bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preprint manuscripts and servers in the era of coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Nabavi Nouri Shayan , Cohen Yosef A. , Madhavan Mahesh V. , Slomka Piotr J. , Iskandrian Ami E. , Einstein Andrew J.
Published: October 2020

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives

To both examine the impact of preprint publishing on health sciences research and survey popular preprint servers amidst the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.

Methods

The authors queried three biomedical databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and two preprint servers (MedRxiv and SSRN) to identify literature pertaining to preprints. Additionally, they evaluated 12 preprint servers featuring COVID‐19 research through sample submission of six manuscripts.

Results

The realm of health sciences research has seen a dramatic increase in the presence and importance of preprint publications. By posting manuscripts on preprint servers, researchers are able to immediately communicate their findings, thereby facilitating prompt feedback and promoting collaboration. In doing so, they may also reduce publication bias and improve methodological transparency. However, by circumventing the peer‐review process, academia incurs the risk of disseminating erroneous or misinterpreted data and suffering the downstream consequences. Never have these issues been better highlighted than during the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. Researchers have flooded the literature with preprint publications as stopgaps to meet the desperate need for knowledge about the disease. These unreviewed articles initially outnumbered those published in conventional journals and helped steer the mainstream scientific community at the start of the pandemic. In surveying select preprint servers, the authors discovered varying usability, review practices, and acceptance polices.

Conclusion

While vital in the rapid dispensation of science, preprint manuscripts promulgate their conclusions without peer review and possess the capacity to misinform. Undoubtedly part of the future of science, conscientious consumers will need to appreciate not only their utility, but also their limitations.
The Transition to Fatherhood and the Health of Men
Authors: Torche Florencia , Rauf Tamkinat
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study examines the impact of fatherhood on diverse health behaviors and outcomes among a representative sample of Millennial men in the United States.

Background

Much research explores the consequences of parenthood for women, but less is known about health outcomes and trajectories of men who become fathers. Theoretical approaches suggest both health‐enhancing changes driven by social control and a new father identity, and health‐decreasing changes driven by the costs and burdens of fatherhood.

Method

The NLSY97 longitudinal survey and a battery of novel fixed effects models are used to identify the consequences of paternity on diverse health outcomes, controlling for selectivity based on unobserved characteristics and unobserved trajectories of men who become fathers and accounting for heterogeneity of effects.

Results

Becoming a father induces weight gain and a decline in self‐reported health, but reduces alcohol consumption. Effects on weight and alcohol use varied across strata defined by race and education, but changes in self‐reported health were consistent across sub‐groups.

Conclusion

The transition to fatherhood induces changes in health outcomes and behaviors that are both positive and negative. These consequences are not transitory. Rather, they persist over men's early adulthood.

Implications

Fatherhood induces health‐related changes that endure over the first years after becoming a father, and which may contribute to morbidity and mortality in late adulthood.
Elevated rates of positive selection drive the evolution of pestiferousness in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Say)
Authors: Cohen Zachary P. , Brevik Kristian , Chen Yolanda H. , Hawthorne David J. , Weibel Benjamin D. , Schoville Sean D.
Published: October 2020

Contextualizing evolutionary history and identifying genomic features of an insect that might contribute to its pest status is important in developing early detection and control tactics. In order to understand the evolution of pestiferousness, which we define as the accumulation of traits that contribute to an insect population's success in an agroecosystem, we tested the importance of known genomic properties associated with rapid adaptation in the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Within the leaf beetle genus Leptinotarsa, only CPB, and a few populations therein, has risen to pest status on cultivated nightshades, Solanum. Using whole genomes from ten closely related Leptinotarsa species native to the United States, we reconstructed a high‐quality species tree and used this phylogenetic framework to assess evolutionary patterns in four genomic features of rapid adaptation: standing genetic variation, gene family expansion and contraction, transposable element abundance and location, and positive selection at protein‐coding genes. Throughout approximately 20 million years of history, Leptinotarsa species show little evidence of gene family turnover and transposable element variation. However, there is a clear pattern of CPB experiencing higher rates of positive selection on protein‐coding genes. We determine that these rates are associated with greater standing genetic variation due to larger effective population size, which supports the theory that the demographic history contributes to rates of protein evolution. Furthermore, we identify a suite of coding genes under positive selection that are putatively associated with pestiferousness in the Colorado potato beetle lineage. They are involved in the biological processes of xenobiotic detoxification, chemosensation and hormone function.
Brazilian nurses' concept of religion, religiosity, and spirituality: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Cunha Vivian F. da , Pillon Sandra C. , Zafar Shazia , Wagstaff Christopher , Scorsolini‐Comin Fabio
Published: October 2020

Evidence points toward the impact of nurses' personal views and knowledge about religion, religiosity, and spirituality on health care. This qualitative research investigates nurses' concepts of religion, religiosity, and spirituality and how they use these concepts in practice. Thirty‐four nurses were interviewed at a hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Content analysis was used to organize and code the results. Three main themes generated from the interviews were (i) religiosity/spirituality as an important dimension in life; (ii) notions of religiosity and spirituality; (iii) formal knowledge of the concept of religion, religiosity, and spirituality. The results indicate that religion, religiosity and spirituality should be incorporated into nurse training to improve the comprehension and competence of nurses in these areas of practice. It is recommended that to ensure holistic and person‐centered care, there must be constant reflection on these concepts.
Echinops sahyadricus sp. nov. (Asteraceae: Cardueae), from the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India
Authors: More Sushant , Conti Fabio , Bhosale Harshal S.
Published: October 2020

The new species Echinops sahyadricus is discovered and described from northern Western Ghats, India. It is endemic to the Maharashtra state and probably restricted to few high mountain peaks in Western Maharashtra. The new species is distinguished from the related E. echinatus by adaxially glabrous to sparsely elgandular hairy leaf surfaces, larger non‐cornigerous synflorescences up to 9 cm in diameter and numerous (19–24) glabrous phyllaries up to 27 mm long. An identification key to all Indian taxa of Echinops, illustration and colour plates are provided.
24‐epibrassionlide improves photosynthetic response of Rhododendron delavayi to drought
Authors: Cai Yan‐Fei , Peng Lv‐Chun , Li Shi‐Feng , Zhang Lu , Xie Wei‐Jia , Song Jie , Wang Ji‐Hua
Published: October 2020

Rhododendron delavayi is an alpine evergreen ornamental plant with strong tolerance to drought stress. Brassinosteroids are promising agents for alleviating the negative effects of drought on plants, but the mechanism by which BRs induce plant resistance to drought is not well understood. The present study investigated the effects of exogenous spray of 24‐epibrassionlide (EBR) at different concentrations (0~1 mg l−1) on the physiological response of R. delavayi to drought caused by no watering for 10 days. With the increase in EBR concentration, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transportation rate, light saturated photosynthetic rate, light compensation point, light saturation point, excitation energy capture efficiency of reaction center, actual photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII), photochemical quenching and electron transport rate significantly increased, but there were no significant effects on photosynthetic pigment content. These results suggested that the EBR‐induced improvement in CO2 assimilation under drought was mainly related to stomatal and non‐stomatal factors, and partially attributed to the increased photochemical efficiency of PSII. In addition, the leaf water potential increased with the increase in EBR concentration, while the malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, proline and soluble protein decreased. The results suggested EBR application partially alleviated the negative effect of drought on R. delavayi by improving water relations and decreasing lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species production. We concluded that exogenous application of EBR improved photosynthesis and alleviated the negative effects of drought‐induced membrane peroxidation and severe oxidative stress.
Esophagogastric junction morphology and contractile integral on high‐resolution manometry in asymptomatic healthy volunteers: An international multicenter study
Authors: Rogers Benjamin D. , Rengarajan Arvind , Abrahao Luiz , Bhatia Shobna , Bor Serhat , Carlson Dustin A. , Cisternas Daniel , Gonlachanvit Sutep , Hani Albis , Hayat Jamal , Kawamura Osamu , Lee Yeung Yeh , Leguizamo Ana Maria , Pauwels Ans , Perez de la Serna Julio , Ramos Rosa I. , Remes‐Troche Jose Maria , Roman Sabine , Savarino Edoardo , Serra Jordi , Sifrim Daniel , Tolone Salvatore , Wong Zhiqin , Zerbib Frank , Pandolfino John , Gyawali C. Prakash
Published: October 2020

Background

Esophagogastric junction contractile integral (EGJ‐CI) and EGJ morphology are high‐resolution manometry (HRM) metrics that assess EGJ barrier function. Normative data standardized across world regions and HRM manufacturers are limited.

Methods

Our aim was to determine normative EGJ metrics in a large international cohort of healthy volunteers undergoing HRM (Medtronic, Laborie, and Diversatek software) acquired from 16 countries in four world regions. EGJ‐CI was calculated by the same two investigators using a distal contractile integral‐like measurement across the EGJ for three respiratory cycles and corrected for respiration (mm Hg cm), using manufacturer‐specific software tools. EGJ morphology was designated according to Chicago Classification v3.0. Median EGJ‐CI values were calculated across age, genders, HRM systems, and regions.

Results

Of 484 studies (28.0 years, 56.2% F, 60.7% Medtronic studies, 26.0% Laborie, and 13.2% Diversatek), EGJ morphology was type 1 in 97.1%. Median EGJ‐CI was similar between Medtronic (37.0 mm Hg cm, IQR 23.6‐53.7 mm Hg cm) and Diversatek (34.9 mm Hg cm, IQR 22.1‐56.1 mm Hg cm, P = 0.87), but was significantly higher using Laborie equipment (56.5 mm Hg cm, IQR 35.0‐75.3 mm Hg cm, P < 0.001). 5th percentile EGJ‐CI values ranged from 6.9 to 12.1 mm Hg cm. EGJ‐CI values were consistent across world regions, but different between manufacturers even within the same world region (P ≤ 0.001). Within Medtronic studies, EGJ‐CI and basal LESP were similar in younger and older individuals (P ≥ 0.3) but higher in women (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

EGJ morphology is predominantly type 1 in healthy adults. EGJ‐CI varies widely in health, with significant gender influence, but is consistent within each HRM system. Manufacturer‐specific normative values should be utilized for clinical HRM interpretation.
Multicolor sparse viral labeling and 3D digital tracing of enteric plexus in mouse proximal colon using a novel adeno‐associated virus capsid
Authors: Wang Lixin , Challis Collin , Li Songlin , Fowlkes Charless C. , Ravindra Kumar Sripriya , Yuan Pu‐Qing , Taché Yvette F.
Published: October 2020

Background

Intravenous administration of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) can be used as a noninvasive approach to trace neuronal morphology and links. AAV‐PHP.S is a variant of AAV9 that effectively transduces the peripheral nervous system. The objective was to label randomly and sparsely enteric plexus in the mouse colon using AAV‐PHP.S with a tunable two‐component multicolor vector system and digitally trace individual neurons and nerve fibers within microcircuits in three dimensions (3D).

Methods

A vector system including a tetracycline inducer with a tet‐responsive element driving three separate fluorophores was packaged in the AAV‐PHP.S capsid. The vectors were injected retro‐orbitally in mice, and the colon was harvested 3 weeks after. Confocal microscopic images of enteric plexus were digitally segmented and traced in 3D using Neurolucida 360, neuTube, or Imaris software.

Key Results

The transduction of multicolor AAV vectors induced random sparse spectral labeling of soma and neurites primarily in the myenteric plexus of the proximal colon, while neurons in the submucosal plexus were occasionally transduced. Digital tracing in 3D showed various types of wiring, including multiple conjunctions of one neuron with other neurons, neurites en route, and endings; clusters of neurons in close apposition between each other; axon–axon parallel conjunctions; and intraganglionic nerve endings consisting of multiple nerve endings and passing fibers. Most of digitally traced neuronal somas were of small or medium in size.

Conclusions & Inferences

The multicolor AAV‐PHP.S‐packaged vectors enabled random sparse spectral labeling and revealed complexities of enteric microcircuit in the mouse proximal colon. The techniques can facilitate digital modeling of enteric micro‐circuitry.
Two homologous LHY pairs negatively control soybean drought tolerance by repressing the abscisic acid responses
Authors: Wang Kai , Bu Tiantian , Cheng Qun , Dong Lidong , Su Tong , Chen Zimei , Kong Fanjiang , Gong Zhizhong , Liu Baohui , Li Meina
Published: October 2020

The circadian clock plays essential roles in diverse plant biological processes, such as flowering, phytohormone biosynthesis and abiotic stress responses. The manner in which circadian clock genes regulate drought stress responses in model plants has been well established, but comparatively little is known in crop species, such as soybean, a major global crop. This paper reports that the core clock components GmLHYs, the orthologues of CCA1/LHY in Arabidopsis, negatively control drought tolerance in soybean.

The expressions of four GmLHYs were all induced by drought, and the quadruple mutants of GmLHYs demonstrated significantly improved drought tolerance. Transcriptome profiling suggested that the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway is regulated by GmLHYs to respond to drought tolerance.

Genetic dissections showed that two homologous pairs of LHY1a and LHY1b redundantly control the drought response. Functional characterization of LHY1a and LHY1b in Arabidopsis and soybean further supported the notion that GmLHYs can maintain cellular homeostasis through the ABA signaling pathway under drought stress.

This study improves our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms on soybean drought tolerance. Furthermore, the two homologues of LHY1a and LHY1b provide alternative targets for genome editing to rapidly generate mutant alleles in elite soybean cultivars to enhance their drought tolerance.
Contribution of anthropogenic CO2 in China to global radiative forcing and its offset by the ecosystem during 2000–2015
Authors: Li Nan , Cui Yaoping , Fu Yiming , Liu Xiaoyan , Run Yadi , Li Mengdi , Chen Liangyu , Xia Haoming , Lu Heli
Published: October 2020

As the world's largest developing country, quantifying China's CO2 contribution to global warming is important for assessing the climate effects of anthropogenic and natural factors. We used global CO2 assimilation data from 2000 to 2015 and a carbon–climate parameterized scheme to analyze anthropogenic carbon emissions and their climatic effects while considering the climate effects of the terrestrial ecosystem carbon sink. Three results are notable: (1) From 2000 to 2015, global anthropogenic emissions increased from 2.48 to 3.45 mol m−2, and net emission (sum of anthropogenic and natural emissions) rose from 1.24 to 2.51 mol m−2; China's contribution of anthropogenic emissions to global anthropogenic emission was 34.78% and to net emission 39.65%. (2) By 2015, radiative forcing (RF) caused by CO2 absorption in the global terrestrial ecosystem was −0.18 Wm−2, and this offset accounts for 30.96% of the warming effect of global anthropogenic carbon emissions; in China, RF caused by the terrestrial ecosystem was −0.04 Wm−2, and this offset accounts for 20.27% of the warming effect of China's anthropogenic carbon emissions. (3) Using CO2 assimilation data and sectoral inventory data, China's contribution of carbon emissions to global RF was 10.02% and 9.73%, respectively, and China's contribution of net RF to global RF was 7.93%. Our findings highlight the importance of ecosystems on mitigating climate warming.
Exogenous abscisic acid and jasmonic acid restrain polyethylene glycol‐induced drought by improving the growth and antioxidative enzyme activities in pearl millet
Authors: Awan Samrah A. , Khan Imran , Rizwan Muhammad , Zhang Xinquan , Brestic Marian , Khan Aaqil , El‐Sheikh Mohamed A. , Alyemeni Mohammed N. , Ali Shafaqat , Huang Linkai
Published: October 2020

Drought stress is one of the most immense and permanent constraints in agriculture, which leads to a massive loss of crop productivity. However, little is known about the mitigation role of exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under PEG‐induced drought stress. Therefore, the current study investigated the putative role of exogenous ABA and JA in improving drought stress tolerance in pearl millet. Thirteen‐day‐old seedlings were exposed to six different treatments as follow; control (ck), PEG‐600 (20%), JA (100 μM), ABA (100 μM), PEG+JA, and PEG+ABA, and data were collected at 7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT). Results showed that PEG decreased plant growth while the oxidative damage increased due to over production of H2O2 and MDA content as a result of decreased activities of the antioxidative enzymes including APX, CAT, and SOD in the leaves. However, exogenous ABA and JA positively enhanced the growth profile of seedlings by improving chlorophyll and relative water content under PEG treatment. A significant improvement was observed in the plant defense system resulting from increased activities of antioxidative enzymes due to exogenous ABA and JA under PEG. Overall, the performance of JA was found better than ABA under PEG‐induced drought stress, and future investigations are needed to explore the potential effects of these phytohormones on the long‐term crop management and productivity under drought stress.
Peritoneal dialysis patient selection from a comorbidity perspective
Authors: Eroglu Eray , Heimbürger Olof , Lindholm Bengt
Published: October 2020

Despite many medical and socioeconomic advantages, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an underutilized dialysis modality that in most countries is used by only 5%–20% of dialysis patients, while the vast majority are treated with in‐center hemodialysis. Several factors may explain this paradox, such as lack of experience and infrastructure for training and monitoring of PD patients, organizational issues, overcapacity of hemodialysis facilities, and lack of economic incentives for dialysis centers to use PD instead of HD. In addition, medical conditions that are perceived (rightly or wrongly) as contraindications to PD represent barriers for the use of PD because of their purported potential negative impact on clinical outcomes in patients starting PD. While there are few absolute contraindications to PD, high age, comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, polycystic kidney disease, heart failure, and previous history of abdominal surgery and renal allograft failure, may be seen (rightly or wrongly) as relative contraindications and thus barriers to initiation of PD. In this brief review, we discuss how the presence of these conditions may influence the strategy of selecting patients for PD, focusing on measures that can be taken to overcome potential problems.
Work–family balance in the second half of life: Caregivers' decisions regarding retirement and working time reduction in Europe
Authors: Bertogg Ariane , Nazio Tiziana , Strauss Susanne
Published: October 2020

This article investigates how different types of informal caregiving – upward, lateral and downward – impact men's and women's decisions to retire or to reduce their working hours, and how welfare policy characteristics moderate the linkage between informal care provision and employment participation. The analyses are based on six waves from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We exploit the data's longitudinal structure by applying fixed‐effects regression models with lagged, time‐varying country characteristics. The results show that, in most cases, upward caregiving to parents is less relevant for deciding to remain in the labour market than lateral care (especially to siblings, friends and neighbours) and downward grandchild care. The welfare context moderates the impact of caregiving on labour market participation, with variation between the different types of care provided.
Unusual oral multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in an adult African‐American lung transplant patient
Authors: Chompunud Na Ayudhya Chalatip , Alawi Faizan , Akintoye Sunday O.
Published: October 2020

Oral multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH), or Heck's disease, is a rare benign proliferation of the oral mucosa associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). It clinically presents as multiple asymptomatic papules and nodules that mostly affect the lips, buccal mucosa, and tongue. MEH is predominantly found in children and young adults while relatively few cases have been reported in the elderly population. Here, we report a case of oral MEH in a 65‐year‐old man with history of lung transplantation. This case highlights the potential susceptibility of organ transplant recipients to the development of MEH. Since MEH that does not require treatment unless the lesion bothers the patient, clinicians should promptly establish a definitive diagnosis to rule out other HPV‐related precancerous lesions.
Investigating Small Modular Reactor's Design Limits for Its Flexible Operation With Photovoltaic Generation in Microcommunities
Authors: Joshi Kalpesh , Poudel Bikash , Gokaraju Ramakrishna (Rama)
Published: October 2020

Use of flexible and dispatchable generation from the small modular reactors (SMRs) in combination with the nondispatchable generation from renewable energy systems (RES) can be an effective alternative to pursue the mandate of replacing the fossil-fuel based electricity with the carbon-neutral energy systems in the remote microcommunities. This paper evaluates the feasibility of SMRs' flexible operations in microcommunities with the photovoltaic (PV) generation as a case study. Considering the design limits of SMRs for (a) the range of net change in electrical power output and (b) the ramp rates of net change in turbine power, a power system study is conducted to cover the three aspects of flexible operations, namely: (1) Planned load-following, (2) Unplanned load-following, and (3) Frequency regulation. A generic governor model in power system simulator for engineering (PSS/E), a power system transmission and planning software, is adapted to incorporate the operating limits of the reactor for the dynamic simulation. The multitimescale approach, combining (a) steady-state time-series power flow analysis and (b) dynamic simulations with high-resolution solar irradiation datasets, is proposed to assess the implications of SMR's design limits. The results obtained on an existing remote feeder with three sets of operating limits—namely, the conventional, advanced and extreme limits of ramp rates juxtapose the SMRs' performance, given the challenging operating conditions with PV generation in remote locations. The results indicate that the SMR under study can accommodate the highest permissible PV penetration obtained by the hosting capacity analysis of the feeder under the clear sky conditions. However, dynamic simulations with the extreme PV variabilities show that the PV penetration level should be further limited so that the maximum deviations in SMR power levels stay within 40% of its rated capacity. SMR provides adequate frequency support for the PV penetration of up to 50% of the feeder maximum demand in this study.
Neutronic Analysis of the European Sodium Fast Reactor: Part I—Fresh Core Results
Authors: Fridman Emil , Álvarez Velarde Francisco , Romojaro Otero Pablo , Tsige-Tamirat Haileyesus , Jiménez Carrascosa Antonio , García Herranz Nuria , Bernard Franck , Gregg Robert , Davies Una , Krepel Jiri , Massara Simone , Poumerouly Sandra , Girardi Enrico , Mikityuk Konstantin
Published: October 2020

In the framework of the Horizon 2020 project ESFR-SMART (2017-2021), the European Sodium Fast Reactor (ESFR) core was updated through a safety-related modification and optimization of the core design from the earlier FP7 CP-ESFR project (2009-2013). This study is dedicated to neutronic analyses of the improved ESFR core design. The conducted work is reported in two parts. Part I deals with the evaluation of the safety-related neutronic parameters of the fresh Beginning-of-Life (BOL) core carried out by 8 organizations using both continuous energy Monte Carlo and deterministic computer codes. In addition to the neutronics characterization of the core, a special emphasis was put on the calibration and verification of the computational tools involved in the analyses. Part II is devoted to once-through and realistic batch-wise burnup calculations aiming at the establishing of the equilibrium core state, which will later serve as a basis for detailed safety analyses.
A new species of the genus Sphaerotarsus (Acari: Parasitengonina: Smarididae) from Iran

Authors: Amin Mohammad Reza , Khanjani Mohammad , Nadri Ali Reza
Published: October 2020

To date seven species of the genus Sphaerotarsus Womersley, 1936 have been described namely, three exclusively from larvae, three from postlarval forms and one from larvae and postlarval forms. In this study, the larvae of a fifth species are described and illustrated from Iran, namely: Sphaerotarsus sadafae sp. nov. collected from soil and litter under oak trees, (Quercus spp). Also, a key to the world larval species is provided.
Description of a new species of Gaeolaelaps Evans & Till (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from northern Iran, supplementary information on G. deinos (Zeman) and redescription of G. schusteri (Hirschmann)

Authors: Kazemi Shahrooz , Paktinat-Saeij Saeid , Saberi Sepideh
Published: October 2020

A new species of the laelapid mite genus Gaeolaelaps Evans & Till, G. tuberculatus sp. nov., is described from female specimens collected in soil and rotten leaves under citrus trees in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Supplementary information on G. deinos (Zeman) is presented. Gaeolaelaps schusteri (Hirschmann) is redescribed based on the type specimens as well as additional specimens collected from the littoral zone of mangrove forests in Qeshm Island, in the eastern part of the Persian Gulf, southern Iran.
Caligonella Astragalusi N. Sp. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Caligonellidae) From Western Iran

Authors: Pishehvar Shahram , Khanjani Mohammad
Published: October 2020

A new species of the genus Caligonella Berlese (Acari: Trombidiformes: Caligonellidae), C. astagalusi n. sp., is described and illustrated based on the female. The specimens of the new species were collected from soil and litter under Astragalus sp. bushes (Fabaceae) in Nahavad, Hamedan province, western Iran. A key to all known species of the genus Caligonella is provided.
Redescription of Aceria oleae (Nalepa, 1900) (Acari: Eriophyidae) using SEM, life cycle and damage caused to leaves and fruits of Olea europaea cv. arauco in La Rioja province, northwestern Argentina

Authors: Sergio Leiva , J. De Moraes Gilberto
Published: October 2020

Damages produced by eriophyid mites to Olea europaea subsp. europaea cv. arauco have been known for many years. In a previous publication, the presence of Aceria oleae (Nalepa) and Oxycenus maxwelli, (Keifer) in Argentina was reported, but the species was not definitively identified. In the past five years, damage caused by this mite to leaves, flowers and fruits in many production areas was very high, leading to the need for further investigations about this mite, the most numerous mite species on this plant in Argentina. The present paper is divided in three parts: a) a morphological characterization of A. oleae based on specimens collected in Argentina, with the use of SEM; b) a study of its life cycle; and c) an illustration of its damage to leaves and fruits. The morphological study led to the confirmation of the identity of the species and to the determination of morphological aspects not previously mentioned in the literature. Life cycle and damage were observed to be similar to what has been previously mentioned in the literature for the same mite in other countries.
Distribution and aggregation of engorging ticks on body parts of small rodent hosts

Authors: Egyed László , Lang Zsolt
Published: October 2020

Small rodent species are the most important blood source of tick larvae, their role is crucial for tick survival, maintainance and spread in nature. From data of 1409 ticks collected from 282 individuals of three small rodent species live-trapped at a natural habitat, we drew conclusions about aggregation of ticks, the anatomical sites most frequently used for engorgement, different susceptibility of host species to tick infestation. We studied data of various age and sex groups of hosts, individuals of different reproductive status and recaptured rodents. The tick load of A. agrarius and A. flavicollis differed significantly, accumulation of ticks was shown on the auricles of both Apodemus species, and on the throat-neck region of A. agrarius. Old rodents carried more, lactating females less ticks, than the average. Data of recaptured hosts showed, that ticks invade the body via the toes and nose and they are aiming for the auricles. Voles were significantly more heavily infested with nymphs which fed in the auditory tracts, which were free of ticks in mice. The phenomenon of aggregation is important for understanding the ecology of tick-borne diseases, as only a minority of the hosts are responsible for disease risks, and it is particularly important for control strategies that apply acaricides to reservoir hosts.
Electrospun Mn2O3 web electrodes: Influence of fabrication parameters on electrochemical performance
Authors: Brockway Molly , Skinner Jack L.
Published: October 2020

Supercapacitors are an important developing technology for renewable energy, hybrid and electric vehicles, and personal electronics. One material of interest for supercapacitor electrodes is Mn2O3, which is low cost, nontoxic, and easily fabricated. While traditional electrode fabrication involves mixing active materials with binders and conductive agents, electrospinning Mn2O3 fibers directly onto charge-collecting substrates simplifies processing and reduces overall mass. Herein, the effects of electrospinning solution composition, electrospinning duration, and calcination time on the electrochemical storage capacity of Mn2O3 web electrodes are studied. Electrode morphologies are examined, and the relationships between processing, morphology, and storage capacity are discussed. A numerical model fit to the data assesses a relative significance of the four fabrication parameters.
Directly observing intracellular nanoparticle formation with nanocomputed tomography
Authors: Zhang Miaomiao , Guan Yong , Dang Zheng , Zhang Pinggen , Zheng Zhen , Chen Liang , Kuang Wen , Wang Chenchen , Liang Gaolin
Published: October 2020

Nanoparticle formation of an iodinated small molecule inside cells was directly observed with nanocomputed tomography.
Mycobacterial EST12 activates a RACK1–NLRP3–gasdermin D pyroptosis–IL-1β immune pathway
Authors: Qu Zilu , Zhou Jin , Zhou Yidan , Xie Yan , Jiang Yanjing , Wu Jian , Luo Zuoqin , Liu Guanghui , Yin Lei , Zhang Xiao-Lian
Published: October 2020

EST12/Rv1579c activates a RACK1–NLRP3–GSDMD pyroptosis–IL-1β immune pathway to increase mycobacterial clearance.
Protecting hot carriers by tuning hybrid perovskite structures with alkali cations
Authors: Wang Ti , Jin Linrui , Hidalgo Juanita , Chu Weibin , Snaider Jordan M. , Deng Shibin , Zhu Tong , Lai Barry , Prezhdo Oleg , Correa-Baena Juan-Pablo , Huang Libai
Published: October 2020

A small amount of alkali metals goes a long way toward improving hybrid perovskites for hot carrier solar cells.
Seabird establishment during regional cooling drove a terrestrial ecosystem shift 5000 years ago
Authors: Groff Dulcinea V. , Hamley Kit M. , Lessard Trevor J. R. , Greenawalt Kayla E. , Yasuhara Moriaki , Brickle Paul , Gill Jacquelyn L.
Published: October 2020

Seabirds altered coastal grassland productivity and the fire regime in the Falkland Islands during regional cooling.
Potency and timing of antiviral therapy as determinants of duration of SARS-CoV-2 shedding and intensity of inflammatory response
Authors: Goyal Ashish , Cardozo-Ojeda E. Fabian , Schiffer Joshua T.
Published: October 2020

We developed a mathematical model to predict the outcomes of different possible COVID-19 treatments.
Electrically compensated, tattoo-like electrodes for epidermal electrophysiology at scale
Authors: Wang Youhua , Yin Lang , Bai Yunzhao , Liu Siyi , Wang Liu , Zhou Ying , Hou Chao , Yang Zhaoyu , Wu Hao , Ma Jiaji , Shen Yaoxin , Deng Pengfei , Zhang Shuchang , Duan Tangjian , Li Zehan , Ren Junhui , Xiao Lin , Yin Zhouping , Lu Nanshu , Huang YongAn
Published: October 2020

We demonstrate sizable, unencapsulated e-tattoos with transformable serpentine design and Cartan curve–inspired transfer.
A distinct GM-CSF
+
T helper cell subset requires T-bet to adopt a T
H
1 phenotype and promote neuroinflammation
Authors: Rasouli Javad , Casella Giacomo , Yoshimura Satoshi , Zhang Weifeng , Xiao Dan , Garifallou James , Gonzalez Michael V. , Wiedeman Alice , Kus Anna , Mari Elisabeth R. , Fortina Paolo , Hakonarson Hakon , Long S. Alice , Zhang Guang-Xian , Ciric Bogoljub , Rostami Abdolmohamad
Published: October 2020

A GM-CSF
+
T helper cell subset develops from naïve precursors and switch to a T
H
1 phenotype during neuroinflammation.
Ruminal Degradation of Rumen-Protected Glucose Influences the Ruminal Microbiota and Metabolites in Early-Lactation Dairy Cows
Authors: Wang Yapin , Nan Xuemei , Zhao Yiguang , Wang Yue , Jiang Linshu , Xiong Benhai
Published: October 2020

Dairy cows in early lactation are prone to a negative energy balance because their dry matter intake cannot meet the energy requirements of lactation. Rumen-protected glucose is used as an effective feed additive to alleviate the negative energy balance of dairy cows in early lactation. However, one thing that is overlooked is that people often think that rumen-protected glucose is not degraded in the rumen, thus ignoring its impact on the microorganisms in the rumen environment. Our investigation and previous experiments have found that rumen-protected glucose is partially degraded in the rumen. However, there are few reports on this subject. Therefore, we conducted research on this problem and found that rumen-protected glucose supplementation at 350 g/day can promote the development and metabolism of rumen flora. This provides a theoretical basis for the extensive application of rumen bypass glucose at a later stage.
Stress Resistance and Pathogenicity of Nonthermal-Plasma-Induced Viable-but-Nonculturable Staphylococcus aureus through Energy Suppression, Oxidative Stress Defense, and Immune-Escape Mechanisms
Authors: Liao Xinyu , Hu Weicheng , Liu Donghong , Ding Tian
Published: October 2020

The consumer demand for freshness and nutrition has accelerated the development of mild decontamination technologies. The incomplete killing of nonthermal (NT) treatments might induce pathogens to enter into a viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) status as a survival strategy. The use of nonthermal plasma (NTP) as a novel food decontamination technology received increased attention in food industry during recent decades. Our previous work confirmed that the foodborne pathogen
S. aureus
was induced into VBNC status in response to NTP exposure. This work further revealed the development of stress resistance and virulence retention of NTP-induced VBNC
S. aureus
through the mechanisms of energy suppression, oxidative stress defense, and immune escape. The data provide fundamental knowledge of the potential risks posed by NTP-induced VBNC
S. aureus
, which require further parameter optimization of the NTP process or combination with other techniques to avoid the occurrence of VBNC bacteria.
Association between corneal refractive surgery and the prevalence of glaucoma: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012
Authors: Song Jae Shin , Lee Young Bok , Kim Ji-Ah , Lee Eun Ji , Kim Hyunjoong
Published: October 2020

Aim

To determine the relationship between corneal refractive surgery and the prevalence of glaucoma in the Korean population.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a population-based cross-sectional study using a complex, stratified, multistage, probability-cluster survey. This study included 604 eyes that had undergone myopic corneal refractive surgery, and 3389 control eyes without a history of any ocular surgery and having a spherical equivalent (SE) <−3.00 D, obtained from the KNHANES database for the years 2010–2012. Glaucoma diagnosis was based on the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. The association between a history of corneal refractive surgery and the prevalence of glaucoma was analysed using logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Results

Glaucoma prevalence did not differ between eyes that had and had not undergone corneal refractive surgery (p=0.675). After adjusting for age, sex, SE, and intraocular pressure, multivariate logistic regression analysis found that corneal refractive surgery was significantly associated with an increased risk of glaucoma (OR 9.14, p=0.002; 95% CI 2.22 to 37.69). Subgroup analysis that only included control eyes with a refraction cut-off <−3.70 D found that corneal refractive surgery was not significantly associated with glaucoma.

Conclusions

History of corneal refractive surgery was associated with a higher prevalence of glaucoma in the Korean population. However, this association was not observed in eyes with a higher degree of myopia.
UEFA expert group statement on nutrition in elite football. Current evidence to inform practical recommendations and guide future research
Authors: Collins James , Maughan Ronald John , Gleeson Michael , Bilsborough Johann , Jeukendrup Asker , Morton James P , Phillips S M , Armstrong Lawrence , Burke Louise M , Close Graeme L , Duffield Rob , Larson-Meyer Enette , Louis Julien , Medina Daniel , Meyer Flavia , Rollo Ian , Sundgot-Borgen Jorunn , Wall Benjamin T , Boullosa Beatriz , Dupont Gregory , Lizarraga Antonia , Res Peter , Bizzini Mario , Castagna Carlo , Cowie Charlotte M , D"Hooghe Michel , Geyer Hans , Meyer Tim , Papadimitriou Niki , Vouillamoz Marc , McCall Alan
Published: October 2020

Football is a global game which is constantly evolving, showing substantial increases in physical and technical demands. Nutrition plays a valuable integrated role in optimising performance of elite players during training and match-play, and maintaining their overall health throughout the season. An evidence-based approach to nutrition emphasising, a ‘food first’ philosophy (ie, food over supplements), is fundamental to ensure effective player support. This requires relevant scientific evidence to be applied according to the constraints of what is practical and feasible in the football setting. The science underpinning sports nutrition is evolving fast, and practitioners must be alert to new developments. In response to these developments, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has gathered experts in applied sports nutrition research as well as practitioners working with elite football clubs and national associations/federations to issue an expert statement on a range of topics relevant to elite football nutrition: (1) match day nutrition, (2) training day nutrition, (3) body composition, (4) stressful environments and travel, (5) cultural diversity and dietary considerations, (6) dietary supplements, (7) rehabilitation, (8) referees and (9) junior high-level players. The expert group provide a narrative synthesis of the scientific background relating to these topics based on their knowledge and experience of the scientific research literature, as well as practical experience of applying knowledge within an elite sports setting. Our intention is to provide readers with content to help drive their own practical recommendations. In addition, to provide guidance to applied researchers where to focus future efforts.
Convalescent plasma in the management of moderate covid-19 in adults in India: open label phase II multicentre randomised controlled trial (PLACID Trial)
Authors: Agarwal Anup , Mukherjee Aparna , Kumar Gunjan , Chatterjee Pranab , Bhatnagar Tarun , Malhotra Pankaj
Published: October 2020

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of using convalescent plasma to treat moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) in adults in India.

Design

Open label, parallel arm, phase II, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

39 public and private hospitals across India.

Participants

464 adults (≥18 years) admitted to hospital (screened 22 April to 14 July 2020) with confirmed moderate covid-19 (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio between 200 mm Hg and 300 mm Hg or a respiratory rate of more than 24/min with oxygen saturation 93% or less on room air): 235 were assigned to convalescent plasma with best standard of care (intervention arm) and 229 to best standard of care only (control arm).

Interventions

Participants in the intervention arm received two doses of 200 mL convalescent plasma, transfused 24 hours apart. The presence and levels of neutralising antibodies were not measured a priori; stored samples were assayed at the end of the study.

Main outcome measure

Composite of progression to severe disease (PaO2/FiO2<100 mm Hg) or all cause mortality at 28 days post-enrolment.

Results

Progression to severe disease or all cause mortality at 28 days after enrolment occurred in 44 (19%) participants in the intervention arm and 41 (18%) in the control arm (risk difference 0.008 (95% confidence interval −0.062 to 0.078); risk ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.71 to 1.54).

Conclusion

Convalescent plasma was not associated with a reduction in progression to severe covid-19 or all cause mortality. This trial has high generalisability and approximates convalescent plasma use in real life settings with limited laboratory capacity. A priori measurement of neutralising antibody titres in donors and participants might further clarify the role of convalescent plasma in the management of covid-19.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2020/04/024775.
Oregon’s approach to leveraging system-level data to guide a social determinants of health-informed approach to children’s healthcare
Authors: Reuland Colleen P , Collins Jon , Chiang Lydia , Stewart Valerie , Cochran Aaron C , Coon Christopher W , Shinde Deepti , Hargunani Dana
Published: October 2020

Background

Children’s health and healthcare use are impacted by both medical conditions and social factors, such as their home and community environment. As healthcare systems manage a pediatric population, information about these factors is crucial to providing quality care coordination.

Methods

The authors developed a novel methodology combining medical complexity (using the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm) and social complexity (using available family social factors known to impact a child’s health and healthcare use) to create a new health complexity model at both the population-level and individual-level. System-level data from Oregon’s Medicaid Management Information Systems and Integrated Client Services database was analysed, examining claims data and service utilization, to calculate the health complexity of children enrolled in Medicaid/Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) across Oregon.

Results

Of the 390 582 children ages 0 to 17 enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in Oregon from July 2015 to June 2016, 83.4% (n=325 900) had some level of medical and/or social complexity and 22.1% (n=85 839) had health complexity (both medical and social complexity). Statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in health complexity were observed among attributed patients by Oregon’s 16 Coordinated Care Organizations, as well as by a child’s age, county of residence and race/ethnicity.

Conclusions

Given the high proportion of children with health complexity, these findings demonstrate that a large number of Medicaid/CHIP-insured children could benefit from targeted care coordination and differential resource allocation. Reports have been shared with state, county and health system leaders to drive work across the state. This paper describes the collaborative process necessary for other states considering similar work.
Fibrosis, atrial fibrillation and stroke: clinical updates and emerging mechanistic models
Authors: Boyle Patrick M , del Álamo Juan Carlos , Akoum Nazem
Published: October 2020

The current paradigm of stroke risk assessment and mitigation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is centred around clinical risk factors which, in the presence of AF, lead to thrombus formation. The mechanisms by which these clinical risk factors lead to thromboembolism, including any role played by atrial fibrosis, are not understood. In patients who had embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), the problem is compounded by the absence of AF in a majority of patients despite long-term monitoring. Atrial fibrosis has emerged as a unifying mechanism that independently provides a substrate for arrhythmia and thrombus formation. Fibrosis-based computational models of AF initiation and maintenance promise to identify therapeutic targets in catheter ablation. In ESUS, fibrosis is also increasingly recognised as a major risk factor, but the underlying mechanism of this correlation is unclear. Simulations have uncovered potential vulnerability to arrhythmia induction in patients who had ESUS. Likewise, computational models of fluid dynamics representing blood flow in the left atrium and left atrium appendage have improved our understanding of thrombus formation, in particular left atrium appendage shapes and blood flow changes influenced by atrial remodelling. Multiscale modelling of blood flow dynamics based on structural fibrotic and morphological changes with associated cellular and tissue electrical remodelling leading to electromechanical abnormalities holds tremendous promise in providing a mechanistic understanding of the clinical problem of thromboembolisation. We present a review of clinical knowledge alongside computational modelling frameworks and conclude with a vision of a future paradigm integrating simulations in formulating personalised treatment plans for each patient.