bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early‐life predictors and risk factors of peanut allergy, and its association with asthma in later‐life: Population‐based birth cohort study
Authors: Kotsapas Constantinos , Nicolaou Nicolaos , Haider Sadia , Kerry Gina , Turner Paul J. , Murray Clare S. , Simpson Angela , Custovic Adnan
Published: February 2022

Background

Understanding risk factors for peanut allergy (PA) is essential to develop effective preventive measures.

Objective

The objective was to ascertain associates and predictors of PA, and the relationship between PA and asthma severity.

Methods

In a population‐based birth cohort, we investigated the association between objectively confirmed PA with early‐life environmental exposures, filaggrin (FLG)‐loss‐of‐function mutations and other atopic disease. We then examined the association of PA with longitudinal trajectories of sensitization, wheeze and allergic comorbidities, which were previously derived using machine learning. Finally, we ascertained the relationship between PA and asthma severity.

Results

PA was confirmed in 30/959 participants with evaluable data. In the multivariate analysis, eczema in infancy (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.5–13.2, p = 0.007), egg sensitization at age 3 years (OR = 9.7, 95% CI 3.3–29.9, p < 0.001) and early‐life cat ownership (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.1–8.4, p = 0.04) were independent associates of PA. In the stratified analysis among 700 participants with genetic information, in children with early‐life eczema there was no difference in FLG mutations between children with and without PA (3/18 [16.7%] vs. 42/220 [19.1%], p = 1.00). In contrast, among children without eczema, those with PA were almost eight times more likely to have FLG mutations (2/6 [33.3%] vs. 27/456 [5.9%], p = 0.049). We observed associations between PA and multiple allergic sensitization profiles derived using machine learning, with ~60‐fold increase in risk among individuals assigned to multiple early sensitization. PA was significantly associated with persistent wheeze (but not other wheeze phenotypes), and with trajectories of atopic disease characterized by co‐morbid persistent eczema and wheeze (but not with transient phenotypes). Children with PA were more likely to have asthma, but among asthmatics we found no evidence of an association between PA and asthma severity.

Conclusions

Peanut allergy is associated with multiple IgE sensitization and early‐onset persistent eczema and wheeze. FLG loss‐of‐function mutations were associated with peanut allergy in children without eczema.
‘I was putting her first’: Birth parents' experiences of ‘consent’ to adoption from care in England
Authors: Lewis Shirley
Published: February 2022

Adoption is the preferred form of permanence for young children in care in England who are unable to live with their birth family or relatives. However, there have been growing concerns about the use of adoption, particularly in cases where birth parents have not given their consent. Despite concerns, there has been little research into birth parents' views of consent in adoption. This article reports on the experiences of 12 birth mothers and 2 birth fathers whose children were adopted from care in England. Birth parents' views on consent changed throughout the adoption process. They reported that care proceedings could be traumatic, and they did not always understand what was happening. There was a disparity in the quality of legal advice and social work support that birth parents received. The findings raise questions for practice around the level of support birth parents receive during and after care proceedings and highlight the importance of good quality support.
A Generative Framework for Image‐based Editing of Material Appearance using Perceptual Attributes
Authors: Delanoy J. , Lagunas M. , Condor J. , Gutierrez D. , Masia B.
Published: February 2022

Single‐image appearance editing is a challenging task, traditionally requiring the estimation of additional scene properties such as geometry or illumination. Moreover, the exact interaction of light, shape and material reflectance that elicits a given perceptual impression is still not well understood. We present an image‐based editing method that allows to modify the material appearance of an object by increasing or decreasing high‐level perceptual attributes, using a single image as input. Our framework relies on a two‐step generative network, where the first step drives the change in appearance and the second produces an image with high‐frequency details. For training, we augment an existing material appearance dataset with perceptual judgements of high‐level attributes, collected through crowd‐sourced experiments, and build upon training strategies that circumvent the cumbersome need for original‐edited image pairs. We demonstrate the editing capabilities of our framework on a variety of inputs, both synthetic and real, using two common perceptual attributes (Glossy and Metallic), and validate the perception of appearance in our edited images through a user study.
Pharmacometabonomic association of cyclophosphamide 4‐hydroxylation in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
Authors: McCune Jeannine S. , Nakamura Ryotaro , O’Meally Denis , Randolph Timothy W. , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Karolak Aleksandra , Hockenbery David , Navarro Sandi L.
Published: February 2022

The widely used alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CY) has substantive interpatient variability in the area under the curve (AUC) of it and its metabolites. Numerous factors may influence the drug‐metabolizing enzymes that metabolize CY to 4‐hydroxycyclophosphamide (4HCY), the principal precursor to CY’s cytotoxic metabolite. We sought to identify endogenous metabolomics compounds (EMCs) associated with 4HCY formation clearance (ratio of 4HCY/CY AUC) using global metabolomics. Patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation receiving post‐transplant CY (PT‐CY) were enrolled, cohort 1 (n = 26) and cohort 2 (n = 25) donating longitudinal blood samples before they started HCT (pre‐HCT), before infusion of the donor allograft (pre‐graft), before the first dose of PT‐CY (pre‐CY), and 24 h after the first dose of PT‐CY (24‐h post‐CY), which is also immediately before the second dose of CY. A total of 512 and 498 EMCs were quantitated in two cohorts, respectively. Both univariate linear regression with false discovery rate (FDR), and pathway enrichment analyses using a global association test were performed. At the pre‐CY time point, no EMCs were associated at FDR less than 0.1. At pre‐HCT, cohort 1 had one EMC (levoglucosan) survive the FDR threshold. At pre‐graft, cohort 1 and cohort 2 had 20 and 13 EMCs, respectively, exhibiting unadjusted p values less than 0.05, with the only EMCs having an FDR less than 0.1 being two unknown EMCs. At 24‐h post‐CY, there were three EMCs, two ketones, and threitol, at FDR less than 0.1 in cohort 2. These results demonstrate the potential of pharmacometabonomics, but future studies in larger samples are needed to optimize CY.
Diversity and patterns of marine non‐native species in the archipelagos of Macaronesia
Authors: Castro Nuno , Carlton James T. , Costa Ana C. , Marques Carolina S. , Hewitt Chad L. , Cacabelos Eva , Lopes Evandro , Gizzi Francesca , Gestoso Ignacio , Monteiro João G. , Costa José L. , Parente Manuela , Ramalhosa Patrício , Fofonoff Paul , Chainho Paula , Haroun Ricardo , Santos Ricardo S. , Herrera Rogelio , Marques Tiago A. , Ruiz Gregory M. , Canning‐Clode João
Published: February 2022

Aims

The present study is the first attempt to grasp the scale and richness of marine biological invasions in Macaronesia. We pioneered a comprehensive non‐native species (NNS), inventory in the region to determine their diversity patterns and native distribution origins. NNS were defined here as the result of both introductions and range expansions. We also used statistical modelling to examine relationships among NNS richness, anthropogenic activities, demographic and geographical variables across Macaronesia.

Location

Macaronesia.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted for marine NNS records in Macaronesia, registering the first record's location and year from 1884 to 2020. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate differences and similarities in community composition. By applying a Generalized Linear Model (GLM), we tested hypotheses regarding NNS richness as a function of anthropogenic activities, demographic and geographical variables.

Results

A total of 144 marine non‐native species (NNS) were recorded for the whole of Macaronesia. The highest NNS richness was registered in the Canary Islands (76 NNS), followed by the Azores (66 NNS), Madeira (59 NNS) and finally Cabo Verde (18 NNS). Some differences amongst archipelagos were observed, such as the high number of non‐native macroalgae in the Azores, fishes in the Canary Islands and tunicates in Cabo Verde. Overall, macroalgae, tunicates and bryozoans were the predominant taxonomic groups in the Macaronesian archipelagos. Madeira and Canary Islands were the archipelagos with more similarity in marine NNS, and Cabo Verde the most divergent. Finally, GLM suggested that non‐native richness patterns across Macaronesia were dependent on the considered archipelago and strongly affected by (1) minimum distance to the mainland, (2) the total number of ports and marinas and (3) total marinas area (km2).

Conclusions

The model results and NNS listing in the present study will likely raise the awareness and response regarding marine NNS in the whole Macaronesia region, serving as a baseline for future research as well as implementing and enforcing regulations related to the introduction of marine NNS in oceanic islands.
The microfoundation of macroeconomic populism: The effects of economic inequality on public inflation aversion
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo
Published: February 2022

Previous work on the politics of monetary policy has focused on the role of distributive motives stemming from individual characteristics such as income or factoral/sectoral interests in citizens' formation of monetary policy preferences. However, the existing literature has paid little attention to how a country's overall distributive context, namely, its level of economic inequality, affects citizens' preferences vis‐à‐vis price stability and employment. This article argues that as inequality pushes more citizens below a society's average income, there is more demand for redistribution through higher employment and increased fiscal spending, each of which can be better supported by expansionary monetary policy. This means that inequality makes citizens more tolerant of inflation. This study uses the International Social Survey Program, the Integrated Values Surveys, and the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems, which together include 293,100 respondents from 53 countries between the years 1976 and 2016 to demonstrate that overall, inequality significantly moderates citizens' inflation aversion.
Transcendental idealism as formal idealism
Authors: Anderson R. Lanier
Published: February 2022

Transcendental idealism is the basic worldview shaping Kant's critical philosophy, but its proper interpretation is enormously contested. I identify five constraints on an adequate interpretation, which collectively stand in apparent tension. These serve to highlight internal difficulties of the view itself, and also to reveal serious challenges for both the more standard phenomenalist and deflationary interpretations, and newer “moderate metaphysical” approaches. Difficulty centers on how to reconcile Kant's widespread claims that things in themselves are identical to appearances, in some sense, with his equally widespread insistence that they are (and must be) non‐identical. I suggest that Kant's view must have been that the objects of knowledge are (strictly) partially mind‐dependent, and that the Kantian hylomorphic idea of formal idealism can explain this partial mind‐dependence. The result points toward an anti‐metaphysical interpretation of Kantian idealism, according to which the metaphysical question of identity between things in themselves and appearances should be rejected as illegitimate, rather than answered.
Disentangling key species interactions in diverse and heterogeneous communities: A Bayesian sparse modelling approach
Authors: Weiss‐Lehman Christopher P. , Werner Chhaya M. , Bowler Catherine H. , Hallett Lauren M. , Mayfield Margaret M. , Godoy Oscar , Aoyama Lina , Barabás György , Chu Chengjin , Ladouceur Emma , Larios Loralee , Shoemaker Lauren G.
Published: February 2022

Modelling species interactions in diverse communities traditionally requires a prohibitively large number of species‐interaction coefficients, especially when considering environmental dependence of parameters. We implemented Bayesian variable selection via sparsity‐inducing priors on non‐linear species abundance models to determine which species interactions should be retained and which can be represented as an average heterospecific interaction term, reducing the number of model parameters. We evaluated model performance using simulated communities, computing out‐of‐sample predictive accuracy and parameter recovery across different input sample sizes. We applied our method to a diverse empirical community, allowing us to disentangle the direct role of environmental gradients on species’ intrinsic growth rates from indirect effects via competitive interactions. We also identified a few neighbouring species from the diverse community that had non‐generic interactions with our focal species. This sparse modelling approach facilitates exploration of species interactions in diverse communities while maintaining a manageable number of parameters.
Secure protocols for smart contract based insurance services
Authors: Wilusz Daniel , Wójtowicz Adam
Published: February 2022

Cryptocurrency‐based transactions are exposed to serious security risks, usually higher than risks related to traditional online transactions. The threats range from unintentional credential leaks, through fraudulent cryptocurrency exchanges and poorly implemented protocols, to broken private keys. Therefore, there is a business need for insurance services dedicated to cryptocurrencies that would be technologically as well as economically secure for both insuring and insured party. In this paper an architecture for cryptocurrency insurance framework along with a set of corresponding communication protocols and a smart contract template that jointly reduce various security risks are proposed. The detailed description of the solution is followed by the security analysis section. Also, the description of the presented solution is preceded by a general risk analysis related to cryptocurrency unit security and countermeasures analysis related to those risks. The authors believe that the presented technological solution can potentially enable new business models based on crypto‐insurance services.
Effects of acute ethanol and/or diazepam exposure on immediate and delayed hippocampal metabolite levels in rats anesthetized with isoflurane
Authors: Carton Louise , Auger Florent , Laloux Charlotte , Durieux Nicolas , Kyheng Maéva , Potey Camille , Bergeron Sandrine , Rolland Benjamin , Deguil Julie , Bordet Régis
Published: February 2022

Alcohol and benzodiazepines are psychoactive substances frequently associated in voluntary drug intoxications that share common mechanisms of action, including facilitation of GABAergic transmission. This study aimed to assess the separate and combined effects of ethanol and diazepam acute exposure on hippocampal metabolite levels, as well as on delayed cognitive performance, in rats anesthetized with isoflurane. Adult male Wistar rats received one intraperitoneal injection containing either saline solution (“CTL” group, N = 15), a 5‐mg/kg dose of diazepam (“DIA” group, N = 16), a 2‐g/kg dose of ethanol (“EtOH” group, N = 18), or a 5‐mg/kg dose of diazepam + a 2‐g/kg dose of ethanol (“DIA + EtOH” group, N = 24). The levels of brain metabolites in the hippocampal region were assessed using in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) before and after injection. Behavioral testing, including working memory and visual recognition memory assessment, was performed at week 3, while a new MRS acquisition was conducted 4 weeks after the injection. In the hour following acute exposure, a decrease in glutamate levels was found in the DIA + EtOH group only. Four weeks after injection, a decrease in GABA and glutamate levels and an increase in NAA levels were found in the EtOH group only. No significant between‐group differences were found in the behavioral assessment. While the initial decrease in glutamate levels in the DIA + EtOH group suggests an early potentiation effect between ethanol and diazepam, the long‐term modifications found only in the EtOH group suggest a possible downregulation of ethanol's effect by diazepam at 4 weeks.
Staying in place and moving in space: Contrasting larval thermal sensitivity explains distributional changes of sympatric sea urchin species to habitat warming
Authors: Byrne Maria , Gall Mailie L. , Campbell Hamish , Lamare Miles D. , Holmes Sebastian P.
Published: February 2022

For marine ectotherms, larval success, planktonic larval duration and dispersal trajectories are strongly influenced by temperature, and therefore, ocean warming and heatwaves have profound impacts on these sensitive stages. Warming, through increased poleward flow in regions with western boundary currents, such as the East Australia Current (EAC), provides opportunities for range extension as propagules track preferred conditions. Two sea urchin species, Centrostephanus rodgersii and Heliocidaris tuberculata, sympatric in the EAC warming hotspot, exhibit contrasting responses to warming. Over half a century, C. rodgersii has undergone marked poleward range extension, but the range of H. tuberculata has not changed. We constructed thermal performance curves (TPC) to determine if contrasting developmental thermal tolerance can explain this difference. The temperatures tested encompassed present‐day distribution and forecast ocean warming/heatwave conditions. The broad and narrow thermal optimum (Topt) ranges for C. rodgersii and H. tuberculata larvae (7.2 and 4.7°C range, respectively) matched their realized (adult distribution) thermal niches. The cool and warm temperatures for 50% development to the feeding larva approximated temperatures at adult poleward range limits. Larval cool tolerances with respect to mean local temperature differed, 6.0 and 3.8°C respectively. Larval warm tolerances were similar for both species as are the adult warm range edges. The larvae of both species would be sensitive to heatwaves. Centrostephanus rodgersii has stayed in place and shifted in space, likely due to its broad cold–warm larval thermal tolerance and large thermal safety margins. Phenotypic plasticity of the planktonic stage of C. rodgersii facilitated its range extension. In contrast, larval cold intolerance of H. tuberculata explains its restricted range and will delay poleward extension as the region warms. In a warming ocean, we show that intrinsic thermal biology traits of the pelagic stage provide an integrative tool to explain species‐specific variation in range shift patterns.
Serum matrix metalloproteinase‐7 in biliary atresia: A Japanese multicenter study
Authors: Sakaguchi Hirotaka , Konishi Ken‐ichiro , Yasuda Ryosuke , Sasaki Hideyuki , Yoshimaru Koichiro , Tainaka Takahisa , Fukahori Suguru , Sanada Yukihiro , Iwama Itaru , Shoji Hiromichi , Kinoshita Masahiro , Matsuura Toshiharu , Fujishiro Jun , Uchida Hiroo , Nio Masaki , Yamashita Yushiro , Mizuochi Tatsuki
Published: February 2022

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) is among the commonest indications for liver transplantation (LT) in children. We examined whether serum matrix metalloproteinase‐7 (MMP‐7) is useful for diagnosis of BA in Japanese infants, and whether serum MMP‐7 concentrations before and after Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) predicted LT within a year.

Methods

Subjects under 6 months old at eight pediatric centers in Japan were enrolled retrospectively, including patients with cholestasis and normal controls (NC) without liver disease. Patients with cholestasis were divided into groups representing BA versus cholestasis from other causes (non‐BA). Serum samples were collected from patients with BA at diagnosis and 1 and 4 weeks after KP, as well as from non‐BA and NC.

Results

Serum MMP‐7 concentrations were significantly higher in BA at diagnosis (median, 89.1 ng/ml) than in non‐BA (11.0; p < 0.001) or NC (10.3; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of MMP‐7 for BA versus non‐BA yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.96–1.00). An optimal cut‐off value of 18.6 ng/ml for serum MMP‐7 in diagnosing BA demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 90%, respectively. Serum MMP‐7 before and 1 week and 4 weeks after KP did not differ significantly between BA requiring only KP and BA requiring LT after KP.

Conclusion

Serum MMP‐7 is a useful marker for diagnosis of BA in Japanese infants, but it could not predict LT within a year.
Factors partitioning physical frailty in people aging with HIV: A classification and regression tree approach
Authors: Inceer Mehmet , Brouillette Marie‐J. , Fellows Lesley K. , Morais José A. , Harris Marianne , Smaill Fiona , Smith Graham , Thomas Réjean , Mayo Nancy E.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To estimate the extent to which comorbidity and lifestyle factors were associated with physical frailty in middle‐aged and older Canadians living with HIV.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of 856 participants from the Canadian Positive Brain Health Now cohort.

Methods

The frailty indicator phenotype was adapted from Fried's criteria using self‐report items. Univariate logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CaRT) models were used to identify the most relevant independent contributors to frailty.

Results

In all, 100 men (14.0%) and 26 women (19.7%) were identified as frail (≥ 3/5 criteria) for an overall prevalence of 15.2%. Nine comorbidities showed an influential association with frailty. The most influential comorbidities were hypothyroidism [odds ratio (OR) = 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–5.03] and arthritis (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.58–4.09). Additionally, tobacco (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.05–3.04) showed an association. Any level of alcohol consumption showed a protective effect for frailty.

The CaRT model showed nine pathways that led to frailty. Arthritis was the most discriminatory variable followed by alcohol, hypothyroidism, tobacco, cancer, cannabis, liver disease, kidney disease, osteoporosis, lung disease and peripheral vascular disease. The prevalence of physical frailty for people with arthritis was 27.4%; with additional cancer or tobacco and alcohol the prevalence rates were 47.1% and 46.1%, respectively. The protective effect of alcohol consumption evident in the univariate model appeared again in the CaRT model, but this effect varied.

Cognitive frailty (19.5% overall) and emotional frailty (37.9% overall) were higher than the prevalence of physical frailty.

Conclusions

Specific comorbidities and tobacco use were implicated in frailty, suggesting that it is comorbidities causing frailty. However, some frailty still appears to be HIV‐related. The higher prevalence of cognitive and emotional frailty highlights the fact that physical frailty should not be the only focus in HIV.
Implementing a novel approach to long‐term monitoring of butterfly communities in the Neotropics
Authors: Checa Maria F. , Nogales Sofia , Salazar Patricio A. , Bustos Leslie , Ojeda Vernardo , Bustos Alcy , Willmott Keith R.
Published: February 2022

Insects are facing severe threats of extinction. Long‐term data needed to develop effective conservation strategies are not yet available for precisely those areas where biodiversity peaks and negative impacts on species are particularly strong, such as Neotropical forests.

One strategy to develop long‐term monitoring programmes worldwide has focused on training local people as ‘parabiologists’. Although this model has been very successful, it requires significant, constant funding to cover wages.

Here, we implemented a novel approach to address this logistical challenge and simultaneously achieve other beneficial outcomes.

Based in Yasuní National Park, one of the world's most diverse protected areas, we started a monitoring scheme where park rangers hired by Ecuador's Ministry of the Environment implemented monitoring, after completing a capacity‐building programme. We describe this scheme and evaluate its performance in terms of the biological data gathered.

Park rangers were able to identify sampled butterflies to species with a high degree of accuracy (85%), a key attribute for participatory monitoring programmes to be successful. The data gathered by park rangers resulted in commonly studied patterns of spatial and temporal variation that did not differ significantly from a comparable researcher dataset in this butterfly community.

Our approach increases the likelihood of sustaining monitoring in the long‐term by reducing expenses such as lodging and wages. Furthermore, it also empowers local people, offers opportunities for public institutions to accomplish their environmental goals, and provides the potential for expansion to other highly threatened and important areas for biodiversity conservation.
Influencer endorsement posts and their effects on advertising attitudes and purchase intentions
Authors: Herrando Carolina , Martín‐De Hoyos María José
Published: February 2022

This study examines the effects of influencer posts on Instagram users. Based on uses and gratifications theory, this experiment‐based investigation analyses the effect of three different levels of product exposure (strong, mild and low) within an influencer ad post on users’ attitudes toward the ad, and their purchase intentions. Based on a sample of 602 Instagram users from Generations Y and Z, the empirical findings show that users who attribute infotainment and credibility to an influencer ad post perceive it to have greater ad value, which improves their attitude toward the ad and, consequently, positively affects their purchase intentions. However, the results do not find support for the negative effect of irritation on ad value. The contributions of this study highlight that once users have freely decided to follow influencers on Instagram, they assume that their posts are going to be ad‐related and this does not cause them to reject posts; consequently, endorsement exerts a similar effect on the value attributed to an ad post regardless of the level of salience of the product in the post.
Predicting the cut‐off point for interface pressure in pressure injury according to the standard hospital mattress and polyurethane foam mattress as support surfaces
Authors: Yu Mi , Park Kyung Hee , Shin Jiseon , Lee Ji Hyun
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the interface pressure (IP) of patients using a standard hospital mattress and polyurethane foam mattress as support surfaces and present cut‐off points for IP in patients who exhibited skin changes. A total of 189 inpatients enrolled from six general wards and three intensive care units at a Korean University Hospital. Skin changes were classified, and peak IP at the sacral and occipital regions was measured using a pressure scanner. Differences in IPs according to mattress type were analysed using independent t‐tests. The receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to determine the cut‐off point, and the area under the curve with a 95% confidence interval was obtained using the Stata 15.1.program. The IP for a standard hospital mattress was significantly higher than that of a polyurethane foam mattress. The cut‐off points for IP at the sacral region were 52.90 and 30.15 mm Hg for a standard hospital mattress and polyurethane foam mattress, respectively. The cut‐off point for IP at the occipital region was 36.40 mm Hg for a polyurethane foam mattress. Using IP measurements to prevent pressure injuries is important and employ individualised interventions based on the cut‐off points for different support surfaces.
Interactive effect of elevated [CO2] and temperature on the photosynthetic process, anti‐oxidative properties, and grain yield of rice
Authors: Dwivedi Sharad K. , Kumar Santosh , Mishra Janki S. , Prakash Ved , Rao Karnena K. , Bhatt Bhagwati P. , Srivastava Ashish K.
Published: February 2022

The simultaneous increase of carbon dioxide and temperature causes significant changes in rice physiology and production, but limited studies have been performed in the past to examine the interactive effect of these two key variables on lipid peroxidation, anti‐oxidative properties, gas exchange parameters, and grain yield of rice. Thus, an experiment was conducted by growing two rice genotypes (IR83376‐B‐B‐24–2 and IR64) inside field‐based open‐top chambers (OTCs) with two levels of [CO2] (ambient and elevated; (500±25 ppm) and temperature (ambient and ambient+2°C) in order to determine their simultaneous effect on lipid peroxidation (thio‐barbituric acid substances, TBARS), anti‐oxidant properties (catalase, CAT and superoxide dismutase, SOD), gas exchange parameters (PN rate, gs, E), WUE and grain yield during the kharif seasons. Our study showed that under simultaneous elevation (CO2 and temperature), the activity of CAT and SOD were improved. CAT showed significant alterations in activity which was detected for genotype IR83376‐B‐B‐24–2 (twelve‐fold increase) under elevated temperature compared to ambient temperature. SOD activity was decreased by 35.1 and 35.7% with elevated [CO2] while it increased under elevated temperature by 103.6 and 41.1% in IR83376‐B‐B‐24–2 and IR64, respectively. No significant difference in TBARS content was observed under combined elevation of both [CO2] and temperature, as compared to ambient conditions. However, elevation in temperature by 2°C led to a reduction in photosynthetic rate and WUE but increased the rate of transpiration, CAT and SOD activity. Grain yield was also improved under elevated [CO2] while elevated temperature has negative impact on grain yield. Thus, the findings suggest that there are differential biochemical (TBARS, CAT, and SOD) and physiological (PN rate, gs, E, and WUE) responses of rice towards predicted climatic conditions. This study represents the significant findings on the anti‐oxidant defence mechanism in rice under combined elevated [CO2] and temperature levels. Furthermore, the genotypic differences observed in terms of photosynthesis mechanism and ROS scavenging system imply that it is possible to breed varieties that will be more suited for future rice production scenarios.
Energetic constraints drive sex‐specific parental care in the monomorphic Leach's storm‐petrelHydrobates leucorhous
Authors: Tyson Chris W. , Jennings Sarah L. , Hoover Brian A. , Miles Amy
Published: February 2022

Sex‐specific parental care in dimorphic species may be unsurprising, but why this occurs in monomorphic species is more puzzling. To date, however, there have been few examinations of the causes of this phenomenon. Here, we evaluated possible explanations of sex‐specific provisioning in the monomorphic Leach's storm‐petrelHydrobates leucorhous(until recentlyOceanodroma leucorhoa). We tracked the chick‐rearing behavior of 74 mated pairs using an automated nest monitoring system and collected daily measurements of chick growth. We found that males provisioned more frequently and made a larger overall contribution to chick feeding than females. Within‐individual trip duration was more variable for females, suggesting that they were alternating to a greater degree between short, energetically taxing trips that prioritize chick care and longer, recovery trips that prioritize self‐care. Moreover, females were more likely to embark on longer trips after completing a short trip and after encountering a chick in good condition. Males, however, appeared better able to perform repeated short trips that resulted in more frequent provisioning as well as greater amounts overall. These findings are consistent with the explanation that energetic constraints on females give rise to male‐biased, sex‐specific provisioning in a monomorphic species and are likely to explain similar patterns in other long‐lived species where adult survival is high.
Across‐country genetic evaluation of meat sheep from Ireland and the United Kingdom
Authors: Fitzmaurice Shauna , Conington Joanne , McDermott Kevin , McHugh Noirin , Banos Georgios
Published: February 2022

Genetic evaluations in sheep have proven to be an effective way of increasing farm profitability. Much research has previously been conducted on producing within‐country genetic evaluations; however, to date, no across‐country sheep genetic evaluations have been produced between Ireland and the UK. The objective of the present study was to examine the feasibility of an across‐country genetic evaluation of live body weight and carcass composition traits for Texel sheep raised in Ireland and the UK. The benefit of genetic selection based on across‐country genetic evaluations, in comparison with within‐country genetic evaluations, was also quantified. Animal traits included early‐life and postweaning live body weights, and muscle and fat depth ultrasound measurements. Irish and UK data were combined, common animals with progeny with records in both countries were identified and a series of bivariate analyses were performed separately for each trait to produce across‐country genetic evaluations. Fixed effects included contemporary group, age at first lambing of the dam, parity of the dam (Ireland), dam age at lamb's birth (UK), a gender by age of the lamb interaction, a birth type by rearing type of the lamb interaction and country of birth of the lamb. Random effects included the animal additive genetic, dam maternal, litter common environment and residual effect. The model for postweaning weight, muscle depth and fat depth included only the animal additive genetic and litter common environmental random effects. Genetic correlations between the two countries ranged from 0.82 to 0.88 for the various traits. Across‐country breeding values were estimated for all animals and response to selection was predicted using the top 10 and top 20 sires in both within‐ and across‐country analyses for the two countries. Overall, results showed that rates of genetic gain could potentially increase from between 2.59% and 19.63% from selection based on across‐country genetic evaluations compared to within‐country evaluations alone. Across‐country evaluations are feasible and would be of significant benefit to both the Irish and UK sheep industries. In order to realize these potential gains though, there would need to be a switch in emphasis by sheep breeders towards using objective traits as their primary selection criteria.
Clinical, electroanatomic and electrophysiologic characterization and outcomes of catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia following valvular intervention
Authors: Bennett Richard G. , Garikapati Kartheek , Anderson Robert D. , Silva Kasun De , Campbell Timothy , Kotake Yasuhito , Turnbull Samual , Tonchev Ivaylo , Lee Geoffrey , Kalman Jonathan , Kumar Saurabh
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) can occur following valvular interventions. There are limited data describing substrate and ablation approaches in such patients. We sought to describe the clinical, electrophysiologic, electroanatomic features and catheter ablation outcomes of patients with VT following aortic and/or mitral valve intervention.

Methods

Over 12‐years, consecutive patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) and/or mitral valve replacement (MVR) or repair, undergoing VT ablation, were identified from two centers. Clinical and procedural parameters and outcomes are described.

Results

Twenty‐three patients (age 66 ± 14years, 78% male, left ventricular ejection fraction 37 ± 16%), with prior AVR (mechanical n = 6, bioprosthetic n = 2, transcatheter n = 1), MVR (mechanical n = 5, bioprosthetic n = 1), mitral valve repair (n = 6) and both mechanical AVR and MVR (n = 2), underwent VT ablation. Sixteen had concurrent ischemic cardiomyopathy, 10 with prior bypass surgery. Left ventricular access was obtained in 21/23 (91%) patients (transseptal n = 14, retrograde aortic n = 5, transapical n = 2), with perivalvular scar identified in 17/21 (81%). Re‐entrant VT isthmi involved the perivalvular regions in 12/23 (52%) patients, and regions remote from the valve in the remainder; 9% had nonscar‐related VT. Intramural substrate was ablated from adjacent chambers in 5/23 (22%) patients and with half‐normal saline irrigation in 8/23 (35%) patients. There were no instances of catheter entrapment. Following final ablation, VA‐free survival was 78% at 13‐months.

Conclusion

Only half of VT circuits following valvular interventions involve the valve regions themselves, while the remainder involves unrelated regions. Catheter ablation is safe and efficacious at treating VT following valvular intervention, but novel strategies may be required.
Negative impact of roadside mowing on arthropod fauna and its reduction with ‘arthropod‐friendly’ mowing technique
Authors: Steidle Johannes L. M. , Kimmich Thomas , Csader Michael , Betz Oliver
Published: February 2022

An underestimated factor that contributes to the decline of insects observed during the last year is probably the mortality, which is caused by mowing of grassland. We studied the negative impact of mowing on the arthropod fauna of roadside grassland, which might serve as potential habitat for insects to prevent their local extinction and as corridor for the dispersal in anthropogenic landscapes. In addition, we studied if losses due to mowing can be mitigated by the use of ‘arthropod‐friendly’ mowing technique. In agreement with earlier studies, we found that mowing with a conventional mowing head (MK 1200 from MULAG) caused considerable losses in arthropods, ranging from 29% for Heteroptera over around 50% in Araneae, Cicadina, Hymenoptera and Diptera, up to 73% for holometabolous larvae, and 87% for Lepidoptera. These losses by mowing were fully offset for Araneae, Cicadina, Heteroptera, Lepidoptera and larvae of holometabolous insects when using the mowing head Eco 1200 from MULAG, which was designed to be ‘arthropod‐friendly’. For Hymenoptera and Diptera, the losses were reduced by 15% and 25% respectively. For Saltatoria and Coleoptera, we did not find any significant differences between all treatments. These data demonstrate that mowing of roadsides with conventional mowing technology has a highly detrimental effect on the grassland arthropod fauna. However, this effect can be offset or at least mitigated by the use of ‘arthropod‐friendly’ mowing technique. Therefore, this technique has a high potential to reduce insect decline in roadside grassland, making these areas a habitat for insects.
Elective Induction of Labor or Expectant Management: Outcomes Among Nulliparous Women with Uncomplicated Pregnancies
Authors: Lewis Susan , Zhao Zhiguo , Schorn Mavis
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Cesarean birth rates among women who are nulliparous with uncomplicated full‐term pregnancies have been shown to decrease if labor is electively induced. The purpose of this study was to compare the cesarean birth rate for women with pregnancies at 39.0 weeks’ gestation or later admitted for spontaneous labor or medically indicated induction of labor (IOL) with that of women receiving elective IOL at term.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted by searching electronic health records of all nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancies who gave birth between January 2018 through February 2020 at one academic medical center. Select maternal demographic data and approach to labor management were the primary variables analyzed in determining the odds of cesarean birth.

Results

A total of 1528 women were included in this study. Among these, 158 received elective IOL, and 1370 did not. The cesarean birth rates (31.0% vs 23.9%, elective induction of labor vs expectant management, respectively, P = .048), neonatal intensive care admissions (9.5% vs 7.6%, P = .41), and Apgar scores were similar among women in both management groups, respectively (P = .08). Accounting for other potential risk factors, the odds of having cesarean birth were not statistically different between management groups (adjusted odds ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.5‐1.1; P = .09). There were 2 fetal deaths among women whose labor was not electively induced. In the total cohort, women who were older, who had higher body mass index (BMI), and who identified as non‐Hispanic Black had an increased odds of experiencing a cesarean birth. The associations between women in management groups and cesarean birth were not modified by age, BMI, race, or ethnicity (P = .33, .67, and .87, respectively).

Discussion

Elective IOL was not associated with lower cesarean rates in this study. Further research is needed before implementing clinical practice changes that encourage more use of IOL.
Muscular anatomy of the forelimb of tiger (Panthera tigris)
Authors: Dunn Rachel H. , Beresheim Amy , Gubatina Ariel , Bitterman Kathleen , Butaric Lauren , Bejes Katelyn , Kennedy Sarah , Markham Sam , Miller Dustin , Mrvoljak Midhad , Roge‐Jones Lorraine , Stumpner Jessica , Walter Cody , Meachen Julie A.
Published: February 2022

Dissection reports of large cats (family Felidae) have been published since the late 19th century. These reports generally describe the findings in words, show drawings of the dissection, and usually include some masses of muscles, but often neglect to provide muscle maps showing the precise location of bony origins and insertions. Although these early reports can be highly useful, the absence of visual depictions of muscle attachment sites makes it difficult to compare muscle origins and insertions in living taxa and especially to reconstruct muscle attachments in fossil taxa. Recently, more muscle maps have been published in the primary literature, but those for large cats are still limited. Here, we describe the muscular anatomy of the forelimb of the tiger (Panthera tigris), and compare muscle origins, insertions, and relative muscle masses to other felids to identify differences that may reflect functional adaptations. Our results reiterate the conservative nature of felid anatomy across body sizes and behavioral categories. We find that pantherines have relatively smaller shoulder muscle masses, and relatively larger muscles of the caudal brachium, pronators, and supinators than felines. The muscular anatomy of the tiger shows several modifications that may reflect an adaptation to terrestrial locomotion and a preference for large prey. These include in general a relatively large m. supraspinatus (shoulder flexion), an expanded origin for m. triceps brachii caput longum, and relatively large m. triceps brachii caput laterale (elbow extension), as well as relatively large mm. brachioradialis, abductor digiti I longus, and abductor digiti V. Muscle groups that are well developed in scansorial taxa are not well developed in the tiger, including muscles of the cranial compartment of the brachium and antebrachium, and m. anconeus. Overall, the musculature of the tiger strongly resembles that of the lion (Panthera leo), another large‐bodied terrestrial large‐prey specialist.
1470‐nm Radial fiber‐assisted liposuction for body contouring and facial fat grafting
Authors: Heller Lior , Menashe Shaked , Plonski Lori , Ofek Andre , Pozner Jason N.
Published: February 2022

Background

Laser‐assisted liposuction using 1470‐nm radial fiber emits light energy preferentially absorbed by water, yielding a rapid and localized contouring and tightening effect, with minimal scarring. When collected under appropriate conditions, extracted fat samples can be exploited as autologous filling material in liposculpturing procedures.

Objectives

To assess the 6‐month contouring efficacy of 1470 radial fiber‐assisted liposuction and the volumetric enhancement effect of the harvested tissue in facial fat grafting.

Methods

Twenty subjects underwent liposuction (BeautiFill, Alma Lasers, Inc.) of lower abdominal or outer thigh fat. In seven subjects, harvested samples were grafted into facial regions. Treatment safety, body weight, blinded evaluator‐assessed aesthetic improvements, and subject‐rated satisfaction were monitored for 6 months. Abdominal and facial fat thickness were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 5) within 3 months of treatment.

Results

One‐month posttreatment, most subjects ranked improvements good/excellent (88%) and skin tightening satisfactory/very satisfactory (92%), with >70% of subjects providing similar scores 6‐month posttreatment. Blinded evaluators noted improved/very much improved aesthetic appearance (87%). Harvested tissue injected as a facial filler (21.0 ± 5.2 ml) led to a 0.63 ± 0.12 mm increase in facial fat thickness, observed by MRI, within 3 months. Six months postfilling, the majority of subjects (83%) were satisfied with the outcome. All procedures were well‐tolerated.

Conclusions

A single 1470 nm radial fiber‐assisted abdominal and thigh liposuction session provided for effective and durable reduction of adipose tissue deposits, with appreciable skin tightening and aesthetic improvements. The gentle harvesting method yielded viable filler material, which was well‐retained in facial regions for up to 6 months.
Competing with Big Data*
Authors: Prüfer Jens , Schottmüller Christoph
Published: February 2022

We study competition in data‐driven markets, where the cost of quality production decreases in the amount of machine‐generated data about user preferences or characteristics. This gives rise to data‐driven indirect network effects. We construct a dynamic model of R&D competition, where duopolists repeatedly determine innovation investments. Such markets tip under very mild conditions, moving towards monopoly. After tipping, innovation incentives both for the dominant firm and the competitor are small. We show when a dominant firm can leverage its dominance to a connected market, thereby initiating a domino effect. Market tipping can be avoided if competitors share their user information.
Strategic Delegation to Organizations*
Authors: Sekeris Petros G. , Xefteris Dimitrios
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we show that a principal can increase her payoffs by delegating decisions to an organization of agents—a group of rational individuals who interact according to specified rules—even when the agents’ preferences are identical to those of the principal. The mechanism driving this result rests on the limited impact of individual choices on the firm’s policy, when multiple agents interact in shaping it. In competitive environments, delegating decisions to organizations of agents augments the set of equilibrium outcomes, allowing for Pareto improvements. Hence, our results provide a novel rationale for decentralized decision‐making in firms.
Under/Over‐Investment and Early Renegotiation in Public‐Private Partnerships*
Authors: Danau Daniel , Vinella Annalisa
Published: February 2022

A public‐private partnership requires specialized expertise during construction of an infrastructure. Construction completion is costlier if the firm invests more upfront and if the government replaces the firm beforehand; more investment makes the operating cost more likely to be low. With a renegotiation‐proof contract, the government lessens moral hazard, unless this is severe or the incentives to renege in mid‐construction are strong. In these cases, it is less costly to motivate the parties to execute, in operation, a contract that was renegotiated in mid‐construction. Thus, the government offers a contract which leads to renegotiation in mid‐construction to secure more investment.