bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Phylogenetics and Population Genetics of the Dengue VectorAedes aegyptiFrom the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Khater Emad I M , Baig Farrukh , Kamal Hany A , Powell Jeffery R , Saleh Amgad A
Published: July 2021

Aedes aegypti mosquito is the principal dengue vector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); however, no study has addressed its ecology and population structure yet. Therefore, we report on Ae. aegypti phylo- and population genetics using three DNA markers: COI, ND4, and rDNA-ITS2. Sampling the immature stages of Ae. aegypti revealed that water storage tanks (34.3% of habitats) were the most productive and contained 33% of immatures stages. Other important habitats included containers for wastewater drainage (including air-conditioning and water cooler trays) and containers associated with ornamentation. Shallow water leakage spots (2.7% of habitats, 8% of immatures) can be considered rare-but-epidemiologically-important containers. Neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic analysis of Ae. aegypti identified 8, 14, and 9 haplotypes of COI, ND4, and ITS2, respectively, and revealed high levels of genetic variation in Ae. aegypti populations of KSA. Global distribution of haplotypes also indicated multiple gene introductions into these populations, with high levels of intra-population genetic variation and continuous gene exchange. The neutrality values indicated a deficiency of alleles and suggested that the KSA Ae. aegypti loci tested did not follow a neutral model of molecular evolution. Fst values and AMOVA indicated that most of the genetic variation in the KSA Ae. aegypti populations is due to intra- rather than inter-population differences. This is the first comprehensive report on the phylo- and population genetics of Ae. aegypti from the Arabian Peninsula. This information expands our understanding of the ecology and population dynamics of this important arboviral vector for informed control efforts.
GRB host galaxies with strong H2 absorption: CO-dark molecular gas at the peak of cosmic star formation
Authors: Heintz K E , Björnsson G , Neeleman M , Christensen L , Fynbo J P U , Jakobsson P , Krogager J-K , Laskar T , Ledoux C , Magdis G , Møller P , Noterdaeme P , Schady P , de Ugarte Postigo A , Valentino F , Watson D
Published: July 2021

We present a pilot search of CO emission in three H2-absorbing, long-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies at z ∼ 2–3. We used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to target the CO(3 − 2) emission line and report non-detections for all three hosts. These are used to place limits on the host molecular gas masses, assuming a metallicity-dependent CO-to-H2 conversion factor (αCO). We find, $M_{\rm mol} \lt 3.5\times 10^{10}\, M_{\odot }$ (GRB 080607), $M_{\rm mol} \lt 4.7\times 10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$ (GRB 120815A), and $M_{\rm mol} \lt 8.9\times 10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$ (GRB 181020A). The high limits on the molecular gas mass for the latter two cases are a consequence of their low stellar masses M⋆ ($M_\star \lesssim 10^{8}\, M_{\odot }$) and low gas-phase metallicities ($Z\sim 0.03\, Z_{\odot }$). The limit on the Mmol/M⋆ ratio derived for GRB 080607, however, is consistent with the average population of star-forming galaxies at similar redshifts and stellar masses. We discuss the broader implications for a metallicity-dependent CO-to-H2 conversion factor and demonstrate that the canonical Galactic αCO will severely underestimate the actual molecular gas mass for all galaxies at z > 1 with $M_\star \lt 10^{10}\, M_\odot$. To better quantify this we develop a simple approach to estimate the relevant αCO factor based only on the redshift and stellar mass of individual galaxies. The elevated conversion factors will make these galaxies appear CO-‘dark’ and difficult to detect in emission, as is the case for the majority of GRB hosts. GRB spectroscopy thus offers a complementary approach to identify low-metallicity, star-forming galaxies with abundant molecular gas reservoirs at high redshifts that are otherwise missed by current ALMA surveys.
Broad-band X-ray observations of the 2018 outburst of the changing-look active galactic nucleus NGC 1566
Authors: Jana Arghajit , Kumari Neeraj , Nandi Prantik , Naik Sachindra , Chatterjee Arka , Jaisawal Gaurava K , Hayasaki Kimitake , Ricci Claudio
Published: July 2021

We study the nature of the changing-look active galactic nucleus NGC 1566 during its 2018 June outburst. During the outburst, the X-ray intensity of the source rises up to ∼25–30 times compared to its quiescent state intensity. We perform timing and spectral analysis of the source during pre-outburst, outburst, and post-outburst epochs using semisimultaneous observations with the XMM–Newton, Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array(NuSTAR), and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatories. We calculate variance, normalized variance, and fractional rms amplitude in different energy bands to study the variability. The broad-band 0.5–70 keV spectra are fitted with phenomenological models, as well as physical models. A strong soft X-ray excess is detected in the spectra during the outburst. The soft-excess emission is found to be complex and could originate in the warm Comptonizing region in the inner accretion disc. We find that the increase in the accretion rate is responsible for the sudden rise in luminosity. This is supported by the ‘q’-shape of the hardness-intensity diagram that is generally found in outbursting black hole X-ray binaries. From our analysis, we find that NGC 1566 most likely harbours a low-spinning black hole with the spin parameter a* ∼ 0.2. We also discuss a scenario where the central core of NGC 1566 could be a merging supermassive black hole.
Giant white-light flares on fully convective stars occur at high latitudes
Authors: Ilin Ekaterina , Poppenhaeger Katja , Schmidt Sarah J , Järvinen Silva P , Newton Elisabeth R , Alvarado-Gómez Julián D , Pineda J Sebastian , Davenport James R A , Oshagh Mahmoudreza , Ilyin Ilya
Published: July 2021

White-light flares are magnetically driven localized brightenings on the surfaces of stars. Their temporal, spectral, and statistical properties present a treasury of physical information about stellar magnetic fields. The spatial distributions of magnetic spots and associated flaring regions help constrain dynamo theories. Moreover, flares are thought to crucially affect the habitability of exoplanets that orbit these stars. Measuring the location of flares on stars other than the Sun is challenging due to the lack of spatial resolution. Here we present four fully convective stars observed with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite that displayed large, long-duration flares in white-light which were modulated in brightness by the stars’ fast rotation. This allowed us to determine the loci of these flares directly from the light curves. All four flares occurred at latitudes between 55° and 81°, far higher than typical solar flare latitudes. Our findings are evidence that strong magnetic fields tend to emerge close to the stellar rotational poles for fully convective stars, and suggest that the impact of flares on the habitability of exoplanets around small stars could be weaker than previously thought.
Measuring cosmological parameters with a luminosity–time correlation of gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Hu J P , Wang F Y , Dai Z G
Published: July 2021

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), as a possible probe to extend the Hubble diagram to high redshifts, have attracted much attention recently. In this paper, we select two samples of GRBs that have a plateau phase in X-ray afterglow. One is short GRBs (SGRBs) with plateau phases dominated by magnetic dipole (MD) radiations. The other is long GRBs (LGRBs) with gravitational wave (GW) dominated plateau phases. These GRBs can be well standardized using the correlation between the plateau luminosity L0 and the end time of plateau tb. The so-called circularity problem is mitigated by using the observational Hubble parameter data and Gaussian process method. The calibrated L0 – tb correlations are also used to constrain Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) and w(z) = w0 models. Combining the MD–LGRBs sample from Wang et al. (2021) and the MD–SGRBs sample, we find $\Omega _{\mathrm{ m}} = 0.33_{-0.09}^{+0.06}$ and ΩΛ = $1.06_{-0.34}^{+0.15}$ excluding systematic uncertainties in the non-flat ΛCDM model. Adding Type Ia supernovae from Pantheon sample, the best-fitting results are w0 = $-1.11_{-0.15}^{+0.11}$ and Ωm = $0.34_{-0.04}^{+0.05}$ in the w = w0 model. These results are in agreement with the ΛCDM model. Our result supports that selection of GRBs from the same physical mechanism is crucial for cosmological purposes.
Witnessing history: sky distribution, detectability, and rates of naked-eye Milky Way supernovae
Authors: Murphey C Tanner , Hogan Jacob W , Fields Brian D , Narayan Gautham
Published: July 2021

The Milky Way hosts on average a few supernova explosions per century, yet in the past millennium only five supernovae have been identified confidently in the historical record. This deficit of naked-eye supernovae is at least partly due to dust extinction in the Galactic plane. We explore this effect quantitatively, developing a formalism for the supernova probability distribution in space and on the sky, accounting for dust and for the observer’s flux limit. We then construct a fiducial axisymmetric model for the spatial supernova and dust densities, featuring an exponential dependence on galactocentric radius and height, with core-collapse events in a thin disc and Type Ia events including a thick disc component. When no flux limit is applied, our model predicts that on the sky, supernovae are intrinsically concentrated in the Galactic plane, with Type Ia events extending to higher latitudes. We then apply a flux limit and include dust effects, to predict the sky distribution of historical supernovae. We use well-observed supernovae as light-curve templates, and introduce naked-eye discovery criteria. The resulting sky distributions are strikingly inconsistent with the locations of confident historical supernovae, none of which lie near our model’s central peaks. Indeed, SN 1054 lies off the plane almost exactly in the anticentre, and SN 1181 is in the second Galactic quadrant. We discuss possible explanations for these discrepancies. We calculate the percentage of all supernovae bright enough for historical discovery: $\simeq 13{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of core-collapse and $\simeq 33{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of Type Ia events. Using these and the confident historical supernovae, we estimate the intrinsic Galactic supernova rates, finding general agreement with other methods. Finally, we urge searches for supernovae in historical records from civilizations in the Southern hemisphere.
Genetic Continuity of Bronze Age Ancestry with Increased Steppe-Related Ancestry in Late Iron Age Uzbekistan
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Bennett E Andrew , Zhao Dongyue , Liang Yun , Tang Yunpeng , Ren Meng , Dai Qinyan , Feng Xiaotian , Cao Peng , Yang Ruowei , Liu Feng , Ping Wanjing , Zhang Ming , Ding Manyu , Yang Melinda A , Amridin Berdimurodov , Muttalib Hasanov , Wang Jianxin , Fu Qiaomei
Published: July 2021

Although Uzbekistan and Central Asia are known for the well-studied Bronze Age civilization of the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC), the lesser-known Iron Age was also a dynamic period that resulted in increased interaction and admixture among different cultures from this region. To broaden our understanding of events that impacted the demography and population structure of this region, we generated 27 genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism capture data sets of Late Iron Age individuals around the Historical Kushan time period (∼2100–1500 BP) from three sites in South Uzbekistan. Overall, Bronze Age ancestry persists into the Iron Age in Uzbekistan, with no major replacements of populations with Steppe-related ancestry. However, these individuals suggest diverse ancestries related to Iranian farmers, Anatolian farmers, and Steppe herders, with a small amount of West European Hunter Gatherer, East Asian, and South Asian Hunter Gatherer ancestry as well. Genetic affinity toward the Late Bronze Age Steppe herders and a higher Steppe-related ancestry than that found in BMAC populations suggest an increased mobility and interaction of individuals from the Northern Steppe in a Southward direction. In addition, a decrease of Iranian and an increase of Anatolian farmer-like ancestry in Uzbekistan Iron Age individuals were observed compared with the BMAC populations from Uzbekistan. Thus, despite continuity from the Bronze Age, increased admixture played a major role in the shift from the Bronze to the Iron Age in southern Uzbekistan. This mixed ancestry is also observed in other parts of the Steppe and Central Asia, suggesting more widespread admixture among local populations.
Systematic review—Time to malignant transformation in low-grade gliomas: Predicting a catastrophic event with clinical, neuroimaging, and molecular markers
Authors: Satar Zabina , Hotton Gary , Samandouras George
Published: July 2021

Background

Despite an initially indolent course, all WHO grade II, LGGs inevitably transform to malignant, WHO grades III and IV, without current curative options. Malignant transformation (MT) remains unpredictable with limited prognostic markers to steer timing of interventions. The aim of this study was to review and assign predictive value to specific clinical, molecular, and radiological markers impacting MT, thereby justifying timely therapeutic interventions.

Methods

Searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were conducted from inception to April 28, 2021 and outputs were analysed in accordance with PRISMA protocol.

Results

From an initial 5,032 articles, 33 articles were included, totalling 5672 patients. Forty-three prognostic factors were registered to significantly impact MT. These were categorised as 7 clinical; 14 neuroimaging; 8 biological/molecular; 3 volumetric; 5 topological; 3 histological; and 3 treatment-related. Following analysis, 10 factors were highlighted: the pre-operative prognosticators were 1. presentation with epileptic seizures; 2. VDE > 8 mm/y; 3. VDE > 4 mm/y; 4. rCBV > 1.75; 5. PTV ≥ 5 cm (65 ml); 6. PTV ≥ 100 ml; and 7. cortical involvement. The post-operative prognosticators were: (1) IDH-wt, (2) TP53 mutation, and (3) temozolomide monotherapy.

Conclusions

The management of LGGs remains controversial, as conservative and invasive treatment may be associated with MT and impaired quality of life, respectively. Our review indicates that MT can be predicted by specific metrics in VDE, PTV, and rCBV, alongside cortical involvement. Additionally, patients with IDH-wt tumours TP53 mutations, or receiving TMZ monotherapy are more likely to undergo MT. Our data may form the basis of a predictive scoring system.
Mental Health Law
Authors: Wilson Kay
Published: July 2021

The debate about whether mental health law should be abolished or reformed emerged during the negotiations of the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (‘CRPD’) and has raged fiercely for over a decade. It has resulted in an impasse between abolitionists, States Parties, and other reformers and a literature which has devolved into ‘camps’. Mental Health Law: Abolish or Reform? aims to cut through the confusion using the tools of human rights treaty interpretation backed by a deep jurisprudential analysis of core CRPD concepts—dignity (including autonomy), equality, and participation—to gain a clearer understanding of the meaning of the CRPD and what it requires States Parties to do. In doing so, it sets out the development of both mental health law and the abolitionist movement including its goals and how and why it has emerged now. By digging deeper into the conceptual basis of the CRPD and developing the ‘interpretive compass’, the book aims to flesh out a broader vision of disability rights and move the debate forward by evaluating the three main current abolition and reform options: Abolition with Support, Mental Capacity with Support, and Support Except Where There is Harm. Drawing on jurisprudential and multi-disciplinary research from philosophy, medicine, sociology, disability studies, and history, it argues that mental health law should not be abolished, but should instead be significantly reformed to minimize coercion and maximize the support and choices given to persons with mental impairments to realize of all of their CRPD rights.
Maize Brittle Stalk2-Like3, encoding a COBRA protein, functions in cell wall formation and carbohydrate partitioning
Authors: Julius Benjamin T , McCubbin Tyler J , Mertz Rachel A , Baert Nick , Knoblauch Jan , Grant DeAna G , Conner Kyle , Bihmidine Saadia , Chomet Paul , Wagner Ruth , Woessner Jeff , Grote Karen , Peevers Jeanette , Slewinski Thomas L , McCann Maureen C , Carpita Nicholas C , Knoblauch Michael , Braun David M
Published: July 2021

Carbohydrate partitioning from leaves to sink tissues is essential for plant growth and development. The maize (Zea mays) recessive carbohydrate partitioning defective28 (cpd28) and cpd47 mutants exhibit leaf chlorosis and accumulation of starch and soluble sugars. Transport studies with 14C-sucrose (Suc) found drastically decreased export from mature leaves in cpd28 and cpd47 mutants relative to wild-type siblings. Consistent with decreased Suc export, cpd28 mutants exhibited decreased phloem pressure in mature leaves, and altered phloem cell wall ultrastructure in immature and mature leaves. We identified the causative mutations in the Brittle Stalk2-Like3 (Bk2L3) gene, a member of the COBRA family, which is involved in cell wall development across angiosperms. None of the previously characterized COBRA genes are reported to affect carbohydrate export. Consistent with other characterized COBRA members, the BK2L3 protein localized to the plasma membrane, and the mutants condition a dwarf phenotype in dark-grown shoots and primary roots, as well as the loss of anisotropic cell elongation in the root elongation zone. Likewise, both mutants exhibit a significant cellulose deficiency in mature leaves. Therefore, Bk2L3 functions in tissue growth and cell wall development, and this work elucidates a unique connection between cellulose deposition in the phloem and whole-plant carbohydrate partitioning.
Reliability, Validity, Clinical Utility, and Responsiveness of Measures for Assessing Mobility and Physical Function in Patients With Traumatic Injury in the Acute Care Hospital Setting: A Prospective Study
Authors: Calthorpe Sara , Kimmel Lara A , Fitzgerald Mark C , Webb Melissa J , Holland Anne E
Published: July 2021

Objective

The longer-term impact of injury is increasingly recognized, but the early phases of recovery are less well understood. The best tools to measure early recovery of mobility and physical function following traumatic injury are unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical utility, validity, reliability, and responsiveness of 4 mobility and physical function measures in patients following traumatic injury.

Methods

In this cohort, measurement-focused study (n = 100), the modified Iowa Level of Assistance Score, Acute Care Index of Function, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6 Clicks” short forms, and Functional Independence Measure were completed during first and last physical therapy sessions. Clinical utility and floor and ceiling effects were documented. Known-groups validity (early vs late in admission and by discharge destination), predictive validity (using 6-month postinjury outcomes data), and responsiveness were established. Interrater reliability was assessed in 30 patients with stable mobility and function.

Results

Participants had a median age of 52 years (interquartile range = 33–68 years), and 68% were male. The modified Iowa Level of Assistance Score, Acute Care Index of Function, and “6 Clicks” short forms were quick to administer (an extra median time of 30 seconds–1 minute), but the Functional Independence Measure took much longer (extra median time of 5 minutes). At the last physical therapy session, ceiling effects were present for all measures except the Functional Independence Measure (18%–33% of participants). All had strong known-groups validity (early vs late in admission and by discharge destination). All were responsive (effect sizes >1.0) and had excellent interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.79–0.94).

Conclusion

All 4 measures were reliable, valid, and responsive; however, their clinical utility varied, and ceiling effects were common at physical therapy discharge.

Impact

This study is an important step toward evidence-based measurement in acute trauma physical therapy care. It provides critical information to guide assessment of mobility and physical function in acute trauma physical therapy, which may facilitate benchmarking across different hospitals and trauma centers and further progress the science and practice of physical therapy following traumatic injury.
How Do Capital Requirements Affect Loan Rates? Evidence from High Volatility Commercial Real Estate*
Authors: Glancy David , Kurtzman Robert
Published: July 2021

We investigate how capital requirements affect loan rates by studying the 50% increase in the risk weight for high volatility commercial real estate (HVCRE) loans under Basel III. Exploiting variation in loan terms and exposure to the period after the rule’s implementation, we find that a one-percentage-point increase in capital requirements raises loan rates by 8.5 basis points. Using a model of bank funding costs, we demonstrate the timing and scope of the HVCRE rule implies our estimate reflects the steady-state cost of capital requirements. (JEL G21, G28, G38)
A comparative analysis of innovation policies in Hong Kong and Shenzhen within the Greater Bay Area initiative
Authors: Sharif Naubahar , Chandra Kevin
Published: July 2021

Combining documentary analysis with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), we conduct a comparative study of innovation policies in two municipalities included in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative—the Chinese government’s plan to link eleven cities into an economic and business hub. After identifying innovation policies/agencies in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, we apply the HCA to compare similarities and differences between their innovation policies and assess how these policies align with the ‘cross-border regional innovation system’ (CBRIS) conceptual approach. We find that Hong Kong’s innovation policies are multitudinous, fragmented, and overlapping, whereas Shenzhen’s innovation policies are more targeted and more clearly differentiated, with a strong focus on strategic emerging industries. The two cities could strengthen their developing but weakly integrated CBRIS by collaborating in four areas of innovation policy: talent recruitment, joint R&D activities, enterprise competitiveness, and support for start-ups. The GBA initiative can succeed by driving innovation from a CBRIS perspective.
Rejecting acceptance: learning from public dialogue on self-driving vehicles
Authors: Stilgoe Jack , Cohen Tom
Published: July 2021

The investment and excitement surrounding self-driving vehicles are huge. We know from earlier transport innovations that technological transitions can reshape lives, livelihoods, and places in profound ways. There is therefore a case for wide democratic debate, but how should this take place? In this paper, we explore the tensions between democratic experiments and technological ones with a focus on policy for nascent self-driving/automated vehicles. We describe a dominant model of public engagement that imagines increased public awareness leading to acceptance and then adoption of the technology. We explore the flaws in this model, particularly in how it treats members of the public as users rather than citizens and the presumption that the technology is well-defined. Analysing two large public dialogue exercises in which we were involved, our conclusion is that public dialogue can contribute to shifting established ideas about both technologies and the public, but that this reframing demands openness on the part of policymakers and other stakeholders. Rather than seeing public dialogues as individual exercises, it would be better to evaluate the governance of emerging technologies in terms of whether it takes place ‘in dialogue’.
Genome Sequence Resource of Bacillus sp. RRD69, a Beneficial Bacterial Endophyte Isolated from Switchgrass Plants
Authors: Zhao Zhenzhen , Bokros Norbert , DeBolt Seth , Yang Piao , Xia Ye
Published: July 2021

We report here the genome sequence of Bacillus sp. RRD69, a plant-growth-promoting bacterial endophyte isolated from switchgrass plants grown on a reclaimed coal-mining site in Kentucky. RRD69 is predicted to contain 3,758 protein-coding genes, with a genome size of 3.715 Mbp and a 41.41% GC content.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Soybean Root-Knot Nematode: A Diagnostic Guide
Authors: Gorny Adrienne M. , Ye Weimin , Cude Sam , Thiessen Lindsey
Published: July 2021

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most economically important plant parasites in the world, and significantly impacts soybean production in places where they are endemic. Several species of root-knot nematode are capable of causing significant damages to soybean and have broad host ranges that include common rotational crops and weeds. Symptoms of root-knot nematode infections may be confused with other diseases, nutritional disorders, or common root features associated with legumes. The purpose of this diagnostic guide is to provide information regarding identification, isolation, storage, and other relevant aspects of this pathosystem.
Phenotyping for Waterlogging Tolerance as a Proxy for Phytophthora medicaginis Resistance in Chickpea
Authors: Dron Nicole , Sutton Tim , Harden Steve , Simpfendorfer Steven , Hobson Kristy
Published: July 2021

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) caused by the soilborne oomycete Phytophthora medicaginis is a significant constraint to chickpea (Cicer arietinum) production across the northern grains region of Australia. In flooded soil, which is conducive to PRR disease development, up to 70% yield loss can occur in the most resistant Australian cultivars. Incorporating waterlogging tolerance in soybean (Glycine max) has been shown to improve quantitative resistance to Phytophthora sojae. Root growth of three chickpea genotypes was assessed at the seedling stage under waterlogging, PRR, and the combination of these abiotic and biotic constraints. Levels of waterlogging tolerance in chickpea are inherently low, yet selected genotypes displayed variability in root traits linked to improved waterlogging tolerance. The PRR moderately susceptible chickpea cultivar Yorker and PRR very susceptible Rupali demonstrated an eightfold increase in early adventitious root growth from the epicotyl region under waterlogging stress, compared with the PRR resistant interspecific backcross genotype 04067-81-2-1-1 (C. echinospermum × C. arietinum*2). Selection for primary root depth, which was significantly greater in 04067-81-2-1-1 under waterlogging, appears to improve PRR resistance compared with root replacement traits. Soilborne Phytophthora spp. are reportedly attracted to branch sites and leached exudates. We propose that compromised root barriers at emergence sites of adventitious roots under waterlogging conditions hasten hyphal entry, potentially increasing susceptibility to PRR. Hence, screening for root depth and absence of adventitious root development under waterlogged conditions may offer a novel proxy phenotyping method for PRR resistance traits at early stages of chickpea breeding.
The Challenges of Managing Phytophthora Root Rot in the Nursery Industry
Authors: Weiland Jerry E.
Published: July 2021

For nearly 100 years, Phytophthora root rot (PRR) has been a severe problem in nurseries. Early surveys found only one or two Phytophthora species on any one host. However, recent surveys show that nurseries are impacted by increasingly complex Phytophthora communities that vary by host, nursery, and region. Individual community members have diverse biological characteristics and differ in their responses to disease control measures. These differences may shift community composition toward members that are less sensitive to treatment, thereby decreasing overall disease control. Together, this suggests that PRR is better approached as a disease complex rather than as a disease caused by a single entity. Yet most experiments use only a single Phytophthora isolate and therefore overlook the potential for other community members to be less responsive to treatment. Successful control is further limited by a lack of data on the disease losses and soilborne inoculum levels encountered in the nursery industry, which are essential for establishing risks for infection and pathogen movement and for evaluating disease control efficacy. Focused surveys with intensive sampling are needed to better characterize the Phytophthora communities occurring on major nursery crops. Experiments should utilize a representative set of species and isolates to ensure treatments are effective. The presence of diverse Phytophthora communities in the nursery industry makes it less likely that any one disease control tactic will be broadly effective. Instead, a combination of approaches that take into account the individual weaknesses of each community member will likely be necessary to achieve long-term PRR control.
Comparison of Baiting Techniques for Recovering Phytophthora sojae from Soybean Fields in Iowa
Authors: Matthiesen Rashelle L. , Schmidt Clarice , Robertson Alison E.
Published: July 2021

Understanding the diversity of a pathogen is important for developing disease management recommendations. In the Phytophthora root and stem rot–soybean pathosystem, P. sojae is characterized into pathotypes based on the ability of the pathogen to cause disease on soybean genotypes that each contain a different resistance Rps gene. To understand the diversity of P. sojae in an area, isolates of the pathogen may be recovered by baiting soil samples. In this research, we compared two commonly used methods for baiting P. sojae: the leaf disc method and the seedling method. More isolates of P. sojae were recovered using the leaf disc baiting method (P < 0.01), and more pathotypes were detected within this population (P < 0.01). Mean complexity of the two populations and the simple, Gleason, and Shannon diversity indices also differed (P < 0.01). However, the percent of isolates that caused disease on each Rps gene did not differ between methods. Thus, either method could be used to characterize pathotypes of P. sojae present in an area to provide data to soybean breeders and agronomists for deployment of Rps genes in soybean cultivars.
Pressure Injury Development, Mitigation, and Outcomes of Patients Proned for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Capasso Virginia , Snydeman Colleen , Miguel Karen , Wang Xianghong , Crocker Michelle , Chornoby Zachary , Vangel Mark , Walsh Mary Ann , Murphy John , Qualls Stephanie
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVE

To describe trends and risk factors for pressure injuries (PIs) in adult critical care patients proned to alleviate acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19 and examine the effectiveness of products and strategies used to mitigate PIs.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective chart review between April 9 and June 8, 2020. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Differences between groups with and without PIs were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 147 patients, significant PI risk factors included male sex (P = .019), high body mass index (>40 kg/m2; P = .020), low Braden Scale score (<12; P = .018), and low-dose vasopressor therapy (P = .020). Taping endotracheal tubes (ETTs) caused significantly fewer facial PIs than commercial ETT holders (P < .0001). Maximum prone duration/session was a significant risk factor for anterior PIs (P = .016), which dropped 71% with newer pressure redistribution products. d-Dimer greater than 3,200 μg/mL (P = .042) was a significant risk factor for sacrococcygeal PIs while supine. Mortality was 30%; significant risk factors included age older than 60 years (P = .005), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score greater than 11 (P = .003), and comorbid congestive heart failure (P = .016).

CONCLUSIONS

Taping the ETT, limiting the maximum duration of prone positioning to less than 32 hours, and frequent repositioning while supine may reduce the number of modifiable risk factors for PIs. Standardized methods for testing products for PI prevention will inform individualized patient care.
Impact of New York State’s Medicaid Breast Cancer Selective Contracting Policy on Access and Quality of Care Outcomes
Authors: Proj Anisa , Wagner Victoria L. , Matson Jacqueline M. , Roohan Patrick J.
Published: July 2021

The New York State Medicaid Breast Cancer Selective Contracting policy was implemented in 2009 and mandates that Medicaid enrollees receive breast cancer surgery at high-volume hospital and ambulatory surgery facilities. This article evaluates the policy’s impact on 8 access and quality of care measures prepolicy and postpolicy implementation. Linked New York State (NYS) Cancer Registry, Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, and NYS Medicaid encounter and claim data were used to calculate measures. Interrupted time series analysis was conducted to estimate the change in measure rates prepolicy and postpolicy implementation. Findings indicate that the policy was successful in shifting surgeries from low- to high-volume facilities and that high-volume facilities outperformed low-volume facilities on several access and quality of care measures.
Shifting the Mindset: Incorporating Mindfulness Practice in the Graduate Online Nursing Classroom and Beyond
Authors: Bradley Holly B.
Published: July 2021

The concept of using mindfulness techniques in an online nursing education environment is an idea that has limited research. We have utilized some mindfulness exercises to facilitate course interaction and guide how faculty and students can foster an engaged, mutually beneficial environment in the classroom and beyond to leadership positions in the clinical setting. Faculty utilize these techniques to enhance teaching in the online environment. This article provides examples of how faculty can engage students in these behaviors.
Ketamine in depression and electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Rozet Irene
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review

The antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine was recognized 20 years ago. This review briefly summarizes the current understanding of the antidepressant mechanisms and the available clinical research on the use of racemic ketamine and enantiomer esketamine for depression.

Recent findings

The antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine is currently considered to be predominantly mediated by improved neuroplasticity in cortico-limbic areas in the brain. Single dose of 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine infused intravenously over 40 min, or single intranasal dose of esketamine cause rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal effects within hours of administration, and the antidepressant effect may last up to a week. Repeated administration of nasal spray esketamine is considered to prevent relapse of depression. Longitudinal studies are currently insufficient. When used in various doses for anesthetic induction for electroconvulsive therapy, ketamine improves seizure quality and may possibly diminish posttherapy cognitive impairment.

A rapid onset antidepressive effect of ketamine and esketamine has been proven conclusively. The results of extensive basic science research of the mechanism of action of low-dose ketamine doses has led to an alternative hypothesis of the pathophysiology of depression and the development of a novel neurotrophic concept of depression. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of repeated administration of ketamine and its analogs to prevent relapse and recurrence of depression.
Gender Differences in Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Burden Among Adults With Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders in the United States
Authors: Rhee Taeho Greg , Rosenheck Robert A.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Studies report that women with opioid use disorder experience more comorbid psychiatric disorders and behavioral health burdens than men. We broadened the study of this phenomenon to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs) using national epidemiologic data.

Methods

Data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave-III identified 2491 women and 3317 men with DSM-5 AUD or SUDs, and 30,501 men and women without such disorders. Women and men with AUD and SUDs were compared to those without such disorders on 22 measures of DSM-5 psychiatric disorders and behavioral histories (eg, incarceration and suicide attempt). The interaction of female sex and AUD in relation to these measures was evaluated and we repeated analyses for SUDs.

Results

Separate analyses of female and male adults with and without AUD or SUDs showed AUD and SUDs in both sexes were strongly associated with psychiatric disorders and behavioral histories. In pooled analyses, the interaction of female sex and AUD showed women with AUD had significantly greater likelihood than men of: borderline personality disorder, pain; parental history of incarceration; traumatic events; incarceration; and lifetime homelessness (P < 0.05 for all), but not for psychiatric diagnoses. Interaction of female sex with SUDs showed women had increased likelihood of all personality disorders, traumatic events, and past incarceration (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusions

Certain personality disorders and behavioral histories, but not psychiatric diagnoses, may play a distinct role in leading to SUDs among women when compared to men.
Emotion and Word Recognition for Unprocessed and Vocoded Speech Stimuli
Authors: Morgan Shae D. , Garrard Stacy , Hoskins Tiffany
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

Individuals with cochlear implants (CIs) show reduced word and auditory emotion recognition abilities relative to their peers with normal hearing. Modern CI processing strategies are designed to preserve acoustic cues requisite for word recognition rather than those cues required for accessing other signal information (e.g., talker gender or emotional state). While word recognition is undoubtedly important for communication, the inaccessibility of this additional signal information in speech may lead to negative social experiences and outcomes for individuals with hearing loss. This study aimed to evaluate whether the emphasis on word recognition preservation in CI processing has unintended consequences on the perception of other talker information, such as emotional state.

Design:

Twenty-four young adult listeners with normal hearing listened to sentences and either reported a target word in each sentence (word recognition task) or selected the emotion of the talker (emotion recognition task) from a list of options (Angry, Calm, Happy, and Sad). Sentences were blocked by task type (emotion recognition versus word recognition) and processing condition (unprocessed versus 8-channel noise vocoder) and presented randomly within the block at three signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in a background of speech-shaped noise. Confusion matrices showed the number of errors in emotion recognition by listeners.

Results:

Listeners demonstrated better emotion recognition performance than word recognition performance at the same SNR. Unprocessed speech resulted in higher recognition rates than vocoded stimuli. Recognition performance (for both words and emotions) decreased with worsening SNR. Vocoding speech resulted in a greater negative impact on emotion recognition than it did for word recognition.

Conclusions:

These data confirm prior work that suggests that in background noise, emotional prosodic information in speech is easier to recognize than word information, even after simulated CI processing. However, emotion recognition may be more negatively impacted by background noise and CI processing than word recognition. Future work could explore CI processing strategies that better encode prosodic information and investigate this effect in individuals with CIs as opposed to vocoded simulation. This study emphasized the need for clinicians to consider not only word recognition but also other aspects of speech that are critical to successful social communication.
Estimating Skeletal Maturity Using Knee Radiographs During Preadolescence: The Epiphyseal:Metaphyseal Ratio
Authors: Benedick Alexander J. , Hogue Bailyn , Furdock Ryan J. , Uli Naveen , Liu Raymond W.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Though skeletal maturity is most relevant during adolescence, it has utility in treatment of younger patients in some circumstances. Accurate estimation of skeletal maturity using knee radiographs would be useful when treating limb length discrepancy and other general medical conditions in preadolescent patients. Currently, a quick, accurate, and reproducible method of estimating skeletal maturity in preadolescents is lacking.

Methods:

Serial anteroposterior knee radiographs taken at historical growth study visits leading up to the chronological age associated with 90% of final height (an enhanced skeletal maturity standard as compared with peak height velocity) were analyzed in 75 children. Epiphyseal and metaphyseal widths of the distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal fibula were measured and the epiphyseal:metaphyseal ratio was calculated. Greulich and Pyle (GP) bone ages were also assigned by an experienced pediatric endocrinologist using left hand radiographs. Stepwise linear regression and generalized estimating equation analyses were used to make a skeletal maturity model incorporating demographics (age+sex) and knee epiphyseal:metaphyseal ratios.

Results:

A total of 258 left knee radiographs from 39 girls (mean age 8.6 y, range: 2.9 to 13 y) and 36 boys (mean age 10.6 y, range: 3.8 to 15 y) were included. The demographics+ratios model had similar prediction accuracy (0.49 vs. 0.48 y, P=0.84) and rate of outliers (11% vs. 9%, P=0.11) as the demographics+GP model. The demographics+ratios model outperformed all other models evaluated, including a demographics-only model (P<0.001 for all).

Conclusions:

When combined with chronological age and sex, epiphyseal:metaphyseal ratio measurement in the knee allows for skeletal maturity estimation comparable to using the GP technique.

Clinical Relevance:

We have defined a knee skeletal maturity system that could be applied in treatment of orthopaedic conditions in preadolescents where a knee radiograph is already obtained, avoiding the need for an additional hand radiograph.
The Medial Border of Laparoscopic D3 Lymphadenectomy for Right Colon Cancer: Results from an Exploratory Pilot Study
Authors: Zhou Leqi , Diao Dechang , Ye Kai , Feng Yifei , Yi Xiaojiang , Tong Weihua , Xu Jianhua , Su Hao , Wang Yong , He Liang , He Zirui , Xu Ziwei , Lu Xinquan , Lin Jianan , Zhang Jiaxin , Xue Pei , Zhang Dongsheng , Li Hongming , Ma Junjun , Kang Wengui , Yang Xiao , Li Jianwen , Cai Tianyi , Lu Aiguo , Liu Shiguang , Sun Jing , Zhang Sen , Zheng Minhua , Wang Quan , Sun Yueming , Feng Bo
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND:

Opinions vary on the medial border of D3 lymphadenectomy for right colon cancer. Most surgeons place the medial border along the left side of the superior mesenteric vein, but some consider the left side of the superior mesenteric artery as the medial border.

OBJECTIVES:

This study investigated the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic D3 lymphadenectomy for right colon cancer with the medial border along the left side of superior mesenteric artery.

DESIGN:

This was a retrospective study.

SETTINGS:

The study was conducted in specialized colorectal cancer department of 5 tertiary hospitals.

PATIENTS:

Patients receiving laparoscopic D3 lymphadenectomy for right colon cancer from January 2013 to December 2018 were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

After propensity score matching, 307 patients receiving laparoscopic D3 lymphadenectomy along the left side of the superior mesenteric artery were assigned to the superior mesenteric artery group and 614 patients were assigned to the superior mesenteric vein group. Univariate, multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to assess the clinical data.

RESULTS:

The short-term outcomes were similar between the 2 groups; however, the superior mesenteric artery group had a higher rate of chylous leakage (p < 0.001). More lymph nodes were harvested from the superior mesenteric artery group than from the superior mesenteric vein group (p = 0.001). The number (p = 0.005) of metastatic lymph nodes and the lymph node ratio (p = 0.041) in main nodes were both higher in the superior mesenteric artery group. The 2 groups had similar long-term survival, but the superior mesenteric artery group tended to show better disease-free survival in patients with stage disease III (p = 0.056).

LIMITATIONS:

This was a retrospective, nonrandomized study.

CONCLUSION:

Laparoscopic D3 lymphadenectomy along the left side of the superior mesenteric artery, except for a higher rate of chylous leakage, had short-term outcomes comparable to the superior mesenteric vein group. The superior mesenteric artery group tended to achieve better disease-free survival in patients with stage III disease, but further study is required to better elucidate differences in these approaches because risks/benefits do exist.
Effect of Adjustment for Case Misclassification and Infection Date Uncertainty on Estimates of COVID-19 Effective Reproduction Number
Authors: Goldstein Neal D. , Quick Harrison , Burstyn Igor
Published: July 2021

Background:

Surveillance data captured during the COVID-19 pandemic may not be optimal to inform a public health response, because it is biased by imperfect test accuracy, differential access to testing, and uncertainty in date of infection.

Methods:

We downloaded COVID-19 time-series surveillance data from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment by report and illness onset dates for 9 March 2020 to 30 September 2020. We used existing Bayesian methods to first adjust for misclassification in testing and surveillance, followed by deconvolution of date of infection. We propagated forward uncertainty from each step corresponding to 10,000 posterior time-series of doubly adjusted epidemic curves. The effective reproduction number (R

t
), a parameter of principal interest in tracking the pandemic, gauged the impact of the adjustment on inference.

Results:

Observed period prevalence was 1.3%; median of the posterior of true (adjusted) prevalence was 1.7% (95% credible interval [CrI]: 1.4%, 1.8%). Sensitivity of surveillance declined over the course of the epidemic from a median of 88.8% (95% CrI: 86.3%, 89.8%) to a median of 60.8% (95% CrI: 60.1%, 62.6%). The mean (minimum, maximum) values of R

t
were higher and more variable by report date, 1.12 (0.77, 4.13), compared to those following adjustment, 1.05 (0.89, 1.73). The epidemic curve by report date tended to overestimate R

t
early on and be more susceptible to fluctuations in data.

Conclusion:

Adjusting for epidemic curves based on surveillance data is necessary if estimates of missed cases and the effective reproduction number play a role in management of the COVID-19 pandemic.