bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transfer Entropy Based Causality From Head Motion To Eye Movement
Authors: Lv Zezhong , Xu Qing , Schoeffmann Klaus , Parkinson Simon
Published: March 2021

Eye movement behavior, which provides the visual information acquisition and processing, plays an important role in performing sensorimotor tasks, such as driving, by human beings in everyday life. In the procedure of performing sensorimotor tasks, eye movement is contributed through a specific coordination of head and eye in gaze changes, with head motions preceding eye movements. Notably we believe that this coordination in essence indicates a kind of causality. In this paper, we investigate transfer entropy to set up a quantity for measuring an unidirectional causality from head motion to eye movement. A normalized version of the proposed measure, demonstrated by virtual reality based psychophysical studies, behaves very well as a proxy of driving performance, suggesting that quantitative exploitation of coordination of head and eye may be an effective behaviometric of sensorimotor activity.
Structured illumination microscopy with noise-controlled image reconstructions
Authors: Smith Carlas S. , Slotman Johan A. , Schermelleh Lothar , Chakrova Nadya , Hari Sangeetha , Vos Yoram , Hagen Cornelis W. , Müller Marcel , van Cappellen Wiggert , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. , Hoogenboom Jacob P. , Stallinga Sjoerd
Published: March 2021

Super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) has become a widely used method for biological imaging. Standard reconstruction algorithms, however, are prone to generate noise-specific artefacts that limit their applicability for lower signal-to-noise data. Here, we present a physically realistic noise model that explains the structured noise artefact and that is used to motivate new complementary reconstruction approaches. True Wiener-filtered SIM optimizes contrast given the available signal-to-noise ratio, flat-noise SIM fully overcomes the structured noise artefact while maintaining resolving power. Both methods eliminate ad-hoc user adjustable reconstruction parameters in favour of physical parameters, enhancing objectivity. The new reconstructions point to a trade-off between contrast and a natural noise appearance. This trade-off can be partly overcome by additional notch filtering, but at the expense of a decrease in signal-to-noise ratio. The benefits of the proposed approaches are demonstrated on focal adhesion and tubulin samples in 2D and 3D, and on nano-fabricated fluorescent test patterns.
Happy Self Publishing
Authors: Ramachandran Sathyanarayanan
Published: March 2021

Study level/applicability

The case could be effectively used in courses on entrepreneurship, strategy and brand management in MBA programs and executive-level training programs.

Subject area

Entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, women leadership and women in business.

Case overview

This case deals with the business decision-making situation of Ms Jyotsna Ramachandran, a first-generation woman entrepreneur from Southern India, who has created a Global collaborative business network in self-publishing of books from India. After gaining industry experience for five years in some of the leading retail brands of India, she decided to take a plunge in entrepreneurship. She tried several businesses ranging from retail staffing to custom-made chocolates. Though it was profitable, the volumes and margins were smaller, and Jyotsna aspired big. As, at that time she was on her family way, she decided to identify a profitable business with better value creation and premium for the consumers and at the same time free from minute-by-minute concentration to take care of her child. In other words, a less-hassle home-based business with better revenue streams and margins. The case gives a thorough background of her rise in the industry and talks about some of her new ideas and plans.

Expected learning outcomes

Students will be in a position to: 1. Understand gender issues and bias affecting women in work. 2. Illustrate the initial phases of entrepreneurship. 3. Understand and apply the evaluation tools like PESTLE, SWOT and then business model canvas. 4. Understand the value chain and the intensive and integrative growth strategies. 5. Illustrate blue oceans in an industry setup – irrespective of the industry growth rate. 6. Apply perspectives on brand management.

Supplementary materials

Detailed teaching notes attached. Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Social implications

The case addresses the important gender issues affecting women’s work–life balance. It will also inspire many women through the success of the woman protagonist and her project head well documented in this case study.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship
Leading change and Plato
Authors: Georgiadis Vasileios , Sarigiannidis Lazaros , Theriou Georgios
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims at identifying critical components of leading change through relations of relevance with platonic philosophy. During this process, well-known aspects of change leadership are detected, but interpreted differently. Based on this relevance, a seven-stage tripartite model is proposed, in order to facilitate change implementation in the business world.

Design/methodology/approach

Contemporary trends in leading change are reviewed and enriched with platonic insights. A synthetic analysis is attempted, in which philosopher stochasticity and discernment validates modern synergetic and anthropocentric approaches to the field of change leadership, featuring key behavioral and perceptual characteristics, emerging during change process.

Findings

As the process of change is highly dependent on human behavior, Plato grants an enriched approach of its origins and causal causes. Therefore, key change factors are not only discussed in the light of his worldview, but also upgraded through the distillation of applicable ideas, summarized in the proposed three phase model.

Practical implications

The proposed tripartite model of leading change can function as a powerful guide of designing and successfully implement organizational change.

Originality/value

The screening of specific insights from platonic works in leading change conveys an alternative, more “poetic”, yet effectively flexible attitude endorsed and incorporated into a potentially applicable model.
“A little bit of everything?” Conceptualising performance measurement in hybrid public sector organisations through a literature review
Authors: De Waele Lode , Polzer Tobias , van Witteloostuijn Arjen , Berghman Liselore
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Numerous of today's public sector organisations (PSOs) can be characterised as hybrids. Hybridity is caused by different (at times conflicting) demands that stem from the institutional environment, which is likely to affect performance measurement in these organisations. This paper focuses on the relationship between hybridity and organisational performance, which has so far not been studied in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review (final sample of 56 articles), the authors systematise performance dimensions alongside the pillars “economy”, “efficiency”, “effectiveness” and “(social) equity”. The article summarises results in a framework for measuring performance in hybrid PSOs. The authors outline strategies as to how public managers can tailor frameworks to the requirements and idiosyncrasies of organisations.

Findings

Since hybrid PSOs combine logics from different administrative models (Weberian bureaucracy, market-capitalism and democracy), so need their organisational performance measurement systems. Potential synergies from and frictions between the different performance dimensions related to the four pillars are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first literature review on performance dimensions and their application in hybrid PSOs. The distilled “hybrid performance measurement framework” can be scrutinised and further refined in future research.
Validating eDNA measurements of the richness and abundance of anurans at a large scale
Authors: Li Wenhao , Hou Xianglei , Xu Chunxia , Qin Mingshuo , Wang Supen , Wei Li , Wang Yanping , Liu Xuan , Li Yiming
Published: March 2021

In some situations, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a more accurate tool for measuring species richness of a taxon than conventional methods. Whether this tool can reliably estimate the abundance of a taxon remains unresolved.

We examined the reliability of metabarcoding for measuring anuran diversity compared to a commonly used traditional line transect method (TLTM) through the replicate sampling of three visits across 71 waterbodies (ponds or reservoirs) in Liuheng, China. We also investigated the relative contributions of species‐specific characteristics and the physiochemical properties of a waterbody on the relative read count across species and waterbodies.

We found that eDNA metabarcoding had a higher detection probability for each of seven anuran species found in the sampling region than TLTM. Furthermore, the relative read count estimated by metabarcoding was positively correlated with the density or relative density of individuals identified with the TLTM across waterbodies for every species. Species‐specific characteristics of anurans, such as density, relative density, body mass, biomass and relative biomass, accounted for substantial variations in the read count across species and waterbodies, while physiochemical factors, including pH, temperature, water volume, vegetation and elevation, had little effect on the read count.

Our results based on robust sampling suggest that metabarcoding enables more reliable and efficient measurements of anuran occurrence at a large scale during a short‐term survey (within 15 days) than that obtained by the TLTM, and offers an alternative tool for quantifications of anuran abundance. Density or biomass is better and more reliable indicator of anuran abundance associated with read count than relative density or relative biomass.
Ontogenetic diversity buffers communities against consequences of species loss
Authors: Rudolf Volker H. W. , Eveland Lauren
Published: March 2021

Biodiversity can be measured at multiple organizational scales. While traditional studies have focused at taxonomic diversity, recent studies have emphasized the ecological importance of diversity within populations. However, it is unclear how these different scales of diversity interact to determine the consequence of species loss.

Here we asked how predator diversity and presence of ontogenetic diversity within predator populations influences community structure. Ontogenetic diversity arises from shifts in the traits and ecology of individuals during ontogeny and it is one of the biggest sources of intraspecific diversity. However, whether it dampens or strengthens the negative consequences of with species loss is poorly understood.

To study the interaction of species diversity and ontogenetic diversity, we experimentally manipulated predator species diversity and diversity of developmental stages within focal predator species and analysed their joint effect on predator and prey survival, biomass and prey community structure in experimental pond systems.

While individual effects of ontogenetic diversity were often species specific, losing predator species from the community often had a much smaller or no effect on prey survival, biomass or community structure when all predator populations had high ontogenetic diversity. Thus, ontogenetic diversity within populations buffered against some of the consequences of biodiversity loss at higher organizational levels. Because the experiment controlled mean per capita size and biomass across structured versus unstructured populations, this pattern was not driven by differences in biomass of predators. Instead, results suggest that effects were driven by changes in the functional roles and indirect interactions across and within species. This indicates that even if all environmental conditions are similar, differences in the intrinsic structure of populations can modify the consequences of biodiversity loss.

Together, these results revealed the importance of ontogenetic diversity within species for strengthening the resilience of natural communities to consequences of biodiversity loss and emphasize the need to integrate biodiversity patterns across organizational scales.
Imagining the newcomer–supervisor relationship: Future relational self in the workplace
Authors: Morandin Gabriele , Russo Marcello , Bergami Massimo
Published: March 2021

People develop images of themselves in the future reflecting hopes in relation to their work, namely the future work self. In this study, we introduce the concept of Future Relational Self (FRS), conceived as a relevant dimension of the future work self that illustrates the representation of the relationship that an employee aspires to build with significant stakeholders in the workplace (i.e., the supervisor). In addition, we investigate its motivational power shaping role and relational outcomes at work. Using data collected among 215 newcomers in three different waves with a one‐month time lag, we examine the indirect effect of two characteristics of the FRS––namely salience and attribution of control––on newcomers' adjustment (i.e., role clarity and social adjustment) via leader–member exchange (LMX) quality. Results reveal that only the FRS attribution of control is positively associated with LMX quality. Moreover, the results indicate that LMX quality mediates the effects of attribution of control on both newcomers' social adjustment and role clarity. Contributions for theory and implications for practice are highlighted.
Metabolic and immunological effects of gut microbiota in leaf beetles at the local and systemic levels
Authors: MA Meiqi , TU Chengjie , LUO Jing , LU Min , ZHANG Shichang , XU Letian
Published: March 2021

Insects’ intestinal microbes have profound effects on the host's physiological traits, which can impact their physiology at both the local (gut) and systemic (body) levels. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying host‐microbiota interactions, especially in non‐model insects, remain elusive. Recently, tissue‐specific transcriptomic analysis has been highlighted as a robust tool in studying host–microbe interactions. Plagiodera versicolora is a worldwide leaf‐eating pest that primarily feeds on willows and poplar. The interplay between gut microflora and this host beetle has yet to be studied. Herein, we investigate the effects of the gut microbiota on the body mass of P. versicolora larvae, compare the nutrition status of larvae in absence and presence of gut microbiota, and profile gut bacterial loads throughout its developmental larval stages. We then perform comparative transcriptomic analysis of gut and body tissues in axenic and non‐axenic larvae. Finally, we confirm the expression patterns of representative genes in nutritional metabolism and immunity. Results show that weight growth is retarded in conventional larvae, with a concomitant increase of total bacterial load by the 5th development day, and germ‐free larvae have a higher glucose content than conventional‐reared larvae. Both nutritional and immunological analyses indicate that gut bacteria are a burden in the beetle's larval development. These findings elucidate the impacts of gut microbiota on P. versicolora, and provide insight into tissue‐specific responses to gut microflora in this pest at the genetic level, boosting our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying host–microbe interactions in leaf beetles and beyond.
Voluntary binge‐patterned alcohol drinking and sex‐specific influences on monoamine‐related neurochemical signatures in the mouse gut and brain
Authors: Bauer Ella E. , Shoeman Allyse , Buhr Trevor J. , Daniels Karrie M. , Lyte Mark , Clark Peter J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Altered monoamine (i.e., serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) activity following episodes of alcohol abuse plays key roles not only in the motivation to ingest ethanol, but also physiological dysfunction related to its misuse. Although monoamine activity is essential for physiological processes that require coordinated communication across the gut–brain axis (GBA), relatively little is known about how alcohol misuse may affect monoamine levels across the GBA. Therefore, we evaluated monoamine activity across the mouse gut and brain following episodes of binge‐patterned ethanol drinking.

Methods

Monoamine and select metabolite neurochemical concentrations were analyzed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography in gut and brain regions of female and male C57BL/6J mice following “Drinking in the Dark” (DID), a binge‐patterned ethanol ingestion paradigm.

Results

First, we found that alcohol access had an overall small effect on gut monoamine‐related neurochemical concentrations, primarily influencing dopamine activity. Second, neurochemical patterns between the small intestine and the striatum were correlated, adding to recent evidence of modulatory activity between these areas. Third, although alcohol access robustly influenced activity in brain areas in the mesolimbic dopamine system, binge exposure also influenced monoaminergic activity in the hypothalamic region. Finally, sex differences were observed in the concentrations of neurochemicals within the gut, which was particularly pronounced in the small intestine.

Conclusion

Together, these data provide insights into the influence of alcohol abuse and biological sex on monoamine‐related neurochemical changes across the GBA, which could have important implications for GBA function and dysfunction.
Increased day‐to‐day fluctuations in exhaled breath profiles after a rhinovirus challenge in asthma
Authors: Lammers Ariana , Brinkman Paul , te Nijenhuis Louwrina H. , de Vries Rianne , Dagelet Yennece W. F. , Duijvelaar Erik , Xu Binbin , Abdel‐Aziz Mahmoud I. , Vijverberg Susanne J. , Neerincx Anne H. , Frey Urs , Lutter Rene , Maitland‐van der Zee Anke H. , Sterk Peter J. , Sinha Anirban
Published: March 2021

Background

Early detection/prediction of flare‐ups in asthma, commonly triggered by viruses, would enable timely treatment. Previous studies on exhaled breath analysis by electronic nose (eNose) technology could discriminate between stable and unstable episodes of asthma, using single/few time‐points. To investigate its monitoring properties during these episodes, we examined day‐to‐day fluctuations in exhaled breath profiles, before and after a rhinovirus‐16 (RV16) challenge, in healthy and asthmatic adults.

Methods

In this proof‐of‐concept study, 12 atopic asthmatic and 12 non‐atopic healthy adults were prospectively followed thrice weekly, 60 days before, and 30 days after a RV16 challenge. Exhaled breath profiles were detected using an eNose, consisting of 7 different sensors. Per sensor, individual means were calculated using pre‐challenge visits. Absolute deviations (|%|) from this baseline were derived for all visits. Within‐group comparisons were tested with Mann‐Whitney U tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Finally, Spearman's correlations between the total change in eNose deviations and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), cold‐like symptoms, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines were examined.

Results

Both groups had significantly increased eNose fluctuations post‐challenge, which in asthma started 1 day post‐challenge, before the onset of symptoms. Discrimination between pre‐ and post‐challenge reached an area under the ROC curve of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.65–0.99) in healthy and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.91–1.00) in asthmatic adults. The total change in eNose deviations moderately correlated with IL‐8 and TNFα (ρ ≈ .50–0.60) in asthmatics.

Conclusion

Electronic nose fluctuations rapidly increase after a RV16 challenge, with distinct differences between healthy and asthmatic adults, suggesting that this technology could be useful in monitoring virus‐driven unstable episodes in asthma.
Usefulness of microRNA detection in the diagnostics of endometrial cancer
Authors: Donkers Hannah , Hirschfeld Marc , Weiß Daniela , Erbes Thalia , Jaeger Markus , Pijnenborg Johanna M. A. , Bekkers Ruud , Galaal Khadra ,   ENITEC‐consortium
Published: March 2021

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer. They have been shown to be stable in tissue samples and may be promising diagnostic biomarkers for endometrial cancer.

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer between January 2017 and December 2017 was performed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. Archived formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples were obtained from patients with endometrial cancer and healthy women. MicroRNA was isolated and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect expression levels of miRNAs.

Results

A total of 76 women were included: 36 endometrial cancer patients, 40 healthy controls. A distinct panel of miR‐200a, miR‐200b, miR‐200c, miR‐205, and miR‐182 showed an area under the curve of 0.958, sensitivity 92%, specificity 89%, positive predictive value of 89% (95% CI 82%–94%) and negative predictive value of 91% (95% CI 85%–96%) in diagnosing endometrial cancer. High miR‐182 expression levels were significantly related to high‐grade endometrioid tumors compared with low‐grade tumors.

Conclusions

We demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy of miRNA for detecting endometrial cancer. In addition, miRNA contributed to an improvement in distinguishing between high‐grade and low‐grade endometrioid tumors.
Fibrinogen in the glioblastoma microenvironment contributes to the invasiveness of brain tumor‐initiating cells
Authors: Dzikowski Lauren , Mirzaei Reza , Sarkar Susobhan , Kumar Mehul , Bose Pinaki , Bellail Anita , Hao Chunhai , Yong V. Wee
Published: March 2021

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are highly aggressive, recurrent, and lethal brain tumors that are maintained via brain tumor‐initiating cells (BTICs). The aggressiveness of BTICs may be dependent on the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that are highly enriched within the GBM microenvironment. Here, we investigated the expression of ECM molecules in GBM patients by mining the transcriptomic databases and also staining human GBM specimens. RNA levels for fibronectin, brevican, versican, heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2), and several laminins were high in GBMs compared to normal brain, and this was corroborated by immunohistochemistry. While fibrinogen transcript was at normal level in GBM, its protein immunoreactivity was prominent within GBM tissues. These ECM molecules in tumor specimens were in proximity to, and surrounding BTICs. In culture, fibronectin and pan‐laminin induced the adhesion of BTICs onto the plastic substratum. However, fibrinogen increased the size of the BTIC spheres by facilitating the adhesive property, motility, and invasiveness of BTICs. These features of elevated invasiveness were corroborated in resected GBM specimens by the close proximity of fibrinogen with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and‐9, which are proteases implicated in metastasis. Moreover, the effect of fibrinogen‐induced invasiveness was attenuated in BTICs where MMP‐2 and ‐9 have been inhibited with siRNAs or pharmacological inhibitors. Our results implicate fibrinogen in GBM as a mediator of the invasive properties of BTICs, and as a target for therapy to reduce BTIC tumorigenecity.
The Challenge of Modeling Co‐Developmental Processes over Time
Authors: Curran Patrick J. , Hancock Gregory R.
Published: March 2021

One of the most vexing challenges facing developmental researchers today is the statistical modeling of two or more behaviors as they unfold jointly over time. Although quantitative methodologists have studied these issues for more than half a century, no widely agreed‐upon principled strategy exists to empirically analyze codevelopmental processes. Indeed, the plethora of available options makes selecting a specific analytic approach both confusing and overwhelming. In this article, we argue that a key step in adjudicating among alternative modeling strategies is to embrace the concept of within‐ and between‐person components of change over time. First, we define the disaggregation of effects in grouped data, and then we extend these concepts to repeated measures. Then we review several available modeling strategies that capture these effects to varying degrees and raise three issues that can help to guide practice.
Maternal asthma and early fetal growth, the MAESTRO study
Authors: Rejnö Gustaf , Lundholm Cecilia , Saltvedt Sissel , Larsson Kjell , Almqvist Catarina
Published: March 2021

Background

Several maternal conditions can affect fetal growth, and asthma during pregnancy is known to be associated with lower birth weight and shorter gestational age.

Objective

In a new Swedish cohort study on maternal asthma exposure and stress during pregnancy (MAESTRO), we have assessed if there is evidence of early fetal growth restriction in asthmatic women or if a growth restriction might come later during pregnancy.

Methods

We recruited women from eight antenatal clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. Questionnaires on background factors, asthma status and stress were assessed during pregnancy. The participants were asked to consent to collection of medical records including ultrasound measures during pregnancy, and linkage to national health registers. In women with and without asthma, we studied reduced or increased growth by comparing the second‐trimester ultrasound with first‐trimester estimation. We defined reduced growth as estimated days below the 10th percentile and increased growth as days above the 90th percentile. At birth, the weight and length of the newborn and the gestational age was compared between women with and without asthma.

Results

We enrolled 1693 participants in early pregnancy and collected data on deliveries and ultrasound scans in 1580 pregnancies, of which 18% of the mothers had asthma. No statistically significant reduced or increased growth between different measurement points were found when women with and without asthma were compared; adjusted odds ratios for reduced growth between first and second trimester 1.11 95% CI (0.63–1.95) and increased growth 1.09 95% CI (0.68–1.77).

Conclusion and clinical relevance

In conclusion, we could not find evidence supporting an influence of maternal asthma on early fetal growth in the present cohort: Although the relatively small sample size, which may enhance the risk of a type II error, it is concluded that a potential difference is likely to be very small.
Association of depression with improper use of inhaler devices by patients with obstructive disease
Authors: Bulut Sertan , Karamanli Harun , Akın Kabalak Pınar
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Obstructive pulmonary disease may cause some psychiatric disorders such as depression, similar to other chronic diseases. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma are especially susceptible to inhaler technique errors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the depression that can affect improper use of inhaler devices and to show the contribution of age, sex, and education to correct usage.

Materials and Methods

In this study, trained health care workers in the presence of Chest specialist requested patients to demonstrate their inhaler technique and assessed it according to the checklist. If any of the steps were missing or done incorrectly, it was marked as an incorrect technique.

Results

We included 188 participants, mean age of 58.3 ± 12.7 years. Significant variables of individual risk were having comorbidities, age, sex, smoking status, and educational level. There was an inverse relationship between education level and incorrect inhaler technique. Even after controlling for age, gender, and education, depressive symptoms were a significant and independent predictor of improper use of inhaler devices. High levels of depressive symptoms were associated with a 22‐fold increase (95% confidence interval, 8.9 to 53.5) in the odds of improper use of inhaler devices after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions

As a result, the presence of depression symptoms may increase the improper use of inhaler devices. Further research is needed to determine if screening for and treating depression improves improper use of inhaler devices and obstructive disease outcomes in this population.
Integrated framework for stakeholder participation: Methods and tools for identifying and addressing human–wildlife conflicts
Authors: König Hannes J. , Ceaușu Silvia , Reed Mark , Kendall Helen , Hemminger Karoline , Reinke Henrik , Ostermann‐Miyashita Emu‐Felicitas , Wenz Elena , Eufemia Luca , Hermanns Till , Klose Moritz , Spyra Marcin , Kuemmerle Tobias , Ford Adam T.
Published: March 2021

As wild areas disappear and agricultural lands expand, understanding how people and wildlife can coexist becomes increasingly important. Human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs) are obstacles to coexistence and negatively affect both wildlife populations and the livelihood of people. To facilitate coexistence, a number of frameworks have been developed to both understand the drivers of conflict and then to find solutions that mitigate conflict. However, each framework has different foci and strengths in particular stages of analysis. Here, we propose an integrated framework that leverages the individual strengths of previously fairly isolated methodologies, allowing for holistic HWC analysis. The framework for participatory impact assessment (FoPIA) provides a toolset for developing wildlife scenarios, selecting assessment indicators and assessing the impact of different scenarios. The social‐ecological framework of ecosystem services and disservices (SEEDS) analyzes the ecosystem services trade‐offs related to scenarios, and the 3i stakeholder analysis approach, supports the identification of stakeholders and provides a mechanism to explore, in detail stakeholders' interests, relative influence, and how outcomes of research are likely to impact different stakeholders. We apply these approaches to eastern Germany, where the increase in several wildlife populations (i.e., wild boar, common crane, gray wolf, and European bison) has contributed to conflict with people. We demonstrate the complementarity of FoPIA, SEEDS, and 3i in identifying stakeholder needs and showing how wildlife dynamics may affect coexistence and create imbalanced ecosystem service and disservice distributions. The integrated framework introduced here provides guidelines for analyzing the multistage process of stakeholder participation and enables a comprehensive approach to the complex challenge of HWCs.
Factors leading to successful island rodent eradications following initial failure
Authors: Samaniego Araceli , Kappes Peter , Broome Keith , Cranwell Steve , Griffiths Richard , Harper Grant , McClelland Pete , Palmer Russell , Rocamora Gérard , Springer Keith , Will David , Siers Shane
Published: March 2021

Island rodent eradications are increasingly conducted to eliminate the negative impacts of invasive rodents. The success rate in the tropics has been lower than in temperate regions, triggering research and reviews. Environmental factors unique to the tropics (e.g., land crabs and year‐round rodent breeding) have been associated with eradication failure. Operational factors have also been important, but these have not been comprehensively assessed. The environmental and operational factors using global cases where rodent eradication initially failed and subsequent attempts occurred were compared. It was determined whether operational factors explained the initial failures, whether operational improvements explained subsequent successes, and whether re‐attempting eradication after failure was worthwhile. About 35 eradication attempts on 17 islands, each with 1–2 species from a total of 5 species (Mus musculus and 4 Rattus spp.) were identified. On 14 islands (82%), eradication was achieved on the second (86%) or third attempt (14%). On the remaining 3 islands, eradication was not achieved. Evidence of operational faults for all failed attempts was found (e.g., poor planning, low quality bait, and gaps during bait application). In some cases, operational faults were unequivocally the cause of failure, but in others, it was impossible to discriminate from confounding, environmental factors. Nonetheless, failures appeared to be mainly the result of not exposing all rodents to a lethal dose of toxin, violating a crucial eradication principle. This can cause operational failure on any temperate or tropical island. However, there may be less tolerance for errors such as gaps in bait coverage on tropical islands, mainly due to bait consumption by land crabs. The findings on factors leading to eradication success (e.g., expert reviewed plans, realistic funding and permits, high standard baiting operations) reflect current best practice recommendations. Strict adherence to best practice is expected to increase overall rates of eradication success.
Outcomes for children with acquired brain injury (ABI) admitted to acute neurorehabilitation
Authors: Keetley Rachel , Bennett Emily , Williams Jane , Stewart Iain , Whitehouse William P , Pilling Pauline , Manning Joseph C
Published: March 2021

Aim

To evaluate an innovative paediatric neurorehabilitation model in relation to improving quality of neurorehabilitation and reducing length of stay (LOS) for children with acquired brain injury.

Method

A process evaluation approach was conducted in line with Medical Research Council evaluation of complex interventions guidance. Analysis was conducted on routinely collected patient data from 2017 to 2018, including LOS and family feedback. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative analysis and qualitative data was analysed thematically.

Results

Outcomes for 70 children (0–16y, median age 5y, IQR 1–11y, 46 males, 24 females) referred to the service indicated improved function and reduced complexity of need. The mean LOS was 10.6 days compared to baseline mean LOS of 41 days (2011–2012). High satisfaction from the families was recorded; however, ongoing needs and service gaps regarding long‐term support were identified.

Interpretation

This service model is effective in delivering quality paediatric neurorehabilitation, demonstrating a sustained impact on LOS, and positive patient outcome data and family feedback for this group of patients.

What this paper adds

Investment in early intensive neurorehabilitation and supported discharge impacts length of stay (LOS) for children with acquired brain injury.

Early intensive neurorehabilitation and supported discharge is effective.

This is demonstrated by a sustained reduction in LOS, positive patient outcomes, and family feedback.
The concentration and size distribution of iron‐rich colloids in pore waters are related to soil organic matter content and pore water calcium concentration
Authors: Moens Claudia , Montalvo Daniela , Smolders Erik
Published: March 2021

Iron (Fe)‐rich colloids in the environment have a high surface reactivity and facilitate transport of oxyanions and trace metal cations in soil. This study was set up to help identify the soil properties that might affect the concentrations of colloidal Fe and its size distribution in pore waters of soils. The pore water was isolated by centrifugation from a collection of 97 topsoils with contrasting properties and land use. The total Fe concentration in the pore waters ranged between 0.2 and 26 μM (10th–90th percentile) and was largest at low soil solution calcium (Ca) and high dissolved organic carbon (DOC), indicating that enhanced colloidal stability determines total Fe in solution. The colloidal size distribution (<100 nm) of Fe in the pore waters of 11 soils was determined with flow field flow fractionation (FlFFF‐UV‐ICP‐MS), which yielded three different fractions that varied strikingly among soils. The smallest fraction (<5 nm) of Fe co‐eluted with high DOC and copper (Cu), suggesting mononuclear Fe‐organic carbon (OC) complexes. This fraction increased with an increasing DOC/Fe ratio in pore waters. The 5–50‐nm fraction of Fe prevailed in soils with >3.5% organic carbon (%OC), whereas the 50–100‐nm fraction was dominant in soils with low %OC content. This suggests that natural organic matter inhibits crystallization and growth of mineral Fe particles. The elemental ratios of mineral colloids (>5 nm) indicated the presence of clay minerals and Fe oxyhydroxides, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. This study thus identified soil %OC and Ca in soil solution as the dominant factors predicting both the concentration and size of pore water Fe colloids, with the smallest and, potentially, most mobile Fe colloids occurring in OC‐rich soils.

Highlights

Pore water iron concentrations in topsoils are governed by colloid stability

Flow field flow fractionation analysis allows characterization of iron colloids in the low nanometre range

Iron colloid size and composition vary strikingly among soils

Small iron colloids prevail in organic carbon‐rich soils due to colloid growth inhibition
How does the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) affect ecosystem services and biodiversity components in invaded areas?
Authors: Schrader G. , Baker R. , Baranchikov Y. , Dumouchel L. , Knight K. S. , McCullough D. G. , Orlova‐Bienkowskaja M. J. , Pasquali S. , Gilioli G.
Published: March 2021

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) is an important component of risk analysis for plant pests and invasive alien species (IAS), and a standardized and consistent methodology has recently been developed for evaluating their impact on ecosystem services and biodiversity. This paper presents the application of this innovative methodology for ERA to Agrilus planipennis, the emerald ash borer, which causes significant mortality to Fraxinus (ash) species in forests and urban areas of North America (here: USA and Canada, excluding Mexico) and Russia. The methodology follows a retrospective analysis and summarizes information and observations in invaded areas in North America and Russia. Uncertainty distributions were elicited to define quantitatively a general pattern of the environmental impact in terms of reduction in ecosystem provisioning, supporting and regulating services, and biodiversity components. The environmental impacts of A. planipennis are time‐ and context‐dependent, therefore two time horizons of 5 and 20 years after introduction and two ecosystems (urban and forest) were considered. This case study shows that the quantitative assessment of environmental impacts for IAS is both possible and helpful for decision‐makers and risk managers who have to balance control costs against potential impacts of IAS.
Vitamin C prevents epidermal damage induced by PM‐associated pollutants and UVA1 combined exposure
Authors: Dimitrov Ariane , Zanini Martine , Zucchi Hélène , Boudah Samia , Lima Joaquim , Soeur Jérémie , Marrot Laurent
Published: March 2021

Particulate matter is suspected to be substantially involved in pollution‐induced health concerns. In fact, ultrafine particles (UFPs) contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) known as mutagenic, cytotoxic and sometimes phototoxic. Since UFPs reach blood circulation from lung alveoli, deep skin is very likely contaminated by PAHs coming from either skin surface or blood. As photoreactive, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) or indenopyrene (IcdP) is involved in the interplay between pollution and sunlight. In order to better characterize this process, experiments were carried out on reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) in a protocol mimicking realistic exposure. Concentrations of PAHs comparable to those generally reported in blood were used together with chronic irradiation to low dose UVA1. On a histological level, damaged cells mainly accumulated in a suprabasal situation, thus reducing living epidermis thickness. Stress markers such as IL1‐α or MMP3 secretion increased, and surprisingly, the histological position of Transglutaminase‐1 within epidermis was disturbed, whereas position of other differentiation markers (keratin‐10, filaggrin, loricrin) remained unchanged. When vitamin C was added in culture medium, a very significant protection involving all markers was noticed. In conclusion, we provide here a model of interest to understand the epidermal deleterious consequences of pollution and to select efficient protective compounds.
Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus males increase their reproductive effort when subject to a flea experimental manipulation
Authors: Peralta‐Sánchez Juan Manuel , Nilsson Jan‐Åke
Published: March 2021

Parasites exert a strong selection pressure on their hosts as manifested in behavioural antiparasite traits to reduce negative impacts on fitness. The numerous nest‐dwelling ecto‐parasites residing in avian nests make altricial birds excellent model‐systems for investigating the relationship between parasites and their hosts. Here, we experimentally increased natural levels of hen fleas Ceratophyllus gallinae in blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus nests during incubation, and tested their effects on parental incubation behaviours and reproductive performance. Our experimental addition of fleas resulted in an increase in feeding effort of males to incubating females. Frequency of male feedings was also positively related to clutch size. These results suggest that males increase their reproductive effort in flea manipulated and large broods. This will, at least partly, compensate female costs in nests with high ecto‐parasite density and many nestlings. Furthermore, nestling mass at day six in experimental nests decreased with brood size, which was not the case in nests with a natural level of fleas. In line with male incubation feeding, parents may try to compensate for the costs inflicted by the fleas but can only partly compensate when brood size is large.
Avian community composition affects ornithophilic mosquito and avian malaria turnover across an interfluvial system in southern Amazonia
Authors: De La Torre Gabriel M. , Campião Karla M. , Bell Jeffrey A. , Silva Allan M. , Fecchio Alan
Published: March 2021

Determining the roles of host ecology and geography on the distribution of parasites is an important aim in disease ecology. However, this is extremely challenging for vector transmitted pathogens due to complex host–vector–parasite interactions. Here, we assess community turnover of birds, ornithophilic mosquitoes and Plasmodium parasites at different dimensions of diversity (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic). We test if rivers can act as a geographic barrier to bird, mosquito and Plasmodium communities, and analyze the relationship among community turnover of these biological groups. We compiled two published datasets on bird, mosquito and Plasmodium communities collected in seven localities across the Tapajós river in southern Amazonia. We calculated the community turnover of bird, mosquito and Plasmodium communities, and identified the effect of river margin on community composition by comparing observed values with null models. Mantel tests were used to examine the different turnover dimensions within this host–vector–parasite system. Bird communities on the same riverbank were more similar, whereas bird phylogenetic turnover between riverbanks was more dissimilar than expected by chance. Neither mosquito nor Plasmodium turnover showed significant turnover between riverbank margins. We found a positive correlation between bird community turnover, both taxonomic and functional, and mosquito community turnover. Bird community taxonomic turnover was also positively related to Plasmodium community phylogenetic turnover. Our results suggest that geographic barriers created by the Tapajós river affect bird community assembly but do not constrain mosquito and Plasmodium distributions. Additionally, bird communities may play a key‐role in the community dynamics of mosquito vectors and Plasmodium parasites.
Characteristics of hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea: An Asian experience
Authors: Hoshide Satoshi , Kario Kazuomi , Chia Yook‐Chin , Siddique Saulat , Buranakitjaroen Peera , Tsoi Kelvin , Tay Jam Chin , Turana Yuda , Chen Chen‐Huan , Cheng Hao‐Min , Huynh Van Minh , Park Sungha , Soenarta Arieska Ann , Sogunuru Guru Prasad , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Wang Ji‐Guang
Published: March 2021

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk of hypertension and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence. In Asian countries, the prevalence of OSA is high, as in Western countries. When blood pressure (BP) is evaluated in OSA individuals using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), the BP phenotype often indicates abnormal BP variability, such as increased nighttime BP or abnormal diurnal BP variation, that is, non‐dipper pattern, riser pattern, and morning BP surge, and all these conditions have been associated with increased CVD events. Asians have a higher prevalence of increased nighttime BP or morning BP surge than Westerners. Therefore, this review paper focused on OSA and hypertension from an Asian perspective to investigate the importance of the association between OSA and hypertension in the Asian population. Such abnormal BP variability has been shown to be associated with progression of arterial stiffness, and this association could provoke a vicious cycle between abnormal BP phenotypes and arterial stiffness, a phenomenon recognized as systemic hemodynamic atherothrombotic syndrome (SHATS). OSA may be one of the background factors that augment SHATS. An oxygen‐triggered nocturnal oscillometric BP measurement device combined with a pulse oximeter for continuous SpO2 monitoring could detect BP variability caused by OSA. In addition to treating the OSA, accurate and reliable detection and treatment of any residual BP elevation and BP variability caused by OSA would be necessary to prevent CVD events. However, more detailed detection of BP variability, such as beat‐by‐beat BP monitoring, would further help to reduce CV events.
Theragnostic chromosomal rearrangements in treatment‐naive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas obtained via endoscopic ultrasound
Authors: Murphy Stephen J. , Levy Michael J. , Smadbeck James B. , Karagouga Giannoula , McCune Alexa F. , Harris Faye R. , Udell Julia B. , Johnson Sarah H. , Kerr Sarah E. , Cheville John C. , Kipp Benjamin R. , Vasmatzis George , Gleeson Ferga C.
Published: March 2021

A crucial mutational mechanism in malignancy is structural variation, in which chromosomal rearrangements alter gene functions that drive cancer progression. Herein, the presence and pattern of structural variations were investigated in twelve prospectively acquired treatment‐naïve pancreatic cancers specimens obtained via endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). In many patients, this diagnostic biopsy procedure and specimen is the only opportunity to identify somatic clinically relevant actionable alterations that may impact their care and outcome. Specialized mate pair sequencing (MPseq) provided genome‐wide structural variance analysis (SVA) with a view to identifying prognostic markers and possible therapeutic targets. MPseq was successfully performed on all specimens, identifying highly rearranged genomes with complete SVA on all specimens with > 20% tumour content. SVA identified chimeric fusion proteins and potentially immunogenic readthrough transcripts, change of function truncations, gains and losses of key genes linked to tumour progression. Complex localized rearrangements, termed chromoanagenesis, with broad pattern heterogeneity were observed in 10 (83%) specimens, impacting multiple genes with diverse cellular functions that could influence theragnostic evaluation and responsiveness to immunotherapy regimens. This study indicates that genome‐wide MPseq can be successfully performed on very limited clinically EUS obtained specimens for chromosomal rearrangement detection and potential theragnostic targets.