bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Have natural disasters created opportunities to initiate Big Cat Tourism in South America?
Authors: Tortato Fernando , Hoogesteijn Rafael , Elbroch L. Mark
Published: March 2020

Livestock is the predominant biomass in terrestrial systems around the world, and conflict with livestock inventories continues to threaten large carnivore persistence in increasingly fragmented habitats. Nevertheless, social tolerance for large carnivores is increasing, as is interest in predator tourism, which can facilitate wildlife–livestock coexistence strategies. We report two case studies in which natural disasters led to a reduction in local livestock inventories, and subsequent economic hardships that in turn created opportunities for initiating predator tourism: jaguar tourism in the Pantanal of Brazil and puma tourism in the Patagonia steppe grasslands of southern Chile. Any time livestock numbers are reduced, whether through management decisions or natural disasters, may be considered opportunities to reduce dependency upon livestock and to weigh diversifying revenue streams via alternative activities, such as tourism. Livestock reductions in combination with a surge in the global demand for wildlife tourism have made jaguar and puma tourism an increasingly important economic activity for both regions. Well‐managed predator tourism can be effective carnivore conservation, and if integrated among other strategies, can augment conservation agendas.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Why Does the US Face Greater Disadvantages in the Trade War with China?
Authors: Ng Yew‐Kwang
Published: March 2020

The rhetoric used by President Trump regarding the trade war against China is rife with misinterpretation. The actual American trade deficit with China is much lower if evaluated in the correct terms of value‐added. The deficit is mainly a result of insufficient domestic US savings. In addition, as the US dollar is an international currency which is being increasingly held as a result of increases in world population, income, prices and transaction intensity, Americans can benefit from having trade deficits of hundreds of billions of US dollars each year. My analysis, as well as a model of the Bank of England, reveals that the trade war is not only mutually harmful but also actually hurts America more than China. The Thucydides Trap is likely avoidable in the current nuclear era of assured mutual destruction and because China, facing many structural impediments, is still far behind America in technology and military power.
Bacitracin attenuates haemolysis‐induced insulin degradation during insulin sensitivity testing: Repurposing an old drug for use in metabolic research
Authors: Demidowich Andrew P. , Levine Jordan A. , Brady Sheila M. , Johnson Cheryl D. , Soldin Steven J. , Yanovski Jack A.
Published: March 2020

Haemolysis of serially collected insulin serum samples frequently causes falsely‐low measured concentrations because of the release of intracellular insulin degrading enzyme (IDE). We investigated if bacitracin, an in vitro IDE inhibitor, could prevent haemolysis‐induced insulin degradation during insulin sensitivity testing. Blood samples were collected from adults undergoing serial sampling for insulin sensitivity. A dose‐finding study measured insulin from experimentally haemolysed samples containing five bacitracin concentrations (0‐2.5 g/L) and from non‐experimentally haemolysed samples. To confirm the utility of bacitracin in the clinical setting, we compared insulin in samples collected with and without 1 g/L bacitracin from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT), where haemolysis often occurs accidentally. In the dose‐finding study, bacitracin 0.25, 1 and 2.5 g/L all maximally prevented insulin degradation in experimentally haemolysed samples. Among FSIVGTT unintentionally haemolysed samples, insulin concentrations from bacitracin‐containing samples were significantly higher than from those without bacitracin (P < .01), and not different from non‐haemolysed samples obtained simultaneously from a second intravenous catheter (P = .07). Bacitracin did not significantly alter insulin concentrations in non‐haemolysed samples. Bacitracin attenuates haemolysis‐associated insulin degradation in clinical samples, enabling a more accurate assessment of insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis.
Inequality, public good provision and the composition of trade
Authors: Jahan Dideh Mahsa
Published: March 2020

This paper investigates the effect of trade liberalization on the provision of public goods and shows that inequality also plays a vital role here. Public goods help enhance the productivity of firms, lower prices and raise profitability. The provision of public goods has different effects in closed and open economies. In an open economy, the impact of productive spending on increasing profit is stronger. Consequently, the opening up of the economy shifts the benefits of productive public goods from consumers to firms. As the median voters’, share of the firm’s profit rises, public goods become more appealing and flourish. Consequently, the manufacturing export is boosted by a rise in productivity.
Cancer therapeutics inspired by defense mechanisms in the animal kingdom
Authors: Noble Kathleen , Rohaj Aarushi , Abegglen Lisa M. , Schiffman Joshua D.
Published: March 2020

Many animals have evolved toxins to defend themselves from predators and hunt prey. These toxins have been honed over millions of years by the unique selective pressures on each organism leading to a vast array of potent bioactive compounds, many of which have therapeutic potential. Animal extracts have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, and in the past 50 years, hundreds of animal‐derived compounds have been investigated for anticancer activity with a notable number showing significant potential. This review covers some of the most promising animal‐derived cancer therapeutic agents currently in use or under investigation. Potential therapeutic agents derived from insects, arachnids, amphibians, and marine organism are included. Four compounds are highlighted in this review: bee venom from honeybees (Apis mellifera), chlorotoxin from the Israeli deathstalker scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus), Huachansu from Chinese Bufo toads (Bufo bufo gargarizans and B. melanotictus), and trabectedin from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinate. For each compound, the history of their discovery, their mechanism of action, and their clinical development are discussed.
Everyday illiberalism: How Hungarian subnational politics propel single‐party dominance
Authors: Jakli Laura , Stenberg Matthew
Published: March 2020

While numerous studies consider the roles that media consolidation, court‐packing, and economic crises have played in Hungary's democratic decline since 2010, none have considered the subnational mechanisms driving illiberalism. This study examines the types of subnational procedural tinkering that propel illiberalism by reducing local capacity for institutional resilience. Specifically, we trace how the right‐wing Fidesz‐KDNP government implemented subnational constraints to prevent the reemergence of a viable political opposition by (a) limiting opportunities for political contestation and (b) reducing oversight of the governing coalition. We employ a multimethod approach, pairing systematic document analysis of city council rules and regulations in Hungary's 27 largest municipalities with 26 in‐depth elite interviews across five Hungarian regional cities with mayors, councilmembers, and local leaders of each major political party. In contrast to a large literature on subnational democratic resilience, we examine how subnational maneuvers can enable single‐party consolidation and exacerbate authoritarian tendencies in declining democracies.
Erythema of the skin after breast radiotherapy: It is not always recurrence
Authors: Gutkin Paulina M. , Fernandez‐Pol Sebastian , Horst Kathleen C.
Published: March 2020

Recurrence of breast cancer is a predominant fear for patients who were treated for breast cancer. Acute and late dermatologic effects of radiotherapy are not uncommon and could have similar characteristics to breast cancer recurrence. Thus, it is important to highlight key differences between the clinical and histologic presentations of radiation effects and recurrence. Herein, we present two patients who presented with late dermatologic effects of radiotherapy months to years after treatment, neither of whom had workup consistent with cancer recurrence. We provide clinical and microscopic descriptions of each case and provide a review to differentiate various dermatologic conditions. This report aims to outline potential late dermatologic effects of radiation treatment and emphasise that changes in the breast do not always signal breast cancer recurrence.
A novel approach to lightweight alumina‐carbon refractories for flow control of molten steel
Authors: Chen Zhe , Yan Wen , Schafföner Stefan , Dai Yajie , Wang Qiang , Li Guangqiang
Published: March 2020

Functional refractory materials for flow control devices of molten steel in continuous casting used to be prepared from Al2O3–C refractories containing dense corundum aggregates. According to the traditional concept, the denser the refractories, the higher the strength of refractories. However, we prepared a new lightweight Al2O3–C refractory material using microporous corundum aggregates instead of dense corundum aggregates, which were reinforced by in situ formed SiC whiskers. A comparative analysis of microstructures and properties was carried out for conventional and lightweight Al2O3–C refractories with and without Si powder addition. We showed that microporous aggregates formed a better aggregate/matrix interface bonding and an improved distribution of SiC whiskers. The SiC whiskers formed not only in the matrix, but also inside of the microporous aggregates and at the aggregate/matrix interface by a vapor‐solid reaction mechanism. Due to the formation of a microporous aggregate/matrix interface reinforced by SiC whiskers, the crack propagation along the aggregate/matrix interface was suppressed, whereas the percentage of cracks propagating within the aggregates was enhanced. Thus, the synergy between in situ formed SiC whiskers and microporous aggregates resulted in a significant higher strength of lightweight Al2O3–C refractories compared to conventional ones. The results therefore provide an original strategy to strengthen Al2O3–C refractories.
TRIM23 overexpression is a poor prognostic factor and contributes to carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Han Yudong , Tan Ye , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zhang Yongchun , He Xinjia , Yu Li , Jiang Haiping , Lu Haijun , Tian Haiying
Published: March 2020

The tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins play a great role in carcinogenesis. However, the expression pattern, prognostic value and biological functions of tripartite motif containing 23 (TRIM23) in colorectal cancer (CRC) are poorly understood. Here, we found that TRIM23 is up‐regulated and associated with tumour size, lymph node metastasis, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage and poor prognosis in CRC. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that TRIM23 overexpression could be identified as an independent prognostic factor for CRC. TRIM23 could promote the proliferation of CRC cell in vitro and in vivo; additionally, TRIM23 depletion induced G1­phase arrest. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that P53 and cell cycle signalling pathway‐related genes were enriched in patients with high TRIM23 expression levels. We show in this study that TRIM23 physically binds to P53 and enhances the ubiquitination of P53, thereby promoting tumour proliferation. Thus, our data indicated that TRIM23 acts as an oncogene in colorectal carcinogenesis and may provide a novel therapeutic target for CRC management.
Greater macrovascular and microvascular morbidity from type 2 diabetes in northern compared with southern China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Li , Xing Ying , Yu Xinwen , Ming Jie , Liu Xiangyang , Li Xiaomiao , Fu Jianfang , Zhou Jie , Gao Bin , Hu Dayi , Pan Changyu , Ji Linong , Ji Qiuhe
Published: March 2020

Aims/Introduction

There are substantial differences in genes, diet, culture and environment between the northern and southern Chinese populations, which might influence treatment strategy and screening policy. We studied the differences in type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications between northern and southern China.

Materials and Methods

We carried out a cross‐sectional survey using data from the China Cardiometabolic Registries on blood pressure, blood lipids and blood glucose in 25,398 Chinese type 2 diabetes patients. Macrovascular, microvascular and other complications were collected by self‐report or medical records, and then divided into the northern and southern groups by the boundary of the Yangtze River.

Results

Northern patients were younger, and had heavier weight, greater body mass index and waist circumference, higher blood pressure, higher total cholesterol, higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher hemoglobin A1C. The prevalence of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and macrovascular complications were 1.76‐fold, 1.24‐fold and 1.47‐fold more in northern than that in southern Chinese patients. In addition, the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy and microvascular complications in northern Chinese patients also increased. When stratified by age, the difference in both cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke morbidity became significant, even in the 35–44 years age group.

Conclusions

More macrovascular and microvascular complications were found in northern compared with southern patients, and the largest difference also appeared in the younger age groups <55 years, which might be meaningful to a screening and treatment strategy according to geographic differences.
Hospital competition under pay‐for‐performance: Quality, mortality, and readmissions
Authors: Lisi Domenico , Siciliani Luigi , Straume Odd Rune
Published: March 2020

Health outcomes, such as mortality and readmission rates, are commonly used as indicators of hospital quality and as a basis to design pay‐for‐performance (P4P) incentive schemes. We propose a model of hospital behavior under P4P where patients differ in severity and can choose hospital based on quality. We assume that risk‐adjustment is not fully accounted for and that unobserved dimensions of severity remain. We show that the introduction of P4P which rewards lower mortality and/or readmission rates can weaken or strengthen hospitals' incentive to provide quality. Since patients with higher severity have a different probability of exercising patient choice when quality varies, this introduces a selection bias (patient composition effect) which in turn alters quality incentives. We also show that this composition effect increases with the degree of competition. Critically, readmission rates suffer from one additional source of selection bias through mortality rates since quality affects the distribution of survived patients. This implies that the scope for counterproductive effects of P4P is larger when financial rewards are linked to readmission rates rather than mortality rates.
Kairomones effect on parasitic activity of Trichogramma japonicum against rice yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas
Authors: Murali‐Baskaran Ramasamy Kanagaraj , Sridhar Jandrajupalli , Chander Sharma Kailash , Jain Lata , Senthil‐Nathan Sengottayan , Hunter Wayne Brain , Kumar Jagdish , Kaushal Pankaj
Published: March 2020

The yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas, is a borer pest of low‐land rice in tropical regions of the world, reducing production and productivity. Chemical control of YSB is challenging and often less effective due to its cryptic larval feeding behaviour inside the rice culm. Biological suppression of YSB, using egg parasitoid, Trichogramma japonicum, has been well demonstrated. Kairomones, that are interspecific, play a vital role in deciding biocontrol efficiency of egg parasitoid against lepidopteran pests. However, the mechanisms involved in terms of emission of long‐ and short‐chain volatile chemicals from YSB and its by‐products and YSB damaged rice plants in attraction to T. japonicum to locate eggs of YSB are still poorly understood. In order to trace out the volatile compounds responsible for attraction of egg parasitoid, the hexane extract of YSB female whole body and acetone extract of YSB damaged rice culm were subject to GC‐MS analyses. Out of 20 chemicals, four chemicals belonging to carboxyl, alkane and saturated fatty acid [n‐hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid), tetradecane, octadecane, n‐octadecanoic acid (stearic acid)] from female YSB hexane extract and three sesquiterpenoids (β pinene, α pinene and caryophyllene) from YSB damaged rice plant extracts were detected in greater concentrations. In laboratory assays with the synthetic form of seven chemicals, three, n‐hexadecanoic acid, n‐octadecanoic acid and octadecane, were promising in enhancing the parasitic activity of T. japonicum on YSB eggs from 26.4% to 92.6% at 200 ppm, 27.3% to 96.5% at 500 ppm and 23.6% to 82.8% at 500 ppm, respectively, in contrast to untreated eggs (87.3% at 7th day after exposure) and hexane washed eggs (16.7% at 7th day after exposure). Evaluation of these compounds revealed the key chemical cues of biocontrol potential (n‐hexadecanoic acid, n‐octadecanoic acid and octadecane) for enhancing egg parasitism activity of T. japonicum on YSB eggs.
Yearly changes in dispersal and life‐history traits of Monochamus alternatus Hope with reference to its outbreak
Authors: Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Fukuta Miki , Togashi Katsumi
Published: March 2020

The Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope, is the primary vector of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle, the causative agent of pine wilt disease in East Asia. The range of B. xylophilus expands through the dispersal capability of its vectors and transport of host trees infested with the pathogenic nematode and its vector. Outbreaks of M. alternatus populations occur together with the epidemics of pine wilt disease, because the insect reproduces on host trees recently killed by the disease. We measured some dispersal and life‐history traits of adults for four years to determine the change in flight capability and life history of a field population of beetles in relation to an outbreak. The population monitored exhibited an outbreak and subsequent collapse. The greatest mean body mass, largest area of hind wings, smallest wing load, and shortest preoviposition period were observed in the year of outbreak. By contrast, there was no difference in the ovariole number between pre‐outbreak (latent) and outbreak years. The greatest mean hind wing area and smallest wing load suggest likely result in greater flight performance. As other studies showed, adult body mass is related positively to the flight performance and oviposition rate. Moreover, a shortened preoviposition period leads to a high reproduction rate. Thus, adults in outbreak populations are “superdispersers” because they are likely to have enhanced flight capability and reproduction power. This suggests that M. alternatus populations at the onset of a population outbreak enhance the expansion rate of B. xylophilus range more than those during the latent and pre‐outbreak periods.
Recovery from pathological skin picking and dermatodaxia using a revised decoupling protocol
Authors: Moritz Steffen , Rufer Michael , Schmotz Stella
Published: March 2020

Objective

Pathological skin picking (PSP) is characterized by repetitive scratching, biting, and picking of the skin. The disorder is subsumed under the section “obsessive‐compulsive and related disorders” in the DSM‐5. A related body‐focused repetitive disorder, which has received less empirical attention so far, is dermatophagia or dermatodaxia (eating or biting/gnawing of the skin). Habit reversal training (HRT) is regarded as the treatment of choice demonstrating improvement at a medium effect size relative to control conditions.

Methods

The present case report describes a 50‐year‐old man with a lifetime history of PSP and dermatodaxia of the fingertips who stopped excessive nail‐biting approximately 10 years ago using a treatment method known as decoupling. Yet, his PSP and dermatodaxia remained treatment‐refractory after treatment with both decoupling (conventional protocol) and HRT.

Results

Using a revised protocol of decoupling, the man was able to fully stop PSP and dermatodaxia; only the tendency to fidget nervously with his hands remained. The case report describes the revised protocol. Scores on the Skin Picking Scale Revised (SPS‐R) dropped from 15 to 0.

Discussion

The revised decoupling protocol is an easy to use technique that holds promise in this underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. Yet, rigorous randomized controlled studies are needed to ascertain its efficacy.
Dietary guanidinoacetic acid improves the growth performance and skeletal muscle development of finishing pigs through changing myogenic gene expression and myofibre characteristics
Authors: Lu Yafei , Zou Tiande , Wang Zirui , Yang Jin , Li Lanhai , Guo Xiaobo , He Qin , Chen Liling , You Jinming
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary guanidine acetic acid (GAA) supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits and the expression of muscle growth‐related genes in finishing pigs. A total of 128 (81.03 ± 1.09 kg body weight) crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace ×Yorkshire) were blocked by body weight and allotted to 16 pens (eight pigs per pen), and pens were randomly assigned within blocks to one of five dietary treatments, with a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.03%, 0.06% and 0.09% GAA respectively. During the 60‐day trial, GAA increased the average dairy gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p < .05). The back fat thickness of pigs fed 0.06% GAA was lower than other groups (p < .05). Pigs fed 0.06% GAA had improved lean meat percentage, loin muscle area, shear force and cross‐sectional area of muscle fibre in comparison with control group (p < .05). The drop loss and the muscle fibre density in pigs fed 0.06% GAA were lower than control (p < .05). In addition, dietary GAA enhanced the expression of myosin heavy chain gene (MYH4), myogenic determination (Myod) and myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) in longissimus dorsi and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1(CPT‐1) in liver (p < .05). Meanwhile, GAA decreased the expression of Myostatin in longissimus dorsi and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in liver (p < .05). In conclusion, our results showed that appropriate dietary GAA supplementation (0.06%) promotes skeletal muscle development through changing myogenic gene expression and myofibre characteristics.
Ganymede's Heavenly Descent
Authors: YUST JASON
Published: March 2020

Schubert's songGanymedhas attracted a great deal of interest from analysts on account of its progressive tonal plan, which is often seen as a challenge to Schenkerian theories of tonal structure, as well as its evocative text. This article draws upon a spatial theory of tonal meaning which helps both to resolve the epistemological impasse faced by reductive theories of tonal structure and to better access Schubert's interpretation of Goethe's text through spatial metaphors that derive from the harmony of the song. It also highlights an allusion to Beethoven's ‘Waldstein’ Sonata in the song, which has previously gone unremarked, and identifies this as part of a network of references to Beethoven's Sonata that act both as homage to and critique of his middle‐period style. These serve as a window both into the song and into Schubert's aesthetic stance vis‐à‐vis his musical forebear. It realises latent directional metaphors in the diatonic sharp‐flat and triadic dominant‐subdominant dimensions, which are of hermeneutic value for tonal music. Such a theory helps us interpret Schubert's tonal plan, explain his choices of keys and better understand his reading of Goethe's text and his aesthetic priorities in setting it to music.
Relationship between nurses' perceptions of nursing assistant roles and information‐sharing behaviors: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Saiki Masatoshi , Kunie Keiko , Takemura Yukie , Takehara Kimie , Ichikawa Naoko
Published: March 2020

Information‐sharing between nurses and nursing assistants is necessary for appropriate inpatient care. Nurses who perceive nursing assistant roles highly may display positive behaviors related to information‐sharing with nursing assistants. This study aims to examine the relationship between nurses' perceptions of nursing assistant roles and the frequency of their sharing information with nursing assistants. Using a self‐administered, cross‐sectional survey questionnaire, data from 2,642 nurses in 182 hospitals were collected. Nurses' perceptions of nursing assistant roles were measured with a scale containing four factors: (i) improving patients' abilities through daily care; (ii) caring for various patients using broad perspectives; (iii) facilitating co‐ordination and co‐operation among team members; and (iv) increasing the amount of information on patients among team members. Information‐sharing behaviors included “expressing,” “asking,” “linguistic response,” and “feedback.” Multiple regression analyses for each nurse's information‐sharing behaviors were conducted. Nurses' perceptions of nursing assistant roles were positively correlated with the frequency of sharing information with nursing assistants. The degree of the correlations differed, depending on the type of information‐sharing behavior. Therefore, improving nurses' understanding of nursing assistant roles might increase their information‐sharing behaviors.
Sexual size dimorphism is associated with reproductive life history trait differentiation in coexisting sepsid flies
Authors: Blanckenhorn Wolf U. , Baur Julian , Busso Juan Pablo , Giesen Athene , Gourgoulianni Natalia , van Koppenhagen Nicola , Roy Jeannine , Schäfer Martin A. , Wegmann Alexandra , Rohner Patrick T.
Published: March 2020

Organismal life histories evolve as syndromes, resulting in correlated evolutionary differentiation of key traits that ultimately aid in discerning species. Reproductive success depends both on the absolute body size of an individual and its size relative to the opposite sex: sexual size dimorphism. In an attempt to further elucidate their coexistence and ecological diversification, we compared standard life history (first reproduction, clutch size, egg size) and associated reproductive trait differentiation of 15 widespread European sepsid fly species (Diptera: Sepsidae) under laboratory common garden conditions. Despite relatively uniform body sizes, sexual dimorphism ranged from female‐ to male‐biased, and development time varied twofold across species. We expected, and found, the abundant and relatively large species (Sepsis cynipsea, punctum, thoracica) with often male‐biased SSD to lay larger but fewer eggs and show fast‐developing, fast‐reproducing life histories with aggressive (coercive) mating behavior characterized by short mating latencies and male conflict. In contrast, the smaller and more dispersed species with female‐biased SSD (S. flavimana, orthocnemis, violacea) laid smaller but more eggs, showing a generally slower life history with long and delayed copulation and oviposition, high mating reluctance fostering extensive inter‐sexual conflict, and more elaborate male (pre‐)copulatory courtship. Two Saltella species were exceptional, being large, developing slowly, nevertheless copulating soon after adult emergence, profusely and briefly. The documented life history differentiation seems partly driven by sexual selection leading to male‐biased dimorphism, rather than undetermined ecological selection, but regardless appears insufficient to explain the coexistence and diversification of these sepsid species in European pastoral landscapes.
Assessment of dense image matchers for digital surface model generation using airborne and spaceborne images – an update
Authors: Han Yilong , Qin Rongjun , Huang Xu
Published: March 2020

Digital surface model (DSM) generation is one of the fundamental issues in photogrammetry and the mapping industry. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of state‐of‐the‐art image matchers using nine open‐source and commercial software packages on aerial and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and five software packages on spaceborne images. Two datasets provide an update on DSM generation software for both airborne and spaceborne data: a 5 × 5 UAV image block with high‐precision models; and a WorldView‐1 stereopair with lidar reference data. To understand the performance of the image matchers, accuracy analysis is additionally performed on five selected ground objects. The tested image matchers adopting hierarchical semi‐global matching fitted the reference DSM better, thus yielding better accuracy.
Association of TP53 rs1042522 with cervical cancer in the sub‐Saharan African population: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kamiza Abram Bunya , Kamiza Steve , Singini Mwiza Gideon , Mathew Christopher George
Published: March 2020

Objective

TP53 plays a crucial role in preventing cancer development. Previous studies in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) reported inconclusive findings for the association of the TP53 rs1042522 C > G variant with cervical cancer. We therefore performed a meta‐analysis to summarise this association in the SSA population.

Methods

Online databases were searched to identify suitable articles according to the PRISMA guidelines. We included studies published in English or French that provided the sample sizes and genotype counts for both cases and controls and evaluated the association between TP53 rs1042522 and cervical cancer in the SSA population. A fixed‐effect model was used to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

A total of 699 cervical cancer cases and 1008 controls from eight studies in SSA were included in this meta‐analysis. Women harbouring the variant G allele of the TP53 rs1042522 were at increased risk of cervical cancer in allelic (G vs. C; OR = 1.30, 95% Cl = 1.12–1.50), homozygous (GG vs. CC; OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.20–2.19) and recessive (GG vs. CG + GG; OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.34–2.25) genetic models. However, the dominant genetic model (CG + GG vs. CC; OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.96–1.48) was not significantly associated with cervical cancer.

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis revealed that harbouring variant G allele of TP53 rs1042522 is associated with cervical cancer risk in the SSA population.
Potential impact of a delayed ADAMTS13 result in the treatment of thrombotic microangiopathy: an economic analysis
Authors: Kim Chong H. , Simmons Sierra C. , Wattar Sarah F. , Azad Ameneh , Pham Huy P.
Published: March 2020

Background

A pre‐plasma exchange ADAMTS13 measurement differentiates thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) from other forms of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Given that many hospitals do not perform the ADAMTS13 assay in‐house and that the turnaround time (TAT) differs among reference laboratories, we performed an analysis investigating the potential impact of a delay in obtaining the results on the healthcare system.

Methods

An economic model was developed to estimate the impact of a delay in obtaining the pretreatment ADAMTS13 results on patients admitted with TMA with cost (US dollars) as the primary outcome. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) as a composite outcome was calculated from both cost and life days [LDs], an effectiveness surrogate marker. Model parameters were gathered from the medical literature, except for the institutional cost of the ADAMTS13 test.

Results

In patients with TMA, during the 6‐day study period, the incremental cost to the healthcare system ranged from approximately $4155 to $5123 for every 1‐day delay in obtaining the pre‐exchange ADAMTS13 results with virtually no change in the effectiveness marker. The ICER composite outcome established the cost‐effectiveness of having a fast TAT for pre‐exchange ADAMTS13 results. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses also confirmed the robustness of the model.

Conclusions

In patients with clinical presentations of TMAs, having a rapid TAT for pre‐exchange ADAMTS13 measurement appeared to be cost‐effective. If testing cannot be performed in‐house, then our findings support the necessity of contracting with a reference laboratory that can reliably provide the result, preferably within 1 day of admission.
Colony, post‐colony and world Englishes in the South African context
Authors: Mesthrie Rajend
Published: March 2020

This article discusses the full implications of colonialism and its aftermath in coming to terms with the phenomena of world Englishes. Worldwide movements have brought to the fore the persistence of post‐colonial hierarchies, inequalities and forms of domination well beyond the pre‐colonial and colonial contexts that gave rise to them. South Africa is well suited as a site for researching sociolinguistic questions over the implications of these challenges to previous hierarchical and social orders. A number of communicative practices characterise the South African post‐colony, among them (a) the valorising of different kinds of multilingualism, (b) the greater play given to diversity in English in the media and public speech, and (c) greater contestation of L1 norms. These political, ideological and sociolinguistic developments call into question the largely consensual and linear characterisations of world English studies, especially Schneider's dynamic model. Moreover, it will be argued that South Africa is not an exception, but a crucial case that invites a re‐analysis of world Englishes models in terms of power and contingencies.
A Practical Validation Assessment Workflow
Authors: Wilson Brandon M. , Koskelo Aaron
Published: March 2020

Validation assessments should respond to a diverse set of stakeholders, each with different questions and needs relevant to validation. A single metric designed to address each validation need can inadvertently lead to convoluted, misleading interpretations, especially as individual stakeholders interpret the details of the assessment in terms of their own (often unevaluated) intended use. We propose a validation assessment workflow composed of four necessary and distinct components: (1) model accuracy, (2) model acceptability, (3) validation evaluation, and (4) validation recommendations. We discuss the necessity and purpose of each component in the validation workflow and demonstrate the intent of each component with an example from high-energy-density physics.
Characterizing Two-Stage Combustion Process in a Natural Gas Spark Ignition Engine Based on Multi-Wiebe Function Model
Authors: Liu Jinlong , Ulishney Chris , Dumitrescu Cosmin Emil
Published: March 2020

The Wiebe function is a simple and cost-effective analytical approach to approximate the burn rates in internal combustion (IC) engines. Previous studies indicated that a double-Wiebe function model can better describe the two-stage combustion process inside diesel engines retrofitted to natural gas (NG) spark ignition (SI) compared with a single-Wiebe function. Specifically, the two Wiebe functions are associated with the bowl burn and the squish burn. However, the long tail in the energy release at the end of combustion produces some differences between experiment and model, which can be attributed to the complexity of the late oxidation process inside the post-flame zone and the incomplete combustion of the unburned mixture flowing out from engine crevices. To improve the matching between the model and experimental data, this paper investigated the effect of adding a third Wiebe function just to describe the long tail in the energy release at the end of combustion. The results indicated that such a methodology greatly improved the fitting accuracy in terms of phasing and magnitude of the heat release rate in each combustion stage.
Utilizing photosensitive polymers to evaluate UV radiation exposures in different plasma chamber configurations
Authors: Buzi Luxherta , Miyazoe Hiroyuki , Sagianis Matthew. P. , Marchack Nathan , Papalia John M. , Engelmann Sebastian. U.
Published: March 2020

Monitoring vacuum ultraviolet (UV/VUV) emission in plasma systems is challenging as it requires specialized diagnostic systems or sensors to be compatible with these devices. This study addresses different reactor configurations and plasma chemistries with various levels of UV emission and their effects on a known set of polymers. First, the effect of He plasma treatment of organic underlayer (NFC-1400) and e-beam resist (hydrogen silsesquioxane) on line-space patterning of polysilicon at sub-100 nm pitch was investigated. By applying He plasma exposure, both before and after patterning of the optical underlayer, a significant improvement in line edge roughness (LER) from 2.5 to 1.4 nm was observed. To understand the plasma treatment mechanisms, polymers were exposed to synchrotron VUV light at 62 nm (or 20.0 eV), which coincides with the He VUV emission range (50–60 nm), followed by etching of poly-Si, and were found to have similar LER results. The refraction index measurements for both the optical underlayer and the e-beam resist revealed the key finding that the polymers absorption maxima corresponded exactly to the wavelength of ∼60 nm. Second, the impact of inductively coupled and microwave plasma configurations on etch rates and chemical properties of photoresists were investigated. Identifying specific photon-induced modifications on polymers can help detect UV/VUV emission in the plasma and decouple ion and photon effects on materials. Poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(4-vinylphenol)-based photoresists were exposed to argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) plasmas. Surface and elemental analyses confirmed that plasma effects on chemical modifications, surface roughness, and etch rate were significantly higher for poly(methyl methacrylate) compared to poly(4-vinylphenol)-based photoresists. Detailed elemental and molecular structure analyses of these polymers showed relatively higher damage to both species caused from the inductively coupled plasma, which is ultimately correlated with a higher UV/VUV emission.
AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors on diamond substrate obtained through aluminum nitride bonding technology
Authors: Abou Daher Mahmoud , Lesecq Marie , Tilmant Pascal , Defrance Nicolas , Rousseau Michel , Cordier Yvon , De Jaeger Jean Claude , Tartarin Jean Guy
Published: March 2020

Transfer technology is now becoming very attractive not only for new technologies such as flexible technology but also for solid state technologies when performances are limited by technological barriers that have to be overcome. In this last context, the transfer of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) on diamond substrates represents an opportunity to improve the thermal dissipation when the device operates at high radio frequency power levels. Up to now, the technological process for the transfer of these transistors is not detailed in the literature. In this article, the first demonstration of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on diamond substrates by transfer technology obtained through sputtered aluminum nitride (AlN) layers bonding at low temperature is reported. Devices are first fabricated on AlGaN/GaN epilayers grown on silicon (Si) substrates. Afterward, AlGaN/GaN thin films with devices are released from the Si growth substrate and transferred at 160 °C onto a diamond substrate thanks to an AlN bonding layer. A full description of the transfer technology and all the technological limits and risks are presented. The transferred device provides a maximum DC drain current density IDS Max of 690 mA mm−1 at VGS = 0 V. Furthermore, a cutoff frequency fT of 85 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency fMAX of 106 GHz are extracted from S-parameter measurements.
In vivo priming of human mesenchymal stem cells with hepatocyte growth factor–engineered mesenchymal stem cells promotes therapeutic potential for cardiac repair
Authors: Park Bong-Woo , Jung Soo-Hyun , Das Sanskrita , Lee Soon Min , Park Jae-Hyun , Kim Hyeok , Hwang Ji-Won , Lee Sunghun , Kim Hyo-Jin , Kim Hey-Yon , Jung Seungman , Cho Dong-Woo , Jang Jinah , Ban Kiwon , Park Hun-Jun
Published: March 2020

Priming human BM-MSCs with engineered HGF-MSCs in vivo significantly improves therapeutic potential for myocardial infarction.
Impact of Intrinsic Resistance Mechanisms on Potency of QPX7728, a New Ultrabroad-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor of Serine and Metallo-Beta-Lactamases in
Enterobacteriaceae
, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Lomovskaya Olga , Nelson Kirk , Rubio-Aparicio Debora , Tsivkovski Ruslan , Sun Dongxu , Dudley Michael N.
Published: March 2020

QPX7728 is an ultrabroad-spectrum boronic acid beta-lactamase inhibitor that demonstrates inhibition of key serine and metallo-beta-lactamases at a nanomolar concentration range in biochemical assays with purified enzymes. The broad-spectrum inhibitory activity of QPX7728 observed in biochemical experiments translates into enhancement of the potency of many beta-lactams against strains of target pathogens producing beta-lactamases. The impacts of bacterial efflux and permeability on inhibitory potency were determined using isogenic panels of KPC-3-producing isogenic strains of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and OXA-23-producing strains of
Acinetobacter baumannii
with various combinations of efflux and porin mutations.
Application of a Krypton-Chlorine Excilamp To Control
Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris
Spores in Apple Juice and Identification of Its Sporicidal Mechanism
Authors: Kang Jun-Won , Hong Hak-Nyeong , Kang Dong-Hyun
Published: March 2020

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris
spores, which have high resistance to thermal treatment and can germinate even at low pH, are very troublesome in the juice industry. UV technology, a nonthermal treatment, can be an excellent means to control heat-resistant
A. acidoterrestris
spores in place of thermal treatment. However, the traditionally applied UV sources are lamps that contain mercury (Hg), which is harmful to humans and the environment; thus, there is a need to apply novel UV technology without the use of Hg. In response to this issue, excilamps, an Hg-free UV source, have been actively studied. However, no studies have been conducted applying this technique to control
A. acidoterrestris
spores. Therefore, the results of this study, which applied a KrCl excilamp for the control of
A. acidoterrestris
spores and elucidated the inactivation principle, are expected to be utilized as important basic data for application to actual industry or conducting further studies.
Microbial Residents of the Atlantis Massif’s Shallow Serpentinite Subsurface
Authors: Motamedi Shahrzad , Orcutt Beth N. , Früh-Green Gretchen L. , Twing Katrina I. , Pendleton H. Lizethe , Brazelton William J.
Published: March 2020

The International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 357—“Serpentinization and Life”—utilized seabed drills to collect rocks from the oceanic crust. The recovered rock cores represent the shallow serpentinite subsurface of the Atlantis Massif, where reactions between uplifted mantle rocks and water, collectively known as serpentinization, produce environmental conditions that can stimulate biological activity and are thought to be analogous to environments that were prevalent on the early Earth and perhaps other planets. The methodology and results of this project have implications for life detection experiments, including sample return missions, and provide a window into the diversity of microbial communities inhabiting subseafloor serpentinites.
Potential Enterotoxicity of Phylogenetically Diverse Bacillus cereus Sensu Lato Soil Isolates from Different Geographical Locations
Authors: Drewnowska Justyna Malgorzata , Stefanska Natalia , Czerniecka Magdalena , Zambrowski Grzegorz , Swiecicka Izabela
Published: March 2020

This research offers a new route for a wider understanding of the dependency between pathogenicity and phylogeny of a natural bacterial population, specifically within
Bacillus cereus sensu lato
, that is widely distributed around the world and easily transferred into food products. Our study indicates differences in the phylogenetic and geographical distributions of potential enterotoxigenic
B. cereus sensu lato
strains. Hence, these bacilli possess a risk for human health, and rapid testing methods for their identification are greatly needed. In particular, the detection of the CytK enterotoxin should be a supporting strategy for the identification of pathogenic
B. cereus sensu lato
.
Combination of
Mycobacterium indicus pranii
and Heat-Induced Promastigotes Cures Drug-Resistant
Leishmania
Infection: Critical Role of Interleukin-6-Producing Classical Dendritic Cells
Authors: Dey Somaditya , Mukherjee Debarati , Sultana Sirin Salma , Mallick Suvadip , Dutta Aritri , Ghosh Joydip , Hussain Aabid , Sarkar Biswajyoti , Mandal Supratim , Patra Pradyumna , Saha Bhaskar , Pal Chiranjib
Published: March 2020

The major issues in available therapeutic modalities against leishmaniasis are cost, toxicity, and the emergence of drug resistance. The aim of this work was to develop a successful therapeutic adjuvant against drug-resistant
Leishmania donovani
infection by means of combining
Mycobacterium indicus pranii
with heat-induced promastigotes (HIP). One-month postinfected BALB/c mice were administered subcutaneously with
M. indicus pranii
(10
8
cells) and HIP (100 μg) for 5 days.
The Gut Microbial Diversity of Newly Diagnosed Diabetics but Not of Prediabetics Is Significantly Different from That of Healthy Nondiabetics
Authors: Gaike Akshay H. , Paul Dhiraj , Bhute Shrikant , Dhotre Dhiraj P. , Pande Pranav , Upadhyaya Smitha , Reddy Yugandhar , Sampath Ramya , Ghosh Debjani , Chandraprabha D. , Acharya Jhankar , Banerjee Gautam , Sinkar Vilas P. , Ghaskadbi Saroj S. , Shouche Yogesh S.
Published: March 2020

Gut microbiota is considered to play a role in disease progression, and previous studies have reported an association of microbiome dysbiosis with T2D. In this study, we have attempted to investigate gut microbiota of ND, PreDMs, NewDMs, and KnownDMs. We found that the genera
Akkermansia
and
Blautia
decreased significantly (
P
< 0.05) in treatment-naive diabetics and were restored in KnownDMs on antidiabetic treatment. To the best of our knowledge, comparative studies on shifts in the microbial community in individuals of different diabetic states are lacking. Understanding the transition of microbiota and its association with serum biomarkers in diabetics with different disease states may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for T2D.
Genome-Scale Investigation of the Metabolic Determinants Generating Bacterial Fastidious Growth
Authors: Gerlin Léo , Cottret Ludovic , Cesbron Sophie , Taghouti Géraldine , Jacques Marie-Agnès , Genin Stéphane , Baroukh Caroline
Published: March 2020

Xylella fastidiosa
is one of the most important threats to plant health worldwide, causing disease in the Americas on a range of agricultural crops and trees, and recently associated with a critical epidemic affecting olive trees in Europe. A main challenge for the detection of the pathogen and the development of physiological studies is its fastidious growth, as the generation time can vary from 10 to 100 h for some strains. This physiological peculiarity is shared with several human pathogens and is poorly understood. We performed an analysis of the metabolic capabilities of
X. fastidiosa
through a genome-scale metabolic model of the bacterium. This model was reconstructed and manually curated using experiments and bibliographical evidence. Our study revealed that fastidious growth most probably results from different metabolic specificities such as the absence of highly efficient enzymes or a global inefficiency in virulence factor production. These results support the idea that the fragility of the metabolic network may have been shaped during evolution to lead to the self-limiting behavior of
X. fastidiosa
.