bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of employers never letting a good crisis go to waste? An investigation of how work becomes even more precarious for hourly paid workers under Covid
Authors: Herman Eva , Rubery Jill , Hebson Gail
Published: August 2021

The fragility of employers' voluntary, business‐case‐based improvements to employment standards for front‐line hourly paid staff is revealed in two organisational case studies from the art and care sectors. For different reasons, Covid provided a catalyst for employers to enact passive and active exit strategies that made work more precarious.
Up‐conversion and temperature sensing properties of Na2GdMg2(VO4)3:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors
Authors: Li LianJie , Tong Ye , Chen Jing , Chen YiHang , Abbas Ashraf Ghulam , Chen LiPing , Pang Tao , Guo Hai
Published: August 2021

In this paper, Na2GdMg2(VO4)3:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors were synthesized through high‐temperature solid‐state method. According to X‐ray powder diffractogram, diffuse reflection spectra, scanning electron microscopy, up‐conversion (UC) emission spectra, power‐dependent UC spectra, fluorescent lifetime curves, and temperature‐dependent emission spectra, the crystal structures, UC luminescent characteristics, and the performances of temperature sensing by using fluorescence intensity ratio technique were studied in detail. Heavy‐doped phosphors with 59% (Yb3+ and Er3+) doping content are achieved. In addition, excited by 980nm laser, three characteristic luminescence peaks of Er3+ at 525 nm (2H11/2 → 4I15/2), 550 nm (4S3/2 → 4I15/2) and 660 nm (4F9/2 → 4I15/2) emerge in the UC spectra of Er3+ single‐doped and Yb3+,Er3+ co‐doped phosphors. UC spectra are dominated by green emission and greatly enhanced UC emission over 389 times is realized by introducing Yb3+. In addition, the ratiometric techniques of thermally coupled energy levels of Er3+ (525/550 nm, 2H11/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2) are used to achieve a wide range of temperature measurement. When the temperature is 303 K, relative sensitivity is as high as 0.976%K–1. The minimal temperature resolution is 0.3 K@303 K. All experimental results show Yb3+,Er3+ co‐doped Na2GdMg2(VO4)3 phosphors might act as optical temperature sensing materials.
Communicating expert consensus increases personal support for COVID‐19 mitigation policies
Authors: Kerr John R. , van der Linden Sander
Published: August 2021

The Gateway Belief Model (GBM) places perception of a scientific consensus as a key “gateway cognition” with cascading effects on personal beliefs, concern, and ultimately support for public policies. However, few studies seeking to evaluate and extend the model have followed the specification and design of the GBM as originally outlined. We present a more complete test of the theoretical model in a novel domain: the COVID‐19 pandemic. In a large multi‐country correlational study (N = 7,206) we report that, as hypothesized by the model, perceptions of scientific consensus regarding the threat of COVID‐19 predict personal attitudes toward threat and worry over the virus, which are in turn positively associated with support for mitigation policies. We also find causal support for the model in a large pre‐registered survey experiment (N = 1,856): experimentally induced increases in perceived consensus have an indirect effect on changes in policy support mediated via changes in personal agreement with the consensus. Implications for the role of expert consensus in science communication are discussed.
Fundamental resource specialization of herbivorous butterflies decreases towards lower latitudes
Authors: Nakadai Ryosuke , Nyman Tommi , Hashimoto Koya , Iwasaki Takaya , Valtonen Anu
Published: August 2021

Aim

It is generally assumed that the degree of resource specialization in herbivorous insects increases towards lower latitudes. However, latitudinal patterns in herbivore diet breadth at large spatial scales remain poorly understood. In this work, we investigated the drivers of latitudinal variation in lepidopteran ‘fundamental’ resource specialization, which we defined as the host breadth when not limited by interspecific interactions at the same trophic level.

Location

The Japanese archipelago (22°N–45°N), including hemiboreal, temperate and subtropical zones.

Taxon

Herbivorous butterflies.

Methods

Species‐specific fundamental host breadth was calculated based on pooled host‐use records. We investigated the latitudinal pattern and significant drivers of the degree of specialization in regional species pools at a 10‐km grid level. As potential drivers, we focused on geography, current climate and diversity and body size of butterflies. Through Bayesian structural equation modelling, we investigated the complicated relationships between these variables and community‐level resource specialization represented by three different indices of host breadth.

Results

We found that the fundamental resource specialization of butterfly communities increases towards higher latitudes. This pattern is contrary to the presumed general trend found in studies based on realized resource specialization within local communities. We found that the observed pattern is driven mainly by factors related to climate, butterfly diversity and body size in each community. Above all, annual mean temperature most strongly drove community‐level fundamental host breadth of herbivorous butterflies.

Main conclusions

Our findings suggest that the fundamental resource specialization may show different latitudinal patterns from the conventional prediction based on knowledge of realized resource specialization. Our results emphasize the importance of the current climate as a major factor regulating butterfly morphology and fundamental host breadth, regardless of whether the impact is direct or indirect.
DNA metabarcoding for dietary analysis of Holland's carp (Spinibarbus hollandi) to evaluate the threat to native fishes in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Chien‐I , Wang Feng‐Yu , Liu Min‐Yun , Chou Tak‐Kei , Liao Te‐Yu
Published: August 2021

DNA metabarcoding analysis for gut contents has been shown to compensate the disadvantage of traditionally morphological identification and offer higher resolution of prey items in an efficient way. Holland's carp (Spinibarbus hollandi) is a freshwater fish native to southern and eastern Taiwan. In the past two decades, this species has been introduced as a sport fish into the river basins of northern and western Taiwan. The large body size and active predation make it a potential threat for native fishes, but which native species are preyed by Holland's carp remains unknown. In this study, the diet from the gut contents of Holland's carp from the Zhonggang River, an invaded basin, was examined using DNA metabarcoding from 51 individuals and by morphological examinations on 140 samples. Detritus of plants were found in 83.6% samples (117 individuals). Twenty fish species of seven families were identified by DNA metabarcoding, including species of all water layers. Taiwan torrent carp (Acrossocheilus paradoxus) and Rhinogobius spp. are the most common prey items. Based on the results of this study, Holland's carp is considered an opportunistic omnivore because of its diverse diet items, which is an important trait for successful invasive fish species. The population decline of Opsariichthys pachycephalus may not result from the invasion of Holland's carps. Nonetheless, the time lag between successful invasion and the samplings of this study may be a concern because the population size of O. pachycephalus may have declined and become difficult to prey. The Holland's carps consumed the least species in winter; nonetheless, the occurrence frequencies of preys among seasons were not significantly different probably because of limited temperature fluctuation. The smallest Holland's carps consumed the least prey species compared to other size categories, similar to the relationship of prey species number to size of invasive largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).
Phosphorylated protein modification analysis on normal liver and Exo‐celiac liver of Glyptosternum maculatum
Authors: Zhang Guoqiang , Mou Zhenbo , Xue Wenhua , Liu Haiping
Published: August 2021

Background

This study aimed to reveal the biological function and molecular mechanism of phosphorylated proteins in the normal liver (NG) and Exo‐celiac liver (WG) of Glyptosternum maculatum and potential plateau‐adaption mechanisms of G. maculatum.

Methods

A multivariate analysis was performed on proteomic quantitative data (label‐free group) and phosphorylated proteome data (phosphorylation group) to reveal protein characteristics. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between NG and WG in the two groups were analysed. Enrichment analysis of these DEPs was performed prior to the protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Finally, an integrated interaction network was constructed to reveal the biological mechanism of the DEP‐mediated signal transduction process.

Result

The NG and WG samples in the phosphorylation group were well distinguished compared to the label‐free group. A total of 49 and 313 DEPs were identified in the label‐free and phosphorylation groups, respectively. These DEPs, including LIM and calponin homology domains‐containing protein 1 (LIMCH1) and DEAD(Asp‐Glu‐Ala‐Asp)‐Box Helicase 51 (DDX51), were mainly assembled in functions such as cell adhesion. Two PPI networks were constructed using DEPs in the two groups. Finally, an integrated interaction network was constructed using co‐DEP Ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) and associated pathways, including RNA transport.

Conclusion

LIMCH1 and DDX51 might play important roles in the organogenesis of normal liver and Exo‐celiac liver in G. maculatum via the cell adhesion function. Moreover, FXD1 might be associated with the plateau‐adaption mechanisms of G. maculatum via participation in the RNA transport pathway.
The ontogenesis of catabolic abilities and energy metabolism during endogenous nutritional periods of tongue sole,Cynoglossus semilaevis
Authors: Jia Qian , Ni Yuan , Min Shengnan , Ming Liang , Qian Yiwen , Cen Xueyan , Wang Jialian , Tong Xuehong
Published: August 2021

The ontogenesis of catabolic abilities and energy metabolism during endogenous nutritional periods of tongue sole was investigated. In this work, trypsin‐like proteases (TRY) and triglyceride lipase (LIP) activities were measured to assess the capacities to catabolize proteins and lipids, respectively. Meanwhile, specific enzymes including pyruvate kinase (PK), glutamic oxalo acetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) as well as their ratios were assayed to evaluate the abilities to use energy substrates of carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids, respectively, for energy production. In addition, activities of citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH/CS ratio were calculated to analyse the evolution of aerobic and anaerobic pathways. The study found that hatching occurred at 38.8 h after fertilization (HAF), mouth‐opening day of eleuteroembryo appeared at 3 days after hatching (DAH), and the most rapid embryonic growth was observed in blastula stage before hatching. Enzymatic assay revealed that except for PK which appeared in cleavage stage onwards, all the other enzymes functioned after fertilization, preparing well for the coming embryogenesis of tongue sole. By comparing the average specific activity of enzyme in each period, it can be found that the highest value occurred at 3 DAH (for TRY, LIP, PK and LDH), 2 DAH (for GDH), fertilized egg (for GOT) and segmentation stage (for HOAD and CS), and the lowest value occurred at fertilized egg (for HOAD, CS and GDH), cleavage stage (for TRY, PK and LDH), gastrula stage (for GOT) and hatching day (for LIP). Based on the changeable patterns of metabolic enzymatic activities and ratios, it is concluded that metabolic capacities on three energy substrates displayed stage‐specific traits, and the dominant energy substrate was fatty acids before segmentation stage, amino acids until hatching day and carbohydrate during eleuteroembryo period. As for energy production mode, aerobic pathway appeared to increase greater in fertilized egg and gastrula stage, whereas anaerobic pathway played a predominant role during cleavage stage, blastula stage, segmentation stage and eleuteroembryo stage. These results are valuable to elucidate the nutritional requirements of embryonic stages in tongue sole and to further understand their energy metabolic mechanisms.
The significance of nursing home managers' leadership—longitudinal changes, characteristics and qualifications for perceived leadership, person‐centredness and climate
Authors: Backman Annica , Lövheim Hugo , Lindkvist Marie , Sjögren Karin , Edvardsson David
Published: August 2021

Aims and objectives

The aim was to explore changes in nursing home managers’ leadership, person‐centred care and psychosocial climate comparing matched units in a five‐year follow‐up and to explore the significance of managers’ educational qualifications and the ownership of nursing homes for perceived leadership, person‐centred care and psychosocial climate in the follow‐up data.

Background

Leadership has been described as crucial for person‐centred care and psychosocial climate even though longitudinal data are lacking. The significance of managerial leadership, its characteristics, managerial qualifications and ownership of nursing homes for perceived leadership, person‐centred care and psychosocial climate also needs further exploration.

Design

Repeated cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This study used valid and reliable measures of leadership, person‐centred care, psychosocial climate and demographic variables collected from managers and staff n = 3605 in 2014 and n = 2985 in 2019. Descriptive and regression analyses were used. The STROBE checklist was used in reporting this study.

Results

Leadership was still positively significantly associated to person‐centred care in a five‐year follow‐up, but no changes in strength were seen. Leadership was still positively significantly associated with psychosocial climate, with stronger associations at follow‐up. Six leadership characteristics increased over time. It was also shown that a targeted education for nursing home managers was positively associated with person‐centred care.

Conclusions

Leadership is still pivotal for person‐centred care and psychosocial climate. Knowledge of nursing home managers’ leadership, characteristics and educational qualifications of significance for person‐centred delivery provides important insights when striving to improve such services.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can be used for management and clinical practice development initiatives because it was shown that nursing home managers’ leadership is vital to person‐centred care practices and improves the climate for both staff and residents in these environments.
CXCL3 overexpression affects the malignant behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via the MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Weng Jinru , Ren Qiaosheng , Li Zhehao , Wang Weiqun , Guan Jian
Published: August 2021

Objective

CXCL3, a member of the chemokine family, plays a key role in angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and cell invasion and migration. However, the role of CXCL3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the expression of CXCL3 in OSCC and to explore the role of CXCL3 in human OSCC HSC‐4 cells and its molecular mechanism.

Methods

The expression of CXCL3 in human OSCC tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In vivo and in vitro experiments investigated the effects of CXCL3 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells.

Results

The expression of CXCL3 in tumors is higher than that in normal tissues and is closely related to stage and lymph node metastasis. In vitro experiments showed that the proliferation and migration ability of HSC‐4 cells treated with exogenous recombinant human CXCL3 and HSC‐4 cells overexpressing CXCL3 were enhanced. Experiments on xenografts in nude mice showed that overexpression of CXCL3 promotes tumor growth in vivo. GSEA showed that patients with high expression of CXCL3 have varying degrees of enrichment in cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction, apoptosis, Jak‐STAT signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Subsequent mechanism studies showed that the use of ERK1/2 blocker PD98059 can attenuate the proliferation and migration effects induced by CXCL3.

Conclusion

CXCL3 is involved in the occurrence of OSCC and may become a potential therapeutic target.
Prognostic assessment of different methods for eosinophils detection in oral tongue cancer
Authors: Caponio Vito Carlo Alberto , Togni Lucrezia , Zhurakivska Khrystyna , Santarelli Andrea , Arena Claudia , Rubini Corrado , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Troiano Giuseppe , Mascitti Marco
Published: August 2021

Background

TATE has been proposed as a prognostic factor in oral cancer staging; however, the controversial literature data limit its application in the routine diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of TATE in patients with oral tongue cancer. The second aim was to identify any difference in the methods of eosinophil quantification or in the cutoff values reported in literature.

Methods

Clinic‐pathological data of 204 patients treated at “Ospedali Riuniti” Hospital, Ancona, Italy, were collected. Evaluation of TATE was performed on hematoxylin‐and‐eosin‐stained slides and correlation with survival outcomes was evaluated. The number of eosinophils per square millimeter was evaluated by using two methods, namely density (TATE‐1) and classical (TATE‐2) methods. For each of the 2 methods tested, patients were stratified into two or three groups, according to the most used cutoff values reported in literature.

Results

Regardless of the method of eosinophil quantification or the cutoff values used, patients with high TATE had a significantly better disease‐specific survival. The density method (TATE‐1) showed a better predictive performance, in particular when applying a single cutoff of 67 eosinophils/mm2, two cutoffs of 10 and 100 eosinophils/mm2, or two cutoffs of 50 and 120 eosinophils/mm2.

Conclusion

The evaluation of TATE is simple, cost‐effective, and easy to implement in daily practice with the aim of improving risk stratification of patients affected by oral tongue cancer. Results of prognostic performance analysis suggest using density (TATE‐1) method as the standard approach to evaluate TATE in future studies, enhancing replicability.
LISTENING TO WOMEN
Authors: Peters Rebecca Todd
Published: August 2021

The current abortion conversation is disordered by a justification framework rooted in patriarchal and misogynist assumptions about women, pregnancy, childbearing, and mothering. This traditionalist framing of the abortion conversation relies heavily on misleading and damaging stereotypes about women who have abortions that have functioned to stigmatize abortion and the women who have them. This stigmatization has contributed to the effective erasure of women’s voices and experiences in discussions about abortion. Recognizing the value of the feminist methodological claim for situated knowledge, this paper examines the moral wisdom of women who have terminated pregnancies for fetal anomalies, in order to explore how their experiences might contribute to a more morally robust framework for understanding the moral complexity of abortion decisions and theorizing new ways of understanding the ontological meaning of gestation.
Treatment induced clearance of hepatitis E viruses by interferon‐lambda in liver‐humanized mice
Authors: Sari Gulce , Mulders Claudia E. , Zhu Jingting , van Oord Gertine W. , Feng Zongdi , Kreeft‐Voermans Jolanda J.C. , Boonstra Andre , Vanwolleghem Thomas
Published: August 2021

Background

Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) are an underestimated global cause of enterically transmitted viral hepatitis, which may persist in immunocompromised hosts, posing a risk for progressive liver fibrosis with limited treatment options. We previously established liver‐humanized mice as a model for chronic HEV infections, which can be cleared by a 2‐week pegylated (peg)‐Interferon(IFN)α treatment course. However, severe side effects may hamper the use of IFNα in immunocompromised transplant recipient patients. IFNλ may be a valuable alternative, as its receptor is less ubiquitously expressed.

Aims

In this study, we assess the in vitro and in vivo potency of pegIFNλ to induce innate immune signalling in liver cells and to clear a persistent HEV infection in liver‐humanized mice.

Methods & Results

We found that human liver cells expressed the IFNλ receptor (IFNLR1) and are responsive to pegIFNλ. Treatment with pegIFNλ of liver‐humanized mice persistently infected with HEV genotype 3 showed that pegIFNλ was well tolerated. Dose escalation studies showed that although HEV was not cleared at pegIFNλ doses up to 0.12 mg/kg for a maximum of 8 weeks, a dose of 0.3 mg/kg pegIFNλ treatment resulted in complete clearance of HEV antigen and HEV RNA from the liver in 8 out of 9 liver‐humanized mice.

Conclusions

PegIFNλ is well tolerated in mice and leads to clearance of a persistent HEV infection in liver‐humanized mice.
A population‐based study of pyogenic liver abscess in Korea: Incidence, mortality and temporal trends during 2007‐2017
Authors: Yoo Jeong‐Ju , Lee Tae Kyu , Kyoung Dae‐Sung , Park Min‐Ae , Kim Sang Gyune , Kim Young Seok
Published: August 2021

Background/Aims

Although the epidemiology of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) continues to change, only a few population‐based studies have been conducted in Korea. This study investigated the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of PLA patients during a period of 10 years.

Methods

We analysed the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data between 2007 and 2017. The data included annual incidence rates, demographic data, underlying diseases, complications and mortality of PLA patients.

Results

The annual incidence of PLA for all age groups was 10.9 per 100 000 population. The incidence was gradually increased from 5.7 per 100 000 in 2007 to 14.4 per 100 000 in 2017. In patients with liver abscess, the prevalence of diabetes and malignancy were 37.24% and 26.5% respectively. Metastatic infection was reported in 1.74% of the patients, and endophthalmitis was most common. The mean in‐hospital mortality was 9.6%, and there was no significant difference in mortality by year during the observation period. Mortality increased with age and was greatly affected by the underlying diseases, especially cancer. Based on the multivariate analysis results, the mortality of PLA patients was associated with older age, female sex, diabetes, malignancy and chronic kidney disease.

Conclusion

The PLA incidence is rapidly increasing in Korea, especially in people with comorbidities. In addition, the causes and risk factors of PLA infections are changing and thus further research on epidemiology, different diagnosis and management approaches is required.
Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a tropical mangrove along the southwestern coast of India
Authors: Regina Hershey Neduvelil , Bijoy Nandan Sivasankaran , Schwing Patrick T. , Neelima Vasu Kanikulath
Published: August 2021

It is imperative to understand the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools in tropical mangrove systems considering the diminished C storage potential and increasing nutrient loading in a global context due to rising anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we report that the Mangalavanam Coastal Wetland (MCW), a tropical mangrove stand, is a C‐rich environment, with high sediment total organic carbon (70.35 ± 23.84 mg/g) and the δ13C (−26.56 ± 0.65‰) signatures indicate that the major source of carbon in the study area is from mangrove litter. The total nitrogen concentration in the sediment (3.78 ± 0.18 mg/g) was high despite the low N environment of mangrove ecosystems where the mangrove leaf litter was a major contributor to C. The sediment δ15 N (7.70 ± 0.23‰) signatures indicated that the influence of anthropogenic N discharges and the contribution of marine algae were the primary cause of N enrichment. The mean δ13C and δ15N signatures of the mature mangrove leaves of the MCW were −28.66 ± 1.04‰ and 5.93 ± 0.65‰, respectively. The mangrove dweller crab Parasesarma plicatum was observed to have enriched δ13C (−23.78 ± 0.33‰) and δ15N (6.54 ± 0.35‰) signatures, indicative of a mixed dietary source. This study provides the impetus for ongoing conservation efforts to limit the loss of carbon storage and protect against the impact of anthropogenic nitrogen loadings on lowering the carbon and nitrogen emission potential for this system, which can have implications for other tropical mangrove systems as well.
Gait trajectory‐based interactive controller for lower limb exoskeletons for construction workers
Authors: Ren Bin , Luo Xurong , Li Heng , Chen Jiayu , Wang Yao
Published: August 2021

Lower limb exoskeletons (LLEs) are sets of mechanical devices used to support the action of human lower limbs. This recently developed technology has unprecedented potential in the construction industry by increasing the strength, endurance, and other physical capabilities of construction workers. For safety considerations, LLEs need reliable and responsive controllers to closely match their mechanical operation with human gait in a synchronous manner. This research proposes the use of physical human–robot interactive (pHRI) controllers that are suitable for construction tasks. The proposed pHRI integrates a gait trajectory‐based musculoskeletal model with iterative control algorithms. To minimize the trajectory tracking error between LLEs and human lower limbs, the gait dynamic was modeled as a spring damping and impedance model for supporting and swing phases. An iterative adaptive controller was developed for trajectory tracking and predication. To validate the proposed model, an in‐lab experiment to simulate typical construction activities was conducted, allowing us to assess tracking error. The experiment results suggest that the proposed model can minimize the trajectory tracking error to a level acceptable for safe operation. The iterative controllers allow fast error convergence for different construction scenarios with proper calibration. Therefore, the proposed pHRI iterative controllers are reliable and suitable for complicated activities within the dynamic working conditions intrinsic to construction sites.
Incremental peritoneal dialysis is a safe and feasible prescription in incident patients with preserved residual kidney function
Authors: Huang Louis L. , Mah Jia Y. , Howard Jennifer , Roberts Matthew A. , McMahon Lawrence P.
Published: August 2021

Background

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD) is recommended as a component of high‐quality care by the international society for PD; however, its feasibility and clinical outcomes have not been widely reported. The aim of this study is to describe our experience with incremental PD.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of incident PD patients at Eastern Health between 2015 and 2019. Patients who stopped PD within 30 days were excluded. Incremental PD was defined in CAPD as using <8 L/day of exchange volume and in automated PD as dialysing without a last fill. Dialysis modality accorded with patient and physician preferences.

Results

The 96 patients were included in this study; 54 with incremental PD. Compared to full‐dose PD, incremental PD patients were more likely to be female, had less comorbid diabetes (28% vs. 52%) and higher residual kidney function (RKF) (Kt/V 2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 1.4 ± 0.7). Age, BMI and starting eGFR did not differ between groups. Incremental PD exposed patients to lower exchange volumes (4.4 ± 2.1 vs. 8.5 ± 1.1 L/day), glucose load (46 ± 41 g/day vs. 119 ± 46) and was associated with a longer peritonitis‐free survival. PD technique survival, rates of peritonitis or hospitalization were comparable between groups. Predictors for longer incremental PD use included older age and higher starting eGFR.

Conclusions

Incremental PD is a feasible, goal‐directed initial prescription in patients with RKF with comparable peritonitis rates and technique survival. Validation of this prescription in prospective studies is warranted.
Humean nomic essentialism
Authors: Bhogal Harjit , Perry Zee R.
Published: August 2021

Humeanism – the idea that there are no necessary connections between distinct existences – and Nomic Essentialism – the idea that properties essentially play the nomic roles that they do – are two of the most important and influential positions in the metaphysics of science. Traditionally, it has been thought that these positions were incompatible competitors. We disagree. We argue that there is an attractive version of Humeanism that captures the idea that, for example, mass essentially plays the role that it actually does in the laws of nature. In this paper we consider the arguments that have lead many to conclude that Humeanism cannot be combined with Nomic Essentialism; we identify the weaknesses in these arguments; and we argue in detail that a version of Humeanism based on a variant of the Best System account of laws captures the key intuitions behind nomic essentialism.
Trophic state alters the mechanism whereby energetic coupling between photosynthesis and respiration occurs in Euglena gracilis
Authors: Gain Gwenaëlle , Vega de Luna Félix , Cordoba Javier , Perez Emilie , Degand Hervé , Morsomme Pierre , Thiry Marc , Baurain Denis , Pierangelini Mattia , Cardol Pierre
Published: August 2021

The coupling between mitochondrial respiration and photosynthesis plays an important role in the energetic physiology of green plants and some secondary‐red photosynthetic eukaryotes (diatoms), allowing an efficient CO2 assimilation and optimal growth.

Using the flagellate Euglena gracilis, we first tested if photosynthesis–respiration coupling occurs in this species harbouring secondary green plastids (i.e. originated from an endosymbiosis between a green alga and a phagotrophic euglenozoan). Second, we tested how the trophic state (mixotrophy and photoautotrophy) of the cell alters the mechanisms involved in the photosynthesis–respiration coupling.

Energetic coupling between photosynthesis and respiration was determined by testing the effect of respiratory inhibitors on photosynthesis, and measuring the simultaneous variation of photosynthesis and respiration rates as a function of temperature (i.e. thermal response curves). The mechanism involved in the photosynthesis–respiration coupling was assessed by combining proteomics, biophysical and cytological analyses.

Our work shows that there is photosynthesis–respiration coupling and membrane contacts between mitochondria and chloroplasts in E. gracilis. However, whereas in mixotrophy adjustment of the chloroplast ATP/NADPH ratio drives the interaction, in photoautotrophy the coupling is conditioned by CO2 limitation and photorespiration. This indicates that maintenance of photosynthesis–respiration coupling, through plastic metabolic responses, is key to E. gracilis functioning under changing environmental conditions.
Three polarly localized ammonium transporter 1 members are cooperatively responsible for ammonium uptake in rice under low ammonium condition
Authors: Konishi Noriyuki , Ma Jian Feng
Published: August 2021

Ammonium is a preferential nitrogen form for rice (Oryza sativa) grown in paddy field, but the molecular mechanisms for ammonium uptake have not been well understood.

We functionally characterized three members belonging to ammonium transporter 1 (AMT1) and investigated their contributions to ammonium uptake.

Spatial expression analysis showed that the upregulated expression ofOsAMT1;1andOsAMT1;2and downregulated expression ofOsAMT1;3by ammonium were higher in the root mature region than in the root tips. All OsAMT1 members were polarly localized at the distal side of exodermis in the mature region of crown roots and lateral roots. Upon exposure to ammonium, localization of OsAMT1;1 and OsAMT1;2 was also observed in the endoplasmic reticulum, but their abundance in the plasma membrane was not changed. Single knockout of either gene did not affect ammonium uptake, but knockout of all three genes resulted in 95% reduction of ammonium uptake. However, the nitrogen uptake did not differ between the wild‐type rice and triple mutants at high ammonium and nitrate supply.

Our results indicate that three OsAMT1 members are cooperatively required for uptake of low ammonium in rice roots and that they undergo a distinct regulatory mechanism in response to ammonium.
Designing an internet‐based intervention for improving wellbeing in people with acquired vision loss: A Delphi consensus study
Authors: Somani Nurbanu , Beukes Eldre , Latham Keziah , Andersson Gerhard , Allen Peter M
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Vision impairment (VI) may impact a person’s functional ability resulting in a loss of independence, anxiety, depression, social isolation and reduced quality of life. Caregivers also experience similar problems due to the increased burden placed on them. Support to address these difficulties encountered by those with VI and their caregivers may not always be accessible. An internet‐based intervention may provide more accessible support. The aim of this study was to obtain consensus regarding the content and accessibility features required to design an internet‐based intervention to promote wellbeing for people with VI and their caregivers.

Method

A three‐round Delphi review was conducted with a panel of 30 stakeholders. Three stakeholder groups were included, namely individuals with vision loss, experts in the field of vision loss and mental health and carers of individuals with vision loss. Conceptual wellbeing ideas were examined in round 1, the intervention modules and module content were proposed in round 2 and refined in round 3.

Results

Consensus of 75% or more was reached to include 18 modules into the intervention. These were divided into seven sections: understanding vision loss, emotional wellbeing, functional wellbeing, social wellbeing, physical wellbeing, wellbeing for carers and maintaining wellbeing. The accessibility features deemed most important were font size, colour and contrast options, compatibility with low vision aids and layout of the intervention.

Conclusions

The Delphi process positively informed the design of an internet‐based intervention for individuals with acquired VI and their caregivers. Suggestions provided by stakeholders should now be incorporated into the intervention. Future evaluation of efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of such an intervention are necessary.
Telltale termination of an A‐on‐V tachycardia with two blocked atrial activations: What is the mechanism?
Authors: Deveci Bulent , Kara Meryem , Sertdemir Ahmet Lutfu , Bastug Serdal , Korkmaz Ahmet , Ozeke Ozcan , Cay Serkan , Ozcan Firat , Topaloglu Serkan , Aras Dursun
Published: August 2021

The termination of tachycardia may provide important clues toward the mechanism of the tachycardia and that close vigilance may clinch the diagnosis before proceeding to other pacing maneuvers.
Why Help North Korea? Foreign Aid to North Korea and Its Determinants, 2002–2018*
Authors: Jung Heon Joo , Park Geonwoo , Ji Myeonggeun , Rich Timothy S.
Published: August 2021

Since North Korea solicited international assistance due to famine in 1995, the international community has provided billions of dollars of aid to the country. Despite multiple challenges from donors' perspectives, bilateral donors continue to extend aid grants that play a significant role in sustaining North Korea's dysfunctional economy. Nevertheless, there are great variations among bilateral donors in terms of aid amounts to North Korea. This article investigates the determinants of donors' aid allocation decision to North Korea and finds that dyadic factors – diplomatic ties, foreign policy similarities, and bilateral trade volume – are significantly associated with some donors' aid allocation to this country. It shows that, consistent with their aid allocations elsewhere, Nordic Plus donors have different aid policies toward North Korea compared to those of non‐Nordic Plus donors. This article suggests the need for donors' concerted efforts to make changes in North Korean economy and society.
Framing Immigrant Rights in Politics: Comparative Evidence From Japan and South Korea*
Authors: Kim Kyunghwan
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study is to analyse and compare how the rights of low‐skilled labour migrants have been formed and developed in Japan and South Korea, from a discursive institutionalist perspective. Over the last two decades, interestingly, the two East Asian nation‐states, although having similar policy legacies of East Asian welfare and immigration regimes (productivism and ethnic nationalism), have demonstrated different policy developments regarding the two groups of low‐skilled labour migrants, resulting in different paths in terms of their rights – i.e., persistent ethnic differentiation in Japan and ethnically hierarchical inclusion in Korea. This article argues that the rationale behind the difference between Japan and Korea can be found in their different discursive interaction processes of policy legacies and alternative policy ideas (human rights and multiculturalism). That is to say, policy legacies have legitimised and strengthened the existing policy paradigms of low‐skilled foreign‐born populations – i.e., ethnic differentiation in Japan and differential exclusion in Korea, whereas alternative ideas have reinforced and/or challenged the paradigms, thereby engendering different approaches to the inclusion/exclusion of low‐skilled labour migrants.
Informal and Reliable: Bolivian Immigrants in Korean Sewing Workshops in the Argentine Garment Industry*
Authors: Kim Jihye
Published: August 2021

At the beginning of Korean migration to Argentina in the 1960s and 1970s, most Korean immigrants in Argentina were intensively involved in garment sewing and knitting jobs, working as employees at or owners of Korean workshops subcontracted by Jewish manufacturers. However, due to the substantial upward mobility of the Korean business community, eventually Korean workshop owners, out of necessity, started recruiting workers from outside of their co‐ethnic networks. Based on ethnographic research in Argentina, this study aims to explore why and how Korean employers have created labor relationships exclusively with Bolivian immigrants in their workshops in the Argentine garment industry with a particular focus on informality. For Korean workshop owners who are managing their businesses extremely informally, it is strategic to turn to the group they feel is most trustworthy. Bolivian seamstresses prefer to work for Korean workshop owners as Korean employers are deemed more dependable, pay on time and in full, and provide relatively better working conditions in comparison to Bolivian employers. This research further proves that it is particularly crucial for linkages of bounded solidarity and tacit trust to be established among all actors involved when employment and business practices are managed in a highly informal environment.
Ups and Downs: An Analysis of Chinese Image in North Korean Media Based on China‐related Reports in Rodong Sinmun from 2009–2020
Authors: Yulan Xu , Yongzhen Jin
Published: August 2021

Over the past 71 years, the development of relations between China and North Korea has experienced ups and downs. The image of China in the North Korean media is also complicated and changeable, reflecting changes in China–North Korea relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Due to the lack of international transparency in North Korea, the analysis of China‐related reports by North Korean media has more reference value. This text analyzes the China‐related reports in the North Korean mainstream media Rodong Sinmun from 2009 to 2020, and systematically analyzes the main content, reporting trends, changing characteristics, and influencing factors of the North Korean media reports in the past decade. I believe that, since 2009, the North Korean media‐related reports have shown that political topics are the most prevalent topics and that cultural exchanges are increasing, while reports on the economy, science and technology, and education continue to decrease. The reports gradually began to pay attention to environmental problems and social events in China. This report on China has shown a general trend – using a deep interpretation to shallow interpretation, then to a multi‐angle deep exploration – that the perception of China has been changing from one of intimacy to indifference and then sublimation to the “traditional friendly sincere country.” Subsequently, the image of China in Rodong Sinmun lacks comprehensiveness and objectivity. It focuses more on explaining and propagating the policies and lines of the Workers’ Party of North Korea. The change in China–North Korea relations is the most important factor affecting North Korean media coverage about China. Whenever relations between China and North Korea deteriorate, North Korea makes clear its displeasure with China and sharply curbs its coverage of China. And in every crisis between China and North Korea, North Korea has always maintained relations through the “traditional” way. This once again proves that the two countries are each other's important strategic partners and both sides have realized each other's strategic value.
Hedging against the Dragon: Myanmar's Tangled Relationship with China since 1988*
Authors: Peng Nian
Published: August 2021

This study analyzes Myanmar's China policy since the military took power in 1988 and argues that Myanmar has actually hedged against the high risk of its heavy reliance on China. Through a new formulated analytical framework based on external risks and strategic preference, this study investigates why and how Myanmar hedged against China. It finds that Myanmar's cautiously varying policy has been motivated by the rising risks imposed by China and the Burmese leaders' conciliatory preference for adopting less coercive measures to respond to external threats. In practice, Myanmar has actively engaged with China with the aim of maximizing benefits, whereas it has also made great efforts to ensure against over‐dependence on China. In turn, this study predicts that the military regime established after the coup in February 2021 would move closer to China, while simultaneously resisting Chinese dominance.
The Federal Reserve Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF): Where the municipal securities market and fed finally meet
Authors: Johnson Craig L. , Moldogaziev Tima T. , Luby Martin J. , Winecoff Ruth
Published: August 2021

The CARES Act authorized the Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) with an explicit purpose of aiding state and local governments with their liquidity needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Unlike other federal liquidity facilities authorized by the Act that offered short‐term financing to certain dealers and institutional investors in municipal securities, the MLF offered direct access to liquidity to eligible state and local governments. In this article we describe the MLF, including its legal arrangements, structural characteristics, and public policy features. We then empirically evaluate the pricing, credit rating, and issuer eligibility requirements of the MLF, in the context of other federal interventions, using difference‐in‐differences and interrupted time series analysis techniques. Finally, we propose suggestions for the evolution of the MLF and the Federal Reserve's liquidity provision role in response to continued exposure to and recovery from the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Phytochelatin and coumarin enrichment in root exudates of arsenic‐treated white lupin
Authors: Frémont Adrien , Sas Eszter , Sarrazin Mathieu , Gonzalez Emmanuel , Brisson Jacques , Pitre Frédéric Emmanuel , Brereton Nicholas James Beresford
Published: August 2021

Soil contamination with toxic metalloids, such as arsenic, can represent a substantial human health and environmental risk. Some plants are thought to tolerate soil toxicity using root exudation, however, the nature of this response to arsenic remains largely unknown. Here, white lupin plants were exposed to arsenic in a semi‐hydroponic system and their exudates were profiled using untargeted liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Arsenic concentrations up to 1 ppm were tolerated and led to the accumulation of 12.9 μg As g−1 dry weight (DW) and 411 μg As g−1 DW in above‐ground and belowground tissues, respectively. From 193 exuded metabolites, 34 were significantly differentially abundant due to 1 ppm arsenic, including depletion of glutathione disulphide and enrichment of phytochelatins and coumarins. Significant enrichment of phytochelatins in exudates of arsenic‐treated plants was further confirmed using exudate sampling with strict root exclusion. The chemical tolerance toolkit in white lupin included nutrient acquisition metabolites as well as phytochelatins, the major intracellular metal‐binding detoxification oligopeptides which have not been previously reported as having an extracellular role. These findings highlight the value of untargeted metabolite profiling approaches to reveal the unexpected and inform strategies to mitigate anthropogenic pollution in soils around the world.
CGFS‐type glutaredoxin mutations reduce tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in tomato
Authors: Kakeshpour Tayebeh , Tamang Tej Man , Motolai Gergely , Fleming Zachary Wayne , Park Jung‐Eun , Wu Qingyu , Park Sunghun
Published: August 2021

Sessile organisms such as plants have adopted diverse reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging mechanisms to mitigate damage under abiotic stress conditions. Though CGFS‐type glutaredoxin (GRX) genes are important regulators of ROS homeostasis, each of their functions in crop plants have not yet been well understood. We performed a targeted mutagenesis analysis of four CGFS‐type GRXs (SlGRXS14, SlGRXS15, SlGRXS16, and SlGRXS17) in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) using a multiplex clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system and found that Slgrxs mutants were more sensitive to various abiotic stresses compared with the wild‐type tomatoes. Slgrxs15 mutants were embryonic lethal. Single, double, and triple combinations of Slgrxs14, 16, and 17 mutants were examined under heat, chilling, drought, heavy metal toxicity, nutrient deficiency, and short photoperiod stresses. Slgrxs14 and 17 mutants showed hypersensitivity to almost all stresses while Slgrxs16 mutants were affected by chilling stress and showed milder sensitivity to other stresses. Additionally, Slgrxs14 and 17 mutants showed delayed flowering time. Our results indicate that the CGFS‐type SlGRXs have specific roles against abiotic stresses, providing valuable resources to develop tomato and, possibly, other crop species that are tolerant to multiple abiotic stresses by genetic engineering.
Children on chronic hemodialysis before the first year of age in Brazil: A 3‐year survival analysis
Authors: Roizenblatt Arnaldo , Henriques Cristina , Carvalho Maria Fernanda , Takihi Fabio Akio , Koch Nogueira Paulo C.
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The limited data on survival rates of small children undergoing hemodialysis preclude comparison with other countries. The goal of this study was to determine the mortality rate and its risk factors in children starting hemodialysis during their first year of life. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study, based on data from a reference dialysis center in São Paulo city. Data from 47 (8 females) children who underwent chronic hemodialysis before the first year of age were analyzed. Survival was characterized using Kaplan–Meier methods and log‐rank tests, followed by a multivariable Cox regression model. Results: The survival rates were 93%, 75%, and 64% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Only cardiovascular comorbidity was significantly associated with the mortality outcome (HR = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.7–19.6, p = 0.006). Conclusion: The survival rate among children who started hemodialysis in their first year of life was reasonable, similar to international standards.