bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel dietary interventions for adolescents with obesity: A narrative review
Authors: Hoare Johanna K. , Jebeile Hiba , Garnett Sarah P. , Lister Natalie B.
Published: May 2021

Adolescent obesity is increasing and a range of treatment approaches are needed. Provision of tailored treatment options accounting for individual and family needs, preferences, and capacity may encourage adolescents with obesity to seek treatment, and/or improve treatment outcomes. Delivered by trained health care professionals, novel dietary interventions may have utility for adolescents not responding to conventional diets, adolescents with comorbidities or severe obesity, and/or when rapid or substantial weight loss is required. This review describes current evidence and clinical considerations relating to the use of very low energy diets, low carbohydrate diets, and intermittent energy restriction in the treatment of adolescent obesity. Emerging evidence on the use of these novel dietary interventions demonstrates short‐term weight‐related and cardiometabolic improvements. While the evidence is encouraging, and no serious adverse effects have been reported, monitoring of intervention safety is essential. Considerations for health care professionals providing care to adolescents include nutritional adequacy, psychosocial health and social relationships during the intervention. Furthermore, long‐term weight‐related, cardiometabolic and psychological health outcomes of these dietary interventions are not well understood. Large randomised controlled trials are warranted to inform clinical practice and future guidelines for the use of novel dietary interventions in adolescents with obesity.
Fibroblast heterogeneity and tertiary lymphoid tissues in the kidney
Authors: Arai Hiroyuki , Sato Yuki , Yanagita Motoko
Published: May 2021

Fibroblasts reside in various organs and support tissue structure and homeostasis under physiological conditions. Phenotypic alterations of fibroblasts underlie the development of diverse pathological conditions, including organ fibrosis. Recent advances in single‐cell biology have revealed that fibroblasts comprise heterogeneous subpopulations with distinct phenotypes, which exert both beneficial and detrimental effects on the host organs in a context‐dependent manner. In the kidney, phenotypic alterations of resident fibroblasts provoke common pathological conditions of chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as renal anemia and peritubular capillary loss. Additionally, in aged injured kidneys, fibroblasts provide functional and structural supports for tertiary lymphoid tissues (TLTs), which serve as the ectopic site of acquired immune reactions in various clinical contexts. TLTs are closely associated with aging and CKD progression, and the developmental stages of TLTs reflect the severity of renal injury. In this review, we describe the current understanding of fibroblast heterogeneity both under physiological and pathological conditions, with special emphasis on fibroblast contribution to TLT formation in the kidney. Dissecting the heterogeneous characteristics of fibroblasts will provide a promising therapeutic option for fibroblast‐related pathological conditions, including TLT formation.
Sea dispersal potential and colonization of the Galápagos littoral flora
Authors: Fuster‐Calvo Alexandre , Nogales Manuel , Heleno Ruben , Vera Carlos , Vargas Pablo
Published: May 2021

Aim

Seed dispersal by oceanic currents (thalassochory) is considered one of the main long‐distance dispersal (LDD) mechanisms for the colonization of oceanic islands by plants. Diaspores of littoral species are often hypothesized to be physiologically adapted to seawater dispersal, favouring interisland colonization. In this study, we experimentally tested the sea dispersal potential of a large proportion of Galápagos littoral flora and explored its correlation with plant distribution across the archipelago. We propose a simple Sea Dispersal Potential index (SDPi) to quantify the thalassochorous potential of any species.

Location

Galápagos archipelago.

Taxon

Littoral angiosperms.

Methods

We combined information on seed floatability (flotation time) and viability experiments (tetrazolium test) into an SDPi for 19 native littoral plants and tested whether increasing dispersal potential is associated with broader interisland distributions. We then tested if the presence of morphological structures related to thalassochory is associated with the functional SDPi.

Results

A relatively low, albeit highly variable, SDPi across Galápagos littoral plant species was found. No correlation was found between SDPi and species distributions. Morphological traits hypothesized to favour sea dispersal are not related to thalassorous potentials to reach closest islands, but they are positively associated with SDPi to reach the farthest islands.

Main conclusions

SDPi is shown to be a useful tool to compare the thalassochorous potentials of entire floras in a given geographical context. The low performance of most of the species questions the general assumption that most littoral plants are highly adapted to long‐distance sea dispersal. Our results support the view that island colonization is a multifactorial process and that the use of dispersal syndromes is insufficient to make biogeographical predictions in macroecology studies. Further research should integrate functional indices (e.g., SDPi) with complementary tools (genetics, remote diaspore tracking) to determine the actual drivers of species dispersal and establishment.
The impact of basic atrial rhythm during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation on clinical outcomes: Lessons from the German Ablation Registry
Authors: Rottner Laura , Brachmann Johannes , Lewalter Thorsten , Kuck Karl‐Heinz , Willems Stephan , Eckardt Lars , Hochadel Matthias , Andresen Dietrich , Senges Jochen , Rillig Andreas , Metzner Andreas
Published: May 2021

Background

The impact of basic atrial rhythm (sinus rhythm [SR] vs. atrial fibrillation [AF]) during AF ablation on efficacy and safety is unknown.

Methods

About 3375 patients from the German Ablation Registry undergoing first‐time AF ablation were divided according to the type of AF and the basic atrial rhythm during the ablation procedure: paroxysmal AF (PAF) and SR [group Ia], PAF and AF [group Ib]), persistent AF and SR (IIa), and persistent AF and AF (IIb).

Results

Patients in SR (n = 2312 [67%]) underwent cryoballoon ablation more often (Ia vs. Ib p = .002 and IIa vs. IIb p = .010, whereas in patients in AF (n = 1063 [33%]) radiofrequency (RF)‐based ablation (Ia vs. Ib p = .006 and IIa vs. IIb p = .014) including left and/or right atrial substrate modification was more frequently performed. Depending on the basic rhythm there was no difference regarding arrhythmia recurrence during long‐term follow‐up. For patients suffering from persistent AF acute procedure‐related complications were more often documented when ablated in AF (9.1% vs. 4.6%, p = .012). which was mainly driven by the higher occurrence of pericardial effusion/tamponade. For patients suffering from persistent AF, favorable results were found regarding 366‐day Kaplan–Meier estimates of the incidence of MACCE (death, myocardial infarction, and stroke; p = .011) and the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding (p = .006), when ablated in SR.

Conclusion

Basic atrial rhythm at the time of AF ablation did not affect long‐term rhythm outcome. For patients suffering from persistent AF a more favorable acute and long‐term safety profile was observed when ablated in SR.
Sparstolonin B exerts beneficial effects on prostate cancer by acting on the reactive oxygen species‐mediated PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Liu Shaozhuang , Hu Jiapeng , Shi Changlong , Sun Li , Yan Wentao , Song Yongsheng
Published: May 2021

Prostate cancer is a major health concern in males worldwide, owing to its high incidence. Sparstolonin B (SsnB), a component of the Chinese herbal medicine Sparganium stoloniferum, is used to treat many diseases. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of SsnB in prostate cancer have not yet been reported. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SsnB on cellular processes and tumour growth. In particular, we verified that SsnB could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells and induce apoptosis by activating G2/M phase arrest in vitro based on a series of cytological experiments. In vivo, we found that SsnB could inhibit tumour growth in nude mouse xenograft models. We further confirmed that SsnB could repress the PI3K/AKT pathway by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and oxidative stress. Collectively, SsnB inhibits tumour growth and induces apoptosis in prostate cancer via the suppression of the ROS‐mediated PI3K/AKT pathway and may be a new alternative to adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer.
Validity of the Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale for institutionalised cognitively impaired Dutch adults
Authors: Boerlage A. A. , Sneep L. , van Rosmalen J. , van Dijk M.
Published: May 2021

Background

The Rotterdam Elderly Pain Observation Scale (REPOS) has not yet been validated for institutionalised cognitively impaired adults. To fill this gap of knowledge, we tested psychometric properties of the REPOS when used for pain assessment in this population.

Methods

In this multicentre observational study, residents were filmed during a possibly painful moment and at rest. Healthcare professionals were asked to rate residents' pain by means of a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)‐proxy. Two researchers assessed pain with the REPOS and the Chronic Pain Scale for Non Verbal Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (CPS‐NAID) from video‐recordings.

Results

In total, 168 observations from 84 residents were assessed. Inter‐observer reliability between the two researchers was good, with Cohen's kappa 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 0.79]. Correlation between the REPOS and CPS‐NAID for a possibly painful moment was 0.73 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.79). Sensitivity (85%) and specificity (61%) for the detection of pain were calculated with REPOS ≥ 3 and NRS ≥ 4 as a reference value. Item response theory analysis shows that the item grimace displayed perfect discrimination between residents with and without pain.

Conclusion

The REPOS is a reliable and valid instrument to assess pain in cognitively impaired individuals.
Activation of spinal PDGFRβ in microglia promotes neuronal autophagy via p38 MAPK pathway in morphine‐tolerant rats
Authors: Jia Xiaoqian , Zhang Anqi , Li Zheng , Peng Xiaoling , Tian Xuebi , Gao Feng
Published: May 2021

The adverse side effects of opioids, especially antinociceptive tolerance, limit their clinical application. A recent study reported that platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) blockage selectively inhibited morphine tolerance. Autophagy has been reported to contribute to the cellular and behavioral responses to morphine. However, little is known about the relationship between PDGFRβ and autophagy in the mechanisms of morphine tolerance. In this study, rats were intrathecally administered with morphine twice daily for 7 days to induce antinociceptive tolerance, which was evaluated using a tail‐flick latency test. By administration autophagy inhibitor 3‐Methyladenine, PDGFRβ inhibitor imatinib, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 hydrochloride and minocycline hydrochloride, western blot, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to elucidate the roles of PDGFRβ, autophagy, and related signaling pathways in morphine tolerance. This study demonstrated for the first time that spinal PDGFRβ in microglia promotes autophagy in gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons through activating p38 MAPK pathway during the development of morphine tolerance, which suggest a potential strategy for preventing the development of morphine tolerance clinically, thereby improving the use of opioids in pain management.

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miR‐373‐3p inhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition via regulation of TGFβR2 in choriocarcinoma
Authors: Lu Yanjie , Li Xiaoru , Zuo Yanzhen , Xu Qian , Liu Lei , Wu Haiying , Chen Long , Zhang Ying , Liu Ying , Li Yuhong
Published: May 2021

Aim

Previous studies have indicated that early metastasis is a major cause of mortality in patients with choriocarcinoma. However, what determines whether early metastasis of choriocarcinoma has occurred is unknown. The emerging role of miRNA in regulating cancer development and progression has been recognized. miR‐373 has been shown to play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, whether miR‐373 functions to promote choriocarcinoma metastasis is not clear. The purpose of this study is to determine the function of miR‐373‐3p in the progression of this cancer.

Methods

In this study, we first compared epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related markers, which were inversely correlated with miR‐373‐3p expression in trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cell lines. Using PCR and Western blot, upregulation of miR‐373‐3p was observed to inhibit EMT progression. Similarly, gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies revealed that ectopic miR‐373‐3p overexpression inhibited the migration by transwell methods of choriocarcinoma cells.

Results

Our results revealed that miR‐373‐3p acted as an EMT inhibitor in JEG‐3 and JAR cells; this was due to its mediation of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ) signaling pathway, which was responsible for EMT. miRNA microarray analysis demonstrated that miR‐373‐3p interacted with the 3′ untranslated region of TGFβR2 mRNA, and then Western blot and dual‐luciferase reporter gene assays verified this interaction.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that miR‐373‐3p upregulation partly accounts for TGFβR2 downregulation and leads to a restraint of EMT and migration. miR‐373‐3p may therefore serve as a valuable potential target in the treatment of choriocarcinoma.
Institutionalized behavior, morality and domination: AHabitusin action model of violence
Authors: Velitchkova Ana
Published: May 2021

This work focuses on lessons about habitus violence can teach and on implications of habitus‐based action for understanding violence. A habitus model of violence partially explains not only group differences but also individual and within‐individual variation in violence participation. In this model, experience with violence provides persons withembodied institutional competencesto respond with violence should they perceive a situation as calling for it. Because violent institutional practices, principles, and relations are not necessarily incorporated into habitus simultaneously—as they rely on different memory systems—the habitus concept can be dissected. A typology of habitus elements corresponding to different institutional elements is developed distinguishingbehavioral templates,moral templates, andrelational templatesfrom one another. Habitus fragmentation allowscross‐institutional transfer of habitus elementsdependent on nondeclarative memory. The case of gender‐based violence and political violence illustrates how habitus elements developed in one institutional environment can direct action in a different institutional context calling for taking gender seriously in politics on theoretical grounds. As an embodied structure produced by involvement in multiple institutional domains and comprising transferable embodied institutional competences, habitus is a mechanism linking the so‐called ‘private’ spheres of family and gender relations and the ‘public’ sphere of politics.
Advancing police use of force research and practice: urgent issues and prospects
Authors: Bennell Craig , Alpert Geoffrey , Andersen Judith P. , Arpaia Joseph , Huhta Juha‐Matti , Kahn Kimberly B. , Khanizadeh Ariane‐Jade , McCarthy Molly , McLean Kyle , Mitchell Renée J. , Nieuwenhuys Arne , Palmer Adam , White Michael D.
Published: May 2021

Leading police scholars and practitioners were asked to reflect on the most urgent issues that need to be addressed on the topic of use of force. Four themes emerged from their contributions: use of force and de‐escalation training needs to improve and be evaluated; new ways of conceptualizing use of force encounters and better use of force response models need to be developed; the inequitable application of force, and how to remediate biases, needs to be more fully understood; and misconceptions about police use of force need to be identified and corrected. The highlighted topics serve as an agenda for future research. Such research should provide greater insight into when, where, and why force is used by police officers, and how it can be applied appropriately. If implemented, the practical recommendations included in the contributions should have a positive impact on police performance, public trust and confidence in the police, and citizen and officer safety.
Contrasting demographic histories revealed in two invasive populations of the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans
Authors: Skrede Inger , Murat Claude , Hess Jaqueline , Maurice Sundy , Sønstebø Jørn Henrik , Kohler Annegret , Barry‐Etienne Dominique , Eastwood Dan , Högberg Nils , Martin Francis , Kauserud Håvard
Published: May 2021

Globalization and international trade have impacted organisms around the world leading to a considerable number of species establishing in new geographic areas. Many organisms have taken advantage of human‐made environments, including buildings. One such species is the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans, which is the most aggressive wood‐decay fungus in indoor environments in temperate regions. Using population genomic analyses of 36 full genome sequenced isolates, we demonstrated that European and Japanese isolates are highly divergent and the populations split 3000–19,000 generations ago, probably predating human influence. Approximately 250 generations ago, the European population went through a tight bottleneck, probably corresponding to the fungus colonization of the built environment in Europe. The demographic history of these populations, probably lead to low adaptive potential. Only two loci under selection were identified using a Fst outlier approach, and selective sweep analyses identified three loci with extended haplotype homozygosity. The selective sweep analyses found signals in genes possibly related to decay of various substrates in Japan and in genes involved DNA replication and protein modification in Europe. Our results suggest that the dry rot fungus independently established in indoor environments in Europe and Japan and that invasive species can potentially establish large populations in new habitats based on a few colonizing individuals.
Exposure to obesogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals and obesity among youth of Latino or Hispanic origin in the United States and Latin America: A lifecourse perspective
Authors: Perng Wei , Cantoral Alejandra , Soria‐Contreras Diana C. , Betanzos‐Robledo Larissa , Kordas Katarzyna , Liu Yun , Mora Ana M. , Corvalan Camila , Pereira Anita , Cardoso Marly Augusto , Chavarro Jorge E. , Breton Carrie V. , Meeker John D. , Harley Kim G. , Eskenazi Brenda , Peterson Karen E. , Tellez‐Rojo Martha Maria
Published: May 2021

Following a 2019 workshop led by the Center for Global Health Studies at the Fogarty International Center on the topic of childhood obesity prevention and research synergies transpiring from cross‐border collaborations, we convened a group of experts in the United States and Latin America to conduct a narrative review of the epidemiological literature on the role of obesogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the etiology of childhood obesity among Latino youth in the United States and Latin America. In addition to summarizing and synthesizing results from research on this topic published within the last decade, we place the findings within a lifecourse biobehavioral framework to aid in identification of unique exposure‐outcome relationships driven by both biological and behavioral research, identify inconsistencies and deficiencies in current literature, and discuss the role of policy regulations, all with the goal of identifying viable avenues for prevention of early life obesity in Latino/Hispanic populations.
Anteroinferior Psoas Technique for Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Zhu Hai‐Feng , Fang Xiang‐Qian , Zhao Feng‐Dong , Zhang Jian‐Feng , Zhao Xing , Hu Zhi‐Jun , Fan Shun‐Wu
Published: May 2021

Oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) has been extensively used, with satisfactory outcomes for the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease. This article aims to demonstrate a modified lateral approach, also known as the anteroinferior psoas (AIP) technique for OLIF, which is expected to enhance security by operating under direct vision. The core procedures of our technique are as follows. First, a minimal skin incision is recommended 2 cm backward compared with the normal incision of OLIF, facilitating the oblique placement of the working channel and the orthogonal maneuver for the cage placement. Second, two special custom‐made retractors, as an alternative to the index finger, are used to pull the psoas muscle to the dorsal side and pull the abdominal organs together with extraperitoneal fate to the ventral side under direct visualization, making the exposure of the working channel convenient and safe and avoiding radiation exposure. Third, the anterior border of the psoas is bluntly dissected and retracted backwards, obviously enlarging the retroperitoneal anatomic corridor and then expanding clinical indications of OLIF. The benefits of this technique include that it has a short learning curve, satisfactory clinical outcomes, and low risk of perioperative complications.
Combinatorial advantage of Ses i 1‐specific IgE and basophil activation for diagnosis of sesame food allergy
Authors: Goldberg Michael R. , Appel Michael Y. , Nachshon Liat , Holmqvist Marie , Epstein‐Rigbi Naama , Levy Michael B. , Lidholm Jonas , Elizur Arnon
Published: May 2021

Background

The prevalence of sesame food allergy (SFA) is increasing worldwide with the potential of anaphylactic reactions upon exposure. Utility of specific component IgE testing as an alternative to the oral food challenge (OFC), the diagnostic standard, is being investigated.

Methods

Patients (n = 42) with suspected SFA completed an open OFC to sesame. Diagnostic testing included serum levels of Ses i 1‐specific IgE, skin prick test with high‐protein extract, and basophil reactivity (% induced CD63 expression) for each patient. The diagnostic utility of these tests was evaluated at a 95% sensitivity, with the outcome measure being the number of OFCs required.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients (64%) were diagnosed with SFA. Ses i 1 IgE differed significantly between allergic and tolerant patients (p = .0001). ROC curve analysis for Ses i 1 IgE yielded an AUC of 0.88 ± 0.05. Levels of Ses i 1 IgE correlated to induced CD63+ expression on basophils (p = .0001). Ses i 1 IgE was not sufficiently robust as a single step for diagnosis. Used concurrently, BAT and Ses i 1 IgE yielded correct positive classifications for 25 of 27 sesame‐allergic patients with two false positives (93% PPV). Both tests were negative in 5 non‐allergic patients. Patients with divergent Ses i 1 IgE and BAT results required OFC (n = 10, 24% of patients). Alternatively, sequential use of BAT, ruling in SFA followed by Ses i 1 IgE diagnosing non‐allergic patients, yielded a 89% PPV, with 19% requiring OFC.

Conclusion

Ses i 1 IgE and BAT used together can decrease the need for OFC in most SFA patients. A prospective cohort trial is necessary to validate these results.
Mental health status of Italian elderly subjects during and after quarantine for the COVID‐19 pandemic: a cross‐sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Maggi Gianpaolo , Baldassarre Ivana , Barbaro Andrea , Cavallo Nicola Davide , Cropano Maria , Nappo Raffaele , Santangelo Gabriella
Published: May 2021

Background

The elderly are more vulnerable to COVID‐19 and therefore need to adopt long‐term social distancing measures. The duration of quarantine impacts the psychological status of the general population. However, until now no study has explored the psychological impact of the pandemic and quarantine together with longitudinal changes in the mental health status of Italian elderly.

Methods

An online questionnaire including an assessment of depression, anxiety, anger, post‐traumatic stress, subjective cognitive failures, resilience, coping style, and other dimensions related to the pandemic was completed by participants during (T0) and two months after the end (T1) of the quarantine.

Results

The sample recruited at T0 included 334 elderly participants. About 45% of the participants experienced depression, anxiety, or anger. Moreover, more fear of getting infected was related to more severe depression, anxiety, and anger, but resilience was found to mediate these relationships. More severe depressive and anger symptoms were related to more severe cognitive failures. No significant difference was observed in mental health scores between T0 and T1.

Finally, more severe depression at T0 was associated with the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms at T1.

Conclusions

The fear of getting infected, probably due to perceived vulnerability to disease, seems to play a crucial role in the development of psychological symptoms in the elderly, but resilience seems to mediate the impact of fear. The presence of long‐term psychological consequences and the possible risk of developing PTS symptoms in the elderly suggest the need for targeted interventions to reduce possible long‐term psychological and cognitive consequences.
Electrophysiological indicators of sleep‐associated memory consolidation in 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children
Authors: Joechner Ann‐Kathrin , Wehmeier Sarah , Werkle‐Bergner Markus
Published: May 2021

In adults, the synchronized interplay of sleep spindles (SP) and slow oscillations (SO) supports memory consolidation. Given tremendous developmental changes in SP and SO morphology, it remains elusive whether across childhood the same mechanisms as identified in adults are functional. Based on topography and frequency, we characterize slow and fast SPs and their temporal coupling to SOs in 24 pre‐school children. Further, we ask whether slow and fast SPs and their modulation during SOs are associated with behavioral indicators of declarative memory consolidation as suggested by the literature on adults. Employing an individually tailored approach, we reliably identify an inherent, development‐specific fast centro‐parietal SP type, nested in the adult‐like slow SP frequency range, along with a dominant slow frontal SP type. Further, we provide evidence that the modulation of fast centro‐parietal SPs during SOs is already present in pre‐school children. However, the temporal coordination between fast centro‐parietal SPs and SOs is weaker and less precise than expected from research on adults. While we do not find evidence for a critical contribution of SP–SO coupling for memory consolidation, crucially, slow frontal and fast centro‐parietal SPs are each differentially related to sleep‐associated consolidation of items of varying quality. Whereas a higher number of slow frontal SPs is associated with stronger maintenance of medium‐quality memories, a higher number of fast centro‐parietal SPs is linked to a greater gain of low‐quality items. Our results demonstrate two functionally relevant inherent SP types in pre‐school children although SP–SO coupling is not yet fully mature.
Robust Decision Analysis under Severe Uncertainty and Ambiguous Tradeoffs: An Invasive Species Case Study
Authors: Sahlin Ullrika , Troffaes Matthias C. M. , Edsman Lennart
Published: May 2021

Bayesian decision analysis is a useful method for risk management decisions, but is limited in its ability to consider severe uncertainty in knowledge, and value ambiguity in management objectives. We study the use of robust Bayesian decision analysis to handle problems where one or both of these issues arise. The robust Bayesian approach models severe uncertainty through bounds on probability distributions, and value ambiguity through bounds on utility functions. To incorporate data, standard Bayesian updating is applied on the entire set of distributions. To elicit our expert's utility representing the value of different management objectives, we use a modified version of the swing weighting procedure that can cope with severe value ambiguity. We demonstrate these methods on an environmental management problem to eradicate an alien invasive marmorkrebs recently discovered in Sweden, which needed a rapid response despite substantial knowledge gaps if the species was still present (i.e., severe uncertainty) and the need for difficult tradeoffs and competing interests (i.e., value ambiguity). We identify that the decision alternatives to drain the system and remove individuals in combination with dredging and sieving with or without a degradable biocide, or increasing pH, are consistently bad under the entire range of probability and utility bounds. This case study shows how robust Bayesian decision analysis provides a transparent methodology for integrating information in risk management problems where little data are available and/or where the tradeoffs are ambiguous.
Propagation of economic shocks through global supply chains—Evidence from Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Kashiwagi Yuzuka , Todo Yasuyuki , Matous Petr
Published: May 2021

This study examines whether and how economic shocks from natural disasters propagate through supply chains to regions not directly hit by disasters. Although such propagation has been studied, less attention has been paid to heterogeneity across network characteristics of firms. Focusing on the impacts of a hurricane and using firm‐level data for major firms in the world that include supply‐chain ties among them, we find evidence of the intra‐national propagation of the shock in the United States. Our results further suggest that both input specificity and network density are important determinants of the level of propagation.
Functional Data Analysis and Visualisation of Three-Dimensional Surface Shape
Authors: Katina Stanislav , Vittert Liberty , W. Bowman Adrian
Published: May 2021

The advent of high-resolution imaging has made data on surface shape widespread. Methods for the analysis of shape based on landmarks are well established but high-resolution data require a functional approach. The starting point is a systematic and consistent description of each surface shape and a method for creating this is described. Three innovative forms of analysis are then introduced. The first uses surface integration to address issues of registration, principal component analysis and the measurement of asymmetry, all in functional form. Computational issues are handled through discrete approximations to integrals, based in this case on appropriate surface area weighted sums. The second innovation is to focus on sub-spaces where interesting behaviour such as group differences are exhibited, rather than on individual principal components. The third innovation concerns the comparison of individual shapes with a relevant control set, where the concept of a normal range is extended to the highly multivariate setting of surface shape. This has particularly strong applications to medical contexts where the assessment of individual patients is very important. All of these ideas are developed and illustrated in the important context of human facial shape, with a strong emphasis on the effective visual communication of effects of interest.
Censored Regression for Modelling Small Arms Trade Volumes and Its ‘Forensic’ Use for Exploring Unreported Trades
Authors: Lebacher Michael , Thurner Paul W. , Kauermann Göran
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we use a censored regression model to investigate data on the international trade of small arms and ammunition provided by the Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers. Taking a network-based view on the transfers, we do not only rely on exogenous covariates but also estimate endogenous network effects. We apply a spatial autocorrelation gravity model with multiple weight matrices. The likelihood is maximized employing the Monte Carlo expectation maximization algorithm. Our approach reveals strong and stable endogenous network effects. Furthermore, we find evidence for a substantial path dependence as well as a close connection between exports of civilian and military small arms. The model is then used in a ‘forensic’ manner to analyse latent network structures and thereby to identify countries with higher or lower tendency to export or import than reflected in the data. The approach is also validated using a simulation study.
Curating change: Spatial utopian politics and the architecture of degrowth
Authors: Sachs Olsen Cecilie
Published: May 2021

Geographical scholarship has done much to help us understand how we have arrived at the current juncture of socio‐ecological disaster, but the discipline has been far less successful at imagining and enacting alternative systems and practices. In response, this paper examines the potentials and challenges for creative geographers to build critical projects that consider how socio‐ecological alternatives might be imagined and/or enacted. The focus is on the author’s own experience as a geographer curating the Oslo Architecture Triennale 2019 with the radical theme of “degrowth.” The paper focuses on the critical‐creative methodologies as well as politics of architecture stemming from this curatorial experiment.
Biomechanical Analysis of Head Subjected to Blast Waves and the Role of Combat Protective Headgear Under Blast Loading: A Review
Authors: Sundar Shyam , Ponnalagu Alagappan
Published: May 2021

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a rising health concern of soldiers deployed in modern-day military conflicts. For bTBI, blast wave loading is a cause, and damage incurred to brain tissue is the effect. There are several proposed mechanisms for the bTBI, such as direct cranial entry, skull flexure, thoracic compression, blast-induced acceleration, and cavitation that are not mutually exclusive. So the cause-effect relationship is not straightforward. The efficiency of protective headgears against blast waves is relatively unknown as compared with other threats. Proper knowledge about standard problem space, underlying mechanisms, blast reconstruction techniques, and biomechanical models are essential for protective headgear design and evaluation. Various researchers from cross disciplines analyze bTBI from different perspectives. From the biomedical perspective, the physiological response, neuropathology, injury scales, and even the molecular level and cellular level changes incurred during injury are essential. From a combat protective gear designer perspective, the spatial and temporal variation of mechanical correlates of brain injury such as surface overpressure, acceleration, tissue-level stresses, and strains are essential. This paper outlines the key inferences from bTBI studies that are essential in the protective headgear design context.
Displacement Error Propagation From Embedded Markers to Brain Strain
Authors: Zhao Wei , Wu Zheyang , Ji Songbai
Published: May 2021

Head injury model validation has evolved from against pressure to relative brain–skull displacement, and more recently, against marker-based strain. However, there are concerns on strain data quality. In this study, we parametrically investigate how displacement random errors and synchronization errors propagate into strain. Embedded markers from four representative configurations are used to form unique and nonoverlapping tetrahedrons, triangles, and linear elements. Marker displacements are then separately subjected to up to ±10% random displacement errors and up to ±2 ms synchronization errors. Based on 100 random trials in each perturbation test, we find that smaller strain errors relative to the baseline peak strains are significantly associated with larger element sizes (volume, area, or length; p < 0.05). When displacement errors are capped at the two extreme levels, the earlier “column” and “cluster” configurations provide few usable elements with relative strain error under an empirical threshold of 20%, while about 30–80% of elements in recent “repeatable” and “uniform” configurations are considered otherwise usable. Overall, denser markers are desired to provide exhaustive pairwise linear elements with a range of sizes to balance the need for larger elements to minimize strain error but smaller elements to increase the spatial resolution in strain sampling. Their signed strains also provide unique and unambiguous information on tissue tension and compression. This study may provide useful insights into the scrutinization of existing experimental data for head injury model strain validation and to inform how best to design new experiments in the future.
Comparative Study on the Numerical Methods for View Factor Computation for Packed Pebble Beds: Back Propagation Neural Network Methods Versus Monte Carlo Methods
Authors: Zou Quan , Gui Nan , Yang Xingtuan , Tu Jiyuan , Jiang Shengyao
Published: May 2021

It's an unsolved problem to calculate the thermal radiation view factors among fuel pebbles as accurately and quickly as possible in the simulation of the temperature fields within the pebble-bed. In this study, a series of fully connected neural networks (FCNs) has been developed to realize the fast calculation of view factors. In order to verify the accuracy and effects of the networks, the neural networks are compared with the Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm. The results show that, in most cases, the relative errors of the FCN method can be controlled within 1.0%, and the prediction accurate probability is up to 99%. In comparisons of specific examples, the temperature errors of the FCN method and the MC method are less than 1 K within the range neural networks have covered. In addition, the time of neural networks for a single calculation is about 2–20 μs, which is even less than 10−4 of the time taken by the MC algorithm. In conclusion, neural networks can greatly improve computational efficiency while keeping the same accuracy as the MC algorithm, which makes real-time simulation of the temperature fields possible.
Experimental Study on Propagation of Particle-Bearing Jets in a Confined Geometry
Authors: Kapil Mohnish , Balasubramanian Sridhar
Published: May 2021

The spreading characteristics of particle-bearing jets down a gentle slope in a uniform ambient with confined side-walls are reported through a series of laboratory experiments. A round water jet is mixed with solid particles having particle volume fraction ranging between 0% and 0.4%. The jet Reynolds number is varied between Re = 3000 and 8000. We document that the jet front position varies with time t as xf∝t2/3. The jet front propagation in the presence of side-walls is found to be higher than the unconfined case and is attributed to the recirculation due to the confinement that increases the flow inertia and accelerates the flow. The jet propagation is found to be self-similar and is unaffected by the variations in the volume fraction and Re. The sediment pattern near the source, formed by the settling of the particles, exhibits a similar tear-drop shape, which is well-predicted using the unconfined jet theory that assumes a Gaussian velocity profile. The results have implication in engineering and environmental flows, where higher jet propagation rate for confined jets should be modeled accurately without modifying the sedimentation dynamics.
Assessment of a Homogeneous Model for Simulating a Cavitating Flow in Water Under a Wide Range of Temperatures
Authors: Le Anh Dinh , Phan Thanh Hoang , Tran The Hung
Published: May 2021

The cavitating flow on a NACA0015 hydrofoil in water under a wide range of temperatures is simulated with or without noncondensation gas using a homogeneous model. Our simplified thermodynamic model is coupled with governing equations to capture the latent heat transfer in cavitation. A numerical evaluation proves its applicability through a comparison with experimental data. As a result, the numerical evaluation illustrates good agreement with measured data for both simulations with or without noncondensation gas. The expected prediction pressure coefficient is in better agreement with experimental data for high-temperature water compared to the existing numerical data. Although the temperature depression inside the cavity is confirmed numerically, the thermodynamic effect shows a weak impact on the cavitation behavior near the boiling temperature (100 °C). The cavitating flow can therefore be simulated reasonably by an isothermal approach at a reasonable cost. The suppression of the void fraction as the water temperature increases is deduced by the flow behavior rather than the thermodynamic effect. Finally, the impact of a noncondensation gas is closely linked to the thermodynamic properties of the water and the flow behavior. The attached cavity position shifts closer to the hydrofoil leading edge significantly in high-temperature water, while an identical position is reproduced for room temperature conditions in comparison with the simulation without a noncondensation gas.
Hydrodynamic Optimization of Coaxial Ground Heat Exchanger
Authors: Wojtkowiak Janusz
Published: May 2021

A simple mathematical model of fluid flow is applied to determine the cross-sectional shape of a coaxial ground heat exchanger (CGHE) for which the friction pressure drop is minimal. Both laminar and turbulent flows of a Newtonian fluid are analyzed. The dimensionless form of the friction pressure losses is taken as the objective function, and the dimensionless internal diameter and wall thickness of the inner tube is adopted as decision variables, with the reference length taken to be the internal diameter of the external pipe. The resulting optimization problem is solved by means of a hybrid analytical-numerical method. The obtained solutions are generalized as two simple equations valid for laminar and turbulent flows, respectively. It is shown that the pressure losses in a coaxial ground heat exchanger with optimal cross section may be considerably smaller than the pressure losses for a nonoptimal one. The obtained results are significant for the global optimization of CGHEs, resulting in improved energy conservation of buildings and district heating systems.
Low temperature Topographically Selective Deposition by Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition with ion bombardment assistance
Authors: Yeghoyan Taguhi , Pesce Vincent , Jaffal Moustapha , Lefevre Gauthier , Gassilloud Rémy , Posseme Nicolas , Bonvalot Marceline , Vallée Christophe
Published: May 2021

Area selective deposition via atomic layer deposition (ALD) has proven its utility in elementary nanopatterning processes. In the case of complex 3D patterned substrates, selective deposition processes lead to vertical sidewall coverage only, or top and bottom horizontal surface coverage only, to enable advanced nanopatterning and further miniaturization of microelectronic devices. While many fabrication strategies for vertical only Topographically Selective Deposition (TSD) have already been developed, the horizontal TSD case needs further attention. In this work, we propose a versatile route for the TSD on 3D top and bottom horizontal surfaces along with a proof-of-concept for such selective Ta2O5 thin film deposition. The strategy at stake relies on a plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition process assisted by energetic ion bombardment during the plasma step and followed by a postgrowth wet etching step. The effectiveness of this strategy is based on a careful adjustment of processing temperatures purposely set at low temperature, most probably below the ALD temperature window. Anisotropic ion bombardment via substrate biasing during the plasma step provides an extra amount of thermal energy only to exposed horizontal surfaces, which in turn enables a selective densification of the thin film under growth. The difference in thin film density on horizontal and vertical surfaces enables the property-selective etching of vertical surfaces, generating horizontal TSD. A proof-of-concept for such low temperature TSD is shown in the case of 3D trenched substrates with an aspect ratio of 14.
Decentralized estimation of ocean current field using underwater acoustic sensor networks
Authors: Chen Hao , Chen Huifang , Zhang Ying , Xu Wen
Published: May 2021

A decentralized method is proposed to estimate the two-dimensional horizontal ocean current field using the underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs), termed the “UASN-decentralized” method, which integrates the state-of-the-art ocean current field estimation techniques for UASNs: triangle-division-based travel time difference tomography and a spatiotemporal autoregressive model of ocean current dynamics. Moreover, the UASN-decentralized method employs a single-time scale consensus+innovations distributed estimator, called the “distributed information Kalman filter,” to perform decentralized estimation and tracking. Given the redundancy of travel time differences when using UASN-based tomography, sensor nodes are classified into two types (i.e., type I and type II) to perform different tasks to reduce computations. A shortest-path-based consensus weight matrix is designed to accommodate fast-varying ocean dynamics. More communication rounds after each sensing are studied as an extension of the adopted single-time scale distributed estimator. Synthetic data are used to verify the decentralized method. Monte Carlo simulations show the feasibility of the proposed method and its robustness to measurement error related problems. With an increased number of communication rounds, the proposed method can also work well for fast-varying dynamics or a lowered sensor measurement rate.
Numerical study of the coupling layer between transducer and chip in acoustofluidic devices
Authors: Bodé William Naundrup , Bruus Henrik
Published: May 2021

By numerical simulation in two and three dimensions, the coupling layer between the transducer and microfluidic chip in ultrasound acoustofluidic devices is studied. The model includes the transducer with electrodes, microfluidic chip with a liquid-filled microchannel, and coupling layer between the transducer and chip. Two commonly used coupling materials, solid epoxy glue and viscous glycerol, as well as two commonly used device types, glass capillary tubes and silicon-glass chips, are considered. It is studied how acoustic resonances in ideal devices without a coupling layer are either sustained or attenuated as a coupling layer of increasing thickness is inserted. A simple criterion based on the phase of the acoustic wave for whether a given zero-layer resonance is sustained or attenuated by the addition of a coupling layer is established. Finally, by controlling the thickness and the material, it is shown that the coupling layer can be used as a design component for optimal and robust acoustofluidic resonances.
Marketing Politics and Resistance: Mobilizing Black Pain in National Football League Publicity
Authors: Montez de Oca Jeffrey
Published: May 2021

The 2020 North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) Presidential Address analyzed aspects of the National Football League’s (NFL) current socially conscious marketing to make sense of corporatized racial justice politics following a summer of mass political mobilization triggered by the police killing of George Floyd. The analysis shows that the mass, multiracial racial justice activism forced corporatized sport leagues such as the NFL to respond to popular political pressure. The NFL followed the lead of the National Basketball Association and instead of resisting popular sentiments, it has incorporated social justice language into its marketing. Guided by Indigenous decolonial scholarship and radical Black scholars, I argue that the NFL’s incorporation of social justice language is a politics of recognition and colonial governmentality that insulates it from racial justice politics and helps to stabilize challenges to racial capitalism.