bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-order OAM mode generation in a helical long-period fiber grating inscribed by an oxyhydrogen-flame
Authors: Shao Laipeng , Liu Shen , Zhou Min , Huang Zheng , Bao Weijia , Bai Zhiyong , Liu Zhao , Zhu Guoxuan , Sun Zhongyuan , Zhong Junlan , Wang Yiping
Published: December 2021

In this study, an all-fiber ±3-order orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode generator with ∼90% conversion efficiency is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. By using a helical long-period fiber grating (HLPFG) inscribed by an oxyhydrogen-flame, the fundamental mode (LP01) of the six-mode fiber (6MF) can be effectively converted into the OAM±3 mode without the need for polarization control. This is the first demonstration of the all-fiber ±3-order OAM mode generator by an oxyhydrogen-flame-induced HLPFG approach as far as we know. In addition, the broadband tunability of the ±3-order OAM mode generator within 1520–1630 nm is demonstrated just by changing the pitch of the helical grating. We believe that the proposed tunable ±3-order OAM mode generator can offer a new alternative for high-order OAM mode generation.
Analysis and experimental demonstration of propagation features of radially polarized specific non-uniformly correlated beams
Authors: Lin Shuqin , Wu Jidong , Xu Ying , Zhu Xinlei , Gbur Greg , Cai Yangjian , Yu Jiayi
Published: December 2021

With the development of the unified theory of coherence and polarization, the novel physical properties generated by different correlation structures of vector partially coherent beams (PCBs) have attracted much attention. Recently, a new class of structured beams have been proposed [Opt. Lett. 45, 3824 (2020)10.1364/OL.397316], called vector specific non-uniformly correlated beams. These beams combine non-uniform polarization and non-uniform correlation, and they exhibit propagation features not seen in conventional vector PCBs. In this Letter, we continue the analysis of the previous work, taking radially polarized Hermite non-uniformly correlated (RPHNUC) beams as an example, and focus on the physical interpretation of the peculiar propagation features of such beams. We verify the predicted behavior of RPHNUC beams through experiment.
Limitations of the S2 (spatially and spectrally resolved) imaging technique
Authors: Boccuzzi Krysta A. , Marciante John R.
Published: December 2021

Spatially and spectrally resolved imaging (S2 imaging) is a technique that was developed as an alternative to beam quality (M2) measurements to characterize the modal content of large mode area (LMA) fibers. While it is known that the success of S2 imaging is highly dependent on the broadband source and the launch conditions into the fiber, the information resulting from this method is more limited than may appear at first glance. Experiments and numerical simulations are used to show that (a) the accuracy of the reconstructed LP01 mode profile varies greatly depending on launch conditions, and (b) there are always errors in the reconstructed LP11 mode profile. Not only do these findings reveal that the reconstructed mode areas cannot be accurately determined, but it also shows that the relative modal intensities can only be determined accurately under nearly perfect conditions of fundamental mode launch and propagation through the fiber. Despite these findings, the S2 technique can still be used under nearly ideal launch and propagation conditions to identify the modes and their group delays, and accurately reconstruct only the fundamental mode.
Covert wireless communication using massive optical comb channels for deep denoising: erratum
Authors: Yan Xianglei , Zou Xihua , Li Peixuan , Pan Wei , Yan Lianshan
Published: December 2021

This erratum corrects a clerical error in the original manuscript [Photon. Res. 9, 1124 (2021)PRHEIZ2327-912510.1364/PRJ.419605].
Who accepts nudges? nudge acceptability from a self-regulation perspective
Authors: van Gestel Laurens C. , Adriaanse Marieke A. , de Ridder Denise T. D.
Published: December 2021

Background

Public acceptability of nudging is receiving increasingly more attention, but studies remain limited to evaluations of aspects of the nudge itself or (inferred intentions) of the nudger. Yet, it is important to investigate which individuals are likely to accept nudges, as those who are supposed to benefit from the implementation should not oppose it. The main objective of this study was to integrate research on self-regulation and nudging, and to examine acceptability of nudges as a function of self-regulation capacity and motivation.

Method

Participants (N= 301) filled in questionnaires about several components of self-regulation capacity (self-control, proactive coping competence, self-efficacy, perceived control and perceived difficulty) and motivation (autonomous motivation and controlled motivation). To evaluate nudge acceptability, we used three vignettes describing three types of nudges (default, portion size, and rearrangement) that stimulated either a pro-self behavior (healthy eating) or pro-social behavior (sustainable eating) and asked participants to rate the nudges on (aspects of) acceptability.

Results

Results revealed that there were substantial differences in acceptability between the three types of nudges, such that the default nudge was seen as less acceptable and the rearrangement nudge as most acceptable. The behavior that was stimulated did not affect acceptability, even though the nudges that targeted healthy eating were seen as more pro-self than the nudges targeting sustainable eating. From all self-regulation components, autonomous motivation was the only measure that was consistently associated with nudge acceptability across the three nudges. For self-regulatory capacity, only some elements were occasionally related to acceptability for some nudges.

Conclusion

The current study thus shows that people are more inclined to accept nudges that target behaviors that they are autonomously motivated for, while people do not meaningfully base their judgments of acceptability on self-regulatory capacity.
Investigation of ANN architecture for predicting the compressive strength of concrete containing GGBFS
Authors: Tran Van Quan , Mai Hai-Van Thi , Nguyen Thuy-Anh , Ly Hai-Bang
Published: December 2021

An extensive simulation program is used in this study to discover the best ANN model for predicting the compressive strength of concrete containing Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS). To accomplish this purpose, an experimental database of 595 samples is compiled from the literature and utilized to find the best ANN architecture. The cement content, water content, coarse aggregate content, fine aggregate content, GGBFS content, carboxylic type hyper plasticizing content, superplasticizer content, and testing age are the eight inputs in this database. As a result, the optimal selection of the ANN design is carried out and evaluated using conventional statistical metrics. The results demonstrate that utilizing the best architecture [8–14–4–1] among the 240 investigated architectures, and the best ANN model, is a very efficient predictor of the compressive strength of concrete using GGBFS, with a maximum R2value of 0.968 on the training part and 0.965 on the testing part. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is performed over 500 Monte Carlo simulations using the best ANN model to determine the reliability of ANN model in predicting the compressive strength of concrete. The findings of this research may make it easier and more efficient to apply the ANN model to many civil engineering challenges.
Linking behavioural type with cannibalism in Eurasian perch
Authors: Andersson Matilda L. , Hulthén Kaj , Blake Charlie , Brönmark Christer , Nilsson P. Anders
Published: December 2021

The propensity to kill and consume conspecifics (cannibalism) varies greatly between and within species, but the underlying mechanisms behind this variation remain poorly understood. A rich literature has documented that consistent behavioural variation is ubiquitous across the animal kingdom. Such inter-individual behavioural differences, sometimes referred to as personality traits, may have far-reaching ecological consequences. However, the link between predator personality traits and the propensity to engage in cannibalistic interactions remains understudied. Here, we first quantified personality in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), measured as activity (time spent moving) and sociability (time spent near conspecifics). We then gave perch of contrasting behavioural types the option to consume either conspecific or heterospecific (roach, Rutilus rutilus) prey. Individual perch characterized by a social-active behavioural phenotype (n = 5) selected roach before being cannibalistic, while asocial-inactive perch (n = 17) consumed conspecific and heterospecific prey evenly. Thus, asocial-inactive perch expressed significantly higher rates of cannibalism as compared to social-active individuals. Individual variation in cannibalism, linked to behavioural type, adds important mechanistic understanding to complex population and community dynamics, and also provides insight into the diversity and maintenance of animal personality.
COVID-19 testing, timeliness and positivity from ICMR’s laboratory surveillance network in India: Profile of 176 million individuals tested and 188 million tests, March 2020 to January 2021
Authors: Ponnaiah Manickam , Suliankatchi Abdulkader Rizwan , Bhatnagar Tarun , Thangaraj Jeromie Wesley Vivian , Santhosh Kumar Muthusamy , Sabarinathan Ramasamy , Velusamy Saravanakumar , Sabde Yogesh , Singh Harpreet , Murhekar Manoj Vasanth
Published: December 2021

Background

The Indian Council of Medical Research set up a pan-national laboratory network to diagnose and monitor Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on these data, we describe the epidemiology of the pandemic at national and sub-national levels and the performance of the laboratory network.

Methods

We included surveillance data for individuals tested and the number of tests from March 2020 to January 2021. We calculated the incidence of COVID-19 by age, gender and state and tests per 100,000 population, the proportion of symptomatic individuals among those tested, the proportion of repeat tests and test positivity. We computed median (Interquartile range—IQR) days needed for selected surveillance activities to describe timeliness.

Results

The analysis included 176 million individuals and 188 million tests. The overall incidence of COVID-19 was 0.8%, and 12,584 persons per 100,000 population were tested. 6.1% of individuals tested returned a positive result. Ten of the 37 Indian States and Union Territories accounted for about 75.6% of the total cases. Daily testing scaled up from 40,000 initially to nearly one million in March 2021. The median duration between symptom onset and sample collection was two (IQR = 0,3) days, median duration between both sample collection and testing and between testing and data entry were less than or equal to one day. Missing or invalid entries ranged from 0.01% for age to 0.7% for test outcome.

Conclusion

The laboratory network set-up by ICMR was scaled up massively over a short period, which enabled testing a large section of the population. Although all states and territories were affected, most cases were concentrated in a few large states. Timeliness between the various surveillance activities was acceptable, indicating good responsiveness of the surveillance system.
Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 among the marine fishers of Maharashtra State of India: An online cross-sectional Analysis
Authors: Wasave Suhas , Wasave Sangita , Chaudhari Ketankumar , Shingare Prakash , Yadav Bharat , Patil Sandesh , Naik Bhalchandra
Published: December 2021

The knowledge, awareness, and practices (KAP) about COVID-19 among the marine fishers who are engaged in the high-risk occupations and depend on the vulnerable sources of income in the Maharashtra state of India, were investigated to understand the behavioral changes and vulnerability among the respondents because of COVID-19. Data were collected through an online survey from 1st July to 30th July 2020 during the first peak of COVID-19 in the study area by using the questionnaire. Authors based on the latest recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the questionnaire and covered the KAP aspects under study. The questionnaire was administered through Google form link and the link was disseminated through social media such as Facebook and What’s App. The completed responses (n = 533) received from the eligible sample, excluding those outsides of the fisher community and duplicate entries were considered for analysis. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyze the data. Among the respondents, 447 men (83.86%) and 86 women (16.14%), with a mean age of 45.4 years (M = 45.4, SD = 1.18). The results revealed that 70.92% of respondents perceived a low risk of infection because of COVID-19 with M = 1.77 and SD = 0.583, but authors found the perceived severity score high (M = 3.95, SD = 1.21) among the 60.97% of respondents. Around 95% of respondents were aware of the COVID-19, while almost all respondents knew the medium of infection and symptoms of COVID-19. The behavior of respondents towards COVID-19 infection was positive and was following sufficient precautionary measures suggested by WHO to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the demographic features of respondents like age, education were significantly contributing to the KAP of the fisher community. The results confirmed the importance of KAP which is reflected in the behavioral responses of the fishers while tackling the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The results regarding the risk perception, severity, KAP about COVID-19 provide a collective understanding of the emerging infectious disease among the marine fishers of Maharashtra state of India.
Swirling currents emerge at the Waiapu river mouth: Lens-based witnessing, documenting and storytelling of slow catastrophes
Authors: Robertson Natalie
Published: December 2021

This article considers how Indigenous stories and chants can tell us about our ecologies in the time of environmental emergencies. For Ngāti Porou of the lower reaches of the Waiapu river catchment in Te Ika-a-Māui, the North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand), the slow catastrophes of twentieth-century colonial deforestation impacts, introduced pest-induced inland forest collapse and predicted twenty-first-century climate change sea level rise have converged as our most pressing environmental problems. Waiapu is home to Ngāti Porou Tūturu, coastal fishing people who value their relationships with fish species, notably kahawai. The mōteatea chant form acts as a guide to my photographic and moving image practice to visualize and voice the slow catastrophe of the river. In this article, I discuss how the Ngāti Porou mōteatea He Tangi mo Pāhoe, which reveals nineteenth-century ecological knowledge, particularly of fish species, is reimagined as a moving image visual mōteatea. Through reframing the threats as the current faces of our ancestors, this article proposes a shift in thinking from vulnerability into resilience.
Charting hxstories in Sāmoan visual and digital art
Authors: Eshrāghi Léuli
Published: December 2021

In this article, addressing the absences of cultural memory from existing institutional archives is accounted for in the development of new curatorial display territories, both online and in the gallery. The imperatives to claim new digital territories as extensions of homeland territories are contextualized within the discussion of the curated works in the first in a series of exhibitions titled Sāmoan Hxstories, Screens and Intimacies supported from Tkaronto/Toronto by imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival for the Indigenous world and for all Sāmoan diasporas. The co-design of new Indigenous language terms including siapo viliata are also discussed.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: De Lucca Maria Eduarda Turczyn , Antunes Leonardo Cesar Ferreira , Rodriguez Carlos Arteaga , Fustes Otto Jesus Hernández
Published: December 2021

Normal pressure hydrocephalus – NPH is one of the potentially reversible causes of dementia. In this work, we provide the clinical tools for the management of NPH to the Primary Health Care – PHC physicians. The PubMed and Cochrane databases were reviewed, and 40 articles were chosen, which include randomized clinical trials, metanalysis and systematic reviews. The symptoms of the classic triad are nonspecific and found in the elderly with other diseases. Gait apraxia is the earliest symptom, followed by cognitive impairment and urinary incontinence. The concomitance of the three symptoms occurs in about 60% of the cases in the advanced stages. Apraxia of gait is presented with short steps, without sensorial, vestibulocerebellar or muscle strength changes, which allows it to be distinguished from other pathological marches. Cognitive impairment is subcortical – psychomotor slowliness, inattention, loss of working memory and executive function and preservation of episodic memory – unlike cortical dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease. Urinary incontinence must be distinguished from overflow by prostatism and stress incontinence in women. The PHC physician, when faced with the triad, should request a CT scan or brain MRI and, in the presence of one or two symptoms, rule out other diagnoses. Patients with NPH seek help from the physician in the PHC who must know how to identify and differentiate their symptoms. In the case of suspicion, the study of neuroimaging is mandatory and referral to neurosurgery or neurology is recommended.
Book review of: Danielzyk, Rainer; Dittrich-Wesbuer, Andrea; Hilti, Nicola; Tippel, Cornelia (Hrsg.) (2020): Multilokale Lebensführungen und räumliche Entwicklung. Ein Kompendium
Authors: Schmidt-Kallert Einhard
Published: December 2021

Book Review
Gradient estimates for an orthotropic nonlinear diffusion equation
Authors: Bousquet Pierre , Brasco Lorenzo , Leone Chiara , Verde Anna
Published: December 2021

We consider a quasilinear degenerate parabolic equation driven by the orthotropic p-Laplacian. We prove that local weak solutions are locally Lipschitz continuous in the spatial variable, uniformly in time.
Receipt for the Revenue of the 1-and-2% Toll
Authors: Claytor W. Graham
Published: December 2021

Edition of a receipt belonging to the Theadelphian archive of Aphrodisios, which provides more information on the family’s liturgical posts.
Prevalence of ABCB1 3435C>T polymorphism in the Cuban population
Authors: Rodeiro Guerra Idania , Herrea Jose , Cuétara Elizabeth , Garrido Gabino , Reyes Elizabeth , Martínez Ioanna , Pérez Carlos L. , Fernández Gisselle , Hernández-Balmaseda Ivones , Delgado René , Stingl Julia C. , Berghe Wim Vanden
Published: December 2021

Objectives

ABCB1 gene polymorphisms can modify P-glycoprotein function with clinical consequences.

Methods

The 3435C>T polymorphism prevalence was analyzed using oligonucleotide probes and next-generation sequencing in 421 unrelated healthy individuals living in Cuba. Data were stratified by gender, ethnic background and residence. The genotype and allelic frequencies were determined.

Results

The genotype distribution met the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium assumption. The allelic frequency was 63.5% for the 3435C variant. The genotype frequencies were 41.1% for CC, 44.9% for CT and 14.0% for TT. The allele and genotype distributions differed between individuals living in La Habana and Santiago de Cuba (p<0.05) when ethnic background was analyzed. The allelic distribution was similar among Admixed and Black subjects, and they differed from Caucasians. The CC genotype was equally distributed among Admixed and Black subjects, and they differed from Caucasians. The TT genotype frequency differed between Caucasians and Admixed. The CT genotype was distributed differently among the three groups. Similar distribution was obtained in Brazilians, whereas some similarities were observed in African, Spanish and Chinese populations, consistent with the mixed Cuban ethnic origin.

Conclusions

This is the first report on allele and genotype frequencies of the 3435C>T polymorphism in Cuba, which may support personalized medicine programs.
Concerns About the Quality and Influence of Proxy Advisors, and Its Implications for the Preparations of the Shareholders Meeting
Authors: Verdam Albert F.
Published: December 2021

After highlighting the importance of the votes cast by institutional investors in shareholders meetings of listed companies, and the role proxy advisors play in this respect, this article turns to the points of criticism that are strongly emphasized in American literature, as well as to the state of regulation on both sides of the Atlantic, also including the stern action the SEC has been taken recently with respect to proxy advisors. On the basis of a questionnaire issued to Dutch listed companies, I shed light on the perception of listed companies of the actions of proxy advisory services. I will conclude with a few reflective remarks, also about the consequences of the growing role of proxy advisors for the preparation of the shareholders meeting dynamics surrounding the shareholders meeting.
Degradation product of curcumin restrain Salmonella typhimurium virulent protein L-asparaginase
Authors: Vimal Archana , Siddiqui Mohammad Haris , Verma Ashish , Kumar Awanish
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Salmonella typhimurium is a pathogen responsible for causing a wide range of infectious diseases. The emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) in this microbe is a big challenge. L-asparaginase (less explored drug target) is selected as a drug target because it is actively involved in the virulence mechanism. To block this virulent enzyme, curcumin that is traditionally renowned for its medicinal properties was examined. However, its pharmacological behavior and targeting property is less understood because of its poor bioavailability. Therefore, the present work explores the antimicrobial effect of both curcumin and its degradation product against the MDR pathogen.

Methods

Molecular docking studies were carried out to evaluate the inhibitory effect of curcumin and its degradation product against the L-asparaginase enzyme using Schrodinger Maestro interface tools. The Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) profile of all the test ligands was also performed.

Results

The docking score of curcumin was −5.465 kcal/mol while its degradation product curcumin glucuronide has the lowest i.e., −6.240 kcal/mol. All the test ligands showed better or comparable docking scores with respect to control (Ciprofloxacin). Arg 142 and Asn 84 amino acid residues of L-asparaginase were found to be interacting with test ligands inside the binding pocket of the target protein. ADME/toxicology study also indicated the potency of curcumin/curcumin degradation products as a potent inhibitor.

Conclusions

It was found that both curcumin and its degradation products have the potential to inhibit Salmonella. This information could be valuable for futuristic drug candidate development against this pathogen and could be a potential lead for mitigation of MDR.
Cost of providing cell-free DNA screening for Down syndrome in Finland using different strategies
Authors: Cuckle Howard , Heinonen Seppo , Anttonen Anna-Kaisa , Stefanovic Vedran
Published: December 2021

Objectives

A financial analysis is carried out to assess costs and benefits of providing cell-free DNA screening in Finland, using different strategies.

Methods

Three cell-free DNA screening strategies are considered: Primary, all women; Secondary, those with positive Combined test; and Contingent, the 10–30% with the highest Combined test risks. Three costs are estimated: additional cost for 10,000 pregnancies compared with the Combined test; ‘marginal’ cost of avoiding a Down syndrome birth which occurs in a pregnancy that would have been false-negative using the Combined test; and marginal cost of preventing the iatrogenic loss of a non-Down syndrome birth which occurs in a pregnancy that would have been false-positive.

Results

Primary cell-free DNA will require additional funds of €250,000. The marginal cost per Down syndrome birth avoided is considerably less than the lifetime medical and indirect cost; the marginal cost per unaffected iatrogenic fetal loss prevented is higher than one benefit measure but lower than another. If the ultrasound component of the Combined test is retained, as would be in Finland, the additional funds required rise to €992,000. Secondary cell-free DNA is cost-saving as is a Contingent strategy with 10% selected but whilst when 20–30% costs rise they are much less than for the Primary strategy and are cost-beneficial.

Conclusions

When considering the place of cell-free DNA screening it is important to make explicit the additional and marginal costs of different screening strategies and the associated benefits. Under most assumptions the balance is favorable for Contingent screening.
Über die Terminologie der Merkmale der übersetzten Sprache: Normen, Universalien oder Übersetzungsgesetze?
Authors: Valencia Giraldo M. Victoria , Recio Ariza María Ángeles , Corpas Pastor Gloria
Published: December 2021

There is a lack of agreement on the way general features of translational behaviour are termed, defined and operationalised. In addition, most research on this subject has mainly been focused on pinpointing and describing these features, while, apparently, disregarding the factors exerting influence on the recurrence of a specific translational behaviour. In this paper, we will intend to clarify and distinguish between the terminology used for discussing regular tendencies of translational behaviour. Furthermore, we will discuss the reasons why the concept of laws of translation may be more useful than others to describe and explain these features.
Application of Pickering emulsion in oil drilling and production
Authors: Fu Lipei , Ma Qianli , Liao Kaili , An Junnan , Bai Jinmei , He Yanfeng
Published: December 2021

When surfactant is used as emulsifier, the stability of emulsion is often greatly reduced with the influence of reservoir conditions (temperature, pressure, salinity, etc.), which shortens the validity period of emulsion. Pickering emulsion has a wide range of applications in the oil and gas field due to its advantages of good stability and easy regulation. In this article, the formation, stabilization mechanism, and influencing factors of Pickering emulsions were introduced, and the application status and prospects of Pickering emulsions in oil and gas field were summarized. It was pointed out that Pickering emulsion has many advantages and important research value when applied in deep strata and complicated reservoirs. It is expected that this article can effectively reflect the application value of Pickering emulsion in oil and gas field and promote the application of Pickering emulsion in petroleum industry.
From Natural Tendencies to Perceptual Interests and Motivation in Plato’s

Timaeus
Authors: Remes Pauliina
Published: December 2021

In the Timaeus, human bodies are treated as homeostatic systems, striving to maintain their natural state. This striving constitutes Plato’s explanatory framework for perception: perceptions come about when the equilibrium is shaken, and when it is restored. The article makes two main suggestions: first, that experienced pleasure and pain are grounded in non-experiential departures from and restorations of the natural state. Second, that the striving to maintain the natural state grounds perceptual interests, especially through conscious algesic and hedonic affection. Explanation of what humans find desirable and avoidable in their environment – what they attend to – is a complicated story that in the context of the Timaeus must include the role of human rational abilities. This article, however, only sheds light on its other, very basic aspect: the teleology involved in bodies and how it affects perceptual interests.
Trade Potential in Arab Nations: The Case of the GCC and PAFTA
Authors: Dadakas Dimitrios
Published: December 2021

We examine trade flows for Arab nations concentrating on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Pan-Arab Free Trade Area (PAFTA) areas, to identify opportunities to enhance intra-Arab trade and facilitate regional integration. We employ panel data for the years 2003–2017 and a structural gravity model together with an “aggregate” trade potential measure that treats the GCC and PAFTA areas as single countries. Results suggest that, by 2015, intra-area trade had reached maximum capacity for both blocs. Potential to trade also reached capacity with many of the largest Free Trade Areas around the world, however, opportunities for trade expansion that still exist with the MERCOSUR and ASEAN, as well as many distinct destinations, can assist in strategic planning to enhance integration efforts.
Analgesic use in adolescents with patellofemoral pain or Osgood–Schlatter Disease: a secondary cross-sectional analysis of 323 subjects
Authors: Andreucci Alessandro , Roos Ewa M. , Rasmussen Sten , Olesen Jens L. , Hölmich Per , Thorborg Kristian , Rathleff Michael Skovdal
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The prevalence of pain medication use for adolescent knee pain and factors associated with use are not well understood. This study aimed to determine the self-reported use of pain medication for knee pain and identify factors associated with use in adolescents (age 10–19) with longstanding knee symptoms.

Methods

In this exploratory cross-sectional study, we performed a secondary analysis of data previously collected in 323 adolescents with longstanding knee pain. Factors associated with pain medication use were assessed using multivariable logistic regressions. Analyses were repeated with stratification by age, sex, sport participation frequency, knee pain duration, and knee pain intensity.

Results

Among 323 adolescents (mean age 14.4 ± 2.5, 73% female), 84% had patellofemoral pain, (peri- or retro-patellar pain during loaded bending of the knee) and 16% had Osgood–Schlatter Disease (apophysitis with swelling and localized pain at the tibial tuberosity). Twenty-one percent (95% CI 16–25%) of adolescents reported pain medication use for their knee pain, with no difference in usage between those ≤ vs. > 15 years of age (21%, 95% CI 16–27% vs. 20%, 95% CI 13–29%). Adolescents with patellofemoral pain reported greater usage than their counterparts with Osgood–Schlatter Disease (22%, 95% CI 17–28% vs. 12%, 95% CI 4.5–24.3%). The most consistent factor associated with use was knee-related symptoms, observed in both the overall (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94–0.99) and stratified analyses (ORs ranged from 0.89 to 0.96).

Conclusions

Approximately one in five adolescents with longstanding knee pain reported pain medication use, particularly in adolescents with patellofemoral pain. Knee-related symptoms most consistently associated with the use of pain medications in this population. Future longitudinal studies with data collected at multiple time-points are needed to validate these findings.

Implications

Self-reported pain medication use is common in adolescents with longstanding knee pain, even though whether pharmacological therapy is the best pain management option at this young age is debatable. Reliance on pain medication at an early age could potentially hamper the development of healthy pain coping strategies and increase the risk of dependence and misuse later in life. Future studies should assess the safety, efficacy, and risks of long-term use of pain medications for adolescent knee pain.
Deserción escolar y participación en actividades de tráfico de drogas en Sonora, México
Authors: Piña Osuna Francisco Manuel
Published: December 2021

La deserción escolar, entendida como el abandono permanente de los estudios, ha sido un factor ligado a la reproducción de la delincuencia (Kessler, 2004; Reyes, 2012; Rojas, 2012). El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir la relación entre la deserción escolar y el ingreso al tráfico de drogas, considerando parte del control social del delito (Hirschi, 2003), donde el alejamiento de las estructuras sociales, como la escuela, hace más probable la trasgresión del individuo. A través de entrevistas sobre las trayectorias escolares realizadas con un grupo de 11 personas privadas de la libertad por delitos contra la salud en el estado de Sonora, los hallazgos muestran que la deserción escolar de los informantes precarizó sus condiciones laborales y económicas, donde el tráfico de drogas supuso un medio para superar el rezago económico. Se destaca la importancia de recuperar la idea de la formación escolar como mecanismo para la movilidad social. La deserción escolar, entendida como el abandono permanente de los estudios, ha sido un factor ligado a la reproducción de la delincuencia (Kessler, 2004; Reyes, 2012; Rojas, 2012). El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir la relación entre la deserción escolar y el ingreso al tráfico de drogas, considerando parte del control social del delito (Hirschi, 2003), donde el alejamiento de las estructuras sociales, como la escuela, hace más probable la trasgresión del individuo. A través de entrevistas sobre las trayectorias escolares realizadas con un grupo de 11 personas privadas de la libertad por delitos contra la salud en el estado de Sonora, los hallazgos muestran que la deserción escolar de los informantes precarizó sus condiciones laborales y económicas, donde el tráfico de drogas supuso un medio para superar el rezago económico. Se destaca la importancia de recuperar la idea de la formación escolar como mecanismo para la movilidad social.
Position-Specific Physical Workload Intensities in American Collegiate Football Training
Authors: Mamon Mark A. , Olthof Sigrid B.H. , Burns Geoffrey T. , Lepley Adam S. , Kozloff Kenneth M. , Zernicke Ronald F.
Published: December 2021

MamonJr, MA, Olthof, SBH, Burns, GT, Lepley, AS, Kozloff, KM, and Zernicke, RF. Position-specific physical workload intensities in American collegiate football training. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 420–426, 2022—Quantifying player training loads allows football coaching staff to make informed adjustments to the volume and intensity of training. Physical workload intensity in American football practices have not been extensively quantified. The current study examined physical workload intensities across positions in American collegiate football during training. Data from player tracking technology (Catapult Vector) were collected from 72 American football players (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I) during in-season practices. Players were involved in individualized skill (indy), team playbook (team), and special team (ST) drills during practice and analyzed for their specialist offensive or defensive role (e.g., linebacker or wide receiver). Player running (i.e., high-speed running and sprint) and accelerations (i.e., high-intensity PlayerLoad and high-intensity inertial movement analysis) per minute were of interest. Drill type and practice day had significant effects on all workload intensity metrics (p < 0.01), but not position. Greater running intensities were seen in ST drills compared with other drill types. Tuesday practice sessions had greater overall intensities compared with other days. Interaction effect of position and drill type was significant (p < 0.001) for all intensity metrics, indicating that position groups exhibited unique workload responses to the drill types. Drill type and practice day interaction effect was significant for all intensity metrics (p < 0.01). The findings may be informative for coaches to tailor physical workloads of practice drills for positional roles in preparation for games and practices. Player tracking technology can add value for strength and conditioning coaches to adjust training programs based on position-specific on-field demands of players.
Electrophysiological Responses to Rapidly-Presented Affective Stimuli Predict Individual Differences in Subsequent Attention
Authors: Song Ha Neul , Oh Sewon , Lee Sang Ah
Published: December 2021

We are constantly surrounded by a dynamically changing perceptual landscape that can influence our behavior even without our full conscious awareness. Emotional processing can have effects on subsequent attention, but there are mixed findings on whether it induces attentional enhancement or interference. The present study used a new multimodal approach to explain and predict such attentional effects based on individual differences in response to emotional stimuli. We briefly presented affective pictures (neutral, positive, erotic, mutilation, and horror categories) for 80 ms, immediately followed by a cued flanker task that was unrelated to the pictures. Event-related potentials (ERPs), skin conductance response (SCR), and reaction time (RT) were measured for each participant. We found that, in general, affective pictures induced higher electrophysiological responses compared with neutral pictures [P300 and late positive potential (LPP) in the erotic condition; P300, LPP, and SCR in the horror condition]. In particular, individuals who showed a strong ERP response to the pictures were impeded in the erotic condition (only P300) and facilitated in the horror condition (both P300 and LPP). Those who did not show a significant ERP or SCR response to the pictures were facilitated in the erotic condition and impeded in the horror condition. Furthermore, it was possible to classify the direction of the attentional effect from the participants’ P300, LPP, and SCR responses. These results demonstrate that underlying individual differences in emotional processing must be considered in understanding and predicting the effects of emotions on attention and cognition.
Increasing Central Serotonin with 5-hydroxytryptophan Disrupts the Inhibition of Social Gaze in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Weinberg-Wolf Hannah B. , Fagan Nick , Dal Monte Olga , Chang Steve W. C.
Published: December 2021

To competently navigate the world, individuals must flexibly balance distinct aspects of social gaze, orienting toward others and inhibiting orienting responses, depending on the context. These behaviors are often disrupted amongst patient populations treated with serotonergic drugs. However, those in the field lack a clear understanding of how the serotonergic system mediates social orienting and inhibiting behaviors. Here, we tested how increasing central concentrations of serotonin with the direct precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) would modulate the ability of rhesus macaques (both sexes) to use eye movements to flexibly orient to, or inhibit orienting to, faces. Systemic administrations of 5-HTP effectively increased central serotonin levels and impaired flexible orientation and inhibition. Critically, 5-HTP selectively impaired the ability of monkeys to inhibit orienting to face images, whereas it similarly impaired orienting to face and control images. 5-HTP also caused monkeys to perseverate on their gaze responses, making them worse at flexibly switching between orienting and inhibiting behaviors. Furthermore, the effects of 5-HTP on performance correlated with a constriction of the pupil, an increased time to initiate trials, and an increased reaction time, suggesting that the disruptive effects of 5-HTP on social gaze behaviors are likely driven by a downregulation of arousal and motivational states. Together, these findings provide causal evidence for a modulatory relationship between 5-HTP and social gaze behaviors in nonhuman primates and offer translational insights for the role of the serotonergic system in social gaze.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBehavioral changes arising from pharmacological agents that target serotonergic functions are complex and difficult to predict. Here, we examined the causal impacts of administering the direct precursor of serotonin, 5-HTP, on orienting and inhibiting social gaze in nonhuman primates. 5-HTP increased central concentrations of serotonin and selectively impaired the ability of monkeys to inhibit orienting to faces while similarly impairing the ability of monkeys to orient to face and control images. These behavioral gaze impairments were systematically associated with a downregulation of arousal and motivational states, indexed by pupil constriction, increased time to initiate trials, and increased reaction time. These findings provide a causal link between 5-HTP and social gaze behaviors in nonhuman primates and provide translational insights about serotonergic interventions.
Meeting at the crossroads
Authors: McInturff Alex , Cannon Clare E. B. , Alagona Peter S. , Pellow David N.
Published: December 2021

As global environmental changes continue to accelerate, research and practice in the field of conservation biology may be essential to help forestall precipitous declines in the earth’s ability to sustain a diversity of life. However, many conservation programs have faced scrutiny for the social injustices they create, especially within the paradigm of demarcating protected lands. Currently, a new conservation paradigm emphasizing landscapes shared by people and wildlife is emerging, and with it, an opportunity to ensure that justice for both human and beyond-human groups is given consideration. Here, we examine a practice emblematic of this new conservation paradigm, the reintroduction and recovery of large carnivore species, and draw from theories in environmental justice to detail the many forms of justice at stake in these efforts. Our analysis shows that a pluralistic application of justice is required to ensure that new conservation practices do not produce and reproduce injustices for people. In addition, we show that the success of these emerging programs in meeting their conservation goals in fact depends on meaningfully addressing a range of justice concerns. By developing this framework, we also identify domains in which environmental justice scholarship can expand its scope. To this end, we introduce the novel concept of affective environmental justice, which describes the complex role of emotions as environmental harms, as disruptors of understanding other forms of justice, and as links between logics of oppression. Our framework offers a comprehensive resource to work through in planning and implementing large carnivore reintroduction and recovery programs, and we conclude by describing the challenges and opportunities for further aligning conservation and environmental justice in research and practice.
A space view of agricultural and industrial changes during the Syrian civil war
Authors: Abeed Rimal , Clerbaux Cathy , Clarisse Lieven , Van Damme Martin , Coheur Pierre-François , Safieddine Sarah
Published: December 2021

The agricultural sector in Syria was heavily affected by the civil war that started in 2011. We investigate the war’s impact on the country’s atmospheric ammonia (NH3) from 2008 to 2019, using measurements from the infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer instrument on board the Metop satellites. We examine the changes in NH3 close to a fertilizer industry, whose activities were suspended due to conflict-related events. We also explore the effect of war-induced land use/land cover changes on agriculture-emitted ammonia in north-east Syria that has witnessed battles between different groups. The interpretation of the changes in NH3 is supported by different datasets: visible satellite imagery to assess the effect on industrial activity, reanalysis data from the European center for medium-range weather forecasts to look at the effect of meteorology (temperature, wind speed, and precipitation), and land cover and burned area products from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) to examine land use/land cover changes and fire events during the study period. We show that the NH3 columns are directly affected by the war. Periods of intense conflict are reflected in lower values over the industry reaching –17%, –47%, and –32% in 2013, 2014, and 2016, respectively, compared to the [2008–2012] average, and a decrease reaching –14% and –15% in the croplands’ area in northeast Syria during 2017 and 2018 (compared to 2011), respectively. Toward the end of the control of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, an increase in atmospheric NH3 was accompanied by an increase in croplands’ area that reached up to +35% in 2019 as compared to prewar (2011). This study shows the relevance of remote-sensing data of atmospheric composition in studying societal changes at a local and regional scale.
The Train Is Always Leaving
Authors: Gillespie Michael Boyce
Published: December 2021

Director Barry Jenkins’s body of work to date demonstrates an exquisite devotion to the art of blackness as an aesthetic and cultural practice. On the occasion of Jenkins’ latest work—the television adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s 2016 book, The Underground Railroad—Film Quarterly contributor Michael Gillespie speaks with Jenkins about his craft, his process, and his acutely cinephilic attention to black visual and expressive culture. The series poses a stunningly exacting sense of the slave narrative coupled with an ambitious charting of antebellum nineteenth-century America, at once familiar and uncanny. As visual historiography, The Underground Railroad enacts an irreconcilable challenge to the writing of history and, furthermore, to the political and aesthetic capacities of televisual seriality. Jenkins’s conception of the series resonates as a fantastical and haunting restipulation of the idea of America—and a crucial reimagining of the rendering of blackness.
Thinking about The Underground Railroad
Authors: Gillespie Michael Boyce
Published: December 2021

On the occasion of the Amazon Studios release of Barry Jenkins’s The Underground Railroad, a ten-episode adaption of Colson Whitehead’s 2016 novel, FQ board member and frequent contributor Michael Gillespie convened a roundtable with scholars whose work is deeply attentive to the art of blackness, especially regarding literature, television, and cinema. Walton M. Muyumba, Samantha N. Sheppard, and Kristen J. Warner each offers a distinct assessment of the series as critical provocation and aesthetic practice while also posing necessary and difficult questions about conceptions of history, culture, visuality, narrative form, temporality, and—not least—the media industries. Together, these scholars share their thoughts on the complications and import of the series as part of what is sure to be an ongoing consideration of its meanings and methods.
Both Authors and Authored
Authors: Tarnowski Stefan
Published: December 2021

Our Memory Belongs to Us (Rami Farah and Signe Byrge Sørensen, 2021) reunites three activists from a failed revolution—Rani, Yadan, and Odai—in a theatre in Paris in 2019, where codirector Rami Farah plays footage they’d shot themselves during the Syrian revolution. Farah’s approach is one of critical generosity, in which the activists are made to reflect on their images from the past from the perspective of the present. As explored by Stefan Tarnowski in this essay, the resulting documentary directly addresses the activists’ ability to drive political transformations and assemble publics of humanitarian concern through image circulation.