bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced diffusion by reversible binding to active polymers
Authors: Lalitha Sridhar Shankar , Dunagin Jeffrey , Koo Kanghyeon , Hough Loren , Vernerey Franck J
Published: January 2021

Cells are known to use reversible binding to active biopolymer networks to allow diffusive transport of particles in an otherwise impenetrable mesh. We here determine the motion of a particle that experiences random forces during binding and unbinding events while being constrained by attached polymers. Using Monte-Carlo simulations and a statistical mechanics model, we find that enhanced diffusion is possible with active polymers. However, this is possible only under optimum conditions that has to do with the relative length of the chains to that of the plate. For example, in systems where the plate is shorter than the chains, diffusion is maximum when many chains have the potential to bind but few remain bound at any one time. Interestingly, if the chains are shorter than the plate, we find that diffusion is maximized when more active chains remain transiently bound. The model provides insight into these findings by elucidating the mechanisms for binding-mediated diffusion in biology and design rules for macromolecular transport in transient synthetic polymers.
The genomic content and context of auxiliary metabolic genes in roseophages
Authors: Huang Xingyu , Jiao Nianzhi , Zhang Rui
Published: January 2021

Marine bacteriophages frequently possess auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) that accelerate host metabolism during phage infection. The significance of AMGs in phage infecting the ecologically important Roseobacter clade, found predominantly in marine environments, remains to be determined. Here, we analysed the distribution and genomic context of 180 AMGs, annotated into 20 types, across 50 roseophage genomes. Roseophages share seven high‐frequency AMGs (trx, grx, RNR, thyX, DCD, phoH, and mazG)， most of them involved in the nucleotide biosynthesis pathway that represent conserved intra and inter operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and share ≥97% full‐length DNA sequence similarity. Sporadic AMGs (dUTPase, lexA, degS, Que, NAPRT, AHL, pcnB, ctrA, RTX, RNR‐nrdA, RNR‐nrdE, wclP, and flgJ), present in only one or two OTUs, show high functional diversity. The roseophage AMG repertoire weakly correlates with environmental factors, while host range partially explains the sporadic AMG distribution. Locally co‐linear blocks distribution index (LDI) analysis indicated that high‐frequency roseopodovirus AMGs are restricted to particular genomic islands, possibly originating from limited historical acquisition events. Low‐frequency roseopodovirus AMGs and all roseosiphovirus AMGs have high LDI values, implying multiple historical acquisition events. In summary, roseophages have acquired a range of AMGs through horizontal gene transfer, and the forces shaping the evolution of roseophages are described.
Toward an Archival Measure of the Likelihood of Auditor–Client Management Negotiation: An Exploration of the Audit Lag Measures Conjecture*
Authors: Luo Yan , Salterio Steven E.
Published: January 2021

Salterio (2012) hypothesized that adaptations of an audit efficiency measure, audit report lag (the length of time between the financial statement year‐end date and the auditor's report date), could provide measures of underlying auditor–client management (ACM) negotiation likelihood. Salterio argued that these measures would enable archival researchers to examine issues that heretofore were the exclusive domain of experimental and field researchers. Using an audit report lag measure and a measure of abnormal audit report lag lags (the residual based on audit report lag determinants model), we show that a larger lag is associated with higher audit fees after controlling for other known determinants of audit fees. We also show that larger lags are associated with higher levels of discretionary accruals—that is, lower accrual quality. Based on our findings, we suggest that there is support for Salterio's hypothesis that audit report lags and abnormal audit report provide valid archival proxies for the differences in year‐end ACM negotiation likelihood. We suggest that this proxy will allow researchers to study issues related to published accounting numbers in light of whether negotiations are likely to have occurred in addition to providing regulators and others the means to determine what clients of audit firms are more likely to have different types of ACM relationships.
Spot size, distance and emissivity errors in field applications of infrared thermography
Authors: Playà‐Montmany Núria , Tattersall Glenn J.
Published: January 2021

Infrared thermography is increasingly emerging as an analytical approach within the thermal ecology research community, providing unique and rapid temperature information crucial to understanding how plants and animals exchange heat with their environment. What is difficult to appreciate are the numerous ways in which thermography may still yield inaccurate (i.e. deviation from the ‘correct’ value) information if certain tenets are not followed.

In this paper, we examine, demonstrate and discuss these tenets with an aim to provide methodological advice to ecologists interested in employing thermography.

We found that spot size and distance strongly influenced the surface temperature estimates of known, calibrated temperature sources, with similar results observed in maximum eye temperature measurements in wild birds. We also report on how the angle of incidence affects the apparent emissivity of various biological surfaces (fur, feather, skin, leaves), another source of uncertainty in thermography.

The variation in temperature caused by variation in distance and uncertainty in emissivity are large enough to raise flags for field applications of thermography where accuracy is necessary but control over study subjects is limited. Since accurate emissivity and distance parameters are crucial to thermography calculations, our results should serve as a framework to assist ecologists in better experimental design with respect to the use of thermography.
The feasibility of an in‐scanner smoking lapse paradigm to examine the neural correlates of lapses
Authors: Lydon‐Staley David M. , MacLean R. Ross , Falk Emily B. , Bassett Danielle S. , Wilson Stephen J.
Published: January 2021

Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult. Models of nicotine dependence posit that strength of cognitive control contributes to maintaining smoking abstinence during smoking cessation attempts. We examine the role for large‐scale functional brain systems associated with cognitive control in smoking lapse using a novel adaption of a well‐validated behavioral paradigm. We use data from 17 daily smokers (five females) after 12 h of smoking abstinence. Participants completed up to 10 sequential 5‐min functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) runs, within a single scanning session. After each run, participants decided whether to stay in the scanner in order to earn additional money or to terminate the session in order to smoke a cigarette (i.e., lapse) and forego additional monetary reward. Cox regression results indicate that decreased segregation of the default mode system from the frontoparietal system undermines the ability to resist smoking. This study demonstrates the feasibility of modifying an established behavioral model of smoking lapse behavior for use in the neuro imaging environment, and it provides initial evidence that this approach yields valuable information regarding fine‐grained, time‐varying changes in patterns of neural activity in the moments leading up to a decision to smoke. Specifically, results lend support to the hypothesis that the time‐varying interplay between large‐scale functional brain systems associated with cognitive control is implicated in smoking lapse behavior.
230Th derived glacial to Holocene sediment fluxes in the southern Arabian Sea: insights into carbonate sedimentation
Authors: Sukumaran Neethu P. , Borole Dnyandev V.
Published: January 2021

We present a record of glacial to Holocene 230Thxs normalized sediment mass fluxes for a site located on the eastern flank of the Carlsberg Ridge, Arabian Sea to evaluate carbonate burial, preservation and surface ocean changes spanning the last 38 ka. Sediment fluxes (0.81–3.70 g cm−2 ka−1) indicate dominant carbonate rain (0.44–1.83 g cm−2 ka−1), followed by 232Th‐based lithogenic flux (0.36–1.42 g cm−2 ka−1), with higher fluxes during the Holocene and the late Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and extremely low fluxes during MIS 2. Despite large variations in sediment mass fluxes, the average flux of 230Thxs scavenged over the last 38 ka remained nearly constant. In contrast, the large variations in the initial 230Thxs activity display the effect of variable dilution by the carbonate flux. Analysis of 232Th‐based lithogenic flux documents a dominant fluvial source and links its variability to changing SW monsoon precipitation in the Indus source region. Comparison of the last 38 ka carbonate flux record with the present‐day carbonate flux intercepted at the closest mooring at 3915 m depth demonstrates burial efficiency of 80 to 99% to the seabed during the Holocene and late MIS 3 and 53% for the MIS 2. Calculated carbonate preservation efficiency relative to the trapped upper ocean carbonate flux provides evidence for a productivity control of the preserved carbonate flux, which indicates high preservation during the Holocene (63±10%), and MIS 3 (77±24%) and low during MIS 2 (41±15%). Our results suggest that the eastern flank of Carlsberg Ridge experienced enhanced carbonate production during the Holocene and MIS 3 compared to MIS 2. We suggest that changing oceanographic conditions in near‐surface waters have changed the carbonate supply to the sea floor accounting for the glacial to Holocene pattern with increased supply due to the intensified SW monsoon and reduced input associated with the weakened SW monsoon.
Seasonal isotopic niche of a rodent: High between‐individual variation but no changes in individual niche width during the rich‐resource period
Authors: de Camargo Nícholas F. , Reis Guilherme G. , Camargo Anna Carla L. , Nardoto Gabriela B. , Kneitel Jamie M. , Vieira Emerson M.
Published: January 2021

The dynamics of trophic niche width in animals at both population level and individual level is potentially influenced by temporal variation of food resources, by between‐individual differences in food‐resource rank preferences, and also by competition. Using stable isotope of carbon and nitrogen (δ13C and δ15 N) of fecal samples, we investigated the trophic niche dynamics and individual variation in food‐resource use by the arboreal rat Rhipidomys macrurus, in the highly seasonal Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). We tested the hypothesis that dietary niche expansion during the rich‐resource period (wet season) occurs via individual specialization and consequently lower individual niche overlap in contrast with niche retraction during the low‐resource period (dry season) via increase in niche overlap and expansion of individual niches. The results indicated that R. macrurus is primarily frugivorous and presents a wider isotopic niche in the rich‐resource period in comparison with the low‐resource period. The increase in niche width was achieved by individual specialization (decrease in niche overlap), as expected. During the low‐resource period, however, individual niche widths were not wider than during the rich‐resource period. Additionally, individual body condition was lower in the wet season than in the dry season, suggesting higher competition in this period. We conclude that an increase in the population niche may involve only between‐individual variation and not necessarily requiring changes in individual niche width. We propose that the combination of ecological opportunity (high resource diversity) in addition to a greater competition in the warm–wet season leads to expansion of the population trophic niche width via individual specialization.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Off‐farm employment in aquaculture: A case study of New England's oyster growers
Authors: Cole Avery , Chen Xuan
Published: January 2021

Global aquaculture markets have experienced a great deal of recent success. However, growers are still highly susceptible to risks caused by seasonality, interannual variability in earnings, and environmental factors. As a result, we see growers turning to alternative sources of income, and participating in off‐farm labor. We utilize a series of zero‐inflated count models to examine the relationship between an aquaculture grower's off‐farm labor decision and relevant explanatory variables including demand‐side potency, which is often omitted in the literature. We also look to identify and analyze the importance of professional social networks among growers as a stabilizing mechanism and a way to mitigate risk to growers. This study expands upon an economic model that has traditionally been used for analyzing off‐farm labor choices within an agricultural context and applies it to an increasingly important industry, aquaculture.
Open Access and Academic Freedom: Teasing Out Some Important Nuances
Authors: Anderson Rick
Published: January 2021

Discussion of the ways in which open access (OA) and academic freedom interact is fraught for a number of reasons, not least of which is the unwillingness of some participants in the discussion to acknowledge that OA might have any implications for academic freedom at all. Thus, any treatment of such implications must begin with foundational questions. Most basic among them are: first, what do we mean by ‘open access’; second, what do we mean by ‘academic freedom’? The answers to these questions are not as obvious as one might expect (or hope), but when they are answered it becomes much easier to address a third, also very important, question: in what ways might OA and academic freedom interact? With every new OA mandate imposed by a government agency, institution of higher education, or funding organization, careful analysis of this issue becomes more urgent. This article attempts to sort out some of these issues, controversies and confusions.
Open Access, Plan S and ‘Radically Liberatory’ Forms of Academic Freedom
Authors: Moore Samuel A.
Published: January 2021

This opinion piece interrogates the position that open access policies infringe academic freedom. Through an analysis of the objections to open access policies (specifically Plan S) that draw on academic freedom as their primary concern, the article illustrates the shortcomings of foregrounding a negative conception of academic freedom that primarily seeks to protect the fortunate few in stable academic employment within wealthy countries. Although Plan S contains many regressive and undesirable elements, the article makes a case for supporting its proposal for zero‐embargo repository‐based open access as the basis for a more positive form of academic freedom for scholars around the globe. Ultimately, open access publishing only makes sense within a project that seeks to nurture this positive conception of academic freedom by transforming higher education towards something more socially just and inclusive of knowledge producers and consumers worldwide.
Development of platelet replacement therapy using human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Nakamura Sou , Sugimoto Naoshi , Eto Koji
Published: January 2021

In the body, platelets mainly work as a hemostatic agent, and the lack of platelets can cause serious bleeding. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells potentially allow for a stable supply of platelets that are independent of donors and eliminate the risk of infection. However, a major challenge in iPS cell‐based systems is producing the number of platelets required for a single transfusion (more than 200 billion in Japan). Thus, development in large‐scale culturing technology is required. In previous studies, we generated a self‐renewable, immortalized megakaryocyte cell line by transfecting iPS cell‐derived hematopoietic progenitor cells with c‐MYC, BMI1, and BCL‐XL genes. Optimization of the culture conditions, including the discovery of a novel fluid‐physical factor, turbulence, in the production of platelets in vivo, and the development of bioreactors that apply turbulence have enabled us to generate platelets of clinical quality and quantity. We have further generated platelets deleted of HLA class I expression by using genetic modification technology for patients suffering from alloimmune transfusion refractoriness, since these patients are underserved by current blood donation systems. In this review, we highlight current research and our recent work on iPS cell‐derived platelet induction.
Multiple abnormalities in permanent incisors diagnosed six years after a severe intrusive injury in the primary dentition: A case report
Authors: Chouchene Farah , Mabrouk Rihab , Masmoudi Fatma , Baaziz Ahlem , Maatouk Fethi , Ghedira Hichem
Published: January 2021

Severe intrusion injuries of primary teeth are frequently associated with serious developmental disorders. This report describes the diagnostic procedures and the multidisciplinary approach for multiple sequelae to permanent incisors due to a severe intrusive injury of the primary maxillary anterior teeth at the age of 18 months in a 7‐year‐old girl. Clinical examination revealed hypoplasia of tooth 22, and radiographic examination showed crown‐root malformation of tooth 21, impaction of tooth 11, and the presence of an odontoma‐like malformation on tooth 12. The affected tooth 12 had a poor prognosis, as highlighted by CBCT, and it was extracted. While for the impacted 11, a surgical extraction followed by an orthodontic treatment is scheduled. Aesthetic and functional problems were solved by a functional space maintainer using a removable partial denture.

The occurrence of multiple abnormalities in permanent teeth as a result of intrusive injuries in the primary dentition enhances the need for creating awareness among dentists not only of the importance of appropriate immediate management of trauma but also of the importance of establishing a long‐term follow up and subsequent management of any sequelae.
The motivation and confidence in choosing dentistry as a career amongst dental students: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Khalaf Mai E. , Abubakr Neamat H. , Alenezi Hanadi , Ziada Hassan
Published: January 2021

Objectives

An insight into students’ motivation and confidence in the choice of entering and remaining in dental education is essential. The understanding of how choices are made can help universities in the planning of admission policies. This study aimed to evaluate the career choice influences, motivation and confidence in the choices made into dental education.

Methods

A mixed‐method design was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative data. One hundred seventy‐three questionnaires were distributed to all registered dental students, with a response rate of 85%. The questionnaire explored students’ demographics and factors that influenced their career choice. Seven focus groups were facilitated with related data recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Results

The quantitative data revealed the desire to help others, and socioeconomic factors were influential, whilst for parents’ influence, the mother's influence was statistically significant. Qualitatively, results converged and complemented quantitative data; there was a balance between helping others and socioeconomic and familial influences. There was an increase in confidence in the choice made as students advanced in their dental education. The results indicate that informed awareness of the dental programme structure is essential before embarking on a dental career.

Conclusions

The factors that impacted on choice were helping others, socioeconomic factors and the influence on choice from family. They were generally satisfied with their choice and were confident in the choice they made. This confidence, however, was not reflected until the more advanced clinical stages of their dental education.
Protein synthesis as a modifiable target for autism‐related dendritic spine pathophysiologies
Authors: Lu Ming‐Hsuan , Hsueh Yi‐Ping
Published: January 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognized as a condition of altered brain connectivity. As synapses are fundamental subcellular structures for neuronal connectivity, synaptic pathophysiology has become one of central themes in autism research. Reports disagree upon whether the density of dendritic spines, namely excitatory synapses, is increased or decreased in ASD and whether the protein synthesis that is critical for dendritic spine formation and function is upregulated or downregulated. Here, we review recent evidence supporting a subgroup of ASD models with decreased dendritic spine density (hereafter ASD‐DSD), including Nf1 and Vcp mutant mice. We discuss the relevance of branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) insufficiency in relation to unmet protein synthesis demand in ASD‐DSD. In contrast to ASD‐DSD, ASD models with hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) may represent the opposite end of the disease spectrum, often characterized by increases in protein synthesis and dendritic spine density (denoted ASD‐ISD). Finally, we propose personalized dietary leucine as a strategy tailored to balancing protein synthesis demand, thereby ameliorating dendritic spine pathophysiologies and autism‐related phenotypes in susceptible patients, especially those with ASD‐DSD.
Macroecological context predicts species' responses to climate warming
Authors: Lynn Joshua S. , Klanderud Kari , Telford Richard J. , Goldberg Deborah E. , Vandvik Vigdis
Published: January 2021

Context‐dependencies in species' responses to the same climate change frustrate attempts to generalize and make predictions based on experimental and observational approaches in biodiversity science. Here, we propose predictability may be enhanced by explicitly incorporating macroecological context into analyses of species' responses to climate manipulations. We combined vascular plant species' responses to an 8‐year, 12‐site turf transplant climate change experiment set in southwestern Norway with climate niche data from the observed 151 species. We used the difference between a species' mean climate across their range and climate conditions at the transplant site (“climate differences”) to predict colonization probability, extinction probability, and change in abundance of a species at a site. In analyses across species that ignore species‐specific patterns, colonization success increased as species' distribution optima were increasingly warmer than the experimental target site. Extinction probability increased as species' distribution optima were increasingly colder than the target site. These patterns were reflected in change in abundance analyses. We found weak responses to increased precipitation in these oceanic climates. Climate differences were better predictors of species' responses to climate manipulations than range size. Interestingly, similar patterns were found when analyses focused on variation in species‐specific responses across sites. These results provide an experimental underpinning to observational studies that report thermophilization of communities and suggest that space‐for‐time substitutions may be valid for predicting species' responses to climate warming, given other conditions are accounted for (e.g., soil nutrients). Finally, we suggest that this method of putting climate change experiments into macroecological context has the potential to generalize and predict species' responses to climate manipulations globally.
Effect of family history of atrial fibrillation on recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation: A report from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study
Authors: Wu Zhuanzhuan , Jiang Chao , Li Jingye , Du Jing , Bai Yu , Guo Xueyuan , Wang Wei , Li Songnan , Jiang Chenxi , Liu Nian , Tang Ribo , Bai Rong , Sang Caihua , Long Deyong , Du Xin , Ma Changsheng , Dong Jianzeng
Published: January 2021

Background

To evaluate the impact of family history of atrial fibrillation (FAF) on postablation atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) recurrence.

Methods

All the 8198 patients undergoing initial AF ablation registered in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study were analyzed. FAF was defined as having first‐degree relatives diagnosed as AF at age 65 years or younger, and before the time the case in this study was diagnosed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the impact of FAF on postablation AT recurrence. Age, sex, body mass index, AF type, history of congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, vascular diseases, use of contact force‐sensing catheter, and completion of high school were adjusted. The definition of AT recurrence was any documented AF, atrial flutter, or AT lasting more than or equal to 30 s after 3 months blanking period.

Results

After a mean follow‐up of 26.2 ± 19.6 months, 318 out of the 645 patients (49.3%) with FAF and 3339 out of the 7553 patients (44.2%) without FAF experienced AT recurrence, corresponding to annual recurrence rates of 22.8% and 20.2%, respectively. Patients with FAF had a significant higher risk of AT recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio 1.129, 95% confidence interval 1.005–1.267) in multivariable analysis. Moreover, FAF had a significant higher impact on AT recurrence in the subgroup of patients diagnosed with AF at age 50 years or younger (p for interaction = .036).

Conclusion

FAF is a risk factor for postablation AT recurrence. This is especially true in those with AF diagnosed at 50 years or younger.
Parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor regulates osteosarcoma K7M2 Cell growth by interacting with angiotensinogen
Authors: Li Shenglong , Liu Fei , Pei Yi , Dong Yujin , Shang Yaohua
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to determine the interactions between parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor (PTHR1) and angiotensinogen (AGT) and the effects of these agents on osteosarcoma (OS). We constructed a stably transfected mouse OS K7M2 cell line (shPTHR1‐ K7M2) using shRNA and knocked down AGT in these cells using siRNA‐AGT. The transfection efficiency and expression of AGT, chemokine C‐C motif receptor 3 (CCR3), and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 9 (CCL9) were determined using real‐time quantitative PCR. Cell viability and colony formation were assessed using Cell Counting Kit‐8 and crystal violet staining, respectively. Cell apoptosis and cycle phases were assessed by flow cytometry, and cell migration and invasion were evaluated using Transwell assays. Interference with PTHR1 upregulated the expression of AGT and CCR3, and downregulated that of CCL9, which was further downregulated by AGT knockdown. Cell viability, migration, invasion and colony formation were significantly decreased, while cell apoptosis was significantly increased in shPTHR1‐K7M2, compared with those in K7M2 cells (P < .05 for all). However, AGT knockdown further inhibited cell viability after 72 h of culture but promoted cell migration and invasion. PTHR1 interference decreased and increased the numbers of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases, respectively, compared with those in K7M2 cells. Angiotensinogen knockdown increased the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase compared with that in the shPTHR1‐K7M2 cells. Therefore, PTHR1 affects cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion and colony formation, possibly by regulating AGT/CCL9 in OS cells.
Going the Extra Mile: Effort by Workers and Job‐Seekers
Authors: HERTWECK MATTHIAS S. , LEWIS VIVIEN , VILLA STEFANIA
Published: January 2021

In the search‐and‐matching model, equilibrium indeterminacy obtains when wages respond strongly to a labor market tightening, and hiring is very elastic. We introduce two types of effort into such a model. Variable labor effort gives rise to short‐run increasing returns to hours in production. This amplifies profit expectations and firms' hiring incentives expanding the indeterminacy region. Variable search effort makes workers search more intensively in a tighter labor market. The procyclical nature of the resource cost of searching stabilizes firms' inclination to hire, shrinking the indeterminacy region. Indeterminacy disappears completely when vacancy posting costs are replaced with hiring costs.
The evolution of leukaemia from pre‐leukaemic and leukaemic stem cells
Authors: Shlush L. I. , Feldman T.
Published: January 2021

Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are defined as unspecialized cells that give rise to more differentiated cells. In a similar way, leukaemic stem and progenitor cells (LSPCs) are defined as unspecialized leukaemic cells, which can give rise to more differentiated cells. Leukaemic cells carry leukaemic mutations/variants and have clear differentiation abnormalities. Pre‐leukaemic HSPCs (PreL‐HSPCs) carry pre‐leukaemic mutations/variants (pLMs) and are capable of producing mature functional cells, which will carry the same variants. Under the roof of LSPCs, one can find a broad range of cell types genetic and disease phenotypes. Present‐day knowledge suggests that this phenotypic heterogeneity is the result of interactions between the cell of origin, the genetic background and the microenvironment background. The combination of these attributes will define the LSPC phenotype, frequency, differentiation capacity and evolutionary trajectory. Importantly, as LSPCs are leukaemia‐initiating cells that sustain clinical remission and are the source of relapse, an improved understanding of LSPCs phenotype would offer better clinical opportunities for the treatment and hopefully prevention of human leukaemia. The current review will focus on LSPCs attributes in the context of human haematologic malignancies.
Redefining the study of sexual dimorphism in bats: following the odour trail
Authors: Muñoz‐Romo Mariana , Page Rachel A. , Kunz Thomas H.
Published: January 2021

Sexual dimorphism is the condition in which males and females of the same species are easily distinguished by specific traits (secondary sex characteristics), often related to body size, colour patterns, weapons, and ornaments. Males of many mammal species tend to be larger or more ornamented than females, and these characteristics tend to be more pronounced in polygynous, diurnal, and open‐habitat species.

Bats have long been considered a largely non‐sexually dimorphic group due to lack of conspicuous differences in body size and other cranial and skeletal characters. However, bats, like many mammals, exhibit a diverse array of soft‐tissue integumentary glands and non‐glandular odour‐producing structures with intense odorous substances that have not been thoroughly investigated, although postulated functions include facilitating mate selection in their generally polygynous associations.

To date, there has been no systematic assessment of the occurrence or expression of sexually dimorphic traits in bats, many of which show intriguing sexual dimorphism in soft tissue, and most of which involve intense odours. In this study, we review evidence of integumentary glands and non‐glandular odour‐producing structures known in bats, as a first step towards identifying future research pathways to study sexual dimorphism in bats.

Highly variable glands and non‐glandular odour‐producing structures have been noticed in ten different regions of the body, but are most frequently found on the head and the ventral region of the neck. They have been described in nearly 9% of bat species and in 70% of 21 extant bat families.

Our review, based on extremely scattered and unevenly detailed literature, unveils the extraordinary sexual dimorphism that has been observed in Chiroptera to date, identifying not only target body parts where sexually dimorphic traits are likely to be found, but also critical avenues for future investigation and discoveries, and stressing the importance of the timing of secondary sexual trait observations, behavioural studies, and chemical analyses.
Psychological profile and unexpected pain in oral lichen planus: A case–control multicenter SIPMO studya
Authors: Adamo Daniela , Calabria Elena , Coppola Noemi , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Giuliani Michele , Bizzoca Maria Eleonora , Azzi Lorenzo , Croveri Fabio , Colella Giuseppe , Boschetti Ciro Emiliano , Montebugnoli Lucio , Gissi Davide , Gabriele Mario , Nisi Marco , Sardella Andrea , Lodi Giovanni , Varoni Elena M. , Giudice Amerigo , Antonelli Alessandro , Cabras Marco , Gambino Alessio , Vescovi Paolo , Majorana Alessandra , Bardellini Elena , Campisi Giuseppina , Panzarella Vera , Spadari Francesco , Marino Sonia , Pentenero Monica , Ardore Marco , Biasotto Matteo , Gobbo Margherita , Guarda Nardini Luca , Romeo Umberto , Tenore Gianluca , Serpico Rosario , Lajolo Carlo , Gioco Gioele , Aria Massimo , Mignogna Michele Davide
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To analyze psychological profiles, pain, and oral symptoms in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

Materials and methods

300 patients with keratotic OLP (K‐OLP; reticular, papular, plaque‐like subtypes), 300 patients with predominant non‐keratotic OLP (nK‐OLP; erythematosus atrophic, erosive, ulcerative, bullous subtypes), and 300 controls were recruited in 15 universities. The number of oral sites involved and oral symptoms were recorded. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Total Pain Rating Index (T‐PRI), Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression and for Anxiety (HAM‐D and HAM‐A), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were administered.

Results

The OLP patients, especially the nK‐OLP, showed higher scores in the NRS, T‐PRI, HAM‐D, HAM‐A and PSQI compared with the controls (p‐value < .001**). A positive correlation between the NRS, T‐PRI, HAM‐A, HAM‐D, and PSQI was found with the number of oral symptoms and number of oral sites involved. Pain was reported in 67.3% of nK‐OLP and 49.7% of K‐OLP cases with poor correspondence between the site of lesions and the site of the symptoms.

Conclusions

Mood disorders are frequently associated with OLP with an unexpected symptomatology correlated with the number of oral symptoms and with the extension of disease suggesting a peripheral neuropathy.
Accidental intraosseous displacement of mandibular premolar root during extraction with guidance and literature review
Authors: Kamaraldin Lujain , Hussain Issar , McAnerney David
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Iatrogenic displacement of teeth during extraction is a rare complication, commonly associated with third permanent molars and their displacement into fascial spaces. We wish to raise awareness of intraosseous tooth displacement as a potential risk of routine exodontia with possible serious consequences. The prevention and management of displaced teeth are discussed. We present a rare case of apical, intraosseous displacement of a mandibular premolar root during attempted extraction; resulting in paraesthesia.

Presentation of Case

A 30‐year‐old woman was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial department with paraesthesia to the left lower lip, chin and anterior gingivae following a failed extraction of the lower left second premolar tooth (LL5) by her general dental practitioner. Intra‐oral examination showed no visible tooth at the extraction site, but an orthopantogram (OPG) and Computed Tomography (CT) mandible confirmed apical, horizontal and intraosseous displacement of the retained LL5 root which was in close proximity to the inferior dental nerve, and inferior to the LL6. Surgical intervention was required and involved raising a mucoperiosteal flap, buccal bone removal and root retrieval through the bony window. Post‐operatively, the surgical site healed uneventfully, however, there was persistent paraesthesia.

Conclusion

On literature search, this is the first reported intraosseous displacement of a mandibular premolar during dental extraction.

This case highlights the importance of safe extraction techniques. Care must be taken to ensure controlled force and correct positioning of instruments to minimise such complications.
Attitudes toward pediatric rheumatology among residency‐trained pediatricians
Authors: Chowichian Monthira , Sonjaipanich Suprapath , Charuvanij Sirirat
Published: January 2021

Background

Pediatric rheumatology (PR) is a relatively new and rare subspecialty in emerging countries. This study aimed to investigate physicians' attitudes toward and real‐life clinical practice in PR among residency‐trained pediatricians in Thailand.

Methods

An electronic questionnaire was developed and sent via email to pediatricians from Thailand who completed their residency training between 2007 and 2015. Confidence in treating and managing children with rheumatic diseases was rated using a 5‐point Likert scale.

Results

The response rate was 281 out of 902 (31%), and the mean ± standard deviation age of respondents was 33.8 ± 2.7 years. Confidence was rated as adequate for history taking of children with rheumatic diseases (mean 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.66–2.91), but low for musculoskeletal (MSK) examination (2.42, 95% CI: 2.29–2.54), arthrocentesis (2.01, 95% CI: 1.91–2.11), and rheumatology investigation (2.49, 95% CI: 2.39–2.60). Confidence was high for diagnosis and management of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (3.83, 95% CI: 3.74–3.92) and Kawasaki disease (3.46, 95% CI: 3.38–3.55), but low for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (2.41, 95% CI: 2.30–2.52) and chronic systemic vasculitis (1.97, 95% CI: 1.85–2.08). Confidence to perform an MSK examination and arthrocentesis was significantly higher in respondents who had a full‐time pediatric rheumatologist working in their pediatric residency training center (P = 0.02, P = 0.01, respectively), and in those who had experienced a PR rotation (P < 0.001, P = 0.01, respectively). Most respondents agreed that more teaching in PR is essential (95.3%) and that case‐based discussion was the preferred teaching method.

Conclusion

The self‐rated confidence of pediatricians was low in MSK examination, arthrocentesis, and rheumatology investigation and therefore, teaching on PR is needed.
Critical note on Williamson: A defence of the actualism‐possibilism debate
Authors: Curtis Benjamin L. , Noonan Harold W.
Published: January 2021

In his book Modal Logic as Metaphysics, Williamson argues that the traditional actualist‐possibilist debate should be abandoned as hopelessly unclear and that we should get on with the clearer contingentism‐necessitism debate. We think that Williamson’s pessimism is not warranted by the brief arguments he gives. In this paper, we explain why and provide a clear formulation of the traditional actualist‐possibilist debate.
Schopenhauer on Death, Salvation and Consolation☆
Authors: Papadaki Lina
Published: January 2021

For Schopenhauer, life is pain, and we are in need of a release from it. Death offers this release and should therefore be considered as a good thing, something desirable, a friend. He is well aware, however, that it is far from easy to reconcile ourselves with the idea of death. The purpose of this paper is to navigate the path towards the possibility of consolation in Schopenhauer’s philosophy. Quite remarkably, Schopenhauer is not only successful in consoling us for death; he also offers an equally important consolation for life.
Lingual necrosis leading to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis
Authors: dos Reis Leonardo Amaral , Faustino Isabel Schausltz Pereira , Vargas Pablo Agustin , dos Santos‐Silva Alan Roger , Lopes Marcio Ajudarte
Published: January 2021

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis comprising large‐ and medium‐sized arteries branches originating from the aortic arch. GCA diagnosis might be challenging due to its several clinical characteristics. This clinical report describes a case of a 91‐year‐old woman who was admitted with tongue necrosis. Medical history revealed mild headache episodes and jaw numbness. Summing up clinical and laboratory findings, the diagnosis of GCA was established. Surgical debridement and corticotherapy led to complete resolution of the tongue lesion with no need for any additional intervention. In this case report, we highlight the importance of GCA early diagnosis in order to avoid more serious complications.
Multiphysics Hemodynamic Behavior of Polylactic Acid-Based Stent: A Coupled Simulation Approach
Authors: Badal Ruturaj , Mohapatra Subham , Bhoi Chittaranjan , Sharma Nitin , Jena Shreeshan , Panda Subrata Kumar
Published: January 2021

This study investigates the structural and hemodynamic behavior of bioresorbable polylactic acid (PLA)-based stent designs for applications in treating coronary artery disease. Three stent designs were chosen and their geometry was modeled in SolidWorks and appropriate meshing was done before importing into the finite element analysis platform (ANSYS). The behavior of the stent designs was analyzed for structural loading conditions equivalent to human arterial blood pressure and similarly, the hemodynamic analysis was carried out under conditions simulating the blood flow. The stent porosity, structural stresses, wall shear stresses (WSS) and the velocity were analyzed, and the results from this multiphysics analysis show that the stresses occurring in the modified cordis stent (MCS) design present a maximum von Mises stress (273.01 MPa). Besides, the maximum WSS of 12.67 Pa is obtained from the hemodynamic flow analysis. The current findings are in the line of literature data for the possible usage of PLA as stent materials that pose a reduced risk of restenosis.
Clearance-Induced Orientation Uncertainty of Spherical Linkages
Authors: Chan Cody Leeheng , Ting Kwun-Lon
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a kinematic model to evaluate the orientation uncertainty range of spherical linkages caused by the joint clearances. Based on the concepts of imaginary clearance link, spherical N-bar rotatability laws, and the invariant link rotatability, the uncertainty of the output angle can be treated as a mobility problem. The uncertainty region of the end-effector is treated as a workspace problem for the remodeled linkage. This paper highlights the orientation error by isolating the kinematic effects of joint clearance from other error factors. The discussion is carried out through spherical four-bar linkages and five-bar linkages. Numeric examples are presented to demonstrate the uncertainty range of the output angle and the uncertainty region of the end-effector. The result shows that, in the worst case, the error of each joint clearance will be magnified in a closed-loop structure compared with linearly adding all the clearance error. This implies that from a kinematics point of view, closed-loop spherical linkages or parallel manipulators will lead to a greater deviation on the end-effector than their open-loop counterparts. Using more passive joints in the manipulator may result in bigger error possibilities.
A Quasi-Dimensional Fuel Distribution Model for a Radially Stratified Engine
Authors: Robertson Dennis , O'Donnell Patrick , Lawler Benjamin , Prucka Robert
Published: January 2021

Several combustion strategies leverage radial fuel stratification to adapt cylinder composition between the center of the chamber and the outer regions independently. Spark-assisted compression ignition (SACI) relies on careful tuning of this radial stratification to maximize the combined performance of flame propagation and auto-ignition. Established techniques for determining in-cylinder fuel stratification are computationally intensive, limiting their feasibility for control strategy development and real-time control. A fast running model for radial fuel stratification is developed for control-oriented objectives. The model consists of three submodels: spray penetration, fuel distribution along the spray axis, and postinjection mixing. The spray penetration model is adapted from fuel spray models presented in the literature. The fuel distribution and mixing submodels are validated against injection spray results from an large eddy simulation (LES) three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) reference model for three test points as a function of crank angle. The quasi-dimensional model matches the CFD results with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) for equivalence ratio of 0.08–0.11. This is a 50% reduction from the 0.16–0.20 RMSE for a model that assumes a uniform fuel distribution immediately after injection. The computation time is 230 ms on an Intel (Santa Clara, CA) Xeon E5-1620 v3 to solve each case without optimizing the code for execution speed.
Complex Fracture Depletion Model for Reserves Estimations in Shale
Authors: Mehana Mohamed , Callard Jeffrey , Kang Qinjun , Viswanathan Hari
Published: January 2021

Reserve estimation is a subject of continuous importance in the petroleum industry; controlling field development related decisions and providing valuation of corporations. Tight formations are usually completed with multistage hydraulic fractures and horizontal wellbores. However, these completion scheme results in heterogeneous fracture lengths and spacing. Consequently, some counterparts of the reservoir would experience boundary-dominated flow, while others are still experiencing an infinite-acting linear flow which creates a composite flow regime dubbed as complex fracture depletion (CFD). It is worth noting that the CFD flow regime might be preceded by a linear flow depending on the fracture complexity. We are proposing a unified model that integrates the flow regime analysis and the well performance analysis. Our model utilizes the derivative of the cumulative production with respect to the square root of produced time where the linear flow exhibits a horizontal line and the CFD exhibits an exponential straight line. Therefore, the onset of the CFD becomes the only variable for the regression analysis. Another consequence of utilizing an exponential fit of the flow derivative is a continuous reduction in the Arps’ “b” exponent from a “b” value of two during CFD. We also validated our model estimations to the estimations of Arap’s and stretch exponential production decline (SEPD) with recent production data from the Bone Spring formation, New Mexico, and major shale/tight reservoirs.
Arteriovenous malformation as a cause for acute confusion and gastrointestinal bleeding in a primigravida pregnancy
Authors: Clarke Helen , McCormack Thomas , Paul Emila , Ford Jonathan
Published: January 2021

Acute confusion in pregnancy is generally uncommon, given the relatively young and healthy population obstetricians care for. We present an unusual and rare case of acute confusion in a term pregnancy with antecedent history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. A primigravida with no medical history of note, was found to have a haemoglobin of 67 g/L at booking and was commenced on oral iron supplementation. In the third trimester, she presented with haematochezia and had several admissions, requiring 18 units of red blood cells during her pregnancy. At term, she was admitted with acute confusion and GI bleeding, and was subsequently delivered by caesarean section to facilitate ongoing investigation and management of her symptoms. She was diagnosed postnatally with an arteriovenous malformation in the jejunum which required interventional radiology and surgical management for symptom resolution. Her confusion was attributed to hyperammonaemic levels secondary to her high protein load.
Effect of dietary energy density and folic acid supplementation on white striping occurrence and growth performance of broiler chickens
Authors: Adewole Deborah I. , MacIsaac Janice , Yang Chengbo
Published: January 2021

Broilers were allocated to eight treatments consisting of two energy levels: normal (NE) and high (HE), and four folic acid (FA) levels (2.2, 5, 10, and 15 ppm). On day 42, two male and two female chickens were euthanized per pen, and white striping (WS) evaluation was performed on the pectoralis major. Birds fed HE diets had reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake and feed conversion rate than those on NE diets. With increasing FA levels, there was reduced (P < 0.05) WS score and increased (P < 0.05) normal breast fillet percentage in female chickens but not in the males. WS scores were higher (P < 0.01) in male chickens than in the females.