bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online doctoral mentoring in a pandemic: help or hindrance to academic progress on dissertations?
Authors: Mullen Carol A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The author's purpose is to identify and analyze the progress of proposals and dissertations after mentor–mentee relationships rapidly transitioned to intensive online doctoral mentoring as a result of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory pedagogic research design was implemented in 2020 to examine the COVID-19 Dyadic Online Mentoring Intervention, a four-month individualized approach to mentorship. A survey was completed by mentees in an educational leadership cohort that revealed the benefits and drawbacks of technology for learning within online doctoral mentoring contexts. Additional sources of data were published literature, mentor's notes, email exchanges, and scholarly enrichment products.

Findings

Data analysis yielded three themes: (1) mentoring strategies were utilized; (2) the pandemic unsettled reality and (3) personal professional development opportunities were evident. Although life challenges were exacerbated by the pandemic, the online doctoral mentoring intervention met dissertation-related needs and supported academic progress in a Doctorate in Education degree program.

Practical implications

Technology-mediated mentoring during crises involves more than modality changes. Faculty mentors should not be solely responsible for mitigating program and dissertation disruption. Academic cultures must support the adoption of pedagogic innovations like high-quality online doctoral mentoring.

Originality/value

Online doctoral mentoring structures utilizing synchronous and asynchronous technologies can help mentees make academic progress in a crisis, not only in “normal” times.
The performance of export manufacturing firms: roles of international entrepreneurial capability and international opportunity recognition
Authors: Mostafiz Md Imtiaz , Sambasivan Murali , Goh See Kwong
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The international entrepreneurial capability has achieved its legitimacy in international business literature. Leveraging capabilities to recognise opportunities is considered a pivotal strategy to achieve success. Drawing on the entrepreneurship literature and opportunity perspective, this study aims to investigate the role of international entrepreneurial capability in enhancing the international opportunity recognition (IOR) process and the performance of export manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling has been used to test the hypothesised relationship on 388 export manufacturing entrepreneurial firms operating in the apparel industry of Bangladesh.

Findings

The results signify that three international entrepreneurial capabilities, namely, international networking, learning and marketing capability, positively enhance the IOR process of export manufacturing firms. The IOR process positively mediates the relationships between these international entrepreneurial capabilities and firm performance.

Originality/value

Merely having the international entrepreneurial capability is not sufficient to escalate the firm performance. It must be amplified by various strategic actions such as the IOR process. Entrepreneurs need to capitalise on the international entrepreneurial capability to leverage the IOR process and generate non-financial performance success. Entrepreneurial firms that focus more on stimulating non-financial performance can secure better financial performance.
Does credit boost agricultural performance? Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Tuan Anh Nguyen , Gan Christopher , Anh Dao Le Trang
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the short-run and long-run impacts of agricultural credit on Vietnam's agricultural GDP over the period 2004:Q4–2016:Q4, with the incorporation of agricultural labor, public investment and rainfall as important determinants of agricultural GDP.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the indicator saturation (IS) break tests and the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test with structural breaks to examine the credit–agricultural performance nexus. The causal relationships among variables are explored through the Toda–Yamamoto Granger causality test.

Findings

The results indicate that agricultural credit positively influences agricultural GDP in both the short-run and long-run. A unidirectional causal relationship running from credit to agricultural GDP is confirmed. The results also discover the positive and significant effects of labor and rainfall on agricultural GDP in the long-run.

Practical implications

The results imply that the government should focus on expanding agricultural credit as well as enhancing the efficiency of agricultural credit. Furthermore, formal credit institutions should be encouraged to work closely with farmers and agricultural enterprises to offer flexible lending periods and amounts to meet the real situation of agricultural production.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the credit–agricultural performance relationship at the macro-level in Vietnam. Based on the empirical results, the study provides crucial implications for policymakers to optimize the effectiveness of agricultural credit and enhance nationwide agricultural performance.
The effect of articulated sports sponsorship on recall and visual attention to the brand
Authors: Alonso Dos Santos Manuel , Sánchez-Franco Manuel J. , Prado Gascó Vicente
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The objective is to examine the influence of articulation on the effectiveness of sports sponsorship.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses an experimental design with the following factors: articulation (articulated vs unarticulated), congruence (congruent and incongruent) and sporting discipline (tennis, F1 and sailing).

Findings

Even though the academic literature argues that articulation improves the indicators of performance, the authors have been unable to demonstrate that articulated sports posters have an influence on visual attention, congruence or recall. The results show that articulation diverts visual attention from the brand to the text, diminishing recall.

Originality/value

This is the first manuscript to use neurophysiological measures of the articulation effect. This is also the first manuscript that examines the differences in attention between articulated sponsorships based on their congruence.
Freelancing on digital work platforms – roles of virtual community trust and work engagement on person–job fit
Authors: Toth Ilona , Heinänen Sanna , Blomqvist Kirsimarja
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of virtual community trust on work engagement and person–job fit in the context of digital work platforms. The emergence of the platform economy is changing the work environment fundamentally. It has enabled the appearance of alternative work arrangements, such as temporary organizing and the increase of independent contracting, also among highly specialized knowledge workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected with an online survey and used to test the relationships between virtual community trust, work engagement and person–job fit. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the goodness of a theoretical model.

Findings

Based on the data of 127 experts contracting on digital work platforms, virtual community trust positively affects both work engagement and person–job fit. In addition, the relationship between work engagement and person–job fit in the context of digital work platforms is significant and positive.

Practical implications

This study shows that trust among independent contractors working on digital platforms is important for work engagement and that platform providers can improve work performance through person–job fit by assisting in the creation of trust among members of their platforms.

Originality/value

The research literature on knowledge work in the changing context of work is scarce, and the role of trust in the context of digital work platforms needs clarification. This paper tests a theoretical model on the effects of trust among highly skilled experts working in the digital platform context as independent contractors and provides evidence for the importance of building trust among members of a virtual work community.
Oral leukoplakia and the long‐term risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer deaths in the Linxian dysplasia population
Authors: Yang Huan , Zhang Su , Wang Jianbing , Fan Jinhu , Qiao Youlin , Taylor Philip R.
Published: August 2020

Background

To investigate oral leukoplakia (OL) and risk of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer deaths in the Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial (NIT) cohort.

Methods

A total of 3318 subjects with esophageal squamous dysplasia enrolled on 1 May 1985, and were followed up until 30 September 2015. Participants with OL at baseline were treated as an exposed group, while the remainder was selected as a control group. All subjects were followed monthly and reviewed quarterly by the Linxian Cancer Registry. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

During the 30‐year follow‐up, a total of 902 UGI cancer deaths occurred, including 541 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) related, 284 gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC) related, and 77 gastric noncardia carcinoma (GNCC) related deaths. Relative to subjects without OL, the long‐term risk of ESCC mortality in participants with OL increased by 26.1% (HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05–1.52). In the subgroup analyses, adverse effects of OL on ESCC mortality were observed especially in younger subjects (HR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11–1.97), females (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.11–1.89), non‐smokers (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15–1.81), nondrinkers (HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.57), and individuals with a family history of cancer (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.79). No associations were observed between OL and risk of GCC and GNCC mortality.

Conclusions

OL may increase the long‐term risk of ESCC mortality, especially in younger subjects, females, nondrinkers, non‐smokers, and subjects with a family cancer history. Future studies are needed to explore the potentially etiological mechanism.
Cohort study of 1241 patients to identify predictors of negative appendicectomy
Authors: Mackay Thomas G. , Dissanayake Bhanuka , Yuide Peter J. , Burstow Matthew J. , Gundara Justin S. , Chua Terence C.
Published: August 2020

Background

Acute Appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation within Australia. Despite the increasing use of radiological investigations to aid clinical diagnosis, many appendectomies result in a histologically normal appendix. This study examines the histological negative appendicectomy rate (NAR) in a metropolitan hospital and determine factors associated with a negative appendicectomy (NA).

Methods

Patients who underwent emergency appendicectomy for suspected acute appendicitis at Logan Hospital, Australia, between February 2016 and March 2019 inclusive were included. Clinicopathologic and imaging variables were analysed for associations with NA.

Results

A total of 1241 patients underwent emergency appendicectomy of which 121 patients (9.8%) had a NA. The NAR for clinical diagnosis alone (no imaging) was 9.9%, 14.5% for ultrasonography alone and computed tomography scan alone was 4.9%. Univariate analysis revealed age <27 years (P < 0.001), absence of hypertension (P = 0.008), symptoms >48 hours (P < 0.001), absence of leucocytosis (P < 0.001), undergoing ultrasonography only (P < 0.001), undergoing computed tomography scan only (P < 0.001), macroscopically normal appendix (P < 0.001) and time to operation >24 hours (P < 0.001) were associated with NA. Multivariate analysis identified symptoms >48 h at presentation (odds ratio (OR) 1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–3.24; P = 0.007), absence of leucocytosis (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.52–3.81; P < 0.001) and macroscopically normal appendix (OR 5.70, 95% CI 3.49–9.33; P < 0.001) to be associated with a NA.

Conclusion

The NAR reported is lowest in an Australian institution. The identified predictors of NA will be useful in identifying patients who would truly benefit from an appendicectomy versus those would have a higher rate of NA who may be suitable to be treated non‐operatively to be spared the unnecessary morbidity of surgery.
Short Message Service reminders reduce outpatient colonoscopy nonattendance rate: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Lam Thomas Y T , Hui Aric J , Sia Felix , Wong Mei Y , Lee Casper C P , Chung Ka W , Lau James Y W , Wu Peter I , Sung Joseph J Y
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim

Nonattendance of outpatient colonoscopy leads to inefficient use of health‐care resources. We aimed to study the effectiveness of using Short Message Service (SMS) reminder prior in patients scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy on their nonattendance rate.

Methods

Patients who scheduled for an outpatient colonoscopy and had access of SMS were recruited from three clinics in Hong Kong. Patients were randomized to SMS group and standard care (SC) group. All patients were given a written appointment slip on the booking date. In addition, patients in the SMS group received an SMS reminder 7–10 days before their colonoscopy appointment. Patients' demographics, attendance, colonoscopy completion, and bowel preparation quality were recorded. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of nonattendance.

Results

From November 2013 to October 2019, a total of 2225 eligible patients were recruited. A total of 1079 patients were allocated to the SMS group and 1146 to the SC group. The nonattendance rate of patients in the SMS group was significantly lower than that in the SC group (8.9% vs 11.9%, P = 0.022). There were no significant differences in their baseline characteristics and colonoscopy completion rate and bowel preparation quality. A trend towards a higher rate of adequate bowel preparation was observed in the SMS group when compared with the SC group (69.9% vs 65.8%, P = 0.053). Independent predictors for nonattendance included younger age, underprivilege, and existing diabetes.

Conclusions

An SMS reminder for outpatient colonoscopy is effective in reducing the nonattendance rate and may potentially improve the bowel preparation quality.
New insights on brain‐derived neurotrophic factor epigenetics: from depression to memory extinction
Authors: Poon Chi Him , Heng Boon Chin , Lim Lee Wei
Published: August 2020

Advances in characterizing molecular profiles provide valuable insights and opportunities for deciphering the neuropathology of depression. Although abnormal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in depression has gained much support from preclinical and clinical research, how it mediates behavioral alterations in the depressed state remains largely obscure. Environmental factors contribute significantly to the onset of depression and produce robust epigenetic changes. Epigenetic regulation of BDNF, as one of the most characterized gene loci in epigenetics, has recently emerged as a target in research on memory and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, epigenetic alterations of BDNF exons are heavily involved in mediating memory functions and antidepressant effects. In this review, we discuss key research on stress‐induced depression from both preclinical and clinical studies, which revealed that differential epigenetic regulation of specific BDNF exons is associated with depression pathophysiology. Considering that BDNF has a central role in depression, we argue that memory extinction, an adaptive response to fear exposure, is dependent on BDNF modulation and holds promise as a prospective target for alleviating or treating depression and anxiety disorders.
Extraesophageal syndrome of gastroesophageal reflux: relationships with lung disease and transplantation outcome
Authors: Chan Walter W. , Ahuja Nitin , Fisichella P. Marco , Gavini Sravanya , Rangan Vikram , Vela Marcelo F.
Published: August 2020

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is prevalent and may be associated with both esophageal and extraesophageal syndromes, which include various pulmonary conditions. GERD may lead to pulmonary complications through the “reflux” (aspiration) or “reflex” (refluxate‐triggered, vagally mediated airway spasm) mechanisms. While GERD may cause or worsen pulmonary disorders, changes in respiratory mechanics due to lung disease may also increase reflux. Typical esophageal symptoms are frequently absent and objective assessment with reflux monitoring is often needed for diagnosis. Impedance monitoring should be considered in addition to traditional pH study due to the involvement of both acidic and weakly acidic/nonacidic reflux. Antireflux therapy may improve outcomes of some pulmonary complications of GERD, although careful selection of a candidate is paramount to successful outcomes. Further research is needed to identify the optimal testing strategy and patient phenotypes that would benefit from antireflux therapy to improve pulmonary outcomes.
Higher‐level phylogeny of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) inferred from mitochondrial genomes
Authors: Nie Ruie , Vogler Alfried P. , Yang Xing‐Ke , Lin Meiying
Published: August 2020

Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles) and related families in the superfamily Chrysomeloidea are important components of forest ecosystems and play a key role in nutrient cycling and pollination. Using full mitochondrial genomes and dense taxon sampling, the phylogeny of Chrysomeloidea with a focus on Cerambycidae and allied families was explored. We used 151 mitochondrial genomes (75 newly sequenced) covering all families and 29 subfamilies of Chrysomeloidea. Our results reveal that (i) Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles) are sister to all other chrysomeloid families; (ii) Cerambycidae sensu stricto (s. s.) is polyphyletic due to the inclusion of other families that split Cerambycidae into a ‘lamiine’ clade comprising Lepturinae sensu lato (s. l.) + (Lamiinae + Spondylidinae) and a ‘cerambycine’ clade comprising Dorcasominae + (Cerambycinae + Prioninae s. l.); (iii) the subfamilies within the two clades of Cerambycidae s. s. were monophyletic, except for the placement of Necydalinae nested in Lepturinae, and the placement of Parandrinae within Prioninae (now considered as tribes Necydalini and Parandrini, respectively); (iv) smaller families were grouped into two major clades: one composed of Disteniidae+Vesperidae and the other composed of Orsodacnidae + (Megalopodidae + Oxypeltidae); (v) relationships among the four major clades were poorly supported but were resolved as ((cerambycines + (Disteniidae + Vesperidae) + Orsodacnidae + (Megalopodidae + Oxypeltidae)) + lamiines. Divergence time analyses estimated that Chrysomeloidea originated ca. 154.1 Mya during the late Jurassic, and most subfamilies of Cerambycidae originated much earlier than subfamilies of Chrysomelidae. The diversification of families within Chrysomeloidea was largely coincident with the radiation of angiosperms during the Early Cretaceous.
Does private aid follow the flag? An empirical analysis of humanitarian assistance
Authors: Fuchs Andreas , Öhler Hannes
Published: August 2020

This paper compares the allocation of private humanitarian aid to that of official humanitarian aid awarded to 140 recipient countries over the 2000–2016 period. We construct a new database that offers information on the country in which the headquarters of private donors are located to test whether private aid tends to follow the humanitarian aid allocation pattern of the respective official donor. Our empirical results confirm that private humanitarian aid tends to “follow the flag”. This finding is robust against the inclusion of various fixed effects, estimating instrumental variables models and disaggregating private humanitarian aid into corporate aid and NGO aid. Donor country‐specific estimations reveal that private humanitarian aid from China, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States tend to “follow the flag”.
Cable Angle and Minimum Resultant Force Response Analysis of Lower Limb Traction Device for Rehabilitation Robot With Interval Parameters
Authors: Li Yuan , Zi Bin , Zhou Bin , Zhao Ping , Ge Q.J.
Published: August 2020

This paper proposes a hybrid uncertainty analysis method (HUAM) based on the first-order interval perturbation method (FIPM) and Monte Carlo method (MCM) for minimum resultant force response analysis of the lower limb traction device (LLTD) of a hybrid-driven parallel waist rehabilitation robot (HDPWRR) with interval parameters. Based on the analysis of cable angles by using the interval algorithm, the problem of non-uniqueness of the force solution in redundant constraint mechanisms is solved. The force response domain prediction with interval parameters on rehabilitation patients is estimated by using the HUAM which combining the first-order interval perturbation technique with direct Monte Carlo method in different stages, and it reduces the calculation amount. First, the kinematic and static models of the LLTD with deterministic information are established according to its work principle. Then, the interval matrices with interval parameters are calculated by using the FIPM and the response of cable angles is combined with the static model. Third, by numerical examples, the accuracy and efficiency of the HUAM for solving the force response domain problem with interval parameters are verified. The bounds of cable angle response domain of the interval LLTD model are determined. Finally, the minimum resultant force response domain prediction with interval parameters on rehabilitation patients is estimated by combining the FIPM and MCM.
Assisted Spatial Sit-to-Stand Prediction-Part 1: Virtual Healthy Elderly Individuals
Authors: Yang James , Ozsoy Burak
Published: August 2020

Sit-to-stand (STS) motion is a key determinant of functional independence for the senior people. This paper extends a predictive dynamics formulation previously reported to predict the assisted STS motion, i.e., the motion with a mechanical assistance, unilateral grab-rail bar which is placed on the right side of the virtual-individuals with a vertical orientation. The formulation is able to predict kinetics and kinematics not only in the sagittal plane, but also in frontal and transverse planes. Two different objective functions are tested: The first one is the dynamic effort and the second one is the dynamic effort plus the difference between right and left side support reaction forces (SRFs). Results show that sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics are not affected by the introduction of the grab-rail bar, whereas some significant differences are seen in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior components of kinematics and kinetics. The healthy elderly group places a priority to the stability during an assisted STS task. The placement of the grab-rail bar on the right side results in a significant decrease in the left knee joint torque. Results in this study are consistent with those reported from the literature.
Image-Based Feedback Control for a Coaxial Spray
Authors: Bothell Julie K. , Morgan Timothy B. , Heindel Theodore J.
Published: August 2020

Optimization of jet engine sprays has the potential to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Sprays can be continually optimized in multivariate scenarios using real-time feedback control, but a method of controlling the sprays based on physical properties must first be established. In this study, a spray controller was developed to optimize the spray angle obtained from shadowgraphs, with the assumption that the largest angle is desired. The spray angle was used as an example, as it is a physically important parameter which is easily found through shadowgraph imaging. Varying ratios of swirled air to straight air, determined by the image-based feedback controller were introduced into the air portion of a coaxial airblast nozzle while keeping the total air flow rate constant. A golden section search converged on the swirled air ratio that provided the largest angle and was validated from the distribution of spray angle versus swirled air ratio. The ratio that produced a spray with the greatest angle of 25.8 ± 2 deg was found at a swirled air ratio of 0.66 ± 0.03 for a spray with a momentum ratio of 6. The successful design and implementation of this image-based feedback controller is intended to provide a foundation for developing real-time active feedback controllers for sprays.
Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor mimicking malignancy: the value of differential diagnosis on contrast enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Kong Wen-Tao , Wang Wen-Ping , Shen Hai-Yun , Xue Hai-Yan , Liu Chun-Rui , Huang Dan-Qing , Wu Min
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can improve the differential diagnostic performance between hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor (HIPT) and other malignant tumors.Material and methods: Forty-four patients with histological proven HIPTs were included in this retrospective study. The features of conventional ultrasound (US) and CEUS were evaluated.Results: Three kinds of enhanced pattern can be seen in the 44 nodules including homogeneous (n=18, 41%), heterogeneous (n=16, 36%) and rim-like enhancement (n=10, 23%). All of the nodules showed hypo-enhancement during the portal and delayed phase. The dominant nodules (n=29, 66%) presented wash-out within 60 s after contrast injection. Quick wash-in and wash-out was seen in 18 nodules (41%). Eighteen nodules (41%) were correctly diagnosed as HIPT, whereas the remaining 26 cases were misdiagnosed as malignancies (n=20, 45%) or with an uncertain diagnosis (n=6, 14%).Conclusion: CEUS was not enough to differentiate HIPT from hepatic malignancies, especially intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastasis. However, some CEUS imaging characteristics may be helpful for HIPT diagnosis.
Value of Crystal Vue technique in detecting the placenta accreta spectrum located in c-section scar area
Authors: Chen Shaoqi , Chen Qingzi , Du Xiya , Chen Sumin , Li Weiping , Chen Shigao
Published: August 2020

Aims: Excessive placental invasion is a life-threatening obstetric disease. Determining the extent of placental villi invasion prenatally is crucial for formulating a surgical plan for pregnant women. The objective of this study was to explore the diagnostic accuracy of the Crystal Vue technique combined with two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound in detecting the degree of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) located in the C-section scar area.Materials and methods: Twenty-seven pregnant women with a strong suspicion of PAS underwent 2D ultrasound combined with a Crystal Vue examination. The diagnosis of 2D ultrasound alone and Crystal Vue combined with 2D ultrasound was statistically calculated, respectively. Cohen’s kappa (k) was used to measure the consistency between these two ultrasound diagnosis and the postoperative diagnosis.Results: The postoperative diagnosis of 27 pregnant women was as follows: 6 cases of placental accreta, 11 cases of placental increta, 2 cases of placental percreta, 2 cases of placental accrete and placental increta, 2 cases of placental accreta and placental percreta, and 4 cases without PAS. Compared with the postoperative diagnosis, 20 cases (74.07%) were correctly diagnosed by 2D ultrasound alone, 6 cases were misdiagnosed, and one case the diagnosis was incomplete, which were substantially consistent with the postoperative diagnosis (k=0.612, p<0.01). Twenty-six cases (96.30%) were correctly diagnosed by Crystal Vue combined with 2D ultrasound; only one case was incomplete diagnosed which was  almost perfectly consistent with the postoperative diagnosis (k=0.934, p<0.01).Conclusions: Combining the Crystal Vue technique with 2D ultrasound can improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for detecting all types of PAS located in C-section scar area.
Perceptual organization and stability of auditory streaming for pure tones and /ba/ stimuli
Authors: Gustafson Samantha J. , Grose John , Buss Emily
Published: August 2020

The dynamics of auditory stream segregation were evaluated using repeating triplets composed of pure tones or the syllable /ba/. Stimuli differed in frequency (tones) or fundamental frequency (speech) by 4, 6, 8, or 10 semitones, and the standard frequency was either 250 Hz (tones and speech) or 400 Hz (tones). Twenty normal-hearing adults participated. For both tones and speech, a two-stream percept became more likely as frequency separation increased. Perceptual organization for speech tended to be more integrated and less stable compared to tones. Results suggest that prior data patterns observed with tones in this paradigm may generalize to speech stimuli.
A Scale Measuring Academic-Related Anxiety Following Concussion
Authors: Dressing Michael , Wise Jillian , Katzenstein Jennifer , Mularoni P. Patrick
Published: August 2020

Does academic-related anxiety contribute to an adolescent’s recovery process and return to activity after experiencing a concussion? The authors created a novel measure of academic-related anxiety (Mularoni Measure of Academic Anxiety following Concussion [MMAAC]) and administered it to adolescents following concussion in outpatient pediatric sports medicine clinics. Two previously validated measures of anxiety were also administered, and results were compared with the MMAAC scores as well as the lengths of time for return to school and sports. Results show that higher MMAAC scores positively correlate with the length of time an adolescent needs to return to school. Study results indicate that the MMAAC reliably measures academic-related anxiety in adolescents suffering from concussions and can be helpful in predicting a basic timetable for return to school. The authors believe that this brief survey can be used by physicians in clinic to evaluate anxiety and assist with return to school expectations to provide comprehensive recovery support.
Does “Sitting” Stand Alone? A Brief Report Evaluating the Effects of Prenatal Sedentary Time on Maternal and Newborn Anthropometric Outcomes
Authors: Nagpal Taniya S. , Everest Catherine , Souza Sara C.S. , da Silva Danilo F. , Mohammad Shuhiba , Bhattacharjee Jayonta , Adamo Kristi B.
Published: August 2020

Background: Research on sedentary behavior and effects on maternal and newborn outcomes has been inconclusive. The objective of this report was to correlate sedentary time with maternal and fetal anthropometric measurements and compare the effect on sedentary time based on meeting prenatal activity guidelines. Methods: Healthy pregnant women (N = 61) in their second trimester (24–28 wk gestation) provided 7-day accelerometry data. Outcomes, including neonatal weight, length, and body fat percentage, were collected 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Placenta weight was measured immediately after delivery. Gestational weight gain was calculated by subtracting self-reported prepregnancy weight from measured weight at 38 weeks gestation. Correlations between sedentary time and outcomes were tested with Spearman and Pearson coefficient of correlations in all women separately and in accordance with the 2019 Canadian prenatal exercise guidelines. Results: No significant associations were found between sedentary time and the selected outcomes, even when compared by prenatal exercise level. There was no difference in total time spent sedentary between active (576.7 [52.8] min) and inactive women (599.3 [51.6] min). Conclusions: Meeting exercise recommendations during pregnancy does not significantly decrease total sedentary time. Future studies should aim to evaluate the health effects of both decreasing sedentary time and meeting prenatal exercise guidelines.
An Open Data Set of Inertial, Magnetic, Foot–Ground Contact, and Electromyographic Signals From Wearable Sensors During Walking
Authors: Camara Miraldo Desiree , Naville Watanabe Renato , Duarte Marcos
Published: August 2020

This study describes an open data set of inertial, magnetic, foot–ground contact, and electromyographic signals from wearable sensors during walking at different speeds. These data were acquired from 22 healthy adults using wearable sensors and walking at self-selected comfortable, fast and slow speeds, and standing still. All data are publicly available in the Internet (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7778255). In total, there are data of 9,661 gait strides. This data set also contains files with the instants of the gait events identified using the foot–ground contact sensors and notebooks exemplifying how to access and visualize the data. This data set gives the opportunity to all interested researchers to work with such data, for example, making tests of algorithms for gait event estimation against a common reference, possible.
Why infection poses a special risk to pregnant women
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: August 2020

Cardiovascular and immune system changes in moms-to-be make them more vulnerable to serious disease.
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is still rising sharply
Authors: Escobar Herton
Published: August 2020

Satellite images suggest clearings are up by at least 28%.
The long haul
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: August 2020

Some COVID-19 survivors are still sick months later. Doctors want to learn why and what they can do.
Antibodies may curb pandemic before vaccines
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: August 2020

Now in efficacy trials, monoclonal antibodies promise to both prevent and treat disease.
The proteasome controls ESCRT-III–mediated cell division in an archaeon
Authors: Tarrason Risa Gabriel , Hurtig Fredrik , Bray Sian , Hafner Anne E. , Harker-Kirschneck Lena , Faull Peter , Davis Colin , Papatziamou Dimitra , Mutavchiev Delyan R. , Fan Catherine , Meneguello Leticia , Arashiro Pulschen Andre , Dey Gautam , Culley Siân , Kilkenny Mairi , Souza Diorge P. , Pellegrini Luca , de Bruin Robertus A. M. , Henriques Ricardo , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Šarić Anđela , Lindås Ann-Christin , Robinson Nicholas P. , Baum Buzz
Published: August 2020

Proteasomal control of division in Archaea

In eukaryotes, proteasome-mediated degradation of cell cycle factors triggers mitotic exit, DNA segregation, and cytokinesis, a process that culminates in abscission dependent on the protein ESCRT-III. By studying cell division in an archaeal relative of eukaryotes, Tarrason Risa
et al.
identified a role for the proteasome in triggering cytokinesis by an archaeal ESCRT-III homolog. Cell division in this archaeon was driven by stepwise remodeling of a composite ESCRT-III–based division ring, where rapid proteasome-mediated degradation of one ESCRT-III subunit triggered the constriction of the remaining ESCRT-III–based copolymer. These data strengthen the case for the eukaryotic cell division machinery having its origins in Archaea.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaz2532
Importin α3 regulates chronic pain pathways in peripheral sensory neurons
Authors: Marvaldi Letizia , Panayotis Nicolas , Alber Stefanie , Dagan Shachar Y. , Okladnikov Nataliya , Koppel Indrek , Di Pizio Agostina , Song Didi-Andreas , Tzur Yarden , Terenzio Marco , Rishal Ida , Gordon Dalia , Rother Franziska , Hartmann Enno , Bader Michael , Fainzilber Mike
Published: August 2020

Nuclear transport controls chronic pain

Chronic neuropathic pain is debilitating and difficult to treat. Marvaldi
et al.
now show that chronic pain is regulated by a specific nuclear import factor in peripheral sensory neurons (see the Perspective by Yousuf and Price). Importin α3 is required for nuclear import of the transcription factor c-Fos in sensory neurons, and perturbation of this pathway ameliorates sustained neuropathic pain in mice. Candidate drugs were identified that mimic this pathway and alleviate neuropathic pain in mouse models. Identification of a nuclear transport factor that regulates pain mechanisms offers opportunities for future analgesic development.

Science
, this issue p.
842
; see also p.
774
A new wrinkle on liquid sheets: Turning the mechanism of viscous bubble collapse upside down
Authors: Oratis Alexandros T. , Bush John W. M. , Stone Howard A. , Bird James C.
Published: August 2020

Slower-motion bubble collapse

The collapse of viscous bubbles is of practical interest to geophysics, glass manufacturing, and food processing. Previous studies have suggested that gravity or small punctures may play a role in the wrinkling and collapse of viscous bubbles. By studying bubbles with a range of viscosity and by tilting them both sideways and upside down, Oratis
et al.
conclude that gravity is not a factor. Instead, surface tension and dynamic stress of the compressed liquid seem to be the main driving mechanisms for the behavior of the bubbles and the wrinkling instability.

Science
, this issue p.
685
Building social cohesion between Christians and Muslims through soccer in post-ISIS Iraq
Authors: Mousa Salma
Published: August 2020

Social contact and reconciliation

It has been theorized that positive intergroup relations can reduce prejudice and facilitate peace. However, supporting empirical evidence is weak, particularly in the context of real-world conflict. Mousa randomized Christian Iraqi refugees to soccer teams that were composed of either all Christian players or a mixture of Christian and Muslim players (see the Perspective by Paluck and Clark). Playing on the same team as Muslims had positive effects on Christian players' attitudes and behaviors toward Muslims within the context of soccer, but these effects did not generalize to non-soccer contexts. These findings have implications for the potential benefits and limits of positive intergroup contact for achieving peace between groups.

Science
, this issue p.
866
; see also p.
769
Iron-based superelastic alloys with near-constant critical stress temperature dependence
Authors: Xia Ji , Noguchi Yuki , Xu Xiao , Odaira Takumi , Kimura Yuta , Nagasako Makoto , Omori Toshihiro , Kainuma Ryosuke
Published: August 2020

Temperature-stable superelasticity

Shape memory alloys are superelastic, which means that they can recover their original shape after a large amount of strain. However, in most alloys, this behavior tends to only work well for a small range of temperatures. Xia
et al.
identified an iron-manganese-aluminum-chromium-nickel alloy for which superelasticity is virtually temperature independent (see the Perspective by La Roca and Sade). This distinctive property is attractive for a variety of applications in which large temperature variations are normal, such as in space exploration.

Science
, this issue p.
855
; see also p.
773
A molecular mediator for reductive concerted proton-electron transfers via electrocatalysis
Authors: Chalkley Matthew J. , Garrido-Barros Pablo , Peters Jonas C.
Published: August 2020

Delivering protons with electrons

Many chemical reactions involve concurrent transfer of a proton and an electron. In electrochemical synthesis, this mechanism could prove useful in lowering the energy necessary for cathodic electron transfer alone, but it is hindered by competing direct coupling of the protons and electrons to make hydrogen instead. Chalkley
et al.
now report a molecular mediator consisting of a dimethylaniline base tethered to a cobaltocenium electron acceptor. This construct can deliver both a proton and an electron to a substrate from an acid and a cathode while skirting the hydrogen pathway.

Science
, this issue p.
850
Cell-cell adhesion in plant grafting is facilitated by β-1,4-glucanases
Authors: Notaguchi Michitaka , Kurotani Ken-ichi , Sato Yoshikatsu , Tabata Ryo , Kawakatsu Yaichi , Okayasu Koji , Sawai Yu , Okada Ryo , Asahina Masashi , Ichihashi Yasunori , Shirasu Ken , Suzuki Takamasa , Niwa Masaki , Higashiyama Tetsuya
Published: August 2020

Grafting success by cell wall remodeling

Plants that produce great fruit may not always have great roots. Grafting of a productive scion onto a resilient rootstock has provided agriculturalists with solutions to this and other challenges. Notaguchi
et al.
have now studied why some plant grafts work better than others (see the Perspective by McCann). The tobacco relative
Nicotiana benthamiana
(
Nb
) turns out to be the superhero of grafting, able to form grafts with plants from a wide range of evolutionary families. A bit of
Nb
, set as a middleman between a tomato scion and an
Arabidopsis
rootstock, negotiated a successful junction between these two otherwise nonconversant plant species. The expression of β-1,4-glucanases secreted into the extracellular region turns out to be key in facilitating cell wall reconstruction.

Science
, this issue p.
698
; see also p.
618
Fire and grass-bedding construction 200 thousand years ago at Border Cave, South Africa
Authors: Wadley Lyn , Esteban Irene , de la Peña Paloma , Wojcieszak Marine , Stratford Dominic , Lennox Sandra , d’Errico Francesco , Rosso Daniela Eugenia , Orange François , Backwell Lucinda , Sievers Christine
Published: August 2020

Bedding of grass and ashes

The Border Cave site in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa has been a rich source of archaeological knowledge about Stone Age humans because of its well-preserved stratigraphic record. Wadley
et al.
now report the discovery of grass bedding in Border Cave, dated to approximately 200,000 years ago. The bedding, identified with a range of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, was mingled with layers of ash. It also incorporated debris from lithics, burned bone, and rounded ochre grains, all of which were of clear anthropogenic origin. The authors speculate that the ash may have been deliberately used in bedding to inhibit the movement of ticks and other arthropod irritants. These discoveries extend the record of deliberate construction of plant bedding by at least 100,000 years.

Science
, this issue p.
863
Chromosomal and Plasmid-Borne Tigecycline Resistance Genes
tet
(X3) and
tet
(X4) in Dairy Cows on a Chinese Farm
Authors: Zhang Rong , Dong Ning , Zeng Yu , Shen Zhangqi , Lu Jiayue , Liu Congcong , Huang Zhuo-an , Sun Qiaoling , Cheng Qipeng , Shu Lingbin , Cai Jiachang , Chan Edward Waichi , Liu Dejun , Chen Gongxiang , Wang Yang , Chen Sheng
Published: August 2020

We isolated 47
Acinetobacter
strains carrying
tet
(X3) and 4 ST767
E. coli
strains carrying
tet
(X4) from 296 rectal swab samples from dairy cows on a Chinese farm.
tet
(X3) was located on chromosomes or diverse plasmids, and
tet
(X4) was located on IncFIBκ/FIA(HI1)/X1 nontransferable plasmid. The coexistence of
tet
(X3) and carbapenemase genes, including
bla
OXA-58
and
bla
NDM-1
, was detected in 9
Acinetobacter
spp.
Therapeutic Effect of Diminazene Aceturate on Parasitic Blood Fluke Schistosoma mansoni Infection
Authors: de Brito Mariana G. , Mengarda Ana C. , Oliveira George L. , Cirino Maria E. , Silva Tais C. , de Oliveira Rosimeire N. , Allegretti Silmara M. , de Moraes Josué
Published: August 2020

Praziquantel is currently the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, a disease of enormous public health significance caused by a blood fluke of the genus
Schistosoma
. Diminazene, a drug approved by the FDA, has been successfully used to treat diseases caused by blood protozoan parasites. In this study, we evaluated the antiparasitic properties of diminazene against
Schistosoma mansoni
ex vivo
and in mice harboring either chronic or early
S. mansoni
infections.
Fatty Acid and Alcohol Metabolism in Pseudomonas putida: Functional Analysis Using Random Barcode Transposon Sequencing
Authors: Thompson Mitchell G. , Incha Matthew R. , Pearson Allison N. , Schmidt Matthias , Sharpless William A. , Eiben Christopher B. , Cruz-Morales Pablo , Blake-Hedges Jacquelyn M. , Liu Yuzhong , Adams Catharine A. , Haushalter Robert W. , Krishna Rohith N. , Lichtner Patrick , Blank Lars M. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Shih Patrick M. , Keasling Jay D.
Published: August 2020

To engineer novel metabolic pathways into
P. putida
, a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of its versatile metabolism is essential. Here, we provide functional evidence for the putative roles of hundreds of genes involved in the fatty acid and alcohol metabolism of the bacterium. These data provide a framework facilitating precise genetic changes to prevent product degradation and to channel the flux of specific pathway intermediates as desired.
Single Amino Acid Replacements in RocA Disrupt Protein-Protein Interactions To Alter the Molecular Pathogenesis of Group A
Streptococcus
Authors: Bernard Paul E. , Duarte Amey , Bogdanov Mikhail , Musser James M. , Olsen Randall J.
Published: August 2020

Group A
Streptococcus
(GAS) is a human-specific pathogen and major cause of disease worldwide. The molecular pathogenesis of GAS, like many pathogens, is dependent on the coordinated expression of genes encoding different virulence factors. The
c
ontrol
o
f
v
irulence
r
egulator/
s
ensor (CovRS) two-component system is a major virulence regulator of GAS that has been extensively studied. More recent investigations have also involved
r
egulator
o
f
C
ov (RocA), a regulatory accessory protein to CovRS.
Tracking of Antibiotic Resistance Transfer and Rapid Plasmid Evolution in a Hospital Setting by Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Peter Silke , Bosio Mattia , Gross Caspar , Bezdan Daniela , Gutierrez Javier , Oberhettinger Philipp , Liese Jan , Vogel Wichard , Dörfel Daniela , Berger Lennard , Marschal Matthias , Willmann Matthias , Gut Ivo , Gut Marta , Autenrieth Ingo , Ossowski Stephan
Published: August 2020

Infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a major threat to global health. While the spread of multidrug-resistant bacterial clones is frequently studied in the hospital setting, surveillance of the transfer of mobile genetic elements between different bacterial species was difficult until recent advances in sequencing technologies. Nanopore sequencing technology was applied to track antimicrobial gene transfer in a long-term outbreak of multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Citrobacter freundii
, and
Citrobacter cronae
in a German hospital over 6 years. We developed a novel computational pipeline,
pathoLogic
, which enables
de novo
assembly of genomes and plasmids, antimicrobial resistance gene annotation and visualization, and comparative analysis. Applying this approach, we detected plasmid transfer between different bacterial species as well as plasmid fusion and frequent rearrangements of the antimicrobial resistance gene cassette. This study demonstrated the feasibility of near-real-time tracking of plasmid-based antimicrobial resistance gene transfer in hospitals, enabling countermeasures to contain plasmid-mediated outbreaks.
Identification of Positive Chemotaxis in the Protozoan Pathogen Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: DeMarco Stephanie F. , Saada Edwin A. , Lopez Miguel A. , Hill Kent L.
Published: August 2020

Almost all living things need to be able to move, whether it is toward desirable environments or away from danger. For vector-borne parasites, successful transmission and infection require that these organisms be able to sense where they are and use signals from their environment to direct where they go next, a process known as chemotaxis. Here, we show that
Trypanosoma brucei
, the deadly protozoan parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, can sense and move toward an attractive cue. To our knowledge, this is the first report of positive chemotaxis in these organisms. In addition to describing a new behavior in
T. brucei
, our findings enable future studies of how chemotaxis works in these pathogens, which will lead to deeper understanding of how they move through their hosts and may lead to new therapeutic or transmission-blocking strategies.