bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
p53 Controls Murine Gammaherpesvirus Latency and Prevents Infection-AssociatedIgH/c-MycTranslocations
Authors: Owens Shana M. , Sifford Jeffrey M. , Li Gang , Salinas Eduardo , Ghosh Debopam , Miller Andrew D. , Stumhofer Jason , Forrest J. Craig
Published: August 2020

Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) establish life-long infections and cause cancer in humans and other animals. To facilitate chronic infection, GHV oncoproteins promote cellular proliferation and differentiation. Aberrant cell-cycle progression driven by viral oncogenes should trigger activation of tumor suppressor p53, unless p53 is functionally deactivated during GHV latency establishment. However, interactions of GHVs with the p53 pathway during the establishment and maintenance of latent infection are poorly defined. Here we demonstratein vivothat p53 is induced specifically in infected cells during latency establishment by murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68). In the absence of p53, MHV68 latency establishment was significantly increased, especially in germinal center B cells, and correlated with enhanced cellular proliferation. However, enhanced latency was not sustainable, and MHV68 exhibited a defect in long-term latency maintenance in p53-deficient mice. Moreover,IgH/c-Myctranslocations were readily detected in B cells from infected p53-null mice indicating virus-driven genomic instability. These data demonstrate that p53 intrinsically restricts MHV68 latency establishment and reveal a paradigm in which a host restriction factor provides a long-term benefit to a chronic pathogen by limiting infection-associated damage.
Genetic recombination in disgust-associated bitter taste-responsive neurons of the central nucleus of amygdala in male mice
Authors: Tanaka Daisuke H. , Li Shusheng , Mukae Shiori , Tanabe Tsutomu
Published: August 2020

A bitter substance induces specific orofacial and somatic behavioral reactions such as gapes in mice as well as monkeys and humans. These reactions have been proposed to represent affective disgust, and therefore, understanding the neuronal basis of the reactions would pave the way to understand affective disgust. It is crucial to identify and access the specific neuronal ensembles that are activated by bitter substances, such as quinine, the intake of which induces disgust reactions. However, the method to access the quinine-activated neurons has not been fully established yet. Here, we show evidence that a targeted recombination in active populations (TRAP) method, induces genetic recombination in the quinine-activated neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). CeA is one of the well-known emotional centers of the brain. We found that the intraoral quinine infusion, that resulted in disgust reactions, increased bothcFos-positive cells andArc-positive cells in the CeA. By usingArc-CreER;Ai3 TRAP mice, we induced genetic recombination in the quinine-activated neurons and labelled them with fluorescent protein. We confirmed that the quinine-TRAPed fluorescently-labelled cells preferentially coexpressedArcafter quinine infusion. Our results suggest that the TRAP method can be used to access specific functional neurons in the CeA.
Learning in the eyes: specific changes in gaze patterns track explicit and implicit visual learning
Authors: Arató József , Rothkopf Constantin A. , Fiser József
Published: August 2020

What is the link between eye movements and sensory learning? Although some theories have argued for a permanent and automatic interaction between what we know and where we look, which continuously modulates human information- gathering behavior during both implicit and explicit learning, there exist surprisingly little evidence supporting such an ongoing interaction. We used a pure form of implicit learning called visual statistical learning and manipulated the explicitness of the task to explore how learning and eye movements interact. During both implicit exploration and explicit visual learning of unknown composite visual scenes, eye movement patterns systematically changed in accordance with the underlying statistical structure of the scenes. Moreover, the degree of change was directly correlated with the amount of knowledge the observers acquired. Our results provide the first evidence for an ongoing and specific interaction between hitherto accumulated knowledge and eye movements during both implicit and explicit learning.
The role of WO42−on surface passivation for Q235 carbon steel in tungstate solution
Authors: Chen Yijiang , Zhang Pei , Zhou Yong , Yan Fuan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to reveal the mechanism of WO42−on surface passivation for Q235 carbon steel in tungstate solution.

Design/methodology/approach

In Na2WO4solutions with the different concentrations of WO42−, the spontaneous passivation occurred on the surface of Q235 carbon steel when the concentration of WO42−was up to 0.13 mmol/L, which was attributed to the formations of the inner deposition film and the outer adsorption film on the Q235 surface under the action of WO42−.

Findings

The inner deposition film presented a two-layer microstructure: the inside layer was composed of Fe2O3mainly, and the outside layer comprised Fe(OH)2•nH2O, Fe(OH)3•nH2O, FeWO4and Fe2(WO4)3.

Originality/value

Both FeWO4and Fe2(WO4)3 repaired the defects in the outside layer of the inner deposition film; however, the outer adsorption film played a more important role in the surface passivation than the inner deposition film did.
The drivers of desirability in scarcity marketing
Authors: Chen Tser Yieth , Yeh Tsai Lien , Wang Ya Jou
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Marketers make an effort to affect consumers through scarcity marketing thus shaping the perception of scarcity and creating desirability for consumers. To expand the scarcity-expensiveness-desirability model and to enhance insights for practical applications, this study modifies the causal relationship among two types of scarcity, three types of expansiveness and desirability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed 400 Taipei city residents who had purchase experience with luxury brands products in Taiwan. The study employed structural equation modeling as empirical analysis.

Findings

The empirical results show that limited-quantity scarcity main influences perceived social status and then affects desirability. The second path is that limited-quantity scarcity influences perceived uniqueness and then affects desirability. Therefore, perceived social status and perceived uniqueness dominate the majority of effects on desirability because they are the recognition of the individual compared to others, especially when applied to luxury goods.

Practical implications

Because limited-quantity scarcity has a greater impact on desirability than limited-time scarcity in the empirical results, marketers can adopt limited-quantity scarcity messages that are better than limited-time scarcity, to increase consumers’ desire to purchase luxury goods.

Originality/value

The first novelty of this study is dividing scarcity marketing into limited-quantity and limited-time scarcity in the scarcity-expensiveness-desirability model. This study extends expensiveness in the scarcity-expensiveness-desirability model with a complete demonstration, that is, perceived social status, perceived uniqueness and perceived value, which is the second novelty of this study.
Building organizational trust through internal communication
Authors: Pološki Vokić Nina , Rimac Bilušić Milka , Najjar Dijana
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Although multiple research studies disclosed that internal communication is effective in building trust within organizations, the link between employees' satisfaction with internal communication and their trust in their employers has not been explored. The paper explores the interrelationship between eight facets of internal communication satisfaction (ICS) and five dimensions of organizational trust (OT).

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative questionnaire-based field research was conducted on a sample of 289 employees. For the assessment of the ICS, the Internal Communication Satisfaction Scale – UPZIK developed by Tkalac Vercic et al. (2009) was used. OT was assessed using the scale developed by Shockley-Zalabak et al. (2000).

Findings

The research revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the ICS and OT, both when considering five individual OT dimensions and the overall OT. Moreover, two ICS dimensions – “Satisfaction with communication climate” and “Satisfaction with communication with immediate supervisor” – were found to be the strongest predictors of OT.

Originality/value

The research adds to the discussion of antecedents of trust in organizations by positioning the ICS as a powerful generator of OT.
Working capital management and profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana
Authors: Amponsah-Kwatiah Kofi , Asiamah Michael
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study examines the effect of working capital management on profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a quantitative research approach within the causal research design using a balance panel of 20 manufacturing listed firms from 2015 to 2019.

Findings

The study reveals that inventory management, account receivables, account payables, cash conversion cycle, current asset, current ratio and firm size have positive effects on return on assets (ROA) and return on return on equity(ROE) whilst leverage affects them negatively.

Research limitations/implications

The study only covers 20 manufacturing firms generally due to data unavailability. However, the outcome has useful information for manufacturing firms.

Practical implications

The study brings to light effective ways of improving the profitability of manufacturing firms through policies.

Social implications

The findings are beneficial to manufacturing firms and countries for the purpose of improving performance of firms and welfare of the people through direct and indirect chain effects of increasing investments, remunerations and scales of production.

Originality/value

This study adds insights into the existing literature on working capital management namely methodology, effects of components on profitability of manufacturing firms and socioeconomic implications- evidence from Ghana.
Impact of activity-based workplaces on burnout and engagement dimensions
Authors: Appel-Meulenbroek Rianne , Voordt Theo van der , Aussems Rik , Arentze Theo , Le Blanc Pascale
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore, which characteristics of activity-based offices are related to the position of workers on the burnout – engagement continuum.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and an online survey amongst knowledge workers in the Netherlands, which provided data of 184 respondents from 14 organisations. The data has been analysed by descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, factor analyses and path analysis, to test the conceptual model.

Findings

Five physical work environment constructs were identified of which three showed to have significant relations with employees’ position on one of the three dimensions of the burnout – engagement continuum. Distraction has a direct and indirect (through overload) negative relation with the individual strain (meaning increased exhaustion). Office comfort has indirect positive relations (through recognition and appreciation) with the interpersonal strain (meaning increased involvement). The possibility for teleworking has an indirect positive relation (through control) on the self-evaluation strain (meaning increased efficacy).

Practical implications

The findings show that in the design and management of a healthy physical work environment, corporate real estate managers and human resource managers should particularly pay attention to lowering distraction, providing comfortable workplaces and considering the option of teleworking to some extent.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights into the impact of distinct activity-based workplace characteristics on workers’ position on the burnout – engagement continuum.
Characterizing well-being capabilities in services
Authors: Tikkanen Hannu
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to characterize how services present responsibilized consumers with well-being capabilities. This is done by drawing on structuration theory and literatures on responsibilization, social well-being and psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on conceptual development and a qualitative interpretive study of value propositions in texts and images on websites of 11 different self-tracking wearables and applications.

Findings

This paper introduces the changing–coping–countering characterization to explicate different types of well-being capabilities that are represented in services. These capabilities represent different stances towards structures. This paper proposes and discusses how these capabilities can have different impacts on well-being on individual and collective levels.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the perspective of services in a self-tracking context. Further empirical research is needed to investigate well-being capabilities from consumer perspectives.

Practical implications

The proposed characterization can help practitioners in becoming more reflexive concerning their value propositions that relate to consumer well-being. This implies becoming aware of well-being discourses that shape and affect service development.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel characterization for understanding the role of services in the context of responsibilization. It contributes to structural perspectives on the role of services in contributing to well-being.
Silica and modified silica fume waste (mSF) as reinforcing fillers for rubber industry
Authors: El-Sabbagh Salwa H. , Ahmed Nivin M. , Mahmoud Doaa Samir , Mohamed Wael S.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of commercial silica, silica fume-waste (SF) and modified silica fume-waste (mSF) as reinforcing filler in acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) through the mixing process of rubber. The composites were prepared using different loadings of silica fume and commercial silica in EPDM and NBR composites. Structural characterization of silica and SF was done using X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface of silica fume waste was modified using poly methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate through emulsion polymerization to increase the interaction between silica and rubber, then consequently better dispersion in rubber matrix was obtained. The mSF waste was characterized using FT-IR spectra and transmission electron microscopy.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigated rubber mixes and vulcanizates were evaluated by measuring the curing characteristics, mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis and morphological studies (SEM). The mechanical properties of composites including tensile strength, elongation at break and modulus were estimated and analyzed.

Findings

The results revealed that the composites (NBR and EPDM) containing mSF as filler exhibited better rheological and mechanical properties compared to unmodified silica waste and commercial silica. The SEM analysis indicated that the mSF was homogeneously dispersed through the surface of NBR and EPDM composites. Also, results showed that (NBR and EPDM) composites exhibited remarkable improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break and hardness in the presence of mSF; they also showed an increase in the thermal stability. This means that the treatment of surface SF can improve its dispersion in rubber.

Research limitations/implications

Silica cannot be applied in rubber matrix without surface modification because of their incompatibility; their dispersion is not good without surface modification.

Practical implications

The modified silica surface is considered as effective reinforcing filler which can replace other fillers because of its lower surface energy and enhanced intercalating behavior in rubber.

Social implications

This study is just a start in establishing rubber projects with wide applications in the industry and providing a cheap local product while preserving the quality and that is the use of factory waste, which helps in protecting the environment from pollution.

Originality/value

mSF is cheap with relatively high purity, which make rubber/mSF composites appear as new grade of material that can be used in different media rather than rubber.
Low predictability of energy balance traits and leaf temperature metrics in desert, montane and alpine plant communities
Authors: Blonder Benjamin , Escobar Sabastian , Kapás Rozália E. , Michaletz Sean T.
Published: August 2020

Leaf energy balance may influence plant performance and community composition. While biophysical theory can link leaf energy balance to many traits and environment variables, predicting leaf temperature and key driver traits with incomplete parameterizations remains challenging. Predicting thermal offsets (δ, Tleaf − Tair difference) or thermal coupling strengths (β, Tleaf vs. Tair slope) is challenging.

We ask: (a) whether environmental gradients predict variation in energy balance traits (absorptance, leaf angle, stomatal distribution, maximum stomatal conductance, leaf area, leaf height); (b) whether commonly measured leaf functional traits (dry matter content, mass per area, nitrogen fraction, δ13C, height above ground) predict energy balance traits; and (c) how traits and environmental variables predict δ and β among species.

We address these questions with diurnal measurements of 41 species co‐occurring along a 1,100 m elevation gradient spanning desert to alpine biomes. We show that (a) energy balance traits are only weakly associated with environmental gradients and (b) are not well predicted by common functional traits. We also show that (c) δ and β can be partially approximated using interactions among site environment and traits, with a much larger role for environment than traits. The heterogeneity in leaf temperature metrics and energy balance traits challenges larger‐scale predictive models of plant performance under environmental change.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Along with intraspecific functional trait variation, individual performance is key to resolving community assembly processes
Authors: Doudová Jana , Douda Jan
Published: August 2020

Species contributing high proportions to community biomass strongly influence ecosystem processes within the community. Studies have shown that dominant species may serve as nurse plants, helping to ensure biomass stability of the subordinate species under stress conditions. The question is widely debated as to whether either niche differentiation or neutral processes drive the net outcome of plant interactions within a subordinate plant community. To answer this question, requires precise estimates of individual variation in functional traits and performance.

In a 5‐year mesocosm experiment, the functional responses of a subordinate plant community to the removal of the dominant species were evaluated across two drought‐stress scenarios. Small‐scale (i.e. large pots) wetland communities were constructed comprising one dominant species Carex elata and three subordinate species. Removal of the dominant species allowed evaluation of the net effects of drought and interspecific interactions. We estimated the functional divergences for three traits (SLA, leaf dry matter content and allocation to height growth) and compared these with performance differences quantified individually. This enabled distinctions to be made between deterministic (i.e. niche differentiation) and neutral processes driving the drought response of the subordinate community.

We showed that the dominant species decreased relative performance differences within the subordinate plant community under conditions of permanent drought stress. These changes were associated with the convergence of traits related to resource acquisition and growth. The dominant species equalized species performance differences by supressing relatively drought‐tolerant species with low competitive ability and by supporting the less drought‐tolerant species with relatively high competitive ability. Meanwhile, under conditions of inter‐annual drought, the subordinate species likely coexisted due to differentiation in resource‐use strategies and the interaction with the dominant species.

Inclusion of individual variation in performance with a functional trait approach provides valuable insights into the processes structuring plant communities. Ours is the first study to provide evidence that subordinate species exposed to drought may coexist via neutral processes arising from their interactions with the dominant species, leading to functional convergence of traits associated with the trade‐off between stress tolerance and competitive ability.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The Balto‐Slavicā‐aorist
Authors: Villanueva Svensson Miguel
Published: August 2020

The paper presents a new theory of the origin of the Balto‐Slavicā‐aorist. It is argued that the conjunct evidence of Baltic and Slavic allows us to reconstruct a clear picture of the position of theā‐aorist in the Balto‐Slavic verb system: the Balto‐Slavic aorist suffix *‐ā‐ was non‐acute (thus pointing to an original form *‐ah2‐e/o‐ > Bl.‐Sl. *‐ā‐), triggered zero grade of the root, and was exclusively found beside primary thematic andi̯e/o‐presents. As indicated by a new analysis of the Slavic data, theā‐aorist was exclusively used to make aorists fromPIEpresent roots. In spite of frequent claims to the contrary, the Balto‐Slavicā‐aorist has no obvious cognates elsewhere in the family and is thus likely to be an innovation of this branch. The most obvious clue within Balto‐Slavic itself is the formal identity of Balticā‐preterits andā‐presents. Some recent refinements in our understanding of the Indo‐Europeanah2‐presents and their development in Balto‐Slavic (where they were specialized as a deverbative formation with iterative value) allow us to postulate that the Balto‐Slavicā‐aorist goes back to the imperfect of a Balto‐Slavicā‐iterative.
Blast and Aircraft Crash Trauma: A Selection of WWII Cases from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Laboratory*†
Authors: Palmiotto Andrea , Van Deest Traci L. , McCormick Kyle , Freas Laurel
Published: August 2020

This study examines patterns of skeletal trauma in propeller‐driven aircraft crashes and blast‐related ground loss incidents from WWII. Specifically, descriptions and criteria used to characterize aircraft deceleration‐ versus blast‐related skeletal injuries are examined from 35 recently identified forensic anthropology cases to determine possible diagnostic traits and characterize skeletal trauma associated with these events. Among these cases, blast trauma is more localized within the skeleton and is associated with one or few primary directions of force. It is recommended that analysts differentiate between secondary and nonspecific blast trauma categories. Conversely, aircraft crash deceleration trauma is more widespread throughout the skeleton, with torsional fractures and injuries occurring from multiple or indeterminate directions. These traits reflect factors such as more complex loading environments than is seen in blast events. Two case studies are presented in detail to further illustrate differences in aircraft crash and blast‐related incidents. Both studies emphasize consideration of the body as a whole unit to facilitate interpretations. While the cases presented herein result from historic war‐related casualties that characterize the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) casework, these skeletal cases provide guidelines more appropriate than clinically derived criteria developed through assessments of soft tissue injuries. These guidelines can be used by anthropologists and pathologists working with skeletal remain from mass disasters and other complex contexts, as well as provide avenues for future research.
The effect of preoperative anxiety on phenylephrine dose during cesarean delivery: An open controlled one‐arm clinical trial
Authors: Danon Eran , Heesen Philip , Orbach‐Zinger Sharon , Kornilov Evgeniya , Ronen Ariel , Weiniger Carolyn , Eidelman Leonid
Published: August 2020

Background

We performed an open controlled one‐arm clinical trial to assess whether preoperative anxiety influences phenylephrine dosage required to maintain normotension during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Methods

Ninety‐four parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were included. Anxiety levels were measured using a verbal numerical scale anxiety score (0‐10). Phenylephrine infusion to prevent hypotension was adjusted by a standard algorithm. The primary outcome was total phenylephrine dose. Linear uni‐ and multivariate regressions were performed to assess the relationship between preoperative anxiety and the outcome. P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

We found no association between preoperative anxiety and phenylephrine dosage (R2 = 0.05). Taking the number of attempts for spinal anesthesia and surgical time into account did not lead to a significant improvement of the regression model.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we did not find a large independent effect of preoperative anxiety on phenylephrine dose required to maintain normotension in our cohort. We believe that spinal hypotension and phenylephrine dose requirement are multifactorial and anxiety is only one of the factors in this complex interaction.
Understanding the differential effect of alcohol consumption on the relation between socio‐economic position and alcohol‐related health problems: results from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort
Authors: Thern Emelie , Landberg Jonas
Published: August 2020

Aim

To test (i) whether the harmful effects of average volume of alcohol consumption (AC) and heavy episodic drinking (HED) differ by socio‐economic position (SEP), and (ii) if so, to what extent such differential effects can be attributed to an unequal distribution of harmful levels and patterns of drinking, health, life‐style and social factors.

Design

A longitudinal cohort study with baseline in 2002 or 2006, with record‐linkage to national registers.

Setting

Stockholm County, Sweden.

Participants

A total of 37 484 individuals, aged 25–70 years, responding to the survey in 2002 or 2006.

Measurements

The outcome of alcohol‐related health problems was obtained from the National Patient Register and Cause of Death Register using the Swedish index diagnoses related to alcohol use. Self‐reported information on occupational class (measure of SEP), AC, HED as well as other health‐related factors were extracted from the surveys. Average follow‐up time was 13.3 years.

Findings

During follow‐up, a total of 1237 first‐time events of alcohol‐related health problems occurred. After initial adjustments, heavy drinking appeared to be more harmful to individuals with low SEP compared with high SEP (P = 0.001). Differences in HED frequency explained the largest part of the differential effect of AC. Engaging in weekly HED was more harmful to individuals with low SEP (P = 0.031) than high SEP. Differences in AC, together with other factors, explained a large part of the differential effect of HED.

Conclusions

The greater adverse impact of alcohol consumption on health in Sweden on people with lower socio‐economic position may be largely attributable to higher prevalence of heavy episodic drinking, as well as other behavioral and social risk factors.
Role of IL‐25, IL‐33, and TSLP in triggering united airway diseases toward type 2 inflammation
Authors: Hong Haiyu , Liao Shumin , Chen Fenghong , Yang Qintai , Wang De‐Yun
Published: August 2020

Under the concept of "united airway diseases," the airway is a single organ wherein upper and lower airway diseases are commonly comorbid. The upper and lower airways are lined with respiratory epithelium that plays a vital role in immune surveillance and modulation as the first line of defense to various infective pathogens, allergens, and physical insults. Recently, there is a common hypothesis emphasizing epithelium‐derived cytokines, namely IL‐25, IL‐33, and TSLP, as key regulatory factors that link in immune‐pathogenic mechanisms of allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and asthma, mainly involving in type 2 inflammatory responses and linking innate and adaptive immunities. Herein, we review studies that elucidated the role of epithelium‐derived triple cytokines in both upper and lower airways with the purpose of expediting better clinical treatments and managements of AR, CRS, asthma, and other associated allergic diseases via applications of the modulators of these cytokines.
Guideline on anaesthesia and sedation in breastfeeding women 2020
Authors: Mitchell J. , Jones W. , Winkley E. , Kinsella S. M.
Published: August 2020

Breastfeeding has many health benefits for the mother and infant. Women who are breastfeeding may require anaesthesia or sedation. Concerns regarding the passage of drugs into breast milk may lead to inconsistent advice from professionals. This can sometimes result in the interruption of feeding for 24 hours or longer after anaesthesia, or expressing and discarding (‘pumping and dumping’) breast milk; this may contribute to early cessation of breastfeeding. However, there are data regarding the transfer of most anaesthetic drugs into breast milk. We advise that breastfeeding is acceptable to continue after anaesthesia and should be supported as soon as the woman is alert and able to feed, without the need to discard breast milk. We provide evidence‐based information on the pharmacokinetics of drugs commonly used during anaesthesia so that professionals can undertake a risk‐benefit discussion with the woman. We advise the development of local policies that aid logistical planning and guide staff to facilitate breastfeeding during the woman’s hospital stay.
Material Politics Facing Post‐Truth: Speculation, Infrastructure, and Ecology in Turkey
Authors: Hoyng Rolien , Es Murat
Published: August 2020

Despite their imposing material presence, the values and harms stemming from the construction of infrastructural megaprojects remain speculative affairs in Istanbul, Turkey. This article distinguishes two modes of speculation pertaining to megaprojects that present different ethical and political possibilities, namely de‐materialising and re‐materialising speculation. Contributing to debates about material politics informed by Noortje Marres (Material Participation; Palgrave Macmillan, 2015) and William Connolly (The Fragility of Things; Duke University Press, 2013), our framework of de‐ and re‐materialising speculation avoids isolating material and planetary agency to instead consider how their uncertainties and potentials play a role at the intersection with politico‐economic life. Accordingly, we analyse the coalescence of ecological and democratic crises. In Turkey, populism’s anthropocentric construction of “the will of the people” exacerbates ecological collapse. But also, ecological collapse inspires a search for a politics and ethics that acknowledge human–nonhuman ecological entanglements. The contestation between de‐and re‐materialising speculation underscores possibilities and limitations of ecological politics in contexts of populism and post‐truth.
Antiseizure drugs and risk of developing smoking‐related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung cancer: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Leuppi‐Taegtmeyer Anne B. , Reinau Daphne , Yilmaz Stella , Rüegg Stephan , Krähenbühl Stephan , Jick Susan S. , Leuppi Jörg D. , Meier Christoph R.
Published: August 2020

Aims

To determine whether enzyme‐inducing antiseizure drugs (ASDs) affect the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer in smokers.

Methods

Cases of COPD and lung cancer and matched controls without these conditions were identified from a population of smokers with ≥1 prescription for any type of ASD in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink UK database of patients managed in primary care (1995–2016). A matched case–control study was performed utilising multivariate logistic regression analyses of exposure to enzyme‐inducing ASDs compared to non–enzyme‐inducing ASDs. The duration of ASD exposure and level of tobacco exposure were also assessed.

Results

We identified 5952 incident COPD and 1373 incident lung cancer cases, and 59 328 and 13 681 matched controls, respectively. Compared with never use, ever use of enzyme‐inducing ASDs was associated with slightly decreased risk estimates of COPD (adjusted odds ratio: 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–0.89) and lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio: 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.73–0.92). These risk estimates were attenuated in heavy smokers.

Conclusion

We found slightly decreased risk estimates of COPD and lung cancer among smokers taking enzyme‐inducing ASDs and hypothesise that this may be related to induction of detoxification of tobacco‐specific lung toxins.
Low‐dose aspirin use and risk of head and neck cancer—A Danish nationwide case–control study
Authors: de la Cour Cecilie D. , Verdoodt Freija , Aalborg Gitte L. , von Buchwald Christian , Friis Søren , Dehlendorff Christian , Kjaer Susanne K.
Published: August 2020

Results concerning a potential preventive effect of aspirin on head and neck cancer (HNC) are conflicting. We examined the association between low‐dose aspirin use and HNC risk overall and by degree of human papillomavirus association in a nested case–control study using nationwide registries. Cases (n = 12 389) were all Danish residents diagnosed with primary HNC (2000–2015). Age‐ and sex‐matched population controls (n = 185 835) were selected by risk‐set‐sampling. Using conditional logistic regression, we estimated multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for HNC associated with low‐dose aspirin use (≥2 prescriptions). No association was observed between low‐dose aspirin ever‐use and overall HNC (odds ratio: 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 0.97–1.10). Estimates remained neutral according to patterns of use. Low‐dose aspirin use appeared to slightly decrease HNC risk among the eldest (71–84 y), independently of human papillomavirus association, while slightly increase HNC risk among younger age groups (30–60, 61–70 y), driven by an increased risk of oral cancer. However, no consistent patterns in risk estimates were found according to duration and consistency of low‐dose aspirin use in the age‐stratified analyses.
Long‐term trajectories of medicine use among older adults experiencing polypharmacy in Australia
Authors: Falster Michael O. , Charrier Rayan , Pearson Sallie‐Anne , Buckley Nicholas A. , Daniels Benjamin
Published: August 2020

Aims

To explore longitudinal changes in the number and type of medicines used among older people who experience polypharmacy.

Methods

We used pharmaceutical claims for a 10% sample of Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme beneficiaries to identify people aged 70 years and older who were exposed to 5 or more medicines on 15 February 2014. Using group‐based trajectory modelling, we explored changes in the quarterly number and type of medicines used over a 5‐year period (2014–2018).

Results

In our cohort of 98 539 people, we identified 2 predominant groups of medicine use: sustained polypharmacy (77% of people, 4 trajectories); and decreasing medicine use (23%, 3 trajectories). Within the sustained polypharmacy group, people in trajectories with a lower mean number of medicines (e.g. 6 unique medicines) had relatively stable trajectories, while those using a higher number of medicines (e.g. 15 unique medicines) experienced greater seasonal variation in the number and type of medicines used. On average, people continued to use 2/3 of their medicines (chemical substance level) across adjacent quarters. Within groups of decreasing medicine use, the most common trajectory was a slight drop in medicines within 3 months. Overall, 79% of people still experienced polypharmacy after 1 year.

Conclusion

Polypharmacy among older people is a sustained phenomenon, reflecting the chronic nature of multimorbidity within this population. However, there is an underlying volatility in the nature of medicines involved, reflecting both changes in treatment and seasonal fluctuation in dispensing. Ongoing prescribing vigilance is required, particularly for patients using very large amounts of medicines.
Estimation of piperacillin clearance with different glomerular filtration rate formulas in critically ill children
Authors: Béranger Agathe , Benaboud Sihem , Urien Saïk , Nguyen‐Khoa Thao , Gana Inès , Toubiana Julie , Zheng Yi , Lesage Fabrice , Renolleau Sylvain , Hirt Déborah , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc , Oualha Mehdi
Published: August 2020

Aims

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is difficult to assess in critically ill children using gold standard method and alternatives are needed. This study aimed to determine the most accurate GFR estimation formula for assessing piperacillin clearance in critically ill children, using a published piperacillin pharmacokinetics (PK) population model.

Methods

All children hospitalized in the paediatric intensive care unit of a single institution who were receiving piperacillin were included. PK were described using the nonlinear mixed effect modelling software MONOLIX. In the initial PK model, GFR was estimated according to the Schwartz 1976 formula. We evaluated a set of 12 additional validated formulas, developed using plasma creatinine and/or cystatin C concentrations, in the building model to assess the lowest between‐subject variability for piperacillin clearance.

Results

We included 20 children with a median (range) postnatal age of 1.9 (0.1–19) years, body weight of 12.5 (3.5–69) kg. Estimated GFR according to the Schwartz 1976 formula was 160.5 (38–315) mL min−1 1.73 m−2. Piperacillin clearance was best predicted by the Bouvet combined formula.

Conclusion

The combined Bouvet formula was the most accurate GFR estimation formula for assessing piperacillin clearance in critically ill children.
Targeted pharmacologic immunomodulation for inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Sacco Keith A. , Stack Michael , Notarangelo Luigi D.
Published: August 2020

Inborn errors of immunity consist of over 400 known single gene disorders that may manifest with infection susceptibility, autoimmunity, autoinflammation, hypersensitivity and cancer predisposition. Most patients are treated symptomatically with immunoglobulin replacement, prophylactic antimicrobials or broad immunosuppression pertaining to their disease phenotype. Other than haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the aforementioned treatments do little to alter disease morbidity or mortality. Further, many patients may not be transplant candidates. In this review, we describe monogenic disorders affecting leucocyte migration, disorders of immune synapse formation and dysregulation of immune cell signal transduction. We highlight the use of off‐label small molecules and biologics mechanistically targeted to altered disease pathophysiology of such diseases.
Innovative ethics officers as drivers of effective ethics programs: An empirical study in the Netherlands
Authors: Hogenbirk Sjoerd , van Dun Desirée H.
Published: August 2020

Ethical misconduct and violations seriously harm individuals and organizations and lead to massive fines or the dismissal of employees and CEOs. Many firms have implemented ethics programs to prevent unethical behavior but these are often ineffective and take a traditional approach. Ethics officers are often responsible for running and developing ethics programs, in collaboration with other departments. They can, therefore, play a key role in improving ethics program effectiveness. We postulate that ethics officers need to adopt a more innovative approach in order to achieve ethical behavior among employees and managers, and that such an innovative approach requires certain personality traits. This study investigates how ethics officers’ personality traits and innovative work behaviors relate to the effectiveness of ethics programs and normative ethical behavior through an online questionnaire conducted among 110 ethics officers in large Dutch organizations. Structural equations modeling showed that innovative work behavior mediated the relationship between ethics officers’ openness to experience and ethics program effectiveness which, in turn, is related to more normative ethical behavior. Future research must examine the (partial) mediation effects, including other characteristics of ethics officers in relation to ethics program effectiveness and ethical behaviors at work, and replicate the study multi‐nationally.
Environmental policy and social status preference for education in an Uzawa–Lucas model
Authors: Hamaguchi Yoshihiro
Published: August 2020

We investigate the growth effect of environmental policy in the Uzawa‐Lucas model with social status preference for education, finding for resource reallocation effect and substitution effect. The former implies decreasing human capital by raising the occupational cost of education, while the latter implies increasing human capital by enhancing the status‐seeking need for education. Thus, stricter environmental policy has a U‐shaped effect on the growth rate. However, the policy has no effect on the growth rate in the absence of social status preference. Our results imply that social status preference is essential for environmental policy to enhance growth rate.
Mothers’ Job Loss and Their Sensitivity to Young Children’s Development
Authors: Prickett Kate C.
Published: August 2020

As the economy diversifies and stratifies, more mothers of young children experience job instability. To advance understanding of the implications of this trend, this study examines the role of job instability in maternal sensitivity, an important component of child development, during their children’s first 3 years of life. Structural equation models with longitudinal multimethod data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (n = 1,211; 1991–1994) revealed that mothers’ involuntary job loss, but not other job transitions, was negatively associated with sensitivity. This association was most pronounced among mothers with less education. Mediation analyses found that the association was explained by changes in family income and maternal depression, pointing to policy‐relevant mechanisms for reducing inequalities among children.
Syntactic Cues Help Disambiguate Objects Referred to With Count Nouns: Illustration With Malay Children
Authors: Sia Ming Yean , Mayor Julien
Published: August 2020

Children employ multiple cues to identify the referent of a novel word. Novel words are often embedded in sentences and children have been shown to use syntactic cues to differentiate between types of words (adjective vs. nouns) and between types of nouns (count vs. mass nouns). In this study, we show that children learning Malay (N = 67), a numeral classifier language, can use syntactic cues to perform even finer‐grained disambiguation–between count nouns. The manipulation of congruence between lexical and syntactic cues reveals a clear developmental trajectory: while 5‐year‐olds use predominantly lexical cues, older children increasingly rely on syntactic cues, such that by 7 years of age, they disambiguate between objects referred to with count nouns using syntactic rather than lexical cues.
Look Again: Pedagogical Demonstration Facilitates Children’s Use of Counterevidence
Authors: Butler Lucas P. , Gibbs Hailey M. , Levush Karen C.
Published: August 2020

In learning about the world children must not only make inferences based on minimal evidence, but must deal with conflicting evidence and question those initial inferences when they appear to be wrong. Four experiments (N = 144) found that young children were significantly more likely to revise their initial inferences when conflicting evidence was explicitly demonstrated for them. Four‐ and five‐year‐old children saw deterministic evidence about which objects had causal powers, and then saw counterevidence conflicting with that initial pattern. Critically, the conflicting evidence was either demonstrated communicatively and pedagogically, or produced in an intentional but nonpedagogical manner. Only when evidence was explicitly demonstrated for them did children revise their initial hypothesis and use a subtle clue to infer the correct rule.
Preradiation tooth extraction and jaw osteoradionecrosis: Nationwide population‐based retrospective study in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Pei‐Hsun , Chu Chi‐Hsiang , Tang Pei‐Ling , Wu Pei‐Chen , Kuo Tsu‐Jen
Published: August 2020

Objective

Radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) within 7 days of tooth extraction is contraindicated because it may increase the risk of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ). However, delayed RT could compromise survival in patients with HNC. By using a national healthcare database, we reviewed the contraindications and analysed other risk factors for ORNJ.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

By using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, 5,062 HNC patients with at least one tooth extraction 1‐21 days before the first RT day (index day) and without any extractions during or after RT from 2000 to 2013 were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of tooth extraction before the index day: 1‐7 days and 8‐21 days.

Participants

Taiwanese patients with head and neck cancer.

Main Outcomes Measure

Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors of ORNJ.

Results

The overall incidence of ORNJ in the included patients was 1.03% (mean follow‐up duration, 4.07 ± 3.01 years; range, 1.00‐13.99 years). Tooth extraction within 7 days before RT was not associated with increased ORNJ risk (hazard ratio [HR] =0.734; P = .312). Significant risk factors for ORNJ included oral cancer (adjusted HR = 3.961), tumour excision surgery within 3 months before RT (adjusted HR = 3.488) and mandibulectomy within 3 months before RT (adjusted HR = 5.985; all P < .001).

Conclusion

In a mean follow‐up of 4 years, tooth extraction within 7 days before RT for HNC treatment did not increase the ORNJ risk compared with tooth extraction 7‐21 days before RT.