bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Primary Health Care for Residents Living in Assisted Living: Evidence for Practice and Policy
Authors: Cann Patricia , McCloskey Rose
Published: April 2021

The fact that there is a large and growing number of older Canadians has generated a sense of urgency in improving seniors’ access to health and long-term care services. Many provincial health care systems have engaged in a range of reforms to help older adults remain healthy and independent. Although many transformational changes have taken place across Canada to improve primary care, variations exist across provinces and territories in terms of older adults’ access to primary health care. Opportunities exist for provinces to learn from successful reforms implemented in other Canadian jurisdictions. Residents of assisted living (AL) facilities are an ideal group to whom to target primary health care reforms, given the important role these facilities play in the care continuum and the complex needs of their residents. Allowing practitioners to practice to their full scope and assume greater responsibility within the health care system is a strategy adopted in some jurisdictions with success. This article reports on reforms that have been made to expand the scopes of practice of nurse practitioners and paramedics in some provinces, but also have the potential to improve access to primary health care for those living in AL across the entire country, including those living in smaller provinces such as New Brunswick.
High Levels of CO2 Exchange During Synoptic‐Scale Events Introduce Large Uncertainty Into the Arctic Carbon Budget
Authors: Jentzsch K. , Schulz A. , Pirk N. , Foken T. , Crewell S. , Boike J.
Published: April 2021

CO2 release from thawing permafrost is both a consequence of, and a driver for, global warming, making accurate information on the Arctic carbon cycle essential for climate predictions. Eddy covariance data obtained from Bayelva (Svalbard) in 2015, using well‐established processing and quality control techniques, indicate that most of the annual net CO2 uptake is due to high CO2 flux events in winter that are associated with strong winds and probably relate to technical limitations of the gas analyzer. Emission events may relate to either (unidentified) instrumental limitations or to physical processes such as CO2 advection. Excluding the high winter uptake events yields an annual CO2 budget close to zero; whether or not these events are included can, therefore, have a considerable effect on carbon budget calculations. Further investigation will be crucial to pinpoint the factors causing these high CO2 flux events and to derive scientifically substantiated flux processing standards.
Apparent Periodic and Long‐Term Changes in AAIW and UCDW Properties at Fixed Depths in the Southwest Pacific, With Indications of a Regime Shift in the 1930s
Authors: Thresher Ronald E. , Fallon Stewart J.
Published: April 2021

Metal/calcium ratios in two long‐lived deep‐sea gorgonian corals (Lepidisis and Corallium spp.) in the Southwest Pacific evidence periodic decadal variability at depths that correspond to Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) and shallow Upper Circumpolar Deep Water, and a shift in the mid‐1930s to late‐1930s in mean ambient temperatures, barium/silicate concentrations and possibly pH, the rate at which these properties change over time, and the relationship between temperatures at fixed depth and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). The decadal periodicity, which is evident in other biological indices in the study area, can be accounted for by water mass heave on the order of 100–150 m, which is consistent with observed scales of variability in the AAIW. The proximate and ultimate causes of the midcentury shifts are unclear, but could be related to suggested mid‐20th century changes in climate parameters globally and, more specifically, in the subpolar SW Pacific.
Tracing Bank Storage and Hyporheic Exchange Dynamics Using 222Rn: Virtual and Field Tests and Comparison With Other Tracers
Authors: Liao Fu , Cardenas M. Bayani , Ferencz Stephen B. , Chen Xiaobing , Wang Guangcai
Published: April 2021

Dynamic hydrologic exchange flows in river beds and banks are important for many ecosystem functions throughout river corridors. Here we test whether the exchanges and the associated mixing between a flooding river and groundwater within the river’s bank can be effectively traced by Radon‐222 (222Rn), a naturally occurring, inert, radiogenic, and radioactive gas that can be analyzed and monitored in situ. The assessment was done by simulation of groundwater flow and reactive transport of 222Rn in the bank following a single, relatively rapid (hours long) flood wave and auxiliary field observations of 222Rn, temperature and total dissolved solids (a surrogate for any ionic conservative tracer). Results illustrate that 222Rn is more effective than temperature and total dissolved solids in tracing dynamic hyporheic exchange. 222Rn variations in space and time are larger than the analytical uncertainty of common measurement methods. The individual effects of aquifer hydraulic conductivity, dispersivity, river water 222Rn concentration, and bank topography were analyzed through sensitivity analysis. Larger hydraulic conductivity and dispersivity, lower 222Rn concentration in river water relative to groundwater, and gentler bank slopes resulted in a more prominent and traceable 222Rn signal. The transport and residence time of exchanged water may be estimated and interpreted using reactive transport models such as those implemented here. However, such application is sensitive to fluctuations in river water 222Rn, requiring it to be well characterized. The assessment provides guidance for using 222Rn as a tracer for groundwater and surface water interactions in dynamic settings.
Plant Roots Steer Resilience to Perturbation of River Floodplains
Authors: Bau' Valentina , Borthwick Alistair G. L. , Perona Paolo
Published: April 2021

Freshwater ecosystems along river floodplains host among the greatest biodiversity on Earth and are known to respond to anthropic pressure. For water impounded systems, resilience to changes in the natural flow regime is believed to be bidirectional. Whether such resilience prevents the system from returning to pristine conditions after the flow regime changes reverse is as yet unclear, though widely documented. In this work, we show that temporal irreversibility of river floodplains to recover their status may be explained by the dynamics of riparian water‐tolerant plant roots. Our model is a quantitative tool that will benefit scientists and practitioners in predicting the impact of changing flow regimes on long‐term river floodplain dynamics.
The brain at war: effects of stress on brain structure in soldiers deployed to a war zone
Authors: Kühn Simone , Butler Oisin , Willmund Gerd , Wesemann Ulrich , Zimmermann Peter , Gallinat Jürgen
Published: April 2021

In search of the neural basis of severe trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a multitude of cross-sectional studies have been conducted, most of them pointing at structural deficits in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Since cross-sectional studies are silent to causality, the core question remains: which brain structural alterations constitute a risk factor for disease and therewith precede the stressor, and which brain regions may undergo alterations as a consequence of exposure to the stressor. We assessed 121 soldiers before and after deployment to regions of war and 40 soldiers as controls, who were not deployed. Analysis using voxel-based morphometry revealed volumetric reductions in the ACC, vmPFC (region of interest analysis, effect does not survive conservative multiple test correction) and in bilateral thalamus (whole-brain analysis) in the deployment group. Remarkably, the ACC and vmPFC volume decrease was not limited to the period of deployment, but continued over the following 6 months after deployment. Volumetric reductions did not correlate with increases in PTSD symptoms. The volume decreases in medial prefrontal cortex and thalamus seem to be driven by trauma exposure rather than a vulnerability factor for PTSD. However, data indicate that the volume decrease in medial prefrontal cortex surpasses the time period of deployment. This may hint at an initiated pathobiological process below a symptom threshold, potentially paving the way to future mental health problems.
Toll-like receptor 4-mediated cytokine synthesis and post-stroke depressive symptoms
Authors: Korostynski Michal , Hoinkis Dzesika , Piechota Marcin , Golda Slawomir , Pera Joanna , Slowik Agnieszka , Dziedzic Tomasz
Published: April 2021

Altered cytokine synthesis thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of post-stroke depression (PSD). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a master regulator of innate immunity. The aim of this study was to explore the putative association between TLR4-mediated cytokine synthesis and subsequent symptoms of PSD. In total, 262 patients with ischemic stroke and without a history of PSD were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in 170 patients on Day 8 and in 146 at 3 months after stroke. Blood samples taken on Day 3 after stroke were stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ex vivo synthesized cytokines (TNFα, IP-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70) and circulating cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, sIL-6R, and IL-1ra) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoassay or cytometric method. RNA sequencing was used to determine the gene expression profile of LPS-induced cytokines and chemokines. LPS-induced cytokine synthesis and the gene expression of TLR4-dependent cytokines and chemokines did not differ between patients with and without greater depressive symptoms. The plasma level of IL-6, but not TNFα, sIL-6R, and IL-1ra, was higher in patients who developed depressive symptoms at 3 months after stroke (median: 4.7 vs 3.4 pg/mL, P = 0.06). Plasma IL-6 predicted the severity of depressive symptoms at 3 months after stroke (β = 0.42, P = 0.03). In conclusion, TLR4-dependent cytokine synthesis was not associated with greater post-stroke depressive symptoms in this study. Circulating IL-6 might be associated with depressive symptoms occurring at 3 months after stroke.
Novel multi-strain probiotics reduces Pasteurella multocida induced fowl cholera mortality in broilers
Authors: Reuben Rine Christopher , Sarkar Shovon Lal , Ibnat Habiba , Setu Md. Ali Ahasan , Roy Pravas Chandra , Jahid Iqbal Kabir
Published: April 2021

Pasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera, a highly contagious poultry disease of global concern, causing significant ecological and economic challenges to the poultry industry each year. This study evaluated the effects of novel multi-strain probiotics consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fermentum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, haemato-biochemical parameters and anti-inflammatory properties on broilers experimentally challenged with P. multocida. A total of 120 birds were fed with a basal diet supplemented with probiotics (108 CFU/kg) and then orally challenged with 108 CFU/mL of P. multocida. Probiotics supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance and feed efficiency as well as reducing (P < 0.05) the population of intestinal P. multocida, enterobacteria, and mortality. Haemato-biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, white blood cells (WBC), proteins, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV) and lymphocytes improved (P < 0.05) among probiotic fed birds when compared with the controls. Transcriptional profiles of anti-inflammatory genes including hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) and prostaglandin E receptor 2 (PTGER2) in the intestinal mucosa were upregulated (P < 0.05) in probiotics fed birds. The dietary inclusion of the novel multi-strain probiotics improves growth performance, feed efficiency and intestinal health while attenuating inflammatory reaction, clinical signs and mortality associated with P. multocida infection in broilers.
Prostaglandin F2α agonists induced enhancement in collagen1 expression is involved in the pathogenesis of the deepening of upper eyelid sulcus
Authors: Itoh Kaku , Ida Yosuke , Ohguro Hiroshi , Hikage Fumihito
Published: April 2021

Previous our study reported that three-dimension (3D) cultures of human orbital fibroblasts (HOFs) replicated the etiology of deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus (DUES) caused by prostaglandin F2α analogues (PGF2α-ags). To examine this further, the effects of PGF2α-ags on HOFs were characterized by (1) lipid staining (2D; two-dimension, 3D), (2) comparison of the 3D organoid sizes of preadipocytes (DIF−) or adipocytes (DIF+) that had been treated with various concentrations of several PGF2α-ags, (3) physical stiffness (3D), and (4) the mRNA expression of adipogenic related genes, extracellular matrix (ECM), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (3D). PGF2α-ags caused a dramatic down-sizing of the 3D DIF+ organoids and this reduction was concentration dependent. The effects caused by PGF2α-ags were also observed in 3D preadipocytes. Micro-squeezer analysis clearly indicated that PGF2α-ags induced an increase in their physical solidity. The size of each organoid under several conditions was inversely correlated with the mRNA expression profile of collagen1 (COL1), TIMP2, and MMP2 and 9. These findings indicate that PGF2α-ags affect the expression of COL1, TIMP2, and MMP2 and 9 which, in turn, modulate the 3D ECM network within the organoids, thus resulting in their downsizing.
Injectable keratin hydrogels as hemostatic and wound dressing materials
Authors: Tang Ao , Li Ying , Yao Yiqian , Yang Xuexia , Cao Zhangjun , Nie Huali , Yang Guang
Published: April 2021

A protein-based injectable hydrogel was prepared in a convenient way and applied for biomedical applications as hemostatic and wound dressing materials.
Multifunctional chiral cationic porous organic polymers: gas uptake and heterogeneous asymmetric organocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Zhenwei , Shen Xiaochen , Li Ziping , Ma Si , Xia Hong , Liu Xiaoming
Published: April 2021

Chiral porous organic polymers are characterized by robust, non-toxic and recyclable properties. Therefore, compared with small molecular catalysts, they have attracted much attention in the field of heterogeneous asymmetric organic catalysis.
Facile access to functional polyacrylates with dual stimuli response and tunable surface hydrophobicity
Authors: Mohammad Sk Arif , Dolui Subrata , Kumar Devendra , Mane Shivshankar R. , Banerjee Sanjib
Published: April 2021

Well-defined functional polyacrylates with dual stimuli response and tunable surface hydrophobicity were synthesized via the recyclable Ni–Co alloy catalyzed reversible deactivation radical polymerization technique at ambient temperature.
A dynamic picture of the halolactonization reaction through a combination of ab initio metadynamics and experimental investigations
Authors: Van Lommel Ruben , Bock Jonathan , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Hennecke Ulrich , De Proft Frank
Published: April 2021

Ab initio dynamics of the halolactonization reaction provide insights into the diastereoselectivity of the reaction. Noncovalent interactions between the substrate, halogen source and solvent are revealed to direct the formation of the syn-product.
Recent advances in single atom catalysts for the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction
Authors: Zhang Jincheng , Cai Weizheng , Hu Fang Xin , Yang Hongbin , Liu Bin
Published: April 2021

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers a promising solution to mitigate carbon emission and at the same time generate valuable carbonaceous chemicals/fuels.
Differences in Daily Voice Use Measures Between Female Patients With Nonphonotraumatic Vocal Hyperfunction and Matched Controls
Authors: Van Stan Jarrad H. , Ortiz Andrew J. , Cortes Juan P. , Marks Katherine L. , Toles Laura E. , Mehta Daryush D. , Burns James A. , Hron Tiffiny , Stadelman-Cohen Tara , Krusemark Carol , Muise Jason , Fox-Galalis Annie B. , Nudelman Charles , Zeitels Steven , Hillman Robert E.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology and impact on daily voice use of nonphonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (NPVH).

Method

An ambulatory voice monitor collected 1 week of data from 36 patients with NPVH and 36 vocally healthy matched controls. A subset of 11 patients with NPVH were monitored after voice therapy. Daily voice use measures included neck-skin acceleration magnitude, fundamental frequency (
f
o
), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), and the difference between the first and second harmonic magnitudes (H1–H2). Additional comparisons included 118 patients with phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (PVH) and 89 additional vocally healthy controls.

Results

The NPVH group, compared to the matched control group, exhibited increased
f
o
(Cohen's
d
= 0.6), reduced CPP (
d
= −0.9), and less positive H1–H2 skewness (
d
= −1.1). Classifiers used CPP mean and H1–H2 mode to maximally differentiate the NPVH and matched control groups (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.78). Classifiers performed well on unseen data: the logit decreased in patients with NPVH after therapy; ≥ 85% of the control and PVH groups were identified as “normal” or “not NPVH,” respectively.

Conclusions

The NPVH group's daily voice use is less periodic (CPP), is higher pitched (
f
o
), and has less abrupt vocal fold closure (H1–H2 skew) compared to the matched control group. The combination of CPP mean and H1–H2 mode appears to reflect a pathophysiological continuum in NPVH patients of inefficient phonation with minimal potential for phonotrauma. Further validation of the classification model is needed to better understand potential clinical uses.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14390771
Evaluation of time response of GMS for soil suction measurement
Authors: Vettorello Danilo L. , Marinho Fernando A. M.
Published: April 2021

The Granular Matrix Sensor (GMS) is an indirect method for soil suction measurement. Since GMS is comparatively inexpensive, robust and usually provide continuous soil suction data, it is a natural candidate for civil engineering practice. The sensor has been used mainly for irrigation purposes, and also for some civil engineering activities. Questions about its effectiveness and reliability are still posed, making studies about this topic desirable. This study presents a laboratory comparison between Watermark and an ordinary tensiometer during an equilibrium period and for a wetting procedure performed in a compacted sandy silt soil (residual soil of gneiss). The results yielded that GMS may provide tensiometer equivalent suction values in a context of no significant water content variation. However, it takes a longer time to obtain stabilized suction values. During the wetting procedure, GMS presented a delay of about 2 h in detecting water while tensiometer detection was almost instantaneous.
Effect of soil moisture content on the bearing capacity of small bored piles in the unsaturated soil of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Ricken Marques Verônica , Belincanta Antonio , Beroya-Eitner Mary-Antonette , Almada Augusto Jorge Luis , Guelssi Ewerton , Zachert Hauke
Published: April 2021

In this study, the influence of soil moisture on the bearing capacity of piles founded in an unsaturated clay soil was investigated. The soil studied, composing the upper soil layer in Maringá, Brazil, is lateritic, has degree of saturation between 37% and 70% and has collapsible behaviour when wet. The bearing capacity was determined by full-scale load tests following the Brazilian Standard for Static Load Test. Two pile lengths, 4 m and 8 m, were considered. To analyse the influence of soil moisture, two tests were performed for each pile length: one in soil in its natural moisture content and another in pre-moistened soil. Results show that for both pile lengths, an increase in water content caused a significant reduction in bearing capacity, which is attributed to the decrease in the matric suction of the soil. This is confirmed by the results of the initial evaluation made on the variation of matric suction and its contribution to the bearing capacity with changes in water content. In summary, this study confirms that the pile bearing capacity in unsaturated soil is dependent on soil water content, highlighting the fact that the approach of assuming full saturation condition in the evaluation of the pile bearing capacity in such soil may give erroneous results. Moreover, this study demonstrate that the empirical methods most commonly used in Brazil for pile bearing capacity determination, the Décourt & Quaresma and Aoki & Velloso methods, are overly conservative when applied to the Maringá soil.
Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of compacted bio-cemented lateritic soil in municipal solid waste containment application
Authors: Osinubi Kolawole Juwonlo , Gadzama Emmanuel , Eberemu Adrian Oshioname , Ijimdiya Thomas Stephen
Published: April 2021

Most engineering infrastructures, including municipal solid waste containment facilities, are situated in unsaturated zone. The use of chemical additives for soil improvement has been linked to the adverse environmental issues being experienced globally. Research into more sustainable methods of soil improvement has led to the discovery of a novel and innovative method known as microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP). Lateritic soil was treated with stepped Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii) suspension density up to 2.40 x 109 cells/ml at moulding water content (MWC) -2, 0 and +2 % relative to optimum moisture content (OMC) before compaction using Reduced British Standard light (RBSL), British Standard light (BSL), West African Standard (WAS) or Intermediate and British Standard heavy (BSH) energies. Compacted specimens were saturated with cementation reagent in three cycles with 1/3rd pore volume at 6 hours’ interval to induce calcite precipitation at an ambient laboratory temperature of 24±2°C. The soil-water characteristics curves (SWCC) of the specimens were determined using pressure plate extractor over a pressure range of 10-1500 kPa. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were predicted for the S. pasteurii suspension densities considered using Brooks-Corey, van Genuchten as well as Fredlund and Xing curve fitting prediction models. Results show that the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values of specimens prepared at lower, MWC relative to OMC were generally higher than at higher MWC regardless of compactive efforts and S. pasteurii suspension densities considered. The Brooks-Corey model gave the best predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values which fit the requirements for waste containment facilities over the matric suction range and S. pasteurii suspension densities considered, than the van Genuchten and Fredlund – Xing, when compared with measured values.
In the quest of an appropriate turbulence model for analyzing the aerodynamics of a conventional Savonius (S-type) wind rotor
Authors: Alom Nur , Saha Ujjwal K. , Dewan Anupam
Published: April 2021

For over two decades, the quest for decentralized electric power generation has stimulated much research interest into the Savonius (or S-type) wind turbine rotors. To enhance their efficiency, the operating parameters have already been examined by various numerical and experimental techniques. While most researchers have focused on using selected turbulence models to arrive at some meaningful conclusions and recommendations, no study analyzing a range of turbulence models in a systematic and comprehensive manner is reported. This study thus aims at conducting 2-D unsteady numerical simulations of a conventional semicircular-bladed Savonius rotor using six different turbulence models, viz., standard k–ε, realizable k–ε, RNG k–ε models, standard k–ω and shear stress transport (SST) k–ω, and transition SST (TSST) turbulence models. The simulations are performed by commercial finite-volume method solver ANSYS Fluent 17.1 at a fixed Reynolds number (Re) of 1.23 × 105 based on the rotor overall diameter. This study demonstrates the prediction capabilities of realizable k–ε, RNG k–ε, SST k–ω, and TSST models more accurately than those of other models. However, due to higher computational cost associated with TSST model, the use of realizable k–ε, RNG k–ε, and SST k–ω models for predicting the aerodynamic performance of other developed and to-be-developed profiles of Savonius rotor is recommended.
Thickness dependent electrical resistivity modulation in tensile-strained epitaxial thin films of calcium manganese oxide
Authors: Hart Cacie , Warecki Zoey , Yong Grace , Houston David , Kolagani Rajeswari
Published: April 2021

We report our studies of the thickness dependence of electrical resistivity and lattice constants in strained epitaxial thin films of calcium manganese oxide. Our results indicate the potential of bi-axial lattice mismatch strain as a handle for modulating electrical resistivity. We observe thickness dependence of lattice constants consistent with what is expected for strain relaxation for films thicker than 400 Å. At lower thickness values, anomalies are observed suggestive of reduced oxygen stoichiometry. We observe a remarkable decrease in electrical resistivity with decreasing film thickness. The resistivity of our thinnest films (5–7 nm) is about three orders of magnitude lower than the resistivity of bulk CaMnO3. Resistivity increases as the film thickness increases, along with the progression of strain relaxation. It is noteworthy that the thickness dependence of resistivity we observe in CMO thin films is the opposite of what has been reported for their hole-doped rare earth manganite counterpart La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO), where tensile lattice mismatch strain suppresses metallicity, leading to the increase in resistivity with film thickness. We believe that the enhanced conductivity in our thinnest films is related to the possible oxygen deficiency promoted by tensile strain. Recent x-ray absorption measurements have revealed reduced oxygen content and associated changes in Mn valence states in tensile-strained CMO thin films, as also predicted by density functional theory calculations. This report is the first observation of electrical transport behavior possibly indicative of strain–oxygen stoichiometry coupling.
Fitness selection of hyperfusogenic measles virus F proteins associated with neuropathogenic phenotypes
Authors: Ikegame Satoshi , Hashiguchi Takao , Hung Chuan-Tien , Dobrindt Kristina , Brennand Kristen J. , Takeda Makoto , Lee Benhur
Published: April 2021

Significance

Measles remains a major cause of infant death globally. On rare occasions, measles virus infection of the central nervous system (CNS) leads to a fatal progressive inflammation of the brain many years after the initial infection. MeV isolates from such CNS infections harbors fusion (F) protein mutations that result in a hyperfusogenic phenotype. The small number of hyperfusogenic MeV-F mutants identified thus far limits our ability to understand how these mutations are selected in the context of CNS infections. We performed a saturating mutagenesis screen of MeV-F to identify a large set of mutants that would mimic the hyperfusogenic phenotype of MeV-F in CNS infections. Characterization of these mutants shed light on other paramyxoviruses known to establish chronic CNS infections.
Di-Higgs production as a probe of flavor changing neutral Yukawa couplings
Authors: He Shi-Ping
Published: April 2021

Top partners are well motivated in many new physics models. Usually, vector like quarks,

, are introduced to circumvent the quantum anomaly. Therefore, it is crucial to probe their interactions with standard model particles. However, flavor changing neutral couplings are always difficult to detect directly in current and future experiments. In this paper, we demonstrate how to constrain the flavor changing neutral Yukawa coupling

indirectly, via the di-Higgs production. We consider the simplified model, including a pair of gauge singlet

. Under the perturbative unitarity and experimental constraints, we select

, and

as benchmark points. After the analysis on the amplitude and evaluation of the numerical cross sections, we infer that the present constraints from di-Higgs production have already surpassed the unitarity bound because of the

behavior. For the case of

and

,

and

can be bounded optimally in the range

at the HL-LHC with

CL. For the case of

and

,

and

can be bounded optimally in the range

at the HL-LHC with

CL. The anomalous triple Higgs coupling

can also affect the constraints on

. Finally, we determine that the top quark electric dipole moment can provide stronger

bounds in the off-axis regions for some scenarios.
Effects of 4-bromoaniline and pentylamine compounds on the stress corrosion cracking of mild steel and brass in dilute electrolyte solutions
Authors: Loto Roland T. , Loto Cleophas A. , Akinkunmi Abdurrahman
Published: April 2021

The inhibition effect of 4-bromoaniline (4BA), pentylamine (PTL) and their combined admixture on the stress corrosion behaviour of mild steel and brass in 0.5 M and 0.3 M H2SO4and NH4OH solution was studied through open circuit potential measurement and visual observation. The experiment was performed at 90% stress level for optimal results. Results obtained showed that the inhibitor compounds generally influenced the thermodynamic tendency of the alloys to corrode, delayed the onset of crack formation and specimen failure in the electrolytes. The combined admixture of 4BA and PTL performed most effectively in the both acid solutions, increasing the corrosion potential to -0.391 V and -0.281 V compared to the corresponding values obtained in the control acid solutions at -0.446 V and -0.451 V. 4BA performed most effectively in NH4OH solutions with corrosion potential values of -0.743 at 504 h. Visual observation of the metallic alloys shows crack initiated on mild steel in both acids without inhibitor addition at 72 h of exposure and specimen failure occurred at 216 h. The corresponding observation for brass in 0.5 M NH4OH solution showed crack initiated at 144 h before failure at 360 h. In 0.3M NH4OH, crack initiation and failure occurred at 216 h and 504 h respectively. The admixture of 4BA and PTL delayed crack initiation on mild steel to 216 h and no specimen failure was observed at 504 h. 4BA delayed the onset of crack formation on brass in 0.5 M and 0.3 M NH4OH solution to 216 h and 288h. However, failure occurred at 432 h in 0.5 M NH4OH compared to no failure at 504 h of exposure in 0.3 M NH4OH solution.
Mathematical modeling of the moisture ratio during drying of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in a hot air dryer
Authors: Ojediran J.O. , Okonkwo C.E. , Olaniran A.F. , Olayanju T.A. , Adewumi A.D. , Oluwakemi Erinle , Alhassan E.A. , Idahosa E.O.
Published: April 2021

Drying is one of the major unit operation in food industry and it kinetics data is required for optimization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of air temperature (50, 60, and 70°C), air velocity (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m/s), and slice thickness (3, 6, and 9 mm) on the moisture ratio of yam slice during drying. Ten (10) different empirical models were used in fitting the experimental moisture ratio data, the prediction performance was evaluated with sum of square error (SSE), coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The model fitting shows that the Two term model was most performed based on R2, SSE, and RMSE value. This result can be use to control the drying systems for yam slice.
Long reads capture simultaneous enhancer–promoter methylation status for cell-type deconvolution
Authors: Margalit Sapir , Abramson Yotam , Sharim Hila , Manber Zohar , Bhattacharya Surajit , Chen Yi-Wen , Vilain Eric , Barseghyan Hayk , Elkon Ran , Sharan Roded , Ebenstein Yuval
Published: April 2021

Motivation

While promoter methylation is associated with reinforcing fundamental tissue identities, the methylation status of distant enhancers was shown by genome-wide association studies to be a powerful determinant of cell-state and cancer. With recent availability of long reads that report on the methylation status of enhancer–promoter pairs on the same molecule, we hypothesized that probing these pairs on the single-molecule level may serve the basis for detection of rare cancerous transformations in a given cell population. We explore various analysis approaches for deconvolving cell-type mixtures based on their genome-wide enhancer–promoter methylation profiles.

Results

To evaluate our hypothesis we examine long-read optical methylome data for the GM12878 cell line and myoblast cell lines from two donors. We identified over 100 000 enhancer–promoter pairs that co-exist on at least 30 individual DNA molecules. We developed a detailed methodology for mixture deconvolution and applied it to estimate the proportional cell compositions in synthetic mixtures. Analysis of promoter methylation, as well as enhancer–promoter pairwise methylation, resulted in very accurate estimates. In addition, we show that pairwise methylation analysis can be generalized from deconvolving different cell types to subtle scenarios where one wishes to resolve different cell populations of the same cell-type.

Availability and implementation

The code used in this work to analyze single-molecule Bionano Genomics optical maps is available via the GitHub repository https://github.com/ebensteinLab/Single_molecule_methylation_in_EP.
Convergent patterns of adaptive radiation between island and mainlandAnolislizards
Authors: Huie Jonathan M , Prates Ivan , Bell Rayna C , de Queiroz Kevin
Published: April 2021

Uncovering convergent and divergent patterns of diversification is a major goal of evolutionary biology. On four Greater Antillean islands, Anolis lizards have convergently evolved sets of species with similar ecologies and morphologies (ecomorphs). However, it is unclear whether closely related anoles from Central and South America exhibit similar patterns of diversification. We generated an extensive morphological data set to test whether mainland Draconura-clade anoles are assignable to the Caribbean ecomorphs. Based on a new classification framework that accounts for different degrees of morphological support, we found morphological evidence for mainland representatives of all six Caribbean ecomorphs and evidence that many ecomorphs have also evolved repeatedly on the mainland. We also found strong evidence that ground-dwelling anoles from both the Caribbean and the mainland constitute a new and distinct ecomorph class. Beyond the ecomorph concept, we show that the island and mainland anole faunas exhibit exceptional morphological convergence, suggesting that they are more similar than previously understood. However, the island and mainland radiations are not identical, indicating that regional differences and historical contingencies can lead to replicate yet variable radiations. More broadly, our findings suggest that replicated radiations occur beyond island settings more often than previously recognized.
Dementia-Friendliness in Danish and International Contexts: A Critical Discourse Analysis
Authors: Hansen Tania E A , Praestegaard Jeanette , Tjørnhøj-Thomsen Tine , Andresen Mette , Nørgaard Birgitte
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives

Initiatives to create dementia-friendly environments are subject to political attention all over the world. As the interpretation of dementia-friendliness is influenced by current cultural trends, the concept is highly ambiguous. The present study aims to explore how discourses concerning dementia-friendliness are manifested in Danish and international policy documents and how they interact internationally.

Research Design and Methods

Inspired by Fairclough’s critical discourse approach, 21 policy documents were analyzed to reveal how power is exerted through language and the discursive construction.

Results

We identified 5 types of discourses, namely, those concerning the domains of socioeconomy, rehabilitation, knowledge, responsibility, and a good life. Dementia-friendliness was found to be embedded in an overall ideology aimed toward supporting the individual’s autonomy in life and health choices and their participation in society.

Discussion and Implications

Our analysis furthermore suggests that dementia-friendly initiatives are used collectively as a lever to achieve these policy aims to ultimately compensate for and protect people with dementia against the consequences of the loss of competencies, identity, and control. Thus, to develop and establish sustainable dementia-friendly environments and communities that meet the needs of people living with dementia, we need to be aware of and discuss the implications of the discourses constructing dementia-friendliness and their influence on the appearance of dementia-friendliness in society.
Pushing Past the Tipping Point: Can the Inter-American System Accommodate Abortion Rights?
Authors: Palacios Zuloaga Patricia
Published: April 2021

While anti-abortion activists have been successful in pushing to restrict access to abortion across the USA, reproductive rights activists have been mobilizing across Latin America to push for the easement of strict anti-abortion policies. These opposing directions of travel have renewed interest in which human rights arguments would best support the expansion of access to abortion in Latin America. To date, progress in this area has mostly relied on understanding that the prohibition of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment requires states to allow abortions in the direst of circumstances. However, the vast majority of women in the region who seek abortions do not qualify for the small exemptions contained in the law. Activists looking to expand abortion provisions beyond the cruelty paradigm therefore need to find arguments that can stand firm in a generally conservative Latin American region. In this search, the Inter-American System could, somewhat surprisingly, provide keys to constructing a new discourse surrounding reproductive rights based on a nuanced understanding of structural discrimination and a willingness to visibilise the suffering of women.
The Global Trust Deficit Disorder: A Communications Perspective on Trust in the Time of Global Pandemics
Authors: Flew Terry
Published: April 2021

There has been much discussion worldwide about the crisis of trust, with evidence of declining trust in social, economic, political and media institutions. The rise of populism, and the differing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic between nations, has been drawing attention to wider implications of pervasive distrust, including distrust of the media. In this article, I develop three propositions. First, I identify trust studies as a rich interdisciplinary field, linking communication to other branches of the social sciences and humanities. Second, I argue that we lack a comprehensive account of how trust has been understood in communication, and that doing so requires integrating macro-societal approaches with the “meso” level of institutions, and the “micro” level of interpersonal communication. Third, I propose that a focus upon trust would open up new perspectives on two important topics—the future of news media and journalism, and the global rise of populism.
Secondary cancer risk from modern external-beam radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients: Impact of fractionation and dose distribution
Authors: Sitathanee Chomporn , Tangboonduangjit Puangpen , Dhanachai Mantana , Suntiwong Sawanee , Yongvithisatid Pornpan , Rutchantuk Sukanya , Changkaew Pimolpun , Watjiranon Rattana , Khachonkham Suphalak , Boonkitticharoen Vipa
Published: April 2021

Modern radiotherapy (RT) uses altered fractionation, long beam-on time and image-guided procedure. This study aimed to compare secondary cancer risk (SCR) associated with primary field, scatter/leakage radiations and image-guided procedure in prostate treatment using intensity-modulated RT (IMRT), CyberKnife stereotactic body RT (CK-SBRT) in relative to 3-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT). Prostate plans were generated for 3D-CRT, IMRT (39 fractions of 2 Gy), and CK-SBRT (five fractions of 7.25 Gy). Excess absolute risk (EAR) was calculated for organs in the primary field using Schneider’s mechanistic model and concept of organ equivalent dose (OED) to account for dose inhomogeneity. Doses from image-guided procedure and scatter/leakage radiations were determined by phantom measurements. The results showed that hypofractionation relative to conventional fractionation yielded lower SCR for organs in primary field (p ≤ 0.0001). SCR was further modulated by dose-volume distribution. For organs near the field edge, like the rectum and pelvic bone, CK-SBRT plan rendered better risk profiles than IMRT and 3D-CRT because of the absence of volume peak in high dose region (relative risk [RR]: 0.65, 0.22, respectively, p ≤ 0.0004). CK-SBRT and IMRT generated more scatter/leakage and imaging doses than 3D-CRT (p ≤ 0.0002). But primary field was the major contributor to SCR. EAR estimates (risk contributions, primary field: scatter/leakage radiations: imaging procedure) were 7.1 excess cases per 104 person–year (PY; 3.64:2.25:1) for CK-SBRT, 9.93 (7.32:2.33:1) for IMRT and 8.24 (15.99:2.35:1) for 3D-CRT (p ≤ 0.0002). We conclude that modern RT added more but small SCR from scatter/leakage and imaging doses. The primary field is a major contributor of risk which can be mitigated by the use of hypofractionation.
The Concept of the ‘Good Refugee’ in Cambodian and Hazara Refugee Narratives and Self-Representation
Authors: Hetz Heidi
Published: April 2021

Much research has focused on the damaging impact of Australian asylum seeker policies, and numerous studies have analysed the hostile discourses that have accompanied them. However, there has been very limited research that has offered a comprehensive analysis of the impact of these asylum seeker discourses upon individual refugees and asylum seekers. This article draws on the narrative analysis of in-depth interviews with Cambodian and Hazara refugees to explore how these discourses influence their storytelling about the refugee experience. The concept of the ‘good refugee’ emerged as a prominent theme. The participants mostly tell stories that comply with this concept to overcome their demonization in asylum seeker discourses and to find acceptance and belonging in Australia. The concept of the ‘good refugee’ is evident in the participants’ self-representation, their reluctance to use their political voice, and in the gaps and silences in their stories. Continued efforts are needed to challenge the concept of the ‘good refugee’ as it silences refugees and asylum seekers and undermines belonging.
What if the Dead Are Never Really Dead?
Authors: Harrison Victoria S
Published: April 2021

This paper argues for the value of the ‘strange’ as a hermeneutical tool to open fresh perspectives on an issue of widespread human concern, specifically how to deal with and relate to the dead. Traditional Chinese folk religion and the animistic ghost culture found within it is introduced and the role of gods, ancestors, and ghosts explained. The view that death is not the end of life but the transition to a new relationship with the living raises questions about our potential obligations to the dead. It also has implications for our thinking about intergenerational justice and the role of our memory of the past in shaping our present and future experience.
Detection of Free Toxin B in the Stool of Asymptomatic Clostridioides difficile Carriers by the Cell Cytotoxicity Neutralization Assay
Authors: Schweitzer Lorne , Gervais Phillippe , Paquet-Bolduc Bianka , Loo Vivian G , Longtin Yves
Published: April 2021

Cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCNA) is considered to be a gold standard to diagnose Clostridioides difficile infections. We performed CCNA on 77 consecutive admission screening rectal swabs from asymptomatic toxigenic C. difficile carriers. Thirty-nine percent of specimens from asymptomatic carriers were positive. Thus, CCNA specificity may be lower than previously thought.
O17 Effectiveness of rituximab in the treatment of neuro-psychiatric SLE: results from the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Biologics Register
Authors: David Trixy , Hum Ryan Malcolm , Sutton Emily , Parker Benjamin , McCarthy Eoghan , Bruce Ian N ,   The British Isles Lupus Assessment Group
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims 

Neuro-psychiatric (NP) involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can occur in 56.3% cases. Rituximab (RTX) has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of refractory SLE although there is limited evidence for its use in NP-SLE. We aim to describe the baseline characteristics and short-term effectiveness of RTX in patients treated for NP-SLE within the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Biologics Register (BILAG-BR).

Methods 

Patients with active NP involvement; scoring BILAG A or B and/or on SLEDAI-2K were included. Baseline characteristics, disease activity and oral steroid dose pre and 5 - 9 months post-treatment were analysed. Paired Wilcoxon-Signed-Ranked Test was used to determine changes in disease activity scores and steroid dose.

Results 

We identified 74 patients of whom 61 (82%) were female and 48 (74%) Caucasian. Median age [interquartile range (IQR)] was 45.5 years [37 - 58] and disease duration 11.5 years [7 - 18.8]. 68 patients had active disease on BILAG (A = 34, B = 34) with 6 scoring on SLEDAI-2K only. The majority (n = 71/74, 96%) had at least one other organ involved. Central nervous system (CNS) disease occurred in 45/65 (69%) cases, 12/65 (18%) had peripheral nervous system (PNS) disease and 8/65 (12%) CNS/PNS overlap. Anti-Ro was the commonest identified antibody (n = 26/57, 46%) and 42 of 59 (71%) patients had a raised anti-dsDNA and/or low complement. The majority (n = 64/74, 86%) were taking glucocorticoids and median prednisolone dose was 15mg [IQR 10 - 20]. Pre and post-RTX BILAG, total SLEDAI-2K and oral steroid dose were available in 50, 57 and 27 patients respectively. Following RTX, patients with NP BILAG A or B reduced from 50 to 11 (p < 0.0001). 4 of the 6 patients with NP-SLE on SLEDAI-2K alone, improved. Total median SLEDAI-2K score reduced from 12 [IQR 14 - 18] to 2 [IQR 0 - 4] (p < 0.0001). Median steroid dose reduced from 15mg [IQR 11.3 - 25] to 10mg [IQR 6.9 - 18.8] (p = 0.009). For 53 patients, active CNS, PNS and overlap disease reduced from 37 (70%) to 6 (11%), 10 (19%) to 3 (6%) and 6 (11%) to 4 (8%) respectively. In 9 patients treated with concomitant CYC, none had persistent NP disease. In contrast, 11 of 41 patients who had RTX alone had persistent NP disease.

Conclusion 

RTX use is associated with improvement in NP-SLE with reduction in oral steroid dose. Concomitant CYC may enhance the level of improvement seen with RTX. Large scale studies are therefore warranted to establish the effectiveness of RTX alone or in combination with CYC in the treatment of NP-SLE.

Disclosure 

T. David: None. R. Hum: None. E. Sutton: None. B. Parker: None. E. McCarthy: None. I. Bruce: None.
COVID-19 infection in the developing world: the Peruvian perspective
Authors: Lainez Richard H , Salcedo Ricardo M , Madariaga Miguel G
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 infections have spread widely in Peru, causing severe societal and health impact. We describe the evolution of the epidemics, the reasons for high transmission and the way the disease is diagnosed and managed in the Andean country