bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes to the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program mapping production procedures and data products
Authors: Picotte Joshua J. , Bhattarai Krishna , Howard Danny , Lecker Jennifer , Epting Justin , Quayle Brad , Benson Nate , Nelson Kurtis
Published: June 2020

Background

The Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) program has been providing the fire science community with large fire perimeter and burn severity data for the past 14 years. As of October 2019, 22 969 fires have been mapped by the MTBS program and are available on the MTBS website (https://www.mtbs.gov). These data have been widely used by researchers to examine a variety of fire and climate science topics. However, MTBS has undergone significant changes to its fire mapping methodology, the remotely sensed imagery used to map fires, and the subsequent fire occurrence, burned boundary, and severity databases. To gather a better understanding of these changes and the potential impacts that they may have on the user community, we examined the changes to the MTBS burn mapping protocols and whether remapped burned area boundary and severity products differ significantly from the original MTBS products.

Results

As MTBS data have been used over the course of many years and for many disparate applications, users should be aware that the MTBS burned area and severity products have been actively reviewed and revised to benefit from more robust satellite image availability and to address any observed quality issues. In a sample of 123 remapped fires, we found no significant change in the burned area boundary products when compared to the original mapped fires; however, significant changes did exist in the distribution of unburned, low, and moderate burn severity pixels within the thematic product.

Conclusions

Analysis of these remapped fires provides a look into how the MTBS fire mapping methods have evolved over time. In the future, additional changes to the MTBS data record may impact data users’ downstream applications. The MTBS program has an established continuous improvement approach to the MTBS methodology and products, and subsequently encourages users to confirm that they are using the most recent data.
A Xanthomonas oryzae type III effector XopL causes cell death through mediating ferredoxin degradation in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Ma Wenxiu , Xu Xiameng , Cai Lulu , Cao Yanyan , Haq Fazal , Alfano James R. , Zhu Bo , Zou Lifang , Chen Gongyou
Published: June 2020

Plant pathogenic bacteria engage in an ongoing struggle for survival. Gram negative phytopathogenic prokaryotes deploy type III secretion system to deliver effector proteins into plant cells to manipulate the host cellular environment. In many cases, the targets of these effector proteins are unknown. The bacterial blight pathogen,Xanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae(Xoo), causes a devastating disease in rice and theXoo-rice interaction is an example of the ongoing evolutionary battle between plants and pathogens. In this study, we show that an effector XopL fromXooexhibits E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and induces cell death in the nonhostNicotiana benthamiana(Nb). Through yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, and biomolecular fluorescence complementation assays, it was shown that XopL interacts with ferredoxin (NbFd), an electron transport molecule in plant chloroplasts. XopL induced defense-related response inNband specifically targeted NbFd for ubiquitination and ubiquitin-mediated degradation, a process that increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study demonstrates the ubiquitination and degradation of NbFd as a result of XopL activity, which further illustrates the tremendous functional diversity inXanthomonaseffector proteins.
Workplace activity classification from shoe-based movement sensors
Authors: Fridolfsson Jonatan , Arvidsson Daniel , Doerks Frithjof , Kreidler Theresa J. , Grau Stefan
Published: June 2020

Background

High occupational physical activity is associated with lower health. Shoe-based movement sensors can provide an objective measurement of occupational physical activity in a lab setting but the performance of such methods in a free-living environment have not been investigated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of shoe sensor-based activity classification in an industrial work setting.

Results

An initial calibration part was performed with 35 subjects who performed different workplace activities in a structured lab setting while the movement was measured by a shoe-sensor. Three different machine-learning models (random forest (RF), support vector machine and k-nearest neighbour) were trained to classify activities using the collected lab data. In a second validation part, 29 industry workers were followed at work while an observer noted their activities and the movement was captured with a shoe-based movement sensor. The performance of the trained classification models were validated using the free-living workplace data. The RF classifier consistently outperformed the other models with a substantial difference in in the free-living validation. The accuracy of the initial RF classifier was 83% in the lab setting and 43% in the free-living validation. After combining activities that was difficult to discriminate the accuracy increased to 96 and 71% in the lab and free-living setting respectively. In the free-living part, 99% of the collected samples either consisted of stationary activities or walking.

Conclusions

Walking and stationary activities can be classified with high accuracy from a shoe-based movement sensor in a free-living occupational setting. The distribution of activities at the workplace should be considered when validating activity classification models in a free-living setting.
Improved biofertilizer properties of digestate from codigestion of brewer’s spent grain and palm oil mill effluent by manure supplementation
Authors: Ndubuisi-Nnaji Uduak U. , Ofon Utibe A. , Ekponne Nicanor I. , Offiong Nnanake-Abasi O.
Published: June 2020

The biofertilizer quality of anaerobically codigested agroindustrial residues from brewer’s spent grain and palm oil mill effluent was evaluated after supplementation with different livestock manure in order to validate its use as organic fertilizer. Manure supplementation assay was performed using different animal manure-inoculum to demonstrate the influence of inoculum-type on the nutrient status, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and other plant growth promoting attributes of the resultant digestate. In addition to elevated nutrient levels (K > P > Ca > Mg > S > N), the plethora of essential microbial groups (phosphate solubilizers > diazotrophs > auxin producers) that enhance nutrition and promote plant growth was evinced in the supplemented digestate compared to the control. On the other hand, environmental risk assessment revealed a notable yet inadequate reduction in indicator bacteria and putative pathogens (> 3.0 log CFU mL− 1) with potentially toxic elements within publicly available requirements. The preponderance of PGPB with excellent biofertilizing attributes observed in this study could be leveraged upon by plants thus substantiating its potential for use as organic fertilizer. However, the presence of pathogens highlights the importance of post-treatment hygienization to eliminate its biosafety risk.
Looking at the facts about suicide
Authors: Kelly Brendan D.
Published: June 2020

Most human actions, including suicide, are motivated by variable mixes of rational and irrational factors. Notwithstanding debates about rational suicide, the vast majority of people who die by suicide suffer deeply beforehand. Those who present to mental health services in suicidal crises do so in search of treatment, care and support. It is a privilege to try to provide it.
CTP synthase polymerization in germline cells of the developing Drosophila egg supports egg production
Authors: Simonet Jacqueline C. , Foster Maya J. , Lynch Eric M. , Kollman Justin M. , Nicholas Emmanuelle , O'Reilly Alana M. , Peterson Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2020

Polymerization of metabolic enzymes into micron-scale assemblies is an emerging mechanism for regulating their activity. CTP synthase (CTPS) is an essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of the nucleotide CTP and undergoes regulated and reversible assembly into large filamentous structures in organisms from bacteria to humans. The purpose of these assemblies is unclear. A major challenge to addressing this question has been the inability to abolish assembly without eliminating CTPS protein. Here we demonstrate that a recently reported point mutant in CTPS, H355A, prevents CTPS filament assembly in vivo and dominantly inhibits the assembly of endogenous, wild type CTPS in the Drosophila ovary. Expressing this mutant in ovarian germline cells, we show that disruption of CTPS assembly in early stage egg chambers reduces egg production. This effect is exacerbated in files fed the glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, which inhibits de novo CTP synthesis. These findings introduce a general approach to blocking the assembly of polymerizing enzymes without eliminating their catalytic activity and demonstrate a role for CTPS assembly in supporting egg production, particularly under conditions of limited glutamine metabolism.
STAT3 modulates reprogramming efficiency of human somatic cells; Insights from autosomal dominant Hyper IgE syndrome caused by STAT3 mutations
Authors: Yu Zhen , Dmitrieva Natalia I , Walts Avram D. , Jin Hui , Liu Yangtengyu , Ping Xianfeng , Ferrante Elisa A. , Qiu Lugui , Holland Steven M. , Freeman Alexandra F. , Chen Guibin , Boehm Manfred
Published: June 2020

Human iPSC technology has opened exciting opportunities for stem cell-based therapy. However, its wide adoption is precluded by several challenges including low reprogramming efficiency and potential for malignant transformation. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the changes that cells undergo during reprograming is needed to improve iPSCs generation efficiency and to increase confidence for their clinical use safety. Here, we find that dominant negative mutations in STAT3 in patients with autosomal dominant hyper IgE syndrome (AD-HIES; Job's syndrome) result in greatly reduced reprograming efficiency of primary skin fibroblasts derived from skin biopsies. Analysis of normal skin fibroblasts revealed upregulation and phosphorylation of endogenous STAT3 and its binding to the NANOG promoter following transduction with OKSM factors. This coincided with upregulation of NANOG and appearance of cells expressing pluripotency markers. Upregulation of NANOG and number of pluripotent cells were greatly reduced throughout the reprograming process of AD-HIES fibroblasts that was restored by over-expression of functional STAT3. Human specific NANOG retrogene that is often expressed in human cancers, NANOGP8, was also induced during reprogramming, to very low but detectable levels, in a STAT3-dependent manner. Our study revealed the critical role of endogenous STAT3 in facilitating reprogramming of human somatic cells.
From pathogen to a commensal: modification of theMicrobacterium nematophilum-C. elegansinteraction during chronic infection by the absence of host insulin signalling
Authors: Gravato-Nobre Maria , Hodgkin Jonathan , Ligoxygakis Petros
Published: June 2020

The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans depends on microbes in decaying vegetation as its food source. To survive in an environment rich in opportunistic pathogens, C. elegans has evolved an epithelial defence system where surface-exposed tissues such as epidermis, pharynx, intestine, vulva and hindgut have the capacity of eliciting appropriate immune defences to acute gut infection. However, it is unclear how the worm responds to chronic intestinal infections. To this end, we have surveyed C. elegans mutants that are involved in inflammation, immunity and longevity to find their phenotypes during chronic infection. Worms that grew in a monoculture of the natural pathogen Microbacterium nematophilum (CBX102 strain) had a reduced lifespan and vigour. This was independent of intestinal colonisation as both CBX102 and the derived avirulent strain UV336 were early persistent colonisers. In contrast, the long-lived daf-2 mutant was resistant to chronic infection, showing reduced colonisation and higher vigour. In fact, UV336 interaction with daf-2, resulted in a host lifespan extension beyond OP50, the E. coli strain used for laboratory C. elegans culture. Longevity and vigour of daf-2 mutants growing on CBX102 was dependent on the FOXO orthologue DAF-16. Our results indicate that the interaction between host genotype and strain-specific bacteria determines longevity and health for C. elegans.
Specificity, redundancy and dosage thresholds among gata4/5/6 genes during zebrafish cardiogenesis
Authors: Sam Jessica , Mercer Emily J. , Torregroza Ingrid , Banks Kelly M. , Evans Todd
Published: June 2020

The Gata4/5/6 sub-family of zinc finger transcription factors regulate many aspects of cardiogenesis. However, critical roles in extra-embryonic endoderm also challenge comprehensive analysis during early mouse cardiogenesis, while zebrafish models have previously relied on knockdown assays. We generated targeted deletions to disrupt each gata4/5/6 gene in zebrafish and analyzed cardiac phenotypes in single, double and triple mutants. The analysis confirmed that loss of gata5 causes cardia bifida and validated functional redundancies for gata5/6 in cardiac precursor specification. Surprisingly, we discovered that gata4 is dispensable for early zebrafish development, while loss of one gata4 allele can suppress the bifid phenotype of the gata5 mutant. The gata4 mutants eventually develop an age-dependent cardiomyopathy. By combining combinations of mutant alleles, we show that cardiac specification depends primarily on an overall dosage of gata4/5/6 alleles rather than a specific gene. We also identify a specific role for gata6 in controlling ventricle morphogenesis through regulation of both the first and second heart field, while loss of both gata4/6 eliminates the ventricle. Thus, different developmental programs are dependent on total dosage, certain pairs, or specific gata4/5/6 genes during embryonic cardiogenesis.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Prevalence and Severity of COVID-19 Disease in Bangladesh: A Trend Analysis
Authors: Muyeed Abdul , Siddiqi Md. Nure Alam , Tawabunnahar Most.
Published: June 2020

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and changes of events of COVID-19 disease by trending in Bangladesh. Methods: In this study, the daily time series data for nine weeks was used. The daily cases, case fatality rate (CFR), recovery-death-ratio (RDR) and percent changes (PC) associated with COVID-19 disease were used for prevalence and trending. Result: It is found that 68% males and 32% females patients were infected, among them 21 to 30 (26%) was the most and below 10 (3%) was the least infected age group until May 09. The approximate number of days for the infection, recovery and deaths to be doubled are 10, 5 and 18 respectively in Bangladesh as of May 09, 2020. The CFR of Bangladesh is found 1.55% which is less than the CFRs of the world (6.89%), Europe (9.17%), America (5.61%), Africa (3.26%) and South-East Asia (3.52%) as of May 09, 2020. The daily RDR exhibited a downward trend from April 04, 2020 to April 25, 2020 then showed an upward trend until May 09, 2020. Conclusion: The downward trending of the CFR indicates the death rate is low compared to diagnosis. The upward trend of the RDR indicates the recovery caused by COVID-19 is fast compared to deaths over time in Bangladesh. The downward trending of the PC indicates the cases percent of COVID-19 disease is reducing relative to three days prior cases.
Κοινωνικοοικονομικές και περιβαλλοντικές ανισότητες μεταξύ των περιφερειών των ευρωπαϊκών κρατών την περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης: Μια εμπειρική συγκριτική ανάλυση
Authors: Avrami Lydia
Published: June 2020

Η παρούσα μελέτη αποσκοπεί στην εμπειρική διερεύνηση των ενδοκρατικών κοινωνικών και περιβαλλοντικών ανισοτήτων στα κράτη-μέλη της ΕΕ την περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης. Προς το σκοπό αυτόν, επιχειρείται η συγκριτική ανάλυση των διαπεριφερειακών αποκλίσεων σε 19 κράτη-μέλη της ΕΕ το 2013, εστιάζοντας στην έκθεση του πληθυσμού στην ατμοσφαιρική ρύπανση και στο κοινωνικοοικονομικό του επίπεδο. Επιπλέον, πραγματοποιείται διαστρωματική-διαχρονική ανάλυση στις περιφέρειες επτά ευρωπαϊκών κρατών την περίοδο 2009-2013, προκειμένου να διερευνηθεί η συσχέτιση της έκθεσης στην ατμοσφαιρική ρύπανση με το κοινωνικοοικονομικό επίπεδο του περιφερειακού πληθυσμού. Από την ανάλυση προκύπτουν οι σημαντικές κοινωνικές και περιβαλλοντικές ανισότητες στην πλειονότητα των ευρωπαϊκών κρατών. Αν και η κατανομή της περιβαλλοντικής ποιότητας μεταξύ των περιφερειών φαίνεται να είναι κοινωνικά «δίκαιη», σε ορισμένα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη ήδη κοινωνικά ευάλωτες ομάδες εκτίθενται σε δυσανάλογα υψηλά επίπεδα ατμοσφαιρικής ρύπανσης, γεγονός που τις καθιστά πιο ευάλωτες στις επιπτώσεις των κλιματικών μεταβολών, ιδίως την περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης.
Μια κοινωνικοοικονομική ανάλυση της μετανάστευσης Ελλήνων επιχειρηματιών στη Βουλγαρία πριν και μετά την κρίση του 2007
Authors: Kapitsinis Nikos
Published: June 2020

Το παρόν άρθρο παρουσιάζει μια κοινωνικοοικονομική ανάλυση της μετανάστευσης μικρομεσαίων επιχειρηματιών στη βάση της διαφοροποίησης του κοινωνικού, οικονομικού και θεσμικού πλαισίου. Συγκεκριμένα, εξετάζει τις μετακινήσεις μικρών και μεσαίων επιχειρήσεων από την Ελλάδα στη Βουλγαρία, συγκρίνοντας τις κοινωνικοοικονομικές συνθήκες μεταξύ των δύο χωρών πριν και μετά το ξέσπασμα της παγκόσμιας οικονομικής κρίσης του 2007. Ο συγγραφέας υιοθετεί το εννοιολογικό μοντέλο της καπιταλιστικής ποικιλοχρωμίας για την ερμηνεία των διακριτών πολιτικών οικονομιών αναλύοντας τις επιχειρηματικές αποφάσεις για τη μετεγκατάσταση. Το άρθρο στηρίζεται σε στοιχεία έρευνας πεδίου που πραγματοποιήθηκε το 2014 στη Βουλγαρία.
Creative entrepreneurship and urban space: Exploring the location preferences of creative professionals in Αthens during the economic recession
Authors: Lavanga Mariangela , Loots Ellen , Konomi Maria Adela , Avdikos Vasilis , Iliopoulou Eirini
Published: June 2020

Δημιουργική επιχειρηματικότητα και αστικός χώρος: Εξερευνώντας τις προτιμήσεις εγκατάστασης των δημιουργικών επαγγελματιών στην Αθήνα κατά τη διάρκεια της οικονομικής ύφεσηςΟι σχέσεις μεταξύ της δημιουργικότητας, του χώρου και της οικονομικής δραστηριότητας έχει εξεταστεί με πολλούς τρόπους στην ακαδημαϊκή έρευνα. Από τη μια πλευρά, η συσπείρωση επιχειρήσεων σε έναν τόπο έχει βρεθεί ότι προάγει τη δημιουργικότητα στο αστικό περιβάλλον (βλέπε θεωρίες clustering). Από την άλλη πλευρά, τα δημιουργικά άτομα φαίνεται ότι ενθαρρύνουν την οικονομική ανάπτυξη των πόλεων, έλκοντας εργοδότες σε μέρη όπου επιθυμούν να διαμείνουν. Και τρίτον, τα ειδικά χαρακτηριστικά ενός τόπου, ιδιαίτερα των αστικών τόπων, έχουν αποδειχθεί ότι έχουν θετικό αντίκτυπο στην ατομική δημιουργικότητα. Η μελέτη μας προσπαθεί να εμπλουτίσει την παραπάνω σχέση, διερευνώντας τους οικονομικούς και μη οικονομικούς παράγοντες που ωθούν δημιουργικούς εργαζομένους να επιλέξουν  το κέντρο της Αθήνας ως τόπος εγκατάστασης των επιχειρήσεών τους και τα άμεσα και έμμεσα οφέλη αυτών των παραγόντων σε σχέση με τη δημιουργική τους εργασία. Με αυτόν τον τρόπο συγχωνεύουμε τις μικρο- και μακρο απόψεις που υπάρχουν για τη σχέση μεταξύ δημιουργικής επιχειρηματικότητας και τόπου σε ένα περιβάλλον που μπορεί να έχει πειραματικό χαρακτήρα, δεδομένου ότι ο αστικός ιστός στην Αθήνα έπρεπε να αναδημιουργηθεί λόγω της οικονομικής κρίσης του 2009 και των επακόλουθων μέτρων λιτότητας.
Για το βιβλίο: Μιχάλης Χριστοδούλου (2019). Κριτικός ρεαλισμός και βιογραφική μέθοδος στην ποιοτική έρευνα: Φιλοσοφικά ζητήματα και ερευνητικές εφαρμογές. Πάτρα: Opportuna, 299 σελ.
Authors: Bithymitris Giorgos
Published: June 2020

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Για το βιβλίο: Σκαρπέλος Γιάννης (2019). Τα αβέβαια σημεία. Αθήνα: Τόπος, 257 σελ.
Authors: Yoka Lia
Published: June 2020

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Το σκληρό άνισο περιφερειακό αποτύπωμα της πανδημίας: Μια αποτίμηση με βάση το «COVID-19_Regional_Labour» web GIS για τον Μεσογειακό Ευρωπαϊκό Νότο
Authors: Kanelleas Akis , Psarologos Dimitris , Voulgaris Dimitrios , Gourzis Kostas , Gialis Stelios
Published: June 2020

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Ο πολιτισμός σε «περιορισμό». Η πολιτιστική εμπειρία του φανταστικού και του πραγματικού χώρου
Authors: Micheli Anna
Published: June 2020

Βρισκόμαστε στην εξέλιξη μιας παγκόσμιας δραματικής υγειονομικής κρίσης, που επηρεάζει τη ζωή μας, τα μέσα διαβίωσής μας, τον κοινωνικό και πολιτιστικό ιστό της κοινωνίας. Ο Covid - 19 δημιούργησε μια κατάσταση έκτακτης ανάγκης η οποία, μεταξύ άλλων, φέρνει ολόκληρο τον τομέα του πολιτισμού (κινητή, ακίνητη και άυλη πολιτιστική κληρονομιά) σε μια απροσδόκητη κατάσταση, επιβάλλοντας ανάσχεση, σχεδόν όλων των διαδικασιών και των λειτουργικών του δικτύων σε παγκόσμια ή ενδοκοινωνική κλίμακα αλλά και θέτοντας παράλληλα, ένα πάντα υπαρκτό, ωστόσο, ουσιώδες προβληματισμό, αναφορικά με τον βαθμό βιωσιμότητας των σύγχρονων πολιτιστικών στρατηγικών και της αιτιώδους συνάφειας μεταξύ των πρακτικών διάχυσης του, της ανθρώπινης συμπεριφοράς και ανταπόκρισης μέσα σε περιόδους ακραίων συμβάντων. Συνεισφέροντας σε μια ευρύτερη διεπιστημονική συζήτηση, ο σκοπός αυτού του κειμένου είναι να περιγράψει το πλαίσιο της πολιτιστικής πραγματικότητας όπως αυτή βιώνεται μέσα από την γενικότητα της εμπειρίας της κρίσης στον τομέα της πολιτιστικής ζωής.
Ποιοι πιστεύουν στις θεωρίες συνωμοσίας για τον νέο κορωνοϊό;
Authors: Gemenis Kostas
Published: June 2020

Η παρούσα εργασία αποτελεί μια πρώτη προσέγγιση των αποτελεσμάτων μιας έρευνας σχετικά με την απήχηση που βρίσκουν οι θεωρίες συνωμοσίας στους χρήστες των μέσων κοινωνικής δικτύωσης στην Ελλάδα. Πρόκειται για μία διαδικτυακή έρευνα με δομημένο ερωτηματολόγιο, στην οποία οι συμμετέχοντες κλήθηκαν να λάβουν μέρος μέσω ανακοινώσεων και καταχωρήσεων σε μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης. Τα δεδομένα σταθμίστηκαν βάσει μιας τηλεφωνικής έρευνας που πραγματοποιήθηκε σε αντιπροσωπευτικό δείγμα του πληθυσμού. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν πως ο κατεξοχήν ερμηνευτικός παράγοντας των θεωριών συνωμοσίας για τον νέο κορωνοϊό είναι ο βαθμός αποδοχής θεωριών συνωμοσίας που αφορούν εντελώς διαφορετικά θέματα (π.χ. την κρίση της ελληνικής οικονομίας). Τα αποτελέσματα συγκλίνουν στο ότι οι πεποιθήσεις γύρω από τις θεωρίες συνωμοσίας οφείλονται σε βαθύτερα ψυχολογικά αίτια, με σαφείς συνέπειες ως προς τη χάραξη πολιτικών ενάντια στην παραπληροφόρηση.
Fibroblast growth factor-6 enhances CDK2 and MATK expression in microvesicles derived from human stem cells extracted from exfoliated deciduous teeth
Authors: Othman Ahmed , Mubarak Rabab , Sabry Dina
Published: June 2020

Background: Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are considered one of the most convenient sources of adult stem cells. This study aimed to examine the effect of fibroblast growth factor 6 (FGF-6) on SHEDs and evaluate CDK2 and MATK gene expression in SHED-derived microvesicles (MVs). SHEDs were cultured from deciduous teeth pulp.

Methods: SHEDs were divided into two groups: the control group and test groups, with and without FGF-6 supplementation, respectively. After the third passage, SHED proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. MVs were purified and CDK2 and MATK gene expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. SHEDs were identified by their positivity for CD90 and CD73, and negativity for CD45 and CD34.

Results: SHEDs proliferation in the test group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.001). mRNA from SHED-derived MVs from the test group exhibited a markedly elevated expression of CDK2 and MATK, (P<0.002 and P<0.005, respectively) in comparison with those of the control group. FGF-6 enhanced the proliferation of SHEDs. Proliferation enhancement is favorable for the production of a large number of stem cells, which will then be beneficial for cell-based therapies.

Conclusions: CDK2 and MATK genes in SHED-derived MVs can be used as molecular biomarkers for SHED proliferation.
Use of the K factor from the Universal Soil Loss Equation can show arable land in Palau
Authors: Oda Masato , Nwe Yin Yin , Omae Hide
Published: June 2020

From the viewpoint of sustainability, the annual soil erosion must be controlled below an erosion level. Palau is an island in the Micronesia region of the western Pacific Ocean. The island receives heavy rainfall and has steep slopes, so 80% of the land is categorized within the most fragile rank, with at most 1 ton per acre per year (T factor = 1). We tested several methods of preventing soil erosion on the land, with a slope of 15.4° (13.4°–17.3°), cultivated the land, planted sweet potatoes, and compared the amount of soil erosion. Surprisingly, there was no erosion at all in all plots (including control plots), although there were 24 rainfall events and the USLE equation predicted 32 ton per ha of the soil erosion in the cropping period. For the parameters of the USLE equation used in the present study, only the K factor was not actually measured. This means the K factor was larger than the actual value. Land at low risk of soil erosion and suitable for agriculture can be found by measuring K factor locally, even if the area is categorized as unsuitable.
Recent advances in understanding glucose transport and glucose disposal
Authors: Olson Ann Louise , Humphries Kenneth
Published: June 2020

Deficient glucose transport and glucose disposal are key pathologies leading to impaired glucose tolerance and risk of type 2 diabetes.  The cloning and identification of the family of facilitative glucose transporters have helped to identify that underlying mechanisms behind impaired glucose disposal, particularly in muscle and adipose tissue.  There is much more than just transporter protein concentration that is needed to regulate whole body glucose uptake and disposal.  The purpose of this review is to discuss recent findings in whole body glucose disposal.  We hypothesize that impaired glucose uptake and disposal is a consequence of mismatched energy input and energy output.  Decreasing the former while increasing the latter is key to normalizing glucose homeostasis.
An enhanced toolkit for the generation of knockout and marker-free fluorescent Plasmodium chabaudi
Authors: Marr Edward J , Milne Rachel M , Anar Burcu , Girling Gareth , Schwach Frank , Mooney Jason P , Nahrendorf Wiebke , Spence Philip J , Cunningham Deirdre , Baker David A , Langhorne Jean , Rayner Julian C , Billker Oliver , Bushell Ellen S , Thompson Joanne
Published: June 2020

The rodent parasite Plasmodium chabaudi is an important in vivo model of malaria. The ability to produce chronic infections makes it particularly useful for investigating the development of anti-Plasmodium immunity, as well as features associated with parasite virulence during both the acute and chronic phases of infection. P. chabaudi also undergoes asexual maturation (schizogony) and erythrocyte invasion in culture, so offers an experimentally-amenable in vivo to in vitro model for studying gene function and drug activity during parasite replication. To extend the usefulness of this model, we have further optimised transfection protocols and plasmids for P. chabaudi and generated stable, fluorescent lines that are free from drug-selectable marker genes. These mother-lines show the same infection dynamics as wild-type parasites throughout the lifecycle in mice and mosquitoes; furthermore, their virulence can be increased by serial blood passage and reset by mosquito transmission. We have also adapted the large-insert, linear PlasmoGEM vectors that have revolutionised the scale of experimental genetics in another rodent malaria parasite and used these to generate barcoded P. chabaudi gene-deletion and –tagging vectors for transfection in our fluorescent P. chabaudi mother-lines. This produces a tool-kit of P. chabaudi lines, vectors and transfection approaches that will be of broad utility to the research community.
The metabolic hypothesis is more likely than the epileptogenic hypothesis to explain stroke-like lesions
Authors: Finsterer Josef
Published: June 2020

Stroke-like episodes (SLEs) are a hallmark of mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episode (MELAS) syndrome but occur in other mitochondrial disorders (MIDs) as well. The morphological equivalent of the SLE is the stroke-like lesion (SLL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The pathophysiology of SLLs is under debate, but several hypotheses have been raised to explain the phenomenon. Of these, the metabolic, epileptogenic, and vascular hypotheses are the most frequently discussed. There are several arguments for and against these hypotheses, but a consensus has not been reached which of them provides the correct explanation. A recent consensus statement generated by a panel of experts applying the Delphi method, favoured the epileptogenic hypothesis and recommended treatment of SLEs with antiepileptic drugs, irrespective if the patient presented with a seizure or epileptiform discharges on electroencephalography (EEG) or not. We disagree with this general procedure and provide the following arguments against the epileptogenic hypothesis: 1. not each SLE is associated with seizures. 2. epileptiform discharges may be absent on EEG during a SLE. 3. SLLs are not restricted to the cortex. 4. antiseizure-drugs (ASDs) may not prevent the progression or recurrence of a SLL. 5. ASDs may terminate seizures but no other phenotypic feature of a SLE. 6. patients already under ASDs are not immune from developing a SLL. 7. SLLs usually last longer than seizures. 8. no animal model supports the epileptogenic hypothesis. The strongest arguments for the metabolic hypothesis are that SLLs are not confined to a vascular territory, that the oxygen-extraction fraction within a SLL is reduced, and that there is hypometabolism within a SLL on FDG-PET. SLLs may respond to antioxidants, NO-precursors, steroids, or the ketogenic diet. ASDs should be applied only if there is clinical or electrophysiological evidence of seizure-activity.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in England are at increased risk of death from COVID-19: indirect standardisation of NHS mortality data
Authors: Aldridge Robert W. , Lewer Dan , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Mathur Rohini , Pathak Neha , Burns Rachel , Fragaszy Ellen B. , Johnson Anne M. , Devakumar Delan , Abubakar Ibrahim , Hayward Andrew
Published: June 2020

Background: International and UK data suggest that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are at increased risk of infection and death from COVID-19. We aimed to explore the risk of death in minority ethnic groups in England using data reported by NHS England.

Methods: We used NHS data on patients with a positive COVID-19 test who died in hospitals in England published on 28th April, with deaths by ethnicity available from 1st March 2020 up to 5pm on 21 April 2020. We undertook indirect standardisation of these data (using the whole population of England as the reference) to produce ethnic specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) adjusted for age and geographical region.

Results: The largest total number of deaths in minority ethnic groups were Indian (492 deaths) and Black Caribbean (460 deaths) groups. Adjusting for region we found a lower risk of death for White Irish (SMR 0.52; 95%CIs 0.45-0.60) and White British ethnic groups (0.88; 95%CIs 0.86-0.0.89), but increased risk of death for Black African (3.24; 95%CIs 2.90-3.62), Black Caribbean (2.21; 95%CIs 2.02-2.41), Pakistani (3.29; 95%CIs 2.96-3.64), Bangladeshi (2.41; 95%CIs 1.98-2.91) and Indian (1.70; 95%CIs 1.56-1.85) minority ethnic groups.

Conclusion: Our analysis adds to the evidence that BAME people are at increased risk of death from COVID-19 even after adjusting for geographical region, but was limited by the lack of data on deaths outside of NHS settings and ethnicity denominator data being based on the 2011 census. Despite these limitations, we believe there is an urgent need to take action to reduce the risk of death for BAME groups and better understand why some ethnic groups experience greater risk. Actions that are likely to reduce these inequities include ensuring adequate income protection, reducing occupational risks, reducing barriers in accessing healthcare and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate public health communications.
Impact of Off-Block Time Uncertainty on the Control of Airport Surface Operations
Authors: Badrinath Sandeep , Balakrishnan Hamsa , Joback Emily , Reynolds Tom G.
Published: June 2020

Congestion at major airports worldwide results in increased taxi times, fuel burn, and emissions. Regulating the pushback of aircraft from their gates, also known as departure metering, is a promising approach to mitigating surface congestion. Departure metering algorithms require models of airport surface traffic and knowledge of when a flight would be to be ready for pushback, which is called the earliest off-block time (EOBT). While EOBTs are known to be inaccurate due to several reasons, there has been little prior research on characterizing EOBT uncertainty and its impact on departure metering. We present a new class of queuing network models for the airport surface that are capable of capturing congestion at multiple locations. We demonstrate our modeling approach using operational data from three major U.S. airports: Newark Liberty International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. We analyze the current levels of uncertainty in the EOBT information published by the airlines and conduct a parametric analysis of the reduction in departure metering benefits due to errors in the EOBT information. Our analysis indicates that the current levels of EOBT uncertainty lead to a 50% reduction in benefits at some airports when compared with an ideal case with no EOBT uncertainty. Two approaches to departure metering are considered: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Airspace Technology Demonstration-2 logic and a new optimal control approach. We show that our queuing network models can help design and evaluate both approaches and that the optimal control approach is more effective in accommodating EOBT uncertainty while maintaining runway utilization.
Cortrak feeding tube placement: interpretation agreement of the ‘GI flexure’ system versus X-ray
Authors: Taylor Stephen J , Manara Alex , Brown Jules , Allan Kaylee , Clemente Rowan , Toher Deirdre
Published: June 2020

Background:

Blind (unguided) feeding tube placement results in 0.5% of patients suffering major complications mainly due to lung misplacement detected prior to feeding. Electromagnet-guided (Cortrak) tube placement could pre-empt such complications but undetected misplacements still occur due to incorrect trace interpretation. By identifying gastrointestinal (GI) flexures from the trace, ‘the GI flexure system’, it has been proposed that tube position can be interpreted.

Aims:

To audit agreement between standards of interpreting tube position: the Cortrak ‘GI flexure’ system versus X-ray.

Methods:

In 185 primary nasointestinal tube placements tube position determined by Cortrak trace interpretation (GI flexure) was retrospectively compared with radiological position in a blinded study.

Findings:

Radiological and Cortrak interpretation agreed in 92.2–98.3% of placements at different GI flexures. Discrepancy mainly occurred because some radiological images were unclear or did not cover all anatomical points.

Conclusion:

The GI flexure method of Cortrak interpretation appears safe but would necessitate prospective radiological investigation to definitively test equivalence.
The ‘transverse guard’ wound dressing technique to reduce faecal contamination after spinal surgery in neonates and infants
Authors: Lo William B , Herbert Katie , Rodrigues Desiderio , Afshari Fardad T
Published: June 2020

Wound care following lower spinal surgery in infants, especially open lumbosacral myelomeningocele (MMC) repair is challenging for a number of reasons: the babies' small size, uneven contour of the natal cleft, proximity of the wound to the perianal area, continuous soiling by loose/poorly-formed stool, and fragile skin. Faecal contamination of the wound can lead to infection, ascending meningitis and further morbidity. A single adhesive dressing does not reliably obliterate the space in the natal cleft and, therefore, does not prevent faecal material tracking rostrally underneath the dressing. This increases the risk of contamination and necessitates frequent wound dressing changes. The authors describe the use of the ‘transverse guard’, a simple technique routinely used in their unit that help overcome these problems. They also report on the wound infection rates of neonates undergoing open MMC repair who had the new dressings versus those who had conventional dressings.
Moisture-associated skin damage: causes and an overview of assessment, classification and management
Authors: Parnham Alison , Copson Dale , Loban Tanya
Published: June 2020

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) can result when the skin has prolonged or continuous exposure to excessive moisture. If the skin experiences too much moisture, it becomes overhydrated and is prone to maceration. This makes it easier for irritants and microorganisms to penetrate the skin, reduce its integrity to mechanical forces and disrupt its protective acid mantle. The condition can greatly affect patient wellbeing. MASD is a collective definition and it has four main causes: incontinence-associated dermatitis, periwound skin damage, intertriginous dermatitis and peristomal moisture-associated dermatitis. Practitioners can use tools such as the Skin Moisture Alert Reporting Tool (S.M.A.R.T.) to identify its aetiology, which informs its management. Management of MASD involves assessment, addressing the underlying cause, and implementing a structured skin care regimen to treat it and prevent its recurrence. Case studies illustrate the use of a structured treatment strategy using Medi Derma barrier products and the principles of Total Barrier Protection to provide a cost-effective solution for the prevention and management of skin compromised by MASD.
Biomechanical evaluation of locked plating fixation for unstable femoral neck fractures
Authors: Bliven E. , Sandriesser S. , Augat P. , von Rüden C. , Hackl S.
Published: June 2020

Aims

Evaluate if treating an unstable femoral neck fracture with a locking plate and spring-loaded telescoping screw system would improve construct stability compared to gold standard treatment methods.

Methods

A 31B2 Pauwels’ type III osteotomy with additional posterior wedge was cut into 30 fresh-frozen femur cadavers implanted with either: three cannulated screws in an inverted triangle configuration (CS), a sliding hip screw and anti-rotation screw (SHS), or a locking plate system with spring-loaded telescoping screws (LP). Dynamic cyclic compressive testing representative of walking with increasing weight-bearing was applied until failure was observed. Loss of fracture reduction was recorded using a high-resolution optical motion tracking system.

Results

LP constructs demonstrated the highest mean values for initial stiffness and failure load. LP and SHS constructs survived on mean over 50% more cycles and to loads 450 N higher than CS. During the early stages of cyclic loading, mean varus collapse of the femoral head was 0.5° (SD 0.8°) for LP, 0.7° (SD 0.7°) for SHS, and 1.9° (SD 2.3°) for CS (p = 0.071). At 30,000 cycles (1,050 N) mean femoral neck shortening was 1.8 mm (SD 1.9) for LP, 2.0 mm (SD 0.9) for SHS, and 3.2 mm (SD 2.5) for CS (p = 0.262). Mean leg shortening at construct failure was 4.9 mm (SD 2.7) for LP, 8.9 mm (SD 3.2) for SHS, and 7.0 mm (SD 4.3) for CS (p = 0.046).

Conclusion

Use of the LP system provided similar (hip screw) or better (cannulated screws) biomechanical performance as the current gold standard methods suggesting that the LP system could be a promising alternative for the treatment of unstable fractures of the femoral neck. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(6):314–321.
Simulation of Cavitating Jet Through a Poppet Valve with Special Emphasis on Laminar-Turbulent Transition
Authors: Yuan Cong , Cai Yan , Liu Shiqi , Du Zunling
Published: June 2020

One of the major problems in oil-hydraulic poppet valve is the deteriorated performance accompanied by occurrence of cavitation. This is mainly a consequence of lack in understanding of the cavitating jet, which has inhibited the development of sufficiently general and accurate models for prediction of its performance. In the current paper, a two-phase volume of fluid (VOF) methodology combined with Schnerr-Sauer cavitation model is employed to perform quasi-direct transient fully three-dimensional calculations of the cavitating jet inside a poppet valve, with special concern on the laminar-turbulent transition. The numerical results allow separate examination of several distinctive flow characteristics, which show agreeable consistency with experimental observation. The periodic evolution of cavitation structure is related to temporal development of large-scale structure. The potential core indicated by velocity distribution, however, assumes a similar flow pattern regardless of temporal evolution of large-scale eddy. According to the different flow characteristics, the transitional process is divided into several parts, including laminar part, waving fluctuation, cross-linked vortex segments and cloud of cavitating vortexes. A comprehensive discussion on the transition is performed based on the numerical results, with primary concern on the governing mechanisms, including the formation of coherent structure organized as paired vortex, development of instability together with its effects on the coherent structure, and interaction between the vortexes. The streamwise vorticity strength accounts for less than 10% of the total vorticity in the cross-link region. It reveals that the breakdown of paired coherent structure is a result of the successive pairing process generated from combination of longitudinal and circumferential perturbation, instead of the growth of streamwise vortices as in the case of submerged circular jet.
Characterization of multiphoton microscopes by the nonlinear knife-edge technique
Authors: Mehravar Soroush , Cromey Benjamin , Kieu Khanh
Published: June 2020

Imaging submicron fluorescent microspheres are the standard method for measuring resolution in multiphoton microscopy. However, when using high-energy pulsed lasers, photobleaching and heating of the solution medium may deteriorate the images, resulting in an inaccurate resolution measurement. Moreover, due to the weak higher-order response of fluorescent microspheres, measuring three-photon resolution using three-photon fluorescence (3PEF) and third-harmonic generation (THG) signals is more difficult. In this report, we demonstrate a methodology for complete characterization of multiphoton microscopes based on second- and third-harmonic generation signals from the sharp edge of GaAs wafers. This simple methodology, which we call the nonlinear knife-edge technique, provides fast and consistent lateral and axial resolution measurement with negligible photobleaching effect on semiconductor wafers. In addition, this technique provides information on the field curvature of the imaging system, and perhaps other distortions of the imaging system, adding greater capability compared to existing techniques.
Enhanced lasing behavior enabled by guided-mode resonance structure embedded with double waveguide layers
Authors: Wang Kangni , Cui Tao , Qian Linyong , Gao Kaige
Published: June 2020

By doping a laser dye into two polyurethane layers in a guided-mode resonance (GMR) structure, we observed that the lasing emission can be enhanced by approximately fivefold. The structure comprises, from top to bottom, a grating layer, four alternating layers of polyurethane and

T

a

2

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5

, and a bottom substrate. Two different GMR wavelengths can be generated because of the two films of

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a

2

O

5

serving as waveguide layers. The enhancement of the lasing emission is achieved by matching both the absorption and emission wavelength of the laser dye with the two GMR wavelengths. When the absorption wavelength matches the GMR wavelength, the formation of high intensity near the polyurethane layer serves to efficiently excite the laser dye. Additionally, as the emission wavelength overlaps with the GMR wavelength, the extraction of lasing intensity can be further increased in the preferred directions owing to the high reflection efficiency and directivity of the GMR. Moreover, we found that the linewidth is reduced to approximately 1.06 nm, and the estimated threshold is approximately

0.92

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2

when both excitation and extraction resonances occur in the waveguide structure.
Temporal resolution doubling in fluorescence light-sheet microscopy via a hue-encoded shutter and regularization
Authors: Jaques Christian , Ernst Alexander , Mercader Nadia , Liebling Michael
Published: June 2020

Studying dynamic biological processes, such as heart development and function in zebrafish embryos, often relies on multi-channel fluorescence labeling to distinguish multiple anatomical features, yet also demands high frame rates to capture rapid cell motions. Although a recently proposed method for imaging dynamic samples in transmission or reflection allows to conveniently switch between color imaging or boosting the frame rate by use of spectrally-encoded, temporally-modulated illumination sequences and a hue-encoded shutter (hue-encode shutter method, HESM), the technique is not applicable directly in fluorescence microscopy, where the emitted light spectrum is mostly independent of the excitation wavelength. In this paper, we extend HESM by using samples labeled with multiple fluorophores, whose emission signal can either be used to distinguish multiple anatomical features when imaged in multi-channel mode or, if the fluorophores are co-localized in a dynamic tissue, to increase the frame rate via HESM. We detail the necessary steps to implement this method in a two-color light-sheet microscope to image the beating heart of a zebrafish embryo. Specifically, we propose an adapted laser modulation scheme for illumination, we identify caveats in choosing a suitable multi-color fluorophore labeling strategy, and derive an ℓ1-regularized reconstruction technique that is sufficiently robust to handle the low signal-to-noise ratio and labeling inhomogeneities in the fluorescence images at hand. Using the case of a beating heart in a zebrafish embryo, we experimentally show an increase in the frame rate by a factor two while preserving the ability to image static features labeled in distinct channels, thereby demonstrating the applicability of HESM to fluorescence. With a suitable illumination setup and fluorescent labeling, the method could generalize to other applications where flexibility between multiple channel and high-speed fluorescence imaging is desirable. For fluorophores that are not co-localized, the imaging system is similar to a conventional light sheet microscope.
Asimetría del conflicto y mecanismos alternos de diálogo y negociación en Venezuela (2002-2019)
Authors: Martínez Meucci Miguel Ángel , Alfaro Pareja Francisco
Published: June 2020

Durante los últimos veinte años, la conflictividad política en Venezuela ha conllevado la implementación de al menos cinco mecanismos alternos de diálogo y negociación con participación internacional. Sus resultados han sido limitados y no han logrado la transformación positiva y sostenible de la conflictividad. En este artículo se argumenta que la asimetría presente entre las coaliciones enfrentadas ha sido un factor determinante en el conflicto y por lo general subestimado al implementar dichos mecanismos.