bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disruption of the GABAergic system contributes to the development of perioperative neurocognitive disorders after anesthesia and surgery in aged mice
Authors: Zhang Wen , Xiong Bing‐Rui , Zhang Long‐Qing , Huang Xian , Zhou Wen‐Chang , Zou Qian , Manyande Anne , Wang Jie , Tian Xue‐Bi , Tian Yu‐Ke
Published: June 2020

Aims

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) are associated with cognitive impairment in the preoperative or postoperative period, and neuroinflammation is thought to be the most important mechanisms especially during the postoperative period. The GABAergic system is easily disrupted by neuroinflammation. This study investigated the impact of the GABAergic system on PND after anesthesia and surgery.

Methods

An animal model of laparotomy with inhalation anesthesia in 16‐month‐old mice was addressed. Effects of the GABAergic system were assessed using biochemical analysis. Pharmacological blocking of α5GABAARs or P38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) were applied to investigate the effects of the GABAergic system.

Results

After laparotomy, the hippocampus‐dependent memory and long‐term potentiation were impaired, the levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α up‐regulated in the hippocampus, the concentration of GABA decreased, and the protein levels of the surface α5GABAARs up‐regulated. Pharmacological blocking of α5GABAARs with L655,708 alleviated laparotomy induced cognitive deficits. Further studies found that the P38 MAPK signaling pathway was involved and pharmacological blocking with SB203,580 alleviated memory dysfunctions.

Conclusions

Anesthesia and surgery caused neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, which consequently disrupted the GABAergic system, increased the expressions of surface α5GABAARs especially through the P38 MAPK signaling pathway, and eventually led to hippocampus‐dependent memory dysfunctions.
Identifying non‐otologic risk factors for tinnitus: A systematic review
Authors: Deklerck Ann N. , Debacker Jens M. , Keppler Hannah , Dhooge Ingeborg J. M.
Published: June 2020

Background

The origin of tinnitus has been attributed to a peripheral auditory lesion, inducing bottom‐up changes and resulting in the perception of a “phantom sound.” However, non‐auditory factors can co‐exist as well, and can even lie at the origin of tinnitus development. An increasing body of literature focuses on psychological, (neuro)muscular, cardiovascular and many other influences and their respective associations with tinnitus prevalence.

Objective of review

The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of these non‐otologic risk factors, and to summarise the evidence in literature about their link with tinnitus.

Type of review

A narrative systematic review was conducted, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement.

Search strategy

The MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for eligible articles, supplemented with manual search methods and grey literature search. Epidemiological studies reporting on the relationship between various non‐otologic risk factors and tinnitus were included.

Evaluation method

Quality assessment was performed using the Hoy & Brooks tool.

Results

Fifty‐five studies were included. Studies were of variable quality, with poor tinnitus definitions and evaluations or questionable sampling of the study population as main contributing factors for high risk of bias. Multiple associated factors have been identified, including cardiovascular, psychological, neurological, musculoskeletal and dietary factors.

Conclusions

The current literature review identified multiple risk factors that could be of significant importance for tinnitus development, maintenance or aggravation. While causality remains uncertain, this systematic elaboration of possible tinnitus comorbidities/risk factors can help provide direction for future research, and can direct clinicians to identify patients at risk and treat relevant symptoms accordingly.
Long‐term outcomes of real world ‘watch and wait’ data for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Simpson G. , Hopley P. , Wilson J. , Day N. , Haworth A. , Montazeri A. , Smith D. , Titu L. , Anderson J. , Agbamu D. , Walsh C.
Published: June 2020

Aim

A ‘watch and wait’ (W&W) strategy after neoadjuvant long‐course chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) remains controversial. Whilst encouraging short‐term data exist, the strategy will be judged on long‐term data. We present long‐term, real‐world UK data from a single National Health Service trust.

Methods

An analysis was performed of a prospectively maintained W&W database over 9 years between 2010 and 2018. Outcome measures include incidence and time to regrowth and overall and disease‐free survival.

Results

We diagnosed 563 rectal cancers in 9 years. In all, 283 patients underwent rectal resection (50.3%). NACRT was used in 155 patients for margin‐threatened tumours on staging MRI. Forty‐nine patients (31.6%) experienced either a ‘near complete’ or a complete clinical response (cCR) at their 10 weeks post‐NACRT assessment (MRI and endoscopy). The median age was 69 years (range 44–83), and the male to female ratio was 32:17. The median follow‐up was 38 months (range 12–96). The median tumour distance from the anal verge was 7 cm (1–15 cm). Twenty‐two patients had a cCR on initial assessment and 27 patients had a ‘near’ cCR. Of those 27 who experienced a ‘near’ cCR, 17 (63%) progressed to cCR on repeat assessment and 10 (37%) did not. Of these 10 patients, seven underwent standard surgical resection and three were unfit for surgery. R0 for the seven with delayed resection was 100%. Of 39 patients (22 cCR and 17 ‘near’ cCR who progressed to cCR) (25.2% of those receiving NACRT), six patients experienced local regrowth (15.4%). The median time to local regrowth was 29 months (15–60 months). One of these six patients underwent salvage abdominoperineal resection, one was advised to have contact radiotherapy and four opted against surgery and also had contact radiotherapy. The overall survival was 100% at 2 years and 90% at 5 years. Disease‐free survival was 90.47% at 2 years and 74.8% at 5 years.

Conclusion

A W&W treatment strategy was employed safely in this patient cohort with acceptable rates of local regrowth and survival.
The McGill Denture Satisfaction Questionnaire revisited: Exploratory factor analysis of a binational sample
Authors: de Souza Raphael F. , Ribeiro Adriana B. , Oates Thomas W. , Feine Jocelyne S.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To examine the McGill Denture Satisfaction Questionnaire (MDSQ) in terms of dimensionality, item reduction and construct validity in a binational sample of complete denture wearers.

Materials and Methods

We conducted secondary analyses of baseline data from two studies on implant‐retained overdentures: a quasi‐experimental study in the United States (n = 145) and a randomised trial in Brazil (n = 120). All participants wore upper/lower dentures and responded at baseline to the MDSQ items concerning their original mandibular dentures. A putative model of the MDSQ items resulted in two question subsets: (a) overall satisfaction, retention/stability, aesthetics, cleaning, speech and comfort, plus general chewing ability; (b) mastication of specific foods. Analyses focused on the internal consistency of each subset and possible item reduction, using Cronbach's alpha (Cα), inter‐item correlation and exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

Results

The 1st subset showed high inter‐item correlation for most question combinations and no redundancy (r ≤ .8). An item on cleaning had low correlation, but its removal does not increase internal consistency (Cα ≥ .83). Results were similar for both studies, with EFA showing a single significant factor (namely “overall satisfaction, lower denture”) able to explain nearly 54% of the variance. The 2nd subset also shows strong internal consistency (Cα ≥ .95) and inter‐item correlation, with a single factor representing 65% of the variation.

Conclusions

This study discloses the reliability and construct validity of the MDSQ for patient‐centred evaluation of complete dental prostheses in the edentulous mandible. Findings also support the use of both “overall satisfaction” and “masticatory ability” as summary scores, for improved outcome assessment.
Delivering on the promise of gene therapy for haemophilia
Authors: Pipe Steven W.
Published: June 2020

The promise of gene therapy is a single treatment (‘one and done’) that leads to steady‐state expression of endogenous factor VIII or factor IX sufficient to achieve a functional cure (free of recurrent haemophilic bleeding) if not normalized haemostasis. The elimination of the need for continued prophylaxis, or factor replacement following trauma or prior to surgery would lead to annual cost savings. Such optimized health and well‐being would be reaching a level of health equity that was unimaginable several decades ago. ‘Before anything else, preparation is the key to success’—Alexander Graham Bell. This quote from the famous inventor, scientist and engineer highlights that, although we currently stand on the threshold of this achievement, delivering on this promise will require broad‐based multistakeholder preparation (scientists, manufacturers, federal regulators, health technology assessors, persons with haemophilia, national advocacy groups and multidisciplinary healthcare teams) with a focused emphasis on education, approval of safe and effective therapies, removal of barriers to access and excellence in clinical delivery.
Impact of 24‐Hour On‐Call Shifts on Headache in Medical Residents: A Cohort Study
Authors: Navarro‐Pérez María Pilar , Suller‐Marti Ana , Bellosta‐Diago Elena , Roche‐Bueno José Carlos , Santos‐Lasaosa Sonia
Published: June 2020

Background

During 24‐hour on‐call shifts medical residents are exposed to diverse circumstances such as sleep deprivation and stress.

Objective

Our aim is to assess the effect of 24‐hour on‐call shifts on medical residents’ headache‐related disability.

Methods

The Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), the Headache Impact Test (HIT–6), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires were administered to medical residents who had never performed on‐call shifts at baseline and 6 months after beginning 24‐hour on‐call shifts. Scores were compared.

Results

About 66 medical residents completed this study. About 21.2% (n = 14) had history of migraine, 42.4% (n = 28) had a history of tension‐type headache (TTH) and 12.1% (n = 8) had a history of both migraine and TTH. Among medical residents with migraine, the median MIDAS score was significantly higher after starting 24‐hour on‐call shifts than at a baseline (4.0 vs 8.0; Wilcoxon, P = .001), meaning that, on average, disability increased from little or no disability, to moderate disability. No difference in HIT‐6 scores was found. The median score of PSQI and HADS was higher at 6 months (PSQI: 7.0 vs 8.0; P = .003), (HADS: 5.0 vs 8.0; P < .001) for the general group.

Conclusions

In medical residents with migraine, migraine‐related disability increased after starting 24‐hour on‐call shifts. We also found a worsening in depression and anxiety symptoms and self‐reported sleep quality in medical residents with and without headache history.
COGNITIVE EMPATHY IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS
Authors: Gauer Florian , Kuzmics Christoph
Published: June 2020

Two individuals are involved in a conflict situation in which preferences are ex ante uncertain. Although they eventually learn their own preferences, they have to pay a small cost if they want to secretly learn their opponent's preferences. We show that there is an interval with an upper bound less than 1 and lower bound greater than zero such that, for sufficiently small positive costs of information acquisition, in any Bayesian Nash equilibrium of the resulting game of incomplete information the probability of acquiring information about the opponent's preferences is within this interval.
Social work in a conflict context: Challenges facing social workers with indigenous inhabitants of unrecognised villages in Israel
Authors: Allassad Alhuzail Nuzha , Mahajne Ibrahim
Published: June 2020

This qualitative study presents the experiences of social workers whose clients are the inhabitants of unrecognised Bedouin Arab villages in Israel. It used in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 25 participants, recruited by the snowball method. These social workers reported that they are caught between their personal and professional values, on the one hand, and employer regulations, government policy and government law, on the other – which greatly limits their ability to fulfil their professional role. The social workers also comment that they are working in a ‘grey area’ in which the government’s policy is unclear. This adds another layer of complexity to their work and reveals the differential implementation of critical social work principles by social workers with different cultural identities.
The Push and Pull Factors Contributing Towards Asylum Migration from Developing Countries to Developed Countries Since 2000
Authors: Matsui Nozomi , Raymer James
Published: June 2020

In the early 2000s, asylum seekers went primarily to destinations their countries had historical relationships, including former colonial ties, common languages and ethnic networks. Since the mid‐2000s, there has been a shift towards asylum seekers arriving in destinations without such relationships. In this study, we apply spatial interaction models to understand the factors contributing to recent asylum migration from developing countries to developed countries from 2001 to 2015. We find that the push factors of political terror, civil rights violation and poverty do not result in increased asylum migration to developed countries. Instead, they act to reduce the number of asylum seekers. We also find that interactions between a range of push factors are important for understanding the movements and that immigration policies can have considerable effects on the destination choices of asylum seekers.
Influence of grain boundary and grain size on the mechanical properties of polycrystalline ceramics: Grain‐scale simulations
Authors: Gong Zhenyuan , Zhao Wei , Guan Kang , Rao Pinggen , Zeng Qingfeng , Liu Jiantao , Feng Zhiqiang
Published: June 2020

The Orowan‐Petch relation is a famous model to describe the strength of polycrystalline ceramics covering a wide range of grain sizes. However, it becomes difficult to explain the strength trend when the grain size decreases to the sub‐microscale or nanoscale. This is because some microstructural parameters (such as grain size, grain boundary fracture energy, and grain boundary defects) vary with different processing technologies, and their coupling effects on mechanical properties are still unclear. In this study, a finite element method (FEM) was applied to investigate the dependence of mechanical properties, such as strength and damage resistance, on the abovementioned microstructural parameters on example of alumina. The numerical results show that the grain boundary energy is weakly coupled with the grain size and grain boundary defects. The grain size and grain boundary are intercoupling, which affects mechanical properties. The mechanical properties could be improved by increasing the grain boundary fracture energy and decreasing the grain size and the grain boundary defect density.
Testosterone replacement therapy in insulin‐sensitive hypogonadal men restores phosphatidylcholine levels by regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism
Authors: Fanelli Giuseppina , Belardo Antonio , Savino Rocco , Rinalducci Sara , Zolla Lello
Published: June 2020

Male hypogonadism is notoriously associated with altered lipid metabolism. In this study, we performed an untargeted mass spectrometry–based profiling of plasma lipids from twenty healthy and twenty hypogonadal men before and after testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for 60 days. Results demonstrated that hypogonadism was associated with a significant increase in sphingomyelin (SM), whereas phosphatidylcholine (PC) was mainly cleaved by activated phospholipase‐A2 into lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In hypogonadal patients, arachidonic acid (AA), also produced through the latter cleavage, was prevalently bio‐transformed into leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and not into endoperoxides from which prostaglandins and thromboxanes are derived. Interestingly, upon testosterone treatment SM, PC and LPC returned to levels similar to controls. Also, AA was newly converted into prostaglandin‐A2, thromboxane‐A2 and 5(S)‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), suggesting that testosterone probably plays a role in controlling hypogonadal alterations above reported.
Corneal nerve loss in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus without retinopathy or microalbuminuria
Authors: Gad Hoda , Al‐Jarrah Bara , Saraswathi Saras , Petropoulos Ioannis N , Ponirakis Georgios , Khan Adnan , Singh Parul , Al Khodor Souhaila , Elawad Mamoun , Almasri Wesam , Abdelrahman Hatim , Elawwa Ahmed , Khalifa Amel , Shamekh Ahmed , Al‐Khalaf Fawziya , Petrovski Goran , Al Zyoud Mahmoud , Al Maadheed Maryam , Hendaus Mohamed A , Hussain Khalid , Akobeng Anthony K , Malik Rayaz A
Published: June 2020

Aims/Introduction

Corneal confocal microscopy is a rapid, non‐invasive ophthalmic technique to identify subclinical neuropathy. The aim of this study was to quantify corneal nerve morphology in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared with age‐matched healthy controls using corneal confocal microscopy.

Materials and Methods

A total of 20 participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus (age 14 ± 2 years, diabetes duration 4.08 ± 2.91 years, glycated hemoglobin 9.3 ± 2.1%) without retinopathy or microalbuminuria and 20 healthy controls were recruited from outpatient clinics. Corneal confocal microscopy was undertaken, and corneal nerve fiber density (n/mm2), corneal nerve branch density (n/mm2), corneal nerve fiber length (mm/mm2), corneal nerve fiber tortuosity and inferior whorl length (mm/mm2) were quantified manually.

Results

Corneal nerve fiber density (22.73 ± 8.84 vs 32.92 ± 8.59; P < 0.001), corneal nerve branch density (26.19 ± 14.64 vs 47.34 ± 20.01; P < 0.001), corneal nerve fiber length (13.26 ± 4.06 vs 19.52 ± 4.54; P < 0.001) and inferior whorl length (15.50 ± 5.48 vs 23.42 ± 3.94; P < 0.0001) were significantly lower, whereas corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (14.88 ± 5.28 vs 13.52 ± 3.01; P = 0.323) did not differ between children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and controls. Glycated hemoglobin correlated with corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (P < 0.006) and aspartate aminotransferase correlated with corneal nerve fiber density (P = 0.039), corneal nerve branch density (P = 0.003) and corneal nerve fiber length (P = 0.037).

Conclusion

Corneal confocal microscopy identifies significant subclinical corneal nerve loss, especially in the inferior whorl of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus without retinopathy or microalbuminuria.
Trophic niche partitioning of five skate species of genus Bathyraja in northern and central Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Tschopp Ayelen , Cristiani Franco , García Nestor Aníbal , Crespo Enrique Alberto , Coscarella Mariano Alberto
Published: June 2020

Overexploitation of marine communities can lead to modifications in the structure of the food web and can force organisms like elasmobranchs to change their feeding habits. To evaluate the impact that fisheries have on food webs and on the interactions between species, it is necessary to describe and quantify the diet of the species involved and follow it through time. This study compares the diet of five skate species using the data obtained from the by‐catch of the Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) fishery in north and central Patagonia, Argentina. Diet composition was assessed by analysing the digestive tract contents and trophic overlapping between species of the genus Bathyraja: Bathyraja albomaculata, Bathyraja brachyurops, Bathyraja macloviana, Bathyraja magellanica and Bathyraja multispinis. A total of 184 stomachs were analysed. The diets of B. albomaculata and B. macloviana mainly comprised annelids, whereas that of B. brachyurops primarily comprised fish, including hake heads discarded by the fishery. The diets of B. magellanica and B. multispinis were largely based on crustaceans. Despite the morphological similarities and their shared preference for benthic habitats, no complete diet overlaps were found between the different species. These results suggest that these skate species have undergone a process of diet specialisation. This is a common feeding strategy that occurs to successfully eliminate competition when resources are limited, which corresponds to the conditions found in an environment being affected by the pressures of overfishing.
Digital and Manual Rotation of the Persistent Occiput Posterior Fetus
Authors: Elmore Christina , McBroom Kelly , Ellis Jessica
Published: June 2020

Persistent fetal occiput posterior (OP) position is a topic of interest with implications for intrapartum management. Although studies report a low incidence of persistent OP position, anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in prevalence given changes in maternal demographics. Clinicians are often familiar with interventions such as position changes and the use of props and a rebozo to address persistent OP position in early labor; however, midwives remain uncomfortable with the techniques of digital and manual rotation. This article reviews current evidence and recommendations for the management of persistent OP position in the second stage of labor. Further research is needed to guide clinicians on the optimal timing and techniques for digital and manual rotation.
Physiological involvement of presynaptic L‐type voltage‐dependent calcium channels in GABA release of cerebellar molecular layer interneurons
Authors: Rey Stéphanie , Maton Gilliane , Satake Shin’Ichiro , Llano Isabel , Kang Soosung , Surmeier Dalton James , Silverman Richard B. , Collin Thibault
Published: June 2020

While high threshold voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) of the N and P/Q families are crucial for evoked neurotransmitter release in the mammalian CNS, it remains unclear to what extent L‐type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs), which have been mainly considered as acting at postsynaptic sites, participate in the control of transmitter release. Here, we investigate the possible role of LTCCs in regulating GABA release by cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) from rats. We found that BayK8644 (BayK) markedly increases mIPSC frequency in MLIs and Purkinje cells (PCs), suggesting that LTCCs are expressed presynaptically. Furthermore, we observed (1) a potentiation of evoked IPSCs in the presence of BayK, (2) an inhibition of evoked IPSCs in the presence of the LTCC‐specific inhibitor Compound 8 (Cp8), and (3) a strong reduction of mIPSC frequency by Cp8. BayK effects are reduced by dantrolene, suggesting that ryanodine receptors act in synergy with LTCCs. Finally, BayK enhances presynaptic AP‐evoked Ca2+ transients and increases the frequency of spontaneous axonal Ca2+ transients observed in TTX. Taken together, our data demonstrate that LTCCs are of primary importance in regulating GABA release by MLIs.

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Morphological and functional evidence for sexual dimorphism in neurokinin B signalling in the retrochiasmatic area of sheep
Authors: Lopez Justin A. , Bowdridge Elizabeth C. , McCosh Richard B. , Bedenbaugh Michelle N. , Lindo Ashley N. , Metzger Makayla , Haller Megan , Lehman Michael N. , Hileman Stanley M. , Goodman Robert L.
Published: June 2020

Neurokinin B (NKB) is critical for fertility in humans and stimulates gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone/luteinising hormone (LH) secretion in several species, including sheep. There is increasing evidence that the actions of NKB in the retrochiasmatic area (RCh) contribute to the induction of the preovulatory LH surge in sheep. In the present study, we determined whether there are sex differences in the response to RCh administration of senktide, an agonist to the NKB receptor (neurokinin receptor‐3 [NK3R]), and in NKB and NK3R expression in the RCh of sheep. To normalise endogenous hormone concentrations, animals were gonadectomised and given implants to mimic the pattern of ovarian steroids seen in the oestrous cycle. In females, senktide microimplants in the RCh produced an increase in LH concentrations that lasted for at least 8 hours after the start of treatment, whereas a much shorter increment (approximately 2 hours) was seen in males. We next collected tissue from gonadectomised lambs 18 hours after the insertion of oestradiol implants that produce an LH surge in female, but not male, sheep for immunohistochemical analysis of NKB and NK3R expression. As expected, there were more NKB‐containing neurones in the arcuate nucleus of females than males. Interestingly, there was a similar sexual dimorphism in NK3R‐containing neurones in the RCh, NKB‐containing close contacts onto these RCh NK3R neurones, and overall NKB‐positive fibres in this region. These data demonstrate that there are both functional and morphological sex differences in NKB‐NK3R signalling in the RCh and raise the possibility that this dimorphism contributes to the sex‐dependent ability of oestradiol to induce an LH surge in female sheep.
Skin irritation potential of cosmetic preservatives: An exposure‐relevant study
Authors: Ma Xue , Wang Huan , Song Yanqing , Pan Yao
Published: June 2020

Background

Preservatives represent one of the main causes of skin irritation and contact allergies.

Aims

To comprehensively evaluate the skin irritation potential of phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben, imidazolidinyl urea, and DMDM hydantoin under regulatory acceptable concentrations.

Methods

A patch test and repeated open application test (ROAT) were applied to evaluate skin irritation in vivo. In vitro alternative methods consisting of the keratinocyte cytotoxicity assay, red blood cell (RBC) test, and hen's egg test‐chorioallantoic membrane (HET‐CAM) were performed to elucidate the mechanism of preservative‐induced irritation responses.

Results

The patch test showed that all test substances showed a weak erythema response. Propylparaben had the highest occlusive irritancy potential in the patch test, owing to damage to the cell membrane. The two formaldehyde releasers showed noticeable skin irritation potential in the ROAT through their cytotoxicity to keratinocytes, while a visible response was observed after applying phenoxyethanol and the two parabens. No filtration was noticed in the in vivo tests, which might be attributed to the failure of subcutaneous vessel alteration by the preservatives.

Conclusions

Commonly used cosmetic preservatives have minor skin irritation potential with mild erythema reaction under practical use, especially formaldehyde releasers and propylparaben.
Digital Machines, Space, and Time: Towards a Behavioral Perspective of Flexible Manufacturing
Authors: Aversa Paolo , Formentini Marco , Iubatti Daniela , Lorenzoni Gianni
Published: June 2020

Recently, the diffusion of digital machines has further enhanced firms’ manufacturing flexibility, but also opened questions on potential challenges and implications in the production process. To respond to these timely issues, this study adopts a behavioral perspective and comparatively explores how four different types of digital machines—characterized by increasing degrees of manufacturing flexibility—affect the perception and use of space and time for routines within the production plant. To this end, 45 digital manufacturing machines, sampled across 14 firms in the British and Italian motorsport industry, were qualitatively observed and compared. A model emerges where four key mechanisms reshape (1) the interactive space around the machine, (2) the innovation activities performed in the machine space, (3) the time within activities involving the machine, and (4) the time perception. Such mechanisms mediate the relationship between manufacturing flexibility and firm performance. Further, data show how increasing digitalization in the manufacturing process enhances the establishment of new routines as flexible machines get introduced in the production. Finally, theoretical and practical implications related to fostering a behavioral perspective in innovation and operations management studies are discussed.
Simulated climate warming increases plant community heterogeneity in two types of boreal peatlands in north–central Canada
Authors: Lyons Caitlyn L. , Branfireun Brian A. , McLaughlin Jim , Lindo Zoë
Published: June 2020

Questions

Climate warming has been demonstrated to shift peatland plant community composition from Sphagnum mosses to vascular plants in Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands. However, fewer studies have determined how increasing temperature affects vegetation patterns in Carex‐dominated peatlands. As plants are important determinants of carbon storage potential in peatlands, we aim to determine how climate warming alters plant community composition in peatlands of two different vegetation types.

Location

Boreal peatlands in north–central Ontario, Canada.

Methods

In a Sphagnum‐ and a Carex‐dominated peatland over two growing seasons, we instigated passive warming using clear open‐topped chambers, providing a modest increase (1–2°C) in temperature. In replicated plots we examined shifts in plant community composition using the point intercept method, and total above‐ground biomass using Leaf Area Index (LAI) against non‐warmed control plots.

Results

While there was no difference in species diversity between control and warmed plots in either fen site, warming significantly increased above‐ground biomass in the Carex‐dominated fen and decreased moss abundance in the Sphagnum‐dominated fen. Both fens also displayed significantly different plant community composition between warming and control plots, and increased heterogeneity under warming.

Conclusion

Peatlands are important global carbon stores and the plant community contributes to their carbon storage; Sphagnum mosses, in particular, are linked to high peatland carbon storage potential. Previous studies in Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands have shown concomitant declines in Sphagnum biomass and increases in vascular plant biomass, and in the short term, we show only a decline in Sphagnum. At both sites the increase in plant community heterogeneity suggests that climate warming effects on plant community composition in boreal peatlands may be more unpredictable than the literature suggests. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that plant community shifts occur even under modest warming scenarios.
Graduate Migration and Early‐career Labor Market Outcomes: Do Education Programs and Qualification Levels Matter?
Authors: Mitze Timo , Javakhishvili‐Larsen Nino
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates the role that spatial mobility plays for early‐career labor market outcomes across education programs and qualification levels. We use data for the full population of Danish graduates from upper (post‐)secondary and tertiary education programs to estimate the labor market returns from migrating after graduation. Benchmark OLS estimates find positive correlations between migration, the employment probability, and entry wages. We further apply IV estimation with instruments constructed from exogenous push factors into migration at the individual, education institution, and local labor market level. Results confirm a mobility premium for graduates from tertiary but not from vocational education programs.
Only the largest terrestrial carnivores increase their dietary breadth with increasing prey richness
Authors: Ferretti Francesco , Lovari Sandro , Lucherini Mauro , Hayward Matt , Stephens Philip A.
Published: June 2020

Animals should adapt their foraging habits, changing their dietary breadth in response to variation in the richness and availability of food resources. Understanding how species modify their dietary breadth according to variation in resource richness would support predictions of their responses to environmental changes that alter prey communities.

We evaluated relationships between the dietary breadth of large terrestrial carnivores and the local richness of large prey (defined as the number of species). We tested alternative predictions suggested by ecological and evolutionary theories: with increasing prey richness, species would (1) show a more diverse diet, thus broadening their dietary breadth, or (2) narrow their dietary breadth, indicating specialisation on a smaller number of prey.

We collated data from 505 studies of the diets of 12 species of large terrestrial mammalian carnivores to model relationships between two indices of dietary breadth and local prey richness.

For the majority of species, we found no evidence for narrowing dietary breadth (i.e. increased specialisation) with increasing prey richness. Although the snow leopard and the dhole appeared to use a lower number of large prey species with increasing prey richness, larger sample sizes are needed to support this result.

With increasing prey richness, the five largest carnivores (puma Puma concolor, spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta, jaguar Panthera onca, lion Panthera leo, and tiger Panthera tigris), plus the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx and the grey wolf Canis lupus (which are usually top predators in the areas from which data were obtained), showed greater dietary breadth and/or used a greater number of large prey species (i.e. increased generalism).

We suggest that dominant large carnivores encounter little competition in expanding their dietary breadth with increasing prey richness; conversely, the dietary niche of subordinate large carnivores is limited by competition with larger, dominant predators. We suggest that, over evolutionary time, resource partitioning is more important in shaping the dietary niche of smaller, inferior competitors than the niche of dominant ones.
Exploring the meaning of critical incident stress experienced by intensive care unit nurses
Authors: Harvey Giuliana , Tapp Dianne M.
Published: June 2020

The complexity of registered nurses’ work in the intensive care unit places them at risk of experiencing critical incident stress. Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics (1960/2013) was used to expand the meanings of work‐related critical incident stress for registered nurses working with adults in the intensive care unit. Nine intensive care unit registered nurses participated in unstructured interviews. The interpretations emphasized that morally distressing experiences may lead to critical incident stress. Critical incident stress was influenced by the perception of judgment from co‐workers and the organizational culture. Nurses in this study attempted to cope with critical incident stress by functioning in ‘autopilot’, temporarily altering their ability to critically think and to conceal emotions. Participants emphasized the importance of timely crisis interventions tailored to support their needs. This study highlighted that critical incident stress was transformative in how intensive care unit nurses practiced, potentially altering their professional self‐identity. Work‐related critical incident stress has implications for nurses, the discipline, and the health care system.
DNA methylation in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease: from gene to cognition
Authors: Poon Chi Him , Tse Long Sum Rachel , Lim Lee Wei
Published: June 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating disorder that manifests with amyloid beta plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss, and severe cognitive impairment. Although much effort has been made to decipher the pathogenesis of this disease, the mechanisms causing these detrimental outcomes remain obscure. Over the past few decades, neuroepigenetics has emerged as an important field that, among other things, explores how reversible modifications can change gene expression to control behavior and cognitive abilities. Among epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation requires further elucidation for the conflicting observations from AD research and its pivotal role in learning and memory. In this review, we focus on the essential components of DNA methylation, the effects of aberrant methylation on gene expressions in the amyloidogenic pathway and neurochemical processes, as well as memory epigenetics in Alzheimer's disease.
Differentiation, evolution and utilization of natural alleles for cold adaptability at the reproductive stage in rice
Authors: Guo Haifeng , Zeng Yawen , Li Jilong , Ma Xiaoqian , Zhang Zhanying , Lou Qijin , Li Jin , Gu Yunsong , Zhang Hongliang , Li Jinjie , Li Zichao
Published: June 2020

Genetic studies on cold tolerance at the reproductive stage in rice could lead to significant reductions in yield losses. However, knowledge about the genetic basis and adaptive differentiation, as well as the evolution and utilization of the underlying natural alleles, remains limited. Here, 580 rice accessions in two association panels were used to perform genome‐wide association study, and 156 loci associated with cold tolerance at the reproductive stage were identified. Os01g0923600 and Os01g0923800 were identified as promising candidate genes in qCTB1t, a major associated locus. Through population genetic analyses, 22 and 29 divergent regions controlling cold adaptive differentiation inter‐subspecies (Xian/Indica and Geng/Japonica) and intra‐Geng, respectively, were identified. Joint analyses of four cloned cold‐tolerance genes showed that they had different origins and utilizations under various climatic conditions. bZIP73 and OsAPX1 differentiating inter‐subspecies evolved directly from wild rice, whereas the novel mutations CTB4a and Ctb1 arose in Geng during adaptation to colder climates. The cold‐tolerant Geng accessions have undergone stronger selection under colder climate conditions than other accessions during the domestication and breeding processes. Additive effects of dominant allelic variants of four identified genes have been important in adaptation to cold in modern rice varieties. Therefore, this study provides valuable information for further gene discovery and pyramiding breeding to improve cold tolerance at the reproductive stage in rice.
Freud as Philosopher and Metaphysician: The Case of Dora
Authors: Duran Jane
Published: June 2020

The Dora case is examined, for its use of psychoanalytic constructs and concomitant reliance on neurological terminology. Boothby and Robertson are cited as commentators, and it is concluded that both Dora and The Interpretation of Dreams point us in the direction of an intriguing, not‐quite‐materialistic philosophy of mind.
Does HIV infection modify the relationship between pre‐pregnancy body mass index and adverse birth outcomes?
Authors: Bengtson Angela M. , Phillips Tamsin K. , le Roux Stanzi M. , Brittain Kirsty , Zerbe Allison , Madlala Hlengiwe , Malaba Thokozile , Petro Gregory , Abrams Elaine J. , Myer Landon
Published: June 2020

Background

South Africa faces dual epidemics of HIV and obesity; however, little research has explored whether HIV status influences associations between pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse birth outcomes.

Objectives

To examine associations between pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse birth outcomes, and if they differ by HIV status.

Methods

We followed HIV‐uninfected and ‐infected pregnant women initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) from first antenatal visit through delivery. HIV‐infected women initiated ART (tenofovir‐emtricitabine/lamivudine‐efavirenz) in pregnancy. Estimated pre‐pregnancy BMI (kg/m2) was categorised as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5‐24.9), overweight (25.0‐29.9), and obese (≥30.0). We used modified Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RR) for associations between pre‐pregnancy BMI and adverse birth outcomes and explored modification by HIV status.

Results

Among 1116 women (53% HIV‐infected), 44% of HIV‐uninfected women and 36% of HIV‐infected women were classified as obese; 4% of women were underweight. Overall, 12% of infants were delivered preterm (<37 weeks), 10% small for gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile), and 9% large for gestational age (LGA, >90th percentile). Compared to HIV‐uninfected women, HIV‐infected women on ART had less LGA (5% vs 13%) but more SGA (12% vs 8%), and a similar proportion of preterm (13% vs 11%) infants. Pre‐pregnancy BMI was not associated with preterm birth. Among HIV‐uninfected women, obesity modestly increased the risk of LGA (RR 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82, 2.19), and underweight modestly elevated the risk of SGA (RR 1.66, 95% CI 0.79, 3.46). These associations were attenuated among HIV‐infected women (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.44, 2.64 for LGA, and RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.49, 3.64 for SGA).

Conclusions

In this urban African setting of high HIV prevalence, pre‐pregnancy obesity was common and did not vary by HIV status. In HIV‐uninfected women, obesity increased the risk of LGA and being underweight the risk of SGA, compared with among HIV‐uninfected women.
Exploring natural diversity of Medicago truncatula reveals physiotypes and loci associated with the response of seedling performance to nitrate supply
Authors: Ben Hdech Douae , Aubry Catherine , Alibert Bénédicte , Beucher Daniel , Prosperi Jean‐Marie , Limami Anis M. , Teulat Béatrice
Published: June 2020

Seedling pre‐emergence is a critical phase of development for successful crop establishment because of its susceptibility to environmental conditions. In a context of reduced use of inorganic fertilizers, the genetic bases of the response of seedlings to nitrate supply received little attention. This issue is important even in legumes where nitrate absorption starts early after germination, before nodule development. Natural variation of traits characterizing seedling growth in the absence or presence of nitrate was investigated in a core collection of 192 accessions of Medicago truncatula. Plasticity indexes to the absence of nitrate were calculated. The genetic determinism of the traits was dissected by genome‐wide association study (GWAS). The absence of nitrate affected seed biomass mobilization and root/shoot length ratio. However, the large range of genetic variability revealed different seedling performances within natural diversity. A principal component analysis (PCA) carried out with plasticity indexes highlighted four physiotypes of accessions differing in relationships between seedling elongation and seed biomass partitioning traits in response to the absence of nitrate. Finally, GWAS revealed 45 associations with single or combined traits corresponding to coordinates of accessions on PCA, as well as two clusters of genes encoding sugar transporters and glutathione transferases surrounding loci associated with seedling elongation traits.
Effectiveness of different parenting interventions on oral hygiene of cerebral palsy children: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: VPK Vedha , Mohanty Vikrant R. , Balappanavar Aswini Y. , Juneja Monica , Gupta Vaibhav , Kapoor Shivam
Published: June 2020

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of different parenting interventions for improving oral hygiene of cerebral palsy (CP) children aged 4‐12 years.

Methodology and results

A randomized controlled trial was done among 60 CP children and parents visiting a tertiary care center in New Delhi. The study population was randomly assigned to experimental or control group (30 in each group). Parents/caregivers in the experimental group (Group 1) received video‐based dental health education (DHE) and the control group (Group 2) received conventional DHE. Each group also received two telephonic reinforcements at fourth and eighth week after the first intervention at baseline. The groups were assessed for sociodemographic, familial factors, medical history, oral hygiene practices, and oral hygiene status.

At 3‐month follow‐up, the mean reduction in simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) scores was 0.27, 0.17, and 0.09, respectively, in Group 1 (P‐value < .05). The mean reductions seen in Group 2 were 0.03 in OHI‐S, 0.14 in PI, and 0.04 in GI index (P‐value < .05, except for GI score: P‐value = .6).

Conclusion

Video‐based DHE is effective and brings about significant improvement in oral hygiene status and oral health among CP children.
Accounting for model uncertainty in multiple imputation under complex sampling
Authors: Goh Gyuhyeong , Kim Jae Kwang
Published: June 2020

Multiple imputation provides an effective way to handle missing data. When several possible models are under consideration for the data, multiple imputation is typically performed under a single‐best model selected from the candidate models. This single‐model selection approach ignores the uncertainty associated with the model selection and so leads to underestimation of the variance of multiple imputation estimator. In this article, we propose a new multiple imputation procedure incorporating model uncertainty in the final inference. The proposed method incorporates possible candidate models for the data into the imputation procedure using the idea of Bayesian model averaging. The proposed method is directly applicable to handling item nonresponse in survey sampling. Asymptotic properties of the proposed method are investigated. A limited simulation study confirms that our model averaging approach provides better estimation performance than the single‐model selection approach.
Motives and barriers to initiation and sustained exercise adherence in a fitness club setting—A one‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Gjestvang Christina , Abrahamsen Frank , Stensrud Trine , Haakstad Lene A. H.
Published: June 2020

No prospective studies have investigated motives and barriers to exercise in new untrained fitness club members. The aims of the present prospective longitudinal study were to (a) examine proportions reporting regular exercise, non‐regular exercise, and exercise dropout; (b) identify motives and barriers to exercise; and (c) compare motives between regular and non‐regular exercisers the first year of fitness club membership. New members (n = 250) were followed for 1 year. A questionnaire including demographics, exercise frequency, motives (EMI‐2), and barriers (18 common reported barriers) was used, and 184 answered at four time points (onset, and after 3, 6, and 12 months). Participants were categorized into regular exercise: ≥2 sessions/wk or non‐regular exercise: ≤1 session/wk, exercise relapse, or dropout. At 3, 6, and 12 months, 63.4%, 59.6%, and 57.2% exercised regularly, whereas 20.1%, 21.1%, and 28.3%, dropped out, respectively. Throughout the follow‐up, 37% reported regular exercise. At all time points, motives regarding positive health and strength/endurance were rated highest on a six‐point scale. Exercise dropouts rated priority as the greatest barrier. Regular exercisers rated the motives enjoyment (such as “I enjoy the feeling of exerting myself”) and challenge (such as “To give me goals to work towards”) higher than non‐regular exercisers (P = ≤.05). In conclusion, less than half exercised regularly, and most members were motivated by factors such as positive health and physical fitness the first year of fitness club membership. Higher levels of the motives enjoyment and challenge were associated with regular exercise.