bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central nervous system regeneration: the roles of glial cells in the potential molecular mechanism underlying remyelination
Authors: Quan Lili , Uyeda Akiko , Muramatsu Rieko
Published: March 2022

Glial cells play crucial roles in brain homeostasis and pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) injuries and diseases. However, the roles of these cells and the molecular mechanisms toward regeneration in the CNS have not been fully understood, especially the capacity of them toward demyelinating diseases. Therefore, there are still very limited therapeutic strategies to restore the function of adult CNS in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Remyelination, a spontaneous regeneration process in the CNS, requires the involvement of multiple cellular and extracellular components. Promoting remyelination by therapeutic interventions is a promising novel approach to restore the CNS function. Herein, we review the role of glial cells in CNS diseases and injuries. Particularly, we discuss the roles of glia and their functional interactions and regulatory mechanisms in remyelination, as well as the current therapeutic strategies for MS.
Building organizational readiness: initial field testing of an expert-informed typology of implementation strategies
Authors: Vax Sigal , Farkas Marianne , Mueser Kim T. , Drainoni Mari-Lynn , Russinova Zlatka
Published: March 2022

Background

Organizational readiness is a known barrier to implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) in community mental health services. A robust methodology for enhancing organizational readiness for implementation (ORI) has the potential to improve implementation outcomes of EBPs and ensure better services for people with a psychiatric disability. Prior work established a framework of implementation strategies targeting ORI enhancement by asking a group of implementation experts from various fields to categorize strategies from the “Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change” (ERIC) Project into three readiness stages, consistent with the pre-action stages of the Transtheoretical Model of behavioral change: Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, and Preparation. The current study provides initial confirmation and refinement to this expert-driven typology based on community mental health field experiences.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders involved in a recent EBP implementation project. Participants included staff (n=9) from four community mental health agencies and the implementation team who facilitated the project (n=3). Their pre-implementation experiences were compared with the experts’ typology to identify consistencies and discrepancies.

Results

The participants’ experiences were congruent with two thirds of the strategies identified by the experts for specific ORI stages. The refinements included 12 strategies used in additional stages beyond the experts’ classification, four strategies from the ERIC list that were not included in the ORI typology, and five new strategies.

Conclusions

This study provides initial confirmation and refinements to the previously published ORI typology. The results offer guidance as to how ORI could be enhanced in the community mental health field.
The impact of conservative soft orthotic intervention with strapping on thoracic kyphotic posture and spinal mobility in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized control trial
Authors: El-Kafy Ehab Mohamed Abd , El-Shamy Shamekh Mohamed
Published: March 2022

Background

This study mainly aimed to evaluate the influences of Thera Togs orthotic undergarment with its strapping system on dorsal kyphotic posture and spinal mobility in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. The study also investigated the impact of the modulation of thoracic kyphosis on balance and risk of falls in these children.

Study design

This study was a randomized control trial.

Participants

Forty children with diplegic cerebral palsy, aged from 8 to 10 years were met the inclusion criteria and participated in this study. Only 38 children completed the study.

Methods

The children in the control group received 2 h of conventional exercise protocol aiming for modulating thoracic kyphotic posture. The treatment program was conducted 3 times/week, for 12 successive weeks. Children in the study group wore TheraTogs orthoses with the strapping system for 8 h every day in combination with the conventional exercise program.

Outcome measures

For both groups, the primary outcome measures (thoracic kyphotic angle, and thoracic flexion and extension range of motion), and the secondary outcomes (the overall stability index of fall risk test, and the pediatric balance scale score) were recorded at baseline and after completion of the treatment. T test was used to compare the changes within-and between-groups in all measured variables, at baseline and immediately after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

Children in the study group showed significant improvements in the scores of all primary and secondary measures post-treatment compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Conservative treatment composed of TheraTogs orthotic system with conventional exercise treatment is effective in modulating thoracic kyphosis and improving dorsal range of motion in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. This improvement has a positive influence on postural balance performance and reduces the risk of fall in these children.

Trial registration

The ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT05063175). 30 September 2021—retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05063175
Działania mediacyjne w uczeniu się i nauczaniu języków obcych od teorii do praktyki
Authors: Janowska Iwona , Plak Marta
Published: March 2022

MEDIATION ACTIVITIES IN LEARNING AND TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE Mediation is present in various areas of social life, and the meaning of this concept depends on the field in which it is applied. Generally, it is defined as a process aimed at maintaining social ties, mitigating disputes, and resolving conflicts. Its primary function is therefore to establish and maintain communication. The concept of mediation officially entered the area of language education with the publication of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages by the Council of Europe in 2001. In this document, all linguistic activities are divided into four categories: reception, production, interaction and mediation. However, the latter one was treated marginally – it was reduced almost exclusively to the translation of texts, and no descriptors regarding this category have been developed. Due to the fact that in contemporary multilingual and multicultural societies mediation has begun to attract more and more interest, work began on a new project of the language description system, i.e. a volume supplementing and extending the content of the first version of the document from 2001. It was released in 2020 and it is entitled CEFR – Companion volume. In this volume, mediation is presented in a very extensive way. It presents three types of mediation activities: mediation of texts, concepts and communication, and the newly created descriptors are listed in 19 tables and additional five tables include mediation strategies. There may be be intra- or interlinguistic mediation, and all text mediation descriptors require the combined use of reception and production activities. In the process of learning and teaching foreign languages, the main goal of mediation is to facilitate, establish and maintain linguistic communication. The popularity of mediation goes hand in hand with the need for mediators, both linguistic and (inter) cultural. Educating competent mediators has become one of the priorities of language education. To meet this challenge, mediation had to find its rightful place in curricula, modern textbooks, certification tests, etc. In teaching practice, an effective method of developing mediation competence is teaching based on performing mediation tasks, mainly comprehensive ones, requiring the cooperation of team members, because it is only such tasks that create conditions enabling the use of the types of mediation proposed in CEFR-CV by the Council of Europe.
Cannulated screw fixation for Garden I and II intracapsular hip fractures
Authors: Boktor Joseph , Badurudeen Abdul , Rijab Agha Manhal , Lewis Peter M. , Roberts Gareth , Hills Robert , Johansen Anthony , White Simon
Published: March 2022

Aims

In UK there are around 76,000 hip fractures occur each year 10% to 15% of which are undisplaced intracapsular. There is considerable debate whether internal fixation is the most appropriate treatment for undisplaced fractures in older patients. This study describes cannulated hip screws survivorship analysis for patients aged ≥ 60 years with undisplaced intra-capsular fractures.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients aged ≥ 60 years who had cannulated screws fixation for Garden I and II fractures in a teaching hospital between March 2013 and March 2016. The primary outcome was further same-side hip surgery. Descriptive statistics were used and Kaplan-Meier estimates calculated for implant survival.

Results

A total of 114 operations were performed on 112 patients with a mean age of 80.2 years (SD 8.9). The 30-day and one-year mortality were 1% (n = 1) and 13% (n = 15), respectively. Median follow-up was 6.6 years (interquartile range 6.0 to 7.3). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed a survivorship of 95% at one year and 90% at five years (95% confidence interval 84% to 95%) for cannulated screws. Nine patients underwent further hip surgery: four revision to total hip arthroplasty, one revision to hemiarthroplasty, three removals of screws, and one haematoma washout. Posterior tilt was assessable in 106 patients; subsequent surgery was required in two of the six patients identified with a posterior angle > 20° (p = 0.035 vs angle < 20°). Of the 100 patients with angle < 20°, five-year survivorship was 91%, with seven patients requiring further surgery.

Conclusion

This study of cannulated hip screw fixation for undisplaced fractures in patients aged ≥ 60 years reveals a construct survivorship without further operation of 90% at five years. Cannulated screws can be considered a safe reliable treatment option for Garden I and II fractures. Caution should be taken if posterior tilt angle on lateral view exceeds 20°, due to a higher failure rate and reoperation, and considered for similar management to Garden III and IV injuries. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(3):182–188.
Interferometric technique with a reference scale
Authors: Postnikov A. V.
Published: March 2022

A double interferometer technique is presented. One interferometer generates a reference scale, while the other one is used as a measuring tool. The presented apparatus makes it possible to overcome

2
π

ambiguity by monitoring the phase difference at short time or space intervals. The phase unwrapping procedure is very simple due to a homodyne reference scale time interval method. The accuracy of the method is of 1 nm. The drift of the laser power and unequal gain of the photodetectors do not affect the system performance. The precision of the technique can be improved significantly by using a high-resolution time interval analyzer. The application of the method for determining the profile of a curved surface is demonstrated.
Ptycho-cam: a ptychographic phase imaging add-on for optical microscopy
Authors: Zhang Yiqian , Zhang Zhuoqun , Maiden Andrew
Published: March 2022

Near field ptychography uses diffraction data collected at large Fresnel numbers, together with iterative reconstruction algorithms, to realize quantitative phase imaging of transmissive samples. It delivers excellent phase sensitivity with a wide field of view from a simple optical system using a relatively small number of measured diffraction patterns. In this paper, we develop an add-on to a standard optical microscope that implements near-field ptychography. The add-on is self-contained and attaches to the microscope camera port, requiring no modification to the microscope itself. Unlike conventional ptychography, it does not involve sample translation, making it more suitable for delicate samples or samples in liquid.
Effect of decentration, tilt and rotation on the optical quality of various toric intraocular lens designs: a numerical and experimental study
Authors: Pérez-Gracia Jesús , Ares Jorge , Ávila Francisco J. , Remón Laura
Published: March 2022

Toric intraocular lenses (T-IOLs) may lose their optical quality if they are not correctly positioned inside the capsular bag once implanted. In this work, T-IOLs with cylinder powers of +1.50, +4.50 and +7.50 D and differing degrees of spherical aberration have been designed, manufactured and tested in vitro using a commercial optical bench that complies with the requirements of standard ISO 11979-2. Moreover, the effect of tilt and rotation on optical quality was assessed by means of numerical ray tracing on an astigmatic eye model, while the effect of decentration was evaluated numerically and experimentally.
Heat treatment and fiber drawing effect on the luminescence properties of RE-doped optical fibers (RE = Yb, Tm, Ho)
Authors: Vařák Petr , Kašík Ivan , Peterka Pavel , Aubrecht Jan , Mrázek Jan , Kamrádek Michal , Podrazký Ondřej , Bartoň Ivo , Franczyk Marcin , Buczynski Ryszard , Honzátko Pavel
Published: March 2022

We investigate the influence of various optical fiber fabrication processes on the fluorescence decay of RE ions commonly used in fiber lasers and amplifiers, i.e. Yb3+, Tm3+ and Ho3+. Optical fiber preforms were prepared using the MCVD method combined with Al2O3 nanoparticle doping and subjected to subsequent heat treatment processes such as preform elongation and fiber drawing. The fluorescence decay of RE ions was measured in multiple stages of optical fiber preparation: in an original preform, in an elongated preform (cane), in a standard fiber, and in an overcladded fiber. It was found that heat treatment processing of the preforms generally leads to a faster fluorescence decay, which can be explained by the diffusion of dopants and clustering of RE ions. The fiber drawing exhibited a greater effect compared to preform elongation, which was ascribed to a faster cooling rate of the process. In general, the heat treatment of RE-doped silica glass preforms leads to the decline of fluorescence decay.
Soliton mode-locked Yb:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 laser
Authors: Zeng Huang-Jun , Lin Zhang-Lang , Xue Wen-Ze , Zhang Ge , Chen Yujin , Pan Zhongben , Petrov Valentin , Loiko Pavel , Mateos Xavier , Zhao Yongguang , Lin Haifeng , Wang Li , Chen Weidong
Published: March 2022

We report on a soliton mode-locked Yb:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 laser at ∼1.06 µm stabilized by a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. Pumping with a single-transverse mode, fiber-coupled laser diode at 976 nm, the Yb:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 laser delivers soliton pulses as short as 39 fs at a central wavelength of 1059.2 nm with an average output power of 70 mW and a pulse repetition rate of ∼67.3 MHz.
Stress tensor mesostructures for deterministic figuring of thin substrates
Authors: Yao Youwei , Chalifoux Brandon , Heilmann Ralf K. , Schattenburg Mark L.
Published: March 2022

Accessing the immense value of freeform surfaces for mass-sensitive
applications such as space optics or metaform optical components
requires fabrication processes that are suited to figuring thin
substrates. We present stress tensor mesostructures for precisely
correcting figure errors, even after microstructures or coatings have
been applied to the optical surface. These mesostructures can be
fabricated using standard semiconductor fabrication equipment. We
introduce three different mesostructure types that each spatially
control the three required stress tensor components over the surface
of thin substrates, each offering relative advantages. We patterned
all three mesostructures on the backsides of silicon wafers to
demonstrate freeform figure generation and correction. Stress tensor
mesostructures can enable low-cost accurate figuring of the thin
substrates that will become increasingly important for lightweight and
metasurface optics.
Ethische KI? Datenbasierte Systeme (DS) mit Ethik
Authors: Kirchschläger Peter G.
Published: March 2022

Im Kontext digitaler Transformation und künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) ergeben sich neue ethische Fragen. Grundsätzlich kommen zunächst Zweifel auf, ob der Begriff „künstliche Intelligenz“ adäquat ist dafür, worum es sich bei KI handelt, oder ob nicht der Begriff „datenbasierte Systeme (DS)“ präziser zu bezeichnen vermag, was Maschinen eigentlich leisten können und was technisch machbar ist. Darüber hinaus wäre die Möglichkeit zu prüfen, ob Menschen ethische Fragen und Probleme an Maschinen delegieren könnten. Schliesslich stellt sich auf der Basis der Auseinandersetzung mit diesen Fragen die Herausforderung, angesichts der Komplexität von Ethik, die ethischen Potenziale von DS entsprechend einzuordnen und zu verstehen, und damit verbunden die Verantwortung von Menschen für das Design, die Entwicklung, die Nutzung von „human rights based DS“ (HRBDS) (menschenrechtsbasierten DS) bzw. für den ethisch begründeten Verzicht von menschenrechtsverletzenden und/oder umweltzerstörenden, nicht nachhaltigen DS zu bestimmen.
Wertbasiertes Design von Entscheidungsunterstützungssystemen
Authors: Lüthi Nick , Matt Christian , Myrach Thomas
Published: March 2022

Durch fortgeschrittenere Algorithmen in Entscheidungsunterstützungssystemen (DSS) bieten sich Unternehmen neue Möglichkeiten, um kognitive Belastungen bei Entscheidungsprozessen zu senken und bessere Ergebnisse zu erreichen. Allerdings mahnen Stimmen aus Forschung und Praxis vor damit einhergehenden Gefahren. Im Raum stehen etwa die systematische Fehlbeurteilung bestimmter Personengruppen, fehlerhafte Einschätzungen von (unternehmerischen) Risiken sowie unklare Verantwortlichkeiten im Falle personeller oder materieller Schäden. Der besseren Berücksichtigung von Werten wird diesbezüglich zunehmend Beachtung geschenkt, denn Algorithmen und die darauf aufbauenden DSS sind keine neutralen Artefakte; sie werden durch aus dem Entstehungsprozess hervorgehenden Wertvorstellungen und Wertannahmen geprägt. Das sogenannte Value Sensitive Design (VSD) wird genutzt, um dieser „Wertgeladenheit“ Rechnung zu tragen, indem Wertetabellen erhoben werden, die Nutzern und Entwicklern in Bezug auf ein DSS als wichtig erscheinen. Fernab konzeptioneller Überlegungen mangelt es aktuell allerdings noch an konkreten praktischen Operationalisierungen solcher Werttabellen. Am Beispiel der algorithmenbasierten Gefahrenerkennung beim Predictive Policing zeigen wir auf, wie sich eine Wertetabelle beim Design eines DSS konkretisieren lässt und welche Schwierigkeiten dabei auftreten können. Das vorgeschlagene dreistufige Operationalisierungsverfahren bietet Praktikern klare Richtlinien, um die Wertgeladenheit und dadurch hervorgehende Problematiken bereits bei der Entwicklung von DSS zu berücksichtigen.
Attitudes towards free-roaming dogs and dog ownership practices in Bulgaria, Italy, and Ukraine
Authors: Smith Lauren Margaret , Quinnell Rupert , Munteanu Alexandru , Hartmann Sabine , Dalla Villa Paolo , Collins Lisa
Published: March 2022

Free-roaming dog population management is conducted to mitigate risks to public health, livestock losses, wildlife conservation, and dog health and welfare. This study aimed to determine attitudes towards free-roaming dogs and their management and describe dog ownership practices in three European countries. We distributed an online questionnaire comprising questions relating to dog ownership practices and attitudes towards free-roaming dogs using social media. We used logistic regression and ordinal probit models to determine associations between demographic and other factors with ownership practices and attitudes towards free-roaming dogs. This study found that most surveyed respondents wanted to see a reduction in free-roaming dog numbers, and felt that this should be achieved through sheltering, catch-neuter-release, and by controlling owned dog breeding. We identified significant associations between both attitudes and ownership practices with gender, religious beliefs, age, education level, reason for dog ownership, previous experience with free-roaming dogs, and country of residence. Respondents who identified as: (i) male, (ii) holding religious beliefs, (iii) owning dogs for practical reasons, (iv) being young, or (v) having no schooling or primary education had a lower probability of neutering and a higher probability of allowing dogs to roam. Respondents who identified as: (i) female, (ii) feeling threatened by free-roaming dogs, (iii) older, or (iv) having more education had a higher probability of answering that increases in free-roaming dog numbers should be prevented. These findings can help to inform future dog population management interventions in these countries. We emphasise the importance of considering local attitudes and dog ownership practices in the development of effective dog population management approaches.
Do individual and institutional predictors of misconduct vary by country? Results of a matched-control analysis of problematic image duplications
Authors: Fanelli Daniele , Schleicher Matteo , Fang Ferric C. , Casadevall Arturo , Bik Elisabeth M.
Published: March 2022

Pressures to publish, perverse incentives, financial interest and gender are amongst the most commonly discussed risk factors for scientific misconduct. However, evidence of their association with actual data fabrication and falsification is inconclusive. A recent case-controlled analysis of articles containing problematic image duplications suggested that country of affiliation of first and last authors is a significant predictor of scientific misconduct. The same analysis found null or negative associations with individual proxies of publication rate, impact and gender. The latter findings, in line with previous evidence, failed to support common hypotheses about the prevalence and causes of misconduct, but country-level effects may have confounded these results. Here we extend and complete previous results by comparing, via matched-controls analysis, articles from authors in the same country. We found that evidence for individual-level risk factors may be significant in some countries, and null or opposite in others. In particular, in countries where publications are rewarded with cash incentives, and especially China, the risk of problematic image duplication was higher for more productive, more frequently cited, earlier-career researchers working in lower-ranking institutions, in accordance with a “misaligned incentives” explanation for scientific misconduct. However, a null or opposite pattern was observed in all other countries, and especially the USA, UK and Canada, countries where concerns for misaligned incentives are commonly expressed. In line with previous results, we failed to observe a statistically significant association with industry funding and with gender. This is the first direct evidence of a link between publication performance and risk of misconduct and between university ranking and risk of misconduct. Commonly hypothesised individual risk factors for scientific misconduct, including career status and productivity, might be relevant in countries where cash-reward policies generate perverse incentives. In most scientifically active countries, however, where other incentives systems are in place, these patterns are not observed, and other risk factors might be more relevant. Policies to prevent and correct scientific misconduct may need to be tailored to a countries’ or institutions’ specific context.
Grxcr1 regulates hair bundle morphogenesis and is required for normal mechanoelectrical transduction in mouse cochlear hair cells
Authors: Lorente-Cánovas Beatriz , Eckrich Stephanie , Lewis Morag A. , Johnson Stuart L. , Marcotti Walter , Steel Karen P.
Published: March 2022

Tasmanian devil (tde) mice are deaf and exhibit circling behaviour. Sensory hair cells of mutants show disorganised hair bundles with abnormally thin stereocilia. The origin of this mutation is the insertion of a transgene which disrupts expression of the Grxcr1 (glutaredoxin cysteine rich 1) gene. We report here that Grxcr1 exons and transcript sequences are not affected by the transgene insertion in tde homozygous (tde/tde) mice. Furthermore, 5’RACE PCR experiments showed the presence of two different transcripts of the Grxcr1 gene, expressed in both tde/tde and in wild-type controls. However, quantitative analysis of Grxcr1 transcripts revealed a significantly decreased mRNA level in tde/tde mice. The key stereociliary proteins ESPN, MYO7A, EPS8 and PTPRQ were distributed in hair bundles of homozygous tde mutants in a similar pattern compared with control mice. We found that the abnormal morphology of the stereociliary bundle was associated with a reduction in the size and Ca2+-sensitivity of the mechanoelectrical transducer (MET) current. We propose that GRXCR1 is key for the normal growth of the stereociliary bundle prior to the onset of hearing, and in its absence hair cells are unable to mature into fully functional sensory receptors.
Exposure to oil pollution and maternal outcomes: The Niger Delta prospective cohort study
Authors: Oghenetega Onome B. , Okunlola Michael A. , Ana Godson R. E. E. , Morhason-Bello Oludare , Ojengbede Oladosu A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Maternal exposure to oil pollution is an important public health concern. However, there is a dearth of literature on the effects of maternal exposure to oil pollution on maternal outcomes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This study was therefore designed to determine the effect of maternal exposure to oil pollution on maternal outcomes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Methods

Prospective cohort study design involving 1720 pregnant women followed from pregnancy to delivery was conducted. The participants were 18–45 years old at a gestational age of less than 17 weeks, who attended randomly selected health facilities in the areas with high exposure and low exposure to oil pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and review of medical records from April 2018 to April 2019. Multivariate log-binomial model was used to examine the effect of maternal exposure to oil pollution on the risk of adverse maternal outcomes adjusting for sociodemographic, maternal and lifestyle characteristics.

Results

A total of 1418 women completed the follow-up and were included in the analysis. Women in high exposure areas had a higher incidence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), caesarean section (CS) and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) compared to women in areas with low exposure to oil pollution. After adjusting for cofounders, women in high exposure areas also had a higher risk of PROM (ARR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.24–3.10) and PPH (ARR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.28–3.36) in Model I–III when compared to women in areas with low exposure to oil pollution. However, pregnancy-induced hypertension and CS had no association with maternal exposure area status to oil pollution.

Conclusion

Women in high exposure areas are at a higher risk of PROM and PPH. This calls for policies and intervention toward reducing maternal exposure to oil pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Nondisclosure of queer identities is associated with reduced scholarly publication rates
Authors: Nelson Joey , Mattheis Allison , Yoder Jeremy B.
Published: March 2022

Nondisclosure of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, or otherwise queer (LGBTQA) identities in the workplace is both common and stressful to those who do not disclose. However, we lack direct evidence that nondisclosure of LGBTQA identity affects worker productivity. In two surveys of LGBTQA-identified scientists, we found that those who did not disclose LGBTQA identities in professional settings authored fewer peer-reviewed publications—a concrete productivity cost. In the second survey, which included straight and cisgender participants as a comparison group, we found that LGBTQA participants who disclosed their sexual orientation had publication counts more like non-LGBTQA participants than those who did not disclose, and that all three groups had similar time since first publication given their academic career stage. These results are most consistent with a productivity cost to nondisclosure of LGBTQA identity in professional settings, and suggest a concrete need to improve scientific workplace climates for sexual and gender minorities.
Anchoring in the past, tweeting from the present: Cognitive bias in journalists’ word choices
Authors: Lee Jihye , Hamilton James T.
Published: March 2022

This study examines journalists’ language in their reporting and what their word choices reveal about their cognitive mindsets. Reporters on the campaign trail often cannot afford to engage in systematic information processing as they distill complex political situations under deadline pressures. Twitter’s emphasis on speed and informal cultural milieu can further lead journalists to rely on heuristics and emotions. Drawing upon insights from theories of the mind, memory, and language, this study explores how cognitive biases are embodied in journalistic work across different media. We built a large-scale dataset of text corpora that consisted of more than 220,000 news articles, broadcast transcripts, and tweets generated over a year by 73 campaign reporters in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Leveraging this unique dataset of journalistic outputs from a campaign season, we conducted automated text analyses. Results suggest that heuristics and intuitive thinking played a significant role in the generation of content on Twitter. Journalists infused their tweets with more emotion, compared to when they appeared in traditional media such as newspapers and broadcasts. Journalists’ tweets contained fewer words related to analytical and long-term thinking than their writing. Journalists also used informal language in their tweets to connect with their audiences in more personal and casual manners. Across all media examined in the study, journalists described the current race by drawing upon their experience of covering prior presidential elections, a form of anchoring heuristic. This study extends the use of cognitive biases in politics to a new realm, reporting, and shows how journalists’ use of language on the campaign trail reflects cognitive biases that arise when individuals make decisions under time pressure and uncertainty.
Effect of the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine on quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers in healthcare personnel
Authors: Romero-Ibarguengoitia Maria Elena , Rivera-Salinas Diego , Hernández-Ruíz Yodira Guadalupe , Armendariz-Vázquez Ana Gabriela , González-Cantú Arnulfo , Barco-Flores Irene Antonieta , González-Facio Rosalinda , Montelongo-Cruz Laura Patricia , Del Rio-Parra Gerardo Francisco , Garza-Herrera Mauricio René , Leal-Meléndez Jessica Andrea , Sanz-Sánchez Miguel Ángel
Published: March 2022

Background

Vaccination is our main strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the decrease in quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers three months after the second BNT162b2 dose, healthcare workers received a third booster six months after completing the original protocol. This study aimed to analyze the quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers and the safety of the third dose.

Material and methods

A prospective longitudinal cohort study included healthcare workers who received a third booster six months after completing the BNT162b2 regimen. We assessed the quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers 21–28 days after the first and second dose, three months after the completed protocol, 1–7 days following the third dose, and 21–28 days after booster administration.

Results

The cohort comprised 168 participants aged 41(10) years old, 67% of whom were female. The third dose was associated with an increase in quantitative antibody titers, regardless of previous SARS-CoV-2 history. In cases with a negative SARS-CoV-2 history, the median (IQR) antibody titer values increased from 379 (645.4) to 2960 (2010) AU/ml, whereas in cases with a positive SARS-CoV-2 history, from 590 (1262) to 3090 (2080) AU/ml (p<0.001). The third dose caused a lower number of total (local and systemic) adverse events following immunization (AEFI) compared with the first two vaccines. However, in terms of specific symptoms such as fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, and adenopathy, the proportion was higher in comparison with the first and second doses (p<0.05). The most common AEFI after the third BNT162b2 vaccine was pain at the injection site (n = 82, 84.5%), followed by fatigue (n = 45, 46.4%) of mild severity (n = 36, 37.1%).

Conclusion

The third dose applied six months after the original BNT162b2 regimen increased the quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers. The booster dose was well tolerated and caused no severe AEFI.
Visual discrimination and amodal completion in zebrafish
Authors: Sovrano Valeria Anna , Vicidomini Sofia , Potrich Davide , Miletto Petrazzini Maria Elena , Baratti Greta , Rosa-Salva Orsola
Published: March 2022

While zebrafish represent an important model for the study of the visual system, visual perception in this species is still less investigated than in other teleost fish. In this work, we validated for zebrafish two versions of a visual discrimination learning task, which is based on the motivation to reach food and companions. Using this task, we investigated zebrafish ability to discriminate between two different shape pairs (i.e., disk vs. cross and full vs. amputated disk). Once zebrafish were successfully trained to discriminate a full from an amputated disk, we also tested their ability to visually complete partially occluded objects (amodal completion). After training, animals were presented with two amputated disks. In these test stimuli, another shape was either exactly juxtaposed or only placed close to the missing sectors of the disk. Only the former stimulus should elicit amodal completion. In human observers, this stimulus causes the impression that the other shape is occluding the missing sector of the disk, which is thus perceived as a complete, although partially hidden, disk. In line with our predictions, fish reinforced on the full disk chose the stimulus eliciting amodal completion, while fish reinforced on the amputated disk chose the other stimulus. This represents the first demonstration of amodal completion perception in zebrafish. Moreover, our results also indicated that a specific shape pair (disk vs. cross) might be particularly difficult to discriminate for this species, confirming previous reports obtained with different procedures.
The impact of user characteristics of smallholder farmers on user experiences with collaborative map applications
Authors: Bartling Mona , Robinson Anthony C. , Achicanoy Estrella Harold , Eitzinger Anton
Published: March 2022

In the future, farmers will have increasing opportunities to use collaborative smartphone applications for agricultural management. Geospatial information in combination with agricultural-relevant information is a great source of knowledge for farmers. Including maps in collaborative mobile agriculture applications benefits communication processes related to agricultural-relevant questions. Ensuring a positive user experience with map interfaces depends on their design. To develop design guidelines for map-oriented mobile agricultural applications, this study evaluates 24 different map design variations (varying in their elements and degrees of complexity) and characterizes their user experience with 72 coffee farmers as study participants. Our findings show that the most crucial factors for a positive user experience were restricted interactivity, simple tasks to conduct (selecting single point features), and a simplified base map style, highlighting relevant landmarks. Since our farmers consisted primarily of less-experienced smartphone and map users, our findings may also be helpful for users in general, sharing similar user characteristics. While empirical, in-situ studies pose many challenges, they provide relevant insights into the real use situation and user behavior of mobile map applications. Our findings help establish some basic principles for designing map adaptations, serving as a guideline for creating effective mapping applications, which adapt to the farmers’ contextual factors. Based on our study results, we suggest future research for continuing conceptualizing principles of map design adaptation and support this effort through empirical, in-situ studies for relating contextual user factors to the adaptation behavior of map applications.
Proactively averting the collapse of Amazon fisheries based on three migratory flagship species
Authors: Prestes Luiza , Barthem Ronaldo , Mello-Filho Adauto , Anderson Elizabeth , Correa Sandra B. , Couto Thiago Belisario D’Araujo , Venticinque Eduardo , Forsberg Bruce , Cañas Carlos , Bentes Bianca , Goulding Michael
Published: March 2022

Migratory species are the most important commercial fishes in the Amazon. They are also now the most threatened directly by some combination of overfishing, floodplain deforestation, and dam construction. Limited governmental monitoring and implemented regulations impede adequate management of the fisheries at adequate scale. We summarize the current stock status of the three most heavily exploited long-distance migratory species, which are two goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii and B. vaillantii) and the characiform Colossoma macropomum. In addition, we analyze impacts beyond overfishing on these species. Our results indicate: (i) the overfishing trends for these important species are either ominous or indicate the verge of collapse of the commercial fisheries based on them, and (ii) a dangerous synergy between overfishing, hydroelectric dams, and floodplain deforestation further challenge fisheries management of migratory species in the Amazon. We propose eight direct governmental actions as a proactive approach that addresses the main impacts on the fisheries. We consider that the most practical way to assess and manage overfishing of migratory species in the short run in an area as large as the main commercial fishing area in the Amazon is at market sites where enforced regulations can control fish catch. The management of the three species considered here has implications beyond just their sustainability. Their management would represent a paradigm shift where the governments assume their legal responsibilities in fishery management. These responsibilities include regulation enforcement, data collecting, inter-jurisdictional cooperation to protect migratory species at realistic life history scales, mitigation of the Madeira dams to assure goliath catfish passage to the largest western headwater region, and recognition of monitoring and managing wetland deforestation for the protection of fish and other aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
Composition of early life leukocyte populations in preterm infants with and without late-onset sepsis
Authors: Hibbert Julie , Strunk Tobias , Nathan Elizabeth , Prosser Amy , Doherty Dorota , Simmer Karen , Richmond Peter , Burgner David , Currie Andrew
Published: March 2022

Background

Composition of leukocyte populations in the first month of life remains incompletely characterised, particularly in preterm infants who go on to develop late-onset sepsis (LOS).

Aim

To characterise and compare leukocyte populations in preterm infants with and without LOS during the first month of life.

Study design

Single-centre prospective observational cohort study.

Participants

Infants born <30 weeks gestational age (GA).

Outcome measures

Peripheral blood samples were collected at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of life. Leukocyte populations were characterised using 5-fluorophore-6-marker flow cytometry. Absolute leukocyte counts and frequency of total CD45+ leukocytes of each population were adjusted for GA, birth weight z-scores, sex and total leukocyte count.

Results

Of 119 preterm infants enrolled, 43 (36%) had confirmed or clinical LOS, with a median onset at 13 days (range 6–26). Compared to infants without LOS, the adjusted counts and frequency of neutrophils, basophils and non-cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generally lower and immature granulocytes were higher over the first month of life in infants who developed LOS. Specific time point comparisons identified lower adjusted neutrophil counts on the first day of life in those infants who developed LOS more than a week later, compared to those without LOS, albeit levels were within the normal age-adjusted range. Non-cytotoxic T lymphocyte counts and/or frequencies were lower in infants following LOS on days 21 and 28 when compared to those who did not develop LOS.

Conclusion

Changes in non-cytotoxic T lymphocytes occurred following LOS suggesting sepsis-induced immune suppression.
Influence of water storage and plant crop factor on green roof retention and plant drought stress
Authors: Soni Lubaina , Szota Christopher , Fletcher Tim D. , Farrell Claire
Published: March 2022

Green roofs can reduce stormwater runoff with deeper substrates providing greater storage for water retention and evapotranspiration (ET) regenerating storage capacity between rainfall events. In green roof models, ET can be estimated using species-specific plant crop factors (Kc), which characterize water use under non-limiting conditions. We manipulated Kc by altering plant density in a glasshouse experiment under well-watered conditions. We determined Kc of green roof plants growing in pots with different substrate depths (150 mm and 300 mm) and plant densities (0, 1, 2 and 4 plants per pot). We then analyzed the influence of storage and Kc on retention and drought stress using a water-balance model, with a 30-year climate scenario for Melbourne, Australia. We hypothesized that greater planting density and substrate depth would result in proportionally greater ET and therefore higher Kc (glasshouse experiment) and that this would improve retention and reduce drought stress (rainfall simulation). Contrary to our hypotheses, cumulative ET increased by only 38–48% with increased substrate depth and by only 28–38% with increased plant density, despite large increases in plant biomass (67–150%) and growth. Kc values ranged from 1.9–2.2 and 2.7–3.8 for shallower and deeper substrates, respectively. Due to these very high crop factors, our water balance model showed very high annual rainfall retention (97.5%). However, higher Kc and storage only increased rainfall retention by 3–5% and resulted greater drought stress. Plants in deeper substrates experienced 14–29 more days of drought stress, as these plants depleted substrate moisture more efficiently (i.e., had a higher Kc) compared with shallow substrates. These findings suggest that improvements in rainfall retention for green roofs with deeper substrates or higher plant densities are small relative to the increased risk of plant drought stress. The lowest planting density was optimal for improving rainfall retention and reducing plant drought stress.
Revisiting Marx on Race, Capitalism, and Revolution
Authors: Anderson Kevin B.
Published: March 2022

Did Karl Marx have a theory of race and capitalism? Not exactly, but he theorized on these issues over four decades and much of what he wrote still speaks to us today. At a time of global and U.S. struggles for liberation in the face of a deeply racialized fascist threat, these writings are worth revisiting.
Identification of SNP g.10428C>T of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase gene related to meat quality in Bali cattle using PCR-RFLP method
Authors: Karimah S. N. , Noor R. R. , Jakaria J.
Published: March 2022

The objectives of this research was to analyze the polymorphisms of SNP g.10428C>T in the SCD gene using PCR-RFLP and its association with meat charactheristics in Bali cattle. The number of 52 Bali cattle from BPTU-HTP Denpasar were used in this study and which were compared to Belgianblue (n=30), Limousine (n=14), Peranakan Ongole (PO) (n=30) and Wagyu (n=7). The polymorphism of the SCD gene was characterized by the use of the PCR-RFLP technique with HinfI enzyme restriction. The characteristics of the meat quality in Bali cattle were estimated using ultrasound imaging method. Genotyphic and allelic frequencies, heterozygosity values, and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium have been calculated using PopGen 1.32. The association between genotypes of SNP g.10428C>T SCD gene and meat quality characteristics was calculated using t-test. The results showed that homozygous genotypes (CC and TT) and heterozygous genotypes (CT) of the SCD|HinfI gene with C (0.26) and T (0.74) allele frequencies were and  in Bali cattle. The CC genotype was found in Belgian-blue, Limousine, PO, and Wagyu cattle with the allele C frequency of 1.00. The observed heterozygosity (Ho=0.44) higher than expected heterozygosity (He=0.39) showed high diversity in Bali cattle. Genotypes of SNP g.10428C>T SCD gene were associated with backfat thickness, marbling score, and percentage of intramuscular fat. Thus the SNPs g.10428C>T have potential as marker-assisted selection candidates for Bali cattle.
Application of green tea waste with fibrolytic enzyme and phytase on layer performance and egg quality
Authors: Chumkam S. , Jintasataporn O. , Triwutanon S.
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to  investigate the effect of green tea waste, fibrolytic enzymes (xylanase and cellulase) and phytase  supplementation in layer  diets on   performance and egg quality. The experiment was assigned in a 2×3 factorial arrangement by completely randomized design.  Factor A consisted of two types  of diets: a) a basal diet without any green tea waste   and b) a basal diet with 1% of green tea waste.  Factor B consisted of three  levels of enzymes: a) level 0X, no enzyme supplementation; b) level 1X, a combination of fibrolytic enzymes,  24,000 FAXU xylanase and 100 ECU cellulase, and 1,000 FTU phytase; and c) level 2X, combination of fibrolytic enzymes,  48,000 FAXU xylanase and 200 ECU cellulase, and 2,000  FTU phytase.  One hundred  and ninety- two   Roman  Brown hens, aged 52 weeks, were randomly distributed to  six   groups and four replications. Layer hens were fed commercial diets with green tea waste and fibrolytic enzymes added on top as assigned in the treatment. The results showed that  green tea waste   significantly  increased (p<0.05) egg production, egg mass, feed conversion,  and Haugh unit.   In addition, green tea waste  tended  to affect (p=0.07) TBAs value.  Furthermore, the enzyme level significantly decreased  (p<0.05) feed intake and TBAs value.  In conclusion, the supplementation of 1% of green tea waste and 2X enzymes can  improve feed  conversion   and  the antioxidative  property of  eggs.
Pricing of livestock products in Indonesian modern food retailers during covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Pambudy R. , Adhi A. K. , Herawati H. , Harianto H.
Published: March 2022

The role of modern markets is increasing in the food system in Indonesia, mainly as a result of technological and institutional advances. Indonesian households' food consumption still depends on staple food. The share of household expenditure on meat, eggs, and milk was only 12 percent. The purpose of the study was to analyze the pricing of livestock products in retail level in the modern market.  The data used in this study is daily price data for beef, eggs, and chicken at wholesale and retail levels published through the National Strategic Food Price Information Center (PIHPSN) from January 2020 to December 2020.  This study employed a quantitative method, through the formulation of an econometric model, and applied the 3SLS method to estimate the model.  The results show that traders face an increasing price risk following the Covid-19 pandemic.  The retailers enforce price stabilization at the consumer level when prices at the wholesaler level fluctuate. However, the study did not find the practice of price averaging between commodities at the retailers level.  The results of this study are useful for policy formulations aimed at stabilizing food prices.