bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species abundance fluctuations over 31 years are associated with plant–soil feedback in a species‐rich mountain meadow
Authors: in 't Zandt Dina , Herben Tomáš , van den Brink Annelien , Visser Eric J. W. , de Kroon Hans
Published: December 2020

Increasing evidence suggest that plant–soil interactions play an essential role in plant community assembly processes. Empirical investigations show that plant species abundance in the field is often related to plant–soil biota interactions; however, the direction of these relations have yielded inconsistent results.

We combined unique 31‐year long field data on species abundances from a species‐rich mountain meadow with single time point plant–soil feedback greenhouse experiments of 24 co‐occurring plant species. We tested whether these relations were dynamic in time, whether coupled increases and decreases in abundance between years were related to plant–soil feedback and whether these changes were underlain by years in which manuring was applied.

The prevailingly negative relationship between plant–soil feedback and plant relative abundance in the field was significantly time‐dependent, which may reconcile the contrasting results in literature. Furthermore, significantly coupled oscillations appeared between species relative abundance changes and plant–soil feedback, which were likely moderated by years in which manuring was applied. Our results are consistent with the notion that the more abundant species are stabilised by negative plant–soil feedback, and the less abundant species co‐vary with the fluctuations of these more competitive species.

Synthesis. Our results project plant–soil feedback as an important regulatory mechanism in plant communities, operating in conjunction with species' competitive ability and soil nutrient availability. We suggest that negative feedback is particularly prominent in more abundant plant species that profit from more readily available soil nutrients than less abundant species with positive feedback. Negative plant–soil feedback may thus prevent more abundant plant species from out‐competing less abundant plant species, facilitating stable species co‐existence.
Flexibility, cohesion and family satisfaction: The impact of conflict between work and family
Authors: Neto Mário Jorge , Sequeira Joana , Massano‐Cardoso Ilda , Chambel Maria José
Published: December 2020

This study, including 658 nurses, tested the mediating effect of work–family conflict (WFC) and family–work conflict (FWC) in the relationship between family characteristics (i.e. cohesion and flexibility) and family satisfaction. Using the circumplex model of family systems by Olson and the conflict between work and family, regression analysis using PROCESS software revealed that both WFC and FWC were negatively related to family satisfaction. More interestingly, WFC was observed to mediate the relationship between family flexibility and family satisfaction, and FWC to mediate the relationship between family cohesion and family satisfaction. The theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Practitioner points

It is necessary to take into account the relationship between work and family characteristics (e.g. cohesion and flexibility) to explain family satisfaction. Thus, the need to focus on the particularities of WFC and FWC and family functioning, their strategies and fields of intervention are relevant.

For organisations, particularly for human resource management, it is important to recognise the importance of the characteristics of a worker’s family because these will be relevant to the relationship established between the work and family domains.

For clinicians, particularly family therapists, this study contributes to a new understanding of the impact of family functioning in contexts external to the family, namely the professional context.
Tracing, Mixing, and Innocent Claimants
Authors: English Jordan , Hafeez‐Baig Mohammud Jaamae
Published: December 2020

Faced with the problem that arises where multiple innocent claimants have contributed to a mixed fund that is now insufficient to meet all of their claims, English and Australian courts have suggested three solutions: (i) the rule in Clayton's Case; (ii) the ‘simple pari passu’ approach; and (iii) the ‘rolling charge’ or ‘North American’ approach. In Caron v Jahani (No 2) the New South Wales Court of Appeal adopted a simplified version of the third solution: the ‘simplified rolling charge’ approach. In doing so, the Court demonstrated that once the rule in Clayton's Case is (rightly) discarded, what remains is not simply a binary choice between the second and third solutions. We argue that English courts should revisit their approach to the problem posed at the outset by jettisoning the rule in Clayton's Case and by adopting the simplified rolling charge approach.
An overview of the perception and mitigation of astringency associated with phenolic compounds
Authors: Huang Rui , Xu Changmou
Published: December 2020

Astringency, as a kind of puckering, drying, or rough sensation, is widely perceived from natural foods, especially plants rich in phenolic compounds. Although the interaction and precipitation of salivary proteins by phenolic compounds was often believed as the major mechanism of astringency, a definitive theory about astringency is still lacking due to the complex oral sensations. The interaction with oral epithelial cells and the activation of trigeminal chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors also shed light on some of the phenolic astringency mechanisms, which complement the insufficient mechanism of interaction with salivary proteins. Since phenolic compounds with different types and structures show different astringency thresholds in a certain regularity, there might be some relationships between the phenolic structures and perceived astringency. On the other hand, novel approaches to reducing the unfavorable perception of phenolic astringency have been increasingly emerging; however, the according summary is still sparse. Therefore, this review aims to: (a) illustrate the possible mechanisms of astringency elicited by phenolic compounds, (b) reveal the possible relationships between phenolic structures and perception of astringency, and (c) summarize the emerging mitigation approaches to astringency triggered by phenolic compounds. This comprehensive review would be of great value to both the understanding of phenolic astringency and the finding of appropriate mitigation approaches to phenolic astringency in future research.
Covalent chemical modification of myofibrillar proteins to improve their gelation properties: A systematic review
Authors: Zhao Xue , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong
Published: December 2020

To improve the quality of meat products is a constant focus for both the meat industry and scientists. As major components in meat protein, the gelation properties of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) predominantly determine the sensory quality and product yield of the final product. Naturally or artificially occurring covalent modifications are known to largely affect MP functionality by changing the protein structure and forming aggregates, leading to both favorable and unfavorable outcomes. The review aims to summarize the mechanisms associated with several covalent modifications and the recent developments in enhancing MP gelation properties. Various extrinsic and intrinsic parameters controlling oxidation, phenolic–protein interactions, enzyme catalysis, glycation, and isoelectric solubilization/precipitation, and their effects on the characteristics of heat‐induced MP gels are discussed. This article provides an improved understanding of the covalent modifications that occur mainly in the MP system and how they can be utilized to promote its gelation properties. Covalent modifications exhibited dose‐dependent and dual‐role manners for MP gelation properties. Mild oxidation, enzyme catalysis, and isoelectric solubilization/precipitation treatment would be beneficial to form more aligned and cross‐linked three‐dimensional networks for MP gels because of moderate protein aggregation. However, an excessive aggregate impedes the MP gelation behavior, leading to reduced gelation quality. Glycation effectively increased hydrophilicity of MPs and phenolic conjugation provides MPs with novel bioactivity. A proper utilization of such a process or even a rational combination of them allowed us to enhance the gelation properties of MP with assorted appreciated functionalities and further improve the quality of meat products.
State Ownership and Target Setting: Evidence from Publicly Listed Companies in China*
Authors: Wei Chunyan
Published: December 2020

Prior research has examined target setting in market‐driven companies but has not examined target setting in state‐run companies that also have social and political objectives. I examine how Chinese state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) set and revise performance targets to motivate a balanced effort allocation. Using data on financial performance (sales) targets set by SOEs and non‐SOEs during the period 2006–2016, I predict and find that the financial targets of SOEs are easier to achieve than those of non‐SOEs, and that SOEs with easier financial targets perform better regarding corporate social responsibility. I also predict and find that SOEs ratchet financial targets upward less than non‐SOEs to keep them easy to achieve and, as a consequence, SOE managers are less likely to game performance to avoid future target increases. The results are robust to alternative measures of state influence and alternative measures of financial targets. These findings suggest that firms balance their multiple objectives through strategically setting and revising financial targets. In doing so, this study provides a better understanding of target‐setting practices in organizations pursuing multiple, sometimes conflicting, objectives.
Promises and perils of artificial intelligence in dentistry
Authors: Pethani F
Published: December 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a subdiscipline of computer science that has made substantial progress in medicine and there is a growing body of AI research in dentistry. Dentists should have an understanding of the foundational concepts and the ability to critically evaluate dental research in AI. Machine learning (ML) is a subfield of AI that most dental AI research is dedicated to. The most prolific area of ML research is automated interpretation of dental imaging. Other areas include providing treatment recommendations, predicting future disease and treatment outcomes. The research impact is limited by small datasets that do not harness the positive correlation between very large datasets and ML performance. There is also a need to standardize research methodologies and utilize performance metrics that are appropriate for the clinical context. In addition to research challenges, this article discusses the ethical, legal and logistical considerations associated with implementation in clinical practice. This includes explainable AI, model bias, data privacy and security. The future implications of AI in dentistry involve a promise for a novel form of practicing dentistry however, the effect of AI on patient outcomes is yet to be determined.
Using a smartphone application (App) to assist older adults to navigate their local area during extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions: A qualitative study
Authors: Wilson Leigh Ann , O’Loughlin Kate , Hector Robyn , Ann Black Deborah
Published: December 2020

Objective

To explore the views of those in later life on the usability of a smartphone application (app) which could assist in negotiating the external environment, particularly during extreme weather and local environmental changes.

Methods

Seven adults aged over 55 years (four women, three men) living in Sydney, Australia, participated in focus groups. Responses were analysed thematically.

Results

The findings demonstrate older adults would use a reliable and relevant app to assist in accessing their external environment if it could provide assistance with accurate, up‐to‐date transport options, road closures, community events and weather.

Conclusion

If relevant, in real time and locally focussed adults aged over 55 could find value in a mobile app to assist them to navigate their external environment. These results suggest an age‐friendly, specifically designed app will have an impact on accessibility to the local environment with the potential to lead to increased walking and social engagement.
The Challenge of Building a Scalable Postcapitalist Commons: The Limits of FairCoin as a Commons‐Based Cryptocurrency
Authors: Dallyn Sam , Frenzel Fabian
Published: December 2020

Postcapitalist commons are a growing area of interest in the efforts to generate alternatives to capitalism in the present. Commons are understood as self‐organised collectives based around shared resources; yet postcapitalist commons have an additional element, in operating within while projecting an “after” capitalism. This can give rise to tensions since commons striving for postcapitalism also require a certain amount of capital to survive and function within capitalism. FairCoop is a radical postcapitalist commons that adopted the cryptocurrency FairCoin in 2014. FairCoop, through FairCoin, was able to generate some trans‐local connections through its use of peer2peer technologies and was thus able to scale‐up. Its design, however, was ultimately unsustainable due to insufficiently clear boundaries from capital. After highlighting the lack of commons boundaries around FairCoop, we identify some additional commons‐capital boundary design principles which could contribute to the sustainability of future postcapitalist commons experiments that are seeking to scale.
Risk–efficacy balance of ulipristal acetate compared to surgical alternatives
Authors: Middelkoop Mei‐An , Bet Pierre M. , Drenth Joost P.H. , Huirne Judith A.F. , Hehenkamp Wouter J.K.
Published: December 2020

Aims

Uterine fibroids are benign tumours that cause various complaints. These complaints may significantly compromise quality of life, necessitating a clinical intervention in 25–50% of the affected women. Hysterectomy, myomectomy or embolization may offer symptomatic relief, but are costly, include a recovery period, can cause serious side‐effects, sometimes fail to treat symptoms completely and are not always desired by patients. Ulipristal is a conservative long‐term treatment that has a fibroid‐volume decreasing effect, acceptable side‐effects while preserving fertility and may be an alternative to surgical alternatives. Currently, ulipristal is investigated by the European Medicine Agency and suspended from marketing authorization because it may cause drug‐induced liver injury (DILI). However, many drugs can cause severe DILI and prospective studies estimate 14–19 DILI cases/100 000 people.

Methods

This overview will discuss the risk–benefit balance between ulipristal and DILI, describe the safety–efficacy balance of ulipristal and its alternative treatments and the arguments that led to the suspension of its marketing authorization.

Results

Ulipristal may be associated with DILI resulting in a risk of severe liver injury in 1.5:100 000 patients and fatal liver injury in 0.1:100 000 patients. This risk needs to be weighed against the higher mortality risk of >1:1000 and higher incidence of severe complications after surgery.

Conclusion

The DILI risk of ulipristal is considerably lower than that of other medicines that are not suspended, nor need additional safety measures. When evaluating drugs and drug safety, risks that apply to the alternative nonpharmacological treatment options should be taken into consideration.
Assuming independence in spatial latent variable models: Consequences and implications of misspecification
Authors: Hui Francis K.C. , Hill Nicole A. , Welsh A.H.
Published: December 2020

Multivariate spatial data, where multiple responses are simultaneously recorded across spatially indexed observational units, are routinely collected in a wide variety of disciplines. For example, the Southern Ocean Continuous Plankton Recorder survey collects records of zooplankton communities in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean, with the aim of identifying and quantifying spatial patterns in biodiversity in response to environmental change. One increasingly popular method for modeling such data is spatial generalized linear latent variable models (GLLVMs), where the correlation across sites is captured by a spatial covariance function in the latent variables. However, little is known about the impact of misspecifying the latent variable correlation structure on inference of various parameters in such models. To address this gap in the literature, we investigate how misspecifying and assuming independence for the latent variables' correlation structure impacts estimation and inference in spatial GLLVMs. Through both theory and numerical studies, we show that performance of maximum likelihood estimation and inference on regression coefficients under misspecification depends on a combination of the response type, the magnitude of true regression coefficient, and the corresponding loadings, and, most importantly, whether the corresponding covariate is (also) spatially correlated. On the other hand, estimation and inference of truly nonzero loadings and prediction of latent variables is consistently not robust to misspecification of the latent variable correlation structure.
‘Collecting What the Sea Gives Back’: Postcolonial Ecologies of the Ocean in Contemporary Chilean Film
Authors: Merchant Paul
Published: December 2020

This article proposes a new mode of understanding the entanglement of ecological and postcolonial questions in contemporary Chilean filmmaking, through the lens of directorial subjectivity. BothTierra sola(Solitary Land, Tiziana Panizza, 2017), andEl botón de nácar(The Pearl Button, Patricio Guzmán, 2015) contest hegemonic structures of belonging by constructing an alternative ‘oceanic archive’. Yet where Guzmán's metaphorical meditations on indigenous connections to the ocean risk collapsing into romanticism and replicating colonial visuality, Panizza's reflexive conception of filmmaking as a situated and embodied practice facilitates a subtler understanding of cinema's political engagement in this sphere.
Analysis of endemism of world arthropod distribution data supports biogeographic regions and many established subdivisions
Authors: Liria Jonathan , Szumik Claudia A. , Goloboff Pablo A.
Published: December 2020

We analyzed 769 242 occurrence records for 115 424 species of terrestrial arthropods, from three biodiversity repositories (Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Natural History Museum, London, and “Sistema de Informação Distribuído para Coleções Biológicas” (SpeciesLink)), to test the use of global‐scale data points for quantitative assessments of areas of endemism. The data include Insecta (105,941 species), Arachnida (7984 species), Myriapoda (1229) and terrestrial crustaceans (270 Branchiopoda). The species were assigned to 14 543 higher taxonomic groups because such groups often characterize larger areas of endemism. Putative areas of endemism were visualized as sets of cells displaying unique groups of species without the assumption of hierarchical relationships. Yet, the use of 10° grid cells recovered many large areas broadly corresponding to biogeographic Regions (Nearctic, Neotropical, Panamanian, Palaearctic, Afrotropical, Australian, Oceanian and Oriental) albeit with the limits poorly defined. An analysis of 5° grids resulted in 306 sets included in the different biogeographic Realms: Afrotropical, Australian, Madagascan, Nearctic, Neotropical, Oceanian, Oriental, Palaearctic, Saharo‐Arabian and Sino‐Japanese. The Panamanian Realm comprises 89 partly overlapping sets, crossing the Nearctic and Neotropical boundaries. A total of 7338 species of Insecta were endemic to some areas (Sino‐Japanese, Afrotropical, Panamanian, Palaearctic, among others), followed by Arachnida (412 spp) and 105 species in other clades ranked as “classes”. Six sets were supported only by genera, except for Panamanian sets that were supported by genera and families. Many of the species in the dataset are included in IUCN red lists, but probably most of those have distributions more restricted than global areas of endemism; only 102 appear as endemic to some area (Neartic, Madagascan, Panamanian, Afrotropical, among others). The results show that data from global databases can be used to identify areas of endemism on a worldwide basis but—owing to their incompleteness—only at a relatively coarse level. At the level of resolution currently allowed by such databases, such global studies are only complementary to studies where areas are determined subjectively by systematists (instead of actual point records), or studies using point records in datasets for specific taxonomic groups curated and compiled by specialists.
Does prophylactic ureteric stenting at the time of colorectal surgery reduce the risk of ureteric injury? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hird Amanda E. , Nica Andra , Coburn Natalie G. , Kulkarni Girish S. , Nam Robert K. , Gien Lilian T.
Published: December 2020

Aim

Cystoscopic placement of ureteric stents during colorectal surgery (CRS) may aid in the intraoperative identification of the ureters and thus prevent ureteric injury, but may also be associated with prolonged operating time, increased cost and adverse events. No formal recommendations exist regarding the use of ureteric stents prior to CRS. Our aim was to determine the effect of prophylactic ureteric stent insertion on the risk of ureteric injury among adult patients undergoing CRS.

Method

A systematic search using the Ovid platform was completed. The primary outcome was risk of ureteric injury. Secondary outcomes included the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), urinary tract infection (UTI), sepsis, length of stay (LOS) and mortality. The Paule–Mandel pooling and a random effects model was used to produce odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for binary outcomes. Standardized mean differences (MD) were reported for continuous variables. Analyses were completed using R3.5.

Results

Nine retrospective cohort studies evaluating 98 507 patients were included. The incidence of ureteric injury was 0.6%. Overall, 5.1% of patients underwent ureteric stenting. There was no change in the odds of ureteric injury among stented patients compared with controls (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.39‐4.29, I2 = 25%). Operating time was significantly longer (MD 49.3 min, 95% CI 35.3–63.4, I2 = 96%) in the intervention group. There was no difference in rates of AKI, UTI, sepsis, LOS or mortality between groups.

Conclusion

Given the retrospective nature of the identified studies, the benefit of prophylactic ureteric stenting remains uncertain. Prophylactic ureteric stenting was not associated with increased patient morbidity but did significantly increase operating time.
Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion alterations associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance
Authors: Taivainen S. Helena , Laitinen Tiina M. , Yli‐Ollila Heikki , Juonala Markus , Kähönen Mika , Raitakari Olli T. , Laitinen Tomi P.
Published: December 2020

Background and aims

Our objective was to study relationships between the new biomarker of vascular health, carotid artery longitudinal wall motion (CALM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods

Carotid ultrasound and assessment of MetS and its components were performed with 281 subjects aged 30–45 years. In the longitudinal motion analysis, the amplitude of motion and the antegrade‐oriented and retrograde‐oriented components of motion between the intima–media complex and adventitial layer of the common carotid artery wall were assessed.

Results

Metabolic syndrome, according to the harmonized criteria, was detected in 53 subjects (19%). MetS was significantly associated with increased antegrade and decreased retrograde longitudinal motion in the carotid artery wall. Augmented antegrade amplitude of longitudinal motion was associated with obesity (β = 0.149, p < .05) and low HDL cholesterol (β = 0.177, p < .01). Attenuated retrograde amplitude of longitudinal motion was associated with hypertension (β = −0.156, p < .05), obesity (β = −0.138, p < .05) and hyperinsulinaemia (β = −0.158, p < .01). Moreover, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment index above 2.44) was associated with adverse changes in CALM.

Conclusion

Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were associated with alterations in CALM. In particular, hypertension, obesity and hyperinsulinaemia were associated with reduced total peak‐to‐peak amplitude as well as increased antegrade and reduced retrograde amplitudes, all of which might be markers of unfavourable vascular health.
Proposing Customers Economic Value or Relational Value? A Study of Two Stages of the Crowdfunding Project
Authors: Ma Shuang (Sara) , Hua Ying , Li Dahui , Wang Yonggui
Published: December 2020

Most crowdfunding studies have examined factors that contribute to the success in the funding stage of a crowdfunding project, while little is known about success‐promoting factors in the postfunding stage. Based on customer value theory, this study investigates (a) the main effects of customer value propositions on project performance in both the funding stage and the postfunding stage and (b) how factors about customer value delivery moderate these main effects. We found that price incentive had a positive effect on funding performance in the funding stage, whereas the effect of personalization was negative. Price incentive was not found to influence postfunding satisfaction in the postfunding stage, while personalization exerted a positive effect. As indicators associated with customer value delivery, both creator's project experience and promised delivery time demonstrated interaction effects with personalization but not with price incentive on funding performance. These factors also interacted with price incentive to affect satisfaction. This study offers insights to help project creators achieve a balance between proposing economic value and relational value while the creators can leverage their project experience and promised delivery time for successful crowdfunding projects.
Roflumilast protects against spatial memory impairments and exerts anti‐inflammatory effects after transient global cerebral ischemia
Authors: Bonato Jéssica M. , Meyer Erika , de Mendonça Patrícia S. B. , Milani Humberto , Prickaerts Jos , Weffort de Oliveira Rúbia Maria
Published: December 2020

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have been shown to present beneficial effects in cerebral ischemic injury because of their ability to improve cognition and target different phases and mechanisms of cerebral ischemia, including apoptosis, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The present study investigated whether repeated treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast rescued memory loss and attenuated neuroinflammation in rats following transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI). TGCI caused memory impairments, neuronal loss (reflected by Neuronal nuclei (NeuN) immunoreactivity), and compensatory neurogenesis (reflected by doublecortin (DCX) immunoreactivity) in the hippocampus. Also, increases in the protein expression of the phosphorylated response element‐binding protein (pCREB) and inflammatory markers such as the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba‐1), were detected in the hippocampus in TGCI rats. Repeated treatment with roflumilast (0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg) prevented spatial memory deficits without promoting hippocampal protection in ischemic animals. Roflumilast increased the levels of pCREB, arginase‐1, interleukin (IL) 4, and IL‐10 in the hippocampus 21 days after TGCI. These data suggest a protective effect of roflumilast against functional sequelae of cerebral ischemia, which might be related to its anti‐inflammatory properties.
Assessing the Impact of a Test Question: Evidence from the “Underground Railroad” Controversy
Authors: Dee Thomas S. , Domingue Benjamin W.
Published: December 2020

On the second day of a 2019 high‐stakes English Language Arts assessment, Massachusetts 10th graders faced an essay question that was based on a passage from the novel “The Underground Railroad” and publicly characterized as racially insensitive. Though the state excluded the essay responses from student scores, an unresolved public controversy focused on whether this question created a racial bias in performance on the remaining test items. We present the results from an independent, preregistered study of this question. Our confirmatory results indicate that exposure to the controversial question is associated with a small reduction in the comparative performance of Black students on the overall test (approximately .006σ). However, we also find a wide dispersion of such effects when examining similarly small sets of test items from prior state assessments that lacked a controversial question, which suggests the 2019 assessment was not distinctive. Our approach offers a potential template that may be useful in other contexts where testing controversies occur and underscores the importance of carefully screening test items to avoid such occurrences.
APOL1 risk variants and the development of HIV‐associated nephropathy
Authors: Goyal Rohan , Singhal Pravin C.
Published: December 2020

HIV‐associated nephropathy (HIVAN) remains a concern among untreated HIV patients, notably of African descent, as patients can reach end‐stage renal disease within 3 years. Two variants (G1 and G2) of the APOL1 gene, common in African populations to protect against African sleeping sickness, have been associated with an increased risk of several glomerular disorders including HIVAN, hypertension‐attributed chronic kidney disease, and idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and are accordingly named renal risk variants (RRVs). This review examines the mechanisms by which APOL1 RRVs drive glomerular injury in the setting of HIV infection and their potential application to patient management. Innate antiviral mechanisms activated by chronic HIV infection, especially those involving type 1 interferons, are of particular interest as they have been shown to upregulate APOL1 expression. Additionally, the downregulation of miRNA 193a (a repressor of APOL1) is also associated with the upregulation of APOL1. Interestingly, glomerular damage affected by APOL1 RRVs is caused by both loss‐ and gain‐of‐function changes in the protein, explicitly characterizing these effects. Their intracellular localization offers a further understanding of the nuances of APOL1 variant effects in promoting renal disease. Finally, although APOL1 variants have been recognized as a critical genetic player in mediating kidney disease, there are significant gaps in their application to patient management for screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
A global analysis of the susceptibility of river basins to invasion of a freshwater zooplankton (Daphnia lumholtzi)
Authors: Mantovano Tatiane , Bailly Dayani , Ferreira José Hilário Delconte , de Oliveira da Conceição Eliezer , Cassemiro Fernanda A. S. , de Campos Ramiro , Paulo Mormul Roger , Rangel Thiago Fernando , Lansac‐Tôha Fábio Amodêo
Published: December 2020

Climate change and species invasions pose serious threats to biodiversity.Daphnia lumholtziSars, 1885, a cladoceran species native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, has successfully invaded large sections of North and South America, there is evidence that the increase in the Earth's temperature and the number of reservoirs have facilitated this process.

In this context, our study evaluated the effects of climate change on the invasive potential ofD. lumholtzi, identifying the environmental suitability of non‐native river basins around the world to invasion by this species.

Using ecological niche modelling, we predicted potential distribution areas ofD. lumholtziin non‐native continents at the present time, in 2050 and 2080. For future scenarios we considered two hypotheses of greenhouse gas emission: extreme (8.5 representative concentration pathways) and moderate (4.5 representative concentration pathways). We used different algorithms in niche models within the ensemble forecast approach to estimate the potential distribution ofD. lumholtziriver basins worldwide. Furthermore, we developed a susceptibility index, that uses the presence ofD. lumholtzi,its suitability information, area, and number of reservoirs to evaluate the susceptibility to invasion for each river basin.

Our predictions showed that future climate change will have a strong influence on the invasive potential ofD. lumholzti, potentially expanding its distribution in eastern North America and boosting invasion across Europe, especially at the end of the century. The susceptibility index also showed that many river basins that presently are not vulnerable to invasion by this species will become susceptible to invasion, these basins lie mainly in Europe.

Our results will be useful for monitoring and mitigating the spread of this species, especially for river basins identified as highly susceptible to invasion. Thus, we suggested thatD. lumholtzishould be a high priority for monitoring and preventive actions against invasion of these river basins. We also suggest that better risk assessments, that include invasive species and reservoirs, should be a priority in national energy development plans.
Prevalence of dementia and its impact on mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: July Julius , Pranata Raymond
Published: December 2020

Aim

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dementia in patients with COVID‐19 and its association with mortality. We also aimed to discover whether age, sex and other comorbidities might affect the association between dementia and mortality.

Methods

We carried out a systematic literature search using PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC and the Cochrane Central Database. The outcome of interest was mortality, defined as clinically validated mortality/death/non‐survivor in the studies. The pooled effect estimates were presented as odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio.

Results

A total of 56 577 patients from 10 studies were included. The prevalence of dementia in this pooled analysis was 10% (7–13%). Dementia was associated with increased mortality in both pooled unadjusted (odds ratio 2.80, 95% CI 1.85–4.24, P < 0.001; I2 = 93.7%) and adjusted effect estimates (adjusted odds ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.45–2.24, P < 0.001; I2 = 72.9%). The association between dementia and mortality was influenced by age (coefficient −0.047, P < 0.001) and hypertension (coefficient −0.009, P = 0.020).

Conclusions

This study showed that dementia was associated with increased mortality in COVID‐19 patients. The association was affected by age and comorbidities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 172–177.
Comparative evaluation of four free radical scavengers for the inhibition of individual glycidyl ester formation in rice bran oil determined by UPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Wang Shujie , Liu Guoqin , Cheng Weiwei
Published: December 2020

This research investigated the effect of carnosic acid (CA), tert‐butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), sesamol (SL) and L‐ascorbyl palmitate (AP) on the inhibition of glycidyl esters (GEs) and oxidation parameter changes in rice bran oil (RBO) during heat processing. The electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis showed that the free radical scavenging ability of them was ranked as CA > TBHQ > SL > AP. With the addition of CA, TBHQ, SL and AP (0.6 g kg−1), the GEs content was reduced significantly from 987.98 ± 8.45 to 283.87 ± 4.78, 303.21 ± 4.38, 440.52 ± 3.82 and 500.55 ± 2.99 μg kg−1, respectively. All four free radical scavengers had the highest inhibitory effect on C18:2‐GE, followed by C18:1‐GE and C16:0‐GE. Moreover, the free radical scavengers were also effective to inhibit oil oxidation. Overall, the natural‐free radical scavenger may be a promising candidate to mitigate GE formation and oil oxidation due to its effectiveness and safety.
Looking represents choosing in toddlers: Exploring the equivalence between multimodal measures in forced‐choice tasks
Authors: Hagihara Hiromichi , Ienaga Naoto , Terayama Kei , Moriguchi Yusuke , Sakagami Masa‐aki
Published: December 2020

In the two‐alternative forced‐choice (2AFC) paradigm, manual responses such as pointing have been widely used as measures to estimate cognitive abilities. While pointing measurements can be easily collected, coded, analyzed, and interpreted, absent responses are often observed particularly when adopting these measures for toddler studies, which leads to an increase of missing data. Although looking responses such as preferential looking can be available as alternative measures in such cases, it is unknown how well looking measurements can be interpreted as equivalent to manual ones. This study aimed to answer this question by investigating how accurately pointing responses (i.e., left or right) could be predicted from concurrent preferential looking. Using pre‐existing videos of toddlers aged 18–23 months engaged in an intermodal word comprehension task, we developed models predicting manual from looking responses. Results showed substantial prediction accuracy for both the Simple Majority Vote and Machine Learning‐Based classifiers, which indicates that looking responses would be reasonable alternative measures of manual ones. However, the further exploratory analysis revealed that when applying the created models for data of toddlers who did not produce clear pointing responses, the estimation agreement of missing pointing between the models and the human coders slightly dropped. This indicates that looking responses without pointing were qualitatively different from those with pointing. Bridging two measurements in forced‐choice tasks would help researchers avoid wasting collected data due to the absence of manual responses and interpret results from different modalities comprehensively.
Microbial effect on water sorptivity and sulphate ingress by Bacillus megaterium on mortars prepared using Portland Pozzolana cement
Authors: Mutitu D.K. , Muthengia J.W. , Mwirichia R. , Thiong’o J.K. , Mulwa M.O. , Genson M.
Published: December 2020

Aims

To determine the effect of direct embedment of Bacillus megaterium into Portland pozzolana cement mortars on water sorptivity and diffusivity coefficient of sulphate ions.

Methods and Results

Prisms with a water/cement ratio of 0·5 were prepared by blending Portland Pozzolana cement with the requisite volume of a B. megaterium (microbial) solution whose concentration was 1·0 × 107 cells per ml. Mortar prisms of 160 mm × 40 mm × 40 mm were fabricated for this study. Mortars cured for 28 days were exposed to 0·2465 mol l−1 Na2SO4 solution using accelerated ion migration test method for 36-h session using a 12V DC power source. Sulphate ion concentration was then determined through the ingressed mortar at 10 mm interval. A minimum water sorption gain of 0·61% was observed on the prism prepared with and cured in microbial solution. A maximum of 0·0289 and a minimum of 0·0093 water sorptivity coefficients were exhibited by the control prism and microbial prisms, respectively. The microbial prisms exhibited the lowest apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) of 4·5179 × 10−11 m2 s−1.

Conclusions

Direct incorporation of B. megaterium in mortar preparation, curing or both regimes significantly retarded water sorption and lowered sulphate ion ingress. The inclusion of this bacterial in the mortar further complements the pozzolana pore structure benefits.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This novel B. megaterium bacteria which can survive and cause biocementation within hydrating cement mortar when not encapsulated would result in a green innovation. Once adopted and applied in real-life scenario, it would promote construction of durable, safe, resilient and affordable shelter.
Patterns of phylogenetic beta diversity measured at deep evolutionary histories across geographical and ecological spaces for angiosperms in China
Authors: Qian Hong , Jin Yi , Leprieur Fabien , Wang Xianli , Deng Tao
Published: December 2020

Aim

Understanding patterns and drivers of phylogenetic beta diversity in a region is important to understanding the origin and maintenance of the regional species diversity and variation in species diversity between local sites. Here we used a phylogenetic beta diversity metric quantifying deep evolutionary histories to explore geographical and ecological patterns of phylogenetic beta diversity in angiosperm assemblages across China.

Location

China.

Taxon

Flowering plants (angiosperms).

Methods

China was divided into 100 × 100 km grid cells. Species composition in each grid cell was documented. We used a basal‐weighted metric (Dpw) to quantify phylogenetic beta diversity among angiosperm assemblages with two sampling approaches (neighbourhood approach and pairwise approach). Dpw was related to latitude and climatic conditions of angiosperm assemblages and to geographical and climatic distances between angiosperm assemblages across China.

Results

We found that the southeastern portion of China has much higher Dpw than the northwestern portion of China. The line of high versus low values of Dpw across China is generally consistent with the line of 500‐mm precipitation per year. Our study shows that precipitation is associated with Dpw more strongly than temperature, and Dpw decreases with latitude, particularly in the eastern part of China.

Main conclusions

The emergence of the observed pattern of basal‐weighted phylogenetic beta diversity is at least partly because the southeastern portion of China retains a large number of Tertiary relicts, making it a biogeographical museum, whereas many Tertiary relicts went extinct from the northwestern portion of China, particularly the Tibetan Plateau, due to the uplift of the plateau and the Himalayas, which makes the region a biogeographical grave for Tertiary relicts.
Association between aspirin use and cardiovascular outcomes in ALLHAT participants with and without chronic kidney disease: A post hoc analysis
Authors: Desai Niraj , Wilson Brigid , Bond Michael , Conant Alexander , Rahman Mahboob
Published: December 2020

It is unclear whether aspirin is beneficial for prevention of CVD in patients with CKD. We performed a secondary analysis of the ALLHAT trial to assess the effect of baseline aspirin use on nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) or fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), all‐cause mortality, and stroke. Baseline characteristics of aspirin users and nonusers were used to generate propensity‐matched cohorts. Using conditional Cox proportional hazard regression models, we examined the effect of aspirin on the outcomes in the cohort at large and across 3 levels of kidney function (eGFR ≥90, 60–89, and <60). 11 250 ALLHAT participants reported using aspirin at baseline. The propensity‐matched dataset included 6894 nonusers matched with replacement to achieve a balanced analysis population (n = 22 500). Risk of fatal CHD or nonfatal MI (HR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.86–1.02) and stroke (HR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.89–1.15) was not significantly different between groups. Aspirin users were at significantly lower risk of all‐cause mortality compared to nonusers (HR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.76–0.88). Aspirin use was not associated with incidence of fatal CAD or nonfatal MI in patients with CVD (HR = 0.93, CI 0.84–1.04) or without CVD at baseline (HR = 1.04, CI 0.82–1.32). Results were consistent across strata of GFR (interaction p value NS). In hypertensive patients at high cardiovascular risk, aspirin use is not associated with risk of nonfatal MI, fatal CHD, or stroke; however, aspirin use is associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality. These results are consistent across baseline eGFR.
Late complications after root coverage with two types of subepithelial connective tissue grafts, clinical and histopathological evaluation: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Cardoso Matheus Völz , Lara Vanessa Soares , Sant’Ana Adriana Campos Passanezi , Damante Carla Andreotti , Ragghianti Zangrando Mariana Schutzer
Published: December 2020

Aim

This prospective cohort study evaluated late complications (LC) on recipient sites comparing two types of connective tissue grafts (CTG).

Materials and Methods

Participants (n: 60) were treated with coronally advanced flap (CAF) plus CTG harvested by de‐epithelialized technique (DE) (n:31) or two‐parallel incision (PI) (n:29). Areas were evaluated to identify white discharge associated or not with gingival cul‐de‐sac. Patients were ordered in groups with (DE+and PI+) or without (DE‐ and PI‐) LC. Biopsies for histopathological analysis in LC areas were proposed.

Results

Six cases exhibited LC, 5 in DE graft (DE+) and 1 in PI graft (PI+) group; 2 were diagnosed at 3 months postoperatively, 3 at 6 months and one at 12 months. The relative risk for LC was 1.7 times greater for DE graft (p: 0.01; CI: 1.10 to 2.72; RR>1). Differences were not observed for clinical outcomes after both types of CTGs (p > 0.05). Biopsies showed deep invagination of the epithelial lining suggesting cyst‐like area/ cavity with keratin content and consolidated in fibrous connective tissue. After 24 months biopsied areas presented no recurrence of LC, in non‐biopsied patients the clinical condition remained unchanged.

Conclusions

Considering the limitations of this study, LC on recipient sites demonstrated no statistical difference between two types of CTG.
All‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in underweight patients with diabetic nephropathy: BioBank Japan cohort
Authors: Yokomichi Hiroshi , Mochizuki Mie , Hirata Makoto , Nagai Akiko , Kojima Reiji , Horiuchi Sayaka , Ooka Tadao , Akiyama Yuka , Shinohara Ryoji , Miyake Kunio ,   BioBank Japan Project, Yamagata Zentaro
Published: December 2020

We aimed to determine mortality risk in underweight patients with diabetic nephropathy for microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria. We analyzed mortality and death‐cause data from BioBank Japan, with baseline years 2003–2007. We analyzed mortality rates from all causes and ischemic heart disease, according to body mass index (<18.5, 18.5–21.9, 22–24.9 and ≥25 kg/m2). The mean (standard deviation) of patient age, body mass index, and glycated hemoglobin at enrollment was 61.6 years (11.7 years), 25.0 kg/m2 (4.4 kg/m2) and 7.7% (1.5%), respectively. Hazard ratios of all‐cause and ischemic heart disease mortality were highest (1.79 [P = 0.0001] and 2.95 [P = 0.027], respectively) in patients with body mass index <18.5 kg/m2, as compared with body mass index 22–24.9 kg/m2. All‐cause mortality risk for body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 was similar to that for current smokers (hazard ratio 1.70, P < 0.0001). Underweight could be a predictor of mortality risk in patients with diabetic nephropathy for microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria.