bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Modeling of Population Dynamics of Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermistidae)
Authors: Rajendran Vignesh , Jian Fuji , Fields Paul G , Jayas Digvir S
Published: December 2021

Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is one of the economically important quarantine pests that mainly feeds on food grain and proteinaceous materials. Its total development time lasts approximately 40–45 d under favorable environmental conditions. Extreme temperatures, high relative humidity (RH), high larval densities, or low food quality can induce a larval diapause, where the insect can survive for up to a few years, occasionally feeding and molting. Ecological modeling is a helpful tool to study the population dynamics of biological systems. Physi-Biological age method is based on temperature-driven development rate, and factors such as RH and food quality were considered as multipliers. The objective of this study was to develop mathematical models to calculate the survival and development of adults, eggs, larvae, pupae, and oviposition and diapause under different environmental conditions such as temperature, RH, and food quality. Algorithms were developed to simulate the population dynamics for each day and coded in C++. The developed models were validated against the literature data and evaluated using linear regression, R2, and MSE. Population dynamics were simulated under Canadian grain storage conditions, and the developed models predicted that the diapausing larvae survived the extremely cold conditions found in Canadian grain. In contrast, other stages did not survive. The surviving larvae developed to pupae and adults, and females began laying eggs once the temperature became warmer in the grain bins.
Forest characteristics and population structure of a threatened palm tree Caryota obtusa in the karst forest ecosystem of Yunnan, China
Authors: Tang Cindy Q , Lu Xia , Du Min-Rui , Xiao Shu-Li , Li Shuaifeng , Han Peng-Bin , Zeng Jia-Le , Wen Jian-Ran , Yao Shi-Qian , Shi You-Cai , Li Yun-Fang , Peng Ming-Chun , Wang Chong-Yun , Zhang Zhi-Ying
Published: December 2021

Caryota obtusa of Arecaceae is a fascinating palm tree native to southwestern China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is an economically important and threatened species and appears as a canopy dominant in some karst areas in Yunnan. We aim to clarify the forest structure, species diversity, population status and regeneration dynamics of C. obtusa in the karst forest ecosystem of Yunnan, China. We established 56 vegetation plots dominated by C. obtusa in 10 counties of southern Yunnan. Based on the plot data, we analyzed the community stratification, floristic composition and C. obtusa’s population structure. We used questionnaires to interview local people and recorded the human activity history in C. obtusa-dominated forests. Caryota obtusa palm forests were distributed on limestone mountain slopes and gullies. There were seven forest community types. The stratification of each community included arborous layer, shrub layer and understory. The communities had rich species composition. For all the plots as a whole of each community type, Shannon–Wiener diversity index of either woody or herbaceous species ranged from 2.1 to 3.8. The diameter at breast height (DBH)-class frequency distribution of C. obtusa was a multimodal type. The regeneration was sporadic and dependent on intermediate natural disturbances. In the current population structure, a number of C. obtusa trees with small DBHs consisted mainly of the forest communities with no or a slight degree of human disturbances. Intensive human activities terribly hindered recruitment of C. obtuse, followed by the medium intensity of human activities.
Collision tumor of malignant tumors of the skin: dermal squamomelanocytic tumor coexisting with basal cell carcinoma—a rare case
Authors: Diamantopoulos Pantelis , Gouveris Panagiotis , Diamantopoulou Stavroula , Tseloni Lilika , Arkoumani Evdokia , Arnogiannaki Niki , Stavrianos Spiridon
Published: December 2021

Collision tumors are neoplasms coexisting in the some anatomical area. The most common combination is melanocytic nevus with basal cell carcinoma. Melanocytic nevus with basal cell carcinoma constitutes the most common cutaneous combination. Co-existence of two malignant neoplasms is extremely rare. We describe the case of a 69-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with a nodular mass on the back. We performed an excisional biopsy that revealed collision tumor, consisting of basal cell carcinoma along with mixed melanosquamous carcinoma. Subsequently, wide excision with sentinel node biopsy was performed. The sentinel node was negative. The patient did not receive any ongologic therapy.
Comparison of antibody immune responses between BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in naïve and previously infected individuals
Authors: Al-Sadeq Duaa W , Shurrab Farah M , Ismail Ahmed , Amanullah Fathima Humaira , Thomas Swapna , Aldewik Nader , Yassine Hadi M , Abdul Rahim Hanan F , Abu-Raddad Laith , Nasrallah Gheyath K
Published: December 2021

Background

Two mRNA vaccines, Pfizer-BNT162b2 and Moderna-mRNA-1273, obtained the Emergency Use Listing by WHO for preventing COVID-19. However, little is known about the difference in antibody responses induced by these two mRNA vaccines in naïve and previously infected (PI) individuals.

Method

We investigated the levels of anti-S-RBD (total, IgG and IgA) levels in naïve and PI individuals, 1–13 (median = 6) weeks following the second dose of either vaccine. Results in the naïve-vaccinated group, the mRNA-1273 vaccine induced significantly higher levels of anti-S-RBD total antibodies (3.5-fold; P < 0.001), IgG (2-fold, P < 0.01) and IgA (2.1-fold, P < 0.001) as compared with the BNT162b2 vaccine. In addition, both vaccines produced significantly higher anti-S-RBD total antibody levels in the PI-group compared with naïve-vaccinated group. The PI group elicited a higher level of anti-S-RBD IgG than the naïve-BNT162b2 (P = 0.05), but not more than the naïve-mRNA-1273 (P = 0.9) group. Interestingly, the PI vaccinated group elicited a comparable level of IgA ratio to the naïve-mRNA-1273 group but significantly higher than the naïve-BNT162b2 group (1.6-fold, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results showed that the PI-vaccinated group produces a higher level of antibodies than the naïve vaccinated group, particularly for those vaccinated with BNT162b2.
Sudden discharge of young charged magnetars as a new model for FRBs
Authors: de Avellar M G B , Beaklini P P B , Nunes S P , Moraes P H R S , Malheiro M
Published: December 2021

We propose a new model for Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) based on a sudden discharge of a charged young magnetar, caused by the short falling time-scale of oppositely charged particles on to the magnetar. In this scenario, curvature radiation is emitted by particles accelerated at relativistic by the strong electric fields produced by the disconnection and the subsequent reconnection of the magnetic field lines, a process triggered by the sudden discharge. We modelled the magnetars as charged neutron stars in the static approximation using the exterior metric by the Reissner–Nordström. We also adopted an electrical charge distribution proportional to the mass-energy density, although our results are not strongly sensitive to the specific star’s charge distribution, only to the total charge. Our calculations show that the discharge and emission time-scales are several milliseconds, compatible with the FRB phenomena for magnetars with a total charge of ∼1020 C and mass and radius in the range of 1.5–3.0 M⊙ and 10–45 km, respectively. Furthermore, the calculated total emitted power of a coherent pulse is $P_{\mathrm{ tot}}\sim 10^{42-43} \, \mathrm{erg\, s}^{-1}$, and the frequency range and time-scale are also consistent with FRBs astronomical observations. Finally, if the magnetar does not collapse after the discharge, the existence of FRB repeater sources cannot rule out the existence of a blast repetition after the time needed to magnetosphere recharges and produce a new discharge.
Whole-Genome Resequencing of Worldwide Wild and Domestic Sheep Elucidates Genetic Diversity, Introgression, and Agronomically Important Loci
Authors: Lv Feng-Hua , Cao Yin-Hong , Liu Guang-Jian , Luo Ling-Yun , Lu Ran , Liu Ming-Jun , Li Wen-Rong , Zhou Ping , Wang Xin-Hua , Shen Min , Gao Lei , Yang Jing-Quan , Yang Hua , Yang Yong-Lin , Liu Chang-Bin , Wan Peng-Cheng , Zhang Yun-Sheng , Pi Wen-Hui , Ren Yan-Ling , Shen Zhi-Qiang , Wang Feng , Wang Yu-Tao , Li Jin-Quan , Salehian-Dehkordi Hosein , Hehua Eer , Liu Yong-Gang , Chen Jian-Fei , Wang Jian-Kui , Deng Xue-Mei , Esmailizadeh Ali , Dehghani-Qanatqestani Mostafa , Charati Hadi , Nosrati Maryam , Štěpánek Ondřej , Rushdi Hossam E , Olsaker Ingrid , Curik Ino , Gorkhali Neena A , Paiva Samuel R , Caetano Alexandre R , Ciani Elena , Amills Marcel , Weimann Christina , Erhardt Georg , Amane Agraw , Mwacharo Joram M , Han Jian-Lin , Hanotte Olivier , Periasamy Kathiravan , Johansson Anna M , Hallsson Jón H , Kantanen Juha , Coltman David W , Bruford Michael W , Lenstra Johannes A , Li Meng-Hua
Published: December 2021

Domestic sheep and their wild relatives harbor substantial genetic variants that can form the backbone of molecular breeding, but their genome landscapes remain understudied. Here, we present a comprehensive genome resource for wild ovine species, landraces and improved breeds of domestic sheep, comprising high-coverage (∼16.10×) whole genomes of 810 samples from 7 wild species and 158 diverse domestic populations. We detected, in total, ∼121.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, ∼61 million of which are novel. Some display significant (P < 0.001) differences in frequency between wild and domestic species, or are private to continent-wide or individual sheep populations. Retained or introgressed wild gene variants in domestic populations have contributed to local adaptation, such as the variation in the HBB associated with plateau adaptation. We identified novel and previously reported targets of selection on morphological and agronomic traits such as stature, horn, tail configuration, and wool fineness. We explored the genetic basis of wool fineness and unveiled a novel mutation (chr25: T7,068,586C) in the 3′-UTR of IRF2BP2 as plausible causal variant for fleece fiber diameter. We reconstructed prehistorical migrations from the Near Eastern domestication center to South-and-Southeast Asia and found two main waves of migrations across the Eurasian Steppe and the Iranian Plateau in the Early and Late Bronze Ages. Our findings refine our understanding of genome variation as shaped by continental migrations, introgression, adaptation, and selection of sheep.
The role of felt responsibility in climate change political participation
Authors: Munson Sammi , Kotcher John , Maibach Edward , Rosenthal Seth A , Leiserowitz Anthony
Published: December 2021

This research letter investigates the role of feelings of responsibility to reduce climate change (i.e. ‘felt responsibility’) as an antecedent to climate change-related political behaviors and intentions, including willingness to join a campaign, likelihood of supporting pro-climate presidential candidates and past contact with elected officials. Using nationally representative survey data (n = 1029), we find that felt responsibility has a significant positive relationship with future behavioral intent, but not past behavior. Implications and future research are discussed.
Rules Compliance Behavior: A Heuristic Model
Authors: Bozeman Barry
Published: December 2021

Few studies focus on the full array of employees’ responses to the formal rules governing their work. This article develops a set of propositions as to why employees comply fully with rules, comply in part, or disobey rules. The primary goal of the article is to stimulate further development of theory and research about rules-based behaviors. The article sets forth a Heuristic Model of Rules Compliance Behavior, “heuristic” because it aims less at explanation than the development of concepts and propositions about organizational employees’ rules compliance behavior. The model’s dimensions include the sources of rules, the characteristics of rule arbiters, the compliance requirements of rules, characteristics of sanctions for noncompliance, and rule density. The article concludes with suggestions for future research and argues that greater knowledge of rules compliance could provide a theory-enabling “scaffolding’ for several research topics related to organizational rules.
Empowering Student Antiracist Work to Overcome Inertia in Academic Health Centers
Authors: Ngo Victoria M. , Beaverson Sarah , Turkson Susie , Dow Alan W.
Published: December 2021

The national struggles for social justice that have dominated headlines since 2020 are reflected in the challenges academic health centers are confronting as they strive to become more antiracist. One of the largest challenges for these institutions may be the inertia of the status quo. While faculty may have become accustomed to a status quo that perpetuates inequity, students provide perspectives that can disrupt this inertia and lead to positive change. Students, however, face barriers to antiracist work, including power gradients (i.e., different amounts of power people possess according to their position in a hierarchy) and a need to be accepted as part of the physician profession.

In this article, the authors examine these challenges to student antiracist advocacy. They identify student empowerment, faculty allyship, and sustainability as essential principles for student antiracist work. They suggest this work could be operationalized through sequential student-led task forces focused on addressing the most pressing antiracist issues. The authors further recommend an approach to professionalism and development of a physician professional identity based on the values of antiracism rather than on existing norms. With this foundation, students may be able to engage in antiracist work, build professional identities that are more antiracist, and become physicians who can ensure a more just health care environment for their patients and communities.
Patient Deterioration on General Care Units
Authors: Gaughan Mary Rose , Jungquist Carla R
Published: December 2021

Patient deterioration is a phenomenon that occurs from the inability to recognize it or respond to a change in condition. Despite the published reports on recognizing a deteriorating patient on general care floors, a gap remains in the ability of nurses to describe the concept, affecting patient outcomes. Walker and Avant's approach was applied to analyze patient deterioration. The aim of this article was to explore and clarify the meaning of patient deterioration and identify attributes, antecedents, and consequences. The defining attributes were compared to early warning scores. An operational definition was developed and its value to nurses established.
Time to Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children with Coexisting Developmental Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Lau Deanna , Tybor David J. , Perrin Ellen , Sakai Christina
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Our study evaluates whether having an alternate developmental behavioral disorder (DBDs) diagnosis before diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is associated with delays in diagnosis in a nationally representative sample.

Methods:

Data were obtained from the 2011 National Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Services, a survey of children aged 6 to 17 years with ASD, developmental delay, or intellectual disability. A total of 1049 children met inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 799 children were identified as “late” diagnosis if >12 months elapsed between the age parents reported concerns to a provider and age of ASD diagnosis and 250 as “timely” diagnosis if the gap was ≤12 months. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to look for association between having an alternate DBDs diagnosed before ASD and “timely” versus “late” ASD diagnosis.

Results:

The mean time elapsed between the age parents reported concerns to a provider and age of ASD diagnosis was 51 months for children with an alternate DBDs diagnosis before receiving ASD diagnosis and 29 months for those diagnosed with alternate DBDs concurrently with ASD. Having alternate DBDs diagnosis before diagnosis with ASD was associated with “late” ASD diagnosis as follows: developmental delay (adjusted odds ratio [aOR,] 3.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86–6.42; p < 0.001), intellectual disability (aOR, 9.75; 95% CI, 3.0–31.60; p = 0.04), attention-deficit disorder (aOR, 11.07; 95% CI, 3.43–35.71; p < 0.001), depression (aOR, 8.05; 95% CI, 1.07–60.03; p = 0.0495), and behavioral conduct disorder (aOR, 9.9; 95% CI, 3.55–27.62; p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the importance of research to improve the early diagnosis of ASD even in the presence of coexisting developmental behavioral disorders.
Roles of ribosomal proteins in hematologic disorders and cancers: a review
Authors: Wang Jie , Yan Feng
Published: December 2021

Ribosomes are important organelles for synthesizing proteins in cells. They are composed of ribosomal RNA and more than 80 ribosomal proteins. It is well known that an essential function of ribosomal proteins is to participate in protein translation. In addition, ribosomal proteins also perform extra-ribosomal functions, such as participating in DNA replication, transcription, and damage repair, regulating cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and transformation. In recent years, studies have shown that alterations in ribosomal protein synthesis or function can lead to various hematologic diseases, including Diamond-Blackfan anemia, 5q-syndrome, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and other blood system diseases. Moreover, abnormal expressions of specific ribosomal protein genes have been reported in many malignant tumors. In this review, we elaborated on the changes in ribosomal proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal, prostate, gastric, esophageal, and other cancers and discussed the relationship between ribosomal proteins and the occurrence of hematologic disorders and cancers.
Descemetorhexis Without Endothelial Keratoplasty in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Franceschino Adrien , Dutheil Frédéric , Pereira Bruno , Watson Stephanie L. , Chiambaretta Frédéric , Navel Valentin
Published: December 2021

Purpose:

Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) is an innovative corneal intervention and potentially effective against Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the outcomes of DWEK, associated or not with phacoemulsification (PKE) and rho-kinase inhibitor (RHOKI) in FECD.

Method:

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Science Direct were searched for studies until November 29, 2020. We performed random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions, stratified by the type of intervention and descemetorhexis size (PROSPERO CRD42020167566).

Results:

We included 11 articles (mainly case series, both prospective and retrospective), representing 127 eyes of 118 patients. DWEK globally improved visual acuity (effect size = −1.11, 95% confidence interval, −1.70 to −0.52, P < 0.001) and pachymetry (−1.25, −1.92 to −0.57, P < 0.001), without significant effects on endothelial cell count (−0.59, −2.00 to 0.83, P = 0.419). The 3 types of interventions (ie, DWEK ± RHOKI, DWEK ± PKE, and DWEK ± PKE ± RHOKI) improved visual acuity and pachymetry in FECD. A descemetorhexis size ≤4 mm improved visual acuity (−0.72, −1.29 to −0.14, P < 0.001) and pachymetry (−0.68, −0.98 to −0.38, P < 0.001), whereas >4 mm did not. Overall, DWEK failure (ie, the prevalence of EK after DWEK) was 17% (7%–27%, P < 0.001), with 4% (0%–8%, P = 0.08) for a descemetorhexis size ≤4 mm.

Conclusions:

Despite the lack of comparative studies, DWEK seemed to improve visual acuity and pachymetry in early stages of FECD. A descemetorhexis size ≤4 mm was associated with the best visual outcomes and pachymetry.
Utility of Functional Pneumonectomy by Using Intrabronchial Valves
Authors: Keenan Joseph C. , Cho Roy C. , Wong Jennifer , Dincer H. Erhan
Published: December 2021

Background:

Intrabronchial valves are approved for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and used for prolonged air leak. There is no data on bronchoscopic functional pneumonectomy (BFP) when treating patients with persistent air leak (PAL) or for lung volume reduction purposes.

Methods:

In this observational study, 10 consecutive patients who failed to improve with traditional therapies were assessed after they underwent BFP for PAL or lung volume reduction.

Results:

Ten patients underwent 17 valve placement procedures; 82 valves were placed (median: 8; range: 5 to 12). BFP was performed in 1 single lung transplant patient with hyperinflation of native lung compromising lung function. The rest of the patients had prolonged air leak because of various reasons; spontaneous (n=7) and postoperative (n=2). Pneumonia was the only procedure-related complication seen in 1 patient. Of patients with prolonged air leak with chest tubes (n=9), all had successful chest tube removal (median of 7 days; range: 3 to 21 d). The valves were removed within 6 weeks of chest tube removal in 6 patients. Prebronchoscopic and post-BFP actual forced expiratory volume in first second values in 2 transplant patients.

Conclusion:

PAL usually occurs in patients with severe underlying lung condition or after surgery. Management of PAL can be challenging despite pleurodesis (medical or surgical). BFP offers a minimally invasive management option.
Sphingomyelins and ceramides: possible biomarkers for dementia?
Authors: Loft Laura M.I. , Moseholm Kristine F. , Pedersen Karoline K.W. , Jensen Majken K. , Koch Manja , Cronjé Héléne T.
Published: December 2021

Purpose of review

Dementia is a public health challenge with no existing cure or early biomarkers. We review the evidence for blood-based measures of sphingomyelins and ceramides as potential novel biomarkers of dementia.

Recent findings

In recent years, lipids have been under investigation for their role in neurodegenerative diseases especially dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Increasing evidence from postmortem human brains suggests that alterations in the metabolism of sphingolipids could play a crucial part in dementia. Findings from epidemiological investigations of blood-based sphingomyelins and ceramides have been inconsistent.

This review focuses on blood-based measures of 10 specific ceramides and sphingomyelins (Cer C16:0, Cer C20:0, Cer C22:0, Cer C24:0, Cer C24:1 and SM C16:0, SM C20:0, SM C22:0, SM C24:0, SM C24:1) in relation to cognition and dementia. On the bais of 15 studies, there was no robust association between ceramide and sphingomyelin levels and prevalent or incident dementia. Cross-sectionally, Cer C16:0 and Cer C24:1 tends to be higher in dementia cases vs. controls.
The role of nasopharyngectomy in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wang Wei-Hsin , Yeh Chien-Fu , Lan Ming-Ying
Published: December 2021

Purpose of review

Recently, endoscopic nasopharyngectomy (ENPG) has become an effective treatment for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This article reviews recent publications on ENPG and specifically addresses the surgical anatomy of the nasopharynx and discusses several important issues regarding ENPG.

Recent findings

The surgical techniques for ENPG have been previously described in several studies. The latest published data revealed good outcomes of ENPG compared with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in recurrent NPC. In addition, ENPG avoids severe reirradiation side effects. This review highlights the surgical anatomy of ENPG, which is important in preventing possible serious complications.

ENPG is a good option for managing recurrent NPC. Careful preoperative evaluation and a full understanding of the surgical anatomy help in preventing damage to nearby critical neurovascular structure. Long-term follow-up is still needed to evaluate its eventual morbidity and efficacy.
Balancing the tug of war: intraoperative and postoperative management of multiorgan transplantation
Authors: Patlolla S. Shiva , Gong Timothy , Hall Shelley
Published: December 2021

Purpose of review

Multiorgan heart transplants (MOHT) have steadily increased and account for approximately 4% of all heart transplants performed. Although long-term outcomes of MOHT are similar to heart transplant alone, perioperative management remains an issue with nearly double the rate of prolonged hospitalization. Better understanding of hemodynamic environments encountered and appropriate therapeutic targets can help improve perioperative management.

Recent findings

Accurate and precise hemodynamic monitoring allows for early identification of complications and prompt assessment of therapeutic interventions. This can be achieved with a multimodal approach using traditional monitoring tools, such a pulmonary artery catheter and arterial line in conjunction with transesophageal echocardiography. Specific targets for optimizing graft perfusion are determined by phase of surgery and organ combination. In some circumstances, the surgical sequence of transplant can help mitigate or avoid certain detrimental hemodynamic environments.

With better understanding of the array of hemodynamic environments that can develop during MOHT, we can work to standardize hemodynamic targets and therapeutic interventions to optimize graft perfusion. Effectively navigating this perioperative course with multimodal monitoring including transesophageal echocardiography can mitigate impact of complications and reduce prolonged hospitalization associated with MOHT.
Learning From Student Experience
Authors: Bagnasco Annamaria , Zanini Milko , Catania Gianluca , Aleo Giuseppe , Turunen Hannele , Tella Susanna , Sara-Aho Arja , Vizcaya-Moreno Maria Flores , Pérez-Cañaveras Rosa María , Myhre Kristin , Ringstad Øystein , Ekman Gerd Anna-Stina , Porras Jari , Rossi Silvia , Morey Sarah , Johnsen Lasse , Patterson Lucy , Larkin Valerie , Azimirad Mina , Khakurel Jayden , Dasso Nicoletta , Haatainen Kaisa , Timmins Fiona , Wilson-Menzfeld Gemma , Sasso Loredana , Pearson Pauline , Steven Alison
Published: December 2021

Background:

Patient safety is a global concern. Learning to provide safe, high-quality care is core to nursing education.

Problem:

Students are exposed to diverse clinical practices, and experiences may vary between placements and across countries. Student experience is seldom used as an educational resource.

Approach:

An international, European Union-funded project, Sharing Learning from Practice for Patient Safety (SLIPPs), aimed to develop an innovative online educational package to assist patient safety learning. Based on student reported data and educational theory, multiple elements were iteratively developed by a multicountry, multidisciplinary group.

Outcomes:

The educational package is freely available on the SLIPPs Web site. Materials include a student reporting and reflection tool, virtual seminars, student reports data set, pedagogical game, high-fidelity simulation scenarios, scenario development and use guidelines, debriefing session model, and videos of simulations already performed.

Conclusions:

E-learning enables removal of physical barriers, allowing educators, professionals, and students from all over the world to collaborate, interact, and learn from each other.
A Case of Possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Alzheimer’s Disease in an Ex-Football Player
Authors: Fesharaki-Zadeh Arman
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, which is often the sequelae of repetitive head trauma. Although the definitive diagnosis of CTE is made postmortem, there are proposed clinical algorithms aimed at identifying characteristic features of CTE, based on a combination of clinical history, serum, cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers. There are promising new advances in positron emission tomography neuroimaging, including tau specific ligands, which will potentially provide a robust assessment as well as an exploratory tool of the disease semiology and progression.

Case Report:

Here is a unique case of an ex-football player, who suffered multiple prior traumatic brain injuries throughout his career, and presented to our clinic with significant episodic memory, visuospatial and executive functioning deficits, as well as comorbid mood and behavioral changes in the absence of prior psychiatric history or substance use. His clinical presentation and biomarkers were consistent with a suspected diagnosis of CTE comorbid with Alzheimer disease, which comprises a significant portion of overall CTE cases.

Conclusion:

This case report presents a patient with a subtle case of dementia, which could be easily mistaken for behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia or primary progressive aphasia. This in turn highlights the importance of detailed longitudinal history taking, as well as rigorous biomarker studies.
Practitioners Assess Achievements and Challenges of Nonfatal Injury Surveillance
Authors: Costich Julia F. , Vos Sarah C. , Quesinberry Dana B.
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Injury surveillance relies on data coded for administrative rather than epidemiological accuracy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the 5-year Surveillance Quality Improvement (SQI) initiative to advance consensus and methodology for injury epidemiology reporting and analysis. Evaluation of the positive predictive value of the CDC's injury surveillance definitions based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding in designated injury categories comprised much of the SQI initiative's work. The goal of the current study is to identify achievements and challenges in SQI as articulated by experienced injury epidemiology practitioners who participated in the CDC-funded SQI initiative.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 representatives of state and federal public health agencies who had participated extensively in the SQI initiative. The interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo qualitative analysis software. Initial coding of the data involved both in vivo coding (using the words of participants) and coding of a priori themes.

Main Outcome Measures:

Qualitative analysis identified 2 overarching themes, variability among states and observations on the science of injury surveillance.

Results:

Within the 2 broad themes, the respondents provided valuable insights regarding access to medical records, case definition validation, unique contributions of medical record abstracting, variations in the practice of medical coding, and the potential for use of data from medical record reviews in other injury-related areas.

Conclusions:

The contributions of the SQI initiative have provided valuable insights into ICD-10-CM case definitions for national injury surveillance. Challenges remain with regard to data access and quality with ongoing reliance on administrative datasets for injury surveillance.
Avoiding extinction under nonlinear environmental change: models of evolutionary rescue with plasticity
Authors: Greenspoon Philip B. , Spencer Hamish G.
Published: December 2021

Rapid environmental changes are putting numerous species at risk of extinction. For migration-limited species, persistence depends on either phenotypic plasticity or evolutionary adaptation (evolutionary rescue). Current theory on evolutionary rescue typically assumes linear environmental change. Yet accelerating environmental change may pose a bigger threat. Here, we present a model of a species encountering an environment with accelerating or decelerating change, to which it can adapt through evolution or phenotypic plasticity (within-generational or transgenerational). We show that unless either form of plasticity is sufficiently strong or adaptive genetic variation is sufficiently plentiful, accelerating or decelerating environmental change increases extinction risk compared to linear environmental change for the same mean rate of environmental change.
Early warning signal reliability varies with COVID-19 waves
Authors: O'Brien Duncan A. , Clements Christopher F.
Published: December 2021

Early warning signals (EWSs) aim to predict changes in complex systems from phenomenological signals in time series data. These signals have recently been shown to precede the emergence of disease outbreaks, offering hope that policymakers can make predictive rather than reactive management decisions. Here, using a novel, sequential analysis in combination with daily COVID-19 case data across 24 countries, we suggest that composite EWSs consisting of variance, autocorrelation and skewness can predict nonlinear case increases, but that the predictive ability of these tools varies between waves based upon the degree of critical slowing down present. Our work suggests that in highly monitored disease time series such as COVID-19, EWSs offer the opportunity for policymakers to improve the accuracy of urgent intervention decisions but best characterize hypothesized critical transitions.
No evidence for future planning in Canada jays (Perisoreus canadensis)
Authors: Martin R. Jeffrey , Martin Glynis K. , Roberts William A. , Sherry David F.
Published: December 2021

In the past 20 years, research in animal cognition has challenged the belief that complex cognitive processes are uniquely human. At the forefront of these challenges has been research on mental time travel and future planning in jays. We tested whether Canada jays (Perisoreus canadensis) demonstrated future planning, using a procedure that has produced evidence of future planning in California scrub-jays. Future planning in this procedure is caching in locations where the bird will predictably experience a lack of food in the future. Canada jays showed no evidence of future planning in this sense and instead cached in the location where food was usually available, opposite to the behaviour described for California scrub-jays. We provide potential explanations for these differing results adding to the recent debates about the role of complex cognition in corvid caching strategies.
Wilder Penfield dreams of the Nobel Prize
Authors: Gavrus Delia
Published: December 2021

This essay investigates the relationship the Canadian neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield had, in old age, with honours and accolades, including the Nobel Prize. Documents from the Nobel Prize Archives shed light on his nominations and on the assessments the Committee took into consideration, illuminating the professional networks the nomination process activated and the values underwriting the adjudication process. Meanwhile, Penfield's correspondence and personal diary reveal the complex emotions that such a prestigious award can engender. Penfield expressed a reticence to fully embrace the Prize, although he had once actively worked to gather support for his own nomination. This essay also considers a little-studied phenomenon—the rejection of prizes. While mundane considerations such as wishing not to travel may have played a role, Penfield expressed a deeper disconnect between his own sense of self and the prizes he rejected, declaring a feeling of personal unworthiness
vis-à-vis
their particularities. Moreover, he also expressed a more general ambivalence regarding awards because they tended to single out individuals, and for him this stood in tension with the reality of the collective, communal nature of scientific work and medical practice.
Infrared antenna-like structures in mammalian fur
Authors: Baker Ian M.
Published: December 2021

Many small animals, including shrews, most rodents and some marsupials, have fur composed of at least four types of hair, all with distinctive and complex anatomy. A ubiquitous and unexplained feature is periodic, internal banding with spacing in the 6–12 µm range that hints at an underlying infrared function. One bristle-like form, called guard hair, has the correct shape and internal periodic patterns to function as an infrared antenna. Optical analysis of guard hair from a wide range of species shows precise tuning to the optimum wavelength for thermal imaging. For heavily predated, nocturnal animals the ability to sense local infrared sources has a clear survival advantage. The tuned antennae, spectral filters and waveguides present in guard hair, all operating at a scale similar to the infrared wavelength, could be a rich source of bio-inspiration in the field of photonics. The tools developed in this work may enable us to understand the other hair types and their evolution.
Enduring evolutionary embellishment of cloudinids in the Cambrian
Authors: Park Tae-Yoon S. , Jung Jikhan , Lee Mirinae , Lee Sangmin , Zhen Yong Yi , Hua Hong , Warren Lucas V. , Hughes Nigel C.
Published: December 2021

The Ediacaran–Cambrian transition and the following Cambrian Explosion are among the most fundamental events in the evolutionary history of animals. Understanding these events is enhanced when phylogenetic linkages can be established among animal fossils across this interval and their trait evolution monitored. Doing this is challenging because the fossil record of animal lineages that span this transition is sparse, preserved morphologies generally simple and lifestyles in the Ediacaran and Cambrian commonly quite different. Here, we identify derived characters linking some members of an enigmatic animal group, the cloudinids, which first appeared in the Late Ediacaran, to animals with cnidarian affinity from the Cambrian Series 2 and the Miaolingian. Accordingly, we present the first case of an animal lineage represented in the Ediacaran that endured and diversified successfully throughout the Cambrian Explosion by embellishing its overall robustness and structural complexity. Among other features, dichotomous branching, present in some early cloudinids, compares closely with a cnidarian asexual reproduction mode. Tracking this morphological change from Late Ediacaran to the Miaolingian provides a unique glimpse into how a primeval animal group responded during the Cambrian Explosion.
Reconstructing the diet, trophic level and migration pattern of mysticete whales based on baleen isotopic composition
Authors: Riekenberg Philip M. , Camalich Jaime , Svensson Elisabeth , IJsseldijk Lonneke L. , Brasseur Sophie M. J. M. , Witbaard Rob , Leopold Mardik F. , Rebolledo Elisa Bravo , Middelburg Jack J. , van der Meer Marcel T. J. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Schouten Stefan
Published: December 2021

Baleen from mysticete whales is a well-preserved proteinaceous material that can be used to identify migrations and feeding habits for species whose migration pathways are unknown. Analysis of δ13C and δ15N values from bulk baleen have been used to infer migration patterns for individuals. However, this approach has fallen short of identifying migrations between regions as it is difficult to determine variations in isotopic shifts without temporal sampling of prey items. Here, we apply analysis of δ15N values of amino acids to five baleen plates belonging to three species, revealing novel insights on trophic position, metabolic state and migration between regions. Humpback and minke whales had higher reconstructed trophic levels than fin whales (3.7–3.8 versus 3–3.2, respectively) as expected due to different feeding specialization. Isotopic niche areas between baleen minima and maxima were well separated, indicating regional resource use for individuals during migration that aligned with isotopic gradients in Atlantic Ocean particulate organic matter. Phenylanine δ15N values confirmed regional separation between the niche areas for two fin whales as migrations occurred and elevated glycine and threonine δ15N values suggested physiological changes due to fasting. Simultaneous resolution of trophic level and physiological changes allow for identification of regional migrations in mysticetes.
Comparing the efficiency of monofilament and regular nets for capturing bats
Authors: Chaves-Ramírez Silvia , Castillo-Salazar Christian , Sánchez-Chavarría Mariela , Solís-Hernández Hellen , Chaverri Gloriana
Published: December 2021

Regular nylon or polyester mist nets used for capturing bats have several drawbacks, particularly that they are inefficient at sampling insectivorous species. One possible alternative is to use monofilament nets, whose netting is made of single strands of yarn instead of several as regular nets, making them less detectable. To date, only one study has quantified the differences in capture rates between monofilament and regular mist nets for the study of bats, yet surprisingly, its findings suggest that the latter are more efficient than the former. Here, we provide further evidence of the differences in sampling efficiency between these two nets. We captured 90 individuals and 14 species in regular nets and 125 individuals and 20 species in monofilament nets. The use of monofilament nets increased overall capture rates, particularly for insectivorous species. Species accumulation curves indicate that samples based on regular nets are significantly underestimating species diversity, most notably as these nets fail at sampling rare species. We show that incorporating monofilament nets into bat studies offers an opportunity to expand records of different guilds and rare bat species and to improve our understanding of poorly known bat assemblages while using a popular, relatively cheap and portable sampling method.
Bizarre morphology in extinct Eocene bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Wedmann Sonja , Kment Petr , Campos Luiz Alexandre , Hörnschemeyer Thomas
Published: December 2021

Newly discovered fossil bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from the Eocene of Messel (Germany) and Green River (North America) exhibit an exaggerated morphology including prominent spiny humeral and anterolateral angles of the pronotum and a spiny lateral abdominal margin. Especially the humeral angles are unique; they consist of expansive, rounded projections with strong spines, which is a rare trait among pentatomids. A hypothesis for the function of this extreme morphology is defence against small vertebrate predators, such as birds or reptiles. The same protuberances also produce a disruptive effect camouflaging the specimen in its environment and provide additional protection. Therefore, the extreme morphology provides primary as well as secondary anti-predator defence. The morphology of
Eospinosus peterkulkai
gen. et sp. nov. and
E. greenriverensis
sp. nov. resembles that of Triplatygini, which today occur exclusively in Madagascar, as well as that of Discocephalinae or Cyrtocorinae, which today occur in the Neotropics. Due to a lack of conclusive characters, it cannot be excluded that the fossil species may represent a case of remarkable convergence and are not related to either taxon. Phylogenetic analyses using parsimony as well as Bayesian algorithms confirmed that the new genus is a member of Pentatomidae, but could not solve its phylogenetic relationships within Pentatomidae.
Bayesian mechanics for stationary processes
Authors: Da Costa Lancelot , Friston Karl , Heins Conor , Pavliotis Grigorios A.
Published: December 2021

This paper develops a Bayesian mechanics for adaptive systems. Firstly, we model the interface between a system and its environment with a Markov blanket. This affords conditions under which states internal to the blanket encode information about external states. Second, we introduce dynamics and represent adaptive systems as Markov blankets at steady state. This allows us to identify a wide class of systems whose internal states appear to infer external states, consistent with variational inference in Bayesian statistics and theoretical neuroscience. Finally, we partition the blanket into sensory and active states. It follows that active states can be seen as performing active inference and well-known forms of stochastic control (such as PID control), which are prominent formulations of adaptive behaviour in theoretical biology and engineering.
Singularly perturbed dynamics of the tippedisk
Authors: Sailer Simon , Leine Remco I.
Published: December 2021

The
tippedisk
is a mathematical-mechanical archetype for a peculiar friction-induced instability phenomenon leading to the inversion of an unbalanced spinning disc, being reminiscent of (but different from) the well-known inversion of the tippetop. A reduced model of the tippedisk, in the form of a three-dimensional ordinary differential equation, has been derived recently, followed by a preliminary local stability analysis of stationary spinning solutions. In the current paper, a global analysis of the reduced system is pursued using the framework of singular perturbation theory. It is shown how the presence of friction leads to slow–fast dynamics and the creation of a two-dimensional slow manifold. Furthermore, it is revealed that a bifurcation scenario involving a homoclinic bifurcation and a Hopf bifurcation leads to an explanation of the inversion phenomenon. In particular, a closed-form condition for the critical spinning speed for the inversion phenomenon is derived. Hence, the tippedisk forms an excellent mathematical-mechanical problem for the analysis of global bifurcations in singularly perturbed dynamics.
Memory effects in friction: the role of sliding heterogeneities
Authors: Fazio Vincenzo , Acito Vito , Amiot Fabien , Frétigny Christian , Chateauminois Antoine
Published: December 2021

We report on memory effects involved in the unsteady-state frictional response of a contact interface between a silicone rubber and a spherical glass probe when it is perturbed by changes in the orientation of the driving motion or by velocity steps. From measurements of the displacement fields at the interface, we show that observed memory effects can be accounted for by the non-uniform distribution of the sliding velocity within the contact interface. As a consequence of these memory effects, the friction force may no longer be aligned with respect to the sliding trajectory. In addition, stick–slip motions with a purely geometrical origin are also evidenced. These observations are adequately accounted for by a friction model that takes into account heterogeneous displacements within the contact area. When a velocity dependence of the frictional stress is incorporated in this model, unsteady-state regimes induced by velocity steps are also adequately described. The good agreement between the model and experiments outlines the role of space heterogeneities in memory effects involved in soft matter friction.
Simple deformation measures for discrete elastic rods and ribbons
Authors: Korner K. , Audoly B. , Bhattacharya K.
Published: December 2021

The discrete elastic rod method (Bergou
et al.
2008
ACM Trans. Graph
.
27
, 63:1–63:12. (
doi:10.1145/1360612.1360662
)) is a numerical method for simulating slender elastic bodies. It works by representing the centreline as a polygonal chain, attaching two perpendicular directors to each segment and defining discrete stretching, bending and twisting deformation measures and a discrete strain energy. Here, we investigate an alternative formulation of this model based on a simpler definition of the discrete deformation measures. Both formulations are equally consistent with the continuous rod model. Simple formulae for the first and second gradients of the discrete deformation measures are derived, making it easy to calculate the Hessian of the discrete strain energy. A few numerical illustrations are given. The approach is also extended to inextensible ribbons described by the Wunderlich model, and both the developability constraint and the dependence of the energy on the strain gradients are handled naturally.