bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pick and Roll: Expanded roles for a state auditor
Authors: Sher‐Hadar Neta
Published: December 2019

This paper proposes a theoretical typology for categorizing the multiple roles played by public auditing today, containing four audit modes: classic administrative audit, policy analysis audit, values‐based audit, and public agenda audit. While some specific aspects of these functions have been studied in other contexts, to the best of my knowledge they have not yet been examined and articulated as a whole. Using examples from Israel, this paper seeks to bridge this gap in the literature by presenting this evolution, offering a theoretical framework for identifying and discussing its new scope, and their implications both for the future of the state audit and for democracy.
Deep imaging reveals new insights into mammary gland architecture and breast cancer susceptibility
Authors: Ingman Wendy V.
Published: December 2019

The abundance of adipose tissue in the mammary gland obscures vision of the 3‐dimensional architecture. Hitchcock et al. employed a new technique of deep tissue imaging that has enabled visualisation of dynamic interactions between mammary gland epithelial and immune cells with unprecedented 3‐dimensional clarity. Deep imaging will help further our understanding of the complex biological interactions that underpin both normal mammary gland development and the susceptibility of this tissue to cancer. This knowledge will assist the development of much‐needed prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of breast cancer.

Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.15126
Invasion of freshwater ecosystems is promoted by network connectivity to hotspots of human activity
Authors: Chapman Daniel S. , Gunn Iain D. M. , Pringle Henrietta E. K. , Siriwardena Gavin M. , Taylor Philip , Thackeray Stephen J. , Willby Nigel J. , Carvalho Laurence
Published: December 2019

Aim

Hotspots of human activity are focal points for ecosystem disturbance and non‐native introduction, from which invading populations disperse and spread. As such, connectivity to locations used by humans may influence the likelihood of invasion. Moreover, connectivity in freshwater ecosystems may follow the hydrological network. Here we tested whether multiple forms of connectivity to human recreational activities promotes biological invasion of freshwater ecosystems.

Location

England, UK.

Time period

1990–2018.

Major taxa studied

One hundred and twenty‐six non‐native freshwater birds, crustaceans, fish, molluscs and plants.

Methods

Machine learning was used to predict spatial gradients in human recreation and two high risk activities for invasion (fishing and water sports). Connectivity indices were developed for each activity, in which human influence decayed from activity hotspots according to Euclidean distance (spatial connectivity) or hydrological network distance (downstream, upstream and along‐channel connectivity). Generalized linear mixed models identified the connectivity type most associated to invasive species richness of each group, while controlling for other anthropogenic and environmental drivers.

Results

Connectivity to humans generally had stronger positive effects on invasion than all other drivers except recording effort. Recreation had stronger influence than urban land cover, and for most groups high risk activities had stronger effects than general recreation. Downstream human connectivity was most important for invasion by most of the groups, potentially reflecting predominantly hydrological dispersal. An exception was birds, for which spatial connectivity was most important, possibly because of overland dispersal capacity.

Main conclusions

These findings support the hypothesis that freshwater invasion is partly determined by an interaction between human activity and species dispersal in the hydrological network. By comparing alternative connectivity types for different human activities, our approach could enable robust inference of specific pathways and spread mechanisms associated with particular taxa. This would provide evidence to support better prioritization of surveillance and management for invasive non‐native species.
Drivers of large‐scale geographical variation in sexual systems of woody plants
Authors: Wang Yunyun , Lyu Tong , Shrestha Nawal , Lyu Lisha , Li Yaoqi , Schmid Bernhard , Freckleton Robert P. , Dimitrov Dimitar , Liu Shuguang , Hao Zhanqing , Wang Zhiheng
Published: December 2019

Aim

Sexual systems strongly influence angiosperm evolution and play important roles in community assembly and species responses to climate change. However, geographical variation in proportions of different sexual systems (dioecy, monoecy and hermaphroditism) in response to changes in climate, life‐history traits and evolutionary age remains poorly understood. Here, we map the geographical variation in proportions of different sexual systems and hypothesize that the prevalence of hermaphrodites increases with aridity owing to their advantages in colonizing harsh environments, whereas dioecy is most successful in humid regions with tall‐canopy vegetation and old floras.

Location

China.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Woody angiosperms.

Methods

Using data on sexual systems and distributions of 10,449 woody species in China, we estimated the proportions of different sexual systems in local floras (50 km × 50 km grid cells). Spatial linear models, phylogenetic general linear models and structural equation models were used to compare the relative influences of climate, plant height and evolutionary age on geographical variation in proportions of different sexual systems.

Results

We found contrasting geographical patterns in the proportions of different sexual systems. The proportions of dioecy and monoecy increased with plant height and were highest in humid regions with older floras, whereas that of hermaphroditism decreased with plant height and was highest in arid regions with younger floras. Plant height was the strongest correlate of sexual system frequency. Climate influenced sexual system frequency both directly and indirectly via its effects on plant height.

Main conclusions

Our study provides the first continuous map of sexual system composition in woody floras over a large spatial scale. Our findings suggest that mature plant height, reflecting plant longevity, dominates geographical variation in sexual systems and that the proportions of different sexual systems in local floras might reflect their correlated evolution with traits in response to climate changes.
Predictive factors for Enterococcus faecalis in complicated community‐acquired urinary tract infections in older patients
Authors: Madrazo Manuel , Esparcia Ana , Alberola Juan , Ferrer Anna , Eiros José M , Nogueira José M , Artero Arturo
Published: December 2019

Aim

Risk factors for complicated community acquired Enterococcus faecalis urinary tract infection (UTI) in older patients are not well known.

Methods

We identified the predictive factors for E. faecalis on a cohort of 659 older patients admitted to hospital with complicated UTI. We also examined the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial therapy and outcomes in E. faecalis UTI. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of E. faecalis UTI.

Results

A total of 87 (13.2%) patients had E. faecalis UTI; of these 63.2% were men, their mean age was 82.3 years and they had a great number of comorbidities. Severe sepsis or septic shock was present in 50.5%, and bacteremia was present in 26%. Indwelling urinary catheter and previous urinary instrumentation were risk factors for E. faecalis UTI by multivariate analysis (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.15–3.65 and OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.08–4.34, respectively). Inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy was higher in E. faecalis UTI than in UTI caused by Gram‐negative microorganisms (66.6% vs 19%, P < 0.001). No significant differences in length of hospital stay or mortality were noted between E. faecalis and Gram‐negative UTI.

Conclusions

In older patients admitted to hospital with complicated community‐acquired UTI, E. faecalis should be considered for empirical treatment if the patient has a urinary catheter or previous urinary tract instrumentation in order to avoid inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; ••: ••–••.
Unemployment with trade and firm heterogeneity
Authors: Hung Li‐Wen , Peng Shin‐Kun
Published: December 2019

By specifying the setting of the footloose capital model with firm heterogeneity, this paper examines the effects of trade liberalization on unemployment through two different mechanisms: firstly, we embed search frictions into the labor market; and secondly, we consider fair wages as the source of unemployment. In the model with search frictions, we find that both the expected wage and employment rate could be higher for a small country with better search technology. In the fair wage setting, the results show that an increase in trade freeness increases the unemployment rate of the large (small) country when the trade freeness is sufficiently high (low). Finally, we try to compare the welfare levels under different scenarios and discover that unemployment may lead to a deterioration in the welfare gains from trade.
A novel antioxidant source: evaluation ofin vitrobioaccessibility, antioxidant activity and polyphenol profile of phenolic extract from black radish peel wastes (Raphanus sativusL. var.niger) during simulated gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Yücetepe Aysun , Altin Gokce , Özçelik Beraat
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potency of polyphenolic extract from black radish (Raphanus sativusL. var.niger) root peel waste (PEBRRP) as an antioxidant food additive. PEBRRP was found a powerful antioxidant extract, in which had 172.9 ± 11.5, 462.72 ± 3.05, and 796.51 ± 10.4 mg TE per g dw of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by CUPRAC, DPPH, and FRAP assays, respectively. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of PEBRRP were found as 305.51 ± 5.2 mg GAE per g dw and 171.58 ± 6.2 mg CAE per g dw, respectively. The ferulic acid (28.02 ± 4.5 mg per g dw) and epicatechin (19.82 ± 3.6 mg per g dw) were identified as the main polyphenols in undigested PEBRRP. The bioaccessibility of total phenolic and total flavonoid compounds of PEBRRP was found approximately 5%, and the antioxidant capacity of bioaccessible PEBRPP fraction was determined 6% in CUPRAC, 36% in DPPH and 47% in FRAP methods.
Competence and confidence with prescribing in pharmacy and medicine: a scoping review
Authors: Woit Cassandra , Yuksel Nese , Charrois Theresa L
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Prescribing is a growing scope of practice for pharmacists. The objective of this scoping review is to explore themes within the literature related to prescribing competence and confidence in the disciplines of pharmacy and medicine.

Methods

Online databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Global Health were used to identify articles from inception to October 2018. Articles describing either the competence or confidence of physician, pharmacist or student prescribing, including inappropriate prescribing and prescribing errors were included.

Key findings

After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 eligible articles remained. Many studies demonstrate that medical students and junior doctors are not competent in prescribing when they enter practice, and their perceived confidence is often higher than their assessed competence. There were fewer studies about pharmacist competence and confidence with prescribing; however, they described pharmacists that felt competent to prescribe but lacked confidence. Themes from the review included self-awareness, lack of education and educational improvements, prescribing errors and resources, prescribing culture and barriers to prescribing, gender differences and benefits to prescribing.

Conclusions

There is little consensus from the outcomes of these studies related to prescribing competence or confidence. While some reflect positively on prescribing competence and confidence, others show major deficits in competence and lack of confidence. Further research needs to be done to evaluate pharmacist competence and confidence with respect to prescribing.
Health‐related quality of life in patients undergoing TURP: Translating evidence into urological nursing practice
Authors: Subrata Sumarno A.
Published: December 2019

How can the deterioration of the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) be prevented by urological nurses? The intention of this study is to examine the relevant literature regarding HRQoL among those undergoing TURP. Transurethral resection of the prostate is fully considered as a historical reference‐standard procedure for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. Even though this method is highly effective and offers significant progress in urinary functioning, it is related to a risk of complications recognized as TURP syndrome which may impact patients' HRQoL. Several studies have discussed the management of TURP syndrome; however, they did not clearly elucidate the comprehensive aspect of HRQoL pertaining to physiological and psychological elements. As a consequence, this clinical condition may cause unpromising outcomes in regard to residual physical and psychological symptoms after TURP. Wilson and Cleary's model of HRQOL was thoughtfully chosen to guide this study. Several themes of the model were discussed as follows: biological and physiological factors, symptoms and general health perceptions, functional status, patient preferences, emotional and psychological factors, and overall quality of life. We generated a model of HRQoL along with nursing care with respect to the patients undergoing TURP. The findings of this study will render a positive contribution to improving TURP outcomes as well as preventing deterioration of patients' HRQoL.
Insights into the study and origin of the citrullinome in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Fert‐Bober Justyna , Darrah Erika , Andrade Felipe
Published: December 2019

The presence of autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells to citrullinated proteins and citrullinating enzymes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), together with the accumulation of citrullinated proteins in rheumatoid joints, provides substantial evidence that dysregulated citrullination is a hallmark feature of RA. However, understanding mechanisms that dysregulate citrullination in RA has important challenges. Citrullination is a normal process in immune and non‐immune cells, which is likely activated by different conditions (eg, inflammation) with no pathogenic consequences. In a complex inflammatory environment such as the RA joint, unique strategies are therefore required to dissect specific mechanisms involved in the abnormal production of citrullinated proteins. Here, we will review current models of citrullination in RA and discuss critical components that, in our view, are relevant to understanding the accumulation of citrullinated proteins in the RA joint, collectively referred to as the RA citrullinome. In particular, we will focus on potential caveats in the study of citrullination in RA and will highlight methods to precisely detect citrullinated proteins in complex biological samples, which is a confirmatory approach to mechanistically link the RA citrullinome with unique pathogenic pathways in RA.
Less competitive bank markets: Conventional and unconventional monetary policies through bank‐lending channels
Authors: Yamamoto Yasuhiro
Published: December 2019

Bank competition in Japan is weakening. This study theoretically analyzes the supply side of the bank loan market to examine how this weak banking competition influences the effectiveness of monetary policies. In a Cournot game, there are efficient banks, and inefficient banks that must pay a risk premium in the call market. Less competitive banks either go out of business or merge with efficient banks. The call rate and risk premium are central banks’ policy instruments. This paper's main finding is that, with a few exceptions, the weak competition reduces the effectiveness of monetary policies because concentration decreases the volume of bank loans. However, concentration makes monetary policy via a reduced risk premium more effective when this policy targets inefficient banks that do not exit or merge. In response to lending declines by efficient banks when they exit or merge, inefficient banks increase their lending activity.
Nano‐hydrogel embedded with quercetin and oleic acid as a new formulation in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer: A pilot study
Authors: Gallelli Giuseppe , Cione Erika , Serra Raffaele , Leo Antonio , Citraro Rita , Matricardi Pietro , Di Meo Chiara , Bisceglia Francesco , Caroleo Maria C. , Basile Sonia , Gallelli Luca
Published: December 2019

Wound healing, especially diabetic ones, is a relevant clinical problem, so it is not surprising that surgical procedures are often needed. To overcome invasive procedures, several strategies with drugs or natural compound are used. Recently, in an experimental study, we described an increase in keratinocyte proliferation after their exposition to quercetin plus oleic acid. In the present clinical study, we evaluated both the clinical efficacy and the safety of nano‐hydrogel embedded with quercetin and oleic acid in the treatment of lower limb skin wound in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Fifty‐six DM patients (28 men and 28 women, mean age 61.7 ± 9.2 years) unsuccessfully treated with mechanical compression were enrolled and randomised to receive an add on treatment with hyaluronic acid (0.2%) or nano‐hydrogel embedded with quercetin and oleic acid. The treatment with nano‐hydrogel embedded with quercetin and oleic acid significantly (P < .01) reduced the wound healing time, in comparison to hyaluronic acid (0.2%) without developing of adverse drug reactions, suggesting that this formulation could be used in the management of wound healing even if other clinical trials must be performed in order to validate this observation.
Putting your best pet forward: Language patterns of persuasion in online pet advertisements
Authors: Markowitz David M.
Published: December 2019

This paper evaluates persuasion dynamics of animal adoption using text data from a large archive of online pet advertisements. In Study 1, 184,805 adoption profiles from Petfinder indicated how long a pet will remain online and unadopted. Consistent with evidence from related persuasion settings such as peer‐to‐peer lending, pets spent less time online if profile writers had an analytic thinking style and advertisements contained few peripheral processing cues such as social words. Study 2 (N = 676,004 adoption profiles) replicated Study 1 patterns and found that adopted pet profiles contained more markers of analytic thinking and fewer social words than unadopted pet profiles. In an experiment (Study 3, N = 987), participants read an adoption advertisement typical of adopted or unadopted pets. Participants self‐reported that they would be more likely to adopt a pet and visit its shelter after reading a more analytic and less social adoption profile (indicators of adopted pets) than a less analytic and more social profile (indicators of unadopted pets). Finally, Study 4 (N = 3,245 Tweets) demonstrated that more analytic and less social word patterns relate to increased engagement online, such as likes and retweets. These data suggest pet adoption that begins online is a social and psychological process, enhanced by messages with markers of complex thinking and few humanizing references. Advances to persuasion theory are discussed, underscored by the implications for pet adoption and how language patterns in online advertisements can reflect influence at scale.
Hidden in the DNA: How multiple historical processes and natural history traits shaped patterns of cryptic diversity in an Amazon leaf‐litter lizardLoxopholis osvaldoi(Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae)
Authors: Marques-Souza Sergio , Machado Pellegrino Katia C. , Oliveira Brunes Tuliana , Carnaval Ana Carolina , Pacheco Damasceno Roberta , Lima de Oliveira Borges Manoela , Candia Gallardo Carlos , Rodrigues Miguel Trefaut
Published: December 2019

Aim

To investigate the cryptic diversity and diversification timing in the putatively low‐dispersal Amazonian leaf‐litter lizardLoxopholis osvaldoi, and to ask how geography (rivers, isolation by distance, IBD), ecological drivers (isolation by environment, IBE) and historical factors (climatic refugia) explain intraspecific genetic variation.

Location

Central Amazonia, Brazil.

Taxon

Squamata; Gymnophthalmidae;Loxopholis osvaldoi.

Methods

We sequenced two mitochondrial and two nuclear markers in 157 individuals. Phylogeographic structure and the occurrence of independent evolving lineages where explored through phylogenetic and coalescent analyses. A species tree and divergence dates of lineages were inferred with *BEAST, employing multiple DNA substitution rates. The potential genetic impacts of geographical distance among localities, the environment and the position of localities in relation to main rivers were tested by redundancy analysis (RDA).

Results

We detected 11 independently evolving and largely divergent intraspecific lineages. Lineage distribution patterns are complex and do not match any conspicuous barrier to gene flow, except for the Amazon River. Most lineages appear to have originated in the lower Miocene and Pliocene, in disagreement with the Pleistocene refuge hypothesis. IBD, IBE and rivers appear to have acted in concert establishing and maintaining genetic structure. However, when controlling for other explanatory variables, IBD explains significantly more variation than rivers, IBE or historical factors.

Main Conclusions

Our results strongly suggest thatL.osvaldoiis a species complex. Future taxonomic work should use an integrative approach to explore whether morphological variation is present and congruent with the genetic data. While the use of a sensitive dating analysis allowed us to better describe the diversification history ofL.osvaldoi, the lack of a spatial model of Neogene river dynamics prevents the test of specific, more informative river barrier hypotheses. The data suggest that nonlinear correlation analyses (e.g. RDA) should be preferred to detect factors that affect phylogeographic patterns in the Amazon, instead of linear multiple regressions (e.g. Mantel tests). Given the high level of cryptic diversity detected within this and other Amazonian species, we caution against hypothesis tests based solely on the distribution of nominal taxa, which can provide a rather incomplete view of the processes behind Amazonian diversity.
The effect of spatial variation for predicting aphid outbreaks
Authors: Damgaard Christian , Bruus Marianne , Axelsen Jørgen Aagaard
Published: December 2019

In order to improve forecasting of pest epidemics, it is important to know the spatial scale at which specific forecasts are reliable. To investigate the spatial scale of aphid outbreaks, we have developed a spatio‐temporal stochastic aphid population growth model and fitted the model to empirical spatial time series of aphid population data using a Bayesian hierarchical fitting procedure. Furthermore, detailed spatial data of the initial phases of population growth were investigated in semivariograms. Our results suggest that spatial variation is low in the initial occurrence probability at a spatial scale of 10 km. Consequently, the results support the hypothesis that initial aphid population sizes and outbreaks may be predicted in fields within a 10 km radius. For farmers, this may imply that they can rely their decision of whether to spray against aphids on observations made by other nearby farmers or by the consultancy service.
Investigating the color changes on resin‐based CAD/CAM Blocks
Authors: Aydın Numan , Karaoğlanoğlu Serpil , Oktay Elif A. , Kılıçarslan Mehmet A.
Published: December 2019

Objective

The improvement of the optical properties of new generation dental ceramics enables more esthetic and durable restorations. This study aimed to investigate the color changes, caused by exposure to different beverages on composite, hybrid ceramic, and zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) CAD/CAM blocks.

Materials and methods

CAD/CAM blocks 40 samples (1.5 × 7 × 12 mm) were obtained from each material under water cooling. Following the polishing process and the initial color measurement, the prepared samples were exposed to red wine, coffee, cola, energy drink, and distilled water. Color changes were measured by spectrophotometer at the end of the 1st, 7th, and 30th days. To analyze the color change results, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was performed.

Results

In all restorative material groups, the most prominent color changes were observed on the red wine‐exposed samples, then the coffee‐exposed ones. No significant discoloration was observed on the samples exposed to cola and energy drink, compared to the control group (P > .05). Among the samples exposed to red wine and coffee, the highest discoloration values were observed in composite CAD/CAM material.

Conclusions

At the end of the 30th day, all materials exposed to wine and coffee showed color change above the clinically acceptable value (ΔE00:2.25).

Clinical significance

Hybrid ceramic and ZLS CAD/CAM blocks recently used more often by clinicians have shown similar color changes. The results of our study indicate the necessity of choosing esthetic materials according to the dietary habits of individuals.
A review of cellulose nanomaterials incorporated fruit coatings with improved barrier property and stability: Principles and applications
Authors: Jung Jooyeoun , Deng Zilong , Zhao Yanyun
Published: December 2019

Fresh fruit are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, but are highly perishable. Due to the great need for improving storability of fresh fruit, it is necessary to develop cost effective coating technology with targeted moisture and gas barrier, mechanical and other desirable properties to satisfy specific postharvest physiological need and storage conditions of a given fruit. Cellulose nanomaterials (CNs) present distinguished intrinsic properties, including low density, high aspect ratio, high mechanical property, superior gas and moisture barrier, and good thermal stability. For these reasons, applications of CNs in fruit coatings show great promises for improving quality and storability of postharvest fresh fruit under various storage conditions. This review discussed the principles and mechanisms of CNs role in food packaging films and coatings, applications of CNs‐incorporated coatings in a wide range of fruit, and the safety, regulations, and future perspectives of CNs‐incorporated fruit coating technologies.

Practical Application

Cellulose nanomaterials (CNs), including cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), have great potential as components in fruit coatings for improving barrier, stability, and other functional properties. This review introduced the potential roles of CNs in fruit coating technology as coating matrix, filler for other biopolymers, Pickering emulsion agent, and/or crosslinking agent, thus the principles and mechanisms of using CNs in fruit coatings. This review also reported the recent research and development in CNs‐incorporated fruit coatings, and discussed the hurdles and future perspectives of using CNs in fruit coatings. This review provided most updated information and important insights of CNs‐incorporated coatings, which is critical for developing effective coating technologies for ensuring quality and improving storability of fresh fruit.
MYC2, MYC3, and MYC4 function additively in wounding‐induced jasmonic acid biosynthesis and catabolism
Authors: Zhang Cuiping , Lei Yunting , Lu Chengkai , Wang Lei , Wu Jianqiang
Published: December 2019

Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a critical role in plant defenses against insects and necrotrophic fungi. Wounding or lepidopteran insect feeding rapidly induces a burst of JA in plants, which usually reaches peak values within 1 to 2 h. The induced JA is converted to JA‐Ile and perceived by the COI1‐JAZ co‐receptor, leading to activation of the transcription factors MYC2 and its homologs, which further induce JA‐responsive genes. Although much is known about JA biosynthesis and catabolism enzymes and JA signaling, how JA biosynthesis and catabolism are regulated remain unclear. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana MYC2 functions additively with MYC3 and MYC4 to regulate wounding‐induced JA accumulation by directly binding to the promoters of genes function in JA biosynthesis and catabolism to promote their transcription. MYC2 also controls the transcription of JAV1 and JAM1, which are key factors controlling JA biosynthesis and catabolism, respectively. In addition, we also found that MYC2 could bind to the MYC2 promoter and self‐inhibit its own expression. This work illustrates the central role of MYC2/3/4 in controlling wounding‐induced JA accumulation by regulating the transcription of genes involved in JA biosynthesis and catabolism.
Hippocampal long‐term synaptic depression and memory deficits induced in early amyloidopathy are prevented by enhancing G‐protein‐gated inwardly rectifying potassium channel activity
Authors: Sánchez‐Rodríguez Irene , Djebari Souhail , Temprano‐Carazo Sara , Vega‐Avelaira David , Jiménez‐Herrera Raquel , Iborra‐Lázaro Guillermo , Yajeya Javier , Jiménez‐Díaz Lydia , Navarro‐López Juan D.
Published: December 2019

Hippocampal synaptic plasticity disruption by amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides + thought to be responsible for learning and memory impairments in Alzheimer's disease (AD) early stage. Failures in neuronal excitability maintenance seems to be an underlying mechanism. G‐protein‐gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GirK) channels control neural excitability by hyperpolarization in response to many G‐protein‐coupled receptors activation. Here, in early in vitro and in vivo amyloidosis mouse models, we study whether GirK channels take part of the hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairments generated by Aβ1–42. In vitro electrophysiological recordings from slices showed that Aβ1–42 alters synaptic plasticity by switching high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) induced long‐term potentiation (LTP) to long‐term depression (LTD), which led to in vivo hippocampal‐dependent memory deficits. Remarkably, selective pharmacological activation of GirK channels with ML297 rescued both HFS‐induced LTP and habituation memory from Aβ1–42 action. Moreover, when GirK channels were specifically blocked by Tertiapin‐Q, their activation with ML297 failed to rescue LTP from the HFS‐dependent LTD induced by Aβ1–42. On the other hand, the molecular analysis of the recorded slices by western blot showed that the expression of GIRK1/2 subunits, which form the prototypical GirK channel in the hippocampus, was not significantly regulated by Aβ1–42. However, immunohistochemical examination of our in vivo amyloidosis model showed Aβ1–42 to down‐regulate hippocampal GIRK1 subunit expression. Together, our results describe an Aβ‐mediated deleterious synaptic mechanism that modifies the induction threshold for hippocampal LTP/LTD and underlies memory alterations observed in amyloidosis models. In this scenario, GirK activation assures memory formation by preventing the transformation of HFS‐induced LTP into LTD.

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Predictors for self‐management in older adults with type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Lee Li‐Yun , Tung Heng‐Hsin , Tsay Shiow‐Luan , Chen Yen‐Chin , Lee Hsiao‐Huang , Zeng Yu‐Xiong
Published: December 2019

Aim and Objectives

To investigate factors related to self‐management and predictors of self‐management in older adult patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Background

Diabetic patients suffer many comorbidities during their lifetime, and the process of self‐management is complex. Self‐management and an integrated care experience are extremely important for older adults with diabetic nephropathy.

Design

A cross‐sectional correlation design was adopted.

Methods

A total of 123 older patients were enrolled in the study from June 2016 to November 2017. Data collection involved a demographic questionnaire, the Patients' Experience of Integrated Care Questionnaire and the Partners in Health Scale to measure the integrated care experience and self‐management. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t tests, Pearson product‐moment correlation and multiple linear regression. The methods are consistent with the STROBE criteria (Data S1).

Results

The results showed that the majority of the sample was female (56.9%). The average age was 77 years old. Stepwise regression analysis showed that re‐admission during the past year (p < .001), physical function (p < .001) and integrated care experience (p < .001) are predictors of self‐management in older adult patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and explained 42.8% of the variation in self‐management behaviour.

Conclusion

The results can be used to enhance the awareness of clinicians of the importance of an integrated care experience and self‐management among older patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Clinicians also should pay attention to physical function and the integrated care experience to promote self‐management.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Studies on the integrated care experience and self‐management of diabetic neuropathy in older adults are limited in Taiwan. The results of this study provide valuable information to support the importance of integrated care among this specific population.
Structural characterization of melatonin as an inhibitor of the Wnt deacylase Notum
Authors: Zhao Yuguang , Ren Jingshan , Hillier James , Jones Margaret , Lu Weixian , Jones Edith Yvonne
Published: December 2019

The hormone melatonin, secreted from the pineal gland, mediates multiple physiological effects including modulation of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. The Wnt palmitoleate lipid modification is essential for its signalling activity, while the carboxylesterase Notum can remove the lipid from Wnt and inactivate it. Notum enzyme inhibition can therefore upregulate Wnt signalling. While searching for Notum inhibitors by crystallographic fragment screening, a hit compound N‐[2‐(5‐fluoro‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)ethyl]acetamide that is structurally similar to melatonin came to our attention. We then soaked melatonin and its precursor N‐acetylserotonin into Notum crystals and obtained high‐resolution structures (≤1.5 Å) of their complexes. In each of the structures, two compound molecules bind with Notum: one at the enzyme's catalytic pocket, overlapping the space occupied by the acyl tail of the Wnt palmitoleate lipid, and the other at the edge of the pocket opposite the substrate entrance. Although the inhibitory activity of melatonin shown by in vitro enzyme assays is low (IC50 75 µmol/L), the structural information reported here provides a basis for the design of potent and brain accessible drugs for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, in which upregulation of Wnt signalling may be beneficial.
Plastome phylogenomic insights into the Sino‐Japanese biogeography of Diabelia (Caprifoliaceae)
Authors: Wang Hong‐Xin , Moore Michael J. , Barrett Russell L. , Landrein Sven , Sakaguchi Shota , Maki Masayuki , Wen Jun , Wang Hua‐Feng
Published: December 2019

Understanding the causes of the Sino‐Japanese disjunctions in plant taxa has been a central question in eastern Asian biogeography, with vicariance or long‐distance dispersal often invoked to explain such patterns. Diabelia Landrein (Caprifoliaceae; Linnaeoideae) comprises four shrubby species with a Sino‐Japanese disjunct distribution. The species diversification time within Diabelia, covering a long geological history of the formation process of the Sino‐Japanese flora, dated back to the middle Oligocene, therefore, Diabelia would be an ideal model to elucidate the biogeographic patterns of Sino‐Japanese disjunctions with climate fluctuation. In this study, we analyzed complete plastome sequence data for 28 individuals representing all four species of Diabelia. These 28 plastomes were found to be highly similar in overall size (156 243–157 578 bp), structure, gene order, and content. Our phylogenomic analysis of the plastomes supported a close relationship between Diabelia ionostachya (Nakai) Landrein & R.L. Barrett var. wenzhouensis (S.L. Zhou ex Landrein) Landrein from eastern China and Diabelia spathulata (Siebold & Zucc.) Landrein var. spathulata from Japan. Diabelia serrata (Siebold & Zucc.) Landrein was identified as sister to a population of Diabelia sanguinea (Makino) Landrein from Tochigi in central Japan and D. spathulata Landrein, from Toyama, central Japan. Most Diabelia lineages were estimated to have differentiated 8–28 Mya. Our results indicate that two independent vicariance events could explain the disjunction between Japan and Korea in the mid to late Miocene, and between Zhejiang and Japan in the early Miocene.
Auto‐dissemination of commercially available fungal pathogens in a laboratory assay for management of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Authors: Weeks E. N. I. , Allan S. A. , Gezan S. A. , Kaufman P. E.
Published: December 2019

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a canine tick that infests dogs throughout the world and is frequently found in homes and dog kennels. Management of this tick species is complicated by the presence of resistance to commonly utilized acaricides. Fungal formulations could provide a valuable alternative tool for management and are especially relevant indoors where detrimental environmental effects on fungal spores are of less concern. Two commercially available fungal formulations, one containing Metarhizium anisopliae and the other containing Beauveria bassiana, were compared for time to death and sporulation in nymphal ticks exposed for 60 min in treated filter paper packets. Beauveria bassiana exposure killed ticks faster than M. anisopliae exposure and B. bassiana was more likely to sporulate on tick cadavers than M. anisopliae. To determine whether infected ticks could disseminate fungus to their conspecifics, ticks were marked and treated with fungus before being placed with untreated ticks. Fungus was successfully transmitted from treated to untreated ticks. Mortality of ticks exposed to B. bassiana‐exposed conspecifics occurred sooner than for those exposed to M. anisopliae‐exposed conspecifics, indicating faster dissemination in the former. Therefore, although both formulations resulted in decreased longevity of ticks compared with the controls, the B. bassiana formulation holds the most promise for direct or indirect application with respect to brown dog tick management.
Mindfulness practice alters brain connectivity in community‐living elders with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Fam Johnson , Sun Yu , Qi Peng , Lau Regine Cassandra , Feng Lei , Kua Ee Heok , Mahendran Rathi
Published: December 2019

Aim

There is increasing evidence that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with widespread brain dysconnectivity. Mindfulness practice, which involves focused attention to experience the present moment in a purposeful way, has been shown to confer positive psychological and functional brain changes in healthy practitioners. It is unclear whether mindfulness practice could improve functional brain connectivity in older adults with cognitive impairment.

Methods

Forty‐seven participants with MCI were randomized into two groups: a mindfulness practice group and a control group. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and neurocognitive tests were performed before and after the 3‐month intervention. A temporal efficiency analysis approach was used to examine the spatiotemporal networks of the brain.

Results

Participants in the mindfulness group had significantly better temporal global efficiency than controls after 3‐months of intervention. Localized changes of temporal nodal properties were present in the right cingulate gyrus, insula, and left superior temporal gyrus. Together, these results suggest greater information transmission efficiency at both the global and local spatiotemporal level. In terms of cognitive function, verbal recognition memory improved in the mindfulness group compared to the controls.

Conclusion

Elders who practiced mindfulness had better brain network efficiency and neurocognitive function relative to controls in this study, suggesting that mindfulness may be of benefit to aging adults with early cognitive degeneration.
Scientology Studies 2.0: Lessons learned and paths forward
Authors: Westbrook Donald A.
Published: December 2019

The academic study of Scientology traces to at least 1958, when L. Ron Hubbard granted an interview to new religions scholar and librarian J. Stillson Judah in Washington, DC. Since then, relations between the Church of Scientology and academics have at times been strained yet, on the whole, remain more productive and congenial relative to other outsiders such as journalists and former members. Over the last decade, there have been a number of encouraging developments as more and more researchers have successfully taken up the subject. One of the more prominent recent examples was an international conference on Scientology held in Belgium in 2014. This article surveys the past and present of Scientology studies, both as a subfield within new religious movements (NRM) studies and as an emergent and increasingly sophisticated field in its own right, and suggests possible directions for future analysis and investigation.
In search of a history of Asian American evangelicals
Authors: Hong Jane H.
Published: December 2019

This article draws on select social science scholarship about Asian American evangelicalism (AAE) specifically and Asian American Christianity more generally to sketch a brief history of AAE since the 1990s. Its historical approach reveals the importance of generation, ethnicity, and region in shaping the questions scholars have asked and the topics they have studied.
A New Standard for the Analysis and Design of Replication Studies
Authors: Held Leonhard
Published: December 2019

A new standard is proposed for the evidential assessment of replication studies. The approach combines a specific reverse Bayes technique with prior-predictive tail probabilities to define replication success. The method gives rise to a quantitative measure for replication success, called the sceptical p-value. The sceptical p-value integrates traditional significance of both the original and the replication study with a comparison of the respective effect sizes. It incorporates the uncertainty of both the original and the replication effect estimates and reduces to the ordinary p-value of the replication study if the uncertainty of the original effect estimate is ignored. The framework proposed can also be used to determine the power or the required replication sample size to achieve replication success. Numerical calculations highlight the difficulty of achieving replication success if the evidence from the original study is only suggestive. An application to data from the Open Science Collaboration project on the replicability of psychological science illustrates the methodology proposed.
A Genesis of Speculative Empiricisms: Whitehead and Deleuze Read Hume
Authors: Duvernoy Russell J.
Published: December 2019

Deleuze's “transcendental empiricism” and the “empirical side” of Whitehead's metaphysics are paradoxical unless placed in the context of their unorthodox readings of empiricism. I explore this context focusing on their engagements with Hume. Both subvert presumptions of a categorical gap between external nature and internal human experience and open possibilities for a speculative empiricism that is nonreductive while still affirming experience as source for philosophical thinking. Deleuze and Whitehead follow Hume in beginning with events of sensation as primary but do not presume the logic of (human) subjects and objects (of nature) as necessary structuring polarities for their interpretation. This challenges a basic distinction (between inner and outer or between self and world) that seems inherent in the ordinary concept of experience, thus earning the moniker speculative. The speculative empiricist studies how these abstractions arise from events of experience prior to their consolidation in representation. This includes a critical component: to what extent do unexamined assumptions about conceptual abstraction hinder, block, or prefigure experiential attention? This critical component has existential implications for how we attend to the affective, intuitive, and preconceptual.
Composition, Contingency, and Local Supervenience
Authors: Smith Deborah C.
Published: December 2019

A growing number of philosophers have argued against the orthodoxy that the correct principle of composition will be a metaphysically necessary truth. With contingentism about composition a seemingly viable option, it would appear that would‐be necessitarians shoulder the burden of proof. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the contingentist, too, has a significant burden. I argue that nonbrutal principles of composition satisfy a principle according to which facts about whether or not a collection composes supervene on noncomposition facts that are spatiotemporally local to the collection. I further argue that the contingentist has reason to reject both brutal composition and the supervenience principle. This reveals a significant internal tension in the contingentist's position. Unless this tension can be resolved, there will be (defeasible) reason to prefer necessitarianism about composition.
Emotion: Animal and Reflective
Authors: Naar Hichem
Published: December 2019

According to the judgment theory of emotion, emotions necessarily involve evaluative judgments. Despite a number of attractions, this theory is almost universally held to be dead, for a very simple reason: it is overly intellectualistic. On behalf of the judgment theorist, I defend a simple strategy, namely, to claim that her view is restricted to a special class of emotions, a strategy that is rooted in a plausible distinction between two broad classes of emotion. It turns out that, if the judgment theory is to be rejected, such rejection cannot be based on the charge that it overintellectualizes emotions.
Kierkegaard’s Notion of a Divine Name and the Feasibility of Universal Love
Authors: Krishek Sharon
Published: December 2019

Kierkegaard's well‐known analysis of the self, in the first part of his work The Sickness unto Death (1849), presents, even if only in passing, the somewhat enigmatic notion of “divine name.” In this article I offer an interpretation of Kierkegaard's analysis and suggest that the notion of a divine name be understood as expressing the conception of human beings as possessing (what I call) “individual essence.” I further demonstrate that it is this quality that makes a human being a self, namely, the individual that he or she is. In addition to defending the exegetical and substantial plausibility of this conception, I show how it opens the way to affirming the feasibility of universal love.
Taking Our Selves Too Seriously: Commitment, Contestation, and the Dynamic Life of the Self
Authors: Golden Christian M.
Published: December 2019

In this article, I distinguish two models of personal integrity. The first, wholeheartedness, regards harmonious unity of the self as psychologically healthy and volitional consistency as ethically ideal. I argue that it does so at the substantial cost of framing ambivalence and conflict as defects of character and action. To avoid these consequences, I propose an alternate ideal of humility that construes the self as multiple and precarious and celebrates experiences of loss and transformation through which learning, growth, innovation, and dynamic relationship become possible. This ideal not only sustains prospects for integrity but is more suitable than wholeheartedness for recognizing practices of contestation, such as those involving potentially destabilizing encounters with difference that is common within pluralistic societies, as vital for rich, well‐lived lives.