bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotics Before Removal of Percutaneously Inserted Central Venous Catheters Reduces Clinical Sepsis in Premature Infants
Authors: Reynolds Gail E. , Tierney Sarah B. , Klein Jonathan M.
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the incidence of postcatheter removal clinical sepsis when antibiotics were infused prior to the removal of percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICCs).

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of premature neonates (n = 196) weighing ≤1250 g at birth with 218 PICC line removals in the presence or absence of antibiotics at a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between January 1, 2010, and May 31, 2012. Charts were reviewed looking for the presence of clinical sepsis defined as a sepsis workup including white blood cell count, differential, C-reactive protein, blood and/or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), and urine cultures along with at least 48 hours of antibiotic therapy given within 72 hours after removal of a PICC line. Antibiotics were considered present at line removal if given within 12 hours before catheter removal either electively or at completion of a planned course.

RESULTS: When antibiotics were given within 12 hours before PICC line removal, only 2% of the line removal episodes (1/48) resulted in a neonate developing clinical sepsis versus 13% (21/165) when no antibiotics were given prior to removal (p = 0.03, Fisher's exact test). Despite the increased use of elective antibiotics with line removal, there was no increase in total antibiotic usage due to the overall decrease in episodes of clinical sepsis or changes in antibiogram susceptibility patterns.

CONCLUSIONS: There was an 11% absolute decrease and a 6-fold relative decrease in postcatheter removal clinical sepsis events in premature neonates who received antibiotics prior to PICC line removal.
Fish Oil Lipid Emulsion-Associated Sea-Blue Histiocyte Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Wu Ting Ting , Hoff David S.
Published: October 2020

A syndrome of hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and anemia and the presence of sea-blue histiocytes in bone marrow has been associated with parenteral soybean oil administration in patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A case is described here where this syndrome was observed in a pediatric patient who received long-term parenteral fish oil nutrition.
Current Opinions on Stress-Related Mucosal Disease Prevention in Canadian Pediatric Intensive Care Units
Authors: Ouellet Jérôme , Bailey Dennis , Samson Marie-Ève
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVE: To describe current opinions about stress-related mucosal disease (SRMD) prevention in Canadian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).

METHODS: A 22-question survey covering several aspects of SRMD was sent to all identified PICU attendings in Canada.

RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of identified attendings completed the questionnaire. Thirty-eight percent were based in Quebec, 31% in Alberta, and 31% from other provinces. Most attendings (78%) had worked in a PICU for 6 years or more. When asked about risk factors for prescribing SRMD prevention drugs (more than 1 answer was accepted), the most popular answers were prior history of gastric ulceration/bleeding (33 respondents), coagulopathy (28 respondents), and major neurologic insult (18 respondents). Almost half of the attendings (48%) mentioned that they prescribe SRMD prophylaxis directly upon PICU admission to more than 25% of their patients. Forty-nine percent of respondents subjectively estimated that clinically significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB; defined as UGIB associated with either hypotension, transfusion within 24 hours of the event, or death) occurred in less than 1% of their patients. Fifty-seven respondents (93%) used ranitidine as first-line therapy (average dose: 4.1 mg/kg/day, mainly intravenously). As second-line therapy, 32 attendings (52%) used pantoprazole and 13 (21%) used omeprazole.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the paucity of guidelines on SRMD prevention and the low reported incidence of clinically significant UGIB, SRMD prevention is frequently used in Canadian PICUs. Ranitidine is the first-line drug used by most attendings.
Unlicensed and Off-Label Drug Use in Children Before and After Pediatric Governmental Initiatives
Authors: Corny Jennifer , Lebel Denis , Bailey Benoit , Bussières Jean-François
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES: Governmental agencies (US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency) implemented initiatives to improve pediatric clinical research, starting in 1997 and 2007, respectively. The aim of this review was to quantify the unlicensed and off-label drug uses in children before and after these implementations.

METHODS: Literature review of unlicensed and off-label drug uses was performed on PubMed and Google-Scholar from 1985 to 2014. Relevant titles/abstracts were reviewed, and articles were included if evaluating unlicensed/off-label drug uses, with a clear description of health care setting and studied population. Included articles were divided into 3 groups: studies conducted in United States (before/after 2007), in Europe (before/after 2007), and in other countries.

RESULTS: Of the 48 articles reviewed, 27 were included. Before implementation of pediatric initiatives, global unlicensed drug use rate in Europe was found to be 0.2% to 36% for inpatients and 0.3% to 16.6% for outpatients. After implementation, it marginally decreased to 11.4% and 1.26% to 6.7%, respectively. Concerning off-label drug use rates, it was found to be 18% to 66% for inpatients and 10.5% to 37.5% for outpatients before the implementation. After implementation, it decreased marginally to 33.2% to 46.5% and to 3.3% to 13.5%, respectively. In other countries, unlicensed and off-label drug use rates were found to be, respectively, 8% to 27.3% and 11% to 47%.

CONCLUSIONS: Governmental initiatives to improve clinical research conducted in children seem to have had a marginal effect to decrease the unlicensed and off-label drug uses prevalence in Europe.
Barbiturate Induction for the Prevention of Emergence Agitation after Pediatric Sevoflurane Anesthesia
Authors: Use Tadasuke , Nakahara Haruna , Kimoto Ayako , Beppu Yuki , Yoshimura Maki , Kojima Toshiyuki , Fukano Taku
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common and troublesome problem in pediatric patients recovering from general anesthesia. The incidence of EA is reportedly higher after general anesthesia maintained with sevoflurane, a popular inhalational anesthetic agent for pediatric patients. We conducted this prospective, randomized, double-blind study to test the effect of an intravenous ultra-short–acting barbiturate, thiamylal, administered during induction of general anesthesia on the incidence and severity of EA in pediatric patients recovering from Sevoflurane anesthesia.

METHODS: Fifty-four pediatric patients (1 to 6 years of age) undergoing subumbilical surgeries were randomized into 2 groups. Patients received either intravenous thiamylal 5mg/kg (Group T) or inhalational Sevoflurane 5% (Group S) as an anesthetic induction agent. Following induction, general anesthesia was maintained with Sevoflurane and nitrous oxide (N2O) in both groups. To control the intra- and post-operative pain, caudal block or ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric block was performed. The incidence and severity of EA were evaluated by using the Modified Objective Pain Scale (MOPS: 0 to 6) at 15 and 30 min after arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

RESULTS: Fifteen minutes after arrival in the PACU, the incidence of EA in Group T (28%) was significantly lower than in Group S (64%; p = 0.023) and the MOPS in Group T (median 0, range 0 to 6) was significantly lower than in Group S (median 4, range 0 to 6; p = 0.005). The interval from discontinuation of Sevoflurane to emergence from anesthesia was not significantly different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Thiamylal induction reduced the incidence and severity of EA in pediatric patients immediately after Sevoflurane anesthesia.
An optimized and virtual on-machine measurement planning model
Authors: Stojadinović Slavenko , Durakbasa Numan , Živanović Saša
Published: October 2020

The specific needs of customers set requirements like flexibility and custom-made products, as well as quick placement of products on the markets. Mass customization responds to these requirements and imposes new demands inside manufacturing systems such as optimization and virtualization of machining and measurement processes. A contribution in that direction is presented in this paper, pertaining to development and verification an on-machine measurement planning model. The aim of the verification is to visualize collision check between the measuring head placed in the tool holder and the workpiece on the machine tool working table. The virtual on-machine measurement was realized on the configured virtual machine tool LOLA HBG80 in the CAD environment. The measurement path is generated by a new planning methodology, then optimized using ants colony, programed and verified by simulations through few examples of standard forms of tolerance. The output of the simulation process is the G-code for real on-machine measurement for prismatic parts of medium and rough dimensional accuracy.
Experimental and numerical research of the influence of thrust vector control on the missile aerodynamics by cold and hot jet simulations
Authors: Ocokoljić Goran , Rašuo Boško , Damljanović Dijana , Živković Saša
Published: October 2020

The flow field phenomena that occur as a result of thrust vector control (TVC) system activity on a missile with lateral jets are very complex and influence all other components of the missile. Influence is more significant when TVC is generating commands, when jets are asymmetrically directed. The main goal of these study was to determine the influence of of the hot rocket motor's combustion products on the basis of the CFD model proven with the cold-jet simulation. Based on obtained experimental aerodynamic coefficients for the cold-jet simulation the preliminary aerodynamic CFD model was designed. Three-dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes numerical aerodynamic and hot-jet simulations were carried out to predict the aerodynamic loads of the missile based on the finite volume method. The study resulted in the definition of a methodology for the investigation of the jet reaction effects in a wind tunnel. A method for determining of the TVC system interference on the aerodynamic characteristics, as a basic prerequisite for structural, stability and performance analysis, was proposed. Mutual verification and validation process was carried out through experiment and proper application of the commercial CFD software code for calculation aerodynamic effects of the hot gases lateral jets on the performance of a guided missile. Experimental and computational results of the pitching moment coefficients are presented and agreed well with.
Quality evaluation of welding joints by different methods
Authors: Ťavodová Miroslava , Náprstková Nataša , Hnilicová Michaela , Beňo Pavel
Published: October 2020

This paper presents the results of the quality evaluation of the weld joints on welded pipes used in industrial energy. The quality evaluation of the weld joints was performed by two methods. Using technical methods, welding faults and defects were examined, identified and evaluated by a metallographic analysis on the macrostructure of welds. According to ISO 6520-1:2007, the faults and defects were detected and classified into the group and classified into quality levels using ISO 5817:2008-03. Two quality management tools using a Cause and effect diagram - Iskihawa diagram and a Pareto diagram also evaluated the quality control of welds. These two tools enabled to identify the causes of welding defects as well as to determine the frequency of their occurrence and to identify the most serious welding faults and defects. Both methods - technical and management, should reveal shortcomings in both technical, technological and personnel aspect. Their use should contribute to improving the welding process of pipes in operation and to increasing the safety of piping systems.
Modelling, transient response and hydraulic behaviour of 2DOF stabilization platform
Authors: Ibrahim Ezz , Elnady Tarek , Hassan Mohamed , Saleh Ibrahim
Published: October 2020

The main part of the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic stabilization platform (HSP) is the electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV), which is very expensive due to its manufacturing requirements, so the proper selection for the geometrical configuration of electro hydraulic servo valve (EHSV) and maintaining the system stability are the main goal for establishing HSP. Also improving the performance of (HSP) to achieve the position tracking in two degrees of freedom (2DOF) based on modifying the different parameters of the hydraulic circuit (actuator size - hydraulic servo actuator geometric configuration - different load on the platform) to achieve the best performance. The system offers a proposal for an upper stabilized platform with moving lower base to be used with ships to achieve a stabilization condition for many purposes such as radar. MATLAB Simulink and Simscape-multibody has been used in modeling the system. Changing the different parameters in the program block library input data (orifice area and spool slot width) to achieve best configuration of the system to be stabilized is discussed. The results show that using 0.6 mm² servo valve orifice area and more raises the system pressure and has a bad effect on system stability, also using 4 mm servo valve slot width has more fluctuation in the system pressure in the transient time than using (3, 2 or 1)mm slot width until approaching stable condition but has a better effect on system stability in the running (operation) time.
The effect of the presence of obstacles on the emission dispersion emitted by a Bent chimney
Authors: Zair Fida , Mouqallid Mhamed , Chatri El , el Maani
Published: October 2020

It is proposed to study numerically the dispersion of polluting emissions in turbulent conditions around a two-dimensional obstacle. The effect of the presence of obstacles on the flow from a Bent chimney is mainly addressed. A numerical simulation of the dispersion of pollutants emitted by the chimneys was performed using the simulation code. The numerical method used to solve the equations describing the flow is the finite volume method (FVM) and the mesh size adopted is non-uniform, very tight near the stack and obstacle. The results found essentially show that the presence of obstacles modifies the flow.
Environmental control and test dynamic control of the engine output parameters
Authors: Gritsenko A. , Shepelev Vladimir , Salimonenko G. , Cherkassov Yu. , Buyvol P.
Published: October 2020

In modern transport, environmental control plays a key role in shaping the strategy for managing the technical condition of nodes and systems. The first step in reducing the toxicity of exhaust gas emissions was the introduction of Euro standards, successively from Euro-0 to Euro-6. Accompanying the appearance of Euro standards, exhaust systems were supplemented with catalytic converters, which deactivated most of the harmful emissions. Oxygen sensors also began to play a key role, the installation of which resulted in the appearance of feedback. Thus, the global automotive industry is closer to the controllability of the engine output parameters. However, there are not enough parameters, operating modes, and additional controls available for this purpose. The presented studies used a new method of selective control of exhaust gases in each cylinder. The following parameters were used for monitoring: the crankshaft speed, complete and partial (cycle-by-cycle) disconnection of cylinders, O2, CO, CO2, and CH. The mode was provided by the number of the engine's disconnected operated cycles and the crankshaft speed. The control was performed by the internal adjustment of the fuel supply under the influence on the injection duration of the electromagnetic nozzle. During the research, we established the minimum values of the exhaust toxicity parameters during the test effects. This method with a combination of modes and parameters allows us to reduce the toxicity of exhaust gases and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of vehicles.
The effect of acceleration coefficients in Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm with application to wind farm layout design
Authors: Rehman Shafiqur , Khan Salman , Alhems Luai
Published: October 2020

Wind energy has become a strong alternative to traditional sources of energy. One important decision for an efficient wind farm is the optimal layout design. This layout governs the placement of turbines in a wind farm. The inherent complexity involved in this process results in the wind farm layout design problem to be a complex optimization problem. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been effectively used in many studies to solve the wind farm layout design problem. However, the impact of an important set of PSO parameters, namely, the acceleration coefficients, has not received due attention. Considering the importance of these parameters, this paper presents a preliminary analysis of PSO acceleration coefficients using the conventional and a modified variant of PSO when applied to wind farm layout design. Empirical results show that the acceleration coefficients do have an impact on the quality of final layout, resulting in better overall energy output.
Existence and uniqueness of the solutions of some classes of integral equations C*-algebra-valued b-metric spaces
Authors: Jakupović Esad , Masiha Hashem , Mitrović Zoran , Razavi Seyede , Saadati Reza
Published: October 2020

Introduction/purpose: The aim of the paper is to establish some coupled fixed point results in C*-algebra-valued b-metric spaces. Moreover, the obtained results are used to define the sufficient conditions for the existence of the solutions of some classes of integral equations. Methods: The method of coupled fixed points gives the sufficient conditions for the existence of the solution of some classes of integral equations. Results: New results were obtained on coupled fixed points in C*-algebra-valued b-metric space. Conclusion: The obtained results represent a contribution in the fixed point theory and open new possibilities of application in the theory of differential and integral equations.
Museos pedagógicos universitarios en ciudades educadoras del tiempo presente: divulgación del patrimonio histórico educativo
Authors: Álvarez Pablo
Published: October 2020

Reclamar la importancia de la educación en la ciudad es una demanda histórica y un reto emergente para la sociedad actual, a la que se le encomienda velar por el desarrollo cultural y formativo de sus habitantes. La Historia de la Educación como disciplina, tiene en sus manos la oportunidad de desarrollar una política de divulgación científica propia que acerque el conocimiento histórico educativo a la sociedad, con el fin de poner en valor la cultura de la escuela e implicar a la ciudadanía en el estudio y difusión del patrimonio educativo. La historia más reciente ha puesto de manifiesto que en el proceso de socialización y difusión del conocimiento a la comunidad, tienen un importante protagonismo las Universidades. Ese artículo, de corte descriptivo, trata de argumentar que la comunidad de investigación en Historia de la Educación encuentra en los Museos Pedagógicos universitarios un novedoso recurso didáctico para divulgar el conocimiento patrimonial histórico educativo y desarrollar su compromiso sociocultural con la sociedad. El trabajo, centrándose en el caso del Museo Pedagógico de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad de Sevilla (España), trata de estudiar su papel en el desarrollo de su función divulgativa y de transferencia del conocimiento para acercar el patrimonio educativo a quienes componen la ciudad, detallando el conjunto de formas, acciones y actividades de divulgación que realiza. Concluye con que mediante las mismas, el museo contribuye a la formación de una cultura histórico-educativa en la ciudadanía.
Hvordan passer kontinentalsokkelkravet ved Nordpolen ind i Rigsfællesskabets Arktispolitik?
Authors: Rahbek-Clemmensen Jon
Published: October 2020

Arktis er blevet stadigt vigtigere for dansk udenrigsog sikkerhedspolitik siden slutningen af 00’erne, i takt med at klimaforandringerne og globaliseringen har åbnet regionen for menneskelig aktivitet. Senest har en stigende amerikansk interesse i Arktis skabt yderligere diplomatiske muligheder i Arktis. På samme tid er Rigsfællesskabet under forandring, særligt på grund af Grønlands stigende autonomi og interesse i selvstændighed. Denne artikel undersøger, hvordan disse udenrigs- og indenrigspolitiske dynamikker påvirker dansk Arktispolitik, og om Danmarkkan finde en kurs, der på samme tid gør det muligt at tilfredsstille verdens stormagter og det grønlandske Landsstyre i Nuuk, gennem en analyse af Rigsfællesskabets kontinentalsokkelkrav ved Nordpolen. Udenrigspolitisk har Danmark fulgt en dobbeltkurs, hvor man på den ene side på grund af alliancesolidaritet søger at straffe Rusland for dets aggression i Østeuropa og andre regioner og afskrække yderligere aggression, mens man på den anden side søger at samarbejde med Rusland i Arktis om bl.a. kontinentalsokkelprocessen. Artiklen viser også, at kontinentalsokkelkravene kan ses som et forsøg på at styrke sammenhængskraften i Rigsfællesskabet. Denne tilgang har dog også sine begrænsninger på grund af den postkoloniale relation mellem Danmark og Grønland og post-Westfalske tendenser i grønlandsk politisk tænkning.
20 år med Øresundsbron – fra et grænsefjerner- til et grænseværner-perspektiv
Authors: Andresen Britt
Published: October 2020

Fortællingen om den dansk-svenske grænse er i dag meget anderledes, end den var nogle få år efter åbningen af Øresundsbron i 2000. Dengang tilbage i starten af 00’erne fremmede de dansk-svenske samarbejdsorganisationer narrativet om den fælles dansk-svenske region, hvor indbyggerne havde en fælles identitet som øresundsborgere. Det var dog to mere enkle narrativer, der fik en mere almen udbredelse – at det var billigt at bosætte sig i Sverige, og at mange unge svenskere fik/havde arbejde i de danske butikker. De er en del af det grænsefjerner-narrativ, som jeg i denne artikel argumenterer for var dominerende i 00’erne. Flygtningekrisen i 2015 blev startskuddet til et nyt narrativ om den dansk-svenske grænse – et grænseværner-narrativ. Flygtningekrisen påvirkede og synliggjorde den dansk-svenske grænse både fysisk og mentalt. Vi fik grænsekontroller og for en tid også id-kontroller. Siden har den grænseoverskridende kriminalitet yderligere støttet det nye grænseværner-narrativ. Fokus er i dag rettet mod det, man ikke vil have fra Sverige, kriminalitet og bombesprængninger.
Flygter de unge væk fra landdistrikterne?
Authors: Svendsen Gunnar Lind Haase
Published: October 2020

Udkantsdanmark toppede i medierne i 2010, men begrebet dominerer stadig. Tendensen til, at ’småt er godt’ er blevet til ’stort er velgjort’, blev forstærket af 2007-Kommunalreformen, der bidrog til ’udkantiseringen’ i mange storkommuner, herunder et ’moderne stavnsbånd’ – se blot de mange, permanente Til salg-skilte. Flest unge flytter til de større byer, hvilket til gengæld har skabt sammenklumpningsproblemer. Førhen var det nærmest omvendt. Andelsbevægelsen voksede sig stærk på landet, og kronen på værket var systemskiftet i 1901. Men hvordan opleves den indre grænse i dag af unge fra den såkaldte udkant? Mine interviews med 25 unge fraflyttere fra Lemvig Kommune viste, at Udkantsdanmark for dem ikke havde en negativ klang. De værdsatte de stærke lokalsamfund og den vestjyske mentalitet. Mange af dem boede i ’Lemvig-kolonier’ i de store byer. Mange overvejede at vende tilbage til Vestjylland, hvis det rette job skulle vise sig. Så måske er Udkantsdanmark ’æ så ringe endda’? Derfor vil jeg i denne artikel besvare disse spørgsmål på baggrund af en undersøgelse i Lemvig Kommune, jeg foretog i 2012. Datagrundlaget er telefoninterviews med 25 tilfældigt udvalgte unge fraflyttere fra Lemvig kommune i alderen 20-33 år. Heraf var 12 taget til Aarhus, København eller Aalborg for at studere.
Anmeldelse: Lane Kenworthy (2020), Social Democratic Capitalism, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Authors: Etzerodt Søren Frank , Andersen Magnus
Published: October 2020

Den amerikanske professor i sociologi Lane Kenworthy er vild med den måde, Danmark og de nordiske lande har indrettet deres samfund på. Det har han skrevet (endnu) en bog om, som bærer titlen Social Democratic Capitalism. Bogen kan i vid udstrækning ses som en opfølger til Social Democratic America (2014), der blev positivt modtaget både i akademiske kredse og det bredere (centrum-venstre-orienterede) publikum i USA.
The S-phase-induced lncRNA SUNO1 promotes cell proliferation by controlling YAP1/Hippo signaling pathway
Authors: Hao Qinyu , Zong Xinying , Sun Qinyu , Lin Yo-Chuen , Song You Jin , Hashemikhabir Seyedsasan , Hsu Rosaline YC , Kamran Mohammad , Chaudhary Ritu , Tripathi Vidisha , Singh Deepak Kumar , Chakraborty Arindam , Li Xiao Ling , Kim Yoon Jung , Orjalo Arturo V , Polycarpou-Schwarz Maria , Moriarity Branden S , Jenkins Lisa M , Johansson Hans E , Zhu Yuelin J , Diederichs Sven , Bagchi Anindya , Kim Tae Hoon , Janga Sarath C , Lal Ashish , Prasanth Supriya G , Prasanth Kannanganattu V
Published: October 2020

Cell cycle is a cellular process that is subject to stringent control. In contrast to the wealth of knowledge of proteins controlling the cell cycle, very little is known about the molecular role of lncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) in cell-cycle progression. By performing genome-wide transcriptome analyses in cell-cycle-synchronized cells, we observed cell-cycle phase-specific induction of >2000 lncRNAs. Further, we demonstrate that an S-phase-upregulated lncRNA, SUNO1, facilitates cell-cycle progression by promoting YAP1-mediated gene expression. SUNO1 facilitates the cell-cycle-specific transcription of WTIP, a positive regulator of YAP1, by promoting the co-activator, DDX5-mediated stabilization of RNA polymerase II on chromatin. Finally, elevated SUNO1 levels are associated with poor cancer prognosis and tumorigenicity, implying its pro-survival role. Thus, we demonstrate the role of a S-phase up-regulated lncRNA in cell-cycle progression via modulating the expression of genes controlling cell proliferation.
Improving emotional-action control by targeting long-range phase-amplitude neuronal coupling
Authors: Bramson Bob , den Ouden Hanneke EM , Toni Ivan , Roelofs Karin
Published: October 2020

Control over emotional action tendencies is essential for everyday interactions. This cognitive function fails occasionally during socially challenging situations, and systematically in social psychopathologies. We delivered dual-site phase-coupled brain stimulation to facilitate theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling between frontal regions known to implement that form of control, while neuropsychologically healthy human male participants were challenged to control their automatic action tendencies in a social–emotional approach/avoidance-task. Participants had increased control over their emotional action tendencies, depending on the relative phase and dose of the intervention. Concurrently measured fMRI effects of task and stimulation indicated that the intervention improved control by increasing the efficacy of anterior prefrontal inhibition over the sensorimotor cortex. This enhancement of emotional action control provides causal evidence for phase-amplitude coupling mechanisms guiding action selection during emotional-action control. Generally, the finding illustrates the potential of physiologically-grounded interventions aimed at reducing neural noise in cerebral circuits where communication relies on phase-amplitude coupling.
Uncovering the basis of protein-protein interaction specificity with a combinatorially complete library
Authors: Lite Thuy-Lan V , Grant Robert A , Nocedal Isabel , Littlehale Megan L , Guo Monica S , Laub Michael T
Published: October 2020

Protein-protein interaction specificity is often encoded at the primary sequence level. However, the contributions of individual residues to specificity are usually poorly understood and often obscured by mutational robustness, sequence degeneracy, and epistasis. Using bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems as a model, we screened a combinatorially complete library of antitoxin variants at three key positions against two toxins. This library enabled us to measure the effect of individual substitutions on specificity in hundreds of genetic backgrounds. These distributions allow inferences about the general nature of interface residues in promoting specificity. We find that positive and negative contributions to specificity are neither inherently coupled nor mutually exclusive. Further, a wild-type antitoxin appears optimized for specificity as no substitutions improve discrimination between cognate and non-cognate partners. By comparing crystal structures of paralogous complexes, we provide a rationale for our observations. Collectively, this work provides a generalizable approach to understanding the logic of molecular recognition.
SARM1 depletion rescues NMNAT1-dependent photoreceptor cell death and retinal degeneration
Authors: Sasaki Yo , Kakita Hiroki , Kubota Shunsuke , Sene Abdoulaye , Lee Tae Jun , Ban Norimitsu , Dong Zhenyu , Lin Joseph B , Boye Sanford L , DiAntonio Aaron , Boye Shannon E , Apte Rajendra S , Milbrandt Jeffrey
Published: October 2020

Leber congenital amaurosis type nine is an autosomal recessive retinopathy caused by mutations of the NAD+ synthesis enzyme NMNAT1. Despite the ubiquitous expression of NMNAT1, patients do not manifest pathologies other than retinal degeneration. Here we demonstrate that widespread NMNAT1 depletion in adult mice mirrors the human pathology, with selective loss of photoreceptors highlighting the exquisite vulnerability of these cells to NMNAT1 loss. Conditional deletion demonstrates that NMNAT1 is required within the photoreceptor. Mechanistically, loss of NMNAT1 activates the NADase SARM1, the central executioner of axon degeneration, to trigger photoreceptor death and vision loss. Hence, the essential function of NMNAT1 in photoreceptors is to inhibit SARM1, highlighting an unexpected shared mechanism between axonal degeneration and photoreceptor neurodegeneration. These results define a novel SARM1-dependent photoreceptor cell death pathway and identifies SARM1 as a therapeutic candidate for retinopathies.
Vertical distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the brackish sea water column: ex situ experiment
Authors: Kryzevicius Zilvinas , Mickuviene Kristina , Bucas Martynas , Vilkiene Monika , Zukauskaite Audrone
Published: October 2020

Background

Oil spills can cause severe damage within a marine ecosystem. Following a spill, the soluble fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is rapidly released into the water column. These remain dissolved in seawater over an extended period of time, even should the insoluble fraction be removed. The vertical distribution of the aromatic hydrocarbon component and how these become transferred is poorly understood in brackish waters. This study examines the vertical distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons having been released from a controlled film of spilled oil onto the surface of brackish water.

Methods

The study was undertaken under controlled conditions so as to minimize the variability of environmental factors such as temperature and hydrodynamics. The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was measured in the dissolved and suspended phases throughout the 1 m water column with different intensity of water sampling: 1, 2, 4, 7, 72, 120, 336, 504 and 984 h.

Results

The total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 19.01 to 214.85 ng L–1 in the dissolved phase and from 5.14 to 63.92 ng L–1 in the suspended phase. These hydrocarbons were released immediately following a controlled spill attaining 214.9 ng L–1 in the dissolved phase and 54.4 ng L–1 in the suspended phase near the cylinder bottom after 1–2 h. The 2–3 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons dominated in the dissolved phase (60–80%), whereas the greater amount of 4–6 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (55–90%) occurred in the suspended phase. A relatively low negative correlation (rS = –0.41) was determined between the concentration of phenanthrene and suspended matter, whereas a high negative correlation (r =  − 0.79) was found between the concentration of pyrene and suspended matter. Despite the differences in the relationships between the concentration ratio and amount of suspended matter the obtained regressions allow roughly to predict the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Reinstatement ofPhascolosoma(Phascolosoma)variansKeferstein, 1865 (Sipuncula: Phascolosomatidae) based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: Silva-Morales Itzahi
Published: October 2020

Phascolosoma(P.)varians, a sipunculan species known from the Greater Caribbean, was designated as a synonym ofPhascolosoma(P.)nigrescens, which was originally described from Fiji. Their synonymy was primarily based upon an interpretation that these two species were morphologically indistinguishable. After its designation as a synonym, no further detailed analyses of morphological or molecular characteristics were performed to corroborate the assumed widespread distribution ofPhascolosoma(P.)nigrescens. In this study,Phascolosoma(P.)variansis redescribed, and notable differences between this species and its proposed senior synonym are presented. These two species differ in the shape of their hooks, the spatial attachment of nephridia to the body wall, and the morphology of the contractile vessel. Additionally, there is high genetic divergence between nucleotide sequences within their respective cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes, which supports the morphological data. Herein, the synonymy ofPhascolosoma(P.)varianswithPhascolosoma(P.)nigrescensis rejected due to morphological and molecular differences. Furthermore, the assumed widespread distribution ofPhascolosoma(P.)nigrescensis still considered as questionable.
Gynomonoecy in a mycoheterotrophic orchid Eulophia zollingeri with autonomous selfing hermaphroditic flowers and putatively outcrossing female flowers
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji
Published: October 2020

Most orchid species exhibit an extreme case of hermaphroditism, owing to the fusion of male and female organs into a gynostemium. Exceptions to this rule have only been reported from the subtribes Catasetinae and Satyriinae. Here, I report an additional orchidaceous example whose flowers are not always hermaphroditic. In several Japanese populations of Eulophia zollingeri (Rchb.f.) J.J.Sm, a widespread Asian and Oceanian orchid, some flowers possess both the anther (i.e., anther cap and pollinaria) and stigma, whereas others possess only the stigma. Therefore, pollination experiments, an investigation of floral morphology and observations of floral visitors were conducted to understand the reproductive biology of E. zollingeri in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. It was confirmed that E. zollingeri studied here possesses a gynomonoecious reproductive system, a sexual system in which a single plant has both female flowers and hermaphroditic flowers. In addition, hermaphroditic flowers often possess an effective self-pollination system while female flowers could avoid autogamy but suffered from severe pollinator limitation, due to a lack of agamospermy and low insect-mediated pollination. The present study represents the first documented example of gynomonoecy within Orchidaceae. Gynomonoecy in E. zollingeri may be maintained by the tradeoff in reproductive traits between female flowers (with low fruit set but potential outcrossing benefits) and hermaphroditic flowers (with high fruit set but inbreeding depression in selfed offspring). This mixed mating is probably important in mycoheterotrophic E. zollingeri because it occurs in shaded forest understorey with a paucity of pollinators.
Co-application of bio-fertilizer and salicylic acid improves growth, photosynthetic pigments and stress tolerance in wheat under drought stress
Authors: Azmat Ammar , Yasmin Humaira , Hassan Muhammad Nadeem , Nosheen Asia , Naz Rabia , Sajjad Muhammad , Ilyas Noshin , Akhtar Malik Nadeem
Published: October 2020

Drought stress hampers the growth and productivity of wheat crop worldwide. Thus far, different strategies have been proposed to improve drought tolerance in wheat but the combined application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria formulated bio-fertilizer (BF) and salicylic acid (SA) has not been thoroughly explored yet. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to observe the effect of SA, BF, and their combination on wheat plants under optimal and drought stress conditions. Seeds priming was done with BF (107CFU mL−1). After 2 weeks of germination, SA (one mM) was applied as a foliar spray. Drought stress was applied by withholding water supply at three-leaf stage (30 d old plants) for the next 15 d until soil moisture dropped to 10%. Foliar application of SA increased the bacterial population of BF significantly compared to the sole application of BF under irrigated as well as drought stress conditions. Co-application of BF and foliar spray of SA induced drought tolerance in wheat plants by enhancing plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content and osmolytes, and activities of the defense-related system. Plants treated with SA and BF together under drought stress had significantly increased leaf water status, Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoids synthesis by 238%, 125%, 167%, and 122%, respectively. Moreover, the co-application of SA and BF showed maximum SOD, POD, APX, and CAT activities by 165%, 85%, 156%, and 169% in the leaves while 153%, 86%, 116% and 200% in roots under drought stress. Similarly, the combined treatment exhibited a pronounced decrease in MDA content by 54% while increased production of proteins and proline by 145% and 149%, respectively. Our results showed that the co-application of SA and BF induced better drought tolerance as compared with the sole application of SA or BF. The results obtained herein suggest that combined application of BF and SA can be applied to the wheat crop to greatly improve drought tolerance in field conditions.
Evaluation of the Effects of Wearing Masks among Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: BİÇEN Çağdaş , ERTÜRK Emre
Published: October 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı COVID-19 pandemisi sürecinde farklı maske tiplerinin ve bunların kullanım güçlüklerinin incelenmesidir. Çalışma etik kurul onayı sonrası düzenlendi. İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi Medical Park Hastanesi’nde çalışan,
sekreter, hemşire ve doktorlardan oluşan, yaş ortalaması 29,5 olan 78 kadın, 34 erkek toplam 112 gönüllü çalışmaya dâhil edildi. Gönüllüler cerrahi tıbbi maske ve FFP2 maske kullananlar olarak iki gruba ayrıldı. 1. gruba cerrahi
tıbbi maske kullanan 81 gönüllü, 2. gruba FFP2 maske kullanan 31 gönüllü dahil edildi. Gönüllülerin, maske kullanımı esnasında 60. dakika ve 180. dakikada nefes darlığı, görme sıkıntısı, kulak ağrısı, baş ağrısı, yüzde rahatsızlık
hissi, anksiyete şikâyetlerinin gelişip gelişmediği sorgulandı. Ayrıca 60. ve 180. dakikalarda pulse oksimetre cihazı ile gönüllülerin oksijen satürasyonları ve kalp atım sayılarındaki değişiklik ölçüldü ve başlangıç değerleriyle
kıyaslandı. Şikâyetlerin; alerji, sigara kullanımı ve gözlük kullanımı ile değişkenlik gösterip göstermediği değerlendirildi. Verilerin analizinde SPSS 17 paket program kullanıldı. Mevcut verilerin dağılımı Kruskal Wallis ve Shapiro
Wilk testleri ile incelendi. Verilerin normal dağılım paterninde olduğu saptandı ve ortalama±standart sapma olarak, gruplar arasında başlangıç, 60 ve 180. dakika satürasyon ve nabız değerleri açısından fark olup olmadığı Student-t
testi ile karşılaştırıldı. p<0.05 istatistiksel olarak anlamlı kabul edildi. Nefes darlığı, anksiyete, yüzde rahatsızlık hissi, baş ağrısı, kulakta ağrı ve görme sıkıntısı açısından grupların kendi içinde ve gruplar arasında
fark olup olmadığı Ki-Kare testi ile değerlendirildi. Her iki grupta da başlangıç ile 60. Dakika(p<0.001) ve 180 dakika (p<0.001), oksijen satürasyonları açısından istatistiksel anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. Yine başlangıç nabız
değerleri ile 60.dakika (p<0.001) ve 180. dakika nabız değerleri açısından (p<0.001) istatistiksel anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. 180. dakika satürasyon değeri arasındaki fark ile maske türü, alerji varlığı, gözlük kullanımı,
sigara kullanımı, yaş ve cinsiyet arasında istatistiksel anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. FFP2 tipi maskenin cerrahi maske kullanımıyla kıyaslandığında, daha fazla şikâyete yol açtığı saptanmıştır. Sonuç olarak FFP2 tipi maskenin
kullanımda tolerasyonunun daha zor olduğu görülmüştür. Her iki maske tipinde de 180 dakika kullanım sonunda oksijen satürasyonu ve kalp atım hızında düşüş görülmesine rağmen, bu değerler fizyolojik sınırlarda kalmıştır. COVID-19
pandemisi sürecinde, sağlık çalışanları ve toplumdaki kişilerin kendilerinin korunması için önemli bir bariyer olan maske kullanımının sağlık üzerine olumsuz etkisi saptanmamıştır.
Philosophically Evaluating and Understanding the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: ÇELEBİ Vedat , İNAL Ahmet
Published: October 2020

İnsanlık ekonomik kriz, savaş, ırksal mücadele ve şiddet gibi problemlerle uğraşırken, hiç beklenmedik şekilde bir de küresel salgınla karşı karşıya kaldı. Kovid-19 olarak adlandırılan bu küresel salgın, insan yaşamında belirleyici
olan sağlık, sosyal, ekonomi ve eğitim gibi birçok alanda etkisini gösterdi. Milyonlarca vaka ve yüz binlerce ölüme sebep olan bu salgın, insanları kaygı, bunalım ve korku gibi duygularla yüz yüze bıraktı. Bu durumda, insanlar
söz konusu duyguları ortadan kaldırmak için fiziksel önlem ve önerilere yönelmeye başladı. Ancak, diğer taraftan salgının bir de düşünsel ve felsefi olarak değerlendirilmesi gereken varoluşsal bir tarafı söz konusudur. Bu yüzden
de bu küresel salgının insanın varoluşsal yanını ortaya çıkaran varoluşsal kaygı durumlarından hareketle de değerlendirilmesi gerekir. Bu varoluşsal kaygıların başında da yalnızlık, bireysel davranma, yaşama pesimist bakma, yaşama
anlam ve değer yüklememe gibi varoluşsal durumlar gelmektedir. Bu bağlamda, Kovid-19 salgını birçok insanı bir taraftan varoluşsal olanaklar içinde varoluşsal krizleri yaşamaya yöneltirken, diğer taraftan da yaşamlarına bir anlam
verme, değer yükleme, sorumluluk ve farkındalık sahibi olma noktasında da bilinçlenme imkânı sunmaktadır. Dolayısıyla sağlık, sosyal, ekonomi ve eğitim gibi yaşam alanlarına ilişkin kaygıların yanında felsefi açıdan değerlendirilmesi
gereken varoluşsal kaygılar da kendisini gösterdi. Sonuç olarak bu makalede, Kovid-19 salgını ile ilişkili olarak ortaya çıkan varoluşsal kaygıların ve krizlerin neler olduğunun gösterilmesi ve felsefenin bu varoluşsal krizlere
nasıl bir perspektiften yaklaştığı ve çözüm önerilerinin neler olduğunun gösterilmesi amaçlanmaktadır.
Being a Child in Covid-19 Pandemic: Social Work Needs and Suggestions According to Developmental Stages
Authors: ABUKAN Bilge , YILDIRIM Filiz , ÖZTÜRK Hatice
Published: October 2020

Covid-19 salgını ile birlikte çocuklar; sokağa çıkma yasağı, ebeveynlerle geçirilen sürenin değişmesi, okulların tatil ilan edilmesi, sınavların ertelenmesi, online eğitime geçiş, arkadaş ilişkilerinin kesintiye uğraması gibi pek çok
yeni durumla karşı karşıya kalmışlardır. Yeni ve olağanüstü bu durumlar, çocukları pek çok açıdan farklı boyutlarda ve düzeylerde etkilemiştir. Bu çalışmada çocuk, 18 yaş altındaki bireyleri ifade etmektedir. Ancak 18 yaş altını
kapsayan çocukluk çağının, tek bir dönem olarak ele alınması, genellemeci bir bakış açısına ve dolayısıyla çocukların bu salgın sürecindeki sorunlarının ve gereksinimlerinin indirgemeci bir yaklaşımla açıklanmasına neden olabilir.
Çocukların bu süreçten nasıl ve hangi düzeyde etkilendikleri, gelişim dönemleri ile yakından ilişkilidir. Buradan hareketle mevcut derleme çalışmada çocukların içinde bulundukları gelişim dönemlerinin, Covid-19 salgınından etkilenme
sürecinde önemli bir belirleyici olduğu varsayılmaktadır. Böylece çalışmanın temel amacı; Covid-19 salgını sürecinde çocukların yaşayabilecekleri sorunları, Erikson’un Psikososyal Gelişim Kuramı ve Piaget’in Bilişsel Gelişim Kuramı’nda
yer alan gelişimsel dönemlere göre inceleyerek sosyal hizmet gereksinimlerini açıklamaktır. Bu çalışma sonucunda çocukların yaşadığı sorunlar ve gereksinimler ışığında sosyal hizmet müdahalelerinin önemi vurgulanmaktadır. Covid-19
salgınında çocukların sosyal hizmet gereksinimlerinin gelişim dönemleri odağında değerlendirilmesi ve bu gereksinimler temelindeki sosyal hizmet müdahaleleri, özellikle çocuk refahı alanındaki sosyal hizmet uzmanlarına rehberlik
edebilir. Ayrıca hala yaşanan Covid-19 salgını sürecinde çocukların yaşayabilecekleri sorunlara yönelik alınabilecek önlemlere ve politikalara da rehberlik etme potansiyeli taşıması açısından bu çalışma önemlidir.
The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Stock Returns and Volatility of Companies in Food and Beverage Sector
Authors: LEVENT Cüneyd Ebrar
Published: October 2020

Covid-19 salgını sonrası tüm dünyada gıda ürünlerine yönelik aşırı bir talep meydana gelmiştir. Sektörde yaşanan bu talep artışının finansal piyasalara yansıyıp yansımadığı konusu, bu çalışmanın ana motivasyonunu oluşturmuştur. Bu
bağlamda, bu çalışmanın amacı salgının gıda ve içecek sektöründeki halka açık şirketlerin hisse senedi getiri ve volatilitesine etkisini belirlemektir. Çalışmada esas olarak Borsa İstanbul Gıda ve İçecek Endeksi (XGIDA) ve bu endekste
yer alan şirketler incelenmiştir. İlk olarak XGIDA endeksinin performansı, Borsa İstanbul referans endeksleri ile karşılaştırmalı analiz ve trend analizi yöntemleri kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Daha sonra gıda sektörü şirketler
bazında ele alınmıştır. Şirketlerin getiri performansları ve volatiliteleri, şirket büyüklüğü, kârlılık ve borç oranlarına göre oluşturulan 10 portföyde analiz edilmiştir. Trend analizi sonucunda XGIDA endeksinin araştırma döneminde,
diğer endekslere göre daha iyi performans gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Bununla birlikte salgının ilk evresinde XGIDA endeksi de dahil, tüm endekslerde önemli değer kayıplarının olduğu görülmüştir. Bu ilk tepkiler, yatırımcıların
salgının şok etkisine maruz kaldığı şeklinde yorumlanabilir. Portföy analiz bulguları ise endeks bazında elde edilen sonuçları daha kuvvetli desteklemektedir. Sonuçlar, Covid-19 salgını sonrası gıda sektöründeki şirketlerin hisse
senetlerinden meydana gelen portföylerin tamamının referans endekslerden daha fazla getiri performansı ancak daha yüksek volatilite sunduğunu göstermektedir. Net zarar elde eden şirketlerden oluşan portföyün %60,26, borç oranı
çok yüksek şirketlerden oluşan portföyün ise %82,68 getiri sağlaması, araştırmanın üzerinde durulması gereken sonuçlarındandır. Çalışma, davranışsal finans bağlamında, kriz ortamında yatırımcıların tepkilerini göstermesi açısından
önemli kanıtlar sunmaktadır.