bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutual wing‐eating between female and male within mating pairs in wood‐feeding cockroach
Authors: Osaki Haruka , Kasuya Eiiti
Published: January 2021

The behavior of eating their mates or a part of their mate's body has been studied in sexual cannibalism or nuptial feeding. In these behaviors, only one sex eats the other unilaterally. Within mating pairs of a wood‐feeding cockroach (Salganea taiwanensis), males and females eat the mate's wings each other, which is the first “mutual” case in these behaviors. Because the evolution of sexual cannibalism and nuptial feeding has been explained based on unilaterality, this mutual eating should have a new significance of reproduction. We described this behavior quantitatively and suggest a new hypothesis based on true monogamy, the mating system of S. taiwanensis, copulating with only one mate throughout life. Under true monogamy, the fitness of the mate is the same as own fitness and the pairs are free from sexual conflict. If the wing eating increases the ability of the mate to raise the offspring, this behavior is adaptive for the eater as well as its mate.
Global patterns in leaf stoichiometry across coastal wetlands
Authors: Hu Yu‐Kun , Liu Xu‐Yan , He Nian‐Peng , Pan Xu , Long Song‐Yuan , Li Wei , Zhang Man‐Yin , Cui Li‐Juan
Published: January 2021

Aim

Coastal wetlands provide crucial ecosystem functions and services, such as coastal protection, nutrient retention and C sequestration. Despite the important roles in global C, N and P cycling, the global variation in leaf stoichiometry across coastal wetlands remains unclear.

Location

Global.

Time period

1980–2018.

Major taxa studied

Vascular plants.

Methods

By compiling a global dataset of 698 data records in 205 sites, we carried out systematic analyses of the world‐wide trends and their determinants of leaf element contents and ratios of plants across coastal wetlands.

Results

Leaf N and P contents increased significantly, but C:N, C:P and N:P ratios decreased with increasing latitude in coastal wetlands. The mean annual temperature was the predominant driver of leaf N, P and C:N, whereas soil N:P was a good predictor of leaf C:P and N:P ratios. Furthermore, N increased faster with P in plant leaves of coastal wetlands compared with terrestrial ecosystems. Within coastal wetlands, herb‐dominated salt marshes had a significantly higher leaf P content, lower leaf N:P ratio and lower scaling exponent of leaf N to P than tree‐dominated mangroves.

Main conclusions

The similar latitudinal patterns of leaf stoichiometry in coastal wetlands compared with terrestrial ecosystems reflected the similar influences of temperature. However, different slopes of leaf P and N:P ratios and N and P scaling relationships between these two ecosystems suggested that different salinity and tidal inundation levels result in different strategies of N and P use in coastal wetland plants. These differences in leaf stoichiometry between ecosystems and between different types of coastal wetlands might need to be emphasized in future biogeochemical modelling owing to their different roles in global nutrient and carbon cycling.
Unveiling the local determinants of population growth in the European Union
Authors: Álvarez‐Díaz Marcos , D’Hombres Béatrice , Dijkstra Lewis , Ghisetti Claudia , Pontarollo Nicola
Published: January 2021

This paper studies the population growth dynamics in European NUTS3 regions over the period of 2000–2015 and offers generalizable evidence on the main drivers of population change at this sub‐level of analysis, which is so far rather unexplored. Results obtained by means of a spatial Durbin model highlight the roles of economic and demographic regional conditions in shaping population dynamics and the minor role of geography and environmental conditions. The fact that geographical polarization of population is occurring, which might result in an increase in regional imbalances, calls for policy actions in mitigating this phenomenon.
Visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability and sleep architecture
Authors: Liu Xiaoyue , Logan Jeongok , Kwon Younghoon , Lobo Jennifer M. , Kang Hyojung , Sohn Min‐Woong
Published: January 2021

Visit‐to‐visit blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sleep architecture characterizes the distribution of different stages of sleep and may be important in CVD development. We examined the association between visit‐to‐visit BPV and sleep architecture using in‐lab polysomnographic data from 3,565 patients referred to an academic sleep center. BPV was calculated using the intra‐individual coefficient of variation of BP measures collected 12 months before the sleep study. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to assess the association of systolic and diastolic BPV with sleep architecture—rapid eye movement (REM) and non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep duration.

Our results show that systolic BPV was inversely associated with REM sleep duration (p = .058). When patients were divided into tertile groups based on their BPV, those in the third tertile (highest variability) spent 2.7 fewer minutes in REM sleep than those in the first tertile (lowest variability, p = .032), after adjusting for covariates. We did not find an association of systolic BPV with other measures of sleep architecture. Diastolic BPV was not associated with sleep architecture either. In summary, our study showed that greater systolic BPV was associated with lower REM sleep duration. Future investigation is warranted to clarify the directionality, mechanism, and therapeutic implications.
Relationship of choroidal thickness with pulsatile hemodynamics in essential hypertensive patients
Authors: Mulè Giuseppe , Vadalà Maria , Sinatra Nicola , Mancia Ettore , Sorce Alessandra , Geraci Giulio , Carollo Caterina , Montalbano Katia , Castellucci Massimo , Guarrasi Giulia , Cillino Salvatore , Cottone Santina
Published: January 2021

Controversy exists about the association of choroidal thickness (CTh) with blood pressure (BP) values. There is some evidence suggesting that central hemodynamics changes are associated with microvascular disease. Our study was aimed to assess the relationships between CTh and clinic and 24‐h BP and between CTh and estimated 24‐h aortic pulse pressure (aPP), 24‐h aortic systolic BP (aSBP), and 24‐h aortic augmentation index (aAIx) in a group of hypertensive patients. We enrolled 158 hypertensive subjects (mean age 48 ± 13 years) all of which underwent evaluation of the choroidal district by Swept‐Source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) and 24‐h BP monitoring, in order to measure peripheral BP and to estimate central hemodynamic parameters. Inverse significant correlations of clinic PP, 24‐h aPP, 24‐h aSBP, and 24‐h aAIx with thicknesses of central ring, inner ring, and outer ring of the choroid and its overall average were found. The strongest of these correlations was that relating 24‐h aPP with overall average choroidal thickness (r = −.531; P < .001). When we divided the study population in subjects with 24‐h aPP above and below the median value (35 mm Hg), CTh were thinner in subjects with higher values of 24‐aPP as compared to those with lower ones, even after adjustment for age, and other potential confounders. The relationships of CTh with 24‐h aPP remained significant also taking into account the effects of various covariates in linear multiple regression analyses. Our findings support the concept of a cross‐talk between macro‐ and microcirculation.
Interaction effect of green tea consumption and resistance training on office and ambulatory cardiovascular parameters in women with high‐normal/stage 1 hypertension
Authors: Taati Behzad , Arazi Hamid , Kheirkhah Jalal
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to investigate the chronic effects of green tea (GT) extract and resistance training (RT) on ambulatory and office blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and rate‐pressure product (RPP) in a sample of Iranian women with high‐normal/stage 1 hypertension. Forty‐four middle‐aged sedentary women participated in this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups: GT and RT (GR, n = 11), RT (n = 10), GT (n = 10), or control (n = 13). Three weeks of GT consumption were followed by six weeks of the interaction with RT. GR and RT groups performed two circuits of RT at %50 of 1RM two days per week. RT and control groups also received placebo (maltodextrin) with the same timing. The changes of each variable from baseline to post‐intervention were compared between the groups using the ANOVA test, and effect size (ES) statistic was also calculated. In comparison with the control group, significant reductions were found for office systolic BP (SBP, 8%, ES = 1.22), and 24 h‐SBP (5%, ES = 1.2) in the RT group. However, GR group showed significant decreases in office SBP (10.5%, ES = 1.45), mean BP (8%, ES = 1.11), RPP (13%, ES = 1.47), 24 h‐SBP (5%, ES = 1.21), and 24 h‐RPP (10%, ES = 1.15). The interaction of regular RT and GT consumption seems to induce more beneficial effects on some important parameters including MBP and RPP when compared to RT or GT alone.
Patient‐reported experiences of mealtime care and food access in acute and rehabilitation hospital settings: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Kozica‐Olenski S. , Treleaven E. , Hewitt M. , McRae P. , Young A. , Walsh Z. , Mudge A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Nutrition and mealtime interventions can improve nutritional intake amongst hospital inpatients; however, patient‐reported experience is rarely considered in their development and evaluation. The present study aimed to measure patient‐reported food and mealtime experience to evaluate and inform continuous quality improvement of hospital nutrition care.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey with inpatients in seven acute care and rehabilitation wards was conducted. A 27‐item validated questionnaire measured five domains of patient experience: food choices, organisational barriers, feeling hungry, physical barriers to eating and food quality. Responses were summarised descriptively and compared between settings (acute versus rehabilitation), patient demographics (age, gender) and time in hospital.

Results

Responses from 143 participants (mean age 67 years, 57% male, 28% rehabilitation, median 6 days into hospitalisation) showed that 10% or fewer respondents reported difficulties with food choices, feeling hungry or food quality. The most common difficulties were opening packets (36%), insufficient menu information provided (29%), being interrupted by staff when eating (28%), being disturbed when eating (27%), being in an uncomfortable position when eating (24%) and difficulty reaching food (21%). There were no significant differences in domain patterns by sex, age group or time in hospital. Organisational barriers were reported less frequently amongst rehabilitation participants compared to acute care (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

This survey highlights areas of positive patient‐reported experience with nutrition care and suggests that local improvement efforts should focus on physical assistance needs and organisational barriers, especially in acute care wards. The questionnaire may be useful for informing and evaluating systematic nutrition care improvements.
Preferences regarding Return of Genomic Results to Relatives of Research Participants, Including after Participant Death: Empirical Results from a Cancer Biobank
Authors: Breitkopf Carmen Radecki , Petersen Gloria M. , Wolf Susan M. , Chaffee Kari G. , Robinson Marguerite E. , Gordon Deborah R. , Lindor Noralane M. , Koenig Barbara A.
Published: January 2021

Biobank data and samples frequently endure beyond the life of the individual who provided the sample; this is particularly true for biorepositories that archive data and samples from cancer patients. Those data and samples may be used for research, including after the death of the individual. When the research produces genetic research results (a term used here to include incidental findings and individual research results) that have potential health or reproductive importance for the individual who provided the sample, the results may also have importance for blood relatives. This raises the question of whether the research results should be shared with relatives, at their request or at the initiative of the researchers. The issues are complex even when the research participant is alive, but are particularly challenging after the death of the individual whose data and sample are archived, as the individual may not have been asked their preferences about sharing with family, including after death. Even if the individual’s preferences on sharing have been elicited, investigators and biobank directors may be concerned about withholding genetic research results from relatives that are of potential health significance.
How Much Control Do Children and Adolescents Have over Genomic Testing, Parental Access to Their Results, and Parental Communication of Those Results to Others?
Authors: Clayton Ellen Wright
Published: January 2021

Both researchers and clinicians are increasingly offering genomic testing for children and adolescents, a practice which parents have generally endorsed in numerous studies. By contrast, much less effort has been devoted to understanding what minors think about genetic and genomic testing. While a small number of investigators have shown that minors with or at risk for cancer generally concur with their parents and favor testing, other studies reveal that minors are less willing to participate in genomics research. Regardless, genetic and genomic testing of minors raises of host of potential legal questions. Key issues are: (1) To what extent can minors obtain genomic tests without involvement of parents or guardians? (2) To what extent can minors refuse genomic testing? and (3) To what extent can minors obtain their own results, keep their parents from getting access to them, and limit what their parents do with their genomic test results? While a number of authors have written about legal issues in genetic testing of minors, remarkably little has been written about the legal protections of minors’ choices about genomic analysis and return of results.
Return of Results from Research Using Newborn Screening Dried Blood Samples
Authors: Lewis Michelle Huckaby , Goldenberg Aaron J.
Published: January 2021

Whether research results should be returned to participants has been an ongoing debate in the research and bioethics communities for years. The debate has become more complicated as advances in technology permit the discovery through genomic sequencing of a growing number of findings that may or may not have clinical relevance for research participants. As part of the larger conversation regarding whether and under what circumstances research results should be returned to participants, research conducted using residual newborn screening dried blood samples (DBS) deserves special consideration due to the nature of newborn screening, the recent controversy regarding the retention and use of DBS, and the impact of this controversy on state newborn screening programs.
Automatic Placement of Genomic Research Results in Medical Records: Do Researchers Have a Duty? Should Participants Have a Choice?
Authors: Prince Anya E.R. , Conley John M. , Davis Arlene M. , Lázaro-Muñoz Gabriel , Cadigan R. Jean
Published: January 2021

The growing practice of returning individual results to research participants has revealed a variety of interpretations of the multiple and sometimes conflicting duties that researchers may owe to participants. One particularly difficult question is the nature and extent of aresearcher’s duty to facilitate a participant’s follow-upclinicalcare by placing research results in the participant’s medical record. The question is especially difficult in the context of genomic research. Some recent genomic research studies — enrolling patients as participants — boldly address the question with protocols dictating that researchers place research results directly into study participants’ existing medical records, without participant consent. Such privileging of researcher judgment over participant choice may be motivated by a desire to discharge a duty that researchers perceive themselves as owing to participants. However, the underlying ethical, professional, legal, and regulatory duties that would compel or justify this action have not been fully explored.
BRICS varieties of capitalism and food regime reordering: A comparative institutional analysis
Authors: Escher Fabiano
Published: January 2021

The emergence of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) has sparked debates on the possibility of a ‘great transformation’ in the course of neoliberal capitalism and the global agrifood system. This paper seeks to contribute to these debates by providing a comparative institutional analysis of the BRIC(S) ‘varieties of capitalism’ in the current ‘food regime’ international reordering. Capital accumulation, social reproduction and politics are key problems of the ‘agrifood question’ in the BRIC(S) varieties of capitalism. My argumentation is that capitalist diversity stems largely from the historically embedded legacy of the agrarian question in each country, that the dynamics of the agrifood system influence their development trajectories in decisive ways, and that the BRIC(S)‐driven polycentric shifts in the contemporary food regime are crucial to the destiny of global capitalism.
Who is using noninvasive ventilation? A descriptive study examining the population enrolled in a pediatric noninvasive ventilation program
Authors: Djkowich Mikelle , Olmstead Deborah , Castro‐Codesal Maria L. , Scott Shannon
Published: January 2021

Design and Methods

This study used a retrospective design and involved reviewing the charts of infants and children enrolled in the noninvasive ventilation (NIV) program at a quaternary pediatric hospital located in Western Canada in 2017. Demographic and clinical variables were collected, along with variables related to adherence to NIV therapy. For data storage and analysis purposes, a comprehensive database was created. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and better understand patterns within the data.

Results

Findings included a comprehensive description of the population of infants and children enrolled in this NIV program in 2017, including demographic and clinical variables as well as follow‐up and adherence data. This study identified that the NIV program at this pediatric center has unique characteristics which provide an exciting opportunity for further research into the population that requires NIV support.

Practice Implications

This study presents new knowledge, gathered by examining the clinical characteristics of a pediatric population that requires NIV, which can be used to inform practice, support NIV program planning, and health resource allocation, as well as suggest directions for future research on pediatric NIV therapy.
Functional characteristics of glaucoma related arcuate defects seen on OCT en face visualisation of the retinal nerve fibre layer
Authors: Ashimatey Bright S , King Brett J , Swanson William H
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To assess continuity of perimetric defects corresponding to arcuate defects seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT) en face reflectance images of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in patients with glaucoma.

Methods

Seven patients with glaucoma who had arcuate structural defects on OCT RNFL en face images were recruited. Static suprathreshold stimuli were presented along different meridians to localise perimetric defects in the corresponding hemifield. Then two contrasts, one 6 dB greater than the other, were used with kinetic perimetry to assess the slope of the defect. Findings with kinetic and 24‐2 perimetry were compared.

Results

Static perimetry found that regions of perimetric abnormality spatially corresponded with the regions of en face RNFL hyporeflectivity. Kinetic perimetry found that the slopes of the edges of the defects ranged from 3–12 dB degree−1, and that the functional abnormalities were continuous with the physiologic blind spot even when the 24‐2 protocol only showed paracentral defects.

Conclusions

Perimetric abnormalities and arcuate RNFL en face defects were spatially correspondent. Perimetric testing guided by OCT en face reflectance images can reveal greater functional detail of glaucomatous abnormality than 24‐2 testing.
Assessment of Patellar Morphology in Trochlear Dysplasia on Computed Tomography Scans
Authors: Li Ming , Ji Gang , Fan Liu , Fan Chong‐yi , Lin Wei , Yang Guang‐min , Dong Cong‐lei , Fei Wang
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the patellar morphology of trochlear dysplasia and normal knees in different genders and in different severities of trochlear dysplasia on CT scans.

Methods

A total of 75 patients with trochlear dysplasia (110 knees) treated at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2013 to December 2018 were included in an experimental group, and an age‐matched and sex‐matched cohort of 46 patients with normal trochlear shape (61 knees) were randomly selected into a control group. The experimental group was divided into a female experimental group (Group FE, 47 patients, 72 knees) and a male experimental group (Group ME, 28 patients, 38 knees); the control group was divided into a female control group (Group FC, 31 knees, 24 female patients) and a male control group (Group MC, 30 knees, 22 male patients). Furthermore, according to the severity of trochlear dysplasia, Group FE was divided into a female low‐grade dysplasia group (Group FL, 20 knees) and a female high‐grade dysplasia group (Group FH, 52 knees); Group ME was divided into a male low‐grade dysplasia group (Group ML, 16 knees) and a male high‐grade dysplasia group (Group MH, 22 knees). All participants had undergone CT scans in the supine position; the patellar width and thickness, the lateral patellar facet angle, the Wiberg angle, and the Wiberg index were measured and compared.

Results

In trochlear dysplasia knees, the mean patellar width and thickness and the lateral patellar facet angle were significantly smaller; the mean Wiberg index was significantly larger than in normal knees, regardless of gender (P < 0.05); and there was no statistically significant difference in the mean Wiberg angle (P > 0.05). In the female groups, the mean patellar width and thickness and the Wiberg angle were significantly smaller; the mean lateral patellar facet angle was significantly larger than those in the male groups (P < 0.05); and there was no significant difference in the mean Wiberg index (P > 0.05). In the low‐grade dysplasia group, the mean Wiberg index was smaller than that in the high‐grade dysplasia group (P < 0.05), regardless of gender; however, there was no significant difference in the mean patellar width and thickness, the lateral patellar facet angle, and the Wiberg angle in low‐grade and high‐grade dysplasia (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

On CT scans, the patella in trochlear dysplasia had a smaller width, a thinner thickness, a lengthened lateral facet, and a more flattened articular facet. In addition, the patellar articular facet was more prominent in female patients. With the severity of trochlear dysplasia increased, the lateral patellar facet became longer. In addition, the abnormal stress distribution on the patella influenced the patellar morphology in trochlear dysaplasia.
Liposomal bupivacaine during subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation for pain management
Authors: Lee Justin Z. , Glasgow Amy E. , Habermann Elizabeth B. , Scott Luis , Shen Win‐Kuang , Kusumoto Fred M. , McLeod Christopher J. , Goel Vasudha , Kaginele Pranita , Cha Yong‐Mei , Friedman Paul A. , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Mulpuru Siva K.
Published: January 2021

Background

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) has a larger generator and its implantation involves more dissection and tunneling compared to traditional transvenous defibrillator system. Liposomal bupivacaine, an extended‐release bupivacaine with 72 h of duration has been used for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing S‐ICD implantation. Our aim was to compare postoperative pain and opioid prescription patterns among patients undergoing S‐ICD implantation who received intraprocedural liposomal bupivacaine and those who did not.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent subcutaneous ICD implantation from January 1, 2013 to March 30, 2018 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Patients were categorized into those who received liposomal bupivacaine and those who did not. Data on inpatient pain score, outpatient opioid prescription rates at discharge, and doses based on oral morphine equivalents (OME) were collected.

Results

A total of 104 patients underwent S‐ICD implantation. Intraprocedural liposomal bupivacaine was used in 69% of patients. Patients who received intraprocedural liposomal bupivacaine had similar mean inpatient pain scores (2.9 vs. 2.9, p = .786). There was also no difference in the rate of inpatient opioid administration (79.2% vs. 87.5%, p = .4139), outpatient opioid prescription (23.6% vs. 12.5%, p = .29), or mean OME (41.7‐mg vs. 16.6‐mg, p = .188) when comparing patients those who received intraprocedural liposomal bupivacaine and those who did not.

Conclusion

Intraprocedural liposomal bupivacaine administration was not associated with any significant impact on postoperative pain scores, inpatient opioid administration, and outpatient opioid prescription rates or OME amounts at discharge.
Impact of cold and flu medication on obstructive sleep apnoea and its underlying traits: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Taranto‐Montemurro Luigi , Sands Scott , Azarbarzin Ali , Calianese Nicole , Vena Daniel , Hess Lauren , Kim Sang‐Wook , White David P. , Wellman Andrew
Published: January 2021

Background and objective

Animal studies indicate that alpha‐1 adrenergic receptor agonists and antimuscarinic agents improve genioglossus muscle activity during sleep and may be candidates for the pharmacological treatment of OSA. On the other hand, noradrenergic stimulants may be wake‐promoting or cause insomnia symptoms if taken before bedtime, and the addition of a medication with sedative properties, such as an antihistaminic, may reduce these side effects. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of the combination of an alpha‐1 adrenergic agonist (pseudoephedrine) and an antihistaminic‐antimuscarinic (diphenhydramine) on OSA severity (AHI), genioglossus responsiveness and other endotypic traits (Vpassive, muscle compensation, LG and arousal threshold).

Methods

Ten OSA patients performed a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, crossover trial comparing one night of pseudoephedrine 120 mg plus diphenhydramine 50 mg (DAW1033D) to placebo administered prior to sleep. The AHI, genioglossus muscle responsiveness to negative oesophageal pressure and the endotypic traits were measured via PSG.

Results

The participants' median (interquartile range) age was 50 (46–53) years and body mass index (BMI) was 34.3 (30.6–39.2) kg/m2. The drug combination had no effect on AHI (21.6 (9.1–49.8) on placebo vs 37.9 (5.1–55.4) events/h on DAW1033D, P > 0.5) or genioglossus responsiveness (6.0 (2.6–9.2) on placebo vs 4.0 (3.5–7.3) %/cm H2O). Amongst the phenotypic traits, only Vpassive was improved by 29 (3–55) % eupnoea, P = 0.03 (mean (95% CI)).

Conclusion

The combination of pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine did not improve OSA severity or genioglossus responsiveness but induced a small improvement in upper airway collapsibility, possibly due to the decongestant effect of the medications. The results of this study do not support the use of these medications for OSA treatment.
A Donatello for Rome, a Memling for Florence. The maritime transports of the Sermattei of Florence†
Authors: Daniels Tobias , Esch Arnold
Published: January 2021

This article deals with the maritime transports of a little known but not unimportant Florentine merchant family. On the basis of previously unknown archival source material, we address questions of family history, mercantile networks, maritime trade connections, and merchandise (including some famous artworks), shedding new light not only on the Florentine merchant navy, but also on the history of maritime trade between the Mediterranean and the North in the Renaissance. In particular, we show what impact factors like bankruptcy and exile had on Florentine merchant families conducting in longdistance trade, and of how setbacks in Medicean Florence could be mastered. After establishing a business enterprise between Venice, Apulia and Poland, the Sermattei were disfavoured by the regime Cosimo de’ Medici established in Florence, struck by bankruptcy, exiled and murdered. In order to overcome this existential crisis and to re‐establish the bonds with the Medici, the Sermattei moved to Pisa and started trading. The story of the Sermattei illustrates what the exile and return of the Medici meant for Italian merchant families and their businesses, and how it was possible for them to overcome a business failure via mare transporting a specialised assortment of goods and artworks for the Medici.
Davidson on Self‐Knowledge: A Transcendental Explanation
Authors: Hossein Khani Ali
Published: January 2021

Davidson has attempted to offer his own solution to the problem of self‐knowledge, but there has been no consensus between his commentators on what this solution is. Many have claimed that Davidson's account stems from his remarks on disquotational specifications of self‐ascriptions of meaning and mental content, the account which I will call the “Disquotational Explanation.” It has also been claimed that Davidson's account rather rests on his version of content externalism, which I will call the “Externalist Explanation.” I will argue that not only are these explanations of self‐knowledge implausible, but Davidson himself has already rejected them. Thus, neither can be attributed to Davidson as his suggested account of self‐knowledge. I will then introduce and support what I take to be Davidson's official and independent account of self‐knowledge, that is, his “Transcendental Explanation.” I will defend this view against certain potential objections and finally against the objections made by William Child.
ABO blood group and SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody response in a convalescent donor population
Authors: Bloch Evan M. , Patel Eshan U. , Marshall Christi , Littlefield Kirsten , Goel Ruchika , Grossman Brenda J. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Shrestha Ruchee , Burgess Imani , Laeyendecker Oliver , Shoham Shmuel , Sullivan David , Gehrie Eric A. , Redd Andrew D. , Quinn Thomas C. , Casadevall Arturo , Pekosz Andrew , Tobian Aaron A. R.
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

ABO blood group may affect risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and/or severity of COVID‐19. We sought to determine whether IgG, IgA and neutralizing antibody (nAb) to SARS‐CoV‐2 vary by ABO blood group.

Materials and Methods

Among eligible convalescent plasma donors, ABO blood group was determined via agglutination of reagent A1 and B cells, IgA and IgG were quantified using the Euroimmun anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 ELISA, and nAb titres were quantified using a microneutralization assay. Differences in titre distribution were examined by ABO blood group using non‐parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of high nAb titre (≥1:160) were estimated by blood group using multivariable modified Poisson regression models that adjusted for age, sex, hospitalization status and time since SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis.

Results

Of the 202 potential donors, 65 (32%) were blood group A, 39 (19%) were group B, 13 (6%) were group AB, and 85 (42%) were group O. Distribution of nAb titres significantly differed by ABO blood group, whereas there were no significant differences in anti‐spike IgA or anti‐spike IgG titres by ABO blood group. There were significantly more individuals with high nAb titre (≥1:160) among those with blood group B, compared with group O (aPR = 1·9 [95%CI = 1·1–3·3], P = 0·029). Fewer individuals had a high nAb titre among those with blood group A, compared with group B (aPR = 0·6 [95%CI = 0·4‐1·0], P = 0·053).

Conclusion

Eligible CCP donors with blood group B may have relatively higher neutralizing antibody titres. Additional studies evaluating ABO blood groups and antibody titres that incorporate COVID‐19 severity are needed.
Types of Humour Categories Used to Generate and Maintain Interest in Mathematics Among Secondary School Students in South Sudan’s Displaced and Re-settled Communities
Authors: Tap William D. , Mtetwa David K. , Vere Joseph C.
Published: January 2021

While there has been appreciable consensus among humour researchers as well as classroom teachers that the use of humour in the classroom setting can be an effective teaching tool, there is still, however, a dearth of literature available that classroom practitioners could use as a guide in actual practice. Most of the literature currently available tends to address the potential use of classroom humour in general, and does not go into the specifics of exactly “what types of humour forms” are effective. This article addresses this question in the context of a secondary school mathematics classroom in South Sudan’s displaced and re-settled communities, where the lesson plans used in the intervention were infused and laced with instructional humour–humour related to the mathematics concepts being discussed–for the purpose of generating and maintaining student interest in mathematics. Using a researcher constructed observation sheet (RCOS) as the research instrument for capturing the desired qualitative data, five specific literature recommended humour types or categories (namely: mathematical jokes, puns, riddles, related stories and funny-multiple choice items) were used and identified as the ones that generated and maintained interest among the South Sudanese secondary school students. Classroom teachers who would like to use classroom humour for the purpose of motivating and inspiring their students may find the information contained in this article useful, as a practical-reference classroom guide.
Una paradoja, unas huellas y una luz: los dolores y los miedos de los músicos como ecos silenciosos de los paradigmas de la tradición musical occidental
Authors: Samper Arbeláez Andrés , Valencia Rueda Luis Fernando
Published: January 2021

Este artículo presenta algunas reflexiones sobre la paradoja que emerge en algunos músicos entre una faceta de la experiencia musical que es espontánea y anclada en el disfrute, y otra que de alguna manera ha sido contaminada por marcas de tipo físico, emocional y mental, con énfasis en el tema del miedo en la relación con la música. Encontramos una fricción entre el habitus institucional y la idiosincrasia del músico en formación que se encuentra situada de manera permanente en una “tensión intersticial” entre el canon y su propio mundo interior. Planteamos, basados en nuestra experiencia como músicos, gestores educativos y docentes, que en el sistema de educación musical formal se encuentra el origen de varias de estas huellas cuando este se vuelca demasiado hacia el producto y hacia el dominio de las habilidades y conocimientos musicales como fines, y no como medios para la expresión sensible. Este tipo de educación tiende a privilegiar el dominio técnico y analítico de los saberes canónicos y descuida el vínculo de los músicos con su propio mundo interior y la expresión de este a través de la música, y así desaprovecha la potencia de las voces individuales y pasa por alto la aparición de patologías (físicas, emocionales, mentales) que se manifiestan con diversos niveles de intensidad en las personas. Finalmente, proponemos como alternativas fortalecer la reflexión colegiada que devela los paradigmas pedagógicos naturalizados y traer a la enseñanza de la música una perspectiva somática que favorece la autoconciencia que integra cuerpo, mente y emoción, y que promueve la búsqueda de la voz propia en el contexto artístico del músico en relación consigo mismo, con el otro y con las situaciones vitales que atraviesa. Una perspectiva en cuyo centro está una pregunta permanente por el sentido del oficio: ¿para qué hacemos música?
Huellas de destrucción
Authors: Martinez Alejandro
Published: January 2021

En este trabajo presento la relación entre destrucción y huella para indagar cómo se puede reconstruir materialmente aquello que ha sido destruido. Analizo la obra visual Stellar (2015), del artista peruano Giancarlo Scaglia, y la película Nostalgia de la luz (2010), del director chileno Patricio Guzmán, para proponer cómo ambos artefactos plantean la destrucción como la producción de otras materialidades (en forma de huellas) capaces de dar trazos sobre su previa forma y hacer factible un tipo de sentido político que la totalidad material no hace posible. Para ello, encuentro en estos artefactos diferentes tecnologías de mediación que interrogan la legibilidad de las huellas. Stellar utiliza la técnica del frottage como modo de hacer presente la ausencia por medio del calco y revela en su materialidad vestigios de un evento del pasado y las dificultades que limitan su memorialización. Nostalgia de la luz, en cambio, propone tanto un entrenamiento visual sobre cómo leer las fisuras de la destrucción material, resultado de políticas estatales de borramiento, como una sofisticada revisión sobre las complejidades de las políticas de archivación de huesos humanos como formas de violencia que configuran otras huellas a ser leídas. De esta manera, los dos objetos que estudio en este artículo me permiten plantear formas de entender la destrucción como un proceso del cual solo podemos leer mediados por huellas. Las huellas de destrucción no solo permiten reconstruir una historia, sino que revitalizan una memoria que resiste a pesar de su borradura ligada a políticas estatales de la desmemoria. Leer las huellas de la destrucción significa invertir los procedimientos de la desmemoria política, aunque ello no implique resolver un conflicto del pasado o cerrar el duelo, sino más bien la posibilidad de recordar pese a todo.
Memorias americoafricanas en el trabajo de artistas brasileñas contemporáneas
Authors: Sardelich Maria Emilia , López Fernandez Cao Marian
Published: January 2021

La memoria hace referencia a un conjunto de funciones psíquicas que permiten la actualización de imágenes de hechos pasados o que se representan como pasados. A diferencia de los estudios históricos, los de la memoria resaltan las subjetividades, amplían la discusión más allá del recuerdo y el olvido, y desplazan el debate hacia quien tiene el derecho a narrar su historia y aquellos que en ella se encuentran. Las inquietudes en torno a la memoria y sus lugares también se hacen visibles en el inquieto horizonte artístico, en el que pasados recientes y distantes se articulan en registros sobre diversas formas de traumas. Este artículo propone una reflexión sobre las relaciones entre arte y memoria a partir de la producción de dos artistas brasileñas contemporáneas: Rosana Paulino (São Paulo, 1968) y Aline Motta (Niterói, 1974). El análisis de esa producción se fundamenta en la interdisciplinaridad de los estudios de la memoria y destaca cómo la creación artística ofrece una posibilidad de resignificación individual y colectiva. Asimismo, conceptúa memorias americoafricanas como aquellas que emergen no solo en la memoria individual de las artistas presentadas en este artículo, sino también en la de muchas otras mujeres que se identifican con Americoáfrica como un sistema etnogeográfico de referencia. Son memorias americoafricanas porque se han gestado en la resistencia y creatividad contra la opresión, la humillación y la deshumanización, y que se insurgen contra la historia única proponiendo una revisión de la historiografía del país y del arte producido a partir de esos lugares.
Música pós-minimalista em cena: uma análise do uso de trance 4 em Closet monster*
Authors: Moncada Sevilla Nadia Imelda , Carneiro Maristela , Domingues dos Santos Rita de Cássia
Published: January 2021

O filme Closet Monster, escrito e dirigido por Stephen Dunn, considerado um dos dez melhores filmes canadenses do ano 2015 pelo TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), apresenta fortes influências do cinema queer e utiliza a música como elemento fundamental para caracterizar o protagonista, acompanhar a trama e conceder à obra um sentido que não seria o mesmo sem ela. Este artigo foca-se em uma cena próxima ao desenlace do filme (71'32"-75'43"), que se serve da peça musical pós-minimalista Trance 4, do compositor americano Michael Gordon, interpretada pelo grupo musical Icebreaker, concebida em 1995. Desse recorte emerge uma análise que tem como objetivos distinguir a contribuição da peça na composição da cena e discutir a influência mútua das linguagens musical e visual, ambas localizadas em tendências com características determinadas, quais sejam o cinema queer e o pós-minimalismo, respectivamente. Para tanto, a análise é apoiada em Román (2008), Leydon (2002) e Chion (2008), dentre outros autores, transitando entre conceitos como linguagem musivisual, pontos de sincronização e pós-minimalismo musical. O artigo inicia com considerações sobre música pós-minimalista, cinema queer e os protagonistas de Trance, à guisa de contextualização, seguidas pela exploração da cena fílmica de Closet Monster ambientada pela faixa musical Trance 4. Como conclusão, ressalta-se o papel da música na composição da cena. Pretende-se contribuir com este artigo para a ampliação dos debates sobre o uso de música pós-minimalista no cinema queer.
Sobre la memoria y el olvido en el arte contemporáneo latinoamericano: un montaje dialéctico más allá de lo visible
Authors: Iglesias S. Brenda U
Published: January 2021

Este artículo tiene por objetivo reflexionar sobre el poder de la imagen para la construcción de la memoria histórica mediante su capacidad de desplazamiento de significados y su carácter simbólico, consolidando imaginarios frente al olvido. Para ello, partimos de un acercamiento entre la historia del arte y los estudios visuales, realizando una breve revisión de los cuestionamientos sobre la concepción del tiempo eucrónico y contextual por autores como George Didi-Huberman y Jacques Rancière, por la defensa de la anacronía en la dinámica de la reconfiguración de la memoria del mundo en historias comunes y la conciencia ante el tiempo de la ausencia. La metodología de la investigación de lo visual y su impulso reflexivo por la interpretación que hacemos de las imágenes es desarrollada a través del arte contemporáneo latinoamericano, con las propuestas de los artistas visuales Ruven Afanador y Ana González, los testimonios objetuales de Tomás Espina y Juan Toro, las memorias en archivos visuales de Rosângela Rennó, Alfredo Jaar y Claudia Aravana, y las ausencias en resistencia de Oscar Muñoz y Consuelo Méndez, cuyas obras potencian de forma dialéctica el arte, obteniendo como resultado la visibilidad de lo no visto, exigiendo del espectador una memoria no pasiva para la reposición de lo significante. Finalmente, como en un montaje, las imágenes y los imaginarios heterogéneos citados alcanzan la trascendencia frente al olvido y aportan al ejercicio de la memoria siempre viva al presente.
Windowless detection geometry for sum frequency scattering spectroscopy in the C–D and amide I regions
Authors: Schmüser Lars , Golbek Thaddeus W. , Weidner Tobias
Published: January 2021

Understanding the structure and chemistry of nanoscopic surfaces is an important challenge for biointerface sciences. Sum frequency scattering (SFS) spectroscopy can specifically probe the surfaces of nanoparticles, vesicles, liposomes, and other materials relevant to biomaterial research, and, as a vibrational spectroscopy method, it can provide molecular level information about the surface chemistry. SFS is particularly promising to probe the structure of proteins, and other biological molecules, at nanoparticle surfaces. Here, amide I spectra can provide information about protein folding and orientation, while spectra in the C–D and C–H stretching regions allow experiments to determine the mode of interaction between particle surfaces and proteins. Methods used currently employ a closed liquid cell or cuvette, which works extremely well for C–H and phosphate regions but is often impeded in the amide I and C–D regions by a strong background signal that originates from the window material of the sample cells. Here, we discuss a windowless geometry for collecting background-free and high-fidelity SFS spectra in the amide I and C–D regions. We demonstrate the improvement in spectra quality by comparing SFS spectra of unextruded, multilamellar vesicles in a sample cuvette with those recorded using the windowless geometry. The sample geometry we propose will enable new experiments using SFS as a probe for protein-particle interactions.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with adrenal insufficiency in the context of long-term steroid use mimicking acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Bagnall Timothy , Tow Ying Ran , Bunce Nicholas , Astroulakis Zoe
Published: January 2021

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCMP) is an important, though under-recognised, syndrome which mimics acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presenting with similar clinical, biochemical and ECG features. A 68-year-old man was referred as ACS for emergency coronary angiography; however, a history of lethargy, weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities prompted further investigations. Angiography was postponed, adrenal insufficiency confirmed and steroid replacement commenced. Echocardiography demonstrated reduced left ventricular (LV) function (45%) with regional wall motion abnormalities, although angiography confirmed unobstructed arteries. Steroid replacement induced a rapid improvement in symptoms and LV function. Few cases of TCMP associated with adrenal insufficiency have been reported. This appears to be the first case describing TCMP precipitated by new-onset secondary adrenal insufficiency following long-term steroid use in a male patient, and highlights the importance of considering TCMP in patients presenting with suspected ACS. Here, prompt recognition and treatment of a serious underlying disorder prevented a potentially life-threatening Addisonian crisis.