bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover increases toward climatic extremes and depends on historical factors in European beech forests
Authors: Padullés Cubino Josep , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Sabatini Francesco Maria , Willner Wolfgang , Lososová Zdeňka , Biurrun Idoia , Brunet Jörg , Campos Juan Antonio , Indreica Adrian , Jansen Florian , Lenoir Jonathan , Škvorc Željko , Vassilev Kiril , Chytrý Milan
Published: December 2020

Aims

The effect of biogeographical processes on the spatial turnover component of beta‐diversity over large spatial extents remains scarcely understood. Here, we aim at disentangling the roles of environmental and historical factors on plant taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover, while controlling for the effects of species richness and rarity.

Location

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests in Europe.

Methods

We aggregated plant species occurrences from vegetation plots in spatial grid cells of 0.25º × 0.25º to calculate the spatial turnover component of taxonomic (TBDturn) and phylogenetic (PBDturn) beta‐diversity for each cell. We also calculated the deviation of PBDturngiven TBDturn(PBDdev‐turn), which measures the importance of phylogenetic turnover after factoring out taxonomic turnover. Beta‐diversity was calculated for each grid cell as the mean pairwise dissimilarity between the focal cell and all other cells. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between environmental (climate, soil pH, and distance from the geographical distribution limit of beech) and historical (distance from beech glacial refugia) predictors and beta‐diversity metrics.

Results

We found a geographically consistent variation in taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover. Overall, TBDturnand PBDturnincreased significantly toward more extreme climatic conditions, on more acidic soils, and toward the margins of beech distribution. The effects of environmental variables and the distance from glacial refugia on beta‐diversity metrics were mediated by species richness and rarity. Phylogenetic turnover was low in relation to taxonomic turnover (i.e., high PBDdev‐turn) in areas closer to glacial refugia.

Conclusions

Continental‐scale patterns of beta‐diversity in European beech forests are the result of complementary ecological and evolutionary processes. In general, beech forests are taxonomically and phylogenetically more distinct in climatically marginal areas of their European range. However, the spatial variation of beta‐diversity in European beech forest flora is still strongly characterized by the distribution of groups of closely related species that evolved or survived in glacial refugia.
Call for advice or signal of distress?
Authors: Shepherd Lisa
Published: December 2020

The author suggests that resident calls to a medico‐legal helpline may represent a critical need for ‘emotional first aid’ in the form of faculty and/or peer support.
The effect of Lucilia sericata larval excretion/secretion (ES) products on cellular responses in wound healing
Authors: Gazi U. , Taylan‐Ozkan A. , Mumcuoglu K. Y.
Published: December 2020

Chronic wounds are still regarded as a serious public health concern, which are on the increase mainly due to the changes in life styles and aging of the human population. There are different types of chronic wounds, each of which requires slightly different treatment strategies. Nevertheless, wound bed preparation is included in treatment of all types of chronic wounds and involves tissue debridement, inflammation, and infection control, as well as moisture balance and epithelial edge advancement. Maggot therapy (MT) is a form of biological debridement which involves the application of live medical grade Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae. Whereas it was initially thought to act mainly through debridement, today MT is known to influence all four overlapping physiological phases of wound repair: homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling/maturing. During MT, medical‐grade larvae are applied either freely or enclosed in tea‐bag like devices (biobag) inside the wounds, which suggests that larva excretion/secretion (ES) products can facilitate the healing processes directly without the need of direct contact with the larvae. This review summarizes the relevant literature on ES‐mediated effects on the cellular responses involved in wound healing.
Are individual analyses of multiple short urine collections throughout the 24 hours superior to a standard 24‐hour urine collection in precipitation risk assessment of healthy subjects?
Authors: Shafiee Mohammad A. , Shaker Pouyan , Hosseini Sayyideh F. , Alavinia Mohammad , Aarabi Mehdi , Rezaee Ali J. , Halperin Mitchel L.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The commonly used 24‐hour collection technique has been the mainstay of diagnosis for supersaturation but has some certain limitations. Hence, superiority of multiple short urine collections as a new alternative in precipitation risk assessment was assessed compared to the standard 24‐hour urine collection among healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods

Individual urine samples of 26 healthy subjects were acquired every 2 to 3 hours throughout the 24 hours. Urine samples were obtained and the time and volume of each sample were recorded. Urinary constituents involved in precipitation including, sodium‐potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, citrate, magnesium, urea, creatinine and pH were measured. A simulated 24‐hour collection was recalculated by the totalling of all shorter urine collections volume and urinary constituents excretions throughout the day.

Results

Urine pH, urine creatinine and precipitation rate had a significantly lower values in 24‐hours urine collection compared to one individual value of multiple urine collections by −0.769 (P < .0001), −7.305 (P < .0001), and − 12.838 (P < .0001), respectively. However, calcium (2.697, P < .0001), citrate (3.54, P < .0001), total phosphate (19.961, P < .0001) and total creatinine (9.579, P < .0001) had statistically significantly higher values in the 24‐hours urine collection compared to individual value of multiple urine collections.

Conclusion

Based on the results, individual analysis of multiple shorter urine collections throughout the day improves the ability of identifying supersaturation points, precipitation risk zones and may potentially improve risk assessment compared to the 24‐hour urine collection method.
Update on the intricate tango between tick microbiomes and tick‐borne pathogens
Authors: Bonnet Sarah Irène , Pollet Thomas
Published: December 2020

The recent development of high‐throughput NGS technologies, (ie, next‐generation sequencing) has highlighted the complexity of tick microbial communities—which include pathogens, symbionts, and commensals—and also their dynamic variability. Symbionts and commensals can confer crucial and diverse benefits to their hosts, playing nutritional roles or affecting fitness, development, nutrition, reproduction, defence against environmental stress and immunity. Nonpathogenic tick bacteria may also play a role in modifying tick‐borne pathogen colonization and transmission, as relationships between microorganisms existing together in one environment can be competitive, exclusive, facilitating or absent, with many potential implications for both human and animal health. Consequently, ticks represent a compelling yet challenging system in which to investigate the composition and both the functional and ecological implications of tick bacterial communities, and thus merits greater attention. Ultimately, deciphering the relationships between microorganisms carried by ticks as well as symbiont‑tick interactions will garner invaluable information, which may aid in some future arthropod‑pest and vector‐borne pathogen transmission control strategies. This review outlines recent research on tick microbiome composition and dynamics, highlights elements favouring the reciprocal influence of the tick microbiome and tick‐borne agents and finally discusses how ticks and tick‐borne diseases might potentially be controlled through tick microbiome manipulation in the future.
Volatile organic compounds produced by Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes alleviated drought stress by modulating defense system in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Yasmin Humaira , Rashid Urooj , Hassan Muhammad Nadeem , Nosheen Asia , Naz Rabia , Ilyas Noshin , Sajjad Muhammad , Azmat Ammar , Alyemeni Mohammed Nasser
Published: December 2020

Research on plant growth‐promoting bacteria (PGPR) revealed an effective role of bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in stress alleviation. Out of 15 PGPR strains, infection with VOCs from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes' resulted in maximum germination, growth promotion, and drought tolerance in maize plants. The VOCs of P. pseudoalcaligenes caused induced systemic tolerance in maize plants during 7 days of drought stress. The VOCs exposed plants displayed resistance to drought stress by reducing electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content and increasing the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, proline, and phytohormones contents. Maize plants revealed enhanced resistance by showing higher activities of antioxidant defense enzymes both in shoots and roots under drought stress. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were more pronounced in shoots than roots. Gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometric (GC–MS) analysis comparing VOCs produced by the most efficient P. pseudoalcaligenes strain and inefficient strains of Pseudomonas sp. grown in culture media revealed nine compounds that they had in common. However, dimethyl disulfide, 2,3‐butanediol, and 2‐pentylfuran were detected only in P. pseudoalcaligenes, indicating these compounds are potential candidates for drought stress induction. Further studies are needed to unravel the molecular mechanisms of VOCs‐mediated systemic drought tolerance in plants related to each identified VOC.
Depression among older adults: a systematic review ofSouth Asian countries
Authors: Assariparambil Anil R. , Noronha Judith A. , Kamath Asha , Adhikari Prabha , Nayak Baby S. , Shankar Ravi , George Anice
Published: December 2020

The world's population has been evolving rapidly; every country in the world is facing this drastic progression in the number and the percentage of the elderly in their net population. As the chronological age advances, physiological and psychosocial decline will be evident among all older adults. The potentially relevant literature was identified using appropriate search terms in electronic databases such as PubMed MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, CINAHL, IndMed, and Google Scholar. Articles published from 2006 to 2019, reported the prevalence and the risk factors for depression among older adults living in the community, old age homes, or hospitals of the South Asian countries. Articles were published in the languages other than English and those reporting the categorised or mean depressive scores were excluded from the review. After quality check for all the retrieved articles from different databases, 120 articles were included for the meta‐analysis. The data were extracted based on a validated data extraction form, and the reviewer contacted the authors for clarification of the missing data whenever required. The estimates were pooled using the random effect model for meta‐analyses. Sub‐group and sensitivity analyses were also performed. The overall pooled estimate (random effect models) of the prevalence of depression among the elderly was 42.0% (95% CI: 0.38–0.46), Chi‐squaredP‐value <0.001, andI299.14%. The pooled estimate of the prevalence was higher in the community settings than the old age homes (44.0%; 95% CI: 39.0–49.0 vs. 42.0%; 95% CI: 34.0–49.0). Depression is a common problem among the elderly population and the pooled estimate of depression would give directions to the healthcare providers, policymakers, and future researchers to plan some measures (either pharmacological or non‐pharmacological interventions) to effectively tackle the burden of geriatric depression in the future.
Moral Failure and the Law
Authors: Eekelaar John
Published: December 2020

The recent “Windrush” scandal in the United Kingdom involved the application of law by Home Office officials in a manner that demonstrated gross lack of concern and humanity for its impact on many individuals. In an endeavour to reach some understanding of how ordinary individuals could have inflicted such hardships on others, this article considers the possible effect that acting within a legal environment might have on the actors’ response to moral norms. The inquiry leads to reconsideration of established theories on the relationship between law and morality, concluding that the main theories ignore important aspects of that relationship.
Post‐fire restoration with contour‐felled log debris increases early recruitment of Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii) in Mediterranean forests
Authors: Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban , Van Stan John T. , Heydari Mehdi , Omidipour Reza , Rocha Francisco , Plaza‐Alvarez Pedro Antonio , Zema Demetrio Antonio , Muñoz‐Rojas Miriam
Published: December 2020

Post‐fire environmental conditions can heavily influence the natural regeneration of pine species in Mediterranean forests. Therefore, enhancing post‐fire recovery of pine species is fundamental for effective ecological restoration of Mediterranean forests. In this study, the effects of a post‐fire restoration treatment on the seedling emergence and survival of Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii) were investigated under a treatment consisting of manual cut of burnt tree canopies placed on the soil surface with their tree branches, following contour lines (contour‐felled log debris, CFD) in comparison with a control site at plot scale. Both CFD and control plots were tested on three slope gradients and two experimental conditions, that is, protected vs. non‐protected seeds. The initial seedling recruitment of Spanish black pine was improved by CFD treatment and seed protection, specifically through increased survival of emergent seedlings by about 10 and 15 times, respectively, compared to control. Seedling emergence was not significantly different between the treatments or controls; however, the highest seedling emergence in the study (18.9 ± 14.9%) was recorded under the least severe drought conditions. The study demonstrates that post‐fire CFD and seed protection treatments can be favorable for supporting ecological restoration of these pine forests. However, the environmental conditions are important drivers for the success of these strategies. Since droughts are expected to be more frequent in the upcoming years, post‐fire management strategies that include treatments like CFD and seed protection can be useful in the ecological restoration of Mediterranean pine forests.
Assessing spirometry competency in community‐based settings: Bridging the gap between training and clinical practice
Authors: Finlay Paul
Published: December 2020

See related article
Polarized cells display asymmetric release of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Colombo Federico , Casella Giacomo , Podini Paola , Finardi Annamaria , Racchetti Gabriella , Norton Erienne Grace , Cocucci Emanuele , Furlan Roberto
Published: December 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a broad term for the lipid microparticles known as microvesicles and exosomes, are discharged by cells into their surrounding space. Microvesicles are discharged upon outward plasma membrane budding, while exosomes are secreted after multivesicular body (MVB) fusion with the plasma membrane. The majority of information regarding EV biology comes from studies performed in non‐polarized cells. Here we characterize EV release in polarized cells. We found a substantial asymmetry in the number and composition of EVs produced and released from the apical membrane of epithelial cells as compared to the basolateral membrane. We showed that the quantitative difference is related to the polarized distribution of two phosphoinositide species between the two cell surfaces and that the peculiar biochemical composition of resultant EVs reflects their site of origin. In particular, apical and basolateral exosomes may derive from distinct classes of MVBs originating from and fusing with the same plasma membrane. We identify VAMP8/Endobrevin as a regulator of the basolateral release of exosomes, whereas the mechanism responsible for apical EV release requires further study.
Trends in blood donations, blood donors’ knowledge, practices and expectations during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Cameroon
Authors: Tagny Claude T. , Lendem Isabelle , Ngo Sack Françoise , Ngo Balogog Pauline , Ninmou Catherine , Dongmo Ariane , Ndoumba Annick , Tante Estel , Ateba Noel , Ndemanou Mathias , Tapko Jean Baptiste , Mbanya Dora
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The COVID‐19 pandemic, caused by a novel coronavirus, has already affected over 99 062 people in 53 African countries and killed 3082. The pandemic threatens blood supply but we do not yet know its impact on blood donations or on the perceptions and expectations of donors.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study in four hospital‐based blood services in Cameroon, using a survey design and focusing on the subjective and cultural aspects of donors. Using a semi‐structured questionnaire, we collected the participants’ responses as to their understanding of COVID‐19 and of current protection measures, and their expectations. Data on trends of blood donations were collected retrospectively for the period from 1st January to 30th April 2019 and the same period in 2020.

Results

Of 494 donors included, 432 (87·4%) were enrolled from fixed blood collection sites and 62 (12·6%) were contacted by phone. A total of 464 (93·9%) participants believed that the COVID‐19 is a lung disease, but some declared it to be imaginary (7·7%), a foreign disease (8·3%) or a blood‐borne disease (3·2%). The participants reported that the distribution of face masks and hydroalcoholic solutions (92·5%), social distancing and hygiene (6·3%) are the most important measures that need to be in place for safe donation. The number of blood donations dropped by 21·5% between 2019 and 2020.

Conclusion

Most of the donors know COVID‐19, its transmission routes and manifestations. In the absence of barrier measures, they perceive blood donation as a threat to their health. Distribution of masks and hydroalcoholic solution might motivate more donors and improve the blood supply.
A newly devised flow cytometric antibody binding assay helps evaluation of dithiothreitol treatment for the inactivation of CD38 on red blood cells
Authors: Furumaki Hiroaki , Takeshita Akihiro , Ohto Hitoshi , Yamada Chiaki , Fujihara Harumi , Ishizuka Keiko , Shibata Hiroki , Shinba Takahito , Nemoto Naoki , Ino Kaede , Ozawa Akari , Watanabe Hiroko , Kawabata Kinuyo , Obata Yukako
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives

Anti‐CD38 monoclonal antibodies, including daratumumab and isatuximab, often interfere with pretransfusion testing. Dithiothreitol (DTT) treatment of red blood cells (RBCs) negates this interference. However, the optimum DTT concentration and treatment time have not been well defined. Here, we quantified CD38 on RBCs before and after DTT treatment using a flow cytometric antibody binding assay (FABA) to specify the optimum conditions for CD38 inactivation.

Materials and methods

For FABA, untreated or DTT‐treated RBCs were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labelled anti‐CD38 antibody, in the presence or absence of 100‐fold or more excess of unlabelled anti‐CD38 antibody, and then analysed by flow cytometry (FCM). Dissociation of CD38‐positive and control histograms was determined from the D‐value using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The results from FABA were compared with those from conventional FCM, indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) and Western blotting.

Results

The results from FABA were more consistent than those from conventional FCM. The D‐value was found to be reliable in the analysis of difference between CD38 before and after DTT treatment. Our data showed that 0·0075 mol/l DTT for 30 min is sufficient to inactivate CD38 on RBCs. These results were stable and consistent with the findings from IAT.

Conclusion

Flow cytometric antibody binding assay is an objective way of evaluating the efficacy of DTT treatment for CD38 on RBCs. This approach allows the detection of a small number of cell surface antigens and will be useful for assessing the various chemical treatments to denature RBC antigens.
Automorphy lifting for residually reducible -adic Galois representations, II
Authors: Allen Patrick B. , Newton James , Thorne Jack A.
Published: December 2020

We revisit the paper [Automorphy lifting for residually reducible$l$-adic Galois representations, J. Amer. Math. Soc. 28 (2015), 785–870] by the third author. We prove new automorphy lifting theorems for residually reducible Galois representations of unitary type in which the residual representation is permitted to have an arbitrary number of irreducible constituents.
Computational Evaluation of Thermal Response of Open-Cell Foam With Circular Pore
Authors: Irick Kevin W. , Fathi Nima
Published: December 2020

The evaluation of effective material properties in heterogeneous materials (e.g., composites or multicomponent structures) is critically relevant to a wide spectrum of applications, including nuclear power, electronic packaging, flame retardants, hypersonics, and gas turbine power. The work described in this paper is centered around the numerical assessment of the thermal behavior of porous materials obtained from finite element thermal modeling and simulation. Two-dimensional, steady-state analyses were performed on unit cells with centered, circular pores using a second-order accurate Galerkin finite element method (FEM). The effective thermal conductivities of the porous systems were examined, encompassing a range of porosities from 4.9% to 60.1%. The geometries of the models were generated based on ordered circular pores for each modeled porosity level. The system response quantity (SRQ) under investigation was the dimensionless effective thermal conductivity across the unit cell. The dimensionless effective thermal conductivity was compared across all simulated cases, producing a trend between porosity and effective thermal conductivity. In the presented investigation, the method of manufactured solutions (MMS) was used to perform code verification, and the grid convergence index (GCI) was employed to estimate discretization uncertainty as solution verification. Code verification concluded an approximately second order accurate Galerkin FEM solver. It was found that the introduction of porosity to the unit cell material structure reduces effective thermal conductivity, as anticipated. Numerical results obtained in this study are compared to an analytical solution and to a sample of empirical data. This approach can be readily generalized to study a wide variety of porous solids from ranging from structures at the nanoscale—such as nanocarbon tubes—to structures at macrolevel scales—such as geological features.
Shear Bands in Materials Processing: Understanding the Mechanics of Flow Localization From Zener's Time to the Present
Authors: Viswanathan Koushik , Yadav Shwetabh , Sagapuram Dinakar
Published: December 2020

Shear banding is a material instability in large strain plastic deformation of solids, where otherwise homogeneous flow becomes localized in narrow micrometer-scale bands. Shear bands have broad implications for materials processing and failure under dynamic loading in a wide variety of material systems ranging from metals to rocks. This year marks 75 years since the publication of Zener and Hollomon's pioneering work on shear bands (Zener and Hollomon, J Appl. Phys., 15, 22–32, 1944), which is widely credited with drawing the attention of the mechanics community to shear bands and related localization phenomena. Since this landmark publication, there has been significant experimental and theoretical investigation into the onset of shear banding. Yet, given the extremely small length and time scales associated with band development, several challenges persist in studying the evolution of single bands, postinitiation. For instance, spatiotemporal development of strain fields in the vicinity of a band, crucial to understanding the transition from localized flow to fracture, has remained largely unexplored. Recent full-field displacement measurements, coupled with numerical modeling, have only begun to ameliorate this problem. This article summarizes our present understanding of plastic flow dynamics around single shear bands and the subsequent transition to fracture, with special emphasis on the postinstability stage. These topics are covered specifically from a materials processing perspective. We begin with a semihistorical look at some of Zener's early ideas on shear bands and discuss recent advances in experimental methods for mapping localized flow during band formation, including direct in situ imaging as well as ex situ/postmortem analyses. Classical theories and analytical frameworks are revisited in the light of recently published experimental data. We show that shear bands exhibit a wealth of complex flow characteristics that bear striking resemblance to viscous fluid flows and related boundary layer phenomena. Finally, new material systems and strategies for reproducing shear band formation at low speeds are discussed. It is hoped that these will help further our understanding of shear band dynamics, the subsequent transition to fracture, and lead to practical “control” strategies for suppressing shear band-driven failures in processing applications.
Susceptibility Trends of Zoliflodacin against Multidrug-Resistant
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Clinical Isolates in Nanjing, China, 2014 to 2018
Authors: Le Wenjing , Su Xiaohong , Lou Xiangdi , Li Xuechun , Gong Xiangdong , Wang Baoxi , Genco Caroline A. , Mueller John P. , Rice Peter A.
Published: December 2020

Previously, we reported the potent activity of a novel spiropyrimidinetrione, zoliflodacin, against
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
isolates collected in 2013 from symptomatic men in Nanjing, China. Here, we investigated trends of susceptibilities to zoliflodacin in 986 isolates collected from men between 2014 and 2018.
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates were tested for susceptibility to zoliflodacin and seven other antibiotics.
The Polyphosphate Kinase of Escherichia coli Is Required for Full Production of the Genotoxin Colibactin
Authors: Tang-Fichaux Min , Chagneau Camille V. , Bossuet-Greif Nadège , Nougayrède Jean-Philippe , Oswald Éric , Branchu Priscilla
Published: December 2020

Colibactin-producing
E. coli
induces DNA damage in eukaryotic cells and promotes tumor formation in mouse models of intestinal inflammation. Recent studies have provided strong evidence supporting the causative role of colibactin in human colorectal cancer (CRC) progression.
Isoamylene Oligomerization over Zeolite Catalysts
Authors: Grigor’eva N. G. , Serebrennikov D. V. , Bubennov S. V. , Kutepov B. I.
Published: December 2020

The study of isoamylene oligomerization over a number of microporous zeolites
such as H–Y, H–MOR, H–Beta, H–ZSM-12, and H–ZSM-5 revealed that the isoamylene
conversion rate decreases in the following order: H–MOR > H–Y > H–Beta-40
>> H–ZSM-12 > H–ZSM-5. The maximum yields of isoamylene oligomers were
achieved by using H–MOR (85.0%), H–Y (80.1%), and H–Beta-40 (79.8%). The
predominant isoamylene oligomers are dimers regardless of the zeolite catalyst
used. The trimer yield reaches its highest when wide-pore zeolites like H–MOR,
H–Y, or H–Beta-40 are employed. An increase in the number of acid sites enhances
monomer conversion rate, oligomer yield, and oligomer molecular weight.
Conditions for producing isopentene dimers and trimers with the maximum possible
yield were determined.
Effectiveness of solar disinfection water treatment method for reducing childhood diarrhoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Soboksa Negasa Eshete , Gari Sirak Robele , Hailu Abebe Beyene , Donacho Dereje Oljira , Alemu Bezatu Mengistie
Published: December 2020

Objective

This study aimed to pool out the available evidence on the effectiveness of the solar disinfection water treatment method for reducing childhood diarrhoea.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting

Global.

Methods

Searches were conducted in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library databases and references to other studies. The review included all children living anywhere in the world regardless of sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status published in English until December 2019. Studies that compared the diarrhoea incidence between the intervention group who were exposed to solar disinfection water treatment and the control group who were not exposed to such water treatment were included. The outcome of interest was the change in observed diarrhoea incidence and the risk from baseline to postintervention. Two independent reviewers critically appraised the selected studies. Effect sizes were expressed as risk ratios, and their 95% CIs were calculated for analysis.

Results

We identified 10 eligible studies conducted in Africa, Latin America and Asia that included 5795 children aged from 1 to 15 years. In all identified studies, solar disinfection reduced the risk of diarrhoea in children, and the effect was statistically significant in eight of the studies. The estimated pooled risk ratio of childhood diarrhoea among participants that used the solar disinfection water treatment method was 0.62 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.72). The overall pooled results indicated that the intervention of solar disinfection water treatment had reduced the risk of childhood diarrhoea by 38%.

Conclusions

The intervention of solar disinfection water treatment significantly reduced the risk of childhood diarrhoea. However, the risk of bias and marked heterogeneity of the included studies precluded definitive conclusions. Further high-quality studies are needed to determine whether solar disinfection water treatment is an important method to reduce childhood diarrhoea.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020159243
Prevalence and determinants of overweight/obesity among school-aged adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study of private and public schools
Authors: Baniissa Wegdan , Radwan Hadia , Rossiter Rachel , Fakhry Randa , Al-Yateem Nabeel , Al-Shujairi Arwa , Hasan Sanah , Macridis Soultana , Farghaly Abeer A , Naing Lin , Awad Manal A
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence and predictors of obesity among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Private and public secondary schools.

Participants

Adolescents aged 13–19 years; 434 (46.6%) from private schools and 498 (53.4%) from public schools.

Measures

Self-report questionnaires were used to assess adolescents’ sociodemographic factors, fruit/vegetable (F/V) intake and physical activity. Participants’ weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and body fat percentage (%BF) were measured, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Overweight/obesity was determined by BMI ≥85th percentile for age, abdominal obesity (AO) (WC, WHtR and WHR) and %BF.

Results

A total of 34.7% of participants were overweight/obese (BMI ≥85th percentile) and 378 (40.6%) had high %BF. AO was noted in 47.3%, 22.7% and 27.1% of participants, based on WC, WHR and WHtR, respectively. Significantly more participants from public schools were overweight/obese (37.8% vs 31.1%) and had greater AO (based on WC, WHR, WHtR) compared with those from private schools. Predictors of obesity based on BMI were: consuming less than five servings of F/V (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.41, 95% CI: 1.73 to 3.36), being physically inactive (AOR 2.09, CI: 1.36 to 3.22) and being men (AOR 3.35, 95% CI: 2.20 to 5.10). Predictors of AO were being men (WC: AOR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.00; WHtR: AOR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.81 to 4.08); studying at public school (WHR: AOR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.66); being Emirati (WHR: AOR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.90); consuming less than five servings of F/V (WC: AOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.30; WHtR: AOR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.03), and being physically inactive (WC: AOR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.35).

Conclusions

Focused interventions are needed to combat obesity while considering AO indicators and BMI to diagnose obesity in adolescents.
Incidence and trend of preterm birth in China, 1990–2016: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jing Shiwen , Chen Chang , Gan Yuexin , Vogel Joshua , Zhang Jun
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To update the WHO estimate of preterm birth rate in China in 1990–2016 and to further explore variations by geographic regions and years of occurrence.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Sinomed databases were searched from 1990 to 2018.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were included if they provided preterm birth data with at least 500 total births. Reviews, case–control studies, intervention studies and studies with insufficient information or published before 1990 were excluded. We estimated pooled incidence of preterm birth by a random effects model, and preterm birth rate in different year, region and by livebirths or all births in subgroup analyses.

Results

Our search identified 3945 records. After the removal of duplicates and screening of titles and abstracts, we reviewed 254 studies in full text and excluded 182, leaving 72 new studies. They were combined with the 82 studies included in the WHO report (154 studies, 187 data sets in total for the meta-analysis), including 24 039 084 births from 1990 to 2016. The pooled incidence of preterm birth in China was 6.09% (95% CI 5.86% to 6.31%) but has been steadily increasing from 5.36% (95% CI 4.89% to 5.84%) in 1990–1994 to 7.04% (95% CI 6.09% to 7.99%) in 2015–2016. The annual rate of increase was about 1.05% (95% CI 0.85% to 1.21%). Northwest China appeared to have the highest preterm birth rate (7.3%, 95% CI 4.92% to 9.68% from 1990 to 2016).

Conclusions

The incidence of preterm birth in China has been rising gradually in the past three decades. It was 7% in 2016. Preterm birth rate varied by region with the West having the highest occurrence.
Healthcare providers’ and managers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding international medical volunteering in Uganda: a qualitative study
Authors: Hayes Fenella , Clark Janet , McCauley Mary
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The study sought to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare providers and health programme managers regarding the benefits, challenges and impact of international medical volunteers’ clinical placements. Views on how to better improve the work of international medical volunteers and the volunteer organisation Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) for the benefit of local communities were also explored.

Settings

Public healthcare facilities, VSO offices in Gulu and VSO offices in Kampala, Uganda.

Participants

Ugandan healthcare providers (n=11) and health programme managers (n=6) who had worked with or managed international medical volunteers.

Interventions

Data collection was conducted using key informant interviews. Transcribed interviews were coded by topic and grouped into categories. Thematic framework analysis using NVivo identified emerging themes.

Results

Both healthcare providers and managers reported a beneficial impact of volunteers and working with the volunteer organisation (clinical service provision, multidisciplinary teamwork, patient-centred care, implementation of audits, improved quality of care, clinical teaching and mentoring for local healthcare providers); identified challenges of working with volunteers (language barriers and unrealistic expectations) and the organisation (lack of clear communication and feedback processes); and provided recommendations to improve volunteer placements and working partnership with the organisation (more local stakeholder input and longer placements). Most healthcare providers were positive and recommended that volunteers are enabled to continue to work in such settings if resources are available to do so.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers based in a low-resource setting report positive experiences and impacts of working with international medical volunteers. Currently, there is lack of local feedback processes, and the establishment of such processes that consider local stakeholder reflections requires further strengthening. These would help gain a better understanding of what is needed to ensure optimal effectiveness and sustainable impact of international medical volunteer placements.
Rotator cuff unloading versus loading exercise program in the conservative treatment of patients with rotator cuff tear: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ribeiro Larissa Pechincha , Cools Ann , Camargo Paula Rezende
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Atraumatic and degenerative rotator cuff tears are common in individuals over 55 years of age. This condition can have a high impact on social life and is associated with chronic pain, weakness and dysfunction of the upper limb. There is evidence that conservative approaches should be the first treatment option. Conservative treatment usually addresses a variety of therapeutic behaviours without providing scientific arguments for the choice and progression of exercises.

Objective

To compare the effects of two different exercise programmes based on the load of the rotator cuff on a population with shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears.

Methods and analysis

This is a controlled, randomised, blinded clinical trial. Seventy-eight individuals with shoulder pain and presence of atraumatic and degenerative rotator cuff tear will participate and will be randomly distributed between two groups. The primary outcome will be quality of life (The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index), and secondary outcomes will include pain, function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), fear avoidance beliefs (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Brazil), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, muscle strength of abductors, external and internal rotators of the shoulder, range of motion of arm elevation and patient satisfaction. The treatment will be performed for 12 weeks (2 x/week) acording to the selected group (Rotator Cuff Unloading x Rotator Cuff Loading Exercise Programme).

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03962231.
Access to infertility evaluation and treatment in two public fertility clinics and the reasons for withholding it: a prospective survey cohort study of healthcare professionals
Authors: Elenis Evangelia , Skoog Svanberg Agneta , Leandersson Pia , Lind Judith , Sydsjö Gunilla
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Study the proportion of patients affected by involuntary childlessness who are denied fertility treatment and the reasons behind this in a publicly funded healthcare system.

Design

Survey study using prospectively collected information by healthcare professionals.

Setting

Two university-affiliated fertility clinics in Sweden.

Participants

Single women and couples in heterosexual and homosexual relationships seeking fertility evaluation and treatment between November 2017 and April 2018 (943 individual cases).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Number and proportion of individuals who were either denied, delayed or granted fertility treatment directly. Furthermore, the reasons behind delaying or completely withholding treatment.

Results

The majority of those seeking evaluation were heterosexual couples (75%), while 14% were single women and 7.5% were same-sex couples. The great majority of those undergoing evaluation were granted treatment either directly (85%) or after in-depth evaluation (7.5%), while 7.5% were denied treatment. Among those who were denied treatment, there were a greater proportion of single women and couples seeking treatment with donated gametes. Among heterosexual couples, gamete origin was not associated with treatment refusal. Although age did not differ between those granted and denied treatment, a higher body mass index (in both recipient and partner, when applicable) was observed among those being refused treatment. Fertility specialists in Sweden focused their assessment on parental factors that may indirectly entail a risk of harm to the future child, such as medical and psychiatric conditions of the individuals involved, their financial constraints and other social reasons, substance abuse and female obesity.

Conclusion

Being single or receiving treatment with donated gametes can both be reasons for withholding fertility treatment. Although difficult to operationalise, parenting assessment in Sweden is employed interchangeably in treatments with donated gametes (legally mandated assessment) and even autologous gametes (non-legally mandated assessment)—making evident a need for clear official policy guidelines regulating these assessments and the provision of treatment.
Patients’ and kidney care team’s perspectives of treatment burden and capacity in older people with chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study
Authors: Hounkpatin Hilda O , Leydon Geraldine M , Veighey Kristin , Armstrong Kirsten , Santer Miriam , Taal Maarten W , Annells Pete , May Carl , Roderick Paul J , Fraser Simon DS
Published: December 2020

Objective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often a multimorbid condition and progression to more severe disease is commonly associated with increased management requirements, including lifestyle change, more medication and greater clinician involvement. This study explored patients’ and kidney care team’s perspectives of the nature and extent of this workload (treatment burden) and factors that support capacity (the ability to manage health) for older individuals with CKD.

Design

Qualitative semistructured interview and focus group study.

Setting and participants

Adults (aged 60+) with predialysis CKD stages G3–5 (identified in two general practitioner surgeries and two renal clinics) and a multiprofessional secondary kidney care team in the UK.

Results

29 individuals and 10 kidney team members were recruited. Treatment burden themes were: (1) understanding CKD, its treatment and consequences, (2) adhering to treatments and management and (3) interacting with others (eg, clinicians) in the management of CKD. Capacity themes were: (1) personal attributes (eg, optimism, pragmatism), (2) support network (family/friends, service providers), (3) financial capacity, environment (eg, geographical distance to unit) and life responsibilities (eg, caring for others). Patients reported poor provision of CKD information and lack of choice in treatment, whereas kidney care team members discussed health literacy issues. Patients reported having to withdraw from social activities and loss of employment due to CKD, which further impacted their capacity.

Conclusion

Improved understanding of and measures to reduce the treatment burden (eg, clear information, simplified medication, joined up care, free parking) associated with CKD in individuals as well as assessment of their capacity and interventions to improve capacity (social care, psychological support) will likely improve patient experience and their engagement with kidney care services.
Validity of a 3-dimensional body scanner: comparison against a 4-compartment model and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Cabre Hannah E. , Blue Malia N.M. , Hirsch Katie R. , Brewer Gabrielle J. , Gould Lacey M. , Nelson Alyson G. , Smith-Ryan Abbie E.
Published: December 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) body scanner technology for body composition assessment is expanding. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a 3D body scanner. One hundred and ninety-four participants (43% male; age: 23.52 ± 5.47 years; body mass index: 23.98 ± 3.24 kg·m−2) were measured using 3D scanner and a 4-compartment (4C) model utilizing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography, and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy. Dependent t tests, validity statistics including total error (TE), standard error of the estimate, constant error, and Bland–Altman analyses were utilized. Compared with 4C, 3D scanner fat mass (FM) [mean difference (MD; 3D−4C): 2.66 kg ± 3.32 kg] and percent body fat (%BF) (MD: 4.13% ± 5.36%) were significantly (p < 0.001) over-predicted; fat free mass (FFM) was significantly underpredicted (MD: −3.15 kg ± 4.75 kg; p < 0.001). 3D demonstrated poor validity indicated by TE (%BF: 5.61%; FM: 4.50 kg; FFM: 5.69 kg). In contrast, there were no significant differences between 3D and DXA measures; 3D scanner demonstrated acceptable measurement for %BF (TE: 4.25%), FM (TE: 2.92 kg), and lean mass (TE: 3.86 kg). Compared with the 4C criterion, high TE values indicated 3D estimates were not valid. In contrast, 3D estimates produced acceptable measurement agreement when compared with DXA; an average overestimation of %BF by 5.31% (vs. 4C) and 4.20% (vs. DXA) may be expected.

Novelty: 3D body composition estimates are not valid compared with the 4-C criterion model. 3D estimates appeared to be more valid in females, compared with males. When compared with DXA, 3D estimates were acceptable.
Gold nanoparticle decorated rGO-encapsulated metal-organic framework composite sensor for the detection of dopamine
Authors: Yang Shaoming , Zhang Jian , Bai Chaopeng , Deng Kaiqiang
Published: December 2020

In this study, by encapsulation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into Ni-based metal–organic framework (Ni-MOF) structure, the composite rGO@Ni-MOF was first prepared. Then, gold nanoparticle (AuNP) decorated rGO@Ni-MOF (rGO@Ni-MOF/AuNP) were obtained through the electrodeposition. The morphology and structure of rGO@Ni-MOF/AuNP were characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The rGO@Ni-MOF/AuNP modified electrode was used for the detection of dopamine. Combining the catalysis from Ni-MOF and AuNP with the conductivity of rGO endowed rGO@Ni-MOF/AuNP with synergetic high catalytic activity to the electrochemical oxidation of dopamine. The developed modified electrode had a good linear relationship with dopamine in the concentration range of 0.5∼120 μM, and the detection limit was 0.33 μM (S/N = 3). Additionally, the potential interferents, electrode stability, reproducibility, and practical applications were also studied and satisfactory results were obtained.
J-PARC heavy ion experiment
Authors: Hachiya Takashi
Published: December 2020

J-PARC Heavy Ion project (J-PARC-HI) is a future fixed target experiment to study the properties of the dense matter created by the heavy-ion collisions with 1–12[Formula: see text]AGeV/[Formula: see text] at J-PARC. This project aims to search for the QCD phase boundary and its critical endpoint and to study the equation of state of the dense matter at J-PARC. For this purpose, the high-intensity beam and the precision detector with high-speed DAQ are necessary. J-PARC will be upgraded to produce the world’s highest intensity of heavy-ion beam by adding a new compact heavy-ion linac and a booster ring and utilizing the existing RCS and MR synchrotrons. We will construct the multi-purpose spectrometer with a large acceptance to measure hadrons, dileptons and photons, and their correlations and fluctuations. In these proceedings, we will report the current status of the project, the design of the detector configuration, and detector R&D.
Boundary entropy spectra as finite subsums
Authors: Oppelmayer Hanna
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we provide a concrete construction of Furstenberg entropy values of [Formula: see text]-boundaries of the group [Formula: see text] by choosing an appropriate random walk [Formula: see text]. We show that the boundary entropy spectrum can be realized as the subsum-set for any given finite sequence of positive numbers.