bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absence of obvious tidal tails around the globular cluster NGC 6397
Authors: Boldrini Pierre , Vitral Eduardo
Published: July 2021

In this work, we use N-body simulations performed on GPU to trace the past 10 Gyr dynamical history of a globular cluster (GC) similar to NGC 6397 in the tidal field of a Milky Way-like galaxy and we compare our simulated GCs with data from the third Gaia early data release. Our simulations predict, in contrast to what is deduced from the data, that such a cluster should present strong and extended tidal tails by more than 6 Gyr ago (right after the first third of its life), exceeding 1 kpc of length, and should be roughly disrupted by current time. We analysed each of our initial conditions, such as initial mass and density parameters, as well as the dark matter shape, and we argue that the most likely reason for such discrepancy between the data and our simulations is related to the fact that we consider a purely baryonic cluster in the beginning of each model we test. We discuss that if our globular cluster was initially embedded in a dark matter minihalo, the latter could act as a protecting envelope, which prevents the tidal stripping of the luminous matter, while being itself gradually disrupted and removed in the course of the cluster evolution. This could explain why an insignificant amount of dark matter is required to describe the velocity dispersion in NGC 6397, up to at least a few half-mass radii.
Modelling correlated variability in accreting black holes: the effect of high density and variable ionization on reverberation lags
Authors: Mastroserio Guglielmo , Ingram Adam , Wang Jingyi , García Javier A , van der Klis Michiel , Cavecchi Yuri , Connors Riley , Dauser Thomas , Harrison Fiona , Kara Erin , König Ole , Lucchini Matteo
Published: July 2021

We present a new release of the reltrans model to fit the complex cross-spectrum of accreting black holes as a function of energy. The model accounts for continuum lags and reverberation lags self-consistently in order to consider the widest possible range of X-ray variability time-scales. We introduce a more self-consistent treatment of the reverberation lags, accounting for how the time variations of the illuminating flux change the ionization level of the accretion disc. This process varies the shape of the reflection spectrum in time causing an additional source of lags besides the light crossing delay. We also consider electron densities in the accretion disc up to 1020 cm−3, which are found in most of the stellar mass black holes and in some active galactic nuclei. These high densities increase the amplitude of the reverberation lags below 1 keV since the reflection flux enhances in the same energy range. In addition, we investigate the properties of hard lags produced by variations in the power-law index of the continuum spectrum, which can be interpreted as due to roughly $3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ variability in the corona’s optical depth and temperature. As a test case, we simultaneously fit the lag-energy spectra in a wide range of Fourier frequency for the black hole candidate MAXI J1820+0701820 observed with NICER. The best fit shows how the reverberation lags contribute even at the longer time-scales where the hard lags are important. This proves the importance of modelling these two lags together and self-consistently in order to constrain the parameters of the system.
New magnetic chemically peculiar stars and candidates in the ATLAS first catalogue of variable stars
Authors: Bernhard Klaus , Hümmerich Stefan , Paunzen Ernst , Supíková Johana
Published: July 2021

The number of known variable stars has increased by several magnitudes over the last decade, and automated classification routines are becoming increasingly important to cope with this development. Here we show that the ‘upside-down CBH variables’, which were proposed as a potentially new class of variable stars by Heinze et al. in the ATLAS First Catalogue of Variable Stars, are, at least to a high percentage, made up of α2 Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variables – that is, photometrically variable magnetic chemically peculiar (CP2/He-peculiar) stars – with distinct double-wave light curves. Using suitable selection criteria, we identified 264 candidate ACV variables in the ATLAS variable star catalogue. 62 of these objects were spectroscopically confirmed with spectra from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (all new discoveries except for nine stars) and classified on the MK system. The other 202 stars are here presented as ACV star candidates that require spectroscopic confirmation. The vast majority of our sample of stars are main-sequence objects. Derived masses range from 1.4 M⊙ to 5 M⊙, with half our sample stars being situated in the range from 2 M⊙ to 2.4 M⊙, in good agreement with the spectral classifications. Most stars belong to the thin or thick disc; four objects, however, classify as members of the halo population. With a peak magnitude distribution at around 14th magnitude, the here presented stars are situated at the faint end of the known Galactic mCP star population. Our study highlights the need to consider rare variability classes, like ACV variables, in automated classification routines.
Evidence of a shared spectro-temporal law between sources of repeating fast radio bursts
Authors: Chamma Mohammed A , Rajabi Fereshteh , Wyenberg Christopher M , Mathews Abhilash , Houde Martin
Published: July 2021

We study the spectro-temporal characteristics of two repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs), namely, FRB 20180916B and FRB 20180814A , and combine the results with those from our earlier analysis on FRB 20121102A. The relationship between the frequency drift rate, or slope, of individual sub-bursts and their temporal duration is investigated. We consider a broad sample of possible dispersion measure (DM) values for each source to understand the range of valid sub-burst slope and duration measurements for all bursts and to constrain our results. We find good agreement with an inverse scaling law between the two parameters previously predicted using a simple dynamical relativistic model. The remarkably similar behaviour observed in all sources provides strong evidence that a single and common underlying physical phenomenon is responsible for the emission of signals from these three FRBs, despite their associations with different types of host galaxies at various redshifts. It also opens up the possibility that this sub-burst slope law may be a universal property among repeating FRBs, or indicates a distinct subclass among them.
First 3D grid-based gas-dust simulations of circumstellar discs with an embedded planet
Authors: Binkert Fabian , Szulágyi Judit , Birnstiel Til
Published: July 2021

Substructures are ubiquitous in high resolution (sub-)millimeter continuum observations of circumstellar discs. They are possibly caused by forming planets embedded in their disc. To investigate the relation between observed substructures and young planets, we perform novel 3D two-fluid (gas+1-mm-dust) hydrodynamic simulations of circumstellar discs with embedded planets (Neptune-, Saturn-, Jupiter-, 5 Jupiter-mass) at different orbital distances from the star (5.2 AU, 30 AU, 50 AU). We turn these simulations into synthetic (sub-)millimeter ALMA images. We find that all but the Neptune-mass planet open annular gaps in both the gas and the dust component of the disc. We find that the temporal evolution of the dust density distribution is distinctly different from the gas’. For example, the planets cause significant vertical stirring of the dust in the circumstellar disc which opposes the vertical settling. This creates a thicker dust disc than discs without a planet. We find that this effect greatly influences the dust masses derived from the synthetic ALMA images. Comparing the dust disc masses in the 3D simulations to the disc masses derived from the 2D ALMA synthetic images using the optically thin approximation, we find the former to be a factor of a few (up to 10) larger, pointing to the conclusion that real discs are significantly more massive than previously thought based on ALMA continuum images. Finally, we analyse the synthetic ALMA images and provide an empirical relationship between the planet mass and the width of the gap in the ALMA images, including the effects of the beam size.
MicroRNA-125a-5p modulates the proliferation and apoptosis of TM4 Sertoli cells by targeting RAB3D and regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Teng Fengmeng , Hu Fang , Zhang Maosen
Published: July 2021

Sertoli cells provide protection and nutrition for developing sperm. Each stage of sperm development occurs on the surface of Sertoli cells. MicroRNA (MiR)-125a-5p is involved in male reproduction. The current research aimed to probe the role of miR-125a-5p in Sertoli cell function. Functionally, miR-125a-5p knockdown facilitated Sertoli cell proliferation, while miR-125a-5p overexpression suppressed Sertoli cell proliferation, as evidenced by 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. Additionally, miR-125a-5p knockdown inhibited Sertoli cell apoptosis, while miR-125a-5p upregulation facilitated Sertoli cell apoptosis, as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis. Computationally, we identified four predicted mRNA targets of miR-125a-5p. Based on the results of luciferase reporter assay, miR-125a-5p was confirmed to bind to the predicted sequence in the Ras-related protein Rab-3D (RAB3D) 3’UTR. Rescue experiments showed that miR-125a-5p suppressed the proliferative ability of TM4 Sertoli cells and facilitated their apoptosis by targeting RAB3D. Finally, our data confirmed that miR-125a-5p and RAB3D modulated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In conclusion, our data showed that miR-125a-5p regulated Sertoli cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting RAB3D and regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
Preoperative HbA1c > 8% Is Associated With Poor Outcomes in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative Study
Authors: Lim Seokchun , Yeh Hsueh-Han , Macki Mohamed , Mansour Tarek , Schultz Lonni , Telemi Edvin , Haider Sameah , Nerenz David R , Schwalb Jason M , Abdulhak Muwaffak , Park Paul , Aleem Ilyas , Easton Richard , Khalil Jad , Perez-Cruet Miguelangelo , Chang Victor
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a useful screening tool since a significant portion of diabetic patients in the United States are undiagnosed and the prevalence of diabetes continues to increase. However, there is a paucity of literature analyzing comprehensive association between HbA1c and postoperative outcome in lumbar spine surgery.

Objective

To assess the prognostic value of preoperative HbA1c > 8% in patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery.

MethodS

The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) database was queried to track all elective lumbar spine surgeries between January 2018 and December 2019. Cases were divided into 2 cohorts based on preoperative HbA1c level (≤8% and >8%). Measured outcomes include any complication, surgical site infection (SSI), readmission (RA) within 30 d (30RA) and 90 d (90RA) of index operation, patient satisfaction, and the percentage of patients who achieved minimum clinically important difference (MCID) using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System.

Results

We captured 4778 patients in this study. Our multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with HbA1c > 8% were more likely to experience postoperative complication (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% CI 1.20-2.73; P = .005) and be readmitted within 90 d of index surgery (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.08-2.54; P = .021). They also had longer hospital stay (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.23; P = .009) and were less likely to achieve functional improvement after surgery (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44-0.92; P = .016).

Conclusion

HbA1c > 8% is a reliable predictor of poor outcome in elective lumbar spine surgery. Clinicians should consider specialty consultation to optimize patients’ glycemic control prior to surgery.
The potential impact of post-COVID symptoms in the healthcare sector
Authors: Tempany M , Leonard A , Prior A R , Boran G , Reilly P , Murray C , O’Brien M , Maguire G , Ennis D , Rakovac A , Reid A
Published: July 2021

Background

The phenomenon of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is evolving from an abstract array of non-specific symptoms to an identifiable clinical entity of variable severity. Its frequency and persistence have implications for service delivery and workforce planning.

Aims

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms consistent with PCS and the subjective degree of recovery in a cohort of healthcare workers, focusing on those who have returned to work.

Methods

A study population of 1176 was surveyed when attending for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody testing. Two sub-groups were identified: those with known (i.e. diagnosed on PCR testing) and assumed (i.e. antibody evidence of previous infection) SARs-CoV-2 infection, at least 12 weeks prior to the study. Each group was asked about their subjective degree of recovery and the nature of their persistent symptoms. Results were analysed via excel and SPSS.

Results

In total, 144 employees showed PCR evidence of previous infection, with 139 of these being infected at least 12 weeks prior to the study. Of these 139, only 19% (n = 26) reported feeling 100% recovered, and 71% reported persistent symptoms. Of those with assumed SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 78), 32 (41%) were truly asymptomatic since the commencement of the pandemic, while 46 (59%) described symptoms suggestive of possible infection at least 12 weeks prior to the study. Of this latter group, 23% (n = 18) also reported residual symptoms.

Conclusions

PCS is prevalent among this group, including those not previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Its’ frequency and duration present challenges to employers with regards to the management of work availability and performance.
Audit of waist measurement methods during statutory diving medical assessments
Authors: Williams N , Moore A , Woods M , Forman S
Published: July 2021

Background

Measurement of waist circumference is used to assess abdominal fat and risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and stroke. It is performed in several clinical settings for health promotion and medical assessment purposes, including statutory medical assessments where results may influence decisions on fitness to work. Under the Diving at Work Regulations 1997, working divers must have an annual assessment of their fitness to dive performed by an approved medical examiner of divers (AMED), appointed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The assessment includes measurement of height, weight and waist circumference, the latter used as an indicator of central adiposity and associated health risks.

Aims

To establish the practice of AMEDs in measuring waist circumference of working divers undergoing medical assessment to determine their fitness to dive.

Methods

Ninety-seven AMEDs were sent a questionnaire and asked to describe their current practice in measuring waist circumference. The response rate was 79%. The audit standard used was the consensus document published by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Results

Of the 77 responses, 76 were completed sufficiently to allow analysis. When the waist was measured, there was consistency in the diver’s level of clothing, stage of breathing and posture for the procedure but variability in the site of measurement. Only 7/76 (9%) respondents carried out waist measurement fully in line with WHO guidance.

Conclusions

The audit has identified that there is a need for guidance for AMEDs on measuring waist circumference in the statutory medical assessment of working divers.
Long-Term Coronavirus Disease 2019 Complications in Inpatients and Outpatients: A One-Year Follow-up Cohort Study
Authors: Lombardo Michele Davide Maria , Foppiani Andrea , Peretti Giuseppe Michele , Mangiavini Laura , Battezzati Alberto , Bertoli Simona , Martinelli Boneschi Filippo , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo
Published: July 2021

Background

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, more and more people are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The short- and medium-term effects of the infection have been described, but the description of the long-term sequelae is lacking in the literature.

Methods

Patients healed from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from February 2020 to May 2020 were considered for inclusion in this study, regardless of the severity of the disease during the acute phase. Eligible patients were consecutively contacted and a semistructured interview was administered between February and March 2021 by trained medical staff.

Results

Three hundred three patients were eligible and accepted to participate in the study and were enrolled. Of those surveyed, most patients (81%) reported at least 1 symptom, and the most prevalent symptoms were fatigue (52%), pain (48%), and sleep disorders (47%). Sensory alterations were present in 28% of surveyed patients, but in most of these cases (74% of those affected by sensory alterations or 20% of the overall sample) symptoms reported were either anosmia or dysgeusia. Higher prevalence was generally observed with increasing age, although the most relevant differences were observed when comparing young versus middle-aged adults.

Conclusions

At 12 months after acute infection, COVID-19 survivors were still suffering from symptoms identified at shorter follow-up, and the most frequent symptoms included fatigue, pain, and sleep disorders. A more severe impairment in the acute phase did not seem to predict more severe complications.
Return of the Lemnaceae: duckweed as a model plant system in the genomics and postgenomics era
Authors: Acosta Kenneth , Appenroth Klaus J , Borisjuk Ljudmilla , Edelman Marvin , Heinig Uwe , Jansen Marcel A K , Oyama Tokitaka , Pasaribu Buntora , Schubert Ingo , Sorrels Shawn , Sree K Sowjanya , Xu Shuqing , Michael Todd P , Lam Eric
Published: July 2021

The aquatic Lemnaceae family, commonly called duckweed, comprises some of the smallest and fastest growing angiosperms known on Earth. Their tiny size, rapid growth by clonal propagation, and facile uptake of labeled compounds from the media were attractive features that made them a well-known model for plant biology from 1950 to 1990. Interest in duckweed has steadily regained momentum over the past decade, driven in part by the growing need to identify alternative plants from traditional agricultural crops that can help tackle urgent societal challenges, such as climate change and rapid population expansion. Propelled by rapid advances in genomic technologies, recent studies with duckweed again highlight the potential of these small plants to enable discoveries in diverse fields from ecology to chronobiology. Building on established community resources, duckweed is reemerging as a platform to study plant processes at the systems level and to translate knowledge gained for field deployment to address some of society’s pressing needs. This review details the anatomy, development, physiology, and molecular characteristics of the Lemnaceae to introduce them to the broader plant research community. We highlight recent research enabled by Lemnaceae to demonstrate how these plants can be used for quantitative studies of complex processes and for revealing potentially novel strategies in plant defense and genome maintenance.
Plant PhysioSpace: a robust tool to compare stress response across plant species
Authors: Hadizadeh Esfahani Ali , Maß Janina , Hallab Asis , Schuldt Bernhard M , Nevarez David , Usadel Björn , Ott Mark-Christoph , Buer Benjamin , Schuppert Andreas
Published: July 2021

Generalization of transcriptomics results can be achieved by comparison across experiments. This generalization is based on integration of interrelated transcriptomics studies into a compendium. Such a focus on the bigger picture enables both characterizations of the fate of an organism and distinction between generic and specific responses. Numerous methods for analyzing transcriptomics datasets exist. Yet, most of these methods focus on gene-wise dimension reduction to obtain marker genes and gene sets for, for example, pathway analysis. Relying only on isolated biological modules might result in missing important confounders and relevant contexts. We developed a method called Plant PhysioSpace, which enables researchers to compute experimental conditions across species and platforms without a priori reducing the reference information to specific gene sets. Plant PhysioSpace extracts physiologically relevant signatures from a reference dataset (i.e. a collection of public datasets) by integrating and transforming heterogeneous reference gene expression data into a set of physiology-specific patterns. New experimental data can be mapped to these patterns, resulting in similarity scores between the acquired data and the extracted compendium. Because of its robustness against platform bias and noise, Plant PhysioSpace can function as an inter-species or cross-platform similarity measure. We have demonstrated its success in translating stress responses between different species and platforms, including single-cell technologies. We have also implemented two R packages, one software and one data package, and a Shiny web application to facilitate access to our method and precomputed models.
Conducting General Social Surveys as Self-Administered Mixed-Mode Surveys
Authors: Wolf Christof , Christmann Pablo , Gummer Tobias , Schnaudt Christian , Verhoeven Sascha
Published: July 2021

This article discusses the current challenges of conducting a General Social Survey (GSS) in face-to-face mode and evaluates the alternative of fielding these surveys in self-administered mixed-mode (web, mail) instead. Based on data from Germany, it first illustrates the stark decline of participation in face-to-face surveys since 2002 and reports a strong increase in the cost of conducting these surveys over the same period. It then discusses the possibility of implementing GSS-type surveys in a self-administered design and reports results from a mode experiment implemented in the German part of the European Values Study (EVS) 2017/18. The results of the experiment indicate that self-administered mixed-mode surveys are a viable alternative for cross-sectional general population surveys in Germany; they shorten the fieldwork period and lead to higher response rates, while being more cost-efficient than face-to-face surveys. Despite the finding that the sample composition deviates from the general population in both modes, the face-to-face mode represents the population slightly better.
Changing Votes, Changing Identities?
Authors: Agadjanian Alexander , Lacy Dean
Published: July 2021

Although racial identity is usually assumed to be unchanging, recent research shows otherwise. The role of politics in racial identity change has received little attention. Using panel data with waves around two recent presidential elections, this article reveals survey evidence of racial fluidity and its strong relationship with vote switching patterns. Across several models and robust to various controls, switching from a non-Republican vote in 2012 to a 2016 Republican vote (i.e., non-Romney to Trump) significantly predicts nonwhite to white race change. Among nonwhites who did not vote Republican in 2012, switching to a Republican vote in 2016 increases the probability of adopting a white racial identity from a 0.03 baseline to 0.49, a 1,533 percent increase. Individuals originally identifying as Mixed and Hispanic drive this identity-voting link. A parallel dynamic on the Democratic side—new Democratic voters moving from white to nonwhite identities—does not occur. The systematic relationship between Trump switching and white identity adoption is unlikely to be spurious or due to measurement error, does not appear for the 2008–2012 election period, and makes theoretical sense in light of 2016 campaign rhetoric and trends in political-social identity alignment.
First pilot study of extracellular volume MRI measurement in peripheral muscle of systemic sclerosis patients suggests diffuse fibrosis
Authors: Dumitru Raluca B , Goodall Alex F , Broadbent David A , Del Galdo Francesco , Tan Ai Lyn , Biglands John D , Buch Maya H
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Peripheral muscle involvement in SSc may comprise myositis or a non-inflammatory myopathy. There is little understanding of the nature of SSc myopathy. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the presence of diffuse fibrosis in the peripheral muscle of patients with SSc by determining extracellular volume (ECV) MRI measurement.

Methods

SSc patients, with either suspected myopathy or no muscle involvement, and healthy controls (HCs) had native T1 and ECV MRI quantification of the thigh and creatine-kinase (CK) measured. Suspected myopathy was defined as current / history of minimally raised CK (>320; <600 IU/l) ± presence of clinical signs/symptoms (including proximal lower-limb muscle weakness and/or myalgia) ± a Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) 8 score of <5 in the thighs.

Results

Twelve SSc patients and 10 HCs were recruited. Of the 12 patients, 9 had limited cutaneous SSc, 4 had interstitial lung disease, and 7 had suspected myopathy. The higher skeletal muscle ECV was recorded for SSc patients compared with HCs [mean (s.d.) 23 (11)%, vs 11 (4)%, P = 0.04]. Peripheral muscle ECV was associated with CK (rho = 0.554, P = 0.061) and was higher in SSc patients with myopathy than in those with no myopathy [mean (s.d.) 28 (10) vs 15 (5), P = 0.023]. It was determined that an ECV of 22% best identified myopathy (with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 80%).

Conclusion

This hypothesis-generating study showed higher ECV in SSc patients compared with HCs, as well as association of ECV with suspected myopathy, suggesting the presence of diffuse fibrosis in the peripheral muscle of SSc patients. Further studies are needed to understand the nature of SSc myopathy.
MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION DOSE TO THE EYE LENS IN NON-ENHANCED CT SCANS OF THE BRAIN
Authors: Alwasiah Reem , Jawhari Abdulkarim , Orri Rafal Al , Khafaji Mawya , Al Bahiti Sarah
Published: July 2021

Radiation can have undesirable effects on the eye, including a gradual loss of vision. Unnecessary radiation can reach the eye lens during non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain. The International Commission on Radiological Protection states the threshold for acute and chronic eye lens exposure is 500 mGy and the equivalent dose limit for the eye lens for public exposure is 15 mSv per year. Therefore, we measured the direct radiation dose to the eye lens during head CT scans using NanoDots in 216 adults. The mean absorbed dose to both eyes was 33.62 mGy (standard deviation ±12.442). The averages for the other variables were: tube current-time product: 260 mAs; dose-length product: 708 mGy cm and CT dose index: 35.5 mGy. Our findings encourage further study of radiation exposure and modifications in CT imaging protocols.
Neural Responses of Pet Dogs Witnessing Their Caregiver’s Positive Interactions with a Conspecific: An fMRI Study
Authors: Karl Sabrina , Sladky Ronald , Lamm Claus , Huber Ludwig
Published: July 2021

We have limited knowledge on how dogs perceive humans and their actions. Various researchers investigated how they process human facial expressions, but their brain responses to complex social scenarios remain unclear. While undergoing fMRI, we exposed pet dogs to videos showing positive social and neutral nonsocial interactions between their caregivers and another conspecific. Our main interest was how the dogs responded to their caregivers (compared to a stranger) engaging in a pleasant interaction with another dog that could be seen as social rival. We hypothesized that the dogs would show activation increases in limbic areas such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, and insula and likely show higher attention and arousal during the positive caregiver–dog interaction. When contrasting the social with the nonsocial interaction, we found increased activations in the left amygdala and the insular cortex. Crucially, the dogs’ hypothalamus showed strongest activation when the caregiver engaged in a positive social interaction. These findings indicate that dogs are sensitive to social affective human–dog interactions and likely show higher valence attribution and arousal in a situation possibly perceived as a potential threat to their caregiver bonds. Our study provides a first window into the neural correlates of social and emotional processing in dogs.
Phylogeography of the endemic red-tailed cicadas of New Zealand (Hemiptera: Cicadidae:Rhodopsalta), and molecular, morphological and bioacoustical confirmation of the existence of Hudson’sRhodopsalta microdora
Authors: Bator John , Marshall David C , Hill Kathy B R , Cooley John R , Leston Adam , Simon Chris
Published: July 2021

Why do some genera radiate, whereas others do not? The genetic structure of present-day populations can provide clues for developing hypotheses. In New Zealand, three Cicadidae genera are depauperate [Amphipsalta (three species), Notopsalta (one species) and Rhodopsalta (three species)], whereas two have speciated extensively [Kikihia (~30 species/subspecies) and Maoricicada (~20 species/subspecies). Here, we examine the evolution of Rhodopsalta, the last New Zealand genus to be studied phylogenetically and phylogeographically. We use Bayesian and maximum-likelihood analyses of mitochondrial cox1 and nuclear EF1α gene sequences. Concatenated and single-gene phylogenies for 70 specimens (58 localities) support its monophyly and three described species: Rhodopsalta cruentata, Rhodopsalta leptomera and Rhodopsalta microdora, the last taxon previously regarded as uncertain. We provide distribution maps, biological notes and the first descriptions of diagnostic songs. We show that both R. cruentata and R. microdora exhibit northern and southern genetic subclades. Subclades of the dry-adapted R. microdora clade show geographical structure, whereas those of the mesic R. cruentata and sand-dune specialist R. leptomera have few discernible patterns. Genetic, bioacoustical and detailed distributional evidence for R. microdora add to the known biodiversity of New Zealand. We designate a lectotype for Tettigonia cruentataFabricius, 1775, the type species of Rhodopsalta.
Three New Hosts for Phytophthora ramorum Confirmed in Washington State: Salal, Oregon Grape, and Red Huckleberry
Authors: Elliott Marianne , Rollins Lucy , Bourret Tyler , Hulbert Joseph M. , Chastagner Gary
Published: July 2021

Salal (Gaultheria shallon), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), and red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) are common shrubs in the understory of northwestern forests and are ecologically, culturally, and economically important to the region. They are also sold in nurseries for use in ornamental landscapes and ecological restoration. These plant species were symptomatic for Phytophthora in nursery surveys in Washington State between 2011 and 2015. Symptoms observed on these three hosts resembled those of foliar Phytophthora infection on other woody broadleaf plants. The nursery plants were positive for P. ramorum, and Koch’s postulates were completed on potted plants of the three host species, illustrating their potential as a pathway of spread from nurseries to wildlands. We recommend these three hosts be added to the USDA-APHIS regulated host list, which will aid in the effort to prevent movement of P. ramorum into new areas.
Soybean Yield Loss Estimates Due to Diseases in the United States and Ontario, Canada, from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Bradley Carl A. , Allen Tom W. , Sisson Adam J. , Bergstrom Gary C. , Bissonnette Kaitlyn M. , Bond Jason , Byamukama Emmanuel , Chilvers Martin I. , Collins Alyssa A. , Damicone John P. , Dorrance Anne E. , Dufault Nicholas S. , Esker Paul D. , Faske Travis R. , Fiorellino Nicole M. , Giesler Loren J. , Hartman Glen L. , Hollier Clayton A. , Isakeit Tom , Jackson-Ziems Tamra A. , Jardine Douglas J. , Kelly Heather M. , Kemerait Robert C. , Kleczewski Nathan M. , Koehler Alyssa M. , Kratochvil Robert J. , Kurle James E. , Malvick Dean K. , Markell Samuel G. , Mathew Febina M. , Mehl Hillary L. , Mehl Kelsey M. , Mueller Daren S. , Mueller John D. , Nelson Berlin D. , Overstreet Charles , Padgett G. Boyd , Price Paul P. , Sikora Edward J. , Small Ian , Smith Damon L. , Spurlock Terry N. , Tande Connie A. , Telenko Darcy E. P. , Tenuta Albert U. , Thiessen Lindsey D. , Warner Fred , Wiebold William J. , Wise Kiersten A.
Published: July 2021

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) yield losses as a result of plant diseases were estimated by university and government plant pathologists in 29 soybean producing states in the United States and in Ontario, Canada, from 2015 through 2019. In general, the estimated losses that resulted from each of 28 plant diseases or pathogens varied by state or province as well as year. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) caused more than twice as much loss as any other disease during the survey period. Seedling diseases (caused by various pathogens), Sclerotinia stem rot (white mold) (caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum [Lib.] de Bary), and sudden death syndrome (caused by Fusarium virguliforme O’Donnell & T. Aoki) caused the next greatest yield losses, in descending order. Following SCN, the most damaging diseases in the northern United States and Ontario differed from those in the southern United States. The estimated mean economic loss from all soybean diseases, averaged across the United States and Ontario, Canada was US$45 per acre (US$111 per hectare). The outcome from the current survey will provide pertinent information regarding the important soybean diseases and their overall severity in the soybean crop and help guide future research and Extension efforts on managing soybean diseases.
A Field Evaluation of Jalapeño and Non-Jalapeño Chile Pepper Resistance to Phytophthora Blight Caused by Phytophthora capsici
Authors: Dura Srijana , Lujan Phillip , Guzman Ivette , Steiner Robert , Sanogo Soum
Published: July 2021

Phytophthora capsici is a destructive soilborne pathogen, which causes Phytophthora blight in many vegetable crops including chile pepper (Capsicum sp.). Our research was aimed at evaluating the resistance of jalapeño cultivars in field conditions and identifying the factors associated with reduction of Phytophthora blight caused by P. capsici. Six jalapeño (NuMex Orange Spice, NuMex Pumpkin Spice, NuMex Jalmundo, TAM Jalapeño, Early Jalapeño, and NuMex Vaquero) and two non-jalapeño (CM-334 and NM 6-4) cultivars were inoculated with P. capsici at the fruiting stage. Disease severity index (DSI), disease incidence (DI), and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for each cultivar were measured. The most susceptible jalapeño cultivars with the highest DSI, DI, and AUDPC were NuMex Orange Spice, NuMex Jalmundo, and NuMex Pumpkin Spice, whereas the least susceptible jalapeño cultivars were Early Jalapeño, TAM Jalapeño, and NuMex Vaquero, with the lowest DSI, DI, and AUDPC. The identified jalapeños with reduced susceptibility to Phytophthora blight can be planted in infested fields, combined with other control methods, which may help in soil disinfestation by reducing the inoculum level in soil over time.
New Sources of Resistance in Winter Squash (Cucurbita moschata) to Phytophthora Crown Rot and Their Relationship to Cultivated Squash
Authors: Kousik Chandrasekar S. , Vogel Gregory , Ikerd Jennifer L. , Mandal Mihir K. , Mazourek Michael , Smart Christine D. , Turechek William W.
Published: July 2021

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) is an important vegetable crop grown and consumed in most states in the United States. C. moschata lines and interspecific hybrids between Cucurbita species are also used as rootstocks for grafting watermelon and melon. However, currently most commercially available C. moschata squash varieties are highly susceptible to crown and root rot caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici, especially in the southeastern United States. All available plant introductions (PIs) of C. moschata (319 PIs) were evaluated for resistance to crown rot. Four-week-old plants were inoculated with 104 zoospores from a local South Carolina isolate of P. capsici. Plants were rated for disease severity 3 weeks after inoculation using a 0 to 5 rating scale (0 = no symptoms and 5 = plant dead). The majority (87%) of the C. moschata PIs were highly susceptible to crown rot in the first evaluation and were rated as 5. Reevaluation of the promising PIs identified several potential new sources of resistance (e.g., Grif 935, PI 442272, PI 442264, PI 512142, PI 438724, PI 438778, and PI 442280). Variability in resistance reaction among plants within a PI was also observed, and not all plants exhibited resistance. Further evaluation of S1 generation from the most resistant plants (rated ≤1) demonstrated that highly resistant plants could be selected from these PIs to develop lines for use in breeding programs. These new sources of resistance can be utilized for developing new crown and root rot resistant rootstocks for watermelon grafting and for developing resistant varieties for human consumption.
First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora chenopodii-ambrosioidis on Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides) in North Carolina
Authors: Purayannur Savithri , Munster Michael J. , Bertone Matthew A. , Quesada-Ocampo Lina M.
Published: July 2021

In this brief, we report the observation of downy mildew caused by Peronospora chenopodii-ambrosioidis on epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides) in North Carolina, U.S.A. We performed morphological characterization of the sporangia and sporangiophores for identification. We also confirmed the identity of the pathogen by performing an alignment and generating a maximum likelihood phylogeny of the concatenated internal transcribed spacer region and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences.
New Mexico Chile Pepper Producers Are Affected by a Diverse Verticillium dahliae Population That Includes Many Race 2 Strains That Break Ve1-Mediated Resistance
Authors: Radionenko Maxim , Hanson Stephen F.
Published: July 2021

Chile pepper is an important crop in in New Mexico (NM) for both its cultural heritage and its cash receipts. Wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae is one of the largest constraints on chile production in southern NM. Identification of natural resistance sources, like the Ve locus used in commercial tomato lines, would be a significant help to NM chile growers. Understanding the diversity and race structure of V. dahliae affecting chile production in NM is a necessary first step toward identifying and deploying genetic resistance in chile peppers. Here we report race characterization and diversity studies that show that NM is affected by a diverse population of V. dahliae strains, many of which overcome the Ve-mediated resistance in tomato. The results of this work suggest that Ve-like resistance, either discovered within the chile gene pool or introduced from tomato via genetic engineering, is unlikely to be useful for generating chile cultivars resistant to Verticillium wilt.
Navigating the diagnostic challenges of bipolar disorder in youth
Authors: Aguirre Larry
Published: July 2021

Bipolar disorder in youth is difficult to diagnose and treat, but early detection is important to mitigate risks and improve patient outcomes. This article evaluates the unique challenges of diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Bipolar disorder is associated with a significant personal and societal health burden and frequently is misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated. More research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder and which treatment options are best throughout the lifespan.
Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid: novel treatment strategies
Authors: Jabbour Samir , Phylactou Maria , Ahmad Sajjad
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review

To describe current treatments of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP), including conventional systemic immunosuppression (CIST) and novel biologic agents.

Recent findings

CIST remains the main stay therapy for the management of OMMP. The choice of agents is tailored to disease severity – mild disease is treated with dapsone, whereas moderately severe cases are often treated with mycophenolate mofetil or sulfa-based drugs and severe cases are treated with cyclophosphamide. In recalcitrant disease newer biologics such as Rituximab, intravenous immunoglobins and tumour necrosis alpha antagonists have proven to be effective in disease control. Control of inflammation with topical therapy and halting conjunctival fibrosis remain as areas of unmet clinical needs.

OMMP is largely treated with CIST. The recent introduction of new biologic agents could shape the way the disease is treated in the near future.
Excitation of Putative Glutamatergic Neurons in the Rat Parabrachial Nucleus Region Reduces Delta Power during Dexmedetomidine but not Ketamine Anesthesia
Authors: Melonakos Eric D. , Siegmann Morgan J. , Rey Charles , O’Brien Christopher , Nikolaeva Ksenia K. , Solt Ken , Nehs Christa J.
Published: July 2021

Background

Parabrachial nucleus excitation reduces cortical delta oscillation (0.5 to 4 Hz) power and recovery time associated with anesthetics that enhance γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor action. The effects of parabrachial nucleus excitation on anesthetics with other molecular targets, such as dexmedetomidine and ketamine, remain unknown. The hypothesis was that parabrachial nucleus excitation would cause arousal during dexmedetomidine and ketamine anesthesia.

Methods

Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs were used to excite calcium/calmodulin–dependent protein kinase 2α–positive neurons in the parabrachial nucleus region of adult male rats without anesthesia (nine rats), with dexmedetomidine (low dose: 0.3 µg · kg−1 · min−1 for 45 min, eight rats; high dose: 4.5 µg · kg−1 · min−1 for 10 min, seven rats), or with ketamine (low dose: 2 mg · kg−1 · min−1 for 30 min, seven rats; high dose: 4 mg · kg−1 · min−1 for 15 min, eight rats). For control experiments (same rats and treatments), the Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs were not excited. The electroencephalogram and anesthesia recovery times were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Parabrachial nucleus excitation reduced delta power in the prefrontal electroencephalogram with low-dose dexmedetomidine for the 150-min analyzed period, excepting two brief periods (peak median bootstrapped difference [clozapine-N-oxide – saline] during dexmedetomidine infusion = −6.06 [99% CI = −12.36 to −1.48] dB, P = 0.007). However, parabrachial nucleus excitation was less effective at reducing delta power with high-dose dexmedetomidine and low- and high-dose ketamine (peak median bootstrapped differences during high-dose [dexmedetomidine, ketamine] infusions = [−1.93, −0.87] dB, 99% CI = [−4.16 to −0.56, −1.62 to −0.18] dB, P = [0.006, 0.019]; low-dose ketamine had no statistically significant decreases during the infusion). Recovery time differences with parabrachial nucleus excitation were not statistically significant for dexmedetomidine (median difference for [low, high] dose = [1.63, 11.01] min, 95% CI = [−20.06 to 14.14, −20.84 to 23.67] min, P = [0.945, 0.297]) nor low-dose ketamine (median difference = 12.82 [95% CI: −3.20 to 39.58] min, P = 0.109) but were significantly longer for high-dose ketamine (median difference = 11.38 [95% CI: 1.81 to 24.67] min, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

These results suggest that the effectiveness of parabrachial nucleus excitation to change the neurophysiologic and behavioral effects of anesthesia depends on the anesthetic’s molecular target.

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
A Corbin and Strauss Grounded Theory on the Experiences of Patients, Relatives, and Health Professionals About the Family Presence During Emergency Care
Authors: Barreto Mayckel da Silva , Garcia-Vivar Cristina , da Silva Thiago Privado , Girardon-Perlini Nara Marilene Oliveira , Marcon Sonia Silva
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients, relatives, and health professionals about family presence during emergency care. In this grounded theory, 42 participants were interviewed from October 2016 to February 2017 in 2 Brazilian emergency rooms. Data collection and analysis were based on the constant comparative method. Findings identified that there is a social meaning about family presence during emergency care, which is conditioned, sporadic, and variable, and health professionals are responsible for the decision. The implementation of family systems care in emergency rooms is required to meet the needs of both patients and families. A Supplemental Digital Content video abstract is available at http://links.lww.com/ANS/A30.
Sport Specialization Behaviors Are Associated With History of Reported Injury in Youth Basketball
Authors: Post Eric G. , Rosenthal Michael D. , Root Hayley J. , Rauh Mitchell J.
Published: July 2021

Background:

There is significant emerging evidence that early sport specialization is a potential risk factor for injury in youth sports. Despite basketball being the most popular youth team sport in the United States, sport specialization research, specifically in youth basketball players, has been limited. The purpose of this paper was to examine the association of sport specialization behaviors with injury history by surveying a nationally representative sample of parents of youth basketball athletes. We hypothesized that athletes who specialized in basketball, participated on multiple teams at the same time, and traveled regularly for basketball competitions would be more likely to report a basketball-related injury in the previous year.

Methods:

A nationally representative sample of 805 parents of 805 youth basketball players (female N=241, 29.9%; age: 12.9±2.5 y old) completed an online questionnaire that had 3 sections: (1) parent/child demographics, (2) child basketball participation information for the previous year, and (3) child basketball injury history in the previous year. Multivariate logistic regression examined the associations between variables of interest and injury history, adjusting for covariates. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the variables of interest from the logistic regression model.

Results:

Highly specialized athletes were more likely than low specialization athletes to report history of basketball injury in the previous year [OR (95% CI): 2.47 (1.25-4.88),P=0.009]. The odds of reporting an injury in the previous year were twice as great among athletes who played on a basketball team at the same time as another sport team compared with those who played basketball only [OR (95% CI): 1.98 (1.30-3.01),P=0.001]. The odds of reporting an injury in the previous year were 3 times greater among athletes who received private coaching compared with those who did not receive private coaching [OR (95% CI): 2.91 (1.97-4.31),P<0.001].

Conclusion:

Specialization in basketball, along with several other behaviors that have become typical of modern youth sport participation, were associated with reported injury history. Further prospective research is necessary to determine whether sport specialization behaviors increase the risk of injury in youth basketball.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—cross-sectional study.