bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stratigraphic architecture of Solander Basin records Southern Ocean currents and subduction initiation beneath southwest New Zealand
Authors: Patel Jiten , Sutherland Rupert , Gurnis Michael , Van Avendonk Harm , Gulick Sean P. S. , Shuck Brandon , Stock Joann , Hightower Erin
Published: May 2020

Solander Basin is characterized by subduction initiation at the Pacific‐Australia plate boundary, where high biological productivity is found at the northern edge of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Sedimentary architecture results from tectonic influences on accommodation space, sediment supply and ocean currents (via physiography); and climate influence on ocean currents and biological productivity. We present the first seismic‐stratigraphic analysis of Solander Basin based on high‐fold seismic‐reflection data (voyage MGL1803, SISIE). Solander Trough physiography formed by Eocene rifting, but basinal strata are mostly younger than ca. 17 Ma, when we infer Puysegur Ridge formed and sheltered Solander Basin from bottom currents, and mountain growth onshore increased sediment supply. Initial inversion on the Tauru Fault started at ca. 15 Ma, but reverse faulting from 12 to ca. 8 Ma on both the Tauru and Parara Faults was likely associated with reorganization and formation of the subduction thrust. The new seabed topography forced sediment pathways to become channelized at low points or antecedent gorges. Since 5 Ma, southern Puysegur Ridge and Fiordland mountains spread out towards the east and Solander Anticline grew in response to ongoing subduction and growth of a slab. Solander Basin had high sedimentation rates because (1) it is sheltered from bottom currents by Puysegur Ridge; and (2) it has a mountainous land area that supplies sediment to its northern end. Sedimentary architecture is asymmetric due to the Subtropical Front, which moves pelagic and hemi‐pelagic sediment, including dilute parts of gravity flows, eastward and accretes contourites to the shelf south of Stewart Island. Levees, scours, drifts and ridges of folded sediment characterize western Solander Basin, whereas hemi‐pelagic drape and secondary gravity flows are found east of the meandering axial Solander Channel. The high‐resolution record of climate and tectonics that Solander Basin contains may yield excellent sites for future scientific ocean drilling.
Depressive Symptoms and Father Involvement in Canada: Evidence from a National Study
Authors: Shafer Kevin , Renick Andrew J.
Published: May 2020

Paternal involvement in instrumental and emotional parenting behaviours benefits families and children. While fathers have become more involved in childrearing over the past several decades, significant variability in paternal involvement with children remains. Yet, little work has focused on the facilitators and barriers to involved fathering and work in the Canadian context is particularly sparse. This study focuses on one potentially important factor, depressive symptoms, and its relationship with multiple dimensions of father involvement among Canadian men. Using national quantitative data from the Survey of Canadian Fathers‐Enquête des Pères Canadiens (n= 2,099) and ordinary least squares regression models, we focus on the relationship between depressive symptoms and six measures of fathering behavior. Results indicate that depression is significantly associated with most behaviours, but these results diverge from studies in other countries and contexts. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of context‐specific studies on parenting and the need for additional work on fathering and mental health in Canada.
Caries Risk Assessment and Referral Tool (CRA‐RT)—A novel risk scoring system for early childhood caries in community settings
Authors: Muraleedhar Seetha Suchithra , Thomas Valsa , Sivaram Remadevi , Sreedharan Sheela , Nayar Bindu R.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To develop a brief and simple, easy‐to‐administer, culturally sensitive, reliable and valid risk scoring system for early childhood caries based only on behavioural and other nonclinical risk factors. The purpose was to allow risk scoring by child care providers without clinical examination in order to guide dental referral in a community setting.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study using stratified multistage cluster sampling was conducted among 559 preschool children and their mothers in Anganwadi centres and Preprimary schools in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. All steps in the development of a new tool were carried out. Exploratory factor analysis and principal component analysis with Varimax rotation were employed for item reduction. Reliability and validity assessments were also performed. Past caries experience was recorded as dmft scores and the validity hypothesis of higher dmft scores in children with higher caries risk scores was also verified as an additional measure of construct validity.

Results

The newly developed Caries Risk Assessment and Referral Tool (CRA‐RT) is presented as a unidimensional, 11‐item, discriminative tool which showed high test‐retest reliability (ICC = 0.8), high inter‐rater reliability (ICC = 0.8) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.6). Face, content and construct validity have been demonstrated. Children with higher CRA‐RT scores were having higher dmft scores, and it provided an additional evidence for the construct validity of the tool.

Conclusion

CRA‐RT is a simple, valid and reliable novel risk scoring system for ECC, to be used in a nondental, nonmedical setting. The proposed tool contains those behavioural risk or protective factors, the presence or absence of which could be assessed by interviewing the mother. The quick and the easy risk scoring pattern with a cut‐off score can guide the dental referral of preschool children by child care providers in a community setting.
Bringing young children’s voices into programme development, randomized controlled trials and other unlikely places
Authors: O’Farrelly Christine
Published: May 2020

Interventions aimed at improving children's lives are widespread and research evaluating these is central to policy decisions that affect their lives. Although there is an increasing move in intervention and evaluation research to include stakeholders’ perspectives this rarely extends to children's voices. As a psychologist committed to children's rights, this article explores my experiences of working at times on the fringes of my own discipline, drawing on wide‐ranging resources and collaborating with other disciplines. The article reflects on the challenges and opportunities of multidisciplinary research and bringing young children's perspectives into these places where they are rarely heard.
Factors predictive of an advanced stage of colorectal cancer at presentation – a bi‐national study
Authors: Vather R. , Petrushnko W. , Chapman D. , Sammour T. , Mor I. , Warner R.
Published: May 2020

Aim

Identifying elements associated with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) stage may inform understanding of whether advanced disease is a corollary of access to healthcare or tumour biology and in turn allow the use of targeted screening and awareness programmes. The aim of this study was to identify factors that predict advanced stage of CRC at presentation in Australia and New Zealand.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional registry study sourced from the prospectively maintained Binational Colorectal Cancer Audit database of Australia and New Zealand. The primary outcome was stage as defined by the TNM system with associations drawn to demographic and perioperative variables.

Results

In total, 25 282 separate cancers were included. Univariate analysis found younger age, treatment at a public facility, increasing American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, more distal tumours, and less recent year of surgery to all be associated with more advanced disease; sex and presentation at a rural vs urban hospital had no bearing on this outcome. Logistic regression identified younger age (< 60 years vs > 80 years: OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.80–2.14; P = 0.002), treatment at a public vs private hospital (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.14–1.28; P < 0.001), increasing ASA grade (ASA4 vs ASA1: OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.17–1.59, P < 0.001) and more distal tumours (mid‐low rectal vs right colon tumours: OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.41–1.64; P < 0.001) to be independent predictors of nodal or metastatic disease at presentation.

Conclusion

Younger age, increasing ASA grade, more distal tumours, and treatment at a public rather than private facility are independently associated with the presence of nodal or distant CRC metastases at diagnosis.
Developmental Changes in Strategies for Gathering Evidence About Biological Kinds
Authors: Foster‐Hanson Emily , Moty Kelsey , Cardarelli Amanda , Ocampo John Daryl , Rhodes Marjorie
Published: May 2020

How do people gather samples of evidence to learn about the world? Adults often prefer to sample evidence from diverse sources—for example, choosing to test a robin and a turkey to find out if something is true of birds in general. Children below age 9, however, often do not consider sample diversity, instead treating non‐diverse samples (e.g., two robins) and diverse samples as equivalently informative. The current study (N = 247) found that this discontinuity stems from developmental changes in standards for evaluating evidence—younger children chose to learn from samples that best approximate idealized views of what category members are supposed to be like (e.g., the fastest cheetahs), with a gradual shift across age toward samples that cover more within‐category variation (e.g., cheetahs of varying speeds). These findings have implications for the relation between conceptual structure and inductive reasoning, and for the mechanisms underlying inductive reasoning more generally.
B‐cell lymphoma 2 family genes show a molecular pattern of spatiotemporal heterogeneity in gynaecologic and breast cancer
Authors: Wang Jiajian , Li Sidi , Lin Shudai , Fu Shuying , Qiu Li , Ding Ke , Liang Keying , Du Hongli
Published: May 2020

Objectives

BCL2 family proteins have been widely studied over the past decade due to their essential roles in apoptosis, oncogenesis and anti‐cancer therapy. However, the similarities and differences in the spatial pattern of the BCL2 gene family within the context of chromatin have not been well characterized. We sought to fill this knowledge gap by assessing correlations between gene alteration, gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and clinical outcomes in gynaecologic and breast cancer.

Materials and methods

In this study, the molecular characteristics of the BCL2 gene family in gynaecologic cancer were systematically analysed by integrating multi‐omics datasets, including transcriptomics, chromatin accessibility, copy number variation, methylomics and clinical outcome.

Results

We evaluated spatiotemporal associations between long‐range regulation peaks and tumour heterogeneity. Differential expression of the BCL2 family was coupled with widespread chromatin accessibility changes in gynaecologic cancer, accompanied by highly heterogeneous distal non‐coding accessibility surrounding the BCL2L1 gene loci. A relationship was also identified between gene expression, gene amplification, enhancer signatures, DNA methylation and overall patient survival. Prognostic analysis implied clinical correlations with BAD, BIK and BAK1. A shared protein regulatory network was established in which the co‐mutation signature of TP53 and PIK3CA was linked to the BCL2L1 gene.

Conclusions

Our results provide the first systematic identification of the molecular features of the BCL2 family under the spatial pattern of chromatin in gynaecologic and breast cancer. These findings broaden the therapeutic scope of the BCL2 family to the non‐coding region by including a significantly conserved distal region overlaying an enhancer.
OPTIMAL AGRICULTURAL POLICY: SMALL GAINS?
Authors: Ding Kai , Rebessi Filippo
Published: May 2020

Agricultural subsidies distort the allocation of workers across sectors, and may keep too many workers in agriculture. We use a general equilibrium model with endogenous sector selection calibrated to the U.S. economy to assess the efficiency loss and redistribution effect of the current transfer system. Eliminating current subsidies has two main effects: (1) small efficiency gains (around 4% of agricultural output) and (2) a corresponding rise in the price of agricultural goods. We find high‐productivity farmers to be the main beneficiaries of the existing policies, although some of the transfers generate a redistribution effect toward low‐productivity agents, which extends beyond the agricultural sector. (JEL H21, H25, H30, J24, J31, J43)
A forecast evaluation of the Riksbank's policy‐rate projections
Authors: Nordström Martin
Published: May 2020

This paper evaluates the forecasting performance of the policy‐rate path published by the Swedish central bank, the Riksbank. Using data from 2007 to 2019, I find that the Riksbank's forecast has been relatively inaccurate compared to a forecast inferred from market pricing. My analysis indicates that this result is primarily driven by events during the period 2010–2014. This coincides with a period during which the Riksbank arguably “leaned against the wind” and a potential link is discussed in the paper.
Detection and spread of Phytophthora austrocedri within infected Juniperus communis woodland and diversity of co‐associated Phytophthoras as revealed by metabarcoding
Authors: Riddell Carolyn E. , Dun Heather F. , Elliot Matt , Armstrong April C. , Clark Mhairi , Forster Jack , Hedley Pete E. , Green Sarah
Published: May 2020

Phytophthora austrocedri is a recently invasive soilborne pathogen which is causing widespread mortality of Juniperus communis in northern Britain. The pathways by which a single genotype of P. austrocedri has spread to infect such a geographically dispersed range of woodland sites within a relatively short timeframe are unknown. This study examined the detectability of P. austrocedri in soil and water within infected J. communis woodland using qPCR to gain a better understanding of the pathogen's key mechanisms of spread. A Phytophthora metabarcoding method was also applied to investigate the wider diversity of Phytophthora species present in water at one of the sites. qPCR analyses of P. austrocedri in soil samples at a J. communis woodland exhibiting low‐to‐moderate levels of disease suggested a slow natural spread of the pathogen in soil, requiring high moisture conditions. However, the ubiquity of P. austrocedri DNA in soil samples collected across a heavily infected J. communis site suggests that once established at a site the pathogen can be spread readily in soil locally, most likely vectored by animal movements and/or human activities. The hypothesis that P. austrocedri is aerially transmitted in rainwater was not adequately proven, and an alternative hypothesis for the widespread distribution of the pathogen on J. communis in northern Britain is presented. Metabarcoding identified DNA from a diverse range of Phytophthora species in river and rainwater samples although the main target pathogen, P. austrocedri, was not amplified which disagreed with some of the qPCR findings. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
The association of patient weight and dose of fosphenytoin, levetiracetam, and valproic acid with treatment success in status epilepticus
Authors: Sathe Abhishek G. , Elm Jordan J. , Cloyd James C. , Chamberlain James M. , Silbergleit Robert , Kapur Jaideep , Cock Hannah R. , Fountain Nathan B. , Shinnar Shlomo , Lowenstein Daniel H. , Conwit Robin A. , Bleck Thomas P. , Coles Lisa D.
Published: May 2020

The Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial was a blinded, comparative‐effectiveness study of fosphenytoin, levetiracetam, and valproic acid in benzodiazepine‐refractory status epilepticus. The primary outcome was clinical seizure cessation and increased responsiveness without additional anticonvulsant medications. Weight‐based dosing was capped at 75 kg. Hence, patients weighing >75 kg received a lower mg/kg dose. Logistic regression models were developed in 235 adults to determine the association of weight (≤ or >75 kg, ≤ or >90 kg), sex, treatment, and weight‐normalized dose with the primary outcome and solely seizure cessation. The primary outcome was achieved in 45.1% and 42.5% of those ≤75 kg and >75 kg, respectively. Using univariate analyses, the likelihood of success for those >75 kg (odds ratio [OR] = 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54‐1.51) or >90 kg (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.42‐1.66) was not statistically different compared with those ≤75 kg or ≤90 kg, respectively. Similarly, other predictors were not significantly associated with primary outcome or clinical seizure cessation. Our findings suggest that doses, capped at 75 kg, likely resulted in concentrations greater than those needed for outcome. Studies that include drug concentrations and heavier individuals are needed to confirm these findings.
Temporal changes in gene expression and genotype frequency of the ornithine decarboxylase gene in native silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus: Impact of wastewater reduction due to implementation of public policies
Authors: Veliz David , Rojas‐Hernández Noemi , Copaja Sylvia V. , Vega‐Retter Caren
Published: May 2020

Human activity has caused a deterioration in the health and population size of riverine species; thus, public policies have been implemented to mitigate the anthropogenic impacts of water use, watercourse transformation, and pollution. We studied the Maipo River Basin, one of the most polluted with untreated wastewater in Chile, for a period of 12 years (2007‐2019). Since the implementation of new public policies, including the operation of a wastewater collector (2012), the Maipo River Basin is currently much less polluted by untreated water than before. To analyze the impact of wastewater reduction in this river basin, we studied the native silverside (Basilichthys microlepidotus), which inhabits both polluted and unpolluted areas of the river basin. Previous studies reported the overexpression of the ornithine decarboxylase (odc) gene, heterozygote deficit, and high frequency of a homozygote odc genotype in silverside populations that inhabit wastewater‐polluted sites, suggesting a phenotypic change and genotypic selection in response to pollution. Here, a population affected and another population unaffected by wastewater were studied before and after implementing the wastewater collector. The physicochemical data of water samples, changes in odc expression and microsatellite variability, and odc genotype frequencies were analyzed. The results showed physicochemical changes in the affected site before and after the operation of the wastewater collector. The microsatellite loci showed no changes in either population. The odc expression in the affected site was higher before the operation of the wastewater collector. Significant changes in the genotype frequencies of the odc gene before and after the wastewater collector operation were detected only at the affected site, wherein the homozygous dominant genotype decreased from >59% to <25%. Our results suggest that public policies aimed at mitigating aquatic pollution can indirectly affect both gene expression and genotype frequencies of important functional genes.
Spatial genetic structuring in a widespread wetland plant on a plateau: Effects of elevation‐driven geographic isolation and environmental heterogeneity
Authors: Wu Zhigang , Li Xing , Xie Dong , Wang Huijun , Zhang Zhiqi , Xu Xinwei , Li Tao
Published: May 2020

Highlands are ideal research areas for improving our understanding of the influence of ecological factors on the diversity and spatial patterns of natural species. Elevation‐driven physical and environmental isolation greatly affect the evolution of plants. The mechanisms and essential drivers underlying these processes may differ among research scales, habitats and landscapes. Wetlands are important elements of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, which is the highest plateau in the world, and these habitats harbour high aquatic organismal diversity. However, how the environments shape the genetic variation and structure of hydrophilous plants is poorly understood.

Using microsatellite markers and a chloroplast fragment, we quantified the genetic diversity and spatial genetic pattern of Stuckenia filiformis, one of the most widespread aquatic plants on the plateau. The relative contributions of geography, climate and local conditions to intra‐ and interpopulation variation were estimated. The results showed that intrapopulation genetic variation of the plant is moderate to high and not constrained by high‐altitude environments. Topographical isolation mainly contributes to the genetic structure of S. filiformis, as inferred by simple sequence repeats and chloroplast DNA data. Significant effects of environmental variables on the spatial genetic patterns of this freshwater species were also suggested by landscape genetic analysis.

Infrequent long‐distance dispersal, sexual recruitment and annual growth are probably important for the maintenance and distribution of this variation. Our findings imply a combined effect of geography and elevation‐driven environmental heterogeneity on the evolution of aquatic organisms in highlands.
Increased rice flooding during winter explains the recent increase in the Pacific Flyway White‐fronted GooseAnser albifrons frontalispopulation in North America
Authors: Cunningham Stephanie A. , Zhao Qing , Weegman Mitch D.
Published: May 2020

Despite declines in numerous migratory bird populations due to global climate and landscape changes, the Pacific Flyway population of Greater White‐fronted GeeseAnser albifrons frontalisin North America has flourished over recent decades. However, the demographic foundations of the population increase remain unclear, largely due to sparse data. In this study, we used a Bayesian integrated population model (IPM) to maximize information from multiple data sources including coordinated population survey, ring‐recovery and hunter‐harvested goose tail data. We estimated demographic parameters and assessed the role of several possible drivers of the observed population increase, including density‐dependent processes, agricultural land use change and climate conditions in both the wintering and the breeding season, while also accounting for the impacts of harvest. Non‐harvest survival of all geese was 0.83 (95% credible interval (CRI): 0.70–0.96) before legislation restricted post‐harvest rice field burning, and 0.98 (95% CRI: 0.94–1.0) afterwards. We detected a negative effect of density‐dependent processes and a positive effect of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation on non‐harvest survival with high certainty. Kill rates were 0.11 (95% CRI: 0.09–0.12) for adults (after hatch year) and 0.26 (95% CRI 0.21–0.31) for juveniles (hatch year), resulting in annual survival rates of 0.81 (95% CRI: 0.69–0.89) for adults and 0.67 (95% CRI: 0.56–0.76) for juveniles. The ratio of juvenile birds to adults in the population was on average 0.36 (95% CRI: 0.29–0.45) and was driven by negative density‐dependent processes with high certainty. Our results suggest that the ban on rice field burning and subsequent high frequency of flooding as an alternative rice decomposition practice was the primary driver of the Pacific white‐fronted Goose population increase. The effects of climate change and density dependence were not strong enough to suppress the benefit of flooded rice. Given sparse demographic data for Pacific white‐fronted Geese, we were only able to uncover drivers of demography using IPMs. We encourage practitioners with sparse data similarly to consider forming IPMs to determine the drivers and mechanisms for population change and to prioritize future data collection.
Professionalising gender and development expertise: innovations in capacity‐building and credentialing
Authors: Mehra Rekha , Malhotra Anju , Alleman Patty , Pires Lauren
Published: May 2020

Gender training does not adequately prepare gender and development professionals (GDPs) to undertake robust gender integration of development and humanitarian assistance (D&H) policies and programmes and limits their ability to impact gender equity and equality and development overall. In particular, GDPs lack sector‐specific and applied technical skills in gender analysis and integration. These limitations undermine GDPs’ own performance and their credibility with employers and colleagues who rely on them for professional guidance in gender integration. To address these shortcomings and advance the field of gender and D&H, this note describes a new model of gender capacity‐building that introduces three innovations: (1) sector‐specific, job‐related and outcome‐based gender analysis and integration competencies, (2) a professional development capacity‐building short course based on the competencies and applications to D&H policies and programmes and (3) a professional credential that recognizes possession of these critical competencies.
Phrenic nerve injury in atrial fibrillation ablation using balloon catheters: Incidence, characteristics, and clinical recovery course
Authors: Tohoku Shota , Chen Shaojie , Last Jana , Bordignon Stefano , Bologna Fabrizio , Trolese Luca , Zanchi Simone , Bianchini Lorenzo , Schmidt Boris , Chun K. R. Julian
Published: May 2020

Aims

Systematic data on phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) associated with contemporary balloon ablation techniques (cryoballoon [CBA] vs laser balloon [LBA]) are sparse. We aimed to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and clinical recovery course in patients with PNP who underwent CBA or LBA.

Methods and Results

A total of 2433 consecutive patients who underwent balloon‐based pulmonary vein isolation (CBA: n = 1720 and LBA: n = 713) were retrospectively identified. PNP was classified into (a) transient (recovery before discharge) or (b) persistent (within 6 months, 6‐12 months, and >12 months) according to clinical recovery course. In general, PNP occurred significantly more often in CBA 71/1720 (4.2%) than LBA 11/713 (1.5%) (P = .003). The rate of transient PNP was significantly higher in CBA (3.0%, n = 45) than LBA (0.1%, n = 1, P = .004). The rate of persistent PNP did not significantly differ between two groups (CBA: 1.2% vs LBA: 1.4%, P = .89). The rate of persistent PNP which recovered within 6 months was similar (CBA: 17.4% vs LBA 18.2%, P = 1.000). However, the rates of persistent PNP which recovered within 6 to 12 months (CBA: 2.9% vs LBA 27.3%, P = .0171) and more than 12 months (CBA: 7.3% vs LBA 45.5%, P = .0034) were significantly higher in LBA.

Conclusion

PNP occurred more often in CBA than LBA, however, the majority of PNP in CBA was transient whereas the majority of PNP in LBA was persistent. Either balloon technology is not superior in terms of long‐term PNP.
The investigation of the amounts and expressions of epidermal growth factor, epidermal growth factor receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor gene polymorphisms in acne vulgaris
Authors: Aydingoz Ikbal Esen , Tukenmez Demirci Gulsen , Agirbasli Deniz , Oz‐Arslan Devrim , Yenmis Guven
Published: May 2020

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI) used in cancer chemotherapy cause acneiform folliculitis in 70%‐100% of patients in a dose‐dependent manner. Acneiform folliculitis is considered to be caused by an inflammatory process due to follicular hyperkeratosis and subsequently a set of changes both in epidermis and hair follicles as a result of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) blockade. Both acne vulgaris and acneiform folliculitis due to EGFRIs show similar changes in the pilosebaceous unit. Furthermore, in both groups of patients, topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported to improve the disease.

Aims

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the role of EGF and EGFR amount, expression, and EGFR gene polymorphisms in the etiopathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

Patients/Methods

156 acne vulgaris patients, within 18‐25 years of age, who had 15 or more inflammatory acne lesions on dermatologic evaluation were included in this study. The absence of any known systemic or genetic disease or cancer and any systemic or topical treatment for the last 1 month were prerequisites. In the control group, 154 volunteers in the same age range who were examined at the outpatient clinic with diagnoses of melanocytic nevus, ephelid, cherry angioma, and callus and who had no more than 3 inflammatory acne lesions were recruited. The amounts of EGF and EGFR were determined by sandwich ELISA, expressions of EGF and EGFR by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; EGFR polymorphisms were examined by restriction enzyme digestion, Sanger, and high‐resolution melting methods.

Results

The patient and control groups were compared in terms of EGFR gene polymorphisms in addition to the amount and expressions of EGF and EGFR. The amount of EGF in the serum was found to be significantly higher in the acne group. (P = .0012). There was no significant difference in other parameters studied.

Conclusion

The results of our study showed a significant increase in the amount of EGF in the acne group. Though EGF may be incriminated in the etiopathogenesis of AV, the most likely explanation about its role may be controlling inflammation from the very first stage.
Lemierre syndrome – treat with antibiotics, anticoagulants or both?
Authors: Schulman S.
Published: May 2020

Click here to view the Original article by Valerio et al.
Global personality dysfunction and the relationship of pathological and normal trait domains in the DSM‐5 alternative model for personality disorders
Authors: Morey Leslie C. , Good Evan W. , Hopwood Christopher J.
Published: May 2020

Objective

The DSM‐5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders distinguishes core personality dysfunction common to all personality pathology from maladaptive traits that delineate specific variants of disorder. Previous research shows the convergence between maladaptive and normal range trait domains as well as substantial correlations between maladaptive traits and core dysfunctions, leading some to conclude that personality traits and dysfunction are redundant. This study sought to examine the potential utility of the concept of core dysfunctions as a means of clarifying the nature of the relationship between maladaptive and normal‐range traits.

Method

Three nonclinical samples (n = 178, 307, and 1,008) were evaluated for personality dysfunction, maladaptive traits, and normal‐range traits using different measures.

Results

Results indicated that: (1) normal trait domains and core dysfunction contribute independently to understanding maladaptive traits; (2) the correlation of a normal trait domain with its putative maladaptive equivalent is consistently accounted for in part by core dysfunction; and (3) the multitrait multimethod matrices of normal and maladaptive personality trait domains demonstrate appreciable discriminant validity problems that are clarified by a consideration of core dysfunction.

Conclusion

These results suggest that maladaptive traits reflect the distinguishable contributions of core personality dysfunction (problems) and normal‐range personality traits (person).
Top‐down and bottom‐up controls limit woody encroachment into persistent temperate rainforest meadows
Authors: Elliott Braden T.
Published: May 2020

Questions

Meadows in montane forests have emerged as a global study system for the accelerating phenomenon of woody encroachment, particularly in the highly productive temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. Study of woody encroachment into meadows in western Oregon, however, has been conducted almost entirely in the western and High Cascades, with only two extant observational studies of grassy balds in the Coast Range. This study evaluates evidence for factors limiting woody encroachment into meadows in the Oregon Coast Range, including bottom‐up control by soil properties, plant–plant interactions and top‐down control by large herbivores.

Location

Coast Range, western Oregon, United States of America.

Methods

The chemical and physical properties of soils to a depth of 50 cm in meadow and forest measured, and the community, density and browse pressure for shrubs, conifers, and deciduous trees ≤2 m tall from meadow into forest were recorded. A total of 20Pseudotsuga menziesii(Douglas‐fir) seedlings were experimentally planted in each of five meadows and neighbouring plant presence and herbivore access manipulated.

Results

Meadow soils were lower in C and C:N, slightly lower in N and similar in plant‐available water and pH relative to forest soils. Shrubs were most dense but experienced the lowest browse pressure near the meadow edge, while trees were sparse and varied by site (although at one site, browse pressure was heavier in meadow than forest). Seedling survival and growth varied by site and herbivory‐reduced growth; total soil N best explained residual variation in seedling growth among sites.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that ungulate herbivores exert top‐down control on woody encroachment into temperate montane meadows, perhaps in concert with local N‐limitation.
An observational study of older patient specialling in acute hospital settings
Authors: Cook Jacquelene , Palesy Debra , Lapkin Samuel , Chenoweth Lynn
Published: May 2020

Background

During hospitalisation, older people can quickly become disoriented and agitated. In these instances, ‘specialling’, involving close monitoring and observation of the person to prevent accidents, injuries and clinical deterioration is often required. Despite the widespread practice of older patient specialling, there is no evidence of the best model, or any clear guidelines around the essential requirements for this practice.

Aim

This study aimed to examine specialling practices for hospitalised older patients in acute aged care wards.

Method

Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained in an observational study of specialling practices for hospitalised older patients. Two validated observational tools were used to collect data on nursing care provided during specialling and patient responses to specialling over a three‐month period.

Findings

A total of 58 observations were undertaken of specialling practices for 12 hospital patients aged 65 years and over in four acute aged care wards. Delirium was the most common reason for older patient specialling. Most specialling was undertaking by Assistants in Nursing. Specialling interactions and responses were mainly positive. Positive specialling practices occurred when the staff special was familiar with the older patient and the ward in which specialling occurred. Specialling practices differed in relation to, the type of care required, the presence of the patients’ personal possessions in their immediate surroundings, the presence of medical devices, patient acuity and general ward busyness.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that specialling practices differ according to patient need and that the staff member's familiarity with the ward and their patients are important factors in positive older patient specialling. The specialling role needs much clearer definition, including the type of educational preparation and workload support that is appropriate to ensure safe and quality care.
Role of piezoelectric device in oral & maxillofacial surgery
Authors: Nissy T.S. , Saralaya S. , Jayanth B.S. , Sunil S.M.
Published: May 2020

Piezosurgery is a relatively new technique that allows bone to be cut while preserving soft tissues, including nerves. It provided more favourable osseous repair and remodelling when surgical ostectomy and osteoplasty procedures were performed. Reduced blood loss, minimal swelling and edema were noted with various procedures when performed with this device. It is preferred in inaccessible sites; in areas where vital structures are in vicinity of the corticotomy sites. The unique feature of piezosurgery which makes it superior to the conventional technique is micro streaming and cavitation phenomenon. It also has millimetric cutting precision which adds to the accuracy of planning, prevents assistant fatigue, osseous thermal necrosis due to inbuilt irrigation at the cutting tip and permits ingenuity in osteotomy designs. We describe our experience with this device in different aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Risk of esophageal thermal injury during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation guided by different ablation index
Authors: Zhang Zu‐Wen , Zhang Pei , Jiang Ru‐Hong , Liu Qiang , Sun Ya‐Xun , Yu Lu , Lin Jian‐Wei , Chen Shi‐Quan , Sheng Xia , Fu Guo‐Sheng , Jiang Chen‐Yang
Published: May 2020

Background

During ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), energy delivery toward the left atrial posterior wall may cause esophageal injury (EI). Ablation index (AI) was introduced to estimate ablation lesion size, however, the impact of AI technology on the risk of EI has not been explored.

Method

From March 2019 to December 2019, 60 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing first‐time ablation were prospectively enrolled. The first 30 consecutive patients were ablated with the AI target value of 400 (AI‐400 group), and the later 30 consecutive patients were ablated with the AI target value of 350 at the posterior wall (AI‐350 group). Endoscopic ultrasonography was used to evaluate EI postablation. EI was classified as a category 1 (erythema or erosion) or a category 2 (hematoma or ulceration).

Results

Compared with the AI‐400 group (59.9 ± 8.4 years; male, 60%), the AI‐350 group (59.1 ± 9.9 years; male, 50%) had a lower incidence of EI (3.3% vs 26.7%, P = .03). There was no significant difference in the percentage of first‐pass PVI between the AI‐400 group and the AI‐350 group (left PVI: 80% vs 73.4%, P = .54; right PVI: 80% vs 60%, P = .1). Neither ablation time nor fluoroscopy time was significantly different between the AI‐400 group and the AI‐350 group.

Conclusions

AF ablation guide by AI target value of 350 may reduce esophageal thermal injury and has a similar efficiency on the acute success rate of first‐pass PVI compared with an AI target value of 400 at the posterior wall.
Multilevel reinforcing dynamics: Global climate governance and European renewable energy policy
Authors: Rietig Katharina
Published: May 2020

This article breaks new ground by revisiting the Multiple Streams Framework as central public policy theory and modifying it to take into account multilevel reinforcing dynamics. This is important as it allows policy change to be explained more accurately given the empirical interdependencies between policy‐making on the national, regional (e.g., European) and international levels, which so far have not been sufficiently taken into account by traditional public policy theories. It process‐traces how EU‐level policies motivated by energy security considerations and global climate leadership ambitions influenced international‐level agenda‐setting. Global climate change commitments in turn influenced European renewable energy and climate policy. Such multilevel reinforcing dynamics were central for the 2009 European Renewable Energy Directive, the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework and the 2050 European Green Deal proposal to emerge and subsequently facilitated the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which in turn motivated developed and developing countries to legislate and implement climate and renewable energy policies.
Women are not swayed by sugar‐coated acts of verbal sexual coercion
Authors: Garrido‐Macías Marta , Arriaga Ximena B.
Published: May 2020

Sexual coercion is receiving much attention with the #MeToo movement. Not all of the tactics that perpetrators use to coerce sex are perceived to be equally unacceptable. This study examined factors that may mitigate negative perceptions, including features of the perpetrator's tactics (verbal vs. physical tactics, relationship‐focused vs. self‐focused reasons to coerce sex) and raters' own current relationship (commitment, dependence, sexually coercive experiences). College women (N = 498) rated whether the perpetrator's behavior was acceptable, was excusable, and would adversely affect a relationship. Verbal (vs. physical) coercion, dependence on a current partner, and sexually coercive experiences in a current relationship mitigated negative perceptions. However, participant ratings were not influenced by the perpetrator's use of relationship‐focused reasons for coercing sex (vs. self‐focused reasons), suggesting that women may resist male attempts to sugar‐coat sexual coercion.
The international regulation for the protection of the environment in the development of marine renewable energy in the EU
Authors: Soria‐Rodríguez Carlos
Published: May 2020

Marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies have been fostered in the European Union (EU) due to their potential contribution to achieving the EU’s climate objectives and the decarbonization of the energy system. However, their development can pose severe environmental risks to marine ecosystems. Hence, the EU requires environmental protection and sustainable growth for the development of MRE in maritime spaces under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of EU Member States. This article analyses the main international law instruments for the protection of the environment against the impacts associated with the deployment of MRE in the EU. It argues that the international legal framework is theoretically capable of protecting the environment against the impacts of MRE, but that it needs to be further developed and specified to ensure exhaustive protection. However, it also highlights the important role of this framework to provide a basis for developing the framework at the EU secondary law level.
Safe‐by‐Design: Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Expectations of How to Deal with Uncertain Risks of Emerging Biotechnologies in the Netherlands
Authors: Bouchaut Britte , Asveld Lotte
Published: May 2020

Advanced gene editing techniques such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/Cas have increased the pace of developments in the field of industrial biotechnology. Such techniques imply new possibilities when working with living organisms, possibly leading to uncertain risks. In the Netherlands, current policy fails to address these uncertain risks because risk classification is determined process‐wise (i.e., genetically modified organism [GMO] and non‐GMO), there is a strong focus on quantifiable risks, and the linearity within current governance (science–policy–society) hinders iterative communication between stakeholders, leaving limited room to anticipate uncertainties at an early stage of development. A suggested concept to overcome these shortcomings is the Safe‐by‐Design (SbD) approach, which, theoretically, allows stakeholders to iteratively incorporate safety measures throughout a technology's development process, creating a dynamic environment for the anticipation of uncertain risks. Although this concept originates from chemical engineering and is already widely applied in nanotechnology, for the field of biotechnology, there is no agreed upon definition yet. To explore the possibilities of SbD for future governance of biotechnology, we should gain insight in how various stakeholders perceive notions of risk, safety, and inherent safety, and what this implies for the applicability of SbD for risk governance concerning industrial biotechnology. Our empirical research reveals three main themes: (1) diverging expectations with regard to safety and risks, and to establish an acceptable level of risk; (2) different applications of SbD and inherent safety, namely, product‐ and process‐wise; and (3) unclarity in allocating responsibilities to stakeholders in the development process of a biotechnology and within society.
Dignity in end‐of‐life care at hospice: An Action Research Study
Authors: Viftrup Dorte Toudal , Hvidt Niels Christian , Prinds Christina
Published: May 2020

Background

Safeguarding the dignity of patients at the end of life is a key objective in palliative care practice in Denmark. The concept of dignity and how it influences a dying persons’ quality of life is thus influential in end‐of‐life care at hospices. However, what is meant by dignity, how dignity is understood and practiced by healthcare professionals in Danish hospices, and whether this relates to the patients’ understandings and needs concerning dignity remains unanswered.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore and improve dignity in care through an action research study with patients and hospice staff at two different hospices in Denmark. This was done by exploring how patients and healthcare professionals expressed their understandings and needs concerning dignity and involving participants in the research process with the goal of improving dignity in care.

Methods

An action research method with reflection‐of‐praxis and action‐in‐praxis was applied. It was combined with methods of semi‐structured individual interviews with twelve patients, five staff and nine focus‐group interviews with staff.

Results

Three themes emerged from the analysis of data. The themes were as follows: (1) being understood, (2) contributing and (3) holistic care. Deeper analysis indicated that staff understandings of dignity mostly focused on preserving patients’ autonomy, whereas patients expressed needs for relational and spiritual aspects of dignity. Staff were mostly concerned about preserving patients’ autonomy when providing dignity in care, however, through the action‐in‐praxis they increased their awareness on their own praxis and patients’ needs and understanding concerning dignity. The theoretical model on dignity presented in the study also worked as a map to guide staffs’ reflections on dignity in praxis and facilitated a broader focus on supporting and caring for patients’ dignity in care. We believe this study has improved dignity in care at the two hospices involved in the study.
Training for a (half‐)marathon: Training volume and longest endurance run related to performance and running injuries
Authors: Fokkema Tryntsje , van Damme Ankie A.D.N. , Fornerod Maarten W.J. , de Vos Robert‐Jan , Bierma‐Zeinstra Sita M.A. , van Middelkoop Marienke
Published: May 2020

Objective

Examine the associations of training volume and longest endurance run with (half‐)marathon performance and running‐related injuries (RRIs) in recreational runners.

Materials and Methods

During the preparation for and directly after the running event, 556 participants of a half marathon and 441 participants of a marathon completed three questionnaires on RRIs, average weekly training volume and the longest endurance run. With finish time, decline in pace during the running event and RRIs as dependent variables, linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations with weekly training volume and the longest endurance run.

Results

In half‐marathon runners, a high training volume (>32 km/wk) (β −4.19, 95% CI: −6.52;−1.85) and a long endurance run (>21 km) (β −3.87, 95% CI: −6.31;‐−1.44) were associated with a faster finish time, while a high training volume (β −1.81, 95% CI: −3.49;−0.12) and a long endurance run (β −1.89, 95% CI: −3.65;−0.12) were also related to less decline in pace. In marathon runners, a low training volume (<40 km/wk) was related to a slower finish time (β 6.33, 95% CI: 0.18;12.48) and a high training volume (>65 km/wk) to a faster finish time (β −14.09, 95% CI: −22.47;−5.72), while a longest endurance run of <25 km was associated with a slower finish time (β 13.44, 95% CI: 5.34;21.55). No associations between training characteristics and RRIs were identified.

Conclusions

Preparation for a (half‐)marathon with a relatively high training volume and long endurance runs associates with a faster finish time, but does not seem related to an increased injury risk.