bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation analysis between regional homogeneity and executive dysfunction in anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis patients
Authors: Wu Peirong , Pang Xiaomin , Liang Xiulin , Wei Wutong , Li Xinrong , Zhao Jingyuan , Zheng Jinou
Published: September 2021

Background and purpose

Anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is characterized by a range of cognitive impairments, especially in executive function. Our study aims to identify the abnormal regional homogeneity (ReHo) in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis patients and its relationship with the executive function.

Methods

Forty patients and 42 healthy volunteers undertook an Attention Network Test and a resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. ReHo analysis was performed to investigate the neuronal activity synchronization in all subjects. Based on ReHo analysis, a multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) was carried out to identify the brain regions that differed the most between the two groups.

Results

Compared to controls, the patients had higher executive control scores (p < 0.05). The patients presented reduced ReHo values in the bilateral posterior cerebellar lobe, anterior cerebellar lobe, midbrain, bilateral caudate nucleus, right superior frontal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, bilateral inferior parietal lobule and the left middle frontal gyrus. The ReHo values of the bilateral inferior parietal lobule in patients were found to be negatively associated with executive control scores. The classification of patients and controls using MVPA had an accuracy of 76.83%, a sensitivity of 82.50%, a specificity of 71.43% and the area under the curve was 0.83.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence of abnormal cerebral function in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis patients, which may contribute to unveiling the neuropathological mechanisms of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis and their influences on executive dysfunction. The MVPA classifier, based on ReHo, is helpful in identifying anti‐NMDAR encephalitis patients from healthy controls.
Long‐Term Behavioural Syndrome in Subadult Indian Social Spiders But Not Over the Short‐Term or in Juveniles
Authors: Parthasarathy Bharat , Somanathan Hema , Wright Jonathan
Published: September 2021

Animal personalities and behavioural syndromes have overarching implications for individual survival, fitness and cooperative task participation. In social spiders, personality in boldness and aggression, and their association into behavioural syndromes, are thought to play a role in individual participation and task specialisation in collective behaviours, such as prey capture. However, recent retractions of key publications in this field have exposed gaps and uncertainties in our understanding of factors governing task performance in social spider colonies. Here, we analyse an already‐published data set on animal personalities in the Indian social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum to investigate whether boldness and aggression form a behavioural syndrome and assess its persistence over the short‐ and long‐term, and across age classes. Boldness and aggression were negatively correlated traits, forming a syndrome, but only over the long‐term in subadult spiders, and not over the short‐term in subadults or in juveniles. These results provide evidence for the existence of a behavioural syndrome in at least one social spider species. However, more work is now required to fully understand the observed inconsistencies in behavioural syndrome structures and animal personalities, as well as their possible role(s) in mediating task partitioning and collective performance in social spider colonies.
Is It Still Possible to Collect Nationally Representative Marriage Data in the United States? A Case Study From the CREATE Project
Authors: James Spencer L. , Yorgason Jeremy B. , Holmes Erin K. , Johnson David R. , Busby Dean M.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To understand challenges in the data collection environment for collecting nationally representative data and discuss one study's response to these challenges.

Background

The United States is undergoing impressive and transformational social change related to marriage. Social scientists' ability to study such changes are contingent on being able to minimize sampling error (the difference between the sample and the population), accomplished most reliably by collecting representative survey data and making concomitant generalizations from them. Given the expected low response rates in contemporary survey research, it is natural to ask whether it is still possible to collect high‐quality, nationally representative survey data on marriage and family.

Method and Results

This article presents an argument about the importance of continuing to collect nationally representative data on marriages and families, a discussion about the challenges associated with the task, an example of how one project managed and dealt with that environment, and data comparisons between multiple sampling methods.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges, scholars must continue to pursue nationally representative data to inform knowledge of national trends and relationships.

Implications

A greater focus on sampling methods and a study's concomitant generalizability and external validity will improve knowledge of trends in marriage and family relationships, leading to improved therapeutic practice; more informed policymaking; and better theoretical, conceptual, and methodological understanding of key family processes and outcomes.
Variation in the distribution of yellowfin sole Limanda aspera larvae in warm and cold years in the eastern Bering Sea
Authors: Porter Steven M.
Published: September 2021

Multiyear periods of relatively cold temperatures (2007–2013) and warm temperatures (2001–2005 and 2014–2018) altered the eastern Bering Sea ecosystem, affecting ocean currents and wind patterns, plankton community, and spatial distribution of fishes. Yellowfin sole Limanda aspera larvae were collected from the inner domain (≤50 m depth) of the eastern Bering Sea among four warm years (2002, 2004, 2005, 2016), an average year (2006), and three cold years (2007, 2010, 2012). Spatial distribution and density of larvae among those years was analyzed using generalized additive models that included timing of sea‐ice retreat, areal coverage of water ≤0°C, and water temperature as covariates. Analyses indicated a combination of temperature effects on the location and timing of spawning, and on egg and larval survival, may explain the variation in larval density and distribution among years. During warm years, higher density and wider spatial distribution of larvae may be due to earlier spawning, an expansion of the spawning area, and higher egg and larvae survival due to favorable temperatures. Larval distribution contracted shoreward, and density was lower during cold conditions and was likely due to fish spawning closer to shore to remain in preferred temperatures, later spawning, and increased mortality. Predicted drift trajectories from spawning areas showed that larvae would reach nursery grounds in most years. Years when the drift period was longer than the pelagic phase of the larvae occurred during both warm and cold conditions indicating that settlement outside of nursery areas could happen during either temperature condition.
Effect of chlorine and chromium on sulfur solubility in low‐activity waste glass
Authors: Jin Tongan , Rivers Eden L. , Kim Dongsang , Droubay Timothy C. , Jahrman Evan P. , Mar Derek , Weese Brigitte L. , Seidler Gerald T. , Kruger Albert A.
Published: September 2021

According to an empirical sulfur solubility model developed from over 200 simulated low‐activity waste (LAW) glasses, chlorine and chromium show strong effects on lowering sulfur solubility in glass. This work investigates the saturation concentrations of the sulfur, chlorine, and chromium anionic species coexisting in a glass matrix. A simplified LAW glass was prepared and saturated by sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, and sodium chromate salts as single components and as mixtures with different ratios at 25 mol%, 50 mol%, and 75 mol% of sulfate mixed with chloride or chromate. A crucible‐scale salt‐saturation was performed to determine saturation concentrations of sulfur, chromium, and chlorine incorporated into the simplified LAW glass. The glass compositions were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy, ion chromatography, and X‐ray emission spectroscopy. The chemical analysis data show that the chromium and chlorine incorporated in the glass have strong negative effects on sulfur solubility, which can be qualitatively explained by the sulfur, chlorine, and chromium ions competing for voids in the glass matrix.
What influences the purchase of virtual gifts in live streaming in China? A cultural context‐sensitive model
Authors: Guan Zhengzhi , Hou Fangfang , Li Boying , Phang Chee Wei , Chong Alain Yee‐Loong
Published: September 2021

China is one of the largest and fastest‐growing markets for live streaming, and the purchase of virtual gifts in live streaming is the core for streamers and live streaming platforms in China to survive and thrive. Compared to western countries, live streaming in China highlights the lively social atmosphere and heated social interactions among streamers and viewers. This study develops a cultural context‐sensitive model that contextualises the purchase of virtual gifts in live streaming in China. Specifically, we focus on the viewer's social experience and the social atmosphere in live streaming which have received limited attention yet. We introduce viewers' social perceptions with regard to the streamer and other viewers (ie, perceived proximity to the streamer and sense of belonging to the viewer crowd) and show how such social perceptions contribute to the development of flow experience, which subsequently leads to purchase intention. This study also reveals how such social perceptions can be shaped by the contextual setting consisting of the IT‐related factors of live streaming (ie, responsiveness, two‐way communication, social presence, and self‐presentation) and the cultural characteristics of China (ie, social orientation and harmony). Our research offers both theoretical guidance for practitioners into cultivating viewers' purchase of virtual gifts in China's live streaming.
Phenotypic differentiation among native, expansive and introduced populations influences invasion success
Authors: Lázaro‐Lobo Adrián , Moles Angela T. , Fried Guillaume , Verloove Filip , Antonio Campos Juan , Herrera Mercedes , Goñi Elena , Bioret Fréderic , Buffa Gabriella , Fantinato Edy , Sentinella Alexander , Zalucki Myron P. , Mayfield Margaret , Smith Tobias , Catling Alexandra , Zalucki Jacinta M. , Lucardi Rima D. , Shoemaker Cory M. , Mason David S. , Ervin Gary N.
Published: September 2021

Aim

Humans influence species distributions by modifying the environment and by dispersing species beyond their natural ranges. Populations of species that have established in disjunct regions of the world may exhibit trait differentiation from native populations due to founder effects and adaptations to selection pressures in each distributional region. We compared multiple native, expansive and introduced populations of a single species across the world, considering the influence of environmental stressors and transgenerational effects.

Location

United States Gulf and Atlantic coasts, United States interior, European Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, east coast of Australia.

Taxon

Baccharis halimifolia L. (eastern baccharis).

Methods

We monitored seed germination, seedling emergence, survival and early growth in a common garden experiment, conducted with over 18,200 seeds from 80 populations. We also evaluated the influence of environmental stress and maternal traits on progeny performance.

Results

Introduced European Atlantic populations had faster germination and early growth than native populations. However, this was not the case for the more recently naturalized European Mediterranean populations. Introduced Australian populations grew faster than native populations in non‐saline environments but had lower survival in saline conditions commonly encountered in the native range. Similarly, expansive inland US populations germinated faster than coastal native populations in non‐saline environments but grew and germinated more slowly in saline environments. Maternal inflorescence and plant size were positively related with seed germination and seedling survival, whereas flower abundance was positively correlated with seedling early growth and survival. However, maternal traits explained a much lower fraction of the total variation in early demographic stages of B. halimifolia than did distributional range.

Main conclusions

Phenotypic differentiation could allow B. halimifolia to adapt to different biotic and abiotic selection pressures found in each distributional range, potentially contributing to its success in introduced and expansive ranges.
Knockdown of miR‐423‐5p simultaneously upgrades the eNOS and VEGFa pathways in ADSCs and improves erectile function in diabetic rats
Authors: Zhou Jun , Yin Yinghao , Yang Yuan , Peng Dongyi , Wei Jingchao , Yin Guangming , Tang Yuxin
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to explore the possibility of miR‐423‐5p modified adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSCs) therapy on streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED) rats. MiR‐423‐5p was knocked down in ADSCs. ADSCs, NC‐miR‐ADSCs and miR‐ADSCs were co‐cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Normal and high glucose media were supplemented. The supernatant and HUVECs were collected for assessment of eNOS and VEGFa expression, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. HUVECs co‐cultured with ADSCs or miR‐ADSCs exhibited higher eNOS and VEGFa protein expression levels compared to DM groups. MiR‐ADSCs enhanced HUVEC proliferation compared to the ADSCs and NC‐miR‐ADSCs. Lower apoptotic rates were observed when HUVECs were co‐cultured with miR‐ADSCs, compared to ADSCs and NC‐miR‐ADSCs. Fifteen male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats aged 12 weeks were induced to develop diabetes mellitus by intraperitoneal injection with STZ, and five healthy SD rats were used as normal controls. Eight weeks after developing diabetes, the rats received ADSCs and miR‐ADSCs via injection into the corpora cavernosa, whereas normal controls and DM controls were injected with saline. Erectile function and histological assessment of penile tissues were performed 8 weeks after injection. The ICP/MAP indicated that erectile function was impaired in the DM rats compared with the normal group. Injection of ADSCs and miR‐ADSCs improved erectile function significantly and was associated with the overexpression of eNOS and VEGFa. MiR‐423‐5p knockdown in ADSCs ameliorated high glucose‐mediated damage to HUVECs and improved erectile function in DM rats by inducing eNOS and VEGFa overexpression, indicating that miR‐423‐5p may be a potential target in the treatment of DMED.
Practical management of epidermolysis bullosa: consensus clinical position statement from the European Reference Network for Rare Skin Diseases
Authors: Has C. , El Hachem M. , Bučková H. , Fischer P. , Friedová M. , Greco C. , Nevoránková P. , Salavastru C. , Mellerio J.E. , Zambruno G. , Bodemer C.
Published: September 2021

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises rare disorders that manifest with fragility and blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, with variable clinical severity. Management of EB is challenging due to disease rarity and complexity, the wide range of extracutaneous manifestations and a profound impact on daily life for the patient and family members. Although reference centres providing multidisciplinary care for EB exist in each European country, it is common for healthcare professionals that are not specialized in this rare disorder to treat EB patients. Here, experts of the European Reference Network for Rare and Undiagnosed Skin Diseases (ERN‐Skin, https://ern‐skin.eu) propose practical recommendations for the diagnosis and management of the commonest clinical issues, skin blisters and wounds, oral manifestations, pain and itch.
Bifocal 532/1064 nm alternately illuminated photoacoustic microscopy for capturing deep vascular morphology in human skin
Authors: Wang Z. , Yang F. , Ma H. , Cheng Z. , Zhang W. , Xiong K. , Shen T. , Yang S.
Published: September 2021

Background

As a promising technology, photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) plays a critical role in diagnosis and assessment of dermatological conditions by providing subtle vascular networks non‐invasively. However, the established PAMs are insufficient for clinical dermatology when faced with complex structures of human skin instead of animal models owing to high melanin content and superimposed vasculature for Asians, which cannot balance the spatial resolution and the imaging depth.

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of bifocal 532/1064‐nm alternately illuminated photoacoustic microscopy (BF‐PAM) to non‐invasively reveal the morphological structure of human skin for improving the diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy of skin diseases.

Methods

A BF‐PAM was developed to capture biopsy‐like information of human skin from epidermis to hypodermis. The optical foci of the two excitation beams are staggered in the axial direction to form an extended depth‐of‐field, which can maintain the lateral resolution and the contrast of PA image.

Results

The imaging capability of the BF‐PAM was demonstrated by depicting the vascular morphology of multilayered skin with imaging depth of ˜3 mm. Furtherly, vascular malformations in port‐wine stains skin were quantitatively assessed without the need for any contrast agent, and the distribution, depth and diameter of the ectatic vessels can determine an optimal treatment protocol for port‐wine stains lesions.

Conclusions

The quantitative vascular morphology in the dermis can be used to accurately assess vascular characteristics, in which case it enables clinicians to determine optimum treatment parameters in individual patients. As a non‐invasive imaging technique, BF‐PAM holds great potential to provide objective assessment to enhance the therapeutic efficacy.

Ethical statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). The study was approved by the Chinese Ethics Committee of Registering Clinical Trials (ChiECRCT20200184) and registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000034400). Before skin imaging, written informed consent was taken from all individual participants.
Feeling Needed and Useful during the Transition to Young Adulthood
Authors: Fuligni Andrew J. , Smola Xochitl Arlene , Al Salek Samir
Published: September 2021

A more complete understanding of the role of social relationships during the transition to young adulthood should include the extent to which adolescents believe that others see them as needed and useful. Two samples of late adolescents (Ns = 237, 298) aged 18 to 25 years completed measures of feeling needed and useful by family and friends. Feeling needed and useful by family and friends did not differ across demographic groups, was associated with greater received support, and predicted psychological well‐being above‐and‐beyond received support. Future research should examine how social relationships provide late adolescents with the opportunity to be needed and useful at a time of life when they are seeking to establish their place in the social world.
Welfare recipients’ transition into employment and employment stability in Germany
Authors: Dengler Katharina , Hohmeyer Katrin , Zabel Cordula
Published: September 2021

While flexible labour markets offer employment opportunities for unemployed individuals, they might not foster stable employment. This paper studies the determinants of unemployed welfare recipients’ transitions into employment and its stability in Germany. The analyses are based on an inflow sample of welfare recipients from large‐scale administrative data and semi‐parametric hazard models with individual‐level frailty. Some labour market segments offer quick employment entry but not sustainable employment. While human capital is positively related to employment take‐up and stability for both sexes, the role of several sociodemographic determinants differs by gender.
Renoprotection with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors in children: Knowns and unknowns
Authors: Jiang Buchun , Cheng Zhiwen , Liu Fei , Li Qiuyu , Fu Haidong , Mao Jianhua
Published: September 2021

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent novel hypoglycemic drugs for the treatment of adult diabetes that have shown considerable potential for cardioprotection and renoprotection. This new drug can inhibit SGLT2 at the proximal tubule, increase glucosuria and natriuresis, and thus decreases the serum glucose level and blood pressure. Furthermore, the tubuloglomerular feedback activated by the natriuresis can decrease glomerular hyperfiltration, acknowledged as the main foundation of renoprotection. Several studies have confirmed the protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the kidneys of adult diabetic patients and those with non‐diabetic nephropathy; however, limited researches are seen in paediatric patients. In this review, we have summarized the mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors, the current experiences in adults, results of exploratory studies in children, and adverse events & obstacles of paediatric use. We further explore the potential and possible future research direction of SGLT2 inhibitors in paediatric diseases.
Activating HRAS mutation in a case of inverted ductal papilloma of the salivary gland
Authors: Ide Fumio , Ito Yumi , Kikuchi Kentaro , Satomura Kazuhito , Ogawa Ikuko , Yamamoto Hidetaka
Published: September 2021

Inverted ductal papilloma (IDP) is one of the least common benign papillary/cystic neoplasms of the salivary duct system, being characterized histologically by florid hyperplasia of duct‐type epithelial cells into a cystic lumen near the orifice with occasional endophytic growth of the surface squamous epithelium along the terminus of the affected excretory duct. Given its rarity, the exact etiology of IDP remains to be defined. We herein present the first evidence of oncogenic HRAS mutation in a case of oral IDP. This finding, together with the frequent and specific BRAF mutations in sialadenoma papilliferum reported in the recent literature, supports an active role of the MAP‐kinase cascade in the pathogenesis of benign papillary neoplasms of terminal duct origin.
Flower colour and size signals differ depending on geographical location and altitude region
Authors: Garcia J. E. , Dyer A. G. , Burd M. , Shrestha M.
Published: September 2021

Bees are major pollinators of angiosperms and have phylogenetically conserved colour vision but differ in how various key species use achromatic information that is vital for both flower detection and size processing.

We modelled green contrast and colour contrast signals from flowers of different countries where there are well established differences in availability of model bee species along altitudinal gradients. We tested for consistency in visual signals as expected from generalization in pollination principles using phylogenetically informed linear models.

Patterns of chromatic contrast, achromatic green contrast and flower size differed among the three floras we examined. In Nepal there is a significant positive correlation between flower size and colour contrast in the subalpine region, but a negative correlation at the lower altitudes. At high elevations in Norway, where pollinators other than bees are common, flower size was positively correlated with colour contrast. At low and medium altitudes in Norway and in Australia, we did not observe a significant relationship between size and colour contrast.

We thus find that the relationship between size, green and colour contrast cannot be generalized across communities, thus suggesting that flower visual signal adaptations to local pollinators are not limited to chromatic contrast.
The seeds of invasion: enhanced germination in invasive European populations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) compared to native American populations
Authors: Bouteiller X. P. , Moret F. , Ségura R. , Klisz M. , Martinik A. , Monty A. , Pino J. , van Loo M. , Wojda T. , Porté A. J. , Mariette S.
Published: September 2021

Local adaptation and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity may facilitate biological invasions. Both processes can enhance germination and seedling recruitment, which are crucial life‐history traits for plants. The rate, timing and speed of germination have recently been documented as playing a major role during the invasion process. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a North American tree, which has spread widely throughout Europe. A recent study demonstrated that a few populations are the source of European black locust. Thus, invasive populations can be compared to native ones in order to identify genetic‐based phenotypic differentiation and the role of phenotypic plasticity can thereby be assessed.

A quantitative genetics experiment was performed to evaluate 13 juvenile traits of both native and invasive black locust populations (3000 seeds, 20 populations) subjected to three different thermal treatments (18 °C, 22 °C and 31 °C).

The results revealed European populations to have a higher germination rate than the native American populations (88% versus 60%), and even when genetic distance between populations was considered. Moreover, this trait showed lower plasticity to temperature in the invasive range than in the native one. Conversely, other studied traits showed high plasticity to temperature, but they responded in a similar way to temperature increase: the warmer the temperature, the higher the growth rate or germination traits values.

The demonstrated genetic differentiation between native and invasive populations testifies to a shift between ranges for the maximum germination percentage. This pattern could be due to human‐mediated introduction of black locust.
Mental health and factors related to life satisfaction in nursing home and community‐dwelling older adults during COVID‐19 pandemic in Turkey
Authors: Arpacıoğlu Selim , Yalçın Murat , Türkmenoğlu Fatih , Ünübol Başak , Çelebi Çakıroğlu Oya
Published: September 2021

Background

The geriatric population is supposed to be at high risk for psychological distress as well as adverse outcomes and mortality during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the levels of depression, anxiety, death anxiety and life satisfaction levels and factors related to life satisfaction in individuals aged 65 years and older during the pandemic and to compare these variables between nursing home (NH) and community‐dwelling older adults.

Method

This study has a cross‐sectional and descriptive design, and a total of 133 nursing NH and community‐dwelling older adults were enrolled in the study. Turkish death anxiety scale (TDAS), life satisfaction scale (SLS) and depression anxiety stress scale‐21 (DASS‐21) were used for the assessment.

Results

The majority of the older adults had no or mild depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in spite of the prolonged confinements, and were slightly satisfied with their lives. However, depression, anxiety, stress and TDAS levels were higher in participants aged 80 years and older. Residents of NHs had higher TDAS, depression and anxiety levels and lower SLS levels than community‐dwelling older adults. Participants who were meeting their children and/or grandchildren less than 2 h a week, were found to have significantly lower SLS and higher depression scores. The increase in depression and TDAS scores predicted a decrease in SLS scores in older adults.

Conclusions

As NH resident older adults have higher psychological distress and decreased life satisfaction due to the social isolation caused by the prolonged confinements, NH staff should be regularly informed on both preventive measures and mental health consequences of the pandemic, and should be trained for basic therapeutic interventions. Older adults should be supported to use telecommunication technologies to contact their families and friends, and participate in safe and accessible person‐centred activity programs.
Efficient spatial designs using Hausdorff distances and Bayesian optimization
Authors: Paglia Jacopo , Eidsvik Jo , Karvanen Juha
Published: September 2021

An iterative Bayesian optimization technique is presented to find spatial designs of data that carry much information. We use the decision theoretic notion of value of information as the design criterion. Gaussian process surrogate models enable fast calculations of expected improvement for a large number of designs, while the full‐scale value of information evaluations are only done for the most promising designs. The Hausdorff distance is used to model the similarity between designs in the surrogate Gaussian process covariance representation, and this allows the suggested algorithm to learn across different designs. We study properties of the Bayesian optimization design algorithm in a synthetic example and real‐world examples from forest conservation and petroleum drilling operations. In the synthetic example we consider a model where the exact solution is available and we run the algorithm under different versions of this example and compare it with existing approaches such as sequential selection and an exchange algorithm.
DcCCD4 catalyzes the degradation of α‐carotene and β‐carotene to affect carotenoid accumulation and taproot color in carrot
Authors: Li Tong , Deng Yuan‐Jie , Liu Jie‐Xia , Duan Ao‐Qi , Liu Hui , Xiong Ai‐Sheng
Published: September 2021

Carotenoids are important natural pigments that give bright colors to plants. The difference in the accumulation of carotenoids is one of the key factors in the formation of various colors in carrot taproots. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs), including CCD and 9‐cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, are the main enzymes involved in the cleavage of carotenoids in plants. Seven CCD genes have been annotated from the carrot genome. In this study, through expression analysis, we found that the expression level of DcCCD4 was significantly higher in the taproot of white carrot (low carotenoid content) than orange carrot (high carotenoid content). The overexpression of DcCCD4 in orange carrots caused the taproot color to be pale yellow, and the contents of α‐ and β‐carotene decreased sharply. Mutant carrot with loss of DcCCD4 function exhibited yellow color (the taproot of the control carrot was white). The accumulation of β‐carotene was also detected in taproot. Functional analysis of the DcCCD4 enzyme in vitro showed that it was able to cleave α‐ and β‐carotene at the 9, 10 (9′, 10′) double bonds. In addition, the number of colored chromoplasts in the taproot cells of transgenic carrots overexpressing DcCCD4 was significantly reduced compared with that in normal orange carrots. Results showed that DcCCD4 affects the accumulation of carotenoids through cleavage of α‐ and β‐carotene in carrot taproot.
Evaluation of a novel method to calculate cementless femoral stem level on craniocaudal projection radiographs
Authors: Brand Kenneth J. , Beale Brian S. , Hudson Caleb C.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To assess the accuracy of a proportion‐corrected radiographic cementless femoral stem level calculation in a cadaver model.

Study design

Cadaveric study.

Sample population

Twelve cadaveric canine femurs.

Methods

Cementless femoral stems were implanted in 12 cadaver femurs at three stem levels. Craniocaudal projection radiographs of the implanted femurs were obtained at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, and 45° angulations in the sagittal plane (relative to the radiographic plate) and at 0°, 15°, and 30° internal and external axial rotation. A proportional calculation including actual stem length, radiographically measured stem length, and radiographically measured stem level relative to the greater trochanter (uncorrected stem level) was solved to yield a corrected stem level. The errors of the stem level measurements were compared.

Results

With 0° or 15° of internal rotation, the true stem level differed by more than 0.5 mm from corrected stem level in 2 of 30 tested femoral positions. It differed from the uncorrected stem level in 10 of 30 positions. With 15° and 30° external rotation or 30° internal rotation, the corrected stem level was not more accurate than the uncorrected stem level for any femoral position.

Conclusion

Use of a proportion correction minimized variability in the stem‐level measurements due to sagittal angulation (up to 30°) of the femur at 0° or 15° of internal rotation.

Clinical significance

A proportion correction can improve the accuracy of femoral stem‐level assessment on craniocaudal projection radiographs, which may aid in the detection of subsidence after cementless total hip replacement.
Geocenter Variations Assessment using Frequency Analysis and Allan Variance Method
Authors: Gourine Bachir , Khelifa Sofiane , Hasni Kamel , Bachir Belmehdi Farida
Published: September 2021

The objective of this work is to characterize the signals and noises of Geocenter variations time series obtained from different space geodesy techniques as Global Positioning System (GPS), Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated on Satellite (DORIS), and Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR). The proposed methodology is based on the estimation of periodic signals by performing frequency analysis using FAMOUS software (Frequency Analysis Mapping On Unusual Sampling) and evaluation of level and type of noises by Allan variance technique and Three Corned Hat (TCH) method. The available data concern 13 years (from 1993 to 2006) of weekly series of Geocenter residuals components and scale factor variations, according to ITRF2000. The results estimated are more accurate according to GPS and SLR of about 2-8 mm than DORIS of about 8-42 mm, for Geocenter. Better RMS of scale factor was obtained of about 0.1ppb (0.6mm) for GPS technique than SLR and DORIS with 0.6 and 0.9 ppb (3.6 and 5.4mm), respectively. The estimated seasonal signals amplitudes are in the range of few milimeters per technique with centimetre level for Z Geocenter component of DORIS. The Geocenter motion derived from SLR technique is more accurate and close to the geodynamic models. The noise analysis shows a dominant white noise in the   SLR and DORIS Geocenter solutions at a level of 0.6-1 mm and 10-40 mm, respectively. However, the GPS solution is characterized by a flicker noise at millimetre level, relating to mismodeling systematic errors.
Process Piping: The Complete Guide to ASME B31.3, Fourth Edition
Authors: Becht, IV Charles
Published: September 2021

Fully updated for the 2020 Edition of the ASME B31.3 Code, this fourth edition provides background information, historical perspective, and expert commentary on the ASME B31.3 Code requirements for process piping design and construction. It provides the most complete coverage of the Code that is available today and is packed with additional information useful to those responsible for the design and mechanical integrity of process piping. The author and the primary contributor to the fourth edition, Don Frikken are a long-serving members, and Prior Chairmen, of the ASME B31.3, Process Piping Code committee.

Dr. Becht explains the principal intentions of the Code, covering the content of each of the Code's chapters. Book inserts cover special topics such as calculation of refractory lined pipe wall temperature, spring design, design for vibration, welding processes, bonding processes and expansion joint pressure thrust. Appendices in the book include useful information for pressure design and flexibility analysis as well as guidelines for computer flexibility analysis and design of piping systems with expansion joints. From the new designer wanting to known how to size a pipe wall thickness or design a spring to the expert piping engineer wanting to understand some nuance or intent of the code, everyone whose career involves process piping will find this to be a valuable reference.
Erosion of focus rings in capacitively coupled plasma etching reactors
Authors: Wang Xifeng , Lee Hyunjae , Nam Sang Ki , Kushner Mark J.
Published: September 2021

In plasma etching reactors, the structure surrounding the wafer, often called a focus ring (FR), plays an important role in maintaining uniform fluxes of reactants across the wafer. The FR is typically made of dielectric materials. During the plasma etching process, the sheath that forms over the wafer to accelerate ions anisotropically into the surface extends over the FR. Electrical charging of the FR modifies the sheath relative to that over the wafer. On the one hand, one wants the sheath to be uniform across the wafer-FR boundary to enable uniform fluxes to the edge of the wafer. On the other hand, maintaining a high voltage sheath over the FR will erode the FR, which is undesirable as the FR is a consumable component that must be periodically replaced in high volume manufacturing. In this work, we computationally investigated the consequences of dielectric constant ɛr of the FR materials on erosion of the FR. The series capacitance of the FR and its underlying structure is typically smaller than that of the wafer and its underlying structure. As a result, the FR charges quickly relative to the wafer, which then reduces the voltage across the sheath on top of the FR. The ion energy and angular distributions (IEADs) striking the FR are, therefore, generally lower in energy with a broader angular distribution. With ɛr = 2, the ion energies striking the middle to the outer edge of the FR are 30–180 eV, whereas for ɛr = 100, the ion energies are 120–380 eV. At the transition between the wafer and the FR, there is a skew in the IEAD as large as 15° that results from the difference in sheath thickness above the wafer and the FR. This skew and the erosion rate across the FR are functions of the dielectric constant of the FR material. With low ɛr, the FR charges quickly, less plasma is produced above the FR, and there is less voltage across the sheath that results in less FR erosion. Increasing ɛr of the FR produces a higher sheath voltage as well as higher ion fluxes over the FR, which increases erosion, while the skew at the edge of the wafer is less severe. The material of the subsurface portion of the FR, which dominates its capacitance, is an important consideration in the design of the substrate assembly.
Adsorption of organic matter on titanium surfaces with nano- and micro-scale roughness studied with the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance dissipation technique
Authors: Olsson Claes-Olof A. , Igual-Muñoz Anna Neus , Mischler Stefano
Published: September 2021

Adsorption of calf serum organic matter from a phosphate-buffered solution was studied using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with additional dissipation measurements. Two types of crystal surfaces were used: one rough with micrometer-range surface features and one with roughness in the low nanometer range. The results showed that the adsorption of the organic material was about 1.5 orders of magnitude larger on the rough surface and almost independent of serum concentration in the electrolyte. The adsorption rates were found to increase with increasing serum concentration. For rough crystals, the adsorption kinetics were interpreted with the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov model, indicating an initial growth phase according to the tn-law, followed by a slower growth as the nucleation sites fill up. This study suggests that specific surface sites are critical to promote adsorption of proteins on a titanium surface.
Extreme anisotropy and dispersion engineering in locally resonant acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Yves Simon , Alù Andrea
Published: September 2021

In the last few years, highly anisotropic metamaterials have been explored in various geometries, showcasing interesting routes to achieve better control of sound propagation. As an extreme example, hyperbolic metasurfaces have been shown to offer broadband enhanced sound-matter interactions and diffraction-less propagation of acoustic waves, providing opportunities for sub-diffraction imaging and enhanced sound emission. In this study, we show that structure design of a locally resonant metamaterial enables extreme anisotropic responses, ranging from elliptic to hyperbolic propagation of acoustic surface waves, offering interesting opportunities for extreme sound guiding and steering at the subwavelength scale well compatible with a wide range of additive manufacturing techniques.
Effect of listeners' language backgrounds on pure tone detection in temporally modulated noise
Authors: Yin Heng , Liu Chang
Published: September 2021

Previous studies in our laboratory showed that English-native listeners had greater masking release from the temporal variation in noise than Chinese-native listeners in speech perception tasks. The goal of this study was to examine whether the advantage of temporal dip listening for English-native listeners was also presented in non-speech perception. Thresholds of temporal modulation detection and thresholds of tone detection in stationary and temporally modulated noise were measured for English- and Chinese-native listeners. Results indicated significant group difference in the masking release for tone detection, but with no difference in temporal modulation detection, suggesting the language effects on psychoacoustical temporal processing.
Predicting Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Female Soccer Players: The Basque Female Football Cohort Study
Authors: Garcia-Tabar Ibai , Iturricastillo Aitor , Castellano Julen , Cadore Eduardo L. , Izquierdo Mikel , Setuain Igor
Published: September 2021

Purpose: To develop gender-specific operational equations for prediction of cardiorespiratory fitness in female footballers. Method: Forty-eight semiprofessional female footballers performed an intermittent progressive maximal running test for determination of fixed blood lactate concentration (FBLC) thresholds. Relationships between FBLC thresholds and the physiological responses to submaximal running were examined. Developed equations (n = 48) were compared with equations previously obtained in another investigation performed in males (n = 100). Results: Submaximal velocity associated with 90% maximal heart rate was related to FBLC thresholds (r = .76 to .79; P < .001). Predictive power (R2 = .82 to .94) of a single blood lactate concentration (BLC) sample measured at 10 or 11.5 km·h−1 was very high. A single BLC sample taken after a 5-minute running bout at 8.5 km·h−1 was related to FBLC thresholds (r = −.71; P < .001). No difference (P = .15) in the regression lines predicting FBLC thresholds from velocity associated with 90% maximal heart rate was observed between the female and male cohorts. However, regressions estimating FBLC thresholds by a single BLC sample were different (P = .002). Conclusions: Velocity associated with 90% maximal heart rate was robustly related to FBLC thresholds and might serve for mass field testing independently of sex. BLC equations accurately predicted FBLC thresholds. However, these equations are gender-specific. This is the first study reporting operational equations to estimate the FBLC thresholds in female footballers. The use of these equations reduces the burden associated with cardiorespiratory testing. Further cross-validation studies are warranted to validate the proposed equations and establish them for mass field testing.
Stressed and Not Sleeping: Poor Sleep and Psychological Stress in Elite Athletes Prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Authors: Halson Shona L. , Appaneal Renee N. , Welvaert Marijke , Maniar Nirav , Drew Michael K.
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Psychological stress is reported to be an important contributor to reduced sleep quality and quantity observed in elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between psychological stress and sleep and to identify if specific aspects of sleep are disturbed. Methods: One hundred thirty-one elite athletes (mean [SD], male: n = 46, age 25.8 [4.1] y; female: n = 85, age 24.3 [3.9] y) from a range of sports completed a series of questionnaires in a 1-month period approximately 4 months before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Questionnaires included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Recovery-Stress Questionnaire; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21); and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: Regression analysis identified the PSS and DASS stress as the main variables associated with sleep. A PSS score of 6.5 or higher was associated with poor sleep. In addition, a PSS score lower than 6.5 combined with a DASS stress score higher than 4.5 was also associated with poor sleep. Univariate analyses on subcomponents of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index confirmed that PSS is associated with lower sleep quality (t99 = 2.40, P = .018), increased sleep disturbances (t99 = 3.37, P = .001), and increased daytime dysfunction (t99 = 2.93, P = .004). DASS stress was associated with increased sleep latency (t94 = 2.73, P = .008), increased sleep disturbances (t94 = 2.25, P = .027), and increased daytime dysfunction (t94 = 3.58, P = .001). Conclusions: A higher stress state and higher perceived stress were associated with poorer sleep, in particular increased sleep disturbances and increased daytime dysfunction. Data suggest that relatively low levels of psychological stress are associated with poor sleep in elite athletes.
Promoting Athlete Mental Health: The Role of Emotion Regulation
Authors: Bird Georgia A. , Quinton Mary L. , Cumming Jennifer
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the relationship between reappraisal and suppression with depression and mental well-being among university athletes. It was hypothesized reappraisal would associate with lower depression and greater mental well-being, whereas suppression would associate with greater depression and reduced mental well-being. Employing a cross-sectional design, 427 participants (Mage = 20.18, SD = 1.52; 188 males and 239 females) completed questionnaires assessing mental health and strategy use. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed reappraisal was positively associated, and suppression negatively associated with mental well-being, ΔR2 = 4.8%, ΔF(2, 422) = 17.01, p < .001; suppression, β = −0.08, p = .028; reappraisal, β = 0.21, p < .001, but neither were associated with depression, ΔR2 = 0.4%, ΔF(2, 422) = 1.33, p = .267; suppression, β = 0.06, p = .114; reappraisal, β = 0.03, p = .525. Results highlight reappraisal as correlated with mental well-being in student-athletes, and therefore, reappraisal could be beneficial for managing stress in sport. Reappraisal may implicate how well-being is promoted through sport, but future experimental research is needed to confirm causal relationships.