bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of clinical trials to assess diabetes treatment: Minimum duration of continuous glucose monitoring data to estimate time‐in‐ranges with the desired precision
Authors: Camerlingo Nunzio , Vettoretti Martina , Sparacino Giovanni , Facchinetti Andrea , Mader Julia K. , Choudhary Pratik , Del Favero Simone ,   on behalf of the Hypo‐RESOLVE Consortium
Published: July 2021

Aim

To compute the uncertainty of time‐in‐ranges, such as time in range (TIR), time in tight range (TITR), time below range (TBR) and time above range (TAR), to evaluate glucose control and to determine the minimum duration of a trial to achieve the desired precision.

Materials and Methods

Four formulas for the aforementioned time‐in‐ranges were obtained by estimating the equation's parameters on a training set extracted from study A (226 subjects, ~180 days, 5‐minute Dexcom G4 Platinum sensor). The formulas were then validated on the remaining data. We also illustrate how to adjust the parameters for sensors with different sampling rates. Finally, we used study B (45 subjects, ~365 days, 15‐minute Abbott Freestyle Libre sensor) to further validate our results.

Results

Our approach was effective in predicting the uncertainty when time‐in‐ranges are estimated using n days of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), matching the variability observed in the data. As an example, monitoring a population with TIR = 70%, TITR = 50%, TBR = 5% and TAR = 25% for 30 days warrants a precision of ±3.50%, ±3.68%, ±1.33% and ±3.66%, respectively.

Conclusions

The presented approach can be used to both compute the uncertainty of time‐in‐ranges and determine the minimum duration of a trial to achieve the desired precision. An online tool to facilitate its implementation is made freely available to the clinical investigator.
High‐fat diet prevents the development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice
Authors: Clark Amy L. , Yan Zihan , Chen Sophia X. , Shi Victoria , Kulkarni Devesha H. , Diwan Abhinav , Remedi Maria S.
Published: July 2021

Aims

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has a strong genetic predisposition and requires an environmental trigger to initiate the beta‐cell autoimmune destruction. The rate of childhood obesity has risen in parallel to the proportion of T1D, suggesting high‐fat diet (HFD)/obesity as potential environmental triggers for autoimmune diabetes. To explore this, non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice were subjected to HFD and monitored for the development of diabetes, insulitis and beta‐cell stress.

Materials and Methods

Four‐week‐old female NOD mice were placed on HFD (HFD‐NOD) or standard chow‐diet. Blood glucose was monitored weekly up to 40 weeks of age, and glucose‐ and insulin‐tolerance tests performed at 4, 10 and 15 weeks. Pancreata and islets were analysed for insulin secretion, beta‐cell mass, inflammation, insulitis and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers. Immune cell levels were measured in islets and spleens. Stool microbiome was analysed at age 4, 8 and 25 weeks.

Results

At early ages, HFD‐NOD mice showed a significant increase in body weight, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance; but paradoxically, they were protected from developing diabetes. This was accompanied by increased insulin secretion and beta‐cell mass, decreased insulitis, increased splenic T‐regulatory cells and altered stool microbiome.

Conclusions

This study shows that HFD protects NOD mice from autoimmune diabetes and preserves beta‐cell mass and function through alterations in gut microbiome, increased T‐regulatory cells and decreased insulitis. Further studies into the exact mechanism of HFD‐mediated prevention of diabetes in NOD mice could potentially lead to interventions to prevent or delay T1D development in humans.
Why are aid projects less effective in the Pacific?
Authors: Wood Terence , Otor Sabit , Dornan Matthew
Published: July 2021

Motivation

The Pacific is the world’s most aid‐dependent region, yet available data suggest aid projects are less effective on average in the Pacific than elsewhere in the developing world.

Purpose

This article examines the most likely explanations for lower aid project effectiveness in the Pacific. Explanations include poor governance, restricted levels of political freedom, poor economic performance, isolation, and small populations.

Methods and approach

Three approaches to causal mediation analysis are used to identify which explanatory variables best explain why aid projects are less effective in the Pacific. Aid project effectiveness data come from a multi‐donor dataset of individual aid projects. Data on potential explanatory variables comes from a range of international datasets.

Findings

All three causal mediation approaches point to the isolation of many Pacific countries, alongside comparatively small populations, as being the main impediments to project effectiveness. These findings hold even with a suite of project traits being controlled for and within an analysis in which all the key country variables of interest are controlled for.

Policy implications

Project effectiveness in the Pacific appears to be primarily constrained by variables that cannot themselves be shifted (the region’s countries cannot readily be made less remote or more populous). Improved project effectiveness in the Pacific will require donor practice to carefully adapt to the region’s context. A structured process of donor learning will be needed.
Accounting for imperfect detection in data from museums and herbaria when modeling species distributions: combining and contrasting data‐level versus model‐level bias correction
Authors: Erickson Kelley D. , Smith Adam B.
Published: July 2021

The digitization of museum collections as well as an explosion in citizen science initiatives has resulted in a wealth of data that can be useful for understanding the global distribution of biodiversity, provided that the well‐documented biases inherent in unstructured opportunistic data are accounted for. While traditionally used to model imperfect detection using structured data from systematic surveys of wildlife, occupancy models provide a framework for modelling the imperfect collection process that results in digital specimen data. In this study, we explore methods for adapting occupancy models for use with biased opportunistic occurrence data from museum specimens and citizen science platforms using seven species of Anacardiaceae in Florida as a case study. We explored two methods of incorporating information about collection effort to inform our uncertainty around species presence: 1) filtering the data to exclude collectors unlikely to collect the focal species and 2) incorporating collection covariates (collection type, time of collection and history of previous detections) into a model of collection probability. We found that the best models incorporated both the background data filtration step as well as collector covariates. Month, method of collection and whether a collector had previously collected the focal species were important predictors of collection probability. Efforts to standardize meta‐data associated with data collection will improve efforts for modeling the spatial distribution of a variety of species.
A retrospective study of oral pathoses in Israeli military divers and non‐divers: 2011–2020
Authors: Tsur Nir , Arbel Yael , Abuhasira Shlomi , Permut Yael , Lvovsky Alex , Protter Noam
Published: July 2021

Background/Aim

Self‐contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving has grown tremendously as a recreational sport over the past decade. The pain divers experience due to barometric changes is referred to as barodontalgia, and it is known to cause various oral pathoses. Furthermore, divers suffer more frequently from temporomandibular disorders than non‐divers. The aim of the study was to characterize oral pathoses between military divers and military non‐divers.

Material and Methods

Data from the dental files of healthy Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers aged 18–40 years were collected retrospectively for the years 2011–2020. The data for subjects exposed to diving were compared to commando and special forces soldiers.

Results

The study population was composed of 6398 soldiers, which included 1036 divers and 5362 non‐divers. All participants were male, with a median age of 22 years (mean = 22.1 years). Overall, higher rates of faulty dental restorations were seen among divers than non‐divers (9.3% vs. 6.7% p = .006). Temporomandibular disorders were more prevalent among divers, specifically Disc Displacement Without Reduction (DDWOR) (0.4% vs. 0.1% p = .003). While dental fractures showed no significant difference between divers and non‐divers (3.8% vs. 3.5% p = 0.8), other oral injuries were nine times more prevalent among divers versus non‐divers.

Conclusion

Military divers are, overall, at a higher risk of oral pathoses than non‐divers. This may be related to the characteristics and intensity of their military service.
Potential roles of selected forage grasses in management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) through companion cropping
Authors: Cheruiyot Duncan , Chiriboga Morales Xavier , Chidawanyika Frank , Bruce Toby J. A. , Khan Zeyaur R.
Published: July 2021

Production of maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), in sub‐Saharan Africa is threatened by a new invasive pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To mitigate this threat, push–pull companion cropping, a system originally developed for management of lepidopteran stemborers, may be used to control FAW. The original system involved trap crops that functioned as a ‘pull’ component to attract moths away from the main crop. How grass species can be used as trap crops in a push–pull system to control FAW is a question that remains to be answered, because maize is already a highly preferred host plant. Therefore, we tested oviposition preference of FAW female moths in no‐choice and two‐choice experiments and larval performance on six selected grasses (Poaceae) to assess their roles as trap crop ‘pull’ plants in the system. In no‐choice tests, numbers of eggs deposited on Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. Webster cv. ‘Piata’, cv. ‘Mulato II’, and cv. ‘Xaraes’, and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum K. Schumach) cv. ‘South Africa’ were not statistically different from those deposited on maize. In two‐choice tests between grasses and maize, there were no significant differences in number of eggs laid when the plants were of the same size. However, in two‐choice tests with maize plants half of the size of the grasses, significantly more eggs were laid on B. brizantha cv. Xaraes and P. purpureum cv. South Africa than on maize, suggesting that crop phenology could make a difference. Numbers of larvae arrested on grass leaf cuts were considerably lower than those on maize leaf cuts after 48 h. In two‐choice tests with maize, molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.) was the only grass that was significantly preferred to maize for larval settlement after 24 h. After 48 h in the two‐choice test, it was the only grass that retained larvae, although the larval count was significantly lower than on maize. Our data show that none of the grasses tested were strongly preferred to maize, but the results indicate plants attractive to FAW adults and larvae that could be utilized in a multiple trap crop approach to target various stages of the pest. Furthermore, results indicate the importance of planting these companion plants earlier than maize.
The specialist of a specialist: the natural history of the predispersal seed predator weevil Hemicolpus abdominalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Sanz‐Veiga Priscila A. , Polizello Diego S. , Silva Daniel P. , Savaris Marcoandre , Amorim Felipe W.
Published: July 2021

1. The reproduction of specialised endophagous insects relies on a fine temporal synchronization between the insect and its host plant phenology.

2. Since the spatial distribution and local prevalence of specialised insects depend on both environmental conditions and biotic interactions, in this study, we assessed whether the life cycle of the predispersal seed feeding weevil, Hemicolpus abdominalis (Curculionidae), is synchronised with the reproductive phenology of its host plant, Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae) in the Brazilian Cerrado. Following an ecological niche modelling approach, we also tested whether the predicted distribution of this specialised weevil matches that of its host plant.

3. We observed a tight synchronization between the weevil reproduction and its host plant reproductive phenology. After emergence from the fruits, adult weevils enter in reproductive diapause, with reproductive development resuming in the next reproductive season, which indicates the univoltism of this species.

4. There was a high spatial congruence in the distribution of H. abdominalis and its host plant. Since the reproduction of H. abdominalis is synchronised with the host plant phenology, temporal mismatches between the weevil life cycle, and plant reproduction may affect the long‐term population prevalence of the insect.

5. The life cycle of the predispersal seed feeding weevil, H. abdominalis, depends on a close match with the host plant reproductive phenology, whose fruit production is entirely dependent on long‐tongued hawkmoth pollinators. Hence, we highlight the importance of both biotic and abiotic conditions in shaping the distribution range of a specialised endophagous insect.
Perforant path inputs to hippocampal subfields predict heterogeneous AMPA receptor subunit expression following rapid new spatial learning in a novel context
Authors: Fraser Ellen G. , Makarowski Ty , McDonald Robert J.
Published: July 2021

The hippocampus plays a critical role in spatial learning and memory. Its contribution to support these kinds of learning and memory functions relies on synaptic plasticity and related molecular mechanisms, well documented in the long‐term potentiation (LTP) literature. The present experiment measures AMPA subunit expression, in a ratio of GluA2:GluA1 as an indicator of plasticity across the hippocampus, in rats that underwent new spatial learning in either a familiar or novel context. Statistically significant effects in this plasticity indicator were observed of context condition, time after task and hippocampal subfield. Based on the strong inputs of entorhinal cortex to hippocampus, we also identified differences in GluA2:GluA1 expression trends between time points and room conditions that mirror trends in medial and lateral entorhinal cortex connectivity between new room and same room context learning, respectively. Across the transverse axis in infrapyramidal dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA1, plasticity followed entorhinal cortex projection patterns. Along the transverse axis in the suprapyramidal blade of the dentate gyrus, and along the long axis in dentate gyrus and CA3, results did not follow entorhinal cortex subregion projection patterns. These latter results may be indicative of pattern separation in the dentate gyrus and emotional triage functions of the ventral hippocampus.
Estimation of soil specific surface area from adsorbed soil water content
Authors: Chen Chong , Arthur Emmanuel , Tuller Markus , Zhou Hu , Wang Xiang , Shang Jianying , Hu Kelin , Ren Tusheng
Published: July 2021

The adsorbed water content is an attractive predictor for estimation of soil specific surface area (SSA) as its measurement is less laborious and more cost effective than standard laboratory techniques. We analysed the effects of total specific surface area (SSAtot), external specific surface area (SSAex) and internal specific surface area (SSAin) on water vapour sorption on 21 soil samples, and proposed models for estimating SSAex, SSAtot and SSAin from organic carbon content and the slope of soil water vapour sorption isotherm (SL0.5) and water content (WC0.5) at a water activity of 0.5. The results indicated that the variation of correlation coefficients between water content change at 0.05 water activity interval (WCC0.05) and SSAtot with water activity was mainly due to the differences in water vapour adsorption in interlayer spaces at different water activity levels. Furthermore, in the soil water content range from ~0.001 to ~0.03 g g−1 (within the water activity range from ~0.45 to ~0.75), water vapour adsorption was related closely to SSAex. Cross‐validation results on estimated SSAex, SSAtot and SSAin of the 21 samples produced root mean square error (RMSE) values less than 9.39 m2 g−1 and Nash‐Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficients (E) greater than 0.93, suggesting that the proposed models provided reasonable estimates of SSA components. Thus, soil water vapour adsorption data can be applied to simultaneously estimate SSAex, SSAtot and SSAin. Variation of correlation between WCC0.05 and SSAtot with water activity depended on SSAin. Soil water vapour sorption is related closely to SSAex at water activities from ~0.45 to ~0.75. The proposed models yield reasonable estimates of SSAtot, SSAex and SSAin. Adsorbed water content can be used as a predictor for SSA estimation.

Highlights

Variation of correlation between WCC0.05 and SSAtot with water activity depended on SSAin.

Soil water vapor sorption relates closely to SSAex at water activities from ~0.45 to ~0.75.

The proposed models yield reasonable estimates of SSAtot, SSAex, and SSAin.

Adsorbed water content can be used as a predictor for SSA estimation.
The legacy of acidic deposition controls soil organic carbon pools in temperate forests across theCzechRepublic
Authors: Chuman Tomáš , Oulehle Filip , Zajícová Kateřina , Hruška Jakub
Published: July 2021

Temperate forest ecosystems store most of the organic carbon in soils (SOC), and changes in the soil carbon stock due to climate change or land management can potentially have a large influence on carbon balance. The most important factors controlling the SOC pool on a global scale are generally agreed upon; however, estimations of SOC pools differ significantly among studies at regional and local scales due to different sampling protocols and local scale variability. This study evaluates the SOC pool in the forest floor and mineral soil sampled down to a depth of 80 cm in 14 forested catchments with variable environmental conditions and soil acidification and eutrophication legacies, and determines the best explanatory variables of the SOC pool. The average SOC pool of 34 t ha−1measured in the forest floor (O horizon) was best explained by measures of historical sulphur (S) deposition (i.e., soil acidification legacy) and forest type (conifer vs. broadleaf forest). An average total SOC pool of 132 t ha−1, combining both the carbon pool in the mineral soil down to 80 cm and the carbon pool in forest floor, was best explained solely by elevation, which reflects temperature and precipitation gradients. However, when considering the coupled SOC pool in the forest floor and upper half of the sampled mineral soil (down to 40 cm), natural environmental factors were outweighed by anthropogenic ones (soil acidification legacy and forest type). This has important implications for understanding potential SOC pool changes under ongoing global climate change, especially in regions currently or historically affected by soil acidification caused by acid deposition. The acidification effect on the SOC accumulation and subsequent soil recovery after acidification retreat might affect carbon balance.

Highlights

The SOC pool is dependent on soil acidification legacy, forest type and climatic gradient.

Anthropogenic factors outweigh the natural ones if shallow sampling is carried out.

Shallow sampling commonly carried out in forest soils underestimates the SOC pool.

Soil acidification caused SOC accumulation and subsequent soil recovery might lead to carbon loss.
Antiepileptogenic effects of rapamycin in a model of infantile spasms due to structural lesions
Authors: Akman Ozlem , Briggs Stephen W. , Mowrey Wenzhu B. , Moshé Solomon L. , Galanopoulou Aristea S.
Published: July 2021

Objective

Infantile spasms may evolve into persistent epilepsies including Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome. We compared adult epilepsy outcomes in models of infantile spasms due to structural etiology (multiple‐hit model) or focal cortical inflammation and determined the anti‐epileptogenic effects of pulse‐rapamycin, previously shown to stop spasms in multiple‐hit rats.

Methods

Spasms were induced in 3‐day‐old male rats via right intracerebral doxorubicin/lipopolysaccharide (multiple‐hit model) infusions. Controls and sham rats were used. Separate multiple‐hit rats received pulse‐rapamycin or vehicle intraperitoneally between postnatal days 4 and 6. In adult mice, video‐EEG (electroencephalography) scoring for seizures and sleep and histology were done blinded to treatment.

Results

Motor‐type seizures developed in 66.7% of multiple‐hit rats, usually from sleep, but were reduced in the pulse‐rapamycin–treated group (20%, p = .043 vs multiple‐hit) and rare in other groups (0–9.1%, p < .05 vs multiple‐hit). Spike‐and‐wave bursts had a slower frequency in multiple‐hit rats (5.4–5.8Hz) than in the other groups (7.6–8.3Hz) (p < .05); pulse rapamycin had no effect on the hourly spike‐and‐wave burst rates in adulthood. Rapamycin, however, reduced the time spent in slow‐wave‐sleep (17.2%), which was increased in multiple‐hit rats (71.6%, p = .003). Sham rats spent more time in wakefulness (43.7%) compared to controls (30.6%, p = .043). Multiple‐hit rats, with or without rapamycin treatment, had right more than left corticohippocampal, basal ganglia lesions. There was no macroscopic pathology in the other groups.

Significance

Structural corticohippocampal/basal ganglia lesions increase the risk for post‐infantile spasms epilepsy, Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome features, and sleep dysregulation. Pulse rapamycin treatment for infantile spasms has anti‐epileptogenic effects, despite the structural lesions, and decreases the time spent in slow wave sleep.
Early‐life epilepsy after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Shellhaas Renée A. , Wusthoff Courtney J. , Numis Adam L. , Chu Catherine J. , Massey Shavonne L. , Abend Nicholas S. , Soul Janet S. , Chang Taeun , Lemmon Monica E. , Thomas Cameron , McNamara Nancy A. , Guillet Ronnie , Franck Linda S. , Sturza Julie , McCulloch Charles E. , Glass Hannah C.
Published: July 2021

Objective

We aimed to evaluate early‐life epilepsy incidence, seizure types, severity, risk factors, and treatments among survivors of acute neonatal seizures.

Methods

Neonates with acute symptomatic seizures born 7/2015‐3/2018 were prospectively enrolled at nine Neonatal Seizure Registry sites. One‐hour EEG was recorded at age three months. Post‐neonatal epilepsy and functional development (Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills – WIDEA‐FS) were assessed. Cox regression was used to assess epilepsy‐free survival.

Results

Among 282 infants, 37 (13%) had post‐neonatal epilepsy by 24‐months [median age of onset 7‐months (IQR 3–14)]. Among those with post‐neonatal epilepsy, 13/37 (35%) had infantile spasms and 12/37 (32%) had drug‐resistant epilepsy. Most children with post‐neonatal epilepsy had abnormal neurodevelopment at 24‐months (WIDEA‐FS >2SD below normal population mean for 81% of children with epilepsy vs 27% without epilepsy, RR 7.9, 95% CI 3.6–17.3). Infants with severely abnormal neonatal EEG background patterns were more likely to develop epilepsy than those with mild/moderate abnormalities (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.9–5.9). Neonatal EEG with ≥3 days of seizures also predicted hazard of epilepsy (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4–5.9). In an adjusted model, days of neonatal EEG‐confirmed seizures (HR 1.4 per day, 95% CI 1.2–1.6) and abnormal discharge examination (HR 3.9, 95% CI 1.9–7.8) were independently associated with time to epilepsy onset. Abnormal (vs. normal) three‐month EEG was not associated with epilepsy.

Significance

In this multicenter study, only 13% of infants with acute symptomatic neonatal seizures developed post‐neonatal epilepsy by age 24‐months. However, there was a high risk of severe neurodevelopmental impairment and drug‐resistant seizures among children with post‐neonatal epilepsy. Days of EEG‐confirmed neonatal seizures was a potentially modifiable epilepsy risk factor. An EEG at three months was not clinically useful for predicting epilepsy. These practice changing findings have implications for family counseling, clinical follow‐up planning, and future research to prevent post‐neonatal epilepsy.
A guide to changing paradigms of glucocorticoid receptor function—a model system for genome regulation and physiology
Authors: Vettorazzi Sabine , Nalbantoglu Denis , Gebhardt J. Christof M. , Tuckermann Jan
Published: July 2021

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a bona fide ligand‐regulated transcription factor. Cloned in the 80s, the GR has become one of the best‐studied and clinically most relevant members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Cooperative activity of GR with other transcription factors and a plethora of coregulators contribute to the tissue‐ and context‐specific response toward the endogenous and pharmacological glucocorticoids (GCs). Furthermore, nontranscriptional activities in the cytoplasm are emerging as an additional function of GR. Over the past 40 years, the concepts of GR mechanisms of action had been constantly changing. Different methodologies in the pregenomic and genomic era of molecular biological research and recent cutting‐edge technology in single‐cell and single‐molecule analysis are steadily evolving the views, how the GR in particular and transcriptional regulation in general act in physiological and pathological processes. In addition to the development of technologies for GR analysis, the use of model organisms provides insights how the GR in vivo executes GC action in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and energy metabolism. The model organisms, namely the mouse, but also rats, zebrafish, and recently fruit flies carrying mutations of the GR became a major driving force to analyze the molecular function of GR in disease models. This guide provides an overview of the exciting research and paradigm shifts in the GR field from past to present with a focus on GR transcription factor networks, GR DNA‐binding and single‐cell analysis, and model systems.
Techno‐economic feasibility analysis of engineered energycane‐based biorefinery co‐producing biodiesel and ethanol
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Long Stephen P. , Arora Amit , Singh Vijay
Published: July 2021

High feedstock cost and low oil yields per unit of land from temperate oilseed crops limit the growth of commercial‐scale biodiesel production. Recently, highly productive crops, such as sugarcane and energycane, have been engineered to accumulate triacylglycerides (TAGs) that allow the production of far more industrial vegetable oil than previously possible. A proof‐of‐concept suggests that biodiesel production from engineered energycane will be possible. However, before making efforts for scale‐up, it is critical to understand the commercial feasibility and economic competitiveness of this process. This study performs techno‐economic analysis of a unique biorefinery processing energycane to co‐produce biodiesel and ethanol. Comprehensive process simulation models were developed for two scenarios: (i) biodiesel from TAGs and ethanol from fermentation of sugars in juice and (ii) biodiesel from TAGs and ethanol from fermentation of sugars in juice and hydrolysis of carbohydrates in bagasse. Based on the target levels, the analysis was performed for energycane containing 0%, 5%, and 7.7% TAGs (d.b.). The biodiesel from engineered energycane was found economically viable and competitive to soybean biodiesel. Although the capital investment is higher compared to the soybean biodiesel plant, the biodiesel production costs ($0.66–$0.9/L) were lower than soybean biodiesel ($0.91/L). Biorefinery‐scenario‐1 processing energycane containing 7.7% TAG produces biodiesel with profitability (IRR 7.84) slightly lower than soybean biodiesel (IRR 8.3), but yields five times of biodiesel per unit land and is self‐sustainable for energy requirements. The surplus electricity can displace fossil electricity and provide environmental benefits. Monte Carlo simulation indicated that biorefinery is profitable with a 29%–65% probability (NPV > 0) which is largely controlled by feedstock composition and biodiesel market price. It is important to note that energycane can be grown on the marginal rainfed lands in S.E. USA, where soybean would not be viable. Biodiesel from engineered energycane would therefore be complementary to soydiesel in the United States.
COVID‐19 skin lesions are rarely positive at RT‐PCR test: the macrophage activation with vascular impact and SARS‐CoV‐2‐induced cytokine storm
Authors: Ionescu Marius‐Anton
Published: July 2021

Background

Several skin manifestations have been reported since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic: chilblains‐like, livedoid lesions, urticaria‐like, pseudo‐Kawasaki disease, and others. Histopathologic images of these lesions most often show aspects of endothelitis, images similar to autoimmune vasculitis. Cutaneous lesions are often negative at RT‐PCR for SARS‐CoV‐2 virus.

Method and Results

We reviewed recent articles on the mechanisms of COVID‐19 and we synthesized main pathways of inflammatory cascade. After the penetration into the cells of the respiratory epithelium, SARS‐CoV‐2 virus initiates a “cytokine storm” well described in previous publications: the expression of interferon type I (IFN‐I) is one of the key elements of the antiviral response in COVID‐19 patients, IFN‐I expression seems to play an important role in the induction of interleukin 6 (IL‐6), chemotactic factors such as Granulocyte‐Macrophage Colony‐Stimulating Factor (GM‐CSF) and the consequent activation of monocyte‐macrophage system followed by the expression of TNF‐alpha, and finally by the induction of coagulation factors by both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

Conclusions

The simplified synthesis of the main pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID‐19 could help us to understand at least partially the importance of macrophage activation and its vascular involvement in many skin lesions that remain often negative at in situ tests for SARS‐CoV‐2.
In vitro faecal fermentation outcomes and microbiota shifts of resistant starch spherulites
Authors: Liu Jiaying , Liu Feitong , Arıoğlu‐Tuncil Seda , Xie Zhuqing , Fu Xiong , Huang Qiang , Zhang Bin
Published: July 2021

In the present study, we prepared A‐ and B‐type polymorph‐resistant starch spherulites (RSSs) with a wide range of crystallinity, and elucidated the relation between crystalline structure and faecal microbial fermentation outcomes. A‐ and B‐type polymorphic RSSs displayed similar fermentation rate throughout entire process with final gas production of 11.8–13.2 mL, suggesting that the crystalline pattern and crystallinity cannot effectively control the fermentation rate of starches. The acetate and butyrate concentration of A‐type RSS decreased with the increase of crystallinity respectively, and highly crystalline B‐type RSS reduced the production of acetate (8.4 mM) and propionate (2.1 mM). RSSs with different crystalline types showed similar microbial community structure but distinct key bacteria species. A‐type RSSs greatly promoted the abundance of butyrogenic bacteria (i.e., Roseburia faecis and Lachnospiraceae), whereas B‐type RSSs tended to proliferate Prevotella copri associated with propionate production. Our findings shed new light on design and manufacture of starch‐based functional ingredients with enhanced gut health.
Patient satisfaction and acceptability with telehealth at specialist medical outpatient clinics during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia
Authors: Adams Lucinda , Lester Susan , Hoon Elizabeth , van der Haak Heather , Proudman Charlotte , Hall Cindy , Whittle Samuel , Proudman Susanna , Hill Catherine L.
Published: July 2021

Background

Outpatient clinics were shifted rapidly to telehealth in Australia during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic, drastically altering patient care and experience.

Aims

To investigate patient satisfaction and acceptability of telehealth consultations during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Prospective observation study conducted in two hospital rheumatology outpatient departments (OPD) undertaking telehealth consultations during COVID‐19. A modified version of a validated telehealth evaluation survey was posted to all patients attending the telehealth OPD rheumatology clinics, including balanced 5‐point Likert scales and free‐text responses. Cluster analysis was applied to the Likert‐scale questions, alongside thematic analysis of free‐text responses.

Results

There were 128 respondents (29% response rate), of which 69.5% were women and the majority (87.5%) was aged 50 years or older. All telehealth consultations were conducted by telephone. Nearly one‐fifth of patients indicated consistent dissatisfaction with telehealth across the range of questions. These patients were older, reported lower educational qualifications and lower health literacy scores and lacked access to the Internet. While many patients found this mode of consultation to be convenient, patients expressed concerns regarding absence of physical examination. A recurrent theme was a desire for a mixed‐model clinic in the future, with flexibility of having both telehealth and face‐to‐face consultations.

Conclusions

This study offers unique insights into patients' experiences with telehealth, which until the current global pandemic, has been an uncommon mode of consultation delivery in urban areas. This study suggests when defining the place of telehealth in future healthcare delivery, patient perspective and careful patient selection will be key. Disease progression, language and cognitive ability, health literacy, technology access and patient and clinician preference are important considerations when deciding how effectively to embed and integrate telehealth into consultations.
Understanding myocardial infarction trends during the early COVID‐19 pandemic: an infodemiology study
Authors: Dzaye Omar , Duebgen Matthias , Berning Philipp , Graham Garth , Martin Seth S. , Blaha Michael J.
Published: July 2021

During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in early 2020, Google Trends data in the United States showed a strong increase in search query frequency for chest pain symptoms despite a concurrent decrease in search interest for myocardial infarction. This suggests a reduced attention to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chest pain as its main symptom during this time period. These observations could help explain why cardiovascular mortality rose dramatically despite a strong decrease in hospitalisation rates for ACS.
Masticatory function after comprehensive dental treatment in children with severe early childhood caries
Authors: Khong Jessica S. Y. , Goh Ai Ting , Sim Yu Fan , Lai Bien Wen Pui , Forde Ciarán G. , Hong Catherine H.L.
Published: July 2021

Background

Parents are frequently concerned that their child's mastication may be compromised after comprehensive dental treatment.

Aim

To evaluate changes in masticatory function and food preferences after dental treatment in children with early childhood caries.

Design

This prospective study assessed masticatory function with the (1) mixing ability test using duo‐coloured chewing gum and (2) the number of chews/g and time taken to eat six food items before and 3 months after dental treatment. A dental examination and a food preference questionnaire were also completed.

Results

Twenty‐five children (age: 4.9 ± 0.5 years, baseline dmft/child: 11.4 ± 4.9) completed the study. The mean number of restorations/child, total extractions/child, and posterior extractions/child was 5.1 ± 2.9, 6.4 ± 5.2, and 3.6 ± 2.3, respectively. The number of chews/g of cereal (p = .014) and popcorn (p = .003) significantly increased after dental treatment. The number of chews/g and duration taken for cereal (chews/g: r = 0.795, p = .000, duration: r = 0.794, p = .000) and peanuts (chews/g: r = 0.459, p = .032) were significantly associated with more extractions. There was no change in mastication function for the other foods, mixing ability score, and child's food preferences after dental treatment.

Conclusions

An increased number of chews/g is needed for certain hard foods after dental treatment, which was associated with an increased number of total and posterior extractions.
Does monetary policy uncertainty command a risk premium in the Chinese stock market?
Authors: Lin Lei , Tan Jing , Liu Wenzhen
Published: July 2021

We examine the pricing implications of monetary policy uncertainty (MPU) in the cross‐section of stock returns in the Chinese stock market. Our results show that the long‐short portfolio that is long stocks with the lowest exposures to innovations in MPU and short stocks with the highest exposures to innovations in MPU earns about 6% annualized alpha. The coskewness, idiosyncratic volatility, size, and book‐to‐market effects cannot account for the low (high) average returns earned by stocks with high (low) exposures to innovations in MPU. Furthermore, the exposure to innovations in MPU commands a significantly negative risk premium in the Fama‐MacBeth regressions. These results indicate that investors have preferences for the early resolution of MPU.
Citizens influencing public policy‐making: Resourcing as source of relational power in e‐participation platforms
Authors: Coelho Taiane Ritta , Pozzebon Marlei , Cunha Maria Alexandra
Published: July 2021

E‐participation platforms create spaces and opportunities for participation and collaboration between governments and citizens. This paper aims to investigate the role of power on formal e‐participation platforms and digital spaces that are controlled by the governments. Although those types of platforms have been increasing in numerous countries, they have been criticised as often leading to a lack of or decrease in citizen engagement. We propose a relational view that examines how power is related to the use of resources in practice, that is, to resourcing. To explore this issue, we examine citizens' participation on three urban mobility platforms in three major Brazilian cities. Our study makes two main contributions. First, we contribute to the literature on e‐participation by explaining how a relational view of power helps to understand the nature and consequences of citizen participation in public policy‐making. Second, we integrate the concept of resourcing as both a source and constitutive element of relational power. We propose a process‐based model of resourcing as power that opens the black box of resourcing through the identification of three distinct phases in time: resourcing IN, resourcing WITHIN and resourcing OUT.
A multi‐level examination of nursing students' resilience in the face of the COVID‐19 outbreak: A cross‐sectional design
Authors: Drach‐Zahavy Anat , Goldblatt Hadass , Admi Hanna , Blau Ayala , Ohana Irit , Itzhaki Michal
Published: July 2021

Aims

To examine nursing students' stress and coping with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic through an ecological model of resilience. Specifically, to examine the relative contribution of different resilience levels in decreasing nursing students' strain symptoms: at the individual level, resilience trait; at the relational level, students' coping strategies; at the university level, nursing students' perceptions on their university's readiness to handle the virus outbreak; and at the national level, nursing students' trust in policymakers' decisions.

Design

The study used a cross‐sectional design.

Methods

Undergraduate students of five universities were recruited via an electronic link sent to their emails during the first months of the COVID‐19 outbreak: May–July 2020. Of them, 492 participants completed the research questionnaire.

Results

Hierarchical Regression Analysis revealed that nursing students' resilience, as a multi‐level factor, decreased the students' level of strain symptoms above and beyond their stress levels and control variables. Specifically, the nursing students' trait resilience, perceptions of their university's positive response to the pandemic and trust in their national policymakers were negatively associated with their strain symptoms. Conversely, disengagement‐in‐emotion coping strategies was positively associated with the students' strain symptoms.

Conclusions

Nursing students' resilience should be seen as a flexible resource that can be developed and influenced by their academic and clinical training, and by the intentions and actions of their university and the nursing administration at the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Impact

The findings call for the nursing administration at the MOH and for the university deans and department heads to prepare in advance a crisis plan that could be rapidly and effectively implemented when needed. Furthermore, topics such as developing flexible coping strategies should be integrated into the nursing curricula. These would allow students to prepare and cope better with adversity in their routine and in times of crisis.
Anti‐natalism and the Creation of Artificial Minds
Authors: Chomanski Bartlomiej “Bartek”
Published: July 2021

Must opponents of creating conscious artificial agents embrace anti‐natalism? Must anti‐natalists be against the creation of conscious artificial agents? This article examines three attempts to argue against the creation of potentially conscious artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of these questions. The examination reveals that the argumentative strategy each author pursues commits them to the anti‐natalist position with respect to procreation; that is to say, each author's argument, if applied consistently, should lead them to embrace the conclusion that procreation is, at best, morally problematic. However, the article also argues that anti‐natalists can find the production of some possible artificially conscious AI permissible. Thus, the creation of potentially conscious AI could be accepted by both friends and foes of anti‐natalism.
Improvement of group climate in a residential setting for juveniles with mild intellectual disability through training of staff in Non‐Violent Resistance
Authors: Visser Katharina M. , Popma Arne , Jansen Lucres M. C. , Kasius Marianne C. , Vermeiren Robert R. J. M.
Published: July 2021

Background

An open group climate is essential in successful residential care for juveniles with mild intellectual disability (MID). This study examined whether non‐violent resistance, adapted for MID (NVR‐MID), stimulates an open group climate in time.

Method

NVR‐MID was implemented in three residential settings in The Netherlands, in a quasi‐experimental stepped wedge design. In total, 124 clients with MID (Mage = 16.39 [SD = 4.95], 49.9% male) participated. Group climate was assessed seven times with the Group Climate Inventory for Children or the Group Climate Inventory‐Revisited (GCI‐R), during a total of 20 months.

Results

Open group climate scores increased in all three institutions; effect size was medium. Clients with lower IQs experienced group climate as more positive compared to clients with higher IQs. Effects were similar for both groups.

Conclusions

As NVR‐MID appeared to contribute to a positive experienced group climate, it might be advisable to implement NVR‐MID on larger scale.
The impact of nutrition on sleep in people with an intellectual disability: An integrative literature review
Authors: Harper Lynette , Ooms Ann , Tuffrey Wijne Irene
Published: July 2021

Background

People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience sleep problems. Sleep can impact on health and well‐being; therefore, evidence‐based interventions are required to improve sleep in this population.

Method

An integrative literature review was conducted on the impact of nutrition on sleep in people with intellectual disabilities. Following screening of papers (n = 289), 14 papers met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Themes related to nutrition and improved overall well‐being, use of nutritional supplements, specific foods, links to health comorbidities and food fussiness.

Conclusion

This is the first comprehensive review completed on nutritional interventions to improve sleep in people with intellectual disabilities. Dietary patterns may be an important factor to improving the quality and quantity of sleep. However, the current literature regarding the benefit of improved nutrition on sleep in people with an intellectual disability needs to be interpreted with caution.
Outcome of 10 years of ear and hearing screening in people with intellectual disability in Europe: A multicentre study
Authors: Willems Melina , van Berlaer Gerlant , Maes Leen , Leyssens Laura , Koehler Bjoern , Marks Luc
Published: July 2021

Background

Undetected ear and hearing problems negatively impact the quality of life of people with intellectual disability.

Methods

This multicentre retrospective study describes the outcome of 10 years of ear and hearing screening in athletes with intellectual disability in seven European countries. The screening was conducted by a trained team using a strictly standardised protocol.

Results

Of 15,363 screened athletes with intellectual disability, more than half (58.7%) needed referral for ear and/or hearing problems, ranging from 51.7% (<20 years old) to 81.4% (≥60 years old). The most commonly detected conditions were excessive/impacted earwax (40.3%), middle ear problems (30.1%) and hearing loss (27.0%), with significant differences between age groups and countries.

Discussion

This study demonstrates an increased risk of ear and hearing problems in people with intellectual disability as compared to the general population. Considering the unawareness and impact of these problems, it is highly recommended to organise systematic screening. Follow‐up for diagnostic elaboration, therapeutic management and long‐term guidance should be provided.
Homeward bound: Exploring the motives of mothers who brought their offspring with intellectual disabilities home from residential settings during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Vereijken Frances R. , Giesbers Sanne A. H. , Jahoda Andrew , Embregts Petri J. C. M.
Published: July 2021

Background

At the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, some parents in the Netherlands decided to bring their offspring with intellectual disabilities, who normally live in residential care, home. The present study explored why the mothers decided to bring their offspring home.

Method

Interviews were carried out with seven mothers of adults with intellectual disabilities. An interpretative phenomenological approach was used to establish in‐depth accounts of the mothers' experiences.

Results

The analysis yielded three overarching themes: (a) Families are indispensable; (b) the complex role of being a mother of a child with intellectual disabilities; and (c) Who is looking out for our offspring during COVID‐19?

Conclusions

The mothers experienced a strong sense of wanting to do what was best for their offspring with intellectual disabilities during COVID‐19. The study provides insight into why mothers remain involved in the care for their offspring and the complexity of navigating lifelong care responsibilities.