bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Police ça Change? Cressida Dick, Institutional Racism and the Metropolitan Police
Authors: Akram Sadiya
Published: July 2022

This article considers the recent resignation of Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, and places this event within the context of ongoing attempts to address institutional racism in the police. The article argues that successive police commissioners have publicly supported tackling institutional racism while maintaining serious reservations about the concept and, in the case of Dick, ultimately rejecting it. It goes on to show that Dick's record on tackling institutional racism has been partial and contradictory, focussing on recruitment of ethnic minorities whilst simultaneously increasing use of stop and search tactics. Institutional racism, I argue, is a useful, but frequently misunderstood concept. Institutional reform, however, is possible if we recognise that everyday individuals actively create and maintain institutions, which is to be contrasted with the conventional approach to institutional reform where it is the institution that moulds or reforms the individual. As such, reforming the police requires starting at the bottom as well as the top.
Populism, Conservatism and the Politics of Parole in England and Wales
Authors: Annison Harry , Guiney Thomas
Published: July 2022

Reform of the parole system has emerged as the cause célèbre of a resurgent law and order politics. Successive governments have seized upon the symbolic power of parole to demonstrate ‘toughness’ with respect to violent and sexual offending, to express solidarity with the victims of crime and reaffirm a populist credo that purportedly stands in opposition to an unaccountable and out of touch penal elite. Published in March 2022, the Ministry of Justice Root and Branch Review of the Parole System represents a continuation of this well‐rehearsed political strategy, but arguably goes further than ever before in its willingness to dispense with established norms, rules and practices. This article surveys the contemporary politics of parole in England and Wales and reflects upon what these developments reveal about the shifting contours of a creeping authoritarian conservatism premised upon nostalgia, nationalism and the projection of a strong, centralised state.
Identification and antibiotic resistance of Cronobacter spp. isolated from dried edible mushrooms
Authors: Jiang Hua , Xiang Yue , He Xiaojuan , Li Chencheng , Lin Fuxing , Shao Jihong , Li Yuanhong
Published: July 2022

Cronobacter spp. is an important foodborne pathogen that can cause life‐threatening diseases in infants and immunocompromised adults. The present study was carried out to understand the prevalence and characterization of Cronobacter spp. in dried edible mushrooms in Jiangsu province, China. Cronobacter isolates were identified and genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST); the antimicrobial susceptibility of Cronobacter strains was determined by the disk diffusion method; the biofilm formation ability of Cronobacter spp. was assessed using the microtiter plate method. The overall prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in dried edible mushrooms was 14.8%, with the highest contamination rate of after 37.2% found in Auricularia auricular. The Cronobacter isolates were identified as C. sakazakii (n = 26), C. malonaticus (n = 2), C. dublinensis (n = 2) and C. turicensis (n = 1). The MLST scheme produced 20 sequence types (STs), two of which were newly identified. ST148 was the most prevalent ST (n = 5), followed by ST4 (n = 3), ST17 (n = 3), ST64 (n = 3), and ST540 (n = 2). One (3.2%) and 15 (48.4%) Cronobacter isolates were resistant to tetracycline and meropenem, respectively. In contrast, all of the tested isolates were susceptible to the remaining 14 antibiotics. Moreover, 20 (64.5%) Cronobacter isolates showed weak ability to produce biofilm, but no isolates showed strong or moderate biofilm‐forming ability.

Practical Application

Our findings revealed a high genetic diversity of Cronobacter spp. in dried edible mushrooms and provided new epidemiological evidence for the widespread existence of Cronobacter spp. in such products. The presence of Cronobacter spp. in dried edible mushrooms may pose potential risks to human health and enhancing the hygiene of such products are necessary to ensure food safety.
Modulation of yeast Erg1 expression and terbinafine susceptibility by iron bioavailability
Authors: Jordá Tania , Martínez‐Martín Ana , Martínez‐Pastor María Teresa , Puig Sergi
Published: July 2022

Ergosterol is a specific sterol component of yeast and fungal membranes. Its biosynthesis is one of the most effective targets for antifungal treatments. However, the emergent resistance to multiple sterol‐based antifungal drugs emphasizes the need for new therapeutic approaches. The allylamine terbinafine, which selectively inhibits squalene epoxidase Erg1 within the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, is mainly used to treat dermatomycoses, whereas its effectiveness in other fungal infections is limited. Given that ergosterol biosynthesis depends on iron as an essential cofactor, in this report, we used the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to investigate how iron bioavailability influences Erg1 expression and terbinafine susceptibility. We observed that both chemical and genetic depletion of iron decrease ERG1 expression, leading to an increase in terbinafine susceptibility. Deletion of either ROX1 transcriptional repressor or CTH1 and CTH2 post‐transcriptional repressors of ERG1 expression led to an increase in Erg1 protein levels and terbinafine resistance. On the contrary, overexpression of CTH2 led to the opposite effect, lowering Erg1 levels and increasing terbinafine susceptibility. Although strain‐specific particularities exist, opportunistic pathogenic strains of S. cerevisiae displayed a response similar to the laboratory strain. These data indicate that iron bioavailability and particular regulatory factors could be used to modulate susceptibility to terbinafine.
A consensus protocol for the recovery of mercury methylation genes from metagenomes
Authors: Capo Eric , Peterson Benjamin D. , Kim Minjae , Jones Daniel S. , Acinas Silvia G. , Amyot Marc , Bertilsson Stefan , Björn Erik , Buck Moritz , Cosio Claudia , Elias Dwayne A. , Gilmour Cynthia , Goñi‐Urriza Marisol , Gu Baohua , Lin Heyu , Liu Yu‐Rong , McMahon Katherine , Moreau John W. , Pinhassi Jarone , Podar Mircea , Puente‐Sánchez Fernando , Sánchez Pablo , Storck Veronika , Tada Yuya , Vigneron Adrien , Walsh David A. , Vandewalle‐Capo Marine , Bravo Andrea G. , Gionfriddo Caitlin M.
Published: July 2022

Mercury (Hg) methylation genes (hgcAB) mediate the formation of the toxic methylmercury and have been identified from diverse environments, including freshwater and marine ecosystems, Arctic permafrost, forest and paddy soils, coal‐ash amended sediments, chlor‐alkali plants discharges and geothermal springs. Here we present the first attempt at a standardized protocol for the detection, identification and quantification of hgc genes from metagenomes. Our Hg‐cycling microorganisms in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (Hg‐MATE) database, a catalogue of hgc genes, provides the most accurate information to date on the taxonomic identity and functional/metabolic attributes of microorganisms responsible for Hg methylation in the environment. Furthermore, we introduce “marky‐coco”, a ready‐to‐use bioinformatic pipeline based on de novo single‐metagenome assembly, for easy and accurate characterization of hgc genes from environmental samples. We compared the recovery of hgc genes from environmental metagenomes using the marky‐coco pipeline with an approach based on coassembly of multiple metagenomes. Our data show similar efficiency in both approaches for most environments except those with high diversity (i.e., paddy soils) for which a coassembly approach was preferred. Finally, we discuss the definition of true hgc genes and methods to normalize hgc gene counts from metagenomes.
Smartphone‐based interventions in bipolar disorder: Systematic review and meta‐analyses of efficacy. A position paper from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Big Data Task Force
Authors: Anmella Gerard , Faurholt‐Jepsen Maria , Hidalgo‐Mazzei Diego , Radua Joaquim , Passos Ives C. , Kapczinski Flavio , Minuzzi Luciano , Alda Martin , Meier Sandra , Hajek Tomas , Ballester Pedro , Birmaher Boris , Hafeman Danella , Goldstein Tina , Brietzke Elisa , Duffy Anne , Haarman Benno , López‐Jaramillo Carlos , Yatham Lakshmi N. , Lam Raymond W. , Isometsa Erkki , Mansur Rodrigo , McIntyre Roger S. , Mwangi Benson , Vieta Eduard , Kessing Lars Vedel
Published: July 2022

Background

The clinical effects of smartphone‐based interventions for bipolar disorder (BD) have yet to be established.

Objectives

To examine the efficacy of smartphone‐based interventions in BD and how the included studies reported user‐engagement indicators.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search on January 24, 2022, in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, APA PsycINFO, and Web of Science. We used random‐effects meta‐analysis to calculate the standardized difference (Hedges’ g) in pre‐post change scores between smartphone intervention and control conditions. The study was pre‐registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021226668).

Results

The literature search identified 6034 studies. Thirteen articles fulfilled the selection criteria. We included seven RCTs and performed meta‐analyses comparing the pre‐post change in depressive and (hypo)manic symptom severity, functioning, quality of life, and perceived stress between smartphone interventions and control conditions. There was significant heterogeneity among studies and no meta‐analysis reached statistical significance. Results were also inconclusive regarding affective relapses and psychiatric readmissions. All studies reported positive user‐engagement indicators.

Conclusion

We did not find evidence to support that smartphone interventions may reduce the severity of depressive or manic symptoms in BD. The high heterogeneity of studies supports the need for expert consensus to establish ideally how studies should be designed and the use of more sensitive outcomes, such as affective relapses and psychiatric hospitalizations, as well as the quantification of mood instability. The ISBD Big Data Task Force provides preliminary recommendations to reduce the heterogeneity and achieve more valid evidence in the field.
The ethical indefensibility of heartbeat bills
Authors: Shaw Joshua
Published: July 2022

Recently, several states in the United States have sought to adopt more restrictive abortion policies. Most have tried to enact “heartbeat bills” that prohibit most abortions once a fetal heartbeat becomes detectable. This article explores this question: Are heartbeat bills ethically defensible? I argue that they are not. There are at least four problems with them. First, heartbeat bills rely on a problematic understanding of human death. Second, they contradict and even undermine the leading arguments in ethics against abortion. Third, they are ambiguous not just in terms of when they judge fetal heartbeats to be detectable but also in what they deem to be heartbeats. Finally, there is a case to be made that heartbeat bills are disingenuous, both in their intentions and in their underlying motives.
FOXP4 inhibits squamous differentiation of atypical cells in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia via an ELF3‐dependent pathway
Authors: Matsumoto Takeo , Iizuka Takashi , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Suzuki Takuma , Yamamoto Megumi , Ono Masanori , Kagami Kyosuke , Kasama Haruki , Wakae Kousho , Muramatsu Masamichi , Horike Shin‐ichi , Kyo Satoru , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Mizumoto Yasunari , Daikoku Takiko , Fujiwara Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective for preventing cervical cancers, this vaccine does not eliminate pre‐existing infections, and alternative strategies have been warranted. Here, we report that FOXP4 is a new target molecule for differentiation therapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). An immunohistochemical study showed that FOXP4 was expressed in columnar epithelial, reserve, and immature squamous cells, but not in mature squamous cells of the normal uterine cervix. In contrast with normal mature squamous cells, FOXP4 was expressed in atypical squamous cells in CIN and squamous cell carcinoma lesions. The FOXP4‐positive areas significantly increased according to the CIN stages from CIN1 to CIN3. In monolayer cultures, downregulation of FOXP4 attenuated proliferation and induced squamous differentiation in CIN1‐derived HPV 16‐positive W12 cells via an ELF3‐dependent pathway. In organotypic raft cultures, FOXP4‐downregulated W12 cells showed mature squamous phenotypes of CIN lesions. In human keratinocyte‐derived HaCaT cells, FOXP4 downregulation also induced squamous differentiation via an ELF3‐dependent pathway. These findings suggest that downregulation of FOXP4 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes the differentiation of atypical cells in CIN lesions. Based on these results, we propose that FOXP4 is a novel target molecule for nonsurgical CIN treatment that inhibits CIN progression by inducing squamous differentiation.
In silico studies on recreational drugs: 3D quantitative structure activity relationship prediction of classified and de novo designer benzodiazepines
Authors: Catalani Valeria , Floresta Giuseppe , Botha Michelle , Corkery John Martin , Guirguis Amira , Vento Alessandro , Abbate Vincenzo , Schifano Fabrizio
Published: July 2022

Currently, increasing availability and popularity of designer benzodiazepines (DBZDs) constitutes a primary threat to public health. To assess this threat, the biological activity/potency of DBZDs was investigated using in silico studies. Specific Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models were developed in Forge™ for the prediction of biological activity (IC50) on the γ‐aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA‐AR) of previously identified classified and unclassified DBDZs. A set of new potential ligands resulting from scaffold hopping studies conducted with MOE® was also evaluated. Two generated QSAR models (i.e. 3D‐field QSAR and RVM) returned very good performance statistics (r2 = 0.98 [both] and q2 = 0.75 and 0.72, respectively). The DBZDs predicted to be the most active were flubrotizolam, clonazolam, pynazolam and flucotizolam, consistently with what reported in literature and/or drug discussion fora. The scaffold hopping studies strongly suggest that replacement of the pendant phenyl moiety with a five‐membered ring could increase biological activity and highlight the existence of a still unexplored chemical space for DBZDs. QSAR could be of use as a preliminary risk assessment model for (newly) identified DBZDs, as well as scaffold hopping for the creation of computational libraries that could be used by regulatory bodies as support tools for scheduling procedures.
Scientific contributions of citizen science applied to rare or threatened animals
Authors: Fontaine Amélie , Simard Anouk , Brunet Nicolas , Elliott Kyle H.
Published: July 2022

Citizen science is filling important monitoring gaps and thus contributing to the conservation of rare or threatened animals. However, most researchers have used peer‐reviewed publications to evaluate citizen science contributions. We quantified a larger spectrum of citizen science's contributions to the monitoring of rare or threatened animals, including contributions to the peer‐reviewed publications, gray literature and to conservation measures (i.e., actions taken as a direct result of citizen science monitoring). We sought to provide broad information on how results of studies of citizen science monitoring is used. We also evaluated factors associated with success of citizen science projects. We conducted a web search to find citizen science projects focusing on rare and threatened species and surveyed citizen science project managers about their contributions and factors influencing their success. The number of projects increased rapidly after 2010. Almost one‐half of the citizen science projects produced at least 1 peer‐reviewed publication, 64% produced at least 1 gray literature publication, and 64% resulted in at least 1 conservation measure. Conservation measures covered a wide range of actions, including management and mitigation plans, modification of threat status, identification and establishment of protected areas, habitat restoration, control of invasive species, captive breeding programs, and awareness campaigns. Longevity, data quality, and collaboration type best explained quantities of all types of scientific contributions of citizen science. We found that citizen science contributed substantially to knowledge advancement and conservation, especially when programs were long term and had rigorous data collection and management standards, and multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaborations.
The extent of crop damage by elephants: Does the distance from the protected area matter?
Authors: Eustace Abraham , Chambi Diana , Emmanuel Gideon , Saigilu Meshack
Published: July 2022

Studies on human–elephant conflicts have been conducted extensively in Africa and Asia. However, few of them have attempted to assess the variation in the area destroyed by elephants (Loxodonta africana) per farm with respect to their distance from protected area and the crops being grown. Thus, we assessed the area destroyed by elephants per farm and how that area varies according to both distance from protected area and crop type in four villages adjacent to the Kijereshi Game Reserve in the Busega district, Tanzania. We obtained data on crop damage caused by elephants from the Busega District Council and used a generalized linear model with inverse gamma distribution for analysis. For three villages, the crop area damaged by elephants decreased with increase in distance from protected area boundary while for one village where beehive fencing has been installed it was the opposite. Furthermore, we found that the area destroyed by elephants per farm varies per crops grown, with farms growing green gram and cotton being destroyed to a greater extent than farms growing other crops. Our findings suggest that apart from applying human–elephant conflict mitigations, local inhabitants should avoid cultivating crops in locations close to protected areas.
Endoscopic removal of two intertwined esophageal stents from the stomach
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Okamoto Takeshi , Yoshio Toshiyuki
Published: July 2022

Watch a video of this article.
Measurement of the anchoring force of covered self‐expandable and lumen‐apposing metal stents for interventional endoscopic ultrasonography
Authors: Takasaki Yusuke , Isayama Hiroyuki , Shin Kyoung Sub , Ishii Shigeto , Fujisawa Toshio , Moon Jong Pil , Fukuma Taito , Ushio Mako , Takahashi Sho , Suzuki Akinori , Ito Koichi , Tomishima Ko
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Interventional endoscopic ultrasonography is performed for various situations that require drainage, after which stent migration is the most severe adverse event. Several lumen‐apposing metal stents (LAMS) and covered self‐expandable metal stents (CSEMS) provide antimigration systems; however, their anchoring ability has not been studied well. Therefore, we measured and compared the anchoring force (ACF) of commercially available LAMS and CSEMS.

Methods

Anchoring force was measured for five types of LAMS (NAGI, SPAXUS, Plumber, and AXIOS 8 and 10 mm) and seven types of CSEMS (BCL, SHCL, BCG, BPD [four types of HANAROSTENT], HILZO, Niti‐S [Spring Stopper], and Wallflex). We created a phantom model for inducing stent migration. It has a rotatable part as a curved fixture, and we measured ACF at angles between 0° and 40°.

Results

The mean ACF at 0° and 20° were NAGI 1.50, 1.84 N, SPAXUS 1.73, 1.72 N, Plumber 2.64, 2.03 N, and AXIOS 3.96, 3.61 N, respectively; and BCL 0.48, 0.53 N, Wallflex 0.53, 0.48 N, SHCL 0.64, 0.73 N, HILZO 1.09, 1.09 N, BCG 1.22, 1.20 N, BPD 1.78, 1.67 N, and Spring Stopper 2.29, 2.51 N.

Conclusion

We measured ACF in LAMS and CSEMS with a new phantom model. The highest value among the LAMS was for the AXIOS and among the CSEMS was for the Spring Stopper. Some of the ACF values varied with the direction of pull. These findings may have a significant impact on stent selection for interventional endoscopic ultrasonography, and this model can be used to evaluate newly developed stents.
Outcome of Guillain–Barré syndrome following intravenous immunoglobulin compared to natural course
Authors: Kalita Jayantee , Misra Usha K. , Chaudhary Sarvesh K. , Das Moromi , Mishra Anadi , Ranjan Abhay , Kumar Mritunjai
Published: July 2022

Background and purpose

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is recommended in Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), but its efficacy may vary in different subtypes. We report the outcomes of patients with GBS following IVIg treatment compared to the natural course (NC). We also compare the effect of IVIg treatment in different subtypes of GBS.

Methods

From a cohort of 528 GBS subjects, we have extracted 189 patients who received IVIg and compared their outcomes with 199 age‐ and peak disability‐matched patients who did not receive IVIg, plasmapheresis, or corticosteroid. Disability was assessed using the 0–6 Guillain–Barré Syndrome Disability Scale (GBSDS). Clinical and neurophysiological subtypes were recorded. The primary outcome was functional disability at 6 months, which was categorized as complete (GBSDS ≤ 1), partial (GBSDS 2–3), or poor (GBSDS > 3). The secondary outcomes were in‐hospital death, duration of hospitalization, and mechanical ventilation.

Results

In‐hospital death (2.6% vs. 2%, p = 0.74) and 3‐month poor recovery (20.7% vs. 18%) were similar in the IVIg and NC groups. At 6 months, however, a lesser proportion of patients in the IVIg group had poor recovery (2.2% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.026). The outcomes of IVIg and NC were compared in 72 acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and 256 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) patients. IVIg therapy did not alter the outcome in AMAN but resulted in a lesser proportion of poor recovery at 6 months in AIDP (0.8% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

IVIg is beneficial in AIDP variants of GBS but not in the AMAN subtype. A customized treatment may be cost‐effective until a randomized controlled trial is conducted in AMAN.
Pellicle modification with natural bioproducts: Influence on tooth color under erosive conditions
Authors: Mailart Mariane Cintra , Berli Pavel Claudio , Borges Alessandra Bühler , Yilmaz Burak , Baumann Tommy , Carvalho Thiago Saads
Published: July 2022

Salivary pellicle was modified with bioproducts and we assessed the change in tooth color and the protection of enamel to erosion. Human enamel specimens were assigned to one of three solutions: grape seed extract or black tea (bioproducts), or deionized water (negative control); after which one half the specimens underwent erosive challenges. The specimens underwent 15 cycles involving salivary pellicle formation (10 min, 37°C), incubation in solution (2 min, 25°C), subsequent pellicle formation (90 min, 37°C). Half of the specimens was kept in a humid chamber and the other half was submitted to erosion (2 min, 1% citric acid). After 15 such cycles, the pellicle was removed. Tooth color and the surface reflection intensity were assessed after every five cycles and after pellicle removal. For non‐eroded specimens, the exposure to bioproducts promoted significantly greater color change than the deionized water, with increases in yellow appearance. After pellicle removal, the color was similar in all non‐eroded specimens. The bioproducts increased the surface reflection intensity over cycles. For the erosion‐exposed specimens, erosion itself resulted in color change. Black tea and deionized water resulted in increased yellow appearance. Exposure to the bioproducts resulted in higher relative surface reflection intensity values over time, but only grape seed extract resulted in higher relative surface reflection intensity value at the time of pellicle removal. The bioproducts caused transient staining effect, which was reduced after pellicle removal. For enamel submitted to erosion, grape seed extract resulted in less color change and better protection of enamel against erosion than black tea or water.
Considerations for determining the efficacy of new antiseizure medications in children age 1 month to younger than 2 years
Authors: French Jacqueline A. , Cleary Elena , Dlugos Dennis , Farfel Gail , Farrell Kathleen , Gidal Barry , Grzeskowiak Caitlin L. , Gurrell Rachel , Harden Cynthia , Stalvey Tracy J. , Tsai Julia , Wirrell Elaine C. , Blum David , Fountain Nathan
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Drug treatment for children with epilepsy should, ideally, be governed by evidence from adequate and well‐controlled clinical studies. However, these studies are difficult to conduct, and so direct evidence supporting the informed use of specific drugs is often lacking. The Research Roundtable for Epilepsy (RRE) met in 2020 to align on an approach to therapy development for focal seizures in children age 1 month <2 years of age.

Methods

The RRE reviewed the regulatory landscape, epidemiology, seizure semiology, antiseizure medicine pharmacology, and safety issues applicable to this population.

Results

After reviewing evidence, the conclusion was that pediatric efficacy trials would be impracticable to conduct but a waiver of the regulatory requirement to conduct any study would lead to an absence of information to guide dosing in a critical population. Review of available data and discussion of RRE attendees led to the conclusion that the requirements for extrapolation of efficacy from older children down to infants from age 1 month to <2 years old appeared to be met. After the RRE, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved brivaracetam for use in children with focal epilepsy above the age of 1 month in August 2021 and lacosamide in October 2021, both based on the principle of extrapolation from data in older children.

Significance

These recommendations should result in more rapid accessibility of antiseizure medications for infants.
Transient creep‐fatigue crack growth in creep‐brittle materials: Application to Alloy 718
Authors: Pribe Joshua D. , Ostergaard Halsey E. , Siegmund Thomas , Kruzic Jamie J.
Published: July 2022

This study presents incremental finite element computations of creep‐fatigue crack growth in Alloy 718 at
in air. Alloy 718 is representative of creep‐brittle materials, in which viscoplastic deformation is restricted near the tip of a growing crack. The computations predict crack growth using a unique combination of an irreversible cohesive zone formulation and a strain gradient viscoplastic material model based on the Kocks–Mecking formulation. Cohesive zone damage parameters are estimated using sustained loading and constant‐amplitude cyclic loading experiments. Computations of crack extension under three different waveforms containing overloads all predict post‐overload retardation. The amount of retardation depends strongly on the overload ratio, consistent with experiments in the literature using similar waveforms. Analysis of the crack‐tip fields demonstrates retardation is associated with unloading in the highly deformed material near the advancing crack tip. Dynamic recovery and geometrically necessary dislocations are shown to significantly influence post‐overload crack extension.
Optimal growth temperature of Arctic soil bacterial communities increases under experimental warming
Authors: Rijkers Ruud , Rousk Johannes , Aerts Rien , Sigurdsson Bjarni D. , Weedon James T.
Published: July 2022

Future climate warming in the Arctic will likely increase the vulnerability of soil carbon stocks to microbial decomposition. However, it remains uncertain to what extent decomposition rates will change in a warmer Arctic, because extended soil warming could induce temperature adaptation of bacterial communities. Here we show that experimental warming induces shifts in the temperature–growth relationships of bacterial communities, which is driven by community turnover and is common across a diverse set of 8 (sub) Arctic soils. The optimal growth temperature (Topt) of the soil bacterial communities increased 0.27 ± 0.039 (SE) and 0.07 ± 0.028°C per °C of warming over a 0–30°C gradient, depending on the sampling moment. We identify a potential role for substrate depletion and time‐lag effects as drivers of temperature adaption in soil bacterial communities, which possibly explain discrepancies between earlier incubation and field studies. The changes in Topt were accompanied by species‐level shifts in bacterial community composition, which were mostly soil specific. Despite the clear physiological responses to warming, there was no evidence for a common set of temperature‐responsive bacterial amplicon sequence variants. This implies that community composition data without accompanying physiological measurements may have limited utility for the identification of (potential) temperature adaption of soil bacterial communities in the Arctic. Since bacterial communities in Arctic soils are likely to adapt to increasing soil temperature under future climate change, this adaptation to higher temperature should be implemented in soil organic carbon modeling for accurate predictions of the dynamics of Arctic soil carbon stocks.
Documentation and Prediction of Increasing Groundwater Chloride in the Twin Cities, Minnesota
Authors: McDaris John R. , Feinberg Joshua M. , Runkel Anthony C. , Levine Jonathan , Kasahara Sophie , Alexander E. Calvin
Published: July 2022

We provide a comprehensive overview of historic chloride concentrations in the groundwater of the Twin Cities metropolitan area (TCMA) in Minnesota, in order to define the extent of chloride contamination, due primarily to the seasonal application of deicing salt to roadways. Data collected from 1278 wells between 1965 and 2020 are representative of the major aquifers underlying the TCMA and establish a regional natural background chloride concentration of less than 10 mg/L. However, 55% of all measurements (1616 of 2943) are above 10 mg/L, with the highest concentrations found within the uppermost Quaternary aquifers. Chloride concentrations in underlying bedrock aquifers are negatively correlated with the thickness and clay composition of overlying materials. Most chloride measurements (92%) remain below chronic exposure limits set by state and federal authorities. Historical trends indicate that, if the current imbalance between chloride inputs and outflows persists, chloride concentrations in TCMA aquifers will surpass regulatory thresholds by midcentury as surface waters and Quaternary aquifer waters migrate into underlying bedrock aquifers. Most wells in this study are monitored annually, making it impossible to detect important sub‐annual fluctuations of chloride concentration that can exceed 40%.
Mapping frailty in people living with HIV: A nationwide study in Greece
Authors: Tsakona Dimitra , Kapetanakis Anargyros , Kyrou Dimitrios , Vrontaras Nikolaos , Xochelli Aliki , Metallidis Simeon , Tsachouridou Olga , Chini Maria , Meliou Maria , Psichogiou Mina , Basoulis Dimitrios , Antoniadou Anastasia , Protopapas Konstantinos , Panagopoulos Periklis , Petrakis Vasilis , Gogos Charalambos , Leonidou Leonidia , Karamanidou Christina
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Frailty is known to affect people living with HIV prematurely, compared to the ageing seronegative population. In this cross‐sectional study, we aimed to assess frailty prevalence in people living with HIV in Greece and find associations of frailty criteria with clinical data.

Methods

Demographic and clinical data were collected from 477 participants in six HIV clinics. Fried's frailty phenotype was used to assess frailty prevalence, and participants were classified as frail, pre‐frail or robust. Associations of several factors with overall frailty phenotype, as well as with frailty criteria, were explored.

Results

The median age was 43 years old (IQR = 51.5) and 444/477 (93%) were men. Most of the participants (429/477, 93.5%) had an undetectable HIV viral load, and a CD4 cell count over 500 cells/μl (366/477, 76.7%). Frailty assessment classified 285/477 (62.1%) as robust, 155/477 (33.8%) as pre‐frail and 19/477 (4.1%) as frail. Weakness in grip strength was the most prevalent criterion (128/477, 26.8%), followed by exhaustion (46/477, 9.6%). Lower CD4 cell count, history of AIDS diagnosis, CNS disorders, psychiatric diagnoses, and polypharmacy were strongly associated with frailty.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of frailty in people living with HIV in Greece is uncommon, when combined with pre‐frailty over a third of people are affected, which requires attention in clinical practice. The physical and psychological aspects of frailty highlight the need for a holistic approach to prevent or counteract it. The diverse associations of frailty criteria with HIV‐related and non‐HIV‐related factors suggest a possible variation in people's different healthcare needs.
Development of innovative clean label emulsions stabilized by vegetable proteins
Authors: Cabrita Marta , Simões Sara , Álvarez‐Castillo Estefanía , Castelo‐Branco Diogo , Tasso Ana , Figueira Diogo , Guerrero Antonio , Raymundo Anabela
Published: July 2022

The consumer's perception that food is one of the main determining factors for health increases the demand for foods in line with this trend. The food industry is researching new ingredients, formulations, and technologies aiming to respond to this demand. Namely, product formulations are increasingly less complex, with fewer additives, and manufactured with commonly known ingredients, leading to the concept of clean label products. The present work aimed to develop a vegan and clean label mayonnaise by replacing egg yolk with vegetable protein, obtaining a product aligned with current food trends. Emulsions with 1.5% (w/w) powdered aquafaba, green pea, lupin, and faba bean proteins were prepared and compared to the commercial standard Mendes Gonçalves' mayonnaise. Texture (TPA) and rheology (SAOS) measurements showed that emulsions with lupin and faba bean protein had significant differences (P < 0.05) from the standard. Thus, these two proteins were assessed in a mixed system using different proportions – total protein content of 1.5% (w/w). Additionally, lupin protein showed a significant impact on mayonnaise structure and consistency. Backscattering and droplet size distribution measurements indicated that, except for faba bean, all the emulsions studied are stable and have a high potential for scale‐up.
The effect of subcritical water treatment on the physicochemical properties and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides
Authors: Zhang Mengqing , Zhang Zhenna , Guo Lichun , Zhao Wei
Published: July 2022

In order to make full use of Sargassum fusiforme (S. fusiforme), subcritical water treatment, an environmentally friendly method, was used to degrade polysaccharides to enhance their functional activity. Results revealed that average molecular weight decreased with increasing subcritical water treatment time or temperature. The depolymerisation kinetic was found to follow a first‐order kinetics model fitted to 1/Mt – 1/M0 = k • t. Structural characterisation exhibited that subcritical water treatment changed the molar ratio composition of monosaccharides, while the main functional groups of S. fusiforme polysaccharides did not change significantly. Rheological characterisation demonstrated that the three degraded polysaccharides displayed shear‐thinning behaviour and viscoelasticity. Except for natural polysaccharides, the α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of the three degraded polysaccharides was superior to that of acarbose. Consequently, this study can provide scientific evidence for subcritical water treatment as a green and efficient method to prepare bioactive polysaccharides with low molecular weight.
Facilitators and barriers in implementing the nurse practitioner role in Japan: A cross‐sectional descriptive study
Authors: Suzuki Miho , Harada Nahoko , Honda Kazuya , Koda Masahide , Araki Tomoko , Kudo Takemi , Watanabe Takao
Published: July 2022

Aim

To investigate the distribution of nurse practitioners (NPs) across Japan and their perceived facilitators and barriers to NP implementation in Japan.

Background

NP certification examinations have been conducted in Japan since 2011, and by 2020, there were 487 NPs in the country. The momentum of NP implementation is slower in Japan compared with other countries.

Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive study, following the STROBE guidelines, was conducted. Web‐based survey questionnaires, developed by the authors, were administered to 248 NPs whose email addresses were maintained by the certification management body.

Results

Valid responses were obtained from 101 NPs (response rate: 40.7%), of which 34% were male. The respondents had more than 12 years of registered nurse experience on an average before enrolling in the graduate NP program. 53% were employed as NPs from the beginning, while 25% were initially employed as registered nurses and later advanced to NPs, and 11% still worked as RNs. A majority worked in hospitals with beds. Many NPs perceived the lack of NP national licensure and reimbursement benefits as barriers to NP implementation, whereas recognition from superiors and organizations was considered facilitators.

Conclusions

Despite their small numbers in Japan, NPs take on crucial tasks and contribute to the appropriate distribution of medical resources. The NP licensure system and recognition from superiors and organizations may be necessary to promote NP roles in Japan.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Some certified NPs still work as registered nurses. Recognition from nursing and organization administrators is critical to implementing NPs. To this end, a reimbursement system benefiting the organizations and a legislation facilitating NP employment are required.
Analyzing anchoring bias in attribute weight elicitation of SMART, Swing, and best‐worst method
Authors: Rezaei Jafar , Arab Alireza , Mehregan Mohammadreza
Published: July 2022

In this study, the existence of anchoring bias—people's tendency to rely on, evaluate, and decide based on the first piece of information they receive—is examined in two multi‐attribute decision‐making (MADM) methods, simple multi‐attribute rating technique (SMART), and Swing. Data were collected from university students for a transportation mode selection. Data analysis revealed that the two methods, which have different starting points, display different degrees of anchoring bias. Statistical analyses of the weights obtained from the two methods show that, compared to Swing (with a high anchor), SMART (with a low anchor) produces lower weights for the least important attributes, while for the most important attributes, the opposite is true. Despite their differences in anchoring bias, analytical approaches supported by empirical studies suggest that both methods (SMART and Swing) overweigh the less important attributes and underweigh the more important attributes. As such, we examined whether the best‐worst method (BWM), which has two opposite anchors in its procedure (a possible promising anchoring debiasing strategy), could produce results that are less prone to anchoring bias. Our findings show that the BWM is indeed able to produce lower weights (compared to SMART and Swing) for the less important attributes and higher weights for the more important attributes. This study shows the vulnerability of MADM methods with a single anchor and supports the idea that MADM methods with multiple (opposite) anchors, like BWM, are less prone to anchoring bias.
Centralized resource allocation and target setting of a two‐stage production process using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Yang Fu‐Chiang
Published: July 2022

Centralized resource allocation and target setting (CRATS) refers to a process in which top management has the power and responsibility to allocate limited input resources and to arrange expected output targets among its own decision‐making units (DMUs). Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been widely used to investigate the CRATS issues by considering the production process of DMUs as a single‐stage structure, namely, a black box. This study proposes a novel centralized two‐stage network DEA because the DMUs with a two‐stage production process are a common phenomenon in real‐world cases. The proposed model is applied to determine the optimal CRATS plan for an empirical case, where 27 retailers belong to an automobile parts supplier in Taiwan.
Resilience of the Silo Organizational Structure in the European Commission
Authors: Chatzopoulou Sevasti
Published: July 2022

This article investigates whether the organizational reforms that President Jean‐Claude Juncker introduced strengthened the Commission's political role, enhanced co‐ordination among Directorates General and affected the policy governance with respect to the circular economy. Drawing on organizational theory, the article demonstrates how Juncker's reforms empowered the Commission's leadership by centralization of powers and close monitoring of DGs' work. The inter‐institutional interactions among the DGs formally increased, especially with respect to information clarification and the allocation of competences and resources. However, the top‐down reforms undermined the DGs' and the services' entrepreneurial role in policy governance and innovation. In response, the individual DGs demonstrated resistance and resilience to these reforms. The article attributes this resistance and resilience to the DG's distinctive administrative capacity, practices, culture and the ‘logic of portfolio’, that reinvigorated the silo structure in the Commission and intensified inter‐DG competition.
Integrated guidance to enhance the care of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia: Practical advice for the community clinician
Authors: Horton Ari E , Martin Andrew C , Srinivasan Shubha , Justo Robert N , Poplawski Nicola K , Sullivan David , Brett Tom , Chow Clara K , Nicholls Stephen J , Pang Jing , Watts Gerald F ,   FH Australasia Network Consensus Working Group
Published: July 2022

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a highly penetrant monogenic disorder present from birth that markedly elevates plasma low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentration and, if untreated, leads to premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). At a prevalence of 1:250 individuals, with over 90% undiagnosed, recent estimates suggest that there are approximately 22 000 children and adolescents with FH in Australia and New Zealand. However, the overwhelming majority remain undetected and inadequately treated until adulthood or after their first cardiac event. The guidance in this paper aims to increase awareness about paediatric FH and provide practical advice for the diagnosis and management of FH in children and adolescents. Recommendations are given on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of FH in children and adolescents. Recommendations are also made on genetic testing, including counselling and the potential for universal screening programmes. Practical guidance on management includes treatment of non‐cholesterol risk factors, and safe and appropriate use of LDL‐C lowering therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors and lipoprotein apheresis. Models of care for FH need to be adapted to local and regional health care needs and available resources. Targeting the detection of FH as a priority in children and young adults has the potential to alter the natural history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and recognise the promise of early detection for improving long‐term health outcomes. A comprehensive implementation strategy, informed by further research, including assessments of cost–benefit, will be required to ensure that this new guidance benefits all families with or at risk of FH.
Long‐term neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with intraventricular haemorrhage
Authors: Legge Nele , Lutz Tracey , Wocadlo Crista , Rieger Ingrid
Published: July 2022

Background

Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is one of the key risks for long‐term neurodevelopmental issues. There remains controversy over the impact low‐grade IVH has on the long‐term outcome of premature infants. This study describes the long‐term neurodevelopmental impact of Grade I and II IVH in former preterm infants in the early school years.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort analysis from one tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Australia including all infants born at <30 weeks' gestation and admitted to the NICU between 2006 and 2013 with complete ultrasound reports and follow‐up results. Results of standardised tests for neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5 and 8 years were compared between infants who suffered mild IVH and infants who had normal head ultrasounds.

Results

During the study period, 491 infants <30 weeks gestation were admitted; 275 patients had full follow‐up data available. We found no significant difference in examined outcomes at 5‐ and 8‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

Mild IVH does not affect cognitive, motor and academic outcomes at school age.
Measurement Invariance of Working Memory Factors Across Younger and Older Adults1,2,3
Authors: Otsuka Kazunori , Miyatani Makoto
Published: July 2022

Whether the indices of working memory present the same constructs in the same way across age groups is a fundamentally important consideration when examining developmental changes in working memory. This study examined the invariance of working memory factors across age groups. Older adults (n = 141) and younger adults (n = 141) completed inference tasks and complex span tasks of three types (operation, reading, and symmetry). The multiple‐group confirmatory factor analysis extracted four factors (Recall, Processing Accuracy, Processing Time, and general Fluid intelligence), as in earlier research, and revealed configural invariance across the age groups. However, the Processing Time factor showed different inter‐factor correlations between younger and older adults. Results suggest that Processing Time played different roles in younger and older adults. The functional differences of the Processing Time factor in working memory across cognitive aging are discussed.
Further Evidence for the Role of Felt Understanding in Intergroup Relations: Japanese and Chinese Relations in Japan1
Authors: Ioku Tomohiro , Watamura Eiichiro
Published: July 2022

Felt understanding in intergroup context is the belief that members of an outgroup understand and accept ingroup members' perspectives. A series of studies in Europe recently conducted by Andrew Livingstone and colleagues showed the unique effect of felt understanding in intergroup relations. The effects were apparent even when controlling for outgroup beliefs and metabeliefs. The present article reports a cross‐cultural replication of those findings for Japanese and Chinese relations in Japan. Consistent with the results of Livingstone and colleagues, felt understanding uniquely predicted intergroup outcomes (e.g., action intentions, outgroup trust, and intergroup orientation). The effects remained significant after adjusting for multiplicity with multiple variables. However, there were two differences. Felt understanding did not predict (a) negative approach intentions or (b) institutional trust.