bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data protection and law enforcement access to digital evidence: resolving the reciprocal conflicts between EU and US law
Authors: Shurson Jessica
Published: May 2020

The rise in cloud computing has highlighted two separate, and often conflicting, needs for states—the need to protect the data of their citizens and the need of law enforcement authorities (LEAs) to access this data as evidence, often stored by service providers across borders. Both the US and European Union (EU) Member States have asserted that their domestic legal processes are adequate to require disclosure of data that may be held overseas or controlled by a foreign service provider. Yet, both the US and the EU have data protection statutes that will potentially block the transfer of data to foreign LEAs pursuant to these domestic legal processes. This article explores these reciprocal conflicts, considers how they may be resolved, and raises new questions about potential conflicts for UK LEAs in light of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in 2020.
Leadership Selection in United Nations Peacekeeping
Authors: Oksamytna Kseniya , Bove Vincenzo , Lundgren Magnus
Published: May 2020

States covet leadership and staff positions in international organizations. The posts of civilian leaders and force commanders of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations are attractive to member states. In selecting peacekeeping leaders, the UN Secretariat balances three considerations: satisfying powerful member states by appointing their nationals; recognizing member states’ contribution to the work of the organization; and ensuring that leaders have the necessary skill set. We investigate appointments of more than 200 civilian and military leaders in 24 UN missions, 1990–2017. We find that contributing troops to a specific mission increases the chances of securing a peacekeeping leadership position. Geographic proximity between the leaders’ country and the conflict country is also a favorable factor whose importance has increased over time. Civilian leaders of UN peacekeeping operations tend to hail from institutionally powerful countries, while military commanders come from major, long-standing troop contributing countries. Despite some role that skills play in the appointment process, the UN's dependence on troop contributors, together with its reliance on institutionally powerful states, can be a source of dysfunction if it prevents the organization from selecting effective peacekeeping leaders. This dynamic affects other international organizations that have significant power disparities among members or rely on voluntary contributions.
A fresh look at the biodiversity lexicon for fiddler crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae). Part 2: Biogeography
Authors: Rosenberg Michael S
Published: May 2020

Fiddler crabs (Ocypodidae Rafinesque, 1815) occupy most tropical and semitropical coastlines worldwide where they are keystone species and ecosystem engineers. I present updated ranges for all 105 species and explore both global and local patterns to establish a baseline distribution as species ranges begin to shift with climate change. Globally, the average number of species per occupied coastline is five, with only limited allopatry observed within the group. Cohesive species assemblages were used to define four zoogeographic fiddler realms containing 24 provinces and transitional zones. These regions can serve as units of study when trying to explore which factors influence the distribution of coastal species.
Silencing of Cytochrome P450 in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by RNA Interference Enhances Susceptibility to Chlorantraniliprole
Authors: Bai-Zhong Zhang , Xu Su , Cong-Ai Zhen , Liu-Yang Lu , Ya-She Li , Xing Ge , Dong-Mei Chen , Zhang Pei , MIng-Wang Shi , Xi-Ling Chen
Published: May 2020

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith), has caused significant losses for crop production in China. The fall armyworm is mainly controlled by the chemical insecticides, whereas the frequent application of insecticides would result in the resistance development. Insect cytochrome P450 monooxygenases play an essential part in the detoxification of insecticides. In this study, five P450 genes were selected to determine the role in response to insecticides by RNA interference (RNAi). Developmental expression pattern analysis revealed that S. frugiperda CYP321A8, CYP321A9, and CYP321B1 were highest in second-instar larvae among developmental stages, with 2.04-, 3.39-, and 8.58-fold compared with eggs, whereas CYP337B5 and CYP6AE44 were highest in adult stage, with 16.3- and 10.6-fold in comparison of eggs, respectively. Tissue-specific expression pattern analysis exhibited that CYP321A8, CYP321B1, and CYP6AE44 were highest in the midguts, with 3.56-, 3.33-, and 3.04-fold compared with heads, whereas CYP321A9 and CYP337B5 were highest in wings, with 3.07- and 3.36-fold compared with heads, respectively. RNAi was also conducted to explore detoxification effects of the five P450 genes on chlorantraniliprole. The second-instar larvae became more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole with a higher mortality rate than the control, after silencing CYP321A8, CYP321A9, and CYP321B1, respectively. These findings strongly supported our viewpoint that CYP321A8, CYP321A9, and CYP321B1 may play a critical role in insecticide detoxification. It will provide a basis for further study on regulation of P450 genes and the management of S. frugiperda.
Attraction Versus Capture II: Efficiency of the BG-Sentinel Trap Under Semifield Conditions and Characterizing Response Behaviors of Male Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Amos Brogan A , Ritchie Scott A , Cardé Ring T
Published: May 2020

Aedes aegypti (L.) is an important vector of viruses causing dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever and as such presents a serious threat to public health in tropical regions. Control programs involving ‘rear and release’ of modified male Ae. aegypti are underway and require effective trapping methods for surveillance of both the released insects and the impacted wild mosquito population. The BG-Sentinel trap (BGS) is widely used in Ae. aegypti surveillance but its level of efficiency, that is, what proportion of the mosquitoes encountering the trap are captured, is unknown. This is especially true for male mosquitoes, the behavior of which is incompletely understood. We tested the efficiency of two versions of the BGS for capturing male Ae. aegypti under semifield conditions with and without CO2 and a human skin odor mimic lure and with these baits combined. A navy-blue BGS trap emitting CO2 and a human skin odor mimic captured 18% of the released male Ae. aegypti, with a capture efficiency of 9 % (of the total encounters with the trap). Male Ae. aegypti had multiple encounters with the BGS that did not result in capture; they crossed over the trap entrance without being captured or landed on the sides of the trap. Swarming behavior around the BGS was also recorded, even when only a visual cue was present. Understanding male Ae. aegypti behaviors during an encounter with the BGS can inform improvement of trap design and therefore capture efficiency for surveillance in control programs.
Effectiveness of interventions targeting air travellers for delaying local outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Clifford Samuel , Pearson Carl A B , Klepac Petra , Van Zandvoort Kevin , Quilty Billy J ,   CMMID COVID-19 working group, Eggo Rosalind M , Flasche Stefan
Published: May 2020

Background

We evaluated if interventions aimed at air travellers can delay local severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) community transmission in a previously unaffected country.

Methods

We simulated infected air travellers arriving into countries with no sustained SARS-CoV-2 transmission or other introduction routes from affected regions. We assessed the effectiveness of syndromic screening at departure and/or arrival and traveller sensitisation to the COVID-2019-like symptoms with the aim to trigger rapid self-isolation and reporting on symptom onset to enable contact tracing. We assumed that syndromic screening would reduce the number of infected arrivals and that traveller sensitisation reduces the average number of secondary cases. We use stochastic simulations to account for uncertainty in both arrival and secondary infections rates, and present sensitivity analyses on arrival rates of infected travellers and the effectiveness of traveller sensitisation. We report the median expected delay achievable in each scenario and an inner 50% interval.

Results

Under baseline assumptions, introducing exit and entry screening in combination with traveller sensitisation can delay a local SARS-CoV-2 outbreak by 8 days (50% interval: 3–14 days) when the rate of importation is 1 infected traveller per week at time of introduction. The additional benefit of entry screening is small if exit screening is effective: the combination of only exit screening and traveller sensitisation can delay an outbreak by 7 days (50% interval: 2–13 days). In the absence of screening, with less effective sensitisation, or a higher rate of importation, these delays shrink rapidly to <4 days.

Conclusion

Syndromic screening and traveller sensitisation in combination may have marginally delayed SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in unaffected countries.
Phylogeny and gene expression of the complete NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER FAMILY in Triticum aestivum
Authors: Wang Huadun , Wan Yongfang , Buchner Peter , King Robert , Ma Hongxiang , Hawkesford Malcolm J
Published: May 2020

NPF genes encode membrane transporters involved in the transport of a large variety of substrates including nitrate and peptides. The NPF gene family has been described for many plants, but the whole NPF gene family for wheat has not been completely identified. The release of the wheat reference genome has enabled the identification of the entire wheat NPF gene family. A systematic analysis of the whole wheat NPF gene family was performed, including responses of specific gene expression to development and nitrogen supply. A total of 331 NPF genes (113 homoeologous groups) have been identified in wheat. The chromosomal location of the NPF genes is unevenly distributed, with predominant occurrence in the long arms of the chromosomes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that wheat NPF genes are closely clustered with Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, and rice orthologues, and subdivided into eight subfamilies. The expression profiles of wheat NPF genes were examined using RNA-seq data, and a subset of 44 NPF genes (homoeologous groups) with contrasting expression responses to nitrogen and/or development in different tissues were identified. The systematic identification of gene composition, chromosomal locations, evolutionary relationships, and expression profiles contributes to a better understanding of the roles of the wheat NPF genes and lays the foundation for further functional analysis in wheat.
Original Research by Young Twinkle Students (ORBYTS): ephemeris refinement of transiting exoplanets
Authors: Edwards Billy , Changeat Quentin , Yip Kai Hou , Tsiaras Angelos , Taylor Jake , Akhtar Bilal , AlDaghir Josef , Bhattarai Pranup , Bhudia Tushar , Chapagai Aashish , Huang Michael , Kabir Danyaal , Khag Vieran , Khaliq Summyyah , Khatri Kush , Kneth Jaidev , Kothari Manisha , Najmudin Ibrahim , Panchalingam Lobanaa , Patel Manthan , Premachandran Luxshan , Qayyum Adam , Rana Prasen , Shaikh Zain , Syed Sheryar , Theti Harnam , Zaidani Mahmoud , Saraf Manasvee , de Mijolla Damien , Caines Hamish , Kokori Anatasia , Rocchetto Marco , Mallonn Matthias , Bachschmidt Matthieu , Bosch Josep M , Bretton Marc , Chatelain Philippe , Deldem Marc , Di Sisto Romina , Evans Phil , Fernández-Lajús Eduardo , Guerra Pere , Grau Horta Ferran , Kang Wonseok , Kim Taewoo , Leroy Arnaud , Lomoz František , de Haro Juan Lozano , Hentunen Veli-Pekka , Jongen Yves , Molina David , Montaigut Romain , Naves Ramon , Raetz Manfred , Sauer Thomas , Watkins Americo , Wünsche Anaël , Zibar Martin , Dunn William , Tessenyi Marcell , Savini Giorgio , Tinetti Giovanna , Tennyson Jonathan
Published: May 2020

We report follow-up observations of transiting exoplanets that have either large uncertainties (>10 min) in their transit times or have not been observed for over 3 yr. A fully robotic ground-based telescope network, observations from citizen astronomers, and data from TESS have been used to study eight planets, refining their ephemerides and orbital data. Such follow-up observations are key for ensuring accurate transit times for upcoming ground- and space-based telescopes, which may seek to characterize the atmospheres of these planets. We find deviations from the expected transit time for all planets, with transits occurring outside the 1σ uncertainties for seven planets. Using the newly acquired observations, we subsequently refine their periods and reduce the current predicted ephemeris uncertainties to 0.28–4.01 min. A significant portion of this work has been completed by students at two high schools in London as part of the Original Research By Young Twinkle Students (ORBYTS) programme.
Development of a single-stranded DNA-binding protein fluorescent fusion toolbox
Authors: Dubiel Katarzyna , Henry Camille , Spenkelink Lisanne M , Kozlov Alexander G , Wood Elizabeth A , Jergic Slobodan , Dixon Nicholas E , van Oijen Antoine M , Cox Michael M , Lohman Timothy M , Sandler Steven J , Keck James L
Published: May 2020

Bacterial single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) bind single-stranded DNA and help to recruit heterologous proteins to their sites of action. SSBs perform these essential functions through a modular structural architecture: the N-terminal domain comprises a DNA binding/tetramerization element whereas the C-terminus forms an intrinsically disordered linker (IDL) capped by a protein-interacting SSB-Ct motif. Here we examine the activities of SSB-IDL fusion proteins in which fluorescent domains are inserted within the IDL of Escherichia coli SSB. The SSB-IDL fusions maintain DNA and protein binding activities in vitro, although cooperative DNA binding is impaired. In contrast, an SSB variant with a fluorescent protein attached directly to the C-terminus that is similar to fusions used in previous studies displayed dysfunctional protein interaction activity. The SSB-IDL fusions are readily visualized in single-molecule DNA replication reactions. Escherichia coli strains in which wildtype SSB is replaced by SSB-IDL fusions are viable and display normal growth rates and fitness. The SSB-IDL fusions form detectible SSB foci in cells with frequencies mirroring previously examined fluorescent DNA replication fusion proteins. Cells expressing SSB-IDL fusions are sensitized to some DNA damaging agents. The results highlight the utility of SSB-IDL fusions for biochemical and cellular studies of genome maintenance reactions.
G3BP1-linked mRNA partitioning supports selective protein synthesis in response to oxidative stress
Authors: Somasekharan Syam Prakash , Zhang Fan , Saxena Neetu , Huang Jia Ni , Kuo I-Chih , Low Caitlin , Bell Robert , Adomat Hans , Stoynov Nikolay , Foster Leonard , Gleave Martin , Sorensen Poul H
Published: May 2020

Cells limit energy-consuming mRNA translation during stress to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Sequestration of mRNAs by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) into RNA granules reduces their translation, but it remains unclear whether RBPs also function in partitioning of specific transcripts to polysomes (PSs) to guide selective translation and stress adaptation in cancer. To study transcript partitioning under cell stress, we catalogued mRNAs enriched in prostate carcinoma PC-3 cell PSs, as defined by polysome fractionation and RNA sequencing (RNAseq), and compared them to mRNAs complexed with the known SG-nucleator protein, G3BP1, as defined by spatially-restricted enzymatic tagging and RNAseq. By comparing these compartments before and after short-term arsenite-induced oxidative stress, we identified three major categories of transcripts, namely those that were G3BP1-associated and PS-depleted, G3BP1-dissociated and PS-enriched, and G3BP1-associated but also PS-enriched. Oxidative stress profoundly altered the partitioning of transcripts between these compartments. Under arsenite stress, G3BP1-associated and PS-depleted transcripts correlated with reduced expression of encoded mitochondrial proteins, PS-enriched transcripts that disassociated from G3BP1 encoded cell cycle and cytoprotective proteins whose expression increased, while transcripts that were both G3BP1-associated and PS-enriched encoded proteins involved in diverse stress response pathways. Therefore, G3BP1 guides transcript partitioning to reprogram mRNA translation and support stress adaptation.
EpiRegio: analysis and retrieval of regulatory elements linked to genes
Authors: Baumgarten Nina , Hecker Dennis , Karunanithi Sivarajan , Schmidt Florian , List Markus , Schulz Marcel H
Published: May 2020

A current challenge in genomics is to interpret non-coding regions and their role in transcriptional regulation of possibly distant target genes. Genome-wide association studies show that a large part of genomic variants are found in those non-coding regions, but their mechanisms of gene regulation are often unknown. An additional challenge is to reliably identify the target genes of the regulatory regions, which is an essential step in understanding their impact on gene expression. Here we present the EpiRegio web server, a resource of regulatory elements (REMs). REMs are genomic regions that exhibit variations in their chromatin accessibility profile associated with changes in expression of their target genes. EpiRegio incorporates both epigenomic and gene expression data for various human primary cell types and tissues, providing an integrated view of REMs in the genome. Our web server allows the analysis of genes and their associated REMs, including the REM’s activity and its estimated cell type-specific contribution to its target gene’s expression. Further, it is possible to explore genomic regions for their regulatory potential, investigate overlapping REMs and by that the dissection of regions of large epigenomic complexity. EpiRegio allows programmatic access through a REST API and is freely available at https://epiregio.de/.
ShiftCrypt: a web server to understand and biophysically align proteins through their NMR chemical shift values
Authors: Orlando Gabriele , Raimondi Daniele , Kagami Luciano Porto , Vranken Wim F
Published: May 2020

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy data provides valuable information on the behaviour of proteins in solution. The primary data to determine when studying proteins are the per-atom NMR chemical shifts, which reflect the local environment of atoms and provide insights into amino acid residue dynamics and conformation. Within an amino acid residue, chemical shifts present multi-dimensional and complexly cross-correlated information, making them difficult to analyse. The ShiftCrypt method, based on neural network auto-encoder architecture, compresses the per-amino acid chemical shift information in a single, interpretable, amino acid-type independent value that reflects the biophysical state of a residue. We here present the ShiftCrypt web server, which makes the method readily available. The server accepts chemical shifts input files in the NMR Exchange Format (NEF) or NMR-STAR format, executes ShiftCrypt and visualises the results, which are also accessible via an API. It also enables the ”biophysically-based” pairwise alignment of two proteins based on their ShiftCrypt values. This approach uses Dynamic Time Warping and can optionally include their amino acid code information, and has applications in, for example, the alignment of disordered regions. The server uses a token-based system to ensure the anonymity of the users and results. The web server is available at www.bio2byte.be/shiftcrypt.
Estradiol and mortality in women with end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Ramesh Sharanya , James Matthew T , Holroyd-Leduc Jayna M , Wilton Stephen B , Seely Ellen W , Hemmelgarn Brenda R , Tonelli Marcello , Wheeler David C , Ahmed Sofia B
Published: May 2020

Background

Young women with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have early menopause compared with women in the general population and the highest mortality among the dialysis population. We hypothesized that low estrogen status was associated with death in women with ESKD.

Methods

We measured estradiol and sex hormone levels in female ESKD patients initiating hemodialysis from 2005 to 2012 in four Canadian centers. We divided women into quintiles based on estradiol levels and tested for associations between the estradiol level and cardiovascular (CV), non-CV and all-cause mortality. Participants were further dichotomized by age.

Results

A total of 482 women (60 ± 15 years of age, 53% diabetic, estradiol 116 ± 161 pmol/L) were followed for a mean of 2.9 years, with 237 deaths (31% CV). Estradiol levels were as follows (mean ± standard deviation): Quintile 1: 19.3 ± 0.92 pmol/L; Quintile 2: 34.6 ± 6.6 pmol/L; Quintile 3: 63.8 ± 10.6 pmol/L; Quintile 4: 108.9 ± 19.3; Quintile 5: 355 ± 233 pmol/L. Compared with Quintile 1, women in Quintiles 4 and 5 had significantly higher adjusted all-cause mortality {hazard ratio [HR] 2.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–3.25] and 1.92 [1.19–3.10], respectively}. Similarly, compared with Quintile 1, women in Quintile 5 had higher non-CV mortality [HR 2.16 (95% CI 1.18–3.96)]. No associations were observed between estradiol levels and CV mortality. When stratified by age, higher quintiles were associated with greater all-cause mortality (P for trend <0.001) and non-CV mortality (P for trend = 0.02), but not CV mortality in older women.

Conclusions

In women with ESKD treated with hemodialysis, higher estradiol levels were associated with greater all-cause and non-CV mortality. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism for the observed increased risk.
Meaning of empowerment in peritoneal dialysis: focus groups with patients and caregivers
Authors: Baumgart Amanda , Manera Karine E , Johnson David W , Craig Jonathan C , Shen Jenny I , Ruiz Lorena , Wang Angela Yee-Moon , Yip Terence , Fung Samuel K S , Tong Matthew , Lee Achilles , Cho Yeoungjee , Viecelli Andrea K , Sautenet Benedicte , Teixeira-Pinto Armando , Brown Edwina A , Brunier Gillian , Dong Jie , Scholes-Robertson Nicole , Dunning Tony , Mehrotra Rajnish , Naicker Saraladevi , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Perl Jeffrey , Wilkie Martin , Tong Allison
Published: May 2020

Background

While peritoneal dialysis (PD) can offer patients more independence and flexibility compared with in-center hemodialysis, managing the ongoing and technically demanding regimen can impose a burden on patients and caregivers. Patient empowerment can strengthen capacity for self-management and improve treatment outcomes. We aimed to describe patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives on the meaning and role of patient empowerment in PD.

Methods

Adult patients receiving PD (n = 81) and their caregivers (n = 45), purposively sampled from nine dialysis units in Australia, Hong Kong and the USA, participated in 14 focus groups. Transcripts were thematically analyzed.

Results

We identified six themes: lacking clarity for self-management (limited understanding of rationale behind necessary restrictions, muddled by conflicting information); PD regimen restricting flexibility and freedom (burden in budgeting time, confined to be close to home); strength with supportive relationships (gaining reassurance with practical assistance, comforted by considerate health professionals, supported by family and friends); defying constraints (reclaiming the day, undeterred by treatment, refusing to be defined by illness); regaining lost vitality (enabling physical functioning, restoring energy for life participation); and personal growth through adjustment (building resilience and enabling positive outlook, accepting the dialysis regimen).

Conclusions

Understanding the rationale behind lifestyle restrictions, practical assistance and family support in managing PD promoted patient empowerment, whereas being constrained in time and capacity for life participation outside the home undermined it. Education, counseling and strategies to minimize the disruption and burden of PD may enhance satisfaction and outcomes in patients requiring PD.
Adult diffuse glioma GWAS by molecular subtype identifies variants inD2HGDHandFAM20C
Authors: Eckel-Passow Jeanette E , Drucker Kristen L , Kollmeyer Thomas M , Kosel Matt L , Decker Paul A , Molinaro Annette M , Rice Terri , Praska Corinne E , Clark Lauren , Caron Alissa , Abyzov Alexej , Batzler Anthony , Song Jun S , Pekmezci Melike , Hansen Helen M , McCoy Lucie S , Bracci Paige M , Wiemels Joseph , Wiencke John K , Francis Stephen , Burns Terry C , Giannini Caterina , Lachance Daniel H , Wrensch Margaret , Jenkins Robert B
Published: May 2020

Background

Twenty-five germline variants are associated with adult diffuse glioma, and some of these variants have been shown to be associated with particular subtypes of glioma. We hypothesized that additional germline variants could be identified if a genome-wide association study (GWAS) were performed by molecular subtype.

Methods

A total of 1320 glioma cases and 1889 controls were used in the discovery set and 799 glioma cases and 808 controls in the validation set. Glioma cases were classified into molecular subtypes based on combinations of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation, and 1p/19q codeletion. Logistic regression was applied to the discovery and validation sets to test for associations of variants with each of the subtypes. A meta-analysis was subsequently performed using a genome-wide P-value threshold of 5 × 10−8.

Results

Nine variants in or near D-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase (D2HGDH) on chromosome 2 were genome-wide significant in IDH-mutated glioma (most significant was rs5839764, meta P = 2.82 × 10−10). Further stratifying by 1p/19q codeletion status, one variant in D2HGDH was genome-wide significant in IDH-mutated non-codeleted glioma (rs1106639, meta P = 4.96 × 10−8). Further stratifying by TERT mutation, one variant near FAM20C (family with sequence similarity 20, member C) on chromosome 7 was genome-wide significant in gliomas that have IDH mutation, TERT mutation, and 1p/19q codeletion (rs111976262, meta P = 9.56 × 10−9). Thirty-six variants in or near GMEB2 on chromosome 20 near regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1) were genome-wide significant in IDH wild-type glioma (most significant was rs4809313, meta P = 2.60 × 10−10).

Conclusions

Performing a GWAS by molecular subtype identified 2 new regions and a candidate independent region near RTEL1, which were associated with specific glioma molecular subtypes.
Differences in Smoking Topography and Subjective Responses to Smoking Among African American and White Menthol and Non-Menthol Smokers
Authors: Gunawan Tommy , Juliano Laura M
Published: May 2020

Introduction

It has been suggested that menthol increases exposure to harmful elements of smoking and makes smoking more rewarding, easier to initiate, and harder to quit. Isolating the direct effects of menthol is challenging as African American (AA) race and menthol preference are highly overlapping. This study evaluated smoking behavior and subjective responses among a balanced sample of AA and white menthol and non-menthol smokers. In addition, smoking topography (ST) was compared to naturalistic smoking (NS) and interactions with menthol and race were explored.

Aims and Methods

Smokers (N = 100) smoked and rated their preferred brand of cigarettes via ST or NS during two laboratory visits (counterbalanced).

Results

Controlling for baseline differences among the groups (eg, nicotine dependence), menthol smokers took shorter and smaller puffs and AA smokers took longer puffs, but there were no differences in total puff volume, carbon monoxide, or other ST parameters. Menthol smokers reported greater urge reduction and lower sensory stimulation. The smoking method (ST vs. NS) had no effects on smoking behavior or exposure. Cigarettes smoked via ST were rated stronger. Differences in satisfaction based on the smoking method interacted with race and menthol status. Ratings of aversion differed by race and menthol status.

Conclusions

Menthol was not associated with increased smoke exposure or reward (except for urge reduction). ST caused minimal experimental reactivity relative to NS. Additional research that isolates the effects of menthol and examines potential interactive effects with race and other variables is needed to better understand its role in smoking-related health disparities.

Implications

Menthol and non-menthol smokers differed on some demographic variables and menthol preference was associated with greater nicotine dependence and greater urge reduction after smoking. Menthol was not associated with greater smoke exposure. Future research that investigates the unique risks associated with menthol and examines potential interactive effects with race and other related variables is warranted to better understand the role of menthol in smoking-related health disparities.
Extended Version of a Test Battery for Visual Assessment of Postural Orientation Errors: Face Validity, Internal Consistency, and Reliability
Authors: Nae Jenny , Creaby Mark W , Ageberg Eva
Published: May 2020

Objective

Undesirable postural orientation may be a risk factor for a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate face validity, internal consistency, and interrater reliability of an extended version of a previous test battery for visual assessment of postural orientation errors (POEs) in patients during the late phase of rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) (ie, when they have initiated jumping exercises).

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design. Fifty-three patients (45% women) in the late phase of ACLR rehabilitation performed 5 functional tasks of varying difficulty. POEs of the lower extremity and trunk were visually assessed from video and scored on a scale from 0 (good) to 2 (poor).

Results

The side-hop and 2 new POEs (femur medial to shank, femoral valgus) were added to the test battery after expert focus group discussions. Internal consistency was calculated for all tasks (α = .712–.823). Interrater reliability showed fair to substantial agreement for femur medial to shank and femoral valgus during all tasks (K = 0.31–0.815) and almost perfect agreement for side-hop (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88).

Conclusions

The good internal consistency and reliability after adding side-hop, femur medial to shank, and femoral valgus suggests that this test battery is a suitable tool to quantify postural orientation throughout ACLR rehabilitation.

Impact

This test battery for visual assessment of POEs was evaluated in a heterogeneous group of patients in different phases of ACLR battery and can be used in clinical practice to measure POEs in patients with ACLR, including in the late phase of rehabilitation to return to sport. This study encourages research on more demanding tasks and additional POEs to cover the entire rehabilitation period after ACL injury or reconstruction.
Frontline workers sound the alarm: be always sure you’re right, then go ahead
Authors: Sfeir Maroun M
Published: May 2020

Amid personal protective equipment shortage, clinicians, nurses, and other frontline workers across the world have faced threatening and/or firing for self-protection during this coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This perspective describes the different challenges that the stressed and overworked frontline workers encounter when they raise concerns despite being right. It also highlights the importance of communication and appropriate execution upon hearing those concerns.
Combating the effects of climate change versus caring for children
Authors: Ebel Katharina
Published: May 2020

Climate change affects all regions of the world, particularly poor countries. It results in numerous environmental, social and economic effects, which are expected to intensify in the coming decades. What does this mean for foundations serving a specific purpose? Discussing the activities of SOS Children’s Villages (SOS), the author shows how the investments of the foundation Hermann-Gmeiner-Stiftung in SOS cannot only be limited to the organization’s core duty of caring for vulnerable children and families due to the interrelatedness between caring for children and working to combat the effects of climate change. She thereby shows that the interests of foundations and non-profit-organizations should not be one-dimensional when it comes to supporting causes.
Effects of feeding high-protein corn distillers dried grains and a mycotoxin mitigation additive on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork fat quality of growing–finishing pigs1
Authors: Yang Zhaohui , Urriola Pedro E , Hilbrands Adrienne , Johnston Lee J , Shurson Gerald C
Published: May 2020

Two experiments investigated the effects of feeding diets containing 30% of novel high-protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) sources to growing–finishing pigs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork fat quality. A four-phase feeding program was used in both experiments, and diets within phases were formulated based on National Research Council (NRC; 2012) recommendations for metabolizable energy and standardized ileal digestible amino acid content of HP-DDG. In Exp. 1, a total of 144 pigs (body weight [BW] = 20.3 ± 1.6 kg) were fed either corn-soybean meal control diets (CON) or 30% HP-DDG diets (HP-DDG) containing 0.7 mg/kg deoxynivalenol (DON), 0.1 mg/kg fumonisins (FUM), and 56 μg/kg zearalenone (ZEA) for 8 wk. On week 9, a mycotoxin mitigation additive (MA) was added to CON and HP-DDG diets, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of: CON, CON + MA, HP-DDG, and HP-DDG + MA. Pigs fed HP-DDG had lower (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with those fed CON during the first 8 wk. After MA was added to diets, pigs fed HP-DDG diets without MA had lower (P < 0.05) overall ADG than those fed HP-DDG + MA and less (P < 0.05) final BW than pigs fed CON or CON + MA. Adding MA to HP-DDG diets containing relatively low concentrations of mycotoxins was effective in restoring growth performance comparable to feeding CON. In Exp. 2, a different source of HP-DDG was used, and mycotoxin MAs were added to all diets at the beginning of the trial. A total of 144 pigs (BW = 22.7 ± 2.3 kg) were fed either a corn-soybean meal control diet or a 30% HP-DDG diet containing 0.5 mg/kg DON and 0.8 mg/kg FUM for 16 wk. Pigs fed HP-DDG diets had less (P < 0.01) final BW and ADG than pigs fed CON, but there were no differences in ADFI. Feeding the HP-DDG diets reduced (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight, carcass yield, longissimus muscle area (LMA), and percentage of carcass fat-free lean compared with pigs fed CON but did not affect backfat (BF) depth. Pigs fed HP-DDG had less (P < 0.01) saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content and greater (P < 0.01) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and iodine value in BF than pigs fed CON. These results suggest that feeding diets containing relatively low concentrations of co-occurring mycotoxins can be detrimental to growth performance, and the addition of MA alleviated the growth reduction. Feeding 30% HP-DDG reduced BW, ADG, carcass yield, LMA, and percentage of fat-free lean of growing–finishing pigs but yielded acceptable pork fat quality.
19Disability Studies
Authors: Quirici Marion
Published: May 2020

This chapter reviews major recent publications focused on madness and neurodiversity. It is organized into four sections that explore the boundaries of mad studies and disability studies. The first section, ‘Is Mad Studies Disability Studies?’, provides a brief introduction to mad studies and asks whether it should be considered a branch of disability studies or a separate field. The second section, ‘Voices’, reviews a special issue of the Journal of Ethics in Mental Health edited by Jijian Voronka and Lucy Costa to overview how various mad studies scholars are contesting and expanding the boundaries of the field. Who is the ‘us’ of ‘nothing about us without us’? Whose voices are included, and is inclusion enough? The third section, ‘Literatures’, reviews the anthology Literatures of Madness: Disability Studies and Mental Health, edited by Elizabeth J. Donaldson, and the monograph Black Madness :: Mad Blackness by Therí Alyce Pickens, calling for deeper attention to racial difference in mad studies and suggesting that real inclusion should be transformational. The fourth section, ‘Rhetorics’, goes outside the boundaries of mad and disability studies to review Jordynn Jack’s Raveling the Brain: Toward a Transdisciplinary Neurorhetoric. The chapter calls for future scholarship that is not only transdisciplinary but also attentive to the enmeshment of mind and body, madness and disability. I argue that, while the two fields should not be collapsed, disability studies should dialogue with mad studies wherever possible, and vice versa.
NICU Parent Preferences for Stakeholder Engagement in Research
Authors: Quinn Megan , Menon Usha
Published: May 2020

Background:

Engagement of parents as stakeholders in the research process can help ensure that interventions are aligned with their needs and experiences, but little is known about their preferences for research collaboration.

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study was to explore former neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents' attitudes toward engagement as parent collaborators and identify potential barriers and facilitators to parent collaboration in research.

Methods:

Three focus groups and 3 interviews were conducted. Participants completed a demographic survey including information about their child's hospitalization. Parents were asked to discuss their NICU story, involvement in the parent community, experience with research, and factors influencing their decision to collaborate on a research study.

Results:

Nine parents completed the study. Participation was motivated by a desire to help other families. Recruitment suggestions included using parent organizations, social media networks, and advertising in the NICU. Facilitators to research engagement were passion about research topic, distance participation, affecting change, helping other parents, and compensation. Barriers included time constraints and unresolved trauma.

Implications for Practice:

NICU nurses can leverage their relationships with parents to act as liaisons between research teams and parents, helping recruit and encouraging them to form research partnerships.

Implications for Research:

Parents are interested in collaborating with neonatal research teams when they can improve experiences for other families and can see or help implement change. Researchers should be conscious of constraints on parents' ability to meet frequently or in person and offer accommodations such as conference calls and online training.
Accuracy of Transcutaneous Bilirubin Versus Serum Bilirubin Measurement in Preterm Infants Receiving Phototherapy
Authors: Hynes Sharon , Moore Zena , Patton Declan , O'Connor Tom , Nugent Linda
Published: May 2020

Background:

Jaundice is a common condition among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Total serum bilirubin (TSB) offers a gold standard tool for measurement, but blood sampling can be costly, time-consuming, and not without risks of infection and pain. Transcutaneous bilimeter (TcB) allows for noninvasive assessment of bilirubin. However, due to questions of accuracy the use of the TcB in preterm infants receiving phototherapy has not been widely adapted in the NICU.

Purpose:

To systematically review studies that measure TcB versus TSB bilirubin in preterm infants who are receiving phototherapy.

Methods:

A systematic electronic search of databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, Medline, PubMed) was completed for English language publications. No date limitation was placed on the search. Inclusion criteria were based on preterm infants that were in the NICU receiving or had recently received phototherapy.

Results:

Nine studies of different quantitative study designs were reviewed. A good to strong correlation between TcB and TSB in preterm infants receiving phototherapy was demonstrated. There was a stronger correlation found in studies that examined TcB in unexposed skin areas during phototherapy.

Implications for Practice:

TcB may allow for a reduction in blood sampling, which would reduce painful procedures, reduce the risk of infection and anemia resulting from repeated blood sampling. It also acts as a more time and cost-efficient measurement tool.

Implications for Research:

Larger scaled quantitative studies on the accuracy of TcB in preterm infants receiving phototherapy are needed to provide more evidence-based data and guide clinical practice on this topic.
Factors associated with the provision of inpatient care in hospices
Authors: He Mengying , O’Connor Stephen J. , Qu Haiyan , Menachemi Nir , Shewchuk Richard M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Hospices provide end-of-life care to patients who have complex health care needs and whose symptoms are difficult to control. Understanding why some hospices offer inpatient hospice care to patients could bring more evidence for policy makers and researchers to focus on the role of inpatient care in hospice.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine market and organizational factors that are associated with the provision of hospice inpatient care.

Methodology

This study used a retrospective, longitudinal design (2009–2013). The study sample was drawn from three data resources: the Area Health Resources Files, the Provider of Services files, and Hospice Cost Reports from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The sample size was 2,391 hospices or 10,999 hospice observations over 5 years. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the association between market and organizational factors and hospice inpatient services offering.

Results

On average, 94.59% of hospices offer inpatient services to patients. Proportion of adults who were over 65 years old (OR = 1.12) and Medicare-managed care penetration (OR = 1.02) were positively associated with the provision of hospice inpatient services. The number of hospitals with hospice program was negatively related to hospice inpatient services offering (OR = .95). Other factors such as nursing skill mix, volunteer dependence, and census region were also associated with inpatient services offering.

Practice Implications

The age demand of hospice care and Medicare-managed care penetration are related to hospice inpatient services offering. Hospices located in the market with more competition from hospitals that offer hospice program are less likely to offer inpatient care.
Predictive Value of an Alternative Strategy for Measuring Depth and Size of Stage 1 Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Skala Stephanie L. , Ebott Jasmine A. , Zhao Lili , Lieberman Richard W.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Despite poor reproducibility for measuring vulvar cancer depth, 1-mm or greater invasion triggers lymphadenectomy for small tumors. Previous literature suggests that measuring depth from the nearest dysplastic rete peg (alternative method) rather than highest dermal papilla (conventional method) may be acceptable.

Methods

Pathologic staging and follow-up information were recorded for 100 pT1 vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) resected from 1990 to 2019. Conventional depth, alternative depth, gross/clinical size, and size of the invasive component were measured for each tumor. In this retrospective study, we evaluated which clinicopathologic factors were most predictive of lymph node involvement and recurrence.

Results

Depending on the measurements used (conventional vs alternative depth, clinical lesion size vs cumulative extent of invasive component), between 1 and 18 cases were downstaged to pT1a. All such cases were pN0, without lymphovascular or perineural invasion. Infiltrative cords (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.15; 95% CI = 1.63–16.2; p = .005) and perineural invasion (HR = 3.16; 1.18–8.45; p = .022) were most strongly associated with groin recurrence. Of staging criteria evaluated, only cumulative extent of the invasive component 2 cm or greater was significantly associated with groin recurrence (HR = 2.87; 1.01–8.17; p = .048). The Kaplan-Meier curves for local recurrence-free survival by stage did not show significant separation regardless of method.

Conclusions

Patients downstaged using alternative measurement techniques lacked nodal disease/recurrence; one-third of those with nodal sampling experienced postoperative morbidity. Our data suggest that the use of alternative depth and cumulative extent of invasion could safely allow some conventional stage IB vulvar SCC patients to avoid groin surgery, thereby reducing treatment-related morbidity.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Trachea in a Child With Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Keino Dai , Sudo Akina , Mizuno Masanori , Sasaki Keigo , Kinoshita Akitoshi , Mori Tetsuya
Published: May 2020

Tracheal tumors are rare in children and manifest symptoms of airway obstruction. A 14-year-old boy with a 5-month history of dyspnea and wheezing was referred to our hospital. Although he had been initially diagnosed with bronchial asthma, computed tomography revealed tracheal tumors. Histologic examination showed only necrotic tissue. Thereafter, the systemic steroid treatment for bronchial asthma was tapered off. A second computed tomography scan revealed new lesions in the pancreas and lung. Biopsy of the pancreatic lesion revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient was administered standard chemotherapy, following which he went into complete remission.
The Use of Random Forests to Identify Brain Regions on Amyloid and FDG PET Associated With MoCA Score
Authors: Zukotynski Katherine , Gaudet Vincent , Kuo Phillip H. , Adamo Sabrina , Goubran Maged , Scott Christopher J.M. , Bocti Christian , Borrie Michael , Chertkow Howard , Frayne Richard , Hsiung Robin , Laforce Robert , Noseworthy Michael D. , Prato Frank S. , Sahlas Demetrios J. , Smith Eric E. , Sossi Vesna , Thiel Alexander , Soucy Jean-Paul , Tardif Jean-Claude , Black Sandra E.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate random forests (RFs) to identify ROIs on 18F-florbetapir and 18F-FDG PET associated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-seven subjects with significant white matter disease presenting with either transient ischemic attack/lacunar stroke or mild cognitive impairment from early Alzheimer disease, enrolled in a multicenter prospective observational trial, had MoCA and 18F-florbetapir PET; 55 had 18F-FDG PET. Scans were processed using the MINC toolkit to generate SUV ratios, normalized to cerebellar gray matter (18F-florbetapir PET), or pons (18F-FDG PET). SUV ratio data and MoCA score were used for supervised training of RFs programmed in MATLAB.

Results

18F-Florbetapir PETs were randomly divided into 40 training and 17 testing scans; 100 RFs of 1000 trees, constructed from a random subset of 16 training scans and 20 ROIs, identified ROIs associated with MoCA score: right posterior cingulate gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus, left precuneus, left posterior cingulate gyrus, and right precuneus. Amyloid increased with decreasing MoCA score. 18F-FDG PETs were randomly divided into 40 training and 15 testing scans; 100 RFs of 1000 trees, each tree constructed from a random subset of 16 training scans and 20 ROIs, identified ROIs associated with MoCA score: left fusiform gyrus, left precuneus, left posterior cingulate gyrus, right precuneus, and left middle orbitofrontal gyrus. 18F-FDG decreased with decreasing MoCA score.

Conclusions

Random forests help pinpoint clinically relevant ROIs associated with MoCA score; amyloid increased and 18F-FDG decreased with decreasing MoCA score, most significantly in the posterior cingulate gyrus.