bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quandary of registered nurses untrained in adult intellectual disability nursing when caring for this diverse patient group in acute care settings: An integrated literature review
Authors: Howie Virginia Anne , Welch Anthony Joseph , Horton Eleanor Sandra , Wirihana Lisa Anne
Published: January 2021

Aims and Objectives

To critically appraise relevant literature on the lived experiences of registered nurses caring for adults with intellectual disability in the acute care setting in Australia to determine current knowledge and gaps in the literature.

Background

People with intellectual disability have the right to the highest attainable health care the same as everyone else. However, inequities still exist in the delivery of health care across the globe, including Australia that result in poorer health outcomes for this population group. Part of the problem is a lack of understanding of the complexities of ID care due to an absence of ID specific content in undergraduate curricula.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for relevant empirical and theoretical literature. Additional articles were found by reviewing reference lists of selected articles resulting in ten articles for review. Selected articles were critically appraised using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data were analysed using comparative thematic analysis. PRISMA checklist completed the review.

Results

Two main themes emerged from the data that informed the gap in knowledge: (a) Defining nursing practice; and (b) Confidence to practice.

Conclusions

There was limited qualitative research published on the topic. International studies revealed that a lack of understanding of the ID condition due to inadequate education left registered nurses feeling underprepared, unsupported and struggling to provide optimal care. No studies were located on the phenomenon within the Australian context. A study exploring the lived experiences of RNs in Australia is needed to offer a deeper understanding of the phenomenon that will help inform practice.

Relevance to practice

Including ID care in national undergraduate and postgraduate nursing curricula must become a nursing educational and professional priority to support nurses more fully in their practice to ensure patients with ID receive the highest attainable standard of nursing care.
Ketogenic diet in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and liver dysfunction who are obese: A randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group, controlled pilot trial
Authors: Li Jian , Bai Wen‐Pei , Jiang Bo , Bai Le‐Ran , Gu Bei , Yan Shu‐Xiang , Li Fu‐Ying , Huang Bin
Published: January 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effect of a ketogenic diet (KD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and liver dysfunction who were obese.

Methods

Women with PCOS and liver dysfunction who were obese were enrolled in this prospective, open‐label, parallel‐group, controlled pilot trial, and randomly received KD (KD group) or conventional pharmacological treatment (Essentiale plus Yasmin, control group) in a 1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the liver function markers. Secondary endpoints included the menstrual cycle, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, hormonal levels, and metabolic biomarkers.

Results

Of the 20 eligible participants enrolled, 18 participants completed the study. The KD group reported a significant reduction in anthropometric characteristics and body composition from baseline to week 12 (all p < 0.05). In addition, there were significant reductions in menstrual cycle, plasma estradiol, and progesterone levels in two groups (all p < 0.05), but no significant between‐group difference was observed. KD significantly reduced the liver function markers compared with control group (p < 0.05). The signs of fatty liver disappeared in six out of seven fatty liver participants in KD group after 12 weeks of intervention, while only one of 10 fatty liver participants in control group disappeared.

Conclusions

In addition to improving the menstrual cycle, KD had the additional benefits of reducing blood glucose and body weight, improving liver function, and treating fatty liver compared to traditional pharmacological treatment in women with PCOS and liver dysfunction who were obese.
Case series of 20 pregnant women with 2019 novel coronavirus disease in Wuhan, China
Authors: Guo Yuping , Yuan Jingping , Wang Ming , Yu Ying , Bian Junmei , Fan Cuifang
Published: January 2021

Aim

To evaluate perinatal outcomes regarding clinical presentation in pregnancy and the vertical transmission potential of COVID‐19.

Methods

Clinical records, laboratory findings, and chest computed tomography (CT) scans were retrospectively reviewed from 20 pregnant patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 who were admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and The Third Hospital of Wuhan, from Jan 20 to Mar 16, 2020, including three in the first‐trimester, two in the second‐trimester, and 15 in the third‐trimester. Evidence of vertical transmission was assessed by testing for neonatal throat swab samples. The pathological changes of COVID‐19 on the placenta is evaluated by hematoxylin‐eosin staining.

Results

The most common symptoms of the pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were fever and cough, which is comparable to the nonpregnant adults with COVID‐19 infection. Nobody was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment and there were no maternal and neonatal deaths. However, there was one case with induced abortions on first‐trimester (due to pregnant woman's concerns about COVID‐19), one diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy, no intrauterine fetal deaths during the study period. Delivery occurred in 15 patients in the third trimester. Their incidence of preterm birth was 20%. Three of the four preterm births were spontaneous. The average length of stay was 20.77 days. No neonatal SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was detected. There were two placentas found with acute chorioamnionitis, one showed normal placenta morphology.

Conclusion

In this case series study, COVID‐19 had no short‐term adverse effect on pregnant women except premature birth. The vertical transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 did not occur in our study.
Outcomes of COVID‐19‐positive acute coronary syndrome patients: A multisource electronic healthcare records study from England
Authors: Rashid Muhammad , Wu Jianhua , Timmis Adam , Curzen Nick , Clarke Sarah , Zaman Azfar , Nolan James , Shoaib Ahmad , Mohamed Mohamed O , de Belder Mark A. , Deanfield John , Gale Chris P. , Mamas Mamas A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

This study was designed to characterize the presenting profile and outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and COVID‐19 infection.

Methods

This observational cohort study was conducted using multisource data from all acute NHS hospitals in England. All consecutive patients hospitalized with diagnosis of ACS with or without COVID‐19 infection between 1 March and 31 May 2020 were included. The primary outcome was in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality.

Results

A total of 12 958 patients were hospitalized with ACS during the study period, of which 517 (4.0%) were COVID‐19‐positive and were more likely to present with non‐ST‐elevation acute myocardial infarction. The COVID‐19 ACS group were generally older, Black Asian and Minority ethnicity, more comorbid and had unfavourable presenting clinical characteristics such as elevated cardiac troponin, pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock and poor left ventricular systolic function compared with the non‐COVID‐19 ACS group. They were less likely to receive an invasive coronary angiography (67.7% vs 81.0%), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (30.2% vs 53.9%) and dual antiplatelet medication (76.3% vs 88.0%). After adjusting for all the baseline differences, patients with COVID‐19 ACS had higher in‐hospital (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.41–4.42) and 30‐day mortality (aOR: 6.53; 95% CI: 5.1–8.36) compared to patients with the non‐COVID‐19 ACS.

Conclusion

COVID‐19 infection was present in 4% of patients hospitalized with an ACS in England and is associated with lower rates of guideline‐recommended treatment and significant mortality hazard.
Marginal Bone Loss around Machined Smooth Neck Implants Compared to Rough Threaded Neck Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhang Qi , Yue Xinxin
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to assess the effect of rough threaded neck implants on marginal bone loss, compared to machined smooth neck implants.

Materials and Methods

Literature searches were performed in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library) (up to March 04, 2020), MEDLINE (PubMed) (1966 to March 04, 2020), and EMBASE (1980 to March 04, 2020), and reference lists of relevant manuscripts and relevant systematic reviews. Grey literature was sought using Grey Literature Net‐Work Service (www.opengrey.eu) and The Grey Literature Report (www.greylit.org). Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials that compared the effects of machined smooth neck implants versus rough threaded neck implants on marginal bone loss were included. Two review authors selected studies, assessed trial quality, and extracted data from included studies independently. The meta‐analysis was carried out with Review Manager v5.3 software that compared marginal bone loss between rough threaded neck implants and machined smooth neck implants.

Results

This review included 8 manuscripts (2 randomized controlled trials and 6 controlled clinical trials) from 6 clinical studies. The marginal bone loss around the rough threaded neck implants was significantly less than that around machined smooth neck ones (MD: –0.43 mm, 95% CI: –0.65 to –0.22 mm; p < 0.0001). In the subgroup with different platform connections, less marginal bone loss was observed around the rough threaded neck implants with platform switching (MD: –0.67 mm, 95% CI: –0.87 to –0.48 mm; p < 0.00001) or with regular platform (MD: –0.28 mm, 95% CI: –0.39 to –0.18 mm; p < 0.00001). The statistical analysis of the subgroups with functional loading for 3 or 6 months (MD: –0.39 mm; 95% CI: –0.61 to –0.18 mm; p = 0.0003) and 1 year or longer (MD: –0.43 mm, 95% CI: –0.65 to –0.22 mm; p < 0.0001) suggested that the rough threaded neck implants helped to reduce marginal bone loss.

Conclusions

The results of this review suggested that rough threaded neck implants may be helpful in maintaining the amount of marginal bone around implants. Larger sample size, longer follow‐up periods and well‐conducted randomized controlled trials are necessary to further prove the validity of the findings.
Randomised trial of dobutamine versus placebo for low superior vena cava flow in preterm infants: Long‐term neurodevelopmental outcome
Authors: Bravo María Carmen , López‐Ortego Paloma , Sánchez Laura , Díez Jesús , Cabañas Fernando , Pellicer Adelina
Published: January 2021

Aim

Although circulatory impairment during the transitional circulation associates morbidity and mortality, its treatment remains controversial. In a pilot trial on circulatory impairment defined as low superior vena cava (SVC) flow, dobutamine (Db) versus placebo (PL) showed a trend towards improved short‐term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to report on the long‐term outcome of the infants who were observed for SVC flow patterns.

Methods

Among the 126 infants <31 weeks of gestation prospectively scanned from birth, 28 presented low SVC flow within the first 24 h after birth and received Db (n = 16) or PL (n = 12). Follow‐up of survivors included motor assessment and Bayley Scales II or III at 2 years, and the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scale at 6 years. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was defined as: cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System ≥ level 2), or a cognitive function score < −2 standard deviations; or moderate or severe hearing or visual impairment. Db group, PL group and normal‐flow group were compared.

Results

Eighteen infants died (Db: 5; PL: 2; normal flow group: 11, P = 0.1). Follow‐up in survivors was accomplished in 80% and 55% of the cohort at 2 years and 6 years, respectively. No significant difference in the combined outcome (mortality or NDI) was found between the groups (42% Db, 36% PL, 30% normal flow group).

Conclusions

This exploratory analysis did not show any differences in the long‐term outcome of infants according to SVC flow patterns or its treatment early after birth.
Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of food allergy in young Japanese children
Authors: Tanaka Keiko , Okubo Hitomi , Sasaki Satoshi , Arakawa Masashi , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: January 2021

Aim

To examine the association between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and the development of food allergy in young Japanese children up to 3 years of age.

Methods

The study involved 1522 mother–child pairs. Data on maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy were assessed with a validated diet history questionnaire. Food allergy was defined by a self‐reported claim of having a physicians' diagnosis of food allergy or of having an acute reaction to a food.

Results

Compared with the lowest tertile of maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy, the second tertile, but not the highest tertile, was significantly associated with an increased risk of food allergy. Further adjustment on suspicion or diagnosis of atopic eczema at around 4 months postpartum in a follow‐up survey did not substantially change the association between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and the risk of food allergy in children: further adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the second (T2), the highest tertiles (T3) and the second and the highest tertiles combined (T2 + T3) were 1.46 (1.10–1.96), 1.16 (0.85–1.56) and 1.31 (1.01–1.70), respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy may be positively associated with the risk of food allergy in children.
Partial substitution of whole‐crop corn with bamboo shoot shell improves aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage without affecting in vitro digestibility
Authors: Zhao Jie , Wang Siran , Dong Zhihao , Chen Lei , Shao Tao
Published: January 2021

To evaluate the feasibility of bamboo shoot shell (BSS) application in total mixed ration silage (TMR) production, the effects of BSS substitution for whole‐crop corn on the fermentation characteristics, nutritive value, aerobic stability and in vitro parameters of TMR silage were studied. Four TMR formulations were designed based on dry matter: (1) 0% bamboo shoot shell + 23% whole‐crop corn (BSS0); (2) 4% bamboo shoot shell + 19% whole‐crop corn (BSS4); (3) 8% bamboo shoot shell + 15% whole‐crop corn (BSS8); and (4) 12% bamboo shoot shell + 11% whole‐crop corn (BSS12). After 90 days of ensiling, the silos were opened and sampled for fermentation characteristics, nutritive value and in vitro analyses, and subsequent 14‐day aerobic stability test. All TMR silages were well preserved except BSS12, characterized by high lactic acid content and V‐score, low pH and NH3‐N and butyric acid content. With increasing proportion of BSS, crude protein increased (p<.05), and water soluble carbohydrate decreased (p< .05). Under aerobic exposure, BSS‐substituted (BSS4, BSS8and BSS12) silages were more stable than BSS0silage, as characterized by relatively low silage temperature and high water soluble carbohydrate content. No obvious (p> .05) difference of BSS substitution was observed on in vitro ruminal gas production, digestibility, metabolizable energy and net energy for lactation. The substitution of whole‐crop corn with 4% BSS and 8% BSS had no undesired effect on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility, and efficiently improving the aerobic stability of TMR silages. The BSS8substitution level is recommended to maximize the BSS utilization.
Population dynamics, growth, production, and reproduction of the purple clam Amiantispurpurata
Authors: Livore Juan P. , Arrighetti Florencia , Penchaszadeh Pablo E.
Published: January 2021

Amiantis purpurata is the dominant clam of shallow subtidal soft bottom communities in Buenos Aires province where it is a major prey item of economically important fish and gastropods as well as anemones. Despite its significant role in the benthic food web, there are few studies dealing with the population biology of this species. Growth, age, mortality, and production along with reproductive patterns and size at first maturity of A. purpurata were investigated at Mar del Plata (38 ºS) area and compared with a population at the southernmost point of distribution, the only other studied population (42 ºS). Early growth was empirically documented for the first time for this species by following a newly recruited cohort throughout the first two years of growth. This allowed for the size and age at first maturity to be accurately determined and provided early growth data for models, which are often difficult to obtain. Larger asymptotic size and quicker rates were reached at lower latitudes. Reproduction followed patterns similar to other temperate venerid bivalve populations with a more extended period of spawning observed at Mar del Plata. The studied population shows relatively high growth rates, achieves sexual maturity at approximately two years of age, and successfully recruits in this area, which was not observed in the other studied population for over 15 years. The environmental conditions in this area are likely more favorable than that of the southernmost population which shows low growth rates and no successful recruitment.
Genetic population structure constrains local adaptation in sticklebacks
Authors: Kemppainen Petri , Li Zitong , Rastas Pasi , Löytynoja Ari , Fang Bohao , Yang Jing , Guo Baocheng , Shikano Takahito , Merilä Juha
Published: January 2021

Repeated and independent adaptation to specific environmental conditions from standing genetic variation is common. However, if genetic variation is limited, the evolution of similar locally adapted traits may be restricted to genetically different and potentially less optimal solutions or prevented from happening altogether. Using a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping approach, we identified the genomic regions responsible for the repeated pelvic reduction (PR) in three crosses between nine‐spined stickleback populations expressing full and reduced pelvic structures. In one cross, PR mapped to linkage group 7 (LG7) containing the genePitx1, known to control pelvic reduction also in the three‐spined stickleback. In the two other crosses, PR was polygenic and attributed to 10 novel QTL, of which 90% were unique to specific crosses. When screening the genomes from 27 different populations for deletions in thePitx1regulatory element, these were only found in the population in which PR mapped to LG7, even though the morphological data indicated large‐effect QTL for PR in several other populations as well. Consistent with the available theory and simulations parameterized on empirical data, we hypothesize that the observed variability in genetic architecture of PR is due to heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of standing genetic variation caused by >2× stronger population structuring among freshwater populations and >10× stronger genetic isolation by distance in the sea in nine‐spined sticklebacks as compared to three‐spined sticklebacks.
Insightful artificial intelligence
Authors: Halina Marta
Published: January 2021

In March 2016, DeepMind's computer programme AlphaGo surprised the world by defeating the world‐champion Go player, Lee Sedol. AlphaGo exhibits a novel, surprising and valuable style of play and has been recognised as “creative” by the artificial intelligence (AI) and Go communities. This article examines whether AlphaGo engages in creative problem solving according to the standards of comparative psychology. I argue that AlphaGo displays one important aspect of creative problem solving (namely mental scenario building in the form of Monte Carlo tree search), while lacking another (domain generality). This analysis has consequences for how we think about creativity in humans and AI.
Integration, lateralization, and animal experience
Authors: Godfrey‐Smith Peter
Published: January 2021

Many vertebrate animals approximate, to various degrees, the “split‐brain” condition that results from surgery done in humans to treat severe epilepsy, with very limited connection between the left and right sides of the upper parts of the brain. The split‐brain condition has been the topic of extensive philosophical discussion, because it appears, in some circumstances, to give rise to two minds within one body. Is the same true of these animals? This article attempts to make progress on two difficult topics—animal experience, and the consequences of the human split‐brain condition—by considering both at once.
Lepidium khalkhalicum (Brassicaceae), a new wild relative of the garden cress (L. sativum) from northwestern Iran
Authors: Bidarlord Mahmoud , Jamzad Ziba , German Dmitry A.
Published: January 2021

Lepidium khalkhalicum, a new species from northwestern Iran, is described. It appears to be a local endemic restricted to open slopes of marl hills in the Khalkhal region (Ardabil province). The novel species is easily distinguished from similar species by a set of both vegetative and generative characters such as less developed indumentum, undivided leaves, much longer style, more divaricate, non‐thickened pedicels exceeding silicles, poorly developed fruit wing, etc. A detailed description accompanied by color photographs, distribution and habitat data, and a proposed conservation status of the new species are provided. The particular interest of the discovery in view of its close relationship to the garden cress, L. sativum, is stressed.
A multicenter study of anorectal pressures and rectal sensation measured with portable manometry in healthy women and men
Authors: Sharma Mayank , Lowry Ann C. , Rao Satish S. , Whitehead William E. , Szarka Lawrence A. , Hamilton Frank A. , Bharucha Adil E.
Published: January 2021

Background

The equipment and methods for performing anorectal manometry and biofeedback therapy are different and not standardized. Normal values are influenced by age and sex. Our aims were to generate reference values, examine effects of gender and age, and compare anorectal pressures measured with diagnostic and biofeedback catheters and a portable manometry system.

Methods

In this multicenter study, anorectal pressures at rest, during squeeze, and evacuation were measured with diagnostic and biofeedback catheters using Mcompass™ portable device in healthy subjects. Balloon expulsion time and rectal sensation were evaluated. The effects of age and gender were assessed.

Results

The final dataset comprised 108 (74 women) of 124 participants with normal rectal balloon expulsion time (less than 60 s). During squeeze, anal resting pressure increased by approximately twofold in women and threefold in men. During evacuation, anal pressure exceeded rectal pressure in 87 participants (diagnostic catheter). The specific rectoanal pressures (e.g., resting pressure) were significantly correlated and not different between diagnostic and biofeedback catheters. With the diagnostic catheter, the anal squeeze pressure and rectal pressure during evacuation were greater in men than women (p ≤ 0.02). Among women, women aged 50 years and older had lower anal resting pressure; rectal pressure and the rectoanal gradient during evacuation were greater in older than younger women (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusions

Anal and rectal pressures measured with diagnostic and biofeedback manometry catheters were correlated and not significantly different. Pressures were influenced by age and sex, providing reference values in men and women.
Population responses to observed climate variability across multiple organismal groups
Authors: Le Coeur Christie , Storkey Jonathan , Ramula Satu
Published: January 2021

A major challenge in ecology is to understand how populations are affected by increased climate variability. Here, we assessed the effects of observed climate variability on different organismal groups (amphibians, insects, mammals, herbaceous plants and reptiles) by estimating the extent to which interannual variation in the annual population growth rates (CVλ) and the absolute value of the long‐term population growth rate (|log λ|) were associated with short‐term climate variability. We used empirical data (≥ 20 consecutive years of annual abundances) from 59 wild populations in the Northern Hemisphere, and quantified variabilities in population growth rates and climatic conditions (temperature and precipitation in active and inactive seasons) calculated over four‐ and eight‐year sliding time windows. We observed a positive relationship between the variability of growth rate (CVλ) and the variability of temperature in the active season at the shorter timescale only. Moreover, |log λ| was positively associated with the variability of precipitation in the inactive season at both timescales. Otherwise, the direction of the relationships between population dynamics and climate variability (if any) depended largely on the season and organismal group in question. Both CVλ and |log λ| correlated negatively with species' lifespan, indicating general differences in population dynamics between short‐lived and long‐lived species that were not related to climate variability. Our results suggest that although temporal variation in population growth rates and the magnitude of long‐term population growth rates are partially associated with short‐term interannual climate variability, demographic responses to climate fluctuations might still be population‐specific rather than specific to given organismal groups, and driven by other factors than the observed climate variability.
FIT and bHLH Ib transcription factors modulate iron and copper crosstalk in Arabidopsis
Authors: Cai Yuerong , Li Yang , Liang Gang
Published: January 2021

Although the crosstalk between iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) homeostasis signalling networks exists in plants, the underlined molecular mechanism remains unclear. FIT (FER‐LIKE IRON DEFICIENCY‐INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR) and four bHLH Ib members (bHLH38, bHLH39, bHLH100 and bHLH101) are the key regulators of Fe homeostasis. Here, we reveal that FIT and bHLH Ib control the up‐regulation of Cu‐uptake genes (COPT2, FRO4 and FRO5) by Fe deficiency, and Cu is required for improving plant growth under Fe‐deficiency conditions. The induction of Cu‐uptake gene expression and the elevation of Cu concentration are inhibited in the fit‐2 or bhlh4x (the quadruple mutant of four bHLH Ib genes) under Fe‐deficiency conditions. The dual overexpression of both bHLH38 (or bHLH39) and FIT activates the expression of COPT2, FRO4 and FRO5 and increases Cu accumulation. Furthermore, bHLH Ib proteins directly bind to the promoters of COPT2, FRO4 and FRO5. Either Cu supplement or overexpression of COPT2 or FRO4 improves the growth of fit‐2 under Fe‐deficiency conditions. Moreover, the induction of COPT2, FRO4 and FRO5 by Fe deficiency is independent of SPL7, a central regulator of Cu‐deficiency responses. This work through the link between bHLH Ib/FIT and COPT2/FRO4/FRO5 under Fe‐deficiency conditions establishes a new relationship between Cu and Fe homeostasis.
Political philosophy beyond methodological nationalism
Authors: Sager Alex
Published: January 2021

Interdisciplinary work on the nature of borders and society has enriched and complicated our understanding of democracy, community, distributive justice, and migration. It reveals the cognitive bias of methodological nationalism, which has distorted normative political thought on these topics, uncritically and often unconsciously adapting and reifying state‐centered conceptions of territory, space, and community. Under methodological nationalism, state territories demarcate the boundaries of the political; society is conceived as composed of immobile, culturally homogenous citizens, each belonging to one and only one state; and the distribution of goods is analyzed according to a stark opposition between the domestic and the international. This article describes how methodological nationalism has shaped central debates in political philosophy and introduces recent work that helps dispel this bias.
Acquaintance
Authors: Duncan Matt
Published: January 2021

To be acquainted with something (in the philosophical sense of “acquainted” discussed here) is to be directly aware of it. The idea that we are acquainted with certain things we experience has been discussed throughout the history of Western Philosophy, but in the early 20th century it gained especially focused attention among analytic philosophers who drew their inspiration from Bertrand Russell's work on acquaintance. Since then, many philosophers—particularly those working on self‐knowledge or perception—have used the notion of acquaintance to explain various facts about human experience and knowledge. In this paper, I offer an overview of this work, with particular focus on the resurgent literature on acquaintance in contemporary analytic philosophy. After more fully explaining what acquaintance is (or is supposed to be), I describe some reasons for thinking that we are indeed acquainted with certain things we experience, and then I survey some of the facts about experience and knowledge that acquaintance may help explain.
How (not) to Read Wittgenstein: McNally on Wittgenstein on Love
Authors: Lin Francis Y.
Published: January 2021

Thomas McNally’s “More than a feeling: Wittgenstein and William James on love and other emotions” is one of the very few studies on Wittgenstein on love. McNally claims that Wittgenstein does not have a unified account of emotions. In his opinion, Wittgenstein’s criterial view applies to simple emotions and simple kinds of love, but not to deep kinds of love. In this paper, I show that McNally’s interpretation contains a number of misunderstandings of Wittgenstein’s criterial view and his treatment of emotions and of love. I offer an alternative interpretation, which corrects these misunderstandings. I show that Wittgenstein’s criterial view is applicable to all mental phenomena, including all kinds of love.
On anti‐abortion violence
Authors: Williams Jeremy
Published: January 2021

Anti‐abortion violence (‘AAV’) is anathema to almost everyone, on all sides of the abortion debate. Yet, as this article aims to show, it is far more difficult than has previously been recognised to avoid the deeply unpalatable conclusion that it can sometimes be justified. Some of the most frequently‐occupied positions on the morality of abortion will imply precisely that conclusion, I argue, unless conjoined with an especially stringent and unattractive form of pacifism. This is true not only of strict anti‐abortion views, but also, more surprisingly, of some of the most familiar and influential moderate defences of abortion rights. The latter conclusion raises the question, which further work will be required to fully resolve, of what our account of abortion ethics and prenatal moral status must be if it is to enable reconciliation of the common‐sense rejections of both pacifism and AAV. I end with reasons to expect that the path to an account that satisfies this demand, without generating further significant intuitive problems, will be far from straightforward.
Melatonin improves the seed filling rate and endogenous hormonal mechanism in grains of summer maize
Authors: Ahmad Shakeel , Kamran Muhammad , Zhou Xunbo , Ahmad Irshad , Meng Xiangping , Javed Tehseen , Iqbal Anas , Wang Guoyun , Su Wennan , Wu Xiaorong , Ahmad Parvaiz , Han Qingfang
Published: January 2021

The unpredictable precipitation and water deficit conditions in semiarid regions significantly reduce the yield of summer maize. The exogenous application of plant growth regulators can be used as a strategy to enhance plant stress tolerance and improve the growth and yield of maize under semiarid conditions. Here, we studied the protective role of melatonin application on maize yield using grain filling rate and hormonal crosstalk in maize grains. In the first field experiment, seeds were soaked with melatonin at a concentration of 0 (SM0), 25 (SM1), 50 (SM2), and 75 μM (SM3) μM. In contrast, in the second experiment, melatonin was applied on the foliage at the ninth leaf stage at a concentration of 0 (FM0), 25 (FM1), 50 (FM2), and 75 (FM3) μM. Our findings showed that melatonin treatments as seed soaking significantly increased single seed weight, seed filling rate in superior, medium and inferior seeds by regulating the hormone levels compared to foliar application. Application of melatonin significantly increased the zeatin+zeatin riboside (Z+ZR), indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), and gibberellic acid (GA) contents. However, it significantly inhibited the contents of abscisic acid (ABA) during the seed filling period. The content of Z+ZR, IAA, and GA was positively correlated with the maximum seed filling rate, seed weight, and mean filling rate in middle, superior and lower seeds, while the ABA was negatively correlated. The ABA content in inferior seeds was positively correlated with the maximum and mean seed filling rate. In semiarid regions, melatonin treatment of SM2 and FM2 significantly increased the dry matter per plant, 100‐grain weight, seed filling rate, IAA, Z+ZR, GA contents, ear characteristics, and maize yield.
Melatonin alleviates drought impact on growth and essential oil yield of lemon verbena by enhancing antioxidant responses, mineral balance, and abscisic acid content
Authors: Hosseini Marjan Sadat , Samsampour Davood , Zahedi Seyed Morteza , Zamanian Kazem , Rahman Md. Mezanur , Mostofa Mohammad Golam , Tran Lam‐Son Phan
Published: January 2021

Melatonin has recently emerged as a multifunctional biomolecule with promising aspects in plant stress tolerance. The present study examined the effects of foliar‐sprayed melatonin (0, 100, and 200 μM) on growth and essential oil yield attributes of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) under water‐shortage (mild, moderate and severe). Results revealed that melatonin minimized drought effects on lemon verbena, resulting in improved growth and essential oils yield. Drought impositions gradually and significantly reduced several growth parameters, such as plant height and biomass, whereas melatonin application revived the growth performance of lemon verbena. Melatonin protected the photosynthetic pigments and helped maintain the mineral balance at all levels of drought. Melatonin stimulated the accumulation of proline, soluble sugars and abscisic acid, which were positively correlated with a better preservation of leaf water status in drought‐stressed plants. Melatonin also prevented oxidative damages by enhancing the superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities. Furthermore, increased levels of total phenolic compounds, chicoric acid, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid, as well as ascorbate and total antioxidant capacity in melatonin‐sprayed drought‐stressed plants indicated that melatonin helped verbena plants to sustain antioxidant and medicinal properties during drought. Finally, melatonin treatments upheld the concentrations and yield of essential oils in the leaves of lemon verbena regardless of drought severities. These results provided new insights into melatonin‐mediated drought tolerance in lemon verbena, and this strategy could be implemented for the successful cultivation of lemon verbena, and perhaps other medicinal plants, in drought‐prone areas worldwide.
Unemployment effects of trade with a low‐wage country: A minimum‐wage model with sector‐specific factors
Authors: Brecher Richard A. , Yu Zhihao
Published: January 2021

Contrary to conventional wisdom, this paper shows that a high‐wage economy can paradoxically reduce its level of aggregate unemployment by engaging in international trade with a low‐wage country. We demonstrate this possibility after introducing a minimum wage into the basic specific‐factor model (with immobile capital and mobile labor), even though the opposite result is known to arise in the longer‐run framework of the standard Heckscher–Ohlin–Samuelson model (with both inputs mobile). Our result provides a cautionary note for public‐policy discussions that promote trade barriers as a way to reduce unemployment.
Al(NO3)3 Induced Morphological Changes in Nickel and Cobalt Salts as Advanced Electrodes for Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yang Jing , Mei Han-xin , Gao Hai-li , Jia Xiao-dong , Luo He-wei , Yan Ji , Cao Yang , Zhang Ai-qin , Gao Ke-zheng
Published: January 2021

As one of the important components of the supercapacitor, electrode material has a significant influence on the electrochemical performance of the device. In this study, Ni2(NO3)2(OH)2 · 2H2O/(Co(NH3)5(N3))(N3)2 (NC) composite material was prepared by the microwave-assisted method. The effects of Al(NO3)3 contents on the morphology and structure of the composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, and laser particle size distribution analyzer. The capacitive properties of the composite were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, constant current charge and discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results show that the Al(NO3)3 has a significant effect on the morphology and capacitance of NC. When the contents of Al(NO3)3 are 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%, the discharge capacities of NC, NCA-5, NCA-10, NCA-15, and NCA-20 samples obtained under 1 A/g current density are 1674, 1759, 2645, 1098, and 1321 F/g, respectively. At higher current densities of 4, 7, and 10 A/g, the discharge specific capacities reached 1350, 1064, and 894 F/g, indicating that the NCA-10 composite is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.
Electric-Drive Vehicle Power Electronics Thermal Management: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Moreno Gilberto , Narumanchi Sreekant , Feng Xuhui , Anschel Paul , Myers Steve , Keller Phil
Published: January 2021

Effective thermal management of traction-drive power electronics is critical to the advancement of electric-drive vehicles (EDVs) and is necessary for increasing power density and improving reliability. Replacing traditional silicon devices with more efficient, higher temperature, higher voltage, and higher frequency wide-bandgap (WBG) devices will enable increased power density but will result in higher device heat fluxes. Compact packaging of high-temperature WBG devices near low-temperature-rated components creates thermal management challenges that need to be addressed for future power-dense systems. This paper summarizes the thermal performance of on-road automotive power electronics thermal management systems and provides thermal performance metrics for select vehicles. Thermal analyses reveal that the package resistance dominates the total thermal resistance (for existing automotive systems). Advanced packaging concepts were modeled and the results were compared with existing packaging designs to quantify their thermal performance enhancements. Double-side (DS)-cooled configurations that do not use thermal interface materials (TIMs) are package concepts predicted to provide a low junction-to-fluid thermal resistance (compared to current packages). Dielectric-fluid-cooled concepts enable a redesign of the package to reduce the package resistance, can be implemented in single- and two-phase cooling approaches, and allow for cooling of passive components (e.g., capacitors) and bus bars.
Numerical Study on the Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing
Authors: Yang Xue , Wang Shuobang , Yin Zhifu , Wang Jili , Hu Wei
Published: January 2021

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is an alternative method to fabricate high-resolution micro- and nanostructures with high efficiency, low cost, and low pollution. Numerical simulation is an effective approach to systematically investigate the formation process of EHD jet. However, there are a few articles performing this work. In this study, a finite element model was established. The jet formation process and jetting modes were analyzed. The influence of applied voltage and printing distance on the maximum electric field near the nozzle tip was investigated. The effect of flow rate on the jet diameters was studied. Comparison between numerical and experimental results demonstrated that the proposed simulation model had a high potential for EHD jet analysis. According to the optimized printing conditions (printing distance of 200–300 μm, applied voltage of ∼1100 V, and flow rate of 0.1–0.3 ml/h), stable EHD jet can generate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) lines with minimum line-width of 0.9 μm can be printed onto the glass slide.
Numerical Simulation of Dynamic Bending Deflection of a Disc Cam Profile With Roller Follower System
Authors: Yousuf Louay S. , Dabool Yaakob K. H.
Published: January 2021

The bending deflection of the disc cam profile and the dynamic response of the follower were discussed and analyzed for three paths of contact. The objective of this paper was to study the influence of maximum contact pressure on the bending deflection of the cam profile. Numerical simulation was carried out using SolidWorks Software to simulate the follower displacement, velocity and acceleration. Finite element analysis was used taking into account the use of ANSYS package to calculate the bending deflection. The experiment setup had been done through an infrared camera device. The bending deflection of point (18) is bigger than the bending deflection of point (4) because of the bigness of radius of curvature of nose (2).
Adaptive Trajectory Tracking During Motorized and FES-Induced Biceps Curls via Integral Concurrent Learning
Authors: Allen Brendon C. , Stubbs Kimberly J. , Dixon Warren E.
Published: January 2021

A common rehabilitative technique for those with neuro-muscular disorders is functional electrical stimulation (FES) induced exercise such as FES-induced biceps curls. FES has been shown to have numerous health benefits, such as increased muscle mass and retraining of the nervous system. Closed-loop control of a motorized FES system presents numerous challenges since the system has nonlinear and uncertain dynamics and switching is required between motor and FES control, which is further complicated by the muscle having an uncertain control effectiveness. An additional complication of FES systems is that high gain feedback from traditional robust controllers can be uncomfortable to the participant. In this paper, data-based, opportunistic learning is achieved by implementing an integral concurrent learning (ICL) controller during a motorized and FES-induced biceps curl exercise. The ICL controller uses adaptive feedforward terms to augment the FES controller to reduce the required control input. A Lyapunov-based analysis is performed to ensure exponential trajectory tracking and opportunistic, exponential learning of the uncertain human and machine parameters. In addition to improved tracking performance and robustness, the potential of learning the specific dynamics of a person during a rehabilitative exercise could be clinically significant. Preliminary simulation results are provided and demonstrate an average position error of 0.14 ± 1.17 deg and an average velocity error of 0.004 ± 1.18 deg/s.
Passivity-Based Distributed Acquisition and Station-Keeping Control of a Satellite Constellation in Areostationary Orbit
Authors: Sin Emmanuel , Yin He , Arcak Murat
Published: January 2021

We present a distributed control law to assemble a cluster of satellites into an equally-spaced, planar constellation in a desired circular orbit about a planet. We assume each satellite only uses local information, transmitted through communication links with neighboring satellites. The same control law is used to maintain relative angular positions in the presence of disturbance forces. The stability of the constellation in the desired orbit is proved using a compositional approach. We first show the existence and uniqueness of an equilibrium of the interconnected system. We then certify each satellite and communication link is equilibrium-independent passive with respective storage functions. By leveraging the skew symmetric coupling structure of the constellation and the equilibrium-independent passivity property of each subsystem, we show that the equilibrium of the interconnected system is stable with a Lyapunov function composed of the individual subsystem storage functions. We further prove that the angular velocity of each satellite converges to the desired value necessary to maintain circular, areostationary orbit. Finally, we present simulation results to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control law in acquisition and station-keeping of an equally-spaced satellite constellation in areostationary orbit despite the presence of unmodeled disturbance forces.
Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance of Snake-Robot Guided by a Co-Robot UAV Visual Servoing
Authors: Haghshenas-Jaryani Mahdi , Sevil Hakki Erhan , Sun Liang
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the concept of teaming up snake-robots, as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance. Snake robots navigate in cluttered environments based on visual servoing of a co-robot UAV. It is assumed that snake-robots do not have any means to map the surrounding environment, detect obstacles, or self-localize, and these tasks are allocated to the UAV, which uses visual sensors to track the UGVs. The obtained images were used for the geo-localization and mapping the environment. Computer vision methods were utilized for the detection of obstacles, finding obstacle clusters, and then, mapping based on Probabilistic Threat Exposure Map (PTEM) construction. A path planner module determines the heading direction and velocity of the snake robot. A combined heading-velocity controller was used for the snake robot to follow the desired trajectories using the lateral undulatory gait. A series of simulations were carried out for analyzing the snake-robot’s maneuverability and proof-of-concept by navigating the snake robot in an environment with two obstacles based on the UAV visual servoing. The results showed the feasibility of the concept and effectiveness of the integrated system for navigation.
Combined Trajectory Planning and Tracking for Autonomous Vehicles on Deformable Terrains
Authors: Dallas James , Weng Yifan , Ersal Tulga
Published: January 2021

In this work, a novel combined trajectory planner and tracking controller is developed for autonomous vehicles operating on off-road deformable terrains. Common approaches to trajectory planning and tracking often rely on model-dependent schemes, which utilize a simplified model to predict the impact of control inputs to future vehicle response. However, in an off-road context and especially on deformable terrains, accurately modeling the vehicle response for predictive purposes can be challenging due to the complexity of the tire-terrain interaction and limitations of state-of-the-art terramechanics models in terms of operating conditions, computation time, and continuous differentiability. To address this challenge and improve vehicle safety and performance through more accurate prediction of the plant response, in this paper, a nonlinear model predictive control framework is presented that accounts for terrain deformability explicitly using a neural network terramechanics model for deformable terrains. The utility of the proposed scheme is demonstrated on high fidelity simulations for a notional lightweight military vehicle on soft soil. It is shown that the neural network based controller can outperform a baseline Pacejka model based scheme by improving on performance metrics associated with the cost function. In more severe maneuvers, the neural network based controller can achieve sufficient fidelity as compared to the plant to complete maneuvers that lead to failure for the Pacejka based controller. Finally, it is demonstrated that the proposed framework is conducive to real-time implementability.