bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extreme low‐flow effects on riverine fauna: A perspective on methodological assessments
Authors: White James C. , Aspin Thomas W. H. , Picken Jessica Louise , Ledger Mark E. , Wilby Robert L. , Wood Paul J.
Published: March 2022

River flow regimes face increasing pressure from human activities including water resource management operations and climate change. Consequently, extreme hydrological events are becoming more severe and commonplace, and there is a pressing need to understand and manage their ecological effects. Extreme low flows (ELFs)—those displaying significantly greater magnitudes and durations than typical low‐flow conditions—are being increasingly experienced globally. Fish and macroinvertebrate responses to ELFs have been more widely researched relative to other organism groups in riverine environments, although such studies have employed variable methodological techniques. In this perspective piece, we identify field‐based assessments and controlled experiments as two key research paradigms used to examine riverine faunal responses to ELFs. Field‐based assessments are often explorative and can benefit from utilising large‐scale and long‐term datasets. Alternatively, controlled experiments typically employ more hypothesis‐driven approaches and can establish strong cause and effect linkages through high replication and control over potentially confounding parameters. Each paradigm clearly possesses their respective strengths, which we highlight and discuss how these could be better harnessed to optimise scientific advancements. To date, studies examining faunal responses to ELFs in these two research paradigms have largely been undertaken in parallel. Here, we argue that future research should seek to develop closer synergies to optimise the quality and quantity of evidence to better understand riverine faunal responses to ELFs. Such scientific advances are of paramount importance given the vulnerability of riverine fauna, and the ecosystems they comprise, to a new era of ELFs in many global regions.
Adsorption of ionomer and ionic liquid on model Pt catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Authors: Kodama Kensaku , Motobayashi Kenta
Published: March 2022

The adsorption of the perfluoro‐sulfonic acid polymer of Nafion and ionic liquid (IL) of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide on the surface of Pt was investigated via voltammetric analyses, using stepped Pt single‐crystal electrodes with (111) terraces and (110) steps, and surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) analyses using a Pt polycrystalline electrode. Sulfonate anion in Nafion was adsorbed on the stepped Pt single‐crystal electrodes and suppressed the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by more than 50%, regardless of the terrace width. The IL molecules were preferentially adsorbed on the step sites through a simple IL coating procedure. The SEIRAS analysis indicated that the IL molecules were stable on the Pt surface throughout potential cycles, where the anionic moieties were in contact with the Pt surface and reoriented depending on the potential. The IL modification prior to Nafion coating mitigated ionomer adsorption on the Pt surface. However, the mitigation effect was not reflected in the ORR activity because water production led to IL desorption during the ORR activity measurement. Accordingly, IL modification is a promising method for improving the performance of Pt catalysts in polymer electrolyte fuel cells; however, further studies to prevent the leaching of IL are required for practical applications of this approach.
Examining the consumer view of refreshing perception, relevant fruits, vegetables, soft drinks, and beers, and consumer age and gender segmentations
Authors: Ramirez Jessica L. , Hampton Amy , Du Xiaofen
Published: March 2022

Consumer perspective of refreshing perception is underexplored, despite it being an emotional attribute to describe foods, beverages, hygiene products, and household items. An online survey (N = 1518) was designed to collect consumer insight into the importance of refreshing, the definition and factors related to it, and the identification of refreshing fruits, vegetables, and drinks. Nearly all participants (99.8%) cited that they have had the need to consume a food or beverage to feel refreshed, and 76.3% cited that they need this at least once per day. The factors most associated with refreshing were thirst‐quenching (84.1%), temperature (86.2%), and cooling taste (86.0%). Water (86.6%), watermelons (80.8%), and cucumbers (83.5%) were the beverages/foods most frequently specified as refreshing. A second survey (N = 1050) examined refreshing perception specifically related to beer consumption and associated flavor. Beer was rated highly refreshing by 75.5% of participants, affirming its refreshing reputation. Refreshing perceived from beer was most associated with cool temperature (95.4%), flavor of the beer (88.6%), lightened mood (87.1%), and thirst‐quenching (49.0%). Beers with crisp/clean flavors (87.3%) and citrus flavors (35.7%–51.7%) were most frequently specified as refreshing. There were no gender differences in the definition of refreshing and associated thirst‐quenching and cold, although age differences in defining beer refreshing were significant (p ≤ .05). There were significant gender and age differences in types of refreshing vegetables, soft drinks, beer flavors, and varieties. The study provided consumer insight into refreshing perception and the gained knowledge could be used in new product design.
Case study on an integrated interoperable metadata model for geoscience information resources
Authors: Han Sooyeon , Han JongGyu
Published: March 2022

An integrated metadata schema was created to promote interoperability and to characterize historically collected geoscience data. The metadata standard describes the steps taken to develop a switching‐across methodology that allows geoscience metadata standards (ISO 19115, CSDGM, ANZLIC and INSPIRE) to communicate with one another. We also demonstrated a real example of one of the switching‐across that was created. A representative metadata schema was created using items from harmonization standards that might be optimally mapped. Semantic interoperability allows users to access equivalent classes across several metadata standards in a uniform and consistent rule. It also tries to provide fundamental aspects that might characterize acquisition information to enhance data reuse and current metadata standards for data preservation and distribution.
Circulating microRNAs as predictive biomarkers of coronary artery diseases in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Mahjoob Golnoosh , Ahmadi Yasin , Fatima rajani Huda , khanbabaei Nafiseh , Abolhasani Sakhavat
Published: March 2022

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing metabolic disorder mostly resulting from unhealthy lifestyles. T2DM patients are prone to develop heart conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) which is a major cause of death in the world. Most clinical symptoms emerge at the advanced stages of CAD; therefore, establishing new biomarkers detectable in the early stages of the disease is crucial to enhance the efficiency of treatment. Recently, a significant body of evidence has shown alteration in miRNA levels associate with dysregulated gene expression occurring in T2DM and CAD, highlighting significance of circulating miRNAs in early detection of CAD arising from T2DM. Therefore, it seems crucial to establish a link between the miRNAs prognosing value and development of CAD in T2DM.

Aim

This study provides an overview on the alterations of the circulatory miRNAs in T2DM and various CADs and consider the potentials of miRNAs as biomarkers prognosing CADs in T2DM patients.

Materials and Methods

Literature search was conducted for miRNAs involved in development of T2DM and CAD using the following key words: “miRNAs”, “Biomarker”, “Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (T2DM)”, “coronary artery diseases (CAD)”. Articles written in the English language.

Result

There has been shown a rise in miR‐375, miR‐9, miR‐30a‐5p, miR‐150, miR‐9, miR‐29a, miR‐30d, miR‐34a, miR‐124a, miR‐146a, miR‐27a, and miR‐320a in T2DM; whereas, miR‐126, miR‐21, miR‐103, miR‐28‐3p, miR‐15a, miR‐145, miR‐375, miR‐223 have been shown to decrease. In addition to T2DM, some miRNAs such as mirR‐1, miR‐122, miR‐132, and miR‐133 play a part in development of subclinical aortic atherosclerosis associated with metabolic syndrome. Some miRNAs increase in both T2DM and CAD such as miR‐1, miR‐132, miR‐133, and miR‐373‐3‐p. More interestingly, some of these miRNAs such as miR‐92a elevate years before emerging CAD in T2DM.

Conclusion

dysregulation of miRNAs plays outstanding roles in development of T2DM and CAD. Also, elevation of some miRNAs such as miR‐92a in T2DM patients can efficiently prognose development of CAD in these patients, so these miRNAs can be used as biomarkers in this regard.
Correlation between dental enamel chemical composition and bracket debonding, comparing adhesive systems through a scanning electron microscope
Authors: Rodríguez‐Chávez Jacqueline Adelina , Arenas‐Alatorre Jesús Ángel , Flores‐Ruiz Hugo M. , Aguilar‐Pérez Fernando Javier , Flores‐Ledesma Abigailt , Moreno‐Vargas Yoshamin Abnoba , Pesqueira‐Melgarejo Roberto
Published: March 2022

Literature reports indicate that during bracket removal there can be enamel damage. We compare the shear bond strength (SBS) and tooth enamel loss of four adhesive systems and identify the Ca/P ratio. Then a total of 20 premolars were divided into four groups of five each. After prophylaxis, photographs were taken at 35× with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analyzed with X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) at 250×. Brackets were bonded with Transbond™ MIP(G1), Transbond™ PLUS SEP(G2), Enlight(G3) and Stylus®(G4) adhesives, 24 h after were debonded with a Instron universal testing machine at 1 mm/min. All the brackets were photographed with the SEM. The amount of lost enamel was measured with AutoCad. All the results were measured with a significance level p < .05. The SBS general average at debonding was 7.94 ± 2.26 MPa, meanwhile the SBS for G1, G2, G3 and G4 was 9.38 ± 1.46, 6.28 ± 0.69, 9.08 ± 2.45 and 7.04 ± 2.64 MPa respectively. 90% of the samples had no enamel loss, 10% had enamel loss. Only two samples in G1 presented an enamel loss area of 0.34mm2 and 0.80mm2 respectively. From EDS analysis, the Ca/P ratio was 1.6 ± 0.05, 1.61 ± 0.03, 1.64 ± 0.83 and 1.59 ± 0.07 for G1, G2, G3 and G4 respectively; no statistically significant differences were found. We conclude that no association was found between the Ca/P ratio and enamel damage when brackets are removed.

Highlights

Where enamel is lost, we observe fractures, steps, horizontal and vertical enamel loss.

There is a loss of tooth enamel from 0.34 to 0.80 mm2 with Transbond PLUS SEP.

Structural loss of enamel is almost inevitable during the separation of the bracket.
A national study of the mental health status of Asian international students in the United States
Authors: Xiong Yiying , Pillay Yegan
Published: March 2022

This study compared the mental health status of Asian international students (AIS) in the United States with American students and other international students by analyzing 4 years of data (2011–2014) from the American College Health Association‐National College Health Assessment. No significant differences were found in the ***AIS’ psychological distress, but their self‐reported self‐harm ideation and behavior were higher than the other two groups. Predictors of psychological distress were analyzed and implications for stakeholders are offered.
Artificial intelligence to detect abnormal heart rhythm from scanned electrocardiogram tracings
Authors: Bridge Joshua , Fu Lu , Lin Weidong , Xue Yumei , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Zheng Yalin
Published: March 2022

Background

Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is an integral part of the clinical ECG workflow; however, this process is often time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. We aim to develop a rapid, inexpensive means to detect abnormal ECGs using artificial intelligence (AI) from scanned ECG printouts.

Methods

The study included 1172 12‐lead ECG scans performed in 1172 individuals from a community in Guangzhou, China; 878 (74.9%) were diagnosed with sinus rhythm, and the remaining 294 (25.1%) with abnormal rhythms. A deep learning model consisting of a convolutional neural network based on InceptionV3 and a fully connected layer followed by a GEV activation was trained to classify scanned tracings as either normal or abnormal.

Results

In a hold‐out testing set, the model achieved a area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 0.932 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.890, 0.976), 0.816 (95% CI: 0.657, 0.923), 0.993 (95% CI: 0.959, 1.0), 0.969 (95% CI: 0.838, 0.999), and 0.950 (95% CI: 0.90, 0.980) respectively, when using a probability threshold of 0.5. When compared with a physiological expert, these results show comparable performance with a statistically significant increase in specificity and a non‐significant decrease in sensitivity at the 95% level.

Conclusions

We have developed a rapid, inexpensive, accurate means to detect abnormal ECGs using AI. Easy and accurate identification of such “abnormal” ECGs could allow the mass automated review of ECGs in community settings where abnormal ones could be flagged using AI for detailed clinical review by healthcare professionals.
A prospective, randomized, single‐blind study comparing coblation and monopolar extracapsular tonsillectomy
Authors: Lou Zhengcai , Lou Zihan , Lv Tian , Chen Zhengnong
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH), and medical costs associated with extracapsular tonsillectomy between coblation and monopolar electrocautery in children.

Materials and methods

This study included 293 patients aged 6–15 years planned to undergo extracapsular tonsillectomy. Data on estimated blood loss, postoperative pain score, operation time, PTH, and the cost of disposable equipment were collected.

Results

Coblation extracapsular tonsillectomy was associated with significantly lower mean pain scores than monopolar technique on postoperative days 1 (p <.001) and 2 (p = 0.02). However, the pain score was similar between the groups at all other time points. The monopolar group had a significantly shorter operation time compared to the coblation group (11.09 ± 7.53 vs. 17.12 ± 4.29 min, p <.001). Intraoperative estimated blood loss was not significantly different between the groups (p = .43).The cost of extracapsular tonsillectomy was significantly lower in the monopolar compared to the coblation group (US$ 28.18 vs. US$ 430.48, p <.001). PTH occurred in 17 patients (5.80%) and required a second surgery. Secondary PTH occurred in 6.16% (9/146) and 0.68% (1/147) of patients in the coblation and monopolar groups, respectively (p <.001). The PTH was significantly higher in the tonsillitis compared to in the tonsillar hypertrophy (12.37% vs. 2.55%, p = .002), However, the difference of PTH was not significant among mean pain scores subgroups. Of the 17 patients with PTH, the lower pole, middle portion, and upper pole were involved in 15 (88.24%), 2 (11.76%), and 0 cases, respectively.

Conclusions

Coblation and novel monopolar electrocautery extracapsular tonsillectomy are associated with similar postoperative pain scores except on postoperative days 1 and 2. However, monopolar technique offers significant advantages over coblation method with less operative time, decreased secondary PTH, and cost.

Level of Evidence: NA.
Regional Selectivity of Neuromelanin Changes in the Substantia Nigra in Atypical Parkinsonism
Authors: Chougar Lydia , Arsovic Emina , Gaurav Rahul , Biondetti Emma , Faucher Alice , Valabrègue Romain , Pyatigorskaya Nadya , Dupont Gwendoline , Lejeune François‐Xavier , Cormier Florence , Corvol Jean‐Christophe , Vidailhet Marie , Degos Bertrand , Grabli David , Lehéricy Stéphane
Published: March 2022

Background

Neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) in parkinsonian syndromes may affect the nigral territories differently.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the regional selectivity of neurodegenerative changes in the SNc in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonism using neuromelanin‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

A total of 22 healthy controls (HC), 38 patients with PD, 22 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 20 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA, 13 with the parkinsonian variant, 7 with the cerebellar variant), 7 patients with dementia with Lewy body (DLB), and 4 patients with corticobasal syndrome were analyzed. volume and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) values of the SNc were derived from neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI in the whole SNc. Analysis of signal changes was performed in the sensorimotor, associative, and limbic territories of the SNc.

Results

SNc volume and corrected volume were significantly reduced in PD, PSP, and MSA versus HC. Patients with PSP had lower volume, corrected volume, SNR, and contrast‐to‐noise ratio than HC and patients with PD and MSA. Patients with PSP had greater SNR reduction in the associative region than HC and patients with PD and MSA. Patients with PD had reduced SNR in the sensorimotor territory, unlike patients with PSP. Patients with MSA did not differ from patients with PD.

Conclusions

This study provides the first MRI comparison of the topography of neuromelanin changes in parkinsonism. The spatial pattern of changes differed between PSP and synucleinopathies. These nigral topographical differences are consistent with the topography of the extranigral involvement in parkinsonian syndromes. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Numerical simulation of coupled fractional‐order Whitham‐Broer‐Kaup equations arising in shallow water with Atangana‐Baleanu derivative
Authors: Prakash Amit , Kaur Hardish
Published: March 2022

In this manuscript, fractional nonlinear coupled Whitham‐Broer‐Kaup equation associated with Atangana‐Baleanu fractional derivative is considered. General conditions under which a system solution exists and is unique are presented using the fixed‐point theorem method. For numerical simulations, coupled fractional modified Boussinesq equations and coupled fractional approximate long wave equations are investigated using the homotopy perturbation transform technique (HPTT). The suggested technique is an elegant compilation of the Laplace transform technique with the homotopy perturbation approach. The physical behavior of the obtained solutions has been presented graphically as well as in tables for diverse fractional order. Comparative simulations have been performed to validate the efficiency and accuracy of the suggested technique.
Scattering enhanced photoacoustic gas sensor based on acetate membrane
Authors: Gong Zhenfeng , Li Haie , Wu Guojie , Ma Junsheng , Chen Ke , Ma Fengxiang , Mei Liang , Peng Wei , Yu Qingxu
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a scattering enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (SEPAS) technique is introduced for trace gas detection. An acetate membrane is mounted at the inner wall of a miniaturized photoacoustic (PA) cell to improve the light‐gas interaction path. It has been found out from theoretical simulations that the light rays in the PA cell with the acetate material are obviously denser, leading to a large enhancement of the PA signal. A SEPAS system, mainly consisting of a PA sensor, a near‐infrared distributed feedback laser source, and a high‐speed demodulator has been developed for CH4 detection. The experimental results have successfully proved that the SEPAS technique based on the porous acetate material can achieve at least three times enhancement on the PA signal, compared with the PA cell without the acetate membrane. The minimum detection limit is calculated to be 57.5 parts per billion with an averaging time of 100 s.
An optimized ChIP‐Seq framework for profiling histone modifications in Chromochloris zofingiensis
Authors: Strenkert Daniela , Mingay Matthew , Schmollinger Stefan , Chen Cindy , O'Malley Ronan C. , Merchant Sabeeha S.
Published: March 2022

The eukaryotic green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis is a reference organism for studying carbon partitioning and a promising candidate for the production of biofuel precursors. Recent transcriptome profiling transformed our understanding of its biology and generally algal biology, but epigenetic regulation remains understudied and represents a fundamental gap in our understanding of algal gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing (ChIP‐Seq) is a powerful tool for the discovery of such mechanisms, by identifying genome‐wide histone modification patterns and transcription factor‐binding sites alike. Here, we established a ChIP‐Seq framework for Chr. zofingiensis yielding over 20 million high‐quality reads per sample. The most critical steps in a ChIP experiment were optimized, including DNA shearing to obtain an average DNA fragment size of 250 bp and assessment of the recommended formaldehyde concentration for optimal DNA–protein cross‐linking. We used this ChIP‐Seq framework to generate a genome‐wide map of the H3K4me3 distribution pattern and to integrate these data with matching RNA‐Seq data. In line with observations from other organisms, H3K4me3 marks predominantly transcription start sites of genes. Our H3K4me3 ChIP‐Seq data will pave the way for improved genome structural annotation in the emerging reference alga Chr. zofingiensis.
Periodic zero‐dynamics attacks for discrete‐time second‐order multi‐agent systems
Authors: Wang Yijing , Gao Jinming , Zuo Zhiqiang , Han Qiaoni , Zhang Wentao
Published: March 2022

This article studies the zero‐dynamics attacks (ZDAs) issue for discrete‐time second‐order multi‐agent systems (MASs) in a directed interacting setting. It is shown that the consensus among interacting agents fails if the considered system is attacked by infinite number of ZDAs. As for the scenario of finite number of periodic ZDAs, the consensus value, specified by the weight of the initial conditions, can only be destroyed whenever the rooted agents are attacked, apart from the attack signal satisfying certain constraints. Based on this observation, we further give conditions upon which the consensus of MASs subject to finite number of ZDAs cannot be achieved. Finally, simulation examples associated with power networks are presented to support the devised setup.
A Concise Synthesis of Triazole Analogues of Lavendustin A via Click Chemistry Approach and Preliminary Evaluation of Their Antiparasitic Activity Against Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: de Carvalho Leandro Lara , Bittencourt Pena Raynná , Correia Romeiro Nelilma , Nepomuceno‐Silva José Luciano
Published: March 2022

Lavendustin A is a natural product isolated from the actinobacteria Streptomyces griseolavendus that presents a potent inhibitory activity on the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinase (EGFR PTK). In addition, some of its analogues have also shown potent inhibitory activity against the polymerization of tubulin to microtubules, a pivotal process for the cell mitosis. From strategic structural modifications, two useful unprecedented alkynes bearing lavendustin A pharmacophoric subunit were rapidly accessed. Next, a set of novel triazole analogues of lavendustin A were synthesized in good yields employing CuI‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC) under mild conditions. Furthermore, preliminary evaluation of their biological activity against the epimastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi points towards promising trypanocidal properties.
Meso‐Monoaryl‐Substituted Neo‐confused Calixsmaragdyrins and Meso‐monoaryl Substituted Smaragdyrins: Synthesis, Structures and Properties
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Wen Bin , Rao Yutao , Xu Ling , Osuka Atsuhiro , Song Jianxin
Published: March 2022

While SNAr reaction of 3,5‐dibromo‐8‐mesityl BODIPY 1 with a 5,10‐diaryltripyrrane with Cs2CO3 was reported to provide 5,10,19‐triaryl[22]smaragdyrin as the first synthetic method of all‐aza smaragdyrin, the reaction of 1 with meso‐free tripyrrane 6 took a different course to give a doubly Neo‐confused calixsmaragdyrin 7. On the other hand, the SNAr reaction of 2,3,5,6‐tetrabromo‐8‐mesityl BODIPY 9 with 6 provided 16,22‐dibromo‐19‐mesitylsmaragdyrin BF2 complex 10. In addition, calixsmaragdyirn 7 has been shown to serve as a ligand for RhI and BIII metals, and oxidation of 10 with MnO2 gave meso‐oxidized smaragdyrin 11 that was shown to be weakly antiaromatic.
Increased Efficiency of Organic Solar Cells by Seeded Control of the Molecular Morphology in the Active Layer
Authors: Rahaman Md Habibur , Holland Jason , Hossain Md. Anower , Duan Leiping , Hoex Bram , Mota-Santiago Pablo , Mitchell Valerie D. , Uddin Ashraf , Stride John A.
Published: March 2022

The performance of non‐fullerene, polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic devices has a significant correlation with the molecular morphology of the donor and acceptor. The authors show that small organic molecules coordinated to a metal oxide, an electron transport seed layer (ETSL), can profoundly modify the donor:acceptor molecular morphology of inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Using grazing incidence wide angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS), the authors show that a PTB7‐Th:IEICO‐4F BHJ active layer has a higher degree of face‐on molecular alignment on ETSL‐1 (biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid, coordinated to ZnO), whilst for naphthalene‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid coordinated to ZnO (ETSL‐2), it is reduced. Devices of PTB7‐Th:IEICO‐4F BHJ prepared on ETSL‐1 had a 19.91% increase in the average power conversion efficiency (PCE), a 1.56% increase in the fill factor (FF), and a 16.66 ± 0.2% enhancement in the short circuit current density. The observed improvements are believed to be due to significant modifications to the oxide‐BHJ interfacial region of ETSL‐1, namely the elimination of nano‐ridges and defect centers, along with an enhanced wettability. These factors can be correlated with the enhanced device performances, leading to the conclusion that the modulation of the molecular morphology of donor:acceptor blends by ETSL‐1 has a broad impact on improving OPV cell efficiencies.
Labelling fish diets with 15N ‐Leucine for monitoring feed consumption and bio‐distribution in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Cortés‐Quezada Mirta , Parada Ana María , Videla Ximena , Valdés Juan Antonio , Gonzalez‐Catrilelbún Sebastián , Aspée Alexis , Nario Adriana , Rivas‐Aravena Andrea
Published: March 2022

Feeding represents 50–70% of the cost of production in salmon farming, higher than any other animal farm. The improvement of this percentage is challenging as the food is thrown into the fish tank, there is no quantification of the amount of food that is consumed by the fish. In consequence, it is difficult to adjust the food composition making it more nutritive or promoting food consumption by fish. In this study, to investigate food consumption, bio‐distribution and food residues, leucine containing 15N (a stable isotope of nitrogen) was used to label the fish food. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) weighing 100–120 g were maintained in 30 L tanks at a density of 14 kg/m3. Fishes were fed daily at 1% of the fish weight with pellet labelled with 15N‐leucine. The 15N incorporation was determined 14 hours after the feeding in all the fish organs. Results showed that 14 hours after the administration of a single dose of labelled food to Atlantic salmon enables the detection of the tracer in the whole organism allowing determining the food consumption. Through the analysis of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), we showed that the trunk, pyloric caeca and head incorporate the highest level of the marker (72.7, 8.7 and 5.7%, respectively). This methodology would permit monitoring feeding to minimize food loss, improve administration methodologies or select the preferred foods for the fish, among others to reduce production costs.
Synthesis of Compact Strategies for Coordination Programs
Authors: Namjoshi Kedar S. , Patel Nisarg
Published: March 2022

In multi-agent settings, such as IoT and robotics, it is necessary to coordinate the actions of independent agents in order to achieve a joint behavior. While it is often easy to specify the desired joint behavior, programming the necessary coordination can be difficult. In this work, we develop theory and methods to synthesize coordination strategies that are guaranteed not to initiate unnecessary actions. We refer to such strategies as being “compact.” We formalize the intuitive notion of compactness; show that existing methods do not guarantee compactness; and propose a solution. The solution transforms a given temporal logic specification, using automata-theoretic constructions, to incorporate a notion of minimality. The central result is that the winning strategies for the transformed specification are precisely the compact strategies for the original. One can therefore apply known synthesis methods to produce compact strategies. We report on prototype implementations that synthesize compact strategies for temporal logic specifications and for specifications of multi-robot coordination.
Primordial gravitational waves from excited states
Authors: Fumagalli Jacopo , Palma Gonzalo A. , Renaux-Petel Sébastien , Sypsas Spyros , Witkowski Lukas T. , Zenteno Cristobal
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We show that a scalar excited state with large occupation numbers during inflation leads to an enhancement of tensor modes and a characteristic pattern of order-one oscillations in the associated stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) sourced during inflation. An effective excited state, i.e. a departure from the Bunch-Davies vacuum, can emerge dynamically as the result of a transient non-adiabatic evolution, e.g. a sharp feature along the inflationary history. We provide an explicit example in a multifield context where the sharp feature triggering the excited state is identified with a strong turn in the inflationary trajectory.En passant, we derive a universal expression for the tensor power spectrum sourced at second order by an arbitrary number of scalar degrees of freedom during inflation, crucially taking into account the nontrivial structure of the Hilbert space in multifield setups. The SGWB sourced during inflation can overcome the standard scalar-induced SGWB sourced at horizon re-entry of the fluctuations after inflation, while being less constrained by perturbativity and backreaction bounds. In addition, one may entertain the possibility of detecting both since they peak at different frequencies exhibiting oscillations with distinct periods.
Effectiveness of kinesiology taping on the functions of upper limbs in patients with stroke: a meta-analysis of randomized trial
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Li Xiguang , Sun Cuiyun , Xu Rong
Published: March 2022

Background

Kinesiology tape (KT), a water-resistant and elastic tape which is well known measure for preventing musculoskeletal injuries, has recently gained popularity in neurological rehabilitation. This is a systematic and meta-analysis study, useful both to evaluate the efficacy of kinesiology taping on the functions of upper limbs in patients with stroke and to collect the main outcomes evaluated in the analyzed studies.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including Medline, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), WANFANG, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Additional articles were obtained by scanning reference lists of included studies and previous reviews. Keywords were “kinesiology taping,” “kinesio,” “kinesio taping,” “tape” and “stroke,” “hemiplegia,” “hemiplegic paralysis,” “apoplexy,” “hemiparesis,” “upper extremity,” “upper limb.” All the RCTs were included. Quality assessment was performed using Cochrane criteria. Upper extremity function and pain intensity was pooled as the primary outcome, and shoulder subluxation, muscle spasticity, general disability, PROM of abduction, and adverse effects as secondary outcomes.

Results

Twelve articles were included. Pooled data provided evidence that there was significance between kinesiology taping groups and control groups in pain intensity (standardized mean difference − 0.79, 95% CI − 1.39 to − 0.19), shoulder subluxation (standardized mean difference − 0.50, 95%CI − 0.80 to − 0.20), general disability (standardized mean difference 0.35, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.59), upper extremity function (standardized mean difference 0.61, 95%CI 0.18 to 1.04), and the PROM of flexion (standardized mean difference 0.63, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.98).

Conclusion

Current evidence suggested that kinesiology taping could be recommended to improve upper limb function in patients with stroke in pain intensity, shoulder subluxation, general disability, upper extremity function, and the PROM of flexion.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval requirements are not necessary for this review. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be disseminated online and on paper to help guide the clinical practice better.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020179762.
Health state utilities for beta-thalassemia: a time trade-off study
Authors: Martin Antony P. , Ferri Grazzi Enrico , Mighiu Claudia , Chevli Manoj , Shah Farrukh , Maher Louise , Shaikh Anum , Sagar Aliah , Hubberstey Hayley , Franks Bethany , Ramos-Goñi Juan M. , Oppe Mark , Tang Derek
Published: March 2022

Background

Beta-thalassemia (BT) is an inherited blood disorder characterized by reduced levels of functional hemoglobin resulting in phenotypes ranging from clinically asymptomatic to severely anemic. Patients with BT may require lifelong regular blood transfusions supported by appropriate iron chelation therapy (ICT). This study aimed to determine how the UK general population values BT health states associated with differing transfusion burden and ICT.

Methods

Composite time trade-off (cTTO) methodology was employed to elicit health state utilities in BT. Relevant BT literature related to symptom and quality-of-life impact, including physical, functional, and emotional well-being, and safety profiles of BT treatments were considered when drafting health state descriptions. Eleven health state descriptions were developed and validated by hematologists and patient advocates for clinical accuracy and completeness. 200 individuals from the UK general population participated in the cTTO interviews.

Results

The mean age of participants was 41.50 years (SD 16.01, range 18–81); 88 (46.8%) were female. Utility values ranged from 0.78 (SD 0.34) for non-transfusion dependent BT with oral ICT to 0.37 (SD 0.50) for high transfusion burden with subcutaneous ICT in transfusion-dependent BT.

Conclusions

This study provides health utilities for a range of BT health states from the UK general population perspective. Importantly, lower transfusion burden and lower burden of anemia were associated with higher utilities. To a lesser extent, differential modes of ICT were found to impact utility valuations in patients with BT. The utilities obtained in this study can be employed as inputs in cost-effectiveness analyses of BT therapies.
Body Gaze as a Marker of Sexual Objectification: A New Scale for Pervasive Gaze and Gaze Provocation Behaviors in Heterosexual Women and Men
Authors: Hollett Ross C. , Rogers Shane L. , Florido Prudence , Mosdell Belinda
Published: March 2022

Body gaze behavior is assumed to be a key feature of sexual objectification. However, there are few self-report gaze measures available and none capturing behavior which seeks to invite body gaze from others. Across two studies, we used existing self-report instruments and measurement of eye movements to validate a new self-report scale to measure pervasive body gaze behavior and body gaze provocation behavior in heterosexual women and men. In Study 1, participants (N = 1021) completed a survey with newly created items related to pervasive body gaze and body gaze provocation behavior. Participants also completed preexisting measures of body attitudes, sexual assault attitudes, pornography use, and relationship status. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses across independent samples suggested a 12-item scale for men and women to separately measure pervasive body gaze (5 items) and body gaze provocation (7 items) toward the opposite sex. The two scales yielded excellent internal consistency estimates (.86–.89) and promising convergent validity via positive correlations with body and sexual attitudes. In Study 2, a subsample (N = 167) of participants from Study 1 completed an eye-tracking task to capture their gaze behavior toward matched images of partially and fully dressed female and male subjects. Men exhibited body-biased gaze behavior toward all the female imagery, whereas women exhibited head-biased gaze behavior toward fully clothed male imagery. Importantly, self-reported body gaze correlated positively with some aspects of objectively measured body gaze behavior. Both scales showed good test–retest reliability and were positively correlated with sexual assault attitudes.
The use of mobile phones and the heterogeneity of banana farmers in Rwanda
Authors: Kabirigi Michel , Sekabira Haruna , Sun Zhanli , Hermans Frans
Published: March 2022

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) play a key role in improving agricultural production, enhancing socio-ecological resilience, and mitigating rural poverty. However, the use of ICTs for agricultural development among smallholder farmers, especially in the least developed countries, still lags behind. It is therefore critical to understand distinct attitudes among heterogeneous smallholder farmers that determine use of ICTs, such as mobile phones. Moreover, data-driven empirical studies on the use of mobile phones in smallholder settings are still scarce. We bridge this knowledge gap by evaluating the link between the use of mobile phones and various farming types of smallholder farmers in Rwanda. Using the principal component and cluster analysis, we analyzed 690 banana farming households across eight of the 10 major agro-ecological zones of Rwanda and developed a typology of banana farms. We identified three distinct farm types based on a combination of various farmer characteristics and farm operations and endowments, namely the beer banana, livestock-based, and the cooking banana farm types. These farm types clearly differ in terms of ownership and use of both basic and smart mobile devices. Farmers in the cooking banana farm type are far more likely to own and use smart mobile phones than in other types. Regression results further indicated that farm type, gender, and education have significant correlations with the perceived usefulness of mobile phones in agriculture. Major barriers to using ICT-based agricultural services were 1) low awareness of the existence of ICT services, 2) limited availability of ICT services, 3) lack of technical know-how, 4) relatively high prices of ICT devices, and 5) low levels of ICT literacy. This empirical study provides strategically important insights for the transition to digital agriculture in the context of smallholder farming systems.
Digital ethnography in higher education teaching and learning—a methodological review
Authors: Jensen Lasse X , Bearman Margaret , Boud David , Konradsen Flemming
Published: March 2022

To understand how the digitalization of higher education influences the inter-relationship between students, teachers, and their broader contexts, research must account for the social, cultural, political, and embodied aspects of teaching and learning in digital environments.Digital ethnographyis a research method that can generate rich contextual knowledge of online experiences. However, how this methodology translates to higher education is less clear. In order to explore the opportunities that digital ethnography can provide in higher education research, this paper presents a methodological review of previous research, and discusses the implications for future practice. Through a systematic search of five research databases, we found 20 papers that report using digital ethnographies to explore teaching and learning in higher education. The review synthesizes and discusses how data collection, rigour, and ethics are handled in this body of research, with a focus on the specific methodological challenges that emerge when doing digital ethnographic research in a higher education setting. The review also identifies opportunities for improvement—especially related to participant observation from the student perspective, researcher reflexivity in relation to the dual teacher-researcher role, and increased diversity of data types. This leads us to conclude that higher education research, tasked with understanding an explosion of new digital practices, could benefit from a more rigorous and expanded use of digital ethnography.
A Case Study of Using Test-Enhanced Learning as a Formative Assessment in High School Mathematics
Authors: Szeibert Janka , Muzsnay Anna , Szabó Csaba , Bereczky-Zámbó Csilla Gyöngyvér
Published: March 2022

Retrieving information from memory can—under many circumstances—strengthen one’s memory of the retrieved information itself. The strategic use of retrieval to enhance memory and help long-term retention is known as retrieval practice. However, it is unclear whether its effect also holds true in the case of learning mathematics. This research is an exploratory case study, where we test a method— using test-enhanced learning as formative assessment—in a high-needs vocational school. Since the literature on how this method works in classroom settings in mathematics is limited, the purpose of our case study was to get a better view and to lay the groundwork for further experiments. The experimental group and one of the control groups were from the vocational school, while the other control group was from an elite grammar school. On the final test members of the experimental group outscored their schoolmates and reached statistically the same scores as the control group from the elite grammar school. By means of the method, we were able to reduce the performance gap in long-term retention between students from the elite grammar school and students from the urban high-needs school.
Taxing mobile and overconfident top earners
Authors: Haufler Andreas , Nishimura Yukihiro
Published: March 2022

We set up a simple model of tax competition for mobile, highly-skilled and overconfident managers. Firms endogenously choose the compensation scheme for managers, which consists of a fixed wage and a bonus payment in the high state. Managers are overconfident about the probability of the high state and hence of receiving the bonus, whereas firms and governments are not. When governments maximize tax revenues, we show that overconfidence unambiguously reduces the bonus tax rate that governments set in the non-cooperative tax equilibrium, while increasing tax revenues. When the government objective incorporates the welfare of resident managers, however, bonus taxes also serve a corrective role and may rise in equilibrium when overconfidence is increased.
Impact of high NiO content on the structural, optical, and dielectric properties of calcium lithium silicate glasses
Authors: Ibrahim S. , Abo-Mosallam H. A. , Mahdy Ebrahim A. , Turky Gamal M.
Published: March 2022

Glasses with the composition (11.5 − ×) CaO − 23.5Li2O − 65SiO2: × NiO mol. % (0$$\le \times \leq$$≤×≤11.5) were synthesized by melt-quenching method. And a number of physical parameters have been established. The refractive index and energy gap were also used to estimate the metallization criterion, where these glasses have shown values fallings between high (insulators) and low (metals), indicating that they are semiconductors. The XRD pattern shows the amorphous nature of investigated glasses. A number of spectroscopic analyses of the studied glasses were performed, in relation to NiO content, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Due to compositional changes, FTIR measurements have revealed structural changes in the glass network. Furthermore, with increasing NiO content, the asymmetrical bands of silicate units increase. The creation of Ni–O–Si bonds in the silicate matrix has been attributed to the introducing heavier Ni+2as [NiO4]2−tetrahedral species in substitution of the lighter silicon ion in the [SiO4]4−network, but it could also operate as a network modifier in glass materials. The Ni2+ion may have behaved as a network intermediary, causing more compact structure. The mechanism of charge transfer in the glass compositions under investigation is studied using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. For the first time, the relationship between the hopping time of free ions and dc conductivity is illustrated. All of the glasses under investigation have the same charge transport mechanism. The results suggest the semiconducting nature of these glasses.
Preferred Methods of Measuring Work Participation: An International Survey Among Trialists and Cochrane Systematic Reviewers
Authors: Ravinskaya Margarita , Verbeek Jos H. , Langendam Miranda W. , Madan Ira , Verstappen Suzanne M. M. , Kunz Regina , Hulshof Carel T. J. , Hoving Jan L.
Published: March 2022

Purpose Heterogeneity in work participation (WP) outcomes measurements hampers large scale evidence synthesis in systematic reviews of trials. In this survey we explore authors’ reasons for choosing specific WP outcomes and their measurement methods, including employment status, absence from work, at-work productivity loss, and employability. Methods We contacted authors of 260 trials and 69 systematic reviews and asked closed and open-ended questions about previously used WP outcomes and measurement methods as well as their opinion on the best way to measure WP. Results In total, 91 authors from a wide range of professional backgrounds completed the survey. The majority of authors (86%) chose WP outcomes based on their use in previous similar studies. In most studies (88%), patients had not been involved in the process of selecting the WP outcome. Authors judged feasibility to be an important factor for choosing a measurement instrument (67%). Additionally, valid measurement tools should be available, easy to administer and not too time consuming. Although authors preferred registry data for long term follow-up, the availability and validity of registries was seen as a barrier. Most of the reviewers (72%) struggled to pool data because of variation in follow-up times and cut off points and varying definitions of work outcomes. Almost all (92%) respondents support the use of a Core Outcome Set for Work. Conclusions There is strong support from authors of trials and systematic reviews to develop a core outcome set on work participation outcomes for the evaluation of interventions.