bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of compatibility and determination of the suitable pollinizer for Argane tree (Argania spinosaL.)
Authors: Aabd Naima Ait , Tahiri Abdelghani , Mimouni Abdelaziz , Bouharroud Rachid
Published: May 2021

During the breeding program studies, the pollen donor parents (pollinizers) were observed to be characterized by a strong flowering rate and very low fruit set, even after hand pollination. Then the notion of pollinizers in the argane species was born, first mentioned, checked, documented and confirmed like other conventional tree species. Since the argane tree is completely self-incompatible, the presence of compatible pollinizers is necessary for the fruit set. Indeed, pollinizers need to be selected accurately based on the synchronization of bloom periods and compatibility to receiver trees (female). The pollinizer is essential in any breeding program and for new orchard plantations. The current study was conducted on 13 argane genotypes including two pollinizers. The flowering period, bloom phenology, floral structure and fruit set of crossed genotypes were monitored, illustrated and a season phenogram was established. The pollen viability and germination were also evaluated. In order to test compatibility, the hand pollination using two selected pollinizer pollens was compared to open pollination. Then, the compatibility system was monitored and evaluated through analysis of crossing diallel programs and through the index of self-incompatibility. The flowering periods are genotype depending and one to three blooms have been observed during the two years study (2018-2019) and the argane tree is a tristylous species (Mesostylous, brevistylous and longistylous flowers). Thein vitrotests showed that the pollen originated from crossed genotypes were viable and able to germinate. The cross-compatibility rate depends on cross associations and it varies from 39 to 84 %. In fact, this study showed that the effect of pollen-parent (xenia) occurs in all fruit components of argane tree. It was observed, for the first time, that both compatible pollinizers and xenic effects of pollen on argane fruit have occurred. Artificial pollination is currently feasible for breeding programs and the screening of elite genotypes. Then the selected pollinizer is quite required for the development of argane tree cropping.

Highlights

Pollinizers in the argane species first mentioned

Pollinizer is essential in any breeding program and for new orchard plantations

Argane tree is self-incompatible

Pollen-parent effect, (xenia) occurs in all fruit components of argane tree
Unsupervised explainable AI for the collective analysis of a massive number of genome sequences: various examples from the small genome of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 to the human genome
Authors: Ikemura Toshimichi , Iwasaki Yuki , Wada Kennosuke , Wada Yoshiko , Abe Takashi
Published: May 2021

In genetics and related fields, huge amounts of data, such as genome sequences, are accumulating, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) suitable for big data analysis has become increasingly important. Unsupervised AI that can reveal novel knowledge from big data without prior knowledge or particular models is highly desirable for analyses of genome sequences, particularly for obtaining unexpected insights. We have developed a batch-learning self-organizing map (BLSOM) for oligonucleotide compositions that can reveal various novel genome characteristics. Here, we explain the data mining by the BLSOM: unsupervised and explainable AI. As a specific target, we first selected SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) because a large number of the viral genome sequences have been accumulated via worldwide efforts. We analyzed more than 0.6 million sequences collected primarily in the first year of the pandemic. BLSOMs for short oligonucleotides (e.g., 4~6-mers) allowed separation into known clades, but longer oligonucleotides further increased the separation ability and revealed subgrouping within known clades. In the case of 15-mers, there is mostly one copy in the genome; thus, 15-mers appeared after the epidemic start could be connected to mutations. Because BLSOM is an explainable AI, BLSOM for 15-mers revealed the mutations that contributed to separation into known clades and their subgroups. After introducing the detailed methodological strategies, we explained BLSOMs for various topics. The tetranucleotide BLSOM for over 5 million 5-kb fragment sequences derived from almost all microorganisms currently available and its use in metagenome studies. We also explained BLSOMs for various eukaryotes, such as fishes, frogs and Drosophila species, and found a high separation ability among closely related species. When analyzing the human genome, we found evident enrichments in transcription factor-binding sequences (TFBSs) in centromeric and pericentromeric heterochromatin regions. The tDNAs (tRNA genes) were separated by the corresponding amino acid.
Retrospective screening for SARS-CoV-2 among 5,800 hospitalizations related to influenza-like illness during the 2018-19 pre-pandemic and 2019-2020 pandemic influenza seasons in the VAHNSI network, Spain
Authors: Mira-Iglesias Ainara , Mengual-Chuliá Beatriz , Cano Laura , García-Rubio Javier , Tortajada-Girbés Miguel , Carballido-Fernández Mario , Mollar-Maseres Juan , Schwarz-Chavarri Germán , García-Esteban Sandra , Puig-Barberà Joan , Díez-Domingo Javier , López-Labrador F. Xavier ,   for the Valencia Hospital Network for the Study of Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Disease
Published: May 2021

On March 9 2020 the WHO Global Influenza Program (GIP) asked participant sites on the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) to contribute to data collection concerning severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We re-analysed 5,833 viral RNA archived samples collected prospectively from hospital admissions for influenza-like illness (ILI) in the Valencia Region of Spain by the VAHNSI network (4 hospitals, catchment area population 1,118,732) during the prepandemic 2018/2019 (n=4,010) and pandemic 2019/2020 (n=1,823) influenza seasons, for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. We did not find evidence for community-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital admissions for ILI in our region before early March 2020.
Employee's lying behavior and the role of self-awareness
Authors: Chang Kirk , Max Sylvain , Celse Jérémy
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Employee’s lying behavior has become ubiquitous at work, and managers are keen to know what can be done to curb such behavior. Managers often apply anti-lying strategies in their management and, in particular, the role of self-awareness on lying intervention has drawn academic attention recently. Drawing on multi-disciplinary literature, this study aims to investigate the efficacy of self-awareness in reducing lying behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the perspectives of positivism and deductive reasoning, a quasi-experimental research approach was adopted. Employees from Dijon, France were recruited as research participants. Based on the literature, different conditions (scenario manipulation) were designed and implemented in the laboratory, in which participants were exposed to pre-set lying opportunities and their responses were analyzed accordingly.

Findings

Unlike prior studies which praised the merits of self-awareness, the authors found that self-awareness did not decrease lying behavior, not encouraging the confession of lying either. Employees actually lied more when they believed other employees were lying.

Practical implications

This study suggests managers not to rely on employee’s self-awareness; rather, the concept of self-awareness should be incorporated into the work ethics, and managers should schedule regular workshops to keep employees informed of the importance of ethics. When employees are regularly reminded of the ethics and appreciate its importance, their intention of lying is more likely to decrease.

Originality/value

To the best of the atuhors’ knowledge, the current research is the first in its kind to investigate lying intervention of employees in the laboratory setting. Research findings have brought new insights into the lying intervention literature, which has important implication on the implementation of anti-lying strategies.
New York City: COVID-19 quarantine and crime
Authors: Esposito Michelle Marie , King Anna
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In early 2020, the world faced a rapid life-changing pandemic in the form of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Citywide lockdowns with stay-at-home orders and mass closings quickly became the “new normal.” With these new mandates, routine activity, mental health and financial securities all began to experience major deviations, and it became clear that this could prove to be rather valuable in providing the opportunity for large-scale criminology experiments. This study aims to explore New York City's (NYC) crime patterns during this unique social situation. Specifically, has crime as a whole increased or decreased, and have particular crimes increased or decreased during these stressful fluid times?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors briefly review previous crises and worldwide trends but focus on NYC crime as collected by the New York Police Department's statistics unit, “CompStat.” An analysis of 13 crime types from March 30 to July 5 was completed, including percent differences and individual weekly incidence rates in citywide crimes compared to the same time in 2019.

Findings

The analysis demonstrated that all crimes analyzed, except for murder and burglary, exhibited a statistically significant difference during COVID-19 conditions compared to the same time the previous year. Grand larceny auto and gun violence crimes significantly increased during COVID-19 weeks, whereas rape, other sex crimes, robbery, felony assault, grand larceny, transit, housing, misdemeanor assault and petit larceny all significantly decreased.

Originality/value

Due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic, this is amongst the first studies to examine trends in NYC crime during pandemic mandates. Expanding our knowledge in these situations can inform natural disaster responses, as well as criminal justice policy and practice to better protect the public in future crises.
EU institutions and ICT: a new challenge in transparency and dialogue with citizens
Authors: Leite Isabel Costa
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper starts by presenting a theoretical framework based on the evolution of this problem through the EU treaties and a literature review. The focus is then turned to the role of some European institutions, namely, the European Parliament, through the Committee on Petitions, and the European Ombudsman for their close relationship: the information and communications technology (ICT)channels that introduced new mechanisms of communication and information; and what level of use this system of dialogue assures citizens’ rights to petition and to complain.

Design/methodology/approach

The first decades of the history of the European Union did not consider the link with citizens as a central priority in the evolution of the European integration process. The idea of Europe, built step by step, was much more dependent on the states’ political elites and bureaucratic European institutions. The democratic deficit, however, changed the perspectives of the different actors involved in the institutional framework. New initiatives were introduced alongside treaties to make the integration process more transparent and closer to European citizens.

Findings

Those results can be confirmed through the statistics and reports presented annually by those institutions.

Originality/value

Due to innovation in the use of ICT, transparency and dialogue with citizens became much more effective.
What should Indian tourism and hospitality managers focus on to stay competitive in the coming decade?
Authors: Sanjeev Gunjan M.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to summarize and review the key areas of importance that will drive a paradigm shift over the next decade in the Indian tourism and hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies important issues from the findings and managerial implications as identified by the contributors to the theme issue: What should Indian tourism and hospitality managers focus on to stay competitive in the coming decade?

Findings

This theme issue has brought to light some interesting factors that are going to dominate the industry in the near future. These factors are: the role of social media in how businesses will operate in the near future; information technology applications as influencers of profitability; the evolution of risk management techniques; differentiated valuation models; innovative ways to retain talent; and remodelling education at higher educational institutions offering hospitality education.

Practical implications

In an era of tough completion and disruptive innovations, the tourism and hospitality industry will need to be proactive rather than reactive to the anticipated changes that are going to take place over next ten years. These changes will be very useful to domestic and foreign operators, as they consider the key issues that will impact on the Indian context over the next ten years.

Originality/value

This theme issue and, in particular, this concluding paper bring together important findings related to the issues of importance that are shaping a paradigm shift in the way tourism and hospitality businesses operate. Building upon viewpoints and perspectives of practitioners in the tourism and hospitality industry, these findings are unique and contemporary as compared to any other published source. This will be a significant contribution to the field of research relating to the Indian hospitality and tourism industry.
Interactions between soil properties, agricultural management and cultivar type drive structural and functional adaptations of the wheat rhizosphere microbiome to drought
Authors: Breitkreuz Claudia , Herzig Laura , Buscot François , Reitz Thomas , Tarkka Mika
Published: May 2021

Rhizosphere microbial communities adapt their structural and functional compositions to water scarcity and have the potential to substantially mitigate drought stress of crops. To unlock this potential, it is crucial to understand community responses to drought in the complex interplay between soil properties, agricultural management and crop species. Two winter wheat cultivars, demanding and non‐demanding, were exposed to drought stress in loamy Chernozem and sandy Luvisol soils under conventional or organic farming management. Structural and functional adaptations of the rhizosphere bacteria were assessed by 16S amplicon sequencing, the predicted abundance of drought‐related functional genes in the bacterial community based on 16S amplicon sequences (Tax4Fun) and the activity potentials of extracellular enzymes involved in the carbon cycle. Bacterial community composition was strongly driven by drought and soil type. Under drought conditions, Gram‐positive phyla became relatively more abundant, but either less or more diverse in Luvisol and Chernozem soil respectively. Enzyme activities and functional gene abundances related to carbon degradation were increased under drought in the rhizosphere of the demanding wheat cultivar in organic farming. We demonstrate that soil type, farming system and wheat cultivar each constitute important factors during the structural and/or functional adaptation of rhizobacterial communities in response to drought.
Application of mucilaginous seeds (Alyssum homolocarpum and Salvia macrosiphon Boiss) and wheat bran in improving technological and nutritional properties of pasta
Authors: Naji‐Tabasi Sara , Niazmand Razieh , Modiri‐Dovom Atena
Published: May 2021

In recent years, dietary fibers have attracted a lot of attention as they reduce calories and witness the glycemic index. In this study, wheat bran (WB) and mucilaginous seeds flour (Qodume Shirazi seeds [QSS], wild sage seeds [WSS]) as sources of insoluble and soluble dietary fiber were used for pasta enrichment (50% WB, 45% WB–5% seed flour, and 40% WB–10% seed flour). The cooking properties, microstructural, textural, glycemic index, and sensory properties of pasta samples were evaluated. Fiber ingredients increased moisture content, cooking loss, and ash of pasta samples. In contrast, swelling indexing, optimum cooking time, and water absorption decreased. The samples containing high fiber had a darker appearance with a stiffer structure. Microstructure confirmed the presence of a developed protein matrix in the witness sample. But by substitution of the WB, a heterogeneous and dense network with small and large cells formed. The mucilaginous seed flours (WB–QSS and WB–WSS samples) improved the uniformity of pasta microstructure in comparison with WB sample. WB pasta samples reduced all sensory scores, but adding seed flours had a more noticeable influence on increasing the sensory properties. The presence of QSS and WSS resulted in more starchy and elastic texture. By using mucilaginous seeds flour in the production of high‐fiber pasta, the glycemic index decreased more noticeably. This investigation indicates the positive impact of mucilaginous seeds, especially WSS, on pasta sensorial properties, in line with a strong influence on technological characteristics and decreasing the glycemic index.

Practical Application

This study determined a practical approach to produce high‐fiber pasta by applying mucilaginous seeds with the improvement of technological and sensory properties.
Model‐predicted capillary leakage in graded hypotension: Extended analysis of experimental spinal anesthesia
Authors: Hahn Robert G. , Drobin Dan
Published: May 2021

Background

Crystalloid fluid infused during the induction of spinal anesthesia is involved in a complex set of physiological responses, including vasodilatation, reactive vasoconstriction, and changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP). The present evaluation compares the modeled capillary leakage in anesthetized versus nonanesthetized body regions.

Methods

Ten female volunteers (mean age, 29 years) received 25 ml/kg of Ringer's acetate over 60 min during experimental spinal anesthesia. Blood hemoglobin was measured repeatedly in the radial artery (reference), arm (cubital) vein, and leg (femoral) vein for 240 min. Each pattern of data served as a dependent variable in volume kinetic analyses that used mixed models software and MAP as covariate.

Results

The capillary leakage of fluid from the plasma to the extravascular space peaked at 17 ml/min when MAP was 100 mmHg, and the two venous curves were virtually identical. At MAP 60 mmHg, the rate was reduced to 10‐12 ml/min when assessed in arterial blood and leg vein blood, but only 5 mmHg in blood collected from the arm vein. The distribution half‐life of infused fluid was then 40 min in the leg and 80 min in the arm. These results suggest that vasoconstriction in nonanesthetized body regions halves the capillary leakage that is observed in vasodilated, anesthetized body regions.

Conclusion

Graded hypotension during spinal anesthesia reduced the capillary filtration of fluid as determined by volume kinetic analysis. The effect was twice as great when venous blood was sampled from a nonanesthetized body region than from an anesthetized body region.
Regulatory KIR+RA+ T cells accumulate with age and are highly activated during viral respiratory disease
Authors: Pieren Daan K. J. , Smits Noortje A. M. , Hoeboer Jeroen , Kandiah Vinitha , Postel Rimke J. , Mariman Rob , van Beek Josine , van Baarle Debbie , de Wit Jelle , Guichelaar Teun
Published: May 2021

Severe respiratory viral infectious diseases such as influenza and COVID‐19 especially affect the older population. This is partly ascribed to diminished CD8+ T‐cell responses a result of aging. The phenotypical diversity of the CD8+ T‐cell population has made it difficult to identify the impact of aging on CD8+ T‐cell subsets associated with diminished CD8+ T‐cell responses. Here we identify a novel human CD8+ T‐cell subset characterized by expression of Killer‐cell Immunoglobulin‐like Receptors (KIR+) and CD45RA (RA+). These KIR+RA+ T cells accumulated with age in the blood of healthy individuals (20–82 years of age, n = 50), expressed high levels of aging‐related markers of T‐cell regulation, and were functionally capable of suppressing proliferation of other CD8+ T cells. Moreover, KIR+RA+ T cells were a major T‐cell subset becoming activated in older adults suffering from an acute respiratory viral infection (n = 36), including coronavirus and influenza virus infection. In addition, older adults with influenza A infection showed that higher activation status of their KIR+RA+ T cells associated with longer duration of respiratory symptoms. Together, our data indicate that KIR+RA+ T cells are a unique human T‐cell subset with regulatory properties that may explain susceptibility to viral respiratory disease at old age.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of atraumatic restorative treatment to manage early childhood caries: microsimulation modelling
Authors: Tonmukayakul U , Forrest H , Arrow P
Published: May 2021

Background

This study assessed the cost‐effectiveness of atraumatic restorative treatment and the Hall Technique approach (ART/HT) in managing dental caries in young children under the health provider perspective in order to explore a best‐buy alternative to dental general anaesthesia (DGA).

Methods

Sixty‐five observations from a randomized controlled trial were used to construct 20 000 microsimulations representing individual‐level clinical outcome and costs of the DGA and ART/HT. Outcome was percentage of successfully managed cases. Costs were reported in 2020 price. Three different scenarios with different assumptions of clinical success of the DGA and the ART/HT were analysed. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was carried out.

Results

The ART/HT successfully managed more cases at lower cost ($557) than the DGA when the system failure of the DGA was considered. Under per protocol analysis, participants in both arms were successfully managed, but the ART/HT costed $580 less than the DGA. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the ART/HT was a dominant intervention.

Conclusions

The ART/HT approach was non‐inferior in managing dental caries in young children but at lower costs than the DGA. The ART/HT could be a viable option in the provision of comprehensive dental care in locations with limited access to DGA and reduce hospital admission.
Letter: the use of magnetic resonance scores (Anali) for risk stratification in PSC
Authors: Lemoinne Sara , Cazzagon Nora , Chazouillères Olivier , Corpechot Christophe , Arrivé Lionel
Published: May 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Mazhar & Russo papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16296 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16397
Review article: the role of nutrition in alcohol‐associated liver disease
Authors: Bhavsar‐Burke Indira , Jansson‐Knodell Claire L. , Gilmore Ashley C. , Crabb David W.
Published: May 2021

Background

Malnutrition is a commonly encountered issue in patients with alcohol‐associated liver disease. The role of nutritional supplementation in the management of alcohol‐associated liver disease is integral to patient outcomes—it has been shown to decrease rates of hepatic encephalopathy, improve outcomes post‐liver transplant, reduce 90‐day hospital readmissions and lower mortality. Despite these benefits, many studies have shown nutritional support to be an underutilised tool in the care of patients with alcohol‐associated liver disease.

Aims

To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, recommendations for nutritional assessment and supplementation, as well as future directions for research of the relationship between nutrition and alcohol‐associated liver disease.

Methods

A literature search was conducted via PubMed using MeSH terms to inform this narrative review.

Results

Decreased dietary intake, socioeconomic status, impaired absorption of nutrients and increased free radical species are implicated in the pathophysiology of malnutrition in alcohol‐associated liver disease.

Conclusions

Malnutrition is common in alcohol‐associated liver disease, and physicians should be aware of its association with poor clinical outcomes. Routine nutritional assessment, involvement of a dietician and nutritional supplementation are recommended to improve clinical outcomes in patients with alcohol‐associated liver disease.
Letter: the use of magnetic resonance scores (Anali) for risk stratification in PSC—authors' reply
Authors: Russo Mark W. , Mazhar Areej
Published: May 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Mazhar & Russo and Lemoinne et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16296 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16378
Editorial: total anti‐drug antibodies detected using drug‐tolerant assays during induction with anti‐TNF therapy are associated with treatment failure—out of sight but not out of mind. Authors' reply
Authors: Roblin Xavier , Nancey Stephane , Paul Stéphane
Published: May 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tournier et al and Turbayne and Ward papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16333 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16359
Tracking a central banker's preference: A nonparametric regression approach
Authors: Park Cheolbeom , Park Sookyung
Published: May 2021

We examine how the Fed's preference influences the behavior of inflation rate and unemployment rate using US data over the period of 1960–2017. After showing instability in a constant‐coefficient regression, we run a nonparametric regression, and find that the Fed's preference parameters have moved, implying that its preference can be represented by the asymmetric preference model putting more weights on high unemployment rate approximately before the era of Volcker's chairmanship and by the inflation targeting model during the 1980s and 1990s. The Fed's preferences again seem concerned about higher unemployment after the Global Financial Crisis.
Tumour brain: Pretreatment cognitive and affective disorders caused by peripheral cancers
Authors: Mampay Myrthe , Flint Melanie S. , Sheridan Graham K.
Published: May 2021

People that develop extracranial cancers often display co‐morbid neurological disorders, such as anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment, even before commencement of chemotherapy. This suggests bidirectional crosstalk between non‐CNS tumours and the brain, which can regulate peripheral tumour growth. However, the reciprocal neurological effects of tumour progression on brain homeostasis are not well understood. Here, we review brain regions involved in regulating peripheral tumour development and how they, in turn, are adversely affected by advancing tumour burden. Tumour‐induced activation of the immune system, blood–brain barrier breakdown and chronic neuroinflammation can lead to circadian rhythm dysfunction, sleep disturbances, aberrant glucocorticoid production, decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and dysregulation of neural network activity, resulting in depression and memory impairments. Given that cancer‐related cognitive impairment diminishes patient quality of life, reduces adherence to chemotherapy and worsens cancer prognosis, it is essential that more research is focused at understanding how peripheral tumours affect brain homeostasis.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in cystic thyroid nodules: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cesareo Roberto , Tabacco Gaia , Naciu Anda Mihaela , Crescenzi Anna , Bernardi Stella , Romanelli Francesco , Deandrea Maurilio , Trimboli Pierpaolo , Palermo Andrea , Castellana Marco
Published: May 2021

Background

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is used for the treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to obtain strong evidence of its long‐term efficacy and safety.

Methods

PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched until November 2020 for studies reporting data on volume reduction rate (VRR), compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns. Associated complications were assessed. A random‐effects model was designed to pool the data.

Results

Out of 385 papers, nine studies evaluating 1667 nodules were finally included. Overall, VRR at 6, 12, 24, 36, 60 and 120 months was 77%, 81%, 72%, 68%, 74% and 69%, respectively. Significant reductions in the compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns were observed. No permanent complications were observed.

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis showed that PEI could significantly reduce the volume of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This reduction was already effective at 6 months post‐treatment, and the effect was stable over time.
The role of offline trade in sharing accommodation
Authors: Li Yating , Mu Liying
Published: May 2021

Over the past few years, sharing accommodation—wherein hosts with vacant properties trade with consumers in need of accommodation through an intermediary platform—has emerged as a prevalent business model; popular examples include Airbnb (United States) and Tujia (China). The platform serves as an intermediary that connects two sides of the market and earns a profit by collecting service fees from both parties. Recently, an interesting phenomenon—where property hosts and consumers bypass the intermediary and trade offline—has been widely reported in practice. Motivated by this observation, this article studies the decision making of the platform (e.g., service fees, penalties) in the presence of offline trading. Our analysis reveals several interesting insights. First, in contrast to conventional wisdom, consumers may be harmed by the introduction of offline trading. This provides a novel direction for the platform to mitigate offline trading—advertising the harm that offline trading poses to consumers and advocating for a refusal of offline trade at the source. Further, while the service fees charged from the hosts and consumers are, in some sense, substitutable when offline trade is ignored, the platform should limit the service fees charged to the consumers in the presence of offline trading. Finally, a higher penalty charged on detected offline trade could backfire and lead to a lower profit for the platform; as such, our results caution policymakers to take offline trading into account before making any operational decisions.
Cerebral visual impairment in CDKL5 deficiency disorder: vision as an outcome measure
Authors: Olson Heather E , Costantini Julia G , Swanson Lindsay C , Kaufmann Walter E , Benke Timothy A , Fulton Anne B , Hansen Ronald , Poduri Annapurna , Heidary Gena
Published: May 2021

Aim

To characterize the neuro‐ophthalmological phenotype of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) and assess visual acuity as a reproducible, quantitative outcome measure.

Method

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from patients with CDD. Complete neuro‐ophthalmological assessments, including visual acuity, were evaluated.

Results

Of 26 patients (22 females, four males; median age 4y, interquartile range 2y 1mo–7y 10mo), cerebral visual impairment (CVI), defined as visual dysfunction in the absence of ocular or anterior visual pathway abnormalities, was diagnosed in all those over 2 years of age. Ophthalmological examinations revealed nystagmus in 10 patients and strabismus in 24 patients. Visual acuity was measured in 24 patients, by preferential looking in all and by sweep visual evoked potential in 13. Visual acuities were lower than age expectations and demonstrated improvement in the first 3 years. Adjusting for age and sex, average preferential looking visual acuity after 2 years of age was higher in patients with intact mobility than in those who were non‐mobile.

Interpretation

CVI was observed in patients with CDD. Visual acuity improved over time and correlated with mobility. Visual acuity, as a quantifiable measure of visual function, should be considered as an outcome measure in pre‐clinical and clinical studies for CDD.

What this paper adds

Cerebral visual impairment is highly prevalent in cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 deficiency disorder (CDD).

Visual acuity is a measurable quantitative outcome measure in CDD.

Visual acuity in CDD correlates with gross motor ability.
Strain echocardiography to describe left ventricular function pre‐ and postexercise in elite basketball athletes: A feasibility study
Authors: Gruca Martin M. , Cheema Baljash , Garg Gaurang , Ryan Juliet , Thomas James D. , Rigolin Vera H. , Zielinski Allison R. , Puthumana Jyothy J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Elite athletes show structural cardiac changes as an adaptation to exercise. Studies examining strain in athletes have largely analyzed images at rest only. There is little data available regarding the change in strain with exercise. Our objectives were: to investigate the feasibility of strain analysis in athletes at peak exercise, to determine the normal range of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) within this population postexercise, to describe how LV GLS changes with exercise, and to determine whether any clinical characteristics correlate with the change in GLS that occurs with exercise.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study on elite athletes who participated in the 2016–2018 National Basketball Association Draft Combines. Echocardiograms were obtained at rest and after completing a treadmill stress test to maximal exertion or completion of Bruce protocol. Primary outcomes included GLS obtained at rest and peak exercise. Secondary outcome was the change in GLS between rest and exercise. Univariate relationships between various clinical characteristics and our secondary outcome were analyzed.

Results

Our final cohort (n = 111) was all male and 92/111 (82.9%) were African American. Mean GLS magnitude increased in response to exercise (−17.6 ± 1.8 vs −19.2 ± 2.6, P < .0001). Lower resting heart rates (r = .22, P = .02) and lower heart rates at peak exercise (r = .21, P = .03) correlated with the increase in LV GLS from exercise.

Conclusions

Strain imaging is technically feasible to obtain among elite basketball athletes at peak exercise. Normative strain response to exercise from this study may help identify abnormal responses to exercise in athletes.
Reindeer control over subarctic treeline alters soil fungal communities with potential consequences for soil carbon storage
Authors: Ylänne Henni , Madsen Rieke L. , Castaño Carles , Metcalfe Daniel B. , Clemmensen Karina E.
Published: May 2021

The climate‐driven encroachment of shrubs into the Arctic is accompanied by shifts in soil fungal communities that could contribute to a net release of carbon from tundra soils. At the same time, arctic grazers are known to prevent the establishment of deciduous shrubs and, under certain conditions, promote the dominance of evergreen shrubs. As these different vegetation types associate with contrasting fungal communities, the belowground consequences of climate change could vary among grazing regimes. Yet, at present, the impact of grazing on soil fungal communities and their links to soil carbon have remained speculative. Here we tested how soil fungal community composition, diversity and function depend on tree vicinity and long‐term reindeer grazing regime and assessed how the fungal communities relate to organic soil carbon stocks in an alpine treeline ecotone in Northern Scandinavia. We determined soil carbon stocks and characterized soil fungal communities directly underneath and >3 m away from mountain birches (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) in two adjacent 55‐year‐old grazing regimes with or without summer grazing by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). We show that the area exposed to year‐round grazing dominated by evergreen dwarf shrubs had higher soil C:N ratio, higher fungal abundance and lower fungal diversity compared with the area with only winter grazing and higher abundance of mountain birch. Although soil carbon stocks did not differ between the grazing regimes, stocks were positively associated with root‐associated ascomycetes, typical to the year‐round grazing regime, and negatively associated with free‐living saprotrophs, typical to the winter grazing regime. These findings suggest that when grazers promote dominance of evergreen dwarf shrubs, they induce shifts in soil fungal communities that increase soil carbon sequestration in the long term. Thus, to predict climate‐driven changes in soil carbon, grazer‐induced shifts in vegetation and soil fungal communities need to be accounted for.
Just ‘nanging’ around – harmful nitrous oxide use: a retrospective case series and review of Internet searches, social media posts and the coroner's database
Authors: Chiew Angela L. , Raubenheimer Jacques E. , Berling Ingrid , Buckley Nicholas A. , Becker Therese , Chan Betty , Brett Jonathan
Published: May 2021

Background

The chronic recreational inhalation of nitrous oxide (N2O) ‘nanging’, can have adverse neurological and psychiatric effects.

Aim

To evaluate cases of chronic N2O use presenting to two hospitals, as well as to evaluate nationally N2O deaths reported to the coroner and trends in Internet searches and social media posts related to N2O.

Methods

Retrospective review of two toxicology units, from July 2017 to October 2020, of patients presenting with chronic N2O use and neurological and/or psychiatric symptoms. We evaluated 10 years (2010–2019) of Internet search and social media trends involving N2O and the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) database for deaths across Australia.

Results

Twenty‐two patients were identified: median age 22 years, half female, 17 Asian background and 15 students. Presentations included decreased mobility or unsteady gait (n = 15) and psychiatric symptoms (n = 5). The median reported bulb use/day was 300 (interquartile range (IQR): 200–370), for a median of 6 months (IQR: 3–24). On magnetic resonance imaging, 10/18 had subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord and 7/7 sensorimotor neuropathy on nerve conduction studies. All received high‐dose intramuscular vitamin B12 and 11 methionine. Despite prolonged rehabilitation, nine required walking aids on discharge. Since 2017, social media posts and Internet searches for N2O increased rapidly, the latter mostly directed at obtaining N2O canisters. From the NCIS, 36 deaths were identified, 12 unintentional (recreational drug use), 20 intentional self‐harm and 4 traumatic.

Conclusion

We report a case series of symptomatic chronic N2O use, many with ongoing neurological sequelae. Furthermore, a sharp increase in Internet searches to obtain N2O cannisters was noted. Education of high‐risk student groups on the long‐term sequelae is important.
Terrorism and religious fundamentalism
Authors: Setyawan Yusak Budi
Published: May 2021

At the beginning of the second decade of the third millennium, terror acts in Indonesia significantly shifted domestic national issues. Given that religion‐based terrorism can be traced back to religious fundamentalism, this paper will set out a theological reflection from a biblical‐Christian perspective on the essence of religion. In enhancing religious life for peacebuilding, this paper highlights the importance of preventing religious fundamentalism. This paper highlights three suggestions in relation to efforts for peacebuilding in Indonesia. First is the importance for society to enhance religious life more critically. Second is the urgent need to develop a religious attitude that encourages reinterpreting religious texts in the frame of peacebuilding. And third is the urgent need to enhance social justice and welfare that might prevent the spread of religious fundamentalism.
Unity for the sake of missions
Authors: Hämäläinen Arto
Published: May 2021

Pentecostal‐Charismatic Christians form a block of over 600 million people inside Christianity. This article assesses the theological and missiological reasons behind the development of Pentecostal‐Charismatic Christians since the beginning of the 20th century. Pentecostals have been hesitant in developing contacts with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and conciliar churches, fearing to be connected to a collaboration that is more human‐oriented than spirit‐oriented. Slowly, however, the openness toward visible, concrete cooperation on a larger basis has developed in mutual dialogue with others, such as the Global Christian Forum, which represents the Roman Catholic Church, the WCC, the World Evangelical Alliance, and the Pentecostal World Fellowship. Pentecostals today are involved in many kinds of collaboration between the different denominations among themselves but also with other evangelical and even conciliar churches when possible, to fulfil the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
Er3+‐doped antimony‐silica glass and fiber for broadband optical amplification
Authors: Zhang Weida , Lin Liting , Lan Bijiao , Liu Jiantao , Chen Yun , Zhou Guiyao , Zhou Shifeng
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the synthesis, structure, and optical analysis of Er3+‐doped antimony‐silica glass system are reported. The hybridization of Si with Sb ions is found to be favorable for reducing the phonon energy of the glass system. The optical properties, including the emission intensity and bandwidth, can be simultaneously improved. Notably, the full width at half maxima (FWHM) of near‐infrared emission from Er3+ can be broadened from 61 to 82 nm. Furthermore, the antimony‐silica glass fiber is successfully prepared, and the luminescence and gain performance of the fiber are characterized. The antimony‐silica glass exhibits excellent fiber‐forming ability, and the obtained fiber shows excellent gain performance. The results suggest that antimony‐silica glass is a promising gain material for fiber amplifier and laser.
Using saturated absorption for superresolution laser scanning transmission microscopy
Authors: Nishida Kentaro , Sato Hikaru , Oketani Ryosuke , Mochizuki Kentaro , Temma Kenta , Kumamoto Yasuaki , Tanaka Hideo , Fujita Katsumasa
Published: May 2021

We improved the three‐dimensional spatial resolution of laser scanning transmission microscopy by exploiting the saturated absorption of dye molecules. The saturated absorption is induced by the high‐intensity light irradiation and localises the signal within the centre of the focal spot. Our numerical calculation indicates that the spatial resolution in transmission imaging is significantly improved for both lateral and axial directions using nonlinear transmitted signals induced by saturated absorption. We experimentally demonstrated the improvement of the three‐dimensional resolution by observing fine structures of stained rat kidney tissues, which were not able to be visualised by conventional laser scanning transmission microscopy.
Neuropeptides in the developing human hippocampus under hypoxic–ischemic conditions
Authors: González Fuentes Joaquín , Insausti Serrano Ricardo , Cebada Sánchez Sandra , Lagartos Donate Maria José , Rivas Infante Eloy , Arroyo Jiménez María del Mar , Marcos Rabal María del Pilar
Published: May 2021

The perinatal period, sensitive for newborn survival, is also one of the most critical moments in human brain development. Perinatal hypoxia due to reduced blood supply to the brain (ischemia) is one of the main causes of neonatal mortality. Brain damage caused by perinatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) can lead to neuro‐ and psychological disorders. However, its impact seems to be region‐dependent, with the hippocampus being one of the most affected areas. Among the neuronal populations of the hippocampus, some interneuron groups – such as somatostatin‐ or neuropeptide Y‐expressing neurons – seem to be particularly vulnerable. The limited information available about the effects of HI in the hippocampus comes mainly from animal models and adult human studies. This article presents an immunohistochemical analysis of somatostatin (SOM) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression in the developing human hippocampus after perinatal HI. Two rostrocaudal sections of the body of the hippocampus were analysed, and the number of immunostained cells in the polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus (DG) and the pyramidal cell layer and stratum oriens of the CA3, CA2 and CA1 fields of the hippocampus proper were quantified. The results showed a lower density of both neuropeptides in hypoxic compared to control cases. In the HI group, the number of SOM‐immunoreactive cell bodies was statistically significantly lower in the pyramidal cell layer and stratum oriens of CA1, while the number of NPY‐expressing neurons was statistically lower in the pyramidal cell layer of CA2. Besides, the number of SOM‐expressing neurons was significantly higher in the stratum oriens of CA1 compared to that in CA2. In sum, we observed a different vulnerability of SOM‐ and NPY‐containing neurons in the developing human hippocampus following perinatal HI damage. Our results could contribute to a better understanding of the behaviour of these neuronal populations under stressful conditions during the perinatal period.
The allusion to East Lynne, coloniality and inter‐cultural gender politics in the first Bengali science fiction story
Authors: Sarkar Abhishek
Published: May 2021

This article contextualises and analyses the allusion to the novel East Lynne (1861) occurring in the first science fiction short story published in the Bengali language. The story entitled Rahasya (‘Mystery’ or ‘Joke’; 1882) by Hemlal Dutta contains a passing and off‐hand reference to the character named Cornelia present in the Victorian novel. Miss Cornelia Carlyle, who is shown to be an authoritarian and irritable unmarried woman in East Lynne, is briefly mentioned to indicate that Miss Harvey in the Bengali story possesses similar characteristics. However, the Bengali story ignores many of the respectable facets of Cornelia in favour of a reductive, sexist stereotype, thus betraying a patriarchal sentiment that is shared between the colonising and the colonised cultures. Miss Harvey’s anger at the narrator’s comically misdirected message shows her to be alien to the homosocial bond shared between the Bengali narrator and his English friend Harvey in the contact zone of the imperial metropolis. The allusion to Cornelia shows the story’s awareness of the broad socio‐cultural matrix in which science and technology are embedded. This article records the sparse evidence of the once‐popular novel’s reception in colonial India to indicate how the Bengali story alludes to the novel as part of its cultural capital and for naturalising gender stereotypes across a cultural divide.
A division of labor between two biotin protein ligase homologs
Authors: Song Xuejiao , Henke Sarah K. , Cronan John E.
Published: May 2021

Group I biotin protein ligases (BPLs) catalyze the covalent attachment of biotin to its cognate acceptor proteins. In contrast, Group II BPLs have an additional N‐terminal DNA‐binding domain and function not only in biotinylation but also in transcriptional regulation of genes of biotin biosynthesis and transport. Most bacteria contain only a single biotin protein ligase, whereas Clostridium acetobutylicum contains two biotin protein ligase homologs: BplA and BirA′. Sequence alignments showed that BplA is a typical group I BPL, whereas BirA′ lacked the C‐terminal domain conserved throughout extant BPL proteins. This raised the questions of why two BPL homologs are needed and why the apparently defective BirA′ has been retained. We have used in vivo and in vitro assays to show that BplA is a functional BPL whereas BirA′ acts as a biotin sensor involved in transcriptional regulation of biotin transport. We also successfully converted BirA′ into a functional biotin protein ligase with regulatory activity by fusing it to the C‐terminal domain from BplA. Finally, we provide evidence that BplA and BirA′ interact in vivo.