bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 and labor issues: An assessment
Authors: Larue Bruno
Published: April 2021

Canada's unemployment rate increased rapidly in the spring of 2020 in response to strict public health measures. Low‐wage workers were hit particularly hard, including restaurant workers. The production and distribution of food being essential and agri‐food supply chains being resilient, other workers in the agri‐food sector were less impacted by public health measures and the pandemic. Employment in grocery stores remained steady and employment of agricultural workers, including temporary foreign workers, proved more robust than expected. Dealing with contaminated workers proved challenging in meat processing plants. Temporary plant shutdowns and slowdowns created livestock queuing problems and temporary increases in meat prices. The federal and provincial governments implemented several programs to mitigate the pandemic's adverse effects on labor markets. The pandemic will have permanent effect on labor markets, but with unemployment rates falling rapidly across Canada, recruiting and retention remain the main labor issues in agriculture.
Oncological outcome of wide anatomic resection with partial mesorectal excision in patients with upper and middle rectal cancer
Authors: Jiménez‐Toscano Marta , Montcusí Blanca , Ansuátegui Marina , Alonso Sandra , Salvans Silvia , Pascual Marta , Pera Miguel
Published: April 2021

Aim

The aim was to investigate the influence of distal resection margin and extent of mesorectal excision on long‐term oncological outcomes.

Method

Consecutive patients with upper and middle third rectal cancer from June 2006 to February 2016 were reviewed. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the distal margin considered as a surrogate marker of the extension of mesorectal excision (Q1 ≤10 mm, Q2 11–20 mm, Q3 21–30 mm, Q4 ≥31 mm). Local‐recurrence‐free survival (LRFS), disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated. Cox regression models were used to investigate the influence of surgical and clinicopathological variables on prognosis by adjusting for confounding factors.

Results

Two hundred and eleven patients with mid (125) and upper (86) rectal cancer underwent wide mesorectal excision. The median follow‐up was 48.64 months (interquartile range 28–63). 17.5% patients developed recurrence. The 5‐year LRFS, DFS and OS for all patients were 93.20%, 83.89% and 80.1%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups (LRFS, P = 0.601; DFS, P = 0.487; OS, P = 0.468). In the multivariable analysis the recurrences and survival were associated with the quality of the mesorectum (LRFS, hazard ratio 10.629, 95% CI 2.324–48.610, P = 0.002; DFS, hazard ratio 2.789, 95% CI 1.314–5.922, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

A wide anatomical resection with partial mesorectal excision and shorter distal resection margin does not jeopardize the oncological outcomes.
Long‐term anorectal function in rectal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and endorectal brachytherapy
Authors: Faaborg Pia Møller , Haas Susanne , Liao Donghua , Ploen John , Jakobsen Anders , Rahr Hans Bjarke , Laurberg Soeren , Gregersen Hans , Lundby Lilli , Christensen Peter , Krogh Klaus
Published: April 2021

Aim

The aim was to study anorectal function in long‐term survivors after combined, curatively intended, chemoradiotherapy and endorectal brachytherapy for low rectal cancer.

Methods

This was a case–control design. We compared anorectal function by anal manometry, anal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) and rectal bag distension in rectal cancer patients (RCPs) and healthy, normal subjects (NSs). Symptoms were assessed by the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and Wexner faecal incontinence scores.

Results

Thirteen RCPs (12 men, median age 68 years, range 52–92) after 60 Gy radiotherapy, 5 Gy endorectal brachytherapy and oral tegafur‐uracil with complete clinical response (median time since treatment 2.8 years, range 2.2–5.6) were compared to 15 NSs (14 men, median age 64 years, range 47–75). RCPs had lower than normal anal resting pressure, 38.6 mmHg (range 8.8–67.7) versus 58.8 mmHg (25.7–105.2) (P < 0.003), and squeeze pressure, 117 mmHg (55.2–203) versus 188 mmHg (103–248) (P < 0.01). Squeeze‐induced pressure increase recorded by EndoFLIP was also lower in RCPs (q > 7.56, P < 0.001) as was the anal canal resistance to increasing distension (q = 3.13, P < 0.05). No differences in median rectal volume at first sensation (72 [22–158] vs. 82 [36–190] ml, P = 0.4) or at urge to defaecate (107 [42–227] vs. 132 [59–334] ml, P = 0.2) were found. However, maximum tolerable rectal volume was lower in RCPs (145 [59–319] vs. 222 [106–447] ml, P < 0.02). The median (range) low anterior resection syndrome score was 27 (0–39) for RCPs and 7 (0–23) for NSs (P < 0.001), while the Wexner score was 0 (0–5) versus 0 (0–4) (P = 0.56).

Conclusion

Radiotherapy combined with endorectal brachytherapy for rectal cancer causes long‐term anorectal symptoms, impaired anal sphincter function and reduced rectal capacity.
Dialect Diversity and Foreign Direct Investment in China
Authors: Feng Wei , Wu Yanrui , Fu Yue
Published: April 2021

This paper examines the relationship between dialect diversity and foreign direct investment (FDI) using a dataset of 230 Chinese cities for the period 2000–2014. We find that dialect diversity and FDI absorption are negatively correlated. However, this negative relationship disappears gradually over time. Several underlying mechanisms are identified. In particular, it is found that dialect diversity impedes human capital development and hence obstructs FDI absorption. Our results also show that there are threshold and spatial spillover effects. This research increases knowledge of FDI location choice and has implications for foreign investment policymaking.
Who Will Care for Middle Aged and Elderly Parents in Rural China?
Authors: Li Menghua , Zhou Yun , Shi Xinjie
Published: April 2021

Using data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this paper analyzes how the health of parents is causally linked to the gender of their children. We find that, compared with parents with no daughters, those with one daughter are healthier by 0.155 more activities of daily living. This effect is mainly channeled through the provision of emotional comfort and financial support, and not through living with parents. We also confirm that daughters are an important source of financial and emotional support for elderly parents, regardless of whether the parents have pension insurance. This study has important policy implications for China as it focuses on the support from daughters, who historically have not been considered to be as reliable as sons in supporting their parents.
Impact of daytime light intensity on the central orexin (hypocretin) system of a diurnal rodent (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Lonstein Joseph S. , Linning‐Duffy Katrina , Tang Yuping , Moody Anna , Yan Lily
Published: April 2021

The neuropeptide orexin/hypocretin is implicated in sleep and arousal, energy expenditure, reward, affective state and cognition. Our previous work using diurnal Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) found that orexin mediates the effects of environmental light, particularly daytime light intensity, on affective and cognitive behaviours. The present study further investigated how daytime light intensity affects the central orexin system in male and female grass rats. Subjects were housed for 4 weeks in 12:12 hr dim light:dark (50 lux, dimLD) or in 12:12 hr bright light:dark cycle (1000 lux, brightLD). Day/night fluctuations in some orexin measures were also assessed. Despite similar hypothalamic prepro‐orexin mRNA expression across all conditions, there were significantly more orexin‐immunoreactive neurons, larger somata, greater optical density or higher orexin A content at night (ZT14) than during the day (ZT2), and/or in animals housed in brightLD compared to dimLD. Grass rats in brightLD also had higher cisternal CSF levels of orexin A. Furthermore, orexin receptor OX1R and OX2R proteins in the medial prefrontal cortex were higher in brightLD than dimLD males, but lower in brightLD than dimLD females. In the CA1 and dorsal raphe nucleus, females had higher OX1R than males without any significant effects of light condition, and OX2R levels were unaffected by sex or light. These results reveal that daytime light intensity alters the central orexin system of both male and female diurnal grass rats, sometimes sex‐specifically, and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying how daytime light intensity impacts orexin‐regulated functions.
Role of the frontal eye field in human pupil and saccade orienting responses
Authors: Hsu Tzu‐Yu , Hsu Yu‐Fan , Wang Hsin‐Yi , Wang Chin‐An
Published: April 2021

The appearance of a salient stimulus evokes a series of orienting responses including saccades and pupil size to prepare the body for appropriate action. The midbrain superior colliculus (SC) that receives critical control signals from the frontal eye field (FEF) is hypothesized to coordinate all components of orienting. It has shown recently that the FEF, together with the SC, is also importantly involved in the control of pupil size, in addition to its well‐documented role in eye movements. Although the role of the FEF in pupil size is demonstrated in monkeys, its role in human pupil responses and the coordination between pupil size and saccades remains to be established. Through applying continuous theta‐burst stimulation over the right FEF and vertex, we investigated the role of the FEF in human pupil and saccade responses evoked by a salient stimulus, and the coordination between pupil size and saccades. Our results showed that neither saccade reaction times (SRT) nor pupil responses evoked by salient stimuli were modulated by FEF stimulation. In contrast, the correlation between pupil size and SRTs in the contralateral stimulus condition was diminished with FEF stimulation, but intact with vertex stimulation. Moreover, FEF stimulation effects between saccade and pupil responses associated with salient stimuli correlated across participants. This is the first transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study on the pupil orienting response, and our findings suggest that human FEF was involved in coordinating pupil size and saccades, but not involved in the control of pupil orienting responses.
Seed predator effects on plants: Moving beyond time‐corrected proxies
Authors: Dylewski Łukasz , Ortega Yvette K. , Bogdziewicz Michał , Pearson Dean E.
Published: April 2021

We previously demonstrated that small mammals impact plant recruitment globally via size‐dependent seed predation, generating a unimodal pattern across ecosystems. Chen et al. (2021) critiqued our seed removal analysis, advocating corrections for exposure time. We show such manipulations are unwarranted and argue for increased emphasis on plant recruitment metrics.
Marine biodiversity refugia in a climate‐sensitive subarctic shelf
Authors: Alabia Irene D. , García Molinos Jorge , Hirata Takafumi , Mueter Franz J. , Hirawake Toru , Saitoh Sei‐Ichi
Published: April 2021

The subarctic shelf of the Eastern Bering Sea (EBS) is one of the world's most productive marine environments, exposed to drastic climate changes characterized by extreme fluctuations in temperature, sea ice concentration, timing, and duration. These climatic changes elicit profound responses in species distribution, abundance, and community composition. Here, we examined the patterns of alpha and temporal beta diversity of 159 marine taxa (66 vertebrates and 93 invertebrate species) from 29 years (1990–2018) of species observations from the NOAA bottom trawl surveys in the EBS. Based on these data, we identified geographically distinct refugial zones in the northern and southern regions of the middle shelf, defined by high species richness and similarity in community species composition over time. These refugial zones harbor higher frequencies of occurrence for representative taxa relative to the regions outside of refugia. We also explored the primary environmental factors structuring marine biodiversity distributions, which underpinned the importance of the winter sea ice concentration to alpha and temporal beta diversity. The spatial biodiversity distributions between high and low winter sea ice regimes highlighted contrasting signals. In particular, the latter showed elevated species richness compared to the former. Further, the temporal beta diversity between the high and low winter sea ice periods underpinned an overall increase in the compositional similarity of marine communities in the EBS. Despite these spatiotemporal differences in biodiversity distributions, the identified refugia represent safe havens of marine biodiversity in the EBS. Distinguishing these areas can help facilitate conservation and management efforts under accelerated and ongoing climatic changes.
Cross‐generational response of a tropical sea urchin to global change and a selection event in a 43‐month mesocosm study
Authors: Uthicke Sven , Patel Frances , Petrik Chelsea , Watson Sue‐Ann , Karelitz Sam E. , Lamare Miles D.
Published: April 2021

Long‐term experimental investigations of transgenerational plasticity (TGP) and transgenerational acclimatization to global change are sparse in marine invertebrates. Here, we test the effect of ocean warming and acidification over a 25‐month period of Echinometra sp. A sea urchins whose parents were acclimatized at ambient or one of two near‐future (projected mid and end of the 21st century) climate scenarios for 18 months. Several parameters linked to performance exhibited strong effects of future ocean conditions at 9 months of age. The Ambient‐Ambient group (A‐A, both F0 and F1 at ambient conditions) was significantly larger (21%) and faster in righting response (31%) compared to other groups. A second set of contrasts revealed near‐future scenarios caused significant negative parental carryover effects. Respiration at 9 months was depressed by 59% when parents were from near‐future climate conditions, and righting response was slowed by 28%. At 10 months, a selective pathogenic mortality event led to significantly higher survival rates of A‐A urchins. Differences in size and respiration measured prior to the mortality were absent after the event, while a negative parental effect on righting (29% reduction) remained. The capacity to spawn at the end of the experiment was higher in individuals with ambient parents (50%) compared to other groups (21%) suggesting persistent parental effects. Obtaining different results at different points in time illustrates the importance of longer term and multigeneration studies to investigate effects of climate change. Given some animals in all groups survived the pathogenic event and that effects on physiology (but not behavior) among groups were eliminated after the mortality, we suggest that similar events could constitute selective sweeps, allowing genetic adaptation. However, given the observed negative parental effects and reduced potential for population replenishment, it remains to be determined if selection would be sufficiently rapid to rescue this species from climate change effects.
Multi‐scale modeling for frequency‐dependent dielectric responses of non‐uniform porous carbon fiber/mullite composites
Authors: Xia Xiaodong , Zhao Shijun , Long Lan , Li Yang , Zhou Wei
Published: April 2021

The frequency‐dependent dielectric responses of non‐uniformly dispersed porous carbon fiber/mullite composites fabricated by gel‐casting are intensively investigated in the X‐band range. Experimental data have shown the frequency dependence of dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of the overall composite. The dielectric responses of non‐uniformly dispersed porous carbon fiber/mullite composites in X‐band are quantitatively modeled through a multi‐scale homogenization method based on the effective‐medium approximation. The non‐uniform dispersion of carbon fibers and micro‐pores in the mullite ceramic has been included via a corresponding multi‐scale geometric setting. The effective dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of the composite both enhance with the fiber volume concentration. It is demonstrated that the decreasing dielectric permittivity and increasing electrical conductivity with respect to the AC frequency can be attributed to frequency‐dependent dielectric relaxation and electron hopping effects at the interface. Furthermore, improving the uniform dispersion of carbon fibers in the mullite is essential to achieve the enhanced dielectric response of porous carbon fiber/mullite composites. The present paper can provide the directions to design the porous carbon fiber/mullite composites for micro‐electronic devices in the high‐temperature environment.
Dental biofilm of symptomatic COVID‐19 patients harbours SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Gomes Sabrina Carvalho , Fachin Sabrina , da Fonseca Juliane Gonçalves , Angst Patrícia Daniela Melchiors , Lamers Marcelo Lazzaron , da Silva Ilma Simoni Brum , Nunes Luciana Neves
Published: April 2021

Aims

SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA has been recovered from different sites in the human body, including the mouth. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in the dental biofilm of symptomatic patients who tested positive in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NASO/ORO) samples.

Materials & Methods

An observational clinical study of individuals with flu‐like symptoms was conducted between July and September 2020. Dental biofilm (BIO) samples were collected and analysed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) to determine the virus's presence.

Results

Seventy participants (40 ± 9.8 years of age, 71.4% female) tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in NASO/ORO samples and were included in the study. Among them, 13 tested positive in BIO samples (18.6%; 95% CI: [9.5, 27.7]). The median and interquartile range of cycle quantification (Cq) for NASO/ORO and BIO samples were 15.9 [6.9] and 35.9 [4.0] (p = .001), respectively. BIO‐positive participants showed a higher virus load in NASO/ORO samples (p = .012) than those testing negative (Cq = 20.4 [6.1]).

Conclusions

Dental biofilms from symptomatic COVID‐19 patients harbour SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA and might be a potential reservoir with an essential role in COVID‐19 transmission.
A review on the economics of artificial intelligence
Authors: Lu Yingying , Zhou Yixiao
Published: April 2021

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) not only represents a scientific breakthrough but also has impacts on human society and economies, as well as on the development of economics. This paper focuses on the macroeconomic perspective, reviewing recent literature in order to answer three key questions. First, what approaches are being used to represent AI in economic models? Second, will AI technology have an impact on the economy different from that of previous new technologies? Third, in which aspects will AI have an impact, and what is the empirical evidence for these effects of AI?

On the first question, our review reveals that the incorporation of AI into economic models raises fundamental questions on economics and economic models. On the second question, while most empirical studies cannot deny the existence of the Solow Paradox for AI technology, some studies find that AI would have a different and broader impact than previous technologies. On the third question, studies on the labor market seem to suggest a stylized fact regarding the impact of AI on employment on different levels, and income inequality across skill levels and between developing and developed countries. The impacts of AI on international trade and education have been largely neglected and are worth further research in the future. It is also important for both theoretical and empirical studies to have a clear and accurate definition of AI so that the results are not misinterpreted.
Mapping species richness of plant families in European vegetation
Authors: Večeřa Martin , Axmanová Irena , Padullés Cubino Josep , Lososová Zdeňka , Divíšek Jan , Knollová Ilona , Aćić Svetlana , Biurrun Idoia , Boch Steffen , Bonari Gianmaria , Campos Juan Antonio , Čarni Andraž , Carranza Maria Laura , Casella Laura , Chiarucci Alessandro , Ćušterevska Renata , Delbosc Pauline , Dengler Jürgen , Fernández‐González Federico , Gégout Jean‐Claude , Jandt Ute , Jansen Florian , Jašková Anni , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Kuzemko Anna , Lebedeva Maria , Lenoir Jonathan , Lysenko Tatiana , Moeslund Jesper Erenskjold , Pielech Remigiusz , Ruprecht Eszter , Šibík Jozef , Šilc Urban , Škvorc Željko , Swacha Grzegorz , Tatarenko Irina , Vassilev Kiril , Wohlgemuth Thomas , Yamalov Sergey , Chytrý Milan
Published: April 2021

Aims

Biodiversity is traditionally studied mostly at the species level, but biogeographical and macroecological studies at higher taxonomic levels can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes at large spatial scales. Our aim was to assess the representation of vascular plant families within different vegetation formations across Europe.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We used a data set of 816,005 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA). For each plot, we calculated the relative species richness of each plant family as the number of species belonging to that family divided by the total number of species. We mapped the relative species richness, averaged across all plots in 50 km × 50 km grid cells, for each family and broad habitat groups: forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We also calculated the absolute species richness and the Shannon diversity index for each family.

Results

We produced 522 maps of mean relative species richness for a total of 152 vascular plant families occurring in forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We found distinct spatial patterns for many combinations of families and habitat groups. The resulting series of 522 maps is freely available, both as images and GIS layers.

Conclusions

The distinct spatial patterns revealed in the maps suggest that the relative species richness of plant families at the community level reflects the evolutionary history of individual families. We believe that the maps and associated data can inspire further biogeographical and macroecological studies and strengthen the ongoing integration of phylogenetic, functional and taxonomic diversity concepts.
Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Nurses' Responsibility in Healthcare Quality Questionnaire: An instrument design study
Authors: Oldland Elizabeth , Hutchinson Alison M. , Redley Bernice , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Botti Mari
Published: April 2021

Nurses' awareness and acceptance of their professional responsibilities across the full breadth of safety and quality‐related practices and behaviors are critical for high quality healthcare delivery. The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test a new instrument to measure nurses' perceptions of their responsibilities related to healthcare quality. Participants were registered nurses, enrolled in a postgraduate program at an Australian university, who completed the Likert scale instrument with items developed from nurses' professional practice standards. Steps of pilot testing, item reduction, and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a five‐subscale, 55‐item instrument with acceptable goodness‐of‐fit indices and good internal consistency reliability. Test–retest reliability demonstrated acceptable temporal stability. The Nurses Responsibilities in Healthcare Quality Questionnaire demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. The instrument may assist education providers and health service managers to identify gaps between nurses' beliefs and professional role expectations, and evaluate the impact of educational and clinical initiatives designed to develop nurses' knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to healthcare quality.
Visualizing Borrelia burgdorferi Infection Using a Small-Molecule Imaging Probe
Authors: Sell Madeline G. , Alcorta David A. , Padilla Andrew E. , Nollner Dakota W. , Hasenkampf Nicole R. , Lambert Havard S. , Embers Monica E. , Spector Neil L.
Published: April 2021

In vivo
diagnostic imaging of bacterial infections is currently reliant on targeting their metabolic pathways, an ineffective method to identify microbial species with low metabolic activity. Here, we establish HS-198 as a small-molecule fluorescent conjugate that selectively targets the highly conserved bacterial protein HtpG (high-temperature protein G), within
Borrelia burgdorferi
, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.
Vaccinia Virus Gene Acquisition through Nonhomologous Recombination
Authors: Vallée Greg , Norris Peter , Paszkowski Patrick , Noyce Ryan S. , Evans David H.
Published: April 2021

Large DNA viruses sometimes interfere in antiviral defenses using repurposed and mutant forms of the cellular proteins that mediate these same reactions. Such virus orthologs of cellular genes were presumably captured through nonhomologous recombination, perhaps in the distant past, but nothing is known about the processes that might promote “gene capture” or even how often these events occur over the course of an infectious cycle.
CADM1 and CADM2 Trigger Neuropathogenic Measles Virus-Mediated Membrane Fusion by Acting in
cis
Authors: Shirogane Yuta , Takemoto Ryuichi , Suzuki Tateki , Kameda Tomonori , Nakashima Kinichi , Hashiguchi Takao , Yanagi Yusuke
Published: April 2021

Measles virus (MeV), an enveloped RNA virus, is the causative agent of measles, which is still an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Persistent MeV infection in the brain causes a fatal progressive neurological disorder, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), several years after acute infection.
Molecular and Physiological Adaptations to Low Temperature in
Thioalkalivibrio
Strains Isolated from Soda Lakes with Different Temperature Regimes
Authors: Ahn Anne-Catherine , Jongepier Evelien , Schuurmans J. Merijn , Rijpstra W. Irene C. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Galinski Erwin A. , Roman Pawel , Sorokin Dimitry , Muyzer Gerard
Published: April 2021

In addition to their haloalkaline conditions, soda lakes can also harbor a variety of other extreme parameters, to which their microbial communities need to adapt. However, for most of these supplementary stressors, it is not well known yet how haloalkaliphiles adapt and resist.
Treatment of asymptomatic blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI): a systematic review
Authors: Murphy Patrick B , Severance Sarah , Holler Emma , Menard Laura , Savage Stephanie , Zarzaur Ben L
Published: April 2021

Background

The management of asymptomatic blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) with respect to stroke prevention and vessel healing is challenging.

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to determine if a specific treatment results in lower stroke rates and/or improved vessel healing in asymptomatic BCVI.

Data sources

An electronic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov performed from inception to March 2020.

Study eligibility criteria

Studies were included if they reported on a comparison of any treatment for BCVI and stroke and/or vessel healing rates.

Participants and interventions

Adult patients diagnosed with asymptomatic BCVI(s) who were treated with any preventive medication or procedure.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

All studies were systematically reviewed and bias was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. No meta-analysis was performed secondary to significant heterogeneity across studies in patient population, screening protocols, and treatment selection. The main outcomes were stroke and healing rate.

Results

Of 8781 studies reviewed, 19 reported on treatment effects for asymptomatic BCVI and were included for review. Any choice of medical management was better than no treatment, but no specific differences between choice of medical management and stroke outcomes were found. Vessel healing was rare and the majority of healed vessels were following low-grade injuries.

Limitations

Majority of the included studies were retrospective and at high risk of bias.

Conclusions or implications of key findings

Asymptomatic BCVI should be treated medically using a consistent, local protocol. High-quality studies on the effect of individual antithrombotic agents on stroke rates and vessel healing for asymptomatic BCVI are required.
Limit equilibrium solutions to anti-overturning bearing capacity of suction caissons in uniform and linearly increasing strength clays
Authors: Wu Yuqi , Yang Qing , Li Dayong , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2021

Suction caissons supporting offshore wind turbines are exposed to great horizontal loading above the soil surface, which may lead to overturning failure of the caisson. This paper presents a modified three-dimensional failure mechanism to analyze the anti-overturning bearing capacity of suction caissons. The modified failure mechanism is composed of a meniscus-conical wedge with a meniscus shape at the soil surface and a scooped shape. The analytical solution to the anti-overturning bearing capacity of the suction caisson is deduced in terms of the limit equilibrium method, followed by a parametric study of the wedge depth ratio (c) to optimize the critical failure mechanism that satisfies both the force and moment equilibriums. Thus, the methodologies are relatively easy to implement in traditional spreadsheets, and the analyses tend to perform very quickly. The effects of gap formation at the rear side of the caisson, loading eccentricity, and adhesion factor at the caisson–soil interface on the anti-overturning bearing capacity are also investigated. Compared with the finite element limit analysis results, experimental data, and existing theoretical solutions, it is proved that the presented limit equilibrium analysis can satisfactorily predict the anti-overturning bearing capacity of suction caissons with low aspect ratios for offshore wind turbines in uniform and linearly increasing strength clays.
Transfer of fusarium head blight resistance from Thinopyrum elongatum to bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring
Authors: Fedak George , Chi Dawn , Wolfe Danielle , Ouellet Thérèse , Cao Wenguang , Han Fangpu , Xue Allen
Published: April 2021

The diploid form of tall wheatgrass, Thinopyrum elongatum (Host) D.R. Dewey (2n = 2x = 14, EE genome), has a high level of resistance to fusarium head blight. The symptoms did not spread beyond the inoculated florets following point inoculation. Using a series of E-genome chromosome additions in a bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring (CS) background, the resistance was found to be localized to the long arm of chromosome 7E. The CS mutant ph1b was used to induce recombination between chromosome 7E, present in the 7E(7D) substitution and homoeologous wheat chromosomes. Multivalent chromosome associations were detected in the BC1 hybrids, confirming the effectiveness of the ph1b mutant. Genetic markers specific for chromosome 7E were used to estimate the size of the 7E introgression in the wheat genome. Using single sequence repeat (SSR) markers specific for homoeologous wheat chromosome 7, introgressions were detected on wheat chromosomes 7A, 7B, and 7D. Some of the introgression lines were resistant to fusarium head blight.
Holographic entanglement entropy in general holographic superconductor models with logarithmic nonlinear electrodynamics
Authors: Yao Weiping , Yang Qiong , Liu Xiaobao , Jing Jiliang
Published: April 2021

We explore the behaviors of the holographic entanglement entropy (HEE) in holographic superconductor models with logarithmic nonlinear electrodynamics (LNE) both in AdS soliton and in AdS black hole backgrounds. We observe that the slope of the HEE at the phase transition point behaves discontinuously for different LNE parameters b and geometry parameters $$\ell $$
ℓ
, which may be a quite general feature for the second order phase transition. Moreover, at the critical point, the stronger nonlinearity of the LNE gives rise to the smaller HEE in metal/superconductor while leaves the HEE in insulator/superconductor model as is. Interestingly, the behavior of the HEE also implies a “confinement/deconfinement” phase transition in the insulator/superconductor model, and the critical width of the phase transition depends on the chemical potential and the strength of the LNE.
Probing roto-translational diffusion of small anisotropic colloidal particles with a bright-field microscope
Authors: Giavazzi Fabio , Pal Antara , Cerbino Roberto
Published: April 2021

Soft and biological materials are often composed of elementary constituents exhibiting an incessant roto-translational motion at the microscopic scale. Tracking this motion with a bright-field microscope becomes increasingly challenging when the particle size becomes smaller than the microscope resolution, a case which is frequently encountered. Here we demonstrate squared-gradient differential dynamic microscopy (SG-DDM) as a tool to successfully use bright-field microscopy to extract the roto-translational dynamics of small anisotropic colloidal particles, whose rotational motion cannot be tracked accurately in direct space. We provide analytical justification and experimental demonstration of the method by successful application to an aqueous suspension of peanut-shaped particles.

Graphic abstract
An inverse scattering theorem for (1 + 1)-dimensional semi-linear wave equations with null conditions
Authors: Li Mengni
Published: April 2021

We are interested in the inverse scattering problem for semi-linear wave equations in one dimension. Assuming null conditions, we prove that small data lead to global existence of solutions to [Formula: see text]-dimensional semi-linear wave equations. This result allows us to construct the scattering fields and their corresponding weighted Sobolev spaces at the infinities. Finally, we prove that the scattering operator not only describes the scattering behavior of the solution but also uniquely determines the solution. The key ingredient of our proof is the same strategy proposed by Le Floch and LeFloch [On the global evolution of self-gravitating matter. Nonlinear interactions in Gowdy symmetry, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 233 (2019) 45–86] as well as Luli et al. [On one-dimension semi-linear wave equations with null conditions, Adv. Math. 329 (2018) 174–188] to make full use of the null structure and the weighted energy estimates.
The global existence issue for the compressible Euler system with Poisson or Helmholtz couplings
Authors: Blanc Xavier , Danchin Raphaël , Ducomet Bernard , Nečasová Šárka
Published: April 2021

We consider the Cauchy problem for the barotropic Euler system coupled to Helmholtz or Poisson equations, in the whole space. We assume that the initial density is small enough, and that the initial velocity is close to some reference vector field [Formula: see text] such that the spectrum of [Formula: see text] is positive and bounded away from zero. We prove the existence of a global unique solution with (fractional) Sobolev regularity, and algebraic time decay estimates. Our work extends Grassin and Serre’s papers [Existence de solutions globales et régulières aux équations d’Euler pour un gaz parfait isentropique, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Sér. I 325 (1997) 721–726, 1997; Global smooth solutions to Euler equations for a perfect gas, Indiana Univ. Math. J. 47 (1998) 1397–1432; Solutions classiques globales des équations d’Euler pour un fluide parfait compressible, Ann. Inst. Fourier Grenoble 47 (1997) 139–159] dedicated to the compressible Euler system without coupling and with integer regularity exponents.
Understanding law and the rule of law
Authors: Hildebrandt Mireille
Published: April 2021

Why law matters for computer scientists and other folk.
Enclaves in the clouds
Authors: Singh Jatinder , Cobbe Jennifer , Quoc Do Le , Tarkhani Zahra
Published: April 2021

Trusted Execution Environments ('TEEs') or 'secure enclaves' aim at enabling more secure computation and data management. There is much enthusiasm for this technology, not least as we see increasing legal and regulatory attention on issues of security, privacy, and data management and use. With cloud providing the infrastructure for underpinning applications, data processing and analytics/ML, access to enclaves and enclave-backed technologies are increasingly being offered by service (cloud) providers - with the technology described as enabling
confidential computing
. This paper provides a high-level overview of the common security properties provided by enclaves, and considers how such technology, in being offered by cloud providers, relates to organizational legal and regulatory concerns. Focusing on data protection regulations, we explore the aspects of TEEs that might assist compliance, and who stands to benefit from the deployment of such technology in a service provision context.
The Civil Rights Revolution at Work: What Went Wrong
Authors: Dobbin Frank , Kalev Alexandra
Published: April 2021

The civil rights and women's movements led to momentous changes in public policy and corporate practice that have made the United States the global paragon of equal opportunity. Yet diversity in the corporate hierarchy has increased incrementally. Lacking clear guidance from policymakers, personnel experts had devised their own arsenal of diversity programs. Firms implicated their own biased managers through diversity training and grievance systems and created a paper trail for personnel decisions, but they maintained the deeper structures that perpetuate inequality. Firms that changed systems for recruiting and developing workers, organizing work, and balancing work and life saw diversity increase up the hierarchy, but those firms are all too rare. The courts and federal agencies have found management processes that do not explicitly discriminate to be plausibly unbiased, and they rarely require systemic reforms. Our elaborate corporate diversity programs and public regulatory systems have largely failed to open opportunity, but social science research points to a path forward.
High uric acid induces liver fat accumulation via ROS/JNK/AP-1 signaling
Authors: Xie De , Zhao Hairong , Lu Jiaming , He Furong , Liu Weidong , Yu Wei , Wang Qiang , Hisatome Ichiro , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Koyama Hidenori , Cheng Jidong
Published: April 2021

Hyperuricemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are global public health problems, which are strongly associated with metabolic syndrome. In this study, we demonstrate that uric acid induces hepatic fat accumulation via the ROS/JNK/AP-1 pathway. This study identifies a new mechanism of NAFLD pathogenesis and new potential therapeutic strategies for HUA-induced NAFLD.
Altered adipokines in obese adolescents: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis across the spectrum of glycemia
Authors: Wolf Risa M. , Jaffe Andrew E. , Rodriguez Susana , Lei Xia , Sarver Dylan C. , Straub Alexander T. , Wong G. William , Magge Sheela N.
Published: April 2021

Leptin is higher in obese adolescents and FGF21 is higher in obese hyperglycemic adolescents. The novel adipokine CTRP1 is higher in obese hyperglycemic adolescents, whereas CTRP9 was unchanged in this adolescent cohort.
A Novel Method for Solution of Fractional Order Two-Dimensional Nonlocal Heat Conduction Phenomena
Authors: Khalil Hammad , Hashim Ishak , Khan Waqar Ahmad , Ghaffari Abuzar
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we have extended the operational matrix method for approximating the solution of the fractional-order two-dimensional elliptic partial differential equations (FPDEs) under nonlocal boundary conditions. We use a general Legendre polynomials basis and construct some new operational matrices of fractional order operations. These matrices are used to convert a sample nonlocal heat conduction phenomenon of fractional order to a structure of easily solvable algebraic equations. The solution of the algebraic structure is then used to approximate a solution of the heat conduction phenomena. The proposed method is applied to some test problems. The obtained results are compared with the available data in the literature and are found in good agreement.Dedicated to my father Mr. Sher Mumtaz, (1955-2021), who gave me the basic knowledege of mathematics.
A Novel Probabilistic Fatigue Life Prediction Method for Welded Structures Based on gPC
Authors: Gao Huiying , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Yang Xiaoqiang , Zheng Bo
Published: April 2021

The traditional fatigue life prediction methods based on the S-N curve all believe that the parameters in the model are deterministic constants and can be categorized to the deterministic life prediction. However, in practice, it is difficult to carry out a large number of experiments due to the limitation of time or the possible shortage of funds. In addition, the specimens used in the experiments are not exactly the same, and the test operations and data reading depend on the accuracy of the test equipment as well as the subjective judgment of the testers, which result to the uncertainty of the S-N curve. Therefore, the uncertainty should be considered in order to improve the accuracy of the fatigue life prediction. In this paper, the uncertain factors affecting the fatigue life of welded joints are summarized, and the generalized polynomial chaos (gPC) is introduced into fatigue life prediction. A novel probabilistic fatigue life prediction method combined with the nonlinear cumulative damage model considering the uncertainty of the S-N curve is constructed. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed approach.
Study on the Unbalanced Fault Dynamic Characteristics of Eccentric Motorized Spindle considering the Effect of Magnetic Pull
Authors: Wang Zhan , He Wenzhi , Du Siyuan , Yuan Zhe
Published: April 2021

Unbalanced fault is the most common fault of high‐speed motorized spindle, which is the main factor affecting the machining accuracy of high‐speed spindle. Due to the unbalanced magnetic pull produced by the air gap eccentricity of the stator and rotor, the unbalanced vibration of the motorized spindle will be further aggravated. In order to explore the dynamic behavior and motion law of the unbalanced fault motorized spindle under the eccentric state, a dynamic model of the unbalanced fault of the high‐speed motorized spindle considering the unbalanced magnetic pull was established. Taking the eccentric motorized spindle customized by the research group as the research object, the dynamic model is established, simulated, and analyzed, and the response change law of motorized spindle under the effect of different speed, unbalance, and air gap is obtained. The simulation results show that the unbalanced magnetic pull caused by static eccentricity will increase the unbalanced vibration of motorized spindle, and the unbalanced vibration will also increase with the increase of static eccentricity. The vibration caused by unbalanced magnetic pull does not increase with the increase of rotating speed. In frequency‐domain analysis, when there is unbalanced magnetic pull, the peak appears at 0 Hz, and the amplitude of fundamental frequency vibration will increase with the increase of eccentricity. The experimental results show that the greater the eccentricity is, the greater the unbalance vibration of the motorized spindle is. The experimental results are consistent with the simulation results, which further verify the accuracy of the model. The research results lay a theoretical basis for fault analysis and diagnosis of coupling fault motorized spindle.
Analytical Solutions for Two Mixed Initial-Boundary Value Problems Corresponding to Unsteady Motions of Maxwell Fluids through a Porous Plate Channel
Authors: Fetecau Constantin , Vieru Dumitru , Zeeshan Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Two unsteady motions of incompressible Maxwell fluids between infinite horizontal parallel plates embedded in a porous medium are analytically studied to get exact solutions using the finite Fourier cosine transform. The motion is induced by the lower plate that applies time-dependent shear stresses to the fluid. The solutions that have been obtained satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions. They can be easily reduced as limiting cases to known solutions for the incompressible Newtonian fluids. For a check of their correctness, the steady-state solutions are presented in different forms whose equivalence is graphically proved. The effects of physical parameters on the fluid motion are graphically emphasized and discussed. Required time to reach the steady-state is also determined. It is found that the steady-state is rather obtained for Newtonian fluids as compared with Maxwell fluids. Furthermore, the effect of the side walls on the fluid motion is more effective in the case of Newtonian fluids.
Effect of Orthodontic Brackets on the Accuracy of Apex Locators: A Pilot Study
Authors: Şen Özgür Genç , Ulusoy Özgür İlke , Paltun Yelda Nayır , Ulusoy Çağrı
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of metal orthodontic brackets on the accuracy of electronic apex locator (EAL). The actual canal lengths (ACL) of 40 mandibular incisor teeth were determined. Then, the teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n = 20). Orthodontic metal brackets were applied in the first group, and no brackets, in the second group. The working length of each tooth was measured with an EAL under 3 test conditions according to the distance between the lip clip and sample tooth. Data were analyzed using one‐way repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests (p = 0.05). In the bracketed samples, when the lip clip was located at 1 cm and 2 cm from the samples. The mean differences between the EAL measurements and ACLs were statistically higher than those when the samples were located 3 cm from the lip clip (p < 0.05). There were also statistically significant differences between EAL measurements and ACLs in the bracketed samples located 1 and 2 cm from the lip clip (p < 0.05). In the nonbracketed group, the differences between EAL measurements and ACLs were not statistically significant in the samples located 1, 2, and 3 cm from the lip clip (p > 0.05). Use of orthodontic metal brackets can negatively influence the accuracy of the electronic apex locator when the distance between the lip clip and bracket was short. A minimum of 3 cm distance should be kept between the lip clip and tooth in order to make consistent electronic measurements.