bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ageing Workforces, Ill‐health and Multi‐state Labour Market Transitions*
Authors: Harris Mark N. , Zhao Xueyan , Zucchelli Eugenio
Published: August 2020

We provide novel evidence on the effects of ill‐health on the dynamics of labour state transitions by considering retirement as mobility between full‐time work, part‐time work, self‐employment and inactivity. We employ a dynamic multi‐state model which accounts for state dependence and different types of unobservables. Our model allows for both individual heterogeneity and labour‐state gravity as well as correlations between labour market states. We estimate this model on rich longitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. We find that both ill‐health and health shocks greatly increase the probability of leaving full‐time employment and moving into inactivity. Simulated dynamic trajectories suggest larger impacts of long‐term health conditions than those of a one‐off health shock and some evidence of health‐driven retirement pathways via part‐time work and self‐employment. Our findings also indicate that the effects of health changes could be underestimated and the magnitude of true labour market state dependence overestimated if individual effects or labour dynamic transitions are not accounted for in the model.
Chronic inducible urticaria subtypes in children: Clinical features and prognosis
Authors: Bal Fatma , Kahveci Melike , Soyer Ozge , Sekerel Bulent Enis , Sahiner Umit Murat
Published: August 2020

Background

Chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) is a subtype of chronic urticaria induced by a physical stimulus.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical features, prognostic factors, and natural course of childhood CIndU subtypes.

Methods

Patients (1‐18 years old, n = 117) diagnosed with CIndU between March 2011 and March 2019 were analyzed. Patients (n = 101) were re‐evaluated for the status of their CIndU at least 6 months after the initial evaluation.

Results

The study population comprised of 117 children with a median (inter‐quartile range) age of 10.3 (6‐14.8) years at admission and a male predominance (53%). Symptomatic dermographism was the most common type of CIndU, affecting 65% of the group, followed by cold urticaria and cholinergic urticaria, which affected 17% and 15.4%, respectively. Baseline serum tryptase levels in cholinergic urticaria and cold urticaria were higher than those in symptomatic dermographism [7.0 (3.3‐10.7) μg/L, 4.2 (2.8‐9.3) μg/L, and 2.7 μg/L (1.8‐5.9), respectively; P = .020]. Recovery was observed in 9.6%, 25.3%, and 34.7% of the CIndU children after 12, 36, and 60 months, respectively. Of the patients with symptomatic dermographism, 40% had remission in 5 years, whereas this rate was only one‐fifth in patients with cold urticaria. The worst prognosis was observed in patients with cholinergic urticaria.

Conclusion

This study concluded that nearly one‐third of children with CIndU recovered within 5 years and symptomatic dermographism has the best prognosis. Cholinergic urticaria is the CIndU type with the worst prognosis, male dominance, and highest baseline serum tryptase levels.
Bradycardia and asystole during temporomandibular joint reconstruction
Authors: Flannery Kaitlin M. , Yu Jason W. , Resnick Cory M. , Evans Faye M.
Published: August 2020

Anesthesia providers are familiar with the oculocardiac reflex, one type of trigeminocardiac reflex. While less common, arrhythmias associated with manipulation of other trigeminal nerve branches can occur. We report the presentation and management of bradycardia and asystole from stimulation of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve during temporomandibular joint reconstruction.
Some Hallucinations Are Experiences of the Past
Authors: Barkasi Michael
Published: August 2020

When you hallucinate an object, you are not in the normal sort of concurrent causal sensory interaction with that object. It's standardly further inferred that the hallucinated object does not actually exist. But the lack of normal concurrent causal sensory interaction does not imply that there does not exist an object that is hallucinated. It might be a past‐perceived object. In this paper, I argue that this claim holds for at least some interesting cases of hallucination. Hallucinations generated by misleading cues (e.g. ‘seeing’ Kanizsa triangles), hallucinations of Charles Bonnet Syndrome patients, and dreams are experiences of past‐perceived objects.
A novel strategy for creating a new system of third‐generation hybrid rice technology using a cytoplasmic sterility gene and a genic male‐sterile gene
Authors: Song Shufeng , Wang Tiankang , Li Yixing , Hu Jun , Kan Ruifeng , Qiu Mudan , Deng Yingde , Liu Peixun , Zhang Licheng , Dong Hao , Li Chengxia , Yu Dong , Li Xinqi , Yuan Dingyang , Yuan Longping , Li Li
Published: August 2020

Heterosis utilization is the most effective way to improve rice yields. The cytoplasmic male‐sterility (CMS) and photoperiod/thermosensitive genic male‐sterility (PTGMS) systems have been widely used in rice production. However, the rate of resource utilization for the CMS system hybrid rice is low, and the hybrid seed production for the PTGMS system is affected by the environment. The technical limitations of these two breeding methods restrict the rapid development of hybrid rice. The advantages of the genic male‐sterility (GMS) rice, such as stable sterility and free combination, can fill the gaps of the first two generations of hybrid rice technology. At present, the third‐generation hybrid rice breeding technology is being used to realize the application of GMS materials in hybrid rice. This study aimed to use an artificial CMS gene as a pollen killer to create a smart sterile line for hybrid rice production. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology was used to successfully obtain a CYP703A3‐deficient male‐sterile mutant containing no genetically modified component in the genetic background of indica 9311. Through young ear callus transformation, this mutant was transformed with three sets of element‐linked expression vectors, including pollen fertility restoration gene CYP703A3, pollen‐lethality gene orfH79 and selection marker gene DsRed2. The maintainer 9311‐3B with stable inheritance was obtained, which could realize the batch breeding of GMS materials. Further, the sterile line 9311‐3A and restorer lines were used for hybridization, and a batch of superior combinations of hybrid rice was obtained.
Development of marker‐free rice with stable and high resistance to rice black‐streaked dwarf virus disease through RNA interference
Authors: Feng Zhiming , Yuan Meng , Zou Jie , Wu Lin‐Bo , Wei Lang , Chen Taiyu , Zhou Nana , Xue Wenxia , Zhang Yafang , Chen Zongxiang , Hu Keming , Wang Guo‐Liang , Liu Wende , Pan Xuebiao , Zuo Shimin
Published: August 2020

The rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) disease causes severe rice yield losses in Asia. RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely applied to develop antiviral varieties in plants. So far, only a few studies reported the application of RNAi in rice against RBSDV and most of them are lack of enough data to support its breeding potential, which limited the progress on developing RBSDV‐resistant variety. In this study, we generated three RNAi constructs to specifically target three RBSDV genes (S1, S2 and S6), respectively. We confirmed that RNAi targeting RBSDV S6 conferred rice with almost full immunity to RBSDV through phenotyping test in eight consecutive years in both artificial inoculation and field trials, while RNAi of S1 or S2 only leads to partially increased resistance. The S6RNAi was also found conferring strong resistance to southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), a novel species closely related to RBSDV that outbroke recently in Southern China. In particular, no adverse effects on agronomical and developmental traits were found in S6RNAi transgenic lines. The marker‐free transgenic lines with S6RNAi, driven by either maize ubiquitin‐1 promoter or rice rbcS green tissue expression promoter, in elite rice background should have great potential in breeding of resistant varieties to both RBSDV and SRBSDV and provide a basis for further safety evaluation and commercial application.
Identification of quantitative trait loci underlying soybean (Glycine max) 100‐seed weight under different levels of phosphorus fertilizer application
Authors: Wu Depeng , Li Chunxia , Jing Yan , Wang Jun , Zhao Xue , Han Yingpeng
Published: August 2020

The “100‐seed weight (100‐SW)” trait is an important component of soybean quality and yield. Phosphorus (P) deficiency induces a wide array of metabolic effects that limits plant growth, especially in soybean. In this study, the 100‐SW values of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population constructed by a cross between “Zhongdou27” and “Jiunong20” were evaluated in three tested environments under regular P and low P level conditions. We detected 12 additive quantitative trait loci (QTL) on nine linkage groups, explaining 8.11%–17.21% of the total phenotype variations. Two of these identified QTLs, qSW2‐3 and qSW17‐2, were identified in multi‐environments both under regular and low P level conditions, and explained 10.10%–14.11% and 10.12%–12.06% of the observed variations, respectively. One QTL, qSW17‐2, was novel which has been reported for the first time. Additionally, three QTLs (qSW10‐1, qSW13‐1 and qSW17‐1) were detected under low P conditions and the other QTLs were detected specifically under regular P levels. These particular QTLs improve our understanding of the genetic basis of P efficiency in soybean.
During photosynthetic induction, biochemical and stomatal limitations differ between Brassica crops
Authors: Taylor Samuel H. , Orr Douglas J. , Carmo‐Silva Elizabete , Long Stephen P.
Published: August 2020

Interventions to increase crop radiation use efficiency rely on understanding of how biochemical and stomatal limitations affect photosynthesis. When leaves transition from shade to high light, slow increases in maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate and stomatal conductance limit net CO2 assimilation for several minutes. However, as stomata open intercellular [CO2] increases, so electron transport rate could also become limiting. Photosynthetic limitations were evaluated in three important Brassica crops: Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea and Brassica napus. Measurements of induction after a period of shade showed that net CO2 assimilation by B. rapa and B. napus saturated by 10 min. A new method of analyzing limitations to induction by varying intercellular [CO2] showed this was due to co‐limitation by Rubisco and electron transport. By contrast, in B. oleracea persistent Rubisco limitation meant that CO2 assimilation was still recovering 15 min after induction. Correspondingly, B. oleracea had the lowest Rubisco total activity. The methodology developed, and its application here, shows a means to identify the basis of variation in photosynthetic efficiency in fluctuating light, which could be exploited in breeding and bioengineering to improve crop productivity.
The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of acute graft‐vs‐host disease in pediatric T‐cell‐replete haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tang Fei‐Fei , Cheng Yi‐Fei , Xu Lan‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Yan Chen‐Hua , Han Wei , Chen Yu‐Hong , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Wang Yu
Published: August 2020

The specific description, risk factors, and outcomes of aGVHD in pediatric haplo‐HSCT using TCR protocols without PT‐Cy have not been well described previously. We evaluated the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of aGVHD in 350 consecutive pediatric patients receiving TCR haplo‐HSCT without PT‐Cy according to the Glucksberg and NIH aGVHD classifications between January 2015 and December 2017 at Peking University Institute of Hematology. The cumulative incidences of grade I, II, III, and IV aGVHD were 28%, 29.7%, 8.3%, and 5.1%, respectively. The type of aGVHD onset was classic in 243 patients (97.2%), and persistent/recurrent/late‐onset aGVHD was in seven patients (2.8%). None of the considered variables significantly influenced the incidence of grade III‐IV aGVHD. The 3‐year OS, DFS, cumulative incidence of NRM, and relapse in malignant disease between severe aGVHD (III‐IV) group and grade 0‐II aGVHD group were 61.5% vs 77.2% (P = .027), 58.6% vs 75.1% (P = .014), 19.8% vs 5.3% (P = .002), and 21.6% vs 19.6% (P = .59), respectively; in non‐malignant diseases, the 3‐year OS, DFS, and NRM were 81.8% vs 97.4% (P = .05), 81.8% vs 97.4% (P = .05), and 18.2% vs 2.6% (P = .05), respectively. Under the protocol of pediatric TCR haplo‐HSCT without PT‐Cy, the persistent/recurrent/late‐onset aGVHD was rare, and the incidence of severe aGVHD was acceptable and significantly contributed to NRM and lower survival in both malignant disease and non‐malignant diseases.
The use of infrared spectroscopy and machine learning tools for detection ofMeloidogyneinfestations
Authors: San‐Blas Ernesto , Paba Gabriel , Cubillán Néstor , Portillo Edgar , Casassa‐Padrón Ana M. , González‐González César , Guerra Mayamarú
Published: August 2020

Plant parasitic nematodes are generally soilborne pathogens that attack plants and cause economic losses in many crops. The infested plants show nonspecific symptoms or, often, are symptomless; therefore, diagnosis is performed by taking soil and root tissue samples. Here, we show that a combination of different infrared spectra analysis and machine learning algorithms can be used to detect plant parasitic nematode infestations before symptoms become visible, using leaves instead of roots and soil as samples. We found that tomato and guava plants infested withMeloidogyne enterorlobiiproduced different spectral patterns compared to uninfested plants. Using partial spectra from 1,450 to 900/cm as the "fingerprint region", principal component analyses indicated that after 5 (tomatoes) or 8 weeks (guava), plants with no visible symptoms of infestations were positively diagnosed. To improve the early detection response, we used machine learning modelling. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to obtain more robust, accurate models. The SVM model contained 34 support vectors, 17 for each level. The overall performance of the model was >97% and the total accuracy was significantly higher, demonstrating the absence of chance prediction. The best prediction of infestation was obtained at the second and fourth weeks for tomatoes and guavas, respectively, reducing the diagnostic time by half. The combined application of these techniques reduces the processing time from field to laboratory and shows enormous advantages by avoiding root and soil sampling.
A polyetic modelling framework for plant disease emergence
Authors: Willocquet Laetitia , Savary Serge , McDonald Bruce A. , Mikaberidze Alexey
Published: August 2020

Plant disease emergences have dramatically increased recently as a result of global changes, especially with respect to trade, host genetic uniformity, and climate change. A better understanding of the conditions and processes determining epidemic outbreaks caused by the emergence of a new pathogen, or pathogen strain, is needed to develop strategies and inform decisions to manage emerging diseases. A polyetic process‐based model is developed to analyse conditions of disease emergence. This model simulates polycyclic epidemics during successive growing seasons, the yield losses they cause, and the pathogen survival between growing seasons. This framework considers one immigrant strain coming in a single event into a system where a resident strain is already established. Outcomes are formulated as probability of emergence, time to emergence, and yield loss, resulting from deterministic and stochastic simulations. An analytical solution to determine a threshold for emergence is also derived. Analyses focus on the effects of two fitness parameters on emergence: the relative rate of reproduction (epidemic speed), and the relative rate of mortality (decay of population between seasons). Analyses revealed that stochasticity is a critical feature of disease emergence. The simulations suggest that: (a) emergence may require a series of independent immigration events before a successful invasion takes place; (b) an explosion in the population size of the new pathogen (or strain) may be preceded by many successive growing seasons of cryptic presence following an immigration event; and (c) survival between growing seasons is as important as reproduction during the growing season in determining disease emergence.
Modified Likelihood root in High Dimensions
Authors: Tang Yanbo , Reid Nancy
Published: August 2020

We examine a higher order approximation to the significance function with increasing numbers of nuisance parameters, based on the normal approximation to an adjusted log-likelihood root. We show that the rate of the correction for nuisance parameters is larger than the correction for non-normality, when the parameter dimension p is O(nα) for α<12. We specialize the results to linear exponential families and location–scale families and illustrate these with simulations.
Differentiating middle‐aged long‐term and short‐term frequent attenders by means of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study
Authors: Huhtakangas Moona , Kyngäs Helvi , Bloigu Risto , Kanste Outi
Published: August 2020

Background

Frequent attendance is largely a temporary phenomenon, but only few previous studies have made a distinction between long‐term frequent attenders (FAs) and short‐term FAs.

Aims

The aim of this study is to compare the characteristics of middle‐aged long‐term FAs and short‐term FAs.

Methods

Data from a large Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 studyʼs (NFBC1966) 46‐year follow‐up study (performed in 2012, N = 10 321) were used. The participants (n = 4390) had used public primary healthcare (PPHC) services at least once during 2013–2016 according to Finnish national register data on outpatient visits. A FA was considered a patient who had used PPHC services ≥8 times during 1 year. A long‐term FA: a patient who was a FA in at least 3 years during 2013–2016. A short‐term FA: a patient who was a FA in 1 or 2 years in 2013–2016. Cross‐tabulation, Pearson’s chi‐squared test, Mann–Whitney U test, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used.

Results

Of the 4390 participants, 132 (3.0%) were long‐term FAs, 645 (14.7%) were short‐term FAs, and 3613 (82.3%) were non‐FAs. During 2013–2016, long‐term FAs accounted for 34.8% of PPHC visits, while short‐term FAs accounted 15.4%. Compared to short‐term FAs, depression and high income (preventive attribute) were associated with long‐term FAs. Female gender and managing usual activities were associated with short‐term FAs. Poor self‐reported health was associated with both long‐term FAs and short‐term FAs but increased the risk of being a long‐term FA over three times compared to short‐term FAs.

Conclusions

Middle‐aged long‐term FAs and short‐term FAs have distinct characteristics; namely, depression and high income differentiate long‐term FAs from short‐term FAs. Poor self‐reported health was associated with long‐term FAs in particular. In order to identify FAs with prolonged service needs and to develop far‐reaching interventions, the focus of research should be on long‐term FAs.
The novel HLA‐C*03:04:01:47 allele sequence identified using Pacific biosciences SMRT sequencing
Authors: Comerford Angus G. , Lucas Jonathan A. M. , Turner Thomas R. , Marsh Steven G. E. , Mayor Neema P.
Published: August 2020

A novel variant of HLA‐C*03:04:01:47 was identified using Pacific Biosciences SMRT sequencing platform.
Optical coherence tomography of the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) eye
Authors: Go Seokmin , Kang Seonmi , Kwon Jun , Park Sechang , Seo Kangmoon
Published: August 2020

Objective

To provide images of the anterior and posterior structures of the gecko eye using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT).

Animals and procedures

Eight ophthalmologically normal Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) were used. The nose‐cloaca distance and body weight were measured for each gecko. Tomographic images were obtained using SD‐OCT without the use of anesthetic or mydriatic agents. The central corneal thickness (CCT), the anterior chamber depth (ACD), and the length of the conus papillaris (CP) were manually measured using OCT images. The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) around the CP and the retinal thickness in all four quadrants (superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal areas) were automatically measured using the OCT software program.

Results

The mean values of the nose‐cloaca distance and body weight were 13.8 ± 0.9 cm and 41.3 ± 9.0 g, respectively. The mean values of CCT, ACD, and CP length were 177.6 ± 20.9 µm, 1205.0 ± 79.9 µm, and 1546.4 ± 208.8 µm, respectively. The mean value of RNFL thickness was 52.0 ± 8.2 µm, and the superior region was the thickest. The mean value of total retinal thickness was 202.5 ± 9.4 µm, and the temporal region was the thickest.

Conclusions

Tomographic images of the anterior and posterior segments of the living gecko eye could be obtained using the OCT unit. Multiple retinal layers and anatomical features of the CP were identified.
Development of maize cob‐based biochar filter for water purification
Authors: Oluk Isaac , Nagawa Christine Betty , Banadda Noble , Tumutegyereize Peter , Owusu Prosper Achaw
Published: August 2020

The study aimed at biochar production from maize cob and its performance in improving water physiochemical attributes. Three feedstock masses (2, 2.5, 3 kg) were used for biochar production. Nine treatment combinations of T1L1, T1L2, T1L3, T2L1, T2L2, T2L3, T3L1, T3L2 and T3L3 in triplicate were used for biochar performance. Biochar yield of 50% was averagely achieved at slow pyrolysis conditions (300 to 600°C) and 120 min residence time. Biochar had 4.13% moisture content, 6.86% ash, 17.70% volatile matter, 71.28% fixed carbon, and a pH of 10.27. Odour, colour, and total hardness of the wastewater improved after filtration using biochar to acceptable levels for potable water use. Total hardness reduced by 51.9% in T2L2 and 44.4% in T3L2. Findings front maize cob biochar as a purification technology for domestic potable water use. There is need for maize cob biochar performance on heavy metals and when it is sandwiched with other materials.
Words in action: Examining what clinical education placement documents contribute to thinking, acting and feeling like a health professional
Authors: Furness Linda , Tynan Anna , Ostini Jenny
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Clinical placements are critical for student learning and transition to practice. They help students integrate their knowledge and skills and support their development of professional identity—so they come to “think, act and feel” like a member of their profession. Students have reported that placements play a role in development of professional identity. Documents are frequently the first contact students have with the placement setting. However, there are few studies examining the impact of clinical placement documents on the development of allied health students’ professional identity. This study examines what clinical placement documents contribute to the development of professional identity through facilitating thinking, feeling and acting like a health professional.Methods: Thematic analysis of clinical education placement documents was conducted using a deductive framework based on review of literature considering how students can be supported to think, act and feel like a health professional.Results: Thirteen placement orientation documents were reviewed. Reference to factors that support “thinking” described learning opportunities to enable students to develop knowledge for practice. Reference to factors that support “acting” described graded learning that enables student contribution to service delivery and recognition as a health professional, and reference to factors that support “feeling” described workplace culture and practices supporting connectedness.Conclusions: This study identified that placement documents can contribute to allied health students thinking, acting and feeling like a health professional while on clinical placement. Academic staff and organisations reviewing clinical placement documents may wish to consider the implications identified in this study, which demonstrate how documents can include or exclude students in the workplace.
Writing a manuscript for publication: An action research study with allied health practitioners
Authors: Harvey Desley , Barker Ruth , Tynan Elizabeth
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Writing a manuscript for publication is a challenge for those health practitioners whose primary role is to provide clinical services. The aim of this study was to increase the capacity of allied health practitioners who are employed in a clinical setting to submit manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Methods: An action research study design was used to develop a “Writing for Publication” program for nine allied health practitioners who had not previously published a manuscript as lead author. Between May and November 2018, at a regional public hospital service, three 90-minute writing workshops were offered, which included manuscript plan and preparation guide, academic writing instruction, peer review and mentoring by experienced researchers. Data were collected using participant pre- and post-program surveys, post-workshop focus groups and facilitator reflections.Results: All participants reported that their writing skills had improved. Enablers to completing a manuscript for publication included structured preparation, mentoring, training in academic writing skills, protected writing time and external accountability. Challenges included not knowing where or how to start, competing priorities and distractions within and outside of work hours, inadequate academic writing skills and loss of momentum. Two participants submitted their manuscripts for publication by the end of the study and a further manuscript was submitted by the time of writing.Conclusions: Strategies to ensure publication of allied health practitioner research findings need to be integrated into project planning and monitoring processes embedded within a well-supported health service-wide research culture.
Discussion Paper: The Canberra Meeting: An initiative for building research capacity in health professions education
Authors: Foo Jonathan S , Atherley Anique , Ash Julie , Hu Wendy
Published: August 2020

Introduction: There are few dedicated health professions education research centres in Australia and New Zealand. As a result, researchers, especially novices, can often feel isolated. In this discussion paper, we introduce The Canberra Meeting—an initiative for building research capacity in health professions education by developing a community of practice through an annual meeting. In this meeting, novice researchers present on significant problems or questions arising from their research, known as a dilemma presentation, and facilitate discussion with an audience of peer PhD students, earlycareer researchers and senior researchers. The meeting aims to provide an opportunity to expand professional networks, exchange ideas and build knowledge.Innovation: A half-day pilot meeting was held in Canberra prior to the 2019 ANZAHPE conference. The meeting was designed for, and planned by, novice researchers. There were 37 attendees, including 13 who self-identified as novice researchers. Three half-hour dilemma sessions were held, comprised of 10 minutes of presentation time followed by 20 minutes of discussion.Evaluation and outcomes: Feedback on the pilot was sought through prompted group discussions. The following guiding principles were developed, including that the initiative should be 1) inclusive to all health professions and seek to reach isolated researchers; 2) accessible, by providing equal opportunity of access; 3) constructive, such that participants feel safe to present and engage in discussions; and 4) sustainable, such that the community of practice continues despite changes in individual membership.What’s next: Planning is currently underway for a meeting prior to the next ANZAHPE conference. The event will be publicly advertised.
Speech pathology students’ perceived learning outcomes following participation in a fluency booster program
Authors: Penman Adriana Marie , Brown Nicola , Hill Anne Elizabeth
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Intensive fluency programs are a service delivery option for adults and adolescents who stutter and can act as clinical education opportunities for speech pathology students. Previous research established that student participation in a five day intensive fluency program resulted in increased student confidence, knowledge and interest while decreasing student anxiety. Though effective, this service delivery model is time and resource intensive for students and clients alike. The aim of this study was to investigate students’ levels of confidence, knowledge, interest and anxiety pre- and post-participation in a shorter, two day intensive fluency booster program.Methods: Participants in this study were speech pathology students at an XXXX university. This mixed methods study used pre- and post-program Likert scale surveys to explore students’ perceptions of their learning. In addition, students’ general perceptions of the program were examined through responses to open-ended questions. Quantitative results were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and results of the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.Results: Data was obtained from 68 students. Statistically significant changes (p.001) were observed on all surveyed items of confidence, knowledge, interest and anxiety. In their responses to open-ended questions, students reported that the booster program was well-structured, offered supported learning opportunities and a valued means to interact with clients who stutter. Recommendations for program improvements were noted.  Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that a two day fluency booster program may be an appropriate clinical learning opportunity for speech pathology students.
Letter to the editor: Doctor-Speak
Authors: Ni Chroinin Danielle
Published: August 2020

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Model comparison of $$\Lambda $$CDM vs $$R_h=ct$$ using cosmic chronometers
Authors: Singirikonda Haveesh , Desai Shantanu
Published: August 2020

In 2012, Bilicki and Seikel (Mon Not R Astron Soc 425:1664, 2012) showed thatH(z) data reconstructed using Gaussian Process Regression from cosmic chronometers and baryon acoustic oscillations, conclusively rules out the$$R_h=ct$$Rh=ctmodel. These results were disputed by Melia and collaborators in two different works (Melia and Maier in Mon Not R Astron Soc 432:2669, 2013; Melia and Yennapureddy in JCAP 2018:034, 2018), who showed using both an unbinned analysis and Gaussian Process reconstructedH(z) data from chronometers, that$$R_h=ct$$Rh=ctis favored over$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model. To resolve this imbroglio, we carry out model comparison of$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM versus$$R_h=ct$$Rh=ctby independently reproducing the above claims using the latest chronometer data. We perform model selection between these two models using Bayesian model comparison. We find that no one model between$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM and$$R_h=ct$$Rh=ctis decisively favored when uniform priors on$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM parameters are used. However, if we use priors centered around the Planck best-fit values, then$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM is very strongly preferred over$$R_h=ct$$Rh=ct.
Particle pairs and trains in inertial microfluidics
Authors: Schaaf Christian , Stark Holger
Published: August 2020

Staggered and linear multi-particle trains constitute characteristic structures in inertial microfluidics. Using lattice-Boltzmann simulations, we investigate their properties and stability, when flowing through microfluidic channels. We confirm the stability of cross-streamline pairs by showing how they contract or expand to their equilibrium axial distance. In contrast, same-streamline pairs quickly expand to a characteristic separation but even at long times slowly drift apart. We reproduce the distribution of particle distances with its characteristic peak as measured in experiments. Staggered multi-particle trains initialized with an axial particle spacing larger than the equilibrium distance contract non-uniformly due to collective drag reduction. Linear particle trains, similar to pairs, rapidly expand toward a value about twice the equilibrium distance of staggered trains and then very slowly drift apart non-uniformly. Again, we reproduce the statistics of particle distances and the characteristic peak observed in experiments. Finally, we thoroughly analyze the damped displacement pulse traveling as a microfluidic phonon through a staggered train and show how a defect strongly damps its propagation.

Graphical abstract
Data on the Outside vs. Data on the Inside
Authors: Helland Pat
Published: August 2020

This article describes the impact of services and trust on the treatment of data. It introduces the notions of inside data as distinct from outside data. After discussing the temporal implications of not sharing transactions across the boundaries of services, the article considers the need for immutability and stability in outside data. This leads to a depiction of outside data as a DAG of data items being independently generated by disparate services.
Optimal Health Insurance and Trade-Off between Health and Wealth
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wu Yonghong
Published: August 2020

Health insurance is considered to be a special type of nonlife insurance with two important features. First, compared with property insurance, health insurance provides valuable hedge against unpredictable shocks to health status, instead of loss on property. Therefore, a modified utility function that describes the trade-off between health and wealth should be applied in optimal indemnity design. Second, in the case that the insured is severely or critically ill, with necessary medical treatment, the insured may not fully recover from an illness or an injury. The doctor usually communicates with the patient to set up a personalized treatment plan and explains clearly about the expected outcome beforehand. Hence, there is some probability that health insurance helps to rescue the insured from disastrous financial burden, but it still yields a lower utility of health. By taking these special features into account, we formulate the optimization problem and characterize the optimal solutions via the Lagrange multiplier method and optimal control technique. Finally, we examine our optimal contracts by numerical illustration. Our research work gives new insights into health insurance design.
Algorithm for Solutions of Nonlinear Equations of Strongly Monotone Type and Applications to Convex Minimization and Variational Inequality Problems
Authors: Aibinu Mathew O. , Thakur Surendra C. , Moyo Sibusiso
Published: August 2020

Real-life problems are governed by equations which are nonlinear in nature. Nonlinear equations occur in modeling problems, such as minimizing costs in industries and minimizing risks in businesses. A technique which does not involve the assumption of existence of a real constant whose calculation is unclear is used to obtain a strong convergence result for nonlinear equations of p,η-strongly monotone type, where η>0,p>1. An example is presented for the nonlinear equations of p,η-strongly monotone type. As a consequence of the main result, the solutions of convex minimization and variational inequality problems are obtained. This solution has applications in other fields such as engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, economics, and game theory.
Posterior Occipitocervical Fusion for Unstable Upper Cervical Trauma in Old and Elderly Population, Although Decreases Upper Cervical Rotation, Does Not Significantly Increase Neck Disability Index
Authors: Korovessis Panagiotis , Syrimpeis Vasileios , Mpountogianni Evangelia , Papaioannou Ioannis , Tsekouras Vasileios
Published: August 2020

Background. Despite the research progress in the thoraco-lumbo-pelvic balance, cervical spine balance has only recently gained increasing interest. To our knowledge, there is a lack of research regarding sagittal occipitocervical spine balance restoration following posterior occipitocervical fusion (POCF).Purpose. The primary outcome measure is the evaluation of sagittal cervical alignment roentgenographic parameters and the secondary is the functional outcome (NDI), following POCF for upper (C1 & C2) cervical trauma (UCT) in coexistence with upper cervical spine degeneration.Patients and Methods. Twenty old and elderly patients aged 62 ± 12 years with evident upper cervical degeneration, who received POCF for upper C1 & C2 unstable cervical spine injuries, were included. C2-C7 lordosis, C2-C7 SVA, spinocranial angle (SCA), T1-slope, neck tilt (NT), thorax inlet angle (TIA), cervical tilt (CT), cranial tilt (CrT), and C0-C1 angle were measured. The subfusion angle was used to study the behavior of the unfused cervical segments below fusion. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used for the functional outcome evaluation. 29 age-matched individuals were used as controls for radiographic analysis and self-reported functional status comparison.Results. The roentgenographic data were measured 3 and 39 ± 12 months postoperatively. Twelve patients showed no disability, and eight showed mild disability. Postoperatively, the patients stood with less C2-C7 lordosis, SCA, and CT (P<0.02) but with higher NT (P<0.02) in comparison to the controls. The patient’s neck disability (NDI) was increasing as TIA increases (P=0.023). Subfusion angle seems to adapt to C2-C7 lordosis (P<0.0033) and C0-C2 angle (P<0.003) without any changes till the last evaluation.Conclusions. POCF sufficiently restored occipitocervical sagittal balance along with functional outcome similar to controls in adult and elderly individuals with evident upper cervical degeneration. We do not recommend POCF for young active individuals without occipitocervical pathology, but in contrary, we recommend the removal of the spinocranial connection hardware after cervical fusion is completed.
Shikonin Inhibits Der p 2‐Induced Cytokine and Chemokine Expression in Dendritic Cells in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Yen Chung-Yang , Chiang Wen-Dee , Liu Shang-Yong , Yu Sheng-Jie , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: August 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder. Shikonin, the active component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extract, exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of shikonin on proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine in patients with AD. Ten patients with AD who were allergic to house dust mite (HDM) and seven healthy controls were recruited in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated, and CD14+ cells were further selected and differentiated to dendritic cells. Dendritic cells stimulated using Der p 2, the major HDM allergen, were cotreated with shikonin for 24 hours, and dexamethasone was used as a control. Culture supernatants were collected, and proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine concentrations were analyzed using a multiplex assay system. Shikonin significantly inhibited Der p 2‐induced expression of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐9, and IL‐17A; monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1; macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α; MIP‐1β; and Chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 5 (RANTES). The inhibitory effects of shikonin on IL‐9, MIP‐1β, and RANTES expression were stronger than those of dexamethasone. Therefore, Shikonin can be considered a promising drug for AD treatment because it inhibits different inflammatory cytokines expression.
By Way of Response
Authors: Lincoln Bruce
Published: August 2020

In response to the other articles in this issue, the author stresses the need to compare concrete examples, rather than general categories and reflects on the ethical problems arising from his earlier discussion of Edward Hunt’s published variant of Acoma myth, a text that Acoma tribal authorities reject and consider a betrayal of their traditions and authority.
A Contrastive Approach to the Types of Hedging Strategies Used in Norwegian and English Informal Spoken Conversations
Authors: Johansen Stine Hulleberg
Published: August 2020

Hedging strategies, i.e. downtoning expressions or expressions of tentativeness or possibility, are ubiquitous in most, if not all, languages. However, hedging is often realised differently across languages, making such strategies particularly interesting to study from a contrastive perspective. The primary aim of this study is to compare the types of hedging strategies employed in Norwegian and English informal spoken conversations by using recently compiled corpus data. To enable a cross-linguistic comparison, a probe was used, i.e. a search term was devised to find other, surrounding elements in the corpora, and thereby retrieve comparable speech situations in which hedging strategies were likely to occur. The probe was successful in retrieving hedging strategies, and these strategies were then described by using a combination of categories from existing classificatory frameworks. The analysis uncovered several significant differences in the types of hedging strategies used in the two languages.
Description of the immature stages of the endangered Japanese endemic Oreodytes kanoi (Kamiya, 1938) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae) and comparison with the known larvae of Oreodytes Seidlitz, 1887
Authors: OKADA RYOHEI , ALARIE YVES
Published: August 2020

The larvae and pupa of the Japanese endemic Oreodytes kanoi (Kamiya, 1938) are described and compared with those known of other species of Oreodytes Seidlitz, 1887. Larvae of O. kanoi and other species of the alpinus species-group share the presence of dorsal secondary setae on tarsi, a unique feature amongst Oreodytes. The morphology of the pupa of O. kanoi is briefly discussed with some information on the ecology of this species.
Zoological nomenclature: Suggestions to increase stability and facilitate the naming of Clades
Authors: GUAYASAMIN JUAN M. , TRUEB LINDA
Published: August 2020

Taxon names are at the core of communication related to biodiversity. Thus, systems that regulate such names should prevent unnecessary changes. Unfortunately, the current regulatory codes have some articles that produce confusion or, even, generate name instability. To promote nomenclatural stability, while maintaining a system that effectively conveys information about biological diversity and its evolution, we argue in favor of emendations to the current International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). We propose that taxon names should be created within an evolutionary framework; ideally, this would mean including a phylogenetic tree or, at the very least, formulating a hypothesis in words based on explicit arguments (homologous traits) for the evolutionary relatedness of taxa, avoiding subjective perceptions. Additionally, we consider that some relatively minor changes of the ICZN would greatly increase name stability; the most relevant modifications that would facilitate long-term stability are: (i) immutability of the species epithet of species names, (ii) intercalation of unranked taxa between formal Linnaean ranks, (iii) elimination of homonyms in taxon names at the genus-group level, and (iv) inclusion of flexible phylogenetic definitions when supraspecific taxa are named.
Review of South African Euryphyminae
Authors: TSHILILO PRECIOUS
Published: August 2020

Euryphyminae is a Southern African endemic subfamily, which to date consists of 23 genera. We collected all available information from historic literature accounts, 626 positively identified museum specimens from 16 genera and 624 fresh field-collected specimens from eight genera to review the Euryphyminae genera of South Africa. Three genera are recorded for the first time to occur in South Africa; Rhodesiana Dirsh, 1959, Acrophymus Uvarov, 1922 and Plegmapteropsis Dirsh, 1956, while Aneuryphymus rhodesianus species is also recorded for the first time in South Africa. This brings the total number of genera occurring in South Africa from 14 to 16 genera of Euryphyminae. Finally, distribution maps for each genus are provided along with an updated key to genera.
Novel taxa of Cheilostomata Bryozoa discovered in the historical backlogs of the Iziko South African Museum
Authors: BOONZAAIER-DAVIDS MELISSA K. , FLORENCE WAYNE K. , GIBBONS MARK J.
Published: August 2020

Non-studied museum collections are hidden treasures—a source of information for various research fields. The novel taxa presented here were discovered during taxonomic examination of the backlogs of Bryozoa (Cheilostomata) from the Iziko South African Museum. We describe one new genus, Khulisa n. gen., and nine new species of bryozoans from South Africa. The new species are: Biflustra adenticulata n. sp., Aspidostoma sarcophagus n. sp., ?Micropora erecta n. sp., Trypostega richardi n. sp., Khulisa carolinae n. gen. et n. sp., Adeonella assegai n. sp., Hippomonavella lingulata n. sp., Phidolopora chakra n. sp. and Reteporella ilala n. sp. Three genera, Biflustra, Phidolopora and Triphyllozoon, are recorded for the first time from South Africa. This study highlights the importance of examining existing backlogged material lodged in museum collections.
Redescription of larva of the South African endemic dobsonfly genus Chloroniella Esben-Petersen, 1924 (Megaloptera, Corydalidae), with a proposed terminology for Corydalidae larval sclerites
Authors: MARTINS CALEB CALIFRE , CONTRERAS-RAMOS ATILANO
Published: August 2020

Chloroniella Esben-Petersen is a relict, monotypic genus of Corydalidae (Megaloptera), considered sister to the remaining dobsonfly genera (Corydalinae); it is the only genus of Corydalinae known from the Afrotropical region. The larva of its only species, C. peryngueyi Esben-Petersen, 1924, was originally described by Barnard in 1931. Herein we redescribe the larva of C. peryngueyi using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), colored focus-stacked images, and drawings in order to provide greater morphological detail of this significant species. Also, we propose a standardized terminology for Corydalidae larval sclerites.
Two new species of the spider genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Pakistan
Authors: LAN TIANQI , YAO ZHIYUAN , ALI ABID , ZHENG GUO , LI SHUQIANG
Published: August 2020

The genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 is reported from Pakistan for the first time. Two new species of the Pholcus nenjukovi species-group are described: Pholcus hamuchal Yao & Li sp. nov. (Gilgit Baltistan, male and female) and Pholcus kalam Yao & Li sp. nov. (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, male and female). Type material is deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing, China.
Post-Discharge Initiation of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor in an Inotrope-Dependent Patient in the Outpatient Setting: A Case Report
Authors: Ling Hua , Patel Nisha , Egolum Ugochukwu O.
Published: August 2020

Purpose: Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) therapy has been reported to be initiated in patients on vasoactive medications during acute decompensated heart failure. However, there is no report regarding the safety of initiating ARNI therapy in patients receiving inotrope infusion in an outpatient setting. Summary: We described a case of initiating post-discharge ARNI therapy in a 41-year-old man with inotrope-dependent heart failure in an outpatient setting. Two weeks after the initiation of low dose sacubitril/valsartan, milrinone was successfully discontinued without any adverse effects. Conclusion: With close monitoring, ARNI therapy could be safely initiated in hemodynamically stable patients receiving intravenous inotrope, and further investigation is needed to confirm our findings.