bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female reproductive fluid concentrations affect sperm performance of alternative male phenotypes in an external fertilizer
Authors: Pinzoni Livia , Locatello Lisa , Gasparini Clelia , Rasotto Maria Berica
Published: July 2023

There is growing evidence that the female reproductive fluid (FRF) plays an important role in cryptic female choice through its differential effect on the performance of sperm from different males. In a natural spawning event, the male(s) may release ejaculate closer or further away from the spawning female. If the relative spatial proximity of competing males reflects the female pre-mating preference towards those males, then favoured males will encounter higher concentrations of FRF than unpreferred males. Despite this being a common situation in many external fertilizers, whether different concentrations of FRF can differentially influence the sperm performance of distinct male phenotypes (favoured and unfavoured by the female) remains to be elucidated. Here, we tested this hypothesis using the grass goby (Zosterisessor ophiocephalus), a fish with distinct territorial-sneaker reproductive tactics and female pre-mating preference towards territorial males, that consequently mate in an advantaged position and whose sperm experience higher concentrations of FRF. Our findings revealed a differential concentration-dependent effect of FRF over sneaker and territorial sperm motility only at low concentrations (i.e. at the distance where sneakers typically ejaculate), with increasing FRF concentrations (i.e. close to the eggs) similarly boosting the sperm performance of both sneaker and territorial males. The ability to release sperm close to the eggs is a prerogative of territorials, but FRF can likewise advantage the sperm of those sneakers that are able to get closer, allowing flexibility in the direction of female post-mating choice.

Abstract

The female reproductive fluid (FRF) is emerging as a key mediator of cryptic female choice. However, the importance of the specific FRF concentration encountered by the different competing ejaculates has never been evaluated in a sperm competition context. In this study, we investigate the influence of varying FRF concentrations on the sperm performance of alternative male phenotypes in the grass goby (Zosterisessor ophiocephalus), a species with distinct Territorial(T)-Sneaker(S) reproductive tactics that usually mate in different positions, and whose ejaculates consequently experience different FRF concentrations.
The role of interface distance and underlying substrate on the color adjustment potential of single‐shade composites
Authors: de Livi Gabriella Jesus Santos , Santana Tauan Rosa , Bragança Rafaella Mariana Fontes , de Bragança Garcez Rosa Maria Viana , Faria‐e‐Silva André Luis
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study assessed how the distance from the composite interface and the underlying chromatic substrate affect the color adjustment potential (CAP) of two single‐shade composites.

Materials and Methods

Cylinder‐shaped specimens were created using Vittra APS Unique (VU), Charisma Diamond One (DO), and a shaded (A3) composite. Some single‐shade specimens were surrounded by the A3 composite, forming dual specimens. Color measurements of simple specimens were taken against a gray background using a spectrophotometer. All specimens were positioned at a 45° angle in a viewing booth under illuminant D65, and images were captured with a DSLR camera against gray or A3 backgrounds. Image colors were measured using image processing software and converted to CIELAB coordinates. Color differences (ΔE00) between the single‐shade composites and the A3 composite were calculated. CAP was determined by comparing data from simple and dual specimens.

Results

No clinically significant differences were observed between color measurements obtained from images and the spectrophotometer. CAP was higher for DO compared to VU and increased as the distance from the composite interface decreased and when specimens were positioned against an A3 background.

Conclusion

The color adjustment potential increased with decreased distance from the composite interface and against a chromatic background.

Clinical Significance

Achieving satisfactory color match in restorations using single‐shade composites is crucial, and selecting an appropriate underlying substrate is essential. The color adjustment gradually decreases from the restoration margins towards its center.
Modeling and comparing the distributions and associations of two co‐occurring catshark species off South Africa
Authors: van der Heever G. M. , Yemane D. , Leslie R. W. , van der Lingen C. D. , Gibbons M. J.
Published: July 2023

Holohalaelurus regani and Scyliorhinus capensis are relatively small catsharks, which both occur off the continental shelf around South Africa and are often caught together as by‐catch in demersal trawls. The present study used data collected during annual demersal research surveys conducted between 2009 and 2015 and is a first attempt at modeling the potential intra‐ and interspecific associations, by maturity stage and depth, of H. regani and S. capensis to elucidate species‐specific patterns in their distributions in South African waters. Intraspecifically, both species displayed a wide overlap in distribution between maturity stages, but only H. regani displayed marked changes in distribution with maturity stage, with mature individuals found further eastwards and occupying deeper waters than immature individuals. Interspecifically, the two catsharks displayed an inverse relationship in their distribution, with an increase in the abundance of H. regani and a decrease in the abundance of S. capensis when moving from the south coast to the west coast. Some localized patches of co‐occurrence were, however, evident between species and maturity stages, especially in offshore areas. Overall, our results indicated a stronger co‐occurrence of mature and immature stages within each species and a rather weak co‐occurrence of maturity stages between the two species. The spatial information provided in the present study provides useful information on how sharks with similar morphologies and lifestyles may partition their habitat as a mechanism for potentially reducing competition between them.
Interventions to reduce falls in community‐dwelling adults with intellectual disability: a systematic review
Authors: Lalor A. , Callaway L. , Koritsas S. , Curran‐Bennett A. , Wong R. , Zannier R. , Hill K.
Published: July 2023

Background

People with intellectual disability have a high risk of falls and falls‐related injuries. Although people with intellectual disability are at increased risk of falls, there is a need to better understand the efficacy of interventions that can help reduce falls and address risk factors in this population. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the type, nature and effectiveness of interventions undertaken to reduce falls with community‐dwelling adults with intellectual disability and the quality of this evidence.

Method

Four electronic databases were searched: Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus and the Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they involved people aged 18 years or over, at least 50% of study participants had intellectual disability, participants were community‐dwelling, and the study evaluated any interventions aiming to reduce falls. Study quality was assessed using the National Institutes of Health study quality assessment tools. Reporting of the review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

Seven studies were eligible for review, with a total of 286 participants and mean age of 50.4 years. As only one randomised trial was identified, a narrative synthesis of results was undertaken. Five studies evaluated exercise interventions, one evaluated a falls clinic programme, and one evaluated stretch fabric splinting garments. Methodological quality varied (two studies rated as good, four as fair, and one as poor). Exercise interventions varied in terms of exercise type and dosage, frequency and intensity, and most did not align with recommendations for successful falls prevention exercise interventions reported for older people. While the majority of studies reported reduced falls, they differed in methods of reporting falls, and most did not utilise statistical analyses to evaluate outcomes.

Conclusion

This review identified a small number of falls prevention intervention studies for people with intellectual disability. Although several studies reported improvements in fall outcomes, ability to draw conclusions about intervention effectiveness is limited by small sample sizes and few studies. Further large‐scale research is required to implement and evaluate falls prevention interventions specifically for adults with intellectual disability.
The making of a conservation frontier: Nation‐building, green productivism, and environmentalism in Patagonia
Authors: Giminiani Piergiorgio Di , Oakley R. Elliott
Published: July 2023

In Patagonia, emerging concerns over environmental degradation in frontier territories suggest the constitution of a new type of frontier—the conservation frontier—in which nature is an object of consumption rather than extraction. Conservation frontiers are made through disputed forms of spatialization, in which wilderness can be a refuge, a source of capital accumulation, and a new space for political experimentation. Three overlapping yet conflicting processes constitute the conservation frontier: nation‐building, green productivism, and environmentalism. The material and discursive making of a conservation frontier illustrates how environmental conservation both disrupts and extends settler projects of territorialization.
The International Framework for School Health Promotion: Supporting Young People Through and After the COVID‐19 Pandemic*
Authors: Scott Joseph J. , Vernon Lynette , Metse Alexandra P.
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

The worldwide COVID‐19 government restrictions imposed on young people to limit virus spread have precipitated a growing and long‐term educational and health crisis.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE THEORY

This novel study used Sen's Capabilities Approach as a theoretical framework to examine the current health and educational impacts of COVID‐19 on youth, referencing emerging literature. The objective was to inform the design of an internationally relevant framework for school health promotion to support young people through and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Mapping of existing health resources, internal/external conversion factors and capabilities were used to identify classroom, school and system level strategies that will enable young people to flourish. Four central enablers were identified and used in the design of the International Framework for School Health Promotion (IFSHP).

IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE AND EQUITY

The IFSHP can be used by educational institutions, school leaders and teachers to innovate existing health promotion programs, policies and practices to support young people through and after the COVID‐19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

School systems, schools and teachers are encouraged to utilize the IFSHP to review and innovate existing school health programs to ensure they meet the increased physical and mental health needs of young people.
A tool for detecting giant kelp canopy biomass decline in the Californias
Authors: Tennies Nathan K. , Alberto Filipe
Published: July 2023

Kelp species provide many ecosystem services associated with their three‐dimensional structures. Among these, fast‐growth, canopy‐forming species, like giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, are the foundation of kelp forests across many temperate reefs. Giant kelp populations have experienced regional declines in different parts of the world. Giant kelp canopy is very dynamic and can take years to recover from disturbance, challenging comparisons of standing biomass with historical baselines. The Santa Barbara Coastal LTER (SBC LTER), curates a time series of Landsat sensed surface cover and biomass for giant kelp in the west coast of North America. In the last decade, this resource has been fundamental to understanding the species' population dynamics and drivers. However, simple ready‐to‐use summary statistics aimed at classifying regional kelp decline or recovery are not readily available to stakeholders and coastal managers. To this end, we describe here two simple metrics made available through the R package kelpdecline. First, the proportion of Landsat pixels in decline (PPD), in which current biomass is compared with a historical baseline, and second, a pixel occupancy trend (POT), in which current year pixel occupancy is compared to the time‐series long probability of occupancy. The package produces raster maps and output tables summarizing kelp decline and trends over a 0.25 × 0.25° scale. Using kelpdecline, we show how sensitivity analysis on PPD parameter variation can increase the confidence of kelp decline estimates.
Understanding the relationship between social capital, health, and well‐being in a southern rural population
Authors: Arriola Kimberly Jacob , Merken Tatenda Mangurenje , Bigger Lauren , Haardörfer Regine , Hermstad April , Owolabi Shade , Daniel Jerry , Kegler Michelle
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Social capital is thought to contribute to health and well‐being, but its application to a rural context is poorly understood. This study seeks to examine how different forms of social capital relate to health and well‐being among rural residents and the extent to which race and degree of rurality moderates these relationships.

Methods

Data from a population‐based survey of 6 counties in rural Georgia (n = 1,385) are used. We examined 3 forms of social capital (diversity of interaction, civic engagement, and voting behavior) in relation to 3 health and well‐being measures (overall life satisfaction, general health status, and 30‐day physical health).

Findings

Interacting with more diverse social networks was associated with higher overall life satisfaction for White but not Black participants (P ≤ .001). For those living in more rural communities, interacting with a more diverse social network was more strongly associated with greater general health as compared to those who lived “in town” (P ≤ .01). Greater civic engagement and voting behavior were associated with greater general health for White but not Black participants (Ps < .05). Likewise, voting in all 3 elections was associated with greater overall life satisfaction and fewer days of poor physical health for White but not Black participants (Ps ≤ .05).

Conclusion

Social capital may be associated with positive health and well‐being among those living in rural areas, but it may vary by race and degree of community rurality, suggesting the need to further understand how social capital operates in a rural context.
Efficacy of melatonin and ramelteon for the acute and long‐term management of insomnia disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Maruani Julia , Reynaud Eve , Chambe Juliette , Palagini Laura , Bourgin Patrice , Geoffroy Pierre A.
Published: July 2023

Melatonin has gained growing interest as a treatment of insomnia, despite contradictory findings, and a low level of evidence. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted following PRISMA criteria, to assess the efficacy of melatonin and ramelteon compared with placebo on sleep quantity and quality in insomnia disorder, while also considering factors that may impact their efficacy. This review included 22 studies, with 4875 participants, including 925 patients treated with melatonin, 1804 treated with ramelteon and 2297 receiving a placebo. Most studies evaluated the acute efficacy of prolonged release (PR) melatonin in insomnia disorder. Compared with placebo, PR melatonin appears efficacious with a small to medium effect size on subjective sleep onset latency (sSOL) (p = 0.031; weighted difference = −6.30 min), objective sleep onset latency (oSOL) (p < 0.001; weighted difference = −5.05 min), and objective sleep efficiency (oSE) (p = 0.043; weighted difference = 1.91%). For the subgroup mean age of patients ≥55, PR melatonin was efficacious on oSE with a large effect size (p < 0.001; weighted difference = 2.95%). Ramelteon was efficacious with a large effect size at 4 weeks on objective total sleep time (oTST) (p = 0.010; weighted difference = 17.9 min), subjective total sleep time (sTST) (p = 0.006; weighted difference = 11.7 min), sSOL (p = 0.009; weighted difference = −8.74 min), and oSOL (p = 0.017; weighted difference = −14 min). Regarding long‐term effects, ramelteon has a large effect size on oTST (p < 0.001; weighted difference = 2.02 min) and sTST (p < 0.001; weighted difference = 14.5 min). PR melatonin and ramelteon appear efficacious compared with placebo for insomnia symptoms with PR melatonin showing mostly small to medium effect sizes. PR melatonin for individuals with a mean age ≥ 55 and ramelteon show larger effect sizes.
Maternal psychological control and adolescent adjustment: Sleep as a moderator
Authors: Martín‐Piñón Olivia , McWood Leanna M. , Erath Stephen A. , Hinnant Benjamin , El‐Sheikh Mona
Published: July 2023

Maternal psychological control has been linked consistently to poorer adjustment for adolescents, however, studies of variability in the association between psychological control and adjustment are rare. Sleep serves crucial bioregulatory functions that promote well‐being and protect youths against poor adjustment associated with negative family environments. We hypothesised that the link between maternal psychological control and adolescent maladjustment would be strongest for youths with poorer actigraphy‐based sleep. The current study included 245 adolescents (Mage = 15.79 years, 52.2% girls, 33.1% Black/African American and 66.9% White/European American; 43% at or below the poverty line). Adolescents reported on their mothers’ psychological control toward them, as well as their internalising and externalising symptoms (aggressive and rule breaking behaviours). Several sleep variables were derived: minutes, onset time, and variability in each parameter over 1 week. For youths with shorter, less consistent sleep (both mean levels and variability in minutes and onset), maternal psychological control was associated with adjustment difficulties, especially externalising symptoms. This association was not significant for youth obtaining longer, more consistent sleep. The results were most evident for variability in sleep minutes and onset as moderators of effects. The findings suggest that longer and more consistent sleep is an important protective factor in the context of more controlling parenting.
Place and local identity in the Europe of nations: Catalonia and its cities in Restoration Spain (1875–1923)
Authors: Cao‐Costoya David
Published: July 2023

This article suggests that local places and civic identities were historically relevant in the period when national politics and cultures emerged in Europe but have largely not received due attention in the historiography. It argues that the production of the local is a significant factor for understanding the configuration of the nation and that it was tied to how communities—and the agents that constituted them—constructed their own subjectivity and negotiated their place in the social world. It first provides a review of recent historical studies on collective territorial identities to underscore the relative lack of attention given to the local dimension and identify approaches that can be applied to the study of local cultures. It then focuses on the case of Catalonia in Restoration Spain, showing how region‐building dynamics and nationalisation processes coexisted and interacted with strongly assertive civic identities.
Double Vertebrae Kümmell Disease: Five Cases Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chen Hao , Shi Guan , Chen Mengmeng , Wang Ruideng
Published: July 2023

Kümmell disease (KD) is a complication of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. There is a lot of literature on KD, but the reported cases are all single vertebrae. This study reports five double vertebrae KD cases (10 levels) and discusses the possible underlying mechanisms with a literature review. One hundred and thirty vertebrae KD were diagnosed from 2074 osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures patients treated in our hospital between 2015 and 2019. These vertebrae KD were divided into two groups, one‐level vertebrae KD (n = 125) and double‐level KD (n = 5). The diagnosis of KD is mainly based on the signs of intravertebral vacuum cleft on X‐ray or CT scan. Double vertebrae KD cases were classified by using the KD staging system. The analysis was performed on KD to compare age, gender, femoral neck bone mineral density of femoral neck (BMD), vertebrae distribution, Cobb angle, and visual analog scale (VAS) between one‐level KD and double‐level by t‐tests, Welch's t‐test, or hypothesis testing. The mean age of the participants in the one‐level KD group was 78.69 years, while the mean age in the double‐level KD group was 82.4 years. The difference was statistically significant (t = 3.66, p = 0.0004). There were 89 females and 36 males in the one‐level KD group, while the double‐level KD group had five females and no males. The femoral neck BMD was significantly different between the two groups, with the one‐level KD group having a mean BMD of −2.75 and the double‐level KD group having a mean BMD of −4.2 (t = 2.99, p= 0.0061). The vertebrae distribution was different between the groups, with the one‐level KD group having vertebrae from T7 to L4 and the double‐level KD group having vertebrae from T11 to L1. The Cobb angle was also significantly different between the groups, with the one‐level KD group having a mean angle of 20.58 and the double‐level KD group having a mean angle of 31.54 (t = 6.22, p = 0.0001). Finally, the VAS scores were similar between the two groups, with the one‐level KD group having a mean score of 8.63 and the double‐level KD group having a mean score of 8.8 (t = 1.35, p = 0.1790). It is concluded that double vertebrae Kümmell disease has special clinical significance due to its potential to cause greater spinal instability and deformity, increased risk of neurological symptoms, more complex surgical management, and greater risk of complications.
Endoscopic Resection and Decompression for Lateral Displacement of Cage after Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Report from a Single Center
Authors: Xie Bin , Zhu Guangye , Shen Gengyang , Tang Jingjing , Cui Jianchao , Ren Hui , Jiang Xiaobing
Published: July 2023

Background

Lateral displacement of cage is a rarely seen complication of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). To the best of our knowledge, this complication has always been revised with posterior open surgery. However, open surgery often associates with large trauma and long period of recovery.

Case Presentation

In the case presented, a 64‐year‐old male patient with lateral displacement of cage which consequently caused neurological symptoms after OLIF, was reported and surgically revised with an endoscopic resection and decompression technique. The surgery was performed through a posterolateral approach which was similar to transforaminal approach, with estimated blood loss of 45mL and whole operation time of 70 min. Neurological symptoms were disappeared after operation immediately and the patient was discharged 2 days later. He reported no symptoms other than mild weakness of the lower back at the last follow‐up of 12 months.

Conclusion

Endoscopic decompression technique may be an effective alternative to surgically treat lateral displacement of cage after OLIF with advantages of minimal invasion and quick recovery.
Chronic pain outcomes of patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy: A systematic review and case series
Authors: Yoon Isabel A. , Galarneau David
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The potential benefits of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in chronic pain and several theories for its mechanism have been reported in the past, but mixed findings have also been reported. In the current systematic review and case series, our primary aim was to assess whether pain and functional outcomes are improved after ECT in patients with chronic pain. Secondary objectives included examining whether psychiatric improvement, specific pain diagnoses, and demographic or medical characteristics were associated with differences in pain treatment response.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients with chronic pain diagnoses for more than 3 months prior to the initiation of ECT and a systematic literature search on electronic databases for studies on chronic pain outcomes after ECT.

Results

Eleven patients with various chronic pain diagnoses and comorbid psychiatric conditions were identified in the case series. Six patients reported improvement in pain while 10 patients reported improvement in mood following ECT. Systematic review identified 22 articles reporting a total of 109 cases. Eighty‐five (78%) of cases reported reduction in pain while 96.3% of the patients with a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis reported improvement in mood symptoms post‐ECT. While there was an association between improvement in mood and pain in studies with numeric ratings in both outcomes (r = 0.61; p < 0.001), some patients reported pain improvement without improvement in mood in both the case series and the pooled analysis of cases in the review. Certain pain diagnoses such as CRPS, phantom limb pain, neuropathic pain, and low back pain have consistently reported benefits and should be further studied in future studies with matched case controls.

Conclusion

ECT may be offered to patients with certain pain conditions who have not responded sufficiently to conventional therapies, particularly when comorbid mood symptoms are present. Improved documentation practices on the outcomes in chronic pain patients receiving ECT will help generate more studies that are needed on this topic.
Epidemic propagation risk study with effective fractal dimension
Authors: Nian Fuzhong , Li Fangfang
Published: July 2023

In this article, the risk of epidemic transmission on complex networks is studied from the perspective of effective fractal dimension. First, we introduce the method of calculating the effective fractal dimension of the network by taking a scale‐free network as an example. Second, we propose the construction method of administrative fractal network and calculate the . using the classical susceptible exposed infectious removed (SEIR) infectious disease model, we simulate the virus propagation process on the administrative fractal network. The results show that the larger the is, the higher the risk of virus transmission is. Later, we proposed five parameters P, M, B, F, and D, where P denotes population mobility, M denotes geographical distance, B denotes GDP, F denotes , and D denotes population density. The new epidemic growth index formula was obtained by combining these five parameters, and the validity of I in epidemic transmission risk assessment was demonstrated by parameter sensitivity analysis and reliability analysis. Finally, we also confirmed the reliability of the SEIR dynamic transmission model in simulating early COVID‐19 transmission trends and the ability of timely quarantine measures to effectively control the spread of the epidemic.
Warning: Some transaction prices can be detrimental to your house price index
Authors: Hill Robert J. , Pfeifer Norbert , Steurer Miriam , Trojanek Radoslaw
Published: July 2023

There is a broad consensus in international statistical organizations such as Eurostat and the International Monetary Fund that house price indices (HPIs) should be constructed using transaction data. We show here how transaction data for new‐built properties can undermine the timeliness of hedonic HPIs when new‐built properties are pre‐sold during the planning or building stage, but entered into deed books only once the projects are completed. As a consequence, HPIs for new‐builds will include stale transaction prices. We investigate this issue for two Polish cities (Warsaw and Poznan) and find that HPIs for existing properties lead indices for new‐builds by up to 2 years. This lag can dramatically distort National HPIs. The lag also has implications for the flagship measure of inflation in Europe—the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP)—since it is planned to include owner‐occupied housing in the HICP using a transactions HPI specifically for new‐builds. We show that the timeliness issue disappears when preliminary agreements on new‐builds are used instead of transactions in the compilation of an HPI.
Differences in the importance of romantic structures among transgender and cisgender adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Campbell Jessica T. , Piazza Malia , Gesselman Amanda N.
Published: July 2023

The stressors of the global COVID‐19 pandemic have led to an increased need for support. For adults, romantic relationships often represent an environment of emotional support and stability; as such, attitudes toward—and particularly the importance of—romantic relationships may have shifted as a result of the pandemic. The present cross‐sectional study explores how U.S. transgender (n = 99) and cisgender people (n = 1886) report whether they have perceived a change in their feelings about the importance of long‐term romantic structures (i.e., committed relationships, monogamy, cohabiting with a romantic partner, and marriage) as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results found that transgender people reported a more positive perceived change in importance placed on all four romantic items relative to cisgender people. Different forms of stress (e.g., social, financial, health) associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic may have contributed to an increased need, and subsequent desire, for social connection and support in the form of romantic relationships among transgender individuals to a greater extent than cisgender individuals, perhaps in part due to the additional layers of stress transgender people must navigate. Results are discussed through the lens of the minority stress framework.
Complex adaptive blended learning for higher GIS education: A theory‐driven pedagogy moving forward after the pandemic
Authors: Yan Yingwei , Feng Chen‐Chieh , Leong Lewis Kwek Boon
Published: July 2023

None of the prior studies implementing blended learning (BL) for GIS education has explored pedagogical theories to support BL design, and none coupled blended GIS learning practice with theories. Based on the theoretical framework of complex adaptive blended learning system (CABLS), this article presents a holistic and systematic view of BL for higher GIS education (termed as CABLS‐GIS), where its key components are tightly integrated as an integral whole. The framework was implemented for an introductory‐level GIS course to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of a BL design from students' perspectives. Most students involved in the implementation agreed that the BL enhanced their learning outcomes. They were mostly positive about the BL and motivated to use the BL materials. Incorporating more BL materials, especially practical ones, and active learning activities were suggested by them. A few negative comments about the BL suggested a thorough consideration of individual learners' characteristics.
Approach to patient reported outcome measures selection and implementation in a chronic norovirus clinical efficacy trial for patients after solid organ transplant
Authors: Keefer Laurie , Daud Amna , Ison Michael ,   the NNITS Study Team
Published: July 2023

Norovirus is the second most common cause of diarrhea among solid organ transplant recipients. There are currently no approved therapies for Norovirus, which can substantially impact quality of life, particularly in an immunocompromised patient population. In order to establish clinical efficacy and support any medication claims related to a patient's symptoms or function, the Food and Drug Administration requires that a trial's primary endpoints be derived from patient reported outcome measures‐ an outcome that comes directly from the patient, without interpretation of the patient's response by a clinician or anyone else. In this paper, we describe our study team's approach to the definition, selection, measurement and evaluation of patient reported outcome measures as part of establishing clinical efficacy of Nitazoxanide for acute and chronic Norovirus in solid organ transplant recipients. We specifically describe our approach to measuring the primary efficacy endpoint‐ days to cessation of vomiting and diarrhea after randomization through 160 days, measured through daily symptom diaries as well as the impact of treatment on exploratory efficacy endpoints, particularly change in the impact of norovirus on psychological function and quality of life.

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The enhancing effect of imports of intermediate inputs on firms' exports
Authors: Requena Francisco , Serrano Guadalupe , Mínguez Raúl
Published: July 2023

We investigate the impact of imports of intermediate inputs on export value and portfolio among Spanish regular two‐way trade of manufacturing firms over the period 1997–2018. After controlling for firm characteristics and addressing endogeneity, we find that firms that import intermediate inputs from non‐EUEFTA countries enhance the volume and scope of their EU15 exports. The magnitude of the impact is similar for high‐income countries and low‐income countries and there are no changes in sourcing patterns before or after the financial crisis.
Retrospective evaluation of the diagnostic utility of computed tomography in dogs with nontraumatic hemoperitoneum: 26 cases (2015–2020)
Authors: Parry Megan E. , Vallone Jessica M. , Gremillion Christine L. , Wustefeld‐Janssens Brandan G. , Yankin Igor
Published: July 2023

Objective

To describe the appearance of lesions noted on abdominal computed tomography (CT) in dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum and determine the utility in using CT to differentiate benign from malignant lesions.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

Single‐center, university veterinary teaching emergency service.

Animals

Twenty‐six dogs presented between 2015 and 2020 with spontaneous hemoperitoneum confirmed via abdominocentesis with pre‐ and postcontrast abdominal CT performed prior to surgery or euthanasia.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

On histopathological diagnosis, 20 of 26 lesions were found to be malignant, and 6 of 26 were benign. Two radiologists reviewed the CTs. Radiologist 1 correctly identified 5 of 6 (83.3%) benign cases and 18 of 20 (90%) malignant cases. Radiologist 2 correctly identified 2 of 6 (33.3%) benign lesions and 18 of 20 (90%) malignant cases. Of the 10 imaging descriptors evaluated, none were significantly associated with the histological diagnosis.

Conclusions

Results from the current study suggest that abdominal CT imaging of spontaneous hemoperitoneum cases is not a reliable indicator of malignancy versus benignancy. As such, prognosis should not be defined using this modality alone prior to emergency surgery and instead should be concluded based on the clinical course of the patient and histopathological findings of the resected tissues after surgery.
Medial versus lateral transcondylar screw placement for canine humeral intracondylar fissures: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Carwardine Darren , Mather Alastair , Schofield Imogen , Langley‐Hobbs Sorrel , Carbonell‐Buj Elena , Belch Alex , Barthelemy Nicolas , Parsons Kevin
Published: July 2023

Objective

To determine the influence of screw direction on complications following transcondylar screw placement for the treatment of canine humeral intracondylar fissures (HIFs).

Study design

Equivalence, parallel group, randomized clinical trial.

Sample population

Fifty‐two client owned dogs (73 elbows).

Methods

Transcondylar screw placement was randomized to either a medial or lateral approach. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications.

Results

There were 37 cases in the lateral approach group and 36 cases in the medial approach group. There was a significantly greater proportion of postoperative complications following placement of transcondylar screws from a lateral to medial direction (p = .001). There were seven cases with complications (19%) in the medial approach group versus 23 cases with complications (62%) in the lateral approach group. The majority of complications were seromas (n = 13) and surgical site infections (n = 16) with 4 complications requiring further surgery. Implant area moment of inertia (AMI), normalized to bodyweight, was lower in dogs with a major complication (p = .037).

Conclusion

Transcondylar screws placed from lateral to medial for canine HIFs had a greater proportion of postoperative complications in this randomized clinical trial design. Implants with a lower AMI, relative to bodyweight, were more likely to lead to major complications.

Clinical significance

We recommend placing transcondylar screws from medial to lateral for canine HIFs to reduce the risk of postoperative complications. Relatively small diameter implants had an increased risk of major complications.
2D approach to reconstruct the evolutionary history of clevelandellids (Ciliophora, Armophorea) inhabiting the hindgut of the Panesthiinae cockroaches
Authors: Pecina Lukáš , Vďačný Peter
Published: July 2023

The ciliate order Clevelandellida unites endosymbionts of the digestive tract of a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. In the present study, the primary and secondary structures of nuclear and hydrogenosomal rRNA molecules were employed to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships and to estimate the divergence times of clevelandellids inhabiting the hindgut of the Panesthiinae cockroaches. The secondary structure information was incorporated in phylogenetic analyses using two different strategies, viz., indirectly through 2D‐guided alignments and directly through so‐called pseudo‐protein data. Nuclear and hydrogenosomal markers carried a consistent phylogenetic signal and robustly supported the monophyletic origin of the family Clevelandellidae as well as of its four genera. According to Bayesian relaxed molecular clock analyses, the last common ancestor (LCA) of the family Clevelandellidae very likely emerged during the Late Cretaceous in the Oriental region. Its descendants most likely expanded to Australia in concert with the Neogene colonization and radiation of their host Panesthiinae cockroaches. Taking into account the time‐calibrated phylogenies and the fact that early branching members of the order Clevelandellida inhabit the digestive tracts of amphibians, it is tempting to speculate that the LCA of the Clevelandellida evolved in ectothermic vertebrates. Amphibians could have brought clevelandellids to the land, where they may have been transmitted to the cockroach digestive tract upon feeding on amphibian faeces.
Exploring the definition and methodology of “best practice” in the health care literature: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Fauci Alice Josephine , D’Angelo Daniela , Coclite Daniela , Napoletano Antonello , Gianola Silvia , Ferrara Carla , Di Nitto Marco , Gensini Gianfranco
Published: July 2023

Objective:

This review will map and define the terminology used in the literature for “best practice” as well as its underpinning framework/methodology.

Introduction:

Numerous international organizations and institutions have sought to develop models or frameworks to guide health care providers to integrate the best evidence into clinical practice. However, different concepts related to best practice have been used, both in the biomedical literature and by public institutions, leading to a lack of consistency in definitions of the term. This poses a potential difficulty for clinical professionals in applying evidence effectively to achieve desired patient outcomes.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will adopt the following inclusion criteria: (i) the study must contain a definition of the term “best practice” or its related concepts; (ii) the concept of best practice must refer to clinical activities and not have organizational features; and (iii) any study design can be included. Studies will be excluded if they describe a definition of best practice that is not directly related to clinical practice (eg, business).

Methods:

The review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. An initial search of MEDLINE identified keywords and MeSH terms. Then, MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and Google Scholar will be searched from 2001 until the present, the year in which the first definition of best practice appeared in the literature. Four pairs of reviewers will independently select studies and perform data extraction and data synthesis. Data will be presented in figures or tables, accompanied by a narrative summary. Searches will be limited to articles in English, Italian, German, French, and Spanish.

Review registration number:

OSF: https://osf.io/52vxe/
La expansión del transmedia en el género fantástico: De Matrix a Gravity Falls, El Ministerio del Tiempo y Stranger Things.
Authors: Martín Sanz Álvaro
Published: July 2023

El académico Henry Jenkins realizó la primera aproximación al concepto de transmedia basándose en el universo narrativo de The Matrix. Este artículo parte que este planteamiento no resulta en absoluto casual al considerar que la noción de transmedia puede ser explotada en una narrativa de lo fantástico gracias a sus particularidades inherentes. La hipótesis de partida se fundamenta en la idea de que los relatos de lo fantástico son especialmente atractivos y facilitadores de narrativas transmedia que involucren a los usuarios debido a que juegan con el concepto de su misma realidad para plantear la extensión de su universo y por ende, de lo fantástico. Así pues, de un nuevo acercamiento al fenómeno paradigmático de Matrix se extraen una serie de características que relacionan los conceptos de transmedia y fantástico y que configuran igualmente las narrativas multiplataforma de tres producciones recientes: Gravity Falls, El Ministerio del Tiempo y Stranger Things.
Enabling Insights by Long-Term Evaluation of Social Impact Indicators of Engineered Products for Global Development Using In Situ Sensors and Deep Learning
Authors: Stringham Bryan J. , Mattson Christopher A. , Jenkins Porter , Dahlin Eric , Okware Immaculate Irot
Published: July 2023

Remotely measuring social impact indicators of products in developing countries can enable researchers and practitioners to make informed decisions relative to the design of products, improvement of products, or social interventions that can help improve the lives of individuals. Collecting data for determining social impact indicators for long-term periods through manual methods can be cost prohibitive and preclude collection of data that could provide valuable insights. Using in situ sensors remotely deployed and paired with deep learning can enable practitioners to collect long-term data that provide insights that can be as beneficial as data collected through manual observation but with the cost and continuity made possible by sensor devices. Postulates related to successfully developing and deploying this approach have been identified and their usefulness demonstrated through an example application related to a water hand pump in Uganda in which sensor data were collected over a five-month span. Following these postulates can help researchers and practitioners avoid potential issues that could be encountered without them.
N-Gonal Multilayer Symmetric Revolute Linkage Deployed From Bundle to Surface of Revolution
Authors: Watada Ryo , Ohsaki Makoto
Published: July 2023

Deployable structures composed of hinge joints (revolute joints) with inclined axis have a potential to realize a rich variety of deformation with a small number of members, which enables it to be lightweight with low risk of failure. In this article, a systematic method is proposed to obtain new hinge-jointed structures that have N-dihedral symmetry and can be folded into a straightly bundled shape. The proposed structure, which we call N-gonal multilayer symmetric revolute linkage (N-MLSRL), is composed of some layers. Each layer is an assemblage of 2N bars and 2N inclined hinges, which can be deformed from a regular 2N-gonal frame into an entirely straight rod shape, which is a generalization of a 4-bar Bennett linkage. For the case N is less than or equal to 3, the N-MLSRL has a single degree-of-freedom. For an application to design of deployable structures, a method is introduced to generate the structure expanded to a predefined target surface of revolution. For designing the realistic detail considering the finite sizes of the joints, a technique called hinge offsets is used. The proposed method is applied to a horn-shaped structure, a ball-shaped structure, and a dome-shaped structure as its numerical examples. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed by a physical model of a dome-shaped structure including hinge offsets.
An Evenly Partition Approach to the Modeling and Constraint-Following Control for the Spatial Cooperative Dual-Robot-System
Authors: Dong Fangfang , Yu Bin , Zhao Xiaomin , Chen Shan , Liu Haijun
Published: July 2023

Due to the breadth and complexity of spatial motion, and the nonlinear coupling caused by multiple degree-of-freedom, the control difficulties of spatial cooperative multirobot system are two mainly aspects, the modeling method and the dispose of uncertainty. For modeling, the process of directly using ordinary methods such as Lagrange mechanics are very complex. For control, the external disturbances and imperceptible errors will lead to the instability of dynamic system, these factors are collectively referred to as uncertainty. In this paper, a universal modeling method based on spatial cooperative multirobot system was proposed, and an adaptive robust controller was designed to solve the control problems. Simplify the connection link into a load and divide the system into two symmetrical subsystems by disconnecting the load center. The inherent physical position and given trajectories were unified as constraints. The constraints applied on system are creatively converted into consistent standard form through the Udwadia–Kalaba (U–K) method, and the corresponding constraints can be generated easily from the Udwadia–Kalaba basic equations. In addition, a nominal term to stable the system and an adaptive term was added to the controller. The adaptive term works through an adaptive parameter, the parameter estimates the uncertainty bound, thus, only the boundedness of uncertainty should be known, and more accurate control input can be gained. Eventually, the correctness of the model and controller has been confirmed through numerical simulation.
Assessing the Irish Football Association’s “Ahead of the Game” Coach Education Training Programme on Raising Mental Health Literacy in Youth Football Coaches
Authors: Topping Rodney , Paradis Kyle F. , Ferguson Kyle
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the present study was to assess the influence of the Irish Football Association’s “Ahead of the Game” coach education training programme on mental health literacy of youth football coaches in Northern Ireland, and to gain insights into coaches’ own role perceptions of providing mental health support for athletes. A total of 105 coaches (90% male and 10% female; Mage = 37.84, SD = 8.81, Mexperience = 9.53, SD = 6.59) completed an online survey examining mental health literacy and role perceptions of providing mental health support for athletes. A total of 40% of the sample completed the “Ahead of the Game” mental health literacy training programme, while 60% of the sample served as the comparison group. Results showed that participants who had completed the training programme demonstrated significantly higher mental health literacy in comparison to those who had not yet undertaken the programme. Thus, the “Ahead of the Game” programme may be useful for increasing mental health literacy. Youth sport coaches are an accessible and trusted outlet as a first point of contact to provide initial mental health support for athletes, thus advocating for the integration of mental health literacy training as a key part of coach education.