bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Across‐session consistency of context‐driven language processing: A magnetoencephalography study
Authors: Roos Natascha Marie , Piai Vitória
Published: May 2020

Changes in brain organization following damage are commonly observed, but they remain poorly understood. These changes are often studied with imaging techniques that overlook the temporal granularity at which language processes occur. By contrast, electrophysiological measures provide excellent temporal resolution. To test the suitability of magnetoencephalography (MEG) to track language‐related neuroplasticity, the present study aimed at establishing the spectro‐temporo‐spatial across‐session consistency of context‐driven picture naming in healthy individuals, using MEG in two test–retest sessions. Spectro‐temporo‐spatial test–retest consistency in a healthy population is a prerequisite for studying neuronal changes in clinical populations over time. For this purpose, 15 healthy speakers were tested with MEG while performing a context‐driven picture‐naming task at two time points. Participants read a sentence missing the final word and named a picture completing the sentence. Sentences were constrained or unconstrained toward the picture, such that participants could either retrieve the picture name through sentence context (constrained sentences), or could only name it after the picture appeared (unconstrained sentences). The context effect (constrained versus unconstrained) in picture‐naming times had a strong effect size and high across‐session consistency. The context MEG results revealed alpha–beta power decreases (10–20 Hz) in the left temporal and inferior parietal lobule that were consistent across both sessions. As robust spectro‐temporo‐spatial findings in a healthy population are required for working toward longitudinal patient studies, we conclude that using context‐driven language production and MEG is a suitable way to examine language‐related neuroplasticity after brain damage.
Plant community composition steers grassland vegetation via soil legacy effects
Authors: Heinen Robin , Hannula S. Emilia , De Long Jonathan R. , Huberty Martine , Jongen Renske , Kielak Anna , Steinauer Katja , Zhu Feng , Bezemer T. Martijn
Published: May 2020

Soil legacy effects are commonly highlighted as drivers of plant community dynamics and species co‐existence. However, experimental evidence for soil legacy effects of conditioning plant communities on responding plant communities under natural conditions is lacking. We conditioned 192 grassland plots using six different plant communities with different ratios of grasses and forbs and for different durations. Soil microbial legacies were evident for soil fungi, but not for soil bacteria, while soil abiotic parameters did not significantly change in response to conditioning. The soil legacies affected the composition of the succeeding vegetation. Plant communities with different ratios of grasses and forbs left soil legacies that negatively affected succeeding plants of the same functional type. We conclude that fungal‐mediated soil legacy effects play a significant role in vegetation assembly of natural plant communities.
European Academy of Neurology guideline on the management of medication‐overuse headache
Authors: Diener H. C. , Antonaci F. , Braschinsky M. , Evers S. , Jensen R. , Lainez M. , Kristoffersen E. S. , Tassorelli C. , Ryliskiene K. , Petersen J. A.
Published: May 2020

Background

The frequent use of medication to treat migraine attacks can lead to an increase in migraine frequency and is called medication‐overuse headache (MOH).

Methods

Based on the available literature in this guideline, the first step in patient management is education and counselling.

Results

Patients with MOH should be managed by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists or pain specialists and behavioral psychologists. Patients in whom education is not effective should be withdrawn from overused drugs and should receive preventive treatment with drugs of proven efficacy. Patients with MOH in whom preventive treatment is not effective should undergo drug withdrawal. Drug intake can be abruptly terminated or restricted in patients overusing simple analgesics, ergots or triptan medication. In patients with long‐lasting abuse of opioids, barbiturates or tranquilizers, slow tapering of these drugs is recommended. Withdrawal can be performed on an outpatient basis or in a daycare or inpatient setting.
Early successful reperfusion after endovascular therapy reduces malignant middle cerebral artery infarction occurrence in young patients with large diffusion‐weighted imaging lesions
Authors: Sabben C. , Desilles J. P. , Charbonneau F. , Savatovsky J. , Morvan E. , Obadia A. , Raynouard I. , Fela F. , Escalard S. , Redjem H. , Smajda S. , Ciccio G. , Blanc R. , Fahed R. , Le Guerinel C. , Engrand N. , Ben Maacha M. , Labreuche J. , Mazighi M. , Piotin M. , Obadia M.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI) is a severe complication of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). The aim of our study was to assess whether successful reperfusion after endovascular therapy (EVT) in AIS with clinical and imaging predictors of MMI decreased its occurrence.

Methods

Data were collected between January 2014 and July 2018 in a monocentric prospective AIS registry of patients treated with EVT. Patients selected were <65 years old with severe anterior circulation AIS with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >15, baseline Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging‐Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score ≤ 6 and baseline diffusion‐weighted imaging lesion volume >82 mL within 6 h of symptom onset. Successful reperfusion was defined as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia score ≥ 2b. Occurrence of MMI was the primary endpoint.

Results

A total of 66 EVT‐treated patients were included in our study. MMI occurred in 27 patients (41%). In unadjusted analysis, successful reperfusion was associated with fewer MMIs (31.8% vs. 65.0%; P = 0.015) and with more favorable outcome at 3 months (50% vs. 20%; P = 0.023). In multivariate analysis, successful reperfusion was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 0.35 (0.10–1.12) for MMI and 2.77 (0.84–10.43) for 3‐month favorable outcome occurrence.

Conclusions

Early successful reperfusion performed in patients with AIS with clinical and imaging predictors of MMI was associated with decreased MMI occurrence. Reperfusion status might be considered in evaluating the need for craniectomy in patients with early predictors of MMI.
2‐Deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐d‐glucose positron emission tomography, cortical thickness and white matter graph network abnormalities in brains of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia suggest early neuronopathy rather than axonopathy
Authors: Rajagopalan V. , Pioro E. P.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disorder, although extra‐motor degeneration is well recognized, especially in frontotemporal regions manifested as ALS with frontotemporal dementia (ALS‐FTD). Previous neuroimaging studies of the brains of ALS‐FTD patients have measured abnormalities of either grey matter (GM) or white matter (WM) structures but not of both together. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate both GM and WM in the same ALS‐FTD patient using functional and structural neuroimaging. By doing so, insights could be gained into whether neurodegeneration in ALS‐FTD is primarily a neuronopathy or axonopathy.

Methods

After high‐resolution brain 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐D‐glucose (18F‐FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained in ALS‐FTD patients and in age‐ and sex‐matched neurological controls, changes in metabolic rate, cortical thickness (CT) and WM network analysis using graph theory were analyzed.

Results

Significant reductions in 18F‐FDG PET metabolism, CT and WM connections were observed in motor and extra‐motor brain regions of ALS‐FTD patients compared to controls. Both CT and underlying WM networks were abnormal in frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes of ALS‐FTD patients with 86 of 90 brain regions showing reductions of CT.

Conclusion

Abnormalities in significantly fewer WM networks underlying the affected cortical regions suggest that neurodegeneration in brains of ALS‐FTD patients is primarily a ‘neuronopathy’ rather than an ‘axonopathy.’
A novel nomogram to predict early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Gong P. , Zhang X. , Gong Y. , Liu Y. , Wang S. , Li Z. , Chen W. , Zhou F. , Zhou J. , Jiang T. , Zhang Y.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is a vital cause of mortality and morbidity in China. Many AIS patients develop early neurological deterioration (END). This study aimed to construct a nomogram to predict END in AIS patients.

Methods

Acute ischaemic stroke patients in Nanjing First Hospital were recruited as the training cohort. Additional patients in Nantong Third People’s Hospital were enrolled as the validation cohort. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to establish the nomogram. Discrimination and calibration performance of the nomogram were tested by concordance index and calibration plots. Decision curve analysis was employed to assess the utility of the nomogram.

Results

In all, 1889 and 818 patients were recruited in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Age [odds ratio (OR) 1.075; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.059–1.091], diabetes mellitus (OR 1.673; 95% CI 1.181–2.370), atrial fibrillation (OR 3.297; 95% CI 2.005–5.421), previous antiplatelet medication (OR 0.473; 95% CI 0.301–0.744), hyper‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (OR 1.049; 95% CI 1.036–1.063) and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (OR 1.071; 95% CI 1.045–1.098) were associated with END and incorporated in the nomogram. The concordance index was 0.826 (95% CI 0.785–0.885) and 0.798 (95% CI 0.749–0.847) in the training and validation cohorts. By decision curve analysis, the model was relevant between thresholds of 0.06 and 0.90 in the training cohort and 0.08 and 0.77 in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

The nomogram composed of hyper‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, age, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, previous antiplatelet medication and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale may predict the risk of END in AIS patients.
Multicentric origin and diversification of atp6‐orf79‐like structures reveal mitochondrial gene flows in Oryza rufipogon and Oryza sativa
Authors: He Wenchuang , Chen Caijin , Adedze Yawo Mawunyo Nevame , Dong Xilong , Xi Kun , Sun Yongsheng , Dang Tengfei , Jin Deming
Published: May 2020

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a widely used genetic tool in modern hybrid rice breeding. Most genes conferring rice gametophytic CMS are homologous to orf79 and co‐transcribe with atp6. However, the origin, differentiation and flow of these mitochondrial genes in wild and cultivated rice species remain unclear. In this study, we performed de novo assembly of the mitochondrial genomes of 221 common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) and 369 Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) accessions, and identified 16 haplotypes of atp6‐orf79‐like structures and 11 orf79 alleles. These homologous structures were classified into 4 distinct groups (AO‐I, AO‐II, AO‐III and AO‐IV), all of which were observed in O. rufipogon but only AO‐I was detected in O. sativa, causing a decrease in the frequency of atp6‐orf79‐like structures from 19.9% to 8.1%. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses revealed that the different groups of these gametophytic CMS‐related genes in O. rufipogon evolved in a multicentric pattern. The geographical origin of the atp6‐orf79‐like structures was further traced back, and a candidate region in north‐east of Gangetic Plain on the Indian Peninsula (South Asia) was identified as the origin centre of AO‐I. The orf79 alleles were detected in all three cytoplasmic types (Or‐CT0, Or‐CT1 and Or‐CT2) of O. rufipogon, but only two alleles (orf79a and orf79b) were observed in Or‐CT0 type of O. sativa, while no orf79 allele was found in other types of O. sativa. Our results also revealed that the orf79 alleles in cultivated rice originated from the wild rice population in South and South‐East Asia. In addition, strong positive selection pressure was detected on the sequence variations of orf79 alleles, and a special evolutionary strategy was noted in these gametophytic CMS‐related genes, suggesting that their divergence could be beneficial to their survival in evolution.
Radiofrequency irradiation attenuates angiogenesis and inflammation in UVB‐induced rosacea in mouse skin
Authors: Son Myeongjoo , Park Joonhong , Oh Seyeon , Choi Junwon , Shim Minjung , Kang Donghwan , Byun Kyunghee
Published: May 2020

Rosacea is a skin inflammatory condition accompanied by cutaneous signs such as oedema, flushing, erythema, telangiectasia and pustules. Generally, rosacea is triggered by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. When exposed to UVB, skin epidermis thickens and produces elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, especially keratinocyte‐related VEGF, a potent angiogenic factor. The upregulations of VEGF expression and its secretion promote the formation of new blood vessels and exacerbates rosacea. In this study, radiofrequency (RF) irradiation reduced keratinocyte proliferation in the epidermal layer, the expressions of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis‐related inflammatory factors and VEGF in our UVB‐induced model of rosacea in vitro and in vivo. RF irradiation attenuated VEGF‐induced angiogenesis‐associated processes such as tube formation, cell migration and endothelial cell proliferation. Notably, blood vessel densities in the skins of UVB‐treated mice and rosacea patients were significantly decreased by RF irradiation. These results provide experimental and molecular evidence regarding the effectiveness of RF irradiation for the treatment of rosacea.
An international survey to evaluate systemic bevacizumab for chronic bleeding in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Al‐Samkari Hanny , Albitar Hasan A. , Olitsky Scott E. , Clancy Marianne S. , Iyer Vivek N.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Systemic bevacizumab is a novel targeted therapy for severe epistaxis and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), but published data are very limited.

Aim

We conducted a survey‐based study to characterize current treatment practices and physician‐reported safety and effectiveness of systemic bevacizumab for bleeding in (HHT).

Methods

A 27‐item survey was sent to physician centre directors of 31 International HHT Centers of Excellence.

Results

Response rate was 84%. Approximately half of centres had treated >10 HHT patients with systemic bevacizumab for chronic bleeding for a total of 291 patients treated. All centres utilize a 5 mg/kg dose for induction treatment and most administer six doses (range, 4‐8) every 2 weeks. However, maintenance regimens varied considerably between centres. Bevacizumab was highly effective, with 86% reporting significant (>50%) improvement in GI bleeding and/or epistaxis and haemoglobin rise in most patients treated with bevacizumab; 52% reported haemoglobin normalization in most patients. All centres reported adverse event rates <30% and two‐thirds of centres reported adverse event rates <10%. Discontinuation for adverse events or inefficacy was rare. Bleeding severity thresholds for initiation of bevacizumab were highly variable, and it is typically administered by haematologists (76% of centres). Two‐thirds of centres reported obtaining insurance approval for bevacizumab for most or all patients but 48% reported difficulty in obtaining coverage.

Conclusion

Systemic bevacizumab is widely used to treat bleeding in HHT with excellent physician‐reported effectiveness and safety. There is considerable variation in maintenance treatment practices and thresholds for initiation of bevacizumab among HHT centres.
Selling medical education to international students: time for review
Authors: Breen Kerry , Birrell Bob
Published: May 2020

Over 600 international medical students commence training in Australian medical schools each year. Government funding policies are driving medical schools to recruit more international students. The need to lobby for intern positions for domestic graduates and for international students has placed Australia's medical schools in conflicted positions. It is time for a thorough re‐examination of all aspects of medical education in Australia.
Approaches to and outcomes of future planning for family carers of adults with an intellectual disability: A systematic review
Authors: Brennan Damien , McCausland Darren , O’Donovan Mary Ann , Eustace‐Cook Jessica , McCallion Philip , McCarron Mary
Published: May 2020

Background

People with intellectual disabilities are living longer, with family homes and family caregivers increasingly identified as a key support to this ageing population of people with intellectual disabilities.

Method

This systematic review sets out existing evidence from empirically evaluated intervention studies of future care planning for adults with intellectual disability by family carers.

Results

This systematic review identified a scarcity of systematic approaches to future care planning for adults with intellectual disabilities and their family carers. However, evidence from the review suggests positive outcomes for families once they engage in a future planning process.

Conclusions

Contemporary social policy orientation, which emphasizes reliance on families to provide care, along with an ageing population of people with intellectual disabilities, and diminishing caring capacity within family networks, suggests an urgent need for a more expansive research base that evaluates approaches to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and their family carers to plan for their futures.
Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 and risk of cognitive impairment after acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Ge Jinzhuo , Li Ruyi , Yuan Pengcheng , Che Bizhong , Bu Xiaoqing , Shao Hancheng , Xu Tan , Ju Zhong , Zhang Jintao , Zhang Yonghong , Zhong Chongke
Published: May 2020

The expression of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) significantly increased after acute cerebral ischaemia and involved in neurodegeneration. The purpose was to prospectively investigate the relationship between serum TIMP‐1 with post‐stroke cognitive impairment. Our participants were from an ancillary study of China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke. 598 ischaemic stroke patients from seven participating hospitals were included. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at 3 months. 316 (52.84%) or 384 (64.21%) participants had cognitive impairment according to MMSE or MoCA, respectively. Compared with the first quartile of TIMP‐1, the multivariate‐adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest quartile were 1.80 (1.09‐2.97) for cognitive impairment defined by MMSE and 2.55 (1.49‐4.35) by MoCA. Multiple‐adjusted spline regression models showed linear associations between TIMP‐1 concentrations and cognitive impairment (P value for linearity < 0.01). The addition of TIMP‐1 to models including conventional factors improved reclassification for cognitive impairment, as shown by net reclassification index or integrated discrimination improvement (P < 0.05). Participants with both higher TIMP‐1 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 levels simultaneously had highest risk of cognitive impairment. Higher serum TIMP‐1 levels were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment after acute ischaemic stroke, independently of established risk factors.
A high‐precision method evaluating color quality of Sichuan Dark Tea based on colorimeter combined with multi‐layer perceptron
Authors: Zou Yao , Ma Wanjun , Tang Qian , Xu Wei , Tan Liqiang , Han Deyang , Tian Yun , Yuan Yue
Published: May 2020

Instrumental examination of Sichuan Dark Tea (SDT) quality instead of human panel sensory evaluation is important for quality control. This study attempted to create a high‐precision method to rapidly and accurately evaluate SDT color quality. Colorimeter combined with multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) was utilized to extract CIELAB color parameters of dried tea, liquor, and infused tea, respectively, and established the prediction models of color attributes scores with the optimal color parameters selected by a principal component analysis (PCA). MLP models established could accurately predict color total scores of SDT, the glossiness of dried tea, and chroma of infused tea (Rp = 0.889–0.989; RMSEP = 0.393–0.631). Besides, models based on tea pigments could accurately predict infused tea color total scores (Rp = 0.920, RMSEP = 0.531). Parameter a* was significantly correlated with almost all of the color evaluation factors of SDT and seemed to be the characteristic color parameter. The color quality of Sichuan Dark Tea can be excellently estimated by the method utilizing colorimeter coupled with MLP.

Practical applications

To meet the requirement of dark tea production and the costumer's expectation, this study attempted to create a high‐precision method quickly and accurately evaluating color quality of SDT. Usually, in the massive production, tea color evaluated by eyesight is time‐consuming, subjective, and has poor accuracy due to visual fatigue of human. In this work, we optimized color parameters with PCA to improve the performance of MLP models established. The results can provide a theoretical basis for the evaluation of tea color quality by instrument, and make SDT quality control more convenient, accurate, and time‐saving.
Methodological review and detailed guidance for the life cycle interpretation phase
Authors: Laurent Alexis , Weidema Bo P. , Bare Jane , Liao Xun , Maia de Souza Danielle , Pizzol Massimo , Sala Serenella , Schreiber Hanna , Thonemann Nils , Verones Francesca
Published: May 2020

Life cycle interpretation is the fourth and last phase of life cycle assessment (LCA). Being a “pivot” phase linking all other phases and the conclusions and recommendations from an LCA study, it represents a challenging task for practitioners, who miss harmonized guidelines that are sufficiently complete, detailed, and practical to conduct its different steps effectively. Here, we aim to bridge this gap. We review available literature describing the life cycle interpretation phase, including standards, LCA books, technical reports, and relevant scientific literature. On this basis, we evaluate and clarify the definition and purposes of the interpretation phase and propose an array of methods supporting its conduct in LCA practice. The five steps of interpretation defined in ISO 14040–44 are proposed to be reorganized around a framework that offers a more pragmatic approach to interpretation. It orders the steps as follows: (i) completeness check, (ii) consistency check, (iii) sensitivity check, (iv) identification of significant issues, and (v) conclusions, limitations, and recommendations. We provide toolboxes, consisting of methods and procedures supporting the analyses, computations, points to evaluate or check, and reflective processes for each of these steps. All methods are succinctly discussed with relevant referencing for further details of their applications. This proposed framework, substantiated with the large variety of methods, is envisioned to help LCA practitioners increase the relevance of their interpretation and the soundness of their conclusions and recommendations. It is a first step toward a more comprehensive and harmonized LCA practice to improve the reliability and credibility of LCA studies.
The Use of Tranexamic Acid to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Mielke Ruth T. , Obermeyer Sarah
Published: May 2020

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic pharmacologic agent with demonstrated effectiveness for reducing the incidence of death from blood loss following trauma and major surgery. In intrapartum care, TXA is being used in in conjunction with uterotonic agents to treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Based on the findings of the WOMAN trial that found TXA reduced maternal death due to PPH, the World Health Organization recommends that TXA be part of the standard comprehensive PPH treatment package, and US professional organizations recognize its use as adjunctive treatment for PPH. Evidence suggests that TXA used prophylactically in the setting of cesarean birth may decrease blood loss and the incidence of PPH. There is limited evidence for prophylactic use of TXA in women of all risk categories following vaginal birth but prophylactic use in women who have an a priori risk for PPH is being investigated. This article presents a case in which a midwife identifies a woman in active labor who has significant risk factors for PPH. In consultation with the collaborating obstetrician, TXA is given early during the third stage of labor in addition to the recommended components of active management for the purpose of preventing PPH.
The Banking View of Bond Risk Premia
Authors: HADDAD VALENTIN , SRAER DAVID
Published: May 2020

Banks' balance sheet exposure to fluctuations in interest rates strongly forecasts excess Treasury bond returns. This result is consistent with optimal risk management, a banking counterpart to the household Euler equation. In equilibrium, the bond risk premium compensates banks for bearing fluctuations in interest rates. When banks' exposure to interest rate risk increases, the price of this risk simultaneously rises. We present a collection of empirical observations that support this view, but also discuss several challenges to this interpretation.
Parenting Practices, Autonomous Motivation, and Adolescent Diet Habits
Authors: Zhang Zhengyu (Tracy) , Farris Kristen L. , Sun Mao‐Chia , Dailey René M. , Donovan Erin E.
Published: May 2020

Guided by self‐determination theory, the aim of this study was to examine whether adolescents’ autonomous motivation for making healthy diet choices mediates the association between parenting practices regarding diet and adolescent food choices. We analyzed data from the NCI FLASHE study, a survey of demographically diverse parents and their adolescent children (N = 1,646 dyads). Path models supported self‐determination theory’s assertion that indirect, encouraging parenting practices fostered internal motivation; in contrast, regulation was both positively and negatively linked to motivation depending on the model. Models also yielded direct paths between parenting practices and healthy and unhealthy diet choices. Overall, regardless of what predicted motivation, adolescents’ autonomous motivation was linked with their consumption of healthier foods and drinks. As such, cultivating a sense of internal motivation during these formative years may put young people on a path toward healthy patterns of self‐regulation later in life.
The Determinants of Chinese Foreign Direct Investment Flows in Mexican States, 2004–2014
Authors: Tuman John P. , Erlingsson Hafthor
Published: May 2020

Despite the growth of scholarship on Chinese outward foreign direct investment, we still know little about the determinants of it at the subnational level within developing countries. This article seeks to fill that gap in the literature through a study of Chinese investment across 31 Mexican states and Mexico City (formerly the Federal District). Focusing on the period of 2004 to 2014, the analysis employs a two‐part estimation method to understand why Chinese firms select some Mexican states for investment, and what drives the level of investment among states selected. The first part is estimated with pooled logistic and Firth logistic regression with adjustments for serial correlation. The second stage equations are estimated with pooled OLS with panel‐corrected and Driscoll‐Kray standard errors, and adjustments for serial correlation. We find that market size, education, and partisan control in state government exhibit an influence on both the selection stage and the level of foreign direct investment. The presence of deep‐water ports in a state is also important in the selection stage. After controlling for these influences, the models suggest that mining resources, homicides, unionization, state taxes, and other factors have no significant effect in either stage.
Divergent and linked selection shape patterns of genomic differentiation between European and North American Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Lehnert Sarah J. , Kess Tony , Bentzen Paul , Clément Marie , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: May 2020

As populations diverge many processes can shape genomic patterns of differentiation. Regions of high differentiation can arise due to divergent selection acting on selected loci, genetic hitchhiking of nearby loci, or through repeated selection against deleterious alleles (linked background selection); this divergence may then be further elevated in regions of reduced recombination. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from Europe and North America diverged >600,000 years ago and despite some evidence of secondary contact, the majority of genetic data indicate substantial divergence between lineages. This deep divergence with potential gene flow provides an opportunity to investigate the role of different mechanisms that shape the genomic landscape during early speciation. Here, using 184,295 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 80 populations, we investigate the genomic landscape of differentiation across the Atlantic Ocean with a focus on highly differentiated regions and the processes shaping them. We found evidence of high (mean FST = 0.26) and heterogeneous genomic differentiation between continents. Genomic regions associated with high trans‐Atlantic differentiation ranged in size from single loci (SNPs) within important genes to large regions (1–3 Mbp) on four chromosomes (Ssa06, Ssa13, Ssa16 and Ssa19). These regions showed signatures consistent with selection, including high linkage disequilibrium, despite no significant reduction in recombination. Genes and functional enrichment of processes associated with differentiated regions may highlight continental differences in ocean navigation and parasite resistance. Our results provide insight into potential mechanisms underlying differences between continents, and evidence of near‐fixed and potentially adaptive trans‐Atlantic differences concurrent with a background of high genome‐wide differentiation supports subspecies designation in Atlantic salmon.
OsPP2C09, a negative regulatory factor in abscisic acid signalling, plays an essential role in balancing plant growth and drought tolerance in rice
Authors: Miao Jun , Li Xianfeng , Li Xiangbo , Tan Wenchen , You Aiqing , Wu Shujun , Tao Yajun , Chen Chen , Wang Jun , Zhang Dongping , Gong Zhiyun , Yi Chuandeng , Yang Zefeng , Gu Minghong , Liang Guohua , Zhou Yong
Published: May 2020

Plants maintain a dynamic balance between plant growth and stress tolerance to optimise their fitness and ensure survival. Here, we investigated the roles of a clade A type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C)‐encoding gene, OsPP2C09, in regulating the trade‐off between plant growth and drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The OsPP2C09 protein interacted with the core components of abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and showed PP2C phosphatase activity in vitro. OsPP2C09 positively affected plant growth but acted as a negative regulator of drought tolerance through ABA signalling.

Transcript and protein levels of OsPP2C09 were rapidly induced by exogenous ABA treatments, which suppressed excessive ABA signalling and plant growth arrest. OsPP2C09 transcript levels in roots were much higher than those in shoots under normal conditions. After ABA, polyethylene glycol and dehydration treatments, the accumulation rate of OsPP2C09 transcripts in roots was more rapid and greater than that in shoots. This differential expression between the roots and shoots may increase the plant’s root‐to‐shoot ratio under drought‐stress conditions.

This study sheds new light on the roles of OsPP2C09 in coordinating plant growth and drought tolerance. In particular, we propose that OsPP2C09‐mediated ABA desensitisation contributes to root elongation under drought‐stress conditions in rice.
A Placebo Design to Detect Spillovers from an Education–Entertainment Experiment in Uganda
Authors: Wilke Anna M. , Green Donald P. , Cooper Jasper
Published: May 2020

Education–entertainment refers to dramatizations designed to convey information and to change attitudes. Buoyed by observational studies suggesting that education–entertainment strongly influences beliefs, attitudes and behaviours, scholars have recently assessed education–entertainment by using rigorous experimental designs in field settings. Studies conducted in developing countries have repeatedly shown the effectiveness of radio and film dramatizations on outcomes ranging from health to group conflict. One important gap in the literature is estimation of social spillover effects from those exposed to the dramatizations to others in the audience members’ social network. In theory, the social diffusion of media effects could greatly amplify their policy impact. The current study uses a novel placebo-controlled design that gauges both the direct effects of the treatment on audience members as well as the indirect effects of the treatment on others in their family and in the community. We implement this design in two large cluster-randomized experiments set in rural Uganda using video dramatizations on the topics of violence against women, teacher absenteeism and abortion stigma. We find several instances of sizable and highly significant direct effects on the attitudes of audience members, but we find little evidence that these effects diffused to others in the villages where the videos were aired.
Community‐based homecare nursing in Denmark: exploring factors related to substitution of nurses by ancillary health professionals
Authors: Moth Grete , Binderup Asbjørn Thalund
Published: May 2020

Background

Demographic changes and shorter hospital stays have made community‐based homecare nursing an increasingly important part of the healthcare organisation. This development may also impact the secondary healthcare system. Optimal use of resources is key to meeting the future challenges. Nevertheless, the research‐based knowledge on homecare nursing is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine factors related to homecare nursing tasks that could have been performed by ancillary health professionals.

Methods

A population‐based survey involving all homecare nurses in the homecare services in one municipality in Denmark was performed. The nurses registered all contacts during daytime for one week using a registration form with a series of items to identify factors related to possible substitution of nurse‐performed tasks. Statistical analyses were used to identify associations between specific factors and potential substitution of the performing type of healthcare professional. The study was approved by and is registered at VIA University College in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation of the EU.

Results

Homecare nurses registered 941 representative visits in the municipality. Substitution by ancillary health professionals was considered a possibility by the nurses in 28.3% of the cases. When adjusting for age, gender, type of visit, need for extra healthcare services and vulnerability, we established that the nurses more often found that ancillary health professionals could have provided the care in unplanned visits and in visits to patients above 90 years of age.

Conclusions

The results indicate potential for optimising the available nursing resources as substitution by ancillary health professionals was considered possible in numerous visits. In view of the increasing demands for community‐based homecare nursing, it is important to make the most of the available resources in the future. Substitution of nurses for some tasks could be a feasible solution.
“I don't know what to do—Could it be cultural?” The operationalization of cultural sensitivity among street‐level workers in the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration
Authors: Volckmar‐Eeg Maria Gussgard
Published: May 2020

Faced with increased global migration and a more ethnically diverse clientele, several studies stress the need for more culturally sensitive welfare services. Others warn that the focus on culture might lead to the culturalization and othering of clients from ethnic minority or migrant backgrounds. In the Norwegian context, cultural sensitivity is implemented in policy documents of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) to improve services for immigrant clients. However, the operationalization of cultural sensitivity into service delivery remains unscrutinized. Based on ethnographic fieldwork at a frontline NAV‐office, this article unpacks the practical work embedded in being culturally aware, by exploring the circumstances in which street‐level workers factor culture into their comprehension and consideration of a case. The article employs a process‐oriented approach to its analysis of caseworkers' discussion of cases. Findings show that caseworkers explicitly consider culture mainly when cases appear diffuse and intangible. The caseworkers discuss plausible explanations to make sense of these cases, only one of which is culture. Thus, the caseworkers distinguish culture from the client's ethnicity or migrant background. These findings refine the perception of street‐level workers' inability to respond to questions of ethnicity and culture, by describing the dynamic processes of implicit categorization and sensemaking embedded in being aware of culture. The study also highlights the importance of empirical, ethnographic accounts to unpack the operationalization of such theoretical and ambiguous concepts into practice.
Recurrence times of central‐southern Apennine faults (Italy): Hints from palaeoseismology
Authors: Galli Paolo
Published: May 2020

Despite Italy has one of the most complete and back‐in‐time extended seismic catalogue worldwide, our knowledge concerning the periodicity of the strongest earthquakes is still poor and debated. Whereas we are aware that almost all the highest magnitude classes (6 ≤ M ≤ 7) in the Italian peninsula are sourced by the normal fault systems paralleling the Apennines divide, the relatively low slip rates of these faults imply that the average recurrence time is often longer than the historical completeness period. This biases probabilistic seismic hazard assessment based only on historical catalogues. Since in the past 30 years the Italian earthquake geologists produced many valuable palaeoseismological data in hundreds of trenches opened across active faults, here I have tried to collect and match their results in order to evaluate the recurrence times of the faults having the most robust chronological constraints. Resulting average recurrence spans from few centuries to 3,000 years during the Holocene, whereas it is shorter in the historical period.
AKR2A interacts with KCS1 to improve VLCFAs contents and chilling tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chen Lin , Hu Wenjun , Mishra Neelam , Wei Jia , Lu Hongling , Hou Yuqi , Qiu Xiaoyun , Yu Shaofang , Wang Changlu , Zhang Hong , Cai Yifan , Sun Chunyan , Shen Guoxin
Published: May 2020

Arabidopsis thaliana AKR2A plays an important role in plant responses to cold stress. However, its exact function in plant resistance to cold stress remains unclear. In the present study, we found that the contents of very long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in akr2a mutants were decreased, and the expression level of KCS1 was also reduced. Overexpression of KCS1 in the akr2a mutants could enhance VLCFAs contents and chilling tolerance. Yeast‐2‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) results showed that the transmembrane motif of KCS1 interacts with the PEST motif of AKR2A both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of KCS1 in akr2a mutants rescued akr2a mutant phenotypes, including chilling sensitivity and a decrease of VLCFAs contents. Moreover, the transgenic plants co‐overexpressing AKR2A and KCS1 exhibited a greater chilling tolerance than the plants overexpressing AKR2A or KCS1 alone, as well as the wild‐type. AKR2A knockdown and kcs1 knockout mutants showed the worst performance under chilling conditions. These results indicate that AKR2A is involved in chilling tolerance via an interaction with KCS1 to affect VLCFA biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.
Spiritism and Umbanda in Brazil: the Indian as a Figure of Worship and the Dilution of Identity Boundaries
Authors: Isaia Artur Cesar
Published: May 2020

Brazilian Umbanda is a religion supported by trance and worship of ancestors. This religion is very close to Spirits’, codified by Allan Kardec, the magical past and with the worship of ancestors of African origin. In contrast, the Spiritism of French origin, imported by Brazil in the second half of the 19th century, developed an identity close to literacy and science, sensitizing the sociocultural elite. With those characteristics, Spiritism tried to separate from Umbanda as Umbanda tried to get closer to Spiritism. This article  discusses the figure of worship ‘the Brazilian Indian’ in Umbanda and his presence in Spiritism itself that contradict effort of his spokespersons to remove him from everything that could resemble Afro-Brazilian religions.
Solutions to the Problems Concerning Descartes’ Interactionism
Authors: Karim Md. Ezazul
Published: May 2020

Philosophy of mind in its essence philosophizes about the mind. And among many questions that it raises, the question regarding the relation between the body and the mind is of paramount importance. Among various theories considering the relation between the body and the mind, interactionism shines brightly. Advocated by the philosopher Rene Descartes it is one of the oldest and the most talked about theories. The aim of this paper is to propose some solutions to the problems concerning Rene Descartes’ interactionism. In order to do that at first interactionism is going to be discussed. Then the main points concerning Descartes’ interactionism along with the initial problems will be discussed. And finally, the solution to these problems will be proposed.
Recent Progress in Capacity Enhancement of LiFePO4 Cathode for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ahsan Zishan , Ding Bo , Cai Zhenfei , Wen Cuie , Yang Weidong , Ma Yangzhou , Zhang Shihong , Song Guangsheng , Javed Muhammad Sufyan
Published: May 2020

LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate (LFP)) is a promising cathode material due to its environmental friendliness, high cycling performance, and safety characteristics. On the basis of these advantages, many efforts have been devoted to increasing specific capacity and high-rate capacity to satisfy the requirement for next-generation batteries with higher energy density. However, the improvement of LFP capacity is mainly affected by dynamic factors such as low Li-ion diffusion coefficient and poor electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity and the diffusion of lithium ions can be enhanced by using novel strategies such as surface modification, particle size reduction, and lattice substitution (doping), all of which lead to improved electrochemical performance. In addition, cathode prelithiation additives have been proved to be quite effective in improving initial capacity for full cell application. The aim of this review paper is to summarize the strategies of capacity enhancement, to discuss the effect of the cathode prelithiation additives on specific capacity, and to analyze how the features of LFP (including its structure and phase transformation reaction) influence electrochemical properties. Based on this literature data analysis, we gain an insight into capacity-enhancement strategies and provide perspectives for the further capacity development of LFP cathode material.
Multibody Dynamics Versus Fluid Dynamics: Two Perspectives on the Dynamics of Granular Flows
Authors: Rakhsha Milad , Kelly Conlain , Olsen Nic , Serban Radu , Negrut Dan
Published: May 2020

Considering that granular material is second only to water in how often it is handled in practical applications, characterizing its dynamics represents a ubiquitous problem. However, studying the motion of granular material poses stiff computational challenges. The underlying question in this contribution is whether a continuum representation of the granular material, established in the framework of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method, can provide a good proxy for the fully resolved granular dynamics solution. To this end, two approaches described herein were implemented to run on graphics processing unit (GPU) cards to solve the three-dimensional (3D) dynamics of the granular material via two solution methods: a discrete one, and a continuum one. The study concentrates on the case when the granular material is packed but shows fluid-like behavior under large strains. On the one hand, we solve the Newton–Euler equations of motion to fully resolve the motion of the granular system. On the other hand, we solve the Navier–Stokes equations to describe the evolution of the granular material when treated as a homogenized continuum. To demonstrate the similarities and differences between the multibody and fluid dynamics, we consider three representative problems: (i) a compressibility test (highlighting a static case); (ii) the classical dam break problem (highlighting high transients); and (iii) the dam break simulation with an obstacle (highlighting impact). These experiments provide insights into conditions under which one can expect similar macroscale behavior from multibody and fluid dynamics systems governed by manifestly different equations of motion and solved by vastly different numerical solution methods. The models and simulation platform used are publicly available and part of an open source code called Chrono. Timing results are reported to gauge the efficiency gains associated with treating the granular material as a continuum.
Effect of frequency and applied voltage of an atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier discharge on breakdown and hydroxyl-radical generation with a liquid electrode
Authors: Blatz Joshua M. , Benjamin Daniel , Choudhury Faraz A. , Minkoff Benjamin B. , Sussman Michael R. , Shohet J. Leon
Published: May 2020

This work examines the effect of the frequency and peak applied voltage on hydroxyl-radical generation in a dielectric-barrier plasma discharge between a metallic needle electrode and one electrode covered with dielectric. The authors examine a system that can expose up to 96 liquid samples in an automated fashion without human intervention beyond setting the initial software configuration. Then, hydroxyl-radical concentration, measured through coumarin fluorescence, was measured for 5 s plasma exposures generated under different high-voltage conditions with frequencies from 2 to 16 kHz and amplitudes from 4 to 9 kV. Their results show that an increase in frequency and/or applied voltage, within the range prescribed above and the limits of the high-voltage power supply, can yield up to a 150% increase in fluorescence with an equivalent hydroxyl-radical increase. Applications using typical previous methods, such as the Fenton Reaction, are limited in that they continuously generate hydroxyl radicals over millisecond and longer intervals. These results establish the electrical parameters that can now be applied to polymers, like proteins, which show three dimensional structures that are flexible and fluctuate on a microsecond and nanosecond time scale, with hydroxyl-radical generation on this time scale using this device. Additionally, plasma exposures may be optimized for a great variety of proteins, devices and techniques, where hydroxyl-radical generation is of utmost importance, reducing exposure time and potential subjection of samples to harmful side effects.