bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant quantity affects development and reproduction of a gregarious butterfly more than plant quality
Authors: Gols Rieta , Croijmans Luuk , Dicke Marcel , van Loon Joop J. A. , Harvey Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2022

The larvae of insect herbivores feed on plants that may vary nutritionally (qualitatively and/or quantitatively) over the course of insect development. Plant quality may change in response to interactions with the biotic environment that in turn may affect development and biomass of the insects feeding on these plants. However, the larvae of many gregariously feeding herbivores feed on comparatively small plants with limited biomass and may also experience variation in the quantity of plant food available. Pieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a gregarious butterfly species laying clutches of 10–150 eggs that are often laid on small brassicaceous food plants, including the plant used in this study, Brassica nigra L. (Brassicaceae). A single B. nigra plant provides insufficient resources for the development of an entire brood of P. brassicae. In this study, we investigated the effect of both plant quality and quantity on the performance of P. brassicae when feeding on B. nigra plants. When we compared the effects of changes in plant quality induced by (1) aphid infestation, (2) exposure to pathogenic and non‐pathogenic bacteria, and (3) inbreeding depression, which are all biotic stresses known to change plant quality, pupal mass and larval development time of P. brassicae were fairly similar. We then examined the effects of quantitative food constraints during immature development on pupal mass, which correlated strongly with adult size, longevity, and fecundity. Female pupal mass, longevity and fecundity were negatively correlated with the duration of starvation during larval development. No significant effect of male starvation was found on female reproduction and longevity. Thus, P. brassicae larvae were more affected by quantitative than by qualitative constraints in terms of pupal mass, which strongly correlated with female reproduction.
The Genealogy as a contribution to a natural history of morals
Authors: Feldblyum Le Blevennec Marie Kerguelen
Published: May 2022

Nietzsche's readers are often tempted to look for his critique of morality in On the Genealogy of Morality. However, I will argue that the Genealogy does not contain Nietzsche's critique of morality, nor was it intended by Nietzsche to contain his critique. Rather, the Genealogy is Nietzsche's attempt to develop crucial parts of what he calls a natural history or typology of morals, which he considers to be a descriptive project meant to serve as preparation for a critique of values. More precisely, the Genealogy serves as preparation for a critique of moral values in three ways: it (1) traces the historical development of Judeo‐Christian moral values in a way that (2) enables diagnosis of their psychological effects on various types of people, and of the physiological traits and states of which those values are symptoms. In turn, this vital factual information is needed by Nietzsche so that he can (3) compare Judeo‐Christian values to other values. 1–3 are purely descriptive, and they make possible a further, evaluative project Nietzsche does not undertake in the Genealogy itself, namely, his critique of those values by determining their place in a new rank ordering of values (i.e., Umwertung or revaluation of values).
Where and why are species' range shifts hampered by unsuitable landscapes?
Authors: Hodgson Jenny A. , Randle Zoë , Shortall Chris R. , Oliver Tom H.
Published: May 2022

There is widespread concern that species will fail to track climate change if habitat is too scarce or insufficiently connected. Targeted restoration has been advocated to help species adapt, and a “conductance” metric has been proposed, based on simulation studies, to predict effective habitat configurations. However, until now there is very little empirical evidence on how the configuration of habitat is affecting expansion at species' cool range margins. We analysed the colonisation events that have occurred in continuously monitored trap locations for 54 species of southerly distributed moths in Britain between 1985 and 2011. We tested whether the time until colonisation was affected by attributes of each species, and of intervening landcover and climate between the trap and the baseline distribution (1965–1985). For woodland species, the time until colonisation of new locations was predicted by the “conductance” of woodland habitat, and this relationship was general, regardless of species' exact dispersal distances and habitat needs. This shows that contemporary range shifts are being influenced by habitat configuration as well as simple habitat extent. For species associated with farmland or suburban habitats, colonisation was significantly slower through landscapes with a high variance in elevation and/or temperature. Therefore, it is not safe to assume that such relatively tolerant species face no geographical barriers to range expansion. We thus elucidate how species' attributes interact with landscape characteristics to create highly heterogeneous patterns of shifting at cool range margins. Conductance, and other predictors of range shifts, can provide a foundation for developing coherent conservation strategies to manage range shifts for entire communities.
“Intensity, anxiety … but also, hope?” Reflections on care, whiteness, and emotions by women of color during the virocene
Authors: Mejia Angie , Balangoy Danniella , Katoch Chandi
Published: May 2022

This collaborative autoethnography explores the affective and material effects of the pandemic on our role as Women of Color providing care, engaging in caring, and doing care work at a predominantly white institution (PWI) in the Midwest. Incorporating sociological concepts to explore the racialized dimensions of care work in organizational settings (Hochschild's concepts of emotion labor and emotion work, Kang's work on racialized body labor, and Wingfield and Alston's theory of racial tasks within organizational settings), we examine the complex dynamics between intersectional vulnerabilities emerging from COVID‐19 and structural gendered racism via whiteness in academic settings whose mission is to train future healthcare professionals. To do this, we engage in a collaborative autoethnographic approach to map how racial tasks in three socio‐contextual spaces—academic, social, and experiential settings that facilitate out‐of‐the‐classroom training opportunities—operated to sustain and normalize racial inequities and organizational dynamics that define the institutional identity of an undergraduate health sciences campus. First, we show racial tasks carried out by faculty of color were part of a response to the lack of resources for students of color and an organizational imposition that sustained racial inequities. Second, we describe how racial tasks carried out by undergraduate students of color are connected to white students' sense of fragility, behaviors, and dispositions that have been normalized and reflect aspects of the institutional culture of this PWI. And finally, we see how the body labor connected to racial tasks in experiential education/out‐of‐the‐classroom learning sites exemplify how increasing white nationalism and Trump‐era COVID‐19's policy failures impact organizational practices.
Triptans and vascular comorbidity in persons over fifty: Findings from a nationwide insurance database – A cohort study
Authors: Zebenholzer Karin , Gall Walter , Gleiss Andreas , Pavelic Antun R. , Wöber Christian
Published: May 2022

Objective

To gather information about prescription of triptans and to evaluate whether vascular comorbidity differs in users and nonusers of triptans over the age of 50 years.

Background

Beyond the age of 50 years, migraine is still common—yet the incidence of vascular disorders increases. Triptans, medications for treating migraine attacks, are vasoconstrictive drugs and contraindicated in persons with vascular disorders.

Methods

Based on a nationwide insurance database from 2011, we compared the prescription of vascular drugs (identified by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes), vascular diagnoses and hospitalizations, between triptan users greater than 50 years and a matched control group.

Results

Of the 3,116,000 persons over 50 years, 13,833 (0.44%) had at least one triptan prescription; 11,202 (81%) were women. Thirty percent of the triptan users (13,833/47,336 persons) were over 50 years. Of those over 50 years, 6832 (49.4%) had at least one vascular drug and 870 (6.3%) had at least one inpatient vascular diagnosis; 15.7% (2166 of 13,833 users) overused triptans. We compared triptan‐users to 41,400 nonusers, using a 1:3 match. In triptan‐users, prescriptions of cardiac therapies and beta blockers were significantly more common (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24–1.47 and OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.14–1.25, respectively); whereas prescriptions of calcium channel blockers and renin/angiotensin inhibitors were significantly less common (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.76–0.88 and OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.72–0.79, respectively). The prescriptions of antihypertensive, diuretic, and antilipidemic drugs as well as platelet inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors did not differ in users and nonusers. Triptan users had significantly more hospital stays (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.33–1.45); however, the number of days spent in the hospital and more importantly the frequency of inpatient vascular diagnoses did not differ statistically significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion

In persons over 50 years of age, a prescription of triptans is common. Vascular comorbidity is comparable in users and nonusers of triptans showing that triptans are prescribed despite vascular comorbidity and suggesting that triptan use does not increase vascular risk in patients with migraine over the age of 50 years. Nevertheless, regular evaluation for contraindications against triptans and for vascular risk factors is recommended in this age group.
The management of trigeminal neuralgia with triptans, a narrative review of the literature
Authors: Munoz Alfredo , Maxwell Christina , Gofman Natalie , Liebman Kenneth , Veznedaroglu Erol
Published: May 2022

Objective

The objective of this paper is to present a narrative review of the use of triptans in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN), as well as to outline possible therapeutic mechanisms of action.

Background

TN is a debilitating neuropathic disorder with a variety of surgical and pharmacological treatments currently available. Despite treatment being heavily individually tailored, some patients remain refractory to management. The use of triptans for the treatment of TN has been commented on in the literature, yet major trials showing their effectiveness are lacking.

Methods

A narrative review of current literature was conducted to identify published original research analyzing the usage of triptans in TN via PubMed and Google Scholar.

Results

Limited case reports and studies have been done to analyze the use of triptans for the treatment of TN. Despite the limited results, the studies that have been done show some promise for triptans as an alternative treatment, in particular to those with refractory TN. Given the incapacitating nature of TN, another alternative treatment may be of benefit to those patients and can help reduce its associated morbidity.

Conclusion

Patients with refractory TN may find relief of symptoms from the use of triptans. Larger clinical trials are needed to help determine which patients would benefit from their use as well as specific dosing. Caution should be given regarding the long‐term use of triptans, in particular for the typical patient population with TN.
Antiperovskite Sr3MN and Ba3MN (M = Sb or Bi) as promising photovoltaic absorbers for thin‐film solar cells: A first‐principles study
Authors: Kang Youngho
Published: May 2022

Although lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have emerged as interesting photovoltaic (PV) absorbers for thin‐film solar cells, the toxicity of Pb and poor materials stability have hindered the commercialization of solar cells using LHPs. Herein, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we suggest antiperovskite nitrides Sr3MN and Ba3MN (M = Sb or Bi) as potential Pb‐free PV absorbers for thin‐film solar cells. State‐of‐the‐art DFT calculations based on the GW approximation show that these compounds have direct bandgaps suitable for PV applications. In addition, they exhibit significant absorption coefficients over 105 cm−1 for the visible light. By calculating spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency, we demonstrate that the film thicknesses of several hundred nanometers are enough for Sr3MN and Ba3MN to generate high‐power conversion efficiencies over 20%. The analysis of the electron and hole effective masses reveals that these compounds have efficient carrier‐diffusion paths allowing for the facile extraction of photocarriers. Lastly, we investigate the band alignments of the materials to help the design of thin‐film solar cells.
Mouse movements reflect personality traits and task attentiveness in online experiments
Authors: Meidenbauer Kimberly L. , Niu Tianyue , Choe Kyoung Whan , Stier Andrew J. , Berman Marc G.
Published: May 2022

Objective

In this rapidly digitizing world, it is becoming ever more important to understand people's online behaviors in both scientific and consumer research settings. The current work tests the feasibility of inferring personality traits from mouse movement patterns as a cost‐effective means of measuring individual characteristics.

Method

Mouse movement features (i.e., pauses, fixations, speed, and clicks) were collected while participants (N = 791) completed an online image choice task. We compare the results of standard univariate and three forms of multivariate partial least squares (PLS) analyses predicting Big Five traits from mouse movements. We also examine whether mouse movements can predict a proposed measure of task attentiveness (atypical responding), and how these might be related to personality traits.

Results

Each of the PLS analyses showed significant associations between a linear combination of personality traits (high Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Openness, and low Neuroticism) and several mouse movements associated with slower, more deliberate responding (less unnecessary clicks and more fixations). Additionally, several click‐related mouse features were associated with atypical responding on the task.

Conclusions

As the image choice task itself is not intended to assess personality in any way, our results validate the feasibility of using mouse movements to infer internal traits across experimental contexts.
Context‐dependent role of abiotic and biotic factors structuring nematode communities along two environmental gradients
Authors: Gattoni Kaitlin , Gendron Eli Michael Sokol , Borgmeier Abigail , McQueen J. Parr , Mullin Peter G. , Powers Kris , Powers Thomas O. , Porazinska Dorota L.
Published: May 2022

Although abiotic environmental factors have been historically regarded as the dominant deterministic process in microbial community assembly, recent studies indicate that biotic interactions may be equally significant. However, the extent to which both processes are important in assembly of belowground communities is unknown. Along two environmental gradients: alkalinity (ranging from pH ~7 to ~11) and habitat type (lakes, shorelines, and prairies around lakes) present in the Western Nebraska Sandhills, we used 18S rRNA gene marker metabarcoding and statistical analyses, including generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM), to evaluate the dynamics between abiotic and biotic factors that might play a role in nematode community assembly. Lakes supported the least diverse and prairies the most diverse communities with completely distinct compositions. We also observed a potential role of alkalinity in shaping these communities but only in lakes. Generally, GDMs indicated the influence of both abiotic and biotic factors. However, their relative importance in explaining community variability was dependent on the habitat. Biotic factors influenced the lake communities most, followed by shorelines and prairies, explaining ~47%, 27% and 8% of the variation, respectively. In contrast, the role of abiotic factors was relatively similar in lakes, shorelines and prairies (~15%, 18% and 14% of the variation, respectively). Most variation in the shorelines (62%) and prairies (82%) remained unexplained, suggesting the potential importance of factors associated with specific traits or a stronger role of stochastic processes. Nevertheless, our findings suggest both deterministic processes are important in nematode community assembly, but their specific contributions are context‐dependent.
Correlates of parental knowledge about smartphone exposure among young children
Authors: Ali Reem Ahmad , Alma’aytah Maha Mohammed Deib
Published: May 2022

Background

Unhealthy smartphone habits use can impair the health of young children. Smartphone use among young children is affected by several factors of which the most important is parental knowledge pertains to smartphone exposure among young children. In Jordan, no studies have focused on this factor.

Method

A nation‐wide cross‐sectional survey was distributed to parents of children aged <6 years to assess parental knowledge of smartphone exposure among young children and examine its correlates in Jordan. An online self‐reporting questionnaire was administered via Survey Monkey and posted on social media platforms in June 2020.

Results

A total of 2,781 Jordanian parents completed the survey. During the pandemic the daily hours of Smartphone use among children were significantly higher than prior the coronavirus‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic (2.12 vs. 1.7 h). More than half the children exceeded the recommended daily hours of use. These results were positively associated with increased smartphone use among parents. Overall, the parents proved knowledgeable regarding the effects of excessive smartphone exposure on the health of their children. However, a knowledge deficit was evident in two areas: parental controls on smartphone and safe levels of infant smartphone exposure. The mothers possessed a significantly higher level of knowledge than the fathers.

Conclusion

The results suggest that, in the context Jordan, increasing parental knowledge has the potential to reduce smartphone exposure among young children. Awareness campaigns are needed to enhance parental knowledge of smartphone exposure among young children and the use of parental controls on smartphones.
Nurse visit utilization and blood pressure control: A multi‐cohort study in New Zealand
Authors: Montayre Jed , Liu Megan F. , Calma Kaara Ray B. , Zhao Ivy Yan , Ho Mu‐Hsing
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to retrospectively examine the contribution of nurses to population health outcomes with reference to nurse visits and blood pressure measurement in primary health settings.

Design

A retrospective study was conducted using New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) from 2012 to 2017.

Sample

Adult population who are 18 years old and over living in New Zealand.

Measurements

Age, gender, and ethnicity, the service utilization of primary health care nurse visit and blood pressure measurement were extracted from the NZHS (2012–2017) to compare with the service utilization of primary health care nurses by different demographic groups.

Results

Females who have treated hypertension shows higher utilization of nurse visit than males. From 2015 to 2017, the participants in this cohort have visited a primary health care nurse at least more than once within a year. With blood pressure control, the overall pooled results show the impact of visiting primary health nurses on systolic and diastolic blood pressure control.

Conclusion

Our study at a national scale, demonstrated the impact of nurse's contribution to population health outcomes among people living with hypertension in New Zealand. Nurses are key to improving population health outcomes and to achieve universal health coverage.
Effects of chill unit accumulation and temperature on woody plant deacclimation kinetics
Authors: North Michael , Workmaster Beth Ann , Atucha Amaya
Published: May 2022

Woody perennials in temperate climates develop cold hardiness in the fall (acclimation) and lose cold hardiness in the spring (deacclimation) to survive freezing winter temperatures. Two main factors known to regulate deacclimation responses are dormancy status and temperature. However, the progression of deacclimation responses throughout the dormant period and across a range of temperatures is not well described. More detailed descriptions of dormancy status and temperature, as factors regulating deacclimation, are necessary to understand the timing and magnitude of freeze injury risks for woody perennials in temperate climates. In this study, we modeled deacclimation responses in cold‐climate interspecific hybrid grapevine cultivars throughout the dormant period by integrating chill accumulation and temperature through the concept of deacclimation potential. We evaluated deacclimation and budbreak under multiple temperature treatments and chill unit accumulation levels using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and bud forcing assays. Deacclimation responses increased continuously following logistic trends for both increasing chill unit accumulation and increasing temperature. There are optimal temperatures where deacclimation rates increased but changes in deacclimation rates diminished below and above these temperatures. The cumulative chill unit range where deacclimation potential increased overlapped with the transition from endo‐ to ecodormancy. Therefore, deacclimation potential could provide a quantitative method for describing dormancy transitions that do not rely on the visual evaluation of budbreak. This information provides a more detailed understanding of when and how deacclimation contributes to increased risks by freezing injury. In addition, our descriptions could inform improvements to models predicting cold hardiness, dormancy transitions, and spring phenology.
Selective utilization of phosphorus compounds by Chaetoceros tenuissimus (Bacillariophyceae): Approach using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance analysis
Authors: Yamaguchi Haruo , Zaima Masaki , Adachi Masao , Tomaru Yuji , Asahara Haruyasu , Nishiwaki Nagatoshi
Published: May 2022

Several diatom species can utilize various forms of organic phosphorus via enzymatic hydrolysis. The present study identified which phosphorus compounds are preferentially utilized by planktonic diatom Chaetoceros tenuissimus cultures using a 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based method. Our 31P NMR analysis, which involves a sample extraction procedure using DIAION™ CR11, detected and quantified phosphorus compounds present at concentrations of at least 7.5 μM in the seawater‐based media, including orthophosphate, phosphate monoester, phosphate diester, phosphonate, and other compounds. Based on this analysis, we examined the temporal variations of phosphorus compounds in C. tenuissimus cultures in which orthophosphate, phosphate monoester, phosphate diester, and phosphonate compounds were present simultaneously. Cells pre‐grown under phosphorus‐replete conditions utilized orthophosphate as the preferential phosphorus source and switched to phosphate monoester after exhausting orthophosphate. Enzymatic activity for phosphate monoester hydrolysis, namely phosphomonoesterase (synonym to alkaline phosphatase) activity, appeared when C. tenuissimus began to utilize phosphate monoester. In contrast, C. tenuissimus pre‐grown on phosphorus‐depleted media simultaneously hydrolyzed phosphate monoester and phosphate diester compounds, released orthophosphate from these compounds, and utilized the released orthophosphate and original orthophosphate without discrimination. Overall, we demonstrated that 31P NMR‐based method can comprehensively analyze the variations of dissolved phosphorus compounds in diatom cultures. Our results showed selective utilization of phosphorus compounds by C. tenuissimus and suggested that phosphate monoester and phosphate diester compounds were important phosphorus sources for this diatom in orthophosphate‐depleted coastal waters.
Multiply Robust Estimation of Causal Effects under Principal Ignorability
Authors: Jiang Zhichao , Yang Shu , Ding Peng
Published: May 2022

Causal inference concerns not only the average effect of the treatment on the outcome but also the underlying mechanism through an intermediate variable of interest. Principal stratification characterizes such a mechanism by targeting subgroup causal effects within principal strata, which are defined by the joint potential values of an intermediate variable. Due to the fundamental problem of causal inference, principal strata are inherently latent, rendering it challenging to identify and estimate subgroup effects within them. A line of research leverages the principal ignorability assumption that the latent principal strata are mean independent of the potential outcomes conditioning on the observed covariates. Under principal ignorability, we derive various nonparametric identification formulas for causal effects within principal strata in observational studies, which motivate estimators relying on the correct specifications of different parts of the observed-data distribution. Appropriately combining these estimators yields triply robust estimators for the causal effects within principal strata. These triply robust estimators are consistent if two of the treatment, intermediate variable and outcome models are correctly specified, and moreover, they are locally efficient if all three models are correctly specified. We show that these estimators arise naturally from either the efficient influence functions in the semiparametric theory or the model-assisted estimators in the survey sampling theory. We evaluate different estimators based on their finite-sample performance through simulation and apply them to two observational studies.
Female Entrepreneurs as Board Directors of the Largest Russian Joint‐Stock Companies, 1870–1900
Authors: ULIANOVA GALINA
Published: May 2022

Previous research has only mentioned that women from family firms often served as members of the Boards of Directors of joint‐stock companies in the last third of the nineteenth century, but it has not explored the extent to which they were actually involved in managerial activities or in day‐to‐day operations. Using a new database of twenty‐eight large joint‐stock companies mainly in the textile industry, this article combines archival research and prosopographical analysis to demonstrate that women had the capacity to engage in these activities and, in many cases, did so extensively. Particular attention is paid to educational background, relationship to child‐bearing and child‐rearing, and the blending of kinship and family firm structure in the context of the popularity of incorporation as joint‐stock companies. The analysis is situated within and contributes to a broader historiography of women, property, and corporations in and beyond late nineteenth‐century Russia.
Application of biochar and organic fertilizer to saline‐alkali soil in the Yellow River Delta: Effects on soil water, salinity, nutrients, and maize yield
Authors: Wang Shibin , Gao Peiling , Zhang Qingwen , Shi Yulong , Guo Xianglin , Lv Qingxin , Wu Wei , Zhang Xue , Li Mengzhao , Meng Qingmei
Published: May 2022

Soil salinization is a global problem that limits agricultural productivity and sustainable development. As waste‐derived soil amendments, biochar and organic fertilizer have garnered considerable attention for their ability to improve soil physicochemical properties and contribution to agricultural waste resource recovery. However, comparable data on the effects of biochar and organic fertilizers on the physicochemical properties of saline‐alkali soils are lacking. Therefore, we applied biochar (B1: 5 t ha−1 year−1; B2: 10 t ha−1 year−1; and B3: 20 t ha−1 year−1) and organic fertilizer (OF1: 7.5 t ha−1 year−1 and OF2: 10 t ha−1 year−1) to saline‐alkali soil in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China, continuously for 3 years. Because of the influence of their application on soil fertility and water‐salt status, maize yield increased by 55.01–62.51% and 15.01–26.67% for the biochar and organic fertilizer treated soils, respectively. Biochar and organic fertilizer increased soil water content, Ca2+, Mg2+, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total nitrogen,‐N,‐N, organic matter, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, while decreasing the sodium adsorption ratio and soil pH. Compared with CK, Na+ and soil salt content were reduced by 3.83–8.16% and 2.45–12.08%, respectively, under biochar treatments and increased by 2.19–5.34% and 12.95–20.02%, respectively, under organic fertilizer treatments. Principal component analysis showed that biochar was more effective than organic fertilizer in increasing SWC and reducing salinity and Na+. Based on the evidence of this study, biochar presents an eco‐friendly agricultural strategy for improving saline‐alkali soils and increasing maize yield in the YRD.
Platelet‐rich fibrin a new approach in management of persistent oral ulcers in blistering skin diseases
Authors: Ahmed Eman M. , Shafik Sherif , El Saadany Basma
Published: May 2022

The present study designed to evaluate the healing power of platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) in terms of pain control and mucosal repair. A randomised, controlled, pilot clinical trial was conducted on 16 patients randomly distributed with 1:1 allocation ratio into two groups. The treatment group received PRF minced and mixed with orabase and the control group received clobetasol propionate 0.05% mixed with orabase. Pain reduction was evaluated as primary outcome along with mucositis healing as secondary outcome. A statistically significant difference in pain reduction was observed between the two groups (p ≤ 0.05). The clinical results at Day 7 has shown that PRF group had 100% pain reduction while, CP group had 32.5% reduction from base line. PRF offered superior clinical results providing rapid pain alleviation and accelerated ulcer healing compared to corticosteroids.
Submerged-Arc-Welded Pipe
Authors: Kiefner J. F. , Clark E.B.
Published: May 2022

Line pipe with a submerged-arc-welded seam was first made in 1930 at the Christy Park Works of National Tube Co.(6-1) The Christy Park process involved forming flat plates into “cans” in a set of presses. The edges of the cans were then joined by a single pass (multi-welder) submerged-arc weld made from the outside surface onto a backing shoe located at the ID surface. The finished pipe was rounded in a set of pyramid rolls. The Christy Park process was discontinued in 1932 for reasons unknown and some of the equipment was sold to Western Pipe and Steel Company. The Western Pipe and Steel Company became Consolidated Western Steel Company, and in 1946 they began manufacturing the first large diameter (30-inch) submerged-arc welded pipe possibly using at least some of the Christy Park equipment.(6- 2) By 194 8, Consolidated Western had developed a double submerged-arc-welded seam welding process and was becoming an important supplier of line pipe. A double submerged-arc-welded seam consists of at least one pass being made from the inside and one pass being made from the outside of the pipe. By 1960 several manufacturers were making double submerged-arc-welded (DSAW) line pipe,(6-3 to 6-7) and DSAW pipe remains today as one of the three principle processes for line pipe manufacturing.(6-8, 6-9)
Mega Sport Event Volunteers: Understanding the Role of Space in Social Capital Development at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games
Authors: Gang Alex C. , Yoon Juha , Park Juho , Yoo Sang Keon , Pedersen Paul M.
Published: May 2022

This study explores the process of social capital development and the influence of space that leads to the formation of different types of social capital among mega sport event volunteers. A qualitative approach was utilized to ensure the collection of in-depth data on participants’ subjective volunteering experience and its relation to the creation of social capital. Findings revealed the development of social capital by the volunteers both in and out of event venues, which are defined as event related and peripheral spaces. The process of developing network through bridging was attributed to the proclivity of peripheral spaces to provide proximity and composition necessary to build and enrich interactions, while bonding was the primary mechanism to associate with others on event-related places.
Olfactory exposure to late-pregnant and lactating mice causes stress-induced analgesia in male mice
Authors: Rosen Sarah F. , Lima Lucas V. , Chen Civia , Nejade Rachel , Zhao Mengyi , Nemoto Wataru , Toprak Ece , Skvortsova Aleksandrina , Tansley Shannon N. , Zumbusch Alicia , Sotocinal Susana G. , Pittman Charlotte , Mogil Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2022

In an attempt to improve reproducibility, more attention is being paid to potential sources of stress in the laboratory environment. Here, we report that the mere proximity of pregnant or lactating female mice causes olfactory-mediated stress-induced analgesia, to a variety of noxious stimuli, in gonadally intact male mice. We show that exposure to volatile compounds released in the urine of pregnant and lactating female mice can themselves produce stress and associated pain inhibition. This phenomenon, a novel form of female-to-male chemosignaling, is mediated by female scent marking of urinary volatiles, such as
n
-pentyl-acetate, and likely signals potential maternal aggression aimed at defending against infanticide by stranger males.
Slow-growing reef corals as climate archives: A case study of the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum 40 Ma ago
Authors: Brachert Thomas C. , Felis Thomas , Gagnaison Cyril , Hoehle Marlene , Reuter Markus , Spreter Philipp M.
Published: May 2022

The skeletons of stony corals on tropical shallow-water reefs are high-resolution climate archives. However, their systematic use for unlocking climate dynamics of the geologic past is limited by the susceptibility of the porous aragonite skeleton to diagenetic alterations. Here, we present oxygen and carbon isotope time series (monthly resolution) from reef corals with an unusual unaltered preservation from the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) “hyperthermal” (40 million years ago). Annual extension of the corals at the studied midlatitude site (France) was remarkably low (0.2 cm). Nonetheless, isotope signatures display no evidence for kinetic disequilibria that discredit their use as climate archive, but growth rate–dependent annual signal amplitude attenuations need corrections using an innovative sampling approach. Thereafter, we present evidence of symbiotic zooxanthellae in reef corals of the Paleogene and subdued sea surface temperature seasonality of only 7° to 8°C during the MECO, consistent with the globally equant climate of the hothouse.
Revisiting the concept of peptide bond planarity in an iron-sulfur protein by neutron structure analysis
Authors: Hanazono Yuya , Hirano Yu , Takeda Kazuki , Kusaka Katsuhiro , Tamada Taro , Miki Kunio
Published: May 2022

The planarity of the peptide bond is important for the stability and structure formation of proteins. However, substantial distortion of peptide bonds has been reported in several high-resolution structures and computational analyses. To investigate the peptide bond planarity, including hydrogen atoms, we report a 1.2-Å resolution neutron structure of the oxidized form of high-potential iron-sulfur protein. This high-resolution neutron structure shows that the nucleus positions of the amide protons deviate from the peptide plane and shift toward the acceptors. The planarity of the H─N─C═O plane depends strongly on the pyramidalization of the nitrogen atom. Moreover, the orientation of the amide proton of Cys
75
is different in the reduced and oxidized states, possibly because of the electron storage capacity of the iron-sulfur cluster.
Drosophila
renal stem cells enhance fitness by delayed remodeling of adult Malpighian tubules
Authors: Wang Chenhui , Spradling Allan C.
Published: May 2022

Drosophila
renal stem cells (RSCs) contradict the common expectation that stem cells maintain tissue homeostasis. RSCs are abundant, quiescent, and confined to the peri-ureter region of the kidney-like Malpighian tubules (MTs). Although derived during pupation-like intestinal stem cells, RSCs initially remodel the larval MTs only near the intestinal junction. However, following adult injury to the ureter by xanthine stones, RSCs remodel the damaged region in a similar manner. Thus, RSCs represent stem cells encoding a developmental redesign. The remodeled tubules have a larger luminal diameter and shorter brush border, changes linked to enhanced stone resistance. However, RSC-mediated modifications also raise salt sensitivity and reduce fecundity. Our results suggest that RSCs arose by arresting developmental progenitors to preserve larval physiology until a time in adulthood when it becomes advantageous to complete the development by RSC activation.
Single-cell deletion analyses show control of pro–T cell developmental speed and pathways by Tcf7, Spi1, Gata3, Bcl11a, Erg, and Bcl11b
Authors: Zhou Wen , Gao Fan , Romero-Wolf Maile , Jo Suin , Rothenberg Ellen V.
Published: May 2022

As early T cell precursors transition from multipotentiality to T lineage commitment, they change expression of multiple transcription factors. It is unclear whether individual transcription factors directly control choices between T cell identity and some alternative fate or whether these factors mostly affect proliferation or survival during the normal commitment process. Here, we unraveled the impacts of deleting individual transcription factors at two stages in early T cell development, using synchronized in vitro differentiation systems, single-cell RNA-seq with batch indexing, and controlled gene-disruption strategies. First, using a customized method for single-cell CRISPR disruption, we defined how the early-acting transcription factors Bcl11a, Erg, Spi1 (PU.1), Gata3, and Tcf7 (TCF1) function before commitment. The results revealed a kinetic tug of war within individual cells between T cell factors Tcf7 and Gata3 and progenitor factors Spi1 and Bcl11a, with an unexpected guidance role for Erg. Second, we tested how activation of transcription factor Bcl11b during commitment altered ongoing cellular programs. In knockout cells where Bcl11b expression was prevented, the cells did not undergo developmental arrest, instead following an alternative path as T lineage commitment was blocked. A stepwise, time-dependent regulatory cascade began with immediate-early transcription factor activation and E protein inhibition, finally leading Bcl11b knockout cells toward exit from the T cell pathway. Last, gene regulatory networks of transcription factor cross-regulation were extracted from the single-cell transcriptome results, characterizing the specification network operating before T lineage commitment and revealing its links to both the Bcl11b knockout alternative network and the network consolidating T cell identity during commitment.
Atlantic salmon survival at sea: temporal changes that lack regional synchrony
Authors: Tirronen Maria , Hutchings Jeffrey A. , Pardo Sebastián A. , Kuparinen Anna
Published: May 2022

Spatial and temporal synchrony in abundance or survival trends can be indicative of whether populations are affected by common environmental drivers. In Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar), return rates to natal rivers have generally been assumed to be affected primarily by shared oceanic conditions, leading to spatially synchronous trends in mortality. Here, we investigated the existence of parallel trends in salmon sea survival, using data on migrating smolts and returning adults from seven Canadian populations presumed to share feeding grounds. We analysed sea survival, using a Bayesian change-point model capable of detecting nonstationarity in time series data. Our results indicate that while salmon have experienced broadly comparable patterns in survival, finer-scale temporal shifts are not synchronous among populations. Our findings are not consistent with the hypothesis that salmon populations consistently share the same mortality-related stressors in the marine environment. Although populations may have shared greater synchrony in survival patterns in the past, this synchrony may be breaking down. It may be prudent to direct greater attention to smaller-scale regional and population-level correlates of survival.
Intertidal beach habitat suitability model for Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) in the Salish Sea, Canada
Authors: Huard Jacqueline R. , Proudfoot Beatrice , Rooper Christopher N. , Martin Tara G. , Robinson Clifford L. K.
Published: May 2022

Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes personatus) support marine food webs in the Salish Sea, yet our knowledge of intertidal spawning habitat for this species is limited. Increasing participation in community science surveys for intertidal sand lance spawning has resulted in the detection of eggs on more than 90 beaches in the Canadian Salish Sea since 2001. Using these data, we developed a MaxEnt habitat suitability model using six environmental variables. We estimate that only 5.4% of the intertidal zone of the Canadian Salish Sea has a moderate to high likelihood of providing suitable sand lance spawning habitat. This rare habitat was best predicted by its proximity to estuaries, shoreline slope, distance to predicted subtidal sand lance burying habitat, seabed substrate, and aspect. Our model could be used as the basis for a Pacific coast-wide model in areas with less available information. Identifying intertidal spawning habitat of sand lance will support conservation efforts intended to maintain forage fish species.
An adaptive scaling technique to quantum clustering
Authors: Nabatian Mehdi , Tanha Jafar , Ebrahimzadeh Alireza Rastkar , Phirouznia Arash
Published: May 2022

Data clustering is an essential tool for entering the data world. Quantum clustering (QC) is a meta-heuristic method derived from the Schrödinger equation and incorporates some concepts of quantum mechanics. QC shows a very high ability to adapt to data distribution and finding data structure. The data are clustered by the extremes of the potential function obtained from the Schrödinger equation. QC has a length parameter that plays an important task in determining the number and location of extremes of the potential function. The length parameter is the width of the Gaussian kernel that is included as a wave function in the Schrödinger equation. In this paper, we use a simple method to estimate the width of the Gaussian kernel based on an adaptive scaling technique. In adaptive scaling quantum clustering (ASQC), global hyper-parameter of QC is replaced by a local hyper-parameter. By this technique, the effects of local density are entered in QC, the necessary parameters for this model are calculated by algorithm and the clustering results are improved.
An Algebraic Elimination by Substitution Algorithm for Vehicle–Bridge Interaction Problems
Authors: Zeng Qing , Liu Chengyin , Duan Zhongdong , Yang Jiazhi , Chen Tao , Wang Song
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes an algorithm to solve vehicle–bridge interaction (VBI) problems. It describes the VBI system in a linear second-order differential-algebraic equation (DAE) manner, incorporating the motions of both the vehicle and the bridge subsystems, together with the contact forces. On account of the conjugation between the VBI system’s motions and contact forces, the key feature of the proposed algorithm is to solve the DAE with the the algebraic method of elimination by substitution, avoiding the singularity of the differential operator. It enables a versatile and consensus solution scheme for different types of contact mechanisms, including the rigid contact model with constraints, the elastic contact model with the compliance method, and the creep tangential contact model, as well as different wheel–rail profiles. Combined with an appropriate numerical integration scheme, it allows an explicit expression of the contact forces, subsequently leading to the partitioned non-iterative analysis of the motions of both the vehicle and the bridge subsystems. In addition, by incorporating the dynamic condensation of wheels’ degrees of freedom into those of upper components in a matrix form, i.e. a reduced system approach, the proposed algorithm can avoid the numerical drift associated with the kinematic constraints on the acceleration level. To demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed approach, this study first examines a benchmark example of a single degree of freedom sprung mass model traversing a simply supported bridge. Further, it considers a more realistic problem of one and eight train vehicles crossing three three-span continuous bridges. The comparisons and the agreements with existing algorithms prove the accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed analysis scheme.
Recent advances in asymptotic analysis
Authors: Wong R. , Zhao Yu-Qiu
Published: May 2022

This is a survey paper on an old topic in classical analysis. We present some new developments in asymptotics in the last 50 years. We start with the classical method of Darboux and its generalizations, including a uniformity treatment which has a direct application to the Heisenberg polynomials. We then present the development of an asymptotic theory for difference equations, which is a major advancement since the work of Birkhoff and Trjitzinsky in 1933. A new method was introduced into this field in the 1990s, which is now known as the nonlinear steepest descent method or the Riemann–Hilbert approach. The advantage of this method is that it can be applied to orthogonal polynomials which do not satisfy any differential or difference equations neither do they have any integral representations. As an example, we mention the case of orthogonal polynomials with respect to the Freud weight. Finally, we show how the Wiener–Hopf technique can be used to derive asymptotic expansions for the solutions of an integral equation on a half line.
Rapid Seismic Damage Evaluation of Subway Stations Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Huang Pengfei , Ge Hanbin , Chen Zhiyi
Published: May 2022

Rapid seismic damage evaluation of subway stations is critical for the efficient decision on the repair methods to damaged subway stations caused by earthquakes and rapid recovery of subway networks without much delay. However, the current methods to evaluate the damage state of a subway station after earthquakes are mainly field investigation by manual or computer vision, which is dangerous and time-consuming. Given this, a novel methodology that adopts machine learning techniques as the classification model to rapidly and accurately evaluate the post-earthquake damage state of subway stations is proposed. Four machine learning techniques including artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and logistic regression (LR) are adopted. The interrelated intensity measures of ground motions (IMs) and their uncorrelated principal components (PCs) are, respectively, taken as the input to find the most suitable classification model as well as to investigate how the correlation among IMs affects the performance of these models. The results show that the LR taking IMs as inputs provides the best performance as it has the highest accuracy (87.7%) as well as stable performance. Additionally, taking PCs as input can improve the performance of RF, while for ANN, SVM, and LR, taking PCs as input will reduce their prediction performance. The research conclusions can provide a reference for the selection of the machine learning technique and its inputs when establishing a rapid assessment model for the post-earthquake damage state of subway stations.