bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CRISPR/Cas9‐based functional analysis of yellow gene in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Wang Yajun , Huang Yuping , Xu Xuejiao , Liu Zhaoxia , Li Jianyu , Zhan Xue , Yang Guang , You Minsheng , You Shijun
Published: September 2020

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is an economically important pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. This pest is notorious for rapid evolution of the resistance to different classes of insecticides, making it increasingly difficult to control. Genetics‐based control approaches, through manipulation of target genes, have been reported as promising supplements or alternatives to traditional methods of pest management. Here we identified a gene of pigmentation (yellow) in P. xylostella, Pxyellow, which encodes 1674 bp complementary DNA sequence with four exons and three introns. Using the clustered regularly interspersed palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 system, we knocked out Pxyellow, targeting two sites in Exon III, to generate 272 chimeric mutants (57% of the CRISPR‐treated individuals) with color‐changed phenotypes of the 1st to 3rd instar larvae, pupae, and adults, indicating that Pxyellow plays an essential role in the body pigmentation of P. xylostella. Fitness analysis revealed no significant difference in the oviposition of adults, the hatchability of eggs, and the weight of pupae between homozygous mutants and wildtypes, suggesting that Pxyellow is not directly involved in regulation of growth, development, or reproduction. This work advances our understanding of the genetic and insect science molecular basis for body pigmentation of P. xylostella, and opens a wide avenue for development of the genetically based pest control techniques using Pxyellow as a screening marker.
Pay for Outsiders: Incentive Compensation for Nonfamily Executives in Family Firms*
Authors: Li Zhi , Ryan Harley E. , Wang Lingling
Published: September 2020

We use a hand‐collected sample of 1,628 S&P 1500 firms and more than 12,000 executives to examine how family firms compensate nonfamily executives. Family firms comprise a large percentage of firms around the world, and most of their executives are not members of the founding family. Moreover, the founding family's engagement in the firm alters agency conflicts, which in turn should influence the design of incentive compensation. However, there is no empirical evidence on whether and how the incentive compensation of nonfamily executives differs between family and nonfamily firms. Our study intends to fill this gap in the literature. Consistent with our predictions, nonfamily executives in family firms receive significantly less performance‐based pay and equity‐based pay. Family monitoring, risk aversion, and a reluctance to dilute family ownership all contribute to the pay differences. Although incentive pay and total pay are lower in family firms, nonfamily executives receive safer pay and enjoy greater job stability. An analysis of executives' moves across firms suggests that ownership structure, not executives' preferences, is more likely the driver of pay differences between family and nonfamily firms. Our findings suggest that researchers should consider founding family's engagement to avoid misleading inferences with regard to the determinants of incentive compensation, and our findings should help compensation consultants better understand and implement pay packages for family firms and nonfamily firms. The results also imply that uniform compensation regulations intended to improve the monitoring of executives in widely held firms may not be as effective in family firms.
Evoregions: Mapping shifts in phylogenetic turnover across biogeographic regions
Authors: Maestri Renan , Duarte Leandro
Published: September 2020

Biogeographic regionalization offers context to the geographical evolution of clades. The positions of bioregions inform both the spatial location of clusters in species distribution and where their most important boundaries are. Nevertheless, defining bioregions based on species distribution alone only incidentally recovers regions that are important during the evolution of the focal group. The extent to which bioregions correspond to centres of independent diversification depends on how clusters of species composition naturally reflect the radiation of single clades, which is not the case when mixed colonization occurred.

Here, we show that using phylogenetic turnover based on fuzzy sets, instead of species composition, led to adequate detection of evolutionarily important bioregions, that is, regions that account for the independent diversification of lineages. Mapping those evoregions in the phylogenetic tree quickly reveals the timing and location of major shifts of biogeographic regions. Moreover, evolutionary transition zones are easily mapped, and permit the recognition of regions with high phylogenetic overlap.

Our results using the global radiation of rats and mice (Muroidea) recovered four evoregions—three major evolutionary arenas corresponding to the Neotropics, a Nearctic‐Siberian, and a Paleotropical‐Australian evoregion and a fourth and fuzzy Afro‐Palearctic evoregion. Transition zones among evoregions were minimized when compared to other methods considering or not phylogenetic information, that is, the affiliation of cells to their assigned region was higher using evoregions than other approaches. Such higher affiliation values result from the lower phylogenetic overlap within evoregions, as expected when single radiations are accounted for as best as possible.

Evoregions is a useful framework whenever the question is related to the identification of the most important centres of a group's diversification history and its evolutionary transitions zones.
Self‐reported exercise frequency and PTSD: results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Authors: Adams T. G. , Forte J. , Fogle B. M. , Southwick S. M. , Pietrzak R. H.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Physical exercise may serve as a protective factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but little is known about whether physical exercise is associated with PTSD in population‐based samples of military veterans.

Methods

We analyzed cross‐sectional data on the relation between self‐reported physical exercise frequency and the prevalence of probable PTSD in a nationally representative sample of 2832 U.S. military veterans who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Results

A “U‐shaped” association best explained the relation between self‐reported exercise frequency and the prevalence of probable PTSD. Compared to veterans without probable PTSD, those with probable PTSD were nearly twice as likely to report no weekly exercise (52.3% vs. 29.3%) or daily (7 days/week) exercise (15.2% vs. 8.5%) and were nearly half as likely to report exercising a median of 3.5 days/week (32.6% vs. 62.1%). No exercise was associated with greater severity of emotional numbing and lower severity of anxious arousal symptoms, while daily exercise was associated with greater severity of re‐experiencing symptoms.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest a “U‐shaped” association between self‐reported exercise frequency and the prevalence of probable PTSD among U.S. veterans. Veterans with probable PTSD were more likely than those without probable PTSD to report not exercising at all or exercising every day and were less likely to report exercising 1–6 days per week. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Trends in cannabis use and attitudes toward legalization and use among Australians from 2001–2016: an age‐period‐cohort analysis
Authors: Kaur Navdep , Keyes Katherine M. , Hamilton Ava D. , Chapman Cath , Livingston Michael , Slade Tim , Swift Wendy
Published: September 2020

Background and Aims

Changes in cannabis legalization and availability in Australia necessitate monitoring use and attitudes. We estimated age–period–cohort effects of past‐year cannabis use and attitudes toward criminalization and legalization.

Design

Analysis of six waves of the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) every 3 years (2001–2016).

Setting and participants

The study was nationally representative of Australian households using multistage random sampling, totaling 145 168 respondents 18–79 years old. Data were collected using telephone, face‐to‐face, and drop‐and‐collect. Sample sizes per analysis varied based on data availability (~107 000–127 000 per model).

Measurements

Six waves of data for past‐year cannabis use (by sex and education), attitudes toward criminalization and legalization.

Findings

Past‐year cannabis use decreased in young adults ages 18–35 from 2001–2016 (25.1%–18.6%) and increased in middle adults ages 36–55 (8.6%–10.1%) and older adults ages 56–79 (0.6%–3.0%). We observed a positive period effect and negative cohort effect for recent cohorts for past‐year use (e.g. 1955 cohort had 1.41 (95% CI: [1.11, 1.70]) increased log odds vs. 1998 cohort had −2.86 (95% CI: [−3.17, −2.55]) increased log odds) compared with the mean across years. Results were consistent by sex and varied by education. We observed a negative period effect for criminalization favorability (0.14 (95% CI: [0.003, 0.28]) increased log odds in 2001 vs. ‐0.31 (95% CI: [−0.45, −0.17]) increased log odds in 2016) and positive cohort effect for recent cohorts. Last, we observed a positive period effect for legalization support (−0.03 (95% CI: [−0.20, 0.14]) increased log odds in 2001 vs. 0.38 (95% CI: [0.22, 0.55]) increased log odds in 2016) and negative cohort effect for recent cohorts.

Conclusion

Cannabis use appears to be increasing in Australia among adults over 35, while decreasing among adolescents and young adults. Legalization support also appears to have been increasing since 2007, signaling discordance between use and attitudes among adolescents and young adults, and potentially predicting increases in use over time.
Big Economic History
Authors: Lloyd Peter J.
Published: September 2020

This paper reviews the history of human economic activity from the timeHomo sapiensappeared to the present. The first aim is to provide a coherent narrative of the economic history of this period. The second aim is to quantify economic activities where time series data is available and to use economic theory to explain the trends and turning points. It examines the history of three central time series – the aggregate human population, outputper capitaand human‐induced species extinctions. It concludes with some brief observations on the contribution of Big Economic History to Big Human History.
Sustainable agricultural intensification practices and cost efficiency in smallholder maize farms: Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Oumer Ali M. , Burton Michael , Hailu Atakelty , Mugera Amin
Published: September 2020

Sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) practices have been promoted in developing countries to improve farm productivity and environmental services. However, it is still unclear whether use of a combination of SAI practices has a significant influence on the cost efficiency of smallholder farms. This study investigates whether the cost efficiency of smallholder maize producers in Ethiopia depends on use of input‐augmenting and agronomic SAI practices. Stochastic cost frontier models that account for heterogeneity across farms are used for estimation. We find that the use of individual SAI practices increases cost while the combined use of the practices reduces it. The marginal effect on cost reduction is substantial when SAI practices are set at their sample maximum levels. Overall, the results demonstrate the benefit of using a combination of SAI practices in minimizing production cost while addressing the adverse effects of soil degradation and climate variability. To enhance food security, smallholder farm incomes and the sustainability of production in developing countries, policy programs should focus on promoting packages of input‐augmenting and agronomic SAI practices.
Integrating novel engineering strategies into STEM education: APP design and an assessment of engineering‐related attitudes
Authors: Wang Liyan , Chiang Feng‐Kuang
Published: September 2020

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has become an international priority. STEM education provides students with interdisciplinary knowledge and promotes the cultivation of high‐level skills. However, STEM training opportunities for teachers are rare, which results in fewer opportunities for primary and secondary students to receive high‐quality engineering education. Novel Engineering is an innovative strategy to integrate engineering and literacy in STEM education. To this end, the researchers developed, implemented and evaluated a novel engineering STEM software program based on the story of Robinson Crusoe. A quasi‐experimental single‐group pre‐ and posttest research method was adopted. A total of 72 students in two seventh grade classes at a junior middle school in Shanghai participated in the study. Data were collected and analysed through STEM learning interest scales, flow status scales, interviews and students’ STEM work scores. The research findings demonstrated that students gave a high evaluation of the novel engineering STEM software program. Furthermore, this STEM software program contributed to students’ significant improvements in the attitudes of mathematics and 21st century skill and provided students with a lasting and better flow experience. Finally, suggestions were proposed for STEM software design, implementation and evaluation.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Novel engineering is an innovative teaching strategy to integrate literacy and engineering in K12 education.

Students can take classroom literature from the existing curriculum, like stories, novels and textbook to use the basis for engineering design challenges. Through this approach, they learn to identify problems, to design realistic solutions, and to engage in the Engineering Design Process, all while reinforcing their STEM literacy.

Teamwork, short‐term projects and problem‐based learning benefits students' STEM learning.

What this paper adds

This paper uses a STEM APP as the scaffolding to integrate STEM instruction and novel engineering.

This paper investigates students' usage status from interest, flow state, interview and other dimensions.

Software design is problem‐driven, team‐driven, responsibility assigned to work together on a short‐term task.

Implications for practice and/or policy

This paper develops STEM software based on novel engineering to provide ideas for other developers.

This paper provides advice to practitioners of similar STEM programs.

STEM software of novel engineering is verified as one kind of learning scaffolding.
Sondage auprès des fonctionnaires fédéraux : Synthèse des contributions canadiennes à la recherche
Authors: Charbonneau Étienne , Morin Geneviève , Slama Itizez , Bèye Fatou
Published: September 2020

For about twenty years, Public Administration scholars have used the data from the Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) for their research. Two studies evaluated the uses of data, measurement models and internal validity of the U.S. government’s Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), and none on the use of PSES data. The article reviews studies that used Canadian PSES data to promote social science research and seeks to stimulate discussion of PSES's future and opportunities for strategic human resources research in Canada. [The table most useful for researchers is available here in English: Table 3. Aggregation of PSES Elements Assigned to Theoretical Constructs.]
Circulating circERBB2 as a potential prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer: An investigative study
Authors: Nanishi Kenji , Konishi Hirotaka , Shoda Katsutoshi , Arita Tomohiro , Kosuga Toshiyuki , Komatsu Shuhei , Shiozaki Atsushi , Kubota Takeshi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Ichikawa Daisuke , Otsuji Eigo
Published: September 2020

Circular RNA is a novel endogenous non‐coding RNA that can serve as a biomarker because of its stable loop structure. We investigated and examined the utility of plasma circERBB2 as a prognostic biomarker in 70 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy. We investigated by real‐time quantitative PCR the circERBB2 concentrations in the preoperative and postoperative plasma and the circERBB2 expression in the resected tumors. The relationships between circERBB2 concentration in plasma and the clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed. circERBB2 was detected in the preoperative plasma samples of 37 patients. The presence of circERBB2 in preoperative plasma (high group) was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = .035) and tended to be correlated with men (P = .069). Both relapse‐free and overall survival were significantly poor in the high group (P = .001 and P = .009, respectively). The Cox proportional‐hazard model revealed that the high group was an independent prognostic factor of relapse‐free survival (P = .038). Among 16 patients of the high group, 13 patients did not show circERBB2 in the postoperative plasma. The concentration of circERBB2 in plasma was significantly higher in patients with recurrent cancer than those recurrence‐free patients (P < .001). In 2 patients with recurrent cancer, plasma circERBB2 concentrations were increased, whereas, in 2 recurrence‐free patients, these concentrations hardly changed during the treatment progress. The circERBB2 concentrations in preoperative plasma samples can be considered as a noninvasive prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer. Furthermore, monitoring the postoperative plasma circERBB2 concentrations may be useful for detecting gastric cancer recurrences.
Null association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels with allergic rhinitis, allergic sensitization and non‐allergic rhinitis: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Feng Qi , Bønnelykke Klaus , Ek Weronica E. , Chawes Bo L. , Yuan Shuai , Cheung Ching Lung , Li Gloria HY , Leung Raymond YH , Cheung Bernard MY
Published: September 2020

Background

Previous observational studies have not found a conclusive association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and allergic rhinitis (AR) or allergic sensitization (AS).

Objective

To investigate a causal association between 25(OH)D levels with risk of AR and AS, using a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Methods

Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), previously shown to be associated with serum 25(OH)D levels, were identified as instrumental variables. The primary outcome was AR, and the secondary outcomes were AS and non‐allergic rhinitis (NAR). The genome‐wide association (GWA) summary statistics of the outcomes were obtained from two cohort studies (EAGLE Consortium and UK Biobank). An MR analysis with random‐effects inverse‐variance weighted method was performed as the primary analysis to estimate overall effect size (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]). Sensitivity analysis using weighted median method and MR‐Egger regression method was conducted. A subgroup analysis based on 25(OH)D synthesis‐related SNPs was further applied.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D levels were not causally associated with risk of AR (OR: 0.960; 95% CI: 0.779‐1.184), AS (OR: 1.059; 95% CI: 0.686 to 1.634) or NAR (OR: 0.937; 95% CI: 0.588‐1.491). Subgroup analysis also showed null association between 25(OH)D synthesis‐related SNPs and the outcomes. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

This MR study found no evidence supporting a causal association between serum 25(OH)D levels and risk of AR, AS and NAR in European‐ancestry population. This argues against the previous postulation that vitamin D supplementation is effective in prevention of allergic diseases.
Hyperthyroidism and bone mineral density: Dissecting the causal association with Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Deshmukh Harshal , Papageorgiou Maria , Aye Mo , England James , Abdalla Mohammed , Sathyapalan Thozhukat
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Untreated hyperthyroidism is associated with accelerated bone turnover, low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased susceptibility to fragility fractures. Although treatment appears to improve or even reverse some of these adverse skeletal effects, there is limited guidance on routine BMD assessment in hyperthyroid patients following treatment. By using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we aimed to assess the causal association of hyperthyroid thyroid states with BMD and fractures using the UK Biobank.

Methods

This MR analysis included data from 473 818 participants (women: 54% of the total sample, the median age of 58.0 years (IQR = 50‐63 years), median body mass index (BMI) of 26.70 (IQR + 24.11‐29.82 kg/m2) as part of the UK Biobank study. The study outcomes were heel BMD assessed by quantitative ultrasound of the heel and self‐reported fractures. Beta‐weighted genetic risk score analysis was performed using 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for Graves' disease, 9 SNPs for hyperthyroidism and 11 SNPs for autoimmune thyroiditis. Since the unadjusted risk score MR is equivalent to the inverse‐variance weighted method, the genetic risk score analysis was adjusted for age, gender and BMI. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the Mendelian randomization‐Egger (MR‐Egger) and the inverse‐variance weighted estimate methods. Replication analysis was performed using the GEnetic Factors for Osteoporosis (GEFOS) consortium data.

Results

MR analysis using beta‐weighted genetic risk score showed no association of genetic risk for Graves’ disease (Beta = −0.01,P‐value = .10), autoimmune thyroiditis (Beta = −0.006P‐value = .25) and hyperthyroidism (Beta = −0.009,P‐value = .18) with heel ultrasound BMD. MR‐Egger and inverse‐variance MR methods in UK Biobank and GEFOS consortium confirmed these findings. The genetic risk for these hyperthyroid conditions was not associated with an increased risk of fractures.

Conclusion

Our study shows that excess genetic risk for Graves' autoimmune thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism does not increase the risk for low BMD and is not associated fractures in the Caucasian population. Our findings do not support routine screening for osteoporosis following definitive treatment of hyperthyroid states.
Temporal trends in craniopharyngioma management and long‐term endocrine outcomes: A multicentre cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hussein Ziad , Glynn Nigel , Martin Niamh , Alkrekshi Akram , Mendoza Nigel , Nair Ramesh , McCullough Katherine , Marcus Hani J. , Dorward Neil , Grieve Joan , Fersht Naomi , Dyson Edward , Bouloux Pierre‐Marc , Druce Maralyn , Baldeweg Stephanie E.
Published: September 2020

Background

The optimal management of craniopharyngiomas remains controversial.

Objectives

To examine temporal trends in the management of craniopharyngioma with a focus on endocrine outcomes.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, multicentre study. Patients treated between 1951 and 2015 were identified and divided into four quartiles. Demographics, presentation, treatment and outcomes were collected.

Results

In total, 142 patients with childhood‐onset craniopharyngioma (48/142; 34%) and adult‐onset disease (94/142; 66%) were included. The median follow‐up was 15 years (IQR 5‐23 years). Across quartiles, there was a significant trend towards using transsphenoidal surgery (P < .0001). The overall use of radiotherapy was not different among the four quartiles (P = .33). At the latest clinical review, the incidence of GH, ACTH, gonadotrophin deficiencies and anterior panhypopituitarism fell significantly across the duration of the study. Anterior panhypopituitarism was not affected by treatment modality (surgery vs surgery and radiotherapy) (P = .23). There was no difference in the incidence of high BMI (≥25 kg/m2) among the four quartiles (P = .14). BMI was higher in patients who treated with surgery and radiotherapy than those treated with surgery only (P = .006). Tumour regrowth occurred in 51 patients (51/142; 36%) with no difference in regrowth among quartiles over the time course of the study (P = .15).

Conclusion

We demonstrate a significant reduction in panhypopituitarism in craniopharyngioma patients over time, most likely because of a trend towards more transsphenoidal surgery. However, long‐term endocrine sequelae remain common and lifelong follow‐up is required.
Revised 15‐item Glasgow Benefit Inventory with five factors based on analysis of a large population study of medical and surgical otorhinolaryngological interventions
Authors: Browning George G. , Kubba Haytham , Whitmer William M.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To review, using confirmatory factor analysis, the widely used 18‐question Glasgow Benefit Inventory [GBI] that has three factors. Thereafter to develop, using exploratory factor analysis, a more coherent, revised version of the GBI.

Design

Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis of a large national GBI data set of ORL interventions.

Setting

Adult otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics in six University Hospital departments.

Participants

One thousand nine hundred eighty adult patients who had complete GBI data and who underwent an active (medical or surgical) intervention, out of the total data set of 9005 patients from the original Scottish ENT Outcome Study [SENTOS].

Results

One of the 18 questions was discarded from the data base because it was not answered by 8% of respondents. Two of the original factors remained (Physical Health, renamed General Health, and Social Support, renamed Support). The General factor was split into three new factors (Quality of Life, Self‐Confidence and Social Involvement). The three new factors were found to give additional information regarding the area of benefit.

This reduced number of questions does not make any material difference to the results of the >196 existing GBI papers in the literature.

Conclusion

A 15‐question GBI with five factors is provided that is more explanatory of the areas of benefit.
Modeling a Cognitive Transition at the Origin of Cultural Evolution Using Autocatalytic Networks
Authors: Gabora Liane , Steel Mike
Published: September 2020

Autocatalytic networks have been used to model the emergence of self‐organizing structure capable of sustaining life and undergoing biological evolution. Here, we model the emergence ofcognitivestructure capable of undergoingculturalevolution. Mental representations (MRs) of knowledge and experiences play the role of catalytic molecules, and interactions among them (e.g., the forging of new associations) play the role of reactions and result in representational redescription. The approach tags MRs with their source, that is, whether they were acquired through social learning, individual learning (ofpre‐existinginformation), or creative thought (resulting in the generation ofnewinformation). This makes it possible to model how cognitive structure emerges and to trace lineages of cumulative culture step by step. We develop a formal representation of the cultural transition from Oldowan to Acheulean tool technology using Reflexively Autocatalytic and Food set generated (RAF) networks. Unlike more primitive Oldowan stone tools, the Acheulean hand axe required not only the capacity to envision and bring into being something that did not yet exist, but hierarchically structured thought and action, and the generation of new MRs: the concepts EDGING, THINNING, SHAPING, and a meta‐concept, HAND AXE. We show how this constituted a key transition toward the emergence of semantic networks that were self‐organizing, self‐sustaining, and autocatalytic, and we discuss how such networks replicated through social interaction. The model provides a promising approach to unraveling one of the greatest anthropological mysteries: that of why development of the Acheulean hand axe was followed by over a million years of cultural stasis.
Plasma mycophenolic acid concentration and the clinical outcome after lung transplantation
Authors: Yabuki Hiroshi , Matsuda Yasushi , Watanabe Tatsuaki , Eba Shunsuke , Hoshi Fumihiko , Hirama Takashi , Oishi Hisashi , Sado Tetsu , Noda Masafumi , Sakurada Akira , Kikuchi Masafumi , Yamaguchi Hiroaki , Mano Nariyasu , Okada Yoshinori
Published: September 2020

Background

The therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid (MPA) has been investigated for renal and heart transplantations; however, its usefulness in lung transplantation is unclear.

Methods

The MPA area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) was calculated in 59 adult lung transplant recipients. The MPA AUC0‐12s were compared among the three groups determined by the presence of adverse events (no events, infection, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction [CLAD]). Next, MPA AUC0‐12 thresholds for the adverse events were identified by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Cumulative occurrence rate of the adverse events was compared between two groups (adequate and inadequate groups) according to the thresholds.

Results

The MPA AUC0‐12s in the no event, infection, and CLAD groups were 30.3 ± 6.5, 36.8 ± 10.7, and 20.6 ± 9.6 µg·h/mL, respectively (P = .0027), while the tacrolimus trough levels were similarly controlled in the groups. The thresholds of MPA AUC0‐12 for the occurrence of infection and CLAD were 40.5 and 22.8 µg·h/mL, respectively. The cumulative occurrence rate of adverse events of adequate group (15.3%) was significantly lower than that of inadequate group (56.0%) (P = .0050).

Conclusions

The MPA AUC0‐12 may affect the occurrence of adverse events in lung transplant recipients.
Double interatrial septum with persistent interatrial chamber: A rare but clinically significant anomaly
Authors: Adamane Jayaram Ashwal , Uddina Kumeri Abdul Razak , Rao Sudhakar M , Tuli Aakash , Nayak Krishnananda
Published: September 2020

Double interatrial septum is an extremely rare congenital anomaly which forms a distinguished midline interatrial chamber between the two atria. The objective of this case report is to highlight this unusual anomaly and to discuss the potential complications of this condition. We report the case of a 6‐year‐old asymptomatic child who underwent cardiac evaluation for a soft systolic murmur eventually being diagnosed with double interatrial septum.
Echocardiographic parameters associated with recovery in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Shah Muhammad Azam , Soofi Muhammad Adil , Jafary Zainab , Alhomrani Ashwaq , Alsmadi Faisal , Wani Tariq Ahmad , Bajwa Iftikhar Ahmad
Published: September 2020

Objective

The study aims to determine the clinical and echocardiographic parameters of patients with recovered heart failure (HFrecEF).

Methodology

Sixty‐seven patients (cases) were identified as heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF), defined as improvement in EF ≥ 10%. Sixty‐nine patients (controls) were randomly selected by convenience sampling with no or <10% improvement in EF (HFrEF non‐recovered).

Results

The mean interval between baseline and follow‐up echocardiography was 10.5 months in cases and 11.2 months in the control group. HFrecEF showed a 22.7% improvement in mean ejection fraction, and HFrEF non‐recovered group also showed a minor increment of 5.5%. HFrecEF patients were significantly younger (49.51 vs 57.54 years, P .001) with non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy (86.6% vs 52.2%). Patients with HFrecEF had significantly less left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes (LVEDV: 162.51 mL vs 208.54 mL, P < .001; LVESV: 119.81 mL vs 157.13 mL, P < .001) and index left atrial volume (37.66 mL vs 47.09 mL, P < .001) than patients with non‐recovered EF. The right ventricle (RV) and inferior vena cava were significantly dilated with higher mean tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) among patients with HFrecEF than HFrEF non‐recovered.

Conclusion

Based on univariate analysis, younger age, non‐ischemic etiology, LVEDV, LVESV, deceleration time, better TAPSE, dilated right ventricle, dilated IVC, and smaller left atrial volumes were found significant, but on multivariate logistic regression model only left ventricle end‐diastolic volume, left atrial volume, and TAPSE were linked to the recovery of ejection fraction.
Tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography assessment of left ventricular function in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Kizilca Ozgur , Demircan Tulay , Isik Sakine , Yılmaz Nuh , Kir Mustafa , Uzuner Nevin , Unal Nurettin
Published: September 2020

Background

Cystic fibrosis may lead to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. This dysfunction can be documented by methods such as tissue Doppler echocardiographic (TDI) imaging and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in early stage.

Study design

This was prospective cohort study.

Methods

A total of 34 patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (mean age and SD 9.9 ± 4.9 years) and 37 healthy control subjects with a comparable gender and age distribution (mean age 9.8 ± 4.3) were studied. The results for the two groups were compared along with the results of published reports.

Results

No significant relationship was found between the groups in terms of systolic and diastolic measurements of the interventricular septum and posterior left ventricular wall, and ejection fraction (P > .05). Myocardial performance indexes of left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum increased in the patient group compared with the controls (P < .05). As measured by STE, seven segments in the LV myocardial longitudinal strain and three segments in the LV myocardial circumferential strain showed significant reductions in patients with cystic fibrosis compared with controls (P < .05). The longitudinal global, circumferential global, and total global strain values had no significant difference between the groups (P > .05). Longitudinal strain rates and circumferential strain rates were both lower in five segments in the patient group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Tissue Doppler echocardiographic imaging and STE may help identifying subclinical LV dysfunction in cystic fibrosis patients with unremarkable conventional echocardiography. They may be considered for the routine follow‐up of cystic fibrosis patients.
A common European Curriculum for Dental Hygiene ‐ Domain I: Professionalism
Authors: Öhrn Kerstin , Danielsen Bo , Field James
Published: September 2020

This position paper outlines the areas of competence and learning outcomes of the Common European Curriculum for Dental Hygiene (CECDH) that specifically relate to Professionalism. Professionalism is a commitment to a set of values, behaviours and relationships, which underpin the trust that the public hold in Dental Care Professionals. Shortcomings within this domain are often responsible for patient dissatisfaction, concern and complaint—and emphasis is placed on the importance of embedding these values from an early stage within the curriculum.
A simple design feature to increase hydro‐period in constructed ephemeral wetlands to avoid tadpole desiccation‐induced mortality
Authors: Beranek Chad T. , Clulow John , Mahony Michael
Published: September 2020

Here, we identify an easily implemented wetland design feature that can prolong tadpole survival of the threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea). We observed small depressions that naturally formed within some wetlands following the construction of habitat for this species. We observed that wetlands containing depressions prolonged the survival of Green and Golden Bell Frog tadpoles during periods of rapid wetland drying whereas wetlands that did not contain depressions in the same circumstances dried, causing 100% mortality in tadpoles present. We recommend that this concept be considered as a design feature in future wetland construction for Green and Golden Bell Frog and other ephemeral wetland breeding amphibians and we provide commentary on how the benefits of this feature can be maximised. This simple design feature may be important for amphibian restoration, particularly considering climate change.
Bronchopleural fistula in the horse: A conduit of chronicity
Authors: Beasley E. M.
Published: September 2020

Bronchopleural fistulas occur secondary to severe, chronic, bacterial pleuropneumonia in horses. Primary closure is rarely reported, and most bronchopleural fistulas resolve with time and prolonged antimicrobial administration. The case report in this issue describes primary closure with acrylate co‐monomer glue. When faced with severe pleuropneumonia, clinicians can anticipate a good clinical outcome when infection can be eradicated which requires patience, persistence and the client’s financial fortitude.
Fibromatous epulis and peripheral odontogenic fibroma in horses
Authors: Hollis A. R.
Published: September 2020

Fibromatous epulis is a rare tumour in horses which is analogous to the same condition in dogs and peripheral odontogenic fibromas in man. The nomenclature is varied throughout the veterinary literature, but these tumours are most correctly known as peripheral odontogenic fibromas. Although these lesions are benign, they have a high recurrence rate in other species, so wide local excision is important to give the best possible prognosis.
Where do you think you’re going? Accounting for ontogenetic and climate‐induced movement in spatially stratified integrated population assessment models
Authors: Goethel Daniel R. , Bosley Katelyn M. , Langseth Brian J. , Deroba Jonathan J. , Berger Aaron M. , Hanselman Dana H. , Schueller Amy M.
Published: September 2020

Understanding spatial population structure and biocomplexity is critical for determining a species’ resilience to environmental and anthropogenic perturbations. However, integrated population models (IPMs) used to develop management advice for harvested populations have been slow to incorporate spatial dynamics. Therefore, limited research has been devoted to understanding the reliability of movement parameter estimation in spatial population models, especially for spatially dynamic marine fish populations. We implemented a spatial simulation–estimation framework that emulated a generic marine fish metapopulation to explore the impact of ontogenetic movement and climate‐induced distributional shifts between two populations. The robustness of spatially stratified IPMs was explored across a range of movement parametrizations, including ignoring connectivity or estimating movement with various levels of complexity. Ignoring connectivity was detrimental to accurate estimation of population‐specific biomass, while implementing spatial IPMs with intermediate levels of complexity (e.g. estimating movement in two‐year and two‐age blocks) performed best when no a priori information about underlying movement was available. One‐way distributional shifts mimicking climate‐induced poleward migrations presented the greatest estimation difficulties, but the incorporation of auxiliary information on connectivity (e.g. tag‐recapture data) reduced bias. The continued development of spatially stratified modelling approaches should allow harvested resources to be better utilized without increased risk. Additionally, expanded collection and incorporation of unique spatially explicit data will enhance the robustness of IPMs in the future.
Overexpression of an aquaporin gene PvPIP2;9 improved biomass yield, protein content, drought tolerance and water use efficiency in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wen Wuwu , Li Hui , Lu Qiyu , Xu Bin , Huang Bingru
Published: September 2020

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a prime candidate for non‐grain‐based bioenergy feedstock production. Improved drought tolerance and higher water use efficiency (WUE) are important for its successful field establishment and production, especially on marginal lands. Aquaporins are key channels and regulators for water transportation and maintenance of cellular water status. In this study, the functional role of an aquaporin gene, PvPIP2;9, in switchgrass was studied. Expression of PvPIP2;9 was regulated by diurnal oscillation and osmotic stress. Constitutive over‐expressing PvPIP2;9 in switchgrass significantly improved its leaf length, plant height, aboveground biomass and biomass protein contents under both drought‐ and non‐stressed conditions, and also resulted in higher cellulose content in drought‐stressed transgenic than wild‐type plants. Under 21 days of drought treatment, transgenic plants showed less electrolyte leakage rates, but higher relative water contents, photochemical efficiencies, chlorophyll contents and WUE, indicating that PvPIP2;9 positively regulated plant drought tolerance. Moreover, expression patterns of all 14 switchgrass PIP2 subfamily genes were checked during the drought treatment, and the result showed that over‐expressing PvPIP2;9 also affected transcript levels of most other PIP2 genes. Together, this study showed that improved biomass yield, drought tolerance and higher WUE can be achieved by manipulating the expression of PvPIP2;9 and also suggested PIP2 subfamily genes were transcriptionally regulated in a coordinated manner, which can be used for potential targets for crop drought resistance breeding efforts.
Conversations in a Crowded Room: An Assessment of the Contribution of Historical Research to Criminology
Authors: YEOMANS HENRY , CHURCHILL DAVID , CHANNING IAIN
Published: September 2020

The relationship between history and social science generally, as well as history and criminology specifically, has long been considered problematic. But, since the likes of Burke (1992) and King (1999) spoke of a ‘dialogue of the deaf’, crime history has rapidly expanded and, more latterly, historical criminology has begun to emerge. This article reappraises the relationship of the subject areas by considering the impact that historical research has had on criminology. Although the impact is found to be somewhat patchy, the article identifies positive signs within the two fields that might point towards a more mutually‐enriching future.
Termination of intra‐arc rifting at ca 16 Ma in the Southwest Japan arc: The tectonostratigraphy of the Hokutan Group
Authors: Haji Toshiki , Yamaji Atsushi
Published: September 2020

Miocene intra‐arc rifting associated with the opening of the Japan Sea formed grabens in several areas in Southwest (SW) Japan, but the extensional tectonics of the arc are still not well understood. In this study, we first document the tectonostratigraphy of the Hokutan Group in the northwestern part of the Kinki district, and demonstrate the termination of extensional tectonics at ca 16.5 Ma, as inferred from grabens in the lower part of the group being unconformably overlain by sediments of the upper part. Second, we review early Miocene grabens in SW Japan to suggest that intra‐arc rifting was abandoned at ca 16 Ma, essentially simultaneously with the end of rotation of the SW Japan arc as evidenced by paleomagnetic studies. The lesser numbers of grabens and reduced thicknesses of graben fills suggest that extensional deformation of the SW Japan arc was significantly weaker than that of the Northeast (NE) Japan arc, which was broken into blocks, indicating various degrees of paleomagnetic rotation within NE Japan. The weak deformation has allowed paleomagnetic studies to infer the coherent rotation of the SW Japan arc.
Role of CeAl11O18 in reinforcing Al2O3/Ti composites by adding CeO2
Authors: Shi Shengfang , Cho Sunghun , Goto Tomoyo , Sekino Tohru
Published: September 2020

This work discusses the reinforcement effect of elongated CeAl11O18 phase on multifunctional Al2O3/Ti composites by adding CeO2 to inhibit interfacial reaction and strengthen interface for inducing optimized performances. For this purpose, Al2O3/Ti composite with different contents of CeO2 was fabricated and the microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties were studied. Results indicated that after CeO2 was added, elongated CeAl11O18 phase was formed within these composites. Owing to inhibited interfacial reaction between Al2O3 and Ti, Ti content was increased and compositions of composites were calculated using Rietveld method based on X‐ray diffraction patterns. Attributed to the strengthening and toughening effects of CeAl11O18 phase, 2 mol% CeO2 added composite showed the highest flexural strength and fracture toughness of 576 MPa and 5.15 MPa·m1/2, which increased by 21% and 20% compared to Al2O3/Ti composite without CeO2 addition. In this case, crack bridging by both Ti and CeAl11O18 particles was the major toughening mechanism and the additional fracture toughness caused by CeAl11O18 toughening effect reached a maximum. The role (crack bridging or particle pull‐out mechanism) of CeAl11O18 in toughening Al2O3/Ti composites depended on the aspect ratio of these elongated particles, which was directly related to CeO2 content. Because of the inhibition of interfacial reaction and the increase in Ti content, excellent electrical resistivity of composites after CeO2 addition was maintained in spite of the formation of insulated CeAl11O18 phase. All samples showed relatively low electrical resistivity of ~10−3 Ωcm.
Effect of storage period on provitamin‐A carotenoids retention in biofortified maize hybrids
Authors: Dutta Suman , Muthusamy Vignesh , Hossain Firoz , Baveja Aanchal , Abhijith Krishnan P. , Saha Supradip , Zunjare Rajkumar U. , Yadava Devendra K.
Published: September 2020

Vitamin A‐rich maize hybrids provide sustainable solutions to malnutrition. However, significant loss of carotenoids during storage reduces its efficacy. Grains of nine sub‐tropically adapted crtRB1‐based biofortified hybrids along with six normal hybrids were stored under conventional storage for five months. PVAC (β‐carotene and β‐cryptoxanthin) among crtRB1‐based hybrids degraded from initial level of 18.77 to 3.24 µg g−1, while NPVAC (lutein and zeaxanthin) reduced to 10.79 µg g−1 from 19.00 µg g−1 during storage. Among PVAC, β‐cryptoxanthin (21.8%) possessed more stability than β‐carotene (16.4%). For NPVAC, lutein (61.2%) showed the highest retention than zeaxanthin (50.4%). Majority of the PVAC loss occurred within first three months of storage. Retention for PVAC among crtRB1‐based hybrids varied from 14% to 23% indicating the role of favourable genetic factors. APQH1, APQH7 and APH2 were the promising hybrids with higher retention (>20%) of PVAC. This is the first report on identification of provitamin A‐rich crtRB1‐based biofortified maize hybrids with higher retention during sub‐tropical storage.
Development of a food product profile for boiled and steamed sweetpotato in Uganda for effective breeding
Authors: Mwanga Robert O. M. , Mayanja Sarah , Swanckaert Jolien , Nakitto Mariam , zum Felde Thomas , Grüneberg Wolfgang , Mudege Netsayi , Moyo Mukani , Banda Linly , Tinyiro Samuel Edgar , Kisakye Sarah , Bamwirire David , Anena Beatrice , Bouniol Alexandre , Magala Damalie Babirye , Yada Benard , Carey Edward , Andrade Maria , Johanningsmeier Suzanne D. , Forsythe Lora , Fliedel Geneviève , Muzhingi Tawanda
Published: September 2020

This study sought to understand user preferences of raw, boiled and steamed sweetpotato, a staple food in Uganda. A sequential methodology involving state of knowledge review, gendered food mapping, processing diagnosis and consumer testing was used in Lira and Kamwenge districts. Preferred raw sweetpotato characteristics were large roots (≥ 3 cm diameter) with a sweet taste, smooth skin and hard texture, while mealiness, sweet taste and good sweetpotato smell were important attributes for boiled sweetpotato. Processors, mostly women, highlighted ease of peeling and sappiness of raw roots. There were gender differences in quality characteristic preferences and perceived importance. The released variety, NASPOT 8, had the highest overall liking in Kamwenge and was well liked in Lira. Penalty analysis of consumer data showed that sweetness and firmness were key drivers of overall liking. The results will support breeding programmes in meeting specific end‐user product profiles, selection criteria and uptake of new varieties.