bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying heritability and estimating evolutionary potential in the wild when individuals that share genes also share environments
Authors: Gervais Laura , Morellet Nicolas , David Ingrid , Hewison Mark , Réale Denis , Goulard Michel , Chaval Yannick , Lourtet Bruno , Cargnelutti Bruno , Merlet Joel , Quéméré Erwan , Pujol Benoit
Published: February 2022

Accurate heritability estimates for fitness‐related traits are required to predict an organism’s ability to respond to global change. Heritability estimates are theoretically expected to be inflated if, due to limited dispersal, individuals that share genes are also likely to share similar environments. However, if relatives occupy similar environments due, at least partly, to genetic variation for habitat selection, then accounting for environmental similarity in quantitative genetic models may result in diminished heritability estimates in wild populations. This potential issue has been pointed out in the literature, but has not been evaluated by empirical studies.

Here, we investigate whether environmental similarity among individuals can be partly explained by genetic variation for habitat selection, and how this link potentially blurs estimates for heritability in fitness‐related traits.

Using intensive GPS monitoring, we quantified home‐range habitat composition for 293 roe deer inhabiting a heterogeneous landscape to assess environmental similarity. To investigate if environmental similarity might harbour genetic variation, we combined genome‐wide data in a quantitative genetic framework to evaluate genetic variation for home‐range habitat composition, which is partly the result of habitat selection at settlement. Finally, we explored how environmental similarity affects heritability estimates for behaviours related to the risk avoidance–resource acquisition trade‐off (i.e. being in open habitat and distance to roads) and proxies of individual performance (i.e. body mass and hind foot length). We found substantial heritability for home‐range habitat composition, with estimates ranging from 0.40 (proportion of meadows) to 0.85 (proportion of refuge habitat). Accounting for similarity in habitat composition between relatives decreased the heritability estimates for both behavioural and morphological traits (reduction ranging from 55% to 100% and from 22% to 41% respectively). As a consequence, only half of these heritability estimates remained significantly different from zero.

Our results show that similar genotypes occupy similar environments, which could lead to heritable variation being incorrectly attributed to environmental effects. To accurately distinguish the sources of phenotypic variation and predict the ability of organisms to respond to global change, it is necessary to develop quantitative genetic studies investigating the mechanisms underpinning environmental similarity among relatives.
High semi‐natural vegetation cover and heterogeneity of field sizes promote bird beta‐diversity at larger scales in Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Marcacci Gabriel , Gremion Jérémy , Mazenauer Julien , Sori Tolera , Kebede Fanuel , Ewnetu Mihret , Christe Philippe , Arlettaz Raphaël , Jacot Alain
Published: February 2022

The intensification of farming practices exerts detrimental effects on biodiversity. Most research has focused on declines in species richness at local scales (alpha‐diversity) although species loss is exacerbated by biotic homogenization that operates at larger scales (i.e. affecting beta‐diversity). The majority of studies have been conducted in temperate, industrialized countries while tropical areas remain poorly studied. Agricultural landscapes of sub‐Saharan Africa are still largely dominated by small‐scale subsistence farming, but strenuous efforts to intensify farming practices are currently spreading to meet a growing food demand. It is therefore crucial to understand how these intensified practices affect biodiversity to mitigate their negative impacts.

We investigated how farming system (small‐ vs. large‐scale farming) and landscape complexity (semi‐natural vegetation cover) drive bird species composition, community turnover and beta‐diversity patterns in Ethiopian Highlands' agroecosystems. We evaluated the following hypotheses: (1) large‐scale farming homogenizes bird communities, (2) community turnover is higher in small‐scale farms, (3) interactive effects between landscape complexity and farming systems shape avian communities and (4) heterogeneity of field sizes increases community turnover at larger scales.

Bird communities underwent greater compositional changes along the landscape complexity than along the agricultural intensity gradient. Contrary to our expectations, beta‐diversity was not significantly lower within large‐scale farms (no biotic homogenization), and complex landscapes that still offer a high amount of semi‐natural vegetation promoted community turnover in both farming systems.

Semi‐natural vegetation cover mediated how avian communities responded to agricultural intensification: the compositional differences between small‐ and large‐scale farms increased with vegetation cover, further promoting avian community heterogeneity at the landscape level.

The heterogeneity in field sizes also enhanced bird community turnover, suggesting that a combination of both small‐ and large‐scale farming systems within a given landscape unit would promote beta‐diversity at larger scales, provided large‐scale farms do not become dominant.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape complexity shaped avian communities to a stronger degree than farming intensity, emphasizing the importance of semi‐natural vegetation and landscape heterogeneity for the maintenance of diverse bird communities and for achieving multifunctional landscapes promoting biodiversity and associated ecosystem services on the High Ethiopian plateaus.
Water Pricing Mechanism for China's South‐to‐North Water Diversion Project: Design, Evaluation, and Suggestions
Authors: Peng Xiang , Li Nannan
Published: February 2022

Since the completion of first‐phase projects on the eastern and middle routes of the South‐to‐North Water Diversion (SNWD), the design and implementation of water pricing mechanism have become the key factors that affect the project operation. This paper launches the evaluation of implementation effect on the water price policy of the SNWD built projects in 2018 by coordinating the consumption of transfer water, allocation of receiving‐areas’ water resources, collection of water fee for transfer water, as well as the implementation of local water price policies, which mainly exerted a comprehensive and interactive influence on the water price policy. Based on a series of data statistics and analysis, the usage of water transferred from the Yangtze River, improvement of regional water resources allocation, collection of water fee, and the implementation results of local water price policies were systematically analyzed. The main conclusions and corresponding suggestions were put forward to provide useful references on the formulation of water price policies for the design, optimization, and adjustment of the subsequent water pricing mechanism in the SNWD project.
Association of lung immune prognostic index with survival outcome in advanced thymic carcinoma patients treated with palliative intent chemotherapy
Authors: Araki Taisuke , Tateishi Kazunari , Komatsu Masamichi , Sonehara Kei , Kanda Shintaro , Hanaoka Masayuki , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: February 2022

Background

The prognostic implications of palliative chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent thymic carcinomas require full elucidation. The lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) is a novel prognostic index whose effectiveness has recently been reported in lung cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of the LIPI in advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 41 advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy between January 2001 and December 2020. Survival‐time analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model was performed to investigate the predictive and/or prognostic value of the LIPI.

Results

Median progression‐free survival (PFS) for first‐line chemotherapy and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in the good‐LIPI group (LIPI: 0) than in the intermediate/poor‐LIPI group (LIPI: 1 or 2) (PFS: 13.4 vs. 6.8 months, p = 0.025; OS: 48.2 vs. 28.9 months, p = 0.00506). Multivariate analysis revealed that intermediate/poor LIPI was the adverse prognostic factor for PFS. With regard to OS, serum albumin <3.5 g/dl and an intermediate/poor LIPI were identified as independent adverse prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that the LIPI is a potential prognostic marker in patients with advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma undergoing palliative chemotherapy.
Prenatal alcohol exposure and mental health at midlife: A preliminary report on two longitudinal cohorts
Authors: Coles Claire D. , Grant Therese M. , Kable Julie A. , Stoner Susan A. , Perez Alexandra ,   the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Published: February 2022

Background

Although the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have been studied extensively, there is relatively little information available on adult mental health functioning among exposed individuals. The current study compares the self‐reported midlife mental health status of individuals who were prenatally exposed to alcohol and diagnosed in childhood with the effects of this exposure with that of unexposed individuals.

Methods

Participants (N = 292) were recruited from two longitudinal cohorts in Atlanta and Seattle and asked to complete an Adult Health Questionnaire that surveyed their current health and mental health status. The questionnaire was completed either in‐person or remotely and included questions about current symptoms of depression and anxiety and mental health disorder diagnoses. The analysis compared a Nonexposed Contrast group to those in two exposure groups: (1) Alcohol Exposed with Fetal Alcohol Effect but not meeting criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and (2) Alcohol Affected and meeting criteria for FAS.

Results

Both alcohol‐exposed groups reported higher levels of current depressive symptoms and a higher prevalence of diagnoses of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. No differences were noted for psychotic disorders. PAE was also associated with greater environmental stressors, including higher levels of adverse childhood events and lower current socioeconomic status. Path analyses suggested that PAE was indirectly related to mood disorders with its effects being mediated by other environmental factors.

Conclusions

PAE is associated with greater rates of mental health disorders in middle adulthood. These outcomes appear to result from multiple stressors that affect individuals made vulnerable by their early alcohol exposure. Clinical outcomes could be improved by prevention efforts directed at preventing prenatal alcohol use and reducing environmental stressors later in life, and by the early identification of PAE and its effects.
Chinese Fintech Innovation and Regulation
Authors: Chorzempa Martin , Huang Yiping
Published: February 2022

Nowhere has financial technology or “fintech” become larger or as transformative as in China. Fintech, largely developed by technology companies, rapidly turned China from a largely cash‐based, backward financial system to a fintech leader globally. At the same time, China's government created an environment conducive to innovation. China's experience with fintech is a rich repository of lessons for other countries aiming to modernize their financial service industries and “leapfrog” up to advanced economies in some respects. It shows how clever reforms can overcome the lack of competition for financial incumbents, but also the mechanisms necessary to ensure regulation and supervision are sufficient for the risks of financial innovation. Finally, policy debates and solutions in China around the power of big tech, including in finance, have relevance to a world increasingly forced to grapple with these issues.
Interactive effects of self‐concept and social context on perceived cohesion in intensive care nursing
Authors: Paunova Minna , Li‐Ying Jason
Published: February 2022

Group cohesion is critical in the workplace, especially when individual and contextual constraints coexist but high performance is essential. We assess the source of variation in group members' perceptions of cohesion. Using an interactional psychology perspective, and within the context of intensive care, this study examines the interactive effects of nurses' self‐concept and the objective social context within which they are embedded. Individual‐ and unit‐level factors are investigated because they jointly shape the degree to which nurses perceive their intensive care units as cohesive. A multisource, multilevel study of approximately 140 nurses employed in 20 units across Denmark demonstrates the role self‐concept plays in easing and enhancing the constraints workplaces impose on cohesion. Implications for research on emergent states and interactional psychology are discussed.
Temporal trends of women with oral cavity, base of tongue and lip cancers in Brazil: An ecological study covering mortality data from 1980 to 2018
Authors: Sartori Letícia Regina Morello , Nóbrega Kaio Heide Sampaio , Schuch Helena Silveira , Cademartori Mariana Gonzalez , de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , Martins Manoela Domingues , Schuch Lauren Frenzel , Vasconcelos Ana Carolina Uchoa
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Obtaining robust evidence about the local mortality levels, trends and impact of oral cavity/base of tongue cancers and lip cancer, especially for women, is imperative in the fight against cancer. This descriptive retrospective ecological time‐series study explored trends in oral cavity/base of tongue cancers and lip cancer mortality rates for women in Brazil from 1980 to 2018, by geographic region and anatomical location.

Methods

The crude and age‐adjusted annual mortality rates were obtained by sex, anatomical location and macro‐regions of Brazil. The number of deaths from oral cavity/base of tongue cancers and lip cancers in Brazil was based on official population counts and estimates. The annual percentage change was calculated based on age‐adjusted rates. Data set were analysed using the Joinpoint Regression program.

Results

A total of 81,918 individuals died of oral cavity/base of tongue cancers and lip cancer between 1980 and 2018 in Brazil. The age‐adjusted mortality rate for women was 0.47 and 0.57 per 100,000 in 1980 and 2018, respectively. The cumulative female mortality rates standardized by age were 0.01/100,000 for lip cancer and 0.5/100,000 for oral cavity and base of tongue cancers. A decrease in deaths related to oral cavity and base of tongue cancers was identified in the 1980s; however, over the last two decades, there has been an increase in the number of deaths of women with cancer at the base of tongue and neighbouring areas and on the floor of mouth. Importantly, Brazilian regions showed wide variability in trends of oral cavity, base of tongue and lip cancers rate and, in 2018, the regions with the highest rates were the Southeast, South and Northeast for both sexes and specifically for women. The North region showed the greatest recent significant upward trend.

Conclusions

During the last 38 years, Brazil has shown a significant increase in the trend of the mortality rate due to oral cavity/base of tongue and lip cancers in women. Preventive strategies with control of risk factors should be strongly emphasized in order to improve the survival rates of individuals with oral cavity/base of tongue and lip cancers.
The impact of prolonged delay to loop ileostomy closure on postoperative morbidity and hospital stay: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Turner Greg A. , Clifford Kari A. , Holloway Rossi , Woodfield John C. , Thompson‐Fawcett Mark
Published: February 2022

Aim

There is increasing evidence that delayed loop ileostomy closure is associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity. In the context of a publicly funded health service with constrained theatre access, we review the impact of delay in loop ileostomy closure.

Method

A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing loop ileostomy closure at the Dunedin Public Hospital between 2000–2017 was performed. Cases and complications were identified from the prospectively maintained Otago Clinical Audit database. Patient demographics, ASA score, indications for ileostomy, reasons for delay in closure, length of stay (LOS) after ileostomy closure and complications were collected. LOS and overall complication rate were assessed using univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

A total of 292 patients were included in the study, of whom 74 (25.3%) were waiting for longer than 12 months for ileostomy closure. The overall complication rate was 21.5%. This was 8% up to 90 days, 20% between 90–360 days, 28% between 360–720 days and 54% after 720 days. Delay was associated with an increased risk of any complication (RR 1.06 for every 30 days with stoma, p < 0.001), including Ileus (OR [95% CI] 1.06 [1.00–1.11], p = 0.024). Overall mean LOS was 5.9 days (range 1–63), being 4.6 days up to 180 days, 5.6 between 180–720 days and 8.7 after 720 days. LOS significantly increased with increasing stoma duration (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Increasing time with loop ileostomy is detrimental for patients, being associated with an increase in complication rates, and is detrimental for hospitals due to increased length of stay. Resources should be allocated for timely closure of loop ileostomies.
Systematic studies in acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood: The way forward
Authors: Neilson Derek E.
Published: February 2022

This commentary is on the original article by Chatur et al. on pages 1008–1016 of this issue.
Glass: The best material for pharmaceutical packaging
Authors: Guadagnino Emanuel , Guglielmi Massimo , Nicoletti Fabiano
Published: February 2022

Glass is the most used material in pharmaceutical packaging, and the production volumes are continuously growing. The reasons why glass can be considered the best material for pharmaceutical containers are discussed. A current picture of this area, which was showcased during the Covid‐19 pandemic, is provided. Borosilicate glass products, which are currently the most used among those described by the Pharmacopoeia, are mostly considered, but new glasses that may be introduced in the future are also mentioned. A short view on the evolution of this type of glass and the current market situation are provided. Particular emphasis is given to chemical durability. Glasses are generally considered inert from the chemical point of view, but this is not exactly true. Phenomena such as the release of elemental impurities into solution, buffer interaction, and delamination have caused much concern in the last decade or so, especially as the complexity and value of drugs has been increasing. These phenomena are described, and it is pointed out that, thanks to the increasing scientific knowledge and production technologies, these issues are now under control, and the products on the market are of very high quality and very reliable.
Ferulic acid and EGCG alter the structural characteristics of ovalbumin and its application in mineral loading
Authors: Huang Zhenzhen , Yang Xinxi , Chen Qiqi , Chen Leqi , Liang Siyue , Zeng Qingzhu , Zhang Ruifen , Huang Fei , Dong Lihong , Su Dongxiao
Published: February 2022

This study aims to fabricate mineral‐loading nanocarriers using natural materials. The interaction patterns between ovalbumin (OVA) and four water‐soluble polyphenols, namely ferulic acid (FA), (‐)‐Epigallo‐catechin 3‐gallate (EGCG), gallic acid (GA) and epicatechin (EC), were investigated. Results showed that the optimised conditions for preparing stable OVA–polyphenol complexes are at the OVA–polyphenol ratio of 4:1 at pH 6, under which OVA–FA and OVA–EGCG showed the highest stability and mineral‐loading capacity among four OVA–polyphenol complexes. The fluorescence results indicated that the addition of EGCG and FA induced a significant fluorescence quenching to OVA. The interaction between OVA and polyphenols involved hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggested that both FA and EGCG enhanced the stability and orderliness of the structure of OVA. The transmission electron microscopy images also exhibited the spherical structure of OVA after the addition of FA and EGCG. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum results suggested that OVA–FA and OVA–EGCG complexes were better mineral carriers than OVA–GA and OVA–EC. This study may serve as the theoretical support for the promising application of OVA in the fabrication of mineral‐loading nanocarriers in functional food and pharmaceutic.
Assessment of rhizosphere bacterial diversity and composition in a metal hyperaccumulator (Boehmeria nivea) and a nonaccumulator (Artemisia annua) in an antimony mine
Authors: Lin Yuxiang , Zhang Yaqi , Liang Xin , Duan Renyan , Yang Li , Du Yihuan , Wu Lianfu , Huang Jiacheng , Xiang Guohong , Bai Jing , Zhen Yu
Published: February 2022

Aims

Heavy metal hyperaccumulators are widely used in mining restoration due to their ability to accumulate and transport heavy metals, compared to nonaccumulators. Rhizosphere bacteria in metal hyperaccumulators play a key role in the uptake of heavy metals from soil; however, assessments of the differences of rhizosphere bacteria between metal hyperaccumulators and nonaccumulator are scarce.

Methods and results

To understand the difference of bacterial composition between hyperaccumulator and nonaccumulator in rhizosphere, the diversity and composition of rhizosphere bacteria in a metal hyperaccumulator (Boehmeria nivea) and a nonaccumulator (Artemisia annua) grown in the same field in Xikuangshan were evaluated using Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing technology. Boehmeria nivea and A. annua had 3926 overlapping OTUs, 19,736 and 17,579 unique OTUs, respectively. Boehmeria nivea had lower Chao1 index, Shannon index and Pielou index than A. annua. The dominant phyla and genera of rhizosphere bacteria in B. nivea and A. annua were similar, but some rhizosphere bacterial communities with heavy metal remediation ability mainly appeared in the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator. Compared to A. annua, B. nivea showed a significantly higher relative abundance of rhizosphere bacteria, such as Acidobacteria and Bacteroidete at the phylum level and RB41 at the genus level. Some specific rhizosphere bacteria with the ability to bind metal, such as Leifsonia and Kibdelosporangium, were only found in the rhizosphere of B. nivea.

Conclusion

Results indicated that B. nivea, as a metal hyperaccumulator, has a key function in governing metal-resistant rhizosphere bacteria in response to antimony compound pollution stress.

Significance and Impact of Study

Understanding the diversity of rhizosphere bacteria between hyperaccumulators and nonaccumulators is beneficial to formulate strategies to improve metal uptake efficiency by selecting specific plant species and rhizosphere bacteria grown on polluted soil.
Local male breeding density affects extra‐pair paternity in a south temperate population of grass wrensCistothorus platensis
Authors: Arrieta Ramiro S. , Campagna Leonardo , Mahler Bettina , Lovette Irby , Llambías Paulo E.
Published: February 2022

Demographic factors can affect the frequency of extra‐pair paternity (EPP) in birds, as the distribution and availability of potential mates in both space and time influence the rate of encounters between females and males. Over three breeding seasons, we intensively studied the breeding system of a south temperate population of grass wrensCistothorus platensisby genotyping 73 broods (319 nestlings) and estimating EPP rates for those broods. Using five different radii (80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 m) around each nest with assigned paternity, we examined the effects of local breeding synchrony, male breeding density and adult sex ratio (ASR) on the EPP rate. The majority of extra‐pair offspring (~80%) were sired by neighboring males. Neither local breeding synchrony nor ASR consistently explained the EPP rate variation as their effects were only statistically significant within 320 and 400 m. However, the EPP rate increased as the local male breeding density increased within every radius category, strongly suggesting that neighboring male abundance might play an important role in the extra‐pair mating behavior in this species. Our study also highlights the relevance of using a local scale approach when studying mating behavior.
More challenging or more achievable? The impacts of difficulty and dominant goal orientation in leaderboards within educational gamification
Authors: Cao Yang , Gong Shao‐Ying , Wang Zhen , Cheng Yang , Wang Yan‐Qing
Published: February 2022

Background

As one of the gamification elements, leaderboard, especially absolute leaderboard, is widely used in educational gamification systems. However, empirical studies on the optimal use condition of the leaderboard and underlying influence mechanisms are deficient.

Objectives

This study explored which difficulty was more conducive to learning performance in leaderboard context, and when and how it played a role.

Methods

To address these questions, this study conducted a 2 (dominant goal orientation: learning/performance) × 2 (difficulty: high/low) between‐subjects design. Seventy‐eight dominant learning‐oriented and 78 dominant performance‐oriented participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the high or low difficulty group respectively.

Results and Conclusions

Participants in the low difficulty group experienced more positive emotions, less negative emotions, and higher learning motivation than those in the high difficulty group, but the effect of difficulty on performance was not significant. Moreover, goal orientation did not moderate the effects of difficulty, dominant learning‐oriented and performance‐oriented learners were equally affected by difficulty. Further mediating analysis showed that negative emotions and learning motivation rather than positive emotions mediated the relationship between difficulty and learning performance.

Implications

These results confirmed the positive effect of low difficulty in leaderboard context, as well as the mediating roles of emotions and motivation involved in the relationship between difficulty and learning performance. These findings enlighten us that it is necessary to equip leaderboards in educational gamification with achievable difficulty.
Using web‐based training to improve accuracy of blood pressure measurement among health care professionals: A randomized trial
Authors: Hayer Rupinder , Kirley Kate , Cohen Jordana B. , Tsipas Stavros , Sutherland Susan E. , Oparil Suzanne , Shay Christina M. , Cohen Debbie L. , Kabir Christopher , Wozniak Gregory
Published: February 2022

Accurate blood pressure measurement is crucial for proper screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of high blood pressure. However, providers are not aware of proper blood pressure measurement skills, do not master all the appropriate skills, or miss key steps in the process, leading to inconsistent or inaccurate readings. Training in blood pressure measurement for most providers is usually limited to a one‐time brief demonstration during professional education coursework. The American Medical Association and the American Heart Association developed a 30‐minute e‐Learning module designed to refresh and improve existing blood pressure measurement knowledge and clinical skills among practicing providers. One hundred seventy‐seven practicing providers, which included medical assistants, nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians, participated in a multi‐site randomized educational study designed to assess the effect of this e‐Learning module on blood pressure measurement knowledge and skills. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group followed a pre‐post assessment approach, and the control group followed a test‐retest approach. The initial assessment showed that participants in both the intervention and control groups correctly performed less than half of the 14 skills considered necessary to obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement (mean scores 5.5 and 5.9, respectively). Following the e‐Learning module, the intervention group performed on average of 3.4 more skills correctly vs 1.4 in the control group (P < .01). Our findings reinforce existing evidence that errors in provider blood pressure measurements are highly prevalent and provide novel evidence that refresher training improves measurement accuracy.
Near infrared‐based process analytical technology module for estimating gelatinization optimal point
Authors: Rizwana Shagufta , Hazarika Manuj Kumar
Published: February 2022

This research article focusses on the implementation of process analytical technique for the rapid prediction of gelatinization points during the process of steaming of Komal Chawal, an indigenous rice variety from the state of Assam, using the technique of near‐infrared spectroscopy. The experimentation involves soaking Komal Chawal at 60°C for 90 min, then steaming at 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 MPa for different time viz. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 min, simultaneously Near Infrared (NIR) spectra were also acquired after every treatment. The degree of gelatinization (DG) and moisture gain were measured, and their change pattern was studied using first‐order kinetics and Fick's law of diffusion. For first‐order rate equation, the goodness of fits were obtained with R2 values between .964 and .927. The partial least square model developed with 10 latent variables showed a training accuracy in terms of statistical metrics were: R2 of .882 and RMSE of 2.56. Thus, NIR‐based estimation process had shown reliability for the prediction of the DG.

Practical Applications

Komal Chawal, an indigenous variety to the state of Assam with a GI tag. It has a unique property of no cooking required, processed by the method of parboiling. So, a rapid prediction method of optimal gelatinization point estimation during the process can save a lot of funds and energy, thus making it more efficient for mass production in industries for the commercialization of the variety.
Initial Psychometric Testing of a Brief Maternal Oral Symptom Survey
Authors: Park Joy JooHee , Corwin Elizabeth , Dunlop Anne L. , Yang Irene
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Oral health is an important component of maternal health. Pregnant women face unique oral health challenges. Although there is abundant evidence of the strong association between poor oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes, oral health assessment is frequently overlooked by prenatal care providers. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of a brief maternal oral symptom survey for potential use by prenatal care providers to screen pregnant women for oral health concerns.

Methods

This study provides results of preliminary psychometric testing of a brief maternal oral symptom survey. The survey was administered to 455 pregnant African American women at 2 time points: early pregnancy (8‐14 weeks) and late pregnancy (24‐30 weeks). Saliva samples were collected on a small subset of the larger sample (n = 34). Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency of the survey. Content validity was assessed using an expert panel (n = 32), and criterion validity was assessed by testing the association of survey items with salivary biomarkers.

Results

The oral health survey showed moderate overall content validity. Scores on the content validity index identified that 5 out of 10 survey items were relevant, clear, and important. Log‐transformed C‐reactive protein levels were associated with reported “dry mouth” and education. Cronbach's alpha value was 0.502.

Discussion

Suggested revisions of the oral symptom survey include removing items that performed poorly on the content validity index and additional inclusion of sociodemographic variables. With further testing and validation, this survey has the potential to be an effective screening tool to assess for prenatal oral health concerns that increase risk for poor birth outcomes.
Cerebrospinal fluid purinomics as a biomarker approach to predict outcome after severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Strogulski Nathan R. , Stefani Marco Antonio , Böhmer Ana Elisa , Hansel Gisele , Rodolphi Marcelo S. , Kopczynski Afonso , de Oliveira Vitória G. , Stefani Eduarda T. , Portela Juliana V. , Schmidt André P. , Oses Jean Pierre , Smith Douglas H. , Portela Luis V.
Published: February 2022

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with high rates of mortality and long‐term disability linked to neurochemical abnormalities. Although purine derivatives play important roles in TBI pathogenesis in preclinical models, little is known about potential changes in purine levels and their implications in human TBI. We assessed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of purines in severe TBI patients as potential biomarkers that predict mortality and long‐term dysfunction. This was a cross‐sectional study performed in 17 severe TBI patients (Glasgow Coma Scale <8) and 51 controls. Two to 4 h after admission to ICU, patients were submitted to ventricular drainage and CSF collection for quantification of adenine and guanine purine derivatives by HPLC. TBI patients’ survival was followed up to 3 days from admission. A neurofunctional assessment was performed through the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 2 years after ICU admission. Purine levels were compared between control and TBI patients, and between surviving and non‐surviving patients. Relative to controls, TBI patients presented increased CSF levels of GDP, guanosine, adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine. Further, GTP, GDP, IMP, and xanthine levels were different between surviving and non‐surviving patients. Among the purines, guanosine was associated with improved mRS (p = 0.042; r = −0.506). Remarkably, GTP displayed predictive value (AUC = 0.841, p = 0.024) for discriminating survival versus non‐survival patients up to 3 days from admission. These results support TBI‐specific purine signatures, suggesting GTP as a promising biomarker of mortality and guanosine as an indicator of long‐term functional disability.

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Contact dermatitis associated with a cosmetic cream
Authors: Jiang Yang , Wang Sha , Lyu Jing , Li Jiajia , Diao Qingchun
Published: February 2022

Background

Cosmetic contact dermatitis (CCD) is a very common cosmetic adverse reaction, but there are few reports of adverse reactions to breast enhancement cream.

Methods

We reported a case of adverse skin reactions after applying a cosmetic cream and performed patch tests of cosmetic series and cosmetic product.

Results

After drug treatment, the patient's symptoms improved significantly. The cosmetic series patch test showed that she was allergic to thimerosal, and the cosmetic product patch also showed positive.

Conclusions

The adverse reactions of dermatologists to cosmetics cannot be ignored, and it is suggested that in addition to common skin care products, the safety of other functional products should also be concerned.
Adapting to a major crisis: Sleep and mental health during two lockdowns
Authors: Koppehele‐Gossel Judith , Weinmann Lena‐Marie , Klimke Ansgar , Windmann Sabine , Voss Ursula
Published: February 2022

The present study aimed at investigating the impact of the pandemic on sleep and mental health in healthy individuals (n = 78) as well as in psychiatric outpatients (n = 30) during the first and the second lockdown in Germany, in March and November 2020, respectively. Sleep quality and anxiety were worse in patients compared with controls during both lockdowns. Further, patients but not controls exhibited higher levels of depression and overall psychiatric symptomatology during the second lockdown. No differences were found in the perceived threat evoked by the pandemic. The data suggest that healthy individuals adapt flexibly to the difficult situation over the time course of the pandemic, whereas psychiatric patients seem to get worse, indicating difficulties in adapting to stressful circumstances.
Taxes, taxpayers, and settler colonialism: Toward a critical fiscal sociology of tax as white property
Authors: Willmott Kyle
Published: February 2022

In settler colonial states such as Canada, tax is central to political ideas that circulate about Indigenous nations and people. The stories that are told about Indigenous peoples by ‘taxpayers’ often involve complaints about budgets, welfare, and ‘unfair’ tax arrangements. The paper theorizes how informal ‘tax imaginaries’ and ‘taxpayer’ subjectivities are forged through state policy and how ostensibly fiscal concerns are imbricated with white political entitlement that erodes Indigenous legal and political sovereignty. By tracing the construction of taxpayer concerns and tax myths as forms of fiscalized racism, the paper demonstrates the importance of tax to settler colonialism and the shape of Indigenous-settler relations. Taxpayer subjects are not just legal or material positionings in relation to tax and the state, but powerful subjects that refigure political problems as ‘fiscal’ and construct Indigenous people and nations through racialized repertoires of property and possession.
Fear and legitimacy in São Paulo, Brazil: Police–citizen relations in a high violence, high fear city
Authors: Jackson Jonathan , Pósch Krisztián , Oliveira Thiago R. , Bradford Ben , Mendes Sílvia M. , Natal Ariadne Lima , Zanetic André
Published: February 2022

We examine consensual and coercive police–citizen relations in São Paulo, Brazil. According to procedural justice theory, popular legitimacy operates as part of a virtuous circle, whereby normatively appropriate police behavior encourages people to self-regulate, which then reduces the need for coercive forms of social control. But can consensual and coercive police–citizen relations be so easily disentangled in a city in which many people fear crime, where the ability to use force can often be palpable in even mundane police–citizen interactions, where some people fear police but also tolerate extreme police violence, and where the image of the military police as “just another (violent) gang” has significant cultural currency? Legitimacy has two components—assent (ascribed right to power) and consent (conferred right to govern)—and consistent with prior work from the US, UK, and Australia, we find that procedural justice is key to the legitimation of the police. Yet, the empirical link between legitimacy and legal compliance is complicated by ambivalent authority relations, rooted in part in heightened cultural expectations about police use of force to exercise power. We finish the paper with a discussion of the theoretical and policy implications of these findings.
The adaptable law enforcement officer: Exploring adaptability in a covert police context
Authors: Oleszkiewicz Simon , Weiher Lynn , Mac Giolla Erik
Published: February 2022

Adaptability refers to cognitive, behavioural and emotional adjustments that assist in effectively responding to novel and uncertain situations. It is acknowledged as a key attribute of the successful management of dynamic interpersonal interactions. Yet, adaptability remains largely unstudied in the field of psychology and law. Here, we take the first steps to fill this research gap. In Study 1, university students (n = 30) acted as ‘agents’ that had to complete three ‘undercover missions’ that required an adaptive response. Adaptability was measured through a self‐report scale. In Study 2, practitioners (n = 22), experienced with covert policing, watched recordings of the undercover missions from Experiment 1. The practitioners rated the adaptive responses of the agents, as well as their ability to attain the mission objectives. The findings showed that our experimental set‐up successfully elicited adaptive behaviour. Practitioners’ ratings of adaptability were strongly related to their ratings of trustworthiness, rapport and belief in whether the agent would accomplish their missions, but not with actual mission success. The results highlight the potential importance of adaptability for law enforcement contexts.
EEG Data Quality in Real‐World Settings: Examining Neural Correlates of Attention in School‐Aged Children
Authors: Xu Keye , Torgrimson Sarah Jo , Torres Remi , Lenartowicz Agatha , Grammer Jennie K.
Published: February 2022

Advances in mobile electroencephalography (EEG) technology have made it possible to examine covert cognitive processes in real‐world settings such as student attention in the classroom. Here, we outline research using wired and wireless EEG technology to examine attention in elementary school children across increasingly naturalistic paradigms in schools, ranging from a lab‐based paradigm where children met one‐on‐one with an experimenter in a field laboratory to mobile EEG testing conducted in the same school during semi‐naturalistic classroom lessons. Despite an increase of data loss with the classroom‐based paradigm, we demonstrate that it is feasible to collect quality data in classroom settings with young children. We also provide a test case for how robust EEG signals, such as alpha oscillations, can be used to identify measurable differences in covert processes like attention in classrooms. We end with pragmatic suggestions for researchers interested in employing naturalistic EEG methods in real‐world, multisensory contexts.
The S1PR2‐CCL2‐BDNF‐TrkB pathway mediates neuroinflammation and motor incoordination in hyperammonaemia
Authors: Arenas Yaiza M. , Balzano Tiziano , Ivaylova Gergana , Llansola Marta , Felipo Vicente
Published: February 2022

Aims

Chronic hyperammonaemia and inflammation synergistically induce neurological impairment, including motor incoordination, in hepatic encephalopathy. Hyperammonaemic rats show neuroinflammation in the cerebellum which enhances GABAergic neurotransmission leading to motor incoordination. We aimed to identify underlying mechanisms. The aims were (1) to assess if S1PR2 is involved in microglial and astrocytic activation in the cerebellum of hyperammonaemic rats; (2) to identify pathways by which enhanced S1PR2 activation induces neuroinflammation and alters neurotransmission; (3) to assess if blocking S1PR2 reduces neuroinflammation and restores motor coordination in hyperammonaemic rats.

Methods

We performed ex vivo studies in cerebellar slices from control or hyperammonaemic rats to identify pathways by which neuroinflammation enhances GABAergic neurotransmission in hyperammonaemia. Neuroinflammation and neurotransmission were assessed by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence and western blot. S1PR2 was blocked by intracerebral treatment with JTE‐013 using osmotic mini‐pumps. Motor coordination was assessed by beam walking.

Results

Chronic hyperammonaemia enhances S1PR2 activation in the cerebellum by increasing its membrane expression. This increases CCL2, especially in Purkinje neurons. CCL2 activates CCR2 in microglia, leading to microglial activation, increased P2X4 membrane expression and BDNF in microglia. BDNF enhances TrkB activation in neurons, increasing KCC2 membrane expression. This enhances GABAergic neurotransmission, leading to motor incoordination in hyperammonaemic rats. Blocking S1PR2 in hyperammonaemic rats by intracerebral administration of JTE‐013 normalises the S1PR2‐CCL2‐CCR2‐BDNF‐TrkB‐KCC2 pathway, reduces glial activation and restores motor coordination in hyperammonaemic rats.

Conclusions

Enhanced S1PR2‐CCL2‐BDNF‐TrkB pathway activation mediates neuroinflammation and incoordination in hyperammonaemia. The data raise a promising therapy for patients with hepatic encephalopathy using compounds targeting this pathway.
Induced ligno‐suberin vascular coating and tyramine‐derived hydroxycinnamic acid amides restrict Ralstonia solanacearum colonization in resistant tomato
Authors: Kashyap Anurag , Jiménez‐Jiménez Álvaro Luis , Zhang Weiqi , Capellades Montserrat , Srinivasan Sumithra , Laromaine Anna , Serra Olga , Figueras Mercè , Rencoret Jorge , Gutiérrez Ana , Valls Marc , Coll Nuria S.
Published: February 2022

Tomato varieties resistant to the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum have the ability to restrict bacterial movement in the plant. Inducible vascular cell wall reinforcements seem to play a key role in confining R. solanacearum into the xylem vasculature of resistant tomato. However, the type of compounds involved in such vascular physico‐chemical barriers remain understudied, while being a key component of resistance.

Here we use a combination of histological and live‐imaging techniques, together with spectroscopy and gene expression analysis to understand the nature of R. solanacearum‐induced formation of vascular coatings in resistant tomato.

We describe that resistant tomato specifically responds to infection by assembling a vascular structural barrier formed by a ligno‐suberin coating and tyramine‐derived hydroxycinnamic acid amides. Further, we show that overexpressing genes of the ligno‐suberin pathway in a commercial susceptible variety of tomato restricts R. solanacearum movement inside the plant and slows disease progression, enhancing resistance to the pathogen.

We propose that the induced barrier in resistant plants does not only restrict the movement of the pathogen, but may also prevent cell wall degradation by the pathogen and confer anti‐microbial properties, effectively contributing to resistance.
Burn hot or tolerate trees: flammability decreases with shade tolerance in grasses
Authors: Gao Xiulin , Schwilk Dylan W.
Published: February 2022

In ecosystems where trees and grasses coexist, some grass species are found only in open habitats and others persist under trees. The persistence of shade intolerant grasses in ecosystems such as open woodlands and savannas depends on recurrent fires to open the tree canopy. Therefore, grasses that depend on open sites might benefit from high flammability. We tested if shade intolerant grasses are more flammable than shade tolerant grasses and if flammability differences affected post‐fire grass growth. We examined the relationship between shade tolerance and flammability by determining individual‐level flammability and species shade tolerance of 17 grass species. We also measured grass traits to determine trait effects on flammability and the post‐fire response. Grass species varied in flammability, mainly in the amount of heat produced during burning. Shade tolerant species produced less heat at 50 cm above the ground. Biomass and live fuel moisture had the greatest effects on heat release. However, the negative effect of live fuel moisture on heat release at the soil surface was weakened in plants with high specific leaf area. In addition, grass bulk density negatively influenced heat release at 50 cm height. Heat release at the soil surface negatively influenced post‐fire growth. However, the influences of soil heating and species‐specific traits on individual survival were more complex with 2‐ and 3‐way interactions. Shade tolerance was negatively correlated with a major axis of flammability variation: shade tolerant grasses produced less heat where that heat could damage tree boles. Such heterogeneity in grass flammability may help maintain the tree–grass mixture in natural plant communities. If shade tolerant grasses near trees cause less fire damage to woody plants, especially tree saplings, this may weaken positive grass‐fire feedbacks and thus aid the long‐term coexistence of trees and grasses.