bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shift in beneficial interactions during crop evolution
Authors: Fréville Hélène , Montazeaud Germain , Forst Emma , David Jacques , Papa Roberto , Tenaillon Maud I.
Published: May 2022

Plant domestication can be viewed as a form of co‐evolved interspecific mutualism between humans and crops for the benefit of the two partners. Here, we ask how this plant–human mutualism has, in turn, impacted beneficial interactions within crop species, between crop species, and between crops and their associated microbial partners. We focus on beneficial interactions resulting from three main mechanisms that can be promoted by manipulating genetic diversity in agrosystems: niche partitioning, facilitation, and kin selection. We show that a combination of factors has impacted either directly or indirectly plant–plant interactions during domestication and breeding, with a trend toward reduced benefits arising from niche partitioning and facilitation. Such factors include marked decrease of molecular and functional diversity of crops and other organisms present in the agroecosystem, mass selection, and increased use of chemical inputs. For example, the latter has likely contributed to the relaxation of selection pressures on nutrient‐mobilizing traits such as those associated to root exudation and plant nutrient exchanges via microbial partners. In contrast, we show that beneficial interactions arising from kin selection have likely been promoted since the advent of modern breeding. We highlight several issues that need further investigation such as whether crop phenotypic plasticity has evolved and could trigger beneficial interactions in crops, and whether human‐mediated selection has impacted cooperation via kin recognition. Finally, we discuss how plant breeding and agricultural practices can help promoting beneficial interactions within and between species in the context of agroecology where the mobilization of diversity and complexity of crop interactions is viewed as a keystone of agroecosystem sustainability.
“Cardiotoxic” and “cardioprotective” partner support for patient activation and distress: Are two better than one?
Authors: Bertoni Anna , Rapelli Giada , Parise Miriam , Pagani Ariela F. , Donato Silvia
Published: May 2022

Objective

The study aimed to test whether the presence of a partner was always beneficial to people with cardiac disease and how different types of partner behaviors promoted or hindered their activation and distress.

Background

Cardiac disease challenges not only patients but also their partners, whose support is not always effective.

Method

A cross‐sectional dyadic research design, in which both partners completed a self‐report questionnaire during hospitalization, was adopted. The associations between partner support and patient outcomes were tested using stepwise regression analysis.

Results

The mere presence of a partner was not associated with distress or activation of a person with cardiac illness. On the contrary, the quality of partner support is differently linked with outcomes of person with cardiac illness; in particular, partner support for activation is significantly associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and somatization of person with cardiac disease, whereas overprotection is significantly associated with lower levels of activation.

Conclusion

Partner support may be a double‐edged sword: Partners may be a powerful ally in illness management but also a barrier to it when partner support is ineffective.

Implications

This study highlights the importance of integrating partners in cardiac recovery programs and provides suggestions for the design of couple‐based interventions.
Recruitment and retention of world language teacher education majors: Perspectives of teacher candidates and alumni to remedy a global shortage
Authors: Burke Brigid M. , Ceo‐DiFrancesco Diane
Published: May 2022

UNESCO and the Education Policy Center at American Institutes for Research have reported massive teacher shortages to exist around the globe. In the United States, an estimated 44 states and Washington, D.C. have experienced shortages of qualified world language (WL) teachers for decades. Limited research has addressed the reasons for this shortage and ways to remedy it. Out of concern about reduced enrollments specifically for WL teacher preparation programs, this study investigated recruitment and retention strategies used at two US Midwestern universities. Analysis of questionnaire data from preservice teachers and alumni revealed reasons why candidates chose WL education and persisted in the program. To improve the US WL teacher shortage, WL teachers, teacher educators, preservice teachers, and local, state, and national organizations must understand that they need to develop a symbiotic mutualistic relationship and collaborate more strategically to preserve, promote, and perpetuate WL education for global citizenship.
Identification of motorcycle accidents hotspots in the Czech Republic and their conditional factors: The use of KDE+ and two‐step cluster analysis
Authors: Kraft Stanislav , Marada Miroslav , Petříček Jakub , Blažek Vojtěch , Mrkvička Tomáš
Published: May 2022

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of newly registered motorcycles worldwide. However, there is not only an increase in the number of motorcycles in traffic but also an increase in the number of conflicts between motorcyclists and the surrounding environment. A relatively significant research gap can be identified in the relationship between spatial factors and motorcycle accident rates. This paper analyses the spatiotemporal patterns of motorcycle accidents and studies their underlying factors. The KDE+ method (an extension of the kernel density estimation method) is used to identify concentrations of motorcycle accident key hotspots. To study the underlying traffic accident determinants, a two‐step cluster analysis is used. The analysis is based on the database of motorcycle accidents in the Czech Republic from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. The paper achieves a few main findings. By applying the KDE+ method, the most dangerous sections of the road network in the Czech Republic were identified, where a significant accumulation of motorcycle accidents occur. Motorcycle accidents are highly seasonal. Motorcycle accidents tend to accumulate in the afternoon, especially during the summer months. Concerning the frequency of accidents and the collective risk index, urban traffic, that is the traffic density, is an important cause of motorcycle accidents, along with the winter period with rather unfavourable weather conditions, and especially the directional conditions—curves and intersections—are among the hazardous sections.
The influence of trainees' characteristics on the transfer of entrepreneurship training: Evidence from microfinance institutions in Tanzania
Authors: Minja Joyce J. , Mbura Omari K. , Charles Goodluck
Published: May 2022

While entrepreneurship training is essential for the growth and sustainability of enterprises, the literature identifies several challenges which contribute to insufficient transfer (application) of trained materials to enterprises. Yet, the extant literature on training transfer is inconclusive, with minimal focus on trainee personal characteristics and scarce visualization of transfer as a dimensional concept. The study addressed this gap by examining the influence of selected trainee demographics on dimensions of near, far and creative transfer of entrepreneurship training. Based on a survey of 418 trainees in Tanzanian community‐based microfinance institutions, findings reveal that, each dimension of training transfer tested was influenced by a different set of demographic determinants. It was evident that elders were less enthusiastic about near and far application of entrepreneurship training. Males perceived slightly more training transfer in far and creative domains while those with higher education levels were more likely to apply training in all transfer dimensions. Those with exposure to entrepreneurship were more convinced of the value of applying the trained skills to near and creative domains. Consequently, the study advances Andragogy by showing the contextual nature of applicability of its principles, as well as the dependence of training transfer on contextual factors surrounding trainees.
The Impact of Cheating on Score Comparability via Pool‐Based IRT Pre‐equating
Authors: Liu Jinghua , Becker Kirk
Published: May 2022

For any testing programs that administer multiple forms across multiple years, maintaining score comparability via equating is essential. With continuous testing and high‐stakes results, especially with less secure online administrations, testing programs must consider the potential for cheating on their exams. This study used empirical and simulated data to examine the impact of item exposure and prior knowledge on the estimation of item difficulty and test taker's ability via pool‐based IRT preequating. Raw‐to‐theta transformations were derived from two groups of test takers with and without possible prior knowledge of exposed items, and these were compared to a criterion raw to theta transformation. Results indicated that item exposure has a large impact on item difficulty, not only altering the difficulty of exposed items, but also altering the difficulty of unexposed items. Item exposure makes test takers with prior knowledge appear more able. Further, theta estimation bias for test takers without prior knowledge increases when more test takers with possible prior knowledge are in the calibration population. Score inflation occurs for test takers with and without prior knowledge, especially for those with lower abilities.
Understanding dominance: The effect of changing the definition of dominance when using TDS with consumers
Authors: Hutchings Scott C. , Cha Wenxiu , Dunshea Frank R. , Sharma Chetan , Torrico Damir D.
Published: May 2022

Temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) is a widely used method to assess dynamic sensory perception. While TDS has been studied more extensively with trained panels, there is growing interest in testing the method with consumers. However, little is known about how consumers interpret the notion of “dominance” to decide which attribute they should select at a given point in time. This study investigated the effect of a changing definition of dominance on TDS results. Consumers, all of who had never undertaken a TDS test before, were recruited in three separate groups where they were briefly trained on TDS where dominance was defined as either: (a) most attention‐catching sensation (TDS session), (b) most intense sensation (TIS session), or (c) most changing sensation (TCS session). Results showed that TDS curves were similar between all three sessions, suggesting that consumers’ TDS results are only marginally influenced by the definition of dominance.

Practical Applications

TDS is being used increasingly by consumers, for sensory research both in academia and industry. This study demonstrates to users of the TDS method that the definition of dominance is unlikely to influence results when working with consumers. Furthermore, this study illustrates the capability of TDS using consumers for the sensory evaluation of food.
Learning, Inside and Out: Prior Linguistic Knowledge and Learning Environment Impact Word Learning in Bilingual Individuals
Authors: Palma Pauline , Marin Marie‐France , Onishi Kristine H. , Titone Debra
Published: May 2022

Although several studies have focused on novel word learning and lexicalization in (presumably) monolingual speakers, less is known about how bilinguals add novel words to their mental lexicon. In this study we trained 33 English–French bilinguals on novel word‐forms that were neighbors to English words with no existing neighbors. The number of novel neighbors to each English word varied, as did the cross‐linguistic orthographic overlap between the English word and its French translation. We assessed episodic memory and lexicalization of the novel words before and after a consolidation period. Cross‐linguistic similarity enhanced episodic memory of novel neighbors only when neighborhood density among the novel neighbors was low. We also found evidence that novel neighbors of English words with high cross‐linguistic similarity became lexicalized after a consolidation period. Overall, the results suggest that similarity to preexisting lexical representations crucially impacted lexicalization of novel words by bilingual individuals.
The Kelch‐F‐box protein SMALL AND GLOSSY LEAVES 1 (SAGL1) negatively influences salicylic acid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by promoting the turn‐over of transcription factor SYSTEMIC ACQUIRED RESISTANCE DEFICIENT 1 (SARD1)
Authors: Yu Ke , Yang Wenqi , Zhao Bing , Wang Ling , Zhang Pan , Ouyang Yi , Chang Yuankai , Chen Guoqingzi , Zhang Junli , Wang Shujie , Wang Xiao , Wang Panpan , Wang Wei , Roberts Jeremy A. , Jiang Kun , Mur Luis A. J. , Zhang Xuebin
Published: May 2022

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key phytohormone regulating plant immunity. Although the transcriptional regulation of SA biosynthesis has been well‐studied, its post‐translational regulation is largely unknown.

We report that a Kelch repeats‐containing F‐box (KFB) protein, SMALL AND GLOSSY LEAVES 1 (SAGL1), negatively influences SA biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by mediating the proteolytic turnover of SYSTEMIC ACQUIRED RESISTANCE DEFICIENT 1 (SARD1), a master transcription factor that directly drives SA biosynthesis during immunity.

Loss of SAGL1 resulted in characteristic growth inhibition. Combining metabolomic, transcriptional and phenotypic analyses, we found that SAGL1 represses SA biosynthesis and SA‐mediated immune activation. Genetic crosses to mutants that are deficient in SA biosynthesis blocked the SA overaccumulation in sagl1 and rescued its growth. Biochemical and proteomic analysis identified that SAGL1 interacts with SARD1 and promotes the degradation of SARD1 in a proteasome‐dependent manner.

These results unravelled a critical role of KFB protein SAGL1 in maintaining SA homeostasis via controlling SARD1 stability.
Outcome of primary intraosseous carcinoma: Case review of a single institution
Authors: Long En , You Dongling , Wang Shubin , Lu Shun , Xu Peng , Zhou Jie , Li Lu , Wu Jian , Zhang Biqin , Zhu Guiquan , Lang Jinyi
Published: May 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors and treatment of primary intraosseous carcinoma (PIOC).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with POIC and received treatment in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from 2000 to 2019 were followed up and retrospectively reviewed.

Results

A total of 28 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 60 years (60 ± 10.11). The 2‐year and 5‐year overall survival (OS) were 60.7% and 38.5%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, surgery combined with adjuvant therapy improved the OS compared with surgery or radiotherapy alone (p = 0.035), and patients who received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy had a higher OS than those who received radical radiotherapy (p = 0.01). In addition, patients with well‐differentiated tumors have increased progression‐free survival (p = 0.01). Multivariate analyses showed that radiotherapy was an independent indicator for OS (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Surgery combined with adjuvant therapy is the superior treatment strategy for PIOC at present. This study is the first to confirm the positive role of radiotherapy in treating PIOC with data to back it up.
Female Labor Force Participation in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Cohort Analysis
Authors: Backhaus Andreas , Loichinger Elke
Published: May 2022

Female labor force participation rates have been stagnating despite rising female education in sub‐Saharan Africa since the turn of the millennium. Using representative and repeated census data from a heterogeneous sample of 13 sub‐Saharan African countries, this paper analyzes female labor force participation from a demographic perspective. We show that enrollment in education is substantially higher among the most recent female cohorts than among the earlier‐born ones. The higher enrollment mechanically depresses female labor force participation, weakening the relationship between female labor force participation and education. After taking this cohort trend into account, we find a strong and positive association between female labor force participation and female education. We further find a cohort trend toward higher female employment in the nonprimary sector and a positive association between female employment in the nonprimary sector and female education. The higher investments in education by younger female cohorts, together with the demographics of sub‐Saharan African countries, have implications for a potentially arising “demographic dividend”.
Patriarchal Authoritarianism Reloaded: Gender Violence, Policy Conflict, and the Resurgence of the Far Right in Spain
Authors: Cabezas Marta
Published: May 2022

The virulent opposition to gender violence policy championed by the Spanish Far Right Party Vox since it gained political representation in December 2018 has been remarkable. This opposition has turned gender violence into a language of political struggle at a time of intense feminist mobilization and feminist influence in government. What does this ideological battle over gender violence reveal about Vox's political project? This article argues that this policy conflict provides a window through which to understand the authoritarian core of the Spanish Far Right and shows that feminist critique is key to its unpacking. It proposes further research venues for an anthropology of the state and of policy informed by feminism and engaged with the pressing problems of our times.
Effects of an anti‐gonadoliberin releasing hormone vaccine on testicular, epididymal and spermatogenic development in the horse
Authors: Botha Alma E. , Schulman Martin L. , Birrell John , du Plessis Lizette , Laver Peter N. , Soley John , Colenbrander Ben , Bertschinger Henk J.
Published: May 2022

The effects of the GnRH vaccine Improvac® on testicular and epididymal morphometrics, histology and spermatogenesis were measured in 19 young (15–20 months) colts randomly assigned to one control (saline, castration at 57 days, n = 6) or either of two GnRH vaccine‐treatment groups, T‐57 (castration at 57 days, n = 7) or T‐100 (castration at 100 days, n = 6), respectively. All were immunized on Day 0 with a single booster on Day 28. Excised testes and epididymides were weighed and processed for histology to measure tubule, epithelial and muscle dimensions, the ratio of interstitial tissue to seminiferous tubules and determine the stage of spermatogenesis. Testis volume, unchanged within controls, decreased in T‐57 and T‐100 groups by 50% and 70%, respectively. Treated colts' testes were significantly lighter than controls (64% relative difference); however, epididymal mass showed no significant differences between groups. Proportionally less seminiferous tubule relative to interstitial tissue was observed in both treatment groups (5%) versus controls (22%) with a mean tubule size 28% smaller than controls. Controls exhibited a high proportion of seminiferous tubules with advanced stages of spermatogenesis, whereas treated colts showed a high proportion of tubules in the early stages of spermatogenesis. In conclusion, immunization against GnRH in prepubertal colts was effective at reducing the development of their intra‐scrotal reproductive organs and preventing normal spermatogenesis. GnRH vaccination of young colts effectively and consistently reduced testis mass, tubule size and relative proportion of seminiferous tubule tissue while retarding spermatogenesis. The epididymis showed changes with a smaller tubule diameter, lower epithelial height and thicker muscle layer recorded in treated compared to control colts.
Immunological uterine response to pig embryos before and during implantation
Authors: Parrilla Inmaculada , Gil Maria Antonia , Cuello Cristina , Cambra Josep M. , Gonzalez‐Plaza Alejandro , Lucas Xiomara , Vazquez Jose L. , Vazquez Juan M. , Rodriguez‐Martinez Heriberto , Martinez Emilio A.
Published: May 2022

The establishment of a successful pregnancy can only occur through a concerted functioning of the entire female reproductive system, allowing for fertilization, subsequent embryo development and implantation of the conceptus. In this context, the uterine immunological responses responsible for rejection or tolerance of the conceptus are of critical importance. The aim of the present review is to summarize our current knowledge about those cellular and molecular immunological events occurring at the uterine level during pre‐implantation and implantation stages of pregnancy in the pig. Advancing our understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in the success or failure of pregnancy will provide cues to develop novel strategies augmenting endometrial receptivity, finally increasing the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in pigs.
Cases of real‐life policies related to risk: How can they enhance risk analysis and risk science?
Authors: Aven Terje
Published: May 2022

Policies on risk constitute a core topic of risk analysis and risk science, and it is common at risk conferences to present real‐life cases of such policies, for example related to the handling of climate change and pandemics. Although these are of broad interest, showing how important issues in society are dealt with, it can be questioned to what extent and how these cases contribute to enhancing risk analysis and risk science. The present paper addresses this concern. It is argued that, in order to learn from the cases, they need in general to be more thoroughly followed up with discussions of concepts, principles, approaches, and methods for assessing, characterizing, communicating and handling risk. Describing a governmental policy on, for example, the handling of COVID‐19 is a point of departure for interesting discussions concerning its justification and performance, in particular in relation to risk and the most updated knowledge from the risk analysis field. Such discussions are, however, often lacking. The paper points to some key obstacles and challenges for the learning process, including the difficulty of distinguishing between policies, policy analysis, and politics.
Risk factors for suicide in the Vietnam‐era twin registry
Authors: Forsberg Christopher W. , Estrada Santiago A. , Baraff Aaron , Magruder Kathryn M. , Vaccarino Viola , Litz Brett T. , Friedman Matthew J. , Goldberg Jack , Smith Nicholas L.
Published: May 2022

Background

The risk of suicide among Veterans is of major concern, particularly among those who experienced a combat deployment and/or have a history of PTSD.

Design and methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of post‐discharge suicide among Vietnam‐era Veterans who are members of the Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry. The VET Registry is a national sample of male twins from all branches of the military, both of whom served on active duty between 1964 and 1975. Military service and demographic factors were available from the military records. Service in‐theater was based on military records; combat exposure and PTSD symptoms were assessed in 1987 by questionnaire. Mortality follow‐up, from discharge to 2016, is identified from Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and National Death Index records; suicide as a cause of death is based on the International Classification of Death diagnostic codes from the death certificate. Statistical analysis used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the association of Vietnam‐theater service, combat exposure, and PTSD symptoms with suicide while adjusting for military service and demographic confounding factors.

Results

From the 14,401 twins in the VET Registry, there were 147 suicide deaths during follow‐up. In adjusted analyses, twins who served in the Vietnam theater were at similar risk of post‐discharge suicide compared with non‐theater Veterans; there was no association between combat and suicide. An increase in severity of PTSD symptoms was significantly associated with an increased risk of suicide in adjusted analyses (hazard ratio = 1.13 per five‐point increase in symptom score; 95% CI: 1.02–1.27).

Conclusions

Service in the Vietnam theater is not associated with greater risk of suicide; however, PTSD symptom severity poses a degree of risk of suicide in Vietnam‐era Veterans. Adequate screening for PTSD in Veterans may be promising to identify Veterans who are at increased risk of suicide.
The affective model of far‐right vote in Europe: Anger, political trust, and immigration
Authors: Erisen Cengiz , Vasilopoulou Sofia
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study demonstrates that voting for the far right has a central affective dimension within the domain of immigration, the effect of which relies on the level of trust one has toward political institutions and equally colors one's estimation of threat.

Methods

We use representative data from two studies across three countries (Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) at two time points (2015 and 2019).

Results

We first show that anger, rather than fear, constitutes the emotional mechanism underpinning the relationship between anti‐immigration attitudes and support for the far right. Second, anger is associated more strongly with far‐right voting among those with lower levels of political trust. Third, anger affects how individuals seek out and process information about immigration, resulting in the overestimation of the perceived threat.

Conclusion

These findings shed light on a key puzzle of electoral behavior: Why do some citizens with anti‐immigrant attitudes opt for radical politics, whereas others do not.
Spatial social networks for the humanities: A visualization and analytical model
Authors: Giordano Alberto , Cole Tim , Le Noc Maël
Published: May 2022

In this article, we propose a model to identify and visualize family structures across a database of over 70,000 Jewish individuals living in Budapest in 1945 in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust. Once family structures are identified, their distribution can be mapped in a historical GIS, a type of GIS expressly designed to study past geographies. Our work contributes to nascent research in spatial social networks in several ways, most importantly with its emphasis on uncertainty, the focus on edges as well as nodes, and the development of a visualization that allows for the prompt and immediate comparison of family structures regardless of their number. We also see our research contributing to the discourse on platial GIS, or the GIS of place.
Trust and distrust: Identifying recruitment targets for ethnic minority blood donors
Authors: Ferguson Eamonn , Dawe‐Lane Erin , Khan Zaynah , Reynolds Claire , Davison Katy , Edge Dawn , Brailsford Susan R.
Published: May 2022

Background

We explore the role of trust, distrust, and the prevailing socio‐political context to better understand why people from ethnic minority communities are less likely to be blood donors compared to people from White communities. Recruiting more ethnic minority donors will enhance representativeness, reduce inequality, and help meet the clinical need to increase the proportion of blood with Ro Kell antigen to treat Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

Study design and methods

A 2 (donor‐status: current donor; non‐donors) by 4 (ethnicity: People from Asian, Black, Mixed and White ethnic backgrounds) quasi‐experiment (N = 981) was conducted to examine perceptions of trust/distrust and their influence on willingness to donate blood, within the socio‐political context of the Windrush scandal and Brexit.

Results

We identified five domains of trust (‘National Health Service [NHS] and staff,’ ‘NHS Blood and Transplant,’ ‘outgroups,’ ‘individuals’ and ‘politics’), and a single domain of conditional distrust domain. Trust across all the domains was lower, and ‘conditional distrust’ higher for ethnic minorities. Trust in ‘individuals’ and ‘NHSBT’ predicted willingness to donate in non‐donors from ethnic minorities and White non‐donors, respectively. Concerns about the Windrush scandal were related to lower political trust. Viewing Brexit as ‘positive for the UK’ was related to lower trust across domains and reduced willingness to donate in White non‐donors through its influence on reduced trust in NHSBT.

Conclusion

Distinct domains of trust and distrust are identified, and targeting ‘trust in others’ through conditional cooperation is recommended as a strategy to increase donor numbers from ethnic minority communities.
Centrifugal therapeutic plasma exchange in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (2016–2018): 7 cases
Authors: Culler Christine A. , Vigani Alessio , Ripoll Alexandra Z. , Gareau Alexandra , Suter Steven E.
Published: May 2022

Objective

To describe the technique of centrifugal therapeutic plasma exchange (cTPE) in dogs diagnosed with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and summarize the outcome of the procedure.

Design

Retrospective review of cTPE performed at North Carolina State University from 2016 to 2018, through a search of the institutional database for cTPE and IMHA.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Seven dogs with confirmed IMHA were presented to a university teaching hospital ICU for cTPE. Six dogs were not responsive to standard medical management with immunosuppressive agents, while 1 dog presented before immunosuppressive agents were begun.

Interventions

All dogs underwent multiple cTPE procedures using 1 of 2 commercially available apheresis systems.

Measurements and Main Results

At presentation, the median HCT was 0.15 L/L (15.7%) (range, 0.10–0.19 L/L [10.3%–19%]) and the median total serum bilirubin was 32.5 mmol/L (1.9 mg/dl) (range, 15.4–597 mmol/L [0.9–34.9 mg/dl]). The median number of transfusions before cTPE was 1 (range, 1–4), with a median total of infused RBCs of 12.9 ml/kg (range, 8.8–37 ml/kg). cTPE with an exchange of ≥4 times total plasma volumes was used to decrease the level of circulating autoreactive antibodies. The median total plasma volumes exchanged was 4.5 times (range, 2.5–6.5 times) over 2–4 procedures. Anticoagulation was performed using a combination of systemic heparinization and regional citrate in all dogs. Six of 7 dogs (85.7%) were discharged from the hospital and were alive 90 days after discharge. One dog (14%) did not respond to cTPE (∼6.5 times total plasma volume exchanged) and was euthanized.

Conclusions

cTPE is a feasible and relatively safe bridging treatment option for the management of canine IMHA.
Influence of staple line number and configuration on the leakage of small intestinal functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis: An ex vivo study
Authors: Quitzan Juliany Gomes , Singh Ameet , Beaufrère Hugues , Saleh Tarek M.
Published: May 2022

Objective

To determine the influence of the staple line configuration on the leakage of small intestinal functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis (FEESA).

Study design

Experimental, ex vivo, randomized study.

Sample population

Jejunal segments (N = 72) from 10 mature, canine cadavers.

Methods

Jejunal segments (10 cm) were randomly assigned to a control group (8 segments) and 4 FEESA groups (16 segments/group (8 constructs/group)), according to the number of rows of staples used in the vertical (V) and transverse lines (T), respectively: Control, 2‐row V/2‐row T (2V/2T), 2‐row V/3‐row T (2V/3T), 3‐row V/2‐row T (3V/2T), 3‐row V/3‐row T (3V/3T). Initial leak pressure (ILP), maximum intraluminal pressure (MIP), and initial leakage location (ILL) were compared.

Results

The ILP (mean ± SD) for control segments, 2V/2T, 2V/3T, 3V/2T and 3V/3T were 321.38 ± 34.59, 32.88 ± 7.36, 50.13 ± 10.46, 34.38 ± 11.78, 69.88 ± 21.23 mmHg, respectively. All FEESAs initially leaked at lower pressures than intact segments. The only other differences detected between groups consisted of ILPs that were higher when FEESAs were closed with 3V/3T (69.88 ± 21.23 mmHg) than 2V/2T (32.88 ± 7.36, P < .001). Initial leakage occurred predominantly from the transverse staple line rather than the anastomotic crotch (P < .001).

Conclusion

Placing 3 rows of staples in the transverse line (with or without a third row in the vertical staple line) improved resistance to leakage of FEESAs in normal cadaveric specimens.

Clinical significance

The addition of a third row of staples in the transverse line (with or without a third row in the vertical staple line) in FEESAs should be further investigated as a strategy to reduce intestinal leakage clinically.
Performance Assessment of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in Corrugated Channels of Various Profiles: Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Study
Authors: Singh Divyanshu Pratap , Rathore Sushil Kumar , Chaudhuri Sumanta
Published: May 2022

The present analysis deals with the heat transfer characteristics and entropy generation investigation for a non-Newtonian fluid flowing in a wavy passage having three different corrugation profiles, namely, sinusoidal, trapezoidal, and triangular, having the exact dimensions, amplitude, and wavelength. The discretization of governing equations has been carried out using the finite volume method, and for pressure–velocity coupling SIMPLE algorithm is adopted. Power law model is adopted for modeling the non-Newtonian behavior in the study. The present investigation is reported for the index of power law ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 and Reynolds number varying from 25 to 125. The variation of an average Nusselt number, dimensionless drop in pressure, performance factor, thermal entropy generation, viscous entropy generation, and Bejan number are observed for different values of Reynolds number and power law index. The study helped us in concluding that the value of the average Nusselt number is the highest for a trapezoidal-shaped corrugated channel; on the other hand, drop in pressure is also the highest for a trapezoidal channel. However, if conclusions are to be made based on the performance factor, then at high Reynolds number flow, the sinusoidal-shaped corrugated channel is preferred for shear-thinning fluids, and the triangular-shaped corrugated channel is preferred for shear-thickening fluids, whereas the triangular-shaped corrugated channel is preferred for both the shear-thickening and shear-thinning fluids for a low Reynolds number flow. Entropy generation analysis shows that both the thermal and viscous entropy generations are maximum for a trapezoidal channel followed by the sinusoidal channel and the least entropy generations occur in the case of the triangular channel.
Local Entropy Generation Analysis for Cavitation Flow Within a Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Lai Fen , Huang Maoli , Wu Xiaofei , Nie Changhua , Li Guojun
Published: May 2022

Local entropy generation is derived from the second law of thermodynamics, which can directly identify the source of irreversible dissipation and learn more about the physical mechanism of performance degradation. Zwart cavitation model is modified to clarify the rapid head drop of a cavitation flow within a test centrifugal pump, and it is used to simulate the cavitation flow. Local entropy generation method is used to analyze the cavitation flow with varying net positive suction head. The magnitude of entropy generation in different types and regions is compared. Spatial distribution of turbulent and near-wall entropy generation are analyzed. Results show that the modified Zwart cavitation model can better capture the cavity morphology and its evolution. Turbulent and near-wall entropy generations, which mainly concentrate on the impeller, have a large proportion of total entropy generation. The rapid increase in fluctuating velocity entropy generation near the impeller blade pressure side and near-wall entropy generation near the trailing edge of the impeller blade are the main reasons for the rapid head drop within a test centrifugal pump. The sources of turbulent and near-wall entropy generation are vortex and shear stress, respectively.
Effect of Skiing on Physical Performance, Pain, and Quality of Life Based on Gender
Authors: Keskin-Aktan Arzu , Keskin-Dilbay Nilüfer , Kutlay Özden
Published: May 2022

Context: Identifying gender-specific differentiation in each sport type is significant. In this way, sport- and gender-specific gains can be predicted. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of skiing on physical performance, pain, quality of life, and gender-based differentiation. Design: Crossover trial. Methods: Sixty-eight volunteers, between 18 and 25 years of age, with no history of severe trauma in the spine and extremities, participated in our study. The skiers group consisted of licensed athletes (17 males and 17 females) who did active skiing for at least the past 2 years, the control group consisted of nonathletic and age-matched participants with no skiing experience (17 males and 17 females). Step test, vertical jump test, Flamingo balance test, hand-grip strength, and back-leg-chest strength measurements were performed to evaluate physical performance. Visual Analog Scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire were used to evaluate pain experience. Quality of life was evaluated with Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: Compared to the sedentary controls, VAS-activity and Oswestry Disability Index scores were lower; and aerobic performance, balance, hand-grip strength, back-leg-chest strength, and quality of life (SF-36-general health, SF-36-vitality, SF-36-mental health, and SF-total score) were higher in skiers. Skiing was found to be effective in eliminating gender-based differentiation of the variables of hand-grip strength, pain, and quality of life; however, back-leg-chest strength and anaerobic performance variables were found to be ineffective in eliminating gender differentiation. Conclusions: Skiing allows that the individual increases physical performance and quality of life. It can also minimize gender-based differentiation of certain variables, such as muscular force, pain, and quality of life.
Evaluation of Experimental and Clinical Efficacy on Surgical Debridement and Systemic Antibiotics Treatment for Early Knee Infection after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Tong Kai , Wei Jian , Gu Hanwen , Hu Qingyi , Wang Hui , Wen Yinxian , Chen Liaobin
Published: May 2022

Deep knee infection (DKI) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is rare and challenging. The optimal treatment strategy for infection after ACLR remains controversial.
Salinity Impact on Composition and Activity of Nitrate-Reducing Fe(II)-Oxidizing Microorganisms in Saline Lakes
Authors: Huang Jianrong , Han Mingxian , Yang Jian , Kappler Andreas , Jiang Hongchen
Published: May 2022

NRFeOx microorganisms are globally distributed in various types of environments and play a vital role in iron transformation and nitrate and heavy metal removal. However, most known NRFeOx microorganisms were isolated from freshwater and marine environments, while their identity and activity under hypersaline conditions remain unknown.
Heterogeneity of Latency Establishment in the Different Human CD4
+
T Cell Subsets Stimulated with IL-15
Authors: Butta Giacomo M. , Bozzi Giorgio , Gallo Greta , Copaloni Gaia , Cordiglieri Chiara , Crosti Mariacristina , Mancino Marilena , Prati Daniele , Simon Viviana , Gori Andrea , Bandera Alessandra , De Francesco Raffaele , Manganaro Lara
Published: May 2022

The formation of a latent reservoir is the main barrier to HIV cure. Here, we investigated how HIV latency is established in different CD4
+
T cell subsets in the presence of IL-15, a cytokine that has been shown to efficiently induce latency reversal.
Mapping the Complex Transcriptional Landscape of the Phytopathogenic Bacterium Dickeya dadantii
Authors: Forquet Raphaël , Jiang Xuejiao , Nasser William , Hommais Florence , Reverchon Sylvie , Meyer Sam
Published: May 2022

This is the first transcriptomic map of a
Dickeya
species. It may therefore significantly contribute to further progress in the field of phytopathogenicity.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomics of Symbioses between Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Bacteria
Authors: Horrocks Victoria , Hind Charlotte K. , Wand Matthew E. , Fady Paul-Enguerrand , Chan Joel , Hopkins Jade C. , Houston Georgina L. , Tribe Rachel M. , Sutton J. Mark , Mason A. James
Published: May 2022

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection for women of childbearing age. Although 50% of women with BV do not have any symptoms, it approximately doubles the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection and also increases the risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women.
Comparative Genomics Unveils the Habitat Adaptation and Metabolic Profiles of
Clostridium
in an Artificial Ecosystem for Liquor Production
Authors: Fang Guan-Yu , Chai Li-Juan , Zhong Xiao-Zhong , Lu Zhen-Ming , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Wu Lin-Huan , Wang Song-Tao , Shen Cai-Hong , Shi Jin-Song , Xu Zheng-Hong
Published: May 2022

Pit mud is a typical artificial ecosystem for Chinese liquor production.
Clostridium
inhabiting pit mud plays essential roles in the flavor formation of strong-flavor baijiu. The relative abundance of
Clostridium
increased with pit mud quality, further influencing the quality of baijiu.
Three-Stage Pooled Plasma Hepatitis C Virus RNA Testing for the Identification of Acute HCV Infections in At-Risk Populations
Authors: Sun Hsin-Yun , Chiang Chieh , Huang Sung-Hsi , Guo Wen-Jin , Chuang Yu-Chung , Huang Yi-Chia , Yang Chia-Jui , Su Li-Hsin , Chen Yi-Ting , Chen Yea-Wen , Hsu Fu-Chiang , Ho Shu-Yuan , Liu Wen-Chun , Su Yi-Ching , Chang Sui-Yuan , Hsiao Chin-Fu , Hung Chien-Ching , Yu Ming-Lung
Published: May 2022

Our three-stage pooled plasma HCV RNA testing successfully identified HCV viremia in high-risk PLWH with a testing cost reduction of 84.5%. Simulation analysis offered detailed information regarding the selection of pool and mini-pool sizes in settings of different HCV epidemiology and the performance of HCV RNA testing to optimize the cost reduction.
Developing an integrated multilevel model of uncertainty in health care: a qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis
Authors: Eachempati Prashanti , Büchter Roland Brian , KS Kiran Kumar , Hanks Sally , Martin John , Nasser Mona
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Uncertainty is an inevitable part of healthcare and a source of confusion and challenge to decision-making. Several taxonomies of uncertainty have been developed, but mainly focus on decisions in clinical settings. Our goal was to develop a holistic model of uncertainty that can be applied to both clinical as well as public and global health scenarios.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Google scholar in March 2021 for literature reviews, qualitative studies and case studies related to classifications or models of uncertainty in healthcare. Empirical articles were assessed for study limitations using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. We synthesised the literature using a thematic analysis and developed a dynamic multilevel model of uncertainty. We sought patient input to assess relatability of the model and applied it to two case examples.

Results

We screened 4125 studies and included 15 empirical studies, 13 literature reviews and 5 case studies. We identified 77 codes and organised these into 26 descriptive and 11 analytical themes of uncertainty. The themes identified are global, public health, healthcare system, clinical, ethical, relational, personal, knowledge exchange, epistemic, aleatoric and parameter uncertainty. The themes were included in a model, which captures the macro, meso and microlevels and the inter-relatedness of uncertainty. We successfully piloted the model on one public health example and an environmental topic. The main limitations are that the research input into our model predominantly came from North America and Europe, and that we have not yet tested the model in a real-life setting.

Conclusion

We developed a model that can comprehensively capture uncertainty in public and global health scenarios. It builds on models that focus solely on clinical settings by including social and political contexts and emphasising the dynamic interplay between different areas of uncertainty.
Comparative efficacy of different types of acupuncture as adjuvant therapy on carotid atherosclerosis: a protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Xianming , Mo Qian , Yang Zhihong , Huang Xiaolou , Liu Jiao , Xu Shuangmei , Zhang Ning , Yang Xiaofang
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a disease of the aorta caused by lipid metabolism disorders and local inflammation. Acupuncture combined with traditional western medicine (such as aspirin or atorvastatin) for the treatment of CAS has been widely applied in clinical practice, but there is still a lack of supporting evidence for its efficacy and safety on CAS. Therefore, this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) will summarise the effects of different types of acupuncture treatments on CAS, and a ranking of the therapeutic classes will also be presented, aiming to provide evidence-based medicine for its extensive clinical application.

Methods and analysis

Systematic and NMA searches will be conducted in seven electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and Chongqing VIP databases. The search time is from their inception to December 2020, regardless of language and publication type. Randomised controlled trials and controlled clinical trials that include patients with CAS receiving acupuncture therapy compared with a control group will be considered eligible. The primary outcomes include the carotid intima-media thickness and vessel plaque quantification; the secondary outcomes include the carotid plaque Crouse score, greyscale median, lipid levels, the incidence of cardiovascular events, safety and adverse events. The selection of studies, data extraction, quality assessment and risk of bias assessment will be conducted by two independent reviewers. The NMA will be analysed with Stata V.15.0, RevMan V.5.3 software and WinBUGS V.1.4.3.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval will not be required for this study as it will be based on de-identified, aggregated published data. We will publish the findings in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020207260.