bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial compositional turnover varies with trophic level and body size in marine assemblages of micro‐ and macroorganisms
Authors: Pettersen Amanda K. , Coleman Melinda A. , Latombe Guillaume , Gonzalez Sebastian Vadillo , Williams Nathan L. R. , Seymour Justin R. , Campbell Alexandra H. , Thomas Torsten , Ferrari Renata , Stuart‐Smith Rick D. , Edgar Graham J. , Steinberg Peter D. , Marzinelli Ezequiel M.
Published: May 2022

Aim

Spatial compositional turnover varies considerably among co‐occurring assemblages of organisms, presumably shaped by common processes related to species traits. We investigated patterns of spatial turnover in a diverse set of marine assemblages using zeta diversity, which extends traditional pairwise measures of turnover to capture the roles of both rare and common species in shaping assemblage turnover. We tested the generality of hypothesized patterns related to ecological traits and provide insights into mechanisms of biodiversity change.

Location

Temperate pelagic and benthic marine assemblages of micro‐ and macroorganisms along south‐eastern Australia (30–36° S latitude).

Time period

2008–2021.

Major taxa studied

Bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, and macrobenthic groups.

Methods

Six marine datasets spanning bacteria to fishes were collated for measures of “species” occurrence, with a 1° latitude grain. For each assemblage, ecological traits of body size, habitat and trophic level were analysed for the form and rate of decline in zeta diversity and for the species retention rate.

Results

Species at higher trophic levels showed two to three times the rate of zeta diversity decline compared with lower trophic levels, indicating an increase in turnover from phytoplankton to carnivorous fishes. Body size showed the hypothesized unimodal relationship with rates of turnover for macroorganisms. Patterns of bacterial turnover contrasted with those found for macroorganisms, with the highest levels of turnover in pelagic habitats compared with benthic (kelp‐associated) habitats. The shape of retention rate curves showed the importance of both rare and common species in driving turnover; a finding that would not have been observable using pairwise (beta diversity) measures of turnover.

Main conclusions

Our results support theoretical predictions for phytoplankton and macroorganisms, showing an increase in turnover rate with trophic level, but these predictions did not hold for bacteria. Such deviations from theory need to be investigated further to identify underlying processes that govern microbial assemblage dynamics.
Development of a Default Vapor Intrusion Attenuation Factor for Industrial Buildings
Authors: Eklund Bart , Ricondo Carly , Artz‐Patton Helen , Milose Jessica , Wong Chi‐Wah
Published: May 2022

An investigation at a major industrial facility in the Midwestern United States provides insights regarding the amount of attenuation of sub‐surface vapors occurring at industrial buildings. The buildings at the facility were ranked in terms of vapor intrusion potential and testing began in October 2016 and is ongoing. Results have been evaluated for data collected at 718 unique locations across 77 buildings. A total of 1646 sample pairs (sub‐slab and indoor air) have been collected and analyzed for 65 analytes, resulting in a total of 106,990 data pairs. As many as 49 sample pairs were collected within a given building during a single sampling event and up to 11 rounds of seasonal testing have been performed at selected buildings. Seasonal variability in sub‐slab soil‐gas concentrations was found to be negligible. Data analysis was performed to look for data trends across the entire data set and identify inter‐building comparisons. This data evaluation focused on individual volatile organic compounds (e.g., tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene) present in the sub‐slab soil gas at concentrations exceeding 1000 μg/m3. A total of 157 building‐specific attenuation coefficients (α) were evaluated. This evaluation demonstrated that large industrial buildings have a much greater attenuation than that assumed for single‐family residential buildings. All attenuation coefficient values were lower than 0.03, which is the standard regulatory default for non‐residential buildings. The median value was 9.3E‐05 and the 95% upper confidence limit was 2.7E‐04. There is some evidence of lower attenuation under wintertime conditions. The data suggests that the default attenuation factor of 0.03 over‐predicts indoor air impacts at this industrial facility by at least two orders of magnitude.
Migraine and balance impairment: Influence of subdiagnosis, otoneurological function, falls, and psychosocial factors
Authors: Carvalho Gabriela F. , Luedtke Kerstin , Pinheiro Carina F. , Moraes Renato , Lemos Tenysson W. , Carneiro Camila G. , Bigal Marcelo E. , Dach Fabiola , Bevilaqua‐Grossi Debora
Published: May 2022

Objective

To assess the balance sensory organization among patients with migraine, considering the influence of migraine subdiagnosis, otoneurological function, falls, and psychosocial factors.

Background

Migraine has been associated with vestibular symptoms and balance dysfunction; however, neither comprehensive balance assessment nor associated factors for greater impairment have been addressed thus far.

Methods

Patients from a tertiary headache clinic with a diagnosis of episodic migraine with aura (MWA), without aura (MWoA), and chronic migraine (CM) were included for this cross‐sectional study (30 patients per group). Thirty headache‐free controls (CG) were recruited. Participants underwent a comprehensive evaluation protocol, including the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and otoneurological examination. Questionnaires about fear of falls, dizziness disability, and kinesiophobia were administered.

Results

All migraine groups presented lower composite SOT scores than controls (CG: 82.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 79.5–85.3], MWoA: 76.5 [95% CI: 73.6–79.3], MWA: 66.5 [95% CI: 63.6–69.3], CM: 69.1 [95% CI: 66.3–72.0]; p < 0.0001). Compared to controls and to MWoA, MWA and CM groups exhibited greater vestibular (CG: 75.9 [95% CI: 71.3–80.4], MWoA: 67.3 [95% CI: 62.7–71.8], MWA: 55.7 [95% CI: 51.2–60.3], CM: 58.4 [95% CI: 53.8–63.0]; p < 0.0001) and visual functional impairment (CG: 89.6 [95% CI: 84.2–94.9], MWoA: 83.2 [95% CI: 77.9–88.6], MWA: 68.6 [95% CI: 63.3–74.0], CM: 71.9 [95% CI: 66.5–77.2], p < 0.0001). Fall events during the assessment were documented more often among patients with migraine (CG: 0.0, interquartile range [IQR], 0.0, 0.0); MWoA: 1.0 [IQR: 1.0, 1.0], MWA: 2.0 [IQR: 1.8, 4.3], CM: 1.0 [IQR: 1.0, 2.0]; p = 0.001). The SOT scores correlated with fear of falls (r = −0.44), dizziness disability (r = −0.37), kinesiophobia (r = −0.38), and migraine frequency (r = −0.38). There was no significant influence of the vestibular migraine diagnosis in the study outcomes when used as a covariate in the analysis (composite score [F = 3.33, p = 0.070], visual score [F = 2.11, p = 0.149], vestibular score [F = 1.88, p = 0.172], somatosensory score [F = 0.00, p = 0.993]).

Conclusions

Aura and greater migraine frequency were related to falls and balance impairment with sensory input manipulation, although no otoneurological alterations were detected. The diagnosis of vestibular migraine does not influence the balance performance. The vestibular/visual systems should be considered in the clinical examination and treatment of patients with migraine.
Prediction of fish quality level with machine learning
Authors: Yavuzer Emre , Köse Memduh
Published: May 2022

In this study, sea bream, sea bass, anchovy and trout were captured and recorded using a digital camera during refrigerated storage for 7 days. In addition, their total viable counts (TVC) were determined on a daily basis. Based on the TVC, each fish was classified as ‘fresh’ when it was <5 log cfu per g, and as ‘not fresh’ when it was >7 log cfu per g. They were uploaded on a web‐based machine learning software called Teachable Machine (TM), which was trained about the pupils and heads of the fish. In addition, images of each species from different angles were uploaded to the software in order to ensure the recognition of fish species by TM. The data of the study indicated that the TM was able to distinguish fish species with high accuracy rates and achieved over 86% success in estimating the freshness of the fish species tested.
Global nursing research activity from 2009 to 2020: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Wang Cui , Shi Yuexian , Lu Han , Dong Xu , Hou Luoya , Wang Limin , Wan Qiaoqin , Hu Li , Zhang Lei , Dou Dou , Shang Shaomei
Published: May 2022

Aim

Bibliometric analysis of the nursing literature can provide insights into the current state and dynamics of the nursing profession. This study aimed to assess global nursing‐related research activity from 2009 to 2020.

Method

The corpus of nursing papers was harvested from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The bibliometric indicators and VOSviewer mapping of the retrieved papers were presented.

Results

The search found 109,782 papers, and 39.0% of papers reported funded studies. Publication numbers were increasing. The USA was the most prolific country in literature production and international collaboration in nursing studies. International cooperation in nursing research was dominated by developed regions. Among the 20 most cited articles, 75% were published in first quartile journals, and review papers received a higher number of citations than original research articles. Author keyword analysis identified ‘quality of life’, ‘mental health’, ‘nursing students' education’ and ‘adolescent’ as common nursing focus topics.

Conclusions

The publication trend of nursing papers was positive. However, several problems were associated with nursing research activity, including low research funding, regionally centred research activity and inactivity of developing regions in terms of international collaborations, which need to be addressed by policy makers, nursing managers and scholars.
Élaboration d'un indice composite de qualité de l'emploi des travailleurs et travailleuses LGBTQ+ du Québec (Canada)
Authors: BAIOCCO Michele , BLAIS Martin , SAMOILENKO Mariia , CHAMBERLAND Line , CÔTÉ Isabel
Published: May 2022

L'hétérosexisme et le cisgenrisme peuvent conduire à des expériences d'exclusion sociale vécues au travail, qui nuisent au bien‐être des personnes LGBTQ+. Pour mesurer cette réalité, les auteurs construisent un indice de qualité de l'emploi spécifique, en s'appuyant sur des données issues d'un échantillon de 1 761 travailleurs et travailleuses LGBTQ+ du Québec, recrutés dans le cadre de l'enquête SAVIE‐LGBTQ (2019–2020). Cet indice, créé au moyen de scores factoriels, comprend 16 indicateurs et 5 dimensions. Il possède une cohérence interne acceptable et est associé modérément à la satisfaction au travail des personnes LGBTQ+. L'indice révèle des différences attendues entre les groupes, ce qui soutient sa validité conceptuelle.
Photosynthesis and salt cations adsorption response of spring maize (Zea mays L.) to salinity stress caused by different drip irrigation regimes in an arid saline area, Northwest China
Authors: Cheng Yu , Zhang Tibin , Qiao Ruonan , Yan Sihui , Luo Min , Wang Chun , Zhang Tonggang , Dong Qin'ge , Feng Hao
Published: May 2022

Salinity is one of the most decisive environmental factors limiting crop productivity, especially in arid and semi‐arid regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth depression of spring maize (Zea mays L.) due to salinity stress caused by different drip irrigation regimes in an arid saline area. A two‐year field experiment was conducted in the Hetao Irrigation District, northwest China in 2019 and 2020. The study soil was moderately saline with ECe (electrical conductivity of saturated soil extract) of 8.04 dS m−1. Three threshold values of soil matric potential (SMP), −10, −30, and −50 kPa, were used to trigger a 10–20 mm drip irrigation of spring maize. Nine plots were arranged in a randomized block design (with triplication for each SMP level). Results showed that the lower soil salinity caused by higher SMP levels significantly increased crop photosynthetic capacity and reduced salt cations (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) concentrations in plant organs, thereby increasing aboveground biomass and grain yields. Gas exchange parameter values first increased and then decreased in the R1–R5 stage (76–115 DAP) except for net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of −10 kPa treatment. Four salt cations in the aboveground parts were mainly distributed in stems and leaves, followed by grains. However, there was no significant difference in aboveground cationic accumulation among treatments. Correlation analysis indicated that gas exchange parameter values were negatively correlated with concentrations of K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in aboveground plant organs at harvest, indicating that Pn could quantitatively reflect the salt ionic toxicity in crops to a large extent. Considering photosynthesis, salt cations absorption, and water use efficiency, an SMP threshold of −30 kPa is recommended for drip irrigation of maize in this arid saline condition. These findings can provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the promotion of mulched drip irrigation under the arid saline condition.
A commercial SnF2 toothpaste formulation reduces simulated human plaque biofilm in a dynamic typodont model
Authors: Khosravi Yalda , Palmer Sara , Daep Carlo A. , Sambanthamoorthy Karthik , Kumar Purnima , Dusane Devendra H. , Stoodley Paul
Published: May 2022

Aims

We present a dynamic typodont biofilm model (DTBM) incorporating (1) human dentition anatomy, (2) fluid flow over intermittently fluid bathed tooth surfaces and (3) an oxic headspace to allow aerobic and anaerobic niches to develop naturally, as a screening tool to assess the effect of stannous fluoride (SnF2) toothpaste against a simulated human plaque biofilm (SPB).

Methods and results

First, hydroxyapatite (HA) coupons were inoculated with human saliva/plaque and cultured at 37°C under air. Selected species representative of common commensal and anaerobic pathogens were quantified for relative abundance changes over 4 days by PCR densitometry to confirm the culture conditions allowed the proliferation of these species. A continuous culture DTBM reactor on a rocker table was inoculated with saliva/plaque and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Tooth shear stress was estimated by particle tracking. A SnF2 toothpaste solution, or a sham rise was administered twice daily for 3 days to mimic routine oral hygiene. SPB biomass was assessed by total bacterial DNA and methylene blue (MB) staining. Early colonizer aerobes and late colonizer anaerobes species were detected in the HA and DTBM, and the trends in changing abundance were consistent with those seen clinically.

Conclusions

Treatment with the SnF2 solution showed significant reductions of 53.05% and 54.4% in the SPB by MB staining and DNA, respectively. Significance and impact of study: The model has potential for assessing dentition anatomy and fluid flow on the efficacy of antimicrobial efficacy against localized SPB and may be amenable to the plaque index clinical evaluation.
The impact of an online gamified approach embedded with self‐regulated learning support on students' reading performance and intrinsic motivation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qiao Shen , Chu Samuel Kai Wah , Shen Xiaoai , Yeung Susanna Siu‐sze
Published: May 2022

Background

Morphological awareness (MA) is the awareness and ability to manipulate morphemes, the smallest units of meaning in a language. It is identified as a strong cognitive precursor of word reading and reading comprehension. The current MA instructions are limited to classroom settings and delivered by teachers or experimenters. Few studies have included technology and its novel features to deliver MA instructions.

Objectives

This study proposes a gamified learning approach embedded with self‐regulated learning support for MA learning and examines its effects on improving English reading performance and intrinsic motivation among junior secondary grade students who learn English as a foreign language.

Methods

This study adopted a randomized controlled trial design. Participants (N = 104) were randomly assigned into one of three conditions: self‐regulated gamified programme, gamified programme, or non‐gamified programme. Students received 16 sessions of instructions (30 min/session) and were evaluated on reading abilities (i.e., MA, word reading and reading comprehension) and intrinsic motivation before and after the programme implementation.

Results and conclusions

Results from repeated measures ANOVA and follow‐up ANCOVA showed that while the two gamified groups demonstrated greater improvement in MA (i.e., near transfer effect) and intrinsic motivation than non‐gamified group, only the self‐regulated gamified group showed more gains in multisyllabic word reading (i.e., far transfer effect) than non‐gamified group. There was no significant time X group interaction effect on reading comprehension.

Implications

Taken together, this research suggests gamification leads to better morphology learning and increases students' intrinsic motivation. The incorporation of self‐regulated learning in gamification is recommended to achieve the far transfer effect on multisyllabic word reading.
Enhanced conditions for anthocyanin extraction from blackberry pomace under ultrasound irradiation
Authors: Santos Suelen Siqueira dos , Magalhães Flávia de Santana , Paraíso Carolina Moser , Ogawa Camilla Yara Langer , Sato Francielle , Santos Junior Oscar de Oliveira , Visentainer Jesuí Vergílio , Madrona Grasiele Scaramal , Reis Miria Hespanhol Miranda
Published: May 2022

The recovery of bioactive compounds from agro‐industrial residues with green solvents in ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) processes represents an interesting alternative from environmental and economical perspectives. Here we investigated optimal conditions to improve the extraction of anthocyanins from blackberry pomace. The experimental data were fitted to the second‐order polynomial model to obtain the regression coefficients, and three‐dimensional (3‐D) response surface plots were considered to represent the relationships between each variable on the response of total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA) content. The ultrasound‐assisted process at an ultrasound amplitude of 40% for 10 min and a concentration of 25 mg/L resulted in the maximum TMA concentration of 1.39 ± 0.02 mgCy3GlE/g. At these extraction conditions, the extract presented total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of 44.12 ± 0.17 mgGAE/g and 63.25 ± 0.53 mgQE/g, respectively. A total of 31 individual compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonols, and phenolic acids, were identified in the extract. Concentrations of cyanidin‐3‐glucoside and caffeic, gallic, and ellagic acids were 2.38 ± 0.09, 0.47 ± 0.01, 0.55 ± 0.01, and 0.48 ± 0.01 mg/g, respectively. Compared to the conventional extraction, the UAE represented an increase of 20.87% in total anthocyanins. Thus, the UAE at suitable conditions is suggested to recover bioactive compounds from blackberry pomace.

Practical Applications

The use of blackberry pomace to extract bioactive compounds is promising because it uses a by‐product from the fruit processing industry. This study presents an innovative proposal of optimal process conditions to recover anthocyanins from blackberry pomace under ultrasound irradiation. The use of green solvents, as water, in ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) processes, represents an interesting alternative from environmental and economical perspectives, UAE process is a favorable, fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly method. The obtained blackberry pomace powder is an interesting ingredient to food and pharmaceutical industries, mainly due to the elevated concentration of added‐value compounds. Besides the high amount of anthocyanins content, which could be used as a dye and as antioxidant compounds in several types of food.
REVEILLE 7 inhibits the expression of the circadian clock gene EARLY FLOWERING 4 to fine‐tune hypocotyl growth in response to warm temperatures
Authors: Tian Ying‐Ying , Li Wei , Wang Mei‐Jing , Li Jin‐Yu , Davis Seth Jon , Liu Jian‐Xiang
Published: May 2022

The circadian clock maintains the daily rhythms of plant growth and anticipates predictable ambient temperature cycles. The evening complex (EC), comprising EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3), ELF4, and LUX ARRHYTHMO, plays an essential role in suppressing thermoresponsive hypocotyl growth by negatively regulating PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) activity and its downstream targets in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, how EC activity is attenuated by warm temperatures remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that warm temperature‐induced REVEILLE 7 (RVE7) fine‐tunes thermoresponsive growth in Arabidopsis by repressing ELF4 expression. RVE7 transcript and RVE7 protein levels increased in response to warm temperatures. Under warm temperature conditions, an rve7 loss‐of‐function mutant had shorter hypocotyls, while overexpressing RVE7 promoted hypocotyl elongation. PIF4 accumulation and downstream transcriptional effects were reduced in the rve7 mutant but enhanced in RVE7 overexpression plants under warm conditions. RVE7 associates with the Evening Element in the ELF4 promoter and directly represses its transcription. ELF4 is epistatic to RVE7, and overexpressing ELF4 suppressed the phenotype of the RVE7 overexpression line under warm temperature conditions. Together, our results identify RVE7 as an important regulator of thermoresponsive growth that functions (in part) by controlling ELF4 transcription, highlighting the importance of ELF4 for thermomorphogenesis in plants.
Ultrasonographic observation of the masseter muscle after injection of different botulinum toxin type A
Authors: Li Zhujun , Li Zirong , Li Yunzhu , Dong Ruijia , Chen Cheng , Huang Jiuzuo , Xia Zenan , Yu Nanze , Long Xiao
Published: May 2022

Background

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) injection is a popular cosmetic procedure in East Asian countries, and there are multiple types of toxins on the market. Whether different toxin types induce different changes in the masseter has not been studied.

Objective

We aimed to investigate and compare the changes induced by injection of different types of BoNT‐A in the masseter.

Methods

Upon retrospective review of clinical records and routine ultrasound examination results of patients who underwent BoNT‐A injection, four groups were set for comparison: unapproved toxin, OnabotulinumtoxinA, LanbotulinumtoxinA, and non‐injected. Clinical records and ultrasound images were collected. Ultrasound images were taken in both horizontal and coronal planes. Elasticity of the masseter muscle was also investigated by measuring the surface wave speed.

Results

A total of 24 patients were included (six patients per group). All patients were young females. For the non‐injected group, the deep inferior tendon was clear and the muscle bundles were arranged, with little fibrous content. Patients who received unapproved toxin injection showed highly disarranged muscle and fiber bundles, with much fiber content present. The changes in OnabotulinumtoxinA and LanbotulinumtoxinA groups were in between those in the non‐injected and unapproved toxin groups. Muscle rigidity was the highest in the unapproved toxin group, and generally higher in injected groups compared with the non‐injected group.

Conclusion

Different types of BoNT‐A may induce different changes in the masseter.
Diet and stomach characteristics of feral piglets (Sus scrofa): Implications for farmed piglets
Authors: van Hees Hubèrt M. J. , Ballari Sebastián A. , Dieste‐Pérez Lucía , Carpinetti Bruno N. , Janssens Geert P. J.
Published: May 2022

Evaluation of the diet of the pig (Sus scrofa) in natural settings may provide new views on diet optimization for growth and development of commercially raised piglets under farm conditions. A field study was conducted to gain insight in the diet and stomach characteristics of feral piglets. Forty animals (body weight: 4.6 ± 1.37 kg) were collected from the Bahía Samborombón (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Stomachs were weighed after storage in formalin and the particle size distribution of their contents was determined by wet sieving. Diet items present in their stomachs were classified and their proportional weight and relative abundance was calculated. Based on their dentition, 5, 16 and 19 piglets were approximately 1, 3–6 and 6–16 weeks of age respectively. Vegetable matter (mainly ‘leaves and stems’) was predominantly present in 39 animals. It represented on average 83 ± 36.4% of total stomach contents by weight. The stomachs of 12 piglets contained curd and represented on average 16 ± 35.1% by weight. Other diet items were less abundant or absent. The proportion of stomach particles retained were 24%, 13%, 22%, 13% and 28% for sieves with mesh sizes of 2000, 1000, 420, 210 and <210 µm respectively. For comparison, we used data of farmed piglets of similar age and fed a nutrient‐dense, finely ground diet. Feral piglets' relative empty stomach weights increased with age (p < 0.050), whereas this was not the case for farmed piglets. Relative stomach contents weight increased significantly with age only for farmed piglets (p < 0.050). We infer from our data that feral suckling piglets consumed a variety of non‐milk items, mainly consisting of vegetable material with a coarse particle size from their first week in life onwards. Their diet is associated with an enhanced stomach development compared to those of farmed piglets.
Native and alien grassland diversity respond differently to environmental and anthropogenic drivers across spatial scales
Authors: Bergamin Rodrigo Scarton , Ascensão Fernando , Capinha César , Bastazini Vinicius Augusto Galvão , Andrade Bianca Ott , Boldrini Ilsi Iob , Lezama Felipe , Altesor Alice , Perelman Susana , Overbeck Gerhard Ernst
Published: May 2022

Aims

To identify environmental and anthropogenic drivers of alpha‐ and beta‐diversity for native and alien plant species.

Location

Río de la Plata grasslands, South America (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay; 27.3–39.1°S, 50.1–66.5°W).

Methods

We assembled a data set of 597 vegetation plots distributed across the Río de la Plata grasslands. To assess the drivers of native and alien alpha‐diversity (species richness), we performed a generalized least‐squares regression using environmental and anthropogenic predictors. We evaluated differences in beta‐diversity using Simpson's pairwise dissimilarity between pairs of plots and used multiple regression on distance matrixes to investigate environmental and anthropogenic drivers on compositional dissimilarity for both native and alien plant species.

Results

Native species richness was higher in sites with less demanding environmental conditions, such as lower precipitation seasonality and soils with higher cation exchange capacity. Numbers of alien species were positively related to soil pH, cropland density and road density and negatively to precipitation seasonality, mean temperatures and soil cation exchange capacity. The compositional dissimilarity was similar for native and alien species assemblages (mean ± SD: 0.64 ± 0.16 and 0.64 ± 0.35 respectively). Areas having similar climates and being geographically close shared more taxonomically similar assemblages, for both native and alien assemblages, while soil had disparate effects. Compositional dissimilarity of alien plants decreased with increasing road density.

Conclusions

Our results highlight a grassland ecosystem where native species richness is still shaped only by environmental factors, but both sets of factors influence its composition. On the other hand, alien plants carry a strong signal of both environmental and human factors. As time progresses the number of alien species tend to increase, eroding the patterns of native biodiversity. To avoid this, efforts should be made to reduce road encroachment and the conversion of natural grasslands into croplands.
Case report of Curtobacterium isolated from a catheter tip sample misidentified as Cronobacter
Authors: Braga L.M.P.S. , Saad B.A.A. , de Oliveira C.T.F. , Volpe-Chaves C.E. , Lacerda M.L.G.G. , Forsythe S.J. , Venturini J. , de Oliveira S.M.V.L. , Paniago A.M.M. , da Costa L.V. , de Miranda R.V.S.L. , dos Reis C.M.F. , Brandão M.L.L.
Published: May 2022

The Curtobacterium genus is a member of the family Microbacteriaceae, and Curtobacterium species are recognized as plant pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate a dubious result of species identification for an infection located on a catheter tip of a patient with Covid-19. A strain isolated from a catheter tip sample, identified by VITEK® 2 as Cronobacter spp., was submitted to polyphasic analysis: Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) using VITEK® MS, real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting dnaG gene, and 16S rRNA full gene Sanger sequencing analysis for confirmation. The strain presented negative result using qPCR and could not identified by MALDI-TOF MS. 16S rRNA full gene Sanger sequencing analysis identified the strain as Curtobacterium spp. The Gram-variable characteristic (Gram-negative instead of Gram-positive) of the isolated strain was the responsible for the misidentification by VITEK® 2 and VITEK® MS did not identify the strain. 16S rRNA full gene sequencing analysis identified the strain as Curtobacterium genus, but other complementary techniques are necessary to identify at species level.
Hepatic ultrastructural features distinguish paediatric Wilson disease from NAFLD and autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Alqahtani Saleh A. , Chami Rose , Abuquteish Dua , Vandriel Shannon M. , Yap Charesse , Kukkadi Liyana , Parmar Aishwarya , Mundh Amrita , Roberts Eve A. , Kamath Binita M. , Siddiqui Iram
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

Wilson disease (WD) has diverse presentations that frequently mimic other liver diseases. Distinguishing WD from non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), can be difficult and has critical implications for medical management. This study aimed to examine the utility of histological features of WD in children compared to those with NAFLD and AIH.

Methods

A review of liver biopsy slides was performed in children with a clinical and/or genetic diagnosis of WD, seen at the Hospital for Sick Children between 1981 and 2019 and compared to controls with NAFLD and AIH. 37 children with WD and 37 disease controls (20 NAFLD; 17 AIH) were included. Three pathologists, blind to clinical details and diagnosis, reviewed all liver biopsies to reach consensus. Clinical and histopathologic features were compared between groups.

Results

Most WD cases displayed steatosis or steatohepatitis on histology (34/37), active AIH‐pattern in 1 and inactive cirrhosis in 2 cases. Electron microscopy (EM) findings of mitochondrial abnormalities including dilated tips of cristae, pleomorphism, membrane duplication and dense matrix were more frequent in the WD group as compared to disease controls (p < 0.0001). In WD, dilated tips of mitochondrial cristae had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 86%, best among EM features.

Conclusions

Light microscopic findings display considerable overlap among children with WD, NAFLD and AIH. Ultrastructural findings of mitochondrial abnormalities are important to distinguish WD from NAFLD and AIH. EM examination should be considered essential in the diagnostic work‐up of paediatric liver biopsies.
Social relations and employees' rejection of working from home: A social exchange perspective
Authors: Mergener Alexandra , Trübner Miriam
Published: May 2022

Why do employees prefer working on‐site rather than working from home (WfH)? This article examines how personal concerns at the level of social relationships affect rejection of WfH. Using a large‐scale representative survey of employees in Germany (N = 4448), we apply logistic regression analyses to examine, first, the association between employees' social relationships at work and rejection of WfH and, second, the moderating effects of social relations in the private sphere. Results indicate that the quality of the working atmosphere with colleagues and the supervisor is a motive for rejecting WfH, more so for people living alone than for couples and families. Changes in working culture due to widespread use of new technology and digital mobile devices and, not least, the extensive experiences with WfH during the Covid‐19 pandemic, highlight the relevance of considering employees' workplace preferences in future research.
Well‐posedness of solutions for a class of quasilinear wave equations with strong damping and logarithmic nonlinearity
Authors: Ding Hang , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2022

This paper investigates the well‐posedness of solutions for the following quasilinear wave equation with strong damping and logarithmic nonlinearity in a bounded domain with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary: , where . By virtue of the classical Faedo–Galerkin method and some technical efforts, we first establish the local well‐posedness of solutions. Then we discuss the dynamical behaviors of solutions in detail:

When and , we show that the solutions exist globally with subcritical and critical initial energy, where denotes the Nehari functional with the initial value u0. Especially, under further suitable assumptions about the initial data, we show that the energy functional decays exponentially.

When and , we show that the solutions blow up in finite time with subcritical and critical initial energy. Moreover, by removing the restriction , we prove that the solutions may blow up in finite time with arbitrary high initial energy. In particular, we derive the upper and lower bounds of the blow‐up time.

When and , we show that the maximal existence time of solutions can be extended to infinity and the solutions blow up at infinity with subcritical, critical, and arbitrary high initial energy.
Quality indicators in hemodialysis: A 5‐year experience of national campaigns in France
Authors: Lazareth Hélène , Capuano Frédéric , Calmus Sophie , Erbault Marie , Morin Sandrine , Thervet Eric , May‐Michelangeli Laetitia , Grenier Catherine
Published: May 2022

Background: End stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hemodialysis (HD) is the main technique used for kidney replacement therapy. Dialyzed patients are expected to live less than one half as long as their counterparts without ESKD. Improving quality of care may help to improve mortality in this population. Methods: The French National Authority for Health has carried out three consecutive national campaigns over 5 years for the assessment of quality indicators (QCI) during HD. QCI included anemia management, iron status evaluation, nutritional status assessment, and annual transplantation access. Results: From 2013 to 2017, 227 health facilities participated, and 33,319 files were analyzed. Median age was 72 years old (IQR25–75 = 61–81), and 58.25% of patients were men. Median time in HD was 39.4 months (IQR25–75 = 20.7–72.7). Most of the patients underwent in‐center HD (85.41%). Overweight and obese patients accounted, respectively, for 28.39% and 21.32%, and malnutrition was present in 38.61%. A contra‐indication for renal transplantation was found in 68.3% of patients. All QCI improved over 5 years. Conclusion: Developing QCI based on guidelines is crucial to assure appropriate care of HD patients. Repeating campaigns over 5 years in France improves the quality of care among physicians.
Enhancing inter‐organizational collaboration for wildlife disease surveillance in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kolla Rebecca A. , Lokugalappatti Loku Galappattige Sampath , Clark Douglas A. , Brook Ryan K.
Published: May 2022

Management of zoonotic infectious diseases is an urgent global heath imperative. Interdisciplinary approaches for zoonosis management exist in literature, but collaboratively implementing them is a pervasive challenge. The Sri Lanka Wildlife Health Centre (SLWHC) was created in 2011 to coordinate wildlife disease surveillance and response among government agencies. We interviewed SLWHC‐affiliated personnel about existing communication and collaboration channels to identify operational needs as well as potential enhancements for the SLWHC's operations. We used the Policy Sciences' analytical framework to identify opportunities and challenges for the SLWHC. Study participants held both human and animal health as the utmost priorities. However, their observations indicate that inter‐organizational communication barriers and intra‐organizational hierarchies still need to be overcome for the Centre's partnering organizations to collaborate to their fullest potential. Any interventions to enhance the SLWHC's collaborative capacity for detecting and managing zoonotic disease outbreaks could be strengthened by appealing to participants' shared value orientations towards enlightenment and respect. A common interest was the desire to collaborate and combine resources, knowledge and personnel to detect, reduce and prevent the incidence of zoonotic disease outbreaks in Sri Lanka. These lessons about institutionalizing communication have considerable relevance for organizational responses to the current SARS‐CoV2 pandemic and other zoonoses.
Operational Space Iterative Learning Control of Coupled Active/Passive Multilink Cable-Driven Hyper-Redundant Robots
Authors: Peng Jianqing , Wu Haoxuan , Lau Darwin
Published: May 2022

The operational space control (OSC) of multilink cable-driven hyper-redundant robots (MCDHRs) is required to perform tasks in many applications. As a new coupled active-passive (CAP) MCDHR system, due to the multiple couplings between the active cables, the passive cables, the joints, and the end-effector, the OSC becomes more and more complicated. However, there is currently no robust and effective control method to solve the OSC problem of such types MCDHRs. In this paper, an OSC framework of CAP-MCDHRs using a dynamics-based iterative-learning-control (ILC) method is proposed, considering multivariate optimization. First, the multi-coupling kinematics and the series-parallel coupling dynamics equation (i.e., cable-joint-end) of the CAP-MCDHR are derived. Then, a dynamics-based trajectory tracking framework was constructed. Moreover, an OSC accuracy evaluation model based on a high-precision laser tracker was also designed. The framework allows the tracking of operational space trajectories (OSTs) online with the feasible cable tension and the joint angle. It is also shown that the tracking performance can be improved through the ILC when the desired trajectory is repeatedly performed. Finally, a simulation and an experimental hardware system are built. The results show that the proposed control framework can be easily and effectively applied to the CAP-MCDHR used in real-time.
Design of Adjustable Constant Force/Torque Mechanisms for Medical Applications
Authors: Cheng Zhuoqi , Savarimuthu Thiusius Rajeeth , Foong Shaohui , Tan U-Xuan
Published: May 2022

Safe tool-tissue interaction is critical in medicine. The exerted force or torque on the tissue is required to be under control. This paper presents a design framework for producing simple mechanisms with adjustable constant force or torque. The constant load is generated by paralleling a positive constant stiffness spring and a negative constant stiffness mechanism. The combined output load can be tuned by simply changing the preload of the positive stiffness spring. Also, an algorithm is proposed as a key component of the design framework for assisting the design of the negative stiffness mechanism. By determining a prescribed stiffness that meets the requirement of the application, the proposed algorithm which consists of a finite element simulation (FES) and genetic algorithm (GA) seeks a proper beam structure through iterative optimization automatically. Two example applications are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of using the design method in satisfying medical needs. Specifically, one translational application and one rotational application are used to show the capability and the versatility of the design framework. According to the experimental results of both examples, the produced mechanisms are able to output a required constant load along the target displacement consistently, and the output load magnitude can be controlled online.
Furnace Butt-Welded and Lap-Welded Pipe
Authors: Kiefner J. F. , Clark E.B.
Published: May 2022

Butt-welding of wrought-iron pipe was invented in Great Britain by James Russell in 1824. (2-1, 2-2) In this method a plate was heated and bent to form a cylinder by butting the white-hot edges together. The tube was formed by round grooves in a hammer/anvil arrangement followed by reheating the crude tube and passing it through a round groove in a rolling mill and over a mandrel supported in the opening between the rolls. (2-2 This method was quickly overshadowed by the invention of “bell“ welding in 1825 by Cornelius Whitehouse (also of Great Britain). (2-2)
Identifying Unknown Samples of Line Pipe
Authors: Kiefner J. F. , Clark E.B.
Published: May 2022

Occasionally, a pipeline operator encounters a pipeline or a segment of a pipeline for which the history of manufacturing may be unknown. Aside from the diameter which can be easily measured and the wall thickness which can be determined ultrasonically, how does one go about identifying the grade, the material (iron or steel), the seam type (if any), the manufacturer, and whether or not the material is API line pipe? Some helpful techniques are discussed below. First, it is wise to thoroughly check one's files. Sometimes the mill certificates for old pipe orders still exist. Alternatively, if a third-party inspection company was used, it may be worthwhile contacting that company to see if they still have the mill certificates.
Front Matter
Authors: Kiefner J. F. , Clark E.B.
Published: May 2022

This front matter contains the Disclaimer, List of Publications ASME Center for Research and Technology Development and Table of Contents. It is available for access by clicking on the PDF icon below.

eBook keywords: history of line pipe, seemless line pipe, welded pipe, electric resistance welded pipe, electric-flash welded pipe, butt-welded pipe, flash-welded pipe, line pipe processeses, API line pipe specifications, line pipe manufacturers.
Bringing three-dimensional learning to undergraduate physics: Insight from an introductory physics laboratory course
Authors: May Jason M. , De Grandi Claudia , Gerton Jordan M. , Barth-Cohen Lauren , Beehler Adam , Montoya Brianna
Published: May 2022

Three-dimensional learning (3DL) is an approach to science instruction that was developed for K-12 science education and that can provide guidance for improving undergraduate physics laboratories. In this paper, we describe efforts to comprehensively integrate 3DL into a sequence of undergraduate introductory physics for life sciences (IPLS) laboratory courses. This paper is tailored for introductory physics faculty interested in advancing their course's learning goals by simultaneously engaging students in experimental practices, scientific reasoning, and conceptual knowledge. We first review how several well-known laboratory curricula are already implicitly aligned with 3DL. We then describe our IPLS course sequence and show how each 3DL dimension—science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts—is integrated throughout the curriculum. To support implementation, we provide samples of our course documentation, a detailed account of our 3DL integration efforts, a guide to training and supporting teaching and learning assistants in a 3DL course, and a sample set of activities to guide students in participating in 3DL instruction in the supplementary material.
Voronoi cell analysis: The shapes of particle systems
Authors: Lazar Emanuel A. , Lu Jiayin , Rycroft Chris H.
Published: May 2022

Many physical systems can be studied as collections of particles embedded in space, often evolving in time. Natural questions arise concerning how to characterize these arrangements—are they ordered or disordered? If they are ordered, how are they ordered and what kinds of defects do they possess? Voronoi tessellations, originally introduced to study problems in pure mathematics, have become a powerful and versatile tool for analyzing countless problems in pure and applied physics. We explain the basics of Voronoi tessellations and the shapes that they produce and describe how they can be used to characterize many physical systems.
Genetic Characterization of the Ibuprofen-Degradative Pathway of Rhizorhabdus wittichii MPO218
Authors: Aulestia Magaly , Flores Amando , Acosta-Jurado Sebastián , Santero Eduardo , Camacho Eva M.
Published: May 2022

Ibuprofen, one of the most common pharmaceutical contaminants in natural environments, is toxic for some aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The main source of environmental ibuprofen is wastewater, so improving wastewater treatment is of relevant importance.
Effects of Spartina alterniflora Invasion on Nitrogen Fixation and Phosphorus Solubilization in a Subtropical Marine Mangrove Ecosystem
Authors: Zhang Zufan , Nie Shiqing , Sang Yimeng , Mo Shuming , Li Jinhui , Kashif Muhammad , Su Guijiao , Yan Bing , Jiang Chengjian
Published: May 2022

This study revealed the efficient nutrient cycling mechanism of mangroves. Positive coupling effects were observed in sediment quality, NF and PS processes, and NFOPSMs with the invasion of
S. alterniflora
.
The CXCL10/CXCR3 Axis Promotes Disease Pathogenesis in Mice upon CVA2 Infection
Authors: Liang Ruonan , Chen Shuaiyin , Jin Yuefei , Tao Ling , Ji Wangquan , Zhu Peiyu , Li Dong , Zhang Yu , Zhang Weiguo , Duan Guangcai
Published: May 2022

Systemic inflammatory response and central nervous system inflammation are the main pathological features of fatal HFMD cases. We detected the expression of 81 inflammation-related genes and found higher expression of CXCL10 in CVA2-infected mice.
Light Quark Masses in the Theory with the Dynamical Breaking of Chiral Symmetry
Authors: Osipov A. A.
Published: May 2022

Mass formulas and decay constants of pseudoscalar π andKmesons have been obtained in the theory with four-quark interactions. To calculate the quark determinant, a Volterra series, which makes it possible to take into account the inequality of the constituent quark masses$${{M}_{u}} \ne {{M}_{d}} \ne {{M}_{s}}$$in the expansion of the effective action in the powers of 1/M2, has been used for the first time. It is additionally assumed that the masses of light quarks are$${{m}_{i}} \sim \mathcal{O}(1{\text{/}}{{N}_{{\text{c}}}})$$. It has been shown that the theory not only reproduces known inequalities for ratios of the masses of light quarks but also allows one to calculate some parameters characterizing the degree of breaking of chiral symmetry.
Multiresonator Quantum Memory with Single Atoms
Authors: Moiseev S. A. , Perminov N. S. , Zheltikov A. M.
Published: May 2022

Quantum memory based on a system of resonators each containing one atom and connected to an external waveguide through a common resonator has been proposed. The parameters of the resonators and atoms interacting with them at which the effective transfer of a single-photon signal wave packet from the external waveguide to atomic states for long-term storage of the quantum state of the photon have been determined using reversible properties of the dynamics of the system under study and optimization methods. The advantages of quantum memory under consideration, as well as experimental possibilities of its implementation, have been discussed.