bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Globalization and female economic participation in MINT and BRICS countries
Authors: Osinubi Tolulope , Asongu Simplice
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study examines the effect of globalization on female economic participation (FEP) in MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries between 2004 and 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Four measures of globalization are employed and sourced from KOF globalization index, 2018, while the female labour force participation rate is a proxy for FEP. The empirical evidence is based on the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator.

Findings

The findings of the PMG estimator from the Panel ARDL method reveal that political and overall globalization in MINT and BRICS countries have a positive impact on FEP, whereas social globalization exerts a negative impact on FEP in the long-run. It is observed that economic globalization has no long-run effect on FEP. Contrarily, all the measures of globalization reflect no short-run effect on FEP. This supports the argument that globalization has no immediate effect on FEP. Thus, it is recommended that both MINT and BRICS countries should find a way of improving the process of globalization generally to empower women to be involved in economic activities.

Originality/value

This study complements the extant literature by focusing on how globalization dynamics influence FEP in the MINT and BRICS countries.
A model for digital development of SMEs: an interaction-based approach
Authors: Depaoli Paolo , Za Stefano , Scornavacca Eusebio
Published: October 2020

Purpose

E-business maturity models have been widely used to guide the process of digital transformation of business. However, these models have been criticized for their predominantly technocentric approach, which is poorly suited for SMEs. The purpose of this paper is to produce a holistic, nonlinear e-business development model for SMEs that takes into account the interactions of the organization in the pursuit of its business objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review, this paper proposes a nonlinear digital development model for SMEs that factors in the interactions between digital technologies and organizational processes. The model is applied to three cases using a qualitative research approach.

Findings

The analysis of the cases demonstrates how the model recognizes that SMEs have an agile and flexible operating structure and reduces the role of technology in order to refocus the entrepreneurs on the relationship among business goals, organizational capabilities and communication requirements.

Practical implications

The proposed model helps the business owners to clarify and better understand what kind of interaction levels exist between the relevant actors in the pursuit of the firm's goals and to identify the best mix of digital and nondigital communication methods to support their work. It also assists policymakers to overcome technological bias when assessing the current state of play of e-business development in the SME universe and formulate actions that support the development of digitally oriented SMEs.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel, nonlinear, interaction-based development model for SMEs in order to complement previous technocentric models focusing mainly on a mechanist perspective of e-business maturity models.
Comparative genomics of pyrophilous fungi reveals a link between fire events and developmental genes
Authors: Steindorff Andrei S. , Carver Akiko , Calhoun Sara , Stillman Kyra , Liu Haowen , Lipzen Anna , He Guifen , Yan Mi , Pangilinan Jasmyn , LaButti Kurt , Ng Vivian , Bruns Thomas D. , Grigoriev Igor V.
Published: October 2020

Forest fires generate a large amount of carbon that remains resident on the site as dead and partially ‘pyrolysed’ (i.e. burnt) material that has long residency times and constitutes a significant pool in fire‐prone ecosystems. In addition, fire‐induced hydrophobic soil layers, caused by condensation of pyrolysed waxes and lipids, increase post‐fire erosion and can lead to long‐term productivity losses. A small set of pyrophilous fungi dominate post‐fire soils and are likely to be involved with the degradation of all these compounds, yet almost nothing is currently known about what these fungi do or the metabolic processes they employ. In this study, we sequenced and analysed genomes from fungi isolated after Rim fire near Yosemite National Park in 2013 and showed the enrichment/expansion of CAZymes and families known to be involved in fruiting body initiation when compared to other basidiomycete fungi. We found gene families potentially involved in the degradation of the hydrophobic layer and pyrolysed organic matter, such as hydrophobic surface binding proteins, laccases (AA1_1), xylanases (GH10, GH11), fatty acid desaturases and tannases. Thus, pyrophilous fungi are important actors to restate the soil's functional capabilities.
‘We Wanted to be Free as a Nation, and We Wanted to be Free as Women’: Decolonisation, Nationalism and Women's Liberation in Zimbabwe, 1979–851
Authors: Law Kate
Published: October 2020

This article examines one of the most intractable problems that a newly independent nation encounters; the dissonance between the rhetoric of a revolutionary movement and its subsequent treatment of women in nationalist and supposedly decolonial projects. In drawing on interviews and archival research carried out in periodicals, newspapers and Hansard, the article examines the optimism, disillusionment and betrayal of Zimbabwe's women in the first decade of independence. Exploring women's variegated roles during the country's war of independence, this article argues that many women believed that their participation in national liberation would be a precursor to a broader programme of cultural and societal emancipation. Yet, as is shown, governmental thinking placed women as consumers and not producers of new nationalist culture. In particular, the grim reality of the situation was unambiguously shown just three years into independence through ‘Operation Clean‐Up’, whereby thousands of women in Zimbabwe's main cities of Harare and Bulawayo were indiscriminately detained with state machinery arguing that the women were prostitutes, vagrants and beggars. A blatant effort to curtail women's autonomy in urban spaces, the machinations of ‘Operation Clean‐up’ demonstrated an uneasy coherence between colonial and post‐colonial thinking regarding the ‘appropriate’ place for women in the new nation.
Ordovician Proto–basin in South China and its Tectonic Implications: Evidence from the Detrital Zircon U–Pb Ages of the Ordovician in Central Hunan, China
Authors: ZHANG Jibiao , NI Jingbo , LIU Yanxue , ZHANG Heng , BU Ling
Published: October 2020

Caledonian orogeny is another important tectonic event in South China Block after the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. With a view to constrain the tectonic evolution and proto–basin in South China, this paper reports the geochemical and zircon U‐Pb dating data of the Ordovician strata in central Hunan, South China. Geochemical features and paleocurrent directions suggest that the lower Ordovician deposited in a passive continental margin basin with a provenance of quartzose components and showing an affinity with the Yangtze Block. U‐Pb age data for 260 detrital zircons from upper Ordovician identify three major age populations as: 900–1200 Ma, 1400–1800 Ma and 2400–2700 Ma. The detrital zircon age spectrum as well as the paleocurrent directions suggest that upper Ordovician deposited in a foreland basin and showing a close affinity with the Cathaysia Block. It is also suggest that the lower Ordovician continuously accepted the mineral from the Yangtze Block, whereas the provenance of the upper Ordovician sedimentary basin changed from the Yangtze Block to the Cathaysia Block. This change implies a tectonic movement, which caused the transformation of the proto–basin in the Hunan area in SCB from passive continental margin basin to foreland basin probably took place during late Ordovician. This fact also demonstrate that the Caledonian orogeny in South China Block began no later than 453 Ma, and a new crustal evolution model is proposed.
Darwinian individuality of extrachromosomal genetic elements calls for population genetics tinkering
Authors: Garoña Ana , Dagan Tal
Published: October 2020

Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements commonly found in prokaryotic (and sometime eukaryotic) cells. Small plasmids are often considered cryptic and their effect on the host is elusive, while large plasmids may encode functions that are essential for the host lifestyle and attain a secondary chromosome status. Plasmids are thus an important source of raw material for microbial genome evolution outside the mainstream of bacterial chromosomes. The discovery of plasmid‐mediated antibiotic resistance led to extensive research on the contribution of plasmids to the environmental dimensions of antibiotic resistance and the evolution of plasmid‐host interactions following the acquisition of plasmids encoding for antibiotic resistance. Recent experimental studies revealed the importance of intracellular plasmid diversity for plasmid‐host interactions. Here we describe the evolutionary forces at play during plasmid evolution in a top‐down approach: this includes the effect of processes at the level of the host population and the consideration of plasmids as Darwinian individuals within the host cell.
Ratio between negative and positive lymph nodes is a novel prognostic indicator for patients with esophageal cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database analysis
Authors: Xiao Wanyi , Liang Huagang , Zhang Hongdian , Jia Ran , Yang Yueyang , Wang Yang , Tang Peng , Yu Zhentao
Published: October 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to explore whether the ratio between negative and positive lymph nodes (RNP) could predict the overall survival (OS) of esophageal cancer (EC) patients with lymph node metastasis following esophagectomy.

Methods

We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to include the records of 2374 patients with lymph node metastases post‐surgery. All patients were randomly assigned into the training cohort (n = 1424) and validation cohort (n = 950). Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent prognostic factors. A novel RNP ‐based TRNPM staging system was proposed. The prognostic value of N, RNP, TNM and TRNPM staging system was evaluated using the linear trend χ2 test, likelihood ratio χ2 test, and Akaike information criterion (AIC) to determine the potential superiorities. We constructed nomograms to predict survival in both cohorts, and the calibration curves confirmed the predictive ability.

Results

Univariate analyses showed that N and RNP stage significantly influenced the OS of patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that RNP was an independent prognostic predictor in both the training and validation cohorts. For the stratification analysis in the two cohorts, we found significant differences in the prognosis of patients in different RNP groups on the basis of the different N stages and the number of dissected lymph nodes. In addition, the lower AIC value of RNP stage and TRNPM staging system represented superior predictive accuracy for OS than the N stage and TNM staging system, respectively. Furthermore, the calibration curves for the probability of three‐ and five‐year survival showed good consistency between nomogram predictive abilities and actual observation.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that compared to the classical pathological lymph nodal staging system, the RNP stage showed superior predictive accuracy for OS and can serve as a more effective prognostic guidance for lymph node positive EC patients.
Quantifying effects of tracking data bias on species distribution models
Authors: O'Toole Malcolm , Queiroz Nuno , Humphries Nicolas E. , Sims David W. , Sequeira Ana M. M.
Published: October 2020

Telemetry datasets are becoming increasingly large and covering a wider range of species using different technologies (GPS, Argos, light‐based geolocation). Together, such datasets hold tremendous potential to understand species' space use at broad spatial scale, through the development of species distribution or habitat suitability models (SDMs) to predict environmental dependencies of species across space and time. However, tracking datasets can be heavily biased and an assessment of how such biases affect SDM predictions, and therefore, our interpretation of animal distributions is lacking.

We generated simulated tracks based on predetermined environmental values for a random predator and a central place forager, and then sampled positions from those tracks based on a combination of five common biases in tracking datasets: (a) tagging location; (b) tracking device; (c) data gaps within tracks; (d) premature tag detachment (or failure) and (e) different processing methods. We then used 240 combinations of the resulting biased simulated datasets to develop binomial generalised linear (GLM) and additive (GAM) models to estimate habitat suitability in different environmental sets (cool deep, cool coastal, warm deep and warm coastal environments).

Our results show that tagging location and length of tracks have the largest effects in decreasing model performance, but that these biases can be overcome by adding a small percentage of additional, relatively less biased tracks to the dataset. In comparison, the effects from all other biases were almost negligible, including for low resolution tracking datasets for which sufficient tracks are available. We also highlight the need for a cautionary approach when using processing methods that can introduce other biases (e.g. interpolated locations). Similar trends were obtained for the random predator and the central place forager, but with relatively lower model performance for the latter.

We provide evidence that even non‐GPS tracking datasets can be readily used to improve the knowledge of large‐scale space use by species without the need for detailed processing and tracking reconstruction. This is especially relevant in the current context of rapid increase in data acquisition and the urgent need to address the large spatial scale ecological consequences of global change.
Universal Basic Income and Work in Catholic Social Thought
Authors: Ward Kate
Published: October 2020

Catholic social thought (CST) has obvious resonance with universal basic income proposals, due to the tradition’s insistence on basic needs as human rights, comfort with government redistribution, and preference for programs that promote the agency of individuals and local communities, among other similarities. However, some CST scholars believe basic income challenges dearly held values of the tradition. This essay examines both views, concluding that basic income can comport with CST’s view of work, correctly understood.
Humane Capital: A Reexamination of Catholic Social Teachings in Light of the Shift to Human Capital
Authors: Beauchamp Andrew
Published: October 2020

Human capital is the set of productive knowledge, skills, and traits that individuals possess. Productive knowledge and skills are typically learned through education and work experience. Character traits matter both for the application of knowledge and skills and for their acquisition in the first place. In the past 100 years—and with enormous social consequences—the economy has transitioned to human capital being the most important resource for individual and social outcomes. Societies responded by emphasizing schooling as the means to develop this resource. In recent decades, however, researchers have discovered that human capital acquisition depends on certain character skills best developed early in life before schooling starts, typically within families. Current research and policy are investigating which combination of early life schooling and improvement in family circumstances can best help people acquire the character skills, and then human capital, needed to flourish. These changes have important implications for the social teachings of the Catholic Church, including moral insights into the distribution of resources, emphasis on the active subject in human work, and the role of civil society in promoting ideas and institutions conducive to an ideal human ecology.
On the Priority of Labor Over Capital
Authors: Clark Charles M. A.
Published: October 2020

In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, John Paul II asserts the principle of the priority of labor over capital. The purpose of this article is to examine this principle. The conflict between labor and capital is often noted as an essential part of capitalism. There is a long tradition of assigning more significance to labor than to capital. In fact, the classical economists argued that labor determined the “value” of a good. To understand this conflict, we must first review what is capital and its role in capitalism. We will then look at John Paul II’s assertion of the principle of labor over capital, followed by a review of how economists have understood the relationship between labor and capital. Neoclassical economists dismiss labor and capital as classes, so they believe there is no conflict. We examine one neoclassical economist’s claim of a gap in the principle of the priority of labor over capital by not including finance capital in the analysis. We demonstrate that the Church’s teachings on usury answer the objections raised. We conclude with a review of the implications of the priority of labor over capital.
Karol Wojtyła’s Katolicka Etyka Społeczna as Precursor and Hermeneutic Key to Pope John Paul II’s Economic Teaching
Authors: Beyer Gerald J.
Published: October 2020

The highly anticipated publication of Karol Wojtyła’s Katolicka etyka społeczna (KES) in 2018 provides a novel and important basis for understanding the economic thinking of Pope John Paul II. The text is comprised of Wojtyła’s extensive lecture notes from the 1950s on the topic of Catholic social teaching and spans almost 500 pages. KES illustrates the future pope’s deep concern for economic justice as a young priest and his ambivalence towards capitalism, which persisted throughout his papacy. Given the size of KES, this article selectively focuses on Wojtyła’s treatment of topics of continuing relevance: the right of the Church to pronounce on economic matters; private property and the “social mortgage” on it; inequality, the just distribution of resources, and the “option for the poor”; the moral assessment of capitalism and Marxism; the dignity of labor and workers’ rights; and the role of conflict in promoting the common good. I contend that KES is consonant with the later papal teaching of John Paul II on economic justice and that it provides a hermeneutic key to understanding it. Furthermore, I argue that the “radicalism” of Karol Wojtyła on matters of economic justice in KES coheres with papal social teaching from Pope Paul VI through that of Pope Francis.
Is there any association between symptoms and findings on imaging in pelvic floor defaecatory dysfunction? A prospective study
Authors: Hainsworth Alison J. , Solanki Deepa , Morris Samantha J. , Igbedioh Carlene , Schizas Alexis M. P. , Williams Andrew B.
Published: October 2020

Aim

To compare features on imaging (integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound (transperineal, transvaginal) and defaecation proctography) with bowel, bladder and vaginal symptoms in pelvic floor defaecatory dysfunction.

Method

A prospective observational case series of 216 symptomatic women who underwent symptom severity scoring (bowel, bladder and vaginal), integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound and defaecation proctography. Anatomical (rectocele, intussusception, enterocele, cystocele) and functional (co‐ordination, evacuation) features were examined.

Results

Irrespective of imaging modality, patients with a rectocele had higher International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire – Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ‐VS) scores than patients without. On integrated total pelvic floor ultrasound, ICIQ‐VS quality of life scores were higher in those with a rectocele. There was a higher International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire – Bowel Symptoms (ICIQ‐BS) bowel pattern score in those with a rectocele, and a lower ICIQ‐BS bowel pattern and sexual impact score in those with intussusception. Poor co‐ordination was associated with increased ICIQ‐BS bowel control scores and obstructed defaecation symptom scores. On defaecation proctography, ICIQ‐VS symptom scores were lower in patients with poor co‐ordination.

Conclusion

Patients with a rectocele on either imaging modality may have qualitative vaginal symptoms on assessment. In patients with bowel symptoms but no vaginal symptoms, it is not possible to predict which anatomical abnormalities will be present on imaging.
ALK‐positive compound Spitz nevus with extensive perineural and intraneural neurotropism
Authors: Brown Ryanne A. , Wang Jennifer Y. , Raghavan Shyam S. , Zhang Jingjing , Wan Derrick C. , Born Donald , Koo Matthew , Hazard Florette K. , Novoa Roberto A. , Rieger Kerri E.
Published: October 2020

Historically recognized by their characteristic histopathologic features, Spitz neoplasms are now known to be molecularly defined by mutually exclusive recurrent abnormalities that cause activation of the MAPK pathway. Spitz neoplasms with ALK rearrangements frequently demonstrate polypoid growth with a plexiform arrangement of nested, fusiform melanocytes in intersecting fascicles. Although neurotropism has been described in indolent Spitz neoplasms, this feature is not frequently mentioned in publications on histopathologic assessment of this group of melanocytic tumors. Here, we present an unusual case of a 3‐year‐old female with an ALK‐positive compound Spitz nevus with extensive perineural and intraneural neurotropism occurring on the vermilion border of the lower lip.
Temporal shift between daily sperm movement and mating (sperm reflux) in the Asian comma butterfly, Polygonia c‐aureum
Authors: Hiroyoshi Satoshi , Mitsunaga Takayuki , Reddy Gadi V.P.
Published: October 2020

Temporal changes in mating behavior and daily sperm movement were examined in adult males of the butterfly Polygonia c‐aureum L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), reared under L15:D9 photoperiod at 21 °C. In this butterfly, when extra sperm is present in the duplex (storage organ) at mating, sperm reflux occurs: extra sperm are moved from the duplex to the lower and middle portions of the vasa deferentia by peristaltic movement of the lower portion of the vasa deferentia. It is known in several moth species that daily sperm movement from the testis to the upper portion of the vasa deferentia and from the upper vasa deferentia to the duplex occurs in a circadian manner. If sperm reflux and daily sperm movement occur at the same time, it could create confusion, because these sperm movements are directed oppositely. In this study, we examined the temporal changes of sperm movement and mating behavior in P. c‐aureum in order to clarify whether the two sperm movements are separated in time. Our results showed that most matings occurred during the second half of the photophase, whereas daily eupyrene (nucleate) sperm movement from the upper to the middle portion of the vasa deferentia occurred immediately after light on (early photophase), indicating the presence of a time lag between mating and daily sperm movement. As sperm reflux occurs during mating, these two oppositely directed sperm movements could be performed without conflict.
Is the mechanism of action of antiseizure drugs a key element in the choice of treatment?
Authors: Guery Deborah , Rheims Sylvain
Published: October 2020

About 25 antiseizure drugs are available for the treatment of patients with epilepsy. The choice of the most suited drug for a specific patient is primarily based on the results of the pivotal randomized clinical trials and on the patient’s characteristics and comorbidities. Whether or not the mechanism of action of the antiseizure drugs should be also taken into account to better predict the patient’s response to the treatment remains a matter of debate. Despite the apparent complexity and diversity of antiseizure drug mechanisms of action, the reality unfortunately remains that they are very close, in particular with regard to their relationship with the pathophysiology of epilepsy. With the only exception of the association between lamotrigine and sodium valproate, there are no clinical data that formally support a synergistic association between certain antiseizure drugs in terms of efficacy. However, anticipating risk of adverse events by limiting as far as possible the combination of drugs, which share the same mechanisms of action, is undoubtedly an important driver of daily therapeutic decisions.
Enhanced DNA damage response through RAD50 in triple negative breast cancer resistant and cancer stem‐like cells contributes to chemoresistance
Authors: Abad Etna , Civit Laia , Potesil David , Zdrahal Zbynek , Lyakhovich Alex
Published: October 2020

A growing body of evidence supports the notion that cancer resistance is driven by a small subset of cancer stem cells (CSC), responsible for tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. Both CSC and chemoresistant cancer cells may share common qualities to activate a series of self‐defense mechanisms against chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, we aimed to identify proteins in chemoresistant triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and corresponding CSC‐like spheroid cells that may contribute to their resistance. We have identified several candidate proteins representing the subfamilies of DNA damage response (DDR) system, the ATP‐binding cassette, and the 26S proteasome degradation machinery. We have also demonstrated that both cell types exhibit enhanced DDR when compared to corresponding parental counterparts, and identified RAD50 as one of the major contributors in the resistance phenotype. Finally, we have provided evidence that depleting or blocking RAD50 within the Mre11–Rad50–NBS1 (MRN) complex resensitizes CSC and chemoresistant TNBC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Fatigue crack growth simulation of interacting multiple cracks in perforated plates with multiple holes using boundary cracklet method
Authors: Ahmed Talal , Yavuz Abdulkadir , Turkmen Halit S.
Published: October 2020

In this study, the recently developed boundary cracklet method (BCM) is used to model the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) in complex geometries in two‐dimensional domain. Several benchmark examples of FCP are analysed to show the effectiveness of BCM. Calculated stress intensity factors and crack paths show good agreement with reference studies. BCM is further used to simulate the multiple cracks interaction in a perforated plate with multiple holes having different cases of precracks emanating from edges of the plate and outer periphery of holes under fatigue loading. FCP is assumed to follow Paris–Erdogan law, and the maximum tangential stress criteria are used to predict the direction of propagation in each step. Moreover, to describe the computational efficiency of a numerical method in fatigue problems, a new parameter is introduced: Yavuz's fatigue computational efficiency factor (YCF), which is the number of computed million cycles per hour (CPU time).
Fine‐scale movements and interactions of platypuses, and the impact of an environmental flushing flow
Authors: Hawke Tahneal , Bino Gilad , Kingsford Richard T. , Iervasi Dion , Iervasi Kylie , Taylor Matthew D.
Published: October 2020

The platypus is a cryptic mammal that inhabits freshwater streams and rivers of eastern Australia. Tracking the movements of wild platypuses has been notoriously difficult due to the animals' morphology and methodological limitations. Knowledge of fine‐scale movements and interactions among individuals remain particularly poorly understood, as do responses to changes in hydrology.

We tracked movements of 15 platypuses (six females, nine males) downstream of the Jindabyne Dam on the Snowy River, using externally attached acoustic transmitters (September–November 2017), to assess spatio‐temporal activity patterns among individuals and changes in movement and activity before and after an environmental flushing flow. As the study took place during the breeding season, we expected to observe overlap in area of activity among males and females, but not among males due to increased territoriality during these months. We also anticipated that a large flow event would impact their activity and foraging behaviour, possibly displacing platypuses downstream.

Overlaps in area of activity and temporal co‐occurrence within a pool varied among individuals, with two resident males exhibiting some spatial overlap of activity and varying temporal co‐occurrence, despite tracking during the breeding season. All six tracked females were captured in the same pool and appeared to be residents, possibly highlighting preferences for certain habitats during the breeding months.

We found no evidence that the movements of adult platypuses were affected by an environmental flushing flow, with no significant changes to area of activity, number of detections, or daily range of movements. However, foraging duration increased in the week after the flow, possibly associated with increased prey availability.

These findings suggest that territoriality between males during and after the breeding season may depend on platypus density and resource availability and that pools with high resource availability may support several breeding females.
Water cost savings from soil biochar amendment: A spatial analysis
Authors: Kroeger Jennifer E. , Pourhashem Ghasideh , Medlock Kenneth B. , Masiello Caroline A.
Published: October 2020

While a large body of literature exists on the ability of biochar to retain water and nutrients, little research exists connecting these benefits to biochar qualities, water retention mechanisms, and optimal locations for agricultural use. More information is needed for biochar stakeholders to make informed decisions about where deployment should occur. Specifically, we need to know the biochar characteristics that drive changes in soil water properties, how these effects vary geographically, and what financial benefits farmers can expect in their specific region to identify where biochar can be deployed for optimal results. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the relationship between biochar properties, application rates and observed change in water holding capacity (WHC) as a function of soil texture. Then we mapped our results across US counties to determine where biochar application could yield the largest improvements in soil water properties and added an economic model designed to predict how biochar‐driven changes in soil WHC drive irrigation expenses. Limited data drove our focus to sandy soils, and among these locations, our results suggest that biochar application will be especially effective in the southeast, far north and northeast, and western United States. In a prototype application of our model we predict a 37% reduction in irrigated water use for an instrumented site in Nebraska. Our combined statistical and economic models will be useful for future field experiment proposals, farmers purchasing biochar, and decision makers working to incentivize agricultural advances.
Donor‐dominant one‐way matching of human leukocyte antigen‐A/B/DR alleles predicts graft‐versus‐host disease following living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Hirata Masaaki , Yagi Shintaro , Shindo Takero , Yoshizawa Atsushi , Kiguchi Gozo , Kaneshiro Masakatsu , Yurugi Kimiko , Miyachi Yosuke , Iwamura Sena , Yao Siyuan , Uemoto Shinji
Published: October 2020

Aim

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) following liver transplantation is rare but fatal. Therefore, it is important to identify possible risk factors before transplantation. Although it has been suggested that donor‐dominant one‐way human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching of three loci (HLA‐A/B/DR) is associated with the occurrence of GVHD, the precise significance of HLA matching including HLA‐C/DQ/DP remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the impact of donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at six HLA loci at the allele level on GVHD using clinical registry data from 1759 cases who underwent living donor liver transplantation between June 1990 and June 2019. We extracted cases with donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at the antigen level and reconfirmed them at the allele level using preserved DNA samples.

Results

Three of four cases (75%) who developed GVHD showed donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at three HLA‐A/B/DR loci. These cases also showed donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at HLA‐C/DQ/DP. Three of six cases (50%) with donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at three loci of HLA‐A/B/DR developed GVHD. Notably, none of the cases with donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at one or two HLA‐A/B/DR loci developed GVHD, irrespective of matching status at HLA‐C/DQ/DP. The HLA matching status at the antigen level was revised in 22 of 56 cases, following reconfirmation at the allele level.

Conclusions

Pairing of donors and recipients with donor‐dominant one‐way HLA matching at three HLA‐A/B/DR loci should be avoided to prevent GVHD. No impact of HLA‐C/DQ/DP on GVHD was identified. For liver transplantation, HLA genotypes should be determined at the allele level.
Performance of Thailand’s universal health coverage scheme: Evaluating the effectiveness of annual public hearings
Authors: Kantamaturapoj Kanang , Marshall Aniqa I. , Chotchoungchatchai Somtanuek , Kiewnin Kamonwan , Patcharanarumol Walaiporn , Tangcharoensathien Viroj
Published: October 2020

Background

Legislative provisions in Thailand's National Health Security Act 2002 mandate annual public hearings for providers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders in order to improve the performance of the Universal Health Coverage Scheme (UCS).

Objective

This study aims to explore the annual public hearing process, evaluate its effectiveness and propose recommendations for improvement.

Method

In‐depth interviews were conducted with 29 key informants from various stakeholder groups involved in annual public hearings.

Results

The evaluation showed that the public hearings fully met the criteria of influence over policy decision and partially met the criteria of appropriate participation approach and social learning. However, there are rooms for improvement on public hearing's inclusiveness and representativeness of participants, adequacy of information and transparency.

Conclusions

Three recommendations were proposed a) informing stakeholders in advance of the agenda and hearing process to enable their active participation; b) identifying experienced facilitators to navigate the discussions across stakeholders with different or conflicting interests, in order to reach consensus and prioritize recommendations; and c) communicating policy and management responses as a result of public hearings to all stakeholders in a timely manner.
Natural cause mortality of mental health consumers: A 10‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Suggett Joanne , Foster Kim , Lakra Vinay , Steele Michael , Furness Trentham
Published: October 2020

People with mental illness have substantially lower life expectancy than the general population, with mortality from natural causes most commonly attributed to cardiovascular diseases. The study aim was to identify characteristics of consumers who died of natural causes between 2009 and 2018 at one of Australia’s largest publicly funded mental health services. Data were collected with a retrospective medical record review of 102 consumers. Mean mortality age was 52.4 years (SD = 10.7) (with females 51.9 years [SD = 12.0], and males 52.7 years [SD = 9.9]), which was more than 30 years lower than the Australian population. Cardiovascular diseases were the most frequent mortality cause (39%), followed by respiratory conditions (23%), cancers (20%), and all other causes (19%). Sixty (61%) consumers had at least three co‐occurring physical health conditions. Seventy‐five (74%) smoked tobacco. Consumers who died from cardiovascular diseases were less likely to attend specialist medical follow‐up for their condition (P = 0.004), and more likely to die at home (P = 0.001). Consumers whose mortality age was above 55 years were more likely to have three co‐occurring physical health conditions (P = 0.034). Consumers whose mortality age was below 55 years were more likely to have sub‐optimal nutritional intake (P = 0.014) and higher body mass index (P = 0.008). There is a critical need to close the life expectancy gap for consumers. This requires dedicated focus on reducing mortality risk due to modifiable clinical characteristics which lead to consumer mortality. Mental health nurses play a key role in helping reduce consumers’ mortality and morbidity risk through prevention and early intervention strategies.
Efficacy and safety outcomes of one generic nifedipine versus ADALAT long‐acting nifedipine for hypertension management
Authors: Tung Ying‐Chang , Hsu Tzyy‐Jer , Lin Chia‐Pin , Hsiao Fu‐Chih , Chu You‐Chia , Chen Wen‐Jone , Chu Pao‐Hsien
Published: October 2020

Data regarding the long‐term outcomes of generic antihypertensive drugs are limited. This nationwide retrospective database analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a generic versus brand‐name nifedipine for hypertension treatment. Patients who were prescribed generic or brand‐name nifedipine between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2013, were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The efficacy outcomes included all‐cause mortality and the composite cardiovascular (CV) outcome, including CV death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, non‐fatal stroke, coronary revascularization, and hospitalization for heart failure. Safety outcomes included headache, peripheral edema, constipation, acute kidney injury, hypotension, syncope, new diagnosis of cancer, and cancer death. Among the 98 335 patients who were eligible for analysis, 21 087 (21.4%) were prescribed generic nifedipine. Both the generic and the brand‐name groups included 21 087 patients after propensity score matching. At a mean follow‐up of 4.1 years, the generic nifedipine was comparable to the brand‐name drug with regard to all‐cause mortality (7.2% vs. 7.1%; hazard ratio [HR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–1.09) and the composite CV outcomes (11.6% vs. 11.9%; HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.92–1.03). The generic nifedipine was associated with higher rates of headache, peripheral edema, and constipation but a modest reduction in the risk of newly diagnosed cancer (7.1% vs. 7.8%; subdistribution HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84–0.97). The risks of acute kidney injury, hypotension, syncope, and cancer death were not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, the generic nifedipine was comparable to the brand‐name drug with regard to the risks of all‐cause mortality and the composite CV outcome. The finding of cancer risk could be chance and should be interpreted with caution.
m6A methyltransferase METTL3 promotes retinoblastoma progression via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Zhang Han , Zhang Ping , Long Chongde , Ma Xinqi , Huang Hao , Kuang Xielan , Du Han , Tang Han , Ling Xiangtian , Ning Jie , Liu Huijun , Deng Xizhi , Zou Yuxiu , Wang Renchun , Cheng Hao , Lin Shuibin , Zhang Qingjiong , Yan Jianhua , Shen Huangxuan
Published: October 2020

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common intraocular malignancy in children. Due to the poor prognosis of RB, it is crucial to search for efficient diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Studies have shown that methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3), a major RNA N (6)‐adenosine methyltransferase, is closely related to the initiation and development of cancers. Nevertheless, whether METTL3 is associated with RB remains unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the function and mechanisms of METTL3 in the regulation of RB progression. We manipulated METTL3 expression in RB cells. Then, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were analysed. We also analysed the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway members. Finally, we incorporated subcutaneous xenograft mouse models into our studies. The results showed that METTL3 is highly expressed in RB patients and RB cells. We found that METTL3 knockdown decreases cell proliferation, migration and invasion of RB cells, while METTL3 overexpression promotes RB progression in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, two downstream members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, P70S6K and 4EBP1, were affected by METTL3. Our study revealed that METTL3 promotes the progression of RB through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in vitro and in vivo. Targeting the METTL3/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling axis could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RB.
Evidence‐based topical treatments (azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulfur, zinc, and fruit acid) for acne: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review
Authors: Liu Haibo , Yu Haiyan , Xia Jun , Liu Ling , Liu Guanjian , Sang Hong , Peinemann Frank
Published: October 2020

Objective

The effects of topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulfur, zinc, and fruit acid (alpha‐hydroxy acid) for acne are unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of these topical treatments by collecting randomized controlled trials.

Methods

We searched The Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS up to May 2019. We also searched five trials registers. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Meta analyses were performed by using Review Manager 5 software.

Results

We included a total of 49 trials involving 3880 participants. In terms of treatment response (measured using participants’ global self‐assessment of acne improvement, PGA), azelaic acid was probably less effective than benzoyl peroxide (RR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.72‐0.95). However, there was probably little or no difference in PGA when comparing azelaic acid to tretinoin (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.78‐1.14). There may be little or no difference when comparing salicylic acid to tretinoin (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.92‐1.09). There were no studies measured PGA when evaluating nicotinamide. With respect to alpha‐hydroxy acid, there may be no difference in PGA when comparing glycolic acid to salicylic‐mandelic acid (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.88‐1.26). We were uncertain about the effects of sulfur and zinc. Adverse events associated with these topical treatments were always mild and transient.

Conclusions

Moderate‐quality evidence was available for azelaic acid and low‐ to very‐low‐quality evidence for other topical treatments. Risk of bias and imprecision limit our confidence in the evidence.
Temperature Screening for SARS‐CoV‐2 in Nursing Homes: Evidence from Two National Cohorts
Authors: McConeghy Kevin W. , White Elizabeth , Panagiotou Orestis A. , Santostefano Christopher , Halladay Christopher , Feifer Richard A. , Blackman Carolyn , Rudolph James L. , Mor Vince , Gravenstein Stefan
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Infection screening tools classically define fever as 38.0°C (100.4°F). Frail older adults may not mount the same febrile response to systemic infection as younger or healthier individuals. We evaluate temperature trends among nursing home (NH) residents undergoing diagnostic SARS‐CoV‐2 testing and describe the diagnostic accuracy of temperature measurements for predicting test‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study evaluating diagnostic accuracy of pre–SARS‐CoV‐2 testing temperature changes.

SETTING

Two separate NH cohorts tested diagnostically (e.g., for symptoms) for SARS‐CoV‐2.

PARTICIPANTS

Veterans residing in Veterans Affairs (VA) managed NHs and residents in a private national chain of community NHs.

MEASUREMENTS

For both cohorts, we determined the sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index with different temperature cutoffs for SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reaction results.

RESULTS

The VA cohort consisted of 1,301 residents in 134 facilities from March 1, 2020, to May 14, 2020, with 25% confirmed for SARS‐CoV‐2. The community cohort included 3,368 residents spread across 282 facilities from February 18, 2020, to June 9, 2020, and 42% were confirmed for SARS‐CoV‐2. The VA cohort was younger, less White, and mostly male. A temperature testing threshold of 37.2°C has better sensitivity for SARS‐CoV‐2, 76% and 34% in the VA and community NH, respectively, versus 38.0°C with 43% and 12% sensitivity, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A definition of 38.0°C for fever in NH screening tools should be lowered to improve predictive accuracy for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Stakeholders should carefully consider the impact of adopting lower testing thresholds on testing availability, cost, and burden on staff and residents. Temperatures alone have relatively low sensitivity/specificity, and we advocate any threshold be used as part of a screening tool, along with other signs and symptoms of infection.
Identification of sources of resistance to common bacterial blight in common bean in Ethiopia
Authors: Tumsa Kidane , Shimelis Hussein , Laing Mark , Mukankusi Clare , Mathew Isack
Published: October 2020

Common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli and X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli var. fuscans is one of the major biotic constraints limiting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production and productivity in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to identify new sources of CBB resistance from a diverse panel of genotypes to develop CBB‐resistant common bean varieties. One hundred and ten diverse accessions were evaluated for CBB resistance at three hotspot sites (Melkassa, Arsi Negelle and Mieso) for two seasons (2017 and 2018) in Ethiopia. Data on mean disease severity on leaf (SL) and mean disease severity on pod (SP), the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), number of pods per plant (PP), number of seeds per pod (SPP) and grain yield (GY) were collected. Data were subjected to standard analysis of variance and principal component analysis. The genotype × site interaction (G × E) had significant (p < .05) effect on all assessed traits. This indicated the presence of marked variation among tested genotypes in CBB resistance across the testing sites. Genotypes including SEC21, SEC23, SMC21, VAX6, SEC12, SEC25, SMC22, VAX5, SEC20, SEC22, SEC24, SEC26, SMC16 SMC24, VAX6, SEC25, SEC21, SEC23 and SMC21 exhibited lower values of SL, SP and AUDPC which are useful genetic resources for future CBB resistance breeding programmes. Nasir provided a grain yield of 3.45 ton/ha followed by VAX1 (2.86 ton/ha) and Hawassa Dume (2.83 ton/ha). Further, CBB‐resistant and high yielding genotypes had the higher PPP and SPP making them ideal candidates for common bean breeding in Ethiopia or similar agro‐ecologies emphasizing CBB resistance and enhanced agronomic traits.
Clinical utility of liver biopsies in dogs undergoing splenectomy
Authors: Clarke E. , Levien A. S. , Bennett R. A. , Perry S. , Daniel G.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine the prevalence of neoplasia detected on liver biopsy obtained at the time of splenectomy in dogs with splenic masses.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study of medical records of dogs with splenic masses from which liver biopsies were taken following splenectomy.

Results

Malignant splenic neoplasia was detected in 50 of 113 (44.2%) of the dogs undergoing splenectomy. Neoplastic liver disease was detected on biopsy from 1 of 40 (2.5%) dogs with a grossly normal liver and from 20 of 69 (28.9%) dogs with a grossly abnormal liver. Dogs with a grossly abnormal liver had a ~ 16 times (95% CI: 2.5‐170) higher chance of being diagnosed with liver neoplasia on biopsy. Haemoabdomen was also associated with an increased likelihood of liver neoplasia on biopsy at the time of splenectomy.

Clinical Significance

A liver biopsy taken from grossly normal liver is a low‐yield diagnostic test but liver biopsy is recommended following splenectomy if the liver appears abnormal at surgery.