bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaf surface water, not plant water stress, drives diurnal variation in tropical forest canopy water content
Authors: Xu Xiangtao , Konings Alexandra G. , Longo Marcos , Feldman Andrew , Xu Liang , Saatchi Sassan , Wu Donghai , Wu Jin , Moorcroft Paul
Published: February 2021

Variation in canopy water content (CWC) that can be detected from microwave remote sensing of vegetation optical depth (VOD) has been proposed as an important measure of vegetation water stress. However, the contribution of leaf surface water (LWs), arising from dew formation and rainfall interception, to CWC is largely unknown, particularly in tropical forests and other high‐humidity ecosystems.

We compared VOD data from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR‐E) and CWC predicted by a plant hydrodynamics model at four tropical sites in Brazil spanning a rainfall gradient. We assessed how LWs influenced the relationship between VOD and CWC.

The analysis indicates that while CWC is strongly correlated with VOD (R2 = 0.62 across all sites), LWs accounts for 61–76% of the diurnal variation in CWC despite being < 10% of CWC. Ignoring LWs weakens the near‐linear relationship between CWC and VOD and reduces the consistency in diurnal variation. The contribution of LWs to CWC variation, however, decreases at longer, seasonal to inter‐annual, time scales.

Our results demonstrate that diurnal patterns of dew formation and rainfall interception can be an important driver of diurnal variation in CWC and VOD over tropical ecosystems and therefore should be accounted for when inferring plant diurnal water stress from VOD measurements.
Science and awe
Authors: Gleiser Marcelo
Published: February 2021

Every scientific endeavor begins with mystery. Scientists engage in their research for a variety of reasons—as diverse as their research interests are. But at the core, we find the same sense of awe and wonder that inspires spiritual ways to look at the world.
Establishing content validity of an orthodontic subset of the FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module in children and young adults with malocclusion
Authors: Tassi Ali , Tan Jessica , Piplani Bhoomika , Longmire Natasha , Wong Riff Karen W. Y. , Klassen Anne F.
Published: February 2021

Objective

The FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module for children and young adults is a patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) designed to measure outcomes for patients aged 8 to 29 years with facial conditions. The aim of this study was to establish content validity of a relevant subset of the module for its use in orthodontic patients with malocclusion.

Setting and Sample Population

Experts in orthodontics were emailed and invited to provide feedback through a Research Electronic Data Capture survey. Patient feedback was obtained through cognitive interviews with patients aged 8 to 29 years recruited from a university‐based orthodontic clinic in Canada.

Materials and Methods

Expert opinion and patient interviews were used to obtain feedback on the content of 4 appearance (face, smile, teeth and jaws) and 1 function (eating and drinking) scales hypothesized to be relevant to orthodontic malocclusions, and to elicit new concepts. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and coded using a line‐by‐line approach.

Results

Twenty‐one experts and 15 patients participated. Expert feedback led us to drop 9, retain 40, revise 4 and add 16 new items. At the conclusion of cognitive interviews no items were dropped, 55 were retained, 5 were revised and 8 new items were added. The final set of 68 items demonstrated content validity for orthodontic patients.

Conclusion

Expert feedback and cognitive interviews enabled us to revise and refine 5 scales as part of the FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module for use in orthodontic patients. These scales were included in the internationalfield‐test of the FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module.
Activation of EGFR‐Aurora A induces loss of primary cilia in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yin Fengying , Chen Qian , Shi Yujie , Xu Hao , Huang Jie , Qing Maofeng , Zhong Liang , Li Jing , Xie Liang , Zeng Xin
Published: February 2021

Objective

Primary cilia, evolutionally conserved organelles involving multiple cell functions, are frequently lost in various cancers. However, little is known about the role of primary cilia in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods

Immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect primary cilia in normal, oral leukoplakia (OLK) and OSCC tissues. Differentially expressed ciliary genes of OSCC were screened from the TCGA database. Immunohistochemical analysis was used for validating the correlation between the expression of interested proteins and primary cilia, and their regulatory effect on primary cilia was further proved in vitro and in vivo.

Results

A significant decrease in cilia ratio was found in OLK, especially in OSCC. Multiple ciliary genes were abnormally expressed in OSCC and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐Aurora A signaling was chosen for further study. A parallel increase of EGFR‐Aurora A was observed in OLK and OSCC tissues. Moreover, EGFR activation induced obvious cilia absorption by phosphorylating Aurora A. Besides, Aurora A silencing significantly restored ciliary expression and decreased tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions

The abnormal activation of EGFR‐Aurora A leads to the gradual loss of primary cilia in oral mucosa carcinogenesis. Primary cilia have the potential to be new biomarkers and therapeutic targets of oral cancer.
Titanium dental implant‐related pathologies: A retrospective histopathological study
Authors: Paparella María Luisa , Domingo Mariela Gisele , Puia Sebastián Ariel , Jacobi‐Gresser Elisabeth , Olmedo Daniel Gustavo
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To perform a retrospective, descriptive, histopathological study of peri‐implant tissue pathologies associated with titanium dental implants (TDI), and to evaluate the presence of metallic particles in samples from a single diagnostic center.

Methods

Sixty‐eight cases of TDI‐associated lesions were retrieved from the Surgical Pathology Laboratory archives, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires (UBA) (1990–2018). The study included re‐examining the histopathological features of the biopsy samples, analyzing the inflammatory infiltrate, and examining the samples to detect metallic particles whose chemical composition was determined spectrophotometrically (EDS). Available clinical and radiographic data were also reviewed.

Results

The retrieved cases ranged from lesions of inflammatory origin to neoplastic lesions. Metallic particles were observed in 36 cases (52.9%), all of which showed inflammation. Particle length ranged from 2 to 85µm. EDS analysis of the particles/deposits observed in the tissues showed the presence of aluminum, titanium, iron, and nickel, among other elements.

Conclusions

A significant number of TDI‐associated lesions, including cases not reported to date and diagnosed at a single diagnostic center, are shown here. Cases showing particles exhibited an inflammatory response, irrespective of the histopathological diagnosis. The role of metallic particles in the development of TDI‐associated lesion is yet to be established.
T cell‐derived exosomes containing cytokines induced keratinocytes apoptosis in oral lichen planus
Authors: Yang Jing‐Ya , Tan Ya‐Qin , Zhou Gang
Published: February 2021

Objective

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell‐mediated inflammatory disease with uncertain etiology. Exosomes are cell‐derived vesicles containing biological cargo, being associated with the development of multiple inflammatory diseases. The present study aims to investigate the role of T cell‐derived exosomes in the pathogenesis of OLP.

Methods

Exosomal marker CD63 was detected in OLP lesions by immunohistochemistry. Twenty‐three cytokines in T cell‐derived exosomes were assessed using luminex xMAP‐based assay. After co‐incubating with exosomes, the apoptosis of keratinocytes and the proliferation of Jurkat cells were assessed via flow cytometry and cell counting kit‐8 assay, respectively.

Results

CD63 was highly expressed in the lymphocyte infiltrated areas of OLP lesions. OLP T cell‐derived exosomes contained upregulated interleukin‐7, ‐10, ‐12, ‐17 and downregulated interleukin‐1β, ‐5, and interferon‐γ. Both exosomes from OLP patients and controls induced the apoptosis of keratinocytes and altered their morphology. Moreover, healthy control–derived exosomes markedly inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells, whereas OLP‐derived exosomes exhibited no inhibitory effect.

Conclusions

OLP T cell‐derived exosomes have an aberrant cytokine profile and could trigger the apoptosis of keratinocytes in vitro, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of OLP.
Interpretation of the mucous plug through sialendoscopy
Authors: Fusconi Massimo , Meliante Piero G. , Pagliuca Giulio , Greco Antonio , de Vincentiis Marco , Polimeni Antonella , Musy Isotta , Candelori Francesca , Gallo Andrea
Published: February 2021

Objective

The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight the behaviour of mucus inside the ducts of the major salivary glands, in presence of typical pathologies, through images obtained with sialendoscopy.

Subject

The authors present and comment on some sialendoscopies that show mucous plug in the ducts of the major salivary glands.

Results

In primary Sjogren's syndrome, mucous plugs confirm the qualitative anomaly of the mucins and acidification saliva. Instead, salivary calculations behave like foreign bodies that generate mechanical pressure and friction on the duct walls of major salivary glands, so mucus deposits in the duct in its defence; in case of infected stone, mucous plugs are formed also with the function of protecting the ducts from the aggression of germs. During sialadenitis, there is a conflict between mucus and bacteria which explains sialendoscopic evidence such as white duct walls and mucous plugs.

Conclusions

The study of the salivary ducts through sialendoscopy often confirms the clinical diagnosis or hypothesize it. During its execution, it is necessary not only to liberate the ducts of the major salivary glands but also analyse the appearance of the mucous plugs and the ductal walls as they are useful to guide the physician towards diagnosis.
Cardiac device implant wound closure with a novel low‐density suture spacing single layer method
Authors: Yao Tianbao , Nie Peng , Sun Jiateng , Jin Yan , Zang Minhua , Zhou Shenghen , Zhang Qi , Mao Jialiang , Pu Jun
Published: February 2021

Background

To establish a novel time‐saving and safe suture method for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation.

Methods

From January 2017 to April 2020, a total of 1317 patients scheduled for CIED procedure were consecutively enrolled in this study. Wound closure of all patients were prospectively assigned either to low‐density suture spacing single layer suture group (single‐layer group) or traditional two layer suture group (two‐layer group). The effects of two closure methods on wound healing and pocket related complications were compared.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, gender, BMI, comorbid diseases (diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and chronic kidney disease), and antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug use between the two groups. The number of suture stitches in the single‐layer group was significantly less than that in the two‐layer group [3.03(3–4) vs. 7.17(7–10), p < .001], the suture time in the single‐layer group was significantly shorter than that in the two‐layer group [190.57(167–256) s vs. 493.36(452–655) s, p < .001], and the incidence of clinically significant hematoma in the single‐layer group was comparable to that in the two‐layer group (0.7% vs. 0.3%, p = .742). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the incidence of pocket infection, dehiscence and keloid between the two groups.

Conclusion

Novel single‐layer suture with low‐density suture spacing is feasible and associated with a low incidence of wound dehiscence or infection for CIED implantation.
Functional recovery of cardiomyopathy induced by atrial tachycardia in children: Insight from cardiac strain imaging
Authors: Dohain Ahmed M. , Lotfy Wael , Abdelmohsen Gaser , Sobhy Rodina , Abdelaziz Osama , Elsaadany Marwa , Abdelsalam Mohamed H. , Ibrahim Hossam
Published: February 2021

Aim

To evaluate systolic and diastolic cardiac function in children who had cardiomyopathy induced by ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT).

Methods

Twenty‐two pediatric patients who had cardiomyopathy induced by EAT and 25 age‐matched controls were recruited in this case‐control study. The patients were examined after rhythm control and normalization of their left ventricular systolic function. Different echocardiographic modalities including tissue Doppler imaging and two‐dimension speckle tracking echocardiography were utilized to assess the ventricular and atrial function.

Results

The patients’ median age was 51 months (interquartile range: 28.5–84 months). The median time interval required for normalization of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) among patients was 1.5 months (interquartile range: 1.5–2.12 months). Compared to controls, patients had a significantly higher median left ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI) at the interventricular septum (0.44 vs. 0.38, p = .001) and left ventricular lateral wall (0.46 vs. 0.32, p = .0001). The median right ventricular MPI of the patients' group was significantly higher when compared to the control group (0.34 vs. 0.26, p = .0001). The median right atrial (RA) reservoir function in patients was significantly reduced compared to controls (30% vs. 36.63%, p = .007).

Conclusions

Shortly after rhythm normalization and restoration of left ventricular EF, using tissue Doppler imaging and two‐dimension speckle tracking echocardiography, children who had cardiomyopathy induced by EAT continue to have left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction, and reduced RA reservoir function.
OsTPR boosts the superior grains through increase in upper secondary rachis branches without incurring a grain quality penalty
Authors: Pasion Erstelle A. , Badoni Saurabh , Misra Gopal , Anacleto Roslen , Parween Sabiha , Kohli Ajay , Sreenivasulu Nese
Published: February 2021

To address the future food security in Asia, we need to improve the genetic gain of grain yield while ensuring the consumer acceptance. This study aimed to identify novel genes influencing the number of upper secondary rachis branches (USRB) to elevate superior grains without compromising grain quality by studying the genetic variance of 310 diverse O. sativa var. indica panel using single‐ and multi‐locus genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), gene set analyses and gene regulatory network analysis. GWAS of USRB identified 230 significant (q‐value < 0.05) SNPs from chromosomes 1 and 2. GWAS targets narrowed down using gene set analyses identified large effect association on an important locus LOC_Os02g50790/LOC_Os02g50799 encoding a nuclear‐pore anchor protein (OsTPR). The superior haplotype derived from non‐synonymous SNPs identified in OsTPR was specifically associated with increase in USRB with superior grains being low chalk. Through haplotype mining, we further demonstrated the synergy of offering added yield advantage due to superior allele of OsTPR in elite materials with low glycaemic index (GI) property. We further validated the importance of OsTPR using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population by introgressing a superior allele of OsTPR into elite materials resulted in raise in productivity in high amylose background. This confirmed a critical role for OsTPR in influencing yield while maintaining grain and nutritional quality.
Accelerated molecular breeding of novel cytoplasmic male sterility lines in rice using orfH79 or orf290 haplotype
Authors: Yanping Tan , Tong Chen , Ze Tian , JiaYang Li , Xuequn Liu , Xianying Tang , Gang Cheng , Xin Xu , Chuntai Wang
Published: February 2021

The identification and development of new cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) lines in higher plants are important for the preservation of grain security and the prevention of the homogenisation of hybrid rice. Molecular markers‐assisted selection (MAS) based on CMS‐associated genes or mitochondrial‐specific chimeric sequences are important for rapid and effective breeding of new CMS lines and hybrids. In our study, the distribution and allele variation of orfH79 and orf290 genes were characterised from 273 wild and cultivated rice in the AA genome species. Based on the alignment of amino acid sequences, four accessions with orfH79 and three accessions with orf290 were screened. Four novel CMS lines carrying orfH79 haplotypes and three novel CMS lines carrying orf290 haplotypes were then developed using multiple backcross generations with a maintainer line under MAS. The breeding process used in our study provides an efficient and feasible approach for selecting new CMS lines. CMS lines selected in our study are important for enriching rice germplasm resources and guaranteeing rice breeding programmes.
Plastidial and cytosolic thiol reductases participate in the control of stomatal functioning
Authors: Montillet Jean‐Luc , Rondet Damien , Brugière Sabine , Henri Patricia , Rumeau Dominique , Reichheld Jean‐Philippe , Couté Yohann , Leonhardt Nathalie , Rey Pascal
Published: February 2021

Stomatal movements via the control of gas exchanges determine plant growth in relation to environmental stimuli through a complex signalling network involving reactive oxygen species that lead to post‐translational modifications of Cys and Met residues, and alter protein activity and/or conformation. Thiol‐reductases (TRs), which include thioredoxins, glutaredoxins (GRXs) and peroxiredoxins (PRXs), participate in signalling pathways through the control of Cys redox status in client proteins. Their involvement in stomatal functioning remains poorly characterized. By performing a mass spectrometry‐based proteomic analysis, we show that numerous thiol reductases, like PRXs, are highly abundant in guard cells. When investigating various Arabidopsis mutants impaired in the expression of TR genes, no change in stomatal density and index was noticed. In optimal growth conditions, a line deficient in cytosolic NADPH‐thioredoxin reductases displayed higher stomatal conductance and lower leaf temperature evaluated by thermal infrared imaging. In contrast, lines deficient in plastidial 2‐CysPRXs or type‐II GRXs exhibited compared to WT reduced conductance and warmer leaves in optimal conditions, and enhanced stomatal closure in epidermal peels treated with abscisic acid or hydrogen peroxide. Altogether, these data strongly support the contribution of thiol redox switches within the signalling network regulating guard cell movements and stomatal functioning.
Nitrogen forms and metabolism affect plant defence to foliar and root pathogens in tomato
Authors: Ding Shuting , Shao Xiangqi , Li Jianxin , Ahammed Golam Jalal , Yao Yanlai , Ding Jian , Hu Zhangjian , Yu Jingquan , Shi Kai
Published: February 2021

Nitrogen (N) influences a myriad of physiological processes while its effects on plant defences and the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, the interaction between tomato and pathogens was examined under four N regimes (sole NO3− or mixed NO3−/NH4+ of total 1 and 7 mM N, denoting low and high N regimes, respectively) followed by inoculation with two bacterial pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae and Ralstonia solanacearum. Tomato immunity against both pathogens was generally higher under low N as well as NO3− as the sole N source. The disease susceptibility was reduced by silencing N metabolism genes such as NR, NiR and Fd‐GOGAT, while increased in NiR1‐overexpressed plants. Further studies demonstrated that the N‐modulated defence was dependent on the salicylic acid (SA) defence pathway. Low N as well as the silencing of N metabolism genes increased the SA levels and transcripts of its maker genes, and low N‐enhanced defence was blocked in NahG transgenic tomato plants that do not accumulate SA, while exogenous SA application attenuated the susceptibility of OE‐NiR1. The study provides insights into the mechanisms of how nitrogen fertilization and metabolism affect plant immunity in tomato, which might be useful for designing effective agronomic strategies for the management of N supply.
Racial Justice
Authors: Valls Andrew
Published: February 2021

While there has been renewed attention to racial justice in the United States and around the world recently, there is a long tradition among philosophers and other theorists of reflecting on the nature racial injustice and the remedies that it demands. This article discusses two prominent approaches to racial justice, liberal egalitarian theory and critical race theory, and focuses on four issue areas: reparations, affirmative action and race‐conscious policy, integration, and criminal justice. Although liberal and critical approaches to racial justice are sometimes seen as in opposition to each other, it is argued here that there is often convergence as well. Despite their differing pedigrees, a shared commitment to racial equality and a shared recognition of the profound, structural nature of racial inequality often leads scholars from different starting points to similar, radical conclusions.
Impossible fictions part I: Lessons for fiction
Authors: Nolan Daniel
Published: February 2021

Impossible fictions are valuable evidence both for a theory of fiction and for theories of meaning, mind and epistemology. This article focuses on what we can learn about fiction from reflecting on impossible fictions. First, different kinds of impossible fiction are considered, and the question of how much fiction is impossible is addressed. What impossible fiction contributes to our understanding of "truth in fiction" and the logic of fiction will be examined. Finally, our understanding of unreliable narrators and unreliable narration in fiction needs to accommodate stories that, on the face of it, cannot possibly be true.
The mereology of Thomas Aquinas
Authors: Salzillo Raphael Mary
Published: February 2021

This article gives an overview of the mereological thought of the medieval philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas. Until the 20th century mereology—the study of the relationship of whole and part—was not generally recognized as a distinct domain of philosophy and so Aquinas, like most of his contemporaries, has no single systematic treatment of it as a topic in its own right. However, a cohesive account of part‐whole relations can be pieced together from the various metaphysical, ethical and theological contexts in which Aquinas deals with mereological issues. In this article, I give an account of both Aquinas's conceptual understanding of composition and his taxonomy of the different kinds of wholes and parts that there are. I end with comments on three marginal cases of mereological relationships in Aquinas's philosophy.
Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of isolates of the rice false smut pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens in India
Authors: Bag Manas Kumar , Ray Anuprita , Masurkar Prahlad , Devanna B. N. , Parameswaran C. , Baite Mathew , Rath Prakash Chandra , Nayak Amaresh
Published: February 2021

Genetic diversity assessment and population structure analysis are essential for characterization of pathogens and their isolates. Markers are essential tools for exploring genetic variation among the isolates. False smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, formerly Villosiclava virens, is a major emerging disease of rice in India. A high level of variability is observed at the field level, but no information is available from India on genetic diversity and population structure. This is the first report of genetic diversity and population structure of U. virens from India that included 63 isolates distributed across the vast geographical area of eastern and north‐eastern India (18.9 to 26.7°N and 82.6 to 94.2°E). Seventeen RAPDs and 14 SSRs were identified as polymorphic and a total of 140 alleles were detected across the populations. The average number of alleles per locus for each primer was 4.5. All the isolates were grouped into two major clusters, with partial geographical segregation that was supported by principal coordinate analysis. Mantel test suggested genetic distance within the isolates increased with increasing geographical distance. Analysis of molecular variation showed more genetic variation within populations and less among populations. This outcome will help in understanding genetic diversity of U. virens from eastern and north‐eastern India and in planning effective management strategies.
The oxylipin messenger 1‐octen‐3‐ol induced rapid responses in kelp Macrocystis pyrifera
Authors: Zhang Xiaowen , Zhang Jian , Wang Yitao , Xu Dong , Fan Xiao , Zhang Yan , Ma Jian , Ye Naihao
Published: February 2021

Oxylipins are important oxygenated derivatives of fatty acids that regulate a variety of plant physiological and pathological processes in response to specific external challenges. A large body of evidence has indicated that algae can also produce a surprisingly diverse array of volatile oxylipins, yet little is known about the roles of volatile oxylipins as defense signals in macroalgae. In this study, the kelp Macrocystis pyrifera was treated by the oxylipin messenger 1‐octen‐3‐ol and then a genome‐wide gene expression profile and fatty acid spectrum analysis were performed. We found that M. pyrifera responded rapidly to the exposure of the oxylipin messenger 1‐octen‐3‐ol. It regulated the expression levels of genes mainly involved in signal transduction, lipid metabolism, oxidation prevention, cell wall synthesis, photosynthesis, and development. Moreover, 1‐octen‐3‐ol treatments decreased several types of total fatty acid contents and increased free fatty acid contents, especially for the C18 and C20 fatty acids. In addition, it decreased the content of indole‐3‐acetic acid, abscisic acid, and zeatin and increased the gibberellic acid content. Our findings demonstrated that 1‐octen‐3‐ol is an available inducer for M. pyrifera, which is capable of rapidly upregulating kelp's defense response.
Delete or Not: A Game‐Theoretical Model for Soft Censorship of Rumor
Authors: Li Lifang , Zhang Qingpeng , Zhuang Jun
Published: February 2021

Rumor censorship of social media platforms has become an important issue in the academia and in practice. However, most studies focus on the complete rumor censorship behavior rather than the soft censorship behavior of (social media) platforms. To characterize soft censorship behavior, we conduct analytical, numerical, and experimental analyses using game theory to determine the specific strategies of platforms and rumormongers. Given that (1) the censorship behavior of platforms is costly and (2) platforms have a limited accuracy rate to identify rumors correctly, the platform may identify rumors as true information or identify true information as rumors; moreover, (3) rumormongers decide whether to publish rumors or not to avoid been deleted by the platforms. We found that (1) if deleting true information mistakenly has benefits rather than cost (the platform may cost less by not improving their rumor identification algorithms if the public pays less attention to the freedom of their speech), then platforms are more likely to censor rumormongers and delete the information they published; (2) if deleting true information is costly, then platforms become more cautious about their deleting behavior. This study explains why censoring is accepted by the public in some countries but is highly questionable in others. Using these findings can help platforms understand the rumor publishing behavior of rumormongers and make decisions based on certain situations.
A Yardstick for Danger: Developing a Flexible and Sensitive Measure of Risk Perception
Authors: Walpole Hugh D. , Wilson Robyn S.
Published: February 2021

While individual perceptions of risk are central to many behavioral theories of hazard response and are of considerable interest in both conceptual and applied work surrounding risk, hazards, and decision making, there is currently no consensus on how perceived risk should best be measured. Several recent efforts have laid the groundwork for a conceptual model outlining four key factors that make up risk perception: exposure, susceptibility, severity, and affective response. In this article, we use an extensive scale‐development process to develop empirically supported 3–4 item subscales to measure each of those four dimensions. Using cognitive interviewing techniques and several quantitative psychometric methods including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and item‐response theory analyses, we reduce a large set of potential items to the highest‐quality items to assess each subscale. These subscales can be used to make comparisons across perceived risk in different hazard contexts and populations.
On Ambiguity Reduction and the Role of Decision Analysis during the Pandemic
Authors: Rode David C. , Fischbeck Paul S.
Published: February 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has created a multitude of decision problems for a variety of fields. Questions from the seriousness and breadth of the problem to the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures have been raised. We assert that the decision sciences have a crucial role to play here, as the questions requiring answers involve complex decision making under both uncertainty and ambiguity. The collection, processing, and analysis of data is critical in providing a useful response—especially as information of fundamental importance to such decision making (base rates and transmission rates) is lacking. We propose that scarce testing resources should be diverted away from confirmatory analysis of symptomatic people, as laboratory diagnosis appears to have little decision value in treatment choice over clinical diagnosis in patients presenting with symptoms. In contrast, the exploratory use of testing resources to reduce ambiguity in estimates of the base rate of infection appears to have significant value and great practical import for public policy purposes. As these stances may be at odds with triage practices among medical practitioners, they highlight the important role the decision analyst can play in responding to the challenges of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Intergenerational Mobility in Lifetime Income
Authors: Justman Moshe , Stiassnie Hadas
Published: February 2021

Estimates of intergenerational mobility in lifetime income derived from incomplete income histories routinely incorporate in the estimation process, necessary life‐cycle adjustments to annual income data. The two‐stage method presented here first estimates proxies for fathers’ and sons’ lifetime family incomes from annual income observations, schooling and race; and then uses these income proxies to derive mobility measures. Applying this to United States PSID data for sons born between 1952 and 1981, we find a decline in intergenerational mobility in lifetime family income, as measured by the intergenerational elasticity of income, the rank‐rank correlation, absolute upward mobility, and other indicators.
Routine online assessment of dialysis dose: Ionic dialysance or UV‐absorbance monitoring?
Authors: Petitclerc Thierry , Ridel Christophe
Published: February 2021

For three‐weekly hemodialysis, a single‐pool Kt/V target of at least 1.4 together with a minimal dialysis dose Kt at 45 L for men and 40 L for women per each session is currently recommended. Fully automatic online calculation of Kt and Kt/V from conductivity or UV‐absorbance measurements in the dialysate is standardly implemented on some hemodialysis monitors and makes it possible to estimate the dialysis dose without the need for blood or dialysate samples. Monitoring the UV‐absorbance of the spent dialysate is the most direct method for estimating Kt/V as it does not require an estimate of V. Calculation of ionic dialysance from conductivity measurements is the most direct method for estimating Kt and BSA‐scaled dialysis dose. Both ionic dialysance monitoring and UV‐absorbance monitoring may help detect a change in urea clearance occurring during the session, but this change must be interpreted differently depending on the monitoring being considered. An abrupt decrease in urea clearance results in a decrease in ionic dialysance but, paradoxically, a sudden increase in estimated urea clearance provided by dialysate UV‐absorbance monitoring. Healthcare teams who monitor both ionic dialysance and UV‐absorbance in their hemodialysis units must be clearly informed of this difficulty.
Heart rate‐based indices to detect parasympathetic hyperactivity in functionally overreached athletes. A meta‐analysis
Authors: Manresa‐Rocamora Agustín , Flatt Andrew A. , Casanova‐Lizón Antonio , Ballester‐Ferrer Juan A. , Sarabia José M. , Vera‐Garcia Francisco J. , Moya‐Ramón Manuel
Published: February 2021

Investigations into the sensitivity of heart rate‐(HR) derived indices for tracking parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) changes in functionally overreached (F‐OR) endurance‐trained athletes have produced equivocal findings. Lack of clarity may be a result of methodological inconsistencies. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review and meta‐analysis were (a) to determine the sensitivity of resting and post‐exercise vagal‐related HR variability (HRV) and HR recovery (HRR) indices to detect PNS modulation in F‐OR and non‐overreached (non‐OR) athletes, and (b) to investigate the influence of methodological factors on the sensitivity of HR‐based indices to detect PNS hyperactivity in F‐OR athletes. We searched CENTRAL, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to May 2020 for the following terms: male and female endurance‐trained athletes, controlled and uncontrolled studies that carried out an overload training period, and PNS modulation measured in resting and post‐exercise, pre‐ and post‐overload training period. A random‐effects model of standardized mean difference (SMD) was estimated for each outcome measure based on the training‐induced fatigue status (F‐OR vs non‐OR athletes), and the influence of methodological issues to detect PNS hyperactivity in F‐OR was assessed by subgroup analyses. Pooled analysis showed that resting vagal‐related HRV indices did not detect PNS hyperactivity in F‐OR athletes (SMD+ = −0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.51, 0.50), and no statistical difference (P = .600) was found with non‐OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.15; 95% CI = −0.14, 0.45). However, subgroup analysis based on HRV parameter showed a moderate statistical increase in weekly averaged HRV in F‐OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.35, 1.26), while isolated HRV values did not reach statistical significance (SMD+ = −0.45; 95% CI = −0.96, 0.06). We observed a moderate and statistically significant increase in HRR indices among F‐OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.44, 0.87), no changes for non‐OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.10; 95% CI = −0.15, 0.34), and statistically significant differences between F‐OR and non‐OR athletes (P < .001). Insufficient data prevented meta‐analysis for post‐exercise vagal‐related HRV indices. Our findings show that when methodological factors are considered, HR‐based indices are sensitive to increased PNS modulation in F‐OR.
Judging the recipients of social actions
Authors: Thorn Jessy , May Kaitlyn E. , Marble Kimberly E. , Boseovski Janet J. , Scofield Jason
Published: February 2021

There is substantial research on children's evaluations of transgressors, but less is known about the extent to which children view actions toward recipients as indicative of a recipient's personality or deserved outcomes. We examined the extent to which 3‐ to 5 year olds, relative to an adult comparison group, judged the recipients of negative behavior as bad people who deserve punishment and recipients of positive behavior as good people who deserve praise. Participants evaluated the recipients of positive and negative acts in both a social conventional domain and a moral domain. Overall, children demonstrated an asymmetrical judgment pattern: they perceived recipients of positive behavior as good people who deserve praise and recipients of negative behavior as not bad nor deserving punishment. Adults made more conservative dispositional judgments than children. These findings suggest an asymmetry in assigning credit or blame to the recipients of others’ actions in a manner consistent with an overall positivity bias in person perception. Implications for children's reasoning about disposition and the potential intersection with moral development are discussed.
Security as Socio‐Technical Practice: Predictive Policing and (Non‐)Automation
Authors: Leese Matthias
Published: February 2021

Predictive policing is among the most prevalent new technological tools for law enforcement. Understanding how the police produce knowledge about crime and society in technologically mediated ways is important vis‐a‐vis practices of social ordering. In this paper, I suggest to draw on literature from Science and Technology Studies (STS) in order to understand the impact of technology not as analytically isolated artefact, but as embedded in socio‐technical relations that define how it comes to matter in everyday practice. In order to demonstrate what it means to think about technology in socio‐technical terms, I engage the discrepancy between the technical capacities of predictive policing applications and the ways in which they actually become part of police work on a daily basis. Specifically, I investigate how claims about the automation of crime analysis in predictive policing are reconfigured through the interplay of social and technical elements in police work.
Ultra‐high‐frequency ultrasound monitoring of plaque psoriasis during ixekizumab treatment
Authors: Dini Valentina , Janowska Agata , Faita Francesco , Panduri Salvatore , Benincasa Bianca Benedetta , Izzetti Rossana , Romanelli Marco , Oranges Teresa
Published: February 2021

Background

High‐frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is a non‐invasive method that detects superficial skin features. Ultra‐high frequencies (50‐100 MHz) can reveal epidermis and dermis structures.

Objectives

In this study, we describe the psoriatic plaque using a new device equipped with a 70 MHz probe (VEVO® MD, Fujifilm, VisualSonics) and we assess the lesion before and after ixekizumab.

Methods

We examined the superficial hyperechoic band, the subepidermal hypoechoic band (SLEB), and the vascularization of the plaque in ten patients affected by plaque psoriasis.

Results

The average superficial hyperechoic band thickness was 0.2157 mm before treatment, 0.1611 mm after 15 days, and 0.1354 mm (P < .05) after 30 days. The SLEB thickness was 0.7535 mm at baseline, 0.3300 mm after 15 days (P < .05), and 0.2007 mm (P < .05) after 30 days. The average percentage vascularization was 50.21% at baseline, 13.15% after 15 days (P < .05), and 5.97% after 30 days. UHFUS assessment highlighted the rapid action of the drug in terms of the decrease in vascularization after 15 days. It revealed a statistically significant reduction in SLEB thickness after 15 days and a significant reduction in the hyperechoic superficial band after 30 days.

Conclusions

VEVO® MD provides physicians with high‐resolution details of the psoriatic plaque, thus enabling tailored‐made treatments.
Content analysis of digital mathematics games based on the NCTM Content and Process Standards: An exploratory study
Authors: Joung Eunmi , Byun JaeHwan
Published: February 2021

This exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the quality of digital math games by measuring how much the content of a digital game is aligned to the NCTM Content and Process Standards. For this purpose, this study employed a content analysis method. In total, 23 digital mathematics games have been selected and analyzed using an instrument, a codebook, developed from the NCTM Content and Process Standards. The data showed that a variety of game genre have been used in mathematics games. The majority of math game content focuses on Number and Operations standards compared to other NCTM Content Standards. Also, we found that the games analyzed in this study connected to the all NCTM Process Standards. This study could help the stakeholders of mathematics education in determining what digital math games they integrate for students to improve the math content knowledge and by providing criteria to evaluate math game content aligned with NCTM Content and Process Standards.
Discovery of the novel HLA‐B*46:87 allele in a Taiwanese patient
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: February 2021

Four nucleotide substitutions in exon 3 of HLA‐B*46:01:01:01 result in a novel allele, HLA‐B*46:87.
Neonatal mortality in rural northern Ghana and the three delays model: are we focusing on the right delays?
Authors: Kaselitz Elizabeth B. , Cunningham‐Rhoads Brian , Aborigo Raymond A. , Williams John E. O. , James Katherine H. , Moyer Cheryl A.
Published: February 2021

Objective

The Three Delays Model outlines, three common delays that lead to poor newborn outcomes: (i) recognising symptoms and deciding to seek care; (ii) getting to care and; (iii) receiving timely, high‐quality care. We gathered data for all newborn deaths within four districts in Ghana to explore how well the Three Delays Model explains outcomes.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional, observational study, trained field workers conducted verbal and social autopsies with the closest surviving relative (typically mothers) of all neonatal deaths across four districts in northern Ghana from September 2015 until April 2017. Data were collected using Survey CTO and analysed using StataSE 15.0. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were calculated for key variables.

Results

247 newborn deaths were identified. Nearly 77% (190) of newborns who died were born at a health facility, and 48.9% (93) of those who died before discharge. Of the 149 newborns who were discharged or born at home, 71.8% (107) sought care at a facility for illness, and 72.9% (N = 78) of those did so within the same day of illness recognition. Of the 83 respondents who arranged for transportation, 82% (68) did so within 1 h. Newborns received prompt care but insufficient interventions – 25% or fewer received IV fluids, oral medications, antibiotics or oxygen.

Conclusions

These data suggest that women are following recommendations for safe delivery and prompt care‐seeking. In rural northern Ghana, behaviour change interventions focused on mothers and families may not be as pressing as interventions focused on the Third Delay – obtaining timely, high‐quality care.
The genetics underlying metabolic signatures in a brown rice diversity panel and their vital role in human nutrition
Authors: Brotman Yariv , Llorente‐Wiegand Cindy , Oyong Glenn , Badoni Saurabh , Misra Gopal , Anacleto Roslen , Parween Sabiha , Pasion Erstelle , Tiozon Rhowell N. , Anonuevo Joanne J. , deGuzman Maria K. , Alseekh Saleh , Mbanjo Edwige G. N. , Boyd Lesley A. , Fernie Alisdair R. , Sreenivasulu Nese
Published: February 2021

Brown rice (Oryza sativa) possesses various nutritionally dense bioactive phytochemicals exhibiting a wide range of antioxidant, anti‐cancer, and anti‐diabetic properties known to promote various human health benefits. However, despite the wide claims made about the importance of brown rice for human nutrition the underlying metabolic diversity has not been systematically explored. Non‐targeted metabolite profiling of developing and mature seeds of a diverse genetic panel of 320 rice cultivars allowed quantification of 117 metabolites. The metabolite genome‐wide association study (mGWAS) detected genetic variants influencing diverse metabolic targets in developing and mature seeds. We further interlinked genetic variants on chromosome 7 (6.06–6.43 Mb region) with complex epistatic genetic interactions impacting multi‐dimensional nutritional targets, including complex carbohydrate starch quality, the glycemic index, antioxidant catechin, and rice grain color. Through this nutrigenomics approach rare gene bank accessions possessing genetic variants in bHLH and IPT5 genes were identified through haplotype enrichment. These variants were associated with a low glycemic index, higher catechin levels, elevated total flavonoid contents, and heightened antioxidant activity in the whole grain with elevated anti‐cancer properties being confirmed in cancer cell lines. This multi‐disciplinary nutrigenomics approach thus allowed us to discover the genetic basis of human health‐conferring diversity in the metabolome of brown rice.
The formation and evolution of centromeric satellite repeats in Saccharum species
Authors: Huang Yongji , Ding Wenjie , Zhang Muqing , Han Jinlei , Jing Yanfen , Yao Wei , Hasterok Robert , Wang Zonghua , Wang Kai
Published: February 2021

Centromeres in eukaryotes are composed of tandem DNAs and retrotransposons. However, centromeric repeats exhibit considerable diversity, even among closely related species, and their origin and evolution are largely unknown. We conducted a genome‐wide characterization of the centromeric sequences in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Four centromeric tandem repeat sequences, So1, So103, So137 and So119, were isolated. So1 has a monomeric length of 137 bp, typical of a centromeric satellite, and has evolved four variants. However, these So1 variants had distinct centromere distributions and some were unique to an individual centromere. The distributions of the So1 variants were unexpectedly consistent among the Saccharum species that had different basic chromosome numbers or ploidy levels, thus suggesting evolutionary stability for approximately 7 million years in sugarcane. So103, So137 and So119 had unusually longer monomeric lengths that ranged from 327 to 1371 bp and lacked translational phasing on the CENH3 nucleosomes. Moreover, So103, So137 and So119 seemed to be highly similar to retrotransposons, which suggests that they originated from these mobile elements. Notably, all three repeats were flanked by direct repeats, and formed extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs). The presence of circular molecules for these retrotransposon‐derived centromeric satellites suggests an eccDNA‐mediated centromeric satellite formation pathway in sugarcane.
The apple palmitoyltransferase MdPAT16 influences sugar content and salt tolerance via an MdCBL1–MdCIPK13–MdSUT2.2 pathway
Authors: Jiang Han , Ma Qi‐Jun , Zhong Ming‐Shuang , Gao Huai‐Na , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Hao Yu‐Jin
Published: February 2021

Protein S‐acyltransferases (PATs) are a category of eukaryotic transmembrane proteins that mediate the S‐acylation of their target proteins. S‐acylation, commonly known as palmitoylation, is a reversible protein modification that regulates the membrane association and function of target proteins. However, the functions and mechanisms of PATs in apple (Malus domestica) remain poorly understood. In this study, an MdPAT family member, MdPAT16, was identified and shown to have palmitoyltransferase activity. We demonstrated that this gene responds to salt stress and that its expression improves plant salt stress resistance. In addition, its overexpression significantly promotes the accumulation of soluble sugars. The same phenotypes were observed in transgenic tissue culture seedlings, transgenic roots, and Arabidopsis thaliana that ectopically expressed MdPAT16. MdPAT16 was shown to interact with MdCBL1 and stabilize MdCBL1 protein levels through palmitoylation. The N‐terminal sequence of MdCBL1 contains a palmitoylation site, and its N‐terminal deletion led to changes in MdCBL1 protein stability and subcellular localization. The phenotypes of MdCBL1 transgenic roots and transiently injected apple fruits were fully consistent with the sugar accumulation phenotype of MdPAT16. Mutation of the palmitoylation site interfered with this phenotype. These findings suggest that MdPAT16 palmitoylates its downstream target proteins, improving their stability. This may be a missing link in the plant salt stress response pathway and have an important impact on fruit quality.