bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chapter 6: Perspectives on the Future of Doctoral Programs
Authors: Mitchell Murray F. , Lawson Hal A. , van der Mars Hans , Ward Phillip
Published: June 2021

What does the future hold for Doctoral Programs for Physical Education Teacher Education (D-PETE) programs, faculty, and doctoral students? What can D-PETE faculty prioritize and do to create a more desirable future for D-PETE, PETE, and school physical education programs? What are the main facilitators, constraints, and barriers? Framed by these three questions, this chapter offers an action-oriented analysis of doctoral programs. Alongside physical education-specific program priorities influential factors in the external environment merit attention, including regional and state accreditation, neoliberal forces for accountability, the regulatory environment, program standards and national rankings, and declining enrollments. Mindful of alternative perspectives and university- and program-specific action plans, a dual priority appears to be crosscutting. Every D-PETE program needs to reflect theoretically sound and evidence-based practices, and D-PETE graduates need to be prepared to advance these practices after graduation. Toward these ends, it is timely to work toward consensus on a core knowledge base, explore how best to share resources across university boundaries, and join forces to solidify and safeguard appropriate practices. Today’s choices have short- and long-term consequences for each program and the profession overall, recommending that national priorities gain prominence alongside local program traditions and D-PETE faculty practices.
Prdm16-mediated H3K9 methylation controls fibro-adipogenic progenitors identity during skeletal muscle repair
Authors: Biferali Beatrice , Bianconi Valeria , Perez Daniel Fernandez , Kronawitter Sophie Pöhle , Marullo Fabrizia , Maggio Roberta , Santini Tiziana , Polverino Federica , Biagioni Stefano , Summa Vincenzo , Toniatti Carlo , Pasini Diego , Stricker Sigmar , Di Fabio Romano , Chiacchiera Fulvio , Peruzzi Giovanna , Mozzetta Chiara
Published: June 2021

A druggable mechanism is found to reprogram fibro-adipogenic progenitors toward myogenesis and to improve muscle repair.
Conservatives’ susceptibility to political misperceptions
Authors: Garrett R. Kelly , Bond Robert M.
Published: June 2021

Conservatives are less able to distinguish truths and falsehoods than liberals, and the information environment helps explain why.
Live imaging of chromatin distribution reveals novel principles of nuclear architecture and chromatin compartmentalization
Authors: Amiad-Pavlov Daria , Lorber Dana , Bajpai Gaurav , Reuveny Adriana , Roncato Francesco , Alon Ronen , Safran Samuel , Volk Talila
Published: June 2021

Live imaging of chromatin in an intact organism reveals a novel mode of mesoscale chromatin organization at nuclear periphery.
Fibrinogen-mimicking, multiarm nanovesicles for human thrombus-specific delivery of tissue plasminogen activator and targeted thrombolytic therapy
Authors: Huang Yu , Gu Boram , Salles-Crawley Isabelle I. , Taylor Kirk A. , Yu Li , Ren Jie , Liu Xuhan , Emerson Michael , Longstaff Colin , Hughes Alun D. , Thom Simon A. , Xu Xiao Yun , Chen Rongjun
Published: June 2021

Bioinspired nanovesicles enable activated platelet–targeted delivery of tissue plasminogen activator for effective thrombolysis.
Structure of the merozoite surface protein 1 from
Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Dijkman Patricia M. , Marzluf Tanja , Zhang Yingyi , Chang Shih-Ying Scott , Helm Dominic , Lanzer Michael , Bujard Hermann , Kudryashev Mikhail
Published: June 2021

Structure of the malaria blood-stage parasite’s main surface antigen reveals putative host cell–binding domains.
Causes and timing of recurring subarctic Pacific hypoxia
Authors: Knudson Karla P. , Ravelo Ana Christina , Aiello Ivano W. , Knudson Christina P. , Drake Michelle K. , Sakamoto Tatsuhiko
Published: June 2021

Recurring subarctic Pacific hypoxia is attributed to episodes of high phytoplankton productivity stimulated by iron.
Involvement of oxygen-sensitive pyruvate formate-lyase in mixed-acid fermentation by Streptococcus mutans under strictly anaerobic conditions
Authors: Abbe K , Takahashi S , Yamada T
Published: June 2021

Streptococcus mutans JC2 produced formate, acetate, ethanol, and lactate when suspensions were incubated with an excess of galactose or mannitol under strictly anaerobic conditions. The galactose- or mannitol-grown cell suspensions produced more formate, acetate, and ethanol than the glucose-grown cells even when incubated with glucose. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate were not significantly different in these cells, but the level of pyruvate formate-lyase was higher in the galactose- or mannitol-grown cells, and that of triose phosphate was lower in the galactose-grown cells. This suggests that the regulation of pyruvate formate-lyase may play a major role in the change of the fermentation patterns. The cells of S. mutans grown on glucose produced a significant amount of volatile products even in the presence of excess glucose under strictly anaerobic conditions. However, when the anaerobically grown cells were exposed to air, only lactate was produced from glucose. When cells were anaerobically grown on mannitol and then exposed to air for 2 min, only trace amounts of fermentation products were formed from mannitol under anaerobic conditions. It was found that the pyruvate formate-lyase in the cells was inactivated by exposure of the cells to air.
Cloning of a Phosphate-Regulated Hemolysin Gene (Phospholipase C) fromPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Vasil Michael L. , Berka Randy M. , Gray Gregory L. , Nakai Hiroshi
Published: June 2021

Phospholipase C (heat-labile hemolysin) ofPseudomonas aeruginosais a phosphate (Pi)-regulated extracellular protein which may be a significant virulence factor of this organism. The gene for this hemolytic enzyme was cloned on a 4.1-megadalton (Mdal) fragment from aBamHI digest ofP. aeruginosaPAO1 genomic DNA and was inserted into theBamHI sites of the multicopyEscherichia coli(pBR322) andP. aeruginosa(pMW79) vectors. TheE. coliandP. aeruginosarecombinant plasmids were designated pGV26 and pVB81, respectively. A restriction map of the 4.1-Mdal fragment from pGV26 was constructed, using double and single digestions withBamHI andEcoRI and several different restriction enzymes. Based on information from this map, a 2.4-MdalBamHI/BglII fragment containing the gene for phospholipase C was subcloned to pBR322. The hybrid plasmids pGV26 and pVB81 direct the synthesis of enzymatically active phospholipase C, which is also hemolytic. The plasmid-directed synthesis of phospholipase C inE. coliorP. aeruginosais not repressible by Pias is the chromosomally directed synthesis inP. aeruginosa. Data are presented which suggest that the synthesis of phospholipase C from pGV26 and pVB81 is directed from the tetracycline resistance gene promoter. The level of enzyme activity produced byE. coli(pGV26) is slightly higher than the levels produced byP. aeruginosa(pMW79) under repressed conditions. In contrast, the levels produced byP. aeruginosa(pVB81) are at least 600-fold higher than the levels produced byP. aeruginosa(pMW79) under repressed conditions and approximately 20-fold higher than those produced byP. aeruginosa(pMW79) under derepressed conditions. The majority (85%) of the enzyme produced byE. coli(pGV26) remained cell associated, whereas >95% of the enzyme produced byP. aeruginosa(pVB81) was extracellular. Analysis of extracellular proteins from cultures ofP. aeruginosa(pMW79) andP. aeruginosa(pVB81) by high-performance liquid chromotography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the phospholipase C gene was cloned intact, and it is likely that several additional genes were cloned on the 4.1-Mdal fragment of DNA. It was also found that some of these genes encode proteins which are the same molecular weight as some previously described Pi-repressible proteins ofP. aeruginosa. The existence of a Piregulon ofP. aeruginosais proposed. It is likely that one of these genes also regulates the level of pyocyanin production byP. aeruginosaand that one or more play a role in transport or binding of Pi. The availability of the hybrid plasmids described herein will be useful in further studies on the role of this hemolysin in the virulence ofP. aeruginosaand in the study of the genetics and physiology of Pi-regulated proteins.
Regulation of glutamine synthetase activity and synthesis in free-living and symbiotic Anabaena spp
Authors: Orr J , Haselkorn R
Published: June 2021

Regulation of the synthesis and activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain 7120 was studied by determining GS transferase activity and GS antigen concentration under a variety of conditions. Extracts prepared from cells growing exponentially on a medium supplemented with combined nitrogen had a GS activity of 17 mumol of gamma-glutamyl transferase activity per min per mg of protein at 37 degrees C. This activity doubled in 12 h after transfer of cells to a nitrogen-free medium, corresponding to the time required for heterocyst differentiation and the start of nitrogen fixation. Addition of NH3 to a culture 11 h after an inducing transfer immediately blocked the increase in GS activity. In the Enterobacteriaceae, addition of NH3 after induction results in the covalent modification of GS by adenylylation. The GS of Anabaena is not adenylylated by such a protocol, as shown by the resistance of the transferase activity of the enzyme to inhibition by Mg2+ and by the failure of the enzyme to incorporate 32P after NH3 upshift. Methionine sulfoximine inhibited Anabaena GS activity rapidly and irreversibly in vivo. After the addition of methionine sulfoximine to Anabaena, the level of GS antigen neither increased nor decreased, indicating that Glutamine cannot be the only small molecule capable of regulating GS synthesis. Methionine sulfoximine permitted heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase induction to escape repression by NH3. Nitrogen-fixing cultures treated with methionine sulfoximine excreted NH3. The fern Azolla caroliniana contains an Anabaena species living in symbiotic association. The Anabaena species carries out nitrogen fixation sufficient to satisfy all of the combined nitrogen requirements of the host fern. Experiments by other workers have shown that the activity of GS in the symbiont is significantly lower than the activity of GS in free-living Anabaena. Using a sensitive radioimmune assay and a normalization procedure based on the content of diaminopimelic acid, a component unique to the symbiont, we found that the level of GS antigen in the symbiont was about 5% of the level in free-living Anabaena cells. Thus, the host fern appears to repress synthesis of Anabaena GS in the symbiotic association.
Antigenic analysis of Methanomicrobiales and Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus
Authors: Conway de Macario E , Macario A J , Wolin M J
Published: June 2021

Preparation of new antisera has permitted more comprehensive immunological analyses of the two families of Methanomicrobiales. Methanomicrobiaceae and Methanosarcinaceae, and the species Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus. Immunological analysis was carried out with antibody probes against 23 strains, including almost all genera and species of methanogens. The absence of cross-reactions between families of methanogens was confirmed. Methanomicrobium and Methanogenium were found to be immunologically related. Extensive cross-reactions occurred among six strains of Methanosarcinaceae, but none occurred among three strains of M. arboriphilus when tested with the S probe, i.e., the last antiserum dilution of the titration curve's plateau.
Identification of the
glpT
-Encoded
sn
-Glycerol-3-Phosphate Permease of
Escherichia coli
, an Oligomeric Integral Membrane Protein
Authors: Larson Timothy J. , Schumacher Günter , Boos Winfried
Published: June 2021

A collection of hybrid plasmids carrying either the wild-type or mutated
glpT
gene was generated in vitro and used to characterize the
glpT
-dependent active transport system for
sn
-glycerol-3-phosphate in
Escherichia coli
K-12. Restriction endonuclease analysis and recloning of DNA fragments localized
glpT
to a 3-kilobase pair
Pst
I-
Hpa
I segment of DNA. Comparison of DNA carrying
glpT-lacZ
fusions with DNA carrying intact
glpT
allowed determination of the direction of transcription. Through characterization of the proteins synthesized by strains harboring hybrid plasmids carrying amber, missense, or deletion mutations in
glpT
, it was shown that
glpT
is a promoter-proximal gene in an operon consisting of at least two genes. The gene product of
glpT
, the
sn
-glycerol-3-phosphate permease, was found associated with the inner membrane. It could be solubilized by treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate at 50°C. Its molecular weight, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was dependent upon sample treatment before electrophoresis. The apparent molecular weight was 44,000 when membrane fractions were heated to 50°C; subsequent treatment at 95°C modified the protein such that it migrated faster (apparent molecular weight = 33,000). Several missense mutations in
glpT
were negatively dominant over wild-type
glpT
, indicating that the active form of the permease is multimeric. A gene (named
glpQ
) promoter distal to
glpT
codes for a periplasmic protein. This protein had previously been named GLPT protein to indicate its relationship to the
glpT
gene. The present report demonstrates that it is not the gene product of
glpT
and is not required for active transport of
sn
-glycerol-3-phosphate.
Prophylactic treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Authors: Kenyon R H , Williams R G , Oster C N , Pedersen C E
Published: June 2021

Prophylactic treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever with a single dose of oxytetracycline was investigated in guinea pigs. Disease was prevented when treatment was administered shortly before expected onset. Relapses occurred when treatment preceded expected onset by 48 h or more.
Characterization and incidence of pigment production by human clinical group B streptococci
Authors: Merritt K , Jacobs N J
Published: June 2021

Pigment was produced in stab cultures by 97% of 297 group B streptococci isolated from human clinical specimens. The pigment, which was associated with a membranous cell fraction, showed a four-banded absorption spectrum similar to that of a carotenoid, with maxima at 435, 566, 485, and 525 nm. Addition of glucose to the growth medium suppressed pigment production in most strains. Only 37% of strains from bovine sources produced pigment.
Improved media for growth and aerotolerance of Campylobacter fetus
Authors: George H A , Hoffman P S , Smibert R M , Krieg N R
Published: June 2021

The microaerophilic nature of Campylobacter fetus has complicated its recovery from human and animal sources. In this study, modifications of brucella agar and broth were tested for enhancement of growth and aerotolerance of 64 strains of C. fetus, representing each subspecies. Brucella agar supplemented with 0.025% each FeSO4 7H2O, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium pyruvate, supported growth of 98, 77, and 63% of the strains at 6% O2, 17% O2, and 21% O2, respectively. Unsupplemented brucella agar supported growth of 94, 48, and 20% of the strains. Brucella broth supplemented with 0.2% FeSO4.7H2O, 0.025% sodium metabisulfite, and 0.05% sodium pyruvate supported growth of 98% of the strains at 21% O2, compared to 75% with unsupplemented brucella broth. With both the supplemented agar and broth, growth responses occurred 1 to 2 days earlier than usual. Growth and aerotolerance of three strains of Campylobacter sputorum subsp. bubulus were not enhanced by the supplements.
Single-antigen immunofluorescence test for chlamydial antibodies
Authors: Saikku P , Paavonen J
Published: June 2021

A simple method is presented for producing large numbers of inclusions of Chlamydia trachomatis serotype L2 in cell cultures on slides for immunofluorescence antibody staining. Preliminary results with a total of 1,241 human sera from different groups were consistent with findings by earlier methods: 82% of chlamydia-positive men with nongonococcal urethritis had antibodies at titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a geometric mean titer (GMT) of 44.9; 68.5% of chlamydia-negative men with nongonococcal urethritis had titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a GMT of 38.6; 27% of male blood donors had titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a GMT of 19.6; 95.0% of chlamydia-positive women had titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a GMT of 80.3; 67.0% of chlamydia-negative partners of men with nongonococcal urethritis had titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a GMT of 47.0; 50.2% of control women had titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a GMT of 27.7% and 8.1% of children (aged 1 to 15 years) had titers of greater than or equal to 8, with a GMT of 17.8.
Role of rheumatoid factor in complement fixation and indirect hemagglutination tests for immunoglobulin M antibody to cytomegalovirus
Authors: Cremer N E , Hoffman M , Lennette E H
Published: June 2021

Absorption of immunoglobulin M (IgM)-rheumatoid factor (RF) from serum samples by reaction with insolubilized gamma globulin reduced the complement-fixing (CF) antibody titer to cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen to less than 1:2 in the IgM fraction of some, but not all, sera. Thus, IgM-CF activity in some sera appeared to be due to specific IgM anti-CMV antibody and in other sera to complexes of IgM-RF with antiviral IgG antibody. Prozones were present in the CF tests on IgM fractions. Increasing the concentration of antigen from 2 to 4 U reduced the prozone titer by one or two double dilutions. This observation suggested that a competition for antigen may be operating at low dilutions of IgM antibody fractions. Removal of RF had little or no effect on the reaction of the IgM fraction of sera with CMV by the indirect hemagglutination test.
Rapid presumptive identification of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Muchmore H G , Felton F G , Scott E N
Published: June 2021

Carbohydrate-containing extracts were prepared from mature yeast colonies grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar by mixing a 0.001-ml loopful of yeast cells for 30 s in phenolized saline and removing the cells by centrifugation. Extracts were prepared from 54 Cryptococcus neoformans isolates, 29 isolates of other Cryptococcus species, 16 isolates of Candida species, 2 Rhodotorula, 2 Torulopsis, and 1 Saccharomyces species. Initially the carbohydrate content of each extract was estimated (Molisch method) and adjusted to 1, 5, and 10 microgram/ml. Twofold dilutions of each extract were tested for reactivity with the cryptococcal latex agglutination reagent of Bloomfield et al. (N. Bloomfield, M.A. Gordon, and D.F. Elmendorf, Jr., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 114:64-67, 1963). All 54 C. neoformans extracts gave strong agglutinations (3+ to 4+) in dilutions of 1:4 or greater. None of the other yeasts produced any agglutination, except for 1 of 15 C. laurentii isolates, which showed a 1+ reaction that disappeared at a dilution of 1:4 and above. Subsequent testing established that a single extract made from 0.001 ml of yeast cells in 6 ml of phenolized saline contained less than 5 microgram of carbohydrate per ml, was suitable for a single rapid screening dilution, and eliminated any cross-reaction from the C. laurentii isolates. In our hands this method has provided a reliable differentiation of C. neoformans from other unknown yeast colonies in less than 20 min exclusive of a Molisch determination.
Primary isolation media for Legionnaires disease bacterium
Authors: Feeley J C , Gorman G W , Weaver R E , Mackel D C , Smith H W
Published: June 2021

Yolk sac suspensions infected with the Legionnaires disease bacterium (LDB) were plated onto 17 different bacteriological agar media. The LDB grew only on Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 1% Iso Vitale X and 1% hemoglobin (MH-IH). This medium was subsequently analyzed to determine the components required to support growth of the LDB. L-Cysteine hydrochloride can replace the Iso Vitale X reagent, and soluble ferric pyrophosphate can replace hemoglobin. A new medium, F-G agar, was formulated incorporating these chemicals. Different cultures conditions (oxygen tension, temperature, and pH) were also evaluated. The LDB grew optimally at 35 degrees C under 2.5% CO2 on the F-G agar adjusted to pH 6.9. When infected tissues were inoculated onto both F-G agar and MH-IH, the F-G agar produced colonies of the LDB more rapidly and in greater numbers than did MH-IH.
Rapid grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci by latex agglutination
Authors: Lue Y A , Howit I P , Ellner P D
Published: June 2021

Latex agglutination was compared with fluorescent-antibody staining with group A conjugate and Lancefield precipitation for grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Latex agglutination correctly grouped 98.8% of 82 group A streptococci and more than 95% of 187 group B, C, or G streptococci. Occasional cross-reactions occurred between groups A and C and groups B and G.
Infections caused by Klebsiella ozaenae: a changing disease spectrum
Authors: Goldstein E J , Lewis R P , Martin W J , Edelstein P H
Published: June 2021

A total of 64 isolates of Klebsiella ozaenae were recovered from 36 patients during a 40-month period. Over 7,500 isolates of K. pneumoniae were isolated during the same time period. Before this decade, K. ozaenae was considered to be only a colonizer of the nasopharynx or a putative cause of ozena (atrophic rhinitis). K. ozaenae was recovered most frequently from sputum in mixed culture but was associated with infection in 12 patients (2 with bacteremia, 3 with urinary tract infection, 1 with soft tissue infection, and 6 with mucopurulent nasal discharge). The spectrum of disease caused by this organism is more extensive than has been appreciated previously.
Determination of immunoglobulin A concentrations in human nasal secretions with a serum immunoglobulin A standard
Authors: Greenberg S B , Rossen R D , Six H R , Baxter B D , Couch R B
Published: June 2021

By quantitative immunodiffusion tests, nasal secretion immunoglobulin A was underestimated by approximately 5.6-fold when the serum 7S immunoglobulin A standard was employed.
Heated versus unheated sera in a microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum
Authors: Larsen S A , Cruce D D , Farshy C E , Feeley J C
Published: June 2021

The effect of prior heating of sera on the results of the microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum was evaluated. Findings indicate that heating of sera had no significant effect on the results.
Evaluation of two commercially prepared biphasic media for recovery of fungi from blood
Authors: Caplan L M , Merz W G
Published: June 2021

Recovery of six yeast species from blood was comparable in commercially prepared brain heart infusion biphasic and Trypticase soy biphasic media. An increased recovery of 13% was noted when two bottles, each containing 5 ml of blood, were cultured, as compared to a 5-ml portion in a single culture bottle.
Small-fibre polyneuropathy caused by chemical agent resistant coating
Authors: Marshall Brandon , Sharma MD Umesh , Tsakadze MD Nina , Rossi MD Fabian H
Published: June 2021

We describe a 65-year-old man who during his service in the military developed an acute onset of burning pain in his feet and hands shortly after an acute, severe exposure to the fumes of chemical agent resistant coating (CARC). This chemical is used in the military to paint vehicles and equipment to create metal surfaces resistant to corrosion and penetration by chemical agents. Extensive laboratory workup for peripheral neuropathies was unremarkable. Nerve conduction studies showed axonal-loss polyneuropathy. Skin biopsy confirmed a small-fibre polyneuropathy (SFP). His burning pain persisted over three decades and was partially controlled with tramadol. This is the first case of SFP caused by acute CARC exposure with long-term surveillance.
Effect of dexamethasone on complications or all cause mortality after major non-cardiac surgery: multicentre, double blind, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Asehnoune Karim , Le Moal Charlene , Lebuffe Gilles , Le Penndu Marguerite , Josse Nolwen Chatel , Boisson Matthieu , Lescot Thomas , Faucher Marion , Jaber Samir , Godet Thomas , Leone Marc , Motamed Cyrus , David Jean Stephane , Cinotti Raphael , El Amine Younes , Liutkus Darius , Garot Matthias , Marc Antoine , Le Corre Anne , Thomasseau Alexandre , Jobert Alexandra , Flet Laurent , Feuillet Fanny , Pere Morgane , Futier Emmanuel , Roquilly Antoine
Published: June 2021

Objective

To assess the effect of dexamethasone on complications or all cause mortality after major non-cardiac surgery.

Design

Phase III, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

Setting

34 centres in France, December 2017 to March 2019.

Participants

1222 adults (>50 years) requiring major non-cardiac surgery with an expected duration of more than 90 minutes. The anticipated time frame for recruitment was 24 months.

Interventions

Participants were randomised to receive either dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg immediately after the surgical procedure, and on day 1) or placebo. Randomisation was stratified on the two prespecified criteria of cancer and thoracic procedure.

Main outcomes measures

The primary outcome was a composite of postoperative complications or all cause mortality within 14 days after surgery, assessed in the modified intention-to-treat population (at least one treatment administered).

Results

Of the 1222 participants who underwent randomisation, 1184 (96.9%) were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. 14 days after surgery, 101 of 595 participants (17.0%) in the dexamethasone group and 117 of 589 (19.9%) in the placebo group had complications or died (adjusted odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 1.08; P=0.15). In the stratum of participants who underwent non-thoracic surgery (n=1038), the primary outcome occurred in 69 of 520 participants (13.3%) in the dexamethasone group and 93 of 518 (18%) in the placebo group (adjusted odds ratio 0.70, 0.50 to 0.99). Adverse events were reported in 288 of 613 participants (47.0%) in the dexamethasone group and 296 of 609 (48.6%) in the placebo group (P=0.46).

Conclusions

Dexamethasone was not found to significantly reduce the incidence of complications and death in patients 14 days after major non-cardiac surgery. The 95% confidence interval for the main result was, however, wide and suggests the possibility of important clinical effectiveness.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT03218553
.
Length of hospital stay in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients without vasospasm on angiography: potential for a fast-track discharge cohort
Authors: Catapano Joshua S , Srinivasan Visish M , Rumalla Kavelin , Labib Mohamed A , Nguyen Candice L , Cole Tyler S , Baranoski Jacob F , Rutledge Caleb , Rahmani Redi , Lawton Michael T , Ducruet Andrew F , Albuquerque Felipe C
Published: June 2021

Background

Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) frequently suffer from vasospasm. We analyzed the association between absence of early angiographic vasospasm and early discharge.

Methods

All aSAH patients treated from August 1, 2007, to July 31, 2019, at a single tertiary center were reviewed. Patients undergoing diagnostic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) on post-aSAH days 5 to 7 were analyzed; cohorts with and without angiographic vasospasm (angiographic reports by attending neurovascular surgeons) were compared. Primary outcome was hospital length of stay; secondary outcomes were intensive care unit length of stay, 30 day return to the emergency department (ED), and poor neurologic outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score >2.

Results

A total of 298 patients underwent DSA on post-aSAH day 5, 6, or 7. Most patients (n=188, 63%) had angiographic vasospasm; 110 patients (37%) did not. Patients without vasospasm had a significantly lower mean length of hospital stay than vasospasm patients (18.0±7.1 days vs 22.4±8.6 days; p<0.001). The two cohorts did not differ significantly in the proportion of patients with mRS scores >2 at last follow-up or those returning to the ED before 30 days. After adjustment for Hunt and Hess scores, Fisher grade, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, and age, logistic regression analysis showed that the absence of vasospasm on post-aSAH days 5–7 predicted discharge on or before hospital day 14 (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.4, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Lack of angiographic vasospasm 5 to 7 days after aSAH is associated with shorter hospitalization, with no increase in 30 day ED visits or poor neurologic outcome.
Learning curves for transradial access versus transfemoral access in diagnostic cerebral angiography: a case series
Authors: Tso Michael K , Rajah Gary B , Dossani Rimal H , Meyer Michael J , McPheeters Matthew J , Vakharia Kunal , Waqas Muhammad , Snyder Kenneth V , Levy Elad I , Siddiqui Adnan H , Davies Jason M
Published: June 2021

Background

The perception of a steep learning curve associated with transradial access has resulted in its limited adoption in neurointervention despite the demonstrated benefits, including decreased access-site complications.

Objective

To compare learning curves of transradial versus transfemoral diagnostic cerebral angiograms obtained by five neurovascular fellows as primary operator.

Methods

The first 100–150 consecutive transradial and transfemoral angiographic scans performed by each fellow between July 2017 and March 2020 were identified. Mean fluoroscopy time per artery injected (angiographic efficiency) was calculated as a marker of technical proficiency and compared for every 25 consecutive procedures performed (eg, 1–25, 26–50, 51–75).

Results

We identified 1242 diagnostic angiograms, 607 transradial and 635 transfemoral. The radial cohort was older (64.3 years vs 62.3 years, p=0.01) and demonstrated better angiographic efficiency (3.4 min/vessel vs 3.7 min/vessel, p=0.03). For three fellows without previous endovascular experience, proficiency was obtained between 25 and 50 transfemoral angiograms. One fellow achieved proficiency after performing 25–50 transradial angiograms; and the two other fellows, in <25 transradial angiograms. The two fellows with previous experience had flattened learning curves for both access types. Two patients experienced transient neurologic symptoms postprocedure. Transradial angiograms were associated with significantly fewer access-site complications (3/607, 0.5% vs 22/635, 3.5%, p<0.01). Radial-to-femoral conversion occurred in 1.2% (7/607); femoral-to-radial conversion occurred in 0.3% (2/635). Over time, the proportion of transradial angiographic procedures increased.

Conclusion

Technical proficiency improved significantly over time for both access types, typically requiring between 25 and 50 diagnostic angiograms to achieve asymptomatic improvement in efficiency. Reduced access-site complications and decreased fluoroscopy time were benefits associated with transradial angiography.
Imprints of dark matter on black hole shadows using spherical accretions
Authors: Saurabh K. , Jusufi Kimet
Published: June 2021

We study the possibility of identifying dark matter in the galactic center from the physical properties of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from an optically-thin disk region around a static and spherically symmetric black hole. In particular, we consider two specific models for the optical-thin disk region: a gas at rest and a gas in a radial free fall. Due to the effect of dark matter on the spacetime geometry, we find that the dark matter can increase or decrease the intensity of the electromagnetic flux radiation depending on the dark matter model. To this end, we analyze two simple dark matter models having different mass functions $${\mathcal {M}}(r)$$

M
(
r
)

, with a matter mass M, thickness $$\Delta r_s$$

Δ

r
s

along with a dark matter core radius surrounding the black hole. In addition to that, we explore the scenario of a perfect fluid dark matter surrounding the black hole. We show that in order to have significant effect of dark matter on the intensity of the electromagnetic flux radiation, a high energy density of dark matter near the black hole is needed. We also find that the surrounding dark matter distribution plays a key role on the shadow radius and the intensity of the electromagnetic flux radiation, respectively. Finally we have used the relation between the shadow radius and the quasinormal modes (QNMs) to compute the real part of QNM frequencies.
Evaluation of home detection algorithms on mobile phone data using individual-level ground truth
Authors: Pappalardo Luca , Ferres Leo , Sacasa Manuel , Cattuto Ciro , Bravo Loreto
Published: June 2021

Inferring mobile phone users’ home location, i.e., assigning a location in space to a user based on data generated by the mobile phone network, is a central task in leveraging mobile phone data to study social and urban phenomena. Despite its widespread use, home detection relies on assumptions that are difficult to check without ground truth, i.e., where the individual who owns the device resides. In this paper, we present a dataset that comprises the mobile phone activity of sixty-five participants for whom the geographical coordinates of their residence location are known. The mobile phone activity refers to Call Detail Records (CDRs), eXtended Detail Records (XDRs), and Control Plane Records (CPRs), which vary in their temporal granularity and differ in the data generation mechanism. We provide an unprecedented evaluation of the accuracy of home detection algorithms and quantify the amount of data needed for each stream to carry out successful home detection for each stream. Our work is useful for researchers and practitioners to minimize data requests and maximize the accuracy of the home antenna location.
Light- and magnetically actuated FePt microswimmers
Authors: Kadiri Vincent Mauricio , Günther Jan-Philipp , Kottapalli Sai Nikhilesh , Goyal Rahul , Peter Florian , Alarcón-Correa Mariana , Son Kwanghyo , Barad Hannah-Noa , Börsch Michael , Fischer Peer
Published: June 2021

Externally controlled microswimmers offer prospects for transport in biological research and medical applications. This requires biocompatibility of the swimmers and the possibility to tailor their propulsion mechanisms to the respective low Reynolds number environment. Here, we incorporate low amounts of the biocompatible alloy of iron and platinum (FePt) in its $$\hbox {L1}_{{0}}$$

L1
0

phase in microstructures by a versatile one-step physical vapor deposition process. We show that the hard magnetic properties of $$\hbox {L1}_{{0}}$$

L1
0

FePt are beneficial for the propulsion of helical micropropellers with rotating magnetic fields. Finally, we find that the FePt coatings are catalytically active and also make for Janus microswimmers that can be light-actuated and magnetically guided.
Bilinear Bäcklund transformation, breather- and travelling-wave solutions for a (2+1)-dimensional extended Kadomtsev–Petviashvili II equation in fluid mechanics
Authors: Ma Yong-Xin , Tian Bo , Qu Qi-Xing , Tian He-Yuan , Liu Shao-Hua
Published: June 2021

Fluid-mechanics studies are applied in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, oceanography, meteorology and astrophysics. In this paper, we investigate a (2+1)-dimensional extended Kadomtsev–Petviashvili II equation in fluid mechanics. Based on the Hirota bilinear method, we give a bilinear Bäcklund transformation. Via the extended homoclinic test technique, we construct the breather-wave solutions under certain constraints. We obtain the velocities of the breather waves, which depend on the coefficients in that equation. Besides, we derive the lump solutions with the periods of the breather-wave solutions tending to the infinity. Based on the polynomial-expansion method, travelling-wave solutions are constructed. We observe that the shapes of a breather wave and a lump remain unchanged during the propagation. We graphically discuss the effects of those coefficients on the breather wave and lump.
Effect of chronic alcohol exposure on gut vitamin B7 uptake: involvement of epigenetic mechanisms and effect of alcohol metabolites
Authors: Ramamoorthy Kalidas , Sabui Subrata , Srinivasan Padmanabhan , Al-Juburi Saleh , Pham Quang , Chu Brian D. , Simoes Rita D. , Fleckenstein James M. , Said Hamid M.
Published: June 2021

Using complementary models, including human differentiated enteroid and colonoid monolayers, this study shows the involvement of molecular and epigenetic mechanisms in mediating the inhibitory effect of chronic alcohol exposure on biotin uptake along the intestinal tract. The study also shows that alcohol metabolites (generated by gut microbiota and host tissues) cause inhibition in gut biotin uptake.
Revisiting the evaluation of central versus peripheral thermoregulatory control in humans
Authors: Ravanelli Nicholas , Gendron Philippe , Gagnon Daniel
Published: June 2021

Human thermoregulatory control is often evaluated through the relationship between thermoeffector output and core or mean body temperature. In addition to providing a general indication of whether a variable of interest alters thermoregulatory control, this relationship is often used to determine how this alteration may occur. This latter interpretation relies upon two parameters of the thermoeffector output-body temperature relationship: the onset threshold and thermosensitivity. Traditionally, changes in the onset threshold and thermosensitivity are interpreted as “central” or “peripheral” modulation of thermoregulatory control, respectively. This mini-review revisits the origins of the thermoeffector output-body temperature relationship and its use to interpret “central” or “peripheral” modulation of thermoregulatory control. Against this background, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this approach and highlight that “central” thermoregulatory control reflects the neural control of body temperature whereas “peripheral” thermoregulatory control reflects properties specific to the thermoeffector organs. We highlight studies that employed more direct approaches to investigate the neural control of body temperature and peripheral properties of thermoeffector organs. We conclude by encouraging future investigations interested in studying thermoregulatory control to more directly investigate the component of the thermoeffector loop under investigation.

heat; human; skin blood flow; sweat; thermoregulatory
Temporally precise population coding of dynamic sounds by auditory cortex
Authors: Downer Joshua D. , Bigelow James , Runfeldt Melissa J. , Malone Brian J.
Published: June 2021

Fundamental questions remain about population coding in primary auditory cortex (A1). In particular, issues of spike timing in models of neural populations have been largely ignored. We find that spike-timing in response to sound envelope fluctuations is highly similar across neuron populations in A1. This property of shared envelope phase preference allows for a simple population model involving unweighted convergence of neuronal responses to classify amplitude modulation frequencies with high accuracy.
Research on the Mechanical Properties of New Double‐Row Pile Supporting Structure Based on an In Situ Study
Authors: Zhou Yijun , Liu Kuiming , Wang Fengnian
Published: June 2021

According to the force characteristics of the double‐row pile supporting structure, two new types of double‐row piles are developed: the prestressed strong‐constrained double‐row piles and the recycling assembled double‐row piles. A comparative field test was conducted on the support effects of the two new double‐row piles and conventional double‐row piles. The test site is located in a deep foundation pit of the Beijing Daxing International Airport Project. The feasibility and reliability of the two new support structures are verified. Field monitoring included section strain and bending moment of the pile body, horizontal displacement of the pile body, and vertical and horizontal displacement of the pile top. The research shows that because of the prestressed anchorage cables in the rear row piles, the prestressed strong‐constrained support structure can provide better tensile performance from the rear piles, and the deformation and displacement are minimal. The recycling assembled double‐row piles have similar deformation and displacement to the conventional piles. Through the connection of the steel members, the construction time can be effectively shortened. After the backfill of the foundation pit, the steel members can be recycled and the cost can be reduced.
Multi-Depot Pickup and Delivery Problem with Resource Sharing
Authors: Wang Yong , Ran Lingyu , Guan Xiangyang , Zou Yajie
Published: June 2021

Resource sharing (RS) integrated into the optimization of multi-depot pickup and delivery problem (MDPDP) can greatly reduce the logistics operating cost and required transportation resources by reconfiguring the logistics network. This study formulates and solves an MDPDP with RS (MDPDPRS). First, a bi-objective mathematical programming model that minimizes the logistics cost and the number of vehicles is constructed, in which vehicles are allowed to be used multiple times by one or multiple logistics facilities. Second, a two-stage hybrid algorithm composed of a k-means clustering algorithm, a Clark-Wright (CW) algorithm, and a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is designed. The k-means algorithm is adopted in the first stage to reallocate customers to logistics facilities according to the Manhattan distance between them, by which the computational complexity of solving the MDPDPRS is reduced. In the second stage, CW and NSGA-II are adopted jointly to optimize the vehicle routes and find the Pareto optimal solutions. CW algorithm is used to select the initial solution, which can increase the speed of finding the optimal solution during NSGA-II. Fast nondominated sorting operator and elite strategy selection operator are utilized to maintain the diversity of solutions in NSGA-II. Third, benchmark tests are conducted to verify the performance and effectiveness of the proposed two-stage hybrid algorithm, and numerical results prove that the proposed methodology outperforms the standard NSGA-II and multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. Finally, optimization results of a real-world logistics network from Chongqing confirm the applicability of the mathematical model and the designed solution algorithm. Solving the MDPDPRS provides a management tool for logistics enterprises to improve resource configuration and optimize logistics operation efficiency.
Experimental Study on the Safety Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall Structure with the Correspondence between Damage Image and Index
Authors: Kou Suxia , Zhang Jianmin , Ren Jing
Published: June 2021

The post‐disaster emergency rescue and loss evaluation hinges on the timeliness and accuracy of safety assessment of building structures in quake‐hit regions. At present, the damage identification of quake‐hit buildings in China is mainly conducted based on the experience of the experts. Such an assessment method will inevitably lead to the differences in identification results because each expert has his/her own subjective understanding of the degree of structural damage. In order to solve this problem, the low cyclic loading test of 7 specimens of shear wall is conducted and the hysteretic curves of seven shear walls are drawn. The failure modes and seismic performance of members under different design parameters (axial compression ratio of shear wall, shear span ratio, form of edge member, reinforcement ratio, stirrup ratio of coupling beam, and span height ratio) are compared. By recording the damage images taken at the controlled displacement under each level of load, the corresponding damage indexes are calculated, and the correspondence between the typical component damages and the damage indexes is discovered. After that, the images are compiled into an atlas. The authors calculate the damage index of the overall structure based on the damage indexes of the components and carries out damage identification of RC shear wall structure with the said damage index.
Prunus mume Seed Exhibits Inhibitory Effect on Skin Senescence via SIRT1 and MMP‐1 Regulation
Authors: Son Hyeong-U , Choi Hee-Jeong , Alam Md Badrul , Jeong Chae Gyeong , Lee Hansong I , Kim Solomon L. , Zhao Peijun , Kim Tae-Ho , Lee Sang-Han
Published: June 2021

The Prunus mume seed is a by‐product of the food industry, and we studied its potential as a food biomaterial, particularly for nutraceutical and inner beauty products. Alternative animal tests showed that an extract of P. mume ripened seed (PmRS) was not toxic on the skin. PmRS exhibited protective effects against ultraviolet‐ (UV‐) induced skin aging in mice, confirmed by phenotypic indications, including increased collagen levels and decreased skin thickness. Compared with the UV‐saline group, the UV‐PmRS group showed increased levels of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and collagen and decreased matrix metalloproteinase‐ (MMP‐) 1 expression. The protective effect of PmRS treatment against UVB‐mediated cell viability was observed in vitro without any cytotoxicity, and PmRS prevented UVB‐induced reactive oxygen species generation in HaCaT cells. PmRS downregulated MMP‐1 and MMP‐13 compared with the UVB‐irradiated group. However, mRNA expressions of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 and SIRT1 were upregulated by PmRS treatment. MMP‐1 and SIRT1 treated with PmRS were decreased and increased, respectively, at the protein level. Moreover, PmRS treatment reduced c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and p38 phosphorylation compared with the UVB‐treated group. We postulate that P. mume seed could be a useful ingredient in nutraceuticals and inner beauty‐purpose foods.
Quantifying the Consequences of Perceived Stress in the Textile and Clothing Sector through Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Ahmad Aftab , Hussain Amjad , Mahmood Asif , Ahmad Ayyaz , Ikram Amir , Yasmin Shagufta
Published: June 2021

The textile and clothing (T&C) sector plays an important role in the growth and industrial development of emerging economies. Work stress is a real concern for organizations with no immunity for the T&C sector. It hampers individual as well as organizational work performance that ultimately places a significant hurdle in achieving competitiveness in the market. This study aims at exploring the antecedents and consequences of work stress and how different causes of stress influence perceived stress among the employees of the textile and clothing organizations in Pakistan. Data were collected from 1470 employees of 24 organizations. Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and two researcher-developed instruments (34 items and 22 items each) were used for the data collection. Information gathered was analyzed by PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modelling) technique. Statistically significant results were found for the antecedents, namely, work-family conflict, role clarity, work characteristics, social working environment, managers’ support at work, and training and career development, with work-family conflict as the most significant, and for the consequences, namely, psychological, emotional, physical, performance, and behavioral with psychological effect as the most significant. The findings of the study could help managers, designers, planners, and ergonomists in making more informed and proactive decisions while attempting to prevent or control the stress phenomenon in the T&C sector. Moreover, the study highlights the need for gaining more in-depth insight into the work-stress phenomenon proactively so that the effectiveness of intervention strategies might be assured.