bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non‐cropped fragments as important spider reservoirs in a Pampean agro‐ecosystem
Authors: Pompozzi Gabriel , Marrero Hugo J. , Haedo Joana , Fritz Laura , Torretta Juan P.
Published: August 2019

Agricultural landscapes include patches of cropped and non‐cropped habitats. Non‐cropped fragments are often source habitats for natural pest predators which colonise less suitable agricultural fields. The goals of the present study were: (a) to evaluate the contribution of non‐cropped fragments to agro‐ecosystems as biodiversity reservoirs and ecosystem service providers, by assessing the abundance of spider species and their diversity and (b) to quantify the spatial variation in spider communities across different non‐cropped fragments and crops. We hypothesised that non‐cropped fragments function as spider diversity reservoirs with better conditions for reproduction than crops. We collected spiders from 10 restored fragments having had no disturbance for 20 years and four field edges, along a gradient inside the crop adjacent to each fragment. Overall, we collected 3,591 spiders belonging to 49 species/morphospecies in 14 families. Non‐cropped fragments had a central role in the spider community, as estimated through species–habitat networks. We found differences in the diversity and abundance of spiders between non‐cropped and cropped fragments. However, these differences were only for immature spiders, whose abundance decreased from non‐cropped fragments towards the inside of crops. Our results highlight the importance of non‐cropped fragments in agro‐ecosystems as important source habitat patches, reservoirs of biodiversity and sites where spider reproductive success is possibly higher.
The Convergence of Financial and ESG Materiality: Taking Sustainability Mainstream
Authors: Jebe Ruth
Published: August 2019

Sustainability reporting can be seen as an attempt to bring improved environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices to mainstream business. However, this movement to mainstream is hampered by the disconnect between financial and ESG information. Both reporting streams use the concept of materiality to shape firms’ disclosure obligations, but the term carries different meanings for different organizations. One sustainability organization, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), has developed reporting standards to merge sustainability and financial information by leveraging the definition of materiality for financial reporting purposes. This use of financial materiality positions the SASB to collide with the Security and Exchange Commission's (SEC) hands‐off attitude to ESG reporting. In the regulatory void left by the SEC's inaction on sustainability reporting, the SASB provides the best route to reconceptualize materiality in line with society's interest in sustainable business.
Increasing Psychological Capital: A Pre‐Registered Meta‐Analysis of Controlled Interventions
Authors: Lupșa Daria , Vîrga Delia , Maricuțoiu Laurențiu P. , Rusu Andrei
Published: August 2019

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance psychological capital (PsyCap), well‐being, and performance. We used inclusion criteria such as: to have an experimental design, the sample to be formed by employees or students, to contain a measure of PsyCap, and a control group. Forty‐one trials (Ntotal = 3,911) met these criteria. The overall effect of the interventions on all PsyCap variables was significant but small (d = 0.34, k = 41, Z = 6.74, p < .001). Separate analyses on each of the PsyCap variables also revealed significant effects: small effects on developing PsyCap (d = 0.26, k = 9, Z = 4.37, p < .001), hope (d = 0.22, k = 5, Z = 2.26, p < .05), self‐efficacy (d = 0.37, k = 18, Z = 4.11, p < .001), and optimism (d = 0.36, k = 12, Z = 2.52, p < .05), and a small to medium effect for resilience (d = 0.49, k = 12, Z = 3.61, p < .001). The effectiveness of the PsyCap interventions on well‐being and performance is also significant.
Bullying as a Group Process in Childhood: A Longitudinal Social Network Analysis
Authors: Rambaran J. Ashwin , Dijkstra Jan Kornelis , Veenstra René
Published: August 2019

This study investigates the dynamic interplay between bullying relationships and friendships in a sample of 481 students in 19 elementary school classrooms (age 8–12 years; 50% boys). Based on a relational framework, it is to be expected that friendships would be formed when two children bullied the same person and that children would start to bully the victims of their friends. Similarly, it is to be expected that friendships would be formed when two children were victimized by the same bully and that children would become victimized by the bullies of their friends. Longitudinal bivariate social network analysis supported the first two hypotheses but not the latter two. This study provides evidence for group processes in bullying networks in childhood.
Functional analysis of a novel G87V TNFRSF1A mutation in patients with TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome
Authors: Tsuji S , Matsuzaki H , Iseki M , Nagasu A , Hirano H , Ishihara K , Ueda N , Honda Y , Horiuchi T , Nishikomori R , Morita Y , Mukai T
Published: August 2019

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autoinflammatory disease that is caused by heterozygous mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. Although more than 150 TNFRSF1A mutations have been reported to be associated with TRAPS phenotypes only a few, such as p.Thr79Met (T79M) and cysteine mutations, have been functionally analyzed. We identified two TRAPS patients in one family harboring a novel p.Gly87Val (G87V) mutation in addition to a p.Thr90Ile (T90I) mutation in TNFRSF1A. In this study, we examined the functional features of this novel G87V mutation. In-vitro analyses using mutant TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1)-over-expressing cells demonstrated that this mutation alters the expression and function of TNF-R1 similar to that with the previously identified pathogenic T79M mutation. Specifically, cell surface expression of the mutant TNF-R1 in transfected cells was inhibited with both G87V and T79M mutations, whereas the T90I mutation did not affect this. Moreover, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TRAPS patients harboring the G87V and T90I mutations showed increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the effect of various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on inflammatory responses was explored, revealing that PBMCs from TRAPS patients are hyper-responsive to TLR-2 and TLR-4 ligands and that interleukin (IL)-8 and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of TRAPS. These findings suggest that the newly identified G87V mutation is one of the causative mutations of TRAPS. Our findings based on unique TRAPS-associated mutations provide novel insight for clearer understanding of inflammatory responses, which would be basic findings of developing a new therapeutic and prophylactic approach to TRAPS.
Delaying insect access alters community composition on small carrion: a quantitative approach
Authors: Kadlec J , Mikatova S , Maslo P , Sipkova H , Sipek P , Sladecek FXJ
Published: August 2019

We present a study of interactions in the highly competitive insect communities inhabiting the carrion of small mammals. Via manipulation in a fully quantitative design, we delayed community development by excluding insect colonization in mouse and rat carcasses for 3 days, to study the role of early competitively dominant colonizers [burying beetles (Nicrophorus spp.; Coleoptera: Silphidae) and blowfly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae)] in the course of heterotrophic succession on small cadavers. Earlier studies demonstrated that in the case of large mammalian carrion, exclusion of insects’ access to the carcass in the early stages of decomposition altered the successional trajectory and species assemblages. However, the effect of such manipulation in easy monopolizable small vertebrate carrion remained unknown. Our results demonstrate that delaying insect access to carrion significantly lowered blowfly larvae abundances, while it simultaneously had no effect on colonization and carrion burial by burying beetles. Higher abundances of blowfly larvae seem to deter necrophagous beetles, whereas they are not harmful to the larvae of flesh flies, at least in larger rat carcasses. Predatory beetle species preferred the lower abundances of blowfly larvae, presumably due to better accessibility of their prey. Our results therefore suggest that in the course of the entire season, larvae of blowflies are the dominant competitors in small carcasses, and significantly affect the assembly of other insect groups, whereas burying beetles may exhibit a more temporal pattern of dominance.
Robust neural tracking of linguistic units relates to distractor suppression
Authors: Gao Yayue , Zhang Jianfeng , Wang Qian
Published: August 2019

In a complex auditory scene, speech comprehension involves several stages: for example segregating the target from the background, recognizing syllables and integrating syllables into linguistic units (e.g., words). Although speech segregation is robust as shown by invariant neural tracking to target speech envelope, whether neural tracking to linguistic units is also robust and how this robustness is achieved remain unknown. To investigate these questions, we concurrently recorded neural responses tracking a rhythmic speech stream at its syllabic and word rates, using electroencephalography. Human participants listened to that target speech under a speech or noise distractor at varying signal‐to‐noise ratios. Neural tracking at the word rate was not as robust as neural tracking at the syllabic rate. Robust neural tracking to target's words was only observed under the speech distractor but not under the noise distractor. Moreover, this robust word tracking correlated with a successful suppression of distractor tracking. Critically, both word tracking and distractor suppression correlated with behavioural comprehension accuracy. In sum, our results suggest that a robust neural tracking of higher‐level linguistic units relates to not only the target tracking, but also the distractor suppression.
Pleomorphic sarcoma with giant cells infiltrating the infraorbital canal in an aged Thoroughbred mare
Authors: Elane G. L. , Corbin E. M. , Reig L. , Brown J. A.
Published: August 2019

A 27‐year‐old Thoroughbred mare presented for computed tomography (CT) of the head following a 3‐month history of facial swelling at the infraorbital foramen, unilateral self‐mutilation and head‐shaking. StandingCTimaging showed soft tissue attenuation surrounding the infraorbital canal, with extensive bony lysis of the canal and maxillary bone at the infraorbital foramen. The mare was subjected to euthanasia, and post‐mortem examination revealed a proliferative tan soft tissue mass overlying the infraorbital nerve. A histopathological diagnosis of pleomorphic sarcoma with giant cells was made. Immunohistochemical analysis failed to fully elucidate the mesenchymal cell of origin of the sarcoma. Pleomorphic sarcoma with giant cells involving the infraorbital canal of the horse has not been previously described. This case highlights chronic subtle behavioural changes attributable to this neoplasm prior to the development of clinical signs and the utility of advanced imaging in the diagnosis.
Understanding the household cooking fuel transition
Authors: Schunder Torsten , Bagchi‐Sen Sharmistha
Published: August 2019

Three billion people use biomass and other harmful cooking fuels (e.g., charcoal) worldwide. This poses a significant risk to health and deters human development. Policies have been implemented to promote the use of modern cooking fuels, but the outcomes have been uneven. The problem continues to affect the poor, especially in rural and remote areas, in disproportionate ways. While technological solutions exist, widespread adoption has been slow due to various barriers to transition at the household level. In this paper, we provide a review of the findings from studies on household cooking fuel transition to show the various factors that affect the process. We not only acknowledge the role of policy but also emphasize the need for understanding the mismatch between broader policy and local household response to policy surrounding cooking fuel use.
Adipokines and the control of mast cell functions: from obesity to inflammation?
Authors: Milling Simon
Published: August 2019

Adipokines are peptide mediators produced by fat cells in adipose tissue that exert a powerful influence on many body systems, including the immune system. Leptin and adiponectin are among the best known of these molecules and have been shown to affect the functions of, for instance, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and innate lymphoid cells. Here we present the results of a new study that describes the effects of leptin and adiponectin on mast cells, a cell type which plays an important role in controlling inflammatory responses. This provides an improved understanding of how obesity may contribute to chronic inflammation, and lead to a wide range of inflammatory pathologies.
The importance of targets and value creation in vertical acquisitions
Authors: Ekkayokkaya Manapol , Paudyal Krishna
Published: August 2019

We study how value creation in vertical acquisitions varies in the importance of the target's assets to its acquirer. The synergistic gain increases in the degree of vertical relatedness between the acquirer and target industries. This finding suggests that the importance of the target firm's assets to its acquirer's productivity is an important value‐creating channel in vertical acquisitions. We also find evidence suggesting that acquirers extract greater value as the synergistic gain increases, consistent with an efficient investment incentive underlying the integration decision.
Benefits of cryopreserved human amniotic membranes in association with conventional treatments in the management of full‐thickness burns
Authors: Hatzfeld Anne‐Sophie , Pasquesoone Louise , Germain Nicolas , Danzé Pierre‐Marie , Drucbert Anne‐Sophie , Tardivel Meryem , Bongiovanni Antonino , Duquennoy‐Martinot Véronique , Guerreschi Pierre , Marchetti Philippe
Published: August 2019

The use of split‐thickness skin autografts (STSA) with dermal substitutes is the gold standard treatment for third‐degree burn patients. In this article, we tested whether cryopreserved amniotic membranes could be beneficial to the current treatments for full‐thickness burns. Swines were subjected to standardised full‐thickness burn injuries, and then were randomly assigned to treatments: (a) STSA alone; (b) STSA associated with the dermal substitute, Matriderm; (c) STSA plus human amniotic membrane (HAM); and (d) STSA associated with Matriderm plus HAM. Clinical and histological assessments were performed over time. We also reported the clinical use of HAM in one patient. The addition of HAM to classic treatments reduced scar contraction. In the presence of HAM, skin wound healing displayed high elasticity and histological examination showed a dense network of long elastic fibres. The presence of HAM increased dermal neovascularization, but no effect was observed on the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the wound. Moreover, the use of HAM with classical treatments in one human patient revealed a clear benefit in terms of elasticity. These results give initial evidence to consider the clinical application of HAM to avoid post‐burn contractures and therefore facilitate functional recovery after deep burn injury.
No downregulation of immune function during breeding in two year‐round breeding bird species in an equatorial East African environment
Authors: Ndithia Henry K. , Versteegh Maaike A. , Muchai Muchane , Tieleman B. Irene
Published: August 2019

Some equatorial environments exhibit substantial within‐location variation in environmental conditions throughout the year and yet have year‐round breeding birds. This implies that breeding in such systems are potentially unrelated to the variable environmental conditions. By breeding not being influenced by environmental conditions, we become sure that any differences in immune function between breeding and non‐breeding birds do not result from environmental variation, therefore allowing for exclusion of the confounding effect of variation in environmental conditions. This create a unique opportunity to test if immune function is down‐regulated during reproduction compared to non‐breeding periods. We compared the immune function of sympatric male and female chick‐feeding and non‐breeding red‐capped Calandrella cinerea and rufous‐naped larks Mirafra africana in equatorial East Africa. These closely‐related species occupy different niches and have different breeding strategies in the same grassland habitat. Red‐capped larks prefer areas with short grass or almost bare ground, and breed during low rainfall periods. Rufous‐naped larks prefer areas of tall grass and scattered shrubs and breed during high rainfall. We measured the following immune indices: nitric oxide, haptoglobin, agglutination and lysis, and measured total monthly rain, monthly average minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures. Contrary to our predictions, we found no down‐regulation of immune function during breeding; breeding birds had higher nitric oxide than non‐breeding ones in both species, while the other three immune indices did not differ between breeding phases. Red‐capped larks had higher nitric oxide concentrations than Rufous‐naped larks, which in turn had higher haptoglobin levels than red‐capped larks. Tmax was higher during breeding than during non‐breeding for red‐capped larks only, suggesting potential confounding effect of Tmax on the comparison of immune function between breeding and non‐breeding birds for this species. Overall, we conclude that in the two year‐round breeding equatorial larks, immune function is not down‐regulated during breeding.
Industrial ecology, climate adaptation, and financial risk
Authors: Busch Timo
Published: August 2019

Climate adaptation has become an important topic for risk management in companies. This article investigates the usefulness of Industrial Ecology tools and concepts in this context. The conclusion is that the established tools and concepts were not designed with the purpose of assisting managers in the climate adaptation and related financial risk context. Nevertheless, the tools and concepts offer plenty of aspects and features that are helpful for the assessment and management of climate risks. The tools primarily provide guidance for the managerial decision‐making process, notably in terms of data handling. The concepts can be used as a starting point for developing new climate risk management frameworks.
The effect of volunteers’ care and support on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Saunders Rosemary , Seaman Karla , Graham Renée , Christiansen Angela
Published: August 2019

Aim

To examine the available evidence on the effects of care and support provided by volunteers on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care services.

Background

Acute hospital inpatient populations are becoming older, and this presents the potential for poorer health outcomes. Factors such as chronic health conditions, polypharmacy and cognitive and functional decline are associated with increased risk of health care‐related harm, such as falls, delirium and poor nutrition. To minimise the risk of health care‐related harm, volunteer programmes to support patient care have been established in many hospitals worldwide.

Design

A systematic scoping review.

Methods

The review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) (File S1). Nine databases were searched (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect and JBI) using the following key terms: ‘hospital’, ‘volunteer’, ‘sitter’, ‘acute care’, ‘older adults’, ‘confusion’, ‘dementia’ and ‘frail’. The search was limited to papers written in English and published from 2002–2017. Inclusion criteria were studies involving the use of hospital volunteers in the care or support of older adult patients aged ≥ 65 years, or ≥ 50 years for Indigenous peoples, with chronic health conditions, cognitive impairment and/or physical decline or frailty, within the acute inpatient settings.

Results

Of the 199 articles identified, 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised for quality, and 12 articles were included in the final review.

Conclusions

There is evidence that the provision of volunteer care and support with eating and drinking, mobilising and therapeutic activities can impact positively upon patient health outcomes related to nutrition, falls and delirium. Further robust research is needed to determine the impact of volunteers in acute care and the specific care activities that can contribute to the best outcomes for older adults.

Relevance to clinical practice

Volunteers can play a valuable role in supporting care delivery by nurses and other health professionals in acute care services, and their contribution can improve health outcomes for older adults in this setting.
Children's active participation in decision‐making processes during hospitalisation: An observational study
Authors: Quaye Angela A. , Coyne Imelda , Söderbäck Maja , Hallström Inger Kristensson
Published: August 2019

Aims and objectives

The aim was to explore and describe the child's active participation in daily healthcare practice at children's hospital units in Sweden.

Objectives

(a) Identify everyday situations in medical and nursing care that illustrate children's active participation in decision‐making, (b) identify various ways of active participation, actual and optimal in situations involving decision‐making and (c) explore factors in nursing and medical care that influence children's active participation in decision‐making.

Background

Despite active participation being a fundamental right for children, they are not always involved in decision‐making processes during their health care. There still remains uncertainty on how to support children to actively participate in decisions concerning their health care.

Design

A qualitative study with overt, nonparticipant observations fulfilling the COREQ checklist criteria.

Methods

Observations of interactions between children aged 2 and 17 years with both acute and chronic conditions, their parents, and healthcare professionals were conducted at three paediatric hospitals in Sweden. The Scale of Degrees of Self Determination was used to grade identified situations. The scale describes five levels of active participation, with level one being the least and level five being the most active level of participation. Normative judgements were also made.

Results

Children's active participation was assessed as being generally at levels four and five. Children demonstrated both verbal and nonverbal ways of communication during decision‐making. Findings indicated that children's, parents' and healthcare professional's actions influenced children's active participation in decision‐making processes involving healthcare.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals specialised in paediatrics need to embrace both a child perspective and a child's perspective, plan care incorporating key elements of a child‐centred care approach, to ensure children's active participation at a level of their choosing.

Relevance to clinical practice

There is a need for awareness creation to help healthcare professionals facilitate children's active participation in their care and decision‐making.
Acidic residues and a predicted, highly conserved α‐helix are critical for the endonuclease/strand separation functions of bacteriophage λ’s TerL
Authors: Arens Jean Sippy , Duffy Carol , Feiss Michael
Published: August 2019

Complementation, endonuclease, strand separation, and packaging assays using mutant TerLλ’s, coupled with bioinformatic information and modeling of its endonuclease, identified five residues, D401, E408, D465, E563, and E586, as critical acidic residues of TerLλ’s endonuclease. Studies of phage and viral TerL nucleases indicate acidic residues participate in metal ion‐binding, part of a two‐ion metal catalysis mechanism, where metal ion A activates a water for DNA backbone hydrolysis. Modeling places D401, D465, and E586 in locations analogous to those of the metal‐binding residues of many phage and viral TerLs. Our work leads to a model of TerLλ’s endonuclease domain where at least three acidic residues from a ~185 residue segment (D401 to E586) are near each other in the structure, forming the endonuclease catalytic center at cosN, the nicking site. DNA interactions required to bring the rotationally symmetric cosN precisely to the catalytic center are proposed to rely on an ~60 residue region that includes a conserved α‐helix for dimerization. Metal ion A, positioned by TerLλ’s acidic D401 and E586, would be placed at cosN for water activation, ensuring high accuracy for DNA backbone hydrolysis.
Epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal disease in children after hematopoietic cell transplantation or treated for malignancy: Impact of national programme of antifungal prophylaxis
Authors: Czyżewski Krzysztof , Gałązka Przemysław , Frączkiewicz Jowita , Salamonowicz Małgorzata , Szmydki‐Baran Anna , Zając‐Spychała Olga , Gryniewicz‐Kwiatkowska Olga , Zalas‐Więcek Patrycja , Chełmecka‐Wiktorczyk Liliana , Irga‐Jaworska Ninela , Bień Ewa , Ociepa Tomasz , Wawryków Paweł , Tomaszewska Renata , Płonowski Marcin , Pierlejewski Filip , Gamrot‐Pyka Zuzanna , Małas Zofia , Urbanek‐Dądela Agnieszka , Stolpa Weronika , Zaucha‐Prażmo Agnieszka , Goździk Jolanta , Chaber Radosław , Gil Lidia , Styczyński Jan
Published: August 2019

The objective of the study was the analysis of incidence and outcome of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in children treated for malignancy (PHO, paediatric hematology‐oncology) or undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) over a period of six consecutive years in nationwide study. A total number of 5628 patients with newly diagnosed malignancies and 971 patients after HCT (741 allo‐HCT and 230 auto‐HCT) were screened for infectious complications in biennial reports. IFD incidence was lower among PHO patients: 8.8% vs 21.2% (P < .0001) and survival from IFD was better: 94.2% vs 84.1% (P < .0001). Auto‐HCT patients had lower incidence (10.9% vs 24.4%) and lower mortality than allo‐HCT patients. Introduction of national antifungal prophylaxis programme in HCT and acute leukaemia patients decreased incidence of IFD in HCT (from 23.1% to 13.4%) and AML on conventional chemotherapy (from 36% to 23%) but not in ALL patients during chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, the incidence of IFD was higher in patients after HCT, diagnosed for ALL, AML or NHL, and in patients > 10 years old. Factors contributing to death with infection were as follows: undergoing HCT, diagnosis of acute leukaemia (ALL or AML) and duration of treatment of infection > 21 days. In conclusion, the incidence of IFD in allo‐HCT and in AML patients on chemotherapy has decreased after introduction of national programme of antifungal prophylaxis, while the incidence of IFD in ALL patients on chemotherapy did not change significantly. The outcome of IFD both in PHO and HCT patients has largely improved in comparison with historical international data.
Cardiovascular phenotyping for personalized lifestyle treatments of chronic abdominal pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A randomized pilot study
Authors: Davydov Dmitry M. , Shahabi Leila , Naliboff Bruce
Published: August 2019

Background

Different physical exercise interventions for pain and other related symptoms largely follow non‐personalized guidelines and show a high degree of variability in outcome. These interventions are considered to have different pathways toward improvement in autonomic regulation of energy metabolism. The current pilot study was conducted to assess the predictive value of individual cardiovascular (CV) activity markers at rest to predict clinical outcomes for two popular exercise‐based interventions (walking and yoga) in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Methods

Twenty‐seven adult participants with IBS were randomly assigned to a 16‐biweekly Iyengar yoga or walking program. They completed pre‐ and post‐treatment assessments on IBS symptom severity, affective and somatic complaints, and various measures of resting autonomic function including blood pressure (BP), heart rate and its variability, baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) to activations and inhibitions with gains of brady‐ and tachycardiac baro‐responses, and BP start points for these spontaneous baroreflexes.

Results

Pretreatment BRS was differentially related to clinical response for the treatment groups. Specifically, a significant decrease in pain severity was found in response to yoga for those participants who had lower resting BRS to activations, but decreased pain severity was associated with higher resting BRS for those in the walking group. The effect was not related to affective symptom relief. Other CV measures showed similar associations with clinical outcomes for both groups.

Conclusions

The data suggest therefore that CV based phenotypes may be useful in personalizing clinical interventions for IBS. They may also point to autonomic mechanisms that are targets for such interventions.
Further evidence of the generalizability of the Global Lung Function Initiative reference equations for spirometry
Authors: Stanojevic Sanja
Published: August 2019

See related Article
THE FINAL (MISSIONS) FRONTIER: EXTRATERRESTRIALS, EVANGELISM, AND THE WIDE CIRCLE OF HUMAN EMPATHY
Authors: Curry Eugene A.
Published: August 2019

The possible existence of extraterrestrials has provoked more than five centuries of theological speculation on how these beings, if they exist, relate to God. A certain stream of thought present in these debates argues that the eventual discovery of aliens would obligate human Christians to evangelize them for the salvation of their souls. Current research into humanity's prehistory suggests that, if this ever actually happens, it will have been partially facilitated by humanity's remarkable capacity for interspecies empathy—an ability that seems to be genetic in nature and which stems from our species' ancient experience with dogs. In light of the above, recommendations are made concerning future potential exomissionary screening criteria and a concluding section touches on the role of animals in God's work.
“THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF EXPERTS”: IN DEFENSE OF THE “ELITES” OF THE SCIENCE‐AND‐RELIGION DEBATE
Authors: Harris Mark
Published: August 2019

This article takes a critical stance on John H. Evans's 2018 book, Morals Not Knowledge: Recasting the Contemporary U.S. Conflict between Religion and Science. Highlighting the significance of the book for the science‐and‐religion debate, particularly the book's emphasis on moral questions over knowledge claims revealed in social‐scientific studies of the American public, I also suggest that the distinction between the “elites” of the academic science‐and‐religion field and the religious “public” is insufficiently drawn. I argue that various nuances should be taken into account concerning the portrayal of “elites,” nuances which potentially change the way that “conflict” between science and religion is envisaged, as well as the function of the field. Similarly, I examine the ways in which the book construes science and religion as distinct knowledge systems, and I suggest that, from a theological perspective—relevant for much academic activity in science and religion—there is value in seeing science and religion in terms of a single knowledge system. This perspective may not address the public's interest in moral questions directly—important as they are—but nevertheless it fulfils the academic function of advancing the frontiers of human knowledge and self‐understanding.
THE COLLECTIVE CHARACTERS OF RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS
Authors: Byerly T. Ryan , Byerly Meghan
Published: August 2019

Our primary aim in this article is to advocate for the interdisciplinary study of the collective character traits of local religious congregations, taking as our focal example local Christian congregations. It should be clear that such study presently lies on the frontier of interdisciplinary religious studies. Yet, as we will attempt to show in the first section, the way has been paved for the study of such collective character traits through salient developments within several academic disciplines in recent decades. This frontier, in other words, is open for exploration, and there are available tools that can help us explore it. We will illustrate how such exploration may be undertaken fruitfully in the second section by focusing on two distinct kinds of virtuous collective character traits of Christian congregations: traits that enable a congregation to fulfill its distinctive role in the missio Dei, and traits that enable a congregation's members to flourish in their interpersonal relationships. In each case, we will identify a candidate collective virtue of the relevant type, discuss its nature from philosophical and theological perspectives, and, drawing on relevant empirical research, provide reason for thinking that applying empirical methods to it can yield additional insights about its value.
Temperature effect on biochar properties from slow pyrolysis of coconut flesh waste
Authors: Mohamed Noor Nurhidayah , Shariff Adilah , Abdullah Nurhayati , Mohamad Aziz Nur Syairah
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the biochar yield and properties via slow pyrolysis of coconut flesh waste. The temperature used in the slow pyrolysis experiment was varied between 350°C to 600°C at a constant heating rate of 5°C/min. The results indicated that higher pyrolysis temperature could reduce the percentage of biochar yield. The increment of pyrolysis temperature from 350°C to 600°C would reduce the biochar yield from 23.54 wt.% to 13.97 wt.%. The effect of pyrolysis temperature was also significant on the composition and physical properties of biochar yield. The physicochemical properties of biochar were identified by proximate, elemental, heating value, SEM images and BET surface area analyses. The increment of pyrolysis temperature from 350°C to 600°C increased the ash content of biochar from 4.63 wt.% to 8.19 wt.%, the fixed carbon content from 45.20 wt.% to 79.09 wt.% and carbon content from 72.70 wt.% to 83.25 wt.%. Meanwhile the volatile matter and oxygen content of biochar were decreased from 50.17 wt.% to 12.71 wt.% and 13.86 wt.% to 10.99 wt.%, respectively as the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 350°C to 600°C. The increment of pyrolysis temperature from 350°C to 600°C increased the surface area of biochar by 8 fold from 0.3971 m2/g to 3.4486 m2/g. Meanwhile, the higher heating value of biochar was decreased from 33.95 MJ/kg to 27.49 MJ/kg as the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 350°C to 600°C.
Religious Coping Methods among Cancer Patients in Three Islamic Countries: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Ahmadi Fereshteh , Rabbani Mohammad
Published: August 2019

The present article aimed to compare the use of religious coping methods among cancer patients in three Islamic countries from a sociocultural perspective. The article is based on an international study on meaning-making coping in ten countries, among others Malaysia, Iran and Turkey. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted among cancer patients in Malaysia (29), Iran (27) and Turkey (25). The results of the comparison show certain differences in use of religious coping methods between informants in these three countries despite Islam being the dominant religion in all contexts. The findings of this comparative study show the important role culture plays in coping.
Single-Strand Annealing Plays a Major Role in Double-Strand DNA Break Repair following CRISPR-Cas9 Cleavage in
Leishmania
Authors: Zhang Wen-Wei , Matlashewski Greg
Published: August 2019

Due to differences in double-strand DNA break (DSB) repair mechanisms, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing efficiency can vary greatly in different organisms. In contrast to mammalian cells, the protozoan parasite
Leishmania
uses microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and, occasionally, homology-directed repair (HDR) to repair DSBs but lacks the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. Here, we show that
Leishmania
predominantly uses single-strand annealing (SSA) instead of MMEJ for DSB repairs (DSBR), resulting in large deletions that can include multiple genes. This strongly indicates that the overall DSBR in
Leishmania
is inefficient and therefore can influence the outcome of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, highlighting the importance of using a donor DNA to improve gene editing fidelity and efficiency in
Leishmania
.
Functional Characterization of Secreted Aspartyl Proteases in Candida parapsilosis
Authors: Singh Dhirendra Kumar , Németh Tibor , Papp Alexandra , Tóth Renáta , Lukácsi Szilvia , Heidingsfeld Olga , Dostal Jiri , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Bajtay Zsuzsa , Józsi Mihály , Gácser Attila
Published: August 2019

Aspartyl proteases are present in various organisms and, among virulent species, are considered major virulence factors. Host tissue and cell damage, hijacking of immune responses, and hiding from innate immune cells are the most common behaviors of fungal secreted proteases enabling pathogen survival and invasion.C. parapsilosis, an opportunistic human-pathogenic fungus mainly threatening low-birth weight neonates and children, possesses threeSAPPprotein-encoding genes that could contribute to the invasiveness of the species. Our results suggest thatSAPP1andSAPP2, but notSAPP3, influence host evasion by regulating cell damage, phagocytosis, phagosome-lysosome maturation, killing, and cytokine secretion. Furthermore,SAPP1andSAPP2also effectively contribute to complement evasion.
Cracking a complex problem
Authors: Gough Joy
Published: August 2019

This is the third instalment in a four-part series documenting my journey to better understand, and improve the care of, complex paediatric patients.
Clostridioides difficile: diagnosis and treatments
Authors: Guery Benoit , Galperine Tatiana , Barbut Frédéric
Published: August 2019

Clostridioides difficile(formerlyClostridium) is a major cause of healthcare associated diarrhea, and is increasingly present in the community. Historically,C difficileinfection was considered easy to diagnose and treat. Over the past two decades, however, diagnostic techniques have changed in line with a greater understanding of the physiopathology ofC difficileinfection and the use of new therapeutic molecules. The evolution of diagnosis showed there was an important under- and misdiagnosis ofC difficileinfection, emphasizing the importance of algorithms recommended by European and North American infectious diseases societies to obtain a reliable diagnosis. Previously, metronidazole was considered the reference drug to treatC difficileinfection, but more recently vancomycin and other newer drugs are shown to have higher cure rates. Recurrence of infection represents a key parameter in the evaluation of new drugs, and the challenge is to target the right population with the adapted therapeutic molecule. In multiple recurrences, fecal microbiota transplantation is recommended. New approaches, including antibodies, vaccines, and new molecules are already available or in the pipeline, but more data are needed to support the inclusion of these in practice guidelines. This review aims to provide a baseline for clinicians to understand and stratify their choice in the diagnosis and treatment ofC difficileinfection based on the most recent data available.
Introducing a reserve waiting list initiative for elective general surgery at a District General Hospital
Authors: Antoniou Vaki , Burke Olivia , Fernandes Roland
Published: August 2019

Cancelled operations represent a significant burden on the National Health Service in terms of theatre efficiency, financial implications and lost training opportunities. Moreover, they carry considerable physical and psychological effects to patients and their relatives. Evidence has shown that up to 93% of cancelled operations are due to patient-related factors. An analysis at our District General Hospital revealed that approximately 18 operations are cancelled on the day of surgery each month. This equates to 27 hours of allocated operating time valued by the trust as £67 500, not being used effectively. This retrospective quality improvement report aims to reduce unused theatre time due to cancelled elective operations in general surgery theatres—thereby improving theatre efficiency and patient care. To ascertain the baseline number of cancelled operations, an initial review of theatre cases was undertaken. Further review was then completed after implementation of two improvements—a short notice surgical waiting list and fast track pre-assessment clinics. The results showed that implementation of the reserve surgical waiting list reduced unused operating time by an average of 2.25 hours per month. By further adding in the fast track preassessment clinic, these figures increased to an average of 11.5 hours over the next 3 months. This precipitated a reutilisation of otherwise wasted theatre time. Economic impact of this time amounts around £28 750 a month, after implementation of both improvements. Simple protocol changes can lead to large improvements in the efficient running of theatres. The resultant change has improved patient satisfaction, led to greater training opportunities and improved theatre efficiency. Extrapolation of our results show better usage of previously underused theatre time, to the equivalent worth of £345 000. Further implementation of these improvements in other surgical specialities and hospitals would be beneficial.
Academic neurosurgery in the UK: present and future directions
Authors: Waqar Mueez , Davies Benjamin M , Zakaria Rasheed , Barone Damiano G , Kolias Angelos G , Yu Kenny K , Ellenbogen Jonathan R , Brennan Paul M , Kotter Mark RN , Gray William P , King Andrew T , Turner Carole , Kitchen Neil , May Paul , Jenkinson Michael D , Hutchinson Peter J
Published: August 2019

Academic neurosurgery encompasses basic science and clinical research efforts to better understand and treat diseases of relevance to neurosurgical practice, with the overall aim of improving treatment and outcome for patients. In this article, we provide an overview of the current and future directions of British academic neurosurgery. Training pathways are considered together with personal accounts of experiences of structured integrated clinical academic training and unstructured academic training. Life as an academic consultant is also described. Funding is explored, for the specialty as a whole and at the individual level. UK academic neurosurgical organisations are highlighted. Finally, the UK’s international standing is considered.
From skeletal muscle weakness to functional outcomes following critical illness: a translational biology perspective
Authors: Batt Jane , Herridge Margaret S , dos Santos Claudia C
Published: August 2019

Intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICUAW) is now a well-known entity complicating critical illness. It increases mortality and in the critical illness survivor it is associated with physical disability, substantially increased health resource utilisation and healthcare costs. Skeletal muscle wasting is a key driver of ICUAW and physical functional outcomes in both the short and long term. To date, there is no intervention that can universally and consistently prevent muscle loss during critical illness, or enhance its recovery following intensive care unit discharge, to improve physical function. Clinical trials of early mobilisation or exercise training, or enhanced nutritional support have generated inconsistent results and we have no effective pharmacological interventions. This review will delineate our current understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the development and persistence of skeletal muscle loss and dysfunction in the critically ill individual, highlighting recent discoveries and clinical observations, and utilisation of this knowledge in the development of novel therapeutics.
Cosmic accelerated expansion of the Universe with phantom fluid
Authors: Keskin A.I.
Published: August 2019

The phantom behavior of the Universe is discussed in an extended version of Gauss–Bonnet gravity. Following the method proposed by the author (Int. J. Mod. Phys. D, 27, 1850078. 2018. doi: 10.1142/S0218271818500785 ), we obtain a viable cosmological model for the phantom phase of the Universe. We find a condition for m in the model ∼Gm, which shows phantom expansion of the Universe. On the other hand, using a phantom source term ∼T2n in the model we observe that the term ∼Gn, with n > 3/4, gives a phantomic space–time expansion. This form (Gn + T2n) obtained for the phantom phase of the Universe exhibits a similar form to Einstein’s gravity theory (R + Lm). However, we addressed the cosmic coincidence problem for the model.
FINANCIAL STABILITY AND MONETARY POLICY REACTION FUNCTION FOR SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES: AN ECONOMETRIC APPROACH
Authors: NASREEN SAMIA , ANWAR SOFIA
Published: August 2019

This study empirically investigates a monetary policy reaction function for South Asian economies by incorporating financial stability as an additional policy objective in the central bank’s loss function. Empirical results are estimated by applying auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration and vector autoregressive (VAR) approach using time-series data of five South Asian countries, namely, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Estimated results indicate that monetary policy significantly reacts to the level of financial stability in all countries. The result further suggests that central banks would tighten monetary policy if output gap widens and exchange rate depreciate. In addition, central banks of Pakistan and India do not respond significantly to inflation gap.
A Novel Method to Improve the Dispersibility of Silicon Nitride Powders in Aqueous Media
Authors: Xu Bingjie , Li Mengxing , Chen Qi , Liu Pengfei , Xu Baosong , Qiu Ben , Xu Liang , Han Zhao
Published: August 2019

The present study describes a novel method to improve the dispersibility of silicon nitride powders in aqueous media. Specifically, a new Si3N4@g-C3N4 core–shell composite material was synthesized via annealing the mixture of silicon nitride and melamine under a nitrogen atmosphere using heating method. The effects of various initial mass ratios of Si3N4 and melamine on the structure and dispersibility of the composite were systematically investigated. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope demonstrated that as-obtained Si3N4@g-C3N4 composite powders possess the core–shell structure, whereas the zeta potential and sedimentation analysis showed that they exhibit good dispersion in aqueous media. Furthermore, the colloidal dispersion of the composite powders is most stable when the initial mass ratio of Si3N4 and melamine is 100:3. The coated g-C3N4 could be completely removed in a cryogenic nitrogen atmosphere. The proposed process is expected to provide novel avenues for the study of dispersion of other inorganic powders.