bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nestling behaviour predicts naris deformation in Darwin’s finches parasitized by the avian vampire fly
Authors: Katsis Andrew C , Colombelli-Négrel Diane , Common Lauren K , O’connor Jody A , Dudaniec Rachael Y , García-Loor Jefferson , Kleindorfer Sonia
Published: June 2021

Although in-nest parasitism can reduce the fitness of avian hosts, the severity of these effects may vary with host physiology and behaviour. If certain nestling behaviours are beneficial for resisting parasitism, then selection may favour some behavioural phenotypes over others. Here, we tested whether differences in nestling behaviour mediate the negative effects of parasitism, using small ground finches (Geospiza fuliginosa), on Floreana Island, that had been parasitized by the invasive avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi). We first established, using 4 years of breeding data (2005, 2006, 2010 and 2020), that nestlings exposed to more parasites had larger nares and, among older nestlings only, lower body mass. We then examined, using data from the 2020 season, whether each nestling’s behaviour (specifically, its response to human handling) predicted the severity of its naris deformation. When faced with high-intensity parasitism, more responsive nestlings (i.e. those that struggled more during handling) had larger nares compared to more docile nestlings. This suggests that more responsive nestlings suffer greater fitness costs due to parasitism, although we also discuss alternative explanations. Future work should consider the stability and heritability of these nestling behavioural differences and whether parasite-induced selection shapes behavioural variation at the population level.
Organ preservation in rectal cancer: towards the norm rather than the exception
Authors: Roxburgh C S
Published: June 2021

Organ preservation is a hot topic in rectal cancer management. With the increasing number of trials now reporting success with organ preservation in early and locally advanced rectal cancer, this short review considers how organ preservation will continue to integrate into clinical practice and what this will mean for rectal cancer surgeons.
Risk of Symptomatic Infection During a Second Coronavirus Disease 2019 Wave in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2–Seropositive Individuals
Authors: Manica Mattia , Pancheri Serena , Poletti Piero , Giovanazzi Giulia , Guzzetta Giorgio , Trentini Filippo , Marziano Valentina , Ajelli Marco , Grazia Zuccali Maria , Benetollo Pier Paolo , Merler Stefano , Ferro Antonio
Published: June 2021

We analyzed 221 coronavirus disease 2019 cases identified between June 2020 and January 2021 in 6074 individuals screened for immunoglobulin G antibodies in May 2020, representing 77% of residents of 5 Italian municipalities. The relative risk of developing symptomatic infection in seropositive participants was 0.055 (95% confidence interval, .014–.220).
Discovery of a first-in-class inhibitor of sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase that protects against adverse cardiac remodelling and heart failure
Authors: Jackson Michael R , Cox Kristie D , Baugh Simon D P , Wakeen Luke , Rashad Adel A , Lam Patrick Y S , Polyak Boris , Jorns Marilyn Schuman
Published: June 2021

Aims

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent signalling molecule that activates diverse cardioprotective pathways by post-translational modification (persulfidation) of cysteine residues in upstream protein targets. Heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) exhibit low levels of H2S. Sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) catalyses the first irreversible step in the metabolism of H2S and plays a key role in regulating H2S-mediated signalling. Here, the aim of this study was to discover a first-in-class inhibitor of human SQOR and evaluate its cardioprotective effect in an animal model of HFrEF.

Methods and results

We identified a potent inhibitor of human SQOR (STI1, IC50 = 29 nM) by high-throughput screening of a small-molecule library, followed by focused medicinal chemistry optimization and structure-based design. STI1 is a competitive inhibitor that binds with high selectivity to the coenzyme Q-binding pocket in SQOR. STI1 exhibited very low cytotoxicity and attenuated the hypertrophic response of neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cells induced by neurohormonal stressors. A mouse HFrEF model was produced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Treatment of TAC mice with STI1 mitigated the development of cardiomegaly, pulmonary congestion, dilatation of the left ventricle, and cardiac fibrosis and decreased the pressure gradient across the aortic constriction. Moreover, STI1 dramatically improved survival, preserved cardiac function, and prevented the progression to HFrEF by impeding the transition from compensated to decompensated left ventricle hypertrophy.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the coenzyme Q-binding pocket in human SQOR is a druggable target and establish proof of concept for the potential of SQOR inhibitors to provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of HFrEF.
Simple View of Reading in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Adults
Authors: Wauters Loes , van Gelder Hille , Tijsseling Corrie
Published: June 2021

The present study investigated the relative contribution of the two components in the simple view of reading to the reading comprehension skills of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) adults in the Netherlands. Eighty DHH adults, aged between 30 and 80 years old, were tested on word reading, reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Regression analyses showed that both decoding skills and vocabulary contributed to the reading comprehension skills of DHH adults, with vocabulary being the strongest predictor. For skilled decoders, the picture was somewhat different with only vocabulary being a predictor of reading comprehension. The results of this study show that the simple view of reading is applicable to DHH adults’ reading comprehension skills: both decoding skills and vocabulary contribute to reading comprehension. Also, as in previous studies on the simple view of reading, as readers become more skilled in the decoding process, vocabulary becomes the only predictor of reading comprehension.
Effect of Photoperiod on Longevity, Food Consumption, and Reproduction ofHolotrichia oblita(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Xie Ming-hui , Zhong Yong-zhi , Lin Lu-lu , Zhang Guang-ling , Su Wei-hua , Ni Wan-Li , Qu Ming-jing , Chen Hao-liang
Published: June 2021

Holotrichia oblita (Faldermann) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a major soil insect pest that damages forest trees, crops, and lawns. Adults of H. oblita fly, forage, and mate at night but remain underground during the day. We studied the effect of photoperiod on H. oblita reproduction. H. oblita females laid more eggs at 8:16 (L:D) h and 0:24 (L:D) h than other photoperiods. As the scotophase increased, the preoviposition period decreased and the oviposition period increased. Female longevity exceeded that of males at all photoperiods, and both males and females at 0:24 (L:D) h had the shortest longevity. The number of eggs laid per female increased with increasing food consumption. Females at 8:16 (L:D) h had the greatest food consumption and laid the most eggs, while females at 24:0 (L:D) h had the lowest food consumption and laid few eggs. The food intake of adults increased gradually and decreased slowly after reaching a peak. Females began to lay eggs when their food consumption reached a maximum. These results indicate that a scotophase is necessary for the reproduction of H. oblita. A long scotophase promotes greater oviposition. The effect of photoperiod on reproduction is affected by food intake.
Causes of hospitalization in the USA between 2005 and 2018
Authors: Salah Husam M , Minhas Abdul Mannan Khan , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Pandey Ambarish , Michos Erin D , Mentz Robert J , Fudim Marat
Published: June 2021

In this report, we identify the 10 most common causes of hospitalizations in the USA in 2005–2018 using the discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample database. We show that sepsis has been the leading cause of hospitalizations in the USA followed by heart failure, which has consistently been within the three most common causes of hospitalizations since 2005. In addition, we show a high burden of cardiovascular diseases as a cause of hospitalization over the study period with a consistent presence of cardiac arrhythmias as one of the top 10 causes of hospitalizations in the USA and emergence of acute myocardial infarction as one of the top 10 causes after 2014.
Implications of the Diversity of the Rules on the Use of Force for Change in the Law
Authors: Akande Dapo , Johnston Katie A
Published: June 2021

This article analyses the structural conditions within the jus ad bellum that affect whether and how that law changes. In particular, it examines how the diversity of the rules that form the law relating to the use of force affects the development of rules permitting the use of force to protect human rights. After noting some areas where it has been argued that aspects of the law relating to use of force have changed as a result of evolving state practice, it identifies a number of obstacles to accepting the argument that changes to customary international law can affect the law on the use of force in the UN Charter. It is argued that, unlike with self-defence, changes to customary international law would not automatically lead to changes in the Charter prohibition of the use of force. Since any rule permitting humanitarian intervention would create a new exception to the Charter prohibition of the use of force and to a norm of jus cogens, that change cannot occur on the basis of custom alone. Changes to interpretations of the UN Charter and to a jus cogens norm will be required, and such changes must occur in line with the rules regarding how such norms change. Finally, the article considers one concrete possibility for a change to the jus ad bellum that would allow humanitarian intervention without UN Security Council approval: approval of such a use of force by the UN General Assembly under the ‘Uniting for Peace’ Resolution of 1950. Leaving aside the political and practical challenges of achieving such change, the section explores the conceptual challenges that would need to be overcome.
Consumers’ responses to food fraud risks: an economic experiment
Authors: McCallum Chloe S , Cerroni Simone , Derbyshire Daniel , Hutchinson W George , Nayga Jr. Rodolfo M
Published: June 2021

This artefactual field experiment explores consumers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) price premiums for fish products to avoid the risk and uncertainty of purchasing inauthentic produce. The influence of subjective probabilistic beliefs, risk and ambiguity preferences is investigated. Participants’ WTP is elicited using experimental auctions, while behavioural factors are elicited using incentivised and incentive-compatible methods: the quadratic scoring rule and multiple price lists. Results show that consumers are willing to pay a premium to avoid food fraud and purchase an authentic fish product. This premium is higher under uncertainty than risk, likely driven by ambiguity preferences which affect consumers’ purchasing under uncertainty.
Racial disparity in excess mortality in Brazil during COVID-19 times
Authors: Marinho Maria Fatima , Torrens Ana , Teixeira Renato , Brant Luisa Campos Caldeira , Malta Deborah Carvalho , Nascimento Bruno Ramos , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz Pinho , Delaney Richard , de Paula Pedro do Carmo Baumgratz , Setel Philip , Sampaio Jhames Matos , Nogales-Vasconcelos Ana Maria
Published: June 2021

We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess mortality by race/skin colour in Brazil, between epidemiological weeks 12 and 50 of 2020. We compared the 2020 point estimate and the expected point estimate applying 2019 mortality rates to the 2020 population. There was an excess of 187 002 deaths (+20.2%) compared to the expected. Excess mortality was 26.3% (23.3–29.3%) among blacks/browns compared to 15.1% (14.1–16.1%) among whites (58.9% of excess among black/browns). Age-standardized rates increased from 377 to 419/100 000 among blacks/browns compared to 328 to 398/100 000 in whites, resulting in 9% relative risk. Excess mortality in Brazil depicts a considerable gap, with increased mortality in all age groups in the black/brown population.
Hierarchy of transcription factor network in Escherichia coli K-12: H-NS-mediated silencing and Anti-silencing by global regulators
Authors: Ishihama Akira , Shimada Tomohiro
Published: June 2021

Transcriptional regulation for genome expression determines growth and adaptation of single-cell bacteria that are directly exposed to environment. The transcriptional apparatus in Escherichia coli K-12 is composed of RNA polymerase core enzyme and two groups of its regulatory proteins, seven species of promoter-recognition subunit sigma and about 300 species of transcription factors. The identification of regulatory targets for all these regulatory proteins is critical toward understanding the genome regulation as a whole. For this purpose, we performed a systematic search in vitro of the whole set of binding sites for each factor by gSELEX system. This review summarizes the accumulated knowledge of regulatory targets for more than 150 TFs from E. coli K-12. Overall TFs could be classified into four families: nucleoid-associated bifunctional TFs; global regulators; local regulators; and single-target regulators, in which the regulatory functions remain uncharacterized for the nucleoid-associated TFs. Here we overview the regulatory targets of two nucleoid-associated TFs, H-NS and its paralog StpA, both together playing the silencing role of a set of non-essential genes. Participation of LeuO and other global regulators have been indicated for the anti-silencing. Finally, we propose the hierarchy of TF network as a key framework of the bacterial genome regulation.
Varieties of Financial Stressors and Midlife Health Problems, 1996–2016
Authors: Wolfe Joseph D , Baker Elizabeth H , Uddin Jalal , Kirkland Stephanie
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Financial stressors such as wealth loss, indebtedness, and bankruptcy have gained the attention of public health scholars since the Great Recession. In this study, we extend this area of research by comparing the mental and physical impact of multiple financial stressors during midlife, a pivotal period in the life course for wealth accumulation and disease onset.

Methods

With data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (www.nlsinfo.org), an ongoing survey of adult men and women in the United States, we used logistic regression to estimate the associations between financial stressors and the risk of a psychiatric disorder or high blood pressure diagnosis from ages 31–39 in 1996 to ages 50–59 in 2016 (N = 7,143). Financial stressors include multiple types of wealth loss, debt, and bankruptcy.

Results

Even after adjusting for a comprehensive set of confounders, many of the financial stressors we considered had similar positive associations with the risk of a psychiatric disorder, whereas only debt and bankruptcy were associated with the risk of high blood pressure. The best-fitting models for both health outcomes included a simple indicator of indebtedness. Stock losses were not significantly associated with either health outcome.

Discussion

Given the recent volatility in the U.S. economy, our results highlight the potential loss of health that may occur if nothing is done to prevent economically vulnerable populations from sliding into financial crisis. Our results also emphasize the need for additional research to develop individual-level interventions to improve health among those already experiencing financial difficulties.
Adult Children’s Educational Attainment and Parent Health in Mid- and Later-Life
Authors: Dennison Christopher R , Lee Kristen Schultz
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Intergenerational models of adult health contend that children’s educational attainments influence the health and well-being of their parents. However, it is unclear how much of this association is confounded by background characteristics that predict both children’s educational attainments and parents’ subsequent health, particularly in the United States.

Methods

Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health Parent Study are used to examine how having no children who completed college influences parents’ self-rated health and depressive symptoms. We rely on propensity score methods to more squarely assess this relationship net of potential confounding bias and to test for heterogeneity in the consequences associated with having no children who completed college.

Results

Having no children who completed college is negatively associated with parents’ self-rated health and positively associated with depressive symptoms. After statistically balancing differences in background characteristics between groups, these associations remain, though the magnitude of the coefficients is attenuated. Supplemental matching analyses suggest that while the association between children’s education and self-rated health might be spurious, the association with depressive symptoms is more robust. Additionally, among parents with the highest propensity for having no children who complete college, the consequences on depressive symptoms are greatest.

Discussion

This study pays particular attention to selection-related concerns surrounding the association between offspring educational attainment and parent well-being in the United States. These findings are important given the call for investments in children’s educational opportunities as promoting both the well-being of adult children and their parents.
Structure–function analysis of a new PL17 oligoalginate lyase from the marine bacterium Zobellia galactanivorans DsijT
Authors: Jouanneau Diane , Klau Leesa J , Larocque Robert , Jaffrennou Agathe , Duval Ghislain , Le Duff Nolwen , Roret Thomas , Jeudy Alexandra , Aachmann Finn L , Czjzek Mirjam , Thomas François
Published: June 2021

Alginate is a major compound of brown macroalgae and as such an important carbon and energy source for heterotrophic marine bacteria. Despite the rather simple composition of alginate only comprising mannuronate and guluronate units, these bacteria feature complex alginolytic systems that can contain up to seven alginate lyases. This reflects the necessity of large enzyme systems for the complete degradation of the abundant substrate. Numerous alginate lyases have been characterized. They belong to different polysaccharide lyase (PL) families, but only one crystal structure of a family 17 (PL17) alginate lyase has been reported to date, namely Alg17c from the gammaproteobacterium Saccharophagus degradans. Biochemical and structural characterizations are helpful to link sequence profiles to function, evolution of functions and niche-specific characteristics. Here, we combined detailed biochemical and crystallographic analysis of AlyA3, a PL17 alginate lyase from the marine flavobacteria Zobellia galactanivorans DsijT, providing the first structure of a PL17 in the Bacteroidetes phylum. AlyA3 is exo-lytic and highly specific of mannuronate stretches. As part of an “alginate utilizing locus”, its activity is complementary to that of other characterized alginate lyases from the same bacterium. Structural comparison with Alg17c highlights a common mode of action for exo-lytic cleavage of the substrate, strengthening our understanding of the PL17 catalytic mechanism. We show that unlike Alg17c, AlyA3 contains an inserted flexible loop at the entrance to the catalytic groove, likely involved in substrate recognition, processivity and turn over.
High-Quality Listening Supports Speakers’ Autonomy and Self-Esteem when Discussing Prejudice
Authors: Itzchakov Guy , Weinstein Netta
Published: June 2021

We examined how the experience of high-quality listening (attentive, empathic, and nonjudgmental) impacts speakers’ basic psychological needs and state self-esteem when discussing the difficult topic of a prejudiced attitude. Specifically, we hypothesized that when speakers discuss a prejudiced attitude with high-quality listeners, they experience higher autonomy, relatedness, and self-esteem than speakers who share their prejudiced attitude while experiencing moderate listening. We predicted that autonomy need satisfaction would mediate the effect of listening on speakers’ self-esteem even when relatedness, a well-documented predictor of self-esteem, is controlled for in mediation models. Two experiments that manipulated listening through in-person interactions with high-quality or moderate listeners supported these hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, with a focus on the role of experiencing high-quality listening for speakers’ state self-esteem during difficult conversations.
Peer mentors’ role in school-based health promotion: qualitative findings from the Young & Active study
Authors: Wehner Stine Kjær , Tjørnhøj-Thomsen Tine , Bonnesen Camilla Thørring , Madsen Katrine Rich , Jensen Marie Pil , Krølner Rikke Fredenslund
Published: June 2021

Peer-led interventions are highlighted as promising strategies to promote health among adolescents, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying this approach. To better understand the role of peer mentors (PMs) as implementers in school-based health promotion, we combined participant observations, focus group interviews and video recordings to explore high school students’ reception of a peer-led intervention component (Young & Active). Young & Active aimed to increase well-being among first-year high school students (∼16 years of age) through the promotion of movement and sense of community and was implemented during the school year 2016–2017 in a larger school-based intervention study, the Healthy High School study in Denmark. The Healthy High School study was designed as a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 15 intervention schools and 15 control schools. At each intervention school, university students in Sports Science and Health (members of the research group) facilitated an innovation workshop aiming at inspiring all first-year students to initiate movement activities at schools. The findings illustrate potentials and challenges implied in the PM role. The peer mentors’ profound commitment, as well as their response and sensibility to situational contingencies, were found to be significant for the students’ reception and experience of the intervention. In conclusion, the specific job of PMs as implementers seems to consist of simultaneously following a manual and situationally adjusting in an emerging context balancing commitment and identification to the target group and the intervention project.
The role of sport in coping and resilience amongst resettled South Sudanese youth in Australia
Authors: Pittaway Troy , Dantas Jaya A R
Published: June 2021

In this article, the use of sport as a coping strategy by South Sudanese youth who have suffered the trauma of forced migration is examined. This article explores the relationship that has emerged between the young people and sport, in particular basketball, and how they use their participation in basketball and sports to cope with the stressors of their lives. The research intended to explore to what degree sport can play in improving mental health and what mental health interventions, in general, were being sought by this marginalized demographic. This qualitative study was underpinned by the psychosocial conceptual framework. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 23 South Sudanese youth aged 14–21 years, we also conducted focus groups of 11 South Sudanese elders and parents. The results of this research were feed back to the wider South Sudanese community through two forums. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study identified sport as an important coping strategy for the participants, both as a diversion from drug and alcohol misuse, potential criminal activity and as a way to self-manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression they were experiencing, and a mechanism to enhance self-worth. The study also indicated there was a lack of mental health interventions for these young people and that they had shown a great deal of resilience to develop their own ways to deal with the trauma they had experienced. The research reported positive associations of wellbeing and participation in sport, however more research needs to be conducted to ascertain the extent to which sport impacts mental health and how this can be incorporated into interventions for Sudanese youth and young people from similar forced migration and resettlement backgrounds. This study suggested that sport can be a driving force of good for many of the young people’s lives, worthy of further research.
Burden-sharing: the US, Australia and New Zealand alliances in the Pacific islands
Authors: Wallis Joanne , Powles Anna
Published: June 2021

One of President Joseph Biden's foreign policy priorities is to ‘renew’ and ‘strengthen’ the United States' alliances, as they were perceived to have been ‘undermined’ during the Trump administration, which regularly expressed concern that allies were free-riding on the United States' military capability. Yet the broad range of threats states face in the contemporary context suggests that security assistance from allies no longer only—or even primarily—comes in the form of military capability. We consider whether there is a need to rethink understandings of how alliance relationships are managed, particularly how the goals—or strategic burdens—of alliances are understood, how allies contribute to those burdens, and how influence is exercised within alliances. We do this by analysing how the United States–Australia and Australia–New Zealand alliances operate in the Pacific islands. Our focus on the Pacific islands reflects the United States' perception that the region plays a ‘critical’ role in helping to ‘preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region’. We conclude that these understandings need to be rethought, particularly in the Pacific islands, where meeting non-traditional security challenges such as economic, social and environmental issues, is important to advancing the United States, Australia and New Zealand's shared strategic goal of remaining the region's primary security partners and ensuring that no power hostile to their interests establishes a strategic foothold.
Laser texturing of a St. Jude Medical RegentTM mechanical heart valve prosthesis: the proof of concept
Authors: Vigano Giorgio , ten Brink Gert H , Groenendijk Max , Sipkema Ronald , Pollack Daniël K M , Mariani Massimo A , Kooi Bart J
Published: June 2021

OBJECTIVES

The liquid–solid interactions have attracted broad interest since solid surfaces can either repel or attract fluids, configuring a wide spectrum of wetting states (from superhydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity). Since the blood–artificial surface interaction of bileaflet mechanical heart valves essentially represents a liquid–solid interaction, we analysed the thrombogenicity of mechanical heart valve prostheses from innovative perspectives. The aim of the present study was to modify the surface wettability of standard St. Jude Medical Regent™ occluders.

METHODS

Four pyrolytic carbon occluders were irradiated by means of ultra-short pulse laser, to create 4 different nanotextures (A–D), the essential prerequisite to achieve superhydrophobicity. The static surface wettability of the occluders was qualified by the contact angle (θ) of 2 µl of purified water, using the sessile drop technique. The angle formed between the liquid–solid and the liquid–vapour interface was the contact angle and was obtained by analysing the droplet images captured by a camera. The morphology of the occluders was characterized and analysed by a scanning electron microscope at different magnifications.

RESULTS

The scanning electron microscope analysis of the textures revealed 2 different configurations of the pillars since A and B showed well-rounded shaped tops and C and D flat tops. The measured highest contact angles were comprised between 108.1° and 112.7°, reflecting an improved hydrophobicity of the occluders. All the textures exhibited, to different extents, an orientation (horizontal or vertical), which was strictly related to the observed anisotropy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this very early phase of our research, we were able to demonstrate that the intrinsic wettability of pyrolytic carbon occluders can be permanently modified, increasing the water repellency.
Topological Structure of the Solution Sets for a Nonlinear Delay Evolution
Authors: Wang Rong-Nian , Ma Zhong-Xin , Miranville Alain
Published: June 2021

We consider a nonlinear delay evolution equation with multivalued perturbation on a noncompact interval. The nonlinearity, having convex and closed values, is upper hemicontinuous with respect to the solution variable. A basic question on whether there exists a solution set carrying $R_{\delta }$-structure remains unsolved when the operator families generated by the principal part lack compactness. One of our main goals is to settle this question in the affirmative. Moreover, we prove that the solution map, having compact values, is an $R_{\delta }$-map, which maps any connected set into a connected set. It is then exploited to deal with the existence in the large for a nonlocal problem. Finally, several examples are worked out in detail, illustrating the applicability of our general results.
Alliance Dynamics in the Shadow of Shifting Power
Authors: Krainin Colin , Schub Robert
Published: June 2021

Alliances are costly to form and to terminate, and yet alliances change frequently. Scholars typically attribute these decisions to static factors, such as the power balance, and retrospective ones, such as past power shifts. We highlight another factor: prospective changes, particularly anticipated military strength shifts. We analyze a three-country bargaining model of alliances and war that incorporates forward-looking power dynamics. The model, unlike those restricting players to set roles, flexibly allows players to ally in any arrangement. We find that alliance arrangements that are optimal when power is static are often suboptimal when power fluctuates. Maintaining prior alliances despite expected power shifts may even lead to preventive war. States thus strategically look to the future to identify optimal alliances in the present. Quantitative analyses corroborate the expectation. As the anticipated size of power shifts increases, alliance changes become more common. Accordingly, states navigate expected changes in the international landscape by rearranging current alliance commitments that can help minimize the risk of conflict. When power balances are in flux, malleable institutional arrangements may prove preferable to rigid ones.
Bactericidal activities and post-antibiotic effects of ofloxacin and ceftriaxone against drug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi
Authors: Wain John , Simpson Julie A , Thi Diem Nga Luong , Song Diep To , Thanh Duy Pham , Baker Stephen , Day Nicholas P J , White Nicholas J , Parry Christopher M
Published: June 2021

Background

The clinical response to ceftriaxone in patients with typhoid fever is significantly slower than with ofloxacin, despite infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) isolates with similar susceptibilities (MIC 0.03–0.12 mg/L). The response to ofloxacin is slower if the isolate has intermediate susceptibility (MIC 0.25–1.0 mg/L).

Objectives

To determine the bactericidal activity and post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of ceftriaxone and ofloxacin against S. Typhi.

Methods

The mean time to reach a 99.9% reduction in log10 count (bactericidal activity) and PAE of ceftriaxone and ofloxacin were determined for 18 clinical isolates of S. Typhi in time–kill experiments (MIC range for ofloxacin 0.06–1.0 mg/L and for ceftriaxone 0.03–0.12 mg/L).

Results

The mean (SD) bactericidal activity of ofloxacin was 33.1 (15.2) min and 384.4 (60) min for ceftriaxone. After a 30 min exposure to ofloxacin, the mean (SD) duration of PAE was 154.7 (52.6) min. There was no detectable PAE after 1 h of exposure to ceftriaxone. For ofloxacin, bactericidal activity and PAE did not significantly differ between isolates with full or intermediate susceptibility provided ofloxacin concentrations were maintained at 4×MIC.

Conclusions

Infections with S. Typhi with intermediate ofloxacin susceptibility may respond to doses that maintain ofloxacin concentrations at 4×MIC at the site of infection. The slow bactericidal activity of ceftriaxone and absent PAE may explain the slow clinical response in typhoid.
Building Brands for the Emerging Bicultural Market: The Appeal of Paradox Brands
Authors: Rodas Maria A , John Deborah Roedder , Torelli Carlos J
Published: June 2021

Bicultural consumers now represent a third of the US population and are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States. This shift in consumer markets presents a challenge for marketers as they try to design brand strategies to serve this important group. In this article, the authors show that certain types of brands, specifically paradox brands that incorporate contradictory brand meanings, are particularly appealing to bicultural consumers. Results from seven studies reveal that bicultural consumers evaluate paradox brands more favorably and choose paradox brands more than traditional brands without contradictions. Furthermore, bicultural consumers exhibit more favorable evaluations and greater choice of paradox brands than do monocultural consumers. These cultural differences are attributable to greater cognitive flexibility found among biculturals, particularly those who adopt an acculturation strategy of integrating their different cultural identities. Greater cognitive flexibility, in turn, prompts stronger engagement with a paradox brand, which contributes to more favorable brand evaluations and choice. Contributions of this research for understanding bicultural consumers, marketing to bicultural consumers, and directions for future research are discussed.
Why Seeing Should Not Always Be Believing
Authors: Zarmsky Sarah
Published: June 2021

Digital reconstructions of crime scenes have been used more frequently in both domestic and international courts as technology becomes more developed and accessible to courtroom actors. Though digital reconstructions can be beneficial, especially in the context of international criminal law, as they allow judges to visit crime scenes which would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous to travel to in person, there are inherent risks which come with the use of this novel type of evidence in a court of law. This article explores some key considerations which arise if digital reconstructions are to be used in international criminal courts and tribunals, with an emphasis on the rights of the accused and effects on victims and witnesses. It argues that in order for fair trial standards to be upheld and for international courts to fulfil their roles not just as prosecutors of crimes, but as seekers of truth and reconciliation, digital reconstructions need to be approached with caution and analysed through a critical eye.
Fructooligosaccharides production by immobilized Pichia pastoris cells expressing Schedonorus arundinaceus sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase
Authors: Pérez Enrique R , Martínez Duniesky , Menéndez Carmen , Alfonso Dubiel , Rodríguez Iván , Trujillo Luis E , Sobrino Alina , Ramírez Ricardo , Pimentel Eulogio , Hernández Lázaro
Published: June 2021

Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs)—fructose-based oligosaccharides—are typical prebiotics with health-promoting effects in humans and animals. The trisaccharide 1-kestotriose is the most attractive inulin-type FOS. We previously reported a recombinant sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST, EC 2.4.1.99) from Schedonorus arundinaceus (Sa) that efficiently converts sucrose into 1-kestotriose. In this study, Pichia pastoris PGFT6x-308 constitutively expressing nine copies of the Sa1-SST gene displayed fructosyltransferase activity in undisrupted biomass (49.8 U/ml) and culture supernatant (120.7 U/ml) in fed-batch fermentation (72 hr) with sugarcane molasses. Toluene permeabilization increased 2.3-fold the Sa1-SSTrec activity of whole cells entrapped in calcium-alginate beads. The reaction with refined or raw sugar (600 g/l) yielded 1-kestotriose and 1,1-kestotetraose in a ratio of 8:2 with their sum representing above 55% (wt/wt) of total carbohydrates. The FOSs yield decreased to 45% (wt/wt) when sugarcane syrup and molasses were used as cheaper sucrose sources. The beads retained 80% residual Sa1-SSTrec activity after a 30-day batchwise operation with refined cane sugar at 30°C and pH 5.5. The immobilized biocatalyst is attractive for the continuous production of short-chain FOSs, most particularly 1-kestotriose.
Herbivores alleviate the negative effects of extreme drought on plant community by enhancing dominant species
Authors: Xu Chong , Ke Yuguang , Wu Honghui , Smith Melinda D , Lemoine Nathan P , Zhang Weiguo , Yu Qiang
Published: June 2021

Aims

Both extreme drought and insect herbivores can suppress plant growth in grassland communities. However, most studies have examined extreme drought and insects in isolation, and there is reason to believe that insects might alter the ability of grasslands to withstand drought. Unfortunately, few studies have tested the interactive effects of extreme drought and insect herbivores in grassland communities.

Methods

Here, we tested the drought–herbivore interactions using a manipulative experiment that factorially crossed extreme drought with the exclusion of insect herbivores in a temperate semiarid grassland in Inner Mongolia.

Important Findings

Our results demonstrated that both extreme drought and insect herbivores separately decreased total plant cover. When combined, insect herbivores reduced the impact of drought on total cover by increasing the relative abundance of drought-resistant dominant species. Our results highlight that the negative effect of extreme drought on total plant cover could be alleviated by maintaining robust insect herbivore communities.
Effects of soil nitrogen levels on growth and defense of the native and introduced genotypes of alligator weed
Authors: Liu Mu , Zhou Fang , Pan Xiaoyun , Zhang Zhijie , Li Bo
Published: June 2021

Plants growing in nutrient-rich environment are predicted to be less defended than conspecifics under nutrient limitation. However, less is known about the effects of nutrient levels on tolerance and induced resistance, and whether the effects differ between native and introduced populations of invasive plants. We performed a greenhouse experiment with introduced (the USA) and native (Argentina) genotypes of Alternanthera philoxeroides in order to study the effects of soil nitrogen levels on plant growth, constitutive and herbivore (Agasicles hygrophila)-induced chemical defense, and herbivory tolerance. We measured total biomass, elongation rate (as proxy of growth rate), carbon and nitrogen, and the concentration of triterpenoid saponins (defensive chemicals) in leaves and roots. Constitutive resistance (+33% higher leaf triterpenoid saponins in control treatment at low nitrogen level) and tolerance [less decreased total biomass after herbivory treatment (−24% and −15% for high and low nitrogen levels)] were favored at lower nitrogen level, while induced resistance was favored at higher nitrogen level (+24% increased leaf triterpenoid saponins after herbivory treatment at high nitrogen level). Constitutive resistance and tolerance exhibited trade-offs with growth rate, while induced resistance positively correlated with growth rate. Additionally, the introduced genotypes had −6% lower content of leaf carbon in the presence of herbivores than the native genotypes at low nitrogen level, but such difference was absent at high nitrogen level. Our results indicate that soil nitrogen levels influence the preference of different defensive strategies of plant, and interweave with herbivory to determine the performance of introduced genotypes.
Impact of pharmacist-led services on antimicrobial stewardship programs: a meta-analysis on clinical outcomes
Authors: Mahmood Rana Kamran , Gillani Syed Wasif , Saeed Muhammad Waqas , Vippadapu Prasanna , Alzaabi Maryam Jaber Mohamed Abdulla
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This meta-analysis aims to find out the impact of pharmacists on clinical outcomes of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS).

Method

Articles were searched and analyzed based on quality assessed through the JSM quality assessment tool to filter articles with a low level of bias. Two thousand three hundred sixty articles were reviewed for initial screening and 28 articles were included for critical analysis. Statistical analysis used to risk ratio (RR) and standard mean differences calculated using Review manager 5.4. Confidence intervals (CI 95%) were calculated using the fixed-effect model. The I2 statistic assessed heterogeneity. A random-effect model performed in the case of statistical heterogeneity, subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The primary outcome is mortality and inappropriateness, whereas the secondary outcome is cost, readmission, length of stay, consumption and duration of therapy.

Result

A detailed review and analysis of 28 AMSs programs led by pharmacists showed low inappropriateness with pharmacist versus without pharmacist RR = 0.36 with 95% CI of (0.32 to 0.39) and mortality RR is 0.68 with 95% CI of 0.59 to 0.79. Secondary outcomes such as consumption, length of stay, duration of therapy and cost are standard mean difference of −1.61 with 95% CI (−1.72 to −1.50), −0.58 with 95% CI (−0.62 to −0.53), −0.95 with 95% CI (−1.01 to −0.89) and −0.99 with 95% CI (−1.12 to −0.86), respectively, whereas for 30 days readmission is RR = 0.81 with 95% CI (0.70 to 0.93).

Conclusion

AMS with pharmacist effectively reduces mortality, inappropriateness, cost, length of stay, duration of treatment, consumption of antimicrobials and the return rate to hospital. So it is suggested pharmacists should lead or play a vital role in antimicrobial stewardship programs to get better outcomes.
Survey of X-ray induced Cherenkov excited fluorophores with potential for human use
Authors: Pétusseau Arthur F , Bruza Petr , Pogue Brian W
Published: June 2021

X-ray induced molecular luminescence (XML) is a phenomenon that can be utilized for clinical, deep-tissue functional imaging of tailored molecular probes. In this study, a survey of common or clinically approved fluorophores was carried out for their megavoltage X-ray induced excitation and emission characteristics. We find that direct scintillation effects and Cherenkov generation are two possible ways to cause these molecules’ excitation. To distinguish the contributions of each excitation mechanism, we exploited the dependency of Cherenkov radiation yield on X-ray energy. The probes were irradiated by constant dose of 6 MV and 18 MV X-ray radiation, and their relative emission intensities and spectra were quantified for each X-ray energy pair. From the ratios of XML, yield for 6 MV and 18 MV irradiation we found that the Cherenkov radiation dominated as an excitation mechanism, except for aluminum phthalocyanine, which exhibited substantial scintillation. The highest emission yields were detected from fluorescein, proflavin and aluminum phthalocyanine, in that order. XML yield was found to be affected by the emission quantum yield, overlap of the fluorescence excitation and Cherenkov emission spectra, scintillation yield. Considering all these factors and XML emission spectrum respective to tissue optical window, aluminum phthalocyanine offers the best XML yield for deep tissue use, while fluorescein and proflavine are most useful for subcutaneous or superficial use.
Cardiac amyloidosis with overt multiple myeloma presenting with pulmonary effusion: case report
Authors: Saad Wajih , Moussa Mohamad , Saad Firas , Dbouk Samer , Bazzi Nagham
Published: June 2021

Amyloidosis was initially described by Nicolaes Fonteyn in 1639. It is caused by the deposition of soluble immunoglobulin light chains as insoluble fibrils and can affect any organ including the heart, nervous system, dermis and subcutaneous tissue, kidneys and liver. This is a rare case of cardiac amyloidosis occurring with multiple myeloma and pleural effusion.

A 65-year-old Arab woman, nonsmoker, nonalcoholic, known to have hypothyroidism and multiple myeloma, presented to the hospital with dyspnea and basilar crackles. Workup was done to exclude leukemia. Cardiac echography showed features of amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis occurring with multiple myeloma and pleural effusion is rare. However, it is stated that 10–15% of amyloidosis patients might develop multiple myeloma (MM).
Intergalactic filaments spin
Authors: Xia Qianli , Neyrinck Mark C , Cai Yan-Chuan , Aragón-Calvo Miguel A
Published: June 2021

Matter in the Universe is arranged in a cosmic web, with a filament of matter typically connecting each neighbouring galaxy pair, separated by tens of millions of light-years. A quadrupolar pattern of the spin field around filaments is known to influence the spins of galaxies and haloes near them, but it remains unknown whether filaments themselves spin. Here, we measure dark matter velocities around filaments in cosmological simulations, finding that matter generally rotates around them, much faster than around a randomly located axis. It also exhibits some coherence along the filament. The net rotational component is comparable to, and often dominant over, the known quadrupolar flow. The evidence of net rotations revises previous emphasis on a quadrupolar spin field around filaments. The full picture of rotation in the cosmic web is more complicated and multiscale than a network of spinning filamentary rods, but we argue that filament rotation is substantial enough to be an essential part of the picture. It is likely that the longest coherently rotating objects in the Universe are filaments. Also, we speculate that this rotation could provide a mechanism to generate or amplify intergalactic magnetic fields in filaments.
A new strategy for matching observed and simulated lensing galaxies
Authors: Denzel Philipp , Mukherjee Sampath , Saha Prasenjit
Published: June 2021

The study of strong-lensing systems conventionally involves constructing a mass distribution that can reproduce the observed multiply imaging properties. Such mass reconstructions are generically non-unique. Here, we present an alternative strategy: instead of modelling the mass distribution, we search cosmological galaxy-formation simulations for plausible matches. In this paper, we test the idea on seven well-studied lenses from the SLACS survey. For each of these, we first pre-select a few hundred galaxies from the EAGLE simulations, using the expected Einstein radius as an initial criterion. Then, for each of these pre-selected galaxies, we fit for the source light distribution, while using MCMC optimization for the placement and orientation of the lensing galaxy, so as to reproduce the multiple images and arcs. The results indicate that the strategy is feasible and can easily reject unphysical galaxy-formation scenarios. It even yields relative posterior probabilities of two different galaxy-formation scenarios, though these are not statistically significant yet. Extensions to other observables, such as kinematics and colours of the stellar population in the lensing galaxy, are straightforward in principle, though we have not attempted it yet. Scaling to arbitrarily large numbers of lenses also appears feasible. This will be especially relevant for upcoming wide-field surveys, through which the number of galaxy lenses will rise possibly a hundredfold, which will overwhelm conventional modelling methods.