bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of telehealth policy impacts on initial rural opioid use disorder treatment patterns during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hughes Phillip M. , Verrastro Genevieve , Fusco Carriedelle Wilson , Wilson Courtenay Gilmore , Ostrach Bayla
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Tracking changes in care utilization of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services before, during, and after COVID‐19‐associated changes in policy and service delivery in a mixed rural and micropolitan setting.

Methods

Using a retrospective, open‐cohort design, we examined visit data of MOUD patients at a family medicine clinic across three identified periods: pre‐COVID, COVID transition, and COVID. Outcome measures include the number and type of visits (in‐person or telehealth), the number of new patients entering treatment, and the number of urine drug screens performed. Distance from patient residence to clinic was calculated to assess access to care in rural areas. Goodness‐of‐Fit Chi‐Square tests and ANOVAs were used to identify differences between time periods.

Findings

Total MOUD visits increased during COVID (436 pre vs. 581 post, p < 0.001), while overall new patient visits remained constant (33 pre vs. 29 post, p = 0.755). The clinic's overall catchment area increased in size, with new patients coming primarily from rural areas. Length of time between urine drug screens increased (21.1 days pre vs. 43.5 days post, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The patterns of MOUD care utilization during this period demonstrate the effectiveness of telehealth in this area. Policy changes allowing for MOUD to be delivered via telehealth, waiving the need for in‐person initiation of MOUD, and increased Medicaid compensation for MOUD may play a valuable role in improving access to MOUD during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond.
Applying metabolomics to veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
Authors: Rivera‐Velez Sol M. , Navas Jinna , Villarino Nicolas F.
Published: March 2021

Metabolomics is the large‐scale study of low‐molecular‐weight substances in a biological system in a given physiological state at a given time point. Metabolomics can be applied to identify predictors of inter‐individual variability in drug response, provide clinicians with data useful for decision‐making processes in drug selection, and inform about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a drug. It is, therefore, an exceptional approach for gaining new understanding effects in the field of comparative veterinary pharmacology. However, the incorporation of metabolomics into veterinary pharmacology and toxicology is not yet widespread, and this is probably, at least in part, a result of its highly multidisciplinary nature. This article reviews the potential applications of metabolomics in veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics. It integrates key concepts for designing metabolomics studies and analyzing and interpreting metabolomics data, providing solid foundations for applying metabolomics to the study of drugs in all veterinary species.
Potential interactions between an oral fosfomycin formulation and feed or drinking water: Impact on bioavailability in piglets
Authors: Decundo Julieta M. , Diéguez Susana N. , Amanto Fabián A. , Martínez Guadalupe , Pérez Gaudio Denisa S. , Fernández Paggi María B. , Romanelli Agustina , Soraci Alejandro L.
Published: March 2021

Feed and drinking water are the most frequently used vehicles for administration of antibiotics in intensive pig production. Interactions of drugs with feed and water components may affect dissolution and bioavailability. Therefore, antibiotic formulations should be tested in order to assure their suitability for oral use. In this study, an oral fosfomycin (FOS) formulation was evaluated considering dissolution in water (soft and hard), release kinetics from feed in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and bioavailability after oral administration blended into feed or dissolved in water (soft and hard), to fed and fasted piglets. FOS reached immediate dissolution in soft and hard water. The presence of feed significantly decreased antibiotic dissolution in simulated intestinal medium. Bioavailability was lower when feed was used as a vehicle for FOS administration than when the drug was dissolved in water (soft or hard). The fed or fasted condition of piglets did not affect bioavailability. Probably, FOS interactions with feed components alter its dissolution in the gastrointestinal tract, and only a fraction of the dose would be available for absorption. This information must be considered to support decisions on eligibility of antibiotic pharmaceutical formulations and the vehicle for their administration in order to pursue a responsible use of antibiotics.
Trends and geographic variability in gender inequalities in child mortality and stunting in India, 2006–2016
Authors: Alderman Harold , Nguyen Phuong Hong , Tran Lan Mai , Menon Purnima
Published: March 2021

Gender disparities in child undernutrition and mortality in India have been a topic of interest for a long time, but little is known on trends or geographic variability in recent periods. We examined the degree to which historic patterns in gender disparities in child undernutrition and mortality in India have persisted given recent progress in health and nutrition. Using two nationally representative datasets from India between 2006 and 2016, we estimated mortality rates and stunting by gender and by birth order among children under 5 years old. We then tested for differences between boys and girls within each survey round for both national and state levels using bootstrapped standard errors, controlling for cluster and sampling weights. We found striking progress in child mortality and stunting in India between 2006 and 2016 for both boys and girls. Boys were more likely to die than girls during the first year of life. Girls had a higher risk of mortality between age 1 and 5 years than boys in 2006, but the improvements in survival eliminated this gender gap in 2016. For stunting, we found no gender difference in 2006, but girls had higher height‐for‐age Z‐scores (HAZ) and lower stunting than boys in 2016. Trends in gender gaps in mortality and stunting vary substantially by birth order and between states. Our findings indicate that improvements in mortality and nutritional status among girls have started to close gender disparities. Policy efforts to close gaps must stay the course in states that have made progress and be accelerated in states where disparities are still prominent.
Resurrecting the metabolome: Rapid evolution magnifies the metabolomic plasticity to predation in a natural Daphnia population
Authors: Zhang Chao , Jones Martin , Govaert Lynn , Viant Mark , De Meester Luc , Stoks Robby
Published: March 2021

Populations rely on already present plastic responses (ancestral plasticity) and evolution (including both evolution of mean trait values, constitutive evolution, and evolution of plasticity) to adapt to novel environmental conditions. Because of the lack of evidence from natural populations, controversy remains regarding the interplay between ancestral plasticity and rapid evolution in driving responses to new stressors. We addressed this topic at the level of the metabolome utilizing a resurrected natural population of the water flea Daphnia magna that underwent a human‐caused increase followed by a reduction in predation pressure within ~16 years. Predation risk induced plastic changes in the metabolome which were mainly related to shifts in amino acid and sugar metabolism, suggesting predation risk affected protein and sugar utilization to increase energy supply. Both the constitutive and plastic components of the metabolic profiles showed rapid, probably adaptive evolution whereby ancestral plasticity and evolution contributed nearly equally to the total changes of the metabolomes. The subpopulation that experienced the strongest fish predation pressure and showed the strongest phenotypic response, also showed the strongest metabolomic response to fish kairomones, both in terms of the number of responsive metabolites and in the amplitude of the multivariate metabolomic reaction norm. More importantly, the metabolites with higher ancestral plasticity showed stronger evolution of plasticity when predation pressure increased, while this pattern reversed when predation pressure relaxed. Our results therefore highlight that the evolution in response to a novel pressure in a natural population magnified the metabolomic plasticity to this stressor.
Role of flexible bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections
Authors: Muthu Valliappan , Gandra Raghava Rao , Dhooria Sahajal , Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Prasad Kuruswamy Thurai , Kaur Harsimran , Gupta Nalini , Bal Amanjit , Ram Babu , Aggarwal Ashutosh N. , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: March 2021

Background

There are sparse data on the role of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in diagnosing invasive mould infections (IMIs).

Objective

To investigate the safety and usefulness of FB in IMI. We evaluate the factors associated with a successful diagnosis of IMI using FB. Further, we compare subjects of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) with pulmonary mucormycosis (PM).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features, imaging data, bronchoscopy, microbiology and pathology details of subjects who underwent FB for suspected IMI. We categorised FB as diagnostic if it contributed to the diagnosis of IMI. We performed a multivariate analysis to identify the factors associated with a diagnostic bronchoscopy.

Results

Of the 3521 FB performed over 18 months, 132 (3.7%) were done for suspected IMIs. We included 107 subjects for the final analysis. The risk factors for IMI included renal transplantation (29.0%), diabetes (27.1%), haematological malignancy (10.3%) and others. We found bronchoscopic abnormalities in 33 (30.8%) subjects, and these were more frequent in those with confirmed PM (67%) than IPA (27%). IMI was confirmed in 79 (14 proven, 48 probable and 17 possible) subjects. FB was diagnostic in 71%. We experienced major complications in three cases (2.7%), including one death. On multivariate analysis, the visualisation of endobronchial abnormalities during FB (OR [95%, CI], 8.5 [1.4–50.4]) was the only factor associated with a diagnostic FB after adjusting for age and various risk factors.

Conclusions

Flexible bronchoscopy is a useful and safe procedure in diagnosing IMIs. The presence of endobronchial abnormalities predicts a successful diagnostic yield on FB.
Hypoxia enhances basal autophagy of epithelial‐derived ameloblastoma cells
Authors: AlMuzaini Anwar A. A. Y. , Boesze‐Battaglia Kathleen , Alawi Faizan , Akintoye Sunday O.
Published: March 2021

Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive odontogenic tumor. Etiopathogenesis and locally aggressive growth properties of ameloblastoma can be attributed to a hypoxic microenvironment conducive to tumor cell survival. Epithelial‐derived follicular ameloblastoma cells (EP‐AMCs) display enhanced basal autophagy, but the interplay of hypoxia and autophagy in EP‐AMCs survival and ameloblastoma recurrence is unclear. We evaluated differential expression of autophagic markers in primary and recurrent ameloblastomas and hypothesized that hypoxia‐induced autophagy supports EP‐AMC survival. Primary and recurrent ameloblastomas were comparatively assessed for expression levels of pan‐cytokeratin, Vimentin, and autophagic markers SQSTM1/p62, LC3, and pS6. EP‐AMCs compared with human odontoma‐derived cells (HODCs) were subjected to severe hypoxia to determine the interplay of hypoxia and autophagic process in posthypoxia survival. Pan‐cytokeratin and SQSTM1/p62 were expressed by both primary and recurrent ameloblastoma epithelial cells while the ameloblastoma connective tissues displayed weak reactivity to vimentin. Under hypoxia, EP‐AMC expression levels of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α, p62, and LC3 were increased while pS6 was decreased posthypoxia. The combined decrease in pS6 and enhanced LC3 in EP‐AMCs under hypoxia indicate that EP‐AMCs re‐establish basal autophagy under hypoxia. Taken together, these suggest a possible role of LC3‐associated phagocytosis (LAP) in ameloblastoma cell survival.
Exciting Performance of Plasma Fibrinogen in Periprosthetic Joint Infection Diagnosis
Authors: Huang Jin‐cheng , Chen Xiao , Qiang Shuo , Zheng Wen‐di , Zheng Jia , Jin Yi
Published: March 2021

Objective

To test the significance of serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio (PC/MPV), plasma fibrinogen, and D‐Dimer in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 149 patients diagnosed from July 2016 to December 2019 with primary osteoarthritis (OA group, average age 63.18 years [range, 53–82 years] 18 males, 46 females), PJI (PJI group, average age 63.74 years [range, 52–81 years], 16 males, 31 females), and aseptic loosening (aseptic group, average age 63.18 years [range, 53–80 years], 12 male, 26 female) in our department. Demographic data and the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative CRP, ESR, PC/MPV, fibrinogen, and D‐Dimer in PJI diagnosis were compared.

Results

There were no significant differences when the demographic data of the three groups were compared. The expression level of CRP (50.67 ± 58.98 mg/L), ESR (50.55 ± 25.81 mm/h), PC/MPV (35.79 ± 18.00), and fibrinogen (4.85 ± 1.33 μg/mL) in the PJI group were higher than in the OA group (CRP: 4.09 ± 9.68 mg/L; ESR:13.44 ± 9.32 mm/1 h; PC/MPV: 24.97 ± 7.58; fibrinogen: 3.09 ± 0.55 μg/mL) and the aseptic group (CRP: 7.01 ± 11.83 mg/L; ESR: 22.47 ± 17.53 mm/1 h; PC/MPV: 25.18 ± 11.48; fibrinogen: 3.39 ± 0.80 μg/mL), respectively. The expression level of plasma D‐dimer (1.60 ± 1.29 mg/L) in the PJI group was higher than in the OA group (0.49 ± 0.42 mg/L) but similar to that in the aseptic group (1.21 ± 1.35 mg/L). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for CRP, ESR, PC/MPV, fibrinogen, and D‐dimer were 0.892 (95% confidence interval, 0.829–0.954), 0.888 (0.829–0.947), 0.686 (0.589–0.784), 0.873 (0.803–0.943), and 0.835 (0.772–0.899), respectively. When PC/MPV > 31.70, fibrinogen >4.01 μg/mL, and D‐dimer >1.17 mg/L were set as the threshold values for the diagnosis of PJI, the sensitivity of PC/MPV in PJI diagnosis was lower than that of ESR and plasma fibrinogen. In contrast, there was no significant difference when comparing the specificity of CRP, ESR, PC/MPV, fibrinogen, and D‐dimer in PJI diagnosis.

Conclusion

Plasma fibrinogen is a good new auxiliary diagnostic marker for PJI.
CRT implantation after transvenous lead/device extraction (TLE) in a patient with COVID‐19: Endocarditis triggered by syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐COV‐2) infection? A case report
Authors: De Vivo Stefano , Barberio Massimiliano , Corrado Carmelina , Severino Sergio , Verde Raffaele , Fragranza Fiorentino , Attena Emilio , Rescigno Carolina , Bernardo Mariano , Innocenti Sara , Tascini Carlo , D'Onofrio Antonio
Published: March 2021

In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), the management of cardiac implantable electronic devices infections with concomitant viral infection has not been completely defined yet. In this explorable context, we report the first experience of a Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT‐D) implantation after transvenous lead extraction for endocarditis in a COVID‐19 patient. We describe both the measures and procedures implemented to reduce the cross‐infection in the operating room and our clinical practice to improving procedure effectiveness on patient care.
Basic needs in normative contexts
Authors: Pölzler Thomas
Published: March 2021

In answering normative questions, researchers sometimes appeal to the concept of basic needs. Their guiding idea is that our first priority should be to ensure that everybody is able to meet these needs—to have enough in terms of food, water, shelter, and so on. This article provides an opinionated overview of basic needs in normative contexts. Any basic needs theory must answer three questions: (1) What are basic needs? (2) To what extent do basic needs generate reasons for action and how are these reasons to be understood? (3) How are basic needs and their satisfaction to be measured? I address these questions in turn. Then I also briefly discuss the theoretical potential of appealing to basic needs in normative contexts. It turns out that future research in this area could benefit from a higher degree of interdisciplinarity and methodological reflection, and that, generally speaking, basic needs theories are more promising than they have often been claimed to be.
Characterizing the impact of high temperature during grain filling on phytohormone levels, enzyme activity and metabolic profiles of an early indica rice variety
Authors: Shao C. , Shen L. , Qiu C. , Wang Y. , Qian Y. , Chen J. , Ouyang Z. , Zhang P. , Guan X. , Xie J. , Liu G. , Peng C.
Published: March 2021

Global warming results in high temperature stress (HTS), which presents severe challenges worldwide for modern agricultural production and will have significant impacts on the yield and quality of crops.

Accumulation of photosynthetic products, activity of enzymes involved in sucrose–starch metabolism, phytohormone levels and metabolic profiling using LC‐MS were analysed in the flag leaves and/or developing grains subjected to HTS during the grain‐filling stage of an indica rice.

HTS induced significant yield loss and reduced the grain quality, with lower amylose content. HTS reduced photosynthetic product accumulation in flag leaves and reduced starch accumulation in developing grains, compared to growth under normal temperatures. The activity of enzymes related to sucrose–starch metabolism were dis‐regulated in developing grains grown under high temperature (HT). Moreover, phytohormone homeostasis in flag leaves and developing grains was also dramatically disturbed by HT. Metabolic profiling detected many metabolites with remarkably different relative fold abundances at different time points in the developing grain at HTversusnormal temperatures, these metabolites were enriched in several HTS response pathways.

The change in phytohormone ratio and auxin level might be associated with the reduction in photosynthetic products and their translocation, and ultimately with reduced starch accumulation in the developing grain. The detected metabolites might have different roles in response to the HTS in developing grain at different development stages. These results provide a theoretical reference and basis for future rice production towards higher quality and yield when grown under HTS.
Neural differences in the temporal cascade of reactive and proactive control for bilinguals and monolinguals
Authors: Rainey Vanessa R. , Stockdale Laura , Flores‐Lamb Valerie , Kahrilas Ian J. , Mullins T’kara L. , Gjorgieva Eva , Morrison Robert G. , Silton Rebecca L.
Published: March 2021

This study explored differences in sustained top‐down attentional control (i.e., proactive control) and spontaneous types of control (i.e., reactive control) in bilingual and monolingual speakers. We modified a Color‐Word Stroop task to varying levels of conflict and included switching trials in addition to more “traditional” inhibition Stroop conditions. The task was administered during scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to evaluate the temporal course of cognitive control during trials. The behavioral Stroop effect was observed across the whole sample; however, there were no differences in accuracy or response time between the bilingual and monolingual groups. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) were calculated for the N200, N450, and conflict Sustained Potential (SP). On the pure‐blocked incongruent trials, the bilingual group displayed reduced signal during interference suppression (N450) and increased later signal, as indexed by the conflict SP. On the mixed‐block incongruent trials, both the bilinguals and monolinguals displayed increased later signal at the conflict SP. This suggests that proactive control may be a default mode for bilinguals on tasks requiring inhibition. In the switching trials, that place high demands on the executive control component of shifting, the language groups did not differ. Overall, these results suggest processing differences between bilinguals and monolinguals extend beyond early response inhibition processes. Greater integration of proactive and reactive control may be needed to sort conflicting language environments for bilinguals, which may be transferring to domain‐general mechanisms.
The right to contest automated decisions under the General Data Protection Regulation: Beyond the so‐called “right to explanation”
Authors: Bayamlıoğlu Emre
Published: March 2021

The right to contest automated decisions as provided by Article 22 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a due process provision with concrete transparency implications. Based on this, the paper in hand aims, first, to provide an interpretation of Art 22 and the right to contest (as the key provision in determining the contours of transparency in relation to automated decisions under the GDPR); second, to provide a systematic account of possible administrative, procedural, and technical mechanisms (transparency measures) that could be deployed for the purpose contesting automated decisions; and third, to examine the compatibility of these mechanisms with the GDPR. Following the introduction, Part II starts with an analysis of the newly enacted right to contest solely automated decisions as provided under Article 22 of the GDPR. This part identifies the right to contest in Article 22 as the core remedy, with inherent transparency requirements which are foundational for due process. Setting the right to contest as the backbone of protection against the adverse effects of solely automated decisions, Part III focuses on certain key points and provisions under the GDPR, which are described as the 1st layer (human‐intelligible) transparency. This part explores to what extent “information and access” rights (Articles 13, 14, and 15) could satisfy the transparency requirements for the purposes of contestation as explained in Part II. Next, Part IV briefly identifies the limits of 1st layer transparency – explaining how technical complexity together with competition and integrity‐related concerns render human‐level transparency either infeasible or legally impossible. In what follows, Part V conceptualizes a 2nd layer of transparency which consists of further administrative, procedural, and technical measures (i.e., design choices facilitating interpretability, institutional oversight, and algorithmic scrutiny). Finally, Part VI identifies four regulatory options, combining 1st and 2nd layer transparency measures to implement Article 22. The primary aim of the paper is to provide a systematic interpretation of Article 22 and examine how “the right to contest solely automated decisions” could help give meaning to the overall transparency provisions of the GDPR. With a view to transcend the current debates about the existence of a so‐called right to an explanation, the paper develops an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on the specific transparency implications of the “right to contest” as a remedy of procedural nature.
Mental movements: How long‐distance walking influences reflection processes among middle‐age and older adults
Authors: Mau Martin , Nielsen Dorthe S. , Jakobsen Ida Skytte , Klausen Søren H. , Roessler Kirsten K.
Published: March 2021

By providing a distinctive room for reflection, long‐distance walks can help people similar to professional counselling. To understand reflection processes’ influence on mental health, a framework focusing on personal transformations, specifically through the concept of liminality, can be used. Through nine semi‐structured interviews with middle‐aged and older long‐distance walkers, this study answers the following question: How do middle‐aged and older adults experience long‐distance walking, and how do their experiences influence their reflective process? Four themes emerged during the analysis: (1) overcoming strain and achieving a sense of capability; (2) simplicity in obligations and having the time to pursue emotionally difficult experiences; (3) solitariness and reflection on oneself; and (4) calmness and embracing thoughts. These findings illustrate how going on long‐distance walks may be similar to entering a liminal, or transformational, space. The findings show how long‐distance walks can be helpful, or perhaps even therapeutic, in situations where personal transformation is required.
Influence of Schirmer strip wetness on volume absorbed, volume recovered, and total protein content in canine tears
Authors: Bertram Morgan , Allbaugh Rachel A. , Mochel Jonathan P. , Peraza Jacqueline , Page Lauren , Sebbag Lionel
Published: March 2021

Objective

Determine the protein content and volume of tears sampled by Schirmer strips wetness ranging from 20 to 35 mm.

Animals Studied

Ten healthy beagle dogs.

Procedures

Each dog underwent 20 tear collections per day (10 sessions in each eye, spaced by ≥1 h) for 4 separate days, providing 200 tear samples for each length of wetness evaluated: 20, 25, 30, and 35 mm. A Schirmer strip was placed in each eye until the selected mm‐mark was reached, calculating the volume absorbed (VA) as the difference between the post‐ and pre‐collection weight (assuming 1 mg~1 µL for tear fluid), and the volume recovered (VR) as the amount pipetted from the tube following centrifugation. Total protein content (TPC) was measured with infrared spectroscopy. Outcome measures were compared with the Kruskal‐Wallis test.

Results

Median values for VA (µL), VR (µL) and TPC (mg/mL) were as follows: 20 mm (18, 10, 5.94), 25 mm (22, 12.5, 5.97), 30 mm (25.5, 16, 5.89), and 35 mm (31, 22.5, 7.13). Both VA and VR were significantly greater (p < .001) for Schirmer strips wetness of 35»30»25»20 mm. TPC was significantly greater (p < .001) for 35 > 20–30 mm, but not among other groups (p = 1.000).

Conclusions

The study established normative data to consider when canine studies use Schirmer strips to collect tears for bioanalytical purposes (eg, proteomics, pharmacokinetics). Although 35 mm yielded higher VA and VR, the higher TPC could be explained by greater disruption of ocular surface homeostasis. Absorption to 20–30 mm is the suggested length of strip wetness for bioanalytical tear collection in dogs.
Entangled Aeglidae (Decapoda, Anomura): Additional evidence for cryptic species
Authors: Zimmermann Bianca L. , Buzatto Ivanice , Santos Sandro , Giri Federico , Teixeira de Mello Franco , Crandall Keith A. , Pérez‐Losada Marcos , Bartholomei‐Santos Marlise L.
Published: March 2021

Cryptic species are a major challenge for morphologically based species identification. Molecular approaches to species delimitation can be a valuable tool to provide preliminary taxonomic hypotheses and significantly complements morphological taxonomy. In South America, the freshwater crabs of the genusAeglahave sparked much interest as they are key species in the often‐endangered freshwater ecosystems and themselves are often considered endangered species. Morphological similarity amongAeglaspecies is not always positively correlated with genetic relatedness and growing evidence suggests that several putative single taxa are actually assemblages of cryptic species. We coupled broad geographically sampling (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) with multilocus (COI,16SandANT) phylogenies to investigate the diversity ofAegla uruguayana. Our species delimitation analyses suggested that 19 aeglid populations form a well‐supported clade, although individuals from 10 populations possibly represent a complex of cryptic species. The significant amount of cryptic diversity found in aeglids seem to rely on several factors, including habitat fragmentation, life history features, morphological stasis, convergent evolution and recent divergence. The search for new diagnostic characters and the description of the cryptic species that remain unnamed will probably be the next challenge for this unique group of crustaceans.
Strategies to Promote Meaningful Student Engagement in Online Settings
Authors: McKeithan Glennda K. , Rivera Mabel O. , Mann Lara E. , Mann Lisa B.
Published: March 2021

Distance learning or online education has increased significantly over the past decade to coincide with easy access to technology and the availability of multifaceted learning management system software that can be used to develop asynchronous educational experiences (Ginder et al., 2018). The increased demand for online education, as well as unprecedented circumstances (Covid-19 Pandemic) that require quick changes to instructional delivery alternatives, have resulted in many traditional face-to-face programs transitioning into online and hybrid (e.g., part online and part face-to-face) programs across curriculum content areas to attract and retain full and part-time learners (DuPont et al., 2018). Effective online instruction must be engaging and meaningful/relevant. Course authors and instructors in higher education must incorporate strategies to maximize student engagement to develop high-quality learning experiences in online environments (Fallahi, 2019; Weidlich & Bastiaens, 2018). This article discusses the application of varied strategies and instructional practices to help instructors in post-secondary educational settings enhance the quality of teaching and social presence in the online learning environment. The strategies addressed are connected to the teachers’ ability to integrate multifaceted learning goals into instructional planning and delivery in order to create effective online learning environments that may improve outcomes for students across settings and content areas (Dixson, 2015; Henrie et al., 2015; Moore & Shemberger, 2019).
Effects of game-based rehabilitation on upper limb function in adults within the first six months following stroke: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ali A Sulfikar , Arumugam Ashokan , Gururaj Sanjana , Kumaran D Senthil
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To evaluate and summarize the level of evidence for the immediate, short-term, and long-term effects of game-based rehabilitation on upper limb function in adults within the first six months following stroke.

Introduction:

A game-based intervention is a valuable therapeutic tool for incorporating principles of motor learning and neuroplasticity in the rehabilitation of upper limb function post-stroke. Most of the existing reviews on game-based rehabilitation are focused on the chronic phase of stroke. However, as maximum upper limb motor recovery occurs in the first six months after stroke, further exploration of the effects of game-based rehabilitation in this phase is necessary.

Inclusion criteria:

We will include randomized clinical trials assessing the immediate, short-term, and long-term effects of game-based rehabilitation on upper limb function in adults within the first six months following stroke.

Methods:

The systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist and JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. A database-specific search strategy will be used in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, PEDro, OT Seeker, and Ovid MEDLINE to identify studies in the English language with no date limit. Two reviewers will independently screen, extract data from, and assess risk of bias in the eligible studies. Meta-analysis and publication bias evaluation will be done when adequate data are available. If a meta-analysis is precluded, then a narrative synthesis will be done. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria will be used to assess the certainty of evidence for the outcome measures of interest.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020190100
Postoperative oral drug regimen to control the inflammatory complications in mandibular third molar surgery: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: de Souza Glaciele Maria , Magesty Rafael Alvim , Fernandes Ighor Andrade , Sales Késsia Nara Andrade , Galvão Endi Lanza , Falci Saulo Gabriel Moreira
Published: March 2021

Objective:

This network meta-analysis aims to rank the best postoperative drug regimen to control inflammatory complications related to mandibular third molar surgery.

Introduction:

Many studies of oral drugs have been proposed to control postoperative inflammatory complications after third molar surgeries with inconclusive results. A systematic review with network meta-analysis in this field may clarify the best therapeutic protocol for practice in dentistry.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider randomized clinical trials that included healthy adult patients or those who had treated and controlled systemic diseases; asymptomatic patients who were free of acute infection or inflammation at the surgical site immediately before third molar surgery; and patients submitted to surgical removal of one lower third molar at a time in which they have received oral anti-inflammatory and/or analgesics in the postoperative moment. The outcomes are pain, edema, trismus, and adverse effects.

Methods:

Sources of published studies, unpublished studies, and gray literature will be searched without time or language restrictions. Titles and abstracts of all search results will be screened by two independent reviewers. The full text of potentially relevant studies will be assessed. Methodological quality of the included studies will be performed using the JBI checklist for experimental studies. Data related to specific details about the population, study methods, interventions, and outcomes will be extracted from the included studies. The findings will be presented in a narrative form and polled in network meta-analysis, when possible.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020196692
Public Benefit: the challenge for development-led archaeology in the UK
Authors: Watson Sadie
Published: March 2021

The challenge of providing public benefit from development control archaeology has been a concern across Europe after both the Valletta and Faro conventions encouraged the view that the public must be the key beneficiaries of archaeological work, and since then the theoretical concept of public benefit has become well recognised across our profession. However, it seems to me that the archaeological sector does not yet provide this in a meaningful way or know how to maximise the public benefit potential of our work; indeed, this is acknowledged at the highest levels (e.g. British Academy 2017, 33).

The EAC established their Working Group on 'Making the Case' to investigate examples of best practice and provide a practical toolkit for the better articulation of public benefit arising from development-led archaeology (EAC 2019). In the UK the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists has published a briefing document that outlines the potential for public benefit offered by archaeology (CIfA 2020). This dovetails well with a new research project, funded by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) and hosted at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), intended to ensure that public benefit is at the heart of decision-making throughout the development control sector in the UK (MOLA 2019). This article provides an introduction to the rationale behind this project and outlines how the project ambitions could be achieved through a careful navigation through the complex structures of development programmes' procurement and management.
The Public Benefits of Archaeology According to the Public
Authors: van den Dries Monique H.
Published: March 2021

While the knowledge creation benefits of archaeology are widely understood, there is less awareness or assessment of other potential benefits. These can be associated with wellbeing and health, including mental health. These are significant given that archaeology is a creative and outdoor activity with the potential to enhance social bond through collaborative working. Using data from the NEARCH survey of 2015, this paper seeks to encourage wider participation in archaeology, enabling much more public benefit to be realised.
A Hypothesized Mechanistic Model of Longitudinal Wall Motion at the Common Carotid Artery
Authors: Hao Zhili , Reyonds Leryn , Herre John M.
Published: March 2021

By adopting a physics-physiology integrative approach, this work hypothesizes a mechanistic model of longitudinal wall motion ux(t) at the common carotid artery (CCA) and explores its antegrade amplitude ux0-ante and retrograde amplitude ux0-retro in systole for their clear implications. By examining the findings on ux(t) and other relevant findings on the cardiovascular (CV) physiology in the context of the physical essence of ux(t) and the CV system, a mechanistic model of ux(t) is hypothesized and formulated as a boundary-value problem of nonhomogeneous wave propagation in a semi-infinite domain. With the aid of findings on ux(t) and other related findings in the CV system, a scaling analysis of the boundary-value problem gives rise to two longitudinal arterial indices based on the two amplitudes: longitudinal elasticity Exx at the CCA being estimated from ux0-ante, and ux0-retro as an inverse indicator of the maximum base rotation of the left ventricle (LV) and a positive indicator of longitudinal elasticity at the ascending aorta (AA). The two arterial indices are qualitatively validated by their consistency with the effect of subclinical atherosclerosis and aging on the related parameters in the CV system. The implications of longitudinal elasticity to the LV function and energy transmission in the arterial tree are also discussed.
An Optimal Control Approach for Consensus of General Linear Time-Invariant Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Shobeiry Poorya , Xin Ming
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the consensus problem for general linear time-invariant (LTI) multi-agent systems (MASs) with a single input is studied in a new optimal control framework. The optimal cooperative control law is designed from a modified linear quadratic regulator (LQR) method and an inverse optimal control formulation. Three cost function terms are constructed to address the consensus, control effort, and cooperative tracking, respectively. Three distinct features of this approach can be achieved. First, the optimal feedback control law is derived analytically without involving any numerical solution. Second, this formulation guarantees both asymptotic stability and optimality. Third, the cooperative control law is distributed and only requires local information based on the communication topology to enable the agents to achieve consensus and track a desired trajectory. The performance of this optimal cooperative control method is demonstrated through an example of attitude synchronization of multiple satellites.
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Simulations of Turbulent Flow in Curved Pipes With Different Geometries: A Comparison With Experiments
Authors: Alvarado-Rodríguez C. E. , Sigalotti L. Di G. , Klapp J. , Fierro-Santillán C. R. , Aragón F. , Uribe-Ramírez A. R.
Published: March 2021

The swirling secondary flow in curved pipes is studied in three-space dimensions using a weakly compressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (WCSPH) formulation coupled to new nonreflecting outflow boundary conditions. A large eddy simulation (LES) model for turbulence is benchmarked with existing experimental data. After validation of the present model against experimental results for a 90 deg pipe bend, a detailed numerical study aimed at reproducing experimental flow measurements for a wide range of Reynolds numbers has been performed for different pipe geometries, including U pipe bends, S-shaped pipes, and helically coiled pipes. In all cases, the SPH calculated behavior shows reasonably good agreement with the measurements across and downstream the bend in terms of streamwise velocity profiles and cross-sectional contours. Maximum mean-root-square deviations from the experimentally obtained profiles are always less than ∼1.8%. This combined with the very good matching between the SPH and the experimental cross-sectional contours shows the uprising capabilities of the present scheme for handling engineering applications with streamline curvature, such as flows in bends and manifolds.
Impact of Polymer Degradation on Past Studies of the Mean Velocity Profile in Turbulent Boundary Layers
Authors: Elbing Brian R.
Published: March 2021

This study reexamines past studies of how drag-reducing polymer solutions modify the log-region of a developing turbulent boundary layer (TBL). The classical view was that the polymers modify the intercept constant without impacting the von Kármán coefficient, which results in the log-region being unaltered though shifted outward from the wall. However, recent work has shown this to be not accurate, especially at high drag reduction (HDR) (>40%). While the deviations to the von Kármán coefficient were conjectured to be related to polymeric properties, this had not been explored. This work examines the scatter in both log-region parameters and estimates the local polymeric properties. This shows that the scatter of the von Kármán coefficient between studies is related to the inner variable based Weissenberg number. In addition, recent polymer ocean results are included that support the implicit assumption in past studies that the maximum wall concentration should be used to define the local polymeric properties.
Nonuniform Stress Field Determination Based on Deformation Measurement
Authors: Liu C.
Published: March 2021

In this investigation, we demonstrate a technique that, under certain circumstances, will determine stresses associated with a nonuniform deformation field without knowing the detailed constitutive behavior of the deforming material. This technique is based on (1) a detailed deformation measurement of a domain (currently in 2D) and (2) the observation that for isotropic materials, the strain and the stress, which form the so-called work-conjugate pair, are co-axial, or their eigenvectors share the same directions. The particular measures for strain and stress chosen in this study are the Lagrangian (or Green-Lagrangian) strain and the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress. The deformation measurement provides the field of the principal stretch orientation θλ and since the Lagrangian strain and the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress are co-axial, the principal stress orientation θs of the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress is then determined. The Cauchy stress is related to the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress through the deformation gradient tensor, which can be measured experimentally. We then show that the principal stress orientation θσ of the Cauchy stress is the sum of the principal stretch orientation θλ and the local rigid-body rotation θq, which is determinable by the deformation gradient through polar decomposition. Such a relationship is valid for finite deformations. With the principal stress orientation θσ known, the equation of equilibrium, now in terms of the two principal stresses, σ1 and σ2, and θσ, can be solved numerically with appropriate traction boundary conditions. The stresses determined using this technique obviously satisfy the equation of equilibrium, in contrast to those obtained from a constitutive model with input from deformation measurement. The technique and the associated numerical scheme are verified and validated through two virtual test cases representative of the simply-connected and multiply-connected domains, where exact solutions are available. The technique is then applied to an experimental case of nonuniform deformation of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet with a circular hole and subject to uniaxial tension. In this case, the associated stress field is also determined through a constitutive model of hyperelasticity, the generalized neo-Hookean (GNH) model, calibrated for the particular PVC sheet. Limitations and restrictions of the technique and the associated numerical scheme, as well as possible extensions will be discussed.
Design of the Magnetic Stamp Film for Electromagnetic-Assisted Transfer Printing
Authors: Yu Qingmin , Li Anran , Yu Xudong , Zhou Honglei , Cheng Huanyu
Published: March 2021

As a critical step to integrate micro-nano electronic components on the soft substrate, transfer printing allows the facile fabrication of flexible electronics. The key to a successful transfer printing process is to modulate the interfacial adhesion strength at the stamp/device interface. As an advanced approach, electromagnetic-assisted transfer printing explores a sealed chamber with a magnetic stamp film at the bottom that can be reversibly actuated by the externally applied magnetic field. The deflected magnetic stamp film changes the pressure inside the chamber to modulate the interfacial adhesion at the stamp/device interface. Here, we investigate various design considerations and demonstrate a magnetic stamp film with magnetic NdFeB particles dispersed in a silicone polymer. A theoretical model is first established to study the reversible upward (or downward) deformation of the magnetic stamp film in a positive (or negative) magnetic field. The theoretical model reveals the effects of the mass fraction of the magnetic particles, the thickness of the magnetic film, and the magnetic field intensity on the deformation of the film and the transfer printing process. The theoretically predicted linear relationship between the maximum displacement of the magnetic film and the applied magnetic field is validated by finite element analysisand experimental results.
Molten Pool Tracking Using a Superpixel-Based Approach in a Laser Metal Deposition Process
Authors: García-Moreno Angel-Iván , Alvarado-Orozco Juan-Manuel , Ibarra-Medina Juansethi , Martínez-Franco Enrique
Published: March 2021

Nowadays, additive manufacturing technologies (AM) suffer from insufficient or lacking methodologies/techniques for quality control. This fact represents a key technological barrier preventing broader industrial adoption of AM, particularly in high-value applications where component failure cannot be accepted. This article presents a real-time melt pool segmentation and monitoring technique applicable to the direct laser metal deposition (LMD) process. An infrared camera with an InSb detector (resolution of 640 × 480, spectral range between 3 and 5 μm) was used. An algorithm, called gravitational superpixels, is presented. This algorithm can group pixels and generate superpixels based on a block generation technique that compares color similarity and temperature in infrared images. Besides, a color similarity correction is applied to reduce uncertainty in segmentation, as well as for eliminating the image background. The task of extracting edges is based on the law of universal gravitation. A quantitative and qualitative algorithm performance analysis, which uses standard metrics, is presented. The analysis demonstrates better versatility than reduction/feature extraction or image segmentation approaches by high-/low-pass filtering. The experimental validation was carried out, extracting and measuring the molten pool geometry and its thermal signature. Then, measures were compared against ground truth and against results obtained by other similar methods. The proposed gravitational superpixel method has higher precision and performance. Our proposal has a significant potential for monitoring industrial AM processes since it requires minimal modifications of commercially available industrial machines.