bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic shifts in eastern US forests increase the impact of late‐season drought on forest growth
Authors: Au Tsun Fung , Maxwell Justin T. , Novick Kimberly A. , Robeson Scott M. , Warner Scott M. , Lockwood Benjamin R. , Phillips Richard P. , Harley Grant L. , Telewski Frank W. , Therrell Matthew D. , Pederson Neil
Published: July 2020

While forest communities are changing as a result of global environmental change, the impacts of tree species shifts on ecosystem services such as carbon storage are poorly quantified. In many parts of the eastern United States (US), more xeric‐adapted oak‐hickory dominated stands are being replaced with mesic beech‐maple assemblages. To examine the possible impacts of this ongoing change in forest composition, we investigated how two wide‐ranging and co‐occurring eastern US species – Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Quercus alba (white oak) – respond to interannual climate variability. Using 781 tree cores from 418 individual trees at 18 locations, we found late‐growing season drought reduced A. saccharum growth more than that of Q. alba. A gradient in the growth reduction across latitude was also found in A. saccharum, where southern populations of A. saccharum experienced greater reductions in growth during drought. Drought had a legacy effect on growth for both species, with drought occurring later in the growing season having a larger legacy effect. Consequently, as forests shift from oak to maple dominance, drought in the later part of the growing season is likely to become an increasingly important control on forest productivity. Thus, our findings suggest that co‐occurring species are responding to environmental conditions during different times in the growing season and, therefore, the timing of drought conditions will play an important role in forest productivity and carbon sequestration as forest species composition changes. These findings are particularly important because the projected increases in potential evapotranspiration, combined with possible changes in the seasonality of precipitation could have a substantial impact on how tree growth responds to future climatic change.
Is more data always better? A simulation study of benefits and limitations of integrated distribution models
Authors: Simmonds Emily G. , Jarvis Susan G. , Henrys Peter A. , Isaac Nick J. B. , O'Hara Robert B.
Published: July 2020

Species distribution models are popular and widely applied ecological tools. Recent increases in data availability have led to opportunities and challenges for species distribution modelling. Each data source has different qualities, determined by how it was collected. As several data sources can inform on a single species, ecologists have often analysed just one of the data sources, but this loses information, as some data sources are discarded. Integrated distribution models (IDMs) were developed to enable inclusion of multiple datasets in a single model, whilst accounting for different data collection protocols. This is advantageous because it allows efficient use of all data available, can improve estimation and account for biases in data collection. What is not yet known is when integrating different data sources does not bring advantages. Here, for the first time, we explore the potential limits of IDMs using a simulation study integrating a spatially biased, opportunistic, presence‐only dataset with a structured, presence–absence dataset. We explore four scenarios based on real ecological problems; small sample sizes, low levels of detection probability, correlations between covariates and a lack of knowledge of the drivers of bias in data collection. For each scenario we ask; do we see improvements in parameter estimation or the accuracy of spatial pattern prediction in the IDM versus modelling either data source alone? We found integration alone was unable to correct for spatial bias in presence‐only data. Including a covariate to explain bias or adding a flexible spatial term improved IDM performance beyond single dataset models, with the models including a flexible spatial term producing the most accurate and robust estimates. Increasing the sample size of presence–absence data and having no correlated covariates also improved estimation. These results demonstrate under which conditions integrated models provide benefits over modelling single data sources.
Learning from Friends and Terminating Friendships: Retrieving Friendship as a Moral Educational Concept
Authors: Kristjánsson Kristján
Published: July 2020

In contrast to ancient times, friendship is rarely discussed nowadays as a resource in moral education. Even within Aristotle‐inspired character education, where it could naturally claim pride of place, its coverage is miniscule compared, say, to that of the emulation of moral exemplars. The aim of the present article is to retrieve friendship as a moral educational concept: to explain how moral educational goals define and sustain deep friendships, and how the thorny issue of when friendships should be terminated is best understood in terms of considerations as to whether they have exhausted their educational potential. By arguing that education is the raison d'être of deep friendship, Kristján Kristjánsson shows how friendship is developmentally constituted and, in its most complete form as “character friendship,” educationally executed. There is no such thing as friendship per se, but rather friendship at a certain developmental niveau (or level), with its specific developmental assets and liabilities: qualitatively differentiated according to its educational affordances. While operating within a broad Aristotelian framework, Kristjánsson devotes two sections to charting the moral educational liabilities that may dissipate even the most complete friendships, a topic mostly overlooked by Aristotle himself.
Walker Percy's The Moviegoer: On the Existential Novel as Educational Text
Authors: Kline Kip , Knight Abowitz Kathleen
Published: July 2020

In this essay, Kip Kline and Kathleen Knight Abowitz use Walker Percy's novel The Moviegoer to examine the existential plight of young Americans today who, as they turn the broad and long corner from youth to adulthood, are engaged in a search for self‐knowledge and identity construction. They are particularly interested in the young adult as “college student,” engaged in the work of postsecondary education, autonomous from but often still very closely connected to their family of origin in a culture saturated by late‐capitalist consumerism and commercial media. Kline and Knight Abowitz interpret this novel in order to examine a malaise specific to our current historical moment that may characterize how young people experience institutions such as U.S. colleges and universities as well as the institution of the contemporary American family. They also wish to show that particular themes in existentialism, which can be teased out in novels such as The Moviegoer, can assist our analysis of the contemporary malaise of the college student and provide theorists, educators, and advocates with possible ways of responding to
it.
A routine outcome measure for youth mental health: Clinically interpreting MyLifeTracker
Authors: Kwan Benjamin , Rickwood Debra J.
Published: July 2020

Aim

MyLifeTracker is a session‐by‐session mental health outcome measure for young people aged 12 to 25 years. The aim of this study was to determine clinically significant change indexes for this measure that would identify developmentally appropriate thresholds. The study also aimed to determine expected change trajectories to enable clinicians to compare a client's progress against average rates of change.

Methods

Participants comprised young people aged 12 to 25 years from both a clinical and a community sample from Australia. The clinical sample was 63 840 young people that attended a headspace centre. The non‐clinical group was an Australian representative community sample of 4034 young people.

Results

Clinically significant change indexes were developed for MyLifeTracker specific for age and gender groups by comparing clinical and non‐clinical samples. Males and young people aged 12 to 14 years needed to reach higher scores to achieve clinically significant change compared to females and other age groups, respectively. MyLifeTracker expected change trajectories followed a cubic pattern for those with lower baseline scores of 0 to 50, whereas those with baseline scores of 51 and above had varying patterns. For those with lower baseline scores, expected change trajectories showed that stronger change was evident early in treatment, which then tapered off before accelerating again later in treatment.

Conclusions

The development of MyLifeTracker benchmarks allows the measure to be used for Feedback Informed Treatment by supporting treatment planning and decision‐making. This information can help clinicians to identify clients who are not on track or deteriorating and identify when clients are improving.
Haematological manifestations of COVID‐19: From cytopenia to coagulopathy
Authors: Agbuduwe Charles , Basu Supratik
Published: July 2020

Emerging data from the management of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) suggests multi‐systemic involvement, including the hemopoietic system. The haematological manifestations of COVID‐19 include blood count anomalies notably lymphopenia and neutrophilia which are of prognostic significance. Hyperferritinemia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase have also been associated with increased mortality. Furthermore, there is considerable evidence of a distinct coagulopathy associated with COVID‐19 characterised by elevated D‐dimers and an increased risk of thrombotic events. This comprehensive review summarises the latest evidence from published studies and discusses the implications of the various haematological manifestations of COVID‐19 with a view to guiding clinical management and risk stratification in this rapidly evolving pandemic.
Olives and lighting in Dark Age Europe1
Authors: Graham Benjamin
Published: July 2020

Within a religious milieu that gave little concern to imposing a shared material culture, early medieval Christian authorities sometimes obsessed over the procurement of olive oil for lighting fuel. This article traces the cultural and environmental forces that shaped that demand. By weaving together poetry, hagiography, and inscriptions, it first argues that artificial light itself was central to the creation of a Christian institutional identity, as it allowed the religion to supplant classical/pagan norms of public assembly, moving celebrations indoors and locating them in the crepuscular contexts of dawn, evening, and night. Clerics developed personal prestige through lights, using them to showcase reflective patronage and demonstrate a pious form of conspicuous consumption. The second part of the article then explains why Christian authorities went to great lengths to fuel their lamps with olive oil, despite availability of other combustibles. A praxis of nocturnal interiority, it argues, demanded a scale and use of artificial light that privileged olive oil’s chemical signature, including a long‐burning, smokeless flame.
Drivers of future alien species impacts: An expert‐based assessment
Authors: Essl Franz , Lenzner Bernd , Bacher Sven , Bailey Sarah , Capinha Cesar , Daehler Curtis , Dullinger Stefan , Genovesi Piero , Hui Cang , Hulme Philip E. , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Katsanevakis Stelios , Kühn Ingolf , Leung Brian , Liebhold Andrew , Liu Chunlong , MacIsaac Hugh J. , Meyerson Laura A. , Nuñez Martin A. , Pauchard Aníbal , Pyšek Petr , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Richardson David M. , Roy Helen E. , Ruiz Gregory M. , Russell James C. , Sanders Nathan J. , Sax Dov F. , Scalera Riccardo , Seebens Hanno , Springborn Michael , Turbelin Anna , van Kleunen Mark , von Holle Betsy , Winter Marten , Zenni Rafael D. , Mattsson Brady J. , Roura‐Pascual Nuria
Published: July 2020

Understanding the likely future impacts of biological invasions is crucial yet highly challenging given the multiple relevant environmental, socio‐economic and societal contexts and drivers. In the absence of quantitative models, methods based on expert knowledge are the best option for assessing future invasion trajectories. Here, we present an expert assessment of the drivers of potential alien species impacts under contrasting scenarios and socioecological contexts through the mid‐21st century. Based on responses from 36 experts in biological invasions, moderate (20%–30%) increases in invasions, compared to the current conditions, are expected to cause major impacts on biodiversity in most socioecological contexts. Three main drivers of biological invasions—transport, climate change and socio‐economic change—were predicted to significantly affect future impacts of alien species on biodiversity even under a best‐case scenario. Other drivers (e.g. human demography and migration in tropical and subtropical regions) were also of high importance in specific global contexts (e.g. for individual taxonomic groups or biomes). We show that some best‐case scenarios can substantially reduce potential future impacts of biological invasions. However, rapid and comprehensive actions are necessary to use this potential and achieve the goals of the Post‐2020 Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Water loss and temperature interact to compound amphibian vulnerability to climate change
Authors: Lertzman‐Lepofsky Gavia F. , Kissel Amanda M. , Sinervo Barry , Palen Wendy J.
Published: July 2020

Ectotherm thermal physiology is frequently used to predict species responses to changing climates, but for amphibians, water loss may be of equal or greater importance. Using physical models, we estimated the frequency of exceeding the thermal optimum (Topt) or critical evaporative water loss (EWLcrit) limits, with and without shade‐ or water‐seeking behaviours. Under current climatic conditions (2002–2012), we predict that harmful thermal (>Topt) and hydric (>EWLcrit) conditions limit the activity of amphibians during ~70% of snow‐free days in sunny habitats. By the 2080s, we estimate that sunny and dry habitats will exceed one or both of these physiological limits during 95% of snow‐free days. Counterintuitively, we find that while wet environments eliminate the risk of critical EWL, they do not reduce the risk of exceeding Topt (+2% higher). Similarly, while shaded dry environments lower the risk of exceeding Topt, critical EWL limits are still exceeded during 63% of snow‐free days. Thus, no single environment that we evaluated can simultaneously reduce both physiological risks. When we forecast both temperature and EWL into the 2080s, both physiological thresholds are exceeded in all habitats during 48% of snow‐free days, suggesting that there may be limited opportunity for behaviour to ameliorate climate change. We conclude that temperature and water loss act synergistically, compounding the ecophysiological risk posed by climate change, as the combined effects are more severe than those predicted individually. Our results suggest that predictions of physiological risk posed by climate change that do not account for water loss in amphibians may be severely underestimated and that there may be limited scope for facultative behaviours to mediate rapidly changing environments.
Climate regime shift and forest loss amplify fire in Amazonian forests
Authors: Xu Xiyan , Jia Gensuo , Zhang Xiaoyan , Riley William J. , Xue Ying
Published: July 2020

Frequent Amazonian fires over the last decade have raised the alarm about the fate of the Earth's most biodiverse forest. The increased fire frequency has been attributed to altered hydrological cycles. However, observations over the past few decades have demonstrated hydrological changes that may have opposing impacts on fire, including higher basin‐wide precipitation and increased drought frequency and severity. Here, we use multiple satellite observations and climate reanalysis datasets to demonstrate compelling evidence of increased fire susceptibility in response to climate regime shifts across Amazonia. We show that accumulated forest loss since 2000 warmed and dried the lower atmosphere, which reduced moisture recycling and resulted in increased drought extent and severity, and subsequent fire. Extremely dry and wet events accompanied with hot days have been more frequent in Amazonia due to climate shift and forest loss. Simultaneously, intensified water vapor transport from the tropical Pacific and Atlantic increased high‐altitude atmospheric humidity and heavy rainfall events, but those events did not alleviate severe and long‐lasting droughts. Amazonia fire risk is most significant in the southeastern region where tropical savannas undergo long seasonally dry periods. We also find that fires have been expanding through the wet–dry transition season and northward to savanna–forest transition and tropical seasonal forest regions in response to increased forest loss at the “Arc of Deforestation.” Tropical forests, which have adapted to historically moist conditions, are less resilient and easily tip into an alternative state. Our results imply forest conservation and fire protection options to reduce the stress from positive feedback between forest loss, climate change, and fire.
Plant community dynamics and carbon sequestration in Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands in the era of global change
Authors: Oke Tobi A. , Hager Heather A.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Hydroclimatic shifts and anthropogenic‐driven nitrogen deposition are major outcomes of global change that could compromise the functioning of many peatlands as a carbon sink. For Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands, an emerging hypothesis is that the change could be triggered by shifts in competitive dominance among plant functional groups, specifically from the currently predominant decay‐resistant Sphagnum to the more decomposable vascular plants. However, the relationship between Sphagnum and vascular plant occurrence is notably complex and also includes facilitative interactions that are crucial to the productivity of Sphagnum, and therefore, carbon sequestration.

Location

Global.

Taxa

Northern peatlands—Sphagnum moss and vascular plants.

Time period

Present day and the future.

Methods

We use a conceptual review to examine underlying mechanisms for the competitive exclusion hypothesis and the nature of facilitative interactions between Sphagnum and vascular plants under potential global change conditions. We complement the review with an empirical study of peatlands with contrasting hydrology to provide some critical insights into the potential effects of change in plant communities on carbon sequestration. We also propose a conceptual model that presents probable combinations of global change factors and their implications for carbon sequestration.

Results

Vegetation structure in Sphagnum‐dominated peatland appears to be driven largely by hydrology, rather than competition among plant functional groups. The peat deposit also exerts some controls (e.g., nutrient immobilization) on biotic structure, thereby acting as resistance against an abrupt shift in plant communities.

Main conclusions

Peatland controls that constrain vegetation shifts have developed over a millennial time‐scale in many peatlands, and the pace of climate change may not allow enough time for the establishment of those mechanisms in younger peatlands. Thus, the persistence of a given peatland as a carbon sink also likely depends on the successional stage of the peatland.
Development of a simple method to measure masseter muscle mass
Authors: Murakami Masaharu , Iijima Katsuya , Watanabe Yutaka , Tanaka Tomoki , Iwasa Yasuyuki , Edahiro Ayako , Ohara Yuki , Motokawa Keiko , Shirobe Maki , Hirano Hirohiko
Published: July 2020

Objective

To develop a simple method to estimate masseter muscle mass.

Background

The masseter muscle is important for optimal oral function. A decrease in the masseter muscle mass may affect the oral and physical function of the whole body; therefore, it is an important entity to measure. However, to date, no easy measurement method has been developed for the same. Herein, we devised a simple method to estimate masseter muscle mass. In addition, we compared our method with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) to verify its validity.

Materials and methods

We recorded the age, sex, masseter muscle mass (by MRI), number of retained natural teeth, number of functional teeth, length and thickness of masseter muscle, and skeletal muscle mass in 53 community‐dwelling elderly people (21 men and 32 women, average age 72.9 ± 4.5 years). The estimated masseter muscle mass was calculated by multiplying the length, width and thickness of the muscle.

Results

The correlation coefficient between masseter muscle mass and estimated masseter muscle mass was r = .903; thus, a strong correlation was recognised. The correlation coefficient between the estimated masseter muscle mass and SMM was r = .279, considering age and sex.

Conclusion

We obtained substantial results using our method for estimating the masseter muscle mass and verified its validity by comparing it with masseter muscle mass measured by MRI and SMM. We believe that our proposed technique is simple and useful for estimating masseter muscle mass.
Increased adiposity in children with obesity is associated with low red blood cell omega‐3 fatty acid status and inadequate polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary intake
Authors: Mak Ivy L. , Cohen Tamara R. , Vanstone Catherine A. , Weiler Hope A.
Published: July 2020

The association between total dietary fat intake and measures of body fatness in children with obesity remains inconsistent. This study aimed to determine whether dietary long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and LCPUFA status relate to body composition in children with obesity. Children (n = 63, 9.0 ± 0.2 year, BMI Z‐score 3.1 ± 0.2) were divided into tertiles of percentage body fat assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Diet was assessed 3‐days food diaries. Fatty acid proportions in red blood cells (RBC) were measured by gas chromatography. Data stratified by sex and Tanner stages were compared with a MIXED model ANOVA. Associations between RBC fatty acid status and dietary intakes were examined with Spearman correlation. Moderate correlations were observed between RBC eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) proportions, dietary EPA and DHA (r = 0.39, P < .05) as well as fish servings (r = 0.33, P < .05). Dietary LCPUFA did not differ among tertiles. Children in tertile 3 had lower RBC α‐linolenic acid (−40%) and EPA + DHA (−15%) proportions adjusted for age, Tanner stages and race compared with tertile 1. The lower omega‐3 LCPUFA status in children with greater adiposity is consistent with suboptimal intakes of omega‐3 LCPUFA and fish in the diet.
Growth zoning of garnet porphyroblasts: Grain boundary and microtopographic controls
Authors: Dempster Tim J. , Coleman Sarah , Kennedy Ross , Chung Peter , Brown Roderick W.
Published: July 2020

Chemical zoning in the outer few 10s of microns of garnet porphyroblasts has been investigated to assess the scale of chemical equilibrium with matrix minerals in a pelitic schist. Garnet porphyroblasts from the Late Proterozoic amphibolite facies regional metamorphic mica schists from Glen Roy in the Scottish Highlands contain typical prograde growth zoning patterns. Edge compositions have been measured via a combination of analysis of traverses across the planar edges of porphyroblast surfaces coupled to X‐ray mapping of small areas within polished thin sections at the immediate edge of the porphyroblasts. These approaches reveal local variation in garnet composition, especially of grossular (Ca) and almandine (Fe) components, with a range at the edge from <7 mol.% grs to >16 mol.% grs, across distances of less than 50 µm. This small‐scale patchy compositional zoning is as much variation as the core–rim compositional zoning across the whole of a 3 mm porphyroblast. Ca and Fe heterogeneity occurs on a scale suggesting a combination of inefficient diffusive exchange across grain boundaries during prograde growth and the evolving microtopography of the porphyroblast surface control garnet composition. The latter creates haloes of compositional zoning adjacent to some inclusions, which typically extend from the inclusion towards the porphyroblast edge during further growth. The lack of a consistent equilibrium composition at the garnet edge is also apparent in the internal zoning of the porphyroblast and so processes occurring during entrapment of some mineral inclusions have a profound influence on the overall chemical zoning. Garnet compositions and associated zoning patterns are widely used by petrologists to reconstruct P–T–t paths for crustal rocks. The evidence of extremely localized (10–50 µm scale) equilibrium during growth further undermines these approaches.
Nomogram to predict postpartum hemorrhage in cesarean delivery for women with scarred uterus: A retrospective cohort study in China
Authors: Chen Bingnan , Zhang Liyang , Wang Di , Li Jiapo , Hou Yue , Yang Tian , Li Na , Qiao Chong
Published: July 2020

Aim

To develop nomograms predicting the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in cesarean delivery for singleton pregnant women with a scarred uterus in the north of China.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Totally 3722 singleton pregnant women with a scarred uterus who underwent a cesarean delivery in a large teaching hospital of north China between January 2013 and December 2017 were enrolled. Nomograms, a kind of user‐friendly tool, were developed to predict PPH (blood loss ≥1000 mL or accompanied by signs or symptoms of hypovolemia within 24 h after the birth process) based on the model generated by logistic regression analysis. The discrimination and calibration of models were evaluated, and decision curve analysis was developed.

Results

Among 3722 enrolled women, 243 (6.53%) had PPH. There are six identified factors associated with PPH: maternal age, placental location, placenta previa, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal position and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). The model achieved a good calibration (Hosmer‐Lemeshow test P value 0.77) and discrimination (area under curve c‐statistics 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.86–0.93). Decision curve analysis showed the threshold probability by using our model is between 1.0% and 85.7%. A nomogram was developed accordingly. And another nomogram for women without placenta previa and PAS was also developed.

Conclusion

Two nomograms were first generated to predict PPH, respectively, for women with a scarred uterus and for women with a scarred uterus who do not have placenta previa or PAS. Placental location and fetal position were found to be closely related to PPH.
Population, light, and the size distribution of cities
Authors: Düben Christian , Krause Melanie
Published: July 2020

We provide new insights on the city size distribution of countries around the world. Using more than 10,000 cities delineated via geospatial data and a globally consistent city identification scheme, we investigate distributional shapes in all countries. In terms of population, we find that Zipf's law holds for many, but not all, countries. Contrasting the distribution of population with the distribution of economic activity, measured by nighttime lights, across cities we shed light on the globally variant magnitude of agglomeration economies. Deviations from Zipf's law are to a large extent driven by an undue concentration in the largest cities. They benefit from agglomeration effects which seem to work through area rather than through density. Examining the cross‐country heterogeneity in the city size distribution, our model selection approach suggests that historical factors play an important role, in line with the time of development hypothesis.
Reply to Mac Giolla and Ly (2019): On the reporting of Bayes factors in deception research
Authors: McLatchie Neil M. , Warmelink Lara , Tkacheva Daria
Published: July 2020

Bayes factors provide a continuous measure of evidence for one hypothesis (e.g., the null, H0) relative to another (e.g., the alternative, H1). Warmelink et al. (2019, Legal Criminol Psychol, 24, 258) reported Bayes factors alongside p‐values to draw inferences about whether the order of expected versus unexpected questions influenced the amount of details interviewees provided during an interview. Mac Giolla & Ly (2019) provided several recommendations to improve the reporting of Bayesian analyses and used Warmelink et al. (2019) as a concrete example. These included (I) not to over‐rely on cut‐offs when interpreting Bayes factors; (II) to rely less on Bayes factors, and switch to ‘nominal support’; and (III) to report the posterior distribution. This paper elaborates on their recommendations and provides two further suggestions for improvement. First, we recommend deception researchers report Robustness Regions to demonstrate the sensitivity of their conclusions to the model of H1 used. Second, we demonstrate a method that deception researchers can use to estimate, a priori, the sample size likely to be required to provide conclusive evidence.
Synergistic association of clioquinol with antifungal drugs against biofilm forms of clinical Fusarium isolates
Authors: de Chaves Magda Antunes , Ferreira do Amaral Thaís , Monteiro da Silva Rodrigues Coutinho Natália , Fernanda Andrzejewski Kaminski Taís , Teixeira Mário Lettieri , Flavio Souza de Oliveira Luís , de Andrade Saulo Fernandes , Fuentefria Alexandre Meneghello
Published: July 2020

Background

The influence of biofilm on the complexity of fungal diseases has been reported in recent years, especially in non‐invasive mycoses such as keratitis and onychomycosis. The difficulty in treating cases of fusariosis in the human medical clinic exemplifies this situation, because when Fusarium spp. are present in the form of biofilm, the permeation of antifungal agents is compromised.

Objectives

This study proposes an association of clioquinol, an inhibitor of fungal cells with antifungal drugs prescribed to combat fusariosis in humans.

Methods

Susceptibility was assessed by microdilution in broth. Formation of biofilm by staining with violet crystal. Inhibition and removal of biofilm using the MTT colorimetric reagent. Time‐kill combination, hypoallergenicity test, cytotoxicity test and toxicity prediction by computer analysis were also performed.

Results

Clioquinol associated with voriconazole and ciclopirox inhibited biofilm formation. Possibly, clioquinol acts in the germination and elongation of hyphae, while voriconazole prevents cell adhesion and ciclopirox the formation of the extracellular polymeric matrix. The CLIO‐VRC association reduced the biofilm formation by more than 90%, while the CLIO‐CPX association prevented over 95%. None of the association was irritating, and over 90% of the leucocytes remained viable. Computational analysis does not reveal toxicity relevant to CLIO, whereas VRC and CPX showed some risks for systemic use, but suitable for topical formulations.

Conclusions

The combination of CLIO‐VRC or CLIO‐CPX proved to be a promising association strategy in the medical clinic, both in combating fungal keratitis and onychomycosis, since they prevent the initial process of establishing an infection, the formation of biofilm.
Rituximab in treatment of collapsing FSGS—A case series
Authors: Girimaji Niveditha , Bharati Joyita , Nada Ritambhra , Rathi Manish , Kohli Harbir Singh , Ramachandran Raja
Published: July 2020

Background

Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (cFSGS) is an aggressive glomerular disease presenting as a nephrotic syndrome that has lower rates of remission with conventional immunosuppressive therapy and rapidly progresses to end‐stage‐renal‐disease (ESRD). We report eight cases of HIV‐negative cFSGS treated with rituximab.

Methods

The current report is a retrospective case series of cFSGS treated with rituximab from January 2011 to March 2020, at varying phases of the disease.

Results

Eight out of the 70 cFSGS patients received rituximab. The median age of patients was 30 years (IQR 24.25‐37.5); five patients were males. The median serum creatinine, mean serum albumin and median 24 hours urinary protein at presentation was 0.9 (IQR 0.66‐1.27) mg/dL, 2.95 ± 1.15 g/dL, 4.87 (IQR 1.64‐5.75) g/day, respectively. Two patients were steroid‐resistant, one steroid and tacrolimus dependent, one steroid and cyclosporine dependent, two steroids and tacrolimus resistant, one steroid, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil resistant and one steroid‐resistant and tacrolimus dependent before rituximab therapy. Rituximab was given either as targeted therapy (after an initial dose of 375 mg/m2; patients having CD‐19 levels >5/μL or >1% at 1 month received additional low‐dose [100 mg] of rituximab), or weekly regimen. Five patients received CD‐19 targeted rituximab; three received weekly doses of 375 mg/m2, cumulative doses being 820 ± 228.03 mg, and 1800 ± 721.11 mg, respectively. At the end of median follow‐up of 15 months, five (62.5%) patients were in remission (three partial, two complete remissions), two (25%) were resistant to therapy; one (12.5%) progressed to ESRD.

Conclusion

Rituximab is reasonably safe and achieves/maintains remission in 60% of cFSGS cases.
Action research as a catalyst for change: Empowered nurses facilitating patient participation in rehabilitation
Authors: Steensgaard Randi , Kolbaek Raymond , Jensen Julie Borup , Angel Sanne
Published: July 2020

Based on action research as a practitioner‐involving approach, this article communicates the findings of a two‐year study on implementing patient participation as an empowering learning process for both patients and rehabilitation nurses. At a rehabilitation facility for patients who have sustained spinal cord injuries, eight nurses were engaged throughout the process aiming at improving patient participation. The current practice was explored to understand possibilities and obstacles to patient participation. Observations, interviews and logbooks, creative workshops and reflective meetings led to the development and testing of four new rehabilitation initiatives aimed at enhancing patient participation. This study suggests that skills of critical reflection from action research toolbox shed light on both the notion of patient participation and caring in nursing rehabilitation. By actively involving nurses in research, the knowledge development stems from practice and the solutions therefore became practice‐oriented. In addition, the personal and professional development experienced by the involved nurses points to a secondary gain in the form of an analytical and reflective approach to complex issues in relation to patient participation, rehabilitation in general and the individual nurses' sense of professional pride.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Canadian Express Entry System: Experts’ Perceptions
Authors: Bures Oldrich , Klvanova Radka , Stojanov Robert
Published: July 2020

This article offers an analysis of the first four years of functioning of Express Entry, a new on‐line application management system to select skilled entrants for Canada's key economic immigration programs leading to permanent residence. Based on interviews with 20 experts on Canadian immigration policies, we identified a number of strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian Express Entry system related to four areas: immigration policy making, processing of applications, selection of immigrants, and retention of immigrants. Since these areas are integral parts of immigration policies in all countries and Canada is a long‐term leader in the design of points‐based systems for selection of skilled immigrants, we also specify several lessons from the Canadian experience with the Express Entry system for other countries seeking to attract skilled immigrants.
Maternal periconceptional folate status and infant atopic dermatitis: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Ye Ying , Dou Li‐Min , Zhang Yi , Dou Ya‐Lan , Zhao Piao‐Ping , Jiang Yuan , Gao Wei , Ji Mi , He Lin‐Feng , Niu Da‐Yan , Zhang Lei , Gao Xiao‐Hua , Li Yun , Xiao Li‐Ping , Huang Jun , Zhang Xiao‐Hua , Wang Liu‐Hui , Yan Wei‐Li
Published: July 2020

Background

Maternal folate status is linked with the risk of allergic disorders including atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, but findings remain inconclusive. We aim to assess the relationship between maternal folate status in early gestation and early‐onset infant AD, based on a prospective mother‐child cohort study.

Methods

Pregnant women were recruited at 12‐14 weeks of gestation. Red blood cell folate (RBC folate) and serum folate concentrations were examined at enrollment. Periconceptional folic acid supplementation was investigated through a self‐administered questionnaire. The primary outcome was AD incidence before 6 months of age, diagnosed according to Williams’ criteria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of maternal folate status with infant AD by adjusting parental and child covariates.

Results

In total, 107 (23.4%) of 458 infants developed AD before 6 months, with more male infants affected (P = .002). Higher maternal RBC folate levels (per 100 ng/mL) were associated with an increased risk of AD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04‐1.31). An RBC folate level ≥620 ng/mL was associated with increased infant AD by 91% (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.09‐3.36). However, associations were not observed for maternal serum folate at early gestation or periconceptional folic acid supplement intakes.

Conclusions

We provide the first evidence that higher maternal RBC folate concentrations during early gestation are associated with increased early‐onset infant AD. Our findings support the importance of maintaining appropriate folate levels during the periconceptional period to reduce the risk of AD in infants.
Association of screen time and sleep duration among Spanish 1‐14 years old children
Authors: Cartanyà‐Hueso Àurea , Lidón‐Moyano Cristina , Martín‐Sánchez Juan Carlos , González‐Marrón Adrián , Matilla‐Santander Nuria , Miró Queralt , Martínez‐Sánchez Jose M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Due to the change in screen time usage in the last decade, there is needed to add more evidence about the relationship of screen time and sleep duration.

Objective

To assess the association between screen time and sleep duration among Spanish children between 1 and 14 years old.

Methods

We used data from the 2017 Spanish National Health survey, conducted on a representative sample of the Spanish population. We categorised daily leisure screen time as 0‐59, 60‐119, 120‐179, and ≥180 minutes. We classified sleep duration, depending on the age, as proper sleep duration and short sleep duration. We calculated unadjusted, and adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of short sleep duration according to daily leisure screen time after adjusting for potential confounders. PR’s were derived from fitting generalised linear models with Poisson distribution and robust variance.

Results

Of the 5517 Spanish children aged 1‐14 years, 44.3% spent 120 minutes or more of daily leisure screen time and 23.6% had short sleep duration. 24.5% and 28.2% of children spending between 120 and 179 minutes and exceeding 180 minutes of daily leisure screen time suffered short sleep duration, respectively. In the adjusted model, higher patterns of daily leisure screen time were associated with short sleep duration: adjusted PR120‐179 = 1.34 (95% CI 1.18, 1.54) and adjusted PR≥180 = 1.48 (95% CI 1.27, 1.73).

Conclusions

Around one out of four Spanish children between 1 and 14 years old, exceeding 120 minutes of daily leisure screen time, had short sleep duration. More scientific research is needed for institutions to work on providing novel healthcare programmes that consider these new determinants of child health.
Emerging technologies and problem definition uncertainty: The case of cybersecurity
Authors: Lewallen Jonathan
Published: July 2020

For governments to regulate, they must first define the problem and decide which policymakers have the authority to make decisions. Technological development can disrupt the authority‐allocation process by fostering uncertainty about which actors are responsible for making policy. This article examines the role that changing technology has played in the development of cybersecurity policy in the United States. New technologies have increased the type and scope of assets vulnerable to cyberthreats, and with them the number of governing units who can claim jurisdiction over cybersecurity‐related issues. Uncertainty about the nature of the problem has led the U.S. Congress to rely heavily on bureaucratic witnesses and focus on how existing regulations can be brought to bear. Emerging technologies create regulatory challenges for governance not only through unforeseen consequences but through uncertainty over who can regulate. Fragmented authority can produce piecemeal responses and a reliance on existing frameworks that benefit regulated industries.
Theory of Systemic Risks: Insights from Physics and Chemistry
Authors: Lucas Klaus
Published: July 2020

Systemic risks, as opposed to conventional risks, bear the danger of destroying entire systems. Their understanding and governance remain a serious challenge. The phenomena of systemic risks show many analogies with those of dynamic structure generation in the systems of nature, technology, and society, including simple model systems of physics and chemistry. By analyzing these model systems, the elementary processes and the generic mechanisms by which they generate macroscopic dynamic structures become evident. Generalizing these insights makes it possible to formulate the basic framework of a theory of systemic risks with elements providing hints for adequate governance strategies. Although these insights cannot be applied to societal processes one by one, they reveal generic patterns and clusters.
Analysis of passenger flow characteristics and their relationship with surrounding urban functional landscape pattern
Authors: Liu Yaolin , Tang Mingyang , Wu Zihao , Tu Zhide , An Zihao , Wang Nannan , Li Ying
Published: July 2020

The passenger flow characteristics of rail transit stations and their relationship with surrounding urban space play an important role in urban planning and transit‐oriented development policies. However, passenger flow data are high‐dimensional and complex, and corresponding characteristics are difficult to extract. Moreover, the integration of natural, social and economic factors in urban space may satisfactorily explain passenger flow characteristics. In this study, we clustered stations with passenger flow by using a dynamic time warping (DTW) distance‐based affinity propagation (AP) algorithm. We introduced the urban functional landscape to reveal the urban space surrounding the station by landscape metrics. Then, we explored the relationship between passenger flow characteristics and urban functional landscape pattern. The DTW distance‐based AP algorithm method identified passenger flow characteristics under total, inbound and outbound conditions, with cluster numbers of 3, 5 and 5, respectively. With the distance from the station, the proportion of natural landscape increased (from 26.11 to 36.62%), whereas that of socioeconomic landscape decreased (from 59.87 to 51.57%). The multivariate regression analysis indicated that types of urban functional landscape had significant influence on the passenger flow characteristics in different accessible areas of the station. These findings highlighted the effect of urban functional landscape pattern on passenger flow.
UDP‐Api/UDP‐Xyl synthases affect plant development by controlling the content of UDP‐Api to regulate the RG‐II‐borate complex
Authors: Zhao Xianhai , Ebert Berit , Zhang Baocai , Liu Huabin , Zhang Yutao , Zeng Wei , Rautengarten Carsten , Li Huiling , Chen Xiaoyang , Bacic Antony , Wang Guodong , Men Shuzhen , Zhou Yihua , Heazlewood Joshua L. , Wu Ai‐Min
Published: July 2020

Rhamnogalacturonan‐II (RG‐II) is structurally the most complex glycan in higher plants, containing 13 different sugars and 21 distinct glycosidic linkages. Two monomeric RG‐II molecules can form an RG‐II‐borate diester dimer through the two apiosyl (Api) residues of side chain A to regulate cross‐linking of pectin in the cell wall. But the relationship of Api biosynthesis and RG‐II dimer is still unclear. In this study we investigated the two homologous UDP‐D‐apiose/UDP‐D‐xylose synthases (AXSs) in Arabidopsis thaliana that synthesize UDP‐D‐apiose (UDP‐Api). Both AXSs are ubiquitously expressed, while AXS2 has higher overall expression than AXS1 in the tissues analyzed. The homozygous axs double mutant is lethal, while heterozygous axs1/+ axs2 and axs1 axs2/+ mutants display intermediate phenotypes. The axs1/+ axs2 mutant plants are unable to set seed and die. By contrast, the axs1 axs2/+ mutant plants exhibit loss of shoot and root apical dominance. UDP‐Api content in axs1 axs2/+ mutants is decreased by 83%. The cell wall of axs1 axs2/+ mutant plants is thicker and contains less RG‐II‐borate complex than wild‐type Col‐0 plants. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence of the importance of AXSs for UDP‐Api and RG‐II‐borate complex formation in plant growth and development.
ZmDREB2A regulates ZmGH3.2 and ZmRAFS, shifting metabolism towards seed aging tolerance over seedling growth
Authors: Han Qinghui , Chen Kelu , Yan Dong , Hao Guanglong , Qi Junlong , Wang Chunmei , Dirk Lynnette M.A. , Bruce Downie A. , Gong Jianhua , Wang Jianhua , Zhao Tianyong
Published: July 2020

Seed aging tolerance and rapid seedling growth are important agronomic traits for crop production; however, how these traits are controlled at the molecular level remains largely unknown. The unaged seeds of two independent maize DEHYDRATION‐RESPONSIVE ELEMENT‐BINDING2A mutant (zmdreb2a) lines, with decreased expression of GRETCHEN HAGEN3.2 (ZmGH3.2, encoding indole‐3‐acetic acid [IAA] deactivating enzyme), and increased IAA in their embryo, produced longer seedling shoots and roots, than the null segregant (NS) controls. However, the zmdreb2a seeds, with decreased expression of RAFFINOSE SYNTHASE (ZmRAFS) and less raffinose in their embryo, exhibit decreased seed aging tolerance, than the NS controls. Overexpression of ZmDREB2A in maize protoplasts increased the expression of ZmGH3.2, ZmRAFS genes and that of a Rennila LUCIFERASE reporter (Rluc) gene, which was controlled by either the ZmGH3.2‐ or ZmRAFS‐promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that ZmDREB2A directly binds to the DRE motif of the promoters of both ZmGH3.2 and ZmRAFS. Exogenous supplementation of IAA to the unaged, germinating NS seeds increased subsequent seedling growth making them similar to the zmdreb2a seedlings from unaged seeds. These findings provide evidence that ZmDREB2A regulates the longevity of maize seed by stimulating the production of raffinose while simultaneously acting to limit auxin‐mediated cell expansion.