bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental workload of frontline nurses aiding in the COVID‐19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Shan Yawei , Shang Jing , Yan Yan , Lu Gendi , Hu Deying , Ye Xuchun
Published: February 2021

Aims

To investigate the mental workload level of nurses aiding the most affected area during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and explore the subtypes of nurses regarding their mental workload.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A sample of 446 frontline nurses participated from March 8 to 19, 2020. A latent profile analysis was performed to identify clusters based on the six subscales of the Chinese version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index. The differences among the classes and the variables including sociodemographic characteristics, psychological capital and coping style were explored.

Results

The level of mental workload indicates that the nurses had high self‐evaluations of their performance while under extremely intensive task loads. The following three latent subtypes were identified: ‘low workload & low self‐evaluation’ (8.6%); ‘medium workload & medium self‐evaluation’ (35.3%) and ‘high workload & high self‐evaluation’ (56.1%) (Classes 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Nurses with shared accommodations, fewer years of practice, junior professional titles, lower incomes, nonmanagement working positions, lower psychological capital levels and negative coping styles had a higher likelihood of belonging to Class 1. In contrast, senior nurses with higher psychological capital and positive coping styles were more likely to belong to Classes 2 and 3.

Conclusion

The characteristics of the ‘low workload & low self‐evaluation’ subtype suggest that attention should be paid to the work pressure and psychological well‐being of junior nurses. Further research on regular training program of public health emergency especially for novices is needed. Personnel management during public health events should be focused on the allocation between novice and senior frontline nurses.

Impact

This study addresses the level of mental workload of frontline nurses who aid in the most severe area of the COVID‐19 pandemic in China and delineates the characteristics of the subtypes of these nurses.
FGF21 promotes ischaemic angiogenesis and endothelial progenitor cells function under diabetic conditions in an AMPK/NAD+‐dependent manner
Authors: Dai Qiaoxia , Fan Xia , Meng Xue , Sun Shiyue , Su Yue , Ling Xiao , Chen Xiangjuan , Wang Kai , Dai Xiaozhen , Zhang Chi , Da Sun , Zhang Guigui , Gu Chunjie , Chen Hui , He Junhong , Hu Haiqi , Yu Lechu , Pan Xiaohong , Tan Yi , Yan Xiaoqing
Published: February 2021

Diabetic vascular complications are closely associated with long‐term vascular dysfunction and poor neovascularization. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play pivotal roles in maintaining vascular homeostasis and triggering angiogenesis, and EPC dysfunction contributes to defective angiogenesis and resultant diabetic vascular complications. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has received substantial attention as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes via regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the effects of FGF21 on diabetic vascular complications remain unclear. In the present study, the in vivo results showed that FGF21 efficiently improved blood perfusion and ischaemic angiogenesis in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice, and these effects were accompanied by enhanced EPC mobilization and infiltration into ischaemic muscle tissues and increases in plasma stromal cell–derived factor‐1 concentration. The in vitro results revealed that FGF21 directly prevented EPC damage induced by high glucose, and the mechanistic studies demonstrated that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) was dramatically decreased in EPCs challenged with high glucose, whereas FGF21 treatment significantly increased NAD+ content in an AMPK‐dependent manner, resulting in improved angiogenic capability of EPCs. These results indicate that FGF21 promotes ischaemic angiogenesis and the angiogenic ability of EPCs under diabetic conditions by activating the AMPK/NAD+ pathway.
Party Politics and Radical Right Populism in the European Parliament: Analysing Political Groups as Democratic Actors
Authors: Kantola Johanna , Miller Cherry
Published: February 2021

The European Parliament's political groups have traditionally been studied using quantitative methods and roll call votes. This article expands such research agendas by applying qualitative methods and interview data to expose existing power relations not just on macro level but within and between political groups. This generates insights on the ways in which radical right populism impacts on democratic practices and their erosion in parliamentary politics. The article examines intergroup and intragroup activities as fundamental, under‐researched areas of the functioning of political group. The research material consists of 123 interviews with members of the European Parliament and staff and ethnographic field notes all gathered in Brussels and Strasbourg between 2018 and 2020. The findings show that the impact of radical right populism on political group dynamics cannot be understood by focusing on formal institutions only but has to be analysed at the level of informal institutions.
Commentary: Does ‘cry it out’ really have no adverse effects on attachment? Reflections on Bilgin and Wolke (2020)
Authors: Davis Abi M. B. , Kramer Robin S. S.
Published: February 2021

In their recent paper published in JCPP, Bilgin and Wolke (2020a) argue that leaving an infant to ‘cry it out’, rather than responding to the child’s cries, had no adverse effects on mother–infant attachment at 18 months. This finding opposes evidence across a wide range of scientific fields. Here, we outline several concerns with the article and argue against some of the authors’ strong claims, which have already gained media attention, including a report on the NHS website. We suggest that the authors’ conclusions should be considered one piece of a larger scientific whole, where ‘cry it out’ seems, overall, to be of detriment to both attachment and development. Crucially, we are concerned that this study has issues regarding power and other analytical decisions. More generally, we fear that the authors have overstated their findings and we hope that members of the public do not alter their parenting behaviours in line with such claims without further research into this controversial topic.
Goldilocks Deference?
Authors: Cole Daniel H. , Baldwin Elizabeth , Meehan Katie
Published: February 2021

Over the years, courts reviewing rules and decisions of federal administrative agencies have given those agencies greater or narrower latitude in interpreting enabling legislation, ranging from the “hard look” doctrine to various levels of deference under case names such asChevron,Auer, andSkidmore. This article examines a distinct type of judicial deference that might arise only in a special subset of cases where an agency is sued by two different interested parties arguing diametrically opposed positions. For example, the EPA may be sued on a major, substantive rule by the regulated industry arguing that the rule is too restrictive and by environmental groups arguing that it is too lax. In such cases, we hypothesize that reviewing courts might exercise “Goldilocks deference,” based on the assumption that if environmental groups and regulated industries are dissatisfied, then the agency's rule must be just about right. Using an empirical dataset of 160 cases, we show that the EPA is more likely to prevail when it is sued by both sides, suggesting that the hypothesis of Goldilocks deference is at least plausible.
In vitro investigation of chemical composition and antibacterial activity of alcoholic, hydroalcoholic extracts, and essential oil of Spinacia oleracea leaves from Iran
Authors: Issazadeh Seyed Ali , Hatami Samaneh , Yavarmanesh Masoud
Published: February 2021

This study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of the alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Spinacia oleracea leaves, on Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 7644), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (NCTC 12900) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), and to identify bioactive functional components including essential oil by GC–MS. Microbial analyses, including disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were conducted, whose results were compared with some specific antibiotics. The results of the MIC and MBC analyses indicated that S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes were more sensitive to the alcoholic extract than P. aeruginosa and E. coli. However, the hydroalcoholic extract showed no MIC and MBC for the tested pathogens. In the disc diffusion method, the alcoholic extract had a great effect on L. monocytogenes. The GC–MS analysis showed phenolic compounds (9.345%), unsaturated and saturated fatty acids (22.901%), alkaloids, and terpenes (58.57%), amino acids (6.279%), squalene (0.233%), and other compounds in the alcoholic extract of Spinach, which has functional roles in biological activities. Furthermore, the most important compounds of the essential oil of the Iranian spinach were durohydroquinone (34.73%), α‐terpineol (12.98%), linalool (22.69%), and cineole (13.1%). According to the results, the alcoholic extract and the essential oil of S. oleracea leaves can be a good alternative for antibiotics and can be used in foods and animal feed as a preservative.
Attitudes towards deprescribing: The perspectives of geriatric patients and nursing home residents
Authors: Lundby Carina , Glans Peter , Simonsen Trine , Søndergaard Jens , Ryg Jesper , Lauridsen Henrik Hein , Pottegård Anton
Published: February 2021

Background/Objectives

Successful deprescribing requires insight into patients' thoughts about deprescribing. We described attitudes towards deprescribing in a large sample of geriatric patients and nursing home residents.

Design

Interview‐based questionnaire study.

Setting

Denmark.

Participants

Geriatric inpatients (n = 44), geriatric outpatients (n = 94), and nursing home residents (n = 162) with an Orientation‐Memory‐Concentration score of ≥8.

Measurements

Participants completed the validated Danish version of the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire by interview. Attitudes were reported descriptively, and rPATD factor scores were compared between participant groups and across participant characteristics.

Results

Participants had a median age of 82 years (interquartile range [IQR] 76–89) and used a median of 8 medications (IQR 5–10). Thirty‐three percent of participants would like to try stopping one of their medications on their own, while 87% were willing to stop one on their physician's advice. Geriatric inpatients reported slightly greater perceived burden of taking medication compared to geriatric outpatients and nursing home residents (median "burden” score 50 vs 42, p = 0.11), while geriatric outpatients reported slightly more involvement in their medication use compared to nursing home residents (median “involvement” score 80 vs 75, p < 0.05) and geriatric inpatients (median “involvement” score 80 vs 70, p < 0.01). An increasing number of medications was associated with an increased “burden” score (ptrend = 0.001): Those using 1–4 medications daily had a median score of 25 (IQR 17–33) compared to 58 (IQR 42–75) among those using ≥10 medications daily. Similarly, an increasing number of medications was associated with a higher "concerns about stopping” score (ptrend = 0.001) and a lower "appropriateness” score (ptrend < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Geriatric patients and nursing home residents are generally open towards deprescribing, particularly if proposed by their physician. Some differences exist between populations and across individual patient characteristics. Clinicians should increase awareness of deprescribing as a possibility in these populations and tailor their deprescribing approach to the individual patient.
Shedding light on light exposure in elderly with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Böhmer M. N. , Valstar M. J. , Aarts M. P. J. , Bindels P. J. E. , Oppewal A. , van Someren E. J. W. , Festen D. A. M.
Published: February 2021

Background

Light exposure affects mood and sleep regulation. Sleep problems and mood complaints are common in elderly with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in care facilities. Insufficient light exposure is hypothesised to contribute to the high prevalence of these problems. The current study is the first to describe the personal light exposure pattern during the waking day in elderly with ID.

Methods

The study sample consists of 82 elderly with ID (aged 62.3 ± 9.4 years) living in 16 residential homes of three care organisations in the Netherlands. Personal light exposure was measured continuously for 7–10 days using a HOBO data logger light sensor, measuring illuminance at chest height. Participants wore a wrist‐worn accelerometer (Actiwatch or Geneactiv) to indicate the bedtimes to determine the waking day.

Results

The variation in illuminance is small during the waking day. Elderly with ID spend most of their waking day (mean duration = 14:32:43 h) in dim light (1–500 lux) environment and spend a median of 32 min in light > 1000 lux. Within participants, the threshold associated with better sleep (>50 min of light > 1000 lux) was reached for 34% of the days, and the threshold associated with less depressive symptoms (>30 min of light > 1000 lux) was reached in 46% of the days. Exposure > 1000 lux was lower during weekends than during weekdays.

Conclusion

Elderly with ID spend most of their waking day in low light levels and did not meet the proposed values associated with better sleep and mood. Given the importance of adequate light exposure for regulation of sleep and mood, and the prevalence of sleep and mood problems in elderly with ID, the current study suggests that the lit environment for this already frail population should be given more attention.
¡Matria libre y vivir!: Youth Activism and Nicaragua's 2018 Insurrection
Authors: Bran Aragón Fiore Stella , Goett Jennifer
Published: February 2021

This article examines how youth subjectivity shaped Nicaragua's 2018 civic insurrection. A generation born after the end of the Sandinista Revolution in 1990 led the uprising, with the support of a broad sector of society. Once cast as apolitical and self‐involved, young protestors built insurgent spaces of democratic participation that challenged national political culture and the authoritarian social relations that it produces. Focusing on the university student movement, the authors examine how youth life and youth death at the hands of the state became powerful symbols of resistance. Some activists, particularly young women, even reimagined the nation as a space of self‐ and mutual care rooted in feminist, ecological, and decolonial consciousness. This ethic of life critiques the heroic martyrdom of the revolutionary past and the militarism, extractivism, and heteropatriarchy of the contemporary state.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver and lipid profile status in patients with melasma: A case‐control study
Authors: Ghassemi Mohammadreza , Hosseinchi Saba , Seirafianpour Farnoosh , Dodangeh Milad , Goodarzi Azadeh
Published: February 2021

Background

There are pieces of evidence regarding the association between melasma and metabolic syndrome. To assess the prevalence and grade of nonalcoholic fatty liver and lipid profile status in patients with melasma, we designed this case‐control study.

Methods

This study was performed on 30 consecutive women with melasma who referred to the dermatology clinic of the hospital as the case group and 34 healthy women. For all participants, serum lipid profiles and liver enzymes were checked. Also, the existence of fatty liver was assessed by ultrasonography.

Results

Except for serum level of LDL (low‐density lipoprotein) that was significantly higher in the melasma group than in the healthy group (104.23 ± 25.00 mg/dl versus 89.85 ± 23.00 mg/dl, p = 0.020), the level of other parameters including other lipid profiles, blood sugar, or liver enzymes was similar in both groups. In ultrasonography, the overall prevalence of fatty liver was 23.3% in the melasma group and 20.6% in the control group, and no difference was found between the two groups in grade of fatty liver (p = 0.791).

Conclusion

The study showed a higher serum LDL level in patients with melasma compared to women without melasma, but there was no difference between the groups in prevalence or grade of fatty liver.
Disentangling cognitive processes in externalizing psychopathology using drift diffusion modeling: Antagonism, but not disinhibition, is associated with poor cognitive control
Authors: Hall Nathan T. , Schreiber Alison M. , Allen Timothy A. , Hallquist Michael N.
Published: February 2021

Although externalizing psychopathology has been linked to deficits in cognitive control, the cognitive processes underlying this association are unclear. Here, we provide a theoretical account of how research on cognitive processes can help to integrate and distinguish personality and psychopathology. We then apply this account to connect the two major subcomponents of externalizing, Antagonism and Disinhibition, with specific control processes using a battery of inhibitory control tasks and corresponding computational modeling. Participants (final N = 104) completed the flanker, go/no‐go, and recent probes tasks, as well as normal and maladaptive personality inventories and measures of psychological distress. We fit participants' task behavior using a hierarchical drift diffusion model (DDM) to decompose their responses into specific cognitive processes. Using multilevel structural equation models, we found that Antagonism was associated with faster RTs on the flanker task and lower accuracy on flanker and go/no‐go tasks. These results were complemented by DDM parameter associations: Antagonism was linked to decreased threshold and drift rate parameter estimates in the flanker task and a decreased drift rate on no‐go trials. Altogether, our findings indicate that Antagonism is associated with specific impairments in fast (sub‐second) inhibitory control processes involved in withholding prepared/prepotent responses and filtering distracting information. Disinhibition and momentary distress, however, were not associated with task performance.
Application of temporal penalty analysis for the optimization of sugar reduction in protein beverages
Authors: Harwood William S. , Drake MaryAnne
Published: February 2021

This study evaluated the application of penalty analysis to temporal evaluation of vanilla‐flavored protein beverages sweetened with different sweeteners. Iso‐sweet concentrations of sucrose, sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit, as well as natural sweetener blends, were assessed in the study. Ready‐to‐mix protein beverages were formulated with flavoring, sweetener, and whey protein isolate (25 g protein per 360 ml serving). Consumers (n = 143 total) participated in both temporal liking and temporal check‐all‐that‐apply (TCATA) exercises. Consumer results from temporal liking were matched at each second with results from their TCATA profiling. Significant penalties to liking associated with the presence or absence of attributes were subsequently identified. The sucrose formulation received no penalties and had the most consistent temporal liking of all formulations. Monk fruit beverages were penalized (p < .05) for metallic sensation over the course of aftertaste evaluation, and stevia beverages were penalized for bitter and metallic tastes, astringency, and lingering bitterness. Natural sweetener blends proved effective at mitigation of these unpleasant temporal sensory qualities. Understanding the temporal aspects of protein beverages related to the different sweetener types may provide guidance for formulating reduced‐sugar products that maintain an acceptable consumer temporal experience.

Practical application

Nonnutritive sweetener systems are often less palatable than sucrose‐sweetened products, presenting a barrier to more widespread consumption. This study utilized a novel penalty analysis approach from a temporal perspective to identify formulations that are viable alternatives to nutritive sweetener formulations. Findings from this study may be of specific interest to manufacturers of high‐protein products. Additionally, the approaches used within this study may hold practical value for food manufacturers as a whole, as they outline a novel consumer‐centric approach for refining product formulations.
Weekly, seasonal, and chronotype‐dependent variation of dim‐light melatonin onset
Authors: Zerbini Giulia , Winnebeck Eva C. , Merrow Martha
Published: February 2021

In humans, the most important zeitgeber for entrainment is light. Laboratory studies have shown that meaningful changes in light exposure lead to phase shifts in markers of the circadian clock. In natural settings, light is a complex signal varying with external conditions and individual behaviors; nonetheless, phase of entrainment is assumed to be fairly stable. Here, we investigated the influence of season and weekly schedule (as indicators of variation in light landscapes) on phase of entrainment. Using a within‐subjects design (N = 33), we assessed dim‐light melatonin onset (DLMO) as a circadian phase marker in humans, on workdays and work‐free days, in summer (under daylight saving time) and in winter, while also estimating sleep times from actimetry. Our mixed‐model regressions show that both season and weekly structure are linked with changes in phase of entrainment and sleep. In summer, both DLMO and sleep times were about 1 hour earlier compared to winter, and sleep duration was shorter. On work‐free days, DLMO and sleep times were later, and their phase relationship differed more relative to workdays. All these effects were stronger in later chronotypes (those who habitually sleep late). Our results confirm that phase of entrainment is earlier when stronger zeitgebers are present (summer) and show that it relates to midday or midnight rather than sunrise or sunset. Additionally, they suggest that late chronotypes are capable of rapid phase shifts each week as they move between workdays and work‐free days, stimulating interesting questions about the stability of circadian phase under natural conditions.
Incidence, recurrence, and outcome of postrace atrial fibrillation in Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Nath Laura C. , Elliott Adrian D. , Weir Joe , Curl Peter , Rosanowski Sarah M. , Franklin Samantha
Published: February 2021

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) impacts performance and horse and jockey safety. Understanding the outcomes of AF identified postrace will better inform regulatory policy.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To investigate the outcomes after episodes of AF identified postrace and determine whether affected horses are at increased risk of additional episodes compared to the general racing population.

Animals

Total of 4684 Thoroughbred racehorses.

Methods

Race records for Thoroughbred horses racing in Hong Kong from 2007 to 2017 were reviewed. Horses that performed below expectation were examined by cardiac auscultation and ECG. Incidence and recurrence of AF were compared between horses with and without a history of AF and between horses with paroxysmal and persistent episodes using Fisher's exact test.

Results

There were 96 135 race starts during the study. Atrial fibrillation was identified in 4.9% of horses, with an overall incidence of 2.7 episodes per 1000 starts. The incidence of AF in horses after any previous episode (12.8 per 1000 starts) was higher than for horses with no previous episode (2.4 per 1000 starts; odds ratio [OR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.8‐7.6). Recurrence was seen in 64% of horses previously treated for persistent AF, which was higher than recurrence in horses with paroxysmal AF (23%; OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.6‐21.2). Median duration between episodes was 343 days (range, 34‐1065).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Thoroughbreds are at increased risk of recurrent AF after both paroxysmal and persistent episodes, but the duration of time between episodes varies widely. These findings support a substantial burden of AF among individual Thoroughbred racehorses.
Fibrinogen heterogeneity in horses
Authors: Russell Elise B. , Courtman Natalie F. , Santos Leilani L. , Tennent‐Brown Brett S.
Published: February 2021

Background

Fibrinogen heterogeneity has been observed in humans and can influence fibrinogen measurements when using the modified Clauss assay. We hypothesized that fibrinogen heterogeneity also exists in horses.

Objectives

To determine whether fibrinogen heterogeneity exists in horses.

Animals

Five clinically healthy horses from the university equine teaching herd.

Methods

Presumed fibrinogen was purified from pooled citrated plasma and electrophoresis performed. The purified protein was subjected to Western blotting using sheep antiserum against human fibrinogen, and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS).

Results

Gel electrophoresis of nonreduced equine purified protein yielded 2 protein bands (approximately 377 and 318 kDa) that corresponded with the molecular weights of human high molecular weight fibrinogen and low molecular weight fibrinogen fractions, respectively. Electrophoretograms of reduced purified protein, Western blots, and LC‐MS/MS supported that the purified nonreduced protein bands were fibrinogen.

Conclusion

Fibrinogen heterogeneity exists in horses.
Pharmacokinetics of ketorolac in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) after a single intramuscular injection
Authors: Gregory Taylor M. , Harms Craig A. , Gorges Melinda A. , Lewbart Gregory A. , Papich Mark G.
Published: February 2021

Ketorolac is a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug administered as an analgesic in humans. It has analgesic effects comparable to opioids but without adverse effects such as respiratory depression or restrictions because of controlled drug status. We designed this study to examine the potential of ketorolac as an analgesic for sea turtle rehabilitative medicine. Our objective was to determine the pharmacokinetics of a single 0.25 mg/kg intramuscular dose of ketorolac in a population of 16 captive‐raised juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). A sparse sampling protocol was utilized, and blood samples were collected for 12 hours after administration of ketorolac. Samples were analyzed with high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and a nonlinear mixed effects model (NLME) was used to determine parameters for the population. With these methods, we identified a long elimination half‐life (βT1/2 = 11.867 hr) but a low maximum concentration (CMAX = 0.508 µg/mL) and concentrations were below the level proposed to be therapeutic in humans (EC50 = 0.1–0.3 μg/mL) for most of the collection period. We conclude that ketorolac may not be an appropriate long‐term analgesic for use in loggerhead sea turtles at this dose; however, it may have some benefit as a short‐term analgesic.
Pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid after different administration routes in geese (Anser cygnoides)
Authors: Turk Erdinc , Tekeli Ibrahim Ozan , Durna Corum Duygu , Corum Orhan , Sakin Fatih , Uney Kamil
Published: February 2021

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of tolfenamic acid were determined in geese (Anser cygnoides) following intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), and oral administrations at 2 mg/kg dose. In this study, eight healthy geese (3.5 ± 0.5 kg) were used. The study was performed in four periods according to a crossover design with a 15‐day washout period between two administrations. The plasma concentrations of tolfenamic acid were analyzed using HPLC‐UV, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis. The elimination half‐life was 1.73, 2.51, 2.34, and 2.31 hr for IV, IM, SC, and oral routes, respectively. The volume of distribution at steady state and total clearance after IV administration were 0.25 L/kg and 0.16 L hr−1 kg−1, respectively. The peak plasma concentrations of tolfenamic acid after IM, SC, and oral administrations were 4.89, 2.94, and 2.92 μg/ml at 0.25, 0.75, and 1 hr, respectively. The bioavailability was 87.91, 77.87, and 76.03% for the IM, SC, and oral routes, respectively. Tolfenamic acid, which exhibits the good bioavailability and plasma concentration following IM, SC, and oral administrations at 2 mg/kg dose, may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions in geese.
Light can modify density‐dependent seedling mortality in a temperate forest
Authors: Holík Jan , Janík David , Adam Dušan
Published: February 2021

Questions

There is growing evidence on how density‐dependent drivers of plant performance are influenced by habitat heterogeneity such as variation in understorey light availability. How these processes operate in temperate forests still remains an open question, however. We examined the interactive effects of density dependence and light availability on woody seedling mortality across multiple species, two size stages and growth forms.

Location

Alluvial old‐growth temperate forest, southeastern Czech Republic.

Methods

We mapped seedlings of woody species (≥10 cm tall) and recorded their mortality over a two‐year period on 21 square seedling plots (25 m2) within one large square plot with all trees mapped (≥1 cm diameter at breast height). Seedling mortality was studied using a combined approach of generalised linear mixed models and spatial point pattern analyses.

Results

Density‐dependent effects of tree and seedling neighbours influenced seedling mortality at different spatial scales, depending on their size class, growth form and by taxon. Conspecific inhibition raised the mortality of seedlings other than Acer campestre at low light levels, indicating that host‐specific enemies and/or intraspecific competition may be important in unfavourable habitats. While small seedlings experienced conspecific inhibition at low light levels, tall seedlings were additively affected by low‐light conditions and competition with trees. Both conspecific and heterospecific neighbours tended to affect tree seedlings at low light levels, whereas shrub seedlings experienced light‐ and density‐independent mortality. Some negative interspecific interactions indicated ongoing expansion of species like Acer campestre in currently flood‐free habitats.

Conclusions

How density‐dependent effects translate into demographic outcomes for woody seedling populations may be largely determined by variation in understorey light availability. Given that seedlings differ in size, growth form and taxa, we also demonstrate that both seedling and tree neighbours may contribute to the strength and spatial variation in density‐dependent effects at seedling neighbourhood scales.
Prenatal dietary diversity may influence underweight in infants in a Ugandan birth‐cohort
Authors: Madzorera Isabel , Ghosh Shibani , Wang Molin , Fawzi Wafaie , Isanaka Sheila , Hertzmark Ellen , Namirembe Grace , Bashaasha Bernard , Agaba Edgar , Turyashemererwa Florence , Webb Patrick , Duggan Christopher
Published: February 2021

Growth faltering in early childhood is prevalent in many low resource countries. Poor maternal dietary diversity during pregnancy has been linked with increased risk of fetal growth failure and adverse birth outcomes but may also influence subsequent infant growth. Our aim is to assess the role of prenatal maternal dietary diversity in infant growth in rural Uganda. Data from 3291 women and infant pairs enrolled in a birth cohort from 2014 to 2016 were analysed (NCT04233944). Maternal diets were assessed using dietary recall in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy. Maternal dietary diversity scores (DDS) were calculated using the FAO Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD‐W). Cox regression models were used to evaluate associations of the DDS with the incidence of underweight, stunting and wasting in infants from 3 to 12 months, adjusting for confounding factors. The median DDS for women was low, at 3.0 (interquartile range 3.0–4.0), relative to the threshold of consuming five or more food groups daily. Infants of women in highest quartile of DDS (diverse diets) were less likely to be underweight (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.61, 0.80) compared with infants of women in Quartile 1 (pfor trend <0.001) in models controlling for maternal factors. There was no significant association between DDS and stunting or wasting. Our findings suggest a relationship between higher maternal dietary diversity and lower risk of underweight in infancy. These findings suggest that programmes to improve infant growth could additionally consider strengthening prenatal dietary diversity to improve child outcomes globally.
Effects of prenatal micronutrients supplementation timing on pregnancy‐induced hypertension: Secondary analysis of a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Yingying , Li Nan , Mei Zuguo , Li Zhiwen , Ye Rongwei , Zhang Le , Li Hongtian , Zhang Yali , Liu Jian‐meng , Serdula Mary K.
Published: February 2021

In this secondary analysis of data from a double‐blind randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00133744) of micronutrient supplementation (multiple micronutrients [MMN], iron–folic acid [IFA] and folic acid [FA] alone), we examined the potential modifying effect of gestational age at enrolment on the association of antenatal supplementation and pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH). We included 18,775 nulliparous pregnant women with mild or no anaemia who were enrolled at 20 weeks of gestation or earlier from five counties of northern China. Women were randomly assigned to receive daily FA, IFA or MMN from enrolment until delivery. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between PIH and timing of micronutrient supplementation. The incidence of PIH was statistically significantly lower among women who began MMN supplementation before 12 gestational weeks compared with women who began MMN supplementation at 12 weeks or later (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60–0.91). A similar protective effect was observed for both early‐onset (<28 weeks, RR 0.45, 0.21–0.96) and late‐onset of PIH (≥28 weeks, RR 0.77, 0.63–0.96). No statistically significant association was observed between PIH occurrence and timing of supplementation for FA or IFA. Maternal MMN supplementation and antenatal enrolment during the first trimester of pregnancy appeared to be of importance in preventing both early‐ and late‐onset of PIH.
Sustaining Dual Language Immersion: Partner Language Outcomes in a Statewide Program
Authors: WATZINGER–THARP JOHANNA , THARP DOUGLAS S. , RUBIO FERNANDO
Published: February 2021

Dual language immersion (DLI) as an alternative model to monolingual English‐medium education has continued to expand rapidly over the past decade. As this model continues to grow across the United States, stakeholders look to research to demonstrate sustainability and scalability of dual language programs. Drawing on 224 schools, the statewide study reported in this article investigated whether students’ growth in a non‐English DLI partner language sustained into the secondary level, to what degree students met performance benchmarks for these partner languages, and whether targeted outcomes were attained during program expansion. The longitudinal analysis of assessment data shows that middle school students performed at Intermediate Mid to High levels on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and that a segment of students raised their performance levels from 8th to 9th grade. Furthermore, a considerable portion of DLI students in French and Spanish dual language programs reached the Advanced level in 9th grade. Finally, 3rd‐ and 4th‐grade data show that targeted performance outcomes held from one testing year to another, 4 years later, and after a substantial increase in enrollments. The article concludes with a discussion of curricular and policy implications.
Ethnic return migration, exclusion and the role of ethnic options: ‘Soviet Greek’ migrants in their ethnic homeland and the Pontic identity
Authors: Pratsinakis Manolis
Published: February 2021

Drawing on ethnographic research, this paper explores the reasons why and the processes through which the Greeks from the former Soviet Union altered their self‐identification after migration to their ethnic homeland. Responding to their labelling by the native Greeks and the doubts expressed about their Greekness, most introduce themselves as Pontians, even though the area of Pontos was not a marker of identification for them in the Soviet Union. They do so to express their felt experience of otherness in Greece and to claim their belongingness in the Greek nation. Exploring this case of ethnic return migration, the paper shows how migrants select among available ethnic options and redefine them, to assert their desired identities and strive for inclusion. In so doing it highlights the situational and processual character of ethnic identification, which should not be treated as a direct function of one's descent and culture. At the same time, it shows the constraining role of available ethnic options delimiting this process. Ethnic labels are not empty vessels. They carry particular significations that make them appealing or foreign to different migrant categories and also define the discursive and performative limitations in their ability to claim them and gain national acceptance.
Diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27M mutation of the spinal cord: A series of 33 cases
Authors: Yao Jingjing , Wang Leiming , Ge Haijing , Yin Hongfang , Piao Yueshan
Published: February 2021

We investigated the risk factors for diffuse midline gliomas of the spinal cord (DMGSCs). Seventy patients with spinal cord gliomas in two hospitals were analyzed retrospectively. Sixty‐nine patients that underwent surgery achieved partial or gross total removal. The patients were subdivided into some groups, based on age, WHO grade, tumor location within the cord, tumor size, and molecular profile: immunohistochemical expression of p53 and ATRX, and mutational status of Histone 3 (H3), and BRAF. Thirty‐three patients had an H3 K27M mutation (47%). Some clinical characteristics were significantly different between H3 K27M mutant and H3 wild‐type tumors. The main risk factors for DMGSCs were male sex, glioblastomas, and ≤ 2 spinal cord segments. The median survival period of patients with H3 K27M mutant tumors was significantly shorter than those with H3 wild‐type tumors (17.0 ± 3.7 months vs censored, P < 0.0001). In the DMGSC subgroup, patients with thoracic cord tumors had a significantly better prognosis than those with cervical cord tumors (31.0 ± 6.0 vs 10.0 ± 4.8 months). Patients > 45 years of age survived significantly longer than patients < 19 years (P = 0.001). In conclusion, H3 K27M mutation significantly predicts a worse outcome of spinal cord gliomas. Anatomical location and age are the main risk factors for DMGSCs.
Homoeologous exchanges in allopolyploids: how Brassica napus established self‐control!
Authors: Sourdille Pierre , Jenczewski Eric
Published: February 2021

This article is a Commentary on Higgins et al. (2021), 229: 3281–3293.
Overexpression of two CDPKs from wild Chinese grapevine enhances powdery mildew resistance in Vitis vinifera and Arabidopsis
Authors: Hu Yang , Cheng Yuan , Yu Xuena , Liu Jie , Yang Lushan , Gao Yurong , Ke Guihua , Zhou Min , Mu Bo , Xiao Shunyuan , Wang Yuejin , Wen Ying‐Qiang
Published: February 2021

Calcium‐dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play vital roles in metabolic regulations and stimuli responses in plants. However, little is known about their function in grapevine.

Here, we report that VpCDPK9 and VpCDPK13, two paralogous CDPKs from Vitis pseudoreticulata accession Baihe‐35‐1, appear to positively regulate powdery mildew resistance. The transcription of them in leaves of ‘Baihe‐35‐1’ were differentially induced upon powdery mildew infection. Overexpression of VpCDPK9‐YFP or VpCDPK13‐YFP in the V. vinifera susceptible cultivar Thompson Seedless resulted in enhanced resistance to powdery mildew (YFP, yellow fluorescent protein). This might be due to elevation of SA and ethylene production, and excess accumulation of H2O2 and callose in penetrated epidermal cells and/or the mesophyll cells underneath.

Ectopic expression of VpCDPK9‐YFP in Arabidopsis resulted in varied degrees of reduced stature, pre‐mature senescence and enhanced powdery mildew resistance. However, these phenotypes were abolished in VpCDPK9‐YFP transgenic lines impaired in SA signaling (pad4sid2) or ethylene signaling (ein2). Moreover, both of VpCDPK9 and VpCDPK13 were found to interact with and potentially phosphorylate VpMAPK3, VpMAPK6, VpACS1 and VpACS2 in vivo (ACS, 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase; MAPK, mitogen‐activated protein kinase).

These results suggest that VpCDPK9 and VpCDPK13 contribute to powdery mildew resistance via positively regulating SA and ethylene signaling in grapevine.
Coordination of spring vascular and organ phenology in deciduous angiosperms growing in seasonally cold climates
Authors: Savage Jessica A. , Chuine Isabelle
Published: February 2021

In seasonally cold climates, many woody plants tolerate chilling and freezing temperatures by ceasing growth, shedding leaves and entering dormancy. At the same time, transport within these plants often decreases as the vascular system exhibits reduced functionality. As spring growth requires water and nutrients, we ask the question: how much does bud, leaf and flower development depend on the vasculature in spring? In this review, we present what is known about leaf, flower and vascular phenology to sort out this question. In early stages of bud development, buds rely on internal resources and do not appear to require vascular support. The situation changes during organ expansion, after leaves and flowers reconnect to the stem vascular system. However, there are major gaps in our understanding of the timing of vascular development, especially regarding the phloem, as well as the synchronization among leaves, flowers, stem and root vasculature. We believe these gaps are mainly the outcome of research completed in silo and urge future work to take a more integrative approach. We highlight current challenges and propose future directions to make rapid progress on this important topic in upcoming years.
Does FDI in Upstream and Downstream Sectors Facilitate Quality Upgrading? Evidence from Russian Exporters*
Authors: Poupakis Stavros
Published: February 2021

This study examines whether foreign direct investment inflows facilitate upgrading of export quality in host countries. The analysis focuses on the Russian Federation and uses customs data merged with firm‐level information from ORBIS. The results show a positive relationship between the quality of products exported by domestic firms and the presence of foreign affiliates in the upstream (input‐supplying) industries. This relationship is present irrespective of export destination or FDI origin. The results are robust to using different proxies to measure product quality.
Microclimatic variability buffers butterfly populations against increased mortality caused by phenological asynchrony between larvae and their host plants
Authors: Rytteri Susu , Kuussaari Mikko , Saastamoinen Marjo
Published: February 2021

Climate change affects insects in several ways, including phenological shifts that may cause asynchrony between herbivore insects and their host plants. Insect larvae typically have limited movement capacity and are consequently dependent on the microhabitat conditions of their immediate surroundings. Based on intensive field monitoring over two springs and on larger‐scale metapopulation‐level survey over the same years, we used Bayesian spatial regression modelling to study the effects of weather and microclimatic field conditions on the development and survival of post‐diapause larvae of the Glanville fritillary butterflyMelitaea cinxiaon its northern range edge. Moreover, we assessed whether the observed variation in growth and survival in a spring characterized by exceptionally warm weather early in the season translated into population dynamic effects on the metapopulation scale. While similar weather conditions enhanced larval survival and growth rate in the spring, microclimatic conditions affected survival and growth contrastingly due to the phenological asynchrony between larvae and their host plants in microclimates that supported fastest growth. In the warmest microclimates, larvae reached temperatures over 20°C above ambient leading to increased feeding, which was not supported by the more slowly growing host plants. At the metapopulation level, population growth rate was highest in local populations with heterogeneous microhabitats. We demonstrate how exceptionally warm weather early in the spring caused a phenological asynchrony between butterfly larvae and their host plants. Choice of warmest microhabitats for oviposition is adaptive under predominant conditions, but it may become maladaptive if early spring temperatures rise. Such conditions may lead to larvae breaking diapause earlier without equally advancing host plant growth. Microclimatic variability within and among populations is likely to have a crucial buffering effect against climate change in many insects.
Retreat, detour or advance? Understanding the movements of birds confronting the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Zenzal Theodore J. , Ward Michael P. , Diehl Robert H. , Buler Jeffrey J. , Smolinsky Jaclyn , Deppe Jill L. , Bolus Rachel T. , Celis‐Murillo Antonio , Moore Frank R.
Published: February 2021

During migration, birds must locate stopover habitats that provide sufficient resources to rest and refuel while en route to the breeding or non‐breeding area. Long‐distance migrants invariably encounter inhospitable geographic features, the edges of which are often characterized by habitat limited in food and safety. In response, they often depart in directions inconsistent with reaching their destination, presumably searching for better habitat. We used automated radio telemetry to track 442 individuals of five species to investigate the behavior of migratory birds as they departed edge habitat along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast during autumn from 2008 to 2014. Most migrants (75%) retreated inland or detoured around rather than advanced across the Gulf, but this depended on bird species and fat‐based energy stores. Most individuals in lean condition or of smaller bodied species tended to retreat or detour, rather than advance, when departing from the coast. Twenty‐one percent of all birds that departed the coast in 2013–2014 were redetected over 45 km inland, providing a unique opportunity to compare stopover duration, departure times and travel speeds between migrants that retreat away from the coast and those that continue to advance toward their destination. Individuals that retreated the coast and were redetected inland spent ~1 day on the coast before retreating inland, where they spent 11 days before resuming migration. Further when those same individuals retreated from the coast, they departed around evening civil twilight, whereas those that advanced from inland habitats departed after evening civil twilight. Travel speeds were slower for individuals retreating inland compared to those advancing towards the coast from inland habitats. The differences between retreating and advancing individuals suggest how an individual's drive to feed or fly influences behavior. Our study illustrates how the sum of individual decisions can shape habitat use, landscape‐scale movements and migration strategies.