bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Tractor Speed and Spray Application Volume on Spray Coverage at Different Heights in the Canopy of Tall Pecan Trees
Authors: Bock Clive H. , Hotchkiss Michael W.
Published: January 2021

Scab (caused by Venturia effusa) is the most important disease of pecan in the southeastern U.S.A. The yield losses in susceptible cultivars, combined with costs of control, amount to tens of millions of dollars annually. It is known that fungicide coverage from air-blast sprayers declines with height in the canopy, and conversely, disease severity increases. But how application volume (liter/ha) and speed (km/h) affect spray coverage at different heights is unknown. Coverage was quantified using Kromekote cards (CTI Paper USA, Sun Prairie, WI) and Vision Pink dye (GarrCo Products, Converse, IN) at heights of 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 m in pecan canopies. An orchard air-blast sprayer was operated at 2.4 and 3.2 km/h applying 468, 935, or 1,871 liters/ha. Nozzles were selected to provide proportionally similar volumes to the upper and lower canopy positions at set speeds. Speeds tested did not affect spray coverage consistently. However, greater volumes resulted in significantly greater spray coverage, but most of that increase was at heights ≤12.5 m. Although there were significant differences among volumes applied at 12.5 m, differences were numerically small. Card orientation had a profound effect on spray coverage at heights ≤12.5 m, with most spray being detected on the cards facing horizontally downward, and least on those facing vertically backward. The study demonstrates that higher volumes result in more coverage, but the effect declines rapidly with height. If disease control achieved with 470 liters/ha is no different (or is more efficacious) compared with >470 liters/ha and is the same at higher speeds (3.2 km/h), savings may be possible in terms of operating time and equipment costs.
Improved Normothermic Machine Perfusion After Short Oxygenated Hypothermic Machine Perfusion of Ischemically Injured Porcine Kidneys
Authors: Lignell Stina , Lohmann Stine , Rozenberg Kaithlyn M. , Leuvenink Henri G. D. , Pool Merel B. F. , Lewis Kate R. , Moers Cyril , Hunter James P. , Ploeg Rutger J. , Eijken Marco , Møldrup Ulla , Krag Søren , Baan Carla C. , Møller Bjarne Kuno , Keller Anna Krarup , Jespersen Bente
Published: January 2021

Background.

In an era where global kidney shortage has pushed the field of transplantation towards using more marginal donors, modified kidney preservation techniques are currently being reviewed. Some techniques require further optimization before implementation in full scale transplantation studies. Using a porcine donation after circulatory death kidney model, we investigated whether initial kidney hemodynamics improved during normothermic machine perfusion if this was preceded by a short period of oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion (oxHMP) rather than static cold storage (SCS).

Methods.

Kidneys subjected to 75 minutes of warm ischemia were randomly assigned to either SCS (n = 4) or SCS + oxHMP (n = 4), with a total cold storage time of 240 minutes. Cold preservation was followed by 120 minutes of normothermic machine perfusion with continuous measurement of hemodynamic parameters and renal function.

Results.

oxHMP preserved kidneys maintained significantly lower renal resistance throughout the normothermic machine perfusion period compared to SCS kidneys (P < 0.001), reaching lowest levels at 60 minutes with means of 0.71 ± 0.35 mm Hg/mL/min/100 g (SCS) and 0.45 ± 0.15 mm Hg/mL/min/100 g (oxHMP). Accordingly, the oxHMP group had a higher mean renal blood flow versus SCS kidneys (P < 0.001). oxHMP kidneys had higher oxygen consumption during normothermic machine perfusion compared to SCS preserved kidneys (P < 0.001). Creatinine clearance remained similar between groups (P = 0.665).

Conclusions.

Preceding oxHMP significantly improved initial normothermic machine perfusion hemodynamics and increased total oxygen consumption. With the long period of warm ischemia, immediate kidney function was not observed, reflected by the findings of low creatinine clearance in both groups.
Predatory bacteria as living antibiotics – where are we now?
Authors: Atterbury Robert J. , Tyson Jess
Published: January 2021

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and economic crisis. With too few antibiotics in development to meet current and anticipated needs, there is a critical need for new therapies to treat Gram-negative infections. One potential approach is the use of living predatory bacteria, such as

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

(small Gram-negative bacteria that naturally invade and kill Gram-negative pathogens of humans, animals and plants). Moving toward the use of

Bdellovibrio

as a ‘living antibiotic’ demands the investigation and characterization of these bacterial predators in biologically relevant systems. We review the fundamental science supporting the feasibility of predatory bacteria as alternatives to antibiotics.
ORFik: a comprehensive R toolkit for the analysis of translation
Authors: Tjeldnes Håkon , Labun Kornel , Cleuren Yamila Torres , Chyżyńska Katarzyna , Świrski Michał , Valen Eivind
Published: January 2021

•

Background

With the rapid growth in the use of high-throughput methods for characterizing translation and the continued expansion of multi-omics, there is a need for back-end functions and streamlined tools for processing, analyzing, and characterizing data produced by these assays.

•

Results

Here, we introduce ORFik, a user-friendly R/Bioconductor toolbox for studying translation and its regulation. It extends GenomicRanges from the genome to the transcriptome and implements a framework that integrates data from several sources. ORFik streamlines the steps to process, analyze, and visualize the different steps of translation with a particular focus on initiation and elongation. It accepts high-throughput sequencing data from ribosome profiling to quantify ribosome elongation or RCP-seq/TCP-seq to also quantify ribosome scanning. In addition, ORFik can use CAGE data to accurately determine 5’UTRs and RNA-seq for determining translation relative to RNA abundance. ORFik supports and calculates over 30 different translation-related features and metrics from the literature and can annotate translated regions such as proteins or upstream open reading frames. As a use-case, we demonstrate using ORFik to rapidly annotate the dynamics of 5’ UTRs across different tissues, detect their uORFs, and characterize their scanning and translation in the downstream protein-coding regions.

•

Availability

http://bioconductor.org/packages/ORFik
Canopy spectral reflectance detects oak wilt at the landscape scale using phylogenetic discrimination
Authors: Sapes Gerard , Lapadat Cathleen , Schweiger Anna K. , Juzwik Jennifer , Montgomery Rebecca , Gholizadeh Hamed , Townsend Philip A. , Gamon John A. , Cavender-Bares Jeannine
Published: January 2021

The oak wilt disease caused by the invasive fungal pathogenBretziella fagacearumis one of the greatest threats to oak-dominated forests across the Eastern United States. Accurate detection and monitoring over large areas are necessary for management activities to effectively mitigate and prevent the spread of oak wilt. Canopy spectral reflectance contains both phylogenetic and physiological information across the visible near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) ranges that can be used to identify diseased red oaks. We develop partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models using airborne hyperspectral reflectance to detect diseased canopies and assess the importance of VNIR, SWIR, phylogeny, and physiology for oak wilt detection. We achieve high accuracy through a three-step phylogenetic process in which we first distinguish oaks from other species (90% accuracy), then red oaks from white oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) (93% accuracy), and, lastly, infected from non-infected trees (80% accuracy). Including SWIR wavelengths increased model accuracy by ca. 20% relative to models based on VIS-NIR wavelengths alone; using a phylogenetic approach also increased model accuracy by ca. 20% over a single-step classification. SWIR wavelengths include spectral information important in differentiating red oaks from other species and in distinguishing diseased red oaks from healthy red oaks. We determined the most important wavelengths to identify oak species, red oaks, and diseased red oaks. We also demonstrated that several multispectral indices associated with physiological decline can detect differences between healthy and diseased trees. The wavelengths in these indices also tended to be among the most important wavelengths for disease detection within PLS-DA models, indicating a convergence of the methods. Indices were most significant for detecting oak wilt during late August, especially those associated with canopy photosynthetic activity and water status. Our study suggests that coupling phylogenetics, physiology, and canopy spectral reflectance provides an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach that enables detection of forest diseases at large scales. These results have potential for direct application by forest managers for detection to initiate actions to mitigate the disease and prevent pathogen spread.
Cholinergic signalling in the forebrain controls microglial phenotype and responses to systemic inflammation
Authors: Nazmi Arshed , Griffin Eadaoin W. , Field Robert H. , Doyle Sean , Hennessy Edel , O’Donnell Martin , Rehill Aisling , McCarthy Anthony , Healy Daire , Doran Michelle M. , Lowry John P. , Cunningham Colm
Published: January 2021

Abstract(250)

Loss of basal forebrain cholinergic projections occurs in Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and in aging. Moreover, nicotinic stimulation is anti-inflammatory in macrophages and microglia but how loss of basal forebrain acetylcholine impacts on microglial phenotype is poorly understood. Here we hypothesized that endogenous ACh maintains homeostatic microglial phenotype and that neurodegeneration-evoked loss of ACh tone, triggers microglial activation. Using the specific immunotoxin, mu-p75NTR-saporin, we performed partial lesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic nuclei, medial septum and ventral diagonal band. We examined microglial phenotype in the hippocampus, the major projection area for these nuclei, using bulk RNA preparations, Flow cytometry-sorted microglial cells, immunohistochemistry and ELISA to examine responses to cholinergic withdrawal and acute responses to subsequent systemic inflammation with LPS. Basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration elicited lasting activation of microglia in the hippocampus, showing suppression ofSall1and persistent elevation ofTrem2, Clec7a, Itgaxand complement genes proportionate toChatloss. These primed microglia showed exaggerated IL-1β responses to systemic LPS challenge. In normal animals LPS evoked acute increases in extracellular choline, a proxy for ACh release, and this response was lost in lesioned animals. Restoration of basal cholinergic signalling via serial treatments with the nicotinic agonist PNU282,987 resulted in reversion to the homeostatic microglial phenotype and prevented exaggerated responses to acute systemic inflammation. The data indicate that neurodegeneration-evoked loss of cholinergic tone, triggers microglial activation via impaired microglial nicotinic signalling and leaves these microglia more vulnerable to secondary inflammatory insults. The data have implications for neuroinflammation during aging and neurodegeneration and for responses to sepsis and systemic inflammation.
Distributed networks for auditory memory differentially contribute to recall precision
Authors: Lim Sung-Joo , Thiel Christiane , Sehm Bernhard , Deserno Lorenz , Lepsien Jöran , Obleser Jonas
Published: January 2021

Re-directing attention to objects in working memory can enhance their representational fidelity. However, how this attentional enhancement of memory representations is implemented across distinct, sensory and cognitive-control brain network is unspecified. The present fMRI experiment leverages psychophysical modelling and multivariate auditory- pattern decoding as behavioral and neural proxies of mnemonic fidelity. Listeners performed an auditory syllable pitch-discrimination task and received retro-active cues to selectively attend to a to-be-probed syllable in memory. Accompanied by increased neural activation in fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular networks, valid retro-cues yielded faster and more perceptually sensitive responses in recalling acoustic detail of memorized syllables. Information about the cued auditory object was decodable from hemodynamic response patterns in superior temporal sulcus (STS), fronto-parietal, and sensorimotor regions. However, among these regions retaining auditory memory objects, neural fidelity in the left STS and its enhancement through attention-to-memory best predicted individuals’ gain in auditory memory recall precision. Our results demonstrate how functionally discrete brain regions differentially contribute to the attentional enhancement of memory representations.
The Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter of Pulmonary Type 2 Cells Determines Severity of ARDS
Authors: Islam Mohammad Naimul , Gusarova Galina A. , Das Shonit R. , Li Li , Monma Eiji , Anjaneyulu Murari , Owusu-Ansah Edward , Bhattacharya Sunita , Bhattacharya Jahar
Published: January 2021

Acute lung immunity to inhaled pathogens elicits defensive pneumonitis that may convert to the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), causing high mortality. Mechanisms underlying the conversion are not understood, but are of intense interest because of the ARDS-induced mortality in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Here, by optical imaging of live lungs we show that key to the lethality is the functional status of mitochondrial Ca2+buffering across the mitochondrial Ca2+uniporter (MCU) in the lung’s alveolar type 2 cells (AT2), which protect alveolar stability. In mice subjected to ARDS by airway exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or toPseudomonas aeruginosa, there was marked loss of MCU expression in AT2. The ability of mice to survive ARDS depended on the extent to which the MCU expression recovered, indicating that the viability of Ca2+buffering by AT2 mitochondria critically determines ARDS severity. Mitochondrial transfer to enhance AT2 MCU expression might protect against ARDS.
Dodecahedral structures with Mosseri–Sadoc tiles
Authors: Ozdes Koca Nazife , Koc Ramazan , Koca Mehmet , Al-Siyabi Abeer
Published: January 2021

The 3D facets of the Delone cells of the root latticeD6which tile the 6D Euclidean space in an alternating order are projected into 3D space. They are classified into six Mosseri–Sadoc tetrahedral tiles of edge lengths 1 and golden ratio τ = (1 + 51/2)/2 with faces normal to the fivefold and threefold axes. The icosahedron, dodecahedron and icosidodecahedron whose vertices are obtained from the fundamental weights of the icosahedral group are dissected in terms of six tetrahedra. A set of four tiles are composed from sixfundamentaltiles, the faces of which are normal to the fivefold axes of the icosahedral group. It is shown that the 3D Euclidean space can be tiled face-to-face with maximal face coverage by the composite tiles with an inflation factor τ generated by an inflation matrix. It is noted that dodecahedra with edge lengths of 1 and τ naturally occur already in the second and third order of the inflations. The 3D patches displaying fivefold, threefold and twofold symmetries are obtained in the inflated dodecahedral structures with edge lengths τnwithn≥ 3. The planar tiling of the faces of the composite tiles follows the edge-to-edge matching of the Robinson triangles.
X-ray microbeam diffraction in a crystal
Authors: Punegov Vasily I. , Karpov Andrey V.
Published: January 2021

Using the formalism of dynamical scattering of spatially restricted X-ray fields, the diffraction of a microbeam in a crystal with boundary functions for the incident and reflected amplitudes was studied in the case of geometrical optics and the Fresnel approximation (FA). It is shown that, for a wide front of the X-ray field, the angular distributions of the scattered intensity in the geometrical optics approximation (GOA) and the FA are approximately the same. On the other hand, it is established that, for a narrow exit slit in the diffraction scheme, it is always necessary to take into account the X-ray diffraction at the slit edges. Reciprocal-space maps and the distribution of the diffraction intensity of the microbeam inside the crystal were calculated.
Co-creating blockchain adoption: theory, practice and impact on usage behavior
Authors: Tran Lobel Trong Thuy , Nguyen Phuong Thanh
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Given the growing importance of blockchain technology (BT), the authors use the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which posits that BT adoption intention depends on the complementarity between UTAUT and blockchain transparency (BTRAN) and examine it in a new setting: the boundary condition of perceived helpfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the major conceptual literature on both UTAUT and BT to identify their principal common factors. They examine the complementarity between UTAUT and BTRAN and further test the moderating effect of perceived helpfulness. The authors used the PLS technique for data analysis because this technique can test the direct and interaction effects.

Findings

The complementarity between UTAUT and BTRAN strongly affects BT adoption intention. The authors further show that perceived helpfulness moderates the relationship between adoption intention and usage behavior. At high levels of perceived helpfulness, usage behavior increases rapidly with adoption intention.

Originality/value

The results indicate that UTAUT is a valuable theory to identify the determinants of adoption intention, confirming its robustness in blockchain-enabled supply chain management. The combination of UTAUT and BTRAN can contribute a plausible approach to the strategy literature: the complementarity effect might create more benefits than adopting a single practice.
Who should clean the university? The in-house outsourcing decision from a student perspective
Authors: Palm Peter
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the students perceive the cleaning of the university, from an in-house and outsourced perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a survey conducted in the different university buildings with a total of 240 students. The survey was then analysed through an ordinal regression.

Findings

The ordinal regression indicates a statistically significant result were student are more satisfied with the cleaning performed by the outsourced service provider.

Research limitations/implications

The research in this paper is limited to one Swedish university. But, the overall strategies for how to organise the cleaning service at the university do address all universities. However, the research is limited and more research has to be performed.

Practical implications

The insight the paper provides regarding how the students perceive the cleaning service at the university gives direct implications to university in relation to how to consider the cleaning service as an important factor.

Originality/value

It provides the first study from a student perspective on the question of cleaning of the university, when previous studies have indicated cleaning as an important function not least to student’s performance and academic results.
Combining financial and ecological sustainability in bank capital regulations
Authors: Cho Hye-jin , Lehner Othmar M. , Nilavongse Rachatar
Published: January 2021

Purpose

With the macroprudential approach, systemic risk is explained by a general equilibrium (GE) model. However, since on-balance-sheet and off-balance-sheet (OBS) risks are structurally segmented, for example annually or periodically on financial statements, the GE model might need further integration with OBS risks including ecological shocks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a theoretical two-period model with consumption, investment and loans, which further includes carbon emissions to distinguish between loans for “green” or “brown” firms to enhance the perspective of ecological sustainability.

Findings

The paper shows how the environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors might be of relevance in the standard bank capital regulatory structure. In dealing with ecological sustainability, a new methodological framework with the green K-index introduces penalties to be paid in the capital structure related to ESG factors. The model is enhanced for screening green or brown firms related to impact investing. The integrated view of financial stability and ecological sustainability further illuminates how a wide cross-sectoral resilience of a green K-index measure for the economy might be achievable.

Research limitations/implications

A stock-flow consistent model with balance-sheet methods raises the question whether all necessary variables and parameters can be computed in practice. Compared to the agent-based model (ABM), this model additionally lacks inputs from agents' behaviour, thus non-rational decisions, which may be relevant in practice. More generally, by adopting a balance-sheet structure, the model shows a coherent framework with relevant variables. The methodology of the GE model with OBS has not been scholarly explored and thus is presented for discussion rather than generalisation. The GE model with OBS provides a new interpretation of systemic risk and interbank relations with a consideration of ecological aspects. Its economic implication contributes to contemporary banking theory as well as to the sustainability discussions in the larger financial sector.

Practical implications

Banks and investors can more carefully measure the ecological risks in their loan portfolios and make better informed decisions leading to a better sustainability of the financial markets.

Originality/value

This study develops a theoretical GE model with off-balance-sheet risks. The model adds green regulation enhancing the capital regulation framework relevant to sustainability. This, in turn, enhances the role of banks in a coherent economic framework for loan decisions towards a much greener finance.
Daniel: psychological development of a master biblical dream interpreter
Authors: Abramovitch Henry
Published: January 2021

This article describes the growth and development of Daniel as a master Biblical dream interpreter. In his clinical use of dreams, he is compared to a contemporary Jungian analyst who faces difficult clinical dilemmas such as interpreting a dream that is forgotten, understanding the difference between a ‘big dream’ and a personal dream, as well as the situation when a dream is interpreted within a dream. Daniel's technique is compared to traditional Jewish dream rituals. Although the Book of Daniel is usually considered as a series of disconnected episodes, the author argues that the sequence of chapters reveals the process of Daniel's individuation as described by Neumann's concept of centroversion.
Plurality of psychic states in the field
Authors: DeArmond Isabelle
Published: January 2021

The archetypal images of separation and dissociation are very present in Jung’s model of individuation, and Jung proposed a dynamic relationship between conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche of analyst and analysand. In addition, numerous contemporary authors emphasize the multiplicity of the self and the emergence of the field created by both participants, allowing for symbolization and transformation. I describe here my attempts to reach the encapsulated psychic split of a client. Defeated in my search for any conscious, developed self‐state that could readily match his, I had to nurture the field of our relationship, where a child was imprisoned and allow space for daydreaming. The field ultimately supported the emergence of a primitive part of me matching his, which he required to safely mirror his experience. In staying and dreaming within this field of longing, we reconstructed his initial trauma. The defeat of my ego and the response to the multiplicity of Mark’s states through the sustained reverie of holding a child, a single archetypal image, stirred the good mother in me, forged a container for non‐rational, affective somatic psychic splits, and initiated psychic changes.
The cognitive biases of cognitive biases
Authors: Douros George
Published: January 2021

An increased awareness of the cognitive biases of clinical decision making over the last decade has not resulted in a corresponding decrease in clinician error. The inappropriate use of cognitive bias labels in adverse incident reviews can result in unintentional or intentional blame.
Effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers derived from hulless barley
Authors: Zhu Yulin , Yang Shihua , Huang Yonghua , Huang Jiaqi , Li Yongqiang
Published: January 2021

In this study, the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) derived from hulless barley were evaluated by an in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion model. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in IDF and SDF following GI digestion were studied. The results obtained showed an increase in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well antioxidant activity compared with undigested extracts. Moreover, the bioaccessibility indexes of phenolic compounds in IDF and SDF were 490.90 ± 3.10% and 1608.79 ± 40.63% respectively, after GI digestion. Similarly, the bioaccessibility indexes of flavonoids in IDF and SDF were 179.20 ± 15.16% and 814.36 ± 26.31%, respectively. Based on our findings, individual phenolic compounds show different stability in the digestion process. The content of ferulic acid has different trends in IDF and SDF during GI digestion. This study could provide a scientific basis for hulless barley DF as valuable food additives.

Practical Application

Hulless barley is a unique cereal with potential health benefits due to high dietary fiber (DF) content and phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds could be linked to DF through chemical bonds. Phenolic compounds in DF can be slowly and continuously released under acidic, alkaline, and enzymatic conditions by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, which could maintain a higher phenolic concentration in the bloodstream and be beneficial for human health. This study could provide a scientific basis for hulless barley DF as valuable food additives.
Optimization of ultrasound‐assisted extraction of polysaccharides from perilla seed meal by response surface methodology: Characterization and in vitro antioxidant activities
Authors: Zhang Hongjiao , Li Huizhen , Zhang Zhijun , Hou Tianyu
Published: January 2021

In this study, response surface methodology was employed to optimize the ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) process of perilla seed meal polysaccharides (PSMP). The optimal conditions for UAE of PSMP were: liquid–solid ratio of 26.00 mL/g, ultrasonic temperature of 43.00 °C, ultrasonic time of 52.00 min, and ultrasonic power of 229.00 W, the optimal conditions lead to an yield of 6.137 ± 0.062%. The structural characteristics of molecular weight, compositional monosaccharides, and glycosidic linkages were determined by size exclusion chromatography with multiangle light scattering, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, Fourier‐transfer infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance detections. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that many holes were formed on the surface of PSM after UAE. The antioxidant activities of PSMP were investigated using various assays in vitro. The results suggested that PSMP is potential natural resource of antioxidants for medicine and functional foods.

Practical Application

The selection of raw material perilla seed meal is conducive to the comprehensive utilization of edible resources. With consumer demands for newly developed foods with natural, wholesome ingredients are increasing nowadays. This study provides effective reference for in‐depth research on other medicine‐food dual‐use resources. Ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) is a promising alternative method for hot water reflux extraction (HWRE) of polysaccharides for advantages of high efficiency and energy saving. In this work, the UAE process optimized by response surface methodology is more suitable for industrial application that can effectively decrease total cost of production by reducing the extraction temperature, shortening extraction time, and increasing raw material utilization.
Increasing skeletal muscle carnitine content in older individuals increases whole‐body fat oxidation during moderate‐intensity exercise
Authors: Chee Carolyn , Shannon Chris E. , Burns Aisling , Selby Anna L. , Wilkinson Daniel , Smith Kenneth , Greenhaff Paul L. , Stephens Francis B.
Published: January 2021

Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) utilization is impaired in older individuals, and IMCL accumulation is associated with insulin resistance. We hypothesized that increasing muscle total carnitine content in older men would increase fat oxidation and IMCL utilization during exercise, and improve insulin sensitivity. Fourteen healthy older men (69 ± 1 year, BMI 26.5 ± 0.8 kg/m2) performed 1 h of cycling at 50% VO2max and, on a separate occasion, underwent a 60 mU/m2/min euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp before and after 25 weeks of daily ingestion of a 220 ml insulinogenic beverage (44.4 g carbohydrate, 13.8 g protein) containing 4.5 g placebo (n = 7) or L‐carnitine L‐tartrate (n = 7). During supplementation, participants performed twice‐weekly cycling for 1 h at 50% VO2max. Placebo ingestion had no effect on muscle carnitine content or total fat oxidation during exercise at 50% VO2max. L‐carnitine supplementation resulted in a 20% increase in muscle total carnitine content (20.1 ± 1.2 to 23.9 ± 1.7 mmol/kg/dm; p < 0.01) and a 20% increase in total fat oxidation (181.1 ± 15.0 to 220.4 ± 19.6 J/kg lbm/min; p < 0.01), predominantly due to increased IMCL utilization. These changes were associated with increased expression of genes involved in fat metabolism (ACAT1, DGKD & PLIN2; p < 0.05). There was no change in resting insulin‐stimulated whole‐body or skeletal muscle glucose disposal after supplementation. This is the first study to demonstrate that a carnitine‐mediated increase in fat oxidation is achievable in older individuals. This warrants further investigation given reduced lipid turnover is associated with poor metabolic health in older adults.
A new perspective on European drinking cultures: a model‐based approach to determine variations in drinking practices among 19 European countries
Authors: Kilian Carolin , Manthey Jakob , Kraus Ludwig , Mäkelä Pia , Moskalewicz Jacek , Sieroslawski Janusz , Rehm Jürgen
Published: January 2021

Background and aims

In recent decades, alcohol drinking in the European Union has been characterized by increasing homogenization of levels of drinking coupled with an overall decrease. This study examined whether we can still distinguish distinct practices of drinking by addressing two research questions: (1) are drinking practices still characterized by the choice of a certain alcoholic beverage; and (2) how do drinking practices vary across countries?

Design

Cross‐sectional study: latent‐class analyses of drinking variables and fractional response regression analyses of individual characteristics for individual‐level class endorsement probabilities, respectively.

Setting

Nineteen European countries and one autonomous community.

Participants

A total of 27 170 past‐year drinkers aged 18–65 years in 2015.

Measurements

Data were collected through the Standardized European Alcohol Survey included frequency of past‐year drinking, pure alcohol intake per drink day, occurrence of monthly risky single‐occasion drinking and preferred beverage, together with socio‐demographic data.

Findings

Three latent classes were identified: (1) light to moderate drinking without risky single‐occasion drinking [prevalence: 68.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 66.7–69.3], (2) infrequent heavy drinking (prevalence: 12.6%, 95% CI = 11.5–13.7) and (3) regular drinking with at least monthly risky single‐occasion drinking (prevalence: 19.4%, 95% CI = 18.1–20.9). Drinking classes differed considerably in beverage preference, with women reporting a generally higher share of wine and men of beer drinking. Light to moderate drinking without risky single‐occasion drinking was the predominant drinking practice in all locations except for Lithuania, where infrequent heavy drinking (class 2) was equally popular. Socio‐demographic factors and individual alcohol harm experiences (rapid alcohol on‐line screen) explained up to 20.5% of the variability in class endorsement.

Conclusions

Beverage preference appears to remain a decisive indicator for distinguishing Europeans’ drinking practices. In most European countries, multiple drinking practices appear to be present.
Effects of climatic change on the potential geographic distribution of the threatened West‐Central African endemic genus, Talbotiella
Authors: Asase Alex , Jiménez‐García Daniel , Townsend Peterson Andrew
Published: January 2021

Climate change is considered to be a leading cause of species extinction, yet the likely effects of climate change on geographic distributions and conservation status of many threatened African plants have not seen detailed evaluation. Here, we used ecological niche modelling approaches to explore and evaluate climate change effects on potential geographic distributions of plants of the threatened West‐Central African genus Talbotiella. Our models showed that suitability was lower in the northern parts of its range in West Africa and at it's southern extremes in West‐Central Africa. Areas of West Africa between Liberia and southwestern Ghana were identified as potentially suitable areas where new populations or species of the genus could be discovered. Our model transfers to future conditions showed range shifts and contractions in the geographic distribution of the genus; species of the genus are threatened by additional factors such as habitat loss or degradation, agriculture and development of industrial infrastructure. Although species of the genus will likely persist in protected areas, conservation efforts should also include ex situ conservation approaches, particularly as regards individual species in the genus. This study shows how niche modelling approaches could be used to enhance the conservation and discovery of African biodiversity.
Electrocardiographic markers of increased risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia
Authors: Alareedh Mohammed , Nafakhi Hussein , Shaghee Foaad , Nafakhi Ahmed
Published: January 2021

Background

Little is known about the role of ECG markers of increased risk of sudden cardiac death during the acute period of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID‐19) pneumonia.

Objectives

To evaluate ECG markers of sudden cardiac death on admission, including the index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB) (QTc/QRS) and transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) (T from peak to end (Tp‐e) interval and Tp‐e/QTc), in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia.

Patients and methods

This cross‐sectional study included 63 patients with newly diagnosed COVID‐19 pneumonia who presented to the outpatient clinic or admitted to the respiratory care unit between August 20 and September 15, 2020. Forty‐six persons matched for sex and age were selected from data collected before COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

QRS and QTc showed a significant prolongation in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia compared to the controls (87 vs. 78, p < .00, and 429 versus. 400, p < .00, respectively). After categorization of patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia into 3 groups according to the severity of pneumonia as mild‐moderate, severe, and critical groups, a decreased values of QRS were observed in the critical COVID‐19 pneumonia group compared to severe and mild‐moderate COVID‐19 pneumonia groups (p = .04) while increased values of QTc and iCEB(QTc/QRS) were noted in critical COVID‐19 pneumonia group compared to other 2 groups(p < .00).

Conclusions

Patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia showed significant changes in repolarization and conduction parameters compared to controls. Patients with mild to severe COVID‐19 pneumonia may be at low risk for torsades de pointes development.
Levels and correlates of physical activity and screen time among early years children (2–5 years): Cross‐cultural comparisons between Canadian and South Korean data
Authors: Lee Eun‐Young , Song Yoon‐Kyung , Hunter Stephen , Jeon Justin , Kuzik Nicholas , Predy Madison , Carson Valerie
Published: January 2021

Background

Cross‐cultural research can provide insight into whether levels and correlates of movement behaviours among early years children vary across different cultural contexts. This study (1) compared children's physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) and parental and environmental correlates of PA and ST between samples of Canadian and South Korean (Korean thereafter) early years children (2–5 years) and (2) investigated parental and environmental correlates of PA and ST and whether country moderates the relationships.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 121 Canadian children (3.4 years; 49.6% girls) and 101 Korean children (3.4 years; 54.9% girls) who participated in the Parents' Role in Establishing healthy Physical activity and Sedentary behaviour habits (PREPS) study were used. Demographic information, children's PA, ST, PA‐ or ST‐specific parental cognitions and behaviours, and home and neighbourhood environments were measured using a proxy‐reported questionnaire. Two‐tailed independent samples T test or Mann Whitney U test, chi‐square tests, linear regression and moderation analyses were performed.

Results

Canadian children spent more time in non‐organized PA compared to Korean children (111 vs. 63 min/day), whereas time spent in organized PA was higher in Korean children than Canadian children (25 vs. 9 min/day). Canadian children had more ST than Korean children (159 vs. 110 min/day). Similarly, Canadian parents reported higher screen (142 vs. 116 min/day) and sitting time (317 vs. 286 min/day) than Korean parents. Though children's behaviours, as well as parental cognitions and behaviours, varied between the two samples, similar correlates of children's PA and ST were observed. The relationship between presence of electronics in children's bedrooms and children's ST was moderated by country, with Canadian children showing a stronger relationship than Korean children.

Conclusions

Supporting parents to adopt cognitions and behaviours that are conducive to healthy PA and ST patterns of their own and their early years children may be important for both Canada and Korea.
Lying and Theory of Mind: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lee Jia Ying Sarah , Imuta Kana
Published: January 2021

This meta‐analysis investigated the link between lying and theory‐of‐mind (ToM) by integrating findings from 81 studies involving 7,826 children between 2 and 14 years of age from 14 different collectivist and individualist cultures. Overall, there was a small, significant positive association (r = .23). Four main moderators were examined: facet of lying (understanding, instigated production, spontaneous production, maintenance); valence of lies (antisocial, prosocial); type of ToM (first‐order, second‐order); and culture (collectivist, individualist). Facet of lying and type of ToM were significant moderators. ToM was positively related to all facets of lying, but most strongly linked to lie maintenance and weakest for spontaneous production. Both first‐order and second‐order ToM were positively related to lying, but the link was stronger for the former.
Mutation in PHACTR1 associated with multifocal epilepsy with infantile spasms and hypsarrhythmia
Authors: Marakhonov Andrey V. , Přechová Magdalena , Konovalov Fedor A. , Filatova Alexandra Yu. , Zamkova Maria A. , Kanivets Ilya V. , Solonichenko Vladimir G. , Semenova Natalia A. , Zinchenko Rena A. , Treisman Richard , Skoblov Mikhail Yu.
Published: January 2021

A young boy with multifocal epilepsy with infantile spasms and hypsarrhythmia with minimal organic lesions of brain structures underwent DNA diagnosis using whole‐exome sequencing. A heterozygous amino‐acid substitution p.L519R in a PHACTR1 gene was identified. PHACTR1 belongs to a protein family of G‐actin binding protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) cofactors and was not previously associated with a human disease. The missense single nucleotide variant in the proband was shown to occur de novo in the paternal allele. The mutation was shown in vitro to reduce the affinity of PHACTR1 for G‐actin, and to increase its propensity to form complexes with the catalytic subunit of PP1. These properties are associated with altered subcellular localization of PHACTR1 and increased ability to induce cytoskeletal rearrangements. Although the molecular role of the PHACTR1 in neuronal excitability and differentiation remains to be defined, PHACTR1 has been previously shown to be involved in Slack channelopathy pathogenesis, consistent with our findings. We conclude that this activating mutation in PHACTR1 causes a severe type of sporadic multifocal epilepsy in the patient.
Scheduling incremental actions to build a comprehensive national protected area network for Papua New Guinea
Authors: Adams Vanessa M. , Dimitrova Nadya , Possingham Hugh P. , Allan James R. , Kuempel Caitlin D. , Peterson Nate , Kaiye Alu , Keako Malcolm , Tulloch Vivitskaia J.D.
Published: January 2021

Systematic conservation planning identifies priority areas to cost‐effectively meet conservation targets. Yet, these tools rarely guide wholesale declaration of reserve systems in a single time step due to financial and implementation constraints. Rather, incremental scheduling of actions to progressively build reserve networks is required. To ensure this incremental action is guided by the original plan, and thus builds a reserve network that meets all conservation targets, strategic scheduling, and iterative planning is needed. We explore the issue of scheduling conservation actions using the national scale conservation plan for Papua New Guinea (PNG), commissioned by the PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority that identifies a comprehensive set of priority areas that meet conservation targets in both the land and sea. As part of the planning process a subset of areas were identified in collaboration as priorities for immediate action—termed areas of interest (AOIs). However, the extent to which targets are met if action stopped after implementing the AOIs is unknown. We test three possible implementation scenarios based on these priority areas to measure target achievement and shortfalls. We then consider how iterative planning would interact with scheduling actions to identify new long‐term priorities that will meet missing targets. Our results show that while a large number of conservation targets are met within the AOIs there are shortfalls for protecting threatened and range restricted endemic species. Meeting targets for these would require an updated set of national priorities and an additional 13% of land area compared with if all areas identified in the original assessment were protected in a single time step. This provides important insights into the benefits of strategic scheduling of implementation, as well as the need for capacity to monitor action and update priorities as implementation proceeds.
Graft infusion of adipose‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells to prevent rejection in experimental intestinal transplantation: A feasibility study
Authors: Andres Ane M. , Stringa Pablo , Talayero Paloma , Santamaria Monica , García‐Arranz Mariano , García Gómez‐Heras Soledad , Largo‐Aramburu Carlota , Aras‐Lopez Rosa M. , Vallejo‐Cremades Maria Teresa , Guerra Pastrián Laura , Vega Luz , Encinas Jose Luis , Lopez‐Santamaria Manuel , Hernández‐Oliveros Francisco
Published: January 2021

Background

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been proposed as a promising complement to standard immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation because of their immunomodulatory properties. The present work addresses the role of adipose‐derived MSC (Ad‐MSC) in an experimental model of acute rejection in small bowel transplantation (SBT).

Material/Methods

Heterotopic allogeneic SBT was performed. A single dose of 1.5x106 Ad‐MSC was intra‐arterially delivered just before graft reperfusion. Animals were divided into CONTROL (CTRL), CONTROL+Ad‐MSC (CTRL_MSC), tacrolimus (TAC), and TAC+Ad‐MSC (TAC_MSC) groups. Each Ad‐MSC groups was subdivided in autologous and allogeneic third‐party groups.

Results

Rejection rate and severity were similar in MSC‐treated and untreated animals. CTRL_MSC animals showed a decrease in macrophages, T‐cell (CD4, CD8, and Foxp3 subsets) and B‐cell counts in the graft compared with CTRL, this decrease was attenuated in TAC_MSC animals. Pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and some chemokines and growth factors increased in CTRL_MSC animals, especially in the allogeneic group, whereas milder changes were seen in the TAC groups.

Conclusion

Ad‐MSC did not prevent rejection when administered just before reperfusion. However, they showed immunomodulatory effects that could be relevant for a longer‐term outcome. Interference between tacrolimus and the MSC effects should be addressed in further studies.
Diatoms define a novel freshwater biogeography of the Antarctic
Authors: Verleyen Elie , Van de Vijver Bart , Tytgat Bjorn , Pinseel Eveline , Hodgson Dominic A. , Kopalová Kateřina , Chown Steven L. , Van Ranst Eric , Imura Satoshi , Kudoh Sakae , Van Nieuwenhuyze Wim ,   ANTDIAT consortium, Sabbe Koen , Vyverman Wim
Published: January 2021

Terrestrial biota in the Antarctic are more globally distinct and highly structured biogeographically than previously believed, but information on biogeographic patterns and endemism in freshwater communities is largely lacking. We studied biogeographic patterns of Antarctic freshwater diatoms based on the analysis of species occurrences in a dataset of 439 lakes spread across the Antarctic realm. Highly distinct diatom floras, both in terms of composition and richness, characterize Continental Antarctica, Maritime Antarctica and the sub‐Antarctic islands, with marked biogeographic provincialism in each region. A total of 44% of all species is estimated to be endemic to the Antarctic, and most of them are confined to a single biogeographic region. The level of endemism significantly increases with increasing latitude and geographic isolation. Our results have implications for conservation planning, and suggest that successful dispersal of freshwater diatoms to and within the Antarctic is limited, fostering the evolution of highly endemic diatom floras.