bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Less than human: dehumanisation of people who use heroin
Authors: Sumnall Harry , Atkinson Amanda , Gage Suzanne , Hamilton Ian , Montgomery Catharine
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Stigma reduction is an important public health challenge because of the large morbidity and mortality associated with some forms of substance use. Extreme stigma can lead to dehumanisation of target groups, who are ascribed with lesser humanity. The authors examined whether there was blatant and subtle dehumanisation of people who use heroin, and if these were associated with levels of support for non-discriminatory drug policy.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional online study using a UK convenience sample (n = 307 [75.2% female, mean age 28.6 ± 12.2 years]) was conducted. Participants completed assessments of blatant (Ascent of Humans [AoH] scale) and subtle (an emotion attribution task) dehumanisation and a bespoke measure assessing support for non-discriminatory drug policies. Other measures controlled for stigma towards people who use drugs (PWUD) and moral disgust.

Findings

There was greater blatant dehumanisation of people who used heroin compared to the general population and other potentially stigmatised reference groups, including people who use cannabis. The authors also found evidence of subtle dehumanisation, and people who used heroin were rated as being less likely to feel uniquely human emotions, less likely to feel positive emotions and more likely to feel negative emotions. Blatant dehumanisation was associated with significantly lower probability of support for non-discriminatory drug policy.

Social implications

Dehumanisation may present significant challenges for stigma reduction initiatives and in fostering public support for drug policy and treatment. Denial of the humanity of this group could be used to justify discriminatory policies or relative deprioritisation of support services in funding decisions. Activities that seek to “rehumanise” PWUD, including social inclusion, and encouraging compassionate media representations that portray the lived experiences of substance use may be useful areas of future work.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate blatant and subtle dehumanisation of people who use heroin, and how this relates to public support for drug policy.
How social enterprises gain cognitive legitimacy in the post-pandemic period? Social welfare logic and digital transformation
Authors: Aisaiti Gulizhaer , Liang Ling , Liu Luhao , Xie Jiaping , Zhang Tingting
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a social enterprise legitimation mechanism by combining the established logic and transformational logic to test the validity of the conceptual model.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct the theoretical framework based on integrating organizational identity theory, attention-based view and collected 128 social enterprises data during the post-pandemic period in China. The authors applied multiple hierarchical regression analysis and mediation analysis to test the research hypothesis.

Findings

The results show that strong organizational identity contributes significantly to the cognitive legitimacy of social enterprise. Besides, we found that social welfare logic and digital transformation can positively mediate the correlation between organizational identity and cognitive legitimacy.

Practical implications

Social enterprises enhance legitimacy significantly by social welfare logic comparing with commercial logic, which indicates that social enterprises should allocate more internal resources and attention to present the organization's social value through various distributions. More importantly, social enterprises should embrace digital transformation to enhance transparency and efficiency, decrease transaction costs, enlarge organizational social impact to strengthen cognitive legitimacy.

Originality/value

The paper first proposed and empirically tested that digital transformation is an important mechanism to enhance the social enterprise's cognitive legitimacy.
Mixing of tree species is especially beneficial for biodiversity in fragmented landscapes, without compromising forest functioning
Authors: Hertzog Lionel R. , Vandegehuchte Martijn L. , Dekeukeleire Daan , Dekoninck Wouter , de Smedt Pallieter , van Schrojenstein Lantman Irene , Proesmans Willem , Baeten Lander , Bonte Dries , Martel An , Verheyen Kris , Lens Luc
Published: September 2021

Contemporary forest management strives to satisfy contrasting demands on forest ecosystems by promoting multiple ecosystem services. These services are affected in varied manners by alternative management actions operating at local or landscape scales, potentially leading to trade‐offs and synergies that may impede or encourage forest managers to change practices.

We here studied ecosystem functions and biodiversity across trophic levels in 53 mature forest plots varying in stand‐level (tree species composition) and landscape‐level (degree of fragmentation) characteristics. The consequences of tree species composition and forest fragmentation for the provision of forest ecosystem services were explored using desirability scores, contrasting two different perspectives on forest management: a conservationist perspective placing more value on biodiversity conservation and a productivist perspective attaching more value to timber production and natural forest regeneration. These scores were derived at two spatial scales distinguishing between ecosystem functions and forest biodiversity.

We show that more than two thirds of the 20 trade‐offs and synergies between functions and diversity variables were driven by variation in tree species composition and fragmentation. While multifunctionality depended on the forest management perspective at the stand level, this dependence was no longer apparent at the landscape scale. Interestingly, more strongly fragmented landscapes had higher landscape‐level multifunctionality, but this came at the expense of biodiversity across trophic levels. At the same time, mixed forest stands had higher levels of biodiversity than monocultures without affecting multifunctionality.

Synthesis and applications. In monocultures, it depends on the management perspective as to which tree species best maximizes multifunctionality. However, diversifying stands resolves this potential tension between different perspectives; in mixtures the level of multifunctionality no longer depended on the management perspective and similar levels were reached compared to the monocultures. Tree species mixtures also maximized biodiversity across trophic levels. Diversifying forest stands thus represents a promising management strategy that resolves potential trade‐offs between functioning and biodiversity.
Long‐term efficacy and complications of a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing retropubic and transobturator mid‐urethral slings: a prospective observational study
Authors: Offiah I , Freeman R ,   for the MONARC™ study group
Published: September 2021

Objective

There are concerns regarding the risks of mid‐urethral slings (MUS) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), particularly because of the lack of long‐term data. We compare patient‐reported outcomes of a multicentre randomised controlled trial of retropubic (TVT, GYNECARE™) versus transobturator (TOT, MONARC™) tape surgery at 12 years.

Design and setting

A multicentre study was performed in 11 tertiary referral centres.

Population

A cohort of 180 participants from the original trial, the majority of whom had mixed urinary incontinence.

Methods

Postal questionnaire survey of patient‐reported outcome measures using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire (PGI‐I) and a numeric rating scale pain questionnaire.

Main outcome measures

Comparison of the efficacy and complications between the TVT and TOT procedures in the long term.

Results

A total of 110/180 responses were received: 55 for TVT and 55 for TOT. The mean follow‐up was 12.8 ± 0.29 years (SD). TVT was significantly superior to TOT: 41.8% TVT with no SUI, versus 21.8% TOT (P = 0.04). Urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) was the most bothersome urinary symptom: 14.5% of respondents reported UUI after TVT and TOT. This was an improvement from the baseline levels: 61.8% TVT and 76.4% TOT. Seventeen patients (9 TVT and 8 TOT) out of 121 reported moderate or severe pain with severe pain in 3 with TVT and 2 with TOT. Overall, 80% TVT and 77% TOT participants reported their symptoms as improved on the PGI‐I.

Conclusions

TVT is superior to TOT for SUI cure. Efficacy is reduced by 12 years. There is low incidence of severe vaginal or groin pain. Careful patient counselling on long‐term outcomes is required. The Retropubic tape appears to be an effective treatment for the majority of women with SUI.

Tweetable abstract

Retropubic tape has superior efficacy to transobturator tape. Complications are comparable with low rates.
Alignment‐free methods for polyploid genomes: Quick and reliable genetic distance estimation
Authors: VanWallendael Acer , Alvarez Mariano
Published: September 2021

Polyploid genomes pose several inherent challenges to population genetic analyses. While alignment‐based methods are fundamentally limited in their applicability to polyploids, alignment‐free methods bypass most of these limits. We investigated the use of Mash, a k‐mer analysis tool that uses the MinHash method to reduce complexity in large genomic data sets, for basic population genetic analyses of polyploid sequences. We measured the degree to which Mash correctly estimated pairwise genetic distance in simulated haploid and polyploid short‐read sequences with various levels of missing data. Mash‐based estimates of genetic distance were comparable to alignment‐based estimates, and were less impacted by missing data. We also used Mash to analyse publicly available short‐read data for three polyploid and one diploid species, then compared Mash results to published results. For both simulated and real data, Mash accurately estimated pairwise genetic differences for polyploids as well as diploids as much as 476 times faster than alignment‐based methods, though we found that Mash genetic distance estimates could be biased by per‐sample read depth. Mash may be a particularly useful addition to the toolkit of polyploid geneticists for rapid confirmation of alignment‐based results and for basic population genetics in reference‐free systems or those with only poor‐quality sequence data available.
Censorship and the Impact of Repression on Dissent
Authors: Pop‐Eleches Grigore , Way Lucan A.
Published: September 2021

What is the impact of repression on opposition to authoritarian rule? Studies of repression and dissent have yielded contradictory results. Some research suggests that repression reduces popular resistance while others show that it creates backlash and more dissent. In this article, we present an informational theory of repression to account for such divergent findings. We argue that the impact of repression hinges on the degree of censorship. Where alternative media is present, violence is more likely to increase support for opposition. By contrast, where alternative sources of information are limited, repression may reduce support for opposition and actually increase support for incumbents. We test and confirm these expectations with an original dataset that combines the results of a panel survey that spanned the authoritarian repression of electoral protests in Moldova in 2009 and geocoded data on the subnational variation in repression and alternative information availability. The hypothesized interaction between repression and censorship is corroborated in cross‐national analysis of repression, censorship, and government support (2005–16).
BreastSurgANZ members recommendations for adjuvant systemic treatment and patient compliance in Australian breast cancer patients
Authors: Chan Arlene , O'Neil Nicola , Lomma Chris , Chih HuiJun , Willsher Peter
Published: September 2021

Background

We aimed to identify compliance with systemic treatment recommendations in early breast cancer (EBC) patients managed by Australian BreastSurgANZ members.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with EBC included in BreastSurgANZ prospective database from January 2002 to December 2016 was conducted. Data was available on patients with BC treated by over 350 surgeons across the six states and two territories of Australia.

Results

Over the 15 year period, 102 660 EBC episodes were recorded in 99 800 patients. As a group, the five key performance indicators (KPIs) set by the BreastSurgANZ relating to systemic treatment were achieved. Overall, patients were compliant with systemic treatment recommendations with 89.1% of patients receiving treatment in accordance with recommendations from their treating surgeon. The highest rate of non‐compliance with systemic treatment was for endocrine therapy (11.9%). Of the 2368 patients who did not proceed with the recommended endocrine treatment, 1284 (54%) patients did so because of patient refusal. Failure to receive chemotherapy was associated with older age (aOR 1.02; p < 0.001), patients living in regional areas (aOR 1.23; p = 0.001) and those with node negative disease (aOR 0.97; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The majority of Australian patients with EBC are being recommended for adjuvant systemic therapy in accordance with BreastSurgANZ KPI's. Treatment compliance was very high. This finding emphasises the importance of prospective data collection and auditing of established KPIs by surgeons, in areas other than direct surgical outcomes. Further research into the reasons why patients refuse treatment is needed.
Effects of breed and ejaculate volume on sperm morphology and semen parameters of boars
Authors: Górski Krzysztof , Kondracki Stanisław , Iwanina Maria , Kordan Władysław , Fraser Leyland
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the relation between the semen quality, frequency of sperm defects, sperm dimensions and shape, and the ejaculate volume of Large White and Landrace boars. A total of 648 ejaculates collected from 31 Large White and 30 Landrace boars were divided into three groups according to the criterion of the ejaculate volume. In this study Landrace boars produced ejaculates with higher volume, sperm concentration, and total numbers of spermatozoa than Large White boars. Landrace boars also showed a lower frequency of sperm with morphological abnormalities (P < 0.05). Landrace boars sperm had larger heads, which were by 0.15 μm longer, and by a larger perimeter and area (P < 0.05). Landrace boar spermatozoa also had a longer flagellum and were generally larger and by 2.07 μm longer than Large White boar sperm (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in the shape of sperm of the two breeds (P < 0.05). Landrace boars sperm had more elongated heads, and the ratio of head size to flagellum length was lower than in Large White boars sperm (P < 0.05). Sperm from ejaculates with low volume had a shorter flagellum and a greater head length/flagellum length ratio than sperm from medium‐ and high‐volume ejaculates (P < 0.05).
Methylophiopogonanone A is a naturally occurring broad‐spectrum inhibitor against human UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases: Inhibition behaviours and implication in herb‐drug interactions
Authors: Zhou Qi‐Hang , Zhu Guang‐Hao , Song Yun‐Qing , Que Yuan‐Fang , He Qing‐Qing , Tu Dong‐Zhu , Zeng Hai‐Rong , Qin Wei‐Wei , Ai Chun‐Zhi , Ge Guang‐Bo
Published: September 2021

Methylophiopogonanone A (MOA) is an abundant homoisoflavonoid in the Chinese herb Ophiopogonis Radix. Recent investigations revealed that MOA inhibited several human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and stimulated OATP1B1. However, the inhibitory effects of MOA on phase II drug‐metabolizing enzymes, such as human UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (hUGTs), have not been well investigated. Herein, the inhibition potentials of MOA on hUGTs were assessed. The results clearly demonstrated that MOA dose‐dependently inhibited all tested hUGTs including UGT1A1 (IC50 = 1.23 μM), one of the most important detoxification enzymes in humans. Further investigations showed that MOA strongly inhibited UGT1A1‐catalysed NHPH‐O‐glucuronidation in a range of biological settings including hUGT1A1, human liver microsomes (HLM) and HeLa cells overexpressing UGT1A1. Inhibition kinetic analyses demonstrated that MOA competitively inhibited UGT1A1‐catalysed NHPH‐O‐glucuronidation in both hUGT1A1 and HLM, with Ki values of 0.52 and 1.22 μM, respectively. Collectively, our findings expanded knowledge of the interactions between MOA and human drug‐metabolizing enzymes, which would be very helpful for guiding the use of MOA‐related herbal products in clinical settings.
The effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with aplastic anaemia secondary to chemoradiotherapy for cancers
Authors: Nakagawa Noriharu , Ishiyama Ken , Tanabe Mikoto , Yoroidaka Takeshi , Mizumaki Hiroki , Imi Tatsuya , Zaimoku Yoshitaka , Maruyama Hiroyuki , Hosokawa Kohei , Yamazaki Hirohito , Nakao Shinji
Published: September 2021

The outcome of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and prognosis in patients with aplastic anaemia (AA) secondary to chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancers remains unknown. A total of 43 of 2559 patients with AA referred to our hospital had previously received chemoradiotherapy for various types of solid tumours (n = 25) or haematological malignancies (n = 18). Their cancer status was complete remission (CR) in 27, non‐CR in 13, and unknown in three. Small populations of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein‐deficient [GPI(−)] granulocytes were detected in 16 patients (37·2%). Of 18 patients who were treated with IST, 50% improved regardless of the presence of GPI(−) cells. The overall survival (OS) rate was significantly higher in patients with a history of solid tumours patients than in those of haematological malignancies (median OS, 87 vs. 11 months, P = 0·0003), and in patients treated with IST than in those of untreated patients (median OS, 115 vs. 20 months, P = 0·028). Cancer aggravation occurred in two of four patients who were treated with IST while in non‐CR of their original cancers. Progression to myelodysplastic syndromes was observed in two patients not possessing GPI(−) cells. IST should thus be considered for patients with AA secondary to chemoradiotherapy for cancers, particularly when their original solid tumours are in CR.
The naked truth: a comprehensive clarification and classification of current ‘myths’ in naked mole‐rat biology
Authors: Buffenstein Rochelle , Amoroso Vincent , Andziak Blazej , Avdieiev Stanislav , Azpurua Jorge , Barker Alison J. , Bennett Nigel C. , Brieño‐Enríquez Miguel A. , Bronner Gary N. , Coen Clive , Delaney Martha A. , Dengler‐Crish Christine M. , Edrey Yael H. , Faulkes Chris G. , Frankel Daniel , Friedlander Gerard , Gibney Patrick A. , Gorbunova Vera , Hine Christopher , Holmes Melissa M. , Jarvis Jennifer U. M. , Kawamura Yoshimi , Kutsukake Nobuyuki , Kenyon Cynthia , Khaled Walid T. , Kikusui Takefumi , Kissil Joseph , Lagestee Samantha , Larson John , Lauer Amanda , Lavrenchenko Leonid A. , Lee Angela , Levitt Jonathan B. , Lewin Gary R. , Lewis Hardell Kaitlyn N. , Lin TzuHua D. , Mason Matthew J. , McCloskey Dan , McMahon Mary , Miura Kyoko , Mogi Kazutaka , Narayan Vikram , O'Connor Timothy P. , Okanoya Kazuo , O'Riain M. Justin , Park Thomas J. , Place Ned J. , Podshivalova Katie , Pamenter Matthew E. , Pyott Sonja J. , Reznick Jane , Ruby J. Graham , Salmon Adam B. , Santos‐Sacchi Joseph , Sarko Diana K. , Seluanov Andrei , Shepard Alyssa , Smith Megan , Storey Kenneth B. , Tian Xiao , Vice Emily N. , Viltard Mélanie , Watarai Akiyuki , Wywial Ewa , Yamakawa Masanori , Zemlemerova Elena D. , Zions Michael , Smith Ewan St. John
Published: September 2021

The naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has fascinated zoologists for at least half a century. It has also generated considerable biomedical interest not only because of its extraordinary longevity, but also because of unusual protective features (e.g. its tolerance of variable oxygen availability), which may be pertinent to several human disease states, including ischemia/reperfusion injury and neurodegeneration. A recent article entitled ‘Surprisingly long survival of premature conclusions about naked mole‐rat biology’ described 28 ‘myths’ which, those authors claimed, are a ‘perpetuation of beautiful, but falsified, hypotheses’ and impede our understanding of this enigmatic mammal. Here, we re‐examine each of these ‘myths’ based on evidence published in the scientific literature. Following Braude et al., we argue that these ‘myths’ fall into four main categories: (i) ‘myths’ that would be better described as oversimplifications, some of which persist solely in the popular press; (ii) ‘myths’ that are based on incomplete understanding, where more evidence is clearly needed; (iii) ‘myths’ where the accumulation of evidence over the years has led to a revision in interpretation, but where there is no significant disagreement among scientists currently working in the field; (iv) ‘myths’ where there is a genuine difference in opinion among active researchers, based on alternative interpretations of the available evidence. The term ‘myth’ is particularly inappropriate when applied to competing, evidence‐based hypotheses, which form part of the normal evolution of scientific knowledge. Here, we provide a comprehensive critical review of naked mole‐rat biology and attempt to clarify some of these misconceptions.
Closing the knowledge‐action gap in conservation with open science
Authors: Roche Dominique G. , O'Dea Rose E. , Kerr Kecia A. , Rytwinski Trina , Schuster Richard , Nguyen Vivian M. , Young Nathan , Bennett Joseph R. , Cooke Steven J.
Published: September 2021

The knowledge‐action gap in conservation science and practice occurs when research outputs do not result in actions to protect or restore biodiversity. Among the diverse and complex reasons for this gap, three barriers are fundamental: knowledge is often unavailable to practitioners and challenging to interpret or difficult to use or both. Problems of availability, interpretability, and useability are solvable with open science practices. We considered the benefits and challenges of three open science practices for use by conservation scientists and practitioners. First, open access publishing makes the scientific literature available to all. Second, open materials (detailed methods, data, code, and software) increase the transparency and use of research findings. Third, open education resources allow conservation scientists and practitioners to acquire the skills needed to use research outputs. The long‐term adoption of open science practices would help researchers and practitioners achieve conservation goals more quickly and efficiently and reduce inequities in information sharing. However, short‐term costs for individual researchers (insufficient institutional incentives to engage in open science and knowledge mobilization) remain a challenge. We caution against a passive approach to sharing that simply involves making information available. We advocate a proactive stance toward transparency, communication, collaboration, and capacity building that involves seeking out and engaging with potential users to maximize the environmental and societal impact of conservation science.
A re‐assessment of within‐host mating behavior in the Nasonia species complex
Authors: Trienens Monika , Giesbers Maartje C. W. G. , Pannebakker Bart A. , van de Zande Louis , Beukeboom Leo W.
Published: September 2021

Insects have a wide variety of mating systems. For parasitic wasps, mating sites are often confined to where their hosts occur and this mutual interaction therefore greatly affects the evolution of alternative mating strategies. Parasitoids of the genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) – comprising the species Nasonia vitripennis (Walker), Nasonia longicornis Darling, Nasonia giraulti Darling, and Nasonia oneida Raychouhury & Desjardins – parasitize blowfly pupae and typically mate immediately after emergence of the females from the host puparium. However, in one Nasonia species, N. giraulti, mating predominantly occurs within the host. Here, we re‐assess within‐host mating (WHM) rates within the Nasonia genus, using laboratory lines and field‐collected hosts, including N. oneida for which no data were available yet. We confirm that WHM rates are low in N. vitripennis and N. longicornis, but high in N. giraulti. WHM is rare in N. oneida, despite its sympatry and close phylogenetic relationship with N. giraulti. Multiparasitization experiments with N. vitripennis and N. giraulti resulted in lower WHM proportions of N. giraulti. To evaluate whether this was due to an exit hole in the host pupa created by N. vitripennis males – where an exit hole may result in emergence of N. giraulti females and possibly males prior to mating – we artificially created exit holes in the host parasitized by N. giraulti only. This also yielded a lower WHM proportion. Progeny analysis of interspecific crosses of N. longicornis and N. oneida with N. giraulti, generating hybrid female but non‐hybrid male offspring, revealed that WHM is largely determined by the maternal species and, hence, by the species to which the male offspring belong. We conclude that WHM is predominantly a male‐mediated trait in N. giraulti, resulting from males refraining from making exit holes and mating with females inside the host. We discuss how these findings can be used to evaluate whether WHM contributes to preventing species hybridization.
Neural correlates of self‐awareness of cognitive deficits in non‐demented patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Yoo Han Soo , Kwon Hyeokjin , Chung Seok Jong , Sohn Young H. , Lee Jong‐Min , Lee Phil Hyu
Published: September 2021

Background and purpose

The aim was to investigate the neural correlates of impaired self‐awareness of cognitive deficits (IACd) in non‐demented patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

This cross‐sectional study enrolled 153 drug‐naïve and non‐demented PD patients who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, dopamine transporter (DAT) positron emission tomography, detailed neuropsychological testing, and the Cognitive Complaints Interview at baseline. Based on the presence of mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive complaints, patients were grouped into those with IACd (PD‐IACd+, n = 33) and those with normal recognition of cognitive function (n = 82) or underestimation of cognitive function (n = 38). Cortical thickness, white matter (WM) integrity, DAT availability and cognitive function were compared between the groups.

Results

The prevalence of IACd was 21.6% in drug‐naïve patients with PD. The PD‐IACd+ group had a lower z‐score in the Stroop color reading test than the other groups. Patients in the PD‐IACd+ group had WM disintegrity, especially in the genu of the corpus callosum and anterior limb of the internal capsule, compared to those without IACd, whilst cortical thickness or striatal DAT availability was comparable regardless of the presence of IACd. Amongst patients with mild cognitive impairment, those with IACd had more severe WM disintegrity than those without IACd.

Conclusion

Structural connectivity between and from the frontal lobes is closely associated with self‐awareness of cognitive deficits in PD. Evaluating frontal structural connectivity from the early stages of PD will be important in assessing the actual cognitive and daily life performance of patients with PD.
Interplay between mammalian heat shock factors 1 and 2 in physiology and pathology
Authors: Roos‐Mattjus Pia , Sistonen Lea
Published: September 2021

The heat‐shock factors (HSFs) belong to an evolutionary conserved family of transcription factors that were discovered already over 30 years ago. The HSFs have been shown to a have a broad repertoire of target genes, and they also have crucial functions during normal development. Importantly, HSFs have been linked to several disease states, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, highlighting their importance in physiology and pathology. However, it is still unclear how HSFs are regulated and how they choose their specific target genes under different conditions. Posttranslational modifications and interplay among the HSF family members have been shown to be key regulatory mechanisms for these transcription factors. In this review, we focus on the mammalian HSF1 and HSF2, including their interplay, and provide an updated overview of the advances in understanding how HSFs are regulated and how they function in multiple processes of development, aging, and disease. We also discuss HSFs as therapeutic targets, especially the recently reported HSF1 inhibitors.
Detecting forest response to droughts with global observations of vegetation water content
Authors: Konings Alexandra G. , Saatchi Sassan S. , Frankenberg Christian , Keller Michael , Leshyk Victor , Anderegg William R. L. , Humphrey Vincent , Matheny Ashley M. , Trugman Anna , Sack Lawren , Agee Elizabeth , Barnes Mallory L. , Binks Oliver , Cawse‐Nicholson Kerry , Christoffersen Bradley O. , Entekhabi Dara , Gentine Pierre , Holtzman Nataniel M. , Katul Gabriel G. , Liu Yanlan , Longo Marcos , Martinez‐Vilalta Jordi , McDowell Nate , Meir Patrick , Mencuccini Maurizio , Mrad Assaad , Novick Kimberly A. , Oliveira Rafael S. , Siqueira Paul , Steele‐Dunne Susan C. , Thompson David R. , Wang Yujie , Wehr Richard , Wood Jeffrey D. , Xu Xiangtao , Zuidema Pieter A.
Published: September 2021

Droughts in a warming climate have become more common and more extreme, making understanding forest responses to water stress increasingly pressing. Analysis of water stress in trees has long focused on water potential in xylem and leaves, which influences stomatal closure and water flow through the soil‐plant‐atmosphere continuum. At the same time, changes of vegetation water content (VWC) are linked to a range of tree responses, including fluxes of water and carbon, mortality, flammability, and more. Unlike water potential, which requires demandingin situmeasurements, VWC can be retrieved from remote sensing measurements, particularly at microwave frequencies using radar and radiometry. Here, we highlight key frontiers through which VWC has the potential to significantly increase our understanding of forest responses to water stress. To validate remote sensing observations of VWC at landscape scale and to better relate them to data assimilation model parameters, we introduce an ecosystem‐scale analog of the pressure–volume curve, the non‐linear relationship between average leaf or branch water potential and water content commonly used in plant hydraulics. The sources of variability in these ecosystem‐scale pressure‐volume curves and their relationship to forest response to water stress are discussed. We further show to what extent diel, seasonal, and decadal dynamics of VWC reflect variations in different processes relating the tree response to water stress. VWC can also be used for inferring belowground conditions—which are difficult to impossible to observe directly. Lastly, we discuss how a dedicated geostationary spaceborne observational system for VWC, when combined with existing datasets, can capture diel and seasonal water dynamics to advance the science and applications of global forest vulnerability to future droughts.
Predicting virologically confirmed influenza using school absences in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA during the 2007‐2015 influenza seasons
Authors: Quandelacy Talia M. , Zimmer Shanta , Lessler Justin , Vukotich Charles , Bieltz Rachel , Grantz Kyra H. , Galloway David , Read Jonathan M. , Zheteyeva Yenlik , Gao Hongjiang , Uzicanin Amra , Cummings Derek A. T.
Published: September 2021

Background

Children are important in community‐level influenza transmission. School‐based monitoring may inform influenza surveillance.

Methods

We used reported weekly confirmed influenza in Allegheny County during the 2007 and 2010‐2015 influenza seasons using Pennsylvania's Allegheny County Health Department all‐age influenza cases from health facilities, and all‐cause and influenza‐like illness (ILI)‐specific absences from nine county school districts. Negative binomial regression predicted influenza cases using all‐cause and illness‐specific absence rates, calendar week, average weekly temperature, and relative humidity, using four cross‐validations.

Results

School districts reported 2 184 220 all‐cause absences (2010‐2015). Three one‐season studies reported 19 577 all‐cause and 3012 ILI‐related absences (2007, 2012, 2015). Over seven seasons, 11 946 confirmed influenza cases were reported. Absences improved seasonal model fits and predictions. Multivariate models using elementary school absences outperformed middle and high school models (relative mean absolute error (relMAE) = 0.94, 0.98, 0.99). K‐5 grade‐specific absence models had lowest mean absolute errors (MAE) in cross‐validations. ILI‐specific absences performed marginally better than all‐cause absences in two years, adjusting for other covariates, but markedly worse one year.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest seasonal models including K‐5th grade absences predict all‐age‐confirmed influenza and may serve as a useful surveillance tool.
Factors influencing community‐dwelling older adults’ readiness to adopt smart home technology: A qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Dermody Gordana , Fritz Roschelle , Glass Courtney , Dunham Melissa , Whitehead Lisa
Published: September 2021

Aims

Ageing‐in‐place for older people could be more feasible with the support of smart home technology. Ageing in‐place may maximize the independence of older adults and enhance their well‐being and quality of life, while decreasing the financial burden of residential care costs, and addressing workforce shortages. However, the uptake of smart home technology is very low among older adults. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore factors influencing community‐dwelling older adults’ readiness to adopt smart home technology.

Design

A qualitative exploratory study design was utilized.

Methods

Descriptive data were collected between 2019 and 2020 to provide context of sample characteristics for community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years. Qualitative data were collected via semi‐structured interviews and focus groups, to generate an understanding of older adult's perspectives. Thematic analysis of interviews and focus group transcripts was completed. The Elderadopt model was the conceptual framework used in the analysis of the findings.

Results

Several factors influenced community‐dwelling older adults’ (N = 19) readiness to adopt smart home technology. Five qualitative themes were identified: knowledge, health and safety, independence, security and cost.

Conclusion

Community‐dwelling older adults were open to adopting smart home technology to support independence despite some concerns about security and loss of privacy. Opportunities to share information about smart home technology need to be increased to promote awareness and discussion.

Impact

Wider adoption of smart home technology globally into the model of aged care can have positive impacts on caregiver burden, clinical workforce, health care utilization and health care economics. Nurses, as the main providers of healthcare in this sector need to be knowledgeable about the options available and be able to provide information and respond to questions know about ageing‐in‐place technologies to best support older adults and their families.
Associations of urinary sodium excretion with central hemodynamics and changes in vascular structure and function at high altitude
Authors: Zhang Zhipeng , Liao Hang , Zhang Xin , Meng Qingtao , Shi Rufeng , Feng Jiayue , Li Xinran , Gou Qiling , Ye Runyu , Hu Xianjin , Chen Xiaoping
Published: September 2021

Research reports on associations of urinary sodium excretion with central hemodynamic parameters and vascular changes are quite limited in general or non‐hypertensive population. The purpose of the current study was to explore such associations in Chinese general Tibetans living at high altitude. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in Luhuo County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture with average elevation of 3800 meters from December 2018 to January 2019. A total of 294 Tibetans were included in the current study. Twenty‐four hour urinary sodium excretion was estimated by second fasting spot urine in the morning using Kawasaki formula. Central hemodynamic parameters, including central systolic blood pressure (CSBP), central diastolic blood pressure (CDBP), central pulse pressure (CPP), central mean arterial pressure (CMAP), augmentation pressure (AP), and augmentation index standardized for heart rate of 75 (AIx75), were evaluated using the SphygmoCor system. Vascular structures and functions were assessed by carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) test and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), respectively. Estimated mean 24h urinary sodium excretion of Tibetans in Luhuo County was 5.26±1.61 g. After adjustment, estimated 24h urinary sodium was positively associated with CSBP (β = 1.15, p = .008) and CPP (β = 0.87, p = .013). Line graph of means across urinary sodium quartiles showed that associations of 24 h urinary sodium excretion with AIx75 and baPWV presented approximate “J” shape after controlling for confounders. Estimated 24 h sodium excretion was independently and positively associated with CSBP and CPP. Moreover, association between urinary sodium excretion and arterial elasticity, as evaluated by baPWV and AIx75, presented “J” shape. Further studies are needed to verify J‐shaped association and “safe” zone of sodium intake.
Larval development of the freshwater croaker Pachypops fourcroi (La Cépède 1802) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)
Authors: Oliveira Lucas S. , Cajado Ruineris A. , Silva Fabíola K. S. , Bialetzki Andréa , Zacardi Diego M.
Published: September 2021

The larval development of Pachypops fourcroi from the lower Amazon River was described through morphological, meristic and morphometric features. Sixty‐five larvae were examined and present a moderate body, slightly elliptical eyes and head ranging from moderate to large. The mouth is initially terminal and becomes subterminal throughout development with three barbels in the mentonian region. The larvae of P. fourcroi can be differentiated from other Sciaenidae in the Amazon basin by the pigmentation pattern, the presence of barbels, head depth, body depth and diameter, and shape of the eye.
Age‐related cognitive impairment is associated with low serum concentrations of testosterone and CSF levels of amyloid beta 42 in male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Darusman Huda Shalahudin , Li Wern Tan , Sajuthi Dondin , Schapiro Steven J. , Hau Jann
Published: September 2021

Aged memory‐impaired cynomolgus monkeys had significantly lower levels of cerebrospinal amyloid (Aβ42) and serum testosterone compared with young animals and non–memory‐impaired controls. Our findings confirm similar findings in the human and substantiate the usefulness of the cynomolgus monkey as a spontaneous model for aging‐associated senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.
The use of anogenital distance as a non‐invasive predictor of seminal quality in captive squirrel monkey (Saimiri collinsiOsgood 1961)
Authors: Leite Leão Danuza , Vasconcelos Sampaio Wlaisa , da Cunha Sousa Patrícia , Oskam Irma Caroline , Rodrigues dos Santos Regiane , Souza Domingues Sheyla Farhayldes
Published: September 2021

Background

Anogenital distance is considered a non‐invasive measure to assess the development and functionality of sexual organs in different animal species. Hence, this measurement could potentially be used during the selection of non‐human primates for reproductive biotechnology programs. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between anogenital distance and reproductive parameters in captiveSaimiri collinsi.

Methods

Eight matureS. collinsimales were evaluated. Body weight, reproductive hormone levels, testicular volume, and seminal parameters were determined, and their relationship with anogenital distance measurements was assessed.

Results

Anogenital distance was correlated with seminal volume, sperm motility, vigor, and plasma membrane integrity, but not with body weight, reproductive hormones, and testicular volume.

Conclusion

The determination of anogenital distance is a non‐invasive method to predict seminal quality. This procedure has the advantage of providing andrologic information without a negative impact on animal welfare.
Intergenic spaces: a new frontier to improving plant health
Authors: Tonnessen Bradley W. , Bossa‐Castro Ana M. , Martin Federico , Leach Jan E.
Published: September 2021

To more sustainably mitigate the impact of crop diseases on plant health and productivity, there is a need for broader spectrum, long‐lasting resistance traits. Defense response (DR) genes, located throughout the genome, participate in cellular and system‐wide defense mechanisms to stave off infection by diverse pathogens. This multigenic resistance avoids rapid evolution of a pathogen to overcome host resistance. DR genes reside within resistance‐associated quantitative trait loci (QTL), and alleles of DR genes in resistant varieties are more active during pathogen attack relative to susceptible haplotypes. Differential expression of DR genes results from polymorphisms in their regulatory regions, that includes cis‐regulatory elements such as transcription factor binding sites as well as features that influence epigenetic structural changes to modulate chromatin accessibility during infection. Many of these elements are found in clusters, known as cis‐regulatory modules (CRMs), which are distributed throughout the host genome. Regulatory regions involved in plant–pathogen interactions may also contain pathogen effector binding elements that regulate DR gene expression, and that, when mutated, result in a change in the plants’ response. We posit that CRMs and the multiple regulatory elements that comprise them are potential targets for marker‐assisted breeding for broad‐spectrum, durable disease resistance.
Impact of workspace environment on creativity and innovation: empirical evidence from a makerspace in China
Authors: Huang Yijing , Ferreira Fernando A. F. , He Zheng
Published: September 2021

Among the various factors affecting creativity and innovation, workspace environment has not been fully considered by most organizations. The literature on innovation shows that few empirical studies have investigated the influence of workspace environment on creativity and innovation. Using Ucommune (i.e., one of the largest makerspaces and entrepreneurial ecosystems in China) as an example, this research explored to what extent workspace environments affect individual and team creativity and innovation in organizations. The main results include that physical and non‐physical environments contribute positively to employees’ individual and team behaviors. In addition, individual behavior can help improve employee creativity and enhance team behavior, but the direct impact of individual behavior on innovation is insignificant. Finally, team behavior can enhance organizational innovation. The findings thus provide empirical support for the increasing importance of the impact of workspace environments – especially their physical aspects – on creativity and innovation.
Race, Ethnicity, and Twenty‐First Century Rural Sociological Imaginings: A Special Issue Introduction*
Authors: Carrillo Ian , Quisumbing King Katrina , Schafft Kai A.
Published: September 2021

This article, which also serves as the introduction for this special guest‐edited issue, examines the history of Rural Sociology's scholarly engagement with rurality, race, and ethnicity. We examine the historical patterns of how Rural Sociology has addressed race and ethnicity, and then present results from a meta‐analysis of empirical articles published between 1971 and 2020. Over time, the methodological approaches and scholarly focus of articles on race and ethnicity within Rural Sociology has gradually expanded to include more analyses of power and inequality using constructivist perspectives, and greater numbers of qualitative inquiries into the lived experiences of both white and nonwhite people. The articles featured in the special issue extend from Rural Sociology's growing attention to race and ethnicity. Together, they suggest the ways in which rural spaces are racially coded, how intersections with race and ethnicity exacerbate rural inequality, how the domination of people and the environment are co‐constituted, and how practices of racism are embedded within contextually specific ecologies. In drawing attention to these contributions, we suggest future directions for the discipline's engagement with rurality, race, and ethnicity, while simultaneously suggesting the ways in which our own disciplinary racial reckoning remains incomplete.
“Moskva‐Berlin, Berlin‐Moskau, 1900–1950”: Memory and Forgetting
Authors: BULGAKOWA OKSANA
Published: September 2021

This article reconstructs and reexamines the dramatic events leading up to the “Moscow‐Berlin, 1900–1950” exhibition, jointly staged by the Berlinische Galerei and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in 1995–96. Modeled upon the landmark “Moscow‐Paris” exhibit that had taken place at the Pompidou Center in 1979 and the Pushkin Museum in 1981, “Moscow‐Berlin” has been largely forgotten by time, despite the fact that it, too, was intially viewed as a blockbusters event. Beyond changing professional and cultural conventions, a series of underlying factors help to explain the contrasting reactions to the two exhibits: international politics and the art market, passing trends, and media discourses. By the time “Moscow‐Berlin” opened, interest in the Russian avant‐garde had faded, while interest in 1930s art and culture was on the rise, fueled not by commercial but by an ideological demand to reconceptualize the canon for writing history and art history. Additionally, “Moscow‐Berlin” was conceived of as a political event, not only vis à vis the art on display, but its very location: West Berlin. But during the early stages of planning and preparation, however, both the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic disappeared from the map: this solved some thorny political issues surrounding the exhibit, but it created myriad other problems. At first, German politicians hoped the exhibit would facilitate the return of trophy art taken from Germany at the end of the Second World War. When reality dispelled this illusion, the German press launched an extended campaign against the exhibitions, which would later impact how it was remembered. Meantime, of course, when the exhibit arrived in Moscow it opened in a city in the throes of socioeconomic unrest and a contentious presidential election. The display of Stalinist art in all its radiant glory sparked in some viewers nostalgia for the Soviet past, and partially suppressed the question of whether shame should accompany the art of Stalinism. Collective memory hoped instead to glide over the more painful chapters of the recent past.