bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The phonological process of Rongga language from the phonemic into phonetic realization
Authors: Suparsa I Nyoman
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The current study aims firstly to explain the origin of the morphemic segments of Rongga language, either at the phonological or the phonetic level and the terms of the morphemic structure of Rongga, whether related to positive or if-then conditions. The second objective is to describe the phonological process of Rongga from the changing process of phonemic into phonetic realization.

Design/methodology/approach

As far as the methodology is concerned, three methods are applied including (1) method of collecting data, (2) data analysis methods and (3) method of presenting the result of data analysis. The literary method is defined as a way of obtaining written materials that can support the primary data as additional data.

Findings

The findings of compression placement on Rongga reveal that firstly, the monosyllabic words, whether or not preceded by a consonant, whether or not preceded by a consonant stressed on a single syllable and whether or not preceded by a consonant or before the second syllable, both of which either precedes the consonant or do not follow a word boundary. Second, three and four monosyllabic words will be stressed on the last syllable if they precede the consonant or not.

Originality/value

The results are expected to be considered as one of the primary contributions to the determination of the orthographic system of Rongga, in particular, the consonant and unique vowel in Rongga.
New approaches for cultural heritage: scientific symposium advisory committee – heritage as urban regeneration tool
Authors: Rinaldi Flavia Mabel , Maglio Lucía , Pisarro Iliana , Basterrechea Laura
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This presentation intends to illustrate through the example of a few specific cases of urban actions and projects, those instances in which the existence of built heritage leads to the recognition of identity and valuable contribution as a tool to regenerate, promote residence and economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

Introducing a conceptual framework for identity and culture it is possible to start the recognition of buildings, spaces, stories that configure own particularity to cities. And those would be the elements that would be configured as tools to involve the actions and transformation of the area. Studying each one of the heritage elements detected it is possible to trace a chorus line that impulse the new activity proposal.

Findings

Cases presented in this article were really astonishing in terms of impact and provoked many favorable externalities around them. It is possible to confirm that history and stories as good as buildings and determined places can help regeneration with its own promotion and new ideas applied for better results.

Originality/value

In fact, heritage as a concept, cultural tangible and intangible, is a powerful tool to regenerate cities, to promote economical activity and bind communities toward social development.
An integrated approach to model the blockchain implementation barriers in humanitarian supply chain
Authors: Patil Anchal , Shardeo Vipulesh , Dwivedi Ashish , Madaan Jitender
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Block chain technology (BCT) has emerged as a promising solution for the co-ordination and aid mechanism issues in the context of humanitarian supply chain (HSC). However, implementation of BCT in HSC discerns several barriers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and model the block chain implementation barriers in the context of HSC.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, 14 potential barriers to BCT adoption in HSC have been identified through literature survey. The survey comprises white papers, pilot studies, conference proceedings and journal articles. Further, the identified barriers were finalised in consultation with a team of experts. The team comprised experienced stakeholders working in the humanitarian domain and BCT development. The barriers were categorised into four (technological, organisational, exogenous and economic) perspectives adopting the kappa statistics. Further, the barriers were prioritised using fuzzy best worst method (FBWM) approach. Later, sensitivity analysis was performed to check the robustness and viability of the model.

Findings

The findings from the study indicate that the barriers, such as “data privacy, ownership, and security issues” (B1), “funding issues and cost complexity” (B3) and “technological complexities” (B8), are relatively more influential. The HSC stakeholders and BCT developers are required to identify the safety mechanism against the misuse of victim’s data. The funding issues and technological complexities are interrelated and need synergetic cooperation between blockchain developers, donors, humanitarian organisations (HOs) and other HSC stakeholders. Further, “lack of awareness and understanding among stakeholders” (B6) and “interoperability, collaboration and cross-pollination among HOs” (B5) were identified as least influential barriers to BCT adoption in HSC.

Research limitations/implications

In literature, limited study has been observed on determining barriers to BCT implementation. A more systematic method and statistical confirmation is necessary to establish further new confronting barriers. This study is limited to Indian context.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is first of its kind to use an FBWM approach for prioritising the barriers to BCT adoption in the context of HSC. The study provides potential barriers to BCT and categorises them into four different perspectives, along with their degree of influence.
Leadership behaviours that foster organisational identification during change
Authors: Aitken Kim , von Treuer Kathryn
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To better understand how leadership behaviours are operationalised to foster organisational identification during change, to maximise the success of change initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising the Delphi Technique, 15 Australian senior leaders and leadership subject matter experts were canvassed regarding their opinions on the role of leadership in nurturing organisational identification during change. Their perspectives on a preliminary leadership competency framework developed in an earlier research phase were also obtained.

Findings

Organisational identification was considered an important organisational construct that can yield a range of positive outcomes – including when guiding organisations (and their members) through change. However, organisational identification currently appears to be more of an academic term than a concept employed in leadership practice. Four key themes emerged regarding the leadership behaviours deemed most effective when encouraging organisational identification during change: (1) effective communication, (2) focus on relationships, (3) stewardship of the organisation and the change it is undertaking, and (4) management of self. The refined leadership competency framework consisted of 12 competencies within four competency domains: (1) Leadership and governance in organisational change, (2) Relationship management and communication skills, (3) Management of people, organisational systems and processes and (4) Personal characteristics and capabilities.

Originality/value

The study outlines a range of specific and observable leadership competencies and behaviours that can be employed to foster organisational identification during change. The findings should be of interest to organisations examining identity processes in response to business disruptions, including ensuring their members retain a sense of connection to the organisation during times of uncertainty and altered work practices.
Unpacking the relationship between procedural justice and job performance
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Ul Haq Inam , Azeem Muhammad Umer
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the mediating role of improvisation behavior in the relationship between employees' perceptions of procedural justice and their job performance, as evaluated by their supervisors, as well as the invigorating role of their organization-based self-esteem in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected in three rounds among employees and their supervisors in Pakistan.

Findings

An important factor that connects procedural justice with enhanced job performance is whether employees react quickly to unexpected problems while carrying out their jobs. This mediating role of improvisation is particularly salient to the extent that employees consider themselves valuable organizational members.

Practical implications

For organizations, this study pinpoints a key mechanism—willingness to respond in the moment to unanticipated organizational failures—by which fair decision-making processes can steer employees toward performance-enhancing activities. It also reveals how this mechanism can be activated, namely, by ensuring that employees feel appreciated.

Originality/value

Improvisation represents an understudied but critical behavioral factor that links employees' beliefs about fair decision-making procedures to enhanced performance outcomes. This study shows, for the first time, how this beneficial role can be reinforced by organization-based self-esteem, as a critical personal resource.
Distributed manufacturing as an opportunity for service growth in logistics firms
Authors: Purvis Laura , Lahy Andrew , Mason Robert , Wilson Mike
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to explore the changing role of a logistics service providers (LSPs) to better support their supply chain (SC) partners on their journey of advancing their product-service systems through distributing manufacturing around the world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a novel route towards service growth followed by the LSP by integrating upstream into the value chain and the resultant consequences in the configuration of the servitisation strategy, SC structure and allocation of roles.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal exploratory case study design is followed. The case company is one of the world’s largest LSPs.

Findings

The study highlights how companies can transition towards the development of service solutions when not following a uni-directional, downstream pattern of integration in the value chain. The findings challenge the established model of servitisation as a forward uni-directional process across the continuum from goods to a service-focussed logic. They illustrate how companies can also move in a reversed direction, move possible back-and-forth or extend and restrict their position along the servitisation continuum.

Originality/value

The study reveals that service transition involves a deliberate developmental process to build capabilities as firms shift the focus of their product-service offering. It provides novel empirical evidence of how the service growth journey can manifest itself in practice. With insights into the benefits and challenges of distributed manufacturing, it also highlights some of the opportunities available to LSPs to expand their product-service offerings and some of the potential threats.
New hopes and systematic reviews
Authors: Chien Patrick , Witkin Steven
Published: December 2020

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr Patrick Chien, discusses his top articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/january‐editors‐choice‐2021.
Patient experiences after implementing lean primary care redesigns
Authors: Hung Dorothy Y. , Mujal Gabriela , Jin Anqi , Liang Su‐Ying
Published: December 2020

Objective

To examine the effect of Lean primary care redesigns on patient satisfaction with care and timeliness of care received.

Data/Setting

We used patient surveys and time‐stamped electronic health record (EHR) data in a large ambulatory care system.

Design

Lean‐based changes to clinical spaces and care team workflows were implemented in one pilot site and then scaled to all primary care departments across the system. Redesigns included standardizing equipment and patient education materials in examination rooms, streamlining call management functions, co‐locating physician and medical assistant dyads in a shared workspace, and creating new care team workflows. We used a non‐randomized stepped‐wedge study design and segmented regression with interrupted time series analysis to examine Lean impacts on patient outcomes.

Data Collection

We analyzed patient satisfaction ratings and wait times as documented by the EHR. These longitudinal data were collected for 317 physician‐led teams in 46 primary care departments from January 2011 to December 2016.

Principal Findings

After implementation of Lean redesigns, patients reported a 44.8 percent increase in satisfaction with the adequacy of time spent with care providers during office visits (P < .05). They also reported 71.6 percent higher satisfaction with their care provider's ability to listen to their concerns, and a 55.4 percent increase in perceived staff helpfulness at the visit (P < .01). Based on monthly EHR data, the amount of time elapsed between a patient request for a routine appointment and the scheduled visit day decreased from baseline by an average 2 percent per month (P < .01). On the day of the visit, patient wait times to be seen also decreased gradually by an average 1.2 percent per month (P < .05).

Conclusions

Patient experiences of care after Lean implementations have not been widely studied in primary care settings. We found that Lean redesign yielded improvements that may strengthen clinical operations while enhancing value for patients.
Ketamine: Is the current 200 mg product fit for purpose in the emergency department?
Authors: Elmi Huda , Pisasale Daisy , Taylor Simone E , Kebire Omer , Abbott Leonie
Published: December 2020

Objective

To describe the magnitude of ketamine doses administered in the ED, to identify an appropriate product to minimise risk of administration errors and diversion.

Methods

Retrospective audit of patients prescribed ketamine in two mixed adult/paediatric EDs over 12 months.

Results

Ketamine was administered to 386 patients (722 doses). The most common dose was ≤20 mg (52.1%), followed by 21–50 mg (30.5%). Overall, 215 patients required one dose only (71 received a dose ≤20 mg), while 299 required no more than two doses.

Conclusion

Over three‐quarters of ketamine doses were ≤50 mg; therefore, 50 mg in 1 mL may be an appropriate product.
Deep Mineralization Background and Metallogenic Regularity of the Tongling Ore District
Authors: WAN Qiu , DU Jianguo , YANG Bo , LAN Xueyi , XIAO Xiao , SHI Ke
Published: December 2020

Based on the geological conditions and characteristics of mineralization present, three‐dimensional geological modelling is used in conjunction with previous deep research results, in order to discuss the process of deep mineralization in the Tongling ore district. The structural analysis shows that surface deformation is strong, deep deformation is weak, the surface has mainly experienced brittle deformation, with the possibility of a large number of deep ductile deformations. There is a thrust nappe between the Tongling uplift and the Nanling basin, that is the boundary of the Tongling block, which has resulted in the southwest uplift of the Tongling block. Combined with the deep exploration data, the three‐dimensional shape of the main rock masses is interpreted, with three‐layer structures in the deep magma chamber. The spatial distribution of magmatic rocks is mainly controlled by the structure. The movement of magmatic hydrothermal fluid is dominated by mesoscale seepage in the deep part and ‘dike’ type upwelling in the shallow part. There is a certain coupling relationship between the ore‐forming rock mass and the surrounding rock. The ore‐forming age is dominated by the Yanshanian period. Based on the distribution, types and metallogenic characteristics of the deposits, the metallogenic model of ‘layer coupling’ in the Tongling ore district is summarized, with the ‘one body, two belts and a multilayer metallogenic system’ is established, which is significant for the future direction of deep prospecting in the Tongling area.
How and when to treat the most common adverse effects of antipsychotics: Expert review from research to clinical practice
Authors: Stahl Stephen M. , Sy Sireena , Maguire Gerald A.
Published: December 2020

Objective

As most treatment guidelines for antipsychotics focus on clinical efficacy, we will instead focus on adverse effects and how to manage them. In this review, we aim to provide an up‐to‐date clinical resource for providers who prescribe antipsychotics and have included here “what's new” and “what to do” for numerous antipsychotic‐induced adverse effects.

Methods

A review was performed of relevant literature, studies, randomized clinical trials, and systematic reviews. This information was combined with the clinical experience of the authors to formulate a practical guide for treating adverse effects of antipsychotics with an emphasis on metabolic and movement disorder adverse effects and brief mention of some others (sedation and sexual dysfunction).

Conclusions

Antipsychotics are an integral part of psychiatric care and are often prescribed lifelong. When choosing an antipsychotic, special consideration must be given to adverse effects which have an undeniable impact on quality of life and can often be the deciding factor in patients’ medication compliance. While patients may respond well to one specific medication, they may still experience adverse effects that lead them to discontinue it or switch to a more tolerable but less effective option. However, strategies do exist for managing and treating adverse effects, especially metabolic and movement adverse effects, allowing better personalization of antipsychotic choice.
Comparative genome‐wide methylation analysis of longissimus dorsi muscles in Yorkshire and Wannanhua pigs
Authors: Li X.‐J. , Liu L.‐Q. , Dong H. , Yang J.‐J. , Wang W.‐W. , Zhang Q. , Wang C.‐L. , Zhou J. , Chen H.‐Q.
Published: December 2020

DNA methylation was one of the earliest discovered epigenetic modifications in vertebrates, and is an important epigenetic mechanism involved in the expression of genes in many biological processes, including muscle growth and development. Its effects on economically important traits are evidenced in reported differences in meat quality traits between Chinese indigenous pig breeds (Wannanhua pig) and Western commercial pig breeds (Yorkshire pig), and this presents a unique model for analyzing the effects of DNA methylation on these traits. In the present study, a whole genome DNA methylation analysis was performed on the two breeds using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation. GO functional enrichment and pathway enrichment analyses identified differentially methylated genes primarily associated with fatty acid metabolism, biological processes of muscle development and signaling pathways related to muscle development and pork quality. Differentially methylated genes were verified by sodium pyrosequencing, and the results were consistent with the sequencing results. The results of the integrative analysis between DNA methylation and gene expression revealed that the DNA methylation levels showed a significantly negative correlation with gene expression levels around the transcription start site of genes. In total, 41 genes were both differentially expressed and methylated; these genes were related to fat metabolism, lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle development. This study could help further explore the molecular mechanisms and phenotypic differences in pig growth and development among different breeds.
The impact of problematic smartphone use on children's and adolescents’ quality of life: A systematic review
Authors: Fischer‐Grote Linda , Kothgassner Oswald D. , Felnhofer Anna
Published: December 2020

Aim

To provide a systematic review on studies examining problematic smartphone (PSU) use in children and adolescents, and its impact on quality of life, life satisfaction, and well‐being.

Methods

An extensive literature search was conducted in Google Scholar, Scopus and Pubmed.

Results

The search yielded k = 9 articles for which inclusion criteria were met. Five studies examined health‐related or overall quality of life, two assessed life satisfaction, and two evaluated well‐being in relation to PSU. Negative associations between PSU and the outcome variables were reported almost consistently, with one study yielding only a trend for a negative correlation of PSU with life satisfaction, and one study finding no significant correlation regarding quality of life. Comparability between studies was impeded by the scarcity of studies which met inclusion criteria and by the use of different measures.

Conclusion

More research is needed regarding PSU and the outcome variables in children and adolescents. Also, a distinct and consistent theoretical conceptualisation of PSU is required to replicate findings, and to enhance comparability between studies. Based on the trend reported here, the development of customised, early on interventions for children and adolescents at risk of PSU is warranted.
Attenuation of inward rectifier potassium current contributes to the α1‐adrenergic receptor‐induced proarrhythmicity in the caval vein myocardium
Authors: Ivanova Alexandra D. , Filatova Tatiana S. , Abramochkin Denis V. , Atkinson Andrew , Dobrzynski Halina , Kokaeva Zarema G. , Merzlyak Ekaterina M. , Pustovit Ksenia B. , Kuzmin Vladislav S.
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study is aimed at investigation of electrophysiological effects of α1‐adrenoreceptor (α1‐AR) stimulation in the rat superior vena cava (SVC) myocardium, which is one of the sources of proarrhythmic activity.

Methods

α1‐ARs agonists (phenylephrine—PHE or norepinephrine in presence of atenolol—NE + ATL) were applied to SVC and atrial tissue preparations or isolated cardiomyocytes, which were examined using optical mapping, glass microelectrodes or whole‐cell patch clamp. α1‐ARs distribution was evaluated using immunofluorescence. Kir2.X mRNA and protein level were estimated using RT‐PCR and Western blotting.

Results

PHE or NE + ATL application caused a significant suppression of the conduction velocity (CV) of excitation and inexcitability in SVC, an increase in the duration of electrically evoked action potentials (APs), a decrease in the maximum upstroke velocity (dV/dtmax) and depolarization of the resting membrane potential (RMP) in SVC to a greater extent than in atria. The effects induced by α1‐ARs activation in SVC were attenuated by protein kinase C inhibition (PKC). The whole‐cell patch clamp revealed PHE‐induced suppression of outward component of IK1 inward rectifier current in isolated SVC, but not atrial myocytes. These effects can be mediated by α1A subtype of α‐ARs found in abundance in rat SVC. The basal IK1 level in SVC was much lower than in atria as a result of the weaker expression of Kir2.2 channels.

Conclusion

Therefore, the reduced density of IK1 in rat SVC cardiomyocytes and sensitivity of this current to α1A‐AR stimulation via PKC‐dependent pathways might lead to proarrhythmic conduction in SVC myocardium by inducing RMP depolarization, AP prolongation, CV and dV/dtmax decrease.
The clinical role of serum albumin in Organophospate poisoning
Authors: Noh Eul , Moon Jeong Mi , Chun Byeong Jo , Cho Yong Soo , Ryu SeokJin , Kim Dongki
Published: December 2020

This retrospective study investigated whether the serum albumin (SA) concentration at presentation is associated with mortality and the mechanism underlying the association. This study enrolled 217 patients poisoned with organophosphate (OP). Hypoalbuminemia (albumin <3.5 g/dL) at presentation was identified in 18.4% of the patients poisoned with OP. The hypoalbuminemia group experienced a more complicated clinical course and had a higher mortality rate than the normoalbuminemia and hyperalbuminemia groups. The SA concentration correlated with the CRP level at presentation but not with the body mass index in patients with OP poisoning. Furthermore, the change in the SA concentration during the first 24 hours also correlated with the change in BuChE activity in patients with fenitrothion poisoning. The SA concentration at presentation was independently associated with mortality after adjusting for inflammation and nutritional status. This study showed that the SA concentration at presentation is associated with the mortality risk of patients poisoned with OP. This association is independent of inflammation and nutritional status in OP poisoning, and in particular, the protective effect of SA might contribute to this association in fenitrothion poisoning. These results should be validated.
Using supervised machine learning on neuropsychological data to distinguish OCD patients with and without sensory phenomena from healthy controls
Authors: Stamatis Caitlin A. , Batistuzzo Marcelo C. , Tanamatis Tais , Miguel Euripedes C. , Hoexter Marcelo Q. , Timpano Kiara R.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

While theoretical models link obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) with executive function deficits, empirical findings from the neuropsychological literature remain mixed. These inconsistencies are likely exacerbated by the challenge of high‐dimensional data (i.e., many variables per subject), which is common across neuropsychological paradigms and necessitates analytical advances. More unique to OCD is the heterogeneity of symptom presentations, each of which may relate to distinct neuropsychological features. While researchers have traditionally attempted to account for this heterogeneity using a symptom‐based approach, an alternative involves focusing on underlying symptom motivations. Although the most studied symptom motivation involves fear of harmful events, 60–70% of patients also experience sensory phenomena, consisting of uncomfortable sensations or perceptions that drive compulsions. Sensory phenomena have received limited attention in the neuropsychological literature, despite evidence that symptoms motivated by these experiences may relate to distinct cognitive processes.

Methods

Here, we used a supervised machine learning approach to characterize neuropsychological processes in OCD, accounting for sensory phenomena.

Results

Compared to logistic regression and other algorithms, random forest best differentiated healthy controls (n = 59; balanced accuracy = .70), patients with sensory phenomena (n = 29; balanced accuracy = .59), and patients without sensory phenomena (n = 46; balanced accuracy = .62). Decision‐making best distinguished between groups based on sensory phenomena, and among the patient subsample, those without sensory phenomena uniquely displayed greater risk sensitivity compared to healthy controls (d = .07, p = .008).

Conclusions

Results suggest that different cognitive profiles may characterize patients motivated by distinct drives. The superior performance and generalizability of the newer algorithms highlights the utility of considering multiple analytic approaches when faced with complex data.

Practitioner points

Practitioners should be aware that sensory phenomena are common experiences among patients with OCD.

OCD patients with sensory phenomena may be distinguished from those without based on neuropsychological processes.
From experiencing to expressing: A virtual reality approach to facilitating pupils’ descriptive paper writing performance and learning behavior engagement
Authors: Yang Gang , Chen Yu‐Ting , Zheng Xiao‐Li , Hwang Gwo‐Jen
Published: December 2020

Due to the lack of life experience and situational experience, it is difficult to arouse pupils’ inner motivation and interest in writing. Therefore, the early stage of Chinese writing may be a challenge for Chinese pupils. In order to solve this problem, a spherical video‐based virtual reality (SVVR) experience learning system was developed to help pupils improve their writing performance and interest. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, an experiment was carried out in a primary school in Zhejiang province, China. First, a writing pretest was administered in two grade 4 classes. The researchers then randomly selected 40 pupils of about 10 years old with similar writing abilities, and assigned them to an experimental group, which used the SVVR learning method, and a control group, which used the traditional learning method. The researchers observed and recorded the pupils’ writing process and then, interviewed them. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the comprehensive writing performance of the two groups (F = 6.272; p = .017 < .05). The mean of the experimental group (Mean = 73.85) was higher than that of the control group (Mean = 70.00). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the thematic coherence, structural integrity and linguistic expressiveness of their writing performance. However, there was no significant difference in the achievement of creative thinking. In the experimental group, different levels of learning behavior engagement could affect the structural integrity and language expression of writing achievements, and the degree of writing learning behavior engagement was highly correlated with reading time. Through the interviews, it was found that the pupils in the experimental group were more satisfied with the SVVR learning method than the control group pupils were with the traditional learning method.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic?

Spherical video‐based virtual reality (SVVR) set a simulated environment enabling students to have in‐depth experience in learning contexts.

Most SVVR studies focused on speaking and writing in middle schools and colleges, while its impacts on young children’s writing performance is generally ignored.

What this paper adds?

An SVVR system based on experiencing learning theory was developed to promote young students’ in‐depth experience and perception in descriptive paper writing.

The proposed approach promoted students’ writing performances, writing experience and learning behavior engagement.

Implications for practice and/or policy

SVVR is a potential technology for implementing experiential learning activities, especially in improving thematic coherence, structural integrity and linguistic expressiveness.

It is worth promoting such a low‐tech and low‐cost experiential learning approach to other courses.
The antagonistic effects and mechanisms of microRNA‐26a action in hypertensive vascular remodelling
Authors: Zhang Wenqian , Wang Qiaozhu , Xing Xin , Yang Lijun , Xu Min , Cao Chunhui , Wang Rong , Li Weicheng , Niu Xiaolin , Gao Dengfeng
Published: December 2020

Background and Purpose

Hypertensive vascular remodelling is responsible for end‐organ damage and is the result of increased extracellular matrix accumulation and excessive vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. MicroRNA‐26a (miR‐26a), a non‐coding small RNA, is involved in several cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to validate the effect and mechanisms of miR‐26a in hypertensive vascular remodelling.

Experimental Approach

Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were injected intravenously with recombinant adeno‐associated virus‐miR‐26a. Samples of thoracic aorta were examined histologically with H&E staining. In vitro, angiotensin II (AngII)‐induced VSMCs cultured from thoracic aortae of female Sprague‐Dawley rats, were transfected with miR‐26a mimic or inhibitor. Western blots, qRT‐PCR and immunohistological methods were used, along with chromatin‐immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Specific siRNAs were used to silence Smad production in VSMCs

Key Results

Levels of miR‐26a were lower in the thoracic aorta and plasma of SHRs than in WKY rats. Overexpression of miR‐26a inhibited extracellular matrix deposition by targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and decreased VSMC proliferation by regulating the enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2)/p21 pathway both in vitro and in vivo. AngII‐mediated Smad3 activation suppressed miR‐26a expression, which in turn promoted Smad3 activation via targeted regulation of Smad4, leading to further down‐regulation of miR‐26a.

Conclusion and Implications

Our data show that AngII stimulated a Smads/miR‐26a positive feedback loop, which further reduced expression of miR‐26a, leading to collagen production and VSMC proliferation and consequently vascular remodelling. MiR‐26a has an antagonistic effect on hypertensive vascular remodelling and can be a strategy for treating hypertensive vascular remodelling.
Quartz overgrowth textures and fluid inclusion thermometry evidence for basin‐scale sedimentary recycling: An example from the Mesozoic Barents Sea Basin
Authors: Haile Beyene G. , Line Lina H. , Klausen Tore G. , Olaussen Snorre , Eide Christian H. , Jahren Jens , Hellevang Helge
Published: December 2020

Sedimentary recycling has the potential to obscure source‐to‐sink relationships, provenance interpretations, burial history reconstructions and robust reservoir quality predictions in siliciclastic sedimentary basins. Here, we integrate petrographic and cathodoluminescence microtextures with fluid inclusion thermometry in quartz overgrowths to identify sedimentary recycling and to constrain the potential provenance candidate for recycled grains in Lower Mesozoic sandstone of the western Barents Sea basin. Four diagenetic imprints were recognized as proof of sediment recycling: (a) microtextural surface properties of overgrowths, (b) the presence of overgrowths at sutured grain contacts, (c) reversed diagenetic sequences and (d) fluid inclusions within quartz overgrowths. The diagenetic imprints confirm delivery of recycled sediments across the western Barents Sea basin. Their widespread distribution across the basin suggest that the recycled grains were derived from a drainage basin with regional‐scale sediment dispersal potential during the latest Triassic. Furthermore, the drainage basin must have contained sedimentary rocks. Prior to surface exposure, the precursor sedimentary basin was subjected to burial temperatures exceeding 130°C, whereby syntaxial quartz overgrowths precipitated. This temperature indicates an uplift of around 3–4 km, which represents a significant tectonic event. Recycled quartz grains can provide insights on their provenance as they retain direct temperature records. The geothermal signatures and geographically widespread distribution of recycled quartz exclude spatially restricted intrabasinal highs and higher‐temperature crystalline rocks as provenance candidates for the recycled grain portion. Our data support the contemporaneous Novaya Zemlya Fold and Thrust Belt as the most likely provenance candidate in the region. The integrated approach demonstrated herein can be used to constrain sediment recycling and partly eroded provenance candidates in sedimentary basins of equivalent setting worldwide, particularly in quartz‐rich strata susceptible to sediment supply from older uplifted sedimentary basins.
The role of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tsuda Motoyuki , Fukuda Akihisa , Kawai Munenori , Araki Osamu , Seno Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

ATP‐dependent chromatin remodeling complexes are a group of epigenetic regulators that can alter the assembly of nucleosomes and regulate the accessibility of transcription factors to DNA in order to modulate gene expression. One of these complexes, the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is mutated in more than 20% of human cancers. We have investigated the roles of the SWI/SNF complex in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), which is the most lethal type of cancer. Here, we reviewed the recent literature regarding the role of the SWI/SNF complex in pancreatic tumorigenesis and current knowledge about therapeutic strategies targeting the SWI/SNF complex in PDA. The subunits of the SWI/SNF complex are mutated in 14% of human PDA. Recent studies have shown that they have context‐dependent oncogenic or tumor‐suppressive roles in pancreatic carcinogenesis. To target its tumor‐suppressive properties, synthetic lethal strategies have recently been developed. In addition, their oncogenic properties could be novel therapeutic targets. The SWI/SNF subunits are potential therapeutic targets for PDA, and further understanding of the precise role of the SWI/SNF complex subunits in PDA is required for further development of novel strategies targeting SWI/SNF subunits against PDA.
Intermittent and continuous energy restriction result in similar weight loss, weight loss maintenance, and body composition changes in a 6 month randomized pilot study
Authors: Steger Felicia L. , Donnelly Joseph E. , Hull Holly R. , Li Xinyang , Hu Jinxiang , Sullivan Debra K.
Published: December 2020

Poor adherence is a barrier to successful weight control. Intermittent energy restriction (IER) provides an alternative approach to those for whom daily energy restriction is not ideal. This study assessed changes in weight, body composition, and macronutrient intake for an IER and a continuous energy restriction (CONT) approach within a multicomponent weight management intervention. We randomized 35 adults with overweight/obesity (BMI = 31.2 ± 2.4 kg/m2) to CONT or IER for 24 weeks (12‐week weight loss intervention and 12 weeks of weight loss maintenance). Diets were delivered within a multimodal weight management program including weekly group meetings with a registered dietitian, increased physical activity, and a comprehensive lifestyle change program. Retention and adherence were similar for CONT and IER. Weight, BMI, fat mass, percentage body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, and heart rate all decreased after 24 weeks (all, P < .01), but there were no main effects of group (all, P > .27). Weight loss was clinically relevant in both CONT (11.38 ± 7.9%) and IER (9.37 ± 9.7%), and the proportion of each group achieving 5% weight loss was 82 and 61% (P = .16), respectively. Participant satisfaction was high in both groups. The results from this study (a) support the feasibility of IER as an alternative for weight loss and weight loss maintenance, (b) indicate that IER is an effective alternative to CONT for weight control and improvements in body composition, and (c) emphasize the importance of intensive lifestyle interventions with ongoing support for effective behaviour modification.
Software for prioritizing conservation actions based on probabilistic information
Authors: Watts Matthew , Klein Carissa J. , Tulloch Vivitskaia J. D. , Carvalho Silvia B. , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: December 2020

Marxan is the most common decision‐support tool used to inform the design of protected‐area systems. The original version of Marxan does not consider risk and uncertainty associated with threatening processes affecting protected areas, including uncertainty about the location and condition of species’ populations and habitats now and in the future. We described and examined the functionality of a modified version of Marxan, Marxan with Probability. This software explicitly considers 4 types of uncertainty: probability that a feature exists in a particular place (estimated based on species distribution models or spatially explicit population models); probability that features in a site will be lost in the future due to a threatening process, such as climate change, natural catastrophes, and uncontrolled human interventions; probability that a feature will exist in the future due to natural successional processes, such as a fire or flood; and probability the feature exists but has been degraded by threatening processes, such as overfishing or pollution, and thus cannot contribute to conservation goals. We summarized the results of 5 studies that illustrate how each type of uncertainty can be used to inform protected area design. If there were uncertainty in species or habitat distribution, users could maximize the chance that these features were represented by including uncertainty using Marxan with Probability. Similarly, if threatening processes were considered, users minimized the chance that species or habitats were lost or degraded by using Marxan with Probability. Marxan with Probability opens up substantial new avenues for systematic conservation planning research and application by agencies.
Statin therapy and postoperative short‐term mortality after rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Pourlotfi Arvid , Ahl Rebecka , Sjolin Gabriel , Forssten Maximilian Peter , Bass Gary A. , Cao Yang , Matthiessen Peter , Mohseni Shahin
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study aimed to assess the correlation between regular statin therapy and postoperative mortality following surgical resection for rectal cancer.

Method

This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients undergoing abdominal rectal cancer surgery in Sweden between January 2007 and September 2016. Data were gathered from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry, a large population‐based prospectively collected registry. Statin users were defined as patients with one or more collected prescriptions of a statin within 12 months before the date of surgery. The statin‐positive and statin‐negative cohorts were matched by propensity scores based on baseline demographics.

Results

A total of 11 966 patients underwent surgical resection for rectal cancer, of whom 3019 (25%) were identified as statin users. After applying propensity score matching (1:1), 3017 pairs were available for comparison. In the matched groups, statin users demonstrated reduced 90‐day all‐cause mortality (0.7% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001) and also showed significantly reduced cause‐specific mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory events, as well as sepsis and multiorgan failure. The significant postoperative survival benefit of statin users was seen despite a higher rate of cardiovascular comorbidity.

Conclusion

Preoperative statin therapy displays a strong association with reduced postoperative mortality following surgical resection for rectal cancer. The results from the current study warrant further investigation to determine whether a causal relationship exists.
A Principled Approach to Feature Selection in Models of Sentence Processing
Authors: Smith Garrett , Vasishth Shravan
Published: December 2020

Among theories of human language comprehension, cue‐based memory retrieval has proven to be a useful framework for understanding when and how processing difficulty arises in the resolution of long‐distance dependencies. Most previous work in this area has assumed that very general retrieval cues like [+subject] or [+singular] do the work of identifying (and sometimes misidentifying) a retrieval target in order to establish a dependency between words. However, recent work suggests that general, handpicked retrieval cues like these may not be enough to explain illusions of plausibility (Cunnings & Sturt, 2018), which can arise in sentences like The letter next to the porcelain plate shattered. Capturing such retrieval interference effects requires lexically specific features and retrieval cues, but handpicking the features is hard to do in a principled way and greatly increases modeler degrees of freedom. To remedy this, we use well‐established word embedding methods for creating distributed lexical feature representations that encode information relevant for retrieval using distributed retrieval cue vectors. We show that the similarity between the feature and cue vectors (a measure of plausibility) predicts total reading times in Cunnings and Sturt’s eye‐tracking data. The features can easily be plugged into existing parsing models (including cue‐based retrieval and self‐organized parsing), putting very different models on more equal footing and facilitating future quantitative comparisons.
A robust goal is needed for species in the Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Authors: Williams Brooke A. , Watson James E.M. , Butchart Stuart H.M. , Ward Michelle , Brooks Thomas M. , Butt Nathalie , Bolam Friederike C. , Stuart Simon N. , Mair Louise , McGowan Philip J. K. , Gregory Richard , Hilton‐Taylor Craig , Mallon David , Harrison Ian , Simmonds Jeremy S.
Published: December 2020

In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 to address the loss and degradation of nature. Subsequently, most biodiversity indicators continued to decline. Nevertheless, conservation actions can make a positive difference for biodiversity. The emerging Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework has potential to catalyze efforts to “bend the curve” of biodiversity loss. Thus, the inclusion of a goal on species, articulated as Goal B in the Zero Draft of the Post‐2020 Framework, is essential. However, as currently formulated, this goal is inadequate for preventing extinctions, and reversing population declines; both of which are required to achieve the CBD's 2030 Mission. We contend it is unacceptable that Goal B could be met while most threatened species deteriorated in status and many avoidable species extinctions occurred. We examine the limitations of the current wording and propose an articulation with robust scientific basis. A goal for species that strives to end extinctions and recover populations of all species that have experienced population declines, and especially those at risk of extinction, would help to align actors toward the transformative actions and interventions needed for humans to live in harmony with nature.
A systematic review of illness perception interventions in type 2 diabetes: Effects on glycaemic control and illness perceptions
Authors: Alyami Mohsen , Serlachius Anna , O'Donovan Claire E. , van der Werf Bert , Broadbent Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Aims

This systematic review sought to synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of illness perception interventions compared with control conditions at changing illness perceptions and improving glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Seven electronic databases were searched between October 2018 and May 2020. Randomized controlled trials that tested interventions informed by the Common‐Sense Model in adults with type 2 diabetes, and measured illness perceptions and glycaemic control at pre‐ and post‐intervention were included. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

A total of 4095 articles were identified, of which nine randomized control trials (2561 participants) across 12 publications were included in this review. Findings showed that all the illness perception domains were modified in at least one trial, with the exception of cyclical timeline perceptions. Coherence, personal control, treatment control and chronic timeline perceptions were the most frequently modified perceptions. Glycaemic control demonstrated an improvement in the intervention group compared to the control group at 3 and 6 months post‐intervention in two trials. Risk of bias assessment showed high risk of bias especially for the blinding of participants and the personnel domain.

Conclusions

There is limited evidence that interventions informed by the Common‐Sense Model can improve glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes through changing inaccurate illness perceptions. Recommendations for future research are to tailor intervention content based on baseline perceptions, measure the emotional and causal domains, and involve family members in the intervention. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42019114532).