bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dental plaque score reduction with an oscillating‐rotating power toothbrush and a high‐frequency sonic power toothbrush: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of single‐brushing exercises
Authors: van der Sluijs Eveline , Slot Dagmar Else , Hennequin‐Hoenderdos Nienke L. , Valkenburg Cees , van der Weijden Fridus
Published: September 2020

Aim

To establish the effect of a single‐brushing exercise on dental plaque removal using an oscillating‐rotating power toothbrush (OR‐PTB) as compared to a high‐frequency sonic power toothbrush (HFS‐PTB).

Materials and Methods

The MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched up to September 2019. The inclusion criteria contained (randomized) controlled clinical trials involving healthy adult participants brushing with an OR‐PTB as compared to an HFS‐PTB. Plaque index (PI) scores were evaluated after a single‐brushing exercise.

Results

A total of 15 publications were included, representing 34 comparisons, of which 8 were professional brushing exercises and 26 participant brushing exercises. The potential risk of bias was estimated to be low. In the overall descriptive analysis of 34 comparisons, 19 comparisons showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the OR‐PTB and 4 in favour of the HFS‐PTB. The meta‐analysis using the professional brushing study design showed a significant difference of means (DiffM) in favour of the OR‐PTB (PI score) (DiffM 0.19; P < .0001) (95% CI [013; 0.25]). In those studies where the participants brushed themselves, the data were inconclusive. PI scores showed no difference between the two brushes (P = .15), while one plaque index (the Rustogi Modified Navy plaque index) indicated significant favour for the OR‐PTB (DiffM 0.06; P = .002) (95% CI [0.02; 0.09]).

Conclusion

Based on the estimated evidence profile, there is moderate certainty of evidence of a very small but significant beneficial effect on plaque removal after a single‐brushing exercise with the OR‐PTB over the HFS‐PTB.
Poor oral health‐related quality of life among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gharehghani Mohammad Ali Mohammadi , Bayani Azadeh , Bayat Amir‐Hossein , Hemmat Morteza , Karimy Mahmood , Ahounbar Elahe , Armoon Bahram , Fakhri Yadolah , Schroth Robert J.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the impacts of oral health determinants (eg frequency of brushing < 2 day, poor life style and non‐white ethnicity) and clinical oral caries indices (eg Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT)) and periodontal disease) on Poor Quality of Life (PQoL) among PW.

Methods

The search strategy was restricted to publications in English before 1 December 2019 in the PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science databases. We only included oral diseases considered as public health issues with a global burden. As a result, investigations reporting the frequency of brushing, poor lifestyle behaviours, non‐white ethnicity, DMFT scores and periodontal disease as an outcome were included. The two reviewers resolved any disagreements. Reviewers analysed the full texts, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Also, a manual search of the reference lists was performed on all the selected studies.

Results

In total, 11 publications were included in the meta‐analysis. Findings indicate a positive association between non‐white ethnicity and PQoL among PW. Among PW, those who had non‐white ethnicity were 1.43 times more likely to have PQoL (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.70). A positive association between DMFT and poor QoL among PW was also observed. Those who has suffered DMFT were 1.4 times more likely to have poor QoL (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.55).

Conclusions

Results from this meta‐analysis support the need for behavioural interventions for improving oral hygiene in expectant mothers. This could help to decrease periodontal conditions and improve their oral and general life quality.
Controlling and less controlling feeding practices are differentially associated with child food intake and appetitive behaviors assessed in a school environment
Authors: Warkentin Sarah , Mais Laís Amaral , Ranganath Kushi , Jansen Elena , Carnell Susan
Published: September 2020

Background

Child food intake and appetitive behaviors show an inconsistent pattern of associations with parental feeding practices. Relationships likely vary depending on parent feeding style, and on the method by which child eating behaviors are measured.

Objectives

We tested relationships of controlling and less controlling forms of parental promotion and limitation of eating with food intake and appetitive behaviors assessed in preschoolers' normal school environments.

Methods

As part of a 5‐day protocol, preschoolers consumed standardized lunches, and caloric compensation, eating rate and eating in the absence of hunger were assessed. Feeding practices were measured using the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and Parent Feeding Styles Questionnaire (PFSQ). CFQ‐Pressure to eat and CFQ‐Restriction were controlling forms of promotion/limitation of child intake, and CFQ‐Monitoring and PFSQ‐Prompting to eat were less controlling forms.

Results

Children (3–5y, n = 70) of parents with higher CFQ‐Pressure to eat scores showed lower total intake, consuming significantly fewer calories from bread, snacks and fruits and vegetables. Higher PFSQ‐Prompting to eat was associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake only. CFQ‐Restriction and CFQ‐Monitoring scores were unassociated with food intake. Higher CFQ‐Pressure to eat was associated with slower eating rate, while higher CFQ‐Monitoring was associated with lower intake in absence of hunger.

Conclusions

Parental promotion and limitation of intake were associated with preschoolers' eating behaviors assessed in an ecologically valid setting, without parents present. Controlling and less controlling forms showed differential patterns of associations. Results were consistent with child‐to‐parent and parent‐to‐child effects, but research using longitudinal designs is needed to test bidirectional relationships.
Retroperitoneal tumors: Review of diagnosis and management
Authors: Sassa Naoto
Published: September 2020

Retroperitoneal tumors are extremely rare tumors occurring in the retroperitoneum. Retroperitoneal tumors are divided into benign tumors and malignant tumors, including retroperitoneal sarcoma. Approximately 70–80% of primary retroperitoneal soft‐tissue tumors are malignant; however, these only account for 0.1–0.2% of all malignancies. Retroperitoneal sarcoma is an orphan malignant disease with a low incidence. The information on benign retroperitoneal tumors is limited. The American Joint Committee on Cancer/TNM classification updated to the 8th edition in 2017. In 2010, three new drugs for soft tissue sarcoma were approved based on the results of phase III trials, but the histological subtypes of the patients enrolled in the trials of each drug differed. Recently, in addition to surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma, the effectiveness of perioperative radiation therapy has become interesting. For malignant retroperitoneal tumors and retroperitoneal sarcoma, survival improvement and locoregional recurrence prevention can be undertaken by carrying out surgery to secure negative margins with wide and combined resection of some adjacent organs, and cooperation with a trained medical team comprising of radiologists, pathologists and medical oncologists in centralized hospitals. Some clinical trials aimed at further improving treatment results by adding preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy based on histological confirmation using a correct needle biopsy are in progress. In recent years, molecular profiling has been used to select eligible patients for chemotherapy. In the future, precision medicine with next‐generation sequencing technology will be expected among the diverse and potential future treatments for retroperitoneal sarcoma. In this review, we summarized the current state of retroperitoneal tumors and retroperitoneal sarcoma.
ROR agonist hampers the proliferation and survival of postactivated CD8+ T cells through the downregulation of cholesterol synthesis‐related genes
Authors: Cai Zimeng , Ishibashi Taishin , Kozai Mina , Mita Hironobu , Wang Shangyi , Takada Kensuke , Inaba Mutsumi
Published: September 2020

Cholesterol is a major component of the lipid bilayers of cellular membranes. The synthesis of cholesterol is acutely elevated during T‐cell activation to support T‐cell growth and proliferation. There is a limited understanding of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming during T‐cell activation. Retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptors (RORs) are ligand‐activated nuclear receptors that regulate the transcription of target genes. In this study, we demonstrated that the activation of RORs by a synthetic agonist (SR1078) impairs the proliferation and survival of postactivated CD8+ T cells. The inhibitory effects of SR1078 on CD8+ T‐cell proliferation and survival were attributed to cholesterol depletion and downregulated expression of cholesterol metabolism‐related genes. The overexpression of RORα or RORγt promoted apoptosis in the postactivated CD8+ T cells in vitro. The expression of RORα (but not that of RORγt) was markedly upregulated in the CD8+ T cells upon stimulation with an antigen in vivo. The functional deficiency of RORα enhanced CD8+ T‐cell expansion during the response to bacterial infection. These results suggest that RORs are involved in the regulation of CD8+ T‐cell‐mediated immune response through the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, which can be modulated by a synthetic ROR agonist. The findings of this study can aid in the development of immunotherapeutic methods that target nuclear receptors.
Tolerance induction in memory CD4 T cells is partial and reversible
Authors: Gray Joshua I. , Al‐Khabouri Shaima , Morton Fraser , Clambey Eric T. , Gapin Laurent , Matsuda Jennifer L. , Kappler John W. , Marrack Philippa , Garside Paul , Otto Thomas D. , MacLeod Megan K.L.
Published: September 2020

Memory T cells respond rapidly in part because they are less reliant on a heightened levels of costimulatory molecules. This enables rapid control of secondary infecting pathogens but presents challenges to efforts to control or silence memory CD4 T cells, for example in antigen‐specific tolerance strategies for autoimmunity. We have examined the transcriptional and functional consequences of reactivating memory CD4 T cells in the absence of an adjuvant. We find that memory CD4 T cells generated by infection or immunisation survive secondary activation with antigen delivered without adjuvant, regardless of their location in secondary lymphoid organs or peripheral tissues. These cells were, however, functionally altered following a tertiary immunisation with antigen and adjuvant, proliferating poorly but maintaining their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines. Transcriptional and cell cycle analysis of these memory CD4 T cells suggests they are unable to commit fully to cell division potentially because of low expression of DNA repair enzymes. In contrast, these memory CD4 T cells could proliferate following tertiary reactivation by viral re‐infection. These data indicate that antigen‐specific tolerogenic strategies must examine multiple parameters of Tcell function, and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that may lead to deletional tolerance of memory CD4 T cells.
Judicial regimes for employment rights disputes: comparing Germany, Great Britain and Japan
Authors: Corby Susan , Yamakawa Ryuichi
Published: September 2020

This article compares the judicial regimes for resolving individual employment rights disputes in Germany, Great Britain and Japan. First, we consider the form of institutional change; second, we examine the lay judge's role; and third, we assess the effectiveness of the three judicial regimes. We find that Japan made the least institutional change, layering a new procedure on top of an existing one. Paradoxically, however, its lay judges have a more extensive role than their counterparts in Germany and Britain, which established new institutions. As to effectiveness, there are several criteria. British labour courts are currently the least informal and speedy, but the cheapest. In both Britain and Germany, legal norms are publicised as adjudicatory hearings are open to the public and judgments are available for public scrutiny, unlike in Japan.
Optimization of ultrasound‐assisted extraction of cold‐brewed black tea using response surface methodology
Authors: Raghunath Sonali , Mallikarjunan Kumar
Published: September 2020

Black tea is considered as good source of bioactives like phenolics and antioxidants. In this study, cold brewing of black tea is coupled in combination with ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) to maximize extraction efficiency of bioactives. Response surface methodology was designed to optimize the conditions for extraction using UAE for cold‐brewed black tea. A multiparameter face‐centered central composite design was used to predict the conditions (amplitude: 10–70%, solvent volume: 25–100 ml, and sonication time: 10–60 min). The results obtained indicated a second‐order polynomial model. The optimized conditions for maximum extraction of bioactive for cold brewing of black tea were found to be 69.9% amplitude, 25 ml solvent volume, and 30 min of sonication time. The experimental values from the optimal process were as follows: 72.2 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 6.77 mg GAE/g, 37.67%, 62.97% for total phenolic content (TPC), total tannin content, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid). The validation results agreed with the predicted models and showed an increase of 4 folds for TPC and 1.5 folds increase in antioxidant activity of cold‐brewed black tea. The displayed outcomes can remain as an extension for designing techniques for the accelerated extraction process for cold‐brewed black tea.

Practical Application

The application of cold brewing is limited due to the low extraction efficiency and longer extraction time. Ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) improves the extraction of valuable nutrients with higher efficiency and shorter extraction time, helping the industry to produce larger amounts of cold‐brewed tea with lesser time. For other researchers, UAE‐treated cold‐brewed tea is a technique, which yields higher antioxidants and can be used as a method to study other cold‐brewed teas in the market.
Out of the Pan‐Himalaya: Evolutionary history of the Paeoniaceae revealed by phylogenomics
Authors: Zhou Shi‐Liang , Xu Chao , Liu Jing , Yu Yan , Wu Ping , Cheng Tao , Hong De‐Yuan
Published: September 2020

Peonies (the Paeoniaceae, Paeonia L.) are famous garden flowers, medicinal plants, and edible oil crops, but their evolutionary history largely remains unknown. To probe into their phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary history, formation of present distribution pattern, and origins of tetraploids, we sequenced 25 fragments belonging to 20 single copy nuclear genes and 14 chloroplast regions of all species in the genus to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, date the divergence times of lineages, infer the ancestral biogeographical regions, and document the parents of tetraploids. Our results show that Paeoniaceae separated from the other members in Saxifragales in the Campanian of the late Cretaceous and diverged into two clades, woody and herbaceous clades, in the late Oligocene or early Miocene. They survived and early diverged in the Pan‐Himalaya where they migrated eastwards to East Asia and further to NW America, and northwards to Middle Asia, and further to Europe. The woody lineage differentiated into two sublineages with accelerated root or floral disk evolution, while the herbaceous lineage diverged into five sublineages. Multiple glacial and interglacial cycles in Europe in the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene created opportunities for the peony species to meet and hybridize in the Mediterranean refugia, giving rise to eight allotetraploid species and four infraspecific tetraploids. Paeonia daurica Andrews, P. obovata Maxim., and P. tenuifolia L. served as the most important parents. The phylogeny of Paeonia L. implies that a new taxonomic system with two subgenera and seven sections should be proposed.
Effect of Dichrostachys cinerea encroachment on plant species diversity, functional traits and litter decomposition in an East‐African savannah ecosystem
Authors: Utaile Yonas Ugo , Honnay Olivier , Muys Bart , Cheche Simon Shibru , Helsen Kenny
Published: September 2020

Questions

Woody encroachment is increasingly affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of savannah ecosystems worldwide, yet the direction and magnitude of these impacts often seem context‐dependent. Here, we investigated the potential of a trait‐based framework to understand the effect of the encroaching shrub Dichrostachys cinerea on plant species diversity and litter decomposition in a savannah system.

Location

Savannah plains of Nech Sar National Park, South‐Ethiopian rift valley.

Methods

We conducted a three‐month litter burial experiment using two standard ‘tea bag index’ litter types and three local litter types across 45 vegetation plots, equally spread across unencroached, sparsely encroached and densely encroached savannah locations. We additionally quantified the specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf nitrogen content and leaf area of both D. cinerea and all common savannah species in each plot, and surveyed soil characteristics and species diversity and composition at the plot level. Using this set‐up we explored the potential of the four recorded plant traits to predict changes in litter decomposition following D. cinerea encroachment, in addition to changes in soil characteristics and savannah species diversity and composition.

Results

Dichrostachys cinerea encroachment introduced novel functional trait values that reoriented community level resource use towards a more acquisitive strategy. These trait changes were partly associated with a reduction of decomposition rates within encroached areas compared to unencroached areas. Unexpectedly, encroachment resulted in increased, rather than decreased, herbaceous species diversity in sparsely invaded plots, but not in densely invaded plots. Species composition nonetheless shifted strongly following encroachment, indicating a strong species turnover, likely towards more shade‐tolerant species.

Conclusions

Functional traits can partly help explain effects of encroachment on litter decomposition, but other environmental and biotic drivers nonetheless seem to additionally impact decomposition rates.
Evaluating current egg consumption patterns: Associations with diet quality, nutrition and health status in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Gibson S. , Gray J.
Published: September 2020

Dietary habits are constantly evolving with changes in culture, economics and the food supply. In the UK, red meat intakes have been declining for more than a decade, while egg consumption has increased in tandem with interest in healthy, sustainable diets. To explore current dietary habits of egg consumers and non‐consumers and potential implications for nutrition and health, we analysed dietary records from 647 adults participating in Year 9 (2017) of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). Mean consumption of eggs and egg dishes was 29 g/day (3.5 eggs/week). Female egg consumers (n = 224; mean 46 g/day, 5 eggs/week) ate more fruit, vegetables and fish and had significantly higher dietary intakes of protein, monounsaturated fatty acids, n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and most micronutrients, notably vitamin D, most B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, zinc and selenium, compared with non‐consumers (n = 150). They also had higher plasma levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, total carotenoids, selenium and ferritin and were less likely to be anaemic. Female egg consumers had a lower mean body mass index and waist circumference, despite reporting a higher mean energy intake than non‐consumers. Male egg consumers (n = 159; mean 54 g/day, 6 eggs/week) had higher dietary intakes of vitamin D, biotin, iodine and selenium but similar micronutrient status and bodyweight to non‐consumers (n = 114). There were no significant differences in cardiometabolic risk factors for either sex. Egg consumption appears to be associated with signs of higher dietary quality, better nutritional status, and slightly lower body mass index among women participating in the latest NDNS.
Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factors MYB28 and MYB29 shape ammonium stress responses by regulating Fe homeostasis
Authors: Coleto Inmaculada , Bejarano Iraide , Marín‐Peña Agustín Javier , Medina Joaquín , Rioja Cristina , Burow Meike , Marino Daniel
Published: September 2020

Although ammonium (NH4+) is a key intermediate of plant nitrogen metabolism, high concentrations of NH4+ in the soil provoke physiological disorders that lead to the development of stress symptoms.

Ammonium nutrition was shown to induce the accumulation of glucosinolates (GSLs) in leaves of different Brassicaceae species. To further understand the link between ammonium nutrition and GSLs, we analysed the ammonium stress response of Arabidopsis mutants impaired in GSL metabolic pathway.

We showed that the MYB28 and MYB29 double mutant (myb28myb29), which is almost deprived of aliphatic GSLs, is highly hypersensitive to ammonium nutrition. Moreover, we evidenced that the stress symptoms developed were not a consequence of the lack of aliphatic GSLs. Transcriptomic analysis highlighted the induction of an iron (Fe) deficiency response in myb28myb29 under ammonium nutrition. Consistently, ammonium‐grown myb28myb29 plants showed altered Fe accumulation and homeostasis. Interestingly, we showed overall that growing Arabidopsis with increased Fe availability relieved ammonium stress symptoms and that this was associated with MYB28 and MYB29 expression.

Taken together, our data indicated that the control of Fe homeostasis was crucial for the Arabidopsis response to ammonium nutrition and evidenced that MYB28 and MYB29 play a role in this control.
Comprehensive profiling of protein lysine acetylation and its overlap with lysine succinylation in the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriated strain ATCC 33277
Authors: Zeng Jumei , Wu Leng , Chen Qiushi , Wang Lingyun , Qiu Wei , Zheng Xin , Yin Xiaoming , Liu Jie , Ren Yan , Li Yuqing
Published: September 2020

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a pathogen closely associated with periodontal and systemic infections. Recently, lysine acetylation (Kac) and lysine succinylation (Ksuc) have been identified in bacterial proteins with diverse biological and pathological functions. The Ksuc of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 has been characterized in our previous work, and here, we report the systematic analysis of Kac and its crosstalk with Ksuc in this bacterium. A combination of the affinity enrichment by the acetyl‐lysine antibody with highly sensitive LC‐MS/MS was used to identify the lysine‐acetylated proteins and sites in P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. A total of 1,112 lysine‐acetylated sites matching 438 proteins were identified. These proteins involved in several cellular processes, especially those proteins related to protein biosynthesis and central metabolism had a high tendency to be lysine acetylated. Moreover, lysine sites flanked by tyrosine, phenylalanine, and histidine in the +1 position, as well as residue lysine in position +4 to +5, were the targets of Kac. Additionally, proteins involved in adhesins, gingipains, black pigmentation, and oxidative stress resistance were identified as substrates of Kac. Collectively, these results suggest Kac may play a critical role in the regulation of physiology and virulence of P. gingivalis. Furthermore, we discovered that, Ksuc and Kac were extensively overlapped in P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, especially in proteins related to ribosomes and metabolism. This study provides a significant beginning for further investigating the role of Kac and Ksuc in the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis.
Autism spectrum conditions in hikikomori: A pilot case–control study
Authors: Katsuki Ryoko , Tateno Masaru , Kubo Hiroaki , Kurahara Keita , Hayakawa Kohei , Kuwano Nobuki , Kanba Shigenobu , Kato Takahiro A.
Published: September 2020

Aim

Hikikomori, a form of pathological social withdrawal, has been suggested to have comorbidity with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to clarify how characteristics of hikikomori are associated with ASD, including undiagnosed autism spectrum conditions (ASC), in clinical settings.

Methods

A total of 416 clinical patients were recruited through the Mood Disorder/Hikikomori Clinic at Kyushu University Hospital. A total of 103 hikikomori cases and 221 clinical controls without hikikomori conditions were extracted using a semi‐structured interview, and completed a series of self‐rated scales, including the Japanese version of the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ‐J).

Results

Compared to non‐hikikomori controls, hikikomori cases were more likely to have higher autistic tendency based on the AQ‐J. The cases showed more severe subjective depressive symptoms based on the self‐rated Beck Depression Inventory II, whereas no significant difference was found on interview‐based severity evaluation using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Comparison within hikikomori cases based on the AQ‐J cut‐off score revealed that hikikomori cases with high ASC were significantly more likely to have higher traits of modern‐type depression, smaller social networks, and less social support.

Conclusion

The present data suggest that hikikomori sufferers are more likely to have autistic tendency, and that hikikomori sufferers with high ASC may have much more difficulty in social communication and social interaction. In addition, those with high ASC may also have lower self‐esteem and higher complaint tendencies as aspects of modern‐type depression traits, which may relate to the occurrence of hikikomori. Thus, evaluating autistic tendencies is important for appropriate interventions in hikikomori. Further investigations should be conducted to validate our pilot findings using structured diagnostic systems of ASD.
Sucrose transport in response to drought and salt stress involves ABA‐mediated induction of OsSWEET13 and OsSWEET15 in rice
Authors: Mathan Jyotirmaya , Singh Anuradha , Ranjan Aashish
Published: September 2020

Abiotic stresses, including drought and salinity, negatively affect plant development and physiology at molecular and metabolic levels. Sucrose transport, mediating distribution of photosynthates in plant, is a key physiological process impacted by drought and salinity stresses, as sucrose is a prime energy and signaling molecule as well as an osmolyte. Therefore, understanding the effects of abiotic stresses on sucrose transport and transporters, and underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms, is imperative to maintain sugar homeostasis in plants under stress. Here, we investigated the effects of drought and salinity stresses on sucrose transport and distribution, and on expression levels of genes encoding Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs), along with a potential transcription factor regulating SWEET expression in rice. We observed that drought and salinity stresses increased the sucrose content in leaf and root tissues and in phloem sap of rice indica varieties. Expression analyses of SWEET genes and histochemical analysis of β‐glucuronidase‐reporter transgenic plants suggested that OsSWEET13 and OsSWEET15 are major SWEET transporters regulating the sucrose transport and levels in response to the abiotic stresses. Transactivation analyses showed that an abscisic acid (ABA)‐responsive transcription factor OsbZIP72 directly binds to the promoters of OsSWEET13 and OsSWEET15 and activates their expression. Taken together, the results showed that the higher expressions of OsSWEET13 and OsSWEET15 genes, induced by binding of an ABA‐responsive transcription factor OsbZIP72 to the promoters, potentially modulate sucrose transport and distribution in response to the abiotic stresses. The mechanism could possibly be targeted for maintaining sugar homeostasis in rice under drought and salinity stresses.
Revisiting the contribution of schools to cognitive gaps: Evidence from Peru
Authors: Castro Juan F.
Published: September 2020

Previous studies have found that differences in school characteristics can explain a significant share of the difference in cognitive skill between advantaged and disadvantaged children. These estimates, however, can be biased if the effect of schools depends on the skill attained by children before they enter school. I use longitudinal information on test scores for a large sample of Peruvian children to reassess the importance of schools for the urban/rural cognitive skill gap observed at age 8. I propose a decomposition strategy that allows the skill attained during early childhood to influence the effect of schools. I find a negative relation between early childhood skill and the effect of schools in the rural domain and confirm that schools account for a significant share (around 34%) of the urban/rural cognitive skill gap. This reveals that it is possible to exploit the equalizing potential of improvement in rural schools despite the large cognitive skill deficits of rural children. It is not “too late” for rural children currently at school.
Gait biofeedback and impairment‐based rehabilitation for chronic ankle instability
Authors: Koldenhoven Rachel M. , Jaffri Abbis H. , DeJong Alexandra F. , Abel Mark , Hart Joseph , Saliba Susan , Hertel Jay
Published: September 2020

Our purpose was to analyze the effects of 4 weeks of visual gait biofeedback (GBF) and impairment‐based rehabilitation on gait biomechanics and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Twenty‐seven individuals with CAI participated in this randomized controlled trial (14 received no biofeedback (NBF), 13 received GBF). Both groups received 8 sessions of impairment‐based rehabilitation. The GBF group received visual biofeedback to reduce ankle frontal plane angle at initial contact (IC) during treadmill walking. The NBF group walked for equal time during rehabilitation but without biofeedback. Dependent variables included three‐dimensional kinematics and kinetics at the ankle, knee, and hip, electromyography amplitudes of 4 lower extremity muscles (tibialis anterior, fibularis longus, medial gastrocnemius, and gluteus medius), and PROs (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living (FAAM‐ADL), FAAM‐Sport, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and Global Rating of Change (GROC)). The GBF group significantly decreased ankle inversion at IC (MD:‐7.3º, g = 1.6) and throughout the entire stride cycle (peak inversion: MD:‐5.9º, g = 1.2). The NBF group did not have significantly altered gait biomechanics. The groups were significantly different after rehabilitation for the FAAM‐ADL (GBF: 97.1 ± 2.3%, NBF: 92.0 ± 5.7%), TSK (GBF: 29.7 ± 3.7, NBF: 34.9 ± 5.8), and GROC (GBF: 5.5 ± 1.0, NBF:3.9 ± 2.0) with the GBF group showing greater improvements than the NBF group. There were no significant differences between groups for kinetics or electromyography measures. The GBF group successfully decreased ankle inversion angle and had greater improvements in PROs after intervention compared to the NBF group. Impairment‐based rehabilitation combined with visual biofeedback during gait training is recommended for individuals with CAI.
On the formation of magmatic sulphide systems in the lower crust by long‐lived mass transfer through the lithosphere: Insights from the Valmaggia pipe, Ivrea Verbano Zone, Italy
Authors: Locmelis Marek , Moroni Marilena , Denyszyn Steven W. , Webb Laura E. , Fiorentini Marco L. , Sessa Gianluca , Caruso Stefano , Mathur Ryan , Nanzad Bolorchimeg
Published: September 2020

The lower crustal domain of the Ivrea‐Verbano Zone (NW Italy) hosts five ~300‐m‐wide pipe‐like ultramafic intrusions that are metasomatized and exhibit Ni‐Cu‐PGE sulphide mineralization. To better constrain the role of metasomatism in the ore genesis, we studied the best‐preserved pipe at Valmaggia which was emplaced 249 Myrs ago. Phlogopite 40Ar/39Ar analyses show that the pipe was infiltrated by metasomatic fluids derived from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) in two pulses at ~208 Ma and ~189 Ma which introduced sulphides into the pipe. Consequently, the pipe repeatedly acted as a preferred path for mass transfer from the SCLM into the lower crust over >60 Myrs (i.e., emplacement to second metasomatic pulse). Uplifted block margins, such as the Ivrea‐Verbano Zone, are potentially important exploration targets for magmatic sulphides. We argue that exploration strategies should focus on structures such as pipes that can focus metasomatic agents during ascent through the lithosphere.
Patterns of trade restrictiveness in online platforms: A first look
Authors: Ferracane Martina Francesca , van der Marel Erik
Published: September 2020

This paper develops a digital platform restrictiveness index for 64 countries based on ECIPE’s Digital Trade Estimates database and the Digital Trade Restrictiveness Index. We identify specific restrictions that affect online platforms with a focus on online search, e‐commerce and social media. The results show that both OECD and non‐OECD countries show high levels of trade restrictions on online platforms. Moreover, some of the most restricted countries are characterised by large markets, signifying that a substantial part of the global economy gravitates towards restricting online platforms. Based on the platform restrictiveness index, we perform an econometric analysis showing that trade restrictions for online platforms are significantly associated with lower contributions of the ICT sector to productivity growth in the entire economy. The results suggest that reducing restrictions on online platforms can increase the ICT’s contribution to overall productivity growth towards a level seen before the global financial crisis. Sectors that would benefit the most are those that make wider use of online platforms and the Internet, including information services, business services and financial services.
American and Irish English speakers’ perceptions of the final particles so and but
Authors: Izutsu Mitsuko Narita , Izutsu Katsunobu
Published: September 2020

The retrospective (final‐particle) use of so and but (Thanks, but.) is documented in Irish English, but not in American English, which only has the prospective (final‐hanging) use (I could scream, but …). American English (AmE) speakers are expected to have communication difficulty in understanding the retrospective use of so and but. Interestingly, however, our questionnaire survey indicated a partially contradictory result: some AmE speakers were able to arrive at the retrospective‐scope interpretation of final so and but. To gain a more in‐depth understanding of how AmE speakers interpret such final‐particle uses, we conducted a qualitative analysis using data obtained from semi‐structured interviews with AmE speakers.
Economic Development, Political Development, and Inequality
Authors: Ferguson William D.
Published: September 2020

This chapter augments Chapter 1’s foundations with detail on political and economic development, inequality, their interactions, and associated CAPs. Development entails sustained, widespread improvement of economic and political capabilities. Economic development includes steady growth in per capita income, education, health care, and infrastructure, with attention to deprivation, poverty, broader inequities, and associated avenues and barriers to achievement. It also involves creating functional economic institutions. Political development entails steady augmentation of a state’s ability to provide public goods and services; protect economic, political, and civil rights; and create and enforce impartial rules (a rule of law). It also involves broad access to political decision making, limiting authority, mobilizing public participation, and enhancing the legitimacy of underlying procedures. Inequality has multiple dimensions (income, wealth, access); achieving equity along one dimension often compromises that for another. Multiple types of inequality are both outcomes of and conditions that shape development. Multiple CAPs ensue.
Power, Social Conflict, Institutional Formation, and Credible Commitment
Authors: Ferguson William D.
Published: September 2020

This chapter develops a social conflict theory of institutions. The third hypothesis posits that unequal distributions of power shape the creation, evolution, and demise of economic and political institutions. A background discussion defines power—a slightly slippery concept—and addresses key sources and manifestations of power. Unequal distributions of power then generate a series of CAPs associated with asymmetric influence on institutional construction and evolution. A flowchart model illustrates. To complicate matters, the fourth hypothesis posits that powerful parties cannot, left to themselves, credibly promise to refrain from using their power for their own future gain—often at the expense of others. Specifically, without institutional and motivational constraint, powerful parties may seize the gains from others’ investments in potentially fruitful economic and political activities. Functional development thus requires resolving multiple, largely second-order, CAPs related to credibly restraining powerful actors—when such actors, simultaneously, exert disproportionate influence over institution building.
These Islands Are Ours
Authors: Bukh Alexander
Published: September 2020

Territorial disputes are one of the main sources of tension in Northeast Asia. Escalation in such conflicts often stems from a widely shared public perception that the territory in question is of the utmost importance to the nation. Yet that’s frequently not true in economic, military, or political terms. The tiny and remote islets, known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, for instance, have no such value. Yet citizens and groups in both countries have mounted sustained campaigns to protect them as the heart of the nation. Similar movements are taking place throughout the region and have wide-ranging domestic and international consequences.
Focusing on non-state actors rather than political elites, Alexander Bukh explains how and why apparently inconsequential territories become central to national and nationalist discourse in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. These Islands Are Ours gives us a new way to understand the nature of territorial disputes and how they inform national identities by exploring their social construction, amplification, and ideological consequences.
Taiwan’s “Protect the Diaoyutai” Movement
Authors: Bukh Alexander
Published: September 2020

Located in the nexus of two critical junctures-the “long 1960s” in the US United States and the collapse of nationalist mythology of the Kuomintang government-the Taiwanese movement for the protection of the Diaoyutai iIslands promoted a new narrative on Chinese national identity. The symbolism ascribed to the disputed islands was rather diverse, but the dominant, left-leaning part of the movement used the disputed islands to reproduce the Kuomintang- created narrative on national humiliation, while replacing the Republic of China with the People’s Republic of China as the center of Chinese national subjectivity. In post-democratization Taiwan, this narrative gained a new political meaning, becoming an integral part of the legitimation strategy deployed by pro-unification political forces.
Contraction influences Per2 gene expression in skeletal muscle through a calcium‐dependent pathway
Authors: Small Lewin , Altıntaş Ali , Laker Rhianna C , Ehrlich Amy , Pattamaprapanont Pattarawan , Villarroel Julia , Pillon Nicolas J , Zierath Juleen R , Barrès Romain
Published: September 2020

Key points

Exercising at different times of day elicits different effects on exercise performance and metabolic health. However, the specific signals driving the observed time‐of‐day specific effects of exercise have not been fully identified.

Exercise influences the skeletal muscle circadian clock, although the relative contribution of muscle contraction and extracellular signals is unknown.

Here, we show that contraction acutely increases the expression of the core circadian clock gene Period Circadian Regulator 2 (Per2) and phase‐shifts Per2 rhythmicity in muscle cells. This contraction effect on core clock genes is mediated through a calcium‐dependant mechanism;

The results obtained in the present study suggest that a proportion of the ability of exercise to entrain the skeletal muscle clock is driven directly by muscle contraction. Contraction interventions may be used to mimic some time‐of‐day specific effects of exercise on metabolism and muscle performance.

Exercise entrains the central and peripheral circadian clocks, although the mechanism by which exercise modulates expression of skeletal muscle clock genes is unclear. The present study aimed to determine whether skeletal muscle contraction alone could directly influence circadian rhythmicity and uncover the underlying mechanism by which contraction modulates clock gene expression. We investigated the expression of core clock genes in human skeletal muscle after acute exercise, as well as following in vitro contraction in mouse soleus muscle and cultured C2C12 skeletal muscle myotubes. Additionally, we interrogated the molecular pathways by which skeletal muscle contraction could influence clock gene expression. Contraction acutely increased the expression of the core circadian clock gene Period Circadian Regulator 2 (Per2) and phase‐shifted Per2 rhythmicity in C2C12 myotubes in vitro. Further investigation revealed that pharmacologically increasing cytosolic calcium concentrations by ionomycin treatment mimicked the effect of contraction on Per2 expression. Similarly, treatment with a calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, blocked the effect of electric pulse stimulation‐induced contraction on Per2 expression. Increased calcium influx from contraction lead to binding of the phosphorylated form of cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) to the Per2 promoter, suggesting a role of CREB in contraction‐induced Per2 transcription. Thus, by dissociating the effect of muscle contraction alone from the whole effect of exercise, our investigations indicate that a proportion of the ability of exercise to entrain the skeletal muscle clock is driven directly by contraction.
Virtual Reality Technology in Football Coaching: Barriers and Opportunities
Authors: Thatcher Brad , Ivanov Georgi , Szerovay Mihaly , Mills Graham
Published: September 2020

Virtual reality (VR) technology has the potential to become the next performance measure in coaching by enhancing players’ perceptual ability. This paper aims to analyze elite coaches’ and performance analysts’ perceptions of barriers to and opportunities for the adaptation of VR technology in football coaching. Following a pilot study, interviews were conducted with six elite coaches and performance analysts. Perceptions of the key barriers to VR’s widespread adoption were the following: lack of conclusive evidence, practicality, quality of software, and cognitive overload. VR needs to overcome these barriers to be successfully integrated into contemporary coaching. Key opportunities included virtual models of play, for example, a virtual environment created by VR technology that exposes players to situations experienced in real environments. In addition, VR may be used to enhance player development by facilitating an environment in which players can develop their visual exploratory behavior and can acquire task-relevant information, resulting in faster decision making. Opportunities regarding player rehabilitation and solving isolated incidents were also identified. The authors conclude that VR technology has a developing role in coaching and has the potential to become a valuable supplement to current coaching methods for those actively seeking competitive advantage through technological advancement.
Physical Activity Tracking Wristbands for Use in Research With Older Adults: An Overview and Recommendations
Authors: Weisberg Alanna , Campelo Alexandre Monte , Bhaidani Tanzeel , Katz Larry
Published: September 2020

Traditional physical activity tracking tools, such as self-report questionnaires, are inherently subjective and vulnerable to bias. Physical activity tracking technology, such as activity tracking wristbands, is becoming more reliable and readily available. As such, researchers are employing these objective measurement tools in both observational- and intervention-based studies. There remains a gap in the literature on how to properly select activity tracking wristbands for research, specifically for the older adult population. This paper outlines considerations for choosing the most appropriate wrist-worn wearable device for use in research with older adults. Device features, outcome measures, population, and methodological considerations are explored.
Personal, Social, and Environmental Mediators Associated With Increased Recreational Physical Activity in Women and Girls in the Kingdom of Tonga
Authors: Keane Lewis , Sherry Emma , Schulenkorf Nico , Negin Joel , Ding Ding , Bauman Adrian , Jegasothy Edward , Richards Justin
Published: September 2020

Background: The purpose of this paper was to identify personal, social, and environmental mediators of recreational physical activity (PA) in a 6-month netball-based intervention for women and girls in Tonga.Methods: Tonga Netball’s “low-engagement village program” was implemented in 10 villages and aimed to increase the recreational PA levels in women and girls through a comprehensive, structured community-level netball program addressing key barriers to participation. In a mixed-methods approach, these mediating barriers were identified through qualitative interviews based on the socioecological model. Quantitative measures for mediators and recreational PA were then developed, and data from 301 women and girls were collected. Standard mediation analyses methods were then applied.Results: Program participation appeared to significantly increase PA levels. Statistically significant personal mediators were body issues, preferring competitions, and clothing. Social mediators were support from sports council, community leaders, friends, and church. Environmental mediators were travel time and access to balls, bibs, and umpires.Conclusion: A comprehensive community-level program addressing key participation barriers can increase recreational PA among women and girls in Tonga. Triangulating these results with mediation analyses of variables on the causal pathway can strengthen our understanding of causation and inform funding prioritization for critical program components in similar contexts.
Pandemic inspires push to shrink jails, prisons
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: September 2020

New research focuses on the health and public safety impacts of "decarceration."
Global citizen deliberation on genome editing
Authors: Dryzek John S. , Nicol Dianne , Niemeyer Simon , Pemberton Sonya , Curato Nicole , Bächtiger André , Batterham Philip , Bedsted Bjørn , Burall Simon , Burgess Michael , Burgio Gaetan , Castelfranchi Yurij , Chneiweiss Hervé , Church George , Crossley Merlin , de Vries Jantina , Farooque Mahmud , Hammond Marit , He Baogang , Mendonça Ricardo , Merchant Jennifer , Middleton Anna , Rasko John E. J. , Van Hoyweghen Ine , Vergne Antoine
Published: September 2020

Global governance can be informed by a deliberative assembly composed of lay citizens