bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation prioritization based on past cascading climatic effects on genetic diversity and population size dynamics: Insights from a temperate tree species
Authors: Liu Yang
Published: February 2022

Aim

The biogeographic history affects adaptive evolution by altering the pattern of genetic variation and provides the background upon which other evolutionary processes are operating. Assessment of the consequence of such eco‐evolutionary interactions is crucial to population's genetic diversity maintenance. Yet, considering how biogeographic and multiple evolutionary processes interact in complex environments to alter genetic diversity in conservation planning remains unresolved.

Location

The Pacific Northwest.

Methods

Herein I document the impact of geographic landscapes and past climatic fluctuations on the evolutionary processes that drive population divergence of Populus trichocarpa by assembling genomic, climatic and species occurrence data.

Results

Based on inferences of demographic history of the species and tests for niche divergence, results show that the British Columbia (BC)‐North and BC‐South populations are ancestral and subject to more recent bottlenecks than the Oregon population. Consistently, ecological niche modelling illustrates that compared to the Last Glacial Maximum (~21 Ka), the present niche suitability of the BC‐North and ‐South populations is overall marginally inferior to that of the Oregon population. However, genomic analysis demonstrates that the Oregon harbours the lowest genetic diversity, possibly due to an extended bottleneck experienced by the population. Model prediction indicates that in the 2050s, the impact of climate change is minor compared to the niche suitability of the species as a whole, but climate change will likely result in considerable genetic shifts over two generations especially in the Oregon and BC‐South populations, which will attenuate along a northward gradient.

Main conclusions

This study underpins the long‐lasting impact of demographic histories and natural selection on genetic diversity, rather than highlighting the consequence of recent demographic events (e.g. bottleneck in the Holocene epoch; ~12 Ka) potentially cascading to eroding genetic diversity and yielding conservation urgency.
Real‐world user experience with seizure detection wearable devices in the home environment
Authors: Hadady Levente , Klivényi Péter , Fabó Dániel , Beniczky Sándor
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate direct user experience with wearable seizure detection devices in the home environment.

Methods

A structured online questionnaire was completed by 242 users (175 caregivers and 67 persons with epilepsy), most of the patients (87.19%) having tonic–clonic seizures.

Results

The vast majority of the users were overall satisfied with the wearable device, considered that using the device was easy, and agreed that the use of the device improved their quality of life (median = 6 on 7‐point Likert scale). A high retention rate (84.58%) and a long median usage time (14 months) were reported. In the home environment, most users (75.85%) experienced seizure detection sensitivity similar (≥95%) to what was previously reported in validation studies in epilepsy monitoring units. The experienced false alarm rate was relatively low (0–0.43 per day). Due to the alarms, almost one third of persons with epilepsy (PWEs; 30.00%) experienced decrease in the number of seizure‐related injuries, and almost two thirds of PWEs (65.41%) experienced improvement in the accuracy of seizure diaries. Nonvalidated devices had significantly lower retention rate, overall satisfaction, perceived sensitivity, and improvement in quality of life, as compared with validated devices.

Significance

Our results demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of automated seizure detection in the home environment.
Increasing pollen production at high latitudes across animal‐pollinated flowering plants
Authors: Cunha Nicolay Leme da , Gleiser Gabriela , Sáez Agustín , Chalcoff Vanina Ruth , Tur Cristina , Aizen Marcelo Adrián
Published: February 2022

Aim

Plant reliance on animal mutualists is expected to decrease with latitude owing to increasing environmental instability. As a consequence, more erratic animal pollination in the temperate zones than in the tropics could translate into lower efficiency in pollen transfer, and thus increasing pollen wastage. Despite the relevance of this hypothesis for plant reproductive evolution, the implications of a proposed latitudinal gradient in pollinator reliability for pollen and ovule production, traits directly affecting seed siring and seed set, respectively, remain unresolved.

Location

Global.

Time period

1971–2020.

Major taxa studied

Angiospermae.

Methods

Based on a bibliographic survey and our own data, we collated a dataset with information on pollen production (P) and ovule number (O) per flower from 419 studies, including a total of 1,392 animal‐pollinated angiosperm species from 141 families distributed worldwide and sampled between the equator and 68.35° latitude. Using phylogenetic general linear mixed models, we investigated latitudinal variation in P and O. We also tested a latitudinal effect on several ancillary plant traits associated with a plant’s mating system and pollinator specialization that might confound any latitudinal effect on gamete production.

Results

P but not O was positively associated with latitude, a trend that even became stronger after including the latitudinally varying ancillary traits (i.e., growth form, flower size, flower symmetry and number of pollinator orders). The latitudinal effect on P was more pronounced among species producing large flowers, a trait that could be linked to self‐incompatibility and thus outcrossing. A weak phylogenetic patterning of P also indicates high evolvability potential of this trait, which may have an effect on both male and female plant fitness.

Main conclusions

Even though a latitudinal trend in pollinator reliability still awaits direct testing, the observed latitudinal increase in P across angiosperms can be interpreted as an evolutionary consequence of an increasingly unpredictable pollination environment.
Development of novel potent ligands for GPR85, an orphan G protein‐coupled receptor expressed in the brain
Authors: Sakai Aya , Yasui Takeshi , Watanave Masashi , Tatsumi Rine , Yamamoto Yoshihiko , Takano Wataru , Tani Yuki , Okamura Izumi , Hirai Hirokazu , Takeda Shigeki
Published: February 2022

GPR85 is a member of the G protein‐coupled receptor and is a super‐conserved receptor expressed in the brain sub‐family (Super Conserved Receptor Expressed in Brain; SREB) with GPR27 and GPR173. These three receptors are “orphan receptors”; however, their endogenous ligands have not been identified. SREB has garnered the interest of many scientists because it is expressed in the central nervous system and is evolutionarily conserved. In particular, brain mass is reported to be increased and learning and memory are improved in GPR85 knockout mice (Matsumoto et al. 2008). In this study, we characterized newly synthesized compounds using a GPR85‐Gsα fusion protein and the [35S]GTPγS binding assay and identified novel GPR85 inverse‐agonists with IC50 values of approximately 1 μM. To analyze the neurochemical character of the compounds and investigate the physiological significance of GPR85, we used cerebellar Purkinje cells expressing GPR85 and an electrophysiological technique. Based on the results, the inverse‐agonist compound for GPR85 modulated potassium channel opening. Together with the results of previous gene analysis of GPR85, we expect that the development of the GPR85 ligand will provide new insights into a few types of neurological disorders.
Rapid and efficient generation of antigen‐specific isogenic T cells from cryopreserved blood samples
Authors: Eerkens Anneke L , Vledder Annegé , van Rooij Nienke , Foijer Floris , Nijman Hans W , de Bruyn Marco
Published: February 2022

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)‐mediated gene editing has been leveraged for the modification of human and mouse T cells. However, limited experience is available on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 electroporation in cryopreserved T cells collected during clinical trials. To address this, we aimed to optimize a CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing protocol compatible with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples routinely produced during clinical trials. PBMCs from healthy donors were used to generate knockout T‐cell models for interferon‐γ, Cbl proto‐oncogene B (CBLB), Fas cell surface death receptor (Fas) and T‐cell receptor (TCRαβ) genes. The effect of CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing on T cells was evaluated using apoptosis assays, cytokine bead arrays and ex vivo and in vitro stimulation assays. Our results demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing of ex vivo T cells is efficient and does not overtly affect T‐cell viability. Cytokine release and T‐cell proliferation were not affected in gene‐edited T cells. Interestingly, memory T cells were more susceptible to CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing than naïve T cells. Ex vivo and in vitro stimulation with antigens resulted in equivalent antigen‐specific T‐cell responses in gene‐edited and untouched control cells, making CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing compatible with clinical antigen‐specific T‐cell activation and expansion assays. Here, we report an optimized protocol for rapid, viable and highly efficient genetic modification in ex vivo human antigen‐specific T cells, for subsequent functional evaluation and/or expansion. Our platform extends CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing for use in gold‐standard clinically used immune‐monitoring pipelines and serves as a starting point for development of analogous approaches, such as those including transcriptional activators and/or epigenetic modifiers.
Remittances and emigration intentions: Evidence from Armenia
Authors: Grigoryan Aleksandr , Khachatryan Knar
Published: February 2022

Emigration intentions and effects of international migration constitute important yet understudied directions of contemporary migration research. In this paper, we analyse a recent migration wave in Armenia, using household‐level representative data from 2011. We identify determinants of emigration intentions within a model framework with endogenous remittances, instrumented by community‐level factors such as budget revenue, budget transparency and community remoteness. We find that remittances help potential migrants to ease the migration process, serving as a resource rather than as a contractual tool between migrants and non‐migrants. Also, remittance recipients with high emigration intentions are more likely to be located in poor communities. When distinguishing the destination country for potential migrants, post‐Soviet versus Western countries (EU countries or USA), we find that the instruments identified for remittances are more relevant for individuals targeting the post‐Soviet area (mainly Russia). Nevertheless, remittances remain a significant resource for migrating to Western countries. The two pools of potential migrants considerably differ in the main set of skill characteristics: high‐skilled potential migrants opt for Western countries (brain drain), while the low‐skilled prefer post‐Soviet countries as a destination. We discuss our results from the socio‐economic development perspective, such as the threat of chain migration inherent to poor communities and the whole country. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the relationship between migration and remittances for countries with similar settings.
The impact of COVID‐19 on migrant women in son Gotleu (Palma) and the development of outreach tools to improve health and social care
Authors: García‐Pazo Patricia , Guillén‐Solà Mireia , Santos‐Sopena Oscar O. , García‐Avelló Macarena , Bauzà‐Amengual Maria de LLuc
Published: February 2022

Aims

The objectives of this research protocol are as follows: to examine the influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on health and social care for migrant women in the Son Gotleu district of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and to develop outreach tools to target this specific group.

Design

This is a qualitative study that uses content analysis to obtain in‐depth knowledge of personal experience (manifest content) and contextual experience (latent content) in a specific social setting.

Methods

The study population are migrant women living in Son Gotleu district, who are segmented by their age and experience of COVID‐19, defined as positive or negative according to whether or not they have been infected with the disease.

Results

The shortcomings and needs relating to communication and health care that affect this group's current and future quality of life will be identified.

Conclusion

The study of migrant women offers a gateway allowing vulnerability in health care to be detected. An awareness of their needs will allow prototype tools to be developed to facilitate communication and care for general and acute health needs between the scientific community and the vulnerable population.
Development of duplex qPCR targeting Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Vagococcus salmoninarum
Authors: Standish Isaac , McCann Rebekah , Puzach Corey , Leis Eric , Bailey Jennifer , Dziki Sara , Katona Ryan , Lark Ellen , Edwards Carey , Keesler Brandon , Reichley Stephen , King Stacy , Knupp Christopher , Harrison Courtney , Loch Thomas , Phillips Kenneth
Published: February 2022

In November 2018, Vagococcus salmoninarum was identified as the causative agent of a chronic coldwater streptococcosis epizootic in broodstock brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) at the Iron River National Fish Hatchery in Wisconsin, USA. By February 2019, the epizootic spread to adjacent raceways containing broodstock lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), whereby fish were found to be coinfected with Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and V. salmoninarum. To differentiate these two pathogens and determine the primary cause of the lake trout morbidity, a quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) was developed targeting the C. maltaromaticum phenylalanyl‐tRNA synthase alpha subunit (pheS) gene. The qPCR was combined with a V. salmoninarum qPCR, creating a duplex qPCR assay that simultaneously quantitates C. maltaromaticum and V. salmoninarum concentrations in individual lake trout tissues, and screens presumptive isolates from hatchery inspections and wild fish from national fish hatchery source waters throughout the Great Lakes basin. Vagococcus salmoninarum and C. maltaromaticum were co‐detected in broodstock brook trout from two tribal hatcheries and C. maltaromaticum was present in wild fish in source waters of several national fish hatcheries. This study provides a powerful new tool to differentiate and diagnose two emerging Gram‐positive bacterial pathogens.
Advancing Clinical Trials in Nursing Homes: A Proposed Roadmap to Success
Authors: Gurwitz Jerry H. , Quinn Charlene C. , Abi‐Elias Ivan H. , Adams Alyce S. , Bartel Rosie , Bonner Alice , Boxer Rebecca , Delude Christopher , Gifford David , Hanson Bruce , Ito Kouta , Jain Paavani , Magaziner Jay S. , Mazor Kathleen M. , Mitchell Susan L. , Mody Lona , Nace David , Ouslander Joseph , Reifsnyder Jo Anne , Resnick Barbara , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: February 2022

An effective clinical research effort in nursing homes to address prevention and treatment of COVID‐19 faced overwhelming challenges. Under the Health Care Systems Research Network‐Older Americans Independence Centers AGING Initiative, a multidisciplinary Stakeholder Advisory Panel was convened to develop recommendations to improve the capability of the clinical research enterprise in US nursing homes. The Panel considered the nursing home as a setting for clinical trials, reviewed the current state of clinical trials in nursing homes, and ultimately developed recommendations for the establishment of a nursing home clinical trials research network that would be centrally supported and administered. This report summarizes the Panel's recommendations, which were developed in alignment with the following core principles: build on available research infrastructure where appropriate; leverage existing productive partnerships of researchers with groups of nursing homes and nursing home corporations; encompass both efficacy and effectiveness clinical trials; be responsive to a broad range of stakeholders including nursing home residents and their care partners; be relevant to an expansive range of clinical and health care delivery research questions; be able to pivot as necessary to changing research priorities and circumstances; create a pathway for industry‐sponsored research as appropriate; invest in strategies to increase diversity in study populations and the research workforce; and foster the development of the next generation of nursing home researchers.
Pragmatic Trials and Improving Long‐Term Care: Recommendations From a National Institutes of Health Conference
Authors: Zimmerman Sheryl , Resnick Barbara , Ouslander Joseph , Levy Cari , Gaugler Joseph E. , Sloane Philip D. , Mor Vincent
Published: February 2022

See related Special Articles by Gurwitz el al. and Levy et al. and Resnick et al. in this issue.
Challenging behaviour in students with intellectual disabilities: the role of individual and classmates' communication skills
Authors: Hofmann V. , Müller C. M.
Published: February 2022

Background

Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk of developing challenging behaviour. Challenging behaviour may be partially explained by low individual communicative competences. However, communication involves at least two partners, thus outcomes may also vary according to each interaction partners' abilities. We therefore investigated the degree to which the interplay between individual and classmates' communication skills predicts changes in challenging behaviour among students with ID.

Methods

This study used a longitudinal design with two measurement points across one school year. Challenging behaviour and communication skills were measured by teacher reports in 1125 students with ID attending special needs schools. Applying a multilevel approach, we investigated (1) whether higher individual communication skills at the first measurement were related to a subsequent decrease in challenging behaviour and (2) whether this effect was moderated by classmates' levels of communication skills. In addition, we examined (3) if classroom communication skills were indirectly related to a decrease in challenging behaviour by influencing individual communicative abilities.

Results

Higher individual communication skills at the first measurement were significantly related to a decrease in general challenging behaviour over the school year. This effect was not moderated by classroom‐level communication skills. However, classmates' communication skills exerted an indirect influence by enhancing individual communicative abilities. Further analyses suggested classroom contextual effects related to a decrease in several sub‐domains of challenging behaviour.

Conclusions

The study results suggest that both individual communicative competences and those of the classroom context are relevant to understanding challenging behaviour development in ID. Perspectives for counteracting such behaviour in light of the present findings are discussed.
Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity Meets the Zero Lower Bound
Authors: AMANO ROBERT , GNOCCHI STEFANO
Published: February 2022

We add downward nominal wage rigidity to a standard New Keynesian model where the zero lower bound on nominal interest rates is allowed to bind. Wage rigidity reduces the frequency of zero bound episodes but also mitigates the severity of corresponding recessions. As a result, previous studies abstracting from the presence of wage rigidity may have overemphasized the need for increasing the inflation target to offset the costs associated with hitting the zero bound. Moreover, our findings add to the recent debate on the presumed benefits of wage flexibility that has arisen in the aftermath of the Great Recession.
Relationship between resilience and self‐care in people with chronic conditions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jin Yuanyuan , Bhattarai Muna , Kuo Wan‐chin , Bratzke Lisa C.
Published: February 2022

Background

Living with chronic condition(s) is difficult, due in part to the complexities of effective disease self‐care. Self‐care has been considered a challenging process according to the literature which describes multiple barriers patients with chronic conditions experience. Resilience has the potential to buffer the adversities of daily self‐care and maintain physical and emotional well‐being. No systematic review and meta‐analysis have been conducted to synthesise and quantify the relationship between resilience and self‐care across chronic conditions.

Aims

(1) To examine how the definitions and measurements of self‐care and resilience align with the middle‐range theory of self‐care of chronic illness (i.e. self‐care maintenance, self‐care monitoring, and self‐care management) and 3 Rs of resilience process from the society‐to‐cells framework (i.e. resistance, recovery and rebound) across different chronic conditions; and (2) to examine whether and the degree to which resilience is correlated with self‐care across different chronic conditions.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis, following PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

PubMed, CINAHL, SocINDEX and PsychINFO were searched for quantitative studies published from January 2000 through July 2020. Descriptive data were summarised using numerical counting to provide an overview of the study characteristics. Definitions and measurements of self‐care and resilience were synthesised narratively based on self‐care and resilience theories. Numerical data with Pearson's product–moment correlation among observational studies were examined using meta‐analysis.

Results

This review included 20 articles, involving 9,269 individuals across 11 chronic conditions. Despite self‐care and resilience being defined and operationalised in a variety of ways, most definitions shared some underlying core constructs. Meta‐analysis showed a positive relationship between resilience and self‐care across chronic conditions. Findings from interventional studies indicated a bidirectional relationship between resilience and self‐care.

Conclusions

Overall, resilience was positively associated with self‐care in people with chronic conditions. Longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to better understand the causal relationship between resilience and self‐care.

Relevant to clinical practice

Resilience has the potential to buffer the adversities of daily self‐care and maintain physical and emotional well‐being. The positive relationship between resilience and self‐care found in this review provides preliminary evidence for clinicians to not only focus on reducing barriers and risk factors of self‐care but also to improve or increase patients’ resilience through various evidence‐based interventions.
ITGA7, CD133, ALDH1 are inter‐correlated, and linked with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis as well as worse survival in surgical cervical cancer
Authors: Yuan Na , Wang Lei , Xi Qiang , Zou Niandong , Zhang Xianyu , Lu Xiurong , Zhang Zhilin
Published: February 2022

Aim

Integrin alpha 7 (ITGA7) regulates cancer stemness and metastasis in several malignancies, while its role in cervical cancer is obscure. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the correlation among ITGA7, cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133), and aldehyde dehydrogenase isoform 1 (ALDH1), as well as their relation to tumor features and survival in cervical cancer patients.

Methods

A total of 133 surgical cervical cancer patients were enrolled. Tumor ITGA7, CD133, and ALDH1 expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, the clinicopathological features, disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were collected.

Results

ITGA7 expression positively related to CD133 expression (p = 0.040) and ALDH1 expression (p < 0.001). Besides, ITGA7 (p = 0.001), CD133 (p = 0.016), and ALDH1 (p = 0.009) high expressions linked with poor tumor differentiation; meanwhile, ITGA7 (p = 0.010) and ALDH1 (p = 0.004) high expressions correlated with more prevalence of lymph node metastasis. However, ITGA7, CD133, or ALDH1 expression was not associated with other clinicopathological features. Inspiringly, it was worth noting that ITGA7 (p = 0.009), CD133 (p = 0.041), and ALDH1 (p = 0.035) high expressions predicted unfavorable DFS; meanwhile, both ITGA7 (p = 0.021) and ALDH1 (p = 0.023) high expressions but not CD133 expression (p = 0.169) forecasted exasperated OS.

Conclusion

ITGA7, CD133, ALDH1 are inter‐correlated, and linked with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis as well as worse survival in surgical cervical cancer.
Low antispike antibody levels correlate with poor outcomes in COVID‐19 breakthrough hospitalizations
Authors: Sanghavi Devang K. , Bhakta Shivang , Wadei Hani M. , Bosch Wendelyn , Cowart Jennifer B. , Carter Rickey E. , Shah Sadia Z. , Pollock Benjamin D. , Neville Matthew R. , Oman Sven P. , Speicher Leigh , Siegel Jason , Scindia Ameya D. , Libertin Claudia R. , Kunze Katie L. , Johnson Patrick W. , Matson Mark W. , Franco Pablo Moreno
Published: February 2022

Background

While COVID‐19 immunization programs attempted to reach targeted rates, cases rose significantly since the emergence of the delta variant. This retrospective cohort study describes the correlation between antispike antibodies and outcomes of hospitalized, breakthrough cases during the delta variant surge.

Methods

All patients with positive SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reaction hospitalized at Mayo Clinic Florida from 19 June 2021 to 11 November 2021 were considered for analysis. Cases were analyzed by vaccination status. Breakthrough cases were then analyzed by low and high antibody titers against SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein, with a cut‐off value of ≥132 U/ml. Outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS), need for intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation, and mortality. We used 1:1 nearest neighbor propensity score matching without replacement to assess for confounders.

Results

Among 627 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19, vaccine breakthrough cases were older with more comorbidities compared to unvaccinated. After propensity score matching, the unvaccinated patients had higher mortality (27 [28.4%] vs. 12 [12.6%], p = 0.002) and LOS (7 [1.0–57.0] vs. 5 [1.0–31.0] days, p = 0.011). In breakthrough cases, low‐titer patients were more likely to be solid organ transplant recipients (16 [34.0%] vs. 9 [12.3%], p = 0.006), with higher need for ICU care (24 [51.1%] vs. 22 [11.0%], p = 0.034), longer hospital LOS (median 6 vs. 5 days, p = 0.013), and higher mortality (10 [21.3%] vs. 5 [6.8%], p = 0.025) than high‐titer patients.

Conclusions

Hospitalized breakthrough cases were more likely to have underlying risk factors than unvaccinated patients. Low‐spike antibody titers may serve as an indicator for poor prognosis in breakthrough cases admitted to the hospital.
Politicians and Scandals that Damage the Party Brand
Authors: Schönhage Nanna Lauritz , Geys Benny
Published: February 2022

Scandals can cause serious damage to political parties’ brand name and reputation, which may taint all members of the party—even those not implicated in the scandal. In this article, we therefore explore how (uninvolved) politicians are likely to react to the eruption of such events. Building on a survey among UK local councilors (N = 2133), we first document the prevalence of distinct response strategies (such as distancing oneself from the scandal‐hit party or redirecting attention to similar events in other parties). Then, building on a between‐subject survey‐experimental design, we assess the moderating roles of partisanship and scandal type. We show that a scandal in one’s own party reduces the probability of distancing oneself from the scandal‐hit party (particularly among men). We also find that scandal type matters: pointing out similar scandals in other parties is less likely for sex scandals compared to financial scandals (particularly among women).
Effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists on body weight in adults with obesity without diabetes mellitus—a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Iqbal Junaid , Wu Hui‐Xuan , Hu Nan , Zhou Ying‐Hui , Li Long , Xiao Fen , Wang Ting , Jiang Hong‐Li , Xu Shi‐Na , Huang Bi‐Ling , Zhou Hou‐De
Published: February 2022

Clinical trials have investigated the weight loss effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RA) in adults with obesity without diabetes mellitus, but results for weight loss efficacy were varied. We aimed to provide an up‐to‐date systematic review and meta‐analysis for overall weight loss effect of GLP‐1 RA in adults with obesity and overweight without diabetes mellitus. We retrieved eligible randomized control trials that assessed the weight loss effect of GLP‐1 RA in adults (≥18 years old) without type 1/type 2 diabetes up to September 30, 2021, using Pubmed and Embase. Of 36 clinical trials assessed for eligibility, 12 trials were included, with a combined total of 11,459 participants. Compared with control groups, a more significant weight loss was seen in GLP‐1 RA groups with an overall mean difference of −7.1 kg (95% CI −9.2 to −5.0) (I2 = 99%). The overall analysis results showed that GLP‐1 RA improved glycemic control without increasing the risk of hypoglycemic events. Better control of blood pressure and plasma levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides was seen with GLP‐1 RA treatment. Subgroup analysis showed greater treatment effect of semaglutide than liraglutide. Vomiting, nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain were GLP‐1 RA‐associated common adverse effects.
Innovating the Collection of Open-Ended Answers: The Linguistic and Content Characteristics of Written and Oral Answers to Political Attitude Questions
Authors: Gavras Konstantin , Höhne Jan Karem , Blom Annelies G. , Schoen Harald
Published: February 2022

The rapid increase in smartphone surveys and technological developments open novel opportunities for collecting survey answers. One of these opportunities is the use of open-ended questions with requests for oral instead of written answers, which may facilitate the answer process and result in more in-depth and unfiltered information. Whereas it is now possible to collect oral answers on smartphones, we still lack studies on the impact of this novel answer format on the characteristics of respondents' answers. In this study, we compare the linguistic and content characteristics of written versus oral answers to political attitude questions. For this purpose, we conducted an experiment in a smartphone survey (N = 2402) and randomly assigned respondents to an answer format (written or oral). Oral answers were collected via the open source ‘SurveyVoice (SVoice)’ tool, whereas written answers were typed in via the smartphone keypad. Applying length analysis, lexical structure analysis, sentiment analysis and structural topic models, our results reveal that written and oral answers differ substantially from each other in terms of lengths, structures, sentiments and topics. We find evidence that written answers are characterized by an intentional and conscious answering, whereas oral answers are characterized by an intuitive and spontaneous answering.
The novel HLA class II allele, DPB1*1284:01, identified using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Yang Guang , Abu‐Khader Ahmad , Burns Caitlyn , Galaszkiewicz Iwona , Berka Noureddine
Published: February 2022

Our laboratory has identified DPB1*1284:01 as a novel HLA Class II allele by NGS.
MICROBIAL SURFACTANTS: CLASSIFICATIONS, PROPERTIES, RECOVERY, AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: Khamis Nurazeerah , Abdul Rahim Ainihayati , Ibrahim Noor Azlina , Pahirul Zaman Khomaizon Abdul Kadir
Published: February 2022

Surface-active agents or surfactants are amphiphilic compounds derived naturally or chemically synthesized. Natural surfactants or so-called biosurfactants can be obtained from bacteria, yeasts, and fungi as well as plants. Due to their hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules, biosurfactants offer the ability to reduce surface or interfacial tension and create microemulsion between aqueous and organic phases. Many studies have suggested biosurfactants as a better substitution to chemical surfactants since they are more environment friendly, biocompatible, and has lower toxicity. This review article is provided to introduce some general information regarding microbial-derived biosurfactants including five main classes of biosurfactants and several distinctive properties that confer them as promising surface-active agents. Due to their diverse molecular structures, biosurfactants have been applied in various applications. Thus, several common biosurfactant recovery methods are discussed and examples of biosurfactant applications in hydrocarbon removal as well as in industrial processing are highlighted.
MAGNETO-RHEOLOGICAL (MR) DAMPER – PARAMETRIC MODELLING AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION FOR LORD RD 8040-1
Authors: Mohd Yamin Ahmad Hafizal , Ab Talib Mat Hussin , Mat Darus Intan Zaurah , Mohd Nor Nur Safwati
Published: February 2022

Magneto-rheological (MR) fluid technology has significantly developed during the past decades. The application of MR fluids has proliferated in various engineering fields with the development of MR fluid-based devices, especially MR fluid dampers. MR dampers are semi-active devices used for vibration reduction in many engineering applications. The MR dampers could offer an outstanding capability in semi-active vibration control due to excellent dynamical features such as fast response, low power consumption, and simple interfaces between electronic input and mechanical output. Modelling of MR damper is crucial in describing MR damper’s behaviour. It is critical to comprehend the dynamic behaviour of these devices, as nonlinear hysteresis is a rather complex phenomenon. The Modified Bouc-Wen model represents the MR damper mathematically since this model is capable of performing as precisely as the non-parametric model. The Modified Bouc-Wen model parameters are damper dependent and must be defined for further simulation studies before utilising the damper. Validation of MR damper experimentally is one of the tasks required to confirm the parametric model performance. The specified parameters are believed to be worthwhile for this MR damper’s use in further studies of real-time semi-active (SA) suspension systems. The small values of percentage difference for force (0.5-3.5%) indicate that the parameters implemented in the Modified Bouc-Wen model accurately portray the characteristics and behaviour of the MR damper.
THE HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS FOR VEGETATIVE CHANNEL WITH GRAVEL BED DUNES
Authors: Mohd Yusof Muhammad Azizol , Sharil Suraya , Wan Mohtar Wan Hanna Melini
Published: February 2022

Aquatic plants are known to provide flow resistance and impact the turbulence intensity and turbulent kinetic energy within the vegetated area. This paper further investigates the impact of both vegetation and dunes in open channels to the hydrodynamic characteristic of flow. Emergent vegetations were built from rigid wooden rod in staggered arrangement with 0.5% vegetations density were applied in the flume. Experiments were conducted with flow rate of 0.0058 m3/s throughout the experiments. Dunes were constructed from gravel of 2 mm size diameter in the shape of standing waves of three different lee slope angles of 3⁰, 6⁰ and 9⁰. Flow velocities are measured by using a velocimeter to get the raw data for the three-dimensional flow velocity in the x, y, and z directions. The velocities data were then analysed to calculate the mean velocity, turbulence intensity and turbulent kinetic energy.  Experimental results showed that, for all three lee slope angles presented higher flow velocity in the vegetated channel compared to the non-vegetated channel. It was also found that greater lee slope angle dunes generate higher velocity for both channels with and without vegetation. Higher turbulence intensity can be found near the bed area and greater turbulence intensity also shown in the positive slope of a dunes compared to negative slope area. Higher turbulent kinetic energy values were recorded within the vegetated channel compared to the non-vegetated channels.
INVESTIGATION ON THE BARRIERS OF CRUMB RUBBER USAGE FOR ROADS CONSTRUCTION: CASE STUDY AT SABAH
Authors: Gungat Lillian , Dinola Dagul Melbourne , Eka Putri Elsa
Published: February 2022

The usage of crumb rubber in road construction has been widely acknowledged and extensively implemented globally and even locally in Malaysia due to the substantial benefits and versatility of this material contribution in road works. Even though the used of crumb rubber material in road works has been reported since the 1950s, in Malaysia, the implementation of rubberised roads technology concept have been limited and emphasised only in Peninsular Malaysia. In contrast, there have been no recorded trials or construction inroads applying this technology in Sabah. Therefore, there is a necessity to investigate the awareness, advantages, barriers, strategies, and personal opinion regarding crumb rubber usage in the road's construction of Sabah. Questionnaire surveys and structured interviews from stakeholders of the construction industries within Sabah were conducted. The quantitative data collected was tested by descriptive statistics frequencies analysis respective to each section. Further assessment on Cronbach's Alpha test, mean value comparison, relative important index, chi-square test and regression analysis were performed to interested sections. Findings showed that the main advantages and barrier were environmentally friendly factor and financial barriers. Hence respondents propose that guidelines and construction standards as a guidance for the local road agency to be available.
DEVELOPMENT OF CASCADED VOLTAGE DOUBLER RECTIFIER FOR RF ENERGY HARVESTING
Authors: Adam Ismahayati , Mohd Yasin Mohd Najib , Ibrahim Siti Zuraidah , Haris Norshakila
Published: February 2022

Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting is a process where RF energy from the ambient source is collected and converted into an electrical energy by using a rectifier circuit. However, the collected RF energy only supplies very low input power. Therefore, it is important to design a circuit that not only rectified the RF signal, but also with amplified characteristic to obtain a higher output voltage from a low input power. Driven by the increasing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices operating in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, the presented rectifier circuit in this paper is designed in the same band as well. Initially, the voltage doubler circuit is chosen as the primary rectifier circuit, afterward cascaded into several stages until the most optimized result is obtained. The optimization is investigated across -30 dBm to 0 dBm of RF input power by varying the value of capacitor and resistor at a single stage. Based on the topology analysis, Dickson topology yields slightly higher voltage compared to Villard. In turn, the optimized number of stages is 6 because higher stages resulted to less output power. The measured reflection coefficient of the fabricated prototype is better than 40 dB at the center frequency with 240 MHz bandwidth. The rectified voltage is 3.4 V with 0 dBm input power. When it is supplied by 5 dBm input power, the green LED that connected to rectifier circuit output is light-up, confirming the RF energy harvesting application.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF NET-ZERO ENERGY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN HOT AND HUMID CLIMATES: A CASE STUDY OF IRAN
Authors: Mohammadi Amin , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad
Published: February 2022

The use of solar energy in buildings is a good alternative to fossil fuels considering the geographical location of Iran. The present research evaluated the feasibility of net-zero energy residential buildings in southern Iran using a distinct framework. To this end, a low-energy and simulated model of a multi-family residential building as the dominant typology in Bushehr city equipped with combined (active and passive) solutions were used in Design Builder software for optimizing energy consumption. Annual electricity consumption of this simulated model was reduced by 48% using very low power density appliances and an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) water heater with an Energy Star label to supply hot water. Then, a grid-connected PV system with a capacity of 29 kW was used to provide the annual electricity demand. The results indicate that this system annually generates 52 MWh of electricity that not only covers the annual electricity demand but also sends 5.8 MWh of additional electricity to the grid. The Economic analysis indicates that the payback period in this project will be very long. Therefore, achieving NZEBs in southern Iran is technically feasible but, from the economic point of view, it depends on the provision of the economic infrastructures.
Selective activation of BK channels in small‐headed dendritic spines suppresses excitatory postsynaptic potentials
Authors: Tazerart Sabrina , Blanchard Maxime G. , Miranda‐Rottmann Soledad , Mitchell Diana E. , Navea Pina Bruno , Thomas Connon I. , Kamasawa Naomi , Araya Roberto
Published: February 2022

Dendritic spines are the main receptacles of excitatory information in the brain. Their particular morphology, with a small head connected to the dendrite by a slender neck, has inspired theoretical and experimental work to understand how these structural features affect the processing, storage and integration of synaptic inputs in pyramidal neurons (PNs). The activation of glutamate receptors in spines triggers a large voltage change as well as calcium signals at the spine head. Thus, voltage‐gated and calcium‐activated potassium channels located in the spine head likely play a key role in synaptic transmission. Here we study the presence and function of large conductance calcium‐activated potassium (BK) channels in spines from layer 5 PNs. We found that BK channels are localized to dendrites and spines regardless of their size, but their activity can only be detected in spines with small head volumes (≤0.09 μm3), which reduces the amplitude of two‐photon uncaging excitatory postsynaptic potentials recorded at the soma. In addition, we found that calcium signals in spines with small head volumes are significantly larger than those observed in spines with larger head volumes. In accordance with our experimental data, numerical simulations predict that synaptic inputs impinging onto spines with small head volumes generate voltage responses and calcium signals within the spine head itself that are significantly larger than those observed in spines with larger head volumes, which are sufficient to activate spine BK channels. These results show that BK channels are selectively activated in small‐headed spines, suggesting a new level of dendritic spine‐mediated regulation of synaptic processing, integration and plasticity in cortical PNs.

Key points

BK channels are expressed in the visual cortex and layer 5 pyramidal neuron somata, dendrites and spines regardless of their size.

BK channels are selectively activated in small‐headed spines (≤0.09 μm3), which reduces the amplitude of two‐photon (2P) uncaging excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded at the soma.

Two‐photon imaging revealed that intracellular calcium responses in the head of 2P‐activated spines are significantly larger in small‐headed spines (≤0.09 μm3) than in spines with larger head volumes.

In accordance with our experimental data, numerical simulations showed that synaptic inputs impinging onto spines with small head volumes (≤0.09 μm3) generate voltage responses and calcium signals within the spine head itself that are significantly larger than those observed in spines with larger head volumes, sufficient to activate spine BK channels and suppress EPSPs.
Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate prevents pregnancy loss by inducing decidual COX-2
+
macrophage differentiation
Authors: Zhou Wen-Jie , Yang Hui-Li , Mei Jie , Chang Kai-Kai , Lu Han , Lai Zhen-Zhen , Shi Jia-Wei , Wang Xiao-Hui , Wu Ke , Zhang Tao , Wang Jian , Sun Jian-Song , Ye Jiang-Feng , Li Da-Jin , Zhao Jian-Yuan , Jin Li-Ping , Li Ming-Qing
Published: February 2022

Decidualization is an intricate biological process in which extensive remodeling of the endometrium occurs to support the development of an implanting blastocyst. However, the immunometabolic mechanisms underlying this process are still largely unknown. We found that the decidualization process is accompanied by the accumulation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). The combination of FBP with pyruvate kinase M stimulated IL-27 secretion by endometrial stromal cells in an ERK/c-FOS–dependent manner. IL-27 induced decidual COX-2
+
M2-like macrophage differentiation, which promotes decidualization, trophoblast invasion, and maternal-fetal tolerance. Transfer of
Ptgs2
+
/COX-2
+
macrophages prevented fetal loss in
Il27ra
-deleted pregnant mice. FBP levels were low in plasma and decidual tissues of patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. In therapeutic studies, FBP supplementation significantly improved embryo loss by up-regulation of IL-27–induced COX-2
+
macrophage differentiation in a mouse model of spontaneous abortion. These findings collectively provide a scientific basis for a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent pregnancy loss.
Prenatal environmental conditions underlie alternative reproductive tactics that drive the formation of a mixed-kin cooperative society
Authors: Shah Shailee S. , Rubenstein Dustin R.
Published: February 2022

Although animal societies often evolve due to limited natal dispersal that results in kin clustering and facilitates cooperation among relatives, many species form cooperative groups with low kin structure. These groups often comprise residents and immigrants of the same sex that compete for breeding opportunities. To understand how these mixed-kin societies form, we investigated the causes and fitness consequences of dispersal decisions in male cooperatively breeding superb starlings (
Lamprotornis superbus
) inhabiting a climatically unpredictable environment. We show that the two alternative reproductive tactics—natal dispersal or philopatry—exhibit reproductive trade-offs resulting in equivalent lifetime inclusive fitness. Unexpectedly, an individual’s tactic is related to the prenatal environment its parents experience before laying rather than the environment it experiences as a juvenile. Individuals that adopt the tactic not predicted by prenatal environmental conditions have lower fitness. Ultimately, climate-driven oscillating selection appears to stabilize mixed-kin societies despite the potential for social conflict.
Metabolic cross-feeding structures the assembly of polysaccharide degrading communities
Authors: Pontrelli Sammy , Szabo Rachel , Pollak Shaul , Schwartzman Julia , Ledezma-Tejeida Daniela , Cordero Otto X. , Sauer Uwe
Published: February 2022

Metabolic processes that fuel the growth of heterotrophic microbial communities are initiated by specialized biopolymer degraders that decompose complex forms of organic matter. It is unclear, however, to what extent degraders structure the downstream assembly of the community that follows polymer breakdown. Investigating a model marine microbial community that degrades chitin, we show that chitinases secreted by different degraders produce oligomers of specific chain lengths that not only select for specialized consumers but also influence the metabolites secreted by these consumers into a shared resource pool. Each species participating in the breakdown cascade exhibits unique hierarchical preferences for substrates, which underlies the sequential colonization of metabolically distinct groups as resource availability changes over time. By identifying the metabolic underpinnings of microbial community assembly, we reveal a hierarchical cross-feeding structure that allows biopolymer degraders to shape the dynamics of community assembly.