bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep duration is associated with white matter microstructure and cognitive performance in healthy adults
Authors: Grumbach Pascal , Opel Nils , Martin Stella , Meinert Susanne , Leehr Elisabeth J. , Redlich Ronny , Enneking Verena , Goltermann Janik , Baune Bernhard T. , Dannlowski Udo , Repple Jonathan
Published: July 2020

Reduced sleep duration and sleep deprivation have been associated with cognitive impairment as well as decreased white matter integrity as reported by experimental studies. However, it is largely unknown whether differences in sleep duration and sleep quality might affect microstructural white matter and cognition. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the cross‐sectional relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, and cognitive performance in a naturalistic study design, by focusing on the association with white matter integrity in a large sample of healthy, young adults. To address this, 1,065 participants, taken from the publicly available sample of the Human Connectome Project, underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Moreover, broad cognitive performance measures (NIH Cognition Toolbox) and sleep duration and quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were assessed. The results revealed a significant positive association between sleep duration and overall cognitive performance. Shorter sleep duration significantly correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). In turn, FA in this tract was related to measures of cognitive performance and was shown to significantly mediate the association of sleep duration and cognition. For cognition only, associations shift to a negative association of sleep duration and cognition for participants sleeping more than 8 hr a day. Investigations into subjective sleep quality showed no such associations. The present study showed that real‐world differences in sleep duration, but not subjective sleep quality are related to cognitive performance measures and white matter integrity in the SLF in healthy, young adults.
A Survey on Knowledge Gaps in Assessment and Management of Severe Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study of Australian Health Care Providers
Authors: Mazzoni Daniel , Tee Hui Wen , de Menezes Sara Lee , Graudins Linda Velta , Johnson Douglas Forsyth , Newnham Evan David , Kelley Peter Graham , Zubrinich Celia Mary , Goh Michelle Sue Yen , Trubiano Jason Anthony , Aung Ar Kar
Published: July 2020

Severe drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are often encountered by health care professionals (HCPs). We evaluated knowledge of doctors and pharmacists in the assessment and management of severe DHRs using a structured questionnaire. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 4 metropolitan hospital networks in Melbourne, Australia. A 13‐question, scenario‐based multiple‐choice questionnaire to assess specific knowledge domains in drug hypersensitivity syndrome recognition, causality attribution, cross‐reactivity patterns, appropriate diagnostic tests, and therapy was administered to HCPs of various vocation and specialty groups. Data were analyzed according to profession, self‐reported experience, and preparedness in managing severe DHRs. Two hundred thirty‐eight participants (45.0% senior doctors, 24.4% junior doctors, and 30.7% pharmacists) across a range of subspecialties achieved an overall median score of 7 (IQR, 5‐8)—overall 55.6% correct responses to all questions—with senior doctors outperforming junior doctors and pharmacists (P < .001). The best performance by all participants was in DHR syndrome recognition (60.9%), and the poorest was in diagnostics/therapy (52.0%). HCP group and experience level were significantly associated with better performance in the knowledge domains of cross‐reactivity and diagnostics/therapy (P = .003 and < .001, respectively), but not in the domains of syndrome recognition and causality attribution (P > .05). Levels of self‐reported preparedness in DHR management were not associated with performance rates in any of the knowledge domains. This study demonstrated significant knowledge gaps in the recognition and management of severe drug hypersensitivity reactions. Targeted multidisciplinary education of staff caring for these patients is needed to improve knowledge gaps.
Plasma carotenoids and immunity in a despotic avian scavenger
Authors: Plaza Pablo I. , Blanco Guillermo , Wiemeyer Guillermo , López‐Rull Isabel , Hornero‐Méndez Dámaso , Donázar José A. , Hiraldo Fernando , Lambertucci Sergio A.
Published: July 2020

Carotenoids are pigmented compounds acquired through diet that have important functions as antioxidants and immune modulators. We studied the association between immunity and circulating carotenoids in Andean condors (Vultur gryphus). We evaluated the relationship between α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin blood concentrations and different circulating carotenoids in two groups of Andean condors that differ in their mean health status, rehabilitating (suffering different pathologies), and wild individuals (trapped when displaying their physiological behavior). In rehabilitating individuals, α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin concentrations were higher than in wild individuals. This shows that rehabilitating individuals were developing an immune response associated with the pathologies that they were suffering at the time of sampling. In addition, circulating carotenoids were lower in rehabilitating than in wild individuals. We found negative correlations between α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulins and different circulating carotenoids in rehabilitating individuals, but not in wild condors. Xanthophylls were strongly related to α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin blood concentrations in rehabilitating, but not in wild condors. Our results suggest that there is a potential relationship between circulating carotenoids and immunity in the Andean condor. Given that this species may display a carotenoid‐based pigmentation, our results could suggest that a trade‐off between the immune system and external coloration could operate in this species, which may have implications in their access to food resources and mate selection and, thus, in their conservation.
Cardiac tissue citric acid cycle intermediates in exercised very long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase‐deficient mice fed triheptanoin or medium‐chain triglyceride
Authors: Gaston Garen , Gangoiti Jon A. , Winn Shelley , Chan Benjamin , Barshop Bruce A. , Harding Cary O. , Gillingham Melanie B.
Published: July 2020

Anaplerotic odd‐chain fatty acid supplementation has been suggested as an approach to replenish citric acid cycle intermediate (CACi) pools and facilitate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in subjects with long‐chain fatty acid oxidation disorders, but the evidence that cellular CACi depletion exists and that repletion occurs following anaplerotic substrate supplementation is limited. We exercised very long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase‐deficient (VLCAD−/−) and wild‐type (WT) mice to exhaustion and collected cardiac tissue for measurement of CACi by targeted metabolomics. In a second experimental group, VLCAD−/− and WT mice that had been fed chow prepared with either medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or triheptanoin for 4 weeks were exercised for 60 minutes. VLCAD−/− mice exhibited lower succinate in cardiac muscle at exhaustion than WT mice suggesting lower CACi in VLCAD−/− with prolonged exercise. In mice fed either MCT or triheptanoin, succinate and malate were greater in VLCAD−/− mice fed triheptanoin compared to VLCAD−/− animals fed MCT but lower than WT mice fed triheptanoin. Long‐chain odd acylcarnitines such as C19 were elevated in VLCAD−/− and WT mice fed triheptanoin suggesting some elongation of the heptanoate, but it is unknown what proportion of heptanoate was oxidized vs elongated. Prolonged exercise was associated with decreased cardiac muscle succinate in VLCAD−/− mice in comparison to WT mice. VLCAD−/− fed triheptanoin had increased succinate compared to VLCAD−/− mice fed MCT but lower than WT mice fed triheptanoin. Cardiac CACi were higher following dietary ingestion of an anaplerotic substrate, triheptanoin, in comparison to MCT.
Mechanochromic Fluorescent Polymers Enabled by AIE Processes
Authors: Han Ting , Liu Lijie , Wang Dong , Yang Jinglei , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: July 2020

Polymeric materials are susceptible to the chain re‐conformation, reorientation, slippage, and bond cleavage upon mechanical stimuli, which are likely to further grow into macro‐damages and eventually lead to the compromise or loss of materials performance. Therefore, it is of great academic importance and practical significance to sensitively detect the local mechanical states in polymers and monitor the dynamic variations in polymer structures and properties under external forces. Mechanochromic fluorescent polymers (MFP) are a class of smart materials by utilizing sensitive fluorescent motifs to detect polymer chain events upon mechanical stimuli. Taking advantage of the unique aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect, a variety of MFP systems that can self‐report their mechanical states and mechano‐induced structural and property changes through fluorescence signals have been developed. In this feature article, an overview of the recent progress on MFP systems enabled by AIE process is presented. The main design principles, including physically doping dispersed or microencapsulated AIE luminogens (AIEgens) into polymer matrix, chemically linking AIEgens in polymer backbones, and utilizing the clusterization‐triggered emission of polymers containing nonconventional luminogens, are discussed with representative examples. Perspectives on the existing challenges and problems in this field are also discussed to guide future development.
ABHW comments on CMS waivers in response to COVID‐19
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2020

Allowing Medicaid managed care organizations to provide social determinants of health services, such as housing, jobs, child care and more, during COVID‐19 and beyond, are one of many improvements for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 1135 waivers sought by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW). The ABHW and its member companies provided recommendations urging the CMS to consider improvements not captured by the 1135 waivers or the interim final rule with comment period.
Hurwicz model of uncertain optimal control with jump
Authors: Deng Liubao , Shen Jinzhong , Chen Yuefen
Published: July 2020

How to choose the optimization criterion of the objective function is an important issue for uncertain optimal control. The Hurwicz criterion is a flexible optimization criterion attempting to find the intermediate area between the extremes posed by the optimistic and pessimistic criteria. Based on uncertainty theory, in this paper, we establish a new uncertain optimal control model with jump by making use of Hurwicz criterion to optimize an uncertain objective function. By applying Bellman's principle of optimality, the principle of optimality for the proposed model is presented and then the equation of optimality is derived. Finally, an example is given to show the the effectiveness of the results obtained.
Chinese online gamers versus nongamers: A difference in social media use and associated well‐being and relational outcomes?
Authors: Dredge Rebecca , Chen Shuang
Published: July 2020

Little is known about the social media use of online gamers compared with nongamers and whether the two forms of technology use manifest as the cumulative risk for relational and well‐being outcomes in adolescents. Self‐report data from 320 Chinese secondary school students (12–17 years) was collected for online gaming and social media use frequency, depression, satisfaction with life, and relationship quality with parents, teachers, and classmates. Once the sample was split into nongamers, light gamers, and heavy gamers, results showed that heavy gamers (cut‐off at ≥2 or ≥3 h/d) were more depressed, used social media and the Internet more frequently and social media differently, and experienced more negative interactions with parents and classmates compared with nongamers. Significant differences were also found between light gamers and nongamers on certain variables. Findings indicate that heavy gamers are also using other media at heavy levels which places them in a more at‐risk group for adverse well‐being and relational outcomes.
Biting deterrency of undecanoic acid and dodecanoic acid ester analogs against Aedes aegypti
Authors: Cantrell Charles L , Zaki Mohamed A , Reichley Amber , Sink Matt , Kim Seong J , Ali Abbas
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Mosquitoes remain one of the most significant threats to the health of humans throughout the world. This study was designed to evaluate the biting deterrent effects of a series of ester analogs of undecanoic acid (C:11:0) and dodecanoic acid (C:12:0) against Aedes aegypti (L), (Diptera: Culicidae), the yellow fever mosquito, using Klun and Debboun (K&D) and Ali and Khan (A&K) bioassay systems.

RESULTS

In the K&D bioassays, C:11:0 esters methyl undecanoate, propyl undecanoate, butyl undecanoate, and pentyl undecanoate, and the C:12:0 esters methyl dodecanoate, ethyl dodecanoate, propyl dodecanoate, octyl dodecanoate, and dodecyl dodecanoate were most active. All of these esters were as effective as N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide (DEET) and as effective as the parent acids undecanoic acid and dodecanoic acid with biting deterrence index values ranging from 0.80 to 0.99. In the in vitro A&K bioassay undecanoic acid with a minimum effective dose (MED) of 3.125 μg cm−2 was the most active compound and showed higher activity than DEET (MED of 25 μg cm−2). The most active synthetic analog was butyl undecanoate with a MED of 12.5 μg cm−2. The next most active analogs are the methyl ester analogs methyl undecanoate and methyl dodecanoate, both with MED values of 25 μg cm−2.

CONCLUSION

Fatty acid synthetic esters and structural analogs are a promising source of new mosquito repelling compounds and should be investigated further. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Assessment of toxicity and persistence of Yersinia entomophaga and its Yen‐Tc associated toxin
Authors: Hurst Mark Robin Holmes , Jones Sandra , Young Sandra , Muetzel Stefan , Calder Joanne , van Koten Chikako
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The insect‐pathogenic bacterium Yersinia entomophaga MH96 is currently under development as a microbial pesticide active against various pasture and crop pests such as the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella and the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigeria. To enable nonrestricted field trials of Y. entomophaga MH96, information on the persistence and nontarget effects of the bacterium and its Yen‐Tc proteinaceous toxin are required.

RESULTS

The Y. entomophaga Yen‐Tc associated toxin was found to have limited persistence on foliage and is inactivated by UV light. The Yen‐Tc was rapidly degraded in ovine or bovine rumen fluid or the intestinal fluid of H. armigera. In H. armigera an intestinal protein of >50 kDa was found to cleave the Yen‐Tc bond. Assessment of Y. entomophaga persistence on foliage and in soil found that after 42 days the bacterium could not be detected in soil at 20% soil moisture content but persisted for 72 days at 30–40% soil moisture. Nontarget effects of Y. entomophaga towards earthworms found that the bacterium afforded no adverse effects on worm growth or behavior. A summary of historic Yen‐Tc and Y. entomophaga persistence and toxicity data is presented.

CONCLUSION

The bacterium Y. entomophaga and its Yen‐Tc associated toxin have limited persistence in the environment, with the Yen‐Tc being susceptible to UV inactivation and proteolytic degradation, and the bacterium persisting longer in soil of a high moisture content. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
‘Dreamers’, (un)deserving immigrants and generational interdependence
Authors: Sirriyeh Ala
Published: July 2020

Undocumented young people known as the ‘Dreamers’ have become the embodiment of the ‘deserving immigrant’ in US public debates on immigration. Through exploring the narratives of undocumented young organisers in California, this article examines how they came to be framed in this way and the limitations of this as a pathway to social justice. It explores their accounts of organising in the undocumented youth movement to examine how their relationships with their families have influenced their engagement with the Dreamer narrative and its contestation. It was found that the figure of the deserving Dreamer represented an overly individualised account of migrant youth experiences and trajectories. Drawing on a relational understanding of migration and life course pathways, it is argued that undocumented youth are embedded in interdependent intergenerational relationships, which affect their experiences and outcomes and therefore need to be recognised in any pathway to social justice.
Relationship between energy intensity and CO2 emissions: Does economic policy matter?
Authors: Danish  , Ulucak Recep , Khan Salah‐Ud‐Din
Published: July 2020

In an environment with economic policy uncertainty, the policies of energy efficiency are probably compromised due to weak regulation measures. Inconsistent economic policies may lead to higher energy consumption, which damages the environment. However, works of literature are silent on the role of economic policy uncertainty in carbon emission and energy nexus. Hence, the study is an attempt to investigate the role of economic policy uncertainty in the relationship between energy intensity and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States by using annual data spanning from 1985 to 2017. A recent time series method proposed by Jordan and Philips (2018) is employed to get robust and consistent estimation results in the study. Empirical results reveal that (a) higher energy intensity contributes to pollution, (b) economic policy uncertainty adversely affects environmental quality, (c) economic policy uncertainty strengthens the detrimental effect of energy intensity on CO2 emissions.
Developmental toxicity induced by Cu(OH)2 nanopesticide in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Aksakal Feyza Icoglu , Sisman Turgay
Published: July 2020

The current study evaluates the adverse effects of Cu(OH)2 nanopesticide (CNPE) on the early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). The developmental toxicity was determined using different parameters such as mortality (including LC50), hatching, heart rates, malformations, and alteration of the gene expressions. Zebrafish embryos (4 hpf‐hours postfertilization) were exposed to 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 mg/l CNPE doses until 96 hpf. The 96 hours LC50 was recorded at 6.258 mg/l. Seventy‐two hpf total malformation index values for 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg/l CNPE doses were 4.3, 7.2 and 7.9, respectively. 1.0 mg/l CNPE is not toxic for the zebrafish embryos/larvae. 2.0 to 8.0 CNPE doses caused some abnormalities in embryos/larvae morphology, including lack of body parts, tail deformities, chorda deformity, bubbled head, scoliosis, lordosis, weak or non‐pigmentation, decreased heart rate and larva length. 16.0 mg/l CNPE caused mortality in 72 hpf. The expression levels of seven immune system‐related genes (il‐1β, il‐8, cebp, tlr4, hsp70, NF‐kB, and mtf‐1) were examined. The transcription level of il‐1β, il‐8, tlr4, hsp70, and NF‐kB genes significantly increased in the CNPE exposure groups. While the expression of the mtf‐1 gene considerably decreased, the cebp gene expression level did not change in the 4.0 and 8.0 mg/l CNPE doses. In conclusion, CNPE could induce developmental toxicity with malformations in embryos/larvae and alter the gene expression.
Statewide COVID‐19 Stay‐at‐Home Orders and Population Mobility in the United States
Authors: Jacobsen Grant D. , Jacobsen Kathryn H.
Published: July 2020

Many jurisdictions enacted stay‐at‐home orders (also called shelter‐in‐place orders, safer‐at‐home orders, or lockdowns) when SARS‐CoV‐2 began spreading in the United States. Based on Google mobility data, every state had substantially fewer visits to transit stations, retail and recreation facilities, workplaces, grocery stores, and pharmacies by the end of March 2020 than in the previous two months. The mean decrease in visitation rates across destination categories was about 30 percent in states without stay‐at‐home orders and 40 percent in states with stay‐at‐home orders. Similarly, there were fewer routing requests received by Apple in large cities for public transportation, walking, and driving, with a 10 percentage point greater mean reduction in metropolitan areas under statewide stay‐at‐home orders. The pandemic led to large decreases in mobility even in states without legal restrictions on travel, but statewide orders were effective public health policy tools for reducing human movement below the level achieved through voluntary behavior change.
Two Light‐Metal Dihydrogenisocyanurate Hydrates Linked by Diagonal Relationship: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Vibrational Spectra of Li[H2N3C3O3]·1.75 H2O and Mg[H2N3C3O3]2·8 H2O
Authors: Reckeweg Olaf , Lissner Falk , Blaschkowski Björn , Gross Peter , Höppe Henning A. , Schleid Thomas
Published: July 2020

Single‐crystalline materials of Li[H2N3C3O3]·1.75 H2O and Mg[H2N3C3O3]2·8 H2O were obtained by dissolving stoichiometric amounts of the respective carbonates with cyanuric acid in boiling water followed by gentle evaporation of excess water after cooling to room temperature. Even though both of these compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 according to X‐ray structure analyses of their colorless and transparent single crystals, they adopt two new different structure types. Li[H2N3C3O3]·1.75 H2O exhibits the unit‐cell parameters a = 884.71(6) pm, b = 905.12(7) pm, c = 964.38(7) pm, α = 67.847(2)°, β = 62.904(2)° and γ = 68.565(2)° (Z = 4), whereas the lattice parameters for Mg[H2N3C3O3]2·8 H2O are a = 691.95(5) pm, b = 1055.06(8) pm, c = 1183.87(9) pm, α = 85.652(2)°, β = 83.439(2)° and γ = 79.814(2)° (Z = 2). In both cases, the singly deprotonated isocyanuric acid forms monovalent anions consisting of cyclic [H2N3C3O3]– units, which are arranged in ribbons typical for most hitherto known monobasic isocyanurate hydrates. The structures are governed by the oxophilic strength of the respective cation which means that they fulfil their oxophilic coordination requirements either solely with water molecules ([Mg(OH2)6]2+ for Mg2+) or with crystal water and one or two direct coordinative contacts to carbonyl oxygen atoms (O(cy)) of [H2N3C3O3]– anions ([(Li(OH2)2–3(O(cy)1–2]+ for Li+). In both structures occur dominant hydrogen bonds N–H···O within the anionic [H2N3C3O3]– ribbons as well as hydrogen bonds O–H···O between these ribbons and the hydrated Li+ and Mg2+ cations.
Towards Programmable Chemistries
Authors: Flumini Dandolo , Weyland Mathias S. , Schneider Johannes J. , Fellermann Harold , Füchslin Rudolf M.
Published: July 2020

We provide a practical construction to map (slightly modified) GOTO-programs to chemical reaction systems. While the embedding reveals that a certain small fragment of the chemtainer calculus is already Turing complete, the main goal of our ongoing research is to exploit the fact that we can translate arbitrary control-flow into real chemical systems. We outline the basis of how to automatically derive a physical setup from a procedural description of chemical reaction cascades. We are currently extending our system in order to include basic chemical reactions that shall be guided by the control-flow in the future.
Studying and Simulating the Three-Dimensional Arrangement of Droplets
Authors: Schneider Johannes Josef , Weyland Mathias Sebastian , Flumini Dandolo , Matuttis Hans-Georg , Morgenstern Ingo , Füchslin Rudolf Marcel
Published: July 2020

We present some work in progress on the development of a probabilistic chemical compiler, being able to make a plan of how to create a three-dimensional agglomeration of artificial hierarchical cellular constructs. These programmable discrete units offer a wide variety of technical innovations, like a portable biochemical laboratory being able to e.g. produce macromolecular medicine on demand, and of scientific investigations, like contributions to questions regarding the origin of life. This paper focuses on one specific issue of developing such a compiler, namely the problem of simulating the experimentally observed spatial transition from an originally one-dimensional lineup of droplets into a three-dimensional, almost spherical arrangement, in which the droplets form a network via bilayers connecting them and in which they are contained within some outer hull. The network created by the bilayers allows the droplets to “communicate” (like agents in a multi agent system) with each other and to exchange chemicals contained within them, thus enabling a complex successive biochemical reaction scheme.
Investigating Three-Dimensional Arrangements of Droplets
Authors: Schneider Johannes Josef , Weyland Mathias Sebastian , Flumini Dandolo , Füchslin Rudolf Marcel
Published: July 2020

We present some work in progress on the development of a small portable biochemical laboratory, in which spatially structured chemical reaction chains in a microfluidic setting shall be created on demand. For this purpose, hierarchical three-dimensional agglomerations of artificial cellular constructs are generated which will allow for a governed gradual reaction scheme leading e.g. to desired macromolecules. In this paper, we focus on the task of investigating the bilayer networks via which the chemical reactions are performed, both from experiment and from simulation.
CAS-FGOALS Datasets for the Two Interglacial Epochs of the Holocene and the Last Interglacial in PMIP4
Authors: Zheng Weipeng , Yu Yongqiang , Luan Yihua , Zhao Shuwen , He Bian , Dong Li , Song Mirong , Lin Pengfei , Liu Hailong
Published: July 2020

Two versions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System model (CAS-FGOALS), version f3-L and g3, are used to simulate the two interglacial epochs of the mid-Holocene and the Last Interglacial in phase 4 of the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project (PMIP4), which aims to study the impact of changes in orbital parameters on the Earth’s climate. Following the PMIP4 experimental protocols, four simulations for the mid-Holocene and two simulations for the Last Interglacial have been completed, and all the data, including monthly and daily outputs for the atmospheric, oceanic, land and sea-ice components, have been released on the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) node. These datasets contribute to PMIP4 and CMIP6 (phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project) by providing the variables necessary for the two interglacial periods. In this paper, the basic information of the CAS-FGOALS models and the protocols for the two interglacials are briefly described, and the datasets are validated using proxy records. Results suggest that the CAS-FGOALS models capture the large-scale changes in the climate system in response to changes in solar insolation during the interglacial epochs, including warming in mid-to-high latitudes, changes in the hydrological cycle, the seasonal variation in the extent of sea ice, and the damping of interannual variabilities in the tropical Pacific. Meanwhile, disagreements within and between the models and the proxy data are also presented. These datasets will help the modeling and the proxy data communities with a better understanding of model performance and biases in paleoclimate simulations.
Role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease and potential therapeutic implications
Authors: Akobeng Anthony K. , Singh Parul , Kumar Manoj , Al Khodor Souhaila
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Although genetic predisposition and exposure to dietary gluten are considered necessary triggers for the development of coeliac disease, alterations in the gut microbial composition may also contribute towards the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. This review aims to provide an overview of the available data on the potential mechanisms through which the gut microbiota plays a role in the causation of coeliac disease and to discuss the potential therapeutic strategies that could diminish the consequences of microbial dysbiosis.

Method

A search of the literature was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and JSTOR databases; relevant articles were included.

Results

Recent studies in patients with coeliac disease have reported an increase in the relative amounts of gram negative bacterial genera such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Escherichia, and reduced amounts of protective anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. Dysbiotic microbiota may lead to a dysregulated immune response that may contribute to the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. In infancy, antibiotic use and certain infant feeding practices may lead to alterations in the developing gut microbiota to influence the immune maturation process and predispose to coeliac disease.

Conclusion

The induction of the intestinal immune system and gluten intolerance may be influenced by the relative abundance of certain microbiota. Factors such as infant feeding practices, diet, antibiotics, and infections, may be involved in the development of coeliac disease due to their influence on gut microbial composition. The efficacy of potential modulators of the gut microbiota such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbial transplant as adjunctive treatments to gluten-free diet in coeliac disease is unproven and requires further investigation.
Trust in farm data sharing: reflections on the EU code of conduct for agricultural data sharing
Authors: van der Burg Simone , Wiseman Leanne , Krkeljas Jovana
Published: July 2020

Digital farming technologies promise to help farmers make well-informed decisions that improve the quality and quantity of their production, with less labour and less impact on the environment. This future, however, can only become a reality if farmers are willing to share their data with agribusinesses that develop digital technologies. To foster trust in data sharing, in Europe the EU Code of Conduct for agricultural data sharing by contractual agreement was launched in 2018 which encourages transparency about data use. This article looks at the EU Code through the lens of literature on trust and contract agreements. We agree with the makers of the EU Code that a contract can make an important contribution to trust relationships as it is needed to mitigate the detrimental effects of power relationships between experts and non-experts. Building on Onora O’Neills perspective to trust, however, we argued that a contract can only be successful in fostering trust when (a) information is comprehended by the more vulnerable party in this relationship who has to sign the contract, (b) the more powerful partner takes responsibility to provide that information, and (c) information is tailored to the information needs of the party signing the contract, even when data are re-used over a longer period. In addition, we think that differences between trust relationships and relationships of accountability, give reason to add to informed consent other more substantive ethical components in a more encompassing code of conduct.
Hybrid transnational advocacy networks in environmental protection: banning the use of cyanide in European gold mining
Authors: Bocse Alexandra-Maria
Published: July 2020

This paper contributes theoretically, empirically and methodologically to the literature on transnational advocacy networks (TANs). This study is guided by two associated research questions: ‘How are TANs structured?’ and ‘What relation is established between the TANs’ structure and their efficiency?’ The paper shows that environmental transnational advocacy networks are not as horizontal as assumed in the TANs literature. Elements of hierarchy are present in networks through highly connected and/or strategically positioned nodes. This paper shows that elements of hierarchy are introduced in networks to facilitate information exchange and decision-making. The paper studies for the first time the TAN advocating the ban of cyanide-based mining in Europe in the late 2000s–early 2010s. The network aimed to impact the EU environmental legislative framework, as well as contribute to the implementation of international agreements on pollution prevention and biodiversity protection. This study draws on extensive fieldwork (including interviews with forty-five members of the network) conducted in several European countries in which the network developed and maintains branches. The study innovates methodologically by combining content analysis and social network analysis in the process of determining the more central actors of the network studied.
Hormonal response of Acutodesmus obliquus exposed to combined treatment with 24-epibrassinolide and lead
Authors: Talarek-Karwel Marta , Bajguz Andrzej , Piotrowska-Niczyporuk Alicja
Published: July 2020

Phytohormones play key roles in many aspects of plant growth and development, as well as in resistance to abiotic stresses. The presence of heavy metal limits phytohormone endogenous level; however, the application of brassinosteroids (BRs) restores phytohormone homeostasis and reduces unfavorable consequences of heavy metal on plant growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to (1) broaden previously published analyses/findings to study the effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and/or lead (Pb) on Acutodesmus obliquus phytohormone level after 5 days of cultivation using LC-QToF-MS quantification technique and (2) extend the total amount of quantified phytohormones in A. obliquus. The study confirmed that exogenous EBL increased the contents of gibberellin A3 (GA3), auxins (AXs) (indole-3-acetic acid, phenylacetic acid), BRs brassinolide, 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), 28-homobrassinolide, castasterone, 24-epicastasterone, typhasterol, cathasterone, 6-deoxotyphasterol, as well as different types of cytokinins (CKs): free bases, ribosides, and conjugates (N- and O-glucosides). On the other hand, treatment with Pb had an opposite effect on BRs, GA3, AXs, and free bases, as well as ribosides of CKs. The abscisic acid (ABA) level decreased under EBL treatment but increased in response to Pb stress. The level of N-glucosides, as well as O-glucosides of CKs, also significantly increased in response to Pb alone. Interestingly, the co-application of EBL and Pb led to an increase in BRs, GA3, AXs, and CKs content in the algae. Principal component analysis revealed that based on treatments, increase of GA3, BRs, and AXs was found to be in the following order: 1 μM EBL > 0.01 μM Pb + 1 μM EBL > 500 μM Pb + 1 μM EBL > control > 0.01 μM Pb > 500 μM Pb. Moreover, very strong significant linear relations between almost all studied AXs and BRs were noted. Summarizing, this research did not only allow to detect the occurrence of ABA, GA3, AXs, BRs, and CKs in A. obliquus for the first time but also to study the combined action of EBL and Pb, as well as compare it with treatment alone.
Using an implementation science approach to implement and evaluate patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) initiatives in routine care settings
Authors: Stover Angela M. , Haverman Lotte , van Oers Hedy A. , Greenhalgh Joanne , Potter Caroline M. ,   On behalf of the ISOQOL PROMs/PREMs in Clinical Practice Implementation Science Work Group, Ahmed Sara , Greenhalgh Joanne , Gibbons Elizabeth , Haverman Lotte , Manalili Kimberly , Potter Caroline , Roberts Natasha , Santana Maria , Stover Angela M. , van Oers Hedy
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Patient-reported outcome and experience measures (PROMs/PREMs) are well established in research for many health conditions, but barriers persist for implementing them in routine care. Implementation science (IS) offers a potential way forward, but its application has been limited for PROMs/PREMs.

Methods

We compare similarities and differences for widely used IS frameworks and their applicability for implementing PROMs/PREMs through case studies. Three case studies implemented PROMs: (1) pain clinics in Canada; (2) oncology clinics in Australia; and (3) pediatric/adult clinics for chronic conditions in the Netherlands. The fourth case study is planning PREMs implementation in Canadian primary care clinics. We compare case studies on barriers, enablers, implementation strategies, and evaluation.

Results

Case studies used IS frameworks to systematize barriers, to develop implementation strategies for clinics, and to evaluate implementation effectiveness. Across case studies, consistent PROM/PREM implementation barriers were technology, uncertainty about how or why to use PROMs/PREMs, and competing demands from established clinical workflows. Enabling factors in clinics were context specific. Implementation support strategies changed during pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation stages. Evaluation approaches were inconsistent across case studies, and thus, we present example evaluation metrics specific to PROMs/PREMs.

Conclusion

Multilevel IS frameworks are necessary for PROM/PREM implementation given the complexity. In cross-study comparisons, barriers to PROM/PREM implementation were consistent across patient populations and care settings, but enablers were context specific, suggesting the need for tailored implementation strategies based on clinic resources. Theoretically guided studies are needed to clarify how, why, and in what circumstances IS principles lead to successful PROM/PREM integration and sustainability.
Is drawing after learning effective for metacognitive monitoring only when supported by spatial scaffolds?
Authors: Kollmer Julia , Schleinschok Katrin , Scheiter Katharina , Eitel Alexander
Published: July 2020

In this study, we investigated whether drawing after learning supports metacognitive monitoring especially when students are supported in their drawing efforts. Therefore, eighty-eight participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups. They were asked to learn from a text comprising five paragraphs about the formation of auroras. After reading each of the five paragraphs, one group had to mentally imagine the contents (control group), a second group had to draw from scratch, and a third group had to draw with the help of spatial scaffolds. All participants provided judgments of learning (JOL) for each paragraph, and took a knowledge test afterwards. Results revealed that students who drew, both with and without scaffold, monitored their learning more accurately on an absolute level. Even though there were no differences between the two drawing conditions for monitoring accuracy, JOLs were based on the actual drawing quality only when students drew with the help of spatial scaffolds. Results thus hint towards the potential of (scaffolded) drawing to support metacognitive monitoring. Reasons for why drawing with spatial scaffolds did not improve monitoring compared to drawing from scratch are discussed.
Pandemics and food systems - towards a proactive food safety approach to disease prevention & management
Authors: Aiyar Anaka , Pingali Prabhu
Published: July 2020

Recent large-scale pandemics such as the covid19, H1N1, Swine flu, Ebola and the Nipah virus, which impacted human health and livelihoods, have come about due to inadequate food systems safeguards to detect, trace and eliminate threats arising from zoonotic diseases. Such diseases are transmitted to humans through their interaction with animals in the food value chain including through the consumption of bush meat. Climate change has also facilitated the emergence of new zoonotic diseases. The lack of adequately enforced food-safety standards in managed agricultural production systems creates the necessary conditions for diseases to mutate into highly contagious strains. The lack of food safety measures in handling, packaging and sales of food increases risks of cross-species contamination. Finally, increasing anti-microbial resistance, combined with rapid urbanization and global interconnectedness allows diseases to spread rapidly among humans. Thus, part of the reconstruction efforts, post covid19, should include prioritizing proactive investments in food safety. The key to stave off another such pandemic lies in integrating one-health knowledge on zoonotic diseases along with food safety measures along the food value chain. Refocusing policy priorities from disease control to prevention will improve international coordination efforts in pandemic prevention. Implementing such proactive actions will cost a very small fraction of the reconstruction budgets. However, the expected benefits of the food-safety approach will include preventing global economic losses due to pandemics.
Resilience of local food systems and links to food security – A review of some important concepts in the context of COVID-19 and other shocks
Authors: Béné Christophe
Published: July 2020

The objective of this review is to explore and discuss the concept of local food system resilience in light of the disruptions brought to those systems by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion, which focuses on low and middle income countries, considers also the other shocks and stressors that generally affect local food systems and their actors in those countries (weather-related, economic, political or social disturbances). The review of existing (mainly grey or media-based) accounts on COVID-19 suggests that, with the exception of those who lost members of their family to the virus, as per June 2020 the main impact of the pandemic derives mainly from the lockdown and mobility restrictions imposed by national/local governments, and the consequence that the subsequent loss of income and purchasing power has on people’s food security, in particular the poor. The paper then uses the most prominent advances made recently in the literature on household resilience in the context of food security and humanitarian crises to identify a series of lessons that can be used to improve our understanding of food system resilience and its link to food security in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and other shocks. Those lessons include principles about the measurement of food system resilience and suggestions about the types of interventions that could potentially strengthen the abilities of actors (including policy makers) to respond more appropriately to adverse events affecting food systems in the future.
Who Creates a Google Scholar Profile?
Authors: Kim Hannah June , Grofman Bernard
Published: July 2020

This article uses data collected from Google Scholar to identify characteristics of scholars who have chosen to create a Google Scholar profile. Among tenured and tenure-track faculty with full-time appointments in PhD-granting political science departments, we find that only 43.7% have created a profile. However, among R1 faculty, young and early-career faculty are more likely to have Google Scholar profiles than those in older cohorts. Although subfield differences are largely nonexistent, there is a notably low proportion of theory faculty with profiles and a slightly higher proportion with profiles among methodologists. Moreover, within cohorts, those who are highly cited are more likely to have profiles than those who have low citation counts. We conclude by discussing implications of our findings, the increasing usage of Google Scholar and profiles, and the increasing importance of an online presence in the academy.
Effectiveness of school-based nutrition interventions in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Kyere Paul , Veerman J Lennert , Lee Patricia , Stewart Donald E
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of school-based nutrition interventions (SBNI) involving schoolchildren and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on child nutrition status and nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

Design:

A systematic review on published school nutrition intervention studies of randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before-and-after studies or quasi-experimental designs with control. Nine electronic bibliographic databases were searched. To be included, interventions had to involve changes to the school’s physical and social environments, to the school’s nutrition policies, to teaching curriculum to incorporate nutrition education and/or to partnership with parents/community.

Setting:

Schools in SSA.

Participants:

School-aged children and adolescents, aged 5–19 years.

Results:

Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria. While there are few existing studies of SBNI in SSA, the evidence shows that food supplementation/fortification is very effective in reducing micronutrient deficiencies and can improve nutrition status. Secondly, school nutrition education can improve nutrition knowledge, but this may not necessarily translate into healthy nutrition behaviour, indicating that nutrition knowledge may have little impact without a facilitating environment. Results regarding anthropometry were inconclusive; however, there is evidence for the effectiveness of SBNI in improving cognitive abilities.

Conclusions:

There is enough evidence to warrant further trials of SBNI in SSA. Future research should consider investigating the impact of SBNI on anthropometry and nutrition behaviour, focusing on the role of programme intensity and/or duration. To address the high incidence of micronutrient deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries, food supplementation strategies currently available to schoolchildren should be expanded.
Valuation of no-negative-equity guarantees with a lower reflecting barrier
Authors: Thomas R. Guy
Published: July 2020

If the general level of house prices falls a long way, policymakers may introduce new policies which seek to support prices. This paper considers the effect of such interventions on the valuation of no-negative-equity guarantees (NNEG) in equity release mortgages. I model interventions by a reflecting barrier expressed as a fraction of the current level of house prices. Reflection at the barrier is instantaneous, so the no-arbitrage property is preserved, and hence risk-neutral valuation of NNEG is possible. The reflecting barrier can alternatively be justified as a representation of the different economic nature of the underlying housing (and particularly freehold land) assets in NNEG valuations, compared with the underlying equity assets in many other option valuations.