bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The germ of capitalism (Roman business through slave as the primordium of private enterprise) Part I. Above free labor
Authors: Petrosyan Armen E.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expose the pattern and mechanism of Roman private enterprise as the rudimentary form of capitalistic business.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of historical analysis and theoretical reconstruction, the author retraces the background and foundations of business through slave as the initial stage of private enterprise.

Findings

A comprehensive view of public and private entrepreneurship at the end of Republic and the beginning of Empire is presented. The riddle of “unnaturally” dear slaves in Rome (as compared with free labor and slaves in other countries of antiquity) is scrutinized. It is shown that “excessively” high demand for them was largely determined by their institutional worth: thanks todominica potestas, they appeared to be the key organizational resource for expanding private industrial business. The framework of private enterprise securing limited liability for owner and turning “business slave” into a kind of director is brought to light.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research allow historians to retrace the origins of modern private enterprise to classical antiquity, while economists and managers get an opportunity to better understand its nature and organizational status of those owning and managing it.

Practical implications

Leaders and executives can draw from the paper an object lesson of how, remaining within the existing political system, legal regulation and economic traditions, to make a radical innovation whose true meaning and social potential are so immense and far-reaching that get evident only many centuries later. The findings and conclusions the author comes to may be used in educational courses on economics, entrepreneurship, management, business history and so on.

Social implications

An instructive model of conciliation of interests is scrutinized. “Directors” – those organizing and managing a business but not owning it – were, as well as workers, recruited by coercion and legal regimentation of their relations with proprietors. The polarization of their institutional roles was at the bottom of private enterprise from the very outset. The state created incentives for initiative and competent business men in subjection to well-offs to work hard, on one hand, and made their masters to use these incentives to public and their own profits. The benefits of all parties were taken into account, though, of course, not to the same degree. Thereby, a kind of social compromise embodied in a novel institution was attained to.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to demonstrate in relief the background and framework of Roman private enterprise as well as the functions and organizational status of its “director.”
Meaning of work in a group of school principals: the role of organizational variables
Authors: Buonomo Ilaria , Benevene Paula , Fiorilli Caterina
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Principals’ beliefs about their profession are of great interest for schools in terms of organizational development and success. Furthermore, as meaning is a dimension of eudaimonic well-being, studying the principal meaning of work allows us to deepen the knowledge about their professional well-being, too. According to studies on non-educational contexts, the meaning of work is influenced by several organizational variables (such as possibilities for professional development and organizational commitment). Despite this, several school workers still lack to recognize the role played in this regard. Trying to fulfill these gaps partially, the purpose of this study is to verify the incremental effect of organizational dimensions and positive feedback from colleagues above and beyond positive beliefs about work.

Design/methodology/approach

An Italian version of the COPSOQ II adapted to school principals was administered to 1,616 school principals. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted, considering three blocks of variables, namely, positive personal beliefs about work (job satisfaction and self-efficacy); organizational dimensions (role clarity, possibilities for development and sense of belonging to the workplace); positive feedback from colleagues.

Findings

Overall, the variables explained 45% of the variance of the meaning of work. While organizational variables accounted for an incremental 24% of the variance, above and beyond the personal experience of work (F (5, 1,610) = 267.378, p = 0.000), positive feedback from colleagues did not show a significant effect originality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study regarding the meaning of work at school with specific reference to school principals.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study regarding the meaning of work at school and with specific reference to school principals.
Newly identified genes contribute to vanillin tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Liang Zhenzhen , Wang Xinning , Bao Xiaoming , Wei Tiandi , Hou Jin , Liu Weifeng , Shen Yu
Published: July 2020

Exploring the mechanisms of tolerance in microorganisms to vanillin, which is derived from lignin, will benefit the design of robust cell factories that produce biofuels and chemicals using lignocellulosic materials. Our objective was to identify the genes related to vanillin tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We investigated the effects on vanillin tolerance of several genes that have site mutations in the highly vanillin‐tolerant strain EMV‐8 compared to its parental line NAN‐27. The results showed that overexpression of GCY1, a gene that encodes an aldo‐keto reductase that also has mRNA‐binding activity, YPR1, a paralog of GCY1 that encodes an aldo‐keto reductase, PEX5, a gene that encodes a peroxisomal membrane signal receptor and MBF1, a gene that encodes a multiprotein bridging factor increase the specific growth rates (μ) by 49%, 41%, 44% and 48 %, respectively, in medium containing 6 mmol l−1 vanillin. Among these gene products, Gcy1p and Ypr1p showed NADPH‐dependent and NAD(P)H‐dependent vanillin reductase activity, respectively. The reductase‐inactive mutant Gcy1pY56F also increased vanillin tolerance in S. cerevisiae, suggesting that other mechanisms exist. Although TRS85 and PEX5, genes for which the mRNAs are binding targets of Gcy1p, were shown to be related to vanillin tolerance, both the mRNA and protein levels of these genes were not changed by overexpression of GCY1. The relationship between the mRNA‐binding activity of Gcy1p and its positive effect on vanillin tolerance is still not clear. Finally, we found that the point mutation D112A in Mbf1p, which disrupts the binding of Mbf1p and the TATA element‐binding protein (TBP), did not decrease the positive effect of Mbf1p on vanillin tolerance. This indicates that the binding of Mbf1p and TBP is not necessary for the positive effect on vanillin tolerance mediated by Mbf1p. We have successfully identified new genes related to vanillin tolerance and provided novel targets that can be used to improve the vanillin tolerance of S. cerevisiae. Moreover, we have extended our understanding of the proteins encoded by these genes.
Pain response and quality of life assessment in patients with moderate/severe neuropathic pain due to bone metastasis undergoing treatment with palliative radiotherapy and tapentadol: A prospective multicentre pilot study
Authors: Cacicedo Jon , Ciria Juan Pablo , Morillo Virginia , Martinez‐Indart Lorea , Gómez‐Iturriaga Alfonso , del Hoyo Olga , Büchser David , Frias Andere , San Miguel Iñigo , Suarez Fernan , Casquero Francisco
Published: July 2020

Introduction

To assess pain response rate (RR) and quality of life (QoL), in patients with moderate/severe neuropathic pain (NP) due to bone metastasis (BM) undergoing palliative 3D radiotherapy plus tapentadol.

Methods

We conducted a prospective multicentre pilot study. Patients were assessed before radiotherapy using the validated questionnaire (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions). Response to radiotherapy (8 Gy–30 Gy/1–10fr) at one and two months was assessed according the International Bone Metastases Consensus criteria. Inclusion criteria: radiological evidence of BM, NP according to DN4 (cut‐off score ≥ 4), no spinal cord compression, worst pain score ≥ 5/10. Nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test compared changes in QoL among response groups.

Results

Seventeen patients (13 men, 4 woman), median age 67 years (42–81), were included. Pre‐treatment median pain severity was 7.5 (5–10). Median dose of tapentadol administered before radiotherapy was 100 mg/24 h (100–300 mg). Overall RR 1 month after radiotherapy was 10/16 = 62.5%: 3/16 (18.8%) achieving a complete response (CR) and 7/16 (43.8%) a partial response (PR). Overall RR 2 months after RT was 5/10 (50%): 10% a CR and 40% a PR. ITT RR for this study at 1 and 2 months was 10/17 = 59% and 5/17 = 29%, respectively. Patients responding to radiotherapy had significant improvement in EORTC QLQ‐C30 emotional functioning (EF) (p = 0.025) and fatigue symptom scale scores (p = 0.035) one month after radiotherapy. Painful site symptom QLQ‐BM22 scores improved 2 months after radiotherapy (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Palliative radiotherapy plus tapentadol shows an acceptable pain response and QoL improvement especially regarding EF, fatigue and painful site symptom scales in patients with moderate/severe NP due to BM. Therefore, it could be an alternative to manage NP in daily practice.
Dignity, Inequality, and the Populist Backlash: Lessons from America and Europe for a Sustainable Globalization
Authors: Abdelal Rawi
Published: July 2020

The greatest challenge to the sustainability of our current era of globalization comes from within the United States. Most Americans have come to reject globalization. We must discern the lessons from the parts of the developed world where the backlash is also profound – France, for example – and where it has been more muted – such as Germany. In both the United States and France, gross Gini coefficients have increased sharply during the past thirty or so years. The French state has, however, delivered a net, after‐tax, after‐transfer distribution of income that is more equal than it was thirty years ago. And yet: France is still in the midst of an anti‐systemic populist revolt. There is only one inescapable conclusion: it is not just about the money. Those who feel left behind in both countries feel that they have lost respect and dignity. We cannot redistribute our way out of the crisis of global capitalism. The German experience holds lessons. We must value and valorize the many ways in which people contribute. We must also pursue policies that create patterns of employment that confer dignity, meaning, and purpose. I argue for dignity as a tool of policy, beyond its normative desirability as a goal.
Status of 10 targeted genes of non‐small cell lung cancer in eastern China: A study of 884 patients based on NGS in a single institution
Authors: Li Dan , Ding Li , Ran Wenwen , Huang Yan , Li Guangqi , Wang Chengqin , Xiao Yujing , Wang Xiaonan , Lin Dongliang , Xing Xiaoming
Published: July 2020

Background

The status of targeted genes and the association between targeted genes and clinicopathological features in Chinese lung cancer patients remains to be elucidated.

Methods

The status of 10 targeted genes was evaluated by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) in 884 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The relationship between gene alterations and clinicopathological characters was analyzed.

Results

Overall, 684 (77.4%) patients harbored gene alterations, and EGFR (510, 57.7%) was found to be the most common type of mutation followed by KRAS (91, 10.3%), HER2 (38, 4.3%), PIK3CA (32, 3.6%), ALK (21, 2.4%), BRAF (10, 1.1%), ROS1 (5, 0.6%), RET (5, 0.6%), MET (4, 0.5%) and NRAS (1, 0.1%). Gene alterations were more frequent in females, non‐smokers and adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001). EGFR mutations were associated with women, non‐smokers, normal level of serum tumor markers, and adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001). Patients without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012), or early stage disease (P < 0.001) exhibited a higher EGFR mutation rate. KRAS mutations tended to arise in men (P < 0.001), smokers (P < 0.001) and patients with higher levels of serum tumor markers (P = 0.048). A mucus‐producing component was associated with KRAS (P < 0.001), ROS1 (P = 0.033) and ALK (P < 0.001) alterations. ALK and ROS1 rearrangements were more frequent in micropapillary structures (P = 0.004, P = 0.012). BRAF mutation was associated with advanced disease patients and micropapillary structure (P < 0.001). PIK3CA mutation was more likely to be found in elderly patients (P = 0.014). Some patients had synchronous gene alterations, including EGFR/PIK3CA, EGFR/HER2, HER2/KRAS, EGFR/KRAS, EGFR/ROS1, EGFR/NRAS, KRAS/PIK3CA, KRAS/PIK3CA/HER2.

Conclusions

Most patients had at least one genetic alteration, and individual patients harbored synchronous mutation. Each gene alteration had unique clinicopathological characteristics.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

This study revealed the frequency and distribution of 10 targeted gene abnormalities and their association with clinicopathological parameters of Chinese non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in eastern China.

What this study adds

Some rare synchronous mutations were detected in our study by next‐generation sequencing (NGS).
Mechanisms by which autophagy regulates memory capacity in ageing
Authors: De Risi Maria , Torromino Giulia , Tufano Michele , Moriceau Stéphanie , Pignataro Annabella , Rivagorda Manon , Carrano Nicolò , Middei Silvia , Settembre Carmine , Ammassari‐Teule Martine , Gardoni Fabrizio , Mele Andrea , Oury Franck , De Leonibus Elvira
Published: July 2020

Autophagy agonists have been proposed to slow down neurodegeneration. Spermidine, a polyamine that acts as an autophagy agonist, is currently under clinical trial for the treatment of age‐related memory decline. How Spermidine and other autophagy agonists regulate memory and synaptic plasticity is under investigation. We set up a novel mouse model of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), in which middle‐aged (12‐month‐old) mice exhibit impaired memory capacity, lysosomes engulfed with amyloid fibrils (β‐amyloid and α‐synuclein) and impaired task‐induced GluA1 hippocampal post‐translation modifications. Subchronic treatment with Spermidine as well as the autophagy agonist TAT‐Beclin 1 rescued memory capacity and GluA1 post‐translational modifications by favouring the autophagy/lysosomal‐mediated degradation of amyloid fibrils. These findings provide new mechanistic evidence on the therapeutic relevance of autophagy enhancers which, by improving the degradation of misfolded proteins, slow down age‐related memory decline.
Two World Systems Collide: Negotiating between Manding and American1 Sensibilities
Authors: Feder Lisa
Published: July 2020

When jaliya crosses cultural boundaries, distinct differences emerge between Manding and American sensibilities that throw into question whether relating at all is worth the effort. In this article, the author describes three weeks spent in New York where she produces an album for Famoro Dioubaté, a Guinean musician and oral historian called a jali in the Manding language. Historically, jalis render a service to the people in their community through their specialized music and words. In return they receive, sometimes handsome, donations on which they depend for their livelihood. As jalis move to cities like New York and Paris, their habitual ways of doing business do not translate across cultural lines. In this three‐week project, the author uses self‐reflection to describe the assumptions and tensions that mounted around the exchange of money and time. Drawing on their knowledge of both cultural systems, the players involved strive to reach common ground. The following is a detailed account of such interactions.
Reading with robot and human companions in library literacy activities: A comparison study
Authors: Yueh Hsiu‐Ping , Lin Weijane , Wang S‐Chen , Fu Li‐Chen
Published: July 2020

Motivated by mixed evidence on the effectiveness of reading companions on children’s reading performance, as well as the clear and present need for libraries to conduct literacy education, this study sought to investigate the feasibility of using social robots in library literacy activities and to extract the essential functions of effective reading companions by comparing human and robot co‐readers. A humanoid robot, Robot Julia, was developed as a social robot to provide oral conversation and offer children tactful and stimulating support for their reading. An experimental study was conducted to examine child patrons’ perceptions and performance in reading activities with the robot companion as compared to human companions. A total of 36 elementary school children participated in the study. The results positively supported that the participants perceived the robot companion as more favourable and desirable to read with than a human co‐reader. The children favoured robotic verbalisation over human verbalisation. According to the results of the comparison, cognitively it was found that human and robot companions facilitated children’s reading comprehension in different ways and that the children performed similarly well with both kinds of reading companions. Affectively, the robot co‐reader induced more social interaction during the reading sessions. Despite all the positive aspects, it is also necessary to consider the limitations including the novelty effect of the approach. This study contributes empirical evidence in the pragmatic field of library science and expands upon social robot research by exploring one‐on‐one child–robot interactions in reading, as opposed to the group contexts in previous studies.
From Sarmiento to Borges: The Construction of an Intellectual Lineage in the Magazine Punto de vista under the Argentine Dictatorship
Authors: Mercader Sofía
Published: July 2020

This article analyses the revision of the Argentine intellectual tradition demonstrated in the magazine Punto de vista throughout its first nineteen issues, published during the last Argentine dictatorship (1976–1983). From Sarmiento and the generation of 1837 to Borges and the Sur generation, the reassessment of Argentine intellectuals' legacies set out by editors of Punto de vista was an explicit attempt to insert the magazine into a recognised intellectual lineage. At the same time, it responded to a search for identity prompted by the critical and repressive context in which the magazine was first published.
Environmental drivers of femaleness of an inter‐Andean monoecious shrub
Authors: Vélez‐Mora Diego , Ramón Pablo , Vallejo César , Romero Alex , Duncan David , Quintana‐Ascencio Pedro F.
Published: July 2020

Hetero‐and conspecific interactions, nutrient availability, climate, habitat heterogeneity, and disturbances can generate variation and spatial patterns of femaleness in plants. We assessed whether year, site, plant size, plant density, and canopy area of conspecific neighbors influenced the expression and spatial aggregation of femaleness in Croton aff. wagneri, a monoecious shrub from dry shrublands of the inter‐Andean valleys in Ecuador. We georeferenced in two sites (1,700 and 1,400 m.a.s.l) in five 10 × 10 m plots, within each site, the position of each Croton reproductive plant during first part of flowering season in two years, and measured their height, length, and width. The femaleness index of each plant was determined by the number of female and male buds and flowers. Plant density was determined for each plot, along with the number of neighbors and the summed canopy area of conspecific neighbors (at 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 m radius, and the five closest plants) from each focal plant. Croton´s femaleness at the lower elevation site was greater than at the higher elevation site and increased with plant size and with canopy of the closest five neighbors. Soil at the lower elevation site had higher temperatures and lower water content. Aggregate patterns of femaleness were found in more plots at the lower elevation site. Our results indicate that location, plant size, and canopies of conspecific neighbors of Croton can affect femaleness and its aggregation and support the hypothesis that femaleness can be influenced by facilitative interactions.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Locoregional control, progression‐free survival and morbidity rates in N3 head and neck cancer patients with low primary tumour burden: A 301‐patient study
Authors: Carsuzaa Florent , Dufour Xavier , Gorphe Philippe , Righini Christian , Cosmidis Alain , Rogé Maximilien , De Mones Erwan , Servagi Vernat Stéphanie , Tonnerre Denis , Morinière Sylvain , Dugas Amaury , Malard Olivier , Pasquier François , Vergez Sébastien , Schick Ulrike , Gérard Michael , Salleron Julia , Thariat Juliette
Published: July 2020

Objectives

In patients with N3 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), N3 disease is associated with high regional relapse and metastatic risks. Patients with resectable N3 disease have better prognosis although their metastatic risk may be similar as in patients with unresectable disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been associated with lower metastatic rates, but N3 patients may die of rapid locoregional progression. We assessed outcomes with the three modalities in patients with low primary burden to better assess the specific prognosis of N3 disease.

Methods

This retrospective multicentric study included T0‐2 N3 HNSCC patients. Outcomes and morbidity in upfront neck dissection (uND) vs non‐surgical groups were analysed and oncological outcomes and morbidity compared between patients undergoing chemoradiation or neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with initially unresectable N3 nodes.

Results

Of 301 patients, 142 (47%) underwent uND, 68 (23%) neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 91 (30%) chemoradiation. The 24‐ and 60‐month incidence of locoregional relapse was 23.2% [18.3%; 28.4%] and 27.4% [21.8%; 33.3%]; it was lower in patients undergoing uND (P = .006). In patients with non‐surgical treatments, success rates were 57.8% [49.4%; 66.3%] after chemoradiation and 38.1% [29.6%; 46.7%] after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = .001). Overall morbidity was more frequent in patients undergoing uND (68.8%) (P < .001).

Conclusion

uND improved locoregional control but increased morbidity and showed no survival benefit. Success rates were better after chemoradiation versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not reduce metastatic rates but non‐responders to chemoradiation had poor PFS and survival rate, suggesting that predictive criteria are warranted.
Where are the bats? An environmental complementarity analysis in a megadiverse country
Authors: Aguiar Ludmilla M. S. , Pereira Maria João R. , Zortéa Marlon , Machado Ricardo B.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Field surveys are necessary to overcome Wallacean shortfalls. The task is even more important when human pressure on tropical—megadiverse—ecosystems is considered. However, due to financial constraints, spatial and temporal prioritization is required. Here, we used the concept of environmental complementarity to identify non‐surveyed regions for bats that are environmentally different from other already surveyed regions. We highlighted regions in Brazil where field inventories could be conducted to locate new occurrences or even new bat species.

Location

Brazil.

Methods

We based our analysis on environmental characterization aiming to identify dissimilar regions to those already sampled for bats in Brazil. We used 21 environmental variables to characterize 1,531 unique localities where bats occur. Then, we applied the parameters of a generalized linear model (GLM) to extrapolate the expected values of the environmental variables for the entire country. We compared the predicted values of localities with newly described bat species occurrence against the values for other bat species.

Results

We found that sites from which recently discovered species were described are environmentally distinct from the sites where previously described species occur. Therefore, new occurrences and even new species could be found in regions that are environmentally dissimilar from those already surveyed. By crossing the model with a human footprint map, we defined temporal priorities for field inventories. Regions such as the Northern Cerrado and Western Caatinga should be surveyed first. Similar approaches could be undertaken for other biological groups or regions, allowing the identification of spatial congruence and the development of a comprehensive national programme for biological field inventories.

Main conclusion

Newly described species occurred in environments dissimilar to those previously identified, showing that environmental complementarity analysis is a valid approach to define priority regions for new bat inventories.
Real‐world evidence of the effectiveness on glycaemic control of early simultaneous versus later sequential initiation of basal insulin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists
Authors: Rosenstock Julio , Ampudia‐Blasco Francisco Javier , Lubwama Robert , Peng Xuejun Victor , Boss Anders , Shi Lizheng , Fonseca Vivian
Published: July 2020

Aim

To assess the impact of the timing of initiating both basal insulin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) on reaching glycaemic control targets over 6 and 12 months in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) uncontrolled on oral antihyperglycaemic drugs with an HbA1c of 9% or higher.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study assessed the impact of the timing of initiating both basal insulin and GLP‐1 RA therapies on reaching glycaemic targets (HbA1c < 7% and <8%, and ≥1% and ≥2% HbA1c reduction) over 12 months in people with markedly uncontrolled T2D (HbA1c ≥ 9%) on oral antihyperglycaemic drugs identified on the Optum Humedica database (electronic medical records; 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2017). Study cohorts were defined by the days between initiating each injectable: cohort A, 30 days or less (simultaneous initiation) and cohorts B, 31‐90, C, 91‐180, D, 181‐270 and E, 271‐360 days (sequential initiation).

Results

Cohort A had the best glycaemic outcomes at 6 and 12 months for all four endpoints, followed by cohort B. The likelihood of achieving an HbA1c of less than 7% did not significantly differ between cohorts A and B (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.87 [0.76‐1.01]); cohorts C, D and E were significantly less likely to achieve an HbA1c of less than 7% than cohort A (0.62 [0.53‐0.72]; 0.62 [0.53‐0.72]; 0.63 [0.54‐0.73]).

Conclusions

In people with uncontrolled T2D requiring treatment with a GLP‐1 RA and basal insulin, greater improvements in glycaemic control were observed when both therapies were initiated within close proximity of one another (≤90 days) compared with initiation 91‐360 days apart.
The pervasive and multifaceted influence of biocrusts on water in the world's drylands
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Reed Sasha , Travers Samantha K. , Bowker Matthew A. , Maestre Fernando T. , Ding Jingyi , Havrilla Caroline , Rodriguez‐Caballero Emilio , Barger Nichole , Weber Bettina , Antoninka Anita , Belnap Jayne , Chaudhary Bala , Faist Akasha , Ferrenberg Scott , Huber‐Sannwald Elisabeth , Malam Issa Oumarou , Zhao Yunge
Published: July 2020

The capture and use of water are critically important in drylands, which collectively constitute Earth's largest biome. Drylands will likely experience lower and more unreliable rainfall as climatic conditions change over the next century. Dryland soils support a rich community of microphytic organisms (biocrusts), which are critically important because they regulate the delivery and retention of water. Yet despite their hydrological significance, a global synthesis of their effects on hydrology is lacking. We synthesized 2,997 observations from 109 publications to explore how biocrusts affected five hydrological processes (times to ponding and runoff, early [sorptivity] and final [infiltration] stages of water flow into soil, and the rate or volume of runoff) and two hydrological outcomes (moisture storage, sediment production). We found that increasing biocrust cover reduced the time for water to pond on the surface (−40%) and commence runoff (−33%), and reduced infiltration (−34%) and sediment production (−68%). Greater biocrust cover had no significant effect on sorptivity or runoff rate/amount, but increased moisture storage (+14%). Infiltration declined most (−56%) at fine scales, and moisture storage was greatest (+36%) at large scales. Effects of biocrust type (cyanobacteria, lichen, moss, mixed), soil texture (sand, loam, clay), and climatic zone (arid, semiarid, dry subhumid) were nuanced. Our synthesis provides novel insights into the magnitude, processes, and contexts of biocrust effects in drylands. This information is critical to improve our capacity to manage dwindling dryland water supplies as Earth becomes hotter and drier.
The Owl of Minerva: Reflections on the Theological Significance of Mary Midgley
Authors: McGrath Alister E.
Published: July 2020

This paper offers a theologically‐orientated examination of some core themes of the works of the philosopher Mary Midgley (1919–2018), identifying areas of possible theological exploration and development. Particular attention is paid to her critique of the reductionist strategies of writers such as Richard Dawkins, her development of the ‘mapping’ metaphor for engaging complex issues, and her emphasis on the critical role of philosophy. Although the paper offers some brief examples of theological issues which are illuminated by Midgley’s philosophical approach (such as soteriological mapping), the primary purpose of the paper is to highlight the theological hospitality that it offers.
Molecular mechanisms activating the NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome: Implications in infectious disease, autoinflammation, and cancer
Authors: Kay Callum , Wang Runli , Kirkby Max , Man Si Ming
Published: July 2020

Cytosolic innate immune sensing is a cornerstone of innate immunity in mammalian cells and provides a surveillance system for invading pathogens and endogenous danger signals. The NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome responds to cytosolic flagellin, and the inner rod and needle proteins of the type 3 secretion system of bacteria. This complex induces caspase‐1‐dependent proteolytic cleavage of the proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18, and the pore‐forming protein gasdermin D, leading to inflammation and pyroptosis, respectively. Localized responses triggered by the NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome are largely protective against bacterial pathogens, owing to several mechanisms, including the release of inflammatory mediators, liberation of concealed intracellular pathogens for killing by other immune mechanisms, activation of apoptotic caspases, caspase‐7, and caspase‐8, and expulsion of an entire infected cell from the mammalian host. In contrast, aberrant activation of the NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome caused by de novo gain‐of‐function mutations in the gene encoding NLRC4 can lead to macrophage activation syndrome, neonatal enterocolitis, fetal thrombotic vasculopathy, familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, and even death. Some of these clinical manifestations could be treated by therapeutics targeting inflammasome‐associated cytokines. In addition, the NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, melanoma, glioma, and breast cancer. However, no consensus has been reached on its function in the development of any cancer types. In this review, we highlight the latest advances in the activation mechanisms and structural assembly of the NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome, and the functions of this inflammasome in different cell types. We also describe progress toward understanding the role of the NAIP‐NLRC4 inflammasome in infectious diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and cancer.
Circular RNA circ_001842 plays an oncogenic role in renal cell carcinoma by disrupting microRNA‐502‐5p‐mediated inhibition of SLC39A14
Authors: Zeng Jiawei , Feng Qian , Wang Yaodong , Xie Gang , Li Yuanmeng , Yang Yuwei , Feng Jiafu
Published: July 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common urologic malignancy, and up to 30% of RCC patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of initial diagnosis. Increasing evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve as genomic regulatory molecules in various human cancers. Our initial in silico microarray‐based analysis identified that circRNA circ_001842 was highly expressed in RCC. Such up‐regulation of circ_001842 in RCC was experimentally validated in tissues and cell lines using RT‐qPCR. Thereafter, we attempted to identify the role of circ_001842 in the pathogenesis of RCC. Through a series of gain‐ and loss‐of function assays, cell biological functions were examined using colony formation assay, Transwell assay, annexin V‐FITC/PI‐labelled flow cytometry and scratch test. A high expression of circ_001842 in tissues was observed as associated with poor prognosis of RCC patients. circ_001842 was found to elevate SLC39A14 expression by binding to miR‐502‐5p, consequently resulting in augmented RCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as EMT in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. These observations imply the involvement of circ_001842 in RCC pathogenesis through a miR‐502‐5p‐dependent SLC39A14 mechanism, suggesting circ_001842 is a potential target for RCC treatment.
Development and testing of a practicum matching program for baccalaureate nursing education, a local public health unit
Authors: McCullagh Marjorie C. , Mecomber Jennifer , Hubscher Jayne J. , Kingsinger Olivia G. , McBride Kayla M. , Park Soyeon , Souksay Karina J. , Velasquez Chloe Marie V. , Yake Lauren M.
Published: July 2020

This article describes a novel approach to nursing education, designed to improve the experience of both students in public health nursing, and the local public health unit where they affiliate. Students, faculty, and public health department staff developed a method for matching programs and needs of the local public health unit to the skills and learning needs of nursing students. We describe our experience articulating student competencies, program‐specific functions, and an approach to matching student interests and learning opportunities to agency needs. Students, faculty, and staff rated the program moderately to very high in feasibility, satisfaction, and acceptability. Data suggest the novel program served to improve the quality of the practicum affiliation, to the satisfaction of both the school and agency, while contributing to a robust public health learning experience for emerging professional nurses.
Food insecurity as a predictor of metabolic syndrome in U.S. female adults
Authors: Park So‐Hyun , Strauss Shiela M.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To examine the association between household food insecurity and metabolic syndrome in the U.S. female adult population.

Design

We analyzed the 2007–2014 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Sample

Sample included 4,249 female adults who had complete data on metabolic syndrome components, household food security, and important potential socio‐demographic predictors of metabolic syndrome.

Measurements

Household food security was categorized as full, marginal, low, and very low. F‐tests were used to compare those in full food security households and those in each of the other food security category households for prevalence and potential socio‐demographic predictors of metabolic syndrome. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between household food security and metabolic syndrome.

Results

Women in low food security households were significantly more likely to have a waist circumference ≥88 cm and to have fasting glucose >100 mg/dl. Women in very low food security households were significantly more likely to have high density lipoprotein <50 mg/dl. Women in low and very low food security households were significantly more likely to have triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that women in low and very low food security households are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome.
Metrology and sensors as dermo‐cosmetic technology opportunities for a change of paradigm
Authors: Bollinger Caroline , Duong Tu Anh , Genain Gilles , Almaric Nicolas , Moga Alain , Richard William , Vandier Stanislas
Published: July 2020

Objective

Metrology and measures are changing the way patients and consumers behave and help find new, more effective solutions.

Methods

This Review and Prospective Paper identifies applications in the field of dermatology and beauty tech.

Results

The review of skincare as well as dermatological applications and analysis provides a comprehensive picture of the dynamics in the process of impacting the complete value chain in the field of dermo‐cosmetics, as well as the opportunities offered by a strict approach around new and innovative measures, especially in the field of better patient/consumer knowledge, understanding, and personalized solution offering. It identifies the new business models or opportunities for the cosmetic industry.

Conclusion

Adapting metrology and measures to skincare is a significant opportunity to change the way things are done today.
The Efficacy of a Passive Stretching Intervention for Overhead Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Sandrey Michelle A.
Published: July 2020

Focused Clinical Question: Does a passive stretching protocol, whether immediate or long-term, improve range of motion and decrease posterior shoulder tightness in overhead athletes? Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate level 2 evidence to support the incorporation of passive stretching for overhead athletes to increase range of motion or decrease posterior shoulder tightness.
This man can read letters but numbers are a blank
Authors: Kean Sam
Published: July 2020

Case exposes complex roots of consciousness.
Bonds between AAAS and Hubble span three decades
Authors: Cohen Adam D.
Published: July 2020

As NASA's Hubble Space Telescope celebrates 30 years, a look at its scientists' AAAS connections
Allele-specific open chromatin in human iPSC neurons elucidates functional disease variants
Authors: Zhang Siwei , Zhang Hanwen , Zhou Yifan , Qiao Min , Zhao Siming , Kozlova Alena , Shi Jianxin , Sanders Alan R. , Wang Gao , Luo Kaixuan , Sengupta Subhajit , West Siobhan , Qian Sheng , Streit Michael , Avramopoulos Dimitrios , Cowan Chad A. , Chen Mengjie , Pang Zhiping P. , Gejman Pablo V. , He Xin , Duan Jubao
Published: July 2020

Effects of allele-specific open chromatin

Genetic variants in noncoding regions of the genome may underlie the development of disease. However, we are just beginning to tease apart the function of such variants associated with neuropsychiatric disease. Using five types of neural progenitor cells derived from 20 human induced pluripotent stem cell lines, Zhang
et al.
looked at allele-specific open chromatin (ASoC) variants. Many ASoC variants overlapped with genomic elements, such as transcription factor binding sites, and loci identified in genome-wide association studies for neurological traits. From the experimental and computational analyses, they identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms and illuminate how one schizophrenia-associated variant affects neurodevelopment.

Science
, this issue p.
561
DNA capture by a CRISPR-Cas9–guided adenine base editor
Authors: Lapinaite Audrone , Knott Gavin J. , Palumbo Cody M. , Lin-Shiao Enrique , Richter Michelle F. , Zhao Kevin T. , Beal Peter A. , Liu David R. , Doudna Jennifer A.
Published: July 2020

Secrets of a fast base editor

CRISPR-Cas9 base editors comprise RNA-guided Cas proteins fused to an enzyme that can deaminate a DNA nucleoside. No natural enzyme deaminates adenine in DNA, and so a breakthrough came when a natural transfer RNA deaminase was fused to Cas9 and evolved to give an adenine base editor (ABE) that works on DNA. Further evolution provided the enzyme ABE8e, which catalyzes deamination more than 1000 times faster than early ABEs. Lapinaite
et al.
now present a 3.2-angstrom resolution structure of ABE8e bound to DNA in which the target adenine is replaced with an analog designed to trap the catalytic conformation. The structure, together with kinetic data comparing ABE8e to earlier ABEs, explains how ABE8e edits DNA bases and could inform future base-editor design.

Science
, this issue p.
566
Ductile van der Waals materials
Authors: Han Xiaodong
Published: July 2020

Normally brittle, single crystals of InSe can be mechanically rolled like a metal into thin films
Detection and Characterization of Diphtheria Toxin Gene-Bearing
Corynebacterium
Species through a New Real-Time PCR Assay
Authors: Williams Margaret M. , Waller Jessica L. , Aneke Janessa S. , Weigand Michael R. , Diaz Maureen H. , Bowden Katherine E. , Simon Ashley K. , Peng Yanhui , Xiaoli Lingzi , Cassiday Pamela K. , Winchell Jonas , Tondella M. Lucia
Published: July 2020

Respiratory diphtheria, characterized by a firmly adherent pseudomembrane, is caused by toxin-producing strains of
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
, with similar illness produced occasionally by toxigenic
Corynebacterium ulcerans
or, rarely,
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
. While diphtheria laboratory confirmation requires culture methods to determine toxigenicity, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) provides a faster method to detect the toxin gene (
tox
).
Skin-to-skin care alters regional ventilation in stable neonates
Authors: Schinckel Nicholas F , Hickey Leah , Perkins Elizabeth J , Pereira-Fantini Prue M , Koeppenkastrop Sienna , Stafford Isabella , Dowse Georgie , Tingay David G
Published: July 2020

Objective

Skin-to-skin care (SSC) has proven psychological benefits; however, the physiological effects are less clearly defined. Regional ventilation patterns during SSC have not previously been reported. This study aimed to compare regional ventilation indices and other cardiorespiratory parameters during prone SSC with supine and prone position cot-nursing.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Single quaternary neonatal intensive care unit in Australia.

Patients

20 infants spontaneously breathing (n=17) or on non-invasive ventilation (n=3), with mean (SD) gestational age at birth of 33 (5) weeks.

Interventions

Thirty-minute episodes of care in each position: supine cot care, prone SSC and prone cot care preceding a 10 min period of continuous electrical impedance tomography measurements of regional ventilation.

Main outcome measures

In each position, ventral–dorsal and right–left centre of ventilation (CoV), percentage of whole lung ventilation by region and percentage of apparent unventilated lung regions were determined. Heart and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation and axillary temperature were also measured.

Results

Heart and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation, temperature and right-left lung ventilation did not differ between the three positions (mixed-effects model). Ventilation generally favoured the dorsal lung, but the mean (95% CI) ventrodorsal CoV was −2.0 (−0.4 to –3.6)% more dorsal during SSC compared with prone. Supine position resulted in 5.0 (1.5 to 5.3)% and 4.5 (3.9 to 5.1)% less apparently unventilated lung regions compared with SSC and prone, respectively.

Conclusions

In clinically stable infants, SSC generates a distinct regional ventilation pattern that is independent of prone position and results in greater distribution of ventilation towards the dorsal lung.
Practice composition and sex differences in physician income: observational study
Authors: Whaley Christopher M , Arnold Daniel R , Gross Nate , Jena Anupam B
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess whether differences in income between male and female physicians vary according to the sex composition of physician practices.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

US national survey of physician salaries, 2014-18.

Participants

18 802 physicians from 9848 group practices (categorized according to proportion of male physicians ≤50%, >50-75%, >75-90%, and >90%).

Main outcome measures

Sex differences in physician income in relation to the sex composition of physician practices after multivariable adjustment for physician specialty, years of experience, hours worked, measures of clinical workload, practice type, and geography.

Results

Among 11 490 non-surgical specialists, the absolute adjusted sex difference in annual income (men versus women) was $36 604 (£29 663; €32 621) (95% confidence interval $24 903 to $48 306; 11.7% relative difference) for practices with 50% or less of male physicians compared with $91 669 ($56 587 to $126 571; 19.9% relative difference) for practices with at least 90% of male physicians (P=0.03 for difference). Similar findings were observed among surgical specialists (n=3483), with absolute adjusted sex difference in annual income of $46 503 ($42 198 to $135 205; 10.2% relative difference) for practices with 50% or less of male physicians compared with $149 460 ($86 040 to $212 880; 26.9% relative difference) for practices with at least 90% of male physicians (P=0.06 for difference). Among primary care physicians (n=3829), sex differences in income were not related to the proportion of male physicians in a practice.

Conclusions

Among both non-surgical and surgical specialists, sex differences in income were largest in practices with the highest proportion of male physicians, even after detailed adjustment for factors that might explain sex differences in income.
Menstrual health and period poverty among young people who menstruate in the Barcelona metropolitan area (Spain): protocol of a mixed-methods study
Authors: Medina-Perucha Laura , Jacques-Aviñó Constanza , Valls-Llobet Carme , Turbau-Valls Rosa , Pinzón Diana , Hernández Lola , Briales Canseco Paula , López-Jiménez Tomàs , Solana Lizarza Enara , Munrós Feliu Jordina , Berenguera Anna
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The importance of menstrual health has been historically neglected, mostly due to taboos and misconceptions around menstruation and androcentrism within health knowledge and health systems around the world. There has also been a lack of attention on ‘period poverty’, which refers to the financial, social, cultural and political barriers to access menstrual products and education. The main aim of this research is to explore menstrual health and experiences of period poverty among young people who menstruate (YPM).

Methods and analysis

This is a convergent mixed-methods study, which will combine a quantitative transversal study to identify the prevalence of period poverty among YPM (11–16 years old), and a qualitative study that will focus on exploring menstruation-related experiences of YPM and other groups (young people who do not menstruate (YNM); primary healthcare professionals; educators and policy-makers). The study will be conducted in the Barcelona metropolitan area between 2020 and 2021. Eighteen schools and 871 YPM will be recruited for the quantitative study. Sixty-five YPM will participate in the qualitative study. Forty-five YNM and 12 professionals will also be recruited to take part in the qualitative study. Socioeconomic and cultural diversity will be main vectors for recruitment, to ensure the findings are representative to the social and cultural context. Descriptive statistics will be performed for each variable to identify asymmetric distributions and differences among groups will be evaluated. Thematic analysis will be used for qualitative data analyses

Ethics and dissemination

Several ethical issues have been considered, especially as this study includes the participation of underage participants. The study has received ethical approval by the IDIAPJGol Research Ethics Committee (19/178 P). Research findings will be disseminated to key audiences, such as YPM, YNM, parents/legal tutors, health professionals, educators, youth (and other relevant) organisations, general community members, stakeholders and policy-makers, and academia.