bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing a digital intervention for managing blood pressure in stroke patients using a diverse sample: Integrating the person‐based approach and patient and public involvement
Authors: Rai Tanvi , Morton Kate , Roman Cristian , Doogue Roisin , Rice Cathy , Williams Marney , Schwartz Claire , Velardo Carmelo , Tarassenko Lionel , Yardley Lucy , McManus Richard J. , Hinton Lisa
Published: December 2020

Background

Having a stroke or transient ischaemic attack increases the risk of a subsequent one, especially with high blood pressure (BP). Home‐based BP management can be effective at maintaining optimal BP.

Objective

To describe the optimization of a digital intervention for stroke patients and the value of participant diversity, using the person‐based approach (PBA) and integral patient and public involvement (PPI).

Setting and participants

Stroke patients recruited from primary care and community settings, and health‐care professionals in primary care, in England and Ireland.

Design

Three linked qualitative studies conducted iteratively to develop an intervention using the PBA, with integral PPI.

Intervention

The BP: Together intervention, adapted from existing BP self‐monitoring interventions, is delivered via mobile phone or web interface to support self‐monitoring of BP at home. It alerts patients and their clinicians when a change in antihypertensive medication is needed.

Findings

Feedback from a diverse range of participants identified potential barriers, which were addressed to improve the intervention accessibility, feasibility and persuasiveness. Easy‐to‐read materials were developed to improve usability for patients with aphasia and lower literacy. The importance of including family members who support patient care was also highlighted. Feedback messages regarding medication change were refined to ensure usefulness for patients and clinicians.

Discussion

Input from PPI alongside qualitative research with a diverse study sample allowed the creation of a simple and equitable BP management intervention for stroke patients.

Patient involvement

Two PPI co‐investigators contributed to design, conduct of study, data interpretation and manuscript preparation; community PPI sessions informed early planning. Study participants were stroke patients and family members.
Dermoscopy of discoid lupus erythematosus – a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Żychowska Magdalena , Żychowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2020

Background

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) may lead to disfiguring scarring and permanent hair loss. Dermoscopy may serve as a noninvasive tool useful in the preliminary diagnosis of hair loss and inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of the paper was to summarize and analyze the dermoscopic features of DLE lesions in various anatomical locations.

Methods

A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was performed using the search terms: ‘lupus’ OR ‘discoid lupus’ OR ‘cutaneous lupus’ combined with ‘dermoscopy’ OR ‘dermatoscopy’ OR ‘videodermoscopy’ OR ‘videodermatoscopy’ OR ‘trichoscopy’ OR ‘mucoscopy’ OR ‘onychoscopy’.

Results

About 29 out of 318 initially identified papers were included in the analysis. In scalp DLE (n = 166), the most common findings were: white structureless areas (62%), arborizing vessels (57.8%), white scales (54.2%), follicular keratotic plugs (47%), absent follicular openings (45.8%), perifollicular scaling (43.9%), pink‐white background (40.4%), speckled brown pigmentation (38%), and fibrotic white dots (33.7%). In non‐scalp DLE (n = 129), the most frequent features were: follicular keratotic plugs (66.7%), white perifollicular halo (65.9%), white scale (39.5%), speckled brown pigmentation (38.8%), white structureless areas (37.2%), and arborizing vessels (34.9%). There are scarce data in the literature on dermoscopic findings in labial (n = 8), mucosal (n = 3) and ungual DLE (n = 1).

Conclusions

DLE is characterized by a wide variety of dermoscopic findings with variable frequencies depending on the location of the lesions. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in order to reliably assess frequencies, correlation with disease stage and significance of individual dermoscopic features.
Manipulating effects of fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota – a critical review
Authors: Luo Jing , Lin Xian , Bordiga Matteo , Brennan Charles , Xu Baojun
Published: December 2020

The objective of the current review was to systematically investigate health‐promoting manipulating effects of fruits and vegetables (F&V) on the gut microbiota. The function of gut microbes was found to promote health effects in the host by scavenging free radicals, modulating immune system, alleviating obesity and diabetes. Masters that manipulate the gut microbiota are the phytochemicals within specific types of F&V, where polyphenols account for the largest proportion, along with alkaloids, terpenes, nitrogen‐containing compounds, polysaccharides and natural pigments present in plants. These bioactive compounds exhibit the regulative influences on gut microorganisms characterised by rescuing dysbiosis of gut microbiota, increasing/decreasing microbial abundance, restructuring microbial composition, and rebalancing gut microbial homeostasis. This review indicated that F&V extracts targeting at gut microbiota could be a new scope of ingredient selection in the field of functional food especially for amelioration of dysfunction of intestinal ecosystem.
Modelling multiphasic starch digestograms: an objective procedure for slope discontinuities†
Authors: Sopade Peter Adeoye
Published: December 2020

Digestograms of 101 published in vitro starch digestion were used to investigate slope discontinuities. Polynomial equations (1 to 3 orders) adequately described the first derivative of the digestograms. The derivative(s) of the equations revealed critical point(s). The third‐order equation described (P ≤ 0.05) 17% of the digestograms as triphasic, the second‐ and third‐order equations identified (P ≤ 0.05) 32% as biphasic, while 51% exhibited (P ≤ 0.05) monophasic digestograms. Using nonlinear regression with practical constraints, a modified first‐order kinetic model (Dt = D0 + D∞−0 {1 − exp [−K t]}) described (r2 > 0.56, P ≤ 0.05) segments 1–3 of the digestograms. Rapid‐slow and slow‐rapid digestion rates were obtained, and maximum digestible starches, D∞, ≤100g/100g (dry) starch for an in‐depth understanding of starch digestion. This is the first comprehensive objective approach for slope discontinuities in starch digestograms for consistency in modelling digestograms that advances starch digestion studies.
Review of knowledge to guide product development and breeding for sweetpotato frying quality in West Africa
Authors: Carey Edward E. , Ssali Reuben , Low Jan W.
Published: December 2020

This review provides background about sweetpotato in West Africa to identify the current importance and future potential of sweetpotato fried products in the region. We drew on global literature to consider current best practices and health aspects in addition to information from West Africa where frying in the form of large wedges or ‘chunk fries’ is predominant over other forms (i.e. chips (often referred to as crisps in England and the Commonwealth) and ‘French fries’). Chunk fries are produced mostly by female‐run microenterprises selling them as a filling snack to roadside and market customers. Boiling, drying and reconstituting in various foods, pounding and consumption of leaves as a vegetable are also important in the region. Further research will inform the development of a product profile for chunk fried sweetpotato and inform breeding strategies to improve sweetpotato for frying and other uses.
A novel NADH fluorescence‐based method for identifying and monitoring lactic acid bacteria growths in kimchi
Authors: Chae So Jeong , Kim Eun Jeong , Chang Hae Choon
Published: December 2020

NADH‐based fluorescence method was developed to enumerate and differentiate lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The growths of LAB were determined at −1.5–30 ℃ in MRS medium and kimchi juice. LAB growths were measured by viable cell counting and measuring culture turbidity (A600) and NADH fluorescence at 460 nm (F460). Each LAB strain had a unique F460 value at different growth temperatures. Based on the F460 values of LAB strains cultivated at different temperatures, LAB were identified and counted at the species and genus levels in MRS medium and kimchi juice. The fluorescence method was also used to measure changes in LAB dynamics during kimchi fermentation. Obvious increases in F460 values were observed for kimchi samples with LAB counts of > 8 log CFU mL−1, except for Weissella koreensis. Our results indicate that the devised NADH fluorescence method can be used to determine the progress of kimchi fermentation and LAB growths during kimchi storage.
Sous vide pretreatment in cooking sturgeon fish burger: Effects on physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics
Authors: Zhou Pengcheng , Feng Qiufeng , Yang Xianqing , Gao Ruichang , Li Yujin , Bai Fan , Wang Jinlin , Zhou Xiaodong , Wang Haiyan , Xiao Feng , Yang Xin , Gao Xin , Zhao Yuanhui
Published: December 2020

The effect of sous vide (SV) pretreatment on the physicochemical (texture, water holding capacity (WHC) and protein modifications) and sensory (appearance, odour, flavour and overall acceptability) properties of sturgeon fish burgers cooked by four common methods (steaming, baking, microwaving and frying) were investigated. The texture analysis results showed that SV combined with transglutaminase could make the structure of cooked fish burgers denser and increase the springiness (ranging from 3.60 to 4.97 mm) and chewiness (ranging from 4.50 to 9.57 N), especially in microwave‐cooked samples. In terms of sensory quality, on the one hand, SV could effectively inhibit off‐flavours from oxidation and prevents evaporative losses of flavour volatiles (nitrogen oxides, organic sulphur and aromatic compounds) during cooking. On the other hand, the overall acceptability of microwave‐cooked sample pretreated with SV was higher than that of other cooking methods, especially compared with steaming (P < 0.05). The above results indicate that it is feasible to obtain common cooked fish burgers with improved physicochemical and good sensory properties using SV pretreatment.
Assessment of end user traits and physicochemical qualities of cassava flour: a case of Zombo district, Uganda
Authors: Nanyonjo Ann Ritah , Kawuki Robert Sezi , Kyazze Florence , Esuma Williams , Wembabazi Enoch , Dufour Dominique , Nuwamanya Ephraim , Tufan Hale
Published: December 2020

Cassava breeding programmes in Uganda do not currently select materials based on flour making quality, explaining in part the low adoption rates of many released varieties. In this study, we describe end user trait preferences, processing qualities and physicochemical properties of cassava flour. We found that higher proportion of women than men showed preference for most attributes of cassava flour quality evaluated in this study. Preference for colour was 66% and 52% among women and men, respectively, while that for stickiness of Kwon was 26% (women) and 15% (men). Ease of peeling and stickiness of Kwon were key processing traits. Heap fermented flour had higher pasting temperatures, but lower viscosities than sun‐dried flour, and had lower amylose content compared to fresh root starch. The results demonstrate the importance of gender sensitive participatory evaluation of breeding materials, in tandem with physicochemical evaluation during selection of best possible candidate breeding lines.
The turning away of serum amyloid A biological activities and receptor usage
Authors: Abouelasrar Salama Sara , Gouwy Mieke , Van Damme Jo , Struyf Sofie
Published: December 2020

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute‐phase protein (APP) to which multiple immunological functions have been attributed. Regardless, the true biological role of SAA remains poorly understood. SAA is remarkably conserved in mammalian evolution, thereby suggesting an important biological function. Since its discovery in the 1970s, the majority of researchers have investigated SAA using recombinant forms made available through bacterial expression. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that these recombinant forms of SAA are unreliable. Indeed, commercial SAA variants have been shown to be contaminated with bacterial products including lipopolysaccharides and lipoproteins. As such, biological activities and receptor usage (TLR2, TLR4) revealed through the use of commercial SAA variants may not reflect the inherent nature of this APP. Within this review, we discuss the biological effects of SAA that have been demonstrated through more solid experimental approaches. SAA takes part in the innate immune response via the recruitment of leucocytes and executes, through pathogen recognition, antimicrobial activity. Knockout animal models implicate SAA in a range of functions, such as regulation of T‐cell‐mediated responses and monopoiesis. Moreover, through its structural motifs, not only does SAA function as an extracellular matrix protein, but it also binds extracellular matrix proteins. Finally, we here also provide an overview of definite SAA receptor‐mediated functions and highlight those that are yet to be validated. The role of FPR2 in SAA‐mediated leucocyte recruitment has been confirmed; nevertheless, SAA has been linked to a range of other receptors including CD36, SR‐BI/II, RAGE and P2RX7.
Validation of simulated commercial manufacturing of flour tortillas to control Salmonella contamination
Authors: Channaiah Lakshmikantha H. , Michael Minto , Acuff Jennifer C. , Vega Daniel , Lopez Keyla , Phebus Randall K. , Thippareddi Harshavardhan , Milliken George
Published: December 2020

This study validated a typical batch commercial flour tortilla cooking process against Salmonella contamination. Tortilla dough prepared from flour inoculated with a 7‐serovar Salmonella cocktail was pressed in a dough press (preset at 200 °F [93.3°C]) for 3 s, then heated on a griddle (preheated to 221.1°C [430 °F]) for 30, 45 or 60 s on each side, followed by ~8 min of ambient air cooling. The maximum internal temperature of tortillas during cooking was >97°C for all cooking times. The Salmonella counts in tortillas decreased >6‐log at all cooking times; however, tortillas cooked for 30 and 45 s had an undercooked appearance. The water activity and pH of cooked tortillas after 60 s of heating on both sides followed by cooling were 0.934 and 6.62, respectively. The D‐values of the Salmonella cocktail in raw tortilla dough were 22.2, 13.4, and 4.6 min at 55, 58, and 61°C, respectively, and the z‐value was 8.9°C.
Are People With Chronic Diseases Satisfied With the Online Health Information Related to COVID‐19 During the Pandemic?
Authors: Kor Patrick Pui Kin , Leung Angela Yee Man , Parial Laurence Lloyd , Wong Eliza Mi Ling , Dadaczynski Kevin , Okan Orkan , Amoah Padmore Adusei , Wang Shan Shan , Deng Renli , Cheung Teris Cheuk Chi , Molassiotis Alex
Published: December 2020

Purpose

A deluge of fake news and misinformation about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on the Internet poses challenges for the public in their search for reliable and relevant health information for taking protective measures, especially among people with chronic diseases (PWCD). This study aimed to (a) understand the satisfaction level of the online information related to COVID‐19 in people with and without chronic diseases; (b) explore information‐searching behavior and digital health literacy in PWCD; and (3) identify the possible predictors of information satisfaction among PWCD.

Methods

This was a multicity, cross‐sectional study using an online survey with a convenience sample of people who (a) were 15 years of age or older and (b) had access to the Internet in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Findings

Four thousand four hundred and seventy‐two subjects completed the survey, of whom less than 50% felt satisfied with the online information. About 20% of respondents (n = 882) were diagnosed with at least one chronic disease and reported a lower level of information satisfaction (p = .003) than the people without chronic diseases. The majority of the PWCD obtained their online health information from social media. Higher digital health literacy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 5.07), higher frequency of searches regarding symptoms of COVID‐19 (adjusted OR = 2.07), higher perceived importance of quickly learning from the information searched (adjusted OR = 1.63), and lower frequency of searches on the topic of dealing with psychological stress (adjusted OR = 0.54) were found to be predictors of information satisfaction among PWCD.

Conclusions

The majority of PWCD sought online information related to COVID‐19 from social media, and their level of information satisfaction was significantly lower than among people without chronic diseases. Digital health literacy is a strong and significant predictor of information satisfaction.

Clinical Relevance

To support PWCD, we not only have to provide them with clear and accurate information, but also promote their digital health literacy so that they may seek, understand, and appraise health information from the Internet to make appropriate health‐related judgments and decisions.
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration and infectious respiratory disease complex in shelter dogs
Authors: Jaffey Jared A. , Lappin Michael R. , Ringold Randy , Kreisler Rachael , Bradley‐Siemens Nancy , Hawley Jennifer , Sun Andrew , Blakeman Cody , Mayer Nancy
Published: December 2020

Background

Hypovitaminosis D is a risk factor for the development of respiratory infections in humans and repletion can be protective.

Objectives

Determine if serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin (OH)D concentrations are lower in shelter dogs and if 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with clinical signs of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) or with time in the shelter.

Animals

One hundred forty‐six shelter dogs (clinically ill n = 36, apparently healthy n = 110) and 23 nonshelter control dogs.

Methods

Prospective cohort study. Shelter dogs were grouped as clinically ill or apparently healthy based on the presence or absence, respectively, of clinical signs associated with CIRDC. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured with a competitive chemiluminesence immunoassay. Nucleic acids of agents associated with the CIRDC were amplified by polymerase chain reaction assays.

Results

The concentration of 25(OH)D was 7.3 ng/mL (4.5‐9.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]) lower in dogs with signs of CIRDC than apparently healthy shelter dogs (t(142) = 2.0, P = .04). Dogs positive for DNA of canine herpesvirus (CHV)‐1 had serum 25(OH)D concentrations 14.9 ng/mL (−3.7 to 29.6, 95% CI) lower than dogs that were negative (t(137) = 2.0, P = .04). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations in shelter dogs were not different from control dogs (t(45) = −1.4, P = .17). Serum 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with duration of time in the shelter (F(1, 140) = 1.7, P = .2, R2 = 0.01).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Vitamin D could have a role in acute respiratory tract infections in shelter dogs.
Metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in coeliac disease
Authors: Rispo Antonio , Imperatore Nicola , Guarino Maria , Tortora Raffaella , Alisi Anna , Cossiga Valentina , Testa Anna , Ricciolino Simona , Fiorentino Andrea , Morisco Filomena
Published: December 2020

Background and aims

Coeliac disease (CD) is considered a high‐risk condition for developing non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other related metabolic disorders, particularly after commencing gluten‐free diet (GFD). Recently, a new concept of metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed to overcome the limitations of NAFLD definition. This study aimed at exploring the prevalence of NAFLD and MAFLD in CD patients at the time of CD diagnosis and after 2 years of GFD. Furthermore, we evaluated the role of PNPLA3 rs738409 in the development of NAFLD and MAFLD in the same population.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled all newly diagnosed CD patients who underwent clinical, laboratory and ultrasonography investigations both at diagnosis and after 2 years of follow‐up. Moreover, a PNPLA3 rs738409 genotyping assay was performed.

Results

Of 221 newly diagnosed CD patients, 65 (29.4%) presented NAFLD at CD diagnosis, while 32 (14.5%) met the criteria for MAFLD (k = 0.57). There were no significant differences between NAFLD and MAFLD, except for the higher rate of insulin resistance (IR) of MAFLD patients (75% vs 33.8%, P < .001). At 2 years of follow‐up, 46.6% of patients developed NAFLD while 32.6% had MAFLD (k = 0.71). MAFLD subjects had higher transaminases (P = .03), LDL‐cholesterol (P = .04), BMI and waist circumference and higher IR than NAFLD patients. MAFLD patients showed higher non‐invasive liver fibrosis scores than NAFLD subjects (APRI = 1.43 ± 0.56 vs 0.91 ± 0.62, P < .001; NFS=−1.72 ± 1.31 vs −2.18 ± 1.41, P = .03; FIB‐4 = 1.27 ± 0.77 vs 1.04 ± 0.74, P = .04). About PNPLA3 polymorphisms, at 2 years follow‐up, NAFLD subjects presented a higher rate of heterozygosis (40.8%) and homozygosis (18.4%) polymorphisms than non‐NAFLD (26.3% and 7.6%, respectively, P = .03 and 0.02), while no correlation between PNPLA3 polymorphisms and MAFLD was seen.

Conclusions

The new MAFLD definition better reflects the metabolic alterations following GFD in CD population. This new classification could be able to identify patients at higher risk of worse metabolic outcome, who need a close multidisciplinary approach for their multisystemic disease.
Population genetics of cold‐water coral associated Pleustidae (Crustacea, Amphipoda) reveals cryptic diversity and recent expansion off Iceland
Authors: Schwentner Martin , Lörz Anne‐Nina
Published: December 2020

Amphipoda are a diverse and important faunal component of deep‐sea habitats worldwide. However, relatively little is known about species that are associated with cold‐water corals, in particular concerning their genetic diversity, population genetic processes, population differentiation, and potential host specificity. We exemplarily investigate these questions studying three pleustid species—Stenopleustes aff. malmgreni (Boeck, 1871), Stenopleustes aff. nodifera (Sars, 1883) and Neopleustes aff. boecki (Hansen, 1888)—that are associated with cold‐water corals and polychaete assemblages along the Reykjanes Ridge southwest of Iceland. We sequenced mitochondrial COI and performed ddRAD to study thousands of nuclear loci. These species and a pair of morphologically cryptic species within Stenopleustes aff. nodifera were consistently delimited by COI and ddRAD. We conclude that all of our studied species are new to science, raising the number of pleustids reported from cold‐water corals to six. Two species were collected only once, and these species exhibited high levels of inbreeding, suggesting little exchange with other populations, which might be a result of strong host specificity. The other two species were wider distributed, with very low differentiation among populations, even between populations separated by 130 km. These species showed signs of recent population expansions, possibly in relation to changes in the cold‐water coral associated ecosystem (e.g., due to glacial cycles and/or volcanic or geothermal activities). They had lower levels of inbreeding and were each associated with three different host coral species, which might facilitate dispersal and gene flow. Our results show divergent population genetic patterns for the studied pleustid species. These might be attributed to the species’ host specificity and highlight important differences among species with seemingly similar life‐styles. Species diversities appear to be greatly underestimated, limiting our abilities to truly assess the vulnerability of the fauna living in these threatened cold‐water coral habitats.
Monitoring ecological characteristics of a tallgrass prairie using an unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Blackburn Ryan C. , Barber Nicholas A. , Farrell Anna K. , Buscaglia Robert , Jones Holly P.
Published: December 2020

Site‐specific conditions, climate, and management decisions all dictate the establishment and composition of desired plant communities within grassland restorations. The uncertainty, complexity, and large size of grassland restorations necessitate monitoring plant communities across spatial and temporal scales. Remote sensing with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may provide a tool to monitor restored plant communities at various scales, but many potential applications are still unknown. In a tallgrass prairie restoration located in Franklin Grove, IL, we used UAV‐based multispectral imagery to assess the ability of spectral indices to predict ecological characteristics (plant community, plant traits, soil properties) in the summer of 2017. Using 19 sites, we calculated the moments of 26 vegetation indices and four spectral bands (green, red, red edge, near infrared). Models based on each moment and a model with all moments were estimated using ridge regression with model training based on a subset of 15 sites. Each tested for significant error reduction against a null model. We predicted mean graminoid cover, mean dead aboveground biomass, mean dry mass, and mean soil K with significant reductions in cross‐validated root mean square error. Averaged coefficients determined from cross‐validation of ridge regression models were used to develop a final predictive model of the four successfully predicted ecological characteristics. Graminoid cover and soil potassium were successfully predicted in one of the sites while the other two were not successfully predicted in any site. This study provides a path toward a new level of ease and precision in monitoring community dynamics of restored grasslands.
Sustainability of coffee land use upon conversion from natural forest in Western Ghats of South India: An evaluation
Authors: Karthika Kavukattu Sreekumar , Anil Kumar Kokkuvayil Sankaranarayanan , Nair Krishna Pillai Madhusoodanan , D’Souza Violet M. , Nagaraja Jambaradi Satyanarayana , Lalitha Manickam , Koyal Arti , Jayaramaiah Maheswarappa , Parvathy Sreekumar , Sujatha Karumathil , Shivanand Khandal , Ramamurthy Venkataramanappa , Srinivas Seggoju , Raghuramulu Yenugula , Hegde Rajendra , Singh Surendra Kumar
Published: December 2020

The variability of soil qualities across the coffee‐growing areas and consequences of conversion of forest to coffee plantations on soil qualities and sustainability in the Western Ghats of South India are evaluated in this study by assessing and studying the six representative pedons selected from Chikmagalur district in Karnataka and Wayanad and Idukki districts of Kerala taking into consideration of the agro‐ecological zones, they belong. Sixty sites were located for monitoring soil quality, of which 46 sites were located in coffee plantations of all agro‐climates and 14 in forests adjacent to coffee plantations in similar setting. Soil quality indicators were selected by carrying out principal component analysis (PCA) on measured soil attributes, which provided 4 PCs in both land uses with eigen values > 1 and explaining at least 5 per cent variance in data set. The indicators for coffee land use were pH, exch. Al and CEC and for forest land use, organic carbon, pH and exch. Al. These indicators were transformed into scores following linear scoring method and soil quality index was determined, on a scale of 0–1, using the weighting factors obtained from PCA. Soil quality index was high (0.836) for natural forest land use, while it was medium (0.634) for coffee land use. Results indicated that organic carbon, pH and exch. Al are the most powerful indicators of soil quality. Proper management of soil acidity in coffee plantations due to liming, pooling back of nutrients, fertilization effect and other anthropogenic interventions in them have helped in maintaining a near equal soil quality to that of natural forest, which can be made sustainable by adopting effective plantation management practices.
The MENA region's need for more democracy and less bureaucracy: A gravity model controlling for aspects of governance and trade freedom in MENA
Authors: Kamel Esmat Mostafa
Published: December 2020

This paper considers a domain of governance and trade freedom indicators in order to reveal some of the dimensions along which the MENA region's intra‐regional trade and export intensity might be fostered. Historically, conflicts, crises and oil interests have impeded intra‐MENA integration efforts and kept trade‐flow intensities between the region's countries below those of its trade with RoW. But it seems evident that similarities in the governance and trade freedom indicators of MENA countries would promote such trade flows. Our empirical methodology here is to use a classical trade gravity model with augmented variables to measure intra‐regional trade and export flows for MENA countries and compare them with flows for MENA_E.U. and MENA_RoW. We develop three sets of scenarios to capture the impact of governance and trade freedom indicators accordingly: First, we introduce a standardised polity index to measure its impact on accelerating intra MENA's export flows compared with MENA_EU and MENA_RoW. Second, we introduce a range‐based Polity IV index and trade freedom index to test whether similarity in the governance indicators of MENA countries leads to significant intra‐regional trade flows. We also test the interaction between both. Finally, to check the robustness of export flows, we include World Governance Indicators (WGI) and their sub‐components in the estimations. The main result is that when two MENA trade partners are both classified as mixed regimes under the Polity IV index ranges, the coefficient becomes highly significant and bilateral trade flows increase by 1.25%. Components of (WGI) specifying government effectiveness, rule of law and control of corruption increase exports for MENA's origin exporter countries. Finally, the interaction term (Polity IV and Trade freedom ranges) captures continuous improvement in the quality of governance and self‐regulated systems implemented by governing executives and authorities as they shift away from pressure and interest groups. This leads to higher degrees of mutual understanding and benefits to the region's trade flows and policies.
A Nonstationary Uncertainty Model and Bayesian Calibration of Strain-Life Models
Authors: Dourado Arinan , Irmak Firat , Viana Felipe A. C. , Gordon Ali P.
Published: December 2020

The Coffin–Manson–Basquin–Haford (CMBH) model is a well-accepted strain-life relationship to model fatigue life as a function of applied strain. In this paper, we propose a nonstationary uncertainty model for the CMBH model, alongside a Bayesian framework for model calibration and estimation of confidence and prediction intervals. Using Inconel 617 coupon test data, we compared our approach to traditional stationary variance models. The proposed uncertainty model successfully captures the fact that the variance of strain amplitude decreases with increasing fatigue life. Additionally, a discussion on how to use the proposed Bayesian framework to compensate for the lack of data by using prior information coming from similar alloys is also presented considering Hastealloy-X and Inconel 617 coupon data.
An Exploratory Study of Teachers’ Experiences in Physical Education With Children Thought to Have Developmental Coordination Disorder
Authors: Zimmer Chantelle , Causgrove Dunn Janice
Published: December 2020

Teachers can create supportive conditions in physical education to mitigate experiences of stress for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD); however, most are unfamiliar with DCD and lack adequate training to instruct children with impairments. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of and interactions in physical education with children thought to demonstrate functional difficulties associated with DCD. A semistructured interview was conducted with 12 teachers across all elementary years with diverse backgrounds and thematically analyzed. Four themes were produced. Teachers (a) had differing views on the etiology of children’s movement difficulties, though (b) all recognized a range of difficulties children demonstrated. They (c) believed it was their role to facilitate positive experiences for these children in physical education but (d) experienced challenges in doing so. Training that increases teachers’ knowledge of and abilities to address the needs of children thought to have DCD is warranted.
Acetylation of PhoP K88 Is Involved in Regulating
Salmonella
Virulence
Authors: Li Jianhui , Liu Shuting , Su Yang , Ren Jie , Sang Yu , Ni Jinjing , Lu Jie , Yao Yu-Feng
Published: December 2020

The PhoP-PhoQ two-component regulation system of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is involved in the response to various environmental stresses and is essential for bacterial virulence. Our previous studies showed that acetylation plays an important role in regulating the activity of PhoP, which consequently mediates the change in virulence of
S
. Typhimurium.
SalmonellaParatyphi A Outer Membrane Vesicles Displaying Vi Polysaccharide as a Multivalent Vaccine against Enteric Fever
Authors: Gasperini G. , Alfini R. , Arato V. , Mancini F. , Aruta M. G. , Kanvatirth P. , Pickard D. , Necchi F. , Saul A. , Rossi O. , Micoli F. , Mastroeni P.
Published: December 2020

Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers have a high incidence worldwide and coexist in many geographical areas, especially in low-middle-income countries (LMIC) in South and Southeast Asia. There is extensive consensus on the urgent need for better and affordable vaccines against systemicSalmonellainfections.
The targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults by the Canadian food and beverage industry on television: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pinto A. , Pauzé E. , Roy-Gagnon M.-H. , Dubois L. , Potvin Kent M.
Published: December 2020

Unhealthy food advertising can negatively impact children’s food preferences and nutritional health. In Canada, only companies participating in the self-regulatory Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) commit to limiting unhealthy food advertising to children. We analyzed food advertising from 182 Canadian television stations in 2018. A principal component analysis explored patterns of advertising by 497 food companies and their targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents, and adults. Chi-square analyses tested differences in the volume of advertising between target age groups by heavily advertising food companies and by CAI-participating and non-participating companies. In 2018, Maple Leaf Foods, Boulangerie St-Méthode, Exceldor Foods, Goodfood Market and Sobeys advertised most frequently during preschooler-programming. General Mills, Kellogg’s, the Topps Company, Parmalat and Post Foods advertised most frequently during child-programming, while Burger King, McDonald’s, General Mills, Kellogg’s and Wendy’s advertised most frequently during adolescent-programming. CAI-participating companies were responsible for over half of the food advertising broadcast during programs targeted to children (55%), while they accounted for less than half of the food advertising aired during programs targeting preschoolers (24%), adolescents (41%) and adults (42%). Statutory food advertising restrictions are needed to limit food companies’ targeting of young people on television in Canada.

Novelty:

Advertising from fast food restaurant chains dominated television programming targeted to adolescents in 2018. Advertising from breakfast cereal, candy, and snack manufacturers dominated television programming targeted at children in 2018. Over 100 Canadian and transnational companies contravened broadcast restrictions on advertising to preschoolers in 2018.
A meta-analysis of critical causes of project delay using Spearman’s rank and relative importance index integrated approach
Authors: Amarkhil Qais , Elwakil Emad , Hubbard Bryan
Published: December 2020

This meta-analysis has examined the past ten years’ studies concerning the causes of construction project delay. It aims to update the subject area and investigate critical causes of project delay in three different conditions of the external environment. The data from 50 studies have been analyzed and synthesized to determine the top ten critical causes of delay. The Relative Importance Index (RII) technique was applied to rank the critical causes; subsequently, the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the critical causes. The review findings indicate substantial differences between the critical causes of project delay in defined situations. The top ten critical causes of delay in developed countries root in the project’s internal environment. The leading causes of delays in developing countries are from the project’s internal and task environment. While in countries with various constraints and high risk, the general environment has a critical impact alongside the project task and internal environment on time overrun of a project. Moreover, this review summarized and categorized the best available studies to propose a systematic approach in identifying critical causes of delay to bridge the existing knowledge gap.
Implementation of the CMS-HIG-18-011 analysis in the MadAnalysis 5 framework (exotic Higgs decays via two pseudoscalars with two muons and two b-jets; 35.9 fb−1)
Authors: Lee Joon-Bin , Lee Jehyun
Published: December 2020

We present the implementation in the MadAnalysis 5 framework of the CMS-HIG-18-011 search for exotic decays of the Standard Model Higgs boson, in which the Higgs boson is assumed to decay into a pair of light pseudoscalar [Formula: see text], that then further decay into a di-muon and di-[Formula: see text]-jet final state. This analysis considers proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and data collected by the CMS experiment in 2016, with an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb[Formula: see text]. We present a selection of recast predictions, obtained with MadAnalysis 5 and Delphes 3, that include a few differential distributions, yields, and efficiencies. We show that they agree at a level of a few percent with public CMS results.
Implementation of the ATLAS-SUSY-2018-06 analysis in the MadAnalysis 5 framework (electroweakinos with Jigsaw variables; 139 fb−1)
Authors: Kim Jinheung , Lee Taegyu , Kim Jeongwoo , Jang Ho
Published: December 2020

We present the MadAnalysis 5 implementation and validation of the ATLAS-SUSY-2018-06 analysis. This analysis documents a search for electroweakinos with mass splittings larger than the [Formula: see text] boson mass. The targeted decay chain consists of electroweakinos decaying via on-shell [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] bosons to a three-lepton final state. The results are based on a dataset of 139 fb[Formula: see text] of proton-proton collisions, recorded by the ATLAS experiment with a center-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV between 2015 and 2018. The validation of our implementation relies on a comparison of our results against official cutflows provided by the ATLAS collaboration. The validation material provided by the ATLAS collaboration is based on well-defined benchmarks which feature chargino and neutralino associated production.
Dynamic Reliability Evaluation by First-Order Reliability Method Integrated with Stochastic Pseudo Excitation Method
Authors: Zhu Siyu , Xiang Tianyu
Published: December 2020

The stochastic pseudo excitation method (SPEM), which is based on the principle of pseudo excitation method (PEM), is introduced to represent the randomness of dynamic input in which the amplitude of excitation is adopted as a random variable. Based on the mathematic definition of power spectral density, a physical interpolation of the SPEM is discussed. Even if one random variable is involved in calculation, the effects of the uncertainties are required to be investigated. The SPEM offers a simple but quite effective way to solve the dynamic reliability problem. Through integrating the new algorithm into first-order reliability method (FORM), the dynamic reliability of uncertain structure subjected to random excitation is studied. A linear oscillator with three types of white noise is adopted to verify the SPEM for dynamic reliability of linear random vibration analysis. Also, the accuracy and efficiency of SPEM to handle the multi-degree-of-freedom structure is investigated in this paper.
An Efficient Non-Iterative Hybrid Method for Analyzing Train–Rail–Bridge Interaction Problems
Authors: Shi Kang , He Xuhui , Zou Yunfeng , Zheng Zhi
Published: December 2020

The dynamic interaction problem for the train–rail–bridge (TRB) systems presents a computational challenge, especially for the analysis of large-size TRB coupling systems. To address this issue, an efficient non-iterative hybrid method (NHM) is proposed. With this method, the integrated TRB system is divided into three subsystems, i.e. the train subsystem, the rail subsystem, and the bridge subsystem. Based on the individual subsystems, a multi-step[Formula: see text] technique is adopted in which a fine time step is used to analyze the high-frequency coupling vibration for the train and rail subsystems, and a coarse time step is adopted to calculate the low-frequency coupling vibration for the rail and bridge subsystem. Additionally, Zhais explicit integral method is used to predict the displacement of the wheelsets and the rail at the current time step before using the Newmark method. The proposed method incorporates the advantages of Zhai’s explicit method and the MS technique to avoid the iteration that may be required for the train–rail coupled analysis. The simulation fidelity and computational efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated in the analysis of two examples of typical high-speed railway bridges. It was demonstrated that the proposed method can significantly enhance the computational efficiency, while maintaining a higher precision with a larger time step in comparison with other existing methods.
AGE–GENDER DIFFERENCE IN THE PERCEPTION AND MUSCLE RESPONSE THRESHOLDS OF SUPPORT SURFACE ROTATION
Authors: HEO JAE-HOON , JEON HEE-JUN , JEON HYEONG-MIN , CHO YEONG-JUN , EOM GWANG MOON
Published: December 2020

Proprioception while standing is important for the balance control, but the proprioception has not been investigated in the unconstrained standing conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of age and gender on the thresholds of perception and muscle response in response to the support surface rotation. The experiment was designed so that the thresholds depend mainly on the proprioception, i.e., quasistatic condition (0.2∘/s rotation of the platform) with eyes closed. Fifty-two healthy subjects (half young and half elderly) participated in this study. A platform was developed which can be rotated in four directions. Perception threshold angle was registered from subjects’ pressing a button. Muscle response threshold angle was determined as the earlier onset of EMG in lower limb muscles. Two standing conditions (feet together and natural stance) were tested. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed that both thresholds increased with age. Post hoc tests revealed (1) that the perception threshold was greater for women than men in the elderly and (2) both thresholds of the elderly were greater for the feet-together stance than natural stance. Inferior perception sensitivity of platform rotation in elderly women may be associated with inferior performance in cortical postural control and greater fall ratio compared to elderly men, which suggests the need of proprioception trainings.
The Development of Emotion Reasoning in Infancy and Early Childhood
Authors: Ruba Ashley L. , Pollak Seth D.
Published: December 2020

Historically, research characterizing the development of emotion recognition has focused on identifying specific skills and the age periods, or milestones, at which these abilities emerge. However, advances in emotion research raise questions about whether this conceptualization accurately reflects how children learn about, understand, and respond to others’ emotions in everyday life. In this review, we propose a developmental framework for the emergence of emotion reasoning—that is, how children develop the ability to make reasonably accurate inferences and predictions about the emotion states of other people. We describe how this framework holds promise for building upon extant research. Our review suggests that use of the term emotion recognition can be misleading and imprecise, with the developmental processes of interest better characterized by the term emotion reasoning. We also highlight how the age at which children succeed on many tasks reflects myriad developmental processes. This new framing of emotional development can open new lines of inquiry about how humans learn to navigate their social worlds.
A New Efficient and Secure Secret Reconstruction Scheme (SSRS) with Verifiable Shares Based on a Symmetric Bivariate Polynomial
Authors: Hsu Chingfang , Harn Lein , Wu Shan , Ke Lulu
Published: December 2020

Secret sharing (SS) schemes have been widely used in secure computer communications systems. Recently, a new type of SS scheme, called the secure secret reconstruction scheme (SSRS), was proposed, which ensures that the secret can only be recovered by participants who present valid shares. In other words, if any outside adversary participated in the secret reconstruction without knowing any valid share, the secret cannot be recovered by anyone including the adversary. However, the proposed SSRS can only prevent an active attacker from obtaining the recovered secret, but cannot prevent a passive attacker from obtaining the secret since exchange information among participants is unprotected. In this paper, based on bivariate polynomials, we propose a novel design for the SSRS that can prevent both active and passive attackers. Furthermore, we propose a verification scheme which can verify all shares at once, i.e., it allows all shareholders to efficiently verify that their shares obtained from the dealer are generated consistently without revealing their shares and the secret. The proposed scheme is really attractive for efficient and secure secret reconstruction in communications systems.