bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traptamer screening: a new functional genomics approach to study virus entry and other cellular processes
Authors: Xie Jian , DiMaio Daniel
Published: February 2021

Historically, the genetic analysis of mammalian cells entailed the isolation of randomly arising mutant cell lines with altered properties, followed by laborious genetic mapping experiments to identify the mutant gene responsible for the phenotype. In recent years, somatic cell genetics has been revolutionized by functional genomics screens, in which expression of every protein‐coding gene is systematically perturbed, and the phenotype of the perturbed cells is determined. We outline here a novel functional genomics screening strategy that differs fundamentally from commonly used approaches. In this strategy, we express libraries of artificial transmembrane proteins named traptamers and select rare cells with the desired phenotype because, by chance, a traptamer specifically perturbs the expression or activity of a target protein. Active traptamers are then recovered from the selected cells and can be used as tools to dissect the biological process under study. We also briefly describe how we have used this new strategy to provide insights into the complex process by which human papillomaviruses enter cells.
Using an educational intervention to assess and improve disease‐specific knowledge and health literacy and numeracy in adolescents and young adults with haemophilia A and B
Authors: Bhatt Nidhi , Boggio Lisa , Simpson Mindy L.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Health literacy (HL) and health numeracy (HN) are underestimated barriers to treatment adherence in patients with haemophilia.

Aim

To test the ability of an educational intervention to improve knowledge, HL, HN, adherence and joint health in adolescent and young adult (AYA) males with haemophilia.

Methods

We performed a longitudinal pilot study of 41 participants aged 12–21 years with haemophilia A or B during two clinic visits 6–12 months apart. The first visit included a comprehensive pre‐intervention assessment: demographics, knowledge survey, Montreal Cognitive Assessment testing, 5‐question tool to assess baseline HN, assessment of HL with the Rapid Estimate of Adolescent Literacy in Medicine tool, history of adherence and Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). An educational intervention using a visual aid explained basic pharmacokinetic (PK) concepts and personal teaching regarding haemophilia treatment regimens was used during this visit. The second visit included a post‐intervention assessment: a reassessment of knowledge, HL, HN, HJHS, adherence to prescribed therapy and number of joint bleeds since the pre‐intervention visit.

Results

Forty‐one males with haemophilia A or B were enrolled in the study. Of these, 33 completed the post‐intervention assessment. Knowledge (p = .002) and HN (p = .05) were significantly improved post‐intervention, although the HL, number of joint bleeds, adherence to prescribed therapy and HJHS were not.

Conclusions

Participants with low HL and/or HN may benefit from alternate methods of education such as audiovisual material. Education using audiovisual materials improved knowledge and HN in this study; however, this did not affect adherence to prescribed therapy.
Communication strategies to encourage child participation in an oral health promotion session: An exemplar video observational study
Authors: Yuan Siyang , Humphris Gerry , Macpherson Lorna M. D. , Ross Alastair , Freeman Ruth
Published: February 2021

Background

The oral health promotion sessions for young children and parents in a clinical setting pose challenges to the dental team.

Aim

To apply PaeD‐TrICS (Paediatric dental triadic interaction coding scheme) to investigate the interaction of child, parent and dental nurse and determine the effect of nurse and parental behaviours on child participation within an oral health promotion session.

Method

A video observational study was applied. The sample consisted of a dental nurse and 22 children aged 2‐5 years in a general dental practice in Scotland. Behaviours were catalogued with time stamps using PaeD‐TrICS. Analysis of behavioural sequences with child participation as the dependent variable was conducted using multilevel modelling.

Results

Children varied significantly in their participation rate. The statistical model explained 28% of the variance. The older the child and longer consultations significantly increased child participation. Both nurse and parental behaviour had immediate influence on child participation. Parental facilitation had a strong moderating effect on the influence of the nurse on child participation.

Conclusions

Child participation was dependent on nurse and parent encouragement signalling an important triadic communication process. The coding scheme and analysis illustrates an important tool to investigate these advisory sessions designed for delivering tailored messages to young children and parents.

Patient or Public Contribution

The dental staff, child patients and their parents were involved closely in the conduct and procedures of the present study.
Global insight into microwave stoneware firing: Macro and microstructural changes
Authors: Santos Tiago , Gomes Celso S. F. , Hennetier Luc , Costa Vítor A. F. , Costa Luís C.
Published: February 2021

Industrial competition and environmental concerns lead to the exploration of alternative and energy‐efficient technologies for ceramic materials processing. The main objective of this work was to present microwave heating as a viable option for stoneware processing. Stoneware functional properties are presented and discussed, with emphasis on impact strength, water absorption, porosity, and color. Microstructure analyses show that microwave‐ and gas‐fired samples have higher densifications than electrically fired samples. A relevant finding for processing conditions is that microwave firing requires temperatures approximately 100°C lower than those required by conventional firing. Microwave‐fired samples’ rupture energies are approximately twice (0.57 ± 0.06 (J)) those of the reference samples (0.26 ± 0.03 (J)), and their water absorptions are approximately one‐half (1.5% at 1170°C and 0.8% at 1190°C) of those of the reference samples (2.0%), whereas the water absorption of electrically fired samples at 1180°C has been estimated to be 7.5%. Color analysis also evidences a shift to lower microwave firing temperatures, what is attributed to the enhanced transformations promoted by microwave heating when comparing with the transformations promoted by conventional (gas or electric) heating.
Affirmative Action and Intersectionality at the Top: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Klasen Stephan , Minasyan Anna
Published: February 2021

Previous research shows that gender‐based board quotas alone do not increase women's share in senior management positions. We study the effects of an affirmative action policy in South Africa, which stipulates group‐based targets for senior management roles, beyond boards, focusing on representing intersectional identities, sex, and race. Our findings show that the policy led to a sizable increase in employment probability in top positions for Black women relative to their employment in these positions in the counterfactual scenario of no policy. We extend our analysis and estimate policy spillovers in education, wages, and self‐employment.
Successful improved peripheral tissue perfusion was seen in patients with atherosclerosis after 12 months of treatment with aged garlic extract
Authors: Lindstedt Sandra , Wlosinska Martiné , Nilsson Ann‐Christin , Hlebowicz Joanna , Fakhro Mohammed , Sheikh Rafi
Published: February 2021

Patients with arteriolosclerosis have impaired microvascular perfusion leading to impaired wound healing. Aged garlic extract has shown to have a positive impact on vascular elasticity. The present study aimed to assess the effect of long‐term treatment with AGE on peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with confirmed atherosclerosis. Ninety three patients with a CT‐scan confirmed coronary artery arteriolosclerosis were randomised in a double‐blind manner to placebo or 2400 mg AGE daily for 1 year. Peripheral tissue perfusion was evaluated at 0‐ and 12‐months using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging. Measurement of post occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) using acetylcholine iontophoresis (Ach) was conducted. After 12 months a significant increase of 21.6% (95% CI 3.2%‐40.0%, P < .05) was seen in the relative change of PORH in the AGE compared with the placebo group. The same response was seen for CVC and Ach with an increase of 21.4% (95% CI 3.4%‐39.4%, P < .05) in the AGE group compared with the placebo group. Aged garlic extract regenerated peripheral tissue perfusion and increase microcirculation in patients with arteriolosclerosis. Adequate peripheral tissue perfusion and tissue oxygen tension are important prerequisites for successful tissue repair. Restored microcirculation in patients could hypothetically facilitate wound healing.
Hydration of cubic tricalcium aluminate in the presence of calcined clays
Authors: Maier Matthias , Scherb Sebastian , Neißer‐Deiters Axel , Beuntner Nancy , Thienel Karl‐Christian
Published: February 2021

Calcined clay blended cements play a major role in cement industry's strategy to reduce CO2 emissions. During their hydration, an accelerated aluminate reaction is often observed to affect the sulfate balance. The objective of this study was to provide insights into the influence of different calcined clays on the hydration of cubic tricalcium aluminate (C3A). A cementitious model system consisting of cubic C3A, quartz powder, calcium sulfate and a model pore solution was investigated. The influence of three different calcined clays and one nanolimestone was examined by a successive replacement of the quartz powder and variation of the calcium sulfate. Heat flow and hydrate phase development were followed by isothermal calorimetry and quantitative in‐situ X‐ray diffraction. Accelerated ettringite formation and sulfate depletion were observed for all calcined clays, while the nanolimestone exhibited the opposite effect. It was found that adsorption of SO4 ions and/or Ca‐SO4‐complexes at the surface of calcined clay particles is the main factor inhibiting retardation of the C3A hydration in absence of a silicate reaction. In the Al‐rich systems a retardation through sulfate adjustment seems to be impeded by additional Al ions, which react with Ca adsorbed onto and leached from the C3A surface.
Single‐component‐at‐a‐time variation study for glass‐ceramic waste forms
Authors: Kissinger Ryan M. , Crum Jarrod V. , Riley Brian J.
Published: February 2021

A 51‐sample composition variation study was performed on glass‐ceramic waste forms for a raffinate waste stream from aqueous reprocessing of used nuclear fuel containing high fractions of Mo, alkalis, alkaline earths (AEs), and rare earths (REs). The study was designed with a single‐component‐at‐a‐time variation approach off a centroid composition. The components that were varied included Al, B, Ca, Li, Mo, Na, REs, Si, Zr, and Others (containing minor components). Data analysis included crystallization curves, microstructure, and phase compositions. A number of components (i.e., Li2O, B2O3, REOx, MoO3, Na2O, and ZrO2) significantly impacted the concentration and chemistry of phases, especially the primary phases of oxyapatite [i.e., Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2] and powellite (i.e., AEMoO4), precipitated in the slow‐cool heat‐treated waste forms; minor phases included cerianite [i.e., CexZr(1‐x)O2], Ba‐molybdate [i.e., Ba(Gd0.67Mo0.33O3], noble metals, pollucite (i.e., CsAlSiO4), and RE‐borosilicate (i.e., RE3BSi2O10).
Phone calls for improving blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending private medical practitioners in India: Findings from Mumbai hypertension project
Authors: Kannure Mandar , Hegde Asha , Khungar‐Pathni Anupam , Sharma Bhawna , Scuteri Angelo , Neupane Dinesh , Gandhi Ravdeep Kaur , Patel Haresh , Surendran Sapna , Jondhale Vaishnavi , Gupta Suman , Phalake Ajit , Walkar Vrushal , George Roshini , Mcguire Helen , Jain Neeraj , Vijayan Shibu
Published: February 2021

Despite the availability of effective medication, blood pressure control rates are low, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Adherence to medication and follow‐up visits are important factors in blood pressure control. This study assessed the effectiveness of reminder telephone calls on follow‐up visits and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients as part of the Mumbai Hypertension Project. This project was initiated by PATH with the support from Resolve to Save Lives from January 2019 to February 2020. The study included hypertensive patients attending 164 private practices in Mumbai, India; practitioners screened all adults visiting their clinic during the project period. Among 13 184 hypertensive patients registered, the mean age was 53 years (SD = 12.38) and 52% were female. Among the 11 544 patients that provided phone numbers and gave consent for follow‐up calls, 9528 responded to phone calls at least once and 5250 patients followed up at least once. Of the 5250 patients, 82% visited the clinic for follow‐up visit within one month after receiving the phone call. The blood pressure control rate among those who answered phone calls and who did not answer phone calls increased from 23.6% to 48.8% (P <.001) and 21.0% to 44.3% (P <.001), respectively. The blood pressure control rate at follow‐up was significantly associated with phone calls (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.34 ‐ 1.71). The study demonstrates that telephone call intervention and follow‐up visits can improve patient retention in care and, subsequently, blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending urban private sector clinics in India.
Study of oral microorganisms contributing to non‐carious cervical lesions via bacterial interaction and pH regulation
Authors: Huang Xiaoyu , She Lin , Liu Huanhuan , Liu Pingping , Chen Jue , Chen Yingcong , Zhou Wenjie , Lu Youguang , Lin Jun
Published: February 2021

There is a lack of evidence about the relationship between microorganisms and non‐carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) due to limited technologies. A group of 78 patients was enrolled for microbial 16S rRNA sequencing of dental plaques on normal and defective cervical surfaces. Parallel data from 39 patients were analysed with paired t tests, and Fusobacteriales exhibited significantly less distribution on NCCLs than on normal surfaces. As a result, Fusobacterium nucleatum, the most common oral bacterial strain belonging to the order Fusobacteriales, was selected for further research. From a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scan, the tooth surface with Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus mutans culture was more intact than that without Fusobacterium nucleatum. Furthermore, the calcium contents in groups with Fusobacterium nucleatum were significantly higher than that without it. In further mechanistic research, Fusobacterium nucleatum was demonstrated to adhere to and disturb other organisms as well as producing alkaline secretions to neutralize the deleterious acidic environment, protecting the tooth structure. In conclusion, microorganisms and NCCLs were confirmed directly related through adherent bacterial interactions and pH regulation. The research provides a new perspective and experimental evidence for the relation between microorganisms and NCCLs, which guides clinical treatment and preventive dentistry in the future.
Genetically modified attenuated salmonid alphavirus: A potential strategy for immunization of Atlantic salmon
Authors: Aksnes Ida , Braaen Stine , Markussen Turhan , Åkesson Caroline Piercey , Villoing Stephane , Rimstad Espen
Published: February 2021

Pancreas disease (PD) is a serious challenge in European salmonid aquaculture caused by salmonid alphavirus (SAV). In this study, we report the effect of immunization of Atlantic salmon with three attenuated infectious SAV3 strains with targeted mutations in a glycosylation site of the envelope E2 protein and/or in a nuclear localization signal in the capsid protein. In a pilot experiment, it was shown that the mutated viral strains replicated in fish, transmitted to naïve cohabitants and that the transmission had not altered the sequences. In the main experiment, the fish were immunized with the strains and challenged with SAV3 eight weeks after immunization. Immunization resulted in infection both in injected fish and 2 weeks later in the cohabitant fish, followed by a persistent but declining load of the mutated virus variants in the hearts. The immunized fish developed clinical signs and pathology consistent with PD prior to challenge. However, fish injected with the virus mutated in both E2 and capsid showed little clinical signs and had higher average weight gain than the groups immunized with the single mutated variants. The SAV strain used for challenge was not detected in the immunized fish indicating that these fish were protected against superinfection with SAV during the 12 weeks of the experiment.
Quantification and comparison of gene expression associated with iron regulation and metabolism in a virulent and attenuated strain of Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Authors: Bruce Timothy J. , Ma Jie , Sudheesh Ponnerassery S. , Cain Kenneth D.
Published: February 2021

Iron is essential for growth and virulence in most pathogenic bacterial strains. In some cases, the hosts for these pathogenic bacteria develop specialized strategies to sequester iron and limit infectivity. This in turn may result in the invading pathogens utilizing high‐affinity iron transport mechanisms, such as the use of iron‐chelating siderophores, to extend beyond the host defences. Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) in salmonids, relies on iron metabolism for infectivity, and the genome of the model CSF‐259‐93 strain has recently been made available. Further, this strain serves as a parent strain for a live‐attenuated vaccine strain, B.17, which has been shown to provide rainbow trout with protection against BCWD. To elucidate specific gene expression responses to iron metabolism and compare strain differences, both F. psychrophilum strains were grown under iron‐limiting conditions and 26 genes related to iron metabolism were mapped for 96 hr in culture via qPCR analyses. Results indicate increased production of the ferrous iron transport protein B (FITB; p =.008), and ferric receptor CfrA (FR 1; p =.012) in the wild‐type CSF‐259‐93 strain at 72 hr and 96 hr post‐exposure to iron‐limiting media. In the B.17 vaccine strain, siderophore synthase (SS) expression was found to be downregulated at 72 hr, in comparison with 0h (p =.018). When strains were compared, FITB (p =.021), FR1 (p =.009) and SS (p =.016) were also elevated in B.17 at 0 hr and TonB outer protein membrane receptor 1 (TBomr1; p =.005) had a lower expression at 96 hr. Overall, this study demonstrated strain‐related gene expression changes in only a fraction of the iron metabolism genes tested; however, results provide insight on potential virulence mechanisms and clarification on iron‐related gene expression for F. psychrophilum.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic papillectomy for early‐stage cancer in duodenal ampullary adenoma: Comparison to surgical treatment
Authors: Hwang Jun Seong , So Hoonsub , Oh Dongwook , Song Tae Jun , Park Do Hyun , Seo Dong‐Wan , Lee Sung Koo , Kim Myung‐Hwan , Hong Seung‐Mo , Yang Jungho , Lee Sang Soo
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim

While recent evidences support endoscopic resection as curative in ampullary tumors with high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia, only small case series have reported endoscopic management of early‐stage ampullary cancer; thus, radical surgery remains the only accepted treatment modality. We evaluated the long‐term outcomes of early ampullary adenocarcinoma administered endoscopic management.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 715 patients undergoing endoscopic papillectomy (EP) in a single tertiary medical center in Korea in 2004–2016. We included patients incidentally diagnosed with early‐stage adenocarcinoma (Tis and T1a, American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition) after EP and with >2 years of follow‐up data and analyzed their demographics, histopathologic data, and clinical outcomes.

Results

Among 70 total patients in the EP‐alone (n = 42) and subsequent surgery (n = 28) groups, we observed no significant differences in demographics or tumor size (2.0 ± 0.6 vs 1.9 ± 0.5 cm, P = 0.532), histologic grade (P = 0.077), tumor extent (P = 1.000), lymphovascular invasion (2.4% vs 10.7%, P = 0.344), or complete resection rates (57.1% vs 57.1%, P = 1.000) between groups. Adenocarcinoma lesions were larger in the subsequent surgery group (0.7 ± 0.5 vs 1.1 ± 0.7 cm, P = 0.002). The EP‐alone group received more additional ablative treatment (42.9% vs 14.3%, P = 0.024). The 5‐year disease‐free and cancer‐free survival rates were 79.1% vs 87.4% (P = 0.111) and 93.5% versus 87.4% (P = 0.726), respectively, and did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions

Endoscopic papillectomy followed by endoscopic surveillance showed long‐term outcomes comparable with surgical resection for early ampullary cancer and maybe curable alternative to surgery for incidentally found early‐stage ampullary cancer, especially in patients unfit for or refusing radical surgery.
An imaging mass spectrometry atlas of lipids in the human neurologically normal and Huntington’s disease caudate nucleus
Authors: Hunter Mandana , Demarais Nicholas J. , Faull Richard L. M. , Grey Angus C. , Curtis Maurice A.
Published: February 2021

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal disorder associated with germline trinucleotide repeat expansions in the HTT gene and characterised by striatal neurodegeneration. No efficacious interventions are available for HD, highlighting a major unmet medical need. The molecular mechanisms underlying HD are incompletely understood despite its monogenic aetiology. However, direct interactions between HTT and membrane lipids suggest that lipidomic perturbations may be implicated in the neuropathology of HD. In this study, we employed matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI–IMS) to generate a comprehensive, unbiased and spatially resolved lipidomic atlas of the caudate nucleus (CN) in human post‐mortem tissue from neurologically normal (n = 10) and HD (n = 13) subjects. Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry were used for lipid assignment. Lipidomic specialisation was observed in the grey and white matter constituents of the CN and these features were highly conserved between subjects. While the majority of lipid species were highly conserved in HD, compared to age‐matched controls, CN specimens from HD cases in our cohort spanning a range of neuropathological grades showed a lower focal abundance of the neuroprotective docosahexaenoic and adrenic acids, several cardiolipins, the ganglioside GM1 and glycerophospholipids with long polyunsaturated fatty acyls. HD cases showed a higher focal abundance of several sphingomyelins and glycerophospholipids with shorter monosaturated fatty acyls. Moreover, we demonstrate that MALDI–IMS is tractable as a primary discovery modality comparing heterogeneous human brain tissue, provided that appropriate statistical approaches are adopted. Our findings support further investigation into the potential role of lipidomic aberrations in HD.

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First fossil evidence of Palaeocarya (Engelhardioideae: Juglandaceae) from India and its biogeographical implications
Authors: Hazra Taposhi , Hazra Manoshi , Kumar Sanchita , Mahato Sumana , Bera Meghma , Bera Subir , Khan Mahasin Ali
Published: February 2021

Even though presently indigenous to eastern Himalaya in India, no Engelhardioideae have been reported from the Cenozoic sediments of India till date. Here, we report the first Indian occurrence of a characteristic engelhardioid winged samaroid fruit having a tri‐lobed wing (oblong‐ovate median lobe and two lateral lobes) and a globose nut from the latest Neogene (Pliocene: Rajdanda Formation) sediments of Chotanagpur Plateau, eastern India. This is the first fossil evidence of relict family Juglandaceae from the Indian Cenozoic. We determine its taxonomic position on the basis of detailed macromorphological comparison with similar extant and fossil specimens and discuss its palaeoclimatic significance in terms of the present‐day distribution of modern analogous species. We assign this Pliocene winged fruit specimen to the morphogenus Palaeocarya sect. Monocosta Manchester and describe it as a new species, namely Palaeocarya indica Hazra, Hazra M & Khan sp. nov. Palaeocarya sect. Monocosta has rich fossil records from the Cenozoic sediments of Europe, North America, and eastern Asia (China, Korea), but the modern analog, Engelhardia, is presently native only to India and neighboring Southeast Asia. We discuss the possible causes of disappearance of Engelhardia from the present‐day vegetation of Chotanagpur Plateau. Its disappearance may be related to the gradual intensification of monsoonal rainfall seasonality since the Pliocene. Here, we also review in detail the biogeographic history of Palaeocarya sect. Monocosta and suggest its possible migration routes.
American Policing and the Danger Imperative
Authors: Sierra-Arévalo Michael
Published: February 2021

In spite of long-term declines in the violent victimization of U.S. police officers, the danger of police work continues to structure police socialization, culture, and behavior. Existing research, though attentive to police behavior and deviance that negatively affects the public, analytically ignores how the danger of policing engenders officer behavior that harms police themselves. Drawing on ethnographic observations and interviews in three U.S. police departments, this article describes how police are informally and formally socialized into the danger imperative—a cultural frame that emphasizes violence and the need for officer safety—and its effect on officer behavior. As a result of perception mediated through the danger imperative, officers engage in policy-compliant and policy-deviant behaviors to protect themselves from violence. Unfortunately, policy-deviant behaviors such as unauthorized highspeed driving and not wearing a seatbelt, though justified in the name of safety, lead to catastrophic car accidents that injure and kill both police and members of the public. This article concludes with discussion of how seemingly mundane policy deviant behaviors are a reflection of assumptions within police culture that undergird police practices that damage public wellbeing and perpetuate broader inequalities in U.S. policing.
The Role of Place and Sociodemographic Characteristics on the Issuance of Temporary Civil Protection Orders
Authors: Groggel Anne
Published: February 2021

Civil protection orders are one of the most widely used legal interventions for intimate partner violence. Every American state has legislation that allows victims to seek legal remedies through protection orders such as preventing abusers from contacting them, requiring perpetrators to stay away from specific locations, and ordering removal of firearms. However, judges do not grant every petition for a protection order. This study analyzed over 1000 civil protection order cases from Nebraska to identify how factors not prescribed in the legal statute contribute to a determination of whether victims receive protection. The results suggest that victims' gender and the counties in which they file influence victims' chances of obtaining a protection order. Male victims, victims with children with their abuser, and married victims are significantly less likely to receive protection orders, even after controlling for the severity, recency, and type of abuse. Both male and female victims who file their cases in metropolitan counties are more likely to receive protection orders than their nonmetropolitan counterparts.
The Findings of the Hariri Tribunal
Authors: Salt Jeremy
Published: February 2021

The author analyzes the final judgment of the UN tribunal convened to inquire into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Only one of the four men originally charged was found guilty, wholly on the basis of alleged cell‐phone communications. Although Israel was known to have comprehensively penetrated the Lebanese telecommunications sector, the tribunal made no attempt to prove conclusively that the cell‐phone calls allegedly made by the accused were actually made by them and not fabricated by a third party. This significant omission undermines the authenticity of the evidence. The tribunal also failed to consider the possible involvement of two governments that have a long history of subversion and violence in Lebanon, the United States and Israel, both totally hostile to Hezbollah and the Syrian government. All of these elements combined raise serious questions about the course of the tribunal's findings from the beginning.
The New Chinese Oil Benchmark: Implications for the Middle East
Authors: Mann Yossi , Yellinek Roie
Published: February 2021

China introduced a new oil benchmark in March 2018, part of a bid to establish its position as an economic superpower. This article analyzes the impact of this new index on the Middle East, a key region where much of the oil on which the index is based originates, by focusing on market transparency, market determination, government involvement, physical accessibility, and the internal Chinese dialogue. The article then discusses the political, financial, and economic view from the Middle Eastern perspective. It finds that China still has a long way to go before it can turn the new oil benchmark into an international standard. In addition, the Shanghai Stock Exchange was launched just before the escalation of the trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, the United States and China. While this fight could hurt the traditional indices and elevate China's new oil benchmark, the coronavirus, which has spread worldwide from China, is another factor that may affect the quality and impact of this new index.
How the Cognitive Sciences Might Contribute to the Theological Debate about Free Will
Authors: Visala Aku
Published: February 2021

This article argues that recent results of the cognitive sciences could make significant contributions to theological debates about free will, but they have been largely ignored by contemporary systematic and philosophical theologians. Recent work in cognitive psychology and moral psychology has to do with our intuitive and automatic patterns of reasoning in the domains of freedom and responsibility. This research will be relevant for many theological domains and has the potential to raise new issues and problems. The essay examines three such domains. First, the debate between intellectualist and voluntarist accounts of the will have been central in theology. Recent findings suggest that intellectualist accounts of the will have more intuitions on their side than has been previously assumed. Second, theologians have debated whether belief in free will is central for moral and political life. This question was pertinent during the Reformation when many of the reformers either rejected free will or presented truncated accounts of it. Recent results from moral psychology suggest that belief in free will has significant pro‐social and altruistic effects. Finally, the possible compatibility of divine determinism and free will is crucial for theological debates about sin, grace and God’s providence. Recent psychological results point in the direction of affirming that while most humans have strong intuitions about the incompatibility of free will and divine determinism, these might be based on a false inference. Finally, some new counterintuitive challenges about the manipulativeness of God are raised against the divine determinist position.
Effects of metformin on the osteogenesis of alveolar BMSCs from diabetic patients and implant osseointegration in rats
Authors: Sun Rongxin , Liang Chao , Sun Yujie , Xu Yifan , Geng Wei , Li Jun
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the effects of metformin on osteogenic differentiation of alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (DM‐BMSCs) and implant osseointegration in rats, screen the optimal concentration, and investigate whether metformin could protect against the adverse impact of T2DM on BMSC osteogenic capacity.

Subjects and methods

Different concentrations of metformin were administered to human‐derived BMSCs and Wistar rats receiving implants. ALP detection, alizarin red staining, real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect osteogenesis and investigate the mechanism. Toluidine blue staining was performed to analyse bone–implant contact in rats.

Results

Metformin increased implant osseointegration in a rat model and promoted the osteogenic capacity of DM‐BMSCs via the AMPK/BMP/Smad signalling pathway, and 125 μM was the optimal concentration; however, concentrations over 200 µM, metformin showed an inhibitory effect on DM‐BMSCs. Additionally, metformin at the optimal concentration (125 µM) identified in this study could compensate for the negative impacts of T2DM on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Conclusions

Metformin can promote the osteogenesis of BMSCs from T2DM patients and osseointegration in rats, and it might be an effective drug for increasing the success rate of T2DM‐associated implants.
Incidence / predictors of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea with normal oximetry
Authors: Chuanprasitkul Chonlada , Veeravigrom Montida , Sunkonkit Kanokkarn , Tansrirattanawong Supakanya , Sritippayawan Suchada
Published: February 2021

Background

The polysomnogram (PSG) is the “gold standard” for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, nocturnal oximetry is a practical screening tool for children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH). This study aimed to investigate the incidence of, and predictive factors for, OSA in children with ATH and normal / inconclusive overnight oximetry.

Methods

The prospective study enrolled children aged 3–15 years with ATH and normal / inconclusive overnight oximetry. All participants underwent full‐night PSG. To evaluate the predictors of OSA, we used logistic regression analysis, including sex, history of allergic rhinitis, body mass index z‐score, neck circumference–height ratio, and polysomnographic parameters (obstructive apnea–hypopnea index (OAHI), nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2), peak end‐tidal CO2, and arousal index).

Results

The participants were 189 children; 167 (88%) were diagnosed with OSA by PSG. A history of allergic rhinitis (P = 0.033), and the PSG findings for nadir SpO2 (P = 0.027) and arousal index (P = <0.001) predicted the diagnosis of OSA. We divided patients with OSA into two groups (mild versus moderate to severe OSA). Patients with OAHI ≥5/h were defined as having moderate‐to‐severe OSA. No clinical factors significantly predicted OAHI ≥5. Of the 189 participants, 58 children (31%) were diagnosed with severe OSA (OAHI ≥10). The only PSG factor that predicted severe OSA was the arousal index (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The observed incidence of OSA in children aged 3–15 years with ATH and normal/inconclusive overnight oximetry was very high. A history of allergic rhinitis may help to triage the patients. The arousal index was a predictor of pediatric OSA.
A structured approach to remediation site assessment: lessons from 15 years of fish spawning habitat creation in the St. Clair‐Detroit River System
Authors: Fischer Jason L. , Roseman Edward F. , Mayer Christine , Wills Todd , Vaccaro Lynn , Read Jennifer , Manny Bruce , Kennedy Greg , Ellison Rose , Drouin Richard , DeBruyne Robin L. , Cotel Aline , Chiotti Justin , Boase James , Bennion David
Published: February 2021

Ideally, restoration re‐establishes natural processes in degraded habitats (e.g. flow and sediment regimes). However, in altered systems where process‐based restoration is not feasible, habitat construction is another approach to mitigate degradation. Because habitat construction does not directly focus on restoring processes that build and maintain desired habitats, projects must be developed and placed within the contemporary regulatory, ecological, and hydrogeomorphic context of a system, to maximize effectiveness. Here, we develop a framework for evaluating the regulatory, ecological, and hydrogeomorphic components using 15 years of fish spawning habitat construction in the St. Clair‐Detroit River System. The process began by identifying regulatory requirements at a coarse resolution to quickly focus on locations where ecological potential and hydrogeomorphic constraints could be assessed at finer resolutions. Next, ecological potential was assessed using a lithophilic fish spawning habitat suitability index. The suitability index identified five sites for habitat construction and lake sturgeon spawning was documented at each site following construction. However, qualitative monitoring showed fine sediments accumulated at older sites. Thus, geomorphic assessments were incorporated to identify sediment sources and model flow within targeted areas. Since geomorphic assessments required the finest resolution and had the most uncertainty, they were conducted after broad‐scale regulatory considerations and ecological assessments narrowed focus to a few candidate sites. The order of operations identified in this case study evolved from the iterative approach of the restoration team, but in retrospect, it helped develop a framework that directed project development resources to aspects with more uncertainty, where learning is most critical.
Identifying effective restoration approaches to maximize plant establishment in California grasslands through ameta‐analysis
Authors: Nolan Madeline , Dewees Shane , Ma Lucero Stephanie
Published: February 2021

One reason restoration often fails is a lack of native plant establishment. Establishment failure can occur due to a lack of dispersal into the site, inappropriate abiotic conditions for plant survival, or biotic interactions that reduce germination rates or seedling survival. Understanding what is limiting establishment is critical for restoration success. Unfortunately, there has been little synthetic work to identify which restoration practices (e.g., direct seeding, weeding, irrigation) are most likely to improve plant establishment. Here we used a meta‐analytical approach to determine what practices are most likely to enhance establishment success in grassland communities in California. We explored the impact of these practices on whole communities as well as on different functional groups (grass and forb). We categorized techniques by the constraint they addressed (dispersal, abiotic, or biotic) to determine which restoration practices are more likely to improve plant establishment. We found that addressing the dispersal filter is the best way to improve plant establishment regardless of the functional group. This suggests that most native plants targeted in restoration are seed limited. While we were able to identify restoration techniques that improve plant establishment, our synthesis revealed that there were insufficient numbers of studies and a lack of uniformity between treatments that hampered efforts to make broad conclusions. If we can expand research to more ecosystems, and use standardized treatments within each ecosystem, the restoration community could synthesize research more efficiently, which would inform our ultimate goal of increasing the success of restoration.
Revisiting Election Predictions
Authors: Cerulo Karen A.
Published: February 2021

This essay introduces a series of articles that revisit pieces published in a special issue of Sociological Forum entitled “Foresight in 2020: Race and Gender in the Upcoming Election.” The articles review the veracity of predictions made regarding the 2020 U.S. elections.
Organic acid regulation of inorganic phosphorus release from Mollisols with different organic matter contents
Authors: Yang Xiaoyan , Kong Yuhua , Guo Erhui , Chen Xiangwei , Li ·Limei
Published: February 2021

Phosphorus (P) is used to enhance agricultural productivity. Organic acids increase the release of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) into soil solutions and thereby improve phosphorus utilization in soils; however, the effects of both organic acids and the soil organic matter contents on Pi release are poorly understood. To assess the importance of these factors in determining phosphorus availability, the release of soil Pi fractions (i.e. aluminium‐bound phosphorus (Al‐P), iron‐bound phosphorus (Fe‐P), occluded phosphorus (O‐P) and calcium‐bound phosphorus (Ca‐P)) was evaluated on addition of organic acids (citric, oxalic and malic acids) to soils from Mollisols region that had different organic matter contents and received phosphorus fertilizer. Biochemically produced humic acid was used to modify soil organic matter contents. Among Pi fractions, the Fe‐P fraction had the highest concentration in all the soils with different organic matter contents. In the presence of organic acids, the release of Pi fractions decreased as the soil organic matter increased. Among the fractions, Al‐P had the highest release, followed by Fe‐P. Comparison among various organic acids revealed that oxalic acid was the most effective for Pi release. Path analysis showed that Al‐P release had larger direct‐path and indirect‐path coefficients, which implied that Al‐P release had the largest contribution to total Pi (TPi) release. We concluded that the effectiveness of organic acids in improving soil phosphorus availability was most pronounced in soils with low organic matter contents, but further field‐scale research is needed to confirm this. Al‐P was the most effective source of inorganic phosphorus in Mollisols.
Impact of a collaborative childhood anaemia intervention programme in Peru
Authors: Whitney Rachel , Centrone Wayne A. , Mamani Hoover Supo , Falkenstein Karen , Levine Robert S. , Harris Jaden , Hazlitt Melissa , Lim Czer Anthoney
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of a 12‐month multi‐modal public health intervention programme for treating and preventing anaemia among children aged 6 months to 4 years in an underserved community in Peru.

Methods

The intervention included nutritional education, use of a Lucky Iron Fish® cooking tool, and dietary supplementation. The primary outcome measure was anaemia resolution. Secondary outcomes included absolute changes in haemoglobin, change in knowledge survey scores and adherence to interventions. Chi‐square test and Mann–Whitney U‐test were employed to identify associations between anaemia and intervention‐related measures. Variables found to be significantly associated in bivariate analysis or of clinical importance were included in a logistic regression model.

Results

Of the 406 children enrolled, 256 (63.1%) completed the programme. Of those, 34.0% had anaemia at baseline; this decreased to 13.0% over 12 months. The mean haemoglobin for all ages at baseline was 11.3 g/dL (SD 0.9). At 12 months, the mean was 11.9 g/dL (SD 0.8), with a mean increase of 0.5 g/dL (95% CI 0.4–0.6). Children with anaemia at baseline saw an increase of 1.19 g/dL at the 12‐month follow‐up (95% CI 1.12–1.37). Parents correctly answered 79.0% of knowledge assessment questions at baseline, which increased to 86.6% at 12 months.

Conclusions

We observed a reduction in the prevalence of mild to moderate anaemia among study participants in this vulnerable population and conclude that multi‐modal intervention programmes providing nutrition education in conjunction with low‐cost iron supplementation and easy‐to‐use Lucky Iron Fish® cooking tools may reduce and prevent anaemia in children.
Opinions towards the water‐related Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes: The stakeholders’ point of view
Authors: Paletto Alessandro , Báliková Klára , De Meo Isabella
Published: February 2021

Sustainable forest management provides a wide range of water‐related ecosystem services (WES) fundamental for human well‐being such as groundwater recharge, runoff and water discharge to streams, soil erosion protection, and recreational opportunities. Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) promote sustainable forest management by reducing negative externalities. To implement PES schemes, many stakeholders with different interests and needs must be involved in the design and implementation process. The aim of this study is to investigate stakeholders’ opinions on the relationships between forests and water resources and the water‐related PES schemes in Italy. A semi‐structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of stakeholders. The results show that the most important WES provided by forests are soil erosion reduction, provision of habitats for different species, surface runoff reduction. The respondents emphasize the importance of regulating and supporting services, while they minimize the importance of cultural services related to the water resource.
Bacteria and bioburden and healing in complex wounds: A prognostic systematic review
Authors: Norman Gill , Shi Chunhu , Westby Maggie J. , Price Bianca L. , McBain Andrew J. , Dumville Jo C. , Cullum Nicky
Published: February 2021

The wound microbiome may play an important role in the wound healing process. We conducted the first systematic prognosis review investigating whether aspects of the wound microbiome are independent prognostic factors for the healing of complex wounds. We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library to February 2019. We included longitudinal studies which assessed the independent association of aspects of wound microbiome with healing of complex wounds while controlling for confounding factors. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. We synthesised studies narratively due to the clinical and methodological heterogeneity of included studies and sparse data. We identified 28 cohorts from 21 studies with a total of 38,604 participants, including people with diabetes and foot ulcers, open surgical wounds, venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers. Risk of bias varied from low (2 cohorts) to high (17 cohorts); the great majority of participants were in cohorts at high risk of bias. Most evidence related to the association of baseline clinical wound infection with healing. Clinical infection at baseline may be associated with less likelihood of wound healing in foot ulcers in diabetes (HR from cohort with moderate risk of bias 0.53, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.83) or slower healing in open surgical wounds (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.83); evidence in other wounds is more limited. Most other associations assessed showed no clear relationship with wound healing; evidence was limited and often sparse; and we documented gaps in the evidence. There is low certainty evidence that a diagnosis of wound infection may be prognostic of poorer healing in foot ulcers in diabetes, and some moderate certainty evidence for this in open surgical wounds. Low certainty evidence means that more research could change these findings.