bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Political Economy of Land and Reparations: The Case of Reparations for African Americans in the 21st Century
Authors: Assensoh A.B. , Alex‐Assensoh Yvette M.
Published: June 2021

The global interest in research on the political economy of reparations has been rekindled by recent developments in the United States of America, but much of this renewed investigation is misinformed, distorted, or limited to recycling what is already known. Recent work by Darity and Mullen is an exception. They have contributed eloquently to age‐old debates on reparations for emancipated enslaved Africans. This essay examines their work in the context of historical movements against economic apartheid in the United States, its origins, and how it can be overcome. The focus of this essay is on how reparations should be considered as a response to the entire history of racism‐cum‐discrimination, which has consistently blocked economic opportunities for African Americans. Reparations , if adhered to, will either directly or indirectly modify the economic injustices that continue to face African Americans in their adopted nation (America). Central to any new case for reparations is the power of land, which offers to breathe new life into the broken, old promise of “forty acres and a mule” as a means of addressing long‐term social stratification in modern America.
Revisiting the effects of demographic dynamics on economic growth in Asia: a panel vector‐autoregressive approach with a saving channel
Authors: Taguchi Hiroyuki , Lar Ni , Ky Sereyvuth
Published: June 2021

This paper examines the effects of demographic dynamics on economic growth, with a focus on the working‐age population and the saving rate in 17 Asian economies for the past and future periods of 1970–2018 and 2018–2050, respectively. The study applies a panel vector‐autoregressive model, given the endogenous interactions among the variables. The main findings are as follows: first, the direct channel to economic growth is from the working‐age population share and the indirect channel is through the saving rate; second, there is a feedback effect from economic growth to the saving rate; third, the contribution ratio of the population‐bonus effect to economic growth for the 1970–2018 period was approximately 30 per cent on average, which was consistent with the ratios found in previous studies; and fourth, in the projections for 2018–2050, the magnitudes of the ‘population‐onus’ effect in selected economies are very large (minus 1 or 2 per cent)—even greater than found in previous studies—which was due to the earlier onset of the ‘population onus’ with aging.
The pre‐ and postoperative neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratios: The comparison of laparoscopy and laparotomy in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Hosseini Seyed V. , Maleknejad Abdulbaset , Salem Safa A. , Pourahmad Saeedeh , Zabangirfard Zahra , Zamani Mozhdeh
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The management of inflammation after colorectal surgery is important to decrease the susceptibility to postoperative complications. Platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the peripheral blood are known as two important inflammatory markers. In this study we evaluated and compared colorectal laparoscopy and laparotomy based on the PLR and NLR.

Methods

Totally, 76 patients were divided into two groups including patients who underwent laparoscopy (45 cases) or laparotomy (31 cases). The PLR and NLR were calculated based on cell blood count analysis of preoperative and postoperative day (POD) one and three in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22.

Results

The PLR and NLR have no significant association with age, gender and tumor site (p > 0.05). However, both ratios were significantly increased in laparotomy patients at POD1 compared with the laparoscopy patients (p < 0.05). According to the two by two comparisons, the preoperative and postoperative PLR were significantly different in the laparotomy group (p < 0.05) but not in the laparoscopy group (p > 0.05). However, the preoperative and postoperative NLR were significantly different in both laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The NLR and PLR markers indicated that laparoscopy can be a better choice for colorectal surgery due to lower induction of inflammation compared with laparotomy.
The transcription factor RUNX2 fuels YAP1 signaling and gastric cancer tumorigenesis
Authors: Guo Zhengjun , Zhou Kai , Wang Qiang , Huang Yusheng , Ji Jia , Peng Yuan , Zhang Xiaoyue , Zheng Taihao , Zhang Zhen , Chong Daochen , Yang Zhenzhou
Published: June 2021

Despite considerable efforts in the detection and treatment of gastric cancer (GC), the underlying mechanism of the progression of GC remains unknown. Our previous work has demonstrated the remarkable role of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), in fueling the invasion and metastasis of GC. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of RUNX2 in tumorigenesis of GC. We assessed Runx2 expression and its clinical significance via bioinformatic analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Roles for Runx2 in self‐renewal and tumorigenesis were examined in vitro and in vivo. Further bioinformatic analysis was applied to study the mechanism of GC progression. We found that Runx2 was highly expressed in the early stage of GC and positively correlated with a poor clinical outcome of patients. Runx2 was also significantly correlated with clinicopathological features, such as Hp infection, new neoplastic events, primary therapeutic outcome, ethnicity, race, and tumor stage. Multivariate analysis revealed that together with Runx2, age, cancer status, M stage, and T stage were independent prognostic factors for the outcome of GC patients. RUNX2 overexpression induced increased anchorage‐independent colony formation, sphere formation, and tumorigenesis in GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, bioinformatic analysis indicated that yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) might be a downstream target of RUNX2. Specific knockdown of YAP1 reduced the tumor‐initiating ability of GC cells induced by ectopic Runx2 expression. Our findings support the hypothesis that RUNX2 exerts oncogenic properties via YAP1 regulation, highlighting essential roles for RUNX2 and YAP1 in gastric carcinogenesis and suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
The impact of autologous concentrated growth factors on the alveolar ridge preservation after posterior tooth extraction: A prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ma Feifei , Lin Ye , Sun Feng , Jiang Xi , Wei Tai
Published: June 2021

Background

Alveolar ridge preservation can effectively decrease alveolar ridge resorption following tooth extraction, but it can be limited by reducing new bone formation and residual bone graft material. Efforts to develop more efficacious approaches are thus an area of active research.

Purpose

To assess the impact of autologous concentrated growth factors (CGF) on alveolar ridge absorption and osteogenesis following posterior tooth extraction.

Materials and methods

Fifty patients were randomly assigned to have extraction sockets treated with CGF or no treatment. At 10 days, 1 month, and 3 months postextraction, soft tissue color and texture were examined and evaluated with healing score. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were performed before and 3 months after extraction, while radiographic analyses were used to assess vertical and horizontal bone changes. Bone samples were collected from the extraction sockets during implant placement, and micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) scans and histological analysis were performed to evaluate new bone formation. t‐Test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare data and the level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 for all analyses.

Results

Forty‐six patients completed the trial. Sockets in the experimental group exhibited significantly better healing score on Day 10 postextraction relative to the control group, whereas comparable healing was observed in both groups at 1 and 3 months postextraction. Experimental group exhibited reduced vertical bone changes relative to the control (p < 0.05). Significant reductions were observed in ridge width changes at 1 and 2 mm apical to the crest (p < 0.05), although differences at 3 and 5 mm apical to the crest were not significant. Significant differences of bone mineral density (BMD) and microarchitecture of trabecular bone were observed via micro‐CT analyses, and the experimental group had better results.

Conclusion

CGF application following posterior tooth extraction may reduce vertical and horizontal bone resorption and promote new bone formation.
Long‐term outcome and quality of life after continent ileostomy for ulcerative colitis: A systematic review
Authors: Deputy Mohammed , Worley Guy , Patel Komal , Fletcher Jordan , Hart Ailsa , Block Mattias , Øresland Tom , Myrelid Pär , Faiz Omar
Published: June 2021

Aim

The continent ileostomy allows evacuation of an ileal reservoir at a time convenient to the patient. It is a surgical option for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) when a restorative option is not suitable or has not succeeded and the patient does not want a conventional end ileostomy. Continent ileostomy types include the Kock pouch, Barnett continent intestinal reservoir and T‐pouch. All of the published evidence on the long‐term outcome and quality of life after continent ileostomy for UC was systematically reviewed.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies published between 1990 and 2020 were included. A descriptive synthesis was used due to the clinical heterogeneity.

Results

The search returned 1655 abstracts and after screening of abstracts and full text review, 19 were included in the final review, involving 1602 patients. Operative mortality is low (0%–3.6%) after all types of continent ileostomy but reoperation rates are high (20.8%–65%) because of valve mechanism failures. Rates of fistulae (0%–25.5%) and stomal stenosis (0%–25%) can be relatively high postoperatively. Quality of life scores improve for most patients undergoing continent ileostomy, especially for patients converted from ileal pouch anal anastomosis. Overall, continent ileostomy retention is high in the long‐term.

Discussion

In the long‐term, patients report high satisfaction and a good quality of life with continent ileostomy, despite high reoperation rates and complications. Newer technologies may reinvigorate interest in the continent ileostomy for this population.
History of depression is associated with worsened postoperative outcomes following colectomy
Authors: Zhang George Q. , Canner Joseph K. , Prince Elizabeth J. , Stem Miloslawa , Taylor James P. , Efron Jonathan E. , Atallah Chady , Safar Bashar
Published: June 2021

Aim

Depression is a prevalent disorder that is associated with adverse health outcomes, but an understanding of its effect in colorectal surgery remains limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of history of depression among patients undergoing colectomy.

Method

United States patients from Marketscan (2010–2017) who underwent colectomy were included and stratified by whether they had a history of depression within the past year, defined as (1) a diagnosis of depression during the index admission, (2) a diagnosis of depression during any inpatient or (3) outpatient admission within the year, and/or (4) a pharmacy claim for an antidepressant within the year. The primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and inpatient hospital charge. Secondary outcomes included in‐hospital mortality and postoperative complications. Logistic, negative binomial, and quantile regressions were performed.

Results

Among 88 981 patients, 21 878 (24.6%) had a history of depression. Compared to those without, patients with a history of depression had significantly longer LOS (IRR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.05, 1.07]), increased inpatient charge (β = 467, 95% CI [167, 767]), and increased odds of in‐hospital mortality (OR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.08, 1.73]) after adjustment. History of depression was also independently associated with increased odds of respiratory complication, pneumonia, and delirium (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

History of depression was prevalent among individuals undergoing colectomy, and associated with greater mortality and inpatient charge, longer LOS, and higher odds of postoperative complication. These findings highlight the impact of depression in colorectal surgery patients and suggest that proper identification and treatment may reduce postoperative morbidity.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis occurring after liver transplantation: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: Chesner Jaclyn , Schiano Thomas D. , Fiel M. Isabel , Crismale James F.
Published: June 2021

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life‐threatening disease characterized by excessive inflammation and tissue destruction due to a dysregulated immune response. Its secondary form is most commonly triggered by viral infection or malignancy. There have previously been 11 cases of acquired HLH described following liver transplantation in adult transplant recipients, most occurring within the first year following transplantation. Herein, we describe two cases of HLH in liver transplant recipients that both occurred remotely following transplantation. In the first case, HLH was thought to be triggered by the development of a post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in a patient who was initially diagnosed with recurrent autoimmune hepatitis. In the second, it was thought to be triggered by a newly acquired human herpesvirus‐8 infection. In both cases, the syndrome was not recognized until treatment for the initial putative diagnoses was unsuccessful. Despite treatment, both patients unfortunately died from multiorgan failure. HLH in the post‐liver transplant setting is likely under‐recognized and has a high mortality; early diagnosis and intervention may lead to improved outcomes.
Climate, diseases, and the origins of corruption
Authors: Vu Trung V.
Published: June 2021

It has been commonly observed that tropical countries tend to suffer from intense corruption and underdevelopment. This study provides an explanation for this long‐standing disparity across the world based on variation in the intensity of ultraviolet radiation (UV‐R). The central hypothesis is that UV‐R is positively associated with the (historical) prevalence of eye diseases, which significantly shortens work‐life expectancy as a skilled worker. This helps shape the worldwide distribution of corruption by affecting the incumbents' window of opportunity. Using data for up to 139 countries, I consistently find empirical support for the positive relationship between UV‐R and corruption. The main findings withstand accounting for numerous alternative explanations for international differences in corruption levels. Employing individual‐level data from the World Values Survey, I document suggestive evidence that exposure to UV‐R is linked to surveyed respondents' tolerance towards corrupt activities. Furthermore, a subnational analysis for China lends credence to the cross‐country evidence.
Pesticides do not significantly reduce arthropod pest densities in the presence of natural enemies
Authors: Janssen Arne , van Rijn Paul C. J.
Published: June 2021

Chemical pesticides remain the main agents for control of arthropod crop pests despite increased concern for their side effects. Although chemical pesticide applications generally result in short‐term decreases of pest densities, densities can subsequently resurge to higher levels than before. Thus, pesticide effects on pest densities beyond a single pest generation may vary, but they have not been reviewed in a systematic manner. Using mathematical predator–prey models, we show that pest resurgence is expected when effective natural enemies are present, even when they are less sensitive to pesticides than the pest. Model simulations over multiple pest generations predict that pest resurgence due to pesticide applications will increase average pest densities throughout a growing season when effective natural enemies are present. We tested this prediction with a meta‐analysis of published data of field experiments that compared effects of chemical control of arthropod plant pests in the presence and absence of natural enemies. This largely confirmed our prediction: overall, pesticide applications did not reduce pest densities significantly when natural enemies were present, which concerned the vast majority of cases. We also show that long‐term pesticide effectiveness is underreported and suggest that pest control by natural enemies deserves more attention.
Occult primary white matter impairment in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Wang Ling , Ding Hao , Chen Bihong T. , Fan Ke , Tian Qin , Long Miaomiao , Liang Meng , Shi Dapeng , Yu Chunshui , Qin Wen
Published: June 2021

Background and purpose

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a disease maternally inherited from mitochondria that predominantly impairs the retinal ganglion cells and their axons. To identify whether occult brain white matter (WM) impairment is involved, a voxel‐based analysis (VBA) of diffusion metrics was carried out in LHON patients with normal‐appearing brain parenchyma.

Methods

Fifty‐four symptomatic LHON patients (including 22 acute LHON with vision loss for ≤12 months, and 32 chronic LHON) without any visible brain lesions and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. VBA was applied to quantify the WM microstructural changes of LHON patients. Finally, the associations of the severity of WM impairment with disease duration and ophthalmologic deficits were assessed.

Results

Compared with the HCs, the average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was significantly reduced in patients with chronic LHON, whereas it was increased in patients with acute LHON (p < 0.05, corrected). VBA identified significantly decreased fractional anisotropy widely in WM in both the acute and chronic LHON patients, including the left anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus, and bilateral corticospinal tract, dentate nuclei, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, forceps major, and optic radiation (OR; p < 0.05, corrected). The integrity of most WM structures (except for the OR) was correlated with neither disease duration nor RNFL thickness (p > 0.05, corrected).

Conclusions

Occult primary impairment of widespread brain WM is present in LHON patients. The coexisting primary and secondary WM impairment may jointly contribute to the pathological process of LHON.
First circumpolar assessment of Arctic freshwater phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity: Spatial patterns and environmental factors
Authors: Schartau Ann Kristin , Mariash Heather L. , Christoffersen Kirsten S. , Bogan Daniel , Dubovskaya Olga P. , Fefilova Elena B. , Hayden Brian , Ingvason Haraldur R. , Ivanova Elena A. , Kononova Olga N. , Kravchuk Elena S. , Lento Jennifer , Majaneva Markus , Novichkova Anna A. , Rautio Milla , R__hland Kathleen M. , Shaftel Rebecca , Smol John P. , Vrede Tobias , Kahilainen Kimmo K.
Published: June 2021

Arctic freshwaters are facing multiple environmental pressures, including rapid climate change and increasing land___use activities. Freshwater plankton assemblages are expected to reflect the effects of these stressors through shifts in species distributions and changes to biodiversity. These changes may occur rapidly due to the short generation times and high dispersal capabilities of both phyto___ and zooplankton.

Spatial patterns and contemporary trends in plankton diversity throughout the circumpolar region were assessed using data from more than 300 lakes in the U.S.A. (Alaska), Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to assess spatial patterns of plankton diversity focusing on pelagic communities; (2) to assess dominant component of __ diversity (turnover or nestedness); (3) to identify which environmental factors best explain diversity; and (4) to provide recommendations for future monitoring and assessment of freshwater plankton communities across the Arctic region.

Phytoplankton and crustacean zooplankton diversity varied substantially across the Arctic and was positively related to summer air temperature. However, for zooplankton, the positive correlation between summer temperature and species numbers decreased with increasing latitude. Taxonomic richness was lower in the high Arctic compared to the sub___ and low Arctic for zooplankton but this pattern was less clear for phytoplankton. Fennoscandia and inland regions of Russia represented hotspots for, respectively, phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity, whereas isolated regions had lower taxonomic richness. Ecoregions with high __ diversity generally also had high __ diversity, and turnover was the most important component of __ diversity in all ecoregions.

For both phytoplankton and zooplankton, climatic variables were the most important environmental factors influencing diversity patterns, consistent with previous studies that examined shorter temperature gradients. However, barriers to dispersal may have also played a role in limiting diversity on islands. A better understanding of how diversity patterns are determined by colonisation history, environmental variables, and biotic interactions requires more monitoring data with locations dispersed evenly across the circumpolar Arctic. Furthermore, the importance of turnover in regional diversity patterns indicates that more extensive sampling is required to fully characterise the species pool of Arctic lakes.
Pervasive low‐frequency vocal modulation during territorial contests in Eurasian Scops Owls (Otus scops)
Authors: Grieco Fabrizio
Published: June 2021

In several animal species, including birds, individuals are known to produce low‐frequency vocalizations during aggressive interactions with conspecifics. In this study, I investigated territorial interactions between male Eurasian Scops Owls Otus scops that occupied territories in a densely packed area. The single‐note hoot of the Scops Owl is generally thought to be highly repeatable; however, extensive recording of male–male interactions identified previously unrecognized variation in the structure of hoots. Male Scops Owls gave hoots at a frequency lower than usual when engaging in short‐distance contests with neighbouring males. Within‐subject analysis revealed that the caller’s average hoot frequency was positively correlated with the distance from its rival. During contests, males gradually reduced their hoot frequency as they approached one another, perhaps reflecting changes in the degree of escalation. Furthermore, there is evidence that male Scops Owls have voluntary control of their hoot frequency also on a very short time scale. Males gave deeper hoots immediately after the rival initiated countersinging, and returned to their usual frequency range at the end of the interaction. This study confirms in part the findings of other authors’ experimental work, where male owls adjusted their vocal frequency when challenged by an opponent. However, that study suggested that vocal frequency would encode information about the caller’s bodyweight. In contrast, the results of the present study cannot exclude the hypothesis that the hoot of the Scops Owl is a variable, conventional signal that reflects the willingness to escalate the conflict. The reliability of the signal could be maintained by the risk of retaliation by the opponent, usually located a few metres from the caller.
The alternative serotonin transporter promoter P2 impacts gene function in females with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Mohr Sandra , Fritz Nikola , Hammer Christian , Martínez Cristina , Berens Sabrina , Schmitteckert Stefanie , Wahl Verena , Schmidt Malin , Houghton Lesley A. , Goebel‐Stengel Miriam , Kabisch Maria , Götze Dorothea , Milovač Irina , D’Amato Mauro , Zheng Tenghao , Röth Ralph , Mönnikes Hubert , Engel Felicitas , Gauss Annika , Tesarz Jonas , Raithel Martin , Andresen Viola , Frieling Thomas , Keller Jutta , Pehl Christian , Stein‐Thöringer Christoph , Clarke Gerard , Kennedy Paul J. , Cryan John F. , Dinan Timothy G. , Quigley Eamonn M. M. , Spiller Robin , Beltrán Caroll , Madrid Ana María , Torres Verónica , Pérez de Arce Edith , Herzog Wolfgang , Mayer Emeran A. , Sayuk Gregory , Gazouli Maria , Karamanolis George , Kapur‐Pojskič Lejla , Bustamante Mariona , Rabionet Raquel , Estivil Xavier , Franke André , Lieb Wolfgang , Boeckxstaens Guy , Wouters Mira M. , Simrén Magnus , Rappold Gudrun A. , Vicario Maria , Santos Javier , Schaefert Rainer , Lorenzo‐Bermejo Justo , Niesler Beate
Published: June 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut‐brain disorder in which symptoms are shaped by serotonin acting centrally and peripherally. The serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 has been implicated in IBS pathophysiology, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. We sequenced the alternative P2 promoter driving intestinal SLC6A4 expression and identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were associated with IBS in a discovery sample. Identified SNPs built different haplotypes, and the tagging SNP rs2020938 seems to associate with constipation‐predominant IBS (IBS‐C) in females. rs2020938 validation was performed in 1978 additional IBS patients and 6,038 controls from eight countries. Meta‐analysis on data from 2,175 IBS patients and 6,128 controls confirmed the association with female IBS‐C. Expression analyses revealed that the P2 promoter drives SLC6A4 expression primarily in the small intestine. Gene reporter assays showed a functional impact of SNPs in the P2 region. In silico analysis of the polymorphic promoter indicated differential expression regulation. Further follow‐up revealed that the major allele of the tagging SNP rs2020938 correlates with differential SLC6A4 expression in the jejunum and with stool consistency, indicating functional relevance. Our data consolidate rs2020938 as a functional SNP associated with IBS‐C risk in females, underlining the relevance of SLC6A4 in IBS pathogenesis.
Advances in the mechanism and treatment of mitochondrial quality control involved in myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Chunfang , Liu Leiling , Wang Yishu , Xu Danyan
Published: June 2021

Mitochondria are important organelles in eukaryotic cells. Normal mitochondrial homeostasis is subject to a strict mitochondrial quality control system, including the strict regulation of mitochondrial production, fission/fusion and mitophagy. The strict and accurate modulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, comprising the mitochondrial fission/fusion, mitophagy and other processes, can ameliorate the myocardial injury of myocardial ischaemia and ischaemia‐reperfusion after myocardial infarction, which plays an important role in myocardial protection after myocardial infarction. Further research into the mechanism will help identify new therapeutic targets and drugs for the treatment of myocardial infarction. This article aims to summarize the recent research regarding the mitochondrial quality control system and its molecular mechanism involved in myocardial infarction, as well as the potential therapeutic targets in the future.
Variation in Respondent Speed and its Implications: Evidence from an Adaptive Testing Scenario
Authors: Domingue Benjamin W. , Kanopka Klint , Stenhaug Ben , Soland James , Kuhfeld Megan , Wise Steve , Piech Chris
Published: June 2021

The more frequent collection of response time data is leading to an increased need for an understanding of how such data can be included in measurement models. Models for response time have been advanced, but relatively limited large‐scale empirical investigations have been conducted. We take advantage of a large data set from the adaptive NWEA MAP Growth Reading Assessment to shed light on emergent features of response time behavior. We identify two behaviors in particular. The first, response acceleration, is a reduction in response time for responses that occur later in the assessment. We note that such reductions are heterogeneous as a function of estimated ability (lower ability estimates are associated with larger increases in acceleration) and that reductions in response time lead to lower accuracy relative to expectation for lower ability students. The second is within‐person variation in the association between time usage and accuracy. Idiosyncratic within‐person changes in response time have inconsistent implications for accuracy; in some cases additional response time predicts higher accuracy but in other cases additional response time predicts declines in accuracy. These findings have implications for models that incorporate response time and accuracy. Our approach may be useful in other studies of adaptive testing data.
Assessment of the effect of experimental bleaching agent with nano‐bioactive material on postoperative sensitivity: A randomized, triple blind clinical trial
Authors: Burey Adrieli , Sutil Elisama , Nunez Aldaz Maira Alejandra , Méndez‐Bauer María Luján , Rezende Márcia , Reis Alessandra , Gomes Osnara Maria Mongruel , Farago Paulo Vitor , Loguercio Alessandro D.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

This clinical study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating bioactive nanoparticles (n‐Bm) inside an in‐office bleaching gel on the risk and intensity of tooth sensitivity (TS) and on bleaching effectiveness.

Materials and methods

Sixty‐six participants were selected and randomly assigned into two groups: control–only in‐office gel and experimental‐in‐office gel with n‐Bm. Teeth were bleached in two sessions (3 × 15‐min). TS was recorded using a VAS and NRS. The color change was evaluated by subjective (VITA Classical and VITA Bleachedguide) and objective (Easyshade spectrophotometer) methods at baseline and 30 days after the end of treatment. The TS was evaluated by McNemar, Wilcoxon Signed Rank, and paired t test. The color changes between groups were compared using paired t test (α = 0.05).

Results

No significant differences between the groups were observed in the risk (control = 27% [95%IC 18–39]; experimental = 21% [95%IC 13–32]) and intensity of TS, as well as in the color change (p >0.05) for any color measurement.

Conclusion

The inclusion of n‐Bm into the bleaching agents did not affect the whitening effectiveness, as well as the risk and intensity of TS between groups. However, the results of the absolute risk of TS were low for both in‐office gels used.

Clinical significance

Despite no significant differences between groups, both experimental bleaching agents present suitable results with low values for TS.
PEG‐modified subunit vaccine encoding dominant epitope to enhance immune response against spring viraemia of carp virus
Authors: Duan Hui‐Xin , Zhao Zhao , Jin Ying‐Jie , Wang Zi‐Long , Deng Jie‐Fang , He Jie , Zhu Bin
Published: June 2021

Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) caused by spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) can infect almost all fish of cyprinids, which bring huge economic losses to aquaculture. Glycoprotein (G), as the most important antigenic determinant protein of SVCV, is widely considered as an effective method against SVCV. In our previous study, we found that G3 (131 aa) is the potential dominant antigen epitope that induces strong immune responses similar to G protein (510 aa). Here, in order to further improve the immune effect, we reported a subunit vaccine (PEG‐G3) constructed by PEG‐modified dominant epitope protein (G3). The results of serum antibody production, enzyme activities and immune‐related genes expression showed that PEG‐G3 induces significantly stronger immune protective responses against SVCV than G3. PEG modification significantly increased the serum antibody level of the vaccine, which increased significantly after immunization and reached the peak at 21 day post‐vaccination. T‐AOC and AKP activities in the lowest concentration group (5 μg) of PEG‐G3 were significantly higher than those in the highest concentration group (20 μg) of G3. In PEG‐G3 group, the expression of almost all genes increased at least 4 times compared with the control group. After 14‐day challenge, the RPS (relative percentage survival) of the highest concentration of PEG‐G3 group was 53.6%, while that of G3 group is 38.9%. Therefore, this work shows that PEG modification and dominant epitope screening may be effective methods to improve the immune protective effect of vaccines and to resist the infection of aquatic animal viral diseases.
The politics of vulnerable masculinity in couple therapy
Authors: Smoliak Olga , LaMarre Andrea , Rice Carla , Tseliou Eleftheria , LeCouteur Amanda , Myers Madison , Vesely Leslie , Briscoe Cara , Addison Maggie , Velikonja Linnea
Published: June 2021

Couple therapy and related literature has problematized men's emotional inexpressiveness as constraining for men and as contributing to men's privileged and dominating position vis‐à‐vis women. Fostering men's emotionality in and outside of therapy has been proposed as a way to improve men's well‐being and relationships and promote gender equality. Critical masculinity scholars have noted that many men now enact vulnerable (“softer”) and emotional forms of masculinity. Yet, there is lack of insight into how such enactment may intersect with gender inequality. This article presents a critical thematic analysis of 30 transcribed videotaped couple therapy sessions focusing on the performance of men's affective masculinities and the political dimensions of men's increasing emotionality within couple therapy. The study shows that vulnerable masculinities, although argued as bearing the potential to foster relational and social change, may also obscure continuing commitment to dominant masculinity norms. Implications for practice are discussed.
Multigene phylogenetic data place monoraphid diatoms Schizostauron and Astartiella along with other fistula‐bearing genera in the Stauroneidaceae1
Authors: Górecka Ewa , Ashworth Matt P. , Davidovich Nikolai , Davidovich Olga , Dąbek Przemysław , Sabir Jamal S.M. , Witkowski Andrzej
Published: June 2021

Presented here are new insights into the marine monoraphid diatom genera Schizostauron and Astartiella, based on molecular and morphological data, including descriptions of new species. Although no unambiguous morphological synapomorphies between the two genera are currently recognized, they are closely related by DNA sequence data. Heterovalvate frustules of Schizostauron are characterized by a bifid stauros on the raphe‐bearing valve and intricate areolate occlusions on the sternum valve. In Astartiella, the raphe‐bearing valve is characterized by a process resembling a fistula by morphology, while the sternum valve presents a particular striation pattern. Observations by light and electron microscopy were made, along with a molecular phylogenetic analysis using a three‐gene (SSU, rbcL, and psbC) concatenated dataset. Three new Schizostauron species are described (S. kajotkei, S. rawaii, S. papilliareae), and two new combinations proposed (S. citronella and S. trachyderma) for species that were previously included either in Achnanthes and Cocconeis, respectively. Likewise, six new species of Astartiella (A. almalikii, A. bornmanii, A. chunlianlii, A. marksii, A. persica, and A. wangii) are described. Molecular results exclude Schizostauron and Astartiella from three clades of exclusively monoraphid diatoms, the Achnanthaceae, Cocconeidaceae, and Achnanthidiaceae, instead placing them in the Stauroneidaceae. Morphological features of Schizostauron and Astartiella, such as the stauros, fistula, and coaxial internal proximal raphe endings, are found in other genera in this clade, whereas the only common feature with monoraphid diatoms as whole group is the heterovalvy of frustules.
Pharmacodynamics and plasma concentrations of dexmedetomidine with or without vatinoxan as a constant‐rate infusion in horses anaesthetized with isoflurane—A pilot study
Authors: Neudeck Stephan , Twele Lara , Kopp Veronika , Kästner Sabine
Published: June 2021

The aim was to determine the effects of vatinoxan on dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations and effects on cardiovascular and intestinal tissue pharmacodynamics. In a prospective randomized study, six horses were premedicated intravenously with dexmedetomidine 3.5 µg kg−1followed by a constant‐rate infusion of 7 µg kg−1 h−1(group DEX) and six horses with dexmedetomidine of the same dose (bolus and constant‐rate infusion) combined with vatinoxan 130 µg kg−1followed by 40 µg kg−1 h−1(group VAT). Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and diazepam and maintained with isoflurane. Venous blood samples were withdrawn before and at predefined points in time after drug application. During sedation and anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary variables, gastrointestinal tissue perfusion and oxygenation were recorded. Data were analysed using two‐way‐ANOVA, unpaired‐t‐test and Dunnett's‐t‐test (p < 0.05). Group VAT had significantly higher oxygen delivery and lower oxygen extraction ratio, venous admixture, alveolar dead space and alveolar‐arterial‐oxygen difference. Tissue perfusion of buccal mucosa was reduced during anaesthesia in group DEX. Plasma concentrations of dexmedetomidine in group VAT (n = 6) and group DEX (n = 5) were comparable between groups. In the present pilot study, co‐administration of vatinoxan with dexmedetomidine did not alter plasma concentrations of dexmedetomidine but ameliorated tissue perfusion and global oxygenation variables.
Pharmacokinetics of enflicoxib in dogs: Effects of prandial state and repeated administration
Authors: Homedes Josep , Salichs Marta , Solà Josep , Menargues Angel , Cendrós Josep‐Maria , Encina Gregorio
Published: June 2021

The pharmacokinetics of enflicoxib were evaluated in both a bioavailability study and a multi‐dose safety study in Beagle dogs. When administered at 8 mg/kg, the oral bioavailability (F) of enflicoxib was 44.1% in fasted dogs, but F increased to 63.4% under post prandial conditions. Enflicoxib is rapidly metabolised. After the first 48 h, the plasma levels of its pyrazol metabolite were much higher and persistent than those of the parent compound. Following intravenous administration, the total body plasma clearance of enflicoxib was of 140 ml/h/kg and the volume of distribution based on the terminal phase was 4 L/kg. Plasma protein binding for both compounds was approximately 99%. The blood to plasma ratio for the pyrazol metabolite showed saturable kinetics with higher blood cell affinity at lower total blood concentrations which ranged from 2.49 to 0.95 for concentrations from 1 to 15 µg/ml. Enflicoxib and its pyrazol metabolite exhibited dose‐proportional pharmacokinetics for single oral doses of 8–40 mg⁄kg and for multiple oral doses of 4–20 mg⁄kg. After 7 months of repeated weekly administrations, pre‐dose plasma concentrations (Cmin,ss) remained constant throughout the study, with no trend to any significant over‐accumulation. The mean terminal elimination half‐life (t½) was 20 h for enflicoxib and 17 days for the pyrazol metabolite. The pharmacokinetic profile of enflicoxib and its pyrazol metabolite in dogs supports the proposed dosing regimen in which doses are separated by 1 week.
Spectral effects of varying texture and composition in two‐component “mudpie” simulations: Insights for asteroid (101955) Bennu
Authors: Sen Antara , Clark Beth E. , Cloutis Edward A. , DellaGiustina Daniella N. , Hendrix Amanda R. , Simon Amy A. , Applin Daniel M. , Parkinson Alexis , Turenne Nathalie , Connell Stephanie , Ferrone Salvatore M. , Li Jian‐Yang , Lim Lucy F. , Lauretta Dante S.
Published: June 2021

Data returned by the OSIRIS‐REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer) spacecraft have shown that asteroid (101955) Bennu has a globally low‐albedo surface covered in boulders with diverse texture, color, and albedo properties, and an aqueously altered composition dominated by phyllosilicates. To test whether Bennu’s color and albedo diversity could be caused by texture and/or composition variations, we performed a laboratory‐based study using simple two‐component mixtures (called “mudpies”) of the phyllosilicate saponite and carbon‐rich opaques. Each mudpie is prepared in four different textures: fine powder, coarse particles, sanded slab, and textured rock. We find that a sanded slab made from 90% saponite and 10% lampblack is a good analog for Bennu, and the color and albedo changes due to texture variations are substantial. At 550 nm, texture changes alone can create up to 36% brightness contrast, and in color measured as a 473 nm/847 nm ratio, texture changes can provide up to 18% color contrast. In comparison, Bennu shows approximately 25% albedo and <1% color contrasts from boulder type to boulder type. These findings suggest that if texture contributes to color on Bennu, the texture variations are typically more subtle than what we simulated in the laboratory. According to our study, the color and albedo properties of different boulder types on Bennu are consistent with different concentrations of carbon‐rich opaques (and possibly consistent with variations in carbonate concentration). The variations within each boulder group are consistent with textural differences.
Hybrid deep learning architecture for rail surface segmentation and surface defect detection
Authors: Wu Yunpeng , Qin Yong , Qian Yu , Guo Feng , Wang Zhipeng , Jia Limin
Published: June 2021

Rail surface defects (RSDs) are a major problem that reduces operation safety. Unfortunately, the existing RSD detection systems have very limited accuracy. Current image processing methods are not tailored for the railway track and many fully convolutional networks (FCN)‐based methods suffer from the blurry rail edges (RE). This paper proposes a new rail boundary guidance network (RBGNet) for salient RS detection. First, a novel architecture is proposed to fully utilize the complementarity between the RS and the RE to accurately identify the RS with well‐defined boundaries. The newly developed RBGNet injects high‐level RS object information into shallow RS edge features by a progressive fused way for obtaining fine edge features. Then, the system integrates the refined edge features with RS features at different high‐level layers to predict the RS precisely. Second, an innovative hybrid loss consisting of binary cross entropy (BCE), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and intersection‐over‐union (IoU) is proposed and equipped into the RBGNet to supervise the network and learn the transformation between the input and ground truth. The input and ground truth then further refine the RS location and edges. Conveniently, an image‐based model for RSD detection and quantification is also developed and integrated for an automatic inspection purpose. Finally, experiments conducted on the complex unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) rail dataset indicate the system can achieve a high detection rate with good adaptation capability in complicated environments.
Growth and the Shape of a Life
Authors: Dunkle Ian D.
Published: June 2021

Why does it seem better to be a pauper who becomes a king rather than a king who becomes a pauper even when each life contains an equivalent sum of goods to the other? Many argue that only the pauper‐to‐king life can be told as a redemption story and that it is good for you to live a redemption story. This paper calls that explanation into question and proposes an alternative: upward‐trending lives reveal growth. I argue that growth is a valuable feature of a life, that redemption is not, and that growth explains intuitions cited in favor of redemption.
Jews and sexuality in the Americas, 1519–1880
Authors: Rabin Shari , Leibman Laura
Published: June 2021

This essay explores how Jewish understandings of sexual purity changed in the Americas, where Catholic and Protestant understandings of sex, reproduction, and embodiment were at the heart of European colonialism. It begins in colonial New Spain and ends in the nineteenth‐century United States, exploring both normative and transgressive forms of Jewish sexuality. Showing how understandings of Jewish purity developed—and expanded—in early America sheds new light on the history of colonialism and sex, showing how multiple systems of purity competed and overlapped across the Atlantic world. It also helpfully reorients American Jewish history away from “waves of migration” toward sites of power: the newly created courts, Jewish communal institutions, and domestic spaces where bodies and relationships were regulated.
Income Mobility and Inequality: Adult‐Level Measures From the Us Tax Data Since 1979
Authors: Splinter David
Published: June 2021

A panel of tax returns shows that income mobility can explain between none and three‐quarters of the increase in annual inequality since the 1980s. These estimates are sensitive to different measures of inequality, income definitions, and sample restrictions—mostly due to different treatments of mean‐reverting income changes among those with temporarily low incomes. This range of results suggests that sensitivity analyses are crucial to understand the robustness of income inequality and mobility measures.
Immunobiology and conflicting roles of the human CD161 receptor in T cells
Authors: Wyrożemski Łukasz , Qiao Shuo‐Wang
Published: June 2021

Human C‐type lectin‐like CD161 is a type‐II transmembrane protein expressed on the surface of various lymphocytes across innate and adaptive immune systems. CD161+ T cells displayed enhanced ability to produce cytokines and were shown to be enriched in the gut. Independently of function, CD161 was used as marker of innate‐like T cells and marker of IL‐17‐producing cells. The function of CD161 is still not fully understood. In T cells, CD161 was proposed to act as co‐signalling receptor that influence T‐cell receptor‐dependent responses. However, conflicting studies were published demonstrating lack of agreement over the role of CD161 during T‐cell activation. In this review, we outline phenotypical and functional consequences of CD161 expression in T cells. We provide critical discussion over the most pressing issues including in depth evaluation of the literature concerning CD161 putative co‐signalling properties.
Longitudinal study of the cutaneous microbiota of healthy horses
Authors: O’Shaughnessy‐Hunter Laura C. , Yu Anthony , Rousseau Joyce D. , Foster Robert A. , Weese J. Scott
Published: June 2021

Background

Next‐generation sequencing techniques have revealed that human and animal skin is colonised by a rich and diverse population of bacteria, and that microbial composition varies between different body sites and individuals. Very little is known about the normal microbiota of healthy equine skin.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the taxonomic distributions of cutaneous bacterial microbiota in a population of healthy horses in Ontario, Canada, and to evaluate the effects of body site, individual and time of year on microbial diversity and community composition.

Animals

Samples were collected from four body sites (dorsum, ventral abdomen, pastern and groin) from 12 clinically healthy horses from the same farm. Samples were collected from all individuals at four time points (winter, spring, summer, autumn) within a calendar year.

Methods and materials

Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed following DNA extraction. Data were analysed using mothur software.

Results

Bacteria from 38 phyla and 1,665 genera were identified. Alpha diversity was higher in the winter and summer than spring and autumn although this was not statistically significant. Community membership and structure clustered more based on season than skin site.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Healthy equine skin is inhabited by a marked diversity of microbiota. Individuals living in a similar environment share overlapping cutaneous microbial populations. These populations vary significantly over time and between body sites.