bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting effects of soil microbial interactions on growth–defence relationships between early‐ and mid‐successional plant communities
Authors: Geisen Stefan , Heinen Robin , Andreou Elena , van Lent Teun , ten Hooven Freddy C. , Thakur Madhav P.
Published: July 2021

Plants allocate resources to processes related to growth and enemy defence. Simultaneously, they interact with complex soil microbiomes that also affect plant performance. While the influence of individual microbial groups on single plants is increasingly studied, effects of microbial interactions on growth, defence and growth–defence relationships remain unknown, especially at the plant community level.

We investigated how three microbial groups (bacteria, fungi, protists), alone and in full‐factorial combinations, affect plant performance and potential growth–defence relationships by measuring phenolics composition in early‐ and mid‐successional grass and forb communities in a glasshouse experiment.

Microbial groups did not affect plant growth and only fungi increased defence compounds in early‐ and mid‐successional forbs, while grasses were not affected. Shoot biomass–defence relationships were negatively correlated in most microbial treatments in early‐successional forbs, but positively in several microbial treatments in mid‐successional forbs. The growth–defence relationship was generally negative in early‐successional but not in mid‐successional grasses. The presence of different microbiomes commonly removed the observed growth–defence relationships.

We conclude that soil microorganisms and their interactions can shift growth–defence relationships differentially for plant functional groups and the relationships vary between successional stages. Microbial interaction‐induced growth–defence shifts might therefore underlie distinct plant strategies and fitness.
Sleep quality and risk of recurrent aphthous ulcers: A Spanish cohort study
Authors: Tohidinik Hamid Reza , Rodríguez Almudena , Regueira‐Méndez Carlos , Takkouche Bahi
Published: July 2021

Objective

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a condition that affects 20% of the world population and is characterized by painful ulcers in the oral mucosa. So far, the epidemiology and risk factors of RAS have been infrequently studied. Our objective was to determine whether sleep‐related factors are related to the occurrence of RAS in the first prospective study carried out on this topic.

Methods

A cohort of 11210 Spanish students, 13–17 years old, was followed up for one year. Sleep disorders were assessed at baseline using a standard validated questionnaire.

Results

We detected 2655 new cases of RAS with a total of 287,262 person‐week of follow‐up. Subjects with high (4th quartile) Insomnia Index showed an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of RAS of 1.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.45), while subjects with high Hypersomnia Index presented an IRR of 1.42 (95% CI 1.26–1.61). A high score of sleep‐related phenomena was also associated with an increased IRR: 1.53 (95% CI 1.37–1.69). Adolescents with high level of sleep satisfaction were at lower risk of RAS: 0.88 (95% CI 0.77–1.01).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that sleep disorders are moderately associated with RAS in adolescents.
Legislative influence on administrative decision making in Pennsylvania's Abandoned and Orphan Well Plugging Program
Authors: Bang In Sik , Hollibaugh Gary E.
Published: July 2021

To what extent are elected legislators able to influence administrative decision making? Recent research has been divided on this question, with some studies suggesting legislators are effectively unable to influence administrative outcomes, whereas others suggesting influence is common. Here, we examine this question in the context of Pennsylvania's Abandoned and Orphan Well Plugging Program (WPP). Despite the WPP using objective evaluative criteria to prioritize which abandoned and orphan oil and gas wells should be plugged before others, our results suggest legislators are able to influence the WPP's decisions. Specifically, we find that wells are plugged more quickly when the districts in which they are located are represented by (a) more experienced legislators, (b) legislators who sit on the state House or Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committees, and (c) more liberal/Democratic legislators. These results have implications for those interested and involved in the legislative‐administrative nexus.
How Armed Conflict Influences Migration
Authors: Williams Nathalie E. , O'Brien Michelle L. , Yao Xiaozheng
Published: July 2021

The literature on migration during armed conflict is abundant. Yet, the questions of highest policy relevance—how many people will leave because of a conflict and how many more people will be living outside a country because of a conflict—are not well addressed. This article explores these questions using an agent‐based model, a computational simulation that allows us to connect armed conflict to individual behavioral changes and then to aggregate migration flows and migrant stocks. With detailed data from Nepal during the 1996–2006 conflict, we find that out‐migration rates actually decrease on average, largely due to a prior decrease in return migration. Regardless, the stock of migrants outside the country increases modestly during that period. Broadly, this study demonstrates that population dynamics are inherent to and necessary for understanding conflict‐related migration. We conclude with a discussion of the generalizability and policy implications of this study.
Early administration of milrinone ameliorates lung and kidney injury during sepsis in juvenile rats
Authors: Keskin Halil , Tavaci Taha , Halici Hamza , Yuksel Tugba Nurcan , Ozkaraca Mustafa , Bilen Arzu , Kose Duygu , Mendil Ali Sefa , Halici Zekai
Published: July 2021

Background

A sepsis model was created, induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), in juvenile rat groups. Milrinone (MIL), which is known to have a modulatory effect on pro‐inflammatory cytokines, was administered to the designated rat groups in the early period before severe sepsis developed. The study was aimed at investigating the possible protective effects of milrinone on the lung and kidney tissues of rats in the late phase of sepsis.

Methods

The rat pups were divided into seven groups with six animals in each group: (1) healthy rats who received no drug; (2) CLP‐S12 (sacrificed at hour 12); (3) CLP‐S24 (sacrificed at hour 24); (4) CLP‐MIL1‐S12 (administered with 0.5 mg/kg milrinone at hour 1 and sacrificed at hour 12); (5) CLP‐MIL1‐S24 (administered with 0.5 mg/kg milrinone at hour 1 and sacrificed at hour 24): (6) CLP‐MIL12‐S24 (administered with 0.5 mg/kg milrinone at hour 12 and sacrificed at hour 24), (7) and CLP‐MIL1,12‐S24 (administered with 0.5 mg/kg milrinone at hours 1 and 12 and sacrificed at hour 24).

Results

Significant differences were found between the early and late administration of milrinone in terms of both molecular and histopathological results. The results showed that the tissues were significantly preserved in the groups in which milrinone had been started in the early period compared to the sepsis control groups and the groups in which milrinone had been started in the late period.

Conclusions

In addition to the positive inotropic effects of milrinone, its immunomodulatory properties that result in decreased cytokine storm can be beneficial during early period of sepsis.
Recruitment and retention of underrepresented and vulnerable populations to research
Authors: Langer Shelby L. , Castro Felipe González , Chen Angela Chia‐Chen , Davis Kelly Cue , Joseph Rodney P. , Kim Wonsun (Sunny) , Larkey Linda , Lee Rebecca E. , Petrov Megan E. , Reifsnider Elizabeth , Youngstedt Shawn D. , Shaibi Gabriel Q.
Published: July 2021

Per principles outlined in the Belmont Report, research involving human subjects should minimize risks to participants and maximize benefits to participants and society. Recruitment of participants should be equitable. Once enrolled, participants have the right to withdraw at any point. Researchers must balance these principles with pressures to meet enrollment goals and, in the context of repeated‐measures designs, retain participants across time. The purpose of this perspective is to describe the approach and corresponding activities for recruiting and retaining underrepresented and vulnerable populations that are the focus of a transdisciplinary academic research center. To this effort, we offer diverse disciplinary backgrounds, experience working with a wide range of populations (from infants to older adults and across multiple health conditions), and spanning a variety of research designs. Effective strategies offered include partnering with community entities, approaching potential participants where they are and at a time of readiness, using population‐appropriate modes of communication and data collection, conducting study activities in familiar settings and at convenient times, maintaining frequent contact, and offering meaningful incentives. These strategies are consistent with population‐specific reports found in the extant literature and underscore their cross‐cutting nature, with adaptations based on participant and community partner needs and preferences.
Singlet Oxygen: Discovery, Chemistry, C60‐Sensitization†
Authors: Orfanopoulos Michael
Published: July 2021

This review article refers to the discovery of excited molecular oxygen, in particular on its lower singlet excited state (1Δg, 1O2). After a short report on singlet oxygen generation, the review is focused on the chemistry of this reactive species. Specifically, the three major reactions of 1O2 with unsaturated organic substrates, namely the [4 + 2] and [2 +2] cycloadditions as well as the ene reaction, are reviewed. The proposed mechanisms of these reactions, through the years, based on experimental and computational work, have been presented. Selected examples of singlet oxygen‐synthetic applications are also mentioned. The [60]fullerene and fullereno‐materials photosensitized oxidations in homogeneous, as well as in heterogeneous conditions, are also comprehensively discussed. Finally, the self‐sensitized photooxidation of open cage fullerenes as well as fullerenes bearing oxidizable groups is reported.
Singlet Oxygen Generation, Quenching and Reactivity with Metal Thiolates†
Authors: Monsour Charlotte G. , Decosto Cassandra M. , Tafolla‐Aguirre Bliss J. , Morales Luis A. , Selke Matthias
Published: July 2021

Metal thiolate complexes can act as photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen, quenchers of singlet oxygen, and they may undergo chemical reactions with singlet oxygen leading to oxidized thiolate ligands. This review covers all of the chemical reactions of thiolate ligands with singlet oxygen (through early 2021). Since some of these reactions are self‐sensitized photooxidations, singlet oxygen generation by metal complexes is also discussed. Mechanistic features such as the effects of protic vs. aprotic conditions are presented and compared with the comparatively well‐understood photooxidation of organic sulfides. In general, the total rate of singlet oxygen removal correlates with the nucleophilicity of the thiolate ligand which in turn can be influenced by the metal. Some interesting patterns of reactivity have been noted as a result of this survey: Metal thiolate complexes bearing arylthiolate ligands appear to exclusively produce sulfinate (metal‐bound sulfone) products upon reaction with singlet oxygen. In contrast, metal thiolate complexes bearing alkylthiolate ligands may produce sulfinate and/or sulfenate (metal‐bound sulfoxide) products. Several mechanistic pathways have been proposed for these reactions, but the exact nature of any intermediates remains unknown at this time.
Contemporary narrative review of treatment options for COVID‐19
Authors: Shang Lianhan , Lye David Chien , Cao Bin
Published: July 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is ongoing and many drugs have been studied in clinical trials. From a pathophysiological perspective, anti‐viral drugs may be more effective in the early stage while immunomodulators may be more effective in severe patients in later stages of infection. While drugs such as lopinavir‐ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin have proved to be ineffective in randomized controlled trials, corticosteroids, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, remdesivir, tocilizumab and baricitinib have been reported to benefit certain groups of patients with COVID‐19. In this review, we will present the key clinical evidence and progress in promising COVID‐19 therapeutics, as well as summarize the experience and lessons learned from the development of the current therapeutics.
Dynamic Historical Data Borrowing Using Weighted Average
Authors: Chu Chenghao , Yi Bingming
Published: July 2021

In many clinical trials, especially trials in rare diseases or a certain population like paediatric, it is of great interest to incorporate historical data to increase power of evaluating the treatment effect of an experimental drug. In practice, historical data and current data may not be congruent, and borrowing historical data is often associated with bias and Type-1 error rate inflation. It remains a challenge for historical data borrowing methods to control Type-1 error rate inflation at an adequate level and maintain sufficient power at the same time. To address this issue, dynamic historical borrowing methods can borrow historical data more when historical data are similar to current data and less otherwise. This paper proposed to use a weighted average of historical and current control data, with the weight being set as an approximation to the optimal weight that minimizes the mean-squared errors in the treatment effect estimation. Comparing to selected existing methods, the proposed method showed reduced bias, robust gain in power and better control in Type-1 error rate inflation through simulation studies. The proposed method enables the utilization of all possible historical data in the public domain and is readily used by skipping the need for external expert input in some existing approaches.
Unstimulated salivary flow and oral streptococci in pediatric patients with hematological tumors: A longitudinal study
Authors: de Araújo Elza Cristina Farias , Costa Raphael Cavalcante , Ribeiro Isabella Lima Arrais , Almeida Leopoldina de Fátima Dantas de , Serpa Eliane Batista de Medeiros , Valença Ana Maria Gondim
Published: July 2021

Aims

To evaluate the unstimulated salivary flow (USF) and salivary colonization of total Streptococcus spp. (TS) and mutans‐group (MS) in pediatric patients with hematological tumors. Correlations of salivary and microbiological changes with chemotherapy and patient‐related factors were also verified.

Methods and Results

Eligible children (n = 31) were evaluated before (control) and after (2, 5, and 10‐weeks) the chemotherapy protocol was applied. Saliva samples were collected by the traditional spitting method to determine the USF (ml/min). Salivary TS and MS were determined by colony‐forming units (CFU ) counts in a selective medium. The caries experience was evaluated by DMFT/dmft indexes. Data were submitted to Student's t‐test, one‐way ANOVA, and correlation tests (α = 0.05). The USF rate at baseline was 0.89 (±0.73) ml/min with up to 20% reduction during the follow‐up and did not differ statistically during chemotherapy (p  > .05). Chemotherapy did not modify the salivary TS load (p > .05), but induced a dysbiotic shift with higher MS counts (∼ 5 fold‐increase) at 10‐weeks (p < .05). There is a correlation of USF with age (r = .390) and SM load with caries experience (rs = −.540) at 5‐weeks.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy may promote a specific increase of mutans‐group streptococci without changing the Streptococcus spp. load and unstimulated saliva flow. Correlation reinforced the need for further enlightenment about the chemotherapy mechanisms in the salivary and microbiological parameters.
Growth and Welfare under Endogenous Lifetimes*
Authors: Schneider Maik T. , Winkler Ralph
Published: July 2021

We study the role of endogenous healthcare choices by households to extend their expected lifetimes on economic growth and welfare in a decentralized overlapping generations economy with annuitized wealth. We characterize endogenous healthcare spending in the decentralized market equilibrium and its effects on economic growth, and we identify the moral‐hazard effect in healthcare investments when annuity rates are conditioned on average mortality. In a numerical simulation of our model with OECD data from 2005, we find that the moral‐hazard effect can be substantial and implies sizable welfare losses of approximately 1.4–2.8 percent, depending on the share of annuitized retirement wealth.
Location of the targeted lymph node in a mandibular lymphocentrum: A needle aspiration model in canine cadavers
Authors: Bae Sohee , Townsend Katy L. , Milovancev Milan
Published: July 2021

Accurate tumour staging has a profound impact on the care and prognosis of oncologic patients. Due to the presence of multiple lymph nodes (LNs) in the mandibular lymphocentrum, clinicians may not know which specific LN they are sampling during routine fine needle aspirations, which introduces a source of uncertainty in accurately determining patient clinical stage. The objective of this cadaveric study was to determine the success of targeting specific mandibular LNs by palpation alone, verified by computed tomography (CT). A 1.5‐inch, 22‐gauge needle was inserted into the targeted LN (selected by drawing with the equal sample sizes of the left/right mandibular lymphocentrum and the lateral/medial node) and success was evaluated by CT images in transverse, sagittal and dorsal views. The overall success rate of inserting the needle into the targeted LN was 55.9%. One variable was significantly associated with successful needle insertion: lateral (vs. medial) LN location (p = .019). In addition, the distance from the LN to the ventral skin surface in the successful group appeared to be shorter compared to the unsuccessful group (3.37 mm [1.55–6.46] vs. 4.9 mm [1.57–17.79], p = .066). These findings suggest that physical accessibility of the LN is the most important factor for successful needle insertion using palpation. Palpation‐based sampling of specific mandibular LNs is often inaccurate and if targeted sampling of a particular LN is required, additional methods should be used to guide accurate sample acquisition.
Molecular characterization of canine SHP2 mutants and anti‐tumour effect of SHP2 inhibitor, SHP099, in a xenograft mouse model of canine histiocytic sarcoma
Authors: Tani Hiroyuki , Miyamoto Ryo , Nagashima Tomokazu , Michishita Masaki , Tamura Kyoichi , Bonkobara Makoto
Published: July 2021

Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive and highly metastatic neoplasm. Mutations in src homology 2 domain‐containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2; encoded by PTPN11), which recently have been identified in canine HS tumour cells, could be attractive therapeutic targets for SHP099, an allosteric inhibitor of SHP2. Here, molecular characteristics of wild‐type SHP2 and four SHP2 mutants (p.Ala72Gly, p.Glu76Gln, p.Glu76Ala and p.Gly503Val), including one that was newly identified in the present study, were investigated. Furthermore, in vivo effects of SHP099 on a HS cell line carrying SHP2 p.Glu76Ala were examined using a xenograft mouse model. While SHP2 Glu76 mutant cell lines and SHP2 wild‐type/Gly503 mutant cell lines are highly susceptible and non‐susceptible to SHP099, respectively, a cell line carrying the newly identified SHP2 p.Ala72Gly mutation exhibited moderate susceptibility to SHP099. Among recombinant wild‐type protein and four mutant SHP2 proteins, three mutants (SHP2 p.Ala72Gly, p.Glu76Gln, p.Glu76Ala) were constitutively activated, while no activity was detected in wild‐type SHP2 and SHP2 p.Gly503Val. Activities of these constitutively activated proteins were suppressed by SHP099; in particular, Glu76 mutants were highly sensitive. In the xenograft mouse model, SHP099 showed anti‐tumour activity against a SHP2 p.Glu76Ala mutant cell line. Thus, there was heterogeneity in molecular characteristics among SHP2 mutants. SHP2 p.Glu76Ala and perhaps p.Glu76Gln, but not wild‐type SHP2 or SHP2 p.Gly503Val, were considered to be oncogenic drivers targetable with SHP099 in canine HS. Further studies will be needed to elucidate the potential of SHP2 p.Ala72Gly as a therapeutic target of SHP099 in canine HS.
Furuncular myiasis caused by Dermatobiahominis in five cats and efficacy of topical fluralaner for its treatment
Authors: Ribeiro Campos Diefrey , Pereira de Assis Rayane Christine , de Oliveira Chaves Jéssica Karoline , Pereira Salça de Almeida Gabriela , Santos Lima Emily Andressa , de Moraes Intrieri Juliana , Barbour Scott Fabio
Published: July 2021

Background

Dermatobia hominis (D. hominis) is a botfly that causes furuncular myiasis in several species of domestic and wild animals. However, reports of feline infestation by larvae of this dipteran are rare.

Objective

To report the natural occurrence of furuncular myiasis caused by D. hominis in five cats and the efficacy of topical fluralaner for its treatment.

Animals

Five adult mixed‐breed cats (four males, one female) were diagnosed and treated, all living in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Results

The cats were treated with topical fluralaner. After this treatment, the larvae were dead after 24 h in three cats and after 48 h in two. There was spontaneous expulsion of larvae in two cats, and it was necessary to perform manual expression for removal of dead larvae in the other three cats.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Dermatobia hominis can cause furuncular myiasis in cats, although this appears to be less common than in other animal species. Topical fluralaner proved to be effective in the treatment of this parasitic disease.
Problemas del financiamiento subvencionado en la educación inicial de Chile
Authors: Barco Blanca
Published: July 2021

El costo a la educación inicial es un obstáculo para las familias desaventajadas. Los centros de la Red de Oferta Pública en Chile garantizan gratuidad para los niños de 0 a 3 años. Examinando la institucionalidad del financiamiento a centros subvencionados con una aproximación etnográfica, se identifican mecanismos causales en la implementación de esta política. La variabilidad de la asistencia y la lógica de control económico generan prácticas entre las administraciones, centros y familias que promueven un derecho a la educación y ciudadanía en la primera infancia de consumo.
In vivo assessment of pulmonary fibrosis and edema in rodents using the backscatter coefficient and envelope statistics
Authors: Lye Theresa H. , Roshankhah Roshan , Karbalaeisadegh Yasamin , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Egan Thomas M. , Muller Marie , Mamou Jonathan
Published: July 2021

Quantitative ultrasound methods based on the backscatter coefficient (BSC) and envelope statistics have been used to quantify disease in a wide variety of tissues, such as prostate, lymph nodes, breast, and thyroid. However, to date, these methods have not been investigated in the lung. In this study, lung properties were quantified by BSC and envelope statistical parameters in normal, fibrotic, and edematous rat lungs in vivo. The average and standard deviation of each parameter were calculated for each lung as well as the evolution of each parameter with acoustic propagation time within the lung. The transport mean free path and backscattered frequency shift, two parameters that have been successfully used to assess pulmonary fibrosis and edema in prior work, were evaluated in combination with the BSC and envelope statistical parameters. Multiple BSC and envelope statistical parameters were found to provide contrast between control and diseased lungs. BSC and envelope statistical parameters were also significantly correlated with fibrosis severity using the modified Ashcroft fibrosis score as the histological gold standard. These results demonstrate the potential for BSC and envelope statistical parameters to improve the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis and edema as well as monitor pulmonary fibrosis.
Extensional gravity-rheometry (EGR) for yield stress fluids
Authors: Geffrault A. , Bessaies-Bey H. , Roussel N. , Coussot P.
Published: July 2021

In order to measure the extensional rheological properties of yield stress fluids, we developed a rheometrical approach based on the analysis of the deformations of a fluid extrudate flowing downward and breaking in successive elongated drops due to gravity. Assuming the gradients of longitudinal velocity in radial planes are negligible, the local instantaneous strain rate is deduced from the variations of the filament diameter in each cross section, while the normal stress is computed from the acceleration and weight of the material below this point. The observation of the filament profile in time allows us to identify a solid region, in which the deformations tend to saturate, and a liquid region, in which the deformations continuously increase. A further analysis allows us to distinguish the data for which pure elongational stress and strain rate components are effectively dominant so that the elongational flow curve of the material over several decades of the strain rate can be deduced. For two typical yield stress fluids (emulsion and clay suspension) with different internal structures, all the normal stress vs extensional rate data obtained under these different flow conditions fall along a single master curve for each material. This flow curve in elongation appears to be well represented by the standard 3D Herschel–Bulkley model under the condition that a slightly different power of the strain rate than in simple shear is used. For both material types, the elongational yield stress value found in this way is very close to the simple shear yield stress times the square root of 3.
Phase-Specific Force and Time Predictors of Standing Long Jump Distance
Authors: Harry John R. , Krzyszkowski John , Chowning Luke D. , Kipp Kristof
Published: July 2021

This study sought to identify potential predictors of standing long jump (SLJ) performance using force–time strategy metrics within the unloading, eccentric yielding, eccentric braking, and concentric phases. Fifteen National Collegiate Athletic Association division 1 male soccer players (19 [1] y, 1.81 [0.94] m, 80.3 [22.4] kg) performed 3 maximum-effort SLJs, while 3-dimensional ground reaction force (GRF) data were obtained. Regularized regression models were used to investigate associations between force–time strategy metrics and 2 metrics of SLJ performance (ie, jump distance and modified reactive strength index). Jump height and eccentric yielding time were the only predictors of jump distance that also demonstrated large correlations to jump distance. Anterior–posterior unloading yank, average concentric vertical force, and concentric phase duration were the only predictors of modified reactive strength index that also demonstrated large correlations to modified reactive strength index. To maximize SLJ distance in high-level soccer athletes, human performance practitioners could design interventions to drive changes in strategy to increase jump height and decrease eccentric yielding time. To improve SLJ explosiveness, interventions to drive changes in unloading and concentric force application and decrease concentric time could be emphasized. Importantly, unique variable combinations can be targeted when training for SLJ distance and explosiveness adaptations.
The ghosts in the museum
Authors: Wade Lizzie
Published: July 2021

Anthropologists are reckoning with collections of human remains—and the racism that built them
Manipulating matter by strong coupling to vacuum fields
Authors: Garcia-Vidal Francisco J. , Ciuti Cristiano , Ebbesen Thomas W.
Published: July 2021

Captivating cavities

Laser technology is a familiar example of how confining light between two mirrors can tune its properties. Quantum mechanics also dictates that even without extraneous light, matter confined in a cavity resonant with its electronic or vibrational transitions can couple with vacuum electromagnetic field fluctuations. Garcia-Vidal
et al.
review the remarkable and still somewhat mysterious implications of this “strong-coupling” regime, with manifestations ranging from enhanced charge transport to site-selective chemical reactivity across a range of molecular and solid-state materials.

Science
, abd0336, this issue p.
eabd0336
Early origin of sweet perception in the songbird radiation
Authors: Toda Yasuka , Ko Meng-Ching , Liang Qiaoyi , Miller Eliot T. , Rico-Guevara Alejandro , Nakagita Tomoya , Sakakibara Ayano , Uemura Kana , Sackton Timothy , Hayakawa Takashi , Sin Simon Yung Wa , Ishimaru Yoshiro , Misaka Takumi , Oteiza Pablo , Crall James , Edwards Scott V. , Buttemer William , Matsumura Shuichi , Baldwin Maude W.
Published: July 2021

From savory to sweet

Seeing a bird eat nectar from a flower is a common sight in our world. The ability to detect sugars, however, is not ancestral in the bird lineage, where most species were carnivorous. Toda
et al.
looked at receptors within the largest group of birds, the passerines or songbirds, and found that the emergence of sweet detection involved a single shift in a receptor for umami (see the Perspective by Barker). This ancient change facilitated sugar detection not just in nectar feeding birds, but also across the songbird group, and in a way that was different from, though convergent with, that in hummingbirds.

Science
, abf6505, this issue p.
226
; see also abj6746, p.
154
Microbiota modulation to fight cancer
Authors: Baruch Erez N.
Published: July 2021

Gut microbiota transplants promote response in immunotherapy-refractory melanoma
Medical management of silicone oil associated acute postoperative ocular inflammation
Authors: Doctor Mariya Bashir , Parameswarappa Deepika Chennapura , Rani Padmaja Kumari
Published: July 2021

We report a case of a 57-year-old man, who underwent right eye silicone oil injection as a part of his surgical treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Following this, on the first postoperative day, he developed acute postoperative intraocular inflammation. There was circumciliary congestion, diffuse corneal oedema, anterior chamber (AC) reaction, hypopyon and a pupillary membrane. The AC had not been entered during the surgery. No patients, who had been operated on the same day, or with the materials having the same batch number, developed similar reactions. We started the patient on hourly topical steroids and cycloplegics after which the patient’s condition showed gradual improvement. At the 2 weeks follow-up appointment, his pupillary membrane had completely contracted and the AC was quiet. This case highlights a clinical picture of acute postoperative silicone oil-induced ocular inflammation, which was resolved through medical management.
Lethal hyperammonemia in a CAR-T cell recipient due toUreaplasmapneumonia: a case report of a unique severe complication
Authors: Tawfik Pierre , Arndt Patrick
Published: July 2021

We report the first incidence ofUreaplasmainfection causing lethal hyperammonemia in a chimeric receptor antigen T cell (CAR-T) recipient. A 53-year-old woman, after receiving CAR-T therapy, suffered sepsis and encephalopathy. She was found to have hyperammonemia up to 643 µmol/L. Imaging revealed lung consolidations and bronchoalveolar lavage PCR was positive forU. parvum. Workup excluded liver failure and metabolic abnormalities. Antibiotics, lactulose, dextrose, arginine, levocarnitine, sodium phenylbutyrate and dialysis were used. Despite these, the patient suffered persistent elevations in ammonia, status epilepticus and cerebral oedema. Early recognition of this rare infection in susceptible populations is needed. CAR-T patients are at risk due to their immunocompromised state and may have amplified harm due to the impact of CAR-T therapy on astrocytes. An early aggressive multimodality approach is needed given the high mortality rates. These include antimicrobials, possibly with double coverage forUreaplasma. Additionally, concurrent ammonia-suppressing and ammonia-eliminating treatments are necessary.
Case-based audit and feedback around a decision aid improved antibiotic choice and duration for uncomplicated cystitis in primary care clinics
Authors: Grigoryan Larissa , Zoorob Roger , Germanos George , Sidani Mohamad , Horsfield Matthew , Khan Fareed , Zare Mohammad , Goebel Melanie , Atmar Robert , Trautner Barbara
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted stewardship intervention on adherence to the evidence-based practice guidelines on treatment of uncomplicated cystitis in primary care. We hypothesised that our intervention would increase guideline adherence in terms of antibiotic choice and duration of treatment.

Design

A preintervention and postintervention comparison with a contemporaneous control group was performed. During the first two study periods, we obtained baseline data and performed interviews exploring provider prescribing decisions for cystitis at both clinics. During the third period in the intervention clinic only, the intervention included a didactic lecture, a decision algorithm and audit and feedback. We used a difference-in-differences analysis to determine the effects of our intervention on the outcome and guideline adherence to antibiotic choice and duration.

Setting

Two family medicine clinics (one intervention and one control) were included.

Participants

All female patients with uncomplicated cystitis attending the study clinics between 2016 and 2019.

Results

Our sample included 932 visits representing 812 unique patients with uncomplicated cystitis. The proportion of guideline-adherent antibiotic regimens increased during the intervention period (from 33.2% (95% CI 26.9 to 39.9) to 66.9% (95% CI 58.4 to 74.6) in the intervention site and from 5.3% (95% CI 2.3 to 10.1) to 17.0% (95% CI 9.9 to 26.6) in the control site). The increase in guideline adherence was greater in the intervention site compared with the control site with a difference-in-differences of 22 percentage points, p=0.001.

Conclusion

A multifaceted intervention increased guideline adherence for antibiotic choice and duration in greater magnitude than similar trends at the control site. Future research is needed to facilitate scale-up and sustainability of case-based audit and feedback interventions in primary care.
Mortality disparities and deprivation among people with intellectual disabilities in England: 2000–2019
Authors: Tyrer Freya , Morriss Richard , Kiani Reza , Gangadharan Satheesh K , Rutherford Mark J
Published: July 2021

Background

The effect of policy initiatives and deprivation on mortality disparities in people with intellectual disabilities is not clear.

Methods

An electronic health record observational study of linked primary care data in England from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Office for National Statistics deaths data from 2000 to 2019 was undertaken. All-cause and cause-specific mortality for people with intellectual disabilities were calculated by gender and deprivation status (index of multiple deprivation quintile) using direct age-standardised mortality rates (all years) and ratios (SMR; 2000–2009 vs 2010–2019).

Results

Among 1.0 million patients (n=33 844 with intellectual disability; n=980 586 general population without intellectual disability), differential mortality was consistently higher in people with intellectual disabilities and there was no evidence of attenuation over time. There was a dose–response relationship between all-cause mortality and lower deprivation quintile in the general population which was not observed in people with intellectual disabilities. Cause-specific SMR were consistent in both the 2000–2009 and 2010–2019 calendar periods, with a threefold increased risk of death in both males and females with intellectual disabilities (SMR ranges: 2.91–3.51). Mortality was highest from epilepsy (SMR ranges: 22.90–52.74) and aspiration pneumonia (SMR ranges: 19.31–35.44). SMRs were disproportionately high for people with intellectual disabilities living in the least deprived areas.

Conclusions

People with intellectual disabilities in England continue to experience significant mortality disparities and there is no evidence that the situation is improving. Deprivation indicators may not be effective for targeting vulnerable individuals.
Super alkali (OLi3) doped boron nitride with enhanced nonlinear optical behavior
Authors: Raza Ayub Ali , Aqil Shehzad Rao , Alarfaji Saleh S. , Iqbal Javed
Published: July 2021

In this study, density functional theory is used to examine the electronic and nonlinear optical properties of a narrative class boron nitride (B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text]) doped with super alkali OLi3. From the computational investigations, these complexes are highly stable and superalkali prefer a cubic position of the nanocage energetically to be chemisorbed. When superalkali doped on B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text], a significant decrease in the HOMO–LUMO energy gap was observed and this shifted the B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] nanocage from insulator to n-type semiconductor. The HOMO–LUMO energy gap of pure B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] was 6.84[Formula: see text]eV and when superalkali (OLi3) is doped on it, the HOMO–LUMO energy gap was changed in the range of 3.94–0.42[Formula: see text]eV. BNM2b showed a HOMO–LUMO energy gap of 3.94[Formula: see text]eV, while BNM4a showed a minimum HOMO–LUMO energy gap (0.42[Formula: see text]eV). Further, these systems showed a remarkable large first hyperpolarizability ([Formula: see text]) in the range of 626.72–75,757[Formula: see text]au and 1045–12,6261[Formula: see text]au. When the charge was shifted from superalkali to the nanocage, a small change in transition energies has occurred and consequently, hyperpolarizability ([Formula: see text]) values increased significantly. The vertical ionization energy of pure B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] is 7.71[Formula: see text]eV, as superalkali is doped on it showed a significant change in VIE in BNM2b that indicated the highest VIE of about 6.47[Formula: see text]eV and BNM4a indicated lowest VIE 2.51[Formula: see text]eV. The TD-DFT investigations described that complexes illustrated greater transparency in the UV part which involves apart from greater NLO response for practical applications in the area of activity of optoelectronics.
Sensitivity analysis in the infinite dimensional Heston model
Authors: Benth Fred Espen , Di Nunno Giulia , Simonsen Iben Cathrine
Published: July 2021

We consider the infinite dimensional Heston stochastic volatility model proposed in Ref. 7. The price of a forward contract on a non-storable commodity is modeled by a generalized Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process in the Filipović space with this volatility. We prove a representation formula for the forward price. Then we consider prices of options written on these forward contracts and we study sensitivity analysis with computation of the Greeks with respect to different parameters in the model. Since these parameters are infinite dimensional, we need to reinterpret the meaning of the Greeks. For this we use infinite dimensional Malliavin calculus and a randomization technique.
Influence of Social and Environmental Responsibility in Energy Efficiency Management for Smart City
Authors: Zang Huiyi , Chandru Vignesh C , Alfred Daniel J
Published: July 2021

Sustainability is becoming one of the organizational plans of intelligent communities. They represent the critical approach to a prosperous future. In another direction, the smart city is aimed at tackling renewable energy challenges. This research explores energy conservation’s impact from a labour market viewpoint of the Efficient Smart Cities model. The study meets the study divide on developing the power manager career in cities environmentally urban paradigm. This research’s primary purpose is to establish a current detailed approach to certification bodies’ skills that focus on new technology.

The proposed Social and environmental responsibility in energy efficiency management for the Smart City (SER-EEM) framework represents the convergence between the conceptual and functional methods. For the presentation of labour market scientific studies, qualitative data were shown. The conclusion is that conservation and cloud computing are the central components of the Sustainable Smart City model. Work market analysis divided energy executives into developing nation’s expertise in terms of quantity and composition of production, and matching criteria for qualification were identified. The power management’s capability model comprises many core categories related to particular expertise, social competencies and behavioural competencies. By incorporating this study of resource management skills in industrial and non-commercial companies such as educational institutions and training classes, current research results will lead to development and awareness.
A Bayesian test for seasonality in medical data
Authors: Marrero Osvaldo
Published: July 2021

In medical research, the results from seasonality analyses provide valuable information that eventually can help to clarify the etiology of poorly understood diseases. We present a Bayesian procedure for the analysis of seasonal variation in medical data. The method is a Bayesian version of a frequentist test that performs very well. Statistical seasonality analyses of medical data often involve a short time series, 12 observations with small amplitude and small sample size. Among the specialized procedures already developed for such analyses, only one is Bayesian; the method we present in this paper appears to be the second such Bayesian procedure. Easy to understand and apply, the method is versatile because it can be used to analyze different types of seasonal variation. We illustrate the procedure’s application with two examples of real data.
About this title - Mineralization and Sustainable Development in the West African Craton: From Field Observations to Modelling
Authors: Aïfa T.
Published: July 2021

This Special Publication combines results obtained by interdisciplinary groups from numerous academic institutions working on Paleoproterozoic formations to decipher the origins of the main mineralization resources in the West African Craton (WAC) and their impacts on African economic development. Structural, geophysical, sedimentological, stratigraphical, geochemical, petrophysical and mineralogical analyses have been used to highlight the complexities involved in mineralization emplacement and its origin and evolution within the WAC. Fourteen articles contribute to new knowledge in mineral research. They show that the geodynamic evolution of the WAC is complex from one area to another: it involves subduction, collision and obduction during several deformation phases ranging from Birimian (2.3–2.0 Ga) to Pan-African (650–450 Ma) events. Various modelling techniques, when integrated, help in understanding the mechanisms of mineralization emplacement, some of which are still a matter of debate. The challenge for further studies is mitigation for sustainable development that can be appropriately used to minimize such damage.
Computer-aided Design Techniques for Flow-based Microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip Systems
Authors: Huang Xing , Ho Tsung-Yi , Guo Wenzhong , Li Bing , Chakrabarty Krishnendu , Schlichtmann Ulf
Published: July 2021

As one of the most promising lab-on-a-chip systems, flow-based microfluidic biochips are being increasingly used for automatically executing various laboratory procedures in biology and biochemistry, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, point-of-care diagnosis, and so on. As manufacturing technology advances, the characteristic dimensions of biochip systems keep shrinking, and tens of thousands of microvalves can now be integrated into a coin-sized microfluidic platform, making the conventional manual-based chip design no longer applicable. Accordingly, computer-aided design (CAD) of microfluidics has attracted considerable research interest in the EDA community over the past decade. This review article presents recent advances in the design automation of biochips, involving CAD techniques for architectural synthesis, wash optimization, testing, fault diagnosis, and fault-tolerant design. With the help of these CAD tools, chip designers can be released from the burden of complex, large-scale design tasks. Meanwhile, new chip architectures can be explored automatically to open new doors to meet requirements from future large-scale biological experiments and medical diagnosis. We discuss key trends and directions for future research that are related to enable microfluidics to reach its full potential, thus further advancing the development and progression of the microfluidics industry.
Reverse-Safe Text Indexing
Authors: Bernardini Giulia , Chen Huiping , Fici Gabriele , Loukides Grigorios , Pissis Solon P.
Published: July 2021

We introduce the notion of reverse-safe data structures. These are data structures that prevent the reconstruction of the data they encode (i.e., they cannot be easily reversed). A data structure
D
is called
z
-
reverse-safe
when there exist at least
z
datasets with the same set of answers as the ones stored by
D
. The main challenge is to ensure that
D
stores as many answers to useful queries as possible, is constructed efficiently, and has size close to the size of the original dataset it encodes. Given a text of length
n
and an integer
z
, we propose an algorithm that constructs a
z
-reverse-safe data structure (
z
-RSDS) that has size
O(n)
and answers decision and counting pattern matching queries of length at most
d
optimally, where
d
is maximal for any such
z
-RSDS. The construction algorithm takes
O(nɷ log d)
time, where
ɷ
is the matrix multiplication exponent. We show that, despite the
nɷ
factor, our engineered implementation takes only a few minutes to finish for million-letter texts. We also show that plugging our method in data analysis applications gives insignificant or no data utility loss. Furthermore, we show how our technique can be extended to support applications under realistic adversary models. Finally, we show a
z
-RSDS for decision pattern matching queries, whose size can be sublinear in
n
. A preliminary version of this article appeared in ALENEX 2020.
The Future of Solar Neutrinos
Authors: Orebi Gann Gabriel D. , Zuber Kai , Bemmerer Daniel , Serenelli Aldo
Published: July 2021

In this article we review the current state of the field of solar neutrinos, including flavor oscillations, nonstandard effects, solar models, cross section measurements, and the broad experimental program thus motivated and enabled. We describe the historical discoveries that contributed to current knowledge, and define critical open questions to be addressed in the next decade. We discuss standard solar models, including uncertainties and problems related to the solar composition, and review experimental and model solar neutrino fluxes, including future prospects. We review the state of the art of the nuclear reaction data relevant for solar fusion in the proton–proton chain and carbon–nitrogen–oxygen cycle. Finally, we review the current and future experimental programs that can address outstanding questions in this field.