bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusive Design and Creative Leadership
Authors: Eikhaug Onny
Published: July 2019

Norway’s Innovation Award for Universal Design is letting the wider public know that inclusive design is profitable, effective, and, often, a power for innovation.

Norway, where inclusive design is recognized as a profitable and effective philosophy, is finding that it also pays dividends in terms of innovation.
ACCOUNTING FOR DEBASEMENTS: INDIVISIBILITY OR IMPERFECT RECOGNIZABILITY OF MONEY
Authors: Bajaj Ayushi
Published: July 2019

The widespread prevalence of debasements in medieval Europe constitutes a puzzle under standard price theory because people voluntarily exchanged heavy coins for lighter ones; the difference being kept as seigniorage. I explore two properties of commodity monies that might make holding light coins more desirable, namely indivisibility and imperfect recognizability. If the agent trades indivisible coins, there are inefficiencies arising from over production of goods when the agent uses the heavier coin. Also, when coins are imperfectly recognizable, the heavy coin faces adverse selection. I find that under some parameters, indivisibility by itself leads to positive revenue following debasements, but in a way that eliminates co‐circulation of coins. While with a sufficient degree of imperfect information, debasements can generate positive revenue and also co‐circulation of coins. (JEL D82, D83, E40, E42, N10)
Competitiveness of Czechoslovak exports under socialism and its impact on industries’ output growth after 1989
Authors: Coufalová Lucie , Mikula Štěpán , Žídek Libor
Published: July 2019

This paper addresses the performance of international trade during the centrally planned period in socialist Czechoslovakia and its consequences in the transition period. The goal of the paper is to determine whether the relative export competitiveness before 1989 positively influenced the performance of the enterprises in the transition period. To determine the reason for the low competitiveness of socialist enterprises, we use the oral history method, based on interviews with the then managers. We show that the level of competitiveness was influenced by multiple factors. Some of them were of a systemic nature, such as incentive structure, which did not encourage managers to pursue higher productivity, and others were related to day‐to‐day operations of the enterprises and a lack of Western technologies. Consequently, an econometric analysis is applied to determine whether there was any relationship between competitiveness in late socialism (ability to export to world markets) and production growth in the transition period. We expected that sectors that were able to export to Western markets during the centrally planned period were more successful after the fall of the regime. However, our findings do not support this hypothesis.
Genotype‐guided diagnostic reassessment after exome sequencing in neuromuscular disorders: experiences with a two‐step approach
Authors: Krenn M. , Tomschik M. , Rath J. , Cetin H. , Grisold A. , Zulehner G. , Milenkovic I. , Stogmann E. , Zimprich A. , Strom T. M. , Meitinger T. , Wagner M. , Zimprich F.
Published: July 2019

Background and purpose

Next‐generation sequencing has greatly improved the diagnostic success rates for genetic neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Nevertheless, most patients still remain undiagnosed, and there is a need to maximize the diagnostic yield.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 72 patients with NMDs who underwent exome sequencing (ES), partly followed by genotype‐guided diagnostic reassessment and secondary investigations. The diagnostic yields that would have been achieved by appropriately chosen narrow and comprehensive gene panels were also analysed.

Results

The initial diagnostic yield of ES was 30.6% (n = 22/72 patients). In an additional 15.3% of patients (n = 11/72) ES results were of unknown clinical significance. After genotype‐guided diagnostic reassessment and complementary investigations, the yield was increased to 37.5% (n = 27/72). Compared to ES, targeted gene panels (<25 kilobases) reached a diagnostic yield of 22.2% (n = 16/72), whereas comprehensive gene panels achieved 34.7% (n = 25/72).

Conclusion

Exome sequencing allows the detection of pathogenic variants missed by (narrowly) targeted gene panel approaches. Diagnostic reassessment after genetic testing further enhances the diagnostic outcomes for NMDs.
A biophysical and structural study of two chitinases from Agave tequilana and their potential role as defense proteins
Authors: Sierra‐Gómez Yusvel , Rodríguez‐Hernández Annia , Cano‐Sánchez Patricia , Gómez‐Velasco Homero , Hernández‐Santoyo Alejandra , Siliqi Dritan , Rodríguez‐Romero Adela
Published: July 2019

Plant chitinases are enzymes that have several functions, including providing protection against pathogens. Agave tequilana is an economically important plant that is poorly studied. Here, we identified a chitinase from short reads of the A. tequilana transcriptome (AtChi1). A second chitinase, differing by only six residues from the first, was isolated from total RNA of plants infected with Fusarium oxysporum (AtChi2). Both enzymes were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and analysis of their sequences indicated that they belong to the class I glycoside hydrolase family19, whose members exhibit two domains: a carbohydrate‐binding module and a catalytic domain, connected by a flexible linker. Activity assays and thermal shift experiments demonstrated that the recombinant Agave enzymes are highly thermostable acidic endochitinases with Tm values of 75 °C and 71 °C. Both exhibit a molecular mass close to 32 kDa, as determined by MALDI‐TOF, and experimental pIs of 3.7 and 3.9. Coupling small‐angle x‐ray scattering information with homology modeling and docking simulations allowed us to structurally characterize both chitinases, which notably show different interactions in the binding groove. Even when the six different amino acids are all exposed to solvent in the loops located near the linker and opposite to the binding site, they confer distinct kinetic parameters against colloidal chitin and similar affinity for (GlnNAc)6, as shown by isothermal titration calorimetry. Interestingly, binding is more enthalpy‐driven for AtChi2. Whereas the physiological role of these chitinases remains unknown, we demonstrate that they exhibit important antifungal activity against chitin‐rich fungi such as Aspergillus sp.

Database

SAXS structural data are available in the SASBDB database with accession numbers SASDDE7 and SASDDA6.

Enzymes

Chitinases (EC3.2.1.14).
Sailing together from different shores: labour markets and inequality on board merchant ships
Authors: ASPERS PATRIK , SANDBERG CARL
Published: July 2019

In this study, we analyse the consequences of the conditions of the labour‐market contracts for working on board merchant ships. More specifically, we examine how seafarers hired on different contracts work together. Seafarers’ conditions of work differ considerably: some, mainly workers in the West, have permanent contracts with a shipping company, are paid a relatively high monthly wage and can go ashore every second month, whereas others performing the same tasks may have to stay at sea for more than six months at a time, and work for less money on temporary contracts. Drawing on the economic sociology of markets and institutional theory, in this article we present the institutional conditions of globalized labour markets for seafarers and analyse unique data derived from observations and interviews on board merchant ships. We argue that the notion of market is a key explanatory factor for how the work is conducted on board. Theoretically, our elaboration on markets allows us to conceptualize and address global and transnational markets.
Modeling a Large‐Scale Historic Aquifer Test: Insight into the Hydrogeology of a Regional Fault Zone
Authors: Hadley Daniel R. , Abrams Daniel B. , Roadcap George S.
Published: July 2019

Faults can act as flow barriers or conduits to groundwater flow by introducing heterogeneity in permeability. We examine the hydrogeology of the Sandwich Fault Zone, a 137 km long zone of high‐angle faults in northern Illinois, using a large‐scale historic aquifer test. The fault zone is poorly understood at depth due to the majority of the faults being buried by glacial deposits and its near‐vertical orientation which limits geologic sampling across faults. The aquifer test—perhaps one of the largest in terms of overall withdrawal in North American history—was conducted in 1942 at a facility adjacent to the fault zone. More than 34,000 m3/day was pumped for 37 days from nine multiaquifer wells open to the stratified Cambrian‐Ordovician sandstone aquifer system. We modeled the aquifer test using a transient MODFLOW‐USG model and simulated pumping wells with the CLN package. We tested numerous fault core/damage zone conceptualizations and calibrated to drawdown values recorded at production and observation wells. Our analysis indicates that the fault zone is a low‐permeability feature that inhibits lateral movement of groundwater and that there is at least an order of magnitude decrease in horizontal hydraulic conductivity in the fault core compared to the undeformed sandstone. Large head declines have occurred north of the fault zone (over 300 m since predevelopment conditions) and modifying fault zone parameters significantly affects calibration to regional drawdown on a decadal scale. The flow‐barrier behavior of the fault zone has important implications for future groundwater availability in this highly stressed region.
Screening urinalysis demonstrates that haematuria is a frequent finding in persons with haemophilia treated at a paediatric haemophilia treatment centre
Authors: Davis Kyle A. , Stanek Joseph R. , Dunn Amy L.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Haematuria is a recognized complication of haemophilia A and B (HA, HB). Adult persons with haemophilia (PWH) have a higher prevalence of renal disease than the general population. There is limited literature investigating the prevalence of haematuria in paediatric PWH.

Aim

Our paediatric haemophilia treatment centre (HTC) had previously used quality improvement methods to increase the frequency of screening urinalyses at annual comprehensive visits. We retrospectively reviewed the data collected to determine the prevalence of haematuria and explore for associations in those with haematuria.

Methods

Retrospective chart review to identify the frequency of haematuria on screening urinalysis in all male PWH ≥2 years old. Haematuria was defined as ≥3 red blood cells (RBCs) per high power field. Univariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate for associations with haematuria.

Results

A total of 93 patients met eligibility criteria. Sixty‐seven with HA (11 mild, 17 moderate, 39 severe) and 26 with HB (three mild, 16 moderate, seven severe). Forty‐two of ninety‐three (45%) patients were identified as having haematuria (median RBCs 7, mean RBCs 332). Of those with haematuria, 76% were identified by screening UA, as opposed to clinical symptoms, and 52% had recurrent haematuria. Older age and HA were associated with an increased likelihood of haematuria.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of haematuria was high in PWH treated at our paediatric HTC. Future investigation is needed to determine the population‐wide prevalence of haematuria in paediatric PWH and its impact on renal function.
The effect of using a mobile application (“WhiteTeeth”) on improving oral hygiene: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Scheerman Janneke F. M. , van Meijel Berno , van Empelen Pepijn , Verrips Gijsbert H. W. , van Loveren Cor , Twisk Jos W. R. , Pakpour Amir H. , van den Braak Matheus C. T. , Kramer Gem J. C.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of the WhiteTeeth mobile app, a theory‐based mobile health (mHealth) program for promoting oral hygiene in adolescent orthodontic patients.

Methods

In this parallel randomized controlled trial, the data of 132 adolescents were collected during three orthodontic check‐ups: at baseline (T0), at 6‐week follow‐up (T1) and at 12‐week follow‐up (T2). The intervention group was given access to the WhiteTeeth app in addition to usual care (n = 67). The control group received usual care only (n = 65). The oral hygiene outcomes were the presence and the amount of dental plaque (Al‐Anezi and Harradine plaque index), and the total number of sites with gingival bleeding (Bleeding on Marginal Probing Index). Oral health behaviour and its psychosocial factors were measured through a digital questionnaire. We performed linear mixed‐model analyses to determine the intervention effects.

Results

At 6‐week follow‐up, the intervention led to a significant decrease in gingival bleeding (B = −3.74; 95% CI −6.84 to −0.65) and an increase in the use of fluoride mouth rinse (B = 1.93; 95% CI 0.36 to 3.50). At 12‐week follow‐up, dental plaque accumulation (B = −11.32; 95% CI −20.57 to −2.07) and the number of sites covered with plaque (B = −6.77; 95% CI −11.67 to −1.87) had been reduced significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group.

Conclusions

The results show that adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances can be helped to improve their oral hygiene when usual care is combined with a mobile app that provides oral health education and automatic coaching. Netherlands Trial Registry Identifier: NTR6206: 20 February 2017.
Meta‐analysis of oral cryotherapy in preventing oral mucositis associated with cancer therapy
Authors: Park Seong‐Hi , Lee Hea Shoon
Published: July 2019

Aims

To review scientific evidence related to oral cryotherapy to prevent oral mucositis after cancer therapy.

Background

Oral mucositis is a common complication of cancer therapy. In the most severe form of oral mucositis, patients cannot eat or drink at all and must receive nutrition and fluid replacement through parenteral support. Topical cooling of the oral mucosa may be an option for the prevention of oral mucositis.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Data sources

The literature search was performed using the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Complete electronic databases for articles published up to 2017. The reference lists of all retrieved articles were manually reviewed to identify additional relevant studies.

Results

Of 353 publications, 15 randomized controlled trials, involving 919 cancer patients, conducted between 1994 and 2017 were included in the present meta‐analysis. Oral cryotherapy, applied during treatment of solid cancers, led to a statistically lower level (P < .05) of oral mucositis overall, and of the more severe grades (3‐4 and 2‐4).

Conclusions

Results of this study provide a scientific basis for oral cryotherapy as a viable nursing intervention that can significantly reduce the occurrence of severe oral mucositis.
To work or not to work: Variables affecting non‐financial employment commitment over time
Authors: SHARABI Moshe , HARPAZ Itzhak
Published: July 2019

The most common indicator of non‐financial employment commitment (NFEC) is the “lottery question” – whether a person would continue working if they won a lottery. This cross‐sectional research seeks to identify the demographic variables and the “meaning of work” dimensions that could predict individual NFEC, presenting the main international findings over time, with particular reference to data collected in Israel in 1981, 1994 and 2006. The authors' findings point to a marked decrease in NFEC in the new millennium and a change in its predictors over time. The findings and their implications for work and employment are examined in the light of social and economic changes in Israel.
Flexural strength and flaw distributions of SrFe0.2Co0.4Mo0.4O3−δ ceramic‐supports for SOFCs at operating conditions
Authors: Stanley Patrick , Hussain Abdul Mohammed , Hays Thomas , Robinson Ian , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: July 2019

Solid‐oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have the potential to increase electricity generation efficiency, but traditional SOFCs supported by nickel cermets suffer from reliability challenges due to weaker mechanical strength caused by cracking after redox cycling. To solve this problem, a new ceramic anode material, SrFe0.2Co0.4Mo0.4O3−δ (SFCM) combined with Ce0.9Gd0.1O2 (GDC), was evaluated for conductivity and mechanical strength at SOFC operating conditions and after redox cycling. Fracture toughness of SFCM was determined to be (0.124 ± 0.023) MPa√m at room temperature in air, increasing to (0.286 ± 0.038) MPa√m at 600°C. A mixture of SFCM:GDC showed fracture toughness between the two materials, following SFCM's trend with temperature. The SFCM‐GDC anode supported half‐cell strength increases by 31% from room temperature to 600°C as intrinsic stresses remaining from sintering are relaxed and thermal expansion pushes existing cracks closed. Exposure to reducing gasses decreases strength by 29% compared to ambient, due to oxygen vacancy formation and microstructural flaw changes. It is found that SFCM‐GDC based cells tolerate cycling well because of phase stability but weaken from 34.3 to 22.4 MPa due to uniform growth of critical microstructural flaws.
A social dilemma perspective on recycling
Authors: Lee Ada L. Y. , Prendergast Gerard P. , Yim Frederick H. K. , Choi Lawrence
Published: July 2019

Recent research on social responsibility has largely focused on firms, with only limited research into individual behavior. Recycling is socially responsible behavior which poses a difficult choice for consumers because it benefits society as a whole in the long term but involves a personal cost and does not benefit the individual consumer directly. Previous studies of recycling, however, have only partly explained consumers’ recycling choices. Addressing this gap, this research applied a social dilemma perspective in qualitative and quantitative consumer studies. The findings from the studies demonstrated a positive relationship between a consumer's expectation that others will recycle and his own participation. A social value orientation was found to have a significant moderating effect on this relationship.
Optimization of ultrasound‐assisted water extraction conditions for the extraction of phenolic compounds from black mulberry leaves (Morus nigra L.)
Authors: Algan Cavuldak Özge , Vural Nilüfer , Akay Mehmet Abdulkadir , Anlı Rahmi Ertan
Published: July 2019

Multiple response optimizations of ultrasound‐assisted water extraction (UAWE) conditions for the extraction of phenolic compounds from Morus nigra L. leaves were investigated. The experimental design and optimization of the UAWE were performed using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with a central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions of UAWE were determined as extraction time: 15 min, solvent:solid ratio: 85 mL/g and extraction temperature: 55°C. The optimized UAWE was compared with conventional extraction (CE) and it was observed that TPC (21.78 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g dw), TFC (11.70 ± 0.26 mg CAT/g dw), and TAA (66.37 ± 0.66% 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl [DPPH]) in UAWE were higher than CE. The polyphenolic profile of the extracts obtained from both methods was evaluated and most of the 16 phenolic compounds especially chlorogenic acid (3.47 ± 0.06 mg/g dw), kaempferol (1.39 ± 0.02 mg/g dw) and quarcetin hydrate (1.92 ± 0.01 mg/g dw) were found in higher amounts in UAWE extracts.

Practical applications

Black mulberry leaf extract, which is an important source for antioxidants and especially phenolic compounds, has a potential to become a supplement and functional food. Herbal infusion or tea prepared from black mulberry leaves can be an alternative to mostly consumed tea. The extraction and purification of natural antioxidant substances from plant sources make it possible to use these substances in the food industry. It is therefore important to optimize the extraction conditions of natural antioxidants and identify the substances in the extracts obtained. In this study, UAWE for high extraction yield at low temperature was also preferred to extract high quantities of phenolic compounds, which are heat sensitive. UAWE for phenolic extraction from black mulberry leaves was optimized by RSM. The optimized and improved extraction technique obtained from this study can contribute to the food industry by being used in large‐scale industrial applications.
Independent association of obstructive sleep apnea with Barrett's esophagus
Authors: Hadi Yousaf Bashir , Khan Adnan Aman , Naqvi Syeda Fatima Zehra , Kupec Justin Thomas
Published: July 2019

Background and Aim

Current guidelines suggest screening at‐risk groups of patients for Barrett's esophagus (BE), a precursor to esophageal cancer. Although BE and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have common risk factors, including elevated body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the relationship between these two conditions has not been well established.

Methods

Retrospectively, all patients who had undergone a polysomnography and esophagogastroduodenoscopy at West Virginia University Hospital from 2013 to 2018 were identified and divided into groups on the basis of the presence or absence of OSA. Clinical course and procedure reports were reviewed to identify relevant variables.

Results

One thousand ninety‐one patients met inclusion criteria; 60.9% were female, and mean age of participants was 53.5 years. Univariate analysis revealed that male gender, age, diagnosis of OSA, severity of OSA, and a clinical diagnosis of GERD were associated with BE (P values < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression incorporating age, sex, clinical diagnosis of GERD, smoking history, body mass index, Helicobacter pylori status, and presence of hiatal hernia was utilized. Patients with OSA had an increased risk of BE than had those without OSA (P < 0.001, odds ratio 3.26 [1.72–6.85]). The risk increased with increasing severity of OSA, categorized in apnea–hypopnea index increments of 10.

Conclusion

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with BE, a relationship that is independent of other known risk factors. Additionally, this risk increases with increasing severity of OSA. Future efforts should determine if patients with severe OSA need to be screened for BE due to its potential for causing esophageal cancer.
Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease and Fall Risk in Older Adults: Results From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P. , Daya Natalie , Appel Lawrence J. , Miller Edgar R. , Matsushita Kunihiro , Michos Erin D. , Windham B. Gwen , Ballantyne Christie M. , Selvin Elizabeth
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Falls are frequent and often devastating events among older adults. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with greater fall risk; however, it is unknown if pathways that contribute to CVD, such as subclinical myocardial damage or wall strain, are related to future falls. We hypothesized that elevations in high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), measured in older adults, would be associated with greater fall risk.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants without known coronary heart disease, heart failure, or stroke.

MEASUREMENTS

We measured hs‐cTnT or NT‐proBNP in 2011 to 2013. Falls were identified from hospital discharge International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9), codes or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims. We used Poisson models adjusted for age, sex, and race/study center to quantify fall rates across approximate quartiles of hs‐cTnT (less than 8, 8‐10, 11‐16, and 17 or greater ng/L) and NT‐proBNP (less than 75, 75‐124, 125‐274, and 275 or greater pg/mL). We used Cox models to determine the association of cardiac markers with fall risk, adjusted for age, sex, race/center, and multiple fall risk factors.

RESULTS

Among 3973 participants (mean age = 76 ± 5 years, 62% women, 22% black), 457 had a subsequent fall during a median follow‐up of 4.5 years. Incidence rates across quartiles of hs‐cTnT and NT‐proBNP were 17.1, 20.0, 26.2, and 36.4 per 1000 person‐years and 12.8, 22.2, 28.7, and 48.4 per 1000 person‐years, respectively. Comparing highest vs lowest quartiles of either hs‐cTnT or NT‐proBNP demonstrated a greater than two‐fold higher fall risk, with hazard ratios of 2.17 (95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.60‐2.95) and 2.34 (95% CI = 1.73‐3.16), respectively. In a joint model, the relationships of hs‐cTnT and NT‐proBNP with falls were significant and independent.

CONCLUSION

Subclinical elevations of cardiac damage and wall strain were each associated with a higher fall risk in older adults. Further research is needed to determine whether interventions that lower hs‐cTnT or NT‐proBNP also lower fall risk. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1795–1802, 2019
The Site of Diversalizing: The Accomplishment of Inclusion in Intergenerational Dance
Authors: Janssens Maddy , Steyaert Chris
Published: July 2019

In this study, we aim to revisit theorizing on inclusion by turning to practice theory. Challenging the individualist ontological assumption of most diversity and inclusion studies, we follow a practice‐based theory of diversity to understand how an inclusive social order is accomplished. Our empirical case centres on the real‐time practicing of a dance production where diversity was central to its production process as well as final performance. Using a research strategy of connected situationalism, we uncover and document three practices: mixing, inverting and affirming, that are recursively intertwined into a nexus, producing inclusion. We advance the inclusion literature by proposing the notion ‘a site of diversalizing’ that processually captures the accomplishment of multiplicity through practices and their associations in time and space, highlighting the necessity to understand ‘practice’ as the entanglement of bodily, discursive and material components, and approaching context as comprised of mutually constituting relations instead of micro/macro levels.
Systemic inflammation in hepatorenal syndrome – A target for novel treatment strategies?
Authors: Lange Christian M.
Published: July 2019

See Article on Page 1246
Using Credit Variables to Date Business Cycle and to Estimate the Probabilities of Recession in Real Time
Authors: Aprigliano Valentina , Liberati Danilo
Published: July 2019

Following the debate on the relationship between business and financial cycle rekindled in the last decade since the global financial crisis, we assess the ability of some financial indicators to track the Italian business cycle. We mostly use credit variables to detect the turning points and to estimate the probability of recession in real time. A dynamic factor model with Markov‐switching regimes is used to handle a large data set and to cope with the nonlinear evolution of the business cycle. The in‐sample results strongly support the capacity of credit variables to estimate the probability of recessions and the implied coincident indicator proves their ability to fit the business cycle. Also in real time the contribution of credit is not negligible compared to that of the industrial production, currently used for the conjunctural analysis.
SosA inhibits cell division in Staphylococcus aureus in response to DNA damage
Authors: Bojer Martin S. , Wacnik Katarzyna , Kjelgaard Peter , Gallay Clement , Bottomley Amy L. , Cohn Marianne T. , Lindahl Gunnar , Frees Dorte , Veening Jan‐Willem , Foster Simon J. , Ingmer Hanne
Published: July 2019

Inhibition of cell division is critical for viability under DNA‐damaging conditions. DNA damage induces the SOS response that in bacteria inhibits cell division while repairs are being made. In coccoids, such as the human pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, this process remains poorly studied. Here, we identify SosA as the staphylococcal SOS‐induced cell division inhibitor. Overproduction of SosA inhibits cell division, while sosA inactivation sensitizes cells to genotoxic stress. SosA is a small, predicted membrane protein with an extracellular C‐terminal domain in which point mutation of residues that are conserved in staphylococci and major truncations abolished the inhibitory activity. In contrast, a minor truncation led to SosA accumulation and a strong cell division inhibitory activity, phenotypically similar to expression of wild‐type SosA in a CtpA membrane protease mutant. This suggests that the extracellular C‐terminus of SosA is required both for cell division inhibition and for turnover of the protein. Microscopy analysis revealed that SosA halts cell division and synchronizes the cell population at a point where division proteins such as FtsZ and EzrA are localized at midcell, and the septum formation is initiated but unable to progress to closure. Thus, our findings show that SosA is central in cell division regulation in staphylococci.
The politics and potential of the Green New Deal
Authors: Bozuwa Johanna
Published: July 2019

A Green New Deal in the US could help break corporate power and control over economic decision‐making, design a just transition for workers, and reimagine neighbourhoods and communities
Variation in sexual dimorphism in a wind‐pollinated plant: the influence of geographical context and life‐cycle dynamics
Authors: Puixeu Gemma , Pickup Melinda , Field David L. , Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: July 2019

Understanding the mechanisms causing phenotypic differences between females and males has long fascinated evolutionary biologists. An extensive literature exists on animal sexual dimorphism but less information is known about sex differences in plants, particularly the extent of geographical variation in sexual dimorphism and its life‐cycle dynamics.

Here, we investigated patterns of genetically based sexual dimorphism in vegetative and reproductive traits of a wind‐pollinated dioecious plant, Rumex hastatulus, across three life‐cycle stages using open‐pollinated families from 30 populations spanning the geographic range and chromosomal variation (XY and XY1Y2) of the species.

The direction and degree of sexual dimorphism was highly variable among populations and life‐cycle stages. Sex‐specific differences in reproductive function explained a significant amount of temporal change in sexual dimorphism. For several traits, geographical variation in sexual dimorphism was associated with bioclimatic parameters, likely due to the differential responses of the sexes to climate. We found no systematic differences in sexual dimorphism between chromosome races.

Sex‐specific trait differences in dioecious plants largely result from a balance between sexual and natural selection on resource allocation. Our results indicate that abiotic factors associated with geographical context also play a role in modifying sexual dimorphism during the plant life‐cycle.
Plant facilitation through mycorrhizal symbiosis is stronger between distantly related plant species
Authors: Montesinos‐Navarro Alicia , Valiente‐Banuet Alfonso , Verdú Miguel
Published: July 2019

The tendency of closely related plant species to share natural enemies has been suggested to limit their co‐occurrence and performance, but we lack a deep understanding on how mutualistic interactions such as the mycorrhizal symbiosis affect plant–plant interactions depending on the phylogenetic relatedness of the interacting plants. We hypothesise that the effect of the mycorrhizal symbiosis on plant−plant facilitative interactions depends on the phylogenetic distance between the nurse and facilitated plants.

A recently published meta‐analysis compiled the strength of plant facilitative interactions in the presence or absence (or reduced abundance) of mycorrhizal fungi. We use phylogenetically informed Bayesian linear models to test whether the effect size is influenced by the phylogenetic distance between the plant species involved in each plant facilitative interaction.

Conspecific facilitative interactions are more strongly enhanced by mycorrhizal fungi than interactions between closely related species. In heterospecific interactions, the effect of the mycorrhizal symbiosis on plant facilitation increases with the phylogenetic distance between the nurse and facilitated plant species.

Our result showing that the effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis on the facilitation interactions between plants depends on their phylogenetic relatedness provides new mechanisms to understand how facilitation is assembling ecological communities.
Plant population dynamics on oceanic islands during the Late Quaternary climate changes: genetic evidence from a tree species (Coffea mauritiana) in Reunion Island
Authors: Garot Edith , Joët Thierry , Combes Marie‐Christine , Severac Dany , Lashermes Philippe
Published: July 2019

Past climatic fluctuations have played a major role in shaping the current plant biodiversity. Although harbouring an exceptional biota, oceanic islands have received little attention in studies on species demographic history and past vegetation patterns.

We investigated the impact of past climatic changes on the effective population size of a tree (Coffea mauritiana) that is endemic to Reunion Island, located in the south‐western Indian Ocean (SWIO). Demographic changes were inferred using summary statistics calculated from genomic data. Using ecological niche modelling and the current distribution of genetic diversity, the paleodistribution of the species was also assessed.

A reduction in the effective population size of C. mauritiana during the last glaciation maximum was inferred. The distribution of the species was reduced on the western side of the island, due to low rainfall. It appeared that a major reduction in rainfall and a slight temperature decrease prevailed in the SWIO.

Our findings indicated that analyses on the current patterns of intraspecific genetic variations can efficiently contribute to past climatic changes characterisation in remote islands. Identifying area with higher resilience in oceanic islands could provide guidance in forest management and conservation faced to the global climate change.
Insights from intralocus tactical conflict: adaptive states, interactions with ecology and population divergence
Authors: Abbott Jessica , Rios‐Cardenas Oscar , Morris Molly R.
Published: July 2019

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) have improved our understanding of the evolution of adaptive variation; for instance, their study has led us to understand that the best phenotype (e.g. large and flashy) for a tactic that uses one mating behavior (e.g. court females) is often not the best phenotype (e.g. small and inconspicuous) for a tactic that uses a different mating behavior (e.g. chase and force‐copulate females). However, genetic correlations of shared traits across ARTs can constrain ARTs from reaching their optimal states, resulting in intralocus tactical conflict (IATC). While constraints on evolution in general have been well‐established and studied, there are some important implications of constraints due to intralocus tactical conflict on ARTs that have not been incorporated into the field of evolutionary ecology. Here we describe how an appreciation of IATC, including how to detect it and when to expect it, can change our perspectives in three areas: 1) adaptive states for traits associated with ARTs (e.g. growth rates, behavioural plasticity); 2) how selection due to ecological variation across populations can produce patterns of divergence between ARTS; 3) and the evolutionary stability of polymorphisms (e.g. how IATC can explain losses of one ART, and why this can lead to rapid speciation).
Market‐led options to scale up legume seeds in developing countries: Experiences from the Tropical Legumes Project
Authors: Rubyogo Jean‐Claude , Akpo Essegbemon , Omoigui Lucky , Pooran Gaur , Chaturvedi Sushil Kumar , Fikre Asnake , Haile Desmae , Hakeem Ajeigbe , Monyo Emmanuel , Nkalubo Stanley , Fenta Berhanu , Binagwa Papias , Kilango Michael , Williams Magdalena , Mponda Omari , Okello David , Chichaybelu Mekasha , Miningou Amos , Bationo Joseph , Sako Dramane , Kouyate Zoumana , Diallo Sory , Oteng‐Frimpong Richard , Yirzagla Julius , Iorlamen Teryima , Garba Umar , Mohammed Haruna , Ojiewo Chris , Kamara Alpha , Varshney Rajeev , Nigam Shyam Narayan , Janila Pasupuleti , Nadaf Hajisaheb Lalasab , Kalemera Sylvia
Published: July 2019

There are several hurdles to ensure sustainable seed production and consistent flow of improved legume varieties in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA). The unreliable demand, autogamous nature of most of the grain legumes, and slow variety replacement rate by smallholder farmers do not provide strong incentive for private seed companies to invest in legume seed business. Unless a well thought‐out and comprehensive approach to legume seed delivery is developed, current seed shortages will continue, eroding emerging market opportunities. The experiences reported here are collated through a 10‐year partnership project, the Tropical Legumes in SSA and SA. It fostered innovative public–private partnerships in joint testing of innovative market‐led seed systems, skills and knowledge enhancement, de‐risking private sector initiatives that introduced in new approaches and previously overlooked entities in technology delivery. As new public and private seed companies, individual seed entrepreneurs and farmer organizations emerged, the existing ones enhanced their capacities. This resulted in significant rise in production, availability and accessibility of various seed grades of newly improved and farmer demanded legume varieties in the target countries.
Selecting Indicators for Assessing Community Sustainable Resilience
Authors: Gillespie‐Marthaler Leslie , Nelson Katherine , Baroud Hiba , Abkowitz Mark
Published: July 2019

Communities are complex systems subject to a variety of hazards that can result in significant disruption to critical functions. Community resilience assessment is rapidly gaining popularity as a means to help communities better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruption. Sustainable resilience, a recently developed concept, requires communities to assess system‐wide capability to maintain desired performance levels while simultaneously evaluating impacts to resilience due to changes in hazards and vulnerability over extended periods of time. To enable assessment of community sustainable resilience, we review current literature, consolidate available indicators and metrics, and develop a classification scheme and organizational structure to aid in identification, selection, and application of indicators within a dynamic assessment framework. A nonduplicative set of community sustainable resilience indicators and metrics is provided that can be tailored to a community's needs, thereby enhancing the ability to operationalize the assessment process.
Suicidal Ideation, Suicidal Attempts, and Self‐Harm in the UK Armed Forces
Authors: Jones Norman , Sharp Marie‐Louise , Phillips Ava , Stevelink Sharon A. M.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

In the UK military, suicide is infrequent and studies of self‐harm behavior in this population are rare.

Objectives

To compare lifetime self‐harm rates estimated on three occasions between 2004 and 2016 and to explore the associates of lifetime self‐harm.

Method

Three phases of a UK AF cohort study (n = 10,272, 9,990, and 8,581, respectively) provided data. Telephone interviews assessed associates of self‐harm among cohort members who reported subjective mental health problems in the past 3 years (n = 1,448). Validated measures of mental health and related stigmatization, social support, and help‐seeking were obtained.

Results

Lifetime self‐harm increased significantly (p < .001) from 1.8% among serving personnel and 3.8% among veterans in 2004/06 to 1.9% and 4.5% in 2007/09 and to 4.2% and 6.6% in 2014/16 in the two groups, respectively. Veterans were consistently significantly more likely to report lifetime self‐harm than serving personnel. Significant determinants of lifetime self‐harm included current mental disorder symptoms, stigmatization, poor social support, suicidal ideation, and seeking help from formal medical sources.

Conclusion

Self‐harm has increased over time in the UK serving and veteran community. Suicide prevention should focus on ameliorating mental disorder by encouraging engagement with health care, reducing negative views of mental illness, and fostering social support.
The Culture of White Space, the Racialized Production of Meaning, and the Jamband Scene
Authors: Brunsma David L. , Kim Joong Won , Chapman Nathaniel G.
Published: July 2019

This study critically examines the subculture of the jamband scene, particularly that of the band Phish, through the notion of “white space.” We demonstrate the existence of colorblind racism and denial of white privilege in the white space of Phish subculture, which is also emblematic of the jamband subculture at large. This study utilizes content analysis drawing from social media comments that react to an article written by Headcount, a political organization in the jamband subculture, titled “Phish Scene is So White: Let's Talk.” The most salient themes we found were colorblind racism and particular online forms of colorblind racetalk through emotional deflection and sarcasm—that we term NIMBY. Our findings add to our understanding of how colorblind racism operates in online versions of subcultural white spaces. We conclude by considering the importance of sociologists to urgently map the social and cultural contours by which white spaces are (re)produced, particularly through cultural processes of meaning‐making.
A systematic review of criteria used to report complications in soft tissue and oncologic surgical clinical research studies in dogs and cats
Authors: Follette Christelle M. , Giuffrida Michelle A. , Balsa Ingrid M. , Culp William T. N. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Oblak Michelle L. , Singh Ameet , Steffey Michele A.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate reporting of surgical complications and other adverse events in clinical research articles describing soft tissue and oncologic surgery in dogs and cats.

Study design

Systematic literature review.

Sample

English‐language articles describing soft tissue and oncologic surgeries in client‐owned dogs and cats published in peer‐reviewed journals from 2013 to 2016.

Methods

CAB, AGRICOLA, and MEDLINE databases were searched for eligible articles. Article characteristics relevant to complications were abstracted and summarized, including reported events, definitions, criteria used to classify events according to severity and time frame, and relevant citations.

Results

One hundred fifty‐one articles involving 10 522 animals were included. Canine retrospective case series of dogs predominated. Ninety‐two percent of articles mentioned complications in study results, but only 7.3% defined the term complication. Articles commonly described complications according to time frame and severity, but terminology and classification criteria were highly variable, conflicting between studies, or not provided. Most (58%) reported complications could have been graded with a published veterinary adverse event classification scheme, although common intraoperative complications were notable exceptions.

Conclusion

Definitions and criteria used to classify and report soft tissue and oncologic surgical complications are often absent, incomplete, or contradictory among studies.

Clinical significance

Lack of consistent terminology contributes to inadequate communication of important information about surgical complications. Standardization of terminology and consistency in severity scoring will improve comparative evaluation of clinical research results.
Meta‐analysis of the effects of lidocaine on postoperative reflux in the horse
Authors: Durket Elyse , Gillen Alexandra , Kottwitz Jack , Munsterman Amelia
Published: July 2019

Objective

To determine the efficacy of lidocaine at reducing incidence of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses by using quantitative statistical analysis.

Study design

Systematic meta‐analytical review.

Sample population

Studies on horses undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for small intestinal lesions, identified by systematic search between 2001 and 2017.

Methods

A search with PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed, followed by secondary searches of veterinary trade journals and bibliographies of relevant articles. The primary outcome measure for this study was the effect of lidocaine therapy on the odds of POR. Subgroup analysis assessed included the timing of lidocaine therapy, incidence of mortality, and incidence of repeat celiotomy. A meta‐analysis was performed with a random effects model, with the effect size calculated as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

Results

Among 1933 peer reviewed publications that met the initial search criteria, 12 relevant studies were available for analysis. Lidocaine was associated with an increased incidence of diagnosis of POR (OR 6.3, 95% CI [1.4, 27.0], P = .01). Horses treated with lidocaine were more likely to survive to discharge (OR 6.8, 95% CI [3.9, 11.7], P < .01).

Conclusion

Lidocaine was associated with an increased survival rate in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for small intestinal disease according to this meta‐analysis of the recent literature.

Clinical significance

This body of published evidence provides support to administer lidocaine in horses to improve survival rather than preventing POR.
Modelling the relationships between haemoglobin oxygen affinity and the oxygen cascade in humans
Authors: Shepherd John R. A. , Dominelli Paolo B. , Roy Tuhin K. , Secomb Timothy W. , Hoyer James D. , Oliveira Jennifer L. , Joyner Michael J.
Published: July 2019

Key points

Haemoglobin affinity is an integral concept in exercise physiology that impacts oxygen uptake, delivery and consumption.

How chronic alterations in haemoglobin affinity impact physiology is unknown.

Using human haemoglobin variants, we demonstrate that the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen is highly correlated with haemoglobin concentration.

Using the Fick equation, we model how altered haemoglobin affinity and the associated haemoglobin concentration influences oxygen consumption at rest and during exercise via alterations in cardiac output and mixed‐venous .

The combination of low oxygen affinity haemoglobin and reduced haemoglobin concentration seen in vivo may be unable to support oxygen uptake during moderate or heavy exercise.

The physiological implications, with regard to exercise, of altered haemoglobin affinity for oxygen are not fully understood. Data from the Mayo Clinic Laboratories database of rare human haemoglobin variants reveal a strong inverse correlation (r = −0.82) between blood haemoglobin concentration and P50, an index of oxygen affinity [Hb = −0.3135(P50) + 23.636]. In the present study, observed P50 values for high, normal and low oxygen‐affinity haemoglobin variants (13, 26 and 39 mmHg) and corresponding haemoglobin concentrations (19.5, 15.5 and 11.4 g dL−1 respectively) are used to model oxygen consumption as a fraction of delivery at rest ( = 0.25 L min−1, cardiac output = 5.70 L min−1) and during exercise ( = 2.75 L min−1, cardiac output = 18.9 l min−1). With high‐affinity haemoglobin, the model shows that normal levels of oxygen consumption can be achieved at rest and during exercise at the assumed cardiac output levels, with reduced oxygen extraction both at rest (16.8% high affinity vs. 21.7% normal) and during exercise (55.8% high affinity vs. 72.2% normal). With low‐affinity haemoglobin, which predicts low haemoglobin concentration, oxygen consumption at rest can be sustained with the assumed cardiac output, with increased oxygen extraction (31.1% low affinity vs. 21.7% normal). However, exercise at 2.75 l min−1 cannot be achieved with the assumed cardiac output, even with 100% oxygen extraction. In conclusion, the model indicates chronic alterations in P50 associate directly with Hb concentration, highlighting that human Hb variants can serve as ‘experiments of nature’ to address fundamental hypotheses on oxygen transport and exercise.