bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abrupt declines in marine phytoplankton production driven by warming and biodiversity loss in a microcosm experiment
Authors: Bestion Elvire , Barton Samuel , García Francisca C. , Warfield Ruth , Yvon‐Durocher Gabriel
Published: January 2020

Rising sea surface temperatures are expected to lead to the loss of phytoplankton biodiversity. However, we currently understand very little about the interactions between warming, loss of phytoplankton diversity and its impact on the oceans' primary production. We experimentally manipulated the species richness of marine phytoplankton communities under a range of warming scenarios, and found that ecosystem production declined more abruptly with species loss in communities exposed to higher temperatures. Species contributing positively to ecosystem production in the warmed treatments were those that had the highest optimal temperatures for photosynthesis, implying that the synergistic impacts of warming and biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning were mediated by thermal trait variability. As species were lost from the communities, the probability of taxa remaining that could tolerate warming diminished, resulting in abrupt declines in ecosystem production. Our results highlight the potential for synergistic effects of warming and biodiversity loss on marine primary production.
‘I was cracking more than everyone else’: young adults' daily life experiences of hypermobility and jaw disorders
Authors: Ilgunas Aurelia , Wänman Anders , Strömbäck Maria
Published: January 2020

Most studies on general joint hypermobility (GJH) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are quantitative and have concluded that joint hypermobility is a risk factor for development of TMD. The present qualitative study aimed to explore young adults' daily life experiences of GJH, specifically these relating to jaw function, and their experiences of medical and dental care providers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine young adults (18–22 yr of age) and data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The overarching thematic category that emerged was ‘Hypermobility in daily life’, which was broken into six subthemes and three themes: ‘emotional perception’, ‘dealing with symptoms’, and ‘outside influences’. Participants' narratives centred on experiences of complex symptoms, awkward jaw function and joint noises, feeling different, and a lack of support from general medical and dental care providers. The findings show that young adults with joint hypermobility need early support from medical and dental care providers for managing their symptoms and conditions related to GJH. Future studies are warranted to develop guidelines for professionals in medical and dental care to detect and prevent forthcoming problems and to offer relevant support to hypermobile youths.
Between adoption and rejection: attitudes of adult educators toward digitization in Germany
Authors: Rohs Matthias , Bolten Ricarda , Kohl Jonathan
Published: January 2020

The use of digital media in adult education is very heterogeneous. To date, there are no empirical studies that have examined the possibility that media‐related differences in media usage of adult educators could be in part due to differential media pedagogical attitudes of adult educators. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical evidence to support the understanding of what factors modulate differences in media pedagogical competencies of adult educators. In order to examine different theoretical potentialities, in the present study, an online survey of adult educators (n = 626) was conducted to investigate the attitudes of adult educators in Germany toward their use of digital media. The results of the study indicate that there are influencing factors such as educational level or employment context on attitudes toward digital media.
Water in India and Kentucky: Developing an Online Curriculum with Field Experiences for High School Classes in Diverse Settings
Authors: Hanley Carol , Freeman Rebecca L. , Fryar Alan E. , Sherman Amanda R. , Edwards Esther
Published: January 2020

Maintaining access to sufficient amounts of clean water for human and environmental needs is a global challenge requiring education and community engagement. We developed a curriculum integrating field experiences with online modules focusing on the water cycle, water quality, and human impacts. This year‐long curriculum connected nine public high schools in Kentucky with ten private, English‐language schools in eastern India. Curriculum design was informed by the Next Generation Science Standards (the new U.S. education standards for science) and utilized freely available, open‐access technology. Each instructional module included a narrated slideshow with general information and examples from Kentucky and India, exercises involving online data sets, and guidelines for class projects. Students developed creative products (e.g., posters and dramatic performances) for community outreach on water issues. Class projects involved literature reviews of local water bodies, collection of data using water‐quality test kits, and submission of a research proposal, which was evaluated by scientific professionals with a background in hydrology. The highest‐rated team from each country traveled to the other country to present their findings at a professional meeting or workshop. Eight of the Indian schools prepared video summaries of their projects, which were reviewed by an undergraduate class at the University of Kentucky. The curriculum and examples of student work are available on a publicly accessible website. Challenges faced during project implementation included difficulty in assessment of student products and, particularly for Kentucky schools, integrating activities into existing curricula. Nonetheless, the proposals, final papers, and other products indicated that students understood hydrologic concepts and were aware of water‐quality issues.
Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmia guided by a high‐density grid catheter
Authors: Campbell Timothy , Trivic Ivana , Bennett Richard G. , Anderson Robert D. , Turnbull Samual , Pham Timmy , Nalliah Chrishan , Kizana Eddy , Watts Troy , Lee Geoffrey , Kumar Saurabh
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Minimal data exist on the Advisor HD Grid (HDG) catheter and the Precision electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system for ventricular arrhythmia (VA) procedures. Using the HDG catheter, the EAM uses the high‐density (HD) wave mapping and best duplicate software to compare the maximum peak‐to‐peak bipolar voltages within a small zone independent of wavefront direction and catheter orientation. This study aimed to summarize the procedural experience for VAs using the HDG catheter.

Methods

Clinical and procedural characteristics of VA ablation procedures were retrospectively reviewed that used the HDG catheter and the Precision EAM over a 12‐month period.

Results

A total of 22 patients, 18 with sustained ventricular tachycardia and 4 with premature ventricular contractions were included. Clinically indicated left and/or right ventricular (LV, RV, respectively), and aortic maps were created. LV substrate maps (n = 13) used a median 1700 points (interquartile range [IQR]25%‐75%, 1427‐2412) out of a median 18 573 (IQR25%‐75%, 15 713‐41 067) total points collected. RV substrate maps (n = 11) used a median 1435 points (IQR25%‐75%, 1114‐1871) out of a median 16 005 (IQR25%‐75%, 11 063‐21 405) total points collected. Total point utilization, used vs collected, was 9%. Mean mapping time was 43 ± 17 minutes (substrate, 34 ± 18 minutes; activation/pace mapping, 9 ± 13 minutes). Acute success was achieved in 56 (86%) and short‐term success achieved in 16 patients (73%) at a median follow‐up of 145 days (IQR25%‐75%, 62‐273 days). There were no procedural complications.

Conclusion

HD wave mapping using the novel HDG catheter integrated with the Precision EAM is safe and feasible in VA procedures in the LV, RV, and aorta. Mapping times are consistent with other multielectrode mapping catheters.
Programmed deep septal stimulation: A novel maneuver for the diagnosis of left bundle branch capture during permanent pacing
Authors: Jastrzębski Marek , Moskal Paweł , Bednarek Agnieszka , Kiełbasa Grzegorz , Kusiak Aleksander , Sondej Tomasz , Bednarski Adam , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi , Czarnecka Danuta
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Permanent deep septal stimulation with capture of the left bundle branch (LBB) enables maintenance/restoration of the physiological activation of the left ventricle. However, it is almost always accompanied by the simultaneous engagement of the local septal myocardium, resulting in a fused (nonselective) QRS complex, therefore, confirmation of LBB capture remains difficult.

Methods

We hypothesized that programmed extrastimulus technique can differentiate nonselective LBB capture from myocardial‐only capture as the effective refractory period (ERP) of the myocardium is different from the ERP of the LBB. Consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker implantation underwent programmed stimulation delivered from the lead implanted in a deep septal position. Responses to programmed stimulation were categorized on the basis of sudden change in the QRS morphology of the extrastimuli, observed when ERP of LBB or myocardium was encroached upon, as: “myocardial,” “selective LBB,” or nondiagnostic (unequivocal change of QRS morphology).

Results

Programmed deep septal stimulation was performed 269 times in 143 patients; in every patient with the use of a basic drive train of 600 milliseconds and in 126 patients also during intrinsic rhythm. The average septal‐myocardial refractory period was shorter than the LBB refractory period: 263.0 ± 34.4 vs 318.0 ± 37.4 milliseconds. Responses diagnostic for LBB capture (“myocardial” or “selective LBB”) were observed in 114 (79.7%) of patients.

Conclusions

A novel maneuver for the confirmation of LBB capture during deep septal stimulation was developed and found to enable definitive diagnosis by visualization of both components of the paced QRS complex: selective paced LBB QRS and myocardial‐only paced QRS.
α5‐nAChR contributes to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and metastasis by regulating Jab1/Csn5 signalling in lung cancer
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Jia Yanfei , Zhang Yujie , Zhou Dajie , Sun Haiji , Ma Xiaoli
Published: January 2020

Recent studies have showed that α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α5‐nAChR) is closely associated with nicotine‐related lung cancer. Our previous studies also demonstrated that α5‐nAChR mediates nicotine‐induced lung carcinogenesis. However, the mechanism by which α5‐nAChR functions in lung carcinogenesis remains to be elucidated. Jab1/Csn5 is a key regulatory factor in smoking‐induced lung cancer. In this study, we explored the underlying mechanisms linking the α5‐nAChR‐Jab1/Csn5 axis with lung cancer epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for future lung cancer treatments. Our results demonstrated that the expression of α5‐nAChR was correlated with the expression of Jab1/Csn5 in lung cancer tissues and lung cancer cells. α5‐nAChR expression is associated with Jab1/Csn5 expression in lung tumour xenografts in mice. In vitro, the expression of α5‐nAChR mediated Stat3 and Jab1/Csn5 expression, significantly regulating the expression of the EMT markers, N‐cadherin and Vimentin. In addition, the down‐regulation of α5‐nAChR or/and Stat3 reduced Jab1/Csn5 expression, while the silencing of α5‐nAChR or Jab1/Csn5 inhibited the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, α5‐nAChR contributes to EMT and metastasis by regulating Stat3‐Jab1/Csn5 signalling in NSCLC, suggesting that α5‐nAChR may be a potential target in NSCLC diagnosis and immunotherapy.
Inflammation has synergistic effect with nicotine in periodontitis by up‐regulating the expression of α7 nAChR via phosphorylated GSK‐3β
Authors: Zhou Zhifei , Liu Fen , Wang Lulu , Zhu Bin , Chen Yujiang , Yu Yang , Wang Xiaojing
Published: January 2020

Periodontitis is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, and those who smoke are at an increased risk of developing periodontitis. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is proposed to mediate the potential synergistic effect of nicotine and inflammation in smoking‐related periodontitis. However, this has not been experimentally demonstrated. We isolated and cultured human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) from healthy and inflamed tissues. PDLSCs were treated with either inflammatory factors or nicotine. We measured expression of genes that are associated with osteogenic differentiation and osteoclast formation using RT‐qPCR and Western blot analyses. Besides, immunohistochemical staining, micro‐CT analysis and tartaric acid phosphatase staining were used to measure α7 nAChR expression and function. Inflammation up‐regulated α7 nAChR expression in both periodontal ligament tissues and PDLSCs. The up‐regulated α7 nAChR contributed to the synergistic effect of nicotine and inflammation, leading to a decreased capability of osteogenic differentiation and increased capability of osteoclast formation‐induction of PDLSCs. Moreover, the inflammation‐induced up‐regulation of α7 nAChR was partially dependent on the level of phosphorylated GSK‐3β. This study provides experimental evidence for the pathological development of smoking‐related periodontitis and sheds new light on developing inflammation and α7 nAChR‐targeted therapeutics to treat and prevent the disease.
The Highs and Lows of Cholesterol: A Paradox of Healthy Aging?
Authors: Orkaby Ariela R.
Published: January 2020

This editorial comments on the articles by Sittiwet et al and Maihofer et al.
Associations between Serum Levels of Cholesterol and Survival to Age 90 in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Maihofer Adam X. , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Wild Robert A. , LaCroix Andrea Z.
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES

Although elevated lipid levels predict increased risk of coronary heart disease and death in middle‐aged women and men, evidence is mixed if lipid levels measured in later life predict survival to very old ages. We examined lipid levels and survival to age 90 with or without intact mobility in a large cohort of older women.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

Laboratory collection at a Women's Health Initiative (WHI) center and longitudinal follow‐up via mail.

PARTICIPANTS

Women aged 68 to 81 years at baseline.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were collected at baseline. Participant survival status and self‐reported mobility was compared across lipid levels.

RESULTS

HDL and LDL levels were not associated with survival to age 90 after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (HDL: quartile (Q) 2: odds ratio [OR] = 1.14 [95% confidence interval [CI] = .94‐1.38]; Q3 OR = 1.08 [95% CI = .88‐1.33]; Q4 OR = 1.09 [95% CI = .88‐1.35]; LDL: Q2 OR = 1.07 [95% CI = .88‐1.31]; Q3 OR = 1.27 [95% CI = 1.04‐1.55]; Q4 OR = 1.07 [95% CI = .88‐1.31]). Similarly, no associations were observed between HDL and LDL levels and survival to age 90 with mobility disability. High HDL was not associated with survival to age 90 with intact mobility after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. Compared with the lowest LDL quartile, the three upper LDL quartiles were associated with greater odds of survival to age 90 with intact mobility (LDL: Q2 OR = 1.31 [95% CI = .99‐1.74]; Q3 OR = 1.43 [95% CI = 1.07‐1.92]; Q4 OR = 1.35 [95% CI = 1.01‐1.80]; P = .05).

CONCLUSION

Neither higher HDL nor lower LDL levels predicted survival to age 90, but higher LDL predicted healthy survival. These findings suggest the need for reevaluation of healthy LDL levels in older women. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:288–296, 2020
A pilot study to establish human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) carrier model using common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Hirose Lisa , Hiramoto Takafumi , Tian Yamin , Kohara Hiroshi , Kobayashi Seiichiro , Nagai Etsuko , Denda Tamami , Tanaka Yukihisa , Ota Yasunori , Jiyuan Liao , Miyamoto Shohei , Miura Yoshie , Hijikata Yasuki , Soda Yasushi , Inoue Takashi , Okahara Norio , Itoh Toshio , Sasaki Erika , Tojo Arinobu , Uchimaru Kaoru , Tani Kenzaburo
Published: January 2020

Background

For the diagnosis and treatment of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) caused by human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) are required therapeutic modalities urgently. Non‐human primate models for ATLL would provide a valuable information for clinical studies. We did a pilot study to establish an ATLL non‐human primate model using common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Methods

We inoculated HTLV‐1–producing MT‐2 cells into 9‐month‐old marmosets, either intraperitoneally or intravenously. We next administrated MT‐2 cells into 13‐month‐old marmosets under cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment to promote infection. HTLV‐1 infection was determined by measuring HTLV‐1 antibody titer in the common marmosets.

Results

The HTLV‐1 antibody titer increased in the intraperitoneally inoculated marmoset with or without CsA treatment, and it kept over five 5 years though proviral copy number (proviral load, PVL) remained low throughout the study.

Conclusion

We obtained HTLV‐1 asymptomatic carriers of common marmosets by inoculating MT‐2 cells.
Enhanced Akt/GSK‐3β/CREB signaling mediates the anti‐inflammatory actions of mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators in microglia and following traumatic brain injury in male mice
Authors: Bhat Shahnawaz A. , Henry Rebecca J. , Blanchard Alexa C. , Stoica Bogdan A. , Loane David J. , Faden Alan I.
Published: January 2020

We have previously shown that treatment with a mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) is neuroprotective after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), limiting post‐traumatic neuroinflammation by reducing pro‐inflammatory microglial activation and promoting anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective responses. However, the specific molecular mechanisms governing this anti‐inflammatory shift in microglia remain unknown. Here we show that the mGluR5 PAM, VU0360172 (VuPAM), regulates microglial inflammatory responses through activation of Akt, resulting in the inhibition of GSK‐3β. GSK‐3β regulates the phosphorylation of CREB, thereby controlling the expression of inflammation‐related genes and microglial plasticity. The anti‐inflammatory action of VuPAM in microglia is reversed by inhibiting Akt/GSK‐3β/CREB signaling. Using a well‐characterized TBI model and CX3CR1gfp/+ mice to visualize microglia in vivo, we demonstrate that VuPAM enhances Akt/GSK‐3β/CREB signaling in the injured cortex, as well as anti‐inflammatory microglial markers. Furthermore, in situ analysis revealed that GFP + microglia in the cortex of VuPAM‐treated TBI mice co‐express pCREB and the anti‐inflammatory microglial phenotype marker YM1. Taken together, our data show that VuPAM decreases pro‐inflammatory microglial activation by modulating Akt/GSK‐3β/CREB signaling. These findings serve to clarify the potential neuroprotective mechanisms of mGluR5 PAM treatment after TBI, and suggest novel therapeutic targets for post‐traumatic neuroinflammation.

image

Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15048.
Comparison of the distribution of oxytocin and vasopressin 1a receptors in rodents reveals conserved and derived patterns of nonapeptide evolution
Authors: Freeman Angela R. , Aulino Elizabeth A. , Caldwell Heather K. , Ophir Alexander G.
Published: January 2020

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) are known modulators of social behaviour across rodents. Research has revealed the location of action of these nonapeptides through localization of their associated receptors, which include the oxytocin receptor (OTR) and the vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR). As research into these complex systems has progressed, studies investigating how these systems modulate behaviour have remained relatively narrow in scope (ie, focused on how a single brain region shapes behaviour in only a handful of species). However, the brain regions that regulate social behaviour are part of interconnected neural networks for which coordinated activity enables behavioural variation. Thus, to better understand how nonapeptide systems have evolved under different selective pressures among rodent species, we conducted a meta‐analysis using a multivariate comparative method to examine the patterns of OTR and V1aR density expression in this taxon. Several brain regions were highly correlated based on their OTR and V1aR binding patterns across species, supporting the notion that the distribution of these receptors is highly conserved in rodents. However, our results also revealed that specific patterns of V1aR density differed from OTR density, and within‐genus variance for V1aR was low compared to between‐genus variance, suggesting that these systems have responded and evolved quite differently to selective pressures over evolutionary time. We propose that, in addition to examining single brain regions of interest, taking a broad comparative approach when studying the OT and VP systems is important for understanding how the systemic action of nonapeptides modulate social behaviour across species.
Towards a Democratic New Normal? Investor Reactions to Interim‐Regime Dominance during Violent Events
Authors: El Nayal Omar , Slangen Arjen , van Oosterhout J. (Hans) , van Essen Marc
Published: January 2020

Although interim regimes in former autocracies are generally tasked with initiating a democratic ‘new normal’, they may privately intend to become their country’s new autocratic rulers. We argue that, to cope with the uncertainty stemming from this possibility, investors infer an interim regime’s intentions from the dominance displayed by the regime during government‐related violence, as reflected in the share of civilian fatalities. Specifically, we propose that investors interpret higher interim‐regime dominance as a signal of weaker democratic intentions and associate such weaker intentions with a gloomier political outlook for local firms. We therefore hypothesize that investors react more negatively to violent events characterized by higher interim‐regime dominance. We also hypothesize a less negative effect of such dominance for firms with larger foreign footprints, lower indebtedness, or more concentrated ownership, since investors will likely consider such firms more resilient to political deterioration. Applying event study methodology to 94 spells of violence in Egypt during the Arab Spring, we find substantial support for our hypotheses, thus contributing to management research on investor decision‐making, violence, and political uncertainty.
Sorting task as a tool to elucidate the sensory patterns of artisanal cheeses
Authors: Rodrigues Jéssica F. , Mangia Bruna A. , e Silva Jonas G. , Lacorte Gustavo A. , Coimbra Lorena O. , Esmerino Erick A. , Freitas Mônica Q. , Pinheiro Ana Carla M. , da Cruz Adriano G.
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to describe the sensory profile of artisanal Minas cheeses using the Sorting task to generate the sensory patterns that can be applied in the processes of certification and registration of Geographical Indication of Origin of these products. Sorting task was useful to characterize and define the sensory patterns of artisanal cheeses from Canastra and Araxá regions. There was a good relationship between the consumer grouping/description and the production region. In general, Canastra cheeses were characterized as buttery cheeses, with a yellowish crust and a sweet taste, while Araxá cheeses were related to firm, crumbly, white‐cream, salty, and sour sensory attributes. These sensory descriptors can be useful for the geographical indication process and can help on the certification of these products.

Practical applications

The findings of this study are useful for Brazilian artisanal cheese producers as it enables to use a sensory approach to differentiate cheeses form different regions, being an additional tool, which contributes for improvement of certification process. In addition, it shows practical utility for consumer‐based methodologies as it was used the sorting task.
The Views and Experiences of Fathers of Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the International Evidence
Authors: Marsh Lynne , Brown Michael , McCann Edward
Published: January 2020

As a result of societal changes and expectations, mothers have returned to paid employment, with fathers now more involved in the daily lives of their children with and without disabilities. Globally, fathers are providing more care for their children with intellectual disabilities (ID), a role traditionally expected of mothers. The research interest in the role of fathers in the lives of their child with ID is growing, yet much of the wider evidence has focused on the views and experiences of mothers as care givers. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the views and experiences of fathers parenting children with ID. A total of 14 studies were included in the review. Four themes were identified including emotional impact, mental health and coping, systems of support, and hopes and fears. There is a need for further research on the needs of fathers and how they can be supported to play a fuller role in the lives of their child with ID. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are also discussed.
Predicting survival after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma using a neural network: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mähringer‐Kunz Aline , Wagner Franziska , Hahn Felix , Weinmann Arndt , Brodehl Sebastian , Schotten Sebastian , Hinrichs Jan B. , Düber Christoph , Galle Peter R. , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Kloeckner Roman
Published: January 2020

Background and aims

Deciding when to repeat and when to stop transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be difficult even for experienced investigators. Our aim was to develop a survival prediction model for such patients undergoing TACE using novel machine learning algorithms and to compare it to conventional prediction scores, ART, ABCR and SNACOR.

Methods

For this retrospective analysis, 282 patients who underwent TACE for HCC at our tertiary referral centre between January 2005 and December 2017 were included in the final analysis. We built an artificial neural network (ANN) including all parameters used by the aforementioned risk scores and other clinically meaningful parameters. Following an 80:20 split, the first 225 patients were used for training; the more recently treated 20% were used for validation.

Results

The ANN had a promising performance at predicting 1‐year survival, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.77 ± 0.13. Internal validation yielded an AUC of 0.83 ± 0.06, a positive predictive value of 87.5% and a negative predictive value of 68.0%. The sensitivity was 77.8% and specificity 81.0%. In a head‐to‐head comparison, the ANN outperformed the aforementioned scoring systems, which yielded lower AUCs (SNACOR 0.73 ± 0.07, ABCR 0.70 ± 0.07 and ART 0.54 ± 0.08). This difference reached significance for ART (P < .001); for ABCR and SNACOR significance was not reached (P = .143 and P = .201).

Conclusions

Artificial neural networks could be better at predicting patient survival after TACE for HCC than traditional scoring systems. Once established, such prediction models could easily be deployed in clinical routine and help determine optimal patient care.
Spatial transcriptomics identifies spatially dysregulated expression of GRM3 and USP47 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Gregory J. M. , McDade K. , Livesey M. R. , Croy I. , Marion de Proce S. , Aitman T. , Chandran S. , Smith C.
Published: January 2020

Aims

The mechanisms underlying the selective degeneration of motor neurones in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to implement spatially resolved RNA sequencing in human post mortem cortical tissue from an ALS patient harbouring the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion to identify dysregulated transcripts that may account for differential vulnerabilities of distinct (i) cell types and (ii) brain regions in the pathogenesis of ALS.

Methods

Using spatial transcriptomics (ST) we analysed the transcriptome of post mortem brain tissue, with spatial resolution down to 100 μm. Validation of these findings was then performed using BaseScope, an adapted, in situ hybridization technique with single‐transcript single‐cell‐resolution, providing extensive regional and cell‐type specific confirmation of these dysregulated transcripts. The validation cohort was then extended to include multiple post mortem brain regions and spinal cord tissue from an extended cohort of C9orf72, sporadic ALS (sALS) and SOD1 ALS cases.

Results

We identified sixteen dysregulated transcripts of proteins that have roles within six disease‐related pathways. Furthermore, these complementary molecular pathology techniques converged to identify two spatially dysregulated transcripts, GRM3 and USP47, that are commonly dysregulated across sALS, SOD1 and C9orf72 cases alike.

Conclusions

This study presents the first description of ST in human post mortem cortical tissue from an ALS patient harbouring the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. These data taken together highlight the importance of preserving spatial resolution, facilitating the identification of genes whose dysregulation may in part underlie regional susceptibilities to ALS, crucially highlighting potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
The association between digital screen time and myopia: A systematic review
Authors: Lanca Carla , Saw Seang‐Mei
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Digital screen time has been cited as a potential modifiable environmental risk factor that can increase myopia risk. However, associations between screen time and myopia have not been consistently reported. Although myopia prevalence increased before the massive use of digital devices in some countries, with the rise being influenced by education, there may be an added recent effect of screen time. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the association between screen time and the risk of developing (1) prevalent or incident myopia, or (2) the risk of myopia progression in children. Published manuscripts were identified in PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library, and citation lists were reviewed.

Recent findings

Fifteen studies were included (nine cross‐sectional and six cohort studies) with a total of 49 789 children aged between 3 and 19 years old. Seven studies found an association between screen time and myopia. The results showed mixed evidence with the more recent studies exposing a trend of association between hours spent by children using screens and myopia. Meta‐analysis using a random‐effects model was performed in five studies (n = 20 889) that reported odds ratio (OR). TheI2statistics was used to assess heterogeneity. A pooled OR of 1.02 (95% CI: 0.96–1.08;p = 0.48) suggests that screen time is not associated with prevalent and incident myopia in this group of five studies.

The results for screen time and myopia are mixed. Further studies with objective screen time measurements are necessary to assess evidence of an association between screen time and myopia.
The face of control: Corrugator supercilii tracks aversive conflict signals in the service of adaptive cognitive control
Authors: Berger Anja , Mitschke Vanessa , Dignath David , Eder Andreas , van Steenbergen Henk
Published: January 2020

Cognitive control is the ability to monitor, evaluate, and adapt behavior in the service of long‐term goals. Recent theories have proposed that the integral negative emotions elicited by conflict are critical for the adaptive adjustment of cognitive control. However, evidence for the negative valence of conflict in cognitive control tasks mainly comes from behavioral studies that interrupted trial sequences, making it difficult to directly test the link between conflict‐induced affect and subsequent increases in cognitive control. In the present study, we therefore use online measures of valence‐sensitive electromyography (EMG) of the facial corrugator (frowning) and zygomaticus (smiling) muscles while measuring the adaptive cognitive control in a Stroop‐like task. In line with the prediction that conflict is aversive, results showed that conflict relative to non‐conflict trials led to increased activity of the corrugator muscles after correct responses, both in a flanker task (Experiment 1) and in a prime‐probe task (Experiment 2). This conflict‐induced corrugator activity effect correlated marginally with conflict‐driven increases in cognitive control in the next trial in the confound‐minimalized task used in Experiment 2. However, in the absence of performance feedback (Experiment 3), no reliable effect of conflict was observed in the facial muscle activity despite robust behavioral conflict adaptation. Taken together, our results show that facial EMG can be used as an indirect index of the temporal dynamics of conflict‐induced aversive signals and/or effortful processes in particular when performance feedback is presented, providing important new insights into the dynamic affective nature of cognitive control.
Weighty matter(s): Religion, secularism, and American weight loss culture
Authors: Rifai Emma
Published: January 2020

While calorie counting seems an utterly secular and mundane practice in the United States, body management has historically been and remains a weighty matter intimately linked with morality. Weight loss cultures and diet reform movements tell us quite a bit about both the aspirations as well as the apprehensions of particular times and places. Over the last few decades, scholars have started to chart different weight loss cultures in the United States and how they have emerged, interacted, and evolved over time. Diet reform movements in the United States, we have learned, are ultimately entanglements of religion, secularism, and gendered bodies. This essay considers how some scholars have tried to make sense of these entanglements by exploring three key approaches. Ultimately, we will find that bodies and weight management became and continue to be sites where tensions between religion and secularism were and are negotiated.
Maximal amplitudes of hyperelliptic solutions of the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Wright Otis C.
Published: January 2020

A simple formula is proven for an upper bound for amplitudes of hyperelliptic (finite‐gap or N‐phase) solutions of the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The upper bound is sharp, viz, it is attained for some initial conditions. The method used to prove the upper bound is the same method, with necessary modifications, used to prove the corresponding bound for solutions of the focusing NLS equation (Wright OC, III. Sharp upper bound for amplitudes of hyperelliptic solutions of the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Nonlinearity. 2019;32:1929‐1966).
Phylogenomics changes our understanding about earwig evolution
Authors: Wipfler Benjamin , Koehler Ward , Frandsen Paul B. , Donath Alexander , Liu Shanlin , Machida Ryuichiro , Misof Bernhard , Peters Ralph S. , Shimizu Shota , Zhou Xin , Simon Sabrina
Published: January 2020

Earwigs are one of the comparatively species‐poor insect orders. Although various aspects of the phylogeny of this lineage are poorly understood, before the present study, there was a general consensus that Dermaptera comprises two major lineages: the paraphyletic Protodermaptera or ‘lower earwigs’ and the monophyletic Epidermaptera or ‘higher earwigs’, which are nested within the former. Our phylogenomic study based on the analysis of 3247 nuclear single‐copy genes reverses these relationships by placing monophyletic Protodermaptera within paraphyletic Epidermaptera. This phylogenetic reversal among the major earwig lineages is not contradicted by morphological arguments but results in far‐reaching reinterpretations of the dermapteran ground plan. Within Dermaptera, Apachyidae form the sister group to the remaining earwigs which might imply that social behaviour is not part of the earwig ground plan. Our results corroborate the monophyly of Eudermaptera within Epidermaptera and the paraphyly of several traditional families. The monophyly of Protodermaptera is supported by molecular and morphological evidence, although the exact position of Karschiellidae which were not included in the molecular dataset cannot be determined.
Analysis of the Impact of the GDPR on Third-Party Risk Management Programs and Related Recommendations for Domestic as Well as International Corporate World
Authors: Andreisová Lucie
Published: January 2020

The General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter also the “GDPR”) has imposed several new rules on organisations (business companies) to protect EU individuals’ personal data. Organisations that are data controllers or data processors need to have assurance that their third-party suppliers/vendors as well as sub-contractors comply with applicable GDPR requirements – in other words, they are now responsible for personal data managed by their third-parties. The question however remains, whether and how they are ready to manage this in their business practice? Compliance with the above indicated GDPR requirements comprises of a specific methodical approach that should be carefully integrated into the existing third-party risk management programs. The success of this integration builds on several crucial considerations. Before weighing those, it is important to understand how GDPR (Article 28 in particular) places new requirements on suppliers/vendors and affects the overall third-party relationships. Considering the above, this paper discusses the specific GDPR requirements which were enacted to strengthen companies’ third-party risk management processes and includes a set of practical recommendations on how to establish/amend such programs in the corporate world.
Benchmark Solutions of Three-Dimensional Radiative Transfer in Nongray Media Using Line-by-Line Integration
Authors: Fraga Guilherme C. , Bordbar Hadi , Hostikka Simo , França Francis H. R.
Published: January 2020

Nongray gas radiation calculations are conducted for four three-dimensional benchmarks using line-by-line (LBL) integration with the up-to-date high-resolution spectroscopic database HITEMP 2010. The radiative transfer equation (RTE) is solved using the finite volume method (FVM) over each wavenumber interval of the spectrum. A detailed mesh quality analysis assured the mesh independence of the solution. Accurate results for distributions of volumetric radiative heat source term and wall radiative heat flux are provided for four cases: (i) an isothermal pure water vapor medium at 1000 K; (ii) an isothermal and nonhomogeneous H2O–N2 mixture at 1000 K; (iii) a nonisothermal and homogeneous CO2–H2O–N2 mixture; and (iv) a nonisothermal and nonhomogeneous CO2–H2O–N2 mixture. These data can be useful to assess the accuracy of gas radiative property models.
Detailed Hydrodynamic Study for Performance Optimization of a Combined Lift and Drag-Based Modified Savonius Water Turbine
Authors: Basumatary Mithinga , Biswas Agnimitra , Misra Rahul Dev
Published: January 2020

A combined lift and drag (CLD) Savonius water turbine is an advanced form of Savonius water turbine that has higher efficiency than the latter. However, its detailed hydrodynamic performance optimization is still unexplored, which is important for its possible future commercialization. The objective of the present work is to perform a detailed hydrodynamic study for performance optimization of the CLD Savonius water turbine at low water speed (characteristic of river stream current) under different design and operating conditions. A parametric optimization using orthogonal experiments is first done to obtain the optimized values of all the contributing design parameters. It is then followed by a detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) investigation using ansys fluent software to optimize the hydrodynamic performance of the turbine at the selected design conditions under different operating tip speed ratios (TSRs). Detailed fluidic behaviors including boundary layer features, blade loading, and vorticity structures of the turbine are explored to obtain important performance insights, and power curves of the improved CLD design are also obtained. It is found that the optimized CLD Savonius water turbine has higher hydrodynamic performance than the earlier design of this turbine with a maximum coefficient of power obtained as 0.29 at TSR 0.8.
Thermoporoelastic Analysis of Artificially Fractured Geothermal Reservoirs: A Multiphysics Problem
Authors: Taleghani Arash Dahi , Ahmadi Milad
Published: January 2020

Geothermal systems are identified as either open-loop system (OLGS) or closed-loop systems (CLGS). In OLGS, fluid is produced from the subsurface, while there might be a concurrent fluid injection into the reservoir. The loss of working fluid, surface subsidence, formation compaction, and induced seismicity are major challenges in OLGS. To address the indicated challenges, closed-loop geothermal systems can be considered as an alternative option. In this method, a working fluid with low-boiling point is circulated through the coaxial sealed pipes to harvest heat from the formation of rock and fluid. Induced seismicity is essentially caused by the drastic quick changes in pore pressure. Thereafter, seismic risk assessment is expected for any new geothermal technology before starting the field implementation phase. To improve the heat recovery from closed-loop wells, we suggest highly conductive hydraulic fractures for CLGS to improve the heat generation rate. In conventional hydraulic fracturing treatments, fractures facilitate fluid flow; however, in the proposed configuration, induced fractures enhance heat flux into the wellbore. Considering the multiphysics nature of CLGS, a comprehensive analysis of this problem requires simultaneous modeling of fluid flow, energy transfer (heat), and rock deformation. A thermoporoelastic model is developed in finite element methods to simulate this problem. The numerical results suggest that fractures significantly improve thermal power and cumulatively produced heat in CLGS. The thermal conductivity of the proppants is the key parameter enhancing heat generation. The level of surface subsidence in the proposed technique is negligible due to the lack of geofluid production from the reservoir. Significant numbers of abandoned oil or gas wells exist around the globe which can be converted into the geothermal wells to produce electricity. This study shows the feasibility of electricity production from CLGS with minimum environmental hazards.
Epitaxial integration of ferroelectric and conductive perovskites on silicon
Authors: Lin Edward L. , Posadas Agham B. , Zheng Lu , Wu Hsin Wei , Chen Pei-Yu , Coffey Brennan M. , Lai Keji , Demkov Alexander A. , Smith Davis J. , Ekerdt John G.
Published: January 2020

BaTiO3 (BTO) and LaxSr1 − xTiO3 (x ≤ 0.15) perovskite heterostructures are deposited epitaxially on SrTiO3 (STO)-buffered Si(001) via atomic layer deposition (ALD) to explore the formation of a quantum metal layer between a ferroelectric film and silicon. X-ray diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy show the crystallinity of the heterostructure deposited by ALD. After postdeposition annealing of the La-doped STO film in ultrahigh vacuum at 600 °C for 5 min, x-ray photoelectron spectra show the lack of La-dopant activation when the film is deposited on 10 nm-thick BTO. The same postdeposition annealing condition activates the La-dopant when LaxSr1 − xTiO3 films are deposited on STO-buffered Si(001) surfaces consisting of 2.8 nm of STO(001) on Si(001). Annealing of LaxSr1 − xTiO3 films sandwiched between BTO and STO-buffered Si(001) layers in air at temperatures ≤350 °C preserves the La-dopant activation. Piezoresponse force microscopy demonstrates the ferroelectric behavior of BTO films grown on LaxSr1 − xTiO3 surfaces. Sheet resistance and capacitance-voltage measurements further demonstrate the conductivity of the LaxSr1 − xTiO3 films sandwiched between the BTO film and the Si(001) substrate.
The effects of speech intelligibility on English scientific literature reading in Chinese open-plan offices
Authors: Lou Huading , Ou Dayi
Published: January 2020

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effects of speech intelligibility on English scientific literature reading performance in Chinese open-plan offices (both the occupants' native language and ambient speech noise were Chinese). The objective performance and subject perceptions of 20 participants were tested under different speech intelligibility conditions. The results highlight the significant negative impact of speech noise on occupants' performance. Moreover, a comparison of these results and those of previous studies implies Chinese occupants engaged in English scientific literature reading tasks are more sensitive to the changes of speech intelligibility and have higher requirements for acoustic environment.
How to detect high-performing individuals and groups: Decision similarity predicts accuracy
Authors: Kurvers R. H. J. M. , Herzog S. M. , Hertwig R. , Krause J. , Moussaid M. , Argenziano G. , Zalaudek I. , Carney P. A. , Wolf M.
Published: January 2020

We select high-performing individuals and groups by looking at how similar individuals’ decisions are to the decisions of others.
PRDM15 loss of function links NOTCH and WNT/PCP signaling to patterning defects in holoprosencephaly
Authors: Mzoughi Slim , Di Tullio Federico , Low Diana H. P. , Motofeanu Corina-Mihaela , Ong Sheena L. M. , Wollmann Heike , Wun Cheng Mun , Kruszka Paul , Muenke Maximilian , Hildebrandt Friedhelm , Dunn N. Ray , Messerschmidt Daniel M. , Guccione Ernesto
Published: January 2020

The transcriptional regulator PRDM15 orchestrates NOTCH and WNT/PCP signaling to ensure normal mammalian development.
Chronic allergen exposure drives accumulation of long-lived IgE plasma cells in the bone marrow, giving rise to serological memory
Authors: Asrat Seblewongel , Kaur Navneet , Liu Xia , Ben Li-Hong , Kajimura Daisuke , Murphy Andrew J. , Sleeman Matthew A. , Limnander Andre , Orengo Jamie M.
Published: January 2020

Long-lived IgE
+
plasma cells in the bone marrow confer IgE memory and produce allergen-specific IgE that can drive anaphylaxis.
BATF acts as an essential regulator of IL-25–responsive migratory ILC2 cell fate and function
Authors: Miller Mindy M. , Patel Preeyam S. , Bao Katherine , Danhorn Thomas , O’Connor Brian P. , Reinhardt R. Lee
Published: January 2020

BATF-deficient mice lack iILC2 cells, which serve as an important early source of IL-4/IL-13 upon helminth infection.
Mechanisms of Acquired
In Vivo
and
In Vitro
Resistance to Voriconazole by Candida krusei following Exposure to Suboptimal Drug Concentration
Authors: Ricardo Elisabete , Grenouillet Fréderic , Miranda Isabel M. , Silva Raquel M. , Eglin Guilluame , Devillard Nadège , Rodrigues Acácio Gonçalves , Pina-Vaz Cidália
Published: January 2020

Five
Candida krusei
isolates (susceptible and resistant) recovered from the urine of a kidney transplant patient treated with voriconazole (VRC) 200 mg twice daily for 20 days were studied. Eight unrelated clinical isolates of
C. krusei
were exposed
in vitro
to VRC 0.001 μg/ml for 30 days. Development of VRC transient resistance occurred
in vivo
, and induction of permanent resistance occurred
in vitro
.
Characterization of FosL1, a Plasmid-Encoded Fosfomycin Resistance Protein Identified in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kieffer Nicolas , Poirel Laurent , Descombes Marie-Christine , Nordmann Patrice
Published: January 2020

Fosfomycin is gaining renewed interest for treating urinary tract infections. Monitoring fosfomycin resistance is therefore important in order to detect the emergence of novel resistance mechanisms. Here, we used the Rapid Fosfomycin NP test to screen a collection of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing
Escherichia coli
isolates from Switzerland and found a fosfomycin-resistant isolate in which a novel plasmid-mediated fosfomycin resistance gene, named
fosL1
, was identified.