bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glasses Against transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the community (GLASSY): a pragmatic randomized trial
Authors: Fretheim Atle , Elgersma Ingeborg Hess , Helleve Arnfinn , Elstrøm Petter , Kacelnik Oliver , Hemkens Lars G.
Published: August 2022

Background

Observational studies have reported an association between use of eye protection and reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and other respiratory viruses, but as for most non-pharmaceutical interventions for infection control, no randomized trials have been conducted. We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of recommending the use of glasses in public as protection against being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.

Methods and findings

This was a pragmatic, randomized, trial in Norway from 2 February to 24 April 2022 where all adult members of the public who did not regularly wear glasses, had no symptoms of COVID-19 and no COVID-19 in the last 6 weeks, were eligible. Participants randomized to the intervention group were asked to wear glasses (e.g. sunglasses) for 2 weeks when close to others in public spaces. The primary outcome was positive COVID-19 test result notified to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS). Secondary outcomes included positive COVID-19 test result based on self-report and episode of respiratory infection based on self-report of symptoms. We randomized 3717 participants. All were identified and followed up in the registries and 87% responded to the end of study-questionnaire. The proportions with a notified positive COVID-19 test in the national registry were 3.7% in the intervention group (68/1852) and 3.5% (65/1865) in the control group (95% CI for risk difference -1.0% to 1.4%; relative risk 1.10, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.50). The proportions with a positive COVID-19 test based on self-report were 9.6% and 11.5% (95% CI for risk difference -3.9% to 0.1%; relative risk 0.83, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.00). The risk of respiratory infections based on self-reported symptoms was lower in the intervention group (31% vs. 34%; 95% CI for risk difference -3.3% to -0.3%; relative risk 0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that asking people to wear glasses may protect the public against respiratory infections, but the findings are not certain, and the study needs replication. Although the evidence is uncertain, and the effect probably modest at best, wearing glasses may be worth considering as one component in the infection control toolbox since it is a simple, low burden, and low-cost intervention, with few negative consequences.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05217797

Funding

The costs of running the trial were covered by the Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research (CEIR), Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The authors received no specific funding for this work
Dynamics of asymmetric membranes and interleaflet coupling as intermediates in membrane fusion
Authors: Perez Marcos Arribas , Beales Paul A.
Published: August 2022

Membrane fusion is a tool to increase the complexity of model membrane systems. Here, we use silica nanoparticles to fuse liquid-disordered DOPC giant GUVs and liquid-ordered DPPC:Cholesterol (7:3) GUVs. After fusion, GUVs display large membrane domains as confirmed by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Laurdan spectral imaging of the membrane phases in the fused GUVs shows differences compared to the initial vesicles indicating some lipid redistribution between phase domains as dictated by the tie lines of the phase diagram. Remarkably, using real-time confocal microscopy we were able to record the dynamics of formation of asymmetric membrane domains in hemifused GUVs and detected interleaflet coupling phenomena by which the DOPC-rich liquid-disordered domains in outer monolayer modulates the phase state of the DPPC:Cholesterol inner membrane leaflet which transitions from liquid-ordered to liquid-disordered phase.. We find that internal membrane stresses generated by membrane asymmetry enhance the efficiency of full fusion compared to our previous studies on symmetric vesicle fusion. Furthermore, under these conditions, the liquid disordered monolayer dictates the bilayer phase state of asymmetric membrane domains in >90% of observed cases. By comparison to the findings of previous literature, we suggest that which monolayer phase dominates the bilayer properties could be a mechanoresponsive signalling mechanism sensitive to the local membrane environment.

Statement of Significance

Natural biomembranes are highly asymmetric in lipid composition between the two leaflets of its bilayer structure. While the majority of membrane biophysics studies are conducted on symmetric lipid bilayers, it has become increasingly apparent that these asymmetric lipid compositions have a strong impact on the overall properties and behaviours of the membrane. However, achieving controlled membrane asymmetry in artificial model membranes is non-trivial, making the study of related biophysical mechanisms challenging. Here, we present an experimental framework to image the dynamics of asymmetric membrane domains formed as intermediates during membrane fusion of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) triggered by silica nanoparticles. We directly observe interleaflet coupling of the phases in asymmetric membranes, where the liquid disordered domains most commonly dominate. By comparison with other literature on asymmetric membranes, this may indicate that the phase state of asymmetric membranes can be mechanoresponsive to its local environment. Furthermore, enhanced efficiency of full fusion of these GUV membranes indicates that stresses generated by membrane asymmetry can promote the formation of the full fusion pore during vesicle fusion processes.
Heterogeneous neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area coordinates dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Hill Daniel F. , Olson Zachary G. , Bartlett Mitchell J. , Falk Torsten , Heien Michael L. , Cowen Stephen L.
Published: August 2022

Dopamine release in the ventral striatum is fundamental to adaptive appetitive behavior. Frustratingly, technological, and methodological hurdles have limited the investigation of the mechanisms that drive phasic dopamine release. Although dopamine neuron activation in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) surely results in dopamine release, how populations of these neurons coordinate their activities in time to modulate the temporal pattern of release remains unclear. Additionally, burgeoning evidence suggests that control over striatal dopamine release is not solely regulated by the burst firing of VTA neurons or even cell-body activation of these neurons. Here, we recorded VTA neurons while simultaneously monitoring pharmacologically induced phasic dopamine release events in the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens core) of anesthetized rats. On average, dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons increased activity at the time of the onset of release and decreased at the time of peak release; however, the tuning of individual VTA neurons to dopamine release was notably heterogenous, with subsets of neurons responding prior to release, at release onset, or during release. Other neurons were notably silent during release but active otherwise. Interestingly, both putative dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons expressed this temporally heterogeneous response pattern. Furthermore, the firing activity of dopaminergic, but not non-dopaminergic neurons, correlated with the magnitude of dopamine release. These data suggest that populations of VTA neurons become active at distinct times of a dopamine release event to sculpt the temporal pattern of release.
Didemnin B and ternatin-4 inhibit conformational changes in eEF1A required for aminoacyl-tRNA accommodation into mammalian ribosomes
Authors: Juette Manuel F. , Carelli Jordan D. , Rundlet Emily J. , Brown Alan , Shao Sichen , Ferguson Angelica , Wasserman Michael R. , Holm Mikael , Taunton Jack , Blanchard Scott C.
Published: August 2022

Rapid and accurate mRNA translation requires efficient codon-dependent delivery of the correct aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) to the ribosomal A site. In mammals, this fidelity-determining reaction is facilitated by the GTPase elongation factor-1 alpha (eEF1A), which escorts aa-tRNA as an eEF1A(GTP)-aa-tRNA ternary complex into the ribosome. Two structurally unrelated cyclic peptides didemnin B and ternatin-4 bind to the eEF1A(GTP)-aa-tRNA ternary complex and inhibit translation. Here, we employ single-molecule fluorescence imaging and cryogenic electron microscopy to determine how these natural products inhibit translational elongation on mammalian ribosomes. By binding to a common allosteric site on eEF1A, didemnin B and ternatin-4 trap eEF1A in its GTPase-activated conformation, preventing aa-tRNA accommodation on the ribosome. We also show that didemnin B and ternatin-4 exhibit distinct effects on aa-tRNA selection that inform on observed disparities in their inhibition efficacies and physiological impacts. These integrated findings highlight the potential of single-molecule methods to reveal how distinct natural products differentially impact the human translation mechanism.
Electron diffraction characterization of nanocrystalline materials using a Rietveld-based approach. Part I. Methodology
Authors: Sinha Ankur , Bortolotti Mauro , Ischia Gloria , Lutterotti Luca , Gialanella Stefano
Published: August 2022

Transmission electron microscopy is a powerful experimental tool, very effective for the complete characterization of nanocrystalline materials by employing a combination of imaging, spectroscopy and diffraction techniques. Electron powder diffraction (EPD) pattern fingerprinting in association with chemical information from spectroscopy can be used to deduce the identity of the crystalline phases. Furthermore, EPD has similar potential to X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) for extracting additional information regarding material specimens, such as microstructural features and defect structures. The aim of this paper is to extend a full-pattern fitting procedure, broadly used for analysing XRPD patterns, to EPD. The interest of this approach is twofold: in the first place, the relatively short times involved with data acquisition allow one to speed up the characterization procedures. This is a particularly interesting aspect in the case of metastable structures or kinetics studies. Moreover, the reduced sampling volumes involved with electron diffraction analyses can better reveal surface alteration layers in the analysed specimen which might be completely overlooked by conventional bulk techniques. The first step forward to have an effective application of the proposed methodology concerns establishing a reliable calibration protocol to take into correct account the instrumental effects and thus separate them from those determined by the structure, microstructure and texture of the analysed samples. In this paper, the methodology for determining the instrumental broadening of the diffraction lines is demonstrated through a full quantitative analysis based on the Rietveld refinement of the EPD. In this regard, a CeO2 nanopowder reference specimen has been used. The results provide indications also on the specific features that a good calibration standard should have.
Parameter inversion of a polydisperse system in small-angle scattering
Authors: Leng Kuangdai , King Stephen , Snow Tim , Rogers Sarah , Markvardsen Anders , Maheswaran Satheesh , Thiyagalingam Jeyan
Published: August 2022

A general method to invert parameter distributions of a polydisperse system using data acquired from a small-angle scattering (SAS) experiment is presented. The forward problem, i.e. calculating the scattering intensity given the distributions of any causal parameters of a theoretical model, is generalized as a multi-linear map, characterized by a high-dimensional Green tensor that represents the complete scattering physics. The inverse problem, i.e. finding the maximum-likelihood estimation of the parameter distributions (in free form) given the scattering intensity (either a curve or an image) acquired from an experiment, is formulated as a constrained nonlinear programming (NLP) problem. This NLP problem is solved with high accuracy and efficiency via several theoretical and computational enhancements, such as an automatic data scaling for accuracy preservation and GPU acceleration for large-scale multi-parameter systems. Six numerical examples are presented, including both synthetic tests and solutions to real neutron and X-ray data sets, where the method is compared with several existing methods in terms of their generality, accuracy and computational cost. These examples show that SAS inversion is subject to a high degree of non-uniqueness of solution or structural ambiguity. With an ultra-high accuracy, the method can yield a series of near-optimal solutions that fit data to different acceptable levels.
Method for restoration of X-ray absorption fine structure in sparse spectroscopic ptychography
Authors: Ishiguro Nozomu , Takahashi Yukio
Published: August 2022

The spectroscopic ptychography method, a technique combining X-ray ptychography imaging and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, is one of the most promising and powerful tools for studying the chemical states and morphological structures of bulk materials at high resolutions. However, this technique still requires long measurement periods because of insufficient coherent X-ray intensity. Although the improvements in hardware represent a critical solution, breakthroughs in software for experiments and analyses are also required. This paper proposes a novel method for restoring the spectrum structures from spectroscopic ptychography measurements with reduced energy points, by utilizing the Kramers–Kronig relationship. First, a numerical simulation is performed of the spectrum restoration for the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) oscillation from the thinned theoretical absorption and phase spectra. Then, this algorithm is extended by binning the noise removal to handle actual experimental spectral data. Spectrum restoration for the experimental EXAFS data obtained from spectroscopic ptychography measurements is also successfully demonstrated. The proposed restoration will help shorten the time required for spectroscopic ptychography single measurements and increase the throughput of the entire experiment under limited time resources.
One step further: application of metabolomics techniques on the geographical indication (GI) registration process
Authors: Artêncio Mateus Manfrin , Cassago Alvaro Luis Lamas , Giraldi Janaina de Moura Engracia , Pádua Silvia Inês Dallavalle , Da Costa Fernando Batista
Published: August 2022

Purpose

A region can be registered as a geographical indication (GI) when its human or natural characteristics influence product attributes. However, GI registration is a complex process that can lead applicants to conflicts and resource waste. Since metabolomics can support product typicality, it can be an effective tool to evidence the place-product link, essential for GI registration. With the aim of increasing GI registration efficiency, this research aimed to map the Brazilian GI registration process from end to end, using business process model and notation (BPMN), and evaluate the application of metabolomics techniques as facilitator.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory study was proposed, with the Brazilian GI registration process as unit of analysis. Primary data was obtained through twelve in-depth interviews with GI producers, members of supporting institutions and metabolomics experts. Based on the collected data, the complete GI registration map was designed with bpmn.io software.

Findings

Results provided a clear view of the GI registration process. Interviewees considered the selection of the appropriate GI category, the establishment of GI common rules, product specification and the confirmation of the place-product link as the most demanding requirements. Since the last two involve specifying the influence of the origin on products, the use of metabolomics was suggested as a powerful tool to complete these stages.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical contribution is provided by the interweave of the three scientific fields mentioned (GI, business process management (BPM) and metabolomics) to contribute to the still small body of literature on GI-related processes. Additionally, other theoretical contributions are the presentation of a GI registration map associated to the use of “omics” techniques as process facilitator.

Practical implications

The practical contribution of this work is the establishment of an end-to-end view of the entire GI registration process, which makes easier for applicants to engage, plan resources and achieve the GI label. Furthermore, metabolomics acts as a facilitator since its data can be used for different purposes on the way to GI registration.

Social implications

Results can be used to facilitate GI registration, reducing resources demanded from applicants. GI labels provide product protection, better selling prices and competitive advantages for producers, which are positive outcomes in countries with a commodity-based economy like Brazil.

Originality/value

The originality of the study lies in the approach used to map the GI registration process, as well as the suggestion of metabolomics as facilitator in some of its stages.
Do multiple directorships stimulate or inhibit firm value? Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Alhaddad Lara , Gerged Ali Meftah , Saidat Zaid , Ali Al-Qudah Anas , Aziz Tariq
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the potential influence of multiple directorships (MDs) on the firm value of listed firms in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 1,067 firm-year observations of Jordanian listed companies from 2010 to 2020, this study applies a pooled ordinary least squares regression model to examine the above-stated relationship. This technique was supported by conducting a generalized method of moments estimation to address the possible occurrence of endogeneity concerns.

Findings

The results show a significant negative relationship between MDs and firm performance, thereby supporting the “Busyness Hypothesis”, which suggests that directors with MDs are expected to be over-committed, too busy and less vigilant. Thus, their ability to effectively monitor the company management on behalf of the shareholders is quite limited.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Jordan, and one of the very rare studies in the Middle Eastern and North African region, to examine the relationship between MDs and firm performance. This study provides important policy and practitioner implications in the field of corporate governance by highlighting the necessity of imposing stricter limits on the number of directorships allowed for board directors. Crucially, the empirical evidence implies that limited directorships ensure that directors are able to fulfil their board responsibilities appropriately, which is significantly associated with the firm value.
Digital responses of SMEs to the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Giotopoulos Ioannis , Kontolaimou Alexandra , Tsakanikas Aggelos
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims at exploring the factors that are important for the digital development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis compared to large-sized enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a survey in Greek firms during the pandemic, econometric models are estimated to identify factors that are related to the expansion of digital marketing and e-commerce practices of SMEs and large-sized enterprises based on the technology–organization–environment framework.

Findings

The results suggest that while further investments in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure are important for the digital development of SMEs during the COVID-19 crisis, it is the innovative activities that advance the digitalization of large-sized enterprises. Also, SMEs, which implement flexible human resource (HR) practices (such as remote work) and face delays in the supply chain due to the pandemic, appear to have increased probability of expanding their digital marketing and e-commerce. On the contrary, HR practices do not seem to matter for large firms, while new regulations appear to discourage their digital development during the COVID-19 crisis.

Originality/value

This is the first study which empirically explores the digital reactions of SMEs compared to those of large-sized enterprises in a pandemic crisis context. It advances the limited knowledge on the potentially different responses of SMEs and large-sized enterprises to major external shocks with respect to their digital marketing and e-commerce expansion.
Environmental collaboration with suppliers and cost performance: exploring the contingency role of digital orientation from a circular economy perspective
Authors: Chavez Roberto , Malik Mohsin , Ghaderi Hadi , Yu Wantao
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To examine the interplay between sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and circular economy, this research conceptualises and empirically tests an integrative framework of environmental information exchange with suppliers (ES), environmental product design (EPD) and cost performance (CP) with the contingency effect of digital orientation (DO). The associations proposed in the integrative framework provide a configuration of SSCM practices that support circular economy's restorative processes in the digital age.

Design/methodology/approach

The resource orchestration theory and contingency theory are used to investigate the mediation and moderating effects, which were tested by a moderated mediation analysis of survey data of 100 firms in Australia.

Findings

The results show that EPD fully mediates the relationship between ES and CP. Further, DO was found to moderate the relationship between EPD and CP, but not the relationship between ES and EPD.

Practical implications

The empirical findings of this study offer an effective SSCM practice configuration for firms seeking to target advanced circular business models and economic benefits. Managers should be aware that ES may not be enough to improve CP; EPD is a required mechanism to translate the ES benefits into cost superiority. Managers should also stimulate a DO culture to develop effective EPD capabilities, which leads to improved CP and a foundation for companies seeking to target circularity.

Originality/value

This study advances prior theoretical and practical knowledge. The authors propose and empirically test an integrated SSCM and circular economy model that incorporates mediation and moderation effects to clarify inconsistent findings in prior work, which provides a more holistic and practical understanding of SSCM practices in the digital context. Furthermore, the SSCM literature recommends the adoption of circular economy principles. The integrated model in this study provides a bridge between SSCM and circular economy.
Shikonin ameliorates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation via the Akt/ERK/JNK/NF‐κB signalling pathways in a model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Guo Lei , Li Yuanyuan , Li Wenna , Qiu Jiaoxue , Du Juan , Wang Lingling , Zhang Ting
Published: August 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Shikonin plays protective roles in age‐associated diseases. Therefore, we investigate the biological functions of shikonin and its mechanisms involved in PD pathogenesis. The neurotoxin, 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was used to mimic PD‐like conditions in animal models. The learning and memory capacities were assessed by Morris water‐maze test, pole test, locomotor activity test and rotarod test. Neuroinflammation was determined by measuring the levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). The quantification of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and glutathione in substantia nigra was performed to estimate oxidative damage. Histopathologic changes were examined by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to determine the activation of astrocytes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive neurons, and nuclear translocation of p65. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate dopamine transporter (DAT)‐positive neurons. Protein levels were measured by western blotting. Shikonin alleviates the cognitive and behavioural impairments. The death of dopaminergic neurons in nigra was attenuated by shikonin. The MPTP‐induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in substantia nigra were alleviated by shikonin administration. Shikonin ameliorated the neuronal damage in nigra and inhibited the activation of astrocyte. Shikonin modulated the protein kinase B (Akt)/extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) pathways. Shikonin ameliorates dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation via the Akt/ERK/JNK/NF‐κB pathways in PD. The study has several limitations. First, in a previous study, levels of phosphorylated ERK were increased by MPTP. In our current study, we observed decreased p‐ERK in nigra following MPTP treatment. Therefore, further investigation in the mechanisms of shikonin against PD progression is required. Second, the biological functions of shikonin need more exploration, including mitochondrial function and autophagy. Moreover, specific molecular targets for shikonin remain uncertain.
‘I am also doing research’: Engaging mental illness and precarity in Ouagadougou
Authors: van Dijk Annigje
Published: August 2022

Narratives about mental health in Africa often present people with mental illness in situations of extreme precarity, such as in chains or on the street. In this article, the author argues that such representations should not become the only story regarding mental illness in Africa. The article focuses on the story of Joseph, a man who is an outpatient of a psychiatric ward in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and reflects upon his experience of mental illness in relation to the ongoing story of his life. His confident statement ‘I am also doing research’ provides an entry point for understanding his engagements with life and mental illness as acts of experimentation that are not necessarily rooted in precarity. His story shows how precarity and possibility can evolve alongside each other. It also shows the role that psychiatry already plays in (some of) the lives of people with mental illness in an African context, interacting with other narratives of mental troubles and healing.
Can reading practitioners and researchers improve intensive reading support systems in a large urban school system?
Authors: Kearns Devin M. , Walker Melodee A. , Borges Jason C. , Duffy Meghan E.
Published: August 2022

One way to provide intensive intervention for students with severe and persistent reading difficulties is to use a systematic data‐based decision‐making process called data‐based individualisation (DBI). DBI is a process for identifying needs and aligning them with specialist support. Meta‐analyses of DBI studies by university‐based researchers have shown positive effects, but university research studies do not involve many of the implementation science‐related factors that affect success. This study addresses the dearth of data from practice‐based studies that incorporate DBI and was done as a researcher–practitioner collaboration, developed with based on the theory that the collaborators' combined knowledge and skills could produce positive outcomes. Mixed methods were used to examine whether there was evidence of success in implementation DBI conducted through a researcher–practitioner partnership in New York City Public Schools, the largest public school system in the United States. Specifically, data were collected concerning the quality of DBI implementation and changes in teachers' and administrators' perspectives about the value of implementing intensive intervention. Results indicated that district‐level implementation met many criteria for effective DBI, that school teams (N = 6) implemented DBI with an overall high level of fidelity (mean score of 4.1 on a 5‐point scale) and that teachers and school administrators changed their thinking about intensive intervention as a result of participation in DBI. Stakeholder interview data indicated a high level of social acceptability for DBI implementation. Features of the research–practice partnership thought to have contributed to the success of the project are discussed.
Red wine coloration: A review of pigmented molecules, reactions, and applications
Authors: Zhang Xin‐Ke , Jeffery David W. , Li De‐Mei , Lan Yi‐bin , Zhao Xu , Duan Chang‐Qing
Published: August 2022

Color is one of the most distinctive qualities of red wine. Despite new knowledge in the field of pigment identification, copigmentation, and oxidation being forthcoming, there is still a large gap between the fundamental research and practical winemaking outcomes. A state‐of‐art review from these two aspects is, therefore, necessary. This review first introduces updated knowledge about the primary pigments in wine, with emphasis on their physicochemical properties. Then, the mechanisms of copigmentation and oxidation are elucidated in detail, along with their relative contributions to wine color. Finally, the practical effects of copigmentation and micro‐oxygenation (MOX) in winemaking are summarized and discussed. In general, wine coloration is ultimately determined by the anthocyanin flavylium cation, which is greatly influenced by wine pH. In young red wine, grape‐derived anthocyanins and nonanthocyanin polyphenols (as copigments) are the foundation for wine coloration. During aging and storage, anthocyanin derivatives are formed via various chemical reactions, where moderate oxidation plays a vital role, whereas copigmentation constantly decreases. The essence of wine color evolution relates to the changes of physicochemical properties of primary pigments in wine, where the hydration equilibrium gradually diminishes. In practice, the effects of copigment addition and MOX during real vinification can be viewed as somewhat controversial, considering that many studies showed different effects on wine color and pigment concentration. Universal features can be summarized but some phenomena still remain unclear and deserve further exploration.
Greater self‐oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in severe alcohol use disorder
Authors: Maurage Pierre , Creupelandt Coralie , Bollen Zoé , Pabst Arthur , Fontesse Sullivan , Laniepce Alice , Douilliez Céline
Published: August 2022

Background

Perfectionistic individuals present exaggerated performance standards, generating a constant search for flawlessness and a high tendency to self‐criticize. Dominant models distinguish three dimensions of perfectionism: namely, self‐oriented, socially prescribed and other‐oriented. Perfectionism constitutes a vulnerability factor for psychopathological disorders, but its role in severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) remains unexplored.

Methods

Sixty‐five recently detoxified patients with SAUD and 65 matched controls completed a perfectionism questionnaire (the Hewitt Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale), together with measures of psychopathology.

Results

SAUD was associated with greater self‐oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, with no group differences on other‐oriented perfectionism. This differential pattern persisted when controlling for depression and anxiety levels, and there was no correlation with alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

This specific perfectionistic profile is consistent with those of previous studies showing lower self‐evaluation (e.g., higher self‐blame and reduced self‐esteem) and impaired social cognition (e.g., unrealistic social standards and greater social isolation) in SAUD. In view of its potential role in the development and maintenance of SAUD, perfectionism may constitute a valuable treatment target in patients with this disorder.
A novel missense variant in endothelin‐2 (EDN2) causes a growth and respiratory lethal syndrome in bovine
Authors: Eusebi Paulina G. , Cortés Óscar , Contreras Elisabeth , Cañón Javier , Dunner Susana , Sevane Natalia
Published: August 2022

The high level of fragmentation of the Spanish Lidia cattle breed, divided into lineages called ‘castas’ and into herds within lineages based on reproductive isolation, increases the risk of homozygosity and the outbreak of recessive genetic defects. Since 2004, an increasing number of calves have been identified in a Lidia herd with signs of severe growth retardation, respiratory alterations and juvenile lethality, which constitutes a novel inherited syndrome in cattle and was subsequently termed growth and respiratory lethal syndrome. We performed a genome‐wide association study on a cohort of 13 affected calves and 24 putative non‐carrier parents, mapping the disease to a wide 6 cM region on bovine chromosome 3 (p < 10−7). Whole genome re‐sequencing of three affected calves and three putative non‐carrier parents identified a novel missense variant (c.149G>A|p.Cys50Tyr) in exon 2 of the endothelin 2 (EDN2) gene. Bioinformatic analyses of p.Cys50Tyr effects predicted them to be damaging for both the structure and the function of the edn2 protein, and to create a new site of splicing that may also affect the pattern of pre‐mRNA splicing and exon definition. Sanger sequencing of this variant on the rest of the sample set confirmed the segregation pattern obtained with whole genome re‐sequencing. The identification of the causative variant and the development of a diagnostic genetic test enable the efficient design of matings to keep the effective population size as high as possible, as well as providing insights into the first EDN2‐associated hereditary disease in cattle or other species.
The biodiversity of birch stands in agricultural landscapes of Estonia is associated with past land use, restoration approach, site and landscape variables
Authors: Tullus Tea , Lutter Reimo , Randlane Tiina , Saag Andres , Tullus Arvo , Kaasik Ants , Sopp Reeno , Ots Katri , Kaivapalu Marju , Pärtel Meelis , Tullus Hardi
Published: August 2022

Questions

Abandonment of agricultural land followed by tree planting or natural regeneration has increased forest area in Europe. We asked how restoration approach, past land use, site and landscape variables affected the richness and composition of vascular plants (field and shrub layers), bryophytes and lichens in middle‐aged forests.

Location

Thirty‐three birch stands in Estonia.

Methods

Data were collected from stands on former agricultural land that originated from plantations (PL‐A) or natural regeneration (NR‐A), and for reference, from native forest land (NR‐F). In every stand a 10 m × 10 m survey plot was established. Generalised Linear Mixed Models were used to test the effect of restoration approach, past land use, soil, light, stand and landscape variables on species richness estimates. Compositional patterns were analysed using Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling, permutational multivariate analysis of variance and indicator species analysis.

Results

Altogether 215 vascular plant, 70 bryophyte and 63 lichen species were found. The effects of restoration approach, past land use, and site and landscape variables on the species richness varied depending on the taxonomic and ecological groups of species. The richness of shrubs and bryophytes was higher in NR‐A than in PL‐A, and both variables were also related to soil properties. The richness of the field layer was related to past land use because previous croplands hosted fewer forest species than previous grasslands and stands on forest land. Higher current forest cover around the studied stands increased the richness of lichens, which were also affected by light and soil conditions. Species composition differed among the three stand types; however, the previous land use (agriculture vs forest) had a stronger effect than the restoration approach.

Conclusions

Although natural forest regeneration promoted biodiversity the most, plantations also supported the recovery of biodiversity at abandoned agricultural sites. Therefore, on a regional scale both restoration approaches are recommended.
‘Internet is easy if you know how to use it’: Doing online research with people with learning disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Mikulak Magdalena , Ryan Sara , Russell Siabhainn , Caton Sue , Keagan‐Bull Richard , Spalding Rebecca , Ribenfors Francesca , Hatton Christopher
Published: August 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic changed the way we live, work, interact and do research. Many activities moved online, and digital inclusion became an urgent issue for researchers working with people with learning disabilities and other groups at risk of exclusion. This has generated new questions about how we conduct research and what it means to go into ‘the field’.

Methods

We discuss our experience working across four qualitative research projects involving 867 participants with learning disabilities, conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Findings

Moving research online resulted in often‐swift adaptations to research designs and practice, bringing new insights and benefits to our studies. The changing circumstances fostered innovation and greater flexibility and contributed to research becoming more accessible to many. However, doing research online also posed new challenges as well as amplified existing ones.

Conclusions

The pandemic has made it easier for some people with learning disabilities to participate in research, but more needs to be done to improve the reach and quality of that participation. Researchers should make the process of participation as accessible as possible. It is also their job to question and challenge the conditions that create barriers to participation in research and to look for ways to change these. We make some recommendations on how this can be achieved.
Teaching dermatology to medical students: a Scoping Review of published interventional studies
Authors: Bernges Felix , Zielbauer Sebastian , Weberschock Tobias , Ochsendorf Falk
Published: August 2022

It is unclear how dermatology should be optimally taught to medical students. Therefore, this scoping review was conducted aiming to identify and structure all published interventional studies that investigated dermatological teaching approaches with medical students. The methodology of this scoping review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. The databases Medline and Embase were searched without restriction until 30.06.2020. A categorization and a descriptive analysis of the studies published as full articles were performed. The database search yielded 36,627 hits. 114 studies met all inclusion criteria. These came from 19 countries, were mainly published since 2010 and were distributed across 64 different journals. 32 randomized controlled trials were identified. A wide variety of teaching approaches was found, including both E‐learning and conventional teaching formats. The results of the studies are presented in structured tables. This scoping review documents a large number of studies published worldwide on teaching dermatology to medical students. The teaching of dermatology appears to be successful with numerous teaching approaches, whereby interventions that incorporate didactic principles were verifiably more successful. This literature review can serve as an aid for evidence‐based teaching design in dermatology as well as a basis for future research approaches.
Usefulness of the “elastic traction device” in gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Iwao Aya , Ichijima Ryoji , Ikehara Hisatomo
Published: August 2022

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Dynamic lobbying: Evidence from foreign lobbying in the U.S. Congress
Authors: You Hye Young
Published: August 2022

How do interest groups decide which member of Congress to target when decisions are made collectively? Do lobbying strategies change as legislation advances? Answering these questions is challenging due to a lack of systematic observations of lobbying contacts. I answer these questions using a novel data set constructed from reports submitted by lobbyists on behalf of South Korea regarding its free trade agreement with the United States for 10 years. I show that a diverse set of politicians are contacted but the timing, intensity, and strategy of lobbying contacts vary by politicians' institutional positions as well as their predisposed preferences for free trade.
Sign‐tracking modulates reward‐related neural activation to reward cues, but not reward feedback
Authors: Duckworth Jay J. , Wright Hazel , Christiansen Paul , Rose Abigail K. , Fallon Nicholas
Published: August 2022

Research shows cognitive and neurobiological overlap between sign‐tracking [value‐modulated attentional capture (VMAC) by response‐irrelevant, discrete cues] and maladaptive behaviour (e.g. substance abuse). We investigated the neural correlates of sign‐tracking in 20 adults using an additional singleton task (AST) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants responded to a target to win monetary reward, the amount of which was signalled by singleton type (reward cue: high value vs. low value). Singleton responses resulted in monetary deductions. Sign‐tracking—greater distraction by high‐value vs. low‐value singletons (H > L)—was observed, with high‐value singletons producing slower responses to the target than low‐value singletons. Controlling for age and sex, analyses revealed no differential brain activity across H > L singletons. Including sign‐tracking as a regressor of interest revealed increased activity (H > L singletons) in cortico‐subcortical loops, regions associated with Pavlovian conditioning, reward processing, attention shifts and relative value coding. Further analyses investigated responses to reward feedback (H > L). Controlling for age and sex, increased activity (H > L reward feedback) was found in regions associated with reward anticipation, attentional control, success monitoring and emotion regulation. Including sign‐tracking as a regressor of interest revealed increased activity in the temporal pole, a region related to value discrimination. Results suggest sign‐tracking is associated with activation of the ‘attention and salience network’ in response to reward cues but not reward feedback, suggesting parcellation between the two at the level of the brain. Results add to the literature showing considerable overlap in neural systems implicated in reward processing, learning, habit formation, emotion regulation and substance craving.
More future synergies and less trade‐offs between forest ecosystem services with natural climate solutions instead of bioeconomy solutions
Authors: Mazziotta Adriano , Lundström Johanna , Forsell Nicklas , Moor Helen , Eggers Jeannette , Subramanian Narayanan , Aquilué Núria , Morán‐Ordóñez Alejandra , Brotons Lluís , Snäll Tord
Published: August 2022

To reach the Paris Agreement, societies need to increase the global terrestrial carbon sink. There are many climate change mitigation solutions (CCMS) for forests, including increasing bioenergy, bioeconomy, and protection. Bioenergy and bioeconomy solutions use climate‐smart, intensive management to generate high quantities of bioenergy and bioproducts. Protection of (semi‐)natural forests is a major component of “natural climate solution” (NCS) since forests store carbon in standing biomass and soil. Furthermore, protected forests provide more habitat for biodiversity and non‐wood ecosystem services (ES). We investigated the impacts of different CCMS and climate scenarios, jointly or in isolation, on future wood ES, non‐wood ES, and regulating ES for a major wood provider for the international market. Specifically, we projected future ES given by three CCMS scenarios for Sweden 2020–2100. In the long term, fulfilling the increasing wood demand through bioenergy and bioeconomy solutions will decrease ES multifunctionality, but the increased stand age and wood stocks induced by rising greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations will partially offset these negative effects. Adopting bioenergy and bioeconomy solutions will have a greater negative impact on ES supply than adopting NCS. Bioenergy or bioeconomy solutions, as well as increasing GHG emissions, will reduce synergies and increase trade‐offs in ES. NCS, by contrast, increases the supply of multiple ES in synergy, even transforming current ES trade‐offs into future synergies. Moreover, NCS can be considered an adaptation measure to offset negative climate change effects on the future supplies of non‐wood ES. In boreal countries around the world, forestry strategies that integrate NCS more deeply are crucial to ensure a synergistic supply of multiple ES.
The atlas of mitochondrial genetic diversity for Western Palaearctic butterflies
Authors: Dapporto Leonardo , Menchetti Mattia , Vodă Raluca , Corbella Cecilia , Cuvelier Sylvain , Djemadi Imed , Gascoigne‐Pees Martin , Hinojosa Joan C. , Lam Nok Ting , Serracanta Maria , Talavera Gerard , Dincă Vlad , Vila Roger
Published: August 2022

Motivation

Butterflies represent a model in biology and a flagship group for invertebrate conservation. We provide four new resources for the Western Palaearctic butterflies: (1) an updated checklist comprising 552 species; (2) a curated dataset of 32,126 mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences for 532 species, including a de novo reference library for the Maghreb (Morocco, northern Algeria and Tunisia) and Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands); (3) seven indexes of intraspecific genetic variation (IGV): observed and expected number of haplotypes, haplotype and nucleotide diversity, two fixation indexes and maximum p‐distance; and (4) species‐level maps illustrating the distribution of COI variability and haplotype networks. The updated checklist will be fundamental for any application dealing with butterfly diversity in the Western Palaearctic. The IGV indexes provide measures for genetic polymorphism and spatial structure and represent proxies for dispersal capacity. These resources will facilitate comparative studies of macrogenetics, foster integrative taxonomy and aid conservation strategies.

Main types of variables contained

A complete species checklist in table format, 32,126 mitochondrial DNA barcodes provided with metadata (species membership, WGS84 coordinates and sequence length) and a book in PDF format, including the IGV atlas and indexes, are provided.

Spatial location and grain

The checklist encompasses Europe up to the Urals in the east, north Macaronesia (the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands) and the Maghreb (Morocco, northern Algeria and Tunisia). COI sequences have been retained in the geographical interval of −31.3 to 67.5° of longitude and 27.5–71.2° of latitude.

Time period and grain

COI sequences originate from studies published between 1998 and 2022 and from de novo sequencing of 2541 specimens done between 2007 and 2022.

Major taxa and level of measurement

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), analysed from individual to species level.

Software format

Data and functions to manage the dataset are provided in the iodatabase R package (https://github.com/leondap/iodatabase) and in Dryad (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9w0vt4bjj).