bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration for the effect of renal function and renal replacement therapy on pharmacokinetics of remdesivir and GS‐441524 in patients with COVID‐19: A limited case series
Authors: Choe Pyoeng Gyun , Jeong Sae Im , Kang Chang Kyung , Yang Liju , Lee SeungHwan , Cho Joo‐Youn , Han Seung Seok , Kim Dong Ki , Lee Sang Min , Park Wan Beom , Oh Myoung‐don , Kim Nam Joong
Published: November 2021

Remdesivir, an antiviral agent for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), is metabolized intracellularly, with these metabolites eliminated predominantly in urine. Because of a lack of safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) data, remdesivir is not currently recommended for patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and those on hemodialysis. This study evaluated the PKs of remdesivir and its metabolite, GS‐441524, in patients with COVID‐19 who were and were not receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT). This study enrolled two patients with normal renal function, two with impaired renal function not receiving RRT, two receiving continuous RRT (CRRT), and three undergoing intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Patients were administered 200 mg remdesivir on the first day, followed by 100 mg/day for 5–10 days. Serial blood samples were collected for PK analysis, and PK parameters were assessed by a noncompartmental method. Systemic exposure to remdesivir was higher in patients with impaired renal function and those receiving CRRT than in patients with normal renal function, but was similar in patients undergoing IHD and those with normal renal function. By contrast, systemic exposure to GS‐441524 was highest in patients undergoing IHD, followed by patients with impaired renal function and those receiving CRRT, and lowest in patients with normal renal function. The PK profiles of remdesivir and GS‐441524 varied according to renal function and RRT. The impact of PK changes of remdesivir and its metabolite on safety and efficacy should be considered when administering remdesivir to patients with COVID‐19 with renal impairment.
Dynamics of managerial power and CEO compensation in the course of corporate distress: Evidence from 1992 to 2019
Authors: Guo Sheng , Kang Qiang , Mitnik Oscar A.
Published: November 2021

We study the dynamics of two governance constructs, managerial influence over the board of directors and chief executive officer (CEO) compensation, in firms undergoing distress during 1992–2019. Data show a clear trend that governance improves over time, which confounds the inference about the effects of distress on governance. Controlling for the secular changes with a bias‐corrected matching estimator, we find that distressed firms reduce managerial board appointments and CEO pay, intensify managerial incentive alignment, and increase CEO turnover. The bulk of CEO compensation changes in distressed firms derives from the performance‐related part of compensation, consistent with the “shareholder value” view of CEO compensation.
Involvement of adolescent representatives and coresearchers in mental health research: Experiences from a research project
Authors: Viksveen Petter , Cardenas Nicole E. , Ibenfeldt Maya , Meldahl Laia G. , Krijger Lou , Game Julia R. , Andvik Maren McLean , Cuddeford Oliver , Duerto Samuel , Mustafa Murad , Tong Mathias
Published: November 2021

Introduction

In spite of adolescents' rights to be involved in decisions that concern their health and life, limited research has been published reporting on their involvement in mental health research. Therefore, we aim to present experiences and reflections based on the involvement of adolescents in mental health research, to describe the collaborative relationship between researchers and coresearchers, including the values that underpin their collaboration.

Methods

An autoethnographic approach was used, combined with group reflections. The process was jointly developed, carried out and analysed by adolescent coresearchers and the project's lead researcher over a period of 2 years. The article is jointly authored by the researcher and the ten coresearchers.

Results

Six themes were developed to describe our collaborative relationship, resulting in the involvement of adolescents in decisions about research priorities; in planning and carrying out the research; through to analysis, dissemination and communication of results. The themes include: (1) Commitment motivated by altruism, personal interests and a common purpose; (2) Inclusiveness and support to reduce social uncertainty and strengthen collaboration; (3) Reduced power differentials while ensuring clarity of roles and tasks; (4) Diversity in representation to expand the perspectives of ‘the adolescent voice’; (5) Self‐determination—supporting adolescents' involvement in decision‐making processes; and (6) Flexible and systematic project management. The themes describe the collaboration, the underlying values and motives, the challenges faced and how they were overcome.

Conclusion

This self‐reflective process describing a 4‐year collaborative research project resulted in the development of recommendations for involving adolescents in mental health research. The recommendations could potentially contribute to a change of ‘research culture’ to expand the currently limited involvement of adolescents in research.

Patient or Public Contribution

Adolescents have contributed as coresearchers through all phases of the research project and as coauthors of this article, including planning, participation in the self‐ and group‐reflective processes, analysis and authoring the article.
Model‐based solution approach for a short‐term flight rescheduling problem in aerial passenger transportation to maritime units
Authors: De La Vega Jonathan , Santana Mateus , Pureza Vitória , Morabito Reinaldo , Bastos Yan , Ribas Paulo César
Published: November 2021

This paper addresses the problem faced by a Brazilian oil and gas company of recovering flights for passenger transportation (mainly teams of employees) to maritime units. Due to unexpected events such as bad weather or aircraft mechanical failures, the original timetable very often cannot be fully met, resulting in flight delays on the same day or even postponements to the following days. As a result, the operation of the maritime units and the scheduling of employee shifts are affected to some extent. Based on a case study conducted at the company, we present a detailed continuous‐time mixed‐integer programming model that aims to include pending flights in the daily scheduling of an aerodrome with a minimum overall delay and usage of aircraft (helicopters), subject to flights with different rescheduling priorities, aerodrome and aircraft time windows, single runways at the aerodrome and single landing spots at each maritime unit, postponement and shift regulations, heterogeneous fleet of helicopters, mandatory stops for the crew to rest and have lunch, among others. We also present a discrete‐time simplification of the former model and some simple solution approaches based on these models in order to cope with larger problem instances. The approach performance is assessed using real‐life problem instances whose data were collected in the case study, using a general‐purpose optimization software. The results show the potential of these approaches in dealing with this short‐term flight rescheduling problem.
An improved procedure for isolating adult mouse cardiomyocytes for epicardial activation mapping
Authors: Zhang Ziguan , Zheng Wuyang , He Dehua , Hu Zichao , Xie Qiang , Huang Meirong , Li Weihua , Huang Zhengrong
Published: November 2021

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Although genetically modified mouse models offer great potential for robust research in vivo, in vitro studies using isolated cardiomyocytes also provide an important approach for investigating the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease pathogenesis and drug actions. Currently, isolation of mouse adult cardiomyocytes often relies on aortic retrograde intubation under a stereoscopic microscope, which poses considerable technical barriers and requires extensive training. Although a simplified, Langendorff‐free method has been used to isolate viable cardiomyocytes from the adult mouse heart, the system requires enzymatic digestions and continuous manual technical operation. This study established an optimized approach that allows isolation of adult mouse cardiomyocytes and epicardial activation mapping of mouse hearts using a Langendorff device. We used retrograde puncture through the abdominal aorta in vivo and enzymatic digestion on the Langendorff perfusion device to isolate adult mouse cardiomyocytes without using a microscope. The yields of isolated cardiomyocytes were amenable to patch clamp techniques. Furthermore, this approach allowed epicardial activation mapping. We used a novel, simplified method to isolate viable cardiomyocytes from adult mouse hearts and to map epicardial activation. This novel approach could be beneficial in more extensive research in the cardiac field.
Efficacy of rehabilitation of stage IV periodontitis patients with full‐arch fixed prostheses: Tooth‐supported versus Implant‐supported—A systematic review
Authors: Tomasi Cristiano , Albouy Jean‐Pierre , Schaller Dennis , Navarro Renata Camino , Derks Jan
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of implant‐supported in comparison to tooth‐supported full‐arch prostheses in patients with stage IV periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

Systematic electronic search (CENTRAL/MEDLINE/SCOPUS) up to March 2020 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials and cohort‐like studies comparing/evaluating fixed full‐arch rehabilitation on teeth or implants in patients with stage IV periodontitis. The primary outcome measure was loss of teeth/implants and restorations. Data extraction was performed to create evidence tables, and meta‐analyses were carried out as appropriate.

Results

A total of 26 studies (31 publications) were identified but none addressed the scientific question in a controlled and randomized design. The risk of bias throughout the included studies was judged to be high, and meta‐analyses demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity. Mean‐weighted observation periods in studies on tooth‐supported restorations were significantly longer than in studies on implant‐supported restorations. The predicted loss of teeth and tooth‐supported full‐arch restorations over 10 years was 1% and 5%, respectively. The 15‐year estimates were 10% and 13%. Corresponding predictions for implants and implant‐supported restorations for 10 years amounted to 4% and 6%, respectively. Technical complications were the most commonly reported and affected 8% of tooth‐supported restorations (during 7.2 years) and 42% of implant‐supported structures (during 2.6 years). Peri‐implantitis‐ or peri‐implantitis‐like symptoms were observed at an estimated 9% of implants (after 3.1 years).

Conclusions

Based on observational studies on full‐arch rehabilitation of stage IV periodontitis patients, 10‐year estimates of tooth loss were lower than the corresponding estimates for implants. Estimated loss of tooth‐ and implant‐supported restorations at 10 years was similar. Technical complications were more prevalent at implant‐supported when compared to tooth‐supported restorations.
Implementation of clinical practice guidelines for low back pain: A case control cohort study of knowledge translation in a multi‐site healthcare organization
Authors: Kolb William H. , Bade Michael J. , Bradberry Caleb
Published: November 2021

Rationale

The benefits of clinical practice guideline (CPG) adoption for the management of patients with back pain are well documented. However, the gap between knowledge creation and implementation remains wide with few studies documenting the iterative process of comprehensive implementation in clinical settings. The objective of this study was to improve adherent physical therapy care according to CPG's for low back pain and describe the knowledge to action (K2A) process used in a rural healthcare organization.

Methods

A prospective case control cohort design was used to evaluate physical therapy provider practice changes during an 18 month intervention. Four clinical sites were selected, two of which received multifaceted educational and process interventions tailored to feedback from ongoing K2A cycle outcomes. Overall program assessment included monthly charge code reports for adherence and a pre‐post survey of confidence for guideline use. Pragmatic Reach‐Effectiveness‐Adoption‐Implementation‐Maintenance (RE‐AIM) criteria were used to complete the process evaluation.

Results

A significant difference (p < 0.001, mean difference 13.5, CI [8.5,18.5]) for charge code adherence favoured education site‐1 over control site‐2 after implementation. Adherence scores remained above target at both education sites 18 months after implementation. Survey differences were significant for confidence scores at education sites in use of the cognitive behavioural category, overall treatment category use and guideline communication. Process evaluation supported multifaceted interventions tailored to education sites with average cost measured by staff education time of 15.5 h per therapist trained.

Conclusion

This study extends the literature of guideline implementation by describing the unique cycles required for promoting provider behaviour change within a rural healthcare system. Adherence and confidence results suggest increased provider CPG use which was supported by the process evaluation. This study demonstrates the importance of multiple site comparisons, long‐term reporting and standardized frameworks for assessment of real‐world CPG implementation.
Acquisition of cognitive and communication milestones in infants with Down syndrome
Authors: Onnivello S. , Schworer E. K. , Daunhauer L. A. , Fidler D. J.
Published: November 2021

Background

Understanding the timing of developmental milestones in typical and clinical populations facilitates intervention planning and the early detection of risk for co‐occurring conditions. Normative timing of developmental milestone achievement has been established for typically developing children. However, there is little information regarding the timing of cognitive and communication skill acquisition in young children with Down syndrome (DS). The objectives of this study are to (1) provide foundational information regarding the timing of cognitive and communication skill acquisition in infants with DS and (2) facilitate the early identification of infants with risk for co‐occurring conditions.

Method

Seventy‐four infants with DS (age range: 4–18 months) completed the Bayley Scales of Infant Development‐III (Bayley 2006). Individual items from the cognitive and communication scales were selected for analysis. Parents provided information regarding their infant's developmental and family history.

Results

The percentage of infants who attained each skill was calculated within 2‐month age bands. For infants who did not show skill acquisition within each age band, the rates of prematurity, heart defects, corrective heart surgery and significant illness were calculated as well.

Conclusions

This study provides foundational information that can contribute to the formulation of a developmental schedule for cognitive and language milestone acquisition in infants with DS.
Characterization of facial emotion recognition in bipolar disorder: Focus on emotion mislabelling and neutral expressions
Authors: Furlong Lisa S. , Rossell Susan L. , Karantonis James A. , Cropley Vanessa L. , Hughes Matthew , Van Rheenen Tamsyn E.
Published: November 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that facial emotion recognition is impaired in bipolar disorder (BD). However, patient–control differences are small owing to ceiling effects on the tasks used to assess them. The extant literature is also limited by a relative absence of attention towards identifying patterns of emotion misattribution or understanding whether neutral faces are mislabelled in the same way as ones displaying emotion. We addressed these limitations by comparing facial emotion recognition performance in BD patients and healthy controls on a novel and challenging task. Thirty‐four outpatients with BD I and 32 demographically matched healthy controls completed a facial emotion recognition task requiring the labelling of neutral and emotive faces displayed at low emotional intensities. Results indicated that BD patients were significantly less accurate at labelling faces than healthy controls, particularly if they displayed fear or neutral expressions. There were no between‐group differences in response times or patterns of emotion mislabelling, with both groups confusing sad and neutral faces, although BD patients also mislabelled sad faces as angry. Task performance did not significantly correlate with mood symptom severity in the BD group. These findings suggest that facial emotion recognition impairments in BD extend to neutral face recognition. Emotion misattribution occurs in a similar, albeit exaggerated manner in patients with BD compared to healthy controls. Future behavioural and neuroimaging research should reconsider the use of neutral faces as baseline stimuli in their task designs.
Plastination of a sperm whale
Authors: Jiang Wen‐Bin , Han Jian , Ma Xue‐Wei , Liu Hu , Yu Sheng‐Bo , Sui Hong‐Jin
Published: November 2021

In 2016, two adult male sperm whales beached off of Yangkou Port in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China. The local government planned to preserve them as specimens, one was entrusted to Dalian Hoffen Biological Co., Ltd., and thus became the first sperm whale to be preserved by plastination. The other sperm whale was preserved in Nantong by the traditional stripping method (The skin was preserved, and then the prosthesis was filled into the skin to preserve the specimens. The material of the prosthesis was polyurethane. The outline of the animal was sculpted by suturing the skin like a bag and filling it with polyurethane). Plastination of such a large marine mammal allowed us to view the mutual adaptations of its internal structure to its specific living environment and daily habits. This sperm whale is the largest specimen in the world and this is the first time a sperm whale has been preserved using the plastination method. The plastination process also provides a method for studying the anatomy of large marine mammals for humans to understand deep‐sea organisms at close contact and visual level. The plastination of this sperm whale promises to be a world class resource holding tremendous scientific, educational, and artistic value.
Heterogeneity in form and function of the rat extensor digitorum longus motor unit
Authors: Kissane Roger W. P. , Chakrabarty Samit , Askew Graham N. , Egginton Stuart
Published: November 2021

The motor unit comprises a variable number of muscle fibres that connect through myelinated nerve fibres to a motoneuron (MN), the central drivers of activity. At the simplest level of organisation there exist phenotypically distinct MNs that activate corresponding muscle fibre types, but within an individual motor pool there typically exists a mixed population of fast and slow firing MNs, innervating groups of Type II and Type I fibres, respectively. Characterising the heterogeneity across multiple levels of motor unit organisation is critical to understanding changes that occur in response to physiological and pathological perturbations. Through a comprehensive assessment of muscle histology and ex vivo function, mathematical modelling and neuronal tracing, we demonstrate regional heterogeneities at the level of the MN, muscle fibre type composition and oxygen delivery kinetics of the rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Specifically, the EDL contains two phenotypically distinct regions: a relatively oxidative medial and a more glycolytic lateral compartment. Smaller muscle fibres in the medial compartment, in combination with a greater local capillary density, preserve tissue O2 partial pressure (PO2) during modelled activity. Conversely, capillary supply to the lateral compartment is calculated to be insufficient to defend active muscle PO2 but is likely optimised to facilitate metabolite removal. Simulation of in vivo muscle length change and phasic activation suggest that both compartments are able to generate similar net power. However, retrograde tracing demonstrates (counter to previous observations) that a negative relationship between soma size and C‐bouton density exists. Finally, we confirm a lack of specificity of SK3 expression to slow MNs. Together, these data provide a reference for heterogeneities across the rat EDL motor unit and re‐emphasise the importance of sampling technique.
‘Owning the space’—person‐centred practice in a 100% single‐room acute‐care environment: an ethnographic study
Authors: Kelly Rosemary , Noelle Brown Donna , Mccance Tanya
Published: November 2021

Aims and Objectives

Exploring the influence of the 100% single‐room environment on staff and patient experience of person‐centred practice in an acute‐care setting.

Background

Current building guidance for the NHS advocates increasing the single‐room inpatient environment. There is little evidence of the impact of this design in adult acute‐care settings on the experience and delivery of person‐centred care.

Design

Ethnography, underpinned by McCormack and McCance's Person‐centred Practice Framework.

Methods

Data collection took place between March and June 2018. Staff and patients in a National Health Service hospital in the United Kingdom took part in observations of practice (n = 108 hours); face to face inpatient interviews (n = 9); and participatory reflective staff groups (n = 3). A reflexive journal was kept by the researcher throughout the study. Reporting adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.

Results

Themes relating to care delivery and interactions were identified. Staff and patients’ views converged around visibility and isolation. Patients appreciated the privacy afforded by the single rooms, while staff experienced a psychological shift, being viewed (and viewing themselves) as ‘visitors’. There was space for more sympathetic presencing, encouraging patients to speak more openly, to facilitate knowing and authentic engagement. However, time remained an issue resulting in more task‐focused care.

Conclusion

Changes to the physical environment have an impact on the delivery and experience of person‐centred practice. While the facilities enhance patient experience, the interweaving of engagement, emotional support and the development of therapeutic relationships remain challenging.
A risk scoring system to predict clinical events in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Jo Ae Jeong , Choi Won‐Mook , Kim Hyo Jeong , Choi So Hyun , Han Seungbong , Ko Min Jung , Lim Young‐Suk
Published: November 2021

Many patients with chronic hepatitis B do not receive adequate follow‐up. This study aimed to develop a risk score to predict clinical events in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at the population level for identifying patients at high risk to warrant regular follow‐up. This study analysed population‐based data from the nationwide claims database of South Korea obtained between 2005 and 2015. We identified 507,239 non‐cirrhotic patients with chronic HBV infection who are not under antiviral treatment. A risk score for predicting clinical events (hepatocellular carcinoma, death or liver transplantation) was developed based on multivariable Cox proportional hazard model in a development cohort (n = 401,745) and validated in a validation cohort (n = 105,494). The cumulative incidence rates of clinical events at 5 years were 2.56% and 2.44% in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. Clinical events in asymptomatic patients with chronic HBV infection (CAP‐B) score ranging from 0 to 7.5 points based on age, sex, socioeconomic status, chronic hepatitis C co‐infection, diabetes mellitus, statin or antiplatelet exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption, alanine aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyltransferase had good discriminatory accuracy in both the development and validation cohorts (c‐indices for 3‐, 5‐ and 10‐year risk prediction: all 0.786). The predicted and observed probabilities of clinical events were calibrated in both cohorts. A score of >3.5 points identified subjects at distinctly high risk. The CAP‐B score using easily accessible variables can predict clinical events and may allow selection of patients with chronic HBV infection for priority of regular follow‐up.
Understanding asteroidal failure through quasi‐static compression testing and 3‐D digital image correlation of the Aba Panu (L3) chondrite
Authors: Rabbi M. F. , Garvie L. A. J. , Cotto‐Figueroa D. , Asphaug E. , Khafagy K. H. , Datta S. , Chattopadhyay A.
Published: November 2021

A comprehensive understanding of the mechanical strength and failure mechanisms of asteroids is essential for the development of hazard mitigation strategies and in situ resource extraction. In this study, the Aba Panu (L3) ordinary chondrite meteorite is investigated to understand its failure response under compressive loading. Compression experiments were conducted on ten 1 cm cubes under quasi‐static conditions in constant displacement control mode at room temperature. Three‐dimensional (3‐D) digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure the full‐field deformation and strain. These data were used to determine the elastic modulus and local strain distribution, and investigate the effects of the mineralogical and structural heterogeneity on the crack formation and growth sites. Aba Panu exhibits brittle failure during compression with a range of failure strength from 361.7 to 578.0 MPa. Axial splitting and multiple fracturing occur during the uniaxial compressive state of stress. Ultrasonic tests were used to calculate elastic moduli from sound speeds and compared with the results of L‐type ordinary chondrites from the literature. Characterization results from electron microprobe analysis identified different elements and areal distribution of mineral phases and pre‐existing cracks. In general, the DIC results did not show correlations between crack initiation and specific mineralogical or textural components in this meteorite, such as chondrules or metals/sulfide grains, suggesting that the pre‐existing microcracks and porosity control the Aba Panu failure mechanisms.
“Housing Is Health Care”: Treating Homelessness in Safety‐net Hospitals
Authors: Hanssmann Christoph , Shim Janet K. , Yen Irene H. , Fleming Mark D. , Van Natta Meredith , Thompson‐Lastad Ariana , Rasidjan Maryani Palupy , Burke Nancy J.
Published: November 2021

As medicine integrates social and structural determinants into health care, some health workers redefinehousingas medical treatment. This article discusses how health workers in two U.S. urban safety‐net hospitals worked with patients without stable housing. We observed ethnographically how health workers helped patients seek housing in a sharply stratified housing economy. Analyzing in‐depth interviews and observations, we show how health workers: (1) understood housing as health care and navigated limits of individual care in a structurally produced housing crisis; and (2) developed and enacted practices of biomedical and sociopolitical stabilization, includingeligibilizinganddata‐trackingwork. We discuss how health workers bridged individually focused techniques of clinical care with structural critiques of stratified housing economies despite contradictions in this approach. Finally, we analyze the implications of providers’ extension of medical stabilization into social, economic, and political realms, even as they remained caught in the structural dynamics they sought to address.
Different molecular changes underlie the same phenotypic transition: Origins and consequences of independent shifts to homostyly within species
Authors: Mora‐Carrera Emiliano , Stubbs Rebecca L. , Keller Barbara , Léveillé‐Bourret Étienne , de Vos Jurriaan M. , Szövényi Peter , Conti Elena
Published: November 2021

The repeated transition from outcrossing to selfing is a key topic in evolutionary biology. However, the molecular basis of such shifts has been rarely examined due to lack of knowledge of the genes controlling these transitions. A classic example of mating system transition is the repeated shift from heterostyly to homostyly. Occurring in 28 angiosperm families, heterostyly is characterized by the reciprocal position of male and female sexual organs in two (or three) distinct, usually self‐incompatible floral morphs. Conversely, homostyly is characterized by a single, self‐compatible floral morph with reduced separation of male and female organs, facilitating selfing. Here, we investigate the origins of homostyly in Primula vulgaris and its microevolutionary consequences by integrating surveys of the frequency of homostyles in natural populations, DNA sequence analyses of the gene controlling the position of female sexual organs (CYPᵀ), and microsatellite genotyping of both progeny arrays and natural populations characterized by varying frequencies of homostyles. As expected, we found that homostyles displace short‐styled individuals, but long‐style morphs are maintained at low frequencies within populations. We also demonstrated that homostyles repeatedly evolved from short‐styled individuals in association with different types of loss‐of‐function mutations in CYPᵀ. Additionally, homostyly triggers a shift to selfing, promoting increased inbreeding within and genetic differentiation among populations. Our results elucidate the causes and consequences of repeated transitions to homostyly within species, and the putative mechanisms precluding its fixation in P. vulgaris. This study represents a benchmark for future analyses of losses of heterostyly in other angiosperms.
Emotions, psychological safety and recommendations for designing remediation programmes
Authors: Brennan Nicola
Published: November 2021

This commentary presents emotion recognition and enabling psychological safety as crucial in the design of effective remediation programmes.
Nurturing the “self” in health professions education
Authors: Ganotice Fraide A. , Yeung Susanna Siu Sze , Tipoe George L.
Published: November 2021

The shift in the way how health care is delivered from exclusive (disciplinary) to a more collective and inclusive (interprofessional) has recently been gaining traction in health care. The need for this shift is even magnified when the health care system face unprecedented challenges that single expertise is no more enough. The promise of transformative power of collaboration in health care suggests that collective intelligence achieves tasks more effectively than a single expertise could achieve.
Genomes within genomes: nested symbiosis and its implications for plant evolution
Authors: Batstone Rebecca T.
Published: November 2021

Many important plant traits are products of nested symbiosis: mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are nested within microbes, which in turn, are nested within plants. Plant trait variation is therefore not only determined by the plant’s genome, but also by loci within microbes and MGEs. Yet it remains unclear how interactions and coevolution within nested symbiosis impacts the evolution of plant traits. Despite the complexities of nested symbiosis, including nonadditive interactions, understanding the evolution of plant traits is facilitated by combining quantitative genetic and functional genomic approaches that explicitly consider sources of nested genetic variation (from loci in MGEs to microbiomes). Additionally, understanding coevolution within nested symbiosis enables us to design or select for MGEs that promote plant health.
Individuality and function of chemical signals during conflict resolution of a mammal
Authors: Zhang Chunmian , Sun Congnan , Lucas Jeffrey R. , Gu Hao , Feng Jiang , Jiang Tinglei
Published: November 2021

Individual recognition via communication signals is a critical component of social behavior, and provides the basis of conflict resolution, territorial behavior, and mate choice. However, the function of chemical signals in mammalian individual recognition and conflict resolution has largely been unexplored despite olfaction being a dominant sensory modality in many mammalian species. Here, we describe behavioral tests designed to evaluate the potential role of forehead gland secretions during conflict related to territorial defense in male Great Himalayan leaf‐nosed bats. We used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to quantify the chemical composition. Our results showed that forehead gland secretions contain 16 categories of compounds, including 84 volatile compounds. The concentrations of compounds and their categories differed significantly among individuals. Moreover, behavioral studies indicated that males can use chemical signals for individual recognition. Contests were staged between males with or without functioning forehead glands. Paired males without functioning forehead glands displayed more physical contact and longer contest duration compared with pairs with functioning glands. Moreover, males with a functioning gland were more likely to win in contests when paired with males without a functioning gland. These findings support a growing amount of evidence that chemical signals play a vital role in conflict resolution in mammals.
Investigation of IgG4‐positive cells in idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and validation of the 2020 exclusion criteria for IgG4‐related disease
Authors: Nishikori Asami , Nishimura Midori Filiz , Nishimura Yoshito , Notohara Kenji , Satou Akira , Moriyama Masafumi , Nakamura Seiji , Sato Yasuharu
Published: November 2021

Patients with plasma cell type idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (PC‐iMCD) often show elevated serum IgG4 levels and IgG4‐positive cell infiltration in tissues due to overproduction of interleukin‐6, and may meet the diagnostic criteria for IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD). Although PC‐iMCD has been listed as a major exclusion disease for IgG4‐RD, distinguishing between these diseases is challenging due to a lack of highly specific diagnostic biomarkers. In 2020, we proposed exclusion criteria of IgG4‐RD mimickers. In this paper, we validated the accuracy of the criteria in excluding one of the mimickers, PC‐iMCD, from IgG4‐RD. Validation was performed on 57 PC‐iMCD patients (39 presenting lymph node lesions and 19 with lung lesions) and 29 IgG4‐RD patients (22 presenting lymph node lesions and seven with lung lesions). According to our results, 20.5% of the PC‐iMCD patients with lymph node lesions and 42.1% of those with lung lesions met the diagnostic criteria for IgG4‐RD. All these patients with PC‐iMCD were excluded from a diagnosis of IgG4‐RD by the proposed criteria. Additionally, 6.9% of IgG4‐RD patients met the exclusion criteria. Thus, if the exclusion criteria are met, diagnosis should be made based on a combination of findings including organ distribution of disease, response to steroid therapy, and other pathological findings.
Glucose sensor MdHXK1 activates an immune response to the fungal pathogen Botryosphaeria dothidea in apple
Authors: Yu Jian‐Qiang , Li Xiu‐Ming , Wang Wen‐Yan , Gu Kai‐Di , Sun Cui‐Hui , You Chun‐Xiang , Hu Da‐Gang
Published: November 2021

Sugars are essential regulatory molecules involved in plant growth and development and defense response. Although the relationship between sugars and disease resistance has been widely discussed, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unexplored. Ring rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea (B. dothidea), which severely affects fruit quality and yield, is a destructive disease of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). The present study found that the degree of disease resistance in apple fruit was closely related to glucose content. Therefore, the gene encoding a hexokinase, MdHXK1, was isolated from the apple cultivar 'Gala', and characterized during the defense response. Overexpression of MdHXK1 enhanced disease resistance in apple calli, leaves and fruits by increasing the expression levels of genes related to salicylate (SA) synthesis (PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4, PAD4; PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA‐LYASE, PAL; and ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1, EDS1) and signaling (PR1; PR5; and NONEXPRESSER OF PR GENES 1, NPR1) as well as increasing the superoxide (O2−) production rate and the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content. Overall, the study provides new insights into the MdHXK1‐mediated molecular mechanisms by which glucose signaling regulates apple ring rot resistance.
Exposure to television and support for restrictive immigration policies in the midst of the immigration crisis: A cross‐national comparison
Authors: Geurts Nella , Geurts Roos , Scheepers Peer , Vergeer Maurice
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study explored associations between television exposure and public support for restrictive immigration policies in Europe, distinguishing general television exposure from exposure to television news. We explored explanations of generalized social distrust and perceived ethnic threat and, moreover, acknowledged cross‐national variation in asylum applicants.

Methods

We applied multi‐level regression analyses using the European Social Survey (2014–2015), covering 19 countries (n = 29.161).

Results

General television exposure and support for restrictive immigration policies related positively, whereas exposure to television news related negatively to these policy preferences. Furthermore, both generalized social distrust and perceived ethnic threat mediated the links between both forms of exposure and these preferences. An increase in the number of asylum applicants strengthened the positive relationship between general television exposure and these policy preferences.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights into the role of individual and national factors for support for restrictive immigration policies from a contemporary and cross‐national perspective.
Additive effects of orchiectomy and intermittent hypoxia on lung mechanics and inflammation in C57BL/6J male mice
Authors: Ganouna‐Cohen Gauthier , Khadangi Fatemeh , Marcouiller François , Bossé Ynuk , Joseph Vincent
Published: November 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does endogenous testosterone modulate the consequences of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in the lungs of male mice?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Orchiectomized mice exposed to IH develop a pattern that is similar to emphysema or obstructive lung disease with elevated lung volumes, low pulmonary elastance during a methacholine challenge test and high counts of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavages. Since low testosterone levels and other respiratory diseases are common in sleep apnoea, there is a clear clinical relevance to these results.

We tested the hypothesis that low testosterone levels modulate the pulmonary responses to intermittent hypoxia (IH; used as a model of sleep apnoea (SA)) in male mice. We used intact (SHAM) or orchiectomized (ORX) mice exposed to IH for 14 days (12 h/day, 10 cycles/h, 6% oxygen) or to normoxia (Nx). We first measured ventilation and metabolic rates in freely behaving mice (whole‐body plethysmography) and then respiratory mechanics in tracheotomized mice (flexiVent). We assessed the respiratory system resistance and elastance (Ers), Newtonian resistance (resistance of the large airways), tissue damping and tissue elastance (H) under baseline conditions and during a methacholine challenge test. We also measured the quasi‐static compliance and inspiratory capacity with partial pressure‐volume loops. Finally, inflammatory cells were counted in the broncho‐alveolar lavage (BAL) and we measured lung volume by water displacement. ORX‐IH mice had higher tidal volume, inspiratory capacity and lung volume compared to the other groups, but showed signs of low efficiency of O2 exchange rate relative to minute ventilation. During the methacholine challenge, orchiectomy decreased the values of most mechanical parameters and IH reduced Ers and H leading to very low values in ORX‐IH mice. Finally, the total number of cells and the number of lymphocytes in BAL were both increased by IH in ORX mice. Since reduced lung elasticity, low O2 extraction, increased lung volumes and inflammation are signs of emphysematous lung disease, we conclude that testosterone might prevent lung emphysema during IH exposures.
A Brief of the Economics of ADAS for Full-Size Light Duty Pickup Trucks: Relating Effectiveness to Cost
Authors: Fish Francis , Bras Bert
Published: November 2021

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have become increasingly common in vehicles in the last decade. The majority of studies have focused on smaller vehicles with gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 5000 lbs, predominantly sedans, for their ADAS evaluations. While it is sensible to use this style of vehicle because it is ubiquitous worldwide for a typical vehicle body style, these studies neglect full-size light-duty pickup trucks, GVWR 5000–10,000 lbs, which are abundant on the roads in the United States. The increase in mass, higher center of gravity, and utilitarianism of the vehicles allows for unique conditions for studying the effects of ADAS. This work evaluates the effectiveness of ADAS in full-size light-duty pickup trucks across brands, representing 18% of registered vehicles in the United States, at reducing severity of injury for occupants during accidents involving fatalities relative to expense of the ADAS technology. This work will illustrate the cost benefit of ADAS at reducing the severity of injuries for occupants of full-size light-duty pickup trucks for multiple different brands.
A Novel Trigger Mechanism for a Dual-Filter to Improve the State-of-Charge Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Yu Chuanxiang , Huang Rui , Sang Zhaoyu , Yang Shiya
Published: November 2021

State-of-charge (SOC) estimation is essential in the energy management of electric vehicles. In the context of SOC estimation, a dual filter based on the equivalent circuit model represents an important research direction. The trigger for parameter filter in a dual filter has a significant influence on the algorithm, despite which it has been studied scarcely. The present paper, therefore, discusses the types and characteristics of triggers reported in the literature and proposes a novel trigger mechanism for improving the accuracy and robustness of SOC estimation. The proposed mechanism is based on an open-loop model, which determines whether to trigger the parameter filter based on the model voltage error. In the present work, particle filter (PF) is used as the state filter and Kalman filter (KF) as the parameter filter. This dual filter is used as a carrier to compare the proposed trigger with three other triggers and single filter algorithms, including PF and unscented Kalman filter (UKF). According to the results, under different dynamic cycles, initial SOC values, and temperatures, the root-mean-square error of the SOC estimated using the proposed algorithm is at least 34.07% lower than the value estimated using other approaches. In terms of computation time, the value is 4.67%. Therefore, the superiority of the proposed mechanism is demonstrated.
Nonlinear Mechanics and Buckling Analysis of Composite Shells With Embedded Piezoelectric Actuators and Sensors
Authors: Varelis Dimitris , Saravanos Dimitris A.
Published: November 2021

Nonlinear mechanics for piezoelectric composite laminates and shells are presented which include nonlinear effects due to large displacements and rotations. The mechanics are incorporated into the mixed piezoelectric laminate theory. Using the mechanics, a nonlinear finite element method and an incremental solution are formulated for the nonlinear analysis of adaptive shell structures. An eight-node shell finite element is developed. The mechanics are applied to predict the buckling of laminated piezoelectric shells induced by combined electromechanical loading. Application cases quantify the mechanical buckling of composite circular beams and cylindrical panels with piezoelectric sensors, the piezoelectric buckling of active circular beams and shells, and the feasibility of active buckling compensation.
Buckling of Shear-Deformable Multi-Layered Rings due to Fluid-Pressure Loading
Authors: McNamara Jack , Liu Li , Waas Anthony M.
Published: November 2021

This paper is concerned with the analysis of composite rings subjected to external fluid pressure loading. Nonlinear equilibrium equations, linear stability equations, and critical fluid-pressure loads are found for thin multi-layered shear deformable rings. The extensions presented here can be shown to be generalizations of the theory given in [1]. The theory shows that introduction of multiple layers of material introduces coupling between bending and extension. The results are used to show that shear deformation is important when R h < 10 , as well as when the ratio of through thickness shear modulus to Young’s modulus becomes small. The latter has consequences when composite materials are used for the ring layers. The results are also used to show that for coupling between bending and extension the critical fluid-pressure will increase or decrease depending on the stacking sequence. For the example presented in this paper, the predicted critical fluid-pressure loading was higher for the stiffer material located on the inside of a two-layer ring. In all cases, the theoretical results are compared to a finite element method analysis.
Thermo-Mechanical Instabilities in Bilaminate Shell Structures
Authors: Bottega W. J. , Rutgerson S. E.
Published: November 2021

The problem of an elastic bilaminate shell subjected to transverse pressure and a uniform temperature field is considered for plane strain/plane stress configurations. Closed form analytical solutions are obtained for the nonlinear problem, and a stability criterion is derived for situations where multiple equilibrium configurations of the structure are possible for a given value of the loading parameter (a combination of the normalized pressure and thermal moment). Critical behavior is seen to be dependent on two critical parameters, a critical value of the loading parameter and a critical value of the membrane force. Extensive numerical simulations based on these solutions reveal characteristic behavior of the system. This behavior includes, bifurcation buckling, asymptotic buckling, sling-shot buckling and pre-limit point snap-through buckling. It is seen that pre-limit point snap-through is pervasive and perhaps the norm, even for certain classic problems, and its degree is a function of the material properties of the structure.
Nonlinear Through-Thickness Behavior of a Toroidal Shell Using 2-D Finite Elements
Authors: Greer James M. , Palazotto Anthony N.
Published: November 2021

The use of two-dimensional shell finite elements is explored for finding the three-dimensional state of stress in a toroidal shell. The torus under study represents a 90-degree pipe elbow with a pressure load on a portion of its surface. Layer-wise polynomials are used to represent the transverse shear and normal stretch deformations in the shell. These functions are chosen such that displacements and stresses (but not strains) are continuous at the ply interfaces. Both isotropic and composite (cross-ply) versions of the shell are investigated, and the thicknesses of each are varied to see the effect on through-thickness behavior. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences in these behaviors are observed, particularly in the important direct through-thickness (peeling) stress. The contribution of the transverse deformations to strain energy is investigated and, in most of the shells studied, the thickness stretch component is found to be a greater contributor to strain energy than the transverse shear, though the transverse shear contribution is seen to vary more dramatically with changes in shell thickness.