bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile health service adoption in China
Authors: Zhang Xing , Liu Shan , Wang Li , Zhang Yajun , Wang Jiayin
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Mobile health service (MHS) can provide users with convenient health services and information to reduce their medical costs from aging or other health issues. Previous studies confirm the underdevelopment of the Chinese MHS. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that affect the intention to use MHS.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a research model that integrates personal health differences with theory of planned behavior (TPB) and protection motivation theory (PMT). This model is empirically tested using data from 494 valid questionnaires. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Perceived vulnerability to disease, perceived severity of disease, response efficacy and self-efficacy positively affect attitude, thereby exerting a positive influence on the behavioral intention to use MHS. Subjective norms also influence users’ behavioral intention. Personal health status and personal health value have quasi-moderating effects on the relationship between attitude and behavioral intention.

Originality/value

This paper presents an early attempt to conceptualize and validate a research model of MHS acceptance by integrating TPB and PMT in a complementary manner. The integrated model provides a holistic view of people’s intention to use MHS by considering health threat beliefs, individual role (i.e. attitude and self-efficacy) and social influences (i.e. subjective norms). Furthermore, this research highlights the role of two individual health characteristics (i.e. personal health status and personal health value) in MHS adoption. These new findings are beneficial toward an in-depth understanding of technology adoption in the MHS context.
Dark sky tourism: economic impacts on the Colorado Plateau Economy, USA
Authors: Mitchell David , Gallaway Terrel
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the economic impact from dark-sky tourism in national parks in the USA on the Colorado Plateau. The Colorado Plateau is a region encompassing parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah that is known for its dark, star-filled night skies. Tourists in national parks are increasingly interested in observing this natural recreational amenity – especially considering that it is an ecological amenity that is quickly disappearing from the planet. Using a 10-year forecast of visitors to the national parks and using standard input-output modeling, it is observed that, for the first time anywhere, the value of dark skies to tourism in this area. The authors find that non-local tourists who value dark skies will spend $5.8bn over the next 10 years in the Colorado Plateau. These tourist expenditures will generate $2.4bn in higher wages and create over 10,000 additional jobs each year for the region. Furthermore, as dark skies are even more intense natural amenity in the non-summer months, they have the ability to increase visitor counts to national parks year-round and lead to a more efficient use of local community and tourism-related resources throughout the year.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a 10-year forecast of visitors to the national parks and using standard input-output modeling, we find that non-local tourists who value dark skies will spend $5.8bn over the next 10 years in the Colorado Plateau.

Findings

These tourist expenditures will generate $2.4bn in higher wages and create over 10,000 additional jobs each year for the region. Furthermore, as dark skies are even more intense natural amenity in the non-summer months, they have the ability to increase visitor counts to national parks year-round and lead to a more efficient use of local community and tourism-related resources throughout the year.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study has attempted to value the environmental amenity of dark skies.
Simplified frequency-independent model for vertical vibrations of surface circular foundations
Authors: Zahafi Amina , Hadid Mohamed
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to simplify a new frequency-independent model to calculate vertical vibration of rigid circular foundation resting on homogenous half-space and subjected to vertical harmonic excitation is presented in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is an oscillator of single degree of freedom, which comprises a mass, a spring and a dashpot. In addition, a fictitious mass is added to the foundation. All coefficients are frequency-independent. The spring is equal to the static stiffness. Damping coefficient and fictitious mass are first calculated at resonance frequency where the response is maximal. Then, using a curve fitting technique the general formulas of damping and fictitious mass frequency-independent are established.

Findings

The validity of the proposed method is checked by comparing the predicted response with those obtained by the half-space theory. The dynamic responses of the new simplified model are also compared with those obtained by some existing lumped-parameter models.

Originality/value

Using this new method, to calculate the dynamic response of foundations, the engineer only needs the geometrical and mechanical characteristics of the foundation (mass and radius) and the soil (density, shear modulus and the Poisson’s ratio) using just a simple calculator. Impedance functions will no longer be needed in this new simplified method. The methodology used for the development of the new simplified model can be applied for the resolution of other problems in dynamics of soil and foundation (superficial and embedded foundations of arbitrary shape, other modes of vibration and foundations resting on non-homogeneous soil).
A trait‐based framework for understanding predator–prey relationships: Trait matching between a specialist snake and its insect prey
Authors: Mizsei Edvárd , Boros Zoltán , Lovas‐Kiss Ádám , Szepesváry Csaba , Szabolcs Márton , Rák Gergő , Ujszegi János , Gál Zoltán , Lengyel Szabolcs , Puskás Gellért
Published: September 2019

High‐quality information on predator–prey relationships is fundamental in understanding food webs, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. Recent analytical advances have made it possible to develop new trait‐based approaches to study trophic relationships and evaluate trait matching between predators and prey.

Here, we develop a novel analytical approach based on generalized linear mixed‐effects models (GLMM) to test the importance of prey availability and to identify the set of prey traits that best explain the occurrence and number of prey in the predator's diet.

We demonstrate that the approach by using an extensive dataset on prey availability, prey traits and gut content collected in all known populations of Vipera graeca, a little‐known, endangered snake of alpine grasslands in the Pindos Mountains of the Balkan Peninsula.

We show that V. graeca is a unique, venomous snake specialized on bush‐crickets and grasshoppers (Orthoptera). Prey selection GLMMs showed that the ideal prey of V. graeca is abundant, large‐bodied, has poor escape abilities (flightless, slow‐moving and bad jumper) and prefers loose grasslands (as opposed to bare ground/rock or closed sward). Vipers restrict their feeding to periods of high Orthoptera abundance in the late summer and need to reach a certain body size to become able to catch large‐sized prey.

Our analytical approach provides a framework for trait matching between predators and prey and unprecedented fine‐scale information on the importance of prey traits in prey selection by a specialist predator. The narrow trophic niche of V. graeca likely increases the vulnerability of this cold‐adapted snake to extinction.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Quantitative analysis of research topics and public concern on V. velutina as invasive species in Asian and European countries
Authors: Do Yuno , Kim Jeong Bae , Shim JeongHee , Kim Chang‐Jun , Kwon Ohseok , Choi Moon Bo
Published: September 2019

We analyzed the research topics and public concern on Vespa velutina as an invasive species in Asian and European countries quantitatively though digitized texts such as scientometrics and conservation culturomics. We collected 126 scientific publications of V. velutina published during the last three decades, and 423 news articles on V. velutina in South Korea. In total, 22 countries have contributed to scientific research on V. velutina. Research topics were clearly classified to studies on taxonomy and invasion of V. velutina. In South Korea, people have recognized the ecological and health impact of V. velutina. Although scientific and public interest in V. velutina has increased since 2000, research topics may be narrow and information of news articles may be simple. To achieve the sustainable management of V. velutina, multilateral studies including environmental, social, and economic research on V. velutina are necessary.
Effect of curcumin nanomicelle on the clinical symptoms of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial
Authors: Javadi Maryam , Khadem Haghighian Hossein , Goodarzy Sima , Abbasi Mahnaz , Nassiri‐Asl Marjan
Published: September 2019

Aim

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease. In recent years, new drugs with novel targets have been developed to increase the efficacy of drugs in the treatment of RA. Curcumin has shown potent anti‐inflammatory effects and is considered an anti‐tumor necrosis factor. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of curcumin nanomicelle on the clinical symptoms of patients with RA.

Methods

This randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial selected 65 eligible RA patients and randomly divided them into a curcumin nanomicelle group (n = 30) and a placebo group (n = 35). Curcumin nanomicelle (40 mg) and placebo capsules were administrated to the RA patients 3 times a day for 12 weeks. The Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS‐28) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks.

Results

The DAS‐28, tender joint count (TJC) and swollen joint count (SJC) at baseline and the end of the study were not significant between the curcumin nanomicelle and placebo groups. After the intervention, the within‐group DAS‐28, TJC and SJC in the curcumin nanomicelle and placebo groups reduced significantly compared to the baseline. The difference in changes between the two groups was not significant. Nonetheless, this change was greater in the case group than in the placebo group. No significant changes were observed in terms of ESR between the two groups of RA patients.

Conclusion

Adding curcumin nanomicelle to the RA patients’ medication led to some positive changes in the DAS‐28, IJC and SJC, although not significantly.
High mortality and poor treatment efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with severe grade checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Tone Mari , Izumo Takehiro , Awano Nobuyasu , Kuse Naoyuki , Inomata Minoru , Jo Tatsunori , Yoshimura Hanako , Minami Jonsu , Takada Kohei , Miyamoto Shingo , Kunitoh Hideo
Published: September 2019

Background

The treatment efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and clinical outcomes in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who develop severe grade checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) are unclear. Here, we report on the treatment efficacy of ICI and prognosis in NSCLC patients with severe grade CIP.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, CIP severity, CIP‐related mortality, and ICI efficacy in 71 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs were evaluated. Data was obtained from the patients’ medical charts.

Results

All grade and severe grade CIP were observed in 22 and 11 patients, respectively. The CIP‐related mortality rate was 22.7% (N = 5). An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) score of ≥2 and pre‐existing interstitial lung disease (ILD) were significantly associated with the development of severe grade CIP (P = 0.001 and P = 0.035, respectively). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly shorter in patients with severe grade CIP than in those without severe grade CIP (PFS 1.0 month, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5–2.0 vs. 3.5 months, 95% CI 2.0–5.0 months, P = 0.003; OS 3.0 months, 95% CI 0.5–13 vs. 12.7 months, 95% CI 8.0–21.0 months, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

CIP is a serious complication with a poor prognosis associated with high mortality. The efficacy of ICI is significantly worse in patients with severe grade CIP than in those without severe grade CIP. Whether ICIs should be administered to patients with CIP risk factors, such as an ECOG PS score of ≥2 or pre‐existing ILD, should be carefully assessed.
Monitoring insect pollinators and flower visitation: The effectiveness and feasibility of different survey methods
Authors: O'Connor Rory S. , Kunin William E. , Garratt Michael P. D. , Potts Simon G. , Roy Helen E. , Andrews Christopher , Jones Catherine M. , Peyton Jodey M. , Savage Joanna , Harvey Martin C. , Morris Roger K. A. , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Wright Ivan , Vanbergen Adam J. , Carvell Claire
Published: September 2019

The status of pollinating insects is of international concern, but knowledge of the magnitude and extent of declines is limited by a lack of systematic monitoring. Standardized protocols are urgently needed, alongside a better understanding of how different methods and recorders (data collectors) influence estimates of pollinator abundance and diversity.

We compared two common methods for sampling wild pollinating insects (solitary bees, bumblebees and hoverflies), pan traps and transects, in surveys of 1 km countryside squares (agricultural and semi‐natural habitats) and flowering crop fields across Great Britain, including the influence of local floral resources (nectar sugar availability or crop flower density) on the insects sampled. Further, we compared the performance of recorders with differing expertise (non‐specialist research staff, taxonomic experts and non‐expert volunteers) in applying methods.

Pan traps and transects produced compositionally distinct samples of pollinator communities. In the wider countryside, pan traps sampled more species of solitary bee and hoverfly. In flowering crops, transects recorded a greater number of individual bumblebees, but fewer species.

Across all taxonomic groups and countryside and crop samples, transects generally had lower rates of species accumulation per individual collected than pan traps. This demonstrates that differences between methods in estimating richness are not due to sampling effort alone. However, recorders possessing greater taxonomic expertise can produce species accumulation data from transects that are almost commensurate with pan trapping.

The abundance and species richness of pollinators (except solitary bees) on transects in the wider countryside was positively related to the availability of estimated nectar sugar. In crops, pollinator abundance responses to flower densities were idiosyncratic according to crop type, but overall the response was positive and negative for transects and pan traps, respectively.

Given these taxonomic and context‐specific differences in method performance, we assess their suitability for monitoring pollinating insect communities and pollination services. We discuss the relevance of these findings within the context of achieving standardized, large‐scale monitoring of pollinating insects.
Introduction of an automatic and open‐source radio‐tracking system for small animals
Authors: Gottwald Jannis , Zeidler Ralf , Friess Nicolas , Ludwig Marvin , Reudenbach Christoph , Nauss Thomas
Published: September 2019

Movement ecology of small wild animals is often reliant on radio‐tracking methods due to the size and weight restrictions of available transmitters. In manual radio telemetry, large errors in spatial position and infrequent relocations prevent the effective analysis of small‐scale movement patterns and dynamic aspects of habitat selection. Automatic radio‐tracking systems present a potential solution for overcoming these drawbacks. However, existing systems use customized electronics and commercial software or exclusively record presence/absence data instead of triangulating the position of tagged individuals.

We present a low‐cost automatic radio‐tracking system built from consumer electronic devices that can locate the position of radio transmitters under field conditions. We provide information on the hardware components, describe mobile and stationary set‐up options, and offer open‐source software solutions.

We describe the workflow from hardware setup and antenna calibration, to recording and processing the data and present a proof of concept for forest‐dwelling bats using a mixed forest as study area. With an average bearing error of 6.8° and a linear error of 21 m within a distance ranging from 65 m to 190 m, the accuracy of our system exceeds that of both traditional methods as well as manual telemetry.

This affordable and easy‐to‐use automatic radio‐tracking system complements existing tools in movement ecology research by combining the advantages of lightweight and cost‐efficient radio telemetry with an automatic tracking set‐up.
Reduced Serum Osteocalcin in High‐Risk Alcohol Using People Living With HIV Does Not Correlate With Systemic Oxidative Stress or Inflammation: Data From the New Orleans Alcohol Use in HIV Study
Authors: Watt James , Schuon Jonathan , Davis Jacob , Ferguson Tekeda F. , Welsh David A. , Molina Patricia E. , Ronis Martin J. J.
Published: September 2019

Background

HIV infection is now largely a chronic condition as a result of the success of antiretroviral therapy. However, several comorbidities have emerged in people living with HIV (PLWH), including alcohol use disorders and musculoskeletal disorders. Alcohol use has been associated with lower bone mineral density, alterations to circulating bone turnover markers, and hypocalcemia. The pathophysiological basis of bone loss in the PLWH population is unclear but has been suggested to be linked to oxidative stress and inflammation. To test the hypothesis that PLWH consuming excessive alcohol have altered markers of bone turnover and/or calcium homeostasis in association with oxidative stress, we correlated measurements of alcohol consumption with markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, serum calcium concentrations, and measurements of bone turnover, including c‐terminal telopeptide cross‐links (CTX‐1) and osteocalcin.

Methods

Data were drawn from cross‐sectional baseline data from the ongoing New Orleans Alcohol Use in HIV (NOAH) study, comprised of 365 in care PLWH. Alcohol consumption measures (Alcohol Use Disorders Test, 30‐day timeline follow‐back calendar, and phosphatidylethanol [PEth]) were measured in a subcohort of 40 subjects selected based on highest and lowest PEth measurements. Multivariate linear regression was performed to test the relationships between alcohol consumption and systemic oxidative stress (4‐hydroxynonenal; 4‐HNE) and inflammation (c‐reactive protein; CRP).

Results

Serum calcium and CTX‐1 did not differ significantly between the high and low‐PEth groups. Individuals in the high‐PEth group had significantly lower serum osteocalcin (median low‐PEth group: 13.42 ng/ml, inter‐quartile range [IQR] 9.26 to 14.99 ng/ml; median high‐PEth group 7.39 ng/ml, IQR 5.02 to 11.25 ng/ml; p = 0.0005, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test). Osteocalcin negatively correlated with PEth (Spearman r = −0.45, p = 0.05) and self‐reported measures after adjusting for covariates. Alcohol consumption showed mild, but significant, positive associations with serum 4‐HNE, but not with CRP. Osteocalcin did not correlate with either 4‐HNE or CRP.

Conclusions

In this subcohort of PLWH, we detected significant associations between at‐risk alcohol use and osteocalcin, and at‐risk alcohol use and serum 4‐HNE, suggesting suppression of bone formation independent of increased systemic oxidative stress with increasing alcohol consumption.
Association between depression subtypes and response to repeated‐dose intravenous ketamine
Authors: Wang C. , Zhou Y. , Zheng W. , Liu W. , Zhan Y. , Li H. , Chen L. , Zhang B. , Walter M. , Li M. , Li M. D. , Ning Y.
Published: September 2019

Objective

About half or more of treatment‐resistant depressed patients do not respond to ketamine, and few clinical predictors to gauge the most likely antidepressant response have been proposed. We explored whether depression subtypes are associated with response to ketamine.

Method

Ninety‐seven participants with depression were administered six repeated‐dose intravenous ketamine and assessed for depression (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, MADRS), anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HAMA), and suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, SSI) at baseline, 24 h after each infusion, and 2 weeks after the whole treatment. Participants were classified by melancholic/anxious subtype. Individuals who met criteria for neither or both subtypes were classified separately, resulting in four mutually exclusive groups.

Results

Patients with melancholic or melancholic–anxious features were less likely to respond (e.g., day 13, melancholic–anxious vs. anxious, OR 0.138, 95% CI 0.032–0.584, P = 0.007) or remit (e.g., day 26, melancholic vs. no subtype, OR 0.182, 95% CI 0.035–0.960, P = 0.045) and took longer to achieve response/remission than those with anxious or no subtype features. Faster HAMA score reductions were observed in patients with anxious or melancholic–anxious features, and faster SSI score reductions were observed among those with melancholic–anxious features.

Conclusion

Our study shows promising results for ketamine as a novel antidepressant preferentially for the treatment of non‐melancholic or anxious depression.
Movement patterns of an arboreal gecko in fragmented agricultural landscapes reveal matrix avoidance
Authors: Hansen N. A. , Driscoll D. A. , Michael D. R. , Lindenmayer D. B.
Published: September 2019

Animal movement through agricultural landscapes is critical for population persistence of species within fragmented native vegetation patches. However, perceived habitat quality and the structural changes between differing land uses within such landscapes can reduce an animal's willingness to move. Understanding when animal movement behaviour varies in response to differing habitat types is necessary for identifying barriers to movement between habitat patches. We quantified the homing success and fine‐scale movement behaviour of a patch‐dependent gecko, Gehyra versicolor, in remnant patches, three different matrix types (crop, pasture and linear plantings), and at varying distances from the edge using fluorescent powder tracking, radio‐telemetry and experimental displacement. We found displaced geckos in pasture environments orientated more strongly and moved farther into farmland after being released and, away from their home ranges in remnant patches. In contrast, we found strong homing ability of displaced animals in plantings and crop matrix types, with animals moving towards remnant patches and away from farmland. Importantly, from the 48 individuals radio‐tracked, none moved into farmland, including pastures, despite 16 individuals approaching edge habitat. Because radio‐tracked geckos did not move into pastures, or any other matrix type, movement further into pasture by displaced animals likely represents limited orientation capacity in pasture rather than preference for pasture. We conclude geckos behaviourally avoided the farmland, irrespective of the presence of complex habitat (e.g. linear plantings). Our findings suggest that, despite efforts to improve farmland quality by planting, farmland is not generally preferred compared to remnant native vegetation. Understanding habitat‐specific movement behaviour is crucial to effectively identifying barriers to animal movement and will improve our efforts to conserve regional populations of patch‐dependent species.
Organisational models of health services for children and adolescents in out‐of‐home care: Health technology assessment
Authors: Mensah Tita , Hjern Anders , Håkanson Kickan , Johansson Pia , Jonsson Ann Kristine , Mattsson Titti , Tranæus Sofia , Vinnerljung Bo , Östlund Pernilla , Klingberg Gunilla
Published: September 2019

Aim

Decades of research confirm that children and adolescents in out‐of‐home care (foster family, residential care) have much greater health care needs than their peers. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate organisational health care models for this vulnerable group.

Methods

A systematic literature search was undertaken of the following databases: Academic Search Elite, CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cinahl, DARE, ERIC, HTA, PsycInfo, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, PubMed, SocIndex. Randomised and non‐randomised controlled trials were to be included. Two pairs of reviewers independently assessed abstracts of the identified published papers. Abstracts meeting the inclusion criteria were ordered in full text. Each article was reviewed independently, by pairs of reviewers. A joint assessment was made based on the inclusion criteria and relevance. Cases of disagreement were resolved by consensus discussion.

Results

No study with low or medium risk of bias was identified.

Conclusion

In the absence of studies of acceptable quality, it is not possible to assess the impact of organisational models intended to ensure adequate health and dental care for children and adolescents in out‐of‐home care. Therefore, well‐designed follow‐up studies should be conducted following the implementation of such models.
Elevated serum interleukin‐2 after gluten correlates with symptoms and is a potential diagnostic biomarker for coeliac disease
Authors: Tye‐Din Jason A. , Daveson A. James M. , Ee Hooi C. , Goel Gautam , MacDougall James , Acaster Sarah , Goldstein Kaela E. , Dzuris John L. , Neff Kristin M. , Truitt Kenneth E. , Anderson Robert P.
Published: September 2019

Background

Coeliac disease patients on a gluten‐free diet experience reactions to gluten, but these are not well characterised or understood. Systemic cytokine release was recently linked to reactivation of gluten immunity in coeliac disease.

Aim

To define the nature and time‐course of symptoms and interleukin‐2 changes specific for coeliac disease patients.

Methods

25 coeliac disease patients on a gluten‐free diet and 25 healthy volunteers consumed a standardised 6 gram gluten challenge. Coeliac Disease Patient‐Reported Outcome survey and global digestive symptom assessment were completed hourly up to 6 hours after gluten. Adverse events over 48 hours were recorded. Serum interleukin‐2 was measured at baseline, and 2, 4 and 6 hours.

Results

Serum interleukin‐2 was always undetectable in healthy controls, whereas it was undetectable at baseline and elevated >0.5 pg/ml at 4 hours in 92% of coeliac disease patients. All patient‐reported outcome severity scores increased significantly after gluten in coeliac disease patients (P < .001 Wilcoxon signed rank test), but not in controls. Symptoms began after 1 hour, and peaked in the third. Nausea and vomiting characterised severe reactions, but mild reactions were limited to headache and tiredness. Peak interleukin‐2 correlated with symptom severity, particularly for nausea and vomiting.

Conclusions

Serum interleukin‐2 elevations correlate with timing and severity of symptoms after gluten in coeliac disease. Standardised bolus gluten food challenge and interleukin‐2 assessment could provide a valuable clinical test to monitor and diagnose coeliac disease in patients established on a gluten‐free diet.
Being human: Why and in what sense it is morally relevant
Authors: Kipke Roland
Published: September 2019

The debate on the question of the moral status of human beings and the boundaries of the moral community has long been dominated by the antagonism between personism and speciesism: either certain mental properties or membership of the human species is considered morally crucial. In this article, I argue that both schools of thought are equally implausible in major respects, and that these shortcomings arise from the same reason in both cases: a biological notion of being human. By contrast, I show to what extent being human is morally relevant in a non‐biological sense. I establish the living human form as the essential criterion for belonging to the moral community, and defend it against a number of possible objections. This new morphological approach is capable of capturing essential elements of personism and speciesism without sharing their faults, and of reconstructing widespread moral intuitions.
Physicochemical n‐Grams Tool: A tool for protein physicochemical descriptor generation via Chou’s 5‐step rule
Authors: Vishnoi Shubham , Garg Prabha , Arora Pooja
Published: September 2019

Physicochemical n‐Grams Tool (PnGT) is an open‐source standalone software for calculating physicochemical descriptors of protein. PnGT was developed using the Python scripting language and developed the user interface using Tkinter. The software currently calculates 33 physicochemical descriptors along with the sequence length for the given protein primary sequence. The descriptor generated by this tool can be directly utilized as the feature vector for the development of proteomics statistical or machine learning predictive model.
Barriers children face complaining about social work practice: A study in one English local authority
Authors: Diaz Clive , Pert Hayley , Aylward Tricia , Neill Donna , Hill Lauren
Published: September 2019

Despite the introduction of guidelines and procedures aimed at encouraging and supporting children and young people to complain about the services they receive, children in care still face barriers to doing so in practice. This paper explores what happens when children in care are dissatisfied with the services they receive. Specifically, this study examines the complaints procedure for children in care. The findings are based on semistructured interviews with children in care, social workers, senior managers, and independent reviewing officers from one English local authority. Thematic analysis of these data identified five emergent themes: (a) complaints by children in care are managed at the lowest possible level, (b) senior managers have an overly optimistic view about children in care being informed of complaint procedures and being encouraged to do so, (c) children in care are worried about complaining, which is recognized by professionals, (d) children's voices are often not heard, and (e) when issues are clearly defined, independent reviewing officers have some degree of success in resolving complaints from children in care.
Stroop interference is a composite phenomenon: Evidence from distinct developmental trajectories of its components
Authors: Ferrand Ludovic , Ducrot Stéphanie , Chausse Pierre , Maïonchi‐Pino Norbert , O’Connor Richard J. , Parris Benjamin A. , Perret Patrick , Riggs Kevin J. , Augustinova Maria
Published: September 2019

Only one previous developmental study of Stroop task performance (Schiller, 1966) has controlled for differences in processing speed that exist both within and between age groups. Therefore, the question of whether the early developmental change in the magnitude of Stroop interference actually persists after controlling for processing speed needs further investigation; work that is further motivated by the possibility that any remaining differences would be caused by process(es) other than processing speed. Analysis of data from two experiments revealed that, even after controlling for processing speed using z‐transformed reaction times, early developmental change persists such that the magnitude of overall Stroop interference is larger in 3rd‐ and 5th graders as compared to 1st graders. This pattern indicates that the magnitude of overall Stroop interference peaks after 2 or 3 years of reading practice (Schadler & Thissen, 1981). Furthermore, this peak is shown to be due to distinct components of Stroop interference (resulting from specific conflicts) progressively falling into place. Experiment 2 revealed that the change in the magnitude of Stroop interference specifically results from joint contributions of task, semantic and response conflicts in 3rd‐ and 5th graders as compared to a sole contribution of task conflict in 1st graders. The specific developmental trajectories of different conflicts presented in the present work provide unique evidence for multiple loci of Stroop interference in the processing stream (respectively task, semantic and response conflict) as opposed to a single (i.e. response) locus predicted by historically – favored response competition accounts.
Credit risk, owner liability, and bank loan maturities during the global financial crisis
Authors: Duarte Fábio Dias , Gama Ana Paula Matias , Gulamhussen Mohamed Azzim
Published: September 2019

We relate credit risk and owners’ personal guarantees to bank loan maturities during the global financial crisis. The findings, which remain robust to reverse causality, show that firms rated as low risk, with a strong relationship with the bank, whose owners provided personal guarantees and with large loan sizes obtained longer maturities. Banks with larger nonperforming loans provided loans with shorter maturities. Firms with low‐ and high‐risk ratings that provided owners’ personal guarantees obtained longer maturities. These findings shed additional light on the relationship between risk and loan maturities and the role of personal guarantees in reducing information asymmetries.
The response of stomatal conductance to seasonal drought in tropical forests
Authors: Wu Jin , Serbin Shawn P. , Ely Kim S. , Wolfe Brett T. , Dickman L. Turin , Grossiord Charlotte , Michaletz Sean T. , Collins Adam D. , Detto Matteo , McDowell Nate G. , Wright S. Joseph , Rogers Alistair
Published: September 2019

Stomata regulate CO2 uptake for photosynthesis and water loss through transpiration. The approaches used to represent stomatal conductance (gs) in models vary. In particular, current understanding of drivers of the variation in a key parameter in those models, the slope parameter (i.e. a measure of intrinsic plant water‐use‐efficiency), is still limited, particularly in the tropics. Here we collected diurnal measurements of leaf gas exchange and leaf water potential (Ψleaf), and a suite of plant traits from the upper canopy of 15 tropical trees in two contrasting Panamanian forests throughout the dry season of the 2016 El Niño. The plant traits included wood density, leaf‐mass‐per‐area (LMA), leaf carboxylation capacity (Vc,max), leaf water content, the degree of isohydry, and predawn Ψleaf. We first investigated how the choice of four commonly used leaf‐level gs models with and without the inclusion of Ψleaf as an additional predictor variable influence the ability to predict gs, and then explored the abiotic (i.e. month, site‐month interaction) and biotic (i.e. tree‐species‐specific characteristics) drivers of slope parameter variation. Our results show that the inclusion of Ψleaf did not improve model performance and that the models that represent the response of gs to vapor pressure deficit performed better than corresponding models that respond to relative humidity. Within each gs model, we found large variation in the slope parameter, and this variation was attributable to the biotic driver, rather than abiotic drivers. We further investigated potential relationships between the slope parameter and the six available plant traits mentioned above, and found that only one trait, LMA, had a significant correlation with the slope parameter (R2 = 0.66, n = 15), highlighting a potential path towards improved model parameterization. This study advances understanding of gs dynamics over seasonal drought, and identifies a practical, trait‐based approach to improve modeling of carbon and water exchange in tropical forests.
Global diversity patterns are modulated by temporal fluctuations in primary productivity
Authors: Toszogyova Anna , Storch David
Published: September 2019

Aim

To evaluate the role of seasonal and non‐seasonal productivity fluctuations in global patterns of species richness.

Location

Worldwide.

Time period

2000–2017.

Major taxa studied

Amphibians, birds, mammals.

Methods

We analysed time series of monthly variation of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a surrogate of primary productivity, within c. 100 km × 100 km cells across all continents, estimating the mean, periodic seasonal variation and aperiodic unpredictable fluctuations of the NDVI in these cells. We then explored the relationships between mean NDVI and the components of its temporal variation and evaluated the independent effects of the above‐mentioned variables on species richness in the three vertebrate groups by means of variation partitioning.

Results

There is a hump‐shaped relationship between mean productivity and variation in productivity, so that temporal variation in productivity is lowest in regions with minimum and maximum values of mean productivity. Although mean productivity is a strong determinant of species richness, both seasonal and non‐seasonal productivity variation significantly affect the species richness of all studied taxa when accounting for mean productivity. However, the direction of these effects differs between regions differing in the mean productivity level. High variation in productivity has a negative effect on species richness in regions with moderate to high productivity levels, whereas species richness is higher in arid regions with high variation in productivity.

Main conclusions

Species richness is affected by temporal variation in productivity, but these effects differ regionally. In productive areas, high environmental stochasticity may increase population extinction rates, whereas arid regions probably benefit from resource fluctuations that promote species coexistence. Our results indicate that contemporary changes in patterns of temporal resource fluctuations may affect future global patterns of biological diversity on Earth.
Hypomethylation‐activated cancer‐testis gene SPANXC promotes cell metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Xuewei , Ju Sihan , Chen Yao , Qian Qufei , Yan Caiwang , Chen Shuaizhou , Chang Yuting , Xu Yide , Ma Zijian , Zhang Chang , Qin Na , Gu Yayun , Wang Cheng , Zhang Erbao , Hu Zhibin
Published: September 2019

Many studies have shown that there were similarity between tumorigenesis and gametogenesis. Our previous work found that cancer‐testis (CT) genes could serve as a novel source of candidate of cancer. Here, by analysing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we characterized a CT gene, SPANXC, which is expressed only in testis. The SPANXC was reactivated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues. And the expression of SPANXC was associated with prognosis of LUAD. We also found that the activation of SPANXC was due to the promoter hypomethylation of SPANXC. Moreover, SPANXC could modulate cell metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that SPANXC could bind to ROCK1, a metastasis‐related gene, and thus SPANXC may regulate cell metastasis partly through interaction with ROCK1 in LUAD. Together, our results demonstrated that the CT expression pattern of SPANXC served as a crucial role in metastasis of LUAD. And these data further corroborated the resemblance between processes of germ cell development and tumorigenesis, including migration and invasion.
Interaction between the tumor microenvironment and resection margin in different gross types of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cha Sung Whan , Sohn Joon Hyung , Kim Sung Hoon , Kim Yun Tae , Kang Seong Hee , Cho Mee‐Yon , Kim Moon Young , Baik Soon Koo
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim

There is no consensus regarding the safe resection margin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several studies reported that different gross types require different resection margins. We investigated the changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in different gross types of HCC.

Methods

We selected tumor tissue and normal tissue 1 and 2 cm away from the HCC. We analyzed the expression status of TME genes and the correlation between TME genes and the effective resection margin. We further divided the patients into two groups: group 1 included expanding and vaguely nodular types, whereas group 2 included nodular with perinodular extension, multinodular confluent, and infiltrative types.

Results

Group 2 showed 27% and 45% 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates, respectively. Group 2 was a significant prognostic factor for DFS and OS. In cases with a resection margin of less than 1 cm or more than 2 cm, there were no differences in recurrence and survival rate between the two groups. Group 1 patients who had a resection margin that ranged from 1 to 2 cm showed significantly better DFS and OS rates. β‐Catenin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression was significantly decreased and that of E‐cadherin was significantly increased according to the resection margin in group 1.

Conclusions

Patients with expanding and vaguely nodular HCC may safely undergo surgical resection with a narrow resection margin, and patients with the other gross types must undergo surgical resection with more than a 2‐cm resection margin because of their TME conditions.
Mechanism of SPRY1 methylation regulating natural aging of skin epidermal cells
Authors: Yang E , Juan Zhao , Hengshu Zhang
Published: September 2019

Objective

To investigate the relationship among natural aging of epidermal cells, epigenetics, and SPRY1 methylation mechanism.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription‐PCR (RT‐PCR), and Western blot were used to detect the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and Sprouty1 (SPRY1) in skin epithelial cells from different age groups. An aging model of HaCaT cells was constructed. In HaCaT cells and their aging groups, DNMT1 and SPRY1 expression were detected by RT‐PCR and WB. SPRY1 methylation status in epidermal cells from different age groups and HaCaT cells were detected by Methylation‐Specific PCR (MS‐PCR).

Results

The expression of DNMT1 and SPRY1 in skin epithelial cells from natural aging groups decreased with age; there was no significant difference in the expression of DNMT1 in HaCaT cells and the different age groups. The expression of SPRY1 in HaCaT cells was lower than it was in the aging groups. The methylation status of SPRY1 gradually decreased as the age of skin epidermal cells increased, while the methylation status of SPRY1 was not different between HaCaT cells and the aging group.

Conclusion

DNMT1 is involved in the regulation of natural aging of skin epidermal cells but has a nominal role in our induced aging model. SPRY1 is involved in natural aging and induced aging of skin epidermal cells. The regulation of SPRY1 methylation is involved in the natural senescence of skin epidermal cells, while the induced aging of epidermal cells is nominally involved in the mechanism of SPRY1 methylation.
Attention promotes accurate impression formation
Authors: Capozzi Francesca , Human Lauren J. , Ristic Jelena
Published: September 2019

Objective

An ability to form accurate impressions of others is vital for adaptive social behavior in humans. Here, we examined if attending to persons more is associated with greater accuracy in personality impressions.

Method

We asked 42 observers (36 females; mean age = 21 years, age range = 18–28; expected power = 0.96) to form personality impressions of unacquainted individuals (i.e., targets) from video interviews while their attentional behavior was assessed using eye tracking. We examined whether (a) attending more to targets benefited accuracy, (b) attending to specific body parts (e.g., face vs. body) drove this association, and (c) targets' ease of personality readability modulated these effects.

Results

Paying more attention to a target was associated with forming more accurate personality impressions. Attention to the whole person contributed to this effect, with this association occurring independently of targets’ ease of readability.

Conclusions

These findings show that attending more to a person is associated with increased accuracy and thus suggest that attention promotes social adaption by supporting accurate social perception.
Social comparison at school: Can GPA and personality mutually influence each other across time?
Authors: Negru‐Subtirica Oana , Pop Eleonora Ioana , Crocetti Elisabetta , Meeus Wim
Published: September 2019

Objective

Being a student is an important social role youth play during adolescence and how they approach this role has critical implications for their future development. This three‐wave longitudinal study investigated the links between academic achievement (i.e., GPA) and personality traits, through the lens of social comparison mechanisms.

Method

Patterns of effects between students' GPA and personality traits were analyzed at group (i.e., comparing rank‐order differences at group‐level; group effects) and individual (i.e., scores are compared to a student's own mean; within‐person effects) levels. A total of 1,151 adolescents (Mage = 16.45 years; 58.7% female) participated in the study.

Results

Most effects we depicted were from GPA to personality traits. At the group‐level, higher GPA fostered students' Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness, while Openness reinforced high levels of GPA. At the individual level, GPA was a protective factor against negative affect, as it drove longitudinal decreases in Neuroticism.

Conclusions

GPA had a stronger role in personality formation when it reflected students' standing in the school compared to their peers (i.e., group effects) and to a lesser extent when it reflected changes at personal level (i.e., within‐person effects).
Diagnosis of hepatocellular adenoma in men before onset of diabetes in HNF1A‐MODY: Watch out for winkers
Authors: Haring Martijn P. D. , Vriesendorp Titia M. , Klein Wassink‐Ruiter Jolien S. , de Haas Robbert J. , Gouw Annette S. H. , de Meijer Vincent E.
Published: September 2019

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A) maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenetic, autosomal dominantly inherited form of diabetes. HNF1A‐MODY is associated with HNF1A‐inactivated hepatocellular adenoma (H‐HCA) formation. Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) are benign liver tumours and related complications are rare but serious: hepatic haemorrhage and malignant transformation. Guidelines recommend resection of all HCA in men and do not take any co‐occurring metabolic disorders into account. We report a family with HCA preceding diabetes mellitus. Male index patient presented with numerous, irresectable HCA. After initial diagnostic and aetiologic uncertainty HNF1A germline mutation c.815G>A (p.Arg272His) was confirmed 8 years later. No HCA‐related complications occurred. His diabetic mother was diagnosed with HCA after severe hepatic haemorrhage years before. HNF1A‐MODY should be considered in (non‐)diabetic (male) patients with H‐HCA. We advocate liver biopsy and, if necessary, genetic analysis to precede any intervention for HCA in males and screening for HCA in HNF1A‐MODY patients.