bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of invertebrate community structure in glacial‐melt streams of southeast Tibet
Authors: Fair Heather , Smiley Peter C. , Lanno Roman
Published: April 2021

A widely examined predictive model of invertebrate community dynamics in glacial‐melt streams describes longitudinal changes in community structure with changing water temperature and channel stability with increasing distance from glaciers. Previous studies conducted in Europe, Greenland, New Zealand, and South America have supported the predictions of the invertebrate model and contributed to its refinement. However, none has evaluated if the model fits invertebrate community dynamics over a full range of distances from the glacier and water temperature conditions within glacial‐melt streams in southeast Tibet.

We sampled invertebrates and measured water temperature, specific conductivity, turbidity, and associated glacier‐related variables within 14 sites in three subalpine glacial‐melt catchments in southeastern Tibet's Three Parallel Rivers region during 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Our sites encompassed a temperature gradient from the upstream metakryal sites (maximum summer water temperature <2°C) to the furthest downstream site (maximum summer temperature >10°C) near the Mekong River.

We evaluated the relationships of invertebrate community structure with in situ water temperature and channel stability which are the focal habitat variables in the invertebrate model. The additional habitat variables of distance from the glacier, glacier size, conductivity, and turbidity were evaluated to see if these were more important determinants of community structure than in situ water temperature and channel stability.

Minimum and in situ water temperatures were positively correlated with distance from the glacier but Pfankuch Channel Stability Index bottom scores were not. Thus, the physical template within our study area differed from the expected template of the invertebrate model.

Similar to the invertebrate model, in situ water temperature by itself or combined with Pfankuch index best explained five invertebrate response variables. In contrast with the invertebrate model, conductivity and turbidity best explained invertebrate taxa richness, density, and the site scores of the first and second detrended correspondence analysis axes of relative abundance.

The invertebrate model predicts that only Diamesinae will occur in metakryal sites. However, in our metakryal sites we frequently captured 13 taxa (two Nemouridae morphotypes, Diamesinae, Orthocladiinae, Rhyacophila, Epeorus, Taeniopterygidae, Baetis, Capnia, Simuliidae, Limnephilidae, Himalopsyche, and Collembola).

Invertebrate‐habitat relationships and taxa occurrence trends in glacial‐melt catchments in southeast Tibet differed from the invertebrate model predictions. Our findings highlight the need to develop a regional version of the invertebrate model applicable to Asian glacial‐melt streams with unstable stream channels throughout their catchments and that do not freeze in the winter.
Determinants of patient activation and its association with cardiovascular disease risk in chronic kidney disease: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wilkinson Thomas J. , Memory Katherine , Lightfoot Courtney J. , Palmer Jared , Smith Alice C.
Published: April 2021

Background

Patient activation describes the knowledge, skills and confidence in managing one's own health. Promoting patient activation is being prioritized to reduce costs and adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a need to understand the characteristics that influence patient activation and the effect on health outcomes.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting and participants

Patients with non‐dialysis CKD recruited from 14 sites (general nephrology and primary care) in England, UK.

Outcome measures

Patient activation was measured using the PAM‐13. Demographic and health‐related variables, self‐reported symptom burden, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), socioeconomic status (SES), were assessed as determinants of patient activation. Major CVD risk factors included hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity and hyperkalaemia.

Results

743 patients were included (eGFR: 32.3 (SD17.1) mL/min/1.73 m2, age 67.8 (SD13.9) years, 68% male). The mean PAM score was 55.1 (SD14.4)/100. Most patients (60%) had low activation. Those with low activation were older (P<.001), had lower eGFR (P = .004), greater number of comorbidities (P = .026) and lower haemoglobin (P = .025). Patients with low activation had a 17% greater number of CVD risk factors (P < .001). Risk factors in those with low activation were being older (P < .001) and having diabetes (P < .001).

Conclusion

This study showed that only a minority of CKD patients are activated for self‐management. Our findings help better understand the level of activation in these patients, particularly older individuals with multimorbidity, and further the knowledge regarding the characteristics that influence activation.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were involved in the design of main study.
The story vs the storyteller: Factors associated with the effectiveness of brief video‐recorded patient stories for promoting opioid tapering
Authors: Henry Stephen G. , Feng Bo , Verba Susan , Kravitz Richard L. , Iosif Ana‐Maria
Published: April 2021

Background

Narrative communication is often more persuasive for promoting health behaviour change than communication using facts and figures; the extent to which narrative persuasiveness is due to patients’ identification with the storyteller vs engagement with the story is unclear.

Objective

To examine the relative impacts of patient engagement, age concordance and gender concordance on perceived persuasiveness of video‐recorded narrative clips about opioid tapering.

Methods

Patient raters watched and rated 48 brief video‐recorded clips featuring 1 of 7 different storytellers describing their experiences with opioid tapering. The dependent variable was clips’ perceived persuasiveness for encouraging patients to consider opioid tapering. Independent variables were rater engagement with the clip, rater‐storyteller gender concordance and rater‐storyteller age concordance (<60 vs ≥60). Covariates were rater beliefs about opioids and opioid tapering, clip duration and clip theme. Mixed‐effects models accounted for raters viewing multiple clips and clips nested within storytellers.

Results

In multivariable models, higher rater engagement with the clip was associated with higher perceived persuasiveness (coefficient = 0.46, 95% CI 0.39‐0.53,P < .001). Neither age concordance nor gender concordance significantly predicted perceived persuasiveness. The themeProblems with opioidsalso predicted perceived persuasiveness.

Conclusion

Highly engaging, clinically relevant stories are likely persuasive to patients regardless of the match between patient and storyteller age and gender. When using patient stories in tools to promote health behaviour change, stories that are clinically relevant and engaging are likely to be persuasive regardless of storytellers’ demographics.

Patient or public contribution

Patients were involved as storytellers (in each clip) and assessed the key study variables.
The emplacement ofin situgreenstones in the northern Hidaka belt: The tectonic relationship between subduction of the Izanagi–Pacific ridge and Hidaka magmatic activity
Authors: Nanayama Futoshi , Tajika Jun , Yamasaki Toru , Kurita Hiroshi , Iwano Hideki , Danhara Tohru , Hirata Takafumi
Published: April 2021

Greenstone bodies emplaced upon or into clastic sediments crop out ubiquitously in the Hidaka belt (early Paleogene accretionary and collisional complexes exposed in the central part of northern Hokkaido, NE Japan), but the timing and setting of their emplacement has remained poorly constrained. Here, we report new zircon U–Pb ages for the sedimentary complexes surrounding these greenstones. The Hidaka Supergroup in the northern Hidaka belt is divided into four zones from west to east: zones S, U, and R, which containin situgreenstones; and zone Y, which does not. Detrital zircons in zones S, U, and R have early Eocene U–Pb ages (55–47 Ma) and these strata are intruded by early Eocene granites (46–45 Ma), indicating that they were deposited between 55 and 46 Ma. Therefore,in situgreenstones in the northern Hidaka belt can only be explained by the subduction of the Izanagi–Pacific Ridge during 55–47 Ma. In contrast, the deposition of zone Y (the Yubetsu Group, younging to the west) began by 73–71 Ma, indicating that the accretionary prism in front of the paleo‐Kuril arc formed at the same time as that in the Idonnappu zone and grew continuously until 48 Ma. The plutonic rocks that intruded the Hidaka belt are roughly divided into three stages: (1) early Eocene granites intruded the northern Hidaka belt at 46–45 Ma, during subduction of the Izanagi–Pacific Ridge; (2) the upper sequence of the Hidaka metamorphic zone was metamorphosed by magmatism at 40–37 Ma associated with the collision of the paleo‐Kuril arc and NE Asia; and (3) younger granites intruded the entire Hidaka belt at 20–17 Ma in association with asthenospheric upwelling caused by back‐arc expansion.
Food packaging during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Consumer perceptions
Authors: Kitz Robert , Walker Tony , Charlebois Sylvain , Music Janet
Published: April 2021

While plastics play an important role in the safety, shelf‐life, and affordability of many foods, their mismanagement as waste presents a serious environmental problem. In 2019, governments in Canada and globally were poised to take legislative action to curb the use of single‐use plastics, with strong public support. However, the COVID‐19 pandemic has since disrupted those initiatives as well as the public sentiment underlying them. The aim of our study is to measure changes in Canadian consumers’ attitudes toward single‐use plastic food packaging, from Summer 2019 to Summer 2020. The methodology relies on two, representative surveys of the Canadian population, carried out in May 2019 (n = 1,094) and in June 2020 (n = 977). Our measures explored potential impacts on consumer perceptions, driven both by new food safety concerns during the pandemic and also by increased price consciousness during a time of economic recession. We found that 55% of respondents were more concerned about food safety since COVID‐19, and that 50% of respondents had become more price conscious when buying groceries. However, we found only a slight decline in motivation to reduce plastics – though with a sharper reduction among males. A stronger shift was seen in attitudes towards policy, where our results show a clear decline in support for tighter regulations or bans on single‐use plastics, along with an increase in consumers’ willingness to pay for biodegradable alternatives. These findings suggest a more difficult road ahead for legislative approaches, but also potential opportunities for market‐based strategies and innovations in the food sector.
Divesting from a Scored Hospital Fall Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT): A Cluster Randomized Non‐Inferiority Trial
Authors: Morris Meg E. , Haines Terry , Hill Anne Marie , Cameron Ian D. , Jones Cathy , Jazayeri Dana , Mitra Biswadev , Kiegaldie Debra , Shorr Ronald I. , McPhail Steven M.
Published: April 2021

Background/Objectives

We investigated the impact of ceasing routine falls risk assessment tool (FRAT) completion and instead used clinical reasoning to select fall mitigation strategies.

Design

Two‐group, multi‐site cluster‐randomized active‐control non‐inferiority trial.

Setting

Hospital wards.

Participants

Adult inpatients admitted to participating hospitals (n = 10 hospitals, 123,176 bed days).

Intervention

Hospitals were randomly assigned (1:1) to a usual care control group that continued to use a historical FRAT to assign falls risk scores and accompanying mitigation strategies, or an experimental group whereby clinicians did not assign risk scores and instead used clinical reasoning to select fall mitigation strategies using a decision support list.

Measurements

The primary measure was between‐group difference in mean fall rates (falls/1000 bed days). Falls were identified from incident reports supplemented by hand searches of medical records over three consecutive months at each hospital. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of monthly falls rates in control versus experimental hospitals was also estimated.

Results

The experimental clinical reasoning approach was non‐inferior to the usual care FRAT that assigned fall risk ratings when compared to a‐priori stakeholder derived and sensitivity non‐inferiority margins. The mean fall rates were 3.84 falls/1000 bed days for the FRAT continuing sites and 3.11 falls/1000 bed days for experimental sites. After adjusting for historical fall rates at each hospital, the IRR (95%CI) was 0.78 (0.64, 0.95), where IRR < 1.00 indicated fewer falls among the experimental group. There were 4 and 3 serious events in the control and experimental groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Replacing a FRAT scoring system with clinical reasoning did not lead to inferior fall outcomes in the short term and may even reduce fall incidence.
Dietary intake and growth in children with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Meade Christina , Martin Ruth , McCrann Ann , Lyons Jacqueline , Roche Edna
Published: April 2021

Background

The management of Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) requires strict dietary supervision to prevent obesity, avoid micronutrient deficiencies and ensure optimal growth. The present study aimed to examine the growth and dietary intake of children with PWS.

Methods

All children with genetically confirmed PWS attending Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Tallaght (n = 44) were invited to participate. Anthropometry was performed and body composition measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Three‐day food diaries were used to evaluate dietary intake and the presence of early feeding issues was assessed. Serum haemoglobin, ferritin and vitamin D levels were measured.

Results

Nineteen children participated, with a mean (range) age of 7.6 (0.6–18.1) years. Most were female (n = 14, 74%). Twenty‐percent (n = 3) were underweight, 60% (n = 9) were healthy weight, n = 1 was overweight and n = 2 were obese. Mean (range) percentage body fat was 25.7% (10%–40%). Eigthy‐three percent reported early feeding issues. Ninety‐four percent (n = 16) achieved ≤ 100% of estimated average requirement (EAR) for energy. Mean daily energy intake for ≤ 5 years old was 722 kcal (9 kcal cm–1/72–112% EAR); for those ≥ 12 years, it was 1203 kcal (8.3 kcal cm–1/41%–82% EAR). Suboptimal calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc and fibre intake was evident. Iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin D insufficiency occurred in two children.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first Irish data for PWS and shows that energy intake does not appear to be excessive, with four in five patients being underweight or of a normal BMI. Suboptimal dietary intake of several micronutrients was evident and biochemical nutrient deficiencies were present.
Critical review of global plastics stock and flow data
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Liu Yi , Chen Wei‐Qiang , Zhu Bing , Qu Shen , Xu Ming
Published: April 2021

The production, consumption, and waste of plastics have been rapidly growing worldwide in the last decades. A variety of data are needed to characterize plastics stocks and flows across space, time, and life cycle to derive insights for developing strategies to address various sustainability challenges from plastics and plastics waste. Here we review data sources on plastics stocks and flows to identify data gaps and research needs. We categorize the reviewed data sources by life cycle stages of plastics including material production, semi‐manufacturing, manufacturing, additives, consumption, in‐use stock, end‐of‐life, waste treatment, and trade. We identify four data gaps in these existing data for characterizing plastics stocks and flows, including inconsistent classification, missing data, conflicting data, and inexplicit data for plastics products and waste. These data gaps represent critical research needs including common platform for data sharing, standard methods for data reconciliation and estimation, consistent data collection and reporting, and new approaches for data collection and curation. This review establishes the state‐of‐the‐art of plastics stock and flow data and develops a roadmap for a high‐quality, comprehensive characterization of plastics stocks and flows to develop management strategies to address the sustainability challenges of plastics production, consumption, waste, and pollution.
Response of cucumber cultivars to target spot based on epidemiological components of the disease monocycle
Authors: Fischer Ivan Herman , Silva Lucas Meleiro da , Amorim Lilian , Galli Juliana Altafin , Parisi Marise Cagnin Martins
Published: April 2021

Corynespora cassiicola is the causal agent of target spot of several cultivated species, among which cucumber is highlighted for frequent reports of yield losses under greenhouse conditions. Given the difficulties managing this disease due to the lack of information about the resistance of cucumber cultivars, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of ten cucumber cultivars to C. cassiicola based on epidemiological components of the disease in a greenhouse. Symptoms of target spot were apparent in all cucumber cultivars from the second day of inoculation of C. cassiicola, demonstrating the short incubation period of the disease and the susceptibility of the crop. The components latent period, number of lesions, lesion diameter, disease severity, number of sporulating lesions, number of spores per affected leaf area and number of spores per sporulating lesion varied according to the cucumber cultivar. The monomolecular model showed the best fit to the number of target spot lesions during the ten days of evaluation, showing differences between cultivars for initial inoculum and disease progression rate parameters. Multivariate analysis with the epidemiological components combined identified three groups of cultivars: one group that was less affected by the disease, represented by Safira and Diplomata cultivars; a second group showing intermediate behaviour, including Valent, Eureka, Taiko, Yamarashi and Darlington cvs., and a third group that was most susceptible to the pathogen and was represented by Soldier, Vulcano and Exocet cvs. Safira and Diplomata cultivars showed low level of susceptibility to target spot and can be recommended for areas with high disease intensity.
Ecological determinants of livestock depredation by the snow leopard Panthera uncia in Bhutan
Authors: Lham D. , Cozzi G. , Sommer S. , Wangchuk S. , Lham K. , Ozgul A.
Published: April 2021

Retaliatory killing due to livestock depredation is a major threat to snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conservation. To devise management actions that reduce livestock losses and the consequent retaliatory killing, we need to understand the factors that influence the snow leopard's diet and depredation on livestock. Here, we studied snow leopard diet and ecological determinants of livestock depredation in Bhutan by semi‐systematically collecting scat samples and analysing prey hair structure using a micro‐histological method. We identified five prey species. Most of the snow leopard diet consisted of wild ungulates (85.8%), mostly bharal (60.8%). Yak (14.2%) was the only livestock species in the scats. Livestock depredation was higher during summer and differed markedly among four protected areas characterized by various wildlife densities and human activities. These findings will help develop a site‐based management plan to ensure the long‐term persistence of the snow leopard in Bhutan.
VvHDZ28 positively regulate salicylic acid biosynthesis during seed abortion in Thompson Seedless
Authors: Li Zhiqian , Jiao Yuntong , Zhang Chen , Dou Mengru , Weng Kai , Wang Yuejin , Xu Yan
Published: April 2021

Seedlessness in grapes is one of the features most appreciated by consumers. However, the mechanisms underlying seedlessness in grapes remain obscure. Here, we observe small globular embryos and globular embryos in Pinot Noir and Thompson Seedless from 20 to 30 days after flowering (DAF). From 40 to 50 DAF, we observe torpedo embryos and cotyledon embryos in Pinot Noir but aborted embryos and endosperm in Thompson Seedless. Thus, RNA‐Seq analyses of seeds at these stages from Thompson Seedless and Pinot Noir were performed. A total of 6442 differentially expressed genes were identified. Among these, genes involved in SA biosynthesis, VvEDS1 and VvSARD1, were more highly expressed in Thompson Seedless than in Pinot Noir. Moreover, the content of endogenous SA is at least five times higher in Thompson Seedless than in Pinot Noir. Increased trimethylation of H3K27 of VvEDS1 and VvSARD1 may be correlated with lower SA content in Pinot Noir. We also demonstrate that VvHDZ28 positively regulates the expression of VvEDS1. Moreover, over‐expression of VvHDZ28 results in seedless fruit and increased SA contents in Solanum lycopersicum. Our results reveal the potential role of SA and feedback regulation of VvHDZ28 in seedless grapes.
Predictors of Political Violence Outcomes among Young People: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Jahnke Sara , Abad Borger Katharina , Beelmann Andreas
Published: April 2021

The present meta‐analysis summarizes the international basis of evidence regarding links between psychologically meaningful risk factors and political violence outcomes among adolescents and young adults. We synthesized 422 cross‐sectional effect sizes from 95 samples (67 index publications, 23 countries), using robust variance estimation. The results of seven longitudinal studies and one intervention study are discussed in a narrative manner. We detected significant effects for depression (r = .07, k = 10); empathy (r = −.16, k = 7); aggression (r = .24, k = 10); identification (r = .21, k = 30); relative group deprivation (r = .19, k = 11); realistic threat (r = .30, k = 27); symbolic threat (r = .28, k = 10); negative intergroup emotions (r = .25, k = 9); experiences of discrimination (r = .11, k = 12); dissatisfaction with the police, political actors, and institutions (r = .11, k = 32); and negative attitudes toward democracy (r = .17, k = 10). No significant effect was found for self‐esteem, intolerance of uncertainty, narcissism, or exposure to intergroup conflict. The reviewed longitudinal and intervention studies mainly confirm these cross‐sectional results. The script and our data are available in an open online repository.
Racism and pride in attitudes toward confederate symbols
Authors: Strother Logan
Published: April 2021

In this essay, I describe and evaluate the contemporary debate over support for Confederate icons. This debate is often stylized as “heritage” versus “hatred.” In this debate, one side alleges that their favored Confederate symbols represent pride in Southern‐Confederate identity, whereas the other urges that Confederate symbols represent racial hatred and white supremacy. I argue that the “heritage versus hatred” framing that typifies the public debate and the academic literature is not helpful. Additionally, the literature has largely ignored the views of Black Southerners, who have far more negative attitudes toward Confederate symbols compared to whites. Thus, many works implicitly assume a distinctly white southern past. Together, these shortcomings mean that existing research has likely overestimated overall public support for Confederate symbols and overstated the importance of Southern pride or heritage in informing that support, while at the same time underestimating the extent to which racial animus undergirds pro‐Confederate views among whites.
Apple MPK4 mediates phosphorylation of MYB1 to enhance light‐induced anthocyanin accumulation
Authors: Yang Tuo , Ma Huaying , Li Yu , Zhang Yan , Zhang Jie , Wu Ting , Song Tingting , Yao Yuncong , Tian Ji
Published: April 2021

Anthocyanins are plant pigments with diverse biological functions that contribute to fruit quality and are beneficial to human health. Anthocyanin accumulation can be influenced by environmental signals, such as light, and plants have developed sophisticated systems to receive and transduce these signals. However, the associated molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the potential function of mitogen‐activated protein kinases, which are members of the light signaling pathway, during light‐induced anthocyanin accumulation in apple (Malus domestica) fruit peels. An antibody array and yeast two‐hybrid screen indicated that proteins encoded by two MdMPK4 genes are light‐activated and interact with the transcription factor and anthocyanin biosynthesis regulator MdMYB1. A phosphorylation assay showed that the MdMPK4 proteins phosphorylate MdMYB1, thereby increasing its stability under light conditions. Transient MdMPK4 and MdMYB1 overexpression assays further revealed that light‐induced anthocyanin accumulation relies on MdMPK4 kinase activity, which is required for maximum MdMYB1 activity. Based on the expression of the chromosome 6 allele MdMPK4‐06G under light conditions and the presence of light response elements in the MdMPK4‐06G promoter, we concluded that it is more responsive to light than the chromosome 14 allele MdMPK4‐14G. These results suggest a potential biotechnological strategy for increasing fruit anthocyanin content via light induction.
The surgical approach to Pyoderma gangrenosum: A retrospective monocenter study
Authors: Bingoel Alperen S. , Krezdorn Nicco , Kaltenborn Alexander , Dastagir Khaled , Jokuszies Andreas , Mett Tobias R. , Vogt Peter M.
Published: April 2021

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a diagnosis of exclusion. It occurs rarely and is frequently misdiagnosed. It can result in severe tissue loss, particularly in surgical units with little experience. Nevertheless, surgical treatment might be necessary for reconstruction, once the progression of these wounds is controlled. We aimed to characterize medical findings in Pyoderma patients with extensive defects to assess the surgical procedures and their outcome. A retrospective study was conducted at our centre over an 18‐year period. Inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of Pyoderma gangrenosum and at least one surgical intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Sixteen patients were included. The mean size of the lesions was noted with 12 × 8 cm. Surgical procedures comprised debridements/necrectomies, allograft conditioning, negative pressure wound therapy, skin grafts, and microvascular free flaps. Seven patients were discharged with healed wounds, six with minor wound healing disturbances. Three patients succumbed to their underlying diseases. Drug‐based therapy can stop the progress of Pyoderma, but severe tissue loss can be a persistent problem. According to our data, reconstructive‐surgical treatments (debridement, autologous and allogenous skin transplantation and microvascular free flaps) act as an integral component of the therapy and can be safe options for selected patients. Furthermore, we provide an algorithm that we follow at our department in severe cases.
Towards an Ultra-Affordable Three-Dimensional Bioprinter: A Heated Inductive-Enabled Syringe Pump Extrusion Multifunction Module for Open-Source Fused Deposition Modeling Three-Dimensional Printers
Authors: Darwish Lamis R. , El-Wakad Mohamed T. , Farag Mahmoud M.
Published: April 2021

The extrusion systems of the widespread Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) three-dimensional (3D) printers enable printing only with materials in the filament form. This property hinders the usage of these FDM 3D printers in many fields where the printing materials are in forms other than filaments. Thus, this paper proposes a Heated Inductive-enabled Syringe Pump Extrusion (HISPE) multifunction open-source module with a potential application in bioprinting (i.e., extrusion-based bioprinting). The proposed HISPE module is designed to be cost-effective, simple, and easy to replicate. It is capable of replacing the conventional extrusion system of any open-source cartesian FDM 3D printer. This module widens both the range of the FDM 3D printing materials (e.g., bioinks, biopolymers, blends of materials, or composites) and their forms (e.g., hydrogels, powder, pellets, or flakes). The capabilities of the proposed module were investigated through 3D printing bone scaffolds with a filament diameter of 400 µm and pore size of 350 µm by a polycaprolactone (PCL) biodegradable polymer in the pellets form. The morphological accuracy of the printed scaffolds was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The investigation results confirm the accurateness of the proposed HISPE module in printing high-precision models.
Novel Infrared Camouflage Technology Based on Electrochromism
Authors: Ding Zhonggen , Lu Feifei , Han Yuge
Published: April 2021

In order to meet the urgent need of developing advanced infrared camouflage technology, a novel concept of infrared regulation based on cooperative control of emissivity and temperature was proposed. Combining the traditional calculation model of infrared characteristics with the control strategy of proportional-integral-differential (PID), the corresponding model of the infrared control system was designed. By integrating the electrochromic material with the thin film resistor, the theoretical feasibility of the infrared control system was verified by the principle prototype. Subsequently, the models of space target and corresponding profiling decoy were established. Meanwhile, the infrared camouflage characteristics of profiling decoy in the 3–5 µm band and the 8–14 µm band were investigated, respectively. The results reveal that the profiling decoy with cooperative control of emissivity and temperature can achieve a more satisfactory effect of infrared control than that of ordinary temperature control. The cooperative control system can effectively reduce the overshoot of radiation and has the ability of fast response, high control precision, and control stability. The theoretical approach provides useful insight for the deep understanding of infrared control and support further research on infrared camouflage.
Validity of GENEActiv Accelerometer Wear and Nonwear Time for Use in Infants
Authors: Hewitt Lyndel , Okely Anthony D. , Stanley Rebecca M. , Batterham Marjika , Cliff Dylan P.
Published: April 2021

Background: Tummy time is recommended by the World Health Organization as part of its global movement guidelines for infant physical activity. To enable objective measurement of tummy time, accelerometer wear and nonwear time requires validation. The purpose of this study was to validate GENEActiv wear and nonwear time for use in infants. Methods: The analysis was conducted on accelerometer data from 32 healthy infants (4–25 wk) wearing a GENEActiv (right hip) while completing a positioning protocol (3 min each position). Direct observation (video) was compared with the accelerometer data. The accelerometer data were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves to identify optimal cut points for second-by-second wear and nonwear time. Cut points (accelerometer data) were tested against direct observation to determine performance. Statistical analysis was conducted using leave-one-out validation and Bland–Altman plots. Results: Mean temperature (0.941) and z-axis (0.889) had the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Cut points were 25.6°C (temperature) and −0.812g (z-axis) and had high sensitivity (0.84, 95% confidence interval, 0.838–0.842) and specificity (0.948, 95% confidence interval, 0.944–0.948). Conclusions: Analyzing GENEActiv data using temperature (>25.6°C) and z-axis (greater than −0.812g) cut points can be used to determine wear time among infants for the purpose of measuring tummy time.
Frustrated Customers: The Effect of Unexpected Emotional Cues on Yelp Reviews
Authors: Matti Josh
Published: April 2021

This paper explores how emotional cues from unexpected sports outcomes impact consumers’ perception of their experience at local businesses. Using nearly 1 million Yelp reviews from the Phoenix area, I empirically test for the presence of loss aversion and reference-dependent preferences in reviewer behavior. Consistent with loss aversion, unexpected losses lead to worse reviews while there is no effect for unexpected wins. The impact of unexpected losses is concentrated in home games, with no effect for away games. The results also reflect reference-dependent preferences since wins and losses in games predicted to be close do not impact reviewer behavior. Consumer services that cater to National Basketball Association fans (e.g., sports bars) experience pronounced effects.
The enigmatic origins of the human brain
Authors: Beaudet Amélie
Published: April 2021

Evolutionary history of the human brain appears more complex than thought
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Antifungal Activity of AmBisome Compared to Conventional Amphotericin B and Fluconazole against Candida auris
Authors: Herrada Janet , Gamal Ahmed , Long Lisa , Sanchez Sonia P. , McCormick Thomas S. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A.
Published: April 2021

Antifungal activity of AmBisome against
Candida auris
was determined
in vitro
and
in vivo
. AmBisome showed MIC
50
and MIC
90
values of 1 and 2 μg/ml, respectively.
Campylobacter jejuni Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Mechanisms Determined Using a Raman Spectroscopy-Based Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Ma Luyao , Chen Lei , Chou Keng C. , Lu Xiaonan
Published: April 2021

Metabolism plays the central role in bacteria to mediate the early response against antibiotics and demonstrate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Understanding the whole-cell metabolite profiles gives rise to a more complete AMR mechanism insight.
Microbial Arsenal of Antiviral Defenses. Part II
Authors: Isaev Artem B. , Musharova Olga S. , Severinov Konstantin V.
Published: April 2021

Bacteriophages or phages are viruses that infect bacterial cells (for the scope of this review we will also consider viruses that infect Archaea). The constant threat of phage infection is a major force that shapes evolution of microbial genomes. To withstand infection, bacteria had evolved numerous strategies to avoid recognition by phages or to directly interfere with phage propagation inside the cell. Classical molecular biology and genetic engineering had been deeply intertwined with the study of phages and host defenses. Nowadays, owing to the rise of phage therapy, broad application of CRISPR-Cas technologies, and development of bioinformatics approaches that facilitate discovery of new systems, phage biology experiences a revival. This review describes variety of strategies employed by microbes to counter phage infection. In the first part defense associated with cell surface, roles of small molecules, and innate immunity systems relying on DNA modification were discussed. The second part focuses on adaptive immunity systems, abortive infection mechanisms, defenses associated with mobile genetic elements, and novel systems discovered in recent years through metagenomic mining.
Refractory primary intestinal lymphangiectasia effectively managed with subcutaneous octreotide
Authors: Halim Amir , Youd Philippa , Thorpe Jill , Halim Irfan
Published: April 2021

This case report describes a young man with a history of lymphoedema and long-standing gastrointestinal symptoms since childhood. After undergoing extensive investigations, he was diagnosed with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL). The patient’s condition was refractory to conventional medium-chain triglyceride diet but responded well to treatment with subcutaneous octreotide. We have shown octreotide to be effective in improving the pathological effects of primary IL, associated with improved clinical well-being and serology, but it is not a curative therapy.
Perioperative management of cranial diabetes insipidus in a patient requiring a tracheostomy
Authors: Kelly Mairead , Verkerk Misha , Harrison Patrick , Oakley Richard
Published: April 2021

Cranial diabetes insipidus (DI), which can cause life-threatening dehydration, is treated with desmopressin, often intranasally. This is challenging in patients whose nasal airflow is altered, such as those requiring tracheostomy. We report the case of a patient, taking intranasal desmopressin for cranial DI, who underwent partial glossectomy, free-flap reconstruction and tracheostomy. Postoperatively, she could not administer nasal desmopressin due to reduced nasal airflow. She developed uncontrollable thirst, polyuria and hypernatraemia. Symptoms were relieved by switching to an enteric formulation. A literature review showed no cases of patients with DI encountering difficulties following tracheostomy. The Royal Society of Endocrinology recommends perioperative planning for such patients, but gives no specific guidance on medication delivery in the context of altered airway anatomy. Careful perioperative planning is required for head and neck patients with DI, particularly for those undergoing airway alteration that may necessitate a change in the mode of delivery of critical medications.
Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: a rare cause of primary amenorrhoea in adolescence—a review and update on diagnosis, management and advances in genetic understanding.
Authors: Cham Grace , O'Brien Brooke , Kimble Rebecca MN
Published: April 2021

Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) refers to a family of genetic disorders that affect the production and/or action of gonadotropic-releasing hormone, resulting in reduced serum levels of sex steroids. This condition has a prevalence of 1–10 cases/100 000 births and is characterised by the absence of spontaneous pubertal development. In women, the condition is characterised by the onset of normal adrenarche, with the absence of thelarche and menarche. Pubertal induction for breast development and uterine growth with oestradiol, and sequential maintenance of a normal menstrual cycle and adequate oestrogen for bone health, with an oestrogen and progesterone, is considered first-line treatment. Pregnancy can be achieved in patients who have received and responded to treatment with ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotrophins. Advances in genetic testing have led to increased research and understanding of the underlying genetics of IHH with gene mutations described in up to 50% of all IHH cases.
Successful transition from insulin to sulfonylurea, on second attempt, in a 24-year-old female with neonatal diabetes secondary to KCNJ11 gene mutation
Authors: Hajji Sulaiman , Aljenaee Khaled , Garrahy Aoife , Byrne Maria
Published: April 2021

Neonatal diabetes (NDM) is defined as diabetes that occurs in the first 6 months of life, the majority of cases are due to sporadic mutations. ATP-sensitive potassium channels located in the beta cells of the pancreas play a major role in insulin secretion and blood glucose homeostasis. Mutations that alter the function of these channels may lead to NDM. We report a case of a 26-year-old Irish woman who was diagnosed with NDM at the age of 4 weeks and treated as type 1 diabetes mellitus, with multiple daily injections of insulin with suboptimal glycaemic control and frequent episodes of hypoglycaemic. She underwent genetic testing for NDM and was diagnosed with a KCNJ11 gene mutation. She was transitioned to high dose glibenclamide at the age of 16 years, but the trial failed due to poor glycaemic control and patient preference, and she was restarted on insulin. At 24 years of age, she was successfully transitioned from insulin (total daily dose 50 units) to high dose sulfonylurea (SU) (glibenclamide 15 mg twice daily). This resulted in optimal control of blood glucose (HbA1C fell from 63 to 44 mmol/mol), lower rates of hypoglycaemic and better quality of life. This case demonstrates that a second trial of SU in later life may be successful.
Primary aspergillosis of the larynx causing acute airway distress
Authors: Ranford David , Kang Chong , Kelly Mairead , Volpini Luigi
Published: April 2021

Laryngeal aspergillosis is most commonly seen as a secondary infection that spreads from the lungs and tracheobronchial tree. Primary invasive aspergillosis of the larynx is rare and most likely seen in an immunocompromised patient. We present a case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with progressive dysphonia and subsequently acute stridor. She is a non-smoker with a recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia. Fibreoptic nasendoscopy revealed a left sided vocal cord lesion ball valving into the glottic space. Histology taken during emergency debulking confirmedAspergillus fumigatusand the patient was successfully treated with intravenous antifungals. Although there are cases of primary laryngeal aspergillosis discussed in the literature, to the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case to have caused acute airway distress requiring emergency intervention.
Maternal finger-prick allogenic blood for persistent corneal epithelial defects
Authors: Pujari Rathin , Deshmukh Rashmi , Sheth Chirag , Rajan Madhavan S
Published: April 2021

This is a case of a 17-year-old patient with aniridia-related keratopathy and persistent epithelial defect (PED) treated successfully using maternal finger-prick blood (FPB). Maternal allogenic FPB treatment was initiated to the patient who was non-compliant with the use of autologous FPB. The PED was successfully managed with maternal FPB treatment with rapid and complete closure of the epithelial defect. Additionally, there was immediate and sustained symptomatic improvement to pain and recovery of vision in the only seeing eye. There was no immunological reaction to allogenic blood. Maternal finger-prick allogenic blood could serve as a potential alternative to serum eye drops or autologous FPB in the management of refractory PED, particularly in reference to the paediatric or the vulnerable age group. Further studies are required to confirm the role of allogenic blood in the treatment of PED.
Aggressive anaplastic ovarian carcinoma in a young nulliparous patient
Authors: Hunter Alicia , Addley Susan , Soleymani majd Hooman
Published: April 2021

Ovarian tumours harbouring foci of anaplastic carcinoma are extremely rare. With just a handful of cases reported in the literature, understanding of the disease and optimal management remains limited. A 38-year-old woman was referred to the gynaeoncologists with a multiloculated complex ovarian mass. High-grade mucinous ovarian carcinoma with mural nodules of anaplastic carcinoma was found on biopsy. Furthermore, an umbilical Sister Mary Joseph nodule signalled advanced metastatic disease. The patient underwent primary debulking surgery and was referred for adjuvant chemotherapy. High-quality radiological and surgical images are included to illustrate the approach taken to preoperative diagnosis and described surgical technique. Our case demonstrates the aggressive and rapidly progressive nature of mucinous ovarian carcinoma bearing anaplastic components. Sharing experience of such cases generates awareness and highlights the need for early detection and thorough investigations to guide subsequent management.
WHO’s allocation framework for COVAX: is it fair?
Authors: Sharma Siddhanth , Kawa Nisrine , Gomber Apoorva
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX) represents an unprecedented global collaboration facilitating the development and distribution of vaccines for COVID-19. COVAX pools and channels funds from state and non-state actors to promising vaccine candidates, and has started to distribute successful candidates to participating states. The WHO, one of the leaders of COVAX, recognised vaccine doses would initially be scarce, and therefore, prepared a two-staged allocation mechanism they considered fair. In the first stage, vaccine doses are distributed equally among participating countries, while in the second stage vaccine doses will be allocated according to a country’s need. Ethicists have questioned whether this is the fairest distribution—they argue a country’s need should be taken into account from the start and correspondingly, have proposed a framework that treats individuals with equal moral concern, aims to minimise harm and gives priority to the worst-off. In this paper, we seek to explore these concerns by comparing COVAX’s allocation mechanism to a targeted allocation based on need. We consider which distribution would more likely maximise well-being and align with principles of equity. We conclude that although in theory, a targeted distribution in proportion to a country’s need would be more morally justifiable, when political realities are taken into account, an equal distribution seems more likely to avert a greater number of deaths and reduce disparities.
Quantifying the diagenetic impact in the late Ediacaran and early Palaeozoic of the Avalon Peninsula using illite “crystallinity”
Authors: Austermann Gregor , Kling Melanie , Ifrim Christina , Emondt Pascale D. , Hildenbrand Anne
Published: April 2021

The Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, Canada, defined as the type zone of Avalonia, is believed to have been impacted by several orogenetic and deformation events since the Neoproterozoic. Previous studies have determined that the lowest degree of metamorphism reached in the successions was of the prehnite–pumpellyite or greenschist facies. We sampled and measured 13 mainly clastic sedimentary sections ranging from the late Ediacaran to the Early Ordovician and analyzed the illite “crystallinity” of 331 samples using the Kübler index. Our results show that the occurrence of diagenetic zones relates to lithology, age and burial depth, and regional setting. Samples adjacent to the fault zones bounding the Holyrood Horst experienced the highest degree of metamorphism (anchizone) in the study area. The lowest degree of thermal alteration occurs in the high stratigraphic sections at the centre of the horst structure where shallow diagenetic conditions are preserved. Fault zones, which were probably active during at least the Acadian Orogeny, may have served as potential paths for hot fluids in bounding areas of the horst, whereas the centre of the horst remained almost unaffected by any metamorphic overprint. The thermal impact decreases from the Bonavista Peninsula west of the study area from greenschist facies to anchizonal and diagenetic. The study area experienced lower metamorphic conditions than those in the major regions of Avalonia south of the study area, namely the mainland of New Brunswick and Maine and eastward in Europe, but is in part consistent with a few other areas of Avalonia, such as the Mira Terrane and the Antigonish Highlands in Nova Scotia.
Search for $$Z'$$ pair production from scalar boson decay in minimal $$U(1)_{L_\mu - L_\tau }$$ model at the LHC
Authors: Nomura Takaaki , Shimomura Takashi
Published: April 2021

We consider a model with gauged $$L_\mu ^{} - L_\tau ^{}$$

L
μ

-

L
τ

symmetry in which the symmetry is spontaneously broken by a scalar field. The decay of the scalar boson into two new gauge bosons is studied as a direct consequence of the spontaneous symmetry breaking. Then, a possibility of searches for the gauge and scalar bosons through such a decay at the LHC experiment is discussed. We consider the case that the mass range of the gauge boson is $${\mathcal {O}}(10)$$

O
(
10
)

 GeV, which is motivated by anomalies reported by LHCb. We will show that the signal significance of the searches for the gauge boson and scalar boson reach to 3 and 5 for the scalar mixing 0.012 and 0.015, respectively.