bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emissions in different stages of economic development in nations
Authors: Gurtu Amulya , Goswami Anandajit
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper analyzed country-wise energy consumption, sources of emissions, and how it gets impacted by their socioeconomic development and provides a framework for integrated climate and development policy.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of energy supply, consumption and emissions across developed and developing economies using long-term empirical data.

Findings

The framework provided areas to be focused on reducing emissions during the economic and social development trajectory of nations.

Research limitations/implications

It provides a holistic and integrated picture of the context of emissions that induced global warming and developmental challenges for different types of countries.

Practical implications

All nations must reduce fossil fuel consumption to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to keep the planet's temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the preindustrial period.

Social implications

Sustainable/green technologies might need upfront investment to implement sustainable technologies.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is to provide a long-term integrated perspective on energy demand and supply, emissions, and a framework for the formulation of an integrated climate and development policy.
TQM implementation practices and performance outcome of Indian hospitals: exploratory findings
Authors: Puthanveettil Biju Augustine , Vijayan Shilpa , Raj Anil , MP Sajan
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper explores and interprets the linkage between total quality management (TQM) practices and organizational performance measures for improving the healthcare firms’ performance. Indian healthcare firms are aware of TQM practices and their benefits, but the awareness level varies among the firms and staff. The study looks into the effectiveness of quality awareness to meet quality performance in Indian hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire based on previous research was circulated among the managers and medical staff. The model linking TQM and organizational performance is analyzed with structural equation modelling and confirmed the hypotheses stated. Interpretations to improve hospital performance are made.

Findings

The study identified ten relevant TQM factors and confirmed their importance towards the improved organizational performance of Indian hospitals. Top management initiative, continuous process improvement and team work are the most contributing TQM factors. Differences in the awareness levels by the management staff and medical staff are attributed. The managers and medical staff are aware of the benefits of TQM towards firm performance, but it is to be improved further.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-validation and interpretation are affected due to the limited sample size. Longitudinal study is recommended to explore the individual hospital as specific cases. Larger sample size is suggested as an extended work to overcome the demographic and infrastructural limitations of the firms included.

Practical implications

The management is more interested in TQM, but there is lack of awareness among the staff. The quality awareness and customer focus by medical staff are the most weakly loaded factors, and the weaknesses can be remedied by the lead role by the hospital management in providing proper training and thereby improving the attitude of the medical staff.

Social implications

Effectiveness of hospital operations is highly dependent on customer focus. Properly communicated, committed and trained staff with good-quality awareness can better implement TQM and thereby improve hospital performance. Lead role by the management is very important, and the paper lists ways to attain these outcomes.

Originality/value

Very little is reported from the Indian healthcare sector linking TQM and outcome performance. The quality awareness, customer focus, communication and learning by the medical staff are to be improved, and the paper suggests ways to link TQM more effectively to improve the performance in hospitals. These findings may be useful to the managers, medical staff and researchers in healthcare to bring better results.
The helpfulness of reflecting teams in family therapy
Authors: Hicks Stephanie , Kustner Claudia , Constable Chloe
Published: December 2020

Reflecting teams (RTs) are used in family therapy in order to introduce multiple perspectives and provide the ‘difference that makes a difference’. Research suggests that reflections made by an RT may be a factor in the change process for family members. This study aims to further the understanding of the helpfulness of reflections in family therapy, thus supporting RTs to be as effective as possible. A quantitative longitudinal questionnaire method was used in order to collect data on family members’ perceptions of the helpfulness of reflections made by an RT during their family therapy sessions. The results show that certain types of reflections are less helpful than others and the helpfulness of reflections was found to contribute to the change process for family members. The results are discussed along with reflections on the research process, limitations and recommendations for further research.

Practitioner points

Some types of reflections made by the reflecting team are more helpful than others, so using these more helpful reflection types may optimise progress in family therapy

Reflections contribute to the change process in family therapy, therefore reflecting teams are valuable to include in family therapy sessions
Voiced into being: the power of sound and the phenomenon of cursing in Kyzyl, Tuva
Authors: Stelmaszyk Malgorzata
Published: December 2020

In this article, I explore the way sound itself is imbued with agency. By focusing on its transformative rather than mimetic qualities, I analyse how in ritual contexts people construct and experience relationships through sound. Taking as an example a curse deflection ritual in Tuva, I trace ideas about the production of sounds as key to shamanic vocal performances. Through showing how sounds facilitate intermittent oral, tactile, and visual encounters with nonhumans, I suggest that shamans voice spirits into being, thereby allowing sound and shamanic voice to become central aspects of navigating sociocosmic dynamics and removing curses. While illuminating further the importance which people ascribe to the fragmentary sensory experience of an ‘Other’, I explore how sounds make spirits materially present and how this, in turn, shapes and validates the potency of shamanic practice.
Atmospheric cold plasma treatment of soybean protein isolate: insights into the structural, physicochemical, and allergenic characteristics
Authors: Zhang Qiaozhi , Cheng Zhouzhou , Zhang Jianhao , Nasiru Mustapha Muhammad , Wang Yanbo , Fu Linglin
Published: December 2020

Currently, there has been a surge of interest in revealing the interactions between plasma and food matrices. In this study, we investigated the impacts of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment on the structural, physicochemical and allergenic characteristics of soybean protein isolate (SPI). SPI dispersions were subjected to ACP treatments at different frequencies (80 to 100 Hz) and durations (1 to 10 min) to investigate the effects of exposing conditions. Results showed that ACP induced reactive oxygen species‐mediated oxidation of soy proteins, resulting in modifications in the secondary and ternary structures of SPI. As a consequence, functional properties of SPI, such as emulsifying (56 to 168%, compared with control) and foaming properties (60 to 194%) were influenced by varying degrees. In addition, under certain circumstance (120 Hz, 5 min), the IgE‐binding level of SPI was decreased by up to 75%, when compared to the control. Moderate treatment yielded products with improved functionality and reduced allergenicity, while extensive exposure induced a loss of vendibility due to protein aggregation.

Practical Application

In this study, we demonstrated for the first time, that plasma species reacted with soybean proteins, resulting in spatial structural changes which are closely related with protein functionality and allergenicity. ACP interacts with macromolecules in aqueous systems and thus can be an alternative and promising nonthermal approach in modifying soybean proteins, whereas the exact role of different processing parameters needs to be well‐elaborated.
Oral processing preference affects flavor perception in dark chocolate with added ingredients
Authors: Li Yilin , James Bryony
Published: December 2020

Chocolate has specific rheological behavior during oral processing that delivers its distinct sensory characteristics. When incorporating functional or flavoring ingredients into chocolate, these properties must be maintained to meet consumer expectation. Water‐soluble and fat‐soluble ingredients have a potential effect on the properties of chocolate; therefore, successfully adding functional supplements in this medium can have challenges.

This study investigated the effect of functional or flavoring ingredients on chocolate microstructure, mouthfeel (texture), and flavor release, during oral processing. Participants were classified by their oral processing “pattern”: a chewing preference (CP), a sucking preference (SP), and a mixed group who had a preference for both chewing and sucking (MP). Chocolate samples (72% dark chocolate) were prepared with different flavor ingredients (water‐soluble: ginger powder and fat‐soluble: menthol). Instrumental testing of chocolate viscosity and hardness showed no significant differences in chocolate with low concentrations of added ingredients (0.5% ginger and 0.1% mint), while chocolate with higher concentration (2.5% ginger and 0.5% mint) showed a significant difference compared to standard chocolate. Modified Qualitative Descriptive Analysis (MQDA) tests showed no significant differences in sensory perception of texture between the formulations, or the oral processing behavior groups. There was an impact on flavor perception both from composition and from oral processing behavior. The CP group rated the chocolate with the lowest flavoring concentration as also having the lowest cocoa flavor intensity. Moreover, the MP and SP groups showed a similar perception of cocoa flavor intensity.
Sunflower oil preservation by using chickpea flour film as bio‐packaging material
Authors: Camiletti Ornella F. , Riveros Cecilia G. , Aguirre Alicia , Grosso Nelson R.
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of biodegradable packages made with chickpea flour on the oxidation of sunflower oil. Chickpea flour films were prepared using the casting technique. To study the influence of storage time on films properties, the chickpea flour films were stored during 60 days at 25 °C and 52% relative humidity. In addition, sunflower oil samples were packaged in chickpea flour packages (CPs) and stored for 60 days at 25 °C. Lipid oxidation indicators were evaluated. The results showed that puncture force and redness values (a*) of chickpea films did not change significantly during storage. Tensile strength, Young's modulus (YM), and yellowness (b*) increased and moisture content (MC), elongation (%E), solubility (%S), water vapor permeability (WVP), and luminosity (L*) decreased. Microscopic images showed the presence of a few cracks in the film network at storage day 60. Conjugated dienes and peroxide value increased less for sunflower oil stored in high‐barrier plastic pouches and CPs during storage than the control treatment. CPs helped to preserve the chemical quality of sunflower oil samples, proving to be a promising alternative to develop biodegradable packaging to be used in oily food preservation.

Practical Application

Discarded chickpea grains are those split and different color grains that are separated from marketable grains, and represent an industrial byproduct. These grains are currently used for feed, constituting a nutritive biomass of low commercial value. Chickpea flour is a potential material for making biodegradable films. This strategy allows adding value to the chickpea industry, transforming a byproduct into a raw material with the potential to develop economical food packaging material. The use of chickpea packages to preserve sunflower oil may be an alternative to pack vegetable oil or high lipid content food, allowing the use reduction of nonbiodegradable pouches.
Grasshopper country before and after: a resurvey of Ken Key's collecting expeditions in New South Wales, Australia, 70 years on
Authors: Kearney Michael R , Hossain Md Anwar , Sinclair Steve J , Song Hojun
Published: December 2020

Recent reports of insect declines across Europe and other parts of the world have emphasised the generally poor baseline that exists for assessing changes in biodiversity. One important source of untapped baseline distribution data is field notebooks, which are often associated with the collection activities of museums and other scientific institutions and may be decades or even centuries old. Over 220 field notebooks are associated with the grasshopper (Caelifera) collection in the Australian National Insect Collection, containing detailed notes on the times and places species were collected as well as vegetation and soil descriptions. In 2019, we resurveyed 45 locations from three of these notebooks from the 1940s, to assess the potential value of larger‐scale efforts in the future. We found substantial differences in grasshopper species richness and composition between the surveys; richness was generally higher in our survey, and some species showed dramatic increases in range and occurrence, whereas others remained relatively static. There was also evidence for vegetation state transitions in some areas, including increased weediness and shrub thickening, which may be associated with changes in the grasshopper fauna. We developed approaches for comparing environmental conditions across surveys and found that our species richness and abundance estimates were positively correlated with rainfall in the year preceding each survey. We conclude that further resurvey work on these field notebooks will provide a strong baseline picture of the diversity, distribution and abundance of the Australian grasshopper fauna for assessments of future change and may also give new insights about associated vegetation changes.
Who is taking care of the Chinese functionally impaired older people? The characteristics of family caregivers from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Zhou Jianfang , Yang Lu
Published: December 2020

Objective

To investigate caregiving in terms of personal, family and living arrangement among Chinese functionally impaired older people.

Methods

A secondary cross‐sectional analysis of data obtained from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) was performed. Among 6,252 participants aged 65 years or older, people with at least one indicator of Activities of Daily Living Scales (ADLs) of disabilities were included in this research. Statistical analyses included chi‐square tests and multiple logistic regression modelling.

Results

Data of 973 functionally impaired people aged 65 and over, and 2772 adult offspring were extracted and analysed. The level of impairment, age, gender, marital status of the functionally impaired older people, adult offspring's income and living status were significantly associated with caregiving types.

Conclusion

This research describes the characteristics of functionally impaired older people and their caregivers, which may help improve the efficiency, quality and equity within the Chinese social care system.
Strategic Allocation of Irrevocable and Durable Benefits
Authors: Frey Anderson
Published: December 2020

The logic behind redistribution theories is that incumbents target benefits to build and sustain linkages with voters. However, a recent literature shows that some benefits can have a countervailing effect in environments plagued by clientelism: by permanently boosting voters' incomes, irrevocable and durable benefits might reduce their dependence on incumbents. This article explains how parties strategically allocate these benefits when trading off the income effect relative to the standard electoral rewards of redistribution. The theory highlights a previously unstudied rationale to target opposition areas: to weaken voters' dependence on machines. The framework is tested with administrative data on the allocation of cisterns by state governments across Brazilian semi‐arid municipalities, where clientelism is rampant. States favor areas governed by copartisans, but only where local clientelistic mobilization is weak. Where it is strong, states favor municipalities led by the opposition, while avoiding their own local strongholds.
ZFHX3 knockdown dysregulates mitochondrial adaptations to tachypacing in atrial myocytes through enhanced oxidative stress and calcium overload
Authors: Lkhagva Baigalmaa , Lin Yung‐Kuo , Chen Yao‐Chang , Cheng Wan‐Li , Higa Satoshi , Kao Yu‐Hsun , Chen Yi‐Jen
Published: December 2020

Aim

To investigate the role of zinc finger homeobox 3 gene (ZFHX3) in tachypacing‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and explore its molecular mechanisms and potential as a therapeutic target in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Through a bioluminescent assay, a patch clamp, confocal fluorescence and fluorescence microscopy, microplate enzyme activity assays and Western blotting, we studied ATP and ADP production, mitochondrial electron transfer chain complex activities, ATP‐sensitive potassium channels (IKATP), mitochondrial oxidative stress, Ca2+ content, and protein expression in control and ZFHX3 knockdown (KD) HL‐1 cells subjected to 1 and 5‐Hz pacing for 24 hours.

Results

Compared with 1‐Hz pacing, 5‐Hz pacing increased ATP and ADP production, IKATP, phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase and inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) protein expression. Tachypacing induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and Ca2+ overload in both cell types. Furthermore, under 1‐ and 5‐Hz pacing, ZFHX3 KD cells showed higher IKATP, ATP and ADP production, mitochondrial oxidative stress and Ca2+ content than control cells. Under 5‐Hz pacing, 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB; 3 μmol/L, an IP3R inhibitor) and MitoTEMPO (10 µmol/L, a mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant) reduced ADP and increased ATP production in both cell types; however, only 2‐APB significantly reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in control cells. Under 5‐Hz pacing, mitochondrial oxidative stress was significantly reduced by both MitoTEMPO and 2‐APB and only by 2‐APB in control and ZFHX3 KD cells respectively.

Conclusion

ZFHX3 KD cells modulate mitochondrial adaptations to tachypacing in HL‐1 cardiomyocytes through Ca2+ overload, oxidative stress and metabolic disorder. Targeting IP3R signalling or oxidative stress could reduce AF.
Soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma—a case report with molecular and electron microscopic analysis
Authors: Wernheden Erika , Venzo Alessandro , Daugaard Søren , Loya Anand C
Published: December 2020

Myoepithelial tumors are rare neoplasms that primarily occur in the salivary gland but over the last decade have also been described in other locations, including soft tissue. Myoepithelial carcinoma of soft tissue has shown to have a recurrence rate of 39–42% and distant metastases in 32–53% of patients. The only known predictor of malignancy in soft tissue myoepithelial tumors described is cytologic atypia. There are no other validated criteria for differentiating benign and malignant tumors, neither for grading nor for standard of care for these tumor types. Herein, we present a case of myoepithelial carcinoma of inguinal soft tissue in a 37‐year male. We also describe the molecular and previously sparingly described detailed electron microscopic features of this case.
Ecological conditions during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition (MIS 3) in Iberia: the cold‐adapted faunal remains from Mainea, northern Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Rodríguez‐Almagro Manuel , Sala Nohemi , Wiβing Christoph , Arriolabengoa Martin , Etxeberria Francisco , Rios‐Garaizar Joseba , Gómez‐Olivencia Asier
Published: December 2020

Cold‐adapted faunal populations shifted southwards during the coldest episodes of the Middle and Late Pleistocene, reaching the Iberian Peninsula. In this context, some of these species, such as Coelodonta antiquitatis and Mammuthus primigenius extended throughout the territory, leaving evidence in, at least, 35 and 29 sites, respectively; however, in most cases, the evidence is scarce. Here we present the fossil assemblage from Mainea cave (Uitzi, Navarre, northern Iberian Peninsula), one of the sites yielding cold‐adapted faunal remains closer to the Pyrenees. The cave possibly acted as a natural trap due to its external geomorphology (a sinkhole) and the absence of aerial exposure, anthropogenic marks or evidence compatible with this site being a hyena den. This site has yielded the most evidence of Coelodonta antiquitatis remains (NISP = 190) and one of the most abundant in terms of number of individuals (five, each with different ages at death) for the Iberian Peninsula, five remains attributed to a single Mammuthus primigenius and a single Cervus elaphus remain. The direct dating of a woolly rhinoceros tooth (46 354–44 428 2σ cal. a BP) places Mainea within MIS 3, between the H4 and H5 Heinrich Events, during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition, within a context of changes in human behaviour and human species replacement in Europe. We have performed the first collagen isotopic analysis for a woolly rhinoceros from the Iberian Peninsula. The δ13C and δ15N values of the Coelodonta antiquitatis remains are similar to other European sites, thus suggesting the presence of Mammoth steppe environments at relatively high altitudes, which would compensate for the southern latitude. This would be consistent with the presence of open environments in lower altitudes. This site expands our understanding of the ecology of cold‐adapted faunas at their furthest southern range limit during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition.
Primary tumour resection for synchronously metastatic phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma: A population‐based study
Authors: Wu Kan , Zhou Chuan , Liu Zhihong , Lu Yiping , Li Xiang
Published: December 2020

Context

Until recently, there are few effective treatment options for patients with synchronous metastatic phaeochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL). Surgical resection may improve the survival outcomes of these patients.

Objective

To assess the role of surgical resection of the primary tumour in patients with synchronous metastatic PHEO and PGL.

Design

Retrospective analysis of patients with synchronous metastatic PHEO/PGL using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1988–2016).

Patients

Patients with synchronous metastatic PHEO/PGL who underwent primary tumour resection.

Measurements

Overall survival and Cox regression analyses.

Results

A total of 99 patients with metastatic PHEO and 127 metastatic PGL patients were identified from the SEER database. Compared to metastatic PHEO, metastatic PGL patients had a better overall survival (5‐year survival rate: 33.3% vs. 49.0%, p = .001). In metastatic PHEO patients, 53 (53.5%) patients underwent surgery for primary site. Surgically treated patients had an improved survival compared to non‐surgery patients (5‐year survival rate: 50.9% vs. 29.6%, p = .017). Among metastatic PGL patients, primary tumour resection was performed in 74 (58.3%) patients and had no significant effect on the survival of metastatic PGL. In sub‐analyses, surgery only conferred a survival benefit in patients with primary tumours originated from aortic/carotid bodies, rather than other sites or abdominal tumours.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that primary tumour resection is associated with improved survival in patients with synchronous metastatic PHEO and those with PGL diseases located in aortic/carotid bodies. In addition, PHEO and PGL should be treated as two distinct clinical entities.
Total evidence and sensitivity phylogenetic analyses of egg‐brooding frogs (Anura: Hemiphractidae)
Authors: Echevarría Lourdes Y. , De la Riva Ignacio , Venegas Pablo J. , Rojas‐Runjaic Fernando J.M. , R. Dias Iuri , Castroviejo‐Fisher Santiago
Published: December 2020

We study the phylogenetic relationships of egg‐brooding frogs, a group of 118 neotropical species, unique among anurans by having embryos with large bell‐shaped gills and females carrying their eggs on the dorsum, exposed or inside a pouch. We assembled a total evidence dataset of published and newly generated data containing 51 phenotypic characters and DNA sequences of 20 loci for 143 hemiphractids and 127 outgroup terminals. We performed six analytical strategies combining different optimality criteria (parsimony and maximum likelihood), alignment methods (tree‐ and similarity‐alignment), and three different indel coding schemes (fifth character state, unknown nucleotide, and presence/absence characters matrix). Furthermore, we analyzed a subset of the total evidence dataset to evaluate the impact of phenotypic characters on hemiphractid phylogenetic relationships. Our main results include: (i) monophyly of Hemiphractidae and its six genera for all our analyses, novel relationships among hemiphractid genera, and non‐monophyly of Hemiphractinae according to our preferred phylogenetic hypothesis; (ii) non‐monophyly of current supraspecific taxonomies of Gastrotheca, an updated taxonomy is provided; (iii) previous differences among studies were mainly caused by differences in analytical factors, not by differences in character/taxon sampling; (iv) optimality criteria, alignment method, and indel coding caused differences among optimal topologies, in that order of degree; (v) in most cases, parsimony analyses are more sensitive to the addition of phenotypic data than maximum likelihood analyses; (vi) adding phenotypic data resulted in an increase of shared clades for most analyses.
Effects and mechanisms of basic fibroblast growth factor on the proliferation and regenerative profiles of cryopreserved dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Luo Lihua , Zhang Yanni , Chen Hongyu , Hu Fengting , Wang Xiaoyan , Xing Zhenjie , Albashari Abdullkhaleg Ali , Xiao Jian , He Yan , Ye Qingsong
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Various factors could interfere the biological performance of DPSCs during post‐thawed process. Yet, little has been known about optimization of the recovery medium for DPSCs. Thus, our study aimed to explore the effects of adding recombinant bFGF on DPSCs after 3‐month cryopreservation as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Materials and methods

DPSCs were extracted from impacted third molars and purified by MACS. The properties of CD146+ DPSCs (P3) were identified by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry. After cryopreservation for 3 months, recovered DPSCs (P4) were immediately supplied with a series of bFGF and analysed cellular proliferation by CCK‐8. Then, the optimal dosage of bFGF was determined to further identify apoptosis and TRPC1 channel through Western blot. The succeeding passage (P5) from bFGF pre‐treated DPSCs was cultivated in bFGF‐free culture medium, cellular proliferation and stemness were verified, and pluripotency was analysed by neurogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.

Results

It is found that adding 20 ng/mL bFGF in culture medium could significantly promote the proliferation of freshly thawed DPSCs (P4) through suppressing apoptosis, activating ERK pathway and up‐regulating TRPC1. Such proliferative superiority could be inherited to the succeeding passage (P5) from bFGF pre‐stimulated DPSCs, meanwhile, stemness and pluripotency have not been compromised.

Conclusions

This study illustrated a safe and feasible cell culture technique to rapidly amplify post‐thawed DPSCs with robust regenerative potency, which brightening the future of stem cells banking and tissue engineering.
How do you measure cerebral palsy prevalence and motor function?
Authors: Platt Mary Jane
Published: December 2020

This commentary is on the original article by Hollung et al. on pages721–728of this issue.
Resource pulses influence the spatio‐temporal dynamics of a large carnivore population
Authors: Broekhuis Femke , Elliot Nicholas B. , Keiwua Kosiom , Koinet Kelvin , Macdonald David W. , Mogensen Niels , Thuo David , Gopalaswamy Arjun M.
Published: December 2020

Resource availability is a key component in animal ecology, yet the manner in which carnivore populations respond to spatial and temporal fluctuations of resources remains unclear. We take a population‐level approach to determine how resource pulses, in this case a temporary hyper‐abundance of prey, influence the densities and space‐use of cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus. The Maasai Mara in Kenya experiences an annual migration of > 1.4 million wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus and large numbers of zebras Equus quagga and Thomson's gazelle Eudorcas thomsonii thereby providing a natural experiment to examine the influence of resource pulses on carnivore movement and densities. To draw inferences on fluctuating cheetah densities and space‐use, we collected unstructured search‐encounter data during eight sampling sessions, four during and four out of the migration, and analysed these using Bayesian spatially‐explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models with sex‐specific detection function parameters. Both densities and space‐use fluctuated seasonally but this varied according to sex. Local cheetah densities increased in areas and during times when prey abundance was highest but this was more pronounced for females than males. In terms of space‐use, movements were larger during the migration than out of the migration but this was more pronounced for males than females. These results suggest that males are influenced more by resource distribution whereas females by resource abundance. Overall densities did vary but there was no clear pattern in relation to resource pulses. Understanding the behavioural drivers of population dynamics in relation to resource pulses can provide important insights into ecological processes at multiple ecological levels.
Globally consistent reef size spectra integrating fishes and invertebrates
Authors: Heather Freddie J. , Blanchard Julia L. , Edgar Graham J. , Trebilco Rowan , Stuart‐Smith Rick D.
Published: December 2020

The frequency distribution of individual body sizes in animal communities (i.e. the size spectrum) provides powerful insights for understanding the energy flux through food webs. However, studies of size spectra in rocky and coral reef communities typically focus only on fishes or invertebrates due to taxonomic and data constraints, and consequently ignore energy pathways involving the full range of macroscopic consumer taxa. We analyse size spectra with co‐located fish and mobile macroinvertebrate data from 3369 reef sites worldwide, specifically focusing on how the addition of invertebrate data alters patterns. The inclusion of invertebrates steepens the size spectrum, more so in temperate regions, resulting in a consistent size spectrum slope across latitudes, and bringing slopes closer to theoretical expectations based on energy flow through the system. These results highlight the importance of understanding contributions of both invertebrates and fishes to reef food webs worldwide.
Dysphagia in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease as a surrogate of brain involvement?
Authors: Pawlitzki Marc , Ahring Sigrid , Rolfes Leoni , Dziewas Rainer , Warnecke Tobias , Suntrup‐Krueger Sonja , Wiendl Heinz , Klotz Luisa , Meuth Sven G. , Labeit Bendix
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) are demyelinating disorders that typically affect the optic nerves and the spinal cord. However, recent studies have demonstrated various forms of brain involvement indicating encephalitic syndromes, which consequently are included in the diagnostic criteria for both. Swallowing is processed in a distributed brain network and is therefore disturbed in many neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in NMOSD and MOGAD using flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) as a surrogate parameter of brain involvement.

Methods

Thirteen patients with NMOSD and MOGAD (mean age 54.2 ± 18.6 years, six men) who received FEES during clinical routine were retrospectively reviewed. Their extent of oropharyngeal dysphagia was rated using an ordinal dysphagia severity scale. FEES results were compared to a control group of healthy individuals. Dysphagia severity was correlated with the presence of clinical and radiological signs of brain involvement, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the occurrence of pneumonia.

Results

Oropharyngeal dysphagia was present in 8/13 patients, including six patients without other clinical indication of brain involvement. Clinical or subclinical swallowing impairment was significantly more severe in patients with NMOSD and MOGAD compared to the healthy individuals (p = 0.009) and correlated with clinical signs of brain involvement (p = 0.038), higher EDSS (p = 0.006) and pneumonia (p = 0.038).

Conclusion

Oropharyngeal dysphagia can occur in NMOSD and MOGAD and might be associated with pneumonia and disability. FEES may help to detect subclinical brain involvement.
A physiologically validated rat model of term birth asphyxia with seizure generation after, not during, brain hypoxia
Authors: Ala‐Kurikka Tommi , Pospelov Alexey , Summanen Milla , Alafuzoff Aleksander , Kurki Samu , Voipio Juha , Kaila Kai
Published: December 2020

Objective

Birth asphyxia (BA) is often associated with seizures that may exacerbate the ensuing hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy. In rodent models of BA, exposure to hypoxia is used to evoke seizures, that commence already during the insult. This is in stark contrast to clinical BA, in which seizures are typically seen upon recovery. Here, we introduce a term‐equivalent rat model of BA, in which seizures are triggered after exposure to asphyxia.

Methods

Postnatal day 11–12 male rat pups were exposed to steady asphyxia (15 min; air containing 5% O2 + 20% CO2) or to intermittent asphyxia (30 min; three 5 + 5‐min cycles of 9% and 5% O2 at 20% CO2). Cortical activity and electrographic seizures were recorded in freely behaving animals. Simultaneous electrode measurements of intracortical pH, Po2, and local field potentials (LFPs) were made under urethane anesthesia.

Results

Both protocols decreased blood pH to <7.0 and brain pH from 7.3 to 6.7 and led to a fall in base excess by 20 mmol·L–1. Electrographic seizures with convulsions spanning the entire Racine scale were triggered after intermittent but not steady asphyxia. In the presence of 20% CO2, brain Po2 was only transiently affected by 9% ambient O2 but fell below detection level during the steps to 5% O2, and LFP activity was nearly abolished. Post‐asphyxia seizures were strongly suppressed when brain pH recovery was slowed down by 5% CO2.

Significance

The rate of brain pH recovery has a strong influence on post‐asphyxia seizure propensity. The recurring hypoxic episodes during intermittent asphyxia promote neuronal excitability, which leads to seizures only after the suppressing effect of the hypercapnic acidosis is relieved. The present rodent model of BA is to our best knowledge the first one in which, consistent with clinical BA, behavioral and electrographic seizures are triggered after and not during the BA‐mimicking insult.
Christ’s Love amid Pandemic
Authors: Kaunda Chammah J.
Published: December 2020

In 2022, the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches is to take place in Karlsruhe, Germany, at a time when nations are searching for the strength to rise out of the ashes of COVID‐19. The assembly theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” reflects God’s vision for creation. The focus on Christ’s love and its inherent power to move the world to reconciliation and solidarity is necessary, as the assembly will gather amid perplexity, anxiety, and fundamental existential, structural, and societal questions. These questions are related to humanity’s place in creation: how we inhabit the earth and make sense of our own lives and the lives of other creatures and how we seek to develop collective human conscience to live justly and peacefully together in God’s world.
The Unifying and Catholizing Love of Christ in a Time of Pandemic
Authors: Koopman Nico
Published: December 2020

This article discusses the meaning of Christ’s unifying and catholizing love in a time of COVID‐19. The love of Christ is trinitarian love. It is the love of Christ on the cross. It is the love of the father, mother, parent who sent Jesus to the cross. It is the love of the Spirit who is also the comforter who actualizes, operationalizes, and makes tangible the love of the triune God. This love of the cross is a unifying love, a love that creates unity between God and God’s creatures, unity among God’s people and creatures, global and ecumenical unity, unity in diversity, unity in concreteness and visibility, unity not from a distance, but unity in proximity. This sacrificial love of Christ is a catholizing love, a love that brings into being the catholicity of God’s people and creatures; catholicity in all ages, all places, and in truth; catholicity as catholicity in particularity and not in vague universality; catholicity as partisanship for the sake of the universal. The time of the COVID‐19 pandemic has intensified existing challenges and concerns. Of major concern are the increase of social alienation and social exclusion (local and global) and the decrease of social cohesion and social solidarity in a world of inequality. The well‐intended use of the expression “social distancing” instead of “physical distancing” might lend momentum to social alienation and exclusion.
The Church is Permanently Underway
Authors: Fujiwara Sawako
Published: December 2020

This article examines the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the unity of the human community in Japan, specifically Tokyo, where the 2020 Olympic Games have been postponed until 2021. This allows reflection on the issue of ecclesiology during this time of uncertainty. First, the article describes the critical response of the ecumenical leaders to the country’s first‐ever declaration of a state of emergency. Second, it reflects upon the impact of the compulsion to conform to intolerant social order and the neoliberal “self‐responsibility theory” that abandons the most vulnerable in society. Third, it explores the relationship between Tokyo and the Olympics, which has been inextricably linked to the aim of national unity. Finally, this article draws the conclusion that we must steer clear of any “unity” that conceals a deeper disunity. Therefore, the church must distance itself from both the “self‐responsibility theory” and the enthusiasm of nationalism and instead work toward the restoration of the human community and the renewal of the church, which are currently the main issues of concern.
Efficacy and safety of fibrinogen concentrate for on‐demand treatment of bleeding and surgical prophylaxis in paediatric patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency
Authors: Djambas Khayat Claudia , Lohade Sunil , D’Souza Fulton , Shamanur Latha Gowda , Zekavat Omid Reza , Kruzhkova Irina , Schwartz Bruce , Solomon Cristina , Knaub Sigurd , Peyvandi Flora
Published: December 2020

Background

Congenital fibrinogen deficiency (CFD) is a rare, inherited disorder affecting normal blood clotting function, where patients can experience severe and/or frequent bleeding episodes (BEs). Treatment with human fibrinogen concentrate (HFC) can prevent/arrest bleeding. There is a need for more data on the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of HFC treatment in paediatric patients with CFD.

Methods

Haemostatic efficacy of HFC (Fibryga®, Octapharma AG) for on‐demand treatment of bleeding and surgical prophylaxis in patients <12 years old was assessed by investigators and an Independent Data Monitoring and Endpoint Adjudication Committee (IDMEAC) based on an objective 4‐point efficacy scale. Maximum clot firmness (MCF; surrogate marker of haemostatic efficacy), single‐dose PK and safety were also assessed.

Results

Of 14 patients receiving HFC (median [range] age 6.0 years [1.0–10.0]), eight received HFC for 10 BEs, three for surgical prophylaxis and 13 for PK. The IDMEAC rated haemostatic efficacy as 100% successful for on‐demand BE treatment (95% CI 69.15–100.00) and surgical prophylaxis (95% CI 29.24–100.00). After a mean first dose of 70.78 mg/kg for BEs, mean (±SD) MCF significantly increased from pre‐treatment to 1‐hour post‐infusion (3.3 mm [±1.77]; P = 0.0002), coinciding with haemostatic efficacy. PK parameters were favourable. Two possibly related adverse events occurred, including one serious (portal vein thrombosis). No allergic/hypersensitivity reactions or deaths were observed.

Conclusion

HFC treatment for on‐demand treatment of BEs and surgical prophylaxis was efficacious for this ultra‐rare paediatric population with congenital afibrinogenaemia and showed a favourable PK and safety profile.
Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy: a complication of Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: el‐Azhary Rokea A. , Nowsheen Somaira , Gibson Lawrence E. , DiCaudo David J.
Published: December 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess clinical characteristics and mortality rate of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in patients who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Methods

A systematic retrospective chart review of all patients with concurrent clinical diagnosis of DIC and SJS/TEN between July 1, 2012, and January 1, 2020, at the Mayo Clinic was performed.

Results

The incidence of DIC in patients with SJS/TEN was 1.3% at our institution (5 of 396 DIC patients). Triggers of SJS/TEN included lamotrigine, clofarabine, antibiotics, and sepsis. Two patients diagnosed with SJS and two patients with TEN succumbed to the disease.

Conclusion

DIC is a rare underlying risk in patients with SJS/TEN and is associated with increased mortality. Early clinician awareness and aggressive intervention is advised.
Stochastic local search and parameters recommendation: a case study on flowshop problems
Authors: Pavelski Lucas M. , Delgado Myriam , Kessaci Marie‐Éléonore , Freitas Alex A.
Published: December 2020

The Algorithm Selection Problem (ASP) considers the use of previous knowledge regarding problem features and algorithm performance to recommend the best strategy to solve a previously unseen problem. In the application context, the usual ASP for optimization considers recommending the best heuristics, whenever it faces a new similar problem instance, also known as the Per‐Instance ASP. Although ASP for heuristic recommendation is not new, selecting heuristics and also their parameters, or the Per‐instance Algorithm Configuration Problem, is still considered a challenging task. This paper investigates the use of meta‐learning to recommend six different stochastic local searches and their parameters to solve several instances of permutation flowshop problems. The proposed approach uses several problem features, including fitness landscape metrics, builds the performance database usingirace, and trains different multi‐label recommendation models on a data set with more than 6000 flowshop problem instances. Experiments show that decision tree‐based machine learning models achieve good performance, and the quality of the recommendations is capable of outperforming the state‐of‐the‐art algorithm with tuned configuration.
The impact of surgical site infection on hospitalisation, treatment costs, and health‐related quality of life after vascular surgery
Authors: Totty Joshua Phillip , Moss Joe William Edward , Barker Erin , Mealing Stuart James , Posnett John William , Chetter Ian Clifford , Smith George Edward
Published: December 2020

Surgical site infections (SSI) substantially increase costs for healthcare providers because of additional treatments and extended patient recovery. The objective of this study was to assess the cost and health‐related quality of life impact of SSI, from the perspective of a large teaching hospital in England. Data were available for 144 participants undergoing clean or clean‐contaminated vascular surgery. SSI development, length of hospital stay, readmission, and antibiotic use were recorded over a 30‐day period. Patient‐reported EQ‐5D scores were obtained at baseline, day 7 and day 30. Linear regressions were used to control for confounding variables. A mean SSI‐associated length of stay of 9.72 days resulted in an additional cost of £3776 per patient (including a mean antibiotic cost of £532). Adjusting for age, smoking status, and procedure type, SSI was associated with a 92% increase in length of stay (P < 0.001). The adjusted episode cost was £3040. SSI reduced patient utility between baseline and day 30 by 0.156 (P = 0.236). Readmission rates were higher with SSI (P = 0.017), and the rate to return to work within 90 days was lower. Therefore, strategies to reduce the risk of surgical site infection for high‐risk vascular patients should be investigated.
Is the structural relaxation of glasses controlled by equilibrium shear viscosity?
Authors: Lancelotti Ricardo Felipe , Cassar Daniel Roberto , Nalin Marcelo , Peitl Oscar , Zanotto Edgar Dutra
Published: December 2020

Knowledge of relaxation processes is fundamental in glass science and technology because relaxation is intrinsically related to vitrification, tempering as well as to annealing and several applications of glasses. However, there are conflicting reports—summarized here for different glasses—on whether the structural relaxation time of glass can be calculated using the Maxwell equation, which relates relaxation time with shear viscosity and shear modulus. Hence, this study aimed to verify whether these two relaxation times are comparable. The structural relaxation kinetics of a lead metasilicate glass were studied by measuring the refractive index variation over time at temperatures between 5 and 25 K below the fictive temperature, which was initially set 5 K below the glass‐transition temperature. Equilibrium shear viscosity was measured above and below the glass‐transition range, expanding the current knowledge by one order of magnitude. The Kohlrausch equation described very well the experimental structural relaxation kinetics throughout the investigated temperature range and the Kohlrausch exponent increased with temperature, in agreement with studies on other glasses. The experimental average structural relaxation times were much longer than the values computed from isostructural viscosity, as expected. Still, they were less than one order of magnitude higher than the average relaxation time computed through the Maxwell equation, which relies on equilibrium shear viscosity. Thus, these results demonstrate that the structural relaxation process is not controlled by isostructural viscosity and that equilibrium shear viscosity only provides a lower boundary for structural relaxation kinetics.