bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immigration credit of temperate forest herbs in fragmented landscapes—Implications for restoration of habitat connectivity
Authors: Brunet Jörg , Hedwall Per‐Ola , Lindgren Jessica , Cousins Sara A. O.
Published: August 2021

In many agricultural landscapes, it is important to restore networks of forests to provide habitat and stepping stones for forest specialist taxa. More knowledge is, however, needed on how to facilitate the immigration of such taxa in restored forest patches. Here, we present the first chronosequence study to quantify the dynamics of immigration credits of forest specialist plants in post‐arable forest patches.

We studied the distribution of herbaceous forest specialist plant species in 54 post‐arable broadleaved forest patches along gradients of age (20–140 years since forest establishment), distance from ancient forest (0–2,600 m) and patch area (0.5–9.6 ha). With linear mixed models, we estimated the effects of these factors on species richness, patch means of four dispersal‐related plant traits and with generalized linear models on the occurrence of 20 individual species.

Post‐arable forest patch age and spatial isolation from ancient forest, but not patch size, were important predictors for species richness of forest specialists, suggesting that also small patches are valuable for habitat connectivity. Compared to species richness in ancient forest stands, the immigration credit was reduced by more than 90% after 80 years in post‐arable forest patches contiguous to ancient forest compared to 40% after 80 years and 60% after 140 years in isolated patches (at least 100 m to next forest). Tall‐growing species with adaptations to long‐distance dispersal were faster colonizers, whereas species with heavy diaspores and clonal growth were slower to colonize.

Synthesis and applications. We show that post‐arable oak plantations have a high potential for restoration of forest herb vegetation. Dispersal‐related plant traits play a key role in explaining interspecific differences among forest specialists. To facilitate forest herb immigration across all functional groups in agricultural landscapes, we suggest to create clusters of relatively small new forest patches nearby older forest with source populations.
Preferred policy options to assist post‐COVID‐19 mental health recovery: A population study
Authors: Hammarberg Karin , Tran Thach , Kirkman Maggie , Rowe Heather , Fisher Jane
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to gauge the opinions of people in Australia about policies to help them recover from the consequences of COVID‐19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. An anonymous online survey of people aged 18 years and older in Australia was available from 1 July to 31 August 2020. It included 16 proposed policies which respondents rated as ‘Not at all helpful’, ‘Somewhat helpful’, or ‘Very helpful’ in assisting them recover from the COVID‐19 restrictions. In all, 9220 people completed the survey. The most endorsed policy was ‘To have a publicly available plan about management of future pandemics’ which was rated as ‘very helpful’ by 46.1% of respondents. Four other policies were rated as ‘very helpful’ by more than 30% of respondents: two related to mental health support, one to individual financial support for living expenses, and one to support for community organisations. Government preparedness for future pandemics and support for mental health, individual finance, and community organisations should be policy priorities in the post‐COVID‐19 recovery phase. The findings can guide policy development to support people in Australia as they recover from COVID‐19 and the restrictions that have been imposed to control its spread.
‘Alienable’ Possession in Biakic
Authors: Bach Xavier Cédric Alain
Published: August 2021

Alienable possessive constructions in Biakic stand out with respect to the South Halmahera‐West New Guinea language family to which they belong. This article investigates the origins of the innovative alienable possessive forms in Biakic, which constitutes an example of grammaticalization from predicative to attributive possession. It describes the marking of alienable possession for each of the four Biakic languages, examining the form of the markers, their position with respect to the possessum, and the relative order of possessor and possessed, before examining previous analyses of those markers. Object relative clauses in Biakic are compared with possessive markers, concluding that the possessive markers arose from the grammaticalization of an object relative clause. Finally the remaining problem of possessive markers in Meoswar is examined.
Eric Sevareid and the Emotional Registers of Liberal Masculinity
Authors: LeMahieu D. L.
Published: August 2021

A major broadcaster on both radio and television, Eric Sevareid published a memoir of his youth and wartime experiences in 1946. Not So Wild a Dream devoted considerable attention to the complicated emotional registers of male identity. The tensions between physical and mental labour, the revelation or concealment of personal feelings and the relationship between individual autonomy and community responsibility suffused Sevareid's recollections of youth and early manhood. The situational quality of his masculinity and the confessional imperative of his life writing contributes to the complex hermeneutics and intersectionalities of gender and history.
Evaluation of agricultural investment environment in countries around the Black Sea under the background of The Belt and Road
Authors: Chen Qiyong , Chen Shiyu , Shi Changfeng , Pang Qinghua , Li Ang
Published: August 2021

The stable development of agriculture is of great significance to alleviate the problem of food insecurity. As a significant yield zone along the Belt and Road Initiative, the Black Sea area is an ideal object for China to invest in agriculture. Therefore, it is particularly important to evaluate the agricultural investment environment in this region reasonably and effectively. This paper selects the countries around the Black Sea as the research objects and uses an Entropy‐ technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) model to analyse the agricultural investment environment and its influencing factors. The results show that: (a) There are significant differences in the agricultural investment environment among the six countries around the Black Sea, ranking as follows: Russia(0.5583) > Bulgaria(0.4782) > Georgia(0.4072) > Ukraine(0.3539) > Turkey(0.3493) > Romania(0.3167); (b) in primary indexes, agricultural production conditions, political environment, and social development have a relatively large impact, among which agricultural production is the most important factor; (c) among the secondary indexes, human capital index and railway (total kilometres) have high levels of impact. Unemployment rate, inflation rate and employment in agriculture (% of total employment) also have a significant impact. On this basis, suggestions are put forward according to the research results.
Neuronal architecture and functional mapping of the taste center of larval Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Sun Long‐Long , Liu Xiao‐Lan , Wang Ya‐Nan , Berg Bente G. , Xie Gui‐Ying , Chen Wen‐Bo , Liu Yang , Wang Gui‐Rong , Zhao Xin‐Cheng , Tang Qing‐Bo
Published: August 2021

The sense of taste plays a crucial role in herbivorous insects by discriminating nutrients from complex plant metabolic compounds. The peripheral coding of taste has been thoroughly studied in many insect species, but the central gustatory pathways are poorly described. In the present study, we characterized single neurons in the gnathal ganglion of Helicoverpa armigera larvae using the intracellular recording/staining technique. We identified different types of neurons, including sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. The morphologies of these neurons were largely diverse and their arborizations seemingly covered the whole gnathal ganglion. The representation of the single neurons responding to the relevant stimuli of sweet and bitter cues showed no distinct patterns in the gnathal ganglion. We postulate that taste signals may be processed in a manner consistent with the principle of population coding in the gnathal ganglion of H. armigera larvae.
Gestational hyperglycemia and the risk of cardiovascular diseases among elderly Chinese women: Findings from the REACTION study
Authors: Hu Chunyan , Zhang Yi , Lin Lin , Wang Shuangyuan , Du Rui , Zhang Jie , Qi Hongyan , Li Mian , Zhu Yuanyue , Huo Yanan , Wan Qin , Qin Yingfen , Hu Ruying , Shi Lixin , Su Qing , Yu Xuefeng , Yan Li , Qin Guijun , Tang Xulei , Chen Gang , Xu Min , Xu Yu , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Gao Zhengnan , Wang Guixia , Shen Feixia , Luo Zuojie , Chen Li , Li Qiang , Ye Zhen , Zhang Yinfei , Liu Chao , Wang Youmin , Wu Shengli , Yang Tao , Deng Huacong , Chen Lulu , Zeng Tianshu , Zhao Jiajun , Mu Yiming , Bi Yufang , Wang Weiqing , Chen Yuhong , Lu Jieli , Ning Guang
Published: August 2021

Background

Gestational hyperglycemia increases the risk of diabetes in later life. However, the risk of future cardiovascular diseases (CVD) related to gestational hyperglycemia remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of gestational hyperglycemia on the subsequent risk of CVD and its modifying factors among elderly Chinese women.

Methods

We conducted a case‐control study of elderly women from the baseline survey of Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: a lONgitudinal (REACTION) study. Women with gestational hyperglycemia (n = 82), and controls matched by age and study site (n = 410) were included. Information on CVD, including reported coronary heart disease, stroke, or myocardial infarction, was collected through an interviewer‐assisted questionnaire.

Results

Women with gestational hyperglycemia were more likely to develop diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50‐4.18) and CVD (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.05‐3.74). Even without progressing to type 2 diabetes, gestational hyperglycemia was associated with an increased risk of CVD (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.18‐7.00). However, subgroup analysis indicated that compared with those without gestational hyperglycemia or hypertension, women with both gestational hyperglycemia and hypertension had higher risk of CVD (OR, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.65‐9.58), whereas the risk estimate did not significantly change in women with gestational hyperglycemia alone (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 0.71‐6.57). Stratified analysis indicated that among those with overweight/obesity, inactive physical activity, or unhealthy dietary habits, gestational hyperglycemia increased the risk of CVD.

Conclusions

In elderly Chinese women, gestational hyperglycemia was associated with an increased risk of CVD in later life. This association was independent of the progression to diabetes and might be modified by lifestyle factors and hypertension.
Long noncoding RNA ZBED3‐AS1 restrains breast cancer progression by targeting the microRNA‐513a‐5p/KLF6 axis
Authors: Fu Aiqin , Yu Ze , Zhang Enning , Song Jijie
Published: August 2021

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly occurring malignancy in women. This study aimed to investigate the functions of the long noncoding RNA ZBED3‐AS1 (ZBED3‐AS1) in BC and its molecular mechanisms. qRT‐PCR was conducted to access the expression of ZBED3‐AS1, microRNA‐513a‐5p (miR‐513a‐5p), and Kruppel like factor 6 (KLF6) in BC. Additionally, BC cell viability and proliferative capacity were measured by MTT and 5‐Ethynyl‐20‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. A transwell assay was used for evaluating BC cell migration and invasion. The interactions among ZBED3‐AS1, miR‐513a‐5p, and KLF6 in BC were confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, feedback approaches were performed to determine whether ZBED3‐AS1 influences BC cell behaviors by regulating the miR‐513a‐5p/KLF6 axis. The murine xenograft model was established to assess the effect of ZBED3‐AS1 on tumor growth. The expression of ZBED3‐AS1 and KLF6 was reduced, while miR‐513a‐5p expression was elevated in BC. ZBED3‐AS1 elevation attenuated the malignant behaviors of BC cells, including viability, proliferative capacity, migration, and invasion. Mechanical experiments revealed that ZBED3‐AS1 targeted miR‐513a‐5p, and miR‐513a‐5p targeted KLF6 in BC. Feedback approaches validated that miR‐513a‐5p overexpression or KLF6 depletion reversed the inhibitory effects of ZBED3‐AS1 upregulation on viability, proliferative capacity, migration, and invasion of BC cells. Furthermore, ZBED3‐AS1 elevation attenuated the tumor growth in the murine xenograft model. ZBED3‐AS1 hindered the malignant development of BC cells by regulating the miR‐513a‐5p/KLF6 axis, providing a novel therapeutic target in BC.
Changes in ALFF and ReHo values in methamphetamine abstinent individuals based on the Harvard‐Oxford atlas: A longitudinal resting‐state fMRI study
Authors: Du Yanyao , Yang Wenhan , Zhang Jun , Liu Jun
Published: August 2021

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse has become a global public health problem due to damage to various systems throughout the body, especially the central nervous system. However, the differences in resting‐state brain function between short‐term and long‐term abstinence, the pros and cons of treatments, and the relationship between resting‐state brain function and behavioral tests are unknown. Sixty‐three MA abstinent individuals were followed up for nearly 1 year and treated with three different methods. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) based on the Harvard‐Oxford atlas (HOA) were measured by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Impulsivity was evaluated by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale‐11 (BIS‐11). Brain regions with significant increases in ALFF and ReHo values in the long‐term abstinent group compared to the short‐term abstinent group were around the right frontal pole (McKetin et al., 2012, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03933.x) and right middle frontal gyrus (Wang et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133431). There were no significant differences among the three groups that experienced long‐term abstinence. The changes in ALFF and ReHo in the right middle frontal gyrus were significantly associated with BIS total scores, BIS attention scores, and BIS nonplanning scores. The right middle frontal gyrus is a critical region in MA long‐term abstinent individuals exposed to therapeutic intervention, and this region may be useful, when combined with BIS‐11, as a potential biomarker to identify the effect of abstinence with therapeutic intervention in MA individuals.
Al‐Anon Intensive Referral to facilitate concerned others’ participation in Al‐Anon Family Groups: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Timko Christine , Grant Kathleen M. , Han Xiaotong , Young Lance Brendan , Cucciare Michael A.
Published: August 2021

Aims

To test the effectiveness of an intervention, Al‐Anon Intensive Referral (AIR), to facilitate participation in Al‐Anon Family Groups (Al‐Anon).

Design, Setting and Participants

Multi‐site, randomized controlled trial of AIR versus usual care (UC), with follow‐up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months. The 12‐month follow‐up rate was 74%. Residential alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment programs in three US locations. Concerned others (COs) of patients in treatment for AUD. COs were mainly women (77%) who were patients’ spouses (33%) or parents (25%).

Intervention and Comparator

AIR (n = 128) consisted of four sessions over 3 months with an Al‐Anon coach. UC (n = 151) was the treatment program’s offer of educational sessions for COs.

Measurements

Primary outcome: COs’ self‐reports of any Al‐Anon attendance (yes or no) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes: number of Al‐Anon meetings and the CO–patient relationship (stressors, resources). Potential predictors of outcomes examined in generalized linear mixed models were their baseline value, time, CO–patient relationship type (marital or non‐marital), treatment program and condition.

Findings

There was no effect of condition for the primary outcome (28% in AIR, 21% in UC; Bayes factor = 1.86). Relationship stressors at follow‐ups were more severe for COs in a marital relationship with the patient than for COs in a non‐marital relationship [β = 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07, 3.32]. For CO–patient relationship resources at follow‐ups, the main effect for condition was significant (β = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.04, 2.61). COs assigned to the AIR condition had more resources than COs who were in the UC condition.

Conclusions

Relative to usual care, Al‐Anon Intensive Referral was not associated with increases in participation of concerned others in Al‐Anon, but was associated with more resources in the concerned other–patient relationship.
Use of peritoneum in neovagina construction in gender‐affirming surgery: A systematic review
Authors: Tay Yu Ting , Lo Cheng Hean
Published: August 2021

Background

Gender dysphoria is defined as discomfort or distress that is caused by a discrepancy between a person's gender identity and that person's sex assigned at birth. The main objective of this study was to review the application, efficacy and outcomes of a novel surgical technique, peritoneal pull‐through technique vaginoplasty, in gender‐affirming surgery. Specific outcome parameters include (1) healing time (2) depth of cavity achieved (3) alleviation of dysphoria (4) morbidity of the surgery.

Methods

This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement and PROSPERO registration obtained prior to commencement (PROSPERO CRD42020206736). A search was performed in OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Willey Online Library and PubMed. Specialty‐related journals, grey literature and reference lists of relevant articles were manually searched.

Results

From 476 potentially relevant articles, 12 articles were analysed. The publications were all level 4 or level 5 evidence. Healing times were poorly reported or often not mentioned. Eight authors reported neovagina cavity depth of at least 13 cm and good patient satisfaction. Alleviation of dysphoria was not discussed by any of the publications and only six reported complications. Average follow up reported ranged from 6 weeks to 14.8 months.

Conclusion

The application of peritoneal pull‐through vaginoplasty in gender‐affirming surgery is promising and novel. However, there is a paucity of data. Further research and longer‐term data are required to assess the efficacy and safety of this technique. Patients seeking this surgery overseas should be informed of the potential difficulties they may face.
The morbidity associated with paediatric burn wound escharotomies
Authors: Davenport Lisa M. , Cuttle Leila , McBride Craig A. , Kimble Roy
Published: August 2021

Introduction

An escharotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the rapid decompression of a constricting and unyielding eschar, to permit restoration of blood flow. However, an escharotomy is also a full‐thickness incision, which adds additional scarring to the burn injury area. The cosmetic and functional morbidity of escharotomy scarring in children is poorly characterised.

Methods

Children who required a burn wound escharotomy at the Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) between May 2011 and May 2020 were included. Demographics of these children were described. In addition, the number of operations for revision of escharotomy scars was recorded as an indicator of functional or cosmetic concern.

Results

A total of 19 patients required an escharotomy after a burn injury. Children with 1% to 96% TBSA burns required an escharotomy, with a median of 28% (IQR 10–39%) TBSA. Two patients (81% and 96% TBSA) died. Seventy‐one percent (12/17) of survivors had operative revisions of their escharotomy scars. The median time from burn to first scar intervention was 35 weeks (IQR 19–70 weeks).

Conclusion

There is substantial morbidity associated with escharotomies in children. Further investigation of the current methods of decompression after burn injury, and the long‐term morbidity of escharotomy, is required.
Local recurrence with intersphincteric resection in adverse histology rectal cancers. A retrospective study with competing risk analysis
Authors: Desouza Ashwin L. , Kazi Mufaddal , Verma Kamlesh , Sugoor Pavan , Mahendra Balu K. , Saklani Avanish P.
Published: August 2021

Background

The safety of inter‐sphincteric resection (ISR) for low rectal cancer with adverse histologic subtypes has been incompletely studied. The present study aims at determining the risk of local recurrence with this procedure in poorly differentiated and signet ring cell (PDSR) adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Retrospective analysis from a single tertiary cancer centre of non‐metastatic primary rectal cancer <6 cm from the anal verge that underwent ISR. Competing risk analysis and sub‐distribution hazard ratios for local recurrence free survivals were calculated to determine factors that influenced local recurrence with the competing risk of death from any cause to overcome the exceeding risk of distant metastasis associated with adverse histologic types.

Results

One hundred forty‐two patients underwent ISR and 22.6% has PDSR histology. At a median follow up of 61 months, 15.6% of the PDSR cohort developed local recurrence (five patients) compared to 11.7% in the non‐PDSR group. PDSR histology influenced overall and disease free survival but not local recurrence on cox regression. On competing risk analysis, only ypT stage ≥3 predicted worse local recurrence free survival and not histology.

Conclusions

The presence of PDSR histology did not increase the risk of local recurrence after ISR in this retrospective competing risk analysis.
Bacterial infections of the oropharynx and deep neck spaces: an investigation of changes in presentation patterns during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Toppi Jason , Hughes Jed , Phillips Damien
Published: August 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in practice during the COVID‐19 pandemic altered clinical presentation characteristics among adults with bacterial throat infections.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included adult patients presenting with bacterial oropharyngeal infections to a tertiary level hospital in Melbourne, Australia. All patients presenting during the first phase of COVID‐19 lockdown in Melbourne (1st April– 1st July in 2020), and those from the same period 12‐months prior, were included.

Results

There were fewer presentations of bacterial throat infections during the pandemic period compared to the same time 1 year prior. There was a significantly reduced proportion of patients on oral antibiotics prior to their presentation in 2020, as compared to the same period 12‐months earlier (30% vs. 50%, respectively; P < 0.01), as well as a significant increase in the length of time patients were symptomatic before presenting to hospital (5 days vs. 4 days, respectively; P < 0.01). Despite this, there was no significant increase in the number of representations post discharge from hospital, or the length of hospital admission.

Conclusion

The overall number of patients presenting with tonsillitis, pharyngitis, peritonsillar abscess and deep neck space infection were reduced during the pandemic period. Patients experienced symptoms for a longer period of time and fewer were on antimicrobial therapy prior to presentation. This study highlights a shift towards delayed patient presentation and reduced oral antibiotic commencement in cases of oropharyngeal infections as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Risk of post colonoscopy colorectal cancer following screening colonoscopy with low‐risk or no adenomas: A population‐based study
Authors: Nielsen Jesper Clausen , Ploug Magnus , Baatrup Gunnar , Kroijer Rasmus
Published: August 2021

Aim

In the Danish faecal occult blood test based bowel cancer screening programme, the first round was rolled out over 4 years. After roll‐out, the planned faecal test recall procedure for individuals with either no or low risk adenomas at colonoscopy is 8 and 2 years, respectively. Here, we aimed to investigate the post colonoscopy colorectal cancer incidence in these two groups.

Methods

All Danish screening individuals from 2014 to 2015 with a positive faecal test and either no or low risk adenomas at colonoscopy were included and followed for 3 years post screening for the event of colorectal cancer through national registries.

Results

Out of 533,023 submitted faecal tests and 36,673 positive tests, 17,627 had no or low risk adenomas. We identified 60 (0.34%) individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer within 3 years, 18 (0.29%) in the low risk adenoma group, and 42 (0.37%) in the no adenomas group (p = 0.44). Advancing age (HR = 1.079, p < 0.001) and higher faecal test value (HR = 1.001, p = 0.002) increased hazard of colorectal cancer occurrence, whereas male sex (HR = 1.3, p = 0.308) and having low risk adenomas (HR = 0.729, p = 0.264) did not.

Conclusion

We found no difference in post colonoscopy colorectal cancer occurrence between individuals with either no or low risk adenomas. Instead, advancing age and increased faecal test value was associated with a higher risk of post colonoscopy colorectal cancer.
Smartphone adapter time trial analysis: A low‐cost, time‐efficient method to disseminate quality photomicrographs at the microscope
Authors: DaCunha Matthew , Buntinx Tal , Hinds Brian
Published: August 2021

Background

Within the field of pathology there is a need for a uniform low‐cost option for securing high‐quality photomicrographs. Advances in smartphone photography and 3D‐printing technology allow for custom adapters to be designed for the purpose of photomicrograph capture.

Methods

Photomicrograph acquisition was performed using four core modalities: a novel 3D‐printed smartphone‐to‐microscope adapter, freehand smartphone‐to‐microscope technique, a commercial adaptor (LabCam Pro), and a microscope‐mounted digital camera. Eight skin diagnoses were photographed using each of the modalities and time to image capture was measured. The photomicrographs were blindly reviewed by two academic dermatopathologists and one pathologist using a side‐by‐side comparison technique to determine the image quality. Cost assessments were evaluated by obtaining free pricing information on manufacturer websites.

Results

The 3D‐printed adapter was the most efficient method of capturing a high‐quality photomicrograph in addition to being budget neutral. The microscope‐mounted camera produced the highest quality photomicrographs followed by the 3D‐printed adapter.

Conclusions

The 3D‐printed smartphone‐to‐microscope adapter offers a low‐cost, time‐efficient method of capturing high‐quality photomicrographs.
Customers know best: Pricing policies for products with heterogeneous quality
Authors: Akçay Yalçın , Karaesmen Fikri
Published: August 2021

This article studies the pricing problem of a seller given an initial inventory of products with heterogeneous quality, facing uncertain customer arrivals over a finite selling season. We consider various regimes depending on whether the seller inspects the inventory to assess the quality levels of the products, and whether customers examine the inventory themselves and pick their specific item of choice among the available products. We formulate the problem under each regime as a stochastic optimization model which maximizes the seller's expected profits, capturing the salient problem features such as stochastic customer arrivals, customers' choice behavior, and uncertain product qualities. As obtaining closed‐form solutions or structural properties for the optimal prices is quite difficult, we explore the full information solution to the problem as an upper bound, as well as solution approaches that approximate some key problem characteristics. Finally, we substantiate our results through an extensive numerical study, focusing on the performance of the proposed pricing policies and approximations.
A rare case report of teen‐onset pica in a female patient with a clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Fekih‐Romdhane Feten , Cheour Majda
Published: August 2021

Aim

We aimed to further elucidate the under‐researched, underdiagnosed and misunderstood comorbid pica in the context of psychosis.

Method

We report a case of teen‐onset plastophagia in an antipsychotic‐naïve girl at ultra‐high risk (UHR) for psychosis.

Results

HA is a 17‐year‐old unmarried girl who had a history of good premorbid functioning, no personal psychiatric history and an uncle with schizophrenia. She was referred to our psychiatry department with the complaint of having the habit of eating plastic for about 2 years. A thorough clinical history revealed that she developed, since more than a year, difficulty in school and interpersonal functioning. After clinical evaluation, a diagnosis of UHR with major depressive disorder, iron deficiency anaemia and pica was made.

Conclusion

We draw attention to the possibility of an overlap between the pathogenesis of pica and psychosis, and we highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management of both pica and UHR since they can lead to serious medical and mental consequences.
ON FINDING AND FABRICATING: MEMORY AND FAMILY HISTORY IN KATJA PETROWSKAJA'S VIELLEICHT ESTHER
Authors: ROHR SUSANNE
Published: August 2021

This article argues that Katja Petrowskaja's award‐winning text, Vielleicht Esther (2014), brings a hyper‐local concept of family history to the debate on transnational memory. While the text documents the quest of the narrator for lost or forgotten parts of the life stories of family members who perished in the Holocaust, it also takes liberties by consciously moving beyond the conventional limits for narrativising family history. The imaginative techniques the narrator uses in framing and expanding the various stories are rooted in the narratives of transnational Holocaust memory, and the same applies to the narrator's framing of her own experiences during the search. This particular form of interweaving documentation and inventing situates Vielleicht Esther within a globalised transnational and trans‐generational locus of consciousness which the narrator herself inhabits. The text thus gives voice to the so‐called ‘third generation of survivors’. As a representative of this generation, the narrator thoughtfully exercises her right to participate in a discussion on the question of whether children or grandchildren of survivors may speak about the effect of the Holocaust on their own lives.
Effects of chilling at the booting and flowering stages on rice phenology and yield: A case study in Northeast China
Authors: Shi Yanying , Guo Erjing , Wang Lizhi , Li Tao , Jiang Shukun , Xiang Hongtao , Zhang Tianyi , Cheng Xue , Zhu Xi , Zhou Litao , Ma Haoyu , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: August 2021

Climate change has resulted in a continuous increase in the frequency and intensity of chilling events in cold regions. In Northeast China, chilling at the booting and flowering stages negatively affects japonica rice grain yield. In this field experiment study, we conducted a 2‐year temperature‐controlled experiment to investigate the effects of chilling temperature and duration applied at the booting and flowering stages on japonica rice. The results showed that chilling at the two study stages delayed the rice phenology and decreased the grain yield. In particular, japonica rice was more sensitive to chilling at the booting stage than at the flowering stage. The rice grain yield was reduced by more as the chilling temperature decreased and the chilling duration increased. As for the yield components, the spikelet fertility and grain number per spike were more sensitive to chilling at the booting stage than at the flowering stage. Variations in the grain yield per plant were primarily contributed by the differences in spikelet fertility and grain number per spike, especially the spikelet fertility. In addition, cooling degree days showed statistically significant negative correlations with grain yield per plant, grain number per spike and spikelet fertility. For every 10°C·day increase in CDD at the booting (flowering) stage, the grain yield per plant, spikelet fertility and grain number per spike decreased by 7.1%, 6.2% and 3.4% (3.9%, 5.0% and 1.2%) respectively. As the spikelet fertility and grain number per spike decreased, the sink capacity decreased as well with the increasing of allocated assimilation to the stem and leaf while decreasing the assimilation allocated to the panicle. Increasing cooling degree days at the booting and flowering stages increased the allocations of assimilation to the stem and leaf. As a result, less assimilation was allocated to the panicle. This study suggests that breeding cultivars to improve the spikelet fertility and grain number per spike could help to minimize the potential rice grain yield loss due to the increase in chilling events occurring at the booting and flowering stages.
Utilizing social media in a supply chain B2B setting: A knowledge perspective
Authors: Agnihotri Raj , Kalra Ashish , Chen Haozhe , Daugherty Patricia J.
Published: August 2021

While social media has become an integral part of modern‐day life, it is a largely overlooked topic in supply chain business‐to‐business setting. This study utilizes dyadic survey data collected from both supplier account managers and their customers to explore social media's impacts in the digitalized supply chain context. Drawing upon the knowledge‐based view of the firm, the study proposes and tests a conceptual model. Results indicate that supplier account manager's social media use can increase his or her product and competitor knowledge, which can positively influence customer outcome. Further, the moderation test suggests that when perceived customer demandingness is high, the relationship between social media use and knowledge will be stronger. This study draws much‐needed attention to social media as an emerging digital supply chain management too.
Finite element analysis of blueberry stack damage
Authors: Zheng Zhaoqi , Chen Jinghui , Tian Wei , Zhang Chao , An Zimin
Published: August 2021

Blueberries are prone to mechanical damage during the processes of grading, packaging, transportation, and selling, and stack damage is one of the important causes of blueberry quality loss. The mechanical parameters of blueberry should be obtained firstly to create the mechanical model for analyzing the stack problems of multilayer blueberries. Precise mechanical parameters were obtained for the first time by performing a compression experiment and analyzing an explicit dynamics simulation based on the finite element model. It was found that the elastic modulus of the blueberries was 0.225 MPa and that the Poisson's ratio of the blueberries was 0.35. The placement direction of the blueberries had the greatest impact on the rupture force, followed by the number of stacked layers and the loading speed. A regression model was also obtained by considering the influences of the three factors on the rupture force. The rupture force in this research ranged from 3.15 to 7.04 N. The calyx and bottom were the most vulnerable parts of the blueberries. The upper contact part of multilayer blueberries had a greater chance of damage, and the lower contact part was the opposite because the blueberries close to the bottom layer exerted a buffering effect. Moreover, this research demonstrates the importance of applying linear explicit dynamics simulation techniques to agricultural and food products.

Practical Applications

The main reason for the decreasing market value and quality of blueberries is damage occurring between the point of harvesting and consumption. The damage caused by stack is one of the important factors in this process. This article accurately determined the mechanical parameters of blueberries. On this basis, the important factors that cause blueberry stack damage were further studied. Taking the rupture force as a measure, empirical models for rupture susceptibility were described. This article not only provides ideas for how to reduce blueberry stack damage and to extend blueberry shelf life but also provides a theoretical basis for research on the mechanical structure and mechanized processing of blueberries.
Paediatric genomic testing: Navigating genomic reports for the general paediatrician
Authors: Shah Margit , Selvanathan Arthavan , Baynam Gareth , Berman Yemima , Boughtwood Tiffany , Freckmann Mary‐Louise , Parasivam Gayathri , White Susan M , Roberts Natalie J , Kirk Edwin P , Ma Alan SL , Sachdev Rani
Published: August 2021

Monogenic rare disorders contribute significantly to paediatric morbidity and mortality, and elucidation of the underlying genetic cause may have benefits for patients, families and clinicians. Advances in genomic technology have enabled diagnostic yields of up to 50% in some paediatric cohorts. This has led to an increase in the uptake of genetic testing across paediatric disciplines. This can place an increased burden on paediatricians, who may now be responsible for interpreting and explaining test results to patients. However, genomic results can be complex, and sometimes inconclusive for the ordering paediatrician. Results may also cause uncertainty and anxiety for patients and their families. The paediatrician's genetic literacy and knowledge of genetic principles are therefore critical to inform discussions with families and guide ongoing patient care. Here, we present four hypothetical case vignettes where genomic testing is undertaken, and discuss possible results and their implications for paediatricians and families. We also provide a list of key terms for paediatricians.
Driving cooperative actions: A multimethod study of the temporal duration of unilateral commitments
Authors: Paraskevas John‐Patrick , Eckerd Stephanie , Grimm Curtis M.
Published: August 2021

Previous research demonstrates numerous benefits of mutual commitments between parties. However, less is understood about the effect of unilateral commitments, when one party (the committer) makes a relationship‐specific investment without an established current or forthcoming reciprocal commitment by the other party (the recipient). This problem is particularly relevant in the supply chain management domain, where organizations often make investments in their supply chain partners, and frequently assume great risks in doing so. To help organizations understand how they can initiate unilateral commitments to their benefit, we develop theory regarding the outcomes of unilateral commitments based on their temporal duration. We evaluate our hypothesis using data collected from three distinct studies, each using different methodologies and samples: a laboratory experiment of graduate students, a vignette experiment of operations management practitioners, and a secondary data analysis of baseball contracts. We find compelling support that unilateral commitments of shorter duration successfully drive recipient cooperative behavior; however, a significant decrease in recipient cooperation results from longer term unilateral commitments. Our research contributes broadly to the literature on unilateral commitments, and in particular its manifestation within supply chain management, where this research stands to make substantial impact due to the prevalence of unilateral commitments.
Towards a unified framework to study causality in Earth–life systems
Authors: Dolby Greer A.
Published: August 2021

There is considerable interest in better understanding how earth processes shape the generation and distribution of life on Earth. This question, at its heart, is one of causation. In this article I propose that at a regional level, earth processes can be thought of as behaving somewhat deterministically and may have an organized effect on the diversification and distribution of species. However, the study of how landscape features shape biology is challenged by pseudocongruent or collinear variables. I demonstrate that causal structures can be used to depict the cause–effect relationships between earth processes and biological patterns using recent examples from the literature about speciation and species richness in montane settings. This application shows that causal diagrams can be used to better decipher the details of causal relationships by motivating new hypotheses. Additionally, the abstraction of this knowledge into structural equation metamodels can be used to formulate theory about relationships within Earth–life systems more broadly. Causal structures are a natural point of collaboration between biologists and Earth scientists, and their use can mitigate against the risk of misassigning causality within studies. My goal is that by applying causal theory through application of causal structures, we can build a systems‐level understanding of what landscape features or earth processes most shape the distribution and diversification of species, what types of organisms are most affected, and why.
Site fidelity, spatial use, and behavior of dwarf sperm whales in Hawaiian waters: using small‐boat surveys, photo‐identification, and unmanned aerial systems to study a difficult‐to‐study species
Authors: Baird Robin W. , Mahaffy Sabre D. , Lerma Jordan K.
Published: August 2021

Dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) have been studied rarely at sea. We used photo‐identification, boat‐ and drone‐based behavioral observations, and citizen science photo contributions to examine site fidelity, spatial use, and behavior in Hawaiʻi. Sighting rates were highest in island slope (500–1,000 m) waters. Over 40% of photo‐identified individuals were linked by association in the same social network. More than half of the very distinctive individuals were seen more than once, and 28.5% were seen in multiple years, with one individual seen 14 times over a 15‐year span. Resighted individuals and those in the main cluster of the social network were found in significantly shallower water than individuals that were not resighted or that were in isolated clusters. Distances between resighting locations suggest small home ranges. This suggests an insular slope‐dwelling population that overlaps with an offshore population. Evidence of unsuccessful predatory attempts by large sharks was recorded on four individuals, and linear wounds consistent with interactions with line fisheries were documented on three individuals. Surface and subsurface behavior recorded by drone revealed vigilance behavior likely to minimize predation risk. Lessons learned from this study can be applied elsewhere to increase knowledge of this poorly known and difficult‐to‐study species.
A novel robust and high‐throughput method to measure cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves by fluorescence imaging
Authors: Xi Yuxuan , Chochois Vincent , Kroj Thomas , Cesari Stella
Published: August 2021

Assessing immune responses and cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf agro‐infiltration assays is a powerful and widely used experimental approach in molecular plant pathology. Here, we describe a reliable high‐throughput protocol to quantify strong, macroscopically visible cell death responses in N. benthamiana agro‐infiltration assays. The method relies on measuring the reduction of leaf autofluorescence in the red spectrum upon cell death induction and provides quantitative data suitable for straightforward statistical analysis. Two different well‐established model nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich repeat domain proteins (NLRs) were used to ensure the genericity of the approach. Its accuracy and versatility were compared to visual scoring of the cell death response and standard methods commonly used to characterize NLR activities in N. benthamiana. A discussion of the advantages and limitations of our method compared to other protocols demonstrates its robustness and versatility and provides an effective means to select the best‐suited protocol for a defined experiment.
The essential role of nurses in supporting physical examination in telemedicine: Insights from an interaction analysis of postsurgical consultations in orthopedics
Authors: Cherba Maria , Grosjean Sylvie , Bonneville Luc , Nahon‐Serfaty Isaac , Boileau Judith , Waldolf Richard
Published: August 2021

Telemedicine changes clinical practice and introduces new ways of distributing tasks between physicians and nurses, and particularly the delegation of sensory assessments during remote physical examinations. As nurses become more involved in patient assessment and clinical decision‐making, the quality of physician–nurse collaboration has been recognized as essential to ensure quality patient care. However, few studies have examined physician–nurse interactions during teleconsultations. This article presents the results of an empirical study of nurse–physician communication during remote physical examinations. In partnership with a university‐affiliated hospital in Ontario, Canada, we observed and recorded 10 simulated postsurgical consultations in orthopedics (involving a physician, a patient, and an on‐site nurse) and conducted auto‐confrontation interviews with physicians. The results of the thematic analysis of the interviews informed the selection of consultation sequences for in‐depth interaction analysis. The findings demonstrate the nurse's essential role during remote physical examinations and reveal specific practices accomplished by the nurse to ensure successful nurse–physician collaboration. The interview data shows how physicians view the nurse's role and contributions. The findings contribute to our understanding of the collaborative nature of sensory assessments during remote physical examinations in telemedicine and can inform the development of training programs for professionals focusing on communication skills. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Egg and math: introducing a universal formula for egg shape
Authors: Narushin Valeriy G. , Romanov Michael N. , Griffin Darren K.
Published: August 2021

The egg, as
one of the most traditional food products, has long attracted the attention of mathematicians, engineers, and biologists from an analytical point of view. As a main parameter in oomorphology, the shape of a bird's egg has, to date, escaped a universally applicable mathematical formulation. Analysis of all egg shapes can be done using four geometric figures: sphere, ellipsoid, ovoid, and pyriform (conical or pear‐shaped). The first three have a clear mathematical definition, each derived from the expression of the previous, but a formula for the pyriform profile has yet to be derived. To rectify this, we introduce an additional function into the ovoid formula. The subsequent mathematical model fits a completely novel geometric shape that can be characterized as the last stage in the evolution of the sphere—ellipsoid—Hügelschäffer's ovoid transformation, and it is applicable to any egg geometry. The required measurements are the egg length, maximum breadth, and diameter at the terminus from the pointed end. This mathematical analysis and description represents the sought‐for universal formula and is a significant step in understanding not only the egg shape itself, but also how and why it evolved, thus making widespread biological and technological applications theoretically possible.
Celebrating 75 years of geography teaching and research at the University of Otago
Authors: Alam Ashraful , Binns Tony , Cullen Nicolas , Freeman Claire , Nel Etienne , Roche Michael
Published: August 2021

Virtual Issue: Celebrating 75 Years of Geography Teaching and Research at the University of Otago