bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Investigating the Pain-Relieving Effect of Interferential Current on Musculoskeletal Pain
Authors: Hussein Hisham M. , Alshammari Raghad S. , Al-Barak Sultana S. , Alshammari Norah D. , Alajlan Shahad N. , Althomali Omar W.
Published: September 2021

Background

Interferential current is one of the most common electrotherapeutic modalities used in the treatment of painful conditions. Patients seeking medical help to reduce their musculoskeletal pain can be treated using interferential current.

Objective

The current review aimed to analyze the recently available information regarding the efficacy of interferential current in alleviating the pain of musculoskeletal origin.

Methods

This study used Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, and EBSCOas as data sources. The initial selection of the studies, thorough assessment of the full articles, and extraction of the necessary study characteristics were carried out by two independent reviewers. Another two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of each included trial against 39 criteria. These criteria were integrated from several popular scales. Pain intensity—measured using the visual analog scale, numeric pain rating scale, or McGill Pain Questionnaire—was the outcome of interest.

Results

This review included 35 trials of variable methodological quality from which 19 trials were selected for the meta-analysis. In general, interferential current alone versus placebo demonstrated a significant pain-relieving effect. On the other hand, interferential current showed no significant difference when added to standard treatment compared with placebo plus standard treatment or standard treatment alone. Similarly, interferential current showed no significant difference when compared with other single interventions (laser, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, cryotherapy).

Conclusions

Interferential current alone is better than placebo at discharge. However, the low number of studies raises suspicions about this conclusion. Interferential current alone or added to other interventions is not more effective than comparative treatments in relieving musculoskeletal pain.
Expansion microscopy facilitates quantitative super-resolution studies of cytoskeletal structures in kinetoplastid parasites
Authors: Gorilak Peter , Pružincová Martina , Vachova Hana , Olšinová Marie , Schmidt Cernohorska Marketa , Varga Vladimir
Published: September 2021

Expansion microscopy (ExM) has become a powerful super-resolution method in cell biology. It is a simple, yet robust approach, which does not require any instrumentation or reagents beyond those present in a standard microscopy facility. In this study, we used kinetoplastid parasites
Trypanosoma brucei
and
Leishmania major
, which possess a complex, yet well-defined microtubule-based cytoskeleton, to demonstrate that this method recapitulates faithfully morphology of structures as previously revealed by a combination of sophisticated electron microscopy (EM) approaches. Importantly, we also show that due to the rapidness of image acquisition and three-dimensional reconstruction of cellular volumes ExM is capable of complementing EM approaches by providing more quantitative data. This is demonstrated on examples of less well-appreciated microtubule structures, such as the neck microtubule of
T. brucei
or the pocket, cytosolic and multivesicular tubule-associated microtubules of
L. major
. We further demonstrate that ExM enables identifying cell types rare in a population, such as cells in mitosis and cytokinesis. Three-dimensional reconstruction of an entire volume of these cells provided details on the morphology of the mitotic spindle and the cleavage furrow. Finally, we show that established antibody markers of major cytoskeletal structures function well in ExM, which together with the ability to visualize proteins tagged with small epitope tags will facilitate studies of the kinetoplastid cytoskeleton.
Review of the exponential and Cayley map on SE(3) as relevant for Lie group integration of the generalized Poisson equation and flexible multibody systems
Authors: Müller Andreas
Published: September 2021

The exponential and Cayley maps on SE(3) are the prevailing coordinate maps used in Lie group integration schemes for rigid body and flexible body systems. Such geometric integrators are the Munthe–Kaas and generalized-
α
schemes, which involve the differential and its directional derivative of the respective coordinate map. Relevant closed form expressions, which were reported over the last two decades, are scattered in the literature, and some are reported without proof. This paper provides a reference summarizing all relevant closed-form relations along with the relevant proofs, including the right-trivialized differential of the exponential and Cayley map and their directional derivatives (resembling the Hessian). The latter gives rise to an implicit generalized-
α
scheme for rigid/flexible multibody systems in terms of the Cayley map with improved computational efficiency.
Nonlinear analytical modelling of flat and hyperbolic paraboloidal panels under shear
Authors: Lapira Luke , Wadee M. Ahmer , Gardner Leroy
Published: September 2021

The hyperbolic paraboloid (hypar) form has been widely used in long-span roof structures and is the subject of much research under out-of-plane loading. However, the behaviour of hypars under in-plane loading has been less keenly studied, and there is no suitable guidance for their design in current codes of practice. A nonlinear analytical model treating the hypar as a deliberate imperfection applied to a flat plate is presented. A Rayleigh–Ritz formulation using appropriate shape functions is developed and the resulting equations are solved using numerical continuation techniques. The results are verified with nonlinear finite-element models, showing good correlation across a range of thicknesses and degrees of initial curvature. Key modal contributions that influence the behaviour of the hypar are identified, providing insight into the nonlinear behaviour of hypars subject to in-plane shear. The main differences in behaviour between the flat plate and the hypar panel are shown to be most prevalent in the early stages of loading, where the influence of the initial geometry is at its greatest.
An exact integral-to-sum relation for products of Bessel functions
Authors: Philcox Oliver H.E. , Slepian Zachary
Published: September 2021

A useful identity relating the infinite sum of two Bessel functions to their infinite integral was discovered in Dominici
et al.
(Dominici
et al.
2012
Proc. R. Soc. A
468
, 2667–2681). Here, we extend this result to products of
N
Bessel functions, and show it can be straightforwardly proven using the Abel-Plana theorem, or the Poisson summation formula. For
N
 = 2, the proof is much simpler than that of Dominici
et al.
and significantly enlarges the range of validity.
Spatial ecology of conflicts: unravelling patterns of wildlife damage at multiple scales
Authors: Bautista Carlos , Revilla Eloy , Berezowska-Cnota Teresa , Fernández Néstor , Naves Javier , Selva Nuria
Published: September 2021

Human encroachment into natural habitats is typically followed by conflicts derived from wildlife damage to agriculture and livestock. Spatial risk modelling is a useful tool to gain the understanding of wildlife damage and mitigate conflicts. Although resource selection is a hierarchical process operating at multiple scales, risk models usually fail to address more than one scale, which can result in the misidentification of the underlying processes. Here, we addressed the multi-scale nature of wildlife damage occurrence by considering ecological and management correlates interacting from household to landscape scales. We studied brown bear (
Ursus arctos
) damage to apiaries in the North-eastern Carpathians as our model system. Using generalized additive models, we found that brown bear tendency to avoid humans and the habitat preferences of bears and beekeepers determine the risk of bear damage at multiple scales. Damage risk at fine scales increased when the broad landscape context also favoured damage. Furthermore, integrated-scale risk maps resulted in more accurate predictions than single-scale models. Our results suggest that principles of resource selection by animals can be used to understand the occurrence of damage and help mitigate conflicts in a proactive and preventive manner.
An early burst in brachiopod evolution corresponding with significant climatic shifts during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event
Authors: Congreve Curtis R. , Patzkowsky Mark E. , Wagner Peter J.
Published: September 2021

We employ modified tip-dating methods to date divergence times within the Strophomenoidea, one of the most abundant and species-rich brachiopod clades to radiate during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE), to determine if significant environmental changes at this time correlate with the diversification of the clade. Models using origination, extinction and sampling rates to estimate prior probabilities of divergence times strongly support both high rates of anatomical change per million years and rapid divergences shortly before the clade first appears in the fossil record. These divergence times indicate much higher rates of cladogenesis than are typical of brachiopods during this interval. The correspondence of high speciation rates and high anatomical disparity suggests punctuated (speciational) change drove the high frequencies of early anatomical change, which in turn suggests increased ecological opportunities rather than shifting developmental constraints account for high rates of anatomical change. The pulse of rapid evolution began coincident with cooling temperatures, the start of major oscillations in sea level and increased levels of atmospheric oxygen. Our results suggest that these factors permitted major geographical and ecological expansion of strophomenoids with intervals of geographical isolation, resulting in elevated speciation rates and corresponding elevated frequencies of punctuated change.
Mechanism of HS5-1 eRNA Regulation of Protocadherin α Cluster via R-loop Formation
Authors: Zhou Yuxiao , Xu Siyuan , Wu Qiang
Published: September 2021

Enhancers generate bidirectional noncoding enhancer RNAs that may regulate gene expression. At present, mechanisms of eRNA functions are not fully understood. Here, we report an antisense eRNA PEARL that is transcribed from the protocadherin α HS5-1 enhancer region. Through loss- and gain-of-function experiments with CRISPR/Cas9 DNA-fragment editing, CRISPRi, and CRISPRa strategies, in conjunction with ChIRP, MeDIP, and DRIP experiments, we find that PEARL regulates Pcdhα expression by forming local R-loop in situ within the HS5-1 enhancer region to promote long-distance chromatin interactions between distal enhancer and target promoters. These findings have important implications regarding mechanisms by which the HS5-1 enhancer regulates stochastic Pcdhα promoter choice in single cells in the brain.
So how to make group decisions? Arrow's impossibility theorem 70 years after
Authors: Nguyen Hung T. , Kosheleva Olga , Kreinovich Vladik
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In 1951, Kenneth Arrow proved that it is not possible to have a group decision-making procedure that satisfies reasonable requirements like fairness. From the theoretical viewpoint, this is a great result – well-deserving the Nobel Prize that was awarded to Professor Arrow. However, from the practical viewpoint, the question remains – so how should we make group decisions? A usual way to solve this problem is to provide some reasonable heuristic ideas, but the problem is that different seemingly reasonable idea often lead to different group decision – this is known, e.g. for different voting schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper we analyze this problem from the viewpoint of decision theory, the basic theory underlying all our activities – including economic ones.

Findings

We show how from the first-principles decision theory, we can extract explicit recommendations for group decision making.

Originality/value

Most of the resulting recommendations have been proposed earlier. The main novelty of this paper is that it provides a unified coherent narrative that leads from the fundamental first principles to practical recommendations.
The association of cultural and environmental factors with mental health among Asian immigrants
Authors: Kim Jaehyun , Mowen Andrew , Hickerson Benjamin , Graefe Alan , Bopp Melissa
Published: August 2021

Purpose

During exposure to new cultures, immigrants face numerous life changes and challenges, which negatively affect mental health, yet environmental supports may address these concerns. This study aims to examine how neighborhood quality, acculturation and acculturative stress are associated with immigrants’ mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 511 Asian immigrants who were born in their country of origin and immigrated to the USA. Path analysis using analysis of moment structures (version 22.0) was conducted to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results from the path analysis indicated that perceived neighborhood quality and acculturative stress had direct effects on mental health among Asian immigrants. The study also found a significant indirect pathway to mental health where more favorable perceptions of neighborhood quality were associated with higher levels of acculturation and lower levels of acculturative stress, which, in turn, resulted in better mental health.

Originality/value

The results of the study highlight the importance of improving neighborhood quality as a means by which to facilitate cultural adjustment/adaptation to US culture and thus, improve mental health among Asian immigrants. In addition, the authors suggested considering cultural origin in designing health programs and/or policies for Asian immigrants, which could promote mental health among Asian immigrants. Based on the results of the model, this study produced insightful information and suggestions on how to improve Asian immigrants’ mental health more effectively.
Multi-objective optimization of hydro-viscous flexible drive for dynamic characteristics using genetic algorithm
Authors: Cui Jianzhong , Li Hu , Zhang Dong , Xu Yawen , Xie Fangwei
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the flexible dynamic characteristics about hydro-viscous drive providing meaningful insights into the credible speed-regulating behavior during the soft-start.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive dynamic transmission model is proposed to investigate the effects of key parameters on the dynamic characteristics. To achieve a trade-off between the transmission efficiency and time proportion of hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication, a multi-objective optimization of friction pair system by genetic algorithm is presented to obtain the optimal combination of design parameters.

Findings

Decreasing the engagement pressure or the ratio of inner and outer radius, increasing the lubricating oil viscosity or the outer radius will result in the increase of time proportion of hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication, as well as the transmission efficiency and its maximum value. After optimization, main dynamic parameters including the oil film thickness, angular velocity of the driven disk, viscous torque and total torque show remarkable flexible transmission characteristics.

Originality/value

Both the dynamic transmission model and multi-objective optimization model are established to analyze the effects of main design parameters on the dynamic characteristics of hydro-viscous flexible drive.
A cost evaluation model for IoT-enabled prefabricated construction supply chain management
Authors: Zhang Wennan , Kang Kai , Zhong Ray Y.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper proposes an evaluation model for prefabricated construction to guide a supply chain with controllable costs. Prefabricated construction is prevalent due to area limitations. Nevertheless, the development is limited by budget control and identifying the factors affecting cost. The degree of close collaboration in the supply chain is closely interconnected with cost performance that includes direct and indirect factors. This paper not only quantizes these factors but also distinguishes the degree of influence of various factors.

Design/methodology/approach

System dynamics is applied to simulate and analyze the construction cost factors through Vensim software. It can also clarify the relationship between cost and other influencing factors. The input data are collected from an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled system under a Building Information Modeling (BIM) system and Hong Kong government reports.

Findings

Simulation results indicate that prefabricated construction cost is mainly influenced by government promotion degree (GPD), working pressure from on-site construction (WPOSC), prefab quality (PQ), load-bearing capacity per vehicle (LBPV) and mold quality (MQ). However, it is more sensitive toward GPD, which indicates that the government should take measures to promote this construction technology. On-site worker management is also essential for the assembly process and indirectly influences the construction cost.

Research limitations/implications

This paper quantifies indirect influential factors to clarify the specific features for prefabricated construction. The investigated factors are limited.

Practical implications

The contractor can identify all factors and classify the levels of influence to make decisions under the supply chain system boundary.

Social implications

The input data are collected from an IoT-enabled system under a BIM system and Hong Kong government reports. Thus, the relationship between construction cost influential factors can be investigated.

Originality/value

This paper quantifies indirect influencing factors and clarifies the specific features in prefabricated construction. The contractor could identify these factors to make decisions and classify the levels of influence under the supply chain system boundary.
Development of products and services in small enterprises: proposition of an artifact to discuss creative logics
Authors: De Sordi José Osvaldo , Nelson Reed Elliot , Meireles Manuel , Hashimoto Marcos
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make available an artifact that helps entrepreneurs and managers to recognize the diversity of creative logics centered on resources that are already available to the organization, presenting it as a tool to support the expansion of the product and service portfolio and as an alternative to Research and Development strategies, which are difficult to implement in the context of small businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the precepts of the Action Design Research (ADR) method, researchers and practitioners (teachers and consultants) collaborated in the development of the artifact. Successive versions of the artifact were tested in the field: in classrooms by the teachers and in small companies by the consultants.

Findings

In addition to the artifact itself, which is available on the Internet, the lessons learned from the design process of the artifact were formalized in meta-requirements and meta-designs, in accordance with the precepts of the design theory that served as the foundation of ADR. These meta-specifications facilitate the critical analysis and evolution of the proposed artifact, in addition to the conception and proposition of new artifacts for the same class of problem.

Practical implications

The dialogical nature of the ADR approach, with the development of the artifact through interactive cycles between design and use, based on the practitioners' experience of using it with the final beneficiaries, resulted in a functional artifact that is simple to use by those interested in discussing product and service innovation with small organizations. The artifact in the form of software is available to all at https://tentypescreation.com.

Originality/value

From business examples and comparisons with widespread creative tactics, such as copy and invention, eight other creative tactics centered on resources available in the organization are explored by the artifact, providing means for practitioners to discuss alternative ways for managers, entrepreneurs, and future entrepreneurs to face the challenge of product and service innovation in small businesses.
Organizational members' use of online social networks and their job satisfaction: a social cognitive perspective
Authors: Olfat Mohammad , Shokouhyar Sajjad , Ahmadi Sadra , Ghaderi Seyed Mohammad Mahdi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study utilized “social cognitive theory” to compare the impacts of organizational members' hedonic and work-related use of public social networks (SNs) and enterprise social networks (ESNs) on job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants comprised 240 employees who were able to simultaneously use SNs and ESNs in the workplace with regard to both hedonic and work-related motives. The measurement and structural models were evaluated using partial least squares structural equations modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results show that organizational members' hedonic and work-related use of public SNs enhances job satisfaction. However, the hedonic and work-related use of ESNs has negative and positive impacts on job satisfaction respectively.

Originality/value

The main theoretical contribution of this study lies in showing that employees' use of social networks does not necessarily entail detrimental or beneficial consequences and depending on different factors the outcomes are different. Following a comprehensive review of the literature, users' incentives and platforms emerged as two different factors contributing to the outcomes arising from the use of social networks in the workplace. Although a few studies have explored the impacts of organizational members' use of social networks on job satisfaction, none have done so in relation to different user incentives and platforms.
Social media overload, gender differences and knowledge withholding
Authors: Wu Dongming , Zheng Junjun
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Drawing on the stress and coping theory, conservation of resources (COR) theory and social role theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of social media overload on knowledge withholding behavior and examine the gender differences in social media overload, engendering knowledge withholding.

Design/methodology/approach

By hiring a professional online survey company, this study collected valid responses from 325 general social media users. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, bootstrapping method and multi-group analysis were used to test the proposed theoretical model.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that three types of social media overload positively affect users' knowledge withholding behavior and that emotional exhaustion significantly mediates the above relationships. The multi-group analysis demonstrates that gender differences do exist in the decision-making process of knowledge withholding; for example, females are more likely than males to become emotionally exhausted from social media overload, while males are more likely than females to engage in knowledge withholding behavior in the case of emotional exhaustion.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by examining the relationship between social media overload and knowledge withholding, verifying the mediating role of emotional exhaustion as the key mechanism linking them, and narrowing the research gap of lacking gender differences research in knowledge withholding literature.
Helping with the pressures of the past: service-user perspectives of the sensory approaches within the National High Secure Healthcare Service for Women
Authors: Wilkinson Dawn , Beryl Rachel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore service-user perspectives of sensory approaches introduced and promoted by the trauma and self-injury service within the National High Secure Healthcare Service for Women (NHSHSW) at Rampton Hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional descriptive study used a semi-structured questionnaire, which was devised for this evaluation and included both open and closed questions. The data collected were then analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Findings

The paper evaluates the current use of sensory approaches within the NHSHSW. Sensory approaches were widely used across the service, with essential oils being the most commonly used sensory approach. The use of sensory approaches can be understood according to the following three themes: independence, accessibility and self-regulation. The self-regulation theme contained three sub-themes as follows: safety-seeking, relaxation and reducing distress. The evaluation also highlighted barriers to using sensory approaches and sought service-user feedback as to how these may be overcome.

Practical implications

Participants’ feedback informed changes to practice, such as introducing sensory approaches to service-users earlier in their care pathway and increasing the accessibility of sensory items. These approaches may be of relevance to service provision in other forensic or inpatient settings.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique contribution to the current literature with its focus on using sensory approaches to ameliorate trauma symptoms, in the context of a forensic setting.
Trends in US Agricultural Policy since 2000 and Implications for the Next Twenty Years
Authors: Glauber Joseph , Smith Vince
Published: September 2021

Over the past 20 years, US agricultural policy has primarily served the interests of farm organisations whose members operate relatively large enterprises and the concerns of environmental and conservation lobbies about soil, water quality, wildlife quality and access to public lands. While maintaining the same underlying focus, over the past twenty years US agricultural policy has shifted from decoupled income support to price‐ and revenue‐based counter‐cyclical subsidy programmes, increased the coverage under a plethora of heavily subsidised agricultural insurance initiatives, and expanded the scope of conservation programmes. Further, between 2018 and 2020, there were unprecedented levels of additional spending through ad hoc measures to compensate producers for losses sustained as a result of the Trump administration’s trade wars and, more recently, losses attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. These levels of spending have been criticised as excessive relative to actual losses and likely caused the United States to violate its WTO domestic support commitments. However, US agricultural subsidy initiatives could soon involve more changes. The Biden administration wants to refocus some agricultural expenditure towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing concerns about the lack of financial support for minority groups, but probably not at the expense of funding for current programmes.
Effect of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on the Management of Acute Cholecystitis and Assessment of the Crisis Approach: A Multicenter Experience in Egypt
Authors: Fouad Mina M. B. , Rezk Samuel S. S. , Saber Arsany T. , Khalifa Ahmed , Ibraheim Peter , Ibraheim Sandy M. N.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The covid‐19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on all medical services. Acute cholecystitis is a serious condition that accounts for a considerable percentage of general surgical acute admissions. Therefore, the Royal College of Surgeons' Commissioning guidance' recommended urgent admission to secondary care and early cholecystectomy. During the first wave of hospital admissions associated with COVID‐19, most guidelines recommended conservative treatment in order to limit the admission rates and free up spaces for COVID‐19‐infected patients. However, reviews of this approach have not been widely done to assess the results and, in turn, planning our future management approach when future pressures on in‐patient admissions are inevitable.

Methods

Our study included all acute cholecystitis patients who needed surgical intervention in one Centre in the UK over three distinct periods (pre‐COVID‐19, during the first lockdown, and lockdown ease). Comparison between these groups were done regarding intraoperative and postoperative results.

Results

The conservative management led to a high rate of readmission. Moreover, delayed cholecystectomy was associated with increased operative difficulties such as extensive adhesions, intraoperative blood loss, and/or complicated gall bladder pathologies such as perforated or gangrenous gall bladder (29.9%, 16.7%, and 24.8%, respectively). The resulting postoperative complications of surgical and nonsurgical resulted in a longer hospital stay (13.5 d).

Conclusion

The crisis approach for acute cholecystitis management failed to deliver the hoped outcome. Instead, it backfired and did the exact opposite, leading to longer hospital stays and extra burden to the patient and the healthcare system.
Epidemiology of eye diseases among children with disability in rural Bangladesh: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Muhit Mohammad , Karim Tasneem , Jahan Israt , Al Imam Mahmudul Hassan , Das Manik Chandra , Khandaker Gulam
Published: September 2021

Aim

To describe the epidemiology of eye diseases among children with disability in rural Bangladesh.

Method

We established a population‐based cohort of children with disability using the key informant method. Children younger than 18 years with disability (i.e. physical, visual, hearing, speech, epilepsy) were included. We used detailed ophthalmological assessments following World Health Organization (WHO) protocols by a multidisciplinary team including an ophthalmologist, optometrist, physician, and physiotherapist. Visual impairment, blindness, and severe visual impairment (SVI) were defined by following WHO categories.

Results

Between October 2017 and February 2018, 1274 children were assessed (43.6% female; median [interquartile range] age 9y 10mo [6y –13y 7mo]). Overall, 6.5% (n=83) had blindness/SVI, and 5.6% (n=71) had visual impairment. In the group with blindness/SVI, 47% (n=39) had cortical blindness; of those, 79.5% (n=31) had cerebral palsy (CP). The other main anatomical sites of abnormalities in this group included lens (13.3%, n=11), cornea (10.8%, n=9), and optic nerve (9.6%, n=8). In the group with visual impairment, 90.1% (n=64) had refractive error. Overall, 83.1% (n=69) and 78.8% (n=56) of those with blindness/SVI and visual impairment had avoidable causes. Most children with blindness/SVI and visual impairment lacked access to education.

Interpretation

The burden of blindness/SVI/visual impairment is high among children with disability in rural Bangladesh, mostly due to avoidable causes. Overrepresentation of CP and cortical blindness in the group with blindness/SVI and refractive error in the group with visual impairment highlights the need for integration of ophthalmology assessment, eye care, and refraction services in comprehensive health care for children with disability including CP in rural Bangladesh.
Biodiversity dynamics in the Anthropocene: how human activities change equilibria of species richness
Authors: Storch David , Šímová Irena , Smyčka Jan , Bohdalková Eliška , Toszogyova Anna , Okie Jordan G.
Published: August 2021

We are living in a time of rapid environmental changes caused by anthropogenic pressures. Besides direct human exploitation of plant and animal populations and habitat transformation, biodiversity changes in the Anthropocene are affected by less trivial processes including rapid spreading of non‐native species, emergence of novel communities and modifications of ecosystem functioning due to changing nutrient cycles and climate changes. These processes are so complex that confident predictions and effective biodiversity conservation cannot be obtained without a suitable theory of biodiversity dynamics. We argue that such dynamics have particular attractors, i.e. stable equilibria, that are determined by environmental conditions. These stable equilibria set biodiversity limits, i.e. carrying capacities for biodiversity, from local to global scales. We point out the evidence of such limits at various spatiotemporal scales and show, using the new equilibrium theory of biodiversity dynamics (ETBD), how dynamics of diversity depend on non‐linear relationships between number of species, community abundance and population size‐dependent processes of species extinction and origination (speciation or colonization). We show that non‐linear effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning can lead to multiple biodiversity equilibria and tipping points. Various human activities, including species introductions, human appropriation of primary production and trophic downgrading, can change local, regional and global diversity equilibria by affecting processes that set equilibrium diversity levels. The existence of equilibrium and out‐of‐equilibrium states has important implications for conservation, restoration and reconciliation ecology. It highlights the need to more effectively and intentionally balance the historical focus on the preservation of natural habitats with management specifically directed towards the processes responsible for long‐term maintenance of biodiversity equilibria. The Anthropocene represents a unique situation in which people make decisions concerning the dynamics of the natural world, and we argue that ecological restoration requires wisely deciding which of the alternative equilibria are worth maintaining.
Evaluating restoration outcomes: trial of a community‐based monitoring protocol
Authors: Jellinek Sacha , Haslem Angela , O’Brien Tim , Bennett Andrew F.
Published: September 2021

Restoration planting is undertaken widely in rural landscapes to promote more sustainable land use, such as reforesting agricultural land, and to enhance nature conservation. Land managers and community groups have a key role in delivering these actions and can also contribute to monitoring the outcomes. Here, we describe a monitoring protocol developed to assist practitioners to assess the survival of plant species in restoration plantings and report results of a trial of the protocol from 123 monitored plots at 62 sites across Victoria. On average, 61% of plants per site (all species combined) survived and 77% of the species planted persisted after the first summer post‐planting. Rates of survival varied considerably among plant species, with differences in outcomes evident across bioregions. Overall, the survival of plantings (all species combined) was greater at sites with higher mean annual rainfall and where plants were protected by guards. Widespread adoption of monitoring will assist project managers to better understand how plants survive and grow, and to adaptively manage revegetation programmes under a changing climate. A co‐ordinated monitoring effort will require resources for on‐ground monitoring, as well as an online database for data storage, collation, analysis and reporting.
Improved healing of chronic diabetic foot wounds in a prospective randomised controlled multi‐centre clinical trial with a microvascular tissue allograft
Authors: Gould Lisa J. , Orgill Dennis P. , Armstrong David G. , Galiano Robert D. , Glat Paul M. , Zelen Charles M. , DiDomenico Lawrence A. , Carter Marissa J. , Li William W.
Published: September 2021

This study assesses the impact of a processed microvascular tissue (PMVT) allograft on wound closure and healing in a prospective, single‐blinded, multi‐centre, randomised controlled clinical trial of 100 subjects with Wagner Grade 1 and 2 chronic neuropathic diabetic foot ulcerations. In addition to standard wound care, including standardised offloading, the treatment arm received PMVT while the control arm received a collagen alginate dressing. The primary endpoint was complete wound closure at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints assessed on all subjects were percent wound area reduction, time to healing, and local neuropathy. Novel exploratory sub‐studies were conducted for wound area perfusion and changes in regional neuropathy. Weekly application of PMVT resulted in increased complete wound closure at 12 weeks (74% vs 38%;P = .0003), greater percent wound area reduction from weeks four through 12 (76% vs 24%;P = .009), decreased time to healing (54 days vs 64 days;P = .009), and improved local neuropathy (118% vs 11%;P = .028) compared with the control arm. Enhanced perfusion and improved regional neuropathy were demonstrated in the sub‐studies. In conclusion, this study demonstrated increased complete healing with PMVT and supports its use in treating non‐healing DFUs. The observed benefit of PMVT on the exploratory regional neuropathy and perfusion endpoints warrants further study.
Precision medicine in diabetes: A non‐invasive prenatal diagnostic test for the determination of fetal glucokinase mutations
Authors: Nouspikel Thierry , Blouin Jean‐Louis , Puder Jardena J , Köhler Ballan Bettina , Schwitzgebel Valerie M
Published: September 2021

Hyperglycemia caused by mutations in the glucokinase gene, GCK, is the most common form of monogenic diabetes. Prenatal diagnosis is important, as it impacts on treatment. This study reports a monogenic non‐invasive prenatal diagnostic (NIPD‐M) test on cell‐free DNA in maternal plasma using the relative haplotype dosage. In three pregnancies of two families with known maternal GCK mutations, the fetal genotype was determined unambiguously already at 12 weeks of gestation. In summary, proof is provided of the feasibility for NIPD‐M in GCK diabetes.
Epibiosis in sedimentary coastal environments: Effects of an introduced barnacle on a native mussel
Authors: Burgueño Sandoval Giuliana Marianela , Narvarte Maite Andrea , Firstater Fausto Nahuel
Published: August 2021

In the mobile sedimentary environment of San Antonio Bay (northern Patagonia), where hard substrate is scarce, the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii dominates the intertidal zone, there being covered by the introduced epibiotic barnacle Balanus glandula. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and the recruitment of B. glandula on different non‐living substrates (cobbles, biogenic debris) and on live‐mussel shells and to assess the effect of the epibiotic interaction on the condition index and the attachment strength of B. rodriguezii. Field samplings revealed that adult barnacles mainly fouled live mussels, with the main differences in biomass being between the high and mid‐intertidal. These differences in barnacle biomass between heights and substrates were greater in spring and autumn than in winter and summer. To assess the recruitment of barnacles, we performed a field experiment manipulating living and non‐living substrates. We found no differences in the density of barnacles recruitment; thus, the barnacle distribution on different substrates throughout the intertidal would vary solely according to the settling substrates available. The relationship between epibiosis and the condition index exhibited no pattern. Furthermore, the experimental manipulation of epibiosis (i.e., removing epibionts or adding epibionts mimics) did not affect the condition of the mussels. Finally, the attachment strength of mussels with epibionts was up to fivefold greater than that of clean mussels. In a system with high tidal hydrodynamic energy, epibiosis is thus seen to stimulate a greater byssal production in mussels for the prevention of detachment.
Hook‐basal‐body assembly state dictates substrate specificity of the flagellar type‐III secretion system
Authors: Guse Alina , Halte Manuel , Hüsing Svenja , Erhardt Marc
Published: September 2021

The assembly of the bacterial flagellum is orchestrated by the secretion of distinct early and late secretion substrates via the flagellar‐specific type‐III secretion system (fT3SS). However, how the fT3SS is able to distinguish between the different (early and late) substrate classes during flagellar assembly remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the substrate selectivity and specificity of the fT3SS of Salmonella enterica at different assembly stages. For this, we developed an experimental setup that allowed us to synchronize hook‐basal‐body assembly and to monitor early and late substrate secretion of fT3SSs operating in either early or late secretion mode, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the fT3SS features a remarkable specificity for only the substrates required at the respective assembly stage. No crosstalk of substrates was observed for fT3SSs operating in the opposing secretion mode. We further found that a substantial fraction of fT3SS surprisingly remained in early secretion mode. Our results thus suggest that the secretion substrate specificity switch of the fT3SS is unidirectional and irreversible. The developed secretion substrate reporter system further provides a platform for future investigations of the underlying molecular mechanisms of the elusive substrate recognition of the T3SS.
Trivalvaria tomentosa (Annonaceae), a new species from Southeast Yunnan, China
Authors: Xue Bine , Li Jian‐Wu , Liao Jun‐Jie , Mo Ming‐Zhong , Tan Yun‐Hong , Chen You‐Sheng
Published: September 2021

Trivalvaria tomentosa sp. nov. is herein described from Yunnan Province in China. It is easily distinguished from all previously described Trivalvaria species by having tomentose twigs, petioles, abaxial surface of the leaves, sepals and petals. A detailed description for the new species, along with line drawings, photographs, as well as morphological comparisons with similar species, are provided. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to confirm the placement of this new species within Trivalvaria.
Amorphophallus minimus (Araceae), a new species from the montane forest of Nueva Ecija, Luzon island, Philippines
Authors: Bustamante Rene Alfred Anton , Claudel Cyrille , Altomonte John Charles A. , Udasco Leonardo C. , Tamayo Maverick N.
Published: September 2021

Amorphophallus minimus (Araceae) is herein described and illustrated as a new species from the montane forest of Nueva Ecija, Luzon island, Philippines. A. minimus has an overall resemblance to Amorphophallus palawanensis Bogner and Hett., however, it is easily distinguished by having a club‐shaped and colliculate appendix that is contiguous with the male zone, oblate stamens (2 per flower), presence of leaf bulbils, and its overall small dimensions. Amorphophallus minimus is currently the only species in the Philippines found to inhabit a montane forest ecosystem.
Phenotypic plasticity of melanocytes derived from human adult skin
Authors: Vidács Dániel László , Veréb Zoltán , Bozó Renáta , Flink Lili Borbála , Polyánka Hilda , Németh István Balázs , Póliska Szilárd , Papp Benjamin Tamás , Manczinger Máté , Gáspár Róbert , Mirdamadi Seyedmohsen , Kemény Lajos , Bata‐Csörgő Zsuzsanna
Published: September 2021

We previously described a novel in vitro culture technique for dedifferentiated human adult skin melanocytes. Melanocytes cultured in a defined, cholera toxin and PMA free medium became bipolar, unpigmented, and highly proliferative. Furthermore, TRP‐1 and c‐Kit expression disappeared and EGFR receptor and nestin expression were induced in the cells. Here, we further characterized the phenotype of these dedifferentiated cells and by comparing them to mature pigmented melanocytes we detected crucial steps in their phenotype change. Our data suggest that normal adult melanocytes easily dedifferentiate into pluripotent stem cells given the right environment. This dedifferentiation process described here for normal melanocyte is very similar to what has been described for melanoma cells, indicating that phenotype switching driven by environmental factors is a general characteristic of melanocytes that can occur independent of malignant transformation.
Physical fitness and activities of daily living in primary ciliary dyskinesia: A retrospective study
Authors: Sonbahar‐Ulu Hazal , Cakmak Aslihan , Inal‐Ince Deniz , Vardar‐Yagli Naciye , Yatar Ilker , Calik‐Kutukcu Ebru , Saglam Melda , Tekerlek Haluk , Bozdemir‐Ozel Cemile , Arikan Hulya , Emiralioglu Nagehan , Ozcelik Ugur
Published: August 2021

Background

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare, hereditary, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to compare pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, physical fitness, and activities of daily living (ADLs) retrospectively between patients with PCD and healthy controls.

Methods

Data from 20 patients with PCD and 20 matched, healthy counterparts recorded between July 2015 and January 2017 were analyzed. The data evaluated and recorded included pulmonary function using a portable spirometer, respiratory muscle strength (using a mouth pressure device, exercise capacity using the incremental shuttle walk test,), physical fitness (using the Munich Fitness Test), and ADLs (using the Glittre ADL test).

Results

Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, incremental shuttle walk test scores (all parameters), and total Munich Fitness Test scores were lower in the PCD group relative to controls (P < 0.05). The duration to complete the Glittre ADL test was higher in PCD patients than in healthy subjects (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, physical fitness, and ADL were affected by PCD. Thus, pulmonary rehabilitation regimens should be tailored according to these impacts.
Smithian sympathy and the emergence of norms
Authors: Hankins Keith , Thrasher John
Published: August 2021

Adam Smith's impartial spectator and David Hume's general point of view have much in common, as do their moral theories more generally. However, this paper argues that a distinctive feature of Smith's theory—the pleasure of mutual sympathy—allows Smith to better explain a number of important features of norms. In particular, it provides Smith with a more plausible mechanism for explaining how norms emerge, and offers him a richer set of resources for explaining both why we are attracted to norms and why norms are often characterized by local similarity and global diversity. Rather than merely being a matter of historical interest, though, this paper argues that this aspect of Smith's theory warrants attention from contemporary social scientists interested in the nature of norms, as well as from philosophers interested in how we might look to our sentiments to ground our normative practices.
Notes on rehabilitating “magic” in the study of early Christian literature
Authors: Patel Shaily Shashikant
Published: September 2021

This article offers an introduction to the study of magic in early Christian literature. In the first part of the article, I discuss the types of evidence scholars of early Christian texts often use to “reconstruct” ancient magic, as well as the methodological problems associated with these scholarly reconstructions. In the second part, I argue for the rehabilitating “magic” as a critical category in the study of early Christian literature despite the problems outlined throughout this article. Ultimately, I claim that the modern conceptual baggage associated with magic has resistive potential in undermining dominant historiographical narratives of how Christianity developed as something wholly distinct from magic.