bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative taxonomy reveals a new species of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from the mountains of northern Thailand
Authors: CHEN JIN-MIN , SUWANNAPOOM CHATMONGKON , WU YUN-HE , POYARKOV NIKOLAY A. , XU KAI , PAWANGKHANANT PARINYA , CHE JING
Published: October 2021

The genus Leptobrachella is one of the most speciose and taxonomically troubling groups of Asian anurans. Herein, we describe a new species of Leptobrachella from Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand based on the integration of morphological, acoustic and molecular data. The new species, Leptobrachella murphyi sp. nov., is morphologically distinguished from its congeners on the basis of body size, dorsal skin texture and coloration, ventral coloration and pattern, degree of webbing and fringing on the fingers and toes, iris coloration in life, pattern of markings on flanks and pattern of body macroglands. It also differs from its phylogenetically close congeners by an uncorrected p-distance of >9.6% for a fragment of 16S rRNA. The advertisement call of the new species consists of 4.5–4.7 kHz (at 15 °C) and without a distinct introductory note. Leptobrachella murphyi sp. nov. likely occurs across the Thanon Thong Chai Range and analyses provide evidence of unknown biodiversity and species composition on Doi (mountain) Inthanon. In addition, the congeneric species L. minima was also confirmed in Doi Inthanon. The coexistence pattern of Leptobrachella in Doi Inthanon deserves further study. As Thailand’s highest mountain and biodiversity reservoir, the need for further biological exploration is urgent given ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
On the taxonomic status of Oriental populations of the genus Bosminopsis Richard, 1895 (Crustacea: Cladocera)
Authors: GARIBIAN PETR G. , SANOAMUANG LA-ORSRI , KOTOV ALEXEY A.
Published: October 2021

It is widely accepted among the Cladocera (Crustacea) taxonomists that almost all “cosmopolitan” taxa are represented by some un-revised complexes of cryptic species. But many macro taxa of the cladocerans are still unrevised. The aim of this work is to analyze the taxonomic status of Oriental populations of the genus Bosminopsis Richard, 1895 (Anomopoda: Bosminidae) based on morphological characters. We have studied populations from India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and concluded that Oriental populations belong to a single species, Bosminopsis africanus (Daday, 1908), initially described from Africa. Analysis of literature data confirms that is widely distributed through whole Oriental zone. A single large mucro, or the mucro accompanied by an additional small spine in both sexes, is the main trait which differentiates B. africanus from B. zernowi Linko, 1901 distributed in more northern regions of Eurasia.
Microphysics Impacts on the Warm Conveyor Belt and Ridge Building of the NAWDEX IOP6 Cyclone
Authors: Mazoyer Marie , Ricard Didier , Rivière Gwendal , Delanoë Julien , Arbogast Philippe , Vié Benoit , Lac Christine , Cazenave Quitterie , Pelon Jacques
Published: October 2021

This study investigates diabatic processes along the warm conveyor belt (WCB) of a deep extratropical cyclone observed in the North Atlantic Waveguide and Downstream Impact Experiment (NAWDEX). The aim is to investigate the effect of two different microphysics schemes, the one-moment scheme ICE3 and the quasi two-moment scheme LIMA, on the WCB and the ridge building downstream. ICE3 and LIMA also differ in the processes of vapor deposition on hydrometeors in cold and mixed-phase clouds. Latent heating in ICE3 is found to be dominated by deposition on ice while the heating in LIMA is distributed among depositions on ice, snow, and graupel. ICE3 is the scheme leading to the largest number of WCB trajectories (30% more than LIMA) due to greater heating rates over larger areas. The consequence is that the size of the upper-level ridge grows more rapidly in ICE3 than LIMA, albeit with some exceptions in localized regions of the cyclonic branch of the WCB. A comparison with various observations (airborne remote sensing measurements, dropsondes, and satellite data) is then performed. Below the melting layer, the observed reflectivity is rather well reproduced by the model. Above the melting layer, in the middle of the troposphere, the reflectivity and retrieved ice water content are largely underestimated by both schemes while at upper levels, the ICE3 scheme performs much better than LIMA in agreement with a closer representation of the observed winds by ICE3. These results underline the strong sensitivity of upper-level dynamics to ice-related processes.
Toward a Numerical Laboratory for Investigations of Gravity Wave–Mean Flow Interactions in the Atmosphere
Authors: Schmid Fabienne , Gagarina Elena , Klein Rupert , Achatz Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Idealized integral studies of the dynamics of atmospheric inertia–gravity waves (IGWs) from their sources in the troposphere (e.g., by spontaneous emission from jets and fronts) to dissipation and mean flow effects at higher altitudes could contribute to a better treatment of these processes in IGW parameterizations in numerical weather prediction and climate simulation. It seems important that numerical codes applied for this purpose are efficient and focus on the essentials. Therefore, a previously published staggered-grid solver for f-plane soundproof pseudoincompressible dynamics is extended here by two main components. These are 1) a semi-implicit time stepping scheme for the integration of buoyancy and Coriolis effects, and 2) the incorporation of Newtonian heating consistent with pseudoincompressible dynamics. This heating function is used to enforce a temperature profile that is baroclinically unstable in the troposphere and it allows the background state to vary in time. Numerical experiments for several benchmarks are compared against a buoyancy/Coriolis-explicit third-order Runge–Kutta scheme, verifying the accuracy and efficiency of the scheme. Preliminary mesoscale simulations with baroclinic wave activity in the troposphere show intensive small-scale wave activity at high altitudes, and they also indicate there the expected reversal of the zonal-mean zonal winds.
Opportunities and Challenges of Organic Agri-Food Organisations: A Case Study from India
Authors: Debnath Roma Mitra
Published: October 2021

The purpose of the study is to identify the opportunities and challenges for the organisations that are operating in the organic food sector in India. A case study has been presented about an organisation, which is one of the leading ones in India. Based on the existing body of literature and the case study approach, the opportunities and challenges have been identified, which are country-specific. Though there have been studies conducted to emphasise the preferences of the consumers for the organic food, this study is unique as it also presents a case study of the leading organic agri-food marketer to document the opportunities and the challenges present in the sector. The study focuses on the suppliers of the organic food. The present study captures the issues of the farmers, who are growing organic agricultural products in different parts of the country, the barriers in the downstream supply chain and the opportunities in the market due to the ever-increasing demand of the consumers for the organic food.
Dementia and the Risk of Periodontitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Ma K.S. , Hasturk H. , Carreras I. , Dedeoglu A. , Veeravalli J.J. , Huang J.Y. , Kantarci A. , Wei J.C.
Published: October 2021

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are proposed to be comorbid with periodontitis (PD). It is unclear whether PD is associated with dementia and AD independent of confounding factors. We aimed at identifying the relationship between the longitudinal risk of developing PD in a cohort of patients with dementia and AD who did not show any signs of PD at baseline. In this retrospective cohort study, 8,640 patients with dementia without prior PD were recruited, and 8,640 individuals without dementia history were selected as propensity score–matched controls. A Cox proportional hazard model was developed to estimate the risk of developing PD over 10 y. Cumulative probability was derived to assess the time-dependent effect of dementia on PD. Of the 8,640 patients, a sensitivity test was conducted on 606 patients with AD-associated dementia and 606 non-AD propensity score–matched controls to identify the impact of AD-associated dementia on the risk for PD. Subgroup analyses on age stratification were included. Overall 2,670 patients with dementia developed PD. The relative risk of PD in these patients was significantly higher than in the nondementia group (1.825, 95% CI = 1.715 to 1.942). Cox proportional hazard models showed that patients with dementia were more likely to have PD than individuals without dementia (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.915, 95% CI = 1.766 to 2.077, P < 0.0001, log-rank test P < 0.0001). The risk of PD in patients with dementia was age dependent ( P values for all ages <0.0001); younger patients with dementia were more likely to develop PD. The findings persisted for patients with AD: the relative risk (1.531, 95% CI = 1.209 to 1.939) and adjusted hazard ratio (1.667, 95% CI = 1.244 to 2.232; log-rank test P = 0.0004) of PD in patients with AD were significantly higher than the non-AD cohort. Our findings demonstrated that dementia and AD were associated with a higher risk of PD dependent of age and independent of systemic confounding factors.
The Necessity of an Emic Paradigm in Psychology
Authors: James Myers Linda , Lodge Tania , Speight Suzette L. , Haggins Kristee
Published: October 2021

This article provides an overview of developments in the field of Black/Africana/Pan African psychology over the past 50 years. It has evolved toward production of psychological knowledge grounded in an emic cultural paradigm consistent with the understandings emerging from classical African civilization and across the Diaspora. The historical context for the development of a Black/Africana cultural paradigm is discussed, including an analysis of the failure of Eurowestern psychology to effectively address the mental health needs of people of African ancestry, particularly as exemplified in the experience of Non-immigrant Africans in the Americas (NIAAs). Readers are introduced to the rise of African-centered cultural frames of reference, values, and psychological models, practices, and strategies. The development of Optimal Psychology or Optimal Conceptual Theory (OCT) is highlighted. OCT is a comprehensive theory successfully implemented, utilized, and researched for more than 40 years. The production of psychological knowledge built upon a cultural paradigm rooted in the wisdom tradition of African deep thought traceable to the birthplace of all humankind is essential to a comprehensive understanding of humanity and will be described.
Synthesis and characterization of Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O heterostructure with improved visible-light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Alorabi Ali Q. , Hassan M. Shamshi , Algethami Jari S. , Baghdadi Neazar Essam
Published: October 2021

Heterostructure Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O photocatalyst was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by different physico-chemical techniques. For Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O composites, AgVO3 shows the monoclinic phase whereas Ag and Cu2O show a cubic phase. SEM images of Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O composites illustrated that the surface of AgVO3 nanorods was covered by Ag and Cu2O nanoparticles. Ultra violet − visible diffuse reflectance spectra revealed that the calculated optical response of Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O composite was found to be 2.24 eV. Additionally, the composite catalyst demonstrated improved photo-efficiency for the decolorization of methylene blue dye compared to that of pristine AgVO3. The better performance of the composite sample can be ascribed to its high charge separation and inhibition in recombination of charges in Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O catalyst Finally, this heterostructure Ag-AgVO3/Cu2O catalyst demonstrated good stability which simply can be recycled a number of times with steadiness; thus, unwraps new possibilities for applications as innovative photocatalyst
Boosting innovation performance through big data analytics: An empirical investigation on the role of firm agility
Authors: ZareRavasan Ahad
Published: October 2021

While past studies proposed the role of big data analytics (BDA) as one of the primary pathways to business value creation, current knowledge on the link between BDA and innovation performance remains limited. In this regard, this study intends to fill this research gap by developing a theoretical framework for understanding how and under which mechanisms BDA influences innovation performance. Firm agility (conceptualised as sensing agility, decision-making agility and acting agility) is used in this research as the mediator between BDA and innovation performance. Besides, this research conceptualises two moderating variables: data-driven culture and BDA team sophistication. This study employs partial least squares (PLS) to test and validate the proposed hypotheses using survey data of 185 firms. The results show that firm agility significantly mediates the link between BDA use and innovation performance. Besides, the results suggest that data-driven culture moderates the relation between sensing agility and decision-making agility. This research also supports the moderating role of BDA team sophistication on the link between BDA use and sensing agility.
A Systematic Review of Definitive Treatment for Inverted Papilloma Attachment Site and Associations With Recurrence
Authors: Trent Monica S. , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Hui Lily , Stuyt John A. Gerka , Adappa Nithin D. , Palmer James N. , Kuan Edward C.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Inverted papilloma (IP) is the most common benign neoplasm of the nasal cavity with known risk of recurrence. There is no standardized approach to definitive treatment for attachment sites. This systematic review aims to determine whether surgeon choice of technique differs by anatomic attachment site and whether different surgical techniques contribute to reduced rates of recurrence.

Data Sources

PubMed and Ovid Medline.

Review Methods

A systematic review was conducted for studies reporting on IP. Those that included IP recurrence rates and primary tumor attachment site were reviewed.

Results

Of 122 published studies, 14 met eligibility criteria, representing 585 patients and a recurrence rate of 5.8%. The maxillary sinus (50.9%) was the most common primary attachment site, and the sphenoid sinus was associated with the highest rate of recurrence (10.4%). The most utilized technique included debulking the tumor, removing mucosa over the attachment site, and drilling the underlying bone. The most common Krouse stage represented was T3 (53.3%). No single technique predicted a propensity for recurrence, but certain techniques are favored depending on IP attachment site. Finally, frozen sections to obtain evidence of clear margins intraoperatively significantly reduced rates of recurrence (3.4% vs 7.3%, P =. 045).

Conclusion

Based on the current literature, the most common technique to address site of attachment involves resecting mucosa and drilling the tumor base. Choice of technique appears to differ for various sites of attachment. Use of intraoperative frozen section analysis appears to be associated with decreased recurrence overall.

Level of Evidence

3.
Human Resource Metrics for Enhancing Organizational Performance: Case of Indian State-owned Enterprises
Authors: Singh Punam , Sarkar Shulagna
Published: October 2021

As a result of a growing concern regarding agility, Human Resources (HR) has become one of the most challenging fields of management. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) face people-related issues, from attracting talent to managing performance, while creating employee experience. This article is an attempt to explore the pattern of usage of the HR metrics in Indian SOEs and to examine other metrics that need to be included as part of a strategic HR approach to enhance organizational performance. Primary data was collected using formal interviews with HR executives. The outcomes suggest that Indian SOEs are in the infancy stage when it comes to the adoption of HR metrics. It is important that Indian SOEs initiate the first-level of HR metrics and thereafter make planned progress to the third-level impact. Based on the study, a framework for sustainable and competitive HR is proposed. All of this has implications for SOEs in developing countries.

JEL Codes: M12
Building off creativity to move from gifted to gifting
Authors: Glaveanu Vlad , Kaufman James C
Published: October 2021

What is the aim of giftedness? Is the goal to narrow in on the gifts of a select few or to nurture everyone’s gifts such that they may be exchanged with each other? Drawing from creativity theory, we emphasize the possible interactive element of giftedness. Current paradigms risk ignoring hidden creativities and for potential to remain in the shadows. Is the promise of one possible eminent creator worth thousands of everyday creators? Do we need to make such a choice? By fostering perspective-taking and other collaborative skills, we may try to have it all.
Advancing Indian Nations’ Motor Vehicle Crash Reporting
Authors: Vachal Kimberly
Published: October 2021

The American Indian population is at high risk for motor vehicle (MV) crash injury. Although this is preventable, the majority of these indigenous populations lack fundamental data needed to understand these events and implement effective countermeasures. This cross-case study sets a framework by exploring Indian nations’ crash reporting systems (CRS) and the potential to fill this information void. An inventory process conducted with four tribes produced a pragmatic approach that tribes can refine to fulfill local objectives for accountability, sovereignty, and system integrity. Enormous benefits can be derived from a reliable CRS. The study shows that electronically documenting MV crash event data is plausible with commitment from tribes and support from other stakeholders.
Shall WeChat? Switching between online and offline ethnography
Authors: Zani Beatrice
Published: October 2021

Drawing on the ethnographic work conducted inside the digital platform WeChat, this article contributes to the ongoing discussion about the multi-sited ethnographic tools and the digital methods available for investigating virtual worlds and online practices. It analyses the communications, interactions, sociality, and economic activities produced on the application WeChat by Chinese migrant women, together with the same practices constructed offline in Taiwan. Taking a close look at the offline context from which these digital practices are generated, the article shows that when studying online practices, it is essential to understand what corresponds to them in the offline worlds. By updating the four Goffmanian interactionist fieldwork sequences, this research provides some reflections on the necessity to mix and merge online and offline ethnographic techniques in order to apprehend the new practices and scales of interaction at the crossroads where online and offline social spaces intersect. Virtual ethnography cannot be exclusive. Rather, it needs to be designed and performed in dialogue with ‘physical’ observations.
The nexus between financial development and energy consumption: Estimating the role of foreign direct investment, economic growth and urbanization
Authors: Ahmed Jaleel , ur Rehman Shuja , Zuhaira Zaid , Nisar Shoaib
Published: October 2021

This study examines the impact of financial development on energy consumption for a wide array of countries. The estimators used for financial development are foreign direct investment, economic growth and urbanization. The study employed a panel data regression on 136 countries with time frame of years 1990 to 2019. The model in this study deploys system GMM technique to estimate the model. The results show that financial development has a significant negative impact on energy consumption overall. Foreign direct investment and urbanization has significant impact on energy consumption. Also, economic growth positive impact on energy consumption its mean that economic growth promotes energy consumption. When dividing further the sample into different groups of regions such as Asian, European, African, North/Latin American and Caribbean countries then mixed results related to the nexus between financial development and energy consumption with respect to economic growth, urbanization and foreign direct investment. The policymakers in these different groups of countries must balance the relationship between energy supply and demand to achieving the sustainable economic development.
Adaptive group sequential survival comparisons based on log-rank and pointwise test statistics
Authors: Feld Jannik , Faldum Andreas , Schmidt Rene
Published: October 2021

Whereas the theory of confirmatory adaptive designs is well understood for uncensored data, implementation of adaptive designs in the context of survival trials remains challenging. Commonly used adaptive survival tests are based on the independent increments structure of the log-rank statistic. This implies some relevant limitations: On the one hand, essentially only the interim log-rank statistic may be used for design modifications (such as data-dependent sample size recalculation). Furthermore, the treatment arm allocation ratio in these classical methods is assumed to be constant throughout the trial period. Here, we propose an extension of the independent increments approach to adaptive survival tests that addresses some of these limitations. We present a confirmatory adaptive two-sample log-rank test that allows rejection regions and sample size recalculation rules to be based not only on the interim log-rank statistic, but also on point-wise survival rate estimates, simultaneously. In addition, the possibility is opened to adapt the treatment arm allocation ratio after each interim analysis in a data-dependent way. The ability to include point-wise survival rate estimators in the rejection region of a test for comparing survival curves might be attractive, e.g., for seamless phase II/III designs. Data-dependent adaptation of the allocation ratio could be helpful in multi-arm trials in order to successively steer recruitment into the study arms with the greatest chances of success. The methodology is motivated by the LOGGIC Europe Trial from pediatric oncology. Distributional properties are derived using martingale techniques in the large sample limit. Small sample properties are studied by simulation.
Nutrient and Food Intake of Indonesian Children Under 5 Years of Age: A Systematic Review
Authors: Arini Hesti Retno Budi , Hadju Veni , Thomas Preetha , Ferguson Megan
Published: October 2021

The Indonesian Government’s targets to reduce the prevalence of child malnutrition are unlikely to be met based on current progress. Adequate dietary intake is key to meeting these targets. This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the nutrient and food intake of Indonesian children under five years of age. Peer-reviewed and gray literature published between 2007 and 2019 were collected. Of 1500 records, 38 articles met the study inclusion criteria and a narrative analysis was conducted. Children under five years were reported to have ranging energy and macronutrient intakes, some with adequate protein intake. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C, were reported. Animal-source foods, fruits, and vegetables were consumed by children, but frequency and/or volume of consumption was low, and it is among the probable causes of micronutrient deficiency among children under five years. The absence of reporting micronutrient intake in the national survey limited evidence to inform nutrition-related policies. The implementation of a national micronutrient survey will be beneficial in informing policy and practice aimed at reducing the prevalence of child malnutrition in line with national targets, through improvement in dietary intake.
Enacting Positive Social Change: A Civic Wealth Creation Stakeholder Engagement Framework
Authors: Bailey Ryan C. , Lumpkin G. T.
Published: October 2021

Entrepreneurship is an innovative solution for many businesses, communities, governments, nonprofits, and social innovators to address societal issues, such as poverty and social injustice. Civic wealth creation (CWC) is one type of entrepreneurial change process that engages diverse stakeholders to enact positive social change (PSC). However, resistance to change and low stakeholder engagement often impede efforts to achieve desired outcomes. Because stakeholder theory holds that stakeholders with joint interests create new value when they interact, we propose a stakeholder engagement framework that uses the awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement (ADKAR) change methodology to enhance CWC stakeholders’ propensity to participate in the entrepreneurial change processes that create PSC.
Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement Preference Assessment for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Prudente Jodee A. , Demchak MaryAnn
Published: October 2021

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) generally have behavior support plans that are based on a functional behavioral assessment. This article provides educators practical guidelines for conducting a multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment to rank order preferred activities that will align with the function of behavior for use in behavioral interventions. The use of highly preferred reinforcers to reduce student problem behaviors can enhance educational outcomes for the student.
Coverage Competence via Collaboration: Overcoming Political Journalism Challenges in Local Television
Authors: Calfano Brian , Maulden Charles , Hughes Sean
Published: October 2021

Recent national media surveys point to relatively high levels of public trust in local political reporting. The problem, however, is that challenges with reporter training and experience mean that local television is not as equipped as it might be to provide quality political coverage. We assess how professional journalists and college students majoring in political science or journalism view their reporting competences. We find mixed results, including lower confidence across all groups in performing data and statistical analysis. These results drive our recommended collaboration strategies for local television newsrooms and university departments to improve training and experiential opportunities.
From Chauvel to creatives: Celebrating the career of Distinguished Professor Stuart Cunningham
Authors: Flew Terry , Lotz Amanda D
Published: October 2021

This essay introduces the special issue of Media International Australia dedicated to the work of Stuart Cunningham. We note the scholarly contributions made by Stuart Cunningham to communications, media and cultural studies, including screen studies, creative industries and cultural policy studies. We also note his extensive contributions to institution building and academic leadership in engaging with industry and policy agencies from an applied humanities perspective.
Extrapericardial cardiac tamponade secondary to traumatic hemorrhage of the thymus
Authors: Inouye John D , Mohsen Ahmed R , Hirsch Benjamin A , Chaudhuri Swapna
Published: October 2021

This report describes a 90-year-old man who sustained blunt chest trauma that progressed to circulatory failure from an enlarging anterior mediastinal hematoma. Emergent sternotomy was performed, revealing a hematoma primarily involving the thymus that was promptly evacuated. Extrapericardial cardiac tamponade is an uncommon event that occurs when fluid collects within the mediastinum but outside the pericardium. Hemodynamically significant hemorrhage of the thymus is rare because the gland begins to involute early in development. To our knowledge, cardiac tamponade secondary to traumatic hemorrhage of the thymus has not been previously described. Early recognition and hematoma evacuation can be lifesaving.
Human Research Ethics Committee Experiences and Views About Children’s Participation in Research: Results From the MESSI Study
Authors: Taplin Stephanie , Chalmers Jenny , Brown Judith , Moore Tim , Graham Anne , McArthur Morag
Published: October 2021

As part of a larger study, Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) members and managers were surveyed about their decision-making and views about social research studies with child participants. Responses of 229 HREC members and 42 HREC managers are reported. While most HREC members had received ethical training, HREC training and guidelines specific to research involving children were rare. Most applications involving children had to go through a full ethical review, but few adverse events were reported to HRECs regarding the conduct of the studies. Revisions to study proposals requested by HRECs were mostly related to consent processes and age-appropriate language. One-third of HREC members said that they would approve research on any topic. Most were also concerned that the methodology was appropriate, and the risks and benefits were clearly articulated. Specific training and guidance are needed to increase HREC members’ confidence to judge ethical research with children.
The Adaptive Responses in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Lines Induced by Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and the Variations of miRNA Expression
Authors: Wang Xiao-Chun , Tian Li-Li , Fan Cai-Xia , Duo Cai-Hong , Xu Ke-Ming
Published: October 2021

Objective

To study the effects of adaptive response in A549 cells induced by low-dose radiation and the miRNAs expression.

Methods

A549 cells were irradiated with 50 mGy and 200 mGy initial doses, respectively, and then irradiated with a challenge dose 20 Gy at 6 hours interval. The biological effects and miRNA expression were detected.

Results

The apoptosis rates of 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups were significantly lower than that of only 20 Gy irradiation group ( P < .05). The percentage of G2/M phase cells of 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups was significantly decreased relative to the 20 Gy group ( P < .05). One miRNA (mir-3662) was upregulated and 15 miRNAs (mir-185, mir-1908, mir-307, mir-182, mir-92a, mir-582, mi-r501, mir138-5p, mir-1260, mir-484, mir-378d, mir-193b, mir-127-3p, mir-1303, and mir-654-5p) were downregulated both in 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups than that of the 20 Gy group. Go and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes were significantly enriched in cell communication regulation, metabolic process, enzyme binding, and catalytic activity signaling pathways.

Conclusion

Low-dose X-ray of 50 mGy and 200 mGy radiation can induce adaptive apoptosis response prior to 20 Gy in A549 cells. Sixteen differently expressed miRNAs may play important roles in the adaptive effect of low-dose radiation.
Migrating Progenitor Cells Derived From Injured Cartilage Surface Respond to Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns
Authors: Ding Lei , Zhou Cheng , Zheng Hongjun , Wang Quanming , Song Haiyan , Buckwalter Joseph A. , Martin James A.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To delineate the response of migrating chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) that arose from the surface of mechanically injured articular cartilage to proinflammatory damage-associated-molecular-patterns (DAMPs).

Design

Bovine CPCs and non-CPC chondrocytes isolated from either impacted or scratched articular cartilage were studied. Those 2 types of cells were treated with mitochondrial DAMPs (MTDs; 10 nM fMLF and 10 µg/mL CpG DNA), or 10 nM HMGB1, or 10 ng/mL IL-1b for 24 hours. At the end of experiments, conditioned media and cell lysates were collected for analysis of expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), chemokines, and cytokines that are associated with cartilage degeneration with Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The difference of expression levels was compared by Welch’s t-test.

Results

Our data indicated that HMGB1 and MTDs remarkably upregulated pro-MMP-13 expression in CPCs. Compared with non-CPCs, CPCs expressed significantly more baseline mRNAs of MMP-13, CXCL12, and IL-6. MTDs greatly increased the expression of MMP-13 and IL-6 in CPCs by over 100-fold ( P < 0.001). MTDs also significantly increased IL-8 expression in CPCs to a similar extent ( P < 0.001). However, when IL-1b was present, CPCs expressed less MMP-3 and active MMP-13 proteins as well as less CCL2 and IL-6 than did non-CPCs.

Conclusions

We concluded that CPCs were more sensitive than non-CPCs in response to DAMPs, especially MTDs. The proinflammatory nature of CPCs implied their critical role in the early phase of posttraumatic osteoarthritis development.
Current concept of stress fractures with an additional category of atypical fractures: a perspective review with representative images
Authors: Oh Yoto , Yamamoto Kouhei , Yoshii Toshitaka , Kitagawa Masanobu , Okawa Atsushi
Published: October 2021

Stress fractures have traditionally been classified into three categories: fatigue fractures due to overuse of bone with normal elastic resistance; insufficiency fractures due to everyday physiological stress on fragile bone with poor elastic resistance; and pathologic fractures due to bone weakness involving tumors. The concept of atypical fractures has emerged and is considered a type of stress fracture. However, there has been some inconsistency in interpretation when using the traditional classification of stress fractures, and atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) can potentially be classified into subtypes: “typical” AFFs involving bone turnover suppression due to specific drugs (e.g. bisphosphonates) and fragility fractures of the bowed femoral shaft. In this article, the classification of stress fractures is redefined with the addition of atypical fractures as a fourth category, in which biological activity for fracture healing is absent, to promote consistent understanding and interpretation of clinical conditions involving stress fractures.
Skin Colour in India vis-à-vis Bleaching Syndrome Pathology: Augmenting Social Work Curriculum Content
Authors: Hall Ronald E. , Mishra Neha
Published: October 2021

The issue of skin colour has eluded the Indian social work curriculum as an insignificant matter of trivia. However, despite the fact skin colour remains of Indian cultural and social significance. Subsequently, the skin colour issue is then manifested by the bleaching syndrome in stealth inclusive of gender, health and economics. The dynamics of this manifestation are commensurate with dark-skinned Indians in the Indian society at-large. However, reference to the bleaching syndrome is iconoclastic in the Indian scenario and public acknowledgement of it per skin colour is a cultural taboo. While assessing social work curriculum content in an alien Western context, native Indian criteria such as skin colour are rendered vague. Skin colour variables extending from the various sectors of Indian society are then dismissed from curriculum study as insignificant curriculum content. A viable solution might consider inclusion of the bleaching syndrome per skin colour as required curriculum content in Indian social work education to resolve the problem.
Risk for ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease associated with migraine and migraine medication among older adults
Authors: McKinley Emily C. , Lay Christine L. , Rosenson Robert S. , Chen Ligong , Chia Victoria , Colantonio Lisandro D. , Muntner Paul , Urman Robert , Farkouh Michael E.
Published: October 2021

Background

Migraine has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events among middle-aged adults. The objective of this study was to determine the risk for ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) events among older adults with versus without migraine.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from US adults ≥66 years of age with Medicare health insurance between 2008 and 2017. After stratification by history of CVD, patients with a history of migraine were matched 1:4 to those without a history of migraine, based on calendar year, age, and sex. Patients were followed through December 31, 2017 for ischemic stroke and CHD events including myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization. All analyses were done separately for patients with and without a history of CVD.

Results

Among patients without a history of CVD (n = 109,950 including n = 21,990 with migraine and n = 87,960 without migraine), 1789 had an ischemic stroke and 3552 had a CHD event. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) among patients with versus without migraine was 1.20 (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.07–1.35) for ischemic stroke and 1.02 (95%CI, 0.93–1.11) for CHD events. Compared to patients without migraine, those with migraine who were taking an opioid medication had a higher risk for ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 1.43 [95%CI, 1.20–1.69]), while those taking a triptan had a lower risk for CHD events (adjusted HR 0.79 [95%CI, 0.67–0.93]). Among patients with a history of CVD (n = 79,515 including n = 15,903 with migraine and n = 63,612 without migraine), 2960 had an ischemic stroke and 7981 had a CHD event. The adjusted HRs (95%CI) for ischemic stroke and CHD events associated with migraine were 1.27 (1.17–1.39) and 0.99 (0.93–1.05), respectively. Patients with migraine taking an opioid medication had a higher risk for ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 1.21 [95%CI, 1.07–1.36]), while those taking a triptan had a lower risk for CHD events (adjusted HR 0.83 [95%CI, 0.72–0.95]), each versus those without migraine.

Conclusions

Older adults with migraine are at increased risk for ischemic stroke. The risk for ischemic stroke among older adults with migraine may differ by migraine medication classes.
Role models, compatibility, and knowledge lead to increased evolution acceptance
Authors: Ferguson Daniel G. , Jensen Jamie L.
Published: October 2021

Background

Evolution acceptance is still low in the United States, especially among religious students. Due to low acceptance, researchers have used a wide variety of methods to increase evolution acceptance. Six culturally competent methods for teaching evolution to religious students have been identified, this manuscript looks specifically at the method of reconciliation between religion and evolution. The reconciliation module has been shown to effectively increase evolution acceptance while allowing students to maintain their religious views. However, we lack an understanding of why this method is effective. We measure evolution acceptance and religiosity at eight religiously affiliated institutions in the United States to again measure the effects of a reconciliation model in biology classrooms. This manuscript also attempts to address classroom influences that allowed students to reconcile evolution with their religious beliefs.

Results

Of the eight schools that participated, there were no statistically significant decreases in the religiosity of the students over the semester. Five of the eight institutions had statistically significant increases in their evolution acceptance scores over the semester. We identified three major influences students mentioned as reasons for change towards evolution acceptance: the presence of a role model, discussions on religion and science compatibility, and learning about evolution.

Conclusions

We identified influential practices instructors could integrate into their classrooms to help students better incorporate evolution into their personal views. Having a role model and talking about compatibility between religion and evolution are influential in changing students’ views about evolution. Learning the mechanisms of the theory of evolution is also important in changing students’ views about evolution and might be more impactful when used in conjunction with a role model or a compatibility discussion.
Concatenation of paired-end reads improves taxonomic classification of amplicons for profiling microbial communities
Authors: Dacey Daniel P. , Chain Frédéric J. J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Taxonomic classification of genetic markers for microbiome analysis is affected by the numerous choices made from sample preparation to bioinformatics analysis. Paired-end read merging is routinely used to capture the entire amplicon sequence when the read ends overlap. However, the exclusion of unmerged reads from further analysis can result in underestimating the diversity in the sequenced microbial community and is influenced by bioinformatic processes such as read trimming and the choice of reference database. A potential solution to overcome this is to concatenate (join) reads that do not overlap and keep them for taxonomic classification. The use of concatenated reads can outperform taxonomic recovery from single-end reads, but it remains unclear how their performance compares to merged reads. Using various sequenced mock communities with different amplicons, read length, read depth, taxonomic composition, and sequence quality, we tested how merging and concatenating reads performed for genus recall and precision in bioinformatic pipelines combining different parameters for read trimming and taxonomic classification using different reference databases.

Results

The addition of concatenated reads to merged reads always increased pipeline performance. The top two performing pipelines both included read concatenation, with variable strengths depending on the mock community. The pipeline that combined merged and concatenated reads that were quality-trimmed performed best for mock communities with larger amplicons and higher average quality sequences. The pipeline that used length-trimmed concatenated reads outperformed quality trimming in mock communities with lower quality sequences but lost a significant amount of input sequences for taxonomic classification during processing. Genus level classification was more accurate using the SILVA reference database compared to Greengenes.

Conclusions

Merged sequences with the addition of concatenated sequences that were unable to be merged increased performance of taxonomic classifications. This was especially beneficial in mock communities with larger amplicons. We have shown for the first time, using an in-depth comparison of pipelines containing merged vs concatenated reads combined with different trimming parameters and reference databases, the potential advantages of concatenating sequences in improving resolution in microbiome investigations.
Electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve and its effects on the relationship between corticomuscular coherence and motor control in healthy adults
Authors: Koseki Tadaki , Kudo Daisuke , Katagiri Natsuki , Nanba Shigehiro , Nito Mitsuhiro , Tanabe Shigeo , Yamaguchi Tomofumi
Published: October 2021

Background

Sensory input via neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may contribute to synchronization between motor cortex and spinal motor neurons and motor performance improvement in healthy adults and stroke patients. However, the optimal NMES parameters used to enhance physiological activity and motor performance remain unclear. In this study, we focused on sensory feedback induced by a beta-band frequency NMES (β-NMES) based on corticomuscular coherence (CMC) and investigated the effects of β-NMES on CMC and steady-state of isometric ankle dorsiflexion in healthy volunteers. Twenty-four participants received β-NMES at the peak beta-band CMC or fixed NMES (f-NMES) at 100 Hz on different days. NMES was applied to the right part of the common peroneal nerve for 20 min. The stimulation intensity was 95% of the motor threshold with a pulse width of 1 ms. The beta-band CMC and the coefficient of variation of force (Force CV) were assessed during isometric ankle dorsiflexion for 2 min. In the complementary experiment, we applied β-NMES to 14 participants and assessed beta-band CMC and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) with transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Results

No significant changes in the means of beta-band CMC, Force CV, and MEPs were observed before and after NMES conditions. Changes in beta-band CMC were correlated to (a) changes in Force CV immediately, at 10 min, and at 20 min after β-NMES (all cases, p < 0.05) and (b) changes in MEPs immediately after β-NMES (p = 0.01). No correlations were found after f-NMES.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the sensory input via NMES was inadequate to change the beta-band CMC, corticospinal excitability, and voluntary motor output. Whereas, the β-NMES affects the relationship between changes in beta-band CMC, Force CV, and MEPs. These findings may provide the information to develop NMES parameters for neurorehabilitation in patients with motor dysfunction.
Hydrogen sulfide prevents arterial medial calcification in rats with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Wang Fang-Zheng , Zhou Hong , Wang Hong-Yu , Dai Hang-Bing , Gao Qing , Qian Pei , Zhou Ye-Bo
Published: October 2021

Background

Arterial medial calcification (AMC) is associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Here, we tested whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can prevent AMC in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods

DN was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin and high-fat diet (45% kcal as fat) containing 0.75% adenine in Sprague–Dawley rats for 8 weeks.

Results

Rats with DN displayed obvious calcification in aorta, and this was significantly alleviated by Sodium Hydrosulfide (NaHS, a H2S donor, 50 μmol/kg/day for 8 weeks) treatment through decreasing calcium and phosphorus content, ALP activity and calcium deposition in aorta. Interestingly, the main endogenous H2S generating enzyme activity and protein expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) were largely reduced in the arterial wall of DN rats. Exogenous NaHS treatment restored CSE activity and its expression, inhibited aortic osteogenic transformation by upregulating phenotypic markers of smooth muscle cells SMα-actin and SM22α, and downregulating core binding factor α-1 (Cbfα-1, a key factor for bone formation), protein expressions in rats with DN when compared to the control group. NaHS administration also significantly reduced Stat3 activation, cathepsin S (CAS) activity and TGF-β1 protein level, and improved aortic elastin expression.

Conclusions

H2S may have a clinical significance for treating AMC in people with DN by reducing Stat3 activation, CAS activity, TGF-β1 level and increasing local elastin level.
Fair prioritization of casualties in disaster triage: a qualitative study
Authors: Ghanbari Vahid , Ardalan Ali , Zareiyan Armin , Nejati Amir , Hanfling Dan , Bagheri Alireza , Rostamnia Leili
Published: October 2021

Background

Disasters may result in mass casualties and an imbalance between health care demands and supplies. This imbalance necessitates the prioritization of the victims based on the severity of their condition. Contributing factors and their effect on decision-making is a challenging issue in disaster triage. The present study seeks to address criteria for ethical decision-making in the prioritization of patients in disaster triage.

Methods

This conventional content analysis study was conducted in 2017. Subjects were selected from among Iranian experts using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and were analyzed by the content analysis.

Results

Efficient and effective triage and priority-oriented triage were the main categories. These categories summarized a number of medical and nonmedical factors that should be considered in the prioritization of the victims in disaster triage.

Conclusion

A combination of measures should be considered to maximize the benefits of the prioritization of causalities in disasters. None of these measures alone would suffice to explain all aspects of ethical decision-making in disaster triage. Further investigations are needed to elaborate on these criteria in decision-making.