bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 2 in Korea: What's the optimal dosage of ribavirin in real‐world setting?
Authors: Yoon Jae Hyun , Jun Chung Hwan , Seo Ji Ho , Cho Hyun A , Cho Sung Bum , Choi Sung Kyu , Cho Ju Yeon , Kim Man Woo , Lim Sung Wook
Published: December 2018

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 infection and to determine the optimal ribavirin dosage.

Methods

From May 2016 to March 2017, 199 patients received sofosbuvir plus ribavirin treatment for HCV genotype 2 infection at four centers in Jeollanam‐do Province, Korea. After excluding patients lost to follow‐up and those with insufficient data, we retrospectively assessed the data for 194 patients. The treatment efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin were evaluated.

Results

A sustained virological response was achieved in 189 patients (intention‐to‐treat [ITT] 97.4%; per protocol [PP]: 99.5%, both at 12 and 24 weeks) whose average ribavirin dosage was 937.1 mg/day. The most frequent adverse event was anemia (17.5%), and its incidence significantly increased (P < 0.001) with a higher ribavirin dosage per body weight. Discontinuation of ribavirin or dosage reduction occurred in 27 (14.2%). The ribavirin dosage reduction rate increased at a dosage of >15 mg/kg (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.652, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54‐0.76, P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥70 years, with liver cirrhosis, and female gender were associated with ribavirin dosage reduction.

Conclusions

Remarkable outcomes were attained in patients with HCV genotype 2 infection treated with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin. Age ≥70 years, with liver cirrhosis, and female gender were associated with ribavirin dosage reduction. Thus, sustained virological response can be achieved with <1000 mg of ribavirin, with an optimal dosage of 15 mg/kg.
The Role of Behavioral Phenotypes on Impaired Driving Recidivism Risk and Treatment Response to Brief Intervention: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Moxley‐Kelly Nathaniel , Ouimet Marie Claude , Dongier Maurice , Chanut Florence , Tremblay Jacques , Marcantoni Walter , Brown Thomas G.
Published: December 2018

Background

Heterogeneity in the driving while impaired (DWI) offender population and modest outcomes from remedial programs are fueling interest in clarifying clinically significant DWI subtypes to better assess recidivism risk and target interventions. Our previous research identified 2 putative behavior phenotypes of DWI offenders with distinct behavioral, personality, cognitive, and neurobiological profiles: (i) offenders primarily engaging in DWI (pDWI); and (ii) offenders engaging in DWI and other traffic violations (MIXED). Here, we evaluate these phenotypes’ clinical significance for prediction of recidivism and intervention targeting.

Methods

DWI recidivists participating in a previous randomized controlled trial (N = 184 comparing brief motivational interviewing (BMI) and an information and advice control condition (IA) were retrospectively classified as either pDWI (n = 97) or MIXED (n = 87). Secondary analyses then evaluated the effect of this phenotypic classification on self‐reported 6‐ and 12‐month alcohol misuse outcomes and documented 5‐year DWI recidivism violations, and in response to either BMI or IA (i.e., pDWI‐BMI, n = 46; MIXED‐BMI, n = 45; pDWI‐IA, n = 51; MIXED‐IA, n = 42). Two hypotheses were tested: (i) MIXED classification is associated with poorer alcohol misuse outcomes and recidivism outcomes than pDWI classification; and (ii) pDWI paired with BMI is associated with better outcomes compared to MIXED paired with BMI.

Results

MIXED classification was associated with significantly greater risk of recidivism over the 5‐year follow‐up compared to pDWI classification. Moreover, the pDWI‐BMI pairing was associated with significantly decreased recidivism risk compared to the MIXED‐BMI pairing. Analyses of 6‐ and 12‐month alcohol use outcomes produced null findings.

Conclusions

The clinical significance of phenotypic classification for risk assessment and targeting intervention was partially supported with respect to recidivism risk. Prospective investigation of this and other behavioral phenotypes is indicated.
Tracing the origins of Eastern European enamelling: Chemical composition of glass and enamels from the Bryansk hoard (south‐western Russia)
Authors: Rumyantseva O. , Trifonov A. , Khanin D.
Published: December 2018

The chemical composition of a series of Eastern European enamels from the Bryansk hoard from the third century ad and other sites was studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) techniques. Red opaque glass is homogeneous compositionally, suggesting not only common manufacturing traditions but also identical types and sources of raw materials and, consequently, a single origin. The glass is made in the Roman tradition of enamelling, which appeared in the mid‐first century ad, as was the case with orange glass. The difference in the lead content in glass of different colours, which determines the melting temperature, allows the reconstruction of polychrome enamelling techniques.
Conference report: pharmacogenomics in special populations at WCP2018
Authors: Suarez‐Kurtz Guilherme , Aklillu Eleni , Saito Yoshiro , Somogyi Andrew A.
Published: December 2018

The 18th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP2018), coordinated by IUPHAR and hosted by the Japanese Pharmacological Society and the Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, was held in July 2018 at the Kyoto International Conference Center, in Kyoto, Japan. Having as its main theme ‘Pharmacology for the Future: Science, Drug Development and Therapeutics’, WCP2018 was attended by over 4500 delegates, representing 78 countries. The present report is an overview of a symposium at WCP2018, entitled Pharmacogenomics in Special Populations, organized by IUPHAR´s Pharmacogenetics/Genomics (PGx) section. The PGx section congregates distinguished scientists from different continents, covering expertise from basic research, to clinical implementation and ethical aspects of PGx, and one of its major activities is the coordination of symposia and workshops to foster exchange of PGx knowledge (https://iuphar.org/sections‐subcoms/pharmacogenetics‐genomics/). The symposium attracted a large audience to listen to presentations covering various areas of research and clinical adoption of PGx in Oceania, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Voxel‐wise correlation of positron emission tomography/computed tomography with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and histology of the prostate using a sophisticated registration framework
Authors: Reynolds Hayley M. , Williams Scott , Jackson Price , Mitchell Catherine , Hofman Michael S. , Hicks Rodney J. , Murphy Declan G. , Haworth Annette
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To develop a registration framework for correlating positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and histology of the prostate, thereby enabling voxel‐wise analysis of imaging parameters.

Patients and Methods

In this prospective proof‐of‐concept study, nine patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy underwent mpMRI and PET/CT imaging before surgery. One had PET imaging using 18F‐fluoromethylcholine, five using 68Ga‐labelled prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐HBED‐CC (PMSA‐11), and three using a trial 68Ga‐labelled THP‐PSMA tracer. PET/CT data were co‐registered with mpMRI via the CT scan and an in vivo three‐dimensional T2‐weighted (T2w) MRI, and then co‐registered with ground truth histology data using ex vivo MRI of the prostate specimen. Maximum and mean standardised uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean) were extracted from PET data using tumour annotations from histology, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were used to compare between tumour‐ and benign‐voxel values. Correlation analysis was performed between mpMRI and PET SUV tumour voxel values using Pearson's correlation coefficient and R2 statistics.

Results

PET/CT data from all nine patients were successfully registered with mpMRI and histology data. SUVmax and SUVmean ranged from 2.21 to 12.11 and 1.08 to 4.21, respectively. All patients showed the PET SUV values in benign and tumour voxels were from statistically different distributions. Correlation analysis showed no consistent trend between the T2w or apparent diffusion coefficient values and PET SUV. However, parameters from dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI including the maximum enhancement, volume transfer constant (Ktrans), and the initial area under the contrast agent concentration curve for the first 60 s after injection (iAUGC60), showed consistent positive correlations with PET SUV. Furthermore, R2* values from blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) MRI showed consistent negative correlations with PET SUV‐voxel values.

Conclusion

We have developed a novel framework for registering and correlating PET/CT data at a voxel‐level with mpMRI and histology. Despite registration uncertainties, perfusion and oxygenation parameters from DCE MRI and BOLD imaging showed correlations with PET SUV. Further analysis will be performed on a larger patient cohort to quantify these proof‐of‐concept findings. Improved understanding of the correlation between mpMRI and PET will provide supportive information for focal therapy planning of the prostate.
Gender and water insecurity in a subarctic Indigenous community
Authors: Hanrahan Maura , Mercer Nicholas
Published: December 2018

Indigenous communities in Canada suffer disproportionately from compromised water insecurity, with multiple negative implications. Some attention has been paid to gender and water insecurity in developing countries, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa, but the topic has been neglected for subarctic settings. We conducted long‐term research in Black Tickle, a remote Inuit community in Labrador, Canada, with no piped water and limited access to potable water. Our research was aimed at understanding the multiple dimensions of water security, identifying materialist responses, and conducting a pilot project in domestic rainwater harvesting. Water security emerged as a gendered phenomenon. We supplemented our reflective analysis on this research with two focus group discussions during which Inuit women described their experiences of water security. Participants reported that their physical and mental health are undermined by water insecurity and that water is a source of multiple stresses that demand resilience. Given a developing remittance economy, gender was identified as an increasingly significant determinant of water insecurity in this subarctic community. Having to retrieve water themselves, Inuit women experience altered gender norms and a persistent values conflict in addition to physical strain. Water acquisition is an added responsibility, impacting their labour load. Alternatively, in relying on available men to retrieve water, participants reported feeling guilty and anxious and they worried about men fetching water in dangerous weather conditions and in the vicinity of dangerous wildlife. Participants’ experiences make clear the urgency for a materialist response to water insecurity in the Indigenous subarctic.
Dyeing of cotton with the natural dye extracted from waste leaves of green tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica)
Authors: Sukemi   , Pratumyot Kornkanya , Srisuwannaket Choladda , Niamnont Nakorn , Mingvanish Withawat
Published: December 2018

Due to an increase in the production of green tea, the amount of leaf waste has increased enormously, causing serious environmental problems. With regard to environmental awareness, the possibility of reusing the waste leaves of green tea as a low‐cost and abundantly available source of natural dye for dyeing cotton fibres was investigated. Natural dye powder from the waste leaves of green tea (NDPT) was successfully applied to dye cotton fibres without mordant by batch experiments. NDPT was obtained as a dark brown powder with a yield of 2.7 ± 0.5% w/w from dried waste leaves of green tea. The optimal conditions for dyeing NDPT onto cotton fibres were: pH of dye solution, 3; material to liquor ratio, 100:1; dyeing time, 180 min; concentration of dye solution, 3.0 mg/ml; and dyeing temperature, 100 °C. The colour of cotton fibres dyed with NDPT was observed to be dark brown. The adsorption data of NDPT on cotton fibres was best fitted with a Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.997. It is clear that there is a strong possibility of reusing the waste leaves of green tea as a low‐cost and abundantly available source of natural dye for dyeing cotton fibres.
In situ fabric coloration with indigo synthesised in flow
Authors: Haaf Michael P. , Piemonte Katrina M. , McQuade D. Tyler , Cotton Lucy , Blackburn Richard S.
Published: December 2018

Indigo (CI Vat Blue 1) is a water‐insoluble pigment exhibiting no affinity for fibres and must be chemically reduced in basic solution to form the water‐soluble, alkaline leucoindigo (CI Reduced Vat Blue 1), in order to exhibit substantivity for fibres. Typical vat dyeing processes are time‐ and resource‐intensive, and hazardous by‐products are formed, primarily through the use of reducing agents. We describe a method for synthesising indigo in a flow reactor that allows for application of dye precursors to fibres, milliseconds before the reaction completes. The soluble precursors soak into the cotton fabric just prior to the precipitation of the insoluble indigo, effectively providing in situ coloration, without the need for a traditional redox dyebath. The reaction may be coupled with a propellant, an adaptation that allows for a sprayable form of indigo. In situ coloration with Tyrian purple (6,6′‐dibromoindigo; CI Natural Violet 1) was also demonstrated using the flow chemistry method. This research provides compelling proof of concept, but we acknowledge that the process is in its infancy and needs further development to reach a stage where it can compete commercially with current technology.
Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications in respiratory journals from China and other top‐ranking countries between 2007 and 2017
Authors: Qu Yulan , Zhang Chen , Hu Zhenli , Ning Yunye , Kong Chen , Shang Yan , Bai Chong
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Respiratory disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide.

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to compare the quantity and quality of scientific publications in the field of respirology from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and China.

Methods

Articles published in 58 respiratory journals from 2007 to 2017 were screened with Science Citation Index Expanded database. The number of total and annual articles, article types, impact factor (IF), h‐index, citations and articles in the high‐impact journals from the corresponding country were collected for quantity and quality comparisons. The correlation of socioeconomic factors and annual publications was also analysed.

Results

A total of 93078 articles were published worldwide in respiratory journals from 2007 to 2017. The United States contributed the largest proportion (34399 (37.0%)), followed by the United Kingdom (9494 (10.2%)), Germany (6918 (7.4%)) and Canada (6574 (7.1%)). Publications from China represented the 6th, but this quantity is rapidly increasing. The United States occupies the dominant place in all kinds of article types under investigation in the study, except in the category of meta‐analysis. For total and average citations, China still lags behind the other 4 countries in the study. The annual numbers of articles from China, Canada and the United States were positively correlated with gross domestic product (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The United States has played predominant role in respiratory research for the last 11 years. Although China has made great progress in the number of published articles over the past decade, the quality of these publications needs further improvement.
Development of a Modified Score System as Prediction Model for Successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Xing Yan‐Ping , Qi Xin‐Ying , Wang Xue‐Zhen , Yang Feng‐Zhen
Published: December 2018

This study was designed to establish a modified prediction score system to improve the safety and success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC). We recruited 406 patients (between January 2012 and December 2016) and generated a modified score system in predicting the success rate of VBAC. All patients were required to sign informed consent forms. There were 87.2% of patients who had successful VBAC deliveries and 12.8% patients who had repeated cesarean sections. We conducted multivariable logistic regression and found seven variables that were associated with VBAC success, including previous primary indication of cesarean delivery (odds ratio (OR), 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4–3.0), previous vaginal birth history (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.8–3.8), < 40 years of age (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.3), < 20 kg weight gain (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2–2.3), no labor induction (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5–2.9), high score of pelvic/birth weight (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1–2.1), and Bishop score (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2–1.4). After adjustment for optimism, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC‐ROC) was 0.849 (95% CI, 0.78–0.89), and the modified VBAC score was positively correlated with the success rate of trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC). A valid and useful score system was established to predict VBAC success rate.
“Love is only between living beings who are equal in power”: On what is alive (and what is dead) in Hegel's account of marriage
Authors: Katz Gal
Published: December 2018

The paper develops a conception of marital love as a complex recognitive relation, which I articulate by juxtaposing it against other recognitive relations that figure in Hegel's theory of modern civil society (i.e., respect and esteem). Drawing on Hegel's early writings, I argue that, if love is to provide its unique sort of recognition, it must obtain between “living beings who are equal in power”—a peculiar form of equality that I name (drawing on Stanley Cavell's work) “dynamic equality.” I conclude that it is by Hegel's own lights that we should reject his notorious conception of the sexual difference. However, I also offer reasons why, from Hegel's early 19th century perspective, he could consider the following two conditions as compatible: (1) equality within marriage and (2) sexual hierarchy outside marriage, namely, in civil society.
Ice‐binding proteins from the fungus Antarctomyces psychrotrophicus possibly originate from two different bacteria through horizontal gene transfer
Authors: Arai Tatsuya , Fukami Daichi , Hoshino Tamotsu , Kondo Hidemasa , Tsuda Sakae
Published: December 2018

Various microbes, including fungi and bacteria, that live in cold environments produce ice‐binding proteins (IBPs) that protect them from freezing. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota are two major phyla of fungi, and Antarctomyces psychrotrophicus is currently designated as the sole ascomycete that produces IBP (AnpIBP). However, its complete amino acid sequence, ice‐binding property, and evolutionary history have not yet been clarified. Here, we determined the peptide sequences of three new AnpIBP isoforms by total cDNA analysis and compared them with those of other microbial IBPs. The AnpIBP isoforms and ascomycete‐putative IBPs were found to be phylogenetically close to the bacterial ones but far from the basidiomycete ones, which is supported by the higher sequence identities to bacterial IBPs than basidiomycete IBPs, although ascomycetes are phylogenetically distant from bacteria. In addition, two of the isoforms of AnpIBP share low sequence identity and are not close in the phylogenetic tree. It is hence presumable that these two AnpIBP isoforms were independently acquired from different bacteria through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which implies that ascomycetes and bacteria frequently exchange their IBP genes. The non‐colligative freezing‐point depression ability of AnpIBP was not very high, whereas it exhibited significant abilities of ice recrystallization inhibition, ice shaping, and cryo‐protection against freeze–thaw cycles even at submicromolar concentrations. These results suggest that HGT is crucial for the cold‐adaptive evolution of ascomycetes, and their IBPs offer freeze resistance to organisms to enable them to inhabit the icy environments of Antarctica.

Databases

Nucleotide sequence data are available in the DDBJ database under the accession numbers LC378707, LC378707, LC378707 for AnpIBP1a, AnpIBP1b, AnpIBP2, respectively.
Understanding variation in salamander ionomes: A nutrient balance approach
Authors: Prater Clay , Scott David E. , Lance Stacey L. , Nunziata Schyler O. , Sherman Ryan , Tomczyk Nathan , Capps Krista A. , Jeyasingh Punidan D.
Published: December 2018

Ecological stoichiometry uses information on a few key biological elements (C, N and P) to explain complex ecological patterns. Although factors driving variation in these elements are well established, expanding stoichiometric principles to explore dynamics of the many other essential elements comprising biological tissues (i.e. the ionome) is needed to determine their metabolic relationships and better understand biological control of elemental flows through ecosystems.

In this paper, we report observations of ionomic variation in two species of salamander (Ambystoma opacumandA. talpoideum) across ontogenic stages using specimens from biological collections of two wetlands sampled over a 30‐year period. This unique data set allowed us to explore the extent of ionomic variation between species, among ontogenic stages, between sites and through time.

We found species‐ and, to a lesser extent, site‐specific differences in C, N and P along with 13 other elements forming salamander ionomes but saw no evidence of temporal changes. Salamander ionomic composition was most strongly related to ontogeny with relatively higher concentrations of many elements in adult males (i.e. Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn and Cu) compared to metamorphic juveniles, which had greater amounts of C, Fe and Mn.

In addition to patterns of individual elements, covariance among elements was used to construct multi‐elemental nutrient balances, which revealed differences in salamander elemental composition between species and sites and changes in elemental proportions across ontogenic development. These multi‐elemental balances distinguished among species‐site‐ontogenic stage groups better than using only C, N and P.

Overall, this study highlights the responsiveness of consumer ionomes to life‐history and environmental variation while reflecting underlying relationships among elements tied to biological function. As such, ionomic studies can provide important insights into factors shaping consumer elemental composition and for predicting how these changes might affect higher‐order ecological processes.
Key role of streambed moisture and flash storms for microbial resistance and resilience to long‐term drought
Authors: Gionchetta Giulia , Oliva Francesc , Menéndez Margarita , Lopez Laseras Pilar , Romaní Anna M.
Published: December 2018

Spatial and temporal widening of drought periods together with occurrence of flash storm events are consequences of global change affecting temporary stream ecosystems. Streambed heterotrophic microbes and the key biogeochemical processes they carry on could be endangered by the strengthening of drought episodes.

Here, we performed a 165‐day experiment through 12 streambed sediment columns to study heterotrophic microbial functional and structural responses to long‐term drought. Two sediment depths (surface and hyporheic) and leaf litter were monitored under three treatments: control (maintained in wet, pool‐like conditions), dry (5 months of drought), and dry–storm (5 months of drought including two flash storms). All treatments were then followed by rewetting.

Surface sediment followed by leaf litter was the most affected by the long‐term drought as shown by the reduction of polysaccharidic enzyme activities and litter decomposition rate, although lignin decomposition was not affected. This resulted in a greater use of recalcitrant compounds which might be due to reduced labile organic matter sources and the greater resistance of fungi than bacteria to drought. Moreover, in surface sediment, bacterial viability and algal biomass were reduced while the production of extracellular polymeric substances was intensified with dryness, suggesting its potential role as survival strategy.

Hyporheic sediments appeared more resistant to long‐term drought, and this might be linked to its slightly higher water content (2.5%) than the surface (0.5%) during drying together with a greater content of fine material that allowed fungi and bacteria to survive and extracellular enzyme activities to be maintained.

Microbial resilience to long‐term drought in sediment and leaf litter was promoted by the flash storms as shown by the fast recovery of enzyme activities, bacterial viability and leaf litter decomposition rate in the dry–storm treatment, once rewetted. Storms might liberate previously occluded carbon sources that fuel the fast microbial reactivation as well as providing sediment moisture for microbial survival.

Our results highlight that long‐term drought may compromise stream biogeochemical processes linked to organic matter decomposition and that microbes are highly sensitive to minimal water content changes. Thus, long‐term drought consequences could be mitigated by occasional precipitations or by natural streambed moisture.
Direct and indirect interactions with vegetation shape crocodylian ecology at multiple scales
Authors: Somaweera Ruchira , Brien Mathew L. , Platt Steven G. , Manolis Charlie , Webber Bruce L.
Published: December 2018

As one of the world's largest predators of freshwater environments, crocodylians play an important role in shaping their community. In turn, many aspects of crocodylian life histories are influenced and have been shaped by characteristics of their environment, especially vegetation. However, our understanding of just how vegetation impacts crocodylian life histories remains limited, particularly in regard to indirect interactions. Such interactions can be critical for understanding population dynamics and, therefore, for informing conservation management decisions.

We reviewed contemporary understanding of these plant–crocodylian interactions in peer‐reviewed journals and the grey literature, synthesising life history‐shaping dynamics against aspects of their ecology. We then conceptualised how global environmental change, including climate change, species invasions and land use change, may threaten these critical dependencies, and how future conservation plans need to account for these pressures.

We identified five primary aspects of crocodylian ecology—habitat selection, nesting ecology, communication, physiology, and feeding ecology—that are probably shaped by vegetation interactions at different spatial scales. These interactions include direct and indirect impacts, with both positive and negative outcomes from a crocodylian perspective.

Anthropogenic impacts on environments via global environmental change drivers is causing unprecedented change to vegetation dynamics. What is often overlooked is how these changes impact large aquatic predators such as crocodylians. Our synthesis shows that while many impacts can be identified, their magnitude and mechanism are not well understood, making management driven mitigation challenging. We recommend that future studies prioritise quantifying how vegetation communities shape the suitability of crocodylian nest sites, and how to best detect the fingerprint of impacts caused by invasive alien plants on demographic change in crocodylians over longer durations. An improved understanding of the impact of vegetation impacts on crocodylians is essential for building effective conceptual frameworks and management agendas for the conservation of these iconic reptiles.
Novel microbial community composition and carbon biogeochemistry emerge over time following saltwater intrusion in wetlands
Authors: Dang Chansotheary , Morrissey Ember M. , Neubauer Scott C. , Franklin Rima B.
Published: December 2018

Sea level rise and changes in precipitation can cause saltwater intrusion into historically freshwater wetlands, leading to shifts in microbial metabolism that alter greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration. Saltwater intrusion modifies soil physicochemistry and can immediately affect microbial metabolism, but further alterations to biogeochemical processing can occur over time as microbial communities adapt to the changed environmental conditions. To assess temporal changes in microbial community composition and biogeochemical activity due to saltwater intrusion, soil cores were transplanted from a tidal freshwater marsh to a downstream mesohaline marsh and periodically sampled over 1 year. This experimental saltwater intrusion produced immediate changes in carbon mineralization rates, whereas shifts in the community composition developed more gradually. Salinity affected the composition of the prokaryotic community but did not exert a strong influence on the community composition of fungi. After only 1 week of saltwater exposure, carbon dioxide production doubled and methane production decreased by three orders of magnitude. By 1 month, carbon dioxide production in the transplant was comparable to the saltwater controls. Over time, we observed a partial recovery in methane production which strongly correlated with an increase in the relative abundance of three orders of hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Taken together, our results suggest that ecosystem responses to saltwater intrusion are dynamic over time as complex interactions develop between microbial communities and the soil organic carbon pool. The gradual changes in microbial community structure we observed suggest that previously freshwater wetlands may not experience an equilibration of ecosystem function until long after initial saltwater intrusion. Our results suggest that during this transitional period, likely lasting years to decades, these ecosystems may exhibit enhanced greenhouse gas production through greater soil respiration and continued methanogenesis.
Pharmacy student and pharmacist perceptions of professional socialism and communication in a real-life clinical setting
Authors: McCloskey Alice P , Brown Joanne , Haughey Sharon , O'Hare Roisin
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To determine the impact of authentic clinical tasks on student confidence in interprofessional communication and assess the perceptions of pharmacists and pharmacy undergraduate students on how their degree prepares them to communicate and integrate with other healthcare professionals.

Methods

Pharmacists completed a questionnaire regarding how their degree prepared them to communicate with other healthcare professionals. Third- and fourth-year pharmacy undergraduate students completed a modified questionnaire with questions relating to interprofessional learning and their experiences of reflective interprofessional communication tasks whilst on hospital placement. The questionnaires produced a combination of qualitative and quantitative data.

Key findings

Pharmacists (n = 36) and pharmacy students (n = 186) were in agreement that interprofessional training is important for undergraduate pharmacy students. Over 80% of student respondents viewed the interprofessional communication skills task as a useful method to develop communication skills with an increase in confidence following completion of the task. A variety of methods ranging from classroom- to practical-based sessions may be used to develop communication skills and professional socialism.

Conclusions

Interprofessional learning has an important role for all working within the multidisciplinary healthcare team and contributes to the development of collaborative working relationships. It should be introduced and reinforced throughout undergraduate studies and continued in the workplace.
The Developmental Origins of Gaze‐Following in Human Infants
Authors: Del Bianco Teresa , Falck‐Ytter Terje , Thorup Emilia , Gredebäck Gustaf
Published: December 2018

During the first year of life, infants develop the capacity to follow the gaze of others. This behavior allows sharing attention and facilitates language acquisition and cognitive development. This article reviews studies that investigated gaze‐following before 12 months of age in typically developing infants and discusses current theoretical perspectives on early GF. Recent research has revealed that early GF is highly dependent on situational constraints and individual characteristics, but theories that describe the underlying mechanisms have partly failed to consider this complexity. We propose a novel framework termed theperceptual narrowing account of GFthat may have the potential to integrate existing theoretical accounts.
Psychometric properties of Authentic Leadership Self‐Assessment Questionnaire in a population‐based sample of Polish nurses
Authors: Panczyk Mariusz , Jaworski Mariusz , Iwanow Lucyna , Cieślak Ilona , Gotlib Joanna
Published: December 2018

Aim

The purpose of the study was to adapt and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Polish language version of the Authentic Leadership Self‐Assessment Questionnaire intended for use among Registered Nurses.

Design

A cross‐sectional study where the Authentic Leadership Self‐Assessment Questionnaire was administered to a representative group of 3,299 Polish Registered Nurses was carried out between September and November 2017.

Methods

Linguistic–cultural adaptation of the ALSAQ was carried out according to the WHO guidelines. The following psychometric properties of the ALSAQ were evaluated: content validity (content validity index), theoretical relevance (exploratory and confirmative factor analysis), unidimensionality of subscales (principal component analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test−retest reliability and criterion validity.

Findings

The content validity analysis revealed a need to reduce the original ALSAQ version from 16–23 items. The factor structure of ALSAQ differed from the original version. A three‐factor model was better fitted to the data than a four‐factor model. The three distinguished subscales (moral processing, self‐awareness, and relational transparency) were characterized by unidimensionality. ALSAQ has a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.84) and test−retest analysis confirmed stability of the measurement for subscales and particular items. Moreover, the ALSAQ‐P criterion validity with external variables, being of key importance for shaping the leadership skills (self‐efficacy and universal moral foundations) was confirmed.

Conclusions

Authentic leadership skills in nursing practice are characterized by their individual specificity, which was indicated in the ALSAQ validation. The ALSAQ can be considered a reliable and valid tool for self‐assessment of leadership skills in a group of nursing practitioners. The identified standards help measuring strengths and weaknesses of authentic leadership.
Cardiorenal protective effect of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mitochondrial function
Authors: Lee Hong Kyu
Published: December 2018

Cardiorenal protective effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are difficult to explain. From the recent works by Takagi et al. and an expert consensus report, I suggest further works on the effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2inhibitors on mitochondrial function could help to understand this very interesting development.
Parenting behaviour and executive function in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Schworer E. , Fidler D. J. , Lunkenheimer E. , Daunhauer L. A.
Published: December 2018

Background

Parenting behaviours influence many domains of child development, and recent work has demonstrated the specific effects of parenting on the development of executive function (EF) abilities. The relationship between parent–child interaction patterns and EF has been examined in typically developing (TD) children but has not yet been examined in dyads where the child has a diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS).

Method

The current study examines the differences in patterns of parenting behaviours between DS dyads and dyads with TD children equated on nonverbal mental age. DS dyads (n = 42), child ages 59 to 118 months, and TD dyads (n = 28), child ages 30 to 49 months, participated in a modified version of the Parent–Child Challenge Task. Parent directive and teaching behaviours were coded, along with child compliance and noncompliance. Child participants also completed a laboratory measure of inhibition and working memory, and parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐Preschool.

Results

There was a greater frequency of parenting directives and child compliance in the DS dyads, and parents of children with DS were more likely to follow child compliance with directives than parents of TD children. In both groups, parenting directive behaviour was a significant predictor of child EF laboratory performance.

Conclusions

Results characterise the relationship between specific parenting behaviours and child EF in DS and TD dyads. The implications for parent training and intervention are discussed.
Physiological in vitro sacroiliac joint motion: a study on three‐dimensional posterior pelvic ring kinematics
Authors: Hammer Niels , Scholze Mario , Kibsgård Thomas , Klima Stefan , Schleifenbaum Stefan , Seidel Thomas , Werner Michael , Grunert Ronny
Published: December 2018

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a well‐known source of low back and pelvic pain, of increasing interest for both conservative and surgical treatment. Alterations in the kinematics of the pelvis have been hypothesized as a major cause of SIJ‐related pain. However, definitions of both the range and the extent of physiological movement are controversial, and there are no clear baseline data for pathological alterations. The present study combined a novel biomechanical setup allowing for physiological motion of the lumbosacral transition and pelvis without restricting the SIJ movement in vitro, combined with optical image correlation. Six fresh human pelvises (81 ± 10 years, three females, three males) were tested, with bodyweight‐adapted loading applied to the fifth lumbar vertebra and both acetabula. Deformation at the lumbopelvises was determined computationally from three‐dimensional image correlation data. Sacroiliac joint motion under the loading of 100% bodyweight primarily consisted of a z‐axis rotation (0.16°) and an inferior translation of the sacrum relative to the ilium (0.32 mm). Sacroiliac joint flexion‐extension rotations were minute (< 0.02°). Corresponding movements of the SIJ were found at the lumbosacral transition, with an anterior translation of L5 relative to the sacrum of −0.97 mm and an inferior translation of 0.11 mm, respectively. Moreover, a flexion of 1.82° was observed at the lumbosacral transition. Within the innominate bone and at the pubic symphysis, small complementary rotations were seen around a vertical axis, accounting for −0.10° and 0.11°, respectively. Other motions were minute and accompanied by large interindividual variation. The present study provides evidence of different SIJ motions than reported previously when exerted by physiological loading. Sacroiliac joint kinematics were in the sub‐degree and sub‐millimeter range, in line with previous in vivo and in vitro findings, largely limited to the sagittal rotation and an inferior translation of the sacrum relative to the ilium. This given physiological loading scenario underlines the relevance of the lumbosacral transition when considering the overall motion of the lumbopelvis, and how relatively little the other segments contribute to overall motion.
Willingness to eat an insect based product and impact on brand equity: A global perspective
Authors: Castro Mauricio , Chambers Edgar
Published: December 2018

Rapid population growth is creating the need to find new and sustainable food sources. Insect‐based products could satisfy this high priority necessity while incorporating important nutrients in the human diet such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. This research provides a global overview of the willingness to try a new product that contains insect powder and determine the impact of adding insect‐based products to a brands portfolio. An international survey was conducted in 13 different countries (n = 630 consumers per country, total 7,800 consumer) with consumers who represented diverse demographic backgrounds. Eight of the 13 countries could be classified as “disgust” countries where most respondents said they would not be willing to try a familiar product containing insect powder. Nine countries fell into the “impact” category where participants would be more likely to stop buying other products from this company knowing that they have used insect powder in another product from the same brand. The reasons why participants would not consider eating foods containing insect powder were religion, the perception that insects carry diseases and cause allergic reactions. Only the disease‐carrying perception was significant in most of the countries.

Practical applications

The results from this study showed that most consumers from most countries studied are not willing to try insect‐based products at this time. However, there was a segment of the population in each country that was willing to try such products. There is a great opportunity for companies to create new products for countries where the disgust factor was not a barrier and to test those new concepts and products. This could help provide information to educate consumers about all the benefits of insect protein and implement. It is key to remember that new brands probably are necessary for such products because of the potential damage to brand equity of introducing products containing insect powder.
CHARACTERIZATION OF UPPER PALAEOZOIC ORGANIC‐RICH UNITS IN SVALBARD: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF THE NORWEGIAN BARENTS SHELF
Authors: Nicolaisen J. B. , Elvebakk G. , Ahokas J. , Bojesen‐Koefoed J. A. , Olaussen S. , Rinna J. , Skeie J. E. , Stemmerik L.
Published: December 2018

Recent discoveries of hydrocarbons along the western margin of the Norwegian Barents Shelf have emphasised the need for a better understanding of the source rock potential of the Upper Palaeozoic succession. In this study, a comprehensive set of organic geochemical data have been collected from the Carboniferous – Permian interval outcropping on Svalbard in order to re‐assess the offshore potential. Four stratigraphic levels with organic‐rich facies have been identified: (i) Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian) fluvio‐lacustrine intervals with TOC between 1 and 75 wt.% and a cumulative organic‐rich section more than 100 m thick; (ii) Upper Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) evaporite‐associated marine shales and organic‐rich carbonates with TOC up to 20 wt.%; (iii) a widespread lowermost Permian organic‐rich carbonate unit, 2–10 m thick, with 1–10 wt. % TOC; and (iv) Lower Permian organic‐rich marine shales with an average TOC content of 10 wt.%.

Petroleum can potentially be tied to organic‐rich facies at formation level based on the gammacerane index, δ13C of the aromatic fraction and/or the Pr/Ph ratio. Relatively heavy δ13C values, a low gammacerane index and high Pr/Ph ratios characterize Lower Carboniferous non‐marine sediments, whereas evaporite‐associated facies have lighter δ13C, a higher gammacerane index and lower Pr/Ph ratios.
The Mosaic of Muslim Religiosity and Social‐Political Attitudes in Kyrgyzstan: A Gender‐Based Exploration
Authors: Faranda Regina D. , Nolle David B.
Published: December 2018

This research explores the diversity of Islam in post‐Soviet Kyrgyzstan and the implications of that diversity for social‐political attitudes. Our hypotheses are (1) Kyrgyzstani Muslims can be categorized into gender‐based religious groupings defined by various religious indicators and (2) membership in these groupings influences social‐political attitudes. Using a 2011 nationwide survey in Kyrgyzstan and applying statistical clustering, we identify three groups of religiosity within each gender. Looking at four issues such as preferences for Islam in politics and for religious versus civil law, we find significant differences among the religious groups even after region, urbanity, and ethnicity are controlled. These findings suggest that narratives treating Muslims as a single, unified community or simply contrasting Muslims and non‐Muslims need to be expanded to capture meaningful variations. Our findings are consistent with the theoretical notion that more devout Muslims form a subculture that seeks to extend Islamic values into secular realms.
Microimaging spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of Northwest Africa 8657 shergottite: Interpretation of future in situ Martian data
Authors: Manzari P. , De Angelis S. , De Sanctis M. C. , Agrosì G. , Tempesta G.
Published: December 2018

Microimaging spectroscopy is going to be the new frontier for validating reflectance remote sensed data from missions to solar system bodies. In this field, microimaging spectroscopy of Martian meteorites can provide important and new contributions to interpret data that will be collected by next instruments onboard rover missions to Mars, such as for example Exomars‐2020/Ma_MISS spectrometer. In this paper, a slab from the Northwest Africa (NWA) 8657 shergottite was studied using the SPectral IMager (SPIM) microimaging spectrometer, in the visible‐infrared (VIS‐IR) range, with the aim to subsequently validate the spectral data by means of different independent techniques. The validation was thus carried out, for the first time, comparing SPIM spectral images, characterized by high spatial and spectral resolution, with mineralogical–petrological analyses, obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The suitability of the SPIM resolution to detect and map augite, pigeonite, maskelynite, and other minor phases as calcite, Ca‐phosphates, and troilite/pyrrhotite with no loss of information about mineral distribution on the slab surface, was ascertained. The good agreement found between spectral and mineralogical data suggests that spectral‐petrography of meteorites may be useful to support in situ investigations on Martian rocks carried out by MaMiss spectrometer during Exomars2020 mission. Moreover, micro spectral images could be also useful to characterize, in a nondestructive way, Martian meteorites and other rare minerals occurring in meteorites. The results obtained in this work represent not only a methodological contribution to the study of meteorites but furnish also elements to reconstruct the history of this sample. The finding of zoned pyroxene, symplectitic texture, amorphous phases as maskelynite, and Fe‐merrillite permits us to hypothesize four stages, i.e., (1) igneous formation of rimmed pyroxenes and other minerals, (2) retrograde metamorphism, (3) shock by impact, and (4) secondary minerals by terrestrial contamination.