bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participation in a voluntary alcohol abstinence program (Alcohol Free for 40) with tracking of laboratory values and physical metrics improves biometric measures of health; a three-year retrospective analysis
Authors: Feehan Amy K. , Knapp Megan B. , Lockhart Jala , Arceneaux Erin E. , Latimer Savanna , Walter Anna , Craft Brittany N. , Quantz Yvette P. , Frugé Hope , Terry Maria Sylvester , Galarneau David , Kimball Molly
Published: June 2022

Background

Laboratory and physical metric data were available from participants of Alcohol Free for 40 (AFF40), a 40-day alcohol abstinence program in Louisiana. This study was performed to determine whether biometric changes were detectable after 40 days.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective data review of three cohorts of AFF40 program participants. Participant pre- and post-program data were analyzed (n=113, 2019; n=105, 2020; n=344, 2021). The intervention was self-directed, 40-day alcohol abstinence with social support. Changes in liver enzymes, cholesterol, vitamin B12, weight, body fat, and blood pressure were measured. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-program metrics.

Results

Retention rates for participation were 63% (113/179; 2019), 23% (105/449; 2020), and 86% (344/400; 2021), despite the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Maximal average changes were - 9 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, -4.3 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, and -5.7 pounds of weight (all p<0.0001). Liver enzymes decreased; alanine aminotransferase decreased by 5.6 U/L, aspartate transaminase by 4.8 U/L, and gamma glutamyl transferase by 8.7 U/L (all p<0.0001). Vitamin B12 increased by 54.6 pg/mL (p<0.01). Total cholesterol dropped by 15.8 mg/dL (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

Participants in abstinence programming with social support improved liver enzymes, cholesterol, body fat, and other factors during a 40-day challenge.

Highlights

Programs for voluntary abstinence from alcohol have become popular around the world (Dry January, Sober October)

Alcohol Free for 40, a post-Mardi Gras abstinence program, revealed significant reductions in blood pressure, weight, fat, liver enzymes, total cholesterol, and increased vitamin B12 in participants after just 40 days

Program retention was high except in 2020 due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Dieticians and other healthcare practitioners can replicate Alcohol Free for 40 for individuals or groups who want to improve metrics described in this study
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing to evaluate post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (“Long COVID”): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Durstenfeld Matthew S. , Sun Kaiwen , Tahir Peggy M. , Peluso Michael J. , Deeks Steven G. , Aras Mandar A. , Grandis Donald J. , Long Carlin S. , Beatty Alexis , Hsue Priscilla Y.
Published: June 2022

Importance

Reduced exercise capacity is commonly reported among individuals with Long COVID (LC). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold-standard to measure exercise capacity to identify causes of exertional intolerance.

Objectives

To estimate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on exercise capacity including those with and without LC symptoms and to characterize physiologic patterns of limitations to elucidate possible mechanisms of LC.

Data Sources

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, preprint severs, conference abstracts, and cited references in December 2021 and again in May 2022.

Study Selection

We included studies of adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection at least three months prior that included CPET measured peak VO2. 3,523 studies were screened independently by two blinded reviewers; 72 (2.2%) were selected for full-text review and 36 (1.2%) met the inclusion criteria; we identified 3 additional studies from preprint servers.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data extraction was done by two independent reviewers according to PRISMA guidelines. Data were pooled with random-effects models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A prioriprimary outcomes were differences in peak VO2(in ml/kg/min) among those with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection and LC.

Results

We identified 39 studies that performed CPET on 2,209 individuals 3-18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 944 individuals with LC symptoms and 246 SARS-CoV-2 uninfected controls. Most were case-series of individuals with LC or post-hospitalization cohorts. By meta-analysis of 9 studies including 404 infected individuals, peak VO2was 7.4 ml/kg/min (95%CI 3.7 to 11.0) lower among infected versus uninfected individuals. A high degree of heterogeneity was attributable to patient and control selection, and these studies mostly included previously hospitalized, persistently symptomatic individuals. Based on meta-analysis of 9 studies with 464 individuals with LC, peak VO2was 4.9 ml/kg/min (95%CI 3.4 to 6.4) lower compared to those without symptoms. Deconditioning was common, but dysfunctional breathing, chronotropic incompetence, and abnormal oxygen extraction were also described.

Conclusions and Relevance

These studies suggest that exercise capacity is reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection especially among those hospitalized for acute COVID-19 and individuals with LC. Mechanisms for exertional intolerance besides deconditioning may be multifactorial or related to underlying autonomic dysfunction.
Comparison of RT-qPCR and Digital PCR Methods for Wastewater-Based Testing of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Hinkle Adrian , Greenwald Hannah D. , Metzger Matthew , Thornton Melissa , Kennedy Lauren C. , Loomis Kristin , Herrera Monica B , Abayan Raymond-John , Nelson Kara L. , Kantor Rose S.
Published: June 2022

Wastewater-based epidemiology is an important tool for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 and other molecular targets in populations, using wastewater as a pooled sample. We compared the sensitivity, susceptibility to inhibition, and quantification of reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), microfluidic well digital RT-PCR (RT-dPCR), and droplet digital RT-PCR (RT-ddPCR) measurements of SARS-CoV-2 (N1 gene target) and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV) RNA in 40 wastewater RNA extracts. All three methods were highly sensitive, but appeared less accurate at very low concentrations. Lower inhibition was observed for RT-ddPCR than RT-qPCR with both SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV targets, but inhibition appeared to be mitigated by dilution of template RNA. The concentrations of N1 and PMMoV from all three methods were significantly correlated (Pearson’s r=0.97-0.98 for N1 and r=0.89-0.93 for PMMoV), although RT-qPCR reported higher concentrations than digital methods. Taken together, this study provides support for the application of all three methods in wastewater-based epidemiology, with additional guidelines for the use of RT-qPCR.

Impact Statement

PCR-based assays are the current standard for sensitive, specific, rapid pathogen quantification in environmental samples, including wastewater. The increased availability of multiple digital PCR technologies necessitates side-by-side comparison between platforms, including traditional qPCR, to guide the application of these methods. Specifically, this work can inform interpretation of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 PCR data, as reported to public health agencies for pandemic response.
Predicting seasonal influenza vaccine response using systemic gene expression profiling
Authors: Forst Christian V. , Chung Matthew , Hockman Megan , Lashua Lauren , Adney Emily , Carlock Michael , Ross Ted , Ghedin Elodie , Gresham David
Published: June 2022

Seasonal influenza is a primary public health burden in the USA and globally. Annual vaccination programs are designed on the basis of circulating influenza viral strains. However, the effectiveness of the seasonal influenza vaccine is highly variable between seasons and among individuals. A number of factors are known to influence vaccination effectiveness including age, sex, and comorbidities. Here, we sought to determine whether whole blood gene expression profiling prior to vaccination is informative about pre-existing immunological status and the immunological response to vaccine. We performed whole transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) of whole blood samples obtained prior to vaccination from participants enrolled in an annual influenza vaccine trial. Serological status prior to vaccination and 28 days following vaccination was assessed using the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) to define baseline immune status and the response to vaccination. We find evidence that genes with immunological functions are increased in expression in individuals with higher pre-existing immunity and in those individuals who mount a greater response to vaccination. Using a random forest model we find that this set of genes can be used to predict vaccine response with a performance similar to a model that incorporates physiological and prior vaccination status alone. Our study shows that increased expression of immunological genes, possibly reflecting greater plasmablast cell populations, prior to vaccination is associated with an enhanced response to vaccine. Furthermore, in the absence of physiological information and vaccination history, whole blood gene expression signatures are informative about the immunological response of an individual to seasonal influenza vaccination.
Dissection of insular cortex layer 5 reveals two sublayers with opposing modulatory roles in appetitive behavior
Authors: Takemoto Makoto , Kato Shigeki , Kobayashi Kazuto , Song Wen-Jie
Published: June 2022

The insular cortex (insula) is known to play a modulatory role in motivated behaviors including feeding and drinking. Previous studies have revealed that the anterior and posterior subregions of the insula have differential subcortical efferents and roles, yet the anatomical and functional heterogeneity among the cortical layers remains poorly understood. Here, we show that layer 5 of the mouse dysgranular insula has two distinct neuronal subpopulations along the entire anterior-posterior axis: the upper layer (L5a) population, expressing NECAB1, projects bilaterally to the lateral and capsular divisions of the central amygdala, and the deeper layer (L5b) population, expressing CTIP2, projects ipsilaterally to the parasubthalamic nucleus and the medial division of the central amygdala. Optogenetically activating L5a and L5b neuronal populations in thirsty mice led to suppressed and facilitated water spout licking, respectively, in a single-spout test. However, the opto-activation induced no avoidance against or preference for the spout paired with the opto-stimulation in a two-spout choice test, indicating no induction of emotional valences by the opto-activation per se. Our results suggest sublayer-specific bidirectional modulatory roles of insula layer 5 in the motivational aspect of appetitive behavior.
Identification of Bulinus forskalii as a potential intermediate host of Schistosoma hæmatobium in Senegal
Authors: Gaye Papa Mouhamadou , Doucouré Souleymane , Sow Doudou , Sokhna Cheikh , Ranque Stéphane
Published: June 2022

Understanding the transmission of Schistosoma hæmatobium in the Senegal River Delta requires knowledge of the snails serving as intermediate hosts. Accurate identification of both the snails and the infecting Schistosoma species is therefore essential. Cercarial emission tests and multi-locus (COX1 and ITS) genetic analysis were performed on Bulinus forskalii snails to confirm their susceptibility to S. hæmatobium infection. A total of 55 B. forskalii, adequately identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, were assessed. Cercarial shedding and RT-PCR assays detected13 (23.6%) and 17 (31.0%), respectively, B. forskalii snails parasitised by S. hæmatobium complex fluke. Nucleotide sequence analysis identified 6 (11.0%), using COX1, and 3 (5.5%), using ITS2, S. hæmatobium, and 3 (5.5%) S. bovis. This result is the first report of infection of B. forskalii by S. hæmatobium complex parasites.
Synchronisation of apical constriction and cell cycle progression is a conserved behaviour of pseudostratified neuroepithelia informed by their tissue geometry
Authors: Ampartzidis Ioakeim , Efstathiou Christoforos , Paonessa Francesco , Thompson Elliott M , Wilson Tyler , McCann Conor J , Greene Nicholas DE , Copp Andrew , Livesey Frederick J , Elvassore Nicola , Giobbe Giovanni Giuseppe , De Coppi Paolo , Maniou Eirini , Galea Gabriel L
Published: June 2022

Neuroepithelial cells balance tissue growth requirement with the morphogenetic imperative of closing the neural tube. They apically constrict to generate mechanical forces which elevate the neural folds, but are thought to apically dilate during mitosis. However, we previously reported that mitotic neuroepithelial cells in the mouse posterior neuropore have smaller apical surfaces than non-mitotic cells. Here, we document progressive apical enrichment of non-muscle myosin-II in mitotic, but not non-mitotic, neuroepithelial cells with smaller apical areas. Live-imaging of the chick posterior neuropore confirms apical constriction synchronised with mitosis, reaching maximal constriction by anaphase, before division and re-dilation. Mitotic apical constriction amplitude is significantly greater than interphase constrictions. To investigate conservation in humans, we characterised early stages of iPSC differentiation through dual SMAD-inhibition to robustly produce pseudostratified neuroepithelia with apically enriched actomyosin. These cultured neuroepithelial cells achieve an equivalent apical area to those in mouse embryos. iPSC-derived neuroepithelial cells have large apical areas in G2 which constrict in M phase and retain this constriction in G1/S. Given that this differentiation method produces anterior neural identities, we studied the anterior neuroepithelium of the elevating mouse mid-brain neural tube. Instead of constricting, mid-brain mitotic neuroepithelial cells have larger apical areas than interphase cells. Tissue geometry differs between the apically convex early midbrain and flat posterior neuropore. Culturing human neuroepithelia on equivalently convex surfaces prevents mitotic apical constriction. Thus, neuroepithelial cells undergo high-amplitude apical constriction synchronised with cell cycle progression but the timing of their constriction if influenced by tissue geometry.
Endocytic trafficking determines cellular tolerance of presynaptic opioid signaling
Authors: Jullié Damien , Benitez Camila , Knight Tracy A. , von Zastrow Mark
Published: June 2022

Opioid tolerance is well described physiologically but its mechanistic basis remains incompletely understood. An important site of opioid action in vivo is the presynaptic terminal, where opioids inhibit transmitter release. This response characteristically resists desensitization over minutes yet becomes gradually tolerant over hours, and how this is possible remains unknown. Here we delineate a cellular mechanism underlying this longer-term form of opioid tolerance. Our results support a model in which presynaptic tolerance is mediated by a gradual depletion of cognate receptors from the axon surface through iterative rounds of receptor endocytosis and recycling. For the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), we show that the agonist-induced endocytic process which initiates iterative receptor cycling requires GRK2/3-mediated phosphorylation of the receptor’s cytoplasmic tail, and that partial or biased agonist drugs which have reduced ability to drive phosphorylation-dependent endocytosis in terminals produce correspondingly less presynaptic tolerance. We then show that the δ-opioid receptor (DOR) conforms to the same general paradigm except that endocytosis of DOR from the presynapse, in marked contrast to MOR, does not require phosphorylation of the receptor’s cytoplasmic tail. Further, we show that DOR recycles less efficiently than MOR in axons and, consistent with this, that DOR tolerance develops more strongly. Together, these results delineate a cellular basis for the development of presynaptic tolerance to opioids and describe a methodology useful for investigating presynaptic neuromodulation more broadly.
The impact of reducing reporting requirements on audit quality, auditor effort and auditor conservatism
Authors: Elshafie Essam
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of reducing disclosure and auditing requirements on audit quality, auditor effort and auditor conservatism. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012 is used as a setting for this research. The JOBS Act aimed to boost economic growth by easing emerging growth companies’ (EGCs) access to capital markets. The Act provides scaled disclosure and auditing provisions and exemptions for EGCs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from Capital IQ, CRSP and Audit Analytics on EGCs and matching non-EGCs between 2012 and 2018, this study assesses the effect of such reduced disclosure and audit requirements on audit quality, auditor effort and auditor conservatism.

Findings

The findings denote that while audit quality and auditor effort are lower for EGCs, auditor conservatism is not different for EGCs as compared to non-EGCs.

Originality/value

This study expands the current research by providing evidence on the impact of reduced reporting and auditing requirements on auditor conservatism and audit quality, in addition to auditor effort in EGC engagements.
Coalition of metaheuristics through parallel computing for solving unconstrained continuous optimization problems
Authors: Şenol Mümin Emre , Baykasoğlu Adil
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a new parallel metaheuristic algorithm for solving unconstrained continuous optimization problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method brings several metaheuristic algorithms together to form a coalition under Weighted Superposition Attraction-Repulsion Algorithm (WSAR) in a parallel computing environment. The proposed approach runs different single solution based metaheuristic algorithms in parallel and employs WSAR (which is a recently developed and proposed swarm intelligence based optimizer) as controller.

Findings

The proposed approach is tested against the latest well-known unconstrained continuous optimization problems (CEC2020). The obtained results are compared with some other optimization algorithms. The results of the comparison prove the efficiency of the proposed method.

Originality/value

This study aims to combine different metaheuristic algorithms in order to provide a satisfactory performance on solving the optimization problems by benefiting their diverse characteristics. In addition, the run time is shortened by parallel execution. The proposed approach can be applied to any type of optimization problems by its problem-independent structure.
Application of bird-strike verified analysis for the design of fast helicopter composite cowling
Authors: Doubrava Radek , Oberthor Martin , Bělský Petr , Cabrnoch Bohuslav
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the approach for the design of cowlings for a new fast helicopter from the perspective of airworthiness requirements regarding high-speed impact resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

Validated numerical simulation was applied to flat and simple curved test panels. High-speed camera measurement and non-destructive testing (NDT) results were used for verification of the numerical models. The final design was optimized and verified by validated numerical simulation.

Findings

The comparison between numerical simulation based on static material properties with experimental results of high-speed load shows no significant influence of strain rate effect in composite material.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the sensitivity of the composite material on technology production, the results are limited by the material used and the production technology.

Practical implications

The application of flat and simple curved test panels for the verification and calibration of numerical models allows the optimized final design of the cowling and reduces the risk of structural non-compliance during verification tests.

Originality/value

Numerical models were verified for simulation of the real composite structure based on high-speed camera results and NDT inspection after impact. The proposed numerical model was simplified for application in a complex design and reduced calculation time.
Revisiting trust in the digital era: the interplay of online trust and online dialogic communication from the practitioners' perspective
Authors: Tong Suk Chong , Chan Fanny Fong Yee
Published: June 2022

Purpose

With the prevailing use of online communication platforms, this study revisits the definitions of trust in an online context. By exploring organizational online communications from a practitioners' perspective, a conceptual framework that illustrates the nature of trust and its relationship with dialogic communication between organizations and organizations' stakeholders in the digital era is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 27 in-depth interviews were conducted with public relations and marketing practitioners involved in coordinating organizational online communications in Hong Kong.

Findings

From the practitioners' perspective, stakeholders' online trust toward an organization, which is a hybridity of initial and rapidly evolving trust, begins with stakeholders swift and initial judgment of the organization according to category-based cues (including knowledge-based attributes of the organization, institutional cues, and particular attributes of online dialogic communication) available on online platforms and further develops over time. Practitioners regard the integration of online and offline communication platforms to be the most effective way to build trust in organization–stakeholder relationships in the digital era, while dialectical tensions can hinder trust formed in online communication.

Originality/value

Along with the proposed conceptual framework, this study advances the discussion of online trust in public relations practices from the practitioners' perspective. A qualitative approach provides rich descriptions that may help to enrich theories in public relations and communication management regarding the interplay of trust and dialogic communication in organizational practices in the digital era.
Sustainability in retail services: a transformative service research (TSR) perspective
Authors: Dodds Sarah , Palakshappa Nitha , Stangl Loren M.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Retail organizations that consider a service ecosystems view of sustainability focused on transformation have the potential to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals, business and society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the transformative nature of sustainable retail fashion organizations and their impact on wellbeing within a sustainable retail service ecosystem.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative in-depth case study research design was implemented using four sustainable fashion brands. Data were collected from multiple sources including secondary data from company websites and publicly available reports and interviews with founders and/or high-ranking managers within the organization.

Findings

Three overarching themes critical to transformation in sustainable retail service ecosystems were identified: (1) embedded core purpose or ethos, (2) relevance of fit and (3) breadth and depth of message. Corresponding wellbeing elements were found within the three themes – community and society wellbeing, environmental wellbeing, business strategy wellbeing, consumer wellbeing, leadership wellbeing, employee wellbeing, stakeholder and value chain wellbeing and brand wellbeing.

Research limitations/implications

Future research offers an important opportunity to further explore the relationships between sustainability, TSR and wellbeing in other service contexts.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to transformative service research literature by conceptualizing a sustainable retail service wellbeing ecosystem framework.
The short video usage motivation and behavior of middle-aged and old users
Authors: Yu Xiaofeng , Zhang Yiqing , Zhang Xiaoxue
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The main research problem is the relationship between the use motivation (UM) and use behavior (UB) of middle-aged and old short videos users and the difference of the influence of the use motivation of middle-aged and old users, a special group, on the usage behavior is analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a questionnaire survey and in-depth interview, the middle-aged and old-aged users' short video use motivation and behavior and their influence relationship are discussed.

Findings

It is found that information appeal is the main motivation of middle-aged and old-aged users to use short videos and users with different social attributes have differences in motivation and there is a significant relationship between motivation and behavior.

Originality/value

The research objective is middle-aged and elderly short video users. And how to promote the transformation of middle-aged and old-aged users' use mentality and record and create their unique bright spots in the big stage of short videos with a more active and independent attitude, is of unique significance not only to the users themselves but also to the media content of this era and the users' existence in the technological change.
Seasonal variation of water quality parameters of surface water in mining areas
Authors: Yirenkyi-Fianko Adwoa Boadua , Yanful Ernest Kwesi , Ottou Jemima Antwiwaa
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural mining communities, were analysed to assess the suitability of water quality for human consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 40 samples were collected from 20 sampling sites during the rainy season from July to September and the dry season from December to February in addition to two repeat samples and two blank samples. Samples were analysed for physiochemical parameters and the results were compared with World Health Organisation standards (WHO).

Findings

Data obtained for both rainy and dry seasons indicated TOC ranged from 1.1 to 7.3 mg/L and DOC 1–7.2 mg/L; pH, 5.6–8.63; temperature, 23.3–29.3°C; turbidity, <1.00–869NTU; apparent colour, <2.5–600 mg/L Pt-Co; true colour <2.5–150 mg/L Pt-Co; alkalinity, 27.8–80.4 mg/L; total suspended solids, <1.00–998 mg/L; electrical conductivity, 82–184 µS/cm; and bicarbonate, 33.9–98.1 mg/L. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was constituted between 1 and 10% of the TOC. Values for pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, and true colour indicated contamination of the river. p -value of <0.05 between seasons for the physicochemical parameters also suggests that the water is polluted.

Practical implications

Water from the Birim River is unsuitable for human consumption and may constitute a serious health risk to the consumers.

Originality/value

The paper yields immense value to inhabitant of communities using surface water affected by mining activities, policy makers in sustainability. It warns of the unsuitability of water from the Birim River for human consumption due to the potential health risk to consumers.
Role of internal resources on the competitive advantage building in a knowledge-intensive organisation in an emerging market
Authors: Amaya Norbey , Bernal-Torres César Augusto , Nicolás-Rojas Yoni W. , Pando-Ezcurra Tamara T.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the way the internal resources and their attributes contribute to the competitive advantages in an intensive organisation in knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative case study focused where the NVivo software was used for information analysis and thematic analysis.

Findings

The outcomes showed that from the VRIO framework (value, rarity, imitability and organisation), the plant and equipment and the technical knowledge of its workers are the resources that, due to their attributes, especially the rare, those that grant an advantage competitive position compared to other companies in its sector. Those findings highlight that the resource-based view (RBV) is a good approximation to explain the construction of competitive advantage (CA) and, in addition, the relevance of rare attribute in pharmaceutical companies was confirmed.

Practical implications

The study points out empirical evidence on the relevancy of RBV, from the VRIO framework and the competitive profile matrix (CPM) for the analysis of the management of organisations from the emerging market (economy) perspective. The study also provides competitive advantage analysis tools with which managers can identify strategic resources for their companies.

Originality/value

The VRIO framework and CPM were integrated in the study to analyse the role of internal resources and their attributes in achieving CAs. This integration is the first time that it has been carried out in companies in the context of an emerging market.
Champions and Traditional Technocrats: The Role of Environmental Value Orientation in Stormwater Management
Authors: Turner V. Kelly , Gmoser‐Daskalakis Kyra , Costello David M. , Jefferson Anne , Bhaskar Aditi S.
Published: June 2022

The paper examines relationships between stormwater control measure (SCM) priorities and environmental value orientations among stormwater managers in Cleveland, Ohio and Denver, Colorado, metro regions with contrasting environmental conditions and policy contexts. While studies show that governance explains differences in broad SCM priorities, less is known about what motivates individual “street level bureaucrats” who influence decisions at the project level. Drawing from cognitive social science perspectives, this study surveyed stormwater professionals (n = 185) about primary and co‐benefit SCM priorities and environmental value orientation. Results revealed different primary SCM priorities by region: Cleveland and Denver respondents prioritized quantity and quality goals, respectively, reflecting regional context. Co‐benefit priorities correlated to two environmental value orientation clusters — “Traditional Technocrats” with relatively anthropocentric orientations and “Champions” with relatively ecocentric orientations — who were equally abundant in both regions. Findings suggest that environmental value orientation influences co‐benefit priorities, which may have implications for project level articulation of policy.
Improved survival of viral hepatocellular carcinoma but not non‐viral hepatocellular carcinoma from 2000 to 2020: A multi‐centre cohort study of 6007 patients from high‐volume academic centres in Japan
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Kariyama Kazuya , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Hatanaka Takeshi , Naganuma Atsushi , Yasuda Satoshi , Nouso Kazuhiro , Kakizaki Satoru , Kumada Takashi , Innes Hamish , Johnson Philip J.
Published: June 2022

Background

While surveillance improves the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is unclear whether this has improved prognosis in clinical practice.

Aims

To investigate the characteristics and prognoses of patients with viral versus non‐viral HCC over the previous two decades in Japan, while HCC surveillance has been active.

Methods

This multi‐centre study enrolled 6007 patients initially diagnosed with HCC between 2000 and 2020 at seven high‐volume academic centres. Patients were categorised based on dates of diagnosis: 2000–2006, 2007–2013 and 2014–2020. HCC characteristics and post‐diagnosis survival rates were compared between periods in patients with viral and non‐viral HCC.

Results

The percentage of patients with non‐viral HCC increased during the study period. The maximal tumour size and percentage of patients with multinodular HCC decreased significantly over time in the viral HCC group but remained unchanged in the non‐viral HCC group. Liver function at diagnosis improved over time in both groups, but to a greater extent in the viral HCC group. Survival rates increased significantly with time in the viral HCC group, but not in the non‐viral HCC group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of non‐viral HCC is increasing. Although the survival of patients with viral HCC improved significantly over the past two decades, there was no improvement in patients with non‐viral HCC. This was presumably due mainly to lower surveillance among patients with non‐viral HCC and failure to diagnose early‐stage HCC.
Rewilding: An emotional nature
Authors: Wynne‐Jones Sophie
Published: June 2022

Rewilding is an emotional subject. It inspires passions and argument in spades. As a form of conservation, rewilding offers exciting possibilities to address ecological crises but it is also a threat for many people, leading to dispute and impasse. This paper explores the role emotions play both to inspire rewilding and in the ensuing conflicts. Informed by emotional geographies and feminist political ecology, the analysis attends to the socio‐cultural differences underpinning emotional response and argues that emotions need to be taken seriously to better understand the socio‐natural processes underway. Unravelling the work that emotions do, the experience of joy, arising from time spent in nature, is seen to initiate a desire for rewilding amongst activists. By contrast, for opponents, rewilding prompts a sense of anger, which arises in response to a perceived threat to their identity as farmers and associated feelings of vulnerability. Critically, this vulnerability often remains occluded by the dominance of anger within debates, which explains why conflict has become so intractable. However, by attending to the full register of emotions at work, including those that are not always surfaced, and by better understanding the basis of such emotions, an avenue towards greater empathy is proposed.
Going beyond bibliometrics: A system to track the progress and impact of biomedical research funded by Susan G. Komen
Authors: Dworkin Amy M. , Reffey Stephanie , Wojtanik Kari
Published: June 2022

Traditional metrics used to assess the outcomes and impact of biomedical research, such as publications, citations, and follow‐up grant funding, do not measure the impact on changes in health practice (standard of care), policy, guidelines, or other societal outcomes and may not be meaningful to stakeholders, such as patients, donors, or the public. Susan G. Komen has developed a research product tracking system to monitor the progress of Komen‐funded research products along the research pipeline and to measure the potential impact on patients more directly. In the Komen Product Tracking System, each funded grant is classified by product potential (e.g., treatment, biomarker, etc.) and by stage in the research pipeline (e.g., basic research, preclinical research, clinical trials, and regulatory approval/commercialization). Progress through the research pipeline is updated each year while the grant is active. The Komen Product Tracking System can be used to assess outcomes and the impact of Komen‐funded research in several ways: by viewing snapshots at a given time to understand what research products are in the pipeline at that time and what stages they are in, viewing new products added during a defined funding period and, most importantly, assessing how many products have progressed in the research pipeline and have contributed to, or have potential to contribute to, practice changes that result in direct impacts on patients. The tracking system enables us to communicate the impact of our research to our donors, patients, the public, and other stakeholders in a more meaningful way.
Directional asymmetry and direction‐giving factors: Lessons from flowers with complex symmetry
Authors: Budečević Sanja , Manitašević Jovanović Sanja , Vuleta Ana , Tucić Branka , Klingenberg Christian Peter
Published: June 2022

Directional asymmetry is a systematic difference between the left and right sides for structures with bilateral symmetry or a systematic differentiation among repeated parts for complex symmetry. This study explores factors that produce directional asymmetry in the flower ofIris pumila, a structure with complex symmetry that makes it possible to investigate multiple such factors simultaneously. The shapes and sizes of three types of floral organs, the falls, standards, and style branches, were quantified using the methods of geometric morphometrics. For each flower, this study recorded the compass orientations of floral organs as well as their anatomical orientations relative to the two spathes subtending each flower. To characterize directional asymmetry at the whole‐flower level, differences in the average sizes and shapes according to compass orientation and relative orientation were computed, and the left–right asymmetry was also evaluated for each individual organ. No size or shape differences within flowers were found in relation to anatomical position; this may relate to the terminal position of flowers inIris pumila, suggesting that there may be no adaxial–abaxial polarity, which is very prominent in many other taxa. There was clear directional asymmetry of shape in relation to compass orientation, presumably driven by a consistent environmental gradient such as solar irradiance. There was also clear directional asymmetry between left and right halves of every floral organ, most likely related to the arrangement of organs in the bud. These findings indicate that different factors are acting to produce directional asymmetry at different levels. In conventional analyses not recording flower orientations, these effects would be impossible to disentangle from each other and would probably be included as part of fluctuating asymmetry.
Updated Trewartha climate classification with four climate change scenarios
Authors: Valjarević Aleksandar , Milanović Miško , Gultepe Ismail , Filipović Dejan , Lukić Tin
Published: June 2022

The Updated Trewartha climate classification (TWCC) at global level shows the changes that are expected as a consequence of global temperature increase and imbalance of precipitation. This type of classification is more precise than the Köppen climate classification. Predictions included the increase in global temperature (T in °C) and change in the amount of precipitation (PA in mm). Two climate models MIROC6 and IPSL‐CM6A‐ LR were used, along with 4261 meteorological stations from which the data on temperature and precipitation were taken. These climate models were used because they represent the most extreme models in the CMIP6 database. Four scenarios of climate change and their territories were analysed in accordance with the TWCC classification. Four scenarios of representative concentration pathway (RCP) by 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5 W/m2 follow the increase of temperature between 0.3°C and 4.3°C in relation to precipitation and are being analysed for the periods 2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2080 and 2081–2100. The biggest extremes are shown in the last grid for the period 2081–2100, reflecting the increase of T up to 4.3°C. With the help of GIS (geographical information systems) and spatial analyses, it is possible to estimate the changes in climate zones as well as their movement. Australia and South East Asia will suffer the biggest changes of biomes, followed by South America and North America. Climate belts to undergo the biggest change due to such temperature according to TWCC are Ar, Am, Aw and BS, BW, E, Ft and Fi. The Antarctic will lose 11.5% of the territory under Fi and Ft climates within the period between 2081 and 2100. The conclusion is that the climates BW, Bwh and Bwk, which represent the deserts, will increase by 119.8% with the increase of T by 4.3°C.
Fiber reinforced porous (La1/5Nd1/5Sm1/5Gd1/5Yb1/5)2Zr2O7 ceramics with enhanced compressive strength
Authors: Liu De‐Bao , Shi Bao‐Lu , Wang Yi‐Guang , Xu Bao‐Sheng
Published: June 2022

In this work, we have prepared a novel yttria‐stabilized zirconia fiber (YSZf)‐reinforced (La1/5Nd1/5Sm1/5Gd1/5Yb1/5)2Zr2O7 porous ceramics (YSZf/(5RE1/5)2Zr2O7 PCs) through a foam‐gelcasting‐freeze drying process. The microstructure, phase composition, density, porosity, thermal conductivity, and compressive strength of the as‐prepared YSZf/(5RE1/5)2Zr2O7 PCs were systematically investigated. In addition, the high‐temperature thermal cycle stability and thermally insulating property of the samples were also tested. The results indicated that the as‐synthesized YSZf/(5RE1/5)2Zr2O7 PCs (with 25 wt% YSZ fibers) exhibited high porosity, high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity as well as low thermal cycling shrinkage. This work demonstrated that the added YSZ fiber can remarkably improve the strength of (5RE1/5)2Zr2O7 PCs with the high porosity, and as‐developed YSZf/(5RE1/5)2Zr2O7 PCs would be an excellent candidate for high‐temperature thermal insulator materials.
Enhanced insulation and piezoelectric properties of 0.57(Bi0.8La0.2)FeO3‐0.43PbTiO3 solid solutions with Fe addition
Authors: Wang Yongchen , Jia Fanhao , Jiao Zhixiang , Jian Jie , Chen Jianguo , Wang Yan , Cheng Jinrong
Published: June 2022

0.57(Bi0.8La0.2)FeO3‐0.43PbTiO3‐x mol%Fe2O3 ceramics (BLF‐PT‐xFe, x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.125, and 0.25) were prepared by the conventional solid‐state reaction method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that all samples display the perovskite structure with a coexistence of tetragonal (T) phase and rhombohedral (R) phase, while the incorporation of Fe promotes the phase transition from T to R. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that all samples are well crystallized and their grain size increases noticeably with the increase of Fe content. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate that Fe doping significantly inhibits the formation of oxygen vacancies, thereby improving insulation of BLF‐PT‐xFe ceramics. Interestingly, the Curie temperature of BLF‐PT‐xFe is around 330°C, little changing with the variation of Fe content. However, the depolarization temperatures of BLF‐PT ceramics with Fe are 50°C higher than that of the sample without Fe doping. The hopping of second ionized oxygen vacancies are the major carriers in the temperature range of 200°C–500°C. The optimal component of BLF‐PT‐xFe ceramics appear at x = 0.05, where the dielectric loss tanδ, AC resistivity (200°C), and piezoelectric coefficient d33 could be 0.015, 7 × 106 Ω cm, and 245 pC/N, respectively. All these results indicate that the Fe addition is an effective method to enhance dielectric and piezoelectric properties.
Influences of crystallization temperature on the structure, dielectric, and energy storage characteristics of KBaSrNb5O15‐based glass–ceramics
Authors: Qin Yaoyi , Luo Feng , Geng Xile , Xing Junhao , Shang Fei , Chen Guohua
Published: June 2022

Glass–ceramics capacitors have great application potential in pulsed power systems, due to ultrafast discharge speed and high dielectric breakdown strength (BDS). Here, lead‐free niobate glass–ceramic dielectric materials were synthesized, and the effects of heat treatment temperature on the dielectric, ferroelectric, and energy storage properties of glass–ceramics were investigated comprehensively. The results exhibit that the dielectric permittivity first increases and then decreases as the crystallinity increases; however, the dielectric BDS diminishes. At the optimum crystallization temperature of 740°C, the maximum value of discharge energy density is 2.2 J/cm3 at 600 kV/cm, which is about 7.6 times that of mother glass. Furthermore, an ultrahigh power density of about 380.9 MW/cm3 and ultrafast discharge speed of about 11.2 ns were achieved simultaneously. Meanwhile, great thermal stability of charge–discharge property was verified in this glass–ceramics. According to P–E loops and dielectric test result, a high dielectric constant (∼207) and low dielectric loss (<0.005) as well as high energy storage efficiency of about 94.9% were achieved for G740 sample. The previous results make the obtained glass–ceramic as potential candidates in dielectric capacitors.
Reliability in assessment centres depends on general and exercise performance, but not on dimensions
Authors: Jackson Duncan J. R. , Michaelides George , Dewberry Chris , Nelson Jo , Stephens Catherine
Published: June 2022

This study contributes to the literature on assessment centre (AC) measurement structure by evaluating whether dimension, exercise or mixed‐model theoretical perspectives are supported by reliability outcomes. In a large‐scale study (Ncandidates = 2917) utilizing Bayesian generalizability theory, we tested reliability estimates configured to conform to dimension, exercise or mixed‐model perspectives. Our findings reveal that reliability outcomes for AC ratings greatly depend on the measurement intentions of the researcher. When this intent aligned with the traditional dimension perspective, we found evidence that reliability was unacceptably low (mean reliability = .38, SD = .15). However, when the intent aligned with the exercise perspective, we found evidence that reliability exceeded acceptable criteria (mean reliability = .91, SD = .09). The addition of dimension‐ to exercise‐related effects to reflect a mixed‐model perspective did not make an appreciable difference to reliability.
Examining Critical Reflection as a Mediator Between School Racial Climate Experiences and Anti‐Racist Action
Authors: Golden Alexandrea R. , Byrd Christy M.
Published: June 2022

Little is known about how different school racial climate experiences influence the critical reflection and subsequent critical action behaviors of racially minoritized youth. Therefore, the current study examined how critical reflection mediated the relationship between school racial climate profiles and critical action behaviors. Participants were 559 Black and Latinx adolescents, aged 13–17 who completed an online survey. Results indicated that critical reflection significantly mediated the relationships between interpersonal interactions (i.e., equal status) and anti‐racist critical action behaviors. Similarly, the relationships between school racial socialization messages (i.e., cultural and critical consciousness socialization) and anti‐racist critical action behaviors were also mediated by critical reflection. Findings have implications for how dimensions of the school racial climate differentially relate to racially minoritized youth's critical consciousness.