bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A blended transient/quasistatic Lagrangian framework for salt tectonics simulations with stabilized tetrahedral finite elements
Authors: Scovazzi Guglielmo , Colomés Oriol , Abboud Nabil , Veveakis Manolis , del Castillo Enrique M. , Valiveti Dakshina , Huang Hao
Published: March 2021

We propose a Lagrangian solid mechanics framework for the simulation of salt tectonics and other large‐deformation geomechanics problems at the basin scale. Our approach relies on general elastic‐viscoplastic constitutive models to characterize the deformation of geologic strata, in contrast with the majority of published works on the subject, which utilize nonlinear Stokes flow models. By means of multiscale asymptotics, we also show that the inertia term in the momentum balance equation can be safely neglected, if the goal is to track the Earth's crust deformation over long periods of time. Our time integration strategy is a blended transient/quasistatic approach, in that it consists of a constitutive stress update, subject to the constraint that the stresses must satisfy static equilibrium. In addition, we use stabilized finite element methods specifically built for triangular and tetrahedral grids, which can also perform well under incompressibility constraints. Our approach offers computational geologists the following advantages: (1) improved flexibility in the choice of subsurface constitutive models with respect to the nonlinear Stokes flow; (2) improved efficiency over transient dynamics algorithms used in this context in the past, which are forced to resolve seismic events over geologic time scales; and (3) improved robustness in large strain computations over quadrilateral/hexahedral finite elements. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach with simulations of passive diapirism.
High‐order hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin formulation with fully implicit temporal schemes for the simulation of two‐phase flow through porous media
Authors: Costa‐Solé Albert , Ruiz‐Gironés Eloi , Sarrate Josep
Published: March 2021

We present a memory‐efficient high‐order hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) formulation coupled with high‐order fully implicit Runge‐Kutta schemes for immiscible and incompressible two‐phase flow through porous media. To obtain the same high‐order accuracy in space and time, we propose using high‐order temporal schemes that allow using large time steps. Therefore, we require unconditionally stable temporal schemes for any combination of element size, polynomial degree, and time step. Specifically, we use the Radau IIA and Gauss‐Legendre schemes, which are unconditionally stable, achieve high‐order accuracy with few stages, and do not suffer order reduction in this problem. To reduce the memory footprint of coupling these spatial and temporal high‐order schemes, we rewrite the nonlinear system. In this way, we achieve a better sparsity pattern of the Jacobian matrix and less coupling between stages. Furthermore, we propose a fix‐point iterative method to further reduce the memory consumption. The saturation solution may present sharp fronts. Thus, the high‐order approximation may contain spurious oscillations. To reduce them, we introduce artificial viscosity. We detect the elements with high‐oscillations using a computationally efficient shock sensor obtained from the saturation solution and the post‐processed saturation of HDG. Finally, we present several examples to assess the capabilities of our formulation.
Threshold for defining fever varies with age, especially in children: A multi‐site diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Kasbekar Rajesh , Naz Aftab , Marcos Lorenzo , Liu Yingjie , Hendrickson Kristine , Gorsich James C. , Baun Matt
Published: March 2021

Aim

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the European Centre for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine guideline define fever as a temperature >38.0°C for all ages and recommend use of rectal thermometers in children <3 years. Based on new literature, this definition of fever using a fixed threshold of 38.0°C needs to be re‐examined.

Design

A multi‐site diagnostic accuracy study was conducted to compare an “age‐based” threshold model with a “fixed” threshold over 38.0°C on a total of 894 patients of which 373 were ill.

Methods

The “age‐based” and “fixed” threshold fever determinations were then compared to a clinical categorization (“well” or “ill”) conducted by a clinician through a comprehensive examination.

Results

The sensitivity and accuracy for the age‐based thresholds were found to be superior to the fixed thresholds in all ages and current ear thermometers were found equivalent to rectal thermometers in infants <6 months.
Assessing stable validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the individualized supported employment fidelity scale: A replication
Authors: Yamaguchi Sosei , Sato Sayaka , Ojio Yasutaka , Shiozawa Takuma , Matsunaga Asami , Taneda Ayano , Sawada Utako , Yoshida Koji , Fujii Chiyo
Published: March 2021

Background

The Japanese version of the individualized Supported Employment Fidelity scale (JiSEF) was developed by modifying the 25‐item Individual Placement and Support Fidelity Scale (IPS‐25). While a preliminary study partly confirmed the concurrent validity with vocational outcomes, this replication study aimed to examine the stability of the concurrent validity and the inter‐rater reliability of the JiSEF and to test its convergent validity with IPS‐25.

Methods

Fidelity assessments were conducted in 2016 (n = 17), 2017 (n = 13), and 2018 (n = 18) to examine the employment rate and the fidelity scores at the agency level. We also evaluated the fidelity scores for the IPS‐25 in 2018. We examined the associations between the fidelity scale scores and vocational outcomes for the concurrent validity and between the fidelity scales for convergent validity. The inter‐rater reliability was examined in the 2016 and 2017 assessments.

Results

High intraclass correlation coefficients (0.93 in 2016 and 0.92 in 2017) were obtained for the inter‐rater reliability. The JiSEF score in each year was associated with the agency employment rate (r = 0.710, P = 0.001 in 2016; r = 0.722, P = 0.005 in 2017; and r = 0.665, P = 0.003 in 2018). A supplementary longitudinal data analysis also confirmed the association between the JiSEF score and the employment outcomes. Additionally, the JiSEF was significantly correlated with the IPS‐25 (r = 0.760, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study stably replicated good inter‐rater reliability and concurrent validity of the JiSEF. Additionally, the convergent validity was confirmed. Further studies with large samples are needed to confirm these findings.
Mismatch between obesogenic intrauterine environment and low‐fat postnatal diet may confer offspring metabolic advantage
Authors: Kislal Sezen , Jin William , Maesner Claire , Edlow Andrea G.
Published: March 2021

Objective

Mismatch between a depleted intrauterine environment and a substrate‐rich postnatal environment confers an increased risk of offspring obesity and metabolic syndrome. Maternal diet‐induced obesity (MATOB) is associated with the same outcomes. These experiments tested the hypothesis that a mismatch between a nutrient‐rich intrauterine environment and a low‐fat postnatal environment would ameliorate offspring metabolic morbidity.

Methods

C57BL6/J female mice were fed either a 60% high‐fat diet (HFD) or a 10% fat control diet (CD) for 14‐week pre‐breeding and during pregnancy/lactation. Offspring were weaned to CD. Weight was evaluated weekly; body composition was determined using EchoMRI. Serum fasting lipids and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. Metabolic rate, locomotor, and sleep behavior were evaluated with indirect calorimetry.

Results

MATOB‐exposed/CD‐weaned offspring of both sexes had improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to controls. Males had improved fasting lipids. Females had significantly increased weight and body fat percentage in adulthood compared to sex‐matched controls. Females also had significantly increased sleep duration and reduced locomotor activity compared to males.

Conclusions

Reduced‐fat dietary switch following intrauterine and lactational exposure to MATOB was associated with improved glucose handling and lipid profiles in adult offspring, more pronounced in males. A mismatch between a high‐fat prenatal and low‐fat postnatal environment may confer a metabolic advantage. The amelioration of deleterious metabolic programming by strict offspring adherence to a low‐fat diet may have translational potential.
Conducting polymer thin film for optoelectronic devices applications
Authors: Abdel‐Aziz Mohamed H. , Zwawi Mohammed , Al‐Hossainy Ahmed F. , Zoromba Mohamed Sh.
Published: March 2021

A crystalline and conjugated semiconductor thin film of poly(o‐phenylene diamine‐co‐m‐phenylene diamine) copolymer [PoPmP]TFwith a thickness of 150 ± 3 nm is fabricated by physical vapor deposition technique (PVD). The copolymer is produced in an acidic solution using oxidative polymerization method. The ratio between the monomers and initiator is 1:1:2. The characterization of the obtained copolymer powder is carried out using different techniques includes Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structure and optical properties of the thin film were measured experimentally and computationally using DFT simulation. The obtained DFT data provide good proof for the electronic transition in zero‐dimensional [PoPmP] as a single crystal molecule. The obtained thin film presented encouraging outcomes to be a worthy applicant for polymer solar cell uses. This study provides valuable information on the nature and sources of defect formation and electronic transition in conducting doped copolymer which open the way for the application as an optoelectronic device.
Greedy caliper propensity score matching can yield variable estimates of the treatment‐outcome association—A simulation study
Authors: Komen Joris J. , Belitser Svetlana V. , Wyss Richard , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Taams Anne C. , Pajouheshnia Romin , Forslund Tomas , Klungel Olaf H.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Greedy caliper propensity score (PS) matching is dependent on randomness, which can ultimately affect causal estimates. We sought to investigate the variation introduced by this randomness.

Methods

Based on a literature search to define the simulation parameters, we simulated 36 cohorts of different sizes, treatment prevalence, outcome prevalence, treatment‐outcome‐association. We performed 1:1 caliper and nearest neighbor (NN) caliper PS‐matching and repeated this 1000 times in the same cohort, before calculating the treatment‐outcome association.

Results

Repeating caliper and NN caliper matching in the same cohort yielded large variations in effect estimates, in all 36 scenarios, with both types of matching. The largest variation was found in smaller cohorts, where the odds ratio (OR) ranged from 0.53 to 10.00 (IQR of ORs: 1.11‐1.67). The 95% confidence interval was not consistently overlapping a neutral association after repeating the matching with both algorithms. We confirmed these findings in a noninterventional example study.

Conclusion

Caliper PS‐matching can yield highly variable estimates of the treatment‐outcome association if the analysis is repeated.
Oxygenation of conducting polymers facilitated by structure‐breaking anions
Authors: Sethumadhavan Vithyasaahar , Mahjoub Reza , Zuber Kamil , Stanford Nicole , Evans Drew
Published: March 2021

Conducting polymers are an interesting class of materials that can be tuned to have a range of properties through counterion doping. For most conducting polymers, the insertion of anions (the doping process) leads to the formation of carbocations (positive charge carriers) along the conjugated polymer backbone. In this research, we report on a scenario that arises where certain (commonly used) anions in water induce oxygenation of the conducting polymers heteroatom. This is in contrast to the widely reported doping process, and the recently reported hydrolysis of conducting polymers. We observe that the transition between these different conducting polymer‐interactions/reactions is well described by the concept of structure‐making and structure‐breaking anions. Poly(3,4‐propylenedioxy thiophene dimethyl) (PProDOT‐Me2), polypyrrole (PPy), and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxy thiophene) (PEDOT) thin films are exposed to a range of anions in water. Both PProDOT‐Me2 and PPy are susceptible to oxygenation, while in contrast PEDOT is doped, when exposed to structure‐breaking anions. All the polymers show hydrolysis for structure‐making anions. The knowledge of the interaction and/or reaction of conducting polymers with anions in water is not only critical to their application in devices for aqueous environments (i.e., sensing), but also for their processing and fabrication using water.
Recruitment to STEM studies: The roles of curriculum reforms, flexibility of choice, and attitudes
Authors: Mellander Erik , Lind Patrik
Published: March 2021

Many countries are trying to increase the recruitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies. Some have implemented curriculum reforms to this end, others may do so. Using experiences from curriculum reforms in Germany, the Netherlands and, in particular, Sweden, we consider a proposal from the Royal Society in England about a broader curriculum for 16–19‐year‐olds, involving more mathematics and science. In Sweden, a curriculum reform in 1995, for 16–20‐year‐olds, increased the academic content of vocational programmes, including mathematics and science, such that they provided eligibility to university studies. Another reform, in 2011, reinstated the distinctions between vocational and academic programmes and made courses yielding university eligibility compulsory for academic programmes only. Using longitudinal student population data for 1986–2017, we assess the reform outcomes through before‐after comparisons. The 1995 reform was followed by decreased recruitment to STEM studies while the opposite was true for the 2011 reform. A reform in Germany requiring students to study more mathematics was not very successful, either. We connect the positive consequences following the 2011 reform to the extensive Swedish opportunities to change study path. Including the option to attend a 1‐year ‘add‐on’ education programme, enabling students with non‐STEM upper secondary background to conduct STEM university studies, changes to STEM programmes dominate changes away from them. Accordingly, we recommend more, not less, flexibility in programme choice, preferably coupled with efforts to improve female STEM attitudes, which have proved effective in Sweden.
Three‐Dimensional Graphene‐Based Macrostructures for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Cui Huijuan , Guo Yibo , Zhou Zhen
Published: March 2021

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion is an effective strategy to relieve the increasing energy and environment crisis. The sluggish reaction kinetics in the related devices is one of the major obstacles for them to realize practical applications. More efforts should be devoted to searching for high‐efficiency electrocatalysts and enhancing the electrocatalytic performance. 3D graphene macrostructures (3D GMs) are one kind of porous crystalline materials with 3D structures at both micro‐ and macro‐scale. The unique structure can achieve large accessible surface area, expose many active sites, promote fast mass/electron transport, and provide wide room for further functional modification. All these features make them promising candidates for electrocatalysis. In this review, the authors focus on the latest progress of 3D GMs for electrocatalysis. First, the preparation methods of 3D GMs are introduced followed by the strategies for functional modifications. Then, their electrocatalytic performances are discussed in detail including monofunctional and bifunctional electrocatalysis. The electrocatalytic processes involve oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction reaction. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are presented to offer a guideline for the exploration of excellent 3D GM‐based electrocatalysts.
Advances in Chiral Metal–Organic and Covalent Organic Frameworks for Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Zhang Hao , Lou Lan‐Lan , Yu Kai , Liu Shuangxi
Published: March 2021

Asymmetric catalysis is of crucial importance owing to the huge and rising demand for optically pure substances. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as two emerging crystalline porous materials, have presented great promising applications for heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis. The unique properties, such as, highly regular porous structures, prominent structural tunability, and well‐ordered catalytic sites, render chiral MOFs (CMOFs) and chiral COFs (CCOFs) highly active and enantioselective for a large number of asymmetric catalytic organic transformations. Furthermore, they provide a useful platform for facile mechanistic understanding and catalyst design. This review provides an overview of the advancements in CMOFs and CCOFs for asymmetric catalysis. The designs, syntheses and structures of these crystalline porous materials, and their asymmetric catalytic performance are described. And the perspectives on challenges and opportunities in development of CMOFs and CCOFs are discussed. It is anticipated that this review will shed light on the heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis with CMOFs and CCOFs and motivate further research in this promising field.
Dlk1 regulates quiescence in calcitonin receptor-mutant muscle stem cells
Authors: Zhang Lidan , Kubota Manami , Nakamura Ayasa , Kaji Takayuki , Seno Shigeto , Uezumi Akiyoshi , Andersen Ditte Caroline , Jensen Charlotte Harken , Fukada So-ichiro
Published: March 2021

Muscle stem cells, also called muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), are responsible for skeletal muscle regeneration and are sustained in an undifferentiated and quiescent state under steady conditions. The calcitonin receptor (CalcR)-protein kinase A (PKA)-Yes-associated protein 1 (Yap1) axis is one pathway that maintains quiescence in MuSCs. Although CalcR signaling in MuSCs has been identified, the critical CalcR signaling targets are incompletely understood. Here, we show the relevance between the ectopic expression of delta-like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (Dlk1) and the impaired quiescent state in CalcR-conditional knockout (cKO) MuSCs. Dlk1 expression was rarely detected in both quiescent and proliferating MuSCs in control mice, whereas Dlk1 expression was remarkably increased in CalcR-cKO MuSCs at both the mRNA and protein levels. It is noteworthy that all Ki67+ non-quiescent CalcR-cKO MuSCs express Dlk1, and non-quiescent CalcR-cKO MuSCs are enriched in the Dlk1+ fraction by cell sorting. Using mutant mice, we demonstrated that PKA-activation or Yap1-depletion suppressed Dlk1 expression in CalcR-cKO MuSCs, which suggests that the CalcR-PKA-Yap1 axis inhibits the expression of Dlk1 in quiescent MuSCs. Moreover, the loss of Dlk1 rescued the quiescent state in CalcR-cKO MuSCs, which indicates that the ectopic expression of Dlk1 disturbs quiescence in CalcR-cKO. Collectively, our results suggest that ectopically expressed Dlk1 is responsible for the impaired quiescence in CalcR-cKO MuSCs.
CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta promotes muscle stem cell quiescence through regulation of quiescence-associated genes
Authors: Lala-Tabbert Neena , AlSudais Hamood , Marchildon François , Fu Dechen , Wiper-Bergeron Nadine
Published: March 2021

Regeneration of skeletal muscle depends on resident muscle stem cells called satellite cells that in healthy, uninjured muscle remain quiescent (noncycling). After activation and expansion of satellite cells postinjury, satellite cell numbers return to uninjured levels and return to mitotic quiescence. Here, we show that the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) is required to maintain quiescence of satellite cells in uninjured muscle. We show that C/EBPβ is expressed in quiescent satellite cells in vivo and upregulated in noncycling myoblasts in vitro. Loss of C/EBPβ in satellite cells promotes their premature exit from quiescence resulting in spontaneous activation and differentiation of the stem cell pool. Forced expression of C/EBPβ in myoblasts inhibits proliferation by upregulation of 28 quiescence-associated genes. Furthermore, we find that caveolin-1 is a direct transcriptional target of C/EBPβ and is required for cell cycle exit in muscle satellite cells expressing C/EBPβ. The induction of mitotic quiescence is considered necessary for the long-term maintenance of adult stem cell populations with dysregulation driving increased differentiation of progenitors and depletion of the stem cell pool. Our findings place C/EBPβ as an important transcriptional regulator of muscle satellite cell quiescence.
Electrosynthesis in Laminar Flow Using a Flow Microreactor
Authors: Shida Naoki , Nakamura Yuto , Atobe Mahito
Published: March 2021

Electrosynthesis and microflow synthesis have become essential tools in their own rights in modern organic synthesis. In this personal account, we summarize our works on the integrated use of these techniques, i. e., electrosynthesis in a flow microreactor. Our group has developed an electrochemical microflow system composed of a pair of electrodes that face each other to form a micrometer‐scale gap for the flow path, through which solution passes in laminar flow. By the aid of laminar flow, unprecedented chemo‐ and electrochemical selectivity has been observed, which is not achievable with conventional batch‐type electrochemical cells. In addition, we showcase various unique electrochemical systems and reactions achieved with the flow microreactor, including self‐supported electrolysis, efficient paired electrolysis, in situ generation of active species and its flash use, the spaciotemporal control of electropolymerization, and combinatorial screening of the reaction conditions.
Hydrogen from Water is more than a Fuel: Hydrogenations and Hydrodeoxygenations for a Biobased Economy
Authors: Harnisch Falk , Morejón Micjel Chávez
Published: March 2021

Worldwide a hydrogen‐based economy is on the political agenda. Its centre forms molecular hydrogen (H2) that should serve mainly as energy carrier and fuel. However, currently and foreseeable in the future H2is playing its main role as reactant in the chemical industry. Electrolytic generation and storage of H2gas is energy demanding and may hardly become economically at the large scale. We argue that in the overall transition towards an economy that is based on biomolecules and CO2as carbon feedstock electrochemical hydrogenations and hydrodeoxygenations in aqueous solutions need to be moved in the centre. Departing from the well‐known fact that electrochemistry allows creating reactive hydrogen species from water, i. e. hydrogen instatu nascendi(H.), at ambient temperature and pressure we illustrate the existing diversity of reactions based thereon. We focus on examples of model compounds from thermal biomass pretreatment and products from real thermal biomass pretreatment (bio‐oil). Consequently, we advocate that electrochemical hydrogenations and hydrodeoxygenations have to be further explored and interweaved into existing process lines.
High‐spin square planar iron(II) alkali metal siloxide complexes – influence of the alkali metal and reactivity towards O2 and NO
Authors: Beckmann Fabian , Kass Dustin , Keck Matthias , Yelin Stefan , Hoof Santina , Cula Beatrice , Herwig Christian , Krause Konstantin B. , Ar Deniz , Limberg Christian
Published: March 2021

Complexes [L2Fe][Li(DME)]2, 1(DME), {[L2Fe][Na2(DME)3]}∞, 2(DME) and [L2Fe][K(DME)2]2, 3(DME) were synthesized by deprotonation of LH2 (LH2=O(SiPh2OH)2) with the respective alkali metal tert‐butoxides followed by recrystallization from DME. It turned out that upon crossing over from Li+ via Na+ to K+ counterions the structures of the high‐spin iron(II) complexes are increasingly distorted from a square planar towards a tetrahedral structure so that 3(DME) represents a borderline case, as indicated by the τ‐values. The distortions are also reflected in the Mössbauer spectra through the quadrupole splittings. The compounds behave inert in contact with O atom transfer reagents but react rapidly with dioxygen. The reaction rates are too high to be determined even by stopped‐flow measurements quantitatively, but qualitatively it emerged that the rates increase from Li to Na to K. Using NO as an O2 surrogate an NO adduct with an S = 3/2 ground state was isolated where NO is coordinated in an end‐on binding mode, formally as a NO− ligand, with a significantly weakened NO bond.
Quantum stabilizer codes, lattices, and CFTs
Authors: Dymarsky Anatoly , Shapere Alfred
Published: March 2021

Abstract

There is a rich connection between classical error-correcting codes, Euclidean lattices, and chiral conformal field theories. Here we show that quantum error-correcting codes, those of the stabilizer type, are related to Lorentzian lattices and non-chiral CFTs. More specifically, real self-dual stabilizer codes can be associated with even self-dual Lorentzian lattices, and thus define Narain CFTs. We dub the resulting theories code CFTs and study their properties. T-duality transformations of a code CFT, at the level of the underlying code, reduce to code equivalences. By means of such equivalences, any stabilizer code can be reduced to a graph code. We can therefore represent code CFTs by graphs. We study code CFTs with small central charge c = n ≤ 12, and find many interesting examples. Among them is a non-chiral E8 theory, which is based on the root lattice of E8 understood as an even self-dual Lorentzian lattice. By analyzing all graphs with n ≤ 8 nodes we find many pairs and triples of physically distinct isospectral theories. We also construct numerous modular invariant functions satisfying all the basic properties expected of the CFT partition function, yet which are not partition functions of any known CFTs. We consider the ensemble average over all code theories, calculate the corresponding partition function, and discuss its possible holographic interpretation. The paper is written in a self-contained manner, and includes an extensive pedagogical introduction and many explicit examples.
Nighttime Cholecystectomies are Safe When Controlled for Individual Patient Risk Factors–A Nationwide Case–Control Analysis
Authors: Merati‐Kashani Kian , Canal Claudio , Birrer Dominique Lisa , Clavien Pierre‐Alain , Neuhaus Valentin , Turina Matthias
Published: March 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the time of day a cholecystectomy was performed affects in‐hospital complication rates and mortality.

Methods

A national quality measurement database was retrospectively studied. Study period was 2010 to 2017. The inclusion criteria were operatively treated cholecystitis or another benign disease of the gallbladder. Further, the time of day the operation was performed must have been documented. We defined nighttime as all interventions performed between 7PM until 6AM. A total of 11′459 patients were included. Development of any complication during hospitalization and in‐hospital mortality was the main outcomes. The first part of the study was solely descriptive. In the second part, we applied a 1:1 case–control‐matching. A matched group of 274 pairs were further investigated.

Results

Only 8.4% of the procedures were performed during nighttime. Complications occurred in 6.7% of all patients. We found twice as many complications in the nighttime group compared to the daytime group. Mortality was 0.56% during daytime and 0.52% during nighttime. In a matched‐pair analysis, however, we found no significant differences in the overall mortality rate nor in the occurrence of complications when comparing day‐ vs. nighttime operations.

Conclusions

We found twice as many complications in the nighttime group (12%) compared to the daytime group (6.1%), mainly related to patient risk factors. In contrast to common apprehension, however, nighttime cholecystectomies were not associated with higher mortality rates.
Locomotion and kinematics of arachnids
Authors: Wolff Jonas O.
Published: March 2021

A basic feature of animals is the capability to move and disperse. Arachnids are one of the oldest lineages of terrestrial animals and characterized by an octopodal locomotor apparatus with hydraulic limb extension. Their locomotion repertoire includes running, climbing, jumping, but also swimming, diving, abseiling, rolling, gliding and -passively- even flying. Studying the unique locomotor functions and movement ecology of arachnids is important for an integrative understanding of the ecology and evolution of this diverse and ubiquitous animal group. Beyond biology, arachnid locomotion is inspiring robotic engineers. The aim of this special issue is to display the state of the interdisciplinary research on arachnid locomotion, linking physiology and biomechanics with ecology, ethology and evolutionary biology. It comprises five reviews and ten original research reports covering diverse topics, ranging from the neurophysiology of arachnid movement, the allometry and sexual dimorphism of running kinematics, the effect of autotomy or heavy body parts on locomotor efficiency, and the evolution of silk-spinning choreography, to the biophysics of ballooning and ballistic webs. This closes a significant gap in the literature on animal biomechanics.
Structural and functional brain asymmetries in the early phases of life: a scoping review
Authors: Bisiacchi Patrizia , Cainelli Elisa
Published: March 2021

Asymmetry characterizes the brain in both structure and function. Anatomical asymmetries explain only a fraction of functional variability in lateralization, with structural and functional asymmetries developing at different periods of life and in different ways. In this work, we perform a scoping review of the cerebral asymmetries in the first brain development phases. We included all English-written studies providing direct evidence of hemispheric asymmetries in full-term neonates, foetuses, and premature infants, both at term post-conception and before. The final analysis included 57 studies. The reviewed literature shows large variability in the used techniques and methodological procedures. Most structural studies investigated the temporal lobe, showing a temporal planum more pronounced on the left than on the right (although not all data agree), a morphological asymmetry already present from the 29th week of gestation. Other brain structures have been poorly investigated, and the results are even more discordant. Unlike data on structural asymmetries, functional data agree with each other, identifying a leftward dominance for speech stimuli and an overall dominance of the right hemisphere in all other functional conditions. This generalized dominance of the right hemisphere for all conditions (except linguistic stimuli) is in line with theories stating that the right hemisphere develops earlier and that its development is less subject to external influences because it sustains functions necessary to survive.
A structured expressive writing activity targeting body image-related distress among head and neck cancer survivors: who do we reach and what are the effects?
Authors: Melissant Heleen C. , Jansen Femke , Eerenstein Simone E. J. , Cuijpers Pim , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , Sherman Kerry A. , Laan Ellen T. M. , Leemans C. René , Verdonck-de Leeuw Irma M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aim of this pretest–posttest study was to investigate the reach and effects of My Changed Body (MyCB), an expressive writing activity based on self-compassion, among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.

Methods

This pilot study had a pretest–posttest design. HNC survivors received an invitation to complete a baseline survey on body image-related distress. At the end of the survey, HNC survivors were asked if they were interested in the intervention study. This entailed the writing activity and a survey 1 week and 1 month post-intervention. The reach was calculated by dividing the number of participants in the intervention study, by the number of (1) eligible HNC survivors and (2) those who filled in the baseline survey. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the effect on body image-related distress. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the reach and reduced body image-related distress. MyCB was evaluated using study-specific questions.

Results

The reach of MyCB was 15–33% (depending on reference group) and was associated with lower education level, more social eating problems, and fewer wound healing problems. Among the 87 participants, 9 (10%) showed a clinically relevant improvement in body image-related distress. No significant effect on body image-related distress was found. Self-compassion improved significantly during follow-up until 1 month post-intervention (p=0.003). Users rated satisfaction with MyCB as 7.2/10.

Conclusion

MyCB does not significantly improve body image-related distress, but is likely to increase self-compassion, which sustains for at least 1 month.
Ocean resurge-induced impact melt dynamics on the peak-ring of the Chicxulub impact structure, Mexico
Authors: Schulte Felix M. , Wittmann Axel , Jung Stefan , Morgan Joanna V. , Gulick Sean P. S. , Kring David A. , Grieve Richard A. F. , Osinski Gordon R. , Riller Ulrich ,   IODP-ICDP Expedition 364 Science Party, Gulick S. P. S. , Morgan J. V. , Bralower T. J. , Chenot E. , Christeson G. L. , Claeys P. , Cockell C. S. , Coolen M. J. L. , Ferrière L. , Gebhardt C. , Goto K. , Green S. , Jones H. , Kring D. A. , LeBer E. , Lofi J. , Lowery C. M. , Ocampo-Torres R. , Perez-Cruz L. , Pickersgill A. E. , Poelchau M. H. , Rae A. S. P. , Rasmussen C. , Rebolledo-Vieyra M. , Riller U. , Sato H. , Schmitt D. , Smit J. , Tikoo S. M. , Tomioka N. , Urrutia-Fucugauchi J. , Whalen M. T. , Wittmann A. , Xiao L. , Yamaguchi K. E.
Published: March 2021

Core from Hole M0077 from IODP/ICDP Expedition 364 provides unprecedented evidence for the physical processes in effect during the interaction of impact melt with rock-debris-laden seawater, following a large meteorite impact into waters of the Yucatán shelf. Evidence for this interaction is based on petrographic, microstructural and chemical examination of the 46.37-m-thick impact melt rock sequence, which overlies shocked granitoid target rock of the peak ring of the Chicxulub impact structure. The melt rock sequence consists of two visually distinct phases, one is black and the other is green in colour. The black phase is aphanitic and trachyandesitic in composition and similar to melt rock from other sites within the impact structure. The green phase consists chiefly of clay minerals and sparitic calcite, which likely formed from a solidified water–rock debris mixture under hydrothermal conditions. We suggest that the layering and internal structure of the melt rock sequence resulted from a single process, i.e., violent contact of initially superheated silicate impact melt with the ocean resurge-induced water–rock mixture overriding the impact melt. Differences in density, temperature, viscosity, and velocity of this mixture and impact melt triggered Kelvin–Helmholtz and Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities at their phase boundary. As a consequence, shearing at the boundary perturbed and, thus, mingled both immiscible phases, and was accompanied by phreatomagmatic processes. These processes led to the brecciation at the top of the impact melt rock sequence. Quenching of this breccia by the seawater prevented reworking of the solidified breccia layers upon subsequent deposition of suevite. Solid-state deformation, notably in the uppermost brecciated impact melt rock layers, attests to long-term gravitational settling of the peak ring.
Decompressive craniotomy: an international survey of practice
Authors:   on behalf of the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Neurotrauma, Mohan Midhun , Layard Horsfall Hugo , Solla Davi Jorge Fontoura , Robertson Faith C. , Adeleye Amos O. , Teklemariam Tsegazeab Laeke , Khan Muhammad Mukhtar , Servadei Franco , Khan Tariq , Karekezi Claire , Rubiano Andres M. , Hutchinson Peter J. , Paiva Wellingson Silva , Kolias Angelos G. , Devi B. Indira
Published: March 2021

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke have devastating consequences and are major global public health issues. For patients that require a cerebral decompression after suffering a TBI or stroke, a decompressive craniectomy (DC) is the most commonly performed operation. However, retrospective non-randomized studies suggest that a decompressive craniotomy (DCO; also known as hinge or floating craniotomy), where a bone flap is replaced but not rigidly fixed, has comparable outcomes to DC. The primary aim of this project was to understand the current extent of usage of DC and DCO for TBI and stroke worldwide.

Method

A questionnaire was designed and disseminated globally via emailing lists and social media to practicing neurosurgeons between June and November 2019.

Results

We received 208 responses from 60 countries [40 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)]. DC is used more frequently than DCO, however, about one-quarter of respondents are using a DCO in more than 25% of their patients. The three top indications for a DCO were an acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and a GCS of 9-12, ASDH with contusions and a GCS of 3-8, and ASDH with contusions and a GCS of 9-12. There were 8 DCO techniques used with the majority (60/125) loosely tying sutures to the bone flap. The majority (82%) stated that they were interested in collaborating on a randomized trial of DCO vs. DC.

Conclusion

Our results show that DCO is a procedure carried out for TBI and stroke, especially in LMICs, and most commonly for an ASDH. The majority of the respondents were interested in collaborating on a is a future randomized trial.
Functional morphology of the forelimb musculature reflects flight and foraging styles in aquatic birds
Authors: Bribiesca-Contreras Fernanda , Parslew Ben , Sellers William I.
Published: March 2021

Aquatic birds show a great diversity of locomotion styles and wing morphologies, from penguins that are fully specialized for an aquatic life to species of aerial flyers that also use their wings for underwater propulsion (e.g. auks and shearwaters). Moving between the air–water interface exerts conflicting pressures on the body and wing anatomy of diving birds. In this work, we investigated the functional morphology of the forelimb musculature of 18 species of aquatic birds that display a variety of flight and foraging styles. Muscle architecture was related to function, with special emphasis on muscle mass. Dissections of one of the forelimbs of 20 specimens of waterbirds were performed to obtain numerical data of muscle architecture. Total wing muscle mass scaled isometrically to body mass1.0, whereas fascicle length scaled to muscle mass0.284, which is consistent with previous results of scaling in wings of raptors. A principal component analysis (PCA) of normalised muscle masses resulted in a biplot where three main morphological groups can be distinguished. Anatids (ducks and geese) occupy a space represented by muscles that are activated during downstroke. Auks and penguins clustered together in a region dominated by muscles that assist in wing elevation and showed a degree of hypertrophy. The rest of the species grouped together in the lower limits of both PCs where muscles that facilitate wing flexion–extension and stabilisation are loaded. The distribution of mass in the wing muscles of the aquatic birds seemed to be related to flight and foraging style and showed non-significant influence of shared phylogenetic history (Kmult: 0.71,pvalue: 0.083, 10,000 permutations).
Calibration of the process-based model 3-PG for major central European tree species
Authors: Forrester David I. , Hobi Martina L. , Mathys Amanda S. , Stadelmann Golo , Trotsiuk Volodymyr
Published: March 2021

Process-based forest models are important tools for predicting forest growth and their vulnerability to factors such as climate change or responses to management. One of the most widely used stand-level process-based models is the 3-PG model (Physiological Processes Predicting Growth), which is used for applications including estimating wood production, carbon budgets, water balance and susceptibility to climate change. Few 3-PG parameter sets are available for central European species and even fewer are appropriate for mixed-species forests. Here we estimated 3-PG parameters for twelve major central European tree species using 1418 long-term permanent forest monitoring plots from managed forests, 297 from un-managed forest reserves and 784 Swiss National Forest Inventory plots. A literature review of tree physiological characteristics, as well as regression analyses and Bayesian inference, were used to calculate the 3-PG parameters.

The Swiss-wide calibration, based on monospecific plots, showed a robust performance in predicting forest stocks such as stem, foliage and root biomass. The plots used to inform the Bayesian calibration resulted in posterior ranges of the calibrated parameters that were, on average, 69% of the prior range. The bias of stem, foliage and root biomass predictions was generally less than 20%, and less than 10% for several species. The parameter sets also provided reliable predictions of biomass and mean tree sizes in mixed-species forests. Given that the information sources used to develop the parameters included a wide range of climatic, edaphic and management conditions and long time spans (from 1930 to present), these species parameters for 3-PG are likely to be appropriate for most central European forests and conditions.
Green-lipped (greenshell™) mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract supplementation in treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Abshirini Maryam , Coad Jane , Wolber Frances M. , von Hurst Pamela , Miller Matthew R. , Tian Hong Sabrina , Kruger Marlena C.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Intervention studies using New Zealand green-lipped or greenshell™ mussel (GSM) (Perna canaliculus) extract in osteoarthritis (OA) patients have shown effective pain relief. This systematic review summarises the efficacy of GSM extracts in the treatment of OA.

Methods

A literature search of the three databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus was performed to identify relevant articles published up to March 2020. Inclusion criteria were clinical trials published in English measuring the effect of supplementation of whole or a lipid extract from GSM on pain and mobility outcomes in OA patients.

Results

A total of nine clinical trials were included in systematic review, from which five studies were considered appropriate for inclusion in a forest plot. Pooled results showed that GSM extracts (lipid extract or whole powder) provide moderate and clinically significant treatment effects on a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score (effect size: − 0.46; 95% CI − 0.82 to − 0.10; p = 0.01). The whole GSM extract improved gastrointestinal symptoms in OA patients taking anti-inflammatory medications. The GSM extract was considered to be generally well tolerated in most of the studies.

Conclusion

The overall analysis showed that GSM provided moderate and clinically meaningful treatment effects on OA pain. However, the current evidence is limited by the number and quality of studies, and further larger and high-quality studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness and to identify the optimal GSM format. Nevertheless, it is worth considering using GSM extracts especially for patients seeking alternative pain relief treatments with fewer side effects compared to conventional treatment.
Metacognitive control processes in question answering: help seeking and withholding answers
Authors: Undorf Monika , Livneh Iris , Ackerman Rakefet
Published: March 2021

When responding to knowledge questions, people monitor their confidence in the knowledge they retrieve from memory and strategically regulate their responses so as to provide answers that are both correct and informative. The current study investigated the association between subjective confidence and the use of two response strategies: seeking help and withholding answers by responding “I don’t know”. Seeking help has been extensively studied as a resource management strategy in self-regulated learning, but has been largely neglected in metacognition research. In contrast, withholding answers has received less attention in educational studies than in metacognition research. Across three experiments, we compared the relationship between subjective confidence and strategy use in conditions where participants could choose between submitting answers and seeking help, between submitting and withholding answers, or between submitting answers, seeking help, and withholding answers. Results consistently showed that the association between confidence and help seeking was weaker than that between confidence and withholding answers. This difference was found for participants from two different populations, remained when participants received monetary incentives for accurate answers, and replicated across two forms of help. Our findings suggest that seeking help is guided by a wider variety of considerations than withholding answers, with some considerations going beyond improving the immediate accuracy of one’s answers. We discuss implications for research on metacognition and regarding question answering in educational and other contexts.
Plant hormesis and Shelford’s tolerance law curve
Authors: Erofeeva Elena A.
Published: March 2021

Shelford's law of tolerance is illustrated by a bell-shaped curve depicting the relationship between environmental factor/factors’ intensity and its favorability for species or populations. It is a fundamental basis of ecology when considering the regularities of environment impacts on living systems, and applies in plant biology, agriculture and forestry to manage resistance to environmental limiting factors and to enhance productivity. In recent years, the concept of hormesis has been increasingly used to study the dose–response relationships in living organisms of different complexities, including plants. This requires the need for an analysis of the relationships between the hormetic dose–response model and the classical understanding of plant reactions to environments in terms of Shelford's law of tolerance. This paper analyses various dimensions of the relationships between the hormetic model and Shelford’s tolerance law curve under the influence of natural environmental factors on plants, which are limiting for plants both in deficiency and excess. The analysis has shown that Shelford’s curve and hormetic model do not contradict but instead complement each other. The hormetic response of plants is localized in the stress zone of the Shelford’s curve when adaptive mechanisms are disabled within the ecological optimum. At the same time, in a species range, the ecological optimum is the most favorable combination of all or at least the most important environmental factors, each of which usually deviates slightly from its optimal value. Adaptive mechanisms cannot be completely disabled in the optimum, and hormesis covers optimum and stress zones. Hormesis can modify the plant tolerance range to environmental factors by preconditioning and makes limits of plant tolerance to environmental factors flexible to a certain extent. In turn, as a result of tolerance range evolution, quantitative characteristics of hormesis (width and magnitude of hormetic zone) as well as the range of stimulating doses, may significantly differ in various plant species and even populations and intra-population groups, including plants at different development stages. Using hormetic preconditioning for managing plant resistance to environmental limiting factors provides an important perspective for increasing the productivity of woody plants in forestry.