bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying the effectiveness of an online argumentation model for improving undergraduate students' argumentation ability
Authors: Fan Ya‐Ching , Wang Tzu‐Hua , Wang Kuo‐Hua
Published: February 2020

This research develops a web‐based model, entitled the “intuitive claim, peer‐assessment, discussion, and elaborate claim argumentation training” (IPadE) model, and embeds with a Web‐based Interactive Argumentation System to enhance undergraduate students' socioscientific argumentation abilities. This research adopts a quasi‐experimental research design; the sample comprised 131 undergraduate students from two classes (69 in the experimental group and 62 in the control group). The socioscientific issue discussed were related to global health. This study collected and analysed quantitative and qualitative data, including the pretest and posttest of students' knowledge test scores and argumentation abilities questionnaire. The results generally confirmed the effectiveness of the IPadE model. First, in a comparison of the content knowledge and argumentation skills, the experimental group have statistically significantly improved than the control group. Second, regarding the number of reasoning modes proposed, the experimental group could propose multiple reasoning modes and reasoning levels on rebuttals increased after training.
Bipolar ablation with contact force‐sensing of swine ventricles shows improved acute lesion features compared to sequential unipolar ablation
Authors: Soucek Filip , Caluori Guido , Lehar Frantisek , Jez Jiri , Pesl Martin , Wolf Jiri , Wojtaszczyk Adam , Belaskova Silvie , Starek Zdenek
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Despite technical progress, ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence after unipolar ablation remains relatively high (12%‐47%). Bipolar ablation has been proposed as an appealing solution that may overcome limitations associated with unipolar ablation settings. We designed an animal study to compare bipolar (BPA) vs sequential unipolar ablation (UPA) using contact force‐sensing technology on both ablation catheters.

Methods

Twenty large white female pigs (6‐months‐old, 50–60 kg) underwent multiple RF ablations (30 W, 60 seconds, 30 mL/min irrigation) on the ventricular myocardium from the epicardial and endocardial sides. The hearts were fixed and scanned with high‐resolution cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Thermal lesions were located and characterized in volume, depth, width, and transmurality.

Results

Lesion volume was calculated as the sum of epicardial or endocardial conjoined/isolated lesions at one location. Linear dimensions (width and depth) were measured twice for each location, on the endocardial and epicardial side. We evaluated 35 lesions across the intraventricular septum (UPA, N = 17 vs BPA, N = 18). No difference in volume, linear dimensions or impedance drop was observed in this area between UPA and BPA. However, BPA required half RF time and showed an increased transmurality trend. We then analyzed 73 lesions from the endocardial side (UPA, N = 35 vs BPA, N = 38) and 50 from the epicardial side (UPA, N = 11 vs BPA N = 39) of the ventricular free walls. Lesion transmurality was markedly improved by BPA (P = .030, odds ratio, 23.73 [4.71,31.96]). Ventricular BPA lesions were significantly deeper on the epicardial side (P < .0001) and endocardial side (P = .015).

Conclusion

Bipolar ablation is more likely to create transmural and epicardial lesions in the ventricle wall. Half the time is needed for the creation of comparably deep and large lesions.
Following the Money: Exploring Business Financial Contributions to the European Union's Political Parties*
Authors: Katsaitis Alexander
Published: February 2020

Do business groups donate to the European Union's (EU) political parties? Does the party's ideology influence the donations it receives? Since 2008, the EU's political parties can receive financial contributions from private actors. This paper systematically maps and analyses the entire population of donations given to EU political parties from 2008 to 2015. The results show that business interests follow a selective strategy targeting with their donations right‐wing parties; with Eurosceptic parties performing better than pro‐integration parties. Conceptually, this study provides a hard resource for conceptualizing EU lobbying beyond information‐access models, and potentially opens a path for comparatives with the US literature. Furthermore, it reveals that some parties have moved away from the public utility paradigm, raising question over donations impact on EU politics and policy‐making. Empirically, it provides a unique image of interest group donations to EU parties over time.
Content, diagnostic, correlational, and genetic similarities between common measures of childhood aggressive behaviors and related psychiatric traits
Authors: Hendriks Anne M. , Ip Hill F. , Nivard Michel G. , Finkenauer Catrin , Van Beijsterveldt Catharina E.M. , Bartels Meike , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: February 2020

Background

Given the role of childhood aggressive behavior (AGG) in everyday child development, precise and accurate measurement is critical in clinical practice and research. This study aims to quantify agreement among widely used measures of childhood AGG regarding item content, clinical concordance, correlation, and underlying genetic construct.

Methods

We analyzed data from 1254 Dutch twin pairs (age 8–10 years, 51.1% boys) from a general population sample for whom both parents completed the A‐TAC, CBCL, and SDQ at the same occasion.

Results

There was substantial variation in item content among AGG measures, ranging from .00 (i.e., mutually exclusive) to .50 (moderate agreement). Clinical concordance (i.e., do the same children score above a clinical threshold among AGG measures) was very weak to moderate with estimates ranging between .01 and .43 for mother‐reports and between .12 and .42 for father‐reports. Correlations among scales were weak to strong, ranging from .32 to .70 for mother‐reports and from .32 to .64 for father‐reports. We found weak to very strong genetic correlations among the measures, with estimates between .65 and .84 for mother‐reports and between .30 and .87 for father‐reports.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that degree of agreement between measures of AGG depends on the type (i.e., item content, clinical concordance, correlation, genetic correlation) of agreement considered. Because agreement was higher for correlations compared to clinical concordance (i.e., above or below a clinical cutoff), we propose the use of continuous scores to assess AGG, especially for combining data with different measures. Although item content can be different and agreement among observed measures may not be high, the genetic correlations indicate that the underlying genetic liability for childhood AGG is consistent across measures.
Assessing the quality of seven clinical practice guidelines from four professional regulatory bodies in Quebec: What's the verdict?
Authors: Ciquier Gabrielle , Azzi Michelle , Hébert Catherine , Watkins‐Martin Kia , Drapeau Martin
Published: February 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have become a common feature in the health and social care fields, as they promote evidence‐based practice and aim to improve quality of care and patient outcome. However, the benefits of the recommendations reported in CPGs are only as good as the quality of the CPGs themselves. Indeed, rigorous development and strategies for reporting are significant precursors to successful implementation of the recommendations that are proposed. Unfortunately, research has demonstrated that there is much variability in their level of quality. Furthermore, the quality of many CPGs has yet to be examined. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of seven CPGs from four Quebec professional regulatory bodies pertaining to clinical evaluations in the fields of medicine, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and social work.

Methods

The seven Quebec CPGs were assessed by four trained appraisers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II guideline evaluation tool.

Results

Results suggest that while some quality criteria were met, most were not, denoting that these CPGs are of sub‐optimal quality.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight that there is still a lot to be done in order to improve the rigour and transparency with which scientific evidence is assessed and applied when developing CPGs. Impacts regarding the implementation of these CPGs are discussed in light of their use in clinical practice.
WHAT'S IN A NAME? A CAUTIONARY TALE OF PROFITABILITY ANOMALIES AND LIMITS TO ARBITRAGE
Authors: DeLisle R. Jared , Yüksel H. Zafer , Zaynutdinova Gulnara R.
Published: February 2020

The recent literature investigating profitability anomalies defines profitability in various ways (i.e., gross, operating, and cash based). We show that limits to arbitrage are associated with returns of gross and cash‐based operating profitability anomalies, suggesting mispricing. In contrast, returns from the operating profitability strategy have no relation with barriers to arbitrage and exhibit no evidence of mispricing. Additionally, we show that the differential effects of limited arbitrage‐related mispricing of gross and cash‐based operating profitability anomalies are attributable to their respective correlations with selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense and accruals anomalies. We find that SG&A return predictability, like that of accruals, is related to limits to arbitrage. These findings suggest that investors and researchers should proceed with caution when searching for return predictability by redefining profitability measures.
Effectiveness of vialon biomaterial versus teflon catheters for peripheral intravenous placement: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kuş Betül , Büyükyılmaz Funda
Published: February 2020

Aim

This study was to determine the effects of the two types of catheter material (vialon biomaterial and teflon) on pain intensity, dwell time, and phlebitis score for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) placement.

Methods

Participants (N = 208) were randomly assigned to the vialon biomaterial group (n = 104), the teflon group (n = 104). After the PIVC placement, the intensity of pain and phlebitis score were evaluated. Catheter dwell mean time was determined.

Results

The pain intensity scores were similar immediately after inserting the PIVC. No difference was observed between the pain scores in both groups (p ≥ .050). Catheter dwell mean time for the vialon biomaterial catheter group (4.72 ± 1.20 days) was significantly longer compared to the teflon catheter group (4.10 ± 0.92 days) (p ≤ .001). It was determined that the catheter was removed due to phlebitis development in 16.3% of the vialon biomaterial catheter group and 53.8% of the teflon catheter group. An advanced level of statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of phlebitis development scores (p ≤ .001).

Conclusions

This study concluded that vialon biomaterial catheter (BD Insyte™ Autoguard™ BC winged) demonstrates longer dwell time of PIVC, lower phlebitis rate and phlebitis score than teflon catheter (BD Venflon™).
Improving parent oral health literacy in Head Start programs
Authors: Dudovitz Rebecca , Teutsch Carol , Holt Katrina , Herman Ariella
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Parental low oral health literacy is thought to contribute to child oral health disparities. Few large‐scale interventions can improve oral health literacy for diverse, high‐risk populations. We sought to determine whether an oral health literacy intervention aimed at parents of children attending Head Start programs improved oral health literacy and behaviors.

Methods

Staff from 29 Head Start agencies across the country were trained to deliver a parent oral health literacy intervention. Parent surveys were conducted at baseline and approximately 6 months later, following intervention completion. Surveys measured parent and child demographics, oral health knowledge, behaviors, information sources, and health care utilization. Paired t tests and mixed‐effects regression models controlling for agency, child age, and race/ethnicity evaluated whether measures improved after the intervention. In addition, at follow‐up, agency staff were asked to complete an open‐ended survey reporting how the intervention impacted their site. Responses were coded using a grounded theory approach.

Results

A total of 2,011 (87%) parents completed both the baseline and follow‐up surveys. All oral health knowledge and behaviors improved significantly from baseline to follow‐up. In addition, parents reported using more oral health information sources, using more preventative oral health care, and less emergency room (ER) use for child dental problems. Head Start staff perceived that the intervention increased parental oral health literacy, enhanced parental oral health engagement, improved child oral health behaviors, and facilitated health communication with parents.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that this intervention successfully improved oral health literacy for diverse parents of children at high risk for dental caries.
Effects of calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide and encapsulated sodium bicarbonate on measures of post‐ruminal fermentation
Authors: Neiderfer Kayla P. , Barnard Amanda M. , Moyer Kassandra Z. , Trench Alexis M. , Taylor Ashley E. , Cronin Shane K. , Gressley Tanya F.
Published: February 2020

Evidence suggests that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) absorbed from the large intestine may contribute to the inflammatory response to high starch feeding in dairy cows. This work evaluated the impact of buffers or alkalinizing agents with expected large intestinal activity on faecal indicators of intestinal fermentation and LPS. Ten late‐lactation cows were used in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design with 7‐day periods. Cows were fed a diet containing 265 g/kg dry matter of starch and were abomasally infused with 1 g/kg body weight cornstarch daily. Treatments were control (CON), ration supplementation with 200 g/day sodium bicarbonate (FSB), 200 g/day calcium carbonate (FCC) or 125 g/day calcium carbonate plus 75 g/day of magnesium oxide (FCCM), or abomasal infusion of a lipid encapsulate providing 200 g/day sodium bicarbonate (ISB). The FCC, FCCM and ISB treatments were hypothesized to have large intestinal buffering effects, and FSB was included as a secondary control. Milk, feed, rumen and faecal samples were collected on day 7 of each period. Treatment did not affect intake, milk yield or milk composition. There were no effects of treatment on ruminal measures except that ISB tended to reduce and the post‐ruminal treatments as a whole (FCC, FCCM and ISB) reduced rumen butyrate compared with CON. Faecal pH was greater for FCCM compared with all other treatments. Total faecal VFA tended to increase with FCC and FCCM compared with CON and was increased by the post‐ruminal treatments as a whole compared with CON. Treatment did not affect faecal dry matter, lactate or LPS or apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. Although some treatments altered fermentation as evidenced by the change in faecal VFA, this was not accompanied by a decrease in faecal LPS. The strategies employed in this study had limited effects on large intestinal fermentation.
‘We have different needs’: Specifying support for classroom and clinical sessional educators
Authors: Snook Abigail Grover , Schram Asta B. , Arnadottir Solveig A.
Published: February 2020

Context

Both classroom and clinical sessional educators are often overlooked in faculty development, even though they play an important role in student learning. Our aim was to contrast classroom and clinical sessional educators´ experiences of and perceived needs for connectedness, appreciation and support, in relation to their teaching quality. We then utilised these results to make suggestions for supporting these educators.

Methods

The participants (11 physical therapy sessional educators: four clinical; seven clinical, and classroom) took part in three focus groups. We based the interview guide questions on previous survey results, used a critical theory research paradigm and performed thematic analysis.

Results

We identified four emerging differences between physical therapy sessional educators with experience in the classroom and clinic. Classroom sessional educators needed: (a) more connectedness; (b) more appreciation; (c) more access to the learning management system, and (d) both different and similar faculty development when compared to clinical sessional educators. Differences were greater in classroom sessional educators who taught more hours. We also saw similarities in the need for feedback on teaching, orientations and communication, a better salary and clinical workplace support their role of an educator. Suggestions for context‐dependent support for sessional educators were designed to address these similarities and differences.

Conclusions

Talking to various types of sessional educators about their teaching needs is the first step in providing effective faculty development. Varying needs for connectedness, appreciation, pedagogy and access to the learning management system amongst physical therapy sessional educators highlighted the need for an investment in classroom educators who teach multiple hours and want to grow as health science educators. Differences between classroom and clinical sessional educators brought to the forefront the importance of individualised, contextual faculty development and administrative or departmental action that supports sessional educators. The resulting context‐dependent suggestions for improvement of support of sessional educators have the potential to improve the quality of health science teaching overall.
The student is key: A realist review of educational interventions to develop analytical and non‐analytical clinical reasoning ability
Authors: Richmond Anna , Cooper Nicola , Gay Simon , Atiomo William , Patel Rakesh
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Clinical reasoning refers to the cognitive processes used by individuals as they formulate a diagnosis or treatment plan. Clinical reasoning is dependent on formal and experiential knowledge. Developing the ability to acquire and recall knowledge effectively for both analytical and non‐analytical cognitive processing has patient safety implications. This realist review examines the way educational interventions develop analytical and non‐analytical reasoning ability in undergraduate education. A realist review is theory‐driven, seeking not only to identify if an intervention works, but also understand the reasons why, for whom, and in what circumstances. The aim of this study is to develop understanding about the way educational interventions develop effective analytical and non‐analytical clinical reasoning ability, when they do, for whom and in what circumstances.

Methods

Literature from a scoping search, combined with expert opinion and researcher experience was synthesised to generate an initial programme theory (IPT). Four databases were searched and articles relevant to the developing theory were selected as appropriate. Factors affecting educational outcomes at the individual student, teacher and wider organisational levels were investigated in order to further refine the IPT.

Results

A total of 28 papers contributed to the overall programme theory. The review predominantly identified evidence of mechanisms for interventions at the individual student level. Key student level factors influencing the effectiveness of interventions included an individual's self‐confidence, self‐efficacy and pre‐existing level of knowledge. These contexts influenced a variety of educational interventions, impacting both positively and negatively on educational outcomes.

Conclusions

Development of analytical and non‐analytical clinical reasoning ability requires activities that enhance knowledge acquisition and recall alongside the accumulation of clinical experience and opportunities to practise reasoning in real or simulated clinical environments. However, factors such as pre‐existing knowledge and self‐confidence influence their effectiveness, especially amongst individuals with ‘low knowledge.’ Promoting non‐analytical reasoning once novices acquire more clinical knowledge is important for the development of clinical reasoning in undergraduate education.
Environmental enrichment prevents chronic stress‐induced brain‐gut axis dysfunction through a GR‐mediated mechanism in the central nucleus of the amygdala
Authors: Orock Albert , Louwies Tijs , Yuan Tian , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld Beverley
Published: February 2020

Background

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder characterized by chronic visceral pain and abnormal bowel habits. Whether CBT can actually improve visceral pain in IBS patients is still unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether environment enrichment (EE), the animal analog of CBT, can prevent stress‐induced viscero‐somatic hypersensitivity through changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling within the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA).

Methods

Rats were housed in either standard housing (SH) or EE for 7 days before and during daily water avoidance stress (WAS) exposure (1‐h/d for 7 days). In the first cohort, visceral and somatic sensitivity were assessed via visceromotor response to colorectal distention and von Frey Anesthesiometer 24 hous and 21 days after WAS. In another cohort, the CeA was isolated for GR mRNA quantification.

Key Results

Environment enrichment for 7 days before and during the 7 days of WAS persistently attenuated visceral and somatic hypersensitivity when compared to rats placed in SH. Environment enrichment exposure also prevented the WAS‐induced decrease in GR expression in the CeA.

Conclusion & Inferences

Pre‐exposure to short‐term EE prevents the stress‐induced downregulation of GR, and inhibits visceral and somatic hypersensitivity induced by chronic stress. These results suggest that a positive environment can ameliorate stress‐induced pathology and provide a non‐pharmacological therapeutic option for disorders such as IBS.
Site‐specific Bioconjugation and Convergent Click Chemistry Enhances Antibody–Chromophore Conjugate Binding Efficiency
Authors: Sadiki Amissi , Kercher Eric M. , Lu Haibin , Lang Ryan T. , Spring Bryan Q. , Zhou Zhaohui Sunny
Published: February 2020

Photosensitizer (PS)–antibody conjugates (photoimmunoconjugates, PICs) enable cancer cell‐targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nonspecific chemical bioconjugation is widely used to synthesize PICs but gives rise to several shortcomings. The conjugates are heterogeneous, and the process is not easily reproducible. Moreover, modifications at or near the binding sites alter both binding affinity and specificity. To overcome these limitations, we introduce convergent assembly of PICs via a chemo‐enzymatic site‐specific approach. First, an antibody is conjugated to a clickable handle via site‐specific modification of glutamine (Gln) residues catalyzed by transglutaminase (TGase, EC 2.3.2.13). Second, the modified antibody intermediate is conjugated to a compatible chromophore via click chemistry. Utilizing cetuximab, we compared this site‐specific conjugation protocol to the nonspecific chemical acylation of amines using N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) chemistry. Both the heavy and light chains were modified via the chemical route, whereas, only a glutamine 295 in the heavy chain was modified via chemo‐enzymatic conjugation. Furthermore, a 2.3‐fold increase in the number of bound antibodies per cell was observed for the site‐specific compared with nonspecific method, suggesting that multiple stochastic sites of modification perturb the antibody–antigen binding. Altogether, site‐specific bioconjugation leads to homogenous, reproducible and well‐defined PICs, conferring higher binding efficiency and probability of clinical success.
Lysobacter gummosus OH17 induces systemic resistance in Oryza sativa ‘Nipponbare’
Authors: Laborda Pedro , Chen Xian , Wu Guichun , Wang Suyan , Lu Xiaofeng , Ling Jun , Li Kaihuai , Liu Fengquan
Published: February 2020

Although rice is one of the most cultivated, consumed, and essential crops worldwide, it is highly susceptible to a wide range of bacterial and fungal pathogens that significantly reduce the production and quality of rice. Recently, our research group reported that the plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium Lysobacter gummosus OH17 was able to enhance the ethylene levels in Oryza sativa ‘Nipponbare’ plants at the late interaction stages. In this work, L. gummosus OH17 was found to be capable of inducing the overexpression of relevant genes of the jasmonic acid and ethylene transduction pathways in Nipponbare plants, such as OsACC, OsACO, OsERF3, and OsLOX, which resulted in the up‐regulation of a number of pathogenesis‐related proteins. The observed metabolic effects enhanced the disease resistance of rice against the three most devastating rice pathogens: Magnaporthe oryzae causing rice blast, Rhizoctonia solani causing rice sheath blight, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae causing bacterial leaf blight. Furthermore, it was shown that L. gummosus OH17 also enhanced ethylene production levels in other O. sativa varieties from both the japonica and indica subspecies. Here, we report for the first time the metabolic alterations produced by plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium L. gummosus OH17 at the late interaction stages and how these alterations induce systemic resistance.
“The Power of the Presidency to Hurt”: The Indecorous Rhetoric of Donald J. Trump and the Rhetorical Norms of Democracy
Authors: Stuckey Mary E.
Published: February 2020

Presidents are both individual agents who make rhetorical and political choices and discursive nodes through which political discourse circulates. As both agents and nodes, when presidents engage in educative, vituperative, and performative rhetoric, they are positioned to influence the form and content of the national discourse. Donald Trump largely eschews educative rhetoric. He depends heavily on vitriol, primarily using demeaning language, false equivalency, and exclusion. As an individual actor, these tactics characterize his rhetoric. As a discursive node, the effects are far more broad ranging, circulating and reinforcing deleterious language in both form and content. Trump’s example indicates that scholars of the presidency and presidential rhetoric need to think differently about presidential language as it circulates and influences broader political processes.
Assessment of population genetics and climatic variability can refine climate‐informed seed transfer guidelines
Authors: Massatti Rob , Shriver Robert K. , Winkler Daniel E. , Richardson Bryce A. , Bradford John B.
Published: February 2020

Restoration guidelines increasingly recognize the importance of genetic attributes in translocating native plant materials (NPMs). However, when species‐specific genetic information is unavailable, seed transfer guidelines use climate‐informed seed transfer zones (CSTZs) as an approximation. While CSTZs may improve how NPMs are developed and/or matched to restoration sites, they overlook genetic factors that can diminish restoration success and/or deteriorate natural patterns of genetic diversity and environmental factors that may introduce unexpected variation. Here, we analyze molecular data and geographic patterns of environmental variability across the western United States and demonstrate how they can refine CSTZs. Using genetic data available for 13 relevant plant species, we found that the probability of mixing genetically differentiated individuals (i.e. from different evolutionary lineages, or populations) was approximately 8% when considering locations separated by 50 km and reached nearly 80% by 500 km, which are distances relevant to ecoregionally constrained CSTZs. Furthermore, climate analyses revealed that geographically proximate locations are likely to maintain environmental similarity, regardless of CSTZ or ecoregion assignment. These results suggest constraining CSTZ‐informed seed transfer decisions by distance may mitigate the opportunity for negative genetic outcomes. Furthermore, environmental variability and/or specificity of NPMs (depending upon the restoration strategy) should be achieved by sourcing NPMs from geographically proximate locations to avoid introducing excessive genetic differentiation. Our results highlight the utility of combining molecular genetic data with other genetic inferences (i.e. of adaptation) to determine how best to transfer seed across restoration species' ranges and develop new restoration materials.
Tsunami deposits: Present knowledge and future challenges
Authors: Costa Pedro J. M. , Andrade César
Published: February 2020

Tsunami deposits are the primary source of information on (past) large tsunami events and thereby are crucial for accurate hazard assessments. Tsunami deposits studies have developed over the last three decades, but this is still a young geoscience discipline. Following the 5th International Tsunami Field Symposium in 2017 an opportunity arose to publish a Special Issue focusing on present knowledge and future research challenges. This paper aims to briefly review current state‐of‐the‐art research, summarizing major findings and gathering relevant works that describe the progress achieved over the last three decades. In this paper the relevance of tsunami deposits, their peculiar sedimentary characteristics and their differentiation from other high energy events are presented. Especially over the last decade an incredibly high number of studies have been published on tsunami deposits, many of which are of a high quality and provide detailed literature reviews. Some of these studies represent the current progress discussed here. Challenges are also introduced, to spur a discussion on future scientific questions that can and should be addressed by tsunami geoscientists. Coupling onshore–offshore records is an area where tsunami geoscience faces some of its major challenges. Moreover, the application of non‐destructive high‐resolution techniques to study the internal structure and composition of tsunami deposits can also provide an opportunity to further examine deposits, and from this derive physical parameters of the forcing mechanism. Another topic is better understanding of the erosional signature of tsunami events and a continuation of the effort to better incorporate age‐estimation methods by developing more accurate dating methodology. Finally, there is also the need for the improvement of empirical, forward and regressive numerical models to better contribute to the characterization of tsunami events.
Anti‐racism in U.S. early childhood education: Foundational principles
Authors: Escayg Kerry‐Ann
Published: February 2020

Multiculturalism and anti‐bias education remain a significant area of pedagogical practice and scholarly inquiry for early childhood researchers and practitioners. Yet much less attention has been paid to detailing anti‐racist components within the classroom, and also within the broader field of early childhood education, including its foundational knowledge base. This article addresses this gap by advancing a framework for early childhood education informed by specific tenets of anti‐racism theory. Drawing on an analysis of White power and privilege and systemic racism, it outlines three main principles of anti‐racist early childhood education. Next, it presents a critical exploration of these principles and how they can be used to transform the existing paradigm of U.S. early childhood education, so as to offer equitable learning opportunities for racialized children.
Ensuring donor safety: is venesecting therapeutic donors to haemoglobin levels below Blood Service guidelines safe?
Authors: Lim Zixiang , Bentley Peter , Olynyk John K.
Published: February 2020

Therapeutic phlebotomy is the cornerstone of treatment for HFE haemochromatosis (HH). Current Australian Red Cross LifeBlood Service guidelines mandate measuring haemoglobin (Hb) levels prior to phlebotomy and if below 130 g/l in men or 120 g/l in women, donors are deferred from donating whole blood. Therapeutic donation below these levels may take place where both the treating doctor and a blood service medical officer approve. The aim of the current study was to determine whether adverse events are more frequent in those who undergo therapeutic phlebotomy below current Hb thresholds applied to volunteer therapeutic donors.

A retrospective review of all therapeutic donations was undertaken for the financial year 2016–2017. The data were obtained through the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Inclusion criteria were any donor between 16 and 70 years of age, weighing more than 50 kg and meeting blood service guidelines for donation. All adverse events recorded in an electronic quality system were obtained and associated with donor haemoglobin level. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance or Fisher’s exact test (GraphPad Prism).

About 34 886 therapeutic phlebotomy donations occurred during 2016–2017, of whom the majority were referred for HH (34 089). In total, 365 of 34 886 donations (0·0105%) were complicated by an adverse event. A total of 305 (0·0087%) therapeutic donations occurred while below the lower limit of blood service Hb threshold for their respective genders. Of the donations that occurred below the blood service threshold, 3 of 305 (0·0098%) had an adverse event compared with 362 of 34 581 donations above the lower limit threshold (0·0105%, P = 0·99).

The incidence of adverse events was not increased in the group which underwent therapeutic phlebotomy below the current Australian Red Cross Blood Service Hb threshold compared with those above threshold, indicating safety of treatment at Hb levels lower than currently recommended.
Monetary Policy Transmission Through the Rate Channel in Some Countries in ASEAN
Authors: Quynh Dung Nguyen Thi , An Pham Thi Ha
Published: February 2020

Using a quantitative regression of table data through FEM and REM models, the study has measured the extent and direction of exchange rate impacts on the economic growth of five ASEAN countries namely, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, in the period of 1985-2015. The estimation results show that for every 1% rise in the real exchange rate, the multilateral force will have a positive impact, since the speed of economic growth of five countries increased by 2.09%. This result is consistent with some previous studies, especially in some developing countries. Further, the thesis has assessed the exchange rate policy in Vietnam and analyzed the situation. As a result, the authors have made some recommendations for exchange rate policy. The recommendations focus on the State’s intervention in adjusting the exchange rate and pay attention to the real exchange rate for policy evaluation. The recommendations of the thesis are consistent with the actual situation in the five ASEAN countries in order to stabilize economic growth.
Experiences of Peak Performance in Elite American Football
Authors: Gillham Andy , Stone Craig
Published: February 2020

Elite athletes strive for a superior state of psychological functioning to achieve peak performance, and peak performance is the central construct of this study. Peak performance as a phenomenon is a state of superior functioning allowing athletes to perform at their highest levels, attaining outstanding results. The purpose of this study was to understand the phenomenon of peak performance through semistructured interviews with 16 elite-level American football players. Four higher-order themes divided into mental, physical, emotional, and sensory elements. Those themes are supported by 18 lower-level categories. Findings were largely consistent with previous research despite this being the first study to include American football players. A specific noteworthy conclusion is the connection between mental and physical components that provides ample opportunities for both researchers and applied practitioners. In addition, the participant quotes prompted a return to the discussion of the connection between individual zones of optimal functioning, peak performance, and flow states.
Vertebrate diapause preserves organisms long term through Polycomb complex members
Authors: Hu Chi-Kuo , Wang Wei , Brind’Amour Julie , Singh Param Priya , Reeves G. Adam , Lorincz Matthew C. , Alvarado Alejandro Sánchez , Brunet Anne
Published: February 2020

Putting vertebrate development on hold

Suspended animation is an often-used device in science fiction, but it also exists in several forms in nature: hibernation, torpor, and diapause. Hu
et al.
studied diapause in the African turquoise killifish, a vertebrate model system (see the Perspective by Van Gilst). They found that diapause protects a complex living organism without trade-offs for future growth, fertility, and even life span. Diapause is actively regulated, with a dynamic switch to specific Polycomb complex members. One Polycomb member, CBX7, is critical for the regulation of organ genes and is involved in muscle preservation and diapause maintenance. This work illuminates the mechanisms that underlie suspended life.

Science
, this issue p.
870
; see also p.
851
Molecular mechanism of biased signaling in a prototypical G protein–coupled receptor
Authors: Suomivuori Carl-Mikael , Latorraca Naomi R. , Wingler Laura M. , Eismann Stephan , King Matthew C. , Kleinhenz Alissa L. W. , Skiba Meredith A. , Staus Dean P. , Kruse Andrew C. , Lefkowitz Robert J. , Dror Ron O.
Published: February 2020

Choosing the drug to fit the protein

Many approved drugs bind to G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). A challenge in targeting GPCRs is that different ligands preferentially activate different signaling pathways. Two papers show how biased signaling arises for the angiotensin II type 1 receptor that couples to two signaling partners (G proteins and arrestins). Suomivuori
et al.
used large-scale atomistic simulations to show that coupling to the two pathways is through two distinct GPCR conformations and that extracellular ligands favor one or the other conformation. Wingler
et al.
present crystal structures of the same receptor bound to ligands with different bias profiles. These structures show conformational changes in and around the binding pocket that match those observed in simulations. This work could provide a framework for the rational design of drugs that are more effective and have fewer side effects.

Science
, this issue p.
881
, p.
888
Biocatalytic synthesis of planar chiral macrocycles
Authors: Gagnon Christina , Godin Éric , Minozzi Clémentine , Sosoe Johann , Pochet Corentin , Collins Shawn K.
Published: February 2020

Enzymes lock in planar chirality

Molecules with very large rings—macrocycles—are often conformationally constrained, and some exhibit planar chirality when substituents of the ring cannot rotate freely. Restricted rotation is generally valued in macrocycles because it can hold the molecule in functional conformations. Using a well-established lipase enzyme, Gagnon
et al.
developed a synthesis of planar chiral macrocycles with handles that can be easily functionalized. Computational docking suggests how using an enzyme as the catalyst for sequential acylation reactions can impart the observed stereochemistry.

Science
, this issue p.
917
Lactoferrin Is Broadly Active against Yeasts and Highly Synergistic with Amphotericin B
Authors: Fernandes Kenya E. , Weeks Kerry , Carter Dee A.
Published: February 2020

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional milk protein with antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens. While numerous studies report that LF is active against fungi, there are considerable differences in the level of antifungal activity and the capacity of LF to interact with other drugs. Here we undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the antifungal spectrum of activity of three defined sources of LF across 22 yeast and 24 mold species and assessed its interactions with six widely used antifungal drugs.
Investigating the Effects of Osmolytes and Environmental pH on Bacterial Persisters
Authors: Karki Prashant , Mohiuddin Sayed Golam , Kavousi Pouria , Orman Mehmet A.
Published: February 2020

Bacterial persisters are phenotypic variants that temporarily demonstrate an extraordinary tolerance toward antibiotics. Persisters have been linked to the recalcitrance of biofilm-related infections; hence, a complete understanding of their physiology can lead to improvement of therapeutic strategies for such infections. Mechanisms pertaining to persister formation are thought to be associated with stress response pathways triggered by intra- or extracellular stress factors. Unfortunately, studies demonstrating the effects of osmolyte- and/or pH-induced stresses on bacterial persistence are largely missing.
Towards Innovative Design and Application of Recombinant
Eimeria
as a Vaccine Vector
Authors: Tang Xinming , Liu Xianyong , Suo Xun
Published: February 2020

Efficient delivery of antigenic cargo to trigger protective immune responses is critical to the success of vaccination. Genetically engineered microorganisms, including virus, bacteria, and protozoa, can be modified to carry and deliver heterologous antigens to the host immune system. The biological vectors can induce a broad range of immune responses and enhance heterologous antigen-specific immunological outcomes. The protozoan genus
Eimeria
is widespread in domestic animals, causing serious coccidiosis.
Immune Profile of the Nasal Mucosa in Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Gómez-Zafra María J. , Navas Adriana , Jojoa Jimena , Murillo Julieth , González Camila , Gómez María Adelaida
Published: February 2020

Localized skin lesions are characteristic of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL); however,Leishmania(Viannia) species, which are responsible for most CL cases in the Americas, can spread systemically, sometimes resulting in mucosal disease. Detection ofLeishmaniahas been documented in healthy mucosal tissues (conjunctiva, tonsils, and nasal mucosa) and healthy skin of CL patients and in individuals with asymptomatic infection in areas of endemicity ofL.
Aspirin and fracture risk: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Barker A L , Soh Sze-Ee , Sanders Kerrie M , Pasco Julie , Khosla Sundeep , Ebeling Peter R , Ward Stephanie A , Peeters Geeske , Talevski Jason , Cumming Robert G , Seeman Ego , McNeil John J
Published: February 2020

Objectives

This review provides insights into the potential for aspirin to preserve bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce fracture risk, building knowledge of the risk-benefit profile of aspirin.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies. Electronic searches of MEDLINE and Embase, and a manual search of bibliographies was undertaken for studies published to 28 March 2018. Studies were included if: participants were men or women aged ≥18 years; the exposure of interest was aspirin; and relative risks, ORs and 95% CIs for the risk of fracture or difference (percentage or absolute) in BMD (measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) between aspirin users and non-users were presented. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists for observational studies. Pooled ORs for any fracture and standardised mean differences (SMDs) for BMD outcomes were calculated using random-effects models.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Aspirin use was associated with a 17% lower odds for any fracture (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99; I2=71%; six studies; n=511 390). Aspirin was associated with a higher total hip BMD for women (SMD 0.03, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.07; I2=0%; three studies; n=9686) and men (SMD 0.06, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.13, I2=0%; two studies; n=4137) although these associations were not significant. Similar results were observed for lumbar spine BMD in women (SMD 0.03, 95% CI −0.03 to 0.09; I2=34%; four studies; n=11 330) and men (SMD 0.08; 95% CI −0.01 to 0.18; one study; n=432).

Conclusions

While the benefits of reduced fracture risk and higher BMD from aspirin use may be modest for individuals, if confirmed in prospective controlled trials, they may confer a large population benefit given the common use of aspirin in older people.
Cycling but not walking to work or study is associated with physical fitness, body composition and clustered cardiometabolic risk in young men
Authors: Vaara Jani P , Vasankari Tommi , Fogelholm Mikael , Koski Harri , Kyröläinen Heikki
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Active commuting is an inexpensive and accessible form of physical activity and may be beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of active commuting and its subcomponents, cycling and walking, with cardiometabolic risk factors, physical fitness and body composition in young men.

Methods

Participants were 776 Finnish young (26±7 years), healthy adult men. Active commuting was measured with self-report. Waist circumference was measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Aerobic fitness was measured with bicycle ergometer and muscular fitness with maximal leg and bench press, sit-ups, push-ups and standing long jump. Cardiometabolic risk factors were analysed from blood samples and selected variables (glucose, insulin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were further converted to z-score to form clustered cardiometabolic risk.

Results

A total of 24% used active commuting consisting of 10% of walkers and 14% of cyclists. After adjustments for age, smoking, time of year, leisure-time and occupational physical activities, cycling was inversely associated with the clustered cardiometabolic risk (β=−0.11, 95% CI −0.22 to −0.01), while walking was not (β=−0.04, 95% CI −0.16 to 0.08). However, further adjustment for waist circumference attenuated the associations to non-significant. Moreover, cycling but not walking was inversely associated with BMI, waist circumference and maximal strength, while a positive association was observed with aerobic fitness (p<0.05).

Conclusion

This study shows that cycling to work or study has beneficial associations to clustered cardiometabolic risk, body composition and aerobic fitness in young, healthy adult men.