bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary HBB gene mutation severity and long‐term outcomes in a global cohort of β‐thalassaemia
Authors: Musallam Khaled M. , Vitrano Angela , Meloni Antonella , Addario Pollina Sebastiano , Di Marco Vito , Hussain Ansari Saqib , Filosa Aldo , Ricchi Paolo , Ceci Adriana , Daar Shahina , Vlachaki Efthymia , Singer Sylvia T. , Naserullah Zaki A. , Pepe Alessia , Scondotto Salvatore , Dardanoni Gabriella , Karimi Mehran , El‐Beshlawy Amal , Hajipour Mahmoud , Bonifazi Fedele , Vichinsky Elliott , Taher Ali T. , Sankaran Vijay G. , Maggio Aurelio ,   the International Working Group on Thalassemia (IWG‐THAL)
Published: October 2021

In β‐thalassaemia, the severity of inherited β‐globin gene mutations determines the severity of the clinical phenotype at presentation and subsequent transfusion requirements. However, data on associated long‐term outcomes remain limited. We analysed data from 2109 β‐thalassaemia patients with available genotypes in a global database. Genotype severity was grouped as β0/β0, β0/β+, β+/β+, β0/β++, β+/β++, and β++/β++. Patients were followed from birth until death or loss to follow‐up. The median follow‐up time was 34·1 years. Mortality and multiple morbidity outcomes were analyzed through five different stratification models of genotype severity groups. Interestingly, β0 and β+ mutations showed similar risk profiles. Upon adjustment for demographics and receipt of conventional therapy, patients with β0/β0, β0/β+, or β+/β+ had a 2·104‐increased risk of death [95% confidence interval (CI): 1·176–3·763, P = 0·011] and 2·956‐increased odds of multiple morbidity (95% CI: 2·310–3·784, P < 0·001) compared to patients in lower genotype severity groups. Cumulative survival estimates by age 65 years were 36·8% for this subgroup compared with 90·2% for patients in lower genotype severity groups (P < 0·001). Our study identified mortality and morbidity risk estimates across various genotype severity groups in patients with β‐thalassaemia and suggests inclusion of both β+ and β0 mutations in strata of greatest severity.
Copeptin assays in children for the differential diagnosis of polyuria‐polydipsia syndrome and reference levels in hospitalized children
Authors: Bonnet Laura , Marquant Emeline , Fromonot Julien , Hamouda Ilyes , Berbis Julie , Godefroy Alice , Vierge Melody , Tsimaratos Michel , Reynaud Rachel
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Polyuria‐polydipsia syndrome (PPS) is a common presentation in children but the differential diagnosis rests on burdensome water deprivation tests. The aims of this study were to determine a copeptin threshold to distinguish patients with central diabetes insipidus from those with primary polydipsia and to estimate the normal range of copeptin concentrations in children.

Design

Single‐centre retrospective descriptive study.

Patients

Two hundred and seventy‐eight children aged 2 months to 18 years who consulted for PPS (N = 40) or other reasons (control group, N = 238) at La Timone University Hospital in Marseille, France, between April 2015 and September 2019 and had a copeptin assay.

Measurements

Ultrasensitive copeptin assays on blood samples.

Results

Among the children with PPS, the mean copeptin concentrations were 1.72, 55.2 and 15.7 pmol/l in those with central diabetes insipidus (N = 21), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (N = 3), and primary polydipsia (N = 16), respectively. Copeptin levels lower than 3.53 pmol/l were diagnostic of central diabetes insipidus with 100% sensitivity and 87.4% specificity (p < .001). The 5th–95th copeptin percentile range in the control group was 2.53–21.03 pmol/L. Copeptin levels were significantly higher in boys than in girls but there was no association with age, pubertal stage, body mass index, or the reason for consulting.

Conclusions

Our results indicate copeptin assays may be valuable in the differential diagnosis of PPS in children. Larger prospective studies are required to establish their accuracy in everyday clinical practice.
The effect of parthenolide on methamphetamine‐induced blood‐brain barrier and astrocyte alterations
Authors: Leitão Ricardo A. , Fontes‐Ribeiro Carlos A. , Silva Ana Paula
Published: October 2021

Background

Methamphetamine abuse is a worldwide concern with long‐term health complications. Its impact on neurons has been extensively investigated, and it is currently known that glial cells, including astrocytes, are involved in drug‐induced outcomes. Importantly, METH also causes blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption and astrocytes are critical for BBB (dys)function. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the involvement of neuroinflammation mediated by astrocytes in BBB permeability and brain oedema induced by METH. Further, we aimed to identify a new approach to counteract METH effects.

Methods

Mice were administered with a METH binge regimen (4 × 10 mg/kg) alone or in combination with parthenolide (PTL; 4 × 1 mg/kg), and hippocampi were analysed. For in vitro studies, mouse primary cultures of astrocytes were exposed to 250 µM METH, alone or co‐treated with 10 µM PTL.

Results

We observed a neuroinflammatory response characterized by astrocytic morphological changes and increased TNF‐α, iNOS and ICAM‐1 protein levels (213.62%, 205.76% and 191.47% of control, respectively). Additionally, brain oedema and BBB disruption were identified by increased water content (81.30% of tissue weight) and albumin (224.40% of control) in the hippocampal tissue, as well as a significant decrease in vessel coverage by astrocytes after METH exposure. Regarding astrocyte cultures, we further identified TNF‐α as a key player in METH‐induced cell swelling. Importantly, PTL (present in feverfew plant) prevented both animal and in vitro effects induced by METH.

Conclusions

We provided important insights on brain dysfunction induced by METH, and we also suggest a new approach to counteract such negative effects.
Adipose tissue insulin resistance and lipidome alterations as the characterizing factors of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Guerra Sara , Mocciaro Gabriele , Gastaldelli Amalia
Published: October 2021

Background

The prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now 25% in the general population but increases to more than 55% in subjects with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. Simple steatosis (NAFL) can develop into more severe forms, that is non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma leading to death.

Methods

In this narrative review, we have discussed the current knowledge in the pathophysiology of fatty liver disease, including both metabolic and non‐metabolic factors, insulin resistance, mitochondrial function, as well as the markers of liver damage, giving attention to the alterations in lipid metabolism and production of lipotoxic lipids.

Results

Insulin resistance, particularly in the adipose tissue, is the main driver of NAFLD due to the excess release of fatty acids. Lipidome analyses have shown that several lipids, including DAGs and ceramides, and especially if they contain saturated lipids, act as bioactive compounds, toxic to the cells. Lipids can also affect mitochondrial function. Not only lipids, but also amino acid metabolism is impaired in NAFL/NASH, and some amino acids, as branched‐chain and aromatic amino acids, glutamate, serine and glycine, have been linked to impaired metabolism, insulin resistance and severity of NAFLD and serine is a precursor of ceramides.

Conclusions

The measurement of lipotoxic species and adipose tissue dysfunction can help to identify individuals at risk of progression to NASH.
Insider trading and the algorithmic trading environment
Authors: Chang Millicent , Gould John , Huang Yuyun , Treepongkaruna Sirimon , Yang Joey Wenling
Published: October 2021

We examine how algorithmic trading (AT) changes the trading environment for corporate insiders, specifically in terms of motivation to trade and timing of trade. Using SEC Form 4 insider filings and AT computed from the limit order book, we find that AT affects insiders' decisions to buy or sell, depending on whether the trades are information driven, resulting in changes in trading returns. AT reduces returns associated with routine insider sales by 0.9% of a change in AT. However being sophisticated and informed traders, insiders are able to trade strategically, leaving their purchase returns unaffected by AT. The results also show that while AT reduces information acquisition efforts in the pre‐earnings announcement period, insider trades counteract this effect by releasing information to the market. Our findings reinforce the important role of insider trading in providing fundamental information and aiding price discovery, especially in an era of computerized financial markets.
Association of healthy lifestyle and all‐cause mortality according to medication burden
Authors: Kelly Neil A. , Soroka Orysya , Onyebeke Chukwuma , Pinheiro Laura C. , Banerjee Samprit , Safford Monika M. , Goyal Parag
Published: October 2021

Background

Healthy lifestyle is associated with reduced all‐cause mortality, but it is not known whether this association persists for individuals with high medication burden. We examined the association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and all‐cause mortality across different degrees of polypharmacy.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of 20,417 adults aged ≥45 years from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study. The primary exposure was healthy lifestyle (adherence to Mediterranean diet, physical activity, smoking abstinence, sedentary behavior avoidance, and composite healthy behavior score [HBS]). The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Strata of medication burden were based on the number of medications taken (no polypharmacy: 0–4, polypharmacy: 5–9, hyperpolypharmacy: ≥10). We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and mortality within each medication burden stratum and examined for interactions with age.

Results

The healthiest category of each lifestyle behavior, except sedentary behavior avoidance among the hyperpolypharmacy group, was associated with lower all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]) regardless of medication burden: Mediterranean diet (no polypharmacy: HR 0.77, polypharmacy: HR 0.78, hyperpolypharmacy: HR 0.85), physical activity (no polypharmacy: HR 0.87, polypharmacy: HR 0.82, hyperpolypharmacy: HR 0.79), smoking abstinence (no polypharmacy: HR 0.40, polypharmacy: HR 0.45, hyperpolypharmacy: HR 0.52), and sedentary behavior avoidance (no polypharmacy: HR 0.88, polypharmacy: HR 0.86, hyperpolypharmacy: HR 0.95). Higher HBS was inversely associated with all‐cause mortality within each medication burden stratum (no polypharmacy: HR 0.52, polypharmacy: HR 0.55, hyperpolypharmacy: HR 0.69). Although there was an interaction with age among those with no polypharmacy and those with polypharmacy, point estimates for HBS followed a graded pattern whereby higher HBS was incrementally associated with improved mortality across all age strata.

Conclusion

Greater adherence to a healthy lifestyle was associated with lower all‐cause mortality irrespective of medication burden and age.
Narrative Monetary Policy Surprises and the Media
Authors: TER ELLEN SASKIA , LARSEN VEGARD H. , THORSRUD LEIF ANDERS
Published: October 2021

We propose a simple method to quantify narratives from textual data, and identify “narrative monetary policy surprises” as the difference in narrative focus in central bank communication accompanying interest rate meetings and economic media coverage prior to those meetings. Identifying narrative surprises, using Norwegian data, provides surprise measures that are uncorrelated with conventional monetary policy surprises, and, in contrast to such surprises, have a significant effect on subsequent media coverage. Narrative monetary policy surprises lead to macroeconomic responses similar to what recent monetary policy literature associates with the information component of monetary policy communication, highlighting media's role as information intermediaries.
On the importance of integrating comparative anatomy and One Health perspectives in anatomy education
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sourav , Ceri Davies D. , Holland Jane C. , Holmes Jonathan M. , Kilroy David , McGonnell Imelda M. , Reynolds Alison L.
Published: October 2021

As a result of many factors, including climate change, unrestricted population growth, widespread deforestation and intensive agriculture, a new pattern of diseases in humans is emerging. With increasing encroachment by human societies into wild domains, the interfaces between human and animal ecosystems are gradually eroding. Such changes have led to zoonoses, vector‐borne diseases, infectious diseases and, most importantly, the emergence of antimicrobial‐resistant microbial strains as challenges for human health. Now would seem to be an opportune time to revisit old concepts of health and redefine some of these in the light of emerging challenges. The One Health concept addresses some of the demands of modern medical education by providing a holistic approach to explaining diseases that result from a complex set of interactions between humans, environment and animals, rather than just an amalgamation of isolated signs and symptoms. An added advantage is that the scope of One Health concepts has now expanded to include genetic diseases due to advancements in omics technology. Inspired by such ideas, a symposium was organised as part of the 19th International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) Congress (August 2019) to investigate the scope of One Health concepts and comparative anatomy in contemporary medical education. Speakers with expertise in both human and veterinary anatomy participated in the symposium and provided examples where these two disciplines, which have so far evolved largely independent of each other, can collaborate for mutual benefit. Finally, the speakers identified some key concepts of One Health that should be prioritised and discussed the diverse opportunities available to integrate these priorities into a broader perspective that would attempt to explain and manage diseases within the scopes of human and veterinary medicine.
The populist trinity of communication, ideology, and strategy: A proposal to enhance the analysis of populist discourses
Authors: Flores‐González Rubén , Andrade del Cid Patricia , Ávalos‐Rivera Alexia R. , Torio‐Hernández Mónica
Published: October 2021

The academic community continues to debate what the best conceptualization of populism may be. Three definitions stand out, populism as a communication style, as a political strategy, and as an ideology. Based on a sample of 21 days of morning conferences given by the Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, we analyze his discourse for content representative of these three conceptualizations. We observe that the analysis of populist discourse is enriched when populism is considered as a product where communication, ideology, and strategy are articulated to work for the political empowerment of a leader, who fuels and manages the anger of a base of followers.
Root cortex development is fine‐tuned by the interplay of MIGs, SCL3 and DELLAs during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Seemann Christine , Heck Carolin , Voß Stefanie , Schmoll Jana , Enderle Eileen , Schwarz Diana , Requena Natalia
Published: October 2021

Root development is a crucial process that determines the ability of plants to acquire nutrients, adapt to the substrate and withstand changing environmental conditions. Root plasticity is controlled by a plethora of transcriptional regulators that allow, in contrast to tissue development in animals, post‐embryonic changes that give rise to new tissue and specialized cells.

One of these changes is the accommodation in the cortex of hyperbranched hyphae of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, called arbuscules. Arbuscule‐containing cells undergo massive reprogramming to coordinate developmental changes with transport processes.

Here we describe a novel negative regulator of arbuscule development, MIG3. MIG3 induces and interacts with SCL3, both of which modulate the activity of the central regulator DELLA, restraining cortical cell growth. As in a tug‐of‐war, MIG3‐SCL3 antagonizes the function of the complex MIG1‐DELLA, which promotes the cell expansion required for arbuscule development, adjusting cell size during the dynamic processes of the arbuscule life cycle.

Our results in the legume plant Medicago truncatula advance the knowledge of root development in dicot plants, showing the existence of additional regulatory elements not present in Arabidopsis that fine‐tune the activity of conserved central modules.
Homeophasic Adaptation in Response to UVA Radiation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Changes of Membrane Fatty Acid Composition and Induction of desA and desB Expression
Authors: Pezzoni Magdalena , De Troch Marleen , Pizarro Ramón A. , Costa Cristina S.
Published: October 2021

In bacteria, exposure to changes in environmental conditions can alter membrane fluidity, thereby affecting its essential functions in cell physiology. To adapt to these changes, bacteria maintain appropriate fluidity by varying the composition of the fatty acids of membrane phospholipids, a phenomenon known as homeophasic adaptation. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this response is achieved mainly by two mechanisms of fatty acid desaturation: the FabA–FabB and DesA–DesB systems. This study analyzed the effect of ultraviolet‐A (UVA) radiation—the major fraction of solar UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface—on the homeophasic process. The prototypical strain PAO1 was grown under sublethal UVA doses or in the dark, and the profiles of membrane fatty acids were compared at early logarithmic, logarithmic and stationary growth phases. In the logarithmic growth phase, it was observed that growth under sublethal UVA doses induced the expression of the desaturase‐encoding genes desA and desB and increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids; in addition, membrane fluidity could also increase, as suggested by the indices used as indicators of this parameter. The opposite effect was observed in the stationary growth phase. These results demonstrate the relevant role of UVA on the homeophasic response at transcriptional level.
Inheritance: Professor Procrastinate and the logic of obligation1
Authors: Blumberg Kyle , Hawthorne John
Published: October 2021

Inheritance is the principle that deontic ‘ought’ is closed under entailment. This paper is about a tension that arises in connection with Inheritance. More specifically, it is about two observations that pull in opposite directions. One of them raises questions about the validity of Inheritance, while the other appears to provide strong support for it. We argue that existing approaches to deontic modals fail to provide us with an adequate resolution of this tension. In response, we develop a positive analysis, and show that this proposal provides a satisfying account of our intuitions.
Seed bulb size influences the effects of exogenous brassinolide on yield and quality of Pinellia ternata
Authors: Guo C. , Li M. , Chen Y. , Xu X. , Liu C. , Chu J. , Yao X.
Published: October 2021

In recent years, natural Pinellia ternata populations of have gradually been exhausted, while the cultivated yield has been limited due to lack of research and uncertain climate condition. Therefore, it is necessary to explore methods of improving yield and quality in P. ternata using brassinolide (BR) treatments and choice of a suitable seed bulb size.

This article reports the effects of BR and two seed bulb sizes (diameter: 0.5–1.0 cm and 1.0–1.5 cm) on active and nutrient components and antioxidant activity in P. ternata. The experiment included six levels of BR (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg l−1).

The tuber yield of the two seed bulb sizes and bulbil yield of small seed bulbs increased 5.67%, 22.66% and 69.23% by day 105 after 0.50 mg l−1 BR treatment, compared with the control. On day 105, only 0.05 mg l−1 BR increased scores in principal components analysis (PCA) in tubers of small seed bulbs by 167.29%, and 0.05 and 0.50 mg l−1 BR increased PCA score in bulbils of large seed bulbs by 145.66% and 252.97%, respectively, compared with the control. Significant BR × seed bulb size interactions were found on yield and quality of P. ternata.

The results indicate that BR effects on yield and quality of tubers and bulbils of P. ternata are not only related to BR concentration but also to seed bulb size.
Rice OsClo5, a caleosin protein, negatively regulates cold tolerance through the jasmonate signalling pathway
Authors: Zeng X. , Jiang J. , Wang F. , Liu W. , Zhang S. , Du J. , Yang C.
Published: October 2021

Caleosin is a lipid droplet‐binding protein involved in maintenance of the lipid droplet structure and in signal transduction. However, the role of caleosin proteins in stress resistance is limited. Here, we report data for a rice caleosin protein gene, OsClo5, involved in cold stress tolerance via influence and regulation of the JA signalling pathway.

Overexpression lines and RNAi lines of OsClo5 were subjected to cold stress and recovery to measure electrolyte leakage and survival rate. Changes were also detected in the genome‐wide transcriptome of OsClo5 overexpressed plants.

OsClo5 is located mainly in lipid droplets and expressed in all tissues tested. Its expression was upregulated by various stress conditions when subjected to cold treatment. Overexpression of OsClo5 decreased cold tolerance, and RNAi lines of OsClo5 had higher survival than WT seedlings. OsClo5 inhibited one jasmonate biosynthetic gene and several jasmonate ZIM domain (JAZ) genes, which were upregulated in response to cold stress.

OsClo5 is a constitutively expressed caleosin protein that regulates plant cold resistance through inhibition of jasmonate signalling and JA synthesis.
Adaptive business arrangements and the creation of social capital: Towards small‐scale fisheries resilience in different European geographical areas
Authors: Prosperi Paolo , Kirwan James , Maye Damian , Tsakalou Emi , Vlahos George , Bartolini Fabio , Vergamini Daniele , Brunori Gianluca
Published: October 2021

European small‐scale fisheries are confronted with several challenges, notably a decrease in the number of people engaged in capture fishing, growing competition from less expensive extra‐European Union markets, rising operational costs, strict regulations and the depletion of fishing stocks. Many small‐scale fishers must adapt to change to maintain or increase their income using different business strategies. In this respect, we argue that new and diversified institutional arrangements combined with building social capital can help reach long‐term economic sustainability for small‐scale fisheries businesses, as well as the social‐ecological resilience of coastal areas. In order to understand and analyse the multiplicity of strategies applied by small‐scale fishers–including expansion towards non–productivist activities, this article examines the role of new institutional arrangements based on small‐scale, traditional, quality‐orientated, multifunctional business strategies and non‐fishing activities. Using a case‐study approach, we analyse–in three different European fishery contexts (Greece, Italy and the UK)–how the interplay between building adaptive arrangements and the creation of social capital in selected small‐scale fisheries provides relevant prerequisites for resilience.
A mutation in the promoter of the arabinogalactan protein 7‐like gene PcAGP7‐1 affects cell morphogenesis and brassinolide content in pear (Pyrus communis L.) stems
Authors: Zheng Xiaodong , Li Yuchao , Ma Changqing , Chen Baoyin , Sun Zhijuan , Tian Yike , Wang Caihong
Published: October 2021

Dwarfing rootstocks and dwarf cultivars are urgently needed for modern pear cultivation. However, germplasm resources for dwarfing pear are limited, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We previously showed that dwarfism in pear is controlled by the single dominant gene PcDw (Dwarf). We report here that the expression of PcAGP7‐1 (ARABINOGALACTAN PROTEIN 7‐1), a key candidate gene for PcDw, is significantly higher in dwarf‐type pear plants because of a mutation in an E‐box in the promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and transient infiltration showed that the transcription factors PcBZR1 and PcBZR2 could directly bind to the E‐box of the PcAGP7‐1 promoter and repress transcription. Moreover, transgenic pear lines overexpressing PcAGP7‐1 exhibited obvious dwarf phenotypes, whereas RNA interference pear lines for PcAGP7‐1 were taller than controls. PcAGP7‐1 overexpression also enhanced cell wall thickness, affected cell morphogenesis, and reduced brassinolide (BL) content, which inhibited BR signaling via a negative feedback loop, resulting in further dwarfing. Overall, we identified a dwarfing mechanism in perennial woody plants involving the BL‐BZR/BES‐AGP‐BL regulatory module. Our findings provide insight into the molecular mechanism of plant dwarfism and suggest strategies for the molecular breeding of dwarf pear cultivars.
Natural variation of ZmCGT1 is responsible for isoorientin accumulation in maize silk
Authors: Sun Xiaorong , Xue Xiaofeng , Wang Xiaqing , Zhang Chun , Zheng Dengyu , Song Wei , Zhao Jiuran , Wei Jianhua , Wu Zhongyi , Zhang Zhongbao
Published: October 2021

Maize (Zea mays L.) silk contains high levels of flavonoids and is widely used to promote human health. Isoorientin, a natural C‐glycoside flavone abundant in maize silk, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential value. Although different classes of flavonoid have been well characterized in plants, the genes involved in the biosynthesis of isoorientin in maize are largely unknown. Here, we used targeted metabolic profiling of isoorientin on the silks in an association panel consisting of 294 maize inbred lines. We identified the gene ZmCGT1 by genome‐wide association analysis. The ZmCGT1 protein was characterized as a 2‐hydroxyflavanone C‐glycosyltransferase that can C‐glycosylate 2‐hydroxyflavanone to form flavone‐C‐glycoside after dehydration. Moreover, ZmCGT1 overexpression increased isoorientin levels and RNA interference‐mediated ZmCGT1 knockdown decreased accumulation of isoorientin in maize silk. Further, two nucleotide polymorphisms, A502C and A1022G, which led to amino acid changes I168L and E341G, respectively, were identified to be functional polymorphisms responsible for the natural variation in isoorientin levels. In summary, we identified the gene ZmCGT1, which plays an important role in isoorientin biosynthesis, providing insights into the genetic basis of the natural variation in isoorientin levels in maize silk. The identified favorable CG allele of ZmCGT1 may be further used for genetic improvement of nutritional quality in maize.
The impact of conflict and political instability on banking crises in developing countries
Authors: Ouedraogo Rasmane , Mlachila Montfort , Sourouema Windemanegda Sandrine , Compaoré Ali
Published: October 2021

While there is an extensive literature examining the economic impact of conflict and political instability, surprisingly, there have been few studies on their impact on the probability of banking crises. This paper therefore investigates whether rising conflict and political instability globally over the past several decades led to increased occurrence of banking crises in developing countries. The paper provides strong evidence that conflicts and political instability are indeed associated with higher probability of systemic banking crises. Interestingly, the paper also finds that conflicts and political instability in one country can have negative spillover effects on neighbouring countries’ banking systems. The paper provides evidence that the primary channel of transmission is likely to be the occurrence of fiscal crises following a conflict or political instability.
Full‐scale application of an electrochemical disinfection solution in a municipal drinking water treatment plant
Authors: de Sousa Filho José Waldir , Lenza Giovanna Almeida , Tonhela Marquele Amorim , de Araújo Karla Santos , Fernandes David Maikel , Malpass Geoffroy Roger Pointer
Published: October 2021

Few studies employ electrochemical technology for urban water disinfection. This paper presents the replacement of a Cl2 gas system by an on‐site chlorine generation system (electrochemical disinfectant solution, EDS) and application at a water treatment plant. The study compares the Cl2 gas and EDS systems over 36 months, with 18 months for Cl2 gas and, after the implementation, 18 months for the EDS system (12‐month dry season and 6‐month wet season). Turbidity, residual Cl2, pH, total and faecal coliforms and DBPs were monitored. Turbidity was within legal limits and DBPs below both legal limits and limits of detection. For Cl2 gas, residual Cl2 suffered a decrease in wet and dry periods. However, the EDS maintained residual Cl2 to the network tips without significant variations, with operational costs reduced by ~41%. The study demonstrates that on‐site Cl2 generation can be employed for water disinfection for large urban areas with considerable economic and technical advantages.
Development of a Phase-Field Method for Phase Change Simulations Using a Conservative Allen–Cahn Equation
Authors: Tamura Akinori , Katono Kenichi
Published: October 2021

Two-phase flows including a phase change such as liquid–vapor flows play an important role in many industrial applications. A deeper understanding of the phase change phenomena is required to improve performance and safety of nuclear power plants. For this purpose, we developed a phase change simulation method based on the phase-field method (PFM). Low computational efficiency of the conventional PFM based on the Cahn–Hilliard equation is an obstacle in practical simulations. To resolve this problem, we presented a new PFM based on the conservative Allen–Cahn equation including a phase change model. The wettability also needs to be considered in the phase change simulation. When we apply the conventional wetting boundary condition to the conservative Allen–Cahn equation, there is a problem that the mass of each phase is not conserved on the boundary. To resolve this issue, we developed the mass correction method which enables mass conservation in the wetting boundary. The proposed PFM was validated in benchmark problems. The results agreed well with the theoretical solution and other simulation results, and we confirmed that this PFM is applicable to the two-phase flow simulation including the phase change. We also investigated the computational efficiency of the PFM. In a comparison with the conventional PFM, we found that our proposed PFM was more than 100 times faster. Since computational efficiency is an important factor in practical simulations, the proposed PFM will be preferable in many industrial simulations.
Machine Learning-Based Predictions of Benefits of High Thermal Conductivity Encapsulation Materials for Power Electronics Packaging
Authors: Acharya Palash V. , Lokanathan Manojkumar , Ouroua Abdelhamid , Hebner Robert , Strank Shannon , Bahadur Vaibhav
Published: October 2021

Machine learning (ML)-based predictive techniques are used in conjunction with a game-theoretic approach to predict the thermal behavior of a power electronics package, and study the relative influence of encapsulation material properties and thermal management techniques in influencing hotspot temperatures. Parametric steady-state and transient thermal simulations are conducted for a commercially available 1.2 kV/444 A silicon carbide (SiC) half-bridge module. An extensive databank of 2592 (steady-state) and 1200 (transient) data points generated via numerical simulations is used to train and evaluate the performance of three ML algorithms (random forest, support vector regression, and neural network) in modeling the thermal behavior. The parameter space includes the thermal conductivities of the encapsulant, baseplate, heat sink, and cooling conditions deployed at the sink and covers a variety of materials and cooling scenarios. Excellent prediction accuracies with R2 values > 99.5% are obtained for the algorithms. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) dependence plots are used to quantify the relative impact of device and heat sink parameters on junction temperatures. We observe that while heatsink cooling conditions significantly influence the steady-state junction temperature, their contribution in determining the junction temperature in dynamic mode is diminished. Using ML-SHAP models, we quantify the impact of emerging polymeric nanocomposites (with high conductivities and diffusivities) on hotspot temperature reduction, with the device operating in steady-state and transient modes. Overall, this study highlights the attractiveness of ML-based approaches for thermal design, and provides a framework for setting targets for future encapsulation materials.
A Multirange Vehicle Speed Prediction With Application to Model Predictive Control-Based Integrated Power and Thermal Management of Connected Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Hu Qiuhao , Amini Mohammad Reza , Wiese Ashley , Seeds Julia Buckland , Kolmanovsky Ilya , Sun Jing
Published: October 2021

Connectivity and automated driving technologies have opened up new research directions in the energy management of vehicles which exploit look-ahead preview and enhance the situational awareness. Despite this advancement, the vehicle speed preview that can be obtained from vehicle-to-vehicle/infrastructure (V2V/I) communications is often limited to a relatively short time-horizon. The vehicular energy systems, specifically those of the electrified vehicles, consist of multiple interacting power and thermal subsystems that respond over different time-scales. Consequently, their optimal energy management can greatly benefit from long-term speed prediction beyond that available through V2V/I communications. Accurately extending the look-ahead preview, on the other hand, is fundamentally challenging due to the dynamic nature of the traffic environment. To address this challenge, we propose a data-driven multirange vehicle speed prediction strategy for arterial corridors with signalized intersections, providing the vehicle speed preview for three different ranges, i.e., short-, medium-, and long-range. The short-range preview is obtained by V2V/I communications. The medium-range preview is realized using a neural network (NN), while the long-range preview is predicted based on a Bayesian network (BN). The predictions are updated in real-time based on the current state of traffic and incorporated into a multihorizon model predictive control (MH-MPC) for integrated power and thermal management (iPTM) of connected vehicles. The results of design and evaluation of the performance of the proposed data-informed MH-MPC for iPTM of connected hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) using traffic data for real-world city driving are reported.
Intelligibility of dysphonic speech in auralized classrooms
Authors: Bottalico Pasquale , Murgia Silvia , Puglisi Giuseppina Emma , Astolfi Arianna , Ishikawa Keiko
Published: October 2021

Voice disorders can reduce the speech intelligibility of affected speakers. This study evaluated the effect of noise, voice disorders, and room acoustics on vowel intelligibility, listening easiness, and the listener's reaction time. Three adult females with dysphonia and three adult females with normal voice quality recorded a series of nine vowels of American English in /h/-V-/d/ format (e.g., “had”). The recordings were convolved with two oral-binaural impulse responses acquired from measurements in two classrooms with 0.4 and 3.1 s of reverberation time, respectively. The stimuli were presented in a forced-choice format to 29 college students. The intelligibility and the listening easiness were significantly higher in quiet than in noisy conditions, when the speakers had normal voice quality compared to a dysphonic voice, and in low reverberated environments compared to high reverberated environments. The response time of the listener was significantly longer for speech presented in noisy conditions compared to quiet conditions and when the voice was dysphonic compared with healthy voice quality.
How Knowledge About Physical Activity Is Impacted By School Institution, Grade Level, and Gender Throughout High School Years in France?
Authors: Gandrieau Joseph , Schnitzler Christophe , Derigny Thibaut , Lléna Clément , Mouton Alexandre , Potdevin François
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Despite its relevance for the training of a well-rounded physically literate individual, the development of knowledge about physical activity (KPA) is understudied. We examined how KPA is differentiated and evolves according to grade level, gender, and type of school attended by an adolescent. Method: A reliable KPA assessment tool was developed. A three-way analysis of variance was used to analyze z scores on the effects of gender, grade level, and type of school on five different dimensions of knowledge. Results: The reliability was validated. Statistically significant interactions were revealed between grade and school institution on KPA z scores. Main results showed that vocational schools displayed significantly lower levels, compared to traditional ones. The only increase in knowledge according to grade was noticeable only in traditional schools. Results revealed no significant gender differences. Discussion: The French physical education system does not seem to provide an adequate level of KPA, especially in vocational schools.
Potency and Preclinical Evidence of Synergy of Oral Azole Drugs and Miltefosine in anEx VivoModel ofLeishmania(Viannia)panamensisInfection
Authors: Fernández Olga Lucía , Rosales-Chilama Mariana , Quintero Natali , Travi Bruno L. , Wetzel Dawn M. , Gómez María Adelaida , Saravia Nancy Gore
Published: October 2021

Failure of treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with antimonial drugs and miltefosine is frequent. Use of oral combination therapy represents an attractive strategy to increase efficacy of treatment and reduce the risk of drug resistance.
Emergence of Resistance in HIV-1 Integrase with Dolutegravir Treatment in a Pediatric Population from the IMPAACT P1093 Study
Authors: Vavro Cindy , Ruel Theodore , Wiznia Andrew , Montañez Nicole , Nangle Keith , Horton Joseph , Buchanan Ann M. , Stewart Eugene L. , Palumbo Paul
Published: October 2021

P1093 is a multicenter, open-label, phase I/II study of pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of dolutegravir plus an optimized background regimen in pediatric participants aged 4 weeks to <18 years with HIV-1. Most participants were highly treatment experienced.
Case Commentary: Novel Therapy for Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection
Authors: Eales Brianna M. , Tam Vincent H.
Published: October 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii
is a pathogenic bacterium commonly associated with multidrug resistance. In this issue of
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
, a challenging case of ventilator-associated pneumonia is presented in which bacteriophage therapy was used as a last resort treatment in combination with systemic antibiotics. The data are promising, and several key areas are highlighted for future research.
The
hdeD
Gene Represses the Expression of Flagellum Biosynthesis via LrhA in
Escherichia coli
K-12
Authors: Yamanaka Yuki , Aizawa Shin-Ichi , Yamamoto Kaneyoshi
Published: October 2021

E. coli
cells encounter various environments from the mouth down to the intestines within the host animals. The pH of gastric juice is lower than 2.0, and the bacterial must quickly respond and adapt to the following environmental changes before reaching the intestines.
The Role of β-Glycosylated Wall Teichoic Acids in the Reduction of Vancomycin Susceptibility in Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Hort Michael , Bertsche Ute , Nozinovic Senada , Dietrich Alina , Schrötter Anne Sophie , Mildenberger Laura , Axtmann Katharina , Berscheid Anne , Bierbaum Gabriele
Published: October 2021

Infections with methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusare commonly treated with vancomycin. This antibiotic inhibits cell wall biosynthesis by binding to the cell wall building block lipid II.
Robust Evaluation of Ultraviolet-C Sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 and Surrogate Coronaviruses
Authors: Boegel S. J. , Gabriel M. , Sasges M. , Petri B. , D’Agostino M. R. , Zhang A. , Ang J. C. , Miller M. S. , Meunier S. M. , Aucoin M. G.
Published: October 2021

Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 is of particular importance due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. UV-C irradiation is a compelling disinfection technique because it can be applied to surfaces, air, and water and is commonly used in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Eptesicus fuscus Orthorubulavirus, a Close Relative of Human Parainfluenza Virus 4, Discovered in a Bat in South Dakota
Authors: Hause Ben M. , Nelson Eric , Christopher-Hennings Jane
Published: October 2021

Bats are a reservoir of large numbers of viruses. Among bat-borne zoonotic viruses, members of
Coronaviridae
and
Paramyxoviridae
have had the largest impact on human health.
Identification of Diverse Toxin Complex Clusters and an eCIS Variant in Serratia proteamaculans Pathovars of the New Zealand Grass Grub (
Costelytra Giveni
) and Manuka Beetle (
Pyronota
Spp.) Larvae
Authors: Hurst Mark R. H. , Beattie Amy , Laugraud Aurelie , Townsend Richard , Sitter Lesley , van Koten Chikako , Harper Lincoln
Published: October 2021

New pathotypes of the insect pathogen
Serratia
, each with differing virulence attributes and host specificity toward larvae of the New Zealand manuka beetle and grass grub, have been identified. All of the
Serratia proteamaculans
isolates contained one of seven different insect-active toxin clusters or one of three eCIS variants.
NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Services: paediatric consultations
Authors: Stilwell Philippa Anna , Fissler Sarah , Burkitt Sarah , Smith Bethany , Stuttard Gareth , Kenny Simon , Evans David , Maconochie Ian
Published: October 2021

Around the UK, commissioners have different models for delivering NHS 111, General Practice (GP) out-of-hours and urgent care services, focusing on telephony to help deliver urgent and emergency care. During the (early phases of the) COVID-19 pandemic, NHS 111 experienced an unprecedented volume of calls. At any time, 25%–30% of calls relate to children and young people (CYP). In response, the CYP’s Transformation and Integrated Urgent Care teams at NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) assisted in redeploying volunteer paediatricians into the integrated urgent care NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Services (CAS), taking calls about CYP. From this work, key stakeholders developed a paediatric 111 consultation framework, as well as learning outcomes, key capabilities and illustrations mapped against the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Progress curriculum domains, to aid paediatricians in training to undertake NHS 111 activities. These learning outcomes and key capabilities have been endorsed by the RCPCH Curriculum Review Group and are recommended to form part of the integrated urgent care service specification and workforce blueprint to improve outcomes for CYP.
Efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in patients with inferior vena cava filter placement without anticoagulation contraindications (EPICT): a prospective randomised controlled trial study protocol
Authors: Zhang Libin , Li Miaomiao , Zhu Yuefeng , Shi Zhenyu , Zhang Wan , Gao Bin , Li Lubin , Fang Zhengdong , Yang Guangwei , Han Wei , Wang Linjun , Yin Li , Ke Xueying , Yue Jianing , Gu Zheng , Liu Zhenjie
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are commonly used in patients with venous thromboembolism to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism, but the thrombosis risk increases after filter placement. Warfarin is a widely anticoagulant, but long-term monitoring and dose adjustments are required. Anticoagulation with rivaroxaban is more straightforward as it dose not require laboratory monitoring. This study compares the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban and warfarin as an in anticoagulation therapy for patients with IVC filter placement.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. In total, 200 patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with IVC filter implantation from 10 hospitals will be recruited. The patients will be randomised to the experimental group (rivaroxaban) or the control group (nadroparin overlapped with warfarin). The primary outcomes include death of any cause, pulmonary embolism (PE)-related death, bleeding and recurrent PE/DVT. The secondary outcomes include the percentage of other vascular events, IVC filter retrieval failure and net clinical benefits. This study aims to provide reliable, verification for the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban antithrombotic therapy after IVC filter placement.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (approval number: (2019) 295). The results will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals

Trial registration number

NCT04066764.
Do mentoring programmes influence women’s careers in the health and medical research sector? A mixed-methods evaluation of Australia’s Franklin Women Mentoring Programme
Authors: Vassallo Amy , Walker Karen , Georgousakis Melina , Joshi Rohina
Published: October 2021

Objectives

It is known that women are under-represented in senior positions within the health and medical research sector. The Franklin Women Mentoring Programme (Programme) is a professionally facilitated, cross-organisational initiative designed to support career development for mid-career women. The objective of this study was to evaluate Programme outcomes reported by participants 12 months following its formal conclusion.

Design

Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design using a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews.

Setting

Health and medical research institutes in Sydney, Australia.

Participants

Health and medical researchers from the 2018 Programme.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Changes in knowledge, skills, behaviours and research metrics directly attributed to Programme participation.

Results

A total of 50 mentors and mentees participated in the cross-sectional survey (68% of the total cohort) and 14 mentors and mentees participated in the interviews. All reported changes to their knowledge, skills, behaviours and research metrics which were directly attributed to participation in the Programme. This included changes in knowledge and skills to be more inclusive (96% mentees, 83% mentors), resilience (88% mentees, 67% mentors), ability to have difficult workplace conversations (88% mentees, 71% mentors) and improvements in supervisory and team management (82% mentees, 75% mentors) skills. Positive impacts on promotions and grant opportunities were also reported. All evaluation participants believed this Programme was a worthwhile initiative for their workplaces to invest in.

Conclusion

Participation in this cross-organisational, professionally facilitated, structured mentoring programme has led to positive outcomes for mentees, as well as mentors. Reported outcomes indicate the Programme is meeting its aims to support the career development of mid-career women in health and medical research, while facilitating a more inclusive workforce.