bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An observational study of sleep in childhood post‐neonatal encephalopathy
Authors: Zareen Zunera , Allen John , Kelly Lynne A. , McDonald Denise , Sweetman Deirdre , Molloy Eleanor J.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is associated with altered cognitive, motor, sensory abilities and behavioural outcomes. This case‐control study aimed to assess whether Quality of Life (QoL) and sleep disorders are affected in older children following NE compared to age‐matched controls.

Methods

Children at school‐age post‐NE were recruited and compared to age‐matched controls. Sleep and QoL were assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and the Child Sleep Habit Questionnaire.

Results

One hundred children were recruited with an age range of 4–6 years, including children post‐NE (n=45) and age‐matched controls (n = 55). Significantly higher pathological sleep scores were evident in 58% of children post‐NE compared to controls (43.8 vs 40.2; p = 0.001). Children post‐NE had increased bedtime resistance (p = 0.028) and sleep anxiety (p = 0.01) compared to controls. Children in the post‐NE group had lower total QoL scores versus controls (mean score 82.5 vs 95.8; p < 0.01). Children with mild NE also had lower total QoL scores than controls (90.0 vs 95.8, p = 0.003). There was a strong correlation between low QoL with high total sleep scores (Rho 0.339, p = 0.014).

Conclusion

There were high rates of sleep issues in school‐aged children with mild and moderate‐severe NE. Consideration and management of sleep problems may improve QoL in childhood post‐NE.
Gendering the seed: Mitochondrial replacement techniques and the erasure of the maternal
Authors: Sparrow Robert , Mills Catherine , Carroll John
Published: May 2021

In order to avoid the implication that ‘mitochondrial replacement techniques’ (MRT) would produce ‘three parent babies’, discourses around these techniques typically dismiss the contribution of the mitochondria to genetic parenthood and personal identity. According to many participants in debates about MRT, ‘real parenthood’ is a matter of contributing nuclear DNA, which in turn implies that men and women make the same contribution to the embryo. Even when the importance of the mitochondria is acknowledged, an emphasis on mitochondrial DNA still has the effect of valorizing the role of DNA (and thus the paternal contribution to conception) at the expense of the role played by the cytoplasm of the oocyte in the development of the embryo and placenta, and that of the mother’s body in gestation. In this way, discourses around MRT falsely imply that what men and women contribute to reproduction and parenthood is the same—nuclear DNA—and thus erase the distinctive contribution that women make to conception. The potential of MRT to reconfigure relationships between the sexes in the service of patriarchal norms is perhaps one of the most significant things about it and should, we argue, be counted in the discussion of the ethical and policy implications of legitimating these procedures.
Current and emerging therapeutic approaches for T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Pocock Rachael , Farah Nadine , Richardson Simon E. , Mansour Marc R.
Published: May 2021

T‐cell ALL (T‐ALL) is an aggressive malignancy of T‐cell progenitors. Although survival outcomes in T‐ALL have greatly improved over the past 50 years, relapsed and refractory cases remain extremely challenging to treat and those who cannot tolerate intensive treatment continue to have poor outcomes. Furthermore, T‐ALL has proven a more challenging immunotherapeutic target than B‐ALL. In this review we explore our expanding knowledge of the basic biology of T‐ALL and how this is paving the way for repurposing established treatments and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
The influence of price and funding source disclosure on medication labels: Implications for intended adherence, perceived value and efficacy, and feelings of burden and guilt
Authors: McCabe Simon , Wollbrant Conny , Delaney Liam
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To examine if informing people in free‐at‐the‐point‐of‐use medical systems of the financial value of medicines, and priming them with the fact that the medication is funded by taxation, influences people’s perceived value and efficacy of the medicines, feelings of burdensomeness and guilt, and intended adherence.

Design

An experiment was implemented to examine the impact of medication labelling featuring the presence (vs. absence) of the phrase ‘funded by UK the taxpayer’ and pricing information (absent vs. £20 vs. £200) on outcome measures.

Methods

A total of 257 UK participants (age: M = 29.10 years, SD = 9.15; 89 males, 167 females, one undisclosed) who were currently taking medication were recruited from an online participant pool (prolific academic). Participants viewed an image of a medication with the manipulated price and taxation message on the label. They then completed a number of measures to gauge perceived value and efficacy of the medicines, feelings of burdensomeness and guilt, and intended adherence.

Results

Findings point to both positive and negative consequences of such labelling of medication, with the taxpayer label increasing perceptions of value but also increasing feelings of guilt. The price labels demonstrated a positive effect on perceived value and intended adherence.

Conclusions

Discussion of results is centred on potential policy implications, applied recommendations, and future directions for study.
Left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony index and endothelial dysfunction parameters as subclinical predictors of cardiovascular involvement in patients with beta‐thalassemia major
Authors: Solmaz Hatice , Cabuk Ali Kemal , Altin Zeynep , Albudak Ozcan Esin , Ozdogan Oner
Published: May 2021

Objective

Cardiovascular iron load is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in beta‐thalassemia major (β‐TM). However, many patients remain asymptomatic until the late stage. In this cross‐sectional study, we investigated the role of three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography and endothelial dysfunction parameters in asymptomatic β‐TM patients, and the relationship between these parameters and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* value.

Methods

A total of 51 asymptomatic β‐TM patients receiving regular blood transfusions were divided into two groups based on cardiac MRI‐T2* values (MRI‐T2*<20 ms and ≥20 ms), which MRI‐T2*<20 ms determines myocardial iron load and evaluated by two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D‐echocardiography including endothelial dysfunction parameters. The relationships between ferritin levels, 2D and 3D‐echocardiography measurements, endothelial dysfunction parameters, and cardiac MRI‐T2* values were investigated.

Results

All left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) obtained by 2D‐echocardiography were normal (≥50%). LVEF‐3D (53.25 ± 2.33 vs. 58.81 + 1.02), SDI12 (6.53 ± 0.56 vs. 2.85 + 0.48), and SDI16 (7.65 ± 0.75 vs. 3.26 + 0.49) were significantly different and negatively correlated between groups with MRI‐T2*<20 ms and ≥20 ms, respectively. Flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) (6.08% ± 0.34% vs. 14.46% ± 1.12), aortic strain (7.79% ± 2.19% vs. 12.76% ± 4.19), ferritin levels were significantly different and negatively correlated between groups with MRI‐T2*<20 ms and ≥20 ms, respectively. Higher ferritin, SDI12/16 were significant independent predictors of MR‐T2* < 20 ms. SDI16 > 5.5, SDI12 > 4.3 predicted MRI‐T2*<20ms with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 81% (AUC 0.85, P < .001), and sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 78% (AUC 0.83, P < .001), respectively.

Conclusion

SDI12/16 calculated by 3D‐echocardiography may be a promising predictors of cardiovascular iron load and, decreased LVEF‐3D, FMD, and aortic strain might be good indicators of subclinical cardiovascular involvement of β‐TM.
Extreme winter weather disrupts bird occurrence and abundance patterns at geographic scales
Authors: Cohen Jeremy M. , Fink Daniel , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: May 2021

Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of modern climate change. During winter, species may be especially vulnerable to extreme weather as they are surviving on scarce resources and living at the edge of their thermal limits. We compiled data from eBird, a global citizen science initiative, to examine how 41 eastern North American birds shifted their occurrence and abundance patterns immediately following two recent extreme weather events each affecting > 2 million km2, the intrusion of a polar vortex and a winter heat wave. eBird data is continuously collected at high spatiotemporal resolution across large spatial extents, allowing us to compare species' responses immediately before and after these extreme events with trends in other winters across geographic scales. Overall, we found that birds responded differently to each extreme weather event. Bird occurrence rates did not change following the polar vortex, but where species occurred, population density was temporarily reduced, suggesting reductions in number of individuals driven by decreases in behavioral activity or temporary movement out of the area. However, birds demonstrated widespread increases in occurrence and increases in density and number of individuals where they occurred for at least 20 days after the heat wave, hinting at longer‐term range changes. Smaller‐bodied, warm‐adapted passerines tended to be most sensitive to extreme weather and responded most negatively to the polar vortex and most positively to the heat wave, while larger‐bodied, cold‐adapted waterbirds expressed only mild responses to either event. Thus, certain species may be exceptionally sensitive to extreme weather events while others are less sensitive. As climate change progresses and climatic variability increases, researchers and managers must better quantify the broad‐scale sensitivity of different species to multiple types of extreme weather events.
Supervised Machine Learning Techniques: An Overview with Applications to Banking
Authors: Hu Linwei , Chen Jie , Vaughan Joel , Aramideh Soroush , Yang Hanyu , Wang Kelly , Sudjianto Agus , Nair Vijayan N.
Published: May 2021

This article provides an overview of supervised machine learning (ML) with a focus on applications in banking. The supervised ML techniques covered include bagging (random forest), boosting (gradient boosting machine) and neural networks. We begin with an introduction to ML tasks and techniques. This is followed by a description of tree‐based ensemble algorithms, including bagging with random forest and boosting with gradient boosting machines, as well as feedforward neural networks. We then provide an extensive discussion of hyper‐parameter optimisation techniques. Interpretability of ML results is an important topic in banking and other regulated industries, and it is also covered in some depth. The paper concludes with a comparison of the features of different ML algorithms and a discussion of their use in practice. An application from credit risk modelling in banking is used throughout the paper to illustrate the techniques and interpret the results of the algorithms.
Losing Control? Unions’ Representativeness, Pirate Collective Agreements, and Wages
Authors: Lucifora Claudio , Vigani Daria
Published: May 2021

This paper documents the evolution of sector‐level collective agreements in Italy and investigates wage differentials associated with the diffusion of non‐representative agreements, often signed by unknown organizations—that is, the so‐called pirate agreements. Using employer–employee data from Social Security Archives, we find that non‐representative agreements are associated with significant wage penalties (up to −8 percent) compared with regular collective agreements. Wage penalties are heterogeneous across firm size and industry affiliation. It is also shown that half of the wage differential is due to selection effects. Finally, we provide suggestive evidence of firms’ coping strategies, showing that pirate agreements exhibit comparatively higher employment levels.
Factors associated with COVID‐19 related hospitalisation, critical care admission and mortality using linked primary and secondary care data
Authors: Cummins Lisa , Ebyarimpa Irene , Cheetham Nathan , Tzortziou Brown Victoria , Brennan Katie , Panovska‐Griffiths Jasmina
Published: May 2021

Background

It is important that population cohorts at increased risk of hospitalisation and death following a COVID‐19 infection are identified and protected.

Objectives

We identified risk factors associated with increased risk of hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality in inner North East London (NEL) during the first UK COVID‐19 wave.

Methods

Multivariate logistic regression analysis on linked primary and secondary care data from people aged 16 or older with confirmed COVID‐19 infection between 01/02/2020 and 30/06/2020 determined odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and P‐values for the association between demographic, deprivation and clinical factors with COVID‐19 hospitalisation, ICU admission and mortality.

Results

Over the study period, 1781 people were diagnosed with COVID‐19, of whom 1195 (67%) were hospitalised, 152 (9%) admitted to ICU and 400 (23%) died. Results confirm previously identified risk factors: being male, or of Black or Asian ethnicity, or aged over 50. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased the risk of hospitalisation. Obesity increased the risk of being admitted to ICU. Underlying CKD, stroke and dementia increased the risk of death. Having learning disabilities was strongly associated with increased risk of death (OR = 4.75, 95% CI = [1.91, 11.84], P = .001). Having three or four co‐morbidities increased the risk of hospitalisation (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = [1.55, 3.54], P < .001; OR = 2.40, 95% CI = [1.55, 3.73], P < .001 respectively) and death (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = [1.59, 4.28], P < .001; OR = 4.07, 95% CI = [2.48, 6.69], P < .001 respectively).

Conclusions

We confirm that age, sex, ethnicity, obesity, CKD and diabetes are important determinants of risk of COVID‐19 hospitalisation or death. For the first time, we also identify people with learning disabilities and multi‐morbidity as additional patient cohorts that need to be actively protected during COVID‐19 waves.
Ontogenetic development of the crinoidPoliometra prolixain the Arctic deep sea
Authors: Meyer‐Kaiser Kirstin , Smith Amelia , Soltwedel Thomas
Published: May 2021

Poliometra prolixais a common species of comatulid crinoid in the Arctic deep sea. In this study, we characterize the ontogenetic development through the cystidean and pentacrinoid stages, using specimens from the LTER (Long‐Term Ecological Research) observatory HAUSGARTEN in the Fram Strait, Arctic Ocean. While embryos and early larval stages (e.g., the doliolaria) were not observed, both post‐settlement stages and adults ofP. prolixawere observed on the same moored experimental platform at 2,500 m water depth, suggesting that larvae ofP. prolixado not disperse far from their mothers. This indicates that doliolariae may have an abbreviated pelagic duration period or may be brooded in this species. The cystidean has a short, translucent stalk with a star‐shaped attachment disc and a diamond‐shaped translucent head. Metamorphosis from the cystidean to the pentacrinoid is characterized by the formation of brachial ossicles from oral ossicles and by fusion of the basal and radial ossicles to form the calyx. The pentacrinoid stalk is opaque and first develops synarthrial joints at the distal end. Late pentacrinoids have a xenomorphic stalk, bifurcated arms with pinnules, and cirri. We discuss the reproductive and ecological niche ofP. prolixaand also consider the question of whether cystidean and pentacrinoid stages undergo metamorphosis.
Transcultural adaptation and validation of Italian Selfcare diabetic foot questionnaire
Authors: Navarro‐Flores Emmanuel , Romero‐Morales Carlos , Villafañe Jorge Hugo , Becerro‐de‐Bengoa‐Vallejo Ricardo , López‐López Daniel , Losa‐Iglesias Marta Elena , Calvo‐Lobo César , Palomo‐López Patricia
Published: May 2021

The Italian Selfcare diabetic foot questionnaire, (SDFQ‐IT) is considered a diabetic foot self‐care evaluation tool with 16 questions for assessing diabetic foot health disorders. To date, SDFQ has been validated in different languages, but an Italian version was lacking. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to translate and validate the Italian version of the SDFQ‐IT (SDFQ‐IT). A suitable method was developed for the translation protocol and cross‐cultural validation from Spanish to Italian. Regarding the total marks from each sub‐scale, agreement degrees, and confidence were analysed using the Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. In addition, the mean ± SD differences between pre and post‐tests were calculated and completed using the Bland and Altman distribution plots. Excellent agreement between the two versions based on Cronbach's α was demonstrated. Three sub‐scales consisting of knowledge of foot hygiene, the appropriate use of footwear and socks, and podiatric self‐care were added together to obtain the total score. Excellent retest reliability was shown for the total score. Test/retest reliability was excellent for the self‐care domain, and shock and shoe sub‐scales. There were no significant differences among any domain (P > .05). There were no statistically significant differences (P = .000) for the mean ± SDs differences between pre‐and post‐tests (92.9200 ± 12.914) [89.25‐96.59] and 92.9200 ± 13.012 [89.22‐96.62] points, respectively). Bland and Altman plots or clinically pertinent variations were not statistically significantly different. The SDFQ‐IT is considered a strong and valid questionnaire with adequate repeatability in the Italian community.
Emerging functions of piwi‐interacting RNAs in diseases
Authors: Wang Kai , Wang Tao , Gao Xiang‐Qian , Chen Xin‐Zhe , Wang Fei , Zhou Lu‐Yu
Published: May 2021

PIWI‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are recently discovered small non‐coding RNAs consisting of 24‐35 nucleotides, usually including a characteristic 5‐terminal uridine and an adenosine at position 10. PIWI proteins can specifically bind to the unique structure of the 3′ end of piRNAs. In the past, it was thought that piRNAs existed only in the reproductive system, but recently, it was reported that piRNAs are also expressed in several other human tissues with tissue specificity. Growing evidence shows that piRNAs and PIWI proteins are abnormally expressed in various diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and ageing, and may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review aims to discuss the current research status regarding piRNA biogenetic processes, functions, mechanisms and emerging roles in various diseases.
RETRACTED: Celastrol inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of human cervical HeLa cancer cells through down‐regulation of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Ranran , Cheng Li , Xu Haisheng
Published: May 2021

The present study evaluated the anticancer potential of celastrol through down‐regulation of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9. HeLa cells were incubated with different concentrations of celastrol (1, 10 and 100 µM) for 48h. Doxorubicin was used as a reference drug. Cancer cell migration, apoptosis, cell viability and mitochondrial fragmentation were evaluated following celastrol treatment. In addition, the expression level of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and caspase‐3 was evaluated following celastrol treatment. HeLa cell viability was 94.1 ± 7, 53.4 ± 4 and 36.3 ± 2% at 1‐100 µM of celastrol, respectively. Apoptotic cell numbers were increased, and inhibition of larger wounds in cancer cells was observed following celastrol treatment. Celastrol‐treated cells showed condensed nuclei and clumped mitochondria. Reduced expression of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 and increased expression of caspase‐3 were observed following celastrol treatment. Based on the experimental results, we are concluding that the celastrol was effective against HeLa cervical cancer cells.
Reduction in hypoxia‐reoxygenation‐induced myocardial mitochondrial damage with exogenous methane
Authors: Jász Dávid Kurszán , Szilágyi Ágnes Lilla , Tuboly Eszter , Baráth Bálint , Márton Anett Roxána , Varga Petra , Varga Gabriella , Érces Dániel , Mohácsi Árpád , Szabó Anna , Bozó Renáta , Gömöri Kamilla , Görbe Anikó , Boros Mihály , Hartmann Petra
Published: May 2021

Albeit previous experiments suggest potential anti‐inflammatory effect of exogenous methane (CH4) in various organs, the mechanism of its bioactivity is not entirely understood. We aimed to investigate the potential mitochondrial effects and the underlying mechanisms of CH4 in rat cardiomyocytes and mitochondria under simulated ischaemia/reperfusion (sI/R) conditions. Three‐day‐old cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with 2.2% CH4‐artificial air mixture during 2‐hour‐long reoxygenation following 4‐hour‐long anoxia (sI/R and sI/R + CH4, n = 6‐6), with normoxic groups serving as controls (SH and SH + CH4; n = 6‐6). Mitochondrial functions were investigated with high‐resolution respirometry, and mitochondrial membrane injury was detected by cytochrome c release and apoptotic characteristics by using TUNEL staining. CH4 admixture had no effect on complex II (CII)‐linked respiration under normoxia but significantly decreased the complex I (CI)‐linked oxygen consumption. Nevertheless, addition of CH4 in the sI/R + CH4 group significantly reduced the respiratory activity of CII in contrast to CI and the CH4 treatment diminished mitochondrial H2O2 production. Substrate‐induced changes to membrane potential were partially preserved by CH4, and additionally, cytochrome c release and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were reduced in the CH4‐treated group. In conclusion, the addition of CH4 decreases mitochondrial ROS generation via blockade of electron transport at CI and reduces anoxia‐reoxygenation‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyocyte injury in vitro.
High‐power sonication‐assisted extraction of soy protein from defatted soy meals: Influence of important process parameters
Authors: Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Dutta Somak , Lamsal Buddhi P.
Published: May 2021

This study investigated the influence of important process parameters in high‐power sonication (HPS)‐assisted alkali extraction of protein from defatted soybean flakes and flour for higher yields. HPS power densities from 90 to 720 J/mL, substrate: water ratios at 1:8, 1:10, and 1:12 (wt/vol), and extraction durations of 15‐ and 30‐min were evaluated for their impact on protein recovery from meals. Extraction was carried out at 60°C and pH 8.5, and the protein content of the supernatant was determined with bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) assay. Flakes showed the highest protein recovery of 77.5% at 720 J/mL and 15 min extraction with an unsonicated control of 63.0%. Being smaller in particle size, flour was less susceptible to HPS treatments and showed the highest protein recovery of 80.3% at 360 J/mL and 30 min extraction with an unsonicated control of 74.3%. HPS recovered a comparable amount of protein from flakes compared to recovery from sonicated or unsonicated flours. In addition, HPS treatments resulted in shorter incubation durations and generated higher yields without further extraction at 60°C. Thus, it decreased the yield difference between incubation durations and decreased cumulative protein release rate. HPS reduced the volume‐weighted mean diameter (D[4,3]) of flakes by more than fourfold; however, it did not significantly reduce the flour size further. It can thus be summarized that HPS pretreatment breaks the cellular structure of soybean meals, mostly flakes, and can significantly increase the protein recovery from them, even when extraction times are shortened.

Practical Applications

Application of high‐power sonication (HPS) technology was shown to increase protein extraction yields by 10‐15% beyond conventional alkali extraction from soymeal by reducing the particle size of the meal. Conventional alkali extraction utilizes soy flour and requires 30 min incubation at 60ºC, whereas HPS pretreatment increased protein extraction yield in less incubation duration andless amount of water in the substrate based on the types of substrate. Therefore, HPS could improve protein yield and reduce the cost of production by reducing incubation duration, saving energy, and utilizing flakes instead of flourduring conventional industry scale processing.
Improving forensics: Characterizing injuries among community‐dwelling physically abused older adults
Authors: Yonashiro‐Cho Jeanine M. F. , Gassoumis Zachary D. , Wilber Kathleen H. , Homeier Diana C.
Published: May 2021

Background

Physical elder abuse affects a substantial number of older adults, leaving victims at increased risk for negative health outcomes. Improved detection of abuse‐related injuries may increase victim access to professional support, but providers report difficulties distinguishing between accidental and abuse‐related injuries, due in part to victims' pre‐existing health conditions and medication use.

Objectives

To describe the spectrum and characteristics of injuries among physically abused older adults and identify injury characteristics associated with abuse.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Physically abused adult protective services clients were interviewed in their home; non‐abused comparison group participants were interviewed in an outpatient geriatrics clinic.

Participants

Sample included 156 community‐dwelling adults aged 65 and older, including 57 physically abused and 99 non‐abused individuals. Self‐reported abuse history was confirmed through independent case assessment by a LEAD (Longitudinal, Expert All‐Data) panel of clinicians with family violence expertise.

Measurements

Full‐body assessments were conducted, documenting injury incidence, diagnosis, and location. We also collected sociodemographic characteristics, level of social support, functional ability, medical history, and medication use.

Results

Physically abused older adults were more likely to be injured upon assessment (79.0% vs 63.6%; p < 0.05) and have a greater number of injuries ( vs , p < 0.05). Injuries seen more often among abused individuals included: upper extremity ecchymoses (42.1% vs 26.3%; p < 0.05), abrasions (31.6% vs 11.1%; p < 0.01), and areas of tenderness (8.8% vs 0.0%; p < 0.01); and head/neck/maxillofacial ecchymoses (15.8% vs 2.0%; p < 0.01) and tenderness (15.8% vs 0.0%; p < 0.001). Lower extremity abrasions (12.3%) were common but unrelated to abuse status.

Conclusion

While physical abuse does not always result in physical injury, victims more commonly display head/neck/maxillofacial ecchymoses or tenderness and upper extremity abrasions, ecchymoses, or tenderness. Detection of these injuries among older adults warrants further interview and examination.
NF‐YCs modulate histone variant H2A.Z deposition to regulate photomorphogenic growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Qian Qian , Huang Xiang , Zhang Wenbin , Liu Xu , Hou Xingliang
Published: May 2021

In plants, light signals trigger a photomorphogenic program involving transcriptome changes, epigenetic regulation, and inhibited hypocotyl elongation. The evolutionarily conserved histone variant H2A.Z, which functions in transcriptional regulation, is deposited in chromatin by the SWI2/SNF2‐RELATED 1 complex (SWR1c). However, the role of H2A.Z in photomorphogenesis and its deposition mechanism remain unclear. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, H2A.Z deposition at its target loci is induced by light irradiation via NUCLEAR FACTOR‐Y, subunit C (NF‐YC) proteins, thereby inhibiting photomorphogenic growth. NF‐YCs physically interact with ACTIN‐RELATED PROTEIN6 (ARP6), a key component of the SWR1c that is essential for depositing H2A.Z, in a light‐dependent manner. NF‐YCs and ARP6 function together as negative regulators of hypocotyl growth by depositing H2A.Z at their target genes during photomorphogenesis. Our findings reveal an important role for the histone variant H2A.Z in photomorphogenic growth and provide insights into a novel transcription regulatory node that mediates H2A.Z deposition to control plant growth in response to changing light conditions.
Technological Frames in the Digital Age: Theory, Measurement Instrument, and Future Research Areas
Authors: Spieth Patrick , Röth Tobias , Clauss Thomas , Klos Christoph
Published: May 2021

Digital technologies fuel technological change that generates substantial uncertainty and complexity. Corporate actors rely on their technological frames to cope with these challenges. Technological frames determine how actors interpret, assess, and shape a technology’s development, usage, and trajectory. However, the research fails to provide insights into the microfoundations that can explain the consequences of heterogeneity in technological frames. We argue that this research gap is due to a lack of a proper measurement instruments. To address this gap, we theorize on the antecedent of technological frames on the individual level and undertook a rigorous scale‐development process encompassing five steps and samples. The resulting measurement instrument assesses five distinct but interrelated dimensions of an actor’s technological frame (personal attitude, application value, organizational influence, industrial influence, and supervisor influence). This instrument provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for future research on technological frames and corporate strategizing in the digital age.
Order from chaos: A meta‐analysis of supply chain complexity and firm performance
Authors: Akın Ateş Melek , Suurmond Robert , Luzzini Davide , Krause Daniel
Published: May 2021

Increased globalization, varying customer requirements, extended product lines, uncertainty regarding supplier performance, and myriad related factors make supply chains utterly complex. While previous research indicates that supply chain complexity plays an important role in explaining performance outcomes, the accumulating evidence is ambiguous. Thus, a finer‐grained analysis is required. By meta‐analyzing 27,668 observations across 102 independent samples from 123 empirical studies, we examine the link between supply chain complexity and firm performance. While the preponderance of evidence from previous studies identifies supply chain complexity as detrimental to firm performance, our results illustrate that although supply chain complexity has a negative effect on operational performance, it has a positive effect on innovation performance and financial performance. Furthermore, we also distinguish among different levels of supply chain (i.e., upstream, downstream, and internal) and observe nuanced findings. Finally, our findings also reveal moderating effects of construct operationalization and study design characteristics. We discuss implications for theory and practice and provide avenues for future research.
Scientific floras can be reliable sources for some trait data in a system with poor coverage in global trait databases
Authors: Cutts Vanessa , Hanz Dagmar M. , Barajas‐Barbosa Martha P. , Algar Adam C. , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Irl Severin D. H. , Kreft Holger , Weigelt Patrick , Fernandez Palacios Jose María , Field Richard
Published: May 2021

Aim

Trait‐based approaches are increasingly important in ecology and biogeography, but progress is often hampered by the availability of high‐quality quantitative trait data collected in the field. Alternative sources of trait information include scientific floras and taxonomic monographs. Here we test the reliability and usefulness of trait data acquired from scientific floras against trait values measured in the field, and those in TRY, the most comprehensive global plant trait database.

Location

Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain.

Methods

We measured leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA) in the field for 451 native vascular plant species and compared them with equivalent trait data digitised from the most recent and comprehensive guide of the Canarian flora, and data sourced from TRY. We regressed the field‐measured traits against their equivalents estimated from the literature and used the regression models from one island to predict the trait values on the other island.

Results

For leaf area, linear models showed good agreement between values from the scientific flora and those measured in the field (r2 = 0.86). These models were spatially transferable across islands. In contrast, for SLA we found a weak relationship between field‐measured values and the best estimates from the scientific flora (r2 = 0.11). Insufficient data were available in the TRY database for our study area to calculate trait correlations with other data sources.

Conclusions

Scientific floras can act as useful data sources for quantitative plant trait data for some traits but not others, whilst the TRY database contains many traits, but is incomplete in species coverage for our study region, and oceanic islands in general.
Biomechanical Effect of C5/C6 Intervertebral Reconstructive Height on Adjacent Segments in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion ‐ A Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Zhou Jia‐ming , Guo Xing , Kang Liang , Zhao Rui , Yang Xiao‐tian , Fu Yi‐bin , Xue Yuan
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate the biomechanical effect of different intervertebral reconstructive heights on adjacent segments following C5/C6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) through finite element analysis.

Methods

A finite element model of intact C4–C7 segments was developed and validated for the present study. Five additional C4–C7 postoperative models were constructed with 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, and 200% of the benchmark height of C5/C6 on the basis of the intact model. The changes in intradiscal pressure (IDP) and range of motion (ROM) of adjacent segments before and after reconstruction of C5/C6 were analyzed.

Results

For the upper adjacent segment (C4/C5), the IDPs under the different loading conditions all increased after reconstruction. The maximum IDPs were 0.387, 0.489, 0.491, and 0.472 MPa under flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, respectively, observed at the reconstructive height of 200%. The minimum IDPs were observed at 150% reconstructive height under all loading conditions except extension, and were 57, 86 and 81% of the maximum IDPs under flexion, axial rotation, and lateral bending, respectively. The minimum IDP under extension occurred when the reconstructive height is 125% of the benchmark height. For the lower adjacent segment (C6/C7), the IDPs of postoperative models under all loading conditions also increased compared to the preoperative model. The maximum IDPs after reconstruction under flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending were 0.402, 0.411, 0.461, and 0.497 MPa, respectively, when the height of the reconstruction was 200% of the benchmark. The minimum IDPs were observed after a reconstruction at 150% of the benchmark, and were 59%, 85%, 82%, and 81% of the maximum IDPs under flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending loading conditions.

Conclusions

The reconstructive height is an important factor affecting the IDP and the ROM of adjacent segments after ACDF. To delay the adjacent segment disease, an intervertebral reconstructive height of 150% is an appropriate height in C5/C6 ACDF.
Novel and emerging biotechnological crop protection approaches
Authors: Giudice Gaetano , Moffa Loredana , Varotto Serena , Cardone Maria Francesca , Bergamini Carlo , De Lorenzis Gabriella , Velasco Riccardo , Nerva Luca , Chitarra Walter
Published: May 2021

Traditional breeding or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have for a long time been the sole approaches to effectively cope with biotic and abiotic stresses and implement the quality traits of crops. However, emerging diseases as well as unpredictable climate changes affecting agriculture over the entire globe force scientists to find alternative solutions required to quickly overcome seasonal crises. In this review, we first focus on cisgenesis and genome editing as challenging biotechnological approaches for breeding crops more tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, we take into consideration a toolbox of new techniques based on applications of RNA interference and epigenome modifications, which can be adopted for improving plant resilience. Recent advances in these biotechnological applications are mainly reported for non‐model plants and woody crops in particular. Indeed, the characterization of RNAi machinery in plants is fundamental to transform available information into biologically or biotechnologically applicable knowledge. Finally, here we discuss how these innovative and environmentally friendly techniques combined with traditional breeding can sustain a modern agriculture and be of potential contribution to climate change mitigation.
Basic knowledge and the normativity of knowledge: The awareness‐first solution
Authors: Silva Paul
Published: May 2021

Many have found it plausible that knowledge is a constitutively normative state, i.e. a state that is grounded in the possession of reasons. Many have also found it plausible that certain cases of proprioceptive knowledge, memorial knowledge, and self‐evident knowledge are cases of knowledge that are not grounded in the possession of reasons. I refer to these as cases ofbasic knowledge. The existence of basic knowledge forms a primary objection to the idea that knowledge is a constitutively normative state. In what follows I offer a way through the apparent dilemma of having to choose between either basic knowledge or the normativity of knowledge. The solution involves homing in on a state ofawareness(≈non‐accidental true representation) that is distinct from knowledge and which in turn grounds the normativity of knowledge in a way that is fully consistent with the existence of basic knowledge. An upshot of this is that externalist theories of knowledge turn out to be fully compatible with the thesis that knowledgeable beliefs are always beliefs that are justified by the reasons one possesses.
Different psychophysiological and clinical symptoms are linked to affective versus sensory vicarious pain experiences
Authors: Botan V. , Critchley H. D. , Ward J.
Published: May 2021

For some people, seeing pain in others triggers a pain‐like experience in themselves: these experiences can either be described in sensory terms and localized to specific body parts (sensory‐localized, or S/L) or in affective terms and nonlocalized or whole‐body experiences (affective‐general, or A/G). In two studies, it is shown that these are linked to different clinical and psychophysiological profiles relative to controls. Study 1 shows that the A/G profile is linked to symptoms of Blood‐Injection‐Injury Phobia whereas the S/L profile shows some tendency toward eating disorders. Study 2 shows that the A/G profile is linked to poor interoceptive accuracy (for heartbeat detection) whereas the S/L profile is linked to higher heart‐rate variability (HRV) when observing pain, which is typically regarded as an index of good autonomic emotion regulation. Neither group showed significant differences in overall heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), or skin conductance response (SCR) when observing pain, and no overall differences in state or trait anxiety. Overall, the research points to different underlying mechanisms linked to different manifestations of vicarious pain response. Affective‐General pain responders have strong subjective bodily experiences (likely of central origin given the absence of major differences in autonomic responsiveness) coupled with a worse ability to read objective interoceptive signals. Sensory‐localized pain responders have differences in their ability to construct a multi‐sensory body schema (as evidenced by prior research on the Rubber Hand Illusion) coupled with enhanced cardiovagal (parasympathetic) reactivity often indicative of better stress adaptation.
Market resilience in times of crisis: The case of Darfur
Authors: De Matteis Alessandro , Turkmen Ceylan Fethiye Burcu , Kebede Bereket
Published: May 2021

This article focuses on market behavior during crises. It provides an analysis of market functioning in North Darfur, Sudan, over a decade when both natural and manmade disasters were experienced. Results obtained using two rigorous methodological approaches highlight how markets not only remained functional during crises, but even operated more efficiently after a shock than in normal conditions. While our analysis focuses on specific events, we argue that our findings have general validity and application.
Begin Again: Election Campaign and Own Opinions Among First‐Time Voters in Romania
Authors: Gherghina Sergiu , Rusu Elena
Published: May 2021

Objective

This article analyzes under what circumstances first‐time voters are likely to be influenced by the election campaign or by their opinion prior to campaign in their vote choice.

Methods

It uses individual‐level data from an original online survey conducted among Romanian first‐time voters in the November 2019 presidential election.

Results

The results indicate that those who trust politicians, find the campaign informative and use social media are influenced by election campaign. Those with higher political knowledge and interest follow their precampaign attitudes in casting the vote.

Conclusion

The study reveals the existence of distinct causal mechanisms for young voters who are influenced at the polls by the election campaign or by their own attitude prior to campaign. This indicates the necessity to include the existence of an opinion prior to campaign in future analytical frameworks about voting behavior.
Exploring Determinants of ‘Mental Distance’ in Cross‐Border Contexts
Authors: Basche Henrik
Published: May 2021

State‐of‐the‐art research has identified mental distance, which is the limited perception of occurrences beyond one’s country’s border, as the main determinant of moderate cross‐border interactions in Europe. While it is well understood that mental distance is an upstream process that occurs prior to (bounded) rational decision‐making, it is not clear whether and, if so, which determinants affect the degree of mental distance. Standardised interviews with inhabitants of the Euregio Meuse–Rhine cross‐border region were conducted in 2019 to detect the potential effects of language (areas), sociodemographic characteristics and centre–periphery relations. The results demonstrate that knowledge of regionally spoken languages (German, French and Dutch) leads to a lower mental distance in four out of five cases, whereas English abilities surprisingly have the opposite effect. In addition, the outcomes indicate that centre–periphery relations can outweigh the fact that two cross‐border sub‐regions share the same official language.
A World Beyond Web of Science: AGORA Magazine's 35 Years in Dutch‐Language Human Geography
Authors: De Craene Valerie , Koelemaij Jorn , van der Zee Egbert , van Meeteren Michiel
Published: May 2021

Understanding human geography's development requires looking beyond high‐profile academic journals. Alternative publication circuits are spaces of experimentation and play an important role in the discipline's intergenerational reproduction. This paper narrates the 35‐year trajectory of AGORA Magazine, a Dutch–Flemish popular‐scientific early‐career publication focusing on a broad array of socio‐spatial issues. Uncovering AGORA's history guided by a network analysis of co‐occurring authors, we develop two main arguments. First, the affiliation network extracted from AGORA's archive separates the magazine's history into five eras. These periods provide a window to understand the transformations of Dutch and Flemish human geography and related disciplines during the past decades, critically reflecting the zeitgeist of research topics, approaches and ideologies. Second, we probe the value of AGORA as nursery institution for early‐career scholars, establishing myriad inter‐university and transnational connections. We conclude by assessing the value of ‘second league’ native‐language publications in the context of ongoing internationalization.
THE THEOLOGICAL PROBLEM WITH EVOLUTION
Authors: Madueme Hans
Published: May 2021

This article explores hamartiological questions at the interface of evolutionary biology and theology. Such questions include the problem of evil, the possibility of a historical fall, and the meaning of human sinfulness in light of biology. First, I examine some of the leading accounts of animal theodicy, including John Schneider's aesthetic theodicy, Christopher Southgate's compound theodicy, and Joshua Moritz's free creatures’ defense. Second, I review several non‐lapsarian accounts of how sin originated within the human story (e.g., Robert Russell's concept of entropy as the physical origin of sin). Then third, I discuss noteworthy attempts to revise the doctrine of original sin in light of evolutionary psychology. Although the quest for a post‐Darwinian doctrine of sin has prompted fascinating areas of research, I conclude that an evolutionary hamartiology remains a remarkably difficult project.
THE NATURE OF NATURE: INTERPRETATIONS OF TEILHARD DE CHARDIN'S ECOLOGICAL ESCHATOLOGICAL VIEWS
Authors: Osgood Libby
Published: May 2021

In the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the word “nature” occurs more than a thousand times, though this term is not listed in the Teilhard Lexicon by Siôn Cowell. A qualitative analysis of nature throughout Teilhard's writings produced 13 distinct definitions that can be summarized into five categories; nature can be an inherent way of being, sacred, an object, or that which is not artificial. The multivalent term has produced different interpretations of Teilhard's work, specifically in the ecological eschatological question of whether living organisms will be included in the final transformation. Theologians’ responses to this question range from affirmation to dissension, with varying levels of certainty, demonstrating the variability that can be caused by ambiguous language.
GluN3A NMDA receptor subunits: more enigmatic than ever?
Authors: Crawley Oliver , Conde‐Dusman María J. , Pérez‐Otaño Isabel
Published: May 2021

Non‐conventionalN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) containing GluN3A subunits have unique biophysical, signalling and localization properties within the NMDAR family, and are typically thought to counterbalance functions of classical NMDARs made up of GluN1/2 subunits. Beyond their recognized roles in synapse refinement during postnatal development, recent evidence is building a wider perspective for GluN3A functions. Here we draw particular attention to the latest developments for this multifaceted and unusual subunit: from finely timed expression patterns that correlate with plasticity windows in developing brains or functional hierarchies in the mature brain to new insight onto presynaptic GluN3A‐NMDARs, excitatory glycine receptors and behavioural impacts, alongside further connections to a range of brain disorders.

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