the papers.

Design/methodology/approach

In experimental studies, test samples cut from 160 mm × 30 mm in size from 115 g/m2 gloss- and matt-coated papers were used. The plasma treatments of paper samples were carried out with an argon containing atmospheric pressure plasma device of laboratory scale that produces plasma of the corona discharge type at radio frequency. The optimized plasma parameters were at a frequency of 20 kHz and plasma power 200 W. A copper electrode of length 12 cm and diameter 2.5 mm was placed in the centre of the nozzle.

Findings

Research findings showed that the surface energies of the papers increased with the increase in plasma application time. While the contact angle of the untreated glossy paper is 82.2, 8 second plasma applied G3 sample showed 54 contact angle value. Similarly, the contact angle of the base paper of matt coated is 91.1, while M3 is reduced to 60.4 contact angles by the increasing plasma time.

Originality/value

Plasma treatment has shown that no chemical coating is needed to increase the wettability of the paper surface by reducing the contact angle between the paper and the water droplet. In addition, the surface energies of all papers treated by argon gas containing atmospheric pressure plasma, increased. Plasma treatment provides to improve both the wettability of the paper and the adhesion property required for the ink, with an environmentally friendly approach.
A fabrication and characterization of luffa/PANI/PEO biocomposite nanofibers by means of electrospinning
Authors: Konuk Ege Gözde , Yüce Hüseyin , Akay Özge , Öner Hasbi , Genç Garip
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address the production of biocomposite nanofibers using luffa natural fibers and polyaniline conductive polymer/polyethylene oxides (PANI/PEO).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, luffa natural fibers are extracted by chemical method. After mixing the treated luffa (TL) with the PANI/PEO solution, TL/PANI/PEO nanofibers were produced by electrospinning (ES) method under different ES parameters to examine the optimal conditions for nanofiber production. Then TL/PANI/PEO biocomposite nanofibers prepared in different weight ratios were produced to analyze the effects of luffa in the morphology and thermal properties of the biocomposite nanofibers. The characterization analysis of TL/PANI/PEO biocomposite nanofibers was performed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis methods.

Findings

The analysis shows that different weight ratios of TL to PANI/PEO changed the morphology of the membrane. When increasing the weight ratio of TL, the morphological structure of TL/PANI/PEO transformed from nanofiber structure to thin film structure. The appearance of O—H peaks in the FTIR results proved the existence of TL in PANI/PEO nanofibers (membrane). Moreover, an increase in the weight ratio of luffa from 2% to 7.5% leads to an increase in the peak intensity of the O—H group. Regarding DSC analysis, biocomposite nanofibers improved the thermal properties. According to all results, 2%wt TL/PANI/PEO showed optimal morphological properties.

Originality/value

Plant cellulose was extracted from the luffa, one of the natural fibers, by method of alkali treatment. A new type of biocomposite nanofibers was produced using TL blend with PANI via electrospinning method.
“They said we ruined the character and our religion”: authenticity and legitimation ofhijabcosplay
Authors: El Jurdi Hounaida , Moufahim Mona , Dekel Ofer
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This research is positioned at the intersection of youth subculture consumption and religious affiliation, through the study of observant Muslim women involved in the highly engaging and codified activity of cosplay. Given authenticity is central to the cosplay visual impact and performance, this study aims to understand the wayhijabcosplayers negotiate tensions between authentic body performativity and the observance of religious dressing codes.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative interpretive approach was used to address the research questions. In-depth semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 25 members of ahijabcosplayers from South East Asia.

Findings

The concept of authenticity emerged as multifaceted forhijabcosplayers, where they manage three different aspect of the authentic cosplay performance as follows: authenticity as a cosplayer (social dimension of authenticity), authenticity to the character (personal dimension of authenticity) and authenticity to their religious identity (religious dimension of authenticity). The subsequent malleable authenticity is used to legitimate cosplay as an acceptable performative practice from a religious and from subcultural view.

Originality/value

The research highlights how tensions between identity and performativity of the body are negotiated. More specifically, the study contributes to the understanding of the wayhijabcosplayers reconcile tensions between religious identity and the performativity of the body. Given the role of the body as a site for negotiating identity, this study provides important insights in the tensions and strategies at the intersection of authenticity, embodiment and religious identity in youth cultures.
Weapons or deterrents? Nudibranch molluscs use distinct ecological modes of chemical defence against predators
Authors: Winters Anne E. , Chan Weili , White Andrew M. , van den Berg Cedric P. , Garson Mary J. , Cheney Karen L.
Published: November 2021

Defensive chemicals are used by plants and animals to reduce the risk of predation through different mechanisms, including toxins that cause injury and harm (weapons) and unpalatable or odiferous compounds that prevent attacks (deterrents). However, whether effective defences are both toxins and deterrents, or work in just one modality is often unclear.

In this study, our primary aim was to determine whether defensive compounds stored by nudibranch molluscs acted as weapons (in terms of being toxic), deterrents (in terms of being distasteful) or both. Our secondary aim was to investigate the response of different taxa to these defensive compounds.

To do this, we identified secondary metabolites in 30 species of nudibranch molluscs and investigated their deterrent properties using antifeedant assays with three taxa: rock pool shrimp, Palaemon serenus, and two fish species: triggerfish Rhinecanthus aculeatus and toadfish Tetractenos hamiltoni. We compared these results to toxicity assays using brine shrimp Artemia sp. and previously published toxicity data with a damselfish Chromis viridis.

Overall, we found no clear relationship between palatability and toxicity, but instead classified defensive compounds into the following categories: Class I & II—highly unpalatable and highly toxic; Class I—weakly unpalatable and highly toxic; Class II—highly unpalatable but weakly toxic; WR (weak response)—weakly unpalatable and weakly toxic. We also found eight extracts from six species that did not display activity in any assays indicating they may have very limited chemical defensive mechanisms (NR, no response). We found that the different classes of secondary metabolites were similarly unpalatable to fish and shrimp, except extracts from Phyllidiidae nudibranchs (isonitriles) that were highly unpalatable to shrimp but weakly unpalatable to fish.

Our results pave the way towards better understanding how animal chemical defences work against a variety of predators. We highlight the need to disentangle weapons and deterrents in future work on anti‐predator defences to better understand the foraging decisions faced by predators, the resultant selection pressures imposed on prey and the evolution of different anti‐predator strategies.
Directional changes over time in the species composition of tropical vascular epiphyte assemblages
Authors: Mendieta‐Leiva Glenda , Buckley Hannah L. , Zotz Gerhard
Published: November 2021

Understanding the degree to which deterministic and stochastic processes drive community assembly is an ongoing focus of research in community ecology. This effort is strongly biased towards ground‐rooted plants, resulting in a limited understanding of communities of other life‐forms, such as structurally dependent plants. Vascular epiphytes are sessile organisms growing non‐parasitically on three‐dimensional dynamic patches, their host plants. Since negative biotic interactions are thought to play a minor role in vascular epiphyte assembly, in some forests, epiphytes are fascinating model organisms to understand the prevalence of environmental filtering in shaping community assembly.

We assessed the contribution of deterministic processes on the temporal dynamics of vascular epiphyte assemblages by tracking the direction of changes in composition, species richness and abundance in time at different ecological and spatial scales. We made use of a globally unique dataset from a lowland forest in Panama. We predict that if niche‐based mechanisms dominate, (a) temporal changes will be directional and (b) differences in the species composition of epiphyte assemblages will be primarily related to host plant characteristics and, to a lesser degree, to the distance between host trees.

We show that temporal changes in vascular epiphyte assemblages were directional at different ecological scales, such as the forest patch, host species or individual tree assemblages. Epiphyte assemblages on host trees became more similar in their composition over time than expected by chance, and these changes were not due to homogenisation. While host characteristics were related to these directional changes, host structure rather than host identity was more strongly related to variation in assemblage dissimilarity, while spatial distance among trees was of minor importance. The observed directionality was primarily due to environmental filtering.

This study provides the first evidence that niche‐based mechanisms dominate the dynamics of vascular epiphyte assemblages. Analysing temporal patterns of vascular epiphyte assemblages is a first important step towards understanding the relative importance of deterministic processes for diversity maintenance of one of the most diverse plant groups in the tropics.

Synthesis. Directionality in the temporal changes of epiphyte assemblages suggests that niche‐based mechanisms dominate these temporal changes. Host size over host identity is the most important environmental filter for epiphyte assemblages establishment.
What are the essential components of antenatal care? A systematic review of the literature and development of signal functions to guide monitoring and evaluation
Authors: McCauley H , Lowe K , Furtado N , Mangiaterra V , van den Broek N
Published: November 2021

Background

Antenatal care (ANC) is one of the key care packages required to reduce global maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Objectives

To identify the essential components of ANC and develop signal functions.

Search strategy

MESH headings for databases including Cinahl, Cochrane, Global Health, Medline, PubMed and Web of Science.

Selection criteria

Papers and reports on content of ANC published from 2000 to 2020.

Data collection and analysis

Narrative synthesis of data and development of signal function through 7 consensus‐building workshops with 184 stakeholders.

Main results

A total of 221 papers and reports are included from which 28 essential components of ANC were extracted and used to develop 15 signal functions with the equipment, medication and consumables required for implementation of each. Signal functions for the prevention and management of infectious diseases (malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis and tetanus) can be applied depending on population disease burden. Screening and management of pre‐eclampsia, gestational diabetes, anaemia, mental and social health (including intimate partner violence) are recommended universally. Three signal functions address monitoring of fetal growth and wellbeing, and identification and management of obstetric complications. Promotion of health and wellbeing via education and support for nutrition, cessation of substance abuse, uptake of family planning, recognition of danger signs and birth preparedness are included as essential components of ANC.

Conclusions

New signal functions have been developed which can be used for monitoring and evaluation of content and quality of ANC. Country adaptation and validation is recommended.
Standard practice of presacral exposure during transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Lu Z , Hua K , Chen Y , Hu C
Published: November 2021

We describe the standard practice of presacral exposure during transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) for sacrocolpopexy in women with uterine prolapse. In this video, we demonstrate the key techniques: identifying the right hypogastric nerve (rHN) before opening the pelvic peritoneum; removing the fat and loose connective tissue along the rHN to expose the presacral fascia; incising the presacral fascia to reach the presacral space to expose the middle sacral vasculature and the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) of the first sacral vertebra (S1) below the promontory; attaching the mesh to the ALL to avoid vessel injury; and completing the peritonealisation.
Early medical abortion by telemedicine in the United Kingdom: a costing analysis
Authors: Hawkins JE , Glasier A , Hall S , Regan L ,   the RCOG Telemedicine cost‐effectiveness working group
Published: November 2021

Objective

To determine the potential cost savings resulting from the introduction of routine early medical abortion (EMA) at home by telemedicine in the UK.

Design

A costing study.

Setting

The UK.

Population

Women in 2020 undergoing EMA provided by three independent abortion providers and two National Health Service (NHS) abortion clinics.

Methods

Computation of the costs of each abortion procedure and of managing failed or incomplete abortion and haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion.

Main outcome measures

Cost savings.

Results

Overall estimated cost savings are £15.80 per abortion undertaken by independent abortion providers, representing a saving to the NHS of over £3 million per year. Limited data from NHS services resulted in an estimated average saving of £188.84 per abortion.

Conclusions

Were telemedicine EMA to become routine, an increase in the number of women eligible for medical rather than surgical abortion, and a reduction in adverse events resulting from earlier abortion, could result in significant cost savings.

Tweetable abstract

Early medical abortion at home using telemedicine could save the NHS £3 million per year.
Randomised controlled trial in cadavers investigating methods for intubation via a supraglottic airway device: Comparison of flexible airway scope guided versus a retrograde technique
Authors: Groombridge Christopher J , Maini Amit , Johnny Cecil , McCreary David , Kim Yesul , Smit De Villiers , Fitzgerald Mark
Published: November 2021

Objective

A supraglottic airway device (SAD) may be utilised for rescue re‐oxygenation following a failed attempt at endotracheal intubation with direct or video laryngoscopy. However, the choice of subsequent method to secure a definitive airway is not clearly established. The aim of the present study was to compare two techniques for securing a definitive airway via the in‐situ SAD.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial was undertaken. The population studied was emergency physicians (EPs) attending a cadaveric airway course. The intervention was intubation through a SAD using a retrograde intubation technique (RIT). The comparison was intubation through a SAD guided by a flexible airway scope (FAS). The primary outcome was time to intubation. The trial was registered with ANZCTR.org.au (ACTRN12621000995875).

Results

Four EPs completed intubations using both methods on four cadavers for a total of 32 experiments. The mean time to intubation was 18.2 s (standard deviation 8.8) in the FAS group compared with 52.9 s (standard deviation 11.7) in the RIT group; a difference of 34.7 s (95% confidence interval 27.1–42.3, P < 0.001). All intubations were completed within 2 min and there were no equipment failures or evidence of airway trauma.

Conclusion

Successful tracheal intubation of cadavers by EPs is achievable, without iatrogenic airway trauma, via a SAD using either a FAS or RIT, but was 35 s quicker with the FAS.
Seasonality drives variation in the use of forest strata by adult males of a dimorphic frugivorous bird species
Authors: Pires Luís Paulo , Paniago Luís Pedro Mendes , Santos Yasmin Regina , de Melo Celine
Published: November 2021

Animals may exploit habitat complexity in a myriad of ways, and a widespread pattern of habitat use is vertical stratification. In tropical forests, it often increases niche diversity for frugivorous birds, and it strongly influences seed dispersal and community persistence. Yet, most studies disregard intraspecific variations in the use of forest layers and their ecological and evolutionary consequences. In this study, we asked whether adult males and green individuals (females and juveniles) of a dimorphic frugivorous bird, the helmeted manakin (Antilophia galeata, Pipridae) foraged at different strata in a forest from Southeastern Brazil. We also investigated how the seasonal dynamics of fruit availability and distribution within the forest affect between‐ and within‐phenotype use of forest layers. We conducted field observations of the foraging activity of both phenotypes and found that they were mainly midstory foragers flying at similar heights in both seasons. However, adult males increased their stratum breadth and their foraging height during the wet season, when fruits were also available at higher strata, while the foraging behaviour of green individuals remained seasonally invariant. The different effects of seasonality on the phenotypes of the helmeted manakin may be a consequence of sexual competition among adult males in the wet season to secure fruits in taller plants. Altogether, our findings show that seasonality affects differently the spatial use behaviours of males and green individuals, and understanding these intraspecific differences may help us predict how species respond to environmental disturbances affecting habitat structure and frugivores assemblages.
DENEB: Development of new criteria for curability after local excision of pathological T1 colorectal cancer using liquid biopsy
Authors: Miyo Masaaki , Kato Takeshi , Nakamura Yoshiaki , Taniguchi Hiroya , Takahashi Yusuke , Ishii Masayuki , Okita Kenji , Ando Koji , Yukami Hiroki , Mishima Saori , Yamazaki Kentaro , Kotaka Masahito , Watanabe Jun , Oba Koji , Aleshin Alexey , Billings Paul R. , Rabinowitz Matthew , Kotani Daisuke , Oki Eiji , Takemasa Ichiro , Mori Masaki , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: November 2021

According to the current international guidelines, high‐risk patients diagnosed with pathological T1 (pT1) colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent complete local resection but may have risk of developing lymph node metastasis (LNM) are recommended additional intestinal resection with lymph node dissection. However, around 90% of the patients without LNM are exposed to the risk of being overtreated due to the insufficient pathological criteria for risk stratification of LNM. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a noninvasive biomarker for molecular residual disease and relapse detection after treatments including surgical and endoscopic resection of solid tumors. The CIRCULATE‐Japan project includes a large‐scale patient‐screening registry of the GALAXY study to track ctDNA status of patients with stage II to IV or recurrent CRC that can be completely resected. Based on the CIRCULATE‐Japan platform, we launched DENEB, a new prospective study, within the GALAXY study for patients with pT1 CRC who underwent complete local resection and were scheduled for additional intestinal resection with lymph node dissection based on the standard pathologic risk stratification criteria for LNM. The aim of this study is to explore the ability of predicting LNM using ctDNA analysis compared with the standard pathological criteria. The ctDNA assay will build new evidence to establish a noninvasive personalized diagnosis in patients, which will facilitate tailored/optimal treatment strategies for CRC patients.
ReSTIR GI: Path Resampling for Real‐Time Path Tracing
Authors: Ouyang Y. , Liu S. , Kettunen M. , Pharr M. , Pantaleoni J.
Published: November 2021

Even with the advent of hardware‐accelerated ray tracing in modern GPUs, only a small number of rays can be traced at each pixel in real‐time applications. This presents a significant challenge for path tracing, even when augmented with state‐of‐the art denoising algorithms. While the recently‐developed ReSTIR algorithm [BWP∗20] enables high‐quality renderings of scenes with millions of light sources using just a few shadow rays at each pixel, there remains a need for effective algorithms to sample indirect illumination.

We introduce an effective path sampling algorithm for indirect lighting that is suitable to highly parallel GPU architectures. Building on the screen‐space spatio‐temporal resampling principles of ReSTIR, our approach resamples multi‐bounce indirect lighting paths obtained by path tracing. Doing so allows sharing information about important paths that contribute to lighting both across time and pixels in the image. The resulting algorithm achieves a substantial error reduction compared to path tracing: at a single sample per pixel every frame, our algorithm achieves MSE improvements ranging from9.3×to166×in our test scenes. In conjunction with a denoiser, it leads to high‐quality path traced global illumination at real‐time frame rates on modern GPUs.
BRDF Importance Sampling for Linear Lights
Authors: Peters Christoph
Published: November 2021

We introduce an efficient method to sample linear lights, i.e. infinitesimally thin cylinders, proportional to projected solid angle. Our method uses inverse function sampling with a specialized iterative procedure that converges to high accuracy in only two iterations. It also allows us to sample proportional to a linearly transformed cosine. By combining both sampling techniques through suitable multiple importance sampling heuristics and by using good stratification, we achieve unbiased diffuse and specular real‐time shading with low variance outside penumbrae at two samples per pixel. Additionally, we provide a fast method for solid angle sampling.
Sampling from Quadric‐Based CSG Surfaces
Authors: Trettner P. , Kobbelt L.
Published: November 2021

We present an efficient method to create samples directly on surfaces defined by constructive solid geometry (CSG) trees or graphs. The generated samples can be used for visualization or as an approximation to the actual surface with strong guarantees. We chose to use quadric surfaces as CSG primitives as they can model classical primitives such as planes, cubes, spheres, cylinders, and ellipsoids, but also certain saddle surfaces. More importantly, they are closed under affine transformations, a desirable property for a modeling system. We also propose a rendering method that performs local quadric ray‐tracing and clipping to achieve pixel‐perfect accuracy and hole‐free rendering.
Cooperative Profile Guided Optimizations
Authors: Stephenson Mark , Rangan Ram , Keckler Stephen W.
Published: November 2021

Existing feedback‐driven optimization frameworks are not suitable for video games, which tend to push the limits of performance of gaming platforms and have real‐time constraints that preclude all but the simplest execution profiling. While Profile Guided Optimization (PGO) is a well‐established optimization approach, existing PGO techniques are ill‐suited for games for a number of reasons, particularly because heavyweight profiling makes interactive applications unresponsive. Adaptive optimization frameworks continually collect metrics that guide code specialization optimizations during program execution but have similarly high overheads. We emulate a system, which we callCooperative PGO, in which the gaming platform collectspiecemealprofiles by sampling in both time and space during actual gameplay across many users; stitches the piecemeal profiles together statistically; and creates policies to guide future gameplay. We introduce a three‐level hierarchical profiler that is well‐suited to graphics APIs, that commonly operates with no overhead and occasionally introduces an average overhead of less than 0.5% during periods of active profiling. This paper examines the practicality ofCooperative PGOusing three PGOs as case studies. A PGO that exploits likely zeros is particularly effective, achieving an average speedup of 5%, with a maximum speedup of 15%, over a highly‐tuned baseline.
Exploring the Contributions and Challenges of Museum Technology Professionals during the COVID‐19 Crisis
Authors: Marty Paul F. , Buchanan Vivian
Published: November 2021

This paper presents results from an online survey designed to explore the role of museum technology professionals during times of crisis such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. The survey results offer an important first look at the contributions and challenges of museum technology professionals during a critical turning point in the history of museums. The analysis of these results provides insight into how museum technology professionals are affected during times of crisis, the contributions they can make to museums in crisis, and how they can better advocate their value to museum leadership in crisis situations. The research results demonstrate the need for museums to promote digital literacy skills, increase their investment in digital technologies, and develop the digital strategies they will need to respond to future crises head on.
Integrating newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy into health care systems: an Australian pilot programme
Authors: D'Silva Arlene M , Kariyawasam Didu S T , Best Stephanie , Wiley Veronica , Farrar Michelle A ,   NSW SMA NBS Study Group
Published: November 2021

Aim

This study dynamically designed, evaluated, and implemented the components of an Australian newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) pilot programme for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Method

We used an implementation‐effectiveness study design and continuous interdisciplinary review to measure SMA NBS test protocol performance, identify and overcome laboratory and clinical barriers to implementation, and describe progress during the 2‐year pilot study.

Results

The NBS programme screened 252 081 newborn infants from 1st August 2018 to 31st January 2021. Using an NBS pilot test protocol, 21 infants were diagnostically confirmed with SMA. The NBS pilot test protocol had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity greater than 99.9%, false‐positive rate less than 0.001%, a false‐negative rate of 0%, and positive predictive value of 95.5%. A severe phenotype was predicted on the basis of two copies of SMN2 in 57.2% of newborn infants screening positive for SMA. Clinical signs consistent with SMA were evident in 6 out of 21 screen‐positive newborn infants within the first 4 weeks of life. A multidisciplinary team establishing strong partnerships across clinical and laboratory staff was key to implementation.

Interpretation

This pilot programme suggests that NBS is essential for early identification of newborn infants at risk of SMA and can be effectively translated into clinical practice.
Estimating and examining the costs of inpatient diabetes care in an Irish Public Hospital
Authors: Friel Kathleen M. , Gillespie Patrick , Coates Vivien , McCauley Claire , McCann Michael , O’Kane Maurice , McGuigan Karen , Khamis Amjed , Manktelow Matthew
Published: November 2021

Aim

To estimate and examine hospitalisation costs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in an Irish public hospital.

Methods

A retrospective audit of hospital inpatient admissions over a 5‐year period was undertaken, and a wide range of admission‐related data were collected for a sample of 7,548 admissions. Hospitalisations were costed using the diagnosis‐related group methodology. A series of descriptive, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were undertaken.

Results

The mean hospitalisation cost for Type 1 diabetes was €4,027 and for Type 2 diabetes was €5,026 per admission. Sex, admission type and length of stay were significantly associated with hospitalisation costs for admissions with a primary diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Age, admission type, diagnosis status, complications status, discharge destination, length of stay and year were significantly associated with hospitalisation costs for admissions with a primary diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Length of stay was associated with higher mean costs, with each additional day increasing Type 1 diabetes costs by €260 (p = 0.001) and Type 2 diabetes by €216 (p < 0.001). Unscheduled admissions were associated with significantly lower costs than elective admissions; €1,578 (p = 0.035) lower for Type 1 diabetes and €2,108 (p < 0.001) lower for Type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

This study presents estimates of the costs of diabetes care in the Irish public hospital system and identifies the factors which influence costs for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. These findings may be of interest to patients, the public, researchers and those with influence over diabetes policy and practice in Ireland and internationally.
Topical κ‐opioid receptor agonist asimadoline improves dermatitis in a canine model of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Marsella Rosanna , Ahrens Kim , Wilkes Rachel , Soeberdt Michael , Abels Christoph
Published: November 2021

This prospective, 4‐week, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study aimed to investigate the efficacy of 1% topical κ‐opioid agonist, asimadoline, in a model of canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Fourteen beagles were challenged with house dust mites every 3–4 days for a total of 9 challenges. Severity of dermatitis was assessed, and pruritus was monitored using GoPro HERO cameras. Pruritus scoring was evaluated at 10 time periods; baseline, 4 h post allergen challenge and the last day of the study on Day 28. Scoring was done blindly by personnel using BORIS software. A global subjective score was also given using a visual analogue scale (VAS). A 4‐week washout period occurred and dogs were crossed‐over, the study was repeated, and the results were analysed using combined data. Gel was applied once daily on inguinal area (0.6 ml/dog). ANOVA showed significant effect of time (p < 0.0001) and group (p = 0.0001) on dermatitis scores. Overall, no statistically significant effect on pruritus was found due to a crossing of scores on Day 17. Overtime the placebo scores increased while the active ingredient showed decrease after first 3 weeks. It is concluded that this approach is promising in dogs with AD and longer studies with more frequent application may be beneficial.
Responses of soil bacterial community structure and function to dry–wet cycles more stable in paddy than in dryland agricultural ecosystems
Authors: Qi Jiejun , Chen Beibei , Gao Jiamin , Peng Ziheng , Jiao Shuo , Wei Gehong
Published: November 2021

Aim

Climate change is the foremost cause of terrestrial biodiversity decline, but the microbial communities from different habitats do not respond equally to environmental change. However, our understanding of the response patterns of microbial diversity to climate change remains limited in distinct agriculture ecosystems across large spatial scales. Here, we explore the response patterns of soil bacterial community structure and function to dry–wet cycles in dryland (maize) and paddy (rice) agricultural ecosystems throughout eastern China.

Location

Eastern China.

Time period

November 2019 to May 2020.

Major taxa studied

Bacterial communities.

Methods

Incubation experiments with dry–wet cycles were carried out on the soil samples collected from 25 paired maize and rice fields across eastern China. Bacterial community structure was estimated via high‐throughput sequencing techniques. We applied quantitative polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the effect of the dry–wet cycle on the change of functional genes. Phylogenetic signals were examined based on Blomberg’s K to test the phylogenetic conservatism of maize and rice bacterial communities during dry–wet cycles.

Results

Dry–wet cycles significantly decreased bacterial alpha diversity in both maize and rice soils, and bacterial communities from warmer regions were more sensitive to dry–wet cycles. The bacterial responses to dry–wet cycles were phylogenetically conserved, with greater phylogenetic conservation in the former. The abundance of functional genes that were related to carbon decomposition, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification and organophosphorus mineralization decreased during dry–wet cycles, and the resistances of such functional genes to disturbance were stronger in rice soils than in maize soils. In addition, the relative abundances of stable amplicon sequence variants during dry–wet cycles had a significant positive linear relationship with functional gene abundance in the maize and rice soils, indicating their essential roles in the stability of microbial function.

Main conclusions

We conclude that soil bacterial community structure and function in dryland agricultural ecosystems are less stable and exhibit greater phylogenetic conservation in response to dry–wet cycles when compared with paddy fields. In addition, our study reveals, for the first time, the response patterns of bacterial communities to dry–wet cycles in dryland and wetland agroecosystems.
In vitro digestibility and physicochemical properties of Arenga pinnata starch‐chitosan following heat‐moisture treatment
Authors: Xue Shan , Mei Jiang‐Yang , Liu Yuan‐Sen , Ren Min‐Hong , Li Meng‐Yun , Fu Zhen
Published: November 2021

In vitro digestibility and physicochemical properties of chitosan (CS)‐modified Arenga pinnata starch (APS) after heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) were evaluated. HMT would limit the enzymatic hydrolysis of APS and the digestion rate of HMT‐APS‐CS was further reduced with the decrease of CS molecular weight. CS and HMT inhibited the solubility (SOL) and swelling power (SP) of APS, and the inhibition effect was more obvious with the decrease in CS molecular weight. Changes in the pasting properties of the CS‐modified APS indicated that the initial structure of the APS granules was destroyed with the formation of a denser structure. The increase of the relative crystallinity and the aggregation of the APS granules were related to starch cross‐linking confirmed by Fourier transform infrared. The interactions between CS and APS granules after HMT greatly altered granular morphology and internal structure of APS. Therefore, the improvements of SDS and RS of HMT‐APS‐CS were mainly related to CS covering the surface of the APS granules, granule aggregation and HMT‐induced changes in the internal structure of the starch granule.