bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential therapeutic approaches for targeted inhibition of inflammatory cytokines following COVID-19 infection-induced cytokine storm
Authors: Morgulchik Nelli , Athanasopoulou Foteini , Chu Edmund , Lam Yoriko , Kamaly Nazila
Published: December 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a deadly respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which has caused a global pandemic since early 2020 and severely threatened people's livelihoods and health. Patients with pre-diagnosed conditions admitted to hospital often develop complications leading to mortality due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and associated multiorgan failure and blood clots. ARDS is associated with a cytokine storm. Cytokine storms arise due to elevated levels of circulating cytokines and are associated with infections. Targeting various pro-inflammatory cytokines in a specific manner can result in a potent therapeutic approach with minimal host collateral damage. Immunoregulatory therapies are now of interest in order to regulate the cytokine storm, and this review will summarize and discuss advances in targeted therapies against cytokine storms induced by COVID-19.
Functionalized non-woven surfaces for combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Avinash Patil Nikhil , Macchindra Gore Prakash , Shanmugrajan Dhivya , Patil Harshal , Kudav Mahesh , Kandasubramanian Balasubramanian
Published: December 2021

The worldwide outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection has necessitated mandatory use of face masks, personal protective equipment and intake of a healthy diet for immunity boosting. As per WHO's recommendation, continuous use of masks has been proven effective in decreasing the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. The present study reports on the bacterial filtration efficacy (BFE) of a novel 4-ply functionalized non-woven face mask. We synthesized a polypropylene-based fabric with inner layers of melt-blown fine fibres coated with polylactic acid and immune-boosting herbal phytochemicals. Experimental studies on the synthesized face mask demonstrated a BFE of greater than 99% against
Staphylococcus aureus
(a bacterium species frequently found in mammalian respiratory tract). A thorough computational analysis using LibDock algorithm demonstrated an effective docking performance of herbal phytochemicals against harmful virus structures. More importantly, the face mask also showed sufficient and stable breathability as per regulatory standards. A breathing resistance of 30 Pa at an aerosol flow rate of 30 l h
−1
was reported under standard temperature and pressure conditions, indicating a high potential for real-world applications.
Characteristics of respiratory microdroplet nuclei on common substrates
Authors: Kosmidis-Papadimitriou Alexandros , Qi Shaojun , Squillace Ophelie , Rosik Nicole , Bale Mark , Fryer Peter J. , Zhang Zhenyu J.
Published: December 2021

To evaluate the role of common substrates in the transmission of respiratory viruses, in particular SARS-CoV-2, uniformly distributed microdroplets (approx. 10 µm diameter) of artificial saliva were generated using an advanced inkjet printing technology to replicate the aerosol droplets and subsequently deposited on five substrates, including glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, stainless steel, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and melamine. The droplets were found to evaporate within a short timeframe (less than 3 s), which is consistent with previous reports concerning the drying kinetics of picolitre droplets. Using fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy, we found that the surface deposited microdroplet nuclei present two distinctive morphological features as the result of their drying mode, which is controlled by both interfacial energy and surface roughness. Nanomechanical measurements confirm that the nuclei deposited on all substrates possess similar surface adhesion (approx. 20 nN) and Young's modulus (approx. 4 MPa), supporting the proposed core–shell structure of the nuclei. We suggest that appropriate antiviral surface strategies, e.g. functionalization, chemical deposition, could be developed to modulate the evaporation process of microdroplet nuclei and subsequently mitigate the possible surface viability and transmissibility of respiratory virus.
An innovative approach to using an intensive field course to build scientific and professional skills
Authors: Nicotra Adrienne B. , Geange Sonya R. , Bahar Nur H. A. , Carle Hannah , Catling Alexandra , Garcia Andres , Harris Rosalie J. , Head Megan L. , Jin Marvin , Whitehead Michael R. , Zurcher Hannah , Beckmann Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2021

This paper reports on the design and evaluation of Field Studies in Functional Ecology (FSFE), a two-week intensive residential field course that enables students to master core content in functional ecology alongside skills that facilitate their transition from ‘student’ to ‘scientist’. This paper provides an overview of the course structure, showing how the constituent elements have been designed and refined over successive iterations of the course. We detail how FSFE students: 1. Work closely with discipline specialists to develop a small group project that tests an hypothesis to answer a genuine scientific question in the field; 2. Learn critical skills of data management and communication; and 3. Analyse, interpret and present their results in the format of a scientific symposium. This process is repeated in an iterative ‘cognitive apprenticeship’ model, supported by a series of workshops that name and explicitly instruct the students in ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills critical relevant for research and other careers. FSFE students develop a coherent and nuanced understanding of how to approach and execute ecological studies. The sophisticated knowledge and ecological research skills that they develop during the course is demonstrated through high quality presentations and peer-reviewed publications in an open-access, student-led journal. We outline our course structure and evaluate its efficacy to show how this novel combination of field course elements allows students to gain maximum value from their educational journey, and to develop cognitive, affective and reflective tools to help apply their skills as scientists.
Topology and adenocarcinoma cell localization dataset on the labyrinthin biomarker
Authors: Babich Michael , Sharma Ankit , Li Tianhong , Radosevich James A.
Published: December 2021

The discovery and characterization of tumor associated antigens is increasingly important to advance the field of immuno-oncology. Data on the, 1) topology, 2) amino acid (a.a.) homology analyses and 3) cell surface localization are presented as evidence in support of labyrinthin as a pan-adenocarcinoma marker. Multiple bioinformatics tools were used to collectively predict calcium binding domain(s), N-myristoylation sites, kinase II phosphorylation sites, and transmembrane domain(s) with predicted N- and C-termini orientations. Sequence homology comparisons were found and alignments made for labyrinthin (255 a.a.) vs. the intracellular aspartyl/asparaginyl beta-hydroxylase (ASPH; 758 a.a.) and the ASPH-gene related protein junctate (299 a.a.), which are both type II proteins. The epitopes for commonly used MCA 44-3A6 anti-labyrinthin and FB-50 anti-ASPH/junctate antibodies were present in all three proteins. The selective expression of labyrinthin was investigated by third party fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) analyses of MCA 44-3A6 binding to non-permeabilized adenocarcinoma and normal cell line models. Labyrinthin was detected on non-permeabilized A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells, but not on normal WI-38 human lung fibroblasts nor primary cultures of normal human glandular-related cells. Microscopic images of immunofluorescent labelled MCA 44-3A6 binding to A549 cells at random cell cycle stages complement the FACS results by further showing that labyrinthin persisted on the cell surfaces along with some cell internalization within 20 minutes. The dataset presented herein is related to research article: “Labyrinthin: A distinct pan-adenocarcinoma diagnostic and immunotherapeutic tumor specific antigen” by Babich et al., Heliyon, 2022 [1].

Specifications Table

Value of the data

Because identification and characterization of neoantigens [3, 4, 5] are rare yet increasingly important for diagnostics and therapeutics, the identification of labyrinthin as a pan-adenocarcinoma target is significant for further study by clinicians and cancer researchers.

The data provide a basis to determine to what extent labyrinthin is a distinguishing marker for adenocarcinomas vs. conventional methods.

The results indicate that therapeutic strategies can be employed that take advantage of labyrinthin’s convenient presence on adenocarcinoma cell surfaces.

The discovery of a calcium binding sequence in labyrinthin provides a basis to research if it is key to explaining the long-known phenomena of elevated calcium and irregular signaling in cancer cells [8, 9].

The data reveal a need to explore distinctions between ASPH and labyrinthin, in particular because ASPH [10, 11] and labyrinthin-based treatments have already been FDA approved for clinical trials.
Genetic overlap between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COVID−19
Authors: Allen Richard J , Guillen-Guio Beatriz , Croot Emma , Kraven Luke M , Moss Samuel , Stewart Iain , Jenkins R Gisli , Wain Louise V
Published: December 2021

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have identified genetic loci associated with both traits, suggesting possible shared biological mechanisms. Using updated GWAS of COVID-19 and IPF, we evaluated the genetic overlap between these two diseases and identified four genetic loci (including one novel) with likely shared causal variants between severe COVID-19 and IPF. Although there was a positive genetic correlation between COVID-19 and IPF, two of these four shared genetic loci had an opposite direction of effect. IPF-associated genetic variants related to telomere dysfunction and spindle assembly showed no association with COVID-19 phenotypes. Together, these results suggest there are both shared and distinct biological processes driving IPF and severe COVID-19 phenotypes.
Aneuploidy influences the gene expression profiles in Saccharomyces pastorianus group I and II strains during fermentation
Authors: de la Cerda Roberto , Hokamp Karsten , Roche Fiona , Thompson Georgia , Timouma Soukaina , Delneri Daniela , Bond Ursula
Published: December 2021

The lager yeasts, Saccharomyces pastorianus, are hybrids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces eubayanus and are divided into two broad groups, Group I and II. The two groups evolved from at least one common hybridisation event but have subsequently diverged with Group I strains losing many S. cerevisiae chromosomes while the Group II strains retain both sub-genomes. The complex genomes, containing orthologous alleles from the parental chromosomes, pose interesting questions regarding gene regulation and its impact on the fermentation properties of the strains. Superimposed on the presence of orthologous alleles are complexities of gene dosage due to the aneuploid nature of the genomes. We examined the contribution of the S. cerevisiae and S. eubayanus alleles to the gene expression patterns of Group I and II strains during fermentation. We show that the relative expression of S. cerevisiae and S. eubayanus orthologues is positively correlated with gene copy number. Despite the reduced S. cerevisiae content in the Group I strain, S. cerevisiae orthologues contribute to biochemical pathways upregulated during fermentation which may explain the retention of specific chromosomes in the strain. Conversely, S. eubayanus genes are significantly overrepresented in the upregulated gene pool in the Group II strain. Comparison of the transcription profiles of Group I and II strains during fermentation identified both common and unique gene expression patterns, with gene copy number being a dominant contributory factor. Thus, the aneuploid genomes create complex patterns of gene expression during fermentation with gene dosage playing a crucial role both within and between strains.
Social care for the migrant population in Spain: needs and strengths of organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic
Authors: Bueno Doral Tamara , Lara María , García‐Castillo Noelia
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In the past months, the authors have experienced an exceptional global situation that especially affects the most vulnerable population. This paper aims to analyse the needs, strengths and good practices of the organisations that have continued to study with the migrant population during the health crisis. The main objective was to determine how the health, social and communication crisis has affected the management of the organisation itself, the communications with its direct beneficiaries, the communications with the rest of society, as well as the perception that organisations specialised in migration have about how media has communicated the information of COVID-19 and migrant population.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have circulated a questionnaire with open questions that covered the four dimensions previously mentioned.

Findings

The results show the analysis of the answers of 11 of the most important national and international organisations in the field of migration and refuge that operate in Spain.

Originality/value

Key issues have emerged related not only to the principal management concerns, internal digital communication, the adaptability of external communication and the major effort required to provide information about migration but also to innovative good practices. That other third sector organisations focussed on migration will be able to apply in the future and in other geographic areas.
Mapping research on family business in tourism and hospitality: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Shekhar Shekhar , Gupta Anjali , Valeri Marco
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to map the development of research on family business in tourism and hospitality and provides insights into the key contributors, key areas and current dynamics, and suggests future research directions in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Web of Science (WoS) database to identify the 124 articles published in the theme. The study uses bibliometric indicators such as the co-citation network, word co-occurrence network to analyze the publication and citation structure using Science of Science (Sci2), OpenRefine, and Gephi.

Findings

The top authors, top journals and major themes are recognized using bibliometric techniques. The study identifies six keyword clusters: entrepreneurship, innovation, and empirical collaborating with tourism, hospitality, and family business. The country-wise collaboration indicates the lack of research in the eastern hemisphere of the world. The co-authorship shows studies shared among individuals of a few organizations. The trends from bibliographic coupling depict the evolution of research.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of data collection for the network analysis is limited to the WoS. Incorporating papers from other databases might provide different network structures and insights.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind in the theme of family businesses in tourism and hospitality and will contribute to the literature by identifying future research directions.
Comparison of flexural capacity of different hollow slab beams with/without pavement layer reinforced by steel plates
Authors: Liu Long , Wang Lifeng , Xiao Ziwang
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Reinforcement of reinforced concrete (RC) beams in-service have always been an important research field, anchoring steel plate in the bottom of the beams is a kind of common reinforcement methods. In actual engineering, the contribution of pavement layer to the bearing capacity of RC beams is often ignored, which underestimates the bearing capacity and stiffness of RC beams to a certain extent. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of pavement layer on the RC beams before and after reinforcement.

Design/methodology/approach

First, static load experiments are carried out on three in-service RC hollow slab beams, meanwhile, nonlinear finite element models are built to study the bearing capacity of them. The nonlinear material and shear slip effect of studs are considered in the models. Second, the finite element models are verified, and the numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. Last, the finite element models are adopted to carry out the research on the influence of different steel plate thicknesses on the flexural bearing capacity and ductility.

Findings

The experimental results showed that pavement layers increase the flexural capacity of hollow slab beams by 16.7%, and contribute to increasing stiffness. Ductility ratio of SPRCB3 and PRCB2 was 30% and 24% lower than that of RCB1, respectively. The results showed that when the steel plate thickness was 1 mm–6 mm, the bearing capacity of the hollow slab beam increased gradually from 2158.0 kN.m to 2656.6 kN.m. As the steel plate thickness continuously increased to 8 mm, the ultimate bearing capacity increased to 2681.0 kN.m. The increased thickness did not cause difference to the bearing capacity, because of concrete crushing at the upper edge.

Originality/value

In this paper, based on the experimental study, the bearing capacity of hollow beam strengthened by steel plate with different thickness is extrapolated by finite element simulation, and its influence on ductility is discussed. This method not only guarantees the accuracy of the bearing capacity evaluation, but also does not require a large number of samples, and has certain economy. The research results provide a basis for the reinforcement design of similar bridges.
Collective action components of low-cost housing: an empirical analysis using Ostrom's SES framework
Authors: Wang Hong Kok , Ling Gabriel Hoh Teck , Shi Xuerui
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To date, low-cost housing held under the common-property regime is faced with various collective action or management issues in relation to common facilities. Understanding and unpacking key collective action components in a multi-dimensional and systematic fashion that help explain the status quo of the complex low-cost housing management is crucial, particularly in identifying potential factors contributing to the suboptimal self-governing outcome. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the collective action of low-cost housing in Malaysia using Ostrom's institutional analysis development and social-ecological system framework (IAD-SES framework) as a theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a mixed-method research design was adopted where issues relating to the management of common properties of low-cost housing were identified in the Malaysian context. Second, the components of Ostrom's IAD framework relevant to collective action were identified. Third, after interviewing six experts in the housing industry via semi-structured interviews, two more components (historical development/adaptability to new environment and ethnicity) were added to the questionnaire survey. From here, 633 respondents who lived in four low-cost housings in Kuala Lumpur from 1,598 households were surveyed in 2012. We then merged the IAD framework with the SES framework. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha analysis were conducted to uncover the underlying variables and the social ecological clusters that they belonged.

Findings

With average Cronbach's alpha of 0.83, the seven key SES components identified are able to cumulatively explain 71% variance of local collective action components. Based on the cumulative percentage explained, the top five key SES components are as follows: context (social, economic and political settings); ethnicity; outcome; resource system; and users characteristics.

Originality/value

This study identifies key components related to the collective action issues of low-cost housing management, where two additional components were also suggested to be added to the SES framework. Apart from the theoretical contribution, the study, serving as insights and potential solutions, is also of practical significance to the existing management practices of low-cost housing in Malaysia where policymakers and management corporations may prioritize primary SES components, helping them govern common properties more efficiently.
Research and application of K/S value in stain identification
Authors: Cui Qingbin , Shao Fenjuan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The intelligent identification of stains can quickly and accurately identify stains. At present, stains are identified subjectively by appearance, color, taste, feel, location, etc. Color is an important factor in identifying stains. K/S value is used to analyze the color of textile fabric, and it has additivity. The purpose of the study is to explore its application in stain recognition is of great significance to intelligent washing.

Design/methodology/approach

A certain method used to stain the textile, then the K/S value of the textile before and after the stain was analyzed and tested by the color difference instrument. The K/S curve of the stain was calculated by the addition of K/S, and then the stain was identified and distinguished.

Findings

The K/S value of the textile stained with stains could be deducted by the K/S value of the color difference meter. After deducting the base cloth, the K/S curve of the same stain is basically the same. Then the stain can be identified and analyzed.

Research limitations/implications

The K/S value can be used for stain analysis, but it needs to be analyzed and tested in the laboratory.

Practical implications

This study provides a simple method for stains identification.

Originality/value

In addition to common methods of stain identification, such as appearance, color, feel, smell, location, stain removal materials, breaking the substrate, IR, etc., K/S value can be used for stain analysis. Identifying stains and washing them in a targeted way to achieve a better washing effect could provide certain technical support for the development of smart washing and smart home appliances.
Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of fabricated Sansevieria and Kaans fiber/Egg shell powder reinforced with polyester matrices
Authors: Devapiriam Rajkumar , S. Karthik , K. Santhy
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to fabricate and compare the mechanical and thermal properties of Sansevieria and Kaans fiber reinforced polyester matrices composites.

Design/methodology/approach

Treated Sansevieria and Kaans fiber was used as reinforcement for the fabrication of polymer matrix composites. Kaans fiber, which was available plenty in the delta region, but physical and mechanical properties of Kaans fiber were low when it compared with Sansevieria fiber. To make use of Kaans fiber for the fabrication of composite, the physical and mechanical properties have to be enhanced. So Egg shell powder was selected as a filler material to enhance the Kaans fiber reinforced composite. The selected fibers were properly weaved after alkali treatment. A three-layered (0°/45°/0°) Sansevieria fiber reinforced polymer (S-FRP) and Kaans fiber reinforced polymer (K-FRP) composite plates were fabricated using the compression molding method. As per American Society for Testing and Materials standards, the specimens were cut and mechanical, thermal and absorption properties of Sansevieria and Kaans fiber composites were investigated experimentally.

Findings

Tensile and flexural test reveals that K-FRP composite has good ductility and bending property than S-FRP composite plate. But from the other test results, S-FRP possesses high elongation capability than K-FRP. Thermo gravimetric analysis, moisture absorption and swelling test too done which clearly appeared S-FRP composite plate has prevalent execution than K-FRP composite plate.

Originality/value

This original research study enlists the mechanical, thermal properties and absorption properties of fabricated S-FRP and K-FRP composite plates.
Treatment preferences for medication or surgery in patients with deep endometriosis and bowel involvement – a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Metzemaekers Jeroen , van den Akker‐van Marle M. Elske , Sampat Jonathan , Smeets Mathilde J. G. H. , English James , Thijs Elke , Maas Jacques W. M. , Willem Jansen Frank , Essers Brigitte
Published: December 2021

Objective

To study the preferences of women with deep endometriosis (DE) with bowel involvement when they have to choose between conservative (medication) or surgical treatment.

Design

Labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE).

Setting

Dutch academic and non‐academic hospitals and online recruitment.

Population or Sample

A total of 169 women diagnosed with DE of the bowel.

Methods

Baseline characteristics and the fear of surgery were collected. Women were asked to rank attributes and choose between hypothetical conservative or surgical treatment in different choice sets (scenarios). Each choice set offered different levels of all treatment attributes. Data were analysed by using multinomial logistic regression.

Main Outcome Measures

The following attributes – effect on/risk of pain, fatigue, pregnancy, endometriosis lesions, mood swings, osteoporosis, temporary stoma and permanent intestinal symptoms – were used in this DCE.

Results

In the ranking, osteoporosis was ranked with low importance, whereas in the DCE, a lower chance of osteoporosis was one of the most important drivers when choosing a conservative treatment. Women with previous surgery showed less fear of surgery compared with women without surgery. Low anterior resection syndrome was almost equally important for patients as the chance of pain reduction. Pain reduction had higher importance than improving fertility chances, even in women with desire for a future child.

Conclusions

The risk of developing low anterior resection syndrome as a result of treatment is almost equally important as the reduction of pain symptoms. Women with previous surgery experience less fear of surgery compared with women without a surgical history.

Tweetable Abstract

First discrete choice experiment in patients with deep endometriosis.
Comparative assessment of the effect of pretreatment with microwave and roast heating on the quality of black sesame pastes
Authors: Hou Lixia , Chen Liyan , Song Pinqing , Zhang Yujin , Wang Xuede
Published: December 2021

Heating is a key procedure in producing sesame paste. The effects of microwave heating and conventional roasting on the physicochemical features, protein profiles, and volatile compounds of black sesame pastes made of black sesame seeds from Burma and China were evaluated in this study. All heating treatments decreased the moisture contents of black sesame pastes, and roasting yielded lower moisture levels, although with similar chroma (p < 0.05). The samples subjected to microwave heating had remarkably lower peroxide values than those heated with roasting (p < 0.05). Chinese microwave‐heated samples had a higher nitrogen solubility index than roasting (p < 0.05). Both microwave and roasting increased the contents of the volatiles notably. SDS‐PAGE showed that the intensity of the 2–15 kDa band decreased markedly after heating and nearly diminished for roasting samples, suggesting that roasting was more remarkable for the promotion to the protein aggregation. The results indicated that the quality traits of black sesame paste not only depend on the heating methods, but also the heating power/temperature and duration, and the source of the materials.
Strategic Surrogates or Sad Sinners: U.S. Taxation of Bartering in Digital Services
Authors: Cowan Mark J. , Cutler Joshua , Baxter Ryan J.
Published: December 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused both a surge in technology use and a deterioration in government finances. At the same time, big tech companies are under scrutiny by lawmakers for tax avoidance, antitrust issues, and other concerns. These realities call for governments to reassess tax policy toward tech companies and for tech companies to reassess legal strategy toward taxes. State and federal governments' tax bases are eroding because of the noncash, barter nature of modern transactions. When a taxpayer uses “free” digital services such as e‐mail, social media, or search engines, she pays via access to her personal data or attention. From a legal and policy standpoint, these barter transactions should be taxed just as if cash had changed hands, but because it is not practicable to identify, value, and tax the data and time of each user, they have escaped taxation, giving many tech companies an unintended tax advantage. To address this unfairness, this article proposes a surrogate tax, through which the tech company acts as a proxy to pay the tax that is technically the liability of its users. In contrast to Digital Services Taxes (DSTs), which have been the main focus of policy makers and the extant literature, surrogate taxes adhere closely to standards of good tax policy, providing an administrable means of capturing untaxed digital barter while advancing fairness across the industry's business models. From a legal strategy standpoint, this article argues that tech companies themselves should support surrogate taxes, to avoid facing more onerous, “sin”‐like taxes, such as DSTs.
Primary child health care services in Lithuania: Does it meet the needs of the children?
Authors: Burokiene Sigita , Sutkus Viktoras , Vaideliene Laimute , Urbonas Vaidotas , Kevalas Rimantas , Labanauskas Liutauras , Usonis Vytautas , Jankauskiene Augustina
Published: December 2021

Background

Primary health care is the foundation of a health system and has a strong influence on the efficiency of the health system as a whole. For children in Europe, it is defined by three primary health care models: paediatric; mixed paediatrician and family physician; and family physician. There is much debate in Europe about which model is most appropriate for children. The Lithuanian model is mixed, although health policy is geared towards the promotion of family physicians, with a decline in the number of primary paediatricians in clinical practice.

Objectives

To review the children's primary health care system in Lithuania, compare the indicators of primary care by family physicians and paediatricians in Lithuania, and identify parents' perceptions of the primary health care model for children.

Methods

A retrospective longitudinal study was performed of children's primary health care indicators for quantity and quality in 2014–2018. A representative opinion survey of 1000 adult respondents was conducted.

Results

A total of 3.5 million children's visits to primary care physicians (6.7 ± 3 visits for each child) were registered in Lithuania in 2018. During a recent 5‐year period (2014–2018), the number of visits did not change significantly. Visits to paediatricians accounted for 41% of all children's visits to primary care physicians in 2018. Visits to Emergency Departments increased by 20%. The results of the survey showed that 72.3% of the respondents would prefer their children be treated by a primary care paediatrician.

Conclusion

The mixed paediatrician and family physician health care model gives parents the right to choose. The results showed a decreased number of paediatricians in primary care; paediatric primary care is more frequent than family physician care; and parents tend to trust paediatricians more. The study also showed differences in the models of service used and patterns between regions in Lithuania.
Spatially explicit modeling of wetland conservation costs in Canadian agricultural landscapes
Authors: Asare Eric , Patrick Lloyd‐Smith , Kenneth Belcher
Published: December 2021

Agriculture is an important source of food, employment, and tax revenue to society. However, agricultural expansion is an important driver of global natural ecosystem degradation, including wetlands. Economic theory shows that wetland loss is caused by a mismatch between the private wetland conservation costs borne by landowners and the public benefits generated. We develop a spatially explicit wetland management model to estimate the private economic benefit of wetland drainage in an agricultural landscape in Alberta, Canada. We estimate a full wetland supply curve and show that the private economic benefits of wetland drainage are highly heterogeneous within a watershed. We then combine these private costs of wetland conservation with non‐monetary measures of public ecosystem benefits to assess four wetland conservation policy targeting scenarios. We find a positive correlation between the opportunity cost of wetland conservation on private landowners and the amount of environmental benefits wetlands offer, suggesting that conserving the wetlands that impose the lowest opportunity cost may not be optimal targets for wetland conservation policy. We contribute to wetland conservation economics by demonstrating that targeted wetland conservation policies can be more effective than a uniform conservation policy that assumes wetlands within agricultural landscapes have the same costs and benefits.
Pharmacotherapy of obesity in complex diseases
Authors: Pulipati Vishnu Priya , Pannain Silvana
Published: December 2021

More than 40% of adults in the United States suffer from obesity. Obesity is inextricably linked to many chronic illnesses like type‐2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, sleep apnea, stroke, and cancers. When used in combination with lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy has a vital role in treating obesity and improves short‐term and long‐term outcomes. A growing number of physicians are now interested in obesity medicine, and many of them are seeking guidance on how to treat complex patients with co‐morbidities. This review provides a practical guide to the use of anti‐obesity medications across various obesity‐related comorbidities. It provides a general review of the currently approved anti‐obesity medications and effective combinations. It discusses the highlights of the major trials and recent studies assessing the benefits of anti‐obesity medications in comorbid conditions such as type‐2 diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, renal diseases, and liver diseases. This review briefly examines the aspects of recognizing and addressing iatrogenic weight gain; discusses the precautions and prescribing considerations of anti‐obesity medications, including side effects and possible dose adjustments in various comorbid conditions; and provides an expert opinion on an individualized choice of the best anti‐obesity medication.
Severe de novo pustular psoriasiform immune‐related adverse event associated with nivolumab treatment for metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Seervai Riyad N. H. , Heberton Meghan , Cho Woo Cheal , Gill Pavandeep , Murphy Mariela B. , Aung Phyu P. , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Torres‐Cabala Carlos A. , Patel Anisha B. , Ruiz‐Bañobre Juan , Om Amit , Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Nikolaou Vasiliki , Curry Jonathan L.
Published: December 2021

Breakthrough targeted therapies have produced significant improvements in survival for cancer patients, but have a propensity to cause cutaneous immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). Psoriasiform irAEs, representing about 4% of dermatologic toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, are usually mild, occur in older patients and present as an exacerbation of existing psoriasis after several doses of ICI therapy. We report a case of a 58‐year‐old woman with metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma and no prior history of psoriasis who developed a pustular psoriasiform irAE, beginning 3 days after initiation of nivolumab and progressing to confluent erythroderma with pustules over 2 weeks despite topical steroid use. She had concurrent acrodermatitis enteropathica, clinically diagnosed and confirmed with a low serum zinc level, that improved with supplementation. Her psoriasiform irAE was refractory to systemic steroids and acitretin, prompting discontinuation of nivolumab and treatment with ustekinumab and concomitant slow taper of acitretin and prednisone. Pustular psoriasiform irAE is a rare but severe dermatologic toxicity resulting from ICI therapy. Given the diverse morphologic types of cutaneous irAEs that can occur during ICI therapy, a clinical and histopathologic examination of dermatologic toxicities is critical to identify patients who may benefit from biologic therapy.
Migration behaviour of Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar L.) in a short and highly fragmented gravel‐bed river stretch
Authors: Renardy Séverine , Colson Dylan , Benitez Jean‐Philippe , Dierckx Arnaud , Goffaux Delphine , Sabbe Justine , Rabouan Amaury , Detrait Olivier , Nzau Matondo Billy , Sonny Damien , Ovidio Michaël
Published: December 2021

The succession of migration barriers and different turbine types during downstream migration impede Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts from reaching the sea in time but is poorly studied. We investigated the isolated and cumulative impacts of 14 consecutive migration barriers (MBs) on downstream migration of 200 radio‐tagged smolts over an 18.9 km stretch of gravel‐bed river, by equipping five MBs with automated radio listening stations. At the level of isolated barriers, median research times (i.e. time between the first and the last detection upstream of a MB) varied between 0.1 and 0.7 h. The median crossing delays (i.e. time between the first detection upstream and the first detection downstream of a MB) varied between 1 and 2.9 h. Considering successive MBs, median cumulative crossing delays varied between 2.6 and 32.1 h and increased with the number of MBs. We observed a global mortality rate between 33% and 76%, increasing with the distance travelled and the associated number of MBs. Only 48% of the migrating smolts reached the end of the studied river stretch. Results suggest that the dynamics of the smolt downstream migration over this short highly fragmented stretch had a significant effect in terms of delays, mortalities and seaward escapement rate.
Do tree species affect decadal changes in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in Danish common garden experiments?
Authors: Steffens Christina , Beer Christian , Schelfhout Stephanie , De Schrijver An , Pfeiffer Eva‐Maria , Vesterdal Lars
Published: December 2021

Temperate forest soils are often considered as an important sink for atmospheric carbon (C), thereby buffering anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, the effect of tree species composition on the magnitude of this sink is unclear. We resampled a tree species common garden experiment (six sites) a decade after initial sampling to evaluate whether forest floor (FF) and topsoil organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Nt) stocks changed in dependence of tree species (Norway spruce—Picea abies L., European beech—Fagus sylvatica L., pedunculate oak—Quercus robur L., sycamore maple—Acer pseudoplatanus L., European ash—Fraxinus excelsior L. and small‐leaved lime—Tilia cordata L.). Two groups of species were identified in terms of Corg and Nt distribution: (1) Spruce with high Corg and Nt stocks in the FF developed as a mor humus layer which tended to have smaller Corg and Nt stocks and a wider Corg:Nt ratio in the mineral topsoil, and (2) the broadleaved species, of which ash and maple distinguished most clearly from spruce by very low Corg and Nt stocks in the FF developed as mull humus layer, had greater Corg and Nt stocks, and narrow Corg:Nt ratios in the mineral topsoil. Over 11 years, FF Corg and Nt stocks increased most under spruce, while small decreases in bulk mineral soil (esp. in 0–15 cm and 0–30 cm depth) Corg and Nt stocks dominated irrespective of species. Observed decadal changes were associated with site‐related and tree species‐mediated soil properties in a way that hinted towards short‐term accumulation and mineralisation dynamics of easily available organic substances. We found no indication for Corg stabilisation. However, results indicated increasing Nt stabilisation with increasing biomass of burrowing earthworms, which were highest under ash, lime and maple and lowest under spruce.

Highlights

We studied if tree species differences in topsoil Corg and Nt stocks substantiate after a decade.

The study is unique in its repeated soil sampling in a multisite common garden experiment.

Forest floors increased under spruce, but topsoil stocks decreased irrespective of species.

Changes were of short‐term nature. Nitrogen was most stable under arbuscular mycorrhizal species.
Manipulation by algorithms. Exploring the triangle of unfair commercial practice, data protection, and privacy law
Authors: Hacker Philipp
Published: December 2021

The optimisation of sales practices in consumer markets through machine learning not only harbours the potential to better match consumer preferences with products, but also risks to facilitate the exploitation of consumer weaknesses discovered via data analysis. More specifically, recent technological advances have brought us to the edge of mind‐reading technologies, which automatically analyse mental states and adapt offers accordingly, in potentially manipulative ways. This article shows that, in market contexts, the challenges of manipulation by algorithm necessitate an integrated understanding of unfair commercial practice, data protection, and privacy law. It maps the interactions between these contiguous yet distinct fields of law, and draws on economics and computer science to develop a novel framework to deal with algorithmic influence. Furthermore, it critically discusses the Commission proposals for the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, and suggests to complement them with more broadly applicable measures to mitigate algorithmic manipulation.
Athena SWAN gender equality plans and the gendered impact of COVID‐19
Authors: de Aguiar Thereza Raquel Sales , Haque Shamima , Bender Keith A.
Published: December 2021

This study explores Athena SWAN as a mechanism to govern gender equality and diversity in the context of the UK Business and Management Schools during COVID‐19. More specifically, this study reports on the struggles that UK Business Schools are now facing in projecting themselves as equal and diverse as well as efficient and viable. Using governmentality theory, a thematic analysis is applied to Athena SWAN applications and face‐to‐face interviews conducted with a number of leaders of Athena SWAN‐awarded UK Business Schools. The results suggest that Athena SWAN opens a space for self‐governing gender equality and diversity with some progress on this agenda. However, the Athena SWAN framework calls our attention to invisibilities of inequalities in times of crisis such as COVID‐19, when governamentality of gender issues can become limited and when targets on efficiency are set as a priority.
Gender Dysphoria in children and young people: The implications for clinical staff of the Bell V’s Tavistock Judicial Review and Appeal Ruling
Authors: Helyar Sinead , Jackson Laura , Patrick Leanne , Hill Andy , Ion Robin
Published: December 2021

In the past few years, there has been a very significant rise in the number of children and young people seeking treatment for gender dysphoria

This area is the subject of much discussion, as evidenced in a recent court case in the UK which examined competence and capacity of young people to consent to potentially irreversible interventions.

Clinicians involved in gaining consent to puberty blockers for gender dysphoric young people, must understand the evidence in this area and be aware of the heavy burden of accountability placed upon them.
Party, Academic, or Prepped for College? School Norm Profiles and Adolescent Well‐being using National Data
Authors: Benner Aprile D. , Bakhtiari Farin , Wang Yijie , Schulenberg John
Published: December 2021

The current study examined how schoolwide norms came together into distinct profiles and how norm profile membership was linked to adolescent well‐being. Using school‐level (N = 786) and student‐level data (N = 174,587 12th grade students; 52% female; 64% White, 13% Latino, 12% Black, 12% other) from Monitoring the Future (MTF), we identified four distinct school profiles—average, academic, prepped‐for‐college, party—that had unique patterns of shared norms. Compared with average schools, academic schools (high academics and low substance use and social integration norms) were most advantageous for students, prepped‐for‐college schools (high academics, substance use, and social integration norms) had both benefits and drawbacks, and party schools (low academics and high substance use and social integration norms) were most detrimental.
The shaping of plant axes and crowns through tropisms and elasticity: an example of morphogenetic plasticity beyond the shoot apical meristem
Authors: Moulia Bruno , Badel Eric , Bastien Renaud , Duchemin Laurent , Eloy Christophe
Published: December 2021

Shoot morphogenetic plasticity is crucial to the adaptation of plants to their fluctuating environments. Major insights into shoot morphogenesis have been compiled studying meristems, especially the shoot apical meristem (SAM), through a methodological effort in multiscale systems biology and biophysics. However, morphogenesis at the SAM is robust to environmental changes. Plasticity emerges later on during post‐SAM development. The purpose of this review is to show that multiscale systems biology and biophysics is insightful for the shaping of the whole plant as well. More specifically, we review the shaping of axes and crowns through tropisms and elasticity, combining the recent advances in morphogenetic control using physical cues and by genes. We focus mostly on land angiosperms, but with growth habits ranging from small herbs to big trees. We show that generic (universal) morphogenetic processes have been identified, revealing feedforward and feedback effects of global shape on the local morphogenetic process. In parallel, major advances have been made in the analysis of the major genes involved in shaping axes and crowns, revealing conserved genic networks among angiosperms. Then, we show that these two approaches are now starting to converge, revealing exciting perspectives.
Biologics for pediatric psoriasis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun Helen Y. , Phan Kevin , Paller Amy S. , Sebaratnam Deshan F.
Published: December 2021

Background

Biologics represent a promising treatment for children with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. Randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published evaluating different biologics in children with psoriasis, but no summative review exists.

Objective

To summarize data from existing RCTs to assess the efficacy and safety of biologics in the management of pediatric psoriasis.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of RCTs was performed from Medline, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the American College of Physicians Journal Club from inception to November 2020. Random‐effects models were used to estimate the pooled effect size.

Results

Five RCTs assessing adalimumab, etanercept, ixekizumab, secukinumab, and ustekinumab were included (768 patients). The odds ratio of achieving a 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity index score was 12.37 (95% CI: 6.23‐24.55) at initial follow‐up, defined as 12‐16 weeks of treatment. The odds ratio of any adverse event was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.51‐1.80) at initial follow‐up, in patients treated with biologics when compared to placebo or a non‐biologic agent. Limitations of this study include heterogeneity in both the study design and the biologics investigated between the RCTs included in the meta‐analysis.

Conclusion

Biologic therapy for pediatric patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis has high efficacy and a favorable side effect profile.