bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the drivers of variation in trophic mismatches: A systematic review of long‐term avian studies
Authors: Zhemchuzhnikov Mikhail K. , Versluijs Tom S. L. , Lameris Thomas K. , Reneerkens Jeroen , Both Christiaan , van Gils Jan A.
Published: March 2021

Many organisms reproduce in seasonal environments, where selection on timing of reproduction is particularly strong as consumers need to synchronize reproduction with the peaked occurrence of their food. When a consumer species changes its phenology at a slower rate than its resources, this may induce a trophic mismatch, that is, offspring growing up after the peak in food availability, potentially leading to reductions in growth and survival. However, there is large variation in the degree of trophic mismatches as well as in its effects on reproductive output.

Here, we explore the potential causes for variation in the strength of trophic mismatches in published studies of birds. Specifically, we ask whether the changes in the degree of mismatch that have occurred over time can be explained by a bird's (a) breeding latitude, (b) migration distance, and/or (c) life‐history traits.

We found that none of these three factors explain changes in the degree of mismatch over time. Nevertheless, food phenology did advance faster at more northerly latitudes, while shifts in bird phenology did not show a trend with latitude.

We argue that the lack of support in our results is attributable to the large variation in the metrics used to describe timing of food availability. We propose a pathway to improve the quantification of trophic mismatches, guided by a more rigorous understanding of links between consumers and their resources.
Is increased male flower production a strategy for avoidance of predispersal seed predation in andromonoecious plants?
Authors: Kudo Gaku , Shibata Akari
Published: March 2021

Floral gender in angiosperms often varies within and among populations. We conducted a field survey to test how predispersal seed predation affects sex allocation in an andromonoecious alpine herbPeucedanum multivittatum. We compared plant size, male and perfect flower production, fruit set, and seed predation rate over three years among nine populations inhabiting diverse snowmelt conditions in alpine meadows. Flowering period of individual populations varied from mid‐July to late August reflecting the snowmelt time. Although perfect flower and fruit productions increased with plant size, size dependency of male flower production was less clear. The number of male flowers was larger in the early‐flowering populations, while the number of perfect flowers increased in the late‐flowering populations. Thus, male‐biased sex allocation was common in the early‐flowering populations. Fruit‐set rates varied among populations and between years, irrespective of flowering period. Fruit‐set success of individual plants increased with perfect flower number, but independent of male flower number. Seed predation by lepidopteran larvae was intense in the early‐flowering populations, whereas predation damage was absent in the late‐flowering populations, reflecting the extent of phenological matching between flowering time of host plants and oviposition period of predator moths. Seed predation rate was independent of male and perfect flower numbers of individual plants. Thus, seed predation is a stochastic event in each population. There was a clear correlation between the proportion of male flowers and the intensity of seed predation among populations. These results suggest that male‐biased sex allocation could be a strategy to reduce seed predation damage but maintain the effort as a pollen donor under intensive seed predation.
COMBINE: a coalesced mammal database of intrinsic and extrinsic traits
Authors: Soria Carmen D. , Pacifici Michela , Di Marco Moreno , Stephen Sarah M. , Rondinini Carlo
Published: March 2021

The use of species’ traits in macroecological analyses has gained popularity in the last decade, becoming an important tool to understand global biodiversity patterns. Currently, trait data can be found across a wide variety of data sets included in websites, articles, and books, each one with its own taxonomic classification, set of traits, and data management methodology. Mammals, in particular, are among the most studied taxa, with large sources of trait information readily available. To facilitate the use of these data, we did an extensive review of published mammal trait data sources between 1999 and May 2020 and produced COMBINE: a COalesced Mammal dataBase of INtrinsic and Extrinsic traits. Our aim was to create a taxonomically integrated database of mammal traits that maximized trait number and coverage without compromising data quality. COMBINE contains information on 54 traits for 6,234 extant and recently extinct mammal species, including information on morphology, reproduction, diet, biogeography, life habit, phenology, behavior, home range, and density. Additionally, we calculated other relevant traits such as habitat and altitudinal breadths for all species and dispersal for terrestrial non‐volant species. All data are compatible with the taxonomies of the IUCN Red List v. 2020‐2 and PHYLACINE v. 1.2. Missing data were adequately flagged and imputed for non‐biogeographical traits with 20% or more data available. We obtained full data sets for 21 traits such as female maturity, litter size, maximum longevity, trophic level, and dispersal, providing imputation performance statistics for all. This data set will be especially useful for those interested in including species’ traits in large‐scale ecological and conservation analyses. There are no copyright or proprietary restrictions; we request citation of this publication and all relevant underlying data sources (found in Data S1: trait_data_sources.csv), upon using these data.
Dipeptidyl peptidase 3, a marker of the antagonist pathway of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in patients with heart failure
Authors: Boorsma Eva M. , ter Maaten Jozine M. , Damman Kevin , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Dickstein Kenneth , Anker Stefan D. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Lang Chim C. , Metra Marco , Santos Karine , Voors Adriaan A.
Published: March 2021

Aims

Recently, dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3) has been discovered as the peptidase responsible for cleavage of angiotensin (1–7) [Ang (1–7)]. Ang (1–7) is part of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme–Ang (1–7)–Mas pathway which is considered to antagonize the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). Since DPP3 inhibits the counteracting pathway of the RAAS, we hypothesize that DPP3 might be deleterious in the setting of heart failure. However, no data are available on DPP3 in chronic heart failure. We therefore investigated the clinical characteristics and outcome related to elevated DPP3 concentrations in patients with worsening heart failure.

Methods and results

Dipeptidyl peptidase 3 was measured in 2156 serum samples of patients with worsening heart failure using luminometric immunoassay (DPP3‐LIA) by 4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Hennigsdorf, Germany. Predictors of DPP3 levels were selected using multiple linear regression with stepwise backward selection. Median DPP3 concentration was 11.45 ng/mL with a range from 2.8 to 84.9 ng/mL. Patients with higher DPP3 concentrations had higher renin [78.3 (interquartile range, IQR 26.3–227.7) vs. 120.7 IU/mL (IQR 34.74–338.9), P < 0.001, for Q1–3 vs. Q4] and aldosterone [88 (IQR 44–179) vs. 116 IU/mL (IQR 46–241), P < 0.001, for Q1–3 vs. Q4] concentrations. The strongest independent predictors for higher concentration of DPP3 were log‐alanine aminotransferase, log‐total bilirubin, the absence of diabetes, higher osteopontin, fibroblast growth factor‐23 and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide concentrations (all P < 0.001). In univariable survival analysis, DPP3 was associated with mortality and the combined endpoint of death or heart failure hospitalization (P < 0.001 for both). After adjustment for confounders, this association was no longer significant.

Conclusions

In patients with worsening heart failure, DPP3 is a marker of more severe disease with higher RAAS activity. It may be deleterious in heart failure by counteracting the Mas receptor pathway. Procizumab, a specific antibody against DPP3, might be a potential future treatment option for patients with heart failure.
Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GIse) registry Of Transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitaTiOn (GIOTTO): impact of valve disease aetiology and residual mitral regurgitation after MitraClip implantation
Authors: Bedogni Francesco , Popolo Rubbio Antonio , Grasso Carmelo , Adamo Marianna , Denti Paolo , Giordano Arturo , Tusa Maurizio , Bianchi Giovanni , De Marco Federico , Bartorelli Antonio L. , Montorfano Matteo , Godino Cosmo , Citro Rodolfo , De Felice Francesco , Mongiardo Annalisa , Monteforte Ida , Villa Emmanuel , Giannini Cristina , Crimi Gabriele , Tarantini Giuseppe , Testa Luca , Tamburino Corrado
Published: March 2021

Aims

The Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GIse) registry Of Transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitaTiOn (GIOTTO) was conceived in order to assess the safety and efficacy of MitraClip therapy in Italy. The aim of this study was to assess procedural and mid‐term outcomes, and clinical and echocardiographic predictors of mid‐term mortality after MitraClip therapy, stratifying the results according to the diagnosis of functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation (FMR vs. DMR).

Methods and results

Between January 2016 and March 2020, 1659 patients were prospectively included in the GIOTTO registry (FMR 59.4% vs. DMR 40.6%). Acute Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium (MVARC) technical success was achieved in 97.2% of patients, without differences between FMR and DMR and with sustained results at 30 days. In the study population, all‐cause mortality was 4.0%, 17.5% and 34.6% at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years, respectively. Cardiovascular death was the most frequent cause of mortality. Overall hospitalization rates were 6.3%, 23.4% and 31.7% at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years, respectively. The most frequent cause of hospitalization was heart failure, particularly in the first 30 days. FMR and MVARC structural and functional failure were strongly associated with 1‐year mortality. Residual mitral regurgitation 1+ (rMR) was independently related to a reduced risk of 1‐year mortality (hazard ratio 0.62; P = 0.005). Coherently, at 2‐year follow up, FMR was associated with worse outcomes than DMR, and Kaplan–Meier all‐cause mortality was related to rMR.

Conclusions

Functional mitral regurgitation aetiology affects 1‐year mortality after MitraClip implantation, and differences in mortality and hospitalization rates between FMR and DMR can be observed within 2 years. Optimal rMR 1+ was correlated to a more favourable mid‐term outcome, particularly in FMR.
Biotin‐Appended Iron(III) Complexes of Curcumin for Targeted Photo‐Chemotherapy
Authors: Sahoo Somarupa , Raghavan Abinaya , Kumar Arun , Nandi Dipankar , Chakravarty Akhil R.
Published: March 2021

Iron(III) complexes of curcumin (Hcur) having a tridentate NNN‐donor dipicolylamine‐based ligand L1 and its biotinylated analogue L2, namely, [Fe(L1)(cur)Cl] (1) and [Fe(L2)(cur)Cl] (2), were prepared, characterized and their photo‐induced cytotoxicity studied. The complexes exhibited curcumin‐based absorption band near 430 nm and emission maxima at 520 nm. Complex 2 with a biotin moiety showed enhanced cellular uptake and higher cytotoxicity compared to its non‐biotin analogue 1. The visible light induced cytotoxicity was studied in HeLa, MCF‐7 and HepG2 cell lines. Complex 2 displayed photodynamic effect (400–700 nm, 10 J cm−2) giving an IC50 value of ∼4 μM in HeLa and MCF‐7 cells, while being significantly non‐toxic in the dark (IC50>100 μM). A 5‐fold increase in cytotoxicity was observed in HepG2 cells (IC50∼0.7 μM) for the biotin‐appended complex 2. In vitro generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed from dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay. The mode of cell death was apoptotic. Formation of hydroxyl radicals as the ROS was evidenced from the plasmid pUC19 DNA photo‐cleavage studies. The complexes demonstrated the ability to act as targeted PDT (photodynamic therapy) drugs.
Recent Progress in Graphene‐Based Microsupercapacitors
Authors: Kirubasankar Balakrishnan , Balan Balakrishnan , Yan Chao , Angaiah Subramania
Published: March 2021

The fast growing field of microsized electronic devices has urgent demand for next‐generation microscale, flexible, and lightweight energy conversion and storage devices. Among the various microdevices, microsupercapacitors (MSCs) are a promising energy storage device due to their fast rechargeability, better rate capability, long cycle life, and ultrahigh power density. The 2D graphene possesses a large surface area with flexibility, better conductivity, transparency, and high quantum capacitance that lead to an ideal energy storage material for the MSCs. Therefore, this review aims to summarize recent advances in graphene‐based MSCs. A particular emphasis is put on the various fabrication technologies for MSCs such as printing, laser, wet‐spin, and photolithography technique that are discussed elaborately. Moreover, an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art on graphene‐based electrode materials and its different composite with transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, conducting polymers, transition metal chalcogenides, and MXene‐based electrode materials for MSCs are discussed and their electrochemical performances are summarized. Furthermore, this review concludes with perspectives and outlooks.
Flip‐Chip Packaged Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Huang Chun-Kai , Chiu Chung-Yu , Lai Tse-Lin , Cheng Cheng , Lai Wei-Han , Chang Pai-Jung , Wu Jin-Long , Chiang Chien-Hung , Wu Chun-Guey , Liu Cheng-Yi
Published: March 2021

The oxide/nitride passivation and the flip‐chip package technology are developed for the perovskite solar cells. The heat resulting from the physical vapor deposition decomposes the active perovskite layer and degrades the efficiency of the perovskite solar cells down by more than 45%. Remarkably, with Si‐nitride passivation processed by plasma‐enhanced vapor deposition, the efficiency of the perovskite solar cell only decays about 9.1%. It is because that the plasma‐enhanced vapor deposition causes much less external energy on the perovskite solar cell. Using the exponential efficiency‐decay curves of the flip‐chip packaged perovskite solar cells, the characteristic time of the reliability‐tested solar cell can be calculated to be 145.8, 390.7, and 4864 h for air‐ambient, glove chamber, and water‐ambient tests, respectively. It is concluded that the concentration of O2(g) in the reliability test ambient is the root cause for the efficiency degradation of the perovskite solar cells. The low mobility of O2(g) under the water‐ambient reliability test results in the low probability of the adsorption of O2(g) on the surface of the flip‐chip package, which is the key factor for the least efficiency degradation of the perovskite solar cells among the three reliability tests.
Investigating effect of polymer concentrations on separation performance of hydrocyclone by sensitivity analysis
Authors: Liu Yang , Bu Fanxi , Chen Shuangqing , Jiang Minghu
Published: March 2021

Polymer flooding technology is widely used to enhance the oil recovery, but it increases the viscosity of the produced liquid, making the subsequent water treatment more challenging. Application of polymers impacts separation performance of hydrocyclone, which is an important equipment of produced liquid preseparation and sewage treatment in oil fields. In this work, the effect of polymer solution concentrations on the separation performance of hydrocyclone was studied by using sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity was calculated by numerical simulation, and the influence of polymer concentration on velocity field, pressure field, oil volume fraction, and separation efficiency of hydrocyclone was evaluated. The prototype was processed according to the similarity principle of fluid mechanics, and the relevant laboratory tests were carried out to verify the accuracy of simulation results. Within the tested range (100‐1000 mg/L), the increase of polymer solution concentrations caused adverse impacts on the velocity field, pressure field, and oil volume fraction of the hydrocyclone. When the concentrations of polymer solution reached 800 mg/L, the separation efficiency was reduced to less than 60%. The sensitivity sequence obtained by calculation is as follows: underflow outlet pressure drop > overflow outlet pressure drop > axial velocity > radial velocity > tangential velocity > pressure drop ratio. The change of pressure drop at underflow and overflow outlets was the primary cause for poor separation performance of hydrocyclone. The work can be used to guide the design and application of hydrocyclone for efficient treatment of polymer‐containing treatment liquid.
Electrodeposition of Ni on MWNTs as a promising catalyst for CO2RR
Authors: Huo Siming , Lu Jessie , Wang Xianqin
Published: March 2021

Novel methods for the preparation of metal‐supported materials are desired for better catalytic performance and selectivity. In this article, Ni supported on multiwall nanotubes (Ni/MWNTs) is synthesized with electrodeposition method for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The sample drying time after electrodeposition is found critical to oxidize Ni for better activity, and higher Ni oxidation state is required for CO2RR. The loading effect study proves that higher current density is achieved from small Ni clusters than that from large nano particles. This work provides a pioneer approach to synthesize small Ni clusters using electrodeposition method for electrocatalytic CO2 conversion.
A comparative study of essential oil constituents, total phenolics and antioxidant capacity of the different organs of four species of the genus bunium
Authors: Adelifar Najmeh , Rezanejad Farkhondeh
Published: March 2021

Bunium persicum is one of the fragrant herbaceous plants that has many nutritional and medicinal applications. Information about other species of Bunium is scarce. Essential oils, polyphenolics and antioxidant activity were analysed in four species of Bunium. The highest levels of total flavonoids were observed in leaves and fruits of B wolffii while the other polyphenolics did not show significant differences between the species and organs. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed 16, 14, 14 and 13 main components respectively accounting for 97.52% of the entire essential oils of B cylindricum, 91.12% of B paucifolium, 97.14% B persicum and 96.41% of B wolffii. The monoterpenes content was 57.9, 22, 97.14 and 63.83% in B cylindricum, B paucifolium, B persicum and B wolffii respectively whereas sesquiterpenes levels were respectively 1.29, 27.45, 0.0 and 2.98%. The nonterpens constituted 38.33, 41.67, 0.0 and 29.6% in these four species respectively. The highest amount of monoterpenes (97.14%) was observed in B persicum, while the maximum of sesquiterpenes (27.45%) and nonterpenes (41.67%) obtained in B paucifolium. The main constituents were γ‐terpinene, myristicin, cuminaldehyde, apiole, α‐pinene, β‐pinene, β‐selinene, Z‐ β‐ocimene and γ‐terpinene‐7‐al. Cuminaldehyde with the pleasant odour was only revealed in B persicum. All organs of different species except corms showed high antioxidant activity using ABTS and DPPH assay. Thus, similar to B persicum, the other studied species are a rich source of antioxidant compounds and can be used as functional food ingredients and a potential source of natural antioxidants with valuable health benefits.
Targeted locus amplification to detect molecular markers in mantle cell and follicular lymphoma
Authors: Genuardi Elisa , Klous Petra , Mantoan Barbara , Drandi Daniela , Ferrante Martina , Cavallo Federica , Alessandria Beatrice , Dogliotti Irene , Grimaldi Daniele , Ragaini Simone , Clerico Michele , Lo Schirico Mariella , Saraci Elona , Yilmaz Mehmet , Zaccaria Gian Maria , Cortelazzo Sergio , Vitolo Umberto , Luminari Stefano , Federico Massimo , Boccadoro Mario , van Min Max , Splinter Erik , Ladetto Marco , Ferrero Simone
Published: March 2021

Minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by PCR methods is a strong and standardized predictor of clinical outcome in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). However, about 20% of MCL and 40% of FL patients lack a reliable molecular marker, being thus not eligible for MRD studies. Recently, targeted locus amplification (TLA), a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) method based on the physical proximity of DNA sequences for target selection, identified novel gene rearrangements in leukemia. The aim of this study was to test TLA in MCL and FL diagnostic samples lacking a classical, PCR‐detectable, t(11; 14) MTC (BCL1/IGH), or t(14; 18) major breakpoint region and minor cluster region (BCL2/IGH) rearrangements. Overall, TLA was performed on 20 MCL bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) primary samples and on 20 FL BM, identifying a novel BCL1 or BCL2/IGH breakpoint in 16 MCL and 8 FL patients (80% and 40%, respectively). These new breakpoints (named BCL1‐TLA and BCL2‐TLA) were validated by ASO primers design and compared as MRD markers to classical IGH rearrangements in eight MCL: overall, MRD results by BCL1‐TLA were superimposable (R Pearson = 0.76) to the standardized IGH‐based approach. Moreover, MRD by BCL2‐TLA reached good sensitivity levels also in FL and was predictive of a primary refractory case. In conclusion, this study offers the proof of principle that TLA is a promising and reliable NGS‐based technology for the identification of novel molecular markers, suitable for further MRD analysis in previously not traceable MCL and FL patients.
A qualitative study of patient perspectives of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy services in Vanuatu
Authors: ‘Ofanoa Malakai , Aitip Basil , Ram Komal , Dalmia Prarthana , Pal Moneeta , Nosa Vili , Goodyear‐Smith Felicity
Published: March 2021

Issue addressed

Diabetes mellitus is an increasing global health problem, particularly in Vanuatu, where it poses a major health burden. There is paucity of information on how patients in Vanuatu perceive diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, access to services and management, health promotion and intervention services to alleviate the issues. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of diabetic patients in Vanuatu on these issues, to help inform the design of health promotion materials and community activities to empower people to self‐manage and shape diabetic services that are integrated and people‐centred.

Methods

Qualitative Talanga and Kakala Pacific research methodologies were applied. Participants were diabetic patients from both urban locations and rural villages in Vanuatu. Data were collected from four (two male, two female) focus group interviews and thematically analysed.

Results

There were 26 participants. System failures became apparent, including the inability of the health care services to meet the complex needs of patients with diabetes. The protective factors to reduce the risk and increasing incidence of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy included comprehensive village‐based health promotion and community development programmes at the primary prevention level.

Conclusion

This study described patients' experiences of their diabetic care and identified key barriers and facilitators of service delivery pathways.

So what?

Vanuatu needs to expand nationwide health promotion and education programmes on nutrition and exercise, food insecurity and access through trade agreements and provide well‐trained nursing and medical specialists for early diagnosis and adequate management of diabetes that all people can access and afford.
The value of spot urinary creatinine as a marker of muscle wasting in patients with new‐onset or worsening heart failure
Authors: Pandhi Paloma , Streng Koen W. , Anker Stefan D. , Cleland John G. , Damman Kevin , Dickstein Kenneth , Pellicori Pierpaolo , Lang Chim C. , Ng Leong , Samani Nilesh J. , Zannad Faiez , Metra Marco , Rossignol Patrick , Filippatos Gerasimos , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Voors Adriaan A. , ter Maaten Jozine M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Muscle wasting and unintentional weight loss (cachexia) have been associated with worse outcomes in heart failure (HF), but timely identification of these adverse phenomena is difficult. Spot urinary creatinine may be an easily accessible marker to assess muscle loss and cachexia. This study investigated the association of urinary creatinine with body composition changes and outcomes in patients with new‐onset or worsening HF (WHF).

Methods

In BIOSTAT‐CHF, baseline spot urinary creatinine measurements were available in 2315 patients with new‐onset or WHF in an international cohort (index cohort) and a validation cohort of 1431 similar patients from Scotland.

Results

Median spot urinary creatinine concentrations were 5.2 [2.7–9.6] mmol/L in the index cohort. Median age was 69 ± 12 years and 73% were men. Lower spot urinary creatinine was associated with older age, lower height and weight, worse renal function, more severe HF, and a higher risk of >5% weight loss from baseline to 9 months (odds ratio = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.09–1.39 per log decrease; P = 0.001). Spot urinary creatinine was associated with Evans criteria of cachexia (OR = 1.26 per log decrease, 95% CI = 1.04–1.49; P = 0.016) and clustered with markers of heart failure severity in hierarchical cluster analyses. Lower urinary creatinine was associated with poorer exercise capacity and quality of life (both P < 0.001) and predicted a higher rate for all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.17–1.38 per log decrease; P < 0.001] and the combined endpoints HF hospitalization or all‐cause mortality (HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.15–1.31 per log decrease; P < 0.001). Significance was lost after addition of the BIOSTAT risk model. Analyses of the validation cohort yielded similar findings.

Conclusions

Lower spot urinary creatinine is associated with smaller body dimensions, renal dysfunction, and more severe HF in patients with new‐onset/WHF. Additionally, lower spot urinary creatinine is associated with an increased risk of weight loss and a poorer exercise capacity/quality of life. Urinary creatinine could therefore be a novel, easily obtainable marker to assess (risk of) muscle wasting in HF patients.
The impact of tropical storms on tax revenue
Authors: Mohan Preeya , Strobl Eric
Published: March 2021

We investigate the vulnerability of tax revenue and its various sources to hurricane damages. To this end, we construct a monthly panel of hurricane losses, tax revenue, and its components, tax rates, and gross domestic product (GDP) for eight Eastern Caribbean countries over 14 years. Panel vector autoregressions (VAR) show that following a hurricane, any effects are generally short term. The cumulative expected loss in total tax revenue is 5.3%. Revenue derived from international trade and transactions and domestic goods and service are the most negatively affected. Countries with higher value added, as well as international trade and transactions tax rates, appear to be able to buffer the negative impact better, whereas higher property taxes amplify the negative impact of damaging hurricanes on this revenue source.
Translational balancing questioned: Unaltered glycosylation during disulfiram treatment in mannosyl‐oligosaccharide alpha‐1,2‐mannnosidase‐congenital disorders of glycosylation (MAN1B1‐CDG)
Authors: Kemme Lisa , Grüneberg Marianne , Reunert Janine , Rust Stephan , Park Julien , Westermann Cordula , Wada Yoshinao , Schwartz Oliver , Marquardt Thorsten
Published: March 2021

MAN1B1‐CDG is a multisystem disorder caused by mutations in MAN1B1, encoding the endoplasmic reticulum mannosyl‐oligosaccharide alpha‐1,2‐mannnosidase. A defect leads to dysfunction within the degradation of misfolded glycoproteins. We present two additional patients with MAN1B1‐CDG and a resulting defect in endoplasmic reticulum‐associated protein degradation. One patient (P2) is carrying the previously undescribed p.E663K mutation. A therapeutic trial in patient 1 (P1) using disulfiram with the rationale to generate an attenuation of translation and thus a balanced, restored ER glycoprotein synthesis failed. No improvement of the transferrin glycosylation profile was seen.
Impact of Wideband Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Device‐Related Artifacts in Different Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Types
Authors: Singh Amita , Chen Wensu , Patel Hena N. , Alvi Nazia , Kawaji Keigo , Besser Stephanie A. , Tung Roderick , Zou Jiangang , Lang Roberto M. , Mor‐Avi Victor , Patel Amit R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging in patients with implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICD) is limited by device‐related artifacts (DRA). The use of wideband (WB) LGE protocols improves LGE images, but their efficacy with different ICD types is not well known.

Purpose

To assess the effects of WB LGE imaging on DRA in different non‐MR conditional ICD subtypes.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 113 patients undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with three ICD subtypes: transvenous (TV‐ICD, N = 48), cardiac‐resynchronization therapy device (CRT‐D, N = 48), and subcutaneous (S‐ICD, N = 17).

Field Strength/Sequence

5 T scanner, standard LGE, and WB LGE imaging with a phase‐sensitive inversion recovery segmented gradient echo sequence.

Assessment

DRA burden was defined as the number of artifact‐positive short‐axis LGE slices as percentage of the total number of short‐axis slices covering the left ventricle from based to apex, and was determined for WB and standard LGE studies for each patient. Additionally, artifact area on each slice was quantified.

Statistical Tests

Shapiro–Wilks, Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance, Dunn tests with Bonferroni correction, and Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results

In patients with TV‐ICD, DRA burden was significantly reduced and nearly eliminated with WB LGE compared to standard LGE imaging (median [interquartile range]: 0 [0–7]% vs. 18 [0–50]%, P < 0.05), but WB imaging had less of an impact on DRA in the CRT‐D (8 [0–23]% vs. 16 [0–45]%, p = 0.12) and S‐ICD (60 [15–71]% vs. 67 [50–92]%, P = 0.09) patients. Residual DRA was significantly greater (P < 0.05) for S‐ICD compared to other device types with WB LGE imaging, despite the generators of all three ICD types having similar proximity to the heart. The area of S‐ICD associated DRA was smaller with WB LGE (P < 0.001) than with standard LGE imaging and the artifacts had different characteristics (dark signal void instead of a bright hyperenhancement artifact).

Data Conclusion

Although WB LGE imaging reduced the burden of DRA caused by S‐ICD, the residual artifact was greater than that observed with TV‐ICD and CRT‐D devices. Further developments are needed to better resolve S‐ICD artifacts.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy: Stage

5
Shared leadership and relationship conflict in teams: The moderating role of team power base diversity
Authors: Sinha Ruchi , Chiu Chia‐Yen (Chad) , Srinivas Santosh B.
Published: March 2021

Shared leadership in teams is believed to be beneficial for team effectiveness. Yet recent empirical evidence shows that it may not always bring positive effects. On the one hand, the team leadership literature suggests that shared leadership allows for frequent interactions among members, improving intrateam harmony and reducing conflicts. On the other hand, the team power literature suggests that frequent influence interactions among multiple leaders can form an arena in which members fight over their power turfs, thereby triggering conflict. Drawing on dominance complementarity theory, we suggest that team power base diversity—the variety in power bases among team members from which they derive their informal influence—is an important contingency that moderates the impact of shared leadership on relationship conflict to influence team performance. In a sample of 70 project‐based teams, we find support for the proposition that at high levels of team power base diversity, shared leadership has a positive downstream effect on team performance through reduced team relationship conflict. We discuss the contributions to knowledge about shared leadership and highlight practical implications for temporary teams with no formally designated leaders.
Improving the reporting quality of reliability generalization meta‐analyses: The REGEMA checklist
Authors: Sánchez‐Meca Julio , Marín‐Martínez Fulgencio , López‐López José Antonio , Núñez‐Núñez Rosa Maria , Rubio‐Aparicio María , López‐García Juan José , López‐Pina José Antonio , Blázquez‐Rincón Desirée Mª. , López‐Ibáñez Carmen , López‐Nicolás Rubén
Published: March 2021

Reliability generalization (RG) is a meta‐analytic approach that aims to characterize how reliability estimates from the same test vary across different applications of the instrument. With this purpose RG meta‐analyses typically focus on a particular test and intend to obtain an overall reliability of test scores and to investigate how the composition and variability of the samples affect reliability. Although several guidelines have been proposed in the meta‐analytic literature to help authors improve the reporting quality of meta‐analyses, none of them were devised for RG meta‐analyses. The purpose of this investigation was to develop REGEMA (REliability GEneralization Meta‐Analysis), a 30‐item checklist (plus a flow chart) adapted to the specific issues that the reporting of an RG meta‐analysis must take into account. Based on previous checklists and guidelines proposed in the meta‐analytic arena, a first version was elaborated by applying the nominal group methodology. The resulting instrument was submitted to a list of independent meta‐analysis experts and, after discussion, the final version of the REGEMA checklist was reached. In a pilot study, four pairs of coders applied REGEMA to a random sample of 40 RG meta‐analyses in Psychology, and results showed satisfactory inter‐coder reliability. REGEMA can be used by: (a) meta‐analysts conducting or reporting an RG meta‐analysis and aiming to improve its reporting quality; (b) consumers of RG meta‐analyses who want to make informed critical appraisals of their reporting quality, and (c) reviewers and editors of journals who are considering submissions where an RG meta‐analysis was reported for potential publication.
Disentangling the Symptom‐Level Nuances in Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Problematic Alcohol Use in Northern Irish Military Veterans: A Network Analysis
Authors: McGlinchey Emily , Ross Jana , Murphy Dominic , Shorter Gillian W. , Armour Cherie
Published: March 2021

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use are highly prevalent among military veteran populations. Several theories have been proposed to account for the comorbidity between PTSD and problematic alcohol use, but research examining the symptom‐level associations between the two is limited. The current study used network analysis to examine the associations between PTSD and problematic alcohol use. Data were collected through a cross‐sectional survey of veterans of the United Kingdom Armed Forces living in Northern Ireland. The sample comprised 511 (91.2% male) veterans with a history of trauma exposure and current alcohol use. A network consisting of PTSD symptoms from the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) and items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was constructed, and the bridge centrality of all items was estimated to identify items with the highest number of associations and the strongest associations between the two constructs. The PTSD symptom “reckless behavior” (2.43) had the highest bridge centrality values and thus the strongest connections and most connections to the alcohol use items. For the alcohol use items, “not being able to stop drinking” (2.31) and “number of drinks” (1.24) demonstrated the strongest bridge connections to the PTSD items. These results highlight the role of specific PTSD symptoms involved in the interaction between PTSD and problematic alcohol use.
The Impact of Traumatic Stress, Social Support, and Substance Problems on Graduation Among Female Offenders in a Prescription Drug Court Program
Authors: Abarno Cristina N. , De Leon Ardhys , Sharp Amanda G. , Moore Kathleen , Boothroyd Roger
Published: March 2021

Trauma exposure and comorbid substance use are highly prevalent among female drug court participants. Despite the pervasiveness of the issue, few studies have investigated the impact of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and nonmedical prescription drug use among this specific population. The present study examined the impact of posttraumatic stress, social support, and nonmedical prescription drug use on graduation outcomes among female participants in a specialized drug court program (N = 210). Participants either received motivational enhancement therapy/cognitive behavioral therapy (MET‐CBT; N = 210) or both MET‐CBT and Seeking Safety through intensive outpatient treatment (n = 109). The findings indicated that graduation was negatively correlated with posttraumatic stress, r = −.19, p = .007, d = 0.40; past 90‐day nonmedical prescription painkiller, opiate, and analgesic use, r = −.19, p = .001, d = 0.44; tangible social support, r = −.24, p = < .001, d = 0.51; and past‐month substance use problems, r = −.25, p < .001, d = .50. In addition, past‐month substance use problems, OR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.72, 0.97]; PTSS, OR = 0.90, 95 % CI [0.82, 0.99]; and tangible social support, OR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.89, 0.98], were significant negative predictors of graduation. These results speak to the importance of facilitating the development of specialized evidence‐based drug court interventions that target and improve comorbid substance use and trauma outcomes among female drug court participants to reduce recidivism and set a precedent for future research to replicate and expand upon these findings.
Featured Front Cover
Authors: Xu Shanshan , Zhao Qinghe , Qin Chengzhe , Qin Mingzhou , Lee Jay , Li Cangyu , Li Yanyan , Yang Jiaxin
Published: March 2021

The cover image is based on the Original Article Effects of vegetation restoration on accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in post‐mining areas by Mingzhou Qin et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3861.

image
A Short Review on Self‐Healing Thermoplastic Polyurethanes
Authors: Yao Yuan , Xiao Meng , Liu Wenguang
Published: March 2021

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a melt‐processing polymer with a high elasticity, high tensile strength, low‐temperature resistance, wear‐resistance, and corrosion resistance ability. TPU can be used in the automotive industry, electronics, medical supplies, coatings, and sports equipment. Introduction of self‐healing performance has made a considerable contribution to the service life and recyclability of TPU. The present article analyzes recent progress in self‐healing supramolecular TPUs. In particular, the importance of self‐healing mechanisms governed by covalent bonds and non‐covalent interactions in polymer design that allows for balancing mechanical performance and repairability is summarized. The critical issues and challenges associated with self‐healing supramolecular TPUs are also discussed.
Impact of Rapeseed and Soy Lecithin on Postprandial Lipid Metabolism, Bile Acid Profile, and Gut Bacteria in Mice
Authors: Robert Chloé , Buisson Charline , Laugerette Fabienne , Abrous Hélène , Rainteau Dominique , Humbert Lydie , Vande Weghe Justine , Meugnier Emmanuelle , Loizon Emmanuelle , Caillet François , Van Dorsselaer Benjamin , Urdaci Maria , Vaysse Carole , Michalski Marie‐Caroline
Published: March 2021

Scope

Synthetic emulsifiers have recently been shown to promote metabolic syndrome and considerably alter gut microbiota. Yet, data are lacking regarding the effects of natural emulsifiers, such as plant lecithins rich in essential α‐linolenic acid (ALA), on gut and metabolic health.

Methods and Results

For 5 days, male Swiss mice are fed diets containing similar amounts of ALA and 0, 1, 3, or 10% rapeseed lecithin (RL) or 10% soy lecithin (SL). Following an overnight fast, they are force‐fed the same oil mixture and euthanized after 90 minutes. The consumption of lecithin significantly increased fecal levels of the Clostridium leptum group (p = 0.0004), regardless of origin or dose, without altering hepatic or intestinal expression of genes of lipid metabolism. 10%‐RL increased ALA abundance in plasma triacylglycerols at 90 minutes, reduced cecal bile acid hydrophobicity, and increased their sulfatation, as demonstrated by the increased hepatic RNA expression of Sult2a1 (p = 0.037) and cecal cholic acid‐7 sulfate (CA‐7S) concentration (p = 0.05) versus 0%‐lecithin.

Conclusion

After only 5 days, nutritional doses of RL and SL modified gut bacteria in mice, by specifically increasing C. leptum group. RL also increased postprandial ALA abundance and induced beneficial modifications of the bile acid profile. ALA‐rich lecithins, especially RL, may then appear as promising natural emulsifiers.
Advances in fiber‐based quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace gas sensing
Authors: Feng Wei , Qu Yanchen , Gao Yachen , Ma Yufei
Published: March 2021

Fiber‐based quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) is a method for trace gas sensing with excellent properties such as high sensitivity and strong applicability. It has received extensive attention and become particularly attractive in recent years. Therefore, this invited paper analyzed and summarized the principle of its sensing as well as its technical characteristics. The latest research results, combed with the application mechanism and application fields of different types of QEPAS system, were introduced. Finally, its development trend was forecasted.
Internal impedance of a circular cylindrical wire under external, submillimeter wave illumination
Authors: Alvarez‐Perez Jose Luis
Published: March 2021

A complete, non‐approximate expression of the internal impedance for an open‐ended circular cylindrical wire being subject to externally incident radiation is derived. A comparison is made with the well‐known formula given by Stratton and later given by Ramo. The modes in which the electromagnetic field oscillates are due to the incoming wave, and the corresponding boundary conditions do not lead to the homogeneous system of linear equations that produce the usual and relatively complex spectrum of damped modes discussed by Stratton. The approximations made to obtain Stratton and Ramo's formula are applicable again to the expression found here and produce the same result. Such approximations are adequate for good conductors at frequencies in the microwave region. However, it is shown that the new formulation, which includes the displacement current and the real part of the permittivity of the wire, is needed for the case of submillimeter radiation. In effect, the values of the impedance computed by using the new expression are considerably different from those resulting from Stratton or Ramo's formula in the Terahertz domain. In particular, these values show now a larger resistive part and a smaller reactive part in this domain.
Plain 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis streamlines the quality control of antiviral favipiravir and congeneric World Health Organization essential medicines
Authors: Achanta Prabhakar S. , Chen Shao‐Nong , Pauli Guido F.
Published: March 2021

Favipiravir is an established antiviral that is currently being assessed as an investigational drug for the treatment of COVID‐19. Favipiravir is strikingly similar to two molecules that the World Health Organization (WHO) lists as essential medicines, which also consist of a six‐membered aromatic N‐heterocycle bearing a carboxamide function: the anti‐tuberculosis agent, pyrazinamide, and nicotinamide, also known as vitamin B3. We demonstrate the utility of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiling, an emerging pharmacopoeial tool, for the highly specific identification, selective differentiation of congeners, and subsequent detection of drug falsification or adulteration of these medicines. The straightforward comparison of basic 1‐D 1H NMR spectra, obtained with benchtop or advanced NMR instruments alike, offers a rapid identity assay and works independently of physical reference materials. This approach accelerates and advances pharmaceutical quality control measures under situations of increased drug demand and altered economy, such as during a pandemic.
In search of dense subgraphs: How good is greedy peeling?
Authors: Gudapati Naga V. C. , Malaguti Enrico , Monaci Michele
Published: March 2021

The problem of finding the densest subgraph in a given graph has several real‐world applications, particularly in areas like social network analysis, protein, and gene networks. Depending on the application, finding dense subgraphs can be used to determine regions of high importance, similar characteristics, or enhanced interaction. The densest subgraph extraction problem is fundamentally a non‐linear optimization problem. Nevertheless, it can be solved in polynomial time by an exact algorithm based on iteratively solving a series of max‐flow subproblems. Despite its polynomial‐time complexity, the computing time required by exact algorithms on very large graphs could be prohibitive. Thus, to approach graphs with millions of vertices and edges, one has to resort to heuristic algorithms. We provide an efficient implementation of a greedy heuristic from the literature that is extremely fast and has some nice theoretical properties. We also introduce a new heuristic algorithm that is built on top of the greedy and the exact methods. An extensive computational study is presented to evaluate the performance of various algorithms on a benchmark composed of 86 instances taken from the literature and real world. This analysis shows that the proposed heuristic algorithm is very effective on a large number of test instances, often providing either the optimal solution or a near‐optimal solution within short computing times.
“Walking in Their Shoes”: The effects of an immersive digital story intervention on empathy in nursing students
Authors: Yu Juping , Parsons Gareth S , Lancastle Deborah , Tonkin Emma T , Ganesh Siva
Published: March 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effects of a novel, immersive digital story intervention on empathy.

Design

A randomized trial with three phases.

Results

A total of 238 2nd year nursing students were recruited between May 2018 and December 2019. At baseline, no significant differences in empathy between the groups were found (p = .760). However, at post‐test, empathy was significantly higher in the intervention group (M: 118.76, SD: 10.65) than it was in the control group (M: 114.60, SD: 15.40) (p = .012). At follow‐up, there were no significant differences in empathy between the groups (p = .364).

Conclusion

The intervention resulted in an immediate increase in empathy in nursing students. However, further development of effective intervention delivery modes and fundamental redesign of the intervention itself would be needed to sustain this improvement over the long term.