bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction: African Americans: Official and Unofficial Violence in America
Authors: Asante Molefi Kete
Published: November 2020

In this essay the author introduces the emergence of the paddy rollers as control forces to contain the black population during the enslavement of Africans in the United States. Soon after the end of the Civil War the police forces took over the activities that had been the purvey of the paddy rollers: keeping black people in place and out of the way of white people. However, the resistance to abuse, torture, and murder was never far from the active imagination and reality of African Americans who maintained their own humanity. Tracing, in a limited fashion, how the biologically unscientific race became the premise for racism and the attacks on black people by police officers who often took their perceptions of blacks, especially black men, as negative and inferior from the systemic and institutional character of the society’s understanding of superior and inferior humans. This, according to the author, is at the base of hatred, discrimination, and lynching of African Americans in current and previous occasions. He illustrates this by discussing the case of Mary Turner who was killed in the early part of the 20th century for objecting to white mob attacks on her husband.
Appropriation redux: Re-reading George Ryga through Jeannette Armstrong
Authors: Dobson Kit
Published: November 2020

This article considers ways in which solidarity across social locations might play a role in fostering resistance to vulnerability. My case study consists of the interplay between writer George Ryga’s 1967 play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, and Okanagan Syilx writer and scholar Jeannette Armstrong’s 1985 novel Slash. While these important and compelling texts have received considerable critical attention, the relationship between them is less known. I am interested in the ways in which these works both hail and offer critique to one another. In the contemporary moment, in which questions of appropriation of voice have gained renewed urgency within Indigenous literary circles in Canada and beyond, the relationship between these texts speaks to a historical instance of appropriation, but also of complicated processes of alliance-building. These texts demonstrate how agency resides across multiple locations. I read Ryga’s Ecstasy in the context of Jeannette Armstrong’s engagement with the play within her novel Slash in order to witness the ways in which Ryga’s text, in the first instance, appropriates Indigenous voices into an anti-capitalist critique. In the second instance, I read these works in order to witness how they might simultaneously provide a compelling analysis of the vulnerability of the people who are the subject of both works. I compare the interplay between Armstrong and Ryga’s texts to contemporary debates around appropriation in order to argue for the historical and ongoing importance of these two works as precursors to the crucial interventions made by contemporary Indigenous critics and writers.
Primitive Accumulation, Mafia Capitalism, and the Campesino Population in Paraguay
Authors: Friggeri Félix Pablo
Published: November 2020

The mafia capitalism currently taking shape in Latin America and with remarkable eloquence in Paraguay is centered largely around agriculture. Two of its key characteristics are violence and cynicism. The cynicism refers to the presentation of violence toward the popular majority as “natural,” disregarding ethical criticism and upholding capitalism as the only possible course, with the result that anything opposed to it must be eliminated in the most effective manner, including violence. This mafia capitalism is solidified by intertwined legal and illegal measures.

El capitalismo mafioso que está tomando forma a lo largo de América Latina y con notable elocuencia en Paraguay se centra en gran medida en la agricultura. Dos de sus características clave son la violencia y el cinismo. El cinismo se refiere a la caracterización de la violencia dirigida hacia la mayor parte de la población como algo “natural”, asunto que no toma en cuenta las críticas éticas y defiende el capitalismo como el único camino posible, con el resultado de que todo lo que se opone a este debe ser eliminado de la manera más efectiva, incluyendo a partir de la violencia. Este capitalismo mafioso se solidifica con medidas legales e ilegales entrelazadas.
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Guided Self-Help for Overweight and Obese Adults High in Weight Self-Stigma
Authors: Potts Sarah , Krafft Jennifer , Levin Michael E.
Published: November 2020

Weight self-stigma, in which individuals internalize stigmatizing messages about weight, is a prevalent problem that contributes to poor quality of life and health. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) guided self-help using The Diet Trap for 55 overweight/obese adults high in weight self-stigma. Participants were randomized to the ACT self-help book plus phone coaching (GSH-P; n = 17), self-help book plus email prompts only (GSH-E; n = 20), or a waitlist condition ( n = 18), with online self-report assessments at baseline and posttreatment (8 weeks later). Participants reported high satisfaction ratings and engagement with the ACT self-help book, with no differences between GSH-P and GSH-E. Both GSH-P and GSH-E improved weight self-stigma relative to waitlist with large effect sizes. There were mixed findings for health outcomes. The GSH-P condition improved more on healthy eating behaviors and general physical activity, but neither ACT condition improved more than waitlist on self-reported body mass index, emotional eating, and a second measure of physical activity. Results suggest an ACT self-help book with email prompts can reduce weight self-stigma and potentially improve some health behavior outcomes. Phone coaching may provide additional benefits for generalizing ACT to diet and physical activity.
The relationship between financial distress and well-being: Exploring the role of self-employment
Authors: Berrill Jenny , Cassells Damien , O’Hagan-Luff Martha , van Stel André
Published: November 2020

This article investigate the relationship between financial distress, well-being and employment status. Using several indicators of financial distress and of well-being, our econometric analysis shows that the negative association between financial distress and well-being is moderated by employment status in the sense that financial problems are more strongly associated with poor well-being for the self-employed compared to the wage-employed. Hence, when self-employed workers find themselves in a situation of financial distress, the negative consequences for their well-being are more severe. This is found to hold both for the self-employed with and without employees.
Implementing person-centred outcome measures in palliative care: An exploratory qualitative study using Normalisation Process Theory to understand processes and context
Authors: Bradshaw Andy , Santarelli Martina , Mulderrig Malene , Khamis Assem , Sartain Kathryn , Boland Jason W. , Bennett Michael I. , Johnson Miriam , Pearson Mark , Murtagh Fliss E. M.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Despite evidence demonstrating the utility of using Person-Centred Outcome Measures within palliative care settings, implementing them into routine practice is challenging. Most research has described barriers to, without explaining the causal mechanisms underpinning, implementation. Implementation theories explain how, why, and in which contexts specific relationships between barriers/enablers might improve implementation effectiveness but have rarely been used in palliative care outcomes research.

Aim:

To use Normalisation Process Theory to understand and explain the causal mechanisms that underpin successful implementation of Person-Centred Outcome Measures within palliative care.

Design:

Exploratory qualitative study. Data collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using a Framework approach.

Setting/participants:

63 healthcare professionals, across 11 specialist palliative care services, were purposefully sampled by role, experience, seniority, and settings (inpatient, outpatient/day therapy, home-based/community).

Results:

Seven main themes were developed, representing the causal mechanisms and relationships underpinning successful implementation of outcome measures into routine practice. Themes were: Subjectivity of measures; Frequency and version of Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale; Training, education, and peer support; Building and sustaining community engagement; Electronic system readiness; The art of communication; Reinforcing use through demonstrating value.

Conclusions:

Relationships influencing implementation resided at individual and organisational levels. Addressing these factors is key to driving the implementation of outcome measures into routine practice so that those using palliative care services can benefit from the systematic identification, management, and measurement of their symptoms and concerns. We provide key questions that are essential for those implementing and using outcome measures to consider in order to facilitate the integration of outcome measures into routine palliative care practice.
Association of D-dimers with acute kidney injury in pregnant women: a retrospective study
Authors: Wang Baiying , Jiang Qianqian , Wu Xiaoyan
Published: November 2020

Objective

This study was performed to determine the association of D-dimers measured at the time of admission with the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pregnant women.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 625 women who developed AKI and 628 normal pregnant women admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. The primary endpoint of the study was the development of AKI in pregnant women, and the secondary endpoint was the development of dialysis and death in women with AKI. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

The D-dimer concentration was significantly higher in patients with than without pregnancy-related AKI (PR-AKI). Multivariate logistic regression showed that a D-dimer concentration of >1108 ng/mL was an independent predictor of PR-AKI. The area under the curve of the D-dimer concentration as a prognostic indicator of PR-AKI was 0.652 (95% confidence interval, 0.622–0.683), that for patients with PR-AKI undergoing dialysis was 0.819 (95% confidence interval, 0.709–0.928), and that for patients who died was 0.828 (95% confidence interval, 0.670–0.986).

Conclusion

The D-dimer concentration is significantly associated with the development of AKI in pregnant patients and may increase the risk of dialysis and death in women with AKI.
Judgment and decision-making in clinical dentistry
Authors: Feller Liviu , Lemmer Johan , Nemutandani Mbulaheni Simon , Ballyram Raoul , Khammissa Razia Abdool Gafaar
Published: November 2020

The development of clinical judgment and decision-making skills is complex, requiring clinicians—whether students, novices, or experienced practitioners—to correlate information from their own experience; from discussions with colleagues; from attending professional meetings, conferences and congresses; and from studying the current literature. Feedback from treated cases will consolidate retention in memory of the complexities and management of past cases, and the conversion of this knowledge base into daily clinical practice. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss factors related to clinical judgment and decision-making in clinical dentistry and how both narrative, intuitive, evidence-based data-driven information and statistical approaches contribute to the global process of gaining clinical expertise.
Advocating for an Incarcerated Informed Lens in Therapy
Authors: Tadros Eman , Hutcherson Rayna , Greene Aubrey
Published: November 2020

Exceptionally high rates of incarceration in the United States have caused a need for a major social justice movement. This paper explains the various collateral damages endured by the incarcerated population. Several research studies related to the unintended consequences of incarceration on outcomes related to couple and family relationships, racial disparities, employment, poverty and public health are examined. The importance of individual, couple, and family therapy and its effectiveness toward improving the lives of those negatively impacted by incarceration is discussed.
Enhanced antioxidant properties of sericin-cecropin fusion protein against oxidative stress in human adult dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Thomas Dyna Susan , Manoharan Chitra , Rasalkar Sandhya , Mishra Rakesh Kumar , Gopalapillai Ravikumar
Published: November 2020

Chronic exposure to UVB radiation causes photoaging, immunosuppression, and ultimately photocarcinogenisis through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ability of natural compounds in neutralizing the effects of oxidative stress is being explored with increased interest. Silk sericin, a biopolymer is reported to have diverse biological properties. In an effort to make the silk sericin pure, more effective and multifunctional, we have recombinantly expressed both functional sericin as well as sericin-cecropin B fusion proteins. Herein, we studied the antioxidant and anti-UVB potential of recombinant sericin and sericin-cecropin B proteins against oxidative stress using human primary dermal fibroblast cells. Treating the cells with recombinant sericin (RS) or sericin-cecropin B (RSC) prior to exposure to UVB and H2O2, effectively increased the cell viability by approximately 30% and 50%, respectively, in comparison to non-treated control. The protective effects were further evident in terms of significant reduction of LDH in oxidatively challenged cells treated with RS and RSC. A reduction in LDH release of at least 16 and 33% was observed with RS and RSC treatments, respectively, in comparison to exposed control. Further, elevated levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed. Importantly, the RSC fusion protein exhibited enhanced protective effects than cells treated with RS alone. Our results demonstrate that the functional attributes of cecropin B along with sericin activity in the fusion protein conferred enhanced protection against UVB- and H2O2-induced oxidative damage in human dermal fibroblasts. The improved antioxidant activity of recombinant sericin fusion biopolymer has great potential as a promising therapeutic agent for ROS-induced skin diseases.
Association Between Different Forms of Elder Mistreatment and Cognitive Change
Authors: Li Mengting , Dong XinQi
Published: November 2020

Objectives: Elder mistreatment (EM) is associated with worse physical health and psychological well-being, but little is known regarding its cognitive consequences. Methods: Data were derived from the T1–T2 PINE ( n = 2713). EM was measured by psychological, physical, and sexual mistreatment; financial exploitation; and caregiver neglect. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Linear regression was used. Results: At baseline, physical mistreatment and caregiver neglect were associated with lower global cognition and cognitive domains, while psychological mistreatment was associated with higher cognitive function. Older adults with incident psychological mistreatment, physical mistreatment, and caregiver neglect had a faster decrease in global cognition and cognitive domains over 2 years. Discussion: This study is among the first to examine the association between different forms of EM and cognitive change. These findings provide a basis for engaging ethnic minorities with EM to maintain cognitive health.
Association of Domestic Physical Violence With Feto-Infant Outcomes in Afghanistan
Authors: Ibrahimi Sahra , Alamdar Yazdi Amirhossein , Yusuf Korede K. , Salihu Hamisu M.
Published: November 2020

Our study aimed to investigate the association between domestic physical violence in pregnancy and feto-infant outcomes among Afghan women. Our study design was a cross-sectional study that utilized secondary data from the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 33 provinces of Afghanistan (n = 19 676). We used multiple logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between domestic violence and early-pregnancy loss, perinatal, and neonatal mortality, with adjustments for confounders. Our results indicate that approximately 16.66% (n = 3278) of Afghan women experienced domestic violence while pregnant. In the adjusted models, we found that domestic physical violence in pregnancy was significantly associated with early-pregnancy loss (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-1.88), but not with perinatal mortality (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.96-1.32) and neonatal mortality (AOR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.95-1.28). The higher odds of adverse birth outcomes among victims of domestic violence underlines the necessity for interventions to address violence against women in Afghanistan.
Legitimate Authority in Forceful Resistance and the Consent Requirement
Authors: Ip Kevin K. W.
Published: November 2020

Individual victims of injustice may permissibly engage in a range of dissident activities to challenge unjust practices, policies, or institutions, so they could better enjoy their entitlements as a matter of justice. Resisters typically claim to engage in resistance for a larger group of victims, but the conditions leading to resistance tend to prevent them from obtaining a clear mandate from their “constituents.” In recent debates on legitimate authority to use defensive force, several theorists argue that such authority requires actual and informed consent of the victims on whose behalf resistance is undertaken. This article argues against that view. Two interpretations of the consent requirement are examined. In the first, consent of the people is measured by popular support for a resistance movement. In the second, consent is regarded as a kind of moral resource that can serve to justify defensive force. After refuting the arguments in support of the consent requirement, this article develops an alternative account of legitimate authority in forceful resistance which is not based on consent. It identifies a set of criteria for evaluating the insurgents’ claim to legitimate authority.
Minimum 10-year follow-up of micro-arc oxidation coating on a cementless grit-blasted tapered-wedge stem of total hip arthroplasty: a multicentre study
Authors: Lim Young-Wook , Song Joo-Hyoun , Kwon Soon-Yong , Kim Yong-Sik , Byun Young-Seol , Lee Se-Won
Published: November 2020

Background:

Recently, a femoral stem treated with grit-blasting and micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating has commercialised but medium-term follow-up studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to report the outcome of a grit-blasted and MAO-coated femoral component designed as a straight, double-wedged, tapered stem with a rectangular cross-section with minimum 10 years follow-up.

Methods:

Between March 2006 and December 2008, 309 primary total hip arthroplasties using a grit-blasted and MAO-coated femoral component were performed by 3 experienced hip surgeons in 3 hospitals. At minimum 10 years after index THA, 299 hips were living, 10 hips were deceased, and 65 hips were lost to follow-up or had a follow-up period <10 years. Finally, 234 hips were enrolled in this study.

Results:

Mean duration of clinical follow-up was 129.6 months. The mean Harris Hip Score was improved from 46.9 to 88.4 at the final follow-up. 4 hips were revised for 2 aseptic femoral loosening, 1 aseptic acetabular cup loosening and 1 late infection. 3 hips were revised for a periprosthetic femoral fracture requiring a femoral component revision. The average time to revision was 51.6 (range 0–148) months. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis with an end point of revision for any reason demonstrated a survival rate of 97.4% at 10 years. Survival was 98.7% with revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint.

Conclusions:

The outcomes of a cementless grit-blasted and MAO-coated tapered-wedge stem of THA were excellent to satisfactory after a follow-up of at least 10 years.
COVID-19 and psychological distress in Norway: The role of trust in the healthcare system
Authors: Harris Samantha M. , Sandal Gro M.
Published: November 2020

Aim:

The study aims to examine groups at risk for psychological distress in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak, and the role of trust in the healthcare system as a possible moderator.

Methods:

Data were collected from a large sample of the Norwegian population ( n = 4008) through the Norwegian Citizen Panel (NCP). A linear regression was conducted to examine the effects of COVID-19 related risk factors on psychological distress, using the 10-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-10). Finally, we conducted a moderation analysis to examine the interaction of trust in the healthcare system and COVID-19 related risk factors.

Results:

A linear regression showed that female gender, younger age, lower level of education, being infected with COVID-19, being medically vulnerable, working in the healthcare system, being in voluntary quarantine and having an immigrant background predicted mean HSCL-10 scores. The moderation analysis revealed that people in the medically vulnerable group, those below 61, and those in quarantine reported higher psychological distress when they also had lower trust in the healthcare system.

Conclusions:

Findings indicate important groups to take into consideration in mental healthcare strategies and policies. However, most participants in the current study reported psychological distress levels that were below the clinical cut-off, suggesting that the majority may have coped relatively well in the early stages of the pandemic.
Accuracy of Flash Glucose Monitoring in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus on Hemodialysis and Its Relationship with Hydration Status
Authors: Genua Idoia , Sánchez-Hernandez Joan , Martínez Maria José , Pujol Isabel , Places Jaume , González Carmen , Martinez Esther , Díaz Juan Manuel , Chico Ana
Published: November 2020

Background:

The use of flash-glucose monitoring system FreeStyle Libre (FSL) has demonstrated benefits in metabolic control and quality of life in different populations with diabetes mellitus (DM), being funded in many countries. Due to this, DM subjects on hemodialysis (HD) are using FSL despite the accuracy in this population being unclear. The aims of the present study are to assess the accuracy of FSL in DM subjects on HD, its relationship to hydration status, and patient satisfaction.

Material and Methods:

A prospective study in 16 patients with DM in a chronic HD program was conducted. Interstitial glucose values from FSL during a 14-day period were compared to capillary glucose measurements obtained at the same time. Hydration status was measured via bioimpedance spectroscopy. Satisfaction with FSL was obtained from an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 766 paired interstitial and capillary glucose levels were analyzed. A correlation coefficient of 0.936 was determined and a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) value of 23%, increasing to 29% during HD. MARD was not related to hydration status. Interstitial glucose values were lower during HD (100.1 ± 17 mg/dL) than within the 12 hours after (125.1 ± 39 mg/dL; P = .012) and the days without HD (134.2 ± 32 mg/dL; P = .001). Subjects showed high satisfaction with FSL.

Conclusion:

The accuracy of FSL in DM patients on HD is lower than in other populations, especially during HD sessions and is not related with the hydration status. Despite this, the degree of patient satisfaction with FSL is very high.
Utility of Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy for Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vajapey Sravya , Ghenbot Sennay , Baria Michael R. , Magnussen Robert A. , Vasileff W. Kelton
Published: November 2020

Context:

Chronic tendinopathy is a challenging problem that can lead to significant disability and limitation in not only athletics but also activities of daily living. While there are many treatment techniques described for this overuse injury, no single modality has been proven superior to all others. With recent advances in medical technology, percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy (PUT) for tendinosis has gained traction with promising results.

Objective:

To examine the data published on PUT for treatment of tendinopathy, analyze the outcomes of the procedure, including duration of pain relief and patient-reported outcomes, and assess the rate of complications associated with the procedure.

Data Sources:

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar.

Study Selection:

The following combination of keywords was entered into the electronic search engines: ultrasonic tenotomy, ultrasound tenotomy, Tenex, and ultrasonic percutaneous tenotomy. The search results were screened for studies relevant to the topic. Only English-language studies were considered for inclusion. Studies consisting of level 4 evidence or higher and those involving human participants were included for more detailed evaluation.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Data Extraction:

Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were sorted and reviewed. Type of tendinopathy studied, outcome measures, and complications were recorded. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the data collected.

Results:

There were a total of 7 studies that met the inclusion criteria and quality measures—5 studies involving the treatment of elbow tendinopathy and 1 study each involving the management of Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. PUT resulted in decreased pain/disability scores and improved functional outcome scores for chronic elbow tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. Results for Achilles tendinopathy showed modest improvement in the short term, but long-term data are lacking.

Conclusion:

PUT is a minimally invasive treatment technique that can be considered in patients with tendinopathy refractory to conservative treatment measures. Further higher quality studies are necessary to accurately assess the comparative effectiveness of this treatment modality.
Pneumothorax presentation in endometrial sarcoma patients receiving chemotherapy: A case series
Authors: Duvalyan Angela , Tran Kirk , Lee Christopher , Chopra Shefali , Hu James
Published: November 2020

Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) account for 10-15% of uterine malignancies and are classified into four categories: endometrial stromal nodule (ESN), low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS) and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (USS). Depending on stage, ESS is treated with surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy. A rare complication of ESS with metastatic pulmonary disease is recurrent, bilateral pneumothoraces. The current literature has reported on patients with ESS who either presented with pneumothoraces at their initial diagnosis, and thus were untreated, or after treatment with surgical resection and hormone therapy. There have been no case reports of patients with ESS who presented with pneumothoraces while receiving chemotherapy. Furthermore, there have been no reported cases of patients with HG-ESS presenting with this rare complication. We would like to expand the literature by reporting on two patients with HG-ESS who presented with pneumothoraces while concurrently receiving chemotherapy.
Do Sex-Specific Differences Exist in ACL Attachment Location? An MRI-Based 3-Dimensional Topographic Analysis
Authors: Dimitriou Dimitris , Wang Zhongzheng , Zou Diyang , Helmy Naeder , Tsai Tsung-Yuan
Published: November 2020

Background:

Female sex is an independent risk factor for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as the incidence of an ACL rupture is 4- to 6-fold higher in female athletes compared with their male counterparts. The ACL attachment location as a potential risk factor for the increased ACL rupture rate in women has never been reported in the literature.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the 3-dimensional topographic anatomy of the ACL bundle attachment in female and male patients, with and without an ACL rupture, and identify potential sex-related differences. We hypothesized that the ACL attachment location would be significantly different between men and women, in both the intact- and ruptured-ACL states.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Magnetic resonance images of the knee from 90 patients (55 men, 35 women) with a ruptured ACL and 90 matched controls (55 men, 35 women), who suffered a noncontact knee injury without ACL rupture, were used to create 3-dimensional models of the femur and tibia. The ACL bundles’ origin and insertion were outlined on each model, and their location was measured using an anatomical coordinate system. A 2-way analysis of variance was used to compare the ACL attachment location between male and female patients, with and without an ACL rupture.

Results:

No significant differences were found between female and male participants regarding ACL attachment location (femoral origin and tibial insertion). Patients with a ruptured ACL demonstrated a significantly different ACL origin compared with the participants with an intact ACL by an average difference of 8.9% more posterior ( P < .05) and 4.0% more proximal ( P < .05) in men and 13.0% more posterior ( P < .05) and 5.5% more proximal ( P < .05) to the flexion-extension axis of the knee in women.

Conclusion:

The ACL attachment location should not be considered a risk factor for the increased ACL rupture rates in female compared with male athletes. However, a more posterior and proximal location of the femoral ACL origin might be a predisposing factor to an ACL rupture regardless of sex.
Towards Selecting Effective Open Source Learning Management System/Software (OSLMS) for Higher Education Domain
Authors: Sk Md Ajimuddin , Jana Sibsankar , Khatun Samima
Published: November 2020

We are in the age of information and communication technology (ICT), where the learning communities (i.e., learners, teachers, scholars, etc.), mainly in higher education domains, are more technology dependent. The stakeholders always handle advanced research, study and technologies, and therefore they need some authentic and updated information to satisfy their daily needs. They simply need some updating as well as real-time interactive digital learning platforms that can provide fast, authentic and updated information to satisfy their academic needs. This learning platform completely depends on the judicious designing methodologies, and this designing methodology totally depends on the reliable and effective digital learning tools or learning management system (LMS).

The present study is an attempt to design the standard process towards selecting an authentic, reliable and effective open source learning management software/system (OSLMS) for the higher education platform. In this regard, the study has been designed in three layers for the selection of the popular and most downloaded OSLMS in the world. Later in the third layer, a comparative study of the final six OSLMSs has been conducted based on the features under various criteria and parameters to select the right one. Lastly, it is found that the Moodle fulfilled most of the criteria and is selected as the most authentic, interactive and trustworthy OSLMS for the higher education system.
Knowledge Management in the Software Industry: Creating Value Through Knowledge Application
Authors: Valacherry Arunima Kambikanon , Pakkeerappa P.
Published: November 2020

The software industry being highly knowledge-centric in terms of technology, process and people has been focusing on knowledge management strategically for the past two decades. Although the processes of knowledge creation and sharing are well researched, knowledge application is not well addressed. This study identifies project knowledge application and management support for knowledge application as the dimensions of knowledge application creating value to knowledge management in the software industry. Through a structural equation modelling approach, the relationships of management support for knowledge application, project knowledge application and effective knowledge management are tested. The findings show that the management support for knowledge application has an indirect effect—higher than a direct effect—on effective knowledge management through project knowledge application. The empirical study done on data collected from 540 software professionals of 170 National Association of Software and Services Companies-listed software companies proves the significance of knowledge application through management support and projects on effective knowledge management. But the role of management support is not as strong as project knowledge, and hence the organizations could enhance their culture of management support. The dimensions of knowledge application create value for people and process in software organizations by developing an environment of openness, collaboration and creativity, in addition to creating better response to changing environments which will help organizations to achieve the benefits of lean-agile software and system developments at scale.
IDH1 mutation contributes to myeloid dysplasia in mice by disturbing heme biosynthesis and erythropoiesis
Authors: Gu Yu , Yang Risheng , Yang Ying , Zhao Yuanlin , Wakeham Andrew , Li Wanda Y. , Tseng Alan , Leca Julie , Berger Thorsten , Saunders Mary , Fortin Jerome , Gao Xing , Yuan Yuan , Xiao Liming , Zhang Feng , Zhang Lijun , Gao Guangxun , Zhou Wenjing , Wang Zhe , Mak Tak W. , Ye Jing
Published: November 2020

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations are common genetic alterations in myeloid disorders, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Epigenetic changes, including abnormal histone and DNA methylation, have been implicated in the pathogenic build-up of hematopoietic progenitors, but it is still unclear whether and how IDH mutations themselves affect hematopoiesis. Here, we show that IDH1-mutant mice develop myeloid dysplasia in that these animals exhibit anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis, and increased immature progenitors and erythroblasts. In erythroid cells of these mice, D-2-hydroxyglutarate, an aberrant metabolite produced by the mutant IDH1 enzyme, inhibits oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity and diminishes succinyl–coenzyme A (CoA) production. This succinyl-CoA deficiency attenuates heme biosynthesis in IDH1-mutant hematopoietic cells, thus blocking erythroid differentiation at the late erythroblast stage and the erythroid commitment of hematopoietic stem cells, while the exogenous succinyl-CoA or 5-ALA rescues erythropoiesis in IDH1-mutant erythroid cells. Heme deficiency also impairs heme oxygenase-1 expression, which reduces levels of important heme catabolites such as biliverdin and bilirubin. These deficits result in accumulation of excessive reactive oxygen species that induce the cell death of IDH1-mutant erythroid cells. Our results clearly show the essential role of IDH1 in normal erythropoiesis and describe how its mutation leads to myeloid disorders. These data thus have important implications for the devising of new treatments for IDH-mutant tumors.
A Review on Self-Recovery Regulation (SR) Technique for Unbalance Vibration of High-End Equipment
Authors: Pan Xin , Lu Jiaqiao , Huo Jiaji , Gao Jinji , Wu Haiqi
Published: November 2020

The high-end equipment represented by high-end machine tools and aero-engines is the core component of the national intelligent manufacturing plan, and the mass unbalance is the main reason for its excessive vibration, that seriously impacts the operation efficiency and running life of the equipment. In order to change the traditional way that the fault of equipment can only be repaired by human, the self-recovery mechanism of human and animal are given to the equipment in this paper, which forms the self-recovery regulation (SR) system for unbalance vibration of high-end equipment. The system can online generate the self-recovery force to restrain the unbalance vibration of the equipment in operation, which is an important direction for the development of the equipment to the advanced intelligent stage. Based on the basic principles of SR technique, the typical engineering application cases of this technique in the field of aeroengine and high-end machine tools are introduced, and four related studies promoting the development of this technique are summarized and analyzed in turn. It includes feature extraction, imbalance location, regulation method and balancing actuator. Self-recovery Regulation (SR) Technique is an important way to realize intelligent manufacturing and intelligent maintenance. Relevant research can lay a technical foundation for the development of high-end equipment with self-health function.
Unexpected diversity of CRISPR unveils some evolutionary patterns of repeated sequences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Refrégier Guislaine , Sola Christophe , Guyeux Christophe
Published: November 2020

Background

Diversity of the CRISPR locus ofMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex has been studied since 1997 for molecular epidemiology purposes. By targeting solely the 43 spacers present in the two first sequenced genomes (H37Rv and BCG), it gave a biased idea of CRISPR diversity and ignored diversity in the neighbouringcas-genes.

Results

We set up tailored pipelines to explore the diversity of CRISPR-cas locus in Short Reads. We analyzed data from a representative set of 198 clinical isolates as evidenced by well-characterized SNPs.

We found a relatively low diversity in terms of spacers: we recovered only the 68 spacers that had been described in 2000. We found no partial or global inversions in the sequences, letting always the Direct Variant Repeats (DVR) in the same order. In contrast, we found an unexpected diversity in the form of: SNPs in spacers and in Direct Repeats, duplications of various length, and insertions at various locations of the IS6110insertion sequence, as well as blocks of DVR deletions. The diversity was in part specific to lineages. When reconstructing evolutionary steps of the locus, we found no evidence for SNP reversal. DVR deletions were linked to recombination between IS6110insertions or between Direct Repeats.

Conclusion

This work definitively shows that CRISPR locus ofM. tuberculosisdid not evolve by classical CRISPR adaptation (incorporation of new spacers) since the last most recent common ancestor of virulent lineages. The evolutionary mechanisms that we discovered could be involved in bacterial adaptation but in a way that remains to be identified.
Competitive mapping allows for the identification and exclusion of human DNA contamination in ancient faunal genomic datasets
Authors: Feuerborn Tatiana R. , Palkopoulou Eleftheria , van der Valk Tom , von Seth Johanna , Munters Arielle R. , Pečnerová Patrícia , Dehasque Marianne , Ureña Irene , Ersmark Erik , Lagerholm Vendela Kempe , Krzewińska Maja , Rodríguez-Varela Ricardo , Götherström Anders , Dalén Love , Díez-del-Molino David
Published: November 2020

Background

After over a decade of developments in field collection, laboratory methods and advances in high-throughput sequencing, contamination remains a key issue in ancient DNA research. Currently, human and microbial contaminant DNA still impose challenges on cost-effective sequencing and accurate interpretation of ancient DNA data.

Results

Here we investigate whether human contaminating DNA can be found in ancient faunal sequencing datasets. We identify variable levels of human contamination, which persists even after the sequence reads have been mapped to the faunal reference genomes. This contamination has the potential to affect a range of downstream analyses.

Conclusions

We propose a fast and simple method, based on competitive mapping, which allows identifying and removing human contamination from ancient faunal DNA datasets with limited losses of true ancient data. This method could represent an important tool for the ancient DNA field.
Virulence characterization and comparative genomics of Listeria monocytogenes sequence type 155 strains
Authors: Wagner Eva , Zaiser Andreas , Leitner Rebekka , Quijada Narciso M. , Pracser Nadja , Pietzka Ariane , Ruppitsch Werner , Schmitz-Esser Stephan , Wagner Martin , Rychli Kathrin
Published: November 2020

Background

Listeria(L.)monocytogenesstrains show a high diversity regarding stress tolerance and virulence potential. Genome studies have mainly focused on specific sequence types (STs) predominantly associated with either food or human listeriosis. This study focused on the prevalent ST155, showing equal distribution among clinical and food isolates. We evaluated the virulence potential of 20 ST155 strains and performed comparative genomic analysis of 130 ST155 strains isolated from food, food processing environments and human listeriosis cases in different countries and years.

Results

The in vitro virulence assays using human intestinal epithelial Caco2 and hepatocytic HEPG2 cells showed an impaired virulence phenotype for six of the 20 selected ST155 strains. Genome analysis revealed no distinct clustering of strains from the same source category (food, food processing environment, and clinical isolates). All strains harbored an intactinlAandinlBlocus, except four strains, which had an internal deletion in theinlAgene. All strains harbored LIPI-1, butprfAwas present in a longer variant in six strains, all showing impaired virulence. The longer PrfA variant resulted in lower expression ofinlA,inlB,andprfA, and no expression ofhlyandactA.

Regarding stress-related gene content, SSI-1 was present, whereasqacHwas absent in all strains. 34.6% of the strains harbored a plasmid. All but one ST155 plasmids showed high conservation and harboredcadA2,bcrABC, and a triphenylmethane reductase.

Conclusions

This study contributes to an enhanced understanding ofL. monocytogenesST155 strains, being equally distributed among isolates from humans, food, and food processing environments. The conservation of the present genetic traits and the absence of unique inherent genetic features makes these types of STs especially interesting since they are apparently equally adapted to the conditions in food processing environments, as well as in food as to the human host environment. However, a ST155-specific mutation resulting in a longer PrfA variant impaired the virulence potential of several ST155 strains.
The SAP function in pistil development was proved by two allelic mutations in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)
Authors: Huang Shengnan , Liu Wenjie , Xu Junjie , Liu Zhiyong , Li Chengyu , Feng Hui
Published: November 2020

Background

Pistil development is a complicated process in plants, and female sterile mutants are ideal material for screening and cloning pistil development-related genes. Using the female sterile mutant (fsm1),BraA04g009730.3Cwas previously predicted as a candidate mutant gene encoding the STERILE APETALA (SAP) transcriptional regulator. In the current study, a parallel female sterile mutant (fsm2) was derived from EMS mutagenesis of a Chinese cabbage DH line ‘FT’ seeds.

Results

Bothfsm2andfsm1mutant phenotypes exhibited pistil abortion and smaller floral organs. Genetic analysis indicated that the phenotype of mutantfsm2was also controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Allelism testing showed that the mutatedfsm1andfsm2genes were allelic. A single-nucleotide mutation (G-to-A) in the first exon ofBraA04g009730.3Ccaused a missense mutation from GAA (glutamic acid) to GGA (glycine) in mutantfsm2plants. Both allelic mutations ofBraA04g009730.3Cinfsm1andfsm2conferred the similar pistil abortion phenotype, which verified theSAPfunction in pistil development. To probe the mechanism ofSAP-induced pistil abortion, we compared the mutantfsm1and wild-type ‘FT’ pistil transcriptomes. Among the 3855 differentially expressed genes obtained, 29 were related to ovule development and 16 were related to organ size.

Conclusion

Our study clarified the function ofBraA04g009730.3Cand revealed that it was responsible for ovule development and organ size. These results lay a foundation to elucidate the molecular mechanism of pistil development in Chinese cabbage.
Sequencing and analysis of gerbera daisy leaf transcriptomes reveal disease resistance and susceptibility genes differentially expressed and associated with powdery mildew resistance
Authors: Bhattarai Krishna , Conesa Ana , Xiao Shunyuan , Peres Natalia A. , Clark David G. , Parajuli Saroj , Deng Zhanao
Published: November 2020

Background

RNA sequencing has been widely used to profile genome-wide gene expression and identify candidate genes controlling disease resistance and other important traits in plants. Gerbera daisy is one of the most important flowers in the global floricultural trade, and powdery mildew (PM) is the most important disease of gerbera. Genetic improvement of gerbera PM resistance has become a crucial goal in gerbera breeding. A better understanding of the genetic control of gerbera resistance to PM can expedite the development of PM-resistant cultivars.

Results

The objectives of this study were to identify gerbera genotypes with contrasting phenotypes in PM resistance and sequence and analyze their leaf transcriptomes to identify disease resistance and susceptibility genes differentially expressed and associated with PM resistance. An additional objective was to identify SNPs and SSRs for use in future genetic studies. We identified two gerbera genotypes, UFGE 4033 and 06–245-03, that were resistant and susceptible to PM, respectively. De novo assembly of their leaf transcriptomes using four complementary pipelines resulted in 145,348 transcripts with a N50 of 1124 bp, of which 67,312 transcripts contained open reading frames and 48,268 were expressed in both genotypes. A total of 494 transcripts were likely involved in disease resistance, and 17 and 24 transcripts were up- and down-regulated, respectively, in UFGE 4033 compared to 06–245-03. These gerbera disease resistance transcripts were most similar to the NBS-LRR class of plant resistance genes conferring resistance to various pathogens in plants. Four disease susceptibility transcripts (MLO-like) were expressed only or highly expressed in 06–245-03, offering excellent candidate targets for gene editing for PM resistance in gerbera. A total of 449,897 SNPs and 19,393 SSRs were revealed in the gerbera transcriptomes, which can be a valuable resource for developing new molecular markers.

Conclusion

This study represents the first transcriptomic analysis of gerbera PM resistance, a highly important yet complex trait in a globally important floral crop. The differentially expressed disease resistance and susceptibility transcripts identified provide excellent targets for development of molecular markers and genetic maps, cloning of disease resistance genes, or targeted mutagenesis of disease susceptibility genes for PM resistance in gerbera.