bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ictal activation of oxygen‐conserving reflexes as a mechanism for sudden death in epilepsy
Authors: Biggs Ethan N. , Budde Ryan , Jefferys John G. R. , Irazoqui Pedro P.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To test the hypothesis that death with physiological parallels to human cases of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) can be induced in seizing rats by ictal activation of oxygen‐conserving reflexes (OCRs).

Methods

Urethane‐anesthetized female Long‐Evans rats were implanted with electrodes for electrocardiography (ECG), electrocorticography (ECoG), and respiratory thermocouple; venous and arterial cannulas; and a laryngoscope guide and cannula or nasal cannula for activation of the laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR) or mammalian diving reflex (MDR), respectively. Kainic acid injection, either systemic or into the ventral hippocampus, induced prolonged acute seizures.

Results

Reflex challenges during seizures caused sudden death in 18 of 20 rats—all MDR rats (10) and all but two LCR rats (8) failed to recover from ictal activation of OCRs and died within minutes of the reflexes. By comparison, 4 of 4 control (ie, nonseizing) rats recovered from 64 induced diving reflexes (16 per rat), and 4 of 4 controls recovered from 64 induced chemoreflexes (16 per rat). Multiple measures were consistent with reports of human SUDEP. Terminal central apnea preceded terminal asystole in all cases. Heart and respiratory rate fluctuations that paralleled those seen in human SUDEP occurred during OCR‐induced sudden death, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was predictive of death, showing a 17 or 15 mm Hg drop (MDR and LCR, respectively) in the 20 s window centered on the time of brain death. OCR activation was never fatal in nonseizing rats.

Significance

These results present a method of inducing sudden death in two seizure models that show pathophysiology consistent with that observed in human cases of SUDEP. This proposed mechanism directly informs previous findings by our group and others in the field; provides a repeatable, inducible animal model for the study of sudden death; and offers a potential explanation for observations made in cases of human SUDEP.
An impact study of COVID‐19 on six different industries: Automobile, energy and power, agriculture, education, travel and tourism and consumer electronics
Authors: Nayak Janmenjoy , Mishra Manohar , Naik Bighnaraj , Swapnarekha Hanumanthu , Cengiz Korhan , Shanmuganathan Vimal
Published: February 2021

The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus, named COVID‐19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) has pushed the global economy and humanity into a disaster. In their attempt to control this pandemic, the governments of all the countries have imposed a nationwide lockdown. Although the lockdown may have assisted in limiting the spread of the disease, it has brutally affected the country, unsettling complete value‐chains of most important industries. The impact of the COVID‐19 is devastating on the economy. Therefore, this study has reported about the impact of COVID‐19 epidemic on various industrial sectors. In this regard, the authors have chosen six different industrial sectors such as automobile, energy and power, agriculture, education, travel and tourism and consumer electronics, and so on. This study will be helpful for the policymakers and government authorities to take necessary measures, strategies and economic policies to overcome the challenges encountered in different sectors due to the present pandemic.
To EBFM or not to EBFM? that is not the question
Authors: Karnauskas Mandy , Walter John F. , Kelble Christopher R. , McPherson Matthew , Sagarese Skyler R. , Craig J. Kevin , Rios Adyan , Harford William J. , Regan Seann , Giordano Steven D. , Kilgour Morgan
Published: February 2021

The ecosystem‐based fisheries management (EBFM) framework has a solid theoretical justification and has been embraced in principle by many regions; yet, systematic implementation remains a challenge. In regions with strong governance, single‐species stock assessment and management has been successful in ending overfishing and maintaining stocks near levels that produce maximum catches. However, considering species in isolation and recognizing a limited set of management objectives leads to systemic inefficiencies, incentivizes waste and generates unintended consequences. To avoid undesirable outcomes, human values and needs must be positioned at the forefront of management, system‐level objectives must be identified, and management actions must be systematically evaluated to ensure they are contributing to those larger objectives. Such processes, when implemented transparently, will lead to reduced conflict and improved stakeholder support for governance and should greatly facilitate long‐term management. We argue here that, regardless of the management framework adopted, we inherently manage at the ecosystem level—albeit sometimes “blindly”—and that increased attention to ecosystem objectives and trade‐offs will improve management outcomes.
Mass‐effect: Understanding the relationship between age and otolith weight in fishes
Authors: Pacheco Carlos , Bustamante Carlos , Araya Miguel
Published: February 2021

The estimation of age on a fish by using the otolith weight is a quick and low‐cost technique, yet controversial despite separate researchers worldwide have proved successfully its application. A systematic review was conducted including 47 publications containing 289 data points where the relationship between the age and otolith weight was assessed. Here, a meta‐analysis of the age and otolith weight relationship at a global level is provided. A random effect model was used to estimate the effect size (Pearson's correlation coefficient) of each study as well as the overall effect size. A strong effect in age–otolith weight relationship was detected with an overall effect size of r = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91 to 0.94) and a high observed heterogeneity (QT = 8,107.63, df = 288, p < .001; I2 = 96.62%). Four significant moderator variables were identified (families, habitats, models and regions) where heterogeneity was large (≥90%) while the families were the best moderator according to AIC criteria (QM = 378.12, df = 28, p < .0001; I2 = 89.97%). Overall results suggest that otolith weight has a positive effect correlation over the age estimation of fish.
Physical mechanisms of chromatin spatial organization
Authors: Chiariello Andrea M. , Bianco Simona , Esposito Andrea , Fiorillo Luca , Conte Mattia , Irani Ehsan , Musella Francesco , Abraham Alex , Prisco Antonella , Nicodemi Mario
Published: February 2021

In higher eukaryotes, chromosomes have a complex three‐dimensional (3D) conformation in the cell nucleus serving vital functional purposes, yet their folding principles remain poorly understood at the single‐molecule level. Here, we summarize recent approaches from polymer physics to comprehend the physical mechanisms underlying chromatin architecture. In particular, we focus on two models that have been supported by recent, growing experimental evidence, the Loop Extrusion model and the Strings&Binders phase separation model. We discuss their key ingredients, how they compare to experimental data and some insight they provide on chromatin architecture and gene regulation. Progress in that research field are opening the possibility to predict how genomic mutations alter the network of contacts between genes and their regulators and how that is linked to genetic diseases, such as congenital disorders and cancer.
Global progress in incorporating climate adaptation into land protection for biodiversity since Aichi targets
Authors: Carrasco Luis , Papeş Monica , Sheldon Kimberly S. , Giam Xingli
Published: February 2021

Climate adaptation strategies are being developed and implemented to protect biodiversity from the impacts of climate change. A well‐established strategy involves the identification and addition of new areas for conservation, and most countries agreed in 2010 to expand the global protected area (PA) network to 17% by 2020 (Aichi Biodiversity Target 11). Although great efforts to expand the global PA network have been made, the potential of newly established PAs to conserve biodiversity under future climate change remains unclear at the global scale. Here, we conducted the first global‐extent, country‐level assessment of the contribution of PA network expansion toward three key land prioritization approaches for biodiversity persistence under climate change: protecting climate refugia, protecting abiotic diversity, and increasing connectivity. These approaches avoid uncertainties of biodiversity predictions under climate change as well as the issue of undescribed species. We found that 51% of the countries created new PAs in locations with lower mean climate velocity (representing better climate refugia) and 58% added PAs in areas with higher mean abiotic diversity compared to the available, non‐human‐dominated lands not chosen for protection. However, connectivity among PAs declined in 53% of the countries, indicating that many new PAs were located far from existing PAs. Lastly, we identified potential improvements for climate adaptation, showing that 94% of the countries have the opportunity to improve in executing one or more approaches to conserve biodiversity. Most countries (60%) were associated with multiple opportunities, highlighting the need for integrative strategies that target multiple land protection approaches. Our results demonstrate that a global improvement in the protection of climate refugia, abiotic diversity, and connectivity of reserves is needed to complement land protection informed by existing and projected species distributions. Our study also provides a framework for countries to prioritize land protection for climate adaptation using publicly available data.
Microvascular complications and frailty can predict adverse outcomes in older patients with diabetes
Authors: Sable‐Morita Sayuri , Tanikawa Takahisa , Satake Shosuke , Okura Mika , Tokuda Haruhiko , Arai Hidenori
Published: February 2021

Aim

We aimed to assess whether frailty and diabetes‐related factors could predict the occurrence of adverse events in older patients with diabetes, who constitute a patient population prone to physical decline and reductions in skeletal muscle mass.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study comprised 477 patients who were being managed by outpatient diabetes care, and the reductions in their muscle strength and walking speed were assessed. Patients were evaluated using the Kihon Checklist, Mini Nutritional Assessment and Mini Mental State Examination, and followed up for 1 year, during which adverse events were monitored and confirmed from past medical records and face‐to‐face interviews. Intergroup comparisons of participants with and without adverse events during the observation period were undertaken by the paired‐sample t‐, Mann–Whitney U‐ and chi‐square tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex and age, was conducted to determine significant predictors of adverse event incidence.

Results

Overall, 12.4% (n = 59; age 74.2 ± 6.2 years) of the patients experienced adverse events. We observed significant between‐group differences in the Kihon Checklist total score, walking speed, hypoglycemia episodes, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Microvascular complications and frailty were significant predictors of adverse event incidence (respective odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.403 [1.109–1.775] per additional complication; 2.419 [1.331–4.397] for frailty; both P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, we found that frailty, which was assessed using the Kihon Checklist, and the number of microvascular complications predicted adverse events in older patients with diabetes and should to be assessed. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 359–363.
Dual‐level impact of regional context and individual attributes on entrepreneurship among return migrants in China
Authors: Yin Jiangbin , Huang Xiaoyan , Dong Yunyun , Zhao Min , Tan Weibao
Published: February 2021

Individual attributes have been demonstrated to influence the entrepreneurial decisions of returnees, but little is known about the regional factors. This study employed a dual‐level logistic model to explore the effects of both individual characteristics and regional context on returnee entrepreneurship in China. The results indicated the significance of both individual‐level attributes and regional context in the entrepreneurial entry: regional prosperity, government fiscal expenditure, tax burden, rainfall, and transportation infrastructure significantly affected the entrepreneurial probability. This study extends the returnee entrepreneurship literature by first, elucidating the importance of regional context in entrepreneurship and second, highlighting the joint impact of economic, institutional, and geographical contexts.
Molecular characterization of Algerian populations of cocksfoot and tall fescue: Ploidy level determination and genetic diversity analysis
Authors: Benfriha Hadjer , Mefti Mohamed , Robbins Matthew , Thorsted Kim , Bushman Shaun
Published: February 2021

Algeria is a country rich in phytogenetic resources, especially those of pastoral and forage interest. Unfortunately, few studies have been conducted to characterize Algerian local ecotypes. Recently, advances in next‐generation sequencing technologies have allowed for robust genotyping by sequencing (GBS) for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery, making the characterization of plant relationships with complex and unsequenced genomes more feasible. In the present study, we investigate the genetic diversity of cocksfoot and tall fescue ecotypes from different regions in Algeria, using the SNP variation supplied by a GBS analysis. We compared ecotypes to two common cultivars of both species. A total of 787 SNP markers for cocksfoot and 743 for tall fescue were obtained, and the diversity analysis revealed that 88% and 86% of overall variation in cocksfoot and tall fescue, respectively, were within populations rather than among them. Genetic structure analysis revealed a moderate genetic differentiation among accessions with a mean Fst value of 0.127 for cocksfoot and 0.140 for tall fescue, with high gene flow (NmOrchardgrass = 1.723, NmTall fescue = 1.535) and no significant isolation‐by‐distance pattern. A unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean tree (UPGMA) and principal component analysis revealed the genetic distinctness of populations from cultivars for each species. The flow cytometry analysis confirmed the tetraploid level of cocksfoot and the hexaploid level of all tall fescue entries but one. Although the cocksfoot populations were distinct from the cultivars, the Ruines de djemila population had the broadest base and showed the closest relative relationship to the two cultivars. Similarly, the FE5729 tall fescue population showed the closest relationship to the two tall fescue cultivars.
Lower physical activity and altered body composition in patients with haemophilia compared with healthy controls
Authors: Putz Peter , Klinger Meike , Male Christoph , Pabinger Ingrid
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Patients with haemophilia (PWH) have traditionally been discouraged from engaging in sports and strenuous exercise activities, due to the perceived risk of bleeding complications. This puts PWH at an increased risk to become overweight or obese. However, the benefits of many forms of physical activity seem to outweigh their risks, although activities with significant trauma risk should be avoided.

Aim

To evaluate physical activity patterns and body composition of adult PWH.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study compared data on physical activity from tri‐axial accelerometers and body composition of 18 male adult PWH (aged 18–49 years) on prophylactic replacement therapy and without acute joint bleedings to those of 24 healthy age‐matched controls, by means of Mann‐Whitney‐U‐Tests.

Results

Median moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity was significantly (p = .000) lower in PWH (34.6 min/day) than in healthy controls (65.2 min/day). Body mass index was almost similar between PWH and controls (25.1 vs 24.2 kg/m2, p = .431). Yet, we found a consistent trend towards less desirable outcomes across body composition parameters, such as median body fat rate (23.5 vs 17.0%, p = .055) in PWH, compared with controls.

Conclusion

Although physical activity has been recommended for PWH since the mid‐1970s, the physical activity engagement of adult PWH was still severely limited, possibly due to over‐cautiousness but presumably also in consequence of chronic pain. Poor physical activity engagement may well be expected to contribute to the increased body fat and decreased leg muscle mass. Consequently, policies should focus on improving the knowledge and motivation of PWH to engage in health‐enhancing physical activity.
Health‐related quality of life and health status in adolescent and adult people with haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors—A non‐interventional study
Authors: Oldenburg Johannes , Tran Huyen , Peyvandi Flora , Núñez Ramiro , Trask Peter , Chebon Sammy , Mahlangu Johnny N. , Lehle Michaela , Jiménez‐Yuste Victor , von Mackensen Sylvia
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Real‐world data on health‐related outcomes in persons with haemophilia A (PwHA) can provide useful information for improving patient care. The global, non‐interventional study (NIS; NCT02476942) prospectively collected high‐quality data in PwHA, including those without factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors treated according to local routine clinical practice.

Aim

To report health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and health status of adult/adolescent PwHA without FVIII inhibitors.

Methods

Participants were PwHA without FVIII inhibitors age ≥12 years; they remained on existing episodic treatment or prophylaxis. HRQoL was assessed by Haemophilia Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults (Haem‐A‐QoL) or Haemophilia‐Specific Quality of Life Assessment for Children and Adolescents Short Form (Haemo‐QoL‐SF II). Health status was assessed through EuroQol 5‐Dimensions 5‐Levels (EQ‐5D‐5L) index utility score and visual analogue scale (EQ‐VAS).

Results

Ninety‐four participants enrolled; median age was 34.0 years (range 12–76). Forty‐five received episodic treatment and 49 received prophylaxis for a median time of 27.7 weeks and 30.4 weeks, respectively. Mean (standard deviation) baseline Haem‐A‐QoL total scores were 40.1 (17.0) for the episodic group and 26.6 (14.6) for the prophylaxis group, indicating impairments in HRQoL, which remained consistent over time. Mean EQ‐5D‐5L IUS scores were similar between treatment regimens (0.8 episodic; 0.9 prophylaxis) and consistent over time. The mean EQ‐VAS scores were similar between treatment regimens, and lower on days when bleeding occurred (79.0 vs 85.0 for episodic treatment; 77.0 vs 82.0 for prophylaxis, respectively).

Conclusions

Adult and adolescent PwHA without FVIII inhibitors had HRQoL impairments regardless of whether they were treated with episodic or prophylactic standard care with FVIII.
Microbiological and physicochemical characterisation of green table olives of Halkidiki and Conservolea varieties processed by the Spanish method on industrial scale
Authors: Tzamourani Aikaterini P. , Di Napoli Elisa , Paramithiotis Spiros , Economou‐Petrovits Georgios , Panagiotidis Stavros , Panagou Efstathios Z.
Published: February 2021

The microbiological and physicochemical changes of industrially fermented Halkidiki and Conservolea green table olives were determined. Samples were analysed to monitor the population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae, together with changes in pH, acidity, salinity, colour, lactic acid, acetic acid and ethanol. LAB and yeast species diversity was evaluated at the beginning (1 day), middle (75 days) and final (135 days) stages of fermentation by RAPD‐PCR genomic fingerprinting. Results revealed vigorous lactic acid processes as indicated by the dominance of LAB over yeasts. No Enterobacteriaceae could be detected after 30 days. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) dominated in the beginning of fermentation in both varieties. In the end, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (formerly Lactobacillus pentosus) and Pediococcus ethanolidurans prevailed in Halkidiki and Conservolea varieties, respectively. As for yeasts, Kluyveromyces lactis/marxianus and Pichia manshurica prevailed at the onset of fermentation in Halkidiki and Conservolea varieties, whereas in the end Pichia membranifaciens dominated in both varieties.
Effect of laughter yoga on mental symptoms and salivary cortisol levels in first‐year nursing students: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ozturk Fatma Ozlem , Tezel Ayfer
Published: February 2021

Background

University students are faced with several stress factors affecting their mental health. Therefore, the first year at university is a period that calls for careful attention and research.

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of laughter yoga on mental symptoms and cortisol levels in nursing students.

Methods

This study is a randomized controlled study employing a pre‐/post‐test design with a control group. A total of 75 healthy university students were assigned to the intervention group and control group. The Brief Symptom Inventory was applied to both groups before Session 1 and after Session 8. Saliva samples were taken from the students to measure their cortisol levels before and after each session.

Results

Evaluation of the mean scores obtained from the Brief Symptom Inventory before and after the intervention showed a significant decrease in the scores between groups (P< 0.05). In three out of the eight sessions, there was a significant decrease in the intervention group compared with the control group regarding the mean values of pre‐test and post‐test salivary cortisol levels (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

Laughter yoga can provide an effective means to help first‐year nursing students cope with stress and reduce mental symptoms.
Telehealth in cancer care: during and beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Burbury Kate , Wong Zee‐Wan , Yip Desmond , Thomas Huw , Brooks Peter , Gilham Leslie , Piper Amanda , Solo Ilana , Underhill Craig
Published: February 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has precipitated the rapid uptake of telehealth in cancer care and in other fields. Many of the changes made in routine clinical practice could be embedded beyond the duration of the pandemic. This is intended as a practical guide to cancer clinicians and others in establishing and improving the quality of consultations performed by telehealth.
Being a patient with early stage Parkinson disease: reaction to the diagnosis and management
Authors: Blacker David J.
Published: February 2021

This personal viewpoint, written by a neurologist with Parkinson disease (PD), is to provide a patient's perspective, to accompany the clinical perspective in this issue of the Intenal Medicine Journal entitled 'Approach to the patient with early stage Parkinson disease'. The aim is to provide a personal insight into the numerous issues surrounding early diagnosis and management of PD, from the position of being a physician patient.
Development and dissemination of the national strategic action plan for reducing inappropriate polypharmacy in older Australians
Authors: Kouladjian O'Donnell Lisa , Reeve Emily , Cumming Anne , Scott Ian A. , Hilmer Sarah N.
Published: February 2021

A cohesive, national approach is needed to address inappropriate polypharmacy in older adults and promote deprescribing. We describe the dissemination of the Quality Use of Medicines to Optimise Ageing in Older Australians: Recommendations for a National Strategic Action Plan to Reduce Inappropriate Polypharmacy, and the initiatives taken to date that align with, and assist in operationalising this plan.
The effect of drying methods on viscoelastic behaviour of dehydrated fruits and vegetables
Authors: Krokida Magdalini K. , Maroulis Zacharias B.
Published: February 2021

The effect of drying methods on the theological behaviour of dehydrated apple, banana, carrot and potato was examined by uniaxial compression tests on cylindrical specimens. Samples were dehydrated using four different drying methods: osmotic, conventional, vacuum and freeze drying. After drying samples at varying final moisture, the contents were tested for compressibility using pressures ranging from 0.02 to 8 kg kg‐1 db. A simple mathematical model was used to describe the viscoelastic behaviour of the examined materials. Four parameters with physical meaning were incorporated in the model: the maximum stress (γmax), the maximum strain (εmax), the elastic parameter (E) and the viscoelastic exponent (p). It was shown that all the parameters were dependent on both the drying method and the material. Osmotic dehydration seems to increase the viscous nature of fruits and decrease their elasticity, while freeze‐dried materials seem to have the most elastic structure.
Development of magnetically switchable high permittivity microwave dielectrics using La(Al1‐xFex)O3
Authors: Gonzales Justin , Gajare Siddhesh , Newman Nathan
Published: February 2021

The introduction of transition metal doping, particularly Fe3+, into high‐performance microwave dielectrics can make “smart” materials that switch between a high‐Q, low loss state and a low‐Q, high loss state using a small external magnetic field. In this study, the dielectric and magnetic properties of the high permittivity host material LaAlO3 (εr = 22.5), when doped with Fe3+, are reported. Spin losses dominate the loss tangent at cryogenic temperatures and survive up to room temperature. Peaks in the loss tangent versus temperature relation are observed near 40, 75, and 215 K. Additional measurements of samples exposed to annealing in varying environments, combined with Debye analysis and the results of native defect energy predictions from density functional calculations[Phys Rev B. 2009;80:104115], allows us to associate the 40, 75, and 215 K peaks to the following reactions, , , and , respectively.
“I don’t have any emotions”: An ethnography of emotional labour and feeling rules in the emergency department
Authors: Kirk Kate , Cohen Laurie , Edgley Alison , Timmons Stephen
Published: February 2021

Aims

This study aims to apply Hochschild's theory of emotional labour to emergency care, and uncover the ‘specialty‐specific’ feeling rules driving this labour. Despite the importance of positive nurse well‐being, the emotional labour of nursing (a great influencer in wellbeing) remains neglected.

Design and Methods

Ethnography enabled immersion in the ED setting, gathering the lived experiences and narratives of the ED nursing team. We undertook first‐hand observations at one major trauma centre ED and one district general ED including semi‐structured interviews (18). A reflexive and interpretive approach towards thematic analysis was used.

Results

We unearthed and conceptualized four feeling rules born from this context and offer extensive insights into the emotional labour of emergency nurses.

Conclusion

Understanding the emotional labour and feeling rules of various nursing specialties offers critical insight into the challenges facing staff ‐ fundamental for nursing well‐being and associated retention programs.

Impact

What problem did the study address?

What were the main findings?

Where and on whom will the research have impact?

Academically, this research expands our understanding ‐ we know little of nurses’ feeling rules and how specialties influence them. Clinically, (including service managers and policy makers) there are practical implications for nurse well‐being.
Migrants and residents of a long‐lived seabird differ in their behavioural response to a stressor
Authors: Gatt Marie Claire , Granadeiro José Pedro , Catry Paulo
Published: February 2021

Inter‐individual variation in behaviour has been recognised as a major driver of population ecology, but its relationship to migratory strategy has been ill‐explored. Here, we investigated whether male migrant and resident Cory's shearwaters Calonectris borealis, a long‐lived partially migratory seabird, are distinguishable by their temperament at the colony. We tracked a large number of individuals over two winters using GLS devices and assessed whether exploratory behaviour and reaction to extraction from the nest corresponded to migratory strategy over this period. While exploratory behaviour was unrelated to migratory strategy, birds that were resident were more likely to be unreactive towards extraction from the nest. This difference in behavioural stress response, together with previous findings that migrants display higher physiological stress over winter, suggests that migrants and residents may be distinguishable by their stress threshold.
Effects of age and weather during moult on mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides structural colouration
Authors: Ward Genevieve M. , Mahoney Sean M. , Joly Stephen , Reudink Matthew W.
Published: February 2021

Birds exhibit a vast array of colours and ornaments and while much work has focused on understanding the function and evolution of carotenoid‐based colours (red, orange, yellow), structural colouration (blue, green, purple, iridescent) can also play a key role in sexual signaling. Several studies have examined how factors such age may influence structural colour, however few studies have looked at how structural colour may be influenced by environmental conditions such as variation in weather conditions experienced during moult. In this study, we examined variation in structural colour expression in relation to age as well as rainfall and temperature during post‐breeding moult for a population of mountain bluebirds Sialia currucoides in western Canada over nine breeding seasons. Overall, we found structural colouration was explained by sex, age and weather patterns during moult. At a population level, tail and rump feathers from males were more colourful (higher brightness and chroma, hue values shifted more towards UV) than females, and adults were more colourful than juvenals. Male and female rump feathers generally became less colourful with age. Noise‐receptor colour models revealed colour differences were discernible among sexes, suggesting bluebird colouration is an important sexual signal. Tail and rump plumage variation was associated with weather during moulting periods, though the effects were sex‐ and age‐dependent. Female plumage was generally more colourful following wetter and warmer early summers, while males were more colourful following warmer late summers, and plumage of older birds was more resilient to colour variation due to weather patterns. We suggest that more rainfall may increase insect abundance and thus improve food intake and overall condition of mountain bluebirds. This is one of the first studies to examine how both age and weather conditions concurrently influence the expression of structural colours in birds.
Latitudinal variation in arrival and breeding phenology of the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca using large‐scale citizen science data
Authors: Nicolau Pedro G. , Burgess Malcolm D. , Marques Tiago A. , Baillie Stephen R. , Moran Nick J. , Leech Dave I. , Johnston Alison
Published: February 2021

Many species have advanced the timing of annual reproductive cycles in response to climatic warming, sometimes leading to asynchrony between trophic levels, with negative population consequences. Long‐distance migratory birds, reliant on short seasonal food pulses for breeding, are considered particularly susceptible to such disjunction because late arrival may preclude optimal timing of egg‐laying. It is unknown whether the relative timing of arrival and egg‐laying is sufficiently plastic, in time and space, to enable an adaptive response when arrival times change relative to local food resources. We used citizen science data, describing pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca arrival and egg‐laying dates, to explore temporal (2013–2016) and spatial (across Great Britain) variation in the phenology of arrival, laying and their difference. To assess the long‐term trend in arrival and laying at a single location, we used data from a long‐term field study. The arrival‐laying interval was consistently shorter in the north, driven by the contrast between spatial variation in arrival date and spatial invariance in laying date. To understand whether a short arrival‐laying interval may have consequences for productivity, we assessed the association between this interval and clutch size. We found no statistically significant correlation between these two variables. To examine long‐term changes in arrival and laying dates, we focussed on a single location in southwestern England. Both dates of first male arrival and first egg laid in a season advanced since 1986, with no evidence of interval shortening. Together, our results demonstrate spatial and annual variation in the arrival‐laying interval, with no detected effect on fecundity. Thus, the interval from arrival to laying is likely dictated by spatially and temporally varying local conditions, suggesting these migrant birds may have the ability to adapt this interval to align with local conditions and mitigate potential mismatch impacts.
Nestling diet and parental food provisioning in a declining mountain passerine reveal high sensitivity to climate change
Authors: Barras Arnaud G. , Niffenegger Carole A. , Candolfi Ivan , Hunziker Yannick A. , Arlettaz Raphaël
Published: February 2021

Mountain ecosystems naturally experience strong seasonal weather variations leading to a brief peak in food availability that constrains bird reproduction. Climate change accentuates both the intra‐ and interannual weather variability, which in turn can reduce the predictability of food resources and hence impact population demography. Yet, relatively little is known about the influence of environmental factors on the breeding ecology of mountain birds. Here, we quantified the nestling diet and provisioning behaviour of the Alpine ring ouzel Turdus torquatus alpestris, an emblematic and declining thrush species typical of central European treeline ecotones, and relate these parameters to local weather conditions. Nests were monitored with camcorders to assess prey provisioning frequency and identify items delivered by parents to nestlings, as well as to estimate prey biomass. Our results indicate the prominence of earthworms (Lumbricidae) in the nestling diet, both in terms of abundance (80%) and biomass (90%). Elevated ambient temperatures negatively impacted both prey provisioning rates and biomass delivered to chicks by parents, while rainfall had a positive effect on the delivered biomass. The mean prey item biomass decreased throughout the breeding season, as did the proportion of earthworms in nestlings' diet. These findings highlight the key role played by local weather in parental provisioning behaviour, probably reflecting the low availability of the staple food source, earthworms, in warm and dry weather contexts. In particular, they underpin how climate alterations, notably increasing ambient temperatures and changing precipitation regimes, could impact mountain birds. Although effects on reproductive performance and population dynamics still ought to be studied, these results further our understanding of the ecological mechanisms potentially at play in the decline of wildlife inhabiting high‐elevation, climate‐sensitive ecosystems.
The uropygial gland microbiome of house sparrows with malaria infection
Authors: Videvall Elin , Marzal Alfonso , Magallanes Sergio , Fleischer Robert C. , Espinoza Kathya , García‐Longoria Luz
Published: February 2021

Birds secrete preen oil from the uropygial (preen) gland which is used to maintain feather integrity and communicate through odour. The uropygial secretion is believed to influence host attractiveness to biting insects, thereby altering the risk of infection by vector‐transmitted blood parasites. Previous studies have documented a presence of bacteria in the uropygial secretion; however, the microbial community in the gland is still largely unknown. In addition, we have no information yet as to whether there are any associations between these uropygial gland microbes and haemosporidian parasite infection. Here, we characterise the microbiome of the uropygial gland secretion in 23 wild‐caught house sparrows Passer domesticus from Peru and investigate whether individuals with natural malaria Plasmodium infection have different preen oil microbiota than uninfected birds. We found no differences in microbial alpha diversity or richness, and malaria infection explained approximately 5% of the overall microbiome composition, however, this was not statistically significant. On the other hand, birds with malaria infection had significantly higher abundances of bacteria from the genera Arthrobacter and Micrococcus in their gland, whereas uninfected birds harboured higher abundances of Rhodococcus, Phenylobacterium and Enhydrobacter. These first results of the uropygial gland microbiome in malaria‐infected birds illustrate the presence of a more specific relationship between certain members of the gland microbiota and Plasmodium parasites in birds, which opens up new questions on the role of the uropygial gland in avian health.
Genetic diversity, differentiation and historical origin of the isolated population of rooks Corvus frugilegus in Iberia
Authors: Salinas Pablo , Morinha Francisco , Literak Ivan , García Javier , Milá Borja , Blanco Guillermo
Published: February 2021

Current bird populations in southern temperate latitudes often represent relicts of glacial refugia from which northern populations expanded as the climate became suitable following the last glacial maximum, 18 000 years before present. Alternatively, these southern populations could be the result of the fragmentation of large distributions and other processes not related to glaciations, like recent recolonization from northern populations and human impact in historical times. Here, we investigate the origin of a small, isolated population of rooks Corvus frugilegus in north‐western Iberia. We use genetic data from mitochondrial sequence markers and seven microsatellite loci to assess levels of genetic diversity, structure and gene flow among extant populations in Iberia and its broad distribution across western Europe. Microsatellite markers revealed the existence of two genetic clusters corresponding to Iberia and the remaining European populations, respectively. Haplotype networks based on mtDNA markers revealed a marked star‐like phylogenetic pattern and evidence of a recent population expansion in northern Europe, but not in the Iberian population. Our results suggest that contemporary gene flow between Iberia and western Europe is restricted, and that breeding recruitment over recent generations in the Iberian population is local. The results are consistent with a relatively recent post‐glacial colonization of Europe and western Siberia by rooks surviving the last glacial maximum in an Iberian refugium, and likely from refugia in other southern peninsulas. The unique ecological features and genetic differentiation of the Iberian rooks underscore the importance of ensuring the long‐term conservation of this declining population.
Prognostic values and immune suppression of the S100A family in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zhuang Hongkai , Chen Xinming , Dong Fengying , Zhang Zedan , Zhou Zixuan , Ma Zuyi , Huang Shanzhou , Chen Bo , Zhang Chuanzhao , Hou Baohua
Published: February 2021

S100 calcium‐binding protein A (S100A) family members regulate multiple biological functions related to pancreatic cancer (PC) progression and metastasis. However, the prognostic and oncologic values of S100A family have not been systematically investigated in PC. In the present study, the mRNA expression and potential functions of S100A family were investigated by bioinformatic analysis. Our results demonstrated that overexpression of S100A2, S100A6, S100A10, S100A11, S100A14 and S100A16 was significantly associated with higher T stage, advanced histologic grade and worse prognosis in PC. Besides, one CpG of S100A2, three CpG of S100A6, four CpG of S100A10, four CpG of S100A11, two CpG of S100A14 and five CpG of S100A16 were negatively associated with corresponding S100A family members expression and positively associated with overall survival (OS). The signature based on four CpGs showed good prediction ability of OS. Besides, S100A2 overexpression took part in the regulation of mitotic cell cycle, ECM‐receptor interaction and HIF‐1α transcription factor network. Overexpression of S100A6, S100A10, S100A11, S100A14 and S100A16 may impair the infiltration and cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells through focal adhesion‐Ras‐stimulating signalling pathway in PC. Overall, this study explores the multiple prognostic values and oncologic functions of the S100A family in PC.
Left atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation: Mechanisms, clinical evaluation and management
Authors: Ma Jin , Chen Qiuxiong , Ma Shiyu
Published: February 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the commonest arrhythmia, shows associations with various disease conditions. Mounting evidence indicates that atrial fibrosis is an important part of the arrhythmogenic substrate, with an essential function in the generation of conduction abnormalities that underlie the transition from paroxysmal to persistent AF, which in turn contributes to AF perpetuation. Left atrial (LA) fibrosis is considered a possible major factor and predictor in AF treatment. The present review provides insights into LA fibrosis’ association with AF. The information is focused on clinical aspects and mechanisms, clinical evaluating methods that evaluate fibrosis changes and examining possible options for the prevention of atrial fibrosis.
When Trust Fades, Facebook Is No Longer a Friend: Shifting Privatisation Dynamics in the Context of Cybersecurity as a Result of Disinformation, Populism and Political Uncertainty
Authors: Carrapico Helena , Farrand Benjamin
Published: February 2021

This article discusses how populism and political uncertainty are impacting on one of the main current trends in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, namely the privatisation of JHA. Through an exploration of a cybersecurity policy case study, the article proposes to understand how the privatisation of internal security, which has resulted in private actors shaping JHA policies and regulation, is currently being disrupted. Through the use of the theoretical lenses of Regulatory Capitalism, the article argues that this change is directly related to a reduction in trust relations between the State and certain private sector actors, which occurs when priorities in addressing populism and political uncertainty are perceived to diverge.
Historical patent data: A practitioner's guide
Authors: Andrews Michael J.
Published: February 2021

I provide a primer on six recent large‐scale historical patent data sets for use in innovation research. I discuss how each data set is constructed, the types of patent information included in each, and the quality and completeness of each. Throughout, I emphasize when our knowledge of the history of invention is dependent on the data source used and provide recommendations about which data set is most likely to be best for different contexts. Overall, these data sets paint a remarkably consistent picture of the history of U.S. invention. When the data sets do disagree, these differences tend to be minor, although I highlight some important exceptions. I further describe several “niche” historical patent data sets that allow researchers to study institutional contexts that cannot be studied using modern data. Finally, I discuss features of patent data that are not available for the historical patents but are available for modern patents.
Nursing‐homes' competition and distributional implications when the market is two‐sided
Authors: Bardey David , Siciliani Luigi
Published: February 2021

We investigate the effect of competition in the nursing‐homes sector with a two‐sided market approach. Using a Hotelling model, our key findings are that (i) the two‐sidedness of the market leads to higher wages for nurses, (ii) this is then passed to residents in the form of higher prices, and (iii) nursing‐homes profits are instead unaffected. In contrast, when nurses wages are regulated, the two‐sidedness of the market implies a transfer between residents and nursing homes. When residents' price is regulated, it implies a transfer between nurses and nursing homes. These key results are generally robust to institutional settings which employ pay‐for‐performance schemes, the presence of altruistic motives of nursing homes and the heterogeneity in residents reservation utility.
COVID‐19 and the generation of novel scientific knowledge: Evidence‐based decisions and data sharing
Authors: Perillat Lucie , Baigrie Brian S.
Published: February 2021

Rationale, aims and objectives

The COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted every facet of society, including medical research. This paper is the second part of a series of articles that explore the intricate relationship between the different challenges that have hindered biomedical research and the generation of novel scientific knowledge during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In the first part of this series, we demonstrated that, in the context of COVID‐19, the scientific community has been faced with numerous challenges with respect to (1) finding and prioritizing relevant research questions and (2) choosing study designs that are appropriate for a time of emergency.

Methods

During the early stages of the pandemic, research conducted on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) sparked several heated debates with respect to the scientific methods used and the quality of knowledge generated. Research on HCQ is used as a case study in both papers. The authors explored biomedical databases, peer‐reviewed journals, pre‐print servers and media articles to identify relevant literature on HCQ and COVID‐19, and examined philosophical perspectives on medical research in the context of this pandemic and previous global health challenges.

Results

This second paper demonstrates that a lack of research prioritization and methodological rigour resulted in the generation of fleeting and inconsistent evidence that complicated the development of public health guidelines. The reporting of scientific findings to the scientific community and general public highlighted the difficulty of finding a balance between accuracy and speed.

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 pandemic presented challenges in terms of (3) evaluating evidence for the purpose of making evidence‐based decisions and (4) sharing scientific findings with the rest of the scientific community. This second paper demonstrates that the four challenges outlined in the first and second papers have often compounded each other and have contributed to slowing down the creation of novel scientific knowledge during the COVID‐19 pandemic.