bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bar too high? On the use of practical wisdom in business ethics
Authors: Wolcott Gregory
Published: June 2020

In the business ethics literature, many argue that managerial decision making ought to be improved by more robust ethical concerns. Some see the virtue of “practical wisdom” as the key for improved managerial decision making. However, because of the epistemic limitations confronting decision makers in the face of irreducible market complexity, there is a risk that practical wisdom, employed in the context of day‐to‐day managerial decision making, becomes an impractical concept. Nevertheless, if the attempt to incorporate virtue ethics (and its related concepts) into business practices is laudable, if indeed a virtuous life is worth pursuing and practical wisdom plays an essential role toward that end, it is important to attempt to salvage practical wisdom and uncover its appropriate usage. Thus, this article pursues two major ends. First, upon surveying some of the prominent and standard usages of the term, it articulates concerns, rooted in epistemic limitations, about the way that practical wisdom appears in business ethics literature. Second, it offers a new way forward for understanding “practical wisdom.” By contextualizing day‐to‐day, rule‐based managerial decision making within the ethical value of the market order, practical wisdom reappears as the higher‐order capacity to pursue vocations, as morally worthwhile projects, in business.
The coffee ingredients caffeic acid and caffeic acid phenylethyl ester protect against irinotecan‐induced leukopenia and oxidative stress response
Authors: Kalthoff Sandra , Paulusch Stefan , Rupp Alexander , Holdenrieder Stefan , Hartmann Gunther , Strassburg Christian P.
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose

Irinotecan, used in colorectal cancer therapy, is metabolized by glucuronidation involving different UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A isoforms leading to facilitated elimination from the body. Individuals homozygous for the genetic variants UGT1A1*28 (Gilbert syndrome) and UGT1A7*3 are more susceptible to irinotecan side effects, severe diarrhoea and leukopenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects and active constituents of coffee during irinotecan therapy using humanized transgenic (htg)UGT1A‐WT and htgUGT1A‐SNP (carry UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A7*3 polymorphisms) mice.

Experimental Approach

HtgUGT1A mice were pretreated with coffee or caffeic acid (CA) + caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE) and injected with irinotecan. The effects of coffee and CA + CAPE were investigated using reporter gene assays, immunoblot, TaqMan‐PCR, siRNA analyses and blood counts.

Key Results

Only the combination of the two coffee ingredients, CA and CAPE, mediates protective effects of coffee in a model of irinotecan toxicity by activation of UGT1A genes. Coffee and CA + CAPE significantly increased UGT1A expression and activity along with SN‐38 glucuronide excretion in irinotecan‐injected htgUGT1A mice, resulting in significant improvement of leukopenia, intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation.

Conclusion and Implications

In this study, we identify the compounds responsible for mediating the previously reported coffee‐induced activation of UGT1A gene expression. CA and CAPE represent key factors for the protective properties of coffee which are capable of reducing irinotecan toxicity, exerting antioxidant and protective effects. Provided that CA + CAPE do not affect irinotecan efficacy, they might represent a novel strategy for the treatment of irinotecan toxicity.
Tidal amplification and along‐strike process variability in a mixed‐energy paralic system prograding onto a low accommodation shelf, Edgeøya, Svalbard
Authors: Anell Ingrid , Zuchuat Valentin , Röhnert Anna Daniela , Smyrak‐Sikora Aleksandra , Buckley Simon , Lord Gareth , Maher Harmon , Midtkandal Ivar , Ogata Kei , Olaussen Snorre , Osmundsen Per T. , Braathen Alvar
Published: June 2020

The study describes the depositional development and sediment partitioning in a prograding paralic Triassic succession. The deposits are associated with the advance of large prism‐scale clinoforms across a shallower platform area. Approaching the platform, the limited accommodation and associated relative higher rates of deposition generated straighter clinoforms with lower foreset angles. The vertical restriction across the platform is interpreted to have amplified the tidal signature. Sediment was redistributed from the coast into increasingly sandy delta‐front deposits, compared to offshore equivalents. The deposits comprise extensive compound dune fields of amalgamated and increasingly clean sandbodies up‐section. Rapid deposition of significant amounts of sand led to differential subsidence and growth‐faulting in the delta front, with downthrown fault blocks further amplifying the tidal energy through funnelling. A mixed‐energy environment created along‐strike variability along the delta front with sedimentation governing process‐regime. Areas of lower sedimentation were reworked by wave and storm‐action, whereas high sedimentation rates preserved fluvially dominated mouth bars. A major transgression, however, favoured tidally dominated deposits also in these areas, attributed to increasing rugosity of the coastline. Formation of an extensive subaqueous platform between the coast and delta front dampened incoming wave energy, and tidally dominated deposits dominate the near‐shore successions. Meanwhile formation of wave‐built sand‐bars atop the platform attest to continued wave influence. The strong tidal regime led to the development of a heterolithic near‐shore tidally dominated channel system, and sandier fluvial channels up‐river. The highly meandering tidal channels incising the subaqueous platform form kilometre wide successions of inclined heterolithic stratification. The fluvially dominated channels which govern deposition on the delta plain are narrower and slightly less deep, straighter, generally symmetric and filled with cleaner sands. This study provides important insight into tidal amplification and sand redistribution during shallowing on a wide shelf, along with along‐strike process‐regime variability resulting from variations in sediment influx.
Epidemiology of severe ocular trauma following the implementation of alcohol restrictions in Far North Queensland
Authors: Dorman Andrew , O'Hagan Stephen , Gole Glen
Published: June 2020

Importance

Indigenous communities of Far North Queensland (FNQ) have one of the highest incidences of alcohol‐related ocular trauma globally.

Background

To review the epidemiology of closed‐ and open‐globe trauma admitted to Cairns Hospital from FNQ health districts following the implementation of alcohol restrictions in Indigenous communities.

Design

Retrospective study of cases from January 2014 to December 2018.

Participants

A total of 142 cases identified from ICD‐10 clinical‐coding data.

Methods

Records were reviewed to determine demographics, clinical details and outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures

Annual incidence by demography and ethnicity (Indigenous vs non‐indigenous).

Results

Estimated annual incidence was 10.4/100 000 population (open‐globe: 3.6/100 000, closed‐globe: 6.8/100 000 population). Incidence rate ratio was 2.8× higher in Indigenous (22.8/100 000 population) compared to non‐indigenous populations. Injury from assault was 8.2× higher in the Indigenous population. Alcohol was involved in 76% of assaults. Paediatric injuries comprised 20.4% of the cohort, with Indigenous children over‐represented (44.8% of children). Visual acuity (VA) at presentation ranged from −0.08 logMAR to no‐perception of light (NPL), with 41.8% poorer than +1.00 logMAR. Final VA ranged from −0.18 logMAR to NPL. Mean final VA was significantly better for closed‐ than open‐globe injuries (+0.43 vs +1.01 logMAR). Ruptures had the poorest outcomes (mean  +1.65 logMAR).

Conclusions and relevance

The overall incidence of severe ocular trauma in FNQ has decreased compared to that reported from 1995 to 2002. The extremely high incidence observed in the Indigenous communities of Cape York has decreased dramatically since the introduction of Alcohol Management Plans. Nevertheless, the Indigenous population still experiences significantly higher rates of severe ocular trauma, particularly from assault.
A bi‐organellar phylogenomic study of Pandanales: inference of higher‐order relationships and unusual rate‐variation patterns
Authors: Soto Gomez Marybel , Lin Qianshi , da Silva Leal Eduardo , Gallaher Timothy J. , Scherberich David , Mennes Constantijn B. , Smith Selena Y. , Graham Sean W.
Published: June 2020

We used a bi‐organellar phylogenomic approach to address higher‐order relationships in Pandanales, including the first molecular phylogenetic study of the panama‐hat family, Cyclanthaceae. Our genus‐level study of plastid and mitochondrial gene sets includes a comprehensive sampling of photosynthetic lineages across the order, and provides a framework for investigating clade ages, biogeographic hypotheses and organellar molecular evolution. Using multiple inference methods and both organellar genomes, we recovered mostly congruent and strongly supported relationships within and between families, including the placement of fully mycoheterotrophic Triuridaceae. Cyclanthaceae and Pandanaceae plastomes have slow substitution rates, contributing to weakly supported plastid‐based relationships in Cyclanthaceae. While generally slowly evolving, mitochondrial genomes exhibit sporadic rate elevation across the order. However, we infer well‐supported relationships even for slower evolving mitochondrial lineages in Cyclanthaceae. Clade age estimates across photosynthetic lineages are largely consistent with previous studies, are well correlated between the two organellar genomes (with slightly younger inferences from mitochondrial data), and support several biogeographic hypotheses. We show that rapidly evolving non‐photosynthetic lineages may bias age estimates upwards at neighbouring photosynthetic nodes, even using a relaxed clock model. Finally, we uncovered new genome structural variants in photosynthetic taxa at plastid inverted repeat boundaries that show promise as interfamilial phylogenetic markers.
Regionalism Meets Samuelson: Local Production of a National Public Good
Authors: Brueckner Jan K. , Craig Steven G. , Lee Kangoh
Published: June 2020

This paper studies an overlooked phenomenon in the provision of public goods, namely local production of a national public good, such as the manufacture of fighter planes (which contribute to national defence) in many different jurisdictions across a country. Because local production of the national good raises local incomes, each jurisdiction seeks to raise its share of the good's production. A subset of jurisdictions then forms a minimum winning coalition, which offers equal production shares to its members and smaller (possibly zero) shares to non‐members, while choosing the provision level of the national good. The outcome is inefficient, with production inefficiently concentrated and the public good also overprovided (because income benefits reduce the good's perceived marginal cost). Empirical results confirm the prediction that the location of production is important in determining Congressional support for federal programme spending.
Efficacy of levetiracetam on upper limb movement in multiple sclerosis patients with cerebellar signs: a multicenter double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study
Authors: Solaro C. , de Sire A. , Messmer Uccelli M. , Mueller M. , Bergamaschi R. , Gasperini C. , Restivo D.A. , Stabile M.R. , Patti F.
Published: June 2020

Background and purpose

The literature provides contrasting results on the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with cerebellar signs. It was sought to evaluate the efficacy of LEV on upper limb movement in MS patients.

Methods

In this multicenter double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study, MS patients with prevalently cerebellar signs were randomly allocated into two groups: LEV followed by placebo (group 1) or placebo followed by LEV (group 2). Clinical assessments were performed by a blinded physician at T0 (day 1), T1 (day 22), T2 (2‐week wash‐out period, day 35) and T3 (day 56). The primary outcome was dexterity in the arm with greater deficit, assessed by the nine‐hole peg test (9HPT). Secondary clinical outcomes included responders on the 9HPT (∆9HPT >20%), tremor activity of the daily living questionnaire and self‐defined upper limb impairment, through a numeric rating scale. Kinematic evaluation was performed using a digitizing tablet, providing data on normalized jerk, aiming error and centripetal acceleration.

Results

Forty‐eight subjects (45.2 ± 10.4 years) were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 24 each). 9HPT significantly improved in the LEV phase in both groups (P < 0.001). The LEV treatment phase led to a significant improvement (P < 0.01) of all clinical outcomes in group 1 and in dexterity in group 2. No significant changes were reported during both placebo phases in the two groups. Considering the kinematic analysis, only normalized jerk significantly improved after treatment with LEV (T0–T1) in group 1.

Conclusions

Levetiracetam treatment seems to be effective in improving upper limb dexterity in MS patients with cerebellar signs.
The international European Academy of Neurology survey on neurological symptoms in patients with COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Moro E. , Priori A. , Beghi E. , Helbok R. , Campiglio L. , Bassetti C. L. , Bianchi E. , Maia L. F. , Ozturk S. , Cavallieri F. , Zedde M. , Sellner J. , Bereczki D. , Rakusa M. , Di Liberto G. , Sauerbier A. , Pisani A. , Macerollo A. , Soffietti R. , Taba P. , Crean M. , Twardzik A. , Oreja‐Guevara C. , Bodini B. , Jenkins T. M. , von Oertzen T. J. ,   for the EAN core COVID‐19 Task Force
Published: June 2020

Background and purpose

Although the main clinical features of COVID‐19 infection are pulmonary, several associated neurological signs, symptoms and diseases are emerging. The incidence and characteristics of neurological complications are unclear. For this reason, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) core COVID‐19 Task Force initiated a survey on neurological symptoms observed in patients with COVID‐19 infection.

Methods

A 17‐question online survey was made available on the EAN website and distributed to EAN members and other worldwide physicians starting on 9 April 2020.

Results

By 27 April 2020, proper data were collected from 2343 responders (out of 4199), of whom 82.0% were neurologists, mostly from Europe. Most responders (74.7%) consulted patients with COVID‐19 mainly in emergency rooms and in COVID‐19 units. The majority (67.0%) had evaluated fewer than 10 patients with neurological manifestations of COVID‐19 (neuro COVID‐19). The most frequently reported neurological findings were headache (61.9%), myalgia (50.4%), anosmia (49.2%), ageusia (39.8%), impaired consciousness (29.3%) and psychomotor agitation (26.7%). Encephalopathy and acute cerebrovascular disorders were reported at 21.0%. Neurological manifestations were generally interpreted as being possibly related to COVID‐19; they were most commonly recognized in patients with multiple general symptoms and occurred at any time during infection.

Conclusion

Neurologists are currently and actively involved in the management of neurological issues related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. This survey justifies setting up a prospective registry to better capture the prevalence of patients with neuro COVID‐19, neurological disease characteristics and the contribution of neurological manifestations to outcome.
Blood biomarkers and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Sun J. , Carrero J. J. , Zagai U. , Evans M. , Ingre C. , Pawitan Y. , Fang F.
Published: June 2020

Background and purpose

The objective was to assess the ability of eight commonly measured blood markers to serve as prognostic biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

A cohort study was conducted of 399 individuals with newly diagnosed ALS between 2006 and 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden. Information on eight blood markers, including creatinine, albumin, haemoglobin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), glucose, potassium, sodium and calcium, measured at or after the date of ALS diagnosis, was collected. The Cox regression model and joint model were used to explore the associations between biomarkers and risk of mortality.

Results

The mean age at ALS diagnosis was 66.25 years and 58% of the patients were male. A lower than median level of serum creatinine [hazard ratio (HR) 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–2.12] or albumin (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.13–1.96) whereas a higher than median level of log‐transformed CRP (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04–1.71) or glucose (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.01–1.78) at baseline was associated with a higher mortality risk. Taking all available measurements after ALS diagnosis into account, an association was found between per standard deviation (SD) decrease in serum creatinine (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.81–2.75) or albumin (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.43–2.36) as well as per SD increase of log(CRP) (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.58–2.43) or glucose (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.21–2.12) and a higher mortality risk. No clear association was found for haemoglobin, potassium, sodium or calcium.

Conclusions

This study suggests that serum creatinine, albumin, CRP and glucose measured at the time of ALS diagnosis as well as their temporal changes after ALS diagnosis could serve as additional prognostic biomarkers for ALS. Their values in routine clinical practice and clinical trials of ALS need to be investigated further.
Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis – a review of 12 consecutive cases
Authors: Maung Magdalene H , Bethune Gillian C , Patriquin Glenn , Barnes Penny J
Published: June 2020

Aims

Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM) is an uncommon but increasingly recognised cause of mastitis, often associated with Corynebacterium ssp. infection. We studied the histopathological and clinical features of CNGM in a Canadian setting, and the work‐up required to identify pathogenic microorganisms.

Methods and results

A retrospective search for breast specimens with abscess, acute, chronic and/or granulomatous inflammation from 1998 to 2018 was performed. Haematoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed for typical histological features of CNGM. Histochemically stained slides for microorganisms were also reviewed. Repeat Gram stains were performed if initially negative. Electronic medical records were abstracted for microbiology results and relevant clinical data. Twelve cases were identified. All were female, aged 25–57 years, mainly Caucasian, with one Venezuelan and two of Chinese ethnicity. Most were parous (10 of 12); five of 12 had an endocrinopathy. Bacteria were identified in one or more specimens from eight of 12 patients; additional Gram stains revealed organisms in four of 12 cases. Of four bacterial cultures, one grew Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii. 16S polymerase chain reaction for three samples was negative. Two patients had multiple breast biopsies, showing early palisaded granulomas followed by classic features of CNGM. The patients had various management approaches, including surgery and antimicrobials.

Conclusions

CNGM may present as palisaded granulomatous inflammation, without the expected ‘cystic’ pattern, suggesting that there is an evolution of histomorphology with this infection. Most patients with CNGM are parous, and there may be an association with endocrinopathies. Application of multiple Gram stains increases the yield of microorganism identification. Recognition of CNGM in breast biopsies and collaborative communications are essential to direct appropriate therapy.
Does eating in the absence of hunger extend to healthy snacks in children?
Authors: Kral Tanja V. E. , Moore Reneé H. , Chittams Jesse , O'Malley Lauren , Jones Elizabeth , Quinn Ryan J. , Fisher Jennifer O.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To assess if eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) extends to healthier snacks and examine the relationship between the home food environment and EAH in children with normal weight (NW) or overweight/obesity (OB) who are at low risk (LR) or high risk (HR) for obesity based on maternal obesity.

Methods

EAH was assessed after lunch and dinner when children received either low energy dense fruit snacks or high energy dense sweet/savoury snacks. The availability of obesogenic foods in the home was assessed by the Home Food Inventory.

Results

Data showed significant main effects of risk group (P=.0003) and snack type (P < .001). EAH was significantly greater in HR‐OB (284±8 kcal) than LR‐NW (249±9 kcal) or HR‐NW (251±8 kcal) children. Serving fruit rather than sweet/savoury snacks reduced energy intake, on average, by 60% (223 kcal) across risk groups. For each unit increase in the obesogenic home food environment, EAH of sweet/savoury snacks decreased by 1.83 calories.

Conclusions

Offering low energy dense snacks after a meal can moderate EAH and increase children's intake of healthy foods. Increased access to obesogenic foods in the home may reduce the salience of high energy dense snacks when they become available in other settings.
Characterizing the original anti‐C5 function‐blocking antibody, BB5.1, for species specificity, mode of action and interactions with C5
Authors: Zelek Wioleta M. , Menzies Georgina E. , Brancale Andrea , Stockinger Brigitta , Morgan Bryan Paul
Published: June 2020

The implication of complement in multiple diseases over the last 20 years has fuelled interest in developing anti‐complement drugs. To date, the focus has been on C5; blocking cleavage of C5 prevents formation of two pro‐inflammatory activities, C5a anaphylatoxin and membrane attack complex. The concept of C5 blockade to inhibit inflammation dates back 30 years to the description of BB5.1, an anti‐C5 blocking monoclonal antibody raised in C5‐deficient mice. This antibody proved an invaluable tool to demonstrate complement involvement in mouse disease models and catalysed enthusiasm for anti‐complement drug development, culminating in the anti‐human C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab, the most successful anti‐complement drug to date, already in clinical use for several rare diseases. Despite its key role in providing proof‐of‐concept for C5 blockade, the mechanism of BB5.1 inhibition remains poorly understood. Here, we characterized BB5.1 cross‐species inhibition, C5 binding affinity and chain specificity. BB5.1 efficiently inhibited C5 in mouse serum but not in human or other rodent sera; it prevented C5 cleavage and C5a generation. BB5.1 bound the C5 α‐chain with high affinity and slow off‐rate. BB5.1 complementarity‐determining regions were obtained and docking algorithms were used to predict the likely binding interface on mouse C5.
lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 promotes breast cancer angiogenesis through activating IGF‐1/IGF‐1R/ERK pathway
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Tianfu , Wang Zhecun , Kuang Xiaying , Shao Nan , Lin Ying
Published: June 2020

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) take various effects in cancer mostly through sponging with microRNAs (miRNAs). lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 is found to promote tumour progression in hepatocellular carcinoma, endometrial cancer and thyroid cancer. However, the role of lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 in breast cancer angiogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we found lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 was positively related with CD31 and CD34 in breast cancer through Pearson's correlation analysis, while lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 transfection promoted human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation. In breast cancer cells, lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 enhanced the HUVEC proliferation, tube formation and migration ability through tumour‐conditioned medium (TCM). In zebrafish model, lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 increased the breast cancer cell‐related neo‐vasculature and subsequently promoted the breast cancer cell metastasis. In mouse model, lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 promoted the tumour vessel formation, increased the micro vessel density (MVD) and then induced the growth of primary tumour. Mechanically, lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 increased insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) expression through sponging miRNA‐338‐3p in breast cancer cells and then activated the receptor of IGF‐1 (IGF‐1R) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in HUVECs. These results indicated that lncRNA NR2F1‐AS1 could promote breast cancer angiogenesis through IGF‐1/IGF‐1R/ERK pathway.
Assessment of clinical inertia in people with diabetes within primary care
Authors: Meredith Ashley H. , Buatois Emily M. , Krenz James R. , Walroth Todd , Shenk McKenzie , Triboletti Jessica S. , Pence Lauren , Gonzalvo Jasmine D.
Published: June 2020

Rationale, aims and objectives

Clinical inertia, defined as a delay in treatment intensification, is prevalent in people with diabetes. Treatment intensification rates are as low as 37.1% in people with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values >7%. Intensification by addition of medication therapy may take 1.6 to more than 7 years. Clinical inertia increases the risk of cardiovascular events. The primary objective was to evaluate rates of clinical inertia in people whose diabetes is managed by both pharmacists and primary care providers (PCPs). Secondary objectives included characterizing types of treatment intensification, HbA1c reduction, and time between treatment intensifications.

Method

Retrospective chart review of persons with diabetes managed by pharmacists at an academic, safety‐net institution. Eligible subjects were referred to a pharmacist‐managed cardiovascular risk reduction clinic while continuing to see their PCP between October 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018. All progress notes were evaluated for treatment intensification, HbA1c value, and type of medication intensification.

Results

Three hundred sixty‐three eligible patients were identified; baseline HbA1c 9.6% (7.9, 11.6) (median interquartile range [IQR]). One thousand one hundred ninety‐two pharmacist and 1739 PCP visits were included in data analysis. Therapy was intensified at 60.5% (n = 721) pharmacist visits and 39.3% (n = 684) PCP visits (P < .001). The median (IQR) time between interventions was 49 (28, 92) days for pharmacists and 105 (38, 182) days for PCPs (P < .001). Pharmacists more frequently intensified treatment with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonists and sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors.

Conclusion

Pharmacist involvement in diabetes management may reduce the clinical inertia patients may otherwise experience in the primary care setting.
Research and application of an intelligent networking model for flood forecasting in the arid mountainous basins
Authors: Yuan Ximin , Zhang Xingyuan , Tian Fuchang
Published: June 2020

Storm floods occur frequently and have complex characteristics in arid mountainous areas, which for a long time has been a weak link in flood forecasting. The application of an artificial intelligent model and physically‐based hydrological model has some limitations on flood forecasting in arid mountainous areas with scarce data. In this article, the ANN model and Muskingum‐Cunge method are combined to propose an intelligent networking model for flood forecasting (FFIN model) in arid mountainous areas with scarce data, which BR‐ANN model is used to forecast the flood in the catchment sub‐basin with runoff data, while the General Regression Neural Network model is used to carry out flood parallel forecast in the catchment sub‐basin without runoff data. The Muskingum‐Cunge method is used to connect the sub‐basins and form a confluence network, so as to simulate the flood routing process in river. The verification and comparison results in study area show that the FFIN model has a superior overall forecasting ability. For the forecasting period, the evaluation index Kling‐Gupta efficiency is 0.88, Nash efficiency coefficient is 0.982 and forecasting deviation of flood peak flow is 7.15%. The FFIN model can be effectively applied to flood forecasting in arid mountainous areas with scarce runoff data.
AtHAP5A regulates iron translocation in iron‐deficient Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhu Xiao Fang , Wu Qi , Meng Yu Ting , Tao Ye , Shen Ren Fang
Published: June 2020

Iron (Fe) deficient plants employ multiple strategies to increase root uptake and root‐to‐shoot translocation of Fe. The identification of genes that are responsible for these processes, and a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory effects of transcriptional networks on their expression, including transcription factors (TFs), is underway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that a Histone‐ or heme‐associated proteins (HAP) transcription factor (TF), HAP5A, is necessary for the response to Fe deficiency in Arabidopsis. Its expression was induced under Fe deficiency, and the lack of HAP5A significantly decreased Fe translocation from the root to the shoot, resulting in substantial chlorosis of the newly expanded leaves, compared with the wild‐type (WT, Col‐0). Further analysis found that the expression of a gene encoding nicotianamine (NA) synthase (NAS1) was dramatically decreased in the hap5a mutant, regardless of the Fe status. Yeast‐one‐hybrid and ChIP analyses suggested that HAP5A directly binds to the promoter region of NAS1. Moreover, overexpression of NAS1 could rescue the chlorosis phenotype of hap5a in Fe deficient conditions. In summary, a novel pathway was elucidated, showing that NAS1‐dependent translocation of Fe from the root to the shoot is controlled by HAP5A in Fe‐deficient Arabidopsis thaliana.
Anterior pituitary gland synthesises dopamine from l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (l‐dopa)
Authors: Orrillo Santiago Jordi , de Dios Nataly , Asad Antonela Sofía , De Fino Fernanda , Imsen Mercedes , Romero Ana Clara , Zárate Sandra , Ferraris Jimena , Pisera Daniel
Published: June 2020

Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone principally secreted by lactotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. Although the synthesis and exocytosis of this hormone are mainly under the regulation of hypothalamic dopamine (DA), the possibility that the anterior pituitary synthesises this catecholamine remains unclear. The present study aimed to determine if the anterior pituitary produces DA from the precursor l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (l‐dopa). Accordingly, we investigated the expression of aromatic l‐amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) enzyme and the transporter vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in the anterior pituitary, AtT20 and GH3 cells by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Moreover, we investigated the production of DA from l‐dopa and its release in vitro. Then, we explored the effects of l‐dopa with respect to the secretion of PRL from anterior pituitary fragments. We observed that the anterior pituitary, AtT20 and GH3 cells express both AADC and VMAT2. Next, we detected an increase in DA content after anterior pituitary fragments were incubated with l‐dopa. Also, the presence of l‐dopa increased DA levels in incubation media and reduced PRL secretion. Likewise, the content of cellular DA increased after AtT20 cells were incubated with l‐dopa. In addition, l‐dopa reduced corticotrophin‐releasing hormone‐stimulated adrenocorticotrophic hormone release from these cells after AADC activity was inhibited by NSD‐1015. Moreover, DA formation from l‐dopa increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation. However, in the presence of NSD‐1015, l‐dopa decreased apoptosis and increased proliferation rates. These results suggest that the anterior pituitary synthesises DA from l‐dopa by AADC and this catecholamine can be released from this gland contributing to the control of PRL secretion. In addition, our results suggest that l‐dopa exerts direct actions independently from its metabolisation to DA.
Intraspecific variation in nutritional traits of neighbouring plants generates a continuum of associational effects
Authors: Champagne Emilie , Moore Ben D , Côté Steeve D , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre
Published: June 2020

Aims

When deciding whether or not to eat a plant, herbivores are influenced by the nutritional value of potential foods, but also indirectly by neighbouring plants (associational effects). We aimed to investigate how the abundance and nutritional quality of neighbours of balsam firs (Abies balsamea) affects browsing on balsam firs by white‐tailed deer. We sought to distinguish the effects of conspecific and heterospecific neighbour abundance, and to evaluate whether intraspecific variation in nutritional traits produces associational effects.

Location

Anticosti Island, QC, Canada.

Methods

We measured the abundance of stems in 4‐m2 plots centred on a focal balsam fir and evaluated nutritional value (nitrogen content and digestibility) of focal firs and neighbouring plants. We used generalized linear models to explain browsing on firs as a function of the neighbouring stem abundance (conspecific and heterospecific), and of the nutritional value of firs and neighbouring stems.

Results

Fir abundance only affected browsing of firs after accounting for fir nutritional value, e.g., browsing in plots of low fir digestibility decreased as the number of fir stems increased (resource dilution effect). The associational effects of heterospecific neighbour abundance, especially birch stem and shoot abundance, were also contingent on neighbour nutritional value. For example, at low birch digestibility, browsing on the focal fir increased with the number of neighbouring birches. Browsing on fir also increased as the number of spruce stems of high nutritional value increased.

Conclusions

By taking into account the abundance of all species, we could discriminate between conspecific effects and associational effects caused by heterospecifics. Our study suggests that the strength of associational effects varies in a continuous fashion in response to relative nutritional value. We propose that future studies should not only consider the identity of neighbours but also the nutritional traits of plant communities.
“Catching butterflies”: Marion Milner and stream of consciousness writing
Authors: Tyson Helen
Published: June 2020

This article explores the use of stream of consciousness writing in the early work of the British psychoanalyst, life writer, and artist, Marion Milner. Focusing on Milner's 1934 book,A Life of One's Own(first published under the pen name Joanna Field), the first part of the article situates Milner's use of stream of consciousness writing alongside the work of her contemporaries Virginia Woolf, May Sinclair, and Dorothy Richardson. Building on Vanessa Smith's recent archival work on Milner's reading of Woolf, this article provides further insight into previously unpublished archival material that reveals Milner explicitly identifying her “method” with that of T. S. Eliot inThe Waste Landand commenting on Dorothy Richardson's rejection of the “omniscient observer” while she worked onA Life of One's Own. ReadingA Life of One's Ownalongside the writing of Milner's modernist contemporaries, I argue not only that Milner's writing contains striking formal and thematic echoes of modernist stream of consciousness prose but also that she uses forms of free writing as the basis for her own distinctive experiment in disentangling her own wants and desires from those manufactured by the forces of patriarchal capitalist modernity. The second part of the article demonstrates how Milner's experiments with stream of consciousness writing became, in the political context of the 1930s, fraught with an uncertainty about the boundaries of the individual mind. Examining Milner's anxieties about the forms of personal surrender solicited by modernist artworks, I show how Milner's own experiments with stream of consciousness writing became, increasingly in the 1930s, part of an experiment in trying to extricate the individual from the rising currents of fascism. Tracking Milner's, Richardson's, and Woolf's dramatisation of the pleasures and perils of aesthetic abandon, I argue that, although Milner struggles to negotiate her own immersion within the rising sociopolitical currents of history, the significance of her writing lies not only in the vividness with which it dramatises this fragile encounter but also in the argument that it makes for the value of creative and critical processes in an age of fascism.
Oxidative stress is associated with suspected non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and all‐cause mortality in the general population
Authors: Damba Turtushikh , Bourgonje Arno R. , Abdulle Amaal E. , Pasch Andreas , Sydor Svenja , van den Berg Eline H. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Blokzijl Hans , Dullaart Robin P. F. , van Goor Harry , Moshage Han
Published: June 2020

Background & Aims

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation, inflammation and an imbalanced redox homeostasis. We hypothesized that systemic free thiol levels, as a proxy of systemic oxidative stress, are associated with NAFLD.

Methods

Protein‐adjusted serum free thiol concentrations were determined in participants from the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End‐Stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort study (n = 5562). Suspected NAFLD was defined by the Fatty Liver Index (FLI ≥ 60) and Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI > 36).

Results

Protein‐adjusted serum free thiols were significantly reduced in subjects with FLI ≥ 60 (n = 1651). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, protein‐adjusted serum free thiols were associated with NAFLD (FLI ≥ 60) (OR per doubling of concentration: 0.78 [95% CI 0.64‐0.96], P = .016) even when adjusted for potential confounding factors, including systolic blood pressure, diabetes, current smoking, use of alcohol and total cholesterol (OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.65‐0.99], P = .04). This association lost its significance (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.73‐1.21], P = .65) after additional adjustment for high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein. Stratified analyses showed significantly differential associations of protein‐adjusted serum free thiol concentrations with suspected NAFLD for gender (P < .02), hypertension (P < .001) and hypercholesterolemia (P < .003). Longitudinally, protein‐adjusted serum free thiols were significantly associated with the risk of all‐cause mortality in subjects with NAFLD (FLI ≥ 60) (HR 0.27 [95% CI 0.17‐0.45], P < .001).

Conclusion

Protein‐adjusted serum free thiol levels are reduced and significantly associated with all‐cause mortality in subjects with suspected NAFLD. Quantification of free thiols may be a promising, minimally invasive strategy to improve detection of NAFLD and associated risk of all‐cause mortality in the general population.
Calcium homeostasis plays important roles in the internalization and activities of the small synthetic antifungal peptide PAF26
Authors: Alexander Akira J. T. , Muñoz Alberto , Marcos Jose F. , Read Nick D.
Published: June 2020

Fungal diseases are responsible for the deaths of over 1.5 million people worldwide annually. Antifungal peptides represent a useful source of antifungals with novel mechanisms‐of‐action, and potentially provide new methods of overcoming resistance. Here we investigate the mode‐of‐action of the small, rationally designed synthetic antifungal peptide PAF26 using the model fungus Neurospora crassa. Here we show that the cell killing activity of PAF26 is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and the presence of fully functioning fungal Ca2+ homeostatic/signaling machinery. In a screen of mutants with deletions in Ca2+‐signaling machinery, we identified three mutants more tolerant to PAF26. The Ca2+ ATPase NCA‐2 was found to be involved in the initial interaction of PAF26 with the cell envelope. The vacuolar Ca2+ channel YVC‐1 was shown to be essential for its accumulation and concentration within the vacuolar system. The Ca2+ channel CCH‐1 was found to be required to prevent the translocation of PAF26 across the plasma membrane. In the wild type, Ca2+ removal from the medium resulted in the peptide remaining trapped in small vesicles as in the Δyvc‐1 mutant. It is, therefore, apparent that cell killing by PAF26 is complex and unusually dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and components of the Ca2+‐regulatory machinery.
Raymond Williams' Reading of Newman's The Idea of a University
Authors: Phillips Jacob
Published: June 2020

This article engages with an example of Newman's reception in 20th Century thought, in Raymond Williams's Culture and Society from 1958. Williams considers that Newman's wording in The Idea of a University demonstrates a particular moment in the development of the semantic field of the word ‘culture’, which is indicated by the fact Newman does not use the word at an important juncture in his text. Williams also locates Newman in a developing trajectory of English understandings of culture at a point when (what we now term) culture was presented as a surrogate religion. Both of these points are responded to by showing that the word ‘culture’ would not have served the purpose Williams apportions to it for Newman's argument, and that Newman should not be associated with those for whom the domain of culture was emerging as an alternative to religion in the 19th Century. Moreover, this analysis will show that Newman's understanding of what we today term ‘culture’ should be understood in terms of a broader semantic cluster best captured by the word “sensibility”: a set of pervasive tendencies, predispositions, and qualities.
Imaging Approaches for Accurate Determination of the Quadriceps Angle
Authors: Wu Chi‐chuan , Yeow Kee‐min , Yeow Yun‐jen
Published: June 2020

Objectives

A retrospective study was conducted using magnetic resonance image (MRI) and a full‐length standing scanogram (FLSS) to measure the quadriceps angle (Q‐angle) while avoiding soft tissue interference.

Methods

Two steps were retrospectively carried out in two case series. The first step involved using MRI to define the standardized patellar center (PC) and the tibial tubercle (TT) on the frontal plane of the MRI in one group of 60 consecutive patients (from July 2016 to December 2016, 29 men and 31 women, average of 46 years). The next step was transferring the location of the standardized PC and the TT from the MRI to the FLSS in another group of 100 consecutive patients (from April 2009 to March 2014, 50 men and 50 women, average of 36 years). The pelvis and intact femur, knee, and tibia were used to determine the Q‐angle on the FLSS.

Results

The standardized PC was positioned 42% from the lateral end of femur trans‐epicondylar line. The TT was 2 cm distal to the tibial articular surface and 37% from the lateral end of tibial width. The average Q‐angle was 9.5° in 100 patients (8.8° in 50 men and 10.1° in 50 women, P = 0.02). The average femoral length was 42.9 cm in 100 patients (44.7 cm in 50 men and 41.1 cm in 50 women, P < 0.001). Women and men had similar pelvic width (27.9 vs 27.8 cm, P = 0.89).

Conclusion

Using the FLSS may help to accurately determine the Q‐angle. Men and women have similar pelvic width. A larger Q‐angle in women may be mainly due to the shorter femur.
Stem metabolism under drought stress – a paradox of increasing respiratory substrates and decreasing respiratory rates
Authors: Rodríguez‐Calcerrada Jesús , Rodrigues Ana M. , António Carla , Perdiguero Pedro , Pita Pilar , Collada Carmen , Li Meng , Gil Luis
Published: June 2020

Metabolic changes underpinning drought‐induced variations in stem respiration (Rs) are unknown. We measured Rs rates and metabolite and gene expression profiles in Ulmus minor Mill. and Quercus ilex L. seedlings subjected to increasing levels of drought stress to better understand how carbon, nitrogen and energy metabolism interact during drought. In both species, only plants showing extreme stress symptoms – i.e. negligible rates of leaf stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, and high stem dehydration (30–50% of maximum water storage) and contraction (50–150 μm week−1) – exhibited lower Rs rates than well‐watered plants. Abundance of low‐molecular weight sugars (e.g. glucose and fructose) and sugar alcohols (e.g. mannitol) increased with drought, at more moderate stress and to a higher extent in Q. ilex than U. minor. Abundance of amino acids increased at more severe stress, more abruptly, and to a higher extent in U. minor, coinciding with leaf senescence, which did not occur in Q. ilex. Organic acids changed less in response to drought: threonate and glycerate increased, and citrate decreased although slightly in both species. Transcripts of genes coding for enzymes of the Krebs cycle decreased in Q. ilex and increased in U. minor in conditions of extreme drought stress. The maintenance of Rs under severe growth and photosynthetic restrictions reveals the importance of stem mitochondrial activity in drought acclimation. The eventual decline in Rs diverts carbon substrates from entering the Krebs cycle that may help to cope with osmotic and oxidative stress during severe drought and to recover hydraulic functionality afterwards.
Branding as a Public Governance Strategy: A Q Methodological Analysis of How Companies React to Place Branding Strategies
Authors: Stevens Vidar , Klijn Erik Hans , Warsen Rianne
Published: June 2020

Public branding is a new governance strategy in the public sector.Local governments,for instance,use brands to attract target groups to the city,such companies,tourists,or citizens.But how do target groups actually value this governance strategy?This article zooms in on the purpose of branding,as perceived by companies as a target group in a branding campaign.Q methodology is used to study the subjective viewpoints of 33 company owners in a neighborhood in Rotterdam,the Netherlands,that was branded as the Rotterdam Makers District.The analysis reveals that company owners prefer a transparent branding process in which they are recognized as coproducers of the brand and can add their story to the brand message that is conveyed to target audiences.These findings add to the resonating call in the literature to make more use of governance theories in the field of branding.
Do you really need it? Educational mismatch and earnings in Ghana
Authors: Darko Christian K. , Abrokwa Kennedy K.
Published: June 2020

This study examines the effects of educational mismatch on earnings using cross‐sectional data from three rounds of the Ghana Living Standards Survey. There are gender‐earnings differentials, with women suffering a penalty for undereducation that is almost twice that paid by men for having less than the required years of education, although the premium associated with overeducation is higher for women. While the penalty associated with deficit schooling decreases for men over time, this penalty increases for women. Women but not men experience significant increases in returns for attaining the required education. On the contrary, the lack of significance of returns to overeducation over time suggests that human capital beyond the required level is unproductive and may represent a waste of public resources.
What’s Your Reality? Evaluating Sources and Addressing “Fake News”
Authors: Lindemann Danielle J.
Published: June 2020

It is important to know where the 2020 presidential candidates stand on today’s issues, but it’s also critical to know how they mobilize evidence to arrive at these opinions. What are their media diets? How do they decide what’s news? And how do they evaluate what news is true? What forms of expertise do they privilege in making decisions about reality? Sociologists, as experts ourselves, hold a particular stake in the answers to these questions. But when it comes to deciding what’s real, we also occupy a somewhat precarious position. We simultaneously privilege empiricism while recognizing the precarity and contingency of all knowledge.