bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
B‐cell intrinsic and extrinsic signals that regulate central tolerance of mouse and human B cells*
Authors: Pelanda Roberta , Greaves Sarah A. , Alves da Costa Thiago , Cedrone Lena M. , Campbell Margaret L. , Torres Raul M.
Published: January 2022

The random recombination of immunoglobulin V(D)J gene segments produces unique IgM antibodies that serve as the antigen receptor for each developing B cell. Hence, the newly formed B cell repertoire is comprised of a variety of specificities that display a range of reactivity with self‐antigens. Newly generated IgM+ immature B cells that are non‐autoreactive or that bind self‐antigen with low avidity are licensed to leave the bone marrow with their intact antigen receptor and to travel via the blood to the peripheral lymphoid tissue for further selection and maturation. In contrast, clones with medium to high avidity for self‐antigen remain within the marrow and undergo central tolerance, a process that revises their antigen receptor or eliminates the autoreactive B cell altogether. Thus, central B cell tolerance is critical for reducing the autoreactive capacity and avidity for self‐antigen of our circulating B cell repertoire. Bone marrow cultures and mouse models have been instrumental for understanding the mechanisms that regulate the selection of bone marrow B cells. Here, we review recent studies that have shed new light on the contribution of the ERK, PI3K, and CXCR4 signaling pathways in the selection of mouse and human immature B cells that either bind or do not bind self‐antigen.
Talker variability shapes early word representations in English‐learning 8‐month‐olds
Authors: Bulgarelli Federica , Bergelson Elika
Published: January 2022

Infants must form appropriately specific representations of how words sound and what they mean. Previous research suggests that while 8‐month‐olds are learning words, they struggle with recognizing different‐sounding instances of words (e.g., from new talkers) and with rejecting incorrect pronunciations. We asked how adding talker variability during learning may change infants’ ability to learn and recognize words. Monolingual English‐learning 7‐ to 9‐month‐olds heard a single novel word paired with an object in either a “no variability,” “within‐talker variability,” or “between‐talker variability” habituation. We then tested whether infants formed appropriately specific representations by changing the talker (Experiment 1a) or mispronouncing the word (Experiment 2) and by changing the trained word or object altogether (both experiments). Talker variability influenced learning. Infants trained with no‐talker variability learned the word‐object link, but failed to recognize the word trained by a new talker, and were insensitive to the mispronunciation. Infants trained with talker variability dishabituated only to the new object, exhibiting difficulty forming the word‐object link. Neither pattern is adult‐like. Results are reported for both in‐lab and Zoom participants. Implications for the role of talker variability in early word learning are discussed.
Epidemiological evaluation of the outcomes of initial root canal therapy in permanent teeth of a publicly insured paediatric population
Authors: Burns Lorel E. , Terlizzi Kelly , Solis‐Roman Claudia , Wu Yinxiang , Sigurdsson Asgeir , Gold Heather T.
Published: January 2022

Background

Previously published epidemiological outcome studies of nonsurgical root canal therapy (NSRCT) in the United States utilize data only from a single, private dental insurer for adult populations.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of initial NSRCT, performed on permanent teeth, in a publicly insured paediatric population.

Design

New York State Medicaid administrative claims were used to follow 77 741 endodontic procedures in 51 545 patients aged 6–18, from the time of initial NSRCT until the occurrence of an untoward event (retreatment, apicoectomy, and extraction). The initial treatment and untoward events were identified by Current Dental Terminology codes. The Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were calculated at 1, 3, and 5 years. Hazard ratios for time to permanent restoration and restoration type were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 44 months [range: 12–158 months]. Procedural, NSRCT, survival was 98% at 1 year, 93% at 3 years, and 88% at 5 years. Extraction was the most common untoward event. Teeth permanently restored with cuspal coverage had the most favorable treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

Overall, 89% of teeth were retained and remained functional over a minimum follow‐up time of 5 years. These results elucidate the expected outcomes of NSRCT in permanent teeth for paediatric patients with public‐payer dental benefits.
The role of non‐pharmaceutical interventions on influenza circulation during the COVID‐19 pandemic in nine tropical Asian countries
Authors: Davis William W. , Mott Joshua A. , Olsen Sonja J.
Published: January 2022

Background

Low global influenza circulation was reported during the coronavirus‐19 pandemic. We explored relationships between non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and influenza in tropical Asian countries.

Methods

Using World Health Organization (WHO) surveillance data from 2015 to 2019 and the WHO shiny app, we constructed expected seasonal influenza epidemic curves from March 2020 to June 2021 and compared the timing, and average percent positivity with observed data. We used multivariate regression to test associations between ordinal NPI data (from the Oxford Stringency Index) 4 weeks before the expected 2020/21 epidemics and present adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) or relative proportion ratio (RPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Data from nine countries predicted 18 seasonal epidemics; seven were observed. Five started 6–24 weeks later, and all were 4–21 weeks shorter than expected. Five epidemics had lower maximum peak values (percent positivity), and all but one had lower average percent positivity than expected. All countries implemented NPIs. Each increased level of school closure reduced risk of an epidemic by 43% (IRR = 0.57, CI: 0.34, 0.95). Each increased level of canceling public events reduced the average percent positivity across the season by 44% (RPR = 0.56, CI: 0.39, 0.82) and each increased level in restricting internal movements reduced it by 41% (RPR = 0.59, CI: 0.36, 0.96). Other NPIs were not associated with changes.

Conclusions

Among nine countries, the 2020/21 seasonal epidemics were delayed, shorter, and less intense than expected. Although layered NPIs were difficult to tease apart, school closings, canceling public events, and restricting internal movements before influenza circulation seemed to reduce transmission.
Photodarkening mechanisms of Pr3+ singly doped and Pr3+/Ce3+ co‐doped silicate glasses and fibers
Authors: Sun Yan , Ma Juping , Shao Chongyun , Wang Xin , Yu Fei , Liao Meisong , Hu Lili , Knight Jonathan
Published: January 2022

In this work, we revealed the possible mechanisms of the photodarkening in Pr3+ ions singly doped and Pr3+/Ce3+ co‐doped silicate glasses and fibers induced by X‐ray and 488‐nm laser radiations and studied the role of Ce3+ in increasing radiation resistance in Pr3+‐doped silicate glasses and fibers. The absorption, emission, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), radiation induced attenuation spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of Pr3+ singly doped and Pr3+/Ce3+ co‐doped silicate glasses before and after X‐ray radiation were measured and analyzed. The fluorescence intensity and photoinduced attenuation of Pr3+ singly doped and Pr3+/Ce3+ co‐doped silicate fibers at visible wavelengths pumped by 488‐nm laser were measured and analyzed. The influence of Ce3+ ions co‐doping on the spectroscopic properties of Pr3+ ions as well as the radiation‐induced defects in silicate glasses was studied. Results demonstrate that both X‐ray and 488‐nm laser radiations will induce photodamage in Pr3+ ions‐doped silicate glasses and fibers. Co‐doping Ce3+ (by up to 1 mol%) is efficient to suppress the darkening induced by both X‐ray and 488‐nm laser radiations without influence on the luminescence behavior of Pr3+ ions in silicate glasses and fibers. Our studies demonstrate the promising potential of Pr3+/Ce3+ co‐doped silicate glasses for visible lasing applications.
Nurse managers’ support of fundamental care in the hospital setting. An interpretive description of nurse managers’ experiences across Australia, Denmark, and New Zealand
Authors: Mudd Alexandra , Feo Rebecca , Voldbjerg Siri L. , Laugesen Britt , Kitson Alison , Conroy Tiffany
Published: January 2022

Aims

To explore the role of ward‐based nurse managers in supporting nurses to undertake high‐quality fundamental care.

Design

A qualitative study guided by the principles of interpretive description. Reported in accordance with Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Methods

Nurse managers in three urban, publicly funded hospitals in Australia, Denmark and New Zealand, were invited to participate in group interviews to discuss how they support fundamental care in their clinical areas. Six group interviews were conducted between February 2017 and March 2020 involving 31 participants.

Results

Six interrelated themes were identified:

Difficulty expressing how to support the nurse—patient relationship;

Establishing expectations for care delivery without clear strategies for how this can be achieved;

Role modelling desired behaviours;

Significance of being present to support care quality;

The importance of engaging and supporting staff in their work; and

Recognizing the challenges of prioritizing care needs.

Conclusion

This study indicates that nurse managers are not universally clear in explaining how they support their staff to provide fundamental care. If fundamental care is not clearly understood and communicated in the nursing team, then there are risks that fundamental care will not be prioritized, with potential negative consequences for patient care. Nurse managers may benefit from additional resources and guidance to help them to support fundamental care delivery in their clinical areas.

Impact

Previous research exploring fundamental care and missed care highlights the importance of the role of the nurse manager in influencing nursing care. This study demonstrates that though nurse managers have a passion for supporting their staff to deliver fundamental care, clear strategies to achieve this are not always evident. This study suggests that scholarship around leadership to promote and facilitate fundamental care is crucial to improving nursing practice and patient outcomes.
Evaluation of six methods for external attachment of electronic tags to fish: assessment of tag retention, growth and fish welfare
Authors: Runde Brendan J. , Buckel Jeffrey A. , Bacheler Nathan M. , Tharp Ryan M. , Rudershausen Paul J. , Harms Craig A. , Ben‐Horin Tal
Published: January 2022

External attachment of electronic tags has been increasingly used in fish studies. Many researchers have used ad hoc attachment methods and provided little or no validation for the assumption that tagging itself does not bias animal behaviour or survival. The authors compared six previously published methods for externally attaching acoustic transmitters to fish in a tank holding experiment with black sea bass Centropristis striata (L.). They tracked tag retention, fish growth and external trauma (as a measure of fish welfare) for 60 days. For each of these metrics, the results showed a wide range of responses among tagging treatments. A simple attachment method using a spaghetti tag passed through the dorsal musculature of the fish and tied to the end cap of the transmitter emerged as the preferred option based on high retention, no impact on growth and relatively low detriment to fish welfare. Future field studies using external electronic tagging should consider tag‐related effects that could compromise results when selecting a method for tag attachment.
Comment on: The underappreciated success of home‐based primary care: Next steps for CMS' Independence at Home
Authors: Kimmey Laura , Cheh Valerie
Published: January 2022

See the Reply by Leff et al.
Material system analysis: Characterization of flows, stocks, and performance indicators of manganese, nickel, and natural graphite in the EU, 2012–2016
Authors: Ciacci Luca , de Matos Cristina T. , Reck Barbara K. , Wittmer Dominic , Bernardi Elena , Mathieux Fabrice , Passarini Fabrizio
Published: January 2022

Raw materials form an industrial base to provide the wide range of products and services demanded by industry and society. In particular, manganese, nickel, and natural graphite are examples of materials having a globally consolidated supply chain with interlinked use in steelmaking and essential role in clean energy systems and e‐mobility. A stable material supply chain is hence a priority for import‐dependent regions like the EU and builds upon quantitative system understanding. To this aim, the EU Material System Analysis is applied to analyze the anthropogenic cycle of manganese, nickel, and natural graphite from 2012 to 2016. We provide a detailed characterization of their material stocks, flows, and changes in selected performance indicators including end‐of‐life recycling rate (51% ± 3%, 49% ± 8%, and 8% ± 0% for manganese, nickel, and natural graphite, respectively), self‐sufficiency potential (40% ± 3%, 32% ± 5%, and 5% ± 1%), old scrap ratio (31% ± 0%, 22% ± 2%, and 90% ± 1%), recycling input rate (25% ± 1%, 38% ± 2%, and 3% ± 0%), recycling process efficiency rate (84% ± 2%, 85% ± 6%, and 48% ± 3%), and pre‐consumer losses rate (83% ± 3%, 5% ± 1%, and 24% ± 2%). The achieved results may inform decision‐makers engaged with raw materials recovery and recycling as well as the strategic securement of a reliable material supply to the EU for resilient industrial ecosystems.
Evaluation of environmental and economic implications of a cold‐weather aquaponic food production system using life cycle assessment and economic analysis
Authors: Ghamkhar Ramin , Hartleb Christopher , Rabas Zack , Hicks Andrea
Published: January 2022

Aquaponics, in which fish and plants are grown in a symbiotic closed‐loop industrial metabolism, are promising test beds to implement industrial ecology in food production at a commercial scale. These systems have the potential to enhance the environmental and economic performance of aquaculture systems by reducing the overall burden on natural ecosystems (i.e., reducing resource and emission‐based impacts per unit of food produced). To holistically evaluate the environmental and economic implications of aquaponics, specifically in a cold‐weather climate, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Economic Analysis (EA) were performed on a Midwestern United States aquaponic system, using data from 3 years of annual operation cycles with varying fish species production; tilapia, conventional walleye, and hybrid walleye. For the LCA, environmental impacts were quantified using 10 midpoint indicators. Assessments indicated that 1‐kg production of live‐weight tilapia, conventional walleye, and hybrid walleye resulted in 20.2‐13.8‐11.7 kg CO2‐eq, 23.0‐7.8‐3.9 g N‐eq, and 0.2‐0.3‐0.4 kg SO2‐eq, consecutively, using the investigated system. The most sensitive parameters for environmental impacts were heat, aquafeed, electricity, and infrastructure (in all scenarios). For EA, benefit to cost ratios (BCRs) and three other widely used indices were analyzed for production cycles. The BCRs were 0.47, 1.16, and 1.75 for tilapia, conventional walleye, and hybrid walleye, respectively (using a 10% discount rate and a 20‐year horizon), highlighting the necessity of optimizing both cash inflows (e.g., energy costs) and outflows (plant and fish revenues) to achieve practical enhancement of return on investments. The major cost contributors were infrastructure, labor, and heat (contributing to >89% of total costs for all cycles). Suggested steps for in‐effect improvement of the investigated aquaponic system's environmental and economic favorability include heat and infrastructure optimization by (a) applying effective heating strategies (e.g., advanced insulation techniques), and (b) expanding the system's operational lifespan (e.g., prevention of waste accumulation).
Comparative study between intralesional injection of MMR, BCG, and candida albicans antigen in treatment of multiple recalcitrant warts
Authors: Eldahshan Ramadan Mohamed , Ashry Walaa Mohamed Omar , Elsaie Mohamed L.
Published: January 2022

Background

Cutaneous warts represent a challenging condition to treat.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional injection of MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella) antigen, BCG (bacillus Calmette‐Guerin) vaccine, and candida antigen for the treatment of multiple warts.

Methods

A total of ninety (90) clinically confirmed adult patients complaining of recalcitrant extragenital warts of various sizes and durations were recruited in this randomized clinical trial. They were divided into three groups (A, B, and C). Each group consisted of (30) patients. Group (A) subjects received intralesional MMR injections. Group (B) subjects received intralesional BCG injection and Group (C) received intralesional candida antigen injection.

Results

Full clearance of warts was observed in (73.33%, 70%, and 43.33%) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Infrequent side effects including pain, erythema, and minimal induration were reported in all groups but did not necessitate termination of treatment.

Conclusion

All the three modalities used demonstrated a simple, safe modality with low adverse events, and with no recurrence. To achieve an optimal response with an ideal immunotherapeutic agent and ideal dose, further comparative studies are warranted and on different populations and larger sample sizes.
Does intellectual property protection deliver economic benefits? A multi‐outcome meta‐regression analysis of the evidence
Authors: Awaworyi Churchill Sefa , Luong Hoang M. , Ugur Mehmet
Published: January 2022

Both theoretical and empirical work reports contingent and conflicting findings on how intellectual property (IP) protection affects related outcomes such as innovation, technology diffusion, productivity, or growth. To establish where the balance of the evidence lies, we conduct a multi‐outcome meta‐regression analysis to synthesize findings form 91 primary studies that report 1626 effect‐size estimates for one or more outcomes. Controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and selection bias only, we find that the effect on innovation, technology diffusion, productivity, and economic growth is statistically or practically insignificant. The effect remains insignificant when we control for observed sources of heterogeneity and estimate meta‐effects based on different scenarios for "best‐practice" research. Our work contributes to the existing research effort by extending the application of the multi‐outcome meta‐regression analysis into evidence synthesis in economics. It also provides verifiable/replicable evidence indicating that the sanguine claims about the economic benefits of IP protection voiced in some legal studies and the advocacy literature are misleading.
Mapping political trust and involvement in the personality space—A meta‐analysis and new evidence
Authors: Bromme Laurits , Rothmund Tobias , Azevedo Flávio
Published: January 2022

Objective

Relations between the Big Five personality dispositions and individual differences in political trust and involvement in politics have been investigated in many studies. We aimed to systematically integrate these findings and further explore the correlations at different hierarchical levels of the Big Five and political trust and involvement.

Method

We conducted a meta‐analysis of 43 publications (N1 = 207,360 participants) and estimated latent correlations at different hierarchical levels using two additional samples (N2 = 988 and N3 = 795).

Results

The meta‐analysis revealed substantial correlations between involvement and openness (+), extraversion (+), and neuroticism (−), but only small correlations between trust and the Big Five. We also found a substantial amount of inconsistency in findings across studies. Our additional analyses showed that (a) correlations with the Big Five were larger for higher‐order factors of general political trust (as opposed to subdimensions such as trust in politicians) and general political involvement (as opposed to subdimensions such as political interest) and (b) correlational patterns within each Big Five domain differed across facets.

Conclusion

Our analyses indicate that political involvement is more strongly linked to the Big Five than political trust. We discuss the theoretical and empirical relevance of hierarchical constructs.
High sensitivity of melatonin suppression response to evening light in preschool‐aged children
Authors: Hartstein Lauren E. , Behn Cecilia Diniz , Akacem Lameese D. , Stack Nora , Wright Kenneth P. , LeBourgeois Monique K.
Published: January 2022

Light at night in adults suppresses melatonin in a nonlinear intensity‐dependent manner. In children, bright light of a single intensity before bedtime has a robust melatonin suppressing effect. To our knowledge, whether evening light of different intensities is related to melatonin suppression in young children is unknown. Healthy, good‐sleeping children (n = 36; 3.0–4.9 years; 39% male) maintained a stable sleep schedule for 7 days followed by a 29.5‐h in‐home dim‐light circadian assessment (~1.5 lux). On the final night of the protocol, children received a 1‐h light exposure (randomized to one of 15 light levels, ranging 5–5000 lux, with ≥2 participants assigned to each light level) in the hour before habitual bedtime. Salivary melatonin was measured to calculate the magnitude of melatonin suppression during light exposure compared with baseline levels from the previous evening, as well as the degree of melatonin recovery 50 min after the end of light exposure. Melatonin levels were suppressed between 69.4% and 98.7% (M = 85.4 ± 7.2%) during light exposure across the full range of intensities examined. Overall, we did not observe a light intensity‐dependent melatonin suppression response; however, children exposed to the lowest quartile of light intensities (5–40 lux) had an average melatonin suppression (77.5 ± 7.0%) which was significantly lower than that observed at each of the three higher quartiles of light intensities (86.4 ± 5.6%, 89.2 ± 6.3%, and 87.1 ± 5.0%, respectively). We further found that melatonin levels remained below 50% baseline for at least 50 min after the end of light exposure for the majority (62%) of participants, and recovery was not influenced by light intensity. These findings indicate that preschool‐aged children are highly sensitive to light exposure in the hour before bedtime and suggest the lighting environment may play a crucial role in the development and the maintenance of behavioral sleep problems through impacts on the circadian timing system.
Phylogeography of a canopy‐forming kelp, Eisenia bicyclis (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae), based on a genome‐wide sequencing analysis
Authors: Chimura Kanako , Akita Shingo , Iwasaki Takaya , Nagano Atsushi J. , Shimada Satoshi
Published: January 2022

Analyses of phylogeographic patterns and genetic diversity provide fundamental information for the management and conservation of species. However, little is published about these patterns in Japanese kelp species. In this study, we conducted phylogeographic analyses of a canopy‐forming kelp, Eisenia bicyclis, based on genome‐wide SNPs identified by ddRAD‐seq. We obtained 1,299 SNPs for 76 samples from nine localities across the distribution. STRUCTURE, NeighborNet, and discriminant analysis of principal components consistently showed high genetic differentiation among the Eastern Pacific, Central Pacific, and Sea of Japan coastal regions. Relatively strong gene flow was detected only within populations in the Eastern Pacific and in the Sea of Japan. Genetic diversity and genetic uniqueness were high in the Central Pacific and low in the Sea of Japan. These results suggest that there were at least three independent refugia corresponding to the three regions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Furthermore, relatively larger populations in the Central Pacific and smaller populations in the Sea of Japan have been maintained in the demographic history from before the LGM to the present. These phylogeographic histories were supported by an Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis. From a conservation genetics perspective, the loss of southern populations in the Central Pacific would greatly reduce the total genetic diversity of the species. Southern populations in the Sea of Japan, which have relatively low genetic diversity, may be highly vulnerable to environmental change, such as heat waves and increased feeding. Therefore, careful monitoring and conservation are needed in the two regions.
Association between the geographic accessibility of PrEP and PrEP use among MSM in nonurban areas
Authors: Sharpe J. Danielle , Sanchez Travis H. , Siegler Aaron J. , Guest Jodie L. , Sullivan Patrick S.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The US HIV epidemic has become a public health issue that increasingly affects men who have sex with men (MSM), including those residing in nonurban areas. Increasing access to pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in nonurban areas will prevent HIV acquisition and could address the growing HIV epidemic. No studies have quantified the associations between PrEP access and PrEP use among nonurban MSM.

Methods

Using 2020 PrEP Locator data and American Men's Internet Survey data, we conducted multilevel log‐binomial regression to examine the association between area‐level geographic accessibility of PrEP‐providing clinics and individual‐level PrEP use among MSM residing in nonurban areas in the United States.

Findings

Of 4,792 PrEP‐eligible nonurban MSM, 20.1% resided in a PrEP desert (defined as more than a 30‐minute drive to access PrEP), and 15.2% used PrEP in the past 12 months. In adjusted models, suburban MSM residing in PrEP deserts were less likely to use PrEP in the past year (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15, 0.80) than suburban MSM not residing in PrEP deserts, and other nonurban MSM residing in PrEP deserts were less likely to use PrEP in the past year (aPR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.60, 0.95) than other nonurban MSM not residing in PrEP deserts.

Conclusions

Structural interventions designed to decrease barriers to PrEP access that are unique to nonurban areas in the United States are needed to address the growing HIV epidemic in these communities.
Impacts of heavy metal pollution on the ionomes and transcriptomes of Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)
Authors: Coffin John L. , Kelley Joanna L. , Jeyasingh Punidan D. , Tobler Michael
Published: January 2022

Our understanding of the mechanisms mediating the resilience of organisms to environmental change remains lacking. Heavy metals negatively affect processes at all biological scales, yet organisms inhabiting contaminated environments must maintain homeostasis to survive. Tar Creek in Oklahoma, USA, contains high concentrations of heavy metals and an abundance of Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), though several fish species persist at lower frequency. To test hypotheses about the mechanisms mediating the persistence and abundance of mosquitofish in Tar Creek, we integrated ionomic data from seven resident fish species and transcriptomic data from mosquitofish. We predicted that mosquitofish minimize uptake of heavy metals more than other Tar Creek fish inhabitants and induce transcriptional responses to detoxify metals that enter the body, allowing them to persist in Tar Creek at higher density than species that may lack these responses. Tar Creek populations of all seven fish species accumulated heavy metals, suggesting mosquitofish cannot block uptake more efficiently than other species. We found population‐level gene expression changes between mosquitofish in Tar Creek and nearby unpolluted sites. Gene expression differences primarily occurred in the gill, where we found upregulation of genes involved with lowering transfer of metal ions from the blood into cells and mitigating free radicals. However, many differentially expressed genes were not in known metal response pathways, suggesting multifarious selective regimes and/or previously undocumented pathways could impact tolerance in mosquitofish. Our systems‐level study identified well characterized and putatively new mechanisms that enable mosquitofish to inhabit heavy metal‐contaminated environments.
Successional adaptive strategies revealed by correlating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal abundance with host plant gene expression
Authors: Gao Cheng , Courty Pierre‐Emmanuel , Varoquaux Nelle , Cole Benjamin , Montoya Liliam , Xu Ling , Purdom Elizabeth , Vogel John , Hutmacher Robert B. , Dahlberg Jeffery A. , Coleman‐Derr Devin , Lemaux Peggy G. , Taylor John W.
Published: January 2022

The shifts in adaptive strategies revealed by ecological succession and the mechanisms that facilitate these shifts are fundamental to ecology. These adaptive strategies could be particularly important in communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) mutualistic with sorghum, where strong AMF succession replaces initially ruderal species with competitive ones and where the strongest plant response to drought is to manage these AMF. Although most studies of agriculturally important fungi focus on parasites, the mutualistic symbionts, AMF, constitute a research system of human‐associated fungi whose relative simplicity and synchrony are conducive to experimental ecology. First, we hypothesize that, when irrigation is stopped to mimic drought, competitive AMF species should be replaced by AMF species tolerant to drought stress. We then, for the first time, correlate AMF abundance and host plant transcription to test two novel hypotheses about the mechanisms behind the shift from ruderal to competitive AMF. Surprisingly, despite imposing drought stress, we found no stress‐tolerant AMF, probably due to our agricultural system having been irrigated for nearly six decades. Remarkably, we found strong and differential correlation between the successional shift from ruderal to competitive AMF and sorghum genes whose products (i) produce and release strigolactone signals, (ii) perceive mycorrhizal‐lipochitinoligosaccharide (Myc‐LCO) signals, (iii) provide plant lipid and sugar to AMF, and (iv) import minerals and water provided by AMF. These novel insights frame new hypotheses about AMF adaptive evolution and suggest a rationale for selecting AMF to reduce inputs and maximize yields in commercial agriculture.
Host phenotype and microbiome vary with infection status, parasite genotype, and parasite microbiome composition
Authors: Hahn Megan A. , Piecyk Agnes , Jorge Fátima , Cerrato Robert , Kalbe Martin , Dheilly Nolwenn M.
Published: January 2022

A growing literature demonstrates the impact of helminths on their host gut microbiome. We investigated whether the stickleback host microbiome depends on ecoevolutionary variables by testing the impact of exposure to the cestode parasite Schistocephalus solidus with respect to infection success, host genotype, parasite genotype, and parasite microbiome composition. We observed constitutive differences in the microbiome of sticklebacks of different origin, and those differences increased when sticklebacks exposed to the parasite resisted infection. In contrast, the microbiome of successfully infected sticklebacks varied with parasite genotype. More specifically, we revealed that the association between microbiome and immune gene expression increased in infected individuals and varied with parasite genotype. In addition, we showed that S. solidus hosts a complex endomicrobiome and that bacterial abundance in the parasite correlates with expression of host immune genes. Within this comprehensive analysis we demonstrated that (i) parasites contribute to modulating the host microbiome through both successful and unsuccessful infection, (ii) when infection is successful, the host microbiome varies with parasite genotype due to genotype‐dependent variation in parasite immunomodulation, and (iii) the parasite‐associated microbiome is distinct from its host and impacts the host immune response to infection.
The relationship between pathogen life‐history traits and metapopulation dynamics
Authors: van Dijk Laura J. A. , Ehrlén Johan , Tack Ayco J. M.
Published: January 2022

Plant pathogen traits, such as transmission mode and overwintering strategy, may have important effects on dispersal and persistence, and drive disease dynamics. Still, we lack insights into how life‐history traits influence spatiotemporal disease dynamics.

We adopted a multifaceted approach, combining experimental assays, theory and field surveys, to investigate whether information about two pathogen life‐history traits – infectivity and overwintering strategy – can predict pathogen metapopulation dynamics in natural systems. For this, we focused on four fungal pathogens (two rust fungi, one chytrid fungus and one smut fungus) on the forest herb Anemone nemorosa.

Pathogens infecting new plants mostly via spores (the chytrid and smut fungi) had higher patch occupancies and colonization rates than pathogens causing mainly systemic infections and overwintering in the rhizomes (the two rust fungi). Although the rust fungi more often occupied well‐connected plant patches, the chytrid and smut fungi were equally or more common in isolated patches. Host patch size was positively related to patch occupancy and colonization rates for all pathogens.

Predicting disease dynamics is crucial for understanding the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host–pathogen interactions, and to prevent disease outbreaks. Our study shows that combining experiments, theory and field observations is a useful way to predict disease dynamics.
Impact of lockdown during COVID‐19 pandemic on physical activity and arrhythmia burden in heart failure patients
Authors: Schmitt Jörn , Wenzel Beate , Brüsehaber Bernd , Anguera Ignasi , de Sousa Joao , Nölker Georg , Bulava Alan , Marques Pedro , Hatala Robert , Golovchiner Gregory , Meyhöfer Jürgen , Ilan Michael ,   On  behalf  of the BIO|STREAM.HF investigators
Published: January 2022

Background

Restricted outdoor activity during COVID‐19 related lockdown may accelerate heart failure (HF) progression and thereby increase cardiac arrhythmias. We analyzed the impact of March/April 2020 lockdown on physical activity and arrhythmia burden in HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices with daily, automatic remote monitoring (RM) function.

Methods

The study cohort included 405 HF patients enrolled in Observation of Clinical Routine Care for Heart Failure Patients Implanted with BIOTRONIK CRT Devices (BIO|STREAM.HF) registry in 16 countries, who had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% (mean 28.2 ± 6.6%) and NYHA class II/III/IV (47.9%/49.6%/2.5%) before CRT pacemaker/defibrillator implantation. The analyzed RM data comprised physical activity detected by accelerometer, mean heart rate and nocturnal rate, PP variability, percentage of biventricular pacing, atrial high rate episode (AHRE) burden, ventricular extrasystoles and tachyarrhythmias, defibrillator shocks, and number of implant interrogations (i.e., follow‐ups). Intraindividual differences in RM parameters before (4‐week period) versus during (4‐week period) lockdown were tested for statistical significance and independent predictors were identified.

Results

There was a significant relative change in activity (mean −6.5%, p < .001), AHRE burden (+17%, p = .013), and follow‐up rate (−75%, p < .001) during lockdown, with no significant changes in other RM parameters. Activity decreased by ≥8 min/day in 46.5% of patients; predictors were higher LVEF, lower NYHA class, no defibrillator indication, and more activity before lockdown. AHRE burden increased by ≥17 min/day in 4.7% of patients; predictors were history of atrial fibrillation, higher LVEF, higher body mass index, and activity decrease during lockdown.

Conclusion

Unfavorable changes in physical activity, AHRE burden, and follow‐up rate were observed during lockdown, but not in ventricular arrhythmia.
Rule‐Following and Objective Spirit
Authors: Spiegel Thomas J.
Published: January 2022

This paper deals with Wittgenstein’s rule‐following paradox, focussing on the infinite rule‐regress as featured in Kripke’s Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language. I argue that one of the most salient and popular proposed solutions (championed by John McDowell), which argues that rule‐following is grounded in “custom,” “practice” or “form of life, remains unsatisfactory because part of this proposal is the rejection of further “theory” (commonly attributed to Wittgenstein) which seemingly makes it impossible to substantiate the claim of how customs, practices or forms of life ground rule‐following. I argue that this conundrum can be solved by introducing Wilhelm Dilthey’s overlooked notion of objective spirit as the objectivated sediment of historical human communality. This proposal allows us to substantiate Wittgenstein’s hints at the connection between rule‐following and customs, practices, and forms of life without introducing “problematic theories.” Combining Wittgenstein’s views with Dilthey’s notion of objective spirit results in a solution that is neither skeptical nor straight, but therapeutic.
Expansive or focused attention? An exploration–exploitation perspective on e‐Business systems and firm performance
Authors: Krishnakumar Sreejith Kumar , Kishore Rajiv , Suresh Nallan C.
Published: January 2022

This study posits that executive attention can significantly influence the impacts of customer‐facing electronic business (e‐Business) systems on firm performance. Using the exploration–exploitation perspective (EEP) as an overarching theoretical framework, and the theoretical lens of attention‐based view (ABV), we develop an integrated model to provide insights into the impacts of customer‐facing e‐Business systems on firm performance. We categorize the capabilities of customer‐facing e‐Business systems into e‐Transaction and e‐CRM (customer relationship management) capabilities as exploitation and exploration capabilities, respectively. Further, following ABV, we conceptualize focused and expansive attentions as two different types of executive attention that also incorporate exploitation and exploration orientations. We hypothesize e‐Transaction and e‐CRM capabilities to have nuanced interactive effects with focused and expansive attention on firm performance measured using return on sales and Tobin's Q. We use a panel dataset with 484 firm‐year observations from 180 firms to test our hypotheses. We estimate our models using a two‐step generalized method of moments (GMM) approach to address issues relating to endogeneity, heteroskedasticity, and serial correlation, and to produce efficient estimates. The results provide broad support for the hypotheses and are robust to the alternative measurement of dependent variables, alternative econometric model specification, and potential endogeneity from omitted covariates. The integrated model developed and empirically validated in this study serves to provide a deeper understanding of the impacts of customer‐facing e‐Business systems on firm performance. The study also highlights the need for dual attention processes on the part of senior executives to fully realize the benefits offered by these systems.
Compositional, micromorphological and geotechnical characterization of Holocene Tiber floodplain deposits (Rome, Italy) and sequence stratigraphic implications
Authors: Tentori Daniel , Mancini Marco , Milli Salvatore , Stigliano Francesco , Tancredi Simone , Moscatelli Massimiliano
Published: January 2022

This study reports a high‐resolution micromorphological characterization of floodplain deposits to investigate the relationships among compositional, textural and geotechnical data, and integrate soil micromorphology with sequence stratigraphy. Compositional and textural characterization of facies associations and soil features are calibrated against geotechnical parameters. The latter, obtained from cone penetration and pocket penetrometer tests from a borehole advanced 60 m into the Tiber channel belt and floodplain, show that depositional features and post‐depositional modifications are intrinsically associated with cone penetration test parameters: cone resistance; sleeve friction; and friction ratio. Petrographic and micromorphological features document pedogenetic modifications across stratigraphic markers evidenced by faunal and plant activity, accumulation of peat, and typified by precipitation of heavy metals, iron oxides and secondary carbonates. All of these features developed in correspondence with alluvial flooding surfaces that are correlated with non‐marine and marine flooding surfaces recognized in the transgressive and highstand coastal and lagoonal deposits of the Tiber Depositional Sequence. These observations may serve as a model to reconstruct the sequence‐stratigraphic evolution of ancient relict soils. Nevertheless, additional criteria (for example, their stratigraphic position and correlative surfaces) are necessary to adequately interpret the genesis of such low‐rank stratigraphic surfaces. This work demonstrates that a combination between sedimentological and stratigraphic observations and soil micromorphology can be critical to supplement field observations and determine the relative effect of pedogenic and depositional processes on the organization, composition and texture, and geotechnical properties of floodplain in urban areas.
Robust inference with censored survival data
Authors: Deléamont Pierre‐Yves , Ronchetti Elvezio
Published: January 2022

Randomly censored survival data appear in a wide variety of applications in which the time until the occurrence of a certain event is not completely observable. In this paper, we assume that the statistician observes a possibly censored survival time along with a censoring indicator. In this setting, we study a class of M‐estimators with a bounded influence function, in the spirit of the infinitesimal approach to robustness. We outline the main asymptotic properties of the robust M‐estimators and characterize the optimal B‐robust estimator according to two possible measures of sensitivity. Building on these results, we define robust testing procedures which are natural counterparts to the classical Wald, score, and likelihood ratio tests. The empirical performance of our robust estimators and tests is assessed in two extensive simulation studies. An application to data from a well‐known medical study on head and neck cancer is also presented.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*51:01:01:78 allele and confirmation of extended sequence of B*18:01:26
Authors: Ulrich Silvia , Lang Johanna , Bodem Oliver , Posch Ursula , Schlenke Peter
Published: January 2022

HLA‐B*51:01:01:78 and the extended confirmatory sequence of HLA‐B*18:01:26 were identified by next generation sequencing.
The novel HLA‐A*69:01:04 allele identified by Sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Zeng Ling‐ji , Zheng Zhong‐zheng , An Lin , Du Ke‐ming , Lai Pei‐long
Published: January 2022

HLA‐A*69:01:04 differs from HLA‐A*69:01:01:01 in exon 2 at position 336 by a single synonymous mutation.
The novel HLA‐B*35:501 allele, identified by sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Zhang Zhao‐xia , Zheng Zhong‐zheng , An Lin , Du Ke‐ming , Liu Rong
Published: January 2022

HLA‐B*35:501 differs from HLA‐B*35:02:01:01 by three nucleotides in exon 2.
The novel HLA‐DRB1*13:306 allele, identified by sequencing‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: He Fang , Zheng Zhong‐zheng , An Lin , Du Ke‐ming , Hu Hui‐xian
Published: January 2022

HLA‐DRB1*13:306 differs from HLA‐DRB1*13:02:01:01 in exon 2 in codon 84 by a single coding change.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*01:348 allele in a Chinese individual
Authors: Dong Lina , Wang Wei , Zhang Wei , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: January 2022

HLA‐A*01:348 differs from HLA‐A*01:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 140 T > C.
Association of early migration with child growth, cognition and behaviour in South Africa
Authors: Christodoulou Joan , Rotheram‐Borus Mary Jane , Hayati Rezvan Panteha , Weiss Robert E. , Tomlinson Mark
Published: January 2022

Objective

The main objective of the study was to examine the association of migration with child growth, cognition and behaviour in South Africa.

Methods

Secondary analysis assessing effects of migration on child outcomes among a population cohort of women and children (n = 1238) recruited in Cape Town, South African townships and repeatedly assessed from birth to age eight. Logistic regression models analysed sociodemographic predictors of migration and longitudinal models assessed the association of child migration, with or without their mother, on child growth, cognition and behavioural outcomes.

Results

By 8 years post‐birth, 41% of children born in the townships in Cape Town had migrated to the rural Eastern Cape. Staying in Cape Town, or not migrating, was associated with having an older mother. Children who migrated with their mothers were shorter and weighed less than those who did not migrate. Children who migrated had larger vocabularies and those who migrated with their mothers had fewer behavioural problems than children who stayed in Cape Town.

Conclusion

Migration in South Africa between peri‐urban Cape Town and rural Eastern Cape areas during a child's early years is common and is associated with both positive and negative child outcomes.
Untargeted metabolomic analyses reveal the diversity and plasticity of the specialized metabolome in seeds of different Camelina sativa genotypes
Authors: Boutet Stéphanie , Barreda Léa , Perreau François , Totozafy Jean‐Chrisologue , Mauve Caroline , Gakière Bertrand , Delannoy Etienne , Martin‐Magniette Marie‐Laure , Monti Andrea , Lepiniec Loïc , Zanetti Federica , Corso Massimiliano
Published: January 2022

Despite the essential role of specialized metabolites (SMs) in the interaction of plants with the environment, studying the ability of crop seeds to produce these protective compounds has been neglected. Furthermore, seeds produce a myriad of SMs, providing an interesting model to investigate their diversity and plasticity. Camelina sativa gained a lot of interest in the past few years as a rustic oilseed crop. A characterization of seed SM landscapes in six camelina genotypes grown in the field and harvested during five growing seasons has been undertaken in this work. This allowed a comprehensive annotation of seed SMs combining analyses that cluster SMs based on their chemical structures and co‐accumulation patterns. These data showed broad effects of the environment on the stimulation of the seed SM. Among well‐annotated compounds, flavonols were identified as the metabolic class characterized by high plasticity, revealing significant variable accumulation according to the year and/or the genotype. Lastly, a deeper characterization of primary metabolites and lipids in two selected genotypes has been performed. We showed that, in addition to flavonols, alkaloids and glucosinolates displayed a higher phenotypic plasticity with respect to most of the primary metabolites, including some sugars and major storage compounds such as fatty acids, proteins and most lipid classes (e.g. diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols), but similar plasticity compared with free amino acids and carboxylic acids. This work highlighted major and unexplored effects of the environment on the seed SM, demonstrating that seeds exhibit a dynamic and plastic metabolism, with an impact on seed quality.