bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Snakes on an urban plain: Temporal patterns of snake activity and human–snake conflict in Darwin, Australia
Authors: Parkin Tom , Jolly Chris J. , de Laive Alana , von Takach Brenton
Published: December 2020

Globally, cities and urban areas are expanding rapidly, leading to increased human–wildlife conflict. To reduce human–snake conflict in Australia, ‘snake catchers’ are employed to remove and relocate snakes detected by the public in urban or rural areas. Where records of human–snake interactions are being collected, these data can inform our understanding of human–snake conflict and, potentially, snake urban ecology. In this study, we analysed 5210 snake–human interactions collected over a 7‐year period (2011–2017) in Darwin, Australia, to investigate temporal patterns in species activity and identify environmental drivers of human–snake conflict. Encouragingly, about 90% of recorded human–snake interactions during this period in Darwin were with harmless snakes. While there was no clear effect of human activity biasing snake callout patterns at temporal scales greater than one day, reduced callouts between 00:00 and 06:00 may be driven by either reduced human or snake activity. We found population trends of all taxa investigated, except for elapids, to be stable. Elapids appeared to have suffered a small, yet statistically significant, decline. We also found that all taxa showed strong cyclical patterns within years, with considerable variation between species in the timing of annual peaks in activity. This study proves that consistently collected and carefully analysed datasets of urban wildlife reported by citizens can be used to inform our understanding of urban wildlife ecology, as well as potentially providing insights that improve wildlife management in urban environments.
Hazardous Alcohol Use, Impulsivity, and HIV‐Risk Behavior Among HIV‐Positive Russian Patients With a History of Injection Drug Use
Authors: Chavez Kathryn , Palfai Tibor P. , Cheng Debbie M. , Blokhina Elena , Gnatienko Natalia , Quinn Emily K. , Krupitsky Evgeny , Samet Jeffrey H.
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

Previous findings on the association between hazardous drinking and HIV‐risk behavior have been equivocal, varying by population and individual difference factors. This study examined associations between hazardous drinking, impulsivity, and HIV‐risk behaviors among HIV‐positive Russian patients with a history of injection drug use (IDU), not on antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

Negative binomial regression analyses of data from a randomized controlled trial were performed (N = 241). Main independent variables were the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Outcomes were number of condomless sexual episodes (CSE; primary), number of sexual partners, and needle‐sharing frequency (secondary).

Results

Hazardous drinking was positively associated with the frequency of CSE (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98‐2.36). Moderate (aIRR = 0.51, 95% CI, 0.46‐0.56) and high (aIRR = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.60‐0.73) impulsivity were associated with fewer CSE compared with low impulsivity. Hazardous drinking (aIRR = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.52‐0.79) and impulsivity (aIRR = 0.95, 95% CI, 0.94‐0.96) were both associated with fewer sexual partners. Hazardous drinking and impulsivity were each associated with increased needle sharing. The association between hazardous drinking and number of needle‐shares was strongest at higher impulsivity levels.

Conclusion and Scientific significance

Hazardous drinking may be a risk factor for CSE among HIV‐positive Russian patients and may influence needle sharing. Findings contribute to our understanding of the interactive associations between hazardous drinking and impulsivity with sexual risk behaviors and needle sharing among HIV‐positive Russian patients with a history of IDU. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
Examining Associations Between Licensed and Unlicensed Outlet Density and Cannabis Outcomes From Preopening to Postopening of Recreational Cannabis Outlets
Authors: Pedersen Eric R. , Firth Caislin L. , Rodriguez Anthony , Shih Regina A. , Seelam Rachana , Kraus Lisa , Dunbar Michael S. , Tucker Joan S. , Kilmer Beau , D'Amico Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

To expand on epidemiologic studies examining associations between the legalization of recreational cannabis and use among young adults, we examined the associations between licensed and unlicensed cannabis outlet density and cannabis outcomes.

Methods

A total of 1097 young adults aged 21 and older living in Los Angeles County were surveyed before licensed recreational cannabis outlets opened (Time 1: July to December 2017) and after (Time 2: July 2018 to June 2019). Using a database of open licensed and unlicensed cannabis retailers to calculate individual‐level cannabis outlet density measures, we examined associations between outlet density within a 4‐mile radius of participants’ residences with Time 2 outcomes of any past‐month use, daily use, intentions to use, quantity used, consequences, and cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms.

Results

After controlling for demographic factors and cannabis outcomes at a time point prior to their opening (Time 1), licensed cannabis outlets were associated with young adults’ cannabis use, heavy use, and intentions, and unlicensed outlets were associated with young adults’ heavy cannabis use and CUD symptoms.

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

This study expands beyond studies of outlet prevalence to find that, after controlling for outcomes 1 year prior, licensed and unlicensed outlets were associated with young adults’ cannabis outcomes. The current study is among the first to find associations between cannabis use outcomes and density of cannabis outlets among young adults using data from two time points: preopening and postopening of recreational cannabis retailers. Findings can inform policies around the density and placement of cannabis outlets. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
Propensity score matching analysis for outcomes of laparoscopic versus open caudate lobectomy
Authors: Peng Yufu , Liu Fei , Xu Hongwei , Guo Suqi , Wei Yonggang , Li Bo
Published: December 2020

Background

To date, laparoscopic caudate lobectomy (LCB) remains a challenge, and evidence about its value is rare. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the benefits of LCB for patients with tumours located in the caudate lobe compared with open caudate lobectomy (OCB).

Methods

From October 2015 to June 2019, 102 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were eligible for this study. The patients were divided into LCB and OCB groups. Short‐term outcomes between the groups were compared with propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

LCB was performed in 31 of the 102 included patients. After PSM, 30 patients with well‐balanced baseline levels were enrolled in each group. Intraoperative blood loss in the LCB group was less than that in the OCB group (median, 100 versus 200 mL, P = 0.017), even though it did not reach a statistically significant difference after PSM (median, 100 versus 187.5 mL, P = 0.085). Moreover, although post‐operative overall complications were similar in the two groups, a tendency of lower rates of respiratory infection in the LCB group than the OCB group was observed (0% versus 12.7%, P = 0.054 before PSM; 0% versus 16.7%, P = 0.063 after PSM). There was no early mortality in either group. LCB had a shorter post‐operative hospital stay than OCB (median, 5 versus 6 days, P < 0.001). However, the hospitalization cost was higher in the LCB group than in the OCB group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

LCB is safe and feasible in selected patients when performed by experienced surgeons.
Interactive Optimization of Generative Image Modelling using Sequential Subspace Search and Content‐based Guidance
Authors: Chong Toby , Shen I‐Chao , Sato Issei , Igarashi Takeo
Published: December 2020

Generative image modeling techniques such as GAN demonstrate highly convincing image generation result. However, user interaction is often necessary to obtain desired results. Existing attempts add interactivity but require either tailored architectures or extra data. We present a human‐in‐the‐optimization method that allows users to directly explore and search the latent vector space of generative image modelling. Our system provides multiple candidates by sampling the latent vector space, and the user selects the best blending weights within the subspace using multiple sliders. In addition, the user can express their intention through image editing tools. The system samples latent vectors based on inputs and presents new candidates to the user iteratively. An advantage of our formulation is that one can apply our method to arbitrary pre‐trained model without developing specialized architecture or data. We demonstrate our method with various generative image modelling applications, and show superior performance in a comparative user study with prior art iGAN [ZKSE16].
Paediatric tonsillectomy in England: A cohort study of clinical practice and outcomes using Hospital Episode Statistics data (2008‐2019)
Authors: Keltie Kim , Donne Adam , Daniel Mat , Stephenson Kate , Wyatt Michelle , Kuo Michael , Saunders Michael , Kumar Nirmal B. , Philpott Carl M. , Bruce Iain , Smith Matthew E. , Hardman John C. , Cognigni Paola , Richardson Hayley , Gross Sam , Sims Andrew J. , Powell Steven
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To assess the safety of paediatric tonsillectomy procedures conducted in NHS hospitals in England between 2008 and 2019.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data.

Setting

Acute NHS trusts in England conducting paediatric tonsillectomy procedures.

Participants

Children (≤16 years old) undergoing bilateral tonsillectomy.

Main outcome measures

Number of tonsillectomies performed per year by procedural method. In‐hospital complications including return to theatre for arrest of haemorrhage. Readmission within 28 days, including those for pain, haemorrhage and surgical arrest of haemorrhage. Long‐term outcomes: all‐cause mortality, revision tonsillectomy.

Results

A total of 318 453 paediatric tonsillectomies were performed from 2008 to 2019:278,772 dissection (87.5%) and 39 681 coblation (12.5%). The proportion of tonsillectomy performed using coblation increased from 7% in 2008/9 to 27% in 2018/9. Five patients died in hospital (including 4 due to respiratory complications). In‐hospital complications occurred in 4202 children (1.3%), with the most frequent being haemorrhage. Within 28 days of tonsillectomy, 28 170 patients (8.8%) were readmitted and 7 deaths occurred. Readmission rates for haemorrhage and pain have increased since 2008. The proportion of children undergoing revision tonsillectomy procedures within 5 years following coblation tonsillectomy (1.4%) was approximately double that of dissection (0.6%).

Conclusions

Clinical practice of paediatric tonsillectomy has changed in England over the past 11 years. The overall mortality rate associated with the procedure is 0.0037%. Differences in outcomes have been identified for different procedural methods. However, routine administrative data are limited in differentiating procedural detail (eg we are unable to differentiate intra or extra‐capsular techniques from current clinical coding of tonsillectomy procedures). Therefore, prospective national data collection or more granular clinical coding is essential to capture relative outcomes of the different tonsillectomy methods and techniques being used in the NHS.
Financial literacy and security‐based crowdfunding
Authors: Meoli Michele , Rossi Alice , Vismara Silvio
Published: December 2020

Research Question/Issue

This study investigates the relationship between financial literacy and the survival profile of the security‐based crowdfunding platforms. Security‐based crowdfunding has recently emerged as a novel market that allows small investors to engage directly in financing entrepreneurial ventures. However, a certain level of financial literacy is required to understand and manage these digital finance tools. A better understanding of the impact of financial literacy is, therefore, central to the development of these markets and the achievement of their inclusive potential.

Research Findings/Insights

Using data of the universe of 432 security‐based crowdfunding platforms in 37 OECD countries from 2007 to 2019, we find higher platforms' survival profiles where the level of financial literacy is high. Financial literacy, however, needs to combine with specific platform characteristics to take full effect, as it matters more to those platforms that deliver voting rights and that provide poorer value‐added services to crowdfunding investors.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study provides empirical support to the role of governance mechanisms at the platform level for differences in the level of financial literacy across countries. As such, it contributes to literature both on financial literacy and corporate governance. Additionally, it extends previous research in crowdfunding to the platform level.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study calls for the attention of policymakers interested in the development of crowdfunding markets. The importance of financial literacy varies with the presence of governance mechanisms and information production at the platform‐level.
Integrating dynamic processes into waterfowl conservation prioritization tools
Authors: Kemink Kaylan M. , Adams Vanessa M. , Pressey Robert L.
Published: December 2020

Aim

Traditional approaches for including species' distributions in conservation planning have presented them as long‐term averages of variation. Like these approaches, the main waterfowl conservation targeting tool in the United States Prairie Pothole Region (US PPR) is based primarily on long‐term averaged distributions of breeding waterfowl. While this tool has supported valuable conservation, it does not explicitly consider spatiotemporal changes in spring wetland availability and does not assess wetland availability during the brood rearing period. We sought to develop a modelling approach and targeting tool that incorporated these types of dynamics for breeding waterfowl and broods. This goal also presented an opportunity for us to compare predictions from a traditional targeting tool based on long‐term averages to predictions from spatiotemporal models. Such a comparison facilitated tests of the underlying assumption that this traditional targeting tool could provide an effective surrogate measure for conservation objectives such as brood abundance and climate refugia.

Location

US PPR.

Methods

We developed spatiotemporal models of breeding waterfowl and brood abundance within the US PPR. We compared the distributions predicted by these models and assessed similarity with the averaged pair data that is used to develop the current waterfowl targeting tool.

Results

Results demonstrated low similarity and correlation between the averaged pair data and spatiotemporal brood and breeding waterfowl models. The spatiotemporal breeding waterfowl model distributions did not serve as better surrogates for brood abundance than the averaged pair data.

Main conclusions

Our study underscored the contributions that the current targeting tool has made to waterfowl conservation but also suggested that conservation plans in the region would benefit from the consideration of inter‐ and intra‐annual dynamics. We suggested that using only the averaged pair data and derived products might result in the omission of 58% ‐ 88% of important breeding waterfowl and brood habitat from conservation plans. [Correction added on 5 February 2021, after first online publication: ‘Results’ text has been modified and the ‘Main conclusions’ omission percentages have been corrected.]
Wild narrow‐striped mongooses use social information to enhance behavioural flexibility
Authors: Rasolofoniaina Bako , Kappeler Peter M. , Fichtel Claudia
Published: December 2020

Behavioural flexibility allows animals to adapt their behaviour to changing situations in their current habitat. Flexibility is involved in behaviours comprising decision‐making in their ecological or social environment. However, the ability to behave flexibly can co‐vary with an individual's personality and its level of inhibitory control, so that previous work has not discerned any consistent pattern in the direction of the relationship among these traits. Our aim was, therefore, to examine the influence of neophobia, inhibitory control, and social learning on behavioural flexibility performance in wild narrow‐striped mongooses (Mungotictis decemlineata) in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. To this end, we conducted novel object tests to assess neophobia, a cylinder task to assess inhibitory control, and a discrimination and reversal learning task to quantify behavioural flexibility in a natural group setting. We found that neophobia did not correlate with learning performance either in the discrimination learning task or in the reversal learning task. Further, individuals exhibiting more inhibitory control learned faster during the initial learning task, but not in the reversed task, suggesting that inhibitory control facilitated individuals' learning abilities but not behavioural flexibility. Finally, opportunities for social learning correlated with individuals' performance during the reversal learning task. Thus, in narrow‐striped mongooses, social learning seems to facilitate behavioural flexibility, in addition to individual learning, in cognitively more challenging situations, such as a reversal learning condition.
Dragline silk reveals female developmental stage and mediates male vibratory courtship in the nuptial gift‐giving spider Pisaura mirabilis
Authors: Eberhard Monika J. B. , Möller Timon A. , Uhl Gabriele
Published: December 2020

Male mate choice likely occurs when costs are associated with courtship or mating. For example, when males produce continuous vibrational signals, provide nutritious nuptial gifts, or are likely killed during mating, they should assess female developmental and reproductive state. Substrate‐borne vibratory courtship signals are very common in spiders serving species recognition, suppressing the female's aggression towards the male, or signalling individual quality. Males of the nursery web spider, Pisaura mirabilis, usually offer a prey item wrapped in silk as a nuptial gift to the female; the gift is commonly produced prior to female contact. When touching dragline silk deposited by a female, males tremulate their opisthosoma presumably reacting to chemical cues. Courtship energy expenditure and resource transfer should select for selective male mating decisions in this species. We hypothesized that male P. mirabilis differentiate between developmental stages of the female (sub‐adult vs. adult). Differential courtship towards virgin and mated females was not expected since females forage for nuptial gifts and might continuously signal receptivity. To test this, vibrational courtship signals of male spiders towards draglines of sub‐adult, adult unmated and mated females were recorded with a Laser Doppler Vibrometer. We found that males were less likely to perform vibrational courtship and produced less pulses when contacting silk of sub‐adult females, compared to silk produced by adult females, while their reaction towards silk of unmated and mated adult females did not differ. Reduced courtship in response to sub‐adult female silk seems beneficial since it reduces energy expenditure in the face of a not yet reproductive female. When vibratory courtship occurred, the temporal patterns and dominant frequencies of the males' vibratory signals were similar, regardless of female developmental stage or mating status. Such stable patterns suggest a role in species recognition already at a distance without direct physical contact and in reducing female aggression.
NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome activation in response to cariogenic bacterial lipoteichoic acid in human dental pulp inflammation
Authors: Tian X. X. , Li R. , Liu C. , Liu F. , Yang L. J. , Wang S. P. , Wang C. L.
Published: December 2020

Aim

To explore the presence and function of NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome in human pulp tissue and human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

Methodology

Pulp tissue was collected from freshly extracted human caries‐free third molars and third molars with irreversible pulpitis. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blot were performed to assess the expression of NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome. HDPCs were prepared from normal human pulp tissues and challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qRT‐PCR were performed to assess if LPS can upregulate NLRP6 and caspase‐4. HDPCs were further challenged with LPS followed with cytosolic Streptococcus mutans lipoteichoic acid (LTA). SiRNA targeting NLRP6 and Casp4 and pharmacology inhibitor Ac‐FLTD‐CMK and MCC950 were used to assess if Streptococcus mutans LTA can activate the NLRP6 but not the NLRP3 inflammasome. Western blot and ELISA were performed to evaluate inflammasome activation. The Student’s t‐test and one‐way anova were used for statistical analysis.

Results

NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome was upregulated and activated in inflamed human dental pulp tissue. In HDPCs, Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS upregulated the expression of NLRP6, CASP1 and CASP4 in a type I interferon dependent manner. After LPS priming, cytosolic Streptococcus mutans LTA triggered NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome activation. Knockdown of NLRP6 or CASP4 using siRNA or using pharmacology inhibitor Ac‐FLTD‐CMK but not MCC950 efficiently suppressed inflammasome activation by cytosolic LTA.

Conclusions

NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome may play an important role in pulp inflammation and immune defence. Inflammatory caspases represent a pharmacological target to restrain pulpal inflammation.
Formation of liquid‐phase isolation layer on the corroded interface of MgO/Al2O3‐SiC‐C refractory and molten steel: Role of SiC
Authors: Li Tianqing , Chen Junfeng , Xiao Junli , Wei Yaowu , Li Guangqiang , Zhang Shaowei , Li Nan
Published: December 2020

Formation of a dense layer on corroded interface to suppress corrosion is always desired, but it is controlled by numerous environmental conditions. In this work, corroded microstructures of MgO/Al2O3‐SiC‐C refractories in metal bath area of ladle furnace were investigated after industrial trails. A liquid‐phase isolation layer in which MgO islands and liquid phases was established on the corroded interface of refractories with 6 wt% coarse/fine SiC‐additive. The formed isolation layer against steel/slag attacks led to an approximate 30% improvement in corrosion resistance than that of refractory with 3 wt% fine SiC‐additive. More importantly, the liquid‐phase isolation layer blocked the direct mass transfer between molten steel and refractories while it decreased exogenous pollution from refractories. SiC‐additive affected the formation process of isolation layer by controlling the generation/migration of Mg(g) on refractory' surface. A further formation mechanism of liquid‐phase isolation layer was discussed in detail and role of SiC was elucidated.
The Only Artist in My Family: Selective Self‐Identification in University‐Level Art Students
Authors: Makemson Justin
Published: December 2020

Self‐identification is essential to the mediation of educational outcomes, however the selective self‐identification of students as an artist remains a relatively unexplored area of research in art education. This project uses qualitative narrative analysis to deconstruct the life stories of university‐level art students, to examine formative processes underlying selective artistic self‐identification, and to discern how dispositions developed in earlier experiences impact student engagement, performance and motivation at the university level. Research findings indicate students‐as‐artist identities develop along two distinct dramaturgical positions and emphasise the importance of mentor relationships, student‐choice, open exploration, and environmental support to the development of emerging student‐as‐art identities. The researcher reviews literature broadly supporting an examination of selective self‐identification, outlines methods used to deconstruct the life stories of university‐level art students, examines evidence of emerging patterns in the data, and concludes with a short discussion of how findings of this project impact the teacher’s role in corroborating selective artistic self‐identification in students.
People with intellectual disability in Ireland are still dying young
Authors: Doyle Anne , O’Sullivan Michael , Craig Sarah , McConkey Roy
Published: December 2020

Background

People with intellectual disability die younger than their non‐disabled peers. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to closing the gap. However, evidence that this is being achieved is limited by the dearth of longitudinal, national data.

Method

Over 4,000 decedents identified in the Irish National Intellectual Disability Database from 2001 to 2016 were compared to deaths in the general population based on age and gender profiles using death rates and standardised mortality ratios. A binary logistic regression analysis also identified the characteristics of persons who had a higher risk of dying.

Results

Irish people with intellectual disability die younger and have a higher rate of death than their non‐disabled peers. Nor has the gap between their mortality and that of the general population closed in recent years.

Conclusions

More concentrated effort is needed in Ireland on promoting equitable access to health services for people with intellectual disability.
The effects of nuclear factor‐kappa B in pancreatic stellate cells on inflammation and fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Wu Nan , Xu Xiao‐Fan , Xin Jia‐Qi , Fan Jian‐Wei , Wei Yuan‐Yuan , Peng Qing‐Xia , Duan Li‐Fang , Wang Wei , Zhang Hong
Published: December 2020

The activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) plays a critical role in the progression of pancreatic fibrosis. Nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) is associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Previous evidence indicated that NF‐κB in acinar cells played a double‐edged role upon pancreatic injury, whereas NF‐κB in inflammatory cells promoted the progression of CP. However, the effects of NF‐κB in PSCs have not been studied. In the present study, using two CP models and RNAi strategy of p65 in cultured PSCs, we found that the macrophage infiltration and MCP‐1 expression were increased, and the NF‐κBp65 protein level was elevated. NF‐κBp65 was co‐expressed with PSCs. In vitro, TGF‐β1 induced overexpression of the TGF‐β receptor 1, phosphorylated TGF‐β1–activated kinase 1 (p‐TAK1) and NF‐κB in the PSCs. Moreover, the concentration of MCP‐1 in the supernatant of activated PSCs was elevated. The migration of BMDMs was promoted by the supernatant of activated PSCs. Further knockdown of NF‐κBp65 in PSCs resulted in a decline of BMDM migration, accompanied by a lower production of MCP‐1. These findings indicate that TGF‐β1 can induce the activation of NF‐κB pathway in PSCs by regulating p‐TAK1, and the NF‐κB pathway in PSCs may be a target of chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor‐induced reduction in the mean arterial pressure improved renal composite outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease: A propensity score‐matched model analysis in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo , Toyoda Masao , Hatori Nobuo , Furuki Takayuki , Sakai Hiroyuki , Sato Kazuyoshi , Miyakawa Masaaki , Tamura Kouichi , Kanamori Akira
Published: December 2020

Aims/Introduction

Large‐scale clinical trials have reported that, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor treatment affords favorable renal outcomes; the underlying mechanisms, however, remain unclear. Thus, this study investigated how SGLT2 inhibitor‐induced changes in the mean arterial pressure (MAP; denoted as ΔMAP) are associated with renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively assessed the data of 624 Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with CKD who had been using SGLT2 inhibitors for >1 year. For propensity score matching (1:1 nearest neighbor match, with caliper value = 0.053, no replacement), patients were categorized into two groups based on the ΔMAP (>−4 mmHg [n = 329] and ≤−4.0 mmHg [n = 295]). Composite albuminuria progression or a ≥15% annual reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate was regarded as the end‐point.

Results

Per group, 173 propensity‐matched patients were compared. Patients with ΔMAP ≤−4 mmHg had a significantly lower incidence of composite renal outcomes than those with ΔMAP ≥−4 mmHg (5.8% [n = 10] vs 15.6% [n = 27], P = 0.003). Although the between‐group differences in the estimated glomerular filtration rates were non‐significant, patients with a ΔMAP ≤−4 mmHg had significantly larger reductions in the logarithmic urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

The degree of blood pressure reduction after SGLT2 inhibitor treatment influenced renal composite outcomes in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with CKD, confirming the importance of blood pressure management in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with CKD, even when they are under SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.
Temperature and humidity based models for the prediction of transpiration rate in potatoes during storage
Authors: Kedia Priya , Kausley Shankar B. , Rai Beena
Published: December 2020

Transpiration of potatoes causes shrinkage, loss of skin firmness, and reduction in sellable weight leading to reduced returns on the stock. The knowledge about the transpiration rate of potatoes stored or being transported at different environmental conditions is necessary for predicting the weight of stock after a given period of time. In this study, models incorporating the effect of two most influential yet easily measurable parameters; temperature and humidity on transpiration rate were developed using well‐known Arrhenius equation. Since standard Arrhenius equation considers the effect of only temperature, we have employed Modified Arrhenius equations which incorporate the effect of both temperature and humidity. The experimental weight versus time data generated by storing the potatoes at different environmental conditions was used to develop these models with Root Mean Square Error of 0.13–0.32 g/kg day. These models predicted the weight of potatoes stored at different environmental conditions belonging to different potato varieties with Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 0.13–5.5. The study also presents a detailed analysis of transpiration models already available in the literature and compares them with the current model. The models developed in this study will help in making real‐time decisions to avoid food wastage in the supply chain.

Practical applications

It is well established that weight loss occuring due to transpiration leads to degradation of potato quality. During the movement in the supply chain, potatoes may experience varying environmental conditions which influence their rate of transpiration. The knowledge about the transpiration rate of potatoes stored or being transported is necessary for predicting the weight of stock after a given period. This can further aid in decisions regarding the sale and repurposing of the stock to minimize the wastage of potatoes. In addition to this, the knowledge about the transpiration rate is important for designing Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) where the water vapor transmission rate of the packaging material is influenced by the transpiration rate.
High flow in children with respiratory failure: A randomised controlled pilot trial – A paediatric acute respiratory intervention study
Authors: Franklin Donna , Shellshear Deborah , Babl Franz E , Hendrickson Rikki , Williams Amanda , Gibbons Kristen , McEnery Kate , Kennedy Melanie , Pham Trang MT , Acworth Jason , Levitt David , Oakley Ed , Schibler Andreas ,   PARIS and PREDICT
Published: December 2020

Aims

High‐flow is increasingly used in children with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF), despite limited evidence. The primary feasibility endpoint for this pilot‐study was the proportion of treatment failure, secondary outcomes being intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and proportion of patients requiring escalation of care. We measured duration of hospital stay, duration of oxygen therapy and rates of ICU admission.

Methods

An open‐labelled randomised controlled trial feasibility design was used in two tertiary children's hospitals in the emergency department and general wards. Children aged 0–16 years with AHRF were randomised (1:1) to either high‐flow or standard‐oxygen. Children on standard‐oxygen received rescue high‐flow in general wards if failure criteria were met.

Results

Of 563 randomised, 283 received high‐flow and 280 standard‐oxygen with no adverse events. The proportion of children who failed treatment and receiving escalation of care was 11.7% (32/283 children) on high‐flow and 18.1% (50/280 infants) on standard‐oxygen (odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.38–1.00). In children with obstructive airway disease, 9.7% on high‐flow and 17.4% on standard‐oxygen required escalation (risk‐difference −7.7% percentage points; 95% confidence interval −14.3, −1.1); in children with non‐obstructive disease no difference was observed. Neither difference in ICU admissions nor any difference in length of hospital stay was observed. Sixty percent of children who failed standard‐oxygen responded to rescue high‐flow.

Conclusion

High‐flow outside ICU appears to be feasible in children with AHRF and the required proportion of escalation was lower compared to standard‐oxygen. The trial design can be applied in a future large randomised controlled trial.
Effect of vitamin E level and dietary zinc source on performance and intestinal health parameters in male broilers exposed to a temperature challenge in the finisher period
Authors: De Grande Annatachja , Ducatelle Richard , Delezie Evelyne , Rapp Christof , De Smet Stefaan , Michiels Joris , Haesebrouck Freddy , Van Immerseel Filip , Leleu Saskia
Published: December 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of zinc source (ZnSO4 vs. zinc amino acid complex) and vitamin E level (50 IU vs. 100 IU) on performance and intestinal health of broilers exposed to a temperature challenge in the finisher period. A total of 1224 day old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly distributed among 4 dietary treatments (9 replicates per treatment). Dietary treatments were organized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two sources of zinc, 60 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO4.7H2O or 60 mg/kg of Zn as zinc amino acid complexes (ZnAA) combined with two levels of vitamin E (50 or 100 IU/kg). Zinc and vitamin E were added to a wheat/rye‐based diet that was designed to create a mild nutritional challenge. From day 28 until day 36 (finisher period), all birds were subjected to chronic cyclic high temperatures (32°C ± 2°C and RH 55–65% for 6 h daily). The combination of ZnAA and 50 IU/kg of vitamin E improved weight gain in the starter (day 0–10), finisher (day 28–36) and overall period (day 0–36) and feed conversion ratio in the starter (day 0–10) and finisher phase (day 28–36). Providing Zn as ZnAA significantly improved villus length and villus/crypt ratio in the starter, grower and finisher period and decreased infiltration of T‐lymphocytes and ovotransferrin leakage in the finisher period. In conclusion, providing broilers with a diet supplemented with ZnAA and a vitamin E level of 50 IU/kg, resulted in better growth performance as compared to all other dietary treatments. Interestingly, under the conditions of this study, positive effects of ZnAA on performance did not occur when vitamin E was supplemented at 100 IU/kg in feed. Moreover, providing zinc as zinc amino acid complex improved intestinal health.
Pharmacokinetics of single dose oral Terbinafine in common shelducks (Tadorna tadorna)
Authors: Rojo‐Solís Carlos , García‐Párraga Daniel , Montesinos Andrés , Ardiaca‐García María , Álvaro Teresa , Valls Mónica , Barros‐García Carlos , Encinas Teresa
Published: December 2020

Fungal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in avian species; thus, antifungals are the treatment of choice. Despite widely used in clinical practice, terbinafine pharmacokinetic studies are scarce in literature and only cover some avian families, with marked differences between them. This study evaluates the pharmacokinetic behaviour of terbinafine after a single oral administration of 60 mg/kg in 7 healthy adult common shelducks (Tadorna tadorna) by measuring plasma concentrations through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at times 0, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hr postadministration. Noncompartmental analyses of the data showed a Cmax (geometric mean) of 5.43 µg/ml, tmax (median) 1.0 hr and AUC0‐∞ 29.70 mg h/L. Elimination half‐life was 6.33 hr and MRT 6.61 hr. Plasma concentrations remained above previously described MIC for terbinafine in some fungal species for at least 6 to 8 hr. A single oral administration of 60 mg/kg terbinafine did not produce adverse effects and could be a good treatment choice for fungal diseases in anatids.
What nation? Peasants, memory and national identity in Poland
Authors: Rauszer Michał
Published: December 2020

In the article, I analyse the ways in which peasants built their national identity within the Polish territories. The 16th century saw the emergence of the so‐called “noble democracy” founded upon the idea of “the Polish nation.” This “noble democracy,” constructed in opposition to the figure of king, was organized around the notion of civil liberty, the right to ownership and the right to decide about the state affairs. Yet, it put peasants outside of the framework of the nation. After the collapse of the state and the partitions, the founders of the modern idea of the nation within the Polish territories in the 19th century referred to that “(noble) democratic” tradition of the nation. To them, this gesture was an act of resistance against the politics of the states that had conducted the partitions. The tradition, however, became a dominant one. Peasants then build the national identity on the basis of the 16th‐century tradition which excluded them from the body of the nation, and I call this prothesis of identity.
Two new species of Petrocosmea (Gesneriaceae) from Yunnan, China
Authors: Jiang Hong , Han Meng‐Qi , Dong Zhen , Han Zhou‐Dong , Liu Yan
Published: December 2020

Petrocosmea chiwui M.Q.Han, H. Jiang & Yan Liu and P. rotundifolia M.Q.Han, H. Jiang & Yan Liu (Gesneriaceae), two new species native to Yunnan, China, are described and illustrated.
Three new species of Monstera (Araceae: Monsteroideae: Monstereae) from the Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica, threatened by the expansion of coffee plantations
Authors: Cedeño‐Fonseca Marco , Grayum Michael H. , Croat Thomas B. , Blanco Mario A.
Published: December 2020

Monstera alfaroi Croat & M. Cedeño, M. tarrazuensis Croat & M. Cedeño and M. wilsoniensis M. Cedeño & Grayum, all apparently endemic to central and southern Costa Rica at middle elevations on the Pacific slope, are described as new species. Monstera alfaroi is characterized by having warty light brown petioles with undulate sheaths, very large adult leaves and inflorescences with warty peduncles, and externally light green spathes. Monstera tarrazuensis is characterized by its smooth, light green petioles with white dots and deciduous sheaths, coriaceous, entire leaf blades and inflorescences on hanging stems. Monstera wilsoniensis is characterized by its deciduous petiole sheaths, cordate or subcordate, weakly or not fenestrated leaf blades with entire margins and numerous primary lateral veins, and inflorescences in ascending or hanging stems. The three novelties are compared, respectively, with M. buseyi Croat & Grayum, M. luteynii Madison and M. adansonii Schott, and all are illustrated with color photos of living material.
Peripheral Guanylate Cyclase‐C modulation of corticolimbic activation and corticotropin‐releasing factor signaling in a rat model of stress‐induced colonic hypersensitivity
Authors: Ligon Casey O. , Hannig Gerhard , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld Beverley
Published: December 2020

Background

Psychological stress is a risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome, a functional gastrointestinal pain disorder featuring abnormal brain‐gut connectivity. The guanylate cyclase‐C (GC‐C) agonist linaclotide has been shown to relieve abdominal pain in IBS‐C and exhibits antinociceptive effects in rodent models of post‐inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity. However, the role GC‐C signaling plays in psychological stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity is unknown. Here, we test the hypothesis that GC‐C agonism reverses stress‐induced colonic hypersensitivity via inhibition of nociceptive afferent signaling resulting in normalization of stress‐altered corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) expression in brain regions involved in pain perception and modulation.

Methods

Adult female rats were exposed to water avoidance stress or sham stress for 10 days, and the effects of linaclotide on stress‐induced changes in colonic sensitivity, corticolimbic phospho‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (pERK), and CRF expression were measured using a combination of behavioral assessments, immunohistochemistry, and qRT‐PCR.

Key Results

Stressed rats exhibited colonic hypersensitivity and elevated corticolimbic pERK on day 11, which was inhibited by linaclotide. qRT‐PCR analysis revealed dysregulated CRF expression in the medial prefrontal cortex, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and central nucleus of the amygdala on day 28. Dysregulated CRF expression was not affected by linaclotide treatment.

Conclusions and Inferences

Our results demonstrate that exposure to repeated stress induces chronic colonic hypersensitivity in conjunction with altered corticolimbic activation and CRF expression. GC‐C agonism attenuated stress‐induced colonic hypersensitivity and ERK phosphorylation, but had no effect on CRF expression, suggesting the analgesic effects of linaclotide occur independent of stress‐driven CRF gene expression in corticolimbic circuitry.
Successful engraftment of haploidentical stem cell transplant with post‐transplantation cyclophosphamide in a patient with adenosine deaminase deficiency
Authors: Medina Diego , Aristizabal Ana M. , Madroñero Tatiana , Perez Paola , Patiño Niño Jaime , Olaya Manuela
Published: December 2020

Background

SCID are characterized by an imbalance in cellular and humoral immunity. Enzyme ADA deficiency represents from 10% to 15% of the SCID. This generates diminished maturation of the cell precursors. Treatments include enzyme replacement therapy, allogenic, or autologous HSCT with gene therapy, with HSCT being of choice when an identical HLA donor exists.

Case report

Male patient, without relevant family antecedents or consanguinity. The patient had multiple infections during the first months of life, evidencing low immunoglobulin levels, with absence of T and B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. Severe combined immunodeficiencies are considered due to ADA deficiency; management was begun and is derived to our hospital. Admission at 8 months of life, with chronic malnutrition and psychomotor retardation. The HLA studies were conducted without finding an identical donor, taken to HSCT with haploidentical donor. Conditioning regimen with cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, melphalan, and thymoglobulin. This patient received prophylaxis for graft‐versus‐host disease with cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, and methotrexate. A 22 months post‐transplant, the patient was without immunosuppressants or immunoglobulin, without evidence of graft‐versus‐host disease or new infections.

Conclusions

The ADA deficiency is an infrequent pathology that can be potentially fatal if adequate treatment is not started. Haploidentical HSCT, using post‐transplantation cyclophosphamide, emerges as a viable option with which good results can be achieved and improve the quality of life in patients with no other therapeutic alternatives.
Snapshot Models of Undocumented Immigration
Authors: Rodilitz Scott , Kaplan Edward H.
Published: December 2020

Accurately estimating the size of the undocumented immigrant population is a critical component of assessing the health and security risks of undocumented immigration to the United States. To provide one such estimate, we use data from the Mexican Migration Project (MMP), a study that includes samples of undocumented Mexican immigrants to the United States after their return to Mexico. Of particular interest are the departure and return dates of a sampled migrant's most recent sojourn in the United States, and the total number of such journeys undertaken by that migrant household, for these data enable the construction of data‐driven undocumented immigration models. However, such data are subject to an extreme physical bias, for to be included in such a sample, a migrant must have returned to Mexico by the time of the survey, excluding those undocumented immigrants still in the United States. In our analysis, we account for this bias by jointly modeling trip timing and duration to produce the likelihood of observing the data in such a “snapshot” sample. Our analysis characterizes undocumented migration flows including single‐visit migrants, repeat visitors, and “retirement” from circular migration. Starting with 1987, we apply our models to 30 annual random snapshot surveys of returned undocumented Mexican migrants accounting for undocumented Mexican migration from 1980 to 2016. Scaling to population quantities and supplementing our analysis of southern border crossings with estimates of visa overstays, we produce lower bounds on the total number of undocumented immigrants that are much larger than conventional estimates based on U.S.‐based census‐linked surveys, and broadly consistent with the more recent estimates reported by Fazel‐Zarandi, Feinstein, and Kaplan.
Diversification of true water bugs revealed by transcriptome‐based phylogenomics
Authors: Wang Yanhui , Moreira Felipe Ferraz Figueiredo , Rédei Dávid , Chen Pingping , Kuechler Stefan Martin , Luo Jiuyang , Men Yu , Wu Haoyang , Xie Qiang
Published: December 2020

True water bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) are among the most common insects of freshwater ecosystems, comprising approximately 2300 extant species spread over five recognized superfamilies, including Corixoidea, Nepoidea, Ochteroidea, Notonectoidea and Naucoroidea. They exhibit striking morphological and behavioural adaptations to various freshwater environments, including oar‐like swimming legs, breathing siphons or plastron respiration. The phylogeny of Nepomorpha remains contentious, particularly for the early‐diverging lineage, which has hindered the understanding of the evolution of morphology and respiratory behaviour within the clade. In the present study, we assembled a large‐scale phylogenomic dataset, including 2018 single‐copy, protein‐coding gene sequences from 85 representative species of heteropterans (44 nepomorphans) to investigate the phylogeny of Nepomorpha and the corresponding implications for character evolution. Our inferences suggest that Corixoidea is the sister group of the remaining Nepomorpha, then Nepoidea and Ochteroidea; these clades successively branched in the Triassic, following the end‐Permian extinction event about 251 million years ago. The five superfamilies radiated in the Jurassic, when geological reconfigurations and drastic climate changes occurred. An ancestral state reconstruction demonstrated that the ancestral respiration type in true water bugs is likely a simple air‐bubble type, which was widely utilized in true water bugs. Subsequently, different clades have evolved variously specialized adaptations to improve its efficiency. We propose that the crawling legs of Nepidae are secondary or symplesiomorphic characters, which cannot serve as the evidence for the sister group role of Nepoidea to the remaining nepomorphans.