bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Case of Piruani: Contested Justice, Legal Pluralism, and Indigeneity in Highland Bolivia
Authors: Doyle Matthew 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe 2009 Bolivian constitution included provisions that establish a radical form of de jure legal pluralism by creating a parallel legal system that gives full recognition to the nonstate legal orders and forms of conflict resolution of Indigenous communities. This article examines how a land dispute within a Bolivian highland Indigenous community resulted in a disagreement between different local forms of political and judicial authority. This turned on the question of which authorities had the right to judge the case, the nature of justice and indigeneity, and the legal pluralism enshrined in the constitution. Analysis of this situation illustrates not only the internal tensions and paradoxical effects of this juridical project but also the potential limitations of any attempt to formally recognize legal plurality. [legal pluralism, Indigenous justice, usos y costumbres, plurinational state, Movimiento al Socialismo]
Improving police responses to suicide‐related emergencies: New evidence on the effectiveness of co‐response police‐mental health programs
Authors: Blais Etienne , Brisebois David 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundSeveral police organizations have implemented training programs and co‐response police‐mental health programs to improve interventions among people in crisis. Some researchers have questioned the “one size fits all” approach of these programs and their ability to improve the management of specific psychosocial emergencies such as suicide‐related behaviors.ObjectivesThis study evaluates the effect of a co‐response police‐mental health program introduced by the Laval Police Department to improve interventions in suicide‐related calls.MethodsPropensity score matching techniques were used to match 130 observations of a control group with 251 observations of a treatment group. Average treatment effects (ATEs) were then computed.ResultsResults indicate that the co‐response program was associated with significant decreases in police use of force (ATE = −0.077; p ≤ 0.05) and transports to hospital (ATE = −0.773; p ≤ .01). Increases were observed in referrals to community resources (ATE = 0.285; p ≤ 0.01), and individuals managed through their social network (ATE = 0.530; p ≤ 0.01).ConclusionThe findings suggest that co‐response police‐mental health programs can improve the management of people showing suicide‐related behaviors.
Increased copy number of gibberellin 2‐oxidase 8 genes reduced trailing growth and shoot length during soybean domestication
Authors: Wang Xin , Li Man‐Wah , Wong Fuk‐Ling , Luk Ching‐Yee , Chung Claire Yik‐Lok , Yung Wai‐Shing , Wang Zhili , Xie Min , Song Shikui , Chung Gyuhwa , Chan Ting‐Fung , Lam Hon‐Ming 
Published: July 2021

SummaryCopy number variations (CNVs) play important roles in crop domestication. However, there is only very limited information on the involvement of CNVs in soybean domestication. Trailing growth and long shoots are soybean adaptations for natural habitats but cause lodging that hampers yield in cultivation. Previous studies have focused on Dt1/2 affecting the indeterminate/determinate growth habit, whereas the possible role of the gibberellin pathway remained unclear. In the present study, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of a recombinant inbred population of 460 lines revealed a trailing‐growth‐and‐shoot‐length QTL. A CNV region within this QTL was identified, featuring the apical bud‐expressed gibberellin 2‐oxidase 8A/B, the copy numbers of which were positively correlated with expression levels and negatively with trailing growth and shoot length, and their effects were demonstrated by transgenic soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana. Based on the fixation index, this CNV region underwent intense selection during the initial domestication process.
Xenotransplantation of tannic acid‐encapsulated neonatal porcine islets decreases proinflammatory innate immune responses
Authors: Barra Jessie M. , Kozlovskaya Veronika , Kepple Jessica D. , Seeberger Karen L. , Kuppan Purushothaman , Hunter Chad S. , Korbutt Gregory S. , Kharlampieva Eugenia , Tse Hubert M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundIslet transplantation with neonatal porcine islets (NPIs) is a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D), but immune rejection poses a major hurdle for clinical use. Innate immune‐derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis can facilitate islet xenograft destruction and enhance adaptive immune responses.MethodsTo suppress ROS‐mediated xenograft destruction, we utilized nanothin encapsulation materials composed of multilayers of tannic acid (TA), an antioxidant, and a neutral polymer, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON). We hypothesized that (PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated NPIs will maintain euglycemia and dampen proinflammatory innate immune responses following xenotransplantation.Results(PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated NPIs were viable and glucose‐responsive similar to non‐encapsulated NPIs. Transplantation of (PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated NPIs into hyperglycemic C57BL/6.Rag or NOD.Rag mice restored euglycemia, exhibited glucose tolerance, and maintained islet‐specific transcription factor levels similar to non‐encapsulated NPIs. Gene expression analysis of (PVPON/TA)‐encapsulated grafts post‐transplantation displayed reduced proinflammatory Ccl5, Cxcl10, Tnf, and Stat1 while enhancing alternatively activated macrophage Retnla, Arg1, and Stat6 mRNA accumulation compared with controls. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated significantly reduced innate immune infiltration, MHC‐II, co‐stimulatory molecule, and TNF expression with concomitant increases in arginase‐1+ macrophages and dendritic cells. Similar alterations in immune responses were observed following xenotransplantation into immunocompetent NOD mice.ConclusionOur data suggest that (PVPON/TA) encapsulation of NPIs is an effective strategy to decrease inflammatory innate immune signals involved in NPI xenograft responses through STAT1/6 modulation without compromising islet function.
Epidemiology associated with the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Nunavik’s Inuit population using the 2017 Qanuilirpitaa cross‐sectional health survey
Authors: Ducrocq Julie , Ndao Momar , Yansouni Cedric P. , Proulx Jean‐François , Mondor Myrto , Hamel Denis , Lévesque Benoit , De Serres Gaston , Talbot Denis 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFoci of high seroprevalence against Toxoplasma gondii are observed in Nunavik, the Inuit land of Northern Quebec (Canada). Considering the rare occurrence of felids in the region, exposure is suspected to be driven by water‐ and food‐borne transmission routes. Hypotheses were that drinking untreated water from natural sources and eating country food mostly raw increased the risk of exposure to the parasite. Data from 1,300 Inuit participants of the 2017 Nunavik Health Survey were included in three weighted robust Poisson regression models. The effect of three types of exposure variables: (1) water treatment (yes/no) and if country food was mostly eaten raw (yes/no); (2) main source of drinking water (bottled/municipal/natural) and frequency of country food consumption (continuous) and (3) drinking water risk (low/intermediate/high) and frequency of a raw country food consumption (continuous), on the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies were estimated. Models were adjusted for age, sex and ecological region, with multiple sensitivity analyses being performed. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalences were consistently correlated with age quadratically, sex (prevalence ratio = PRwoman/man ranged from 1.18 to 1.22), ecological region (PRHudsonBay/HudsonStrait ranged from 2.18 to 2.41; PRHudsonBay/UngavaBay ranged from 1.52 to 1.59) and consuming bivalve mollusc/urchin (PR varied from 1.02 to 1.21) across all three models. Each increase of two consumptions per month of beluga (PR ranged from 1.01 to 1.03), seal liver (PR ranged from 1.01 to 1.02) and goose (PR ranged from 1.01 to 1.02) were also associated with seropositivity, albeit more clearly in models 2 and 3, while drinking water mainly from natural (PR of 1.47) or municipal (PR = 1.42) sources compared to bottled water, was correlated with seroprevalence, although results were compatible with the null. Our results suggest that both the oocyst‐ (mollusc/urchin, drinking water) and cyst‐borne (walrus, seal liver and goose) transmission pathways could be present in Nunavik.
Japanese encephalitis virus infection in meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
Authors: Piewbang Chutchai , Wardhani Sabrina Wahyu , Chaiyasak Surangkanang , Yostawonkul Jakarwan , Kasantikul Tanit , Techangamsuwan Somporn 
Published: July 2021

AbstractJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection has been recognized as a serious disease in humans. Wildlife animal infections due to JEV have not been well described. This study identified JEV infection in two deceased meerkats in Thailand, with clinical signs of neurological disease. Histopathology of brains revealed severe lymphoplasmacytic necrotizing meningoencephalitis, while similar inflammation was observed in the lung and liver. Partial JEV sequences were identified from the formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded‐derived brain sections of two meerkats and were found to be genetically similar to a JEV strain detected in China but not from a local strain. Using immunohistochemistry, the virus was identified in neurons and glial cells, and also found in bronchial glands, Kupffer's cells in liver, lymphocytes in the spleen and pancreatic acini, which suggests extraneural infection. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of spheroid viral particles in the lungs. These findings may suggest that infection of extraneural organs in meerkats is similar to that described in JEV‐infected humans. In conclusion, this study identified the first JEV infection in meerkats as an interesting case study. The JEV should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in meerkats with encephalitis. Further surveillance on JEV infection in meerkats and other wildlife species in a large cohort is needed in the future study.
Nicotine Affects Murine Aortic Stiffness and Fatigue Response During Supraphysiological Cycling
Authors: Ho Elizabeth , Mulorz Joscha , Wong Jason , Wagenhäuser Markus U. , Tsao Philip S. , Ramasubramanian Anand K. , Lee Sang-Joon John 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Nicotine exposure is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases. Although the deleterious effects of nicotine on aortic remodeling processes have been studied to some extent, the biophysical consequences are not fully elucidated. In this investigation, we applied quasi-static and dynamic loading to quantify ways in which exposure to nicotine affects the mechanical behavior of murine arterial tissue. Segments of thoracic aortas from C57BL/6 mice exposed to 25 mg/kg/day of subcutaneous nicotine for 28 days were subjected to uniaxial tensile loading in an open-circumferential configuration. Comparing aorta segments from nicotine-treated mice relative to an equal number of control counterparts, stiffness in the circumferential direction was nearly twofold higher (377 kPa ± 165 kPa versus 191 kPa ± 65 kPa, n = 5, p = 0.03) at 50% strain. Using a degradative power-law fit to fatigue data at supraphysiological loading, we observed that nicotine-treated aortas exhibited significantly higher peak stress, greater loss of tension, and wider oscillation band than control aortas (p ≤ 0.01 for all three variables). Compared to simple stress relaxation tests, fatigue cycling is shown to be more sensitive and versatile in discerning nicotine-induced changes in mechanical behavior over many cycles. Supraphysiological fatigue cycling thus may have broader potential to reveal subtle changes in vascular mechanics caused by other exogenous toxins or pathological conditions
Evaluation of STEM Engagement Activities on the Attitudes and Perceptions of Mechanical Engineering S-STEM Scholars
Authors: Zhu Liang , Sun Shuyan , Timmie Topoleski L. D. , Eggleton Charles , Ma Ronghui , Madan Deepa 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Since 2009, the mechanical engineering (ME) scholarship-science technology engineering and mathematics (S-STEM) Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has provided financial support and program activities to ME undergraduate students aiming at improving their retention and graduation rates. The objective of this study is to identify program activities that were most effective to help students for improvements. Current ME S-STEM scholars were asked to complete a survey that measures their scientific efficacy, engineering identity, expectations, integration, and sense of belonging, as well as how program activities impact their attitudes and perceptions. Analyses of 36 collected surveys showed that scholars reported high levels of engineering identity, expectations, and sense of belonging. However, further improvements were needed to help students in achieving scientific efficacy and academic integration into the program. Results demonstrated that pro-active mentoring was the most effective method contributing to positive attitudes and perceptions. The implemented S-STEM research-related activities and internship were viewed favorably by the scholars in helping them establish their scientific efficacy and engineering identity, and understand their expectations and goals. Community building activities were considered helpful for them to integrate into campus life and improve their sense of belonging to the campus and program. Scholars identified mentoring, research related activities, internships, and social interaction with faculty and their peers as important factors for their retention and graduation. Although the sample size was small in the study, we believe that the cost-effective activities identified could be adopted by other institutions to further improve students' retention and graduation rates in engineering programs.
Rotorcraft Dynamic Platform Landings Using Robotic Landing Gear
Authors: León Benjamin L. , Rimoli Julian J. , Di Leo Claudio V. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Articulating landing gear that use closed-loop feedback control are proven to expand the landing capabilities of rotorcraft on sloped and rough terrain. These systems are commonly referred to as robotic landing gear (RLG). Modern RLG systems have limitations for landing on dynamic platforms because their controllers do not incorporate fuselage roll and roll rate feedback. This work presents a proven crashworthy cable-driven RLG system for the commercial S-100 Camcopter that expands static landing zone limits by a factor of three and enables dynamic platform landings in rough sea state (SS) conditions. A new roll and foot-force feedback fused control algorithm is developed to enable ship deck landings of an RLG equipped S-100 without the need for deck lock or advanced vision-based landing systems. Multibody dynamic simulations of the aircraft, landing gear, and new control system show the benefits of this combined roll and force feedback approach. Results include experimental dynamic landings on platforms rolling under sinusoidal motion and simulated SS conditions. The experiments demonstrate, in a limited fashion, the usability of the RLG through ground experimentation, and the results are compared to simulations. Additional simulations of landings of the S-100 with rigid and active landing gear with more challenging landing conditions than experimentally tested are presented. Such results aid in understanding how RLG with this new roll and contact force fused controller prevent dynamic rollover.
Measurement of Deformation Heterogeneity During Shale Swelling Using Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Naik Parrikar Prathmesh , Mokhtari Mehdi , Saidzade Asiman 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRock-fluid interactions in shale formations are one of the main sources of wellbore instability issues and inadequate stimulation performance. For better planning of fracturing operations and optimizing production from these reservoirs, it is important to understand the mechanisms behind these interactions. These issues are especially prevalent in clay-rich shales, such as Tuscaloosa Marine Shale, which is the subject of this study. Conventional techniques to quantify these shale-fluid interactions comprise of measuring swelling in powdered rock grains or measurement of deformation in the whole pieces of the core using a linear variable differential transformer and strain gages. However, the contribution from individual laminae to overall deformation cannot be evaluated using these methods. In this study, we developed an experimental setup to evaluate the spatial deformation in shale during interaction with water using digital image correlation (DIC). Deformation of two shale samples, with 34 wt% to 51 wt% clay content, was studied. White paint was used to generate a random speckle pattern on the specimen and then immersed in deionized water. The deformation process was captured using a digital camera and images were analyzed using DIC to quantify the deformation. The implementation of the DIC technique enables the visualization and quantification of spatial deformation in the specimen during interacting with water. The results show the localization of large strains in select laminations. The results provide a better understanding of shale deformation when interacting with water in comparison to traditional measurements that can provide only an average strain value.
Performance Improvement of a Thermoacoustic Stirling Engine With In-Line Phase-Adjuster
Authors: Dhuchakallaya Isares , Saechan Patcharin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This study examined the influence of an in-line phase-adjuster on the energy conversion efficiency of a thermoacoustic Stirling heat engine (TASHE). The numerical and experimental investigations were performed. An acoustic field in the system can be adjusted using the phase-adjuster. Therefore, the thermoacoustic engine could maintain high-level performance at all operating conditions. The engine is composed of a torus section where core components were located, and a long resonator pipe. The phase-adjuster or the telescopic in-line piston was set up at the tail of the resonance tube. The TASHE was modeled by employing DeltaEC to search the optimal configurations of the prototype. Due to the variations of acoustic loads or operating conditions from the design criteria, the engine absolutely cannot maintain maximum efficiency. The proposed phase-adjuster could bring back its maximum efficiency by re-matching the acoustic impedance in the regenerator. The TASHE was designed to operate with compressed air at 9 bar. In the experiments, the self-excited temperature of the engine was around 480 °C, and the steady-state temperature was about 397 °C. The TASHE can provide an acoustic power of up to 40 W. The thermo-to-acoustic efficiency of 12.03% related to 22.56% of the theoretical Carnot efficiency was achieved. There was a reasonably good agreement between the measured and DeltaEC simulation results. This can reflect on the preciseness of the proposed model. Furthermore, the function of the phase-adjuster in tuning the acoustic impedance was also demonstrated experimentally. In case of the TASHE being operated under the off-design conditions, i.e., due to pressure leak or heat losses, these scenarios would drop the efficiency of the system. The research presented in this study can confirm that the phase-adjuster is the component applied to tune the acoustic field in the regenerator accurately with minimum changes in the system. It could help to improve the efficiency of such consequences.
Design of Precision Hot Embossing Machine for Micropatterning on PMMA
Authors: P. Sridhar , Bahga Supreet S. , Khatait Jitendra P. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
A microfluidic chip requires microchannels to be created on a substrate. This paper focuses on the design and development of a precision hot embossing machine for replication of microstructures on a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate. Kinematic coupling using three spherical balls in radial v-grooves is used to achieve precise positioning of the mold insert with the base. Flexure-based parallel guidance mechanism is used for one degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion required for the embossing process. The mechanism allows the motion of the mold normal to the substrate surface. Flexure-based kinematic coupling with the thermal center is designed to mitigate thermal stress build-up during heating and cooling of the mold insert. An Arduino-based microcontroller is developed to control the temperature profile during the process. A prototype is fabricated and experiments are performed with an aluminum mold insert on a PMMA substrate. The result shows the feasibility of the concept and the setup can be used to develop a cost-effective precision hot embossing machine for creating micropatterns for microfluidic applications.
Understanding Variations in the Health Consequences of Sedentary Behavior: A Taxonomy of Social Interaction, Novelty, Choice, and Cognition
Authors: Taylor Wendell C. 
Published: July 2021

The study of sedentary behaviors requires taxonomies (classification schemes) to standardize data collection, measurements, and outcomes. Three taxonomies of sedentary behaviors have been identified, but none address an important challenge in sedentary behavior research, which is to distinguish between beneficial and detrimental health effects of various sedentary behaviors. Some sedentary behaviors (e.g., reading) are associated with positive health outcomes, whereas other sedentary behaviors (e.g., television viewing) are associated with adverse health outcomes. To address directly this complexity and present a different conception and understanding of discrepant findings related to health outcomes, a new taxonomy is needed. The development of the new taxonomy is guided by analysis of literature and selection of a relevant and informative behavioral sciences theoretical framework (i.e., self-determination theory). Because older adults are an increasing percentage of the population and report a high prevalence of sedentary behaviors, the new taxonomy was designed for older adults with potential application to all age groups. Taylor’s taxonomy of sedentary behaviors is parsimonious with four domains: social interaction (i.e., not solitary, companionship, interacting, and connecting with others); novelty (i.e., refreshingly new, unusual, or different); choice (i.e., volition, preferred option or alternative, the power, freedom, or decision to choose); and cognition (i.e., mentally stimulating and engaging).