bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Aggravated Struggle for Regional Power in the Middle East: American Allies Saudi Arabia and Israel versus Iran
Authors: Beck Martin
Published: February 2020

The present contribution first describes the aggravated Middle Eastern power competition in the 21st century, thereby emphasizing two aspects: the concentration of participants in the regional power game to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iran, including shifts in regional power distribution; and the recent trend of entanglement of the Israeli–Iranian conflict with that between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Second, it contributes to an explanation of these developments by discussing the explanatory power of approaches based on three paradigms: primordialism, rationalism, and social constructivism. It is shown that a rationalist school of thought – structural realism – does not perform perfectly but nonetheless does rather well in explaining the aggravated power competition in the Middle East and the entanglement of the rivalries of each of the two American allies with Iran. At the same time, it is shown that the best way of bridging some of the explanatory gaps of structural realism in the case of Middle Eastern power politics is to epistemologically embed insights from rationalist schools of thought in a setting of a positivist version of social constructivism. On this fundament, the article explores a Copenhagen School‐inspired approach of securitization to better comprehend recent developments of aggravated Middle Eastern power conflicts.
Enhancing Europe’s Global Power: A Scenario Exercise with Eight Proposals
Authors: Abels Christoph M. , Anheier Helmut K. , Begg Iain , Featherstone Kevin
Published: February 2020

In the present context of intensifying competition between the major trading economies and potentially game‐changing technological developments, the European Union is generally seen as the weaker party. Lacking the ‘hard power’ derived from military capabilities, it has laid claim to a ‘soft power’ of normative influence externally, yet even that is only partially utilised. Nor has Europe been able to exercise the power to coerce – ‘sharp power’ – commensurate with its economic weight as a trading bloc equivalent in size and reach to the US or China, its most prominent global competitors. How can Europe strengthen its position, and in what fields? Through a scenario exercise, we develop eight policy proposals aimed at countering Europe´s vulnerabilities and enabling it to assert its sharp and soft power more effectively. Specifically, we consider the feasibility, means and scope for their realisation. Together, they provide a transformative agenda for the EU’s position in the world.
Influences of non‐nutritive sweeteners on ovarian and uterine expression of T1R2 and T1R3 in peripubertal female guinea pigs
Authors: Li Junrong , Shen Ting , Shi Fangxiong , Fu Yan
Published: February 2020

The underlying mechanism of taste receptor type 1 subunit 2 (T1R2) and taste receptor type 1 subunit 3 (T1R3) in the hormonal and reproductive system is still elusive. A low or a high dose of sweetness equivalent to that sodium saccharin (SS, 1.5 or 7.5 mM) and rebaudioside A (RA, 0.5 or 2.5 mM) was administered to young female guinea pigs for 28 consecutive days from the age of 28 days. Our results indicated that the sweet taste receptor subunit T1R2 was markedly expressed in the ovary and uterus of guinea pigs, whereas the T1R3 protein was expressed at a lower level. We elucidated that low‐dose (1.5 mM) SS increased body and ovary weight associated with elevated ovarian expression of T1R2 in guinea pigs, unlike the high‐dose (7.5 mM) SS, which suppressed the ovarian expression of T1R2 and resulted in certain adverse effects on ovarian and uterine morphology. Furthermore, high‐dose (2.5 mM) RA increased the number of corpus luteum and elevated uterine expression of T1R2, whereas low‐dose (0.5 mM) RA induced increased secretion of serum progesterone. Therefore, our findings suggest that we should pay more attention to the potential adverse effects, including increases in ovary weight, morphology changes, and increased progesterone that result from the dose‐dependent regulation of T1R2 by non‐nutritive sweeteners (NNS) in the ovaries and uteri of peripubertal females.
Outcome of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable: a retrospective study by the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT
Authors: McLornan Donal P. , Malpassuti Vittoria , Lippinkhof‐Kozijn Anne , Potter Victoria , Beelen Dietrich , Bunjes Donald , Sengeloev Henrik , Radujkovic Aleksandar , Passweg Jakob , Chalandon Yves , Kröger Nicolaus , Wulf Gerald G. , Johansson Jan‐Erik , Ciceri Fabio , Bornhäuser Martin , Holler Ernst , Guffroy Blandine , Martin Sonja , Neubauer Andreas , Gramatski Martin , Robin Marie , Iacobelli Simona , Hayden Patrick , Hernández Boluda Juan C. , Czerw Tomasz , Yakoub‐Agha Ibrahim
Published: February 2020

Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN), unclassifiable (MPN‐U) is a heterogeneous disease with regards to both clinical phenotype and disease course. Patients may initially be asymptomatic or present with leucocytosis or thrombocytosis, anaemia, progressive splenomegaly, constitutional symptom, thromboses or accelerated/blastic phase disease. Treatment strategies are variable and there are no widely accepted consensus management guidelines for MNU‐U. Allogeneic Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation (allo‐HCT) remains the only curative strategy yet outcomes, to date, are not well defined. We hereby report on the largest retrospective study of patients with MPN‐U undergoing allo‐HCT, highlighting the potentially curative role and providing clinicians with robust engraftment, GvHD and outcome data to facilitate patient discussion.
“Why would they care?”: Youth, resource extraction, and climate change in northern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Sloan Morgan Vanessa
Published: February 2020

Discussion about local decision making tends to overlook rural and remote youth engagement. Resource extractive industries are, however, fixtures in many rural, remote, northern, and Indigenous communities in settler colonial British Columbia, Canada. These industries shape youths' perceived options for social and economic ventures when they are looking towards their futures. By engaging literature on climate change, settler colonialism, and critical Indigenous studies, and drawing on empirics from workshops conducted with youth from northern British Columbia, this paper explores how rural and remote northern and Indigenous youth engagement and perspectives can transform discussions on climate change and resource extraction. The paper documents how rural and northern youth have been engaged in environmental decision making, particularly in light of resource extraction. The paper also suggests that environmental decision making has at times been extractive itself. The paper concludes that when engaged meaningfully, youth desire to work collectively against social and environmental injustices.
The positive experience of encountering wolves in the wild
Authors: Arbieu Ugo , Albrecht Jörg , Mehring Marion , Bunnefeld Nils , Reinhardt Ilka , Mueller Thomas
Published: February 2020

Large carnivores often impact human livelihoods and well‐being. Previous research has mostly focused on the negative impacts of large carnivores on human well‐being but has rarely considered the positive aspects of living with large carnivores. In particular, we know very little on people's direct experiences with large carnivores like personal encounters and on people's awareness and tolerance toward their exposure to large carnivores. Here, we focus on the wolf (Canis lupus), and report on a phone survey in Germany. We examined whether encounters with wolves were positive or negative experiences and quantified people's awareness and tolerance related to their exposure to wolves. We found that the majority of people reported positive experiences when encountering wolves, regardless of whether wolves were encountered in the wild within Germany, in the wild abroad, or in captivity. The frequency of encounters did not affect the probability to report positive, neutral, or negative experiences. Moreover, people in Germany expressed a high tolerance of living in close vicinity to wolves. These findings are novel and important because they highlight the positive aspects of living in proximity with large carnivores in human‐dominated landscapes.
Cross‐Border Vertical Integration and Technology in Factory Asia: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Chun Hyunbae , Hur Jung , Kim Doyoung , Son Nyeong Seon
Published: February 2020

Factory Asia, supply chains in Asian countries, is a center of global manufacturing. Over the last decade, Asian multinational enterprises have become a significant part of Factory Asia. In this paper, we examine the boundaries of Korean firms in Asia. More specifically, we test the predictions of property rights theory for cross‐border vertical integration, using firm‐level data from Korean multinational enterprises. In line with the theory's predictions, we find that cross‐border backward vertical integration is positively related to the R&D intensity of domestic producing industries and negatively related to those of foreign supplying industries, but only when transactions between the producing and supplying industries are large enough. These results can help us to understand how Asian multinational enterprises develop their supply chains in Asia.
Global distribution and bioclimatic characterization of alpine biomes
Authors: Testolin Riccardo , Attorre Fabio , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja
Published: February 2020

Although there is a general consensus on the distribution and ecological features of terrestrial biomes, the allocation of alpine ecosystems in the global biogeographic system is still unclear. Here, we delineate a global map of alpine areas above the treeline by modelling regional treeline elevation at 30 m resolution, using global forest cover data and quantile regression. We then used global datasets to 1) assess the climatic characteristics of alpine ecosystems using principal component analysis, 2) define bioclimatic groups by an optimized cluster analysis and 3) evaluate patterns of primary productivity based on the normalized difference vegetation index. As defined here, alpine biomes cover 3.56 Mkm2or 2.64% of land outside Antarctica. Despite temperature differences across latitude, these ecosystems converge below a sharp threshold of 5.9°C and towards the colder end of the global climatic space. Below that temperature threshold, alpine ecosystems are influenced by a latitudinal gradient of mean annual temperature and they are climatically differentiated by seasonality and continentality. This gradient delineates a climatic envelope of global alpine biomes around temperate, boreal and tundra biomes as defined in Whittaker's scheme. Although alpine biomes are similarly dominated by poorly vegetated areas, world ecoregions show strong differences in the productivity of their alpine belt irrespectively of major climate zones. These results suggest that vegetation structure and function of alpine ecosystems are driven by regional and local contingencies in addition to macroclimatic factors.
Modelling bioenergetic and population‐level impacts of invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) on native paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) in backwaters of the lower Mississippi River
Authors: Kinlock Nicole L. , Laybourn Adam J. , Murphy Catherine E. , Hoover Jan Jeffrey , Friedenberg Nicholas A.
Published: February 2020

While invasions of large rivers by exotic fish species are well documented, assessing actual or potential impacts on native species is a challenge. Rapid assessments may be possible through the application of a combination of bioenergetic and population dynamic models.

Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is a native species in the central USA with a history of population decline due to waterway development and overharvesting for roe. It is not known whether paddlefish are impacted by resource competition from invasive bigheaded carp populations, including silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), which have expanded dramatically in the Mississippi River.

We used bioenergetic models to project the potential impact of invasive silver and bighead carp on zooplankton density and paddlefish somatic growth in backwater habitat. Bioenergetic outputs were translated to impacts on fecundity, becoming inputs for 50‐year metapopulation simulations of backwater habitat connected to the main‐stem Mississippi River by episodic flood events.

Competition with carp reduced growth and increased the risk of population decline for paddlefish. Impacts increased disproportionately with increased carp abundance and were further exacerbated in scenarios with increased diet overlap or decreased zooplankton abundance.

We also analysed paddlefish condition data collected at sites near the lower Mississippi River with varying histories of carp invasion. These data give credence to the bioenergetic model output; paddlefish had reduced body condition at sites with long‐established, high‐density carp populations.

We conclude that invasive bigheaded carps have great potential to reduce paddlefish growth, fecundity, and abundance. The pairing of bioenergetics and population models is likely to be broadly useful in assessing the risks posed by other invasive species.
Deepened winter snow cover enhances net ecosystem exchange and stabilizes plant community composition and productivity in a temperate grassland
Authors: Li Ping , Sayer Emma J. , Jia Zhou , Liu Weixing , Wu Yuntao , Yang Sen , Wang Chengzhang , Yang Lu , Chen Dima , Bai Yongfei , Liu Lingli
Published: February 2020

Global warming has greatly altered winter snowfall patterns, and there is a trend towards increasing winter snow in semi‐arid regions in China. Winter snowfall is an important source of water during early spring in these water‐limited ecosystems, and it can also affect nutrient supply. However, we know little about how changes in winter snowfall will affect ecosystem productivity and plant community structure during the growing season. Here, we conducted a 5‐year winter snow manipulation experiment in a temperate grassland in Inner Mongolia. We measured ecosystem carbon flux from 2014 to 2018 and plant biomass and species composition from 2015 to 2018. We found that soil moisture increased under deepened winter snow in early growing season, particularly in deeper soil layers. Deepened snow increased the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) and reduced intra‐ and inter‐annual variation in NEE. Deepened snow did not affect aboveground plant biomass (AGB) but significantly increased root biomass. This suggested that the enhanced NEE was allocated to the belowground, which improved water acquisition and thus contributed to greater stability in NEE in deep‐snow plots. Interestingly, the AGB of grasses in the control plots declined over time, resulting in a shift towards a forb‐dominated system. Similar declines in grass AGB were also observed at three other locations in the region over the same time frame and are attributed to 4 years of below‐average precipitation during the growing season. By contrast, grass AGB was stabilized under deepened winter snow and plant community composition remained unchanged. Hence, our study demonstrates that increased winter snowfall may stabilize arid grassland systems by reducing resource competition, promoting coexistence between plant functional groups, which ultimately mitigates the impacts of chronic drought during the growing season.
The banned sunscreen ingredients and their impact on human health: a systematic review
Authors: Suh Susie , Pham Christine , Smith Janellen , Mesinkovska Natasha A.
Published: February 2020

Recent evidence of high systemic absorption of sunscreen ingredients has raised concerns regarding the safety of sunscreen products. Oxybenzone (BP‐3) and octinoxate (OMC), two common sunscreen ingredients, were recently banned in Key West and Hawaii owing to their toxic effects on marine ecosystems. Their impact on human health requires a careful assessment. To summarize the current evidence on the association between the systemic level of BP‐3 or OMC and its health impact, a primary literature search was conducted using PubMed database in February 2019. There are 29 studies that address the impact of these ingredients on human health. Studies show that elevated systemic level of BP‐3 has no adverse effect on male and female fertility, female reproductive hormone level, adiposity, fetal growth, child's neurodevelopment, and sexual maturation. However, the association of BP‐3 level on thyroid hormone, testosterone level, kidney function, and pubertal timing has been reported and prompts further investigations to validate a true association. The systemic absorption of OMC has no reported effect on thyroid and reproductive hormone levels. In conclusion, current evidence is not sufficient to support the causal relationship between the elevated systemic level of BP‐3 or OMC and adverse health outcomes. There are either contradictory findings among different studies or an insufficient number of studies to corroborate the observed association. To accurately evaluate the long‐term risk of exposure to BP‐3 and OMC from sunscreen, a well‐designed longitudinal randomized controlled trial needs to be conducted.
Retracted: Skin‐patch of Xin Huang Pian on relieving joint symptoms in patients with acute gouty arthritis: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Active‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Xu Bi‐Yu , Huang Ying‐Juan , Sun Bao‐Guo , Gu Dan , Zhang Yu‐Ling , Zhang Xiao‐Qin , Li Yu‐Ying , Li Ying‐Hong , Meng Jun
Published: February 2020

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Xin Huang Pian skin patches for patients with acute gouty arthritis.

Background

In China, patients with acute gouty arthritis benefit from skin patcheses with herbal medicines. But the clinical effects of skin patches with Xin Huang Pian are rarely reported.

Design

A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Active‐Controlled Trial.

Methods

The trial was performed from January 2015–December 2018 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University in China. It was conducted with one intervention group (skin patches of Xin Huang Pian, N = 30) and one active control group (skin patches of Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel, N = 31). Participants and study investigators were both blinded to the treatment assignments. The primary outcomes were the improvement of joints' symptoms. The secondary outcomes were changes in white blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein.

Results

Skin patches of Xin Huang Pian showed quick effect on decreasing joint pain at 3rd day of treatment. Wherever only at 7th day, Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel markedly lowered joint pain. Xin Huang Pian also showed superior effect than Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel on improving joint swelling and range of motion and decreasing the levels of C‐reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No adverse reactions were observed in skin patches of Xin Huang Pian treatment.

Conclusion

Skin patches of Xin Huang Pian appeared to be safe and efficacious for relieving joint symptoms in patients with acute gouty arthritis. The mechanism might be associated with the decreased levels of C‐reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Impact

Skin‐patcheses with Xin Huang Pian are more effective than Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel on improving joint pain, swelling and range of motion. Xin Huang Pian treatment showed superior effects compared with Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel on decreasing levels of C‐reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Patients with acute gouty arthritis may benefit from skin patches of Xin Huang Pian for effective relief from joint pain and swelling.

Chinese Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR‐TRC‐1300 4122.
Psychosocial interventions for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia: A systematic review
Authors: MacDonald Steven , Summers S. J.
Published: February 2020

Background

People with intellectual disability experience a higher prevalence of dementia, at an earlier age, than the general population. The aim of this review was to establish the psychological interventions and outcomes for individuals with intellectual disability and dementia.

Methods

A search of eight electronic databases and reference lists of all included articles was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Data were synthesized using an integrative method.

Results

Initial searching produced 2,331 papers. Twenty‐one studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were deductively categorized into behavioural, systemic and therapeutic. All studies reported positive findings for individuals and for the systems which support them, but limited by methodological issues and neglect of the direct experience and impact on individuals themselves.

Conclusions

The findings are discussed in relation to the wider literature and evidence base. Future research should aim to adopt methodologically robust designs that are inclusive of the individual experience of people with intellectual disability.
Taxable income, future profitability, and stock returns
Authors: Blaylock Bradley , Lawson Bradley P. , Mayberry Michael A.
Published: February 2020

Prior research suggests that investors behave ‘as if’ taxable income contains information about future performance by providing evidence of a positive association between taxable income and stock returns. We draw on the fundamental analysis literature and provide direct evidence on this assertion by examining whether taxable income predicts future pretax performance. We find that taxable income positively predicts future pretax cash flows, pretax book income, and ‘Street’ pretax earnings, suggesting that taxable income provides incremental information to book income regarding performance. Moreover, we find a positive association between taxable income and analysts’ pretax forecasts, consistent with analysts utilizing the information in taxable income when forming earnings expectations. We do not find an association between taxable income and future analyst forecast errors, implying analysts do not overreact or underreact to taxable income's performance signal. Overall, we find that taxable income provides a signal of fundamental value and corroborate the implications of prior research.
Computational thinking and assignment resubmission predict persistence in a computer science MOOC
Authors: Chen Chen , Sonnert Gerhard , Sadler Philip M. , Malan David J.
Published: February 2020

Massive open online course (MOOC) studies have shown that precourse skills (such as precomputational thinking) and course engagement measures (such as making multiple submission attempts with assignments when the initial submission is incorrect) predict students' grade performance, yet little is known about whether these factors predict students' course retention. In applying survival analysis to a sample of more than 20,000 participants from one popular computer science MOOC, we found that students' precomputational thinking skills and their perseverance in assignment submission strongly predict their persistence in the MOOC. Moreover, we discovered that precomputational thinking skills, programming experience, and gender, which were previously considered to be constant predictors of students' retention, have effects that attenuate over the course milestones. This finding suggests that MOOC educators should take a growth perspective towards students' persistence: As students overcome the initial hurdles, their resilience grows stronger.
Benefits of BCG‐induced metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis in autoimmune and nervous system diseases
Authors: Faustman D. L.
Published: February 2020

The most commonly used vaccine worldwide, bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG), appears to have the ability to restore blood sugar control in humans with early‐onset but long‐duration type 1 diabetes when a repeat vaccination strategy is used. This is a process that may be driven by a metabolic switch from overactive oxidative phosphorylation to accelerated aerobic glycolysis and a reset of the immune system. BCG is a live, attenuated strain of Mycobacteria bovis, a cousin of M. tuberculosis. Humans and Mycobacteria, which are found in the environment and in warm‐blooded hosts, share a long coevolutionary history. In recent times, humans have had fewer exposures to these and other microorganisms that historically helped shape the immune response. By ‘re‐introducing’ an attenuated form of Mycobacteria via BCG vaccination, humans might benefit from an immunological perspective, a concept supported by a growing body of data in autoimmunity and robust data on the nonspecific immune effects of BCG related to protection from diverse infections and early mortality. New findings of immune and metabolic defects in type 1 diabetes that can be corrected with repeat BCG vaccination suggest that this therapeutic strategy may be applicable in other diseases with inadequate aerobic glycolysis, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression and other disorders affecting the nervous system.
Longitudinal Patterns of School Disengagement before Conception among New York City Teen Mothers
Authors: Yunzal‐Butler Cristina , Sackoff Judith , Korenman Sanders
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

School‐based pregnancy prevention programs should optimally be offered while students are still engaged in school since early disengagement is strongly associated with risk of a teen birth.

METHODS

We used linked New York City birth and enrollment data (2005–2013), a sample of 6,809 teen mothers (mean age conception = 16.2 years). We measured preconception disengagement using monthly absences, age 12 until conception, and identified five attendance trajectories using group‐based trajectory modeling.

RESULTS

We identified five attendance trajectories that were heterogeneous with respect to age of onset and rate of increase of absenteeism. In two groups, 80% were chronically absent (CA) [2–<4 absences/month] or severely chronically absent (SCA) [4+ absences/month] at age 12, and over 90% by age 13, when they averaged 3.8–5.1 absences/month. Despite heterogeneity, 37% of teen mothers were CA or SCA at age 12, increasing to 56% by age 14. By early high school, age 15, 63% of teen mothers had absenteeism problems; 26% were CA and 37%
SCA.

CONCLUSIONS

Most teen mothers were disengaged before high school, years before conception. School‐based pregnancy prevention programs should be offered in middle school or earlier when at‐risk students are not missing significant amounts of school and may be more receptive to prevention messages.
A Study of Chaetoceros debilis Sensu Lato Species (Bacillariophyceae), with Ememdation of C. debilis and Description of C. galeatus Sp. Nov.1
Authors: Xu Xiaojing , Lundholm Nina , Li Yang
Published: February 2020

Chaetoceros debilis is considered one of the most abundant and widespread diatoms in the coastal marine phytoplankton, and is often used in research studies ranging from ecophysiology and molecular biology to oceanography and aquaculture. To clarify the species delineation of C. debilis and explore the diversity among C. debilis sensu lato taxa, monoclonal strains were established from different geographical regions, including the Danish coast, close to the type locality of C. debilis, the Denmark Strait (between Iceland and Greenland) as well as the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea and Daya Bay, South China Sea. Vegetative cells and resting spores were examined using light and electron microscopy. The hypervariable D1–D3 region of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal gene and the small subunit ribosomal gene were sequenced to address phylogenetic relationships. In both SSU and LSU trees, the C. debilis sensu lato strains clustered in four distinct clades. Culture material from the type locality was, along with molecular data, used to delineate and emend the description of C. debilis. Based on molecular data and detailed morphological features, one of the clades originating from Chinese waters was described as C. galeatus sp. nov., characterized by curved and helical chains, elliptical valves, and smooth and helmet‐shaped primary valves of the resting spores. The remaining two clades, which also represent two novel taxa, C. cf. debilis‐1 and C. cf. debilis‐2, were not formally described as new species due to the insufficient information on their morphology.
Molecular inflammation and oxidative stress are shared mechanisms involved in both myocardial infarction and periodontitis
Authors: Díaz Carmen M. , Bullon Beatriz , Ruiz‐Salmerón Rafael J. , Fernández‐Riejos Patricia , Fernández‐Palacín Ana , Battino Maurizio , Cordero Mario D. , Quiles José L. , Varela‐López Alfonso , Bullón Pedro
Published: February 2020

Background and Objective

Our aims were to improve the understanding of the pathogenic relationship between cardiovascular diseases and periodontitis and to generate new perspectives in the prevention and treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and periodontitis. The present study evaluates possible differences in inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy markers among subject suffering AMI, periodontitis, or both, to explore possible common pathogenic mechanisms.

Material and Methods

A total of 260 subjects were enrolled in the study: 106 subjects that survived to a first AMI (AMI group) and 154 subjects had no cardiac events in their clinical record (control group). A questionnaire was used to assess age, height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. The clinical probing depth, clinical attachment loss, number of remaining teeth, and average number of sites with bleeding on probing were assessed. Lipid peroxidation and protein levels of phosphorylated AMP‐activated protein kinase (p‐AMPK) and microtubule‐associated proteins 1A/1B‐light chain 3‐II (LC3‐II) were determined in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and Western blot, respectively. Plasma levels of interleukin‐1β were determined using a commercial ELISA kit. All the obtained variables were compared between subjects suffering an AMI with or without periodontitis and control subject periodontal healthy or with periodontitis.

Results

A higher proportion of subjects suffering AMI + periodontitis than only AMI (without periodontitis) was found. Higher levels of TBARS were found in subjects with periodontitis than in subjects without periodontitis in both AMI and control subjects. Positive correlations between IL‐1β levels and TBARS and between IL‐1β levels and LC3‐II were found only in control subjects.

Conclusion

Results from the present study are consistent with the suggestion of periodontitis as a potential risk factor for AMI. Periodontitis association with circulating lipid peroxides in both AMI and control subjects were found. The absence of differences in IL‐1β levels between AMI subjects (only AMI vs AMI + periodontitis) suggests that oxidative stress could be the main pathogenic link between AMI and periodontitis.
Plant Breeders’ Rights Act 2016: Prospects and challenges for Pakistan as an agricultural country
Authors: Abbas Muhammad Z.
Published: February 2020

With diminishing land availability and increasing population, food security and loss of agricultural biodiversity are two of the current common challenges faced by the global community. In this context, the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act 2016 (PBRA 2016) may have far‐reaching consequences for Pakistan, an agricultural country where the livelihood of a majority of the population is linked with agriculture. This paper critically analyses the new legislation and seeks to answer the following research questions: To what extent the PBRA 2016 complies with Pakistan's obligations under Article 27(3)(b) of the TRIPS Agreement and to what extent has Pakistan availed itself of the flexibility or latitude offered under TRIPS? What are the salient features of the Act? What are the prospects and challenges for the seed industry in Pakistan? What are practical implications for farmers, especially small farmers, who find it difficult to access protected or certified varieties of seeds from the formal seed sector due to physical and financial constraints? To what extent the Act is able to reconcile Pakistan's conflicting obligations under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)?
Differential divergence in autosomes and sex chromosomes is associated with intra‐island diversification at a very small spatial scale in a songbird lineage
Authors: Bourgeois Yann X. C. , Bertrand Joris A. M. , Delahaie Boris , Holota Hélène , Thébaud Christophe , Milá Borja
Published: February 2020

Recently diverged taxa showing marked phenotypic and ecological diversity provide optimal systems to understand the genetic processes underlying speciation. We used genome‐wide markers to investigate the diversification of the Reunion grey white‐eye (Zosterops borbonicus) on the small volcanic island of Reunion (Mascarene archipelago), where this species complex exhibits four geographical forms that are parapatrically distributed across the island and differ strikingly in plumage colour. One form restricted to the highlands is separated by a steep ecological gradient from three distinct lowland forms which meet at narrow hybrid zones that are not associated with environmental variables. Analyses of genomic variation based on single nucleotide polymorphism data from genotyping‐by‐sequencing and pooled RAD‐seq approaches show that signatures of selection associated with elevation can be found at multiple regions across the genome, whereas most loci associated with the lowland forms are located on the Z sex chromosome. We identified TYRP1, a Z‐linked colour gene, as a likely candidate locus underlying colour variation among lowland forms. Tests of demographic models revealed that highland and lowland forms diverged in the presence of gene flow, and divergence has progressed as gene flow was restricted by selection at loci across the genome. This system holds promise for investigating how adaptation and reproductive isolation shape the genomic landscape of divergence at multiple stages of the speciation process.
Capillary microscopy in Europeans with idiopathic Moyamoya angiopathy
Authors: Sander Oliver , Schwitalla Jan Claudius , Ringelstein Marius , Aktas Orhan , Schneider Matthias , Berlit Peter , Hartung Hans‐Peter , Albrecht Philipp , Kraemer Markus
Published: February 2020

Objective

In Europe, MMA is a very rare non‐inflammatory vasculopathy. MMA is an important differential diagnosis of cerebral vasculitis. Systemic manifestations, such as livedo racemosa or renal artery stenosis, associated with Moyamoya variants suggest the involvement also of non‐cerebral vessels. Hypothetically, capillary microscopy could be a promising non‐invasive screening method to visualize microcirculation, for example prior to cerebral angiography.

Methods

Standardized capillary microscopic images were taken in European patients with MMA and subsequently evaluated in a blinded analysis, using data obtained from a large NP cohort and a large SLE cohort by the same blinded Investigator as controls.

Results

Twenty‐four European MMD patients and 14 healthy accompanying controls were included in this study. The results were compared to 116 SLE patients and 754 NP subjects. In MMD patients, no capillary morphological differences were found in comparison with NP, in particular no density reduction or increased neoangiogenesis. The pattern observed in the SLE cohort was clearly distinct from NP and MMD with regard to vascular density, vascular damage, and neoangiogenesis.

Conclusions

MMD is not associated with microvascular changes of the nailfold capillaries. In this respect, it is clearly distinct from SLE.
Prevalence of triple/dual disease (Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease, and white matter disease)
Authors: Sakakibara Ryuji , Tateno Fuyuki , Aiba Yosuke , Ogata Tsuyoshi , Terada Hitoshi , Inaoka Tsutomu , Nakatsuka Tomoya , Katsuragawa Shuichi
Published: February 2020

Objective

Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD), and white matter disease (WMD) are common in the elderly. Although these diseases are observed together pathologically, the extent to which these diseases occur together clinically is uncertain. To address this question, we analyzed the clinical neuroimaging data of Japanese patients.

Patients and Methods

This was a prospective study with a 3.0‐year recruiting period, a prospective follow‐up period of 2.0 ± 1.5 years, and ≥1×/year visits. We recruited 770 referred subjects who had undergone three neuroimaging markers: brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dopamine transporter (DAT) scanning, and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy.

Results

Among the 770 patients, 731 fulfilled the criteria of some of or all of the three diseases as follows: WMD (n = 46), WMD + AD (n = 110), WMD + LBD (n = 89), WMD + AD +LBD (n = 86), AD (n = 118), LBD (n = 239), and AD + LBD (n = 43). In total, there were patients with WMD (n = 331), AD (n = 357), and LBD (n = 414) (with overlap); dual diseases (n = 242; 33%) and triple diseases (n = 86; 12%). Clinically, pure WMD showed overactive bladder but mild gait/cognitive disorder. Pure AD showed cognitive disorder alone. Pure LBD showed cognitive, gait, and sleep/autonomic disorders. Triple/dual diseases showed combined clinical features, depending on the underlying diseases. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Forty‐five percent of the patients who visited dementia/movement disorder/sleep‐autonomic disorder clinics showed either triple or dual diseases. It is important to follow such patients from the viewpoint of disease progression and necessary care.
From rights to prerogatives
Authors: Muñoz Daniel
Published: February 2020

Deontologists believe in two key exceptions to the duty to promote the good: restrictions forbid us from harming others, and prerogatives permit us not to harm ourselves. How are restrictions and prerogatives related? A promising answer is that they share a source in rights. I argue that prerogatives cannot be grounded in familiar kinds of rights, only in something much stranger: waivable rights against oneself.
The influence of mental fatigue on brain activity: Evidence from a systematic review with meta‐analyses
Authors: Tran Yvonne , Craig Ashley , Craig Rachel , Chai Rifai , Nguyen Hung
Published: February 2020

The occurrence of mental fatigue during tasks like driving a vehicle increases risk of injury or death. Changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity associated with mental fatigue has been frequently studied and considered a promising biomarker of mental fatigue. This is despite differences in methodologies and outcomes in prior research. A systematic review with meta‐analyses was conducted to establish the influence of mental fatigue on EEG activity spectral bands, and to determine in which regions fatigue‐related EEG spectral changes are likely to occur. A high‐yield search strategy identified 21 studies meeting inclusion criteria for investigating the change in EEG spectral activity in non‐diseased adults engaged in mentally fatiguing tasks. A medium effect size (using Cohen's g) of 0.68 (95%CI: 0.24–1.13) was found for increase in overall EEG activity following mental fatigue. Further examination of individual EEG spectral bands and regions using network meta‐analyses indicated large increases in theta (g = 1.03; 95%CI: 0.79–1.60) and alpha bands (g = 0.85; 95%CI: 0.47–1.43), with small to moderate changes found in delta and beta bands. Central regions of the scalp showed largest change (g = 0.80; 95%CI: 0.46–1.21). Sub‐group analyses indicated large increases in theta activity in frontal, central and posterior sites (all g > 1), with moderate changes in alpha activity in central and posterior sites. Findings have implications for fatigue monitoring and countermeasures with support for change in theta activity in frontal, central and posterior sites as a robust biomarker of mental fatigue and change in alpha wave activity considered a second line biomarker to account for individual variability.
HLA‐A*02:05:01:10, ‐A*26:01:01:30, ‐C*07:01:01:75 and ‐C*07:04:01:12 identified in Spanish donors
Authors: Marin Luis A. , Rada Ramon , Ontañon Jesús
Published: February 2020

Four new HLA‐A*02:05:01:10, A*26:01:01:30, C*07:01:01:75 and C*07:04:01:12 alleles detected in Spanish individuals.
Incidence and analysis of blood donor adverse reactions – an opportunity to establish a donor vigilance programme at an institution in Eastern India
Authors: Biswas Durba , Mukherjee Krishnendu , Chakrabarty Debadatta , Bhattacharya Prasun , Mukherjee Sourav
Published: February 2020

Background and objectives

Blood donors are the essential pillars for safe blood transfusion service. This study aimed to analyse the spectrum of blood donor adverse events (AE) and design strategies for their prevention; to improve donor safety and increase donation frequency; and to encourage the establishment of a donor vigilance across different blood centres.

Material and methods

A prospective study was conducted within the Department IHBT over eighteen months on whole blood (voluntary/replacement) and aphaeresis donors who were selected as per the national guidelines. Statistical analysis was done using Spss software.

Results

Altogether, 576 AE were observed in 11 371 donors, with significantly higher rate in plateletpheresis [61 in 314 donors] than WB donation. First time (451/4551), replacement (172/2894), female (158/1535) and young donors (18–40 years) (485/7969) were significantly prone to AE. Generalized vasovagal reactions (n = 349) were the commonest AE followed by haematoma. The onset of AE was mainly during postdonation period. Vasovagal reactions were significantly high in first time (P = 0·0001), replacement (P = 0·0001), female (P = 0·0001), young (18–40 years) (P = 0·0001) and low body weight donors (45–54 kg) (P = 0·0001) when compared to repeat, voluntary, male, older and heavier donors. Haematoma was found significantly higher in aphaeresis [P = 0·0001], first time [P = 0·0001] and heavier donors [P = 0·0001] as compared to WB, repeat and low body weight donors.

Conclusion

We attempted to identify the spectrum of donor AE at our institution and also propose certain preventive measures, which would help in reducing the frequency of these AE. It is an evidence‐based approach to guide other blood centres and motivate them to establish their own donor vigilance.
Harmful cyanobacterial blooms: a case study of a cool lake
Authors: Tong Susanna T. Y. , Liu Tiange , Wan Shitian , Beck Richard
Published: February 2020

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) are becoming more prevalent in inland waters, affecting not only the aquatic ecosystems but also the economy. This study attempted to characterize HCBs in a cool‐temperate freshwater lake and identify the causal factors controlling their proliferation. As our climate is changing in an unprecedented way, it is important to know how this climate change may alter surface runoff and streamflow, which may, in turn, affect HCBs. To this end, this research also employed a hydrologic model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool, to simulate the hydrologic conditions under various future climate scenarios. The results showed that weather conditions are more strongly related to the probable number of cyanobacteria per litre than nutrients. The change in precipitation, rather than temperature, is more important in affecting surface runoff. These results may be useful in controlling HCBs.
Evolution of the Morphology Near Triple-Phase Boundaries in Ni–Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Electrodes Upon Cathodic Polarization
Authors: Nakajo A. , Rinaldi G. , Caliandro P. , Jeanmonod G. , Navratilova L. , Cantoni M. , Van herle J.
Published: February 2020

Microstructural changes in Ni–yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) near the YSZ electrolyte were examined by three-dimensional (3D) electron microscopy after electrolysis and fuel cell operation up to 10,700 h and 15,000 h, respectively. The depletion of Ni and three-phase boundaries (TPBs) close to the electrolyte was detected upon cathodic polarization. It corresponded to spatial variations of dihedral angles (θ) at TPBs and Ni surface curvature along the direction perpendicular to the electrolyte, which comport with electrowetting and Zener pinning theory on several aspects. θNi decreased by up to 6 deg next to the electrolyte after electrolysis but remained uniform after fuel cell operation. This is in line with predictions from electrowetting theory with capacitances measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and distribution of relaxation times. The decrease in θNi was concurrent to transition toward concave Ni/pore interfacial shapes and lower genus of the Ni phase, which suggests the pinch-off of Ni ligaments following surface diffusion-controlled Rayleigh instability. The increase in absolute mean curvature near the electrolyte interface is a driving force for outward transport of Ni. The decrease in θYSZ further suggests that TPB lines relocate on YSZ surface features that provide higher Zener pinning force. In contrast, few localized contact losses between Ni and YSZ that can also occur under high cathodic polarization and trigger Ni depletion were detected. The results are expected to advance the understanding of the driving forces that cause Ni depletion near the electrolyte in electrolysis for the design of improved solid oxide cell electrode microstructures.
Pt Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-TiO2 Composite as a High-Performance Electrocatalyst for Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Jun , Chen Jiao , Zhou Fan , Zeng Xuewen , Xing An , Jia Bi , Fan Baoyan , Wang Jun , Liu Xiaoyan
Published: February 2020

Monodispersed Pt nanoparticles supported on a TiO2 and nitrogen-doped carbon composite (TiO2/NDC) were successfully synthesized via an efficient in situ self-assembly strategy and microwave-assisted polyol process. The Pt/TiO2/NDC catalyst exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The electrochemically active surface area of the Pt/TiO2/NDC catalyst was twofold higher than that of the Pt/C/NDC catalyst. In addition, the Pt/TiO2/NDC catalyst revealed a better electrocatalytic activity and CO-tolerance as well as a stability toward the MOR. The combined characterization from Fourier transform infrared spectrum, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that the superior catalytic performance and stability of the Pt/TiO2/NDC catalysts likely arose from the synergistic effect of their unique morphology and composition as well as the electronic effect between the TiO2/NDC and Pt. This electrocatalyst holds great promise for application in direct methanol fuel cells.
Catalysts for the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
Authors: Low Qi Hang , Yeo Boon Siang
Published: February 2020

Anthropogenic activities powered by the burning of fossil fuels have caused excessive emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. This has a negative impact on our environment. One promising approach to reduce the concentration of atmospheric CO2 is to convert it to useful products. This could be achieved via the electrochemical reduction of CO2 using renewable electricity. Methanol (CH3OH), a valuable fuel and feedstock, is one of the CO2 electroreduction products. However, its formation, thus far, has been plagued by the inadequacy of functional electrocatalysts. In this review, we summarize progresses made in the development of methanol-selective electrocatalysts, which provides us with a basis to discuss the underlying challenges of electroreducing CO2 to methanol.