bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Issues, Challenges, and Promises in Chinese Bible Translation
Authors: Peng Kuo-Wei
Published: March 2021

This essay discusses three broad issues faced by today’s Chinese Bible translations: the continuation and discontinuation of the legacy of the authoritative text, the issue of syntactic differences between Chinese and languages of the source texts, and the issue of differences between the Chinese culture and those behind the source texts. To tackle these issues, the essay highlights the importance in the definition of the Skopos (purpose) of any given Bible translation project, the importance of consistency in the use of translation techniques, and the importance of coherency of the materials used in translational action.
Teaching Australian Politics
Authors: Ghazarian Zareh , Laughland-Booÿ Jacqueline
Published: March 2021

A citizen’s understanding about their nation’s system of politics and government is crucial for how they engage with and participate in the political system. This chapter discusses the political, institutional, and pedagogical changes to teaching young people about Australian politics over the last thirty years, examining how successive Australian national governments have sought to enhance students’ political knowledge and how the constitutional limitations of the federal system have impacted their approaches. It also explores how political factors have impacted government actions on civics and citizenship education as well as the pedagogical debates which have shaped the curriculum. The chapter concludes by assessing the efficacy of these reforms and what steps can be taken to strengthen teaching and learning approaches in the future.
FUGIN hot core survey. I. Survey method and initial results for l = 10°–20°
Authors: Sato Kazuki , Hasegawa Tetsuo , Umemoto Tomofumi , Saito Hiro , Kuno Nario , Seta Masumichi , Sakamoto Seiichi
Published: March 2021

We have developed a method to make a spectral-line-based survey of hot cores, which represent an important stage of high-mass star formation, and applied the method to the data of the FUGIN (FOREST Unbiased Galactic plane Imaging survey with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope) survey. First, we select hot core candidates by searching the FUGIN data for the weak hot core tracer lines (HNCO and CH3CN) by stacking, and then we conduct follow-up pointed observations on these candidates in C34S, SO, OCS, HC3N, HNCO, CH3CN, and CH3OH J = 2–1 and J = 8–7 lines to confirm and characterize them. We applied this method to the l = 10°–20° portion of the FUGIN data and identified 22 “HotCores” (compact sources with more than two significant detections of the hot core tracer lines, i.e., SO, OCS, HC3N, HNCO, CH3CN, or CH3OH J = 8–7 lines) and 14 “DenseClumps” (sources with more than two significant detection of C34S, CH3OH J = 2–1, or the hot core tracer lines). The identified HotCores are found to be associated with signposts of high-mass star formation such as ATLASGAL clumps, WISE H ii regions, and Class II methanol masers. Many of the FUGIN HotCores are identified with the Herschel Hi-GAL clumps with a median mass of 6.8 × 102 M⊙ and a median bolometric luminosity of 7.4 × 103 L⊙. Five of the seven HotCores with stronger CH3CN lines exhibit elevated gas temperatures of 50–100 K. These observations suggest that FUGIN HotCores are closely related to the formation of stars with medium to high mass. For those associated with ATLASGAL clumps, their bolometric luminosity to clump mass ratios are consistent with the star formation stages centered at the hot core phase. The catalog of FUGIN HotCores provides a useful starting point for further statistical studies and detailed observations of high-mass star forming regions.
In Vivo Imaging of Plant Oxygen Levels
Authors: Weits Daan Adriaan
Published: March 2021

Oxygen is essential for multicellular aerobic life due to its central role in energy metabolism. The availability of oxygen can drop below the level to sustain oxidative phosphorylation when plants are flooded, posing a severe threat to survival. However, under non-stressful conditions, the internal oxygen concentration of most plant tissue is not in equilibrium with the environment, which is attributed to cellular respiration and diffusion constrains imposed by O2 barriers and bulky tissue. This is exemplified by the observations of steep oxygen gradients in roots, fruits, tubers, anthers and meristems. To adapt to a varying availability of oxygen, plants sense O2 via the conditional proteolysis of transcriptional regulators. This mechanism acts to switch oxidative metabolism to anaerobic fermentation, but it was also shown to play a role in plant development and pathogen defense. To investigate how dynamic and spatial distribution of O2 impacts on these processes, accurate mapping of its concentration in plants is essential. Physical oxygen sensors have been employed for decades to profile internal oxygen concentrations in plants, while genetically encoded oxygen biosensors have only recently started to see use. Driven by the critical role of hypoxia in human pathology and development, several novel oxygen-sensing devices have also been characterized in cell lines and animal model organisms. This review aims to provide an overview of available oxygen biosensors and to discuss their potential application to image oxygen levels in plants.
The protein kinase CPK28 phosphorylates ascorbate peroxidase and enhances thermotolerance in tomato
Authors: Hu Zhangjian , Li Jianxin , Ding Shuting , Cheng Fei , Li Xin , Jiang Yuping , Yu Jingquan , Foyer Christine H. , Shi Kai
Published: March 2021

High temperatures are a major threat to plant growth and development, leading to yield losses in crops. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) act as critical components of Ca2+ sensing in plants that transduce rapid stress-induced responses to multiple environmental stimuli. However, the role of CPKs in plant thermotolerance and their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. To address this issue, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cpk28 mutants were generated using a CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing approach. The responses of mutant and wild-type plants to normal (25°C) and high temperatures (45°C) were documented. Thermotolerance was significantly decreased in the cpk28 mutants, which showed increased heat stress-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and levels of protein oxidation, together with decreased activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and other antioxidant enzymes. The redox status of ascorbate and glutathione were also modified. Using a yeast two-hybrid library screen and protein interaction assays, we provide evidence that CPK28 directly interacts with cytosolic APX2. Mutations in APX2 rendered plants more sensitive to high temperatures, whereas the addition of exogenous reduced ascorbate (AsA) rescued the thermotolerance phenotype of the cpk28 mutants. Moreover, protein phosphorylation analysis demonstrated that CPK28 phosphorylates the APX2 protein at Thr-59 and Thr-164. This process is suggested to be responsive to Ca2+ stimuli and may be required for CPK28-mediated thermotolerance. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CPK28 targets APX2, thus improving thermotolerance. This study suggests that CPK28 is an attractive target for the development of improved crop cultivars that are better adapted to heat stress in a changing climate.
Deformations Of Multivalued Harmonic Functions
Authors: Donaldson Simon
Published: March 2021

We consider harmonic sections of a bundle over the complement of a codimension 2 submanifold in a Riemannian manifold, which can be thought of as multivalued harmonic functions. We prove a result to the effect that these are stable under small deformations of the data. The proof is an application of a version of the Nash-Moser implicit function theorem.
Monopoly without a Monopolist: An Economic Analysis of the Bitcoin Payment System
Authors: Huberman Gur , Leshno Jacob D , Moallemi Ciamac
Published: March 2021

Bitcoin provides its users with transaction-processing services which are similar to those of traditional payment systems. This article models the novel economic structure implied by Bitcoin’s innovative decentralized design, which allows the payment system to be reliably operated by unrelated parties called miners. We find that this decentralized design protects users from monopoly pricing. Competition among service providers within the platform and free entry imply no entity can profitably affect the level of fees paid by users. Instead, a market for transaction-processing determines the fees users pay to gain priority and avoid transaction-processing delays. The article (i) derives closed-form formulas of the fees and waiting times and studies their properties, (ii) compares pricing under the Bitcoin Payment System to that under a traditional payment system operated by a profit-maximizing firm, and (iii) suggests protocol design modifications to enhance the platform’s efficiency. The Appendix describes and explains the main attributes of Bitcoin and the underlying blockchain technology.
Summarizing current refractory disease definitions in rheumatoid arthritis and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: systematic review
Authors: Chaplin Hema , Carpenter Lewis , Raz Anni , Nikiphorou Elena , Lempp Heidi , Norton Sam
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To identify how refractory disease (or relevant terminology variations) in RA and polyarticular JIA (polyJIA) is defined and establish the key components of such definitions.

Methods

Searches were undertaken of English-language articles within six medical databases, including manual searching, from January 1998 to March 2020 (PROSPERO: CRD42019127142). Articles were included if they incorporated a definition of refractory disease, or non-response, in RA/polyJIA, with clear components to the description. Qualitative content analysis was undertaken to describe refractory disease in RA/polyJIA and classify each component within each definition.

Results

Of 6251 studies screened, 646 met the inclusion criteria; 581 of these applied non-response criteria while 65 provided refractory disease definitions/descriptions. From the non-response studies, 39 different components included various disease activity measures, emphasizing persistent disease activity and symptoms, despite treatment with one or more biologic DMARD (bDMARD). From papers with clear definitions for refractory disease, 41 components were identified and categorized into three key themes: resistance to multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action, typically two or more bDMARDs; persistence of symptoms and disease activity; and other contributing factors. The most common term used was ‘refractory’ (80%), while only 16.9% reported explicitly how their definition was generated (e.g. clinical experience or statistical methods).

Conclusion

Refractory disease is defined as resistance to multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action by persistence of physical symptoms and high disease activity, including contributing factors. A clear unifying definition needs implementing, as the plethora of different definitions makes study comparisons and appropriate identification of patients difficult.
Depression and anxiety symptoms at TNF inhibitor initiation are associated with impaired treatment response in axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Zhao Sizheng Steven , Jones Gareth T , Hughes David M , Moots Robert J , Goodson Nicola J
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Depression and anxiety are associated with more severe disease in cross-sectional studies of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We examined the association between baseline symptoms of depression or anxiety and response to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) in axSpA.

Methods

Biologic naïve participants from a national axSpA register completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before initiating TNFi. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were each categorized as moderate–severe (≥11), mild (8–10) and ‘none’ (≤7), and compared against change in disease indices [BASDAI and AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)] over time and time to treatment discontinuation using marginal structural models. Inverse-probability weights balanced baseline age, gender, BMI, deprivation, education and baseline values of respective disease indices.

Results

Of the 742 participants (67% male, mean age 45 years), 176 (24%) had moderate–severe and 26% mild depression; 295 (40%) had moderate–severe and 23% mild anxiety. Baseline disease activity was higher in higher HADS symptom categories for both depression and anxiety. Participants with moderate–severe depression had significantly poorer response compared with those with ‘none’ throughout follow-up. At 6 months, the difference was approximately 2.2 BASDAI and 0.8 ASDAS units after balancing their baseline values. Equivalent comparisons for anxiety were 1.7 BASDAI and 0.7 ASDAS units. Treatment discontinuation was 1.59-fold higher (hazard ratio 95% CI: 1.12, 2.26) in participants with moderate–severe anxiety compared with ‘none’.

Conclusions

Symptoms of depression and anxiety at TNFi initiation are associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Targeted interventions to optimize mental health have potential to substantially improve treatment response and persistence.
HIV-2 diversity displays two clades within group A with distinct geographical distribution and evolution
Authors: Visseaux Benoit , Bertine Mélanie , Le Hingrat Quentin , Ferré Valentine , Charpentier Charlotte , Collin Fidéline , Damond Florence , Matheron Sophie , Hué Stéphane , Descamps Diane
Published: March 2021

Genetic diversity of HIV-2 groups A and B has not yet been fully described, especially in a few Western Africa countries such as Ivory-Coast or Mali. We collected 444 pol, 152 vif, 129 env, and 74 LTR sequences from patients of the French ANRS CO5 HIV-2 cohort completed by 221 pol, 18 vif, 377 env, and 63 LTR unique sequences from public databases. We performed phylogenetic reconstructions and revealed two distinct lineages within HIV-2 group A, herein called A1 and A2, presenting non-negligible genetic distances and distinct geographic distributions as A1 is related to coastal Western African countries and A2 to inland Western countries. Estimated early diversification times for groups A and B in human populations were 1940 [95% higher probability densitiy: 1935–53] and 1961 [1952–70]. A1 experienced an early diversification in 1942 [1937–58] with two distinct early epidemics in Guinea-Bissau or Senegal, raising the possibility of group A emergence in those countries from an initial introduction from Ivory-Coast to Senegal, two former French colonies. Changes in effective population sizes over time revealed that A1 exponentially grew concomitantly to Guinea-Bissau independence war, but both A2 and B lineages experienced a latter growth, starting during the 80s economic crisis. This large HIV-2 genetic analysis provides the existence of two distinct subtypes within group A and new data about HIV-2 early spreading patterns and recent epidemiologic evolution for which data are scarce outside Guinea-Bissau.
The CR9 element is a novel mechanical load‐responsive enhancer that regulates natriuretic peptide genes expression
Authors: Miyashita Yohei , Tsukamoto Osamu , Matsuoka Ken , Kamikubo Kenta , Kuramoto Yuki , Ying Fu Hai , Tsubota Tomoya , Hasuike Hirona , Takayama Toshio , Ito Hiroaki , Hitsumoto Tatsuro , Okamoto Chisato , Kioka Hidetaka , Oya Ryohei , Shinomiya Haruki , Hakui Hideyuki , Shintani Yasunori , Kato Hisakazu , Kitakaze Masafumi , Sakata Yasushi , Asano Yoshihiro , Takashima Seiji
Published: March 2021

Enhancers regulate gene expressions in a tissue‐ and pathology‐specific manner by altering its activities. Plasma levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides, encoded by the Nppa and Nppb, respectively, and synthesized predominantly in cardiomyocytes, vary depending on the severity of heart failure. We previously identified the noncoding conserved region 9 (CR9) element as a putative Nppb enhancer at 22‐kb upstream from the Nppb gene. However, its regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Here, we therefore investigated the mechanism of CR9 activation in cardiomyocytes using different kinds of drugs that induce either cardiac hypertrophy or cardiac failure accompanied by natriuretic peptides upregulation. Chronic treatment of mice with either catecholamines or doxorubicin increased CR9 activity during the progression of cardiac hypertrophy to failure, which is accompanied by proportional increases in Nppb expression. Conversely, for cultured cardiomyocytes, doxorubicin decreased CR9 activity and Nppb expression, while catecholamines increased both. However, exposing cultured cardiomyocytes to mechanical loads, such as mechanical stretch or hydrostatic pressure, upregulate CR9 activity and Nppb expression even in the presence of doxorubicin. Furthermore, the enhancement of CR9 activity and Nppa and Nppb expressions by either catecholamines or mechanical loads can be blunted by suppressing mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways, such as muscle LIM protein (MLP) or myosin tension. Finally, the CR9 element showed a more robust and cell‐specific response to mechanical loads than the −520‐bp BNP promoter. We concluded that the CR9 element is a novel enhancer that responds to mechanical loads by upregulating natriuretic peptides expression in cardiomyocytes.
Organ‐on‐chip of the cervical epithelial layer: A platform to study normal and pathological cellular remodeling of the cervix
Authors: Tantengco Ourlad Alzeus G. , Richardson Lauren S. , Medina Paul Mark B. , Han Arum , Menon Ramkumar
Published: March 2021

Damage to the cervical epithelial layer due to infection and inflammation is associated with preterm birth. However, the individual and/or collective roles of cervical epithelial layers in maintaining cervical integrity remain unclear during infection/inflammation. To determine the intercellular interactions, we developed an organ‐on‐chip of the cervical epithelial layer (CE‐OOC) composed of two co‐culture chambers connected by microchannels, recapitulating the ectocervical and endocervical epithelial layers. Further, we tested the interactions between cells from each distinct region and their contributions in maintaining cervical integrity in response to LPS and TNFα stimulations. The co‐culture of ectocervical and endocervical cells facilitated cellular migration of both epithelial cells inside the microchannels. Compared to untreated controls, both LPS and TNFα increased apoptosis, necrosis, and senescence as well as increased pro‐inflammatory cytokine productions by cervical epithelial cells. In summary, the CE‐OOC established an in vitro model that can recapitulate the ectocervical and the endocervical epithelial regions of the cervix. The established CE‐OOC may become a powerful tool in obstetrics and gynecology research such as in studying cervical remodeling during pregnancy and parturition and the dynamics of cervical epithelial cells in benign and malignant pathology in the cervix.
Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Network: Improving the Management of Pediatric Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction
Authors: Pokarowski Martha , Rickard Mandy , Kanani Ronik , Mistry Niraj , Saunders Megan , Rockman Rebecca , Sam Jonathan , Varghese Abby , Malach Jessica , Margolis Ivor , Roushdi Amani , Levin Leo , Singh Manbir , Lopes Roberto Iglesias , Farhat Walid A. , Koyle Martin A. , Dos Santos Joana
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Lower urinary tract symptoms with constipation characterize bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD). Due to high referral volumes to hospital pediatric urology clinics and time-consuming appointments, wait times are prolonged. Initial management consists of behavioral modification strategies that could be accomplished by community pediatricians. We aimed to create a network of community pediatricians trained in BBD (BBDN) management and assess its impact on care.

Methods:

We distributed a survey to pediatricians, and those interested attended training consisting of lectures and clinical shadowing. Patients referred to a hospital pediatric urology clinic were triaged to the BBDN and completed the dysfunctional voiding symptom score and satisfaction surveys at baseline and follow-up. The Bristol stool chart was used to assess constipation. Results were compared between BBDN and hospital clinic patients.

Results:

Surveyed pediatricians (n = 100) most commonly managed BBD with PEG3350 and dietary changes and were less likely to recommend bladder retraining strategies. Baseline characteristics were similar in BBDN (n = 100) and hospital clinic patients (n = 23). Both groups had similar improvements in dysfunctional voiding symptom score from baseline to follow-up (10.1 ± 4.2 to 5.6 ± 3.3, P = 0.01, versus 10.1 ± 4.2 to 7.8 ± 4.5, P = 0.02). BBDN patients waited less time for their follow-up visit with 56 (28–70) days versus 94.5 (85–109) days for hospital clinic patients (P < 0.001). Both groups demonstrated high familial satisfaction.

Conclusions:

Community pediatricians may require more knowledge of management strategies for BBD. Our pilot study demonstrates that implementing a BBDN is feasible, results in shorter wait times, and similar improvement in symptoms and patient satisfaction than a hospital pediatric urology clinic.
A Patient Navigator Intervention Supporting Timely Transfer Care of Adolescent and Young Adults of Hispanic Descents Attending an Urban Primary Care Pediatrics Clinic
Authors: Allende-Richter Sophie , Glidden Patricia , Maloyan Mariam , Khoury Zana , Ramirez Melanie , O’Hare Kitty
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

While comprehensive health care transition is associated with better health outcomes, navigating health care transition can be difficult for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), especially those with fewer resources. Our practice serves low-income patients from birth to their 26th birthday; many are medically and socially complex and experience several obstacles to navigate care. As a result, most have not initiated a transfer to adult medicine by age 25. This quality-improvement initiative was designed to implement a structured intervention that supports the planned transfer of care to adult primary care.

Methods:

Informed by our baseline data on all patients eligible to transfer care, we designed a patient outreach workflow centered on a patient navigator (PN) intervention. We used a Plan-Do-Study-Act format to optimize our process and run charts to evaluate our intervention.

Results:

Over 3 years, our PN reached out to 96% of patients (n = 226) eligible to transfer care and offered transfer assistance in person or in writing. Among those surveyed, 92% (n = 93) reported awareness of our practice transition policy, and 83% (n = 64) rated their confidence to transfer care at 3 or higher on a 5-point scale.

Conclusions:

AYAs are aware of our practice transition policy, yet they welcome in-person transfer assistance. This intervention seems to improve their confidence to transfer care. However, despite PN outreach efforts, many remain empaneled in our practice and thus lack the self-care skills necessary to complete the transfer independently. Future transition interventions should address AYA’s self-management skills toward transition readiness.
Transformation of measurement uncertainties into low-dimensional feature vector space
Authors: Alexiadis A. , Ferson S. , Patterson E. A.
Published: March 2021

Advances in technology allow the acquisition of data with high spatial and temporal resolution. These datasets are usually accompanied by estimates of the measurement uncertainty, which may be spatially or temporally varying and should be taken into consideration when making decisions based on the data. At the same time, various transformations are commonly implemented to reduce the dimensionality of the datasets for postprocessing or to extract significant features. However, the corresponding uncertainty is not usually represented in the low-dimensional or feature vector space. A method is proposed that maps the measurement uncertainty into the equivalent low-dimensional space with the aid of approximate Bayesian computation, resulting in a distribution that can be used to make statistical inferences. The method involves no assumptions about the probability distribution of the measurement error and is independent of the feature extraction process as demonstrated in three examples. In the first two examples, Chebyshev polynomials were used to analyse structural displacements and soil moisture measurements; while in the third, principal component analysis was used to decompose the global ocean temperature data. The uses of the method range from supporting decision-making in model validation or confirmation, model updating or calibration and tracking changes in condition, such as the characterization of the El Niño Southern Oscillation.
Spatial cognitive ability is associated with transitory movement speed but not straightness during the early stages of exploration
Authors: Beardsworth Christine E. , Whiteside Mark A. , Capstick Lucy A. , Laker Philippa R. , Langley Ellis J. G. , Nathan Ran , Orchan Yotam , Toledo Sivan , van Horik Jayden O. , Madden Joah R.
Published: March 2021

Memories about the spatial environment, such as the locations of foraging patches, are expected to affect how individuals move around the landscape. However, individuals differ in the ability to remember spatial locations (spatial cognitive ability) and evidence is growing that these inter-individual differences influence a range of fitness proxies. Yet empirical evaluations directly linking inter-individual variation in spatial cognitive ability and the development and structure of movement paths are lacking. We assessed the performance of young pheasants (
Phasianus colchicus
) on a spatial cognition task before releasing them into a novel, rural landscape and tracking their movements. We quantified changes in the straightness and speed of their transitory paths over one month. Birds with better performances on the task initially made slower transitory paths than poor performers but by the end of the month, there was no difference in speed. In general, birds increased the straightness of their path over time, indicating improved efficiency independent of speed, but this was not related to performance on the cognitive task. We suggest that initial slow movements may facilitate more detailed information gathering by better performers and indicates a potential link between an individual's spatial cognitive ability and their movement behaviour.
Study on the photoelectrical performance of anodized titanium sheets
Authors: Chen Xiangping , Li Xin , Chen Dedong , Wang Lishi
Published: March 2021

Anodization is a widely used method to obtain multicoloured oxidized titanium sheets. However, most researchers paid great attention to the colour-related properties instead of photoelectrical properties of titanium oxide film obtained by anodization. In this work, to study their photoelectrical properties, a series of multicoloured oxidized titanium sheets were prepared by anodization method, and UV–vis absorption and photocurrents were tested. The relationship between anodization voltages/anodization durations and photocurrents of titanium sheets was studied. Results show that titanium sheets have excellent photoelectrical performance. With the increase of anodization voltage, the number of UV–vis absorption peaks increased under visible light which means increasing absorption. When anodization duration increased, absorption band edge also increased in the visible light region, which means the band gap needed to produce charge transfer transition decreased. Under simulated sunlight and applied voltage of +0.4 V, photocurrent increased with the increase of either anodization voltage or anodization duration, and can be expressed by linear equations. In addition, anodization currents were recorded during anodization. Morphology, crystal structure and photoelectrical properties of anodized titanium sheets were characterized. The anodized titanium sheets can not only be used as decorative material in jewellery and architecture fields etc. but also are supposed to be used as photoelectrical catalyst in further work.
Visuomotor control of leaping over a raised obstacle is sensitive to small baseline displacements
Authors: Daniels Katherine A. J. , Burn J. F.
Published: March 2021

The limb kinematics used for stepping or leaping over an obstacle are determined primarily by visual sensing of obstacle position and geometry. In this study, we demonstrate that changes are induced in limb kinematics even when obstacle geometry is manipulated in a way that does not introduce a mechanical requirement for a change of limb trajectory nor increase risk of collision. Human participants performed a running leap over a single raised obstacle bar. Kinematic changes were measured when an identical second bar was introduced at a ground level underneath the obstacle and displaced by a functionally insignificant distance along the axis of travel. The presence or absence of a baseline directly beneath the highest extremity had no significant effect on limb kinematics. However, displacing the baseline horizontally induced a horizontal translation of limb trajectory in the direction of the displacement. These results show that systematic changes to limb trajectories can occur in the absence of a change in sensed mechanical constraints or optimization. The nature of visuomotor control of human leaping may involve a continuous mapping of sensory input to kinematic output rather than one responsive only to information perceived to be mechanically relevant.
Minimum size limits and the reproductive value of numerous, young, mature female fish
Authors: Lavin Charles P. , Jones Geoffrey P. , Williamson David H. , Harrison Hugo B.
Published: March 2021

Fisheries management relies on various catch and effort controls to preserve spawning stock biomass and maximize sustainable yields while limiting fishery impacts on marine ecosystems. These include species-specific minimum or maximum size limits to protect either small non-reproductive subadults, a portion of reproductively mature adults, or large highly fecund individuals. Protecting size classes of mature fish is expected to yield a viable source of larvae for replenishing populations and reduce the risk of recruitment overfishing, yet size-specific recruitment contributions have rarely been assessed empirically. Here, we apply genetic parentage analysis to measure the reproductive success of a size-structured population of a commercially important species of coral grouper (
Plectropomus maculatus
—Serranidae) in no-take marine reserves (NTMRs) in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. Although the
per capita
reproductive success of individual fish increases rapidly with body length, the numerous young mature female fish, below the minimum size limit (MSL) (38 cm total length), were responsible for generating disproportionately large contributions (36%) towards larval replenishment of both fished and reserve reefs. Our findings indicate that MSLs are an effective harvest control measure to safeguard a portion of the spawning stock biomass for coral grouper and supplement recruitment subsidies assured from NTMRs.
Hydrogenophaga aromaticivorans sp. nov., isolated from a para-xylene-degrading enrichment culture, capable of degrading benzene, meta- and para-xylene
Authors: Banerjee Sinchan , Táncsics András , Tóth Erika , Révész Fruzsina , Bóka Károly , Kriszt Balázs
Published: March 2021

A benzene, para- and meta-xylene-degrading Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated as D2P1T, was isolated from a para-xylene-degrading enrichment culture. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes showed that D2P1T shares a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus

Hydrogenophaga

and shows highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Hydrogenophaga taeniospiralis

NBRC 102512T (99.2 %) and

Hydrogenophaga palleronii

NBRC 102513T (98.3 %). The draft genome sequence of D2P1T is 5.63 Mb long and the genomic DNA G+C content is 65.5 %. Orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) analyses confirmed low genomic relatedness to its closest relatives (OrthoANI <86 %; dDDH <30 %). D2P1T contains ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) as the only respiratory quinone and phospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids. The main whole-cell fatty acids of D2P1T are summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω7c/C16 : 1
 ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c/C18 : 1
 ω6c). The polyphasic taxonomic results indicated that strain D2P1T represents a novel species of the genus

Hydrogenophaga

, for which the name Hydrogenophaga aromaticivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D2P1T (=LMG 31780T=NCAIM B 02655T).
Population-based estimates of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) prevalence and characteristics: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hirschtick Jana L. , Titus Andrea R. , Slocum Elizabeth , Power Laura E. , Hirschtick Robert E. , Elliott Michael R. , McKane Patricia , Fleischer Nancy L.
Published: March 2021

Importance

Emerging evidence suggests many people have persistent symptoms after acute COVID-19 illness.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence and correlates of persistent COVID-19 symptoms 30 and 60 days post onset using a population-based sample.

Design & Setting

The Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study is a population-based cross-sectional survey of a probability sample of adults with confirmed COVID-19 in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS). Respondents completed a survey online or via telephone in English, Spanish, or Arabic between June - December 2020.

Participants

Living non-institutionalized adults (aged 18+) in MDSS with COVID-19 onset through mid-April 2020 were eligible for selection (n=28,000). Among 2,000 adults selected, 629 completed the survey. We excluded 79 cases during data collection due to ineligibility, 6 asymptomatic cases, 7 proxy reports, and 24 cases missing outcome data, resulting in a sample size of 593. The sample was predominantly female (56.1%), aged 45 and older (68.2%), and Non-Hispanic White (46.3%) or Black (34.8%).

Exposures

Demographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and annual household income) and clinical factors (smoking status, body mass index, diagnosed comorbidities, and illness severity).

Main outcomes and Measures

We defined post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) as persistent symptoms 30+ days (30-day COVID-19) or 60+ days (60-day COVID-19) post COVID-19 onset.

Results

30- and 60-day COVID-19 were highly prevalent (52.5% and 35.0%), even among respondents reporting mild symptoms (29.2% and 24.5%) and non-hospitalized respondents (43.7% and 26.9%, respectively). Low income was statistically significantly associated with 30-day COVID-19 in adjusted models. Respondents reporting very severe (vs. mild) symptoms had 2.25 times higher prevalence of 30-day COVID-19 (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] 2.25, 95% CI 1.46-3.46) and 1.71 times higher prevalence of 60-day COVID-19 (aPR 1.71, 95% 1.02-2.88). Hospitalized (vs. non-hospitalized) respondents had about 40% higher prevalence of both 30-day (aPR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12-1.69) and 60-day COVID-19 (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 1.02-1.93).

Conclusions and Relevance

PASC is highly prevalent among cases with severe initial symptoms, and, to a lesser extent, cases with mild and moderate symptoms.
Prevalence of sleep disturbance and associated risk factors in UK Biobank participants with alcohol use disorders and major depression
Authors: Kolla Bhanu Prakash , Biernacka Joanna M. , Mansukhani Meghna P. , Colby Colin , Coombes Brandon J.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Current understanding of the differences in sleep disturbance (SD) and associated risk factors in patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD), major depressive disorders (MDD), and comorbid AUD+MDD is limited.

Methods

Data from the UK Biobank (UKB) (n=47,825) were utilized to categorize subjects into those with MDD (n=5,991), AUD (n=12,952), both (MDD+AUD)(n=3,219), and controls (n=25,663). We used generalized linear models (GLMs) to test whether rates of SD and sleep duration differed among the groups and determine the clinical predictors of SD. Rates of SD and sleep duration were compared using regression analyses accounting for demographic (age, sex, ethnicity, and Townsend deprivation index) and clinical (body mass index, neuroticism score, and alcohol consumption) factors.

Results

After accounting for diagnostic category, SD was associated with age, female sex, white ethnicity, and higher BMI, neuroticism and alcohol consumption scores (all p<0.0001).

The unadjusted prevalence of SD was 25.6%, 25.9%, 39.2%, and 41.1% in control, AUD, MDD, and MDD+AUD categories respectively. Rates of SD in controls and AUD group as well as MDD alone and MDD+AUD did not differ in unadjusted models (p=0.45 and 0.075, respectively). Prevalence of SD differed in the four groups (p<0.0001 for all pairwise comparisons) after adjusting for demographic confounders. After further adjustment for clinical factors, effect sizes were reduced, but pairwise comparisons remained significant, except in the AUD versus MDD group (all p<0.05). After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, sleep duration did not differ among the groups.

Conclusion

Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with SD were similar in patients with MDD, AUD, and MDD+AUD. The differences in rates of SD between the diagnostic groups were attenuated but persisted after accounting for these confounders. Genetic and other factors capable of influencing SD in patients with MDD, AUD, and comorbid MDD+AUD merit future investigation.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Serology persistence over time in COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donors
Authors: De Giorgi Valeria , West Kamille A , Henning Amanda N , Chen Leonard , Holbrook Michael R , Gross Robin , Liang Janie , Postnikova Elena , Trenbeath Joni , Pogue Sarah , Scinto Tania , Alter Harvey J , Cantilena Cathy Corny
Published: March 2021

Background

Characterizing the kinetics of the antibody response to SARS□CoV□2 is of critical importance to developing strategies that may mitigate the public health burden of COVID-19. We sought to determine how circulating antibody levels change over time following natural infection.

Methods/Materials

We conducted a prospective, longitudinal analysis of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) donors at multiple time points over a 9-month period. At each study visit, subjects either donated plasma or only had study samples drawn. In all cases, anti-SARS-CoV-2 donor testing was performed using semi-quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassays (ChLIA) targeting subunit 1 (S1) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, and an in-house fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA).

Results

From April to November 2020 we enrolled 202 donors, mean age 47.3 ±14.7 years, 55% female, 75% Caucasian. Most donors reported a mild clinical course (91%, n=171) without hospitalization. One hundred and five (105) (52%) donors presented for repeat visits with a median 42 (12-163) days between visits. The final visit occurred at a median 160 (53-273) days post-symptom resolution. Total anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Ab), SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies were detected in 97.5%, 91.1%, and 74% of donors respectively at initial presentation. Neutralizing Ab titers based on FRNA50 were positively associated with mean IgG levels (p = <0.0001). Mean IgG levels and neutralizing titers were positively associated with COVID-19 severity, increased donor age and BMI (p=0.0006 and p=0.0028, p=0.0083 and p=0.0363, (p=0.0008 and p=0.0018, respectively). Over the course of repeat visits, IgG decreased in 74.1% of donors; FRNA50 decreased in 44.4% and remained unchanged in 33.3% of repeat donors. A weak negative correlation was observed between total Ab levels and number of days post-symptom recovery (r = 0.09).

Conclusion

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were identified in 97% of convalescent donors at initial presentation. In a cohort that largely did not require hospitalization. IgG and neutralizing antibodies were positively correlated with age, BMI and clinical severity, and persisted for up to 9 months post-recovery from natural infection. On repeat presentation, IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 levels decreased in 56% of repeat donors. Overall, these data suggest that CP donors possess a wide range of IgG and neutralizing antibody levels that are proportionally distributed across demographics, with the exception of age, BMI and clinical severity.
Association of plasma and CSF cytochrome P450, soluble epoxide hydrolase and ethanolamides metabolism with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Borkowski Kamil , Pedersen Theresa L. , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Lah James J. , Levey Allan I. , Hales Chadwick M. , Dammer Eric B. , Blach Colette , Louie Gregory , Kaddurah-Daouk Rima , Newman John W. ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Metabolomics Consortium
Published: March 2021

Alzheimer’s disease shares inflammatory origin with cardiometabolic disorders. Lipid mediators, including oxylipins, endocannabinoids, bile acids and steroids are potent regulators of inflammation, energy metabolism and cell proliferation with well-established involvement in cardiometabolic diseases. However, their role in Alzheimer’s disease is poorly understood. In the current study we provide comprehensive analysis of plasma and CSF lipid mediators in a case-control comparison of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, utilizing a targeted quantitative mass spectrometry approach. In both plasma and CSF, we observed Alzheimer’s disease patients to have elevated components of cytochrome P450/soluble epoxide hydrolase pathway and lower levels of fatty acids ethanolamides, when compared to the healthy controls. Multivariate analysis revealed that circulating metabolites of soluble epoxide hydrolase together with ethanolamides are strong and independent predictors for Alzheimer’s disease. Both metabolic pathways are potent regulators of inflammation with soluble epoxide hydrolase being reported to be upregulated in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. This study provides further evidence for the involvement of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease and argues for further research into the role of the cytochrome P450/soluble epoxide hydrolase pathway and fatty acid ethanolamides in this disorder. Further, these findings suggest that a combined pharmacological intervention targeting both metabolic pathways may have therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer’s disease.
Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial
Authors:   The RECOVERY Collaborative Group, Horby Peter W , Estcourt Lise , Peto Leon , Emberson Jonathan R , Staplin Natalie , Spata Enti , Pessoa-Amorim Guilherme , Campbell Mark , Roddick Alistair , Brunskill Nigel E , George Tina , Zehnder Daniel , Tiberi Simon , Aung Ni Ni , Uriel Alison , Widdrington John , Koshy George , Brown Thomas , Scott Steven , Baillie J Kenneth , Buch Maya H , Chappell Lucy C , Day Jeremy N , Faust Saul N , Jaki Thomas , Jeffery Katie , Juszczak Edmund , Lim Wei Shen , Montgomery Alan , Mumford Andrew , Rowan Kathryn , Thwaites Guy , Mafham Marion , Roberts David , Haynes Richard , Landray Martin J
Published: March 2021

Background

Treatment of COVID-19 patients with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may have a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.

Methods

In this randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) several possible treatments are being compared with usual care in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly allocated to receive either usual care plus high titre convalescent plasma or usual care alone. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality.

Findings

Between 28 May 2020 and 15 January 2021, 5795 patients were randomly allocated to receive convalescent plasma and 5763 to usual care alone. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1398 (24%) of 5795 patients allocated convalescent plasma and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients allocated usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio [RR] 1·00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0·93 to 1·07; p=0·93). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (66%vs. 67%; rate ratio 0·98; 95% CI 0·94-1·03, p=0·50). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, there was no significant difference in the proportion meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (28%vs. 29%; rate ratio 0·99; 95% CI 0·93-1·05, p=0·79).

Interpretation

Among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes.

Funding

UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research (Grant refs: MC_PC_19056; COV19-RECPLA).
Efficient and Economical Targeted Insertion in Plant Genomes via Protoplast Regeneration
Authors: Hsu Chen-Tran , Yuan Yu-Hsuan , Lin Yao-Cheng , Lin Steven , Cheng Qiao-Wei , Wu Fu-Hui , Sheen Jen , Shih Ming-Che , Lin Choun-Sea
Published: March 2021

Versatile genome editing can be facilitated by the insertion of DNA sequences into specific locations. Current protocols involving clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins rely on low efficiency homology-directed repair or non-homologous end joining with modified double-stranded DNA oligonucleotides as donors. Our simple protocol eliminates the need for expensive equipment, chemical and enzymatic donor DNA modification or plasmid construction by using polyethylene glycol-calcium to deliver non-modified single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides and CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein into protoplasts. Plants regenerated via edited protoplasts achieved targeted insertion frequencies of up to 50.0% inNicotiana benthamianaand 13.6% in rapid cyclingBrassica oleraceawithout antibiotic selection. Using a 60-nt donor containing 27 nt in each homologous arm, 6 of 22 regeneratedN. benthamianaplants showed targeted insertions, and one contained a precise insertion of a 6-bpHindIII site. The inserted sequences were transmitted to the next generation and invite the possibility of future exploration of versatile genome editing by targeted DNA insertion in plants.