bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of the prolyl isomerase Pin1 improves endothelial function and attenuates vascular remodelling in pulmonary hypertension by inhibiting TGF-β signalling
Authors: Kurakula Kondababu , Hagdorn Quint A. J. , van der Feen Diederik E. , Vonk Noordegraaf Anton , ten Dijke Peter , de Boer Rudolf A. , Bogaard Harm Jan , Goumans Marie José , Berger Rolf M. F.
Published: August 2021

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease, characterized by obstructive pulmonary vascular remodelling ultimately leading to right ventricular (RV) failure and death. Disturbed transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling, endothelial cell dysfunction, increased proliferation of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, and inflammation contribute to this abnormal remodelling. Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 has been identified as a critical driver of proliferation and inflammation in vascular cells, but its role in the disturbed TGF-β/BMP signalling, endothelial cell dysfunction, and vascular remodelling in PAH is unknown. Here, we report that Pin1 expression is increased in cultured pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) and lung tissue of PAH patients. Pin1 inhibitor, juglone significantly decreased TGF-β signalling, increased BMP signalling, normalized their hyper-proliferative, and inflammatory phenotype. Juglone treatment reversed vascular remodelling through reducing TGF-β signalling in monocrotaline + shunt-PAH rat model. Juglone treatment decreased Fulton index, but did not affect or harm cardiac function and remodelling in rats with RV pressure load induced by pulmonary artery banding. Our study demonstrates that inhibition of Pin1 reversed the PAH phenotype in PAH MVECs in vitro and in PAH rats in vivo, potentially through modulation of TGF-β/BMP signalling pathways. Selective inhibition of Pin1 could be a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of PAH.
Has the introduction of two subspecies generated dispersal barriers among invasive possums in New Zealand?
Authors: Campbell Catriona D. , Cowan Phil , Gruber Bernd , MacDonald Anna J. , Holleley Clare E. , Sarre Stephen D.
Published: August 2021

The introduction of species into new environments provides the opportunity for the evolution of new forms through admixture and novel selection pressures. The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula vulpecula from the Australian mainland and T.v.fuliginosus from Tasmania, were introduced multiple times to New Zealand from Australia to become one of New Zealand’s most significant pests. Although derived from two subspecies, possums in New Zealand are generally considered to be a single entity. In a previous analysis, we showed that possums in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand appeared to consist of at least two overlapping populations. Here, we extend that analysis using a genotype-by-sequencing approach to examine the origins and population structure of those possums and compare their genetic diversity to animals sampled from Australia. We identify two populations of each subspecies in Hawkes Bay and provide clear evidence of a contact zone between them in which a hybrid form is evident. Our analysis of private alleles shows higher rates of dispersal into the contact zone than away from it, suggesting that the contact zone functions as a sink (and hence as a barrier) between the two subspecies. Given the widespread and overlapping distribution of the two subspecies across both large islands in New Zealand, it is possible that many such contact zones exist. These results suggest an opportunity for a more targeted approach to controlling this pest by recognising sub-specific differences and identifying the contact zones that may form between them.
Capital Round-Tripping: Determinants of Emerging Market Firm Investments into Offshore Financial Centers and Their Ethical Implications
Authors: Karhunen Päivi , Ledyaeva Svetlana , Brouthers Keith D.
Published: August 2021

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in offshore financial centers (OFCs) is gaining increased attention in business ethics research. Much of this research tends to focus on OFCs as locations where firms can avoid taxes, considering such behavior as unethical. Yet, there is dearth of studies on capital round-tripping by emerging market firms, which is an integral part of this phenomenon. Such round-tripping involves firms sending capital into OFCs only to invest it back in the home country under the guise of “foreign” investment. Presently there is little discussion of the ethical implications of such round-trip FDI activities. In this paper, we conceptualize round-tripping as institutional arbitrage and look at the determinants and ethical implications of such investments into OFCs. Exploring Russian round-tripping we note that firms tend to invest more funds in OFCs that offer a combination of tax and secrecy, or secrecy and property rights protection arbitrage opportunities. In either case firms exploit the opportunities provided by institutional differences between the OFC and Russia while investing back into Russia. Our results tend to indicate that equating OFC investment to tax avoidance and thus deeming it as unethical behavior is too narrow an explanation in the case of emerging economy round-tripping. This is because such investments are often motivated by the unethical behavior of home country stakeholders and may in fact provide benefits to society.
Labour Practice, Decent Work and Human Rights Performance and Reporting: The Impact of Women Managers
Authors: Monteiro Albertina Paula , García-Sánchez Isabel-María , Aibar-Guzmán Beatriz
Published: August 2021

This paper uses a sample of 1243 international firms for the period 2013–2017 to analyse the effect that a greater presence of women in management teams has on business behaviour in relation to labour and human rights, and the mediating role of improved performance in these rights on corporate transparency. The results show that gender diversity in management teams is positively associated with performance in relation to labour and human rights, and that such a performance acts as a mediating factor by fostering a higher disclosure of information regarding these issues. The findings therefore seem to indicate that the presence of women in management teams acts as a driving force for enhanced social responsibility.
K-plex cover pooling for graph neural networks
Authors: Bacciu Davide , Conte Alessio , Grossi Roberto , Landolfi Francesco , Marino Andrea
Published: August 2021

Graph pooling methods provide mechanisms for structure reduction that are intended to ease the diffusion of context between nodes further in the graph, and that typically leverage community discovery mechanisms or node and edge pruning heuristics. In this paper, we introduce a novel pooling technique which borrows from classical results in graph theory that is non-parametric and generalizes well to graphs of different nature and connectivity patterns. Our pooling method, namedKPlexPool, builds on the concepts of graph covers andk-plexes, i.e. pseudo-cliques where each node can miss up toklinks. The experimental evaluation on benchmarks on molecular and social graph classification shows thatKPlexPoolachieves state of the art performances against both parametric and non-parametric pooling methods in the literature, despite generating pooled graphs based solely on topological information.
Genuine Savings and Sustainability with Resource Diffusion
Authors: Yamaguchi Rintaro
Published: August 2021

We consider a spatial extension of genuine savings and wealth as a capital-based indicator of sustainability. In both inefficient and efficient economies, where well-being is locally or globally maximized, respectively, the well-known Hotelling rule and Hartwick (Dixit–Hammond–Hoel) investment rules and results are extended, depending on the extent of the spatial diffusion of natural capital. It is shown that the net present value of any future change in neighboring resource stocks affects the current change in intergenerational well-being. Numerical examples show the relevance of such parameters as the diffusion rate, discount rate, and marginal utility of consumption. Moreover, they suggest the exact adjustments to be made in aggregating or disaggregating the sustainability of different spatial units, which is not addressed in the current practice of green or wealth accounting.
Different stress from parasites and mate choice in two female morphs of the blue-tailed damselfly
Authors: Subrero Erica , Pellegrino Irene , Cucco Marco
Published: August 2021

In Odonates, female colour polymorphism is common and implies the presence of two or more female types with different colours and behaviours. To explain this phenomenon, several hypotheses have been proposed that consider morph frequency, population density, the presence of parasites, and mating behaviour. We studied the blue-tailed damselfly Ischnura elegans, a species with a blue androchrome morph and two gynochrome morphs (the common green infuscans, and the rare orange rufescens-obsoleta). The size of adult males and females, the presence of parasites, and pairing behaviour between males and the three female morphs was assessed in field conditions throughout the reproductive season in NW Italy. Moreover, growth and emergence success of larvae produced by the different morphs was analyzed in standardized conditions. In the field, males showed a preference for the gynochrome infuscans females, despite a similar frequency of androchrome females. In test conditions, male preference for the infuscans females was also observed. Paired males and paired androchrome females were larger than unpaired individuals, while there were no differences in size between paired and unpaired infuscans females. Males and androchrome females were more parasitized than infuscans females. The survival and emergence success of larvae produced by androchrome females was higher than those of offspring produced by the infuscans females. Our results suggest that a higher survival of progeny at the larval stage could counterbalance the higher parasitism and the lower pairing success of andromorph adult females and highlight the importance of considering the whole life-cycle in polymorphism studies.
ExoClock project: an open platform for monitoring the ephemerides of Ariel targets with contributions from the public
Authors: Kokori Anastasia , Tsiaras Angelos , Edwards Billy , Rocchetto Marco , Tinetti Giovanna , Wünsche Anaël , Paschalis Nikolaos , Agnihotri Vikrant Kumar , Bachschmidt Matthieu , Bretton Marc , Caines Hamish , Caló Mauro , Casali Roland , Crow Martin , Dawes Simon , Deldem Marc , Deligeorgopoulos Dimitrios , Dymock Roger , Evans Phil , Falco Carmelo , Ferratfiat Stephane , Fowler Martin , Futcher Stephen , Guerra Pere , Hurter Francois , Jones Adrian , Kang Wonseok , Kim Taewoo , Lee Richard , Lopresti Claudio , Marino Antonio , Mallonn Matthias , Mortari Fabio , Morvan Mario , Mugnai Lorenzo V. , Nastasi Alessandro , Perroud Valère , Pereira Cédric , Phillips Mark , Pintr Pavel , Raetz Manfred , Regembal Francois , Savage John , Sedita Danilo , Sioulas Nick , Strikis Iakovos , Thurston Geoffrey , Tomacelli Andrea , Tomatis Alberto
Published: August 2021

The Ariel mission will observe spectroscopically around 1000 exoplanets to further characterise their atmospheres. For the mission to be as efficient as possible, a good knowledge of the planets’ ephemerides is needed before its launch in 2028. While ephemerides for some planets are being refined on a per-case basis, an organised effort to collectively verify or update them when necessary does not exist. In this study, we introduce the ExoClock project, an open, integrated and interactive platform with the purpose of producing a confirmed list of ephemerides for the planets that will be observed by Ariel. The project has been developed in a manner to make the best use of all available resources: observations reported in the literature, observations from space instruments and, mainly, observations from ground-based telescopes, including both professional and amateur observatories. To facilitate inexperienced observers and at the same time achieve homogeneity in the results, we created data collection and validation protocols, educational material and easy to use interfaces, open to everyone. ExoClock was launched in September 2019 and now counts over 140 participants from more than 15 countries around the world. In this release, we report the results of observations obtained until the 15h of April 2020 for 120 Ariel candidate targets. In total, 632 observations were used to either verify or update the ephemerides of 84 planets. Additionally, we developed the Exoplanet Characterisation Catalogue (ECC), a catalogue built in a consistent way to assist the ephemeris refinement process. So far, the collaborative open framework of the ExoClock project has proven to be highly efficient in coordinating scientific efforts involving diverse audiences. Therefore, we believe that it is a paradigm that can be applied in the future for other research purposes, too.
Hiding the unwanted: A University-level campus carry policy
Authors: Ruoppila Sampo
Published: August 2021

Campus carry laws have allowed civilians to legally bring their concealed firearms onto college and university campuses in several states in the U.S. over the past decade. Previous studies have addressed the policy’s legal grounds, arguments for and against it, impacts on campus safety, and faculty and students’ attitudes toward it. This paper examines the less addressed topic of policy implementation, especially the role of universities in modifying the outcomes, including what kinds of rules the higher educational institutions themselves have designed and what these approaches mean. The article focuses on Texas, where public higher educational institutions were required to allow campus carry but also given some discretion in implementation. The article provides a qualitative content analysis of policy documents and expert interviews regarding the campus carry policy at The University of Texas at Austin. It argues that the university fully accomplishes the law, but through its policy it has also sought to hide it, removing the issue from everyday life on campus.
Familial Clustering of Trends in Aggression
Authors: van der Laan Camiel M. , van de Weijer Steve G. A. , Nivard Michel G. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Examine trends in aggressive behavior from 1991 to 2015, investigate whether these trends apply equally to all individuals, and explore the extent to which differences in trends over time cluster within families.

Methods

Our study included 69,465 measures from 40,400 individuals, from 15,437 Dutch families. Aggression was measured between 1 and 4 times by self-report. We fitted a mixed effects model, modeling the effect of time, age, and gender on aggression, and considering the three levels of nesting in the data, i.e. repeated measures, individuals, and families. To investigate if individual differences in trends in aggression over time cluster within families, variance in aggression and in time and age effects was partitioned into within- and between family variance components.

Results

We found a steady decline in aggression over time, between 1991 and 2015, as well as over the life course. Across time and age, women had slightly higher levels of aggression than men. There was clear evidence for clustering within, and variation between families, both in overall aggression levels and in time effects.

Conclusions

We confirm earlier findings of a decline in aggression over the past decades. Not all individuals follow the downward trend over time for aggression to the same extent. Trends over time cluster within families, demonstrating that family factors are not only important to explain variation in aggression levels, but also in understanding differences between individuals in time trends.
Non-aqueous cross hydrolysis: an epoxide-free sol-gel route toward highly porous alumina monoliths
Authors: Carstens Simon , Atanasov Igor , Jähnichen Tim , Oberleiter Bastian , Enke Dirk
Published: August 2021

Highly porous alumina monoliths can be fabricated by simultaneous hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides and salts as homonuclear precursors. The use of carcinogenic epoxides can thus be avoided. In this novel approach, no water is added to the system but hydrolysis is induced by the crystal water of the aluminum salt. Mechanical stabilization and significantly increased porosity values can be achieved when the sol-gel synthesis is performed in an autoclave.
Temperature and entropy–area relation of quantum matter near spherically symmetric outer trapping horizons
Authors: Kurpicz Fiona , Pinamonti Nicola , Verch Rainer
Published: August 2021

We consider spherically symmetric spacetimes with an outer trapping horizon. Such spacetimes are generalizations of spherically symmetric black hole spacetimes where the central mass can vary with time, like in black hole collapse or black hole evaporation. While these spacetimes possess in general no timelike Killing vector field, they admit a Kodama vector field which in some ways provides a replacement. The Kodama vector field allows the definition of a surface gravity of the outer trapping horizon. Spherically symmetric spacelike cross sections of the outer trapping horizon define in- and outgoing lightlike congruences. We investigate a scaling limit of Hadamard 2-point functions of a quantum field on the spacetime onto the ingoing lightlike congruence. The scaling limit 2-point function has a universal form and a thermal spectrum with respect to the time parameter of the Kodama flow, where the inverse temperature$$\beta = 2\pi /\kappa $$β=2π/κis related to the surface gravity$$\kappa $$κof the horizon cross section in the same way as in the Hawking effect for an asymptotically static black hole. Similarly, the tunnelling probability that can be obtained in the scaling limit between in- and outgoing Fourier modes with respect to the time parameter of the Kodama flow shows a thermal distribution with the same inverse temperature, determined by the surface gravity. This can be seen as a local counterpart of the Hawking effect for a dynamical horizon in the scaling limit. Moreover, the scaling limit 2-point function allows it to define a scaling limit theory, a quantum field theory on the ingoing lightlike congruence emanating from a horizon cross section. The scaling limit 2-point function as well as the 2-point functions of coherent states of the scaling limit theory is correlation-free with respect to separation along the horizon cross section; therefore, their relative entropies behave proportional to the cross-sectional area. We thus obtain a proportionality of the relative entropy of coherent states of the scaling limit theory and the area of the horizon cross section with respect to which the scaling limit is defined. Thereby, we establish a local counterpart, and microscopic interpretation in the setting of quantum field theory on curved spacetimes, of the dynamical laws of outer trapping horizons, derived by Hayward and others in generalizing the laws of black hole dynamics originally shown for stationary black holes by Bardeen, Carter and Hawking.
Large-scale historical afforestation failure with Pinus cembra in the Swiss Prealps
Authors: Fragnière Yann , Sonnenwyl Vincent , Clément Benoît , Kozlowski Gregor
Published: August 2021

Between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, large-scale afforestation projects were undertaken in the Swiss Prealps. The Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.), an emblematic alpine tree with important economic potential, conservation value and ecological relevance, was one of the species used in these afforestation efforts. We investigated the distribution and site characteristics of all known natural populations and planted stands in the canton of Fribourg (Switzerland). Between 1885 and 1952, artificial afforestation was carried out in the mountainous regions of the canton of Fribourg. Nearly 450,000 seedlings of P. cembra were planted. One century later, only approximately 650 trees survived (0.15% of all planted trees). Moreover, no natural regeneration can be observed in the afforested stands. Since no known harvest activities were undertaken in these planted stands, the whole afforestation campaign of P. cembra in the canton of Fribourg can be described as a failure. Possible causes are investigated and discussed. In this region, P. cembra occurs naturally only in particular microrefugia with markedly rough topography. We argue that the lack of knowledge or consideration of the ecology of the species at a local scale can be an important factor leading to this failure. In the actual context of large-scale afforestation projects anticipating and mitigating the negative effects of global warming, our study highlights the importance of a precise understanding of species ecology and regional conditions.
GeoChemFoam: Direct Modelling of Multiphase Reactive Transport in Real Pore Geometries with Equilibrium Reactions
Authors: Maes Julien , Menke Hannah P.
Published: August 2021

GeoChemFoam is an open-source OpenFOAM-based toolbox that includes a range of additional packages that solve various flow processes from multiphase transport with interface transfer, to single-phase flow in multiscale porous media, to reactive transport with mineral dissolution. In this paper, we present a novel multiphase reactive transport solver for simulations on complex pore geometries, including microfluidic devices and micro-CT images, and its implementation in GeoChemFoam. The geochemical model includes bulk and surface equilibrium reactions. Multiphase flow is solved using the Volume-Of-Fluid method, and the transport of species is solved using the continuous species transfer method. The reactive transport equations are solved using a sequential operator splitting method, with the transport step solved using GeoChemFoam, and the reaction step solved using Phreeqc, the US geological survey’s geochemical software. The model and its implementation are validated by comparison with analytical solutions in 1D and 2D geometries. We then simulate multiphase reactive transport in two test pore geometries: a 3D pore cavity and a 3D micro-CT image of Bentheimer sandstone. In each case, we show the pore-scale simulation results can be used to develop upscaled models that are significantly more accurate than standard macro-scale equilibrium models.
ProcData: An R Package for Process Data Analysis
Authors: Tang Xueying , Zhang Susu , Wang Zhi , Liu Jingchen , Ying Zhiliang
Published: August 2021

Process data refer to data recorded in log files of computer-based items. These data, represented as timestamped action sequences, keep track of respondents’ response problem-solving behaviors. Process data analysis aims at enhancing educational assessment accuracy and serving other assessment purposes by utilizing the rich information contained in response processes. The R package ProcData presented in this article is designed to provide tools for inspecting, processing, and analyzing process data. We define an S3 class ‘proc’ for organizing process data and extend generic methods summary and print for ‘proc’. Feature extraction methods for process data are implemented in the package for compressing information in the irregular response processes into regular numeric vectors. ProcData also provides functions for making predictions from neural-network-based sequence models. In addition, a real dataset of response processes from the climate control item in the 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment is included in the package.
Exploring groups’ affective states during collaborative learning: what triggers activating affect on a group level?
Authors: Törmänen Tiina , Järvenoja Hanna , Mänty Kristiina
Published: August 2021

During collaborative learning, affect is constantly present in groups’ interactions, influencing and shaping the learning process. The aim of this study was to understand what type of learning situations trigger affective states in collaborative groups, and how these affective states are related to group members’ physiological activation. The participants were 12-year-old primary school students (N = 31, 10 groups) performing a collaborative science task. In the analysis, video data observations were combined with data of group members’ physiological activation. The groups’ situational valence was identified based on the group members’ observed emotional expressions and their physiological activation levels were measured with electrodermal activity (EDA). Results revealed that situations with group members’ simultaneous physiological activation were rare compared with the observable emotional expressions. However, when group members indicated physiological activation simultaneously, they also showed visible emotional expressions more often than in deactivating situations. Moreover, the results showed that socially-related factors were more likely to trigger physiological activation with a mixed group level valence. In turn, task-related factors were more likely to trigger physiological activation with a neutral group level valence. The results of this study imply that by combining different process data modalities revealing the different components of affect, it might be possible to track emotionally meaningful situations that shape the course of the collaborative learning process.
Mobility Patterns in Different Age Groups in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Small Area Time Series Analysis through March 2021
Authors: Nomura Shuhei , Tanoue Yuta , Yoneoka Daisuke , Gilmour Stuart , Kawashima Takayuki , Eguchi Akifumi , Miyata Hiroaki
Published: August 2021

In the COVID-19 era, movement restrictions are crucial to slow virus transmission and have been implemented in most parts of the world, including Japan. To find new insights on human mobility and movement restrictions encouraged (but not forced) by the emergency declaration in Japan, we analyzed mobility data at 35 major stations and downtown areas in Japan—each defined as an area overlaid by several 125-meter grids—from September 1, 2019 to March 19, 2021. Data on the total number of unique individuals per hour passing through each area were obtained from Yahoo Japan Corporation (i.e., more than 13,500 data points for each area). We examined the temporal trend in the ratio of the rolling seven-day daily average of the total population to a baseline on January 16, 2020, by ten-year age groups in five time frames. We demonstrated that the degree and trend of mobility decline after the declaration of a state of emergency varies across age groups and even at the subregional level. We demonstrated that monitoring dynamic geographic and temporal mobility information stratified by detailed population characteristics can help guide not only exit strategies from an ongoing emergency declaration, but also initial response strategies before the next possible resurgence. Combining such detailed data with data on vaccination coverage and COVID-19 incidence (including the status of the health care delivery system) can help governments and local authorities develop community-specific mobility restriction policies. This could include strengthening incentives to stay home and raising awareness of cognitive errors that weaken people's resolve to refrain from nonessential movement.
Traumapädagogik
Authors: Gahleitner Silke Birgitta , Golatka Adrian , Rothdeutsch-Granzer Christina , Kronberger Helmut
Published: August 2021

Während Traumatherapie und Traumaberatung als psychosoziale Hilfeverfahren bereits gut etabliert sind, haben traumapädagogische Konzepte erst in den letzten Jahren an Verbreitung gewonnen. MitarbeiterInnen in psychosozialen Feldern der Traumaarbeit sollen damit – durch spezifische Fort- und Weiterbildungen einerseits und durch die Schaffung tragfähiger Strukturen in den Institutionen andererseits – bei ihrer anspruchsvollen Aufgabe unterstützt werden. Dieser Artikel der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie gibt einen Einblick in die Entstehung und Grundpfeiler der Traumapädagogik und zeigt darüber hinaus, dass in einem intensiveren fachlichen Austausch zwischen traumapädagogischen und psychodramatischen VertreterInnen noch einige ungenutzte Potenziale liegen könnten.
Lifestyle carbon footprints and changes in lifestyles to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, and ways forward for related research
Authors: Koide Ryu , Lettenmeier Michael , Akenji Lewis , Toivio Viivi , Amellina Aryanie , Khodke Aditi , Watabe Atsushi , Kojima Satoshi
Published: August 2021

This paper presents an approach for assessing lifestyle carbon footprints and lifestyle change options aimed at achieving the 1.5 °C climate goal and facilitating the transition to decarbonized lifestyles through stakeholder participatory research. Using data on Finland and Japan it shows potential impacts of reducing carbon footprints through changes in lifestyles for around 30 options covering food, housing, and mobility domains, in comparison with the 2030 and 2050 per-capita targets (2.5–3.2 tCO2e by 2030; 0.7–1.4 tCO2e by 2050). It discusses research opportunities for expanding the footprint-based quantitative analysis to incorporate subnational analysis, living lab, and scenario development aiming at advancing sustainability science on the transition to decarbonized lifestyles.
Psychiatric patients at the emergency department: factors associated with length of stay and likelihood of hospitalization
Authors: Marzola Enrica , Duranti Elisa , De-Bacco Carlotta , Lupia Enrico , Villari Vincenzo , Abbate-Daga Giovanni
Published: August 2021

Emergency department (ED) care for psychiatric patients is currently understudied despite being highly utilized. Therefore, we aimed to analyze psychiatric patients' length of stay (LOS) and LOS-related factors at the ED and to investigate and quantify the likelihood of being hospitalized after an emergency psychiatric evaluation. Charts of 408 individuals who sought help at the ED were retrospectively assessed to identify patients' sociodemographic and clinical data upon ED admission and discharge. All interventions performed at the ED (e.g., medications, hospitalization, clinical advice at discharge) were collected as well. The LOS for psychiatric patients was relatively short (6.5 h), and substance/alcohol intoxication was the main factor impacting LOS. Upon ED arrival, hospitalized patients were mostly men, most often had a yellow/severe triage code, and most often had a positive history of psychiatric illness, psychotic symptoms, euphoric mood, or suicidal ideation. Manic symptoms and suicidal ideation were the conditions most frequently leading to hospitalization. Given the paucity of real-world data on psychiatric patients’ LOS and outcomes in the ED context, our findings show that psychiatric patients are evaluated in a reasonable amount of time. Their hospitalization is mostly influenced by clinical conditions rather than predisposing (e.g., age) or system-related factors (e.g., mode of arrival).
Biobanks and Individual Health Related Findings: from an Obstacle to an Incentive
Authors: Lekstutiene Jurate , Holm Søren , Gefenas Eugenijus
Published: August 2021

Despite the benefits biobanks are expected to bring, there have recently been concerns raised that the public and private non-profit biobanks still prevailing in Europe often fail to reach their initial objectives due to a variety of reasons, including a shortage of funding and insufficient utilization of collections. The necessity to find new ways to manage biobanks has been clearly recognized and one way to do this is to follow the success of some commercial direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC GT) companies in the biobanking field. This paper is focused on a double role the return of individual health related findings (IHRF) detected through the biobanking activities can play in the management of biobanks. These findings can be seen as an untapped opportunity to offer health related information to biobank participants. At the same time, the IHRF policy can also serve as an additional tool that can improve biobanking governance. This paper aims to consider diverse IHRF approaches as well as to explore some key ethical concerns related to them. In particular, it reveals how different accounts of personal autonomy shape consent policies related to IHRF and emphasizes ethical controversies related to the commercial DTC GT initiatives as well as some non-profit biobanks.
Can Managed Realignment Buffer Extreme Surges? The Relationship Between Marsh Width, Vegetation Cover and Surge Attenuation
Authors: Kiesel Joshua , MacPherson Leigh R. , Schuerch Mark , Vafeidis Athanasios T.
Published: August 2021

Managed realignment (MR) involves the landward relocation of sea defences to foster the (re)creation of coastal wetlands and achieve nature-based coastal protection. The wider application of MR is impeded by knowledge gaps related to lacking data on its effectiveness under extreme surges and the role of changes in vegetation cover, for example due to sea-level rise. We employ a calibrated and validated hydrodynamic model to explore relationships between surge attenuation, MR width(/area) and vegetation cover for the MR site of Freiston Shore, UK. We model a range of extreme water levels for four scenarios of variable MR width. We further assess the effects of reduced vegetation cover for the actual MR site and for the scenario of the site with the largest width. We show that surges are amplified for all but the largest two site scenarios, suggesting that increasing MR width results in higher attenuation rates. Substantial surge attenuation (up to 18 cm km−1) is only achieved for the largest site. The greatest contribution to the attenuation in the largest site scenario may come from water being reflected from the breached dike. While vegetation cover has no statistically significant effect on surge attenuations in the original MR site, higher coverage leads to higher attenuation rates in the largest site scenario. We conclude that at the open coast, only large MR sites (> 1148 m width) can attenuate surges with return periods > 10 years, while increased vegetation cover and larger MR widths enable the attenuation of even higher surges.
A modular framework to generate robust biped locomotion: from planning to control
Authors: Kasaei Mohammadreza , Ahmadi Ali , Lau Nuno , Pereira Artur
Published: August 2021

Biped robots are inherently unstable because of their complex kinematics as well as dynamics. Despite many research efforts in developing biped locomotion, the performance of biped locomotion is still far from the expectations. This paper proposes a model-based framework to generate stable biped locomotion. The core of this framework is an abstract dynamics model which is composed of three masses to consider the dynamics of stance leg, torso, and swing leg for minimizing the tracking problems. According to this dynamics model, we propose a modular walking reference trajectories planner which takes into account obstacles to plan all the references. Moreover, this dynamics model is used to formulate the controller as a Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme which can consider some constraints in the states of the system, inputs, outputs, and also mixed input-output. The performance and the robustness of the proposed framework are validated by performing several numerical simulations using MATLAB. Moreover, the framework is deployed on a simulated torque-controlled humanoid to verify its performance and robustness. The simulation results show that the proposed framework is capable of generating biped locomotion robustly.
An experimental demonstration of the positive consequences of guiding students to conceptualize education as connection
Authors: Destin Mesmin , Debrosse Régine , Silverman David M.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Educators often struggle to sustain students’ motivation during adolescence. Students may view school tasks as insignificant because learning, achievement, and success feel detached from valued social connections. Previous findings in the study of development demonstrate that young people derive meaning from key sources of social support and connection. Finding ways to link how students approach their educational goals to meaningful social connections may strengthen responses to daily learning opportunities with positive implications for achievement.

Method

A randomized‐controlled experiment and daily diary survey evaluated the consequences of guiding students to conceptualize educational pursuits as linked to their social connections. A group of ninth‐grade students in the United States (N = 39; 58.97 % girls, 30.77 % boys, 2.56 % non‐binary, 7.69 % did not disclose) were randomly assigned to one of two brief programs designed to cultivate goals and motivation.

Results

Participants randomly assigned to a healthy achievement condition (including an emphasis on the importance of social support and connection as part of achievement and success) reported more productive responses to daily academic difficulty than participants in a standard motivation condition on a daily diary survey over one year after the program. This led to an indirect increase in actual daily support, which was associated with earning higher grades.

Conclusions

The results suggest that a reconceptualization of education as an endeavor grounded in social connection would help keep students engaged in learning.
Fatigued surgeons: A thematic analysis of the causes, effects and opportunities for fatigue mitigation in surgery
Authors: Whelehan Dale F. , Brown Daniel J. , Connelly Tara M. , Ridgway Paul F.
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:

High-pressured situations, coupled with diminished resource allocations and over-worked staff have been characteristic of surgery for a long time before the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the cause and effects of fatigue in the profession are warranted to design evidence-based and effective interventions for fatigue mitigation. By identifying the individual stressors to individuals fatigue levels, tailored approaches to better optimise performance can be established.

Methods:

This was a single-site qualitative study design using an interpretive, iterative and then deductive thematic analysis approach. Participants were recruited between February 2020–May 2020. A convenience, followed by purposive sampling strategy was employed to inform theoretical gaps on surgical trainees and consultants.

Findings:

There are commonalities in the influencing factors between both fatigue and sleep deprivation. It was identified that often the combination of fatigue and sleep stressors blurs the line between identifying what is primarily influencing subjective fatigue. There was an appreciation that the perfect storm of personal and environmental stressors could impact patient safety. Participants identified several personal mitigators for technical and cognitive performance, but relied more heavily on team factors for decision-making and to mitigate affective issues.

Conclusion:

This study provides understanding of fatigue in surgery as a multifaceted phenomenon. Variation in causes and effects of fatigue are the norm. Maladaptive strategies to mitigate fatigue in surgery are commonly used. Fatigue as a problem is best tackled at an individual level, and supported by environmental and systemic changes to sustain behaviour changes.
Role of metabolomics in identifying cardiac hypertrophy: an overview of the past 20 years of development and future perspective
Authors: Singh Sachendra Pratap , Sethi Rishi , Saxena Shailendra Kumar , Gupta Ashish
Published: August 2021

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is an augmentation of either the right ventricular or the left ventricular mass in order to compensate for the increase of work load on the heart. Metabolic abnormalities lead to histological changes of cardiac myocytes and turn into CH. The molecular mechanisms that lead to initiate CH have been of widespread concern, hence the development of the new field of research, metabolomics: one ‘omics’ approach that can reveal comprehensive information of the paradigm shift of metabolic pathways network in contrast to individual enzymatic reaction-based metabolites, have attempted and until now only 19 studies have been conducted using experimental animal and human specimens. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics studies have found that CH is a metabolic disease and is mainly linked to the harmonic imbalance of glycolysis, citric acid cycle, amino acids and lipid metabolism. The current review will summarise the main outcomes of the above mentioned 19 studies that have expanded our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that may lead to CH and eventually to heart failure.
Quaternary equatorial Atlantic deep-sea ostracodes: evidence for a distinct tropical fauna in the deep sea
Authors: Yasuhara Moriaki , Okahashi Hisayo , Huang Huai-Hsuan May , Hong Yuanyuan , Iwatani Hokuto , Chu Rachel Wai Ching , Hunt Gene
Published: August 2021

Low-latitude, deep-sea faunas remain poorly understood and described. Here, we systematically describe Quaternary deep-sea ostracodes from the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 925 (Ceara Rise; 4°12.2'N, 43°29.3′W; 3040 m water depth) in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Twenty-six genera and 52 species were examined and illustrated with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy images. Six new species are described herein:Pseudocythere spinae,Hemiparacytheridea zarikiani,Pedicythere canis,Xylocythere denticulata,Paracytherois obtusa, andPoseidonamicus sculptus. The results show that deep-sea ostracodes have a tropical faunal element that is distinctive from higher latitude ostracodes, and that is globally distributed in low latitudes. This tropical faunal component is possibly a Tethyan legacy of a fauna that was widely distributed in tropical and extratropical latitudes in deep waters during greenhouse conditions in the Cretaceous and early Cenozoic. Global cooling thereafter shrank its distribution, limiting it to tropical latitudes, perhaps with the relatively warm uppermost bathyal area acting as the source or refuge of this faunal component. Because similar present-day biogeographic patterns (i.e., presence and wide distribution of tropical deep-sea fauna) are known in other deep-sea benthic groups, this scenario might be applicable to the deep-sea benthos more broadly.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/552d4cb2-c0db-463a-ae3f-b2efcc0985df.
Birds of a Feather? Loyalty and Partisanship in the Reformed Canadian Senate
Authors: VandenBeukel Jason Robert , Cochrane Christopher , Godbout Jean-François
Published: August 2021

Since 2015, the Canadian Senate has undergone a series of reforms designed to make it more independent, ideologically diverse, and active in the legislative process. We use loyalty scores and vote scaling algorithms to situate the voting behaviour of senators, focusing primarily on the 41st and 42nd Parliaments (2011–2019), the period just before and after the changes, respectively. We find that the reforms have led to a loosening of party discipline across all parties and caucuses but that independent senators appointed under the reformed process are the most likely supporters of the government's agenda. We also find that the Senate has become more willing to use its formal powers.
Lessons from studying roundworm and whipworm in the mouse: common themes and unique features
Authors: Holland C. V. , Else K. J.
Published: August 2021

Ascaris lumbricoides, the roundworm, and Trichuris trichiura, the whipworm, are human intestinal nematode parasites; both are soil-transmitted helminths, are often placed together in an epidemiological context and both remain neglected despite high prevalence. Our understanding of parasitic disease continues to be enhanced through animal models. Despite the similarities between whipworm and roundworm, there are key differences between the two species and these have influenced the application of their respective animal models. In the case of T. trichiura, the fact that a murine equivalent, T. muris completes its life cycle in a mouse model has greatly enhanced our knowledge of whipworm biology, pathogenicity and immunology. In contrast, A. lumbricoides and its porcine equivalent, Ascaris suum, lack a rodent model in which the life cycle is completed. However, evidence continues to accumulate demonstrating that mice represent useful models of early Ascaris infection, a key stage of the life cycle. The use of mouse models for both Ascaris and Trichuris has a long history with early pioneers discovering fundamental aspects of each parasite's biology. Novel technologies and perspectives, as outlined in this special issue, demonstrate how through the prism of mouse models, we can continue to explore the similarities and differences between roundworms and whipworms.
Longitudinal associations between alcohol use, smoking, genetic risk scoring and symptoms of depression in the general population: a prospective 6-year cohort study
Authors: de Boer N. , Vermeulen J. , Lin B. , van Os J. , ten Have M. , de Graaf R. , van Dorsselaer S. , Bak M. , Rutten B. , Batalla A. , Guloksuz S. , Luykx J. J.
Published: August 2021

Background

Alcohol consumption, smoking and mood disorders are leading contributors to the global burden of disease and are highly comorbid. Yet, their interrelationships have remained elusive. The aim of this study was to examine the multi-cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between (change in) smoking and alcohol use and (change in) number of depressive symptoms.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal study, 6646 adults from the general population were included with follow-up measurements after 3 and 6 years. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test multi-cross-sectional and longitudinal associations, with smoking behaviour, alcohol use and genetic risk scores for smoking and alcohol use as independent variables and depressive symptoms as dependent variables.

Results

In the multi-cross-sectional analysis, smoking status and number of cigarettes per day were positively associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Moderate drinking was associated with less symptoms of depression compared to non-use (p = 0.011). Longitudinally, decreases in the numbers of cigarettes per day and alcoholic drinks per week as well as alcohol cessation were associated with a reduction of depressive symptoms (p = 0.001–0.028). Results of genetic risk score analyses aligned with these findings.

Conclusions

While cross-sectionally smoking and moderate alcohol use show opposing associations with depressive symptoms, decreases in smoking behaviour as well as alcohol consumption are associated with improvements in depressive symptoms over time. Although we cannot infer causality, these results open avenues to further investigate interventions targeting smoking and alcohol behaviours in people suffering from depressive symptoms.
Linguistic landscaping in medical settings
Authors: Alomoush Omar I. S.
Published: August 2021

The field of linguistic landscape (LL) is concerned with monolingual and bi/-multilingual patterns and practices enacted on ‘public road signs, advertising billboards, street names, place names, commercial shop signs, and public signs on government buildings’ (Landry & Bourhis, 1997: 25). Since the publication of Landry and Bourhis’ (1997) research study, much more attention has been paid towards LL research, especially after the appearance of a Linguistic Landscape special issue of the International Journal of Multilingualism 3(1) (2006) (reproduced as the book Linguistic Landscape: A New Approach to Multilingualism [Gorter, 2006]). There has also been increased discussion of specific locations, such as multilingualism in Tokyo (Backhaus, 2007), English in the neighbourhoods of Johor Bahru City in Malaysia (McKiernan, 2019), and Jawi, an endangered orthography in the Malaysian LL (Coluzzi, 2020).