bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Humans and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks Use Visual Information Similarly for the Categorization of Natural Scenes?
Authors: De Cesarei Andrea , Cavicchi Shari , Cristadoro Giampaolo , Lippi Marco
Published: June 2021

The investigation of visual categorization has recently been aided by the introduction of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which achieve unprecedented accuracy in picture classification after extensive training. Even if the architecture of CNNs is inspired by the organization of the visual brain, the similarity between CNN and human visual processing remains unclear. Here, we investigated this issue by engaging humans and CNNs in a two‐class visual categorization task. To this end, pictures containing animals or vehicles were modified to contain only low/high spatial frequency (HSF) information, or were scrambled in the phase of the spatial frequency spectrum. For all types of degradation, accuracy increased as degradation was reduced for both humans and CNNs; however, the thresholds for accurate categorization varied between humans and CNNs. More remarkable differences were observed for HSF information compared to the other two types of degradation, both in terms of overall accuracy and image‐level agreement between humans and CNNs. The difficulty with which the CNNs were shown to categorize high‐passed natural scenes was reduced by picture whitening, a procedure which is inspired by how visual systems process natural images. The results are discussed concerning the adaptation to regularities in the visual environment (scene statistics); if the visual characteristics of the environment are not learned by CNNs, their visual categorization may depend only on a subset of the visual information on which humans rely, for example, on low spatial frequency information.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors versus metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: An observational study using data from routine care
Authors: Fralick Michael , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Redelmeier Donald A. , Razak Fahad , Gomes Tara , Patorno Elisabetta
Published: June 2021

Aim

To assess the effectiveness and safety of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in treatment‐naïve patients compared with metformin.

Participants and Methods

We conducted a cohort study of US adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had not filled a prescription for a diabetes medication in the preceding year. We then identified patients who newly filled a prescription for an SGLT2 inhibitor or metformin between 2013 and 2018. The primary outcome was a composite of heart failure, myocardial infarction or stroke. Safety outcomes included hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, genital infection, lactic acidosis and acute kidney injury. After 1:1 propensity‐score (PS) matching, proportional hazards models were fit to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We identified 9964 individuals newly prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor who were PS‐matched to 9964 individuals newly prescribed metformin. The mean age was 54 years, 52% were women, and the duration of follow‐up was 213 days for metformin and 147 days for SGLT2 inhibitors. The primary outcome occurred in 54 patients (7.2 events per 1000 person‐years) who received an SGLT2 inhibitor, compared to 84 patients (8.5 per 1000 person‐years) who received metformin (HR  0.82, 95% CI 0.58, 1.15). Similar results (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69, 1.09) were observed in an analysis with longer follow‐up (ie, approximately 600 days). The rates of genital infection (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.87, 2.78) and diabetic ketoacidosis (HR 1.58, 95% CI 0.92, 2.70) were higher for patients prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor compared to metformin, while the rates of acute kidney injury (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.60, 1.47) or hypoglycaemia (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.48, 1.42) were not.

Conclusions

We observed a numerically lower rate of short‐/mid‐term cardiovascular events for patients newly prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor compared to metformin, albeit with wide CIs that include the possibility of a null effect. SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a higher rate of genital infection and diabetic ketoacidosis. Larger cohort studies and long‐term clinical trials powered to assess cardiovascular events are necessary to understand the risk‐benefit profile of SGLT2 inhibitors as first‐line therapy for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Trademark and IPO underpricing
Authors: Yang Bin , Yuan Tao
Published: June 2021

Although trademarks are mentioned in many firms’ initial public offering (IPO) prospectuses, their influences on the IPO valuation process are underexplored. This paper studies the relationship between a firm's pre‐IPO trademarks and its IPO underpricing. Using 4457 US IPOs during the period 1980–2018, we find that firms with a larger number of trademarks prior to the IPO date experience significantly less IPO underpricing. We employ a quasi‐natural experiment brought about by the 1996 Federal Trademark Dilution Act and an instrumental variable approach to establish causality. Our findings suggest that trademarks help reduce information asymmetry among various IPO participants, leading to less underpriced IPOs.
Embedding biodiversity research into climate adaptation policy and practice
Authors: Graham Victoria , Auld Tony , Beaumont Linda , Bell Linda , Dunford Suzanne , Gallagher Rachael , Hancock Nola , Leishman Michelle R. , Mitchell Polly , Staas Leigh , Hughes Lesley
Published: June 2021

Addressing climate change risks requires collaboration and engagement across all sectors of society. In particular, effective partnerships are needed between research scientists producing new knowledge, policy‐makers and practitioners who apply conservation actions on the ground. We describe the implementation of a model for increasing the application and useability of biodiversity research in climate adaptation policy and practice. The focus of the program was to increase the ability of a state government agency and natural resource practitioners in Australia to manage and protect biodiversity in a changing climate. The model comprised a five‐stage process for enhancing impact (i) initiation of research projects that addressed priority conservation policy and management issues; (ii) co‐design of the research using a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders; (iii) implementation of the research and design of decision tools and web‐based resources; (iv) collaborative dissemination of the tools and resources via government and community working groups; and (v) evaluation of research impact. We report on the model development and implementation, and critically reflect on the model's impact. We share the lessons learnt from the challenges of operating within a stakeholder group with diverse objectives and criteria for success, and provide a template for creating an environmental research program with real world impact.
Water Well Hydrographs: An Underutilized Resource for Characterizing Subsurface Conditions
Authors: Butler J.J. , Knobbe S. , Reboulet E.C. , Whittemore D.O. , Wilson B.B. , Bohling G.C.
Published: June 2021

Many of the world's major aquifers are under severe stress as a result of intensive pumping to support irrigated agriculture and provide drinking water supplies for millions. The question of what the future holds for these aquifers is one of global importance. Without better information about subsurface conditions, it will be difficult to reliably assess an aquifer's response to management actions and climatic stresses. One important but underutilized source of information is the data from monitoring well networks that provide near‐continuous records of water levels through time. Most organizations running these networks are, by necessity, primarily focused on network maintenance. The result is that relatively little attention is given to interpretation of the acquired hydrographs. However, embedded in those hydrographs is valuable information about subsurface conditions and aquifer responses to natural and anthropogenic stresses. We demonstrate the range of insights that can be gleaned from such hydrographs using data from the High Plains aquifer index well network of the Kansas Geological Survey. We show how information about an aquifer's hydraulic state and lateral extent, the nature of recharge, the hydraulic connection to the aquifer and nearby pumping wells, and the expected response to conservation‐based pumping reductions can be extracted from these hydrographs. The value of this information is dependent on accurate water‐level measurements; errors in those measurements can make it difficult to fully exploit the insights that water‐well hydrographs can provide. We therefore conclude by presenting measures that can help reduce the potential for such errors.
The effect of emicizumab prophylaxis on long‐term, self‐reported physical health in persons with haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors in the HAVEN 3 and HAVEN 4 studies
Authors: Skinner Mark W. , Négrier Claude , Paz‐Priel Ido , Chebon Sammy , Jiménez‐Yuste Victor , Callaghan Michael U. , Lehle Michaela , Niggli Markus , Mahlangu Johnny , Shapiro Amy , Shima Midori , Campinha‐Bacote Avrita , Levy Gallia G. , Oldenburg Johannes , von Mackensen Sylvia , Pipe Steven W.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Severe haemophilia A (HA) has a major impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Aim

Assess the impact of emicizumab on HRQoL in persons with severe HA (PwHA) without factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors in the phase 3 HAVEN 3 and 4 studies.

Methods

This pooled analysis examines the HRQoL of PwHA aged ≥ 18 years treated with emicizumab prophylaxis via Haemophilia‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults (Haem‐A‐QoL) and EuroQoL 5‐Dimensions 5‐levels (EQ‐5D‐5L). In particular, changes from baseline in Haem‐A‐QoL ‘Physical Health’ (PH) domain and ‘Total Score’ (TS) are evaluated.

Results

Among 176 evaluable participants, 96 (55%) had received prior episodic treatment and 80 (45%) prophylaxis; 70% had ≥ 1 target joint and 51% had experienced ≥ 9 bleeds in the previous 24 weeks. Mean Haem‐A‐QoL PH and TS improved after emicizumab initiation. Mean (standard deviation) –12.0 (21.26)‐ and –8.6 (12.57)‐point improvements were observed in PH and TS from baseline to Week 73; Week 73 scores were 27.9 (24.54) and 22.0 (14.38), respectively. Fifty‐four percent of participants reported a clinically meaningful improvement in PH scores (≥ 10 points) by Week 73. Subgroups with poorer HRQoL prior to starting emicizumab (i.e. receiving episodic treatment, ≥ 9 bleeds, target joints) had the greatest improvements in PH scores, and corresponding reductions in missed workdays; change was not detected among those previously taking prophylaxis. No change over time was detected by the EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaire.

Conclusions

Emicizumab prophylaxis in PwHA without FVIII inhibitors resulted in persistent and meaningful improvements in Haem‐A‐QoL PH and less work disruption than previous treatment.
Five years of citizen science and standardised field surveys in an informal urban green space reveal a threatened Eden for wild bees in Brussels, Belgium
Authors: Vereecken Nicolas J. , Weekers Timothy , Marshall Leon , D'Haeseleer Jens , Cuypers Maarten , Pauly Alain , Pasau Bernard , Leclercq Nicolas , Tshibungu Alain , Molenberg Jean‐Marc , De Greef Stéphane
Published: June 2021

Urbanisation is often put forward as an important driver of biodiversity loss, including for pollinators such as wild bees. However, recent evidence shows that the mosaics of urban green spaces, and in particular certain categories of informal urban green spaces (IGS), can play an important role to help native wild bees thrive in cities.

Here, we describe the results of 5 years of citizen science and standardised field surveys of wild bees conducted at the Friche Josaphat, a 24‐ha urban wasteland in the Brussels‐Capital Region (Belgium). These field surveys were initiated following the planned restructuring and partial destruction of this site by the regional authorities.

We recorded a total of 2507 specimens belonging to 127 species of wild bees, i.e. 60.5% of the 210 species recorded regionally, including nine that are threatened with extinction at national or European scales. The Friche Josaphat encompasses a significant share of the functional and phylogenetic diversity of wild bees known from the Brussels‐Capital Region and is one of the most species‐rich localities known to date for wild bees in Belgium.

Collectively, our results highlight the strong complementarity of citizen science and academic approaches in biodiversity surveys, and they reaffirm that wastelands are essential components of urban biodiversity. Our study stresses the need to provide biodiverse IGS with a formal status within the mosaic of urban green spaces but also to acknowledge and safeguard their natural capital and the multiple ecosystem services they provide.
Making sense of sensory brand experience: Constructing an integrative framework for future research
Authors: Zha Dongmei , Foroudi Pantea , Jin Zhongqi , Melewar T.C.
Published: June 2021

This study asserts that conceptualizing sensory brand experience (SBE) as an independent construct is critical to expanding our understanding of experiences provided by brands. To achieve this goal, a rigorous examination of its foundational knowledge structure underpinning the construct is urgently required. Using co‐citation analysis examining 151 SBE‐related articles with 4038 citations over more than two decades (1994–2019), six knowledge fields deemed to have constitutive influence on SBE literature have been identified: atmospherics, product evaluation, sensory marketing, service marketing, experiential marketing and brand experience. Combining the results of a hierarchical cluster analysis and a metric multidimensional scaling analysis, the authors located three fundamental premises: (1) brand settings are arbiters of brand meaning; (2) the intrinsic processing of SBE involves the entrainment of exteroceptive and interoceptive processes; and (3) SBE outcomes are non‐representational. At the end of the paper, these findings are organized into an integrative framework, highlighting research concerns and research gaps at the antecedent, processing and outcome stages. In doing so, this paper contributes to the conceptual development of SBE by constructing a doctrinal schema for future research undertakings.
Early onset of overweight among children from low‐income families: The role of exclusive breastfeeding and maternal intake of ultra‐processed food
Authors: de Melo Jayanne Mayara Magalhães , Dourado Bruna Larine Lemos Fontes Silva , de Menezes Risia Cristina Egito , Longo‐Silva Giovana , da Silveira Jonas Augusto Cardoso
Published: June 2021

Context

There is an increasing prevalence of overweight during early childhood in the most impoverished areas in Brazil, although there is a lack of evidence regarding its onset.

Objectives

To investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with overweight among low‐income children during their first year of life.

Methods

We analysed data from a prospective birth cohort study conducted in Brazil, which followed‐up children at birth, 3rd, 6th and 12th months (n = 196). The overweight incidence (zBMI/A > 2SD) was analysed using the Kaplan–Meier survival estimator and its associated factors by the Coxs regression model. Missing data were addressed with multiple imputations and results on the final adjusted model were calculated by pooling the estimates generated for each imputed dataset.

Results

The overweight incidence was 17 events/100 children‐year, and most cases occurred before the 6th month. The final model showed that children exclusively breastfed up to 30 days (vs. >30 days; HR 2.68; 95%CI 1.11–6.49) and whose mothers consumed ultra‐processed foods more than 4 times/day (vs. ≤4 times/day; HR 3.02; 95%CI 1.28–7.13) presented a higher risk of developing overweight.

Conclusion

The overweight incidence was high in this impoverished population. Shorter exclusive breastfeeding duration and an unhealthy household food environment provided a short‐term risk increase.
Does the severity of obesity influence bone density, geometry and strength in adolescents?
Authors: Julian Valérie , O'Malley Grace , Metz Lore , Weghuber Daniel , Courteix Daniel , Fillon Alicia , Boirie Yves , Duclos Martine , Pereira Bruno , Thivel David
Published: June 2021

Background

Relationships between the severity of obesity and bone health remain underexplored.

Objectives

To compare whole‐body and localized bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS) and hip geometry and strength between adolescents with obesity versus extreme obesity.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 154 adolescents (12–15 years, 62% females) who were classified as having obesity (OG, [95th–99th] percentile) or extreme obesity (EOG, >99th percentile). Fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), BMC, BMD for total‐body‐less‐head (TBLH), lumbar spine (LS), hip, TBS and geometric and strength indices at the narrow‐neck (NN), femoral shaft (FS) and intertrochanteric regions (IT) were assessed by Dual‐X‐ray Absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

There was no significant sex‐interaction. For both sexes, TBLH BMC and BMD were not different between groups. TBS was lower in EOG compared with OG in both sexes in univariate analysis and after adjustment with maturation and body weight (p < 0.05). Hip BMD was significantly higher in the EOG compared to OG only after adjustment with maturation and fat mass percentage (p < 0.05 for men, p < 0.01 for women). For both sexes, TBLH, LS and hip BMC and BMD positively correlated with weight, BMI, LM and FM. TBS negatively correlated with BMI‐percentile in both sexes, with a negative correlation with FM for males alone. Hip BMC and BMD, BMD, ACT and CSA at the three hip sites positively correlated with BMI‐percentile in males.

Conclusions

Extreme obesity impacts bone health depending on anatomical sites, altering lumbar trabecular bone in both males and females adolescents.
Desmopressin response in nocturnal enuresis without nocturnal polyuria in Japanese children
Authors: Akagawa Shohei , Tsuji Shoji , Akagawa Yuko , Yamanouchi Sohsaku , Kimata Takahisa , Kaneko Kazunari
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To evaluate whether the efficacy of desmopressin differs between patients with and without nocturnal polyuria.

Methods

A total of 65 treatment‐naïve children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis were enrolled (45 boys; median age 8.9 years). Patients received desmopressin as their first‐line treatment. Four different standards were used (Akashi and Hoashi >0.9 mL/kg/sleeping hour; Hamano >[age + 2] × 25 × 130% mL; the International Children's Continence Society >[age + 1] × 30 × 130% mL; and Rittig >[age + 9] × 20 mL) to assess nocturnal polyuria. The effectiveness of desmopressin was compared between patients with and without nocturnal polyuria according to each standard. A response was defined as a reduction in wet nights of >50%.

Results

The desmopressin treatment efficacy rate was 54% for polyuria and 67% for non‐polyuria patients (P = 0.20), 45% for polyuria and 68% for non‐polyuria patients (P = 0.08), 54% for polyuria and 59% for non‐polyuria patients (P = 0.80), and 52% for polyuria and 61% for non‐polyuria patients (P = 0.61), for the Akashi and Hoashi's, Hamano's, International Children’s Continence Society and Rittig's standards, respectively.

Conclusions

No difference was observed in the short‐term clinical efficacy of desmopressin regardless of the presence of nocturnal polyuria. Thus, this might be a feasible treatment option for patients with nocturnal enuresis without nocturnal polyuria.
Risk of symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection not associated with influenza vaccination in the 2019–2020 season
Authors: King Jennifer P. , McLean Huong Q. , Belongia Edward A.
Published: June 2021

The association of influenza vaccine and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection was assessed by test‐negative design using data collected for a study of outpatient COVID‐19‐like illness with onset dates from June to September 2020. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between receipt of 2019–2020 influenza vaccine and PCR‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 with adjustment for potential confounders. Receipt of influenza vaccine during the 2019–2020 influenza season was not associated with increased odds of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in adults (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.10) or children (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.80).
Students and instructors perspective on blended synchronous learning in a Canadian graduate program
Authors: Lakhal Sawsen , Mukamurera Joséphine , Bédard Marie‐Eve , Heilporn Géraldine , Chauret Mélodie
Published: June 2021

Blended synchronous learning (BSL) represents several contexts that enable to bring remote students into the classroom, in real time, by the means of videoconferencing, web conferencing and virtual world. As BSL seems to be more and more implemented in many higher education institutions, especially in the current context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and given the recent interest and scarce published research in BSL, more studies are needed on this kind of learning. The purpose of this research was to explore students and instructors perspective regarding their experience in BSL, according to three dimensions: pedagogy, technology and organization/logistics. To meet the study objective, a qualitative methodology was adopted. The study participants were remote students (n = 4) and face‐to‐face students (n = 4) enrolled in a graduate program in education offering only blended synchronous courses, and instructors (n = 5) in this program. Semi‐structured interviews were selected as the data collection method. Nine sub‐themes in reference to the three dimensions emerged from the study participants. They have also highlighted some challenges associated with BSL. The results reported in this study should provide faculties and higher education administrators with additional information and guidance, based on empirical data, on the use of BSL if they wish to implement it in academic programs. Moreover, in regard to the challenges revealed by the study participants, the results will permit to surpass the obstacles when implementing BSL successfully.
Evaluating the effectiveness of blended learning using the ARCS model
Authors: Ma Long , Lee Chei Sian
Published: June 2021

While the educational disruption caused by the Covid‐19 pandemic underscores the importance of blended learning in higher education, research on the effectiveness of blended learning is still inconclusive. Drawing from the motivational design model of the ARCS (i.e., attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction), this study attempts to fill the gap to evaluate effectiveness of blended learning from a multi‐dimensional perspective. Participants were randomly assigned into three experimental groups (i.e., face‐to‐face, pure online, and blended). A questionnaire survey was administered in each group after the trial courses. The data was analysed by using the one‐way ANOVA with post hoc tests. The results showed that blended learning outperformed pure online learning in enhancing students' attention, confidence, and satisfaction perceptions. Additionally, blended learning had a higher level of satisfaction perception than face‐to‐face learning. Follow‐up interviews were also conducted to provide an in‐depth understanding of how blended learning motivated students during the learning process. Considering that blended learning may become a new normal in higher education after the Covid‐19 pandemic, the findings of the present study provide evidences to support the effectiveness of the blended learning approach in addressing students' motivational needs.
Curcumin inhibits adverse psychological stress‐induced proliferation and invasion of glioma cells via down‐regulating the ERK/MAPK pathway
Authors: Wang Ping , Hao Xinwei , Li Xiaohan , Yan Yizhi , Tian Wenxiu , Xiao Lin , Wang Zhenming , Dong Junhong
Published: June 2021

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma that has an important antitumour effect, but its effect on adverse psychological stress‐induced tumour proliferation and invasion has not been reported to date. Here, we found that curcumin not only inhibited the growth of xenografts in chronically stressed nude mice, but also decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2/9 and CD147 in tumour tissues. Exogenous norepinephrine (NE) was used to stimulate glioma cells to simulate the stress environment in vitro, and it was found that curcumin inhibited the NE‐induced proliferation and invasion of glioma cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Further research found that the effects of NE on glioma cells could lead to the activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway through β‐adrenergic receptor, while curcumin suppressed the level of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, blocking ERK1/2 expression with U0126 resulted in the down‐regulated expression of CD147, which further led to the decreased expression of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Curcumin could also inhibit the expression of cyclin D1/CDK4/6 and anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2/Bcl‐XL induced by NE, and induced cell cycle changes and increased apoptosis. Therefore, curcumin may be a potential candidate drug for preventing and treating the progression of glioma induced by adverse psychological stress.
Do People Like Mandatory Rules? The Choice Between Disclosures, Defaults, and Mandatory Rules in Supplier‐Customer Relationships
Authors: Katz Ori , Zamir Eyal
Published: June 2021

In recent years, numerous empirical studies have examined the prevailing attitudes toward nudges, but hardly any have examined the prevailing attitudes toward mandatory rules. To fill this gap, this article describes five studies (N = 3,103)—mostly preregistered studies conducted with representative samples of the U.S. population—which tested people's attitudes toward mandatory rules in contractual settings. We found that in supplier‐customer relationships, people tend to rate mandatory rules as more desirable than disclosure duties and default rules. People's judgments in this regard depend on the relative effectiveness of the various types of rules in protecting customer's interests and their expected impact on the price, but there is considerable support for mandatory rules even if they are only slightly or moderately more effective than the alternatives, and even when they entail some price increase. People tend to believe that mandatory rules in this sphere enhance customers' freedom of contract—which may explain why these judgments are not correlated with people's ideological inclinations (liberal or conservative).
Large bank shareholders and terms of bank loans during the global financial crisis
Authors: Álvarez‐Botas Celia , Fernández‐Méndez Carlos , González Víctor M.
Published: June 2021

This paper analyzes the influence of large bank shareholders on the terms of bank loans for a sample of 12,045 loans to 3,290 borrowers from 45 countries over the period 2004–2013. We investigate the effects of bank control over bank loan terms during the global financial crisis, regardless of whether the bank shareholder is a lender or not. In line with a monitoring effect, the results suggest that firms with bank shareholders that are non‐lenders borrowed at lower interest rates and longer maturities during the period of crisis. However, borrowers paid higher spreads and were offered shorter maturities when they borrowed from banks that are also shareholders. This effect is consistent with banks obtaining private benefits as large shareholders as a consequence of the informational hold‐up problems affecting borrowers.
Memory for public events in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: The role of hippocampus and ventro‐medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Serra Laura , De simone Maria Stefania , Fadda Lucia , Perri Roberta , Caltagirone Carlo , Bozzali Marco , Carlesimo Giovanni A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Current theories assume that retrograde memory deficits for semantic information in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are temporally graded and partially sparing most remote memories. Moreover, these models assume a prevalent role of the hippocampus in early phases of memory consolidation and of the prefrontal mesial neocortical areas in permanent consolidation of traces.

Purpose

To explore the relationship between hippocampus and memory accuracy for the most recent public events and between the ventro‐medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and memory accuracy irrespective of the memory age, we investigated in aMCI patients the retrograde memory for public events and its relationship with grey matter volume reductions in the hippocampus and vmPFC.

Methods

18 aMCI patients and 13 healthy subjects (HS) underwent a modified version of the Famous Events questionnaire (FEq) to assess their memory performance for public events. Patients underwent 3T‐MRI scanning to assess correlations between FEq’s scores and grey matter volumes.

Results

aMCI showed significantly reduced performances on FEq compared to HS in the recollection of most recent events, while no significant difference was observed for more remote memories, thus demonstrating a temporal gradient. Moreover, hippocampal volumes predicted accuracy scores for most recent, but not older, public events. Finally, an area in the subcallosal portion of the vmPFC, corresponding to BA32, predicted accuracy scores on FEq irrespective of the period examined.

Conclusions

Pathological changes in a neural circuit linking hippocampal to medial prefrontal cortical regions are responsible for impaired recollection of retrograde memories in aMCI.
Integrating and differentiating personality and psychopathology: A psychodynamic perspective
Authors: Luyten Patrick , Fonagy Peter
Published: June 2021

Several strands of research converge to suggest that personality and psychopathology can be integrated in the form of a hierarchical model of individual differences. The notion that personality and psychopathology are intrinsically linked has a long tradition within psychodynamic approaches. In this article, we first summarize empirical evidence supporting two related key assumptions of psychodynamic approaches to personality and psychology: that a developmental, person‐centered approach is needed to complement a static, disorder‐centered approach in the conceptualization and treatment of psychopathology; and that personality and psychopathology are best conceptualized as dynamic attempts at adaptation. Research in each of these areas supports the notion that personality and psychopathology are difficult to separate and may be moderated by severity (i.e., general psychopathology) such that increasing levels of severity result in increased intrinsic coupling between the two. We then discuss these findings in the context of a newly emerging social‐communicative approach to human development that suggests that personality and psychopathology are better conceptualized in terms of a disorder of social communication, and that the purported rigidity and stability typically attributed to them are largely explained by the stability of the environmental mechanisms that underpin them, rather than by stable intrapersonal traits. The implications of these new views for the future of the science of personality and psychopathology, and for treatment strategies, are discussed.
The association between facets of conscientiousness and performance‐based and informant‐rated cognition, affect, and activities in older adults
Authors: Sutin Angelina R. , Aschwanden Damaris , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio
Published: June 2021

Objective

To identify facets of conscientiousness associated with objective cognitive performance, informant‐rated cognitive decline, and informant‐rated affect and activities implicated in cognitive health.

Method

Health and Retirement Study participants (N = 2,516) reported on their personality, completed a comprehensive cognitive assessment, and had knowledgeable informants report on their cognition, affect, and activities.

Results

Industriousness and responsibility were associated with better cognitive performance; order was associated with less informant‐rated cognitive decline. The facets were also associated with more positive affect, less negative affect, greater engagement in cognitive activities and activities outside the house, and less engagement in passive activities, as rated by a knowledgeable informant. Informant‐rated engagement in cognitive activities mediated the association between self‐reported responsibility and objective cognitive performance.

Conclusions

Tendencies toward achievement and accountability were associated with healthier cognitive performance and daily profiles that support cognitive health, whereas organization was associated with cognition as reported by a knowledgeable informant. The differential pattern of correlates is informative for the theoretical processes that link distinct facets of conscientiousness to healthier cognitive aging.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality in children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia: A retrospective review at a paediatric tertiary centre
Authors: Kishimoto Kenji , Kasai Masashi , Kawamura Noriko , Otake Shogo , Hasegawa Daiichiro , Kosaka Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2021

Aim

The objective of this study was to describe clinical features and to assess the risk factors associated with mortality in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia in a tertiary Japanese paediatric care hospital.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with P. aeruginosa bacteraemia at our hospital between 2007 and 2018 were analysed in a retrospective case series. Inadequate initial therapy for P. aeruginosa bacteraemia was defined as initial treatment without antipseudomonal antibiotics or an administration of antipseudomonal agent to which the causative strain was resistant. Bacteraemia‐related death was defined as all deaths occurring within 7 days after the onset of bacteraemia.

Results

Overall, 41 patients with 42 P. aeruginosa bacteraemia episodes were identified. The most common underlying condition was malignancy (27%), followed by congenital heart disease (20%) and preterm birth (17%). Among the 42 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, 24% were resistant to at least one of the antipseudomonal agents and 10% were resistant to more than one agent. The susceptibility levels for piperacillin, fourth‐generation cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin were higher than that for carbapenems. Bacteraemia‐related death was observed in 43% of episodes. The 30‐day all‐cause mortality was 50% (standard error 8%). Neonates, intensive care, mechanical ventilation, afebrile episodes, septic shock, hypoxia, renal injury and inadequate initial therapy were associated with bacteraemia‐related death episodes.

Conclusions

We found that childhood P. aeruginosa bacteraemia is still a high mortality disease. Our results imply the importance of the identification of high‐risk patients and the establishment of adequate empirical antibiotic therapy.
Native plant species show evolutionary responses to invasion by Parthenium hysterophorus in an African savanna
Authors: Oduor Ayub M. O.
Published: June 2021

Invasive plant species often competitively displace native plant species but some populations of native plant species can evolve adaptation to competition from invasive plants and persist in invaded habitats. However, studies are lacking that examine how variation in abiotic conditions in invaded landscapes may affect fitness of native plants that have adapted to compete with invasive plants.

I tested whether invasion by Parthenium hysterophorus in Nairobi National Park – Kenya may have selected for native plant individuals with greater competitive ability than conspecific naïve natives in nutrient‐rich and mesic soil conditions. I compared vegetative growth and seed yields of invader‐experienced and conspecific naïve individuals of seven native species.

Invader‐experienced natives grew shorter than naïve natives regardless of growth conditions. Nevertheless, the two groups of native plants also exhibited treatment‐specific differences in competitive ability against P. hysterophorus. Invader‐experienced natives displayed plasticity in seed yield under drought treatment, while naïve natives did not. Moreover, drought treatment enhanced competitive effects of invader‐experienced natives on P. hysterophorus, while nutrient enrichment relaxed competitive effects of invader‐experienced natives on the invader.

The results suggest that P. hysterophorus may have selected for shorter native plant genotypes that also exhibit plasticity in competitive ability under drought conditions.
Beyond leaf habit: generalities in plant function across 97 tropical dry forest tree species
Authors: Vargas G. German , Brodribb Tim J. , Dupuy Juan M. , González‐M. Roy , Hulshof Catherine M. , Medvigy David , Allerton Tristan A. P. , Pizano Camila , Salgado‐Negret Beatriz , Schwartz Naomi B. , Van Bloem Skip J. , Waring Bonnie G. , Powers Jennifer S.
Published: June 2021

Leaf habit has been hypothesized to define a linkage between the slow‐fast plant economic spectrum and the drought resistance‐avoidance trade‐off in tropical forests (‘slow‐safe vs fast‐risky’). However, variation in hydraulic traits as a function of leaf habit has rarely been explored for a large number of species.

We sampled leaf and branch functional traits of 97 tropical dry forest tree species from four sites to investigate whether patterns of trait variation varied consistently in relation to leaf habit along the ‘slow‐safe vs fast‐risky’ trade‐off.

Leaf habit explained from 0% to 43.69% of individual trait variation. We found that evergreen and semi‐deciduous species differed in their location along the multivariate trait ordination when compared to deciduous species. While deciduous species showed consistent trait values, evergreen species trait values varied as a function of the site. Last, trait values varied in relation to the proportion of deciduous species in the plant community.

We found that leaf habit describes the strategies that define drought avoidance and plant economics in tropical trees. However, leaf habit alone does not explain patterns of trait variation, which suggests quantifying site‐specific or species‐specific uncertainty in trait variation as the way forward.
Effects of the different administration frequencies of teriparatide (PTH [1‐34]) on new bone formation of expanded midpalatal sutures in rats: A histomorphometric and micro‐computed tomography analysis
Authors: Koca Cansu Gül , Sadry Sanaz , Asker Hasan , Çiçek Muhammet Fatih , Kösehasanoğulları Meryem , Kaya Gürkan
Published: June 2021

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 4 μg/kg teriparatide administered at intermittent and continuous frequencies on bone formation in the expanded midpalatal suture region using histomorphometric and micro‐computed tomography (micro‐Ct) analysis. Settings and sample population: In this study, 24 Sprague Dawley male rats were used.

Methods

The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups as follows: Group 1: only maxillary expansion, Group 2: maxillary expansion with continuous teriparatide administration (2 μg in the morning and 2 μg in the evening) and Group 3: maxillary expansion with intermittent teriparatide administration (daily 4 μg/kg). The expansion appliance was fixed to maxillary incisors of all animals within the 5‐day expansion period, followed by a 12‐day retention phase. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the retention period, and specimens were evaluated by micro‐Ct and histomorphometric analysis respectively.

Results

The results of the histomorphometric analysis showed that Group 3 had the highest number of osteoblasts (1042 ± 90.76) (P < .01). In addition, the results of micro‐Ct analysis revealed that Group 3 had the highest bone volume/total volume (16% ± 0), bone mineral density (173.82 ± 2.6 mgHA/cm3) and least midpalatal suture width (0.13 ± 0.001 mm) (P < .01). Osteoblasts number and micro‐Ct analysis values of Group 2 were higher than those of Group 1 but no significant differences between them (P > .01).

Conclusion

Intermittently administered TP (4 μg/kg once a day) was seen to enhance bone formation and mineralization. In the future, it can be used in drug studies that will increase or stimulate bone formation as well as in the midpalatal suture area.
Automated landmarking for palatal shape analysis using geometric deep learning
Authors: Croquet Balder , Matthews Harold , Mertens Jules , Fan Yi , Nauwelaers Nele , Mahdi Soha , Hoskens Hanne , El Sergani Ahmed , Xu Tianmin , Vandermeulen Dirk , Bronstein Michael , Marazita Mary , Weinberg Seth , Claes Peter
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To develop and evaluate a geometric deep‐learning network to automatically place seven palatal landmarks on digitized maxillary dental casts.

Settings and Sample Population

The sample comprised individuals with permanent dentition of various ethnicities. The network was trained from manual landmark annotations on 732 dental casts and evaluated on 104 dental casts.

Materials and Methods

A geometric deep‐learning network was developed to hierarchically learn features from point‐clouds representing the 3D surface of each cast. These features predict the locations of seven palatal landmarks.

Results

Repeat‐measurement reliability was <0.3 mm for all landmarks on all casts. Accuracy is promising. The proportion of test subjects with errors less than 2 mm was between 0.93 and 0.68, depending on the landmark. Unusually shaped and large palates generate the highest errors. There was no evidence for a difference in mean palatal shape estimated from manual compared to the automatic landmarking. The automatic landmarking reduces sample variation around the mean and reduces measurements of palatal size.

Conclusions

The automatic landmarking method shows excellent repeatability and promising accuracy, which can streamline patient assessment and research studies. However, landmark indications should be subject to visual quality control.
Premature atrial complexes can predict atrial fibrillation in ischemic stroke patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tao Yirao , Xu Jing , Gong Xin , Sun Jingyi , Yang Donghui
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose

Several studies have explored premature atrial complexes (PACs) as high‐risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) in ischemic stroke patients; however, the results were controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to examine whether PACs can predict AF in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the published literature in PubMed, Embase, and Wiley‐Cochrane library databases from inception through August 18, 2020. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed by the fixed‐effect model or the random‐effect model based on heterogeneity.

Results

We identified 12 eligible studies including 2340 stroke patients with a mean age of 65.9 years. PACs were highly associated with AF occurrence in stroke (pooled OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 3.06–5.65) and cryptogenic stroke patients (pooled OR: 3.72, 95% CI: 2.66–5.20). Subgroup analysis showed PAC presence and frequent PACs were correlated with stroke in AF patients (pooled OR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.65–8.36 and pooled OR: 5.12, 95% CI: 3.12–8.41, respectively). Frequent PACs were identified as the risks for asymptomatic AF (OR: 6.18, 95% CI: 3.23–11.83) and future AF occurrence (OR: 3.71, 95% CI: 2.62–5.26) in stroke patients. The definition of frequent PACs was inconsistent, and was >70 beats/24 h based on Holter monitoring.

Conclusions

PACs confer high risks for asymptomatic AF and future AF occurrence in stroke patients.
Eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio in Japanese junior high school students
Authors: Takahashi Hiroshi , Sano Hironari , Hayashi Yuusaku , Nishimura Rimei
Published: June 2021

Background

This epidemiological study investigated the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio (EAR) and docosahexaenoic acid/ arachidonic acid ratio (DAR) in ninth‐graders in Japan.

Methods

A total of 175 ninth‐grade children from Tsunan Town (115 boys and 60 girls) were enrolled in the study between 2015 and 2017. All participants were assessed during annual health checkups to determine their EAR and DAR. All data were compared between boys and girls using the Mann–Whitney test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to describe the strengths of correlations between the EAR, DAR, and relevant parameters.

Results

The median (minimum, maximum) EAR and DAR of all participants were 0.13 (0.05, 0.46) and 0.47 (0.25, 0.84), respectively. There was no significant difference in the EAR between boys and girls at 0.12 (0.05, 0.46) and 0.13 (0.06, 0.27) (P = 0.375), respectively. The DAR was not significantly different (P = 0.125). There was a significant positive correlation between EAR and triglyceride, body mass index, and homeostasis model assessment but a significantly negative correlation with HbA1c (r = −0.209, P = 0.006). In contrast, there was no significant correlation between DAR and any parameters.

Conclusions

This is the first epidemiological study investigating the EAR using a population‐based cohort of Japanese adolescents. The EAR in boys/girls in Japan is 0.12 (0.05, 0.46)/0.13 (0.06, 0.27). The study results suggest that children with a healthy diet may generally have a lower average blood glucose level.
Pollination of the strongly scented Sarcoglottis acaulis (Orchidaceae) by male orchid bees: nectar as resource instead of perfume
Authors: Albuquerque N. S. L. , Milet‐Pinheiro P. , Cruz D. D. , Navarro D. M. A. F. , Machado I. C.
Published: June 2021

The Neotropical orchid genus Sarcoglottis comprises ~40 species, which emit strong floral scents, presumably involved in pollinator attraction. Information on basic aspects of its natural history is scant, with the few studies available so far pointing to nectar‐seeking orchid bees as pollinators. Here, we investigated the reproductive biology of Sarcoglottis acaulis, addressing the ecological meaning of its floral scent.

In Atlantic Forest fragments of NE Brazil, we described the floral biology, determined the breeding system and recorded the pollinators of S. acaulis. Additionally, we chemically characterized its floral scent and assessed its role on pollinator attraction.

Although self‐compatible, S. acaulis depends on pollinators to boost fruit set. Male orchid bees of Eulaema atleticana and E. niveofasciata were the only recorded pollinators. They foraged for nectar only, in spite of the strong scent emitted by S. acaulis flowers. The floral scent is composed of six compounds, of which geraniol and nerol elicited electroantennographic responses in Eulaema bees. A synthetic mixture of these compounds attracted Eulaema bees in field assays but did not trigger the stereotyped scent‐gathering behaviour.

The floral scent of S. acaulis acts in signalling and nectar is the sole reward for pollinators. Despite the low pollinator frequency, S. acaulis shows a high fruit set (77%), particularly when compared to other orchids. Attributes such as pollinia that release small pollen loads, allowing a single pollinia‐carrying bee to pollinate several flowers, low amount of nectar, steady‐state flowering and traplining behaviour of pollinators, might act together to assure this outstanding fruit set.