bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimates of (co)variance components and phenotypic and genetic parameters of growth traits and wool traits in Alpine Merino sheep
Authors: Li Wen Hui , Li Gui Ying , Zhang Jun , Wang Xi Jun , Zhang Ai Wen , Zhao Jin Tao , Wang Li Juan , Yang Jian Feng , Luo Tian Zhao , Shen Kai Zu
Published: February 2022

The (co)variance components and corresponding phenotypic and genetic parameters for growth traits and wool traits of economic importance were estimated in the Alpine Merino sheep population maintained at Gansu Provincial Sheep Breeding Technology Extension Station in northwestern China. Data from a maximum of 49,474 animals sired by 526 rams and born from 22,531 ewes over 20 years from 2000 to 2019 were used in this study. Birth type, age of dam, birth year, sex and/or management group, and age at measurement were initially fitted as fixed effects in an animal model with various random effects. Genetic groups were defined for all animals by the sire breed and breed genotype interacted with dam‐strain flocks and were fitted as one of the random effects. Analyses were conducted using a residual maximum likelihood procedure (ASReml). Seven different animal models were fitted for all traits, and the most appropriate model with relevant random effects was selected through log‐likelihood ratio testing. After identifying the appropriate model through single‐trait analysis, bivariate analyses were used to obtain the phenotypic and genetic correlations among the traits. The estimates of additive direct heritability for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), preweaning growth rate (prwADG), postweaning growth rate (powADG), yearling body weight (YWT), average fibre diameter (AFD), greasy fleece weight (GFW), clean fleece weight (CFW), yield (YLD), yearling wool staple length (YSL), coefficient of variation of average fibre diameter (FDcv) and wool visual fineness counts (VFC) were 0.30, 0.18, 0.18, 0.20, 0.29, 0.20, 0.19, 0.20, 0.35, 0.19, 0.16 and 0.13, respectively, with standard errors ranging from 0.02 to 0.05. The corresponding ratios of genetic group variance to additive genetic variance were significant and, respectively, 0.35, 0.80, 0.62, 0.26, 0.13, 1.06, 0.38, 0.64, 0.09, 0.12, 0.06 and 0.58. These results suggest for these traits that there is potential to exploit both the additive genetic variation and between genetic group variation although for most traits the between group variation was smaller than the variation within groups. Favourable genetic correlations were found among the growth traits, and between growth traits and fleece production traits, and among wool traits GFW, CFW, YSL and YLD. This study provides the required estimates of genetic parameters of both growth and wool traits of the new breed for the design of more effective breeding programmes.
Stronger negative species interactions in the tropics supported by a global analysis of nest predation in songbirds
Authors: Matysioková Beata , Remeš Vladimír
Published: February 2022

Aim

Species interactions are assumed to be stronger closer to the equator. However, numerous studies provided conflicting results and considerable controversy exists concerning the latitudinal patterns in the intensity of biotic interactions. Thus, the question of whether biotic interactions are stronger near the equator remains open. Here, we provide a global evaluation of latitudinal trends in nest predation in songbirds and their explanations.

Location

Worldwide.

Taxon

Songbirds (Aves: Passeriformes).

Methods

We collected published data on nest predation in 1297 populations of 659 species across the globe (124,958 nests). We quantified latitudinal trends in the intensity of nest depredation (daily predation rate, DPR) and in potential demographic impacts of nest depredation (the proportion of nests destroyed by predators). We also quantified the latitudinal trend in the proportion of failed nests destroyed by predators and assessed how nest depredation and latitudinal trends differed across nest types. We aimed at explaining spatial variation in nest predation by productivity and species richness of potential nest predators.

Results

All measures of nest predation increased towards the equator and the increase was stronger in the northern hemisphere. Nest predation also increased with time, and it was higher in open nests than in cavities. Nest predation increased with productivity (indexed by NDVI), independently of latitude. It also increased with species richness of potential nest predators, but this effect was confounded with latitude.

Main conclusions

Tropical songbirds faced both higher intensity of nest predation (higher DPR) and more detrimental demographic outcomes of nest depredation (higher proportion of nests lost to predators). Moreover, the proportion of nest failure caused by predators also increased towards the equator. Our results support the view that birds are subject to strong biotic interactions close to the equator. Nest predation increased with productivity and tended to increase with species richness of potential nest predators.
Long noncoding RNA CCAT2 reduces chemosensitivity to 5‐fluorouracil in breast cancer cells by activating the mTOR axis
Authors: Zhou Daoping , Gu Juan , Wang Yueping , Luo Bing , Feng Mei , Wang Xuedong
Published: February 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer in women and the second leading cause for cancer‐related death in women. LncRNA CCAT2 is involved in BC cell drug sensitivity. Drug resistance of BC cells after chemotherapy is the main obstacle to therapeutic effects. This study explored whether BC cell drug sensitivity to 5‐Fu was related to lncRNA CCAT2‐regulated mTOR pathway. Normal breast tissues and BC tissues before/after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were collected, and CCAT2 expression was detected by RT‐qPCR. Correlation between CCATA2 expression and neoadjuvant chemotherapy efficacy was analysed using the Kendall's tau‐b correlation analysis. Normal breast epithelial cells and BC cell lines were cultured. BC cell lines were treated with 5‐Fu, and CCAT2 mRNA level in cells was detected. The 5‐Fu‐resistant MCF‐7/5‐Fu and MDA‐MB‐231/5‐Fu cells were treated with CCAT2 overexpression/knockdown or CCI‐779 (the mTOR pathway inhibitor). The mTOR pathway levels were detected. Expression of apoptosis‐related factors was identified. A subcutaneous xenograft model was carried out. High CCAT2 expression was detected in BC tissues and BC drug‐resistant cells after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and a negative link was revealed between CCAT2 expression and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. p‐mTOR/mTOR in 5‐Fu‐resistant BC cells with inhibited CCAT2 was decreased, while CCAT2 overexpression activated the mTOR pathway. IC50 value, proliferation, cells in S phase increased and apoptosis reduced after CCAT2 overexpression. After si‐CCAT2 or CCI‐779 treatment, the growth rate of transplanted tumours was inhibited, while promoted after CCAT2 overexpression. CCAT2 may reduce BC cell chemosensitivity to 5‐Fu by activating the mTOR pathway.
Hsa_circ_0003945 promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by mediating miR‐34c‐5p/LGR4/β‐catenin axis activity
Authors: Lyu Li‐Hua , Zhang Chun‐Yan , Yang Wen‐Jing , Jin An‐Li , Zhu Jie , Wang Hao , Liu Te , Wang Bei‐Li , Cheng Jian‐Wen , Yang Xin‐Rong , Guo Wei
Published: February 2022

Accumulating evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play essential roles in regulating cancer progression, but many circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. Dysregulated circRNAs in HCC were identified through bioinformatics analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus data sets. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), Sanger sequencing, RNase R digestion and actinomycin D treatment were conducted to confirm the characterization of circRNAs. CCK‐8, wound‐healing and Transwell assays were performed to assess the functional roles of Hsa_circ_0003945 (Circ_0003945) in HCC cell lines. Subcellular fractionation and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed to locate Circ_0003945 in HCC cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was executed to verify the binding of Circ_0003945 to microRNAs (miRNAs) or the miRNAs to their target genes. In this study, we found that Circ_0003945 was upregulated in HCC tissue, and higher Circ_0003945 expression was positively correlated with tumour size and tumour stage. Furthermore, high plasma levels of circulating Circ_0003945 were confirmed in HCC patients compared with those in non‐HCC groups. The functional experiments revealed that overexpression or knockdown of Circ_0003945 promoted or attenuated tumour growth and migration, respectively. Mechanistically, Circ_0003945 might exert as a miR‐34c‐5p sponge to upregulate the expression of leucine‐rich repeat‐containing G protein‐coupled receptor 4 (LGR4), activating the β‐catenin pathway, and finally facilitating HCC progression. Additionally, a β‐catenin activator could reverse the effect of Circ_0003945 knockdown. In conclusion, Circ_0003945 exerts a tumour‐promoting role in HCC cells by regulating the miR‐34c‐5p/LGR4/β‐catenin axis, which may be a potential target for HCC therapy.
Diversity, distribution and extinction risk of native freshwater fishes of South Africa
Authors: Chakona Albert , Jordaan Martine S. , Raimondo Domitilla C. , Bills Roger I. , Skelton Paul H. , van der Colff Dewidine
Published: February 2022

Extinction risk for 101 valid species and 18 unique genetic lineages of native freshwater fishes of South Africa was assessed in 2016 following the IUCN Red List criteria. An additional five species (three new species that were described and two species that were revalidated subsequent to the 2016 assessments) were assessed in the present study. A synthesis of the outcome of the assessments of the 106 valid species and 18 genetic lineages indicates that 45 (36%) of South Africa's freshwater fish taxa are threatened (7 Critically Endangered, 25 Endangered, 13 Vulnerable). Of the remaining taxa, 17 (14%) are listed as Near Threatened, 57 (46%) are Least Concern and five (4%) are Data Deficient. More than 60% of the endemic taxa are threatened. The Cape Fold Ecoregion has the highest proportion of threatened taxa (67%) due to the existence of a unique assemblage of narrow‐range endemic species. Galaxias and Pseudobarbus have the highest number of highly threatened taxa as most of the species and lineages in these genera are classified as either CR or EN. Major threats to the native freshwater fishes of the country are invasive fish species, deterioration of water quality, impoundments and excessive water abstraction, land use changes and modification of riverine habitats. Immediate conservation efforts should focus on securing remnant populations of highly threatened taxa and preventing deterioration in threat status, because recovery is rare. Accurate delimitation of species boundaries, mapping their distribution ranges, improved knowledge of pressures and long‐term monitoring of population trends need to be prioritised to generate credible data for the 2026 IUCN threat status assessments and designation of important fish areas as part of the National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPA) initiative.
Rheological behavior of ice‐cream mixes: Impact of temperature and protein concentration
Authors: Ranaweera Hiran , Krishnan Padmanaban , Martínez‐Monteagudo Sergio I.
Published: February 2022

This work documented the influence of the protein source (milk protein concentrate 80 [MPC80] and whey protein concentrate 80 [WPC80]), protein content (4–12%), and temperature (5–35°C) on the rheological behavior (flow curve, frequency sweep, and creep–recovery) of ice‐cream mixes (ICMs). The viscosity of the ICMs increased with increasing the protein content and decreased with increasing the temperature. For each protein source, the viscosity was satisfactorily modeled ( > .98, > .98, and E < 10%) using a modified Herschel–Buckley model, where the consistency index was parameterized to account for the protein and temperature effect. The analysis of the frequency sweeps suggested a dominant viscous gel behavior with increasing the protein content, being more pronounced for MPC80. Creep curves were satisfactorily described by the Burger model, while the recovery phase was represented by an empirical model ( > .99). The percentage of recovery (%R) of the ICMs significantly decreased with the protein content.

Practical applications

The viscosity of ice‐cream mix is a key parameter during the manufacture of ice‐cream. An increment in the protein content imparts viscosity of the mixes and presents many processing challenges. This work presents a mathematical model to predict the viscosity in terms of shear rate, protein content, and temperature.
The benefits of coastal adaptation through conservation of foreshore vegetation
Authors: Tiggeloven Timothy , de Moel Hans , van Zelst Vincent T. M. , van Wesenbeeck Bregje K. , Winsemius Hessel C. , Eilander Dirk , Ward Philip J.
Published: February 2022

Due to rising sea levels and projected socio‐economic change, global coastal flood risk is expected to increase in the future. To reduce this increase in risk, one option is to reduce the probability or magnitude of the hazard through the implementation of structural, Nature‐based or hybrid adaptation measures. Nature‐based Solutions in coastal areas have the potential to reduce impacts of climate change and can provide a more sustainable and cost‐effective alternative to structural measures. In this paper, we present the first global scale assessment of the benefits of conserving foreshore vegetation as a means of adaptation to future projections of change in coastal flood risk. In doing so, we extend the current knowledge on the economic feasibility of implementing global scale Nature‐based Solutions. We show that globally foreshore vegetation can contribute to a large decrease in both absolute and relative flood risk (13% of present‐day and 8.5% of future conditions in 2080 of global flood risk). Although this study gives a first proxy of the flood risk reduction benefits of conserving foreshore vegetation at the global scale, it shows promising results for including Nature‐based and hybrid adaptation measures in coastal adaptation schemes.
Impact of elobixibat on serum and fecal bile acid levels and constipation symptoms in patients with chronic constipation
Authors: Nakajima Atsushi , Ishizaki Sonoko , Matsuda Kazuki , Kurosu Shinsuke , Taniguchi Shinya , Gillberg Per‐Göran , Mattsson Jan P , Hasunuma Tomoko , Camilleri Michael
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim

Elobixibat is a locally acting inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter. We compared bile acid metabolism between healthy subjects and patients with chronic constipation and assessed changes in the bile acid profile after elobixibat administration in the latter group.

Methods

Healthy subjects (n = 10) and patients with chronic constipation (n = 19) were assessed as inpatients for 7 days, during which they received meals containing ~60 g/day of fat. Patients with chronic constipation remained as inpatients for a further 7 days for once‐daily elobixibat administration. Assessments included concentrations of fecal and serum bile acids, serum 7α‐hydroxy‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one (C4) and fibroblast growth factor 19, and bowel movements and constipation symptoms.

Results

Fecal total and primary bile acids were significantly lower in patients with chronic constipation versus healthy subjects. Serum C4 and fibroblast growth factor 19 levels were comparable between groups. Elobixibat treatment increased fecal total and primary bile acids and decreased levels of fecal lithocholic acid and serum total as well as secondary bile acids in patients with chronic constipation. Bowel movements and other constipation‐related symptoms were also improved by elobixibat to levels almost comparable with those of healthy subjects.

Conclusions

Despite comparable C4 levels, patients with chronic constipation demonstrated decreased levels of fecal bile acids versus healthy subjects. Elobixibat treatment increased fecal bile acid excretion and reduced serum bile acid concentrations. The improvement of constipation after elobixibat treatment was associated with increased total bile acids, particularly primary bile acids.
Exploiting flow cytometry for the unbiased quantification of protein inclusions in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Claesson Kristian , Chew Yee Lian , Ecroyd Heath
Published: February 2022

The aggregation of proteins into inclusions or plaques is a prominent hallmark of a diverse range of pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases. The quantification of such inclusions in Caenorhabditis elegans models of aggregation is usually achieved by fluorescence microscopy or other techniques involving biochemical fractionation of worm lysates. Here, we describe a simple and rapid flow cytometry‐based approach that allows fluorescently tagged inclusions to be enumerated in whole worm lysate in a quantitative and unbiased fashion. We demonstrate that this technique is applicable to multiple C. elegans models of aggregation and importantly, can be used to monitor the dynamics of inclusion formation in response to heat shock and during ageing. This includes the characterisation of physicochemical properties of inclusions, such as their apparent size, which may reveal how aggregate formation is distinct in different tissues or at different stages of pathology or ageing. This new method can be used as a powerful technique for the medium‐ to high‐throughput quantification of inclusions in future studies of genetic or chemical modulators of aggregation in C. elegans.

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Family support person role during resuscitation: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Powers Kelly , Duncan Jaclyn M. , Renee Twibell K.
Published: February 2022

Aims and objectives

To provide guidance to nurses by examining how critical care nurses perceive and perform the family support person role during resuscitation.

Background

Nurses can serve as family support person when families witness a loved one's resuscitation. However, few studies have examined the role of family support person to provide nurses with sufficient knowledge to enact the role.

Design

An exploratory‐descriptive qualitative design with individual, semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

Sixteen critical care nurses who had served as family support person completed interviews. The data were analysed by thematic analysis. COREQ guidelines were followed.

Results

Six themes were identified: Hard but Rewarding Role, Be With, Assess, First Moments, Explain and Support. Findings explicated nurses’ perceptions of the role and key role activities.

Conclusions

Nurses perceived the role as hard but rewarding. Role challenges included the need for quick, accurate assessments and interventions to keep family members safe, informed and supported, while allowing them to witness resuscitation. Key role activities included: being fully present and compassionately attentive to family, continuously assessing family members, coordinating the first moments when family presence during resuscitation commences, explaining in simple, tailored terms the resuscitation activities, and supporting the family emotionally and psychologically through a variety of strategies. Nurses noted the high variability in how families respond and the complexity of simultaneously performing the multi‐faceted role activities.

Relevance to clinical practice

To effectively support the growing global trend of family presence during resuscitation, nurses need the knowledge this study provides about how to fulfil the family support person role. Identifying the role activities may facilitate development of clinical guidelines and educational preparation for the role. Nurses can refine the many skills this role requires, building their competence and confidence, to increase opportunities for family members to experience family presence during resuscitation in a safe, and high‐quality manner.
C‐reactive protein level predicts need for medical intervention in pregnant women with SARS‐CoV2 infection: A retrospective study
Authors: Yamamoto Ryutaro , Asano Hiroshi , Umazume Takeshi , Takaoka Masato , Noshiro Kiwamu , Saito Yoshihiro , Nakagawa Kinuko , Chiba Kentaro , Nakakubo Sho , Nasuhara Yasuyuki , Konno Satoshi , Watari Hidemichi
Published: February 2022

Aim

To make effective use of the limited available hospital space during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, we conducted this study to investigate the laboratory indices that identify pregnant women with SARS‐CoV2 infection who require medical intervention.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective analysis of pregnant women positive for COVID‐19 who were admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital from September 2020 to June 2021. Medical interventions included oxygen supplementation, systemic corticosteroids, or supplemental liquids to treat infection‐related symptoms.

Results

Forty‐two infected pregnant patients were admitted to the hospital, half of whom required medical intervention (n = 21). Fever, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and platelet count are all associated with need for medical intervention. Of the 32 patients with a fever of ≥37.5°C on days 0–3 after onset of syndromes, 22 (69%) continued to have a fever on days 4–6, of which 19 (86.4%) required medical intervention. CRP level on days 4–6 predicted the presence or absence of medical intervention (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.913), with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 100% at a CRP cutoff of 1.28 mg/dL.

Conclusions

The need for medical intervention in pregnant patients can be predicted with high accuracy using a CRP cutoff of 1.28 mg/dL on days 4–6 after onset of syndromes. The presence of fever also may be an easy marker for selecting subjects who need or will need therapeutic intervention. These could be an effective triage method to determine appropriate indications for the hospitalization of pregnant women in future outbreaks.
SARS‐CoV‐2 Infections and Incidence at a North Carolina Pre‐Kindergarten‐12 School During In‐Person Education: August 2020 to January 2021
Authors: Thakkar Pavan V. , Zimmerman Kanecia O. , Benjamin Daniel K. , Kalu Ibukunoluwa C.
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

School closures were initially believed to mitigate SARS‐CoV‐2, but instead may have had a limited role in reducing community SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. We describe a single school's experience with in‐person education during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

METHODS

From August 17, 2020 through January 23, 2021, we conducted a prospective study at a private pre‐kindergarten through 12th grade (PreK‐12) school in North Carolina. The school employed numerous SARS‐CoV‐2 mitigation measures, including mandatory masking and physical distancing without mandated laboratory screening tests. We analyzed de‐identified contact tracing data collected by the school.

RESULTS

Seventy‐five primary cases were reported among the 2110 students, faculty, and staff during the study period. Twenty‐one (28%) of the primary cases were on‐campus during their infectious periods; however, no classroom close‐contacts subsequently reported a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test result. Two secondary cases likely resulted from unmasked exposure at a school athletic event. There was no correlation between community incidence and secondary transmission in the school.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high rates of SARS‐CoV‐2 community incidence during the study period, routine mitigation practices including daily health screenings, mandatory face coverings, and efficient contact tracing contributed to minimal secondary SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission within an urban PreK‐12 school. The limited school‐associated transmission occurred when masks were not used during athletic events.
Stronger together. Diverse dentists weigh in on racism and its impact on oral health in our communities
Authors: Alston Pamela S. Arbuckle , Fontenot Felicia Yelena , Chaviano Moran Rosa
Published: February 2022

Objectives

1) To detail how racism and its intersection with the social determinants of health affect the oral health of Blacks or African Americans (B/AA), Hispanics or LatinX (H/L), and American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) as well as their ability to thrive and succeed in dental academic and professional settings; 2) to describe how the Diverse Dental Society is addressing the oral health of these ethnic/racial populations

Methods

The processes in which 1) structural (systemic) and cultural racism operate in the living and working environments of B/AA, H//L, and AI/AN to impact oral health outcomes and 2) B/AA, HL, and AI/AN oral health organizational leaders are collectively addressing the oral health effects of racism are examined

Results

Structural racism and cultural racism and their intersection with the social determinants of health adversely affect the oral health of B/AA, H/L, and AI/AN as well as their ability to thrive and succeed in dental academic and professional settings.

Conclusions

The leaders of the Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists realize that it will take collective action under the auspices of the Diverse Dental Society to synergize their organizations' individual efforts to create systemic change to address racial and health inequities and improve oral health outcomes.
Model Bills, State Imitation, and the Political Safeguards of Federalism
Authors: Kroeger Mary A. , Karch Andrew , Callaghan Timothy
Published: February 2022

Recent media reports imply that corporations, industry groups, and think tanks exercise outsized influence in state legislatures by promoting model legislation. Before making sweeping claims about how special interests dominate the legislative process, it is essential to compare their purported influence to that of other sources. This article performs such a comparison by applying textual analysis to two original datasets—one including over 2400 state bills that challenge 12 national policies and one including more than 1000 model bills. It finds that lawmakers are more likely to develop legislation internally or rely on legislation from other states than to use model bills. These results suggest that while special interests can sometimes exploit the safeguards of federalism to advance their partisan goals, that dynamic is far from the norm.
The cutoff value of transitional zone index predicting the efficacy of dutasteride on subjective symptoms in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
Authors: Kurokawa Shinsuke , Kamei Jun , Sakata Koichi , Sugihara Toru , Fujisaki Akira , Ando Satoshi , Takayama Tatsuya , Fujimura Tetsuya
Published: February 2022

Objectives

We investigated the efficacy of dutasteride add‐on therapy to α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in relation to the transitional zone index (TZI) and evaluated the cutoff value of TZI that predicted improvements of subjective symptoms at 6 months.

Methods

Male BPH patients with prostate volume (PV) ≥ 30 mL receiving dutasteride 0.5 mg/d for 6 months as add‐on therapy along with α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists were enrolled. PV, transitional zone volume (TZV), TZI, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and uroflowmetry parameters before and at 6 months with dutasteride add‐on treatment were evaluated.

Results

Eighty‐three patients were included. The changes of total IPSS, IPSS voiding subscore, IPSS quality of life score, and voided volume were significantly correlated with TZI. Among baseline parameters, TZV and TZI were significantly associated with the changes of total IPSS in univariate analysis, and only TZI remained as an independent predictive factor for improving total IPSS in multivariate analysis (odds ratio −8.3, P = .048). The cutoff point of TZI for predicting an improvement of the total IPSS by 6 points or more was 0.67 (area under the curve 0.71, sensitivity 0.62, specificity 0.79).

Conclusions

A higher TZI was significantly associated with improvement of subjective symptoms but not uroflowmetric findings for BPH patients with 6 months of dutasteride add‐on therapy along with α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists, and the predictive value of TZI for effective dutasteride add‐on therapy was higher than 0.67. BPH patients using α‐1 adrenoceptor antagonists with a TZI higher than 0.67 can be good candidates for add‐on dutasteride therapy.
A scalable, self‐supervised calibration and confounder removal model for opportunistic monitoring of road degradation
Authors: Van Hauwermeiren Wout , Filipan Karlo , Botteldooren Dick , De Coensel Bert
Published: February 2022

Assessing road degradation typically requires specialized hardware (such as laser profilometers) or labor‐intensive visual inspection. To facilitate large‐scale, timely inspection of road surfaces, opportunistic sensing is proposed: Sound and vibration measurements are obtained from vehicles that are on the road for other purposes than measuring road quality. Prior work has addressed the problem of calibration and measurement noise removal from this abundance of measurements for a small number of measurement vehicles that drive on the same roads. However, as the deployment of opportunistic monitoring progresses, the applied techniques suffer from scalability. Here, a scalable self‐supervised calibration and confounder removal (SCCR) algorithm is introduced. It allows to self‐calibrate even if the data collection is done in distinct geographic areas and is capable of generalizing to vehicles not encountered during the training phase. Several model design alternatives are explored. After the application of SCCR, supervised training on a small subset of roads allows to predict observations made by standardized techniques also in areas where the latter have not been performed. The approach is tested and validated with 41 cars driving on 23,000 km of roads.
Modelling the refractive and imaging impact of multi‐zone lenses utilised for myopia control in children’s eyes
Authors: Sah Raman Prasad , Jaskulski Matt , Kollbaum Pete S
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To develop an optical model of a child's eye to reveal the impact of target distance and accommodative behaviour on retinal image quality when fitted with multi‐zone lenses.

Methods

Pupil size, aberration levels and accommodative lag were adjusted for models viewing stimuli at 400, 100, 33 and 20 cm. Distributions of defocus across the pupil and simulated retinal images were obtained. An equivalent 16‐point letter was imaged at near viewing distances, while a 0.00 logMAR (6/6) letter was imaged at 400 cm. Multi‐zone lenses included those clinically utilised for myopia control (e.g., dual‐focus, multi‐segmented and aspherical optics).

Results

Viewing distance adjustments to model spherical aberration (SA) and pupil radius resulted in a model eye with wider defocus distributions at closer viewing distances, especially at 20 cm. The increasing negative SA at near reduced the effective add power of dual‐focus lenses, reducing the amount of myopic defocus introduced by the centre‐distance, 2‐zone design. The negative SA at near largely compensated for the high positive SA introduced by the aspheric lens, removing most myopic defocus when viewing at near. A 0.50 D accommodative lag had little impact on the legibility of typical text (16‐point) at the closer viewing distances.

Conclusions

All four multi‐zone lenses successfully generated myopic defocus at greater viewing distances, but two failed to introduce significant amounts of myopic defocus at the nearest viewing distance due to the combined effects of pupil miosis and negative SA. Typical 16‐point type is easily legible at near even in presence of the multi‐zone optics of lenses utilised for myopia control and accommodative lag.
Wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing modulate early algal abundance and succession in an intertidal zone
Authors: Mayakun Jaruwan , Prathep Anchana , Kim Jeong Ha
Published: February 2022

Zonation patterns and the structure of intertidal communities are controlled by tidal conditions. Algal diversity, abundance and succession were experimentally tested under different degrees of wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing at the intertidal zone, Phuket, Thailand. Dead coral patches colonized by algae (20 cm × 20 cm) were cleared at upper, middle, and lower shore levels on sheltered and semi‐exposed shores during both the dry and rainy seasons. Of 17 algal species, including eight Rhodophyta, eight Chlorophyta, and one Phaeophyceae that were recruited on the cleared plots, three species were dominant: Ulva paradoxa, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa. Algal diversity on the semi‐exposed shore was higher than on the sheltered shore. In the successional process, U. paradoxa extensively recruited and persisted longer on plots cleared at the middle shore level on the semi‐exposed shores than at the other. It showed a greater abundance in the plots cleared in the rainy season than those cleared in the dry season. Ulva paradoxa persisted for around 5 to 6 months after clearing and was then replaced by the two later species, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage and P. sphaerocarpa. Ulva paradoxa settled more easily and persisted longer at the cleared plots than other algal species because of its opportunistic characteristics and a special physiological adaptation to long periods of emersion. From this study, degree of wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing likely play important roles in algal recruitment, abundance, and succession patterns.
Heparin‐induced and caffeine or ouabain supplemented capacitation of frozen‐thawed yak (Bos grunniens) spermatozoa
Authors: Zhang Renzheng , Chu Min , Chen Yiwei , Yan Ping
Published: February 2022

Our goal was to investigate heparin‐induced capacitation of frozen‐thawed yak sperm and to assess the effects of caffeine or ouabain supplementation with heparin on sperm capacitation. Sperm were incubated with varying heparin concentrations, namely 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml, for 0, 15, 30 and 60 min. In every treatment, sperm capacitation was assessed using microscopic examination of the sperm acrosomal status and western blot analysis of the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr‐P). Based on our results, the optimal condition for frozen‐thawed yak sperm capacitation was a 30‐min exposure to 50‐μg/ml heparin. Next, we incubated frozen‐thawed yak sperm with 50‐μg/ml heparin, along with varying concentrations of caffeine supplementation, namely 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mM for 30 min. Interestingly, caffeine significantly increased yak sperm acrosome reaction (AR) and Tyr‐P (p < .05). The optimal caffeine concentration was 5 mM, followed by 2.5 and 10 mM, with the lowest AR and Tyr‐P found in sperm cells that did not receive any caffeine. To examine the effects of ouabain on sperm capacitation, we next incubated frozen‐thawed yak sperm with 50‐μg/ml heparin, along with varying concentrations of ouabain, namely 0, 25, 50 and 100 µM for 30 min. We demonstrated that ouabain supplementation did not alter yak sperm AR or Tyr‐P in sperm cells, relative to the control (p > .05). In summary, our findings suggested that caffeine acts synergistically with heparin to increase yak sperm capacitation, but ouabain does not synergize with heparin to promote yak sperm capacitation.
The psychology of being a beginner
Authors: Sanchez Carmen
Published: February 2022

Beginners are plagued with overconfidence. They perform the worst on tests of knowledge or skill and yet are the most overconfident. One would expect that learning would better calibrate beginners and lead to better quality decisions. However, learning can instead produce overconfidence. In this article I discuss how being beginner can lead to errors in self‐assessments and riskier decisions. I review differences in beginner overconfidence in several places in the literature. First, the Dunning–Kruger Effect, which finds those with the least knowledge are the most overconfident. To be sure, beginners can range from rank beginners, those who have acquired no knowledge, to experienced beginners, beginners who having gained some but not vast knowledge. Next, I discuss the beginner's bubble that follows the trajectory of confidence and overconfidence as people transition from rank to experienced beginners. The beginner's bubble pattern finds rank beginners have insight into their poor abilities. However, with some learning there is a surge of confidence and overconfidence. Lastly, I explore differences in confidence and overconfidence as learners transition from rank to experienced beginners in other places in the literature.
Assessing motivations for non‐living and living organ donation among individuals with and without a history of blood donation
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L. , Ysidron Dominic W. , Samstein Benjamin
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The current study investigated relationships between a history of blood donation, registration as a non‐living and living organ donor, and differential motivations.

Background

Motivational commonalities exist between blood and organ donors, but there is no prior data on the relationships between blood donation history and both living and non‐living organ donor registration and motivation.

Methods/materials

Participants completed online surveys assessing blood donation history, organ donor registration and interest, and motivations related to donation behaviour.

Results

Blood donation history was not significantly related to registration as either a non‐living organ donor (blood donors = 81.4%; non‐blood donors = 76.4%) or as a living organ donor (blood donors = 14.0%; non‐blood donors = 10.9%). Further, blood donation history was not related to interest in learning more about being an organ donor. Compared to those not registered as an organ donor, those who were registered reported more positive organ donation motivations, but these relationships were unrelated to prior blood donation history.

Conclusion

The present findings are consistent with existing research on attitudes, warm glow, and identity as organ donation motivators, and provide novel information regarding the importance of independent assessment of motivations for non‐living and living organ donation.
How we manage blood product support and coagulation in the adult patient requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Kelly Daniel P. , Grandin Edward Wilson , O'Brien Kerry L.
Published: February 2022

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasing among critically ill adults with cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Use of ECMO is associated with hemostatic alterations requiring use of anticoagulation and blood product support. There are limited guidelines to direct transfusion management in the adult patient supported with ECMO. The objective of this article is to describe (1) the role of the transfusion service in providing transfusion support and current understanding of transfusion thresholds, (2) the complexities of monitoring anticoagulation, and (3) the consideration regarding additional factor concentrates and antifibrinolytics within the context of ECMO support. The information provided should assist ECMO care teams in informing transfusion and anticoagulation practice while highlighting key areas for future research and collaboration.
Evaluation of a crescent saw guide for tibial plateau‐leveling osteotomy: An ex vivo study
Authors: Peterson Lindsay C. , Kim Stanley E. , Biedrzycki Adam H.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel crescent‐shaped tibial plateau‐leveling osteotomy (TPLO) saw guide (crescent guide) to assist with saw control in novice participants.

Study design

Ex vivo study.

Sample population

Synthetic bones (n = 54) and medium sized dog pelvic limbs (n = 36).

Methods

The 6 participants (interns and residents) without any prior experience performing a TPLO each performed 9 osteotomies on synthetic tibia models, and 6 osteotomies in cadaveric limbs of medium‐sized dogs. Osteotomies made with the crescent guide were compared with those made with a standard jig and a radial saw guide with a jig. Osteotomy angulation, distance of eccentricity (DOE), and medial tibial cortical damage (synthetic bone models only) were measured from calibrated photographs. Participants rated their experiences with each technique.

Results

There was no difference in the DOE, coronal or axial osteotomy angulation between the 3 alignment devices for synthetic bone models or cadavers. Average medial cortical damage with the crescent guide (3.8 ± 7.3 mm2) was lower than with the radial guide (35.7 ± 27 mm2) and standard jig (51.2 ± 63.2 mm2) guides (P = <.01). Five of 6 participants preferred the crescent guide over the standard jig and radial guide.

Conclusion

There was no difference in accuracy of osteotomy positioning but using the crescent guide resulted in lower cortical damage and more favorable participant perceptions.

Clinical relevance

The crescent guide may improve control of the radial saw during TPLO in novice surgeons but does not appear to aid accurate osteotomy positioning.
Electricity as an effective weed control tool in non‐crop areas
Authors: Lehnhoff Erik A. , Neher Paul , Indacochea Andres , Beck Leslie
Published: February 2022

While weed management is often thought of as an agricultural issue, weeds are also problematic for homeowners, public space managers and utilities. In these situations, weeds are typically hand‐pulled, mechanically treated or managed via herbicides. Hand pulling and mechanical treatments are labour‐intensive, and all control methods may have unintended off‐target impacts, necessitating new alternatives for weed control. We have developed a method of using electricity to effectively manage unwanted plants. A series of experiments was conducted with the aim of developing operating protocols with consideration to specific scenarios: we tested a system on Morus alba (mulberry) and Ulmus pumila saplings, determined the response of Tamarix spp. (tamarisk) to different electricity doses, evaluated electricity as pre‐emergent weed control in xeriscaping, and tested the ability of electricity to prevent climbing growth by the vine Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed). Tests on M. alba and U. pumila demonstrated that low doses of electricity applied over several days are effective in killing trees up to 20 cm in diameter. The Tamarix experiment showed that the plants displayed typical dose–response characteristics with higher doses leading to less plant growth. Results of the pre‐emergent weed control experiment demonstrated the excellent ability of electricity to prevent weed growth, with treated plots having a mean weed cover of 4% compared to 94% in control plots after 4 months. Finally, electricity was shown to be 100% effective in preventing C. arvensis from climbing poles. Our results indicate that electricity is a viable alternative to manual, mechanical or chemical methods for small tree control, pre‐emergent weed control in xeriscaping, and prevention of climbing weeds.
A Simulation Study of Human Sensory Dynamics and Driver–Vehicle Response
Authors: Nash C. J. , Cole D. J.
Published: February 2022

In previous work, a driver model with visual and vestibular sensory dynamics was developed, identified, and validated, using data from moving-base driving simulator experiments. In this paper, the predictions, applications, and limitations of the driver model are explored through a series of simulations. The aim is to address as yet unanswered questions about the role of visual and vestibular sensory dynamics in the driver–vehicle system. The visual system is found to be the dominant sensory system, with the influence of vestibular measurements increasing with the proportion of random disturbances on the vehicle. State perception errors increase significantly with the proportion of random disturbances on the vehicle. The driver's simulated control performance is unchanged with signal amplitude above perception threshold levels, although it is slightly affected by high-pass filtering of the physical motion such as might be experienced in a driving simulator. The sensory driver model led to a significantly different optimum value of vehicle center of mass position compared to that obtained using an idealized driver model. The results motivate the adoption of sensory driver models in a vehicle design setting. Further work could be undertaken to improve the sensorimotor noise model.
Effect of Oxygen Diffusion During the Post-Processing of Ti6Al4V Lattice Structures Fabricated by the Selective Laser Melting Process
Authors: Salem H. , Ibrahim P. , Attallah M. M. , Salem H. G.
Published: February 2022

Post-processing of Ti6Al4V lattice structures fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) was performed using hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) and heat treatment (HT) to mitigate the undesired effect of rapid cooling during SLM. Oxygen diffusion during post-processing had a significant influence on the microstructure and subsequently the mechanical properties of the lattices. Oxygen content analysis was conducted to confirm the oxygen diffusion through the strurts’ peripheries. The effect of oxygen diffusion during the HIPing and sub-transus HT (600–800 °C) regimes on the phase transformation, failure mechanisms, and mechanical properties of the lattices was investigated. Results revealed that the transformation of the originally formed α′ martensite was dependent on the post-processing temperature. This transformation resulted in a decrease in yield strength. The decrease in failure strain (ductility) for all treated conditions was related to oxygen diffusion, forming near-surface α-case.
A Musculoskeletal Multibody Algorithm Based on a Novel Rheonomic Constraints Definition Applied to the Lower Limb
Authors: Ruggiero Alessandro , Sicilia Alessandro
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a multibody model was developed in the framework of biotribology of lower limb artificial joints. The presented algorithm performs the inverse dynamics of musculoskeletal systems with the aim to achieve a tool for the calculation of the joint reaction forces. The revolute joint, the cam joint, the spherical joint and the free joint were considered in the analyzed lower limb system by introducing a novel analytical formulation of the rheonomic constraint equations based on the quaternions theory. Within the kinematical analysis, the curved muscle paths were modeled by simulating their geodesic wrapping over bony surfaces while the muscle actuations were formulated through the Hill muscle model. The developed theoretical model was developed in matlab environment allowing to follow the classical musculoskeletal analysis pipeline: kinematical analysis, inverse dynamics, and static optimization, applied to the lower limb during the gait kinematics. The validation of the results was obtained by comparing the calculated hip joint reactions with the ones obtained in vivo by Bergmann and calculated by Opensim software, showing a satisfactory agreement. The proposed model and algorithm represent a fully open and controllable synovial joint tribological configuration generator tool, useful to be coupled with numerical lubrication/contact models in the framework of the in silico artificial joints tribological optimization.