bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Economics of Hedge Fund Startups: Theory and Empirical Evidence
Authors: CAO CHARLES , FARNSWORTH GRANT , ZHANG HONG
Published: February 2021

This paper examines how market frictions influence the managerial incentives and organizational structure of new hedge funds. We develop a stylized model in which new managers search for accredited investors and have stronger incentives to acquire managerial skill when encountering low investor demand. Fund families endogenously arise to mitigate frictions and weaken the performance incentives of affiliated new funds. Empirically, based on a TASS‐HFR‐BarclayHedge merged database, we find that ex ante identified cold inceptions facing low investor demand outperform existing hedge funds and hot inceptions facing high demand and that cold stand‐alone inceptions outperform all types of family‐affiliated inceptions.
Short‐term neuropsychiatric outcomes and quality of life in COVID‐19 survivors
Authors: Méndez R. , Balanzá‐Martínez V. , Luperdi S.C. , Estrada I. , Latorre A. , González‐Jiménez P. , Feced L. , Bouzas L. , Yépez K. , Ferrando A. , Hervás D. , Zaldívar E. , Reyes S. , Berk M. , Menéndez R.
Published: February 2021

Background

The general medical impacts of coronavirus (COVID‐19) are increasingly appreciated. However, its impact on neurocognitive, psychiatric health and quality of life (QoL) in survivors after the acute phase is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate neurocognitive function, psychiatric symptoms and QoL in COVID‐19 survivors shortly after hospital discharge.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional analysis of a prospective study of hospitalized COVID‐19 survivors followed up for 2 months after discharge. A battery of standardized instruments evaluating neurocognitive function, psychiatric morbidity and QoL (mental and physical components) was administered by telephone.

Results

Of the 229 screened patients, 179 were included in the final analysis. Amongst survivors, the prevalence of moderately impaired immediate verbal memory and learning was 38%, delayed verbal memory (11.8%), verbal fluency (34.6%) and working memory (executive function) (6.1%), respectively. Moreover, 58.7% of patients had neurocognitive impairment in at least one function. Rates of positive screening for anxiety, depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder were 29.6%, 26.8% and 25.1%, respectively. In addition, 39.1% of the patients had psychiatric morbidity. Low QoL for physical and mental components was detected in 44.1% and 39.1% of patients respectively. Delirium and psychiatric morbidity were associated with neurocognitive impairment, and female gender was related with psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusion

Hospitalized COVID‐19 survivors showed a considerable prevalence of neurocognitive impairment, psychiatric morbidity and poor QoL in the short term. It is uncertain if these impacts persist over the long term.
Pregnancy Intentions of First‐Time Mothers and Their Children's Outcomes: Unraveling Reciprocal Pathways
Authors: Claridge Amy M.
Published: February 2021

Objective

This current study tested a cross‐lagged model to examine reciprocal associations among maternal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, positive parenting practices, and coparenting satisfaction, and whether they served as pathways through which pregnancy intention was associated with children's outcomes.

Background

Unintended pregnancy is prevalent in the United States and has been linked to negative outcomes for children. However, few studies have identified mechanisms through which pregnancy intention is associated with children's outcomes.

Method

The sample included 224 first‐time mothers from the Predicting and Preventing Neglect in Teen Mothers Study. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires across several time points between the third trimester of pregnancy and 36‐months postpartum. A cross‐lagged autoregressive model was used to determine pathways through which unintended pregnancy was associated with child outcomes, and bootstrapping analyses were used to test significance of indirect effects.

Results

Results revealed multiple pathways through which unintended pregnancy was associated with children's externalizing, internalizing, dysregulation, and social–emotional competence at 36 months. Maternal parenting stress and positive parenting practices emerged as the most salient mechanisms in the association, and depressive symptoms continued to directly predict later child outcomes.

Conclusion

Unintended pregnancy tends to be associated with use of fewer positive parenting practices and more parenting stress, which over time is associated with negative child outcomes.

Implications

Mothers experiencing unintended pregnancies may benefit from early intervention to address parenting and depressive symptoms in order to promote healthy outcomes among their children over time.
Being nice and being mean: Friend characteristics foreshadow changes in perceptions of relationship negativity
Authors: Valdes Olivia , Shawcross Lauren , Laursen Brett
Published: February 2021

This study examines the proposition that friend characteristics forecast changes in perceptions of relationship negativity. The participants (ages 9 to 11) were 240 pre‐ and young adolescents (114 boys, 126 girls) involved in 120 same‐sex best friendships that were stable across a period of 4 to 12 weeks. Each friend described perceptions of negativity in their relationship. Prosocial behavior and relational aggression were assessed via peer nominations. Dyadic analyses indicated that one friend’s prosocial behavior and relational aggression uniquely forecast changes in the other friend’s perception of negativity in the relationship. Greater initial levels of prosocial behavior anticipated decreases in perceived negativity, whereas greater initial levels of relational aggression forecast increases in perceived negativity.
Effects of nitrogen deficiency induced by straw decomposition after incorporation into soil on the autophagy and pathogenicity of Fusarium graminearum based on an off‐line simulation
Authors: Chai Xicun , Zhou Tianyu , Liu Yutao
Published: February 2021

The high severity of plant diseases has hampered the implementation of straw incorporation technology in practice. To clarify the relationship between the nitrogen deficiency caused by wheat straw decomposition and Fusarium head blight (FHB) occurrence, five nitrogen levels as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were set to simulate the nitrogen changing after straw incorporated into soil and its effects on the pathogenicity of Fusarium graminearum. Nitrogen starvation degree was characterized by autophagy. Seedling infection and toxin production were used to test pathogenicity. The results showed that biomass of F. graminearum cultured in 25% nitrogen level medium for 72 hr and 120 hr were 0.39 g/ml and 0.29 g/ml, respectively, and were greater than those of other treatments at the same time (p < .05). The spore germination in 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% nitrogen level media were greater than those in 100% nitrogen level medium, in which the total nitrogen deficiency was the greatest (p < .05), reaching 64.5%. Total nitrogen deficiency would lead to F. graminearum autophagic death, while other treatments displayed different starvation responses in F. graminearum. F. graminearum cultured in 25% and 50% nitrogen levels media for 48 and 72 hr or in 75% nitrogen level medium for 168 hr produced more deoxynivalenol (DON). The lesion lengths caused by F. graminearum treated with 25%, 50% and 75% nitrogen levels for 72 hr were 18.33 mm, 15.78 mm and 14.96 mm, respectively, which were significantly longer than the lesions at the 0% (10.57 mm) and 100% (12.18 mm) nitrogen levels. The results indicated that the pathogenicity of F. graminearum was affected by nitrogen levels significantly and partial nitrogen deficiency could prompt the severity of FHB.
First report of septoria steviae causing stevia leaf spot in Thailand
Authors: Termsung Natthida , Cheewangkoon Ratchadawan , Kunasakdakul Kaewalin
Published: February 2021

Stevia leaf spot is present in stevia production fields in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The disease was characterized by distinct lesions with angular chlorotic halos that result in defoliation. Based on morphological characters and sequence analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 = ITS), rDNA 28S subunit (LSU) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes, the pathogen was identified as Septoria steviae. Pathogenicity tests proved Koch's postulates, supporting S. steviae as the causal agent of stevia leaf spot in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. Mancozeb, chlorothalonil, difenoconazole and azoxystrobin significantly inhibited mycelial growth of S. steviae under in vitro conditions at label the recommended concentrations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Septoria leaf spot disease on stevia caused by S. steviae in Thailand.
A Bayesian network model to identify the associations between the use of seclusion in psychiatric care and nursing managers' attitudes towards containment methods
Authors: Laukkanen Emilia , Kuosmanen Lauri , Louheranta Olavi , Ryynänen Olli‐Pekka , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri
Published: February 2021

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject

Seclusion is used frequently in psychiatric care, despite its potential adverse effects.

Several programmes aiming to reduce the use of seclusion identify leadership and management as key strategies—however, studies concerning leaders and managers are missing.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

Nursing managers' negative attitudes towards seclusion are associated with less use of the measure, and nursing managers' higher age is associated with increased use of seclusion.

What are the implications for practice

Nursing managers should be encouraged to guide their staff to reduce the use of seclusion.

The negative influences of seclusion and the potential of alternative measures should be highlighted in the education and training of psychiatric nursing managers.

Introduction

The use of seclusion in psychiatric care should be reduced. The relationship between nursing management or nursing managers' attitudes and the use of seclusion has not been investigated.

Aim

To describe the associations between the use of seclusion and psychiatric nursing managers' attitudes to containment methods.

Method

Register data concerning the use of seclusion in Finnish psychiatric care in 2017 were collected. The Attitudes to Containment Measures Questionnaire was used to illustrate psychiatric nursing managers' attitudes to containment methods. An Augmented Naive Bayes analysis was used to investigate the relationships of the use of seclusion and attitudes.

Results

Nursing managers' age and their attitudes towards containment methods were related to the use of seclusion. Especially nursing managers' negative perceptions of seclusion were associated with less use of seclusion, and seclusion was used more often on wards with nursing managers who were older than the average.

Conclusion

Nursing managers' negative attitudes towards seclusion have a potential impact on the use of seclusion, which might even result in a reduction in its use in psychiatric inpatient setting.

Implications for practice

The results suggest that nursing managers should be encouraged to guide their staff to decrease the use of seclusion.
Geographical vs. ecological diversification inCarexsectionPhacocystis(Cyperaceae): Patterns hidden behind a twisted taxonomy
Authors: Benítez‐Benítez Carmen , Martín‐Bravo Santiago , Bjorå Charlotte S. , Gebauer Sebastian , Hipp Andrew L. , Hoffmann Matthias H. , Luceño Modesto , Pedersen Tyril M. , Reznicek Anton , Roalson Eric , Volkova Polina , Yano Okihito , Spalink Daniel , Jiménez‐Mejías Pedro
Published: February 2021

CarexsectionPhacocystis(Cyperaceae) is one of the most diverse and taxonomically complex groups of sedges (between 116 and 147 species), with a worldwide distribution in a wide array of biomes. It has a very complicated taxonomic history, with numerous disagreements among different treatments. We studied the biogeography and niche evolution in a phylogenetic framework to unveil the relative contribution of geographical and ecological drivers to diversification of the group. We used a large species sampling of the section (82% of extant species) to build a phylogeny based on four DNA regions, constrained with a phylogenomic HybSeq tree and dated with six fossil calibrations. Our phylogenetic results recovered sectionPhacocystiss.s. (core Phacocystis) as sister to sectionPraelongae. Ancestral area reconstruction points toward the N Pacific as the cradle for the crown diversification of sectionPhacocystisduring the Middle Miocene. Wide distributions were recurrently inferred across deep nodes. Large Northern Hemisphere lineages with geographical congruence were retrieved, pointing toward the importance of allopatric divergence at deep phylogenetic levels, whereas within‐area speciation emerges as the predominant pattern at shallow phylogenetic level. The Southern Hemisphere (Neotropics, SW Pacific) was colonized several times from the Northern Hemisphere. The global expansion ofCarexsectionPhacocystisdid not entail major ecological changes along the inner branches of the phylogeny. Nevertheless, ecological differentiation seems to gain importance toward recent times.
Imagery rehearsal therapy and/or mianserin in treatment of refugees diagnosed with PTSD: Results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sandahl Hinuga , Jennum Poul , Baandrup Lone , Lykke Mortensen Erik , Carlsson Jessica
Published: February 2021

Sleep disturbances are frequently part of the symptomatology in refugees with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been suggested that targeting sleep disturbances may enhance the outcome of PTSD treatment. However, randomized studies on the effect of treatment focusing on sleep disturbances in refugees with PTSD are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine add‐on treatment with imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) and/or mianserin against treatment as usual (TAU) alone in a sample of trauma‐affected refugees with PTSD at 8–12 months follow‐up. In a randomized controlled trial, 219 adult refugees diagnosed with PTSD and suffering from sleep disturbances were randomized to four groups (1:1:1:1) receiving, respectively, TAU, TAU + mianserin, TAU + IRT, and TAU + IRT + mianserin. The primary outcome was subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and the secondary outcomes included PTSD and depression symptoms, level of functioning and subjective well‐being. The data were analysed using mixed models. The only significant effect of IRT was on level of functioning (p = .040, ES 0.44), whereas there was no significant effect of mianserin on any of the measured outcomes. Low adherence to both IRT (39%) and mianserin (20%) was observed. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find IRT or mianserin to be superior to TAU. The low adherence may potentially cause an underestimation of the effect of IRT and mianserin and indicates a necessity to further analyse the complex factors that may impact the motivation and ability of trauma‐affected refugees to participate in and profit from available treatment options.
Evolutionary seroepidemiology of viral hepatitis and the gap in hepatitis C care cascades among uraemic patients receiving haemodialysis in Taiwan—the Formosa‐Like Group
Authors: Wei Yu‐Ju , Hsu Po‐Yao , Lee Jia‐Jung , Niu Sheng‐Wen , Huang Jiun‐Chi , Hsu Cheng‐Ting , Jang Tyng‐Yuan , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Huang Ching‐I , Liang Po‐Cheng , Lin Yi‐Hung , Hsieh Ming‐Yen , Hsieh Meng‐Hsuan , Chen Szu‐Chia , Dai Chia‐Yen , Lin Zu‐Yau , Chen Shinn‐Cherng , Huang Jee‐Fu , Chang Jer‐Ming , Hwang Shang‐Jyh , Chuang Wan‐Long , Huang Chung‐Feng , Chiu Yi‐Wen , Yu Ming‐Lung
Published: February 2021

Uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to evaluate the evolutionary seroprevalence of viral hepatitis and the gap in HCV care cascades in this special population by a large‐scale surveillance study in Taiwan. Uraemic patients on maintenance haemodialysis from 22 sites (FORMOSA‐LIKE group) in 2012 (n = 1,680) and 2019 (n = 2,326) were recruited for this study. The distributions and sequential changes of viral hepatitis markers were analysed. The prevalence of anti‐HCV antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity was 13.6% (316/2326) and 11.5% (267/2326), respectively, in 2019 compared with 17.3% (290/1680, P = .002) and 13.6% (229/1680, P = .046), respectively, in 2012. The HCV‐viremic rate among anti‐HCV‐seropositive patients was significantly lower in 2019 than in 2012 (56.3% [178/316] vs. 73.8% [214/290], P < .001). The HCV treatment rate increased from 2.3% (5/217) in 2012 to 21.7% (49/226) in 2019 (P < .001). In the sequential analysis of the 490 patients who participated in both screens, 17 of the 55 HCV‐viremic patients became HCV RNA seronegative, including 13 by antivirals and four spontaneously. By contrast, one anti‐HCV‐seropositive but nonviremic patient became viremic, and six anti‐HCV‐seronegative patients became anti‐HCV‐seropositive in 2019. The annual incidence of new HCV was 0.2%/year. Seven HBsAg‐seropositive patients experienced HBsAg loss (1.25%/year). Two patients had new anti‐HBc seropositivity (new HBV exposure: 0.57%/year). The seroprevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in an 8‐year follow‐up but remained prevalent, and the treatment of HCV infection was underutilized in uraemic patients. Additional efforts are needed to enhance the HCV treatment uptake of uraemic patients.

Clinical Trial IDs: NCT03803410, NCT01766895.
Genetically engineeredE. coliNissle attenuates hyperammonemia and prevents memory impairment in bile‐duct ligated rats
Authors: Ochoa‐Sanchez Rafael , Oliveira Mariana M. , Tremblay Mélanie , Petrazzo Grégory , Pant Asha , Bosoi Cristina R. , Perreault Mylene , Querbes William , Kurtz Caroline B. , Rose Christopher F.
Published: February 2021

Hyperammonemia associated with chronic liver disease (CLD) is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The gut is a major source of ammonia production that contributes to hyperammonemia in CLD and HE and remains the primary therapeutic target for lowering hyperammonemia. As an ammonia‐lowering strategy,Escherichia coliNissle 1917 bacterium was genetically modified to consume and convert ammonia to arginine (S‐ARG). S‐ARG was further modified to additionally synthesize butyrate (S‐ARG + BUT). Both strains were evaluated in bile‐duct ligated (BDL) rats; experimental model of CLD and HE.

Methods

One‐week post‐surgery, BDLs received non‐modified EcN (EcN), S‐ARG, S‐ARG + BUT (3x1011CFU/day) or vehicle until sacrifice at 3 or 5 weeks. Plasma (ammonia/pro‐inflammatory/liver function), liver fibrosis (hydroxyproline), liver mRNA (pro‐inflammatory/fibrogenic/anti‐apoptotic) and colon mRNA (pro‐inflammatory) biomarkers were measured post‐sacrifice. Memory, motor‐coordination, muscle‐strength and locomotion were assessed at 5 weeks.

Results

In BDL‐Veh rats, hyperammonemia developed at 3 and further increased at 5 weeks. This rise was prevented by S‐ARG and S‐ARG + BUT, whereas EcN was ineffective. Memory impairment was prevented only in S‐ARG + BUT vs BDL‐Veh. Systemic inflammation (IL‐10/MCP‐1/endotoxin) increased at 3 and 5 weeks in BDL‐Veh. S‐ARG + BUT attenuated inflammation at both timepoints (except 5‐week endotoxin) vs BDL‐Veh, whereas S‐ARG only attenuated IP‐10 and MCP‐1 at 3 weeks. Circulating ALT/AST/ALP/GGT/albumin/bilirubin and gene expression of liver function markers (IL‐10/IL‐6/IL‐1β/TGF‐β/α‐SMA/collagen‐1α1/Bcl‐2) were not normalized by either strain. Colonic mRNA (TNF‐α/IL‐1β/occludin) markers were attenuated by synthetic strains at both timepoints vs BDL‐Veh.

Conclusion

S‐ARG and S‐ARG + BUT attenuated hyperammonemia, with S‐ARG + BUT additional memory protection likely due to greater anti‐inflammatory effect. These innovative strategies, particularly S‐ARG + BUT, have potential to prevent HE.
Portion size and consistency as indicators of complementary food energy intake
Authors: Faerber Emily C. , Stein Aryeh D. , Webb Girard Amy
Published: February 2021

We evaluated whether novel portion size and consistency indicators can identify children with low complementary food energy intake in southern Ethiopia. We conducted 24‐h dietary recalls with caregivers of 548 children aged 6–13 months; additionally, caregivers estimated their child's usual portion size using uncooked rice and selected which of five photographs of porridges of varying consistencies most closely matched the food their child usually ate. Complementary food energy and density from the 24‐h recall were used as reference values. We computed correlation coefficients and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and conducted sensitivity and specificity analyses to classify children with low complementary food energy intake. The median complementary food energy intakes for children 6–8, 9–11 and 12–13 months were 312, 322 and 375 kcal; median estimated portion sizes were 50, 58 and 64 ml, respectively. Estimated portion size correlated with total complementary food energy intake and with average energy and quantity consumed per feeding (r = 0.42, 0.46 and 0.45, respectively, all p < 0.001). Reported food consistency was weakly correlated with total complementary food energy intake (r = 0.18) and density (r = 0.10), and energy density of porridge only (r = 0.24, all p < 0.05). Predicted energy intake combining feeding frequency and portion size predicted inadequate energy intake better than did feeding frequency alone in infants 6–8 months [∆AUC = 0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04, 0.28] and 9–11 months (∆AUC = 0.09, 95% CI 0.04, 0.14). Caregiver estimates of portion size can improve identification of infants with low complementary food energy intake when more robust dietary assessment is not feasible.
Primary hybrid zone formation inTephroseris helenitis(Asteraceae), following postglacial range expansion along the central Northern Alps
Authors: Pflugbeil Georg , Affenzeller Matthias , Tribsch Andreas , Comes Hans Peter
Published: February 2021

Distinguishing between secondary versus primary hybrid zone formation remains a challenging task as, for instance, the time window in which these historical (vicariant) versus contemporary (environmental‐selective) processes are distinguishable may be relatively narrow. Here, we examine the origin and structure of a transition zone between two subspecies ofTephroseris helenitisalong the central Northern Alps, using molecular (AFLP) and morphological (achene type) data in combination with ecological niche models (ENMs) to hindcast ranges at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and mid‐Holocene. Samples were collected over a c. 350 km long transect, largely covered by ice during the LGM. Genetically nonadmixed individuals of subspp.helenitisversussalisburgensisdominated the westernmost versus eastern transect areas, with admixed individuals occurring in between. Clines for achene morphology and outlier loci potentially under climate‐driven selection were steep, largely noncoincidental, and displaced to the east of the cline centre for neutral AFLPs. During the LGM, ssp.helenitisshould have been able to persist in a refugium southwest of the transect, while suitable habitat for ssp.salisburgensiswas apparently absent at this time. Together with patterns of genetic and clinal variation, our ENM data are suggestive of a primary hybrid zone that originated after the species’ postglacial, eastward expansion. The observed clinal changes may thus reflect random/nonadaptive processes during expansion and selection on particular loci, and possibly achene type, in response to a long‐term, west‐to‐east climate gradient in the direction of more stressful (e.g., wetter/cooler) conditions. Overall, this study adds to the vast hybrid zone literature a rare example of a hybrid zone caused by primary differentiation within a plant species, underlaid by historical range expansion.
On Decolonizing Social Ontology and the Feminist Canon for Transnational Feminisms
Authors: Monque Pedro
Published: February 2021

Serene J. Khader’sDecolonizing Universalismpresents a vision for how feminism might be decolonized for transnational work by doing without traditional Western feminist values and focusing instead on opposing sexist oppression. This paper presents a challenge to the idea that feminism consists in opposing sexist oppression, claiming that it instead consists in opposing gender oppression, where that includes combating cissexism and heterosexism. More specifically, it argues that critiquing cissexist criteria within gender categories as well as critiquing harms that follow from having a queer sexual identity are decidedly feminist tasks. Furthermore, cases of these harms where group identities cannot arise in the social ontology due to a lack of hermeneutical resources challenge the idea that feminism is concerned only with oppression. The second half of the paper extends Khader’s critique of the Western liberal moral vocabulary of feminism by proposing a radical decolonization of the feminist canon as it is usually conceived in the global North.
An autopsy case of corticobasal syndrome due to asymmetric degeneration of the motor cortex and substantia nigra with TDP‐43 proteinopathy, associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology
Authors: Tando So , Kasai Takashi , Mizuta Ikuko , Takahashi Hisashi , Yaoi Takeshi , Saito Kozo , Hojo Tomohito , Mizuno Toshiki , Hasegawa Masato , Itoh Kyoko
Published: February 2021

We herein report a case of corticobasal syndrome (CBS) due to asymmetric degeneration of the motor cortex and substantia nigra with transactivation response DNA‐binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP‐43) proteinopathy, associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. An 85‐year‐old man initially noticed that he had difficulty in walking and had trouble in moving his right hand and lower limb one year later. His gait disturbance was aggravated, and at the age of 87 years, his neurological examination revealed parkinsonism and positive frontal lobe signs. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed atrophy of the left frontotemporal lobe and cerebral peduncle, and cerebral blood flow scintigraphy revealed hypoperfusion of the left frontotemporal lobe, leading to a possible diagnosis of CBS. At the age of 89 years, he was bedridden, and rarely spoke. He died of aspiration pneumonia five years after the onset of initial symptoms. At the autopsy, the brain weighed 1280 g and showed left‐sided hemiatrophy of the cerebrum and cerebral peduncle. Neuropathological examination revealed AD pathology (Braak AT8 stage V, Braak stage C, CERAD B, Thal classification 5). Phosphorylated TDP‐43 (p‐TDP‐43) immunohistochemistry revealed widespread deposits of dystrophic neurites (DNs), glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs), and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs), which were most remarkable in layers II/III of the motor cortex and predominant on the left hemisphere of the frontal cortex, these neuropathology being consistent with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP‐43 (FTLD‐TDP) type A. Interestingly, neuronal loss in the substantia nigra was more severe on the left than the right side, with a few phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) and p‐TDP‐43 deposits. It is highly likely that asymmetric TDP‐43 pathology rather than symmetric tau pathology contributed to the laterality of degeneration of the cerebral cortex, substantia nigra, and pyramidal tract, which led us to suggest that TDP‐43 proteinopathy might be a primary cause.
The dual scale model of weighing reasons
Authors: Tucker Chris
Published: February 2021

The metaphor of weighing reasons brings to mind a single (double‐pan balance) scale. The reasons for φ go in one pan and the reasons for ∼φ go in the other. The relative weights, as indicated by the relative heights of the two pans of the scale, determine the deontic status of φ. This model is simple and intuitive, but it cannot capture what it is to weigh reasons correctly. A reason pushes the φ pan down toward permissibility (has justifying weight) only insofar as it pushes the ∼φ pan up toward impermissibility (has requiring weight). Thus, Single Scale is committed to Single Proportion (first pass): all reasons have the same proportion of justifying and requiring weight. Many normative theories reject Single Proportion, and they are not thereby confused about how to weigh reasons. One can be mistaken about the weight of a reason without being confused about how reasons are to be weighed. Single Scale is problematic, not because it appeals to the image of a scale, but because it appeals to the image of a single scale. We need two scales to capture what it is to weigh reasons correctly.
The microRNA476a‐RFL module regulates adventitious root formation through a mitochondria‐dependent pathway in Populus
Authors: Xu Changzheng , Tao Yuanxun , Fu Xiaokang , Guo Li , Xing Haitao , Li Chaofeng , Yang Ziwei , Su Huili , Wang Xianqiang , Hu Jian , Fan Di , Chiang Vincent L. , Luo Keming
Published: February 2021

For woody plants, clonal propagation efficiency is largely determined by adventitious root (AR) formation at the bases of stem cuttings. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms contributing to AR morphogenesis in trees remains limited, despite the importance of vegetative propagation, currently the most common practice for tree breeding and commercialization.

Here, we identified Populus‐specific miR476a as a regulator of wound‐induced adventitious rooting that acts by orchestrating mitochondrial homeostasis.

MiR476a exhibited inducible expression during AR formation and directly targeted several Restorer of Fertility like (RFL) genes encoding mitochondrion‐localized pentatricopeptide repeat proteins. Genetic modification of miR476a‐RFL expression revealed that miR476a/RFL‐mediated dynamic regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis influences AR formation in poplar. Mitochondrial perturbation via exogenous application of a chemical inhibitor indicated that miR476a/RFL‐directed AR formation depends on mitochondrial regulation that acts via auxin signaling.

Our results thus establish a microRNA‐directed mitochondrion–auxin signaling cascade required for AR development, providing insights into the role of mitochondrial regulation in the developmental plasticity of plants.
Awe helps us remember why it is important to forget the self
Authors: Stellar Jennifer E.
Published: February 2021

Awe is a self‐transcendent emotion that exerts a powerful impact on the self. Through diminishing the ego, awe may help cultivate interconnection, wisdom, meaning, and purpose.
Assessing optimal colour and illumination to facilitate reading
Authors: Morrice Elliott , Murphy Caitlin , Soldano Vanessa , Addona Cynthia , Wittich Walter , Johnson Aaron P
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study examined the effectiveness of the LuxIQ, the Apple iPad and a smart bulb in assessing optimal colour and illumination to facilitate reading in younger, older and visually impaired adults.

Methods

Participants read standardised texts at baseline (normal lighting/no device), then using the Apple iPad, LuxIQ and smart bulb, with their normal vision (20/20 condition) and using a simulated reduction in visual acuity/contrast sensitivity (20/80 condition). Visually impaired participants followed the same procedure used in the 20/80 condition.

Results

There was a significant interaction between condition and device in younger, F(1.5, 43.51) = 30.41, p < 0.001, ω2 = 0.34 and older, F(1.5, 4.51) = 4.51, p = 0.03, ω2 = 0.05 adults with normal vision, and there was a significant effect of device, F(2, 58) = 5.95, p = 0.004, ω2 = 0.12 in visually impaired adults. In the 20/20 condition, age and colour predicted reading speed, F(3, 176) = 36.25, p < 0.001, Adj. R2 = 0.37, whereas age, lighting and colour predicted reading speed, F(3, 176) = 36.25, p < 0.001, Adj. R2 = 0.37 in the 20/80 condition. In the visual impairment condition, lighting, colour and impairment severity predicted reading speed, F(3, 85) = 10.10, p < 0.001, Adj. R2 = 0.24.

Conclusions

The clinical implications of this study are that reading speeds improve in individuals with low vision under improved lighting conditions, specifically, with higher levels of luminance and colour temperature. The effectiveness of the devices varied across groups; however, the LuxIQ was the only device to improve reading speeds from baseline in older adults with visual impairments.
The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on working practices of UK primary care optometrists
Authors: Nagra Manbir , Allen Peter M , Norgett Yvonne , Beukes Eldre , Bowen Michael , Vianya‐Estopa Marta
Published: February 2021

Purpose

In late 2019, a new coronavirus capable of infecting humans, SARS‐CoV‐2, was identified in Wuhan, China. The resultant respiratory disease was subsequently named COVID‐19. In March 2020, in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, primary care optometry practices only remained open to deliver essential or emergency eye care. This study aimed to characterise the experiences of United Kingdom (UK)‐based primary care optometrists during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

An email invitation to participate in an online cross‐sectional survey was sent to 3000 UK‐based, currently practicing members of The College of Optometrists (UK). Responses to the structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means and standard deviations. Frequency analyses were used to evaluate items with multiple responses. Free‐text responses were examined using thematic analyses.

Results

After data cleaning, a total of 1250 responses remained. Sixty‐three percent were female, 70% self‐identified as being of white ethnicity and 78% were based in England. During the first national lockdown, over half of all respondents were involved with the provision of remote consultations for emergency/urgent care. The majority felt ‘very’/‘moderately’ comfortable conducting remote consultations, but 66% felt professional liability was increased. Forty percent were involved in the provision of face‐to‐face consultations. Eye‐health and vision‐related problems were the most commonly reported patient issues during both remote and face‐to‐face consultations, while contact‐lens related problems were the least. Thematic analysis of the responses showed several challenges adjusting to the pandemic (e.g., working safely), but also some potential benefits (e.g., increased skills).

Conclusions

The findings provide an overview of changes to optometric practice in the UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results may be used to inform the development of professional guidance and facilitate resource allocation for safe and effective eye care during this and any future pandemics.
Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen increases the risk of atopic dermatitis in children: A nationwide nested case‐control study in Taiwan
Authors: Li Cheng‐Yuan , Dai Ying‐Xiu , Chang Yun‐Ting , Bai Ya‐Mei , Tsai Shih‐Jen , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Chen Mu‐Hong
Published: February 2021

Background

Acetaminophen (APAP) has been associated with the development of atopic diseases. However, little is known about the relationship between prenatal APAP exposure and atopic dermatitis (AD) in offspring.

Objective

To investigate the association between prenatal APAP exposure and AD risk in offspring.

Methods

In this study, 2029 study pairs (AD‐affected children and their mothers) and 5,058 control pairs were identified between 1998 and 2008 from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Maternal APAP exposure during pregnancy was assessed.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, there was a significant association between risk of offspring AD and exposure to acetaminophen in the first trimester (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05‐1.28), the second trimester (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.03‐1.27), both first and second trimesters (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.13‐1.51), both first and third trimester (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.04‐1.39), any trimester (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.00‐1.26), and all three trimesters (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.08‐1.62) in a dose‐response manner.

Conclusions

Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen was associated with an increased incidence of offspring AD.
The potential of resilient carbon dynamics for stabilizing crop reproductive development and productivity during heat stress
Authors: Ferguson John N. , Tidy Alison C. , Murchie Erik H. , Wilson Zoe A.
Published: February 2021

Impaired carbon metabolism and reproductive development constrain crop productivity during heat stress. Reproductive development is energy intensive, and its requirement for respiratory substrates rises as associated metabolism increases with temperature. Understanding how these processes are integrated and the extent to which they contribute to the maintenance of yield during and following periods of elevated temperatures is important for developing climate‐resilient crops. Recent studies are beginning to demonstrate links between processes underlying carbon dynamics and reproduction during heat stress, consequently a summation of research that has been reported thus far and an evaluation of purported associations are needed to guide and stimulate future research. To this end, we review recent studies relating to source–sink dynamics, non‐foliar photosynthesis and net carbon gain as pivotal in understanding how to improve reproductive development and crop productivity during heat stress. Rapid and precise phenotyping during narrow phenological windows will be important for understanding mechanisms underlying these processes, thus we discuss the development of relevant high‐throughput phenotyping approaches that will allow for more informed decision‐making regarding future crop improvement.
AIR12 confers cold tolerance through regulation of the CBF cold response pathway and ascorbate homeostasis
Authors: Wang Qi , Shi Haifan , Huang Risheng , Ye Rong , Luo Yurong , Guo Zhenfei , Lu Shaoyun
Published: February 2021

Auxin induced in root culture (AIR12) is a single gene in Arabidopsis and codes for a mono‐heme cytochrome b, but it is unknown whether plant AIR12 is involved in abiotic stress responses. MfAIR12 was identified from Medicago falcata that is legume germplasm with great cold tolerance. Transcript levels of MfAIR12 and its homolog MtAIR12 from Medicago truncatula was induced under low temperature. Overexpression of MfAIR12 led to the accumulation of H2O2 in apoplast and enhanced cold tolerance, which was blocked by H2O2 scavengers, indicating that the increased cold tolerance was dependent upon the accumulated H2O2. In addition, declined cold tolerance was observed in Arabidopsis mutant air12, which could be restored by expressing MfAIR12. Compared to the wild type, higher levels of ascorbic acid and ascorbate redox state, as well as transcripts of the C repeat/dehydration responsive element‐binding factor (CBF) transcription factors and their downstream cold‐responsive genes, were observed in MfAIR12 transgenic lines, but lower levels of those in air12 mutant. It is suggested AIR12 confers cold tolerance as a result of the altered H2O2 in the apoplast that is signaling in the regulation of CBF cold response pathway and ascorbate homeostasis.
Association between preterm birth and maternal allergy considering IgE level
Authors: Kojima Reiji , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Akiyama Yuka , Ooka Tadao , Miyake Kunio , Horiuchi Sayaka , Shinohara Ryoji , Yamagata Zentaro ,   Japan Environment and Children's Study Group
Published: February 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the association between maternal allergies and preterm birth by different total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.

Methods

Data of 81 791 pregnant women from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a prospective birth cohort, were used. Maternal allergic diseases, including a history of bronchial asthma (BA), atopic dermatitis (AD), and allergic rhinitis (AR), were obtained by self‐administered questionnaires. Total serum IgE levels were measured at the first trimester and obstetrical outcomes from medical records transcripts were analyzed. The association between maternal allergic disease and obstetric outcome, including threatened abortion, preterm labor, early preterm birth (22–33 weeks), and late preterm birth (34–36 weeks), were examined by logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were performed by IgE level.

Results

Maternal BA and AR were associated with an increased risk of threatened abortion and preterm labor, but high total IgE level was associated with a decreased risk of preterm labor. There was little difference in associations between allergic disease and threatened abortion and preterm labor by total IgE levels. Although there was no significant association between allergic disease and preterm birth, if total IgE was high, AR was significantly associated with a decreased risk of early preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval 0.43–0.86). There was significant evidence for differences associated with total IgE levels (P‐values for the interaction of the effects of AD and AR on early preterm birth were 0.039 and 0.015, respectively).

Conclusions

The effect of allergy on preterm birth might differ depending on the total IgE level.
Fluctuations in internal cerebral vein and central side veins of preterm infants
Authors: Ikeda Toshifumi , Ito Yuya , Mikami Ryosuke , Matsuo Koji , Kawamura Naoto , Yamoto Akane , Ito Etsuro
Published: February 2021

Background

Studies on the acute management of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants reveal a high incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in infants with high‐grade internal cerebral vein perfusion waveform fluctuations. In this prospective observational study we investigated the Doppler perfusion waveform fluctuations in the great cerebral vein, straight sinus, and internal cerebral veins of ELBW infants.

Methods

We evaluated perfusion waveforms after birth every 12 h until 120 h in 73 ELBW infants (<1,000 g) at our hospital. Fluctuations were categorized into four patterns of increasing magnitude, Grades 0–3.

Results

The maximum grades of perfusion waveform fluctuations of the internal cerebral veins were 0, 1, 2, and 3 detected in 12, 38, 13, and 10 infants, respectively; those of the great cerebral vein were 0, 1, 2, and 3 detected in 5, 17, 20, and 31 infants, respectively; and those of the straight sinus were 0, 1, 2, and 3 detected in 1, 5, 17, and 50 infants, respectively. Only one of 803 simultaneous measurements of the Doppler perfusion waveforms showed stronger fluctuations of the peripheral vein than those of the central side veins. Intraventricular hemorrhage was associated with high‐grade fluctuations in the internal cerebral veins but not in the great cerebral vein or straight sinus.

Conclusions

Most infants had high‐grade fluctuations in the great cerebral vein and straight sinus, with lower grade fluctuations in the internal cerebral vein, but IVH was not associated with those markers. Intraventricular hemorrhage was correlated with high‐grade fluctuations only in the internal cerebral veins.
Nuclear polyhedrosis virus‐induced proteomic changes in Antheraea mylitta
Authors: Nallabothula Triveni , Hulikal Shivashankar Santosh Kumar , Vootla Shyam Kumar
Published: February 2021

Innate immunity, the evolutionarily conserved defence system, has been extensively explored in insect models like Drosophila and mosquito species for their immune responses towards diverse pathogens. Viruses being obligate parasites take over cellular macromolecular machinery and routinely control intracellular signalling pathways through the direct or indirect control of kinases and phosphatases. Domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori is an economically important insect. Wild silkworm Antheraea mylitta produces a unique variety of silk in terms of its colour, lustre and strength called as Tasar silk. Both the silkworms vary in their immune response to nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). NPV causes 80% of crop losses in B. mori, interestingly there are no documented reports of NPV infection in A. mylitta. To investigate the mechanism of A. mylitta's immune response to NPV infection, we analysed viral induced proteins through proteomic approach (SDS‐PAGE and LC–MS/MS). We report the expression of a myotubularin‐related protein (MTMR6) of 23 kDa at 72 h post infection (hpi) indicating its role in host immunity as a phosphatase enzyme. And also, a differentially expressed serpin‐like protein of 67 kDa was upregulated in a significant way from 72 hpi further strengthening the immune response by suppressing the viral replication through serine protease inhibitory activity. This observation was further confirmed through qPCR studies on virus proliferation using lef‐1 gene which clearly indicated a reduction in viral load from 72 hpi onwards in A. mylitta silkworms.
Deciphering fruit sugar transport and metabolism from tolerant and sensitive tomato plants subjected to simulated field conditions
Authors: Lopez‐Delacalle Maria , Camejo Daymi , Garcia‐Marti Maria , Lopez‐Ramal Maria Jose , Nortes Pedro A. , Martinez Vicente , Rivero Rosa M.
Published: February 2021

In the current state of climate change, we must assume that abiotic stresses act together under natural field conditions, these will increase in the coming years. Therefore, in this report we investigated how sugar metabolism was affected under simulated field conditions, where plants faced high ambient temperatures and a low‐quality water irrigation. Our studies were carried out on fruits of two tomato recombinant lines, a tolerant and a sensitive one exposed to the combination of heat and salinity. Two ripening stages (mature green and red ripe fruits) were used in our analyzes, where the gene expression levels of the main biosynthetic genes and transporters, enzymatic activities and compounds related to the synthesis, accumulation, and degradation of sugars in plants were analyzed. The tolerant line showed highly significant differences in red ripe fruits in comparison to the sensitive one under the simulated field conditions (35°C + 60 mM NaCl), with an overexpression of the genes SlFBP, SlSPS, SlSUS3, and SlNi. These expression patterns correlated with a higher activity of the enzymes FBP, SPS, SUS3, AI, and G6PDH, which resulted in the accumulation of fructose, glucose and UDP‐glucose. Our results showed the advantage of using tomato recombinant lines for rescuing important traits, such as the resistance to some abiotic stresses, and for the identification of important molecular and metabolic markers that could be used to determine fruit quality in green or red maturity stages under detrimental environmental field conditions.