bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An integrative review on mothers' experiences of online breastfeeding peer support: Motivations, attributes and effects
Authors: Moon Hyojeong , Woo Kyungmi
Published: May 2021

Information on the experiences surrounding online breastfeeding peer support among breastfeeding mothers and its effects on breastfeeding outcomes is growing yet to be synthesized. The aim of this review was to synthesize the evidence of mothers' experiences of online breastfeeding peer support. An integrative review was conducted. Five electronic databases were searched. Two reviewers independently screened the articles for inclusion. The inclusion criteria were (1) involved original data focusing on mothers' experiences of online breastfeeding peer support, (2) participants who were mothers who were breastfeeding or had experiences of breastfeeding and (3) studies focusing on interaction and communication among mothers through online communities. In total, 14 publications met the inclusion criteria. Breastfeeding mothers turned to online groups when they felt isolated, lacked professional support or preferred online support over face‐to‐face support. Online breastfeeding peer support was characterized as a virtual community, with easy access, availability and a wealth of resources from actual experiences of mothers. It empowered breastfeeding mothers and resulted in changes in breastfeeding outcomes and perceptions. The positive aspects of online breastfeeding peer support have recently garnered more attention. This review provided baseline data and evidence to supplement and improve the current breastfeeding support system for breastfeeding mothers. The evidence on the effectiveness of online breastfeeding peer support for influencing breastfeeding outcomes remains inconclusive. Further empirical studies with rigorous study designs are warranted.
Evaluation of an mHealth tool to improve nutritional assessment among infants under 6 months in paediatric development clinics in rural Rwanda: Quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Nemerimana Mathieu , Karambizi Angelique Charlie , Umutoniwase Sabine , Barnhart Dale A. , Beck Kathryn , Bihibindi Vianney Kabundi , Wilson Kim , Nshimyiryo Alphonse , Bradford Jessica , Havugarurema Silas , Uwamahoro Alphonsine , Nsabyamahoro Emmanuel , Kirk Catherine M.
Published: May 2021

Infants born preterm, low birthweight or with other perinatal complications require frequent and accurate growth monitoring for optimal nutrition and growth. We implemented an mHealth tool to improve growth monitoring and nutritional status assessment of high risk infants. We conducted a pre–post quasi‐experimental study with a concurrent control group among infants enrolled in paediatric development clinics in two rural Rwandan districts. During the pre‐intervention period (August 2017–January 2018), all clinics used standard paper‐based World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. During the intervention period (August 2018–January 2019), Kirehe district adopted an mHealth tool for child growth monitoring and nutritional status assessment. Data on length/height; weight; length/height‐for‐age (L/HFA), weight‐for‐length/height (WFL/H) and weight‐for‐age (WFA) z‐scores; and interval growth were tracked at each visit. We conducted a ‘difference‐in‐difference’ analysis to assess whether the mHealth tool was associated with greater improvements in completion and accuracy of nutritional assessments and nutritional status at 2 and 6 months of age. We observed 3529 visits. mHealth intervention clinics showed significantly greater improvements on completeness for corrected age (endline: 65% vs. 55%; p = 0.036), L/HFA (endline: 82% vs. 57%; p ≤ 0.001), WFA (endline: 93% vs. 67%; p ≤ 0.001) and WFL/H (endline: 90% vs. 59%; p ≤ 0.001) z‐scores compared with control sites. Accuracy of growth monitoring did not improve. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and inadequate interval growth at 6‐months corrected age decreased significantly more in the intervention clinics than in control clinics. Results suggest that integrating mHealth nutrition interventions is feasible and can improve child nutrition outcomes. Improved tool design may better promote accuracy.
Vertical diversity and association pattern of total, abundant and rare microbial communities in deep‐sea sediments
Authors: Zhang Yunhui , Yao Peng , Sun Chuang , Li Sanzhong , Shi Xiaochong , Zhang Xiao‐Hua , Liu Jiwen
Published: May 2021

Microbial abundance and community composition in marine sediments have been widely explored. However, high‐resolution vertical changes of benthic microbial diversity and co‐occurrence patterns are poorly described. The ecological contributions of abundant and rare species in sediments also remain largely unknown. Here, by analysing microbial populations at 14 depth layers of 10 subseafloor sediment cores (water depth 1,250–3,530 m) obtained in the South China Sea, we provided the vertical profiles of microbial β‐diversity and co‐occurrence influenced by subcommunities of different abundance. These 134 sediment samples were clustered into four groups according to sediment depth (1–2, 6–10, 30–90 and 190–790 cm) with obvious shifts in microbial community compositions. The vertical succession of microorganisms was consistent with redox zonation and influenced by terrestrial inputs. Partitioning of vertical β‐diversity showed extremely high species replacement between deep layers and the surface layer, indicating selection‐induced loss of rare species and dispersal of dormant cells and spores. By contrast, for horizontal β‐diversity, richness of rare species became increasingly significant in deep sediments. Accompanying this β‐diversity profile were clear changes in the association pattern, with microorganisms being less connected in deeper sediment layers, probably reflecting reduced syntrophic interactions. Rare species accounted for an indispensable proportion in the co‐occurrence network, and tended to form complex “small worlds.” The rare subcommunity also responded differently to various environmental factors compared with the abundant subcommunity. Our findings expand current knowledge on vertical changes of marine benthic microbial diversity and their association patterns, emphasizing the potential roles of rare species.
Computer‐vision‐based differential remeshing for updating the geometry of finite element model
Authors: Zhang Youqi , Lin Weiwei
Published: May 2021

This article presents a method that enables a finite element (FE) model to remesh itself for updating the geometric changes caused by structural damages, using computer vision (CV) techniques and geometric analyses. Currently, there is no mature automatic approach to utilize the information of structural damage detection (SDD) for structural state awareness. Thus, the purpose of this study is to automate the pipeline from the accomplishment of SDD to numerical analyses for fast structural capacity evaluation. CV techniques are used to determine the shapes and dimensions of both structural components and damages. Geometric analyses are used to develop the algorithms for automatically deleting, generating, and splitting the elements of FE models for updating the geometric changes. Experiments are performed on a plate and a C‐shaped steel crossbeam of a bridge to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and algorithms.
Climate warming dominates over plant genotype in shaping the seasonal trajectory of foliar fungal communities on oak
Authors: Faticov Maria , Abdelfattah Ahmed , Roslin Tomas , Vacher Corinne , Hambäck Peter , Blanchet F. Guillaume , Lindahl Björn D. , Tack Ayco J. M.
Published: May 2021

Leaves interact with a wealth of microorganisms. Among these, fungi are highly diverse and are known to contribute to plant health, leaf senescence and early decomposition. However, patterns and drivers of the seasonal dynamics of foliar fungal communities are poorly understood.

We used a multifactorial experiment to investigate the influence of warming and tree genotype on the foliar fungal community on the pedunculate oak Quercus robur across one growing season.

Fungal species richness increased, evenness tended to decrease, and community composition strongly shifted during the growing season. Yeasts increased in relative abundance as the season progressed, while putative fungal pathogens decreased. Warming decreased species richness, reduced evenness and changed community composition, especially at the end of the growing season. Warming also negatively affected putative fungal pathogens. We only detected a minor imprint of tree genotype and warming × genotype interactions on species richness and community composition.

Overall, our findings demonstrate that warming plays a larger role than plant genotype in shaping the seasonal dynamics of the foliar fungal community on oak. These warming‐induced shifts in the foliar fungal community may have a pronounced impact on plant health, plant–fungal interactions and ecosystem functions.
Differences in biochemical, gas exchange and hydraulic response to water stress in desiccation tolerant and sensitive fronds of the fern Anemia caffrorum
Authors: Nadal Miquel , Brodribb Tim J. , Fernández‐Marín Beatriz , García‐Plazaola José I. , Arzac Miren I. , López‐Pozo Marina , Perera‐Castro Alicia V. , Gulías Javier , Flexas Jaume , Farrant Jill M.
Published: May 2021

Desiccation tolerant plants can survive extreme water loss in their vegetative tissues. The fern Anemia caffrorum produces desiccation tolerant (DT) fronds in the dry season and desiccation sensitive (DS) fronds in the wet season, providing a unique opportunity to explore the physiological mechanisms associated with desiccation tolerance.

Anemia caffrorum plants with either DT or DS fronds were acclimated in growth chambers. Photosynthesis, frond structure and anatomy, water relations and minimum conductance to water vapour were measured under well‐watered conditions. Photosynthesis, hydraulics, frond pigments, antioxidants and abscisic acid contents were monitored under water deficit.

A comparison between DT and DS fronds under well‐watered conditions showed that the former presented higher leaf mass per area, minimum conductance, tissue elasticity and lower CO2 assimilation. Water deficit resulted in a similar induction of abscisic acid in both frond types, but DT fronds maintained higher stomatal conductance and upregulated more prominently lipophilic antioxidants.

The seasonal alternation in production of DT and DS fronds in A. caffrorum represents a mechanism by which carbon gain can be maximized during the rainy season, and a greater investment in protective mechanisms occurs during the hot dry season, enabling the exploitation of episodic water availability.
Measurement of screen time among young children aged 0–6 years: A systematic review
Authors: Byrne Rebecca , Terranova Caroline O. , Trost Stewart G.
Published: May 2021

The impact of screen‐based devices on children's health and development cannot be properly understood without valid and reliable tools that measure screen time within the evolving digital landscape. This review aimed to summarize characteristics of measurement tools used to assess screen time in young children; evaluate reporting of psychometric properties; and examine time trends related to measurement and reporting of screen time. A systematic review of articles published in English across three databases from January 2009 to April 2020 was undertaken using PROSPERO protocol (registration: CRD42019132599) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included articles measured screen time as outcome, exposure, or confounder in children 0–6 years. The search identified 35,868 records, 1035 full‐text articles were screened for eligibility, and 622 met inclusion criteria. Most measures (60%) consisted of one to three items and assessed duration of screen time on a usual day. Few measures assessed content (11%) or coviewing (7%). Only 40% of articles provided a citation for the measure, and only 69 (11%) reported psychometric properties—reliability n = 58, validity n = 19, reliability and validity n = 8. Between 2009 and 2019, the number of published articles increased from 28 to 71. From 2015, there was a notable increase in the proportion of articles published each year that assessed exposure to mobile devices in addition to television. The increasing number of published articles reflects increasing interest in screen time exposure among young children. Measures of screen time have generally evolved to reflect children's contemporary digital landscape; however, the psychometric properties of measurement tools are rarely reported. There is a need for improved measures and reporting to capture the complexity of children's screen time exposures.
Business outcomes of healthy food service initiatives in schools: A systematic review
Authors: Thorpe Courtney P. , Boelsen‐Robinson Tara , Cameron Adrian J. , Blake Miranda R.
Published: May 2021

Fear of unfavorable business outcomes, including negative financial impacts, deters implementation of school food service initiatives to support healthy student eating behaviors. There have been no systematic reviews to guide feasible long‐term healthy school food initiatives. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the effect of school food service initiatives on business outcomes, including commercial viability, stakeholder perceptions, customer perceptions, and initiative maintenance and scale‐up. Business, education, and health peer‐reviewed databases, and grey literature were systematically searched. Eligible studies reported on the business impact of initiatives encouraging sales of healthier foods within school cafeterias, canteens, vending machines, or online canteens. Synthesis incorporated a count of studies addressing business outcomes, health behavior outcomes, and the favorability of those outcomes. Of 5173 studies screened, 16 studies were included for analysis. Commercial viability was the most frequent theme (n = 12/16 studies), followed by stakeholder perceptions (n = 9/16), customer perceptions (n = 6/16), and initiative maintenance and scale‐up (n = 2/16). Favorable business outcomes were identified in cafeterias/canteens (n = 8/10) and online canteens (n = 1/1). All vending machine initiatives (n = 7/7) reported unfavorable, mixed, or neutral outcomes. Future research should determine which types of healthy food retail initiatives deliver the most favorable business outcomes long‐term for schools while optimizing student nutrition outcomes.
Patterns of genetic diversity vary among shoot and root functional traits in Norway spruce Picea abies along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Salmela Matti J.
Published: May 2021

Roots constitute a major segment of plant biomass, and variation in belowground traits in situ correlates with environmental gradients at large spatial scales. Local adaptation of populations maintains intraspecific genetic variation in various shoot traits, but the contribution of genetic factors to adaptation to soil heterogeneity remains poorly known. I established a common‐garden experiment with three Norway spruce Picea abies populations sampled between 60° and 67° N in Finland, each represented by 13 or 15 maternal families, to determine whether belowground traits are as genetically differentiated among populations as those in the shoot along a collective latitudinal gradient of temperature and soil heterogeneity. Two growing season simulations enabled testing for among‐population differences in phenotypic plasticity. I phenotyped 777 first‐year seedlings from shoot to root to capture functional traits that may influence survival in the wild: autumn phenology, shoot growth, root system size, root architecture, root morphology and growth allocation. All traits exhibited within‐population genetic diversity, but among‐population differentiation ranged from strong in shoot traits to nonexistent in root system architecture and morphology that are scaled to root system size. However, latitudinal trends characterised root‐to‐shoot ratio and root tip‐to‐shoot ratio that account for among‐population differences in aboveground growth. Overall trait variability was multidimensional with variable among‐ versus within‐population trends: for example, phenology and shoot growth covaried across populations, but their association within individual populations was variable. Shoot growth correlated positively with root system size, but not with root architecture or morphology. Finally, the two higher‐latitude populations exhibited greater phenotypic plasticity in shoot traits and growth allocation. The results demonstrate varying patterns of genetic variation in functional traits of Norway spruce in the boreal zone, suggesting simultaneous adaptation to multiple environmental factors. Functional traits that exhibit phenotypic plasticity, genetic diversity and little covariation will promote long‐term survival of populations in fluctuating environments.
Ocular biometry in children and adolescents from 4 to 17 years: a cross‐sectional study in central Germany
Authors: Rauscher Franziska G , Francke Mike , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland , Michael Ralph
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To evaluate ocular biometry in a large paediatric population as a function of age and sex in children of European descent.

Methods

Children were examined as part of the LIFE Child Study (Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Disease), a population‐based study in Leipzig, Germany. Altogether, 1907 children, aged from 4 to 17 years, were examined with the Lenstar LS 900. Data from the right eye was analysed for axial length, central corneal thickness, flat and steep corneal radii, aqueous depth, lens thickness and vitreous depth. Wavefront‐based autorefraction was employed for analysis.

Results

Axial length increased in girls from 21.6 mm (4 years) up to 23.4 mm (17 years); this increase (0.174 mm per year) was statistically significant up to age 14 (23.3 mm). Axial length increased in boys from 22.2 mm (4 years) up to 23.9 mm (17 years); this increase (0.178 mm per year) was statistically significant up to age 10 (23.3 mm). No change was observed for central corneal thickness (average: girls 550 µm; boys 554 µm). Corneal curvature in girls was somewhat flatter at age 4 (7.70 mm) compared to age 10 (7.78 mm), whereas it was constant in boys (7.89 mm). Aqueous depth at age 4 was 2.73 mm for girls and 2.86 mm for boys, with the same rate of increase per year (girls: 0.046 mm; boys: 0.047 mm) from age 4 to 10. At age 17, aqueous depth was 3.06 mm in girls and 3.20 mm in boys. Lens thickness was reduced from age 4 (3.75 mm) to age 10 (3.47 mm) in girls and from age 4 (3.73 mm) to age 10 (3.44 mm) in boys, with the same rate of decrease per year of 0.046 and 0.047 mm, respectively. At age 17, lens thickness was 3.52 mm in girls and 3.50 mm in boys. Vitreous depth at age 4 was 14.51 mm for girls and 15.08 mm for boys; with 0.156 mm (girls) or 0.140 mm (boys) increase per year until age 14 (girls: 16.08 mm; boys: 16.48 mm). At age 17, vitreous depth was 16.29 mm in girls and 16.62 mm in boys.

Conclusions

Eye growth (axial length) in girls showed a lag of about four years compared to boys. Aqueous depth increase matches the lens thickness decrease from ages 4 to 10 years in girls and boys. Lens thickness minimum is reached at 11 years in girls and at 12 years in boys. All dimensions of the optical ocular components are closely correlated with axial length. These data may serve as normative values for the assessment of eye growth in central European children and will provide a basis for monitoring refractive error development.
Racial and ethnic differences in left atrial appendage occlusion wait time, complications, and periprocedural management
Authors: Haddad Abdullah , Bocchese Matthew , Garber Rebecca , O'Neill Brian , Yesenosky George A. , Patil Pravin , Keane Martin G. , Islam Sabrina , Sherrer Jacqueline M. , Basil Anuj , Gangireddy Chethan , Cooper Joshua M. , Cronin Edmond M. , Whitman Isaac R.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Non‐white patients are underrepresented in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) trials, and racial disparities in LAAO periprocedural management are unknown.

Methods

We assessed sociodemographics and comorbidities of consecutive patients at our institution undergoing LAAO between 2015 and 2020, then in adjusted analyses, compared procedural wait time, procedural complications, and post‐procedure oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in whites versus non‐whites.

Results

Among 109 patients undergoing LAAO (45% white), whites had lower CHA2DS2VASc scores, on average, than non‐whites (4.0 vs. 4.8, p = .006). There was no difference in median time from index event (IE) or initial outpatient cardiology encounter to LAAO procedure (whites 10.5 vs. non‐whites 13.7 months, p = .9; 1.9 vs. 1.8 months, p = .6, respectively), and there was no difference in procedural complications (whites 4% vs. non‐whites 5%, p = .33). After adjusting for CHA2DS2VASc score, OAC use at discharge tended to be higher in whites (OR 2.4, 95% CI [0.9‐6.0], p = .07). When restricting the analysis to those with prior gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, adjusting for CHA2DS2VASc score and GI bleed severity, whites had a nearly five‐fold odds of being discharged on OAC (OR 4.6, 95% CI [1‐21.8], p = 0.05). The association between race and discharge OAC was not mediated through income category (total mediation effect 19% 95% CI [‐.04‐0.11], p = .38).

Conclusion

Despite an increased prevalence of comorbidities amongst non‐whites, wait time for LAAO and procedural complications were similar in whites versus non‐whites. Among those with prior GI bleed, whites were nearly five‐fold more likely to be discharged on OAC than non‐whites, independent of income.
Effect of early‐life antibiotic exposure and IL‐13 polymorphism on atopic dermatitis phenotype
Authors: Park Min Jee , Lee So‐Yeon , Lee Si Hyeon , Kang Mi‐Jin , Song Kun Baek , Jung Sungsu , Yoon Ji‐sun , Suh Dong In , Shin Youn Ho , Kim Kyung Won , Ahn Kangmo , Hong Soo‐Jong
Published: May 2021

Background

Although atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with certain gene variants, the rapidly increasing incidence of AD suggests that environmental factors contribute to disease development. In this study, we investigated the association of AD incidence and phenotype with antibiotic exposure within 6 months of age, considering the dose administered and genetic risk.

Methods

This study included 1637 children from the COCOA cohort. Pediatric allergists assessed the presence of AD at each visit and obtained information about antibiotic exposure for more than 3 days. IL‐13 (rs20541) polymorphism was genotyped by the TaqMan method. We stratified the AD phenotypes into four groups and used multinomial logistic regression models for analysis.

Results

Antibiotic exposure within 6 months of age was found to increase the risk of AD within 3 years of life (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09–1.81) in dose‐dependent manner. Antibiotic exposure more than twice increased the risk of the early‐persistent AD phenotype (aOR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.35–4.63). There was a weak interaction between genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors on the development of AD (p for interaction = 0.06). Children with the IL‐13 (rs20541) GA + AA genotype have a higher risk of the early‐persistent AD phenotype when exposed to antibiotics more than twice than those with the IL‐13 (rs20541) GG genotype and without exposure to antibiotics (aOR = 4.73; 95% CI, 2.01–11.14).

Conclusion

Antibiotic exposure within 6 months was related to the incidence of early‐persistent AD and a dose‐dependent increase in the incidence of AD in childhood, whose effect was modified by the IL‐13 (rs20541) genotype.
Factors associated with outcome of egg allergy 1 year after oral food challenge: A good baseline quality of life may be beneficial
Authors: Hamada Kana , Nagao Mizuho , Imakiire Ryo , Furuya Kanae , Mizuno Yumi , Sato Yasunori , Matsunaga Mayumi , Yamada Shingo , Nogami Kazutaka , Hoshi Miyuki , Kobori Taiga , Kainuma Keigo , Iijima Kazumoto , Fujisawa Takao
Published: May 2021

Background

Safely liberalizing the diet to include an allergenic food may accelerate resolution of food allergy. The outcome of liberalization, however, varies among patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study to identify factors associated with outcome for egg allergy 1 year after oral food challenge (OFC). We enrolled children <72 months old who had egg allergy and underwent OFC for determination of the safe intake quantity of egg allergen. Each child's baseline clinical background was recorded. Caregivers used the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Parent Form (FAQLQ‐PF) to assess their children's QoL. Dietary advice based on the OFC result was provided to support safe egg consumption. At 1 year after OFC, the quantity of egg each child safely consumed in daily life was surveyed. We classified the outcome as Successful (Group S) if the quantity increased during the 1 year, or as Unsuccessful (Group U) if it did not. Factors associated with the outcome were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 93 children were enrolled, and after 1 year, 57 finished in Group S and 36 in Group U. The mean FAQLQ‐PF score at baseline was significantly lower (ie, a better QoL) in Group S than in Group U. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a good QoL and absence of comorbid asthma or atopic dermatitis as factors predicting a favorable outcome.

Conclusion

QoL may affect food allergy outcome. Intervention focusing on the QoL may promote outgrowing of food allergies.
Understanding the illness representations of young people with anxiety and depression: A qualitative study
Authors: Bear Holly Alice , Krause Karolin Rose , Edbrooke‐Childs Julian , Wolpert Miranda
Published: May 2021

Background

Many young people with anxiety or depression drop out of treatment early, and/or leave treatment without showing measurably improved symptom levels. To enhance treatment engagement and effectiveness, it is critical to better understand how young people’s perceptions of the symptoms, causes, consequences, treatability, and course of their anxiety and depression influence engagement.

Aim

This study aimed to provide a qualitative account of illness perceptions among youth with anxiety and depression by applying the Common Sense Model of Self‐Regulation (CSM), which was developed in physical health contexts.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 26 young people (aged 16–24, 73% female) with a history of anxiety and/or depression. Interviews were analysed using a combination of theory‐ and data‐driven analysis techniques, consisting primarily of deductive thematic analysis.

Results

The five themes broadly mapped onto the dimensions of the CSM, suggesting parallels in how mental and physical health problems are perceived. Anxiety and depression were viewed as non‐linear, relapsing and remitting, but lifelong conditions, with a fluctuating and complex path to recovery and coping. Youth described pervasive negative impacts on their lives, but also described some positive aspects.

Implications

Better understanding of young people’s illness beliefs has the potential to open a range of intervention possibilities by prioritizing young people’s illness perceptions over the clinician’s understanding and the supposed objective condition severity and trajectory. Although this study supported a common structure of illness beliefs, the content of these beliefs was idiosyncratic and specific to anxiety and depression, suggesting the need to develop a valid tool to measure illness perceptions in this group.

Practitioner points

Our findings suggest that illness perceptions are complex, highly idiosyncratic, and specific to youth anxiety and depression.

Given the complexity of these beliefs and the known association with important treatment‐ and health‐related outcomes, it is important that clinical formulation incorporates young people’s illness belief models, including their perceptions of symptoms, cause, timeline to recovery, consequences, and personal and treatment control.

To increase help‐seeking, treatment engagement and adaptive coping strategies, therapy should work to a shared understanding of illness beliefs.

Increasing congruence between the belief models of young people, families, and clinicians may serve to improve treatment benefits and address the unmet mental health needs of young people.
The miR164‐GhCUC2‐GhBRC1 module regulates plant architecture through abscisic acid in cotton
Authors: Zhan Jingjing , Chu Yu , Wang Ye , Diao Yangyang , Zhao Yanyan , Liu Lisen , Wei Xi , Meng Yuan , Li Fuguang , Ge Xiaoyang
Published: May 2021

Branching determines cotton architecture and production, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report that the miR164‐GhCUC2 (CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON2) module regulates lateral shoot development in cotton and Arabidopsis. We generated OE‐GhCUC2m (overexpression GhCUC2m) and STTM164 (short tandem target mimic RNA of miR164) lines in cotton and heterologous expression lines for gh‐miR164, GhCUC2 and GhCUC2m in Arabidopsis to study the mechanisms controlling lateral branching. GhCUC2m overexpression resulted in a short‐branch phenotype similar to STTM164. In addition, heterologous expression of GhCUC2m led to decreased number and length of branches compared with wild type, opposite to the effects of the OE‐gh‐pre164 line in Arabidopsis. GhCUC2 interacted with GhBRC1 and exhibited similar negative regulation of branching. Overexpression of GhBRC1 in the brc1‐2 mutant partially rescued the mutant phenotype and decreased branch number. GhBRC1 directly bound to the NCED1 promoter and activated its transcription, leading to local abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation and response. Mutation of the NCED1 promoter disrupted activation by GhBRC1. This finding demonstrates a direct relationship between BRC1 and ABA signalling and places ABA downstream of BRC1 in the control of branching development. The miR164‐GhCUC2‐GhBRC1‐GhNCED1 module provides a clear regulatory axis for ABA signalling to control plant architecture.
Transfer, subsequent movement, and fate of sperm in the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta
Authors: Hague Nancy L. , Dickinson Janis L. , Shepherd Julian G.
Published: May 2021

During mating in the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), sperm are passed to the female via a copulation in which the male transfers a large and often complex spermatophore over the major part of an hour or more. Subsequently, over the course of an hour or often considerably more, the sperm exit the spermatophore and travel over a relatively complex route to the spermatheca, where the sperm are stored and then used as the eggs are laid. The process of spermatophore formation and migration of sperm in the female has been described in many Lepidoptera, but the mechanics involved have received less attention. Understanding these is important in discerning the relative roles of males and females in determining the outcome of matings. We describe how the spermatophore is formed, how the sperm migrate in the female, and the fate of the sperm in the spermatheca of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta. We found that sperm movement from the spermatophore relied upon motility of the sperm, but further movement of the sperm to the spermatheca was dependent on female muscular action. After arriving in the spermatheca, the anucleate parasperm (apyrene sperm) separated into the lateral pouch of the spermatheca (lagena) and disappeared over 7 days, whereas the eusperm (eupyrene sperm) persisted in the central lumen of the spermatheca (utriculus). The relative persistence of these two sperm types could shed some light on what determines the proclivity of females to remate. Elucidation of these physiological mechanisms contributes to an understanding of the mechanisms of female choice and male competition in Lepidoptera.
Social frailty and longitudinal risk of depressive symptoms in a Chinese population: the Rugao Longevity and Aging Study
Authors: Chen ZeKun , Jiang XiaoYan , Shi GuoPing , Wang Yong , Chu XueFeng , Wang ZhengDong , Guo JiangHong , Zhu YinSheng , Chen Jie , Wang XiaoFeng , Bao ZhiJun
Published: May 2021

Aim

To explore the cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between social frailty (SF) and incident depressive symptoms in a Chinese population.

Methods

SF was measured with 6 questions (6 points maximum; 0–1 = non‐SF, 2–3 = pre‐SF, 4–6 = SF). Depressive symptoms were defined as a score of ≥6 on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Compared to baseline, participants with a ≥2‐point increase in the Geriatric Depression Scale score were considered to have worsening depressive symptoms.

Results

At baseline, among 1764 participants, 9.9% (n = 175) had depressive symptoms, 3.6% (n = 61) were SF, and 38.2% (n = 650) were pre‐SF. The percentage of depressive symptoms increased with SF status from 5.1% (non‐SF) to 12.9% (pre‐SF), to 41.0% (SF). In cross‐sectional analysis, after adjustments for multiple covariates, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with both pre‐SF (odds ratio (OR) = 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.01–4.32) and SF (OR = 16.70, 95% CI 8.80–31.71). During the 3‐year follow‐up period, 10.0% (n = 117) of the participants developed depressive symptoms. In longitudinal analyses, after multiple adjustments, SF and pre‐SF were associated with a 2.31‐fold (95% CI 1.10–4.88) and 1.58‐fold (95% CI 1.05–2.38) increased risk of incidence of depressive symptoms, respectively. Among participants without depressive symptoms at baseline, 23.2% had worsening depressive symptoms, and SF was associated with increased risk of worsening depressive symptoms (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.18–3.65).

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that SF may be a predictor of depression among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults. In addition, in elders with no depressive symptoms at baseline, those with SF had greater odds of worsening depressive symptoms 3 years later.
Gender‐specific factors associated with risk of depression among Lebanese older adults
Authors: Boulos Christa , Salameh Pascale
Published: May 2021

Background

Depression among older adults is a frequent and underdiagnosed condition. However, there is a paucity of research on mental health problems among elderly people in Arab countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the risk of depression among a representative sample of older Lebanese adults living in rural areas and to identify gender‐specific factors associated with depression risk.

Methods

This study included a randomly selected sample of 823 rural elderly people aged ≥65 years without cognitive decline. Data, including sociodemographic characteristics, living condition, health and functional status, were collected during face‐to‐face interviews. Depression was assessed by the five‐item Geriatric Depression Scale.

Results

Risk for depression was significantly higher in women than in men (39.5% vs 26.2%, P < 0.001). Among men, reporting a higher versus a lower income (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.299) and being physically active significantly decreased the odds of depressive symptoms. In addition, physical disability (AOR = 3.03) and a high level of loneliness (AOR = 41.76) were significantly related to an increased risk of depression. Among women, daily or occasional physical activity was related to a reduced risk of depression compared to sedentary lifestyles (AOR = 0.35; AOR = 0.50). Furthermore digestive symptoms (AOR = 1.98), poor nutritional status (AOR = 1.99), and strong feelings of loneliness (AOR = 10.86) were significantly related to an increased odds of depression.

Conclusion

Elderly Lebanese people, especially women, were at high risk for depression. Among other gender‐specific factors, loneliness was strongly associated with depressive disorders in both genders, with a four times greater odds ratio in men than in women.
Optimizing hatchery practices for genetic improvement of marine bivalves
Authors: Nascimento‐Schulze Jennifer C. , Bean Tim P. , Houston Ross D. , Santos Eduarda M. , Sanders Matthew B. , Lewis Ceri , Ellis Robert P.
Published: May 2021

Aquaculture currently accounts for approximately half of all seafood produced and is the fastest growing farmed food sector globally. Marine bivalve aquaculture, the farming of oysters, mussels and clams, represents a highly sustainable component of this industry and has major potential for global expansion via increased efficiency, and numbers of, production systems. Artificial spat propagation (i.e. settled juveniles) in hatcheries and selective breeding have the potential to offer rapid and widespread gains for molluscan aquaculture industry. However, bivalves have unique life‐histories, genetic and genomic characteristics, which present significant challenges to achieving such genetic improvement. Selection pressures experienced by bivalve larvae and spat in the wild contribute to drive population structure and animal fitness. Similarly, domestication selection is likely to act on hatchery‐produced spat, the full implications of which have not been fully explored. In this review, we outline the key features of these taxa and production practices applied in bivalve aquaculture, which have the potential to affect the genetic and phenotypic variability of hatchery‐propagated stock. Alongside, we compare artificial and natural processes experienced by bivalves to investigate the possible consequences of hatchery propagation on stock production. In addition, we identify key areas of investigation that need to be prioritized to continue to the advancement of bivalve genetic improvement via selective breeding. The growing accessibility of next‐generation sequencing technology and high‐powered computational capabilities facilitate the implementation of novel genomic tools in breeding programmes of aquatic species. These emerging techniques represent an exciting opportunity for sustainably expanding the bivalve aquaculture sector.
The Work‐Averse Cyberattacker Model: Theory and Evidence from Two Million Attack Signatures
Authors: Allodi Luca , Massacci Fabio , Williams Julian
Published: May 2021

The assumption that a cyberattacker will potentially exploit all present vulnerabilities drives most modern cyber risk management practices and the corresponding security investments. We propose a new attacker model, based on dynamic optimization, where we demonstrate that large, initial, fixed costs of exploit development induce attackers to delay implementation and deployment of exploits of vulnerabilities. The theoretical model predicts that mass attackers will preferably (i) exploit only one vulnerability per software version, (ii) largely include only vulnerabilities requiring low attack complexity, and (iii) be slow at trying to weaponize new vulnerabilities . These predictions are empirically validated on a large data set of observed massed attacks launched against a large collection of information systems. Findings in this article allow cyber risk managers to better concentrate their efforts for vulnerability management, and set a new theoretical and empirical basis for further research defining attacker (offensive) processes.
Socioscientific Issues in Science Education: An opportunity to Incorporate Education about Risk and Risk Analysis?
Authors: Schenk Linda , Hamza Karim , Arvanitis Leena , Lundegård Iann , Wojcik Andrzej , Haglund Karin
Published: May 2021

Socioscientific issues (SSI) concern social issues, often lacking simple solutions, that relate to science and often also risk controversies. SSIs have become an established part of science education, aiming to teach students not only about content knowledge but also about the nature of science and to offer them practice in argumentation and decision making. We performed a scoping review of the literature on SSI in science education research, in order to investigate if the topics covered would lean themselves to education about risk, and if risk is raised in these works. Using Web of Science we identified 296 empirical publications and 91 theoretical or review publications about SSI teaching in science education. The empirical publications covered studies performed in primary to tertiary school, most commonly upper secondary school (32%). The most frequently taught SSI themes were nature conservation, biotechnology, and climate change. Despite that these, as most of the other identified themes, clearly are connected to risk analysis and risk management, few publications raised the concept of risk and the methods of risk analysis. In fact, almost half (empirical: 48%, theoretical: 49%) did not mention risk at all. We argue that SSIs present an opportunity for risk researchers to engage with educators to incorporate risk in school science education and to contribute in developing teaching materials suitable toward that aim.
A Comparison of Prior Elicitation Aggregation Using the Classical Method and SHELF
Authors: Williams Cameron J. , Wilson Kevin J. , Wilson Nina
Published: May 2021

Subjective Bayesian prior distributions elicited from experts can be aggregated together to form group priors. This paper compares aggregated priors formed by equal weight aggregation, the classical method and the Sheffield elicitation framework to each other and individual expert priors, using an expert elicitation carried out for a clinical trial. Aggregation methods and individual expert prior distributions are compared using proper scoring rules to compare the informativeness and calibration of the distributions. The three aggregation methods outperform the individual experts, and the Sheffield elicitation framework performs best among them.
Searching for a Smart City: A Bibliographic Analysis of ‘Public Facing’ EU Smart City Projects
Authors: Collins Alan , Cox Adam , Torrisi Gianpiero
Published: May 2021

The narrative used to describe smart cities, including the experimentation on them, affects the perception of the smart city. This study systematically assembles and analyses ‘public facing’ smart city project data from across the EU. Using a bibliographic analysis, including word frequency analyses across time and countries of project descriptions, we identify the dominant themes and constructs in the smart city narratives used by teams advancing smart city projects. The study highlights spatial and intertemporal variations in locational density, differing project content and the range of conceptual emphases. Results show that the main concern of smart city narratives in the EU is firmly centred on energy. We argue that policy‐makers should aim for better alignment of smart cities' narrative with citizens' perception or, at least, a wider description of the very nature of implemented projects to include those rather neglected aspects might attract more interest and citizens' involvement.
What Is the Value of Vagueness?
Authors: Lanius David
Published: May 2021

Classically, vagueness has been considered something bad. It leads to the Sorites paradox, borderline cases, and the (apparent) violation of the logical principle of bivalence. Nevertheless, there have always been scholars claiming that vagueness is also valuable. Many have pointed out that we could not communicate as successfully or efficiently as we do if we would not use vague language. Indeed, we often use vague terms when we could have used more precise ones instead. Many scholars (implicitly or explicitly) assume that we do so because their vagueness has a positive function. But how and in what sense can vagueness be said to have a function or value? This paper is an attempt to give an answer to this question. After clarifying the concepts of vagueness and value, it examines nine arguments for the value of vagueness, which have been discussed in the literature. The (negative) result of this examination is, however, that there is not much reason to believe that vagueness has a value or positive function at all because none of the arguments is conclusive. A tenth argument that has not been discussed so far seems most promising but rests on a solely strategic notion of function.
No Infelicity for the Infallibilist
Authors: Fratantonio Giada
Published: May 2021

According to probability 1 infallibilism (henceforth, infallibilism), if one knows that p, then the probability of p given one's evidence is 1. Jessica Brown (2013, Analysis, 73, 626–635; Fallibilism: Evidence and Knowledge, 2018) has recently argued that infallibilism leads to scepticism unless the infallibilist also endorses the claim that if one knows that p, then p is part of one's evidence for p. By doing that, however, the infalliblist has to explain why it is infelicitous to cite p as evidence for itself. And yet, the infallibilist does not seem to have a satisfying explanation available. Call this the infelicity challenge for probability 1 infallibilism. By exploiting the distinction between the justifying and the motivating role of evidence, in this paper I argue that contrary to first appearances, the infelicity challenge does not arise for probability 1 infallibilism. However, after anticipating and resisting two objections to my argument, I show that we can identify a different version of infallibilism which seems to face a problem that is even more serious than the infelicity challenge.
Polygalacturonase45 cleaves pectin and links cell proliferation and morphogenesis to leaf curvature in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yang Yang , Anderson Charles T. , Cao Jiashu
Published: May 2021

Regulating plant architecture is a major goal in current breeding programs. Previous studies have increased our understanding of the genetic regulation of plant architecture, but it is also essential to understand how organ morphology is controlled at the cellular level. In the cell wall, pectin modification and degradation are required for organ morphogenesis, and these processes involve a series of pectin‐modifying enzymes. Polygalacturonases (PGs) are a major group of pectin‐hydrolyzing enzymes that cleave pectin backbones and release oligogalacturonides (OGs). PG genes function in cell expansion and separation, and contribute to organ expansion, separation and dehiscence in plants. However, whether and how they influence other cellular processes and organ morphogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we characterized the functions of Arabidopsis PG45 (PG45) in organ morphogenesis using genetic, developmental, cell biological and biochemical analyses. A heterologously expressed portion of PG45 cleaves pectic homogalacturonan in vitro, indicating that PG45 is a bona fide PG. PG45 functions in leaf and flower structure, branch formation and organ growth. Undulation in pg45 knockout and PG45 overexpression leaves is accompanied by impaired adaxial–abaxial polarity, and loss of PG45 shortens the duration of cell proliferation in the adaxial epidermis of developing leaves. Abnormal leaf curvature is coupled with altered pectin metabolism and autogenous OG profiles in pg45 knockout and PG45 overexpression leaves. Together, these results highlight a previously underappreciated function for PGs in determining tissue polarity and regulating cell proliferation, and imply the existence of OG‐based signaling pathways that modulate plant development.