bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How the Zebra got its Rump Stripes: Salience at Distance and in Motion
Authors: Muhl-Richardson Alex , Parker Maximilian G. , Davis Greg
Published: April 2021

Zebras’ stripes cannot protect them from predators, Darwin concluded, and current consensus tends to support his view1,2. In principle, stripes could support crypsis or aposematism, could dazzle, confuse or disrupt predators’ perception3–8, yet no such effects are manifest in predator-prey interactions9–11. Instead, narrow stripes covering zebras’ head, neck, limbs and flanks are an effective deterrent to tabanids12, vectors for equine disease13,14. Accordingly, while other potential benefits, e.g., thermoregulation15,16and intraspecific communication17, cannot be excluded, zebra stripes likely evolved primarily to deter parasites18–20. Rump stripes, however, do not fit this, or any extant view. Typically horizontal and broader in sub-species with width variation, they are ill-suited to crypsis or parasite-deterrence12and vary with hyaena threat18, perhaps shaped by an additional selective pressure. We observed that rump (and rear-flank) stripes remain highly conspicuous when viewed in motion or at distance, while other stripes do not. To study this striking effect, we filtered images of zebra to simulate acuity limitations in lion and hyaena photopic and mesopic vision. For mountain zebra and plains zebra without shadow striping, rump stripes were the most conspicuous image regions according to computational salience models, corroborated by human observers’ judgements of maximally attention-capturing image locations, which were strongly biased toward the rear. By hijacking exogenous attention mechanisms to force predator attention to the rear, salient rump stripes confer benefits to zebra, estimated here in pursuit simulations. Benefits of rump stripe salience may counteract anti-parasite benefits and costs of conspicuity to shape rump and shadow stripe variation.

1

Highlights

Zebra stripes likely evolved to deter biting flies, but rump stripes are ill-suited to this.

Rump-stripes remain highly conspicuous when viewed at distance or in motion.

Computational models and human observers’ judge rump stripes are most salient stripes.

Salient rump stripes drive predator attention to rear, hindering capture by predators.

Observe this striking effect in moving zebra at: viscog.psychol.cam.ac.uk/resources-and-downloads
Developmental regulation of neuronal gene expression by Elongator complex protein 1 dosage
Authors: Morini Elisabetta , Gao Dadi , Logan Emily M. , Salani Monica , Krauson Aram J. , Chekuri Anil , Chen Yei-Tsung , Ragavendran Ashok , Chakravarty Probir , Erdin Serkan , Stortchevoi Alexei , Svejstrup Jesper Q. , Talkowski Michael E. , Slaugenhaupt Susan A.
Published: April 2021

Elongator is a highly conserved protein complex required for transcriptional elongation, intracellular transport and translation. Elongator complex protein 1 (ELP1) is the scaffolding protein of Elongator and is essential for its assembly and stability. Familial dysautonomia (FD), a hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, is caused by a mutation inELP1that lead to a tissue-specific reduction of ELP1 protein. Our work to generate a phenotypic mouse model for FD led to the discovery that homozygous deletion of the mouseElp1gene leads to embryonic lethality prior to mid-gestation. Given that FD is caused by a reduction, not loss, of ELP1, we generated two new mouse models by introducing different copy numbers of the human FDELP1transgene into theElp1knockout mouse (Elp1-/-) and observed that humanELP1expression rescues embryonic development in a dose dependent manner. We then conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis in mouse embryos to identify genes and pathways whose expression correlates with the amount ofELP1. We found thatELP1is essential for the expression of genes responsible for the formation and development of the nervous system. Further, gene length analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that the loss ofElp1mainly impacts the expression of long genes and that by gradually restoring Elongator their expression is progressively rescued. Finally, through evaluation of co-expression modules, we identified gene sets with unique expression patterns that depended onELP1expression. Overall, this study highlights the crucial role ofELP1during early embryonic neuronal development and reveals gene networks and biological pathways that are regulated by Elongator.
State and stimulus dependence reconcile motion computation and the Drosophila connectome
Authors: Kohn Jessica R. , Portes Jacob P. , Christenson Matthias P. , Abbott LF , Behnia Rudy
Published: April 2021

Sensory systems dynamically optimize their processing properties in order to process a wide range of environmental and behavioral conditions. However, attempts to infer the function of these systems via modeling often treat system components as having static processing properties. This is particularly evident in the Drosophila motion detection circuit, where the core algorithm for motion detection is still debated, and where inputs to motion detecting neurons remain underdescribed. Using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, we measured the state- and stimulus-dependent filtering properties of inputs to the OFF motion-detecting T5 cell in Drosophila. Simply summing these inputs within the framework of a connectomic-constrained model of the circuit demonstrates that changes in the shape of input temporal filters are sufficient to explain conflicting theories of T5 function. Therefore, with our measurements and our model, we reconcile motion computation with the anatomy of the circuit.
MDH2 is a metabolic switch rewiring the fuelling of respiratory chain and TCA cycle
Authors: Molinié Thibaut , Cougouilles Elodie , David Claudine , Cahoreau Edern , Portais Jean-Charles , Mourier Arnaud
Published: April 2021

The mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) enables many metabolic processes by regenerating both mitochondrial and cytosolic NAD+and ATP. The oxidation by the RC of the NADH metabolically produced in the cytosol involves redox shuttles as the malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS) and is of paramount importance for cell fate. However, the specific metabolic regulations allowing mitochondrial respiration to prioritize NADH oxidation in response to high NADH/NAD+redox stress have not been elucidated. Our work demonstrates the crucial role played by MDH2 in orchestrating the electron fuelling of the RC. On one hand, MDH2 mediated oxaloacetate (OAA) production allows mitochondria to metabolize pyruvate and glutamate and to feed complex I with NADH, whereas on the other hand, OAA inhibits complex II. This regulatory mechanism synergistically increases RC’s NADH oxidative capacity and rewires MDH2 driven anaplerosis of the TCA favouring the oxidation of malate produced by the MAS.
Business in the Heart of Darkness: SOCO's Oil Exploration in the Virunga National Park
Authors: Morjaria Ameet , Snyder Charlotte
Published: April 2021

Roger Cagle, the co-founder and deputy CEO of SOCO International, watched the dreary London rain outside his office window one February morning in 2015. Never had SOCO, the oil-and-gas exploration and production player that ranked among Britain’s top 200 companies, experienced such a public backlash against its operations. For nearly 20 years, Cagle had helped steer his company’s projects around the world—often in volatile regions where others feared to tread, such as Vietnam, Russia, and Yemen—while delivering significant returns to investors. But the international uproar surrounding SOCO during the past year had been nothing short of mind-boggling.
Neural correlates of alcohol use disorder severity among nontreatment‐seeking heavy drinkers: An examination of the incentive salience and negative emotionality domains of the alcohol and addiction research domain criteria
Authors: Al‐Khalil Kareem , Vakamudi Kishore , Witkiewitz Katie , Claus Eric D.
Published: April 2021

Background

The Alcohol and Addiction Research Domain Criteria (AARDoC) propose that alcohol use disorder is associated with neural dysfunction in three primary domains: incentive salience, negative emotionality, and executive function. Prior studies in heavy drinking samples have examined brain activation changes associated with alcohol and negative affect cues, representing the incentive salience and negative emotionality domains, respectively. Yet studies examining such cue‐induced changes in functional connectivity (FC) are relatively sparse.

Methods

Nontreatment‐seeking heavy drinking adults (N = 149, 56.0% male, 48.6% non‐white, mean age 34.8 years (SD = 10.0)) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during presentation of alcohol, negative, and neutral pictures. We focused on FC changes involving the nucleus accumbens and amygdala in addition to activation and FC correlations with self‐reported AUD severity.

Results

For alcohol cues versus neutral cues, we observed accumbens FC changes in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex (PFC), and amygdala FC changes with occipital, parietal, and hippocampal regions. AUD severity correlated positively with activation in the cerebellum (p < 0.05), accumbens FC in the cingulate gyri, somatosensory gyri, and cerebellum (p < 0.05), and with amygdala FC in the PFC and inferior parietal lobule (p < 0.05) for alcohol cues versus neutral cues. For negative cues versus neutral cues, we observed accumbens FC changes in the lateral temporal, occipital, and parietal regions, and amygdala FC changes in the fusiform and lingual gyri (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The present findings provide empirical support for the AARDoC domains of incentive salience and negative emotionality and indicate that AUD severity is associated with salience and response control for reward cues. When covarying for differences in nonalcohol substance use and mood disorder diagnoses, AUD severity was also associated with emotional reactivity for negative cues.
The impact of removing former drinkers from genome‐wide association studies of AUDIT‐C
Authors: Dao Cecilia , Zhou Hang , Small Aeron , Gordon Kirsha S. , Li Boyang , Kember Rachel L. , Ye Yixuan , Gelernter Joel , Xu Ke , Kranzler Henry R. , Zhao Hongyu , Justice Amy C.
Published: April 2021

Background and aims

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption (AUDIT‐C) questionnaire screens for harmful drinking using a 12‐month timeframe. A score of 0 is assigned to individuals who report abstaining from alcohol in the past year. However, many middle‐age individuals reporting current abstinence are former drinkers (FDs). Because FDs may be more genetically prone to harmful alcohol use than lifelong abstainers (LAs) and are often combined with LAs, we evaluated the impact of differentiating them on the identification of genetic association.

Design and Setting

The United Kingdom Biobank (UKBB) includes AUDIT‐C and alcohol drinker status.

Participants

131 510 Europeans, including 5135 FDs.

Measurements

We compared three genome‐wide association (GWAS) analyses to explore the effects of removing FDs: the full AUDIT‐C data, AUDIT‐C data without FDs, and data from a random sample numerically matched to the data without FDs. Because prior studies show a consistent association of the ADH1B polymorphism rs1229984 with both alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder, we compared allele frequencies for rs1229984 stratified by AUDIT‐C value and FD versus LA status. Additionally, we calculated polygenic risk scores (PRS) of related diseases.

Findings

The rs1229984 allele frequencies among FDs were numerically comparable to those with high AUDIT‐C scores and very different from those of LAs. Removing FDs from GWAS yielded a stronger association with rs1229984 (P value after removal: 1.9 × 10−70 vs 1.7 × 10−65 and 2.5 × 10−62), more statistically significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (after removal: 11 vs 9 and 8), and genomic loci (after removal: 11 vs 9 and 7). Additional independent SNPs were identified after removal of FDs: rs2817866 (PTGER3), rs7105867 (ANO3), and rs17601612 (DRD2). For PRS of alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder, there are statistically significant differences between FDs and LAs.

Conclusions

Differentiating between former drinkers and lifelong abstainers can improve Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption (AUDIT‐C) genome‐wide association results.
Opioid analgesic prescribing for opioid‐naïve individuals prior to identification of opioid use disorder in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Enns Benjamin , Krebs Emanuel , Thomson Trevor , Dale Laura M. , Min Jeong Eun , Nosyk Bohdan
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims

Prescription opioid analgesics have contributed to the development of opioid use disorder (OUD) in many individuals. We aimed to characterize non‐cancer opioid prescribing for opioid‐naive individuals prior to OUD identification.

Design

Population‐based retrospective cohort study using six linked health administrative databases.

Setting

British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Participants

People with OUD between 1 January 2001 and 30 September 2018 who initiated opioid analgesic therapy for non‐cancer pain prior to OUD identification.

Measurements

Dose (morphine milligram equivalent per day), days prescribed and clinical guideline non‐concordance for initial opioid prescriptions (dose ≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalent per day; ≥ 7 days prescribed; concomitant sedative prescription). We estimated the probability of non‐concordant initial prescriptions by source (inpatient post‐discharge, non‐inpatient acute, non‐acute) using logistic regression, adjusting for individual characteristics and comorbidities.

Findings

Among 66 372 individuals identified with OUD from 2001 to 2018, 21 331 (32.1%) received opioid analgesics prior to OUD identification. This proportion increased from 3.0% in 2001 to 41.0% in 2011, before decreasing to 34.2% in 2017. Roughly half of opioid prescriptions were attributed to non‐acute care visits, peaking at 56.8% in 2007, while the proportion from inpatient visits increased from 19.7% in 2001 to 28.5% in 2017. The predicted probability of receiving non‐guideline concordant prescriptions declined over time‐periods across all three measures for inpatient and non‐inpatient acute care, while remaining stable for non‐acute care. In particular, the predicted probability of receiving ≥ 7‐day prescriptions following inpatient visits decreased from 53.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 50.9, 55.8%] in 2001–06 to 37.2% (95% CI = 33.9, 40.5%) in 2013–18.

Conclusions

Among the 66 372 individuals in British Columbia, Canada diagnosed with opioid use disorder between 2001 and 2018, more than 32% were earlier prescribed non‐cancer opioid analgesics. The proportion who had received an opioid analgesic prescription prior to OUD identification peaked at more than 40% in 2011, before stabilizing between 2011 and 2016 and declining thereafter. Guideline concordance improved over time for high‐dose and concomitant sedative prescribing.
Consensus statements on the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma from the Hong Kong Urological Association and the Hong Kong Society of Uro‐Oncology 2019
Authors: Poon Darren Ming‐Chun , Chan Chun‐Ki , Chan Kuen , Chu Wing‐Hong , Kwong Philip Wai‐Kay , Lam Wayne , Law Ka‐Suet , Lee Eric Ka‐Chai , Liu Pak‐Ling , Sze Henry Chun‐Kin , Wong Joseph Hon‐Ming , Chan Eddie Shu‐Yin
Published: April 2021

Background

To establish a set of consensus statements for the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, a total of 12 urologists and clinical oncologists from two professional associations in Hong Kong formed an expert consensus panel.

Methods

Through a series of meetings and using the modified Delphi method, the panelists presented recent evidence, discussed clinical experiences, and drafted consensus statements on several areas of focus regarding the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Each statement was eventually voted upon by every panelist based on the practicability of recommendation.

Results

A total of 46 consensus statements were ultimately accepted and established by panel voting.

Conclusions

Derived from recent evidence and expert insights, these consensus statements were aimed at providing practical guidance to optimize metastatic renal cell carcinoma management and promote a higher standard of clinical care.
Olaparib dose re‐escalation in ovarian cancer patients who experienced severe and/or uncommon adverse events: A case series
Authors: Ngu Siew‐Fei , Tse Ka‐Yu , Chu Mandy M. Y. , Ngan Hextan Y. S. , Chan Karen K. L.
Published: April 2021

Aim

Few real‐world studies have reported detailed management and dose adjustment strategies of adverse events (AEs) of ovarian cancer (OC) patients treated with the poly(adenosine diphosphate‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib. This case series aimed to describe olaparib AEs in Chinese OC patients in real‐life settings and to explore dose modification strategies.

Methods

We conducted a detailed examination of the clinical records of OC patients who were treated with olaparib at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit in Hong Kong from September 2015 to December 2019, including baseline characteristics, treatment outcomes, AEs, and management strategies, particularly dose modifications.

Results

Nineteen patients were included, with a median olaparib treatment duration of 12 (range: 3–30) months. For recurrent platinum‐sensitive cases (n = 16), the median progression‐free survival was 16.0 months (95% confidence interval: 9.5–22.5). Eighteen (95%) patients experienced AE(s) of any grade, including four (21%) who experienced grade ≥3 AE(s). The most common AEs were as follows: nonhematologic fatigue (68%), nausea (42%), vomiting (26%), decreased appetite (26%), dyspepsia (21%), dizziness (21%), anemia (37%), neutropenia (26%), and thrombocytopenia (21%). Four specific cases involving anemia, lower limb lymphedema, myeloid neoplasm, and erythema nodosum are discussed separately. Eight patients required dose interruption or reduction due to AEs, of which five patients attempted and tolerated dose re‐escalation.

Conclusion

In this study, most AEs were mild, but rare AEs were observed. In OC patients, olaparib AE management with dose reductions followed by re‐escalations was feasible, including for anemia.
Aortic intramural haematoma associated with the use of nintedanib
Authors: Willems Jeresa I. A. , Mostard Guy J. M. , Mostard Remy L. M. , Buijs Jacqueline , van Twist Daan J. L.
Published: April 2021

We report a 74‐year‐old patient who developed an acute aortic syndrome (AAS) with intramural haematoma (IMH) during treatment with nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. As we suspected a role for nintedanib, this was immediately interrupted. Four months later, a computed tomographic angiography (CTA) showed significant regression of the IMH. Therefore, we state that, when patients use nintedanib and develop acute chest or back pain, diagnostic work‐up for AAS should be considered. Furthermore, other risk factors for AAS, such as hypertension, genetic diseases and comedication should be taken into account when prescription of medication of this class is considered.
The rights movement of young people living in and leaving care in England between 1973 and 2011: A history from below
Authors: Stein Mike
Published: April 2021

This paper explores the history of the rights movement of young people in care in England between 1973 and 2011. It describes the histories of the different groups that made up the movement during this 38‐year period: the Leeds Ad‐Lib group (1973–1975); Who Cares? (1975–1978); the National Association of Young People in Care (1979–1994); Black and In Care (1983–1985); and A National Voice (1998–2011). The narrative includes an analysis of contextual factors and the contribution of these groups in increasing awareness of leaving care policy and practice issues. The article concludes with a discussion of a young person's history of care, including recurring themes relating to young people's transitions to adulthood: their ‘loss’ of family; their disrupted lives in care; their experience of education; leaving care early; and their lack of support into adulthood.
Predictors of venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID‐19 in an underserved urban population: A single tertiary center experience
Authors: Barnes Drew H. , Lo Kevin Bryan , Bhargav Ruchika , Gul Fahad , DeJoy Robert , Peterson Eric , Salacup Grace , Pelayo Jerald , Albano Jeri , Azmaiparashvili Zurab , Rangaswami Janani , Carpio Andres Mora , Patarroyo‐Aponte Gabriel
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is reported in up to 27% of patients with COVID‐19 due to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Dysregulated systemic inflammation and various patient traits are presumed to underlie this anomaly. Optimal VTE prophylaxis in COVID‐19 patients has not been established due to a lack of validated models for predicting VTE in this population. Our study aims to address this deficiency by identifying demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients associated with increased VTE risk.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of all adult patients (final sample, n = 355) hospitalized with confirmed COVID‐19 at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia between March 1 and April 24, 2020. Demographic and clinical patient data were collected and factors associated with VTE were identified and analyzed using t‐tests, multivariable logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

Thirty patients (8.5%) developed VTE. Patients with VTE had significantly higher D‐dimer levels on admission (P = 0.045) and peak D‐dimer levels (P < 0.0001), in addition to higher rates of vasopressor requirements (P = 0.038), intubation (P = 0.003), and death (P = 0.023). Age (OR 1.042), obstructive sleep apnea (OR 5.107), and need for intubation (OR 3.796) were associated with significantly increased odds of VTE. Peak D‐dimer level was a good predictor of VTE (AUC 0.806, P < 0.0001) and a D‐dimer cutoff of >6640 ng/mL had high (>70%) sensitivity and specificity for VTE.

Conclusion

Peak D‐dimer level may be the most reliable clinical marker in COVID‐19 patients for predicting VTE and future prospective studies should attempt to further validate this.
Doppelblinde, randomisierte repetitive In‐vivo‐Wirksamkeitsstudie zu kommerziellen Hautschutzprodukten gegen Natriumlaurylsulfat (SLS)
Authors: Schliemann Sibylle , Müller Maren , Stadeler Martina , Elsner Peter
Published: April 2021

Hintergrund

In der Primär‐ und Sekundärprävention von Berufsdermatosen werden Hautschutzprodukte eingesetzt, die eine präexpositionelle Schutzwirkung aufweisen sollen. Insbesondere finden sich auf dem Markt zahlreiche Produkte, die zum Einsatz bei Feuchtarbeit ausgelobt werden. Eine objektive Qualitätsbeurteilung dieser Produkte für Anwender ist auf Grund fehlender vergleichender Wirksamkeitsstudien oft nicht möglich.

Material und Methodik

In einer doppelblinden, randomisierten und kontrollierten In‐vivo‐Studie wurden sechs kommerzielle Hautschutzexterna in einem repetitiven Irritationsmodell untersucht. Sie wurden hinsichtlich ihrer präexpositionellen Schutzwirkung vor dem durch Natriumlaurylsulfat (SLS) induzierten irritativen Kontaktekzem mittels hautphysiologischer Methoden getestet. Es wurde ein Wirkindex anhand des transepidermalen Wasserverlustes (TEWL) gemäß des Protokolls der multizentrischen Studie des Forschungsprojektes FP 275 der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung DGUV berechnet.

Ergebnisse

Die untersuchten Externa zeigten eine Schutzwirkung gegen SLS im Vergleich zum unbehandelten Kontrollfeld, wiesen allerdings signifikante Wirkunterschiede auf. Die Auswertung der Nebenparameter Corneometrie und visueller Score erbrachte ebenfalls Unterschiede zwischen den Externa.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die zwischen den untersuchten Externa festgestellten Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Wirkgüte ermöglichten eine Einteilung der Produkte, welche als Grundlage für die Auswahl geeigneter Schutzpräparate dienen kann.
The challenges of posterior drooling in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Reddihough Dinah S , Chang Anne B
Published: April 2021

This commentary is on the original article by Delsing et al. on pages 1093–1098 of this issue.
Pathogenicity of Sirococcus tsugae on major coniferous tree species of Belgian forest
Authors: Pirronitto Salvatore , Charlier Adrien , Claessens Hugues , Schmitz Sophie
Published: April 2021

To evaluate the potential impact of Sirococcus tsugae on Belgian coniferous forest, a pathogenicity test was conducted through wound inoculation of two‐year‐old seedlings of different tree species. Picea abies, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus sylvestris, Larix x eurolepsis as well as Tsuga heterophylla and Cedrus atlantica were inoculated with an isolate of S. tsugae collected from the only known infected site in Belgium. The tested strain proved to be highly pathogenic towards seedlings not only of two known host species of the disease (T. heterophylla and C. atlantica) but also of L. x eurolepsis. This result highlights the risk that a possible emergence of S. tsugae might represent for some important forest tree species, including species currently not known as hosts of the disease. However, as the two main coniferous tree species in Belgium (P. abies and P. sylvestris) did not appear sensitive to S. tsugae, the potential impact of the pathogen on the Belgian forest is limited.
Neural tracking of the fundamental frequency of the voice: The effect of voice characteristics
Authors: Van Canneyt Jana , Wouters Jan , Francart Tom
Published: April 2021

Traditional electrophysiological methods to study temporal auditory processing of the fundamental frequency of the voice (f0) often use unnaturally repetitive stimuli. In this study, we investigated f0 processing of meaningful continuous speech. EEG responses evoked by stories in quiet were analysed with a novel method based on linear modelling that characterizes the neural tracking of the f0. We studied both the strength and the spatio‐temporal properties of the f0‐tracking response. Moreover, different samples of continuous speech (six stories by four speakers: two male and two female) were used to investigate the effect of voice characteristics on the f0 response. The results indicated that response strength is inversely related to f0 frequency and rate of f0 change throughout the story. As a result, the male‐narrated stories in this study (low and steady f0) evoked stronger f0‐tracking compared to female‐narrated stories (high and variable f0), for which many responses were not significant. The spatio‐temporal analysis revealed that f0‐tracking response generators were not fixed in the brainstem but were voice‐dependent as well. Voices with high and variable f0 evoked subcortically dominated responses with a latency between 7 and 12 ms. Voices with low and steady f0 evoked responses that are both subcortically (latency of 13–15 ms) and cortically (latency of 23–26 ms) generated, with the right primary auditory cortex as a likely cortical source. Finally, additional experiments revealed that response strength greatly improves for voices with strong higher harmonics, which is particularly useful to boost the small responses evoked by voices with high f0.
A novel predictive model for multiaxial fatigue in carburized bevel gears
Authors: Böhme Stephan André , Vinogradov Alexei , Papuga Jan , Berto Filippo
Published: April 2021

This publication focuses on the numerical stress prediction in case‐carburized bevel gears and on their fatigue assessment. Four gear sets are analyzed for the common fatigue failure modes of pitting, tooth root breakage, and subsurface fatigue. The proposed algorithm, enabling the prediction of the dominant failure type and region, relies on the previously published material model for carburized CrNiMo steels. It utilizes a 2D plane strain simplification as only the mean cross‐section is analyzed and evaluates the shear mean and amplitude stresses through the maximum rectangular hull method. A novel multiaxial fatigue criterion is presented and validated.
The Sin of Onan and Contraception
Authors: Saad Toni C.
Published: April 2021

Our thesis is that the story of Onan in Genesis chapter 38 offers scriptural and logical grounds for believing that contraceptive acts are sinful. We set out a five‐part modus ponens argument which considers the meaning and significance the story of Onan and, by showing that contraceptive acts are substantially similar to the act for which Onan is infamous, conclude that Christians ought not to practise contraception. We then respond to objections to this conclusion before finally and briefly touching upon some of the implications of our thesis for Christian ethics, namely with reference to the perverted faculty argument and natural law.
An exploration into suicide prevention initiatives for mental health nurses: A systematic literature review
Authors: Dabkowski Elissa , Porter Joanne E.
Published: April 2021

Mental health and suicide prevention are national health priorities in Australia, with research currently focussed towards the ZERO Suicide (ZS) initiative. The aim of this review was to evaluate the impact of suicide prevention programmes, in particular the ZS prevention initiative. A systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines was conducted using six EBSCO Host databases; Academic Search Complete, Australian/New Zealand Reference Centre, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, and APA Psyc Articles. The data extracted from the eligible papers were analysed using a thematic approach. The final data set consisted of fourteen (n = 14) peer‐reviewed articles meeting the eligibility criteria, which included quantitative (n = 10), mixed methods (n = 2), and qualitative studies (n = 2). Results indicated variances between suicide prevention programmes with some papers examining single workshops and others assessing multimodal, organizational interventions. Five major themes were produced from this review including measuring the success of suicide prevention programmes, improvements to the delivery of suicide prevention programmes, barriers to implementing changes, cultural considerations, and further research required for suicide prevention programmes. This review concludes that further long‐term research is required to evaluate the implementation and efficacy of suicide prevention programmes in health care. Cultural awareness in suicide prevention training is another area that may benefit from further research. A growing body of evidence establishes the need for multimodal and organizational approaches for suicide prevention initiatives.
Production and outmigration of young‐of‐year northern pike Esox lucius from natural and modified waterways connected to Lower Green Bay, Wisconsin
Authors: Cottrell Amy M. , David Solomon R. , Forsythe Patrick S.
Published: April 2021

Production and outmigration of young‐of‐year (YOY) northern pike from natal sites in Lower Green Bay, WI, USA, were documented over three consecutive years (2013–2015). We tested the hypothesis that spawning success and outmigration characteristics of YOY northern pike would vary among natural and anthropogenically modified habitats. Sixteen focal study locations were surveyed, including a restored natural wetland, agricultural drainage ditches, a flooded forested wetland and several unimpounded tributaries. We collected 1469 YOY northern pike with most individuals (N = 1163) originating from a flooded forested wetland on the east shore. Most sites produced YOY in all years (range N = 2–1145 individuals among study years). Outmigration ranged between 1 and 40 days during 2013–2015. Greater production and extended outmigration times occurred at most sites in 2014 (range 17–40 days) when the region experienced a late spring with heavy precipitation. In contrast, the lowest production and shortest outmigration period occurred at most sites in 2015 (range 14–23 days) when environmental conditions reflected regional averages. Outmigration began nearly 3 weeks earlier in 2015 (5/8) than in other study years (8 June 2013 and 25 May 2014). Total length (TL) of outmigrating northern pike ranged between 17 and 138 mm. Total length of YOY was significantly different among sites in 2013 and 2014, with the smallest fish (17 mm TL) outmigrating from agricultural ditches in both years. There were no significant variations in size among sites in 2015 (range 21–95 mm TL). Our results indicate significant variation in YOY northern pike outmigration characteristics within Lower Green Bay that may reflect the interplay between adult spawning site selection and annual weather patterns. Our findings highlight the importance of quantifying overlooked habitats in regions of mixed development.
Agonistic interactions with asymmetric body size in two adult‐age groups of the annual killifish Millerichthys robustus (Miller & Hubbs, 1974)
Authors: Domínguez‐Castanedo Omar
Published: April 2021

In this study, the author evaluated two adult age groups of the Mexican rivulus Millerichthys robustus with body size asymmetries to determine the strategies used by an annual killifish during agonistic interactions of different ontogenetic stages. To achieve this goal, the author first characterized the ethogram of agonistic interactions of M. robustus composed of seven behavioural units in males and five behavioural units in females. The author then analysed agonistic interaction strategies used by males and females with body size asymmetries in two groups of different adult ages that represent different ontogenetic stages: (a) just after sexual maturity was reached, at 5 weeks of age, and (b) near natural death, at 24 weeks of age. The agonistic behaviour patterns of M. robustus were compatible with the logic of mutual assessment. Large males had an advantage during their interactions in both age groups, winning all of the encounters. Nonetheless, there was more aggression in 5‐week‐old fish encounters. In addition, small 24‐week‐old fish were more aggressive than small 5‐week‐old fish. These changing strategies may be because of the cost–benefits required during a fight at each ontogenetic stage. In the female encounters, size did not predict winners, as both small and large fish won a similar number of encounters, and some contests remained unresolved regardless of age group. There was a tendency for small females of any age to risk more than males in fights to maintain reproductive fitness.
African American marital confiding relationships: A national survey and a test of an educational intervention
Authors: Yeager Corey , Doherty William J.
Published: April 2021

We present two related studies on confiding about relationships among African Americans. Study one examined how African Americans serve as confidants in their social networks for people having couple relationship concerns. Using a national survey of African American adults, this study documented the prevalence of confiding relationships, the kinds of problems brought to confidants, and which confidant behaviors are seen as helpful and not helpful. Study two was a randomized controlled trial of Marital First Responders—AA, a culturally adapted version of the Marital First Responders program. Results showed improved skills among African Americans participants who were already natural confidants, as well greater frequency of confiding interactions in their social networks. Enhancing the abilities of natural confidants may be particularly important in the African American community because of stresses on couple relationships and the relatively lower use of therapy services.
Improving the reproductive, immunity and health status of rabbit does using honey bee venom
Authors: Elkomy Alaa , El‐Hanoun Ali , Abdella Mohamed , El‐Sabrout Karim
Published: April 2021

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long‐term effect of using bee venom (BV) on the reproductive performance, immune, and health status of rabbit does and its effect on their litters. Sixty mature does, from Spanish V‐line rabbit stock, were randomly assigned to four homogeneous groups with 15 does each. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups were injected twice weekly under the neck skin with 0.1 ml solution contains 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg BV/rabbit respectively. The 4th group served as a control group. From the results, litter size at birth, litter weight and survival rate at weaning age as well as milk yield were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased in BV groups than in the control group. Serum estradiol 17‐β (E2) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher (15%) in the rabbit does treated with BV compared to the control group. The treated does with BV at any study doses showed a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease (12%) in serum progesterone levels (P4) compared to the control. They also showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in conception (17%) and fertility rates (10%) compared to the control does. Treatment of rabbit does with BV caused a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (16%) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (37%) liver enzyme activities. Additionally, results have shown that BV resulted in a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antioxidative enzymes such as glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels with significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in BV groups compared to the control group. Results suggest that BV can be used in rabbit farming as an effective and safe alternative to artificial chemical drugs (sexual‐stimulants) to improve certain reproductive traits, immune response and health.
Effects of Values on Pain Tolerance and Activity Under a Laboratory‐Induced Pain Condition1,2
Authors: Sakano Asako , Ohya Aiko , Muto Takashi
Published: April 2021

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been utilized to help individuals deal with pain avoidance. We analyzed whether the values clarification procedure used in ACT increased pain tolerance and experiment‐related activity for undergraduates exposed to pain using a cold pressor procedure. Participants built houses with blocks while experiencing pain. In Experiment 1, participants were randomly assigned to a value group (described and declared values) or a control group (described and declared block colors). The value group showed significantly greater pain tolerance, more block houses, and more colors/forms than the control group. Experiment 2 investigated the effects of declaring values. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: declaration group (described and declared values), no declaration group (described values), and control group (described block colors). The no declaration group showed significantly greater pain tolerance and more block houses than the control group; there was no difference between the declaration and control groups. The results imply that describing values is useful for behavioral activation, but the effect of declaring values might depend on the context.
“Live your life cuz everybody's terminal”: Describing emotions and coping behaviors of rural advanced cancer patients
Authors: Yeung Chi W. , Gilbertson‐White Stephanie , Wickersham Karen E.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Culturally competent health care has led to increasing interest in how patients’ identities influence the management of their health. The ways rural patients with advanced cancer process emotions and cope with their disease may be influenced by their rural context. The aims for this study were to (1) describe the emotions rural cancer patients experience, (2) describe how rural cancer patients manage their emotions within their rural context, and (3) interlace the themes related to coping with emotions.

Methods

This paper is a subanalysis of a larger project focused on symptom management among rural patients living with advanced cancer. Using a qualitative descriptive design, authors read and coded patient interview transcripts to extract key perspectives related to managing emotions within a rural context.

Findings

Sixteen participants, 10 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 68.75 years completed this study. Participants described a spectrum of emotional experiences. Some participants reported no distress, and some described high levels of distress. While previous writers described low levels of religious coping among rural patients, participants in this study often named their faith/spirituality as a major source of emotional coping. Participants also galvanized their social support network, particularly those in their religious community. Finally, participants in this study reported the use of medication as a last resort.

Conclusion

Results from this study might be influenced from cultural variables found in the rural community; specifically, religiosity and close social networks. Future interventions need to be tailored to the unique responses of rural patients.
A novel ENAM mutation causes hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Yu Shunlan , Zhang Chenying , Zhu Ce , Quan Junkang , Liu Dandan , Wang Xiaozhe , Zheng Shuguo
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To identify the genetic cause of one Chinese family with hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) and explore the relationship between genotype and its phenotype.

Material and Methods

One Chinese family with generalized hypoplastic AI was recruited. One deciduous tooth from the proband was subjected to scanning electron microscopy. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed and identified mutation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatics studies were further conducted to analyze potential deleterious effects of the mutation.

Results

The proband presented a typical hypoplastic AI phenotype whose teeth in deciduous and permanent dentitions showed thin, yellow, and hard enamel surface. The affected enamel in deciduous tooth showed irregular, broken, and collapsing enamel rods with borders of the enamel prisms undulated and structural shapes of prisms irregular. A novel homozygous nonsense mutation in the last exon of the enamelin (ENAM) gene (NM_031889.3; c.2078C>G) was identified in the proband, which was predicted to produce a highly truncated protein (NP_114095.2; p.(Ser693*)). This mutation was also identified in the proband's parents in heterozygous form. Surprisingly, the clinical phenotype of the heterozygous parents varied from a lack of penetrance to mild enamel defects. Additional bioinformatics studies demonstrated that the detected mutation could change the 3D structure of the ENAM protein and severely damaged the function of ENAM.

Conclusion

The novel homozygous ENAM mutation resulted in hypoplastic AI in the present study. Our results provide new genetic evidence that mutations involved in ENAM contribute to hypoplastic AI.
The impact of the cessation of primary dental care services on oral cancer diagnosis at a single institution in the UK's epicentre during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sandhu Pradeep , Grossman Sanford , Beneng Kiran
Published: April 2021

Aims

COVID‐19 put an unprecedented strain on healthcare services that was complicated by the widespread cessation of all face‐to‐face primary care dental activity from 23 March 2020 for 7 weeks. This led to a focus on telephone triage and remote prescribing that potentially impeded urgent referrals for suspected oral cancer. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) screens and diagnoses potential head and neck cancer patients via a 2‐week wait (2 WW) clinic and provides access to patients with urgent oral health needs through an Acute Dental Care (ADC) service. The current service evaluation aims to assess and report on the impact of COVID‐19 and the cessation of primary care dentistry on oral cancer diagnosis at GSTFT during a period of time where patients had extremely limited access to healthcare.

Materials and Methods

Data regarding oral cancer diagnoses were collected retrospectively from secure logbooks and clinical records from the point at which routine dental practice was nationally halted (23 March 2020) to the date at which services were permitted to resume (08 June 2020). Individual patient pathways prior to diagnosis and through to treatment were recorded.

Results

Sixteen new diagnoses of oral cancer were made during the described timeframe. Findings suggest that the paralysis of routine dental services resulted in delayed referral of suspicious lesions and highlights the limitations of a predominately telephone‐based assessment service in primary care.

Conclusion

The importance of the role of the primary care practitioner in the early identification of oral cancer has been emphasised.
A King Stifling Voices of Dissent? Popular Protests and State Responses in Xi's China
Authors: Wang Hsin‐Hsien , Tzeng Wei‐Feng , Wang Shinn‐Shyr , Chiu Wei‐Chih
Published: April 2021

To deal with the increases in the frequency of popular protests, China's leader, Xi Jinping, has called for “innovative social governance” as a new concept to resolve social conflicts. In this study, we collect and analyze a unique dataset to compare state responses to popular protests during Xi's term and Hu's term. We find that, under Xi's rule, state repression is more frequently employed to handle social disturbances. Violent protests are significantly more likely to be repressed than nonviolent protests during both the rule of Hu and Xi, while protests that involved a population of the middle and upper classes experienced more state crackdown under Xi's rule rather than under Hu's governance. Our empirical analysis suggests that the approaches by which the Chinese government deals with social unrest have not yet been “innovative.” Instead, China still relies heavily on despotic power in the Xi era.
Implications of the Premodern Chinese–Korean Tributary Relationship for the South Korean Perception of ROK–PRC Ties: A South Korean Perspective*
Authors: Kim Jinwung
Published: April 2021

Based on a perspective that understands the South Korean perception of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as resulting considerably from Korea's historical experience of its tributary relationship with China, this study explains what significant implications a South Korean understanding of the historical tributary order may have for its perceptions of a “new China” and preferences for the Republic of Korea's (ROK; South Korea) foreign policy directions. In premodern times, Korea had a special experience with China. Korean kingdoms shared with imperial China a tributary relationship in which the former was positioned as the latter's tributary state. South Koreans in general understand the traditional Chinese–Korean tributary relationship negatively. This negative understanding of the historical tributary relationship affects the South Korean perception of a “new China.” Many South Koreans see the PRC that seeks to reconstruct the traditional tributary order as a rising threat. South Korean perceptions of both the premodern tributary relationship and its possible restoration by the PRC may determine their foreign policy preferences. While the established conservatives prioritize the ROK–US alliance and the progressives give priority to the ROK–PRC partnership, South Koreans as a whole prefer the United States over China as the ROK's security partner and balancing against China over bandwagoning with it.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation for refractory post‐herpetic neuralgia
Authors: Kim Jung H. , Apigo Anthony , Fontaine Camille
Published: April 2021

Post‐herpetic neuralgia is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder that is the sequela of the varicella zoster virus reactivation in the dorsal root ganglion. A variety of treatment modalities have been implemented, but pharmacologic treatments are often limited due to side effects and interventional procedures have yielded mixed results without promising long‐term benefits being consistently seen. A dorsal root ganglion stimulator for treatment of post‐herpetic neuralgia is a novel treatment option as it is able to specifically target the area affected. We present 3 patients who underwent implantation of permanent dorsal root ganglion stimulators and had a greater than 50% decrease in scoring on numerical rating scale (NRS) up to 18 months post‐procedure and significantly reduced analgesic requirements.