bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preference and performance of the generalist aphid Myzus persicae on closely and distantly related plant species
Authors: Altesor Paula , González Andrés
Published: June 2023

The ability of herbivorous insects to discriminate suitable host plants for the development of their progeny is not homogenous. Herbivores with broader diets show weaker correlation between oviposition preference and offspring performance in comparison with specialist insects. The neural constraints hypothesis postulates that due to neural limitation, generalist insects would have greater difficulty in processing a large number of stimuli from diverse host plants. Under this framework, it is expected that generalists would be more efficient in discriminating suitable plants when faced with more similar stimuli from closely related plants (simplified environment), and less efficient when faced with more diverse stimuli from unrelated plants (complex environment). In this study, we evaluated this in the generalist aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Preference was evaluated as the aphid's ability to discriminate between congeneric plant species or between plants from different families. The congeneric host plants were the cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum L., the wild potato, Solanum commersonii Dunal, tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., and eggplant, Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae). The plant species of different families used were spinach, Spinacia oleracea L. (Amaranthaceae), squash, Cucurbita maxima Duchesne (Cucurbitaceae), and basil, Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae). Performance was evaluated as the population growth in one generation on whole‐plant conditions and on excised leaves. The results showed positive correlations between settlement and larviposition preferences and the performance of M. persicae for all comparisons between unrelated plant species. Positive correlations between preference and performance were also observed for two of the three comparisons between congeneric plants. These results indicate that M. persicae can efficiently discriminate between suitable plants for their progeny regardless of the degree of relatedness of the plants, which is at odds with the neural constraints hypothesis. The results contribute to the knowledge of host selection mechanisms in generalist herbivores, particularly in an underrepresented insect group.
Self‐superparasitism, oviposition order, and delay: does offspring survival explain host exploitation strategies of females under interspecific competition in a solitary parasitoid wasp?
Authors: Mohamad Rihab , Goubault Marlène
Published: June 2023

If the risk of larval competition is high and its consequence on offspring mortality is important, we expect female behavioural strategies favouring the survival of their offspring to be selected for. In parasitoids, hosts can be parasitized several times, in some cases by females of different species (i.e., multiparasitism). In solitary parasitoids, only one offspring can develop per host: supernumerary individuals are eliminated through larval competition. Under these conditions, mothers can lay additional eggs in/on the same host (i.e., self‐superparasitism) to increase the chances of one of their offspring winning the competition. They can also aggressively protect their offspring against competing females to prevent them from multiparasitism and ovicide. Both strategies (self‐superparasitism and host defence) are observed in females of the solitary ectoparasitoid wasp, Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), when facing females of another solitary ectoparasitoid species, Eupelmus vuilleti (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), during host exploitation. Here, we aimed to explore whether D. basalis females' behaviours relate to their offspring survival chances during larval competition: we expect mothers to defend their hosts only during the vulnerability period of their offspring and self‐superparasitize to increase the chances of their offspring winning the larval competition. We thus measured the effect of oviposition order (D. basalis females oviposited first or second), delay between ovipositions (30–60 min or 3–4 h) and the occurrence of D. basalis females' self‐superparasitism on D. basalis offspring survival when competing with E. vuilleti juveniles. Our results showed D. basalis offspring constantly had a lower survival probability than E. vuilleti offspring. Only being laid first increased D. basalis offspring survival rate, whereas the time delay between ovipositions and self‐superparasitism did not significantly increase it further. The fact that offspring survival chances under interspecific competition may not be the main driver of maternal host protection and self‐superparasitism is discussed.
Development of undergraduate students' diagnostic accuracy for the classification of molar incisor hypomineralization
Authors: Restrepo Manuel , Rojas‐Gualdrón Diego Fernando , de Farias Aline Leite , Escobar Alfonso , Vélez Luís Fernando , Bussaneli Diego Girotto , Santos‐Pinto Lourdes
Published: June 2023

Introduction

One of the major difficulties with respect to molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is its classification and differentiation from other enamel development defects (EDDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy in dental students to classify MIH as well as its differentiation from other EDDs by combining conventional theoretical classes and e‐learning‐assisted pre‐clinical practices.

Methods

In this one‐group pre‐test and post‐test study, 59 second‐year students assessed 115 validated photographs using the MIH Index on the Moodle learning platform. This index assesses the clinical features and extent of MIH, differentiating it from other EDDs. Students received automatic feedback after the pre‐test. Two weeks later, students re‐evaluated the same photographs. Both pairwise accuracy and overall diagnostic accuracy were estimated and compared for pre‐ and post‐testing, with the area under the curve AUC, along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

The lowest diagnostic accuracy was for the ability to discriminate between white or cream‐coloured demarcated opacities and hypomineralization‐type defect that is not MIH. The overall pre‐test accuracy was AUC = 0.83 and increased significantly post‐test to AUC = 0.99 (p < .001). The overall accuracy to discriminate the extent of the lesion also increased significantly post‐test (p < .001).

Conclusion

Diagnostic skills to classify MIH can be developed by combining conventional theoretical classes and e‐learning‐assisted pre‐clinical practices.
Relationship satisfaction and money pooling among older working and retired couples in Sweden
Authors: Kridahl Linda , Duvander Ann‐Zofie
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study explores whether relationship satisfaction among older individuals living with a partner is influenced by partners' status of working or being retired, and whether the degree of pooling money affects the association.

Background

Couple's spending decisions are likely influenced by the partner with the greatest bargaining power, which may lead to different levels of relationship satisfaction. However, any role of partners' statuses on relationship satisfaction may change when adjusting for how partners organize resources.

Method

The subsample consists of older respondents in the Swedish Gender and Generations Survey 2012–2013 (n = 1,737). The analytical approach is logistic regression where the outcome is whether the respondents are completely or not completely satisfied with their relationship.

Results

Working respondents with a working partner were less satisfied with their relationship compared to retired respondents with a retired partner. In models considering the gender of whom is retired or working, respondents in couples with a working woman and a retired man were also less satisfied than retired respondents with a retired partner. However, this association disappears when adjusting for degree of pooling.

Conclusion

In couples where the woman retires earlier than the man, it can have a negative impact on relationship satisfaction when the partners do not pool money. For couples with the same status, pooling seems to matter less.

Implications

Financial educators, practitioners, and policymakers may acknowledge that retirement and working status of older partners play a role for relationship satisfaction, and how partners organize resources may be one area that provides a potential explanation for such problems.
“They won't push me away”: Transgender and gender‐expansive youth of color's perceptions of parental gender‐identity‐specific support
Authors: Marx Robert A. , Peña Frank J. , McCurdy Amy L. , Maier Allie
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aims to identify types of gender‐identity‐specific social support provided by parents that helps transgender and gender‐expansive (TGE) youth of color thrive.

Background

TGE youth of color benefit from parental social support, though less is known about supportive practices that specifically affirm marginalized gender identities—gender‐identity‐specific social support. Guided by a counter‐storytelling framework that highlights the voices of TGE youth of color, this study investigates how TGE youth of color perceive such support from parents.

Method

Data were collected via semistructured interviews with 18 youth (14–25 years, Mage = 20.28) who identified as TGE and as persons of color. Transcripts were analyzed using a modified thematic coding approach to identify themes related to youth perceptions of parental support of their gender identities.

Results

Findings revealed four major themes related to parental provision of gender‐identity‐specific social support: self‐work, support of gender‐atypical behavior during early development, current affirmational and instrumental support, and family cohesion. Participants discussed parental gender‐identity‐specific support as a valued source of strength.

Conclusion

TGE youth well‐being can be enhanced by facilitating parents' provision of gender‐identity‐specific social support.

Implications

Specific insight into sources of resilience and strength for TGE youth of color are offered for researchers and practitioners.
Extensive characterization of a Williams syndrome murine model shows Gtf2ird1‐mediated rescue of select sensorimotor tasks, but no effect on enhanced social behavior
Authors: Nygaard Kayla R. , Maloney Susan E. , Swift Raylynn G. , McCullough Katherine B. , Wagner Rachael E. , Fass Stuart B. , Garbett Krassimira , Mirnics Karoly , Veenstra‐VanderWeele Jeremy , Dougherty Joseph D.
Published: June 2023

Williams syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder exhibiting cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, including increased social motivation, risk of anxiety and specific phobias along with perturbed motor function. Williams syndrome is caused by a microdeletion of 26–28 genes on chromosome 7, including GTF2IRD1, which encodes a transcription factor suggested to play a role in the behavioral profile of Williams syndrome. Duplications of the full region also lead to frequent autism diagnosis, social phobias and language delay. Thus, genes in the region appear to regulate social motivation in a dose‐sensitive manner. A “complete deletion” mouse, heterozygously eliminating the syntenic Williams syndrome region, has been deeply characterized for cardiac phenotypes, but direct measures of social motivation have not been assessed. Furthermore, the role of Gtf2ird1 in these behaviors has not been addressed in a relevant genetic context. Here, we have generated a mouse overexpressing Gtf2ird1, which can be used both to model duplication of this gene alone and to rescue Gtf2ird1 expression in the complete deletion mice. Using a comprehensive behavioral pipeline and direct measures of social motivation, we provide evidence that the Williams syndrome critical region regulates social motivation along with motor and anxiety phenotypes, but that Gtf2ird1 complementation is not sufficient to rescue most of these traits, and duplication does not decrease social motivation. However, Gtf2ird1 complementation does rescue light‐aversive behavior and performance on select sensorimotor tasks, perhaps indicating a role for this gene in sensory processing or integration.
Effects of lactic acid bacteria and molasses on the fermentation quality, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and microbial community of Korshinsk peashrub (Caragana korshinskii Kom.) silages harvested at two growth stages
Authors: Ke Wencan , Wang Yan , Rinne Marketta , de Oliveira Franco Marcia , Li Fuhou , Lin Yufan , Zhang Qing , Cai Yimin , Zhang Guijie
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the effects of additives on fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and microbial communities of Korshinsk peashrub (Caragana korshinskii Kom.) silages at different maturity stages. Korshinsk peashrub was harvested at budding (S1) and blooming (S2) stages, and ensiled without additives (CON), or with 5% molasses (M0), or a combination of 5% molasses and either L. plantarum CLP (M1) or L. plantarum L694 (M2). Each treatment was triplicated and ensiled for 60 days. Delayed harvest increased water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) in silages at S2 stage, whereas crude protein (CP) was lower in silages at S1 stage. Compared with the CON group, the additives treated silages had lower pH, greater lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), and WSC concentrations (p < .05). Application of molasses alone or in combination with CLP had a noticeable effect on bacterial communities, with an increase in Lactobacillus in silages at both stages, whereas M2 silages presented more unfavourable microorganisms. Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that LA concentration in silage was positively correlated with Lactobacillus relative abundance at both stages, while ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) concentration was positively correlated with the relative abundances of unclassified‐f‐Enterobacteriaceae and Enterobacter. In conclusion, delayed harvest could result in greater WSC and aNDF but lower CP in Korshinsk peashrub silage. Low WSC is the primary limiting factor affecting silage quality, and ensiling with molasses accelerated lactic acid fermentation in Korshinsk peashrub silage, providing a high‐quality forage resource for livestock production.
Self‐perceived oral health and orofacial appearance in an adult population, 60 years of age
Authors: Henricsson Sara , Bengtsson Viveca Wallin , Renvert Stefan , Berglund Johan Sanmartin , Lundegren Nina , Andersson Pia
Published: June 2023

Objective

The study aimed to compare self‐perceived oral health and orofacial appearance in three different cohorts of 60‐year‐old individuals.

Method

A cross‐sectional design, based on data obtained from a questionnaire used in the Swedish National Study of Aging and Care. The sample comprised 478 individuals, from baseline, 2001–2003 (n = 191), 2007–2009 (n = 218) and 2014–2015 (n = 69). Comparisons were made within and between the cohorts, with bivariate analysis and Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05.

Results

The result showed that a low number of the participants reported self‐perceived problems with oral health. Of the problems reported, a higher proportion in cohort 2014–2015 (39.3%) experienced problems with bleeding gums. The experience of bleeding gums increased between the cohorts 2001–2003 and 2014–2015 (p = 0.040) and between 2007–2009 and 2014–2015 (p = 0.017). The prevalence of discomfort with sensitive teeth was experienced in 7%–32%. Twice as many women compared to men experienced discomfort in all cohorts (no significant differences between the cohorts). Satisfaction with dental appearance was experienced in 75%–84%. Twice as many women compared to men were dissatisfied with their dental appearance in 2001–2003 (p = 0.011) and with discoloured teeth (p = 0.020). No significant differences could be seen between the cohorts regarding discomfort with dental appearance or discoloured teeth.

Conclusion

The 60‐year‐olds irrespective of birth cohort, perceived their oral health and orofacial appearance as satisfactory.
Development, characterization, and assessment of antioxidant pectin–sodium alginate based edible films incorporated with cassia essential oil
Authors: Bhatia Saurabh , Al‐Harrasi Ahmed , Jawad Muhammad , Shah Yasir Abbas , Al‐Azri Mohammed Said , Ullah Sana , Oz Emel , Oz Fatih , Koca Esra , Aydemir Levent Yurdaer
Published: June 2023

This research was conducted in order to develop a sustainable and eco‐friendly pectin–sodium alginate‐based packaging material using natural additives. Cassia essential oil (CEO) is a GRAS‐approved natural preservative and flavouring agent used for a variety of food products. Recent reports revealed the growing interest in using oils in packaging material as natural additives. In the current study, CEO is loaded in pectin–sodium alginate‐based composite films. The main component observed in CEO was cinnamaldehyde which was evaluated by employing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis. Moreover, the incorporation of CEO improved the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB) and increased the opacity of the films. However, a decrease in the moisture content, water solubility and water vapour permeability was observed with the incorporation of EO. Additionally, SEM analysis of the CEO‐loaded films revealed an improvement in their morphology. The results of the DPPH and ABTS cation scavenging assays revealed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in antioxidant activity with the incorporation of CEO. These findings indicate that cassia essential oil can be employed as a natural additive to develop edible active packaging material.
Effect of continuous nursing on wound infection and quality of life in patients with cancer‐related stoma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wei Shuju , Li Nianmei , Li Xiaojing , Qi Min
Published: June 2023

A meta‐analysis was conducted to comprehensively assess the effect of continuous nursing on wound infection and quality of life in patients with cancer‐related stomas, providing an evidence‐based rationale for the care of these patients. A computerised search of PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of continuous nursing on wound infection and quality of life in patients with cancer‐related stoma was conducted from the time the database was created to March 2023. The retrieved literature was screened, data were extracted, and the quality of the literature was evaluated according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Seventeen RCTs involving 1437 patients were included. Of the 1437 patients, 728 were in the continuous nursing group and 709 were in the control group. The results showed that continuous nursing significantly reduced the rate of wound infection in patients with cancer‐related stomas (odds ratio [OR]: 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16–0.53, p < 0.001) and improved their quality of life (standardised mean difference: 1.90. 95% CI: 1.32–2.47, p < 0.001). Available evidence suggests that continuous nursing for patients with cancer‐related stomas can significantly reduce wound infections and improve their quality of life.
Validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire: A national survey
Authors: Beckmann Sonja , Schmid‐Mohler Gabriela , Müller Marianne , Spichiger Elisabeth , Nicca Dunja , Eicher Manuela , Ullmann‐Bremi Andrea , Petry Heidi
Published: June 2023

Aim

To describe psychometric validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire.

Design

Cross‐sectional quantitative study.

Methods

The development of the questionnaire followed an adapted version of the seven steps described in the guide by the Association for Medical Education in Europe. A nationwide online survey tested the construct and structural validity and internal consistency using an exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and a Kruskal–Wallis test to compare the hypotheses.

Results

We received 222 questionnaires between January and September 2020. The factor analysis produced a seven‐factor solution as suggested in Hamric's model. However, not all item loadings aligned with the framework's competencies. Cronbach's alpha of factors ranged between .795 and .879. The analysis confirmed the construct validity of the Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire. The tool was able to discriminate the competencies of guidance and coaching, direct clinical practice and leadership across the three advanced practice nurse roles clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or blended role.

Conclusion

A precise assessment of advanced practice nurse tasks is crucial in clinical practice and in research as it may be a basis for further refinement, implementation and evaluation of roles.

Impact

The Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire is the first valid tool to assess tasks according to Hamric's model of competencies independently of the role or the setting. Additionally, it distinguishes the most common advanced practice nurse roles according to the degree of tasks in direct clinical practice and leadership. The tool may be applied in various countries, independent of the degree of implementation and understanding of advanced nursing practice.

Reporting Method

The STARD 2015 guideline was used to report the study.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Consumer compliments about nursing and midwifery care: A 12‐month retrospective analysis
Authors: Baker Jessica , White Karin , Redley Bernice
Published: June 2023

Aims

To analyse the compliments received from patients' and companions and to describe the characteristics of high‐quality nursing and midwifery care from the perspective of healthcare consumers.

Design

Retrospective analysis of health service compliments data.

Methods

All compliments specific to nursing and midwifery care received between July 2020 and June 2021 were extracted from the reporting database for six hospital sites of a large public health service in Victoria, Australia. Inductive coding captured the characteristics and qualities of nurses and midwives elicited from the compliments. Deductive coding used two frameworks: an adapted health complaints assessment tool, and 10 dimensions of nursing and midwifery care used in the health service. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of coded data.

Results

Of the 2833 records identified, 433 nursing and midwifery‐specific compliments were identified; of these 225 consumer or care partner compliments were identified for analysis. Most compliments (80.4%, n = 181) were from the smaller hospital sites compared to 19.6% (n = 44) received at the largest hospital site; and from care programmes that typically care for older patients (42.7%, n = 113). Only 39% (n = 89) of compliments related to quality and safety of clinical care, 9% (n = 21) related to management and 17% (n = 38) to relationships. Forty‐nine percent (n = 113) related to dimensions of fundamental nursing and midwifery care, with psychological care best represented (39.8%, n = 89). Most often, compliments related to characteristics or attributes of nurses.

Conclusion

Analysis of compliments reveals characteristics of nursing and midwifery care valued by healthcare consumers. Surprisingly, few compliments related to clinical dimensions of nursing and midwifery practice. Comments related to psychological aspects of nursing and midwifery care were most common. Understanding consumer perceptions of high‐quality care provided by nurses and midwives provide guidance about care delivery that meets or exceed consumer expectations. The findings suggest low consumer awareness about professional and clinical aspects of nursing and midwifery work.

Impact

Compliments provide a unique insight into consumer perspectives of high‐quality nursing and midwifery care. When making compliments, consumers most often commented about the attributes and characteristics of nurses and midwives, rather than clinical aspects of care. Compliments specific to nursing and midwifery care provide guidance to enhance care delivery to meet or exceed consumer expectations.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Brachial and central hypertension in relation to coronary stenosis in patients with coronary angiography
Authors: Chen Yu , Li Ming‐Xuan , Wang Ying , Jin Xian , Liu Liang , Zhou Zhen‐Fa , Ding Feng‐Hua , Zhang Rui‐Yan , Li Yan , Shen Cheng‐Xing
Published: June 2023

The clinical significance of central beyond brachial blood pressure (BP) remains unclear. In patients who underwent coronary angiography, the authors explored whether elevated central BP would be associated with coronary arterial disease (CAD) irrespective of the status of brachial hypertension. From March 2021 to April 2022, 335 patients (mean age 64.9 years, 69.9% men) hospitalized for suspected CAD or unstable angina were screened in an ongoing trial. CAD was defined if a coronary stenosis of ≥50%. According to the presence of brachial (non‐invasive cuff systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg) and central (invasive systolic BP ≥130 mmHg) hypertension, patients were cross‐classified as isolated brachial hypertension (n = 23), isolated central hypertension (n = 93), and concordant normotension (n = 100) or hypertension (n = 119). In continuous analyses, both brachial and central systolic BPs were significantly related to CAD with similar standardized odds ratios (OR, 1.47 and 1.45, p < .05). While categorical analyses showed that patients with isolated central hypertension or concordant hypertension had a significantly higher prevalence of CAD and the Gensini score than those with concordant normotension. Multivariate‐adjusted OR (95% confidence interval [CI]) for CAD was 2.24 (1.16 to 4.33, p = .009) for isolated central hypertension and 3.02 (1.58 to 5.78, p < .001) for concordant hypertension relative to concordant normotension. The corresponding OR (95% CI) of a high Gensini score was 2.40 (1.26–4.58) and 2.17 (1.19–3.96), respectively. In conclusion, regardless of the presence of brachial hypertension, elevated central BP was associated with the presence and severity of CAD, indicating that central hypertension is an important risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis.
Ovarian activity, hormone profile, pro‐inflammatory cytokines and reproductive performance of buffalo cows fed diets with different estrogenicity
Authors: Hashem Nesrein M. , Essawi Walaa M. , El‐Raghi Ali A.
Published: June 2023

Buffalo cows play a vital role in milk and meat production; however, they are characterised by several reproductive disorders. Feeding diets with high oestrogenic activity may be a disrupting factor. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding roughages with different oestrogenic activity on the reproductive performance of early postpartum buffalo cows. A total of 30 buffalo cows were equally stratified into two experimental groups and fed either Trifolium alexandrinum (Berseem clover, phytoestrogenic roughage) or corn silage (nonoestrogenic roughage) for 90 consecutive days. After 35 days from the beginning of the feeding treatments, buffalo cows in both groups were synchronized for oestrus using a double i.m. injection of 2 mL prostaglandin F2α, 11 days apart, subsequently, overt signs of oestrus were observed and recorded. Moreover, ovarian structures, numbers and sizes of follicles and corpora lutea, were ultrasonography examined at day—12 (represents Day 35 of feeding treatment), Day 0 (day of oestrus) and Day 11 after oestrous synchronization (mid‐luteal phase). Pregnancy was diagnosed 35 days postinsemination. Blood serum samples were analysed for progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α), interlukein‐1β (IL‐1β) and nitric oxide (NO). The high performance liquid chromatography‐analysis of roughages showed the abundance of isoflavones in Berseem clover, with about 58 times higher concentration than that in corn silage group. During the experimental period, the numbers of ovarian follicles of all size categories were higher in the Berseem clover group than that in the corn silage group. No significant difference in the numbers of corpora lutea was observed between both experimental groups, but lower (p < 0.05) diameter of corpus luteum was observed in the Berseem clover group than that in the corn silage group. The Berseem clover group had higher (p < 0.05) overall concentrations of blood serum E2, IL‐1β and TNF‐α, but lower (p < 0.05) overall concentrations of blood serum P4 than those recorded in the corn silage group. Oestrous rate, onset of oestrus time and oestrous duration were not significantly affected by the treatment. The conception rate was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the Berseem clover group compared with that in the corn silage group. In conclusion, feeding roughage with a high oestrogenic activity such as Berseem clover can negatively affect the conception rate of buffalo cows. This reproductive loss seems to be associated with inadequate luteal function and P4 concentration during early pregnancy.
Crafting the language of borders: The European Court of Justice's strategic opinion writing in rights cases
Authors: Stobb Maureen , Scalera‐Elliott Jamie
Published: June 2023

Courts, particularly those with the power of constitutional review, engage in supplementary lawmaking. Like other policymakers, judges seek the proper interpretation and implementation of their decisions. Research on the United States of America (U.S.) Supreme Court indicates that it strategically alters its language to obtain better compliance, but little is known about whether international courts do the same. We test the generalizability of these findings by examining the opinion‐writing tactics of another powerful court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in a highly salient policy area, citizenship rights. Like the U.S. High Court, the CJEU must guide judges in interpreting constitutional law. In the European Union (EU) context, this entails directing Member State judges through the preliminary reference procedure, a form of indirect supranational judicial review. We expect that the CJEU will carefully craft the language of its opinions to obtain the cooperation of national judges in this area of law. Our findings indicate that, like the U.S. Supreme Court, the CJEU strategically alters its words in anticipation of this key audience's reactions to its decisions, and that the court's strategies may undermine EU citizens' rights in the long term.
Fluid mobilization of rare earth elements, Th, and U during the terrestrial alteration of H chondrites
Authors: Maeda Ryoga , Goderis Steven , Yamaguchi Akira , Van Acker Thibaut , Vanhaecke Frank , Debaille Vinciane , Claeys Phillippe
Published: June 2023

The chemical effects of terrestrial alteration, with a particular focus on lithophile trace elements, were studied for a set of H chondrites displaying various degrees of weathering from fresh falls to altered finds collected from hot deserts. According to their trace element distributions, a considerable fraction of rare earth elements (REEs), Th, and U resides within cracks observed in weathered meteorite specimens. These cracks appear to accumulate unbound REEs locally accompanied by Th and U relative to the major element abundances, especially P and Si. The deposition of Ce is observed in cracks in the case of most of the weathered samples. Trace element maps visually confirm the accumulation of these elements in such cracks, as previously inferred based on chemical leaching experiments. Because the positive Ce anomalies and unbound REE depositions in cracks occur in all weathered samples studied here while none of such features are observed in less altered samples including falls (except for altered fall sample Nuevo Mercurio), these features are interpreted to have been caused by terrestrial weathering following chemical leaching. However, the overall effects on the bulk chemical composition remain limited as the data for all Antarctic meteorites studied in this work (except for heavily weathered sample A 09516, H6) are in good agreement with published data for unaltered meteorites.
Props and the performance of ethnographic realism in George Catlin's Indian Gallery: Fabrications in hide, paint, and text
Authors: Treier Leonie
Published: June 2023

In the 1830s, George Catlin undertook several journeys to the American West to document, through painting, writing, and collecting, Native North American communities he perceived as vanishing. He later assembled the different media in his Indian Gallery, which he toured through the United States and Europe. In this article, I begin to redocument Catlin's Indian Gallery and his exhibitionary practice by paying attention to its largely overlooked material culture collection. Many items display signs of non‐Native modification, like imitations of Plains pictorial tradition and detachment and reattachment of quillwork. Moving beyond questions of (in)authenticity, I focus on the objects' role in his exhibition, taking them seriously as one of Catlin's material museological practices. Through close‐looking analysis, I identify patterns of alteration and fabrications: replacement, repurposing, creating similarity and types, and emphasis on visual appeal. Based on these patterns, I suggest understanding Catlin's own approach to this material as a collection of props fabricated and employed to authenticate and support claims of cultural realism for his representations of Indigenous life. By studying this collection, we gain a deeper understanding of predisciplinary exhibitionary practices and how later ethnographic display technologies also relying on props, like dioramas, developed.
Spathiphyllum mixtecorum (Araceae), a new species from Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Díaz Jiménez Pedro , Ángel Pérez‐Farrera Miguel , Morales Diego Villar , Gerónimo Martínez‐Martínez Mauricio
Published: June 2023

During fieldwork conducted in 2022 in Llano de San Vicente, Putla Villa de Guerrero, and San Isidro Paz y Progreso, Santa María Yucuhiti, Oaxaca, Mexico, we discovered a previously undescribed species of Spathiphyllum. In the present paper, we describe and illustrate S. mixtecorum Díaz Jim. and Perez‐Farr. a new species from Oaxaca, Mexico. The proposed new species is morphologically similar to S. uxpanapense Matuda, but differs from that species in having petioles sheathed to the geniculum, a longer geniculum (up to 4 cm long), usually green spathes at anthesis, longer spadix (up to 5 cm), greater number of ovules per locule (up to four) and up to twice as many seeds per berry.
Multiple segment spectacle lenses for myopia control. Part 2: Impact on myopia progression
Authors: Radhakrishnan Hema , Lam Carly Siu Yin , Charman W. Neil
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Initial studies have suggested that multiple segment (MS) spectacle lenses can reduce the progression rate of childhood myopia and axial eye growth. This paper aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different available designs of MS lens and to explore the nature of their control effect.

Method

Published data from the only two clinical trials in which changes in mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) for matched groups of myopic children wearing either MS or single‐vision (SV) spectacle corrections, recorded over a period of at least 2 years, were further analysed and compared. Both trials involved Chinese children of similar ages and visual characteristics, but the trials were located in different cities. The two MS lenses examined were MiyoSmart or DIMS (Hoya) and Stellest (Essilor).

Results

Absolute changes in SER and AL differed over time during the two trials. However, if the results were expressed in terms of efficacy over successive 6‐month periods, then the two MS lenses produced broadly similar results (initial efficacy for the control of myopia progression of about 60%–80%, declining over 2 years to about 35%–55%). Control appears to be absolute rather than proportional.

Discussion

Myopia control may be due to either the additional myopic defocus induced by the MS lenses (i.e., asymmetry of the through‐focus image changes about the distance focus) or to the general reduction in image contrast that the lenslets create in the peripheral field.

Conclusion

Multiple segment spectacle lenses offer a valuable new approach to the control of myopia progression in children. Further work is required to clarify their mechanism of action and to optimise their design parameters.
First report of an Aveir retrievable leadless pacemaker in a pediatric patient, via internal jugular vein access
Authors: Wong Ashley , Petersen Michael Jake , Davidson Stacy , Cortez Daniel
Published: June 2023

Background

The Aveir device allows retrievability and mapping prior to fixation over alternative leadless pacemakers.

Case summary

We describe the first case of Aveir leadless pacemaker implantation into a 44.5 kg, pediatric patient with symptomatic sinus dysfunction. Access by the right internal jugular vein (RIJ) with 1st attempt implantation into the septal location.

Discussion

Placement of the Aveir leadless pacemaker is feasible in a 44.5 kg pediatric patient via a RIJ approach.
Vimentin‐positive invasive breast carcinoma of no special type: A breast carcinoma with lethal biological characteristics
Authors: Ichinose Yuki , Hasebe Takahiro , Hirasaki Masataka , Sakakibara Ayaka , Yokogawa Hideki , Nukui Asami , Hiratsuka Miyuki , Fujimoto Akihiro , Iso Chihiro , Wakui Noriko , Shibasaki Satomi , Kamada Koichi , Suzuki Nobuyuki , Kamakura Yasuo , Yasuda Masanori , Aya Asano , Shimada Hiroko , Matsuura Kazuo , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Osaki Akihiko , Saeki Toshiaki
Published: June 2023

Vimentin is a stable mesenchymal immunohistochemical marker and is widely recognized as a major marker of mesenchymal tumors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if the vimentin expression status might serve as a significant predictor of outcomes in patients with invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (IBC‐NST) and to investigate, by comprehensive RNA sequencing analyses, the mechanisms involved in the heightened malignant potential of vimentin‐positive IBC‐NSTs. This study, conducted using the data of 855 patients with IBC‐NST, clearly identified vimentin expression status as a very important independent biological parameter for accurately predicting the outcomes in patients with IBC‐NST. RNA sequence analyses clearly demonstrated significant upregulation of coding RNAs known to be closely associated with cell proliferation or cellular senescence, and significant downregulation of coding RNAs known to be closely associated with transmembrane transport in vimentin‐positive IBC‐NSTs. We conclude that vimentin‐positive IBC‐NSTs show heightened malignant biological characteristics, possibly attributable to the upregulation of RNAs closely associated with proliferative activity and cellular senescence, and downregulation of RNAs closely associated with transmembrane transport in IBC‐NSTs.
Chimeric HLA antibody receptor T cells to target HLA‐specific B cells in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Gille Ilse , Hagedoorn Renate S. , van der Meer‐Prins Ellen M. W. , Heemskerk Mirjam H. M. , Heidt Sebastiaan
Published: June 2023

HLA‐sensitized patients on the transplant waiting list harbor antibodies and memory B cells directed against allogeneic HLA molecules, which decreases the chance to receive a compatible donor organ. Current desensitization strategies non‐specifically target circulating antibodies and B cells, warranting the development of therapies that specifically affect HLA‐directed humoral immune responses. We developed Chimeric HLA Antibody Receptor (CHAR) constructs comprising the extracellular part of HLA‐A2 or HLA‐A3 coupled to CD28‐CD3ζ domains. CHAR‐transduced cells expressing reporter constructs encoding T‐cell activation markers, and CHAR‐transduced CD8+ T cells from healthy donors were stimulated with HLA‐specific monoclonal antibody‐coated microbeads, and HLA‐specific B cell hybridomas. CHAR T cell activation was measured by upregulation of T cell activation markers and IFNγ secretion, whereas CHAR T cell killing of B cell hybridomas was assessed in chromium release assays and by IgG ELISpot. HLA‐A2‐ and HLA‐A3‐CHAR expressing cells were specifically activated by HLA‐A2‐ and HLA‐A3‐specific monoclonal antibodies, either soluble or coated on microbeads, as shown by CHAR‐induced transcription factors. HLA‐A2 and HLA‐A3 CHAR T cells efficiently produced IFNγ with exquisite specificity and were capable of specifically lysing hybridoma cells expressing HLA‐A2‐ or HLA‐A3‐specific B‐cell receptors, respectively. Finally, we mutated the α3 domain of the CHAR molecules to minimize any alloreactive T‐cell reactivity against CHAR T cells, while retaining CHAR activity. These data show proof of principle for CHAR T cells to serve as precision immunotherapy to specifically desensitize (highly) sensitized solid organ transplant candidates and to treat antibody‐mediated rejection after solid organ transplantation.
Metaphysics of concepts: In defense of the abilitist approach
Authors: Bulov Ilya
Published: June 2023

Abilitism is an approach to the metaphysics of concepts according to which each concept consists of a managing cognitive ability coordinating other abilities (cognitive and non‐cognitive) and a set of subordinate abilities associated with this managing ability. As I argue here, if we accept the abilitist approach, we can efficiently solve such puzzles in the metaphysics of concepts as the partial possession problem, the concept pluralism problem, etc. However, there are some possible objections to abilitism, concerning the abilitist explanation of compositional properties of concepts, knowledge‐that, an extension/intension of concepts, and the idea that concepts are constituents of thought. However, as I demonstrate here, these objections can be answered.
Effective Mechanical Properties of Auxetic Materials: Numerical Predictions Using Variational Asymptotic Method Based Homogenization
Authors: Srivastava Chetna , Mahesh Vinyas , Pitchai Pandi , Guruprasad P. J. , Petrinic Nik , Scarpa Fabrizio , Harursampath Dineshkumar , Ponnusami Sathiskumar A.
Published: June 2023

In this work, the variational asymptotic method (VAM) based homogenization framework is used for the first time to determine the equivalent elastic stiffness tensor of auxetic materials. The proposed method allows the structural elements of the auxetic unit cell to naturally incorporate rotational degrees-of-freedom, without any ad-hoc assumptions. The overall macroscale homogenized response of the unit cells is considered to be fully anisotropic; specific possible responses, representative of orthotropy or transverse isotropy naturally emerge from the VAM-based homogenization, due to the arrangements of the structural elements making up the unit cell. For all the auxetic unit cell geometries considered in this study, the predictions obtained from the in-house python-based implementation of the VAM-based homogenization framework are validated using commercial finite element software (abaqus) and open literature. The results demonstrate the versatility and the computational efficiency of the VAM-based homogenization framework to describe auxetic metamaterials.
Accelerating Thermal Simulations in Additive Manufacturing by Training Physics-Informed Neural Networks With Randomly Synthesized Data
Authors: Chen Jiangce , Pierce Justin , Williams Glen , Simpson Timothy W. , Meisel Nicholas , Prabha Narra Sneha , McComb Christopher
Published: June 2023

The temperature history of an additively manufactured part plays a critical role in determining process–structure–property relationships in fusion-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes. Therefore, fast thermal simulation methods are needed for a variety of AM tasks, from temperature history prediction for part design and process planning to in situ temperature monitoring and control during manufacturing. However, conventional numerical simulation methods fall short in satisfying the strict requirements of time efficiency in these applications due to the large space and time scales of the required multiscale simulation. While data-driven surrogate models are of interest for their rapid computation capabilities, the performance of these models relies on the size and quality of the training data, which is often prohibitively expensive to create. Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) mitigate the need for large datasets by imposing physical principles during the training process. This work investigates the use of a PINN to predict the time-varying temperature distribution in a part during manufacturing with laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Notably, the use of the PINN in this study enables the model to be trained solely on randomly synthesized data. These training data are both inexpensive to obtain, and the presence of stochasticity in the dataset improves the generalizability of the trained model. Results show that the PINN model achieves higher accuracy than a comparable artificial neural network trained on labeled data. Further, the PINN model trained in this work maintains high accuracy in predicting temperature for laser path scanning strategies unseen in the training data.
Effect of Solar Panel on Performance of Spacecraft Body-Mounted Fluid Tube Radiator
Authors: Che Bangxiang , Han Haiying , Wu Xianlin , Huang Lei , Zheng Hongyang
Published: June 2023

The body-mounted fluid tube radiator (BMFTR) is a highly efficient heat rejection device for spacecraft. However, the heat rejection rate of the BMFTR is negatively impacted by the presence of solar panels mounted on the exterior of the spacecraft. In this study, a heat transfer model for the BMFTR was developed, and a simulation method was created to investigate the effect of solar panels on the radiator’s performance. The accuracy of both the heat transfer model and simulation method was verified using on-orbit data from the China Tianhe module. It was found that external heat is absorbed by the solar panels, which in turn reduces the performance of the radiator. Furthermore, the decrease in the heat rejection rate was quantitatively evaluated, and it was found to be closely related to the spacecraft’s attitude and the view factor between the solar panel and the radiator. The findings of this study on the impact of solar panels on the BMFTR’s performance are meaningful for future research on spacecraft radiators and on-orbit operations.
A new species of the mite genus Sancassania (Acari: Acaridae) associated with alfalfa production losses in China
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Han , Wang Chang-Qing , Pan Yu-Xin , Hou Jian-Rong , Oconnor Barry , Shang Su-Qin , Dewer Yossef
Published: June 2023

Gansu is a province in the northwest of China that is well known for its rich grassland types and important alfalfa planting base in China. Among the key limiting factors in alfalfa products and high quality are insect and mite pests, particularly those occurring on root and stem parts. Mite populations were collected on alfalfa roots from Jiuquan City located in the northwest part of Gansu Province. This study aimed to identify the principle mite species infesting alfalfa in Gansu Province, by molecular and morphological characterization. DNA from 20 specimens and morphological data from 45 specimens (15 adult females, 20 adult males [10 homeomorphic and 10 heteromorphic] and 10 deutonymphs were used to confirm the identity of the mite species. The species present is described here as a new species (Sancassania alfalfa Shang & Li, sp. nov.).