bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Niche width of above‐ and below‐ground organisms varied in predicting biodiversity profiling along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Feng Kai , Wang Shang , Wei Ziyan , Wang Zhujun , Zhang Zhaojing , Wu Yueni , Zhang Yuguang , Deng Ye
Published: April 2020

Biodiversity is the foundation of all ecosystems across the planet, and having a better understanding of its global distribution mechanism could be important for biodiversity conservation under global change. A niche width model, combined with metabolic theory, has successfully predicted the increase of α‐diversity and decrease of β‐diversity in the below‐ground microbial community along an altitudinal mountain gradient. In this study, we evaluated this niche width model of above‐ground plants (mainly trees and shrubs) and below‐ground bulk soil microbial communities (i.e., bacteria and archaea) along a latitudinal gradient of forests in China. The niche widths of both plants and microbes increased with increasing temperature and precipitation, and with proximity to circumneutral pH. However, the α‐ and β‐diversities (observed richness and Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, respectively) could not be accurately predicted by a single niche width model alone, either temperature, precipitation or pH. Considering the interactions among different niche width models, all three niche width models were combined to predict biodiversity at the community level using structural equation modelling. The results showed that the niche width model of circumneutral pH was most important in predicting diversity profiling (i.e., α‐ and β‐diversity) for both plants and microbes, while niche width of precipitation and temperature showed both direct and indirect importance for microbe and plant biodiversity, respectively. Because the current niche width model neglects several scenarios related to taxon and environmental attributes, it still needs to be treated with caution in predicting biodiversity trends.
The best type of inoculum for testing the antifungal drug susceptibility of Microsporum canis: In vivo and in vitro results
Authors: Aneke Chioma Inyang , Rhimi Wafa , Pellicoro Claudia , Cantacessi Cinzia , Otranto Domenico , Cafarchia Claudia
Published: April 2020

Background

Data correlating in vitro drug susceptibility of Microsporum canis with clinical outcomes of its infections are lacking as well as the most suitable inoculum and incubation time in broth microdilution assays.

Objectives and Methods

Microsporum canis strains were collected from animal hosts that tested positive (Group I; n = 13) and negative (Group II; n = 14) to this pathogen following itraconazole (ITC) therapy. In vitro ITC susceptibility was assessed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI M38‐A2) methodology using conidia, hypha‐conidia and arthroconidia at 3 and 7 days of incubation in order to assess the most suitable inoculum and incubation time. Successively, ketoconazole (KTC), voriconazole (VRC), terbinafine (TRB), posaconazole (PSZ), fluconazole (FLC) and griseofulvin (GRI) susceptibilities were assessed using the chosen inoculum.

Results

The MIC values of ITC after three‐day incubation were equal than those recorded after 7‐day incubation.

Itraconazole MICs were ≤1 μg/mL for strains from Group II and >1 μg/mL for those of Group II only when conidia were used. All strains showed high susceptibility to VRC, POS, TEB and low susceptibility to ITC, KTC, GRI and FLC regardless of the source and incubation time.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Results suggest that correlation between the in vitro results and clinical outcome was observed only by incubating conidia for 3 days at 30 ± 2°C. These conditions might be most suitable to assess in vitro susceptibility of M. canis and assist in determining the occurrence of drug resistance and cross‐resistance phenomena.
Non‐invasive brain stimulation and short‐term cortical plasticity
Authors: Ogata Katsuya
Published: April 2020

Non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been widely used to study central nervous system pathophysiology and have revealed new information about the functional roles of specific brain structures. This review first outlines the basic technologies and neural mechanisms associated with NIBS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was first utilized to obtain motor‐evoked potentials, which reflect corticospinal tract function. Later, studies using repetitive TMS and patterned TMS‐like theta‐burst stimulation reported the presence of aftereffects, which can enhance or inhibit cortical excitability depending on the stimulus frequency or continuous/intermittent stimulation. Over the past two decades, transcranial electrical stimulation has become increasingly popular for neuromodulation, which includes direct current stimulation (tDCS) and alternating current stimulation (tACS). While tDCS modulates cortical excitability depending on the stimulation polarity, tACS exerts its effects in a frequency‐phase–dependent manner. Although entrainment may be an important underlying mechanism, the recorded aftereffects are likely due to spike‐timing–dependent plasticity. Second, recent innovations using NIBS to induce short‐term cortical plasticity are highlighted. State‐dependent or informed open‐loop stimulation can be used to explore the interactions between endogenous cortical oscillations and TMS. Electroencephalographic oscillations prior to TMS stimulation reflect instantaneous cortical excitability depending on the stimulation power and phase, and repetitive TMS at a certain EEG state can enhance cortical excitability. Finally, temporal deafferentation of the peripheral nerve induced by a modified ischemic nerve block can modulate sensorimotor function after tourniquet deflation. Overall, NIBS techniques are promising tools for investigating human brain functions and developing new protocols for neurorehabilitation.
Safety of double‐balloon enteroscopy in postoperative pediatric patients
Authors: Matsushita Kohei , Inoue Mikihiro , Nagano Yuka , Koike Yuhki , Otake Kohei , Okita Yoshiki , Uchida Keiichi , Kusunoki Masato
Published: April 2020

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in postoperative pediatric patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients 18 years and younger referred to Mie University Hospital. Twenty procedures in 11 children occurred postoperatively; 29 children (42 procedures) had not undergone surgery.

Results

Among postoperative patients, five DBE procedures were performed via the oral route, 12 via the anal route, and three via a stomal route. Among nonoperative patients, 14 DBE procedures were performed via the oral route and 28 via the anal route. Four postoperative patients and two nonoperative patients had difficult pleating via the transanal route because of adhesions or thickening of the intestinal wall resulting from inflammation (P = 0.02). Excluding patients with stenosis, the mean length of endoscopic insertion for transanal procedures was significantly shorter among postoperative patients than among nonoperative patients (73.6 cm vs 160.5 cm, P < 0.01). There were no major complications in either group.

Conclusions

Insertion difficulty was encountered in postoperative pediatric patients. However, our findings indicate that DBE is a safe procedure in postoperative pediatric patients.
Prevalence of Internet addiction in Japan: Comparison of two cross‐sectional surveys
Authors: Kawabe Kentaro , Horiuchi Fumie , Nakachi Kiwamu , Hosokawa Rie , Ueno Shu‐ichi
Published: April 2020

Background

Internet addiction is a serious problem, and the incidence has increased significantly in recent years. In two cross‐sectional studies over a 4‐year period, we investigated Internet addiction in adolescents and evaluated the resulting changes in their lives.

Methods

Junior high‐school students (aged 12 to 15 years) were assessed in 2014 (survey I) and in 2018 (survey II). They filled out Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire, and a questionnaire on sleep habits and usage of electric devices.

Results

In total, 1,382 students were recruited for the two surveys. The mean IAT score was significantly higher in survey II (36.0 ± 15.2) than in survey I (32.4 ± 13.6) (P < 0.001). The increase in total IAT score indicates that the rate of Internet addiction was significantly higher in 2018 than in 2014. For each subscale of the General Health Questionnaire, social dysfunction scores were significantly lower in survey II than in survey I (P = 0.022). During the weekend, mean total sleep time was 504.8 ± 110.1 min, and the time awake was 08:02 h in survey II; the total sleep time and time awake were significantly longer and later, respectively, in survey II than in survey I (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, respectively). Smartphone use was also significantly higher in survey II than in survey I (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of Internet addiction differed over the 4 years of this study.
Influence of Surface Structure, Pigmentation and Particulate Matter on Plant Reflectance and Fluorescence
Authors: Cuba Nahuel I. , Torres Rocio , San Román Enrique , Lagorio M. Gabriela
Published: April 2020

Optical properties of plant leaves are relevant to evaluate their physiological state and stress effect. The main objective of this work was to study how variegation, pigment composition or reflective features modifies leaves' photophysical behavior. For this purpose, green leaves (Ficus benjamina), purple leaves (Tradescantia pallida), green leaves covered by white trichomes (Cineraria maritima) and variegated leaves (Codiaeum aucubifolium) were analyzed. Firstly, foliar surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. UV‐vis and near‐IR reflectance and transmittance spectra were obtained to calculate absorption (k) and scattering (s) coefficients. The theoretical approaches of Pile of Plates and Kubelka–Munk's theory resulted still valid for nonstandard leaves with differing surface conditions. However, frequently used spectral indices were not reliable for predicting water content, when leaves differed from conventional ones. The proportionality between the absorption factor and chromophore/pigment concentration was also lost for hairy leaves. A simplified model to describe these facts was presented here. Fluorescence spectra were recorded and corrected, due to light re‐absorption. Water‐optical parameter connection and pigment‐optical parameter connection were thoroughly discussed. Leaf surface morphology and pigmentation have not only influenced the optical features of leaves but also played a role in the effect that particulate matter could cause on leaf photosynthesis.
Carbon Leakage: The Impact of Asymmetric Regulation on Carbon‐Emitting Production
Authors: Huang Ximin (Natalie) , Tan Tarkan , Toktay L. Beril
Published: April 2020

Regions with carbon emission regulations bear the risk of “carbon leakage” if local producers shift production capacity to an unregulated region. We investigate the problem for a producer subject to geographically asymmetric emission regulation with uncertain future emission price. The producer has two ex ante options to lower its compliance cost: investing in clean production technology in the regulated region and building production capacity in the unregulated region. The producer determines its production quantities ex post, after emission price uncertainty is resolved. We study two anti‐leakage policies, Border Tax (BT) and Output‐Based Allocation (OB), where the former adopts a “stick” approach that penalizes offshore production and the latter adopts a “carrot” approach that grants free emission allowances for production in the regulated region. First, we show that the emission price uncertainty can exert opposing effects in the absence of an anti‐leakage policy: When the expected emission price is low (high), a higher uncertainty aggravates (mitigates) carbon leakage. Second, through a comprehensive comparison, we highlight that while both BT and OB are able to reduce carbon leakage, BT has a stronger effect in both the regulated and unregulated regions in multiple dimensions, especially when the carbon leakage risk is high. Third, we find that a higher emission price uncertainty weakens the effect of both BT and OB. We therefore suggest that emission price uncertainty should be accounted for when formulating anti‐leakage policies. Finally, we extend our analysis to a competitive case and find that the superiority of BT relative to OB is enhanced.
The quest for the genuine visual mismatch negativity (vMMN): Event‐related potential indications of deviance detection for low‐level visual features
Authors: Male Alie G. , O’Shea Robert P. , Schröger Erich , Müller Dagmar , Roeber Urte , Widmann Andreas
Published: April 2020

Research shows that the visual system monitors the environment for changes. For example, a left‐tilted bar, a deviant, that appears after several presentations of a right‐tilted bar, standards, elicits a classic visual mismatch negativity (vMMN): greater negativity for deviants than standards in event‐related potentials (ERPs) between 100 and 300 ms after onset of the deviant. The classic vMMN is contributed to by adaptation; it can be distinguished from the genuine vMMN that, through use of control conditions, compares standards and deviants that are equally adapted and physically identical. To determine whether the vMMN follows similar principles to the auditory mismatch negativity (MMN), in two experiments we searched for a genuine vMMN from simple, physiologically plausible stimuli that change in fundamental dimensions: orientation, contrast, phase, and spatial frequency. We carefully controlled for attention and eye movements. We found no evidence for the genuine vMMN, despite adequate statistical power. We conclude that either the genuine vMMN is a rather unstable phenomenon that depends on still‐to‐be‐identified experimental parameters, or it is confined to visual stimuli for which monitoring across time is more natural than monitoring over space, such as for high‐level features. We also observed an early deviant‐related positivity that we propose might reflect earlier predictive processing.
Progesterone and Luteinizing hormone secretion patterns in early pregnant gilts
Authors: Haen Silke M. , Heinonen Mari , Bjorkman Stefan , Soede Nicoline M. , Peltoniemi Olli A.T.
Published: April 2020

We studied luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility and episodic progesterone release of the corpus luteum (CL) on Day 11 and Day 21 in inseminated gilts and aimed to establish a relationship between these two hormones. Blood was collected at 15‐min intervals for 12 hr on Days 11, 16 and 21 from a vena cava caudalis catheter. At euthanasia, eight gilts were pregnant and six gilts were not pregnant. Progesterone parameters (basal, mean, pulse frequency and pulse amplitude) did not differ between pregnant and non‐pregnant gilts on Day 11, LH pulse frequency and amplitude tended to differ (p = .07 and p = .079). In pregnant gilts, basal and mean progesterone, progesterone pulse amplitude and frequency declined significantly from Day 11 to Day 21 (p < .05). A significant decline was also seen in the LH pulse amplitude from Day 11 to Day 21 (p < .05). None of the LH pulses was followed by a progesterone pulse within 1 hr on Day 21. On Day 11 and Day 21 appeared a synchronicity in the LH pulse pattern, as there were two or three LH pulses in 12 hr and these LH pulses appeared in the same time window. We conclude that on Day 11 and Day 21 of pregnancy in gilts, progesterone pulses do not follow an LH pulse within one hour. Further we demonstrated that the successful or not successful formation of a CL of pregnancy is independent of progesterone release on Day 11 after insemination. We confirmed the decline of progesterone from Day 11 to Day 21 in the vena cava caudalis and could demonstrate that this decline is partly due to lower progesterone pulse amplitude and frequency and that the decline occurs simultaneously with a decline in LH pulse amplitude.
How to separate coordinate and categorical spatial relation components in integrated spatial representations: A new methodology for analysing sketch maps
Authors: Lopez Antonella , Caffò Alessandro O. , Postma Albert , Bosco Andrea
Published: April 2020

Spatial relations between landmarks can be represented by means of categories and coordinates. In the present research, this paradigm was applied to sketch maps based on information acquired in goal‐directed behaviour of exploration of a university campus area. The first aim was to investigate whether categorical and coordinate information can be considered conceptually independent in sketch maps. The second aim was to assess which kind of distance measure served better to represent coordinate information in the present case study, and finally to assess the factorial structure of coordinate and categorical data. Analytic methodology as well as statistical analysis were found to confirm that separating coordinate and categorical components was formally as well as empirically appropriate. A series of confirmatory factor analyses showed the best fit for the model with two correlated components, as well as an acceptable reliability of measures emerged. The two components were moderately correlated. Moreover, the adoption of Manhattan distance seemed to be the most effective method to represent coordinate spatial relations in spatial sketch maps of areas acquired through navigation.
Three‐dimensional physics‐based registration of pelvic system using 2D dynamic magnetic resonance imaging slices
Authors: Courtecuisse H. , Jiang Z. , Mayeur O. , Witz J. F. , Lecomte‐Grosbras P. , Cosson M. , Brieu M. , Cotin S.
Published: April 2020

This paper introduces a method for dynamic 3D registration of female pelvic organs using 2D dynamic magnetic‐resonance images (MRIs). The aim is to provide a better knowledge and understanding of pathologies such as prolapsus or abnormal mobility of tissues. 2D dynamic MRI sequences are commonly used in nowadays clinical routines in order to evaluate the dynamic of organs, but due to the limited view, subjectivity related to human perception cannot be avoided in the diagnoses. A novel method for 2D/3D registration is proposed combining 3D finite element models with a priori knowledge of boundary conditions, in order to provide a 3D extrapolation of the dynamic of the organs observed in a single 2D MRI slice. The method is applied to the four main structures of the female pelvic floor (bladder, vagina, uterus and rectum), providing a full 3D visualisation of the organs' displacements. The methodology is evaluated with two patient‐specific data sets of volunteers presenting no pelvic pathology, and a sensitivity study is performed using synthetic data. The resulting simulations provide an estimation of the dynamic 3D shape of the organs facilitating diagnosis compared with 2D sequences. Moreover, the method follows a protocol compatible with current clinical constraints presenting this way potential short term medical applications.
Subpixel precision of crack lip movements by Heaviside‐based digital image correlation for a mixed‐mode fracture
Authors: Hedan Stephen , Valle Valéry , Cosenza Philippe
Published: April 2020

This study reports on the Heaviside‐based digital image correlation (H‐DIC) procedure and its application in fracture analysis. This improved DIC procedure was proposed to solve the uncertainty problems at the vicinity of the crack and to evaluate the opening and shear movements of crack lips and the orientations of cracks in the subset. Some tests were conducted to demonstrate the performance of the H‐DIC algorithm. An application on argillaceous rock mass exhibiting multiple mixed‐mode fractures is shown to validate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method. This application consisted in processing images acquired from an experimental investigation performed in a gallery front submitted to climatic seasonal variations. The results illustrated how the H‐DIC procedure enables to localise and to quantify the opening, shearing and orientation of subpixel cracks. A sensibility study performed on the opening and shear components demonstrated that the precision of crack aperture by H‐DIC procedure is close to 0.14 pixel and the spatial resolution is equal to one pixel. Moreover, the crack area was calculated from local apertures on a monitoring duration of 1 year, and a maximum value of 595.8 mm2 in winter was obtained.
Edema pulmonar no cardiogénico como complicación de sobredosis por consumo de heroína. Reporte de caso
Authors: Rodriguez Prada Catalina , Jiménez Camilo Andrés , Jaimes Gélvez Juan Carlos , Enciso Castro Mario Andrés , Casa Castro Onofre , Suárez Agudelo Jorge Andrés , Salazar Danilo
Published: April 2020

La heroína es una de las drogas ilícitas más utilizadas, potencialmente adictiva, derivada sintéticamente de la morfina, con múltiples efectos adversos secundarios a su consumo. Se presenta un caso de edema pulmonar asociado a consumo de heroína, como complicación del abuso de esta droga ilícita. La sospecha clínica e identificación clínica, complementada con las imágenes, fueron claves para el diagnóstico. Se recomienda tener en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial el consumo de drogas ilícitas en pacientes con síntomas poco claros en los servicios de urgencias.
Trueness of Fit of Biphasic Transversely Isotropic Parameters Model in the Porcine Temporomandibular Joint Disc and Mandibular Condylar Cartilage and Regional Dependence
Authors: Chin Adam R. , Almarza Alejandro J.
Published: April 2020

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMDs) are not well understood and the mechanical differences between the regions of the mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) and the TMJ disc have not been thoroughly compared. As of now, there are no commercially available regenerative therapies for the TMJ. Elucidating the mechanical properties of these two structures of the articulating joint will help future efforts in developing tissue engineering treatments of the TMJ. In this study, we evaluate the compressive properties of the porcine disc and mandibular condylar cartilage by performing unconfined compression at 10% strain with 4.5%/min strain rate. Punches (4 mm biopsy) from both tissues were taken from five different regions of both the MCC and TMJ: anterior, posterior, lateral, medial, and central. Previously, theoretical models of compression in the porcine tissue did not fit the whole ramp-relaxation behavior. Thus, the data stress–relaxation was fitted to the biphasic transversely isotropic model, for both the TMJ disc and cartilage. From the results found in the disc, it was found that the posterior region had the highest values in multiple viscoelastic parameters when compared to the other regions. The mandibular condylar cartilage was only found to be significantly different in the transverse modulus between the posterior and lateral regions. Both the TMJ disc and MCC had similar magnitudes of values (for the modulus and other corresponding compressive properties) and behavior under this testing modality.
Diagnostic value of lung ultrasound for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Ma HaiRan , Yan WenKang , Liu Jing
Published: April 2020

Aim: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is one of the most common and severe diseases in neonatal intensive care units worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that lung ultrasound (LUS) may be a reliable diagnostic tool for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The aim of study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of LUS for NRDS with a systematic review and meta-analysis.Material and methods: We searched for articles in EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Central from inception until 17 August 2019. The selected studies were diagnostic accuracy studies that reported the utility of LUS in the diagnosis of NRDS. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed quality using the QUADAS-2 tool. Then, we created a bivariate mixed effects model to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of LUS in diagnosing NRDS. A summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve was constructed to summarize the performance characteristics of LUS.Results: Nine studies involving 703 infants were included in the review. LUS had a pooled sensitivity of 0.99 (CI: 0.92-1.00) and a specificity of 0.95 (CI: 0.87-0.98). The areas under the curve for LUS was 0.99 (0.98-1.0). Meta-regression revealed that LUS had a significant diagnostic accuracy for NRDS.Conclusion: LUS is a promising method that is easily carried out, inexpensive, nonionizing and repeatable and can be performed at the bedside. Current evidence supports LUS as a useful imaging alternative for the diagnosis of NRDS.
A robust denoising process for spatial room impulse responses with diffuse reverberation tails
Authors: Massé Pierre , Carpentier Thibaut , Warusfel Olivier , Noisternig Markus
Published: April 2020

Spatial room impulse responses (SRIRs) measured using spherical microphone arrays are seeing increasingly widespread use in reproducing room reverberation effects on three-dimensional surround sound systems (e.g., higher-order ambisonics) through multi-channel SRIR convolution. However, such measured impulse responses inevitably present a non-negligible noise floor, which may lead to a perceptible “infinite reverberation effect” when convolved with an input sound. Furthermore, individual sensor noise and momentary measurement artefacts may additionally corrupt the resulting impulse response. This paper presents a robust SRIR denoising procedure applicable to impulse responses with diffuse late reverberation tails, which can be modeled by a stochastic process. In such cases, the non-decaying frequency-dependent noise floor may be replaced by a synthesized incoherent tail parameterized by the SRIR's energy decay envelope. It is shown that performing such tail re-synthesis in the spherical harmonic domain, using an independent zero-mean Gaussian noise for each component, preserves both the reverberation tail's frequency-dependent decay as well as its spatial coherence properties. The proposed process is then evaluated through its application to SRIRs measured in real-world conditions, and finally some aspects of performance and consistency verification are discussed.
Pandemic carves gaps in long-term field projects
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

2020 is becoming the year of missing data for ecological projects and oceanographic cruises.
From mice to monkeys, animals studied for coronavirus answers
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: April 2020

Infected lab animals can assess drugs and vaccines.
The effects of drinking water service fragmentation on drought-related water security
Authors: Mullin Megan
Published: April 2020

Drought is a critical stressor that contributes to water insecurity. In the United States, an important pathway by which drought affects households’ access to clean, reliable drinking water for basic needs is through the organization and activities of community water systems. Research on the local political economy of drinking water provision reveals the constraints on community water systems that affect their performance when confronting drought hazards. Fragmentation in responsibility for drinking water contributes to disparities in drought vulnerability, preparation, and response across households and across communities. The nature and extent of these disparities require further investigation to identify strategies for expanding water security in the face of drought and other water hazards.
hnRNPA2B1 Associated with Recruitment of RNA into Exosomes Plays a Key Role in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Release from Infected Cells
Authors: Zhou Xusha , Wang Lei , Zou Weixuan , Chen Xiaoqing , Roizman Bernard , Zhou Grace Guoying
Published: April 2020

In this report, we show that hnRNPA2B1 is not a component of exosomes produced in HEp-2 or HEK293T cells. In herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)-infected cells, hnRNPA2B1 was quantitatively translocated from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. In infected ΔhnRNPA2B1 cells, Golgi-dependent transport of virus from the apical surface to the extracellular medium was significantly reduced. In essence, this report supports the hypothesis that hnRNPA2B1 plays a key role in the egress of exosomes and HSV-1 from infected cells.
Complete Genome Sequence of Collinsella aerofaciens JCM 10188
T
Authors: Tourlousse Dieter M. , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Miura Takamasa , Narita Koji , Ohashi Akiko , Uchino Yoshihito , Yamazoe Atsushi , Kameyama Keishi , Terauchi Jun , Ohkuma Moriya , Kawasaki Hiroko , Sekiguchi Yuji
Published: April 2020

We report a complete genome sequence of
Collinsella aerofaciens
JCM 10188
T
(=VPI 1003
T
). The genome consists of a circular chromosome (2,428,218 bp with 60.6% G+C content) and two extrachromosomal elements. The genome was predicted to contain 5 sets of rRNA genes, 58 tRNA genes, and 2,079 protein-encoding sequences.
Genome Sequences of Chikungunya Virus Isolates from Bolivia
Authors: França Caio M. B. , Loayza Roxana , Roca Yelin , Montaño Arias Ana Maria , Tinajeros Freddy , Loaiza Jose R. , Takyar Anshule , Gilman Robert H. , Miller Matthew J.
Published: April 2020

We generated nine coding-complete chikungunya virus genome sequences from blood samples collected during the early 2015 outbreak in Bolivia. Relative to other publicly available chikungunya sequences, the Bolivian samples represent a monophyletic group, suggesting that a single lineage was widely circulating in the country between February and May 2015.
Complete Genome Sequence of Novel Psychrotolerant
Legionella
Strain TUM19329, Isolated from Antarctic Lake Sediment
Authors: Shimada Sho , Nakai Ryosuke , Aoki Kotaro , Shimoeda Norifumi , Ohno Giichiro , Miyazaki Yasunari , Kudoh Sakae , Imura Satoshi , Watanabe Kentaro , Ishii Yoshikazu , Tateda Kazuhiro
Published: April 2020

Here, we report the complete genome sequence characteristics of
Legionella
strain TUM19329, a candidate for a novel psychrotolerant species isolated from Antarctic lake sediment. The genome assembly contains a single 3,750,805-bp contig with a G+C content of 39.1% and is predicted to encode 3,538 proteins.
Complete Genome Sequence of Halomonas meridiana Strain Slthf1, Isolated from a Deep-Sea Thermal Vent
Authors: Takahashi Yuka , Takahashi Haruno , Galipon Josephine , Arakawa Kazuharu
Published: April 2020

Halomonas meridiana
strain Slthf1 (ATCC BAA-801) is a Gram-negative bacterium that was isolated from a thermal vent in 1998. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this strain, which has a 3.6-Mbp genome, containing 3,400 protein-coding sequences.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Acidophilic, Mesophilic Verrucomicrobial Methanotrophs Contain Only One
pmoCAB
Operon
Authors: Cremers Geert , Pol Arjan , Jetten Mike S. M. , Op den Camp Huub J. M.
Published: April 2020

Methylacidimicrobium cyclopophantes
3B and
Methylacidimicrobium tartarophylax
4AC are Gram-negative rod-shaped mesophilic methanotrophs isolated from soil samples with low pH at the Solfatara Crater, near Naples, Italy. The genomes of these extremophilic verrucomicrobia were sequenced using Illumina technology, and both species possess one
pmoCAB
operon and two
xoxF
genes.
Supplemental Material: Individual Development Plans (IDPs): An Underutilized Advising Tool in the Geosciences
Authors: Eason Deborah E. , Bruno Barbara C. , Böttjer-Wilson Daniela
Published: April 2020

Additional program information and implementation details, advisor/mentor survey results, and a copy of the basic IDP template used in the ‘Ike Wai project.
IgG4-related pancreatitis: an uncommon cause of hyperglycaemia
Authors: Williams David M , Nawaz Asif , Srivastava Brijesh , George Lindsay
Published: April 2020

Hyperglycaemia is one of the most common metabolic disturbances encountered in clinical practice, with an important differential diagnosis. We report a case of a 72-year-old woman referred to diabetes services with rapidly increasing blood glucose and weight loss despite oral hypoglycaemic therapy. She reported mild upper abdominal discomfort and liver function tests were deranged, prompting further investigation. Abdominal imaging demonstrated a diffusely enlarged pancreas and subsequent investigations noted a markedly raised serum IgG4. She was diagnosed with IgG4-related pancreatitis and swiftly responded to steroid therapy. Secondary causes of diabetes should be considered in people with atypical presentation such as weight loss or rapid progression to insulin use. While IgG4-related disease is rare, its varied clinical presentation as a result of its multiorgan involvement requires a high index of suspicion. This case highlights the importance of a detailed diagnostic work-up and describes an unusual clinical presentation of this increasingly recognised multisystem disease.
Dramatic recovery of vision in patient with acute central retinal artery occlusion treated with local intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator
Authors: Margolin Edward A , Rai Amrit , Goldfarb Jeremy , Zaslavsky Kirill , Kohly Radha , Nicholson Patrick
Published: April 2020

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a devastating disease resulting in severe visual loss in most cases. It has no proven treatment, and a variety of management options used clinically all have dismal rate of success. We report outcome of treatment with local intra-arterial thrombolysis administered 2.75 hours after devastating visual loss from incomplete CRAO.
Multimodal imaging-guided diagnosis, management and follow-up of a case of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis
Authors: Ramachandran Obuli , Mallidi Rachana , Sen Sagnik , Kannan Naresh Babu
Published: April 2020

A 45-year-old woman presented with diminished vision in the left eye. Visual acuity was 6/9 and fundus showed a very large live nematode near the macula along with inflammatory outer retinal lesions in the periphery. We diagnosed the case as diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis and treated with immediate focal photocoagulation of the worm along with oral antihelminthic drugs and corticosteroids. The report highlights the importance of prompt laser and steroids in achieving good structural as well as the functional outcome, and the added significance of advanced imaging techniques in prognosticating such patients.
Antitumour necrosis factor-α agents and development of new-onset cirrhosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective cohort
Authors: Tang Kuo-Tung , Dufour Jean-François , Chen Po-Hung , Hernaez Ruben , Hutfless Susan
Published: April 2020

Objective

Elevated tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been implicated in the progression of liver fibrosis and pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aim to investigate the impact of anti-TNF-α agents on the development of cirrhosis and NAFLD.

Design

This retrospective cohort study used a US claims database between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016. We identified adult patients with ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-TNF-α agents of interest included adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab. The primary composite outcome was the development of new-onset cirrhosis, NAFLD or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The secondary outcomes were the development of (1) cirrhosis and (2) NAFLD or NASH. Propensity score for anti-TNF-α agent use was generated by logistic regression. Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for the propensity score were used with regard to time-varying anti-TNF-α agent exposure.

Results

This study included 226 555 incident patients with immune-related diseases. During the median 1.5 years follow-up, there was an increased hazard with anti-TNF-α agent use in regard to liver outcomes (composite outcome HR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.70; cirrhosis HR 1.47, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.23; NAFLD or NASH HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.77). The composite outcome hazard was increased for each immune-related disease (HR 1.25–1.90).

Conclusion

In the short term, we did not observe a beneficial effect of anti-TNF-α agent use for development of cirrhosis, NAFLD or NASH in patients with immune-related diseases.
Effects of a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise, Baduanjin, on the physical and cognitive functions in the community of older adults with cognitive frailty: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Xia Rui , Wan Mingyue , Lin Huiying , Qiu Pingting , Ye Yu , He Jianquan , Yin Lianhua , Tao Jing , Chen Lidian , Zheng Guohua
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Cognitive frailty (CF) is a clinical manifestation characterised by the simultaneous presence of both physical frailty and cognitive impairment among older adults without dementia and has become a new target for healthy ageing. Increasing evidence shows that regular Baduanjin (a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise) training is beneficial in improving physical function and cognitive ability in the older adults. The primary aim of this trial is to observe the effect of Baduanjin on physical and cognitive functions in older adults with CF.

Methods and analysis

In this prospective, outcome assessor-blind, two-arm randomised controlled trial, a total of 102 participants with CF will be recruited and randomly allocated (1:1) into the Baduanjin training or usual physical activity control group. The control group will receive health education for 30 min at least once a month. Based on health education, participants in the Baduanjin exercise group will receive a 24-week Baduanjin training with 60 min per session and 3 sessions per week, while those in the usual physical activity control group will maintain their original lifestyle. Primary outcomes (frailty index and global cognitive ability), body composition, grip force, balance, fatigue, specific cognitive domain, including memory, execution and visual spatial abilities, and life quality of secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, and at 13 and 25 weeks after randomisation, while the structural and functional MRI will be measured at baseline and 25 weeks after randomisation. The mixed linear model will be conducted to observe the intervention effects.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the ethics committee of the second people’s hospital of Fujian province (Approval no. 2018-KL015). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1800020341; Pre-results.
Targeting ANXA1 abrogates Treg-mediated immune suppression in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Bai Fang , Zhang Peng , Fu Yipeng , Chen Hongliang , Zhang Mingdi , Huang Qianru , Li Dan , Li Bin , Wu Kejin
Published: April 2020

Background

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a negative role in anti-tumor immunity against triple-negative breast cancer, so it is of great significance to find the potential therapeutic target of Treg cells.

Methods

First, Annexin A1 (ANXA1) expression and survival of patients with breast cancer were analyzed using TCGA data. Then plasma ANXA1 levels in patients with malignant and benign breast tumors were detected by ELISA. Next, the effect of ANXA1 on Treg cells was studied through suppressive assays, and how ANXA1 regulates the function of Treg cells was detected by RNA sequencing. Finally, the in vivo experiment in balb/c mice was conducted to test whether the ANXA1 blocker Boc1 could shrink tumors and affect the function of Treg cells.

Results

Our data suggest that ANXA1 expression is associated with lower survival and a higher risk of breast malignancy. Suppressive assays show that ANXA1 can enhance the inhibition function of Treg cells. RNA-Sequencing results indicate that Boc1 could reduce the expression of granzyme A mRNA in Treg cells. Animal experiments have been done to show that Boc1 can reduce tumor size and down regulate Treg cell function.

Conclusions

ANXA1 can enhance the function of Treg cells and reduce the survival rate of patients with breast cancer. Targeting ANXA1 can reduce Treg cell function and shrink breast tumors.
Emergency presentations of movement disorders
Authors: Gandhi Sacha E , Newman Edward J , Marshall Vicky L
Published: April 2020

Movement disorders are typically perceived as being gradually progressive conditions that are managed in outpatient settings. However, they may manifest de novo with an acute severe phenotype or an acute decompensation. A movement disorder becomes an emergency when it evolves acutely or subacutely over hours to days; delays in its diagnosis and treatment may cause significant morbidity and mortality. Here we address the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of those movement disorder emergencies that are principally encountered in emergency departments, in acute receiving units or in intensive care units. We provide practical guidance for management in the acute setting where there are several treatable causes not to be missed. The suggested medication doses are predominantly based on expert opinion due to limited higher-level evidence. In spite of the rarity of movement disorder emergencies, neurologists need to be familiar with the phenomenology, potential causes and treatments of these conditions. Movement disorder emergencies divide broadly into two groups: hypokinetic and hyperkinetic, categorised according to their phenomenology. Most acute presentations are hyperkinetic and some are mixed.
A flexible approach for predicting and mapping postfire wood borer attacks in black spruce and jack pine forests using the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR)
Authors: Boucher Jonathan , Hébert Christian , Bauce Eric
Published: April 2020

Postfire salvage logging is used to reduce economic losses; however, burned trees are rapidly colonized by wood-boring insects, which reduce the merchantable value of the wood. This study aims to predict wood borer (Monochamus Megerle in Dejean, 1821) attacks after wildfire as a function of rapidly available variables such as tree basal area, stem diameter, and burn severity using the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR). In 2011, we sampled 60 black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) or jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) plots in five burns from 2010 in the Haute-Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. A 50 cm bole section was debarked on seven trees in each plot to estimate wood borer attack density. Wood borer attacks were more abundant in black spruce than in jack pine. As a continuous variable, dNBR unveiled a quadratic effect of burn severity on attack density in black spruce, which was higher at moderate burn severity. In jack pine, the highest levels of attack density were found at high burn severity. Models produced in this article will help forest managers to better prioritize areas for salvage logging and thus reduce economic losses due to wood borer activity.
Energies and radii of light nuclei around unitarity
Authors: König Sebastian
Published: April 2020

Light nuclei fall within a regime of universal physics governed by the fact that the two-nucleon scattering lengths are large compared to the typical nuclear interaction range set by one-pion exchange. This places nuclear physics near the so-called unitarity limit in which the scattering lengths are exactly infinite. Effective field theory provides a powerful theoretical framework to capture this separation of scales in a systematic way. It is shown here that the nuclear force can be constructed as a perturbative expansion around the unitarity limit and that this expansion has good convergence properties for both the binding energies of $$A=3,4$$A=3,4 nuclei as well as for the radii of these states.
Multiconsensus of first-order multiagent systems with directed topologies
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Wen , Han Guangsong , Lai Qiang , Yue Dandan
Published: April 2020

The multiconsensus problem of first-order multiagent systems with directed topologies is studied. A novel consensus problem is introduced in multiagent systems — multiconsensus. The states of multiple agents in each subnetwork asymptotically converge to an individual consistent value in the presence of information exchanges among subnetworks. Linear multiconsensus protocols are proposed to solve the multiconsensus problem, and the matrix corresponding to the protocol is designed. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived based on matrix theory, under which the stationary multiconsensus and dynamic multiconsensus can be reached. Simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
ITC Limited: Decoding Business Segment Betas
Authors: Talwar Shalini , Garg Anmol
Published: April 2020

OCV was seeking to improve its processes and enhance the skills of its analysts so as to provide valuable solutions for their clients in terms of the issues related to the profitability and risk of their existing business portfolios as well as the proposed new projects. A team was formed to evaluate if breaking down the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) to the divisional level could improve the quality of investment decisions by multi-division firms. ITC was chosen to analyse the entire process of breaking down WACC to the divisional level. The team had three distinct tasks to undertake. The first was the calculation of the divisional WACC for different business segments of ITC, the second was an extensive discussion on the issues that could arise in the complex computations, and the third was to take a final call on whether the breaking down of WACC to the divisional level would really add value to the future investment decisions.
Failure of Control Environment of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
Authors: Lee Hansol , Wan Eun Seung , Lee Ho-Young , Park Gitae
Published: April 2020

In July 2015, one of the biggest shipbuilding and marine engineering companies in Korea, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., LTD (DSME), suddenly reported operating losses of 2.73 billion USD, resulting in chaos and frustration of investors and market participants. The announcement of this huge loss was the result of an accounting fraud conducted by the management team. Adam Kim, the former CEO of the company, concealed 4.5 billion dollars of losses by manipulating the accounting performances. This case exemplifies the results of the weak control environment. This paper examines the consequences of the weak control environment and ineffective monitoring activities of DSME.
Ultrawide-Bandgap p-n Heterojunction of Diamond/β-Ga2O3 for a Solar-Blind Photodiode
Authors: Kim Hyun , Tarelkin Sergey , Polyakov Alexander , Troschiev Sergey , Nosukhin Sergey , Kuznetsov Mikhail , Kim Jihyun
Published: April 2020

The potential of ultrawide-bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors has not been fully explored because of the difficulty of forming a p-n homojunction. In this study, a mixed-dimensional UWBG p-n heterojunction composed of a p-type diamond substrate and an n-type exfoliated β-Ga2O3 nanolayer has been demonstrated via a van der Waals interaction; this type of structure does not suffer from lattice mismatch. Rectifying current-voltage characteristics with a rectification ratio exceeding 107 were obtained with a high reverse hard breakdown voltage of 135 V. This UWBG p-n heterojunction diode exhibited good thermal stability at elevated temperatures, retaining its high rectification ratio and low reverse leakage current. Excellent photoresponse characteristics, including responsivity (12 A W−1), rejection ratio (8.5 × 103), photo-to-dark-current ratio (3900), and fast response/decay characteristics, were observed from the diamond/β-Ga2O3 p-n heterojunction photodiode, showing no persistent photoconductivity. The mixed-dimensional p-n heterojunction diode based on two UWBG semiconductors (p-type diamond and n-type β-Ga2O3) can be used as a robust building block in next-generation power electronics and solar-blind optoelectronics.