bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of immune checkpoints in Richter syndrome identifies LAG3 as a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Gould Clare , Lickiss Jennifer , Kankanige Yamuna , Yerneni Satwica , Lade Stephen , Gandhi Maher K. , Chin Collin , Yannakou Costas K. , Villa Diego , Slack Graham W. , Markham John F. , Tam Constantine S. , Nelson Niles , Seymour John F. , Dickinson Michael , Neeson Paul J. , Westerman David , Blombery Piers
Published: August 2021

Richter syndrome (RS), an aggressive lymphoma occurring in the context of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, is associated with poor prognosis when treated with conventional immunochemotherapy, therefore, improved treatments are required. Immune checkpoint blockade has shown efficacy in some B‐cell malignancies and modest responses in early clinical trials for RS. We investigated the immune checkpoint profile of RS as a basis to inform rational therapeutic investigations in RS.

Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded biopsies of RS (n = 19), de novo diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL; n = 58), transformed indolent lymphomas (follicular [tFL], n = 16; marginal zone [tMZL], n = 24) and non‐transformed small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL; n = 15) underwent gene expression profiling using the NanoString Human Immunology panel. Copy number assessment was performed using next‐generation sequencing. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for LAG3 and PD‐1 was performed.

LAG3 gene expression was higher in RS compared to DLBCL (P = 0·0002, log2FC 1·96), tFL (P < 0·0001, log2FC 2·61), tMZL (P = 0·0004, log2FC 1·79) and SLL (P = 0·0057, log2FC 1·45). LAG3 gene expression correlated with the gene expression of human leukocyte antigen Class I and II, and related immune genes and immune checkpoints. IHC revealed LAG3 protein expression on both malignant RS cells and tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes. Our findings support the investigation of LAG3 inhibition to enhance anti‐tumour responses in RS.
Understanding the etiology of adolescent substance use through developmental perspectives
Authors: Trucco Elisa M. , Hartmann Sarah A.
Published: August 2021

Using alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana during adolescence is associated with risks, yet there is no single cause for adolescent substance use. The etiology of substance use develops over time, across multiple levels of influence. Informed by developmental perspectives, in this review, we provide an overview of biological (e.g., genetic, neuroimaging), individual (e.g., temperament, behavior problems), and social (e.g., parents, peers) factors that increase the risk for and protection against this multifaceted phenomenon. We also highlight emerging areas of research, as well as preliminary work examining the etiology of adolescent substance use across levels of influence. Understanding early factors associated with the emergence of adolescent substance use can help inform prevention programs to reduce subsequent cognitive impairments and psychopathology. Adaptive individualized interventions addressing various domains linked to adolescent substance use are likely to have significant utility given the numerous pathways to adolescent substance use.
Liberalising audit markets for local government: The five forces at work in England and the Netherlands
Authors: de Widt Dennis , Llewelyn Iolo , Thorogood Tim
Published: August 2021

Both England and the Netherlands have seen efforts to liberalise their audit markets for local government in recent decades. According to economic theory, these should benefit buyers as increased competition produces lower prices and improved quality. Increasing the number of competing audit firms in markets traditionally dominated by few large firms is widely seen as a key ingredient to this process. However, liberalisation has taken different paths in England, compared to the Netherlands. In England, a national‐level collaborative purchasing arrangement has seen a small number of large firms competing, whilst in the Netherlands, a free market has led to the withdrawal by Big‐4 firms and rapidly growing market share by mid‐tier and small firms. In this paper, we analyse contrasting market developments in local public audit in England and the Netherlands and accordingly analyse the underlying factors through applying an established framework for market analysis from industrial economics, Porter's five forces framework, together with an institutional logics approach to further understand the factors involved. We find the Porter framework a useful tool to identify structural differences between markets but one that requires further analysis to explain underlying dynamics, which in the case of Dutch and English local public audit markets is effectively provided by the use of concepts from institutional logics including a historical contingency analysis.
Correlations between crack initiation and crack propagation lives of notched specimens under constant and variable amplitude loading
Authors: Fiedler Melanie , Vormwald Michael
Published: August 2021

This paper starts with an overview of the application of the three guidelines (GL) of the German Research Association of Mechanical Engineers (FKM). Each of these provides algorithms for calculating fatigue lives of components under constant or variable amplitude loading, however, with underlying different failure criteria, that is, technical crack initiation life (GL‐nonlinear), fatigue crack growth life (GL‐fracture mechanics), and total fracture life (GL‐linear). Since the GL‐linear only considers linear‐elastic material behavior in the fracture fatigue life calculation, the guideline is not capable for the LCF and is not able to take sequence effects into account. For a better approximation of fracture fatigue lives, the elastic–plastic material behavior has to be taken into account. This paper introduces the U‐Concept which has been evaluated from a large structural durability database from the literature with more than 1,500 experiments for constant and more than 700 experiments for variable amplitude loading. The U‐Concept is a small add‐on to the local strain approach (LSA) which is the backbone of the GL‐nonlinear. It enables (1) to directly calculate the fatigue life to total fracture based on elastic–plastic material behavior according to the LSA or (2) to estimate the remaining fatigue life from crack initiation to fracture without a crack growth simulation. Furthermore, the U‐Concept needs no experimental determined crack growth parameters, the only necessary material parameter is the ultimate tensile strength Rm. The U‐Concept is therefore easy applicable for industrial users and increases the accuracy of the approximated fatigue lives by considering the elastic–plastic material behavior.
Native English speakers and Hindi consonants: From cross‐language perception patterns to pronunciation teaching
Authors: Hayes‐Harb Rachel , Barrios Shannon
Published: August 2021

The Hindi consonant inventory, which includes the cross‐linguistically rare retroflex place of articulation and four‐way laryngeal contrasts, is known to pose difficulties for native English speakers. Hindi language textbooks address this challenge, in part, by providing various articulatory and acoustic descriptions of Hindi consonants, typically referencing their similarity to and differences from English consonants. Here, we investigate the perception of 20 Hindi consonants by native English speakers with no prior Hindi language experience. We conducted two consonant perception studies: one in which participants identified Hindi consonants with English consonant labels, and one in which they determined whether pairs of Hindi consonants were the same or different. In this way, we were able to identify the consonants—and contrasts—that may pose the greatest difficulty for learners, and also to make recommendations regarding the articulatory and acoustic description of Hindi consonants for English‐speaking learners.
Analysis of environment‐recruitment associations for a coastal red drum population reveals consistent link between year class strength and early shifts in nearshore winds
Authors: Goldberg Danielle A. , Paramore Lee M. , Scharf Frederick S.
Published: August 2021

The identification of factors contributing to strong year classes of marine fishes has been a constant goal toward a mechanistic understanding of recruitment variability. Here, we explored a 26‐year time series of the abundance of early juvenile red drum along the North Carolina coast to identify environmental features associated with variable recruitment success. The study location was near the northern edge of the species latitudinal range, and we hypothesized that consistent environmental forcing would be linked to the formation of strong red drum year classes. Patterns of variability in seasonal environmental features were disaggregated into multiple forms of temporal periodicity and analyzed using generalized additive models. We also contrasted patterns of environmental variation that occurred during the strongest recruitment events with those coinciding with the weakest red drum year classes. The early shift, during August, to favorable wind conditions was the most consistent environmental feature associated with red drum recruitment success. The combined duration and magnitude of N and NE winds during August of strong recruitment years was nearly double the level observed during weak recruitment years. Elevated nearshore sea surface temperatures early in the spawning season were also found to occur during years that produced strong year classes. Coastal productivity, indexed using chlorophyll a concentration, was positively associated with red drum recruitment, but also highlighted the need for more spatially resolved productivity data. Our findings highlight the importance of environment‐recruitment linkages for marine fishes, especially near distributional boundaries where conditions to promote year class success can be brief.
A deep‐learning‐based experiment for benchmarking the performance of global terrestrial vegetation phenology models
Authors: Zhou Xuewen , Xin Qinchuan , Dai Yongjiu , Li Wanjing
Published: August 2021

Aim

Vegetation phenology that characters the periodic life cycles of plants is indicative of the interactions between the biosphere and the atmosphere. Robust modelling of vegetation phenology metrics that correspond to canopy development events is essential to our understanding of how plants and ecosystems respond to a changing climate. Given considerable uncertainties associated with vegetation phenology modelling using numerical models, we explore the deep learning approach to predicting the timing of global vegetation phenology metrics.

Location

Global.

Time period

2001–2015.

Major taxa studied

Deciduous vegetation (DV), stressed deciduous vegetation (SDV), evergreen vegetation (EV).

Methods

We developed a one‐dimensional convolutional neural network regression (1D‐CNNR) model with 10 hierarchical structures to model global vegetation phenology using meteorological variables as inputs. The developed deep learning model was evaluated using satellite‐derived phenology metrics (i.e., green‐up, maturity, senescence, and dormancy) and compared with the terrestrial ecosystem model Biome‐BGC (BioGeochemical Cycles).

Results

Our experimental results show that the 1D‐CNNR model well captures both the spatial pattern and inter‐annual variation of satellite‐derived multiyear vegetation phenology metrics on a global scale. The median root‐mean‐square errors (RMSEs) and standard deviations between phenology metrics derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and predicted by the 1D‐CNNR model on a global scale from 2001 to 2015 are 4.1 ± 5.9, 4.2 ± 12.1, 3.0 ± 6.8, and 3.4 ± 4.3 days for green‐up, maturation, senescence, and dormancy, respectively, for the DV type; 13.3 ± 29.6, 8.4 ± 29.1, 8.1 ± 21.3, and 9.1 ± 21.6 days for green‐up, maturation, senescence, and dormancy, respectively, for the SDV type; and 13.9 ± 17.4, 17.7 ± 34.6, 18.8 ± 42.9, and 12.1 ± 17.7 days for green‐up, maturation, senescence, and dormancy, respectively, for the EV type.

Main conclusions

This research demonstrates that the 1D‐CNNR model has the potential for large‐scale modelling of vegetation phenology. Results from the deep learning model suggest that there is room to improve numerical vegetation phenology models for use in land surface models.
Re‐placing welfare neoliberalism: The neglected role of geography in neoliberal public policies
Authors: Whitworth Adam
Published: August 2021

Neoliberalism has become interwoven through international public policy regimes in recent decades yet the spatial implications of their design, outcomes, resourcing and user experiences remain neglected in key ways. In response, the present article uses the case study of the UK’s Work Programme – an international vanguard experiment of neoliberal public policy‐making par excellence – to examine these issues. The conceptual framing highlights the risks of neoliberal public policy‐making for the reinforcement of existing spatial inequalities whilst the original multivariate spatial analyses using the official outcomes data demonstrate the realisation of those risks. These original empirical findings highlight the enduring yet frequently neglected importance of local context to national policy designs and outcomes, and raise serious concerns around the continuing international popularity of neoliberal public policy‐making for spatial justice.
Contested spaces in the new blue economy: Competing for Connecticut's Thames River Working Waterfront
Authors: Ebbin Syma A. , Trumbull Nathaniel
Published: August 2021

Working waterfront space is limited, leading to competition for coastal space among different waterfront‐dependent industries as well as non‐waterfront dependent users. Coastal margins will be shrinking as sea levels rise due to climate change, squeezing already scarce port resources, exacerbating competition for these spaces, and generating conflicts. This paper focuses on the competition for waterfront space on the Thames River of Connecticut bordered by the municipalities of New London, Groton, Norwich, Ledyard, and Montville. Emerging wind power in the new Blue Economy looks to reshape port usage in the Thames River. The recent focus on wind generation by the State of Connecticut, coupled with several competitive bidding events for wind‐generated electricity, has augmented demand for port space that will serve as a staging area for this offshore development. Although the development of wind power will occur offshore, Connecticut ports are anticipating port use by wind companies with winning bids. This paper explores the processes by which port space has been (re)allocated and contested, and examines the nature of the ensuing conflicts and outcomes.
Loss of Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of human MOB4 compromises life span, health life span and thermotolerance
Authors: Jahan Momotaj , Iwasa Hiroaki , Kuroyanagi Hidehito , Hata Yutaka
Published: August 2021

Mob1/phocein family proteins are conserved from yeast to mammals. Human has four MOB genes, MOB1, 2, 3 and 4. Human MOB1 protein, which is a component of the Hippo pathway, is involved in the inhibition of yes‐associated protein (YAP1) through large tumor suppressor (LATS) kinases and plays a tumor suppressive role. In contrast, MOB4 activates YAP1. Caernorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) also has four MOB genes. Moreover, C. elegans has homologues of YAP1 (Ce_YAP‐1) and LATS kinases (WTS‐1). Nevertheless, our previous study revealed that the Hippo pathway is not conserved in C. elegans and that heat shock activates Ce_YAP‐1. We also reported that Ce_YAP‐1 is involved in the regulation of life span, healthy lifespan and thermotolerance. In this study, we raised a question whether and how C. elegans homologue of MOB4 (Ce_MOB‐4) is involved in the regulation of Ce_YAP‐1. Ce_MOB‐4 is ubiquitously expressed in adult worms. This expression pattern is similar to that of Ce_YAP‐1. mob‐4 loss‐of‐function mutants show short life span, short health life span and compromise thermotolerance. However, heat shock activates Ce_YAP‐1 in mob‐4 mutant. In conclusion, the role of MOB4 in the activation of YAP1 is not conserved in C. elegans.
What changes with coaching? Investigating within‐person changes in reflection, the predicting role of implicit person theory and the effects on perceived utility of coaching
Authors: Fontes Andrea , Dello Russo Silvia
Published: August 2021

Coaching literature assumes that people undergo personal change through coaching. We contend that different types of change may occur with coaching and investigate whether this is the case in reflection (a key competence in coaching). Results from our sample of 61 coachees indicate that three types of change (alpha, beta, gamma) are observed across participants. Alpha change refers to a substantive change in reflection (i.e. an increase or decrease), beta to a recalibration of one's assessment of reflection and gamma to a re‐conceptualization of reflection. We further examine implicit person theory (IPT) as a predictor and perceived coaching utility as a correlate of the three types of change. We observe a higher probability that incremental IPT will associate with alpha change versus other types of change, and that beta and gamma changes correlate positively and negatively, respectively, with perceived utility for work. No significant correlations are observed between types of change and perceived utility for personal development. Our study represents an exploratory contribution to a better understanding of the within‐person changes in reflection following coaching intervention, and has implications for both theory and practice, which we discuss along with indications for future directions.
Silicon mitigates the effects of moderate drought stress in cover crops
Authors: Mario Zuffo Alan , Felippe Ratke Rafael , Steiner Fábio , Matias de Oliveira Augusto , González Aguilera Jorge , Eloy Lima Roney
Published: August 2021

Cover crops are important components of sustainable agricultural systems under no‐till conditions. However, in the Brazilian Cerrado region, plant growth and straw production on the soil surface have been hampered by insufficient soil water availability during off‐season. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of silicon fertilization on the morphological and physiological characteristics of cover crops under drought stress conditions. We hypothesized that silicon could mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress because of its role in improving the photosynthetic process and antioxidant defence mechanisms of plants. Thus, two silicon fertilizer levels (0 and 180 mg/kg of Silicon), three grass cover crops (Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. brizantha cv. Marandu and Pennisetum glaucum cv. ADR 300) and three drought stress levels (100% pot capacity (PC): well‐watered conditions, 50% PC: moderate water stress and 25% PC: severe water stress) were laid out as a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated four times. Morphophysiological characteristics were recorded after 22 days of exposure to drought stress. Drought stress decreased the growth rate, leaf area (LA), net CO2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance of the three cover crops. However, with the application of silicon fertilizer, a portion of the negative effects caused by water restriction could be mitigated, even though there were differences in the responses to silicon fertilization and water stress levels among the cover crop species. Silicon application potentiated the tillering and plant growth rate and increased the photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of U. brizantha (cv. Marandu and cv. BRS Piatã) plants grown under moderate drought stress conditions.
Rethinking Fabric: The Application of Fabric Manipulation Techniques in Fashion Design Education
Authors: Burns Angela
Published: August 2021

Within the context of fashion design, fabric is the key variable in the design process, offering infinite options in terms of variety, quality, weight, colour, texture and pattern. The manipulation of these fabrics is an effective tool at the designer’s disposal, which can be used to create innovation in a design. This study examines the use of fabric manipulation for fostering creativity in the context of fashion design education. It explores a variety of approaches to this subject that can be employed to enthuse, stimulate, and enable beginner level fashion students to recognise the value of fabric manipulation in creating innovative fashion design outcomes. It aims to examine the potential of fabric manipulation techniques as a method to reinvent basic fabrics, reflect concept ideas on a garment, expand student skillsets and develop originality in fashion design education. A detailed analysis of the application of textile design practices in the final year of study over twelve academic semesters, in both couture and ready‐to‐wear collections, aims to determine the uptake of fabric manipulation as a major design component in the context of final year graduation fashion collections.
Promoting student engagement in online collaborative writing through a student‐facing social learning analytics tool
Authors: Chen Si , Ouyang Fan , Jiao Pengcheng
Published: August 2021

Background

Online Collaborative Writing (OCW) has been reported to be useful to improve writing quality in higher education. However, challenges emerge during the collaborative processes, mainly centering on how to sustain active interactions and communications in order to complete a high quality of writing.

Objectives

Using the design‐based research, this research designs and implements a student‐facing SLA tool that integrates multi‐method analytics to present social interactions, writing topics, and topic connections and to empirically investigate the effects of this tool on student engagement during OCW.

Methods

This research uses both quantitative content analysis, statistical analysis, and qualitative analysis to examine the effects of the SLA tool on students' social and cognitive engagement as well as students' perceptions about the usefulness and usability of this tool.

Results and Conclusions

Results showed that the SLA tool improved students' social and cognitive engagement, and most students perceived that the SLA tool was useful for the OCW activity. Based on the findings, implications of tool development and pedagogical design are proposed to foster students' online collaborative writing quality.
Zero fluoroscopy approach versus fluoroscopy approach for cardiac arrhythmia ablations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kanitsoraphan Chanavuth , Techorueangwiwat Chol , Rattanawong Pattara , Kewcharoen Jakrin , Ayinapudi Karnika , Bunch T. Jared , Groh Christopher , Navaravong Leenhapong
Published: August 2021

Background

Radiofrequency catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias has traditionally been guided by fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy exposes the patient, operator, and staff to ionizing radiation which has no safe dose void of stochastic and deterministic biologic risks. Zero fluoroscopy (ZF) approaches for catheter ablation have been advocated to eliminate these risks. We conducted a meta‐analysis comparing acute procedure success, recurrence‐free survival, complications, and procedure times between the approaches.

Methods

We conducted a literature search from inception through December 2020 in the databases of EMBASE and MEDLINE. We included randomized controlled trials and cohorts that compared the outcomes of interest in ZF and conventional/low fluoroscopy (CF/LF) approaches. The outcomes sought were acute procedure success, recurrence‐free survival, complications, and procedure times. Effect estimates were combined, using the random‐effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

Sixteen studies from 2013 to 2020, including 6052 patients (2219 ZF, 3833 CF/LF) were included. There were no significant differences in acute procedure success rate (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–1.59), recurrence‐free survival (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.78–1.49), periprocedural complication rate (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.45–1.16), or total procedure time (weighted mean difference 2.32 min, 95% CI: −2.85–7.50) between ZF and CF/LF approaches, respectively. Overall, only 1.26% of patients crossed over from ZF to CF/LF arm.

Conclusions

Periprocedural and postprocedural outcomes with a ZF approach compared favorably with traditional fluoroscopic guidance without increasing procedural times. As comfort with ZF grows, coupled with evolving mapping technologies, this method has potential to become the standard approach for catheter ablation.
LINC00511 promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating SOX4 and epigenetically repressing PTEN to activate PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Wang Qianwei , Mao Xiang , Luo Fen , Wang Jun
Published: August 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) serves as a common malignancy. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to regulate many cancers, including GC. Long intergenic non‐protein‐coding RNA 511 (LINC00511) has been poorly studied in GC, but its detailed regulatory mechanism has not been identified. Here, LINC00511 was detected to be highly expressed in GC cells. Functional assays were conducted and uncovered that LINC00511 boosted cell proliferation, migration, stemness and EMT process while inhibiting the apoptosis of GC cells. From a series of mechanism experiments, it was found that at the transcriptional level, LINC00511 recruited EZH2 (enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit) to the promoter of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) and facilitated methylation of PTEN promoter. LINC00511 epigenetically repressed PTEN to activate the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, SRY‐box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) activated the transcription of LINC00511. At the post‐transcriptional level, LINC00511 sponged miR‐195‐5p to elevate SOX4 expression in GC cells. On the whole, the present study disclosed that SOX4‐induced LINC00511 activated SOX4 via competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) pattern and epigenetically repressed PTEN to activate PI3K/AKT pathway by recruiting EZH2, thus facilitating GC cell proliferation, migration and stemness while inhibiting GC cell apoptosis.
A systematic review of brain MRI findings in monogenic disorders strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Frewer Veronica , Gilchrist Courtney P. , Collins Simonne E. , Williams Katrina , Seal Marc L. , Leventer Richard J. , Amor David J.
Published: August 2021

Background

Research on monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorder (autism) can inform our understanding of genetic contributions to the autism phenotype; yet, there is much to be learned about the pathways from gene to brain structure to behavior. This systematic review summarizes and evaluates research on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in monogenic conditions that have strong association with autism. This will improve understanding of the impact of genetic variability on brain structure and related behavioral traits in autism.

Methods

The search strategy for this systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Risk of bias (ROB) assessment was completed on included studies using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scales.

Results

Of 4,287 studies screened, 69 were included pertaining to 13 of the top 20 genes with the strongest association with autism. The greatest number of studies related to individuals with PTEN variants and autism. Brain MRI abnormalities were reported for 12 of the 13 genes studied, and in 51.7% of participants across all 13 genes, including 100% of participants with ARID1B variants. Specific MRI findings were highly variable, with no clear patterns emerging within or between the 13 genes, although white matter abnormalities were the most common. Few studies reported specific details about methods for acquisition and processing of brain MRI, and descriptors for brain abnormalities were variable. ROB assessment indicated high ROB for all studies, largely due to small sample sizes and lack of comparison groups.

Conclusions

Brain abnormalities are common in this population of individuals, in particular, children; however, a range of different brain abnormalities were reported within and between genes. Directions for future neuroimaging research in monogenic autism are suggested.
The associations between physical activity intensity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kerr Catherine J. , Waterworth Sally P. , Brodie David , Sandercock Gavin R. H. , Ingle Lee
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim

High levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness may protect against non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. We investigated whether different physical activity intensities and cardiorespiratory fitness were independent predictors of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods

We included healthy adults with no prior diagnosis of liver dysfunction. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence was estimated based on fatty liver index scores. We created tertiles of self‐reported low, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. Participants completed an incremental treadmill test to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness, and data were subsequently separated into quintile groups (Q1 [least fit] through Q5 [most fit]).

Results

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence in our sample of 7111 adults was 28.3% in male adults and 6.5% in female adults. Logistic regression showed the relative odds of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease were 42% lower if > 60 min/week of vigorous physical activity was maintained (odds ratio [OR] = 0.58, confidence interval [CI]: 0.49–0.68). There was a negative dose–response association between cardiorespiratory fitness and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease between Q1 and Q4. Compared with Q1, odds were 39% (OR = 0.61, CI: 0.51–0.73) lower in Q2, through to 51% lower in Q5 (OR = 0.49, CI: 0.41–0.60). Moderate physical activity did not reduce the odds of non‐alcoholic liver disease.

Conclusions

We found the lowest prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults achieving > 60 min/week of vigorous physical activity. However, a stronger dose–response relationship existed between cardiorespiratory fitness and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Improving cardiorespiratory fitness as a potential therapeutic target for treatment and prevention of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease warrants further investigation.
The pentatricopeptide repeat protein EMB1270 interacts with CFM2 to splice specific group II introns in Arabidopsis chloroplasts
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen Jingli , Zhang Liqun , Wei Ying , Li Yajuan , Xu Xinyun , Wu Hui , Yang Zhong‐Nan , Huang Jirong , Hu Fenhong , Huang Weihua , Cui Yong‐Lan
Published: August 2021

Chloroplast biogenesis requires the coordinated expression of chloroplast and nuclear genes. Here, we show that EMB1270, a plastid‐localized pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein, is required for chloroplast biogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knockout of EMB1270 led to embryo arrest, whereas a mild knockdown mutant of EMB1270 displayed a virescent phenotype. Almost no photosynthetic proteins accumulated in the albino emb1270 knockout mutant. By contrast, in the emb1270 knockdown mutant, the levels of ClpP1 and photosystem I (PSI) subunits were significantly reduced, whereas the levels of photosystem II (PSII) subunits were normal. Furthermore, the splicing efficiencies of the clpP1.2, ycf3.1, ndhA, and ndhB plastid introns were dramatically reduced in both emb1270 mutants. RNA immunoprecipitation revealed that EMB1270 associated with these introns in vivo. In an RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay (REMSA), a truncated EMB1270 protein containing the 11 N‐terminal PPR motifs bound to the predicted sequences of the clpP1.2, ycf3.1, and ndhA introns. In addition, EMB1270 specifically interacted with CRM Family Member 2 (CFM2). Given that CFM2 is known to be required for splicing the same plastid RNAs, our results suggest that EMB1270 associates with CFM2 to facilitate the splicing of specific group II introns in Arabidopsis.
Examining Engagement With Public Health in the Implementation of School‐Based Health Initiatives: Findings From the COMPASS Study
Authors: Vermeer Julianne , Battista Kate , Leatherdale Scott T.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Adolescence coincides with the adoption of health behaviors that schools are not necessarily equipped to properly address. Collaboration between schools and external health services such as public health could fill gaps in addressing student health.

METHODS

The current study uses student‐ and school‐level survey data from 59 nonprivate secondary schools in Ontario, Canada in year 6 (2017–2018) of the COMPASS study to examine barriers to improving student health, and analyze the effect of public health engagement on student health behaviors.

RESULTS

The majority of schools have received resources from their local public health unit, however, less than one third of schools were developing/implementing programs jointly, and 12% of schools reported no engagement. Students had higher odds of better overall mental health, of meeting screen time guidelines, and were less likely to bully others if public health units solved issues together with schools regarding these health behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a notable lack of consistent public health engagement in schools participating in the COMPASS study despite a need for such services. Creating mechanisms to develop and strengthen effective partnerships between schools and external service providers such as public health might alleviate some barriers to implementing health interventions in Ontario secondary schools.
Pharmacokinetics of furosemide in goats following intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administrations
Authors: Cetin Gul , Corum Orhan , Durna Corum Duygu , Atik Orkun , Turk Erdinc , Tekeli Ibrahim Ozan , Uney Kamil
Published: August 2021

Furosemide, a loop diuretic drug, is recommended for use in cases of edema, ascites, congestive heart failure, toxicosis, and acute renal failure in goats. However, its pharmacokinetics and bioavailability have not been reported yet in this species. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of furosemide in goats following intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) administrations at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Six clinically healthy goats received furosemide by each route in a three‐way crossover pharmacokinetic design with a 15‐day washout period between administrations. The plasma concentrations of furosemide were determined using the high‐performance liquid chromatography‐UV method and analyzed by non‐compartmental analysis. The elimination half‐life following IV, IM, and SC administration was 0.71 (0.67–0.76) h, 0.69 (0.61–0.74) h, and 0.70 (0.67–0.79) h, respectively. The volume of distribution at steady state and total clearance for the IV route were 0.17 (0.16–0.19) L/kg and 0.30 (0.27–0.33) L/h/kg, respectively. The peak plasma concentrations of furosemide following IM and SC administrations were 11.19 (10.33–11.95) and 6.49 (5.92–7.00) μg/ml at 0.23 (0.16–0.25) and 0.39 (0.33–0.42) h, respectively. The bioavailability was 109.84 (104.92–116.99)% and 70.80 (55.77–86.67)% for the IM and SC routes, respectively. The pharmacokinetics of furosemide following the IV, IM, and SC administrations in goats demonstrated significant differences, which may have clinical and toxicological implications requiring further investigations.
Determination of minimum horizontal curve radius for safe stopping sight distance of vehicles overpassing truck platoons
Authors: Garcia Alfredo , Pastor‐Serrano Daniel
Published: August 2021

In the last few years, the importance of trucks on inland cargo transportation has not stopped increasing. Meanwhile, truck platooning is emerging, along with automated driving, to reduce costs using new technologies. In this context, this research aims to provide a first study on the effects of truck platoons on freeways’ road safety, focusing on the reduction of visibility caused by truck platoons with shorter gaps on horizontal curves. This safety issue will also affect motorways and multilane roads. A geometric model has been developed and computed, which provides the available sight distances and the stopping sight distance (SSD) for a vehicle overpassing a platoon in a circular curve without transition curves. There are many variables, such as radius, lane width, vehicle and truck platoon parameters, and relative position. The overpassing vehicle has been included in the model for both human‐driven and automated, considering the adaptive cruise control radar cone of visibility. The main result of this study is the minimum curve radius in order to allow a safe SSD, considering different design criteria. Moreover, depending on the level of automation of the vehicle, this minimum radius will be different, being higher for automated vehicles. Results prove the importance of the studied phenomenon and the necessity to implement further countermeasures. Additionally, a case study where the effects of truck platooning on the visibility of a real motorway stretch are evaluated.
Ambulating, digital and isolated: The case of Swedish labour inspectors
Authors: Håkansta Carin
Published: August 2021

The focus of this paper is the impact of digitalisation on a public sector organisation: the Swedish Work Environment Agency. Building on internal documents and interviews with labour inspectors and managers, it shows that ICT‐enabled temporal and spatial flexibility increased the social isolation among the inspectors and that standardising technology negatively affected their work practice discretion. The interviewed inspectors considered these problems a managerial responsibility to solve. Management, in contrast, considered isolation a passing phenomenon and judged standardisation and replicability through ICT more important than inspectors’ discretion. This study illustrates how new technology in an organisation, although considered necessary, raises questions about how to maintain communities of practice and how to avoid negative effects on the discretion of street‐level agents. It contributes to theory by introducing the concepts of Communities of Practice and street‐level bureaucracy into the discussion of isolation by digitalisation.
Automatability of Work and Preferences for Redistribution*
Authors: van Hoorn AndrÉ
Published: August 2021

Although the importance of technological change for increasing prosperity is undisputed and economists typically deem it unlikely that labour‐saving technology causes long‐term employment or income losses, people’s anxiety about automation and its distributive consequences can be an important shaper of economic and social policies. This paper considers the political economy of automation, proposing that individuals in occupations more at risk of job loss due to automation have stronger preferences for government redistribution. I analyse individual‐level cross‐national data from the European Social Survey and other sources, covering up to 32 countries and more than 170,000 individuals. I find a robust positive association between occupational automation risk and preferences for redistribution. As long as the conditional (mean) independence assumption is satisfied, my estimates suggest that a one standard deviation increase in automatability increases preferences for redistribution with roughly 0.05 standard deviations, which is comparable to the difference in preferences for redistribution between women and men.
Assessing acute functional decline in older patients in home nursing care settings using the Modified Early Warning Score: A qualitative study of nurses’ and general practitioners’ experiences
Authors: Jeppestøl Kristin , Kirkevold Marit , Bragstad Line K.
Published: August 2021

Aims and objectives

The study describes experiences of registered nurses and general practitioners when using the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) to assess acute functional decline in older home nursing care patients.

Background

Acute functional decline is common among older home nursing care patients; typically characterised by nonspecific symptoms and a mix of manifestations. Early warning score systems for detecting clinical deterioration have been thoroughly evaluated in hospital settings, but few studies have evaluated these systems used with older people in a community care setting.

Methods

A descriptive exploratory research design and a qualitative approach. 36 nurses and eight general practitioners were purposively sampled. Data were collected in seven mixed focus groups and analysed using an inductive thematic content analysis in an iterative process that moved between text, codes, categories and themes. The COREQ checklist was used.

Results

Two main themes were developed in the analysis. The first theme derived, was that the MEWS along with medical‐technical equipment and clinical judgement, was used to support nurses’ and general practitioners’ clinical decisions in assessing older deteriorating patients. The second theme referred to nurses’ and general practitioners’ experiences with several adjustments when using the MEWS with the older patient group and in complying with its trigger recommendations.

Conclusion

The use of the MEWS when assessing older patients in home nursing care is potentially useful in supporting clinical reasoning. However, the tool's usefulness is limited because it is not experienced as sufficiently adapted to neither the home nursing care services nor to older patients.

Implications for practice

This study increases our knowledge of how the MEWS tool is used in a community care setting and highlights the importance of adjustment of assessment procedures for older persons with acute functional decline.
Retinal image size in pseudophakia
Authors: Atchison David A , Rozema Jos J
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Approaches are developed to determine relative retinal magnifications in anisometropic patients undergoing cataract surgery; these can be used to balance between full spectacle corrections with equal intraocular lens (IOL) powers and a pure IOL power correction.

Methods

The analysis started from the original and pseudophakic Navarro eye models, where in the latter case an IOL replaced the natural lens. A third model was a simplified Navarro‐IOL model with a single surface cornea and a thin lens. These models were manipulated by altering vitreous length, corneal power and lens position. Retinal image sizes were determined for both full IOL corrections and full spectacle corrections by raytracing and approximate equations. Relative magnification (RM) was determined as the ratio of retinal image size of an eye to that of the appropriate standard eye.

Results

For raytracing and full IOL correction, vitreous length led to RM change of 5%/mm, while for corneal power and IOL position this was −0.4%/D and 1.4%/mm, respectively. For raytracing and spectacle correction, effects were 0%/D (vitreous depth), −1.6%/D (corneal power) and +1.0%/mm (IOL position). For full IOL correction, the approximate RM calculations were highly accurate. For spectacle correction, the approximate RM calculations were exact for vitreous length changes, reasonably accurate for corneal power changes but very inaccurate for changes in anterior chamber depth.

Conclusion

Relative magnification approximations may be useful to assess the risk of aniseikonia in anisometropic patients targeted for postoperative emmetropia. Some of these patients would be corrected best by a combination of spectacles and IOLs.
Cryoballoon left atrial roof ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation—Analysis with high‐resolution mapping system
Authors: Miyazaki Shinsuke , Hasegawa Kanae , Mukai Moe , Aoyama Daisetsu , Nodera Minoru , Uzui Hiroyasu , Tada Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Background

Additional benefit of cryoballoon left atrial roof line ablation (CB‐RA) beyond cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (CB‐PVI) is suggested in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF). We sought to investigate the feasibility of CB‐RA for PsAF and to determine the ablation area.

Methods and Results

Fifty‐three PsAF patients (67[58.5–75.5] years, 36 men, 11 longstanding PsAF) underwent CB‐PVI. Subsequently, 44(83.0%) out of 53 patients underwent additional CB‐RA. Voltage maps were created in all patients with a high‐resolution mapping system. The total number and duration of CB‐RAs were 3.9 ± 0.7 and 468 ± 84 s. LA roof areas were complete low voltage areas (LVAs) /scar in 37/44(84.1%) patients (“complete roof modification”). The normal LA posterior wall (LAPW) voltage area was 6.1(4.1–8.4) cm2, and the %LAPW isolation area was 61.0(47.2–71.7)%. The %LAPW isolation area was significantly greater in CB‐RA patients than those without (64.0[54.2–73.2] vs. 45.0[39.5–50.5]%, p = .041) despite significantly larger LAs in the former group. The %LAPW isolation area was significantly greater in patients with transverse LA diameters < 45 mm than those ≥ 45 mm (p < .0001). The single procedure 1‐year AF freedom was 87.4% (22.5% on antiarrhythmic drug) and tended to be higher in CB‐RA patients than those without. Among the 44 CB‐RA patients, it was significantly higher in patients with a complete roof modification than those without (94.4% vs. 75.0%, p = .0049). One CB‐RA patient experienced a delayed cardiac tamponade requiring drainage at 4‐months post‐procedure.

Conclusions

CB‐RA significantly expanded the LAPW isolation area, and a complete roof modification resulted in a high arrhythmia freedom in PsAF patients.
Psychosocial situation, adherence, and utilization of video consultation in young adult long‐term pediatric liver transplant recipients during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kröncke Sylvia , Lund Louisa Katharina , Buchholz Angela , Lang Melanie , Briem‐Richter Andrea , Grabhorn Enke Freya , Sterneck Martina
Published: August 2021

Background

Young adults who underwent liver transplantation in childhood (YALTs) are highly vulnerable to non‐adherent behavior and psychosocial problems. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, special efforts may be necessary to maintain contact with these patients and offer support. This can be achieved through the use of telemedicine. The study's objective was to assess adherence and the psychosocial situation of YALTs during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany and to evaluate the utilization of video consultations.

Methods

In May 2020, a questionnaire was sent to YALTs treated at the Hamburg University Transplant Center, accompanied by the offer of video appointments with the attending physician. The questionnaire included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7, the Patient Health Questionnaire 2, and questions compiled by the authors.

Results

Of 98 YALTs, 12% used the video consultation, while 65% had an in‐person appointment. The 56 patients who completed the questionnaire did not report reduced medication adherence during the pandemic, but 40% missed follow‐up visits with their primary care physician or check‐up laboratory tests. About 70% of YALTs were afraid to visit their physician and the transplant center, and 34% were afraid of a SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Mental health and well‐being were unimpaired.

Conclusions

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, YALTs in our study did not show an increased need for psychosocial support, but a majority were afraid to attend medical appointments, and 40% reported lower appointment adherence. Acceptance of video consultations was lower than expected. The reasons for this need to be further investigated in order to optimize care.