bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rebalancing Himmat: Affect and Vernacular Approaches to Inequality in North India
Authors: Kowalski Julia
Published: July 2021

This article explores how affect shaped frontline workers’ efforts to address gender inequality in Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Counselors, frontline workers who helped women facing violence seek legal and social support, used the term himmat, courage/daring, to criticize the behavior of men and to celebrate the bravery of women. In counseling interactions, activist writing, and everyday speech, people used the word himmat to describe how affect might be marshaled for social transformation. I argue that himmat animates social movements addressing inequality, simultaneously serving as a felt diagnostic of hierarchy and a prompt to act against that hierarchy. Phenomena such as himmat are what I call affective fulcrums. A fulcrum both generates and limits motion. As an affective fulcrum, himmat channels affect that gains energy from relations shaped by a grid of inequality, including gender inequality. Yet it also creates movement around and within those unequal relations. Using himmat as an example of an affective fulcrum, I argue that attention to the role of affect in women's rights organizations can help us better analyze how inequality grounds efforts for change even as it allows for movement towards transformation.
An operational framework for defining and forecasting phytoplankton blooms
Authors: Isles Peter DF , Pomati Francesco
Published: July 2021

Phytoplankton blooms are complex ecological events that emerge from the dynamics of an entire ecosystem. Increasing efforts to forecast blooms are hampered by inconsistent definitions of what constitutes a bloom event, from both conceptual (mechanistic) and empirical (quantitative) perspectives. By clarifying definitions of blooms using temporal system dynamics, we propose to target modeling and forecasting methods to appropriate settings, and generate testable ecological hypotheses into the underlying processes fueling bloom development. Here, we present a general bloom definition that highlights both growth and loss processes, and identify quantitative metrics of time‐series structure associated with several subclasses of blooms. We hypothesize ecological processes that are consistent with these time‐series structures, and that suggest promising approaches for forecasting different types of blooms.
Adaptive foraging in the Anthropocene: can individual diet specialization compensate for biotic homogenization?
Authors: Manlick Philip J , Newsome Seth D
Published: July 2021

Biotic homogenization is a ubiquitous consequence of human disturbance. Through a mix of local extinctions and invasions, diverse communities of specialists are often replaced by or inundated with generalist species, resulting in uncertain consequences for ecological functions. While concern about biotic homogenization is growing, intraspecific variation and individual diet specialization (IS) have also emerged as key drivers of ecological functions. The niche variation hypothesis predicts that when a population is released from interspecific competition (ie “ecological release”), intraspecific competition will promote resource niche expansion and IS. It then follows that if biotic homogenization reduces taxonomic diversity and interspecific competition, intraspecific competition within the remaining taxa should expand population resource niches and increase the prevalence of IS. Here, we integrate the rapidly growing fields of biotic homogenization and intraspecific variation and assess the potential for generalist species to compensate for multiple forms of biotic homogenization via adaptive foraging, resource niche expansion, and IS.
A direct forcing immersed boundary method for cavitating flows
Authors: Stavropoulos Vasilakis Evangelos , Rodriguez Carlos , Kyriazis Nikolaos , Malgarinos Ilias , Koukouvinis Phoevos , Gavaises Manolis
Published: July 2021

In the current study, an immersed boundary method for simulating cavitating flows with complex or moving boundaries is presented, which follows the discrete direct forcing approach. Although the immersed boundary methods are widely used in various applications of single phase, multiphase, and particulate flows, either incompressible or compressible, and numerous alternative formulations exist, to the best of the authors' knowledge, a handful of computational works employ such methodologies on cavitating flows. The herein proposed method, following previous works of the author's group, tries to fill this gap and to solidify the development of a computational tool of a simple formulation capable to tackle complex numerical problems of cavitation modeling. The method aims to be used in a wide range of applications of industrial interest and treat flows of engineering scales. Therefore, a validation of the method is performed by numerous benchmark test‐cases, of progressively increasing complexity, from incompressible low Reynolds number to compressible and highly turbulent cavitating flows.
A class of second‐order schemes with application to chemically reactive radiative natural convection flow in a rectangular enclosure
Authors: Nawaz Yasir , Arif Muhammad Shoaib , Nazeer Amna
Published: July 2021

A new class of explicit second‐order schemes is proposed for solving time‐dependent partial differential equations. This class of proposed schemes is constructed on three‐time levels. Stability is found for the scalar two‐dimensional heat equation and the system of time‐dependent partial differential equations. This partial differential equations system comprises a non‐dimensional set of equations obtained from the governing equations of natural convection chemically reactive fluid flow in a rectangular enclosure with thermal radiations. Flow is generated by applying the force of pressure. Graphs of streamlines, contours plots of velocity, temperature and concentration profiles, local Nusselt number, and local Sherwood number are displayed with the variation of time and parameters in the considered partial differential equations. Results are shown in the form of streamlines and contour plots. It is found that local Nusselt number has dual behavior by enhancing radiation parameter whereas local Sherwood number de‐escalates by upraising the reaction rate parameter. It is hoped that the results in this pagination will serve as a valuable resource for future fluid‐flow studies in an enclosed industrial environment.
Effect of chitosan coating containing Nepeta pogonosperma extract on shelf life of chicken fillets during chilled storage
Authors: Afshar Mehrabi Fatemeh , Sharifi Akram , Ahvazi Maryam
Published: July 2021

Chicken meat is highly susceptible to microbial and chemical spoilage due to its high moisture and protein content. The use of edible coatings contains herbal extracts with antioxidant and antibacterial properties that help to extend the shelf life of meat products. In this study, the effect of chitosan coating (2%) and Nepeta pogonosperma extract (NPe) (0.2% and 0.6%) and their combination on chemical properties (pH, peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid index (TBARS), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N)) and microbial (aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas sp.) of chicken fillets were studied over a 12‐day refrigerated storage period compared to the control sample. The results of NPe DPPH radical scavenging activity (DRSA) showed that IC50 and total phenolic contents values were 94.65 μg/ml and 113.53 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. Statistical results showed that the rate of increase in pH, PV, TBARS, and TVB‐N of all coated treatments were lower than control. Microbial analysis results showed a decrease in the growth of different bacteria in chitosan‐treated combined with NPe compared to the control sample during chilled storage. Chicken fillets coated with chitosan and 0.6% NPe displayed a longer shelf life compared to other samples.
Integrated provenance and tectonic implications of the Cretaceous–Palaeocene clastic sequence, Changla Gali, Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Ahmad Jalil , Ding Lin , Tanoli Javed Iqbal , Sattar Maryam , Rehman Qasim Ur , Awais Muhammad , Umar Muhammad , Baral Upendra , Khan Hawas
Published: July 2021

This study documented the field relationship and integrated provenance of a clastic sequence exposed at the Mesozoic–Cenozoic boundary located in Changla Gali section, Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan, to provide an insight into Cretaceous tectonics of the northern Indian margin. This boundary sequence is represented by the Early Palaeocene Hangu Formation, which consists of shales in the lower part and sandstone in the upper part. The contact relationship of the Early Palaeocene Hangu Formation with the underlying Late Cretaceous Kawagarh Formation is marked by an angular unconformity. The detrital zircons extracted from the shale and sandstone samples shows a major age cluster, which varies between ~700 and ~1,100 Ma (45%), ~1,600 and ~1,900 Ma (15%), and ~480 and ~590 Ma. Additionally, two minor age clusters of the detrital zircons are identified, that is, ~2,300–2,500 Ma and ~600–700 Ma. The younger detrital zircon grains have ages of 298 ± 4 Ma, 297 ± 4 Ma and 116 ± 3 Ma. This age pattern reflect the major source area as the Indian Plate. The two younger Permian zircon grains may be derived from the Panjal mafic volcanic rocks exposed in the vicinity of the study area. However, a single Cretaceous grain may be attributed to ophiolites, as well as Tethyan Himalayan (TH) volcanic rocks. Similarly, the sandstone petrographic results show that the sandstones are quartz‐rich, which show derivation from the craton interior provenance, which is likely the Indian Plate. However, the trace element data suggest a mixed source consisting of felsic and mafic rocks. The contribution of the mafic source is likely associated with the Panjal mafic rocks exposed along the northern Indian margin. The field relationship shows that the underlying Mesozoic sequence is folded prior to the deposition of the Hangu Formation. This folding suggests that the northern Indian margin experienced a regional compression during the Late Cretaceous time, which folded the Mesozoic sequence before the resumption of sedimentation during the Palaeocene. Furthermore, the detrital zircon provenance suggests that the sediments were mainly derived from the Indian Plate. Combining the results, it can be concluded that the compressional event is likely associated with the Late Cretaceous ophiolite obduction onto the leading edge of the Indian Plate. However, the absence of the major ophiolitic age component in the detrital record may suggest that the ophiolites were emplaced over the northern Indian margin but remained submerged during Early Palaeocene time.
Effects of acute and chronic depression on 12‐year long‐term outcomes after stroke
Authors: Lee Eun‐Hye , Kim Ju‐Wan , Kang Hee‐Ju , Kim Sung‐Wan , Shin Il‐Seon , Kim Joon‐Tae , Park Man‐Seok , Cho Ki‐Hyun , Kim Jae‐Min
Published: July 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether acute and chronic poststroke depression (PSD) were associated with cardio–cerebrovascular events (CVEs).

Methods

A total of 423 patients with recent stroke were recruited from 2006 to 2009. They were diagnosed with major or minor depressive disorder during the acute phase (within 2 weeks) after stroke. Of these, 284 completed the same diagnostic evaluation during the chronic phase (1 year) after stroke. An average 12‐year (range 8.7–14.1 years) follow‐up was conducted to assess composite CVEs including recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death after the index stroke. During the follow‐up, Kaplan–Meier event rates for outcomes were calculated, and hazard ratios were estimated using Cox regression models after adjusting for a range of covariates.

Results

The composite CVE incidence was higher in patients with acute or chronic PSD than in those without. Composite event incidence was highest in patients with PSD during both the acute and chronic phases.

Conclusions

The presence of depression at acute and chronic phase of stroke predicted worse long‐term cardio–cerebrovascular outcomes. Evaluation of PSD during both the acute and chronic phases is recommended.
Numerical investigations on the performance of a multistrut hydrogen injector in a scramjet combustor
Authors: Kireeti S. K. , Sastry G. R. K. , Gugulothu S. K.
Published: July 2021

This study aims at investigating the effect of a multistrut‐based hydrogen injector in a scramjet combustor underreacting case. The numerical analysis is carried out using two‐dimensional Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the Shear Stress Transport k − ω turbulence model in contention to comprehend the flow physics during scramjet combustion. The three major parameters, such as the shock wave pattern, wall pressures, and static temperature across the combustor, are validated with the reported experimental results. The results comply with the range, indicating that the adopted simulation method for single strut injection can be extended for other investigations. It is noticed that with multistrut injectors, as hydrogen jet pressure increases in the supersonic flow field, the jet penetration rate in the lateral direction of the flow and the total pressure loss as compared with the baseline injection pressure conditions has increased. The supersonic flow characteristics are determined based on the flow properties, combustion efficiency, mixing efficiency, and total pressure loss. Compared with the single‐strut output of a scramjet combustor, multistruts inclusion increased the combustion efficiency by almost 18%, the mixing efficiency attained the maximum with 16% fewer lengths. The total pressure loss in single‐strut is 14% lower than that of multistrut.
Comparison of potential psychiatric drug interactions in six drug interaction database programs: A replication study after 2 years of updates
Authors: Monteith Scott , Glenn Tasha
Published: July 2021

Objective

Drug interaction database programs are a fundamental clinical tool. In 2018, we compared the category of potential drug–drug interaction (DDI) provided by six drug interaction database programs for 100 drug interaction pairs including psychiatric drugs, and found the category often differed. This study replicated the comparison in 2020 after 2 years of updates to all six drug interaction database programs.

Methods

The 100 drug pairs included 94 different drugs: 67 pairs with a psychiatric and non‐psychiatric drug, and 33 pairs with two psychiatric drugs. The assigned category of potential DDI for the drug pairs was compared using percent agreement and Fleiss kappa statistic of interrater reliability.

Results

Despite 67 updates involving 46 of the 100 drug pairs, differences remained. The overall percent agreement among the six drug interaction database programs for the category of potential DDI was 67%. The interrater agreement results did not change. The Fleiss kappa overall interrater agreement was fair. The kappa agreement for a drug pair with any severe category rating was substantial, and the kappa agreement for a drug pair with any major category rating was fair.

Conclusions

Physicians should be aware of the inconsistency among drug interaction database programs in the category of potential DDI for drug pairs including psychiatric drugs. Additionally, the category of potential DDI for a drug pair may change over time. This study highlights the importance of ongoing international efforts to standardize methods used to define and classify potential DDI.
Prioritizing pregnant women for COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Sarwal Yamini , Sarwal Tanvi , Sarwal Rakesh
Published: July 2021

Despite emerging evidence on safety and efficacy, most countries do not offer COVID‐19 vaccines to pregnant women even though they are at higher risk of complications from COVID‐19. We performed a web search of COVID‐19 vaccination policies for pregnant women under two categories: countries bearing a high burden of COVID‐19 cases and countries with a high burden of maternal and under‐five mortality. Of the top 20 countries affected by COVID‐19, 11 allow vaccination of pregnant women, of which two have deemed it safe to vaccinate pregnant women as a high‐risk group. In contrast, only five of the 20 countries with high under‐five mortality and maternal mortality allow vaccination of pregnant women and none of these countries has included them as part of a high‐risk group that should be vaccinated. India and Indonesia, with one‐fifth of the world's population, fall under both categories but do not include pregnant women as a priority group for COVID‐19 vaccination. To prevent COVID‐19 from further aggravating the already heavy burden of maternal and under‐five mortality, there is a strong case for including pregnant women as a high‐priority group for COVID‐19 vaccination. We recommend including COVID‐19 vaccination in routine antenatal care in all countries, particularly India and Indonesia in view of their high dual burden.
Interpretation of point forecasts with unknown directive
Authors: Schmidt Patrick , Katzfuss Matthias , Gneiting Tilmann
Published: July 2021

Point forecasts can be interpreted as functionals (i.e., point summaries) of predictive distributions. We extend methodology for the identification of the functional based on time series of point forecasts and associated realizations. Focusing on state‐dependent quantiles and expectiles, we provide a generalized method of moments estimator for the functional, along with tests of optimality under general joint hypotheses of functional relationships and information bases. Our tests are more flexible, and in simulations better calibrated and more powerful than existing solutions. In empirical examples, economic growth forecasts and model output for precipitation are indicative of overstatement in anticipation of extreme events.
Productivity effects of internationalisation through the domestic supply chain
Authors: Merlevede Bruno , Theodorakopoulos Angelos
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates productivity effects for a given firm resulting from the import or export of intermediate inputs by domestic upstream and downstream industries. With the use of manufacturing firms in 19 EU countries over the period 2000–2014, we find that domestic access to intermediate inputs that are also exported leads to higher levels of revenue productivity. The effect appears as more prominent for firms with nonforeign ownership and in relatively downstream, low‐tech or labour‐intensive industries. Subsequent exploration of mechanisms uncovers patterns consistent with learning by exporting on the part of upstream supplying industries that generates positive productivity spillovers to downstream firms.
If not now, when? The timing of childbirth and labor market outcomes
Authors: Picchio Matteo , Pigini Claudia , Staffolani Stefano , Verashchagina Alina
Published: July 2021

We study the effect of childbirth and birth timing on female labor market outcomes in Italy. The impact is traced up to 21 years since school completion by estimating a factor analytic model with dynamic selection into treatments. We find that childbirth, especially the first delivery, negatively affects female earnings and participation. Women having their first child soon after school exit catch up with childless women after 12–15 years. The negative consequences are smaller if the first child is delayed up to 7–9 years after school completion or if a second childbirth occurs within 6 years since school exit.
Co‐culture with peritoneum mesothelial stem cells supports the in vitro growth of mouse ovarian follicles
Authors: Sarabadani Mahdieh , Tavana Somayeh , Mirzaeian Leila , Fathi Rouhollah
Published: July 2021

The important roles played by the ovarian microenvironment and cell interactions in folliculogenesis suggest promising approaches for in vivo growth of ovarian follicles using appropriate scaffolds containing suitable cell sources. In this study, we have investigated the growth of early preantral follicles in the presence of decellularized mesenteric peritoneal membrane (MPM), peritoneum mesothelial stem cells (PMSCs), and conditioned medium (CM) of PMSCs. MPM of mouse was first decellularized; PMSCs were isolated from MPM and cultured and their conditioned medium (CM) was collected. Mouse follicles were separated into four groups: (1) culture in base medium (control), (2) culture in decellularized MPM (DMPM), (3) co‐culture with PMSCs (Co‐PMSCs), and (4) culture in CM of PMSCs (CM‐PMSCs). Qualitative and quantitative assessments were performed to evaluate intact mesenteric peritoneal membrane (IMPM) as well as decellularized ones. After culturing the ovarian follicles, follicular and oocyte diameter, viability, eccentric oocyte percentage, and estradiol hormone amounts were evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations confirmed removal of cells and retention of the essential fibers in MPM after the decellularization process. Follicular parameters showed that Co‐PMSCs better support in vitro growth and development of ovarian follicles than the other groups. The eccentric rate and estradiol production were statistically higher for the Co‐PMSCs group than for the CM‐PMSCs and control groups. Although the culture of early preantral follicles on DMPM and CM‐PMSCs could improve in vitro follicular growth, co‐culture of follicles with PMSCs showed even greater improvements in terms of follicular growth and diameter.
Porous biomass carbon and gold nanoparticles modified electrode for myoglobin direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis
Authors: Shi Fan , Yan Li‐Jun , Li Xiao‐Qing , Feng Chun‐Lei , Wang Cheng‐Zhong , Zhang Bing‐Xue , Sun Wei
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a stable porous biomass carbon (BC) and gold (Au) nanoparticles modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was prepared for the investigation of direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of myoglobin (Mb). BC was synthesized via pyrolysis of Hainan's natural tropical plant Lagerstroemia indica leaves, which was modified on the surface of CILE with Au nanoparticles further electrodeposited on the electrode surface. Then, Mb was cast on the nanocomposite‐modified electrode to obtain an electrochemical sensing platform with Nafion film (Nafion/Mb/Au−BC/CILE). Direct electrochemistry of Mb on the modified electrode was investigated with appearance of a pair of enhanced redox peaks, indicating direct electron transfer rate of Mb was accelerated due to the presence of Au−BC nanocomposite. Au−BC nanocomposite exhibited high conductivity, good biocompatibility, and large surface area, which was beneficial for electron transfer of Mb. The Mb modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and sodium nitrite (NaNO2), which was further used to establish a new electroanalytical method with satisfied sensitivity in real samples analysis.
Patterns of distress associated with exposure to potentially morally injurious events among Canadian Armed Forces service members and Veterans: A multi‐method analysis
Authors: Houle Stephanie A. , Vincent Colin , Jetly Rakesh , Ashbaugh Andrea R.
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study describes patterns of distress associated with exposure to potentially morally injurious experiences (PMIEs) in a Canadian military sample.

Method

Thematic analysis was performed on interviews from PMIE‐exposed military members and Veterans. Participants also completed structured diagnostic interviews, and measures of trauma exposure and psychopathology. Multiple regression examined associations among these variables. Information on pharmacological treatment and past diagnoses are reported.

Results

Eight qualitative themes were identified: changes in moral attitudes, increased sensitivity and reactivity to moral situations, loss of trust, disruptions in identity, disruptions in spirituality, disruptions in interpersonal relatedness, rumination, and internalizing and externalizing emotions and behaviors. Self‐report data revealed that degree of PMIE exposure was meaningfully associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Conclusion

Qualitative but not quantitative findings supported existing models of moral injury (MI). Additional research is needed to examine the impact of PMIE type on mental health, and to test basic assumptions of MI theory.
The validation of the Arabic version of the Coronavirus‐2019 Phobia Scale (C19P‐SA) and individual differences in coronaphobia experiences among an Arabic population
Authors: Alnaddaf Abdelsalam , Baloğlu Mustafa
Published: July 2021

The current study adapted the Coronavirus 19 Phobia Scale into Arabic and tested the psychometric properties of the adapted version on 469 Arabic‐speaking individuals (mean age = 29.57 years old; SD = 10.39; range = 9–71 years old). After confirmatory analysis found supporting evidence for the four‐factor structure, consequent analysis on convergent and discriminant validity and reliability of the Arabic version are also supported. A 2 × 2 between‐groups factorial multivariate analysis of variance was used to investigate individual differences in coronaphobia. Results show that there is no significant interaction effect between gender and marital status, λ = 0.973, F (8,460) = 1600, p = 0.121, partial η2 = 0. 014; however, the main effect for gender is statistically significant, λ = 0.925, F (4,464) = 9.367, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.075, power = 1.000, where women score higher than men on all coronaphobia factors. In addition, the main effect for marital status is also significant, λ = 0.923, F (4,464) = 4.701, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.039, power = 0.998, where singles score higher than married couples on only two coronaphobia factors: Psychological and economic. Based on the findings, we conclude that the effects of coronaphobia have similarities across nations as well as differences unique to the Arabic populations.
Living with female rats exposed to restraint stress during pregnancy caused depressive‐like behavior in male rats and stress‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Kocahan Sayad , Akillioglu Kubra , Sencar Leman , Sahin Leyla , Cevik Ozge Selin , Taskin Eylem , Guven Celal , Boga Ayper , Polat Sait
Published: July 2021

Objective

Maternal mood disorders such as postpartum depression (PPD) can negatively affect the lives not only of mothers but also of partners. The purpose of this study investigates emotional behavior and hippocampal apoptosis alterations of the male live with a postpartum depressed female.

Methods

Pregnant rats in the stress group were exposed to restraint stress (RS). The male rats who shared the same cages were not exposed to RS. To explain the consequences of depressive‐like behavior and anxiety, animals were exposed to the forced swim test (FST), open‐field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM). The apoptotic cell number was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Tdt)‐mediated dUTP biotin nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) staining.

Results

According to FST, PPD caused more immobility, reduced swimming, and climbing compared to control groups in the stressed female and male (p < 0.05). For the crossing number of squares in the center area, the main effect of the group was significant (p < 0.05). Stressed groups have a higher crossing number of squares in the center area compared to control groups. In the OFT, there was a significant increase in the time spent in the center area in the stress female and male group compared to the control female and male group (p < 0.05). For the EPM, time spent in the close arms was increased in the control male and stress male compared to the stress female group (p < 0.05). Female and male rats with PPD demonstrated apoptosis in neuron and glial cells in the hippocampus.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that RS results in PPD in females. Furthermore, it implicates RS as a potential risk factor for the development of postpartum mood disorder in males. Most of the studies on paternal PPD have been done by using self‐report questionnaires. Studies on physiological and hormonal changes during the postpartum period among fathers would provide information on biological factors of depression.
Multiplicity of the second‐largest eigenvalue of a planar graph
Authors: Chen Guantao , Hao Yanli
Published: July 2021

The multiplicity of the second‐largest eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix of a connected graph , denoted by , is the number of times of the second‐largest eigenvalue of appears. In 2019, Jiang, Tidor, Yao, Zhang, and Zhao gave an upper bound on for graphs with bounded degrees, and applied it to solve a longstanding problem on equiangular lines. In this paper, we show that if is a 3‐connected planar graph or 2‐connected outerplanar graph, then , where is the minimum degree of . We further prove that if is a connected planar graph, then ; if is a connected outerplanar graph, then , where is the maximum degree of . Moreover, these two upper bounds for connected planar graphs and outerplanar graphs, respectively, are best possible.
The effect of underlying inflammation on iron metabolism, cardiovascular risk and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ndevahoma Fransina , Nkambule Bongani B. , Dludla Phiwayinkosi V. , Mukesi Munyaradzi , Natanael Kandiwapa N. , Nyambuya Tawanda M.
Published: July 2021

Aim

To investigate the impact of inflammation on iron metabolism, cardiovascular risk and renal function in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

A total of 50 patients with T2D were included in this study. The patients were stratified into two groups based on their levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), namely normal and high levels (n = 25/group). All laboratory tests were measured using standardised methods.

Results

Fasting plasma glucose levels were elevated in patients with high CRP when compared to those with normal levels (p = 0.0413). Total serum iron levels were lower in patients with high CRP levels (12.78 ± 3.50) when compared to those with normal levels (15.26 ± 4.64), p = 0.0381. However, ferritin and transferrin levels were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean cell volume (MCV) in the high CRP group was lower (87.66 ± 3.62) than the normal level group (90.79 ± 4.52), p = 0.0096, whilst the lipograms were similar (p > 0.05). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in the high CRP group (98.06 ± 11.64) than the normal level group (104.7 ± 11.11), p = 0.046. Notably, CRP levels were negatively associated with serum iron levels (r = –0.38, p = 0.0061), MCV (r = –0.41, p = 0.0031), potassium (r = –0.37, p = 0.0086) and sodium levels (r = –0.28, p = 0.0471). Regression analyses showed that only CRP (β = –0.16, standard error [SE]: 0.06, p = 0.0125) and sodium (β = 0.51, SE: 0.25, p = 0.0434) levels contributed significantly to the prediction of serum iron levels.

Conclusion

Underlying inflammation in T2D is associated with increased incidence of hypertension and reduced levels of serum iron, MCV and renal function. Although there was no apparent clinical anaemia or renal dysfunction in these patients, mitigating inflammation may be effective in circumventing the ultimate development of iron deficiency anaemia and chronic kidney disease in T2D.
The sexual segment of the kidney of a tropical rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus (Reptilia, Squamata, Viperidae), and its relationship to seasonal testicular and androgen cycles
Authors: Resende Flávia Cappuccio de , Avelar Gleide Fernandes de
Published: July 2021

The sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) is a hypertrophied region of the nephron, which occurs in males of most squamate species that have been investigated, at least, during the active season. Many studies have shown that the SSK has a seasonal secretory cycle that could be correlated to the mating season, testicular activity, and androgen synthesis. However, to date, no study has investigated the presence of androgen receptors (AR) in cells of the SSK, nor the relation between the expression of AR, testosterone levels, and testicular condition. The SSK in Crotalus durissus corresponds to the distal segment of the nephron and presents a peak of hypertrophy during the period of testicular activity (spermatogenesis) and high testosterone levels, suggesting that seasonal variation of the SSK might be under the control of androgens. Testosterone concentrations and expression of AR varied seasonally with increased values for both parameters directly correlated to hypertrophy of the SSK. This study is, therefore, the first to target the SSK of a tropical snake and to establish a relationship between the secretory cycle of the SSK, testicular cycle, and levels of androgens. Furthermore, this study is the first to identify the presence of AR in the nucleus of the SSK cells.
Comparative morphology of the spinal cord and associated vasculature in shallow versus deep diving cetaceans
Authors: Rowlands Carrie E. , McLellan William A. , Rommel Sentiel A. , Costidis Alexander M. , Yopak Kara E. , Koopman Heather N. , Glandon Hillary L. , Ann Pabst D.
Published: July 2021

The cetacean vertebral canal houses the spinal cord and arterial supply to and venous drainage from the entire central nervous system (CNS). Thus, unlike terrestrial mammals, the cetacean spinal cord lies within a highly vascularized space. We compared spinal cord size and vascular volumes within the vertebral canal across a sample of shallow and deep diving odontocetes. We predicted that the (a) spinal cord, a metabolically expensive tissue, would be relatively small, while (b) volumes of vascular structures would be relatively large, in deep versus shallow divers. Our sample included the shallow divingTursiops truncatus(n = 2) andDelphinus delphis(n = 3), and deep divingKogia breviceps(n = 2),Mesoplodon europaeus(n = 2), andZiphius cavirostris(n = 1). Whole, frozen vertebral columns were cross‐sectioned at each intervertebral disc, scaled photographs of vertebral canal contents acquired, and cross‐sectional areas of structures digitally measured. Areas were multiplied by vertebral body lengths and summed to calculated volumes of neural and vascular structures. Allometric analyses revealed that the spinal cord scaled with negative allometry (b = 0.51 ± 0.13) with total body mass (TBM), and at a rate significantly lower than that of terrestrial mammals. As predicted, the spinal cord represented a smaller percentage of the total vertebral canal volume in the deep divers relative to shallow divers studied, as low as 2.8% inZ. cavirostris. Vascular volume scaled with positive allometry (b = 1.2 ± 0.22) with TBM and represented up to 96.1% (Z. cavirostris) of the total vertebral canal volume. The extreme deep diving beaked whales possessed 22–35 times more vascular volume than spinal cord volume within the vertebral canal, compared with the 6–10 ratio in the shallow diving delphinids. These data offer new insights into morphological specializations of neural and vascular structures that may contribute to differential diving capabilities across odontocete cetaceans.
Seeking a Widely Adoptable Practical Standard to Estimate Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Multiple‐Coil Reconstructions
Authors: Montin Eros , Lattanzi Riccardo
Published: July 2021

Background

Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is used to evaluate the performance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems. Accurate and consistent estimations are needed to routinely use SNR to assess coils and image reconstruction techniques.

Purpose

To identify a reliable and practical method for SNR estimation in multiple‐coil reconstructions.

Study Type

Technical evaluation and comparison.

Subjects/Phantom

A uniform phantom and four healthy volunteers: 35, 38, 39 y/o males, 25 y/o female.

Field Strength/Sequence

Two‐dimensional multislice gradient‐echo pulse sequence at 3 T and 7 T.

Assessment

Reference‐standard SNR was calculated from 100 multiple replicas. Six SNR methods were compared against it: difference image (DI), analytic array combination (AC), pseudo‐multiple‐replica (PMR), generalized pseudo‐replica (GPR), smoothed image subtraction (SIS), and DI with temporal instability correction (TIC). The assessment was repeated for different multiple‐coil reconstructions.

Statistical Tests

SNR methods were evaluated in terms of relative deviation (RD) and normalized mutual information (NMI) with respect to the reference‐standard, using a linear regression (0.05 significance level) to assess how different factors affect accuracy.

Results

Average RD (phantom) for DI, AC, PMR, GPR, SIS, and TIC was 7.9%, 6%, 6.7%, 10.1%, 40%, and 14.6%, respectively. RD increased with acceleration. SNR maps with AC were the most similar to the reference standard (NMI = 0.358). Considering all brain regions of interest, average RD for all SNR methods varied 96% among volunteers but remained approximately 10% for AC, PMR, and GPR, whereas it was more than 30% for DI, SIS, and TIC. RD was mainly affected by image reconstruction (beta = 12) for AC and SNR entropy for SIS (beta = 19).

Data Conclusion

AC provided accurate and robust SNR estimation. PMR and GPR are more generally applicable than AC. DI and TIC should be used only at low acceleration factors, when an additional noise‐only scan cannot be acquired. SIS is a single‐acquisition alternative to DI for generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) reconstructions.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
What does COVID‐19 testing results really say? The real statistics concealed behind the accessible data
Authors: Rashki Asma , Hoseinpour Dehkordi Amirhoshang , Nemati Reza , Tavousi Pouya
Published: July 2021

Accurate and comprehensive testing is crucial for practitioners to portray the pandemic. Without testing there is no data; yet, the exact number of infected people cannot be determined due to the lack of comprehensive testing. The number of seropositive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is obviously relative to the extent of testing. However, the true number of infections might be still far higher than the reported values. To compare the countries based on the number of seropositive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is misleading, as there may not be enough tests being carried out to properly monitor the outbreak. In this paper, we closely look through the COVID‐19 testing results. Herein, we try to draw conclusions based on the reported data: first, the presence of a possible relationship between COVID‐19 transition and patients' age will be assessed. Then, the COVID‐19 case fatality rate (CFR) is compared with the age‐demographic data for different countries. Based on the results, a method for estimating a lower bound (minimum) for the number of actual positive cases will be developed and validated. Results of this study have shown that CFR is a metric reflecting the spread of the virus, but is a factor of the extent of testing and does not necessarily show the real size of the outbreak. Moreover, no large difference in susceptibility by age has been found. The results suggest the similarity between the age distribution of COVID‐19 and the population age‐demographic is improving over the course of the pandemic. In addition, countries with lower CFRs have a more similar COVID‐19 age distribution, which is a result of more comprehensive testing. Finally, a method for estimation of the real number of infected people based on the age distributions, reported CFRs, and the extent of testing will be developed and validated.
The first record ofCuon alpinus(Pallas, 1811) from Poland and the possible impact of other large canids on the evolution of the species
Authors: Marciszak Adrian , Kropczyk Aleksandra , Lipecki Grzegorz
Published: July 2021

The presence ofCuon alpinusin Poland is documented here for the first time. Between 650 and 450 ka,Lycaon lycaonoidesdominated the open lands, whileCuon alpinus priscustended to prefer forests, mountains and highlands.Canis mosbachensiscoexisted in all these environments. Between 480 and 430 ka, there was a drastic reduction in the number and range ofL. lycaonoides. The balance between canids was disturbed and a critical point in the lycaon–wolf relationship was passed. Probably between 450 and 400 ka, the lycaon was too rare to be a real competitor and a limiting factor for the wolf. It was also at this time that the lycaon disappeared completely. With disappearance of the lycaon from Eurasia, there was a slow increase in the body size of the wolf. Between 400 and 300 ka, the dhole and the wolf were still close in body size, but the wolf was slowly increasing in size. Between 300 and 250 ka, the wolf became the dominant dog species and took a niche occupied until then by the lycaon. Because of competition,C.alpinusdecreased in body size and adapted to hunting and living in forest, mountain and highland environments.
Interactions of Surfactants with Biomimetic Membranes. 1. Ionic Surfactants
Authors: Kocherginsky Nikolai , Sharma Brajendra K.
Published: July 2021

When impregnated with esters of fatty acids, nitrocellulose filters can be used as a biomimetic membrane. They are easy to make, cheap, and may be used not only as an imitation of biological membranes but also as a sensor to characterize surfactant interactions with dirty fabric. These impregnated filters when fixed in a thermostatically controlled chamber separated into two compartments that contain stirred aqueous solutions by the filter, may be considered as a simple model of a laundry machine. The results revealed that the addition of ionic surfactants into one of the solutions led to the formation of transmembrane electrical potential that is proportional to the logarithm of surfactant concentration. Thus, our biomimetic membranes can be used as electrochemical sensors to detect and measure surfactant concentration. When concentration is near the critical micelle concentration (CMC), a new phenomenon was observed, i.e., spontaneous oscillations of both transmembrane potential and transmembrane current, which mimics the opening and closing of aqueous channels in biological membranes. A further increase of surfactant concentration les to a sharp 100‐fold decrease of transmembrane electrical resistance and the disappearance of any transmembrane voltage. This effect, explained by the washing out of fatty acids from the pores, may be used for screening and development of new detergents.
Uncovering the effects of kaolin on balancing berry phytohormones and quality attributes of Vitis vinifera grown in warm‐temperate climate regions
Authors: Bernardo Sara , Dinis Lia‐Tânia , Machado Nelson , Barros Ana , Pitarch‐Bielsa Marta , Malheiro Aureliano C , Gómez‐Cadenas Aurelio , Moutinho‐Pereira José
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

The application of kaolin particle film is considered a short‐term strategy against several environmental stresses in areas with a Mediterranean‐like climate. However, it is known that temperature fluctuations and water availability over the season can jeopardize kaolin efficiency in many Mediterranean crops. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effects of kaolin foliar application on berry phytohormones, antioxidant defence, and oenological parameters at veraison and harvest stages of Touriga‐Franca (TF) and Touriga‐Nacional (TN) grapevines in two growing seasons (2017 and 2018). The 2017 growing season was considered the driest (−147.1 dryness index) and the warmest (2705 °C growing degree days) of the study.

RESULTS

In 2017, TF kaolin‐treated berries showed lower salicylic acid (−26.6% compared with unsprayed vines) and abscisic acid (ABA) (−10.5%) accumulation at veraison, whereas salicylic acid increased up to 28.8% at harvest. In a less hot season, TN and TF kaolin‐treated grapevines showed a twofold in ABA content and a threefold increase in the indole‐3‐acetic acid content at veraison and lower ABA levels (83.8%) compared with unsprayed vines at harvest. Treated berries showed a decreased sugar content, without compromising malic and tartaric acid levels, and reactive oxygen species accumulation throughout berry ripening.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest kaolin exerts a delaying effect in triggering ripening‐related processes under severe summer stress conditions. Treated berries responded with improved antioxidant defence and phytohormone balance, showing significant interactions between kaolin treatment, variety, and developmental stage in both assessed years. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Effect of Intense Pulsed Light on the Skin Microbiota and Epidermal Barrier in Patients with Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Liu Jiexiong , Liu Lu , Zhou Lin , Chen Lingna , Chen Xia , Xiong Xia , Deng Yongqiong
Published: July 2021

Background and Objectives

The skin microbiota partly determined by epidermal barrier plays an important role in acne vulgaris and intense pulsed light (IPL) has been verified as a safe and effective therapeutic option for this disease. Nevertheless, the exact role of the IPL treatment on the skin microbiota and epidermal barrier for patients with acne vulgaris remains unclear. This article was designed to solve this problem.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Nineteen healthy controls and 20 patients with mild to moderate acne were enrolled in this study, who received IPL treatment for 12 weeks. The epidermal barrier and skin samples were collected at baseline and after treatment. The microbial diversity was analyzed based on a high‐throughput sequencing approach, which targets the V3–V4 region of the bacteria 16S ribosomal RNA genes.

Results

After treatment of IPL, the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) scores, sebum, sclererythrin, and red area of patients were significantly improved by IPL treatment (P < 0.05). Although there was no difference in microbiota diversity before and after IPL treatment, the Nonmetric Multidimension Scaling (NMDS) analysis showed that the samples of the acne patients before and after treatment could be divided into two different sets by skin microbiota (P = 0.011), which could be verified by heatmap analysis. Moreover, we found that the relative abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) significantly increased, but Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) decreased after IPL treatment. The sebum concentration was positively correlated with PH value (R = 0.525, P = 0.017), and the GAGS was positively associated with both sclererythrin (R = 0.477, P = 0.002) and red area (R = −0.503, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

IPL could successfully improve the GAGS scores of acne vulgaris, as well as regulate the equilibrium between C. acnes and S. epidermidis, and inhibit the sebum secretion. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Generative Adversarial Networks for De Novo Molecular Design
Authors: Lee Young Jae , Kahng Hyungu , Kim Seoung Bum
Published: July 2021

In the chemical industry, the generation of novel molecular structures with beneficial pharmacological and physicochemical properties in de novo molecular design is a critical problem. The advent of deep learning and neural generative models has recently enabled significant achievements in constructing molecular design models in de novo design. Consequently, studies on new generative models continue to generate molecules that exhibit more useful chemical properties. In this study, we propose a method for de novo design that utilizes generative adversarial networks based on reinforcement learning for realistic molecule generation. This method learns to reproduce the training data distribution of simplified molecular‐input line‐entry system strings. The proposed method is demonstrated to effectively generate novel molecular structures from five benchmark results using a real‐world public dataset, ChEMBL. The code is available at https://github.com/dudwojae/SMILES‐MaskGAN.