bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant community responses to experimental climate manipulation in a Welsh ombrotrophic peatland and their palaeoenvironmental context
Authors: Andrews Luke O. , Rowson James G. , Caporn Simon J. M. , Dise Nancy B. , Barton Eleanor , Garrett Ed , Gehrels W. Roland , Gehrels Maria , Kay Martin , Payne Richard J.
Published: November 2021

We test whether vegetation community composition from a 10‐year climate manipulation experiment on a Welsh peat bog resembles vegetation communities during periods of climate change inferred from a peat core. Experimentally warmed and combined warmed and droughted treatments drove significant increases in ericaceous shrubs butSphagnumwas unaffected. Similarly,Calluna vulgarisseeds increase during inferred warmer periods in the palaeoecological record. Experimental short‐term episodic drought (four 4‐week drought treatments) did not affect vegetation. Plant community composition has undergone several abrupt changes throughout the past c. 1500 years, often in response to human disturbance. Only slight changes occurred during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (c. 950–1250 Common Era [CE]) in vegetation and hydrology, while abrupt changes occurred during the Little Ice Age (c. 1300–1850 CE) when water tables were highest, suggesting that these shifts were driven by changes in water table, modulated by climate. A period of water table drawdown c. 1800, synchronous with historical records of increased drainage, corresponds with the development of the present‐day vegetation community. Modern analogues for fossil material, characterized by abundantRhynchospora albaandSphagnum pulchrum, are more common after this event. Vegetation changes due to climate inferred from the palaeo record differ from those observed in the experiments, possibly relating to differences in the importance of drivers of vegetation change over varying timescales. Whereas temperature is frequently identified as the dominant driver of plant community change in experiments, sustained changes in water table appear to be more important in the long‐term record. We find evidence that recent climate change and other anthropogenic stressors (e.g. drainage, heavy metal and nitrogen pollution) may promote the development of novel plant communities without analogues in the fossil record. These communities may be poorer at sequestering carbon and may respond differently to future climate change.
Global increase in wildfire risk due to climate‐driven declines in fuel moisture
Authors: Ellis Todd M. , Bowman David M. J. S. , Jain Piyush , Flannigan Mike D. , Williamson Grant J.
Published: November 2021

There is mounting concern that global wildfire activity is shifting in frequency, intensity, and seasonality in response to climate change. Fuel moisture provides a powerful means of detecting changing fire potential. Here, we use global burned area, weather reanalysis data, and the Canadian fire weather index system to calculate fuel moisture trends for multiscale biogeographic regions across a gradient in vegetation productivity. We quantify the proportion of days in the local fire season between 1979 and 2019, where fuel moisture content is below a critical threshold indicating extreme fire potential. We then associate fuel moisture trends over that period to vegetation productivity and comment on its implications for projected anthropogenic climate change. Overall, there is a strong drying trend across realms, biomes, and the productivity gradient. Even where a wetting trend is observed, this often indicates a trend toward increasing fire activity due to an expected increase in fuel production. The detected trends across the productivity gradient lead us to conclude global fire activity will increase with anthropogenic climate change.
GeoDa, From the Desktop to an Ecosystem for Exploring Spatial Data
Authors: Anselin Luc , Li Xun , Koschinsky Julia
Published: November 2021

Since its introduction more than 15 years ago, the GeoDa software for the exploration of spatial data has transitioned from a closed source Windows‐only solution to an open source and cross‐platform product that takes on the look and feel of the native operating system. This article reports on the evolution in the functionality and architecture of the software and pays particular attention to its new implementation as a library, libgeoda. This library, through a clearly structured API, can be integrated into other software environments, such as R (rgeoda) and Python (pygeoda). This integration is illustrated with two small empirical examples, investigating local clusters in a historical London cholera data set and among socioeconomic determinants of health in Chicago. A timing experiment demonstrates the competitive performance of GeoDa desktop, libgeoda (C++), rgeoda and pygeoda compared to established solutions in R spdep and Python PySAL, evaluating conditional permutation inference for the Local Moran statistic.
How does machine learning compare to conventional econometrics for transport data sets? A test of ML versus MLE
Authors: Li Weijia (Vivian) , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: November 2021

Machine learning (ML) is being used regularly in many different fields. This paper compares traditional econometric methods that have better explanations of data analysis to ML methods, focusing on predicting, understanding and unpacking ML methods which have higher prediction accuracies of four key transport‐planning variables: household vehicle‐miles traveled (continuous variable), household vehicle ownership (count variable), mode choice (categorical variable), and land use change (categorical variable with strong spatial interactions). Here, the results of ten ML methods are compared to methods of ordinary least squares (OLS), multinomial logit (MNL), negative binomial and spatial auto‐regressive (SAR). The U.S.’s 2017 National Household Travel Survey and land use data sets from the Dallas‐Ft. Worth region of Texas are used. Results suggest traditional econometric methods work pretty well on the more continuous responses (VMT and vehicle ownership), but the random forest (RF), gradient boosting decision trees (GBDT), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) methods delivered the best results, though the RF model required 30 to almost 60 times more computing time than XGBoost and GBDT methods. The RF, GBDT, XGBoost, light gradient boosting method (lightGBM), and catboost offer better results than other methods for the two “classification” cases, with lightGBM being the most time‐efficient. Importantly, ML methods captured the plateauing effect modelers may expect when extrapolating covariate effects.
Market segmentation and firm survival
Authors: Lyu Xinjun , Ni Jinlan , Yuan Jia
Published: November 2021

Using the annual data of Chinese manufacturing firms over the period of 1998–2007, this paper applies the Cox proportional hazards model and analyzes the impact of inter‐provincial market segmentation on the exit hazard of firms in China. This study shows that market segmentation increases the risk of enterprises exiting the market in China. Moving from the 10th percentile of the distribution of market segmentation (score of 0.0995) to the 90th percentile (score of 0.7084) would increase the exit probability of firms by 7.5 percentage points. An analysis of the mechanisms involved shows that market segmentation benefits are often outweighed by lower productivity and less incentive to innovate. Our study also demonstrates that inter‐provincial market segmentation facilitates the likelihood that state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) will survive, but not for non‐SOEs in China. A one unit increase in the degree of regional market segmentation will reduce the probability that SOEs withdraw from the market by 19.5% while increasing the probability that non‐SOEs will leave the market by 5.80%.
Gender‐based exclusionary practices in performance appraisal
Authors: Fenech Angel Ellul , Kanji Shireen , Vargha Zsuzsanna
Published: November 2021

We examine how performance appraisal is, following Acker, an organizational process producing inequality. By process we mean that appraisal is an on‐going and relational year‐round practice, enacted through interaction between men and women, rather than a bounded and individualized event. We use Bourdieu’s concept of habitus to analyze how masculine domination guides what is presented as a gender‐neutral organizational practice. We conducted in‐depth interviews at a financial sector organization in Malta with employees, their direct appraisers and higher‐level appraisers. Appraisers measured employees’ tangible (task related) as well as “behavioral” performance. We find that the practice of attributing scores to behavior, and the interaction between men and women, appraisers and appraisees, both reflect and produce women’s inferior status. While women concentrated on tangible targets such as sales, male employees and the appraisers focused on soft targets, specifically on socializing with colleagues, which in practice emerged as the key criterion for the behavioral score. We find that male sociality is an organizing process that literally devalues women through quantified performance scores. Managerial discretion translates employees’ behavior into a lasting organizational record, contributing a formalized component to the gendered hierarchy.
Dental habits and oral health in children and adolescents with bleeding disorders: A single‐institution cross‐sectional study
Authors: Brown Megan C. , Hastie Elizabeth , Shumake Carol , Waters Brittany , Sidonio Robert F.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Oral health is an important component of care at haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs). Correlations between oral health and inflammation suggest that proper oral health may improve joint health.

Aim

To evaluate the dental habits, needs, and oral health status of paediatric patients with bleeding disorders, and identify predicters of poor oral health.

Methods

From May 2016 to October 2017, consecutive paediatric HTC patients completed a 14‐question survey and were examined by dental professionals. Descriptive analyses, chi‐square tests and logistic regression models identified characteristics associated with four main dental outcomes.

Results

Evaluations from 226 consecutive patients (age 1–20 years) were included. Diagnoses included haemophilia A and B (64%), von Willebrand disease (25%) and other bleeding disorders (13%). Nearly half of patients reported not brushing their teeth twice a day (44%). One‐quarter of patients did not currently have a dentist (27%), and 15% reported specific challenges with access to dental care. Oral screening demonstrated significant pathology: 89% of patients had plaque accumulation, 37% had gingivitis and 8% had lesions suggestive of dental caries. Multivariate analysis revealed that having a primary caregiver with active decay was associated with significantly higher rates of suspicious lesions (OR 4.34, CI 1.41‐13.35) and gingival erythema (OR 3.44, CI 1.63‐7.25) and lower rates of twice daily teeth brushing (OR .17, CI .08‐.37).

Conclusion

Children with bleeding disorders commonly have significant dental pathology and report obstacles to dental care, posing the potential risk for morbidity. Primary caregiver dental health is strongly associated with dental pathology in children.
A critical appraisal of research methods and experimental models for studies on root canal preparation
Authors: Hülsmann Michael
Published: November 2021

It is the aim of this review to present a critical overview and summary on the contemporary possibilities, limitations and challenges of research related to root canal preparation. Frequently used research tools and contemporary research designs will be presented and discussed critically focussing on shortcomings and benefits with special regard to clinical relevance and scientific evidence. A plethora of experimental set‐ups for assessing the shaping of root canals have been described in the endodontic literature using a considerable number of techniques and instruments. Nevertheless, it can be stated that scientific evidence demonstrating the clinical impact of many investigated topics is questionable or even missing. Instead of technical, radiographic and geometrical parameters, further research should focus on biological aspects and clinical evidence of the impact of root canal preparation on the outcome of root canal treatment.
Efficacy of four local anaesthesia protocols for mandibular first molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Saber Shehabeldin Mohamed , Hashem Ahmed Abdelrahman , Khalil Dina Mahmoud , Pirani Chiara , Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald
Published: November 2021

Aim

To examine the efficacy rate of four anaesthetic protocols in mandibular first molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP).

Methodology

One hundred and sixty patients with a diagnosis of SIP were included in this randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomly allocated into four treatment groups (N = 40) according to the administered technique: Group 1 (IANB): standard inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) injection; Group 2 (IANB + IO): standard IANB followed by a supplemental intraosseous infusion (IO) injection; Group 3 (IANB + PDL): standard IANB followed by a supplemental periodontal ligament (PDL) injection; Group 4 (IANB + BI): standard IANB followed by a supplemental buccal infiltration. Patients rated pain intensity using a verbal rating scale when the root canal treatment procedure was initiated, that is, during caries removal, access preparation and pulpectomy. Heart rate changes were recorded before, during and after each injection. The anaesthetic efficacy rates were analysed using chi‐square tests, age differences using one‐way anova, gender differences using Fischer Exact tests whilst heart rate changes were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis tests. Statistical significances were set at p < .05 level.

Results

All the included patients were analysed. No differences in the efficacy rate were found in relation to the age or gender of the participants amongst the study groups (p > .05). IANB + IO injections had a significantly higher efficacy rate (92.5%) when compared to other techniques (p < .05), followed by IANB + PDL injections (72.5%), IANB + BI injections (65.0%), with no significant differences between the IANB + PDL or IANB + BI injections (p > .05). IANB injection alone had a significantly lower rate (40%) compared to the other techniques (p < .05). A transient but significant rise in the heart rate was recorded in 60% (24/40) of patients who received the IANB + IO injection compared to other groups (p < .05).

Conclusions

Inferior alveolar nerve block injection alone did not reliably permit pain‐free treatment for mandibular molars with SIP. The use of an additional IO supplemental injection provided the most effective anaesthesia for patients requiring emergency root canal treatment for SIP in mandibular posterior teeth.
Organic molecule intercalation sites in Sr2CaCu2Oy superconductor
Authors: Kawai Kensho , Suematsu Hisayuki , Fujimoto Akira , Aoba Tomoya , Do Thi Mai Dung , Nakayama Tadachika , Niihara Koichi
Published: November 2021

The organic molecule adsorption sites in a Sr2CaCu2Oy (0(Sr)212) half unit cell upon water molecule intercalation were estimated by simulation using Molecular Orbital PACkage (MOPAC) program. For water molecules, the unit cell was elongated with increasing the number of molecules. Upon four water molecules intercalated between the two SrO layers, the upper Sr atom moved along the c‐axis by 1.49 Å. This value was smaller than but comparable to the experimentally obtained elongation of half of the c‐parameter. The primary reason of the elongation is the repulsive force between Sr–H atoms in the two SrO layers. For ethanol and acetone molecules, stable intercalation sites were not found in the 0(Sr)212 crystal. These results coincided to the experimental results, which did not show intercalations. It was concluded that MOPAC can reproduce the organic molecule intercalation phenomena in oxide crystals.
Frequency dependence of antiferroelectricferroelectric phase transition of PLZST ceramic
Authors: Zhu Qingshan , Zhao Shiyu , Xu Ran , Feng Yujun , Xu Zhuo , Wei Xiaoyong
Published: November 2021

Antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics are promising for applications in high‐power density capacitors, transducers, etc. The forward switching field and backward switching field are critical performance indicators for AFE ceramics, and the coupling between the structure transition and domain orientation makes them different from the coercive field of ferroelectric (FE). Moreover, in practical applications, AFE ceramics are often required to operate at varying frequencies. However, systematic studies regarding the frequency dependence of and are insufficient. In this work, (PLZST) AFE ceramic was fabricated, and two empirical formulas (, ) were proposed to predict the frequency dependence of and . The formulas are based on the electric field–induced phase transition characteristics of AFE and the Kolmogorov–Avrami–Ishibashi domain nucleation‐switching model. Furthermore, the dynamic hysteresis loops of PLZST at various frequencies (1–1000 Hz) and temperatures (–) were investigated. The results show that the electric field–induced phase transition of AFE ceramic is dominated by the coupling between the structural transition and domain orientation. The domain orientation hinders the structure transition, leading to an increase in and a decrease in as the frequency of applied electric field increases. Meanwhile, the domain growth process is affected by the structure of AFE, and the value of (domain growth dimensionality) increases with the stability of the AFE structure. For comparison, (PLBZST) relaxor FE ceramic was fabricated. Due to the high mobility of the microdomain, the dynamic hysteresis loop of PLBZST ceramic exhibits excellent frequency stability. The charge–discharge experiment with an ultrahigh equivalent frequency (100 kHz) was performed to investigate the frequency stability of energy release of PLZST and PLBZST. The results may provide guidance for research pertaining to ceramic capacitors with high‐power density and high‐frequency stability.
Performance and structure evolution of fluoindinate glass at high temperatures
Authors: Zhang Longfei , Jiang Yiguang , Wang Zaiyang , Guan Feng , Li Yanchao , Yuan Xinqiang , Zhang Long
Published: November 2021

Fluoindinate glass (FIG) is considered an ideal material for fiber laser devices and mid‐infrared bulk optics components owing to its ultra‐low phonon energy and broad transparency window. However, the heat generated by devices fabricated with FIG during their operation limits its application. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study its high‐temperature properties. In this study, the thermal properties, microstructure, crystal phase behaviors, and optical and luminescent properties of high‐temperature FIG were comprehensively evaluated. We also attempted to reveal the changes in its structure at high temperatures using variable‐temperature Raman spectroscopy. We first found that the stretching vibration intensity of nonbridging F(Fnb) decreases, and the bending vibration of FIG increases with an increase in temperature, indicating that high temperatures could lead to the fracture of bridge bonds between some [InF6]3− octahedrons. Certainly, this will lead to glass structural instability, which will further increase the tendency of FIG to undergo devitrification in high‐temperature conditions. We believe that this work will provide a reference for the performance improvement and application of fluoride glass at high temperatures.
Polycrystalline thermosensitive ceramic oxides in CaCeNbWO8: Density, texture, and thermal aging stability
Authors: Fu Zhilong , Wei Yaxin , Liu Yafei , Zhang Bo , Chang Aimin
Published: November 2021

During the vacuum hot pressing sintering process, a certain thickness of graphite foil is usually used as the isolation layer to avoid the adhesion between ceramic and graphite die. Here, the graphite foil was replaced by a platinum sheet in the sintering process. The microstructure, weak texture, and electrical properties of pressure‐sintered CaCeNbWO8 thermosensitive ceramics were investigated and compared with pressureless‐sintered ceramics. The relative densities of the pressureless‐sintered and pressure‐sintered ceramics were 79.4% and 97.0%, respectively. The tetragonal scheelite structure having space group I41/a (88) was further confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The corresponding (112) Pole Figures showed that the weak texture intensity changed from 2.32 to 3.08 mud. Results demonstrate that the improvement of the vacuum hot pressing sintering process is in favor of obtaining high stability thermosensitive ceramics, which might potentially be applied to the mass preparation of functional ceramics or high‐density ceramics.
Fast one‐step carbothermal reduction and nitridation method using nano‐sized Al2O3 and carbon black to prepare aluminium oxynitride powder for highly transparent ceramics
Authors: Sun Xiannian , Zhang Xiaoru , Zhang Chenbofan , Ma Liya , Shan Yingchun , Li Jiangtao , Xu Jiujun
Published: November 2021

By fast heating the nano‐sized Al2O3 and carbon black mixtures at 50°C/min to 1750°C for 30–120 min, single‐phase AlON powders were successfully obtained by a fast one‐step carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) method. The AlON ceramics pressureless sintered at 1880°C for 150 min by these powders show high transmittances up to 83%–84%, which indicates that the proposed fast one‐step CRN method is an effective and efficient way with strong robustness to synthesize single‐phase AlON powder for highly transparent AlON ceramics. It was found that α‐Al2O3 particles do not have enough time to aggregate and coalesce during heating due to the tremendously shortened heating span, which significantly inhibited particle coarsening until the formation of AlON starts. The fast‐formed AlON further inhibits the coarsening of α‐Al2O3 during dwelling. Consequently, single‐phase AlON powder of small primary particles can be obtained after 30 min dwelling at 1750°C.
Effectiveness of selected essential oils and one hydrolate to prevent and remove Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on polystyrene and stainless steel food-contact surfaces
Authors: Rossi Chiara , Maggio Francesca , Chaves-López Clemencia , Valbonetti Luca , Berrettoni Marco , Paparella Antonello , Serio Annalisa
Published: November 2021

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of selected essential oils (EOs) and hydrolates (Hs) against Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on polystyrene (PS) and stainless steel (SS) surfaces.

Methods and Results

Among others, Origanum hirtum EO, Corydothymus capitatus EO and Citrus aurantium H were selected to treat L. monocytogenes biofilms during and after biofilm formation. Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of C. capitatus EO (0.31 µl/ml) showed the highest inhibiting effect against biofilm formation on PS, while on SS no significant differences between the EOs were observed (43.7%–88.7% inhibition). Overall, the tested biosanitizers showed limited activity as biofilm removal agents. Although generally less effective, C. aurantium H exhibited good biofilm inhibition performance at 62.5 µl/ml, particularly on PS. Confocal laser scanning microscopy proved that sub-MICs of the biosanitizers drastically changed L. monocytogenes biofilm architecture, with bacterial cells elongation in the presence of C. capitatus EO.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the tested EOs and H are able to control Listeria biofilms, particularly preventing biofilm formation on both materials. Considering its mild aroma and hydrophilicity, the H exhibited promising perspectives of application.

Significance and Impact of Study

This study raises the possibility of applying EOs and Hs to control biofilms on different surfaces in the food industry.
Antimicrobial compounds from an FDA-approved drug library with activity against Streptococcus suis
Authors: Li Haotian , Li Tingting , Zhang Liangsheng , Hu Qiao , Liao Xia , Jiang Qinggen , Qiu Xiuxiu , Li Lu , Draheim Roger R. , Huang Qi , Zhou Rui
Published: November 2021

Aim

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global concern. Developing novel antimicrobials is one of the most effective approaches in tackling AMR. Considering its relatively low cost and risk, drug repurposing has been proposed as a valuable approach for novel antimicrobial discovery. The aim of this study was to screen for antimicrobial compounds against Streptococcus suis, an important zoonotic bacterial pathogen, from an Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library.

Methods and Results

In this study, we tested the antimicrobial activity of 1815 FDA-approved drugs against S. suis. Sixty-seven hits were obtained that showed a growth inhibition of more than 98%. After excluding already known antibiotics and antiseptics, 12 compounds were subjected to minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) assessment against S. suis. This showed that pralatrexate, daunorubicin (hydrochloride), teniposide, aclacinomycin A hydrochloride and floxuridine gave a relatively low MIC, ranging from 0.85 to 5.25 μg/ml. Apart from pralatrexate, the remaining four drugs could also inhibit the growth of antimicrobial-resistant S. suis. It was also demonstrated that these four drugs had better efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. Cytotoxicity assays showed that floxuridine and teniposide had a relatively high 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50). The in vivo efficacy of floxuridine was analysed using a Galleria mellonella larvae infection model, and the results showed that floxuridine was effective in treating S. suis infection in vivo.

Conclusions

Five compounds from the FDA-approved drug library showed high antimicrobial activity against S. suis, among which floxuridine displayed potent in vivo efficacy that is worth further development.

Significance and Impact of Study

Our study identified several antimicrobial compounds that are effective against S. suis, which provides a valuable starting point for further antimicrobial development.
Social educator students' readiness to address sexual health in their future profession
Authors: Lunde Hilde , Blaalid Laila , Areskoug Josefsson Kristina , Gerbild Helle
Published: November 2021

Background

Norwegian social educator students' attitudes towards addressing sexual health are unknown, even if their future clients often have needs related to sexual issues.

Purpose

To investigate social educator students' readiness to address sexual health in their future profession.

Methods

In 2019, 213 social educator students (response rate 34%) responded to the Students' Attitudes towards addressing Sexual Health Extended online questionnaire.

Results

Most of the social educator students felt comfortable and ready to address sexual health in their future profession, but thought they had insufficient competence and education concerning sexual health. There were gender and age differences when discussing sexual health among persons with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusion

Despite most Norwegian social educator students feeling ready to address sexual health, they needed additional competences and education. Further research is needed concerning the effectiveness of educational interventions targeting competence in sexual health, to ensure sufficient support for clients in this field.
Simvastatin treatment promotes proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells via modulating PI3K/AKT/miR‐9/KLF5 signalling pathway
Authors: Wang Jing‐hui , He Dang‐en
Published: November 2021

Simvastatin serves as an effective therapeutic potential in the treatment of dental disease via alternating proliferation of dental pulp stem cells. First, western‐blot and real‐time quantitative PCR were used to detect the effect of simvastatin or LY294002 on the expression levels of AKT, miR‐9 and KLF5, or determine the effect of miR‐9. Simvastatin, KLF5 and AKT significantly enhanced the proliferation of pulp stem cells, whilst this effect induced by simvastatin was suppressed by LY294002, AKT siRNA, KLF5 siRNA and miR‐9, and simvastatin dose‐dependently upregulated the expression of PI3K. Furthermore, simvastatin upregulated PI3K and p‐AKT expression in a concentration‐dependent manner. LY294002 abrogated the upregulation of p‐AKT expression levels induced by simvastatin, and LY294002 induced the miR‐9 expression and simvastatin dose‐dependently inhibited the expression of miR‐9, by contrast, LY294002 reduced the KLF5 expression and simvastatin dose‐dependently promoted the expression of KLF5. And using computational analysis, KLF5 was found to be a candidate target gene of miR‐9, and which was further verified using luciferase assay. Finally, the level of KLF5 in cells was much lower following the transfection with miR‐9 and KLF5 siRNA, and the level of AKT mRNA in cells was significantly inhibited after transfection with AKT siRNA than control. These findings suggested simvastatin could promote the proliferation of pulp stem cells, possibly by suppressing the expression of miR‐9 via activating the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, and the downregulation of miR‐9 upregulated the expression of its target gene, KLF5, which is directly responsible for the enhanced proliferation of pulp stem cells.
β2SP/TET2 complex regulates gene 5hmC modification after cerebral ischemia
Authors: Ma Xiaohua , Zhang Meng , Yan Rui , Wu Hainan , Yang Bo , Miao Zhigang
Published: November 2021

βII spectrin (β2SP) is encoded by Sptbn1 and is involved in the regulation of various cell functions. β2SP contributes to the formation of the myelin sheath, which may be related to the mechanism of neuropathy caused by demyelination. As one of the main features of cerebral ischemia, demyelination plays a key role in the mechanism of cerebral ischemia injury. Here, we showed that β2SP levels were increased, and this molecule interacted with TET2 after ischemic injury. Furthermore, we found that the level of TET2 was decreased in the nucleus when β2SP was knocked out after oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), and the level of 5hmC was reduced in the OGD+β2SP KO group. In contrast, the expression of β2SP did not change in TET2 KO mice. In addition, the 5hmC sequencing results revealed that β2SP can affect the level of 5hmC, the differentially hydroxymethylated region (DhMR) mainly related with the Calcium signalling pathway, cGMP‐PKG signalling pathway, Wnt signalling pathway and Hippo signalling pathway. In summary, our results suggest that β2SP could regulate the gene 5hmC by interacted with TET2 and will become a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
Effects of animal protein intake during pregnancy on autoimmune thyroiditis in pregnant women with mild iodine deficiency
Authors: Wang Zhengyuan , Shen Jiaying , Song Qi , Cui Xueying , Shi Zehuan , Su Jin , Zang Jiajie
Published: November 2021

Background

Iodine and animal protein may affect thyroid function. In the present study, we explored the association between animal protein intake and thyroid antibody status in pregnant women following universal salt iodisation.

Methods

Pregnant women were enrolled using a multistage, stratified random sampling method in Shanghai. In total, 4646 eligible women were interviewed in person. We used a validated food frequency questionnaire and food composition tables to calculate the daily intakes of protein and iodine. We collected urine samples and performed thyroid antibody tests.

Results

Positive thyrotropin receptor antibody (TR‐Ab) rates were different among animal protein intake groups (p < 0.05). Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was higher in the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO‐Ab) positive group than in the negative group (p < 0.05). The median of total protein intake, animal protein intake and UIC was higher in the TR‐Ab positive group than in the negative group (p < 0.05). The median of total protein intake and UIC was higher in the TPO‐Ab/TG‐Ab/TR‐Ab positive group than in the negative group (p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression results showed that insufficient iodine had a negative correlation with positive TPO‐Ab and positive TR‐Ab (p < 0.05). The middle third and top third animal protein intakes served as protective factors for TR‐Ab (coefficient = 0.559, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.415–0.752, p < 0.001; coefficient = 0.0.406, 95% CI = 0.266–0.621, p < 0.001) and positive TPO‐Ab/TR‐Ab/TG‐Ab (coefficient = 0.817, 95% CI = 0.687–0.971, p = 0.022; coefficient = 0.805, 95% CI = 0.672–0.964, p = 0.018).

Conclusions

Adequate animal protein intake protects against elevated anti‐thyroid antibody levels in pregnant women with mild iodine deficiency.
Nurse editors’ roles and practices
Authors: Waldrop Julee B. , Likis Frances E.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

While nurse editors carry great responsibility for the scientific literature in the nursing profession, little has been published about this unique role. The purpose of this study was to examine contemporary nurse editors’ roles and practices.

Design

In early 2019, a sample of 129 nurse editors participated in a cross‐sectional study using survey methods.

Methods

The online survey was based on an instrument used in a prior study and included 43 primarily multiple‐choice questions. Findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings

Beyond the expected roles of journal management, editorial decision making, leadership for the profession, and specific journal focus, some aspects of the nurse editor role have remained unchanged. The role continues to be learned mostly on the job and nurse editors still find satisfaction in helping other nurses publish and disseminate their work. Nurse editors are older and better educated. They also are receiving more manuscripts submitted to their journals and perceive this role as hard work but worth it. This is also the first study to report on the role of other levels of editors.

Conclusion

This study provides a description of the current roles and practices of nurse editors. Nurse editors can bring more attention to the role and encourage more nurses to consider this role as an attainable and a satisfying one.

Clinical relevance

Being a nurse editor is a leadership role and one that many nurses may not consider as a career goal. Nurse editors can increase the visibility of this role and engage, encourage, and support nurses who are interested in this role.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the effects of intraoral treatments for neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia
Authors: Cheng Ivy , Sasegbon Ayodele , Hamdy Shaheen
Published: November 2021

Background

Rehabilitative treatments for oropharyngeal dysphagia, including oromotor exercises and sensory stimulation, have been widely adopted into clinical practice. However, the effects of these treatments are mainly supported by exploratory studies. As such, their clinical efficacy remains uncertain.

Objective

Our systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intraoral treatments for neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia based on evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Six electronic databases were systematically searched between January 1970 and July 2021. Data were extracted and analysed by two independent reviewers. The outcome measure was changes in (any) relevant clinical swallowing‐related characteristics.

Results

Data from 285 dysphagic patients were collected from 8 RCT studies across a range of intraoral dysphagia treatments. The pooled effect size of all intraoral dysphagia treatments was non‐significant compared to control comparators (SMD [95%CI] = 0.23 [−0.22, 0.69], p = .31; I2 = 73%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the pooled effect sizes were also non‐significant for oromotor exercises (device‐facilitated lip resistance exercises and tongue exercises) (SMD [95%CI] = 0.11 [−0.76, 0.97]; p = .81; I2 = 88%) and sensory stimulation (thermal‐tactile, thermo‐chemical and electrical stimulation) (SMD [95%CI] = 0.35 [−0.03, 0.72]; p = .07; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

Our results showed that overall, intraoral dysphagia treatments, including oromotor exercises and sensory stimulation, do not show beneficial effects for neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia. The evidence for these treatments remains weak and currently inadequate to support clinical use. Large‐scale, multi‐centre RCTs are warranted to fully explore their clinical efficacy.
Acute and Chronic Temporomandibular Disorder Pain: A critical review of differentiating factors and predictors of acute to chronic pain transition
Authors: Sabsoob Omar , Elsaraj Sherif M. , Gornitsky Mervyn , Laszlo Elise , Fricton James R. , Schiffman Eric L. , Velly Ana M.
Published: November 2021

Aims

The aims of this critical review were to: (i) assess the factors that differentiate acute from chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain; (ii) assess the risk factors associated with the transition from acute to chronic TMD pain; and (iii) summarize and appraise the studies.

Method

The databases used were MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Eligible studies included articles comparing acute to chronic TMD pain, and cohort studies assessing the risk factors implicated in the transition from acute to chronic TMD pain.

Results

Seven articles were selected: one case‐control study, three cross‐sectional studies, and three cohort studies. These studies found that psychological factors were more common in chronic than acute TMD pain patients; however, these factors did not increase the transition risk in the multivariable model. Myofascial and baseline pain intensity were associated with the transition from acute to chronic TMD pain at a 6‐month follow‐up. Due to methodological weaknesses in the available literature, more research is required to establish the risk factors implicated in the transition from acute to chronic TMD pain.

Conclusion

This review found some evidence that myofascial pain is associated with the transition risk from acute to chronic TMD pain at a 6‐month follow‐up and that pain intensity at baseline is associated with more intense TMD pain 6 months later. There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the role of demographics and psychological disorders as independent risk factors.
PIL transcription factors directly interact with SPLs and repress tillering/branching in plants
Authors: Zhang Lichao , He Guanhua , Li Yaping , Yang Ziyi , Liu Tianqi , Xie Xianzhi , Kong Xiuying , Sun Jiaqiang
Published: November 2021

Tillering is an important parameter of plant architecture in cereal crops. In this study, we identified the PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTOR‐LIKE (PIL) family transcription factors as new repressors of tillering in cereal crops.

Using biochemical and genetic approaches, we explore the roles of TaPIL1 in regulating wheat plant architecture. We found that the PIL protein TaPIL1 controls tiller number in wheat.

Overexpression of TaPIL1 reduces wheat tiller number; additionally, overexpression of TaPIL1‐SUPERMAN repression domain increases wheat tiller number. Furthermore, we show that TaPIL1 activates the transcriptional expression of wheat TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TaTB1); moreover, TaPIL1 physically interacts with wheat SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE (TaSPL)3/17, which are activators of TaTB1 transcription. In rice, overexpression and loss‐of‐function mutations of OsPIL11 reduce or increase tiller number by regulating the expression of OsTB1. In Arabidopsis, we demonstrate that PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTOR 4 interacts with SPL9 to inhibit shoot branching.

This study reveals that PIL family transcription factors directly interact with SPLs and play an important role in repressing tillering/branching in plants.
‘Like jumping off a ledge into the water’: A qualitative study of trauma‐focussed imaginal exposure for hearing voices
Authors: Feary Natalie , Brand Rachel , Williams Anne , Thomas Neil
Published: November 2021

Objective

There is growing evidence of a link between the experience of hearing voices and past traumatic events, and trauma‐focussed psychological interventions are being applied to hearing voices as an emerging treatment direction. To inform the ongoing development and implementation of this application, there is a need to understand clients’ therapy experiences.

Design

Qualitative study exploring the experience of people who received an intervention for voices linked to a previous traumatic event.

Method

Ten participants experiencing voices with some connection to a previous traumatic event participated in individual semi‐structured interviews following six sessions of imaginal exposure, an exposure‐based trauma‐focussed intervention. Participant responses were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants reported a range of benefits from the intervention, including improved mental health, reduction of distressing voice‐hearing experiences, and increased clarity of the traumatic event. The therapy was perceived as distinctly different to previous therapy experiences, and participants noted that therapy could be intense and challenging, yet helpful later. Participants also reported that outside circumstances impacted on their progress in therapy and their voice‐hearing experience.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that exposure‐based trauma‐focussed therapies may be beneficial for people who hear trauma‐related voices. However, this intervention can be intense and clinicians and consumers need to consider the timing of delivery, and pay attention to internal and external resources that can increase participants’ sense of safety.

Practitioner points

Imaginal exposure may be an effective intervention for people who hear voices that they perceive to be associated with a past traumatic event.

Positive changes associated with the intervention may be highly variable between individuals, and encompass changes in sense of self, changes to internal states, and changes to voice‐hearing experience.

Imaginal exposure interventions may involve some temporary discomfort and symptom exacerbation, which may affect the acceptability of the intervention. This needs to be considered in both future research and clinical delivery.
Spray‐induced gene silencing targeting a glutathione S‐transferase gene improves resilience to drought in grapevine
Authors: Nerva Luca , Guaschino Micol , Pagliarani Chiara , De Rosso Mirko , Lovisolo Claudio , Chitarra Walter
Published: November 2021

Along with the ongoing climate change, drought events are predicted to become more severe. In this context, the spray‐induced gene silencing (SIGS) technique could represent a useful strategy to improve crop stress resilience. A previous study demonstrated that the Arabidopsis mutants for a glutathione S‐transferase (GST) gene had increased abscisic acid (ABA) levels and a more activated antioxidant system, both features that improved drought resilience. Here, we used SIGS to target a putative grape GST gene (VvGST40). Then, ecophysiological, biochemical and molecular responses of ‘Chardonnay’ cuttings were analysed during a drought and recovery time‐course. Gas exchange, ABA and t‐resveratrol concentration as well as expression of stress‐related genes were monitored in not treated controls, dsRNA‐VvGST40‐ and dsRNA‐GFP‐ (negative control of the technique) treated plants, either submitted or not to drought. VvGST40‐treated plants revealed increased resilience to severe drought as attested by the ecophysiological data. Analysis of target metabolites and antioxidant‐ and ABA‐related transcripts confirmed that VvGST40‐treated plants were in a priming status compared with controls. SIGS targeting an endogenous gene was successfully applied in grapevine, confirming the ability of this technique to be exploited not only for plant protection issues but also for functional genomic studies.
Insights into ROS‐dependent signalling underlying transcriptomic plant responses to the herbicide 2,4‐D
Authors: Romero‐Puertas María C. , Peláez‐Vico Maria Ángeles , Pazmiño Diana M. , Rodríguez‐Serrano María , Terrón‐Camero Laura , Bautista Rocío , Gómez‐Cadenas Aurelio , Claros M. Gonzalo , León José , Sandalio Luisa M.
Published: November 2021

The synthetic auxin 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) functions as an agronomic weed control herbicide. High concentrations of 2,4‐D induce plant growth defects, particularly leaf epinasty and stem curvature. Although the 2,4‐D triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, little is known about its signalling. In this study, by using a null mutant in peroxisomal acyl CoA oxidase 1 (acx1‐2), we identified acyl‐coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACX1) as one of the main sources of ROS production and, in part, also causing the epinastic phenotype following 2,4‐D application. Transcriptomic analyses of wild type (WT) plants after treatment with 2,4‐D revealed a ROS‐related peroxisomal footprint in early plant responses, while other organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, are involved in later responses. Interestingly, a group of 2,4‐D‐responsive ACX1‐dependent transcripts previously associated with epinasty is related to auxin biosynthesis, metabolism, and signalling. We found that the auxin receptor auxin signalling F‐box 3 (AFB3), a component of Skp, Cullin, F‐box containing complex (SCF) (ASK‐cullin‐F‐box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes, which mediates auxin/indole acetic acid (AUX/IAA) degradation by the 26S proteasome, acts downstream of ACX1 and is involved in the epinastic phenotype induced by 2,4‐D. We also found that protein degradation associated with ubiquitin E3‐RING and E3‐SCF‐FBOX in ACX1‐dependent signalling in plant responses to 2,4‐D is significantly regulated over longer treatment periods.
The volatile cedrene from Trichoderma guizhouense modulates Arabidopsis root development through auxin transport and signalling
Authors: Li Yucong , Shao Jiahui , Fu Yansong , Chen Yu , Wang Hongzhe , Xu Zhihui , Feng Haichao , Xun Weibing , Liu Yunpeng , Zhang Nan , Shen Qirong , Xuan Wei , Zhang Ruifu
Published: November 2021

Rhizosphere microorganisms interact with plant roots by producing chemical signals that regulate root development. However, the distinct bioactive compounds and signal transduction pathways remain to be identified. Here, we showed that sesquiterpenes are the main volatile compounds produced by plant‐beneficial Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742. Inhibition of sesquiterpene biosynthesis eliminated the promoting effect of this strain on root growth, indicating its involvement in plant‐fungus cross‐kingdom signalling. Sesquiterpene component analysis identified cedrene, a highly abundant sesquiterpene in strain NJAU4742, to stimulate plant growth and root development. Genetic analysis and auxin transport inhibition showed that the TIR1 and AFB2 auxin receptors, IAA14 auxin‐responsive protein, and ARF7 and ARF19 transcription factors affected the response of lateral roots to cedrene. Moreover, the AUX1 auxin influx carrier and PIN2 efflux carrier were also found to be indispensable for cedrene‐induced lateral root formation. Confocal imaging showed that cedrene affected the expression of pPIN2:PIN2:GFP and pPIN3:PIN3:GFP, which might be related to the effect of cedrene on root morphology. These results suggested that a novel sesquiterpene molecule from plant‐beneficial T. guizhouense regulates plant root development through the transport and signalling of auxin.