bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The common causes of rework in construction contracts: a diagnostic approach
Authors: Asadi Ramin , Wilkinson Suzanne , Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The high rate of rework that occurs in construction projects has a negative effect on the performance of the construction projects. Although several mechanisms have been implemented to control reworking, a comprehensive list of rework causes is yet to be provided to present the common causes that contribute to rework in construction contracts. This paper aims to investigate the most common rework causes that need to be addressed in construction contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method using both the qualitative and quantitative approach is used in this paper. First of all, the study adopted a four-step literature review to introduce the rework research trends and provide statistical reports using descriptive analysis. Next, a comprehensive review has been completed using content analysis to identify the common causes of rework in construction projects. Finally, the common causes in construction contracts are further investigated through a quantitative questionnaire survey to validate the initial results.

Findings

The results of the review showed an increasing trend of publications on rework over the last three decades. Most of the studies were conducted in Australia, the UK, Nigeria and Hong Kong. Based on further investigation in the study area of sources of rework, 37 causes of rework causes were identified and classified in five groups. Then, the most significant causes of rework in construction contracts were compiled in the list of 22 items.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s reported result, contributes to the contract management body of knowledge by proposing a list of common rework causes that can be used by practitioners during the contract negotiation to prevent contractual issues. The result of the review can also be used for further investigation of the relationship between rework and contract conditions.

Originality/value

The proposed list of common causes of rework in construction contracts allows project parties to improve the terms of the contract in addressing rework, this could result in fewer contractual claims and disputes. The findings of this study will also guide the investigations into the contract conditions, thus the approach used is constructive.
Economics of loan growth, credit risk and bank capital in Islamic banks
Authors: Abbas Faisal , Ali Shoaib
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the moderating role of capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk for Islamic banks in the post-crisis era.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used annual data of 217 Islamic banks from 38 countries and ranges from 2010–2019. The study applies a two-step system GMM method for hypotheses testing about the moderating role of bank capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in Islamic banks.

Findings

The findings showed that an increase in loan growth increases the credit risk of Islamic banks, as evidenced by loan loss provisions, loan loss reserves and nonperforming loans. The results indicate that capital positively moderates the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in Islamic banking. The positive relationship between bank capital and risk-taking is in line with the “regulatory hypothesis” in banking. The findings predict lower impacts of capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in the South Asian region than MENA, Africa, South, East and Central Asia regions. However, the impact of capital is higher for larger Islamic banks than medium and smaller ones.

Practical implications

The findings of the study add value to the current debate on the role of bank capital to reduce risk-taking in Islamic banks. The study's findings have implications for policymakers, managers, especially in Islamic banking, for improving the Islamic financial system by managing the role of capital, loan growth and credit risk.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the moderating role of bank capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in the post-crisis era, especially in Islamic banking. This is the first study in the Islamic banking context, which is providing empirical evidence for the impact of loan growth on the back looking and forward-looking proxies of credit risk under the moderating role of bank capitalization in the post-crisis era. This is the first study, which providing findings based on regions and size to compare the differences in Islamic banks for the impact of loan growth on credit risk under the moderating role of capitalization.
Postprandial glycemic response in different bakery formulations with adequate palatability: sex-related effects
Authors: Niclis Camila , Prado Diego , Diaz María del Pilar , Soria Elio Andrés , Albrecht Claudia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Hyperglycemic diets are a critical risk factor for diabetes and other chronic diseases; therefore, food innovation is encouraged. In this sense, starchy foods with a better postprandial glycemic response (PGR) could contribute to disease prevention for consumers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of three biscuit formulations on glycemic indicators – in general, and by sex – and their acceptability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed the nutritional composition of biscuits A, B and C (high, moderate and low fiber content, respectively, among other differences) and the PGR, glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) after being consumed by 15 healthy adults. A sensory evaluation was also performed (n = 54 subjects). An analysis of variance and generalized linear models were fitted to estimate the effect of formulations on glycemic indicators, including interactions by sex.

Findings

For samples A, B and C (classic biscuit) the GI was 50, 54 and 51, respectively. The formulations did not show differences in the GI or GL. Lower values of PGR were observed in women (p = 0.01) and inverse effects on glycemia in all formulations in women with respect to formulation C in men were found. Calories, fiber and monounsaturated fats showed inverse effects on the PGR, GI and GL. Sample A had the highest value of acceptability (86.1%), considering all attributes assessed.

Originality/value

A sex-related effect in glycemia was found, with all formulations triggered a better PGR in women. The nutritional profile of biscuits can be improved while maintaining palatability.
Native frogs (Rana pirica) do not respond adaptively to alien toads (Bufo japonicus formosus) 100 years after introduction
Authors: Okamiya Hisanori , Inoue Yoshihiro , Takai Kotaro , Crossland Michael R. , Kishida Osamu
Published: August 2021

Biological invasions adversely affect the survival of many native species, but long‐term consequences of the novel pressures imposed by invaders on natives are less clear. If natives can adapt to the presence of the invader, the severity of impact will decline with time. On Hokkaido, Japan, alien toads (Bufo japonicus formosus) are highly toxic to native frog tadpoles (Rana pirica) that attempt to eat their hatchlings. Therefore, the arrival of toads potentially imposes selection pressure on native frogs in the context of behavioral response (feeding aversion) and physiological resistance to toad toxins. Here, we compared the consumption tendency and toxin resistance of R. pirica from several sites with different histories of toad invasion (0 to >100 years exposure). We found no evidence of adaptive response to invasive toads. The vast majority of R. pirica tadpoles from all sites readily consumed toad hatchlings and died, regardless of time since invasion or whether hatchlings were from sympatric versus allopatric toad populations. In contrast, tadpoles of a closely related species (Rana ornativentris), which co‐occurs naturally with B. j. formosus on Honshu, readily consumed toad hatchlings without ill effect. Our results indicate that the lethal toxic effect of the alien toads on native frogs on Hokkaido is maintained over long time periods without mitigation through adaptation.
New types of ATP‐grasp ligase are associated with the novel pathway for complicated mycosporine‐like amino acid production in desiccation‐tolerant cyanobacteria
Authors: Zhang Zhong‐Chun , Wang Kai , Hao Fu‐Hua , Shang Jin‐Long , Tang Hui‐Ru , Qiu Bao‐Sheng
Published: August 2021

Mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) were widespread in diverse organisms to attenuate UV radiation. We recently characterized the large, complicated MAA mycosporine‐2‐(4‐deoxygadusolyl‐ornithine) in desert cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme. Synthesis of this MAA requires the five‐gene cluster mysABDC2C3. Here, bioinformatic analysis indicated that mysC duplication within five‐gene mys clusters is strictly limited to drought‐tolerant cyanobacteria. Phylogenic analysis distinguished these duplicated MysCs into two clades that separated from canonical MysCs. Heterologous expression of N. flagelliforme mys genes in Escherichia coli showed that MysAB produces 4‐deoxygadusol. The ATP‐grasp ligase of MysC3 catalyses the linkage of the δ‐ or ε‐amino group of ornithine/lysine to 4‐deoxygadusol, yielding mycosporine‐ornithine or mycosporine‐lysine respectively. The ATP‐grasp ligase of MysC2 strictly condenses the α‐amino group of mycosporine‐ornithine to another 4‐deoxygadusol. MysD (D‐Ala–D‐Ala ligase) functions following MysC2 to catalyse the formation of mycosporine‐2‐(4‐deoxygadusolyl‐ornithine). High arginine content likely provides a greater pool of ornithine over other amino acids during rehydration of desiccated N. flagelliforme. Duplication of ATP‐grasp ligases is specific for the use of substrates that have two amino groups (such as ornithine) for the production of complicated MAAs with multiple chromophores. This five‐enzyme biosynthesis pathway for complicated MAAs is a novel adaptation of cyanobacteria for UV tolerance in drought environments.
Spatial and social mobility in England and Wales: A sub‐national analysis of differences and trends over time
Authors: Buscha Franz , Gorman Emma , Sturgis Patrick
Published: August 2021

Recent studies of social mobility have documented that not only who your parents are, but also where you grow up, substantially influences subsequent life chances. We bring these two concepts together to study social mobility in England and Wales, in three post‐war generations, using linked Decennial Census data. Our findings show considerable spatial variation in rates of absolute and relative mobility, as well as how these have changed over time. While upward mobility increased in every region between the mid‐1950s and the early 1980s, this shift varied across different regions and tailed off for more recent cohorts. We also explore how domestic migration is related to social mobility, finding that those who moved out of their region of origin had higher rates of upward mobility compared to those who stayed, although this difference narrowed over time.
Length of stay outcomes in patients receiving ketamine sedation versus Bier's block anaesthesia for procedural closed fracture reduction: A retrospective audit of paediatric emergency department patients
Authors: Kwong Alex , Aldridge Emogene S , Jayawardana Rachith , Brookwick Anna , Miller Joseph , Buntine Paul G
Published: August 2021

Objective

To compare length of stay (LOS) for paediatric patients receiving ketamine sedation or Bier's block anaesthesia for procedural closed fracture reduction.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective audit of paediatric ED patients aged 3–18 years presenting at one of three metropolitan hospitals in Victoria, Australia (2012–2017). Outcomes were post‐procedural LOS (PPLOS), total LOS, incidence of ketamine and Bier's block procedures, and recorded adverse effects. Groups were compared using t‐tests. Association between treatment group and admission to a short stay unit (SSU) was assessed using univariate logistic regression.

Results

Across all three sites, 449 patients were included, 379 of whom received ketamine sedation and 73 of whom underwent Bier's block anaesthesia. Mean age was 9.1 years (ketamine group: 8.3 years; Bier's block group: 13.1 years). Median PPLOS was 75 min shorter for patients who received a Bier's block than for those sedated with ketamine (P < 0.001). Patients sedated with ketamine were also 9.01 times more likely to be admitted to an SSU than those who received Bier's block anaesthesia (95% confidence interval 3.82–21.31, P < 0.001). Ketamine sedation was more common than Bier's block across the three sites. No major adverse events occurred in either group.

Conclusion

Bier's block anaesthesia is a safe alternative to ketamine sedation for paediatric patients presenting to the ED with closed fractures. It is associated with reduced LOS and need for post‐procedural observation. However, ketamine may remain preferable for younger paediatric patients, on whom it places fewer demands for cooperation.
Accuracy of the Vesical Imaging–Reporting and Data System (VIRADS) for pre‐treatment staging of bladder cancer in an Australian cohort
Authors: Huang Shiwei , Bain James , Yiu Ting Wai , Gilbourd Daniel , Haxhimolla Hodo Z , Jain Tarun , Jyoti Rajeev
Published: August 2021

Introduction

To evaluate the performance of the Vesical Imaging–Reporting and Data System (VIRADS) in differentiating muscle‐invasive and non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer and whether this reporting system improves inter‐reader agreement.

Methods

Sixty‐four cases of multiparametric 3 tesla bladder MRI from January 2014 to May 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. T2‐weighted, diffusion and post‐contrast images were reviewed. All magnetic resonance images were reported by a radiologist with 15 years’ experience (Reader 1) and a final year radiology trainee with a special interest in urogenital imaging with 3 years of experience (Reader 2). Both readers were blinded to clinical history and histopathology results when scoring each lesion.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity for differentiating MIBC and NMIBC were 91% and 68%, respectively, for Reader 1 and 91% and 63%, respectively, for Reader 2. The inter‐reader agreement for assigning VIRADS scores was 0.79. The area under the receiver operator curve for Reader 1 and 2 were not significantly different (Reader 1 = 0.79, Reader 2 = 0.77, P = 0.83).

Conclusions

Staging of bladder cancer prior to treatment can be accurately and reliably diagnosed using VIRADS, a novel, standardised reporting system for bladder MRI.
Environmental, social and governance factors and assessing firm value: valuation, signalling and stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Huang Danny Zhao‐Xiang
Published: August 2021

Research continues to uncover gaps in shareholders' consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment decision‐making. With no one theory able to explain this process, this paper offers three inter‐related perspectives. First, from a valuation viewpoint, it is not clear how ESG factors are incorporated into earnings forecasts. Second, referencing agency and signalling theories, ESG may reduce information asymmetry between management–agents and shareholder–principals. Third, stakeholder and institutional theories situate ESG in a complex multi‐actor, multi‐interest, environment. Further research may reveal the conditions under which ESG information provides signals that augment shareholder assessment of long‐term firm value.
IL‐37 regulates allergic inflammation by counterbalancing pro‐inflammatory IL‐1 and IL‐33
Authors: Schröder Alexandra , Lunding Lars P. , Zissler Ulrich M. , Vock Christina , Webering Sina , Ehlers Johanna C. , Orinska Zane , Chaker Adam , Schmidt‐Weber Carsten B. , Lang Niklas J. , Schiller Herbert B. , Mall Marcus A. , Fehrenbach Heinz , Dinarello Charles A. , Wegmann Michael
Published: August 2021

Background

Children with asthma have impaired production of interleukin (IL) 37; in mice, IL‐37 reduces hallmarks of experimental allergic asthma (EAA). However, it remains unclear how IL‐37 exerts its inhibitory properties in asthma. This study aimed to identify the mechanism(s) by which IL‐37 controls allergic inflammation.

Methods

IL‐37 target cells were identified by single‐cell RNA‐seq of IL‐1R5 and IL‐1R8. Airway tissues were isolated by laser‐capture microdissection and examined by microarray‐based gene expression analysis. Mononuclear cells (MNC) and airway epithelial cells (AECs) were isolated and stimulated with allergen, IL‐1β, or IL‐33 together with recombinant human (rh) IL‐37. Wild‐type, IL‐1R1– and IL‐33–deficient mice with EAA were treated with rhIL‐37. IL‐1β, IL‐33, and IL‐37 levels were determined in sputum and nasal secretions from adult asthma patients without glucocorticoid therapy.

Results

IL‐37 target cells included AECs, T cells, and dendritic cells. In mice with EAA, rhIL‐37 led to differential expression of >90 genes induced by IL‐1β and IL‐33. rhIL‐37 reduced production of Th2 cytokines in allergen‐activated MNCs from wild‐type but not from IL‐1R1–deficient mice and inhibited IL‐33–induced Th2 cytokine release. Furthermore, rhIL‐37 attenuated IL‐1β– and IL‐33–induced pro‐inflammatory mediator expression in murine AEC cultures. In contrast to wild‐type mice, hIL‐37 had no effect on EAA in IL‐1R1– or IL‐33–deficient mice. We also observed that expression/production ratios of both IL‐1β and IL‐33 to IL‐37 were dramatically increased in asthma patients compared to healthy controls.

Conclusion

IL‐37 downregulates allergic airway inflammation by counterbalancing the disease‐amplifying effects of IL‐1β and IL‐33.
Improvement to the subjective well‐being of pet ownership may have positive psychological influence during COVID‐19 epidemic
Authors: Xin Xing , Cheng Ling , Li Shufang , Feng Ling , Xin Yinjuan , Wang Shaoshuai
Published: August 2021

The COVID‐19 epidemic and government intervention measures may have adverse effects on people's mental health. To explore the influence of pets on the intervention of people's psychological problems during the COVID‐19 epidemic, an online survey was carried out between April 9 and April 29, 2020. A total of 756 participants replied to this questionnaire. Mental health variables were assessed, and the comparison of behavior changes among pet owners and pets on positive mental well‐being during COVID‐19 epidemic. Comparative analysis was performed; compared with individuals without pets (n = 575), pet owners (n = 181) had a higher prevalence of insomnia (p = 0.006). Living in Wuhan city was a risk factor for people with psychological stress (p < 0.05). Dog owners exhibited lower than average scores of insomnia and uncertainty of infection than cat owners (p = 0.004). People with more than one pet exhibited lower than average scores of depression than having one pet (p = 0.040). For analysis of psychological effects of pets on people, the role of pets in subjective feeling and positive psychological changes of pet owner was significantly different. Pet owners relieve that psychological pressure through behavioral changes towards their pets in early stage. Pets provided positive subjective well‐being and psychological effects for their owners.
Racial inequities in the course of treating perinatal mental health challenges: Results from listening to mothers in California
Authors: Declercq Eugene , Feinberg Emily , Belanoff Candice
Published: August 2021

Background

Concern with depression during the perinatal period has resulted in multiple states enacting legislation to require universal screening of mothers for postpartum depression. Despite this concern, rates of women receiving mental health counseling during pregnancy and postpartum remain low. This study examines factors, especially inequities in race/ethnicity, associated with receiving perinatal mental health counseling.

Methods

This study draws on data from the Listening to Mothers in California survey of 2539 women, based on a representative sample of birth certificate files of women who gave birth in 2016. The survey included a series of mental health questions, based on the 4‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐4), and questions on the receipt of counseling, whether a practitioner asked respondents about their mental health, and whether the respondent was taking medications for anxiety or depression.

Results

We found non‐Latina Black women to experience both higher rates of prenatal depressive symptoms and significantly lower use of postpartum counseling services and medications than non‐Latina White women. Among women with depressive symptoms, those asked by a practitioner about their mental health status reported a 46% rate of counseling compared with 20% who were not asked, and in a multivariable analysis, those asked were almost six times more likely (aOR 5.96; 95% CI 1.6‐21.7) to report counseling.

Discussion

These findings lend evidence to those advocating for state laws requiring universal screening for depressive symptoms to reduce inequities and help address the underuse of counseling services among all women with depressive symptoms, particularly women of color.
A polygenic risk score for asthma in a large racially diverse population
Authors: Sordillo Joanne E. , Lutz Sharon M. , Jorgenson Eric , Iribarren Carlos , McGeachie Michael , Dahlin Amber , Tantisira Kelan , Kelly Rachel , Lasky‐Su Jessica , Sakornsakolpat Phuwanat , Moll Matthew , Cho Michael H. , Wu Ann Chen
Published: August 2021

Background

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) will have important utility for asthma and other chronic diseases as a tool for predicting disease incidence and subphenotypes.

Objective

We utilized findings from a large multiancestry GWAS of asthma to compute a PRS for asthma with relevance for racially diverse populations.

Methods

We derived two PRSs for asthma using a standard approach (based on genome‐wide significant variants) and a lasso sum regression approach (allowing all genetic variants to potentially contribute). We used data from the racially diverse Kaiser Permanente GERA cohort (68 638 non‐Hispanic Whites, 5874 Hispanics, 6870 Asians and 2760 Blacks). Race was self‐reported by questionnaire.

Results

For the standard PRS, non‐Hispanic Whites showed the highest odds ratio for a standard deviation increase in PRS for asthma (OR = 1.16 (95% CI 1.14–1.18)). The standard PRS was also associated with asthma in Hispanic (OR = 1.12 (95% CI 1.05–1.19)) and Asian (OR = 1.10 (95% CI 1.04–1.17)) subjects, with a trend towards increased risk in Blacks (OR = 1.05 (95% CI 0.97–1.15)). We detected an interaction by sex, with men showing a higher risk of asthma with an increase in PRS as compared to women. The lasso sum regression–derived PRS showed stronger associations with asthma in non‐Hispanic White subjects (OR = 1.20 (95% CI 1.18–1.23)), Hispanics (OR = 1.17 (95% 1.10–1.26)), Asians (OR = 1.18 (95% CI 1.10–1.27)) and Blacks (OR = 1.10 (95% CI 0.99–1.22)).

Conclusion

Polygenic risk scores across multiple racial/ethnic groups were associated with increased asthma risk, suggesting that PRSs have potential as a tool for predicting disease development.
The Diplomatic Museum: A Latourian Perspective on the Civic Role of Museums
Authors: Portin Fredrik , Grinell Klas
Published: August 2021

This article offers a Latourian perspective on ICOM’s new definition of a museum. It argues that a thorough understanding of politics as a public practice is needed in order to make the definition practically applicable. The task of the museum will accordingly vary depending on how the meaning of a museum as a “democratising, inclusive and polyphonic” space is explicated. Here a hitherto unchartered aspect of Latour’s political philosophy within museum studies is used to investigate the political nature of museums. It is argued that the new definition calls for museums that are diplomatic institutions open to the public, representing the social and its tangible and intangible heritage with a hope for peace, for the mediation of social tensions.
Diminishing potential for tropical reefs to function as coral diversity strongholds under climate change conditions
Authors: Adam Arne A. S. , Garcia Rodrigo A. , Galaiduk Ronen , Tomlinson Sean , Radford Ben , Thomas Luke , Richards Zoe T.
Published: August 2021

Aim

Forecasting the influence of climate change on coral biodiversity and reef functioning is important for informing policy decisions. Dominance shifts, tropicalization and local extinctions are common responses of climate change, but uncertainty surrounds the reliability of predicted coral community transformations. Here, we use species distribution models (SDMs) to assess changes in suitable coral habitat and associated patterns in biodiversity across Western Australia (WA) under present‐day and future climate scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5).

Location

Coral reef systems and communities in WA.

Methods

We developed SDMs with model prediction uncertainty analyses, using specimen‐based occurrence records of 188 hermatypic scleractinian coral species and seven variables to estimate present‐day and future changes to coral species distribution and biodiversity patterns in WA under climate change conditions.

Results

We found that suitable habitat is predicted to increase across all regions in WA under , and scenarios with all tropical and subtropical regions remaining coral biodiversity strongholds. Under the extreme scenario, however, a clear tropicalization trend could be observed with coral species expanding their range to mid‐high latitude regions, while a substantial drop in coral species richness was predicted at low latitude tropical coral reefs, such as the inshore Kimberley and offshore NW reefs. Despite the predicted expansion south, we identified a net decline in coral biodiversity across the WA coastline.

Main conclusions

Results from the models predicted higher net coral biodiversity loss at low latitude tropical regions compared with net gains at mid‐high latitude regions under . These results are likely to be representative of latitudinal trends across the Southern Hemisphere and highlight that increases in habitat suitability at higher latitudes may not lead to equivalent biodiversity benefits. Urgent action is needed to limit climate change to prevent spatial erosion of tropical coral communities, extinction events and loss of tropical ecosystem services.
Effects of empagliflozin on insulin initiation or intensification in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Findings from the EMPA‐REG OUTCOME trial
Authors: Vaduganathan Muthiah , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Sattar Naveed , Fitchett David H. , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Brueckmann Martina , George Jyothis T. , Verma Subodh , Mattheus Michaela , Wanner Christoph , Zinman Bernard , Butler Javed
Published: August 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effects of empagliflozin versus placebo on subsequent insulin initiation or dosing changes in a large cardiovascular outcomes trial.

Materials and Methods

In EMPA‐REG OUTCOME, 7020 patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease received empagliflozin 10 mg, 25 mg, or placebo. Median follow‐up was 3.1 years. After 12 weeks of treatment, changes in background antihyperglycaemic therapy were permitted. Among insulin‐naïve patients, we assessed the effects of pooled empagliflozin arms versus placebo on time to initiation of insulin. Among insulin‐treated patients, we assessed effects on time to an increase or decrease in insulin dose of more than 20%.

Results

In 3633 (52%) participants not treated with insulin at baseline, empagliflozin reduced new use of insulin versus placebo by 60% (7.1% vs. 16.4%; adjusted HR 0.40 [95% CI 0.32‐0.49]; P < .0001). In 3387 (48%) patients using insulin at baseline, empagliflozin reduced the need for a greater than 20% insulin dose increase by 58% (14.4% vs. 29.3%; adjusted HR 0.42 [95% CI 0.36‐0.49]; P < .0001) and increased the proportion achieving sustained greater than 20% insulin dose reductions without subsequent increases in HbA1c compared with placebo (9.2% vs. 4.9%; adjusted HR 1.87 [95% CI: 1.39‐2.51]; P < .0001). Sensitivity analyses confirmed consistent findings when insulin dose changes of more than 10% or more than 30% were considered.

Conclusions

In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, empagliflozin markedly and durably delays insulin initiation and substantial increases in insulin dose, while facilitating sustained reductions in insulin requirements over time.
Development as non‐migration? Examining normative and policy coherence in EU external action on migration and development
Authors: Berger Alexandra
Published: August 2021

Motivation

Within the efforts of the European Union (EU) to govern migration, the nexus between migration and development has moved centre stage. Analysing how the EU has approached the migration–development nexus in its foreign policy from the perspective of policy coherence for development (PCD) allows this study to examine how far the EU migration–development nexus is coherent at the policy and normative level.

Purpose

How does the EU conceptualize PCD? To what extent does the EU's external action in the migration–development nexus strengthen or undermine its normative commitment to coherence for development?

Methods and approach

This article develops a conceptual framework of overall coherence for development, which consists of: (a) policy coherence; and (b) normative coherence for development. Both aspects are analysed through a qualitative content analysis of 18 expert interviews and EU policy documents.

Findings

The analysis shows that the EU perceives PCD as a policy‐making tool and a technical mechanism to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, the EU's approach to the migration–development nexus is incoherent both at the policy and the normative levels. In its policies, much of the focus is on containment of migration to Europe. At the normative level, the EU proclaims a sedentary and place‐bound notion of development.

Policy implications

The article contributes to the current debates on PCD in the EU and on the EU's external action in the migration–development nexus. In order to foster PCD, the EU should approach the migration–development nexus more holistically.
Landscape drivers of pests and pathogens abundance in arable crops
Authors: Delaune Thomas , Ouattara Malick S. , Ballot Rémy , Sausse Christophe , Felix Irène , Maupas Fabienne , Chen Mathilde , Morison Muriel , Makowski David , Barbu Corentin
Published: August 2021

Farmers' use of fungicides and insecticides constitutes a major threat to biodiversity that is also endangering agriculture itself. Landscapes could be designed to take advantage of the dependencies of pests, pathogens and their natural enemies on elements of the landscape. Yet the complexity of the interactions makes it difficult to establish general rules. In our study, we sought to characterize the impact of the landscape on pest and pathogen prevalence, taking into account both crop and semi‐natural areas. We drew on a nine‐year national survey of 30 major pests and pathogens of arable crops, distributed throughout the latitudes of metropolitan France. We performed binomial LASSO generalized linear regressions on the pest and pathogen prevalence as a function of the landscape composition in a total of 39 880 field × year × pest observation series. We observed a strong disequilibrium between the number of pests or pathogens favored (15) and disadvantaged (2) by the area of their host crop in the landscape during the previous growing season. The impact of the host crop area during the ongoing growing season was different on pests than on pathogens: the density of most pathogens increased (11 of 17, and no decreases) while the density of a small majority of pests decreased (7 of 13, and four increases). We also found that woodlands, scrublands, hedgerows and grasslands did not have a consistent effect on the studied spectrum of pests and pathogens. Although overall the estimated effect of the landscape is small compared to the effect of the climate, a territorial coordination that generally favors crop diversity but excludes a crop at risk in a given year might prove useful in reducing pesticide use.

Short abstract

We sought to identify general rules characterizing the impact of the landscape on the prevalence of pests and pathogens of arable crops. We showed that the host crop area is consistently correlated with increased pressure of the pests and pathogens the following growing season. Correlations of pests and pathogens with host crop areas in the same year or with semi‐natural components of the landscape (grasslands, hedgerows and forests) are less consistent and depend on the functional traits of the organisms involved.
Functional trait dimensions of trophic metacommunities
Authors: Bauer Barbara , Kleyer Michael , Albach Dirk C. , Blasius Bernd , Brose Ulrich , Ferreira‐Arruda Thalita , Feudel Ulrike , Gerlach Gabriele , Hof Christian , Kreft Holger , Kuczynski Lucie , Lõhmus Kertu , Moorthi Stefanie , Scherber Christoph , Scheu Stefan , Zotz Gerhard , Hillebrand Helmut
Published: August 2021

Metacommunity ecology currently lacks a consistent functional trait perspective across trophic levels. To foster new cross‐taxa experiments and field studies, we present hypotheses on how three trait dimensions change along gradients of density of individuals, resource supply and habitat isolation. The movement dimension refers to the ability to move and navigate in space, the tolerance dimension addresses the ability to tolerate prevailing environmental conditions and the interaction dimension aggregates the abilities to acquire resources in competition with other species, to defend against consumers or to profit from other species by mutualism and facilitation. In multi‐trophic studies, functionally analogous traits associated to these dimensions need to be defined across taxa and measured. The dimensions represent subnetworks of strongly correlated traits within the overall phenotypic trait network. These subnetworks can be aggregated to trait modules using dimension reduction techniques. We demonstrate how to derive dimensions from species distributions and trait correlation networks, using salt marshes as an example. We hypothesize that at the single‐community scale, investments by organisms in the tolerance dimension increase with decreasing resource supply. Investments to the interaction dimension increase with increasing density. Communities with densely packed individuals are characterized by convergence under equal competition and by increasing divergence under stabilizing and equalizing competition. At the metacommunity scale, trade‐offs between the movement dimension and the interaction dimension shape the community functional composition. Biomass removal by consumers act as an equalizing factor and increase divergence in the interaction and movement dimension, particularly in well‐connected habitats. As future research directions to advance functional metacommunity ecology, we propose investigating 1) the feasibility of using dimensions as broad generalizations of multiple functions in different meta‐ecosystems, 2) functional trait analogues across taxa, 3) dimension responses and effects on gradients of meta‐ecosystems and 4) matching of functionally analogous traits between trophic levels.
Density dependence and spatial heterogeneity limit the population growth rate of invasive pines at the landscape scale
Authors: Sprague Rowan , Hulme Philip E. , Moltchanova Elena , Godsoe William
Published: August 2021

Determining population growth across large scales is difficult because it is often impractical to collect data at large scales and over long timespans. Instead, the growth of a population is often only measured at a small, plot‐level scale and then extrapolated to derive a mean field estimate. However, this approach is prone to error since it simplifies spatial processes such as the neighbourhood effects of density and dispersal. We present a novel approach that estimates how spatial processes derived from the effects of density and dispersal affect population growth between plot scales and landscape scales. The method is based on a scale transition theory and calculates a transition term to measure the spatial scaling of population growth, which we extend to unstable, expanding populations in order to assess whether landscape‐scale population dynamics are different from those estimated at smaller spatial scales. We illustrate this approach using aerial imagery of eight locations in New Zealand experiencing non‐native pine invasions. Analyses examined the dynamics at a plot scale (1 ha) and compared this to estimates across entire landscapes (between 24 and 1600 ha), in several cases for more than one time period. We used a Bayesian spatial random effects model to examine population growth and to account for neighbourhood effects and dispersal between plots in a rapidly changing system.

We found that the estimates of the scale transition term were typically 10–25% of the mean field estimates, which led to mean field estimates of population growth extrapolated from plots being considerably higher than landscape estimates. The approach we have developed will not only have applications for predicting the populations' growth of invasive species, but also for studies examining the scaling of landscape‐scale phenomena.
Lessons learned from people with neurological diseases at the time of COVID‐19: The EFNA‐EAN survey
Authors: Bodini Benedetta , Moro Elena , Jaarsma Joke , Cunningham Elizabeth , Sellner Johann , Walsh Donna ,   the EANcore COVID‐19 Task Force
Published: August 2021

Background and purpose

The European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA), in partnership with the NeuroCOVID‐19 taskforce of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), has investigated the impact of the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic on individuals with neurological diseases, as well as the hopes and fears of these patients about the post‐pandemic phase.

Methods

An EFNA‐EAN survey was available online to any person living with a neurological disorder in Europe. It consisted of 18 items concerning the impact of the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the medical care of people with neurological disorders, and the hopes and fears of these individuals regarding the post‐pandemic phase.

Results

For 44.4% of the 443 survey participants, the overall care of their neurological disease during the pandemic was inappropriate. This perception was mainly due to significant delays in accessing medical care (25.7%), insufficiently reliable information received about the potential impact of COVID‐19 on their neurological disease (49.6%), and a substantial lack of involvement in their disease management decisions (54.3%). Participants indicated that their major concerns for the post‐pandemic phase were experiencing longer waiting times to see a specialist (24.1%), suffering from social isolation and deteriorating mental well‐being (23.1%), and facing delays in clinical trials with disinvestment in neuroscience research (13.1%).

Conclusions

Despite the great efforts of health services to cope with the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic, individuals with neurological conditions feel they have been left behind. These findings provide invaluable insights for improving the care of patients with neurological disorders in the further course of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Long‐term outcome in a noninvasive rat model of birth asphyxia with neonatal seizures: Cognitive impairment, anxiety, epilepsy, and structural brain alterations
Authors: Gailus Björn , Naundorf Hannah , Welzel Lisa , Johne Marie , Römermann Kerstin , Kaila Kai , Löscher Wolfgang
Published: August 2021

Objective

Birth asphyxia is a major cause of hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates and often associated with mortality, neonatal seizures, brain damage, and later life motor, cognitive, and behavioral impairments and epilepsy. Preclinical studies on rodent models are needed to develop more effective therapies for preventing HIE and its consequences. Thus far, the most popular rodent models have used either exposure of intact animals to hypoxia‐only, or a combination of hypoxia and carotid occlusion, for the induction of neonatal seizures and adverse outcomes. However, such models lack systemic hypercapnia, which is a fundamental constituent of birth asphyxia with major effects on neuronal excitability. Here, we use a recently developed noninvasive rat model of birth asphyxia with subsequent neonatal seizures to study later life adverse outcome.

Methods

Intermittent asphyxia was induced for 30 min by exposing male and female postnatal day 11 rat pups to three 7 + 3‐min cycles of 9% and 5% O2 at constant 20% CO2. All pups exhibited convulsive seizures after asphyxia. A set of behavioral tests were performed systematically over 14 months following asphyxia, that is, a large part of the rat's life span. Video‐electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring was used to determine whether asphyxia led to the development of epilepsy. Finally, structural brain alterations were examined.

Results

The animals showed impaired spatial learning and memory and increased anxiety when tested at an age of 3–14 months. Video‐EEG at ~10 months showed an abundance of spontaneous seizures, which was paralleled by neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and thalamus, and by aberrant mossy fiber sprouting.

Significance

The present model of birth asphyxia recapitulates several of the later life consequences associated with human HIE. This model thus allows evaluation of the efficacy of novel therapies designed to prevent HIE and seizures following asphyxia, and of how such therapies might alleviate long‐term adverse consequences.
Intra‐articular administration of antibiotics in horses: Justifications, risks, reconsideration of use and outcomes
Authors: Pezzanite Lynn M. , Hendrickson Dean A. , Dow Steven , Stoneback Jason , Chow Lyndah , Krause Danielle , Goodrich Laurie
Published: August 2021

Antibiotics have been injected intra‐articularly by equine veterinarians for decades, either prophylactically when other drugs are administered for osteoarthritis or therapeutically to treat septic arthritis. This route of administration has also more recently gained attention in human orthopaedic clinical practice, particularly as an alternative to systemic antibiotic administration to treat infections following prosthetic arthroplasty. While the rationale for injecting antibiotics intra‐articularly has been largely focused on achieving high local drug concentrations, there has been relatively little focus on pharmacokinetic parameters of antibiotics administered by this route, or on the potential for local toxicity. The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance in veterinary and human medicine prompts reconsideration of off‐label antibiotic usage and evaluation of evidence‐based dosing strategies. The purpose of this review was to summarise the current literature describing intra‐articular antibiotic usage, including specific studies where pharmacokinetics, potential safety and toxicity have been evaluated. This review will advance practitioners’ understanding of the use of intra‐articularly administered antibiotics, including the overall pros and cons of the approach.
Early prediction and monitoring of sepsis using sequential long short term memory model
Authors: Sharma Deepak Kumar , Lakhotia Parul , Sain Paras , Brahmachari Shikha
Published: August 2021

Sepsis is a severe life‐threatening disease, which is the body's extreme reverberation to any virus leading to failed organs, damaged tissue, or death. It requires accurate and efficient real‐time detection. Continuous and potent monitoring of patient health data can be useful in predicting the potential risks the patient might be exposed to, based on their recent history of medical records. Machine learning models have proven to be a significant approach in performing accurate and precise predictions, especially in the medical field. In this paper, a smart network with a long short term memory (LSTM) based model at its heart is proposed for early prediction of Sepsis for patients admitted in the ICU. The network operates on time series data and predicts the probability of a patient developing sepsis based on the historical medical data of the patient. It comprises Internet of Things based devices which have proven to be impactful in the areas of acquiring continuous and real‐time data in the healthcare field. In this paper, an architecture for early prediction and monitoring Sepsis with minimized latency through LSTM network is proposed by designing a decentralized prediction model in a fog‐based environment. The model had an accuracy of 95.1% after the last epoch with validation accuracy as 95%. The receiver operating characteristic curve area was reported as 0.864 for testing data with an accuracy of 95.1%. The model was not over‐fitted since the validation accuracy was significantly close to the training accuracy of the model.
Inhibition of biofilm formation, adhesion and invasion in Caco‐2 cells by foodborne pathogens using phyto‐mediated synthesised silver nanoparticles from industrial wastes
Authors: Paosen Supakit , Wunnoo Suttiwan , Bilhman Siwaporn , Lethongkam Sakkarin , Wira Septama Abdi , Piyawan Voravuthikunchai Supayang
Published: August 2021

Certain foodborne diseases are associated with antibiotic resistance, a significant problem throughout the world. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using industrial waste from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and sericin, a protein derived from Bombyx mori, were synthesised by a one‐step approach. Spherical‐shaped nanoparticles with the average size of 17.19 nm exhibited strong antioxidant activity. The minimum bactericidal concentrations against foodborne pathogens including Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhimurium, Shigella sonnei, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were between 2.96 and 11.83 µg/mL. Killing against L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 was observed within 4 h. Treatment with AgNPs at 0.25 – 0.5 × MIC significantly reduced biofilm production in all isolates (P < 0.05). AgNPs significantly impeded adhesion to and invasion of human epithelial Caco‐2 cells by L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 (P < 0.05). Biocompatibility assessment of AgNPs with Caco‐2 and human red blood cells demonstrated no toxic effects.
Transcriptome profiling reveals sex‐specific gene expressions in pupal and adult stages of the mosquito Culex pipiens
Authors: Martynova T. , Kamanda P. , Sim C.
Published: August 2021

Understanding the development process of male and female mosquitoes provides important basic information for sterile insect release programmes and is important for improving other vector control strategies. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that distinguish male from female‐specific developmental processes in this species. We used IlluminaRNA‐seq to identify sex‐specific genes during pupal and adult stages. One hundred and forty‐seven genes were expressed only in pupal males, 56 genes were expressed in adult males and another 82 genes were commonly expressed in both male samples. In addition, 26 genes were expressed only in the pupal females, 163 genes were found in the adult females and only one gene was expressed in both female samples. A further quantitative real‐time PCR validation of selected genes from the RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis confirmed upregulation of those genes in a sex‐specific manner, including: fibrinogen and fibronectin, a zinc finger protein, phospholipase A(2) and a serine protein for female pupae; venom allergen 3, a perlecan, testis‐specific serine/threonine‐protein kinase 1, testis‐specific serine/threonine‐protein kinase 6 and cytochrome c‐2 for male pupae; a salivary protein, D7 protein precursor, trypsin 7 precursor, D7 protein and nanos for female adults; and tetraspanin F139, cytosol aminopeptidase, testis‐specific serine/threonine‐protein kinase 1, a testis‐specific serine/threonine‐protein kinase 6 and a C‐type lectin for male adults. These findings provide insight into the development and physiology of Culex mosquitoes, which will help in the development of more effective control methods for these disease vectors.