bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid contextualization of fragmented scene information in the human visual system
Authors: Kaiser Daniel , Inciuraite Gabriele , Cichy Radoslaw M.
Published: January 2020

Real-world environments are extremely rich in visual information. At any given moment in time, only a fraction of this information is available to the eyes and the brain, rendering naturalistic vision a collection of incomplete snapshots. Previous research suggests that in order to successfully contextualize this fragmented information, the visual system sorts inputs according to spatial schemata, that is knowledge about the typical composition of the visual world. Here, we used a large set of 840 different natural scene fragments to investigate whether this sorting mechanism can operate across the diverse visual environments encountered during real-world vision. We recorded brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) while participants viewed incomplete scene fragments at fixation. Using representational similarity analysis on the EEG data, we tracked the fragments’ cortical representations across time. We found that the fragments’ typical vertical location within the environment (top or bottom) predicted their cortical representations, indexing a sorting of information according to spatial schemata. The fragments’ cortical representations were most strongly organized by their vertical location at around 200ms after image onset, suggesting rapid perceptual sorting of information according to spatial schemata. In control analyses, we show that this sorting is flexible with respect to visual features: it is neither explained by commonalities between visually similar indoor and outdoor scenes, nor by the feature organization emerging from a deep neural network trained on scene categorization. Demonstrating such a flexible sorting across a wide range of visually diverse scenes suggests a contextualization mechanism suitable for complex and variable real-world environments.
Crystal structure, DFT and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (E)-N′-[(1-chloro-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)methylidene]benzohydrazide monohydrate
Authors: Arjun H. A. , Anil Kumar G. N. , Elancheran R. , Kabilan S.
Published: January 2020

In the title compound, C18H15ClN2O·H2O, a benzohydrazide derivative, the dihedral angle between the mean plane of the dihydronaphthalene ring system and the phenyl ring is 17.1 (2)°. In the crystal, O—H...O, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the benzohydrazide and water molecules, forming a layer parallel to the bc plane. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots indicate that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...H (45.7%) and H...C/C...H (20.2%) contacts.
Health and social work practitioners’ experiences of working with risk and older people
Authors: Beech Christian , Verity Fiona
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore interprofessional and multidisciplinary working between health and social care practitioners providing services to older people through the prism of how risk is assessed and managed. It proposes that whilst interprofessional and multidisciplinary working is a broad and commonly researched topic, there is a relative paucity of evidence specifically regarding how health and social care practitioners work together across structural, cultural and ideological divides. The study aims to expand the domain of integrated health and social care by including perceptions, understanding and use of the concept of risk by professionals from different disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based upon an exploratory study using an interpretivist phenomenological perspective, including 23 semi-structured individual interviews with health and social care practitioners and 2 non-participant observations of multidisciplinary team meetings.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights around the complex dynamics of interprofessional and multidisciplinary working between health and social care practitioners, in particular the saliency of the interconnectedness of individual practitioner Personalities with the Process of interprofessional and multidisciplinary working under the auspices of relevant Policy drivers.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted in Wales and, due to the increasingly divergent policy context within the UK, the research results may lack generalisability from a wider UK or international perspective. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the propositions of this research further.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for both interprofessional and multidisciplinary policy and practice with older people. With new models of integrated care being sought, the findings of this study may offer a timely and valuable contribution, particularly from the inclusion of a social care perspective and in better understanding the interconnectedness of practitioner personalities with process and policy.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the complex dynamics and interconnectedness between health and social care practitioners who work together to provide services to older people.
Creating a successful health pathway to support the integration of patient care
Authors: Chow Josephine S.F. , Gonzalez-Arce Veronica Eugenia , Tam Chun Wah Michael , Warner Kerry , Maurya Nutan , Mcdougall Alan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

HealthPathways (HPW) is an online health information portal which provides general practitioners (GPs), guidance on the assessment, management and referral of a range of conditions linked to local resources. However, there is a lack of understanding of the acceptance of pathways within primary health. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study identified baseline factors that promote the successful implementation of HPW in a major local health district (LHD) in Australia. The development, implementation and acceptance of Diabetes HPW were evaluated. A total of 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders and 4 GPs. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analyzed qualitatively using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

Four major themes were identified that promote the integration of care in the region through utilizing HPW: engagement, sustainability, transparency and accountability. Several factors identified as “enablers” or “barriers” are described at micro and macro levels of the healthcare system.

Originality/value

By combining the perspectives of both stakeholders and end-users, this qualitative evaluation of the localized HPW has identified relational and structural factors that promote the successful implementation of HPW to facilitate the integration of care in this LHD. Furthermore, this study provides other implementers with a comprehensive evaluation of the HPW development.
The numerical translation of verbal probability expressions by patients and clinicians in the context of peri‐operative risk communication
Authors: Wiles M. D. , Duffy A. , Neill K.
Published: January 2020

Shared decision‐making is central to the pre‐operative consent process and accurate communication of risk is dependent on a clear understanding of numerical information by both the patient and clinician. The risk of an adverse event or complication is often described using verbal probability expressions but how these are interpreted by clinicians and patients in the pre‐operative setting has not been studied. We asked patients and clinicians to assign a numerical translation (as a percentage) for seven verbal probability expressions in relation to the probability of a major peri‐operative complication occurring. In total, data from 290 patients and 57 clinicians were analysed. There was a wide range in percentages assigned by patients to all verbal probability expressions. Patients assigned a wider range of percentage values to each of the verbal probability expressions and these were all significantly higher than those assigned by clinicians: median (IQR [range]) negligible risk 5% (1–15 [0–100]) vs. 0% (0–0 [0–5]); minimal risk 5% (2–10) [0–100]) vs. 1% (0–1 [0–10]); low risk 10% (3–10 [0–100]) vs. 1% (0–2) [0–10]); standard risk 20% (10–40) [0–100]) vs. 1% (1–5) [0–30]); moderate risk 33% (20–50) [0–100]) vs. 5% (3–10) [0–80]); high risk 70% (30–90 [0–100]) vs. 15% (10–40) [1–75]); and very high risk 90% (50–95 [0–100]) vs. 40% (20–50 [5–100]), respectively (p < 0.005 for all comparisons). There is considerable variation in the numerical translation of verbal probability expressions by both patients and clinicians. This suggests that verbal probability expressions should not be used in isolation as part of doctor–patient discussions regarding peri‐operative risk.
Effect of mean HbA1c on the association of HbA1c variability and all‐cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tseng Juei‐Yu , Chen Hsin‐Hung , Huang Kuo‐Chin , Hsu Sheng‐Pang , Chen Ching‐Chu
Published: January 2020

Aim

To evaluate the effect of mean HbA1c on the correlation between HbA1c variability and all‐cause mortality, and the risks associated with different levels of HbA1c and glycaemic control status in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes and at least three HbA1c measurements within 12–24 months were included. HbA1c variability score, coefficient of variation (CV) and standard deviation (SD) were used to evaluate variability. A variability score of 50 was set as a cutoff to define low and high variability.

Results

A total of 4216 patients were included, of whom 1196 died during the observation period (11.1 ± 3.2 years). All‐cause mortality increased with HbA1c variability score and the quartiles of HbA1c CV and SD. The strength of this association was attenuated after adjustment for mean HbA1c, and the risks associated with HbA1c variability and glycaemic control status were similar. The highest associated risk was observed with an HbA1c variability score of >50 and mean HbA1c of ≥7.5%. Mortality risk was significantly higher with a mean HbA1c of ≤6.0% and >8.5% and of ≤6.0% and >8.0% for low and high HbA1c variability, respectively.

Conclusions

Mean HbA1c contributed to the correlation between HbA1c variability and all‐cause mortality. The risks associated with HbA1c variability and glycaemic control status were similar. The relationship between mean HbA1c and mortality presented a J‐shaped distribution for both low and high HbA1c variability.
A greater proportion of participants with type 2 diabetes achieve treatment targets with insulin degludec/liraglutide versus insulin glargine 100 units/mL at 26 weeks: DUAL VIII, a randomized trial designed to resemble clinical practice
Authors: Sesti Giorgio , Bardtrum Lars , Dagdelen Selcuk , Halladin Natalie , Haluzík Martin , Őrsy Petra , Rodríguez Martin , Aroda Vanita R.
Published: January 2020

This report presents the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) versus insulin glargine 100 units/mL (IGlar U100) as initial injectable therapy at 26 weeks in the 104‐week DUAL VIII durability trial (NCT02501161). Participants (N = 1012) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) uncontrolled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) were randomized 1:1 to open‐label IDegLira or IGlar U100. Visits were scheduled at weeks 1, 2, 4 and 12, and every 3 months thereafter. After 26 weeks, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reductions were greater with IDegLira versus IGlar U100 (−21.5 vs. –16.4 mmol/mol [−2.0 vs. –1.5%]), as was the percentage of participants achieving HbA1c <53 mmol/mol (78.7% vs. 55.7%) and HbA1c targets without weight gain and/or hypoglycaemia. Estimated treatment differences for insulin dose (−13.01 U) and body weight change (−1.57 kg) significantly favoured IDegLira. The hypoglycaemia rate was 44% lower with IDegLira versus IGlar U100. Safety results were similar. In a trial resembling clinical practice, more participants receiving IDegLira than IGlar U100 met treatment targets, supporting use of IDegLira as an initial injectable therapy for people with T2D uncontrolled on OADs and eligible for insulin initiation.
A proposal to introduce dental trauma into medical education: An insight
Authors: Yeng Thai , O'Sullivan Anthony J. , Shulruf Boaz
Published: January 2020

The problem

This proposal aims to tackle the common poor management of traumatic dental injury (TDI) by medical doctors and subsequent poor healthcare outcomes for patients. The literature reports that most medical doctors, in either private practice or hospital emergency departments, lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to adequately assess and manage victims of TDI. This is due to little or no clinical dentistry and dental trauma education being included in their medical studies.

The gap in the literature

From a review of the literature, there is a clear lack of learning provision for medical students on the topic of dental anatomy and trauma. In addition, there appears to be no formal university theoretical and clinical training during medical school.

The practical implications

The introduction of dental trauma into the medical curriculum will provide students with a better understanding of the importance of early management for better patient outcomes. Medical doctors competent in managing emergency dental trauma procedures will be able to provide a higher standard of care that could prevent potentially lifelong negative repercussions for the patient.
Dravet syndrome: Treatment options and management of prolonged seizures
Authors: Cross J. Helen , Caraballo Roberto H. , Nabbout Rima , Vigevano Federico , Guerrini Renzo , Lagae Lieven
Published: January 2020

Over time, with careful delineation of Dravet syndrome, we have gained experience in treatments most likely to lead to improvement in seizures, as well as those that should be avoided. Sodium valproate, clobazam, stiripentol, and topiramate are all medications that may lead to benefit, as well as the ketogenic diet. Bromides may be utilized in resistant cases. However, equally important are outlining prompt rescue treatment for prolonged seizures and avoidance of precipitants. Newer agents including cannabidiol and fenfluramine have been demonstrated to be of benefit in clinical trials. We propose an algorithm for management, but appreciate that the positioning of newer agents is yet to be established.
SCN1A‐related phenotypes: Epilepsy and beyond
Authors: Scheffer Ingrid E. , Nabbout Rima
Published: January 2020

SCN1A, encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the sodium channel, is associated with several epilepsy syndromes and a range of other diseases. SCN1A represents the archetypal channelopathy associated with a wide phenotypic spectrum of epilepsies ranging from genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), to developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). SCN1A disorders also result in other diseases such as hemiplegic migraine and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dravet syndrome (DS) is the prototypic DEE with an early onset of febrile status epilepticus, hemiclonic or generalized tonic‐clonic seizures, and later onset of additional seizure types. Electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are normal at onset. Development is normal in the first year of life but plateaus rapidly, with most patients ultimately having intellectual disability. Epilepsy is drug‐resistant and necessitates polytherapy. Most pathogenic variants occur de novo in the affected child, but they are inherited from mosaic affected or unaffected parents in rare cases. The molecular finding of haploinsufficiency is consistent with a loss‐of‐function defect in cells and animal models. Although seizures are the most commonly reported symptom in DS, many additional issues critically affect patients’ cognitive and behavioral functioning. Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is a rare form of migraine with aura, characterized by the emergence of hemiparesis as part of the aura phase. All SCN1A mutations reported in sporadic/familial HM3 are missense mutations. Most of the experimental results show that they cause a gain of function of NaV1.1 as opposed to the loss of function of the epileptogenic NaV1.1 mutations. SCN1A and SCN2A pathogenic variants have been identified in genetic studies of cohorts of patients with ASD. In addition, ASD features are often reported in patients with Dravet syndrome and other DEEs.
Effect of ageing time on quality characteristics of different bovine muscles
Authors: Sadowska Anna , Świderski Franciszek , Kostyra Eliza , Rachtan‐Janicka Joanna , Najman Katarzyna
Published: January 2020

This study assessed the impact of the ageing period on the sensory qualities and physical properties of muscles derived from animals obtained by crossing dairy cattle with Limousin meat breed animals. The materials consisted of five muscles – the musculus semitendinosus, musculus semimembranosus, musculus longissimus thoracis, musculus longissimus lumborum and musculus gluteus medius – which underwent the ageing process in a vacuum at 2 °C ± 1 °C. In the case of the raw muscles, the colour, pH and the extent of drip loss was determined. In the case of the grilled muscles, a sensory evaluation was conducted and the texture was instrumentally evaluated. The results showed that the musculus semitendinosus achieved the greatest improvement in positive sensory characteristics due to 14 or 21 days of ageing, which may extend its culinary utility. Among the tested muscles, the musculus longissimus thoracis and lumborum and musculus gluteus medius showed the highest culinary utility after 14 and 21 days of ageing.
Palatability and hygiene characteristics of dry‐aged pork and optimisation of dry ageing period
Authors: Nam Oh Seong , Park Inmyoung
Published: January 2020

To improve upon understanding of the quality characteristics of dry‐aged pork, pork belly and arm shoulder were dry‐aged for 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Their physicochemical, free amino acid (FAA) content and microbiological analysis were performed to evaluate palatability and hygiene. After 28 days of ageing, total FAA content increased by 56.1% and 71.4% for pork belly and arm shoulder, respectively. The amount of individual FAAs increased, except for glutamine. At 28 days, total bacteria and coliform continuously increased to 4.40 and 4.43 log (CFU g−1) for pork belly sample, respectively, and 5.92 and 4.26 log (CFU g−1) for arm shoulder sample, respectively; moreover, E. coli was first detected and Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp., which are considered indicators of meat food poisoning, were not detected. Altogether, extended dry ageing period can impose a potential hygiene concern, though palatability is increased, requiring optimisation in the dry ageing process.
Using two phases of the CD4 T cell response to blood‐stage murine malaria to understand regulation of systemic immunity and placental pathology in Plasmodium falciparum infection
Authors: Gbedande Komi , Carpio Victor H. , Stephens Robin
Published: January 2020

Plasmodium falciparum infection and malaria remain a risk for millions of children and pregnant women. Here, we seek to integrate knowledge of mouse and human T helper cell (Th) responses to blood‐stage Plasmodium infection to understand their contribution to protection and pathology. Although there is no complete Th subset differentiation, the adaptive response occurs in two phases in non‐lethal rodent Plasmodium infection, coordinated by Th cells. In short, cellular immune responses limit the peak of parasitemia during the first phase; in the second phase, humoral immunity from T cell–dependent germinal centers is critical for complete clearance of rapidly changing parasite. A strong IFN‐γ response kills parasite, but an excess of TNF compared with regulatory cytokines (IL‐10, TGF‐β) can cause immunopathology. This common pathway for pathology is associated with anemia, cerebral malaria, and placental malaria. These two phases can be used to both understand how the host responds to rapidly growing parasite and how it attempts to control immunopathology and variation. This dual nature of T cell immunity to Plasmodium is discussed, with particular reference to the protective nature of the continuous generation of effector T cells, and the unique contribution of effector memory T cells.
Testing the effectiveness of a weight bias educational intervention among clinical psychology trainees
Authors: Brochu Paula M.
Published: January 2020

Weight bias is a neglected issue in the health professions, including mental health training programs. Even though mental health professionals exhibit many of the same weight biases that are seen at the societal level and among other health professionals, mental health programs rarely provide training on weight bias, weight diversity, or critical weight science. No study to date has tested the effectiveness of a weight bias reduction intervention in a mental health setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a weight bias seminar informed by the attribution‐value model of prejudice. Using a pretest‐posttest design, 45 clinical psychology trainees completed measures of weight controllability beliefs, anti‐fat attitudes, and attitudes toward fat clients 1 week before and 1 week after the weight bias seminar. After the weight bias seminar, participants reported weaker weight controllability beliefs, anti‐fat attitudes, and negative client attitudes. Furthermore, weight controllability beliefs mediated the effect of the weight bias seminar on participants’ general anti‐fat attitudes and client‐specific attitudes. Thus, this study identifies weight controllability beliefs as a potential mechanism underlying the efficacy of educational weight bias interventions in mental health training programs. Future weight bias educational interventions may benefit from application of the attribution‐value model of prejudice.
Computed tomography analysis of the cranium of Champsosaurus lindoei and implications for the choristoderan neomorphic ossification
Authors: Dudgeon Thomas W. , Maddin Hillary C. , Evans David C. , Mallon Jordan C.
Published: January 2020

Choristoderes are extinct neodiapsid reptiles that are well known for their unusual cranial anatomy, possessing an elongated snout and expanded temporal arches. Although choristodere skulls are well described externally, their internal anatomy remains unknown. An internal description was needed to shed light on peculiarities of the choristodere skull, such as paired gaps on the ventral surface of the skull that may pertain to the fenestra ovalis, and a putative neomorphic ossification in the lateral wall of the braincase. Our goals were: (i) to describe the cranial elements of Champsosaurus lindoei in three dimensions; (ii) to describe paired gaps on the ventral surface of the skull to determine if these are indeed the fenestrae ovales; (iii) to illustrate the morphology of the putative neomorphic bone; and (iv) to consider the possible developmental and functional origins of the neomorph. We examined the cranial anatomy of the choristodere Champsosaurus lindoei (CMN 8920) using high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography scanning. We found that the paired gaps on the ventral surface of the skull do pertain to the fenestrae ovales, an unusual arrangement that may be convergent with some plesiosaurs, some aistopods, and some urodeles. The implications of this morphology in Champsosaurus are unknown and will be the subject of future work. We found that the neomorphic bone is a distinct ossification, but is not part of the wall of the brain cavity or the auditory capsule. Variation in the developmental pathways of cranial bones in living amniotes was surveyed to determine how the neomorphic bone may have developed. We found that the chondrocranium and splanchnocranium show little to no variation across amniotes, and the neomorphic bone is therefore most likely to have developed from the dermatocranium; however, the stapes is a pre‐existing cranial element that is undescribed in choristoderes and may be homologous with the neomorphic bone. If the neomorphic bone is not homologous with the stapes, the neomorph likely developed from the dermatocranium through incomplete fusion of ossification centres from a pre‐existing bone, most likely the parietal. Based on the apparent morphology of the neomorph in Coeruleodraco, the neomorph was probably too small to play a significant structural role in the skull of early choristoderes and it may have arisen through non‐adaptive means. In neochoristoderes, such as Champsosaurus, the neomorph was likely recruited to support the expanded temporal arches.
The anti‐sebum property of chitosan particles
Authors: Tangkijngamvong Natsinee , Phaiyarin Punnawich , Wanichwecharungruang Supason , Kumtornrut Chanat
Published: January 2020

Background

Seborrhea is linked to several medical and mental conditions. Although it is common, effective agents and the standardized sebum level for seborrhea are not elucidated.

Aims

To determine the efficacy of chitosan particles (CP) formulation on controlling sebum secretion, its extended effects on skin redness and texture after combining with proretinal nanoparticles (CP‐PRN), and a correlation of the clinical grading with sebum levels that affect mental health.

Patients/Methods

A four‐week clinical trial with forty subjects was conducted. Subjects applied either CP formulation or CP‐PRN during nighttime. Objective measurements including sebum levels, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin corneometry, skin redness, and texture were analyzed. Subjects completed a self‐assessment clinical grading of skin oiliness at every visit.

Results

Both CP and CP‐PRN significantly decreased sebum levels (P ≤ .01) at week 4 compared to baseline. CP also resulted in significant decreases in TEWL (P ≤ .05) and skin corneometry (P ≤ .05) throughout the study. A significant improvement in skin redness was observed with CP‐PRN (P ≤ .01). A moderate correlation between the clinical grading and sebum levels was detected (coefficient of 0.5, P ≤ .001), with a sebum level of 106 μg cm‐2 indicating emotional discomfort. One subject experienced local irritation with the CP‐PRN. Mild pruritic symptoms were reported in both groups.

Conclusions

Chitosan particles exhibited an interesting anti‐sebum effect. It could be combined with PRN to extend benefits without losing the sebum controlling effect. The clinical grading may be useful in practice due to a modest correlation with sebum levels.
Work and Family in the Second Decade of the 21st Century
Authors: Perry‐Jenkins Maureen , Gerstel Naomi
Published: January 2020

In the second decade of the 21st century, research on work and family from multiple disciplines flourished. The goal of this review is to capture the scope of this work–family literature and to highlight both the valuable advances and problematic omissions. In synthesizing this literature, the authors show that numerous scholars conducted studies and refined theories that addressed gender, but far fewer examined racial and class heterogeneity. They argue that examining heterogeneity changes the understanding of work–family relations. After briefly introducing the broad social, political, and economic context in which diverse work–family connections developed, this review uses this context to address the following three main themes, each with subtopics: (a) unpaid work including housework, parenting as work, and kin work; (b) paid work including work timing and hours, money (i.e., motherhood penalty, fatherhood bonus, marriage bonus, kin care penalty), relationships (i.e., coworkers, supervisors), and work experiences (i.e., complexity, autonomy, urgency); and (c) work–family policies (i.e., scheduling and child care). Given the breadth of the work–family literature, this review is not exhaustive but, rather, the authors synthesize key findings on each topic followed by a critique, especially with regard to the analyses of differences and inequalities around gender, race, ethnicity, and social class.
Family Policy and Complex Contemporary Families: A Decade in Review and Implications for the Next Decade of Research and Policy Practice
Authors: Berger Lawrence M. , Carlson Marcia J.
Published: January 2020

Prior Journal of Marriage and Family decade‐in‐review articles have grappled with the definition and role of family policy for research and policy practice while emphasizing its value to both. In this article, we begin with a broad conceptualization of family policy that encompasses actions intended to achieve explicitly stated goals for families (explicit policies) and those that affect families without an explicitly stated goal for doing so (implicit policies), which we believe provides a solid framework for guiding and understanding both research and practice in the field. Second, we review major U.S. policy initiatives in the past decade and their documented and potential effects on families. Third, we describe several key aspects by which contemporary families have become more diverse and complex. Fourth, we discuss the implications of ongoing family complexity for public policies. We conclude with a discussion about future research and policy development in the context of contemporary family complexity.
Subjective Well‐Being and Peaceful Uprisings
Authors: Witte Caroline T. , Burger Martijn J. , Ianchovichina Elena
Published: January 2020

This study analyzes whether subjective well‐being measures can explain variation in peaceful uprisings, in addition to the objective measures typically used in analyses of this type of events. Using data on uprisings and subjective well‐being for 119 countries from 2007 to 2014 – a period during which nonviolent conflict became increasingly prevalent – we estimate panel data regressions, including instrumental variable models. The study finds evidence of a positive effect of life dissatisfaction on the incidence of peaceful uprising, but not its violent counterpart. This effect does not depend on the type of political regime, nor the stage of development, and, to a large extent, it reflects changes in perceived satisfaction with living standards and the ability to have a purposeful and meaningful life.
Is Inequality of Opportunity Robust to the Measurement Approach?
Authors: Ramos Xavier , Van de gaer Dirk
Published: January 2020

Recent literature has suggested many ways of measuring equality of opportunity. We analyze in a systematic manner the various approaches put forth in the literature to show whether and to what extent different choices matter empirically. Drawing on data for most European countries for 2005 and 2011, we find that the choice between ex‐ante and ex‐post approaches is crucial and has a substantial influence on inequality of opportunity country orderings. Growth regressions also illustrate the potential relevance of conceptual choices.
Theoretical, Ethical, and Policy Considerations for Conducting Social–Psychological Interventions to Close Educational Achievement Gaps
Authors: Binning Kevin R. , Browman Alexander S.
Published: January 2020

Social–psychological interventions in education have shown remarkable promise as brief, inexpensive, and powerful methods for improving educational equity and inclusion by helping underperforming students realize their potential. These findings have led to intensive study and replication attempts to understand and close achievement gaps at scale. In the present review, we identify several significant issues this work has raised that bear on the theoretical, ethical, and policy implications of using these interventions to close achievement gaps. Using both classic and contemporary models of threat and performance, we propose a Zone Model of Threat to predict when social–psychological interventions in education may yield positive, null, and negative effects for specific students. From this analysis, we argue from an ethical standpoint that to reduce backfire effects, interventions should be focused on optimizing the salience of psychological threat across students rather than on uniformly reducing it. As a long‐term policy goal, intervention studies should follow a two‐step process, in which students’ individual levels of threat are first diagnosed and then interventions are tailored to the students based on their threat levels. Practical and theoretical implications of the proposed framework are discussed.
Medical education, simulation and uncertainty
Authors: Scott Ashley , Sudlow Mark , Shaw Emily , Fisher James
Published: January 2020

Background

Foundation doctors often feel underprepared to cope with uncertainty, particularly in an acute setting. Simulation is an established method for teaching about the management of acutely unwell patients, yet simulated cases are often simplified to ensure that a given learning outcome is reached. This approach may present learners with challenges in clinical practice when more complex nuanced cases are encountered. We explored final‐year medical students’ perceptions of clinical uncertainty when facing an ‘authentically’ complex simulated patient.

Methods

We adapted a simulation scenario in an attempt to replicate clinical uncertainty. The simulated patient had a confused history, only mildly deranged physiology, no current clear diagnosis and no diagnostic investigations yet available. Students engaged in debriefs facilitated by the researchers, which employed advocacy and enquiry to help students to reflect on their simulations (the ‘Diamond Approach’). These were transcribed, coded and analysed thematically.

Results

Students found the ‘uncertainty’ simulation more challenging than a ‘typical’ simulation. Students found it disheartening when the patient had no clear diagnosis and expected ‘an answer’. Students described task fixation and/or inaction in the face of uncertainty, struggled to identify appropriate times to seek senior support and were confused about their role in managing complex cases.

Discussion

We propose that this session prompted valuable discussion amongst students about how to react to clinical uncertainty. Students generally perceived the simulation as being useful. Affording space for reflection and allowing students to consider strategies for coping with uncertainty may help them when managing complex cases as Foundation doctors.
Editor's Introduction: 2017 Rumelhart Prize Issue Honoring Lila R. Gleitman
Authors: Landau Barbara
Published: January 2020

This is the Editor's introduction to the Special Issue of TopiCS in honor of Lila R. Gleitman's receipt of the 2017 David E. Rumelhart Prize. The introduction gives an overview of Gleitman's intellectual history and scientific contributions, and it briefly reviews each of the contributions to the issue.
Unusually Stable Spinae from a Freshwater Chlorobium sp
Authors: Brooke J S , Koval S F , Beveridge T J
Published: January 2020

A green Chlorobium sp. with spinae, strain JSB1, was isolated from an enrichment culture previously obtained from Fayetteville Green Lake, N.Y. (J. S. Brooke, J. B. Thompson, T. J. Beveridge, and S. F. Koval, Arch. Microbiol. 157:319-322, 1992). Cells were gram-negative, nonmotile rods which contained bacteriochlorophyll c and chlorosomes. Spinae were best seen by transmission electron microscopy in thin sections of cells fixed in the presence of tannic acid. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy showed the spinae randomly distributed at the cell surface and at the junctions between cells. Spinae were physically sheared from cells and isolated from the culture supernatant by ultrafiltration. As observed by electron microscopy, spinae demonstrated unusual structural stability when exposed for 1 h at 37 deg C to chemical treatments such as hydrogen bond-breaking agents, detergents, metal-chelating agents, proteases, and organic solvents. They were stable for 1 h at 37 deg C over the pH range 2.3 to 9.9 and in 1 M HCl and 1 M NaOH. The structural integrity of the spinae was also maintained when spinae were subjected to harsher treatments of autoclaving in 2% (wt/vol) sodium dodecyl sulfate and exposure to dithiothreitol at pH 9 for 1 h at 100 deg C. Partially dissociated spinae were obtained after 5 h at 100 deg C in 1 M HCl and 1 M NaOH. In acid, the tubular spinae became amorphous structures, with no helical striations visible. In alkali, the spinae had dissociated into irregular aggregates of disks. Since both high temperature and extremes of pH were required to achieve partial dissociation of the spinae, the strength of the structure presumably comes from covalent bonding.
Production and pH-Dependent Bactericidal Activity of Lactocin S, a Lantibiotic from Lactobacillus sake L45
Authors: Mortvedt-Abildgaa C I , Nissen-Meyer J , Jelle B , Grenov B , Skaugen M , Nes I F
Published: January 2020

The amount of lactocin S activity in a growing culture depends on the growth stage of the bacteria, the pH of the medium, the presence of ethanol, and the aeration of the culture. We observed the highest levels of bacteriocin activity in the early stationary growth phase of cultures at 30 deg C. When Lactobacillus sake L45 was grown in a fermentor at pH 5, it produced 2,000 to 3,000 bacteriocin units per ml, which represented an 8- to 10-fold increase in bacteriocin production compared with production during batch culture fermentation. Less than 10% of this level of bacteriocin activity was observed during fermentation at pH 6.0. When 1% ethanol was included in the growth medium, a two- to fourfold increase in the bacteriocin yield was observed. Aerating the culture during growth almost completely eliminated the production of active bacteriocin. Our results also showed that lactocin S-mediated killing of target cells depended on the pH of the culture. The pH had to be less than 6 in order to obtain a bactericidal effect with lactocin S-sensitive cells. At pH values greater than 6, lactocin S had no apparent effect on sensitive cells.
Molecular characterization of a gene encoding extracellular serine protease isolated from a subtilisin inhibitor-deficient mutant of Streptomyces albogriseolus S-3253
Authors: Taguchi S , Odaka A , Watanabe Y , Momose H
Published: January 2020

An extracellular serine protease produced by a mutant, M1, derived from Streptomyces albogriseolus S-3253 that no longer produces a protease inhibitor (Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor [SSI]) was isolated. A 20-kDa protein was purified by its affinity for SSI and designated SAM-P20. The amino acid sequence of the amino-terminal region of SAM-P20 revealed high homology with the sequences of Streptomyces griseus proteases A and B, and the gene sequence confirmed the relationships. The sequence also revealed a putative amino acid signal sequence for SAM-P20 that apparently functioned to allow secretion of SAM-P20 from Escherichia coli carrying the recombinant gene. SAM-P20 produced by E. coli cells was shown to be sensitive to SSI inhibition.
Occurrence of arginine deiminase pathway enzymes in arginine catabolism by wine lactic Acid bacteria
Authors: Liu S , Pritchard G G , Hardman M J , Pilone G J
Published: January 2020

l-Arginine, an amino acid found in significant quantities in grape juice and wine, is known to be catabolized by some wine lactic acid bacteria. The correlation between the occurrence of arginine deiminase pathway enzymes and the ability to catabolize arginine was examined in this study. The activities of the three arginine deiminase pathway enzymes, arginine deiminase, ornithine transcarbamylase, and carbamate kinase, were measured in cell extracts of 35 strains of wine lactic acid bacteria. These enzymes were present in all heterofermentative lactobacilli and most leuconostocs but were absent in all the homofermentative lactobacilli and pediococci examined. There was a good correlation among arginine degradation, formation of ammonia and citrulline, and the occurrence of arginine deiminase pathway enzymes. Urea was not detected during arginine degradation, suggesting that the catabolism of arginine did not proceed via the arginase-catalyzed reaction, as has been suggested in some earlier studies. Detection of ammonia with Nessler's reagent was shown to be a simple, rapid test to assess the ability of wine lactic acid bacteria to degrade arginine, although in media containing relatively high concentrations (>0.5%) of fructose, ammonia formation is inhibited.
Molecular cloning and transcriptional analysis of the Aspergillus terreus gla1 gene encoding a glucoamylase
Authors: Ventura L , González-Candelas L , Pérez-González J A , Ramón D
Published: January 2020

The Aspergillus terreus gla1 gene, coding for a glucoamylase, has been cloned by heterologous hybridization. The gene is interrupted by four introns and encodes a protein with an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal starch-binding domain. The expression of the gene is induced by starch and maltose and repressed by glucose.
Effect of inducible thrB expression on amino acid production in Corynebacterium lactofermentum ATCC 21799
Authors: Colón G E , Jetten M S , Nguyen T T , Gubler M E , Follettie M T , Sinskey A J , Stephanopoulos G
Published: January 2020

Amplification of the operon homdr-thrB encoding a feedback-insensitive homoserine dehydrogenase and a wild-type homoserine kinase in a Corynebacterium lactofermentum lysine-producing strain resulted in both homoserine and threonine accumulation, with some residual lysine production. A plasmid enabling separate transcriptional control of each gene was constructed to determine the effect of various enzyme activity ratios on metabolite accumulation. By increasing the activity of homoserine kinase relative to homoserine dehydrogenase activity, homoserine accumulation in the medium was essentially eliminated and the final threonine titer was increased by about 120%. Furthermore, a fortuitous result of the cloning strategy was an unexplained increase in homoserine dehydrogenase activity. This resulted in a further decrease in lysine production along with a concomitant increase in threonine accumulation.
In situ inactivation of animal viruses and a coliphage in nonaerated liquid and semiliquid animal wastes
Authors: Pesaro F , Sorg I , Metzler A
Published: January 2020

The persistence of five animal viruses, representing picorna-, rota-, parvo-, adeno-, and herpesviruses, and the coliphage f2 was determined in the field by exposing the viruses to different animal wastes and by adopting an established filter sandwich technique. This technique allows us to copy the natural state of viruses in the environment, where adsorption onto or incorporation into suspended solids may prolong virus survival. Using filter sandwiches either equipped with porous (15 nm in diameter) or poreless polycarbonate (PC) membranes, it was possible to differentiate between overall virus inactivation and the effect of virucidal agents that act through poreless PC membranes. Depending on ambient temperature, pH, and type of animal waste, values for time, in days, required for a 90% reduction of virus titer varied widely, ranging from less than 1 week for herpesvirus to more than 6 months for rotavirus. Virus inactivation progressed substantially faster in liquid cattle manure, a mixture of urine and water (pH > 8.0), than in semiliquid wastes that consisted of mixtures of feces, urine, water, and bedding materials (pH < 8.0). Hitherto unidentified virucidal agents that permeate poreless PC membranes contributed substantially to the overall inactivation. On the other hand, substances that protect rotavirus and possibly other viruses from inactivation may be present in animal wastes. Together, the study showed that viruses contained in manure may persist for prolonged periods of time if stored under nonaerated conditions. At times of land application, this may lead to environmental contamination with pathogens.
Mechanisms for the development of genetically variable mycorrhizal mycelia in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor
Authors: de la Bastide P Y , Kropp B R , Pich� Y
Published: January 2020

An in vitro study investigated mechanisms for the development of genetically variable mycorrhizal mycelia for Laccaria bicolor. Seedlings of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) grown nonaseptically in an autoclaved soil substrate were given different L. bicolor inoculum treatments. These included (i) a dikaryotic mycelium genotype (D); (ii) D and basidiospores collected from one group of five sporophores (T1); (iii) D and basidiospores collected from 10 sporophores, two from each of five different groups (T5); (iv) T1 alone; (v) T5 alone; and (vi) a noninoculated control. Dikaryotic mycelial inoculum was provided at the time of sowing, while basidiospore inoculum was added at 10 weeks after seed germination. Sporophore formation was induced after 20 weeks of growth, and dikaryotic cultures were isolated from their tissue. Seedlings were harvested, and growth and mycorrhization were assessed. Levels of both were generally lower for T1-treated seedlings, compared with seedlings receiving D, while levels for T5-treated seedlings were intermediate. Sporophore genotype variability was assessed for inoculum treatments by using the isoenzymatic marker leucine aminopeptidase. The greatest genetic variability was seen with the basidiospore treatments T1 and T5, with up to four leucine aminopeptidase patterns per seedling. The mixed treatments D plus T1 and D plus T5 produced most frequently, but not exclusively, the inoculated dikaryon genotype. After isoenzyme results were assessed, variable sporophore isolates of mixed treatments were analyzed with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and PCR mitochondrial DNA markers to determine if they were formed by dikaryon-monokaryon crosses between the inoculated dikaryon and monosporous mycelia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Production and Characterization of Trametes versicolor Mutants Unable To Bleach Hardwood Kraft Pulp
Authors: Addleman K , Dumonceaux T , Paice M G , Bourbonnais R , Archibald F S
Published: January 2020

Protoplasts of the monokaryotic strain 52J of Trametes versicolor were treated with UV light and screened for the inability to produce a colored precipitate on guaiacol-containing agar plates. Mutants unable to oxidize guaiacol had absent or very low secretion of laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) proteins. All isolates unable to secrete MnP were also unable to bleach or delignify kraft pulp. One mutant strain, M49, which grew normally but did not oxidize guaiacol, was tested further with a number of other substrates whose degradation has been associated with delignification by white rot fungi. Compared with the parent, 52J, mutant M49, secreting no MnP and low laccase, could not brighten or delignify kraft pulp, produced less ethylene from 2-keto methiolbutyric acid, released much less (sup14)CO(inf2) from [(sup14)C]DHP (a synthetic lignin-like polymerizate), and produced much less methanol from pulp. This mutant also displayed decreased abilities to oxidize the dyes poly B-411, poly R-478, and phenol red compared with the wild-type strain and was also unable to decolorize kraft bleachery effluent or mineralize its organochlorine. Addition of purified MnP in conjunction with H(inf2)O(inf2), MnSO(inf4), and an Mn(III) chelator to M49 cultures partially restored methanol production, pulp delignification, and biobleaching in some cases.
Sambutoxin-producing isolates of fusarium species and occurrence of sambutoxin in rotten potato tubers
Authors: Kim J , Lee Y , Yu S
Published: January 2020

A total of 50 Fusarium isolates representing 13 species from various sources were surveyed to determine their potential to produce sambutoxin. Sambutoxin production was restricted to Fusarium sambucinum and F. oxysporum, with the exception of one isolate of F. semitectum. Sambutoxin was produced by high percentages of F. sambucinum (80.0%) and F. oxysporum (84.6%) isolates at levels of 1.1 to 101.0 (mu)g/g. In addition, 9 (42.9%) of 21 rotten potato samples were contaminated with sambutoxin at levels of 15.8 to 78.1 ng/g.
Development of a PCR for identification of Naegleria fowleri from the environment
Authors: Kilvington S , Beeching J
Published: January 2020

A species-specific PCR for the identification of Naegleria fowleri was developed. In sensitivity studies, 10 trophozoites or cysts and 1 trophozoite or cyst could be detected after 35 and 45 cycles, respectively. In conjunction with a rapid DNA isolation method, this PCR was used to identify N. fowleri directly from primary cultures of environmental samples.