bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic heterogeneous zone assessed by 18FDG‐PET is predictive of postablation mortality in patients with ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Miller Brian , Vunnam Rama , Mesubi Olurotimi , Smith Mark F. , Chen Wengen , Mahat Jagat Bandhu , Bentzen Soren M. , See Vincent , Restrepo Alejandro , Shorofsky Stephen , Dilsizian Vasken , Dickfeld Timm‐Michael L.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

We sought to study the predictive value of the metabolic heterogeneous zone (HZ) as determined by 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) viability studies in ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients.

Methods

PET studies utilizing 82Rubidium (82Rb) tracer for perfusion and 18FDG tracer for viability were analyzed using PMOD (PMOD Technologies) and further analyzed using 684‐segment plots. 18FDG uptake was normalized to the area with maximal perfusion on the rest 82Rb study. Metabolic scar, HZ, and healthy segments were defined with perfusion‐normalized 18FDG uptake between 0%–50%, 50%–70%, and >70%, respectively.

Results

Thirty‐four VT patients (age, 63 ± 12 years) were evaluated with 18FDG‐PET viability study. Most (n = 31) patients underwent VT ablation. Patients were categorized to HZ < median versus HZ ≥ median based on a median HZ area size of 21.0 cm2. HZ size was significantly larger in the deceased group than the alive group (35.2 cm2 vs. 18.1 cm2, p = .01). Deaths were significantly higher in HZ ≥ 21 cm2 group than HZ < 21 cm2 group (58.8% vs. 11.8%, p = .005). Survival analysis showed significantly higher mortality in the HZ ≥ 21 cm2 group than the HZ < 21 cm2 group (HR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.3–12.6, p = .016). In a multivariable analysis, HZ was found to be an independent predictor for all‐cause mortality (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12, p = .01)

Conclusions

Increased HZ size of myocardium was associated with increased mortality. Metabolic HZ quantification may be of value in risk stratification and management of ischemic and nonischemic patients with VT.
Sperm competition risk affects ejaculate strategy in terms of sperm number but not sperm size in squid
Authors: Iwata Yoko , Sato Noriyosi , Hirohashi Noritaka , Watanabe Yoshiro , Sauer Warwick H. H. , Shaw Paul W.
Published: June 2021

In polygamous species, the mode of sperm storage in females influences evolution of sperm quantitative and qualitative traits because it provides the arena for sperm competition, cryptic female choice and fertilization processes. In this study, we compared ejaculate traits of two squid species, Heterololigo bleekeri and Loligo reynaudii. Both species show dimorphic sperm traits associated with alternative reproductive tactics where consort and sneaker males transfer sperm to different storage sites within a female (on the oviduct and near the mouth, respectively). Due to differences in reproductive behaviours and sperm placement, sperm competition risk is expected to be higher in sneakers than in consorts of both species and higher overall in L. reynaudii. Our results demonstrate that the instantaneous number of released sperm is adjusted to the expected sperm competition risk via an elaborate sperm package. Consort sperm are similar in size; however, sneaker sperm have a significantly longer flagellum in H. bleekeri than in L. reynaudii, most likely due to intra‐tactic conflicts associated with sperm storage conditions. From consideration of the different mating tactics, we suggest that while levels of sperm competition determine quantitative traits, sperm quality traits are determined more by the mode of sperm storage and fertilization.
Using a Harm Reduction Model to Reduce Barriers to Vaccine Administration
Authors: Tharpe Nell L. , McDaniel Linda
Published: June 2021

Vaccination is a strategic public health measure designed to reduce the adverse effects of many infectious diseases. Although national recommendations exist for vaccine administration across the life span, immunization rates are affected by barriers to vaccine access and hesitancy in vaccine acceptance. Midwives and women's health clinicians are optimally poised to assess their client's vaccination status and provide vaccinations during clinical encounters. In order to address client concerns about vaccine safety and administration, each clinician is expected to be knowledgeable about vaccine benefits, recommendations, side effects, and potential adverse reactions. Socioeconomic factors, social policies, and historic and continued experiences related to racism have been identified as barriers to ready access to vaccinations and vaccine acceptance. Midwives can act as leaders within their practice sites and communities through participation in projects that reduce barriers to vaccine access and uptake. Community vaccine outreach programs and relationship‐based care can increase vaccine uptake through improved health literacy and associated behavioral changes including greater vaccine acceptance. This article focuses on identifying barriers to vaccine uptake and describing harm reduction measures designed to improve uptake of vaccines. A variety of leadership activities are discussed that can improve clinicians’ understanding of their role in optimizing vaccination.
Spirituality and religiosity are associated with physical and psychological status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Mendes Nélia Silva , Malaguti Carla , dos Anjos Sena Lucas , Lucchetti Giancarlo , de Jesus Luciana Angélica Silva , Vitorino Luciano Magalhães , Mesquita Rafael , Lee Annemarie Louise , Oliveira Cristino Carneiro
Published: June 2021

Background

Management strategies that incorporate spirituality and religiosity (S/R) have been associated with better health status in clinical populations. However, few data are available for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to improve the traditional disease‐model treatment.

Aims

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between S/R and physical and psychological status in patients with stable COPD.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Religiosity, spiritual well‐being and S/R Coping were measured. Physical status was evaluated with the activity of daily living, dyspnoea and the impact of the disease. Psychological status was assessed with anxiety and depression symptoms and quality of life. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated, multivariate linear regression was applied in the analyses. This study is reported following the STROBE recommendations.

Results

Seventy‐two patients with stable COPD (male 58%, aged 68 ± 9 years, forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) of 49.2 ± 19.6% predicted) were included. There was no association between S/R and activity of daily living. However, higher spiritual well‐being and lower Negative S/R Coping was associated with reduced dyspnoea and burden of the disease. Increased S/R and lower Negative S/R Coping was also associated with less anxiety, depression and better quality of life. Multivariate linear regression showed that S/R variables explained the physical and psychological health status in people with stable COPD. Conclusions: Higher spirituality and less negative S/R Coping are associated with reduced dyspnoea, the burden of the disease, anxiety and depression symptoms, and better quality of life in patients with stable COPD.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding how religiosity and spirituality are associated with physical and psychological features in patients with COPD may contribute to the long‐term management of this patient population.
Screening the risk factors for methamphetamine use in pregnant women not receiving prenatal care
Authors: Saysukanun Piyanuch , Thephamongkhol Kullathorn , Tiengladdawong Pathamaporn , Pooliam Julaporn , Sae Chua Porndara , Inkasung Watcharaporn
Published: June 2021

Objective

To develop a screening tool for the risk factors potentially indicating methamphetamine use in pregnant women who are not receiving prenatal care.

Method

This prospective cohort, Institutional Review Board‐approved study was performed at a university hospital in Thailand between January 2017 and January 2019. A screening tool was developed using data from 125 pregnant women not receiving prenatal care upon their first admission for childbearing at the hospital delivery room. Potential factors obtained from the patient's history, physical examination, and methamphetamine use in pregnancy or had a urine amphetamine test positive were entered into a logistic regression analysis. The discriminative ability of the screening tool was expressed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) sensitivity and specificity, while bootstrapping was used for internal validation.

Results

The screening covered four factors: smoking (odds ratio 7.73, score = 2), drinking (3.81, score = 1), living with a spouse or friend who uses methamphetamine (17.28, score = 3), BP ≥ 130/90 mmHg (2.47, score = 1). The AUROC for the model was 0.87, 95% CI, 0.81–0.93 (SE: 0.03). A total points score ≥3 represented the best cut‐off value, with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 82%. Across the bootstrapping, the C‐statistic for the full screening was 0.86, 95% CI, 0.81–0.93 (SE: 0.03).

Conclusion

A screening tool was developed with an excellent ability to discriminate the risk factors potentially indicating methamphetamine use in pregnant women not receiving prenatal care. Validation in pregnant women receiving prenatal care still needs to be performed.
Mock Impoliteness in Saudi Arabia: Strategies of Evil Cursing
Authors: Alqarni Muteb
Published: June 2021

The current paper explores evil curses in the Bani Buhair tribe, which is located in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. It shows that cursing in Bani Buhair is a well‐constructed speech act that follows linguistic rules and patterns. Buhairi cursers formulate their evil curse constructions by deriving verbs from the consonants of the roots of the preceding words in the discourse. These derivational strategies are of four types: (i) full morphological derivation with full semantics, (ii) full morphological derivation with different semantics, (iii) partial morphological derivation with different semantics, and (iv) full morphological derivation with no semantics. Analyzing the evaluations of these evil curses by cursers, cursees, and two witnesses from the audiences, the paper argues that evil curses are non‐impolite phrases that reinforce solidarity between Buhairi in‐groups. The paper demonstrates that Haugh and Bousfield’s (2012) model of mock impoliteness accommodates evil curses better than the other dominant politeness and impoliteness models, proposed by Brown and Levinson (1987) and Culpeper (1996) respectively.
Securing self‐integrity over time: Self‐affirmation disrupts a negative cycle between psychological threat and academic performance
Authors: Binning Kevin R. , Cook Jonathan E. , Greenaway Valerie Purdie , Garcia Julio , Apfel Nancy , Sherman David K. , Cohen Geoffrey L.
Published: June 2021

Adolescence can be a tumultuous period with numerous threats to self‐integrity. A 3‐year field experiment tested whether repeated affirmations of self‐integrity can help lessen the impact of psychological threat on adolescent (11–14 years old) students’ core course GPA over time. A diverse cohort of students (N = 163) was randomly assigned to a control condition or to an affirmation condition, in which teachers repeatedly administered classroom writing exercises that affirmed students’ personal values. Results showed that affirmation lessened a downward trajectory of GPA over time. In contrast to previous research, this effect occurred among all ethnic groups rather than only among stereotype‐threatened ethnic minority groups. Affirmation did not reduce self‐reported psychological threat, but it severed its relationship with performance: Among control students, psychological threat predicted lower GPA. Among affirmed students, psychological threat was unrelated to performance. Beyond their practical implications, these results make two theoretical contributions. First, affirmation can have broader benefits than those previously documented among negatively stereotyped groups, if timed to co‐occur with different sources of threat that emerge over a long developmental window. Second, the effect of affirmation may not be so much to reduce threat as to disrupt its adverse cognitive and motivational effects.
Ecological, physiological, and biomechanical differences between gametophytes and sporophytes of Chondrus ocellatus (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)1
Authors: Kamiya Mitsunobu , Inoue Naoto , Suzuki Chika , Abe Shin‐ichiro
Published: June 2021

Although variation among habitats in the ratio of gametophytes to sporophytes has been reported in various gigartinacean species, factors controlling the phase ratio remain poorly understood. Over 18 months, we examined the phase ratio of Chondrus ocellatus at three sites: a sheltered intertidal site, Hiruga A; an exposed intertidal site, Hiruga B; and a subtidal site, Shikimi. The mean proportion of gametophytes at Hiruga A (73.1%) was significantly higher than that at Shikimi (51.2%) and Hiruga B (44.7%). Due to a significantly higher water retention ability of the gametophytes, it was expected that the gametophytes would exhibit higher desiccation tolerance. After dehydration treatments, however, neither the photosynthetic rate of vegetative blades nor the survival rate of spores was significantly different between the phases. Measurements of blade strength indicated that the sporophytic blades were less stiff and more flexible, and a culture experiment revealed that the sporophytic germlings showed a significantly higher growth rate. Flexible blades and fast‐growing germlings are considered advantageous for colonizing wave‐swept intertidal habitats, so these properties may have caused the different fluctuation pattern of phase ratio among the sites. The present data demonstrate that biomechanical and physiological differences between the two phases of C. ocellatus make one phase advantageous in certain environmental conditions, and that these differences likely cause an unequal ratio of isomorphic phases.
Pharmacokinetics of neomycin sulfate after intravenous and oral administrations in swine
Authors: Liu Yu , Yang Yuxin , Cao Yuying , Qiu Jicheng , Kong Jingyuan , Zhang Lu , Guo Yanying , Zhang Mingchuan , Cao Xingyuan , Zhang Suxia
Published: June 2021

The aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin, which is used to treat external or internal bacterial infections, is primarily administered in veterinary medicine as a sulfate salt. However, no information is available on the pharmacokinetic characteristics and absolute availability of neomycin sulfate after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administrations in swine. Here, these parameters were studied in swine after i.v. and p.o. doses of single 15 mg/kg body weight doses. The blood samples were assessed using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass/mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) and pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed using a non‐compartmental model. In swine, after the p.o. administration, the elimination half‐life, mean residue time from t0 to the last collection point, mean maximum concentration, mean time to reach maximum concentration and area under concentration–time curve from t0 to the last collection point values were 12.43 ± 7.63 h, 10.25 ± 4.32 h, 0.11 ± 0.07 μg/ml, 1.92 ± 0.97 h and 1.23 ± 0.78 μg·h/ml, respectively, whereas after the i.v. administration, the values were 5.87 ± 1.12 h, 6.07 ± 0.49 h, 15.80 ± 1.32 μg/ml, 0.30 ± 0.38 h and 76.14 ± 3.52 μg·h/ml, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of neomycin sulfate B was 4.84%±0.03.
A preliminary study of the plasma concentrations of orally administered fluconazole in alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Butkiewicz Christine D. , Shubitz Lisa F. , Nix David E.
Published: June 2021

Alpacas residing in the region endemic forCoccidioidesspp. are susceptible to serious, disseminated coccidioidomycosis that may result in death. There is currently no oral antifungal dose recommendation for this species. We used a steady‐state study design to assess the pharmacokinetics of oral generic fluconazole in alpacas dosed q 24 h for 14 days. Cohorts of 2–3 animals received fluconazole from 6 to 15 mg/kg/day, and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed after each group of animals in order to make dose adjustments for the next group. The final three animals were used as confirmation of our dose recommendation. The medianTmaxwas 7 h, and the medianCmaxwas 1.25 µg/ml per mg/kg dose. The mean dose‐normalized 24‐h AUC was 41.7 µg h/ml per mg/kg dose (CV = 72%). Based on these results, we recommend alpacas receive a starting dose of oral fluconazole at 10–15 mg/kg/day based on the fluconazole AUC in humans (313–625 µg h/ml). Testing to ascertain putative therapeutic plasma concentrations and monitoring of serum transaminases should be performed.
Frost hinders the establishment of trees in highland grasslands in the Atlantic Forest ecotone region of southern Brazil
Authors: Araujo Frangipani Marcelo , Cristina Müller Sandra , Anand Madhur
Published: June 2021

Questions

Cold temperatures and freezing may hinder the process of forest expansion in moist climate regions, as predicted by the frost hypothesis. We examined the role of frost on the survival and regrowth of tree saplings under field conditions of open grasslands.

Location

Cambará do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul.

Methods

We established a field experiment protecting one of two groups of saplings of forest species from frost in grassland areas during the winter. We monitored 672 saplings from a total of seven species for 56 days. Saplings were brought back to the laboratory to evaluate regrowth rate and height. Survival curves of the two groups were compared using a Kaplan–Meier estimator. Correlation analysis was undertaken to estimate the relationship between survival and regrowth rate and a variance analysis was used to compare plant height between both groups.

Results

Species respond distinctly to frost incidence, with some not being affected by frost (two gymnosperms andMyrcianthes pungens). Most protected saplings had a higher above‐ground survival rate than unprotected ones (96.4% and 73.2%, respectively). Moreover, saplings that were damaged by frost showed differences in regrowth and height according to species identity, notwithstanding the fact that those from protected plots showed higher regrowth and height (88% and 25.65 cm compared to 68% and 17.15 cm).

Conclusions

Our results showed clear negative effects of frost on the survival rate of aerial parts of saplings during the winter and the regeneration of damaged plants. Species‐specific traits can offer frost resistance; however, together with other disturbances, frost may hinder the establishment of forest trees over grassland areas where frost events are common during the winter.
Are genetic traits associated with riots? The political legacy of prehistorically determined genetic diversity*
Authors: Vu Trung V.
Published: June 2021

This paper establishes that the worldwide distribution of political instability has its deep historical roots in genetic diversity, predetermined over the prehistoric course of the exodus of Homo sapiens from East Africa tens of thousands of years ago. It proposes that the relationship between prehistorically determined genetic diversity and contemporary political instability follows a U‐shaped pattern. More specifically, genetic diversity at first reduces the persistence of political instability by increasing the opportunity cost of engaging in riots and revolts. However, genetically fragmented societies tend to suffer from interpersonal mistrust and the under‐provision of public goods, which plausibly undermine the establishment of politically stable regimes. Using an ancestry‐adjusted index of predicted genetic diversity, this paper consistently finds precise estimates that genetic diversity imparts a U‐shaped influence on different measures of political instability and the probability of observing the occurrence of riots and revolts across 141 countries. Furthermore, the contribution of genetic diversity to political instability is at least partially mediated through income/productivity levels, the provision of public goods, income inequality and social trust.
Comparison of space weathering features in three particles from Itokawa
Authors: Burgess K. D. , Stroud R. M.
Published: June 2021

The return of samples from S‐type asteroid 25143 Itokawa have enabled significant improvements in our understanding of space weathering on asteroids and the link between S‐type asteroids and ordinary chondrites. We report on three new particles, providing details on space weathering of adjacent grains within a particle and several different phases. The features we observe are consistent with formation via irradiation from the solar wind, as opposed to micrometeoroid bombardment. We also see differences in the degree of weathering for grains collected from the two different touchdown locations on the asteroid. Continued analysis of new grains from Itokawa allow us to draw a more complete picture of the variety of space weathering features and the processes that lead to their formation on Itokawa and other airless bodies.
Adaptive divergence despite low effective population size in a peripherally isolated population of the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis
Authors: Byer Nathan W. , Holding Matthew L. , Crowell Miranda M. , Pierson Todd W. , Dilts Thomas E. , Larrucea Eveline S. , Shoemaker Kevin T. , Matocq Marjorie D.
Published: June 2021

Local adaptation can occur when spatially separated populations are subjected to contrasting environmental conditions. Historically, understanding the genetic basis of adaptation has been difficult, but increased availability of genome‐wide markers facilitates studies of local adaptation in non‐model organisms of conservation concern. The pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is an imperiled lagomorph that relies on sagebrush for forage and cover. This reliance has led to widespread population declines following reductions in the distribution of sagebrush, leading to geographic separation between populations. In this study, we used >20,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms, genotype‐environment association methods, and demographic modeling to examine neutral genetic variation and local adaptation in the pygmy rabbit in Nevada and California. We identified 308 loci as outliers, many of which had functional annotations related to metabolism of plant secondary compounds. Likewise, patterns of spatial variation in outlier loci were correlated with landscape and climatic variables including proximity to streams, sagebrush cover, and precipitation. We found that populations in the Mono Basin of California probably diverged from other Great Basin populations during late Pleistocene climate oscillations, and that this region is adaptively differentiated from other regions in the southern Great Basin despite limited gene flow and low effective population size. Our results demonstrate that peripherally isolated populations can maintain adaptive divergence.
The nation as a sociological and historical reality: Nations and nationalism in the thought of Andrzej Walicki (1930–2020)
Authors: Ahmad Piotr
Published: June 2021

This paper focuses on the contribution of a prominent Polish historian of ideas, the late professor Andrzej Walicki (1930–2020) to the field of nation studies, with a view to (re)introducing his work and ideas to the broader Anglophone scholarly audience. Based on new (or otherwise hitherto not widely discussed) material, some of which has not been published in English, the paper examines Walicki's theoretical ideas on the origins and development of nations. The example of the Polish ‘democracy of the gentry’, presented by Walicki as an early example of civic nationalism in Europe is explored in some detail. Finally, the paper traces an outline of Andrzej Walicki's theoretical framework of nation formation, highlighting key aspects of his work in the field.
Association between early worsening of kidney function and poor outcomes in patients treated with renin angiotensin system inhibitors: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yuan Shizhu , Liu Yueming , He Wenfang , Jin Juan , Liu Lin , He Qiang
Published: June 2021

Aim

As renin angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) are widely used in the clinic, early worsening of kidney function (EWKF) after RASi therapy deserves attention, as its clinical significance is unknown. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between EWKF and long‐term outcomes including all‐cause mortality, kidney and cardiovascular events, in all the patients treated with RASi.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane databases for controlled trials that compared the outcomes of patients with and without EWKF after RASi treatment. Our primary outcome was all‐cause mortality, and secondary outcomes were kidney and cardiovascular events. We pooled data using a random effects model.

Results

A total of ten studies were enrolled, of which eight were randomized trials (including 33 454 patients) and two were observational studies (including 148 144 patients). Of the eight randomized trials, 4996 patients with type 2 diabetes, 19 118 with heart failure (HF), and 9340 with atherosclerotic vascular disease and diabetes with end‐organ damage. Both observational studies investigated all kinds of patients with initial RASi treatment. In patients with RASi, the EWKF group had a higher risk of all‐cause mortality than the no‐EWKF group in the randomized studies (n =  13 581; RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.04–1.42; P = .02) and in observational studies (n = 148 144; OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.43–2.01; P < .00001). In patients who experienced EWKF, no statistically significant difference was found between the efficacy of RASi and placebo in all‐cause mortality (n = 1762; RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.68–1.06; P = .14).

Conclusion

RASi treatment led to an increased incidence of EWKF which was associated with poorer long‐term outcomes. As the benefit of RAS blockade to patients with EWKF was limited, we suggest clinicians use RASi with caution when EWKF occurs.
Stigmatization in nursing: Theoretical pathways and implications
Authors: Copeland Darcy
Published: June 2021

Stigmatization of patients exists in nursing and results in less than optimal nursing care and poor patient outcomes. It is also a violation of our code of ethics. In order to eliminate stigmatization from nursing practice, it is necessary to understand how it develops. Two possible theoretical pathways are proposed to explain the development of stigmatization in nursing. These pathways are informed by a conceptual understanding of stigma and theories of professional socialization, professional formation, symbolic interactionism, and social cognitive theory. Re‐labeling and role‐taking and moral disengagement are proposed as two possible processes that may lead to stigmatization of patients. Both proposed pathways have implications on professional socialization, formation, and the development of professional identity. Devoting attention to and reframing normative behavioral expectations, eliminating labeling, developing empathy, focusing on relationships, and cultivating ethical comportment and moral maturity during nursing formation may reduce the stigmatization of patients by nurses.
Combining UAV‐RGB high‐throughput field phenotyping and genome‐wide association study to reveal genetic variation of rice germplasms in dynamic response to drought stress
Authors: Jiang Zhao , Tu Haifu , Bai Baowei , Yang Chenghai , Zhao Biquan , Guo Ziyue , Liu Qian , Zhao Hu , Yang Wanneng , Xiong Lizhong , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2021

Accurate and high‐throughput phenotyping of the dynamic response of a large rice population to drought stress in the field is a bottleneck for genetic dissection and breeding of drought resistance.

Here, high‐efficiency and high‐frequent image acquisition by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was utilized to quantify the dynamic drought response of a rice population under field conditions. Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) and canopy height models were applied to extract highly correlated phenotypic traits including UAV‐based leaf‐rolling score (LRS_uav), plant water content (PWC_uav) and a new composite trait, drought resistance index by UAV (DRI_uav).

The DCNNs achieved high accuracy (correlation coefficient R = 0.84 for modeling set and R = 0.86 for test set) to replace manual leaf‐rolling rating. PWC_uav values were precisely estimated (correlation coefficient R = 0.88) and DRI_uav was modeled to monitor the drought resistance of rice accessions dynamically and comprehensively. A total of 111 significantly associated loci were detected by genome‐wide association study for the three dynamic traits, and 30.6% of them were not detected in previous mapping studies using nondynamic drought response traits.

Unmanned aerial vehicle and deep learning are confirmed effective phenotyping techniques for more complete genetic dissection of rice dynamic responses to drought and exploration of valuable alleles for drought resistance improvement.
Aquatic insect subsidies influence microbial composition and processing of detritus in near‐shore subarctic heathland
Authors: McCary Matthew A. , Kasprzak Madeline D. , Botsch Jamieson C. , Hoekman David , Jackson Randall D. , Gratton Claudio
Published: June 2021

Insects are major conduits of resources moving from aquatic to terrestrial systems. While the ecological impacts of insect subsidies are well documented, the underlying mechanisms by which these resources change recipient ecosystems remain poorly understood. Most subsidy inputs enter terrestrial systems as detritus; thus, soil microbes will likely influence the processing of insect subsidies, with implications for plant community composition and net primary productivity (NPP). In a subarctic ecosystem near Lake Mývatn, Iceland where midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) deposition to land is high, we investigated how insect subsidies affected litter processing and microbial communities. We also evaluated how those belowground effects related to changes in inorganic nitrogen, plant composition and NPP. We simulated subsidies by adding midge carcasses to 1‐m2 heathland plots, where we measured effects on decomposition rates and the plant community. We then studied how fertilization treatments (control, KNO3 and midge‐carcass addition) affected graminoid biomass and inorganic nitrogen in greenhouse experiments. Lastly, we conducted a soil‐incubation study with a phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) to examine how midge addition to heathland soils affected microbial respiration, biomass and composition. We found that midge addition to heathland soils increased litter decomposition and graminoid plant cover by 2.6× and 2×, respectively. Greenhouse experiments revealed similar patterns, with midge carcasses increasing graminoid biomass by at least 2× and NH4+ concentrations by 7×. Our soil‐incubation study found that midge carcasses elevated microbial respiration by 64%, microbial biomass by 43% and shifted microbial functional composition. Our findings indicate that insect subsidies can stimulate soil microbial communities and litter decomposition in subarctic heathlands, leading to increased NPP and changes in plant community composition.
NEOLITHIC ART AT EUROPEAN FLINT EXTRACTION SITES
Authors: Teather Anne , Sørensen Lasse
Published: June 2021

Neolithic flint mines across northern Europe during the transition between the fifth and fourth millennia BC show similarities in their dating, extraction methods and morphology, as do contemporary forms of monumentality such as causewayed enclosures, earthen long barrows and megalithic tombs during this period. Recent research has identified further similarities in the expressions of art motifs within the mines. While certainly found during different excavations, most of these motifs incised in chalk have not been reported on. Following archival analysis, this paper details these similarities in motifs that extend between sites in the UK, Denmark, Belgium and potentially Poland, and perhaps increasingly over time to other, non‐mining, sites. We argue that the practice of flint mining and incising of art motifs may indicate shared specific cultural beliefs at the beginning of the Neolithic in northern Europe that have not been previously recognized.
Maintaining and improving mouth care for care home residents: A participatory research project
Authors: Griffiths Alys Wyn , Devi Reena , Cheetham Biddy , Heaton Lisa , Randle Angela , Ellwood Alison , Douglas Gail V. A. , Csikar Julia , Vinall‐Collier Karen , Wright Judy , Spilsbury Karen
Published: June 2021

Background

Many people residing in nursing or residential care homes (also called long‐term care facilities) live with physical or cognitive difficulties. Staff working in these environments often help residents (particularly those with more advanced dementia) with their personal care needs, including maintaining mouth care and health. Poor oral health is associated with many difficulties, including increased risk of respiratory problems, pain and discomfort. Yet, concerns have been raised that staff may not have the knowledge and skills to effectively support residents with oral care and health. There is therefore an important gap between what is known about the importance of maintaining oral health (scientific evidence) and daily practice in long‐term care environments.

Objectives

To work with care home staff: (1) to create a learning culture to address how to promote mouth care for residents, particularly when a resident resists support with this aspect of care; and (2) to effect mouth care practice changes (if required) using participatory and inclusive research cycles.

Methods and results

We conducted a participatory research project to address this important area of care. Four participatory research ‘cycles’ were conducted. Cycle one explored existing literature to develop accessible guidance on strategies that staff could use to support residents to maintain and improve oral care, particularly when a resident may resist such care. Cycle two built on this review to determine knowledge levels within the care team. This highlighted deficiencies in staff knowledge, skills and competence for providing mouth care and their need for training to address this. Cycle three identified evidence‐based strategies to develop staff understanding and knowledge. Cycle four brought together experts from nursing, dentistry, behaviour change, systematic reviews and care homes research to develop a grant application to progress this work further.

Conclusion

This paper provides an example of the processes undertaken in a participatory research project, bringing together science and practice to improve an essential area of care.

Implications for practice

Using participatory research approaches in this setting can allow the effective translation of uncertainties in care and practice into questions that can be addressed by research, leading to meaningful outcomes for those living and working in care homes.
An experimental investigation of sediment kinematics and multi‐scale propagation for laboratory bed‐load dunes
Authors: Radice Alessio
Published: June 2021

The dynamics of river bedforms is still not well understood and detailed experimental investigation may provide significant insight into the process mechanisms. In this study, results are presented for a laboratory experiment that returned long time series of sediment kinematics for bed‐load dunes. The run was performed in a closed conduit but, in the light of prior literature, the results are also representative of dunes under open‐channel flows. A flow rate of 1.4 times the threshold for sediment transport was used, and the experiment lasted long enough to measure the sediment kinematics for four full dunes. This enabled a stability of mean values to be obtained for the key properties; concentration of moving sediment, sediment velocity and sediment transport rate, that were measured over a Eulerian grid. At a measuring location, all the properties present an oscillation pattern that resembles the passage of the dunes, also including higher‐frequency oscillations (due to the flow turbulence) superimposed onto the low‐frequency ones related to the dunes. The time evolution of the sediment transport rate is more similar to that of the sediment concentration than to that of the sediment velocity, which varies comparatively less. A multi‐scale propagation is demonstrated considering the propagation of the dunes, of the sediment grains, and of quick ‘sediment gusts’ triggered by the flow field. Taking advantage of a Taylor‐like hypothesis, that is assumed to be valid as a first‐order approximation, a mean temporal evolution of the sediment–kinematics properties is determined. Although limited to a single hydro‐dynamic condition, and thus in need of further testing, the present results are of interest for a number of applications, including bedform analysis, live‐bed scour processes, and quantification of sediment transport rates by measuring surrogate quantities.
The novel HLA‐A allele, HLA‐A*68:272, first described in a Brazilian individual
Authors: Vianna Romulo , Lopes Giovanna , Secco Danielle , Santos Angela , Porto Luís Cristóvão
Published: June 2021

The novel HLA‐A*68:272 allele, first described in a potential bone marrow donor from Brazil.
Impact of anti‐anaerobic antibiotic activity on graft‐versus‐host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients at an institution that utilizes antibiotic cycling
Authors: Hanks Christine R. , Slain Douglas , Kanate Abraham S. , Wen Sijin , Cumpston Aaron
Published: June 2021

Background

At our institution, antibiotic cycling for febrile neutropenia is utilized to increase heterogeneity of antibiotic exposure in patients who have undergone an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Development of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) has been associated with low diversity within stool microbiota. To date, discordant outcomes have been reported implicating anti‐anaerobic antibiotic use with the development of aGVHD, and there is currently a lack of published data available in an antibiotic cycled environment. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the rate of aGVHD in patients who receive anti‐anaerobic cycled antibiotics compared with other cycled antibiotics.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study evaluating rates of aGVHD in patients who received antibiotics with anaerobic vs non‐anaerobic coverage post‐allo‐HSCT from January 2008 to January 2018. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess associations with aGVHD. Secondary outcomes include rate of all stages of aGVHD, progression‐free survival, overall survival, 100‐day treatment‐related mortality (TRM), and 1‐year TRM.

Results

A total of 273 patients were included in the study. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except patients who received anti‐anaerobic antibiotics had more unrelated donors (P = .002), were more likely to get myeloablative preparatory regimens (P = .009), had less subtherapeutic calcineurin inhibitor serum concentrations (P = .001), and more often received T‐cell depletion (P = .004). The incidence of grades II–IV aGVHD post‐HSCT in patients who received anti‐anaerobic antibiotics was 32.6% compared with 18.8% in patients who received other antibiotics (P = .015). Multivariable analysis showed that the occurrence of grades II–IV aGVHD was associated with cytomegalovirus reactivation (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.0–4.5, P = .047), unrelated donors (OR = 6.1, 95% CI = 2.3–16.6, P < .001), and use of anti‐anaerobic antibiotics (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1–4.8, P = .021). A 100‐day TRM in patients who received anti‐anaerobic antibiotics was 9.6% compared with 3.6% in patients who received other antibiotics (P = .046). One‐year TRM in patients who received anti‐anaerobic antibiotics was 25.2% compared with 13.8% in patients who received other antibiotics (P = .017). There was no statistically significant difference seen between groups in progression free survival or overall survival.

Conclusion

Variability in baseline characteristics limits ability to make strong conclusions, but patients who received antibiotics with anaerobic coverage during the first 30 days after an allogeneic HSCT appeared to be at an increased risk of developing aGVHD and TRM. Larger well‐controlled trials are warranted to further clarify these relationships.
The Value of Statistical Learning to Cognitive Network Science
Authors: Karuza Elisabeth A.
Published: June 2021

To study the human mind is to consider the nature of associations—how are they learned, what are their constituent parts, and how can they be severed or adjusted? The manipulation of associations stands as a pillar of statistical learning (SL) research, which strongly suggests that processes as diverse as word segmentation, learning of grammatical patterns, and event perception can be explained by the learner's sensitivity to simple temporal dependencies (among other regularities). Used to determine the edges of a network, associations are similarly crucial to consider when quantifying the graph‐theoretical properties of various cognitive systems. With this point of convergence in mind, the present work reaffirms the unique value of network science in illuminating the broad‐level architectures of complex cognitive systems. However, I also describe how insights from the SL literature, coupled with insights from psycholinguistics more broadly, offer a strong theoretical backbone upon which we can develop and study networks that reflect, as closely as possible, the psychological realities of learning.
BAHD acetyltransferase contributes to wound‐induced biosynthesis of oleo‐gum resin triterpenes in Boswellia
Authors: Kumar Aashish , Srivastava Payal , Srivastava Gaurav , Sandeep  , Kumar Narendra , Chanotiya Chandan S. , Ghosh Sumit
Published: June 2021

Triterpenes (30‐carbon isoprene compounds) represent a large and highly diverse class of natural products that play various physiological functions in plants. The triterpene biosynthetic enzymes, particularly those catalyzing the late‐stage regio‐selective modifications are not well characterized. The bark of select Boswellia trees, e.g., B. serrata exudes specialized oleo‐gum resin in response to wounding, which is enriched with boswellic acids (BAs), a unique class of C3α‐epimeric pentacyclic triterpenes with medicinal properties. The bark possesses a network of resin secretory structures comprised of vertical and horizontal resin canals, and amount of BAs in bark increases considerably in response to wounding. To investigate BA biosynthetic enzymes, we conducted tissue‐specific transcriptome profiling and identified a wound‐responsive BAHD acetyltransferase (BsAT1) of B. serrata catalyzing the late‐stage C3α‐O‐acetylation reactions in the BA biosynthetic pathway. BsAT1 catalyzed C3α‐O‐acetylation of αBA, βBA, and 11‐keto‐βBA in vitro and in planta assays to produce all the major C3α‐O‐acetyl‐BAs (3‐acetyl‐αBA, 3‐acetyl‐βBA, and 3‐acetyl‐11‐keto‐βBA) found in B. serrata bark and oleo‐gum resin. BsAT1 showed strict specificity for BA scaffold, whereas it did not acetylate the more common C3β‐epimeric pentacyclic triterpenes. The analysis of steady‐state kinetics using various BAs revealed distinct substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency. BsAT1 transcript expression coincides with increased levels of C3α‐O‐acetyl‐BAs in bark in response to wounding, suggesting a role of BsAT1 in wound‐induced biosynthesis of C3α‐O‐acetyl‐BAs. Overall, the results provide new insights into the biosynthesis of principal chemical constituents of Boswellia oleo‐gum resin.
An entirely reverse-engineered finite element model of a classical guitar in comparison with experimental data
Authors: Brauchler Alexander , Ziegler Pascal , Eberhard Peter
Published: June 2021

The classical guitar is a popular string instrument in which the sound results from a coupled mechanical process. The oscillation of the plucked strings is transferred through the bridge to the body, which acts as an amplifier to radiate the sound. In this contribution, a procedure to create a numerical finite element (FE) model of a classical guitar with the help of experimental data is presented. The geometry of the guitar is reverse-engineered from computed tomography scans to a very high level of detail, and care is taken in including all necessary physical influences. All of the five different types of wood used in the guitar are modeled with their corresponding orthotropic material characteristics, and the fluid-structure interaction between the guitar body and the enclosed air is taken into account by discretizing the air volume inside the guitar with FEs in addition to the discretization of the structural parts. Besides the numerical model, an experimental setup is proposed to identify the modal parameters of a guitar. The procedure concludes with determining reasonable material properties for the numerical model using experimental data. The quality of the resulting model is demonstrated by comparing the numerically calculated and experimentally identified modal parameters.
Computational study on aeroacoustic fields of a transitional supersonic jet
Authors: Nonomura Taku , Ozawa Yuta , Abe Yoshiaki , Fujii Kozo
Published: June 2021

Aeroacoustic fields of a supersonic free jet at the Mach and Reynolds numbers of 2.1 and 70 000, respectively, of the transitional conditions are computationally investigated by large-eddy simulations. The supersonic transitional jets of different shear layer thicknesses without disturbances and those of the fixed shear layer thickness with disturbances are computationally investigated, and the effects of the shear layer thickness and the disturbance are discussed. The position of the transition and the turbulence intensity in the vicinity of the transition are clearly affected by those parameters. The turbulent fluctuation along the shear layer and the resulting intensity of the generated Mach waves are substantially attenuated by decreasing the shear layer thickness or adding the disturbance. A 5 dB increase in the sound pressure level is observed. This relatively lower increment in the sound pressure level compared with the 10–20 dB increase in the subsonic jet case is discussed as being due to the transition process promoted by the spiral mode in the supersonic jet case, unlike the axisymmetric case in the subsonic jet case. This point is confirmed by the linear stability analysis, the proper orthogonal decomposition analysis, and the visualization of vortex structures in the transition region.
Parametric spatial post-filtering utilising high-order circular harmonics with applications to underwater sound-field visualisation
Authors: Bountourakis Vasileios , McCormack Leo , Winberg Mathias , Pulkki Ville
Published: June 2021

Beamforming using a circular array of hydrophones may be employed for the task of two-dimensional (2D) underwater sound-field visualisation. In this article, a parametric spatial post-filtering method is proposed, which is specifically intended for applications involving large circular arrays and aims to improve the spatial selectivity of traditional beamformers. In essence, the proposed method is a reformulation of the cross-pattern coherence (CroPaC) spatial post-filter, which involves calculating the normalised cross-spectral density between two signals originating from coincident beamformers. The resulting parameter may be used to sharpen another beamformer steered in the same look-direction, while attenuating ambient noise and interferers from other directions. However, while the original 2D version of the algorithm has been demonstrated to work well with second-order circular harmonic input, it becomes increasingly less suitable with increasing input order. Therefore, the proposed reformulation extends the applicability of CroPaC for much higher orders of circular harmonic input. The method is evaluated with simulated data of a 96-channel circular hydrophone array in three different passive sonar scenarios, where the proposed post-filter is shown to improve the spatial selectivity of both delay-and-sum and minimum-variance distortionless response beamformers.