bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of land‐use change on avian taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in a tropical montane rainforest
Authors: Rurangwa Marie Laure , Aguirre‐Gutiérrez Jesús , Matthews Thomas J. , Niyigaba Protais , Wayman Joseph P. , Tobias Joseph A. , Whittaker Robert J.
Published: June 2021

Aim

Although land use change is a leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide, there is scant information on the extent to which it has affected the structure and composition of bird communities in the Afrotropical region. This study aimed to quantify the effects of habitat transformation on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in Afrotropical bird communities.

Location

Nyungwe landscape, a montane rainforest with adjoining farmland in south‐west Rwanda.

Methods

Data on bird occurrence, abundance and functional traits were collected in 2017/18 using point counts. We also collected data on habitat and morphological traits for all bird species recorded. We quantified bird diversity using a range of metrics, including the inverse Simpson index, functional dispersion and the standardized effect size of mean nearest taxon distance.

Results

In comparison with primary forest areas, even low levels of land use change altered species composition and reduced species diversity. Although overall functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity were similar across land use types, we found a significant contraction of trophic and locomotory trait structures of bird communities in restored areas and cultivated areas, respectively. Soil moisture, elevation and lower vegetation height were major factors influencing taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dimensions of bird communities, although their effects varied across these dimensions.

Main conclusions

The sensitivity of forest species to minor habitat disturbance emphasizes the value of conserving primary vegetation. Long‐term conservation of bird communities in Afromontane ecosystems requires halting wide‐scale destruction of primary forest, promoting vegetation heterogeneity in the ecological restoration of degraded habitats and adopting wildlife‐friendly agricultural practices. Our results suggest that monitoring and conservation in these landscapes can be refined using taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity metrics to provide complementary information about the current and likely future impacts of land use change.
Voluntary suppression of associated activity decreases force steadiness in the active hand
Authors: Colomer‐Poveda David , Zijdewind Inge , Dolstra Jurian , Márquez Gonzalo , Hortobágyi Tibor
Published: June 2021

Unilateral muscle contractions are often accompanied by the activation of the ipsilateral hemisphere, producing associated activity (AA) in the contralateral homologous muscles. However, the functional role of AA is not fully understood. We determined the effects of voluntary suppression of AA in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI), on force steadiness during a constant force isometric contraction of the contralateral FDI. Participants (n = 17, 25.5 years) performed two trials of isometric FDI contractions as steadily as possible. In Trial 1, they did not receive feedback or explicit instructions for suppressing the AA in the contralateral homologous FDI. In Trial 2, participants received feedback and were asked to voluntarily suppress the AA in the contralateral nontarget FDI. During both trials, corticospinal excitability and motor cortical inhibition were measured. The results show that participants effectively suppressed the AA in the nontarget contralateral FDI (−71%), which correlated with reductions in corticospinal excitability (−57%), and the suppression was also accompanied by increases in inhibition (27%) in the ipsilateral motor cortex. The suppression of AA impaired force steadiness, but the decrease in force steadiness did not correlate with the magnitude of suppression. The results show that voluntary suppression of AA decreases force steadiness in the active hand. However, due to the lack of association between suppression and decreased steadiness, we interpret these data to mean that specific elements of the ipsilateral brain activation producing AA in younger adults are neither contributing nor detrimental to unilateral motor control during a steady isometric contraction.
Understanding societal approval of the fishing industry and the influence of third‐party sustainability certification
Authors: Robinson Lucy M. , van Putten Ingrid , Cavve Blake S. , Longo Catherine , Watson Matt , Bellchambers Lynda , Fisher Emily , Boschetti Fabio
Published: June 2021

Commercial fisheries are increasingly interested in greater social acceptance of their operations and practices. For harvesters, achieving acceptance is complex because expectations arise from many societal groups who can differ greatly in their perceptions. Historically, third‐party certification programmes assisted industry in gaining market acceptance (from consumer and investor groups) by improving the ecological sustainability of fishing practices. This focus is diversifying as societal expectations expand beyond ecological concerns to encompass, for instance, equal access and fair distribution of benefits as well as fisheries management and ethical aspects. In this study, we draw on theoretical work from the social acceptance and social licence literature to create a conceptual model that includes eight variables, representing different aspects of societal approval of fisheries. We applied this model to examine the influence of third‐party certification on societal approval of fisheries in Western Australia (WA). Based on study respondents' perceptions, third‐party certification had a statistically significant influence on facilitating government and regulatory approval of industry. Most respondents perceived certification to facilitate industry acceptance from stakeholders, but this was less so for the local community and general public. Contrary to expectations, but perhaps specific to WA because seafood is mostly sold without the ecolabel, certification was less influential on domestic and export market acceptance. Our findings, in WA, highlight certification was not equally influential on all societal approval aspects. Additionally, the conceptual model is sufficiently flexible to assist other fisheries (and industries) in understanding the influence of certification (and other factors) on different societal approval aspects.
Contemporary screen time usage among children 9–10‐years‐old is associated with higher body mass index percentile at 1‐year follow‐up: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Nagata Jason M. , Iyer Puja , Chu Jonathan , Baker Fiona C. , Gabriel Kelley Pettee , Garber Andrea K. , Murray Stuart B. , Bibbins‐Domingo Kirsten , Ganson Kyle T.
Published: June 2021

Objective

There is a paucity of prospective research exploring the relationship among contemporary screen time modalities (e.g., video streaming, video chatting, texting and social networking) and body mass index (BMI) percentile. The objective of this study was to determine the prospective associations between screen time behaviours in a large and demographically diverse population‐based cohort of 9–10‐year‐old children and BMI percentile at 1‐year follow‐up.

Methods

We analyzed prospective cohort data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 11 066). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations between baseline screen time behaviours (exposure) and BMI percentile at 1‐year follow‐up, adjusting for race/ethnicity, sex, household income, parent education, depression, binge‐eating disorder and baseline BMI percentile.

Results

Each additional hour of total screen time per day was prospectively associated with a 0.22 higher BMI percentile at 1‐year follow‐up (95% CI 0.10–0.34) after adjusting for covariates. When examining specific screen time behaviours, each additional hour of texting (B = 0.92, 95% CI 0.29–1.55), video chat (B = 0.72, 95% CI 0.09–1.36) and video games (B = 0.42, 95% CI 0.06–0.78) was significantly prospectively associated with higher BMI percentile.

Conclusions

Screen time is prospectively associated with a higher BMI percentile 1 year later among children 9–10 years old.
Genetic risk score prediction of leg fat and insulin sensitivity differs by race/ethnicity in early pubertal children
Authors: Fowler Lauren A. , Fernández José R. , Deemer Sarah E. , Gower Barbara A.
Published: June 2021

Background

In the United States, the underlying reasons for racial/ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes risk remain unclear. However, differences in genetic risk for insulin resistance and peripheral adipose tissue distribution may be contributing factors.

Objective

To investigate racial/ethnic differences in associations of genetic risk for insulin resistance with leg fat and insulin sensitivity in a cohort of American children.

Methods

Participants were healthy European–American (n = 83), African–American (n = 79) and Hispanic–American (n = 74) children aged 7–12 years. Genetic risk scores were derived from published variants associated with insulin resistance phenotypes in European adults. Body composition was assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Insulin sensitivity was determined from the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and minimal modelling. Statistical models were adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage and body composition.

Results

In the combined cohort, risk score was inversely associated with insulin sensitivity (p = 0.033) but not leg fat (p = 0.170). Within Hispanic Americans, risk score was inversely associated with insulin sensitivity (p = 0.027) and leg fat (p = 0.005), while associations were non‐significant in European and African Americans (p > 0.200).

Conclusions

The higher type 2 diabetes risk observed among Hispanic Americans may have a genetic basis related to an inability to store lipid in peripheral adipose tissue.
Puerarin attenuates intracerebral hemorrhage‐induced early brain injury possibly by PI3K/Akt signal activation‐mediated suppression of NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Zeng Jun , Zheng Shizhong , Chen Yizhao , Qu Yaoming , Xie Jiayu , Hong Enhui , Lv Hongzhu , Ding Rui , Feng Liang , Xie Zhichong
Published: June 2021

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can induce intensively oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and brain cell apoptosis. However, currently, there is no highly effective treatment available. Puerarin (PUE) possesses excellent neuroprotective effects by suppressing the NF‐κB pathway and activating the PI3K/Akt signal, but its role and related mechanisms in ICH‐induced early brain injury (EBI) remain unclear. In this study, we intended to observe the effects of PUE and molecular mechanisms on ICH‐induced EBI. ICH was induced in rats by collagenase IV injection. PUE was intraperitoneally administrated alone or with simultaneously intracerebroventricular injection of LY294002 (a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt signal). Neurological deficiency, histological impairment, brain edema, hematoma volume, blood–brain barrier destruction, and brain cell apoptosis were evaluated. Western blot, immunohistochemistry staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed. PUE administration at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg could significantly reduce ICH‐induced neurological deficits and EBI. Moreover, PUE could notably restrain ICH‐induced upregulation of the NF‐κB pathway, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, ROS level, and apoptotic pathway and activate the PI3K/Akt signal. However, LY294002 delivery could efficaciously weaken these neuroprotective effects of PUE. Overall, PUE could attenuate ICH‐induced behavioral defects and EBI possibly by PI3K/Akt signal stimulation‐mediated inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway, and this made PUE a potential candidate as a promising therapeutic option for ICH‐induced EBI.
HDAC6 inhibitor ACY1215 inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in acute liver failure by regulating the ATM/F‐actin signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Qian , Wang Yao , Jiao Fangzhou , Cao Pan , Shi Chunxia , Pei Maohua , Wang Luwen , Gong Zuojiong
Published: June 2021

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare and critical medical condition. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of ACY1215 in ALF mice. Our findings suggested that ACY1215 treatment ameliorates the pathological hepatic damage of ALF and decreases the serum levels of ALT and AST. Furthermore, ACY1215 pretreatment increased the level of ATM, γ‐H2AX, Chk2, p53, p21, F‐actin and vinculin in ALF. Moreover, ACY1215 inhibited the level of NLRP3, ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 in ALF. The ATM inhibitor KU55933 could decrease the level of ATM, γ‐H2AX, Chk2, p53, p21, F‐actin and vinculin in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. The F‐actin inhibitor cytochalasin B decreased the level of F‐actin and vinculin in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. However, cytochalasin B had no effect on protein levels of ATM, Chk2, p53 and p21 in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. Cytochalasin B could dramatically increase the level of NLRP3, ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. These results indicated that ACY1215 exhibited hepatoprotective properties, which was associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and this effect of ACY1215 was connected with upregulation of the ATM/F‐actin mediated signalling pathways.
Effects of a reduced in‐office bleaching protocol with 37.5% hydrogen peroxide on effectiveness and tooth sensitivity: A double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Meireles Sônia Saeger , Santos Mariana Evangelista , Lustosa Ísis Moreira Cardoso , Leite Eva Lis Lopes
Published: June 2021

Objective

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness and tooth sensitivity (TS) of 37.5% hydrogen peroxide (37.5HP) in‐office bleaching with reduced protocol.

Materials and methods

Forty participants with shade mean C2 or darker for the six maxillary anterior teeth were randomly allocated into two treatment groups (n = 20): two (37.5HP2) or three (37.5HP3) 8 min applications/clinical session. Three clinical sessions were performed with a 1 week interval. Color evaluations were done with a spectrophotometer at baseline and 1 week post‐bleaching. TS was measured during and up to 48 h after bleaching using a five‐point numeric rating scale. Color change was evaluated by Student's t‐test for independent samples. The absolute risk and intensity of TS were analyzed by Fisher's and Mann–Whitney/Friedman tests (p < 0.05).

Result

Both treatment groups resulted in a significant tooth whitening 1 week post‐bleaching (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between 37.5HP2 and 37.5HP3 for ΔE*ab, ΔE00 and ∆WID. Also, there were not differences between groups regarding high absolute risk (p = 1.0) and low intensity of TS at all time assessments (p > 0.7).

Conclusions

The in‐office bleaching with two 37.5% HP applications produced the same whitening degree, risk and intensity of TS to that performed with three gel applications.

Clinical significance

Clinicians should opt to use a neutral 37.5% HP in‐office bleaching gel for two 8 min applications/clinical session because produces the same whitening effectiveness, risk and low intensity of TS as the protocol proposed by manufacturer (three 8 min applications).
Do immigrants’ health advantages remain after unemployment? Variations by race‐ethnicity and gender
Authors: Zheng Hui , Yu Wei‐hsin
Published: June 2021

Immigrants tend to display more favorable health outcomes than native‐born co‐ethnics. At the same time, they face considerable employment instability. It is unclear whether immigrants’ job conditions may compromise their health advantage. Using U.S. National Health Interview Survey data, this study shows that the experience of unemployment reduces immigrants’ health advantage, but unemployed foreign‐born Blacks, White women, and Asian women still have lower mortality rates than their native‐born employed counterparts. Overall, unemployment is less detrimental to immigrants than to natives, and immigrants’ “survival advantage after unemployment” persists as their duration of residence extends. We further find substantial heterogeneity in the unemployment effect within immigrants. Asian immigrants display a much sharper gender difference in the mortality consequence of unemployment than other immigrants. Asian men's worse general health and substantially higher smoking rate, especially among the unemployed, lead them to fare much worse than Asian women following unemployment.
Associations between Afrotropical bats, eukaryotic parasites, and microbial symbionts
Authors: Lutz Holly L. , Gilbert Jack A. , Dick Carl W.
Published: June 2021

Skin is the largest mammalian organ and the first defensive barrier against the external environment. The skin and fur of mammals can host a wide variety of ectoparasites, many of which are phylogenetically diverse, specialized, and specifically adapted to their hosts. Among hematophagous dipteran parasites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to serve as important attractants, leading parasites to compatible sources of blood meals. VOCs have been hypothesized to be mediated by host‐associated bacteria, which may thereby indirectly influence parasitism. Host‐associated bacteria may also influence parasitism directly, as has been observed in interactions between animal gut microbiota and malarial parasites. Hypotheses relating bacterial symbionts and eukaryotic parasitism have rarely been tested among humans and domestic animals, and to our knowledge have not been tested in wild vertebrates. In this study, we used Afrotropical bats, hematophagous ectoparasitic bat flies, and haemosporidian (malarial) parasites vectored by bat flies as a model to test the hypothesis that the vertebrate host microbiome is linked to parasitism in a wild system. We identified significant correlations between bacterial community composition of the skin and dipteran ectoparasite prevalence across four major bat lineages, as well as striking differences in skin microbial network characteristics between ectoparasitized and nonectoparasitized bats. We also identified links between the oral microbiome and presence of malarial parasites among miniopterid bats. Our results support the hypothesis that microbial symbionts may serve as indirect mediators of parasitism among eukaryotic hosts and parasites.
Entrustable professional activities for early health professionals: What's next?
Authors: O’Connor Paul , Lydon Sinéad , O’Dowd Emily , Byrne Dara
Published: June 2021

O'Dowd et al. comment on this issue's review of Entrustable Professional Activities by exposing the research needed to ensure potential translates into improved efficiency of training for early healthcare professionals.
An efficient cutting scheme for a section view of the large‐scale infrastructure models
Authors: Luo Guoliang , Wang Rui , Xiao Meihua , Yang Hui , Xiao Qian , Zeng Jiangyou , Liao Chenghui
Published: June 2021

With the advancement of the three‐dimensional (3D) modeling techniques in the recent decade, civil infrastructure design (CID) has been used to produce large‐scale 3D infrastructure models that contain a large set of 3D models with a significantly large number of vertices. In the meantime, such large‐scale data necessitates a higher requirement for efficient data processing techniques. Two‐dimensional (2D)‐plane cutting is one of the basic techniques used to observe and analyze 3D models in CID. This paper presents an efficient cutting scheme for a section view of large‐scale 3D infrastructure models in CID. The proposed cutting scheme contains a pipeline of locating the intersected faces, computing the intersection points, and the polygon triangulation for visualization. Furthermore, an optimized data structure is introduced to realize the parallel implementation of the efficiency cutting scheme. After integrating to our existing 3D design and visualization platform, the experimental results with different 3D infrastructure model datasets, such as the large‐scale electrical substation models, have demonstrated both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed cutting scheme.
Novel Escherichia coli active site dnaE alleles with altered base and sugar selectivity
Authors: Vaisman Alexandra , Łazowski Krystian , Reijns Martin A. M. , Walsh Erin , McDonald John P. , Moreno Kristiniana C. , Quiros Dominic R. , Schmidt Marlen , Kranz Harald , Yang Wei , Makiela‐Dzbenska Karolina , Woodgate Roger
Published: June 2021

The Escherichia coli dnaE gene encodes the α‐catalytic subunit (pol IIIα) of DNA polymerase III, the cell’s main replicase. Like all high‐fidelity DNA polymerases, pol III possesses stringent base and sugar discrimination. The latter is mediated by a so‐called “steric gate” residue in the active site of the polymerase that physically clashes with the 2′‐OH of an incoming ribonucleotide. Our structural modeling data suggest that H760 is the steric gate residue in E.coli pol IIIα. To understand how H760 and the adjacent S759 residue help maintain genome stability, we generated DNA fragments in which the codons for H760 or S759 were systematically changed to the other nineteen naturally occurring amino acids and attempted to clone them into a plasmid expressing pol III core (α‐θ‐ε subunits). Of the possible 38 mutants, only nine were successfully sub‐cloned: three with substitutions at H760 and 6 with substitutions at S759. Three of the plasmid‐encoded alleles, S759C, S759N, and S759T, exhibited mild to moderate mutator activity and were moved onto the chromosome for further characterization. These studies revealed altered phenotypes regarding deoxyribonucleotide base selectivity and ribonucleotide discrimination. We believe that these are the first dnaE mutants with such phenotypes to be reported in the literature.
Assessing the impact of FFP3 masks to oxygen saturation and pulse rate in the Oral Surgery department at the Glasgow Dental Hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic: an observational study
Authors: Rehman Ilyaas , Ali Sarah , O’Brien Conor , Goodall Christine
Published: June 2021

Aim

The impact on physiological parameters and well‐being from potential respiratory distress caused by FFP3 masks, particularly during extensive clinical sessions, has been widely speculated during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the effect of FFP3 mask wear on clinicians’ pulse rate and oxygen saturation.

Material & Methods

Clinical staff within the Oral Surgery department recorded their oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate prior to donning an FFP3 mask, prior to doffing FFP3 mask and after doffing FFP3 mask using a finger pulse oximeter for a two‐week period in May–June 2020. The duration of wear, the session (AM/PM), the brand of mask and the presence of previous COVID‐19 symptoms were also recorded.

Results

Twenty‐eight data sets were collected from twelve participants (1M:11F). Of the FFP3 masks worn, nineteen (67.86%) were ARCOTM, eight (28.57%) were 3MTM masks and one (3.57%) was 3M+TM. At baseline, the mean SpO2 was 98.39% and the mean pulse rate was 72.11. Prior to mask removal, the mean SpO2 was 97.82% and the mean pulse rate was 70.04. At the end of the session, the mean SpO2 was 98.14% and the mean pulse rate was 69.54. The mean duration of wear was 150.34 min. Data sets were collected evenly across AM (14) and PM (14) sessions. Five participants (17.86%) reported previous COVID‐19 symptoms.

Conclusion

The data demonstrated a mean reduction of 0.25% in oxygen saturation and 3.56% in pulse rate, following the use of an FFP3 mask. These changes in physiological parameters are not clinically significant and sessional use appears to be safe.
Clarithromycin hypersensitivity in children: Is there a link with β‐lactam hypersensitivity?
Authors: Suleyman Ayse , Yucel Esra , Sipahi Cimen Sevgi , Hizli Demirkale Zeynep , Ozdemir Cevdet , Tamay Zeynep Ulker , Guler Nermin
Published: June 2021

Background

Clarithromycin hypersensitivity is reported as the most common cause of non‐β‐lactam antibiotic allergy in children. Clarithromycin is frequently prescribed in cases of suspected β‐lactam hypersensitivity. Oral provocation tests stand as the gold standard to confirm drug hypersensitivity as diagnostic value of skin tests is variable. We analyzed the frequency of true clarithromycin hypersensitivity ratio and its relationship with β‐lactam allergy among children with suspected clarithromycin hypersensitivity and evaluated the diagnostic value of skin tests.

Methods

The study included 160 children referred with suspected clarithromycin hypersensitivity. Clinical history and allergy workups including skin tests or/and oral provocation tests were retrieved from medical records.

Results

Oral provocation test confirmed clarithromycin hypersensitivity rate was 5.6% (n = 9/160). Skin tests with clarithromycin showed positivity in 32.6% (n = 29/89) of the tested patients. The sensitivity of clarithromycin skin tests was negligible, and specificity was 73.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.7–81.8). Eighty‐eight of the patients (55%) reported that they had previously tolerated a β‐lactam antibiotic. β‐lactam hypersensitivity was suspected in 40% (n = 64/160) of the patients (simultaneous [n = 10], sequential [n = 19], distant form [n = 35]) in relation with clarithromycin usage. β‐lactam hypersensitivity (95% CI, 2.1–70.6,p = .005) and sequential usage of clarithromycin after the development of a rash with amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid (95% CI, 2.0–96.4,p = .007) were found as risk factors for confirmed clarithromycin hypersensitivity.

Conclusion

The frequency of confirmed clarithromycin hypersensitivity was found low among suspected patients. Oral provocation test is crucial for definite diagnosis. Confirmed β‐lactam allergy may be attributed as a risk factor for clarithromycin hypersensitivity, particularly clarithromycin treatment after a developing rash with amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid in sequential usage.
Identification and development of a KASP functional marker of TaTAP46‐5A associated with kernel weight in wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Zhang Youfu , Li Tian , Geng Yuke , Wang Yamei , Liu Yunchuan , Li Huifang , Hao Chenyang , Wang Huajun , Shang Xunwu , Zhang Xueyong
Published: June 2021

TAP46 (Type 2A‐phosphatase‐Associated Protein 46 kDa) is homologous to yeast TAP42 or the animal α4 gene and is a crucial gene in the target of rapamycin regulation of protein phosphatase 2A. It has been proven to influence the thousand‐kernel weight (TKW) and kernel size in transgenic wheat. To rapidly identify high‐yield wheat germplasms of TaTAP46, four interlinked single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified by resequencing the TaTAP46‐5A gene in 32 varieties, forming two haplotypes: Hap1 and Hap2. A KASP marker, −1462A/C, was developed to identify Hap1/Hap2. A 157 Chinese wheat mini core collection and 348 Chinese modern collection were constructed for association analysis of the two haplotypes and their phenotypes. The results showed that the Hap1/Hap2 of TaTAP46‐5A was significantly associated with the TKW and kernel size. Hap1 was a favourable haplotype with higher TKW and larger kernel size compared to those of Hap2. Hap1 is a stable high yield type of the TaTAP46 gene that has been continuously selected in high‐yield wheat breeding worldwide. The germplasm of Hap1 can be selected quickly using the KASP primer −1462A/C, to improve breeding efficiency.
Synthesis and Photophysics of Water‐Soluble Psoralens with Red‐Shifted Absorption
Authors: Bertling Janina , Thom Kristoffer A. , Geenen Sarah , Jeuken Hannah , Presser Lysander , Müller Thomas J. J. , Gilch Peter
Published: June 2021

Abstract

8‐Methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) serves as a PUVA (psoralen + UV‐A) agent in the treatment of certain skin diseases. Derivatives of 8‐MOP with cationic aromatic substituents at the five positions were synthesized and characterized by steady‐state, femtosecond and nanosecond spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. The aromatic substituents' positive charge increases the water solubility and the affinity toward intercalation into DNA. The aromatic substituents were supposed to lower the psoralen S1 energy and thereby suppress a photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) with guanine‐bearing DNA. Such a suppression of this PET is expected to increase the propensity of psoralens to photo‐addition to DNA. For derivatives bearing methylpyridinium residues, femtosecond spectroscopy revealed an intramolecular PET occurring on the picosecond time scale. This PET precludes the population of the triplet state. As triplet states are the precursor state for the photo‐addition to DNA, their intermolecular PET renders these derivatives ineffective in terms of PUVA. For two derivatives bearing trimethylphenylammonium moieties, such an intramolecular PET does not occur and the triplet state is populated. Surprisingly, these compounds also exhibit no PUVA activity. Based on these findings, implications for further optimization of PUVA agents are discussed.
Goal setting and attaining: Neural correlates of positive coping style and hope
Authors: Xiang Guangcan , Li Qingqing , Xiao Mingyue , He Li , Chen Ximei , Du Xiaoli , Liu Xinyuan , Song Shiqing , Wu Yue , Chen Hong
Published: June 2021

Trait hope focuses on individual goal‐related thoughts and is assumed to be a critical indicator for one's mental health. However, the neurobiological basis of hope and the neurological mechanisms underlying the relationship between positive coping style (PCS) and hope (including the two dimensions of pathway thinking and agency thinking) are still largely unknown. Thus, this study explored the neural basis of trait hope by correlating the regional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) with the self‐reported hope of 576 healthy first‐year college students underwent RS‐fMRI. Our results showed that trait hope was positively associated with PCS. A whole‐brain correlation analysis provided early evidence that higher levels of trait hope were associated with decreased ALFF in the left frontal pole cortex (FPC). Additionally, pathway thinking was associated with decreased ALFF in FPC, increased ALFF in the right postcentral gyrus (PCG), decreased RSFC of the left FPC and left posterior cingulate cortex, the left FPC and right middle temporal gyrus, and the right PCG and left cerebellum. Furthermore, mediation analyses demonstrated that the PCG–cerebellum connectivity might link to pathway thinking through PCS and PCS might relate to trait hope through PCG–cerebellum connectivity. Our findings contribute to the neurobiological basis of hope and the neural mechanism underlying the relationship between trait hope and coping style.
Long‐term impact of coal mine fire smoke on lung mechanics in exposed adults
Authors: Holt Nicolette R. , Gao Caroline X. , Borg Brigitte M. , Brown David , Broder Jonathan C. , Ikin Jillian , Makar Annie , McCrabb Thomas , Nilsen Kris , Thompson Bruce R. , Abramson Michael J.
Published: June 2021

Background and objective

In 2014, a 6‐week‐long fire at the Hazelwood coal mine exposed residents in the adjacent town of Morwell to high concentrations of fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5). The long‐term health consequences are being evaluated as part of the Hazelwood Health Study.

Methods

Approximately 3.5–4 years after the mine fire, adults from Morwell (n = 346) and the comparison town Sale (n = 173) participated in the longitudinal Respiratory Stream of the Study. Individual PM2.5 exposure was retrospectively modelled. Lung mechanics were assessed using the forced oscillation technique (FOT), utilizing pressure waves to measure respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs). Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate associations between PM2.5 and transformed Rrs at 5 Hz, area under the reactance curve (AX5) and Xrs at 5 Hz controlling for key confounders.

Results

There were clear dose–response relationships between increasing mine fire PM2.5 and worsening lung mechanics, including a reduction in post‐bronchodilator (BD) Xrs5 and an increase in AX5. A 10 μg/m3 increase in mine fire‐related PM2.5 was associated with a 0.015 (95% CI: 0.004, 0.027) reduction in exponential (Xrs5) post‐BD, which was comparable to 4.7 years of ageing. Similarly, the effect of exposure was associated with a 0.072 (0.005, 0.138) increase in natural log (lnAX5) post‐BD, equivalent to 3.9 years of ageing.

Conclusion

This is the first study using FOT in adults evaluating long‐term respiratory outcomes after medium‐term ambient PM2.5 exposure to coal mine fire smoke. These results should inform public health policies and planning for future events.
Interdisciplinary Theory, Methods, and Approaches for Hazards and Disaster Research: An Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Peek Lori , Guikema Seth
Published: June 2021

What is interdisciplinary research? Why is it vital to the advancement of the field of hazards and disaster research? What theory, methods, and approaches are fundamental to interdisciplinary research projects and their applications? This article addresses these and other pressing questions by taking stock of recent advancements in interdisciplinary studies of hazards and disasters. It also introduces the special issue of Risk Analysis, which includes this introductory article and 25 original perspectives papers meant to highlight new trends and applications in the field. The papers were written following two National Science Foundation‐supported workshops that were organized in response to the growing interest in interdisciplinary hazards and disaster research, the increasing number of interdisciplinary funding opportunities and collaborations in the field, and the need for more rigorous guidance for interdisciplinary researchers and research teams. This introductory article and the special collection are organized around the cross‐cutting themes of theory, methods, approaches, interdisciplinary research projects, and applications to advance interdisciplinarity in hazards and disaster research.
Accounting for Missing Actors in Interaction Network Inference from Abundance Data
Authors: Momal Raphaëlle , Robin Stéphane , Ambroise Christophe
Published: June 2021

Network inference aims at unravelling the dependency structure relating jointly observed variables. Graphical models provide a general framework to distinguish between marginal and conditional dependency. Unobserved variables (missing actors) may induce apparent conditional dependencies. In the context of count data, we introduce a mixture of Poisson log-normal distributions with tree-shaped graphical models, to recover the dependency structure, including missing actors. We design a variational EM algorithm and assess its performance on synthetic data. We demonstrate the ability of our approach to recover environmental drivers on two ecological data sets. The corresponding R package is available from github.com/Rmomal/nestor.
Power, politics and a poo pump: Contestation over legitimacy, access and benefits of sanitation technology in Kampala
Authors: Nakyagaba Gloria Nsangi , Lawhon Mary , Lwasa Shuaib , Silver Jonathan , Tumwine Fredrick
Published: June 2021

Most literature on sanitation largely follows a developmentalist approach, searching for the right combination of public education, appropriate technology, and partnerships across local and international institutions. Such works are useful, but also can be read as demonstrating the limitations of focusing on the modern infrastructural ideal of uniform, networked services. Studies of household experiences and practices of infrastructure in global south cities have increasingly drawn attention to the heterogeneity of sanitation infrastructure, associated everyday practices and power‐laden relationships. In this study, we analyse the introduction of the gulper pump (a new sanitation technology in Kampala) and the political processes that have shaped its slow and stochastic uptake. Advocates suggest that the gulper might well redress gaps left by the more commonly used technologies, yet procedural concerns led to conflict over the introduction of the gulper. In a wider context of new governance arrangements and infrastructural experimentation, controversy over the gulper contributed to new institutions and imaginaries of what good urban sanitation entails. We emphasize that thinking through heterogeneous infrastructure configurations highlights how social norms and relations, economic gain as well as the state play an important part in both politicizing and legitimizing more heterogeneous urban sanitation services.
Number of steps and systolic blood pressure: Do work and leisure matter?
Authors: Crowley Patrick , Gupta Nidhi , Vuillerme Nicolas , Madeleine Pascal , Holtermann Andreas
Published: June 2021

The number of steps per day influences blood pressure and health. However, the association between steps at work and leisure and blood pressure is unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between the domain‐specific number of steps and systolic blood pressure. A thigh‐worn accelerometer was used to measure the steps of 694 workers over 1–5 consecutive days, separated into work and leisure domains using a self‐reported diary. We linearly regressed steps at work, leisure and total day against systolic blood pressure, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and antihypertensive medication. Additionally, we stratified the analyses on job type (blue‐collar or white‐collar). The results of this cross‐sectional analysis indicated a beneficial association between the number of steps (per 2000‐step interval) and systolic blood pressure for the total day (−0.5 mmHg; −1.0 to −0.8, 95% CI, p < 0.05) and work (−0.9 mmHg; −1.5 to −0.4, 95% CI, p < 0.05), but not for leisure (+0.1 mmHg; −0.7 to 0.9, 95% CI, p = 0.75). Blue‐collar workers took almost twice as many steps at work (9143 ± SD3837) as white‐collar workers (5863 ± SD3565) and, after stratification on job type, we observed a beneficial association between the number of steps at work and systolic blood pressure among blue‐collar workers (−1.1 mmHg; −1.7 to −0.4, 95% CI, p < 0.05), but not for white‐collar workers (−0.3 mmHg; −1.7 to 1.1, 95% CI, p = 0.7). These findings indicate that the number of steps at work, particularly among blue‐collar workers, is beneficially associated with systolic blood pressure. Such findings support the potential of work (re)design to promote walking to improve blood pressure.
Does more finance lead to longer crises?
Authors: Mathonnat Clément , Minea Alexandru , Voia Marcel
Published: June 2021

Empirical studies emphasise that higher financial development (FD) amplifies the output cost of banking crises. However, no study has so far investigated the effect of FD on another key dimension of banking crises, namely their duration. Using a large sample of banking crises over the 1977–2014 period, we find that higher FD is associated with a significant increase in the duration of banking crises (DBC). This result is robust to a broad range of alternative specifications and is unaffected by unobserved heterogeneity or endogeneity. Finally, we show that the effect of FD on DBC is subject to nonlinearities and varies across decades and with the level of economic development.
A masked, randomised clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of lokivetmab compared to saline control in client‐owned dogs with allergic dermatitis
Authors: Van Brussel Leen , Moyaert Hilde , Escalada Monica , Mahabir Sean P. , Stegemann Michael R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Interleukin (IL)‐31 is an important mediator in canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) and also may be dysregulated in other allergic diseases.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of lokivetmab (canine anti‐IL‐31 monoclonal antibody) for treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs.

Animals

Dogs that were at least moderately pruritic with a presumptive diagnosis of allergic dermatitis were enrolled in Portugal, Hungary, France and Germany by 12 primary care practitioners and two veterinary dermatology referral specialists.

Methods and materials

Dogs were randomised to receive either placebo (saline) or lokivetmab (1.0–3.3 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection on Day (D)0. Owners evaluated pruritus using a validated Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) daily until D7 and then weekly until D28. The severity of dermatitis was assessed by the investigators using a modified VAS on D0, D7, D14 and D28.

Results

Beginning at D1, owner‐assessed pVAS least square means were significantly reduced in the treatment group versus the placebo group (57.7% versus 21.8% reduction on D28). For all time points, investigator‐assessed VAS means were significantly reduced in the lokivetmab group versus the placebo group (57.1% versus 20.5% reduction on D28). Overall, the occurrence of adverse health events during the evaluation period was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Lokivetmab is a safe and efficacious treatment for dogs with allergic dermatitis.
Developing Real Estate Automated Valuation Models by Learning from Heterogeneous Data Sources
Authors: Bergadano Francesco , Bertilone Roberto , Paolotti Daniela , Ruffo Giancarlo
Published: June 2021

In this paper we propose a data acquisition methodology, and a Machine Learning solution for the partially automated evaluation of real estate properties. The novelty and importance of the approach lies in two aspects: (1) when compared to Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) as available to real estate operators, it is highly adaptive and non-parametric, and integrates diverse data sources; (2) when compared to Machine Learning literature that has addressed real estate applications, it is more directly linked to the actual business processes of appraisal companies: in this context prices that are advertised online are normally not the most relevant source of information, while an appraisal document must be proposed by an expert and approved by a validator, possibly with the help of technological tools. We describe a case study using a set of 7988 appraisal documents for residential properties in Turin, Italy. Open data were also used, including location, nearby points of interest, comparable property prices, and the Italian revenue service area code. The observed mean error as measured on an independent test set was around 21 K€, for an average property value of about 190 K€. The AVM described here can help the stakeholders in this process (experts, appraisal company) to provide a reference price to be used by the expert, to allow the appraisal company to validate their evaluations in a faster and cheaper way, to help the expert in listing a set of comparable properties, that need to be included in the appraisal document.
Integrating a Mediated Learning Experience with Karlstad-model: A Longitudinal Study on a One-Year-Old Child with Down Syndrome
Authors: Granone Francesca , Damnotti Sandra , Chicco Chiara
Published: June 2021

The study intends to raise a discussion regarding the question of whether a Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) can be considered applicable to children younger than two years with Down Syndrome (DS), to stimulate their cognitive abilities. In fact, currently MLE approach is used mainly for children of at least two years of age. The longitudinal study has been conducted for six months with a one-year-old child with DS (named T.) between 12 and 18-months of age. Sessions of video recording was conducted each week, videotaping the boy and his mother interacting in different object permanence and cause-effect activities. The article presents first a discussion about similar characteristics that can be identified between MLE and the Karlstad-model, an established approach used regularly in Norway to enhance the communication abilities of children with DS already from the first months. Then, the research presents and discusses how simple activities used also to introduce the Karlstad-model for enhancing child’s communication ability can be used to support specific cognitive functions. The study raises interest about the possibility of defining activities suitable for an MLE approach with focus on children younger than two years of age with DS. The results obtained are not generalizable but provide a starting point for discussion that opens up to possible qualitative and quantitative subsequent studies carried out on larger populations.
The long‐term impact of ovariectomy on ventilation and expression of phrenic long‐term facilitation in female rats
Authors: Barok Rebecca , Grittner Jessica M. L. , Dougherty Brendan J.
Published: June 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Would ovariectomy cause prolonged changes in ventilation and sustained loss of acute, intermittent hypoxia‐induced neuroplasticity or would these outcomes be restored with time?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Our main findings demonstrate that ovariectomy elicits minimal alteration in overall breathing function but impairs acute, intermittent hypoxia‐induced plasticity for ≤ 12 weeks.

Sex hormones are necessary to enable respiratory neuroplasticity, including phrenic long‐term facilitation (pLTF), a form of respiratory motor plasticity elicited by acute, intermittent hypoxia (AIH). Female rats exhibit a progressive increase in phrenic nerve amplitude after AIH characteristic of pLTF only during pro‐oestrus, the stage of the oestrous cycle notable for elevated circulating oestradiol levels. Removal of the ovaries [ovariectomy (OVX)], the primary source of circulating oestradiol, also eliminates AIH‐induced pLTF after 1 week. Ovariectomy is used routinely as a model to examine the impact of sex hormones on CNS structure and function, but the long‐term impact of OVX is rarely examined. Extra‐ovarian sites of oestradiol synthesis, including multiple CNS sites, have been identified and might possess the capacity to restore oestradiol levels, in part, over time, impacting respiratory function and the expression of respiratory neuroplasticity. We examined both ventilation in awake, freely behaving female rats, using barometric plethysmography, and the expression of AIH‐induced pLTF in anaesthetized, ventilated female rats 2 and 12 weeks after OVX and compared them with age‐matched ovarian‐intact female rats. Our findings indicate that chronic OVX had little impact on baseline breathing or in the response to respiratory challenge (10% O2, 5% CO2, balance N2) during plethysmography. However, OVX rats at both 2 and 12 weeks demonstrated a persistent loss of AIH‐induced pLTF relative to control animals (P < 0.01), suggesting that other sources of oestradiol synthesis were insufficient to restore pLTF. These data are consistent with our previous work indicating that oestradiol plays a key role in expression of AIH‐induced respiratory neuroplasticity.
Multiaxial Fatigue of Aluminum Drill Pipes—Experiments and Numerical Analyses
Authors: Lourenço Marcelo Igor , Netto Theodoro Antoun , Silva Neilon de Souza da , Ribeiro Plácido João Carlos
Published: June 2021

This article presents an experimental test program and numerical analyses conducted on aluminum alloy drill pipes with two different geometries. Small-scale characterization tests were conducted to determine both the material mechanical properties and the fatigue S–N curves. Full-scale fatigue tests of the components are also presented. A finite element model of the drill pipes, including the tool-joint region, was developed. The model simulates, through different load steps, the tool-joint hot-assembly and the experimental loads to obtain the actual stress distribution during the full-scale tests. Maximum stress amplitude in the aluminum pipes was found to be coincident with the edge of the connector, at the same location where failure was observed in full-scale tests. The study revealed that such pipes present a complex stress state near their connection to the steel tool-joints due to their geometry and the residual stresses induced during the assembly of the steel connectors onto the aluminum pipes. Finally, multi-axial fatigue models were calibrated with the results of the small-scale tests and applied to the stress–strain state obtained numerically. Theoretical predictions were correlated with full-scale fatigue test results.