bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exponential rise in the discovery of endemic plants underscores the need to conserve the Indian savannas
Authors: Nerlekar Ashish N. , Chorghe Alok R. , Dalavi Jagdish V. , Kusom Raja Kullayiswamy , Karuppusamy Subbiah , Kamath Vignesh , Pokar Ritesh , Rengaian Ganesan , Sardesai Milind M. , Kambale Sharad S.
Published: January 2022

Biodiversity of tropical grasslands and savannas (tropical grassy biomes, TGBs) remains poorly documented compared with tropical forests. This is in part due to the misplaced notion of TGBs being anthropogenic forest derivatives that support negligible biodiversity and endemism. For the Indian savannas, the legacy of colonial forestry has led to their misinterpretation as anthropogenic wastelands of low conservation value. One key assumption underlying the devaluation of Indian savannas against Indian forests is the presumed absence of endemic species. Through a systematic review, we test this assumption by collating data of plants endemic to the peninsular Indian savannas and analyze their spatiotemporal discovery patterns. We found that the Indian savannas contain 206 endemic plant species, of which 43% were described in the last two decades. Spatial discovery patterns revealed two species discovery hot spots, the eastern edge of the Western Ghats Mountains and the Eastern Ghats Mountains. Years taken for an endemic plant species to be described was related positively to latitude and elevation of the type locality, and negatively to range size and plant height. Our results of an exponential rise in the endemic plant discovery run counter to the assumption of Indian savannas supporting no endemic plants. Our findings have important implications on future plant discoveries by predicting most endemics awaiting discovery are likely to be short‐statured and range‐restricted, and occupy higher latitudes and elevations. The presence of endemic plants calls for abandoning the outdated colonial‐era view of Indian savannas being low conservation value ecosystems and revising conservation policies to better protect these ancient ecosystems.
Unaccompanied immigrant children in long‐term foster care: Identifying and operationalizing child welfare outcomes
Authors: Crea Thomas M. , Evans Kerri , Lopez Anayeli , Hasson Robert G. , Palleschi Caroline , Sittley Libby
Published: January 2022

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 was developed with the goal of increasing the safety, permanency, and well‐being of children involved in U.S. child welfare systems. A growing number of unaccompanied immigrant children (UC) are being served in long‐term foster care (LTFC) under the auspices of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). UC are placed in care because an appropriate sponsor is not available pending immigration hearings. Yet, the research literature has been silent on how outcomes for UC can be articulated and operationalized to guide policy and practice. This study fills this gap by exploring how safety, permanency and well‐being may be defined for this population. Seventy‐nine service providers working unaccompanied children in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States participated in 22 focus groups. Findings indicated that safety, permanency, and well‐being are fundamental for UC but include different aspects, such as emotional safety in addition to physical safety, the nuances of legal permanency and placement stability in addition to family reunification, and cultural integration as a factor of well‐being and mental health. This study's results can inform organizational data collection procedures, culturally relevant assessments, and a deeper understanding of the experiences of UC in foster care.
Multicenter study on the genetics of glomerular diseases among southeast and south Asians: Deciphering Diversities ‐ Renal Asian Genetics Network (DRAGoN)
Authors: Lu Liangjian , Yap Yok‐Chin , Nguyen Duc Quang , Chan Yiong‐Huak , Ng Jun‐Li , Zhang Yao‐Chun , Chan Chang‐Yien , Than Mya , Liu Isaac Desheng , Asim Sadaf , Moorani Khemchand , Naeem Bilquis , Ijaz Iftikhar , Nguyen Thi Minh Tan , Lee Ming‐Lee , Eng Caroline , Huque Syed Saimul , Ng Yong‐Hong , Ganesan Indra , Chao Sing‐Ming , Chong Siew‐Le , Tan Puay‐Hoon , Loh Alwin , Davila Sonia , Kumar Vikrant , Ling Joanna Zhi‐Jie , Moorakonda Rajesh Babu , Tan Karen Mei‐Ling , Ng Alvin Yu‐Jin , Poon Kok‐Siong , Schaefer Franz , Lipska‐Zietkiewicz Beata , Yap Hui‐Kim , Ng Kar‐Hui ,   Deciphering Diversities: Renal Asian Genetics Network (DRAGoN)
Published: January 2022

Multinational studies have reported monogenic etiologies in 25%–30% of children with steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome. Such large studies are lacking in Asia. We established Deciphering Diversities: Renal Asian Genetics Network (DRAGoN) and aimed to describe the genetic and clinical spectrums in Asians. We prospectively studied a cohort of 183 probands with suspected genetic glomerulopathies from South and Southeast Asia, of whom 17% had positive family history. Using multi‐gene panel sequencing, we detected pathogenic variants in 26 (14%) probands, of whom one‐third had COL4A4 or COL4A5 variants (n = 9, 5%). Of those with COL4A5 defects, only 25% had features suggestive of Alport syndrome. Besides traditional predictors for genetic disease (positive family history and extrarenal malformations), we identified novel predictors, namely older age (6.2 vs. 2.4 years; p = 0.001), hematuria (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.1–14.8; p < 0.001), and proteinuria in the absence of nephrotic syndrome (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.8–11.8; p = 0.001) at first manifestation. Among patients who first presented with proteinuria without nephrotic syndrome, the genetic diagnostic rates were >60% when a second risk factor (positive family history or extrarenal manifestation) co‐existed. The genetic spectrum of glomerulopathies appears different in Asia. Collagen IV genes may be included in sequencing panels even when suggestive clinical features are absent.
Do children estimate area using an “Additive‐Area Heuristic”?
Authors: Yousif Sami R. , Alexandrov Emma , Bennette Elizabeth , Aslin Richard N. , Keil Frank C.
Published: January 2022

A large and growing body of work has documented robust illusions of area perception in adults. To date, however, there has been surprisingly little in‐depth investigation into children's area perception, despite the importance of this topic to the study of quantity perception more broadly (and to the many studies that have been devoted to studying children's number perception). Here, in order to understand the interactions of number and area on quantity perception, we study both dimensions in tandem. This work is inspired by recent studies showing that human adults estimate area via an “Additive Area Heuristic,” whereby the horizontal and vertical dimensions are summed rather than multiplied. First, we test whether children may rely on this same kind of heuristic. Indeed, “additive area” explains children's area judgments better than true, mathematical area. Second, we show that children's use of “additive area” biases number judgments. Finally, to isolate “additive area” from number, we test children's area perception in a task where number is held constant across all trials. We find something surprising: even when there is no overall effect of “additive area” or “mathematical area,” individual children adopt and stick to specific strategies throughout the task. In other words, some children appear to rely on “additive area,” while others appear to rely on true, mathematical area – a pattern of results that may be best explained by a misunderstanding about the concept of cumulative area. We discuss how these findings raise both theoretical and practical challenges of studying quantity perception in young children.
Plant community impact on productivity: Trait diversity or key(stone) species effects?
Authors: Brun Philipp , Violle Cyrille , Mouillot David , Mouquet Nicolas , Enquist Brian J. , Munoz François , Münkemüller Tamara , Ostling Annette , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: January 2022

Outside controlled experimental plots, the impact of community attributes on primary productivity has rarely been compared to that of individual species. Here, we identified plant species of high importance for productivity (key species) in >29,000 diverse grassland communities in the European Alps, and compared their effects with those of community‐level measures of functional composition (weighted means, variances, skewness and kurtosis). After accounting for the environment, the five most important key species jointly explained more deviance of productivity than any measure of functional composition alone. Key species were generally tall with high specific leaf areas. By dividing the observations according to distinct habitats, the explanatory power of key species and functional composition increased and key‐species plant types and functional composition‐productivity relationships varied systematically, presumably because of changing interactions and trade‐offs between traits. Our results advocate for a careful consideration of species’ individual effects on ecosystem functioning in complement to community‐level measures.
The Dziani Dzaha Lake: A long‐awaited modern analogue for superheavy pyrites
Authors: Cadeau Pierre , Cartigny Pierre , Thomazo Christophe , Jézéquel Didier , Leboulanger Christophe , Sarazin Gérard , Ader Magali
Published: January 2022

Sedimentary records of superheavy pyrites in Phanerozoic and Proterozoic successions (i.e., extremely positive δ34Spyrite values together with higher δ34Spyrite than coeval δ34SCAS) are mostly interpreted as resulting either from secondary postdepositional processes or from multiple redox reactions between sulfate and sulfide in stratified sulfate‐poor environments. We report here the first observation of strongly positive δ34S values for both dissolved sulfate and sulfide (average δ34Sdiss.sulfate value of 34.6‰ and δ34Sdiss.sulfide values of 36.7‰) compared to the present‐day seawater δ34Sdiss.sulfate (~21‰), with a negative apparent fractionation between sulfate and sulfide (∆34Sdiss.sulfate‐diss.sulfide ~ −2.1 ± 1.4‰), in the sulfate‐poor (<3 mm) modern thalassohaline lacustrine system Dziani Dzaha (Mayotte, Indian Ocean). Overall, surface sediments faithfully record the water column isotopic signatures including a mainly negative ∆34Ssed.sulfate‐sed.sulfide (−4.98 ± 4.5‰), corresponding to the definition of superheavy pyrite documented in the rock record. We propose that in the Dziani Dzaha this superheavy pyrite signature results from a two‐stage evolution of the sulfur biogeochemical cycle. In a first stage, the sulfur cycle would have been dominated by sulfate from initially sulfate‐rich marine waters. Overtime, Raleigh distillation by microbial sulfate reduction coupled with sulfide burial in the sediment would have progressively enriched in 34S the water column residual sulfate. In a second still active stage, quantitative sulfate reduction not only occurs below the halocline during stratified periods but also in the whole water column during fully anoxic episodes. Sulfates are then regenerated by partial oxidation of sulfides as the oxic–anoxic interface moves downward. These results demonstrate that the atypical superheavy pyrite isotope signature does not necessarily require postdepositional or secondary oxidative processes and can result from primary processes in restricted sulfate‐poor and highly productive environments analogous to the Dziani Dzaha.
Temperature thresholds drive the global distribution of soil fungal decomposers
Authors: Feng Youzhi , Zhang Jianwei , Berdugo Miguel , Guirado Emilio , Guerra Carlos A. , Egidi Eleonora , Wang Juntao , Singh Brajesh K. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel
Published: January 2022

Unraveling the biogeographic pattern of soil fungal decomposers along temperature gradients—in smooth linearity or an abrupt jump—can help us connect the global carbon cycle to global warming. Through a standardized global field survey, we identify the existence of temperature thresholds that control the global distribution of soil fungal decomposers, leading to abrupt reductions in their proportion (i.e., the relative abundance in the fungal community) immediately after crossing particular air and soil temperature thresholds. For example, small increases over the mean annual temperature threshold of ~9°C result in abrupt reductions in their proportion, paralleling a similar temperature threshold for soil carbon content. We further find that the proportion of soil fungal decomposers is more sensitive to temperature increases under arid conditions. Given the positive correlation between the global distributions of fungal decomposers and soil heterotrophic respiration, the reported temperature‐driven abrupt reductions in fungal decomposers could further suppress their driven soil decomposition processes and reduce carbon fluxes from soils to the atmosphere with implications for climate change feedback. This work not only advances the current knowledge on the global distribution of soil fungal decomposers, but also highlights that small changes in temperature around certain thresholds can lead to potential unexpected consequences in global carbon cycling under projected climate change.
The prime minister's constitution: Cabinet rulebooks in Westminster democracies
Authors: Barry Nicholas , Miragliotta Narelle , Nwokora Zim
Published: January 2022

The transformation of governance in Westminster democracies is well documented. However, one aspect of their change that has not received much attention is the creation and publication of cabinet rulebooks. The few studies of cabinet rulebooks have focused on their potential constitutional implications, leaving unclear how their emergence fits within the broader development of Westminster governance. We address this gap in the literature by examining cabinet rulebooks in five Westminster democracies: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. We analyze their features and emergence, and then set out a framework to analyze their potential effects on cabinet dynamics. We find that the appearance of cabinet rulebooks can be tied to several forces of change in Westminster systems, but most especially the growth of government. Furthermore, we find that these rulebooks project an account of prime ministerial power that is favorable to the prime minister.
From the United States to China? A trade perspective to reveal the structure and dynamics of global electronic‐telecommunications
Authors: Duan Dezhong , Xia Qifan
Published: January 2022

Despite contributions, most of the studies on electronic‐telecommunications trade are conducted within the framework of a global value chain and mainly based on an enterprise‐level. The global trade structure and dynamics of electronic‐telecommunications are still mysterious. In this paper, by deriving trade data of electronic‐telecommunications between countries (regions) from the UN Comtrade Database, characteristics in product, space and network of the global electronic‐telecommunications trade from 2000 to 2017 are explored, and the factors influencing its evolution. The results indicate that telecommunications equipment is gradually replacing electronic integrated circuits, thus leading the development of global trade on electronic‐telecommunications. In space, the global import pattern of electronic‐telecommunications has always been a tri‐polar pattern dominated by Asia‐Pacific, Europe, and North America, while the geography of global electronic‐telecommunications export has undergone fundamental changes, most notably the rise of the East Asia region represented by Mainland China. The global trade center in electronic and communication products has changed from USA to China. In terms of network structure, the global electronic‐telecommunications trade network continues to expand, showing significant small‐world and core‐peripheral characteristics, and a more competitive multi‐centric core is observed. In addition, Quadratic Assignment Procedure analysis indicates that culture proximity, innovation differences, and manufacturing differences have a positive effect on the international trade, while geographical distance, economic gap, openness gap, trade gap, and infrastructure gap play negative roles.
Women’s entrepreneurial subjectivity under scrutiny: Expert knowledge on gender and entrepreneurship
Authors: Serrano‐Pascual Amparo , Carretero‐García Carlota
Published: January 2022

In recent years, entrepreneurship has become a guiding principle of the thinkable, not just in economy, but also justice. Boosting entrepreneurship among women is a manifestation of this project, which a‐problematically links the call for equality with the activation of the economy. The standpoint usually taken in scientific and political debates assumes that, in the case of women, there is an incompatibility between gender norms and entrepreneurial subjectivity. Considering the performative nature of knowledge production, this article analyses how gender is (un)done through the problematization of women's entrepreneurial subjectivity by expert knowledge. To do so, it reviews a sample of the scientific literature of the past 10 years focused on the complex relations in place throughout these regulatory spaces. The authors identify three types of approaches (women facing entrepreneurship, the gender of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship of gender) and discuss the prevailing normative assumptions, as well as the political implications, through a gender and feminist lens.
Visual perception grounding of social cognition in preverbal infants
Authors: Goupil Nicolas , Papeo Liuba , Hochmann Jean‐Rémy
Published: January 2022

Social life is inherently relational, entailing the ability to recognize and monitor social entities and the relationships between them. Very young infants privilege socially relevant entities in the visual world, such as faces and bodies. Here, we show that six‐month‐old infants also discriminate between configurations of multiple human bodies, based on the internal visuo‐spatial relations between bodies, which could cue—or not—social interaction. We measured the differential looking times for two images, each featuring two identical bodies, but in different spatial relations. Infants discriminated between face‐to‐face and back‐to‐back body dyads (Experiment 1), and treated face‐to‐face dyads with higher efficiency (i.e., processing speed), relative to back‐to‐back dyads (Experiment 2). Looking times for dyads in an asymmetrical relation (i.e., one body facing another without reciprocation) were comparable to looking times for face‐to‐face dyads, and differed from looking times to back‐to‐back dyads, suggesting general discrimination between the presence versus absence of relation (Experiment 3). Infants’ discrimination of images based on relative positioning of items did not generalize to body‐object pairs (Experiment 4). Early sensitivity to the relative positioning of bodies in a scene may be a building block of social cognition, preparing the discovery of the keel and backbone of social life: relations.
Reproductive and pregnancy health care for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A scoping review
Authors: Ransohoff Jade I. , Sujin Kumar Prisha , Flynn David , Rubenstein Eric
Published: January 2022

Background

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities face poorer reproductive and pregnancy outcomes partially due to health care inequity. Our objective was to conduct a scoping review of reproductive and pregnancy related health care among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Methods

We systematically reviewed three databases for keywords pertaining to pregnancy, reproductive health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Two reviewers screened abstracts and extracted full text. We synthesised included papers, identifying common themes.

Results

Thirty‐six papers met review criteria. Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities had lower fertility rates and were less likely to receive adequate sexual education compared to peers. While most women received prenatal care, uptake was lower and received later than women without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Conclusions

Pregnancy‐related health care is often lacking for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are gaps inhibiting our understanding which prevents action to reduce health disparities.
A Novel missense mutation of COL2A1 gene in a large family with stickler syndrome type I
Authors: Liu Xiuzhen , Dong Hongliang , Gong Yuerong , Wang Lianqing , Zhang Ruyi , Zheng Tihua , Zheng Yuxi , Shen Shuang , Zheng Chelsea , Tian Mingming , Liu Naiguo , Zhang Xiaolin , Zheng Qing Yin
Published: January 2022

Stickler syndrome type I (STL1, MIM 108300) is characterized by ocular, auditory, skeletal and orofacial manifestations. Nonsyndromic ocular STL1 (MIM 609508) characterized by predominantly ocular features is a subgroup of STL1, and it is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. In this study, a novel variant c.T100>C (p.Cys34Arg) in COL2A1 related to a large nonsyndromic ocular STL1 family was identified through Exome sequencing (ES). Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the variant site was highly conserved and the pathogenic mechanism of this variant may involve in affected structure of chordin‐like cysteine‐rich (CR) repeats of ColIIA. Minigene assay indicated that this variant did not change alternative splicing of exon2 of COL2A1. Moreover, the nonsyndromic ocular STL1 family with 16 affected members showed phenotype variability and certain male gender trend. None of the family members had hearing loss. Our findings would expand the knowledge of the COL2A1 mutation spectrum, and phenotype variability associated with nonsyndromic ocular STL1. Search for genetic modifiers and related molecular pathways leading to the phenotype variation warrants further studies.
Prostaglandin E‐major urinary metabolite diagnoses mucosal healing in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission phase
Authors: Sakurai Toshiyuki , Akita Yoshihiro , Miyashita Haruna , Miyazaki Ryosuke , Maruyama Yuki , Saito Tomoko , Shimada Mariko , Yamasaki Takuji , Arhihiro Seiji , Kato Tomohiro , Matsuura Tomokazu , Ikegami Masahiro , Okayasu Isao , Saruta Masayuki
Published: January 2022

Background and Aim

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is usually detected by clinical symptoms, such as bleeding and diarrhea; however, it is rather difficult to assess during asymptomatic clinical remission (CR). Hence, there is a need for a biomarker that can reliably detect UC during remission. We previously reported on the utility of the prostaglandin E‐major urinary metabolite (PGE‐MUM) as a biomarker reflecting UC activity. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the PGE‐MUM in the diagnosis of endoscopic, histological, and histo‐endoscopic mucosal remission of UC, comparing with fecal tests.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted at the Jikei University Hospital between August 2017 and January 2021. Patients with UC in CR scheduled to undergo colonoscopy were included. The association between the PGE‐MUM with endoscopic remission (ER), histological remission (HR), and complete mucosal healing (CMH, defined as histo‐endoscopic remission) was analyzed. We also compared the area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic curves between PGE‐MUM, fecal calprotectin (FC), and fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Results

In total, 128 patients were analyzed. PGE‐MUM differed significantly in ER versus non‐ER (14.5 vs 16.7, P = 0.028), HR versus non‐HR (14.2 vs 17.4, P = 0.004), and CMH versus non‐CMH (14.3 vs 16.7, P = 0.021). There were no significant differences between the AUCs for PGE‐MUM, FC, and FIT for ER, HR, or CMH.

Conclusions

The PGE‐MUM can determine CMH in UC even during CR, regardless of the disease phenotype, indicating its clinical benefit for non‐invasive monitoring.
Interruptions during medication work in a Saudi Arabian hospital: An observational and interview study of nurses
Authors: Eid Thurayya , Machudo Sabo , Eid Rehan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To examine the nature of the interruptions during medication work.

Design

An exploratory descriptive design was used with 28 nurses during 15 medication rounds in the medical, surgical, and gynecology wards at a 1000‐bed tertiary teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Non‐participant prospective observational and follow‐up interview methods were used to collect data. A standard paper‐based tool and digital stopwatch to count the interruptions were used. Nurses' sources, the secondary tasks undertaken, and the impacts of the interruptions were considered. The data were analyzed via descriptive analysis.

Results

A total of 87 medication‐related events occurred. In these, 182 interruptions accounted for 90.0% of the total. Interruptions were more frequent during medication administration and often occurred in the corridors and patients' rooms. Nurses, medical officers, and impediments were frequent sources of interruptions. The secondary tasks attended by the nurses were mostly related with impediment resolutions and patients' needs. System failures appeared to be associated with clinical and procedural errors.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide information regarding the course of interruptions during medication work in a Saudi Arabian hospital. Nurses were the main source of interruptions related with the provision of patient care and resolution of impediments. Interruptions tended to be associated with clinical errors and procedural failures due to system failure. Promoting a culture of respect and workplace etiquette in global healthcare settings demands minimizing non‐life‐threatening interruptions during nursing works.

Clinical relevance

Strategies used in hospital management systems that affect nursing, pharmacies, human resources, and ancillary service department collaborations should be monitored for effectiveness and to ensure patient safety. Various approaches toward medication management systems, such as the utilization of an Omnicell automatic dispensing machine and cabinets within each patient's room, as well as others, such as wearing a “no‐interruption zone” sign, could be tailored and matched to the context of the practice to reduce interruptions.
Evaluation of the cumulative effect of Radiofrequency Microneedling and fractional Erbium: Glass 1565 laser in moderate to severe acne scars in skin of color
Authors: Sharad Jaishree
Published: January 2022

Aim and objectives

Evaluation of the cumulative effect of Radiofrequency Microneedling and fractional Erbium: Glass 1565 laser in moderate to severe acne scars in skin of color.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients of skin types III –V having moderate to severe atrophic acne scars. The study was carried out over 1 year from March 2019 to March 2020.

Procedure

All patients underwent 4 sessions of non‐ablative Fractional Erbium: Glass 1565 laser to alternate with 4 sessions of Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling once a month over 8 months.

Results

Of the 20 patients enrolled, 18 completed treatment protocol. Two patients were withdrawn from the study because they were unable to attend follow‐up treatment sessions. The subjective evaluation was performed using photographs at baseline, 8 months, and 12 months. A photographic evaluation was performed using the following numeric responses: <25%, 25–50%, 51–75%, and 76–100% difference in severity. None of the patients had worsening of their scars. The improvement in scars was statistically significant.

Conclusion

The combination of Fractional Erbium: Glass 1565 laser and Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling can be used in the treatment of acne scars in skin of color. Our protocols helped achieve significant improvement of scars.
Elastin microfibril interface‐located protein 1 and its catabolic enzyme, cathepsin K, regulate the age‐related structure of elastic fibers in the skin
Authors: Kondo Shinya , Tohgasaki Takeshi , Shiga Soichiro , Nishizawa Shino , Ishiwatari Shioji , Ishikawa Shinsuke , Takeda Akira , Sakurai Tetsuhito
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The elastic fiber structure becomes shorter, thicker, and curved with age. Nonetheless, the proteins and catabolic enzymes influencing the maintenance of and change in the three‐dimensional (3D) structure of elastic fibers remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the proteins involved in the maintenance and degeneration of elastic fiber structures.

Methods

We performed a combined 3D structural analysis using tissue decolorization technology and mRNA abundance and comprehensive protein expression of tissue‐derived cells. The relationship between the proteins was evaluated.

Results

Elastin microfibril interface‐located protein 1 (EMILIN‐1) and cathepsin K (CTSK) were implicated in structural changes in elastic fibers with aging. EMILIN‐1 and CTSK levels were highly correlated and changed with age. CTSK was identified as the degrading enzyme of EMILIN‐1. CTSK fragmented the otherwise linearly existing dermal elastic fiber structure, with more evident changes in oxytalan fibers. EMILIN‐1 expression in fibroblasts was increased by co‐culturing with keratinocytes. Furthermore, CTSK expression was increased by UV stress in keratinocytes, resulting in decreased EMILIN‐1 expression.

Conclusion

Using our new assessment strategy, we observed that EMILIN‐1 and CTSK are highly linked to changes in the elastic fiber structure with aging. These results indicate that suppressing CTSK expression and increasing EMILIN‐1 expression might be an effective approach to prevent elastic fiber morphological changes that lead to wrinkles and sagging. Furthermore, EMILIN‐1 in the dermis increases due to interaction with the epidermis, which could provide a new target for the therapeutic care of elastic fibers (including preservation of oxytalan fibers) in epidermis–dermis interaction.
Spatial patterns in neighbourhood effects on woody plant selection and bark stripping by deer in a lowland alluvial forest
Authors: Holík Jan , Janík David
Published: January 2022

Questions

Ungulate herbivory and its impact on one plant species may be driven by other plants in the neighbourhood. Although such neighbourhood effects have long been recognized, there is limited understanding of how spatial variation in these effects relates to local plant density and distances between plants. Our goal was to examine if the density of or distance to conspecific and heterospecific neighbouring woody individuals produces neighbourhood effects on bark stripping by deer, and how these effects differ in spatial scale and type (reduce/increase herbivory).

Location

Lowland old‐growth forest, Czech Republic.

Methods

Woody individuals were assessed for evidence of bark stripping and the level of damage done by deer in a square 4‐ha plot, mapping all woody stems ≥1 cm diameter at breast height. The spatial distribution of stripping was used to examine neighbourhood effects using spatial point pattern methods.

Results

The density and distance to neighbours and species identity of focal and neighbouring individuals contributed to a large spatial variation in neighbourhood effects (up to distances of 2–30 m from neighbours). Neighbourhood effects arose mainly from the interactions between neighbouring shrub species and all tree species, and interactions between individual species pairs. Neighbourhood effects more often increased than reduced the stripping of focal individuals. The stripping of Ulmus laevis, Acer campestre and Crataegus laevigata increased near conspecifics, while the stripping of all tree species was more likely near Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus angustifolia and shrubs. Heterospecific tree species were less susceptible to stripping near Tilia cordata and especially Carpinus betulus.

Conclusion

Our study provides new insight into neighbourhood effects by showing how and at which spatial scales woody plant interactions modify deer herbivory. We advocate considering the life stage and relevant plant traits with multivariate spatial methods in order to elucidate the role of neighbourhood effects in complex plant communities.
Making noncitizens' rights real: Evidence from immigration scam complaints
Authors: Pedroza Juan Manuel
Published: January 2022

Noncitizens seeking to make sense of US immigration systems encounter a labyrinth of information and deception. This paper is the first national study of scams targeting noncitizens seeking immigration legal services. I construct a county‐year database (N = 3135 over a four‐year time period, 2011–2014) across secondary data sources to analyze the correlates of immigration scam complaints submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). I find that welcoming counties have more immigration scam complaints, while counties with exclusionary contexts tend to have fewer complaints. The results do not suggest that scams are more prevalent in welcoming contexts, because the actual number of scams is unknown. Instead, we can conclude that noncitizens tend to come forward to report immigration scams in welcoming contexts of reception, even after accounting for exclusionary policies. A robust safety net proved the most reliable predictor of immigration scams reported to the FTC. The concentration of immigration attorneys, legal aid services, and language access was also positively associated with the number of FTC scam reports. Taken together, these results suggest that immigrant‐serving capacity and access to key services support noncitizens who report immigration scams, while hostility toward immigrants may deter them from exercising those same rights.
Efficacy and safety of percutaneous cryoablation for elderly patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Luo Jing , Dong Zheng , Xie Hui , Zhang Wei , An Linjing , Yu Zhe , Chang Xiujuan , Chen Yan , Yang Wuwei , Hu Kaiwen , Liu Fuquan , Yang Yongping
Published: January 2022

Background & Aims

Management of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a major concern. Some data suggest that cryoablation improves the outcomes of elderly patients with HCC, but its efficacy and safety remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cryoablation with those of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for elderly HCC patients.

Methods

In all, 223 patients with small HCC aged ≥70 years, treatment‐naïve, without metastasis were enrolled and randomized into a cryoablation group (n = 112) or a RFA (n = 111) group from July 2015 to October 2018. The primary endpoint was local tumour progression (LTP) at 3 years after treatment. The secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), tumour‐free survival (TFS), LTP and safety were analysed for these two groups after both treatments.

Results

LTP rates at 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year were 12%, 17% and 20% for cryoablation and 17%, 18% and 21% for RFA respectively (P = .735). For lesions >3 cm in diameter, LTP rates at 1‐ and 3‐year were 13% and 22% in cryoablation group and 22% and 42% respectively, in the RFA group (P = .039). The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year OS rates were 90, 75% and 62% for cryoablation and 90%, 68% and 63% for RFA respectively (P = .331). The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year TFS rates were 59%, 32% and 25% in the cryoablation and 59%, 28% and 20% in the RFA respectively (P = .309). Major complications occurred in 6 patients (5%) following cryoablation and 6 patients (6%) following RFA (P = .886).

Conclusion

Cryoablation and RFA had similar LTP in elderly patients with small HCC and this study failed to meet the primary endpoint, although for a relatively large early‐stage HCC the LTP rate after cryoablation was significantly lower than that after RFA.
On the Estimation of True State Dependence in the Persistence of Innovation*
Authors: Arroyabe Marta F. , Schumann Martin
Published: January 2022

This paper explores the persistence often found in firms’ innovation and advances current research by investigating its actual nature. Previous studies have aimed at disentangling true state dependence from spurious state dependence by using a random effects (RE) dynamic panel probit approach, thereby imposing strong conditions on the underlying structure of the unobserved heterogeneity. Building on recent advances in the econometric literature, which allows for true fixed effects estimation of dynamic nonlinear panel data models, we demonstrate that relaxing the assumptions on the unobserved heterogeneity can have a considerable effect on the estimates of true state dependence. While we confirm the existence of a strong persistence of innovation in firms, we however find that true state dependence only explains about half of the persistent behaviour displayed by firms; this is in contrast to the popular RE methodology that attributes 70% to 100% of persistence to true state dependence. Our results suggest that policy programs aimed at encouraging initial innovations alone are useful but may not possess a long‐term stimulating effect on innovation activity.
Barriers and facilitators to implementing practices for prevention of childhood obesity in primary care: A mixed methods systematic review
Authors: Ray Devashish , Sniehotta Falko , McColl Elaine , Ells Louisa
Published: January 2022

Primary care providers (PCPs) have an important role in prevention of excess weight gain in pre‐school children. Guidelines exist to support PCPs' practices. This systematic review of PCPs' practice behaviors and their perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of implementation of guidelines was the first step toward the development of an intervention aimed at supporting PCPs. Five databases were searched to identify qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies which examined PCPs' practice patterns and factors influencing implementation of recommended practices. The convergent integrated approach of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for mixed methods reviews was used for data synthesis. Following analyses, the resultant factors were mapped onto the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation model of Behaviour (COM‐B). Fifty studies met the eligibility criteria. PCPs inconsistently implement recommended practices. Barriers and facilitators were identified at the provider (e.g., lack of knowledge), parent (e.g., lack motivation), and organization level (e.g., inadequate training). Factors were mapped to all three components of the COM‐B model: psychological capability (e.g., lack of skills), reflective motivation (e.g., beliefs about guidelines), automatic motivation (e.g., discomfort), physical opportunity (e.g., time constraints), and social opportunity (e.g., stigma). These findings reflect the complexity of implementation of childhood obesity prevention practices.
Hepatic artery flow, inspired oxygen, and hemoglobin determine liver tissue saturation measured with visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (vis‐DRS) in an in vivo swine model
Authors: Voulgarelis Stylianos , Fathi Faraneh , Yu Bing , Palkovic Barbara , Chatzizacharias Nikolaos A. , Allen Kenneth P. , Stucke Astrid G.
Published: January 2022

Background

Prompt diagnosis of vascular compromise following pediatric liver transplantation and restoration of oxygen delivery to the liver improves organ survival. vis‐DRS allows for real‐time measurement of liver tissue saturation.

Methods

The current study used vis‐DRS to determine changes in liver saturation during clinically relevant conditions of reduced oxygen delivery. In an in vivo swine model (n = 15), we determined liver tissue saturation (StO2) during stepwise reduction in hepatic artery flow, different inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2), and increasing hemodilution. A custom vis‐DRS probe was placed directly on the organ.

Results

Liver tissue saturation decreased significantly with a decrease in hepatic artery flow. A reduction in hepatic artery flow to 25% of baseline reduced the StO2 by 15.3 ± 1.4% at FiO2 0.3 (mean ± SE, p < .0013), and by 8.3 ± 1.9% at FiO2 1.0 (p = .0013). After hemodilution to 7–8 g/dl, StO2 was reduced by 31.8% ± 2.7%, p < .001 (FiO2 0.3) and 26.6 ± 2.7%, p < .001 (FiO2: 1.0) respectively. Portal venous saturation during low hepatic artery flow was consistently higher at FiO2 1.0. The gradient between portal venous saturation and liver tissue saturation was consistently greater at lower hemoglobin levels (7.0 ± 1.6% per g/dl hemoglobin, p < .001).

Conclusions

Vis‐DRS showed prompt changes in liver tissue saturation with decreases in hepatic artery blood flow. At hepatic artery flows below 50% of baseline, liver saturation depended on FiO2 and hemoglobin concentration suggesting that during hepatic artery occlusion, packed red blood cell transfusion and increased FiO2 may be useful measures to reduce hypoxic damage until surgical revascularization.
A tactile graphic book with Braille and audio use improved plaque score and toothbrushing performance in visually impaired individuals
Authors: PinKwan Padthaisong , Woranun Prapansilp , Praphasri Rirattanapong
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of embossed tactile graphic books and Braille with an audio file for oral health education for visually impaired individuals.

Materials and Methods

Forty visually impaired individuals (9–16 years old) were matched and randomly assigned into two groups. The education was provided using an audio file and practicing toothbrushing with teachers’ hands‐on assistance for the audio/hands‐on (A/HO) group and the tactile graphic book with audio and teacher supervision (ATB/TS) group. The oral health instruction was performed three times, once a week every 2 weeks, transitioning to a self‐study session based on the group's method once a week for 4 weeks. Plaque score, brushing performance, and oral health knowledge were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–WhitneyUand Friedman post hoc test.

Results

A significant improvement was found in both groups at week 6 of the intervention. However, the ATB/TS group had a significantly higher score than the A/HO group in the task analysis of tooth brushing step score (p‐value < 0.001), PHP score (p‐value = 0.001), and oral hygiene knowledge score (p‐value < 0.001).

Conclusion

Tactile graphic books and Braille with an audio file is an effective medium for the oral health education of visually impaired individuals.
Micropuncture closure following high density microarray patch application in healthy subjects
Authors: Henricson Joakim , Muller David A. , Baker S. Ben , Iredahl Fredrik , Togö Totte , Anderson Chris D.
Published: January 2022

Background

The high‐density microarray patch (HD‐MAP) promises to be a robust vaccination platform with clear advantages for future global societal demands for health care management. The method of action has its base not only in efficient delivery of vaccine but also in the reliable induction of a local innate physical inflammatory response to adjuvant the vaccination process. The application process needs to induce levels of reactivity, which are acceptable to the vaccine, and from which the skin promptly recovers.

Materials and methods

1 × 1 cm HD‐MAP patches containing 5000, 250‐μm long microprojections were applied to the skin in 12 healthy volunteers. The return of skin barrier function was assessed by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reaction to topical histamine challenge.

Results

Skin barrier recovery by 48 h was confirmed for all HD‐MAP sites by recovered resistance to the effects of topical histamine application.

Conclusions

Our previous observation, that the barrier disruption indicator TEWL returns to normal by 48 h, is supported by this paper's demonstration of return of skin resistance to topical histamine challenge in twelve healthy subjects.
Privileging Practice in Sport Leadership: Applying Relational Reflexivity
Authors: Damon Zack J. , Leberman Sarah , Wells Janelle E. , Burton Laura , Ferkins Lesley , Weese Jim , Peachey Jon Welty
Published: January 2022

Hibbert et al.’s relationally reflexive practice framework guided the authors to develop a new sport leadership generative partnership model emphasizing privileging practice and the sport sector as it relates to researching, teaching, and practicing sport leadership. The 2019 North American Society for Sport Management symposium on sport leadership, titled “The Changing Face of Leadership Within Sport: What Does the Future Hold?” acted as a springboard for deep, reflexive conversations among the authors. Through the development of our model, we purposely highlight the process of a relationally reflexive journey making sense of our lived experiences, engaging with learnings from the symposium, and arguing that sport leadership and followership research and teaching ultimately should be about improving the sport sector within specific cultural contexts. We offer critically conscious considerations for privileging and embedding practice as part of sport management teaching, research, and service.
“My Methods Courses Feel Like Walmart”: Influence of Secondary Organizational Socialization on Early Career Faculty Members’ Implementation of PETE
Authors: Brunsdon Jamie Jacob , Curtner-Smith Matthew D.
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of secondary organizational socialization on seven early career faculty members’ (FMs’) implementation of physical education teacher education (PETE). Data were collected with four qualitative techniques and analyzed with standard interpretive methods. FMs delivered PETE that was either a hybrid of the traditional/craft and behavioristic orientations to teacher education or of the critical inquiry, traditional/craft, and behavioristic orientations. Cultural elements and conditions that helped or hindered FMs’ in PETE were identified. FMs coped with negative and unfavorable elements of their cultures and conditions by fully complying with, strategically complying with, and strategically redefining their situations, or finding a new position. The stories of these FMs should inspire administrators, senior colleagues, and those training doctoral students to reflect on the degree to which they help or hinder neophyte FMs, as well as aid doctoral students preparing to make the transition into faculty positions.
Layered sediments on Mars deposited by impacts instead of by liquid water
Authors: Burt Donald M.
Published: January 2022

Layered deposits on Mars imaged by the three rovers are generally inferred to have been deposited by liquid water (or wind or volcanism), consistent with interpretations based on orbital imaging. This interpretation implies early Mars was warm and wet, despite long-standing problems with modeling this case. As an alternative hypothesis, rapid sediment deposition during Late Noachian impact bombardment followed by local hydration and alteration of sediment by surficial acid condensates and (at least in Gale Crater) by chemically neutral groundwater can explain all the observed sediment features, such as ubiquitous low-angle cross-bedding, primitive basaltic compositions, persistent acidic salts, abundant amorphous materials, immature clays, high friability with low bulk densities, planar scoured unconformities, and rounded cobbles from rock tumbling. In other words, the ground-observed mineralogy, geochemistry, and sedimentology do not require and even are inconsistent with deposition from liquid water. Unlike the Moon, early Mars is believed to have had an atmosphere and water, perhaps mostly frozen. If so, impacts should have formed turbulent ground-hugging impactoclastic density currents capable of traveling hundreds of kilometers, and even globally. As terrestrial analogs, smaller-scale density currents are widespread around explosive volcanoes and nuclear test sites, whereas terrestrial impact analogs are lacking. Steam condensation on particles causes accretionary lapilli to form, grow to a maximum size, and fall out on layered deposits, and similar spherules have been observed by two of three rovers. Explaining these spherules as normal sedimentary concretions at Meridiani Planum required ignoring some of the observations. Ancient sediments on Mars that superficially resemble terrestrial aqueous deposits could therefore actually have resulted from impact cratering, the dominant geologic process in the early solar system.