bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allergen skin test reactivity and asthma are inversely associated with ratios of IgG4/IgE and total IgE/allergen‐specific IgE in Ugandan communities
Authors: Nkurunungi Gyaviira , Nassuuna Jacent , Mpairwe Harriet , Kabagenyi Joyce , Nampijja Margaret , Sanya Richard E. , Webb Emily L. , Elliott Alison M.
Published: January 2021

Background

Serum inhibition of allergen‐specific IgE has been associated with competing IgG4 and non‐specific polyclonal IgE. In allergen immunotherapy, beneficial responses have been associated with high IgG4/IgE ratios. Helminths potentiate antibody class switching to IgG4 and stimulate polyclonal IgE synthesis; therefore, we hypothesized a role for helminth‐associated IgG4 and total IgE in protection against atopic sensitization and clinical allergy (asthma) in tropical low‐income countries.

Methods

Among community residents of Ugandan rural Schistosoma mansoni (Sm)–endemic islands and a mainland urban setting with lower helminth exposure, and among urban asthmatic schoolchildren and non‐asthmatic controls, we measured total, Schistosoma adult worm antigen (SWA)–specific, Schistosoma egg antigen (SEA)–specific and allergen (house dust mite [HDM] and German cockroach)–specific IgE and IgG4 by ImmunoCAP® and/or ELISA. We assessed associations between these antibody profiles and current Sm infection, the rural‐urban environment, HDM and cockroach skin prick test (SPT) reactivity, and asthma.

Results

Total IgE, total IgG4 and SWA‐, SEA‐ and allergen‐specific IgE and IgG4 levels were significantly higher in the rural, compared to the urban setting. In both community settings, both Sm infection and SPT reactivity were positively associated with allergen‐specific and total IgE responses. SPT reactivity was inversely associated with Schistosoma‐specific IgG4, allergen‐specific IgG4/IgE ratios and total IgE/allergen‐specific IgE ratios. Asthmatic schoolchildren, compared with non‐asthmatic controls, had significantly higher levels of total and allergen‐specific IgE, but lower ratios of allergen‐specific IgG4/IgE and total IgE/allergen‐specific IgE.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Our immuno‐epidemiological data support the hypothesis that the IgG4–IgE balance and the total IgE–allergen‐specific IgE balance are more important than absolute total, helminth‐ or allergen‐specific antibody levels in inhibition of allergies in the tropics.
Effects of stewardship on protected area effectiveness for coastal birds
Authors: Michel Nicole L. , Saunders Sarah P. , Meehan Timothy D. , Wilsey Chad B.
Published: January 2021

Evaluation of protected area effectiveness is critical for conservation of biodiversity. Protected areas that prioritize biodiversity conservation are, optimally, located and managed in ways that support relatively large and stable or increasing wildlife populations. Yet evaluating conservation efficacy remains a challenging endeavor. We used an extensive community science data set, eBird, to evaluate the efficacy of protected areas for birds across the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of the United States. We modeled trends (2007–2018) for 12 vulnerable waterbirds that use coastal areas during breeding or wintering. We compared two types of protected areas—sites where conservation organizations implemented active stewardship or management or both to reduce human disturbance (hereafter stewardship sites) and local, state, federal, and private protected areas managed to maintain natural land cover (hereafter protected areas)—as well as unprotected areas. We evaluated differences in trends between stewardship, protected, and unprotected areas across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as a whole. Similar to a background sample, stewardship was known to occur at stewardship sites, but unknown at protected and unprotected areas. Four of 12 target species—Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)—had more positive trends (two to 34 times greater) at stewardship sites than protected areas. Furthermore, five target species showed more positive trends at sites with stewardship programs than unprotected sites during at least one season, whereas seven species showed more positive trends at protected than unprotected areas. No species had more negative trends at stewardship sites than unprotected areas, and two species had more negative trends at protected than unprotected areas. Anthropogenic disturbance is a serious threat to coastal birds, and our findings demonstrate that stewardship to reduce its negative impacts helps ensure conservation of vulnerable waterbirds.
A guide to representing variability and uncertainty in biodiversity indicators
Authors: Rowland Jessica A. , Bland Lucie M. , James Simon , Nicholson Emily
Published: January 2021

Biodiversity indicators are used to inform decisions and measure progress toward global targets, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Indicators aggregate and simplify complex information, so underlying information influencing its reliability and interpretation (e.g., variability in data and uncertainty in indicator values) can be lost. Communicating uncertainty is necessary to ensure robust decisions and limit misinterpretations of trends, yet variability and uncertainty are rarely quantified in biodiversity indicators. We developed a guide to representing uncertainty and variability in biodiversity indicators. We considered the key purposes of biodiversity indicators and commonly used methods for representing uncertainty (standard error, bootstrap resampling, and jackknife resampling) and variability (quantiles, standard deviation, median absolute deviation, and mean absolute deviation) with intervals. Using 3 high‐profile biodiversity indicators (Red List Index, Living Planet Index, and Ocean Health Index), we tested the use, suitability, and interpretation of each interval method based on the formulation and data types underpinning the indicators. The methods revealed vastly different information; indicator formula and data distribution affected the suitability of each interval method. Because the data underpinning each indicator were not normally distributed, methods relying on normality or symmetrical spread were unsuitable. Quantiles, bootstrapping, and jackknifing provided useful information about the underlying variability and uncertainty. We built a decision tree to inform selection of the appropriate interval method to represent uncertainty or variation in biodiversity indicators, depending on data type and objectives. Our guide supports transparent and effective communication of biodiversity indicator trends to facilitate accurate interpretation by decision makers.
A case–control study examining the association of smad7 and TLR single nucleotide polymorphisms on the risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Reilly Frank , Burke John P. , Lennon Grainne , Kay Elaine W. , McNamara Deborah A. , Cullen Garret , Doherty Glen A. , Mulcahy Hugh , Martin Sean , Winter Desmond C. , Sheahan Kieran , O’Connell Patrick Ronan
Published: January 2021

Aim

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic mucosal inflammation and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. smad7, TLR2 and TLR4 modulate intestinal inflammation and their polymorphisms affect the risk of development of sporadic colorectal cancer. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in smad7, TLR2 and TLR4 and the development of colorectal cancer in patients with UC.

Method

DNA was extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue from 90 patients with UC who had undergone panproctocolectomy between 1985 and 2013 (30 with UC‐associated colorectal cancer and 60 control UC patients). Control cases were matched 2:1 for age at diagnosis of colitis, duration of disease and gender. Genotyping was performed for the smad7 rs4464148, rs11874392, rs12953717 and rs4939827 SNPs, the TLR2 rs5743704 and rs5743708 SNPs and the TLR4 rs4986790 and rs4986791 SNPs.

Results

Sixty three of the 90 patients (70%) were men and the mean age at diagnosis of UC was 38.6 ± 1.6 years. The mean time to the diagnosis of UC‐associated colorectal cancer was 13.5 ± 1.9 years. The 5‐year recurrence‐free and cancer‐specific survival rates were 76% and 88%, respectively. All eight SNPs were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. None of the eight SNPs assessed in smad7, TLR2 or TLR4 were associated with the development of UC‐associated colorectal cancer at an allelic or genotypic level.

Conclusions

These data do not support an association between polymorphisms in smad7, TLR2 or TLR4 and the development of UC‐associated colorectal cancer.
Printing the light
Authors: Parraman Carinna , Klein Susanne
Published: January 2021

This paper explores the relationship between additive and subtractive mixing for colour printing. Using Spectraval mica pigments (Merck)—marketed as RGB pigments—colour is generated by selective reflection and prints are based on additive colour mixing principles, that when printed onto black paper, create white and a range of colours. Although currently used mostly for decorative effects, they can be the basis of additive 'process' inks, that present new opportunities for and challenges to traditional print markets. The viewing angle dependency of their selective reflection favours applications in security printing similar to the holograms on bank cards for example. Traditional measurement and modelling methods are difficult to apply due to the layering and irregular dispersion of pigments.
Journal Open Access and Plan S: Solving Problems or Shifting Burdens?
Authors: Kamerlin Shina Caroline Lynn , Allen David J. , de Bruin Bas , Derat Etienne , Urdal Henrik
Published: January 2021

This academic thought piece provides an overview of the history of, and current trends in, publishing practices in the scientific fields known to the authors (chemical sciences, social sciences and humanities), as well as a discussion of how open access mandates such as Plan S from cOAlition S will affect these practices. It begins by summarizing the evolution of scientific publishing, in particular how it was shaped by the learned societies, and highlights how important quality assurance and scientific management mechanisms are being challenged by the recent introduction of ever more stringent open access mandates. The authors then discuss the various reactions of the researcher community to the introduction of Plan S, and elucidate a number of concerns: that it will push researchers towards a pay‐to‐publish system which will inevitably create new divisions between those who can afford to get their research published and those who cannot; that it will disrupt collaboration between researchers on the different sides of cOAlition S funding; and that it will have an impact on academic freedom of research and publishing. The authors analyse the dissemination of, and responses to, an open letter distributed and signed in reaction to the introduction of Plan S, before concluding with some thoughts on the potential for evolution of open access in scientific publishing.
Challenges associated with retrospective analysis of left ventricular function using clinical echocardiograms from a multicenter research study
Authors: Sachdeva Ritu , Stratton Kayla L. , Cox David E. , Armenian Saro H. , Bhat Aarti , Border William L. , Leger Kasey J. , Leisenring Wendy M. , Meacham Lillian R. , Sadak Karim T. , Narasimhan Shanti , Chow Eric J. , Nathan Paul C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Retrospective multicenter research using echocardiograms obtained for routine clinical care can be hampered by issues of individual center quality. We sought to evaluate imaging and patient characteristics associated with poorer quality of archived echocardiograms from a cohort of childhood cancer survivors.

Methods

A single blinded reviewer at a central core laboratory graded quality of clinical echocardiograms from five centers focusing on images to derive 2D and M‐mode fractional shortening (FS), biplane Simpson's ejection fraction (EF), myocardial performance index (MPI), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)–derived velocities, and global longitudinal strain (GLS).

Results

Of 535 studies analyzed in 102 subjects from 2004 to 2017, all measures of cardiac function could be assessed in only 7%. While FS by 2D or M‐mode, MPI, and septal E/E′ could be measured in >80% studies, mitral E/E′ was less consistent (69%), but better than EF (52%) and GLS (10%). 66% of studies had ≥1 issue, with technical issues (eg, lung artifact, poor endocardial definition) being the most common (33%). Lack of 2‐ and 3‐chamber views was associated with the performing center. Patient age <5 years had a higher chance of apex cutoff in 4‐chamber views compared with 16‐35 years old. Overall, for any quality issue, earlier era of echo and center were the only significant risk factors.

Conclusion

Assessment of cardiac function using pooled multicenter archived echocardiograms was significantly limited. Efforts to standardize clinical echocardiographic protocols to include apical 2‐ and 3‐chamber views and TDI will improve the ability to quantitate LV function.
Diversity and phylogenetic community structure across elevation during climate change in a family of hyperdiverse neotropical beetles (Staphylinidae)
Authors: Dolson Sarah J. , Loewen Elyssa , Jones Kelsey , Jacobs Shoshanah R. , Solis Angel , Hallwachs Winnie , Brunke Adam J. , Janzen Daniel H. , Smith M. Alex
Published: January 2021

Environmental stress from abiotic conditions imposes physiological limits on individuals within communities, and these stressful conditions can act as a filter on the species present in any given environment. Such abiotic stressors can reduce a community's diversity and make its composition more phylogenetically clustered. Using a decade of staphylinid beetle (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera, rove beetles) collections made across a 1500 m elevation gradient in northwestern Costa Rica (2008–2017) we asked what species lived there, how large and overlapping were the communities across this gradient, and what relationship was there between elevation and diversity. Using DNA barcodes for identification and phylogenetic estimates of community structure, we found high turnover across elevation, and that staphylinid diversity increased linearly with elevation. Because of this, we found staphylinid diversity was negatively related to surface area and temperature, and positively with precipitation. We suggest that historical biogeography and contemporary environmental stress have combined to produce these observed patterns. The forests in which these beetles are found are heating and drying rapidly and our finding that diversity increases with elevation suggests that there will be catastrophic biodiversity loss in the coming decades.
Script concordance tests: A call for action in dental education
Authors: Vital Sibylle , Wulfman Claudine , Girard Félix , Tamimi Faleh , Charlin Bernard , Ducret Maxime
Published: January 2021

The Script Concordance Test (SCT) is an educational tool that aims to assess the ability to interpret medical information under conditions of uncertainty. It is widely used and validated in health education, but almost unknown in dentistry. Based on authentic clinical problem‐solving situations, it allows to assess clinical reasoning that experienced health workers develop over the years. A specific scoring system, dedicated to SCT, considers the variability of responses of practitioners in the same clinical situations. Finally, the scores generated by SCT reflect the respondents’ ability to interpret clinical data compared to experienced clinicians. This article aims to familiarise the dental educators’ community with SCT construction, optimisation and its possible applications.
Attenuated cytarabine, etoposide, dexamethasone plus rituximab (R‐Mini‐CYVE) regimen for patients with relapsed or refractory B‐cell non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma not eligible for intensive chemotherapy
Authors: Abdayem Pamela , Ibrahim Nathalie , El Dakdouki Yolla , Willekens Christophe , Ghez David , A. Rouche Julia , Dartigues Peggy , Desmaris Romain , Danu Alina , Rossignol Julien , Lazarovici Julien , Fermé Christophe , Ribrag Vincent , Michot Jean M.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an attenuated immunochemotherapy regimen based on cytarabine, etoposide and dexamethasone plus rituximab (R‐mini‐CYVE) in patients with relapsed or refractory B‐cell non–Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Methods

We included pretreated adult patients with B‐cell NHL who were ineligible for high‐dose immunochemotherapy (HDT). Cytarabine and etoposide were given at four different dose levels, depending on the patient's frailty. Up to 8 cycles were administered.

Results

Between 2013 and 2019, 56 patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (n = 45, 80%) and indolent B‐cell lymphoma (n = 11, 20%) were included. Median age was 75 (range: 36‐88). Nineteen patients (35%) had a performance status ≥2. Patients received a median of 4 cycles of R‐mini‐CYVE. The objective response and the complete response rates were 50% and 33%, respectively. Median progression‐free survival and overall survival times were 5.7 (95% CI: 0.5‐10.9) and 14.7 (95% CI: 3.5‐25.9) months, respectively. Grade ≥3 anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurred in 44%, 55% and 60% of the patients, respectively. The most frequent non‐haematological grade ≥3 adverse events were sepsis (21%), fatigue (13%) and cytarabine‐related neurotoxicity (5%).

Conclusion

R‐mini‐CYVE demonstrated a meaningful antitumour efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in patients with relapsed/refractory B‐cell NHL who were ineligible for HDT.
Slow oscillation‐spindle coupling is negatively associated with emotional memory formation following stress
Authors: Denis Dan , Kim Sara Y. , Kark Sarah M. , Daley Ryan T. , Kensinger Elizabeth A. , Payne Jessica D.
Published: January 2021

Both stress and sleep enhance emotional memory. They also interact, with the largest effect of sleep on emotional memory being seen when stress occurs shortly before or after encoding. Slow wave sleep (SWS) is critical for long‐term episodic memory, facilitated by the temporal coupling of slow oscillations and sleep spindles. Prior work in humans has shown these associations for neutral information in non‐stressed participants. Whether coupling interacts with stress to facilitate emotional memory formation is unknown. Here, we addressed this question by reanalyzing an existing dataset of 64 individuals. Participants underwent a psychosocial stressor (32) or comparable control (32) prior to the encoding of 150‐line drawings of neutral, positive, and negative images. All participants slept overnight with polysomnography, before being given a surprise memory test the following day. In the stress group, time spent in SWS was positively correlated with memory for images of all valences. Results were driven by those who showed a high cortisol response to the stressor, compared to low responders. The amount of slow oscillation‐spindle coupling during SWS was negatively associated with neutral and emotional memory in the stress group only. The association with emotional memory was significantly stronger than for neutral memory within the stress group. These results suggest that stress around the time of initial memory formation impacts the relationship between slow wave sleep and memory.
Can yield, soil C and aggregation be improved under long‐term conservation agriculture in the eastern Indo‐Gangetic plain of India?
Authors: Mondal Surajit , Mishra Janki Sharan , Poonia Shish Pal , Kumar Rakesh , Dubey Rachana , Kumar Santosh , Verma Mausam , Rao Karnena K. , Ahmed Akram , Dwivedi Sharad , Bhatt Bhagwati Prasad , Malik Ram Kanwar , Kumar Virender , McDonald Andrew
Published: January 2021

Deteriorating soil health, diminishing soil organic carbon (SOC), development of subsurface hard compact layer and declining system productivity are barriers to achieving sustainable production in the traditional rice–wheat cropping system (TA) in the eastern Indo‐Gangetic Plain of India. Conservation agriculture (CA), which favours minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention and crop diversification could be a viable alternative to the TA to address most of those major problems. With that in mind, a long‐term experiment is being implemented at ICAR‐RCER, Patna, Bihar, India, with four treatments: (a) TA, (b) full CA (fCA) and (c and d) partial CA (pCA1 and pCA2), differing in crop establishment methods, cropping system and crop residue management in a randomized complete block design. Measurement of soil health parameters was carried out in the 11th year of the experiment. The results revealed a beneficial effect of CA and 46 and 40% increase in SOC concentration and stock, respectively, under fCA over TA in the 0–7.5‐cm soil layer. The effect of partial CA (pCA1 and pCA2) was variable, but an increasing trend was always observed under pCA compared to TA. There was an enrichment in SOC content of aggregates under CA irrespective of size class; however, no relation was found between SOC content and aggregate diameter. The contribution of macroaggregates to SOC stock was larger (36–66%) under CA in the 0–7.5‐cm soil layer. Adoption of CA improved the macroaggregate content, MWD and GMD of aggregates, and aggregation ratio. Soil macropore content was greater under fCA, whereas other parameters were similar among treatments. The impact of CA was mostly limited to 0–7.5 cm soil layer and a maximum up to 15 cm soil depth while evaluation until 60 cm soil depth was realized. The yield of rice in CA was comparable to or higher than in TA, whereas the system rice equivalent yield was always higher (38–53%) under CA than under the conventional practices. Therefore, a CA‐based cropping system must be encouraged, to increase SOC status, improve aggregation stability and, consequently, sustain or increase system productivity, in order to achieve food and nutritional security in the eastern Indo‐Gangetic Plain of India.

Highlights

Effects of long‐term conservation agriculture (CA) on soil C, aggregation and yield were evaluated.

CA improved SOC concentration and stock by 46 and 40%, as well as macroaggregate SOC stock by 36–66%.

Macro‐aggregation and mean weight diameter improved in CA but was mostly limited to a shallow soil depth.

CA can be promoted for sustainability of a rice–wheat system due to higher productivity (38–53%).
Innovativeness in the Professional Services Industry: A Practice Level Analysis
Authors: Williams Christopher , van Triest Sander
Published: January 2021

Professional services firms (PSFs) are characterised by high external client interaction as well as by high levels of internal knowledge intensity. However, the literature is remarkably mixed on the question of how these characteristics impact innovativeness in this industry. While client interaction and demand may induce innovation, clients may be looking for tried‐and‐tested solutions to their problems from professional service providers. Similarly, while professionals' knowledge and expertise is required for new service development, their specialisation does not necessarily lead them to be innovative. We analyse both externally‐oriented and internally‐oriented mechanisms to understand PSF innovativeness, conducting our analysis at the level of practice areas in PSFs. Using a survey of 218 practice areas, we only find support for the internally‐oriented mechanisms and not external ones. It is a combination of human capital, the sharing of knowledge internally, and allocating decision rights to the professional staff that drives innovativeness in PSF practice areas.
Adaption and preliminary validation of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III as a screening test for mild cognitive impairment and dementia in hearing‐impaired individuals
Authors: North Courtney , Heatley Mary H. , Utoomprurkporn Nattawan , Bamiou Doris Eva , Costafreda Sergi G. , Stott Joshua
Published: January 2021

Background

A large proportion of older adults assessed for cognitive impairment likely have hearing loss, potentially affecting accuracy of cognitive performance estimations. This study aimed to develop a hearing‐impaired version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III (HI‐ACE‐III) and to assess whether the HI‐ACE‐III can accurately distinguish people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia from cognitively intact controls.

Methods

The HI‐ACE‐III was developed by converting verbal instructions into a visual, timed PowerPoint presentation. Seventy‐four participants over the age of 60 years were classified into three groups: 29 had MCI, 15 had mild to moderate dementia and 30 were cognitively intact controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were graphed to test screening accuracy. Concurrent validity was examined through correlations between HI‐ACE‐III domain scores and relevant, visually presented standardized neuropsychological measures.

Results

ROC analysis for dementia revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99, achieving excellent sensitivity (100%) and good specificity (93.3%) at an optimum cut‐off of <87. The AUC for MCI was 0.86, achieving reasonable sensitivity (75.9%) and good specificity (86.7%) at an optimum cut‐off of <92. HI‐ACE‐III subtests shared anticipated and statistically significant correlations with established measures of cognitive functioning. Internal consistency of the HI‐ACE‐III was excellent as verified with Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.904).

Conclusions

Preliminarily, the HI‐ACE‐III showed good reliability, validity and screening utility for MCI and dementia in older adults in a hearing‐impairment context. The adapted HI‐ACE‐III may offer accurate and reliable indication of cognitive performance, supporting timely diagnosis and research examining links between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Metacognitive instruction in L2 French: An analysis of listening performance and automaticity
Authors: Becker Shannon R.
Published: January 2021

The goal of the present study was to investigate the instructional potential of metacognitive strategies to improve listening comprehension and the automaticity of listening processes. A pretest—treatment—posttest design was adopted and used in seven sections of second‐semester French. Differences were found based on initial listening proficiency and metacognitive awareness: low proficiency learners in both conditions outperformed all high‐proficiency learners in listening gains over time. Initial level of metacognitive awareness had a significant impact on gains in listening performance: learners in the experimental group who began the study with low metacognitive awareness achieved higher gains in listening. These results indicate that the initial level of metacognitive awareness has a differential impact on listening comprehension gains, supporting the idea that increasing metacognition can help learners to improve listening skills.
Greening of the earth does not compensate for rising soil heterotrophic respiration under climate change
Authors: Naidu Dilip G. T. , Bagchi Sumanta
Published: January 2021

Stability of the soil carbon (C) pool under decadal scale variability in temperature and precipitation is an important source of uncertainty in our understanding of land–atmosphere climate feedbacks. This depends on how two opposing C‐fluxes—influx from net primary production (NPP) and efflux from heterotrophic soil respiration (Rh)—respond to covariation in temperature and precipitation. There is scant evidence to judge whether field experiments which manipulate both temperature and precipitation align with Earth System Models, or not. As a result, even though the world is generally greening, whether the resultant gains in NPP can offset climate change impacts on Rh, where, and by how much, remains uncertain. Here, we use decadal‐scale global time‐series datasets on NPP, Rh, temperature, and precipitation to estimate the two opposing C‐fluxes and address whether one can outpace the other. We implement machine‐learning tools on recent (2001–2019) and near‐future climate scenarios (2020–2040) to assess the response of both C‐fluxes to temperature and precipitation variation. We find that changes in C‐influx may not compensate for C‐efflux, particularly in wetter and warmer conditions. Soil‐C loss can occur in both tropics and at high latitudes since C‐influx from NPP can fall behind C‐efflux from Rh. Precipitation emerges as the key determinant of soil‐C vulnerability in a warmer world, implying that hotspots for soil‐C loss/gain can shift rapidly and highlighting that soil‐C is vulnerable to climate change despite widespread greening of the world. The direction of covariation between change in temperature and precipitation, rather than their magnitude, can help conceptualize highly variable patterns in C‐fluxes to guide soil‐C stewardship.
Cabinet size and governance in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Wehner Joachim , Mills Linnea
Published: January 2021

There is frequent public and media concern over the cost of bloated cabinets in many Sub‐Saharan African countries. Scholarship on elite clientelism links cabinet positions with corruption and practices that undermine sound policymaking. This article presents new data on the number of ministers in African governments and documents a robust negative association with several measures of governance, both across countries and in a regression framework that exploits within‐country variation over time and accounts for various potential confounders. This suggests policymakers, donors, investors, and citizens should pay close attention to the number of ministers appointed to the cabinet. Although the article cautions against simplistic policy prescriptions, a sizable increase in the number of ministers is likely bad news for governance.
How can I turn my feminist ethnographic engagement into words? A perspective on knowledge production inspired by Audre Lorde
Authors: Dorion Léa
Published: January 2021

The article explores the topic of turning a feminist activist ethnographic “fieldwork” into words, that is, of writing an ethnographic account in a feminist way. It builds on the work of Audre Lorde to underline the role of emotions in a feminist writing process producing emancipatory knowledge. First, the article contributes to the topic of emotions in feminist writing, by redefining induction as an emotional rather than a rational process. Second, I show how the contribution of Audre Lorde to rethinking writing as an emancipatory process helped me come out of silence and gain empowerment, and hence how writing can be a feminist empowering action. Finally, displaying a story about my experience of writing can hopefully resonates with the ones of others and challenge dominant accounts of writing as a linear process.
Static postural balance evaluation and an investigation of the relationship with joint health in children with severe haemophilia: a controlled cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tat Necati M. , Tat Ayse M. , Oner Ahmet F. , Karaman Kamuran , Kaplan Seyhmus , Can Filiz
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Recurrent hemarthroses disturbing force/movement control are likely to impair postural balance.

Aim

To investigate the possible changes in static postural balance parameters in children with haemophilia (CwH) and to reveal its relationship with Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS).

Methods

Twenty‐one CwH aged 6–18 who had haemophilic arthropathy in at least one lower limb joint and 21 healthy peers were evaluated by using a force platform. Centre of pressure (CoP) signals were displayed as a map in both anteroposterior direction (APD) and mediolateral direction (MLD) by statokinesigram. Accordingly, the amplitude, velocity and standard deviation of CoP displacements along with the perimeter and ellipse area were measured. Assessments were made under eyes opened and eyes closed in bipedal stance for 60 s. Joint health and muscle strength were evaluated with HJHS and digital dynamometer, respectively.

Results

Velocity and amplitude of CoP displacements in MLD were increased in CwH (p˂0.05). It was also found that these parameters were moderate correlated with the clinical score of the lower limb joints (p˂0.05). In CwH, standard deviation of CoP displacements in the APD was significantly higher in eyes closed, while standard deviation in MLD was significantly higher in eyes opened (p˂0.05).

Conclusion

Disturbances during bipedal stance reveal the need for balance evaluation in CwH. Increased mediolateral oscillations may be an early sign of disorders of the musculoskeletal system in CwH. In addition to improving joint health, postural balance exercises that increase MLD stability have to be included in the rehabilitation programme of CwH.
Extra‐pair paternity, intraspecific brood parasitism, quasi‐parasitism and polygamy in the Red‐footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)
Authors: Magonyi Nóra M. , Szabó Krisztián , Fehérvári Péter , Solt Szabolcs , Palatitz Péter , Vili Nóra , Bertók Peter , Mátics Róbert
Published: January 2021

Based on the genotyping of 97 chicks and 74 adults from 37 families we describe extra‐pair paternity (EPP), intraspecific brood parasitism (IBP), quasi‐parasitism (QP) and polygamy in the Red‐footed Falcon Falco vespertinus. The frequency of chicks resulting from EPP was 2.06% affecting 2.70% of families (two chicks, one nest), the values for IBP were 1.03% and 2.70% for offspring and families, and the same values were detected for QP (each one chick in one nest). Altogether, 4.12% of offspring and 8.11% of families were affected by some of the alternative reproductive strategies. As far as we know, this is the first described case of QP in the genus Falco.
Determinants of Equity Ownership Stake in Foreign Entry Decisions: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Chhabra Ankita , Popli Manish , Li Yi
Published: January 2021

In international business (IB), the level of equity ownership adopted by a firm is an important decision. In this study, we review and synthesize the findings of 105 empirical studies published in prominent IB and management journals on the determinants of equity ownership stake in foreign investment decisions, published between 1991 and 2020. Three primary theoretical lenses ‒ organizational learning perspective, transaction cost economics and institutional perspective – are adopted to catalogue and synthesize the existing literature. We find that, despite the proliferation of IB studies on antecedents of level of equity ownership decisions, many unanswered questions remain. We also find that theoretical fault lines impede progress in this research stream. Based on the literature review, we suggest a research programme that includes accounting for the behavioural view of decision‐making in the organization, shifting from an atomistic perspective to a network perspective of the firm, having a better understanding of the process of internationalization and considering industry heterogeneity as well as the host country's characteristics.
Pricing decisions with different time sequences in a cross‐border dual‐channel supply chain
Authors: Chen Xue , Li Bo , An Simin , Li Yanran
Published: January 2021

This paper investigates pricing decisions with different time sequences in a cross‐border dual‐channel supply chain, in which the manufacturer produces products in country A and sells them to country B via a retail channel and an online channel. Meanwhile, we design three scenarios, the manufacturer‐led earlier scenario, the manufacturer‐led later scenario, and the retailer‐led scenario, to analyze the effects of time sequences when the manufacturer is risk neutral or risk averse. Through modeling and analysis, it is concluded that whether the manufacturer is risk averse or not, the manufacturer prefers the manufacturer‐led earlier scenario and the retailer's preference is the retailer‐led scenario. That is, when considering the time sequences, the players are encouraged to make all decisions in the first stage. Moreover, this paper analyzes the effects of the exchange rate and delivery lead time on the players’ pricing decisions. The theoretical and numerical analyses also show that the effects of an increasing exchange rate on the profits of the manufacturer and retailer are associated with the cost of the online channel. Additionally, while reducing the delivery lead time can attract customers, a moderate delivery lead time is more advantageous for the manufacturer. Finally, we further verify the robustness of the impacts of time sequences when the manufacturer is risk averse. Interestingly, if the cost of the online channel is higher, then the risk‐averse behavior benefits the retailer.
Effects of thermal environment on dehydroxylation of porous silica preform in two‐step CVD synthesis
Authors: Ma Qianli , Li Chengshuai , Shang Chunli , Zheng Lili , Fang Haisheng
Published: January 2021

Two‐step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is a promising technique for industrial fabrication of low‐hydroxyl silica glass ingot, in which a porous silica preform is first synthesized by flame hydrolysis deposition, which is subsequently sintered and vitrified to form silica glass. During sintering hydroxyls can be easily removed through the small pores in porous silica preform, which is called dehydroxylation. A deep understanding of the heat and mass transport characteristics involved in the dehydroxylation process is prerequisite to its controlling. In our previous work, a numerical model was developed to simulate the sintering and dehydroxylation of porous silica preform considering heat and mass transfer in porous media at high temperatures, chemical reaction of dehydroxylation, and volume shrinkage of preform. The results revealed that the dehydroxylation effect largely depends on the temperature fields in the furnace. In present work, the influences of thermal environments, including heating curve, heater position, and crucible structure on the dehydroxylation process of porous silica preform are systematically studied by numerical methods. Based on the results, increasing temperature at either stage is helpful for hydroxyl removal as well as increasing the hydroxyl distribution uniformity. However, long‐time exposure to 1500°C will instead worsen the dehydroxylation effect. Compared to top or bottom heating, side heating is more beneficial to hydroxyl removal. To improve the dehydroxylation condition at the bottom of porous silica preform, a novel crucible structure is designed which shows better performance than the ordinary crucible. At last, an optimized heating scheme is proposed in this study, which obtains much better dehydroxylation effect than other cases.
Lithium disilicate glass produced at high pressure: Characterization of structural, thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Resende Leonardo , Balzaretti Naira M. , Pereira Altair S. , Vasconcellos Marcos A. Z. , Buchner Silvio
Published: January 2021

In this work, high‐density lithium disilicate (LS2) vitreous systems were produced by melting and quenching under high pressure (7.7 GPa) following two distinct experimental routes. In the first case, LS2glass was remelted at 7.7 GPa and 1600°C and, then, quenched. In the second case, a stoichiometric mixture of precursor oxides (Li2O and SiO2) was melted at 1600°C and 7.7 GPa before quenching. A reference LS2glass sample was produced at atmospheric pressure using conventional melting and quenching procedure. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and instrumented ultramicro hardness measurements. X‐ray diffraction confirmed that all samples were amorphous and thermal analysis suggests that different glassy structures were produced depending on the route of synthesis. Hardness and elastic modulus of the glasses produced under high pressure were higher than those of the reference glass, reflecting the irreversible densification effect induced by the high‐pressure processing.
Corrosion behavior of calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate (CMAS) on sintered Gd2SiO5 for environmental barrier coatings
Authors: Kim Seung‐Hyeon , Nagashima Nobuo , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Kim Byung‐Nam , Jang Byung‐Koog
Published: January 2021

The Gd2SiO5 performed high‐temperature corrosion behavior on calcium–magnesium– aluminosilicate (CMAS) for environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). The synthesized Gd2O3‐SiO2 powder was prepared to fabricate a sintered Gd2SiO5 by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1400°C for 20 min. CMAS was sprinkled on the sintered Gd2SiO5 surface and exposed for 2, 12, and 48 h at 1400°C by isothermal heat treatment. The main corrosion factor is Ca, and Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2 phase is formed by reacting with Gd2SiO5. Extended morphology of Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2 particles observed in the reaction area become thicker as the heat treatment time increases as the CMAS is dissolved. According to the results of high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction (HT‐XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), CMAS melted at 1243°C or a higher temperature formed the reaction area. The Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2 phase was recrystallized and grown due to the reaction of Gd2SiO5 and Ca of the CMAS components.
Designing a New Empathy‐Oriented Prototyping Toolkit for the Design Thinking Process: Creativity and Design Sensibility
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Kyung , Park Joo Eun
Published: January 2021

This study examined the effectiveness of a new empathy‐oriented prototyping toolkit that was carefully developed to aid empathy gaining in students who find it difficult to express their ideas using only traditional paper‐based prototyping materials. The toolkit has a simple structure and uses basic geometric three‐dimensional forms made of various surface materials, such as rubber, wood, metal, acrylic and marble, which evoke distinct tactile sensations. The toolkit substitutes the items used in paper‐based prototyping, such as construction paper, glue, scissors, paper cups and permanent markers, in the prototyping stage of the design thinking workshop process. Students’ thoughts are expressed in three‐dimensional forms while they empathise with other students through conversation. The materials used are sophisticated, empathy‐oriented and provide easy access to rapid prototyping. Herein, we (1) explain the components of the developed toolkit, (2) provide a specific curriculum guide, (3) show the results of student experimentation with the toolkit in the prototyping stage of the design thinking workshop process and (4) demonstrate the toolkit’s effectiveness by observing the students’ creations and statements. Open coding and selective coding were used to analyse the themes that emerged from the interviews by students who participated in the workshop. We argue that the new prototyping toolkit can significantly promote students’ creativity and design sensibility.
The Impact of Multimedia Effect on Art Learning: Eye Movement Evidence from Traditional Chinese Pattern Learning
Authors: Ye Li , Su Hanjun , Zhao Jing , Hang Yongxin
Published: January 2021

At the beginning of 2020, the COVID‐19 epidemic continued to spread and became a global pandemic. Affected by the epidemic, online teaching has become the new normal. As the main form of online education, multimedia learning has attracted more and more attention. The study of traditional patterns has always been a particularly important element of art study in China due to cultural heritage and precious resources. Chinese traditional patterns are an important object of learning because of the heritage. This study examines students’ understanding of the composition and evolution of traditional Chinese patterns in bronze mirrors by using different multimedia learning materials. A two by two factorial design is employed. The dependent variables includes (1) subjects’ post‐test scores and (2) the data of subjects’ eye‐movement behaviour. Data shows that students who use the animation with narration allocate a greater amount of visual attention than students who use animation with on‐screen text. The students who use simulation with on‐screen text demonstrated a greater amount of visual attention than students who use received simulation with narration. Furthermore, this empirical study confirmed a direct, positive correlation between the length of the subjects’ eye fixation behaviour and the depth of learning. This result also provides evidence to prove that the use of multimedia learning materials is helpful in art education, especially in the study of the various elements of traditional Chinese art.
Application of convolutional neural network on early human embryo segmentation during in vitro fertilization
Authors: Zhao Mingpeng , Xu Murong , Li Hanhui , Alqawasmeh Odai , Chung Jacqueline Pui Wah , Li Tin Chiu , Lee Tin‐Lap , Tang Patrick Ming‐Kuen , Chan David Yiu Leung
Published: January 2021

Selection of the best quality embryo is the key for a faithful implantation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) practice. However, the process of evaluating numerous images captured by time‐lapse imaging (TLI) system is time‐consuming and some important features cannot be recognized by naked eyes. Convolutional neural network (CNN) is used in medical imaging yet in IVF. The study aims to apply CNN on day‐one human embryo TLI. We first presented CNN algorithm for day‐one human embryo segmentation on three distinct features: zona pellucida (ZP), cytoplasm and pronucleus (PN). We tested the CNN performance compared side‐by‐side with manual labelling by clinical embryologist, then measured the segmented day‐one human embryo parameters and compared them with literature reported values. The precisions of segmentation were that cytoplasm over 97%, PN over 84% and ZP around 80%. For the morphometrics data of cytoplasm, ZP and PN, the results were comparable with those reported in literatures, which showed high reproducibility and consistency. The CNN system provides fast and stable analytical outcome to improve work efficiency in IVF setting. To conclude, our CNN system is potential to be applied in practice for day‐one human embryo segmentation as a robust tool with high precision, reproducibility and speed.
KYNU, a novel potential target that underpins CD44‐promoted breast tumour cell invasion
Authors: Al‐Mansoob Maryam , Gupta Ishita , Stefan Rusyniak Radoslaw , Ouhtit Allal
Published: January 2021

Using a validated tetracycline‐off‐inducible CD44 expression system in mouse model, we have previously demonstrated that the hyaluronan (HA) receptor CD44 promotes breast cancer (BC) metastasis to the liver. To unravel the mechanisms that underpin CD44‐promoted BC cell invasion, RNA samples were isolated from two cell models: (a) a tetracycline (Tet)‐Off‐regulated expression system of the CD44s in MCF‐7 cells and; (b) as a complementary approach, the highly metastatic BC cells, MDA‐MB‐231, were cultured in the presence and absence of 50 µg/mL of HA. Kynureninase (KYNU), identified by Microarray analysis, was up‐regulated by 3‐fold upon induction and activation of CD44 by HA; this finding suggests that KYNU is a potential novel transcriptional target of CD44‐downtstream signalling. KYNU is a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) dependent enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of NAD cofactors from tryptophan that has been associated with the onset and development of BC. This review will attempt to identify and discuss the findings supporting this hypothesis and the mechanisms linking KYNU cell invasion via CD44.