bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water insecurity potentially undermines dietary diversity of children aged 6–23 months: Evidence from India
Authors: Choudhary Neetu , Schuster Roseanne , Brewis Alexandra , Wutich Amber
Published: January 2020

Dietary diversity is a crucial pathway to child nutrition; lack of diversity may deprive children of critical macro and micronutrients. Though water along with hygiene and sanitation is a known driver of child undernutrition, a more direct role of household water in shaping dietary diversity remains unexplored. Existing literature provides a sound theoretical basis to expect that water could affect dietary diversity among young children. Here, we test the proposition that suboptimal household access to water and low regional water availability associate with lower dietary diversity among young children. Using the nationally representative 2015–2016 India Demographic and Health Survey data, we conducted a probit analysis on the sample of 69,841 children aged 6–23 months to predict the probability that a child achieves minimum standards of dietary diversity (MDD). After controlling for relevant socioeconomic and gender‐related covariates, we found that children in household with suboptimal household water access were two percentage points less likely to achieve MDD, when compared with those from households with optimal water access. Children in high water availability regions had nine percentage points greater probability of achieving MDD compared with children from low water availability regions, accounting for household water access. As dietary diversity is central to nutrition, establishing the role of water access in shaping early childhood dietary diversity broadens the framework on how household material poverty shapes child malnutrition—independent of sanitation and hygiene pathways. This provides additional window for nutrition planning and intervention wherein water‐based strategies can be leveraged in multiple ways.
Role of endothelium‐independent vasodilation in the relationship between visceral adiposity and reduced cognitive performance in older adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Moh Mei Chung , Low Serena , Ng Tze Pin , Ang Keven , Subramaniam Tavintharan , Sum Chee Fang , Kwan Pek Yee , Lee Simon Biing Ming , Tang Wern Ee , Lim Su Chi
Published: January 2020

Objective

In this cross‐sectional analysis, we sought to assess the relationship of adiposity and forearm microvascular reactivity with cognitive dysfunction among older Asians with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Subjects with T2D aged ≥ 55 years were analyzed (N = 907). Cognitive performance was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE). Visceral fat area (VFA) was estimated by tetrapolar multi‐frequency bioimpedance. Forearm microvascular endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDV) and endothelium‐independent vasodilation (EIV) were assessed by laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis.

Results

RBANS total score was correlated with VFA, EDV, and EIV (all P < .05). However, VFA was correlated with EIV, but not with EDV. Multivariable linear regression showed significant association between VFA and RBANS total score (B = −0.02, 95% CI= −0.03 to −0.01) or memory (immediate and delayed) index scores. These associations were attenuated after adjustment for EIV. Mediation analysis showed that EIV partially mediated the relationship between visceral adiposity and RBANS scores (all Sobel tests P < .05). EIV also mediated the relationship between VFA and MMSE score.

Conclusions

Impaired endothelium‐independent vascular smooth muscle reactivity may exert a mediatory effect on the association between increased visceral adiposity and decreased cognitive performance in older adults with T2D.
Inflammation without pain: Immune‐derived opioids hold the key
Authors: Carbone Simona E. , Poole Daniel P.
Published: January 2020

Visceral pain is commonly associated with acute or remitting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In marked contrast, chronic IBD is often painless, even in the presence of active inflammation. This suggests that inflammation in itself is insufficient to sustain altered nociceptive signaling and raises the possibility that there is an endogenous analgesic system in effect in chronic disease. A new study by Basso et al. published in this issue of Neurogastroenterology & Motility provides additional support for an immune‐mediated mechanism that suppresses visceral hypersensitivity. The authors examined visceral pain in the IL‐10‐piroxicam model of chronic colitis, which differs from other experimental IBD models in that it involves immune suppression. During active inflammation, responses by these mice to graded increases in colorectal distension were equivalent to healthy controls, consistent with normal afferent signaling. However, treatment with a peripherally restricted opioid receptor antagonist resulted in marked visceral hypersensitivity to the same stimuli. This effect was attributed to the production of endogenous opioids by colitogenic CD4+ T cells present in the mucosa. This mini‐review provides a brief overview of analgesia by immune‐derived opioids under inflammatory conditions and highlights how the work of Basso et al. contributes to this area of research. Potential pharmacological approaches to harness or mimic this system are provided. These strategies may prove to be an effective means through which targeted and sustained relief of IBD pain may be achieved.
Adipokines: A gear shift in puberty
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Desirée , Pujol‐Gualdo Natàlia , Arnoldussen Ilse A.C. , Kiliaan Amanda J.
Published: January 2020

In this review, we discuss the role of adipokines in the onset of puberty in children with obesity during adrenarche and gonadarche and provide a clear and detailed overview of the biological processes of two major players, leptin and adiponectin. Adipokines, especially leptin and adiponectin, seem to induce an early onset of puberty in girls and boys with obesity by affecting the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis. Moreover, adipokines and their receptors are expressed in the gonads, suggesting a role in sexual maturation and reproduction. All in all, adipokines may be a clue in understanding mechanisms underlying the onset of puberty in childhood obesity and puberty onset variability.
“You're at their mercy”: Older peoples' experiences of moving from home to a care home: A grounded theory study
Authors: O'Neill Marie , Ryan Assumpta , Tracey Anne , Laird Liz
Published: January 2020

Background

Internationally, it is recognised that the transition to a care home environment can be an emotional and stressful occasion for older people and their families. There is a paucity of research that takes into consideration the initial phase of the relocation process, incorporating individuals' experiences of the move.

Aim

To explore individuals' experiences of moving into a care home. This paper has a specific focus on the preplacement (7 days) and immediate postplacement (within 3 days) period of the move to the care home.

Design

A grounded theory method was used to conduct semi‐structured interviews with 23 participants.

Results

Data analysis revealed five distinct categories that captured the experience of the preplacement and immediate postplacement period. These were as follows: (a) inevitability of the move: “I had to come here,” (b) making the move: “Abrupt Departures,” (c) decision‐making and exercising choice: “What can I do, I have no choice,” (d) maintaining identity: “Holding on to self” and (e) maintaining connections: “I like my family to be near.” Together, these five categories formed the basis of the concept “You're at their Mercy” which encapsulates the perceived transition experience of the older people within the study. Participants felt that the move was out of their control and that they were “at the mercy” of others who made decisions about their long‐term care.

Conclusions

Moving to a care home represents a uniquely significant relocation experience for the individual. Key factors influencing the move were the individuals' perceived lack of autonomy in the pre‐ and postrelocating period of moving to a care home. Nurses have a key role to play in working with older people to influence policy and practice around decision‐making, planning and moving to a care home with greater emphasis on autonomy and choice so that older people do not feel “at the mercy” of others as they navigate such a major transition.

Implications for practice

There is a need to standardise approaches and develop person‐centred interventions to support older people considering relocation to a care home and nurses have a key role to play in making this happen.
Aberrant limbic brain structures in young individuals at risk for mental illness
Authors: Nogovitsyn Nikita , Souza Roberto , Muller Meghan , Srajer Amelia , Metzak Paul D. , Hassel Stefanie , Ismail Zahinoor , Protzner Andrea , Bray Signe L. , Lebel Catherine , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Goldstein Benjamin I. , Wang JianLi , Kennedy Sidney H. , Addington Jean , MacQueen Glenda M.
Published: January 2020

Aim

Alterations in limbic structures may be present before the onset of serious mental illness, but whether subfield‐specific limbic brain changes parallel stages in clinical risk is unknown. To address this gap, we compared the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus subfield‐specific volumes in adolescents at various stages of risk for mental illness.

Methods

MRI scans were obtained from 182 participants (aged 12–25 years) from the Canadian Psychiatric Risk and Outcome study. The sample comprised of four groups: asymptomatic youth at risk due to family history of mental illness (Stage 0, n = 32); youth with early symptoms of distress (Stage 1a, n = 41); youth with subthreshold psychotic symptoms (Stage 1b, n = 72); and healthy comparison participants with no family history of serious mental illness (n = 37). Analyses included between‐group comparisons of brain measurements and correlational analyses that aimed to identify significant associations between neuroimaging and clinical measurements. A machine‐learning technique examined the discriminative properties of the clinical staging model.

Results

Subfield‐specific limbic volume deficits were detected at every stage of risk for mental illness. A machine‐learning classifier identified volume deficits within the body of the hippocampus, left amygdala nuclei, and medial‐lateral nuclei of the thalamus that were most informative in differentiating between risk stages.

Conclusion

Aberrant subfield‐specific changes within the limbic system may serve as biological evidence to support transdiagnostic clinical staging in mental illness. Differential patterns of volume deficits characterize those at risk for mental illness and may be indicative of a risk‐stage progression.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals root metabolic alteration and induction of huanglongbing resistance by sulphonamide antibiotics in huanglongbing‐affected citrus plants
Authors: Yang Chuanyu , Powell Charles A. , Duan Yongping , Ancona Veronica , Huang Junyuan , Zhang Muqing
Published: January 2020

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease that affects the entire citrus plant, including the root system. Previous studies have shown that sulphonamide antibiotics can suppress titres of the pathogen that causes HLB, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas), and affect root morphology in the plant through unknown mechanisms. To better understand the response of CLas‐infected roots to sulphonamide antibiotics, hydroponic cultures of CLas‐infected citrus roots were treated with sulfadimethoxine sodium (SDX), indole butyric acid (IBA), or water for 60 days to evaluate root metabolism and resistance against CLas via transcriptomic analysis. This study indicated that SDX and IBA treatments increased active root surface area in HLB‐affected citrus, which may be due to root hair and lateral root growth. CLas titres in HLB‐affected citrus roots treated with SDX were lower than those of IBA and control treatments. Function categorization indicated that plant hormone signal transduction and plant–pathogen interaction were the most markedly enriched pathways in the HLB‐affected citrus root after SDX treatment. The expression of genes involved in biosynthesis of auxin and ethylene, which are related to root hair and lateral root growth, were up‐regulated by SDX. Moreover, SDX also induced genes related to the metabolism of jasmonates, brassinosteroids, reactive oxygen species, and secondary metabolites, which are beneficial for resistance against HLB. In conclusion, we propose a model for SDX in regulating metabolic pathways in the root and resistance against CLas in HLB‐affected citrus root, which is beneficial for recovering an HLB‐affected citrus root system and combating CLas.
Judicial review of regulatory decisions: Decoding the contents of appeals against agencies in Spain and the United Kingdom
Authors: Mejía Luis E.
Published: January 2020

Despite the important role that courts play to supervise the legality of regulatory agencies' actions, only few comparative studies analyze the contents of judicial appeals against regulatory decisions within European countries. This paper builds on the comparative administrative law scholarship and administrative capacities literature to analyze the content of 2,040 rulings against decisions issued by competition and telecommunications regulators in Spain and the United Kingdom. To understand the substance of the appeals, the study classifies cases according to the alleged administrative principles under breach and the regulatory capacities under challenge. Findings show a clear country‐sector variation regarding the information contained in judicial disputes for both dimensions of analysis, which can be explained as a result of existing differences between the institutional settings of courts. These results offer a more in depth understanding of the political role of judicial oversight over regulatory agencies embedded in different institutional arrangements and policy sectors.
Patient involvement in surgical care–Healthcare personnel views and behaviour regarding patient involvement
Authors: Andersson Åsa , Vilhelmsson Mattias , Fomichov Victoria , Lindhoff Larsson Anna , Björnsson Bergthor , Sandström Per , Drott Jenny
Published: January 2020

Background

All professions in surgical care have a responsibility to include patients in their health care. By Swedish law, all care should be done in dialogue with the patient. The essential part of health care is the meeting between patient and healthcare professional. In the interaction, a decision can be made, and needs can be identified to a safer care. Previous studies on patient participation have focussed on patients' perspectives in surgical care, but there is a paucity of studies about the personnel’s perspective of estimated patient involvement in surgical care.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify and describe healthcare personnel’s view and behaviour regarding patient involvement in surgical care.

Method

A quantitative study with various professions was conducted. A validated questionnaire was used, remaining questions grouped under following areas: patient involvement, acute phase, hospital time, discharge phase and questions on employment and workplace.

Results

A total of 140 questionnaires were sent out to a surgical clinic in Sweden, and 102 questionnaires were answered. All professionals stated that clear information is an important part of patient involvement in surgical care. Statistically significant differences existed between the professions in the subscale information. Physicians rated their information higher than the Registered Nurses (p = 0.005) and the practical nurses did (p = 0.001). Hindrances to involving patients were lack of time and other priority tasks.

Conclusions

Professionals in surgical care graded information to be the most important thing for patient involvement. Participation in important decisions, including the possibility to express personal views and ask questions, is important factors for patient involvement. Barriers against patient involvement are lack of time and prioritisation of other work activities.
Exercise training attenuates angiotensin II‐induced vasoconstriction in the aorta of normotensive but not hypertensive rats
Authors: Oliveira Priscila Ramos de , Oliveira Priscilla Bianca de , Rossignoli Patrícia de Souza , Spadella Maria Angélica , Chies Agnaldo Bruno
Published: January 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the effects of exercise on Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction in aortas of normotensive rats and how do these effects occur in two‐kidney–one‐clip hypertensive animals?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In two‐kidney rats, exercise training improves the Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction by endothelium‐derived NO released through AT2R activation. This effect of exercise training on the Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction is blunted in two‐kidney–one‐clip hypertensive animals, possibly as a consequence of oxidative stress.

This study investigated the effects of both acute exercise and training on the Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction in aorta of normotensive (two‐kidney; 2K) and two‐kidney–one‐clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats, focusing on endothelial mechanisms related to nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids. Aorta rings of 2K and 2K1C male Wistar rats, sedentary and trained, killed at rest and after acute exercise, were challenged with Ang II in either the absence or the presence of PD 123,319, a selective angiotensin receptor subtype 2 (AT2R) antagonist; Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), a non‐selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase; indomethacin, a non‐selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase; or Tiron, an analogue of superoxide dismutase. Aortas of sedentary and trained animals studied at rest were also submitted to histomorphometric analysis. Exercise training reduced the Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction in aorta of 2K but not of 2K1C animals. This reduction of Ang II response in aortas of 2K animals was not found after endothelial removal or treatment with PD 123,319 or l‐NAME. These results suggest that exercise training improves the modulation of Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction in aorta of 2K animals, by endothelium‐derived NO released due to the activation of AT2R. No exercise‐induced change of Ang II response occurred in 2K1C animals, except in the presence of Tiron, which was evidence for reduction of such responses only in resting trained 2K1C animals. In 2K1C animals, NO modulation of Ang II‐induced vasoconstriction might be suppressed by local oxidative stress. Moreover, exercise training slightly reduced the media layer thickness in the aortas of the 2K1C, but not 2K animals, which may indicate cardiovascular protection of these animals.
The Effect of Aspect Ratio on Wall Pressure Fluctuations at a Wing-Plate Junction
Authors: Awasthi M. , Rowlands J. , Moreau D. J. , Doolan C. J.
Published: January 2020

Measurements of the wall pressure fluctuations near a wing-plate junction were made for wings with three different aspect ratios (AR) of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 at several angles of attack. The chord-based Reynolds number for each wing was 274,000. The results show that the wall pressure fluctuations are a function of wing AR for cases where AR≤ 1.0. For each wing, the pressure fluctuations are highest upstream of the wing leading-edge due to three-dimensional flow separation; wings with AR = 1.0 and 0.5 show comparable levels, while those with AR = 0.2 show lower fluctuation levels over a wide frequency range. Downstream of the leading-edge, the pressure fluctuations decay rapidly on both sides of the wing until the maximum thickness location after which little variation is observed. The pressure fluctuations downstream of the leading-edge on the suction-side were observed to be comparable for AR = 0.2 and 0.5, while those for AR = 1.0 were higher in magnitude. On the pressure-side, the pressure fluctuations near the leading-edge are a weak function of AR; however, those further downstream remain independent of AR. The pressure fluctuations aft of the wing on the suction-side are more coherent for lower ARs and show higher convection velocity, possibly due to an interaction between the tip and the junction flows for lower ARs.
Adaptive reweighting homotopy algorithm based compressive spherical beamforming with spherical microphone arrays
Authors: Yin Shijia , Chu Zhigang , Zhang Yongxiang , Liu Yanli
Published: January 2020

Compressive spherical beamforming (CSB) with spherical microphone arrays enjoys high spatial resolution and strong sidelobes suppression at medium to high frequencies. In this paper, the adaptive reweighting homotopy (ARH) algorithm is adapted to CSB, and the proposed method is abbreviated as ARH-CSB, which bypasses a priori signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation. ARH-CSB iteratively solves the CSB model by determining the support set and adaptively searching for weights while estimating the source strength. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that ARH-CSB can effectively identify acoustic sources. Furthermore, compared to CSB solved by ℓ1-norm minimization algorithm and iterative reweighted ℓ1-norm minimization algorithm, ARH-CSB does not depend on a priori SNR and has better adaptability to low SNR, stronger robustness, higher weak sources quantification accuracy, and faster computation speed.
Sociophonetic trends in studies of Southern U.S. English
Authors: Thomas Erik R.
Published: January 2020

Although the U.S. South was usually avoided for phonetic studies in earlier years, phonetic analyses of Southern U.S. English have expanded in numerous directions in recent years. Studies of vocalic variation have dominated the enterprise, with a broad range of studies that have examined the phonetic peculiarities and distribution of variants within the region, the characteristics of particular communities, and the phonetic attributes of African American and Latino groups. However, other phonetic phenomena are finally seeing more study. Several consonantal variables have attracted acoustic analysis. Other studies have focused on intonation and certain timing-related phenomena. Numerous experimental studies have tested the abilities of listeners to identify dialects and a few other perceptual issues. These developments are outlined here, including advancements in segmental, prosodic, and perceptual analyses.
Modeling dynamic trajectories of front vowels in the American South
Authors: Renwick Margaret E. L. , Stanley Joseph A.
Published: January 2020

Regional variation in American English speech is often described in terms of shifts, indicating which vowel sounds are converging or diverging. In the U.S. South, the Southern vowel shift (SVS) and African American vowel shift (AAVS) affect not only vowels' relative positions but also their formant dynamics. Static characterizations of shifting, with a single pair of first and second formant values taken near vowels' midpoint, fail to capture this vowel-inherent spectral change, which can indicate dialect-specific diphthongization or monophthongization. Vowel-inherent spectral change is directly modeled to investigate how trajectories of front vowels /i eɪ ɪ ɛ/ differ across social groups in the 64-speaker Digital Archive of Southern Speech. Generalized additive mixed models are used to test the effects of two social factors, sex and ethnicity, on trajectory shape. All vowels studied show significant differences between men, women, African American and European American speakers. Results show strong overlap between the trajectories of /eɪ, ɛ/ particularly among European American women, consistent with the SVS, and greater vowel-inherent raising of /ɪ/ among African American speakers, indicating how that lax vowel is affected by the AAVS. Model predictions of duration additionally indicate that across groups, trajectories become more peripheral as vowel duration increases.
Transient solutions for the angular dependence of acoustical transmitters and receivers employing paraboloidal reflectors
Authors: Cormack John M. , Hamilton Mark F.
Published: January 2020

Time-domain solutions are presented for the angular dependence of waveforms in the far field of a point source at the focus of a rigid paraboloidal reflector, and also for waveforms at the focus as a function of the direction of a plane wave incident on the reflector. The main restriction is that the wavelength is small in relation to both the radius of the aperture and the minimum radius of curvature of the reflector, conditions which are satisfied for reflectors with appreciable gain. The solution in the far field due to a point source at the focus is related by the principle of reciprocity to the solution at the focus due to an incident plane wave. Both solutions are expressed as the convolution of an explicit expression for the unit step response with the time derivative of the pressure waveform incident on the reflector. Results are presented illustrating the angular dependence of the reflected pressure waveforms at the focus due to incident N waves and tone bursts.
Dong speakers outperform Mandarin speakers in behavioral pitch discrimination
Authors: Hu Axu , Wang Menghuan , Li Yonghong , Tang Qiaojuan , Gu Feng
Published: January 2020

Tonal language speakers outperform non-tonal language speakers in behavioral pitch discrimination. Because the tone system differs in complexity across different tonal languages, it is unknown whether pitch discrimination differs across individuals speaking different tonal languages. There are nine tones in Dong but only four in Mandarin. This study investigates whether behavioral pitch discrimination is superior in Dong speakers compared to Mandarin speakers. Behavioral pitch discrimination was indexed by difference limens measured using pure tones and harmonic tones. The results indicate that Dong speakers outperformed Mandarin speakers in pitch discrimination tasks.
Acoustic spatial patterns recognition based on convolutional neural network and acoustic visualization
Authors: Wu Haijun , Wei Xinyue , Zha Yang , Jiang Weikang
Published: January 2020

In this work, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is applied to recognize acoustic spatial patterns with the aid of acoustic visualization. The acoustic spatial patterns are obtained by the singular value decomposition of an acoustic radiation operator built with the boundary integral equation. It is to explore the powerful capability of the CNN in the image processing by analogously rendering the measured acoustic spatial patterns into images. Due to practical limitations, a higher resolution of an acoustic image is achieved by interpolating the pressure on a coarse grid. Steady-state analysis of acoustic problems is a complex domain problem. The acoustic fields are then supplied into a CNN scheme as two-channel data which are real and imaginary components of the pressure. Random noises and incident waves with varying energy are added to the measured data to simulate influences from uncorrelated and correlated noises, respectively. It is demonstrated that once the CNN scheme is built and trained with adequate data, which is numerically synthesized, the patterns can be more accurately and robustly recognized by comparing it with the cross-correlation based methods. The hierarchical feature representative as well as nonlinear perception makes the proposed method a promising approach for fault diagnosis and condition monitoring based on spatial acoustic measurements.
The Multidisciplinary Process Leading to Return From Underperformance and Sustainable Success in the World’s Best Cross-Country Skier
Authors: Solli Guro Strøm , Tønnessen Espen , Sandbakk Øyvind
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with underperformance and the subsequent changes in training characteristics and supportive actions when returning to the world’s best cross-country skier. Methods: The participant is the most decorated winter Olympian, with 8 Olympic gold medals, 18 World Championship titles, and 114 World Cup victories. Training data were categorized by training form (endurance, strength, and speed); intensity (low, moderate, and high); and mode (running, cycling, and skiing/roller skiing). In addition, test data were retrospectively analyzed, and interviews were performed with the participant and her support team. Results: After the competitive season, the participant had 8 weeks without systematic training and an evaluation process aiming to detect the factors contributing to underperformance. Here physiological, technical, and psychological challenges were detected. As a consequence, the participant included less high-intensity training (1.2 vs 2.1 sessions/wk, P = .011); more moderate-intensity training (0.9 vs 0.4 sessions/wk, P = .016); and more low-intensity training (6.9 vs 5.9 sessions/wk, P = .036) during the general preparation phase but with similar total endurance training load as previous season. In addition, more strength training (1.6 vs 1.1 h/wk, P = .036) and new ski-specific strength exercises were included. Finally, the athlete’s autonomy when planning and adjusting training was increased, nontraining stressors were reduced, more frequent testing was included, systematic mental training was initiated, her nutritional strategy was adjusted, and her asthma treatment was optimized. Conclusions: Overall, the current case study could be used as a framework for the holistic approach to treating an overtraining condition and for generation of new hypothesis in this exiting area.
Role Commitment and Acceptance in a Sport Context
Authors: Eys Mark , Beauchamp Mark R. , Godfrey Michael , Dawson Kim , Loughead Todd M. , Schinke Robert J.
Published: January 2020

The objectives of this study were to (a) develop a conceptualization of role acceptance, later situated within the broader concept of role commitment, pertinent to the sport environment; (b) develop a measure integrating direct perceptions of role commitment and the bases of this variable; and (c) determine if role commitment could predict athletes’ intentions to return. To accomplish these objectives, multiple methods were used across 4 projects that leveraged the extant literature on acceptance and commitment perceptions from sport and organizational psychology, engaged athletes in focus groups in a think-aloud protocol, and obtained responses on iterative versions of a new role-commitment questionnaire from over 700 athletes from a variety of competitive and developmental levels. Overall, this approach captured the bases of role commitment (affective, normative, and continuance perspectives), as well as direct perceptions of role commitment, and demonstrated an important link to intentions to return to sport.
Africans, too, carry Neanderthal genetic legacy
Authors: Price Michael
Published: January 2020

Ancient Europeans took Neanderthal DNA back to Africa.
Europe's lost frontier
Authors: Curry Andrew
Published: January 2020

Aided by dedicated amateurs and new methods, scientists reconstruct a now-submerged ancient landscape—and the people who lived there.
AAAS Kavli Awards: 75 years of top science journalism
Authors: Jarvis Michaela
Published: January 2020

Evolution of the program accurately reflected changes in reporting and the world
Local D2- to D1-neuron transmodulation updates goal-directed learning in the striatum
Authors: Matamales Miriam , McGovern Alice E. , Mi Jia Dai , Mazzone Stuart B. , Balleine Bernard W. , Bertran-Gonzalez Jesus
Published: January 2020

A learning mechanism in the striatum

An intriguing characteristic of the striatum is the random spatial distribution and high degree of intermingling between expression of dopamine receptor types 1 (D1) and 2 (D2) within striatal projection neurons (SPNs). The resulting highly entropic mosaic extends through a homogeneous space and is mostly devoid of histological boundaries. The rules established locally by D1- and D2-expressing SPNs (D1-SPNs and D2-SPNs) are thus likely critical in defining how functional territories develop throughout the striatum. Matamales
et al.
found that activated D2-SPNs access and modify developing behavioral programs encoded by regionally defined ensembles of transcriptionally active D1-SPNs. This process is slow because it depends on the molecular integration of additive neuro-modulatory signals. However, with time, it creates the regional functional boundaries that are necessary to identify and shape specific learning in the striatum.

Science
, this issue p.
549
Profits, prejudice, and plant patents
The Scientist and the Spy: A True Story of China, the FBI, and Industrial Espionage
Mara Hvistendahl
Riverhead Books, 2020. 331 pp.
Authors: Curry Helen Anne
Published: January 2020

A journalist investigates a surprising act of espionage
Monitoring neuronal health
Authors: Nimmerjahn Axel
Published: January 2020

A multiscale imaging approach reveals a neuroimmune communication pathway
A microbiome silver bullet for honey bees
Authors: Paxton Robert J.
Published: January 2020

A genetically engineered honey bee gut bacterium knocks down two major bee threats
Activity of a Long-Acting Echinocandin, Rezafungin, and Comparator Antifungal Agents Tested against Contemporary Invasive Fungal Isolates (SENTRY Program, 2016 to 2018)
Authors: Pfaller Michael A. , Carvalhaes Cecilia , Messer Shawn A. , Rhomberg Paul R. , Castanheira Mariana
Published: January 2020

We evaluated the activity of rezafungin and comparators, using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution methods, against a worldwide collection of 2,205 invasive fungal isolates recovered from 2016 to 2018.
Candida
(
n
 = 1,904 isolates; 6 species),
Cryptococcus neoformans
(
n
 = 73),
Aspergillus fumigatus
(
n
 = 183), and
Aspergillus flavus
(
n
 = 45) isolates were tested for their susceptibility (S) to rezafungin as well as the comparators caspofungin, anidulafungin, micafungin, and azoles.
A non–plate tectonic model for the Eoarchean Isua supracrustal belt
Authors: Webb A. Alexander G. , Müller Thomas , Zuo Jiawei , Haproff Peter J. , Ramírez-Salazar Anthony
Published: January 2020

The ca. 3.8–3.6-b.y.-old Isua supracrustal belt of SW Greenland is Earth’s only site older than 3.2 Ga that is exclusively interpreted via plate-tectonic theory. The belt is divided into ca. 3.8 Ga and ca. 3.7 Ga halves, and these are interpreted as plate fragments that collided by ca. 3.6 Ga. However, such models are based on idiosyncratic interpretations of field observations and U-Pb zircon data, resulting in intricate, conflicting stratigraphic and structural interpretations. We reanalyzed published geochronological work and associated field constraints previously interpreted to show multiple plate-tectonic events and conducted field-based exploration of metamorphic and structural gradients previously interpreted to show heterogeneities recording plate-tectonic processes. Simpler interpretations are viable, i.e., the belt may have experienced nearly homogeneous metamorphic conditions and strain during a single deformation event prior to intrusion of ca. 3.5 Ga mafic dikes. Curtain and sheath folds occur at multiple scales throughout the belt, with the entire belt potentially representing Earth’s largest a-type fold. Integrating these findings, we present a new model in which two cycles of volcanic burial and resultant melting and tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) intrusion produced first the ca. 3.8 Ga rocks and then the overlying ca. 3.7 Ga rocks, after which the whole belt was deformed and thinned in a shear zone, producing the multiscale a-type folding patterns. The Eoarchean assembly of the Isua supracrustal belt is therefore most simply explained by vertical stacking of volcanic and intrusive rocks followed by a single shearing event. In combination with well-preserved Paleoarchean terranes, these rocks record the waning downward advection of lithosphere inherent in volcanism-dominated heat-pipe tectonic models for early Earth. These interpretations are consistent with recent findings that early crust-mantle dynamics are remarkably similar across the solar system’s terrestrial bodies.
Torsion of undescended abdominal testicle in a 16-year-old and its management
Authors: Malik Muhamamd Isfandyar Khan , Abbas Joshua , Sabri Shariq , Michael George , Ellenbogen Simon
Published: January 2020

A 16-year-old boy attended the Emergency Department with sudden severe right iliac fossa pain and associated vomiting. He denied any urinary symptoms, diarrhoea or testicular pain. On examination, he had a locally tender right iliac fossa with guarding. External genitalia and testicular examination revealed an absent right testicle, the left testicle was not tender. The patient was haemodynamically stable. A clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis and possible testicular torsion was made and the patient sent for an urgent diagnostic laparoscopy. At laparoscopy, the patient was found to have a torted, non-viable right-sided testicle in the abdominal cavity. On discussion with urology, a decision was made to excise the torted testicle as it was atrophic and had significant malignant potential. The appendix was normal. The patient made an unremarkable recovery and was discharged.
Effectiveness of an e-health tennis-specific injury prevention programme: randomised controlled trial in adult recreational tennis players
Authors: Pas Haiko Ivo Maria Franciscus Lodewijk , Pluim Babette M , Kilic Ozgur , Verhagen Evert , Gouttebarge Vincent , Holman Rebecca , Moen Maarten H , Kerkhoffs Gino M , Tol Johannes L
Published: January 2020

Background

Despite reported injury rates of up to 3 per 1000 hours exposure, there are no evidence-based prevention programmes in tennis.

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of an e-health prevention programme for reducing tennis injury prevalence.

Study design

Two-arm, researcher-blinded randomised controlled trial.

Methods

Adult tennis players of all playing levels were randomised in an unsupervised programme lasting 12 weeks (TennisReady group or control group). The primary outcome was the overall injury prevalence over a 16-week period, measured at 2 weekly intervals with the Oslo Sports and Trauma Research Centre questionnaire. Estimates for the primary outcome and associated 95% CIs were obtained using generalised estimating equation models. Secondary outcome scores included prevalence of substantial injuries, overall incidence, adherence and time-loss injuries.

Results

A total of 579 (83%) (TennisReady n=286, control n=293) participants were included in the primary analysis. The mean injury prevalence was 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%) in the TennisReady vs 38% (95% CI 34% to 42%) in the control group (adjusted p-value 0.93). The prevalence of substantial injuries was 11% (95% CI 9% to 14%) in the TennisReady vs 12% (95% CI 9% to 15%) in the control group (p value of 0.79). Analysis of the secondary outcome scores showed no difference between groups. The mean prevalence rates between high (8%) and low (92%) adherent groups were 32% (95% CI 23% to 44%) and 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%), respectively (p value 0.36).

Conclusion

Providing an unsupervised e-health tennis-specific exercise programme did not reduce the injury rates and should not be implemented.

Trial registration number

NTR6443.
Prehospital epidemiology and management of injured children in Kigali, Rwanda
Authors: Dworkin Myles , Nsengimana Vizir , Rosenberg Ashley , Scott John , Riviello Robert , Krebs Elizabeth , Umuhoza Christian , Ntaganda Edmond , Uwitonze Jean Marie , Kabagema Ignace , Dushime Theophile , Jayaraman Sudha
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Paediatric injuries are a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide, yet little information exists regarding its epidemiology or prehospital management in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to describe the paediatric injuries seen and managed by the prehospital ambulance service, Service d’Aide Medicale d’Urgence (SAMU), in Kigali, Rwanda over more than 3 years.

Methods

A retrospective, descriptive analysis was conducted of all injured children managed by SAMU in the prehospital setting between December 2012 and April 2016.

Results

SAMU responded to a total of 636 injured children, 10% of all patients seen. The incidence of paediatric injury in Kigali, Rwanda was 140 injuries per 100 000 children. 65% were male and the average age 13.5 (±5.3). Most patients were between 15 and 19 years old (56%). The most common causes of injuries were road traffic incidents (RTIs) (447, 72%), falls (70, 11%) and assaults (50, 8%). Most RTIs involved pedestrians (251, 56%), while 15% (65) involved a bicycle. Anatomical injuries included trauma to the head (330, 52%), lower limb (280, 44%) and upper limb (179, 28%). Common interventions included provision of pain medications (445, 70%), intravenous fluids (217, 34%) and stabilisation with cervical collar (190, 30%).

Conclusion

In Kigali, RTIs were the most frequent cause of injuries to children requiring prehospital response with most RTIs involving pedestrians. Rwanda has recently instituted several programmes to reduce the impact of paediatric injuries especially with regard to RTIs. These include changes in traffic laws and increased road safety initiatives.
Biological mechanisms and individual variation in fibrinolysis after major trauma
Authors: Coats Timothy J , Morsy Mohamed
Published: January 2020

Objective

To understand more about the individual variation in the time course of fibrinolysis following major injury and to assess the potential for stratification of trauma patients for tranexamic acid (TXA) therapy.

Methods

A historical dataset (from 2004) was used, consisting of samples from 52 injured patients attended by a medical prehospital system. Blood samples were taken at the incident scene, on arrival in the emergency department, 2.5 hours after hospital arrival and 5 hours after hospital arrival. From the study database, we extracted values for tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA; an activator of fibrinolysis), one of the plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1; as a natural inhibitor of fibrinolysis) and D-dimer (as a marker of the extent of fibrinolysis).

Results

The changes over time in median tPA and PAI-1 were mirror images, with initial high tPA levels which then rapidly decreased and low initial PAI-1 levels which slowly increased. There were high levels of fibrinolytic activity (D-dimer) throughout. This pattern was present in patients across a broad range of injury severities.

Conclusions

After major trauma, there seems to be an early ‘antifibrinolytic gap’ with the natural antifibrinolytic system lagging several hours behind the natural profibrinolytics. An early dose of exogenous antifibrinolytic (TXA) might have its effect by filling this gap. The finding that tPA and subsequent clot breakdown (illustrated by D-dimer formation) are raised in a broad range of patients, with little correlation between the initial fibrinolytic response and markers of injury severity, may be the reason that TXA is effective across a broad range of injured patients.
Thromboelastography Parameters in Italian Pregnant Women: Do Antithrombotic Drugs Change Reference Values?
Authors: Tiscia Giovanni Luca , De Laurenzo Antonio , Cappucci Filomena , Favuzzi Giovanni , Chinni Elena , Vaira Pasquale , Ostuni Angelo , Margaglione Maurizio , Grandone Elvira
Published: January 2020

This study was carried out to explore hemostasis modifications occurring in pregnant women and thromboelastography profiles in those taking antithrombotic drugs. An exploratory study was carried out in the period from March 2017 to May 2018. Caucasian women from Southern Italy were recruited during a routine obstetric assessment. Participants were divided into four groups: T1 (gestational week <14 weeks), T2 (14-28 weeks), T3 (29-42 weeks) and T4 in the postpartum period. We investigated thromboelastography profile in 19 and 5 women administered with low-molecular-weight heparin or low-dose aspirin, respectively. “MA” value observed in the T1 group was significantly greater than that observed in the T3 and the T4 groups, while “K” in the T1 group was significantly longer than that in the T3 and the T4 groups, indicating a gradual development of a prothrombotic state (in all cases Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.05). Significant differences within “R” were observed between the T2 and the T3 and between the T3 and the T4 (“R” parameter) (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.05). “LY30” parameter resulted to be significantly higher in the T1 group (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.01) compared with the T4 one, indicating fibrinolysis decreases throughout pregnancy and until post partum. No significant variations were found in women administered with prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin. Significantly higher fibrinolysis (p<0.01) was observed for “LY30” parameter in women taking low-dose aspirin versus women not taking any treatments. Our data contribute to better interpret thromboelastography profile in the context of peripartum complications, which are often unpredictable and need prompt therapies.
Lessons from Frankenstein 200 years on: brain organoids, chimaeras and other ‘monsters’
Authors: Koplin Julian , Massie John
Published: January 2020

Mary Shelley’sFrankensteinhas captured the public imagination ever since it was first published over 200 years ago. While the narrative reflected 19th-century anxieties about the emerging scientific revolution, it also suggested some clear moral lessons that remain relevant today. In a sense,Frankensteinwas a work of bioethics written a century and a half before the discipline came to exist. This paper revisits the lessons ofFrankensteinregarding the creation and manipulation of life in the light of recent developments in stem cell and neurobiological research. It argues that these lessons are becoming more relevant than ever.
Does cryoneurolysis result in persistent motor deficits? A controlled study using a rat peroneal nerve injury model
Authors: Shah Sameer B , Bremner Shannon , Esparza Mary , Dorn Shanelle , Orozco Elisabeth , Haghshenas Cameron , Ilfeld Brian M , Gabriel Rodney A , Ward Samuel
Published: January 2020

Background

Cryoneurolysis of peripheral nerves uses localised intense cold to induce a prolonged block over multiple weeks that has the promise of providing potent analgesia outlasting the duration of postoperative pain following surgery, as well as treat other acute and chronic pain states. However, it remains unclear whether persistent functional motor deficits remain following cryoneurolysis of mixed sensorimotor peripheral nerves, greatly limiting clinical application of this modality. To help inform future research, we used a rat peroneal nerve injury model to evaluate if cryoneurolysis results in persistent deficits in motor function.

Methods

Male Lewis rats (n=30) had their common peroneal nerves exposed bilaterally at the proximal lateral margin of the knee and subsequently underwent cryoneurolysis on one limb and sham treatment on the contralateral limb. Outcomes were evaluated on days 3, 14, 30, 90 and 180. The primary end point was motor function, based on ankle dorsiflexion torque. In addition, sensory function was tested based on von Frey’s filament sensitivity to the peroneal sensory distribution. A subset of animals was sacrificed following functional testing at each time point, and general tissue morphology, connective tissue deposition, and axon counts were evaluated.

Results

Motor deficits in treated limbs were observed at 3 and 14 days but had resolved at time points beyond 1 month. Bilateral sensory deficits were also observed at 3 and 14 days, and also resolved within 1 month. Consistent with motor functional deficits, axon counts trended lower in treated nerves compared with contralateral controls at 3 days; however, axon counts were not significantly different at later time points.

Conclusions

When applied to a mixed sensorimotor nerve, cryoneurolysis did not result in persistent motor deficits.