bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protected areas and unpaved roads mediate habitat use of the giant anteater in anthropogenic landscapes
Authors: Versiani Natalia F , Bailey Larissa L , Pasqualotto Nielson , Rodrigues Thiago F , Paolino Roberta M , Alberici Vinicius , Chiarello Adriano G
Published: January 2021

The drastic reduction of the Brazilian Cerrado has transformed this savanna hotspot into vast swaths of commodity-based agriculture fields, mainly soybean, sugarcane, and beef-production pasturelands. The resulting habitat loss and fragmentation are the principal factors underlying population decline of native species inhabiting the Cerrado, particularly those with a high demand for space, low population density, and specialized diet, such as the endangered giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Although the species has been studied in protected areas, we know much less about its ability to endure in disturbed landscapes. Here, we analyzed camera-trapping data to estimate a proxy of habitat use (ψ^; occupancy) and detection probabilities of the giant anteater, identifying environmental covariates influencing these parameters in landscapes with intensive agriculture and commercial forestry. We found this species using about half of the study area (model average ψ^ = 0.51, CI = 0.40–0.62), with two predictors strongly influencing habitat use: protected areas and unpaved roads. In turn, detection probability correlates positively with area of open Cerrado and negatively with area of settlements. The species is more likely to use unpaved roads inside protected areas (ψ^ = 0.90, CI = 0.47–0.75), compared to off road sites in the surrounding areas (ψ^ = 0.19, CI = 0.10–0.34). Our findings indicate that giant anteaters are dependent on nature reserves and native vegetation areas existing on private properties, whose protection is regulated by the Brazilian Native Vegetation Protection Law. Given the relative paucity of state-owned protected areas in the Brazilian Cerrado, increasing the adherence of rural owners to this law is, therefore, key for the conservation of the giant anteater. The intense use of unpaved roads might reflect travelling and/or foraging optimization, a behavioral response that, nevertheless, may compound this species’ susceptibility to suffer mortality from roadkill.
Colorectal Cancer Risk by Genetic Variants in Populations With and Without Colonoscopy History
Authors: Guo Feng , Chen Xuechen , Chang-Claude Jenny , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann
Published: January 2021

Background

Polygenic risk scores (PRS), which are derived from results of large genome-wide association studies, are increasingly propagated for colorectal cancer (CRC) risk stratification. The majority of studies included in the large genome-wide association studies consortia were conducted in the United States and Germany, where colonoscopy with detection and removal of polyps has been widely practiced over the last decades. We aimed to assess if and to what extent the history of colonoscopy with polypectomy may alter metrics of the predictive ability of PRS for CRC risk.

Methods

A PRS based on 140 single nucleotide polymorphisms was compared between 4939 CRC patients and 3797 control persons of the Darmkrebs: Chancen der Verhütung durch Screening (DACHS) study, a population-based case-control study conducted in Germany. Risk discrimination was quantified according to the history of colonoscopy and polypectomy by areas under the curves (AUCs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

AUCs and 95% CIs were higher among subjects without previous colonoscopy (AUC = 0.622, 95% CI = 0.606 to 0.639) than among those with previous colonoscopy and polypectomy (AUC = 0.568, 95% CI = 0.536 to 0.601; difference [Δ AUC] = 0.054, P = .004). Such differences were consistently seen in sex-specific groups (women: Δ AUC = 0.073, P = .02; men: Δ AUC = 0.046, P = .048) and age-specific groups (younger than 70 years: Δ AUC = 0.052, P = .07; 70 years or older: Δ AUC = 0.049, P = .045).

Conclusions

Predictive performance of PRS may be underestimated in populations with widespread use of colonoscopy. Future studies using PRS to develop CRC prediction models should carefully consider colonoscopy history to provide more accurate estimates.
Primary renal lymphoma: unique presentation in a rare disease
Authors: Youssef Mohamed , Davis Faustina , Rao Praveen
Published: January 2021

As the kidney is an extra-nodal organ and does not have lymphatic tissues, the existence of primary renal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been continuously questioned. It is very rare. However, differentiation between renal cell carcinoma and renal lymphoma is necessary in patients presenting with solitary renal mass. We present a 70-year-old-man who presented with a renal mass and was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We feel that this case report may be of benefit to clinicians who may encounter a similar scenario.
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the treatment of amlodipine overdose in a pediatric patient
Authors: Giuliano Katherine , Chen Y Julia , Coletti Kristen , O’Brien Caitlin , Jelin Eric , Garcia Alejandro
Published: January 2021

We present the case of a 16-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with shock of unclear etiology, refractory to fluid resuscitation and triple vasopressors. She suffered pulseless electrical activity and underwent cannulation onto veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After cannulation, it was discovered she had intentionally overdosed on her home medication, amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker (CCB). She was supported on ECMO, treated with IV calcium and insulin, and was able to be weaned off ECMO after 4 days. She developed oligoanuric acute kidney injury, treated with continuous renal replacement therapy followed by intermittent hemodialysis. At discharge, she was neurologically intact and did not require dialysis. Herein, we review the treatment of CCB overdose, review the literature on the use of ECMO in refractory shock due to cardiovascular medication overdose, and highlight the utility of ECMO in pediatric refractory shock and/or cardiac arrest of unclear etiology.
Hydatid disease presenting as dense breast implant
Authors: Mansbridge Christopher , Glover Sarah , Woo Edwin , Singh Neeta
Published: January 2021

We present an interesting case of a pulmonary cyst, thought from the original radiograph to be a dense breast implant. We also present a computed tomography image of the large cyst and the characteristic histological findings of the cause.
The Self-perceived Mental Health Status and Factors That Influence the Mental Health of Chinese Submariners in the South China Sea: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Hu Chaoqun , Liu Yuan , Zhao Fangjie , Xu Zhenqing , Zhang Lulu
Published: January 2021

Introduction

To assess the self-perceived mental health of soldiers and officers in the submarine force in the South China Sea, the result of this investigation was compared to the Chinese military male norms, and the factors that influence their mental health was further explored.

Materials and Methods

A total of 580 male submariners agreed to participate. In the final analysis, 511 valid questionnaires were included; 69 incomplete questionnaires were excluded. The Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) was used to measure the self-perceived mental health of the officers and soldiers.

Results

The scores of four dimensions (somatization, anxiety, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation) and the average of the total SCL-90 scores for the submarine force in the South China Sea were significantly higher than the Chinese military norms. Age and length of service were found to be protective factors, with 26- to 30-year-old age group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.365, 95% CI = 0.138-0.961) and individuals with 6 to 10 years of service (AOR = 0.357, 95% CI = 0.151-0.842) having lower odds of poor mental health. Education level (bachelor’s degree) and workplace (nuclear submarine) were found to be risk factors.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates for the first time that soldiers and officers in the submarine force in the South China Sea are exposed to a number of mental health risks and are suffering from serious psychological problems. These findings provide a basis for military departments to effectively address these psychological problems.
On the interplay of solar wind proton and electron instabilities: linear and quasi-linear approaches
Authors: Shaaban S M , Lazar M , López R A , Wimmer-Schweingruber R F
Published: January 2021

Important efforts are currently being made to understand the so-called kinetic instabilities, driven by the anisotropy of different species of plasma particles present in the solar wind and terrestrial magnetosphere. These instabilities are fast enough to efficiently convert the free energy of plasma particles into enhanced (small-scale) fluctuations, with multiple implications, regulating the anisotropy of plasma particles. In this paper we use both linear and quasi-linear (QL) frameworks to describe complex unstable regimes, which realistically combine different temperature anisotropies of electrons and ions (protons). Thus various instabilities are parametrized, for example the proton and electron firehose, electromagnetic ion cyclotron and whistler instabilities, showing that their main linear properties are markedly altered by the interplay of anisotropic electrons and protons. Linear theory may predict the strong competition of two instabilities of different natures when their growth rates are comparable. In the QL phase, wave fluctuations grow and saturate at different levels and temporal scales, in comparison to results for the individual excitation of the proton or electron instabilities. In addition, the cumulative effects of the combined proton- and electron-induced fluctuations can markedly stimulate the relaxation of their temperature anisotropies. Only whistler fluctuations inhibit the efficiency of proton firehose fluctuations in the relaxation of anisotropic protons. These results offer valuable premises for further investigations in numerical simulations to decode the full spectrum of kinetic instabilities resulting from the interplay of anisotropic electrons and protons in space plasmas.
Energetic ion irradiation of N2O ices relevant for Solar system surfaces
Authors: Oliveira P R B , Martinez R , Fulvio D , da Silveira E F
Published: January 2021

Ices are the dominant surface material of many Solar system objects, such as comets and trans-Neptunian objects. They are continuously exposed to ion bombardment by solar wind ions and cosmic rays, which trigger secondary ion emission, contributing to the exosphere formation. Laboratory studies demonstrated the effects of energetic processing of ices at low temperature, showing the production of molecules and free radicals of astrophysical interest. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is one of the molecular species observed in star-forming sites, reason why it may be present in the ices covering some minor bodies in the outer Solar system. In the current work, N2O ice at 10 K was irradiated by energetic (MeV/u) multicharged heavy ions (e.g. 105Rh and 140Ba); the sputtered species were detected and analysed by the TOF-PDMS technique (time-of-flight plasma desorption mass spectrometry). Small positive and negative secondary ions were identified: N+, N2+, NO+, O+, and O−. The bombardment also induces production of ion cluster series: (N2)nR$_{m}^+$, (NO)nR$_{m}^+$, (N2O)nR$_{m}^+$, where R = N+, N2+, NO+, N2O+, Om+ (n up to ∼ 10, m = 1−3). Their yield distributions follow the sum of two decreasing exponentials, one fast -F and another slow -S, suggesting a two-regime formation. Most of the yield distributions have the same pair of exponential decay constants, around kF ∼ 1.4 and kS ∼ 0.15 u−1. Based on this behavior, an emission description for aggregates is proposed, useful to understand the processes by which neutral and ionized molecular species are delivery to the gas phase in space.
Integrating Linguistics, Social Structure, and Geography to Model Genetic Diversity within India
Authors: Bose Aritra , Platt Daniel E , Parida Laxmi , Drineas Petros , Paschou Peristera
Published: January 2021

India represents an intricate tapestry of population substructure shaped by geography, language, culture, and social stratification. Although geography closely correlates with genetic structure in other parts of the world, the strict endogamy imposed by the Indian caste system and the large number of spoken languages add further levels of complexity to understand Indian population structure. To date, no study has attempted to model and evaluate how these factors have interacted to shape the patterns of genetic diversity within India. We merged all publicly available data from the Indian subcontinent into a data set of 891 individuals from 90 well-defined groups. Bringing together geography, genetics, and demographic factors, we developed Correlation Optimization of Genetics and Geodemographics to build a model that explains the observed population genetic substructure. We show that shared language along with social structure have been the most powerful forces in creating paths of gene flow in the subcontinent. Furthermore, we discover the ethnic groups that best capture the diverse genetic substructure using a ridge leverage score statistic. Integrating data from India with a data set of additional 1,323 individuals from 50 Eurasian populations, we find that Indo-European and Dravidian speakers of India show shared genetic drift with Europeans, whereas the Tibeto-Burman speaking tribal groups have maximum shared genetic drift with East Asians.
Diverse Eukaryotic CGG-Binding Proteins Produced by Independent Domestications ofhATTransposons
Authors: Yellan Isaac , Yang Ally W H , Hughes Timothy R
Published: January 2021

The human transcription factor (TF) CGGBP1 (CGG-binding protein) is conserved only in amniotes and is believed to derive from the zf-BED and Hermes transposase DNA-binding domains (DBDs) of a hAT DNA transposon. Here, we show that sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins with this bipartite domain structure have resulted from dozens of independent hAT domestications in different eukaryotic lineages. CGGBPs display a wide range of sequence specificity, usually including preferences for CGG or CGC trinucleotides, whereas some bind AT-rich motifs. The CGGBPs are almost entirely nonsyntenic, and their protein sequences, DNA-binding motifs, and patterns of presence or absence in genomes are uncharacteristic of ancestry via speciation. At least eight CGGBPs in the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae bind distinct motifs, and the expression of the corresponding genes varies considerably across tissues, suggesting tissue-restricted function.
Manool, a diterpene from Salvia officinalis, exerts preventive effects on chromosomal damage and preneoplastic lesions
Authors: Nicolella Heloiza Diniz , Fernandes Gabriela , Ozelin Saulo Duarte , Rinaldi-Neto Francisco , Ribeiro Arthur Barcelos , Furtado Ricardo Andrade , Senedese Juliana Marques , Esperandim Tábata Rodrigues , Veneziani Rodrigo Cassio Sola , Tavares Denise Crispim
Published: January 2021

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the manool diterpene on genomic integrity. For this purpose, we evaluated the influence of manool on genotoxicity induced by mutagens with different mechanisms of action, as well as on colon carcinogenesis. The results showed that manool (0.5 and 1.0 µg/ml) significantly reduced the frequency of micronuclei induced by doxorubicin (DXR) and hydrogen peroxide in V79 cells but did not influence genotoxicity induced by etoposide. Mice receiving manool (1.25 mg/kg) exhibited a significant reduction (79.5%) in DXR-induced chromosomal damage. The higher doses of manool (5.0 and 20 mg/kg) did not influence the genotoxicity induced by DXR. The anticarcinogenic effect of manool (0.3125, 1.25 and 5.0 mg/kg) was also observed against preneoplastic lesions chemically induced in rat colon. A gradual increase in manool doses did not cause a proportional reduction of preneoplastic lesions, thus demonstrating the absence of a dose–response relationship. The analysis of serum biochemical indicators revealed the absence of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of treatments. To explore the chemopreventive mechanisms of manool via anti-inflammatory pathways, we evaluated its effect on nitric oxide (NO) production and on the expression of the NF-kB gene. At the highest concentration tested (4 μg/ml), manool significantly increased NO production when compared to the negative control. On the other hand, in the prophylactic treatment model, manool (0.5 and 1.0 μg/ml) was able to significantly reduce NO levels produced by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Analysis of NF-kB in hepatic and renal tissues of mice treated with manool and DXR revealed that the mutagen was unable to stimulate expression of the gene. In conclusion, manool possesses antigenotoxic and anticarcinogenic effects and its anti-inflammatory potential might be related, at least in part, to its chemopreventive activity.
SUMOylation regulates the protein network and chromatin accessibility at glucocorticoid receptor-binding sites
Authors: Paakinaho Ville , Lempiäinen Joanna K , Sigismondo Gianluca , Niskanen Einari A , Malinen Marjo , Jääskeläinen Tiina , Varjosalo Markku , Krijgsveld Jeroen , Palvimo Jorma J
Published: January 2021

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is an essential transcription factor (TF), controlling metabolism, development and immune responses. SUMOylation regulates chromatin occupancy and target gene expression of GR in a locus-selective manner, but the mechanism of regulation has remained elusive. Here, we identify the protein network around chromatin-bound GR by using selective isolation of chromatin-associated proteins and show that the network is affected by receptor SUMOylation, with several nuclear receptor coregulators and chromatin modifiers preferring interaction with SUMOylation-deficient GR and proteins implicated in transcriptional repression preferring interaction with SUMOylation-competent GR. This difference is reflected in our chromatin binding, chromatin accessibility and gene expression data, showing that the SUMOylation-deficient GR is more potent in binding and opening chromatin at glucocorticoid-regulated enhancers and inducing expression of target loci. Blockage of SUMOylation by a SUMO-activating enzyme inhibitor (ML-792) phenocopied to a large extent the consequences of GR SUMOylation deficiency on chromatin binding and target gene expression. Our results thus show that SUMOylation modulates the specificity of GR by regulating its chromatin protein network and accessibility at GR-bound enhancers. We speculate that many other SUMOylated TFs utilize a similar regulatory mechanism.
Biological activities of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) intake in humans: an integrative review of clinical trials
Authors: Baptista Sheyla de L , Copetti Cândice L K , Cardoso Alyne L , Di Pietro Patricia F
Published: January 2021

Açaí (E. oleracea) and juçara (E. edulis) are berries considered a source of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins and unsaturated fatty acids, with recognized health-promoting activities. An integrative review was conducted to identify available clinical trials that evaluated the effects of açaí and juçara intake on the human organism. Science Direct and Medline databases were searched. Human studies that evaluated any biological activities after açaí and juçara intake were included in this review. Twenty-three clinical trials were identified up to April 12, 2020. Studies evaluated the biological effects of açaí (n = 17), juçara (n = 5), or both berries simultaneously (n = 1). The results of these trials suggest both types of berries may contribute to improved antioxidant defense and to attenuating metabolic stress and inflammation. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed among trials, and few studies explored the bioactive compounds of the food matrix provided in the interventions. More clinical trials are encouraged to strengthen the current evidence on human biological outcomes, including comparative analysis between these berries.
Dialogic Pedagogy
Authors: White E. Jayne
Published: January 2021

Dialogic pedagogy is broadly concerned with dialogues in, around, and about teaching and learning. It differs radically from dialectic pedagogy in that the emphasis lies in the dialogue spaces in between learners (and teachers) rather than in hierarchical arrangements imposed by well-meaning authorities. Dialogic pedagogy takes its roots from a philosophical legacy originating in Socratic dialogues (and some would say even earlier in Menippeaic dialogues of ancient Greece). Various aspects of dialogic thought can be traced in the writings of Arendt, Bibler, Buber, Derrida, Gadamer, Habermas, Heidegger, Lévinas, Rorty, Spinoza, and Wittgenstein—to name a few. While dialogic pedagogy has a long history in philosophical thought and practice, and latterly in linguistics, it has only recently been granted legitimacy in formal education across the globe through the works of Dewey, Freire, Ranciere, Yakubinsky, and Bakhtin who have each, in their own ways, sought to bring dialogic philosophy to bear on pedagogical thought and practice. This annotated bibliography focuses primarily on writings that are mainly concerned with the interanimated ideas of Mikhail Bakhtin and members of his Russian network (in particular Malovich, Medvedev, and Voloshinov). Contemporary manifestations of dialogic pedagogy based on these origins are widely viewed as an antidote to authoritative regimes of control and accountability that now orient practice in many parts of the world. By its very premise dialogic pedagogy does not prescribe specific pedagogical approaches but, instead, provides a series of principles to orient practice that is attentive to the shaping nature of dialogues, the interanimating voices at play, and the implications of these for learning. Emphasis is placed on the event of dialogue as the form-shaping, orienting basis of pedagogy. It is not merely an exchange from one speaker to another, or a form of transmission of ideas, but rather a moral imperative to engage in joint meaning making on dialogic terms. In dialogic pedagogy, therefore, dialogue is learning and thus becomes a focus for investigation and practice.
Conceptualizing, Measuring, and Evaluating Improvement Networks
Authors: Sherer David , Paquin-Morel Richard , Larbi-Cherif Adrian , Russell Jennifer
Published: January 2021

Educators and education-related organizations are increasingly joining and forming networks to improve learning opportunities and outcomes for students. The turn to networks reflects growing recognition in the education field that problems in education are too complex for any one educator or organization to solve on their own and that collaboration has the potential to accelerate improvement. While there is a history of networks in education to support informal sharing and collaboration, improvement networks are intentionally designed and structured to organize systematic inquiry that enables educators to learn how to better respond to a specific problem of practice. For example, Tony Bryk, Louis Gomez, and Alicia Grunow from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching introduced the concept of the “networked improvement community” to the educational field. These networks bring together communities of educators, reformers, researchers, and leaders, and they provide a structure for organizing inquiry into the root causes and potential solutions to high-leverage problems, such as inequities in student achievement and college access. This article explores the improvement network concept and ways to measure and evaluate these networks. It is organized into four sections, three of which are further divided into subsections. The first section explores how to conceptualize improvement networks. It makes a crucial distinction between the social organization and technical work of networks, and this distinction is preserved and highlighted in subsequent parts of the article. The second section explores approaches to evaluating improvement networks. This is followed by a section on measuring the technical and social organization of networks. The article concludes with a selected set of cases of improvement network evaluations.
Music in the Francophone Caribbean
Authors: Camal Jerome
Published: January 2021

The Francophone Caribbean is a complex region: while it shares a history of French colonialism, it is also marked by divergent political trajectories and profound economic disparities. On one hand, there is Haiti, the first independent postcolonial Black nation; on the other, the overseas French départements of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Guiana. This combination of a shared history of colonial violence (including the genocide of indigenous populations and the enslavement of African people) as well as the diversity of modes and means of resistance against it has made of the Francophone Caribbean a crucible for a rich intellectual, artistic, and musical life. Indigénisme, négritude, marvelous realism, Antillanité, créolité are as many intellectual and artistic movements that have emerged from this crucible to impact intellectual life beyond the Caribbean. Likewise, biguine, konpa, and zouk are just a few of the musical genres whose aesthetic and commercial reach has far exceeded their islands of origin. For all of this musical richness, it is surprising that scholarly literature on music in the Francophone Caribbean has a rather limited scope. In Haiti, it has largely been focused on those practices associated with Vodou (ritual drumming and singing as well as the songs and music of rara) and, in the realm of popular music, with konpa and, to a lesser degree, mizik rasin (roots music) and classical music. Coverage in the French Antilles and Guiana is even more uneven. Guiana has received near to no attention. If scholars have written extensively about gwoka, the Guadeloupean drumming tradition, its Martinican counterpart, bèlè, has received less attention. And if there was a veritable craze for zouk in the 1990s, scholars have not followed Antillean audiences as their musical tastes evolved toward other styles of popular music in the new millennium. Likewise, biguine remains understudied given its transnational circulation in the 1930s. The various sections in this entry reflect these imbalances. If the current entry focuses on Haiti, the French Antilles (Martinique and Guadeloupe), and French Guiana, it should be noted that Dominica and Saint Lucia share the same Creole language, and contribute to the circulation of people, goods, and music in the Lesser Antilles. This being said, because the Oxford Bibliographies entry on music in the Anglophone Caribbean already covers Dominica and Saint Lucia, they have been left out of this overview.
Ecology of the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Damstra Elise , Banks-Leite Cristina
Published: January 2021

Extending along the southern coast of Brazil, into Argentina and Paraguay, the Atlantic Forest is a domain that once covered 150 Mha and includes many distinct forest subtypes and ecosystems. Its large latitudinal (29˚) and altitudinal (0–2,800 m above sea level) range, as well as complex topography in the region, has created microclimates within forest subtypes, which has led to biodiversity specifically adapted to narrow ecological ranges. The region is incredibly species-rich and is home to charismatic or economically important species such as the black and golden lion tamarin, the red-browned Amazon parrot, and the highly prized palm heart from Euterpe edulis. Through widespread human-driven change dating back to the arrival of European settlers in 1500, this realm has been extensively reduced, fragmented, and modified. Nowadays, this region is home to about 130 million people (60 percent of the Brazilian population) and is responsible for producing 70 percent of Brazil’s GDP, putting a strain on natural resources and providing challenges to conservation. Due to its high levels of endemic species coupled with a high threat of habitat loss and fragmentation, the Atlantic Forest has been identified as a “biodiversity hotspot.” Numerous studies have assessed the effects of habitat transformation on biodiversity and the consensus is that the majority of species are negatively affected. It is puzzling however that few species have actually gone extinct in the wild, even if some extinctions might have gone undetected. Extinctions do not immediately follow habitat change, there is often a time lag of many decades between habitat transformation and extinction. This may suggest that many species in the Atlantic Forest are “living deads,” as despite their presence the available habitat no longer supports their requirements. It also suggests that there is a window of opportunity to restoring the domain to avert extinctions before they are realized. Current research and policy actions are geared toward optimizing restoration and increasing the extent of native forest cover, bringing hope to the conservation of this unique domain.
Political Geology
Authors: Bobbette Adam
Published: January 2021

Political geology is concerned with the relationship between geological process, matter, and politics. It is a relatively recent neologism adopted by geographers and includes scholarship from a number of disciplines adjacent to geography, including anthropology, history of science, science and technology studies, and religious studies. The emergence of the Anthropocene no doubt played a role in raising geographers’ interest in the politicization of geology and geological knowledge. Much work in the field has begun to depart from the lens of Anthropocene studies and venture into new intellectual territory. Political geology seeks to understand geological knowledge as a tradition with histories and geographies. It studies the history of the geological sciences across world cultures and has an expanded conception of geological knowledge (and the sciences) beyond a focus on Euro-America. It is building a cosmopolitan understanding of the geological sciences. Geological knowledge is not taken for granted to speak for the earth system but is placed in its cultural, technological, and political context. At the same time, political geologists are concerned with the vibrant, lively materiality of geology. They are interested in Earth’s capacity to act upon politics and create political cultures. A renewed attention to the agency of geology has resulted in a number of papers that stress the ‘geo’ in geopolitics—the grounded, material dimension that situates all and any politics. There has therefore been an uptick in scholarship on verticality, depth, and resource extraction that foregrounds the material agency of geological process. This has been further brought together with consideration of the multiple knowledge traditions that claim to know and represent geological material. The conventional distinctions between geology and spirituality, geological sciences and religion, organic and inorganic, have been questioned. Alternative modes of writing about geology and the sciences are being explored through performance, fiction, sculpture, and poetry. Political geological scholarship thus brings together a number of discussions about the intersections among knowledge, Earth, power and governance. What follows is a broad introduction and survey of the key formative works of political geology, histories of geological knowledge, theoretical preoccupations, and sites of interest to political geologists. The theory and sites sections are ordered alphabetically.
Latitude does not influence cavity entrance orientation of South American avian excavators
Authors: Ojeda Valeria , Schaaf Alejandro , Altamirano Tomás A , Bonaparte Bianca , Bragagnolo Laura , Chazarreta Laura , Cockle Kristina , Dias Raphael , Di Sallo Facundo , Ibarra J Tomás , Ippi Silvina , Jauregui Adrián , Jiménez Jaime E , Lammertink Martjan , López Fernando , Núñez Montellano María Gabriela , de la Peña Martín , Rivera Luis , Vivanco Constanza , Santillán Miguel , Soto Gerardo E , Vergara Pablo M , Wynia Amy , Politi Natalia
Published: January 2021

In the Northern Hemisphere, several avian cavity excavators (e.g., woodpeckers) orient their cavities increasingly toward the equator as latitude increases (i.e. farther north), and it is proposed that they do so to take advantage of incident solar radiation at their nests. If latitude is a key driver of cavity orientations globally, this pattern should extend to the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we test the prediction that cavities are oriented increasingly northward at higher (i.e. colder) latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere and describe the preferred entrance direction(s) of 1,501 cavities excavated by 25 avian species (n = 22 Picidae, 2 Trogonidae, 1 Furnariidae) across 12 terrestrial ecoregions (15°S to 55°S) in South America. We used Bayesian projected normal mixed-effects models for circular data to examine the influence of latitude, and potential confounding factors, on cavity orientation. Also, a probability model-selection procedure was used to simultaneously examine multiple orientation hypotheses in each ecoregion to explore underlying cavity-orientation patterns. Contrary to predictions, and patterns from the Northern Hemisphere, birds did not orient their cavities more toward the equator with increasing latitude, suggesting that latitude may not be an important underlying selective force shaping excavation behavior in South America. Moreover, unimodal cavity-entrance orientations were not frequent among the ecoregions analyzed (only in 4 ecoregions), whereas bimodal (in 5 ecoregions) or uniform (in 3 ecoregions) orientations were also present, although many of these patterns were not very clear. Our results highlight the need to include data from under-studied biotas and regions to improve inferences at macroecological scales. Furthermore, we suggest a re-analysis of Northern Hemisphere cavity orientation patterns using a multi-model approach, and a more comprehensive assessment of the role of environmental factors as drivers of cavity orientation at different spatial scales in both hemispheres.
Perceived Barriers, Enablers, and Modifications to Tests Assessing Pediatric Lower Limb Neurological Impairment: An International Delphi Survey
Authors: Clark Ramona , Baque Emmah , Wells Cherie , Bialocerkowski Andrea
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Accurate, clinically meaningful outcome measures that are responsive to change are essential for selecting interventions and assessing their effects. Little guidance exists on the selection and administration of neurological impairment tests in children with a neurological condition. Clinicians therefore frequently modify adult assessments for use in children, yet the literature is inconsistent. This study aims to establish consensus on neurological conditions most likely to require neurological impairment test in pediatrics and the barriers, enablers, and modifications perceived to enhance test reliability.

Methods

Over a 2-round modified Delphi study, a panel of experts (n = 24) identified neurological conditions perceived to typically require pediatric neurological testing and the modifications to address barriers/enablers to testing. Experts comprised physical therapists with evidence of advanced training or research in pediatrics. Using a 6-point Likert scale (6 = strongly agree, 5 = agree, 4 = somewhat agree, 3 = somewhat disagree, 2 = disagree, 1 = strongly disagree), experts rated statements from existing literature. Thematic analyses were conducted on responses to open-ended questions. A priori consensus was pre-set at 65% agreement/disagreement. Median, mode, and interquartile ranges estimated perceived importance. Cessation was pre-determined by non-consensus items <10% and panel fatigue.

Results

Experts reached consensus on 107/112 (96%) items, including identifying 25/26 (96%) neurological conditions they perceived to require routine neurological testing. Experts strongly agreed with high importance that appropriately trained, experienced therapists are less variable when testing children. Communication modifications were perceived as most important.

Conclusion

High levels of consensus support the use of lower limb neurological testing in a range of pediatric neurological conditions. Trained clinicians should document modifications such as visual aid use. Using recommended modifications could encourage consistency among clinicians.

Impact

This is the first study to our knowledge to identify the barriers and enablers to pediatric neurological testing. Barriers and enablers were partially addressed through suggested modifications. Further rigorous examination of these modifications is required to support their use.

Lay Summary

This study supports that clinicians should adapt their communication for children and young people with neurological problems to include visual aids and equipment demonstration.
Low-dose rituximab protocol in rheumatoid arthritis—outcome and economic impact
Authors: Chandramohan Parvathypriya , Jain Avinash , Antony Glindow , Krishnan Narayanan , Shenoy Padmanabha
Published: January 2021

Objectives

A significant proportion of RA patients, particularly those associated with poor prognostic factors, fail on conventional DMARDs (cDMARDs). Although rituximab (RTX) has been effective in these patients, the cost of therapy makes it unaffordable, particularly in poor and developing countries. Numerous, albeit small, studies using lower doses have shown contradictory results. We aimed to analyse the effectiveness of a low-dose RTX protocol based on clinical outcomes in RA patients.

Methods

Seropositive RA patients with moderate to high disease activity (DAS28-ESR > 3.2) despite combination cDMARDs, treated with RTX, were included in retrospective analysis. All patients were treated according to a predefined protocol, using 500 mg RTX with ongoing cDMARDs at baseline and repeat dosing at 6 weeks or beyond, on lack of moderate to good EULAR response. The B cell count was assessed at baseline, 2 and 24 weeks.

Results

At 12 weeks, 93% of 166 patients [mean (s.d.) age, 51.5 (11.96) years, 25 men and 141 women, with a disease duration of 10.4 (6.29) years] achieved moderate to good EULAR response. At 24 weeks, 90.8% of patients achieved moderate to good EULAR response, 19.8% achieved low disease activity and 29.5% achieved remission, with a mean change in DAS28-ESR from baseline of 2.9 (1.3). RTX failure and relapse were seen in 5.4% and 3.6%, respectively. The response was maintained for 12.3 (7.2) months with a mean RTX dose 521.1 (100.8) mg. Adverse events were seen in 9.6%. When compared with the standard dosing regimen with the originator molecule, a cost reduction of 90% was achieved.

Conclusion

A low-dose RTX regimen achieved reasonably good clinical outcomes at the end of 6 months, with a significantly lower cost.
Exploring molecular pathology of chronic kidney disease in systemic sclerosis by analysis of urinary and serum proteins
Authors: Stern Edward P , Unwin Robert , Burns Aine , Ong Voon H , Denton Christopher P
Published: January 2021

Objective.

Renal involvement is common in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma; SSc) and includes chronic kidney disease (CKD). We have performed analysis of urinary proteins to gain insight into local molecular pathology of CKD in SSc and identify candidate markers for use in clinical trials.

Methods.

To evaluate urinary proteins that might specifically reflect SSc-related CKD, patients were recruited with confirmed SSc and stratified for the presence or absence of CKD. Controls included patients with CKD and no SSc, in addition to healthy volunteers. Candidate markers were measured in serum and urine by multiplex immunoassay testing for IL6, IL18, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 3 (MCP3), VEGF and the soluble adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1).

Results.

One hundred and two subjects were examined, including patients with SSc with no evidence of CKD (n = 40), SSc with CKD (n = 39), non-SSc CKD (n = 11) and healthy volunteers (n = 12). Urinary levels of IL6, MCP1, TNF-α, MCP3, IL18 and ICAM-1 were elevated in SSc patients compared with healthy controls. The most significant differences were for MCP1 and ICAM-1 (both P < 0.0001), and these analytes also showed the most significant differences between groups overall (P = 0.003 for MCP1 and P < 0.0001 for ICAM-1). These markers showed a trend (MCP1, P = 0.0868) or a significant difference (ICAM-1, P = 0.0134) between SSc–CKD and SSc with normal renal function.

Conclusion.

Urinary levels of candidate molecular markers appear to reflect SSc–CKD more than serum markers. MCP1 and ICAM-1 are promising molecular markers for SSc–CKD and might be potential biomarkers of SSc renal involvement. This might be explored in future prospective analyses.
Rituximab for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Menditto Vincenzo G , Rossetti Giulia , Olivari Diletta , Angeletti Alessia , Rocchi Marco , Gabrielli Armando , Pomponio Giovanni
Published: January 2021

Objective

To analyse the available evidence about the use of rituximab (RTX) and other biologic agents in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) patients and to provide useful findings to inform the design of future, reliable clinical trials.

Methods

A systematic review was performed. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane library databases on RTX, and an extensive literature search was conducted on other biologic agents.

Results

Forty-five papers pertinent to our questions were found: 16 retrospective cohort studies, 8 case series, 3 prospective cohort studies and 18 single case reports, for a total of 368 EGPA patients. More than 80% of evaluable patients achieved complete or partial remission with a tendency towards a higher rate of complete response in the pANCA-positive subgroup.

Conclusion

Although the majority of the evaluable EGPA patients treated with RTX appears to achieve complete remission, we strongly believe that a number of sources of heterogeneity impair a clear interpretation of results and limit their transferability in clinical practice. Differences in design, enrolment criteria, outcome definition and measurement make a comparison among data obtained from studies on RTX and other biologic agents unreliable.
NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL SAMPLES OF BURETI SUB-COUNTY OF KERICHO COUNTY KENYA
Authors: Rotich C K , Hashim N O , Chege M W , Nyambura C
Published: January 2021

The activity concentration of soil samples of Bureti sub-county was measured using thallium-activated sodium iodide detector. To ascertain the level of radiation hazard to the public, gamma radiation dose rates were also estimated. The average activity concentration due to 40K, 226Ra and 232Th for soil samples are 1164 ± 70, 106 ± 8 and 79 ± 5 Bqkg−1, respectively. An average dose rate of 145 ± 10 nGyh−1 was recorded, which is about 2.5 times higher than the world average value of 60 nGyh−1(UNSCEAR). On the other hand, an average outdoor effective dose of 0.35 ± 0.02 mSvy−1 was measured, which is lower than the ICRP safety limit of 1 mSvy−1. This shows that the radiation hazards from naturally occurring terrestrial radionuclides in Bureti is low and therefore human radiation exposure is within the accepted limits.
MAPPING OF WORKPLACE RADIATION FIELDS IN DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY FACILITIES USING PERSONNEL MONITORING TLD BADGES
Authors: Srivastava Kshama , Chakrabarty Shatabdi , Pai Rajeshri , Pradhan S M , Chaubey Ajay , Selvam T P , Sapra B K
Published: January 2021

The radiation protection programme is aimed at safe usage of radiation at workplace, ensuring minimum possible dose to radiation workers, patients and members of the public. Verification of the adequacy of protective measures in actual workplace is important, especially for diagnostic radiology facilities, as a substantial number of suspected overexposures are reported from these facilities. To address this issue, a study was conducted for mapping workplace radiation field at various locations in nine Diagnostic Radiology Facilities of two hospitals in India. The cumulative doses were measured for a period of 1–3 months, using personnel monitoring TLD badges. The dosemeters were placed at positions representative of two exposure situations: (1) probable locations of workers during procedures, leading to genuine exposure and (2) inappropriate storage locations of personal dosemeters at user end for probing claims of nongenuine exposures. The results indicate that the measured doses at locations (1) were just a fraction of the permissible dose, provided all safety practices are adhered to. However, the measured doses at certain locations (2) exceeded the investigation levels and indicate that any inadvertent storage of the dosemeters at such locations could lead to reporting of the overexposure from these radiology facilities. The outcome of the study will be useful for the investigation of such exposures and better understanding of the readout patterns of TLD badges in radiology workplaces.
Reported maternal childhood maltreatment experiences, amygdala activation and functional connectivity to infant cry
Authors: Olsavsky Aviva K , Stoddard Joel , Erhart Andrew , Tribble Rebekah , Kim Pilyoung
Published: January 2021

Maternal childhood maltreatment experiences (CMEs) may influence responses to infants and affect child outcomes. We examined associations between CME and mothers’ neural responses and functional connectivity to infant distress. We hypothesized that mothers with greater CME would exhibit higher amygdala reactivity and amygdala–supplementary motor area (SMA) functional connectivity to own infant’s cries. Postpartum mothers (N = 57) assessed for CME completed an functional magnetic resonance imaging task with cry and white-noise stimuli. Amygdala region-of-interest and psychophysiological interaction analyses were performed. Our models tested associations of CME with activation and connectivity during task conditions (own/other and cry/noise). Exploratory analyses with parenting behaviors were performed. Mothers with higher CME exhibited higher amygdala activation to own baby’s cries vs other stimuli (F1,392 = 6.9, P < 0.01, N = 57) and higher differential connectivity to cry vs noise between amygdala and SMA (F1,165 = 22.3, P < 0.001). Exploratory analyses revealed positive associations between both amygdala activation and connectivity and maternal non-intrusiveness (Ps < 0.05). Increased amygdala activation to own infant’s cry and higher amygdala–SMA functional connectivity suggest motor responses to baby’s distress. These findings were associated with less intrusive maternal behaviors. Follow-up studies might replicate these findings, add more granular parenting assessments and explore how cue processing leads to a motivated maternal approach in clinical populations.