bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of magnetically controllable glass ceramics with completely dense microstructure by hot pressing
Authors: Hou Yong , Wang Yu , Zhang Guo‐Hua , Chou Kuo‐Chih
Published: September 2021

Completely dense magnetite‐based aluminosilicate glass ceramics with adjustable magnetic properties were successfully synthesized by method of hot pressing. The influences of sintering conditions and magnetite contents on magnetic properties and microstructure of samples were analyzed. It was found that increases in sintering temperature and time could improve the densification degree of samples. However, precipitation of crystalline phases from glass would worsen the densification of samples. The optimum parameters of hot pressing were 950°C for 1 h, under which condition, the glass ceramics containing 10–65 wt.% magnetite showed a fully dense microstructure. As the magnetite content increased from 10 to 65 wt.%, magnetization and area of hysteresis loops of glass ceramics increased, while coercivity showed an opposite trend. However, when the magnetite content increased to 70 wt.%, pores appeared and the degree of densification decreased.
Sensory profile of Italian Espresso brewed Arabica Specialty Coffee under three roasting profiles with chemical and safety insight on roasted beans
Authors: Vezzulli Fosca , Bertuzzi Terenzio , Rastelli Silvia , Mulazzi Annalisa , Lambri Milena
Published: September 2021

Specialty coffee (SC) has been showing an increasing interest from the consumers which appreciate its traceability and the peculiar flavours from each single origin. Additionally, the processes to which coffee fruits underwent to get green coffee characterise the beans in terms of macromolecules acting as substrates during the roasting. This work evaluates via sensory analysed eight SC, roasted at light, medium, and dark level, submitted to Italian espresso extraction, to assess how different roasting levels exalt the expected cup profile obtained by the suppliers via cupping in origin countries. Finally, roasted beans were characterised for physico‐chemical features (pH, titratable acidity, caffeine, melanoidins, polyphenols and acrylamide). Sensory analysis demonstrated that the intermediate roasting level and espresso extraction match better attributes from in‐origin cupping. Melanoidins (mmol g−1coffee d.b.) was able to discriminate among roasting levels (light 0.12 ± 0.01; medium 0.13 ± 0.003; dark 0.14 ± 0.01; α = 0.05). Acrylamide analyses ensured compliance with the food safety standards (light 301.9 ± 37.2 ppb; medium 126.1±19ppb; dark 107.9 ± 22.5ppb). Physico‐chemical features were able to cluster samples from different origins within the same roasting level (α = 0.05). Results showed correlations (α = 0.01) between sensory analysis and physico‐chemical values: direct for caffeine and astringency, reverse for perceived acidity in relation to astringency, roasted, dried fruits and nutty notes.
Not just black and white, but different shades of grey: Legal segmentation and its effect on labour market segmentation in Europe
Authors: DINGELDEY Irene , GERLITZ Jean‐Yves
Published: September 2021

This article studies the impact of employment law on de facto labour market segmentation for 22 European countries from 1991 to 2014. Applying the concept of legal segmentation, the authors distinguish between the standard‐setting (protective), privileging and equalizing functions of employment law and use descriptive and multivariate statistics to indicate their effects on overall employment, and male and female standard and non‐standard employment. High privileging, in combination with high standard‐setting, is found to favour male standard employment and female non‐standard employment, while the equalizing function, aimed at improving the protection of women and other marginalized groups, actually increases male non‐standard employment.
An innovative postnatal risk assessment and corresponding care pathways in Preventive Child Healthcare
Authors: Van Minde Minke R. C. , Lagendijk Jacqueline , Raat Hein , Steegers Eric A. P. , de Kroon Marlou L. A.
Published: September 2021

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative postnatal risk assessment (the postnatal Rotterdam Reproductive Risk Reduction checklist: R4U) and corresponding care pathways in Preventive Child Healthcare (PCHC), along with PCHC professional satisfaction.

Design

Four PCHC organizations located in three municipalities with a higher adverse perinatal outcome than the national average were selected for participation. The study concerns a historically controlled study design.

Methods

The study enrolled participants from September 2016 until December 2017. The historical cohort existed of children born in previous years from 2008 until 2016. The outcome measure was defined as catch‐up growth: more than 0.67 standard deviation score weight for height increase in the first 6 months of life. PCHC professional opinion was assessed with a digital survey.

Results

After the inclusion period, 1,953 children were included in the intervention cohort and 7,436 children in the historical cohort. Catch‐up growth was significantly less common in the intervention cohort; 14.9% versus 19.5% in the historical cohort (p < 0.001). A regression sensitivity analysis, using matching, showed an odds ratio of 0.957 (95% CI 0.938–0.976) for the intervention cohort. In the survey, 74 PCHC physicians and nurses participated; most of them were neutral concerning the benefits of the postnatal R4U.

Conclusion

This study shows that the implementation of a novel postnatal risk assessment including in PCHC is feasible and effective. Final efforts to ensure a widespread implementation should be taken.

Impact

PCHC offers a unique opportunity to recognize and address risk factors for growth and development in children and to implement care pathways. Effective and widely implemented risk assessments in antenatal and PCHC are scarce. To our knowledge, this kind of evidence‐based postnatal risk assessment has not been implemented in PCHC before and seizes the opportunity to prevent catch‐up growth and its long‐term effects.
Supply chain plasticity during a global disruption: Effects of CEO and supply chain networks on operational repurposing
Authors: Falcone Ellie C. , Fugate Brian S. , Dobrzykowski David D.
Published: September 2021

Global disruptions can cause unprecedented variability in demand and supply, necessitating rapid repurposing of supply chains. This research investigates supply chain plasticity and a corresponding unique strategy—operational repurposing. Resource dependence theory and social network theory are used to assess the effects of firms’ network positions on firm engagement in operational repurposing. Social network analysis and econometric models are utilized to analyze 426 995 supply chain contractual relationships and 64,750 CEO network relationships embedded in 136 firms. The results show that in both supply chain and CEO networks, entrepreneurial network position increases a firm's likelihood to repurpose existing operations, while prominent position reduces it. Furthermore, CEO entrepreneurial network position enhances the positive relationship between supply chain entrepreneurial network position and the likelihood of repurposing. This research provides a deeper understanding of how structural networks affect a firm's supply chain plasticity. It helps industry and policy leaders identify suitable firms to prepare their supply chains in the event repurposing is required.
Risk factors for scabies treatment resistance: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lee S.K. , Kim J.H. , Kim M.S. , Lee U.H.
Published: September 2021

Background

In order to successfully treat scabies and to prevent its spread, it is important to identify the factors that can influence the outcome of scabies treatment.

Objectives

This study was designed to evaluate the risk factors associated with treatment resistance scabies during use of an effective topical medication.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients with scabies infestations confirmed by potassium hydroxide (KOH) examinations. Patient characteristics, clinical features and treatment history were collected. The treatment resistance group included patients with persistent scabies infestations for more than 28 days after initiation of antiscabies treatment with 5% permethrin cream.

Results

In total, 138 patients with scabies infestations treated between January 2017 and December 2020 were included in this study. Of these, 100 (72.5%) patients were treated successfully, while 38 (27.5%) patients experienced treatment resistance. In the univariable analysis, risk factors for treatment resistance scabies included impaired cognitive function (OR = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.15–6.14), limited mobility (OR = 2.97, 95% CI, 1.30–6.83), inpatient status (vs. outpatient, OR = 3.3, 95% CI, 1.28–8.54), topical steroid use before diagnosis (OR = 3.52, 95% CI, 1.61–7.81), systemic steroid use before diagnosis (OR = 3.57, 95% CI, 1.26–10.34) and a positive KOH exam after the first treatment (OR = 7.25, 95% CI, 3.24–17.11). In the multivariable analysis, limited mobility (OR = 3.46, 95% CI, 1.02–12.11) and topical steroid use before diagnosis (OR = 3.65, 95% CI, 1.41–9.75) were significant predictive factors for treatment resistance scabies.

Conclusions

Scabies patients with limited mobility and topical steroid use before diagnosis are at high risk of treatment resistance. Dermatologists should take these findings into consideration when treating patients with scabies infestations.
Cutaneous manifestations of small fibre polyneuropathy
Authors: Akabane A.L. , Smith G.P.
Published: September 2021

Background

Because typical and atypical features of small fibre polyneuropathy (SFN) in the skin have not been fully elucidated, the diagnosis is often made by the exclusion of alternative conditions rather than by its identification as a primary syndrome.

Objective

The objective of this study was to characterize dermatologic manifestations in patients with SFN.

Methods

Large retrospective series of biopsy‐proven SFN cases seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (January 2000 to December 2019).

Results

The majority of the 301 participants included presented with at least one cutaneous manifestation [292/301 (97%)]. Pain was most common with 254/301 (84.4%) perceiving this as occurring in the skin. It was frequently described as ‘burning’ [95/254 (37.4%)] and affected distal [174/254 (68.5%)] slightly more than proximal [111/254 (43.7%)] limbs. Numbness [182/301 (60.5%)], edema [61/301 (20.3%)] and skin colour changes [53/301 (17.6%)], which include redness [23/53 (43%)], also had predominant distal distribution. Characteristic loss of distal hair occurred among 17/29 (59%) those reporting hair loss. Other findings with classic limb involvement, Raynaud’s phenomenon [33/301 (11%)] and erythromelalgia [26/301 (8.6%)] were seen. Itch [45/301 (15%)], mostly localized [22/45 (49%)] and localized eczematous dermatitis were also found.

Conclusion

SFN has a wide range of clinical features in which the skin is affected, with characteristic findings affecting the extremities.
A pilot study evaluating the efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde‐loaded niosomes against mild‐to‐moderate acne
Authors: Kim Jihee , Kim Jemin , Lee Young In , Suk Jangmi , Lee Dongwon , Lee Ju Hee
Published: September 2021

Background

Retinoids are the mainstay of topical therapy for acne. To improve the efficacy and minimize the side effects of retinoids, various novel drug delivery mechanisms, including nanoparticles, have been developed.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a retinaldehyde‐loaded niosome (RA‐N) nanoemulsion against sebum secretion and keratinization on mild‐to‐moderate acne.

Patients/methods

Twenty‐three participants exhibiting mild‐to‐moderate acne with both closed and open comedones were included. They applied a 0.05% RA‐N nanoemulsion daily for 4 weeks, did not to use any other emollient or topical pharmaceutical, and were asked to report any symptoms and treatment satisfaction.

Results

The participants demonstrated significantly fewer closed and open comedones after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment than at baseline (*p < 0.05). The mean sebum secretion, measured using Sebumeter®, was 327.95 ± 90.20 μg cm−2 at baseline and reduced to 282.60 ± 99.70 and 250.65 ± 97.6 μg cm−2, respectively, after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (*p < 0.05). The mean desquamation index, determined using Visioscan®, was 10.99 ± 1.69 at baseline and decreased to 9.81 ± 1.10 and 8.89 ± 1.32, respectively, after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (*p < 0.05). The application of the RA‐N nanoemulsion resulted in a significantly lower desquamation level, suggesting that the RA‐N nanoemulsion was well‐tolerated without any skin irritation. None of the participants reported a serious adverse event during this study.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the RA‐N nanoemulsion was effective in improving comedones in acne‐prone skin and safe for long‐term application. Further studies are necessary to investigate the long‐term effects of the application of the RA‐N nanoemulsion in participants with inflammatory acne and acne scars.
Efficacy of topical cysteamine hydrochloride in treating melasma: a systematic review
Authors: Ahramiyanpour Najmeh , Saki Nasrin , Akbari Zahra , Shamsi‐Meymandi Simin , Amiri Rezvan , Heiran Alireza
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Melasma remains a recurrent, chronic, therapeutically challenging, and psychologically burdening condition. Several different modalities and approaches have been utilized, and some with notable success to experimentally manage the condition. Cysteamines, with their depigmentation properties, have only recently been intensely studied. One such formulation is the topical 5% cysteamine hydrochloride, the structure of which is notably more stable and with a less foul odor than its prior counterparts. We, therefore, aimed to assess the efficacy of the mentioned formulation in the treatment of melasma.

Methods

The PubMed, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Science, and Embase, Cochrane, and Proquest databases were thoroughly searched for English studies evaluating the effects of the topical agent mentioned.

Results

Eight studies (five RCTs, two case reports, and one case series) were included after three rounds of screening, most of which were carried out in Iran. Statistical significance was noted when assessing decreased melanin content and satisfaction rates.

Conclusions

It appears that the cysteamine cream could be comparably efficient in treating melasma while accompanied only by minor and transient adverse events. However, current evidence is limited by insufficient sample size, long‐term follow‐up, and only to epidermal melasma, highlighting the need for appropriately designed randomized controlled clinical trials to draw a conclusive image of the cysteamine's role in treating this recalcitrant condition.
Parental perspective and feeding practices effects on food neophobia in elementary school children in San Luis Obispo County
Authors: Ayoughi Farnoosh , Handley Maria , Garza Jeff , Amin Samir , Volpe Richard , Lammert Amy
Published: September 2021

Food neophobia in children is associated with less consumption of fruit and vegetable (FV). Food neophobia (FN) in children can be influenced by parents and their parental feeding practices. The present study examines the relationship between FN and fruit and vegetable neophobia (FVN) among: (a) parents, (b) parents‐reports on child's behavior, and (c) child self‐reports. The effect of parental feeding practices on child's FN and FVN were also studied. Parents paired with their children (6–12 years) participated in this study. Parents reported their children more neophobic than children who self‐reported, and the association was significant (r = .62, p < .05). FVN were positively correlated with FN in both parents and children. Hispanic and parents without a college degree reported higher levels of restriction for weight control. More pressure to eat was applied for younger children (p < .05). Pressuring children to eat increased their levels of FN and FVN as reported by parents.

Practical applications

This study gives parents/guardians an insight on how their feeding strategies can influence the food consumption balance of their children. Parents can promote their children's eating habits toward consuming more fruit and vegetable by avoiding pressure while encouraging their children to have a more dietary variety.
Habitat specificity drives differences in space‐use patterns of multiple mesocarnivores in an agroecosystem
Authors: Katna A. , Kulkarni A. , Thaker M. , Vanak A. T.
Published: September 2021

Space‐use patterns of animals are a fundamental measure of resource requirements and constraints. In some human‐modified landscapes, especially agroecosystems that depend on both rainfall and irrigation, drivers that influence animal space use can show unexpected spatial and temporal patterns due to anthropogenic activities. Animals living in such landscapes are expected to respond to changes in their environment by altering home‐range sizes and habitat selection at multiple scales. We used movement data from a guild of mesocarnivores to determine how home‐range size and habitat selection differ across species and seasons in a complex agroecosystem in Central India. Based on high‐resolution location data from golden jackals (Canis aureus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), and Indian foxes (Vulpes bengalensis) over a period of ~3 years, we found that home‐range sizes scaled with body mass as expected, with high intra‐species variability. Seasonal home ranges of golden jackals, jungle cats, and Indian foxes varied from 3.1 to 23.7 (mean = 12.3 ± 1.6), 1.01 to 26.48 (mean = 5.9 ± 0.9), and 1.16 to 10.71 (mean = 4.3 ± 0.5) km2, respectively. Contrary to expectations, home‐range size did not vary significantly with season, suggesting that agricultural activities may dampen typical seasonal variations in resource availability and distribution. Site fidelity in seasonal home ranges for golden jackals, jungle cats, and Indian foxes was high (seasonal overlaps = 0.94 ± 0.01, 0.89 ± 0.02 and 0.81 ± 0.03, respectively). We also found that the habitat specialist Indian fox primarily selected for remnant native grasslands and plantations, whereas the generalist golden jackal and jungle cat selected more human‐modified land cover types at both the landscape and home‐range scales. This study highlights the importance of maintaining natural habitats within production landscapes, especially for habitat specialists, which are more constrained in their requirements than generalist species.
Genomic signatures of parallel alpine adaptation in recently evolved flightless insects
Authors: McCulloch Graham A. , Guhlin Joseph , Dutoit Ludovic , Harrop Thomas W. R. , Dearden Peter K. , Waters Jonathan M.
Published: September 2021

Natural selection along elevational gradients has potential to drive predictable adaptations across distinct lineages, but the extent of such repeated evolution remains poorly studied for many widespread alpine taxa. We present parallel genomic analyses of two recently evolved flightless alpine insect lineages to test for molecular signatures of repeated alpine adaptation. Specifically, we compare low‐elevation vs. alpine stonefly ecotypes from parallel stream populations in which flightless upland ecotypes have been independently derived. We map 67,922 polymorphic genetic markers, generated across 176Zelandoperla fenestrataspecimens from two independent alpine stream populations in New Zealand's Rock and Pillar Range, to a newly developed plecopteran reference genome. Genome‐wide scans revealed 31 regions with outlier single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) differentiating lowland vs. alpine ecotypes in Lug Creek, and 37 regions with outliers differentiating ecotypes in Six Mile Creek. Of these regions, 13% (8/60) yielded outlier SNPs across both within‐stream ecotype comparisons, implying comparable genomic shifts contribute to this repeated alpine adaptation. Candidate genes closely linked to repeated outlier regions include several with documented roles in insect wing‐development (e.g.,dishevelled), suggesting that they may contribute to repeated alpine wing reduction. Additional candidate genes have been shown to influence insect fecundity (e.g.,ovo) and lifespan (e.g.,Mrp4), implying that they might contribute to life history differentiation between upland and lowland ecotypes. Additional outlier genes have potential roles in the evolution of reproductive isolation among ecotypes (hedgehogandDesaturase1). These results demonstrate how replicated outlier tests across independent lineages can potentially contribute to the discovery of genes underpinning repeated adaptation.
Noncontact deflection measurement for bridge through a multi‐UAVs system
Authors: Zhuge Sheng , Xu Xiangpeng , Zhong Lijun , Gan Shuwei , Lin Bin , Yang Xia , Zhang Xiaohu
Published: September 2021

Deflection measurement is the research focus of health monitoring for bridges during the operation period. This study develops a contactless measurement technique to monitor the bridge deflection, leveraging visual information from a team of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). On the basis of the collinearity of the laser spots projected on the plane by the coplanar laser indicator, we can eliminate the motion of UAV, and calculate the vertical displacement of the position to be measured relative to the bridge pier. In the proposed method, the center of the laser spot is extracted through a method based on deep learning, and an algorithm based on scale‐invariant features registration was developed to track the feature points of the bridge in the image sequence. According to the algorithm, we demonstrate the accuracy and feasibility of our approach through simulation and simulated bridge experiments. The result shows that the root mean squared error (RMSE) of measurement through our technique is less than 0.5 mm in the laboratory conditions. In addition, the limits and scalability of the presented method have been explored through a field experiment.
United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) consensus on functional dyspepsia
Authors: Wauters Lucas , Dickman Ram , Drug Vasile , Mulak Agata , Serra Jordi , Enck Paul , Tack Jan ,   ESNM FD Consensus Group, Accarino Anna , Barbara Giovanni , Bor Serhat , Coffin Benoit , Corsetti Maura , De Schepper Heiko , Dumitrascu Dan , Farmer Adam , Gourcerol Guillaume , Hauser Goran , Hausken Trygve , Karamanolis George , Keszthelyi Daniel , Malagelada Carolin , Milosavljevic Tomislav , Muris Jean , O’Morain Colm , Papathanasopoulos Athanassos , Pohl Daniel , Rumyantseva Diana , Sarnelli Giovanni , Savarino Edoardo , Schol Jolien , Sheptulin Arkady , Smet Annemieke , Stengel Andreas , Storonova Olga , Storr Martin , Törnblom Hans , Vanuytsel Tim , Velosa Monica , Waluga Marek , Zarate Natalia , Zerbib Frank
Published: September 2021

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the most common conditions in clinical practice. In spite of its prevalence, FD is associated with major uncertainties in terms of its definition, underlying pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Methods

A Delphi consensus was initiated with 41 experts from 22 European countries who conducted a literature summary and voting process on 87 statements. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Consensus (defined as >80% agreement) was reached for 36 statements.

Results

The panel agreed with the definition in terms of its cardinal symptoms (early satiation, postprandial fullness, epigastric pain, and epigastric burning), its subdivision into epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome, and the presence of accessory symptoms (upper abdominal bloating, nausea, belching), and overlapping conditions. Also, well accepted are the female predominance of FD, its impact on quality of life and health costs, and acute gastrointestinal infections, and anxiety as risk factors. In terms of pathophysiological mechanisms, the consensus supports a role for impaired gastric accommodation, delayed gastric emptying, hypersensitivity to gastric distention, Helicobacter pylori infection, and altered central processing of signals from the gastroduodenal region. There is consensus that endoscopy is mandatory for establishing a firm diagnosis of FD, but that in primary care, patients without alarm symptoms or risk factors can be managed without endoscopy. There is consensus that H. pylori status should be determined in every patient with dyspeptic symptoms and H. pylori positive patients should receive eradication therapy. Also, proton pump inhibitor therapy is considered an effective therapy for FD, but no other treatment approach reached a consensus. The long‐term prognosis and life expectancy are favorable.

Conclusions and Inferences

A multinational group of European experts summarized the current state of consensus on the definition, diagnosis and management of FD.
Secondary Mania induced by TNF‐α inhibitors: A systematic review
Authors: Miola Alessandro , Dal Porto Veronica , Meda Nicola , Perini Giulia , Solmi Marco , Sambataro Fabio
Published: September 2021

A growing number of studies support a bidirectional relationship between inflammation and bipolar disorders. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) inhibitors have recently attracted interest as potential therapeutic compounds for treating depressive symptoms, but the risk for triggering mood switches in patients with or without bipolar disorders remains controversial. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to study the anti‐TNF‐α medication‐induced manic or hypomanic episodes. PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Embase databases were screened for a comprehensive literature search from inception until November 2020, using The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Out of the initial 75 references, the screening resulted in the inclusion of four case reports (each describing one patient) and a cohort study (in which 40 patients out of 7600–0.53% – experienced elated mood episodes after infliximab administration). Of these 44 patients, 97.7% experienced a manic episode and 2.3% hypomania. 93.2% of patients had no history of psychiatric disorder or psychotropic treatment. Only 6.8% had a history of psychiatric disorders with the affective spectrum (4.6% dysthymia and 2.3% bipolar disorder). The time of onset of manic or hypomanic symptoms varied across TNF‐α inhibitors with an early onset for Infliximab and a later onset for Adalimumab and Etanercept. These findings suggest that medications targeting the TNF‐α pathway may trigger a manic episode in patients with or without affective disorders. However, prospective studies are needed to evaluate the relative risk of such side effects and identify the population susceptible to secondary mania.
Detecting a viewer’s familiarity with a face: Evidence from event‐related brain potentials and classifier analyses
Authors: Wiese Holger , Anderson Dasha , Beierholm Ulrik , Tüttenberg Simone C. , Young Andrew W. , Burton A. Mike
Published: September 2021

Human observers recognize the faces of people they know efficiently and without apparent effort. Consequently, recognizing a familiar face is often assumed to be an automatic process beyond voluntary control. However, there are circumstances in which a person might seek to hide their recognition of a particular face. The present study therefore used event‐related potentials (ERPs) and a classifier based on logistic regression to determine if it is possible to detect whether a viewer is familiar with a particular face, regardless of whether the participant is willing to acknowledge it or not. In three experiments, participants were presented with highly variable “ambient” images of personally familiar and unfamiliar faces, while performing an incidental butterfly detection task (Experiment 1), an explicit familiarity judgment task (Experiment 2), and a concealed familiarity task in which they were asked to deny familiarity with one truly known facial identity while acknowledging familiarity with a second known identity (Experiment 3). In all three experiments, we observed substantially more negative ERP amplitudes at occipito‐temporal electrodes for familiar relative to unfamiliar faces starting approximately 200 ms after stimulus onset. Both the earlier N250 familiarity effect, reflecting visual recognition of a known face, and the later sustained familiarity effect, reflecting the integration of visual with additional identity‐specific information, were similar across experiments and thus independent of task demands. These results were further supported by the classifier analysis. We conclude that ERP correlates of familiar face recognition are largely independent of voluntary control and discuss potential applications in forensic settings.
Effects of buffelgrass removal and nitrogen addition on soil microbial communities during an extreme drought in the Sonoran Desert
Authors: Williams Jared P. , Gornish Elise S. , Barberán Albert
Published: September 2021

Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), an invasive perennial grass in arid regions of the United States, has drastically modified natural ecosystems. Understanding the aboveground–belowground links between buffelgrass invasion and soil microbial communities will be critical for developing a comprehensive understanding of arid ecosystems and for deploying successful control strategies. In a randomized block‐field experiment located in Tucson, AZ, U.S.A., we investigated the effects of buffelgrass removal via hand pulling and nitrogen addition (and their interaction) on soil microbial communities during an extreme drought (summer 2020). We found that experimental treatments did not significantly impact bacterial and archaeal community diversity and composition, while plant removal affected fungal community diversity and composition. In addition, the removal treatment increased the proportion of putative chitinolytic bacteria (genus Lysobacter) and decreased the proportion of putative fungal endophytes (genus Darksidea). Buffelgrass manual removal appeared to favor fungal endophyte death around and inside of leftover intact roots, which may result in an increase of chitinolytic bacteria thriving on the degradation of fungal cell walls. Overall, our results suggest that hand removal—which is a common type of buffelgrass control—can alter soil fungal communities and the proportion of certain microbial functional groups. As these changes could subsequently affect native plants, more research is needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the effect of buffelgrass control efforts on target plants as well as surrounding ecosystem dynamics.
Restoration ecophysiology: an ecophysiological approach to improve restoration strategies and outcomes in severely disturbed landscapes
Authors: Valliere Justin M. , Ruscalleda Alvarez Jaume , Cross Adam T. , Lewandrowski Wolfgang , Riviera Fiamma , Stevens Jason C. , Tomlinson Sean , Tudor Emily P. , Wong Wei San , Yong Jean W. H. , Veneklaas Erik J.
Published: September 2021

As human activities destroy and degrade the world's ecosystems at unprecedented scales, there is a growing need for evidence‐based methods for ecological restoration if we are to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. Mining represents one of the most severe anthropogenic disturbances, often necessitating intensive intervention to restore the most basic attributes of native ecosystems. Despite examples of successful mine‐site restoration, re‐establishing native vegetation in these degraded landscapes remains a significant challenge. Plant ecophysiology—the study of the interactions between plants and the environment—can provide a useful framework for evaluating and guiding mine‐site restoration. By understanding the physiological mechanisms that allow plants to establish and persist in these highly disturbed environments, practitioners may be able to improve restoration outcomes. Specifically, methods in plant ecophysiology can inform site preparation and the selection of plant material for restoration projects, aid in monitoring restoration progress by providing additional insight into plant performance, and ultimately improve our ability to predict restoration trajectories. Here, we review the challenges and benefits of integrating an ecophysiological perspective to mine‐site restoration in Western Australia, a global hotspot of biodiversity and mining operations. Using case studies and examples from the region's diverse ecosystems, we illustrate how an ecophysiological approach can guide the restoration of some of the world's most severely disturbed landscapes. With careful selection of study species and traits and consideration of the specific environmental conditions and stressors within a site, the restoration ecophysiology framework outlined here has the potential to inform restoration strategies across ecosystems.
The theology of GPT‐2: Religion and artificial intelligence
Authors: Reed Randall
Published: September 2021

Artificial intelligence is an increasingly present part of our world. This article outlines connections between religion and artificial intelligence, looking at the development of A.I. and its current state, including the issues of ethics and bias that are currently under discussion in A.I. research. Looking forward to the future, the article addresses the way that perspectives and scholarship in Religious Studies are already, and will continue to be, relevant in making sense of possible developments of A.I. into Artificial General Intelligence. Finally, the article examines GPT‐2, a text generating A.I., looking at the way such an artificial intelligence might apprehend religion and what that tells us about religion and A.I.
Foreign exchange interventions under a minimum exchange rate regime and the Swiss franc
Authors: Hertrich Markus
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a structural model is proposed that allows monetary authorities to determine the size of foreign exchange market interventions that are expected to be necessary to implement a minimum exchange rate regime. An empirical application of the proposed model to the minimum exchange rate regime that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented vis‐à‐vis the euro from September 2011 to January 2015 reveals that it is well suited to explain the actual size of these interventions and that, in January 2015, the SNB’s euro purchases might have been large without the abandonment of the minimum exchange rate regime, which is consistent with the official statements of the SNB in the aftermath of that episode.
Exceptional Hahn and Jacobi polynomials with an arbitrary number of continuous parameters
Authors: Durán Antonio J.
Published: September 2021

We construct new examples of exceptional Hahn and Jacobi polynomials. Exceptional polynomials are orthogonal polynomials with respect to a measure which are also eigenfunctions of a second‐order difference or differential operator. In mathematical physics, they allow the explicit computation of bound states of rational extensions of classical quantum‐mechanical potentials. The most apparent difference between classical or classical discrete orthogonal polynomials and their exceptional counterparts is that the exceptional families have gaps in their degrees, in the sense that not all degrees are present in the sequence of polynomials. The new examples have the novelty that they depend on an arbitrary number of continuous parameters.
Oral and cephalometric study in Brazilian Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome patients
Authors: Martins Fabiana , Roussen Ana Clelia , Rezende Nathalie , Hiraoka Cybelle , Zamunaro Marcelo , Gallottini Marina
Published: September 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe a detailed investigation of craniofacial and dental characteristics in a group of Brazilian Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS) patients.

Methods and results

Thirteen RSTS patients treated in a special care dental clinic after 10 years were studied. Panoramic radiographs were obtained from all patients, and cephalometric analysis was performed in eight patients. Five male and eight white female patients with a median age of 11.7 years were analyzed. All the RSTS patients were mouth breathers and presented malocclusion, transverse hypoplastic maxilla, nine subjects (9/13; 69.2%) had posterior crossbite, and eight (61.53%) exhibited talon cusps. Most patients presented class II skeletal pattern and were brachycephalic. Regarding systemic disorders, one patient (7.69%) reported seizure episodes during childhood, and four patients (30.76%) presented heart valve disorders. All patients presented reduced attention span, low intolerance to dental interventions, impulsiveness, and irritability.

Conclusions

Since RSTS exhibits oral and skeletal changes, early dental treatment is essential for these patients. Dentists must be aware of medical problems related to heart disease and persist in conditioning techniques to obtain cooperation and avoid dental care under general anesthesia.
Sequential change point tests based on U‐statistics
Authors: Kirch Claudia , Stoehr Christina
Published: September 2021

We propose a general framework of sequential testing procedures based on U‐statistics which contains as an example a sequential CUSUM test based on differences in mean but also includes a robust sequential Wilcoxon change point procedure. Within this framework, we consider several monitoring schemes that take different observations into account to make a decision at a given time point. Unlike the originally proposed scheme that takes all observations of the monitoring period into account, we also consider a modified moving‐sum‐version as well as a version of a Page‐monitoring scheme. The latter behave almost as good for early changes while being advantageous for later changes. For all proposed procedures we provide the limit distribution under the null hypothesis of no change which yields the threshold to control the global false alarm rate asymptotically. Furthermore, we show that the proposed tests have asymptotic power one. In a simulation study we compare the performance of the sequential procedures via their empirical size, power and detection delay, which is further illustrated by means of a temperature data set.
Of Markets and Networks: Marketization and Job Lead Receipt in Transitional China
Authors: Liu Chao , McDonald Steve , Chua Vincent
Published: September 2021

Market transition theory implies that increased market competition generates incentives for allocating job resources based on educational credentials and marketable skills, in contrast with traditional patronage systems that allocate employment opportunities through network membership. Yet despite the breakdown of patronage systems, further development of market institutions result in greater uncertainty, job precarity, and competition, which may promote referral hiring and diffusion of job information through social networks. This paper explores the relationship between marketization and access to employment opportunities through social networks (specifically the receipt of unsolicited job leads). Data from the Social Capital China Survey suggest that growing marketization across provinces is positively associated with receipt of unsolicited job leads. In particular, private sector development, factor market development, and legal intermediary proliferation are significantly and positively associated with an individual’s chance of receiving unsolicited job leads. The findings help clarify the mechanisms through which marketization facilitates informal exchange of job information, advancing scholarship on how concrete institutional conditions shape the significance of social networks.
Innovating digitally: The new texture of practices in Agriculture 4.0
Authors: Lioutas Evagelos D. , Charatsari Chrysanthi
Published: September 2021

This research aimed to identify the practices used by actors while innovating digitally in the field of agriculture. We also attempted to depict if and how they experience disruptions associated with the emergence of digital technologies. A qualitative research design permitted us to uncover that work‐ and system‐related disruptions follow the process of agricultural digitalisation. The study also indicated that innovating digitally is a collective process in which, however, some actors independently attempt to elevate their positions through weaving, that is, engaging in networking practices. On the other hand, despite their intense efforts to promote these technologies to farmers, innovation brokers, technology providers and researchers are not actively involved in the process of co‐creating value for and with farmers. We conclude by arguing that digital technologies are not scope‐neutral devices and by pointing out the need for redefining what responsibility means, what agricultural digitalisation research should stand upon and what it should stand for.
Protective effect of house screening against indoor Aedes aegypti in Mérida, Mexico: A cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Manrique‐Saide Pablo , Herrera‐Bojórquez Josué , Villegas‐Chim Josué , Puerta‐Guardo Henry , Ayora‐Talavera Guadalupe , Parra‐Cardeña Manuel , Medina‐Barreiro Anuar , Ramírez‐Medina Marypaz , Chi‐Ku Aylin , Trujillo‐Peña Emilio , Méndez‐Vales Rosa E. , Delfín‐González Hugo , Toledo‐Romaní María E. , Bazzani Roberto , Bolio‐Arceo Edgardo , Gómez‐Dantés Hector , Che‐Mendoza Azael , Pavía‐Ruz Norma , Kirstein Oscar D. , Vazquez‐Prokopec Gonzalo M.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate the protective effect of house screening (HS) on indoor Aedes aegypti infestation, abundance and arboviral infection in Merida, Mexico.

Methods

In 2019, we performed a cluster randomised controlled trial (6 control and 6 intervention areas: 100 households/area). Intervention clusters received permanently fixed fiberglass HS on all windows and doors. The study included two cross‐sectional entomologic surveys, one baseline (dry season in May 2019) and one post‐intervention (PI, rainy season between September and October 2019). The presence and number of indoor Aedes females and blood‐fed females (indoor mosquito infestation) as well as arboviral infections with dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses were evaluated in a subsample of 30 houses within each cluster.

Results

HS houses had significantly lower risk for having Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56, 95% CI 0.33–0.97, p = 0.04) and blood‐fed females (OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.28–0.97, p = 0.04) than unscreened households from the control arm. Compared to control houses, HS houses had significantly lower indoor Ae. aegypti abundance (rate ratio [RR] = 0.50, 95% CI 0.30–0.83, p = 0.01), blood‐fed Ae. aegypti females (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.27–0.85, p = 0.01) and female Ae. aegypti positive for arboviruses (OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.10–0.86, p = 0.02). The estimated intervention efficacy in reducing Ae. aegypti arbovirus infection was 71%.

Conclusions

These results provide evidence supporting the use of HS as an effective pesticide‐free method to control house infestations with Aedes aegypti and reduce the transmission of Aedes‐transmitted viruses such as DENV, chikungunya (CHIKV) and ZIKV.
The Euscaphis japonica genome and the evolution of malvids
Authors: Sun Wei‐Hong , Li Zhen , Xiang Shuang , Ni Lin , Zhang Diyang , Chen De‐Qiang , Qiu Meng‐Yuan , Zhang Qi‐Gong , Xiao Lin , Din Le , Li Yifan , Liao Xing‐Yu , Liu Xue‐Die , Jiang Yu‐Ting , Zhang Pei‐Lan , Ni Hui , Wang Yifan , Yue Yi‐Xun , Wu Xi , Din Xiang‐Qing , Huang Wei , Wang Zhi‐Wen , Ma Xiaokai , Liu Bobin , Zou Xiao‐Xing , Van de Peer Yves , Liu Zhong‐Jian , Zou Shuang‐Quan
Published: September 2021

Malvids is one of the largest clades of rosids, includes 58 families and exhibits remarkable morphological and ecological diversity. Here, we report a high‐quality chromosome‐level genome assembly for Euscaphis japonica, an early‐diverging species within malvids. Genome‐based phylogenetic analysis suggests that the unstable phylogenetic position of E. japonica may result from incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization event during the diversification of the ancestral population of malvids. Euscaphis japonica experienced two polyploidization events: the ancient whole genome triplication event shared with most eudicots (commonly known as the γ event) and a more recent whole genome duplication event, unique to E. japonica. By resequencing 101 samples from 11 populations, we speculate that the temperature has led to the differentiation of the evergreen and deciduous of E. japonica and the completely different population histories of these two groups. In total, 1012 candidate positively selected genes in the evergreen were detected, some of which are involved in flower and fruit development. We found that reddening and dehiscence of the E. japonica pericarp and long fruit‐hanging time promoted the reproduction of E. japonica populations, and revealed the expression patterns of genes related to fruit reddening, dehiscence and abscission. The key genes involved in pentacyclic triterpene synthesis in E. japonica were identified, and different expression patterns of these genes may contribute to pentacyclic triterpene diversification. Our work sheds light on the evolution of E. japonica and malvids, particularly on the diversification of E. japonica and the genetic basis for their fruit dehiscence and abscission.
Impact of C‐terminal truncations in the Arabidopsis Rab escort protein (REP) on REP–Rab interaction and plant fertility
Authors: Gutkowska Małgorzata , Kaus‐Drobek Magdalena , Hoffman‐Sommer Marta , Małgorzata Pamuła Magdalena , Daria Leja Anna , Perycz Małgorzata , Lichocka Małgorzata , Witek Agnieszka , Wojtas Magdalena , Dadlez Michał , Swiezewska Ewa , Surmacz Liliana
Published: September 2021

Lipid anchors are common post‐translational modifications for proteins engaged in signaling and vesicular transport in eukaryotic cells. Rab proteins are geranylgeranylated at their C‐termini, a modification which is important for their stable binding to lipid bilayers. The Rab escort protein (REP) is an accessory protein of the Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (RGT) complex and it is obligatory for Rab prenylation. While REP–Rab interactions have been studied by biochemical, structural, and genetic methods in animals and yeast, data on the plant RGT complex are still limited. Here we use hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX‐MS) to describe the structural basis of plant REP–Rab binding. The obtained results show that the interaction of REP with Rabs is highly dynamic and involves specific structural changes in both partners. In some cases the Rab and REP regions involved in the interaction are molecule‐specific, and in other cases they are common for a subset of Rabs. In particular, the C‐terminus of REP is not involved in binding of unprenylated Rab proteins in plants, in contrast to mammalian REP. In line with this, a C‐terminal REP truncation does not have pronounced phenotypic effects in planta. On the contrary, a complete lack of functional REP leads to male sterility in Arabidopsis: pollen grains develop in the anthers, but they do not germinate efficiently and hence are unable to transmit the mutated allele. The presented data show that the mechanism of action of REP in the process of Rab geranylgeranylation is different in plants than in animals or yeast.