bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CEO Network Centrality and the Likelihood of Financial Reporting Fraud
Authors: Chahine Salim , Fang Yiwei , Hasan Iftekhar , Mazboudi Mohamad
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the association between CEO's relative position in the social network and the likelihood of being involved in corporate fraud. Tracing a large sample of US publicly listed firms, we find that CEO network centrality is inversely related to the likelihood of fraudulent financial reporting. We also document a significant spillover effect of financial reporting behaviour from the dominant (most central) CEO to other CEOs in the same social network, suggesting that the ethical corporate behaviour of CEOs is, on average, influenced by that of their dominant CEO in the network. We further find that the role of CEO network centrality in reducing fraud risk is more prominent in firms with lower auditor quality. Overall, our results suggest that network centrality is an important CEO trait that promotes ethical financial reporting behaviour within social networks.
Factors associated with high Altmetric Attention Score in dermatology research
Authors: Iglesias‐Puzas Álvaro , Conde‐Taboada Alberto , Aranegui‐Arteaga Beatriz , López‐Bran Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Background

Alternative metrics are emerging scores to assess the impact of research beyond the academic environment.

Objective

To analyse whether a correlation exists between manuscript characteristics and alternative citation metrics.

Materials and methods

This bibliometric analysis included original articles published in the five journals with the highest impact factors during 2019.

We extracted the following characteristics from each record: journal, publication month, title, number of authors, type of institution, type of publication, research topic, number of references, financial support, free/open access status and literature citations. The main measure was the identification of variables of higher social attention (measured by the Altmetric Attention Score ≥25) using binary logistic regression. Model performance was assessed by the change in the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

A total of 840 manuscripts were included. The Altmetric scores across all five journals ranged from 0 to 465 (mean 12.51 ± 33.7; median 3). The most prevalent topic was skin cancer, and the study design was clinical science. The scientific journal (P < 0.001), the presence of conflicts of interest (OR 2.2 [95%CI 1.3–3.7]; P = 0.002) and open access status OR 3.2 [95%CI 1.6–6.7]; P = 0.002) were found as independent predictors of high Altmetric scores.

Conclusions

Our study suggests an article´s social recognition may be dependent on some manuscript characteristics, thus providing useful information on the dissemination of dermatology research to the general public.
The Clouclip, a wearable device for measuring near‐work and outdoor time: validation and comparison of objective measures with questionnaire estimates
Authors: Wen Longbo , Cheng Qian , Cao Yingpin , Li Xiaoning , Pan Lun , Li Lei , Zhu Haogang , Mogran Ian , Lan Weizhong , Yang Zhikuan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To validate a novel wearable device that can measure both viewing distance and light exposure, Clouclip, and compare questionnaire estimates regarding near‐work and outdoor time with the objective measures obtained using Clouclip.

Methods

Fifteen Clouclips were selected to measure different distances and levels of illuminance. With each Clouclip, five measurements at different distances and light intensities were measured and recorded. Eighty participants wore Clouclips for a week and completed an activity questionnaire afterwards.

Results

The intra‐ and inter‐Clouclip coefficients were 1.00 and 0.99 for measuring distance and 1.00 and 1.00 for illuminance, respectively. Within the measurement limit, the maximum relative error was 2.07% for distance and 2.23% for illuminance. Assuming that <30 cm was the typical distance for near‐work activities and >1000 Lux was the typical cut‐off for outdoor environments, the questionnaire showed a trend of overestimation for both. The greatest overestimation of near‐work occurred during the school period [Questionnaire: 4.73 hr (4.73, 5.07) versus Clouclip: 2.16 hr (1.74, 2.78); p < 0.01]. The greatest overestimation of outdoor activity also occurred during the school period [Questionnaire: 1.60 hr (1.33, 1.85) versus Clouclip: 1.21 hr (0.96, 1.50); p < 0.01]. Based on Clouclip, the total time spent outdoors was estimated to be 1.55 hr on school days, of which 0.34 hr occurred after school. For weekend days, however, the duration was only 0.17 hr.

Conclusions

Clouclip had excellent precision and accuracy. Although the agreement between the questionnaire and Clouclip was relatively poor, they were able to complement each other to provide a more logical and feasible assessment of exposure to near‐work and outdoor activity. Indoor‐oriented lifestyles were found to predominate in Chinese children.
A simple, safe and sensitive method for SARS‐CoV‐2 inactivation and RNA extraction for RT‐qPCR
Authors: Kalnina Lelde , Mateu‐Regué Àngels , Oerum Stephanie , Hald Annemette , Gerstoft Jan , Oerum Henrik , Nielsen Finn Cilius , Iversen Astrid K. N.
Published: March 2021

The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has created an urgent need for diagnostic tests to detect viral RNA. Commercial RNA extraction kits are often expensive, in limited supply, and do not always fully inactivate the virus. Together, this calls for the development of safer methods for SARS‐CoV‐2 extraction that utilize readily available reagents and equipment present in most standard laboratories. We optimized and simplified a RNA extraction method combining a high molar acidic guanidinium isothiocyanate (GITC) solution, phenol and chloroform. First, we determined the GITC/RNA dilution thresholds compatible with an efficient two‐step RT‐qPCR for B2M mRNA in nasopharyngeal (NP) or oropharyngeal (OP) swab samples. Second, we optimized a one‐step RT‐qPCR against SARS‐CoV‐2 using NP and OP samples. We furthermore tested a SARS‐CoV‐2 dilution series to determine the detection threshold. The method enables downstream detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 by RT‐qPCR with high sensitivity (~4 viral RNA copies per RT‐qPCR). The protocol is simple, safe, and expands analysis capacity as the inactivated samples can be used in RT‐qPCR detection tests at laboratories not otherwise classified for viral work. The method takes about 30 min from swab to PCR‐ready viral RNA and circumvents the need for commercial RNA purification kits.
Unmanned aerial systems‐based monitoring of the eco‐geomorphology of coastal dunes through spectral Rao'sQ
Authors: Malavasi Marco , Bazzichetto Manuele , Komárek Jan , Moudrý Vítězslav , Rocchini Duccio , Bagella Simonetta , Acosta Alicia T. R. , Carranza Maria L.
Published: March 2021

Question

Does spectral diversity captured by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) provide reliable information for monitoring the eco‐geomorphological integrity of Mediterranean coastal dune ecosystems? Can this information discriminate between two coastal areas with low (LP) and high (HP) human pressure?

Location

Tyrrhenian coast, Central Italy.

Methods

By processing UAS images, we derived the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and topographic variables at high spatial resolution (0.5 m) for 150 m wide strips starting from the coastline inland on two representative coastal tracts under low and high human pressure. We mapped the sea–inland heterogeneity applying Rao'sQindex to the plant biomass (NDVI) and geomorphology variables (elevation and slope). Since Rao'sQindex can be calculated in a multidimensional space, we summarized the variability of these three variables into a single eco‐geomorphological layer. We then inspected and compared how the Rao'sQindex values for plant biomass, geomorphology and eco‐geomorphology change as a function of the distance from the sea between the two coastal sites.

Results

Rao'sQheterogeneity values vary along the sea–inland gradient of well‐preserved sites (LP). The maximum eco‐geomorphological heterogeneity was found at intermediate distances from the sea and decreased toward the inner sector where the dune geomorphology was more stable and vegetation more homogeneously distributed. Instead, Rao'sQheterogeneity values featured constant low values along the gradient on the HP site, highlighting a simplified eco‐geomorphological gradient related to the high human pressure.

Conclusions

Using UAS, the eco‐geomorphological gradient of coastal dunes can be quantified at a very fine spatial resolution over management‐relevant extents. Rao'sQindex applied to sensing imagery successfully captured the differences in the eco‐geomorphological heterogeneity along the sea–inland dune gradient and among sites with different levels of anthropic pressure. This approach supports frequent surveys and is particularly suitable for spatial monitoring of key coastal functions and services.
Factor copula models for mixed data
Authors: Kadhem Sayed H. , Nikoloulopoulos Aristidis K.
Published: March 2021

We develop factor copula models to analyse the dependence among mixed continuous and discrete responses. Factor copula models are canonical vine copulas that involve both observed and latent variables, hence they allow tail, asymmetric and nonlinear dependence. They can be explained as conditional independence models with latent variables that do not necessarily have an additive latent structure. We focus on important issues of interest to the social data analyst, such as model selection and goodness of fit. Our general methodology is demonstrated with an extensive simulation study and illustrated by reanalysing three mixed response data sets. Our studies suggest that there can be a substantial improvement over the standard factor model for mixed data and make the argument for moving to factor copula models.
The impact of bolgerization versus partial resection of the middle turbinate on frontal sinusotomy patency outcome: A randomised controlled study
Authors: Khafagy Yasser , Ghonim Mohamed , Elgendy Ahmed , Elzayat Saad
Published: March 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the effects of middle turbinate resection vs bolgerization on the incidence of middle meatus synechia and their prognostic value on the patency outcomes after frontal sinusotomy.

Design

A randomised controlled study.

Setting

Tertiary centre hospital.

Main outcome measures

Thirty‐eight patients undergoing bilateral frontal sinusotomy for chronic frontal sinusitis were included. Partial middle turbinate resection was alternated with bolgerization in both nasal cavities of every patient. The Lund‐Kennedy endoscopic scores (LKESs) for both sides were compared at the first, third and sixth months postoperatively. Middle meatus synechia was assessed using the visual analogue score (VAS). Sinus patency was assessed at the end of the sixth month using a 70° nasal endoscope.

Results

The sinus patency outcome was significantly higher in the resected group (34\38) than the bolgerized group (26\38), (P = .047*). The VAS scores suggested that the middle turbinate bolgerization group showed a significantly higher incidence of middle meatal synechia than the partial middle turbinate resection group (4.47 ± 2.617 vs 3.29 ± 2.301; P = .040*).

Conclusion

Middle turbinate resection showed more favourable results than bolgerization concerning the sinus patency outcome after frontal sinusotomy. It also showed a lower incidence of middle meatus synechia postoperatively.
Scaling up private land conservation to meet recovery goals for grassland birds
Authors: Pavlacky David C. , Hagen Christian A. , Bartuszevige Anne M. , Iovanna Rich , George Thomas Luke , Naugle David E.
Published: March 2021

Long‐term population declines have elevated recovery of grassland avifauna to among the highest conservation priorities in North America. Because most of the Great Plains is privately owned, recovery of grassland bird populations depends on voluntary conservation with strong partnerships between private landowners and resource professionals. Despite large areas enrolled in voluntary practices through U.S. Department of Agriculture's Lesser Prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) Initiative (LPCI), the effectiveness of Farm Bill investments for meeting wildlife conservation goals remains an open question. Our objectives were to evaluate extents to which Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and LPCI‐grazing practices influence population densities of grassland birds; estimate relative contributions of practices to regional bird populations; and evaluate percentages of populations conserved relative to vulnerability of species. We designed a large‐scale impact‐reference study and used the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions program to evaluate bird population targets of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture. We used point transect distance sampling to estimate density and population size for 35 species of grassland birds on private lands enrolled in native or introduced CRP plantings and LPCI‐prescribed grazing. Treatment effects indicated CRP plantings increased densities of three grassland obligates vulnerable to habitat loss, and LPCI grazing increased densities of four species requiring heterogeneity in dense, tall‐grass structure (α= 0.1). Population estimates in 2016 indicated the practices conserved breeding habitat for 4.5 million birds (90% CI: 4.0–5.1), and increased population sizes of 16 species , totaling 1.8 million birds (CI: 1.4–2.4). Conservation practices on private land benefited the most vulnerable grassland obligate species (AICcweight = 0.53). By addressing habitat loss and degradation in agricultural landscapes, conservation on private land provides a solution to declining avifauna of North America and scales up to meet population recovery goals for the most imperiled grassland birds.
GAPeDNA: Assessing and mapping global species gaps in genetic databases for eDNA metabarcoding
Authors: Marques Virginie , Milhau Tristan , Albouy Camille , Dejean Tony , Manel Stéphanie , Mouillot David , Juhel Jean‐Baptiste
Published: March 2021

Aim

Environmental DNA metabarcoding has recently emerged as a non‐invasive tool for aquatic biodiversity inventories, frequently surpassing traditional methods for detecting a wide range of taxa in most habitats. The major limitation currently impairing the large‐scale application of eDNA‐based inventories is the lack of species sequences available in public genetic databases. Unfortunately, these gaps are still unknown spatially and taxonomically, hindering targeted future sequencing efforts.

Innovation

We propose GAPeDNA, a user‐friendly web interface that provides a global overview of genetic database completeness for a given taxon across space and conservation status. As an application, we synthetized data from regional checklists for marine and freshwater fishes along with their IUCN conservation status to provide global maps of species coverage using the European Nucleotide Archive public reference database for 19 metabarcoding primers. This tool automatizes the scanning of gaps in these databases to guide future sequencing efforts and support the deployment of eDNA inventories at larger scale. This tool is flexible and can be expanded to other taxa and primers upon data availability.

Main conclusions

Using our global fish case study, we show that gaps increase towards the tropics where species diversity and the number of threatened species are the highest. It highlights priority areas for fish sequencing like the Congo, the Mekong and the Mississippi freshwater basins which host more than 60 non‐sequenced threatened fish species. For marine fishes, the Caribbean and East Africa host up to 42 non‐sequenced threatened species. By presenting the global genetic database completeness for several primers on any taxa and building an open‐access, updatable and flexible tool, GAPeDNA appears as a valuable contribution to support any kind of eDNA metabarcoding study.
Political realism as reformist conservatism
Authors: Favara Greta
Published: March 2021

For realists, political theories exhibit an anti‐moralist character when their normativity stems from an appraisal of the value and the specificities of real political practices. While realists agree on such a characterisation of the realist project, they split when it comes to explaining to what extent realist political normativity can provide us with a critical perspective on the status quo. The most recent contributions on this topic are polarised. Some contributors interpret political realism as an approach to politics that leads to an affirmation of the status quo. Others suggest that political realism might lead to radical transformations of the status quo. In this paper, I argue that it is possible to identify a consistent middle ground between these alternative interpretations: the interpretation of political realism as a form of reformist conservatism. Moreover, I defend the reformist‐conservative interpretation of political realism as superior to the extant ones. Contrary to the rival interpretations, I show that the reformist‐conservative interpretation consistently reconciles all the fundamental tenets of political realism. Furthermore, I explain that while the conservatist interpretation risks undermining the normative commitment of realism and the radical interpretation leans towards an irresponsible form of political theorising, the reformist‐conservative reading avoids these pitfalls.
Environmental correlates of morphological diversity in Australian geckos
Authors: Norris Jesca , Tingley Reid , Meiri Shai , Chapple David G.
Published: March 2021

Aim

Climatic variation has long been regarded as a primary source of morphological variation. However, there is mixed support for the adherence of reptiles to ecogeographical hypotheses, such as Bergmann’s rule (body size decreases with temperature) and Allen’s rule (limb length increases with temperature). We quantified body and limb morphology among the diverse Australian gecko fauna (4 families, 30 genera, 226 of the 231 described species) to investigate environmental correlates of morphological variation in this radiation.

Location

Australia.

Major taxa studied

Geckos (Squamata: Gekkota; the families Gekkonidae, Carphodactylidae, Diplodactylidae and Pygopodidae).

Methods

We measured 20 external features of ethanol‐preserved museum specimens. We investigated whether principal component axes of morphology were correlated with three key environmental variables, and the microhabitat occupied by each species.

Results

Morphology varied greatly among Australian gecko families and genera, although there was a strong phylogenetic signal in morphology. After accounting for phylogeny, morphology was correlated with a species’ microhabitat use. Saxicolous species and species with variable microhabitat requirements (i.e., generalists) had larger body dimensions than terrestrial species. Saxicolous species also had longer proportional forelimbs and hindlimbs than terrestrial species.

Main conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of phylogeny and microhabitat use in shaping the morphology of Australian geckos. We find little evidence that Australian geckos adhere to Bergmann’s rule or Allen’s rule, suggesting that these ecogeographical hypotheses provide limited insight into the adaptive potential of lizard species to altered environmental conditions.
Governing plant‐centred eating at the urban scale in the UK: The Sustainable Food Cities network and the reframing of dietary biopower
Authors: Morris Carol , Kaljonen Minna , Hadley Kershaw Eleanor
Published: March 2021

Recent years have seen an increase in actions to address a key feature of food in the Anthropocene: the over‐production and consumption of animal‐based foods or “animalisation” of diets. However, it is unclear whether such efforts can be understood as a coherent institutional level response that will challenge hegemonic dietary biopower, a regime of governance that normalises and reproduces animal‐based food consumption. Building on scholarship that explores food governance initiatives in urban contexts and dietary biopower across a range of empirical cases, this paper explores whether, how, and with what consequences governance actors within urban food partnerships (UFPs) of the UK Sustainable Food Cities (SFC) network are working to reframe dietary biopower so that humans are disciplined to eat less animal‐based food and instead to adopt a more plant‐centred diet. Document analysis and semi‐structured interviews with SFC representatives suggest the breadth and depth of current UFP actions do not add up to a sustained challenge to hegemonic, animal‐based dietary biopower. Rather, they reveal a plant‐centred dietary biopolitical project in the making, while specific cases suggest that this project is more accurately conceptualised as arrested due to the pursuit of food system actions that are counter to and in tension with the promotion of plant‐centred eating. We suggest that a more coherent reframing of dietary biopower would entail urban food governance actors engaging consistently and robustly with the debates surrounding animal‐based foods, as well as identifying and enacting synergies between plant‐centred eating, food poverty, and local economic development agendas.
Shortening and validation of the Patient Engagement In Research Scale (PEIRS) for measuring meaningful patient and family caregiver engagement
Authors: Hamilton Clayon B. , Hoens Alison M. , McKinnon Annette M. , McQuitty Shanon , English Kelly , Hawke Lisa D. , Li Linda C.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To shorten the Patient Engagement In Research Scale (PEIRS) to its most essential items and evaluate its measurement properties for assessing the degree of patients’ and family caregivers’ meaningful engagement as partners in research projects.

Methods

A prospective cross‐sectional web‐based survey in Canada and the USA, and also paper‐based in Canada. Participants were patients or family caregivers who had engaged in research projects within the last 3 years, were ≥17 years old, and communicated in English. Extensive psychometric analyses were conducted.

Results

119 participants: 99 from Canada, 74 female, 51 aged 17‐35 years and 50 aged 36‐65 years, 60 had post‐secondary education, and 74 were Caucasian/white. The original 37‐item PEIRS was shortened to 22 items (PEIRS‐22), mainly because of low inter‐item correlations. PEIRS‐22 had a single dominant construct that accounted for 55% of explained variance. Analysis of PEIRS‐22 scores revealed the following: (1) acceptable floor and ceiling effects (<15%), (2) internal consistency (ordinal alpha = 0.96), (3) structural validity by fit to a Rasch measurement model, (4) construct validity by moderate correlations with the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool, (5) good test‐retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.86) and (6) interpretability demonstrated by significant differences among PEIRS‐22 scores across three levels of global meaningful engagement in research.

Conclusions

The shortened PEIRS is valid and reliable for assessing the degree of meaningful patient and family caregiver engagement in research. It enables standardized assessment of engagement in research across various contexts.

Patient or public contribution

A researcher‐initiated collaboration, patient partners contributed from study conception to manuscript write‐up.
Clinical and laboratory impact of concomitant syphilis infection during acute HIV
Authors: Chan P , Colby DJ , Kroon E , Sacdalan C , Pinyakorn S , Paul R , Robb M , Valcour V , Ananworanich J , Marra C , Spudich S
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Cognitive impairment has been reported in people living with HIV‐1 (PLWH) with prior syphilis, while PLWH who present with incident syphilis have reduced blood CD4 T‐lymphocyte and elevated HIV‐1 RNA levels. However, the clinical, virological and neurocognitive effects of syphilis during acute HIV‐1 (AHI) remain unknown.

Methods

Pre‐antiretroviral therapy laboratory outcomes and neurocognitive performance in a four‐test battery in the SEARCH10/RV254 AHI cohort were compared according to syphilis status, determined by serum Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and syphilis treatment history. Impaired cognitive performance was defined as having z‐scores ≤ −1 in at least two tests or ≤ −2 in at least one test.

Results

Out of 595 AHI participants (97% male, median age of 26 years and estimated duration of HIV‐1 infection of 19 days), 119 (20%) had history of syphilis (TPHA‐positive), of whom 51 (9%) had untreated syphilis (TPHA‐positive/VDRL‐positive/without prior treatment). Compared with those without syphilis (TPHA‐negative), individuals with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T‐lymphocyte levels but not higher plasma HIV‐1 RNA or lower CD4 T‐lymphocyte levels. Taking into account estimated duration of HIV‐1 infection (P < 0.001), and later Fiebig stages (III–V) (P < 0.001), those with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T‐lymphocyte levels (P = 0.049). Individuals with any syphilis (TPHA‐positive), but not untreated syphilis, had higher odds of impaired cognitive performance than those without (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

During AHI, individuals with any history of syphilis (TPHA‐positive) had poorer cognitive performance than those without syphilis. However, syphilis was not associated with worsened HIV disease measures as described in chronic infection.
Spectral optimization of beacon lights for the protection of night‐swarming mayflies
Authors: Mészáros Ádám , Kriska György , Egri Ádám
Published: March 2021

1. Negative ecological effects of artificial night‐time illumination on wildlife are becoming more and more widely investigated. Flight‐to‐light behaviour of insects is a well‐known phenomenon, which becomes really conspicuous when numerous individuals are simultaneously attracted to light. Mass mortality of night‐swarming mayflies at lamp‐lit urbanized areas, particularly at bridges, is a well‐known phenomenon. 2. White beacon lights are able to keep the mayfly swarms above the water surface. Firstly, it is beneficial for the offspring particularly in the case of protected species. Secondly, this method facilitates maintaining traffic safety on the bridge. 3. Our primary aim was to find the optimal emission spectrum for the mayfly‐protecting beacons. With equal‐intensity quasi‐monochromatic light sources, we measured the attraction of Ephoron virgo and Caenis macrura mayflies to light as a function of wavelength in the 432–744 nm spectral range. 4. We established that phototaxis of these mayflies increases with decreasing wavelength. We also estimated the attractiveness of different light source types widely used in public lighting to E. virgo. According to our results, lamp types emitting light rich in short wavelengths (cool white/bluish to the human eye) are noticeably more attractive to E. virgo and to other night‐swarming mayflies than lamp types with longer‐wavelength‐dominated emission spectra (warm white/yellowish to the human eye). 5. Finally, we report on the construction of the very first, permanently installed, spectrally optimized mayfly‐protecting beacon system on the bridge of Tahitótfalu (Northern Hungary), which was realized as a practical application of our results.
Moths are strongly attracted to ultraviolet and blue radiation
Authors: Brehm Gunnar , Niermann Julia , Jaimes Nino Luisa Maria , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Axmacher Jan Christoph , Warrant Eric , Fiedler Konrad
Published: March 2021

We carried out three choice experiments with 6116 nocturnal lepidopteran individuals (95 species, 7 families, 32 075 counts), each replicated 105 times during the seasons of 2 years. Moths were released indoors at the centre of a 10 × 10 m area with different lamps placed at each corner.

In experiment 1, lamps emitted ultraviolet (UV) (peak at 365 nm), blue (450 nm), green (520 nm) or cool white (450 and 520 nm) radiation. In experiment 2, UV was replaced by red (640 nm). In experiment 3, we used UV and three mixed radiation lamps of different emission intensities (365–520 nm).

We applied a linear mixed effect model to test for differences in attraction to the light sources.

Among all counts, 12.2% (males) and 9.2% (females) were attracted to a lamp. Among the lamp counts, 84% were made at the UV lamp in experiment 1. In experiment 2, 63% of the counts were made at the blue lamp. In experiment 3, most counts were made at the strongest mixed radiation lamp (31%), and the UV lamp (28%). Patterns were generally similar across Lepidopteran families, and for both sexes.

Moths are clearly preferentially attracted to short‐wave radiation. Even small quantities of UV radiation, emitted, for example, by metal halide lamps and certain mercury vapour tubes, will disproportionately contribute to light pollution. Since blue light also attracts moths strongly, lamps with a low proportion of blue light should be given priority in lighting planning.
Tribological investigations of the glass‐to‐metal contact during glass forming at an industrial scale
Authors: Orzol Dominik Karl , Roos Christian , Wondraczek Lothar
Published: March 2021

An industrial‐scale dynamic friction test set‐up was installed and optimized at the gob‐stage of a prototype container glass forming line. The set‐up was used to generate a fundamental understanding of the tribological interactions during container forming, considering the real‐size glass gob in the viscoelastic range and the respective contact material. The findings are universally applicable for other glass‐forming situations such as spinning, pressing, and blowing, where similar hot contact situations occur. The measured friction loss within that tribological system is correlated to different material properties. In doing so, existing knowledge is further developed, leading to new insights into the matter of glass‐metal interactions. With that a better fundamental understanding of the process at an industry level is obtained.
The increasing problem of treatment‐resistant fungal infections: a call for antifungal stewardship programs
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Venkataraman Maanasa , Renaud Helen J. , Summerbell Richard , Shear Neil H. , Piguet Vincent
Published: March 2021

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs have been widely recognized among the public health community. These programs focus majorly on bacterial infections, efficient antibiotic use, and measures to curb increasing antibacterial resistance. AMS programs are successfully established around the globe; however, very few include antifungal stewardship (AFS). The increasing incidence of superficial and invasive fungal infections, combined with delayed or inaccurate diagnosis, has contributed to the overprescribing and overuse of antifungal agents. Such increased exposure to antifungal agents may be a reason for the emergence of increasing antifungal resistance among fungal pathogens. With mounting reports of treatment failures and resistant infections, the evidence to support the need for AFS programs is increasing. AFS is an emerging branch of AMS programs that requires global attention and recognition.
Maternal glucose in pregnancy is associated with child's adiposity and leptin at 5 years of age
Authors: Blais Kasandra , Arguin Mélina , Allard Catherine , Doyon Myriam , Dolinsky Vernon W. , Bouchard Luigi , Hivert Marie‐France , Perron Patrice
Published: March 2021

Background

Exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia in pregnancy has been associated with childhood obesity. Leptin regulation might be involved in this ‘adiposity programming’ and may depend on timing of exposure.

Objectives

To investigate associations of maternal glycaemia at different periods in pregnancy with childhood adiposity and leptin levels at 5 years of age.

Methods

In a prospective pre‐birth cohort, we measured maternal glucose levels after a 50 g oral glucose challenge test at first trimester (9.8 ± 2.3 weeks) and during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at second trimester (26.5 ± 0.9 weeks). We followed up children at 5 years; we measured anthropometry and body composition using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). We measured fasting leptin levels using immunoassays (Luminex) in 328 children. We conducted linear regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Maternal glycaemia at first trimester was associated with childhood leptin levels at 5 years, independently of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and other confounders (β = .09 ± .04; P = .03). Higher post‐load glucose levels at second trimester were associated with greater total body fat percentage measured by DXA (1 hour‐glucose: β = .010 ± .004; P = .03 and 2 hours‐glucose: β = .016 ± .005; P = .002), but not with leptin levels.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that programming of leptin regulation may be sensitive to maternal hyperglycaemia specifically in early pregnancy.
Association of LncRNA‐GAS5 gene polymorphisms and PBMC LncRNA‐GAS5 level with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese population
Authors: Liu Chun‐Hong , Lu Yu‐Lan , Huang Hua‐Tuo , Wang Chun‐Fang , Luo Hong‐Cheng , Wei Gui‐Jiang , Lei Ming , Tan Tan , Wang Yan , Huang Yan‐Yun , Wei Ye‐Sheng , Lan Yan
Published: March 2021

Growth arrest‐specific 5 (GAS5) is a kind of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Previous studies showed that down‐regulation of LncRNA‐GAS5 was involved in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the regulatory mechanism of down‐expressed LncRNA‐GAS5 in SLE remains obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of LncRNA‐GAS5 polymorphism with SLE risk. And further explore how LncRNA‐GAS5 is involved in the occurrence of SLE. Here, we evaluated the relationship between the risk for the development of SLE and the 5‐base pair (AGGCA/‐) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs145204276) in the LncRNA‐GAS5 promoter region. A custom 36‐Plex SNPscan kit was used for genotyping the LncRNA‐GAS5 polymorphisms. The LncRNA‐GAS5 and miR‐21 target prediction was performed using bioinformatics software. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) were performed to assess GAS5 and miR‐21 mRNA expression and PTEN protein expression. The results revealed that rs145204276 resulted in a decreased risk of SLE (DD genotypes vs II genotypes: adjusted OR = 0.538, 95% CI, 0.30‐0.97, P = .039; ID genotypes vs II genotypes: adjusted OR = 0.641, 95% CI, 0.46‐0.89, P = .007; ID/DD genotypes vs II genotypes: adjusted OR = 0.621, 95% CI, 0.46‐0.84, P = .002; D alleles vs I alleles: adjusted OR = 0.680, 95% CI, 0.53‐0.87, P = .002). A reduced incidence of renal disorders in SLE was found to be related to ID/DD genotypes and D alleles (ID/DD genotypes vs II genotypes: OR = 0.57, 95% CI, 0.36‐0.92, P = .020; D alleles vs I alleles: OR = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.43‐0.93, P = .019). However, no significant association of rs2235095, rs6790, rs2067079 and rs1951625 polymorphisms with SLE risk was observed (P > .05). Additionally, haplotype analysis showed that a decreased SLE risk resulted from the A‐A‐C‐G‐D haplotype (OR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.49‐0.91, P = .010). Also, patients in the SLE group showed a down‐regulated expression of LncRNA‐GAS5 and PTEN than the healthy volunteers; however, patients with rs145204276 ID/DD genotypes showed up‐regulated expression of LncRNA‐GAS5 and PTEN compared with patients carrying the II genotype. Furthermore, the miR‐21 levels were considerably up‐regulated in the SLE group than the healthy volunteers, and patients with rs145204276 ID/DD genotype had lower miR‐21 levels than the ones with the II genotype. Thus, we found that the LncRNA‐GAS5/miR‐21/PTEN signalling pathway was involved in the development of SLE, where LncRNA‐GAS5 acted as an miR‐21 target, and miR‐21 regulated the expression of PTEN. These findings indicated that the rs145204276 ID/DD genotypes in the LncRNA‐GAS5 gene promoter region may be protected against SLE by up‐regulating the expression of LncRNA‐GAS5, which consecutively regulated miR‐21 and PTEN levels.
Well‐being and COVID‐19‐related worries of German children and adolescents: A longitudinal study from pre‐COVID to the end of lockdown in Spring 2020
Authors: Vogel Mandy , Meigen Christof , Sobek Carolin , Ober Peggy , Igel Ulrike , Körner Antje , Kiess Wieland , Poulain Tanja
Published: March 2021

Background

There is concern that pandemic measures put a strain on the health and well‐being of children. We investigated the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the lockdown, and social distancing on the well‐being, media use, and emotions of children and adolescents between 9 and 18 years.

Methods

We used linear and proportional odds logistic regression correcting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES) and to compare media use, peers/social support, physical, and psychological well‐being between 2019 (pre‐COVID baseline) and two time points shortly after the start of the lockdown (last week of March and April 2020, respectively) in 391 9–19‐year‐old healthy children and adolescents of the LIFE Child cohort. COVID‐19‐related feelings and their relationship to age, sex, and SES were assessed at two time points during lockdown.

Results

We found significantly lower scores in physical and psychological well‐being during lockdown compared to baseline. The effect was significantly stronger in children with medium/low SES. Perceived social support scores were also significantly lower during the lockdown. The percentage of children who had no contact with their peers (in‐person or online) increased from 3% pre‐COVID to 14% and 13% in April and March 2020, respectively. About 80% of the children missed in‐person contacts with friends. Most of the children worried more about the health of their families than their own. Sixty percent worried about the international situation at least moderately, whereas only 20% were afraid of COVID‐19 itself. The percentage of children who believed it would never be as before COVID‐19 rose from 7.4% at the beginning lockdown end of March to 16.2% a month later. In contrast, all other COVID‐19‐related worries, showed a (nonsignificant) decline during the same period.

Conclusion

Our study supports the notion that pandemic measures have to be balanced against adverse public health effects. Especially vulnerable groups have to be protected.
Food insecurity: Its prevalence and relationship to fruit and vegetable consumption
Authors: Turnbull O. , Homer M. , Ensaff H.
Published: March 2021

Background

Food insecurity in UK households is a substantial and growing concern. The present study identified those at risk of food insecurity and explored the relationship between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Methods

Data were examined from the Food and You survey (2016) for a large representative sample (n = 3118) living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A ‘Food Security Score’ and a ‘Food Changes Score’ (relating to financially driven changes to food habits) were compiled and relationships with fruit and vegetable consumption were examined.

Results

The prevalence of marginal, low and very low food security was 12.6%, 5.4% and 2.8%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption. Food security and food changes, independently, were significant predictors for fruit and vegetable consumption. With every unit increment in the Food Security Score (i.e., more food insecure), an 11% decrease in the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer was evident. Likewise, the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer decreases by 5% with every increment in the financially driven Food Changes Score.

Conclusions

A notable proportion (more than one‐fifth) experienced marginal, low or very low food security. Food insecurity and financially driven food changes were accompanied by decreases in the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer. Findings underline the potential consequences of food insecurity, and point to further work aiming to examine other dietary implications, as well as strategies to mitigate against food insecurity and its detriment.
The Pumilio RNA‐binding protein APUM24 regulates seed maturation by fine‐tuning the BPM‐WRI1 module in Arabidopsis
Authors: Huang Ruihua , Liu Mengling , Gong Guanping , Wu Pingzhi , Patra Barunava , Yuan Ling , Qin Hongting , Wang Xiaoxu , Wang Guohe , Liao Huimei , Gao Lu , Yang Chengwei , Li Hongqing , Zhang Shengchun
Published: March 2021

Pumilio RNA‐binding proteins participate in messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation and translational repression, but their roles in plant development are largely unclear. Here, we show that Arabidopsis PUMILIO PROTEIN24 (APUM24), an atypical Pumilio‐homology domain‐containing protein, plays an important part in regulating seed maturation, a major stage of plant development. APUM24 is strongly expressed in maturing seeds. Reducing APUM24 expression resulted in abnormal seed maturation, wrinkled seeds, and lower seed oil contents, and APUM24 knockdown resulted in lower levels of WRINKLED 1 (WRI1), a key transcription factor controlling seed oil accumulation, and lower expression of WRI1 target genes. APUM24 reduces the mRNA stability of BTB/POZMATH (BPM) family genes, thus decreasing BPM protein levels. BPM is responsible for the 26S proteasome‐mediated degradation of WRI1 and has important functions in plant growth and development. The 3′ untranslated regions of BPM family genes contain putative Pumilio response elements (PREs), which are bound by APUM24. Reduced BPM or increased WRI1 expression rescued the deficient seed maturation of apum24‐2 knockdown mutants, and APUM24 overexpression resulted in increased seed size and weight. Therefore, APUM24 is crucial to seed maturation through its action as a positive regulator fine‐tuning the BPM‐WRI1 module, making APUM24 a promising target for breeding strategies to increase crop yields.
The different mechanisms of peripheral and central TLR4 on chronic postsurgical pain in rats
Authors: Han Xuemin , Shao Jinping , Ren Xiuhua , Li Yaru , Yu Wenli , Lin Caihong , Li Lei , Sun Yanyan , Xu Bo , Luo Huan , Zhu Changlian , Cao Jing , Li Zhisong
Published: March 2021

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication after surgery; however, the underlying mechanisms of CPSP are poorly understood. As one of the most important inflammatory pathways, the Toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor‐kappa B (TLR4/NF‐κB) signaling pathway plays an important role in chronic pain. However, the precise role of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway in CPSP remains unclear. In the present study, we established a rat model of CPSP induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) and verified the effects and mechanisms of central and peripheral TLR4 and NF‐κB on hyperalgesia in SMIR rats. The results showed that TLR4 expression was increased in both the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of SMIR rats. However, the TLR4 expression pattern in the spinal cord was different from that in DRGs. In the spinal cord, TLR4 was expressed in both neurons and microglia, whereas it was expressed in neurons but not in satellite glial cells in DRGs. Further results demonstrate that the central and peripheral TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway is involved in the SMIR‐induced CPSP by different mechanisms. In the peripheral nervous system, we revealed that the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway induced upregulation of voltage‐gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) in DRGs, triggering peripheral hyperalgesia in SMIR‐induced CPSP. In the central nervous system, the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway participated in SMIR‐induced CPSP by activating microglia in the spinal cord. Ultimately, our findings demonstrated that activation of the peripheral and central TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway involved in the development of SMIR‐induced CPSP.
Diagnostic evaluation of urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio in dogs with gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Stiller Jenny , Defarges Alice M. , Brisson Brigitte A. , Bersenas Alexa M. E. , Pomrantz Jill S. , Lang Brittany , Pearl David L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio (UCR) is a marker for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in people.

Objectives

To assess the usefulness of UCR to predict occult GIB and distinguish upper from lower GIB in dogs.

Animals

Eighty‐nine dogs with GIB and 65 clinically healthy dogs. Dogs were grouped according to 65 overt GIB and 24 occult GIB, and based on lesion localization (37 upper, 13 lower, and 8 both).

Methods

Seventy‐four dogs were included retrospectively and 15 dogs prospectively. Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, UCR, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were compared between groups. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess if variables could distinguish occult GIB from being healthy and upper from lower GIB.

Results

The UCR was significantly higher in dogs with overt GIB compared to control dogs (P = .02) and dogs with occult GIB (P = .05). The UCR was not significantly associated with occult GIB vs being healthy, or upper vs lower GIB (P > .05 each). Dogs with higher hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit had significantly lower odds of having occult GIB than being healthy (P < .0001 each).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The UCR does not seem to be a clinically useful marker of occult GIB and appears to have poor discriminatory ability between upper and lower GIB. An increased UCR in a dog without signs of overt GIB, especially if its hematocrit is within the middle or upper reference interval, does not appear to warrant prompt prescription of gastrointestinal protectants.
Red and white clover provide food resources for honeybees and wild bees in urban environments
Authors: Kanduth Laura , Chartier Marion , Schönenberger Jürg , Dellinger Agnes S.
Published: March 2021

Pollination is a key ecological process both in wild plant species and in economically important crops. Global land use change and urbanization are known to alter plant–pollinator interactions, but our understanding of how the local (i.e. size of green area, food resource availability) and landscape (surrounding green area) context affect pollinators in urban landscapes remains understudied. We selected two co‐occurring clover species, Trifolium pratense and T. repens to assess whether mixed stands of common wildflowers provide resources for a diverse pollinator assemblage by supporting differently adapted/specialized pollinator species. We further wanted to test how environmental factors (flower diversity, resource availability, size and percentage of green area) alter plant–pollinator interactions in urban environments.

We studied the pollinator assemblage and visitation rate of pollinators in 1‐m2 plots in 21 green areas of different sizes in the city of Vienna (Austria). In addition, we assessed the surrounding landscape context by estimating the percentage of green area in perimeters of 100, 500 and 1000 m around each study plot and measured local flower resource availability.

We found that proportions of pollinator taxa differed significantly between white and red clover, with T. repens mainly pollinated by Apis mellifera, and T. pratense primarily pollinated by different bumblebee species. Visitation frequency was positively correlated to local resource availability (number of anthetic Trifolium inflorescences in each plot), but independent of the surrounding landscape context (i.e. percentage of green area).

We conclude that the establishment and maintenance even of small patches of different common wildflowers help maintain a diverse bee community in urban environments. Particularly large‐flowered species may be important for supporting long‐tongued, late emerging pollinators such as certain bumblebee species.