bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research and Thinking on Construction Management Techniques of Highway Pavement
Authors: Chen YongKang
Published: June 2021

Research topics: Based on the working platform of school-enterprise Cooperation Council, the exploration and research on the path of school-enterprise cultural inheritance and co-construction. As the country’s economy continues to grow, the transportation sector continues to develop, with road transport being one of the most important forms of transportation in China. At present, China’s social and economic development is gradually moving into a new period, the pace of urbanization is accelerating, and the living standard of our people is also rising, so the requirements for the relevant urban road traffic are gradually developing in the direction of diversification. The development of the highway business has a lot of influencing factors, so, resulting in a more competitive market atmosphere in the construction of highway construction, some units have also increased the efforts for technology and management, which has a very important significance for the development of highway engineering.
Effects of Grassland Patches on the Composition and Stability of Soil Aggregates in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang J , Guo D
Published: June 2021

Grassland patchiness was an important process in the succession of grassland degradation. The changings of soil aggregates were affected by grassland patches, which in turn affect soil organic carbon mineralization. In this study, the soil aggregates were divided into three particle sizes: macroaggregates (2-0.25mm), microaggregates (0.25-0.053mm) and clay-silt aggregates (<0.053mm) through the wet sieve method. The indoor culture method measured the cumulative mineralization of soil organic carbon. The study analyzed the changes of soil aggregates in the grassland patches of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the influences of soil aggregates on the soil organic carbon mineralization. The results of the study showed that grassland patches caused significant differences in soil aggregates. Compared with native vegetation, single plant patches and bare area formed by degradation would reduce the stabilities of aggregates and increased the amount of organic carbon mineralization. Soil aggregates of grassland patches have a significant effect on the cumulative mineralization of organic carbon. Therefore, study of changes in soil aggregates and the impacts of aggregates on organic carbon mineralization would help to accurately understand the future carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems and climate changes.
The Pollution of Atmospheric Microplastics and Their Potential Risks to Humans
Authors: shuo Wang , weiyu Duan , huanming Lv , rui Sun , xu Zhu
Published: June 2021

As an emerging environmental pollutant, microplastics have widely existed in the global environment. Not like water and soils, the cognition of airbone microplastics is limited. Studies have shown that fiber is the main form of airbone microplastics. For humans, due to the small size of microplastics, microplastics in the atmosphere are easily brought into the human respiratory system through breathing, posing potential risks to human health. This article reviews the characteristics of microplastics in the atmosphere, the transmission routes, and the potential hazards to humans. The characteristics and sources of atmospheric microplastics are investigated, and the airborne transmission path and deposition rules of atmospheric microplastics are summarized. Future research should focuse on on small-size atmospheric microplastics, which are smaller in size and more biologically toxic. The abundance of atmospheric microplastics need to be expressed in a global unified standard manner to increase feasibility in comparison of research works. Future research should explore the effects of plastics on the composition, structure and functions of terrestrial biota.
Reliability Analysis of Photovoltaic Module based on Measured Data
Authors: Liu Yinan
Published: June 2021

This paper analyzes the reliability of photovoltaic modules based on the electrical data of photovoltaic modules collected by photovoltaic power stations. Traditional module life depends on equipment calibration and lacks consideration of the actual use of modules. The experimental data in this article comes from modules with different service hours in the real power plant environment. The extended β model with four free variables is used to model the power data of the modules to obtain the expected output power of the modules in each service time. The power generated by the module is used as a measure of the reliability of the module, and the reliability index is used to obtain indicators such as the failure rate and the average life of the module.
Experimental Study on the Performance of PV Modules by Sand Density based on the Desert Environment
Authors: Mingzhi Zhao , Liling Wu , Shuai Wang , Dan Zhang
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the research on the performance of photovoltaic modules with different sediment density was carried out under the conditions of the laboratory, and the effects of different sediment density on the open circuit voltage, short circuit current, conversion efficiency, fill factor and power of the photovoltaic module were analyzed. The research results show that the power of the accumulated sand PV module is significantly lower than that of the clean module, but with the increase of the accumulated sand density (0g / m 2-68.3g / m 2), the short circuit current, output power, conversion efficiency and fill factor of the module show a downward trend. There is no significant impact on the open circuit voltage of the module compared with the clean module, and the output power of the module is reduced by 27.8%. The relative power generation rate shows a downward trend and the maximum value of the decline can reach 27.9%.
To Gain A Foothold in the Luxury EV Market for Chinese New Car-making Forces Brands: Resonate with Consumers through Branding First
Authors: Li Li , Li Tianfeng , Cui Jitong , Gu Yingxiao , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2021

This article used a mixed methods to study the competitive disadvantages of Chinese new car-making forces brands compared with well-known foreign brands. First, based on the consumer resonance theory, the relationship between luxury EV consumers’ self-presentation needs and purchase intention was explained. On this basis, the contents of luxury EV consumers’ self-presentation needs and the product attributes they concerned were investigated through a qualitative study, and then the model to describe the relationships of luxury EV consumers’ purchasing intention, self-presentation needs and the product attributes was built. Finally, a quantitative research was performed to verify the reasonability. It was found that Chinese consumers buy luxury EV to express their self-presentation needs including business success, quality-pursuit and pragmatism. A luxury EV with a higher level of brand awareness and technological innovation, a beautiful appearance, a safe design and cost-effectiveness can meet their self-presentation needs. There is a big gap between the brand awareness, technology innovation and appearance of Chinese new car-making forces brands and the well-known foreign brands. In the future, Chinese new car-making forces should highlight the expression of drivers’ characteristics of business success, quality-pursuit and pragmatism when branding, as well as attach great importance to traditional publicity channels.
Measurement Technology of Grounding Capacitance of Distribution Network Based on the Graded Adjustment of Grounding Transformer Winding
Authors: Jianna OUYANG , Hao BAI , Shifeng OU , shuhui PAN , Shan LI , Changcheng ZHOU
Published: June 2021

The traditional method of measuring grounding capacitance of distribution network is greatly affected by neutral grounding method, and the influence of harmonic elimination resistance and internal impedance of voltage transformer on measurement accuracy cannot be eliminated. Therefore, this paper proposes an accurate way to measure grounding capacitance of the distribution network which is not affected by the neutral point grounding method. It uses a special Y/ Δ-connected grounding transformer with taps connected to the distribution network to change the zero-sequence voltage of the distribution network by adjusting the grounding tap of the high-voltage side winding of the grounding transformer, and obtains the required zero-sequence through measurement voltage and zero sequence current to find the capacitance to ground of the system. The proposed measurement method is analyzed in PSCAD/EMTDC, which shows that the method has high measurement accuracy and is safe, simple and economical for the measurement of ground capacitance current.
Countable dimensionality, a game and the Haver property
Authors: Babinkostova Liljana , Scheepers Marion
Published: June 2021

We characterize the countable dimensionality of metric spaces in terms of a game-theoretic version of a covering property of Haver, and conjecture a game-theoretic equivalent of Haver’s covering property for metric spaces.
Intra-individual Associations of Perceived Stress, Affective Valence, and Affective Arousal with Momentary Cortisol in a Sample of Working Adults
Authors: Johnson Jillian A , Zawadzki Matthew J , Jones Dusti R , Reichenberger Julia , Smyth Joshua M
Published: June 2021

Background

Research pairing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology and ambulatory cortisol during daily life is still rare, as is careful testing of the within-person associations between stress, affect, and cortisol. Using a circumplex approach, we considered both valence and arousal components of affect.

Purpose

To examine the within-person covariation of momentary cortisol with momentary perceived stress, affective valence, and affective arousal in everyday life.

Methods

115 working adults (Mage = 41.2; 76% women; 76% white) completed six EMA surveys per day over 3 days. Each assessment included reports of perceived stress and affect (used to construct indicators of affective valence and arousal), followed by a saliva sample (from which cortisol was assessed). Multi-level models were used to examine the momentary associations between perceived stress, affective valence, affective arousal, and cortisol.

Results

Moments characterized by higher perceived stress were associated with higher cortisol (p = .036). Affective valence covaried with cortisol (p = .003) such that more positive valence was associated with lower cortisol and more negative valence with higher cortisol. Momentary affective arousal was not related to cortisol (p = .131). When all predictors were tested in the same model, only valence remained a significant predictor of cortisol (p = .047).

Conclusion

Momentary perceived stress and affective valence, but not affective arousal, were associated with naturalistic cortisol. Cortisol was more robustly associated with affective valence than perceived stress or affective arousal. These findings extend our understanding of how moments of stress and particular characteristics of affective states (i.e., valence but not arousal) may “get under the skin” in daily life.
Complications after medullary thyroid carcinoma surgery: multicentre study of the SQRTPA and EUROCRINE® databases
Authors: van Beek D -J , Almquist M , Bergenfelz A O , Musholt T J , Nordenström E ,   the EUROCRINE® Council, Almquist M , Barczynski M , Brunaud L , Clerici T , Hansen M H , Iacobone M , Makay Ö , Palazzo F F , Muñoz-Pérez N , Raffaelli M , Riss P , van Slycke S , Vriens M R
Published: June 2021

Background

Surgery is the curative therapy for patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In determining the extent of surgery, the risk of complications should be considered. The aim of this study was to assess procedure-specific outcomes and risk factors for complications after surgery for MTC.

Methods

Patients who underwent thyroid surgery for MTC were identified in two European prospective quality databases. Hypoparathyroidism was defined by treatment with calcium/active vitamin D. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy was diagnosed on laryngoscopy. Complications were considered at least transient if present at last follow-up. Risk factors for at-least transient hypoparathyroidism and RLN palsy were identified by logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 650 patients underwent surgery in 69 centres at a median age of 56 years. Hypoparathyroidism, RLN palsy and bleeding requiring reoperation occurred in 170 (26·2 per cent), 62 (13·7 per cent) and 17 (2·6 per cent) respectively. Factors associated with hypoparathyroidism were central lymph node dissection (CLND) (odds ratio (OR) 2·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·04 to 4·67), CLND plus unilateral lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) (OR 2·78, 1·20 to 6·43), CLND plus bilateral LLND (OR 2·83, 1·13 to 7·05) and four or more parathyroid glands observed (OR 4·18, 1·46 to 12·00). RLN palsy was associated with CLND plus LLND (OR 4·04, 1·12 to 14·58) and T4 tumours (OR 12·16, 4·46 to 33·18). After compartment-oriented lymph node dissection, N0 status was achieved in 248 of 537 patients (46·2 per cent).

Conclusion

Complications after surgery for MTC are procedure-specific and may relate to the unavoidable consequences of radical dissection needed in some patients.
Social Worker Turnover under the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System in Hong Kong: Organisation-Level Analyses
Authors: Dai Haijing , Jiang Niantao , Li Ruobing
Published: June 2021

Increasing turnovers of social workers under the managerialist system of service subvention in Hong Kong have aroused much concern, but systematic and evidence-based investigation of the problem remains limited, particularly at the organisational level. Using organisation-level data collected from the managers of 101 service organisations, this study examines how organisational characteristics and management practices associate with the turnover rates of social workers. The results show that starting salaries of social workers, income inequality between social workers and managers and service types of organisations affect the odds of emerging social worker turnover. Meanwhile, hiring practices that replace social worker positions with lower-paid jobs and lack of peer support in larger service organisations increase the odds of both emerging and severe turnovers of social workers. Differentiated employment terms and income stratification amongst social workers in the same organisation, however, do not have a significant relationship with social worker turnover. Our findings suggest that social workers tend to demonstrate solidarity as a professional group under the managerialist welfare and service administrations in Hong Kong. Organisational justice in salary distribution and organisational respect for their professional values and team spirits may retain them in service delivery for longer times.
Immunologic and Virologic Factors Associated With Hospitalization in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Exposed, Uninfected Infants in the United States
Authors: Smith Christiana , Huo Yanling , Patel Kunjal , Fetters Kirk , Hegemann Shannon , Burchett Sandra , Van Dyke Russell , Weinberg Adriana
Published: June 2021

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–exposed, uninfected (HEU) infants experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality than HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU) infants. Few studies have examined whether particular infections and/or immune responses are associated with hospitalization among HEU infants born in the United States.

Methods

We evaluated a subset of HEU infants enrolled in the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group P1025 and/or Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study Surveillance Monitoring for ART Toxicities studies. We determined seroconversion to 6 respiratory viruses and measured antibody concentrations to 9 vaccine antigens using quantitative ELISA or electrochemiluminescence. Multivariable modified Poisson regression models were fit to evaluate associations of seroconversion to each respiratory virus/family and antibody concentrations to vaccine antigens with risk of hospitalization in the first year of life. Antibody concentrations to vaccine antigens were compared between HEU infants and HUU infants from a single site using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Among 556 HEU infants, seroconversion to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza was associated with hospitalization (adjusted risk ratio, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.21–3.15] and 2.30 [1.42–3.73], respectively). Antibody concentrations to tetanus toxoid, pertussis, and pneumococcal vaccine antigens were higher among 525 HEU compared with 100 HUU infants. No associations were observed between antibody concentrations with any vaccine and hospitalization among HEU infants.

Conclusions

RSV and parainfluenza contribute to hospitalization among HEU infants in the first year of life. HEU infants demonstrate robust antibody responses to vaccine antigens; therefore, humoral immune defects likely do not explain the increased susceptibility to infection observed in this population.
Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Reduces Hospitalization for Mild and Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Real-World Experience
Authors: Verderese John Paul , Stepanova Maria , Lam Brian , Racila Andrei , Kolacevski Andrej , Allen David , Hodson Erin , Aslani-Amoli Bahareh , Homeyer Michael , Stanmyre Sarah , Stevens Helen , Garofalo Stephanie , Henry Linda , Venkatesan Chapy , Gerber Lynn H , Motew Steve J , Jones J Stephen , Younossi Zobair M
Published: June 2021

Background

Neutralizing monoclonal antibody (NmAb) treatments have received Emergency Use Authorization to treat patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 infection. To date, no real- world data on the efficacy of NmAbs have been reported from clinical practice. We assessed the impact of NmAb treatment given in the outpatient clinical practice setting on hospital utilization.

Methods

Electronic medical records were used to identify adult COVID-19 patients who received NmAbs (bamlanivimab [BAM] or casirivimab and imdevimab [REGN-COV2]) and historic COVID-19 controls. Post-index hospitalization rates were compared.

Results

707 confirmed COVID-19 patients received NmAbs and 1709 historic COVID-19 controls were included; 553 (78%) received BAM, 154 (22%) received REGN-COV2. Patients receiving NmAb infusion had significantly lower hospitalization rates (5.8% vs 11.4%, P < .0001), shorter length of stay if hospitalized (mean, 5.2 vs 7.4 days; P = .02), and fewer ED visits within 30 days post-index (8.1% vs 12.3%, P = .003) than controls. Hospitalization-free survival was significantly longer in NmAb patients compared with controls (P < .0001). There was a trend towards a lower hospitalization rate among patients who received NmAbs within 2–4 days after symptom onset. In multivariate analysis, having received an NmAb transfusion was independently associated with a lower risk of hospitalization after adjustment for age, sex, race, BMI, and referral source (adjusted HR [95% CI], .54 [0.38–0.79]; P = .0012). Overall mortality was not different between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

NmAb treatment reduced hospital utilization, especially when received within a few days of symptom onset. Further study is needed to validate these findings.
Single Cell and Plasma RNA Sequencing for RNA Liquid Biopsy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Vong Joaquim S L , Ji Lu , Heung Macy M S , Cheng Suk Hang , Wong John , Lai Paul B S , Wong Vincent W S , Chan Stephen L , Chan Henry L Y , Jiang Peiyong , Chan K C Allen , Chiu Rossa W K , Lo Y M Dennis
Published: June 2021

Background

Human plasma contains RNA transcripts released by multiple cell types within the body. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis allows the cellular origin of circulating RNA molecules to be elucidated at high resolution and has been successfully utilized in the pregnancy context. We explored the application of a similar approach to develop plasma RNA markers for cancer detection.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to decipher transcriptomic profiles of single cells from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples. Cell-type-specific transcripts were identified and used for deducing the cell-type-specific gene signature (CELSIG) scores of plasma RNA from patients with and without HCC.

Results

Six major cell clusters were identified, including hepatocyte-like, cholangiocyte-like, myofibroblast, endothelial, lymphoid, and myeloid cell clusters based on 4 HCC tumor tissues as well as their paired adjacent nontumoral tissues. The CELSIG score of hepatocyte-like cells was significantly increased in preoperative plasma RNA samples of patients with HCC (n = 14) compared with non-HCC participants (n = 49). The CELSIG score of hepatocyte-like cells declined in plasma RNA samples of patients with HCC within 3 days after tumor resection. Compared with the discriminating power between patients with and without HCC using the abundance of ALB transcript in plasma [area under curve (AUC) 0.72)], an improved performance (AUC: 0.84) was observed using the CELSIG score. The hepatocyte-specific transcript markers in plasma RNA were further validated by ddPCR assays. The CELSIG scores of hepatocyte-like cell and cholangiocyte trended with patients’ survival.

Conclusions

The combination of single-cell transcriptomic analysis and plasma RNA sequencing represents an approach for the development of new noninvasive cancer markers.
Multisite Seasonal Monitoring of Pecan Aphids and Their Parasitoid in Commercial Pecan Orchards
Authors: Slusher Eddie K , Hudson William G , Halliday Pamela L , Acebes-Doria Angelita L
Published: June 2021

Aphids are important pests of pecans in Georgia. Although previous studies conducted seasonal monitoring of pecan aphids, these studies were done at a single experimental site. In addition, only a few seasonal monitoring studies have tracked pecan aphid mummies parasitized by the aphid parasitoid, Aphelinus perpallidus Gahan. The objective of this study was to assess the seasonal phenology of yellow pecan aphid (Monelliopsis pecanis Bissell), blackmargined aphid [Monellia caryella (Fitch)], black pecan aphid [Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis)], aphid mummies, and adult A. perpallidus in four Georgia commercial orchards, with varying aphid management regimes, in 2019 and 2020. Comparison of overall aphid and parasitoid numbers between sites revealed few consistent annual patterns in both years. Aphid seasonal trends were consistent among sites and followed the patterns seen in previous studies, with the yellow aphid complex peaking in May, June, September, and October and black pecan aphids peaking in late September and October. Despite varying levels of insecticide application between sites, aphid phenology followed a similar seasonal pattern and remained low, throughout both growing seasons. This may indicate that growers can apply low frequencies of insecticides and still achieve pecan aphid control. Parasitism numbers were highest in the low insecticide frequency site compared with the other three sites. Mummies varied in their correlation with yellow aphid complex and black pecan aphid numbers. Parasitoid numbers typically followed the cycle of their host throughout the season.
Diversity and Parasitism by Parasitic Wasps That AttackDalbulus maidis(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Year-Round and Seasonal Maize Agroecosystems
Authors: Torres-Moreno Rosaura , Moya-Raygoza Gustavo
Published: June 2021

Agroecosystems undergo frequent anthropogenic disturbance that may affect the diversity, community, and abundance of natural enemies living there. In the tropics, annual crops such as maize are planted two times (year-round crops) or one time (seasonal crops) per year. Little is known about how natural enemies of insect pests respond to maize agroecosystems planted one vs. two times during each annual cycle. The objective was to investigate the diversity and parasitism of egg parasitoids of the pest Dalbulus maidis (DeLong) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in maize agroecosystems planted year-round and seasonally. Potted maize plants with D. maidis eggs were placed within these two maize agroecosystems to attract egg parasitoids during the maize-growing wet season in Mexico. In these two maize agroecosystems, similar levels of diversity were found, using the Shannon-Wiener index (H′). Communities of parasitic wasps were found attacking the eggs of D. maidis in both maize agroecosystems, but there were differences in the composition of these communities. In the year-round maize agroecosystem, Paracentrobia sp. near subflava (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was the most common, while Anagrus virlai Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) was most common in the seasonal maize. A greater total abundance and total rate of parasitoid emergence were found in the year-round maize agroecosystem compared with the seasonal maize. In addition, a positive relationship between the number of D. maidis eggs and parasitoid abundance was found in both maize agroecosystems. However, a negative density dependence between the number of D. maidis eggs and the percentage of parasitism was found in both maize agroecosystems.
Assessment of Physical Activity in Adults Using Wrist Accelerometers
Authors: Liu Fangyu , Wanigatunga Amal A , Schrack Jennifer A
Published: June 2021

The health benefits of physical activity (PA) have been widely recognized, yet traditional measures of PA, including questionnaires and category-based assessments of volume and intensity, provide only broad estimates of daily activities. Accelerometers have advanced epidemiologic research on PA by providing objective and continuous measurement of PA in free-living conditions. Wrist-worn accelerometers have become especially popular because of low participant burden. However, the validity and reliability of wrist-worn devices for adults have yet to be summarized. Moreover, accelerometer data provide rich information on how PA is accumulated throughout the day, but only a small portion of these rich data have been used by researchers. Last, new methodological developments are emerging that aim to overcome some of the limitations of accelerometers. In this review, we provide an overview of accelerometry research, with a special focus on wrist-worn accelerometers. We describe briefly how accelerometers work; summarize the validity and reliability of wrist-worn accelerometers; discuss the benefits of accelerometers, including measuring light-intensity PA; and discuss pattern metrics of daily PA recently introduced in the literature. A summary of large-scale cohort studies and randomized trials that implemented wrist-worn accelerometry is provided. We conclude the review by discussing new developments and directions of research using accelerometers, with a focus on wrist-worn accelerometers.
Human Agency in Educational Trajectories: Evidence from a Stratified System
Authors: Burger Kaspar
Published: June 2021

In the research on life-course outcomes, there is a long-standing debate on the relative importance of institutional structure and human agency. This study examines how structure and agency influence educational trajectories in Switzerland. The Swiss education system is hierarchically differentiated but permeable, providing both standard and non-standard pathways to higher education. Using data from a 15-year panel survey, the study assesses, first, the extent to which lower-secondary-school track attendance is associated with individuals’ probability of moving into an academic or vocational programme at upper-secondary level and, second, how this predicts the probability of subsequently entering a university. The study also examines how human agency influences these probabilities. Results of a structural equation model show that lower-secondary track attendance significantly predicts individuals’ probability of transitioning into academic education, whereas human agency plays a minor, albeit non-negligible, role in this regard. In turn, pursuing an academic rather than a vocational programme is associated with a 47-percentage point (or 16-fold) higher probability of subsequently attending university. Individuals comparatively rarely follow non-standard pathways to university, irrespective of their level of agency. The education system channels educational trajectories, but the power of the channelling effect varies across the different junctures of the system.
Why Do Lower Educated People Separate More Often? Life Strains and the Gradient in Union Dissolution
Authors: Hogendoorn Bram , Kalmijn Matthijs , Leopold Thomas
Published: June 2021

In many Western countries, coresidential unions of lower educated people are less stable than those of higher educated people. A prominent explanation of this gradient in union dissolution holds that the lower educated experience more strain. Evidence for this explanation has been limited by a focus on only the economic dimension of strain and on only one partner in each union. In this study, we broadened the concept of strain to cover multiple life domains and capture the experience of both partners in each union. To do so, we used longitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey (N = 52,574 union-years; 7,930 unions). Generalized structural equation models showed that lower educated individuals experienced more strain not only in the economic domain but also in other life domains. Moreover, lower educated individuals tended to have partners who experienced more strain as well. In total, the joint experience of life strains explained 49% of the education gradient in union dissolution. These results suggest that life strains are pivotal to the stratification of family life.
Health-related quality of life associated with nocturnal leg cramps in primary care: a mixed methods study
Authors: Sebo Paul , Haller Dagmar M , Kaiser Céline , Zaim Armita , Heimer Olivier , Chauveau Nicolas , Maisonneuve Hubert
Published: June 2021

Background

Although nocturnal leg cramps are common, little research is available about their impact on quality of life. This mixed-methods study explored the impact of nocturnal leg cramps on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

The study included primary care patients (>50 years) who reported suffering from nocturnal leg cramps (2016–2017). In the quantitative phase, patients completed a questionnaire about their HRQoL (SF-36) and the frequency of their cramps, and we computed the SF-36 scores. Then, we conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients with various levels of HRQol to explore their perception of the impact of cramps on their lives.

Results

A total of 114 patients (49%) agreed to participate in the quantitative study (mean age: 71, women: 62%) and 15 patients were included in the qualitative study (mean age: 69, women: 67%). The number of cramps in the previous week was low (mean: 1.6 (SD 1.5)). The SF-36 mean physical and mental summary scores were 43 and 50, respectively, and the domain scores were similar to a comparative general population. Whilst some patients reported little interference with their daily lives, others reported a major decrease in their HRQoL. SF-36 scores were not sufficient to describe the cramp-related impairment, as patients from all levels of SF-36 scores reported major impacts of NLC in the interviews.

Conclusions

Some patients describe a specific impact of cramps on their lives, regardless of their HRQoL. These patients should be the target of future intervention trials.
Using Theories of Behavior Change to Develop Interventions for Healthy Aging
Authors: Klusmann Verena , Gow Alan J , Robert Philippe , Oettingen Gabriele
Published: June 2021

Healthy aging requires people to adopt and maintain beneficial behaviors in all stages of the life span. Supporting behavior change, including via the motivation to make and maintain those changes, is therefore important for the promotion of healthy aging. The aim of this overview is to introduce theoretical frameworks from the psychology of motivation that lend themselves to the development of effective interventions promoting behavior change conducive to healthy aging. We discuss theoretical frameworks referring to the determinants, properties, and functionality of goals aimed at behavior change, and consider the implications of the various theories for designing interventions to support healthy aging. We first consider theories that focus on beliefs and attitudes as determinants of goals, then we address theories that focus on the structure and content as important properties of goals, and, finally, we examine theories drawing on conscious and nonconscious processes underlying the functionality of these goals. We will present if–then planning and mental contrasting, as well as nudging and boosting, that is, novel strategies of behavior change that support the creation of scalable interventions for healthy aging across the life span. Against this background, new perspectives emerge for modern, state-of-the-art, and individually tailored interventions with the aim of enhancing older people’s healthy living.
Care Recipient Controlling and Manipulative Behavior and Caregiver Depressive Symptoms: The Role of Race, Caregiver Resentment, and Mutual Communal Behavior
Authors: Johnson Michelle R , Lance Charles E , Williamson Gail M
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives

We explored whether relationship quality, as measured by mutual communal behavior, would serve as a buffer against caregiver resentment and, consequently, depressive symptoms when care recipients (CRs) engage in problem behavior (i.e., controlling and manipulative behavior [CMB]). Using the common core model of caregiver distress, we hypothesized that caregiver resentment would explain why caregivers were depressed when their CRs engage in CMB. We predicted that the indirect effect of CRCMB on depressive symptoms via resentment would depend on the strength of the communal bond between the caregiver and CR. Resentment was expected to play a significant role in explaining the association between CRCMB and depressive symptoms for caregivers in less communal relationships, but a small or nonexistent role for those in highly communal relationships. We also investigated whether these effects were different for Black and White caregivers.

Research Design and Methods

Data were obtained from 187 Black and 247 White caregivers from the second Family Relationships in Late Life Project. Before testing our model, we confirmed the measurement equivalence/invariance of the four scales used in this study.

Results

Resentment mediated the association between CRCMB and depressive symptoms. However, the indirect effect was larger among highly communal caregivers. Caregiver race did not moderate the moderated mediation.

Discussion and Implications

The communal bond between the caregiver and CR does not entirely protect the caregiver from depressive symptoms, particularly among highly communal caregivers. Interventions aimed at improving caregiver outcomes should acknowledge the unique vulnerabilities of caregivers in close relationships.
Isostasy with Love: II Airy compensation arising from viscoelastic relaxation
Authors: Beuthe Mikael
Published: June 2021

In modern geodynamics, isostasy can be viewed either as the static equilibrium of the crust that minimizes deviatoric stresses, or as a dynamic process resulting from the viscous relaxation of the non-hydrostatic crustal shape. Paper I gave a general formulation of Airy isostasy as an elastic loading problem solved with Love numbers, and applied it to the case of minimum stress isostasy. In this sequel, the same framework is used to study Airy isostasy as the long-time evolution of a viscoelastic shell submitted to surface and internal loads. Isostatic ratios are defined in terms of time-dependent deviatoric Love numbers. Dynamic isostasy depends on the loading history, two examples of which are the constant load applied on the surface in the far past and the constant shape maintained by addition or removal of material at the compensation depth. The former model results in a shape decreasing exponentially with time and has no elastic analogue, whereas the latter (stationary) model is equivalent to a form of elastic isostasy. Viscoelastic and viscous approaches are completely equivalent. If both load and shape vary slowly with time, isostatic ratios look like those of the stationary model. Isostatic models thus belong to two independent groups: the elastic/stationary approaches and the time-dependent approaches. If the shell is homogeneous, all models predict a similar compensation of large-scale gravity perturbations. If the shell rheology depends on depth, stationary models predict more compensation at long wavelengths, whereas time-dependent models result in negligible compensation. Mathematica and Fortran codes are available for computing the isostatic ratios of an incompressible body with three homogeneous layers.
Reproductive Violence as a Category of Analysis: Disentangling the Relationship between ‘the Sexual’ and ‘the Reproductive’ in Transitional Justice
Authors: Laverty Ciara , de Vos Dieneke
Published: June 2021

There has been limited engagement with reproductive violence in the field of transitional justice. Highlighting how, where this has taken place, reproductive violence has tended to be approached through the lens of sexual violence, this article problematises the category of ‘the sexual’ in understanding conflict-related violence. Advancing an approach to reproductive violence that centralises the notions of reproductive autonomy and choice, along with recognition of the structural conditions within which they can be exercised, the article argues that placing acts of reproductive violence within a frame of ‘sexual violence’ obscures the complexities of harm inflicted on women and masks the distinct gendered structures that underpin different forms of violence. The article ultimately argues that conceptualising reproductive violence in this way can contribute to greater understanding within transitional justice of the diverse harms experienced by women and has the potential to challenge the gendered normalisation of control over their reproductive functions.
Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Among Women Older than Recommended Age for Vaccination by Birth Cohort, United States 2003‒2016
Authors: Vahle Kristin , Gargano Julia W , Lewis Rayleen M , Querec Troy D , Unger Elizabeth R , Bednarczyk Robert A , Markowitz Lauri E
Published: June 2021

Background

Apparent associations between human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and age observed in cross-sectional studies could be misleading if cohort effects influence HPV detection.

Methods

Using data from 2003–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, we evaluated overall and 10-year birth cohort-specific cervicovaginal HPV prevalence estimates (any, high-risk [HR], and non-HR) by 3-year age group among 27 to 59-year-old women born in 1950–1979. Average percent changes (APC) in HPV prevalence by 3-year age were calculated.

Results

Overall, prevalence of any HPV declined from 49.9% in 27–29 year olds to 33.8% in 57–59 year olds (APC, −2.82% per 3-year age group; 95% confidence interval [CI], −4.02% to −1.60%) as did prevalence of HR-HPV (APC, −6.19%; 95% CI, −8.09% to −4.26%) and non–HR-HPV (APC, −2.00%; 95% CI, −3.48% to −.51%). By birth cohort, declines by age group were seen in prevalences of any HPV, HR-HPV, and non–HR-HPV for those born in the 1950s and 1970s and in any HPV and HR-HPV for those born in the 1960s (APC range, −14.08% to 0.06%).

Conclusions

Declines in HPV prevalence with age in these cross-sectional surveys cannot be explained by birth cohort differences alone, as associations were observed across all birth cohorts.
HIV-1 RNA Kinetics in Blood Plasma and in Seminal Plasma of Men Starting a Dolutegravir-Based Triple-Combination Regimen at the Time of Primary HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Ghosn Jade , Assoumou Lambert , Lascoux-Combe Caroline , Peytavin Gilles , Amat Karine , Gabassi Audrey , Le Minh P , Nzalakanda Robert , Valin Nadia , Landman Roland , Chaix Marie-Laure , Delaugerre Constance
Published: June 2021

We compared the proportion of participants achieving first undetectable HIV-1 RNA (VL) in seminal plasma (SP) and blood plasma (BP) in 19 men starting dolutegravir-based regimen at primary HIV infection. At baseline, median VL was 6.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.6–7.9) and 4.5 (IQR, 3.5–5.0) log10 copies/mL in BP and SP, respectively. Between baseline and week 48, significantly higher proportion of participants achieved first VL below limit of quantification in SP (93.0%) than in BP (84.2%; P = .008). Time to first undetectable VL was 8 weeks in SP (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6–10.4) and 24 weeks in BP (95% CI, 14.1–33.9).
Longitudinal Changes in Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Aviremic Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Recipients of Long-term Antiretroviral Treatment
Authors: Esteban-Cantos Andrés , Montejano Rocio , Rodríguez-Centeno Javier , Saiz-Medrano Gabriel , De Miguel Rosa , Barruz Pilar , Bernardino Jose I , Mena-Garay Beatriz , Cadiñanos Julen , Jiménez-González María , Nevado Julián , Valencia Eulalia , Mayoral-Muñoz Mario , Arribas Jose R , Rodés Berta
Published: June 2021

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection induces epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), but it remains unclear whether epigenetic aging continues to accelerate during successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prolonged virological suppression.

Methods

We longitudinally analyzed 63 long-term aviremic HIV-infected adults. Using blood DNA methylation patterns, we calculated EAA measures based on 3 epigenetic clocks (Horvath’s clock, PhenoAge, and GrimAge). We recorded the emergence of serious AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related events throughout the study to assess its association with EAA.

Results

All participants were on stable ART and were virologically suppressed. After 4 years of follow-up, PhenoAge-EAA and GrimAge-EAA showed no differences, whereas Horvath-EAA slightly decreased (median difference, –0.53 years; P = .015). Longitudinal changes in EAA measures were independent of changes in CD4 cell counts, the ART regimen, or other HIV-related factors. Nineteen percent of participants experienced a serious clinical event during the study. Horvath-EAA was significantly higher at baseline in participants with clinical events (P = .027). After adjusting for confounders, we found a trend toward an association of higher levels of all EAA measures at baseline with serious clinical events.

Conclusions

Epigenetic aging did not accelerate in long-term aviremic HIV-infected adults after 4 years of successful ART. EAA measures deserve further study as potential tools for predicting clinical events.
Interchangeability of periplasmic adaptor proteins AcrA and AcrE in forming functional efflux pumps with AcrD in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Alav Ilyas , Bavro Vassiliy N , Blair Jessica M A
Published: June 2021

Background

Resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pumps are important mediators of antibiotic resistance. RND pumps, including the principal multidrug efflux pump AcrAB-TolC in Salmonella, are tripartite systems with an inner membrane RND transporter, a periplasmic adaptor protein (PAP) and an outer membrane factor (OMF). We previously identified the residues required for binding between the PAP AcrA and the RND transporter AcrB and have demonstrated that PAPs can function with non-cognate transporters. AcrE and AcrD/AcrF are homologues of AcrA and AcrB, respectively. Here, we show that AcrE can interact with AcrD, which does not possess its own PAP, and establish that the residues previously identified in AcrB binding are also involved in AcrD binding.

Methods

The acrD and acrE genes were expressed in a strain lacking acrABDEF (Δ3RND). PAP residues involved in promiscuous interactions were predicted based on previously defined PAP-RND interactions and corresponding mutations generated in acrA and acrE. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the mutant strains was determined.

Results

Co-expression of acrD and acrE significantly decreased susceptibility of the Δ3RND strain to AcrD substrates, showing that AcrE can form a functional complex with AcrD. The substrate profile of Salmonella AcrD differed from that of Escherichia coli AcrD. Mutations targeting the previously defined PAP-RND interaction sites in AcrA/AcrE impaired efflux of AcrD-dependent substrates.

Conclusions

These data indicate that AcrE forms an efflux-competent pump with AcrD and thus presents an alternative PAP for this pump. Mutagenesis of the conserved RND binding sites validates the interchangeability of AcrA and AcrE, highlighting them as potential drug targets for efflux inhibition.
Field Evolved Resistance inEarias vittella(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) From Punjab, Pakistan Against Commercial Formulations ofBacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
Authors: Ahmad Syed Faisal , Gulzar Asim , Tariq Muhammad , Asad Muhammad Javaid
Published: June 2021

Transgenic commercial cotton expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry endotoxins or vegetative Vip toxins provide protection to cotton against bollworm attack. Continuous exposure of these targeted pests to cry toxins and to Bt commercial spray formulations has resulted in the development of resistance through natural selection. Spotted bollworm Earias vittella (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is considered to be one of the most destructive pests of cotton and okra crops in South Asia including Pakistan and has developed resistance to various synthetic insecticides. In the present study, the level of resistance in field populations of the spotted bollworm E. vittella against Bt Cry toxins has been evaluated for the first time. We collected twelve populations of E. vittella from three districts of Punjab, Pakistan for testing against four commercial Bt formulations containing different strains of B. thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk) with a range of Cry toxins. Low to high levels of resistance were found in the field populations compared with a laboratory-reared susceptible population of E. vittella (resistance ratios 6 to 111-fold). These results suggest that E. vittella has developed resistance against different Cry toxins after continuous exposure to Bt cotton in field. In order to prevent field control failures, regular insecticide resistance monitoring programs are required together with the use of integrated management approaches, including the use of Bt cotton varieties expressing two or more toxins to delay the development of resistance against Bt toxins in E. vittella.
Supernova neutrino signals based on long-term axisymmetric simulations
Authors: Nagakura Hiroki , Burrows Adam , Vartanyan David
Published: June 2021

We study theoretical neutrino signals from core-collapse supernova (CCSN) computed using axisymmetric CCSN simulations that cover the post-bounce phase up to ∼4 s. We provide basic quantities of the neutrino signals such as event rates, energy spectra, and cumulative number of events at some terrestrial neutrino detectors, and then discuss some new features in the late phase that emerge in our models. Contrary to popular belief, neutrino emissions in the late phase are not always steady, but rather have temporal fluctuations, the vigour of which hinges on the CCSN model and neutrino flavour. We find that such temporal variations are not primarily driven by proto-neutron star convection, but by fallback accretion in exploding models. We assess the detectability of these temporal variations, and find that IceCube is the most promising detector with which to resolve them. We also update fitting formulae first proposed in our previous paper for which the total neutrino energy emitted at the CCSN source is estimated from the cumulative number of events in each detector. This will be a powerful technique with which to analyse real observations, particularly for low-statistics data.