bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering properties of dried ash gourd (Benincasa hispidaCogn) seeds: Mass modeling and its analysis
Authors: Gade Sanghmitra R. , Meghwal Murlidhar , Prabhakar Pramod K.
Published: September 2020

The correlation of engineering properties and mass of ash gourd seeds was explored by using models like linear, quadratic, S‐curve, power, and multivariate. The recorded range of values for seed groups (group of large mass, medium mass, and small mass) was 92.77 to 34.07 g for thousand seed mass, 28.06 to 24.46 for angle of repose, 5.64 to 4.90 m/s for terminal velocity, 213.73 to 227.12 N/mm for hardness. Coefficient of static friction was found the highest for rubber (0.488) and the lowest for aluminum (0.305) for all sizes of seeds. The recommended models based on dimensions were linear, quadratic, and power models withR2= 0.997 based on arithmetic mean diameter for large mass seeds, power model (R2= 0.999) based on geometric mean diameter for medium mass seeds, quadratic and power models with sameR2= 0.999 based on arithmetic mean diameter for small mass seeds. The recommended area‐based models for large mass, medium mass, and small mass seeds were quadratic model (R2= 0.997) based on projected areas perpendicular to length, power model (R2= 0.999) based on projected areas perpendicular to thickness, and quadratic model (R2= 0.999) based on projected area's perpendicular thickness, respectively. For surface area‐based models, quadratic model (R2= 0.997) for group of large mass, quadratic and power models (R2= 0.999) for group of medium mass, and quadratic model (R2= 0.999) for group of small mass were found to be acceptable. Models based on ellipsoid volume of seed were recommended for all groups. The properties studied and models explored (best fitted) may be used for process and equipment design.

Practical Applications

Ash gourd seeds are discarded as waste by ash gourd processing food industries (mainlyPethaindustries in the northern part of India). Seeds are rich in proteins, minerals and oil, the ash gourd seed oil is high in therapeutic value, as it is rich in phytonutrients such as vitamins (A and E), squalene, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Seeds are also rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it highly valuable for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The size of seed changes as the size of fruit changes and physical properties of seed depend on seed size. This study will give the knowledge of the properties of seeds, which help to design equipment for processing of seeds for various end products with the best quality. The explored models may be used for prediction of mass as per the size of seeds and help in understanding the processing operations.
Effect of Ultraviolet irradiation on the stilbenoid content of blueberry leaves
Authors: Kim Tae‐Eun , Pyee Jae‐Ho , Cho Yong‐Jin
Published: September 2020

The stilbenoid content in various parts of blueberry plants and the effect of ultraviolet (UV) treatment on the stilbenoid content in blueberry leaves were investigated. Stilbenoid content was determined by HPLC analysis; the results showed significant differences in various parts of the plant. The leaves had the highest content of t‐resveratrol and t‐pinosylvin, 2.43 and 0.09 μg/g dry weight, respectively. The leaves and pericarp had higher amounts of t‐pterostilbene than the stem, and their values were 0.11 and 0.14 μg/g dry weight, respectively. In order to enrich the stilbenoid content in the leaves, UV irradiation was performed on freshly collected leaves. After UV irradiation, the content of t‐resveratrol and t‐pterostilbene were significantly enriched; 3.1 and 1.5 times by UV‐A, and 1.2 and 1.5 times by UV‐C, respectively. Consequently, leaves treated with UV‐A or UV‐C may potentially be utilized as a good source of health‐functional materials.

Practical applications

Despite the various functionalities and applications of stilbenoids, high costs are involved in its commercial production, due to its low content in blueberries. The results of this study can highlight strategies for cost reduction during processing. UV treatment is a simple method of physical processing, which may be used without causing contamination of the product.
Thiol‐disulfide status of patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Sezgin Burak , Kinci Mehmet F. , Pirinççi Fatih , Camuzcuoğlu Aysun , Erel Özcan , Neşelioğlu Salim , Camuzcuoğlu Hakan
Published: September 2020

Aim

The evaluation of dynamic thiol‐disulfide homeostasis among patients with the cancer of the uterine cervix.

Methods

The study was conducted in 62 cervical cancer patients and 61 healthy women who had been followed up in an obstetrics and gynecology clinic between September 2018 and April 2020. Serum disulfide, native thiol, total thiol, ischemia modified‐albumin, total antioxidant and oxidant capacities, and oxidative stress index values were measured in all participants.

Results

The mean plasma disulfide levels of the cervical cancer group was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group (25.79 ± 6.90 μmol/L, 22.31 ± 6.11 μmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.004). Plasma native thiol and total thiol levels were lower in cervical cancer patients (299.27 ± 99.05 μmol/L and 350.86 ± 102.72 μmol/L, respectively) compared to controls, but no statistically significant difference was observed (318.00 ± 93.75 μmol/L and 376.44 ± 98.51 μmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.284, P = 0.161). With respect to the ischemia modified‐albumin level, no statistically significant difference was observed between two groups. There were statistically significant positive association between disulfide level and both the stage of cervical cancer (r = 0.278, P = 0.029) and total oxidant capacity level (r = 0.256, P = 0.046).

Conclusion

Dynamic thiol‐disulfide homeostasis may participate in the pathophysiological mechanisms of cervical cancer and may be a potential biomarker for early identification of cervical cancer in future.
Melatonin promotes regeneration of injured motor axons via MT1 receptors
Authors: Stazi Marco , Negro Samuele , Megighian Aram , D'Este Giorgia , Solimena Michele , Jockers Ralf , Lista Florigio , Montecucco Cesare , Rigoni Michela
Published: September 2020

Melatonin is an ancient multi‐tasking molecule produced by the pineal gland and by several extrapineal tissues. A variety of activities has been ascribed to this hormone in different physiological and pathological contexts, but little is known about its role in peripheral neuroregeneration. Here, we have exploited two different types of injury to test the capability of melatonin to stimulate regeneration of motor axons: (a) the acute and reversible presynaptic degeneration induced by the spider neurotoxin α‐Latrotoxin and (b) the compression/transection of the sciatic nerve. We found that in both cases melatonin administration accelerates the process of nerve repair. This pro‐regenerative action is MT1‐mediated, and at least in part due to a sustained activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. These findings reveal a receptor‐mediated, pro‐regenerative action of melatonin in vivo that holds important clinical implications, as it posits melatonin as a safe candidate molecule for the treatment of a number of peripheral neurodegenerative conditions.
Development of the Japanese Version of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire – Elementary School (AEQ‐ES‐J)1,2
Authors: Suzuki Masayuki , Tonegawa Akiko
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Japanese version of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire – Elementary School (AEQ‐ES), which assesses enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom experienced by elementary school students within the settings of attending class, doing homework, and taking tests. Japanese elementary school students (n = 863 for the first survey; n = 332 for the second survey) participated in the questionnaire survey. The results showed that the psychometric properties of the Japanese AEQ‐ES were comparable to those of the original version. Moreover, the results showed that students' achievement emotions were associated with their control and value appraisals, as well as their academic motivation, learning strategies, academic performance, and support from teachers. These results indicated that the Japanese version of the AEQ‐ES was a good measure of elementary school students' emotions and supported the propositions of the control–value theory of achievement emotions.
Geographical indications in development contexts: Function, supply chain and pursuit of rural industrial development
Authors: Wong Chan‐Yuan , Elbegsaikhan Mergen
Published: September 2020

This study assesses the dynamics of different Geographical Indication (GI) systems as we seek to showcase how different rural communities capitalised on GI as a tool to secure their heritage/place‐based product reputations. The cases of Lugu Dong Ding Oolong Tea of Taiwan and Gobi Desert Camel Wool of Mongolia are used to provide important contexts of development—and in turn, enable us to undertake a comparative exercise to reveal the differences in terms of pre‐condition settings, impacts and pursuit of rural industrial development. Taiwan's Certification Trademark system gained protection of origin‐place quality reputation for its rural industrial communities. Meanwhile, Mongolia's Sui Generis appropriated the idea of GI for construction of desirable value chains for productive activities. Our observations and derived typology are useful as hindsight on what settings are conducive for GI protection and how they would mould a governing structure for productive activities.
Inhumanity in Nigerian War Plays
Authors: Odoh Onyeka
Published: September 2020

Nigeria is the most diverse country in sub‐Saharan Africa. Sadly enough, the poor management of this diversity has led to series of conflicts and destructions which have become ugly characterising features of the country until today. Given that literature captures human experiences, the said conflicts and destructions have gained expression in Nigerian plays centred on war which depict different dimensions of inhumanity. Therefore, this essay aims to examine the representation of inhumanity in few Nigerian war plays. The significance of the study is to provide yet another treatise for teachers, students and researchers of African and Nigerian literature, particularly drama to engage the subject of war which is recurrent in all genres of African/Nigerian literature. The study will be underpinned by Sigmund Freud's dialectical concepts of ‘eros’ and ‘aggression.’ The finding shows that wars provide an avenue for humans to express the residing bestiality in them which neither civilization nor religion has been able to completely banish. The study concludes that the rationale for wars cannot justify the barbarity witnessed during wars; hence the need for civil means of settling conflicts.
Price and quantity competition with network externalities: Endogenous choice of strategic variables
Authors: Hashizume Ryo , Nariu Tatsuhiko
Published: September 2020

We consider the endogenous choice of strategic variable (price or quantity) in a duopoly market for differentiated goods in the presence of network externalities. We show that if the rival goods are substitutes in demand, but the degree of network compatibility is large enough to outweigh the substitution effects, each firm chooses price as its strategic variable. This finding is a rare exception to the usual result that if the goods are substitutes, each firm would choose quantity as its strategic variable. Moreover, we show that two non‐standard results hold when the above condition is satisfied and the efficiency difference between the two firms is large. First, the price of the less efficient firm is higher under price competition than under quantity competition. Second, in a situation where one firm sets quantity and the other firm sets price, the profit of the more efficient firm is higher when it is the quantity‐setter than when it is the price‐setter, and the opposite is true for the less efficient firm.
Reflexive Communication and the Whole Self
Authors: Meyers Diana Tietjens
Published: September 2020

After summarizing Kathleen Wallace’s cumulative network model of the self, this paper explores Wallace’s account of the whole self’s capacity for self‐reflection in some detail. Supposing that constituents of the self are capable of interpreting and communicating with one another, how is it possible for the whole self to interpret and communicate with itself and to act on the basis of its self‐understandings? The paper suggests that Wallace needs an account of the self’s ability to synthesize the information that interpretative communication furnishes and manage it to reach all‐things‐considered judgments and decide what to do. The paper sketches such an account and concludes by considering some implications for selfhood of different types of traumatic experience.
Automated pavement crack detection and segmentation based on two‐step convolutional neural network
Authors: Liu Jingwei , Yang Xu , Lau Stephen , Wang Xin , Luo Sang , Lee Vincent Cheng‐Siong , Ding Ling
Published: September 2020

Cracking is a common pavement distress that would cause further severe problems if not repaired timely, which means that it is important to accurately extract the information of pavement cracks through detection and segmentation. Automated pavement crack detection and segmentation using deep learning are more efficient and accurate than conventional methods, which could be further improved. While many existing studies have utilized deep learning in pavement crack segmentation, which segments cracks from non‐crack regions, few studies have taken the exact pavement crack detection into account, which identifies cracks in the images from other objects. A two‐step pavement crack detection and segmentation method based on convolutional neural network was proposed in this paper. An automated pavement crack detection algorithm was developed using the modified You Only Look Once 3rd version in the first step. The proposed crack segmentation method in the second step was based on the modified U‐Net, whose encoder was replaced with a pre‐trained ResNet‐34 and the up‐sample part was added with spatial and channel squeeze and excitation (SCSE) modules. Proposed method combines pavement crack detection and segmentation together, so that the detected cracks from the first step are segmented in the second step to improve the accuracy. A dataset of pavement crack images in different circumstances were also built for the study. The F1 score of proposed crack detection and segmentation methods are 90.58% and 95.75%, respectively, which are higher than other state‐of‐the‐art methods. Compared with existing one‐step pavement crack detection or segmentation methods, proposed two‐step method showed advantages of accuracy.
Early recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation is associated with inferior long‐term outcomes: Insights from a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kalinsek Tine Prolic , Kottmaier Marc , Telishevska Marta , Berger Florian , Semmler Verena , Popa Miruna , Brkic Amir , Lengauer Sarah , Otgonbayar Ulamnemekh , Koch‐Büttner Katharina , Bartowiak Marcin , Kornmayer Marielouise , Brooks Stephanie , Risse Elena , Kathan Susanne , Hofmann Monika , Grebmer Christian , Reents Tilko , Hessling Gabriele , Deisenhofer Isabel , Bourier Felix
Published: September 2020

Aims

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the influence of early recurrence (ER) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) on long‐term outcomes and to identify clinical variables associated with ER.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical and procedural data from 1285 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent PVI from 2011 to 2016. Kaplan‐Meier, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze the influence of ER on long‐term outcomes.

Results

ER was observed in 13% of patients. Kaplan‐Meier analyses showed significantly different outcomes in 1285 patients with and without ER (49% vs 74%, log rank P < .01) and in 286 patients in the subgroup that underwent reablation (44% vs 79%, log rank P < .01). The hazard ratio (HR) of ER was 1.7 within 48 hours (5% of patients), 2.7 within 1 month (5%), 3.0 within 2 months (2%), and 6.4 within 3 months (1%) for late recurrence (LR), P < .01. ROC analysis (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.79) resulted in 70.3% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity for a 14‐day blanking period, and 53.1% sensitivity and 85.5% specificity for a 30‐day blanking period. Female patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.69, P < .01) and those with diabetes (OR 1.95, P = .01) were at higher risk for ER.

Conclusions

ER is observed in a substantial number of patients with paroxysmal AF after PVI and has a continuous direct effect on LR according to the timing of ER. Randomized trials are required to assess the safety and effects of reablations in a shortened blanking period on long‐term outcomes.
Shorter RSPV cryoapplications result in less phrenic nerve injury and similar 1‐year freedom from atrial fibrillation
Authors: Molenaar Marleen M.D. , Hesselink Tim , ter Bekke Rachel M.A. , Scholten Marcoen F. , Manusama Randy , Pison Laurent , Brusse‐Keizer Marjolein , Kraaier Karin , ten Haken Bernard , Grandjean Jan G. , Timmermans Carl C. , van Opstal Jurren M.
Published: September 2020

Background

In the 123‐study, we prospectively assessed, in a randomized fashion, the minimal cryoballoon application time necessary to achieve pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with the aim to reduce complications by shortening the application duration. The first results of this study demonstrated that shortened cryoballoon applications (<2 minutes) resulted in less phrenic nerve injury (PNI) without compromising acute isolation efficacy for the right PVs. We now report the 1‐year follow‐up results regarding safety and efficacy of shorter cryoballoon applications.

Methods

A total of 222 patients with AF were randomized to two applications of 1 min “short,” 2 min “medium,” or 3 min “long” duration, 74 per group. Recurrence of AF and PV reconduction at 1‐year follow‐up were assessed.

Results

The overall 1‐year freedom from AF was 79% and did not differ significantly between the short, medium, and long application groups (77%, 74%, and 85% for short, medium, and long application groups, respectively; P = 0.07). In 30 patients, a redo PVI procedure was performed. For all four PVs, there was no significant difference in reconduction between the three groups. Reconduction was most common in the left superior PV (57%). The right superior PV (RSPV) showed significantly less reconduction (17%) compared to the other PVs.

Conclusions

Shortening cryoballoon applications of the RSPV to <2 minutes results in less PNI, while acute success and 1‐year freedom from AF are not compromised. Therefore, shorter cryoballoon applications (especially) in the RSPV could be used to reduce PNI.
The subcutaneous ICD for prevention of sudden cardiac death: Current evidence and future directions
Authors: Steffel Jan
Published: September 2020

Despite major advances in medical therapy, sudden cardiac death remains an important cause of cardiovascular mortality. In order to improve the risk‐benefit balance of transvenous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) systems, a totally subcutaneous ICD (S‐ICD) system was developed and approved for use in Europe in 2009. The currently available S‐ICD system has undergone several important hardware‐ and software‐related modifications and improvements over the last 10 years aimed at further improving its efficacy and safety. The results of the PRAETORIAN trial, that is, the first randomized comparison of S‐ICD versus transvenous ICDs, of the prospective UNTOUCHED study, and the overall consistent observational data underline that current generation S‐ICD systems may be a valid alternative in patients with an ICD indication in whom bradycardia pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy is not required due to a lower risk of system‐related problems. This review summarizes the key differences between the two systems, improvements in hardware components and algorithms over time, as well as most recent clinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the S‐ICD.
Malignant tumors in hernia sac: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical studies of 21 cases at a single institution
Authors: Zhang Dongwei , Yang Qi , Katerji Roula , Drage Michael G. , Huber Aaron , Liao Xiaoyan
Published: September 2020

Malignant tumors presented in hernia sac are very rare and the clinicopathological features are not well studied. We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients with cancers identified in surgically resected hernia sac specimens at our institution, including 14 males and 7 females, with a median age of 65 years (range 35–93). Fourteen patients (66.7%) carried a synchronous or metachronous cancer diagnosis elsewhere and the tumors in hernia sac were proven to be metastasis. Of the remaining seven (33.3%) cases, hernia sac tumors were the initial presentation of malignancy, and a panel of immunohistochemistry markers were applied in combination with clinical information to identify tumor origin. The final classification of all 21 cases was as follows: 11 gastrointestinal tract tumors including 10 adenocarcinomas and 1 gastrointestinal stromal tumor, 5 pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas and 5 gynecological serous carcinomas. Compared to other tumor types, pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas were more likely to involve hernia sac as initial presentation before a primary site was identified (P = 0.0307) and had worse survival (P < 0.005). As the first and largest cohort of malignant tumors in hernia sac, our study provides critical data on frequency, distribution, clinicopathological features and applicability of immunohistochemical markers to determine tumor origin in cases with unknown primary.
Primary intramucosal synovial sarcoma of the sigmoid colon in a patient with a germline mutation in the MSH2 gene: A case report
Authors: Shigematsu Yasuyuki , Yamashita Kyoko , Takamatsu Manabu , Tanizawa Taisuke , Togashi Yuki , Nakajima Takeshi , Chino Akiko , Kawachi Hiroshi , Takeuchi Kengo
Published: September 2020

Synovial sarcoma is a high‐grade soft tissue sarcoma that occurs primarily in the deep soft tissue of extremities, and primary colorectal synovial sarcoma is extremely rare. In this report, we present a synovial sarcoma mostly located within the mucosa of the sigmoid colon. The patient was a man in his forties with a germline deletion in the MSH2 gene. He had experienced undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the left forearm 7 years before and adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon 6 years before, both of which were successfully treated and exhibited no recurrence to date. A surveillance colonoscopy for Lynch syndrome revealed the tumor which had a submucosal tumor‐like appearance with central erosion and endoscopic resection was performed. Histologically, it was composed of monotonous proliferation of spindle cells arranged in cellular fascicles; these findings were compatible with monophasic fibrous synovial sarcoma. In the tumor cells, the presence of the SS18‐SSX1 fusion gene was confirmed. Protein expression of mismatch repair genes was intact in the tumor cells, indicating the association between microsatellite instability and synovial sarcoma was weak. The present case highlights a rare primary site of synovial sarcoma in a patient with Lynch syndrome.
Linking wood anatomy with growth vigour and susceptibility to alternate bearing in composite apple and pear trees
Authors: Jupa R. , Mészáros M. , Plavcová L.
Published: September 2020

Excess vegetative growth and irregular fruit‐bearing are often undesirable in horticultural practice. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these traits in fruit trees are not fully understood. Here, we tested if growth vigour and susceptibility of apple and pear trees to alternate fruit‐bearing are associated with vascular anatomy.

We examined anatomical traits related to water transport and nutrient storage in young woody shoots and roots of 15 different scion/rootstock cultivars of apple and pear trees. In addition, soil and leaf water potentials were measured across a drought period.

We found a positive correlation between the mean vessel diameter of roots and the annual shoot length. Vigorously growing trees also maintained less negative midday leaf water potential during drought. Furthermore, we observed a close negative correlation between the proportions of total parenchyma in the shoots and the alternate bearing index.

Based on anatomical proxies, our results suggest that xylem transport efficiency of rootstocks is linked to growth vigour of both apple and pear trees, while limited carbohydrate storage capacity of scions may be associated with increased susceptibility to alternate bearing. These findings can be useful for the breeding of new cultivars of commercially important fruit trees.
Quantitative trait loci conferring blast resistance in hexaploid wheat at adult plant stage
Authors: Ferreira Jéssica Rosset , Torres Gisele Abigail Montan , Consoli Luciano , Camilotti Gabriela Andriolio , Scagliusi Sandra Maria Mansur , Nhani Antonio , Turchetto Caroline , Deuner Carolina Cardoso , Goddard Rachel , Nicholson Paul
Published: September 2020

Blast disease, caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum pathotype (MoT), is a major concern for wheat production in tropical and subtropical regions. The most destructive symptoms occur in wheat spikes. Infected spikes become bleached due to partial or total sterility, producing small and wrinkled grains. High disease pressure of the disease results in significant yield losses. This study aimed to identify wheat quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to blast disease at the heading stage. A doubled‐haploid population was developed from the cross between BRS 209 (susceptible) and CBFusarium ENT014 (resistant, carrying the 2NS translocation). A linkage map was constructed containing 5,381 molecular markers and the inclusive composite interval mapping method was employed for QTL detection. Four QTLs were mapped in response to two MoT isolates. The major QTL identified on the 2AS chromosome explained an average of 84.0% of the phenotypic variation for spike bleaching at 9 days postinoculation and reinforces the potency of the 2NS translocation. Recombination between the distal region of chromosome 2AS and the 2NS marker was found. These results could explain why some lines carrying the VENTRIUP/LN2 marker have a variable reaction to the disease. QTLs on 5B and 7B chromosomes were also identified. Two mechanisms of resistance were hypothesized: the hypersensitive response and resistance to colonization of host tissues. The KASP markers thus developed and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) allocated in QTL regions can be used in the future for the development of wheat blast‐resistant cultivars.
Seasonal and interannual variation of sterols in macrophytes from the Pacific coast of Baja California Peninsula (Mexico)
Authors: Serviere‐Zaragoza Elisa , Hurtado‐Oliva Miguel Ángel , Mazariegos‐Villarreal Alejandra , Arjona Olivia , Palacios Elena
Published: September 2020

The seasonal and interannual proximate and sterol composition were assessed in two red (Gelidium robustum, Gelidiaceae and Gracilariopsis sjoestedtii, Gracilariaceae), two brown (Ecklonia arborea, Lessoniaceae and Macrocystis pyrifera, Laminariaceae), and two green (Ulva lactuca and Ulva clathrata, Ulvaceae) macroalgae species and the seagrass Phyllospadix torreyi (Zosteraceae) sampled over 3 years in a subtropical climate in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Each macroalga had a particular sterol composition that was typical of their taxonomic group. The red algae had cholesterol as the major sterol; 92% on average in G. robustum and 90% in G. sjoestedtii, followed by t‐dehydrosterol and brassicasterol. In the brown algae the major sterol was fucosterol, which accounted for approx. 90% and 92% of total sterols for M. pyrifera and E. arborea, respectively, followed by campesterol (7% and 5%) and isofucosterol (1.5% and 1.3%). The green algae had isofucosterol as the major sterol, with 92% on average for U. lactuca and 87% for U. clathrata, followed by cholesterol, fucosterol, and brassicasterol or norcholesterol. The seagrass P. torreyi had β‐sitosterol as the major sterol (39 to 89%, depending on the season), followed by campesterol (4 to 7%), stigmasterol (3 to 6%), and isofucosterol (1.7 to 3.5%). Four (cholesterol, campesterol, fucosterol, and isofucosterol) of the 14 sterols identified in macroalgae and the seagrass could be used to differentiate between classes (Florideophyceae – red, Phaeophyceae – brown, Ulvophyceae – green, and Monocots – seagrass) both seasonally and interannually. The seasonal and interannual sterol composition of macroalgae and seagrass was quite stable, with the exception of red G. sjoestedtii sampled in August and green macroalga U. lactuca and seagrass P. torreyi both sampled in May 2002. Seasonal and interannual variations of proximate and sterol composition are discussed in relation to their reproductive state and environmental parameters.
Estimating Consignment‐Level Infestation Rates from the Proportion of Consignment that Failed Border Inspection: Possibilities and Limitations in the Presence of Overdispersed Data
Authors: Trouvé Raphaël , Robinson Andrew P.
Published: September 2020

Introduction of pests and diseases through trade is one of the main socioecological challenges worldwide. Targeted sampling at border security can efficiently provide information about biosecurity threats and also reduce pest entry risk. Prioritizing sampling effort requires knowing which pathways are most infested. However, border security inspection data are often right‐censored, as inspection agencies often only report that a consignment has failed inspection (i.e., there was at least one unit infested), not how many infested units were found. A method has been proposed to estimate the mean infestation rate of a pathway from such right‐censored data (Chen et al.). Using simulations and case study data from imported germplasm consignments inspected at the border, we show that the proposed method results in negatively biased estimates of the pathway infestation rate when the inspection data exhibit overdispersion (i.e., varying infestation rates among different consignments of the same pathway). The case study data also show that overdispersion is prevalent in real data sets. We demonstrate that the method proposed by Chen et al. recovers the median infestation rate of the pathway, rather than its mean. Therefore, it underpredicts the infestation rate when the data are overdispersed (in right‐skewed distributions, the mean is above the median). To allow better monitoring and optimizing sampling effort at the border, we recommend that border protection agencies report all the data (the number of infested units found together with the sample size of the inspection) instead of only that the consignment failed inspection.
Long‐run effects of teachers in developing countries
Authors: Crawfurd Lee , Rolleston Caine
Published: September 2020

How persistent are teacher effects on student outcomes? In this paper we present estimates of teacher effects on long‐run student outcomes from two low‐ and middle‐ income countries. We first estimate teacher value‐added using the Young Lives School Survey data from Ethiopia and Vietnam. We then track students taught by these teachers 2 and 5 years later and use data from the Young Lives Household Surveys to estimate the effects of teacher quality. We find no persistent effect after 2 years, but better mathematics (0.08σ) and reading (0.06σ) test scores after 5 years, from being taught by a 1σ better Grade 5 teacher. We find no persistent effects of good teachers on measures of more “generalized” cognitive ability, aspirations, well‐being, or “grit.”
One Health and veterans’ post‐deployment health
Authors: Mathewson‐Chapman Marianne , Chapman Helena J
Published: September 2020

Since 2001, more than 3.3 million US service members have been deployed to operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel. Visible and invisible war wounds from direct combat experiences, coupled with environmental exposures to harmful substances, can complicate veterans’ health throughout their lifespan. While promoting a holistic view of health, health professionals should be attentive for potential risks associated with environmental or animal exposures (One Health concept). During deployment, infectious and non‐infectious environmental exposures and harmful substances in the air, on the land and in the water may result in immediate‐ or long‐term health effects. Veterans can also face psychosocial health risks when home that may impact their concentration, emotional responses and social interactions. To strengthen health professions education, the authors recommend that curricula incorporate a comprehensive overview of veterans’ physical and psychosocial health risks as a result of their deployment. They describe four specific curriculum topics, competencies and didactic methods that can reinforce veteran‐specific content for clinical education and training. By applying the One Health concept, health professionals can document harmful environmental exposures during deployment, report gaps in clinical practice, and provide support for veterans’ physical and psychosocial health needs when returning to civilian life.
A multicenter observational study investigating care errors, staffing levels, and workload in small animal intensive care units
Authors: Hayes Galina M. , Bersenas Alexa M. , Mathews Karol , Lane William G. , LaLonde‐Paul Denise F. , Steele Andrea , Avellaneda Ana
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate associations among care errors, staffing, and workload in small animal ICUs.

Design

Multicenter observational cohort study conducted between January 2017 and September 2018.

Setting

Three small animal teaching hospital ICUs.

Animals

None.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and main results

Data on patient numbers, illness severity (assesed via the acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation [APPLE] score), care burden, staffing levels, technician experience/education level, and care errors were collected at each study site. Care errors were categorized as major (unanticipated arrest or death; patient endangerment through IV line, arterial catheter, chest tube or other invasive device mismanagement, or errors in drug calculation/administration) or minor. Median patient:technician ratio was 4.3 (range: 1–18). Median patient illness severity was 15.1 (4.7–27.1) APPLE score units. A total of 221 major and 3,317 minor errors were observed over the study period. The odds of a major error increased by an average of 11% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.20; P = 0.012) for each 1 patient increase in the patient:technician ratio after averaging by ICU location. The major error incident rate ratio was 2.53 (95% CI, 1.84–3.54; P < 0.001) for patient:technician ratios of >4.0 compared with ≤4.0. The odds of a major error increased by 0.5% per total unit APPLE score increase (OR = 1.005; 95% CI, 1.002–1.007; P < 0.001). The major error incident rate ratio was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.30–2.25; P < 0.001) for APPLEfast:technician ratios of >73 compared with ≤73. The odds of a major error decreased by 2% (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; P = 0.01) for each year increase in total technician years of ICU work experience.

Conclusions

Substantial reductions in major care errors may be achieved by maintaining ICU patient:technician ratios at ≤4. Technician experience and total unit burden of patient illness severity are also associated with error incidence, and should be taken into consideration when scheduling staff.
The Impact of Customer Experience in Online Brand Communities on Customer Engagement and Purchase Intentions Among Arab Internet Users: Theoretical Analysis, Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda
Authors: Akram Sherif , Kortam Wael
Published: September 2020

Drawing on the service ecosystem theory and customer experience and engagement theory, this study examines the relationship between customer experience, customer engagement, and purchase intentions in online settings. Customer experience is operationalized into pragmatic, hedonic, sociability, and usability, whereas customer engagement is operationalized into the attitudinal and behavioral engagement. This study was undertaken among members of online communities from The Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO); a specialized organization affiliated with the League of Arab States. The study delves identifying into which customer experience may elevate customer engagement, how the specific customer experience elevates customer engagement to potentially lead to a purchasing intention in online brand communities.
Sociocultural Perspectives of Science and Learning: Contributions on Pedagogical Practices on STEM teachers in Service
Authors: Tocora Milena Alcocer , Hernandez Carola Hernandez
Published: September 2020

This research study contributes to science teacher training by analyzing a curriculum that takes in sociocultural perspectives of science and learning in in-service teachers' pedagogical practices. It is a qualitative study with a critical hermeneutic methodology. The method used was a multiple case study, which inquires by exploring different cases in depth. The information was collected within the framework of a postgraduate training program, with in-service teachers from the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), in two settings: the training program and the observation of their pedagogical practice. Results show that this sociocultural perspective of the curriculum contributed to the pedagogical practices of the teachers under study in six different ways:  i) generation of new understandings of science, learning, and the discipline they teach; ii) identification of other meanings for the concepts they teach; iii) changes in-class activities that help to recognize the identity of the scientific community; iv) inclusion of strategies that foster the negotiation of meaning in the community; v) changes in the evaluation strategies, giving more importance to feedback; and vi) generation of reflexive processes about the pedagogical practice in a more conscious way.
Collective-Action Problems and Institutional Systems
Authors: Ferguson William D.
Published: September 2020

A society’s prospects for development depend on its ability to resolve collective-action problems (CAPs). Resolution depends on underlying institutional contexts. Inequality permeates these interactions. This chapter introduces CAPs, institutions, institutional systems, social orders, and political settlements. CAPs arise when individuals, pursuing their own goals, generate undesirable outcomes for some group. First-order CAPs concern forms of free riding; second-order CAPs concern orchestrating the coordination and enforcement that render agreements to limit free riding credible. Discussion proceeds to distinguish informal and formal institutions (norms and rules) from organizations (structured groups of individuals that can take action). Institutional systems are complementary mixes of institutions and organizations, where the latter play critical roles in resolving second-order CAPs. Social orders are large-scale institutional systems. Political settlements are mutual understandings that limit organized violence by addressing broad allocations of authority and benefits.
Alternative Typologies of Social Orders and Political Settlements
Authors: Ferguson William D.
Published: September 2020

This chapter summarizes several approaches to categorizing social orders and political settlements on the basis of elemental political and institutional characteristics. A political settlement is a mutual understanding, held among parties with power, that they will primarily rely on politics rather than violence to resolve disputes. Discussion opens with a one-dimensional mapping of social orders, based on institutional strength and access—ranging from a chaos order through three types of limited-access orders to an open-access order. Societies can move in either direction. Next, a two-dimensional approach shows four combinations of institutional strength and competitive or dominant political settlements. A third approach offers three typologies. The first relates political settlements to institutional strength. The second denotes alternative distributions of power between included and excluded groups, and such distributions within included groups. The third addresses business power and capabilities.
Performance Evaluation of ANCF Tetrahedral Elements in the Analysis of Liquid Sloshing
Authors: Zhang Dayu , Grossi Emanuele , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: September 2020

The performance of the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) tetrahedral element in the analysis of liquid sloshing is evaluated in this paper using a total Lagrangian nonincremental solution procedure. In this verification study, the results obtained using the ANCF tetrahedral element are compared with the results of the ANCF solid element which has been previously subjected to numerical verification and experimental validation. The tetrahedral-element model, which allows for arbitrarily large displacements including rotations, can be systematically integrated with computational multibody system (MBS) algorithms that allow for developing complex sloshing/vehicle models. The new fluid formulation allows for systematically increasing the degree of continuity in order to obtain higher degree of smoothness at the element interface, eliminate dependent variables, and reduce the model dimensionality. The effect of the fluid/container interaction is examined using a penalty contact approach. Simple benchmark problems and complex railroad vehicle sloshing scenarios are used to examine the performance of the ANCF tetrahedral element in solving liquid sloshing problems. The simulation results show that, unlike the ANCF solid element, the ANCF tetrahedral element model exhibits nonsmoothness of the free surface. This difference is attributed to the gradient discontinuity at the tetrahedral-element interface, use of different meshing rules for the solid- and tetrahedral-elements, and the interaction between elements. It is shown that applying curvature-continuity conditions leads, in general, to higher degree of smoothness. Nonetheless, a higher degree of continuity does not improve the solution accuracy when using the ANCF tetrahedral elements.
Coherence-based performance analysis on noise reduction in multichannel active noise control systems
Authors: Zhang Jihui Aimee , Murata Naoki , Maeno Yu , Samarasinghe Prasanga N. , Abhayapala Thushara D. , Mitsufuji Yuki
Published: September 2020

Active noise control (ANC) over an extended spatial region using multiple microphones and multiple loudspeakers has become an important problem. The maximum noise reduction (NR) potential over the control area is a critical evaluation variable as it indicates the fundamental limitation of a given ANC system. In this paper, a method to mathematically formulate the NR potential for any given multichannel ANC systems is developed. First, the residual error in the multichannel feedforward ANC system is formulated, and then the multiple-input-multiple-output problem is decomposed into the parallel-channel problem. The total energy of the residual error is further decomposed into three different terms representing (i) the signal coherence between the reference signals and error signals, (ii) the filter, and (iii) the system null space. The experimental results validate the proposed evaluation method and illustrate the effectiveness on the maximum NR performance evaluation for given systems. Using the proposed analyzing method, more insight into the contribution of each component to the NR potential can be achieved.
Characterizing three shallow-water locations off Goa, India, using passive acoustic data
Authors: Chanda Kranthikumar , Chakraborty Bishwajit , Mahale V. P. , Latha G. , Fernandes W.
Published: September 2020

In this study, an analysis of the passive acoustic data is carried out for the quantitative characterization of shallow-water acoustic environments from three major estuarine systems of Goa during the months of March and April. The identification of fish sounds was carried out using waveform and peak power spectral densities (PSDs) of the individual fish calls. Fish sound data showed that the toadfish of the Batrachoididae family (Colletteichthys dussumieri species) produced a spectral level 112.27 ± 4.48 dB re 1 μPa2 /Hz at 448.96 ± 40.30 Hz frequency from the mangrove-dominated tidally influenced Mandovi estuary. Similarly, in a coral reef area near Grande Island in the Zuari estuary, Tiger Perch fish from the Terapontidae family (Terapon threaps species) were identified, having spectral levels 106.91 ± 3.08 dB re 1 μPa2 /Hz at 1791.56 ± 106.55 Hz frequency. From the Sal estuary, PSD levels were found to be around 98.24 ± 2.98 dB re 1 μPa2/Hz at 1796.95 ± 72.76 Hz frequency for Tiger Perch of the Terapontidae family (T. threaps species). To characterize the contributions of biophony (fish), geophony (wind and flow, etc.), and anthrophony (boats, etc.), cluster analysis is employed. In the Mandovi estuary, the root-mean-square sound pressure level (SPLrms) of broadband toadfish was a function of the water flow and temperature. In the Zuari estuary, SPLrms was a function of the water temperature and wind, whereas in the Sal estuary, wind mainly influenced the SPLrms.
The burden of stigma
Authors: Chandrashekhar Vaishnavi
Published: September 2020

Past epidemics reveal how social stigma amplifies the dangers of infectious disease.
HDAC6 mediates an aggresome-like mechanism for NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasome activation
Authors: Magupalli Venkat Giri , Negro Roberto , Tian Yuzi , Hauenstein Arthur V. , Di Caprio Giuseppe , Skillern Wesley , Deng Qiufang , Orning Pontus , Alam Hasan B. , Maliga Zoltan , Sharif Humayun , Hu Jun Jacob , Evavold Charles L. , Kagan Jonathan C. , Schmidt Florian I. , Fitzgerald Katherine A. , Kirchhausen Tom , Li Yongqing , Wu Hao
Published: September 2020

The MTOC is “speck”-tacular

Inflammasome complexes are formed in response to pathogen-associated molecules. They initiate both the maturation of inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death. One notable feature for inflammasome activation is the formation of a single supramolecular punctum (or “speck”) in each affected cell. However, the location and mechanism of speck formation is poorly understood. Magupalli
et al.
report that for NLRP3- and pyrin-mediated inflammasomes, their assembly and downstream functions occur at the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). This process requires the dynein adaptor HDAC6, which is also a central player in aggresome formation and autophagosomal degradation at the MTOC. This work links several important cellular processes and provides clues for how inflammasomes are efficiently regulated.

Science
, this issue p.
eaas8995
Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution
Authors: Borrelle Stephanie B. , Ringma Jeremy , Law Kara Lavender , Monnahan Cole C. , Lebreton Laurent , McGivern Alexis , Murphy Erin , Jambeck Jenna , Leonard George H. , Hilleary Michelle A. , Eriksen Marcus , Possingham Hugh P. , De Frond Hannah , Gerber Leah R. , Polidoro Beth , Tahir Akbar , Bernard Miranda , Mallos Nicholas , Barnes Megan , Rochman Chelsea M.
Published: September 2020

A mess of plastic

It is not clear what strategies will be most effective in mitigating harm from the global problem of plastic pollution. Borrelle
et al.
and Lau
et al.
discuss possible solutions and their impacts. Both groups found that substantial reductions in plastic-waste generation can be made in the coming decades with immediate, concerted, and vigorous action, but even in the best case scenario, huge quantities of plastic will still accumulate in the environment.

Science
, this issue p.
1515
, p.
1455