bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐Hla donor‐specific antibody monitoring in pancreas transplantation: Role of protocol biopsies
Authors: Uva Pablo Daniel , Quevedo Alejandra , Roses Josefina , Toniolo María Fernanda , Pilotti Roxana , Chuluyan Eduardo , Casadei Domingo H.
Published: June 2020

In kidney transplantation, de novo donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) correlate with poor graft survival, and Consensus Guidelines recommend a protocol biopsy. In pancreas transplantation, DSA are also associated with poor graft outcomes; however, there are no recommendations on protocol biopsies. We started an antibody screening protocol on pancreas transplant patients at 0, 3, 6, 12 months, and yearly. Patients with DSA or high MFI non‐DSA were considered for protocol biopsies of both organs. Results: 143 pancreas recipients were screened. 84 patients had negative antibodies throughout the study, 11 patients were found to have antibodies at graft dysfunction, and 48 patients had positive antibodies at screening without acute organ dysfunction (study group). Among the 30 non‐DSA patients, 9 had protocol simultaneous pancreas and kidney biopsies performed with negative results in all of them. In contrast, among the 18 DSA patients, 15 had these biopsies performed, and 47% presented with subclinical rejection of the kidney, the pancreas, or both. In addition, some of the DSA patients without a protocol biopsy presented with rejection during the first 15 months of follow‐up. Conclusion: We conclude that protocol biopsies of both grafts may play a role in the follow‐up of pancreas transplant patients with de novo DSA appearance.
A case of classical Hodgkin lymphoma‐type of Richter transformation with prolonged survival: Fine needle aspiration findings and mimickers
Authors: da Mata Sara , Melo Daniel , Barroca Helena
Published: June 2020

The reported case regards a rare and diagnostically challenging case of Hodgkin lymphoma‐type of Richter transformation in which cytology played a crucial role. The authors discuss the differential diagnosis, highlighting the differences between chronic lymphocytic leukemia with Reed Sternberg cells and Hodgkin lymphoma‐type Richter transformation.
Assessing adaptive and plastic responses in growth and functional traits in a 10‐year‐old common garden experiment with pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) suggests that directional selection can drive climatic adaptation
Authors: George Jan‐Peter , Theroux‐Rancourt Guillaume , Rungwattana Kanin , Scheffknecht Susanne , Momirovic Nevena , Neuhauser Lea , Weißenbacher Lambert , Watzinger Andrea , Hietz Peter
Published: June 2020

Understanding how tree species will respond to a future climate requires reliable and quantitative estimates of intra‐specific variation under current climate conditions. We studied three 10‐year‐old common garden experiments established across a rainfall and drought gradient planted with nearly 10,000 pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) trees from ten provenances with known family structure. We aimed at disentangling adaptive and plastic responses for growth (height and diameter at breast height) as well as for leaf and wood functional traits related to adaptation to dry environments. We used restricted maximum likelihood approaches to assess additive genetic variation expressed as narrow‐sense heritability (h2), quantitative trait differentiation among provenances (QST), and genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GxE). We found strong and significant patterns of local adaptation in growth in all three common gardens, suggesting that transfer of seed material should not exceed a climatic distance of approximately 1°C under current climatic conditions, while transfer along precipitation gradients seems to be less stringent. Moreover, heritability reached 0.64 for tree height and 0.67 for dbh at the dry margin of the testing spectrum, suggesting significant additive genetic variation of potential use for future selection and tree breeding. GxE interactions in growth were significant and explained less phenotypic variation than origin of seed source (4% versus 10%). Functional trait variation among provenances was partly related to drought regimes at provenances origins but had moderate explanatory power for growth. We conclude that directional selection, either naturally or through breeding, is the most likely and feasible outcome for pedunculate oak to adapt to warmer and drier climate conditions in the future.
Neoliberal motherhood during the pandemic: Some reflections
Authors: Güney‐Frahm Irem
Published: June 2020

In this article, I argue that there are at least three essential elements that inform the idealized mother figure today and I reflect upon the effects the COVID‐19 pandemic has on each of these elements. The three essential elements in the contemporary understanding of motherhood reflect neoliberal concerns and are related to mothers’ unpaid work, the female body and mothers’ participation in the labour market. These three elements have been distilled with the help of secondary literature and are based on initial observations and interview results that had been conducted as part of an ongoing research project on contemporary motherhood practices of upper‐middle‐class mothers from Switzerland, Turkey and Germany. Consequently, the focus in this article lies on upper‐class and upper‐middle‐class women. In contrast to optimistic visions that envision the end of neoliberalism, I argue that the neoliberal understanding of motherhood is likely to persist and to re‐emerge as the dominant model of motherhood in the wake of the pandemic.
Ecofriendly synthesis of MWCNTs by electric arc in aqueous medium: Comparative study of 6B pencil and mineral graphite
Authors: Kaufmann Claudir Gabriel , Zampiva Rúbia Young Sun , Arcaro Sabrina , Wermuth Tiago Bender , Anzanello Michel J. , Acauan Luiz Henrique , Alves Annelise Kopp , Bergmann Carlos Pérez , Mortari Sergio Roberto
Published: June 2020

The production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by electric arc discharge (EA) usually applies pure mineral graphite (PMG) as the precursor electrode due to its high‐purity and conductivity. This work investigated the versatility of EA in aqueous medium for the production of CNTs by varying the electrodes purity degree. In this way, a variety of domestic and industrial graphite waste can be recycled into high‐quality CNTs by adjusting the EA parameters. CNTs were synthesized using 6B pencil (6BP, ~57% graphite) and their quality and quantity were compared to the PMG (99.995%) production. PMG led to short CNTs (ID/IG 0.266), while the synthesis with 6BP led to long CNTs (ID/IG 0.428). The 6BP CNTs showed elevated quality for application in the electronic, biomedical, and optical fields.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of sintering of Y2O3
Authors: Nakajima Kimiko , Castro Ricardo H. R.
Published: June 2020

Surface energy (γS) and grain boundary energy (γGB) of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) were determined by analyzing the heat of sintering (ΔHsintering) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The data allowed quantification of sintering driving forces, which when combined with a thorough kinetic analysis of the process, provide better understanding of Y2O3 densification as well as insights into effective strategies to improve its sinterability. The quantitative thermodynamic study revealed moderate thermodynamic driving force for densification in Y2O3 (as compared to other oxides) represented by a dihedral angle of 152.7° calculated from its surface and grain boundary energies. The activation energy was determined as 307 ± 61 kJ/mol, consistent with activation energies previously reported for processes relevant to sintering of Y2O3, such as Y3+ diffusion and grain boundary mobility. Finally, we propose that a refined deconvolution study on the DSC curve for Y2O3 sintering, combined with the associated material's microstructure evolution, may help identify shifts in sintering mechanisms, and therefore, specific activation energies at increasing temperatures.
The proportion of understaffing and increased nursing workload are associated with multiple organ failure: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jansson Miia , Ohtonen Pasi , Syrjälä Hannu , Ala‐Kokko Tero
Published: June 2020

Aims

To determine whether nurse staffing and nursing workload are associated with multiple organ failure and mortality.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This study was conducted in a single tertiary‐level teaching hospital during 2008–2017. The association between nurse staffing, nursing workload and prognosis was determined using daily nurse‐to‐patient ratios, Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores, Intensive Care Nursing Scoring System scores and Intensive Care Nursing Scoring System indexes. In addition, the timing of intensive care unit admission was considered. Multiple organ failure was defined according to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score.

Results

During the study period, 10,230 patients were included in the final analysis. Generally, the mean daily highest Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score and Intensive Care Nursing Scoring System score were significantly higher in patients with multiple organ failure and in non‐survivors. The proportion of understaffing was significantly more common in patients with multiple organ failure than in those without. The mean daily lowest nurse‐to‐patient ratio and the mean daily highest Intensive Care Nursing Scoring System index did not differ between survivors and non‐survivors. The levels of nursing associated with workload and understaffing were at their worst on weekends.

Conclusions

The proportion of understaffing and increased nursing workload are associated with multiple organ failure, demonstrating that an adequate level of nurse staffing in relation to patient complexity is a prerequisite for the availability and quality of critical care services. The proportion of understaffing did not differ between survivors and non‐survivors.

Impact

This is the first study that evaluates nurse staffing and nursing workload as potential risk factors for multiple organ failure and mortality. There is a need to ensure that intensive care units are consistently staffed based on real patient needs, 7 days a week and that personnel and services are available at all times for high‐risk patients.
The Last Mile: Managing Driver Helper Dispatching for Package Delivery Services
Authors: Lu Shih‐Hao , Suzuki Yoshinori , Clottey Toyin
Published: June 2020

Hiring seasonal driver helpers is one widely used approach by parcel delivery companies to deal with increased home‐delivery volumes during peak seasons. Nonetheless, driver helper‐related issues have not received much attention in academic research. This study investigates how driver helpers can be utilized in the most effective way by parcel delivery companies. We show that by separating a parcel delivery route into two sub‐routes, namely “no‐helper” and “with‐helper” routes, the utilization rates of driver helpers can be improved, and the carrier cost be reduced considerably. Three main contributions of this study are as follows. First, based on costtrade‐off insights, we develop a new mathematical model for the last‐mile distribution problem, which we call the Driver Helper Dispatching Problem. Second, using this mathematical model, we perform a series of numerical experiments to identify the conditions under which the proposed “split‐route solution” works most or least effectively. Finally, we perform sensitivity analyses to investigate the impact that changes in model parameters, such as fuel cost, would have on study results.
Application of mesenchymal stem cell exosomes and their drug‐loading systems in acute liver failure
Authors: Zhang Shuqin , Hou Yu , Yang Jing , Xie Denghui , Jiang Linrui , Hu Huazhong , Hu Jingjing , Luo Caizhu , Zhang Qun
Published: June 2020

Stem cell exosomes are nanoscale membrane vesicles released from stem cells of various origins that can regulate signal transduction pathways between liver cells, and their functions in intercellular communication have been recognized. Due to their natural substance transport properties and excellent biocompatibility, exosomes can also be used as drug carriers to release a variety of substances, which has great prospects in the treatment of critical and incurable diseases. Different types of stem cell exosomes have been used to study liver diseases. Due to current difficulties in the treatment of acute liver failure (ALF), this review will outline the potential of stem cell exosomes for ALF treatment. Specifically, we reviewed the pathogenesis of acute liver failure and the latest progress in the use of stem cell exosomes in the treatment of ALF, including the role of exosomes in inhibiting the ALF inflammatory response and regulating signal transduction pathways, the advantages of stem cell exosomes and their use as a drug‐loading system, and their pre‐clinical application in the treatment of ALF. Finally, the clinical research status of stem cell therapy for ALF and the current challenges of exosome clinical transformation are summarized.
A qualitative study exploring the experience of viewing three‐dimensional medical images during an orthopaedic outpatient consultation from the perspective of patients, health care professionals, and lay representatives
Authors: Phelps Emma E. , Wellings Richard , Kunar Melina , Hutchinson Charles , Griffiths Frances
Published: June 2020

Rationale, aims and objectives

Three‐dimensional (3D) medical images are shown to patients during clinical consultations about certain health conditions. However, little is known about patients' experience of viewing them. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the impact of sharing 3D medical images with patients during a clinical consultation about hip surgery, from the perspective of patients, health care professionals, and lay representatives.

Method

Interviews were conducted with 14 patients who were shown their own 3D medical images during their clinical consultation and four health care professionals conducting consultations within one orthopaedic outpatient clinic. In addition to interviews, 31 lay representatives participated in six focus groups. The focus groups aimed to gain a broader understanding of the advantages and concerns of showing patients their medical images and to compare 3D and two‐dimensional (2D) medical images. Interviews and focus groups were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were developed from the data: (a) the truthful image, (b) the empowering image, and (c) the unhelpful image. Focus group participants' preference for 3D or 2D images varied between conditions and groups, suggesting that the experience of viewing images may differ between individuals and conditions.

Conclusions

When shown to patients during an orthopaedic clinical consultation, 3D medical images may be an empowering resource. However, in this study, patients and focus group participants perceived medical images as factual and believed they could provide evidence of a diagnoses. This perception could result in overreliance in imaging tests or disregard for other forms of information.
An updated geographic distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis (Hofer, 1903) (Bivalvulida: Myxobolidae) and the first diagnosed case of whirling disease in wild‐caught trout in the south‐eastern United States
Authors: Ksepka Steven P. , Rash Jacob M. , Simcox Brandon L. , Besler Doug A. , Dutton Haley R. , Warren Micah B. , Bullard Stephen A.
Published: June 2020

Myxobolus cerebralis (Bivalvulida: Myxobolidae), the aetiological agent of salmonid whirling disease, was detected in 2 river basins of North Carolina during 2015, which initiated the largest spatial–temporal monitoring project for the disease ever conducted within the south‐eastern United States (focused mainly in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina). A total of 2072 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, 1,004 brown trout Salmo trutta and 468 brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were screened from 113 localities within 7 river basins during June 2017 through October 2019. Infections were detected by pepsin–trypsin digest, microscopy and the species‐specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 19 localities across 6 river basins. Myxospore morphology was indistinguishable from the published literature. In 2019, five rainbow trout that symptomatic for whirling disease (sloping neurocranium and lordosis) were captured and processed for histopathology. Myxospores were detected in the calvarial cartilage of two deformed trout with associated erosion of the cartilage consistent with reported whirling disease lesions. This is the first report of M. cerebralis in Tennessee and the first histologically confirmed cases of whirling disease in southern Appalachian (south‐eastern United States) rivers and streams and expands the distribution of M. cerebralis throughout western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
The right tool for the job: problems and solutions in visualizing sociological theory
Authors: Brett Gordon , Silver Daniel , Beelen Kaspar
Published: June 2020

The visualization of social theory is an important part of the development and communication of our theoretical ideas. While most theorists use figures of some kind, few if any have formal training, or guiding rules or principles for the representation of theory. This has often led to poor visualization efforts, and the visual culture of sociology continues to lag behind the natural sciences. The intent of this paper is to serve as a practical and empirically aided guide for social theorists, by providing insights surrounding the cognitive and perceptual properties of certain elements and figures. Through these properties we identify four major problems in theory visualization: vagueness, reduction, unwanted spatial inferences and unwanted metaphorical inferences. We offer solutions to these problems, and to improving theory visualization more generally. Our hope is that this paper will serve as a resource for more thoughtful and informed visualization for practicing social theorists.
Potential of ileal bile acid transporter inhibition as a therapeutic target in Alagille syndrome and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis
Authors: Kamath Binita M. , Stein Philip , Houwen Roderick H. J. , Verkade Henkjan J.
Published: June 2020

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) are rare, inherited cholestatic liver disorders that manifest in infants and children and are associated with impaired bile flow (ie cholestasis), pruritus and potentially fatal liver disease. There are no effective or approved pharmacologic treatments for these diseases (standard medical treatments are supportive only), and new, noninvasive options would be valuable. Typically, bile acids undergo biliary secretion and intestinal reabsorption (ie enterohepatic circulation). However, in these diseases, disrupted secretion of bile acids leads to their accumulation in the liver, which is thought to underlie pruritus and liver‐damaging inflammation. One approach to reducing pathologic bile acid accumulation in the body is surgical biliary diversion, which interrupts the enterohepatic circulation (eg by diverting bile acids to an external stoma). These procedures can normalize serum bile acids, reduce pruritus and liver injury and improve quality of life. A novel, nonsurgical approach to interrupting the enterohepatic circulation is inhibition of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT), a key molecule in the enterohepatic circulation that reabsorbs bile acids from the intestine. IBAT inhibition has been shown to reduce serum bile acids and pruritus in trials of paediatric cholestatic liver diseases. This review explores the rationale of inhibition of the IBAT as a therapeutic target, describes IBAT inhibitors in development and summarizes the current data on interrupting the enterohepatic circulation as treatment for cholestatic liver diseases including ALGS and PFIC.
Reconciling Candidate Extremism and Spatial Voting
Authors: Highton Benjamin , Stone Walter J.
Published: June 2020

We propose a modified spatial‐voting rule to explain why congressional candidates adopt more extreme ideological positions than their constituents' preferences. Our model accepts the standard spatial‐voting model with one critical exception: voters in the same party as a candidate tolerate extremism without imposing an electoral penalty. This, in turn, creates “leeway” for candidates to adopt extreme positions as they increasingly depend on voters from their own party. Electoral simulations demonstrate that a key election‐level implication of this model is that it explains candidate polarization without relying on institutional factors like primary elections. Finally, we show that asymmetry in perceptual bias is one possible mechanism and that real‐world patterns of ideological representation are consistent with our simulation results.
Role of recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in diagnosing Aspergillus sensitisation among asthmatics
Authors: Muthu Valliappan , Singh Pawan , Choudhary Hansraj , Dhooria Sahajal , Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Prasad Kuruswamy Thurai , Aggarwal Ashutosh Nath , Garg Mandeep , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: June 2020

Background

The diagnosis of Aspergillus‐sensitised asthma (ASA) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is made using IgE against crude antigens of A fumigatus (cAsp). However, the IgE against cAsp has limitations due to cross‐reactivity with other fungi.

Objective

To evaluate the utility of recombinant A fumigatus (rAsp) antigens in detecting ASA and their role in differentiating true from cross‐sensitisation.

Methods

We performed IgE against rAsp (f 1, f 2, f 3, f 4 and f 6), cAsp and other fungal (Alternaria, Candida, Cladosporium, Malassezia and Trichophyton) antigens in subjects with A fumigatus‐unsensitised asthma (Af‐UA [n = 51]), ASA (n = 71) and ABPA (n = 123). The diagnoses were made using cAsp‐IgE and compared using rAsp‐IgE. Subjects with elevated cAsp‐IgE, but negative rAsp f 1 and f 2, were presumed to lack true A fumigatus sensitisation.

Results

The prevalence of any rAsp antigen positivity (cut‐off, 0.35 kUA/L) varied from 2%‐22%, 32%‐73% and 84%‐98% for Af‐UA, ASA and ABPA, respectively. The prevalence of sensitisation to other fungi ranged from 29%‐65%, 59%‐85% and 87%‐95%, respectively, among subjects with Af‐UA, ASA and ABPA. Nineteen subjects of ASA and one subject with ABPA were positive with cAsp‐IgE but negative for rAsp f 1 and f 2 and were also cross‐sensitised to at least one of the other fungi. Five subjects of Af‐UA (cAsp‐IgE negative) were rAsp f 1 or f 2 positive.

Conclusions

Crude Aspergillus antigens may misclassify Aspergillus sensitisation among asthmatics. IgE against rAsp antigens (f 1 and f 2) potentially detect true Aspergillus sensitisation and could be used for this purpose.
Evolution of Class II TCP genes in perianth bearing Piperales and their contribution to the bilateral calyx in Aristolochia
Authors: Pabón‐Mora Natalia , Madrigal Yesenia , Alzate Juan F. , Ambrose Barbara A. , Ferrándiz Cristina , Wanke Stefan , Neinhuis Christoph , González Favio
Published: June 2020

Controlled spatiotemporal cell division and expansion are responsible for floral bilateral symmetry. Genetic studies have pointed to class II TCP genes as major regulators of cell division and floral patterning in model core eudicots.

Here we study their evolution in perianth‐bearing Piperales and their expression in Aristolochia, a rare occurrence of bilateral perianth outside eudicots and monocots.

The evolution of class II TCP genes reveals single‐copy CYCLOIDEA‐like genes and three paralogs of CINCINNATA (CIN) in early diverging angiosperms. All class II TCP genes have independently duplicated in Aristolochia subgenus Siphisia. Also CIN2 genes duplicated before the diversification of Saruma and Asarum. Sequence analysis shows that CIN1 and CIN3 share motifs with Cyclin proteins and CIN2 genes have lost the miRNA319a binding site.

Expression analyses of all paralogs of class II TCP genes in Aristolochia fimbriata point to a role of CYC and CIN genes in maintaining differential perianth expansion during mid‐ and late flower developmental stages by promoting cell division in the distal and ventral portion of the limb. It is likely that class II TCP genes also contribute to cell division in the leaf, the gynoecium and the ovules in A. fimbriata.
Do betel quid and areca nut chewing deteriorate prognosis of oral cancer? A systematic review, meta‐analysis, and research agenda
Authors: Yang Jun , Wang Zi‐Yu , Huang Long , Yu Tao‐Lin , Wan Shu‐Qian , Song Juan , Zhang Bing‐Liang , Hu Ming
Published: June 2020

Objective

To explore the correlations between the habit of betel quid and areca nut (BQ‐AN) chewing and the prognosis of oral cancer (OC).

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to clarify this issue. Data searches were performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, and Embase databases through November 2019. The primary outcome was the difference in the prognosis of OC between BQ‐AN chewers and non‐chewers, measured in terms of 5‐year overall survival (OS) and 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) log (HR) reported in articles. The pooled HR with 95% CI of 5‐year OS and 5‐year DSS was calculated using a fixed‐effects model.

Results

Ten articles with eleven OS or DSS survival studies (one of the articles contained two studies), which were published between 2003 and 2017, were eligible for inclusion in the present study. All the 11 studies were observational studies, among which 10 were retrospective and 1 was prospective. One study measured both OS and DSS. Eight studies, with a total of 2,761 patients, used 5‐year OS as the primary endpoint and four studies, with a total of 2,551 patients, used 5‐year DSS. Overall, the pooled HR evaluating BQ‐AN chewers was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.09–1.46) for 5‐year OS and 1.40 (95% CI: 1.15–1.70) for 5‐year DSS, compared with non‐chewers. There was a significant association between BQ‐AN chewing and OC survival.

Conclusions

Betel quid and areca nut chewing is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with OC.
A Simple Ni‐based Metal–organic Framework as Catalyst for Dye‐sensitized Photocatalytic H2 Evolution from Water Reduction
Authors: Liu Xing , Lv Xujiao , Lai Hua , Peng Gang , Yi Zhengji , Li Junhua
Published: June 2020

Metal–organic frameworks (MOF) are recently developed coordination porous materials, and their unique structures are very conducive to catalytic reactions. In this paper, p‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (PBA)‐Ni2+ MOF materials (denoted as PBA‐Ni‐x, where x represents the initial ratio of PBA to Ni2+) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and N2 gas adsorption. H2 gas was produced using the synthesized MOF as a photocatalyst and Eosin Y as a photosensitizer. The dependence of the special surface area and thickness of the nanosheets of Ni‐MOF on the initial ratio of PBA to Ni2+ (PBA/Ni2+) was investigated. The BET surface areas of PBA‐Ni‐1 PBA‐Ni‐2 and PBA‐Ni‐3 are 11.00, 24.61 and 13.04 m2 g−1, respectively. And the thicknesses of nanosheets are approximately 600–1000, 200–500 and 300–700 nm. Among the three materials, PBA‐Ni‐2 has the thinnest sheet‐like structure and largest surface area. Thus, it displays the highest H2 evolution rate of 20.0 μmol h−1. The noble‐metal‐free hydrogen production system is valuable for the application of MOF materials in photocatalytic water splitting.
Blue and UV‐B light synergistically induce anthocyanin accumulation by co‐activating nitrate reductase gene expression in Anthocyanin fruit (Aft) tomato
Authors: Kim M.‐J. , Kim P. , Chen Y. , Chen B. , Yang J. , Liu X. , Kawabata S. , Wang Y. , Li Y.
Published: June 2020

The tomato accession LA1996, which carries a dominant allele of anthocyanin fruit (Aft) locus, accumulates anthocyanins in the epidermis of fruits when exposed to sunlight. The involvement of blue, UV‐A, UV‐B and a combination of these wavelengths on anthocyanin accumulation and the molecular mechanism of their regulation was investigated in LA1996. The most effective treatment for inducing anthocyanin biosynthesis in Aft fruits was co‐irradiation with blue and UV‐B (blue + UV‐B) light. Finding the correlated genes is an important approach towards understanding their molecular mechanisms.

In the present study, the nitrate reductase (NR) gene SlNIA was isolated using RNA‐seq profiling of Aft fruits given different light treatments. The functions of NR‐mediated anthocyanin induction by blue + UV‐B were confirmed using a series of chemical treatments, followed by assessment of NR activity and nitric oxide (NO) detection.

The expression of NR was highly induced by blue + UV‐B, and this specificity was also confirmed with the enzyme activity of NR and the NO concentration. The NR inhibitors, which reduce NO generation, the expression levels of anthocyanin related genes and decreased anthocyanin accumulation in LA1996.

Our results suggest that NR plays a key role in blue + UV‐B‐mediated anthocyanin accumulation in LA1996 fruits.
Coproduction during and after the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Will It Last?
Authors: Steen Trui , Brandsen Taco
Published: June 2020

Coproduction is flourishing under COVID‐19, but can we expect it to last? Most likely, in post‐COVID‐19 times, people and institutions will easily slip back into business as usual. This essay addresses the relevance of coproduction under COVID‐19 and argues for the need for coproduction initiatives to persist well beyond the pandemic. The conditions that made coproduction emerge are likely to change as emergency regulations and funds are abandoned and the sense of urgency disappears. Areas of public life where there could be a more lasting effect are those where the basic conditions for successful coproduction are already in place and only a push was necessary for coproduction to take off. These conditions include basic commitment, complementarity, and supportive regulative frameworks, all of which can be sustained beyond the crisis with targeted choices and sufficient support.
The structural validity of the IKDC and its relationship with quality of life following ACL reconstruction
Authors: Williams Tom , Burley Daniel , Evans Lynne , Robertson Angus , Hardy Lew , Roy Stuart , Lewis Daniel
Published: June 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the structural validity of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form in light of previously reported dimensionality issues, and (b) examine the relationships between the IKDC and patients’ knee‐related quality of life 2‐9 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods

A prospective research design was employed, wherein 319 patients (mean age = 29.07, SD = 9.03) completed the IKDC before surgery, 191 patients (mean age = 29.71, SD = 9.36) completed the IKDC at 6 months post‐surgery, and 132 patients (mean age = 34.34, SD = 7.89) completed the IKDC and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Quality of Life Survey (ACL‐QOL) at 2‐9 years post‐surgery.

Results

Bayesian structural equation modeling analysis confirmed the two‐factor structure (symptom & knee articulation and activity level) represented the most accurate conceptualization of perceived knee function across the three time‐points. Moreover, findings revealed that of the two IKDC subscales pre‐operatively, activity level was most strongly associated with long‐term quality of life at 2‐9 years following surgery, whereas 2‐9 years post‐operatively, symptoms and knee articulation was most strongly associated with long‐term quality of life.

Conclusions

The IKDC provides clinicians with a convenient total score to assess patients’ perceived knee function, but its unidimensional factor structure is a poor representation of its items and fails to detect discrepancies in patients’ post‐operative quality of life, such as the relative importance of perceived knee activity level before reconstructive surgery.
Peer relationships during late childhood in internationally adopted and institutionalized children
Authors: Cáceres Isabel , Román Maite , Moreno Carmen , Bukowski William M. , Palacios Jesús
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to analyse the interpersonal relationships in the school context of children living in different care settings (adoptive families, residential care centres, birth families). Participants were 76 children between eight and fourteen years of age (M = 10.78,SD = 1.38), belonging to one of three groups: international adoptees, children living in residential care in Spanish institutions, and a comparison sample of Spanish children living with their birth families with no connection with child protection. Sociometric information was collected in the classroom of each child during school hours. Internationally adopted children from Russia showed considerable difficulties in their relationships with peers; they were more likely to be rejected and their peers described them as less prosocial and somewhat more aggressive. With a better sociometric position than the adoptees, children in residential care were rated by their peers as more aggressive and less prosocial than the normative population. Coordination and integrated work between the family, protection centres, schools, and other social services should be a strategic priority in the promotion of healthy social development in these groups of children.
Creative Production of ‘COVID‐19 Social Distancing’ Narratives on Social Media
Authors: Mohamad Siti Mazidah
Published: June 2020

This paper offers an insight into the role of young people in shifting risk perception of the current global pandemic, COVID‐19, via social distancing narratives on social media. Young people are creatively and affectively supporting the social distancing initiatives in Brunei Darussalam through the use of social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok. Using qualitative content analysis (QCA) data of social media content by Bruneian youth, this paper reveals the localised and contextualised creative production of five ‘social distancing’ narratives as a response to the national and global concerns in times of a global pandemic: narrative of fear; narrative of responsibility; narrative of annoyance; narrative of fun; and narrative of resistance. This paper reflects on three key socio‐cultural reconfigurations that have broader implications beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: new youth spatialities and social engagements; youth leadership in development; and consideration of social participation and reach in risk communication.
A classification technique for local multivariate clusters and outliers of spatial association
Authors: Oxoli Daniele , Sabri Soheil , Rajabifard Abbas , Brovelli Maria A.
Published: June 2020

The detection of spatial clusters and outliers is critical to a number of spatial data analysis techniques. Many techniques embed spatial clustering components with the aim of exploring spatial variability and patterns in a data set, caused by the spatial association that generally affects most spatial data. A frontier challenge in spatial data analysis is to extend techniques—originally designed for univariate analysis—to a multivariate context, in order to be able to cope with the increasing complexity and variety of modern spatial data. This article proposes an exploratory procedure to detect and classify clusters and outliers in a multivariate spatial data set. Cluster and outlier detection relies on recently introduced multivariate extensions of the well‐established local indicators of spatial association statistics. Two new indicators are proposed enabling the classification of multivariate clusters and outliers, not directly achievable with any already established technique. The procedure is fully implemented using free and open source geospatial software and libraries. The raw source code is made available for future reviews and replications. Empirical results from early applications on both synthetic and real spatial data are discussed. Advantages and limitations of the introduced procedure are outlined according to the empirical results.
A zinc finger protein BBX19 interacts with ABF3 to affect drought tolerance negatively in chrysanthemum
Authors: Xu Yanjie , Zhao Xin , Aiwaili Palinuer , Mu Xianying , Zhao Meng , Zhao Jian , Cheng Lina , Ma Chao , Gao Junping , Hong Bo
Published: June 2020

Drought is an environmental factor that can severely influence plant development and distribution, and greatly affect the yield and economic value of crops. We characterized CmBBX19, a BBX family subgroup IV member gene, from the transcriptome database of Chrysanthemum morifolium in response to drought stress. Drought stress and ABA treatments downregulated the expression of CmBBX19. We generated CmBBX19‐overexpressing (CmBBX19‐OX) lines and CmBBX19‐suppressing lines (CmBBX19‐RNAi), and found that suppressed expression of CmBBX19 led to enhanced drought tolerance compared with the wild‐type (WT) controls, while CmBBX19‐OX lines exhibited reduced drought tolerance. Downstream gene analysis showed that CmBBX19 modulates drought tolerance mainly through inducing changes in the expression of ABA‐dependent pathway genes, including protective protein, redox balance and cell wall biogenesis genes, such as responsive to ABA 18, peroxidase 12, and cellulose synthase‐like protein G2. Moreover, CmBBX19 was shown to interact with CmABF3, a master ABA signaling component, to suppress expression of these downstream genes. We conclude that BBX19‐ABF3 module functions in the regulation of drought tolerance of chrysanthemum through an ABA‐dependent pathway.
Word formation of Chinese English words: Evidence from the Chinese English Dictionary
Authors: Qin Melissa Xiaohui , Guo Hongxuan
Published: June 2020

This study aims to cast light on the nature and features of word formation in the lexis of Chinese English and provide a synchronic formational analysis of Chinese English neologisms by adopting a sequential data‐driven approach with a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The study has 1) constructed a hierarchical and quantificational four‐level structure for Chinese English word formation through meticulous coding, categorization, and calculation of 3522 headwords collected in the Chinese English Dictionary; and 2) revealed departures of the present taxonomy with extant models of indigenized varieties in both qualitative (coherence, inclusiveness, refinedness, adaptability) and quantitative measures (the changing status of formation processes, source languages, and transliteration systems). The study sheds significant insights into the motivation of Chinese English words, the status of the Chinese English variety, the sociolinguistic conditions of the variety, and word formation in the Expanding Circle where a dictionary of the variety is available.
Carbon impurity concentrations in BaSnO3 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy using a tin oxide source
Authors: Wu Wangzhou , Combs Nicholas G. , Mates Thomas E. , Stemmer Susanne
Published: June 2020

Achieving high carrier mobilities and low carrier densities has been one of the major challenges in the growth of BaSnO3 thin films. In this study, unintentional carbon impurities are investigated as one possible cause for poor electrical transport. Carbon concentrations in La-doped BaSnO3 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy using solid SnO2 sources are quantified using secondary ion mass spectroscopy. High carbon concentrations of mid-to-low 1018 atoms/cm3 are detected in samples grown from SnO2 powder and pellet sources, respectively. The carbon contamination is attributed to adsorbents present on the surface of the air exposed source material. Use of an oxygen plasma during growth does not reduce the amount of carbon detected in the films. Possible steps to reduce carbon contamination are discussed.
Correlation between electromigration-related void volumes and time-to-failure, the high-resolution x-ray tomography’s vital support
Authors: Moreau Stéphane , Fraczkiewicz Alexandra
Published: June 2020

In the framework of the development of back-side illuminated CMOS image sensors, high-resolution synchrotron tomography has demonstrated a proportionality between electromigration-induced void volumes and time-to-failure in hybrid bonding-based test structures. A new sample preparation workflow has allowed to employ synchrotron-based tomography for statistical studies and to make it a tool for routine measurements. A conventional failure by voiding in long feed lines of the BEoL was observed. Process-induced bonding voids do not affect the reliability of the analyzed samples. Due to nonuniform distribution of the electric current in the region attached to the via matrix, the failure time is sensitive to the exact location and shape of the electromigration-induced void. This observation is important for understanding the role of via redundancy, which is provided by using via matrices, in increasing electromigration robustness of interconnects.
Which Are the Key Kinematic and Kinetic Components to Distinguish Recovery Strategies for Overground Slips Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults?
Authors: Wang Shuaijie , Wang Yiru , Pai Yi-Chung (Clive) , Wang Edward , Bhatt Tanvi
Published: June 2020

Slip outcomes are categorized as either a backward loss of balance (LOB) or a no loss of balance (no-LOB) in which an individual does not take a backward step to regain their stability. LOB includes falls and nonfalls, while no-LOB includes skate overs and walkovers. Researchers are uncertain about which factors determine slip outcomes and at which critical instants they do so. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting slip outcomes in proactive and early reactive phases by analyzing 136 slip trials from 68 participants (age: 72.2 [5.3] y, female: 22). Segment angles and average joint moments in the sagittal plane of the slipping limb were compared for different slip outcomes. The results showed that knee flexor, hip extensor, and plantar flexor moments were significantly larger for no-LOB than for LOB in the midproactive phase, leading to smaller shank-ground and foot-ground angles at the slip onset, based on forward dynamics. In the early reactive phase, the hip extensor and plantar flexor moments were larger for no-LOB than for LOB, and all segment angles were smaller for no-LOB. Our findings indicate that the shank angle and knee moment were the major determinants of slip outcomes in both proactive and reactive phases.
Gene editing to induce FOXP3 expression in human CD4
+
T cells leads to a stable regulatory phenotype and function
Authors: Honaker Yuchi , Hubbard Nicholas , Xiang Yufei , Fisher Logan , Hagin David , Sommer Karen , Song Yumei , Yang Soo Jung , Lopez Christina , Tappen Tori , Dam Elizabeth M. , Khan Iram , Hale Malika , Buckner Jane H. , Scharenberg Andrew M. , Torgerson Troy R. , Rawlings David J.
Published: June 2020

Gene editing to insert a strong promoter upstream of endogenous
FOXP3
conferred T
reg
-like properties and functions to primary human CD4
+
T cells.
Development and Application of a Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for the Health Care-Associated Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Stanton Richard A. , McAllister Gillian , Daniels Jonathan B. , Breaker Erin , Vlachos Nicholas , Gable Paige , Moulton-Meissner Heather , Halpin Alison Laufer
Published: June 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic human pathogen that frequently causes health care-associated infections (HAIs). Due to its metabolic diversity and ability to form biofilms, this Gram-negative nonfermenting bacterium can persist in the health care environment, which can lead to prolonged HAI outbreaks. We describe the creation of a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme to provide a stable platform for the rapid comparison of
P. aeruginosa
isolates using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data.
Clinical Performance of the Luminex NxTAG CoV Extended Panel for SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Nasopharyngeal Specimens from COVID-19 Patients in Hong Kong
Authors: Chen Jonathan Hon-Kwan , Yip Cyril Chik-Yan , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Poon Rosana Wing-Shan , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Chan Kwok-Hung , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: June 2020

In December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in the Hubei province of China and later spread all over the world. There was an urgent need of a high-throughput molecular test for screening the COVID-19 patients in the community. The Luminex NxTAG CoV extended panel is a high-throughput FDA emergency use-authorized molecular diagnostic assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This system targets three genes (ORF1ab, N, and E genes) of SARS-CoV-2, the ORF1ab region of SARS-CoV, and the ORF5 region of MERS-CoV.
Genome Sequences of Newly Emerged Newcastle Disease Virus Strains Isolated from Disease Outbreaks in Indonesia
Authors: Rabiei Mohammad , Cahyono Mohamad Indro , Doan Phuong Thi Kim , Pandarangga Putri , Tarigan Simson , Indriani Risa , Dharmayanti Indi , Ignjatovic Jagoda , Low Wai Yee , Tearle Rick , McAllister Milton M. , Alsharifi Mohammed , Hemmatzadeh Farhid
Published: June 2020

Here, we report two genomes of newly emerged strains of
Newcastle disease virus
(NDV), Chicken/Indonesia/Tangerang/004WJ/14 and Chicken/Indonesia/VD/003WJ/11, from disease outbreaks in chickens in Indonesia. Phylogenetic study results of the fusion (F) protein’s gene-coding sequences of different genotypes of NDV revealed that these two strains belong to genotype VII.2 in the class II cluster of avian paramyxoviruses.
Genome Sequences of Newcastle Disease Virus Strains from Two Outbreaks in Indonesia
Authors: Doan Phuong Thi Kim , Cahyono Mohamad Indro , Rabiei Mohammad , Pandarangga Putri , McAllister Milton M. , Low Wai Yee , Tearle Rick , Dharmayanti Indi , Tarigan Simson , Indriani Risa , Ignjatovic Jagoda , Hemmatzadeh Farhid
Published: June 2020

The genomes of two newly emerged Newcastle disease virus strains, chicken/Indonesia/Mega/001WJ/2013 and chicken/Indonesia/Cimanglid/002WJ/2015, from disease outbreaks in chickens in Indonesia are reported. Phylogenetic analysis of different genotypes of Newcastle disease virus using the F gene coding sequences suggests that these two strains belong to genotype VII.2, in class II of avian paramyxoviruses.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Negative Staphylococcus aureus Strain Isolated from a Patient with Pervasive Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
Authors: Aiba Yoshifumi , Watanabe Shinya , Tsukahara Rieko , Umemoto Naoka , Thitiananpakorn Kanate , Boonsiri Tanit , Li Feng-Yu , Kiga Kotaro , Sato’o Yusuke , Tan Xin-Ee , Taki Yusuke , Azam Aa Haeruman , Zhang Yuancheng , Sasahara Teppei , Demitsu Toshio , Cui Longzhu
Published: June 2020

The association of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin with necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) caused by
Staphylococcus aureus
remains controversial. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the PVL-negative
S. aureus
strain JMUB1273, isolated from a patient with pervasive NSTI.