bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of the agroindustrial complex on the region spatial development (under the conditions of the new technological way)
Authors: Baizulaev S A , Kh Gergova Z , Guzieva L M , Yagumova Z N
Published: March 2021

The spatial heterogeneity of Russian territories has among other differences (like the climatic, resource) also an association with interregional and intraregional differentiation. The development of the agro-industrial complex (AIC) along with other industries will contribute to smoothing these differences and improving inter-level interaction. They can become catalysts for spatial development by introducing new technological processes in the agro-industrial complex, improving regional and municipal infrastructure, and digitalizing the regional economy. Due to the introduction of informative-communicative technology the production of regional economic entities is developing, a bigger increase in the gross regional product is provided. The thesis formulates that the digitalization of the regional agro-industrial complex contributes to the solution of the transformation issues in industrial and social relations that affect the further development of the agro-industrial complexes due to the implementation of new methodological and practical approaches in regional management of different territories. Monitoring tools, resource forecasting analysis allow bringing regional agribusiness and related industries to a new progressive level of development, which regional financial interests, systematized into homogeneous groups, allow solving many issues of the spatial development of regions.
Features of processing the biomass of genus Miscanthus plants into carbohydrate-containing substrates for biotechnology
Authors: Krieger O V , Dolganyuk V F , Yu Prosekov A , Izgaryshev A V , Sukhikh S A
Published: March 2021

The article presents the characteristics of the chemical composition of the biomass of genus Miscanthus plants and the features of its use for the production of carbohydrate-containing substrates for biotechnology. It is shown that the Chinese mycanthus “Ferner Osten” is not characterized by a high content of lipidic and protein compounds. The herbaceous plant is rich in cellulose, lignin and fiber. To achieve the maximum conversion of the miscantus biomass, a preliminary chemical treatment with dilute sulfuric acid was performed. The optimal temperature for pretreatment of miscanthus biomass with 1% sulfuric acid solution is 130 °C with a process duration of 30 minutes. With an increase in temperature exposure, the yield of cellulose decreases markedly. Thus, when the temperature rises to 140°C and the process lasts 30 minutes, the pulp yield decreases by 31.38 %. With an increase in the duration of chemical treatment from 30 to 60 minutes, the pulp yield decreases from 79.07% to 61.08%. The residues of oligosaccharides and lignin were determined in the chemical hydrolysates of Miscanthus sinensis “Ferner Osten”. Among monosaccharides, glucose and xylose predominate, 40.5 and 24.4% of the dry matter, respectively. To increase the yield of sugars, it is planned to carry out two-stage processing.
Influence of the material reverse flow process on the regularities of pressure formation along the length of the screw surface of extruders
Authors: Usmanov I I
Published: March 2021

In the present work, the problem of describing the law of increase in the internal screw pressure of a solid material along the length of the screw surface of the extruder is posed and analytically solved, depending not only on the distributed friction forces and concentrated resistance forces of the counter-rotation ribs, made on the inner surface of the extruder body, but also taking into account the process of “sluicing” - backflow of material, which significantly affects the formation of the pressure field. The obtained mathematical model makes it possible to more correctly substantiate the design and technological parameters of extruders and grinders. The complexity of the movement of material in screw aggregates during its transportation, extrusion and cutting is caused not only by the complex screw shape of the channel, but also by the influence of a large number of variable technological parameters, structural elements of the mechanism, as well as many factors of a physical, mechanical and rheodynamic nature. In particular, in this study, the processes in two characteristic zones of the screw space, which are fundamentally different in physical conditions, are structured and analytically described by differential calculus methods. Based on the obtained mathematical model for the law of pressure distribution along the length of the screw surface, the design and technological characteristics of extruders can be optimized to reduce the energy consumption of materials grinding processes.
Using the Mamdani algorithm for Location evaluation of linear objects on agricultural land
Authors: Vershinin V V , Piterskaya L YU , Sidorenko M V
Published: March 2021

The paper considers an algorithm of using the author’s methodology for location evaluation of agricultural objects on agricultural land, based on an expert-qualimetric approach to the analysis of factors in the use of agricultural land and rural development. Location evaluation of linear objects on land plots used in agricultural production leads to violations of the integrity of land use, negatively affects the quality of soils, makes it difficult to carry out technological work on their processing, entails inevitable economic losses of landowners and land users. At the same time, linear facilities (roads, oil and gas pipelines, energy networks, etc.) play an important positive role in the development of the country and its rural areas and the agricultural sector as a whole. In this regard, the problem of evaluation the location of a linear object is actualized, based on the balance of interests. The authors believe that the first expert approach (pre-project) proposed in this publication.
Increasing the topological diversity of light with modulated Poincaré beams
Authors: Darvehi Pegah , Vicuña-Hernández Verónica , Marrucci Lorenzo , Piedipalumbo Ester , Santamato Enrico , Piccirillo Bruno
Published: March 2021

We introduce a wide class of singular inhomogeneously polarized beams characterized by a nonuniform rotation rate of the local polarization azimuth about a C- or a V-point. They are obtained by adding an extra phase modulation with an m-fold rotational symmetry to the helical wavefronts underpinning Poincaré beams. The resulting modulated Poincaré beams have been theoretically studied and experimentally generated using tailored space-varying-axis plates based on liquid crystals.
Discharge performance of Mg–Al–Cd anode for Mg-air Battery
Authors: Wang Henan , Chen Xingrui , Le Qichi , Zou Qi
Published: March 2021

This work investigated the discharge properties of the Mg-6Al-xCd alloy as a potential anode material for the Mg–air battery. The influence of the Mg-6Al-xCd alloy with cadmium content ranging between 0.5% and 1% on the electrochemical and discharge performances was investigated by means of microstructure characterization, electrochemical performance measurement and discharge test of the alloys. The results show that Mg-6Al-1.0Cd has the highest anode efficiency and specific capacity of 41.38% and 993.54 mAh/g, respectively. This good discharge performance is attributed to the addition of cadmium, which can inhibit self-corrosion and reduce the galvanic corrosion of the magnesium anode. The Mg-6Al-1.0Cd alloy can be used as a potentially ideal material for the Mg–air battery anode.
Comparison of silver-plated nylon (Ag/PA66) e-textile and Ag/AgCl electrodes for bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
Authors: Logothetis Irini , Gil Ignacio , Wang Xungai , Razal Joselito
Published: March 2021

Recently, researchers have adapted Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) as a new approach to objectively monitor wounds. They have indicated various BIA parameters associated to specific wound types can be linked to wound healing through trend analysis relative to time. However, these studies are conducted using wet electrodes which have been identified as possessing several shortcomings, such as unstable measurements. Thus, the adaption of e-textile electrodes has become an area of interest in measuring biosignals. E-textile electrodes are known to possess a significantly large polarization impedance (Zp) that potentially influences these biosignal measurements. In this study we aim to identify the suitability of e-textile electrodes to monitor wounds using BIA methodologies. By adapting suggested methodologies conducted in-vivo from previous studies, we used an ex-vivo model to observe the behaviour of e-textile electrodes relative to time. This was compared to common clinical wet electrodes, specifically Ag/AgCl. The objective of this study was to identify the BIA parameters that can be used to monitor wounds with e-textile electrodes. By analysing the BIA parameters relative to time, we observed the influence ofZpon these parameters.
ENSO phase-locking behavior in climate models: from CMIP5 to CMIP6
Authors: Liu Minghong , Ren Hong-Li , Zhang Renhe , Ineson Sarah , Wang Run
Published: March 2021

The phase-locking behavior of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in models from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) phase 5 to phase 6 is assessed in terms of the locking-month of ENSO peak and the sharpness of locking tendency. Overall, a robust improvement exists in CMIP6. Compared to CMIP5, more CMIP6 models truly reproduce the locking-month in November-January. Meanwhile, the sharpness of phase-locking in CMIP6 models also improves, though most of them are still far from the observations. The locking-month is verified to be highly corresponding to the phase of seasonal modulation of ENSO’s instabilities. The sharpness is mainly controlled by the intensity of this modulation and noise. Compared to CMIP5, CMIP6 models generally simulate these affecting factors better. Besides, models displaying an exaggerated semi-annual variation of ENSO’s instabilities simulate the ENSO phase-locking relative-poorly, and these models show no reduction from CMIP5 to CMIP6.
A facile light managing strategy in inverted perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wu Yan , Pan Heng , Xu Yuzeng , Hou Minna , Huang Qian , Ding Yi , Hou Guofu , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: March 2021

A simple and facile light managing strategy has been proposed in this work to promote the light harvest in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Effective light managing structures are realized on the substrate back surface by assembling two-dimensional hexagonal closely packed (2D-HCP) SiO2 nanoparticles with different diameters. The 100 nm 2D-HCP SiO2 structure, which mainly benefits from the graded refractive index along the light incident route, possesses an effective reflectance reduction of more than 10% in a wide incident angle range. Consequently, the efficiency of inverted PSCs has been substantially improved from 17.24% to 19.12%.
Structure-controlled tungsten carbide nanoplates for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Wu Shizhao , Lu Xiaofeng , Chen Xiaodan , Gao Hanlu , Gao Jing , Li Guohua
Published: March 2021

Developing a low-cost and durable non-noble metal eletrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical in efficient hydrogen production. Herein, tungsten carbide nanoplates (WC NPs) with typical mesoporous structure were prepared by a controlled hydrothermal reaction followed by a gas-solid carburization process. The crystal phases, microstructure and chemical components of the nanoplates were characterized, and their electrochemical properties were measured. The results show that the as-prepared WC NPs expose active sites upmost, and exhibit enhanced conductivity and superior HER performance in acid solution in terms of a small η
10 (overpotential to obtain a current density of 10 mA cm−2) of 120 mV, a Tafel slope of 58 mV dec−1 and outstanding long-term cycling stability. These indicate that the HER properties of WC NPs are dramatically enhanced compared to that of all phase pure WC materials reported in recent years. This enhancement can be attributed to their unique structural and electronic properties, which can be exploited to improve the electrochemical properties of traditional non-noble metal material.
Canada—Ontario
Authors: Keene Alex Ruck , de Souza Jaël Marques
Published: March 2021

Canada is a federation composed of ten provinces, including Ontario, and three territories. The common law applies in Canada, with the exception of the province of Quebec, which uses a civil law system. There is a federal government; as a province, Ontario also exercises constitutional powers in its own right. Federal legislation includes provisions relating to adults within the scope of this work. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms also guarantees certain political rights to Canadians and civil rights to everyone in Canada, and contains rights that impact upon capacity law.
New Zealand
Authors: Ward Adrian , Kris Gledhill
Published: March 2021

New Zealand is a common law country. The judicial structure is the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which are appellate courts only; the High Court, which hears appeals from District Courts in some situations but is also a court of first instance; the District Court, which is principally a court of first instance but also hears appeals from some Tribunals; and various Tribunals. There is also a Family Court, in which warranted District Court judges sit, and which—along with the High Court—deals with adult protection matters.
Singapore
Authors: van Overdijk Claire , Seah Terence
Published: March 2021

Singapore is a common law country. Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeal) and the State Courts (District Courts and Magistrates’ Courts). Pursuant to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Mental Capacity Proceedings to District Court) Order 2010, proceedings under the Mental Capacity Act (cap 177A, 2010 Rev Ed) (‘MCA’) are now first heard by the District Court.
The relationship between frailty and delirium: insights from the 2017 Delirium Day study
Authors: Mazzola Paolo , Tassistro Elena , Di Santo Simona , Rossi Emanuela , Andreano Anita , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Cherubini Antonio , Marengoni Alessandra , Mossello Enrico , Bo Mario , Inzitari Marco , Di Bari Mauro , Udina Cristina , Latronico Nicola , Paolillo Ciro , Morandi Alessandro , Bellelli Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Background

although frailty and delirium are among the most frequent and burdensome geriatric syndromes, little is known about their association and impact on short-term mortality.

Objective

to examine, in hospitalized older persons, whether frailty is associated with delirium, and whether these two conditions, alone or in combination, affect these patients’ 30-day survival.

Design

observational study nested in the Delirium Day project, with 30-day follow-up.

Setting

acute medical wards (n = 118) and rehabilitation wards (n = 46) in Italy.

Subjects

a total of 2,065 individuals aged 65+ years hospitalized in acute medical (1,484 patients, 71.9%) or rehabilitation (581 patients, 28.1%) wards.

Methods

a 25-item Frailty Index (FI) was created. Delirium was assessed using the 4AT test. Vital status was ascertained at 30 days.

Results

overall, 469 (22.7%) patients experienced delirium on the index day and 82 (4.0%) died during follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounders, each FI score increase of 0.1 significantly increased the odds of delirium (odds ratio, OR: 1.66 [95% CI: 1.45–1.90]), with no difference between the acute (OR: 1.65 [95% CI: 1.41–1.93]) and rehabilitation ward patients (OR: 1.71 [95% CI: 1.27–2.30]). The risk of dying during follow-up also increased significantly for every FI increase of 0.1 in the overall population (OR: 1.65 [95% CI: 1.33–2.05]) and in the acute medical ward patients (OR: 1.61 [95% CI: 1.28–2.04]), but not in the rehabilitation patients. Delirium was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality in either hospital setting.

Conclusions

in hospitalized older patients, frailty is associated with delirium and with an increased risk of short-term mortality.
The Combined Effect of Intravenous and Topical Tranexamic Acid in Liposuction: A Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Trial
Authors: Abboud Nicolas M , Kapila Ayush K , Abboud Sofie , Yaacoub Elie , Abboud Marwan H
Published: March 2021

Background

Tranexamic acid (TXA) use in surgical procedures due to its hemostatic effects has been gaining an increased interest. In plastic surgery, the effects of TXA have been studied intravenously (IV), and there have been some reports regarding local use.

Objectives

A comparative study examining the combined effect of IV and local TXA was conducted.

Methods

A randomized double-blinded controlled trial was performed for patients undergoing breast reduction treatment with liposuction and resection following the power-assisted liposuction mammaplasty (PALM) technique. All patients received 5 mL IV of 0.5 g/5 mL TXA on induction. Before installation, one researcher prepared two solutions of 1 L normal saline: one with 5 mL of 0.5 g/5 mL TXA associated with epinephrine 1:100,000 and the other with only epinephrine 1:100,000. These were randomly infiltrated in either the left or right breast. Clinical dermal bleeding was assessed for both breasts after deepithelialization. The lipoaspirate from these breasts was then compared with each other. A postoperative evaluation at 24 hours was performed to compare the ecchymosis rate.

Results

Ratios of decanted volume to total lipoaspirate was measured in bottles and compared between breasts. There was a statistical difference (P = 0.0002) in the ratio of decanted to lipoaspirated volume when comparing the control group (ratio: 0.21) with the treatment group (0.13). Video analysis revealed decreased dermal bleeding in the TXA group and postoperative evaluation less ecchymosis.

Conclusions

The combined use of IV and local TXA can help reducing blood loss in liposuction as measured by decantation in separate drain bottles and as assessed clinically preoperatively and postoperatively.

Level of Evidence: 2
ShinyCell: simple and sharable visualization of single-cell gene expression data
Authors: Ouyang John F , Kamaraj Uma S , Cao Elaine Y , Rackham Owen J L
Published: March 2021

Motivation

As the generation of complex single-cell RNA sequencing datasets becomes more commonplace it is the responsibility of researchers to provide access to these data in a way that can be easily explored and shared. Whilst it is often the case that data is deposited for future bioinformatic analysis many studies do not release their data in a way that is easy to explore by non-computational researchers.

Results

In order to help address this we have developed ShinyCell, an R package that converts single-cell RNA sequencing datasets into explorable and shareable interactive interfaces. These interfaces can be easily customized in order to maximize their usability and can be easily uploaded to online platforms to facilitate wider access to published data.

Availability and implementation

ShinyCell is available at https://github.com/SGDDNB/ShinyCell and https://figshare.com/projects/ShinyCell/100439.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
L2,1-norm regularized multivariate regression model with applications to genomic prediction
Authors: Mbebi Alain J , Tong Hao , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: March 2021

Motivation

Genomic selection (GS) is currently deemed the most effective approach to speed up breeding of agricultural varieties. It has been recognized that consideration of multiple traits in GS can improve accuracy of prediction for traits of low heritability. However, since GS forgoes statistical testing with the idea of improving predictions, it does not facilitate mechanistic understanding of the contribution of particular single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).

Results

Here, we propose a L2,1-norm regularized multivariate regression model and devise a fast and efficient iterative optimization algorithm, called L2,1-joint, applicable in multi-trait GS. The usage of the L2,1-norm facilitates variable selection in a penalized multivariate regression that considers the relation between individuals, when the number of SNPs is much larger than the number of individuals. The capacity for variable selection allows us to define master regulators that can be used in a multi-trait GS setting to dissect the genetic architecture of the analyzed traits. Our comparative analyses demonstrate that the proposed model is a favorable candidate compared to existing state-of-the-art approaches. Prediction and variable selection with datasets from Brassica napus, wheat and Arabidopsis thaliana diversity panels are conducted to further showcase the performance of the proposed model.

Availability and implementation

: The model is implemented using R programming language and the code is freely available from https://github.com/alainmbebi/L21-norm-GS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
EPS: automated feature selection in case–control studies using extreme pseudo-sampling
Authors: Shemirani Ruhollah , Wenric Stephane , Kenny Eimear , Ambite José Luis
Published: March 2021

Finding informative predictive features in high-dimensional biological case–control datasets is challenging. The Extreme Pseudo-Sampling (EPS) algorithm offers a solution to the challenge of feature selection via a combination of deep learning and linear regression models. First, using a variational autoencoder, it generates complex latent representations for the samples. Second, it classifies the latent representations of cases and controls via logistic regression. Third, it generates new samples (pseudo-samples) around the extreme cases and controls in the regression model. Finally, it trains a new regression model over the upsampled space. The most significant variables in this regression are selected. We present an open-source implementation of the algorithm that is easy to set up, use and customize. Our package enhances the original algorithm by providing new features and customizability for data preparation, model training and classification functionalities. We believe the new features will enable the adoption of the algorithm for a diverse range of datasets.

Availability and implementation

The software package for Python is available online at https://github.com/roohy/eps.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Actual malignancy risk of either operated or non-operated presumed mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas under surveillance
Authors: Marchegiani G , Andrianello S , Crippa S , Pollini T , Belfiori G , Gozzini L , Cassalia F , Caravati A , Luchini C , Doglioni C , Bassi C , Falconi M , Salvia R
Published: March 2021

Background

Despite the low malignant potential of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), surgery is still performed. The aim of this pragmatic study was to assess the outcome of surgery and surveillance for patients presenting with a presumed MCN at the first evaluation.

Methods

Data for patients with a presumed MCN observed from 2000 to 2016 at the Verona Pancreas Institute and San Raffaele Hospital were extracted from prospective databases. The endpoints were risk of malignancy at pathology and rate of misdiagnosis for the surgical series, expressed as an odds ratio (OR) with 95 per cent confidence interval, and disease-specific survival (DSS) for the surveillance cohort investigated by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 424 patients were identified. In the surgical series (229 patients), the rate of misdiagnosis was 19.2 per cent. The rate of malignant MCNs was 10.9 per cent (25 patients). The overall rate of malignancy, including misdiagnoses, was 11.3 per cent (26 patients). Predictors of malignancy were mural nodules (OR 27.75, 95 per cent c.i. 4.44–173.61; P < 0.001), size at least 50 mm (OR 13.39, 2.01 to 89.47; P = 0.007), and carbohydrate antigen 19.9 level (OR 3.98, 1.19 to 13.30; P = 0.025). In the absence of mural nodules and enhancing walls, none of the resected presumed MCNs smaller than 50 mm were malignant. Only patients with high-risk stigmata undergoing surgery experienced a significantly reduced 5-year DSS compared with all other patients (88 versus 100 per cent; P = 0.031).

Conclusion

Presumed MCNs with mural nodules, enhancing walls or cysts of 50 mm or larger should be considered for upfront surgical resection owing to the high risk of malignancy. In the absence of these features, the incidence of malignancy is negligible, favouring surveillance in selected patients given the low risk of malignancy and the high rate of misdiagnosis.
The role of educators in community resilience in natural disaster-prone communities
Authors: Edmeade Jendayi N , Buzinde Christine N
Published: March 2021

Educators’ perceptions of community resilience have generally remained absent in scholarship on the nexus between community development, natural disasters, and resilience. Thus, building on extant research and drawing on resilience theory, the purpose of this qualitative study is to understand perceptions related to community resilience held by resident educators, located in the US Virgin Islands. In-depth interviews were conducted with educators (elementary and secondary schools) and the findings indicate that participants’ role in coping and recovery entailed the following themes: Community Alliances for Social Recovery and Learning for Social Recovery. The former speaks to the educators’ (in)direct provision of basic resources (e.g. teachers’ union offering materials), in the aftermath of the disaster. The latter deals with teachers’ provision of assistance to students experiencing psychological distress induced by the disaster as well as their work in teaching about and/or seeking educational materials related to natural disasters. In the aftermath of a hazard, access to formal counselling services is likely constrained accordingly; informal counselling services rendered by various members of the community are the most effective approach to obtain help with disaster-induced psychological distress. A key contribution of this study is that educators took on important informal counselling-like roles, in addition to their formal didactic duties, so as to better help youth with coping and recovery. Recovery requires many actors, but this study highlights educators’ integral role in effective disaster mitigation through the formal and informal roles they enact, particularly as relates to youth.
The subfornical organ drives hypertension in polycystic kidney disease via the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Underwood Conor F , McMullan Simon , Goodchild Ann K , Phillips Jacqueline K , Hildreth Cara M
Published: March 2021

Aims

Hypertension is a prevalent yet poorly understood feature of polycystic kidney disease. Previously, we demonstrated that increased glutamatergic neurotransmission within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus produces hypertension in the Lewis Polycystic Kidney (LPK) rat model of polycystic kidney disease. Here, we tested the hypothesis that augmented glutamatergic drive to the paraventricular nucleus in Lewis polycystic kidney rats originates from the forebrain lamina terminalis, a sensory structure that relays blood-borne information throughout the brain.

Methods and results

Anatomical experiments revealed that 38% of paraventricular nucleus-projecting neurons in the subfornical organ of the lamina terminalis expressed Fos/Fra, an activation marker, in LPK rats while <1% of neurons were Fos/Fra+ in Lewis control rats (P = 0.01, n = 8). In anaesthetized rats, subfornical organ neuronal inhibition using isoguvacine produced a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure in LPK vs. Lewis rats (−21±4 vs. −7±2 mmHg, P < 0.01; n = 10), which could be prevented by prior blockade of paraventricular nucleus ionotropic glutamate receptors using kynurenic acid. Blockade of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the paraventricular nucleus produced an exaggerated depressor response in LPK relative to Lewis rats (−23±4 vs. −2±3 mmHg, P < 0.001; n = 13), which was corrected by prior inhibition of the subfornical organ with muscimol but unaffected by chronic systemic angiotensin II type I receptor antagonism or lowering of plasma hyperosmolality through high-water intake (P > 0.05); treatments that both nevertheless lowered blood pressure in LPK rats (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our data reveal multiple independent mechanisms contribute to hypertension in polycystic kidney disease, and identify high plasma osmolality, angiotensin II type I receptor activation and, importantly, a hyperactive subfornical organ to paraventricular nucleus glutamatergic pathway as potential therapeutic targets.
Natural history of functional tricuspid regurgitation: impact of cardiac output
Authors: Chen Elisabeth , L’official Guillaume , Guérin Anne , Dreyfus Julien , Lavie-Badie Yoan , Sportouch Catherine , Eicher Jean-Christophe , Maréchaux Sylvestre , Le Tourneau Thierry , Oger Emmanuel , Donal Erwan
Published: March 2021

Aims

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was long forgotten until recent studies alerting on its prognostic impact. Cardiac output (CO) is the main objective of heart mechanics. We sought to compare clinical and echocardiographic data of patients with TR from inclusion to 1-year follow-up according to initial CO.

Methods and results

Patients with isolated secondary TR and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40% were prospectively included. All patients had a clinical and echocardiographic evaluation at baseline and after 1 year. Echocardiographic measurements were centralized. The patients were partitioned according to their CO at baseline. The primary outcome was all-cause death. Ninety-five patients completed their follow-up. The majority of patients had normal CO (n = 64, 67.4%), whereas 16 (16.8%) patients had low-CO and 12 (12.6%) had high-CO. right ventricular function was worse in the low-CO group but with improvement at 1 year (30% increase in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion). LVEF and global longitudinal strain were significantly worse in the low-CO group. Overall, 18 (19%) patients died during follow-up, of which 10 (55%) patients had abnormal CO. There was a U-shaped association between CO and mortality. Normal CO patients had significantly better survival (87.5% vs. 62.5% and 66.67%) in the low- and high-CO groups, respectively, even after adjustment (heart rate 2.23 for the low-CO group and 9.08 for high-CO group; P = 0.0174).

Conclusion

Significant isolated secondary TR was associated with 19% of mortality. It is also associated with higher long-term mortality if CO is abnormal, suggesting a possible role for evaluating better and selecting patients for intervention.
Tubulin-folding cofactor E deficiency promotes vascular dysfunction by increased endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Efentakis Panagiotis , Molitor Michael , Kossmann Sabine , Bochenek Magdalena L , Wild Johannes , Lagrange Jeremy , Finger Stefanie , Jung Rebecca , Karbach Susanne , Schäfer Katrin , Schulz Andreas , Wild Philipp , Münzel Thomas , Wenzel Philip
Published: March 2021

Aims

Assessment of endothelial function in humans by measuring flow-mediated dilation (FMD) risk-stratifies individuals with established cardiovascular disease, whereas its predictive value is limited in primary prevention. We therefore aimed to establish and evaluate novel markers of FMD at the population level.

Methods and results

In order to identify novel targets that were negatively correlated with FMD and investigate their contribution to vascular function, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 4175 participants of the population based Gutenberg Health Study. Subsequently, conditional knockout mouse models deleting the gene of interest were generated and characterized. GWAS analysis revealed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the tubulin-folding cofactor E (TBCE) gene were negatively correlated with endothelial function and TBCE expression. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-targeted TBCE deficiency was associated with endothelial dysfunction, aortic wall hypertrophy, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated VSMC hyperproliferation in mice, paralleled by calnexin up-regulation and exacerbated by the blood pressure hormone angiotensin II. Treating SMMHC-ERT2-Cre+/−TBCEfl/fl mice with the ER stress modulator tauroursodeoxycholic acid amplified Raptor/Beclin-1-dependent autophagy and reversed vascular dysfunction.

Conclusion

TBCE and tubulin homeostasis seem to be novel predictors of vascular function and offer a new drug target to ameliorate ER stress-dependent vascular dysfunction.
The enigmatic biology of rickettsiae: recent advances, open questions and outlook
Authors: McGinn Jon , Lamason Rebecca L
Published: March 2021

Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that can cause life-threatening illnesses and are among the oldest known vector-borne pathogens. Members of this genus are extraordinarily diverse and exhibit a broad host range. To establish intracellular infection, Rickettsia species undergo complex, multistep life cycles that are encoded by heavily streamlined genomes. As a result of reductive genome evolution, rickettsiae are exquisitely tailored to their host cell environment but cannot survive extracellularly. This host-cell dependence makes for a compelling system to uncover novel host–pathogen biology, but it has also hindered experimental progress. Consequently, the molecular details of rickettsial biology and pathogenesis remain poorly understood. With recent advances in molecular biology and genetics, the field is poised to start unraveling the molecular mechanisms of these host–pathogen interactions. Here, we review recent discoveries that have shed light on key aspects of rickettsial biology. These studies have revealed that rickettsiae subvert host cells using mechanisms that are distinct from other better-studied pathogens, underscoring the great potential of the Rickettsia genus for revealing novel biology. We also highlight several open questions as promising areas for future study and discuss the path toward solving the fundamental mysteries of this neglected and emerging human pathogen.
Chromosomal-Level Genome Assembly of the Painted Sea Urchin Lytechinus pictus: A Genetically Enabled Model System for Cell Biology and Embryonic Development
Authors: Warner Jacob F , Lord James W , Schreiter Samantha A , Nesbit Katherine T , Hamdoun Amro , Lyons Deirdre C
Published: March 2021

The painted urchin Lytechinus pictus is a sea urchin in the family Toxopneustidae and one of several sea urchin species that are routinely used as an experimental research organism. Recently, L. pictus has emerged as a tractable model system for establishing transgenic sea urchin lines due to its amenability to long term laboratory culture. We present the first published genome of L. pictus. This chromosomal-level assembly was generated using Illumina sequencing in conjunction with Oxford Nanopore Technologies long read sequencing and HiC chromatin conformation capture sequencing. The 998.9-Mb assembly exhibits high contiguity and has a scaffold length N50 of 46.0 Mb with 97% of the sequence assembled into 19 chromosomal-length scaffolds. These 19 scaffolds exhibit a high degree of synteny compared with the 19 chromosomes of a related species Lytechinus variegatus. Ab initio and transcript evidence gene modeling, combined with sequence homology, identified 28,631 gene models that capture 92% of BUSCO orthologs. This annotation strategy was validated by manual curation of gene models for the ABC transporter superfamily, which confirmed the completeness and accuracy of the annotations. Thus, this genome assembly, in conjunction with recent high contiguity assemblies of related species, positions L. pictus as an exceptional model system for comparative functional genomics and it will be a key resource for the developmental, toxicological, and ecological biology scientific communities.
Inferring the Deep Past from Molecular Data
Authors: Williams Tom A , Schrempf Dominik , Szöllősi Gergely J , Cox Cymon J , Foster Peter G , Embley T Martin
Published: March 2021

There is an expectation that analyses of molecular sequences might be able to distinguish between alternative hypotheses for ancient relationships, but the phylogenetic methods used and types of data analyzed are of critical importance in any attempt to recover historical signal. Here, we discuss some common issues that can influence the topology of trees obtained when using overly simple models to analyze molecular data that often display complicated patterns of sequence heterogeneity. To illustrate our discussion, we have used three examples of inferred relationships which have changed radically as models and methods of analysis have improved. In two of these examples, the sister-group relationship between thermophilic Thermus and mesophilic Deinococcus, and the position of long-branch Microsporidia among eukaryotes, we show that recovering what is now generally considered to be the correct tree is critically dependent on the fit between model and data. In the third example, the position of eukaryotes in the tree of life, the hypothesis that is currently supported by the best available methods is fundamentally different from the classical view of relationships between major cellular domains. Since heterogeneity appears to be pervasive and varied among all molecular sequence data, and even the best available models can still struggle to deal with some problems, the issues we discuss are generally relevant to phylogenetic analyses. It remains essential to maintain a critical attitude to all trees as hypotheses of relationship that may change with more data and better methods.
Whitest City in America:A Smaller Black Community’s Experience of Gentrification, Displacement, and Aging in Place
Authors: Croff Raina , Hedmann Monique , Barnes Lisa L
Published: March 2021

Background and Objectives

The influx of people with higher socioeconomic status into large Black communities is well documented; less is known regarding smaller, aging Black communities. Older Black adults in Portland, Oregon, among America’s fastest gentrifying cities with the smallest metropolitan Black population, discussed barriers to healthy aging. Perspectives centered on the experience of gentrification, displacement, and its impact on social microsystems, place security, and aging in place.

Research Design and Methods

One-time focus groups engaged 41 Black adults aged at least 45. A demographic survey included residence area/duration. Discussions were thematically coded. Ecological Systems Theory guided interpretation.

Results

The majority of participants resided within gentrifying historically Black neighborhoods (89.2%), were aged at least 65 (54.6%), and lived in their neighborhood for at least 21 years (24.3%). Emergent discussion themes were rise and fall of Black ownership, displacement, race-related stress, and financial burden. Gentrification contributed to the dismantling of Black property ownership curated over generations, increased financial burden, and threatened place security. Physical displacement strained social networks, diminishing intergenerational neighborhood ties that supported aging in place. Cultural and physical displacement weakened the sense of social cohesion and belonging and induced race-related stressful interactions with new residents within original and relocation neighborhoods.

Discussion and Implications

Gentrification in the Pacific Northwest echoes national trends, uprooting critical close-proximity social networks and deteriorating motivation to engage in neighborhood-based social activity. Smaller, aging Black communities may be particularly vulnerable to these effects, which critically affect aging in place. Data inform researchers and policymakers to better understand how gentrification affects smaller, aging Black communities.
Multiscale seismic imaging with inverse homogenization
Authors: Hedjazian N , Capdeville Y , Bodin T
Published: March 2021

Seismic imaging techniques such as elastic full waveform inversion (FWI) have their spatial resolution limited by the maximum frequency present in the observed waveforms. Scales smaller than a fraction of the minimum wavelength cannot be resolved, and only a smoothed, effective version of the true underlying medium can be recovered. These finite-frequency effects are revealed by the upscaling or homogenization theory of wave propagation. Homogenization aims at computing larger scale effective properties of a medium containing small-scale heterogeneities. We study how this theory can be used in the context of FWI. The seismic imaging problem is broken down in a two-stage multiscale approach. In the first step, called homogenized FWI (HFWI), observed waveforms are inverted for a smooth, fully anisotropic effective medium, that does not contain scales smaller than the shortest wavelength present in the wavefield. The solution being an effective medium, it is difficult to directly interpret it. It requires a second step, called downscaling or inverse homogenization, where the smooth image is used as data, and the goal is to recover small-scale parameters. All the information contained in the observed waveforms is extracted in the HFWI step. The solution of the downscaling step is highly non-unique as many small-scale models may share the same long wavelength effective properties. We therefore rely on the introduction of external a priori information, and cast the problem in a Bayesian formulation. The ensemble of potential fine-scale models sharing the same long wavelength effective properties is explored with a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We illustrate the method with a synthetic cavity detection problem: we search for the position, size and shape of void inclusions in a homogeneous elastic medium, where the size of cavities is smaller than the resolving length of the seismic data. We illustrate the advantages of introducing the homogenization theory at both stages. In HFWI, homogenization acts as a natural regularization helping convergence towards meaningful solution models. Working with fully anisotropic effective media prevents the leakage of anisotropy induced by the fine scales into isotropic macroparameters estimates. In the downscaling step, the forward theory is the homogenization itself. It is computationally cheap, allowing us to consider geological models with more complexity (e.g. including discontinuities) and use stochastic inversion techniques.
Perturbation in monoclinic medium with a horizontal symmetry plane
Authors: Stovas Alexey
Published: March 2021

The perturbation method applied for the phase velocities in the monoclinic model with a horizontal symmetry plane gives insight into the seismic signatures of P, S1 and S2 wave modes associated with the monoclinic stiffness coefficients. The perturbation-based approximations are very accurate and can be used for modelling and inversion purposes.
The impact of adenomyosis on IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Higgins Chloe , Fernandes Hugo , Da Silva Costa Fabricio , Martins Wellington P , Vollenhoven Beverley , Healey Martin
Published: March 2021

STUDY QUESTION

Does the presence of adenomyosis in women treated with IVF alter IVF outcomes?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Adenomyosis does not significantly alter IVF outcomes when adjusted for confounding factors including maternal age and smoking status.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Studies evaluating adenomyosis and its impact on infertility, particularly when focusing on IVF, remain controversial. Many studies report that adenomyosis has a detrimental effect on IVF outcomes, however age is strongly related with both the prevalence of adenomyosis and worse reproductive outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A prospective cohort study of women undergoing 4002 IVF cycles who had undergone a screening ultrasound assessing features of adenomyosis from 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2018 at a multi-site private fertility clinic. Of these women, 1228 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and commenced an IVF cycle, with a subset of 715 women undergoing an embryo transfer (ET). Women were defined as having adenomyosis if there was sonographic evidence of adenomyosis on ultrasound as per the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment criteria, and were then compared to women without.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

All women at a private multi-site IVF clinic who underwent a standardised ultrasound to identify features of adenomyosis and also commenced an IVF cycle were assessed for their outcomes. These included clinical pregnancy (defined as the presence of a gestational sac on ultrasound at 7 weeks’ gestation), clinical pregnancy loss, number of cancelled cycles, number of useful embryos for transfer or freezing and live birth rates. As a secondary aim, initiated stimulation cycles and those that had an ET were analysed separately to determine when an effect of adenomyosis on IVF might occur: during stimulation or transfer.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

When adjusting for confounders, women with and without sonographic features of adenomyosis had no significant differences in most of their IVF outcomes including live birth rates.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Adenomyosis had a detrimental impact on IVF outcomes prior to adjusting for confounding factors. No allowance was made for the possibility that confounding factors may merely reduce the effect size of adenomyosis on IVF outcomes. Second, despite a power calculation, the study was underpowered as not all fresh cycles led to an ET.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This is one of the largest studies to evaluate adenomyosis and IVF outcomes, while also importantly adjusting for confounding factors. The results suggest that adenomyosis does not have the detrimental impact on IVF that has previously been suggested, possibly reducing the importance of screening for and treating this entity.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

The study received no external funding. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12617000796381.
Skippers’ preferred adaptation and transformation responses to catch declines in a large-scale tuna fishery
Authors: Rubio Iratxe , Hobday Alistair J , Ojea Elena
Published: March 2021

At first glance, large-scale fisheries may seem adaptable to climate change. Adaptation takes place from the governance to the individual level of fishers. At the individual level, skippers make day-to-day decisions on where to fish and are at the forefront of the response to changes at sea. We seek to understand such individual adaptation in large-scale fisheries, using the case of the Spanish tropical tuna fishery. We surveyed 22% of Spanish freezer purse seine skippers operating in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. In the last 10 years, more than half of skippers used new technology to search for tunas and expanded their fishing area as adaptation actions. Using cluster analysis, we identified two skipper groups—based on stated behaviours to confront different hypothetical scenarios of catch decline—that would follow adaptation or transformation strategies. The majority of skippers would follow adaptation strategies until a hypothetical 30% catch decrease and then choices diverge. Skipper characteristics, such as importance given to intergenerational knowledge, perceptions of change in tropical tuna abundance, and years working in the current job, can explain the adaptation and transformation choices. These findings help understand the potential for adaptation behaviour by skippers involved in fisheries confronting catch declines.