bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separation and identification of commercial reactive dyes with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Yixin , Sui Xinyi , Terán Julio E. , Chapman Lisa P. , Ankeny Mary , Vinueza Nelson R.
Published: March 2021

The separation and identification of colourants from aqueous matrices could potentially benefit the coloration industry. In this work, we report a new method that combines hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for reactive dye separation and identification without employing ion‐pairing agents. The conditions outlined allowed the successful separation of a mixture of four commercial reactive dyes in an aqueous solution, which consisted of CI Reactive Black 5, CI Reactive Orange 35, CI Reactive Blue 49 and CI Reactive Red 31. To further demonstrate the feasibility of this new method, we conducted deeper research into the analysis of CI Reactive Red 31 and its hydrolysis products. Based on the high efficiency of HILIC for polar compounds, and its combination with HRMS, we were able to identify several isomers of CI Reactive Red 31 and its derivatives, which were further characterised by tandem mass spectrometry. This method could potentially benefit chemical evaluations in dye applications, including synthetic processes, because it provides reliable results and simplified operation conditions compared with common traditional high‐performance liquid chromatography methods.
Observed progression from melanosis with melanocyte hyperplasia to sinonasal melanoma with distant metastasis and a unique genetic rearrangement
Authors: Salari Behzad , Duncan Lyn M. , Lennerz Jochen K. , Holbrook Eric H. , Emerick Kevin S. , Foreman Ruth K.
Published: March 2021

Melanosis, clinically presenting as a benign macular hyperpigmentation, consists of increased pigmentation (melanotic or melanocytic) either in the mucosal epithelial cells or as subepithelial pigment‐laden macrophages. On the other hand, primary sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is a rare disease with poor prognosis and high rates of local recurrence and metastasis. We report follow‐up on a previously presented case of a 53‐year‐old man with recurrent clinical melanosis that progressed from histopathological melanocytic hyperplasia to melanoma in situ over a period of 4.8 years (Yao et al. Allergy Rhinol (Providence), 2016;7(3):164–167). The patient experienced multiple recurrences and local spread despite multiple extensive surgeries. We now report that this patient ultimately developed bilateral invasive SNMM and died with metastatic melanoma. Molecular analysis of the invasive melanoma revealed ALK rearrangement, specifically an EML4‐ALK fusion, which represents the first report of this particular genetic variant in mucosal melanoma.
Ossifying pyogenic granuloma: A rare variant usually not recognized
Authors: Dermawan Josephine K. , Kilpatrick Scott E.
Published: March 2021

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) represents a polypoid and lobular, capillary lesion, resembling granulation tissue, usually occurring on skin or mucosal surfaces. The occurrence of metaplastic ossification is extremely rare in PG. We present three cases of PG with metaplastic ossification. All three patients were men, aged 18‐66 years. In all cases, the lesions occurred on the digits, particularly in or around the nail bed. Histopathologically, these superficial dermal‐based tumors were characterized by classic features of PG, namely circumscribed, exophytic to polypoid proliferations of capillary‐sized blood vessels in a lobular arrangement. The characteristic vascular component also was intimately associated with spicules and trabeculae of metaplastic bone formation rimmed by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This osseous component was diffusely distributed in two cases and more localized in another. We speculate that ossification in PGs possibly represents a reactive process in response to chronic injury. We believe that ossifying PG is likely under‐recognized and often mistaken for other entities also arising in the extremities and characterized by osseous metaplasia.
Development of equations and software for estimating weight in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Ruiz Brunner Maria de las Mercedes , Cieri Maria Elisabeth , Butler Charlene , Cuestas Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Aim

To develop equations and software to estimate weight using segmental measures for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

This was a cross‐sectional study. Children and adolescents with CP of both sexes from 2 to 19 years old from five cities in Argentina were included. Weight, mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), and clinical covariables were collected. Linear regression models with weight as the dependent variable and body segment lengths as predictors were developed and compared forR2, adjustedR2, and the root mean square of the error.

Results

In total, 381 children and adolescents (mean age 10y 5mo [SD 4y 9mo], range 2–19y; 231 males, 150 females) with a confirmed diagnosis of CP were included. Gross motor function based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was as follows: level I, 59; II, 55; III, 59; IV, 69; V, 139. The interaction between weight and other variables such as MUAC, sex, GMFCS, and age was analysed. The concordance correlation coefficient between estimated and observed weight was 0.94 (95% CI 0.93–0.95). From the results of the equations, a free software tool, named Weight Calculator CP, was developed.

Interpretation

Weight in children with CP can be predicted using MUAC, GMFCS, and age. Weight Calculator CP can be used in clinical practice when direct weight cannot be obtained.

What this paper adds

Equations can be used to estimate weight in children with cerebral palsy via body segments.

Weight can be estimated according to age and gross motor function.

The average difference between estimated and observed weights was 119g.
Glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia risk with insulin glargine 300 U/mL and insulin degludec 100 U/mL in older participants in the BRIGHT trial
Authors: Bolli Geremia B. , Cheng Alice , Charbonnel Bernard , Aroda Vanita R. , Westerbacka Jukka , Bosnyak Zsolt , Boëlle‐Le Corfec Emmanuelle , Rosenstock Julio
Published: March 2021

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla‐300) versus insulin degludec 100 U/mL (IDeg‐100) in predefined (</≥65 years) and post hoc (</≥70 years) age groups of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the BRIGHT trial.

Materials and Methods

BRIGHT was the first head‐to‐head randomized trial comparing Gla‐300 and Deg‐100 in insulin‐naïve adults with T2D. In this subanalysis, endpoints were studied by predefined (</≥65 years, N = 596/333) and post hoc (</≥70 years, N = 768/161) age groups.

Results

Heterogeneity of treatment effect was observed for HbA1c reductions across the </≥70 years subgroups, but not across the </≥ 65 years subgroups, with greater HbA1c reductions with Gla‐300 versus IDeg‐100 in those 70 years or older (least squares mean −0.34% [95% confidence interval: −0.589% to −0.100%]). There was no significant heterogeneity of treatment effect for incidence and rates of confirmed (≤3.9 mmol/L [≤70 mg/dL]) hypoglycaemia across any age subgroups over 24 weeks, but numerically lower incidence and rates were consistently observed for Gla‐300 versus IDeg‐100 in the 65 years or older and 70 years or older age groups in the initial 12 weeks.

Conclusions

Gla‐300 may be a suitable treatment option in the growing population of older people with T2D. Further investigation is required to determine Gla‐300 glycaemic benefits in high‐risk populations without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Left ventricular ejection fraction and Global Longitudinal Strain variability between methodology and experience
Authors: Kouris Nikos T. , Kostopoulos Vassilis S. , Psarrou Georgia A. , Kostakou Peggy M. , Tzavara Chara , Olympios Christoforos D.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Although ejection fraction (EF) is the cornerstone of the assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function, its measurement faces a number of challenges related to image quality, assumptions of LV geometry, and expertise. The aim of this study was to test the inter‐observer variability of EF and GLS measurement in patients with a broad spectrum of LV function, between physicians and investigators (Inv) with different levels of expertise.

Methods

In 122 patients, EF and GLS were measured by 4 Inv blinded to each other with different level of experience in echocardiography; EF was measured using 3 methods: visual assessment, biplane Simpson's method, and auto‐EF method. GLS was measured from the 3 apical views. A significant difference for LVEF and for LVGLS was considered to be >10 and >2 absolute values, respectively.

Results

Intra‐observer agreement was excellent for visually assessed EF (ICC = 0.87, P < .001) and GLS (ICC = 0.82, P < .001) and good for EF measured by Simpson's method (ICC = 0.70, P < .001) and auto‐EF (ICC = 0.72, P < .001). Intra‐observer and inter‐observer agreements were excellent for GLS with ICCs above 0.8. GLS discordance between the 4 Inv was not significant. Discordance in EF and GLS measurements among the Inv was not related to image quality or wall motion abnormalities.

Conclusion

Although EF has proved its prognostic value in various cardiovascular entities, GLS seems to be more reliable for serial assessment of LV function, demonstrating lower intra‐ and inter‐observer variability, even by different physicians with variant level of expertise.
Ecology and evolutionary biology must elevate BIPOC scholars
Authors: Duc Bo Massey Melanie , Arif Suchinta , Albury Catalina , Cluney Victoria A.
Published: March 2021

Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) individuals are disproportionately impacted by the negative consequences of our ongoing environmental and climate crises, yet their valuable scientific voices are shockingly underrepresented within the fields of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). As early‐career BIPOC EEB researchers, we recognise the key role that our fields play in understanding and mitigating the effects of our ongoing global crises, and are concerned about the lack of diversity we see among our own EEB cohorts and mentors. We present this piece as a call to action for the EEB Academy, drawing on our own experiences and the literature to suggest steps the Academy must take to increase representation of and equity for BIPOC graduate scholars in EEB. We synthesise these steps into four actionable ideas: anti‐racism education and practice, increased funding opportunities, integration of diverse cultural perspectives and a community‐minded shift in PhDs. Importantly, this advice is specifically directed at those who wield power in the Academy (e.g. funding agencies, societies, institutions, departments and faculty), rather than BIPOC scholars already struggling against inequitable frameworks in EEB.
Disease and fire interact to influence transitions between savanna–forest ecosystems over a multi‐decadal experiment
Authors: Pellegrini Adam F. A. , Hein Andrew M. , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine , Montgomery Rebecca A. , Staver A. Carla , Silla Fernando , Hobbie Sarah E. , Reich Peter B.
Published: March 2021

Global change is shifting disturbance regimes that may rapidly change ecosystems, sometimes causing ecosystems to shift between states. Interactions between disturbances such as fire and disease could have especially severe effects, but experimental tests of multi‐decadal changes in disturbance regimes are rare. Here, we surveyed vegetation for 35 years in a 54‐year fire frequency experiment in a temperate oak savanna–forest ecotone that experienced a recent outbreak of oak wilt. Different fire regimes determined whether plots were savanna or forest by regulating tree abundance (r2 = 0.70), but disease rapidly reversed the effect of fire exclusion, increasing mortality by 765% in unburned forests, but causing relatively minor changes in frequently burned savannas. Model simulations demonstrated that disease caused unburned forests to transition towards a unique woodland that was prone to transition to savanna if fire was reintroduced. Consequently, disease–fire interactions could shift ecosystem resilience and biome boundaries as pathogen distributions change.
Altered communication dynamics reflect cognitive deficits in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Girardi‐Schappo Mauricio , Fadaie Fatemeh , Lee Hyo Min , Caldairou Benoit , Sziklas Viviane , Crane Joelle , Bernhardt Boris C. , Bernasconi Andrea , Bernasconi Neda
Published: March 2021

Objective

Although temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is recognized as a system‐level disorder, little work has investigated pathoconnectomics from a dynamic perspective. By leveraging computational simulations that quantify patterns of information flow across the connectome, we tested the hypothesis that network communication is abnormal in this condition, studied the interplay between hippocampal‐ and network‐level disease effects, and assessed associations with cognition.

Methods

We simulated signal spreading via a linear threshold model that temporally evolves on a structural graph derived from diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), comparing a homogeneous group of 31 patients with histologically proven hippocampal sclerosis to 31 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. We evaluated the modulatory effects of structural alterations of the neocortex and hippocampus on network dynamics. Furthermore, multivariate statistics addressed the relationship with cognitive parameters.

Results

We observed a slowing of in‐ and out‐spreading times across multiple areas bilaterally, indexing delayed information flow, with the strongest effects in ipsilateral frontotemporal regions, thalamus, and hippocampus. Effects were markedly reduced when controlling for hippocampal volume but not cortical thickness, underscoring the central role of the hippocampus in whole‐brain disease expression. Multivariate analysis associated slower spreading time in frontoparietal, limbic, default mode, and subcortical networks with impairment across tasks tapping into sensorimotor, executive, memory, and verbal abilities.

Significance

Moving beyond descriptions of static topology toward the formulation of brain dynamics, our work provides novel insight into structurally mediated network dysfunction and demonstrates that altered whole‐brain communication dynamics contribute to common cognitive difficulties in TLE.
NKG2D and its ligands as cytotoxic factors in cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: Vorwerk Gero , Zahn Sabine , Bieber Thomas , Wenzel Joerg
Published: March 2021

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is an autoimmune skin disorder that is characterized by an anti‐epidermal lymphocytic infiltrate invading the dermo‐epidermal junction, causing an interface dermatitis (ID). Pathogenesis of CLE has been linked to activation of innate immunity. NKG2D is an innate immune receptor on NK cells and distinct T‐cell populations. The NKG2D ligands MHC class I polypeptide‐related sequence A and B (MICA, MICB) have been associated to CLE susceptibility. Our gene microarray analyses of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE) skin lesions, separated in epidermal, junctional and dermal skin areas via laser microdissection, revealed a high expression of NKG2D in the lymphocytic infiltrate and led us to further investigate the role of NKG2D in CLE. Pathway analyses showed a strong “interferon (IFN) signature” and vast activation of innate immune response pathways (TLR, RIG‐I, cytosolic DNA sensing, JAK/STAT) in CDLE, that expressed the high NKG2D signal. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the presence of NKG2D and its ligand MICB in CDLE and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) lesions. Finally, HaCaT cells were stimulated with nucleic acids and extracted RNA was sequenced with Illumina HiSeq and showed that stressed keratinocytes express typical NKG2D ligands MICA/B and ULBP2. This study provides first evidence that NKG2D is present in CDLE and SCLE skin lesions and could be relevant for cytotoxicity in IFN‐driven skin lesions with upregulated innate immune response pathways present in CLE. It could furthermore play a role in CLE inflammation promoted by keratinocytes under cell stress.
SOX9 in prostate cancer is upregulated by cancer‐associated fibroblasts to promote tumor progression through HGF/c‐Met‐FRA1 signaling
Authors: Qin Haixiang , Yang Yang , Jiang Bo , Pan Chun , Chen Wei , Diao Wenli , Ding Meng , Cao Wenmin , Zhang Zhenxing , Chen Mengxia , Gao Jie , Zhao Xiaozhi , Qiu Xuefeng , Guo Hongqian
Published: March 2021

Transcription factor SOX9 was a biomarker for prostate cancer (Pca) with poor prognosis. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism underlying SOX9 upregulation still remains unclear. Several cytokines have been reported to be involved in the regulation of SOX9, suggesting that cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the main sources of secreted factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME), may play a role in regulating SOX9 expression. Herein, an in vitro model of paracrine interaction between primary CAFs and Pca cells was applied to investigate the molecular mechanism of SOX9 upregulation during Pca progression. The regulatory axis was validated by in vivo experiments and The Cancer Genome Atlas data. Conditional medium of CAFs (CAF‐CM) upregulated the expression of SOX9, which was mutually proved to be essential for CAF‐induced tumor progression. Further analysis showed that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secreted by CAFs was responsible for SOX9 elevation in Pca cells, via the activation of c‐Met signaling. Mechanistically, HGF/c‐Met signaling specifically activated MEK1/2‐ERK1/2 pathway, which induced phosphorylation and upregulation of FRA1, which then transcriptionally upregulated SOX9 by binding to the promoter of SOX9 gene. Moreover, we identified that HGF/c‐Met‐ERK1/2‐FRA1‐SOX9 axis was relatively conserved between human and mouse species by validating in mouse Pca cells. Our results reveal a novel insight into the molecular mechanism that SOX9 in Pca cells is promoted by CAFs through HGF/c‐Met‐ERK1/2‐FRA1 axis. Furthermore, SOX9 may serve as an alternative marker for the activated HGF/c‐Met signaling to enroll the optimal Pca patients for HGF/c‐Met inhibition treatment, since it is much more stable and easier to detect.
The role of fire in global forest loss dynamics
Authors: van Wees Dave , van der Werf Guido R. , Randerson James T. , Andela Niels , Chen Yang , Morton Douglas C.
Published: March 2021

Fires, among other forms of natural and anthropogenic disturbance, play a central role in regulating the location, composition and biomass of forests. Understanding the role of fire in global forest loss is crucial in constraining land‐use change emissions and the global carbon cycle. We analysed the relationship between forest loss and fire at 500 m resolution based on satellite‐derived data for the 2003–2018 period. Satellite fire data included burned area and active fire detections, to best account for large and small fires, respectively. We found that, on average, 38 ± 9% (± range) of global forest loss was associated with fire, and this fraction remained relatively stable throughout the study period. However, the fraction of fire‐related forest loss varied substantially on a regional basis, and showed statistically significant trends in key tropical forest areas. Decreases in the fraction of fire‐related forest loss were found where deforestation peaked early in our study period, including the Amazon and Indonesia while increases were found for tropical forests in Africa. The inclusion of active fire detections accounted for 41%, on average, of the total fire‐related forest loss, with larger contributions in small clearings in interior tropical forests and human‐dominated landscapes. Comparison to higher‐resolution fire data with resolutions of 375 and 20 m indicated that commission errors due to coarse resolution fire data largely balanced out omission errors due to missed small fire detections for regional to continental‐scale estimates of fire‐related forest loss. Besides an improved understanding of forest dynamics, these findings may help to refine and separate fire‐related and non‐fire‐related land‐use change emissions in forested ecosystems.
Tropicalization and kelp loss shift trophic composition and lead to more winners than losers in fish communities
Authors: Smith Shannen M. , Malcolm Hamish A. , Marzinelli Ezequiel M. , Schultz Arthur L. , Steinberg Peter D. , Vergés Adriana
Published: March 2021

Climate‐mediated species redistributions are causing novel interactions and leading to profound regime shifts globally. For species that expand their distribution in response to warming, survival depends not only on their physiological capacity, but also on the ability to coexist or be competitive within the established community. In temperate marine reefs from around the world, the range expansion of tropical species, known as ‘tropicalization’, has been linked to the disappearance of temperate habitat‐forming kelps and shifts to dominance by low‐biomass turfing algae. The consequences of these range expansions and habitat changes on resident fish communities are, however, unclear. Here, we use data derived from baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys to analyse changes in diversity and abundance of marine fishes over a 17‐year period in warming reefs that have experienced kelp loss (occurring c. 2009). Despite the loss of kelp, we found that species richness and overall abundance of fishes (measured as probability of occurrence and relative abundance), including both tropical and temperate species, increased through time. We also found dramatic shifts in the trophic composition of fish assemblages. Tropical herbivorous fish increased most markedly through time, and temperate‐associated planktivores were the only group that declined, a potential consequence of tropicalization not previously identified. At the species level, we identified 22 tropical and temperate species from four trophic guilds that significantly increased in occurrence, while only three species (all temperate associated) declined. Morphological trait space models suggest increases in fish diversity and overall occurrence are unlikely to be driven by uniqueness of traits among tropical range expanders. Our results show more winners than losers and suggest that pathways of energy flow will change in tropicalized systems, as planktonic inputs become less important and a higher proportion of algal productivity gets consumed locally by increasingly abundant herbivores.
Street Network Models and Indicators for Every Urban Area in the World
Authors: Boeing Geoff
Published: March 2021

Cities worldwide exhibit a variety of street network patterns and configurations that shape human mobility, equity, health, and livelihoods. This study models and analyzes the street networks of every urban area in the world, using boundaries derived from the Global Human Settlement Layer. Street network data are acquired and modeled from OpenStreetMap with the open‐source OSMnx software. In total, this study models over 160 million OpenStreetMap street network nodes and over 320 million edges across 8,914 urban areas in 178 countries, and attaches elevation and grade data. This article presents the study’s reproducible computational workflow, introduces two new open data repositories of ready‐to‐use global street network models and calculated indicators, and discusses summary findings on street network form worldwide. It makes four contributions. First, it reports the methodological advances of this open‐source workflow. Second, it produces an open data repository containing street network models for each urban area. Third, it analyzes these models to produce an open data repository containing street network form indicators for each urban area. No such global urban street network indicator data set has previously existed. Fourth, it presents a summary analysis of urban street network form, reporting the first such worldwide results in the literature.
Vitamin D and skeletal muscle: A narrative review focusing on chronic kidney disease and dialysis
Authors: Vogt Barbara Perez , Caramori Jacqueline Costa Teixeira
Published: March 2021

Morphological, molecular, and physiological effects of vitamin D on skeletal muscle have been analyzed both in animals and humans. Vitamin D may be a potential therapeutic for increasing muscle mass and function. The presence of vitamin D receptors in skeletal muscle cells is already established. However, there is still need for more evidence about the effect of vitamin D on muscle. Some studies have associated vitamin D and skeletal muscle in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; most of these studies enrolled hemodialysis patients. FGF‐23 and Klotho were recently described in mineral and bone disorders in CKD, resulting in reductions in calcitriol levels. Therefore, both Klotho and FGF‐23 may play a role in muscle loss in CKD, which is related to morbidity and mortality risk. Therefore, this article presents a narrative review, aiming to discuss the available information associating skeletal muscle and vitamin D, highlighting the results in CKD and dialysis patients.
Relationship of food intake during hemodialysis and symptomatic intradialytic hypotension
Authors: Jelicic Ivo
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Intradialytic hypotension is the most common complication during hemodialysis and is associated with increased cardiovascular disease, mortality, and overall hospital admissions. We analyzed the influence of food intake during hemodialysis on intradialytic hypotension.

Methods

A total of 105 patients treated with chronic hemodialysis were observed for 8 weeks—4 weeks with a meal during hemodialysis and 4 weeks without a meal.

Findings

A statistically significant decrease of hypotensive events (p < 0.001) and cramping episodes (p = 0.035) was observed during a 4‐week period without a meal. Patients who were particularly susceptible to intradialytic hypotension were those who were diabetic, had low urinary excretion, and were treated with hemodialysis for a long time. On a follow up, there was a significant increase in serum albumin after 3 months (p = 0.01) and 6 months (p = 0.036) despite meal withdrawal during hemodialysis.

Discussion

Fasting during hemodialysis may cause a significantly lower frequency of intradialytic hypotension and cramping episodes without affecting the nutritional status.
Climate and ice in the last glacial maximum explain patterns of isolation by distance inferred for alpine grasshoppers
Authors: Carmelet‐Rescan David , Morgan‐Richards Mary , Koot Emily M. , Trewick Steven A.
Published: March 2021

Cold‐adapted species are likely to have had more widespread ranges and greater population connectivity during the last glacial period than is the case today. This contrasts with the trend in many species for range and population size to increase during interglacials.

We examined the pattern of genetic and morphological variation within an endemic, wingless, alpine grasshopper Sigaus australis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, testing for isolation by distance using geometric morphometric and mitochondrial ND2 sequences to document variation.

Presence/absence data were analysed to estimate the environmental envelope (niche) of Sigaus australis and the resulting model used to infer the extent of available habitat for the species during the last glacial maximum. Estimates of past range size were modified using models of montane ice extent during the LGM.

Clinal patterns of pronotum shape variation and signatures of isolation by distance support the hypothesis of a formerly more connected species. A north/south division was observed in pronotum shape, but the phenotypic variation was not diagnostic, as one would expect within a single species.

Although the current habitat area occupied by Sigaus australis is much smaller than estimates for the LGM from our climate model, we show that realised area differed less due to the extension of valley glaciers. However, the current distribution of S. australis is more fragmented than in the past.

This and other flightless alpine species currently restricted to fragmented high elevation habitat demonstrate genetic lag but are subject to loss of diversity as anthropogenic climate warming proceeds.
Citation practices in research article introductions: The interplay between disciplines and research methodologies
Authors: Arizavi Saleh , Choubsaz Yazdan
Published: March 2021

Variations in citation practices have been studied from a wide range of perspectives. Nonetheless, little research has addressed how the interplay between disciplines and research methodologies can affect the formal representation of citations in research articles. This paper, adopting a multi‐perspective design, is an attempt to fill this void by analyzing a purposive sample of 180 research article independent introductions from theoretical linguistics and applied linguistics journals, categorized into three research methodologies. Significant differences were found in these practices because of the disciplinary conventions and the research methodologies employed in the articles; however, the epistemological effects underlying research methodologies (i.e., how members of a discourse community perceive knowledge generation and use through knowledge validation and proving) were by far more evident than the disciplinary bearings.
Plain‐language summaries: An essential component to promote knowledge translation
Authors: Gudi Sai Krishna , Tiwari Komal Krishna , Panjwani Kainat
Published: March 2021

In this era of evidence‐based practice, scholarly work such as peer‐reviewed scientific publications plays a vital role in policy and decision‐making at an individual, organisation and country‐level. Alongside being considered an essential means of communicating scholarly work, scientific publications also investigate the specific domains that lack well‐established literature and thereby inform scientists and researchers to thrive for the betterment of the publics' well‐being. Thus, the main purpose of articulating the scientific, scholarly work should be to make it understandable and accessible to everyone, including the lay audience. However, oftentimes, researchers overlook the lay summaries while publishing the research findings.
Effects of thermal processing on antioxidant activities, amino acid composition and protein molecular weight distributions of jasmine rice bran protein hydrolysate
Authors: Hunsakul Kanrawee , Laokuldilok Thunnop , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Utama‐ang Niramon
Published: March 2021

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of thermal processing on the amino acid composition, molecular weight distribution (MW) and antioxidant activities of Jasmine rice bran protein hydrolysates (JBH). JBH was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysate (alcalase and flavourzyme at a ratio of 9.81:90.19, 2.84% w/w) for 60 min. JBH samples were treated as follows: non‐heat (NJBH), pasteurisation (72ºC, 15 min; PJBH) and sterilisation (121ºC, 15 min; SJBH). For SJBH treatment, the browning index and fluorescence intensity increased (P < 0.05). FTIR showed that thermal process changed the intensities and location of some bands. Thermal processing affected MW by decreasing it from high MW (>10 kDa) to medium (3–10 kDa) and low MW (<3 kDa). Val, Met, Ile and Leu contents increased after thermal processing. Compared with NJBH, the IC50 values of ABTS and FRAP of SJBH were not significantly different, while the IC50 of DPPH increased (P ≥ 0.05).
Coercion in psychiatric and mental health nursing: A conceptual analysis
Authors: Paradis‐Gagné Etienne , Pariseau‐Legault Pierre , Goulet Marie‐Hélène , Jacob Jean Daniel , Lessard‐Deschênes Clara
Published: March 2021

The use of coercion in psychiatric and mental health nursing is a major challenge, which can lead to negative consequences for nurses and patients, including rupture in the therapeutic relationship and risk of injury and trauma. The concept of coercion is complex to define and is used in different ways throughout the nursing literature. This concept is defined broadly, referring to both formal (seclusion, restraint, and forced hospitalization), informal (persuasion, threat, and inducement), and perceived coercion, without fully addressing its evolving conceptualizations and use in nursing practice. We conducted a concept analysis of coercion using Rodgers’ evolutionary method to identify its antecedents, attributes, and associated consequences. We identified five main attributes of the concept: different forms of coercion; the contexts in which coercion is exercised; nurses’ justification of its use; the ethical issues raised by the presence of coercion; and power dynamics. Our conceptual analysis shows the need for more nursing research in the field of coercion to achieve a better understanding of the power dynamics and ethical issues that arise in the presence of coercion.
Psychological eHealth interventions for people with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review
Authors: Oudshoorn Cathelijn E. M. , Frielink Noud , Nijs Sara L. P. , Embregts Petri J. C. M.
Published: March 2021

Background

The use of eHealth, which has accelerated in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic, could contribute to the access to tailor‐made psychological interventions for people with intellectual disabilities.

Method

A scoping review was conducted on peer‐reviewed studies between 1996–2019.

Results

Thirty‐three studies reported on the use of psychological eHealth interventions focused on mental health problems and/or challenging behaviour. The vast majority of these studies reported on interventions that were delivered at the individual level. The context in which these interventions were delivered varied, primarily ranging from the home setting to residential settings, as well as day or activity centres and schools. The studies described various types of interventions: telehealth interventions, computerized cognitive behavioural therapy, and interventions focused on (social) learning principles targeting challenging behaviour.

Conclusions

eHealth provides new opportunities for both therapists and lay‐therapists to deliver psychological interventions. Future studies should focus on the effectiveness of psychological eHealth interventions.
Identification of autophagy‐related long non‐coding RNA prognostic signature for breast cancer
Authors: Wu Qianxue , Li Qing , Zhu Wenming , Zhang Xiang , Li Hongyuan
Published: March 2021

Autophagy‐related long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) disorders are related to the occurrence and development of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to explore whether autophagy‐related lncRNA can predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients. The autophagy‐related lncRNAs prognostic signature was constructed by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression. We identified five autophagy‐related lncRNAs (MAPT‐AS1, LINC01871, AL122010.1, AC090912.1, AC061992.1) associated with prognostic value, and they were used to construct an autophagy‐related lncRNA prognostic signature (ALPS) model. ALPS model offered an independent prognostic value (HR = 1.664, 1.381‐2.006), where this risk score of the model was significantly related to the TNM stage, ER, PR and HER2 status in breast cancer patients. Nomogram could be utilized to predict survival for patients with breast cancer. Principal component analysis and Sankey Diagram results indicated that the distribution of five lncRNAs from the ALPS model tends to be low‐risk. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that the high‐risk group was enriched in autophagy and cancer‐related pathways, and the low‐risk group was enriched in regulatory immune‐related pathways. These results indicated that the ALPS model composed of five autophagy‐related lncRNAs could predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients.
Circular RNA in colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Toni , Wang Wei Cen , McAlister Vivian , Zhou Qinfeng , Zheng Xiufen
Published: March 2021

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a highly abundant type of single‐stranded non‐coding RNA. Novel research has discovered many roles of circRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC) including proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis. Furthermore, circRNAs also play a role in the development of drug resistance and have unique associations with tumour size, staging and overall survival in CRC that lend circRNAs the potential to serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Among cancers worldwide, CRC ranks second in mortality and third in incidence. In order to have a better understanding of the influence of circRNA on CRC development and progression, this review summarizes the role of specific circRNAs in CRC and evaluates their potential value as therapeutic targets and biomarkers for CRC. We aim to provide insight in the development of therapy and clinical decision‐making.
Selfing rates vary with floral display, pollinator visitation and plant density in natural populations of Mimulusringens
Authors: Christopher Dorothy A. , Karron Jeffrey D. , Semski Wendy R. , Smallwood Patrick A. , Trapnell Dorset W. , Mitchell Randall J.
Published: March 2021

Variation in selfing rates within and among populations of hermaphroditic flowering plants can strongly influence the evolution of reproductive strategies and the genetic structure of populations. This intraspecific variation in mating patterns may reflect both genetic and ecological factors, but the relative importance of these factors remains poorly understood. Here, we explore how selfing in 13 natural populations of the perennial wildflower Mimulus ringens is influenced by (a) pollinator visitation, an ecological factor, and (b) floral display, a trait with a genetic component that also responds to environmental variation. We also explore whether genetically based floral traits, including herkogamy, affect selfing. We found substantial variation among populations in selfing rate (0.13–0.55). Selfing increased strongly and significantly with floral display, among as well as within populations. Selfing also increased at sites with lower pollinator visitation and low plant density. However, selfing was not correlated with floral morphology. Overall, these results suggest that pollinator visitation and floral display, two factors that interact to affect geitonogamous pollinator movements, can influence the selfing rate. This study identifies mechanisms that may play a role in maintaining selfing rate variation among populations.
Social organization in ungulates: Revisiting Jarman’s hypotheses
Authors: Szemán Karola , Liker András , Székely Tamás
Published: March 2021

Ungulates (antelopes, deer and relatives) have some of the most diverse social systems among mammals. To understand the evolution of ungulate social organization, Jarman (1974) proposed an ecological scenario of how distribution of resources, habitat and feeding style may have influenced social organization. Although Jarman's scenario makes intuitive sense and remains a textbook example of social evolution, it has not been scrutinized using modern phylogenetic comparative methods. Here we use 230 ungulate species from ten families to test Jarman's hypotheses using phylogenetic analyses. Consistent with Jarman's proposition, both habitat and feeding style predict group size, since grazing ungulates typically live in open habitats and form large herds. Group size, in turn, has a knock‐on effect on mating systems and sexual size dimorphism, since ungulates that live in large herds exhibit polygamy and extensive sexual size dimorphism. Phylogenetic confirmatory path analyses suggest that evolutionary changes in habitat type, feeding style and body size directly (or indirectly) induce shifts in social organization. Taken together, these phylogenetic comparative analyses confirm Jarman's conjectures, although they also uncover novel relationships between ecology and social organization. Further studies are needed to explore the relevance of Jarman (1974) scenario for mammals beyond ungulates.
Organization of R&D outsourcing: Asymmetric cross‐effects between locations
Authors: García‐Vega María , Huergo Elena
Published: March 2021

When companies acquire R&D from external national providers, would they benefit if they also acquired knowledge from foreign providers? And the other way around? These questions are important for the organization of firm knowledge‐based activies and R&D governance. In this paper, we try to answer these questions by empirically examining the cross‐effects of international and national R&D outsourcing to generate innovation. Using a panel database of about 10,000 Spanish firms, we show that there is asymmetry in the effectiveness of the combined adoption of R&D outsourcing locations: international R&D outsourcing reinforces national R&D outsourcing, but national outsourcing does not reinforce international outsourcing. Therefore, the order of adoption matters; that is, on average, companies are more innovative if they acquire R&D first from external domestic providers and afterwards from foreign providers. We also find that the mechanism for these effects is related to organizational and management changes in sharing responsibilities and decision‐making.
Spouted bed drying of milk–blackberry mixture: Material thermal properties and process energy aspects
Authors: Braga Matheus B. , Martins Tiago D. , Louzi Vitor C. A. , Giannella Rafael L. , Fujita Vitor K. , Rocha Sandra C. S.
Published: March 2021

This work presents the determination of the thermal properties of a milk–blackberry pulp mixture (25–75%, vol/vol), and of the powder obtained by spouted bed drying. Based on the experimental data, polynomial and artificial neural networks (ANNs) correlations were proposed to predict the specific heat as a function of temperature. The effects of operating variables (air temperature, atomization pressure, and feed flow rate), on the energy efficiency (EE) and on the specific consumption of energy (ε) were evaluated using a 23‐factorial design. Afterward, the effects of feeding mode (atomization or dripping), on energy aspects were analyzed. The fusion of powder fat crystals occurred at 1°C and at 16°C, glass transition between 27°C and 34°C, and proteins denaturation starting at 87°C. The ANNs presented higher accuracy in the specific heat prediction, with mean deviation as low as 0.5%. The inlet air temperature and the feed flow rate have affected the energy parameters, but the atomization pressure and the interaction among these variables did not. The EE ranged from 7.3 to 23.2% and the ε from 10.6 to 33.8 MJ/kg. Besides the reuse of the outlet air, the drip‐feeding mode could be an alternative to decrease the net energy consumption of the drying process.

Practical Applications

This work presents the determination of melting and glass transition temperatures, melting enthalpy, and specific heat of the paste milk–blackberry pulp (25%:75%, vol/vol) and/or powder, which are important characteristics for equipment dimensioning, process control, product quality, and to determine storage conditions. We also proposed ANN‐based correlations to relate the specific heat of the paste and powder as a function of temperature. The ANNs equations showed high accuracy and were used in the analysis of the energy aspects of the spouted bed drying process. Statistical analysis of energy aspects as a function of operating variables was performed and two linear response models were obtained, allowing to predict the specific consumption of energy and energy efficiency of the process. Herein, we suggest the potential use of DSC analysis and ANN techniques as a powerful combination to obtain information about food products and process design.
Exploring neighborhood‐level resilience to flooding: Why the context and scale matter
Authors: Bukvic Anamaria , Borate Aishwarya , Hughes Shereen , Weaver Ross , Imburgia David , Stiles William A.
Published: March 2021

This article explores the role of contextual neighborhood‐level considerations in community resilience planning in coastal urban locations. A comparative case study analysis was conducted in three different locations in the City of Hampton, Virginia, that all share a common challenge of coastal flooding but have distinctly different neighborhood‐level circumstances that shape their flood impacts and resilience building options. The research approach utilizes a co‐production of knowledge and descriptive statistics to identify the overall flood risk and socioeconomic attributes of each locality that may influence broader citywide resilience investments within the realm of three overarching options: protection, accommodation, and relocation. It then applies a geospatial network analysis to determine which study neighborhoods will have significantly reduced access to critical facilities such as emergency services, medical facilities, and schools due to accelerated sea level rise as one of the key coastal hazards in this low‐lying region. The results show that each case study location has its own unique contextual circumstances that define its preferences for different resilience strategies regardless of the actual flood risk. The results also highlight the importance of holistic assessment of granular conditions that play a critical role in prioritization of resource allocation and interventions in coastal municipalities.
Housing Movements and the Politics of Worthiness in São Paulo
Authors: Kopper Moisés , Richmond Matthew A.
Published: March 2021

Based on research with current and former housing activists in São Paulo, this article identifies the concept of “politics of worthiness” as central to the moral justification and technical legitimation of social movements. Attributions of worthiness have long upheld the relationship between institutionalized grassroots organizations and the state but are equally present in everyday life and social distinctions among Brazil's popular classes. By examining contrasting constructions of worthiness among both present‐day housing movements and residents of areas that are the product of past mobilizations, the article contends that collective experiences of mobilization in dialogue with myriad external influences produce diverse and often ambivalent political subjectivities. The politics of worthiness sheds light on how these actors organize themselves, experience participation, and square universalist demands with the contingent solidarities and changing social, institutional, and political realities that they inhabit.
Pharmacokinetic properties of abamectin after oral administration in dogs
Authors: Singh Preet Mohinder , Jacob Antony , Kathleen Parton
Published: March 2021

As the introduction of concentrated cattle pour‐on products containing abamectin, there have been veterinary reports of both fatal and non‐fatal poisoning in New Zealand working dogs. Because these products are highly palatable to dogs, a toxic dose is readily ingested. The pharmacokinetic properties of abamectin in dogs are not published in the public domain. This information is important in understanding the processes of absorption and elimination when treating poisoned dogs and is useful in determining an appropriate treatment for poisoned dogs. The pharmacokinetic properties of abamectin administered orally to six healthy dogs (3 male and 3 female) at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg were established. Plasma concentrations of abamectin were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a fluorescence detector. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) for abamectin was 135.52 ± 38.6 ng/ml at 3.16 ± 0.75 h. The elimination half‐life (T1/2 elim (h)) was 26.51 ± 6.86 h. The area under the curve (AUC 0‐∞) was 3723.50 ± 1213.08 ng h/ml. The mean residence time (MRT) was 38.82 ± 8.93 h. These pharmacokinetic data provide helpful information regarding the treatment of poisoned dogs.