bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of RNA by Primer Extension
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: May 2021

For mapping the 5′ termini of mRNA molecules, primer extension is the method of choice. A purified oligonucleotide is end-labeled using polynucleotide kinase. The probe and a population of mRNA are allowed to hybridize, and the primers and template are used to carry out reverse transcription using an enzyme cloned from the Moloney murine leukemia virus. The primer extension products are separated on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel and analyzed by radiography.
Schooling in Xenopus laevis Tadpoles as a Way to Assess Their Neural Development
Authors: Lopez Virgilio , Khakhalin Arseny S. , Aizenman Carlos
Published: May 2021

Escape behaviors, orienting reflexes, and social behaviors in Xenopus laevis tadpoles have been well-documented in the literature. Schooling behavior experiments allow for the observation of tadpole social interactions and in the past have been used to characterize behavioral deficits in models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Unlike other species of frogs, Xenopus tadpoles show polarized schooling. Not only do tadpoles aggregate, they also swim in the same direction. Quantifying both aggregation and relative swim angle can give us an important measure of social behavior and sensory integration. Past iterations of these experiments have required the continued presence of an experimenter throughout the duration of each trial and relied on expensive software for subsequent data analysis. The instrument configuration and analysis protocol outlined here provide an automated method to assess schooling by delivering a series of timed vibratory stimuli to a group of tadpoles to induce swimming behavior and then controlling a camera to document their positions via still images. Both stimulus delivery and image acquisition are automated using the Python programming language. Analysis is done using ImageJ and custom Python scripts, which are provided in this protocol. The specific equipment configuration and scripts shown here provide one solution, but other equipment and custom scripts can be substituted.
Customer value, purchase intentions and willingness to pay: the moderating effects of cultural/economic distance
Authors: Tsuchiya Hitoshi , Fu Yu-Min , Huang Stephen Chi-Tsun
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore differences in the behavioural intentions of consumers in different countries, i.e. Japan, UK and Taiwan by employing a customer-based value model.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 305 consumers of one of Japan's brand and chain stores, Muji, were interviewed. The moderating effects of cultural and economic distances from the home country of the firm were also tested.

Findings

The results showed that cultural distance moderates the impact of symbolic, experiential and aesthetic value on purchase intention; however, economic distance was found to only influence monetary value.

Originality/value

Cross-cultural studies on customer value in the retailing industry are limited. The findings from this study offer several implications for those firms that adopt a globalization strategy using another perspective, while to some degree glocalization could be a better strategy.
Dynamic evaluation of thermal comfort scenarios in a Colombian large-scale social housing project
Authors: Garay Alvaro , Ruiz Angie , Guevara Jose
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the technical, environmental, economic and thermal comfort impacts of implementing passive measures and heating systems in Ciudad Verde, a large-scale social housing project located at the periphery of Bogota, Colombia.

Design/methodology/approach

A system dynamics (SD) model is proposed to evaluate scenarios through counterfactual experiments, including technical, environmental and economic components. Model inputs are obtained from building energy simulation models and data collected from official reports, public policy documents and construction records.

Findings

Results suggest that the use of heating systems is the best choice to achieve thermal comfort conditions throughout the day. However, both the capital expenditures and CO2 emissions associated with such system make their adoption very difficult. In line with that, the use of heating systems in combination with passive measures stands out as a viable solution since their costs are affordable and their use contributes to reducing CO2 emissions.

Originality/value

The proposed model recreates the dynamics underlying social housing construction processes, the adoption of heating systems and passive measures in low-income dwellings and their corresponding impact on CO2 emissions and indoor thermal comfort conditions. The model can be employed as a support tool in the formulation of social housing policies associated with thermal comfort specifications. In this way, the model represents a first step toward incorporating thermal-related variables into the decision-making processes related to social housing planning and development.
A systematic literature review (SLR) comparing Japanese Lean philosophy and the South African Ubuntu philosophy
Authors: Mangaroo-Pillay Mia , Coetzee Rojanette
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance the understanding of Japanese Lean management principles in South African contexts using Ubuntu, to improve buy-in during Lean implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping systematic literature review (SLR) was used to investigate the correlations and variations between Lean management principles and Ubuntu management principles.

Findings

Both similarities and differences were discovered between Ubuntu and Lean. It was noted that Lean adopts principles that do not have corresponding Ubuntu principles, such as levelling out workload, continuous process flow, stopping to fix the problem and visual management.

Research limitations/implications

While this research only used a South African concept (Ubuntu) to develop a novel Lean analogy, future research could be pursued in a similar vein for other countries outside of Japan.

Practical implications

The similarities could assist in “translating” Lean concepts to a South African context, ergo improving the understanding of the Lean principles and possibly contributing to more successful Lean implementations.

Originality/value

To the researcher’s knowledge at time of publication, this study is the first comparison of these two management philosophies. Ergo, the Lean–Ubuntu analogy is a novel comparison of Lean.
Lean Six Sigma and Assurance of Learning (AoL) in higher education: a case study
Authors: Adeinat Iman , Al Rahahleh Naseem , Al Bassam Tameem
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to present a case study using a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) process to manage the Assurance of Learning (AoL) process in higher education. The case study highlights the value that LSS can bring to the higher education context in respect to making the AoL process more efficient and more effective. The article also illustrates lessons learned in relation to adopting LSS in higher education institutes (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

The case study presented is part of a larger undertaking implemented by the Faculty of Economics and Administration (FEA) at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia to improve its curricula for all its programs as the graduate and undergraduate level in line with the 2013 Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business standards. The FEA project team implemented the AoL process using an LSS methodology – define–measure–analyze–improve–control (DMAIC).

Findings

The experience of the FEA as described in the case study suggests that the DMAIC framework can be very useful in managing the AoL process. Three aspects of LSS used in the AoL context are identified as critical in ensuring that the process achieves its stated institutional goals. Firstly, it is necessary to clearly identify which team members have which areas of responsibility in relation to, for example, sponsoring, implementing, managing and monitoring the project. Secondly, the common language provided by LSS is essential to fostering collaboration among members of a cross-disciplinary team. Lastly, quantifiable priorities should be identified.

Research limitations/implications

The experience of the FEA as described in the case study suggests that the DMAIC framework can be very effective in advancing and managing the AoL process. For example, writing the project charter, mapping the process using the suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers model and using various LSS tools and techniques to measure and control the assessment were critical to improving the AoL process.

Practical implications

This paper provides a guide to the range of practices cited in the literature on implementing LSS in relation to AoL as a comprehensive means of assessing, evaluating and improving curriculum design and delivery. The importance of this process to accreditation is explored and recommendations are offered focused on realizing both short- and long-term benefits through the initial assessments and subsequent iterations.

Originality/value

The defining contribution of this paper to the literature is its consideration of LSS implementation in the HEI context through the development and management of the AoL process.
Impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) awareness, affordability and management system sophistication on CSR performance
Authors: De Zoysa Anura , Takaoka Nobyuki , Zhang Yuqian
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of three key factors — corporate social responsibility (CSR) awareness, CSR affordability and CSR management system (CSRMS) sophistication—on the CSR performance of Japanese firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using responses to 36 items developed on the Global CSR standard of ISO26000, two CSR indexes were constructed to assess the CSR management system sophistication and performance of Japanese firms. The relationship between the three key variables (CSR awareness, affordability and management system sophistication) and CSR performance was then examined through a partial least squares (PLS)-based structural equation model. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 146 firms.

Findings

The results of the study found a positive relationship between CSR performance and three exogenous variables (CSR awareness, affordability and management system sophistication). Furthermore, the study found that CSRMS sophistication played a mediating role in the relationship between CSR performance and firms' CSR awareness and affordability.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to examining the CSR practices of a major province in Japan, which may hinder the generalisation of the findings to the rest of the country. Moreover, the data used for assessing the variables in this study were self-reported by the participating firms, in addition to being cross-sectional. The findings of this study clarified areas that policymakers, including Japan's business associations–Keidanren and Keizai Doyukai, and other relevant parties need to focus on for further improving CSR performances of Japanese firms.

Originality/value

This study highlights the role CSR awareness, affordability and CSRMS sophistication play in improving CSR performance. On the one hand, it identifies the critical role CSRMS plays in mediating the relationship among CSR performance, awareness and affordability. On the other hand, it advances CSR theory providing insight for practitioners to generate positive CSR outcomes.
Long-term dependency between sovereign bonds and sectoral indices of India: evidence using Hurst exponent and wavelet analysis
Authors: Das Santanu , Kumar Ashish
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a new way to optimize a portfolio and to show that combining the Hurst exponent and wavelet analysis may help to increase portfolio returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Hurst exponent and wavelet analysis to study the long-term dependencies between sovereign bonds and sectoral indices of India. The authors further construct and evaluate the performance of three portfolios constructed on the basis of Hurst standard deviation (SD) – global minimum variance (GMV), most diversified portfolio (MDP) and equal risk contribution (ERC).

Findings

The authors find that an ERC portfolio generates positive superior return as compared other two. Since our sample includes periods of two crisis – post-2007 financial crisis and the ongoing pandemic, this study reveals that combining government bond with equities and gold provides a higher returns when the portfolios are constructed using the risk exposures of each asset in the overall portfolio risk.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance to portfolio managers by helping them to select assets using the Hurst approach and wavelet analysis thereby increasing the portfolio returns.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors use a combination of Hurst exponent and wavelet analysis to understand the long-term dependencies among various assets and provide a new methodology to optimize a portfolio. As far as the authors’ knowledge, no study in the past has attempted to provide a joint framework for portfolio optimization and therefore this study is the first to apply this methodology.
Evaluating the environmental sustainability strategies of the housekeeping department: the case of an international hotel chain in Hong Kong, China
Authors: Choy Monica , Cheng Justin , Yu Karl
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the case of an international luxury hotel chain in Hong Kong to illustrate general environmentally-friendly practices in housekeeping. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with the housekeeping department staff to evaluate the effectiveness of the Hotel’s environmental sustainability practices by analysing their benefits and limitations. Results reveal that all informants acknowledged the environmental sustainability strategies adopted by the Hotel, which can benefit stakeholders. Despite multiple green practices in hotel housekeeping, several strategies may not be as significant as expected with misaligned expectations from the management and the actual practices may create excessive workload for frontline room attendants with a lack of policy enforcement and supportive policies. Therefore, hotels should keep a mutual communication between the management and frontline employees prior to conducting environmentally- and employee-friendly practices. Given the labour-intensive nature of the hotel industry, the housekeeping department should ensure employment equality policy is in place with adequate environmentally friendly support for employees.
A novel hydrolase PyzH catalyses the cleavage of C=N double bond for pymetrozine degradation in Pseudomonas sp. BYT‐1
Authors: Zhang Mingliang , Ren Yijun , Du Shilong , Zhou Yidong , Jiang Wankui , Ke Zhijian , Jiang Mingli , Qiu Jiguo , He Jian , Hong Qing
Published: May 2021

Pymetrozine is a synthetic pesticide that can be utilized as the sole carbon source by Pseudomonas sp. strain BYT‐1. However, the genes involved in the degradation of pymetrozine remain unknown. We used transposon mutagenesis to create a mutant that unable to hydrolyze pymetrozine. The transposon interrupted the gene pyzH, which was cloned by self‐formed adaptor PCR. PyzH hydrolyzed the C=N double bond of pymetrozine to produce 4‐amino‐6‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐2H‐[1,2,4]triazin‐3‐one (AMDT) and nicotinaldehyde; the latter inhibits PyzH activity. PyzH can completely hydrolyze pymetrozine in the presence of dehydrogenase ORF6, which can convert nicotinaldehyde into nicotinic acid and relieve the inhibition. H218O‐labeling experiments showed that the oxygen atom of nicotinaldehyde came from water instead of oxygen. PyzH homologous genes were also found in other soil isolates able to degrade pymetrozine.
Trade creation, political sensitivity and product exclusions: the political economy of agriculture protection in China’s FTAs*
Authors: Lyu Jianxing , Prehn Sören , Zhang Yanjie , Glauben Thomas , Zeng Yinchu
Published: May 2021

One of the main features of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is that certain products are excluded from tariff concessions. But why do some products receive more protection than others in FTAs? In this paper, we use disaggregated agricultural product data and a political economy analytical framework to examine the determinants of product exclusions from tariff reductions in China’s FTAs. Taking into account the political costs of the incumbent government, our results show that products associated with trade creation and politically sensitive products are more likely to be excluded from tariff concessions in FTAs. Furthermore, we show that the Chinese government tends to use its negotiating power to achieve various objectives by seeking more economic benefits from large trading partners and making more concessions to small ones.
Reconceptualising Homelessness Legislation in England
Authors: Bevan Chris
Published: May 2021

This article has two central aims. First, it problematises the long‐held consensus that homelessness legislation in England operates according to the concept of need and, secondly, it advances an alternative reading and reconceptualisation of homelessness legislation according to the notion of risk. Through examination of the two major sources of current homelessness law, the Housing Act 1996 and the recently enacted Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, this article locates and explores how risk is operationalised, the precise conceptions of risk engaged and the implications and potentiality of this risk reconceptualisation. In so doing, it is argued that risk exhibits a stronger explanatory power of the current homelessness legislation than need and presents opportunities for how we understand local authority decision‐making and the shape of future reform.
Molecular analysis of the replication functions of the bifidobacterial conjugative megaplasmid pMP7017
Authors: Dineen Rebecca L. , Penno Christophe , Kelleher Philip , Bourin Maxence J. B. , O'Connell‐Motherway Mary , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: May 2021

pMP7017 is a conjugative megaplasmid isolated from the gut commensal Bifidobacterium breve JCM7017 and was shown to encode two putative replicases, designated here as RepA and RepB. In the current work, RepB was identified as the pMP7017 replicative initiator, as the repB gene, and its surrounding region was shown to be sufficient to allow autonomous replication in two bifidobacterial species, B. breve and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum. RepB was shown to bind to repeat sequence downstream of its coding sequence and this region was determined to be essential for efficient replication. Based on our results, we hypothesize that pMP7017 is an iteron‐regulated plasmid (IRP) under strict auto‐regulatory control. Recombinantly produced and purified RepB was determined to exist as a dimer in solution, differing from replicases of other IRPs, which exist as a mix of dimers and monomers. Furthermore, a stable low‐copy Bifidobacterium‐E. coli shuttle vector, pRD1.3, was created which can be employed for cloning and expression of large genes, as was demonstrated by the cloning and heterologous expression of the 5.1 kb apuB gene encoding the extracellular amylopullulanase from B. breve UCC2003 into B. longum subsp. longum NCIMB8809.
Glasgow prognostic score for prediction of chemotherapy‐triggered acute exacerbation interstitial lung disease in patients with small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kikuchi Ryota , Takoi Hiroyuki , Tsuji Takao , Nagatomo Yoko , Tanaka Akane , Kinoshita Hayato , Ono Mariko , Ishiwari Mayuko , Toriyama Kazutoshi , Kono Yuta , Togashi Yuki , Yamaguchi Kazuhiro , Yoshimura Akinobu , Abe Shinji
Published: May 2021

Background

Predicting the incidence of chemotherapy‐triggered acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE‐ILD) in patients with lung cancer is important because AE‐ILD confers a poor prognosis. The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), which is an inflammation‐based index composed of serum levels of C‐reactive protein and albumin, predicts prognosis in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) without ILD. In this study, we investigated AE‐ILD and survival outcome based on the GPS in patients with ILD associated with SCLC who were receiving chemotherapy.

Methods

Medical records of patients who received platinum‐based first‐line chemotherapy between June 2010 and May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed to compare the incidence of AE‐ILD and overall survival (OS) between GPS 0, 1, and 2.

Results

Among our cohort of 31 patients, six (19.3%) experienced chemotherapy‐triggered AE‐ILD. The AE‐ILD incidence increased from 9.5% to 25.0% and 50.0% with increase in GPS of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed remarkable associations between GPS 2 and both AE‐ILD (odds ratio for GPS 2, 18.69; p = 0.046) and prognosis (hazard ratio of GPS 2, 13.52; p = 0.002). Furthermore, median OS in the GPS 0, 1, and 2 groups was 16.2, 9.8, and 7.1 months, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that GPS 2 is both a predictor of risk of chemotherapy‐triggered AE‐ILD and a prognostic indicator in patients with ILD associated with SCLC. We propose that GPS may be used as a guide to distinguish chemotherapy‐tolerant patients from those at high risk of AE‐ILD.
Possible high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (pHSIL) in the new cervical screening paradigm: The outcomes and the role of clinicopathological review
Authors: McGauran Monica Francesca Giannini , Pendlebury Adam Bernard , Hiscock Richard John , Lamont Julie M. , Jones Antonia P.M. , Grant Peter , Newman Marsali Ruth , Ireland‐Jenkin Kerryn , McGrath Shaun , Pham Kim , Hyde Simon
Published: May 2021

Background

A renewed National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) was introduced in Australia in December 2017. Under the renewed NCSP, there are limited data to guide the management of discordant colposcopy and biopsy results after a liquid‐based cytology (LBC) finding of ‘possible high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion’ (pHSIL).

Aims

This study aims to determine the proportion of women referred with pHSIL who are found to have HSIL, identify influencing factors of women most at risk, and examine the role that cytopathology review plays in management decisions.

Materials and Methods

Two‐hundred and thirty‐two women presenting to a tertiary women’s hospital in Australia with pHSIL since December 2017 were identified. Women with HSIL following colposcopy directed biopsy were referred for treatment. When HSIL was not identified, these patients were referred for multidisciplinary clinicopathological review. Pathological outcomes and treatment recommendations are included.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome of the study was histological confirmation of HSIL.

Results

Primary outcome data were available for 182 women (78.5%); 62 (34.1%) had HSIL on histology, three (1.7%) had adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and one (1%) had cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There was no association between age and the presence of HSIL. The presence of human papillomavirus 16 and/or 18 increased the likelihood of HSIL on histology (relative risk 1.9; 95% CI 1.27–2.80, P = 0.002). Fifty‐nine (25.4%) women were referred for observation who had low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/no dysplasia.

Conclusions

Clinicopathological review optimises management and triage of patients with pHSIL on referral cytology. Understanding outcomes in these patients informs counselling and management.
Oxidative and antioxidative stress markers in dry eye disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Navel Valentin , Sapin Vincent , Henrioux Fanny , Blanchon Loïc , Labbé Antoine , Chiambaretta Frédéric , Baudouin Christophe , Dutheil Frédéric
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the levels of oxidative stress markers and antioxidants in dry eye disease (DED) compared with healthy subject.

Method

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases were searched on 10 January 2021 for studies reporting oxidative and antioxidative stress markers in DED and healthy controls. Main meta‐analysis was stratified by type of biomarkers, type of samples (tears, conjunctival cells or biopsies), Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) (patients with or without SS) and by geographical zones (Asia or Europe).

Results

We included nine articles, for a total of 333 patients (628 eye samples) with DED and 165 healthy controls (451 eye samples). There is an overall increase in oxidative stress markers in DED compared with healthy controls (standard mean deviation = 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.85–2.94), with a significant increase in lipid peroxide (1.90, 0.69–3.11), myeloperoxidase (2.17, 1.06–3.28), nitric oxide synthase 3 (2.52, 0.95–4.08), xanthine oxidase/oxidoreductase (2.41, 1.40–5.43), 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4HNE) (4.75, 1.67–7.84), malondialdehyde (3.00, 2.55–3.45) and reactive oxygen species (1.31, 0.94–1.68). Oxidative stress markers were higher in tears, conjunctival cells and conjunctival biopsies of DED than controls. Even if small number of studies were included for antioxidants, catalase seemed to be decreased in DED compared with healthy controls (−2.17, −3.00 to −1.34), with an increase of antioxidants in tears of DED patients without SS (1.13, 0.76–1.49).

Conclusion

Oxidative stress markers, and probably antioxidants, were dysregulated in DED, establishing a local oxidative environment in tears, conjunctival cells and tissues.
Nonhomogeneous Markov chain for estimating the cumulative risk of multiple false positive screening tests
Authors: Golmakani Marzieh K , Hubbard Rebecca A , Miglioretti Diana L
Published: May 2021

Screening tests are widely recommended for the early detection of disease among asymptomatic individuals. While detecting disease at an earlier stage has the potential to improve outcomes, screening also has negative consequences, including false positive results which may lead to anxiety, unnecessary diagnostic procedures, and increased healthcare costs. In addition, multiple false positive results could discourage participating in subsequent screening rounds. Screening guidelines typically recommend repeated screening over a period of many years, but little prior research has investigated how often individuals receive multiple false positive test results. Estimating the cumulative risk of multiple false positive results over the course of multiple rounds of screening is challenging due to the presence of censoring and competing risks, which may depend on the false positive risk, screening round, and number of prior false positive results. To address the general challenge of estimating the cumulative risk of multiple false positive test results, we propose a nonhomogeneous multistate model to describe the screening process including competing events. We developed alternative approaches for estimating the cumulative risk of multiple false positive results using this multistate model based on existing estimators for the cumulative risk of a single false positive. We compared the performance of the newly proposed models through simulation studies and illustrate model performance using data on screening mammography from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. Across most simulation scenarios, the multistate extension of a censoring bias model demonstrated lower bias compared to other approaches. In the context of screening mammography, we found that the cumulative risk of multiple false positive results is high. For instance, based on the censoring bias model, for a high‐risk individual, the cumulative probability of at least two false positive mammography results after 10 rounds of annual screening is 40.4.
Identifying the active ingredients of cardiac rehabilitation: A behaviour change technique and qualitative analysis
Authors: McAuliffe Hannah , Mc Sharry Jenny , Dunne Denise , Byrne Molly , Meade Oonagh
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Despite evidence that cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can be effective, the active ingredients or behaviour change techniques (BCTs) constituting effective CR remain unclear. There is also a lack of research surrounding patient and facilitator perceptions of active ingredients. This study sought to identify the active ingredients of a community‐based CR programme and explore patient and facilitator perceptions of the active ingredients.

Design

A multimethod design conducted in two stages, a BCT coding stage and a qualitative stage.

Methods

The BCT coding stage involved the observation and audio recording of ten sessions from a community‐based CR programme and the collection of programme materials. Data were coded using the BCT Taxonomy version 1 (Ann Behav Med, 46, 2013, 81). During the qualitative stage, six focus groups were carried out separately with patients (n = 16) and facilitators (n = 4). Qualitative data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

The BCT coding phase identified 34 BCTs, many of which were highlighted by patients and facilitators. Patients and facilitators felt the group effort, motivation provided by facilitators, individualized care, knowledge gained, acceptance, and fear reduction enabled change. The majority of BCTs identified in the qualitative stage were also identified in the BCT coding stage, excluding a component related to self‐acceptance. Facilitators felt the programme was limited by duration and inadequate psychological support.

Conclusions

The study provides a comprehensive overview of objectively coded BCTs and perceived active ingredients of CR. The findings can be used to inform future refinement and improvement of CR.
Chemotherapy for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in the hemodialysis patient: A comprehensive review
Authors: Yasuda Hajime , Yasuda Mutsuko , Komatsu Norio
Published: May 2021

Chemotherapy for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the hemodialysis (HD) patient is a challenging situation. Because many drugs are predominantly eliminated by the kidneys, chemotherapy in the HD patient requires special considerations concerning dose adjustments to avoid overdose and toxicities. Conversely, some drugs are removed by HD and may expose the patient to undertreatment, therefore the timing of drug administration in relation to HD sessions must be carefully planned. Also, the metabolites of some drugs show different toxicities and dialysability as compared with the parent drug, therefore this must also be catered for. However, the pharmacokinetics of many chemotherapeutics and their metabolites in HD patients are unknown, and the fact that NHL patients are often treated with distinct multiagent chemotherapy regimens makes the situation more complicated. In a realm where uncertainty prevails, case reports and case series reporting on actual treatment and outcomes are extremely valuable and can aid physicians in decision making from drug selection to dosing. We carried out an exhaustive review of the literature and adopted 48 manuscripts consisting of 66 HD patients undergoing 71 chemotherapy regimens for NHL, summarized the data, and provide recommendations concerning dose adjustments and timing of administration for individual chemotherapeutics where possible. The chemotherapy regimens studied in this review include, but are not limited to, rituximab, cyclophosphamide + vincristine + prednisolone (CVP) and cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine + prednisolone (CHOP)‐like regimens, chlorambucil, ibrutinib, bendamustine, methotrexate, platinum compounds, cytarabine, gemcitabine, etoposide, ifosfamide, melphalan, busulfan, fludarabine, mogamulizumab, brentuximab vedotin, and 90Y‐ibritumomab tiuxetan.
Adverse childhood experiences and developmental disabilities: risks, resiliency, and policy
Authors: Morgart Kiley , Harrison Joyce Nolan , Hoon Alexander H , Wilms Floet Anna Maria
Published: May 2021

Thanks to the seminal work of Robert Anda and Vincent Felitti, it is now widely accepted that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have lifelong effects on physical, behavioral, and mental health and that many adult diseases can be considered developmental disorders that began early in life. Genomics has advanced the neurobiological understanding that underpins ACEs, wellness, and disease, which are modulated through stress pathways and epigenetic modifications. While data are currently limited, children with developmental disabilities have an increased ACE risk compared to typically developing peers. This recognition has important ramifications for health and policy interventions that address the root causes of ACEs, especially in this vulnerable population. With increased societal recognition, advances in policy will lead to medical, financial, and public benefits in years to come, hopefully changing healthcare models from ‘sick care’ to ‘well care’.

What this paper adds

Adverse childhood experience (ACE) research has refocused medicine from the question ‘What is wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you?’.

Adopting ACE research into public policy can redirect healthcare models from providing ‘sick care’ to promoting ‘well care’.

Not exploring the role of ACEs in children with developmental disabilities leads to further vulnerability and morbidity.

ACEs can be mitigated by early identification and implementation of evidence‐based interventions.
Quantitative estimation of stochastic and deterministic processes for soil prokaryotic community assembly in the Yellow River floodplain
Authors: Yu Yanyan , Cui Min , Xiao Yutong , Chang Mengyu , Wang Cong , Zhao Lu , Cao Yanhong , Miao Yuan , Chen Zhijie , Han Shijie , Zheng Junqiang
Published: May 2021

The floodplain ecosystem plays an important role in the mediation or regulation of regional ecological functions, and is the heart of ecosystem functions based on soil microbial communities. In the present study, we investigate the patterns and assembly processes of soil microbial communities along nine profile depths (up to 280 cm in depth) of three stages of floodplain community succession (channel bar, newly deposited river beach and tender floodplain) and farmland in the floodplain of the lower Yellow River. Generally, the bacterial community in agricultural soil had the highest diversity, whereas the archaeal community in the tender floodplain had the highest diversity. Compared to bacteria, the co‐occurrence network of archaea was more complex and stable and had high connectivity. Our data suggest that the resistance of bacteria and archaea to environmental changes in deep soil was higher when compared to that in surface soil. Furthermore, stochastic and deterministic processes acted concurrently to regulate the assembly of the soil microbial community in the floodplain ecosystems. However, the relative contributions of the stochastic process and deterministic process are different between the bacterial community and the archaeal community. The lowest contribution of the stochastic process in the bacterial community was in the subsoil, whereas in the archaeal community, it was the opposite. For ecological selection, bacterial communities in different soil profiles, in the succession stages and in the farmland, were mainly selected through homogeneous selection, whereas archaeal communities were selected through heterogeneous selection. Compared with the three floodplain succession stages, the microbial communities of agricultural lands were more assembled by deterministic processes.

Highlights

Stochastic and deterministic processes act concurrently to regulate the assembly of soil microbial community in the floodplain ecosystems.

The assembly of the bacterial community was mainly affected by the homogeneous selection.

The archaeal community was mainly affected by the heterogeneous selection.

The microbial communities of agricultural lands were more assembled by deterministic processes.
Chemical composition of soil organic carbon from mixed aspen‐conifer forests characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Román Dobarco Mercedes , Jacobson Astrid R. , Van Miegroet Helga
Published: May 2021

Forest species control the quantity and chemistry of organic matter input, which in interaction with the soil physicochemical properties, environmental conditions and microbial community associated with a given ecosystem may result in specific patterns of soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization and chemistry. The objectives of this study were: (a) to characterize the chemistry of soil organic matter and SOC fractions across the gradient from pure aspen (Populus tremuloidesMichx.) to pure conifer (Abies lasiocarpa(Hook.) Nutt. andPseudotsuga menziesii(Mirbel) Franco) stands in semi‐arid montane forests, and (b) to determine whether the effect of overstory composition on SOC chemistry was patent beyond the influence of site conditions and microbial decomposer community. We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyse the chemistry of bulk soil (BS), light fraction (LF) and mineral‐associated SOC (MoM) from mineral soils (0–15 cm) sampled across the natural gradient of aspen and mixed conifer stands from northern and southern Utah. Vegetation overstory had a subtle effect on the MoM fraction, indicating higher proportion of aliphatic C with aspen dominance, whereas there were no differences in LF chemistry between vegetation types. Independently of the vegetation cover type, the MoM fraction was enriched in aliphatic C compared to the LF, although the proportion of polysaccharides and C‐O groups increased in the MoM fraction for plot samples. Differentiation between spectra from soils developed on sedimentary rock and soils developed on basalt, quartzite and limestone, highlighted the influence of parent material and mineralogy on MoM chemistry. The patterns in SOC fractions' chemistry do not allow an affirmation that greater SOC storage under aspen is due to the accumulation of recalcitrant compounds (i.e., aliphatic C) and controlled by litter chemistry. Rather, they suggest that the ensemble of litter chemistry, microbial community and soil properties in aspen stands enhances SOC storage.

Highlights

Vegetation overstory and site characteristics (e.g., parent material) influence SOC chemistry and stabilization patterns.

Light fraction SOC spectra did not differ between forest species in the aspen‐conifer ecotone.

The proportion of aliphatic C in mineral‐associated organic carbon (MoM) increased with aspen dominance.

The effect of overstory composition on MoM chemistry was patent beyond the influence of site conditions and microbial decomposer community.
Deciphering choreographies of elaborate courtship displays of golden‐collared manakins using markerless motion capture
Authors: Janisch Judith , Perinot Elisa , Fusani Leonida , Quigley Cliodhna
Published: May 2021

Courtship displays are complex behaviours that evolve mainly through sexual selection. Males of golden‐collared manakins (Manacus vitellinus) gather in leks and perform very elaborate courtship displays in forest courts to attract females. The rapid movements of the display, that involve acrobatic jumps between saplings, are challenging to record and investigate. Here we describe the use of a combination of tools to quantify the choreographies of manakin displays and reveal previously unknown aspects of the courtship. To test the prediction that aspects of male jump trajectories vary among males and may be subject to female choice, we evaluated whether parameters including take‐off angle and velocity vary between individual males and displays. We used a custom‐built synchronized camera system to record courtship displays in the field, under highly variable lighting conditions. We then used automatic image pattern recognition software to track the movements of the birds and extract three‐dimensional (3D) coordinates of the birds' movements. After post‐processing and cleaning of the raw 3D data, we compared automated and manually produced annotations to test the reliability of the 3D tracking methods. A subsequent analysis of tracked movements revealed that individual males performed their displays consistently across different recordings. We found that males express extreme values of force when they jump off saplings and the jump trajectory has a ballistic shape, confirming that no additional propulsion is provided by the wings. We also applied the analysis approach to non‐jumping birds and found that they move at greater heights than jumping males. The acquired knowledge and the developed methods will allow us to compare different males in relation to courtship success in order to understand the role of choreographies in mate choice.
Assessment of the Perceived Importance of Religion in Couple Relationships in Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and the Nonreligious
Authors: Skellern Sarah K. , Sanri Cagla , Iqbal Shahid , Ayub Nadia , Jarukasemthawee Somboon , Pisitsungkagarn Kullaya , Halford W. Kim
Published: May 2021

Couple relationship standards (beliefs about what makes for a satisfying couple relationship) have not included standards held about religion, which is surprising given how important religion is in many parts of the world. In the current study, we developed the Importance of Religion in Couple Relationships Scale (IRCRS) with the aim of having a scale suitable for use across different cultural and religious groups. The IRCRS was administered to three samples: 354 Pakistani residents (178 females, 176 males) who identified as Muslim; 274 Thai residents (157 females, 117 males) who identified as Buddhist; and 165 Westerners (resident in Australia or the United States, 60 males, 105 females) who identified as either not religious (n = 74) or Christian (n = 91). We developed a 13‐item measure with a two level structure yielding an overall importance of religion score. The items in the IRCRS had acceptable cross‐cultural structural invariance in a multi‐group confirmatory factor analysis of the Pakistani Muslims, Thai Buddhists, and Westerners. Pakistani Muslims endorsed IRCRS standards most strongly, Western Christians next most strongly, Thai Buddhists next, and Westerners with no religion least strongly. There were no gender differences, and only very small differences by relationship status. The IRCRS can be used in future research to investigate the association of religious relationship standards with couple relationship satisfaction and might be a useful clinical tool to assess the importance of religion to couples.
Quantitative assessment of the potential for soil improvement by planting Miscanthus on saline‐alkaline soil and the underlying microbial mechanism
Authors: Xu Yi , Zheng Cheng , Liang Le , Yi Zili , Xue Shuai
Published: May 2021

Phytoremediation using Miscanthus is a valuable technique for the restoration of saline‐alkaline soil, but the potential is not quantified. To assess this potential, a 5 years field experiment was conducted on saline‐alkaline soils with three genotypes of Miscanthus and an unplanted control. The bulk soil (0–20‐cm depth) physicochemical properties were measured annually from 2015 to 2018, while the bacterial and fungal community structures of the rhizosphere soil were investigated by high‐throughput sequencing after 5 years under Miscanthus (2018). The results showed that Miscanthus cultivation on saline‐alkaline soil reduced soil salinization and improved soil fertility on this site. Specifically, compared with the blank control, the five‐years Miscanthus cultivation (mean of three different genotypes pooled) decreased the soil pH by 0.33 units (8.78–8.45) and electrical conductivity by 23.4 μS/cm (226.7–203.3 μS/cm), as well as increasing soil organic matter content from 18.9 to 34.9 g/kg and total potassium content from 15.2 to 18.0 g/kg. In addition, the soil improvement was more pronounced with a longer duration of growth. Miscanthus remediates saline‐alkaline soils by altering the microbial community compositional abundance rather than its diversity. The improvement is due to enrichment of beneficial bacteria leading to soil desalinization (e.g., by Gemmatimonadaceae), litter decomposition (e.g., by Chitinophagaceae), plant growth promotion (e.g., by Micrococcaceae), and the reduction of harmful fungi (e.g., Pleosporales and Chitinophagaceae). Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and total potassium were the main physicochemical properties affecting bacterial and fungal communities. Our results quantify the soil improvement potential of Miscanthus and clarify the underlying microbial mechanisms, laying a solid foundation for further implementation of saline‐alkaline soil phytoremediation using Miscanthus. In the future, more extensive multi‐location trials are required to assess if these improvements are seen across a wide diversity of environments.
Geographic variation in the robustness of pollination networks is mediated by modularity
Authors: Liu Hanlun , Liu Zheyi , Zhang Minhua , Bascompte Jordi , He Fangliang , Chu Chengjin
Published: May 2021

Aim

Extinctions and coextinctions seriously threaten global plant–pollinator assemblies, and thus a better understanding of the geographic variability in their robustness is urgently required. Although the geographic patterns of species extinction rates are frequently explored, it remains largely unknown how the subsequent coextinction risk of species varies across environments. We hypothesize that the geographic variation of network robustness to extinctions is mediated by modularity – the tendency of a network to be organized in modules of strongly interacting species – because modularity buffers perturbations and varies across environments.

Location

Global.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Flowering plants and their animal pollinators.

Methods

Using 79 pollination networks, we first explored the variation of network robustness across geographic and climatic gradients and, second, analysed the role of modularity in explaining the association between robustness and those environmental gradients. We quantified the robustness of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of pollinators under simulated coextinctions triggered by specialist‐first, generalist‐first, and random plant removals.

Results

Only the robustness of phylogenetic diversity under specialist‐first removals showed a global latitudinal trend by which robustness increased towards the tropics on mainlands but increased towards the poles on islands. Generally, robustness was strongly promoted by modularity, and also directly dampened by insularity and precipitation seasonality (PS). Through the mediation of modularity, robustness was indirectly increased by actual evapotranspiration and PS, and decreased by the interaction between PS and insularity. Besides, network size and sampling area affected robustness but did not influence modularity.

Main conclusions

The indirect environmental effect on robustness via modularity was prevalent, which supports our hypothesis and reveals the importance of network structure in mediating the geographic variation of network robustness. The global pattern of robustness indicates the phylogenetic diversity of pollinators is relatively vulnerable to the loss of specialist plants in tropical islands and high‐latitude mainland compared to other regions.