bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial assembly of grassland communities and interrelationships with productivity
Authors: Cheng Changjin , He Nianpeng , Li Mingxu , Xu Li , Sun Osbert Jianxin
Published: February 2023

Knowledge on the fine‐scale spatial aggregation is pertinent for deciphering plant community dynamics, as interactions among sessile plants mainly occur in the neighbourhood. However, the spatial assemblage mechanism and interrelationships with productivity remain poorly understood.

Here, species segregation index (Mscom) was used to quantify the interspecific segregation (or intraspecific aggregation) of the neighbourhood in plant communities from three contrasting plateaus. We employed the coordinates for 125,726 individual plants (within 1 m2 plots) sampled in natural grassland communities across two temperate grasslands (Loess Plateau and Mongolian Plateau) and one alpine grassland (Tibetan Plateau) to elucidate the assembly mechanisms of Mscom and interrelationships with above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP).

We found that these grassland communities tended to assemble into intraspecific aggregations; the phenomenon was more apparent in regions with low annual precipitation. In grassland communities on Loess Plateau, the strong intraspecific aggregation was mainly due to low sexual reproduction allocation; on Mongolian Plateau, reproductive allocation was also the dominant factor for Mscom variation, followed by the interactive effect of annual precipitation and species richness, whereas on Tibetan Plateau, low species richness was the main reason for increased intraspecific aggregation, followed by the interactive effect of annual precipitation and species richness, and reproductive allocation. More importantly, on all three plateaus, the independent influence of Mscom on ANPP is stronger than that of species and phylogenetic diversity.

We elucidated the potential mechanisms shaping spatial aggregation in grassland communities at large scale, and emphasize the critical role of spatial aggregation in predicting the variation of ANPP.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Pollination biology of Sicyos angulatus: An invasive plant primarily pollinated by the native insects and introduced honeybee Apis mellifera
Authors: Arifin Muhammad , Okamoto Tomoko
Published: February 2023

Burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus), first introduced in 1952 from North America to Japan, has recently become a seriously invasive alien species that has spread nationwide. The pollination mode is likely to play a crucial role in seed production and invasion. Burcucumbers have been characterized as self‐compatible flowers with distinct anthers and stigmas, indicating pollen vector‐mediated pollination. In this study, we aimed to describe the floral biology of burcucumbers and clarify their relationships with pollinators. We found that: (1) primarily native insects (at least 70 species) repeatedly visited burcucumbers, both during the day and night; (2) in terms of visitation frequency and pollen‐carrying load, honeybees, vespid wasps, and hoverflies were the most important diurnal pollinators, followed by sphingid and noctuid moths as nocturnal ones; and (3) the production of highly concentrated nectar as floral reward coupled with floral scents, predominantly aliphatic compounds such as heptanal and hexanol, may mediate the visitation of floral visitors. Our observations confirmed that burcucumber visitation is dominated by native pollinators, indicating the integration of burcucumbers into native pollinator webs. Our findings highlight the significance of a generalized pollination system in alien plants to overcome reproductive failure within a new region.
Collective action and co‐production of public services as alternative politics: The case of public transportation in Israel
Authors: Golan‐Nadir Niva , Christensen Tom
Published: February 2023

Can dissatisfaction with existing policies lead to the co‐production of public goods and services? If so, under what conditions could such dissatisfaction lead to the co‐production of public goods and services? We posit that when (1) citizens are dissatisfied with the policy as designed, (2) third‐sector organisations are formed, and (3) politicians and street‐level managers are engaged, the co‐production of public goods and services will take place. Analysing the Israeli religion‐based restrictions on public transportation on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday), this study argues that the intentional lack of public transport on Saturdays is overall met with discontent within the population and, in turn, leads third‐sector organisations and local authorities to combine forces to find solutions on the local level. We have employed various mixed methods tools (e.g. a public opinion survey, existing statistics, in‐depth interviews, and textual analysis) in order to test the Israeli case as an illustrative, crucial case study.

Points for practitioners

Limited public services impose burdens on disadvantaged groups, who are often those with fewer resources, causing societal dissatisfaction with policy and its implementation.

Co‐production is facilitated when dissatisfied citizens encourage third‐sector organisations, politicians, and street‐level managers to engage.

Local co‐production efforts are expected to cease when governments decide to supply the lacking services.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine legitimation efforts in a hostile environment: The case of Portugal
Authors: Bicho Marta , Nikolaeva Ralitza , Lages Carmen
Published: February 2023

This article explores complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) organisations’ legitimation efforts that face extra obstacles as they are subject to more than one institutional logics (hybrids) and operate in a contested organisational space (hostile environment). CAM organisations espouse the health and market logics and their practices are questioned at an institutional level. The study is conducted in Portugal, where the legalisation of CAM therapies was a contested process over 10 years. Taking an abductive approach and drawing on qualitative interviews, the authors analyse CAM managers’ efforts to legitimise their practices and build viable organisations despite hostile conditions. Contrary to prior studies of hybrid healthcare organisations, CAM organisations derive moral legitimacy from the market logic rather than the health logic. The findings show that relationships, trust‐building and consumer education appear to be the primary vehicles for establishing pragmatic legitimacy. Thus, pragmatic legitimacy relies on the health logic. The market logic dominates the pursuit of moral legitimacy through financial sustainability, human capital, marketing communications and partnerships, and advocating complementarity with biomedicine. We propose a model through which organisations use pragmatic legitimacy to enhance moral legitimacy and to create recursive feedback between moral and pragmatic legitimacy on the path to cognitive legitimacy.
Improvement of physicochemical characteristics, flavor profiles and functional properties in Chinese radishes via spontaneous fermentation after drying
Authors: Zheng Zimeng , Zhou Qian , Chen Qian , Gao Jia , Wu Yanping , Yang Feng , Zhong Kai , Gao Hong
Published: February 2023

Spontaneously dried–fermented radishes have been consumed in China for hundreds of years and are usually fermented for a long time to acquire high quality. In this study, the spontaneously dried–fermented radishes with short‐term manufacturing periods were made from five different varieties of radishes that grew in the same environment. In addition, the physicochemical characteristics (i.e., moisture content, soluble solid, and pH value), flavor profiles (i.e., free amino acids, organic acids, and volatile compounds), and functional properties (i.e., total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, sulforaphane content, and γ‐aminobutyric acid [GABA] content) of these five raw radishes and spontaneously dried–fermented radishes were analyzed and compared. In detail, the content of volatile and nonvolatile compounds increased, especially in oxalic acid, succinic acid, and umami free amino acids. Furthermore, functional components, such as sulforaphane and GABA, were also enriched via spontaneous fermentation after drying. In addition, the results of principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and redundancy analysis showed that there were significant discrepancies appeared when raw radishes were processed via spontaneous fermentation or not. These results suggested that the process of spontaneous fermentation after drying may contribute to improving the quality of fresh radishes. Notably, radishes with red skin and flesh were regarded as exceptional varieties for processing, because of the preferable flavor profiles and affluent functional substances via spontaneous fermentation after drying. Therefore, these findings could deliver a systematical insight into developing processed radishes with high quality.

Practical Application

The spontaneously dried–fermented radishes were manufactured through the process of spontaneous fermentation after drying, which acquired tasty and healthy characteristics by accumulating the volatile and nonvolatile compounds as well as the functional components, like total phenolics, total flavonoids, sulforaphane, and γ‐aminobutyric acid. Importantly, because of the excellent processing properties, the radishes with red skin and flesh could be more appropriate to produce spontaneously dried–fermented radishes. Our findings may provide a practical strategy for developing vegetable relishes with superb flavor profiles and good functional properties in pickled vegetables.
Development and validation of a case study to aid in the diagnostic reasoning of nursing students and nurses
Authors: Leandro Daniela Luana Fernandes , D'Agostino Fabio , Lopes Camila Takao , Lopes Juliana de Lima
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to develop and validate a case study to aid in the diagnostic reasoning of nursing students and nurses.

Methods

It is a validation study using a case study based on Lunney's method including (1) content validation of the case study by nurse experts through the Delphi technique, (2) identification of nursing diagnoses (NDs) in the case, (3) evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, and (4) establishment of a priority diagnosis by nurse experts.

Findings

The case study was developed from the findings of a narrative literature review on the cues of the NDs with a prevalence > 50% in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Two rounds of expert evaluation were required to validate the case study. The experts identified 18 NDs with different degrees of accuracy. The highly accurate diagnoses most frequently identified by the experts were: Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion (100%), impaired walking (83%), impaired comfort (50%), and chronic pain (50%). The diagnosis considered a priority by all experts was ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion.

Conclusions

The case study was developed and had its content validated. High‐accuracy diagnoses were identified, and a priority was determined.

Implications for Nursing Practice

The validated case study may be used by students and nurses to facilitate the development of diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking in practice, teaching or research.
Does agricultural cooperative membership influence off‐farm work decisions of farm couples?
Authors: Zheng Hongyun , Vatsa Puneet , Ma Wanglin , Rahut Dil Bahadur
Published: February 2023

Membership in agricultural cooperatives may influence intra‐household decisions regarding the division of household labor. However, the linkages between cooperative membership and labor allocation remain unexplored. To fill this gap, we examine the impact of cooperative membership on off‐farm work decisions of couples engaged in farming, using data collected from 595 banana farmers in China. The recursive bivariate probit model and endogenous‐treatment Poisson regression model are employed to address the self‐selection bias inherent in cooperative membership. The results show that cooperative membership increases the probability of participating in off‐farm work by 38% for husbands and 31% for wives. Having large households reduces the probability of husbands but increases that of wives working off‐farm. Cooperative membership is also associated with more time spent on off‐farm work and higher earnings for both husbands and wives. Our findings point to the potential of agricultural cooperatives to increase farm couples’ off‐farm employment, thus increasing household income and quality of life.
Editorial: moving from the clinic towards population hepatology—authorsʼ reply
Authors: Hagström Hannes , Hammar Niklas
Published: February 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Hagström et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17374 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17394
Anticholinergic burden in middle and older age is associated with lower cognitive function, but not with brain atrophy
Authors: Mur Jure , Marioni Riccardo E. , Russ Tom C. , Muniz‐Terrera Graciela , Cox Simon R.
Published: February 2023

Aims

The aim of this study is to estimate the association between anticholinergic burden, general cognitive ability and various measures of brain structural MRI in relatively healthy middle‐aged and older individuals.

Methods

In the UK Biobank participants with linked health‐care records (n = 163,043, aged 40–71 at baseline), of whom about 17 000 had MRI data available, we calculated the total anticholinergic drug burden according to 15 different anticholinergic scales and due to different classes of drugs. We then used linear regression to explore the associations between anticholinergic burden and various measures of cognition and structural MRI, including general cognitive ability, 9 separate cognitive domains, brain atrophy, volumes of 68 cortical and 14 subcortical areas and fractional anisotropy and median diffusivity of 25 white‐matter tracts.

Results

Anticholinergic burden was modestly associated with poorer cognition across most anticholinergic scales and cognitive tests (7/9 FDR‐adjusted significant associations, standardised betas (β) range: −0.039, −0.003). When using the anticholinergic scale exhibiting the strongest association with cognitive functions, anticholinergic burden due to only some classes of drugs exhibited negative associations with cognitive function, with β‐lactam antibiotics (β = −0.035, PFDR < 0.001) and opioids (β = −0.026, PFDR < 0.001) exhibiting the strongest effects. Anticholinergic burden was not associated with any measure of brain macrostructure or microstructure (PFDR > 0.08).

Conclusions

Anticholinergic burden is weakly associated with poorer cognition, but there is little evidence for associations with brain structure. Future studies might focus more broadly on polypharmacy or more narrowly on distinct drug classes, instead of using purported anticholinergic action to study the effects of drugs on cognitive ability.
Artesunate alleviates intracerebral haemorrhage secondary injury by inducing ferroptosis in M1‐polarized microglia and suppressing inflammation through AMPK/mTORC1/GPX4 pathway
Authors: Xie Guanfeng , Liang Yubing , Gao Wen , Wu Liya , Zhang Yan , Ye Ziming , Qin Chao
Published: February 2023

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a catastrophic subtype of stroke with severe morbidity and mortality. However, little progress has been made in the subsequent secondary injury. Artesunate, a water‐soluble semi‐synthetic derivative of artemisinin, exhibits remarkable pharmacological effects on anti‐neuroinflammation. However, the effects of artesunate on ICH remain unknown. In the present study, haemoglobin (Hb) treatment in BV2 cell and collagenase type IV intracerebroventricular injection in Sprague–Dawley rats were used to establish in vitro and in vivo ICH models, respectively. For in vivo, the neurological scores, haematoma volume, brain oedema, inflammatory factors and iron deposition were evaluated. Besides, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used in in vitro to polarize BV2 cell to M1 phenotype. Cell viability, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+ concentration, and lipid peroxidation levels, ferroptosis‐associated proteins and mRNA, morphological of mitochondria were measured in vitro. Additionally, the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were measured by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The present in vivo results indicated that artesunate significantly ameliorated neurological deficits, haematoma volume and brain oedema in ICH rats. Besides, artesunate suppressed the M1‐microglia relative inflammatory factors and up‐regulated iron deposition. For in vitro, artesunate significantly selectively decreased the viability of LPS‐stimulated BV2 cell. Furthermore, ROS and lipid peroxidation levels were up‐regulated. And the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were silenced via the AMPK/mTORC1 axis. Our finding supports that artesunate ameliorates the ICH secondary injury both in vitro and in vivo by inducing ferroptosis in microglia and further inhibiting inflammation mainly through the AMPK/mTORC1/GPX4 pathway. This finding may provide a novel target for ICH treatment.
Association of rs2062323 in the TREM1 gene with Alzheimer's disease and cerebrospinal fluid‐soluble TREM2
Authors: Wang Zuo‐Teng , Fu Yan , Chen Shi‐Dong , Huang Yu‐Yuan , Ma Ya‐Hui , Wang Yan‐Jiang , Tan Lan , Yu Jin‐Tai
Published: February 2023

Introduction and aims

Genetic variations play a significant role in determining an individual's AD susceptibility. Research on the connection between AD and TREM1 gene polymorphisms (SNPs) remained lacking. We sought to examine the associations between TREM1 SNPs and AD.

Methods

Based on the 1000 Genomes Project data, linkage disequilibrium (LD) analyses were utilized to screen for candidate SNPs in the TREM1 gene. AD cases (1081) and healthy control subjects (870) were collected and genotyped, and the associations between candidate SNPs and AD risk were analyzed. We explored the associations between target SNP and AD biomarkers. Moreover, 842 individuals from ADNI were selected to verify these results. Linear mixed models were used to estimate associations between the target SNP and longitudinal cognitive changes.

Results

The rs2062323 was identified to be associated with AD risk in the Han population, and rs2062323T carriers had a lower AD risk (co‐dominant model: OR, 0.67, 95% CI, 0.51–0.88, p = 0.0037; additive model: OR, 0.82, 95% CI, 0.72–0.94, p = 0.0032). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sTREM2 levels were significantly increased in middle‐aged rs2062323T carriers (additive model: β = 0.18, p = 0.0348). We also found significantly elevated levels of CSF sTREM2 in the ADNI. The rate of cognitive decline slowed down in rs2062323T carriers.

Conclusions

This study is the first to identify significant associations between TREM1 rs2062323 and AD risk. The rs2062323T may be involved in AD by regulating the expression of TREM1, TREML1, TREM2, and sTREM2. The TREM family is expected to be a potential therapeutic target for AD.
An ethical analysis of a prospective new paradigm of life: Nanotechnology‐enabled human beings within the framework of principlism
Authors: Buruk Banu , Ekmekci Perihan Elif , Arda Berna
Published: February 2023

Nanotechnology (NT)‐enabled disease‐free life is a form of reconstruction of the human body that promises a paradigm shift toward a new form of human existence in an imaginable life. However, as human reconstruction may be within the limits of the concept of “human enhancement,” it is not clear to what extent “enhanced humans” will be ethically acceptable or desired. This study discusses the ethical implications of NT‐embedded enhanced humans and this new imaginable life. First, ethical concerns arising from the existence of a grey zone of certain dilemmas regarding benefits and possible/unpredicted risks are addressed in terms of the four main principles of bioethics. Then, we focus on the ethical problems in human nano‐enhancement. Finally, we study the methods of analyzing these ethical problems within the framework of principlism to conceive a comprehensive and coherent bioethical understanding.
Cost‐effectiveness of a multicomponent quality improvement care model for diabetes in South Asia: The CARRS randomized clinical trial
Authors: Singh Kavita , Kondal Dimple , Menon V. Usha , Varthakavi Premlata K. , Viswanathan Vijay , Dharmalingam Mala , Bantwal Ganapati , Sahay Rakesh Kumar , Masood Muhammad Qamar , Khadgawat Rajesh , Desai Ankush , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Narayan K. M. Venkat , Phillips Victoria L. , Tandon Nikhil , Ali Mohammed K.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To assess the cost‐effectiveness of a multicomponent strategy versus usual care in people with type 2 diabetes in South Asia.

Design

Economic evaluation from healthcare system and societal perspectives.

Setting

Ten diverse urban clinics in India and Pakistan.

Participants

1146 people with type 2 diabetes (575 in the intervention group and 571 in the usual care group) with mean age of 54.2 years, median diabetes duration: 7 years and mean HbA1c: 9.9% (85 mmol/mol) at baseline.

Intervention

Multicomponent strategy comprising decision‐supported electronic health records and non‐physician care coordinator. Control group received usual care.

Outcome Measures

Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per unit achievement in multiple risk factor control (HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) and SBP <130/80 mmHg or LDLc <2.58 mmol/L (100 mg/dL)), ICERs per unit reduction in HbA1c, 5‐mmHg unit reductions in systolic BP, 10‐unit reductions in LDLc (mg/dl) (considered as clinically relevant) and ICER per quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. ICERs were reported in 2020 purchasing power parity–adjusted international dollars (INT$). The probability of ICERs being cost‐effective was considered depending on the willingness to pay (WTP) values as a share of GDP per capita for India (Int$ 7041.4) and Pakistan (Int$ 4847.6).

Results

Compared to usual care, the annual incremental costs per person for intervention group were Int$ 1061.9 from a health system perspective and Int$ 1093.6 from a societal perspective. The ICER was Int$ 10,874.6 per increase in multiple risk factor control, $2588.1 per one percentage point reduction in the HbA1c, and $1744.6 per 5 unit reduction in SBP (mmHg), and $1271 per 10 unit reduction in LDLc (mg/dl). The ICER per QALY gained was $33,399.6 from a societal perspective.

Conclusions

In a trial setting in South Asia, a multicomponent strategy for diabetes care resulted in better multiple risk factor control at higher costs and may be cost‐effective depending on the willingness to pay threshold with substantial uncertainty around cost‐effectiveness for QALYs gained in the short term (2.5 years). Future research needs to confirm the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of intensive multifactorial intervention for diabetes care in diverse healthcare settings in LMICs.
Comparative study of physico‐mechanical performance of PPC mortar incorporated 1D/2D functionalized nanomaterials
Authors: Bhatrola Kanchna , Kothiyal N C
Published: February 2023

The current study investigates the effect of adding graphene oxide (GO) and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) in pozzolana Portland cement (PPC) mortars to evaluate their mechanical and electrical resistivity properties. The effects of 1D and 2D functionalized carbon nanomaterials in PPC have been studied. At 90 days of curing, the g1PPC (.0015% of GO by weight percentage of binder) and c1PPC (.0015% of FMWCNTs by weight percentage of binder) showed a significant improvement in the physico‐mechanical performance of the pozzolana Portland cement composited (PPCC) mortars. The enhanced compressive strength was found to be 11.67% and 8.74% for g1PPC and c1PPC, respectively, as compared to the control specimen (PPC‐C). The increased tensile splitting strength was observed to be 26.39% and 20.61% for g1PPC and c1PPC, respectively, as compared to PPC‐C. The electrical resistivity of PPCC mortars have been shown a significant improvement for g1PPC and c1PPC. This might be due to the densification of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) gel and hydration products. Powdered X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Field emission‐scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) was able to support the improved strength of PPCC mortars via formation of ettringite and needle‐shaped crystals in hydrated products.
Key melt properties for controlled synthesis of glass beads by aerodynamic levitation coupled to laser heating
Authors: Baborák Jan , Yembele Maureen , Vařák Petr , Ory Sandra , Véron Emmanuel , Pitcher Michael J. , Allix Mathieu , Nekvindová Pavla , Zandonà Alessio
Published: February 2023

Binary alkali silicate glasses were synthesized as beads by aerodynamic levitation coupled to laser heating to test the applicability of the method to this compositional range. While bubble‐free lithium disilicate beads could be easily obtained, sodium and potassium silicates proved more challenging to melt without significant alkali evaporation: the final samples contained bubbles and exhibited compositional drifts compared to the starting stoichiometry, especially at high SiO2content. The risk of volatilization from the melts was evaluated empirically: the volatility of each oxide component scaled to the ratio between its melting temperatureTmand theTmof the target composition (revap), while the difference between such ratios (Δevap) provided a qualitative estimation of the risk of differential evaporation. The formulated approach enables to evaluate the suitability of aerodynamic levitation synthesis for a given target glass composition: while low melting temperature and low liquidus viscosity (η < 100 Pa s) represent the primary optimal conditions, more viscous materials can still be prepared without major compositional drifts using a more careful melting procedure, especially ifrevapandΔevapare minimized.
How to fail in advertising: The potential of marketing theory to predict the community-level selection of defended prey
Authors: Burdfield-Steel Emily , Burdfield Claire
Published: February 2023

Economics and ecology both present us with a key challenge: scaling up from individual behaviour to community-level effects. As a result, biologists have frequently utilized theories and frameworks from economics in their attempt to better understand animal behaviour. In the study of predator–prey interactions, we face a particularly difficult task—understanding how predator choices and strategies will impact the ecology and evolution not just of individual prey species, but whole communities. However, a similar challenge has been encountered, and largely solved, in Marketing, which has created frameworks that successfully predict human consumer behaviour at the community level. We argue that by applying these frameworks to non-human consumers, we can leverage this predictive power to understand the behaviour of these key ecological actors in shaping the communities they act upon. We here use predator–prey interactions, as a case study, to demonstrate and discuss the potential of marketing and human-consumer theory in helping us bridge the gap from laboratory experiments to complex community dynamics.

Abstract

We can use marketing frameworks to predict how predator decisions will shape the evolution and co-existence of prey species.
Brown trout (Salmo trutta L. 1758) and Arctic charr [Salvelinus alpinus (L. 1758)] display different marine behaviour and feeding strategies in sympatry
Authors: Davidsen Jan Grimsrud , Halvorsen Andrine Emilie , Eldøy Sindre Håvarstein , Thorstad Eva Bonsak , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn
Published: February 2023

Brown trout (Salmo trutta L. 1758) and Arctic charr [Salvelinus alpinus (L. 1758)] tagged with acoustic transmitters migrated from fresh water to the sea mainly in May and June, but with large individual variation in migration timing. For S. trutta, large individuals (42–86 cm total length) migrated earlier in the season than small individuals (18–27 cm). For S. alpinus, no such pattern was found, likely because of the small size range of tagged fish (28–41 cm). S. trutta stayed longer at sea than S. alpinus (average 2 vs. 1 month). Early migrants of S. trutta stayed for a shorter period at sea than late migrants, whereas no such pattern was observed for S. alpinus. Large S. trutta moved quickly away from the river and spent average 3 days to reach a receiver line 20 km from the river mouth, whereas small S. trutta and S. alpinus migrating that far spent 2–3 weeks on the same distance. S. trutta utilized the entire fjord system and had a greater proportion of long‐distance migrants (>20 km, 78% and 59% of large and small S. trutta, respectively) than S. alpinus (29%). S. alpinus mostly stayed in the inner fjord areas, and none were recorded in the outermost part of the fjord. The difference in the use of marine areas may be caused by variation in prey choice and spatial distribution of the preferred prey groups. Stable isotope analysis showed that S. trutta had been feeding at a higher trophic level than S. alpinus. S. trutta had mainly fed on marine fish and shrimps, whereas S. alpinus had large proportions of freshwater invertebrates in the diet, suggesting that the estuary with benthos and amphipods drifting from the river was an important feeding habitat for S. alpinus. In conclusion, major differences in habitat use, migration patterns and feeding strategies were found between sympatric anadromous S. trutta and S. alpinus while at sea.
Competition and Bank Payout Policy
Authors: DE CESARI AMEDEO , GILDER DUDLEY , HUANG WINIFRED , ONALI ENRICO
Published: February 2023

Leveraging branch‐level data on bank deposits, we provide evidence of a negative impact of branching restrictions on payout ratios, which occurs only for banks with a low charter value, as proxied by the market‐to‐book ratio. The results for the market‐to‐book ratio extend to the Lerner index, the return on assets, and the Z‐score, suggesting that risk‐shifting incentives drive our results rather than signaling incentives or agency costs. Our results are robust to different proxies for banking competition and identification strategies, and bootstrap simulations suggest that our results are not due to confounding factors.
Brain growth in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Machado‐Rivas Fedel , Choi Jungwhan J. , Alejandra Bedoya Maria , Acosta Buitrago Lina , Velasco‐Annis Clemente , Afacan Onur , Barnewolt Carol , Estroff Judy , Warfield Simon K. , Gholipour Ali , Jaimes Camilo
Published: February 2023

Background and Purpose

To perform a volumetric evaluation of the brain in fetuses with right or left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and to compare brain growth trajectories to normal fetuses.

Methods

We identified fetal MRIs performed between 2015 and 2020 in fetuses with a diagnosis of CDH. Gestational age (GA) range was 19‐40 weeks. Control subjects consisted of normally developing fetuses between 19 and 40 weeks recruited for a separate prospective study. All images were acquired at 3 Tesla and were processed with retrospective motion correction and slice‐to‐volume reconstruction to generate super‐resolution 3‐dimensional volumes. These volumes were registered to a common atlas space and segmented in 29 anatomic parcellations.

Results

A total of 174 fetal MRIs in 149 fetuses were analyzed (99 controls [mean GA: 29.2 ± 5.2 weeks], 34 fetuses left‐sided CDH [mean GA: 28.4 ± 5.3 weeks], and 16 fetuses right‐sided CDH [mean GA: 27 ± 5.4 weeks]). In fetuses with left‐sided CDH, brain parenchymal volume was –8.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] [–13.1, –2.5]; p = .005) lower than normal controls. Differences ranged from –11.4% (95% CI [–18, –4.3]; p < .001) in the corpus callosum to –4.6% (95% CI [–8.9, –0.1]; p = .044) in the hippocampus. In fetuses with right‐sided CDH, brain parenchymal volume was –10.1% (95% CI [–16.8, –2.7]; p = .008) lower than controls. Differences ranged from –14.1% (95% CI [–21, –6.5]; p < .001) in the ventricular zone to –5.6% (95% CI [–9.3, –1.8]; p = .025) in the brainstem.

Conclusion

Left and right CDH are associated with lower fetal brain volumes.
Branched‐chain amino acids and sleep: a population‐derived study of Australian children aged 11–12 years and their parents
Authors: Matricciani Lisa , Dumuid Dorothea , Paquet Catherine , Lushington Kurt , Olds Tim
Published: February 2023

Micronutrients, particularly amino acids, are thought to play an important role in sleep regulation and maintenance. While tryptophan is a known predictor of sleep, less is known about branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs), which compete with tryptophan for transport across the blood–brain barrier. The aim of this study was to determine the association between BCAAs and actigraphy‐derived sleep duration, timing and efficiency, and self‐reported trouble sleeping. This study examined data on children and adults collected as part of the Child Health CheckPoint study. Linear mixed models, adjusted for geographic clustering, were used to determine the association between BCAAs and sleep characteristics. Complete‐case analysis was conducted for 741 children aged 11–12 years old (51% females) and 941parents (87% mothers). While BCAAs were significantly associated with children's sleep duration, timing and self‐reported trouble sleeping, no associations were observed in adults, in fully adjusted models. In children, higher levels of BCAAs are associated with shorter sleep duration, delayed sleep timing, and more frequent reports of trouble sleeping.
Genomics reveals the role of admixture in the evolution of structure among sperm whale populations within the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Violi Biagio , de Jong Menno J. , Frantzis Alexandros , Alexiadou Paraskevi , Tardy Céline , Ody Denis , de Stephanis Renaud , Giménez Joan , Lucifora Giuseppe , e Silva Mónica A. , Oliveira Cláudia , Alves Filipe , Dinis Ana , Tejedor Marisa , Fernández Antonio , Arregui Marina , Arbelo Manuel , Lopez Alfredo , Covelo Pablo , Hoelzel A. Rus
Published: February 2023

In oceanic ecosystems, the nature of barriers to gene flow and the processes by which populations may become isolated are different from the terrestrial environment, and less well understood. In this study we investigate a highly mobile species (the sperm whale,Physeter macrocephalus) that is genetically differentiated between an open North Atlantic population and the populations in the Mediterranean Sea. We apply high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis to study the nature of barriers to gene flow in this system, assessing the putative boundary into the Mediterranean (Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea region), and including novel analyses on structuring among sperm whale populations within the Mediterranean basin. Our data support a recent founding of the Mediterranean population, around the time of the last glacial maximum, and show concerted historical demographic profiles in both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In each region there is evidence for a population decline around the time of the founder event. The largest decline was seen within the Mediterranean Sea where effective population size is substantially lower (especially in the eastern basin). While differentiation is strongest at the Atlantic/Mediterranean boundary, there is also weaker but significant differentiation between the eastern and western basins of the Mediterranean Sea. We propose, however, that the mechanisms are different. While post‐founding gene flow was reduced between the Mediterranean and Atlantic populations, within the Mediterranean an important factor differentiating the basins is probably a greater degree of admixture between the western basin and the North Atlantic and some level of isolation between the western and eastern Mediterranean basins. Subdivision within the Mediterranean Sea exacerbates conservation concerns and will require consideration of what distinct impacts may affect populations in the two basins.
LEADS+ Developmental Model: Proposing a new model based on an integrative conceptual review
Authors: Ramelli Sandra , Lal Sarrah , Sherbino Jonathan , Dickson Graham , Chan Teresa M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Leaders in academic health sciences centres (AHCs) must navigate multiple roles as an inherent component of their positions. Changing accountabilities, varying expectations, differing leadership capabilities required of multiple leadership roles can be exacerbated by health system disruption, such as during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We need improved models that support leaders in navigating the complexity of multiple leadership roles.

Method

This integrative conceptual review sought to examine leadership and followership constructs and how they intersect with current leadership practices in AHCs. The goal was to develop a refined model of healthcare leadership development. The authors used iterative cycles of divergent and convergent thinking to explore and synthesise various literature and existing leadership frameworks. The authors used simulated personas and stories to test the model and, finally, the approach sought feedback from knowledge users (including healthcare leaders, medical educators and leadership developers) to offer refinements.

Results

After five rounds of discussion and reformulation, the authors arrived at a refined model: the LEADS+ Developmental Model. The model describes four nested stages, organising progressive capabilities, as an individual toggles between followership and leadership. During the consultation stage, feedback from 29 out of 65 recruited knowledge users (44.6% response rate) was acquired. More than a quarter of respondents served as a senior leader in a healthcare network or national society (27.5%, n = 8). Consulted knowledge users were invited to indicate their endorsement for the refined model using a 10‐point scale (10 = highest level of endorsement). There was a high level of endorsement: 7.93 (SD 1.7) out of 10.

Conclusion

The LEADS+ Developmental Model may help foster development of academic health centre leaders. In addition to clarifying the synergistic dynamic between leadership and followership, this model describes the paradigms adopted by leaders within health systems throughout their development journey.
Taliban 2.0 and China's Counterterrorism Diplomacy in Afghanistan
Authors: Verma Raj
Published: February 2023

The US withdrawal that left the Taliban in control of Afghanistan has created a security dilemma for China. Beijing considers its Uyghur population to be a terror threat, and it believes the Taliban are allowing the group to use Afghanistan as a refuge from which to plan attacks and transit into Central Asian neighbors. This article analyzes both the historical record and recent moves by China to explain Beijing's strategy of engaging with the Taliban and developing the Afghan economy. The study indicates that the approach has some potential benefits if, as the Chinese assume, economic growth yields stability, good governance, and a cohesive state that can combat terror groups. However, the article demonstrates that Afghan history, the Taliban's ideology, and the vicious circle of instability, economic stagnation, and further chaos are likely to subvert China's goals.
Low rates of neurological abnormalities in patients with pigmentary mosaicism: A retrospective cohort study from a tertiary dermatology center
Authors: Pagani Kyla , Plumptre Isabella , Amin Shray , Lal Karan , Wiss Karen , Belazarian Leah
Published: February 2023

Background

Pigmentary mosaicism (PM) is a descriptive term encompassing a range of hyper‐ and hypo‐pigmented phenotypes in various patterns. Information from the neurology literature initially noted neurological abnormalities (NA) in up to 90% of children with PM. The dermatology literature suggests lower associated rates (15%–30%) of NA. Variations in terminology, inclusion criteria, and small population sizes makes interpreting existing PM literature complicated. We aimed to assess rates of NA in children presenting to dermatology with PM.

Methods

We included patients <19 years, diagnosed with PM, nevus depigmentosus and/or segmental café au lait macules (CALM) seen in our dermatology department between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2020. Patients with neurofibromatosis, McCune‐Albright syndrome, and non‐segmental CALM were excluded. Data collected included pigmentation, pattern, site(s) affected, presence of seizures, developmental delay, and microcephaly.

Results

One hundred fifty patients were included (49.3% female), with a mean age at diagnosis of 4.27 years. Patterns of mosaicism were ascertained for 149 patients and included blaschkolinear (60/149, 40.3%), blocklike (79/149, 53.0%), or a combination of both patterns (10/149, 6.7%). Patients with a combination of patterns were more likely to have NA (p < .01). Overall, 22/149 (14.8%) had NA. Nine out of twenty‐two patients with NA had hypopigmented blaschkolinear lesions (40.9%). Patients with ≥4 body sites affected were more likely to have NA (p < .01).

Discussion

Overall, our population had low rates of NA in PM patients. A combination of blaschkolinear and blocklike patterns, or ≥4 body sites involved were associated with higher rates of NA.
Use of dupilumab for atopic dermatitis in young transplant patients—A case series of 3 patients
Authors: Steele Maritza V. , Gupta Rachit , Maguiness Sheilagh , Boull Christina
Published: February 2023

Patients who undergo solid organ transplantation are at an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis, potentially due to long‐term use of calcineurin inhibitors which results in a shift towards the Th2 immune response. The effectiveness and safety of dupilumab for atopic dermatitis in posttransplant patients is not established. Previous reports of dupilumab use in posttransplant patients have been in adult patients. In this series, we report three young posttransplant patients treated successfully with dupilumab.
Dermatology through the lens of social media: A qualitative study among adolescents
Authors: Perche Patrick O. , Cook Madison K. , White Jonathan C. , Feldman Steven R. , Strowd Lindsay C.
Published: February 2023

Social media (SM) use has accelerated at an unprecedented pace and dermatology literature evaluating SM use is primarily centered on the quality and quantity of dermatologic content, with minimal research on how adolescent patients experience such content. We recruited 15 patients between the ages of 13–18 years from the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Department of Dermatology to interview regarding their experience with dermatologic content on SM. Despite most participants' insightful comments on SM use and the relative lack of dermatologic content validation on SM, many participants adopted skin care advice from SM. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to social influence and it is important dermatologists understand how pervasive skin‐related content is on these platforms.
‘From Time Into Eternity’: Schelling on Intellectual Intuition
Authors: Bruno G. Anthony
Published: February 2023

Throughout his career, Schelling assigns knowledge of the absolute first principle of philosophy to intellectual intuition. Schelling's doctrine of intellectual intuition raises two important questions for interpreters. First, given that his doctrine undergoes several changes before and after his identity philosophy, to what extent can he be said to “hold onto” the same “sense” of it by the 1830s, as he claims? Second, given that his doctrine of intellectual intuition restricts absolute idealism to what he calls a “science of reason”, which he says cannot prove the absolute’s existence, what other doctrine does he require in order to prove this? I will answer these questions by tracing the shifts in Schelling’s doctrine of intellectual intuition from the 1790s to the 1830s and drawing out its evolving methodological role within his science of intelligibility.
Gene‐Edited Food Adoption Intentions and Institutional Trust in the United States: Benefits, Acceptance, and Labeling☆
Authors: Lindberg Sonja A. , Peters David J. , Cummings Christopher L.
Published: February 2023

New gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR‐Cas9, have created the potential for rapid development of new gene‐edited food (GEF) products. Unlike genetically modified organism foods, there is limited research and literature on U.S. public opinions about GEFs. We address this knowledge gap by examining how crop‐based GEF adoption is linked to public trust in institutions and values using the Theory of Planned Behavior. We employ ordinal regression models to predict adoption intentions (direct benefits, acceptability, willingness to eat, and labeling) using a unique and nationally representative survey of n = 2,000 adults in the United States. We find that adoption hinges on public trust in institutions overseeing GEF development, especially trust in university scientists. The 29 percent of Americans likely to adopt GEFs highly trust government food regulators and the biotech industry. A nearly equal number of likely non‐adopters distrust current regulatory systems in favor of consumer and environmental advocacy groups. However, most Americans (41 percent) are uncertain about GEF adoption and whom to trust. Although 75 percent of Americans want GEFs labeled, few trust government agencies who have authority to issue labels. Our findings suggest public trust in GEFs and labels can only be obtained by tripartite oversight by universities, advocacy groups, and government food regulators.
A regional approach to militarized riskscapes: An environmental justice analysis of military proximity and air pollution in United States Environmental Protection Agency's regions
Authors: Shtob Daniel , Alvarez Camila , Theis Nicholas
Published: February 2023

Recent advances in sociological appreciation of risk have culminated in the concept of riskscapes, which describe how the social, political, biophysical, and technological drivers of risk are embedded within different spaces in ways that can reinforce systemic inequities. The U.S. military has long been recognized as an important structural and institutional contributor to environmental problems and therefore potentially riskscapes. However, the regional environmental injustice consequences of military presence have received little attention. To address this need, here we construct aregionalized military riskscapesmodeling strategy that focuses on understanding environmental riskscapes across regional contexts. Using multilevel models with random intercepts, our exploratory analysis reveals differences in racial and ethnic environmental health exposure associated with proximity to military facilities across the 10 administrative regions used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, we find that the relative contributions to local air pollution profiles arising from military and non‐military sources likely differ by region, as do consequent environmental justice concerns. For example, in the Midwest, Central Mountain, and West/Southwest regions neighborhoods with more Latinx residents experience intensified air pollution inequalities associated with proximity to military installations. Neighborhoods with more Black residents in the Midwest reported greater environmental health risk from air toxics associated with nearby military facilities. These results underscore the usefulness of viewing the environmental consequences of domestic military facilities and their activities as regionally specific and spatially contingent. We further suggest that scholars studying environmental inequalities relating to military and other sources of pollution should consider how regional processes contextualize the existence and persistence of environmental injustice.