bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial light at night does not alter heart rate or locomotor behaviour in Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus): insights into light pollution and physiological disturbance using biologgers
Authors: Steell S Clay , Cooke Steven J , Eliason Erika J
Published: October 2020

Light pollution is a rapidly growing threat to biodiversity, with many unknown or poorly understood effects on species and ecosystems spanning terrestrial and aquatic environments. Relative to other taxa, the effects of artificial light at night on aquatic invertebrates are poorly understood, despite the abundance and integral significance of invertebrates to marine and freshwater ecosystems. We affixed heart rate and acceleration biologgers to adult Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), an ecologically, culturally and economically significant species in the western Atlantic ocean, to test the effect of artificial light at night on this species’ physiology and behaviour relative to appropriate controls. The experiment was conducted in a simulated reef mesocosm in The Bahamas with incandescent lighting used to illuminate it at 1 lux, approximating light levels offshore of urban areas. In the conditions tested here, artificial light at night was found to have no effect on heart rate or locomotor activity in P. argus. We observed a dissociation between activity and heart rate at both short-term and long-term temporal scales. Lobsters were more active at night and nocturnal activity was higher in trials closer to new moon; however, heart rate did not vary with diel or lunar cycle. There was less than 8% difference between daytime and night time average heart rate despite the average percentage of time spent active almost tripling in nights versus days, to 19.5% from 7.2%, respectively. Our findings suggest P. argus may have some resilience to low levels of light pollution, which warrants further research on aspects of this species’ life history, performance and fitness in the face of this potential anthropogenic disturbance.
My Gain or Your Loss? Changes in within-Couple Relative Wealth and Partners’ Life Satisfaction
Authors: Tisch Daria
Published: October 2020

This article studies the relationship between partner’s wealth share and their life satisfaction in different-sex couples using the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017). Resource-based theories and gender ideology are two prominent approaches to explain the effects of within-couple relative resources on various outcomes. Recently, scholars have argued that not relative but absolute personal resources are the crucial factor (autonomy perspective). Testing these different approaches is challenging because relative wealth mathematically perfectly depends on both partners’ absolute wealth, meaning the effects of relative and absolute wealth are hard to disentangle. To accurately test the theoretical approaches, this study analyses the relationship between relative wealth and life satisfaction under different conditions, such as whether relative wealth increases due to an increase in one’s own absolute wealth or a decrease in one’s partner’s absolute wealth. Individual fixed effects regressions show no statistically significant relationships between relative wealth and life satisfaction for men. In contrast, for women the relationship between their relative wealth and life satisfaction is significantly positive, in line with resource-based theories and the autonomy perspective. Further analyses reveal that this relationship is driven rather by changes in women’s own than in their partner’s absolute wealth.
Temporal and spatial interactions modulate the soybean microbiome
Authors: Moroenyane Itumeleng , Tremblay Julien , Yergeau Étienne
Published: October 2020

Managed agricultural ecosystems are unique systems where crops and microbes are intrinsically linked. This study focuses on discerning microbiome successional patterns across all plant organs and tests for evidence of niche differentiation along temporal and spatial axes. Soybean plants were grown in an environmental chamber till seed maturation. Samples from various developmental stages (emergence, growth, flowering and maturation) and compartments (leaf, stem, root and rhizosphere) were collected. Community structure and composition were assessed with 16S rRNA gene and ITS region amplicon sequencing. Overall, the interaction between spatial and temporal dynamics modulated alpha and beta diversity patterns. Time lag analysis on measured diversity indices highlighted a strong temporal dependence of communities. Spatial and temporal interactions influenced the relative abundance of the most abundant genera, whilst random forest predictions reinforced the observed localisation patterns of abundant genera. Overall, our results show that spatial and temporal interactions tend to maintain high levels of biodiversity within the bacterial/archaeal community, whilst in fungal communities OTUs within the same genus tend to have overlapping niches.
Campylobacter jejuni persistently colonizes gnotobiotic altered Schaedler flora C3H/HeN mice and induces mild colitis
Authors: Wymore Brand Meghan , Sahin Orhan , Hostetter Jesse M , Trachsel Julian , Zhang Qijing , Wannemuehler Michael J
Published: October 2020

Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of food-borne human bacterial gastroenteritis but animal models for C. jejuni mediated disease remain limited because C. jejuni poorly colonizes immunocompetent, conventionally-reared (Conv-R) mice. Thus, a reliable rodent model (i.e. persistent colonization) is desirable in order to evaluate C. jejuni-mediated gastrointestinal disease and mechanisms of pathogenicity. As the nature and complexity of the microbiota likely impacts colonization resistance for C. jejuni, Conv-R and gnotobiotic C3H/HeN mice were used to evaluate the persistence of C. jejuni colonization and development of disease. A total of four C. jejuni isolates readily and persistently colonized ASF mice and induced mild mucosal inflammation in the proximal colon, but C. jejuni did not stably colonize nor induce lesions in Conv-R mice. This suggests that the pathogenesis of C. jejuni is influenced by the microbiota, and that ASF mice offer a reproducible model to study the influence of the microbiota on the ability of C. jejuni to colonize the gut and to mediate gastroenteritis.
Study on the relationships between molecular weights of chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharides and Aβ-induced oxidative stress and the related mechanisms
Authors: Zhao Na , Meng Jie , Jiang Wenjie , Xu Wenjia , Liu Chunhui , Wang Fengshan
Published: October 2020

In the present study, we studied anti-Alzheimer′s disease (AD) activities of chondroitin sulfate (CS) oligosaccharides with different molecular weights. CS from shark cartilage was degraded by a recombinant CS endolyase, chondroitinase ABC I (CHSase ABC I), and CS disaccharide (DP2), tetrasaccharide (DP4), hexasaccharide (DP6), octasaccharide (DP8), decasaccharide (DP10) and dodecasaccharide (DP12) were obtained by separation with gel filtration. Anti-AD activities of CS oligosaccharides were assessed using Aβ-injured SH-SY5Y cells and BV2 cells. It was shown that CS oligosaccharides could block Aβ-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathway for SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, these activities increased with the increase of molecular weights. For Aβ-injured BV2 cells, CS oligosaccharides inhibited oxidative stress, the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of toll-like receptor pathway, and CS DP2 had the best activity among them. In conclusion, CS oligosaccharides suppressed Aβ-induced oxidative stress and relevant injury in vitro, and these effects had different relationships with the molecular weights of CS oligosaccharides for different cell lines, which might be caused by different mechanisms.
Does health literacy explain regional health disparities among adolescents in Finland?
Authors: Simonsen Nina , Wackström Nanna , Roos Eva , Suominen Sakari , Välimaa Raili , Tynjälä Jorma , Paakkari Leena
Published: October 2020

Health literacy (HL)—as a broad range of health-related competencies—has been proposed to be a promising construct in understanding health disparities better, also among adolescents. Several factors have been found to explain differences in adolescents’ HL levels; however, not much is known about how different regions of a country or majority/minority status is associated with HL, or whether HL is associated with regional health disparities. The aim of this study was to examine and compare HL and health levels among majority- and minority-language-speaking adolescents living in different regions of Finland, and to explore if HL explains regional health disparities, taking into account other important structural stratifying factors. The study uses Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey data, collected among 13- and 15-year-old pupils in Finnish- and Swedish-speaking schools in Finland in 2014 (N = 3853/1123; 85/83%). Findings suggest that regional differences in HL levels and regional health disparities exist in both language groups. Health disparities were present in the Finnish-speaking sample among boys, the proportion rating their health as excellent ranging from 23 to 31% across regions, and in the Swedish-speaking sample among girls, the corresponding numbers ranging from 13 to 20%. In addition to other important structural stratifying factors, comprehensive HL explains these regional health disparities. This study adds to prior studies on the role of HL as a modifiable health resource by showing that regional health disparities among adolescents can partially be attributed to corresponding HL differences.
Statistical Hyperbolicity for Harmonic Measure
Authors: Azemar Aitor , Gadre Vaibhav , Jeffreys Luke
Published: October 2020

We consider harmonic measures that arise from random walks on the mapping class group determined by probability distributions that have finite first moments with respect to the Teichmüller metric and whose supports generate nonelementary subgroups. We prove that Teichmüller space with the Teichmüller metric is statistically hyperbolic for such a harmonic measure.
Association Between Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Viremia And Human Immunodeficiency Virus DNA Levels in the Reservoir of Kenyan Infants Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Slyker Jennifer A , Guthrie Brandon , Pankau Mark , Tapia Kenneth , Wamalwa Dalton , Benki-Nugent Sarah , Ngugi Evelyn , Huang Meei-Li , Njuguna Irene , Langat Agnes , John-Stewart Grace , Lehman Dara
Published: October 2020

Identifying determinants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir levels may inform novel viral eradication strategies. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) coinfections were assessed as predictors of HIV proviral DNA level in 26 HIV RNA–suppressed Kenyan children starting antiretroviral therapy before 7 months of age. Earlier acquisition of CMV and EBV and higher cumulative burden of systemic EBV DNA viremia were each associated with higher HIV DNA level in the reservoir after 24 months of antiretroviral therapy, independent of HIV RNA levels over time. These data suggest that delaying or containing CMV and EBV viremia may be novel strategies to limit HIV reservoir formation.
An Italian, multicenter, real-world, retrospective study of first-line pazopanib in unselected metastatic renal-cell carcinoma patients: the ‘Pamerit’ study
Authors: Mosca Alessandra , De Giorgi Ugo , Procopio Giuseppe , Basso Umberto , Cartenì Giacomo , Bersanelli Melissa , Naglieri Emanuele , Galli Luca , Caffo Orazio , Fornarini Giuseppe , Boccardo Francesco , Porta Camillo
Published: October 2020

Objective

Despite the current immunotherapy era, VEGFR inhibitors maintain effectiveness in metastatic renal cell cancer. Real-world data concerning pazopanib are limited. The aim of this study is to add information about efficacy and safety of pazopanib as first-line treatment in metastatic renal cell cancer patients not enrolled into clinical trials.

Methods

Retrospective analysis (the PAMERIT study) of first-line pazopanib in real-world metastatic renal cell cancer patients among 39 Centers in Italy. Outcomes were progression-free survival, overall survival, objective response rate and treatment-related adverse events. Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank test and multivariable Cox’s models were used and adjusted for age, histology, previous renal surgery, International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium score and pazopanib initial dose.

Results

Among 474 patients, 87.3% had clear cell metastatic renal cell cancer histology. Most of them (84.6%) had upfront renal surgery. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 15.8 and 34.4 months, respectively, significantly correlating with International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium’s good prognosis (P < 0.001), ECOG PS 0 (P < 0.001), age (<75 years, P = 0.005), surgery (P < 0.001) and response to pazopanib (P < 0.001). After 3 months of pazopanib, overall disease control rate have been observed in 76.6% patients. Among International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium’s favorable group patients, 57/121 (47%) showed complete/partial response. No unexpected AEs emerged.

Conclusions

In this real-world study, metastatic renal cell cancer patients treated with first-line pazopanib reached greater progression-free survival and overall survival than in pivotal studies and had high response rates when belonging to International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium’s favorable group, without new toxicities. Pazopanib has been confirmed a valid first-line option for International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium’s good prognosis metastatic renal cell cancer patients who cannot be submitted to immunotherapy.
Targeted expression of the arsenate reductase HAC1 identifies cell type specificity of arsenic metabolism and transport in plant roots
Authors: Fischer Sina , Sánchez-Bermejo Eduardo , Xu Xuejie , Flis Paulina , Ramakrishna Priya , Guerinot Mary Lou , Zhao Fang-Jie , Salt David E
Published: October 2020

High Arsenic Concentration 1 (HAC1), an Arabidopsis thaliana arsenate reductase, plays a key role in arsenate [As(V)] tolerance. Through conversion of As(V) to arsenite [As(III)], HAC1 enables As(III) export from roots, and restricts translocation of As(V) to shoots. To probe the ability of different root tissues to detoxify As(III) produced by HAC1, we generated A. thaliana lines expressing HAC1 in different cell types. We investigated the As(V) tolerance phenotypes: root growth, As(III) efflux, As translocation, and As chemical speciation. We showed that HAC1 can function in the outer tissues of the root (epidermis, cortex, and endodermis) to confer As(V) tolerance, As(III) efflux, and limit As accumulation in shoots. HAC1 is less effective in the stele at conferring As(V) tolerance phenotypes. The exception is HAC1 activity in the protoxylem, which we found to be sufficient to restrict As translocation, but not to confer As(V) tolerance. In conclusion, we describe cell type-specific functions of HAC1 that spatially separate the control of As(V) tolerance and As translocation. Further, we identify a key function of protoxylem cells in As(V) translocation, consistent with the model where endodermal passage cells, above protoxylem pericycle cells, form a ‘funnel’ loading nutrients and potentially toxic elements into the vasculature.
Feminist Storytelling and the Problem of White Feminism
Authors: Griffin Amanda
Published: October 2020

This article considers the problem of white feminism and how it is narrated. Part One argues that common strategies for solving this problem focus on reforming white feminist subjectivity; although these strategies have not achieved their desired effects, they remain popular because they narratively satisfy demands of feminist storytelling. They thus become traps. Part Two turns to literary studies for a methodological reorientation for Christian theology: away from ethics as a redemptive project pursued at the site of white feminist subjectivity, and toward a critical project that understands white womanhood as a textual figure in need of ongoing interpretation.
Hyperfine group ratio: a recipe for deriving kinetic temperature from the ammonia inversion lines
Authors: Wang Shen , Ren Zhiyuan , Li Di , Kauffmann Jens , Zhang Qizhou , Shi Hui
Published: October 2020

Although ammonia is a widely used interstellar thermometer, the estimation of its rotational and kinetic temperatures can be affected by the blended hyperfine components (HFCs). We have developed a new recipe, referred to as the hyperfine group ratio (HFGR), which utilizes only direct observables, namely the intensity ratios between the grouped HFCs. As tested on the model spectra, the empirical formulae in the HFGR can derive the rotational temperature (Trot) from the HFC group ratios in an unambiguous manner. We compared the HFGR with two other classical methods, intensity ratio and hyperfine fitting, based on both simulated spectra and real data. The HFGR has three major improvements. First, it does not require modelling the HFC or fitting the line profiles, so it is more robust against the effect of HFC blending. Second, the simulation-enabled empirical formulae are much faster than fitting the spectra over the parameter space, so both computer time and human time can be saved. Third, the statistical uncertainty of the temperature ΔTrot as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is a natural product of the HFGR recipe. The internal error of the HFGR is ΔTrot ≤ 0.5 K over a broad parameter space of rotational temperature (10–60 K), linewidth (0.3–4 km s−1) and optical depth (0–5). When there is spectral noise, the HFGR can also maintain a reasonable uncertainty level at ΔTrot ≤ 1.0 K when S/N > 4.
Cosmological parameter estimation via iterative emulation of likelihoods
Authors: Pellejero-Ibañez Marcos , Angulo Raul E , Aricó Giovanni , Zennaro Matteo , Contreras Sergio , Stücker Jens
Published: October 2020

The interpretation of cosmological observables requires the use of increasingly sophisticated theoretical models. Since these models are becoming computationally very expensive and display non-trivial uncertainties, the use of standard Bayesian algorithms for cosmological inferences, such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), might become inadequate. Here, we propose a new approach to parameter estimation based on an iterative Gaussian emulation of the target likelihood function. This requires a minimal number of likelihood evaluations and naturally accommodates for stochasticity in theoretical models. We apply the algorithm to estimate 9 parameters from the monopole and quadrupole of a mock power spectrum in redshift space. We obtain accurate posterior distribution functions with approximately 100 times fewer likelihood evaluations than an affine invariant MCMC, roughly independently from the dimensionality of the problem. We anticipate that our parameter estimation algorithm will accelerate the adoption of more accurate theoretical models in data analysis, enabling more comprehensive exploitation of cosmological observables.
Unit Equations on Quaternions
Authors: Huang Yifeng
Published: October 2020

A classical result about unit equations says that if Γ1 and Γ2 are finitely generated subgroups of ${\mathbb C}^\times$, then the equation x + y = 1 has only finitely many solutions with x ∈ Γ1 and y ∈ Γ2. We study a non-commutative analogue of the result, where $\Gamma_1,\Gamma_2$ are finitely generated subsemigroups of the multiplicative group of a quaternion algebra. We prove an analogous conclusion when both semigroups are generated by algebraic quaternions with norms greater than 1 and one of the semigroups is commutative. As an application in dynamics, we prove that if f and g are endomorphisms of a curve C of genus 1 over an algebraically closed field k, and deg( f), deg(g)≥ 2, then f and g have a common iterate if and only if some forward orbit of f on C(k) has infinite intersection with an orbit of g.
Associations of self-reported obstructive sleep apnea with total and site-specific cancer risk in older women: a prospective study
Authors: Huang Tianyi , Lin Brian M , Stampfer Meir J , Schernhammer Eva S , Saxena Richa , Tworoger Shelley S , Redline Susan
Published: October 2020

Background and Objectives

Chronic intermittent hypoxia resulting from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may activate multiple carcinogenic pathways and lead to cancer development.

Methods

We prospectively examined the association between OSA and cancer risk among 65,330 women in the Nurses’ Health Study who were free of cancer in 2008 (mean age: 73.3 years). Incident cancer diagnoses were collected until 2016 and confirmed by pathology reports. Clinically diagnosed OSA was self-reported in 2008 and updated in 2012. We used time-dependent Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for the associations of OSA with total and site-specific cancer risk.

Results

We documented 5,257 incident cancer diagnoses during follow-up. In the age-adjusted model, OSA was associated with a 15% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.29) increase in total cancer risk. The association became nonsignificant after adjustment for multiple cancer risk factors (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.21). When examining cancer risk by site, OSA was associated with significantly increased risk for lung (fully adjusted HR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.17), bladder (fully adjusted HR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.35), and thyroid cancer (fully adjusted HR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 4.22) and possibly increased risk for kidney cancer (fully adjusted HR: 1.59; 95% CI: 0.84, 3.01). When grouping cancer sites by risk factor profiles, OSA was positively associated with smoking-related cancers (fully adjusted HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.67), and this association was stronger in never smokers than ever smokers.

Conclusion

While OSA was not independently associated with overall cancer risk in older women, significant associations were observed for smoking-related cancers, especially in nonsmokers.
Associations between sleep apnea and advanced brain aging in a large-scale population study
Authors: Weihs Antoine , Frenzel Stefan , Wittfeld Katharina , Obst Anne , Stubbe Beate , Habes Mohamad , Szentkirályi András , Berger Klaus , Fietze Ingo , Penzel Thomas , Hosten Norbert , Ewert Ralf , Völzke Henry , Zacharias Helena U , Grabe Hans J
Published: October 2020

Advanced brain aging is commonly regarded as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Alzheimer’s dementia, and it was suggested that sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are significantly contributing factors to these neurodegenerative processes. To determine the association between OSA and advanced brain aging, we investigated the specific effect of two indices quantifying OSA, namely the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI), on brain age, a score quantifying age-related brain patterns in 169 brain regions, using magnetic resonance imaging and overnight polysomnography data from 690 participants (48.8% women, mean age 52.5 ± 13.4 years) of the Study of Health in Pomerania. We additionally investigated the mediating effect of subclinical inflammation parameters on these associations via a causal mediation analysis. AHI and ODI were both positively associated with brain age (AHI std. effect [95% CI]: 0.07 [0.03; 0.12], p-value: 0.002; ODI std. effect [95% CI]: 0.09 [0.04; 0.13], p-value: < 0.0003). The effects remained stable in the presence of various confounders such as diabetes and were partially mediated by the white blood cell count, indicating a subclinical inflammation process. Our results reveal an association between OSA and brain age, indicating subtle but widespread age-related changes in regional brain structures, in one of the largest general population studies to date, warranting further examination of OSA in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
Quality Assurance Through Standard Operating Procedures Development and Deviation: A Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Drake Stacy A. , Pierce Michal , Gumpeni Parmod , Giardino Eileen , Wolf Dwayne A.
Published: October 2020

Standard operating procedures drive everyday practice within any organization, including those within a forensic setting. In the event of unusual circumstances, organizations must respond rapidly to address the impact on operations while ensuring that the quality and safety outcomes of routine services are not affected. This case study illustrates how standard operating procedures can be newly developed or modified, and rapidly deployed and quickly revised, to address unusual circumstances. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic is used as an example in this case report.
Integration and Standardization of Clinical Nurse Specialists in a Multihospital System
Authors: Katlen Jennifer , Crosby Lauren , Singleton Kathleen , Simon Julie , Di Fiore Tina , Kennedy Kathleen , Haight Kelly , Will Beverly
Published: October 2020

Purposes/Objectives

In 2013, our multihospital system began the process to integrate and standardize clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice. The goal was to standardize work and to increase collaboration as part of one system.

Description of the Project/Program

An overall job description was established to provide a framework inclusive of the broad areas of practice. Clinical nurse specialists were positioned to support medical-surgical, critical care, or women and children's services offered at community-based hospitals. Main campus and community-based CNSs led significant system integration efforts such as the standardization of nursing policies and procedures across the health system. System CNSs were created to address the needs of specialties common to all hospitals. As an example, a system CNS collaborated with the main campus and community-based CNSs to improve the delirium screening process.

Outcome

Clinical nurse specialists across the system have been integrated into a single team and report to 1 central director. Efforts to leverage expertise included the creation of a CNS-led practice council, increased communication via regular departmental meetings, and the sharing of resources using electronic platforms. There is now a CNS at hospitals that previously did not have one. The group values the structure and opportunities it provides as evidenced by favorable engagement surveys.

Conclusion

Our integration efforts improved collaboration and could be modified to benefit other care settings.
EEG Resting-State and Event-Related Potentials as Markers of Learning Success in Older Adults Following Second Language Training: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kliesch Maria , Giroud Nathalie , Meyer Martin
Published: October 2020

In this pilot study, we evaluated the use of electrophysiological measures at rest as paradigm-independent predictors of L2 development for the first time in older adult learners. We then assessed EEG correlates of the learning outcome in a language-switching paradigm after the training, which to date has only been done in younger adults and at intermediate to advanced L2 proficiency. Ten (Swiss) German-speaking adults between 65-74 years of age participated in an intensive three-weeks English training for beginners. A resting-state EEG was recorded before the training to predict the ensuing L2 development (Experiment 1). A language-switching ERP experiment was conducted after the training to assess the learning outcome (Experiment 2). All participants improved their L2 skills but differed noticeably in their individual development. Experiment 1 showed that beta1 oscillations at rest (13-14.5Hz) predicted these individual differences. We interpret resting-state beta1 oscillations as correlates of attentional capacities and semantic working memory that facilitate the extraction and processing of novel forms and meanings from the L2 input. In Experiment 2, we found that language-switching from the L2 into the native language (L1) elicited an N400 component, which was reduced in the more advanced learners. Thus, for learners beginning the acquisition of an L2 in third age, language switching appears to become less effortful with increasing proficiency, suggesting that the lexicons of the L1 and L2 become more closely linked. In sum, our findings indicate that individual differences in L2 development and proficiency in older adults operate through similar electrophysiological mechanisms as those observed in younger adults.
Birthweight by gestational age reference centile charts for Greek neonates
Authors: Tsagkari A , Pateras K , Ladopoulou D , Kornarou E , Vlachadis N
Published: October 2020

Objective

The development of population based, sex-specific, birthweight for gestational age (GA) first-time reference centile charts for liveborn singletons in Greece.

Design

Secondary analysis of national birth registry data

Participants

Data of birthweight by GA of all 633201 singleton live births in Greece between 2011 and 2017 were collected from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

Main outcome measures

After excluding implausible birthweights, we estimated gender specific birthweight centiles for every gestational week from 22nd to 40th+ using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method via the GAMLSS package in R. Small (10th centile) and large-for GA (90th centile) cut-offs in certain gestational weeks were compared to previously published charts.

Results

More than 90% of the 621043 neonates were born at term (>37 weeks of GA). The mean birthweight for boys and girls at 40+ weeks of GA were 3473 grams and 3327 grams respectively. Most neonates were born at 38 weeks of GA with a mean birth-weight of 3097 (97655 girls) and 3237 (104722 boys) grams. The proposed national centiles identified more or less deviant percentages of small and large for GA neonates in comparison to other (inter)national centiles.

Conclusions

The new centile charts provide important information on the contemporary distribution of birthweight for gestational age in Greece. They may assist physicians to classify high-risk neonates at birth based on national population data. Accurate identification of those in need of special care will help to prevent possible adverse sequelae in the perinatal period and beyond.
CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*17 and ITGB3 (PlA1/A2) polymorphisms and resulting therapeutic alterations of clopidogrel and aspirin: A clinical screening among CVD patients who undergone PCI
Authors: Nova Tasnova Tasnim , Jahan Ishrat , Momenuzzaman N.A.M. , Islam Rabbi Sikder Nahidul , Binder Thomas M.C. , Islam Mohammad Safiqul , Islam Md. Rabiul , Hasnat Abul , Nahar Zabun
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Clopidogrel and aspirin are at the base of treatment in conditions like arterial thrombosis and after patients have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention. But frequently found CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*17 polymorphisms and some variants of the ITGB3 gene cause alteration in the therapeutic effectiveness of this drug.

Methods

One thousand cardiovascular patients were recruited for each drug under study. Their blood was collected to analyze the genotype using PCR-RFLP and T-ARMS-PCR method for clopidogrel and aspirin respectively. The PCR products for clopidogrel were screened with agarose gel electrophoresis and then digested with SmaIfor CYP2C19*2 and Nsil-HF for CYP2C19*17. The digested products of clopidogrel and the ARMS-PCR product of aspirin were run on 2% AGE to analyze the polymorphisms.

Results

In our outcome, the percentage of hetero and mutant homozygous people in CYP2C19*2 polymorphism (loss-of-function allele) was 64.1% and for CYP2C19*17 (gain-of-function allele) was 22.3%. For ITGB3 polymorphism, it was found that 84.1% of them belonged to the homozygous group while 15.6% was heterozygous and only 0.3% were mutant homozygous patients.

Conclusion

Our study findings were quite compatible with the results of some other studies in other ethnic groups. This phenomenon suggested for modification of dose or application of alternative generics in patients who are under the risk of therapeutic failure or toxicity produced by these drugs.
Joint evolution of mycorrhizal type, pollination, and seed dispersal mode in trees
Authors: Yamawo Akira , Ohno Misuzu
Published: October 2020

Although tree diversity is fundamental to terrestrial ecosystems, the processes that generate it remain uncertain. Mycorrhizal type, pollination mode, and seed dispersal mode may be key drivers of tree diversity. We predicted that mycorrhizal symbiosis drove evolution of pollination and seed dispersal modes because arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) associations would favour long-range seed or pollen dispersal owing to their negative plant–soil-feedback effects on conspecific individuals, and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) associations would favour short-range dispersal owing to their positive effects. We analysed evolutionary relationships among mycorrhizal type, seed dispersal mode, and pollination mode in 704 tree species and conducted a meta-analysis of the dispersal distances of the various seed dispersal and pollination modes. We found evidence of joint evolution of all three features. Most AM-associated trees had endozoochorous seed dispersal and biotic pollination and these dispersal modes had long dispersal distances, whereas most EcM-associated trees had anemochorous seed dispersal and wind pollination and these dispersal modes had relatively shorter dispersal distances. Overall, evolution of mycorrhizal type, seed dispersal mode, and pollination mode were linked, strongly suggesting that mycorrhizal symbiosis drives the evolution of seed and pollination modes and contributes to tree diversification.
Temporo-Parietal Cortex Involved in Modeling One’s Own and Others’ Attention
Authors: Guterstam Arvid , Bio Branden J , Wilterson Andrew I , Graziano Michael SA
Published: October 2020

In a traditional view, in social cognition, attention is equated with gaze and people track attention by tracking other people’s gaze. Here we used fMRI to test whether the brain represents attention in a richer manner. People read stories describing an agent (either oneself or someone else) directing attention to an object in one of two ways: either internally directed (endogenous) or externally induced (exogenous). We used multivoxel pattern analysis to examine how brain areas within the theory-of-mind network encoded attention type and agent type. Brain activity patterns in the left temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) showed significant decoding of information about endogenous versus exogenous attention. The left TPJ, left superior temporal sulcus (STS), precuneus, and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) significantly decoded agent type (self versus other). These findings show that the brain constructs a rich model of one’s own and others’ attentional state, possibly aiding theory of mind.

Impact statement

This study used fMRI to show that the human brain encodes other people’s attention in enough richness to distinguish whether that attention was directed exogenously (stimulus-driven) or endogenously (internally driven).
Somatic chromosomal number alterations affecting driver genes inform in-vitro and clinical drug response in high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Martins Filipe Correia , Couturier Dominique-Laurent , Santiago Ines de , Sauer Carolin Margarethe , Vias Maria , Angelova Mihaela , Sanders Deborah , Piskorz Anna , Hall James , Hosking Karen , Amirthanayagam Anumithra , Cosulich Sabina , Carnevalli Larissa , Davies Barry , Watkins Tom B. K. , Funingana Gabriel , Bolton Helen , Haldar Krishnayan , Latimer John , Baldwin Peter , Crawford Robin , Eldridge Matthew , Basu Bristi , Jimenez-Linan Mercedes , McGranahan Nicholas , Litchfield Kevin , Shah Sohrab P. , McNeish Iain , Caldas Carlos , Evan Gerard , Swanton Charles , Brenton James D.
Published: October 2020

The genomic complexity and heterogeneity of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) has hampered the realisation of successful therapies and effective personalised treatment is an unmet clinical need. Here we show that primary HGSOC spheroid models can be used to predict drug response and use them to demonstrate that somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) in frequently amplified HGSOC cancer genes significantly correlate with gene expression and drug response. These genes are often located in areas of the genome with frequent clonal SCNAs. MYC chromosomal copy number is associated with ex-vivo and clinical response to paclitaxel and ex-vivo response to mTORC1/2 inhibition. Activation of the mTOR survival pathway in the context to MYC-amplified HGSOC is mostly due to increased prevalence of SCNAs in genes from the PI3K pathway. These results suggest that SCNAs encompassing driver genes could be used to inform therapeutic response in the context of clinical trials testing personalised medicines.
A cutting-edge approach unravels a novel role for CDK6 in leukemic progenitor cells
Authors: Doma Eszter , Mayer Isabella Maria , Brandstoetter Tania , Maurer Barbara , Grausenburger Reinhard , Menzl Ingeborg , Zojer Markus , Hoelbl-Kovacic Andrea , Carlsson Leif , Heller Gerwin , Kollmann Karoline , Sexl Veronika
Published: October 2020

Studies of molecular mechanisms of hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis are hampered by the unavailability of progenitor cell lines that accurately mimic the situationin vivo. We now report a robust method to generate and maintain LSK (lin-, Sca-1+, c-Kit+) cells which closely resemble MPP1 cells. HPCLSKreconstitute hematopoiesis in lethally irradiated recipient mice over more than eight months. Upon transformation with different oncogenes including BCR/ABL, FLT3-ITD or MLL-AF9 their leukemic counterparts maintain stem cell propertiesin vitroand recapitulate leukemia formationin vivo. The method to generate HPCLSKcan be applied to transgenic mice and we illustrate it for CDK6-deficient animals. Upon BCR/ABLp210transformation,Cdk6-/-HPCLSKsinduce disease with a significantly enhanced latency and reduced incidence, showing the importance of CDK6 in leukemia formation. Studies of the CDK6 transcriptome in murine HPCLSKand human BCR/ABL+cells have verified that certain pathways depend on CDK6 and have uncovered a novel CDK6-dependent signature, suggesting a role for CDK6 in leukemic progenitor cell homing. Loss of CDK6 may thus lead to a defect in homing. The HPCLSKsystem represents a unique tool for combinedin vitroandin vivostudies and enables the production of large quantities of genetically modifiable hematopoietic or leukemic stem/progenitor cells.

Key points

We describe the generation of murine cell lines (HPCLSK) which reliably mimic hematopoietic/leukemic progenitor cells.

Cdk6-/-BCR/ABLp210HPCLSKsuncover a novel role for CDK6 in homing.
On a class of non-local discrete boundary value problepm
Authors: Ourraoui Anass , Ayoujil Abdesslem
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In this article, the authors discuss the existence and multiplicity of solutions for an anisotropic discrete boundary value problem inT-dimensional Hilbert space. The approach is based on variational methods especially on the three critical points theorem established by B. Ricceri.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on variational methods especially on the three critical points theorem established by B. Ricceri.

Findings

The authors study the existence of results for a discrete problem, with two boundary conditions type. Accurately, the authors have proved the existence of at least three solutions.

Originality/value

An other feature is that problem is with non-local term, which makes some difficulties in the proof of our results.
Maximising “Community Benefits” in public procurement: tensions and trade-offs
Authors: Wontner Karen Lorraine , Walker Helen , Harris Irina , Lynch Jane
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to illuminate the challenges involved in implementing community benefits (CBs), a sustainable public procurement policy that ensures that there are positive social and economic outcomes for the local community when public money is spent on goods, works and services.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews and focus groups were conducted with public sector buyers and suppliers in Wales with experience in implementing CBs. Resource dependence theory was used to examine the extent to which dependence on resources effects CBs implementation.

Findings

Whilst the study confirms that implementation of CBs improves economic and social outcomes, there can also be challenges for public sector organisations and their constituent supply chains. These include tensions between CBs and other policies, differing views between buyers and suppliers, and the unintended consequences of promoting one form of CBs over another.

Research limitations/implications

The research found that Welsh Government influences the buyer-supplier dyad through regulatory and financial power. We elaborate on resource dependency theory by adding four constructs (powerful stakeholders, intra and inter organisational issues, challenges and enablers) to better understand the flows of power and resources in this research context.

Practical implications

Buyer and supplier practitioners and policymakers may find the factors leading to successful CBs implementation useful, such as ensuring closer communication and liaison at early contract stages.

Social implications

Community benefits are aimed at improving socioeconomic issues through public procurement.

Originality/value

This study addresses the need for research into how public sector organisations and suppliers seek to implement socio-economic sustainability measures, and the lack of research on CBs implementation to date. It is also novel in adopting a dyadic approach and a resource dependency perspective.
Shining a light on the daily occupational experiences of lesbian and gay adults’ in Ireland: applying an occupational justice lens
Authors: Hadden Letitia , O’Riordan Aisling , Jackson Jeanne
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Equality of rights for individuals who identify as being lesbian or gay (LG) have emerged over recent years, and significant advancements have been made in recognition and support of LG rights in Ireland. Given the recent change in legal rights for the LG population, Civil Partnership 2010 and Marriage Equality 2015, this paper aims to explore the lived experience of daily occupations of LG adult’s in Ireland today, by applying an occupational justice lens.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative phenomenological research study, examined the concept of occupational justice as experienced by eight adults, who identified as being LG. Data was collected through face to face, semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Four themes capturing the complexity of each participant’s experience of daily occupations and occupational justice emerged, namely, transitions and personal journeys, celebrating differences, empowerment through occupation and inner conflict. Findings demonstrate how occupational justice is experienced as a complex, contextually embedded and dynamic process specific to each individual.

Originality/value

Future research in this area should aim to explore the experiences of both a younger and older LG population, along with those who identify as bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex to continue to raise awareness of the potential for occupational injustice within this minority population.
Accurate targeting in the Indonesian RASKIN program
Authors: Sutanto Wiliyanti , Sakaguchi Mayumi , Amrullah Eka Rastiyanto , Rusyiana Aris , Ishida Akira
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Using nationally representative data, this study estimated the probability of a household receiving RASKIN rice in general as well as the rate of excluding poor households and including nonpoor households in relation to the targeting accuracy of the RASKIN program.

Design/methodology/approach

The data came from the National Socioeconomic Survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics in March 2015. Several independent variables were included, such as the head of household's age, gender and marital status, in addition to highest educational level among family members, household size, economic status, regional district and residential classification.

Findings

The results showed that a household's probability of receiving RASKIN rice increases if the head of household is older, female and a widower, and the household has more human capital accumulation, more family members, lower economic status and is in a rural area and/or Java and Nusa Tenggara. The estimated probabilities of poor households excluded from the RASKIN program and nonpoor households included are 44.8 and 35.1%, respectively, suggesting mistargeting occurred where eligible recipients were undercovered, and revealed the loss of funds to ineligible households.

Originality/value

The present study focused on the program's targeting accuracy while at the same time keeping in mind the social and geographical conditions in Indonesia. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, little to no such research has been conducted.
A comparative study of consumers' intention to purchase counterfeit outdoor products in Taiwan and Hong Kong
Authors: Tseng Wen-Yung , Chiu Weisheng , Leng Ho Keat
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to compare the purchase intention of counterfeit outdoor products between Taiwan and Hong Kong consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 584 respondents from Hong Kong (n = 247, 42%) and Taiwan (n = 337, 58%) were recruited for the study. Data analysis was performed by using structural equation modelling techniques.

Findings

The results showed that consumers' perceived risk had a negative influence on attitude and intention to purchase counterfeit outdoor products. Moreover, attitude towards buying counterfeit outdoor products, perceived behavioural control and subjective norm had positive impacts on purchase intention. Brand consciousness, however, had a negative influence on purchase intention. The multi-group analysis identified significant differences between Hong Kong and Taiwanese respondents.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding of how these factors affect purchase intention of counterfeit outdoor products across different cultures.
Ramifications of Covid-19 on management accounting teaching and research
Authors: Spraakman Gary
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how COVID-19 has affected the author’s management accounting teaching and research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a reflection essay on management accounting.

Findings

The author realized that the textbooks, because of the lack of integration among management accounting techniques, do not prepare the students with the ability to make the quick changes required by COVID-19. The author expects that they will have to introduce integration to the management accounting textbooks and courses. Qualitative research will be helpful in identifying the management accounting techniques now integrated in practice. The author further expects the beneficial practices that were learned from online and remote teaching during the pandemic will be with them into the future.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited as it is a personal reflection.

Practical implications

COVID-19 has required organizations be increasingly agile, particularly in the use of budgets and other management accounting techniques.

Social implications

Opportunities are identified for improving the teaching and use of management accounting, especially regarding strategy and budgeting.

Originality/value

The extreme nature of pandemics intensifies the observations of the functioning of disciplines such as management accounting. Everyone learns from extreme experiences.