bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bird species occupancy trends in Southeast Mexico over 1900–2020: Accounting for sighting record absences
Authors: Levey Dallas R. , Patten Michael A. , Estrada Alejandro
Published: December 2022

Long‐term land‐use change impacts tropical bird communities through population‐level and functional diversity effects from habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, leading to land management and conservation challenges.

Assessing the temporal impacts of land‐use change on occupancy patterns, population change and functional traits of bird species in tropical areas is limited by the treatment of nondetections as true absences or artefacts of low sampling effort during and throughout years.

With this in mind, we developed a novel Bayesian species occupancy framework to account for species absences to evaluate bird community changes in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico, where there is opportunity for study given exceptional records of change across habitats from rainforest to urban centres. We created a novel dataset of population trends for 244 bird species over the years 1900 to 2020 from published short‐term field studies, expert field notes and community science pages.

Our results show that open area species had higher population increases than forest specialists over time, represented most evidently by the turnover of rainforest specialists for urban species. Modelled influence of functional traits displayed the importance of main habitat types, body mass and habitat and dietary breadth as factors that associated with bird population trends. On average, species with body masses <6.6 and > 948.4 g showed decreasing trends, while all other species showed increasing or stable trends.

Our findings illuminate the value of accounting for species absences from several data sources to discover long‐term species population trends and affiliated functional traits whose preservation requires conservation and land management action to protect bird ecosystem services. Primary forest conservation is key to maintaining populations of habitat and dietary specialists, such as small understorey insectivorous and large frugivorous species. Protecting rare natural savanna patches from conversion to cattle pasture is vital to prevent further extirpation of native granivores and to slow colonization by exotic and invasive species.
Friends or enemies: Multi‐species interactions among biofoulers, endoparasites and their gastropod hosts
Authors: Stanicka Anna , Szopieray Katarzyna , Migdalski Łukasz , Kobak Jarosław
Published: December 2022

Parasites are a crucial factor that shapes the functioning of communities throughout the world, as are gregarious macrofoulers in aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of three‐way interactions between macrofoulers, endoparasites and their hosts. We predict that macrofouling and parasite infection may act (i) independently of each other, (ii) synergistically, increasing their final negative impact on the host or (iii) antagonistically, the former weakening the negative impact of the latter.

We investigated multiway relationships between an invasive freshwater filter‐feeding macrofouler (the zebra mussel), digenean endoparasite and their gastropod host, Viviparus viviparus. Furthermore, we checked the recruitment of mussels in living gastropods versus their empty shells.

We sampled living V. viviparus and their empty shells with attached dreissenids from a Polish dam reservoir. We counted and weighed attached mussels and determined wet weight, shell height and sex of gastropods. Then we dissected the molluscs to look for digenean larvae and gastropod embryos. We use these parameters to look for reciprocal associations between mussel fouling, parasitic infection and gastropod size and fertility, as well as to infer the most likely mechanisms of the observed relationships.

Dreissenid overgrowth was associated with reduced fertility and size of viviparids, but also with a lower prevalence of digenean metacercariae (Leucochloridiomorpha sp.). We did not observe a negative influence of these digeneans on their gastropod hosts. In addition, large living viviparids and their empty shells were equally used as substrates by dreissenids, but small living gastropods were more fouled than shells of the corresponding size.

A trade‐off exists in the studied system: filter‐feeding macrofoulers may bring some profits for their host, reducing the pressure of waterborne parasites (which may be crucial in the case of pathogenic species/life stages), although at the cost of the reduced growth and fertility of the host. Furthermore, mussels attached to mollusc hosts can exert a cascading effect on the reduced prevalence of digeneans in their final hosts, including those of medical or veterinary importance.
Landscape effects on pollinator abundance differ among taxonomic groups
Authors: Tsujimoto Shohei G. , Kim Ji Yoon , Noda Akira , Hiratsuka Yuki L. , Nishihiro Jun
Published: December 2022

Understanding how landscape composition affects pollinator abundance is crucial for conserving the sustainability of the symbiotic relationship between plants and pollinators. However, field evidence on the effect of landscape composition and spatial scales on the abundance of each pollinator group is biased toward bee pollinators, and non‐bee pollinators tend to be excluded. This study aims to evaluate the effect of landscape composition at various spatial scales on diverse taxonomic groups of pollinators, including non‐bee pollinators. We selected 22 grasslands with varying landscape compositions in Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. We recorded the abundance of pollinators and floral resource availability at these sites. The effects of landscape composition within a 100–1000 m radius and the floral resource availability were analyzed using Bayesian generalized linear mixed models to determine whether these factors affected the abundance of each pollinator group. As a result, the difference in important factors among the pollinator groups was detected; Scoliidae, Lycaenidae, Stomorhina obsoleta, and Sphaerophoria were influenced by the landscape composition, whereas Bombus diversus and Hesperiidae were not. Scoliidae was affected by the proportion of agri‐field and forest areas within a 500–1000 m radius. St. obsoleta and Sphaerophoria showed different response patterns to the proportion of urban land within a 100 m radius. B. diversus and Hesperiidae were influenced by floral resource availability. Our study suggests that considering the spatial scales of landscape composition on the target species is essential to plan effective conservation measures.
Why are we in an energy crisis?
Authors: Abram Simone
Published: December 2022

Prices on international markets have rocketed recently. Domestic energy bills have gone up, possibly several‐fold, but so also have costs to manufacturers, hauliers, producers and everyone else. It appears to have been a revelation for some people to discover how thoroughly energy costs saturate everyday life from the personal to the general scale, shaping and shaped by international relations. Talking about this situation as an energy crisis has particular effects, from creating awareness of energy as a very odd kind of circulating matter to recognizing the infrastructures that tie people together and keep them apart. It also shows how vital it is that the anthropologies of energy have flourished in recent years, helping to highlight the ethical and moral dimensions of multiple energy infrastructures and their reach into everyday life around the world, whether there are grids or not.
Smashed tabernacle: Catholic emptiness and nationalism in post‐industrial Scotland
Authors: Martin Dominic
Published: December 2022

This article considers the ruined megalith of St Peter's, Cardross, an abandoned Catholic seminary. Widely regarded as an architectural masterpiece, it was erected in the mid‐1960s when the minority Catholic community of Scotland was staunch and optimistic. Its decline and eventual dereliction reflect the crisis of faith experienced by its congregation and the besmirching of the ideal of the Catholic priesthood by sexual scandal. The idealism and optimism that informed Scottish Catholic subjecthood in the past have recently seen their allegiance transferred to political nationalism. This article deploys the classic anthropological theory of ritual and some recent political and philosophical writing to distil insights into emptiness as a phenomenon of modernity.
Concordance of opioid exposure in all‐payer claims databases with prescription drug monitoring program database using Arkansas as a case example
Authors: Mahashabde Ruchira V. , Shrikhande Mriga A. , Han Xiaotong , Martin Bradley C. , ElHassan Nahed O. , Hayes Corey J.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To assess the concordance between and benefit of adding prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to all‐payer claims database (APCD) data for identifying and classifying opioid exposure among insured individuals.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Arkansas APCD and PDMP.

Study Design

Enrollees in APCD were classified as (1) true positives: if they received opioids in both databases, (2) false positives: if they only received opioids in APCD, (3) true negatives: if they had no opioid exposure in both databases, (4) false negatives: if they only received opioids in the PDMP database. Specificity, sensitivity, negative, and positive predictive values were calculated using PDMP as the “gold standard” database source. Subjects were also categorized as those who received any opioid, chronic opioid, high‐dose opioid, or high‐risk opioid therapies.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Arkansas residents continuously enrolled with pharmacy coverage in 2016 were included. APCD and PDMP were linked using an encrypted enrollee identifier, gender, and year of birth.

Principal Findings

The degree of concordance in opioid exposure between the two databases among 1,411,565 enrollees was high (sensitivity = 92.67%, specificity = 96.13%, positive predictive value = 91.60%, negative predictive value = 96.65%). Enrollees classified as having any opioid (APCD: 31.64% vs. PDMP: 31.26% vs. APCD+PDMP: 33.93%), chronic opioid (APCD: 7.81% vs. PDMP: 7.54% vs. APCD+PDMP: 8.24%), high‐dose opioid (APCD: 10.60% vs. PDMP: 9.62% vs. APCD+PDMP: 11.33%), or high‐risk opioid (APCD: 5.28% vs. PDMP: 5.33% vs. APCD+PDMP: 6.20%) therapies, were similar using only APCD versus PDMP versus the combined APCD and PDMP data sources.

Conclusions

Claims data sources, such as APCDs, are fairly accurate in identifying opioid exposure and the level of opioid exposure among persons with continuous pharmacy coverage.
Positive correlation between organic anion transporter 1B function indicated by plasma concentration of coproporphyrin‐I and blood concentration of cyclosporin A in real‐world patients
Authors: Watanabe Takuma , Tanaka Ryota , Suzuki Yosuke , Sato Haruki , Negami Jun , Yoshijima Chisato , Oda Ayako , Ono Hiroyuki , Tatsuta Ryosuke , Ohno Keiko , Itoh Hiroki
Published: December 2022

Aims

Cyclosporin A (CyA) has potent inhibitory activity on organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B (OATP1B), causing drug–drug interactions with its substrate drugs. 3‐carboxy‐4‐methyl‐5‐propyl‐2‐furanpropionate (CMPF), a uraemic toxin, has also been suggested to inhibit OATP1B activity. Recent study has identified coproporphyrin‐I (CP‐I) as a specific endogenous substrate for OATP1B, which is useful to indicate OATP1B activity. We investigated the relationship of CP‐I with CyA and CMPF concentrations in patients taking CyA.

Methods

In total, 121 blood samples from 74 patients who took CyA and underwent routine therapeutic drug monitoring were divided into trough and peak samples.

Results

CyA and CP‐I concentrations were significantly higher in peak samples than in trough samples. A positive correlation between CP‐I and CyA concentrations was found in all samples and in trough and peak samples, while no correlation was observed between CP‐I and CMPF concentrations. Multiple regression analysis identified CyA and C‐reactive protein concentrations as independent factors affecting CP‐I concentration, with blood CyA concentration having markedly greater contribution to plasma CP‐I concentration.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that CyA inhibits OATP1B activity in a concentration‐dependent manner in clinical setting, and that dose adjustment of OATP1B substrate drugs coadministered with CyA according to plasma CMPF concentration may not be necessary.
Basolateral amygdala astrocytes modulate diabetic neuropathic pain and may be a potential therapeutic target for koumine
Authors: Lu Jing‐Shan , Yang Lan , Chen Jian , Xiong Fang‐Fang , Cai Ping , Wang Xin‐Yao , Xiong Bo‐Jun , Chen Ze‐Hong , Chen Li , Yang Jian , Yu Chang‐Xi
Published: December 2022

Background and Purpose

New remedies are required for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) due to insufficient efficacy of available therapies. Here, we used chemogenetic approaches combined with in vivo pharmacology to elucidate the role of basolateral amygdala (BLA) astrocytes in DNP pathogenesis and provide new insights into therapeutic strategies for DNP.

Experimental Approach

A streptozotocin‐induced DNP model was established. Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were used to regulate astrocyte activity. Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using the electronic von Frey test. Anxiety‐like behaviours were detected using open field and elevated plus maze tests. Astrocytic activity was detected by immunofluorescence, and cytokine content was determined by ELISA.

Key Results

BLA astrocytes were regulated by DREADDs, and inhibition of BLA astrocytes attenuated mechanical allodynia and pain‐related negative emotions in DNP rats. In contrast, temporary activation of BLA astrocytes induced allodynia without anxious behaviours in naive rats. In addition, koumine (KM) alleviated mechanical allodynia and anxiety‐like behaviours in DNP rats, inhibited the activation of BLA astrocytes and suppressed the inflammatory response. Furthermore, persistent activation of BLA astrocytes through chemogenetics mimicked chronic pain, and KM alleviated the pain hypersensitivity and anxiety‐like behaviours.

Conclusion and Implications

DREADDs bidirectionally regulate the activity of BLA astrocytes, which proves for the first time the role of BLA astrocyte activation in the pathogenesis of DNP and represents a novel therapeutic strategy for DNP. KM ameliorates DNP, perhaps by inhibiting the activation of BLA astrocytes and reveal KM as a potential candidate for treating DNP.
Put it in God's hands: Understanding the complexities of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of Black youth
Authors: Butler‐Barnes Sheretta T. , Martin Pamela P.
Published: December 2022

Black youth traverse beyond their immediate familial environment to understand different social identities, such as ethnicity, race, gender, and sexual orientation. In this article, we draw on the integrative model for the study of stress in Black American families and intersectionality as guides in comprehending the role of religiosity and spirituality for Black youth navigating mundane extreme environmental stressors. We examine the role of religiosity and spirituality as a culturally strength‐based coping asset for Black youth. We also explore marginalized social identities among Black youth, specifically how religiosity and spirituality can be experienced as a stressor for Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and others youth. Finally, we underscore the importance of using a culturally responsive framework and an intersectional lens to understand the role of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of all Black youth.
Late‐onset and congenital hearing loss detected using AABR due to congenital cytomegalovirus infection that improved with valganciclovir
Authors: Morimoto Chihiro , Nishikubo Toshiya , Nishimura Tadashi , Onishi Tomoko , Takeyama Masahiro , Uchida Yumiko , Otsuka Shintaro , Yamanaka Toshiaki , Kitahara Tadashi
Published: December 2022

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most common congenital viral infection and is the leading non‐genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss and an important cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities. Auto auditory brainstem response (AABR) is a simple hearing test and used for the purpose of neonatal hearing screening, but can use it for early detection hard of hearing within the study age of the model. We experienced two case of asymptomatic CMV infection in which congenital and late‐onset hearing loss were diagnosed early with AABR, and hearing loss improved with valganciclovir.
Rainfall fluctuations and rural poverty: Evidence from Chinese county‐level data
Authors: Feng Litao , Liu Wei , Zhao Zhihui , Wang Yining
Published: December 2022

Rainfall fluctuations are the major threats caused by climate change. This paper analyses the impact of seasonal rainfall fluctuations on rural poverty using panel data for 992 counties, which are located in humid zone in the south of China from 2000 to 2018. The findings are as follows: (1) Rainfall fluctuations significantly affect rural poverty, specifically, increased rainfall significantly alleviates rural poverty in the dry season, but aggravates rural poverty in the rainy season. (2) The effect of rainfall fluctuations on rural poverty is significantly heterogeneous in different regions. (3) Rainfall fluctuations put low‐income areas at greater risk of returning to poverty. (4) The mechanism through which rainfall fluctuations affect rural poverty is agricultural production, and market regulation can mitigate the shock of rainfall fluctuations. Our research provides policy implications for developing countries to address the risks of poverty from climate change.
Neural synchronization and intervention in pre‐readers who later on develop dyslexia
Authors: Van Herck Shauni , Economou Maria , Vanden Bempt Femke , Glatz Toivo , Ghesquière Pol , Vandermosten Maaike , Wouters Jan
Published: December 2022

A growing number of studies has investigated temporal processing deficits in dyslexia. These studies largely focus on neural synchronization to speech. However, the importance of rise times for neural synchronization is often overlooked. Furthermore, targeted interventions, phonics‐based and auditory, are being developed, but little is known about their impact. The current study investigated the impact of a 12‐week tablet‐based intervention. Children at risk for dyslexia received phonics‐based training, either with (n = 31) or without (n = 31) auditory training, or engaged in active control training (n = 29). Additionally, neural synchronization and processing of rise times was longitudinally investigated in children with dyslexia (n = 26) and typical readers (n = 52) from pre‐reading (5 years) to beginning reading age (7 years). The three time points in the longitudinal study correspond to intervention pre‐test, post‐test and consolidation, approximately 1 year after completing the intervention. At each time point neural synchronization was measured to sinusoidal stimuli and pulsatile stimuli with shortened rise times at syllable (4 Hz) and phoneme rates (20 Hz). Our results revealed no impact on neural synchronization at syllable and phoneme rate of the phonics‐based and auditory training. However, we did reveal atypical hemispheric specialization at both syllable and phoneme rates in children with dyslexia. This was detected even before the onset of reading acquisition, pointing towards a possible causal rather than consequential mechanism in dyslexia. This study contributes to our understanding of the temporal processing deficits underlying the development of dyslexia, but also shows that the development of targeted interventions is still a work in progress.
Sensitivity to dynamic strain aging of carbon–manganese steels measured by ultrasonic fatigue testing
Authors: Petit Johann , Pu Xiaoxue , Darbord‐Ranc Isabelle , Wagner Danièle
Published: December 2022

Some carbon–manganese (C–Mn) structural steels are known to be sensitive to aging under deformation between 100 and 350°C, phenomenon called dynamic strain aging (DSA). This paper is aimed at studying the DSA sensitivity through the thermal response of C–Mn steels during ultrasonic fatigue tests. For this purpose, self‐heating tests are conducted on two C–Mn steel grades, extensively used in the nuclear industry. Tests are monitored by infrared thermography. DSA effect clearly appears on self‐heating curves by a singular temperature rise. The DSA occurrence is correlated with results from internal friction tests, in particular with the presence of the cold work peak. The temperature of 100°C related to the start of the thermally activated DSA phenomenon is retrieved by self‐heating tests. Based on a further intrinsic dissipation computation, DSA distinctly differs from the classical dislocation glide mechanism. Furthermore, a stress threshold of irreversibility is shown to emerge.
The legacy effect of biochar application on soil nitrous oxide emissions
Authors: Guo Shumin , Wu Jie , Han Zhaoqiang , Li Zhutao , Xu Pinshang , Liu Shuwei , Wang Jinyang , Zou Jianwen
Published: December 2022

Existing studies suggest that biochar application can reduce soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, mainly based on short‐term results. However, it remains unclear what the effects (i.e., legacy effects) and underlying mechanisms are on N2O emissions after many years of a single application of biochar. Here, we collected intact soil columns from plots without and with biochar application in a subtropical tea plantation 7 years ago for an incubation experiment. We used the N2O isotopocule analysis combined with ammonia oxidizer‐specific inhibitors and molecular biology approaches to investigate how the legacy effect of biochar affected soil N2O emissions. Results showed that the soil in the presence of biochar had lower N2O emissions than the control albeit statistically insignificant. The legacy effect of biochar in decreasing N2O emissions may be attributed to the reduced effectiveness of the soil substrate, nitrification and denitrification activities, and the promotion of the further reduction of N2O. The legacy effect of biochar reduced the relative contribution of nitrifier denitrification/bacterial denitrification, nitrification‐related N2O production, and the relative abundance of several microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle. Our global meta‐analysis also showed that the reduction of N2O by biochar increased with increasing application rate but diminished and possibly even reversed with increasing experimental time. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the abatement capacity of biochar on soil N2O emissions may weaken over time after biochar application, but this remains under further investigation.
Parmanu‐Gunak: Data Reduction Software for Isotope Dilution Analysis
Authors: Pathak Dipankar
Published: December 2022

Isotope dilution (ID) is a widely used analytical technique to determine elemental abundance to a high degree of accuracy and precision, using a spiked isotope tracer. This technique also enables efficient correction of the inevitable phenomenon of analytical mass fractionation during mass spectrometric analysis. It is also used to determine stable isotope variations of an element in a sample relative to a reference material, using tracers enriched in two isotopes (popularly known as the double spike method). Isotope dilution data reduction can be performed in Microsoft® Excel™ using different algorithmic approaches. Additional software such as iolite and MATLAB® offer algorithm implementations to perform these calculations. These are however limited to use within particular laboratories/research groups, or either require additional cost‐bound software or some degree of knowledge in computer programming languages for use, or all of these. To ease this situation, a graphical user interface‐based software is proposed (here named Parmanu‐Gunak, meaning Atom‐Calculator in Sanskrit text) to invert both single and double spiked isotope data, with the aim of making it a standard tool for ID data reduction. Examples of Nd and Mo isotopes are used to demonstrate the robustness of the program.
The effects of milking and suction drain management methods in paediatric patients after cardiac surgery
Authors: Gökgöz Göksu , Karabacak Ükke , Kan Öntürk Zehra
Published: December 2022

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of milking and suction methods on maintaining drain patency following cardiac surgery in paediatric patients.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled trial. The patients were assigned to three groups (suction method, milking method, and control group) between July 2018 and December 2019.

Results

The most frequent medical diagnoses were tetralogy of Fallot (34.4%, n = 31) and ventricular septal defect (14.4%, n = 13). Heart rate may increase unless a method was chosen to maintain drain patency (F: 4.450, p = 0.003); suction (F: 0.528 p = 0.781) and milking (F: 2.281 p = 0.070) methods did not significantly increase the heart rate. The use of a manipulation method for maintaining drain patency maintained stability of the blood pressure values and did not affect haemodynamic stability, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. There was no statistically significant difference within and among the groups (p > 0.05) in relation to the volume of bleeding between admission until the sixth hour, although there was greater bleeding with the milking method (2.67 ± 15.30 ml) and less bleeding (−5.00 ± 23.30) with the suction method.

Conclusion

The milking and suction methods used to maintain drain patency can be employed and will assist with maintaining the stability of the patient within the first critical 6 h. Further studies need to be conducted in order to clarify that the recommendations can be generalized to all children with congenital heart disease.
Trends in U.S. adolescent physical activity and obesity: A 20‐year age‐period‐cohort analysis
Authors: Loux Travis , Matusik Morgan , Hamzic Asja
Published: December 2022

Background

Adolescent obesity can lead to long‐term health problems and is a topic of major concern in pediatric and broader medical and public health spheres. Numerous national and state‐wide initiatives aimed at increasing physical activity and/or improving nutrition in this age group have assumed the goal of reducing the prevalence adolescent obesity.

Objectives

We assess trends in U.S. adolescent physical activity and body mass index between 1999 and 2019.

Methods

Using data from the U.S. Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System, we analyse data from 144 544 14‐to‐18‐year‐old respondents. We use multilevel linear and logistic regression to perform age‐period‐cohort analyses attributing changes in physical activity and body mass index over time to these three sources.

Results

Age and period effects are strong in all outcomes studied. Physical activity consistently decreases with age across the study period. Age trends in obesity have reversed in recent years, with older adolescents now more likely to be have obesity than younger adolescents. Both female and Asian adolescents report less physical activity but lower rates of obesity than their male and non‐Asian counterparts.

Conclusions

The reversal of obesity trends by age with little change in physical activity over the study period suggests other lifestyle factors have changed over the study period to increase the prevalence of obesity in older adolescents.
Bifurcated incorporation and migrant social mobility in Japan
Authors: Ivory Tristan
Published: December 2022

The context of reception is crucial in establishing different mobility pathways for migrants within host societies. Given that access to government resources is increasingly reserved for citizens and permanent residents and most states provide relatively few avenues to naturalization or permanent residence, host country human capital and social networks are often vital for upward social mobility. I use a variety of research methods including 60 semi‐structured interviews, over 800 hour of participant and non‐obtrusive observation, and ethnography from a 14‐month period in 2011–2012 in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area to investigate how Sub‐Saharan African migrants pursue mobility within Japanese society. I theorize that there are two distinct groups of long‐term staying migrants in Japan: one initially incorporated as unskilled laborers and another initially incorporated as skilled laborers. Migrants initially incorporated as skilled workers have comparatively greater access to state resources and discretion to incorporate as individuals. Migrants initially incorporated as unskilled laborers must rely on the intervention of native‐born individuals in order to experience upward mobility. These findings suggest that visa status is an important signal of initial migrant incorporation trajectory and a significant moderating factor for individual outcomes and social mobility in Japan.
Development of multiplex RT‐ddPCR assays for detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 and other common respiratory virus infections
Authors: Leong Nathaniel K. C. , Gu Haogao , Ng Daisy Y. M. , Chang Lydia D. J. , Krishnan Pavithra , Cheng Samuel S. M. , Peiris Malik , Poon Leo L. M.
Published: December 2022

Background

Measures for mitigation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) were set to reduce the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). SARS‐CoV‐2 and other respiratory viruses share similar transmission routes and some common clinical manifestations. Co‐circulation of SARS‐CoV‐2 and other common respiratory viruses is imminent. Therefore, development of multiplex assays for detecting these respiratory viruses is essential for being prepared for future outbreaks of respiratory viruses.

Methods

A panel of three reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (RT‐ddPCR) assays were developed to detect 15 different human respiratory viruses. Evaluations of its performance were demonstrated. A total of 100 local and 98 imported COVID‐19 cases in Hong Kong were screened for co‐infection with other common respiratory viruses.

Results

All detected viral targets showed distinct signal clusters using the multiplex RT‐ddPCR assays. These assays have a broad range of linearity and good intra‐/inter‐assay reproducibility for each target. The lower limits of quantification for all targets were ≤46 copies per reaction. Six imported cases of COVID‐19 were found to be co‐infected with other respiratory viruses, whereas no local case of co‐infection was observed.

Conclusions

The multiplex RT‐ddPCR assays were demonstrated to be useful for screening of respiratory virus co‐infections. The strict preventive measures applied in Hong Kong may be effective in limiting the circulation of other human respiratory viruses. The multiplex assays developed in this study can achieve a robust detection method for clinical and research purposes.
Shaping Interstate Decision‐Making? Framing as a Persuasive Tactic in Transnational Climate Governance
Authors: Carbune Anatolie
Published: December 2022

Small hydropower plants (SHPs) are posing a significant risk to the environment in Europe, whilst their contribution to the energy sector is rather low. This article is examining civil society organisations (CSOs) lobbying activity, during 2017–2018, on opposing the construction of SHPs in Ukraine and Moldova. It is argued that CSOs framed their cause as a legal issue, and not just as an environmental one, aiming at amplifying their persuasive power. First, it is analysed how CSOs framed their cause when interacting with citizens and media, and second, with international organisations. Framing is systematically studied based on media content analysis in both countries and on reports published by CSOs within the Eastern Partnership framework. The findings contribute to a better understanding of framing, by bridging the literature on social movement and transnational climate governance.
Sociopolitical development and social identities
Authors: Watts Roderick J. , Halkovic Alexis
Published: December 2022

In the past decade, interest and research on critical consciousness has increased dramatically. This commentary updates and expands Sociopolitical Development Theory by Watts and Flanagan (Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 2007, 1), elaborating on elements of the theory and linking them to liberation praxis. Expansion included research of the interplay of social identity and Critical Social Analysis (CSA) (i.e., the deconstruction of oppression's causes and effects through a political lens). This exploratory, qualitative project analyzed narratives written by young adults seeking admission to a training program for community‐organizers. The result was a framework of “Viewpoints” relevant to programming for adolescents. Sample quotes illustrate how combinations of CSA and social identities can enrich sociopolitical development and are enriched by intersectionalities.
Good advice from authors working in under‐represented countries
Authors: Du Xiangyun , Ibiapina Cassio da Cunha , Kassab Salah Eldin , Yan Aihua
Published: December 2022

Authors of 4 papers that were recently published from under‐represented regions of the world offer their advice on how to get started in an effort to facilitate similar success for others.
Modeling vital rates and age‐sex structure of Pacific Arctic phocids: influence on aerial survey correction factors
Authors: Conn Paul B. , Trukhanova Irina S.
Published: December 2022

To estimate abundance, surveys of marine mammals often rely on samples of satellite‐tagged individuals to correct counts for the proportion of animals that are unavailable to be detected. However, naïve application of this correction relies on the key assumption that availability of the tagged sample resembles that of the population. Here, we show how matrix population models can be used to estimate stable age‐ and stage‐proportions, and how these can be used to adjust aerial survey correction factors so that they represent population‐level availability. We illustrate this procedure using data from ice‐associated seals in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. After compiling life history data for bearded (Erignathus barbatus), ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata), ringed (Pusa hispida), and spotted seals (Phoca largha), we find that correction factors ignoring age‐sex composition can positively bias spotted seal abundance by an average of 13% and negatively bias ribbon seal abundance by an average of 5%. Note that we did not examine potential bias for bearded or ringed seals due to low sample sizes; as such, we urge caution in interpretation of abundance estimates for these species.
Effects of evolution on niche displacement and emergent population properties, a discussion on optimality
Authors: Rohr Rudolf P. , Loeuille Nicolas
Published: December 2022

Understanding the effects of evolution on emergent population properties such as intrinsic growth rates, species abundances or resilience is not only a key theoretical question, but has major empirical implications, for instance in conservation, agroecology and invasion ecology. Evolution can also lead to polymorphism based on niche differentiation among different phenotypes. The present article has three aims. First, we clarify the evolutionary scenarios allowing for optimization of population growth rate and abundance. Second, we relate the eco‐evolutionary emergence of polymorphism to the niche‐overlap and fitness‐ratio sensu coexistence theory. Third, we discuss whether properties of polymorphic populations can be optimized due to niche‐displacement among phenotypes. We revisit previous theoretical results on eco‐evolutionary optimization and link them with our Lotka–Volterra framework. Depending on how the traits under selection affect species intrinsic growth rates or ecological interactions, we uncover three scenarios, ranging from the optimization of all three properties to no optimization and link evolutionary dynamics to coexistence theory. Optimization is, in general, incompatible with niche differentiation sensu coexistence theory and, therefore, with the emergence of polymorphism. Niche displacement between resident and mutant phenotypes, and potentially polymorphism, only arise when we do not expect optimality to hold. Finally, we show how our approach can be generalized to coevolutionary scenarios. In the discussion, we propose biological scenarios and traits that may fall into our three scenarios. Although it is possible to find traits for which optimality is expected, for the majority of the cases optimization arguments do not hold. We also provide practical applications of our results in conservation, agroecology, harvesting and invasion ecology.
Stating Structural Realism: Mathematics‐First Approaches to Physics and Metaphysics
Authors: Wallace David
Published: December 2022

I respond to the frequent objection that structural realism fails to sharply state an alternative to the standard predicate‐logic, object / property / relation, way of doing metaphysics. The approach I propose is based on what I call a ‘math‐first’ approach to physical theories (close to the so‐called ‘semantic view of theories') where the content of a physical theory is to be understood primarily in terms of its mathematical structure and the representational relations it bears to physical systems, rather than as a collection of sentences that attempt to make true claims about those systems (a ‘language‐first’ approach). I argue that adopting the math‐first approach already amounts to a form of structural realism, and that the choice between epistemic and ontic versions of structural realism is then a choice between a language‐first and math‐first view of metaphysics; I then explore the status of objects (and properties and relations) in fundamental and non‐fundamental physics for both versions of math‐first structural realism.
Distrustful Complacency and the COVID‐19 Vaccine: How Concern and Political Trust Interact to Affect Vaccine Hesitancy
Authors: Lalot Fanny , Abrams Dominic , Heering Maria S. , Babaian Jacinta , Ozkececi Hilal , Peitz Linus , Davies Hayon Kaya , Broadwood Jo
Published: December 2022

We test the hypothesis that COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy is attributable to distrustful complacency—an interactive combination of low concern and low trust. Across two studies, 9,695 respondents from different parts of Britain reported their level of concern about COVID‐19, trust in the UK government, and intention to accept or refuse the vaccine. Multilevel regression analysis, controlling for geographic area and relevant demographics, confirmed the predicted interactive effect of concern and trust. Across studies, respondents with both low trust and low concern were 10%–22% more vaccine hesitant than respondents with either high trust or high concern, and 26%–29% more hesitant than respondents with both high trust and high concern. Results hold equally among White, Black, and Muslim respondents, consistent with the view that regardless of mean‐level differences, a common process underlies vaccine hesitancy, underlining the importance of tackling distrustful complacency both generally and specifically among unvaccinated individuals and populations.
Targeted suppression of Dpt‐specific B cells in humanized Rag2‐ γc‐ mouse model of HDM allergy
Authors: Ralchev Nikola Ralchev , Kerekov Nikola , Mihaylova Nikolina , Kremlitzka Mariann , Hristova Diana , Dzhorev Julian , Erdei Anna , Tchorbanov Andrey Ivanov
Published: December 2022

Der p 1 is one of the major allergenic molecules of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, causing house dust mite (HDM) allergy. The pathological B cells produce allergen‐specific IgE antibodies that mediate the hypersensitivity reaction, therefore the selective elimination of these B cells is a legitimate therapeutic goal in allergy. Chimeric molecule Dp51‐72 able to cross‐link B cell inhibitory complement receptor type 1 and BCR on Der p 1‐specific B cells was constructed. The signalling capabilities of this molecule have been tested on human B cells. A humanized mouse model of HDM allergy has been used to test the in vivo effects of the chimeric molecule administration. Administering the chimeric molecule to immunodeficient Rag2‐ γc‐ mice transferred with PBMCs from allergic patients resulted in reduction of allergen‐specific IgE antibodies in the sera, and reduced infiltration of immune cells in lung histology preparations. Reduced numbers of human CD45+ and CD4+ cells in the lungs as well as inhibition of mast cell degranulation were also observed. The treatment with Dp51‐72 chimera significantly decreased the local levels of anti‐Dpt IgE antibodies in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The binding of the chimeric molecule to tonsillar B cells triggers the tyrosine phosphorylation of 30–32 kDa protein, which is most likely involved in the inhibitory process. Administration of constructed chimeric molecules to humanized mice with developed inflammation resulted in specific suppression of disease‐associated IgE antibody‐producing cells and preserved lung histology. This effective approach could be further developed into a therapeutic agent for treatment of patients with HDM allergy.
The novel HLA‐A*03 allele, HLA‐A*03:440, identified in a potential hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Ananeva Anastasiia , Akhmetshina Gulnaz , Shagimardanova Elena
Published: December 2022

The novel HLA‐A*03:440 allele was characterized using next generation sequencing technology.
Introduction to symposium on English‐medium instruction (EMI) in Asian higher education
Authors: Bolton Kingsley , Botha Werner , Lin Benedict
Published: December 2022

This symposium comprises five articles dealing with English‐medium instruction (EMI) in higher education across the Asian region. All five articles report on original empirical research carried out in four diverse settings, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea. It is intended that this collection of articles will make a meaningful contribution to the frontline of research on English‐medium instruction worldwide.
The model, the modeler, and the truth
Escape from Model Land
Erica Thompson
Basic Books, 2022. 256 pp.
Authors: Nguyen James
Published: December 2022

Escaping the realm of simplified systems is difficult but necessary, argues a statistician
Engineering time-controlled immunotherapy
Authors: Salazar-Cavazos Emanuel , Altan-Bonnet Grégoire
Published: December 2022

Designer lymphocytes expand the dynamic range of possibilities for treating disease
In Science Journals
Authors: Olingy Claire , Ray L. Bryan , Lavine Marc S. , Yeston Jake , Osborne Ian S. , Stajic Jelena , Lopez Bianca , Hurtley Stella M. , Vinson Valda , Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Malo Courtney S.
Published: December 2022

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Sequencing projects will screen 200,000 newborns for disease
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: December 2022

U.K. and New York City efforts face cost and ethical issues
Soil Collected from a Single Great Smoky Mountains Trail Contains a Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes andListeriaspp.
Authors: Claxton Michelle L. , Hudson Lauren K. , Bryan Daniel W. , Denes Thomas G.
Published: December 2022

Listeria monocytogenesis a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious systemic illness that, although rare, usually results in hospitalization and has a relatively high mortality rate compared to other foodborne pathogens. Identification of novel and diverseListeriaspp. can provide insights into the genomic evolution, ecology, and evolution and variance of pathogenicity of this genus, especially in natural environments.
Synergistic Combinations of FDA-Approved Drugs with Ceftobiprole against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sharma Amar Deep , Gutheil William G.
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial resistance represents a serious threat to public health. Antibacterial agent combinations provide a potential approach to combating this problem, and synergistic agent combinations—in which each agent enhances the antimicrobial activity of the other—are particularly valuable in this regard.
Kidney function, cardiovascular outcomes and survival of living kidney donors with hypertension: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Bugeja Ann , Eldaba Mariam , Ahmed Sumaiya , Shorr Risa , Clark Edward G , Burns Kevin D , Knoll Greg , Hiremath Swapnil
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Hypertension has been considered a contraindication for living kidney donation in the past. Since transplantation from living kidney donors remains the best modality for kidney failure, there is now an increased acceptance of living kidney donors with hypertension. However, the safety of this practice for the cardiovascular and kidney health of the donor is unclear. We will conduct a systematic review to summarise and synthesise the existing literature on this topic.

Methods and analysis

A systematic review of prospective randomised and non-randomised and retrospective studies will be conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL and EBM reviews published from January 1946 to December 2021 will be reviewed. Primary outcome will be the difference in the survival, major adverse cardiovascular events, estimated glomerular filtration rate of 45 mL/min or less and development of end-stage kidney failure, between living kidney donors with and without hypertension. Study screening, selection, and data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers. Studies must fulfil all eligibility criteria for inclusion into the systematic review and meta-analysis. The Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised studies tool will be used to assess bias.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required for this systematic review. The results of this review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed, open-access journal to ensure access to all stakeholders in kidney transplantation and to inform clinical guidelines on the evaluation and follow-up care of living kidney donor candidates.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022300119.