bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are the St John's wort Hyp-1 superstructures different?
Authors: Lovelace Jeffrey J. , Borgstahl Gloria E. O.
Published: May 2021

Two commensurately modulated structures (PDB entries 4n3e and 6sjj) were solved using translational noncrystallographic symmetry (tNCS). The data required the use of large supercells, sevenfold and ninefold, respectively, to properly index the reflections. Commensurately modulated structures can be challenging to solve. Molecular-replacement software such asPhasercan detect tNCS and either handle it automatically or, for more challenging situations, allow the user to enter a tNCS vector, which the software then uses to place the components. Although this approach has been successful in solving these types of challenging structures, it does not make it easy to understand the underlying modulation in the structure or how these two structures are related. An alternate view of this problem is that the atoms and associated parameters are following periodic atomic modulation functions (AMFs) in higher dimensional space, and what is being observed in these supercells are the points where these higher dimensional AMFs intersect physical 3D space. In this case, the two 3D structures, with a sevenfold and a ninefold superstructure, seem to be quite different. However, describing those structures within the higher dimensional superspace approach makes a strong case that they are closely related, as they show very similar AMFs and can be described with one unique (3+1)D structure,i.e.they are two different 3D intersections of the same (3+1)D structure.
Ethyl 2-cyano-2-{(Z)-2-[2,2-dicyano-1-(4-methylphenyl)ethyl]cyclohexylidene}acetate
Authors: Sivapriya S. , Priyanka S. , Gopalakrishnan M. , Manikandan H. , Selvanayagam S.
Published: May 2021

In the title compound, C22H23N3O2, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation. The methylphenyl ring is oriented at an angle of 36.2 (1)° with respect to the best plane of cyclohexane moiety. In the crystal, molecules associate via C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.
Teachers’ readiness to adopt online teaching amid COVID-19 lockdown and perceived stress: pain or panacea?
Authors: Mehta Prashant
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Prolonged closure of educational institutions prompted authorities to adopt online teaching as an alternative method to impart education. The purpose of this study is to investigate the readiness on the part of teachers to switch/adopt online teaching as a part of their pedagogy. Also, this study analyses relationship between perceived stress (PS) and readiness to change (RTC)/adopt.

Design/methodology/approach

All the constructs were adapted from established scales, exploratory factor analysis confirmed item loadings on the appropriate constructs. Convenience sampling was used for data collection; owing to COVID-19 this appeared to be the only viable method. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used for analysis of data.

Findings

Results from this study indicate that 32.2% variance in RTC is accounted for by exogenous constructs perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and autonomy (AUT). Although f2 effect size pointed towards non-significance of AUT in predicting RTC (path coefficients were found to be significant for all the exogenous constructs). Also, RTC accounted for 32.6% variance in PS. To assess the predictive relevance of the model, blindfolding procedure was used to obtain Q2 values (Q2PS = 0.231; Q2RTC = 0.243). Positive Q2 values provide support for the model’s predictive relevance.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from teachers employed in urban public schools. A complete picture can be obtained by involving teachers from rural public and state-run schools.

Practical implications

Teachers’ readiness to adopt online teaching as a part of their pedagogy may act as a starting point for the policymakers to design properly structured training programs for teachers that minimise stress levels.

Social implications

If not handled properly, the society may end with either loss of learning to one generation or a major chunk of stressed-out teaching populations or both.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is probably the first one focusing on sudden shift to online teaching and PS.
Using latent features for building an interpretable recommendation system
Authors: Zeng Ziming , Shi Yu , Pieptea Lavinia Florentina , Ding Junhua
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Aspects extracted from the user’s historical records are widely used to define user’s fine-grained preferences for building interpretable recommendation systems. As the aspects were extracted from the historical records, the aspects that represent user’s negative preferences cannot be identified because of their absence from the records. However, these latent aspects are also as important as those aspects representing user’s positive preferences for building a recommendation system. This paper aims to identify the user’s positive preferences and negative preferences for building an interpretable recommendation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, high-frequency tags are selected as aspects to describe user preferences in aspect-level. Second, user positive and negative preferences are calculated according to the positive and negative preference model, and the interaction between similar aspects is adopted to address the aspect sparsity problem. Finally, an experiment is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. The code and the experiment data link is:https://github.com/shiyu108/Recommendation-system

Findings

Experimental results show the proposed approach outperformed the state-of-the-art methods in widely used public data sets. These latent aspects are also as important as those aspects representing the user’s positive preferences for building a recommendation system.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new approach that identifies and uses not only users’ positive preferences but also negative preferences, which can capture user preference precisely. Besides, the proposed model provides good interpretability.
New developments on regulation of cryptocurrency in China
Authors: Shen Wenhao
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To describe recent regulatory developments in China on digital renminbi (RMB), initial coin offerings (ICOs), cryptocurrency holdings, cryptocurrency exchanges and blockchain technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes a digital RMB pilot program, seven government agencies’ bans on ICOs and cryptocurrency exchanges, the legality of holding and trading cryptocurrencies in China and the government’s endorsement of blockchain technology.

Findings

No PRC law or regulation prohibits Chinese investors from holding or trading cryptocurrencies but Bitcoin is defined as a virtual commodity, not a currency. Despite a ban on ICOs and cryptocurrency exchanges, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and other government agencies endorse blockchain technology as long as its goal is to service the real economy.

Originality/value

Expert guidance from lawyer with experience in foreign investment, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, fund formation and venture capital and private equity investments in China.
Influence of h-BN fillers on mechanical and tribological properties of PP/PA6 blend
Authors: Vyas Abhishek , Randhawa Kawaljit Singh
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical and tribological performance of polypropylene (PP) material. The influence of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) microparticles on mechanical and tribological properties of PP/polyamide 6 (nylon 6) (PA6) blend has been investigated in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

Tensile strength, elongation, elastic modulus and Rockwell hardness were measured to identify the mechanical properties of materials. Coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rates of materials were measured with the help of a pin-on-disc tribometer to check the tribological behavior of blend and composite materials.

Findings

As a result, a small decrease in tensile strength and elongation and improvement in elastic modulus were found for PP/PA6 and PP/PA6/h-BN composite compared to pure PP. The wear rate of PP/PA6 blend and PP/PA6/h-BN composite was found low compared to pure PP matrix, while the COF of PP/PA6 blend was found slightly higher owing to the presence of harder PA6 matrix which was then improved by the h-BN filler reinforcement in PP/PA6/h-BN composite. The addition of PA6 in PP improved the wear rate of PP by 8–24%, whereas the addition of h-BN microparticles improved the wear rate by 22–50% and 24–44% compared to pure PP and PP/PA6 blend, respectively, in different parameters.

Originality/value

Modulus of elasticity and hardness of pure PP was enhanced by blending with PA6 and was further improved by h-BN fillers. The addition of PA6 in PP improved the wear rate, while h-BN fillers were found effective in reducing the COF by generating smooth thin lubricating film.
Recurrent microbial community types driven by nearshore and seasonal processes in coastal Southern California
Authors: Wilson Jesse M. , Chamberlain Emelia J. , Erazo Natalia , Carter Melissa L. , Bowman Jeff S.
Published: May 2021

A multitude of concurrent biological and physical processes contribute to microbial community turnover, especially in highly dynamic coastal environments. Characterizing what factors contribute most to shifts in microbial community structure and the specific organisms that correlate with changes in the products of photosynthesis improves our understanding of nearshore microbial ecosystem functions. We conducted high frequency sampling in nearshore Southern California in order to capture sub‐weekly microbial community dynamics. Microbial communities were characterized by flow cytometry and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and placed in the context of physicochemical parameters. Within our time‐series, season and nutrient availability corresponded to changes in dominant microbial community members. Concurrent aseasonal drivers with overlapping scales of variability were also apparent when we used network analysis to assess the microbial community as subsets of the whole. Our analyses revealed the microbial community as a mosaic, with overlapping groups of taxa that varied on different timescales and correlated with unique abiotic and biotic factors. Specifically, a subnetwork associated with chlorophyll a exhibited rapid turnover, indicating that ecologically important subsets of the microbial community can change on timescales different than and in response to factors other than those that govern turnover of most members of the assemblage.
Stress Change and Initial Consonant Loss in Umpithamu: Cause or Consequence?*
Authors: Verstraete Jean‐Christophe
Published: May 2021

This study aims to reconstruct a change in the system of word stress in Umpithamu, a language of Cape York Peninsula, in northeastern Australia. The change involves a shift in parsing direction, from a left‐aligned system as found in most Pama‐Nyungan languages, to a system anchored at the right edge. The process of change is reconstructed using evidence from changes in root structure and root size, in combination with specifics of the synchronic system of word stress. The broader context for the analysis is a well‐known hypothesis about stress shift as a cause of initial consonant loss, a typologically rare phenomenon attested in areal patterns in Australia, including Umpithamu and its neighbours. The reconstruction of stress change in Umpithamu shows that the picture is more complex, with the major stress shift as a consequence rather than a cause of initial loss. Umpithamu shows partial rather than complete initial loss, and thus reveals the complexities of the actual processes rather than their end point. Comparison with languages at the end point of the processes shows how their stress systems can be derived from an Umpithamu‐type system simply by assuming further changes in root structure attested as following initial consonant loss.
Increasing uptake of long‐acting reversible contraception with structured contraceptive counselling: cluster randomised controlled trial (the LOWE trial)
Authors: Emtell Iwarsson K , Envall N , Bizjak I , Bring J , Kopp Kallner H , Gemzell‐Danielsson K
Published: May 2021

Objective

To evaluate the effect of structured contraceptive counselling on the uptake of long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and pregnancy rates.

Design

Cluster randomised trial.

Setting

Abortion, youth and maternal health clinics in Stockholm, Sweden.

Population

Sexually active women aged ≥18 years without a wish for pregnancy seeking abortion and/or contraceptive counselling.

Methods

For participants in clinics randomised to intervention, trained healthcare providers implemented a study‐specific intervention package designed for structured contraceptive counselling. Participants in the control clinics received routine counselling.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was choice of LARCs at first visit. Secondary outcomes were LARC initiation at 3 months and pregnancy rates at 3 and 12 months. We used logistic mixed‐effects models with random intercept for clinic to account for clustering.

Results

From September 2017 to May 2019, 28 randomised clinics enrolled 1364 participants. Analyses including 1338 subjects showed that more participants in the intervention group compared with the control group chose LARCs: 267/658 (40.6%) versus 206/680 (30.3%) (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.99–3.86). LARC initiation was higher in the intervention group compared with the control group: 213/528 (40.3%) versus 153/531 (28.8%) (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.22–2.49). At the abortion clinics, the pregnancy rate was significantly lower at 12 months in the intervention group compared with the control group: 13/101 (12.9%) versus 28/103 (27.2%) (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18–0.88).

Conclusions

Structured contraceptive counselling increased LARC uptake in all clinics and significantly reduced unintended pregnancy rates in abortion clinics at the 12 months follow‐up.

Tweetable abstract

Structured contraceptive counselling increased LARC uptake and reduced pregnancy rates at 12 months.
Feasibility and tolerability of ophthalmic virtual reality as a medical communication tool in children and young people
Authors: Maloca Peter M. , Williams Emily A. , Mushtaq Faisal , Rueppel Andreas , Müller Philipp L. , Lange Clemens , de Carvalho Emanuel R. , Inglin Nadja , Reich Michael , Egan Catherine , Hasler Pascal W. , Tufail Adnan , Scholl Hendrik P.N. , Cattin Philippe C.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Virtual reality (VR) can be useful in explaining diseases and complications that affect children in order to improve medical communications with this vulnerable patient group. So far, children and young people’s responses to high‐end medical VR environments have never been assessed.

Methods

An unprecedented number of 320 children and young people were given the opportunity to interact with a VR application displaying original ophthalmic volume data via a commercially available tethered head‐mounted display (HMD). Participants completed three surveys: demographics and experience with VR, usability and perceived utility of this technology and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. The second survey also probed participants for suggestions on improvements and whether this system could be useful for increasing engagement in science.

Results

A total of 206 sets of surveys were received. 165 children and young people (84 female) aged 12–18 years (mean, 15 years) completed surveys that could be used for analysis. 69 participants (47.59%) were VR‐naïve, and 76 (52.41%) reported that they had previous VR experience. Results show that VR facilitated understanding of ophthalmological complications and was reasonably tolerated. Lastly, exposure to VR raised children and young people’s awareness and interest in science.

Conclusions

The VR platform used was successfully utilized and was well accepted in children to display and interact with volume‐rendered 3D ophthalmological data. Virtual reality (VR) is suitable as a novel image display platform in ophthalmology to engage children and young people.
Heterogeneity of emergency treatment practices in wheezing preschool children
Authors: Csonka Péter , Tapiainen Terhi , Mäkelä Mika J. , Lehtimäki Lauri
Published: May 2021

Aim

Our aim was to survey treatment practices used for preschool children with wheezing in emergency rooms (ER) focussing on inhalation device choice and handling, face mask use, salbutamol dosing and written instructions. We sought to assess whether current protocols are in line with published evidence and guidelines.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional survey done in paediatric ER units located in Finnish municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants.

Results

Of the 100 units contacted, 50% responded. More than 50% of the units used nebulisers. Only 13% of the units administered salbutamol in single puffs. More than 30% of the units lacked criteria on face mask use. Poor co‐operation had no effect on the dose of salbutamol in 62% of the units. Ensuring tight mask‐to‐face seal was included in the training in 20% of the units. A written action plan was provided to the caregivers in 28% of the units.

Conclusion

ER treatment guidelines for preschool children with wheezing are poorly endorsed. Research is needed to identify approaches to guideline implementation that are specific for primary care. Clinical research should focus on strengthening recommendations that are currently not embraced. ER treatment protocols need to be updated and adherence to guidelines should be re‐evaluated.
Factors affecting borrowers’ turnover in microfinance institutions: A panel evidence
Authors: Mia Md Aslam , Banna Hasanul , Noman Abu Hanifa Md , Alam Md Rabiul , Rana Md. Sohel
Published: May 2021

In the era of competitiveness, clients or borrowers remain an important asset for financial institutions, as they are the ultimate source of revenue. Although the departure of clients from one microfinance institution (MFI) to another is a common phenomenon, the manner in which organizational characteristics affect turnover is largely unknown in the context of the microfinance industry. Hence, by utilizing recent (2010–18) data on 235 MFIs from the global microfinance industry, this study investigates the factors affecting the borrower turnover rates (BTR) of MFIs by employing conventional panel regression techniques. To overcome endogeneity and ensure robust and dynamic results, the generalized method of moments (GMM) has also been used in this study. The findings reveal that the efficiency‐wage and financial self‐sufficiency of MFIs reduce BTR, while staff turnover rate, write‐off ratio and average loan size increase BTR. Our results remain robust even after controlling for several market and macro‐economic factors. The findings could be utilized to generate several policy implications to reduce borrowers’ turnover.
Who listens to mother? A whole‐family perspective on the evolution of maternal hormone allocation
Authors: Bebbington Kat , Groothuis Ton G. G.
Published: May 2021

Maternal effects, or the influence of maternal environment and phenotype on offspring phenotype, may allow mothers to fine‐tune their offspring's developmental trajectory and resulting phenotype sometimes long after the offspring has reached independence. However, maternal effects on offspring phenotype do not evolve in isolation, but rather within the context of a family unit, where the separate and often conflicting evolutionary interests of mothers, fathers and offspring are all at play. While intrafamilial conflicts are routinely invoked to explain other components of reproductive strategy, remarkably little is known about how intrafamilial conflicts influence maternal effects. We argue that much of the considerable variation in the relationship between maternally derived hormones, nutrients and other compounds and the resulting offspring phenotype might be explained by the presence of conflicting selection pressures on different family members. In this review, we examine the existing literature on maternal hormone allocation as a case study for maternal effects more broadly, and explore new hypotheses that arise when we consider current findings within a framework that explicitly incorporates the different evolutionary interests of the mother, her offspring and other family members. Specifically, we hypothesise that the relationship between maternal hormone allocation and offspring phenotype depends on a mother's ability to manipulate the signals she sends to offspring, the ability of family members to be plastic in their response to those signals and the capacity for the phenotypes and strategies of various family members to interact and influence one another on both behavioural and evolutionary timescales. We also provide suggestions for experimental, comparative and theoretical work that may be instrumental in testing these hypotheses. In particular, we highlight that manipulating the level of information available to different family members may reveal important insights into when and to what extent maternal hormones influence offspring development. We conclude that the evolution of maternal hormone allocation is likely to be shaped by the conflicting fitness optima of mothers, fathers and offspring, and that the outcome of this conflict depends on the relative balance of power between family members. Extending our hypotheses to incorporate interactions between family members, as well as more complex social groups and a wider range of taxa, may provide exciting new developments in the fields of endocrinology and maternal effects.
Social practice theory: An innovative approach to considering preschool children’s poor oral health
Authors: Durey Angela , Gibson Barry J , Ward Paul R , Calache Hanny , Slack‐Smith Linda
Published: May 2021

Oral disease in early childhood is highly prevalent and costly and impacts on the child and family with significant societal costs. Current approaches have largely failed to improve young children's oral health. This paper proposes a different approach to conceptualize poor oral health in preschool children (0‐5 years) using social practices. Social practice theory offers an innovative perspective to understanding oral health by shifting emphasis away from the individual and onto how practical, social and material arrangements around the oral health of preschool children exist, change or become embedded in the social structures they inhabit. This novel approach contributes to the growing theoretical understanding in this area and has the potential to offer insights into the problem and ways it might be addressed.
Evidence that post‐fire recovery of small mammals occurs primarily via in situ survival
Authors: Hale Susannah , Mendoza Lorissa , Yeatman Tom , Cooke Raylene , Doherty Tim , Nimmo Dale , White John G.
Published: May 2021

Aim

As climate change intensifies and wildfire frequency and scale increase, it is critical we develop a robust understanding of how species recover from these major disturbances. Here, we aim to determine whether source populations for recovery following large‐scale intense wildfires are derived from either in situ survival, or immigration from surrounding unburnt areas (ex situ). Secondly, we sought to determine whether habitat elements (e.g., logs) within the landscape facilitate in situ survival of small mammals during fires.

Location

Grampians National Park, south‐eastern Australia.

Methods

We used long‐term post‐fire small mammal monitoring to investigate sources of recovery for small mammals, and camera trapping and habitat surveys immediately following large intense wildfires to assess evidence for and drivers of post‐fire survival.

Results

We found no relationship between distance to unburnt vegetation and the occurrence of any native species, suggesting that in situ survival is the probable mechanism for recovery of post‐fire mammal populations, compared with immigration from external unburnt areas. We also show that key habitat elements such as rocks and large trees were associated with the occurrence of several species immediately post‐fire, suggesting a role for these features in facilitating the survival of species during and following fire.

Main conclusions

We present evidence for post‐fire recovery being driven by in situ survival. In situ survival is facilitated by small unburnt patches and habitat elements in burnt areas. These surviving individuals become the founders for subsequent post‐fire population recovery. Given that globally we are seeing increasingly frequent large‐scale wildfires driven by climate change, the capacity for in situ survival will help mitigate some of the fire‐related impacts of climate change.
Flood‐induced vulnerability of a below sea level farming system in southern India: an assessment through coping strategy intensity
Authors: Aravalath Lagesh Meethale , Kasim C Mohammed
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the livelihood vulnerability experienced by agricultural households in Kuttanad, a below sea level farming system in southern India, in the aftermath of a major flood in August 2018. For this purpose, we constructed a flood coping strategy index (FCSI), to measure coping strategy intensity, using the data on the severity and frequency of various coping strategies adopted by households. Furthermore, we estimated a Tobit regression model to identify the factors influencing the intensity of coping strategy choices. The FCSI revealed that only two per cent of agricultural households experienced a ‘severe’ level of vulnerability because of the quick and effective policy response of the Kerala state government. In addition, Tobit regression analysis indicated that female‐headed and labour households are more vulnerable than their respective counterparts. While income exerts a negative influence on the degree of livelihood vulnerability, agricultural landholding has a positive effect, as it increases cultivation loss during a flood.
COVID‐19 vaccine‐associated immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT): Diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for a new syndrome
Authors: Franchini Massimo , Liumbruno Giancarlo Maria , Pezzo Mario
Published: May 2021

Very rare cases of thrombosis associated with thrombocytopenia have occurred following the vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID‐19 vaccine. The aim of this concise review is to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiologic and pathogenic mechanisms of this syndrome named vaccine‐associated immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT). A practical patient management section will also be dealt with using information available from national and international scientific societies as well as expert panels. A literature search on the VITT syndrome was carried out in PubMed using appropriate MeSH headings. Overall, 40 VITT cases have been reported. Continuous pharmacovigilance monitoring is needed to collect more data on the real incidence and the pathogenesis of VITT syndrome. Such information will also help us to optimize the management this rare but often clinically severe thrombotic condition associated with COVID‐19 vaccination.
A hybrid decision‐making framework under complex spherical fuzzy prioritized weighted aggregation operators
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Khan Ayesha , Alcantud José Carlos R. , Santos‐García Gustavo
Published: May 2021

Complex spherical fuzzy set, an extended version of spherical fuzzy set, is a very powerful tool to capture fourfold information (typically yes, no, abstain and refusal), in which the range of degrees occurs in the complex plane with unit disk. Through this prominent feature, complex spherical fuzzy sets outperform earlier concepts of fuzzy sets and their extensions. This research article utilizes complex spherical fuzzy sets and prioritized weighted aggregation operators to construct the complex spherical fuzzy prioritized weighted averaging/geometric operators. We present their most noticeable properties. Further, we establish a decision‐making approach that takes full advantage of the aforesaid operators. To explore their superiority and applicability in decision making, we apply our algorithm to a numerical example. Finally, we compare this decision‐making approach with prevailing methods in this context.
Illiterate Mothers and Their Daughters: “My daughter should be educated, not be like me”
Authors: Atli Abdullah
Published: May 2021

Objective

The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to develop a detailed understanding and an insight into the experiences and roles of illiterate mothers on the educational experiences of their daughters from the perspective of both mothers and the daughters in Turkey.

Background

Although there are various studies about the effects of mothers on their children, there is not a large body of research examining the experiences of illiterate mothers' daughters and how they perceive these experiences.

Method

To this end, 21 illiterate mothers and their 21 daughters were interviewed. As a result of the thematic analyses of these interviews, four major themes emerged based on in vivo codes: “Mother, let me change,” “Mother, I will not leave you,” “My daughter, I wish I could do better,” and “My daughter should be educated, and not be like me.” It was understood that participating mothers made sacrifices for their daughters to attend school despite some conflicts and insufficiencies. Expecting their daughters not to be dependent on their husbands and to stand on their own feet in the future was the greatest aspiration of participating illiterate mothers.

Conclusion

This study shows that illiterate mothers are at the forefront of a difficult struggle to change social beliefs and expectations that prevent women from obtaining education.

Implications

Illiteracy is at the heart of the problem that some mothers face. An effective policy would be to open literacy centers in areas where women's literacy rates are low. Because these mothers are illiterate, recruiting them to programs should be done in ways that do not include written advertisement. Courses based on human rights, and on women's and children's rights, should be included in the curriculum at schools, offering examples of their implementation and achievements.
Grass and legume breeding matching the future needs of European grassland farming
Authors: Rognli Odd Arne , Pecetti Luciano , Kovi Mallikarjuna Rao , Annicchiarico Paolo
Published: May 2021

Plant breeding can be pivotal to produce new grassland varieties with better adaptation to changes in seasonal pattern and increased variability of temperature, precipitation and length of the growing seasons as determined by climate change. Cultivation of legume species is expected to increase, and will make crop–livestock systems more sustainable and self‐sufficient for feed proteins. In northern Europe, the higher temperatures and longer growing season will create opportunities for increasing yield, while in southern Europe greater drought tolerance and growth in the cool seasons will be indispensable to maintain crop yields. Greater intra‐ and interspecific diversity is recommended for grasslands in both regions. In the north, also broader genetic diversity, particularly in terms of adaptation pattern (response diversity), is needed, requiring pre‐breeding to enlarge the gene pool by introgression of exotic, less adapted genetic resources as a first step. Genetic gain in forage crop breeding has been modest over time, and new breeding methods need to be implemented to speed up the development of new cultivars with proper adaptation to future climate conditions. Novel technologies such as genome‐enabled selection and high‐throughput phenotyping will play a major role in this context. They are rapidly evolving and increasingly adopted, albeit with technical challenges and a need for optimization of breeding schemes for optimal exploitation.
Karyotypic complexity, TP53 pathogenic variants, and increased number of variants on Next‐Generation Sequencing are associated with disease progression in a North American Adult T‐Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma cohort
Authors: Zhang Xi , Shi Yang , Ramesh KH , Naeem Rizwan , Wang Yanhua
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Adult T‐Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive T‐cell malignancy without known characteristic cytogenetic abnormalities. Recurrent mutations in TP53, APC, and epigenetic and histone‐modifying genes have been identified in North American ATLL. Their roles in disease progression are not yet fully elucidated.

Methods

We studied the cytogenetic and Next‐Generation Sequencing (NGS) findings of the North American ATLL cohort at our institution and compared the findings with Japanese and other North American cohorts. We also analyzed the genetic variants in TP53, APC, and histone‐modifying genes and investigated the impact of their mutations on the number of mutations via NGS in ATLL.

Results

Cases with more than 6 chromosomal breaks (n = 13) had significantly shorter overall survival compared to cases with fewer chromosomal breaks (n = 7) (P = .0007). Cases with breaks on chromosome 3q (n = 4) exhibited worse survival compared to the rest of the cases (n = 16) (P = .012). Chromosomal abnormalities on 3q, 14q, 1q, 1p, and 17q are likely primary changes in ATLL based on frequency and association with prognosis. The average number of mutations via NGS was significantly higher in cases with mutations in TP53 (n = 8) (P = .020) as well as APC (n = 6) (P = .024) compared to cases without mutations in these genes. All TP53 variants were pathogenic missense and truncating mutations in COSMIC database.

Conclusion

Cytogenetic and NGS methods are useful tools to monitor disease progression in indolent ATLL and assess prognosis in aggressive ATLL.
Is the Journey more Important than the Destination? EU Accession and Corporate Governance and Performance of Banks
Authors: Onal Mehmet Maksud , Ashton John K.
Published: May 2021

This article examines how accession to and subsequent membership of the EU has influenced the dissemination of corporate governance characteristics and the financial performance of the banking industry. Using a hand‐collected, cross‐national dataset from EU member and candidate states the analysis indicates the candidacy period is associated with the better financial performance of banks than the latter period of EU membership. EU membership also has a significant negative influence on adopting some corporate governance arrangements. We infer this result is consistent with instrumental rationality explanations of Europeanization. While the process of accession has brought benefits, these are not always reinforced by subsequent EU membership.
Effect of nursing procedures on the hand skin temperature of female hospital nurses
Authors: Suzuki Miyuki , Tsuchida Toshie , Ibe Aki , Matsuhisa Tomomi
Published: May 2021

Aims

Nurses’ hand temperature may affect patient comfort but has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine female hospital nurses' hand skin temperature and clarify the effects of measurement site, time, nursing procedures, and environment.

Design

An observational study.

Methods

The middle finger, thenar eminence, hypothenar eminence, and medial forearm skin temperature of 29 female hospital nurses was measured at four time points during a day shift and before and after nursing procedures (hand disinfection, hand washing, taking vital signs, hygiene care, and positioning).

Results

Mean hand skin temperature was in the range of 29–32°C with interpersonal variations. Mean skin temperature at the medial forearm was 31.94–32.35°C (SD 0.87–1.52°C) and at the middle finger, 29.73–31.07°C (SD > 3°C). Time‐dependent skin temperature fluctuations were confirmed on the middle finger (p = .022), and thenar (p = .005) and hypothenar eminence (p = .001). There were weak correlations between skin temperature and environmental factors, including ambient temperature (ρ = .194–.266), humidity (ρ = −.309 to −.319), and hospital room wind speed (ρ = .253–.314). The skin temperature dropped significantly after hand disinfection and handwashing at all measurement sites (middle finger: −1.30 and −3.56°C, respectively; thenar eminence: −1.19 and −3.32°C; hypothenar eminence: −0.80 and −3.39°C; medial forearm: −0.21 and −1.60°C).

Conclusion

These findings may raise nurses' awareness of their skin temperature. Moreover, our study highlights the need to develop countermeasures to ensure optimal nurses' skin temperature and patient comfort.
Motivating sustainable behaviors: The role of religiosity in a cross‐cultural context
Authors: Kaplan Begum , Iyer Easwar S.
Published: May 2021

Interest in sustainability is increasing as a result of the stress placed by a growing global population on resources. Marketers are well positioned to understand the adoption of sustainable consumption. The influence of religiosity on sustainability has been studied although the findings are mixed. Our research aims to address that discrepancy and provide a better understanding of the role of religiosity in sustainable behaviors. Religiosity is influenced by cultural factors espoused by society at large. To gain insight into the relationship between religiosity and sustainability we utilized a mixed‐method approach to examine the dynamics of these relationships in three national contexts: The United States, Turkey, and Greece. We found that religiosity has a significant influence on sustainable behavior in cultures that are collectivist with a long‐term orientation. We also found that this effect is mediated by individuals' long‐term orientation. Our findings provide important theoretical contributions and help inform public policy.
Informative title: Effects of social support, parenting stress and self‐efficacy on postpartum depression among adolescent mothers in Jordan
Authors: Mohammad Khitam I. , Sabbah Hanan , Aldalaykeh Mohammed , ALBashtawy Mohammed , Z. Abuobead Kholoud , Creedy Debra , Gamble Jenny
Published: May 2021

Aim and Objective

This study investigated the effects of social support, parenting stress and maternal self‐efficacy on postpartum depression among adolescent mothers in Jordan.

Background

Adolescent pregnancy may have serious health, social and economic consequences for young women, families and communities. In Jordan, the incidence of adolescent pregnancy has increased from 5% in 2012 to 15% in 2018. Little attention has been given to postpartum depression among adolescent mothers in Arab and Middle Eastern countries.

Method

In a cross‐sectional design using convenience sampling, 200 women aged less than 20 years, six to eight weeks postpartum and who could speak and read Arabic were interviewed in a participating health clinic. The interview occurred before or after a woman's scheduled clinic appointment and included socio‐demographic data, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS), Parenting Stress Scale (PSS) and Perceived Self‐efficacy Scale (PSES). Data collection took place between December of 2018 and April of 2019. Reporting followed the STROBE guidelines.

Results

Results revealed that 28.5% of adolescent mothers had probable postpartum depression. Mothers who reported high social support, high parenting stress, low self‐efficacy, financial stress and marital conflict had significantly higher EPDS scores than those who did not report these stressors.

Conclusion

Prevalence of postpartum depression reported in this study warrants immediate action on early assessment, detection and intervention. High levels of social support may feel overwhelming for young mothers and contribute to high parenting stress, low maternal self‐efficacy and marital conflict.

Relevance to clinical practice

Adolescent mothers are at increased risk of PPD compared to mothers over 20 years of age. Perceived quality rather than availability of social support needs to be considered. Young mothers require education and early intervention prevention strategies to better prepared them for motherhood and manage stressors associated with their changing social role.
Child Custody Preferences in Light of Attitudes Toward the Couple's Division of Labor in Portugal
Authors: Marinho Sofia , Gouveia Rita
Published: May 2021

Objective

Examine and compare the attitudes of women and men in different age groups toward types of children's residence after divorce/separation, considering their attitudes toward the division of labor in the family (DLF).

Background

This study draws on a multidimensional approach to attitudinal change in DLF and in the division of parental involvement after divorce/separation. Empirically, it benefits from new measures on fatherhood and motherhood and population‐based data.

Method

The authors draw on the 2012 Portuguese ISSP module by focusing on three dimensions: types of children's residence; men's involvement in parenting and homemaking; and women's employment and primacy as caregivers. They examine the interplay between attitudinal, family, and sociodemographic variables through regression, multiple correspondence, and cluster analyzes.

Results

The attitudes to DLF strongly shape the attitudes toward the type of children's residence, which contribute to polarization between preferences for sole residence and shared residence. Also, three attitudinal profiles—unilateral egalitarian familism, egalitarian familism, and mother‐centered familism—revealed attitudinal hybridization through the complex combination of egalitarianism, essentialism and familism, and their embeddedness in social contexts.

Conclusion

By moving beyond the nuclear family and by combining standard and innovative attitudinal indicators of DLF, the findings shed light on the social processes that are creating complexity and plurality in the attitudes toward cultural models of motherhood and fatherhood.
Conversion of Digital Dentures for Immediate Loading of Complete Arch Implant Prostheses
Authors: Swamidass Rajesh , Goodacre Charles J.
Published: May 2021

The development and expanded use of digital dentures has led to their use in the immediate loading of complete arch implant prostheses. This paper reviews the prosthetic complications that can occur with immediately loaded conversion prostheses along with the advantages afforded by digital dentures in minimizing or eliminating these complications. The process of using digital dentures in the fabrication of conversion dentures for immediate loading of complete arch implant prostheses is presented as well as the use of digital dentures for definitive prostheses. The described procedures include methods of obtaining clinical records, the fabrication of conversion dentures, the immediate loading procedure using a conversion prosthesis, and use of a conversion denture in the fabrication of a definitive prosthesis.
Optimal taxation in an endogenous growth model with variable population and public expenditure
Authors: Renström Thomas I. , Spataro Luca
Published: May 2021

In this paper we analyze second‐best optimal taxation in an endogenous‐growth model driven by public expenditure, in presence of endogenous fertility and labor supply. Normative analysis shows positive taxes on the number of children, which are necessary to correct for congestion in the publicly provided input (such as education and healthcare), negative public debt. Results on capital and labor income taxation depend on whether the public input is optimally provided.
Persistence with mirabegron or antimuscarinic treatment for overactive bladder syndrome: Findings from the PERSPECTIVE registry study
Authors: Carlson Kevin V. , Rovner Eric S. , Nair Kavita V. , Deal Anna S. , Kristy Rita M. , Hairston John C.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

This analysis from the PERSPECTIVE (a Prospective, Non‐interventional Registry Study of Patients Initiating a Course of Drug Therapy for Overactive Bladder) study evaluated treatment persistence with mirabegron or antimuscarinics over a 12‐month period.

Methods

Participants were adults diagnosed with overactive bladder (OAB) by their health care provider (HCP), who were initiating mirabegron or antimuscarinic treatment. The HCP made all treatment decisions, and patients were followed for 12 months with no mandatory scheduled visits. Information requests were sent to patients at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12. Patients were nonpersistent if they switched, discontinued, or added OAB medications/therapies to their initial treatment. Reasons for discontinuation and switching patterns were investigated.

Results

Overall, 1514 patients were included (613 mirabegron and 901 antimuscarinic initiators). Persistence rates decreased steadily over time in both groups. A low proportion of patients added or switched medication at each time point. Unadjusted Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed similar persistence rates for both groups. When the data were adjusted for patient characteristics (age, sex, and OAB treatment status), mirabegron initiators had higher persistence rates. No significant differences were noted in unadjusted median time to end of persistence. However, end of treatment persistence by any cause was longer with mirabegron (median: 9.5 vs 6.7 months for antimuscarinics). HCPs stated that the most common reasons for nonpersistence were no symptomatic improvement and side effect aversion.

Conclusions

Treatment persistence was longer for mirabegron compared with antimuscarinic initiators after controlling for patient characteristics. End of treatment persistence by any cause was also longer with mirabegron.
Lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 11962: A regolith breccia containing records of titanium‐rich lunar volcanism and the high alkali suite
Authors: Bechtold Andreas , Brandstätter Franz , Pittarello Lidia , Ferrière Ludovic , Greenwood Richard C. , Koeberl Christian
Published: May 2021

Northwest Africa (NWA) 11962 is a lunar regolith breccia composed of a wide range of different clasts. The lunar origin of this meteorite is confirmed by oxygen isotope analysis and the Fe/Mn ratio in pyroxene and olivine. In the present study, the clasts and the matrix of NWA 11962 are characterized by optical and electron microscopy along with electron microprobe analyses and micro‐Raman spectroscopy. The meteorite has a glassy impact melt matrix, which accounts for 35% of the surface area in the two thin sections examined, and which contains a very large variety of different lithic clasts, monomineralic clasts, and glass fragments. The presence of volcanic and impact‐related glass spherules led to the classification of this meteorite as a regolith breccia. Lithic clasts include numerous fragments of quartz monzogabbro and lunar felsite, which are quite rare lithologies in the lunar alkali suite. However, the most abundant components in the breccia are gabbroic clasts. The mineral chemistry of the pyroxenes in the gabbroic clasts and the chemistry of various types of glass fragments in the breccia indicate an origin of the regolith from an area with low‐Ti to high‐Ti mare basalt volcanism. In addition to the peculiar petrographic characteristics of NWA 11962, the possible pairing relationships with other lunar meteorites are discussed.
A problem shared is a problem halved? Enhancing learning through working in pairs
Authors: Dyar Anna
Published: May 2021

Dyadic explanations are a form of collaborative learning that can enhance student knowledge, but important consideration needs given to the interaction between the members within the dyad.
Thomas Hobbes and Thomas White on Identity and Discontinuous Existence
Authors: Adriaenssen Han Thomas , Alma Sam
Published: May 2021

Is it possible for an individual that has gone out of being to come back into being again? The English Aristotelian, Thomas White, argued that it is not. Thomas Hobbes disagreed and used the case of the Ship of Theseus to argue that individuals that have gone out of being may come back into being again. This paper provides the first systematic account of their arguments. It is doubtful that Hobbes has a consistent case against White. Still, his criticism may have prompted White to clarify his views on identity over time in his later work.