bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of inequality and opportunities within European countries
Authors: Suárez Álvarez Ana , López Menéndez Ana Jesús
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we provide an analysis of inequalities and opportunities within European countries. For this purpose, we use microdata from 26 European countries collected using the European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions. This instrument includes harmonised variables to guarantee comparability across countries.

Our analysis aims to detect whether European countries converge with respect to income inequality and inequality of opportunity and whether there is a spatial divide between European countries regarding inequalities. Our results show that inequality of opportunity in post‐communist countries is much larger than in the Western European countries. Furthermore, we present evidence of β‐convergence in terms of both income inequality and inequality of opportunity. Accordingly, inequality grows faster in less unequal countries, and therefore countries tend to converge with respect to inequality level.
Mineral magnetism variables as potential indicators of permafrost aggradation and degradation at the southern edge of the permafrost zone, Northeast China
Authors: Zhu Chenyi , Wang Hongya , Li Shuai , Luo Yao , Xue Tianyi , Song Yaqiong , Qiu An’an , Liu Hongyan
Published: January 2021

The northern Greater Khingan Range is located in northernmost Northeast China on the southern edge of the permafrost zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Isolated, sporadic and continuous permafrost belts are distributed from the southeast to the northwest in this area. Sixteen surface soil samples were collected from the three permafrost belts, and a 30‐cm‐deep soil profile was sampled from the continuous permafrost belt. A 70‐cm‐long sediment core was recovered from a small lake in the continuous permafrost belt. Measurements of mineral magnetism and analysis of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were performed on the soil samples, while mineral magnetism measurements, pollen analysis and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)14C dating were made on the lake sediment samples. The purpose was to explore whether the mineral magnetism of the soils and sediments in combination with TOC, C/N and pollen data would be indicative of recent and past permafrost alterations. Stable single domain (SSD) ferrimagnets were rarer in relative and/or absolute terms in the surficial isolated‐sporadic permafrost and the upper horizons of the soil profile, suggesting stronger gleization and thawing. The variations in TOC and C/N support these inferences. Temporal changes in mineral magnetism of the sediment core indicate varying pedogenesis and gleization and permafrost aggradations and degradations in the catchment and shifts of the permafrost belts over the past ~1000 years. The reconstructed permafrost alterations attributable to local climate changes suggested by the pollen data can be related to northern hemispheric and regional climate changes in the past ~1000 years and are helpful for predicting migrations of the permafrost belts in the future.
Variation in leaf temperatures of tropical and subtropical trees are related to leaf thermoregulatory traits and not geographic distributions
Authors: Tserej Olga , Feeley Kenneth J.
Published: January 2021

To help predict the effects of global warming on plants, previous studies have investigated how the distributions and physiological performances of plants relate to environmental temperatures. This approach implicitly assumes that leaf temperatures are tightly linked to regional air temperatures. However, the thermoregulatory behaviors and physical properties of leaves can differ greatly between species, leading to different plants having different leaf temperatures even when they occur under similar conditions. It is important to understand this variation in leaf thermoregulatory traits and temperatures in order to predict how individual species will be impacted by global warming. We measured the thermal properties of leaves from >50 tropical and subtropical tree species grown at the Gifford Arboretum (Florida, USA). For each species, we measured maximum leaf temperature and rate of leaf warming using a new standardized protocol to control for both environmental variation and select plant thermoregulatory behaviors. We tested the relationships between the two thermal variables and several leaf functional traits. Even under laboratory‐controlled conditions, leaf temperatures varied by over 8.5°C among species. Maximum leaf temperature was positively correlated with leaf area, and rate of leaf warming was negatively correlated with water content per leaf area. This suggests that some species may be able to offset rising air temperatures through acclimation or adaptation of these leaf properties. Next, we tested the relationships between the species’ leaf thermal properties and their climatic niches/distributions, but we found no significant associations. These results call into question the use of regional air temperatures to model plant physiological and demographic performance.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Effects of Implementing Multiple Components in a School‐Wide Antibullying Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Elementary Schools
Authors: van Verseveld Marloes D. A. , Fekkes Minne , Fukkink Ruben G. , Oostdam Ron J.
Published: January 2021

This study investigates the effectiveness of the PRIMA antibullying program for elementary education using a cluster‐randomized trial with two experimental conditions (with and without student lessons) and a control group. Students of 31 schools participated in the study (N = 3,135; Mage = 10 years). Multilevel regression analyses demonstrated positive effects of the program on peer‐reported victimization and reinforcing behavior. Implementing multiple program components was related to stronger program effects. The results provide partial experimental evidence for the beneficial effects of combining student lessons and teacher training in antibullying programs. Future experimental research is needed to investigate other approaches that reduce not only peer‐reported victimization, but also self‐perceived bullying and victimization.
Novel combination therapy reduces subconjunctival fibrosis after glaucoma filtration surgery in the rabbit model
Authors: Swogger John , Conner Ian P. , Happ‐Smith Carrie , Kemmerer Megan C. , Julian Dana R. , Davis Rachel , Wells Alan , Schuman Joel S. , Yates Cecelia C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) is limited by subconjunctival, episcleral and scleral fibrosis sealing the trabeculectomy and scarring the filtering bleb. Mitomycin‐C (MMC) is commonly applied intraoperatively to the subconjunctival and/or intrascleral space to reduce scarring and promotes GFS success but is associated with postoperative scleral melting and bleb leaks. IP‐10 peptide (IP‐10p), an ELR‐negative CXC chemokine mimetic and inhibitor of fibroblast function, may be an alternative or adjunct to current postoperative GFS treatments. This study sought to determine if IP‐10p produces histological changes in tissue remodelling, vascularity and fibrosis that enhance bleb survival after GFS.

Methods

Rabbits underwent tube‐assisted filtration surgery on the right eye with either: (a) IP‐10p injected into bleb at time of surgery and postoperative days 2, 4 and 7, (b) intraoperative MMC or (c) intraoperative MMC plus IP‐10p injected into bleb at time of surgery and postoperative days 2, 4 and 7. Left contralateral eyes were treated with balanced salt solution (BSS).

Results

IP‐10p‐treated blebs demonstrated reduced collagen deposition, cellularity and overall reduction of scar formation compared to BSS‐control. Bleb vascularity was reduced compared to BSS‐control and MMC treatment groups. Additionally, IP‐10p/MMC treated eyes demonstrated an increased number of conjunctival goblet cells in bleb histology compared to the dramatic loss seen with MMC treatment alone.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that IP‐10p significantly reduces histological scarring compared to BSS or MMC alone, does not damage the conjunctiva to the extent of current standards, and may be an alternative or adjunct to MMC for those undergoing GFS.
Functionality‐Driven Musculature Retargeting
Authors: Ryu Hoseok , Kim Minseok , Lee Seungwhan , Park Moon Seok , Lee Kyoungmin , Lee Jehee
Published: January 2021

We present a novel retargeting algorithm that transfers the musculature of a reference anatomical model to new bodies with different sizes, body proportions, muscle capability, and joint range of motion while preserving the functionality of the original musculature as closely as possible. The geometric configuration and physiological parameters of musculotendon units are estimated and optimized to adapt to new bodies. The range of motion around joints is estimated from a motion capture dataset and edited further for individual models. The retargeted model is simulation‐ready, so we can physically simulate muscle‐actuated motor skills with the model. Our system is capable of generating a wide variety of anatomical bodies that can be simulated to walk, run, jump and dance while maintaining balance under gravity. We will also demonstrate the construction of individualized musculoskeletal models from bi‐planar X‐ray images and medical examination.
Management of a neurological lesion involving Canalis Sinuosus: A case report
Authors: Rosano Gabriele , Testori Tiziano , Clauser Tommaso , Del Fabbro Massimo
Published: January 2021

This case report describes the management of a lesion involving the Canalis Sinuosus (CS), that is a bone channel originating from the infraorbital canal below the orbital margin and posterior to the infraorbital foramen and coursing in an anterolateral direction to the anterior wall of the nasal cavity. A female patient, 62y, ASA 1, wearing full mobile dentures, came to our clinic asking for upper jaw rehabilitation. Due to a severe bone atrophy, a graft procedure was performed and the placement of eight implants was planned. One week after implants were positioned, the patient referred pain in the upper right central incisor region, that was compatible with a normal post‐operative healing. After 15 days, since the symptoms worsened and became localized and persistent, a more detailed CBCT analysis was carried out. The images demonstrated that a CS on the right side was compressed by the apex of the implant in position #11. The implant was replaced with a shorter one and adequate pharmacological therapy was prescribed. All the symptoms completely disappeared after 30 days.
The AMPAR antagonist perampanel protects the neurovascular unit against traumatic injury via regulating Sirt3
Authors: Chen Tao , Liu Wen‐Bo , Qian Xiao , Xie Ke‐Liang , Wang Yu‐Hai
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Perampanel is a highly selective and noncompetitive α‐amino‐3 ‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate receptor (AMPAR) antagonist, which has been used as an orally administered antiepileptic drug in more than 55 countries. Recently, perampanel was shown to exert neuroprotective effects in hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke models via regulating blood–brain barrier (BBB) function.

Aim

Here, the protective effects of perampanel were investigated in an in vitro neurovascular unit (NVU) system established using a triple cell co‐culture model (neurons, astrocytes, and brain microvascular endothelial cells) and in an in vivo traumatic brain injury (TBI) model.

Results

Neurons in the NVU system exhibit a more mature morphological phenotype compared with neurons cultured alone, and the co‐culture system mimicked an impermeable barrier in vitro. Perampanel protects the NVU system against traumatic and excitotoxic injury, as evidenced by reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptotic rate. Treatment with perampanel attenuated lipid peroxidation and expression of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, perampanel increased Sirt3 protein expression, enhanced the activities of mitochondrial enzyme IDH2 and SOD2, and preserved BBB function in vitro. Knockdown of Sirt3 using specific siRNA (Si‐Sirt3) partially reserved the effects of perampanel on neuronal injury and BBB function. Treatment with perampanel in vivo attenuated brain edema, preserved neurological function, inhibited apoptosis and microglia activation after TBI. Furthermore, perampanel increased the expression of Sirt3 and preserved BBB function after TBI. The effect of perampanel on BBB function and brain edema was abolished by knockdown of Sirt3 in vivo.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the noncompetitive AMPAR antagonist perampanel protects the NVU system and reduces brain damage after TBI via activating the Sirt3 cascades.
Tradeoffs of using place‐based community science for urban biodiversity monitoring
Authors: Jimenez Miguel F. , Pejchar Liba , Reed Sarah E.
Published: January 2021

Community science, the enlisting of volunteers to collect biodiversity data, is now common and widespread. In theory, the benefits of this model are complementary: community science programs produce useful datasets while engaging the public in conservation. However, in practice there may be tradeoffs regarding data quality, economic cost, and public engagement, which are rarely quantified. To assess program structure and relative outputs, we evaluated the tradeoffs associated with (a) employing paid technicians or (b) recruiting community science volunteers to collect bird and butterfly data for an urban biodiversity project. We found mixed results for data quality; the probability of detecting human‐adapted species was similar between technicians and community scientists, but community scientists were less likely to detect human‐sensitive species and overreported the abundance of human‐adapted birds. Habitat use estimates for four out of five species were comparable between the two datasets, although uncertainty was greater for community science data. Community scientists were more efficient in terms of economic cost, producing one and a half times more bird and two times more butterfly surveys and detections per paid work‐hour. Community scientists improved their ability to identify local species (birds by 16%; butterflies by 31%). Lastly, community scientists reported an increased interest in educational or volunteer programs after participating in monitoring but were less likely to report an increased interest in taking conservation action. To improve data quality, we recommend that training focus on identifying human‐sensitive species and tracking multiple individuals of the same species during surveys. To catalyze changes in attitudes, programs should focus on recruiting members of the public with diverse preexisting attitudes toward conservation. Although we demonstrate some shortcomings, our findings add to a growing body of literature that suggests community science can increase scientific literacy and efficiently produce data of similar quality to technicians, particularly for common species.
Contextualizing single‐arm trials with real‐world data: An emulated target trial comparing therapies for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Thomas Darren S. , Lee Aaron Y. , Müller Philipp L. , Schwartz Roy , Olvera‐Barrios Abraham , Warwick Alasdair N. , Patel Praven J. , Heeren Tjebo F.C. , Egan Catherine , Taylor Paul , Tufail Adnan ,   UK AMD EMR Users Group
Published: January 2021

One‐in‐four ophthalmology trials are single‐armed, which poses challenges to their interpretation. We demonstrate how real‐world cohorts used as external/synthetic control arms can contextualize such trials. We herein emulated a target trial on the intention‐to‐treat efficacy of off‐label bevacizumab (q6w) pro re nata relative to fixed‐interval aflibercept (q8w) for improving week 54 visual acuity of eyes affected by neovascular age‐related macular degeneration. The bevacizumab arm (n = 65) was taken from the ABC randomized controlled trial. A total of 4,471 aflibercept‐treated eyes aligning with the ABC trial eligibility were identified from electronic health records and synthetic control arms were created by emulating randomization conditional on age, sex, and baseline visual read via exact matching and propensity score methods. We undertook an inferiority analysis on mean difference at 54 weeks; outcomes regression on achieving a change in visual acuity of greater than or equal to 15, greater than or equal to 10, and less than or equal to −15 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) letters at week 54; and a time‐to‐event analysis on achieving a change in visual acuity of greater than or equal to 15, greater than or equal to 10, and less than or equal to −15 ETDRS letters by week 54. The findings suggest off‐label bevacizumab to be neither inferior nor superior to licensed aflibercept. Our study highlights how real‐world cohorts representing the counterfactual intervention could aid the interpretation of single‐armed trials when analyzed in accord to the target trial framework.

Study Highlights

WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC?

One‐in‐four randomized controlled trials in ophthalmology are single‐armed, which poses challenges for interpreting their efficacy relative to standard of care. Recent conceptual advances in the methods of causal inference and in the emulation of target trials suggests that the standard‐of‐care arms representing the counterfactual intervention can be approximated with observational data.

WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS?

How real‐world cohorts representing the counterfactual intervention can aid the interpretation of single‐armed ophthalmological trials.

WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE?

Our study highlights how real‐world cohorts representing the counterfactual intervention could aid the interpretation of single‐armed ophthalmological trials when undertaken in accord with the target trial framework.

HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE?

External counterfactual arms could reduce the time and cost to reach potential regulatory approval.
Association of liver enzymes with incident diabetes in US Hispanic/Latino adults
Authors: Hua Simin , Qi Qibin , Kizer Jorge R. , Williams‐Nguyen Jessica , Strickler Howard D. , Thyagarajan Bharat , Daviglus Martha , Talavera Gregory A. , Schneiderman Neil , Cotler Scott J. , Cai Jianwen , Kaplan Robert , Isasi Carmen R.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with increased risk of incident diabetes. But such evidence is lacking in the Hispanic/Latino population, which has high prevalence of obesity and NAFLD.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 6,928 adults of Hispanic/Latino background who had no diabetes, did not report excessive alcohol use, and no hepatitis B and C infection at baseline (2008–2011). We estimated risk ratios (RR) for incident diabetes, identified from visit 2 examination by glucose measurements or antidiabetic medication use, with baseline liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)).

Results

A total of 738 adults developed diabetes during 6 years of follow‐up. After adjusting for participant characteristics at baseline, versus the lowest quartile, highest quartiles of ALT and GGT were associated with risks for incident diabetes (RR for ALT: 1.51 [95% CI 1.03–2.22], p‐trend = 0.006; RR for GGT: 2.39 [1.60–3.55], p‐trend = 0.001). Higher GGT levels predicted increased risk of incident diabetes even among those with ALT or AST below the median levels. The associations of ALT and GGT with incident diabetes were similar among most Hispanic background but were not seen among Dominicans (p for interaction <0.05). The association of AST with incident diabetes was found only among light‐to‐moderate alcohol drinkers (RR = 1.50 [1.20–1.86]) but not abstainers (RR = 0.91 [0.69–1.20], p for interaction = 0.006).

Conclusion

Higher ALT and GGT levels are associated with increased risk of developing diabetes among Latinos. Liver enzyme tests might aid in diabetes prevention by identifying high‐risk individuals.
Hybridization of Chinese international development volunteering: Evidence from three state‐funded programmes
Authors: Zhang Qianjin , Lin Junjie , Liu Tianyang , Chen Guang
Published: January 2021

Motivation

In the field of international development assistance, China has been undergoing a transition from being a receiving to a sending country. In addition to growing its foreign aid budget, China has been making great efforts to send volunteers to serve overseas. To date, however, there has been relatively little research on the expansion of China’s international development volunteering (IDV) actions.

Purpose

This exploratory study examines the characteristics of IDV programmes initiated and funded by the Chinese government. Specifically, we investigate how various IDV mechanisms have been developed to incorporate specific actors, and analyse how these arrangements serve the sponsors’ interests.

Approach and methods

We use a qualitative case‐study approach and conduct in‐depth analyses on three influential state‐funded IDV programmes. Data were collected from semi‐structured interviews and secondary documentary materials.

Findings

Research findings from three Chinese IDV programmes indicate that the hybridization dynamics of IDV are reflected in their different programme mechanisms, whereby intra‐, non‐ and extra‐state actors from international, central and local levels are connected as contributors. Volunteer resources are transformed, through different mechanisms, into development resources to benefit the hosting countries, and into public diplomacy resources, technical resources, and human capital for the sponsors’ own interests.

Policy implications

This study highlights the hybrid nature of state‐funded IDV practices and shows the evolution of Chinese IDV from traditional official‐to‐official linkages to more diverse and spontaneous forms involving different non‐state actors.
High fitness levels, frequent sauna bathing and risk of pneumonia in a cohort study: Are there potential implications for COVID‐19?
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Laukkanen Jari A.
Published: January 2021

Background

There is an ongoing debate on a potential protective role of habitual physical activity and passive heat therapy on the risk of COVID‐19, a respiratory infectious disease that can manifest as severe pneumonia. To explore these putative roles, we evaluated the independent and joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and frequency of sauna bathing (FSB) with pneumonia risk in a prospective cohort study of 2275 men aged 42‐61 years at recruitment.

Material and Methods

Objectively measured CRF and self‐reported sauna bathing habits were assessed at baseline. CRF was categorized as low and high (median cut‐offs) and FSB as low and high (defined as ≤1 and 2‐7 sessions/wk, respectively). Multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for incident pneumonia.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 26.6 years, 529 cases of pneumonia occurred. Comparing high vs low CRF, the multivariable‐adjusted HR (95% CIs) for pneumonia was 0.75 (0.61‐0.91). Comparing high vs low FSB, the corresponding HR was 0.81 (0.68‐0.97). Compared to men with low CRF & low FSB, the multivariable‐adjusted HRs of pneumonia for the following groups: high CRF & low FSB; low CRF & high FSB; and high CRF & high FSB were 0.88 (0.65‐1.20), 0.89 (0.71‐1.13), and 0.62 (0.48‐0.80) respectively.

Conclusions

In a general male Caucasian population, a combination of high fitness levels and frequent sauna baths is associated with a substantially lowered future pneumonia risk compared with each modality alone. The implications of these findings in altering COVID‐19 disease or its severity deserve study.
Resistance evaluation of walnut (Juglans spp.) against Xanthomonas arboricola and the correlation between leaf structure and resistance
Authors: Yang Hanbo , Han Shan , He Dan , Jiang Shijiao , Cao Guangli , Wan Xueqin , Chen Lianghua , Xiao Jiujin , Zhu Peng
Published: January 2021

Walnut blight caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) is one of the most detrimental diseases affecting walnut quality and production. A screen of 18 walnut genotypes for leaf resistance to Xaj suggested species independent variation and revealed four highly resistant (HR) cultivars (‘96’, ‘91’, ‘Chuanzao2’ and ‘Qingxiang’), while ‘Yanyuanzao’ and ‘Xiangling’ were highly susceptible (HS). Further correlation analyses were carried out on the 18 genotypes. Stomata length (SL) (r = .686, p < .05) and stomatal area (SA) (r = .596, p < .05) had significant positive correlations with disease severity index (DSI), suggesting that the length and density of stomata affected the speed and number of pathogens invading the leaves. The highly susceptible genotypes had a significantly lower thickness ratio of spongy to palisade tissue (P/S) (1.50). When compared to resistant genotypes (1.69), the P/S value had a significant negative correlation with the DSI (r = −.631, p < .05). Denser spongy tissue and more developed palisade tissue were indicative of higher resistance for the genotype. The stomata breadth (SB), stomata density (SD) and wax content (WC) each had no correlation with resistance. Maximum SW, SD and TU and minimum WC were found in HS genotypes, such as ‘Xiangling’ and ‘Yanyuanzao’. The leaf thickness (LT), the thickness of the abaxial epidermis (TL), the thickness of stratum corneum (LCT), the tissue structure tense ratio (CTR) and tissue structure loose ratio (SR) did not correlate with resistance. These findings not only provide information to facilitate our understanding of Xaj resistance but also lay the foundation for breeding Xaj‐resistant walnut in the future.
Effects of COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health outcomes in a cohort of early psychosis patients
Authors: Szmulewicz Alejandro G. , Benson Nicole M. , Hsu John , Hernán Miguel A. , Öngür Dost
Published: January 2021

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on clinical outcomes, we used data from Electronic Health Records from 128 patients receiving care at a First Episode Psychosis clinic.

Methods

Rates of admission or emergency room (ER) visits from January 2020 to July 2020 were analysed using difference‐in‐difference regression. We used the same weeks in 2019 to control for seasonality.

Results

We found 17 hospitalizations or ER visits between 1 January 2020 and 13 March 2020 (incidence rate: 71.4 events/1000 person‐weeks) and 6 between 14 March 2020 and 20 June 2020 (incidence rate: 18.5 events/1000 person‐weeks) for an incidence rate ratio of 0.26. The severity of presentation worsened after transition to telemedicine. No signs of significant interruptions of care were found.

Conclusions

We report that patients have avoided accessing higher levels of care, except in extreme cases. We argue that this is not a sustainable trajectory and that public health actions are required.
Myelomonocytic skewing in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: phenotypic, molecular and biologic features and impact on survival
Authors: Geissler Klaus , Jäger Eva , Barna Agnes , Graf Temeida , Graf Elmir , Öhler Leopold , Hoermann Gregor , Valent Peter
Published: January 2021

Background

Myelomonocytic skewing is considered as a key pathophysiologic phenomenon in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), but its prevalence and potential correlation with phenotypic, genotypic, and clinical features are poorly defined.

Methods

Skewed differentiation toward the myelomonocytic over erythroid commitment as indicated by an inverse ratio of myelomonocytic/erythroid colonies was investigated in 146 patients with CMML by semisolid in vitro cultures.

Results

There was a high prevalence of myelomonocytic skewing in patients with CMML (120/146, 82%); whereas, this phenomenon was rare in normal individuals (1/98, 1%). Patients with CMML with myelomonocytic skewing had higher white blood cell and peripheral blast cell counts, and lower platelet values. The number of mutations in genes of the epigenetic and/or splicing category was higher in CMML patients with as compared with patients without skewing. Patients with myelomonocytic skewing had more frequently mutations in RASopathy genes and higher growth factor independent myeloid colony formation. Interestingly, the lack of myelomonocytic skewing discriminated patients with CMML with a particularly favorable prognosis (60 vs 19 months, P = .003) and a minimal risk of transformation.

Conclusion

Myelomonocytic skewing as determined by semisolid cultures can discriminate subgroups of patients with CMML with a different phenotype, a different genotype, and a different prognosis.
Chronic migraine: Genetics or environment?
Authors: Chalmer Mona Ameri , Rasmussen Andreas Høiberg ,   International Headache Genetics Consortium,   23andme Research Team, Kogelman Lisette J. A. , Olesen Jes , Hansen Thomas Folkmann
Published: January 2021

Background

The transition from episodic migraine to chronic migraine, migraine chronification, is usually a gradual process, which involves multiple risk factors. To date, studies of the genetic risk factors for chronic migraine have focused primarily on candidate‐gene approaches using healthy individuals as controls.

Aims and methods

In this study, we used a large cohort of migraine families and unrelated migraine patients (n > 2200) with supporting genotype and whole‐genome sequencing data. We evaluated whether there are any genetic variants, common or rare, with a specific association to chronic migraine compared with episodic migraine.

Results

We found no aggregation of chronic migraine in families with a clustering of migraine. No specific rare variants gave rise to migraine chronification, and migraine chronification was not associated with a higher polygenic risk score. Migraine chronification was not associated with allelic associations with an odds ratio above 2.65. Assessment of effect sizes with genome‐wide significance below an odds ratio of 2.65 requires a genome‐wide association study of at least 7500 chronic migraine patients.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that migraine chronification is caused by environmental factors rather than genetic factors.
Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy in a Non‐Western Context: Findings from a Randomized‐Controlled Evaluation of Youth Offenders in Singapore
Authors: Gan Daniel Z. Q. , Zhou Yiwei , Abdul Wahab Nur Diyanah binte , Ruby Kala , Hoo Eric
Published: January 2021

This study is the first to evaluate Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in a non‐Western culture. The effectiveness of FFT was examined in relation to three proximal outcomes relevant to youth offender rehabilitation: (i) mental well‐being, (ii) family functioning, and (iii) probation completion. 120 youth probationers (Mage = 16.2, SD = 1.33) were randomly assigned to receive either standard probation services—Treatment‐As‐Usual (TAU; n = 57)—or FFT in addition to TAU (FFT; n = 63). Data on psychometric measures of mental well‐being and family functioning were obtained at (i) preprogram, (ii) postprogram, and (iii) at the end of probation. Probation completion data were obtained from casefile records. Mean mental well‐being scores of the FFT group improved from pre‐ to post‐treatment, and gains were maintained at follow‐up. However, there was a nonsignificant trend for the FFT group showing higher rates of reliable change and clinical recovery on the mental well‐being scale. There were no group differences in family functioning scores over time. However, there was a significant trend for the FFT group showing higher rates of reliable change and clinical recovery on the family functioning scale. Probation completion rates were 88.9% and 70.2% for the FFT and TAU groups, respectively. Youth in the FFT group were significantly more likely to complete probation successfully. The results support FFT’s effectiveness in Singaporean youth offenders. At a broader level, the study findings support the cross‐cultural effectiveness of FFT in, and transportability to, a non‐Western culture.
A corpus‐driven, curriculum‐based Chinese elicited imitation test in US universities
Authors: Yan Xun , Lei Yuyun , Shih Chilin
Published: January 2021

This two‐phased study explored a corpus‐driven, curriculum‐based approach to assessing proficiency development of Mandarin Chinese in US universities. In Phase I, we developed an elicited imitation (EI) test based on the Chinese curriculum at a large US university. This test demonstrated higher psychometric qualities to (1) place L2 learners into three curricular levels, and (2) assess learners' production of key vocabulary and grammatical items, providing useful information for placement, diagnosis, and achievement purposes as compared with a non‐curriculum‐based EI test. In Phase II, we revised the EI test to make it applicable across university contexts. We identified a lexico‐grammar core from a corpus‐driven analysis of 36 widely‐used Chinese textbooks in US universities and incorporated this core in EI item development. The revised EI test showed improved psychometric qualities. This study has broad methodological implications for the assessment of Chinese as well as other less commonly taught languages in university contexts.
Prediction of aboveground biomass and dry‐matter content in Brachiaria pastures by combining meteorological data and satellite imagery
Authors: Bretas Igor L. , Valente Domingos S.M. , Silva Fabyano F. , Chizzotti Mario L. , Paulino Mário F. , D’Áurea André P. , Paciullo Domingos S.C. , Pedreira Bruno C. , Chizzotti Fernanda H.M.
Published: January 2021

Aboveground biomass (AGB) data are important for profitable and sustainable pasture management. In this study, we hypothesized that vegetation indexes (VIs) obtained through analysis of moderate spatial resolution satellite data (Landsat‐8 and Sentinel‐2) and meteorological data can accurately predict the AGB of Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) pastures in Brazil. We used AGB field data obtained from pastures between 2015 and 2019 in four distinct regions of Brazil to evaluate (i) the relationship between three different VIs—normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index 2 (EVI2) and optimized soil adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI)—and meteorological data with pasture aboveground fresh biomass (AFB), aboveground dry biomass (ADB) and dry‐matter content (DMC); and (ii) the performance of simple linear regression (SLR), multiple linear regression (MLR) and random forest (RF) algorithms for the prediction of pasture AGB based on VIs obtained through satellite imagery combined with meteorological data. The results highlight a strong correlation (r) between VIs and AGB, particularly NDVI (r = 0.52 to 0.84). The MLR and RF algorithms demonstrated high potential to predict AFB (R2 = 0.76 to 0.85) and DMC (R2 = 0.78 to 0.85). We conclude that both MLR and RF algorithms improved the biomass prediction accuracy using satellite imagery combined with meteorological data to determine AFB and DMC, and can be used for Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) AGB prediction. Additional research on tropical grasses is needed to evaluate different VIs to improve the accuracy of ADB prediction, thereby supporting pasture management in Brazil.
Plant growth habit and nitrogen fertilizer effects on rhizoma peanut biomass partitioning during establishment
Authors: Aryal Parmeshwor , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Kohmann Marta M. , da Silva Liliane S. , Cooley Katie D. , Dubeux Jose C.B.
Published: January 2021

Rhizoma peanut (RP; Arachis glabrata Benth.) is an important perennial forage legume in the US Gulf Coast region, but propagation using rhizomes and prolonged establishment periods limit its adoption. Genotypes and management practices that hasten establishment are needed. Our objective was to determine the effects of RP growth habit and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application during shoot emergence on biomass partitioning and measures of establishment success during the year‐of‐ and year‐after‐planting. Field experiments were conducted during 2016 through 2018. Treatments were the factorial combinations of two RP entries differing in growth habit (decumbent germplasm Ecoturf and upright cultivar ‘UF Tito’) and three N rates (0, 40, and 80 kg/ha applied 10 weeks after planting [WAP]) arranged in four replications of a randomized complete block design. Upright UF Tito had greater shoot (194 vs. 125 g/m2) and root‐rhizome biomass (249 vs. 111 g/m2) than decumbent Ecoturf at the end of the year of planting. Early growth patterns explained this response in part, as UF Tito had greater leaf area index (LAI; 0.58 vs. 0.39) and lesser root‐rhizome: shoot ratio (0.62 vs. 0.77) than Ecoturf at 20 WAP. Nitrogen fertilization had minimal effects on shoot biomass, and it did not affect root‐rhizome biomass. The entry effect on establishment performance persisted through the year after planting with UF Tito outperforming Ecoturf. Use of an RP genotype that prioritized leaf area and shoot versus root‐rhizome biomass during early growth was more important than N fertilization in expediting RP establishment.
Evaluation of the 6‐item Identify Chronic Migraine screener in a large medical group
Authors: Pavlovic Jelena M. , Yu Justin S. , Silberstein Stephen D. , Reed Michael L. , Cowan Robert P. , Dabbous Firas , Pulicharam Riya , Viswanathan Hema N. , Lipton Richard B.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the 6‐item Identify Chronic Migraine screener (ID‐CM[6]), designed to improve the detection of chronic migraine (CM).

Background

CM is often undertreated and underdiagnosed. Survey‐based studies have found that approximately 75–80% of people meeting criteria for CM do not report having received an accurate diagnosis.

Methods

This study used claims data of patients enrolled in a large medical group who had at least one medical claim with an International Classification of Diseases 9th/10th revision diagnostic code for migraine in the 12‐month prescreening period. The Identify Chronic Migraine survey was administered by e‐mail, in‐person, or over the telephone to all enrolled patients. A Semi‐Structured Diagnostic Interview (SSDI) was administered by telephone by a trained physician. The ID‐CM(6) and SSDI classifications of CM status were compared to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the ID‐CM(6) screening tool.

Results

The analysis of the ID‐CM(6) screening tool included 109 patients, with 65/109 (59.6%) positive for CM based on the SSDI. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patient sample was 49 (15) years and 100/109 (91.7%) were female. Using the SSDI as the diagnostic gold standard, the ID‐CM(6) had a sensitivity of 70.8% (46/65) and a specificity of 93.2% (41/44).

Conclusion

The ID‐CM(6) demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and good specificity in determining CM status. The results of this analysis support the real‐world utility of the ID‐CM(6) as a simple and useful tool to identify patients with CM.
Weather conditions explain reproductive success and advancement of the breeding season in Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
Authors: Coppes Joy , Kämmerle Jim‐Lino , Schroth Karl‐Eugen , Braunisch Veronika , Suchant Rudi
Published: January 2021

Climate change and associated changes in weather patterns have globally widespread effects on natural systems. Shifts in phenology can affect the reproductive success of birds by causing a mismatch between the onset of breeding and favourable conditions for reproduction, such as a peak in food availability. Weather conditions and their changes have also long been discussed as affecting the reproductive success of grouse (Tetraoninae) and contributing to rapid declines in many central European populations. We monitored the reproductive success of Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus in the Black Forest, Germany, over a 14‐year period to study how weather conditions correlated to reproductive success and to assess whether changing environmental conditions were related to a seasonal shift in reproduction. We observed a temporal shift in peak lekking activity from late to mid‐April, which corresponds to an advance of 0.65 days/year. Furthermore, we show that warm conditions during the reproductive season were positively associated with reproductive success (i.e. larger brood size, more hens with chicks and more chicks per hen) and that precipitation volume during the early weeks after hatching was negatively correlated with brood size. Precipitation before copulation (i.e. peak of lekking) affected the proportion of hens with chicks and the number of chicks per hen. Sex ratio in broods was also affected by weather conditions, with more female than male chicks in years with low temperatures and high precipitation. By analysing spring weather predictions for the period 2020–2039, we found that weather conditions during the reproductive period remained constant when assuming a continued advancement of reproduction onset, although annual variation was high. We show the importance of weather conditions in influencing Western Capercaillie reproductive success. Western Capercaillie in the Black Forest seem to adjust the timing of reproduction according to changes in weather conditions, but this advancement is unlikely to be limitless, making the future impact of climate change on the species uncertain.
Accounting for year effects and sampling error in temporal analyses of invertebrate population and biodiversity change: a comment on Seibold et al. 2019
Authors: Daskalova Gergana N. , Phillimore Albert B. , Myers‐Smith Isla H.
Published: January 2021

An accumulating number of studies are reporting severe insect declines. These studies aim to quantify temporal changes in invertebrate populations and community composition and attribute them to anthropogenic drivers.

Seibold et al. 2019 (Nature, 574, 671–674) analysed arthropod biomass, abundance and species richness from forest and grassland plots in a region of Germany and reported declines of up to 78% between 2008 and 2018. However, their analysis did not account for the confounding effects of temporal pseudoreplication.

We show that simply by including a year random effect in the statistical models and thereby accounting for the common conditions experienced by proximal sites in the same years, four of the five reported declines become non‐significant out of six tests overall.

To place recent estimates of insect trends in a broader context, we analysed invertebrate biomass, abundance and richness from 640 time series from 1167 sites around the world. We found that the average trends across the terrestrial and freshwater realms were not significantly distinguishable from no net change. Shorter time series that are likely most affected by sampling error variance – such as those in Seibold et al. 2019 (Nature, 574, 671–674) – yielded the most extreme decline and increase estimates.

We suggest that the media uptake of negative trends from short time series may be serving to exaggerate the ‘insect Armageddon’ and could undermine public confidence in research. We advocate that future research uses appropriate model structures to build a more robust understanding of biodiversity change.
Firing behavior of argillites from northern Tunisia as raw materials for ceramic applications
Authors: Chalouati Youssef , Mannai Faouzi , Bennour Ali , Srasra Ezzedine
Published: January 2021

This study reports the firing properties of clayey materials from northern Tunisia to evaluate their possible use as raw material in ceramic. Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization and thermal behavior were carried out by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, particle size distribution, and Atterberg limits tests. Firing properties were evaluated by color, firing shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and flexural strength. Studied clayey materials are made up mainly by kaolinite and illite and are rich in iron. The main transformations after thermal analysis were identified from 500°C to 1000°C subsequent to the dehydroxylation of clay minerals, calcite decomposition, and the recrystallization process. Fired samples up to 1100°C showed better physical and mechanical properties related with a great densification resulting in a significant increase in linear shrinkage, bulk density, and flexural strength and a decrease in apparent porosity and water absorption up to 1100°C. This behavior is due to a crystalline and liquid phases formed at low firing temperature associated with a high content of fluxing agents. The fired ceramic materials exhibited low water absorption up to 2.26% and high flexural strength up to 32.6 MPa, which makes their potential use for some earthenware and stoneware products.
Pink colour formation in hydrolysed casein
Authors: Johns Paul W.
Published: January 2021

Pink discolouration in a casein hydrolysate prompted an investigation into its formation. When an aqueous solution of the hydrolysate was held at 110 °C, an intense red colour was generated, as was a strong sulphide odour. In a study of colour and amino acids in a hydrolysate solution held at 110 °C for 0–11 h, a substantial cystine loss occurred, with which colour formation was correlated. The red material exhibited affinity for an anion exchange resin, and its analysis by HPLC found ≥7 apparent pigment compounds. These characteristics, along with the free amino acids in the hydrolysate, seem consistent with the formation of thiosulphinate‐derived, conjugated, carboxylated and pyrrole‐based pigment compounds proposed to explain pinking in processed onions. The data raise the possibility that pathways responsible for pink discolouration in the hydrolysate (and possibly to some instances of pink discolouration observed in cheese) are related to those associated with onion pinking.
Innovative production of multistrain synbiotic product using Thai‐pigmented rice and rice bran oil
Authors: Chumphon Thapakorn , Pangjit Kanjana , Promsai Saran
Published: January 2021

This study found that the isolated probiotics Lactobacillus paracasei KUKPS6201, L. acidophilus KUKPS6107, L. reuteri KUKPS6103, L. rhamnosus KUKPS6007, L. salivarius KUKPS6202, Bacillus coagulans KPSTF02 and Saccharomyces boulardii KUKPS6005 had high potential for probiotic properties. All strains had antibacterial activity and high antioxidant activity of 1.654 ± 0.017 mg Trolox mL−1 probiotic extract. The selected strains could survive in a simulated gastrointestinal tract under anaerobic conditions and showed no haemolytic activity. Furthermore, the probiotic strains were strongly auto‐aggregated and also showed co‐aggregated ability with pathogenic bacteria. The probiotic microorganisms demonstrated high ability to adhere to Thai‐pigmented rice grains. The results of analysis of these probiotics showed that Riceberry rice bran oil was an excellent prebiotic. A synbiotic product containing Thai‐pigmented rice grains (cultivar Riceberry, Luem Pua and Black Jasmine) and rice bran oil was produced. After 8 weeks of storage, the viability of the probiotics in terms of multistrains was 7.36 ± 0.04 log CFU g–1 (85.78% survival rate). Microbiological safety testing indicated that the amounts of contaminants were acceptable. This study provided the first scientific report on the feasibility of applying Thai‐pigment rice, rice bran oil and mixed‐culture probiotics as a novel functional synbiotic product.