bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of cotton parameters on sensorial comfort of woven fabrics
Authors: Atalie Desalegn , Rotich Gideon Kipchirchir
Published: July 2020

Purpose

For cloths having direct contact with the skin, comfort properties are a priority than the physical and mechanical properties. Innerwear clothes should induce pleasant feelings because they have a direct influence on human psychological satisfaction, health and work efficiency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of cotton fiber parameters on the sensorial comfort of woven fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

Four types of cotton fiber with different fineness, mean length, uniformity index, short fiber content, strength and elongation were used to develop yarns used to weave fabric samples. Kawabata evaluation system (KES) was used to analyze the fabrics’ sensorial comfort.

Findings

Results showed that cotton fiber parameters have a significant effect on surface friction and roughness properties. Low stress tensile, tensile resilience and tensile strain properties were affected by fiber micronaire, mean length, uniformity index, short fiber content, fiber strength and elongation. However, fabric shear, bending and compression properties were least dependent on fiber parameters. The correlation of the dependent variable and the independent variable was also statistically analyzed and reported. From the results, it was shown that cotton fiber parameters play a significant role in woven fabrics’ sensorial comfort.

Originality/value

The cloths that are in contact with the skin can be developed using the results of these studies to feel pleasant. This will, in turn, have a direct effect on the customer's psychological satisfaction, health and work performance.
Removing barriers: textbook affordability and OER at Sinclair community college
Authors: Walsh Andrew Joseph
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of the library at a large, urban community college in the institution’s textbook affordability initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study details the contributions of the Sinclair Community College library to affordability on campus, including participating in a major open educational resources (OER) grant initiative; providing consulting and support for faculty and staff; and providing leadership for training and outreach relating to other affordability measures.

Findings

The library’s efforts have significantly contributed to Sinclair’s widespread adoption of OER and other alternate textbook models that have saved over $1.5m for students annually.

Originality/value

This paper is a valuable contribution to the affordability discussion because of the degree to which Sinclair has adopted OER; the role of librarians collaborating with key stakeholders; and its focus on the community college population, a diverse and fast-growing sector with particular needs and challenges.
An experimental study of carbonyl powder power inductor cracking during reflow process
Authors: Rehman Faisal , Asghar Rafiq , Iqbal Kashif , Aman Ali , Nawaz Agha Ali
Published: July 2020

Purpose

In surface mount assembly (SMA) process, small components are subjected to high temperature variations, which result in components’ deformation and cracking. Because of this phenomenon, cracks are formed in the body of carbonyl powder ceramic inductor (CPCI) in the preheat and cooling stages of the reflow oven. These cracks become the main cause of board failure in the ageing process. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the thermal stress, thermal expansion of carbonyl iron ceramics and its effects on crack commencement and proliferation in the preheat stage of reflow oven. Moreover, this paper also categorized and suggested important parameters of reflow profile that could be used to eliminate these thermal shock failures.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, two different reflow profiles were studied that evaluate the thermal shock of CPCI during varying ΔT at the preheat zone of the reflow oven. In the first profile, the change in temperature ΔT at preheat zone was set to 3.26°C/s, which has resulted in a number of device failures because of migration of micro cracks through the CPCI. In the second profile, this ΔT at preheat stage is minimized to 2.06°C/s that eliminated the thermal stresses; hence, the failure rates were significantly reduced.

Findings

TMPC0618H series lead (Pb)-free CPCI is selected for this study and its thermal expansion and thermal shock are observed in the reflow process. It is inferred from the results that high ΔT at preheat zone generates cracks in the carbonyl powder-type ceramics that cause device failure in the board ageing process. Comparing materials, carbonyl powder ceramic components are less resistant to thermal shock and a lower rate of temperature change is desirable.

Originality/value

The proposed study presents an experimental analysis for mitigating the thermal shock defects. The realization of the proposed approach is validated with experimental data from the printed circuit boards manufacturing process.
Performance of Bt‐susceptible and ‐heterozygous dual‐gene resistant genotypes of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in seed blends of non‐Bt and pyramided Bt maize
Authors: Dimase Marcelo , Brown Sebe , Head Graham P. , Price Paula A. , Walker Wade , Yu Wenbo , Huang Fangneng
Published: July 2020

A seed blend refuge has been implemented in the U.S. Corn Belt for Bt maize resistance management. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a target pest of Bt maize in the Americas. The larvae of this pest are mobile, which may affect the efficacy of seed blend refuges. In this study, field and greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the performance of Bt‐susceptible (aabb) and ‐heterozygous dual‐gene‐resistant (AaBb) genotypes of S. frugiperda in seed blends of non‐Bt and pyramided Bt maize. Three field trials evaluated larval survival, larval growth, and plant injury with aabb in seed blends of Bt maize expressing Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2/Vip3A with 0–30% non‐Bt seeds. Greenhouse tests investigated the performance of aabb and AaBb in seed blends of Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2 with 0–30% non‐Bt seeds. In pure non‐Bt maize plots, after 9–13 d of neonates being released on the plants, 0.39 and 0.65 larvae/plant survived with leaf injury ratings of 4.7 and 5.9 (Davis's 1–9 scale) in the field and greenhouse, respectively. In contrast, live larvae and plant injury were virtually not observed on Bt plants across all planting patterns. Larval occurrence and plant injury by aabb on non‐Bt plants were similar between seed blends and pure non‐Bt plantings, suggesting that the blended refuges could provide an equivalent susceptible population as structured refuge under the test conditions. In the greenhouse, the two insect genotypes in seed blends performed similarly, indicating that the seed blends did not provide more favorable conditions for AaBb over aabb. The information generated from this study should be useful in managing S. frugiperda and evaluating if send blends could be suitable refuge options for Bt resistance management in the regions where the insect is a primary target pest.
Tagsteady: A metabarcoding library preparation protocol to avoid false assignment of sequences to samples
Authors: Carøe Christian , Bohmann Kristine
Published: July 2020

Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) and DNA extracted from bulk specimen samples is a powerful tool in studies of biodiversity, diet and ecological interactions as its inherent labelling of amplicons allows sequencing of taxonomically informative genetic markers from many samples in parallel. However, the occurrence of so‐called ‘tag‐jumps’ can cause incorrect assignment of sequences to samples and artificially inflate diversity. Two steps during library preparation of pools of 5ʹ nucleotide‐tagged amplicons have been suggested to cause tag‐jumps: (a) T4 DNA polymerase blunt‐ending in the end‐repair step and (b) postligation PCR amplification of amplicon libraries. The discovery of tag‐jumps has led to recommendations to only carry out metabarcoding PCR amplifications with primers carrying twin‐tags to ensure that tag‐jumps cannot result in false assignments of sequences to samples. As this increases both cost and workload, a metabarcoding library preparation protocol which circumvents the two steps that causes tag‐jumps is needed. Here, we demonstrate Tagsteady, a PCR‐free metabarcoding Illumina library preparation protocol for pools of nucleotide‐tagged amplicons that enables efficient and cost‐effective generation of metabarcoding data with virtually no tag‐jumps. We use pools of twin‐tagged amplicons to investigate the effect of T4 DNA polymerase blunt‐ending and postligation PCR on the occurrence of tag‐jumps and demonstrate that both blunt‐ending and postligation PCR, alone or together, can result in detrimental amounts of tag‐jumps (here, up to ca. 49% of total sequences), while leaving both steps out (the Tagsteady protocol) results in amounts of sequences carrying new combinations of used tags (tag‐jumps) comparable to background contamination.
Do capital expenditures influence earnings performance: Evidence from loss‐making firms
Authors: Kim Sungsoo , Saha Amitav , Bose Sudipta
Published: July 2020

We examine the association between capital expenditures and near‐term earnings performance for loss‐making firms. Using a sample of 24,030 firm‐year observations from 2006 to 2015, we find that loss‐making firms show different patterns of capital expenditures than profit‐making firms. Moreover, we find that capital expenditures of loss‐making firms have a greater influence on the absolute value of near‐term earnings performance. We also examine the effect of capital expenditures on stock compensation and find a positive association between them for profit‐making firms but not for loss‐making firms. Further, our results indicate that the negative association between capital expenditures and near‐term earnings performance for loss‐making firms is not conditional on the monitoring by institutional investors and creditors. Our findings contribute to the debate on capital expenditure accounting in loss‐making firms.
Phenology of a bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) community over a 10 year period in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Neave Michael J , Brown Julian , Batley Michael , Rao Sujaya , Cunningham Saul A
Published: July 2020

Bee responses to anthropogenic disturbances have received much recent attention in scientific literature. These studies typically involve 1–3 years of sampling along spatial gradients of disturbance, though occasionally greater temporal replication and/or longer time periods are used at the expense of spatial replication. We surveyed bees using a blue vane trap during spring, summer and autumn from 2008 to 2017 at one location in Canberra, Australia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest near‐continuous record of bee activity in the southern hemisphere. We use these data to describe the temporal dynamics of the bee community, which was characterised by high annual variability in overall abundance, richness and composition and a negative correlation between spring rainfall and bee activity. The phenologies of abundant species are also described. Our findings relate only to our study site but are similar to findings from other long‐term studies conducted in the northern hemisphere, which collectively present a picture of high natural variability in bee communities that must be considered when interpreting findings of bee responses to anthropogenic disturbances.
Digging deep and running dry—the adoption of borewell technology in the face of climate change and urbanization
Authors: Steinhübel Linda , Wegmann Johannes , Mußhoff Oliver
Published: July 2020

In this article, we analyze the effects of household location and weather variability on the adoption of borewell technology along the rural–urban interface of Bangalore, India. Understanding these effects can help to design policies that ensure smallholders’ livelihoods and the functioning of ecosystems in drought‐prone areas. First, a theoretical framework was developed that conceptualizes how household location and weather can influence farmers’ adoption decisions. Then, an empirical analysis based on a primary data set collected in 2016 and 2017, covering 576 farm households, was conducted. With a semiparametric hazard rate model, determinants of the borewell adoption rate were analyzed. Different rainfall variables were included to capture the effect of changing climate conditions as well as a two‐dimensional penalized spline (P‐spline) to estimate the effects of household location. Results show that proximity to Bangalore, but also secondary towns accelerate adoption rates. In terms of weather variability, the study finds that a higher amount of total annual rainfall decelerates adoption rates, whereas higher amounts of rainfall during the southwest monsoon (the most important cropping season) accelerate adoption.
Food‐induced immediate response of the esophagus—A newly identified syndrome in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Biedermann Luc , Holbreich Mark , Atkins Dan , Chehade Mirna , Dellon Evan S. , Furuta Glenn T. , Hirano Ikuo , Gonsalves Nirmala , Greuter Thomas , Gupta Sandeep , Katzka David A. , De Rooij Willemijn , Safroneeva Ekaterina , Schoepfer Alain , Schreiner Philipp , Simon Dagmar , Simon Hans Uwe , Warners Marijn , Bredenoord Albert‐Jan , Straumann Alex
Published: July 2020

Background

Dysphagia is the main symptom of adult eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We describe a novel syndrome, referred to as “food‐induced immediate response of the esophagus” (FIRE), observed in EoE patients.

Methods

Food‐induced immediate response of the esophagus is an unpleasant/painful sensation, unrelated to dysphagia, occurring immediately after esophageal contact with specific foods. Eosinophilic esophagitis experts were surveyed to estimate the prevalence of FIRE, characterize symptoms, and identify food triggers. We also surveyed a large group of EoE patients enrolled in the Swiss EoE Cohort Study for FIRE.

Results

Response rates were 82% (47/57) for the expert and 65% (239/368) for the patient survey, respectively. Almost, 90% of EoE experts had observed the FIRE symptom complex in their patients. Forty percent of EoE patients reported experiencing FIRE, more commonly in patients who developed EoE symptoms at a younger age (mean age of 46.4 years vs 54.1 years without FIRE; P < .01) and in those with high allergic comorbidity. Food‐induced immediate response of the esophagus symptoms included narrowing, burning, choking, and pressure in the esophagus appearing within 5 minutes of ingesting a provoking food that lasted less than 2 hours. Symptom severity rated a median 7 points on a visual analogue scale from 1 to 10. Fresh fruits/vegetables and wine were the most frequent triggers. Endoscopic food removal was significantly more commonly reported in male patients with vs without FIRE (44.3% vs 27.6%; P = .03).

Conclusions

Food‐induced immediate response of the esophagus is a novel syndrome frequently reported in EoE patients, characterized by an intense, unpleasant/painful sensation occurring rapidly and reproducibly in 40% of surveyed EoE patients after esophageal contact with specific foods.
Factors associated with time to defecate and outcomes in critically ill patients: a prospective, multicentre, observational study
Authors: Launey Y. , Painvin B. , Roquilly A. , Dahyot‐Fizelier C. , Lasocki S. , Rousseau C. , Frasca D. , Gacouin A. , Seguin P.
Published: July 2020

Delayed defecation is common in patients on intensive care. We aimed to determine factors associated with time to defecation after admission to intensive care and in turn its association with length of stay and mortality. We studied 396 adults admitted to one of five intensive care units in whom at least 2 days’ invasive ventilation was anticipated during an expected stay of at least 3 days. The median (IQR [range]) time to defecate by the 336 out of 396 (84%) patients who did so before intensive care discharge was 6 (4‐8 [1–18]) days. Defecation was independently associated with five factors, hazard ratio (95%CI), higher values indicating more rapid defecation: alcoholism, 1.32 (1.05–1.66), p = 0.02; laxatives before admission, 2.35 (1.79–3.07), p < 0.001; non‐invasive ventilation, 0.54 (0.36–0.82), p = 0.004; duration of ventilation, 0.78 (0.74–0.82), p < 0.001; laxatives after admission, 1.67 (1.23–2.26), p < 0.001; and enteral nutrition within 48 h of admission, 1.43 (1.07–1.90), p = 0.01. Delayed defecation was associated with prolonged intensive care stay but not mortality.
The Effects of a Community Animation Program in a Rural Setting on the Participants’ Quality of Life
Authors: Ubillos‐Landa Silvia , Hortigüela‐Arroyo María , González‐Castro José Luis , Puente‐Martinez Alicia
Published: July 2020

Background

This study presents the evaluation of a Community Animation Program (CAP) conducted in a rural town in Spain aimed towards improving the participants’ Quality of Life. The program includes animation, culture, and leisure activities to improve not only the inhabitants’ Subjective Quality of Life but also social cohesion and enhance a sense of community belonging.

Methods

A repeated measure pre/post‐test design with an experimental and equivalent control group (55 participants per group) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the Program. Instruments included measures of Quality and Satisfaction of Life, Happiness, Positive and Negative Affect, Mental Health, Self‐esteem, Loneliness and Community Support. The number of participants practically included the whole universe of town members participating in community activities.

Results

The program improved the participants’ Quality of Life, with a stronger impact on the relational, community and environmental dimensions as well as psychological wellbeing. Community animation prevents isolation and loneliness and creates social cohesion. Social interactions improve life satisfaction of the participants.

Conclusion

The CAP enhances integration, leisure and interaction and generates more positive affect, happiness and social wellbeing. Promoting recreation centres and programs in rural settings may improve inhabitants’ health and general wellbeing as well as enhancing social connectedness.
Comparison of the Immunotherapy Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (iRECIST) with RECIST for capturing treatment response of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab
Authors: Fukuokaya Wataru , Kimura Takahiro , Yanagisawa Takafumi , Kimura Shoji , Tsuzuki Shunsuke , Koike Yuhei , Iwamoto Yuya , Enei Yuki , Tanaka Masatoshi , Urabe Fumihiko , Onuma Hajime , Honda Mariko , Miki Jun , Oyama Yu , Abe Hirokazu , Egawa Shin
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Immunotherapy Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (iRECIST) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) treated with pembrolizumab. The iRECIST is designed to accurately capture the tumour response treated with immunotherapy.

Patients and methods

We conducted a multicentre retrospective study evaluating the clinical utility of iRECIST in 91 patients with metastatic UC treated with second‐line pembrolizumab. The objective response (OR) and time to progression (TTP) in accordance with both iRECIST and RECIST version 1.1 were compared with overall survival (OS) and risk of all‐cause mortality, and analysed using log‐rank and multivariable Cox regression models, respectively. Predictive performance of the criteria was studied using Harrell’s concordance index (c‐index). The clinical usefulness of each criterion was compared using decision curve analysis.

Results

Of 57 patients with progressive disease per RECIST, a considerable number of patients were reclassified to immune stable disease (six, 10.5%), immune partial response (two, 3.5%), and immune complete response (two, 3.5%) per iRECIST. Multivariable Cox regression models showed that both OR (hazard ratio [HR] 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03–0.35; P = 0.001) and TTP (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46–0.77; P < 0.001) per iRECIST were significantly associated with all‐cause mortality. Furthermore, iRECIST had a significant, increased predictability of OS compared with RECIST (OR, c‐index: 0.70, increase: 0.04, P = 0.046; TTP, c‐index: 0.88, increase: 0.07, P = 0.039). On decision curve analysis, iRECIST presented better net benefit gains than did RECIST.

Conclusions

Compared with RECIST, iRECIST could more accurately predict OS of patients with metastatic UC treated with pembrolizumab. The iRECIST has the potential to be a new standard for tumour response evaluation of these patients.
The ARRIVE guidelines 2.0: Updated guidelines for reporting animal research
Authors: Percie du Sert Nathalie , Hurst Viki , Ahluwalia Amrita , Alam Sabina , Avey Marc T. , Baker Monya , Browne William J. , Clark Alejandra , Cuthill Innes C. , Dirnagl Ulrich , Emerson Michael , Garner Paul , Holgate Stephen T. , Howells David W. , Karp Natasha A. , Lazic Stanley E. , Lidster Katie , MacCallum Catriona J. , Macleod Malcolm , Pearl Esther J. , Petersen Ole H. , Rawle Frances , Reynolds Penny , Rooney Kieron , Sena Emily S. , Silberberg Shai D. , Steckler Thomas , Würbel Hanno
Published: July 2020

Reproducible science requires transparent reporting. The ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) were originally developed in 2010 to improve the reporting of animal research. They consist of a checklist of information to include in publications describing in vivo experiments to enable others to scrutinise the work adequately, evaluate its methodological rigour, and reproduce the methods and results. Despite considerable levels of endorsement by funders and journals over the years, adherence to the guidelines has been inconsistent, and the anticipated improvements in the quality of reporting in animal research publications have not been achieved. Here, we introduce ARRIVE 2.0. The guidelines have been updated and information reorganised to facilitate their use in practice. We used a Delphi exercise to prioritise and divide the items of the guidelines into 2 sets, the “ARRIVE Essential 10,” which constitutes the minimum requirement, and the “Recommended Set,” which describes the research context. This division facilitates improved reporting of animal research by supporting a stepwise approach to implementation. This helps journal editors and reviewers verify that the most important items are being reported in manuscripts. We have also developed the accompanying Explanation and Elaboration (E&E) document, which serves (1) to explain the rationale behind each item in the guidelines, (2) to clarify key concepts, and (3) to provide illustrative examples. We aim, through these changes, to help ensure that researchers, reviewers, and journal editors are better equipped to improve the rigour and transparency of the scientific process and thus reproducibility.
From Farm to Cup: A Coffee Supply Chain Negotiation Role‐Play*
Authors: Inouye Todd M. , Kling James A.
Published: July 2020

This paper introduces a novel supply chain role‐play activity designed to improve ethical awareness and pricing negotiation decisions in business capstone courses. Participants negotiate prices between five levels of an international coffee supply chain: Farmers, Processors, Importers, Roasters, and Retailers/Cafés. Using results from 141 participants, data analysis supports the conclusion that this role‐play significantly increases self‐reported mastery of supply chain management, business ethics, and negotiations. In this manuscript, we also introduce the concept of bounded ethicality and how it is incorporated into the role‐play scenario debrief phase. Self‐reported scores reflecting ethical awareness significantly increase after participation in the role‐play activity. While statistically significant results are discussed, we also generalize about the advantages of this type of experiential education. Methodology and details of the role‐play itself are shared.
Diagnostic value of circulating microRNA‐19b in heart failure
Authors: Zhang Liang , Xu Rong‐Liang , Liu Su‐Xuan , Dong Shao‐Hua , Zhao Xian‐Xian , Zhang Bi‐Li
Published: July 2020

Objective

For differentiating heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), N‐terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is less accurate. Decreased expression of microRNA‐19b (miR‐19b) is associated with increased cardiac‐fibrosis. We aim to evaluate the value of miR‐19b in diagnosing HFrEF patients.

Method

We included 200 HF patients and 100 healthy controls. Intergroup comparisons of miR‐19b were made and correlation between miR‐19b and NT‐proBNP was analysed. Diagnostic values of NT‐proBNP and miR‐19b for HF patients versus controls and HFrEF versus HFpEF were obtained by ROC analysis and described by area under curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity.

Results

HFrEF patients (0.87, 95% CI 0.37‐1.45) had significantly lower miR‐19b level than HFpEF group (1.32, 95% CI 0.63‐2.51) and the controls (1.82, 95% CI 0.37‐1.45) (both P < .001). There was a remarkable negative correlation between miR‐19b and NT‐proBNP (P < .001). The additional use of miR‐19b did not improve the accuracy of NT‐proBNP alone in diagnosing HF patients from the controls (both AUC = 0.98, 95%CI 0.97‐0.99). However, as for distinguishing the HFpEF from HFrEF, miR‐19b and NT‐proBNP yielded a significantly higher AUC than NT‐proBNP alone (0.85, 95% CI 0.80‐0.90 vs. 0.66, 95% CI 0.58‐0.74) (P < .001), and the sensitivity for diagnosing HFrEF was raised from 58% to 77% and the specificity from 75% to 79%.

Conclusions

On top of NT‐proBNP, miR‐19b added the value in diagnosing HFrEF. But in view of satisfactory accuracy of NT‐proBNP in predicting HF from the healthy volunteers, miR‐19b did not provide incremental value.
Spatial modelling of ecological indicator values improves predictions of plant distributions in complex landscapes
Authors: Descombes Patrice , Walthert Lorenz , Baltensweiler Andri , Meuli Reto Giulio , Karger Dirk N. , Ginzler Christian , Zurell Damaris , Zimmermann Niklaus E.
Published: July 2020

Ecologically meaningful predictors are often neglected in plant distribution studies, resulting in incomplete niche quantification and low predictive power of species distribution models (SDMs). Because environmental data are rare and expensive to collect, and because their relationship with local climatic and topographic conditions are complex, mapping them over large geographic extents and at high spatial resolution remains a major challenge.

Here, we propose to derive environmental data layers by mapping ecological indicator values in space. We combined ~6 million plant occurrences with expert‐based plant ecological indicator values (EIVs) of 3600 species in Switzerland. EIVs representing local soil properties (pH, moisture, moisture variability, aeration, humus and nutrients) and climatic conditions (continentality, light) were modelled at 93 m spatial resolution with the Random Forest algorithm and 16 predictors representing meso‐climate, land use, topography and geology. Models were evaluated and predictions of EIVs were compared with soil inventory data. We mapped each EIV separately and evaluated EIV importance in explaining the distribution of 500 plant species using SDMs with a set of 30 environmental predictors. Finally, we tested how they improve an ensemble of SDMs compared to a standard set of predictors for ca 60 plant species.

All EIV models showed excellent performance (|r| > 0.9) and predictions were correlated reasonably (|r| > 0.4) to soil properties measured in the field. Resulting EIV maps were among the most important predictors in SDMs. Also, in ensemble SDMs overall predictive performance increased, mainly through improved model specificity reducing species range overestimation.

Combining large citizen science databases to expert‐based EIVs is a powerful and cost–effective approach for generalizing local edaphic and climatic conditions over large areas. Producing ecologically meaningful predictors is a first step for generating better predictions of species distribution which is of main importance for decision makers in conservation and environmental management projects.
The ins and outs of inhibitory synaptic plasticity: Neuron types, molecular mechanisms and functional roles
Authors: Capogna Marco , Castillo Pablo E. , Maffei Arianna
Published: July 2020

GABAergic interneurons are highly diverse, and their synaptic outputs express various forms of plasticity. Compelling evidence indicates that activity‐dependent changes of inhibitory synaptic transmission play a significant role in regulating neural circuits critically involved in learning and memory and circuit refinement. Here, we provide an updated overview of inhibitory synaptic plasticity with a focus on the hippocampus and neocortex. To illustrate the diversity of inhibitory interneurons, we discuss the case of two highly divergent interneuron types, parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells and neurogliaform cells, which support unique roles on circuit dynamics. We also present recent progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying long‐term, activity‐dependent plasticity of fast inhibitory transmission. Lastly, we discuss the role of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits’ function. The emerging picture is that inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CNS is extremely diverse, undergoes various mechanistically distinct forms of plasticity and contributes to a much more refined computational role than initially thought. Both the remarkable diversity of inhibitory interneurons and the various forms of plasticity expressed by GABAergic synapses provide an amazingly rich inhibitory repertoire that is central to a variety of complex neural circuit functions, including memory.
Agricultural brokers
Authors: Kreiner Jamie
Published: July 2020

Pigs worked as brokers of agrarian life in the early medieval west in two ways. First, they converted organisms and spaces that humans did not directly exploit into a ‘commodity’ that humans did value. And the material work that pigs did made possible a second kind of brokerage, this one conceptual: the animals facilitated (or provoked) ways of seeing local phenomena in the context of wider ecological and social systems. Pigs’ ability to make use of a range of habitats, and humans’ interest in exploiting that work despite the trouble that pigs routinely caused, demonstrated that seemingly small things could influence and illuminate early medieval economies, social status, justice, and even metaphysics.
Sumatriptan reduces severity of status epilepticus induced by lithium–pilocarpine through nitrergic transmission and 5‐HT1B/D receptors in rats: A pharmacological‐based evidence
Authors: Eslami Faezeh , Rahimi Nastaran , Ostovaneh Aysa , Ghasemi Mehdi , Dejban Pegah , Abbasi Ata , Dehpour Ahmad Reza
Published: July 2020

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life‐threatening neurologic disorder that can be as both cause and consequence of neuroinflammation. In addition to previous reports on anti‐inflammatory property of the anti‐migraine medication sumatriptan, we have recently shown its anticonvulsive effects on pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure in mice. In the present study, we investigated further (i) the effects of sumatriptan in the lithium–pilocarpine SE model in rats, and (ii) the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO), 5‐hydroxytryptamin 1B/1D (5‐HT1B/1D) receptor, and inflammatory pathways in such effects of sumatriptan. Status epilepticus was induced by lithium chloride (127 mg/kg, i.p) and pilocarpine (60 mg/kg, i.p.) in Wistar rats. While SE induction increased SE scores and mortality rate, sumatriptan (0.001‐1 mg/kg, i.p.) improved it (P < 0.001). Administration of the selective 5‐HT1B/1D antagonist GR‐127935 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the anticonvulsive effects of sumatriptan (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.). Although both tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and NO levels were markedly elevated in the rats' brain tissues post‐SE induction, pre‐treatment with sumatriptan significantly reduced both TNF‐α (P < 0.05) and NO (P < 0.001) levels. Combined GR‐127935 and sumatriptan treatment inhibited these anti‐inflammatory effects of sumatriptan, whereas combined non‐specific NOS (L‐NAME) or selective neuronal NOS (7‐nitroindazole) inhibitors and sumatriptan further reduced NO levels. In conclusion, sumatriptan exerted a protective effect against the clinical manifestations and mortality rate of SE in rats which is possibly through targeting 5‐HT1B/1D receptors, neuroinflammation, and nitrergic transmission.
Fatigue life prediction of woven composite laminates with initial delamination
Authors: Wan Aoshuang , Xiong Junjiang , Xu Yigeng
Published: July 2020

An engineering approach for fatigue life prediction of fibre‐reinforced polymer composite materials is highly desirable for industries due to the complexity in damage mechanisms and their interactions. This paper presents a fatigue‐driven residual strength model considering the effect of initial delamination size and stress ratio. Static and constant amplitude fatigue tests of woven composite specimens with delamination diameters of 0, 4 and 6 mm were carried out to determine the model parameters. Good agreement with experimental results has been achieved when the modified residual strength model has been applied for fatigue life prediction of the woven composite laminate with an initial delamination diameter of 8 mm under constant amplitude load and block fatigue load. It has been demonstrated that the residual strength degradation‐based model can effectively reflect the load sequence effect on fatigue damage and hence provide more accurate fatigue life prediction than the traditional linear damage accumulation models.
Evaluating the relationship between yearling walleye, Sander vitreus, electrofishing catch‐per‐unit‐effort and density in northern Wisconsin lakes
Authors: Shaw Stephanie L. , Sass Gregory G.
Published: July 2020

Recruitment declines of walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), observed in some northern Wisconsin lakes have resulted in management actions to evaluate and rehabilitate populations. An effective index for estimating relative abundance of yearling walleye is required. The objectives herein were : (a) to evaluate the relationship between yearling walleye electrofishing CPUE and density in northern Wisconsin lakes; (b) to test for the influence of lake‐specific factors on electrofishing catchability of yearling walleye; and (c) to develop an index whereby electrofishing CPUE can be used to quantify yearling walleye relative abundance. Yearling density was significantly positively related to electrofishing CPUE on a long‐term dataset from Escanaba Lake as well as a dataset including several lakes combined. Electrofishing catchability of yearling walleye was negatively related to lake‐surface area but was not related to other lake‐specific variables. This index can provide an efficient method to continue monitoring natural recruitment and also to evaluate survival of stocked walleye.
The efficacy and safety of treatments for infantile hemangiomas: a Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Hao , Hu Dong‐Lai , Xuan Xiao‐Xiao , Chen Jun‐Jie , Xu Sheng , Wu Xiang‐Jie , Zhang Hang , Shu Qiang , Guo Xiao‐Dong
Published: July 2020

Whether infantile hemangiomas (IHs) need to be treated and which treatment should be preferred are still controversial. We aimed to compare and rank the treatments and identify the optimal treatment for IHs. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and other sources for randomized controlled trials up to August 2019. We included trials comparingdifferent treatments and reported response or adverse events rate in IH patients. Two reviewers independently evaluated studies by specific criteria and extracted data. We assessed the risk of bias with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Random‐effects were performed for pair‐to‐pair and Bayesian framework network meta‐analyses. The primary outcomes were efficacy and safety. We deemed 20 studies eligible, including 1149 participants and eight interventions. For efficacy, oral propranolol and topical propranolol/timolol were better than observation/placebo (OR, 95% CrI: 17.05, 4.02–94.94; 9.72, 1.91–59.08). For safety, topical propranolol/timolol was significantly better tolerated than oral propranolol (0.05, 0.001–0.66). Cluster analysis demonstrated oral propranolol was the most effective treatment for IHs, while topical propranolol/timolol showed high efficacy and the highest safety. Laser, intralesional propranolol or glucocorticoid, oral glucocorticoid, or captopril had significantly lower priority than oral propranolol or topical propranolol/timolol considering both efficacy and safety. The quality of evidence was rated as moderate or low in most comparisons. This network meta‐analysis found topical beta‐blockers had the potential to be the most preferable and beneficial option for IHs in consideration of both efficacy and safety.
Association of TNF‐a (rs361525 and rs1800629) with susceptibility to cervical intraepithelial lesion and cervical carcinoma in women from Republic of North Macedonia
Authors: Duvlis Sotirija , Dabeski Drage , Cvetkovski Aleksandar , Mladenovska Kristina , Plaseska‐Karanfilska Dijana
Published: July 2020

Cervical cancer (CCa) is one of the most common malign diseases in women associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is an initiating factor, but not sufficient for the development of cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and CCa. The disease might be a result of the influence of host's genetic factors and polymorphisms in inflammatory‐related genes that modify the immune response to HPV and attribute to cancer susceptibility. We carried out a study to determine the association between TNF‐a‐238G/A and TNF‐a‐308 G/T polymorphisms with HPV‐positive CIN and CCa in women living in the Republic of North Macedonia. Using multiplex SNaPshot analysis for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we analysed the genotype and allele distributions of TNF‐a‐238G/A and TNF‐a‐308 G/T in 134 cases (HPV‐positive and histologically confirmed CIN and CCa) and in 113 controls (cytological and HPV‐negative women). For further analysis, the case group was stratified in three subgroups (all cases: CINs+ CCa− group; CIN2+ ‐group and CIN1− group). Data analysed using the odds ratio (OR) and chi‐square test showed the frequency of AA genotypes and A alleles are not significantly higher in cases compared to the controls for both SNPs: AA of TNF‐a‐238 (0.7% versus 0%) and TNF‐a‐308 (1.5% versus 0.9%) as well as A allelic frequency (3.0% versus 1.7%) and (13.1% versus 10.6), respectively. The comparison of the case's subgroups with the control group did not show a statistically significant difference. Compared to controls, TNF‐a‐238G/A and TNF‐a‐308 G/T are not associated with the risk of HPV associated CIN or CCa in the studied women.
Physical activity patterns in adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Oreskovic Nicolas M. , Cottrell Clorinda , Torres Amy , Patsiogiannis Vasiliki , Santoro Stephanie , Nichols Dominica , Moore Cynthia , Skotko Brian G.
Published: July 2020

Background

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are less physically active than the general population, but limited data on objective physical activity patterns in adults with DS are available.

Methods

Free‐living physical activity was measured by waist‐worn accelerometry in adults with DS from 2018 to 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and regression analyses.

Results

Fifty‐two subjects provided valid accelerometer data, with 46% male and a majority (75%) overweight/obese. Median (± standard deviation) daily sedentary time was 393.5 ± 216.6 min, light activity was 150.7 ± 85.5 min, moderate activity was 6.3 ± 13.5 min, and vigorous activity was 0 ± 9.8 min. Subjects had 10.3 ± 4.8 sedentary bouts per day lasting on average 30.7 ± 62.0 min. Median daily step count was 3,050 ± 1,988. Adults living alone had more steps and light physical activity in adjusted analyses.

Conclusion

Adults with DS engage in little health‐enhancing physical activity and do not meet current physical activity recommendations in the United States.
Compliance with pension‐related mandatory disclosures and debt financing
Authors: Almaghrabi Khadija S. , Opong Kwaku , Tsalavoutas Ioannis
Published: July 2020

Using hand‐collected data on the level of pension‐related mandatory disclosures required by International Accounting Standard 19Employee Benefits, we test whether compliance levels with these disclosures convey information that affects firms’ access to the public instead of the private debt market, as well as the cost of their new debt issues. We document a higher tendency to access the public debt market for firms with higher levels of pension‐related disclosure. Furthermore, we find that firms with higher levels of pension‐related disclosure enjoy a lower cost in terms of issuance of public debt, but not a lower cost for private debt issues. Thus, the benefits of disclosure in reducing information risk are only realisable when creditors rely heavily on financial statements in their decision making, due to the limited access to private information. Additional tests reveal that high compliance levels effectively mitigate the negative effect of pension deficits on the cost of public debt. These findings provide novel evidence in the extant literature on the role of mandatory (and, in particular, pension‐related) disclosures on firms’ debt financing. They also have important policy implications.
An investigation of the effect of the psychoeducation program provided to alexithymic and violent adolescents on the level of alexithymia
Authors: Bakan Ayse B. , Aslan Gulpinar , Aka Pinar
Published: July 2020

Problem

Alexithymia is defined as difficulties in defining and describing feelings, differentiating feelings and bodily sensations caused by emotional arousal, and a combination of constricted imaginary processes. This study aims to investigate the effect of the psychoeducation program provided to individuals with alexithymia and violent tendencies adolescents on the level of alexithymia.

Methods

This experimental study was conducted between February 2019 and April 2019. The sample was 80 volunteer adolescents (experimental group n = 40 and control group n = 40) who met the research criteria. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Form, the Tendency to Violence Scale, and the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC). The psychoeducation program was applied in the experimental group in 90‐min sessions once a week throughout 9 weeks.

Findings

There was a statistically significant decrease in the AQC posttest mean scores after the training provided to the experimental group (p < .01).

Conclusions

The psychoeducation provided to adolescents was found to reduce the level of alexithymia. It is recommended that similar studies should be conducted with larger groups.
Physiological and pathophysiological role of ion channels and transporters in the colorectum and colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Minglin , Li Taolang , Zhu Jiaxing , Tuo Biguang , Liu Xuemei
Published: July 2020

The incidence of colorectal cancer has increased annually, and the pathogenesis of this disease requires further investigation. In normal colorectal tissues, ion channels and transporters maintain the water‐electrolyte balance and acid/base homeostasis. However, dysfunction of these ion channels and transporters leads to the development and progression of colorectal cancer. Therefore, this review focuses on the progress in understanding the roles of ion channels and transporters in the colorectum and in colorectal cancer, including aquaporins (AQPs), Cl− channels, Cl−/ exchangers, Na+/ transporters and Na+/H+ exchangers. The goal of this review is to promote the identification of new targets for the treatment and prognosis of colorectal cancer.
Commentary: Dimensionality in environmental adversity, mechanisms of emotional socialization, and children’s characteristics and cognitive growth – a reflection on Miller et al. (2020)
Authors: Nguyen Tin Q. , Cutting Laurie E.
Published: July 2020

Disentangling the dimensionality in environmental adversity offers nuanced insights at both theoretical and practical levels, such as the ways that disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances during childhood development may contribute to adolescent psychopathology. Miller and colleagues (2020) provide evidence into how early deprivation and threat may exacerbate later psychopathology. Yet, how certain factors in this early environment differentially facilitate children’s cognitive and socioemotional growth may modulate the severity of later psychopathology. In this commentary, we reflect on the promising evidence offered by Miller and colleagues and extend additional considerations regarding academic growth, cognitive abilities, and protective environmental factors.
Developmental language disorders and risk of recidivism among young offenders
Authors: Winstanley Maxine , Webb Roger T. , Conti‐Ramsden Gina
Published: July 2020

Background

Although factors such as adverse family background have been widely examined, little is known about the prevalence or potential impact of developmental language disorder (DLD) on risk of recidivism in young people with history of criminal justice system contact.

Methods

A total of 145 young offenders participated. An adversity score was constructed based on information found in youth justice service records. Data collected included standardised measures of expressive and receptive language, nonverbal IQ and the inventory of callous–unemotional traits. Survival analysis was performed to examine differences in reoffending risk between young offenders with and without DLD.

Results

The cumulative incidence of reoffending within a year of the young person's court order was markedly raised in the DLD group (62%; 95% CI 52, 72) versus the non‐DLD group (25%; 95% CI 16, 39). Furthermore, in the final multivariable survival analysis the independent elevation in risk linked with DLD was not greatly attenuated with adjustment for nonverbal IQ, adversity score, age at first offence, number of previous offences and deprivation score. DLD was the most significant predictor with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.61 (95% CI 1.80, 3.78).

Conclusions

Young offenders with DLD are more than twice as likely to reoffend than their unaffected offending peers. DLD is a powerful predictor of recidivism above and beyond other known risk factors.