bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health literacy and its effects on well-being: how vulnerable healthcare service users integrate online resources
Authors: Virlée Justine , van Riel Allard C.R. , Hammedi Wafa
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to develop a better understanding of how online health community (OHC) members with different health literacy (HL) levels benefit from their participation, through the analysis and comparison of their resource integration (RI) processes. It investigates through a RI lens how the vulnerability of community members – captured as their level of HL – affects the benefits they derive from participation.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to investigate the effects of healthcare service users’ vulnerability. Data were collected about their profiles and levels of HL. Furthermore, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted.

Findings

The study demonstrates how low levels of HL act as a barrier to the integration of available online health resources. Participation in OHCs appears less beneficial for vulnerable users. Three types of benefits were identified at the individual level, namely, psychological quality-of-life, physical quality-of-life and learning. Benefits identified at the community level were: content generation and participation in the development of the community.

Originality/value

This study has implications for the understanding of how service users’ activities affect their own outcomes and how the vulnerability of users could be anticipated and considered in the design of the community.
Blockchain: case studies in food supply chain visibility
Authors: Rogerson Michael , Parry Glenn C.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how blockchain has moved beyond cryptocurrencies and is being deployed to enhance visibility and trust in supply chains, their limitations and potential impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative analysis are undertaken via case studies drawn from food companies using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Blockchain is demonstrated as an enabler of visibility in supply chains. Applications at scale are most likely for products where the end consumer is prepared to pay the premium currently required to fund the technology, e.g. baby food. Challenges remain in four areas: trust of the technology, human error and fraud at the boundaries, governance, consumer data access and willingness to pay.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that blockchain can be utilised as part of a system generating visibility and trust in supply chains. Research directs academic attention to issues that remain to be addressed. The challenges pertaining to the technology itself we believe to be generalisable; those specific to the food industry may not hold elsewhere.

Practical implications

From live case studies, we provide empirical evidence that blockchain provides visibility of exchanges and reliable data in fully digitised supply chains. This provides provenance and guards against counterfeit goods. However, firms will need to work to gain consumer buy-in for the technology following repeated past claims of trustworthiness.

Originality/value

This paper provides primary evidence from blockchain use cases “in the wild”. The exploratory case studies examine application of blockchain for supply chain visibility.
A new mapping outcome method to measure social return on investment: a case study in Peru
Authors: Saenz Cesar Sandro
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute a new way to carry out outcome mapping (OM) for corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects based on three elements: the lifecycle of the CSR project, its stakeholders and sustainability outcomes. To develop this new OM, CSR projects in the mining industry are analyzed to discover their economic, environment and societal impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case study approach is used. Data were collected through direct observations and documents, and complementary attitudinal feedback was also obtained from interviews with community, government and industry leaders.

Findings

Mapping the CSR project lifecycle, stakeholders and sustainability outcomes simultaneously generate a better approximation of the real impact of the projects that are analyzed. Each stage of the lifecycle reveals new sustainability outcomes for each stakeholder.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new approach to OM and therefore provides a new way to assess CSR projects.
Omnivorous ants are less carnivorous and more protein‐limited in exotic plantations
Authors: Tsang Toby P. N. , Guénard Benoit , Bonebrake Timothy C.
Published: May 2020

Diets of species are crucial in determining how they influence food webs and community structures, and how their populations are regulated by different bottom‐up processes. Omnivores are able to adjust their diet flexibly according to environmental conditions, such that their impacts on food webs and communities, and the macronutrients constraining their population, can be plastic. In particular, omnivore diets are known to be influenced by prey availability, which exhibits high spatial and temporal variation.

To examine the plasticity of diet and macronutrient limitation in omnivores, we compared trophic positions, macronutrient preferences and food exploitation rates of omnivorous ants in invertebrate‐rich (secondary forests) and invertebrate‐poor (Lophostemon confertus plantations) habitats. We hypothesized that omnivorous ants would have lower trophic positions, enhanced protein limitation and reduced food exploitation rates in L. confertus plantations relative to secondary forests.

We performed cafeteria experiments to examine changes in macronutrient limitation and food exploitation rates. We also sampled ants and conducted stable isotope analyses to investigate dietary shifts between these habitats.

We found that conspecific ants were less carnivorous and had higher preferences for protein‐rich food in L. confertus plantations compared to secondary forests. However, ant assemblages did not exhibit increased preferences for protein‐rich food in L. confertus plantations. At the species‐level, food exploitation rates varied idiosyncratically between habitats. At the assemblage‐level, food exploitation rates were reduced in L. confertus plantations.

Our results reveal that plantation establishments alter the diet and foraging behaviour of omnivorous ants. Such changes suggest that omnivorous ants in plantations will have reduced top‐down impacts on prey communities but also see an increased importance of protein as a bottom‐up force in constraining omnivore population sizes.
Large‐scale variation in birth timing and synchrony of a large herbivore along the latitudinal and altitudinal gradients
Authors: Peláez Marta , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Bollmann Kurt , Heurich Marco , Rehnus Maik
Published: May 2020

Hopkins’ Bioclimatic Law predicts geographical patterns in phenological timing by establishing a correspondence between latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. First proposed for key phenological events of plants, such as leaf sprouting or flowering dates, this law has rarely been used to assess the geographical equivalence of key life‐history traits of mammals.

We hypothesize that (H1) parturition dates of European roe deer Capreolus capreolus are delayed and more synchronized at higher latitudes and altitudes, (H2) parturition timing varies along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in a way that matches the Hopkins’ Bioclimatic Law and (H3) females adjust parturition timing to match the period of high energy demand with peak resource availability.

We used parturition dates of 7,444 European roe deer from Switzerland to assess altitudinal variation in birth timing and synchrony from 288 to 2,366 m a.s.l. We then performed a literature survey to compare altitudinal results with those from different populations along the species’ latitudinal range of distribution. Finally, we performed spatial analysis combining our highly resolved altitudinal data on parturition dates with plant phenology data.

As expected, parturition dates were delayed with increasing latitude and altitude. This delay matched the Bioclimatic Law, as the effect of 1º increase in latitude was similar to 120 m increase in altitude. However, while parturitions were more synchronized with increasing altitude, we did not detect any trend along the latitudinal gradient. Finally, plant phenology explained altitudinal variation in parturition timing better than a linear effect of altitude.

Our findings clearly demonstrate the ability of a large herbivore to match parturition timing with phenological conditions across the altitudinal gradient, even at the smallest spatial scales.
Tobramycin suppresses HUWE1 degradation to control MCL‐1 stability during tumour development
Authors: He Jiabei , Wu Sixian , Li Xiaoliang , Tang Li , Chen Hanxiao , Qin Lang , Xie Jiang , Lu Tao , Xu Wenming
Published: May 2020

HUWE1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is involved in cancer cell proliferation by regulating MCL‐1 stability. The HECT domain has been shown to be required for the ubiquitin ligase activity of HUWE1. To identify efficient drugs that impair the activity of HUWE1, and thus decrease MCL‐1 accumulation, we screened 2000 candidate compounds that might suppress HUWE1 activity. To evaluate these 2000 candidates, the HECT domain of HUWE1, which is the catalytic domain responsible for MCL1 ubiquitination, was selected as a conjugation site, and putative binding candidates were filtrated. Tobramycin emerged as one of the compounds that show efficient binding ability with the HECT domain of HUWE1. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) results validated the specific binding of Tobramycin with the HECT domain. Subsequent analyses demonstrated its potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation by binding to the HECT domain of HUWE1 and impeding the HUWE1‐mediated ubiquitination of MCL‐1. Consequently, the accumulation of MCL‐1 inhibited the proliferation of tumour cells, while the apoptosis rates were not significantly altered after Tobramycin treatment. In vitro experiments showed that Tobramycin could inhibit cell proliferation by regulating the G2/M transition in cancer cell models, including A549 and HeLaCaco2 cell lines. Our results indicated that Tobramycin could be a potential new probe to develop targeted therapies for the prevention or treatment of HUWE1‐overexpressing cancers.
Hepatic volume changes post‐selective internal radiation therapy with 90Y microspheres
Authors: Ong Frederick , Tibballs Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Introduction

To examine the hepatic volume changes post‐selective internal radiation therapy with 90Y microspheres. This technique has been demonstrated to be a suitable alternative to portal vein embolisation to induce hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR) in patients with malignant disease of the liver preoperatively. The role of both techniques is to decrease postoperative morbidity and increase the numbers of patients eligible for surgical resection. Unlike portal vein embolisation, radioembolisation has the additional benefit of treating liver malignancy and reducing the risk of tumour progression during the hypertrophy period.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 29 patients from August 2012 to November 2016 that had right liver lobe malignant disease (primary or secondary) and underwent selective internal radiation therapy. Changes in liver volume were measured from CT or MRI before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months post‐SIRT.

Results

Eighteen patients (62%) had primary liver malignancies (HCC n = 15, cholangiocarcinoma n = 3), and 11 patients (38%) had metastases (colorectal carcinoma n = 10, ampullary carcinoma n = 1). There was a mean increase in the FLR volume relative to baseline of 37.2% at 3 months (n = 25), 42.6% at 6 months (n = 19) and 63.5% at 12 months (n = 12). There was a mean decrease in whole liver volume at 12 months by −13.3%.

Conclusion

Right liver lobe SIRT induces left liver lobe (FLR) compensatory hypertrophy. This study’s data support the use of SIRT in selected patients with right liver lobe malignancy to undergo SIRT to facilitate liver resection.
Strategy for initial en bloc resection of a giant mediastinal solitary fibrous tumor: Judicious usage of cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Chen Lei , Sang Yonghua , Zhang Zhiwei , Yang Wentao , Chen Yongbing
Published: May 2020

A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mediastinal neoplasm associated with a high recurrence rate. Total excision on initial surgery is an established indicator of a positive outcome. Here, we report the case of a 52‐year‐old man who was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of cough, chest pain, and dyspnea for two months. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a middle mediastinal mass which infiltrated adjacent vital structures, and surgery was performed with the assistance of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and median sternotomy. The mass was completely removed and histopathology confirmed the presence of a mesenchymal tumor. The patient had an uneventful recovery without any perioperative symptoms, hoarseness, or dysfunction of the diaphragm. Sixty‐nine months after surgery, a CT scan confirmed that the patient remained disease‐free without necessitating the introduction of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Here, to the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of a giant invasive mediastinal SFT that was completely resected during initial surgery under CPB with a remarkable outcome.
Expression profiles of growth‐related genes in two Nile tilapia strains and their crossbred provide insights into introgressive breeding effects
Authors: Herkenhoff M. E. , Ribeiro A. O. , Costa J. M. , Oliveira A. C. , Dias M. A. D. , Reis Neto R. V. , Hilsdorf A. W. S. , Pinhal D.
Published: May 2020

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a prominent farmed fish in aquaculture worldwide. Crossbreeding has recently been carried out between the Red‐Stirling and the wt Chitralada strains of Nile tilapia, producing a heterotic hybrid (7/8 Chitralada and 1/8 Red‐Stirling) that combines the superior growth performance of the Chitralada with the reddish coloration of the Red‐Stirling strain. While classical selective breeding and crossbreeding strategies are well known, the molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotypic expression of economically advantageous traits in tilapia remain largely unknown. Molecular investigations have shown that variable expression of growth hormone (gh), insulin‐like growth factors (igf1and2) and somatolactin (smtla) – components of the growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor (GH/IGF) axis – and myostatin (mstn) genes can affect traits of economic relevance in farmed animals. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the gene expression signature among Chitralada, Red‐Stirling and their backcross hybrid in order to gain insights into the effects of introgressive breeding in modulation of the GH/IGF axis. Gene expression analyses in distinct tissues showed that most genes of the GH/IGF axis were up‐regulated andmstnwas down‐regulated in backcross animals in comparison with Red‐Stirling and Chitralada animals. These gene expression profiles revealed that backcross animals displayed a distinctive expression signature, which attests to the effectiveness of the introgressive breeding technique. Our findings also suggest that the GH/IGF axis andmstngenes might be candidate markers for fish performance and prove useful within genetic improvement programs aimed at the production of superior‐quality tilapia strains using introgressive breeding.
Transforming growth factor‐β1 in intrauterine adhesion
Authors: Abudukeyoumu Ayitila , Li Ming‐Qing , Xie Feng
Published: May 2020

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA), led by trauma to the basal layer, can prevent the endometrium from growing, resulting in complications in females, such as infertility and amenorrhea. Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) plays a crucial role in inducing and promoting the differentiation and proliferation of mesenchymal cells, in the secretion of extracellular matrix‐associated components, and is a major cytokine in initiating and terminating tissue repair downstream of the TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway. Some evidence supports that TGF‐β1 is closely associated with the occurrence and development of IUA, and is regarded as an early risk factor of disease recurrence. Furthermore, the role of TGF‐β1 has been demonstrated to be potentially regulated by a variety of cytokines, hormones, enzymes, and microRNAs. This review provides an overview of the expression, function, and regulation of TGF‐β1 in IUA, with a brief discussion and perspectives on its future clinical implications on the diagnosis and treatment of IUA.
Navigating sustainably within the urban environment: The role of environmental identity and attitudes on sign and object evaluation
Authors: Meis‐Harris Julia , Kashima Yoshihisa
Published: May 2020

In contemporary urbanised society, people are increasingly disconnected from nature. Environmental identity, as a promoter of various pro‐environmental outcomes, may bridge the human‒nature gap. However, it is less clear how environmental identity helps people to navigate sustainably within the urban environment. In three studies, we investigate how environmental identity relates to evaluations of the functions of two different types of items that populate the human‐made environment: signs that communicate environmentally appropriate behaviours (e.g., recycling signs) and objects that are instrumentally used in everyday life (e.g., plastic bags). We also examine how environmental identity differs from other related environmental constructs (i.e., environmental attitudes and behaviours) in terms of their relationship with evaluations of signs and objects. Heider’s balance theory helps us clarify this conceptual distinction; in line with this analysis, we find that explicit environmental identity was associated with more positive evaluations of environmental signs’ communicative functions, but not objects’ instrumental functions. In contrast, pro‐environmental attitudes are associated with judgements of environmentally harmful objects as a greater hindrance to sustainability. Thus, environmental identity and environmental attitudes help people to respond more pro‐environmentally in the urbanised environment by informing them of the environmental implications of signs and objects.
Impact of antithrombotic therapy on the outcomes with focus on bleeding and thromboembolic events in patients undergoing pancreticoduodenectomy
Authors: Komokata Teruo , Aryal Bibek , Tada Nobuhiro , Kaieda Mamoru , Nuruki Kensuke
Published: May 2020

Background

We investigated perioperative outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT) with a focus on the incidence of perioperative bleeding and thromboembolic complications.

Methods

A total of 77 patients who underwent PD at our institution between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical findings and surgical outcomes including bleeding and thromboembolic complications were compared in patients with or without ATT. Interruption of ATT and perioperative heparin bridging were based on our hospital protocol.

Results

Among ATT (30) and non‐ATT (47) groups, ATT group had a significantly higher age and history of cardiocerebrovascular diseases. No significant difference was observed in intraoperative and post‐pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) between the groups. ATT group was associated with a significantly higher rate of post‐operative complications, Clavien–Dindo classification ≥II and thromboembolic events. Operative mortality in ATT and non‐ATT groups was 2 (6.7%) and 1 (2.1%), respectively. There was no significant association between ATT and excessive intraoperative blood loss (≥1000 mL), PPH (≥grade B) and thromboembolic complications (Clavien–Dindo classification ≥II).

Conclusion

In patients with ATT, PD is a feasible procedure with no major impact on intraoperative bleeding or PPH.
Genome‐wide association study of genetic variants related to anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity in early breast cancer
Authors: Park Boram , Sim Sung Hoon , Lee Keun Seok , Kim Hak Jin , Park In Hae
Published: May 2020

We performed a genome‐wide association study to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity (ACT) in patients diagnosed with early breast cancer. From January 2000 to December 2015, 8490 patients underwent breast surgery at the National Cancer Center in Korea. Patients who received doxorubicin (cumulative dose 240 mg/m2‐300 mg/m2) with or without trastuzumab as a neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy were included in our cohort. Sixty‐seven patients in our cohort were diagnosed with ACT. Clinical data, including age, body weight, height, cancer stage, trastuzumab treatment, comorbidities, and concomitant medications, were collected retrospectively. Patients were classified as having either persistent or transient ACT based on their clinical course. In total, 346 946 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 42 cases and 215 controls were tested in this study. Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.45, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23‐4.88, P = .011] and trastuzumab use (OR = 2.40, 95% CI, 1.11‐5.17, P = .026) were identified as significant risk factors. We found 7 genetic variants for ACT including rs17530621 (SHISA3, P = 3.10E−06), rs11894115 (MPP4, P = 4.71E−06), rs58328254 (RPL7, P = 6.09E−06), and rs117299725 (PRUNE2, P = 8.53E−06), although none of these variants reached the Bonferroni‐corrected significance level when adjusted for BMI and trastuzumab use ( = α1.44E−07 based on 0.05/346 946). rs117299725 was a common variant when only the persistent ACT group was analyzed separately. It is meaningful that our study analyzed comprehensively the influence of genetic variation on ACT, along with some clinical factors in Asian breast cancer patients who received anthracycline with or without trastuzumab. Further research will be needed on candidate genetic variants found in this study.
Long noncoding RNA ANRIL promotes the malignant progression of cholangiocarcinoma by epigenetically repressing ERRFI1 expression
Authors: Yu Yang , Chen Qiaoyu , Zhang Xunlei , Yang Jian , Lin Kaibo , Ji Congfei , Xu Aibing , Yang Lei , Miao Lin
Published: May 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been verified to have significant regulatory functions in many types of human cancers. The lncRNA ANRIL is transcribed from the INK4b‐ARF‐INK4a gene cluster in the opposite direction. Whether ANRIL can act as an oncogenic molecule in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains unknown. Our data show that ANRIL knockdown greatly inhibited CCA cell proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo. According to the results of RNA sequencing analysis, ANRIL knockdown dramatically altered target genes associated with the cell cycle, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. By binding to a component of the epigenetic modification complex enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), ANRIL could maintain lysine residue 27 of histone 3 (H3K27me3) levels in the promoter of ERBB receptor feedback inhibitor 1 (ERRFI1), which is a tumor suppressor gene in CCA. In this way, ERRFI1 expression was suppressed in CCA cells. These data verified the key role of the epigenetic regulation of ANRIL in CCA oncogenesis and indicate its potential as a target for CCA intervention.
Indigenous guardians as an emerging approach to indigenous environmental governance
Authors: Reed Graeme , Brunet Nicolas D. , Longboat Sheri , Natcher David C.
Published: May 2020

Over the past 3 decades, indigenous guardian programs (also known as indigenous rangers or watchmen) have emerged as an institution for indigenous governments to engage in collaborative environmental governance. Using a systematic review of peer‐reviewed literature for research conducted in Australia, Canada, Aotearoa‐New Zealand, and the United States, we sought to characterize the emergence of indigenous guardians in the literature and explore whether guardian approaches are representative of Indigenous approaches to environmental governance. Using a multistep relevance‐screening method, we reviewed 83 articles published since 1995, that report on, critique, or comment on Indigenous guardians. Our findings indicated that most articles on the topic were published in the last decade (88%), focused on Australia (65%), and were in a social science discipline (53%). The lead author of the majority of articles was an academic, although only half of the articles included an indigenous scholar or member of an indigenous group or organization as a coauthor. Finally, 11 articles were on research of guardian programs that were locally led and only 5 exemplified indigenous governance, based on 2 well‐known community‐based monitoring typologies. Our findings indicate that more research is required to understand the implications of current guardian programs for indigenous self‐determination, particularly when such programs are embedded in a broader western environmental governance structure.
A novel coumarin‐based fluorescent probe for selective detection of cysteine over homocysteine
Authors: Chu Yunfei , Cen Yijiao , Song Yanxi , Xu Zhenxiang , Hu Luping , Li Hongqi , Yang Changling
Published: May 2020

A coumarin‐based fluorescent probe containing both acrylate moiety and an allyl substituent was developed for distinguishing cysteine from homocysteine. The maximum absorption wavelength of the probe showed a bathochromic shift upon addition of cysteine and the colour changed from colourless to yellow. The maximum fluorescence emission at 462 nm of the probe was dramatically enhanced upon addition of cysteine in aqueous solution. In HEPES buffer (pH = 7.4, EtOH/H2O = 9:1, v/v), both of the fluorescence emission bands of the probe at ca. 390 and 462 nm were intensely enhanced upon the addition of cysteine, while other amino acids, namely, homocysteine, asparaginic acid, methionine, glycine, phenylalaninase, valine, tryptophan, serine, glutamic acid and glutathione, did not cause a remarkable change. The probe can be used for selectively colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent detection of cysteine over homocysteine and other common amino acids in both organic media and aqueous solution. The concentration of cysteine can be estimated by titration of the probe in aqueous solution, and the detection limit of the probe towards cysteine was 2 μmol/L.
Using Deliberate Practice to Transform Learning Culture: Helping Students Put Real Skills in their OSCM Toolbox
Authors: Fawcett Stanley E. , Giraud‐Carrier Francois Charles , Fawcett Amydee M.
Published: May 2020

Students select majors like supply chain management largely because they want to obtain a high‐paying job at graduation. They expect that after 4 or 5 years of studies, they will be ready to achieve early‐career success. Data, however, reveal that students often are not prepared. Recruiters are noticing. In various studies, employers say that a large majority of graduates are not workplace ready. We argue that this readiness gap results from a mismatch between academia's focus on knowledge transfer and employers’ expectations that new hires possess real competencies.

To remedy this readiness gap, we redesigned our curriculum to adopt a deliberate practice pedagogy. What have we learned? Deliberate practice is hard work. Both faculty and students must learn and practice new behaviors. The good news: deliberate practice helps students acquire real expertise that recruiters value. This article makes the case for deliberate practice and outlines a proven path to transformation.
A review of non‐equilibrium water flow and solute transport in soil macropores: principles, controlling factors and consequences for water quality
Authors: Jarvis N. J.
Published: May 2020

This review discusses the causes and consequences of ‘non‐equilibrium’ water flow and solute transport in large structural pores or macropores (root and earthworm channels, fissures and interaggregate voids). The experimental evidence suggests that pores larger thanc. 0.3 mm in equivalent cylindrical diameter allow rapid non‐equilibrium flow. Apart from their large size and continuity, this is also due to the presence of impermeable linings and coatings that restrict lateral mass exchange. Macropores also represent microsites in soil that are more biologically active, and often more chemically reactive than the bulk soil. However, sorption retardation during transport through such pores is weaker than in the bulk soil, due to their small surface areas and significant kinetic effects, especially in larger macropores. The potential for non‐equilibrium water flow and solute transport at any site depends on the nature of the macropore network, which is determined by the factors of structure formation and degradation, including the abundance and activity of soil biota such as earthworms, soil properties (e.g. clay content), site factors (e.g. slope position, drying intensity, vegetation) and management (e.g. cropping, tillage, traffic). A conceptual model is proposed that summarizes these effects of site factors on the inherent potential for non‐equilibrium water flow and solute transport in macropores. Initial and boundary conditions determine the extent to which this potential is realized. High rain intensities clearly increase the strength of non‐equilibrium flow in macropores, but the effects of initial water content seem complex, due to the confounding effects of soil shrinkage and water repellency. The impacts of macropore flow on water quality are most significant for relatively immobile solutes that are foreign to the soil and whose effects on ecosystem and human health are pronounced even at small leached fractions (e.g. pesticides). The review concludes with a discussion of topics where process understanding is still lacking, and also suggests some potential applications of the considerable knowledge that has accumulated in recent decades.
Seizure detection using heart rate variability: A prospective validation study
Authors: Jeppesen Jesper , Fuglsang‐Frederiksen Anders , Johansen Peter , Christensen Jakob , Wüstenhagen Stephan , Tankisi Hatice , Qerama Erisela , Beniczky Sándor
Published: May 2020

Although several validated seizure detection algorithms are available for convulsive seizures, detection of nonconvulsive seizures remains challenging. In this phase 2 study, we have validated a predefined seizure detection algorithm based on heart rate variability (HRV) using patient‐specific cutoff values. The validation data set was independent from the previously published data set. Electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded using a wearable device (ePatch) in prospectively recruited patients. The diagnostic gold standard was inferred from video–EEG monitoring. Because HRV‐based seizure detection is suitable only for patients with marked ictal autonomic changes, we defined responders as the patients who had a>50 beats/min ictal change in heart rate. Eleven of the 19 included patients with seizures (57.9%) fulfilled this criterion. In this group, the algorithm detected 20 of the 23 seizures (sensitivity: 87.0%). The algorithm detected all but one of the 10 recorded convulsive seizures and all of the 8 focal impaired awareness seizures, and it missed 2 of the 4 focal aware seizures. The median sensitivity per patient was 100% (in nine patients all seizures were detected). The false alarm rate was 0.9/24 h (0.22/night). Our results suggest that HRV‐based seizure detection has high performance in patients with marked autonomic changes.
Equine developmental dental disorders
Authors: Dixon P. M.
Published: May 2020

The true prevalence of developmental dental disorders in horses is unknown, but from a clinical perspective, dental dysplasia of varying degrees of severity appears to be far more common than developmental abnormalities of tooth numbers. The latter includes the presence of increased numbers of teeth (supernumerary teeth), which in turn appears more prevalent than reduced numbers of teeth (hypodontia or anodontia). This clinical commentary briefly reviews all three types of developmental dental disorders from a clinical viewpoint.
Reference value on daily living walking parameters among Japanese adults
Authors: Obuchi Shuichi P , Kawai Hisashi , Murakawa Kenji
Published: May 2020

Aim

Walking speed is closely related to numerous health outcomes. It has typically been measured in laboratory settings, where individuals can intentionally change their walking speed. It can be accurately measured in daily life using a smartphone global positioning system. We aimed to present a reference value on walking speed in daily life by sex and age.

Methods

The data were obtained using a walking monitoring service involving global positioning system technology. A secondary data analysis was carried out. Four daily living walking parameters – daily living walking speed, daily living walking cycle, daily living step length and daily living cadence – of 8429 Japanese persons were measured in their daily life using a smartphone application.

Results

The means (standard deviations) of daily living walking speed, daily living walking cycle, daily living step length and daily living cadence were 1.30 m/s (0.10 m/s), 1.02 s (0.06 s), 65.55 cm (5.38 cm) and 118.86 steps/min (6.76 steps/min), respectively. Notably, daily living walking speed in those aged >65 years was significantly slower than in those aged <65 years.

Conclusions

The present reference values and age differences of daily living walking parameters can be used to compare daily living walking speed data measured by other devices, such as accelerometers. This could allow for a consensus on the definition of daily walking speed that can be utilized for assessing health outcomes among older individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 664–669.
Novel design of microsphere adsorbent for efficient heavy metals adsorption
Authors: Wang Lu , Liu Jingjing , Rong Yedong , Yan Shu , Yu Man , Li Xinglin , Wang Zhaoqing , Zhang Tianhe , Yang Jinlong
Published: May 2020

The fabrication of high‐efficiency and low‐cost adsorbent for the wastewater treatment is a challenging task. In this study, a hollow sphere adsorbent was synthesized from solid waste coal gangue through a facile spray drying method and subsequent calcination. The structure of the synthesized coal gangue microsphere (CM) have been characterized by multimethods including X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, and others. The factors influencing the adsorption for Cu2+ and Pb2+ by CM were also investigated systemically; pH between 6 and 8 was found to be optimal for Cu2+ and Pb2+ adsorption. The isotherm and kinetic analysis reveal that the adsorption process could be well represented by Langmuir and pseudo–second‐order model with a higher R2 and low χ2 value. According to Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity was calculated to be 6.570 and 18.904 mg/g for Cu2+ and Pb2+ at 25°C, respectively. The adsorption mechanism was proposed to contain not only the surface reaction process, but also the diffusion process. Consequently, the economic and environmental benefits make CM a promising adsorbent in wastewater treatment.
Poverty and the Peril of Particulars
Authors: Thomson Jordan Arthur
Published: May 2020

Moral extremists argue for a demanding duty of poverty relief by leveraging powerful intuitions about our duties to rescue those close at hand. I clear the way for a less demanding duty by arguing that this argumentative strategy commits the extremist to a conception of our duty in the face of global poverty that is deeply at odds with our convictions about how we may discharge that duty. These convictions reveal that global poverty and easy rescue cases give rise to duties of different kinds: whereas duties of rescue are ultimately explicable by appeal to moral claims to assistance, duties of poverty relief are not. The extremist’s most compelling argumentative strategy is therefore not viable—he may not straightforwardly appeal to facts about the demandingness of duties of rescue in arguing for demanding duties of poverty relief.
Stakeholder Mobilization in Financial Regulation: A Comparison of EU Regulatory Politics over Time*
Authors: Redert Bastiaan
Published: May 2020

Current scholarship is inconclusive whether stakeholder involvement in regulatory politics can be legitimizing. This article argues that stakeholder involvement can only be legitimizing if bias in mobilization is limited. As bias is limited if a heterogeneous set of stakeholders participates, stakeholder mobilization in public consultations on EU financial regulation is examined. Due to the financial crisis and subsequent institutional reforms, stakeholders' perception on who is affected by regulation and the reach of the agencies' operations has changed. Subsequently, mobilization is expected to be more heterogenous. The analysis is based on a novel dataset of stakeholder responses to public consultations of the European Supervisory Authorities before and after the financial crisis and reforms. The results show shifts in interest mobilization, but these do not follow the research expectations. Therefore, the findings show that public consultations do not necessarily decrease bias. As such, consultations show important limits for legitimizing EU regulatory policies.
Smoking cessation counselling practices among health care providers dealing with cancer patients
Authors: Abu‐Baker Nesrin N. , Al‐Jarrah Ahmad A. , Obeidat Rana F.
Published: May 2020

Aim

To asses smoking cessation counselling practices (SCC) among health care providers dealing with cancer patients.

Method

A cross‐sectional design was used with a sample of 300 providers from three hospitals in Jordan. A self‐report questionnaire was distributed.

Results

During the initial visit, the most frequent practices were asking patients if they smoke and advise smokers to quit (50%, 45% respectively). Only 13% of providers reported treating or referring patients for smoking use cessation intervention. During the follow‐up visits, the most frequent practice was reinforcing the stopping of tobacco use 39%. Overall, physicians had the highest scores of adherence to applying SCC practices. Besides, over 85% of participants believe that tobacco cessation should be a standard part of cancer interventions and clinicians need more training. Over 80% agreed that barriers of implementing SCC practices include lack of training and resources. Finally, receiving SCC training, more years since completion of the most senior degree, and more time spent with cancer patients predicted a higher score of total SCC practices (P < .05).

Conclusion

It is essential to provide training, referral facilities, and supportive policies to encourage SCC practices.
The association between challenging behaviour and symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder in people with intellectual disabilities: a Bayesian mediation analysis approach
Authors: Rittmannsberger D. , Yanagida T. , Weber G. , Lueger‐Schuster B.
Published: May 2020

Background

A preponderance of behavioural symptoms is assumed to be the main difference in the manifestation of symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with intellectual disability (ID). However, no study so far has assessed the relationship between challenging behaviour (CB) and PTSD. The present study aims to explore this relationship by exploring whether CB is directly related to trauma exposure or whether this relationship is mediated through core symptoms of PTSD.

Methods

Trauma exposure and current symptoms of PTSD were assessed in 43 adults with mild to moderate ID. Parallel versions were administered to 43 caregivers, including the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist to measure CB. Bayesian mediation analyses were conducted using self‐rated and informant‐rated data.

Results

The self‐report data showed no associations of CB with trauma exposure or PTSD symptoms. The association between informant‐rated trauma exposure and irritability was mediated by severity and frequency of PTSD symptoms. The associations between informant‐reported trauma exposure and the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist subscales hyperactivity and inappropriate speech were mediated by PTSD symptom severity.

Conclusions

The relationship between trauma exposure and CB was mediated by PTSD symptoms. PTSD core symptoms should be considered as underlying causes of CB, highlighting the necessity to explore trauma biography and symptoms of PTSD. The improvement of self‐report assessment in people with ID is an important task for future studies.
Hercynian subduction‐related processes within the metamorphic continental crust in Calabria (southern Italy)
Authors: Tursi Fabrizio , Spiess Richard , Festa Vincenzo , Fregola Rosa Anna
Published: May 2020

Linking the deformation history of mylonitized continental rocks to the progress of devolatilization reactions that trigger reaction softening is critical for the understanding of crustal scale processes. We have analysed the field geometries and microstructures of deformed rocks within the southern Hercynian belt in Calabria, as well as modelled the pressure–temperature–deformation (P–T–d) trajectory of a main ductile shear zone that tectonically coupled the deeper crustal Mammola Paragneiss Unit with the upper crustal Stilo–Pazzano Phyllite Unit.P–Tmodelling of the mylonitic Mammola Paragneiss Unit was performed through calculation of phase equilibrium diagrams with the softwarethermocalcin the MnNCKFMASHTO model system. The progradeP–T–dtrajectory is based on the zoning profiles of garnet porphyroblasts and their mineral inclusions, primarily barroisite and epidote.P–Tmodelling shows that peak metamorphic conditions of ~0.9 GPa and 585°C were reached during a Dn‐1under‐thrusting event. The following exhumation during the Dnmylonitic event, and contact metamorphism during Dn+1and Dn+2folding events, have also been modelled because they are essential to restore the previous tectono‐metamorphic history. The exhumation trajectory was modelled down to 0.3 GPa with temperatures of 440–460°C, under fluid‐deficient conditions, as well as the final late Carboniferous contact metamorphism up toTmaxof 680–720°C. The prograde path shows clear evidence for thermal buffering during garnet growth at the expense of chlorite, with a heating‐dominated stage after chlorite breakdown. Subsequently, a rheological change associated with epidote breakdown (i.e. reaction softening) occurred, highlighted by a net steepening of theP/Ttrajectory towards the pressure peak. On the basis of the barroisite inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts as well as the ‘hairpin’ shape of the reconstructedP–T–dpath (before contact metamorphism), we infer that the unusual lowT/Pgradient for the Hercynian crust exposed in the Mammola Paragneiss Unit records its involvement in the Palaeotethys–Gondwana subduction beneath Laurussia during Dn‐1under‐thrusting. We present a new palaeotectonic interpretation along the southern Hercynian belt in Calabria during the Upper Mississippian–Lower Pennsylvanian, that is consistent with previous geochronology studies.
Maternal separation changes maternal care, anxiety‐like behaviour and expression of paraventricular oxytocin and corticotrophin‐releasing factor immunoreactivity in lactating rats
Authors: Baracz Sarah J. , Everett Nicholas A. , Robinson Katherine J. , Campbell Gemma R. , Cornish Jennifer L.
Published: May 2020

The early postnatal period is a time of tremendous change for the dam and her offspring. During this time, environmental insults such as repeated stress exposure can have detrimental effects. In research that has focused on the effect of postnatal stress exposure on the dams, conflicting changes in maternal care and anxiety‐like behaviour have been reported. Additionally, changes to hypothalamic neuropeptides that are crucially involved in the transition to motherhood and stress regulation, namely oxytocin and corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF), have not been examined. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine (i) whether repeated postpartum stress increases engagement in maternal care behaviours and anxiety‐like behaviour and (ii) whether these behavioural changes correspond with changes to CRF‐ or oxytocin‐immunoreactive (‐IR) cells in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. A non‐lactating group was also included to control for the effects of lactation on anxiety and the hypothalamic neuroendocrine system. Following the birth of their litters, Long‐Evans dams were separated from their pups from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND21 for either 15 minutes (maternal separation [MS]15) or 6 hours (MS360). Maternal behaviours were recorded for 30 minutes on select PNDs following the separation. On PND22, dams were exposed to the elevated plus maze, brains were collected, and immunofluorescence analysis of PVN oxytocin‐ and CRF‐IR cells was conducted. Our findings demonstrate that prolonged maternal separation altered typical maternal behaviours and reduced anxiety relative to MS15 dams. At the cellular level, oxytocin‐IR cells in the caudal PVN were reduced in MS360 dams to a level similar to that in non‐lactating controls, and PVN CRF‐IR cells were reduced relative to both MS15 and non‐lactating controls. Taken together, these data reveal the behavioural and neuronal changes that occur in the mother dam following repeated postnatal stress exposure.
Acquired and inherited amyloidosis: Knowledge driving patients' care
Authors: Obici Laura , Adams David
Published: May 2020

Until recently, systemic amyloidoses were regarded as ineluctably disabling and life‐threatening diseases. However, this field has witnessed major advances in the last decade, with significant improvements in therapeutic options and in the availability of accurate and non‐invasive diagnostic tools. Outstanding progress includes unprecedented hematological response rates provided by risk‐adapted regimens in light chain (AL) amyloidosis and the approval of innovative pharmacological agents for both hereditary and wild‐type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Moreover, the incidence of secondary (AA) amyloidosis has continuously reduced, reflecting advances in therapeutics and overall management of several chronic inflammatory diseases. The identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets has grounded on a better knowledge of key molecular events underlying protein misfolding and aggregation and on the increasing availability of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive markers of organ damage and response to treatment. In this review, we focus on these recent advancements and discuss how they are translating into improved outcomes. Neurological involvement dominates the clinical picture in transthyretin and gelsolin inherited amyloidosis and has a significant impact on disease course and management in all patients. Neurologists, therefore, play a major role in improving patients' journey to diagnosis and in providing early access to treatment in order to prevent significant disability and extend survival.