bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combinations of Drinking Occasion Characteristics Associated with Units of Alcohol Consumed among British Adults: An Event‐Level Decision Tree Modeling Study
Authors: Stevely Abigail K. , Holmes John , Meier Petra S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Alcohol consumption is influenced by the characteristics of drinking occasions, for example, location, timing, or the composition of the drinking group. However, the relative importance of occasion characteristics is not yet well understood. This study aims to identify which characteristics, and combinations of characteristics, are associated with units consumed within drinking occasions. It also tests whether accounting for occasion characteristics improves the prediction of consumption compared to using demographic information only.

Methods

The data come from a cross‐sectional, nationally representative, online market research survey. Our sample includes 18,409 British drinkers aged 18 + who recorded the characteristics of 46,072 drinking occasions using 7‐day retrospective drinking diaries in 2018. We used decision tree modeling and nested linear regression to predict units consumed in occasions using information on drinking location/venue, occasion timing, company, occasion type (e.g., a quiet night in), occasion motivation, drink type and packaging, food eaten and entertainment/ other activities during the occasion. We estimated models separately for 6 age‐sex groups and controlled for usual drinking frequency, and social grade in nested linear regression models. Open Science Framework preregistration: https://osf.io/42epd.

Results

Our 6 final models accounted for between 55% and 71% of the variance in drinking occasion alcohol consumption. Beyond demographic characteristics (1 to 9%) and occasion duration (24 to 60%), further occasion characteristics and combinations of characteristics accounted for 31 to 70% of the total explained variance. The characteristics most strongly associated with heavy alcohol consumption were long occasion duration, drinking spirits as doubles, and drinking wine. Spirits were also consumed in light occasions, but as singles. This suggests that the serving size is an important differentiator of light and heavy occasions.

Conclusions

Combinations of occasion duration and drink type are strongly predictive of alcohol consumption in adults’ drinking occasions. Accounting for characteristics of drinking occasions, both individually and in combination, substantially improves the prediction of alcohol consumption.
First description of a tent used by Platyrrhinus recifinus
Authors: Breviglieri Crasso Paulo Bosco
Published: March 2021

Some species of Neotropical bats of the family Phyllostomidae (leaf‐nosed bats) modify the leaves of plants to construct ‘tents’ for daytime roosts. However, little is known about which bat species are associated with this behaviour. Here, I present the first description of the use of two tents by Recife Broad‐nosed Bat, Platyrrhinus recifinus, constructed in leaves of Miconia brunnea in a degraded Brazilian Atlantic forest fragment. Both structures had the architectural style of tents‐boat/apical. The shape of the leaves may mediate the architecture of these tents. In addition, they observed that only one male attended the two tents during the same night. This description provides new insights into the biology and behaviour of Platyrrhinus species. I further highlight several unknown for most tent‐making bats that merit future research.
Cardiac glycosides cause cytotoxicity in human macrophages and ameliorate white adipose tissue homeostasis
Authors: Olona Antoni , Hateley Charlotte , Guerrero Ana , Ko Jeong‐Hun , Johnson Michael R. , Anand Paras K. , Thomas David , Gil Jesus , Behmoaras Jacques
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

Cardiac glycosides inhibit Na+/K+‐ATPase and are used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias. They can induce inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in macrophages, suggesting cytotoxicity, which remains to be elucidated in human tissues.

Experimental Approach

To determine the cell‐type specificity of this cytotoxicity, we used human monocyte‐derived macrophages and non‐adherent peripheral blood cells from healthy donors, plus omental white adipose tissue, stromal vascular fraction‐derived pre‐adipocytes and adipocytes from obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. All these cells/tissues were treated with nanomolar concentrations of ouabain (50, 100, 500 nM) to investigate the level of cytotoxicity and the mechanisms leading to cell death. In white adipose tissue, we investigated ouabain‐mediated cytotoxicity by measuring insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue function and extracellular matrix deposition ex vivo.

Key Results

Ouabain induced cell death through pyroptosis and apoptosis, and was more effective in monocyte‐derived macrophages compared to non‐adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations. This cytotoxicity is dependent on K+ flux, as ouabain causes intracellular depletion of K+ and accumulation of Na+ and Ca2+. Consistently, the cell death caused by these ion imbalances can be rescued by addition of potassium chloride to human monocyte‐derived macrophages. Remarkably, when white adipose tissue explants from obese patients are cultured with nanomolar concentrations of ouabain, this causes depletion of macrophages, down‐regulation of type VI collagen levels and amelioration of insulin sensitivity ex vivo.

Conclusion and Implications

The use of nanomolar concentration of cardiac glycosides could be an attractive therapeutic treatment for metabolic syndrome, characterized by pathogenic infiltration and activation of macrophages.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Inflammation, Repair and Ageing. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.9/issuetoc
Fluid Reconstruction and Editing from a Monocular Video based on the SPH Model with External Force Guidance
Authors: Nie Xiaoying , Hu Yong , Su Zhiyuan , Shen Xukun
Published: March 2021

We specifically present a general method for monocular fluid videos to reconstruct and edit 3D fluid volume. Although researchers have developed many monocular video‐based methods, the reconstructed results are merely one layer of geometry surface, lack of accurate physical attributes of fluids, and challenging to edit fluid. We obtain a high‐quality 3D fluid volume by extending the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model with external force guidance. For reconstructing fluid, we design target particles that are recovered from the shape from shading (SFS) method and initialize fluid particles that are spatially consistent with target particles. For editing fluid, we translate the deformation of target particles into the 3D fluid volume by merging user‐specified features of interest. Separating the low‐ and high‐frequency height field allows us to efficiently solve the motion equations for a liquid while retaining enough details to obtain realistic‐looking behaviours. Our experimental results compare favourably to the state‐of‐the‐art in terms of global fluid volume motion features and fluid surface details and demonstrate our model can achieve desirable and pleasing effects.
Effect of final irrigation protocols on the fracture resistance of roots with varying dentine thickness
Authors: Ulusoy Özgür İlke , Genç Şen Özgür , Zeyrek Salev , Kaya Melih , Paltun Yelda Nayır
Published: March 2021

This study evaluated the effects of 9% etidronic acid (HEBP) and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) used either with conventional syringe irrigation (CSI) or passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) on the fracture resistance of roots with different dentine thickness. The root canals of 120 extracted teeth were widened, leaving dentinal walls with different thicknesses of either 0.75 mm, 1.50 mm, or 2.25 mm with 40 teeth in each group. Within each of these groups, four subgroups (n = 10) were formed according to the final irrigation regimens applied: 2.5% NaOCl‐17% EDTA with CSI; 2.5% NaOCl‐17% EDTA with PUI; 2.5% NaOCl + 9% HEBP with CSI; 2.5% NaOCl + 9% HEBP with PUI. The irrigated root canals were obturated with AH Plus sealer and gutta‐percha cones. A compressive vertical loading was applied to the samples and the force at fracture was recorded. Data were statistically analysed using a multiple linear regression analysis. The most influencing factor for the fracture strength of roots was the remaining dentine thickness, followed by the irrigation method, and then the irrigation solution. The samples irrigated using PUI were statistically significantly more resistant to fracture than those using CSI (mean difference = 116.3 N; 95% CI = [53.9, 178.6] N). The application of HEBP was associated with higher resistance to fracture than the application of EDTA (mean difference = 71.0 N; 95% CI = [8.6, 133.3] N).
Clinical significance of ragA, ragB, and PG0982 genes in Porphyromonas gingivalis isolates from periodontitis patients
Authors: Bunte Kübra , Kuhn Christina , Walther Carolin , Peters Ulrike , Aarabi Ghazal , Smeets Ralf , Beikler Thomas
Published: March 2021

Consistent detection of ragA, ragB, and PG0982 in the genome of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) isolates from periodontitis patients suggests that genotypes containing these genes may influence virulence and P. gingivalis‐associated periodontitis progression. This study evaluated the prevalence of these genes in P. gingivalis isolates from periodontitis patients (n = 28) and in isolates from periodontally healthy P. gingivalis carriers (n = 34). The association of these genes with progression of periodontitis, in vitro cell invasiveness, and bacterial survival following periodontal therapy was also assessed. Periodontal charting and microbiological sampling were done at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 24 months following subgingival debridement of the periodontitis patients. Healthy controls were assessed at baseline for comparison. P. gingivalis isolates were analysed by ragA, ragB, and PG0982 specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Primary human gingival fibroblasts were used for invasion experiments. Results showed that 25% of the tested isolates from the periodontitis group had ragB detected, whereas this gene was undetected in isolates from healthy participants. However, none of the selected genes was associated with an increased cell invasiveness in vitro, with bacterial survival, or with significant clinical periodontal parameter changes. Identification of genes that influence P.gingivalis virulence and therapeutic outcome may have a diagnostic or prognostic value.
The real effects of institutional spatial concentration
Authors: Huang Xiaoran , Qiao Zheng , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2021

We present evidence that spatially concentrated institutional investors enhance corporate innovation. These investors can coordinate more efficiently, leading to lower turnover of the holding firms’ stocks and more diversified portfolios, which enables the holding firms to increases corporate risk‐taking and focus more on long‐term investments. Consistent with this argument, we find that firms with spatially concentrated investors take higher risk, invest more heavily in innovative projects, generate more patents, and have more patent citations. Our results are robust to using instrumental variables and the introduction of a new airline route as an exogenous shock to spatial concentration among institutional investors.
Helicobacter pylori induced reactive oxygen Species: A new and developing platform for detection
Authors: Jain Utkarsh , Saxena Kirti , Chauhan Nidhi
Published: March 2021

Background

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Approximately 70% of cases are caused by a microaerophilic gram‐negative bacteria, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which potentially infect almost 50% of world's population. H. pylori is mainly responsible for persistent oxidative stress in stomach and induction of chronic immune responses which ultimately result into DNA damage that eventually can lead to gastric cancer. Oxidative stress is the result of excessive release of ROS/RNS by activated neutrophils whereas bacteria itself also produce ROS in host cells. Therefore, ROS detection is an important factor for development of new strategies related to identification of H. pylori infection.

Methods

The review summarizes the various available techniques for ROS detection with their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. All of the information included in this review have been retrieved from published studies on ROS generation and its detection methods.

Results

Precisely, 71 articles have been incorporated and evaluated for this review. The studied articles were divided into two major categories including articles on H. pylori‐related pathogenesis and various ROS detection methods for example probe‐based methods, immunoassays, gene expression profiling, and other techniques. The major part of probe activity is based on fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or bioluminescence and detected by complementary techniques such as LC‐MS, HPLC, EPR, and redox blotting.

Conclusion

The review describes the methods for ROS detection but due to some limitations in conventional methods, there is a need of cost‐effective, early and fast detection methods like biosensors to diagnose the infection at its initial stage.
Plasma etching behavior of yttrium‐aluminum oxide composite ceramics
Authors: Tan Yicheng , Chen Peng , Zhu Zuoxiang , Wu Shanghua , Tian Zhuo
Published: March 2021

In order to get a general regularity of erosion performance in alumina‐strengthened yttria ceramics, High‐quality yttrium‐aluminum oxide composite ceramics with different alumina/yttria molar ratios were fabricated, and the as‐prepared specimens were named Y2O3, YAG, YAGA, and Al2O3. The erosion behavior of the ceramics was examined and explained. The etching morphologies of the ceramics revealed that the multi‐phase composite ceramic (YAGA) was etched selectively, whereas the single‐phase ceramics were corroded homogeneously. The weight loss rate of the ceramics after etching was not proportional to the Al2O3 content, and it conformed to the percolation theory. As the alumina content in yttrium‐aluminum oxide composite ceramics was below the minimum value of percolation transition in two‐phase system the erosion resistance of the strengthened composite ceramics demonstrated excellent as well yttria ceramics.
Vital rates in early life history underlie shifts in biotic interactions along bioclimatic gradients: An experimental test of the Stress Gradient Hypothesis
Authors: Klanderud Kari , Meineri Eric , Goldberg Deborah E. , Michel Pascale , Berge Astrid , Guittar John L. , Vandvik Vigdis
Published: March 2021

Question

The Stress Gradient Hypothesis (SGH) predicts that competition and facilitation shift along stress gradients. We ask if the underlying mechanisms operate at specific points in plant life history, and if patterns are consistent along different stress gradients.

Location

Boreal, sub‐alpine and alpine grasslands in southern Norway.

Methods

We test the SGH through ontogeny along stress gradients by monitoring seedlings in intact vegetation vs bare‐ground gaps across a climatic grid of temperature and precipitation gradients. We follow one seedling cohort over two years and quantify four vital rates; emergence, survival, establishment success, and growth rate, to determine if biotic interaction effects (intact vs removed vegetation) on each of these stages shift along gradients in accordance with the SGH.

Results

We find competitive effects early in ontogeny, reflected in increased probability of seedling emergence in gaps. The magnitude of competition increases with temperature and precipitation, in line with the SGH. Growth rate of alpine seedlings was higher in intact vegetation vs gaps, indicating facilitation, and in accordance with the SGH, these effects decreased towards warmer climates. The net outcome of these processes occurring in early life history are reflected in the seedling community, where richness of emerging and surviving species is higher in bare‐ground gaps than in intact vegetation, with increasing effect toward warmer but not toward wetter sites.

Conclusion

Our results support the SGH for the earliest stages in plant life, predicting shifts from competitive to neutral or facilitative interactions toward colder climates. The biotic interaction effects on vital rates vary over ontogeny, with competition dominating for emergence whereas facilitation was more evident for seedling growth. The patterns along the precipitation gradient indicate stress at both the dry and the wet end. We highlight the importance of studies across ontogeny and along different gradients to disentangle the mechanisms underlying the SGH.
The Smartphone as a Personal Cognitive Artifact Supporting Participation in Interaction
Authors: EILOLA LAURA E. , LILJA NIINA S.
Published: March 2021

This article uses multimodal conversation analysis to investigate how the smartphone as a personal cognitive artifact features in second language (L2) use and learning. The data come from a pedagogical intervention that was organized as part of an integration learning course for adult L2 students with emerging literacy. The purpose of the intervention was to guide the students to participate in everyday interactions outside the language classroom and to learn from them. The analysis concentrates on a focal student's smartphone use during different phases of the intervention and offers a detailed account of how the smartphone provides affordances for the student to formulate recognizable social actions and participate in different phases of the pedagogical activity. The analysis adds to our current understanding of the role of mobile technology in L2 learning and illustrates how experiential pedagogy supports language learning as social activity. The findings can be used in designing pedagogical practices that support L2 students to develop their interactional competences on the basis of their own needs and goals.
Chicago Classification Update (v4.0): Technical review on diagnostic criteria for distal esophageal spasm
Authors: Roman Sabine , Hebbard Geoff , Jung Kee Wook , Katz Phil , Tutuian Radu , Wong Reuben , Wu Justin , Yadlapati Rena , Sifrim Daniel
Published: March 2021

Distal esophageal spasm (DES) is defined as a manometric pattern of at least 20% of premature contractions in a context of normal esophago‐gastric junction relaxation in a patient with dysphagia or non‐cardiac chest pain. The definition of premature contraction requires the measurement of the distal latency and identification of the contractile deceleration point (CDP). The CDP can be difficult to localize, and alternative methods are proposed. Further, it is important to differentiate contractile activity and intrabolus pressure. Multiple rapid swallows are a useful adjunctive test to perform during high‐resolution manometry to search for a lack of inhibition that is encountered in DES. The clinical relevance of the DES‐manometric pattern was raised as it can be secondary to treatment with opioids or observed in patients referred for esophageal manometry before antireflux surgery in absence of dysphagia and non‐cardiac chest pain. Further idiopathic DES is rare, and one can argue that when encountered, it could be part of type III achalasia spectrum. Medical treatment of DES can be challenging. Recently, endoscopic treatments with botulinum toxin and peroral endoscopic myotomy have been evaluated, with conflicting results while rigorously controlled studies are lacking. Future research is required to determine the role of contractile vigor and lower esophageal sphincter hypercontractility in the occurrence of symptoms in patients with DES. The role of impedance‐combined high‐resolution manometry also needs to be evaluated.
Imaging canopy temperature: shedding (thermal) light on ecosystem processes
Authors: Still Christopher J. , Rastogi Bharat , Page Gerald F. M. , Griffith Dan M. , Sibley Adam , Schulze Mark , Hawkins Linnia , Pau Stephanie , Detto Matteo , Helliker Brent R.
Published: March 2021

Canopy temperature Tcan is a key driver of plant function that emerges as a result of interacting biotic and abiotic processes and properties. However, understanding controls on Tcan and forecasting canopy responses to weather extremes and climate change are difficult due to sparse measurements of Tcan at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Burgeoning observations of Tcan from thermal cameras enable evaluation of energy budget theory and better understanding of how environmental controls, leaf traits and canopy structure influence temperature patterns. The canopy scale is relevant for connecting to remote sensing and testing biosphere model predictions. We anticipate that future breakthroughs in understanding of ecosystem responses to climate change will result from multiscale observations of Tcan across a range of ecosystems.
Robot‐Aided Minimally Invasive Lumbopelvic Fixation in Treatment of Traumatic Spinopelvic Dissociation
Authors: Liu Zhao‐jie , Hu Yong‐cheng , Tian Wei , Jin Xin , Qi Hao‐tian , Sun Yu‐xi , Jia Jian
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the surgical strategy, safety, and efficacy of close reduction and robot‐aided minimally invasive lumbopelvic fixation in treatment of traumatic spinopelvic dissociation.

Methods

Data of 32 patients (21 males and 11 females) with traumatic spinopelvic dissociation treated by lumbopelvic fixation with robot‐aided minimally invasive technique or conventional open procedure in our institution from March 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and divided into robot group and control group. Intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, fluoroscopy frequency, total drilling times, infection rate, hospitalization time, and sacral fracture healing time were reviewed. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were totally acquired to evaluate the reduction quality, residual fracture displacement, and Gras classification on screws insertion after surgery. According to the Majeed scoring system, functional outcome was assessed for each patient at the final follow‐up.

Results

There were 12 patients in the robot group and 20 patients in the control group with no significant difference about the demographic data. The average surgical time was 148.3 ± 40.5 min with intraoperative blood loss of 142.5±36.7 mL in the robot group and 185.0 ± 47.8 min with 612.5 ± 182.7 mL in the control group (P = 0.034, P = 0.000). The robot group had a shorter mean hospitalization time at 19.9 ± 7.0 days compared to the control group with 28.6 ± 5.4 days (P = 0.010). The fluoroscopy frequency was 35.4 ± 3.0 in the robot group and 45.5 ± 3.6 in the control group (P = 0.000) and total drilling times were 7.1 ± 1.1 and 9.6 ± 1.3 (P = 0.000), respectively. The infection rate was 0% (0/12) in the robot group and 15% (3/20) in the control group (P = 0.159). According to the Gras classification on screw positioning, there were 11 cases in Grade I and 1 case in Grade II in the robot group, and 14 cases in Grade I and 6 cases in Grade II in the control group. All the patients were followed up consecutively for at least 12 months, with an average follow‐up period of 17.1 ± 3.6 months. All sacral fractures healed with an average time of 3.8 ± 0.6 months in the robot group and 4.7 ± 0.7 months in the control group (P = 0.000). According to Majeed functional assessment investigation, the mean score of the patients was 87.2 ± 4.0 in the robot group and 83.1 ± 4.5 in the control group (P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Robot‐aided minimally invasive lumbopelvic fixation for traumatic spinopelvic dissociation is a safe and feasible option with advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, less radiation damage, less hospitalization time, and better functional outcome.
Spatial imaging reveals the pathways of Zn transport and accumulation during reproductive growth stage in almond plants
Authors: Xie Ruohan , Zhao Jianqi , Lu Lingli , Jernstedt Judy , Guo Jiansheng , Brown Patrick H. , Tian Shengke
Published: March 2021

The reproductive processes of several deciduous trees are highly sensitive to Zn deficiency. An understanding of the patterns of Zn storage and remobilization during bud development and bud break is critical for the development of fertilization strategies to prevent deficiencies and may be valuable in selection and breeding programs to develop more Zn‐resilient cultivars. In this study, we provide insights into the in situ distribution of Zn in almond reproductive organs at tissue, cellular, and subcellular scales using synchrotron‐based X‐ray fluorescence. The concentrations of Zn in different parts of the vegetative and reproductive tissues were also analysed. Our results show that the small branches subtending the flower and fruit, pollen grain, transmitting tissues of styles, and seed embryo are all important storage sites for Zn. An increase in Zn concentrations in almond reproductive organs mostly occur during the expanding growth phase, such as bud‐flush and the mid‐fruit enlargement stage; however, Zn transport to floral parts and fruit tissues was restricted at the pedicel and seed coat, suggesting a bottleneck in the export of Zn from the mother plant to filial tissues. Our results provide direct visual evidence for in‐situ Zn distribution within the reproductive tissues of a deciduous tree species.
Different response modes and cooperation modulations of blue‐light receptors in photomorphogenesis
Authors: Wu Yuning , Wang Qin , Qu Jing , Liu Wen , Gao Xuejuan , Li Xiang , Ouyang Xinhao , Lin Chentao , Shuai Jianwei
Published: March 2021

Cryptochromes photoreceptors, CRY1 and CRY2 in Arabidopsis, mediate blue light responses in plants and metazoa. The signalling interactions underlying photomorphogenesis of cryptochromes action have been extensively studied in experiment, expecting a systematical analysis of the dynamic mechanisms of photosensory signalling network from a global view. In this study, we developed a signalling network model to quantitatively investigate the different response modes and cooperation modulations on photomorphogenesis for CRY1 and CRY2 under blue light. The model shows that the different modes of time‐dependent and fluence‐rate‐dependent phosphorylations for CRY1 and CRY2 are originated from their different phosphorylation rates and degradation rates. Our study indicates that, due to the strong association between blue‐light inhibitor of cryptochromes (BIC) and CRY2, BIC negatively modulates CRY2 phosphorylation, which was confirmed by our experiment. The experiment also validated the model prediction that the time‐dependent BIC‐CRY1 and the fluence‐rate‐dependent BIC‐CRY2 are both bell‐shaped under blue light. Importantly, the model proposes that the COP1‐SPA abundance can strongly inhibit the phosphorylation response of CRY2, resulting in the positive regulation of CRY2 phosphorylation by CRY1 through COP1‐SPA. The model also predicts that the CRY1‐HY5 axis, rather than CRY2‐HY5 pathway, plays a dominant role in blue‐light‐dependent photomorphogenesis.
Phosphorus toxicity, not deficiency, explains the calcifuge habit of phosphorus‐efficient Proteaceae
Authors: Guilherme Pereira Caio , Hayes Patrick E. , Clode Peta L. , Lambers Hans
Published: March 2021

The calcifuge habit of plants is commonly explained in terms of high soil pH and its effects on nutrient availability, particularly that of phosphorus (P). However, most Proteaceae that occur on nutrient‐impoverished soils in south‐western Australia are calcifuge, despite their ability to produce cluster‐roots, which effectively mobilize soil P and micronutrients. We hypothesize that the mechanism explaining the calcifuge habit in Proteaceae is their sensitivity to P and calcium (Ca), and that soil‐indifferent species are less sensitive to the interaction of these nutrients. In this study, we analyzed growth, gas‐exchange rate, and chlorophyll fluorescence of two soil‐indifferent and four calcifuge Hakea and Banksia (Proteaceae) species from south‐western Australia, across a range of P and Ca concentrations in hydroponic solution. We observed Ca‐enhanced P toxicity in all analyzed species, but to different extents depending on distribution type and genus. Increasing P supply enhanced plant growth, leaf biomass, and photosynthetic rates of soil‐indifferent species in a pattern largely independent of Ca supply. In contrast, positive physiological responses to increasing [P] in calcifuges were either absent or limited to low Ca supply, indicating that calcifuges were far more sensitive to Ca‐enhanced P toxicity. In calcifuge Hakeas, we attributed this to higher leaf [P], and in calcifuge Banksias to lower leaf zinc concentration. These differences help to explain these species' contrasting sensitivity to Ca‐enhanced P toxicity and account for the exclusion of most Proteaceae from calcareous habitats. We surmise that Ca‐enhanced P toxicity is a major factor explaining the calcifuge habit of Proteaceae, and, possibly, other P‐sensitive plants.
The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the adaptation of elderly women to depression and old age: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Gökşin İlknur , Aşiret Güler Duru
Published: March 2021

Background

The changes that occur during the ageing process affect the mental health of individuals and their adaptation to old age. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on the depression level of elderly women and their adaptation to old age.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial design was used. The sample consisted of 49 elderly women (21 intervention and 28 controls) from a family health centre of a city in Turkey. The research data were collected using the introductory information form, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Barthel index, Geriatric Depression‐15 Scale, and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly. Two home visits were made to women in the first and eighth week of the application. PMR was applied by women in the intervention group in 28 min sessions three times a week for 8 weeks. During the 8 weeks the women were called by the researcher once a week and PMR was reminded.

Results

As a result of the PMR exercises performed for 8 weeks, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean Geriatric Depression‐15 Scale and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly scores of the women in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, it was found that PMR exercises reduce the depression level of elderly women and increase their adaptation to old age.
Extending working lives: How policies shape retirement and labour market participation of older workers
Authors: Kuitto Kati , Helmdag Jan
Published: March 2021

This study investigates how policies shape retirement and labour market participation of older workers and thus help extending working lives. It employs a time‐series–cross‐section analysis of the effects of macro‐level institutional pull, push and retention factors on effective retirement age and employment rate of older workers in 15 OECD countries from 1992 to 2010. The comparative approach reveals that public pension system rules that have been geared towards postponing retirement in many countries in past decades, indeed, are significant determinants of lengthening working lives. In particular, statutory retirement age and financial disincentives for early retirement proof important. Institutional effects differ by gender, though. Furthermore, the results point to the importance of social policies supporting labour market participation throughout the life‐course: social investment in human capital and public services clearly supports extending working lives.
Evaluating the merits of climate smart technologies under smallholder agriculture in Malawi
Authors: Nyagumbo Isaiah , Mutenje Munyaradzi , Setimela Peter , Chipindu Lovemore , Chisaka Arisede , Simwaka Pacsu , Mwale Blessings , Ngwira Amos , Mupangwa Walter
Published: March 2021

The merits of three climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies implemented by farmers were assessed in Machinga district of Malawi with respect to their soil quality and maize yield effects. Data were collected from farms implementing the three CSA technologies, namely conservation agriculture (CA), maize–pigeonpea (Maize‐PP) intercrops and a local organic and inorganic soil amendment known as Mbeya fertilization (Mbeya‐fert), from 2018 to 2019. With respect to resilience and adaptation, particulate organic matter, soil organic carbon (SOC), N, P, K, Ca and Mg all significantly improved while bulk densities were lowered under the three CSA systems. Higher annual biomass inputs and improved water infiltration from the Maize‐PP intercrops were observed. With respect to productivity, CA and Mbeya‐fert improved maize yields by 51 and 19%, respectively, compared to conventional farmer practices. With regard to climate change mitigation, increases in measured SOC in the top 20 cm depth compared to the conventional farmer practices amounted to 6.5, 12 and 10.5 t C ha−1 for CA, Mbeya‐fert, and Maize‐PP intercrops, respectively, over a period of 2–6 years. This suggests higher potential for carbon sequestration from CSA technologies. Furthermore, use of drought tolerant varieties, timely weeding and optimum plant populations, increased productivity. Improved gross margins from CSA practices were also apparent. Thus, employing these CSA technologies could enable farmers to be more resilient, productive and adapt better to climate change shocks leading to improved food security and livelihoods.
Should Acknowledgments in Published Academic Articles Include Gratitude for Reviewers Who Reviewed for Journals that Rejected Those Articles?
Authors: Räsänen Joona , Louhiala Pekka
Published: March 2021

It is a common practice for authors of an academic work to thank the anonymous reviewers at the journal that is publishing it. Allegedly, scholars thank the reviewers because their comments improved the paper and thanking them is a proper way to show gratitude to them. Yet often, a paper that is eventually accepted by one journal is first rejected by other journals, and even though those journals' reviewers also supply comments that improve the quality of the work, those reviewers are not customarily thanked. We contacted prominent scholars in bioethics and philosophy of medicine and asked whether thanking such reviewers would be a welcome trend. Having received responses from 107 scholars, we discuss the suggested proposal in light of both philosophical argument and the results of this survey. We argue that when an author's work is published, the author should thank the reviewers whose comments improved the paper regardless of whether those reviewers' journals rejected or accepted the work. That is because scholars should show gratitude to those who deserve it, and those whose comments improved the paper deserve gratitude. We also consider objections against this practice raised by scholars and show why they are not entirely persuasive.
Lagrangian Trajectory Simulation of Platelets and Synchrotron Microtomography Augment Hemodynamic Analysis of Intracranial Aneurysms Treated With Embolic Coils
Authors: Chivukula Venkat Keshav , Marsh Laurel , Chassagne Fanette , Barbour Michael C. , Kelly Cory M. , Levy Samuel , Geindreau Christian , Roscoat Sabine Rolland du , Kim Louis J. , Levitt Michael R. , Aliseda Alberto
Published: March 2021

As frequency of endovascular treatments for intracranial aneurysms increases, there is a growing need to understand the mechanisms for coil embolization failure. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling often simplifies modeling the endovascular coils as a homogeneous porous medium (PM), and focuses on the vascular wall endothelium, not considering the biomechanical environment of platelets. These assumptions limit the accuracy of computations for treatment predictions. We present a rigorous analysis using X-ray microtomographic imaging of the coils and a combination of Lagrangian (platelet) and Eulerian (endothelium) metrics. Four patient-specific, anatomically accurate in vitro flow phantoms of aneurysms are treated with the same patient-specific endovascular coils. Synchrotron tomography scans of the coil mass morphology are obtained. Aneurysmal hemodynamics are computationally simulated before and after coiling, using patient-specific velocity/pressure measurements. For each patient, we analyze the trajectories of thousands of platelets during several cardiac cycles, and calculate residence times (RTs) and shear exposure, relevant to thrombus formation. We quantify the inconsistencies of the PM approach, comparing them with coil-resolved (CR) simulations, showing the under- or overestimation of key hemodynamic metrics used to predict treatment outcomes. We fully characterize aneurysmal hemodynamics with converged statistics of platelet RT and shear stress history (SH), to augment the traditional wall shear stress (WSS) on the vascular endothelium. Incorporating microtomographic scans of coil morphology into hemodynamic analysis of coiled intracranial aneurysms, and augmenting traditional analysis with Lagrangian platelet metrics improves CFD predictions, and raises the potential for understanding and clinical translation of computational hemodynamics for intracranial aneurysm treatment outcomes.
Concurrent Product Design Based on Simultaneous Processing of Design and Manufacturing Information by Utility Analysis
Authors: Yoshimura Masataka , Kondo Hideyuki
Published: March 2021

A methodology for concurrent decision making of factors concerning product design and product manufacturing is proposed for obtaining better product designs from a wider global viewpoint of the product performance and the product manufacturing cost according to the concept of concurrent engineering. In this method, first, a function expressing the satisfactory level of the manufacturing division and a function expressing the satisfactory level of the design division are formulated for the product design being regarded. Then, an integrated higher ranking decision making utility function is formulated using these two satisfactory level functions by the utility analysis. Next, Pareto optimum solution sets of the two multiobjective optimization problems of maximization of the product performance and minimization of the product manufacturing cost are obtained for alternative product designs. Finally, on the Pareto optimum solution curves, the values of the integrated satisfactory levels are obtained and the most preferable design solution is selected. An applied example of this concurrent design procedure is given to demonstrate it’s effectiveness in comparison to a conventional design procedure.
Genetic Algorithm-Based Design of Energy Absorbing Laminated Composite Beams
Authors: Averill R. C. , Punch W. F. , Goodman E. D. , Lin S.-C. , Yip Y. C. , Ding Y.
Published: March 2021

This paper describes a general approach to structural design using Genetic Algorithms, and an application of that approach to the design of energy absorbing laminated composite beams containing distributed thin, compliant layers. We first discuss a method for applying a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to structural design, using it as an evolutionary search optimizer in conjunction with a structural simulator as its objective function. The simulator used is an efficient and robust special purpose finite element model based on a layerwise laminate theory. The GA “designs” the beam by selecting material assignments for the subregions and the locations of compliant layers, and evaluates the design using the simulator. The efficiency of the GA search is improved by use of the “injection island” architecture. The results demonstrate that the parallel GA architectures achieved algorithmic superlinear speedup to similar quality of solution in comparison with single-population genetic algorithms.
A Two Level Parallel Evolution Strategy for Solving Mixed-Discrete Structural Optimization Problems
Authors: Thierauf Georg , Cai Jianbo
Published: March 2021

A method for the solution of mixed-discrete structural optimization problems based on a two level parallel evolution strategy is presented. On the first level, the optimization problem is divided into two subproblems with discrete and continuous design variables, respectively. The two subproblems are solved simultaneously on a parallel computing architecture. On the second level, each subproblem is further parallelized by means of a parallel sub-evolution-strategy. Periodically, the design variables in the two groups axe exchanged. Examples are included to demonstrate the implementation of this method on a 8 nodes parallel computer.
A Fuzzy Sequential Linear Programming Algorithm for Engineering Design Optimization
Authors: Hsu Yeh-Liang , Lin Yu-Fa , Guo Yu-Shuei
Published: March 2021

An optimization process can be viewed as a closed-loop control system. Traditional “controllers”, the numerical optimization algorithms, are usually “crisply” designed for well defined mathematical models. However, when applied to engineering design optimization problems in which function evaluations can be expensive and imprecise, very often the crisp algorithms will become impractical or will not converge. A common strategy for designers is to monitor the optimization process and keep “tuning” the process in an interactive manner, using their judgment on the information obtained from previous iterations, and their knowledge of the problem. This paper presents how the heuristics of this human supervision can be modeled into the optimization algorithms using fuzzy set theory. A fuzzy version of sequential linear programming is used to demonstrate this idea. Fuzzy rules, which describe the human supervision during the optimization process, are combined with the numerical rules of the original algorithm to refine the output of each iteration. Several design optimization problems are used to show the feasibility and practicality of this approach.
A Study on Optimum Design Using Fuzzy Numbers As Design Variables
Authors: Arakawa Masao , Yamakawa Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

In this study, we summerize the method of fuzzy optimization using fuzzy numbers as design variables. In order to detect flaw in fuzzy calculation, we use LR-fuzzy numbers, which is known as its simplicity in calculation. We also use simple fuzzy numbers’ operations, which was proposed in the previous papers. The proposed method has unique characteristics that we can obtain fuzzy sets in design variables (results of the design) directly from single numerical optimizing process. Which takes a large number of numerical optimizing processes when we try to obtain similar results in the conventional methods. In the numerical examples, we compare the proposed method with several other methods taking imprecision in design parameters into account, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Domains of Interference Between Working Bodies in Mechanisms and Manipulators
Authors: Haug Edward J. , Adkins Frederick A. , Luh Chi-Mei , Wang Jia-Yi
Published: March 2021

Criteria for the set of all points in a pair of working bodies in a mechanism or manipulator that can coincide for any kinematically admissible configuration of the underlying mechanism, called the domain of interference between the bodies, are formulated. Kinematic equations for the mechanism and parameterizations of the domains of the working bodies are used to derive analytical criteria for domains of interference. Three complementary problems are formulated and analyzed to characterize (1) the set of points in one of the interfering bodies that are occupied by any point in the second body, (2) the set of points in one of the interfering bodies that are occupied by any point on the boundary of the second body, and (3) the set of all points in space that are simultaneously occupied by points in the interfering bodies; each condition occurring for any kinematically admissible configuration of the mechanism. Analytical criteria for the boundaries of domains of interference for each of the three problems arc derived, based on row-rank deficiency of a sub-Jacobian matrix associated with the kinematic equations for each of the problems. Numerical methods for mapping boundaries of domains of interference are presented and illustrated for planar Stewart platforms with domes attached that are characteristic of flight or ground vehicle simulators.
Mechanical Design of a Non-Overconstrained Walking Machine
Authors: Fichter E. , Fichter B.
Published: March 2021

This paper describes the mechanical design of a walking machine that avoids overconstraint. All current walking machines that are also capable of standing on their own are overconstrained and must depend on force control algorithms to control joints. From observations of darkling beetles we have concluded that it is possible for them to perambulate while keeping their bodies constrained but not overconstrained. Our walking machine was built to test hypotheses of how these beetles walk. We discuss the aspects of beetle leg kinematics that are most important for non-overconstrained walking.
Numerical Kinematic Analysis of the Motor-Vehicle Multi-Link Suspension System
Authors: Mohamed Maher G. , Attia Hazem A.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, an efficient numerical algorithm for the kinematic analysis of a multi-link suspension system is presented. The suspension system is usually used for rear driven axles of current car productions. The kinematic analysis of the one-DOF spatial multi-link suspension mechanism which is composed of binary links connected by spherical joints is carried out in terms of the rectangular Cartesian coordinates of some defined points in the links and at the joints. By properly locating the points at the centers of the spherical joints, all the kinematic constraints are automatically eliminated. Geometric nonlinear constraints are introduced to fix the relative positions of the points on the rigid bodies. An additional drivingconstraint is added as a function of the input driving angular position. The nonlinear constraint equations are solved by iterative numerical methods. The corresponding velocity and acceleration equations are derived by differentiating the constraint equations. These equations are linear and can easily be solved numerically to yield the velocities and accelerations of the unknown points on the wheel knuckle. The velocities and accelerations of other points of interest can be calculated if their positions are specified. Also the angular velocities and accelerations of any link in the mechanism are evaluated from the Cartesian coordinates, velocities, and accelerations of any three defined points on the link. The presented formulation in terms of this system of coordinates is simple and involves only elementary mathematics. A numerical example is presented.
On the Classification of Automatic Tool Changers for Machining Centers
Authors: Yan Hong-Sen , Yiou Chih-Wen , Chen Fu-Chen , Chang Paul
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a seven-code system for the classification of automatic tool changers for machining centers according to their complexity. The first code is the types of tool magazines. The second code is the relative positions of the tool magazine and the spindle. The third code is the types of tool change mechanisms. The fourth code is the types of motion for grasping tools. The fifth code is the types of insertion and extraction of tools. The sixth code is the types of motion of changing tools. The last code is the positions of the spindle. Several examples are given to demonstrate the applications.