bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Origin and ontogeny of lung macrophages: from mice to humans
Authors: Evren Elza , Ringqvist Emma , Willinger Tim
Published: November 2019

Macrophages are tissue‐resident myeloid cells with essential roles in host defense, tissue repair, and organ homeostasis. The lung harbors a large number of macrophages that reside in alveoli. As a result of their strategic location, alveolar macrophages are critical sentinels of healthy lung function and barrier immunity. They phagocytose inhaled material and initiate protective immune responses to pathogens, while preventing excessive inflammatory responses and tissue damage. Apart from alveolar macrophages, other macrophage populations are found in the lung and recent single‐cell RNA‐sequencing studies indicate that lung macrophage heterogeneity is greater than previously appreciated. The cellular origin and development of mouse lung macrophages has been extensively studied, but little is known about the ontogeny of their human counterparts, despite the importance of macrophages for lung health. In this context, humanized mice (mice with a human immune system) can give new insights into the biology of human lung macrophages by allowing in vivo studies that are not possible in humans. In particular, we have created humanized mouse models that support the development of human lung macrophages in vivo. In this review, we will discuss the heterogeneity, development, and homeostasis of lung macrophages. Moreover, we will highlight the impact of age, the microbiota, and pathogen exposure on lung macrophage function. Altered macrophage function has been implicated in respiratory infections as well as in common allergic and inflammatory lung diseases. Therefore, understanding the functional heterogeneity and ontogeny of lung macrophages should help to develop future macrophage‐based therapies for important lung diseases in humans.
The Collage Workshop: Exploring the Image as Argumentative Tool
Authors: de Bruijn Willem
Published: November 2019

This article describes a pedagogical approach to collage based on the work of art historians John Berger (1926–2017) and Aby Warburg (1866–1929). Its aim is to understand how images can be used to develop critical visual thinking skills within the context of architectural education and architectural theory in particular. Drawing on the notions of ‘visual literacy’ and ‘visual learning’ familiar from educational theory, the article proposes collage as a means to challenge the predominantly verbal modes of assessment prevalent in contextual and critical studies, where ‘contextual’ refers to the wider contexts (cultural, social, historical, theoretical) within which architecture is situated. The Collage Workshop, which the author has developed over the last five years whilst working closely with students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, is a concrete attempt to implement visually oriented forms of learning and reduce the reliance on written assignments across the curriculum. By analysing some examples of collages produced by students who participated in the workshop, the article hopes to show how images can be used in the construction of an argument and, perhaps more crucially, how seeing assumes meaning in an image‐saturated world.
Using an augmented reality game to teach three junior high school students with intellectual disabilities to improve ATM use
Authors: Kang Ya‐Shu , Chang Yao‐Jen
Published: November 2019

Background

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) may have difficulties in performing daily living tasks. Among other daily living tasks, independent automated teller machine (ATM) skills are an essential life skill for people with intellectual disabilities.

Materials and Methods

Three junior high school students in a special education class participated in the experiment. We employed the augmented reality (AR) technology to gamify ATM skill training. Specifically, a multiple baseline design was adopted to demonstrate the relation between game‐based intervention and using an ATM independently.

Results

Data showed that the percentage of correct task steps increased among all three participants. Social validity results showed the teachers considered the AR game was very useful and it had helped their students learn the ATM skills effectively.

Conclusions

The proposed AR game can be used for effective training of students with intellectual disabilities using an ATM independently.
Primary dermal fibroblasts and pectoralis muscle show similar patterns of oxidative stress in tropical and temperate birds despite differing life‐histories
Authors: Beattie Ursula Konstantin , Wright Haviland , Jimenez Ana Gabriela
Published: November 2019

Tropical birds have a ‘slower pace of life’, with lower rates of whole‐animal metabolism, smaller metabolically active organs and lower cellular metabolic rates than their temperate counterparts. Oxidative stress is a physiological mechanism that may dictate differing life‐histories such as those found between tropical and temperate birds. Oxygen is required to make ATP, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). If left unchecked, ROS can structurally alter proteins, induce mutations in DNA and damage structural lipids. To combat accumulating oxidative damage, organisms have evolved an elaborate and costly antioxidant system that serves to sequester ROS before they wreak cellular havoc. We examined whether oxidative stress would differ between tropical and temperate birds. We used isolated primary dermal fibroblasts and pectoralis muscle tissue for measurements. We measured four aspects of oxidative stress in primary fibroblasts – reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, ROS production, mitochondrial content and lipid peroxidation (LPO) damage. We found no significant differences in the four variables between temperate and tropical birds. In muscle tissue, we measured catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, peroxyl and hydroxyl scavenging capacity and LPO damage. We found that peroxyl scavenging capacity was significantly higher in tropical birds compared with temperate birds.
Why mountains matter for biodiversity
Authors: Perrigo Allison , Hoorn Carina , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: November 2019

Mountains are arguably Earth's most striking features. They play a major role in determining global and regional climates, are the source of most rivers, act as cradles, barriers and bridges for species, and are crucial for the survival and sustainability of many human societies. The complexity of mountains is tightly associated with high biodiversity, but the processes underlying this association are poorly known. Solving this puzzle requires researchers to generate more primary data, and better integrate available geological and climatic data into biological models of diversity and evolution. In this perspective, we highlight emerging insights, which stress the importance of mountain building through time as a generator and reservoir of biodiversity. We also discuss recently proposed parallels between surface uplift, habitat formation and species diversification. We exemplify these links and discuss other factors, such as Quaternary climatic variations, which may have obscured some mountain‐building evidence due to erosion and other processes. Biological evolution is complex and the build‐up of mountains is certainly not the only explanation, but biological and geological processes are probably more intertwined than many of us realize. The overall conclusion is that geology sets the stage for speciation, where ecological interactions, adaptive and non‐adaptive radiations and stochastic processes act together to increase biodiversity. Further integration of these fields may yield novel and robust insights.
Biologics in nail psoriasis: a new trend in treatment?
Authors: Rigopoulos D.
Published: November 2019

Linked article: B.E. Elewski et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33: 2168–2178. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15793.
Frequency and prognosis of associated malignancies in 504 patients with lymphomatoid papulosis
Authors: Melchers R.C. , Willemze R. , Bekkenk M.W. , de Haas E.R.M. , Horvath B. , van Rossum M.M. , Sanders C.J.G. , Veraart J.C.J.M. , Putter H. , Jansen P.M. , Vermeer M.H. , Quint K.D.
Published: November 2019

Background

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) can be associated with other haematological malignancies (HM), but reported percentages vary from 20% to over 50%.

Objective

To evaluate the frequency and prognostic significance of associated HM and non‐HM in LyP patients.

Methods

In this multicentre cohort study, the complete Dutch LyP population was included from the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry between 1985 and 2018. Clinical and histopathological information was retrieved from every individual patient.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 120 months (range, 6–585), an associated HM was observed in 78/504 (15.5%) patients. Most common associated HM were mycosis fungoides (MF; n = 31) and anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (ALCL; n = 29), while 19 patients had another HM of B‐cell (n = 14) or myeloid origin (n = 5). Even after a 25‐year follow‐up period, percentages of associated HM did not exceed 20%. Thirty‐nine of 465 patients (8.4%) without a prior or concurrent associated HM developed an associated HM during follow‐up, after a median of 68 months (range of 3–286 months). Nine of 78 patients died of associated HM, including 6/22 patients developing extracutaneous ALCL, while all patients with associated MF or skin‐limited ALCL had an excellent prognosis. Compared with the general population, LyP patients showed an increased risk (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence intervals, 2.4–3.3) for non‐HM, in particular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and intestinal/lung/bladder cancer.

Conclusions

An associated HM was reported in 15.5% of the LyP patients, particularly MF and ALCL. Although the frequency of associated HM is lower than suggested and the prognosis of most patients with associated HM is excellent, a small subgroup will develop aggressive disease, in particular extracutaneous ALCL. Furthermore, LyP patients have a higher risk of developing other malignancies. Clinicians should be aware of these risks, and LyP patients require close monitoring.
Metabolic syndrome and atopic dermatitis: reconsidering the definition criteria
Authors: Alexandraki K.I. , Papaioannou T.G. , Karamanou M.
Published: November 2019

Linked article: G. Shalom et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: e131. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16072.
Fuzzy logic–based clinical decision support system for the evaluation of renal function in post‐Transplant Patients
Authors: Improta Giovanni , Mazzella Valeria , Vecchione Donatella , Santini Stefania , Triassi Maria
Published: November 2019

Objectives

In the context of the gradual development of artificial intelligence in health care, the clinical decision support systems (CDSS) play an increasing crucial role in improving the quality of the therapeutic and diagnostic efficiency in health care. The fuzzy logic (FL) provides an effective means for dealing with uncertainties in the health decision‐making process; therefore, FL‐based CDSS becomes a very powerful tool for data and knowledge management, being able to think like an expert clinician. This work proposes an FL‐based CDSS for the evaluation of renal function in posttransplant patients.

Method

Based on the data provided by the Department of Nephrology of the University Hospital Federico II of Naples, a statistical sample is selected according to appropriate inclusion criteria. Four fuzzy inference systems are implemented monitoring the renal function by the level of proteinuria and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Results

The systems show an accuracy of more than 90% and the outputs are provided through easy to read graphics, so that physicians can intuitively monitor the patient's clinical status, with the objective to improve drugs dosage and reduce medication errors.

Conclusions

We propose that the CDSSs for the assessment and follow‐up of kidney‐transplanted patients built in this study are applicable to clinical practice.
Evidences for genetic differentiation within the highly endemic and endangered annual fish Austrolebias nigrofasciatus (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)
Authors: Barbosa Crislaine , Garcez Daiana K. , Volcan Matheus V. , Robe Lizandra J.
Published: November 2019

Samples of Austrolebias nigrofasciatus (n = 103), an endangered species of annual fish endemic to a small area of the Patos‐Mirim lagoon system encompassing the São Gonçalo Channel lowlands, were collected from eight isolated temporary ponds, four located at the known distribution range of the species and four located along the Piratini River lowlands, where morphologically different individuals were found. In the laboratory, fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (coI), cytochrome b (cytb) and nuclear rhodopsin (rho) genes were amplified, purified and sequenced for 100, 99 and 58 of these individuals, respectively. Samples were further analysed using phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods to evaluate the patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation presented within and between populations, while assessing their evolutionary history, in order to guide the application of further conservation strategies. We found that the four new populations from the Piratini River lowlands encompass a different lineage of A. nigrofasciatus that diverged from that encountered in the São Gonçalo Channel at approximately 0.165 M years before present, during a population expansion and did not yet attain reciprocal monophyly. This divergence was associated with a glacial event that was preceded by an interglacial period putatively associated with the dispersal. Moreover, significant levels of genetic differentiation and a high number of exclusive haplotypes could be encountered even in micro‐geographical scales, as in the comparisons between populations located within the same major lineage, indicating each of them may encompass independent management units. Conservation actions are certainly urgent, especially in the face of signs of a recent bottleneck.
Unmet nursing care needs on medical and surgical wards: A scoping review of patients’ perspectives
Authors: Bagnasco Annamaria , Dasso Nicoletta , Rossi Silvia , Galanti Carolina , Varone Gloria , Catania Gianluca , Zanini Milko , Aleo Giuseppe , Watson Roger , Hayter Mark , Sasso Loredana
Published: November 2019

Aims and objectives

To review and synthesise research studies on surgical and medical inpatients’ perceptions on unmet nursing care needs.

Background

Missed nursing care is a growing phenomenon that has been shown to adversely affect care outcomes—mainly in adult medical and surgical care settings. However, to date the aggregated and synthesised evidence of missed care comes from research that measures perceptions on missed care in surgical and medical settings from nurses, but not from the patients.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

In September 2018, three databases were searched: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL and SCOPUS and papers were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: primary studies; published in peer‐reviewed journals; in English or Italian; and regarding routine care provided to adult inpatients. Quality appraisal and a thematic analysis were conducted.

Results

Of the 1541 abstracts initially identified, 44 papers were included. Five themes emerged: “communication,” “self‐management, autonomy and education,” “personal sphere,” “essential physical care” and “emotional and psychological care.” The majority of the unmet needs were related to the “personal sphere” and “emotional and psychological care.” These unmet needs were not identified in previous literature on nurses’ perspectives of missed care. Also, physical care deficits like oral hygiene were identified.

Conclusion

It is important to take into account patients’ perspectives. The themes focusing on patients’ personal sphere, and emotional and psychological care, underline how patients need nurses to pay more attention to their cultural background, consider the person as a whole and for nursing care to be holistic and respectful of patients’ dignity.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study intends to raise awareness amongst nurses and policymakers about the importance of addressing missed nursing care and unmet patients’ needs in adult medical or surgical inpatient settings to ensure high‐quality care and patient satisfaction.
The self‐assessment of clinical competence and the need for further training: A cross‐sectional survey of advanced practice nursing students
Authors: Taylor Ingrid , Bing‐Jonsson Pia , Wangensteen Sigrid , Finnbakk Elisabeth , Sandvik Leiv , McCormack Brendan , Fagerström Lisbeth
Published: November 2019

Aims and objectives

(a) To describe and analyse advanced practice nursing students' self‐assessment of their clinical competence and need for further training and (b) to analyse the possible predictive variables in their self‐assessment.

Background

The self‐assessment of clinical competence in nursing education is important for identifying professional development and educational needs to improve patient care.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey following STROBE guidelines was used.

Methods

Ninety‐nine students from three universities/university colleges in Norway participated in the study, and data were collected using a revised version of the Professional Nurse Self‐Assessment Scale II. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were performed.

Results

The students gave the highest self‐assessment ratings for their clinical competence in taking full responsibility and for their need for further training in medication effects and interactions. Although the students gave themselves low ratings for the use of electronic devices, they assessed their need for further training in this area as average. Clinical work experience as a registered nurse and previous higher education level were not significant predictors of clinical competence nor the need for further training.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that self‐assessment is appropriate for students in advanced practice nursing programmes. This study implies that programmes in advanced practice nursing need to familiarise students with the possibilities of information technology. It questions the entry requirement that stipulates that prospective students must have several years of clinical work experience as registered nurses before entering advanced practice nursing programmes. These programmes need to communicate that competencies other than direct clinical practice are also needed for students' future roles.

Relevance to clinical practice

The study contributes to the exploration of how students self‐assess own clinical competence and need for further training in advanced practice nursing programmes. Further research should evaluate the development of clinical competence.
Complications following frenotomy for ankyloglossia: A 24‐month prospective New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit study
Authors: Hale Matthew , Mills Nikki , Edmonds Liza , Dawes Patrick , Dickson Nigel , Barker David , Wheeler Benjamin J
Published: November 2019

Aim

To investigate the incidence and characteristics of complications arising from frenotomy for ankyloglossia (tongue‐tie) in New Zealand.

Methods

Prospective surveillance among hospital‐based paediatricians of complications arising from frenotomy for ankyloglossia to children <1 year old was conducted by the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit for 24 months, from August 2016 to July 2018, inclusive.

Results

A total of 16 cases of complications arising from frenotomy were reported. The overall average annual incidence rate was 13.9/100 000. Geographic variation was noted with a peak of 85.6/100 000 in one region. Complications reported: poor feeding (44%), respiratory events (25%), pain (19%), bleeding (19%) and weight loss (19%). Three children (19%) also had delayed diagnosis of an underlying medical condition initially overlooked in favour of treating their ankyloglossia, this has not previously been reported. The majority (75%) of cases required admission to hospital. Treatments given included supplementary feeds (44%), surgical intervention (25%), breastfeeding support (19%), analgesia (13%) and blood products (13%). A total of 25% of children had one or more frenotomies; 50% were treated for two or more of: ‘anterior’ ankyloglossia, ‘posterior’ ankyloglossia or ‘lip tie’; 50% had their frenotomies performed out of the hospital. Dentists were the most common performing practitioner (31%).

Conclusions

Frenotomy rates in New Zealand are unknown. Poor feeding, pain, bleeding, weight loss and delayed diagnosis of an alternative underlying medical condition are important complications that require hospital assessment and admission. Practitioners and parents/families need to be aware of these possibilities. Centralised guidelines with access to specialist second opinions should be developed.
The role of Helicobacter pylori DnaA domain I in orisome assembly on a bipartite origin of chromosome replication
Authors: Nowaczyk‐Cieszewska Malgorzata , Zyla‐Uklejewicz Dorota , Noszka Mateusz , Jaworski Pawel , Mielke Thorsten , Zawilak-Pawlik Anna Magdalena
Published: November 2019

The main roles of the DnaA protein are to bind the origin of chromosome replication (oriC), to unwind DNA and to provide a hub for the step‐wise assembly of a replisome. DnaA is composed of four domains, with each playing a distinct functional role in the orisome assembly. Out of the four domains, the role of domain I is the least understood and appears to be the most species‐specific. To better characterise Helicobacter pylori DnaA domain I, we have constructed a series of DnaA variants and studied their interactions with H. pylori bipartite oriC. We show that domain I is responsible for the stabilisation and organisation of DnaA‐oriC complexes and provides cooperativity in DnaA–DNA interactions. Domain I mediates cross‐interactions between oriC subcomplexes, which indicates that domain I is important for long‐distance DnaA interactions and is essential for orisosme assembly on bipartite origins. HobA, which interacts with domain I, increases the DnaA binding to bipartite oriC; however, it does not stimulate but rather inhibits DNA unwinding. This suggests that HobA helps DnaA to bind oriC, but an unknown factor triggers DNA unwinding. Together, our results indicate that domain I self‐interaction is important for the DnaA assembly on bipartite H. pylori oriC.
The reverse gyrase TopR1 is responsible for the homeostatic control of DNA supercoiling in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Couturier Mohea , Gadelle Danièle , Forterre Patrick , Nadal Marc , Garnier Florence
Published: November 2019

Maintaining an appropriate DNA topology with DNA‐based processes (DNA replication, transcription and recombination) is crucial for all three domains of life. In bacteria, the homeostatic regulation for controlling DNA supercoiling relies on antagonistic activities of two DNA topoisomerases, TopoI and gyrase. In hyperthermophilic crenarchaea, the presence of such a regulatory system is suggested as two DNA topoisomerases, TopoVI and reverse gyrase, catalyze antagonistic activities. To test this hypothesis, we estimated and compared the number of the TopoVI with that of the two reverse gyrases, TopR1 and TopR2, in Sulfolobus solfataricus cells maintained either at 80 or at 88°C, or reciprocally shifted from one temperature to the other. From the three DNA topoisomerases, TopR1 is the only one exhibiting significant quantitative variations in response to the up‐ and down‐shifts. In addition, the corresponding intrinsic activities of these three DNA topoisomerases were tested in vitro at both temperatures. Although temperature modulates the three DNA topoisomerases activities, TopR1 is the sole topoisomerase able to function at high temperature. Altogether, results presented in this study demonstrate, for the first time, that the DNA topological state of a crenarchaeon is regulated via a homeostatic control, which is mainly mediated by the fine‐tuning of TopR1.
What Love Is Not: Lessons from Martin Luther King, Jr.
Authors: Lloyd Vincent
Published: November 2019

Focusing on the concept and practice of love sheds light on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s negative political theology. King was fundamentally concerned with what love is not, and it is this negation that colors his political vision. I do not take King’s political theology to be either primarily derivative of American liberal Protestantism or primarily derivative of folk African American religion, or of some syncretism of these. Rather, I take King to be participating in a tradition of negative theology that pairs the critique of idolatry with attention outward and inward, to the marginalized and to spiritual life.
A SHMT1 variant decreases the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Chile
Authors: Salamanca Carlos , González‐Hormazábal Patricio , Recabarren Andrea S. , Recabarren Pamela A. , Pantoja Roberto , Leiva Noemi , Pardo Rosa , Suazo José
Published: November 2019

Objective

To assess the association between polymorphic variants from SHMT1 and MTHFS genes, involved in the cytoplasmic futile folate cycle, and the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in the Chilean population.

Subjects and Methods

In a sample of 139 Chilean NSCL/P cases and 278 controls, we obtained the genotypes for nine variants of SHMT1 and MTHFS and the association between them and the phenotype was evaluated using odds ratios (OR) in additive (allele), dominant, and recessive models.

Results

After correction for multiple comparisons, only the variant rs1979277 (G > A; p.Leu474Phe) from SHMT1 showed a significant and protective effect for additive (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.42–0.86; p = .0054, q = 0.0488) and dominant models (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29–0.75; p = .0009; q = 0.0081). Our bioinformatic prediction plus functional evidence from previous reports demonstrate that the A allele for this missense variant decreases the enzymatic activity.

Conclusions

Owing to the rs1979277 A allele, which reduces the cytoplasmic SHMT activity and has a higher frequency in controls than in NSCL/P cases, we hypothesized that a low enzyme activity may increase the cytoplasmic concentration of folates and, therefore, explain the protective role against OFCs.
Long‐term warming affects ecosystem functioning through species turnover and intraspecific trait variation
Authors: Salo Tiina , Mattila Johanna , Eklöf Johan
Published: November 2019

Effects of climate change on natural ecosystems can be mediated by ecological processes, but also by rapid evolutionary adaptations and/or non‐heritable trait changes in organisms. So far, most studies testing the importance of inter‐ versus intraspecific changes for how communities and their functioning responds to climate change are either short‐term laboratory experiments in highly controlled (artificial) environments, or long‐term field surveys suffering from lack of experimental manipulation. Here, we quantified how community composition and functioning has changed in response to long‐term warming, including the potential direct and indirect effects via immediate and delayed physiological, non‐heritable plastic, ecological, evolutionary and eco‐evolutionary responses. We used a site‐for‐time approach, sampling sites in an artificially heated basin and a nearby area to quantify how >30 years of experimental warming in situ affects benthic grazer communities and traits of grazer taxa, as well as their contribution to a key ecosystem function: grazing on filamentous algae. The community composition shifted with warming, because a non‐native species was highly common, and taxa with higher mobility, became more common in the heated areas compared to the control sites. Warming altered community functioning but the underlying mechanisms varied between traits: increased metabolism was caused by intraspecific trait change, while increased grazing rate was mainly driven by species turnover. Our results suggest that both population‐ and community‐level processes mediate the responses of natural communities to long‐term environmental change, and that the ongoing warming of coastal waters is likely to alter the functioning of key marine ecosystems.
Virus mediated trophic interactions between aphids and their natural enemies
Authors: Dupont Corentin , Michiels Alexandra , Sochard Corentin , Dardenne Nathalie , Meyer Sophie , Brault Véronique , Outreman Yannick , Sentis Arnaud
Published: November 2019

Microbial endosymbionts alter the phenotype of their host which may have cascading effects at both population and community levels. However, we currently lack information on whether the effects of viruses on both host phenotypic traits and host population demography can modify interactions with upper trophic levels. To fill this gap, we investigated whether a prevalent densovirus infecting the aphid Myzus persicae (i.e. MpDNV) can modify trophic interactions between host aphids and their natural enemies (i.e. predators and parasitoids) by influencing aphid phenotypic traits (i.e. body mass and defensive behaviours), population demography (i.e. density and age‐structure) and susceptibility towards both predation and parasitism. We found that the virus decreased aphid body mass but did not influence their behavioural defences. At the population level, the virus had a minor effect on aphid adult mortality whereas it strongly reduced the density of nymphs and influenced the stage structure of aphid populations. In addition, the virus enhanced the susceptibility of aphids to parasitism regardless of the parasitoid species. Predation rate on adult aphids was not influenced by the virus but ladybeetle predators strongly decreased the number of aphid nymphs, especially for uninfected ones compared to infected ones. As a result, the virus decreased predator effect on aphid populations. By reducing both aphid quality and availability, increasing their susceptibility to parasitism, and modulating predator effect on aphid populations, we highlighted that viral endosymbionts can be prevalent drivers of their host ecology as they modify their phenotypes and interspecific interactions. These virus‐mediated ecological effects may have consequences on enemies foraging strategies as well as trophic webs dynamics and structure.
Effect of anemia on muscle oxygen saturation during submaximal exercise
Authors: Crispin Philip
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Objective measures to assess the need for transfusion in chronic anemia are lacking. Near‐infrared spectroscopy may be used, but there is wide variability. Assessment of muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) during exercise could be used to measure the impact of anemia on performance of everyday activities.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Hematology patients and controls were recruited to undertake a 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) and a 20‐second isometric handgrip exercise. Muscle oxygen saturation in the exercising muscles was measured before and during exercise. Changes in saturation during exercise were described. Correlations between identified variables, hemoglobin concentration, and 6MWT distance were undertaken. The effect of transfusion was assessed on a transfused subset.

RESULTS

There were 95 sets of exercises conducted in 74 participants. Baseline SmO2 correlated with hemoglobin concentration and negatively with 6MWT distance. Paradoxically, a higher hemoglobin was associated with a greater SmO2 fall during the 6MWT, likely due to greater consumption from improved walk distances. The fall in SmO2 was independent of hemoglobin during isometric contraction, although levels were lower during contraction due to the lower starting SmO2. There was a longer time to peak SmO2 during recovery following isometric exercise in anemia. There were 17 paired tests following a change in hemoglobin, with SmO2 not predicting improvement in those who had improved exercise capacity.

CONCLUSION

While baseline SmO2 correlated with hemoglobin concentration, the correlation was not strong enough to predict transfusion requirements. Recovery after isometric forearm contraction correlated with hemoglobin and warrants further investigation.
Geometric Design and Analysis of Novel Asymmetrical Rotors for Roots Vacuum Pumps
Authors: Wang Jun , Yang Shuran , Sha Rundong , Li Hongxin , Xu Chao
Published: November 2019

Roots rotors dramatically determine the performance of Roots vacuum pumps. In order to develop new rotors with higher performance, a pair of novel asymmetrical rotors or eccentric involute rotors were proposed based on the conventional symmetrical involute rotors. Profiles of one rotor consist of four eccentric involutes and four circular arcs; profiles of the other rotor consist of four conjugate curves of eccentric involutes and four circular arcs. A model of the proposed asymmetrical rotors was established, and effects of geometric parameters on the area-utilizing ratio of rotors were analyzed. The study results show that the proposed asymmetrical rotors have more number of independent geometric parameters than the conventional rotors of Roots vacuum pumps, so that the asymmetrical rotors are superior to the conventional rotors in terms of design flexibility. The contents of this study can be applied in the design of Roots vacuum pumps.
Investigation on an Adaptive Method for Tonal Vibration Suppression
Authors: Xie Xiling , Ren Mingke , Zhang Zhiyi
Published: November 2019

An adaptive method for suppressing mechanical vibration of multiple frequencies is investigated. The adaptive controller is reinforced with saturation alleviator to improve the convergence rate and performance of the adaptive algorithm. Tracking filters are used to extract harmonics of fluctuating frequencies and the anti-saturation unit works in series with the tracking filters to give constrained harmonic output. As a result, the controller is insensitive to abnormally large input that would otherwise induce saturation in actuators. A dynamic model is built for vibration suppression simulation and the numerical results indicate that the adaptive algorithm is effective in cases of multiple fluctuating frequencies and output saturation. Experiments were also conducted to test the performance of the adaptive method. Excitation with oscillating frequencies was applied, and the results have demonstrated that the harmonics can be suppressed effectively with the adaptive method.
Cost Optimization and Flexibility Analysis for the Liquefaction of an Associated Natural Gas Stream
Authors: Eini Saeed , Kontogeorgis Georgios M. , Rashtchian Davood
Published: November 2019

Liquefaction and then transportation to the market is one of the promising options for the utilization of associated natural gas resources which are produced in oil fields. However, the flow of such resources is normally unsteady. Additionally, the associated gas in one oil field may exhaust in a few years and the liquefaction plant should be moved to another oil field with different specifications. In order to tackle such challenges, liquefaction systems not only must be optimally designed and operated but also should be flexible with respect to the gas flow fluctuations. The flexibility analysis of such processes is usually ignored in the optimization studies. In this research, first, the economic performance of two small-scale liquefaction processes (a single mixed-refrigerant process, SMR, and a nitrogen expander process) was optimized and compared. The results showed that the SMR process is economically more attractive (49% lower lifecycle cost compared to the nitrogen expander process). As a post-optimization step, flexibility analysis was performed to investigate the ability of optimal designs in overcoming gas flow fluctuations. For this purpose, five-thousand feed samples with different flowrate and methane content were supposed which formed a feasibility-check region. The results showed that with respect to the design constraints, the optimal SMR process is more flexible and feasibly operates in the entire region. However, the nitrogen expander process cannot feasibly operate for the gas feed with high flowrate and low methane content.
Comparative Study of the Inline Configuration Wind Farm
Authors: Hasan Alaa S. , Elgammal Tarek , Jackson Randall S. , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: November 2019

This research provides an in-depth analysis of the flow around the rotor and in the wake of a single horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) model at different free stream velocities and tip speed ratios (TSRs). Moreover, it extracts some recommendations that might be beneficial for large-scale projects such as wind farm layout design and power output prediction. For this purpose, modeling and experimental testing of a wind tunnel test section, including a single wind turbine model inside were created and validated against present experimental data of the same model. The large Eddy simulation (LES) was used as a numerical approach to model the Navier–Stokes equations. The computational domain was divided into two areas: rotational and stationary. The unsteady rigid body motion (RBM) model was adopted to represent the rotor rotation accurately.
Enhanced shockwave lithotripsy with active cavitation mitigation
Authors: Alavi Tamaddoni Hedieh , Roberts William W. , Hall Timothy L.
Published: November 2019

The goal of this study was to examine acoustical mechanisms that manipulate cavitation events in order to improve the efficacy of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) at higher rates. Previous work has shown that applying low amplitude acoustic pulses immediately after each shockwave (SW) can force cavitation bubbles to coalesce and enhance SWL efficacy. In this study, the effects of applying low amplitude acoustic pulses at different time delays is investigated before and after each SW, which would result in different interactions among residual microbubbles producing forced coalescence and dispersion. Utilizing forced coalescence and dispersion was hypothesized to mitigate the shielding effect of residual bubbles, further improving efficacy particularly for higher SWL rates. A set of in vitro experiments was performed in a water tank so that the behavior of bubbles, coalescence and dispersion, could be observed with a high-speed camera. Model kidney stones were treated by a clinical Dornier lithotripter with firing rates of 30 shocks/min and 120 shocks/min, along with an in-house made transducer to generate low amplitude acoustic pulses fired at different pressures and time delays. The average percentage of untreated stone fragments greater than 2 mm was 15.81% for 120 shocks/min without mitigation and significantly reduced to 0.19% for the optimum mitigation protocol.
A Standard Numbering Scheme for Class C β-Lactamases
Authors: Mack Andrew R. , Barnes Melissa D. , Taracila Magdalena A. , Hujer Andrea M. , Hujer Kristine M. , Cabot Gabriel , Feldgarden Michael , Haft Daniel H. , Klimke William , van den Akker Focco , Vila Alejandro J. , Smania Andrea , Haider Shozeb , Papp-Wallace Krisztina M. , Bradford Patricia A. , Rossolini Gian Maria , Docquier Jean-Denis , Frère Jean-Marie , Galleni Moreno , Hanson Nancy D. , Oliver Antonio , Plésiat Patrick , Poirel Laurent , Nordmann Patrice , Palzkill Timothy G. , Jacoby George A. , Bush Karen , Bonomo Robert A.
Published: November 2019

Unlike for classes A and B, a standardized amino acid numbering scheme has not been proposed for the class C (AmpC) β-lactamases, which complicates communication in the field. Here, we propose a scheme developed through a collaborative approach that considers both sequence and structure, preserves traditional numbering of catalytically important residues (Ser
64
, Lys
67
, Tyr
150
, and Lys
315
), is adaptable to new variants or enzymes yet to be discovered and includes a variation for genetic and epidemiological applications.
Quantifying the Benefit of a Dedicated “Magnetoskeleton” in Bacterial Magnetotaxis by Live-Cell Motility Tracking and Soft Agar Swimming Assay
Authors: Pfeiffer Daniel , Schüler Dirk
Published: November 2019

In
Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense
, magnetosomes are aligned in quasi-linear chains in a helical cell by a complex cytoskeletal network, including the actin-like MamK and adapter MamJ for magnetosome chain concatenation and segregation and MamY to position magnetosome chains along the shortest cellular axis of motility. Magnetosome chain positioning is assumed to be required for efficient magnetic navigation; however, the significance and contribution of all key constituents have not been quantified within defined and weak magnetic fields reflecting the geomagnetic field. Employing two different motility-based methods to consider the flagellum-mediated propulsion of cells, we depict individual benefits of all magnetoskeletal constituents for magnetotaxis. Whereas lack of
mamJ
resulted almost in an inability to align cells in weak magnetic fields, an approximately 4-fold-increased magnetic field strength was required to compensate for the loss of
mamK
or
mamY
. In summary, the magnetoskeleton and optimal positioning of magnetosome chains are required for efficient magnetotaxis.
The Global Ascendency of OXA-48-Type Carbapenemases
Authors: Pitout Johann D. D. , Peirano Gisele , Kock Marleen M. , Strydom Kathy-Anne , Matsumura Yasufumi
Published: November 2019

Surveillance studies have shown that OXA-48-like carbapenemases are the most common carbapenemases in
Enterobacterales
in certain regions of the world and are being introduced on a regular basis into regions of nonendemicity, where they are responsible for nosocomial outbreaks. OXA-48, OXA-181, OXA-232, OXA-204, OXA-162, and OXA-244, in that order, are the most common enzymes identified among the OXA-48-like carbapenemase group.
Functional and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Integrated Prophage-Like Sequences in “
Candidatus
Liberibacter asiaticus”
Authors: Dominguez-Mirazo Marian , Jin Rong , Weitz Joshua S.
Published: November 2019

Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is threatening citrus production worldwide. The causative agent is “
Candidatus
Liberibacter asiaticus.” Prior work using mapping-based approaches identified prophage-like sequences in some “
Ca.
Liberibacter asiaticus” genomes but not all. Here, we utilized a
de novo
approach that expands the number of prophage-like elements found in “
Ca.
Liberibacter asiaticus” from 16 to 33 and identified at least one prophage-like sequence in all “
Ca.
Liberibacter asiaticus” strains. Furthermore, we identified a prophage-like sequence type that is a remnant of an integrated prophage—expanding the number of prophage types in “
Ca.
Liberibacter asiaticus” from 3 to 4. Overall, the findings will help researchers investigate the role of prophage in the ecology, evolution, and pathogenicity of “
Ca.
Liberibacter asiaticus.”
LeishIF4E1 Deletion Affects the Promastigote Proteome, Morphology, and Infectivity
Authors: Tupperwar Nitin , Shrivastava Rohit , Shapira Michal
Published: November 2019

Leishmaniaparasites are the causative agents of a broad spectrum of diseases. The parasites migrate between sand-fly vectors and mammalian hosts, adapting to changing environments by driving a regulated program of gene expression, with translation regulation playing a key role. The leishmanias encode six different paralogs of eIF4E, the cap-binding translation initiation factor. Since these vary in function, expression profile, and assemblage, it is assumed that each is assigned a specific role throughout the life cycle. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system forLeishmania, we generated a null mutant of LeishIF4E1, eliminating both alleles. Although the mutant cells were viable, their morphology was altered and their ability to synthesize the flagellum was impaired. Elimination of LeishIF4E1 affected their protein expression profile and decreased their ability to infect cultured macrophages. Restoring LeishIF4E1 expression restored the affected features. This study highlights the importance of LeishIF4E1 in diverse cellular events during the life cycle ofLeishmania.
The conversion tectonics from spreading to subduction: Paleostress analysis of dike swarms during the subduction initiation in the Oman Ophiolite
Authors: Umino Susumu , Kusano Yuki , Yamaji Atsushi , Fudai Takahiro , Tamura Akihiro , Arai Shoji
Published: November 2019

We present paleostress analyses of dike swarms intruded during the subduction initiation in the northern Oman Ophiolite to understand the tectonomagmatic environment. Five swarms of subparallel dikes extending WNW-ESE are 1–5 km in width and are spaced every 5 km N-S. Each swarm has a core of 100% sheeted dikes 1–2 km in width, which emanated from the dunite-wherlite-clinopyroxenite-gabbronorite-diorite-tonalite complexes below and intruded through V1 and into V2 extrusive rocks. Individual dike strikes are varied but generally subparallel to the overall trend of the swarm. Paleostress analyses indicate subvertical σ1, ∼σ2, and subhorizontal σ3 with high magma pressures, resulted in the mutually intrusive, extensional shear dikes and abrupt changes in dike strike at high angles. These occurrences suggest intrusions under a more compressive environment compared to the extensional stress field that formed the N-S–striking sheeted dikes of V1 spreading stage. Most E-W–striking dikes possess both boninitic and tholeiitic geochemistry. The latter resemble the V1 flows and dikes with affinities of mid-ocean ridge basalt. Some tholeiitic dikes strike N-S, which are mutually intrusive to E-W–striking dikes. Tholeiitic dikes are more intensely altered than boninite, suggesting their older ages. Conversion of the stress field from a N-S–running spreading axis to inextensional E-W–running rift zones associated with the change in magma geochemistry agree with the relatively compressive V2 arc above a forced subduction zone, which originated from intraoceanic thrusting caused by the clockwise rotation of a microplate including the future northern ophiolite.
ФЕНОТИПИЧЕСКАЯ СТРУКТУРА И ТАКСОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ИНТЕРПРЕТАЦИЯ ПОПУЛЯЦИЙ ЕЛИ В ПРИКАМЬЕ, "БОТАНИЧЕСКИЙ ЖУРНАЛ"
Authors: ПОПОВ П.П.
Published: November 2019

Изучены фенотипическое разнообразие семенных чешуй и географическая дифференциация популяций ели в Прикамье. В составе популяций здесь преобладают особи промежуточной формы ели европейской Picea abies и сибирской ели P. obovata, но в целом они ближе к ели сибирской, чем к европейской. Все популяции ели в Прикамье можно отнести к гибридной форме ели сибирской. Достаточно четко выражена дифференциация популяций на три группы: западную, центральную и восточную.
СОВРЕМЕННАЯ СТЕПНАЯ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОСТЬ БАЛОК "КАМЕННОЙ СТЕПИ" (ВОРОНЕЖСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ), "БОТАНИЧЕСКИЙ ЖУРНАЛ"
Authors: ПАРШУТИНА Л.П.
Published: November 2019

На основе данных по инвентаризации современного степного растительного покрова балок можно утверждать, что за последние 11 лет естественным путем происходит его восстановление. Состав и основные фитоценотические показатели степных сообществ, ранее подвергавшихся значительному антропогенному воздействию, в первую очередь выпасу, улучшаются в связи с изменением формы, режима и интенсивности их хозяйственного использования, а также с изменением гидротермических условий в регионе. Ценотическое разнообразие степной растительности пока остается низким.
ЧИСЛА ХРОМОСОМ НЕКОТОРЫХ ВИДОВ СОСУДИСТЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ ИЗ БАССЕЙНА АМУРА И ИЗ ПРИМОРЬЯ (РОССИЙСКИЙ ДАЛЬНИЙ ВОСТОК), "БОТАНИЧЕСКИЙ ЖУРНАЛ"
Authors: ПРОБАТОВА Н.С. , КОЖЕВНИКОВА З.В. , КОЖЕВНИКОВ А.Е. , РУДЫКА Э.Г.
Published: November 2019

Приведены новые результаты определения чисел хромосом (2n) для 44 видов из 39 родов и 22 семейств флоры России, в том числе для ряда редких и слабо изученных видов, а также некоторых сорных и ушедших из культуры. Впервые числа хромосом установлены у Elsholtzia serotina Kom. (2n = 16) и Heteropappusprobatovae Tzvel. (2n = 18), а для Calamagrostis macrolepis Litv., Eragrostis multica-ulis Steud., Potamogeton natans L., Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb., Violayazawana Makino установлены новые (неизвестные ранее) значения чисел хромосом. Для многих таксонов хромосомные числа определены впервые в РФ или на РДВ.