bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Face aux radicalismes religieux et laïc, quelle place et quel rôle pour la spiritualité dans les écoles publiques du Québec ?
Authors: Cherblanc Jacques , Tremblay Stéphanie
Published: April 2020

Au cours des dernières décennies, les recherches sur les radicalismes ont mis en évidence une multitude de facteurs de risques et de protection associés à ce problème humain et social. Selon les écrits scientifiques, la spiritualité est l’un de ces facteurs de protection. Cependant, cette dimension est souvent ignorée dans l’analyse scientifique ou médiatique du phénomène de radicalisation. Ce texte a pour but de montrer qu’une plus grande intégration de la spiritualité dans le système scolaire public québécois pourrait favoriser le développement global de l’enfant et aider à prévenir la radicalisation. Nous pensons que le programme d’Éthique et de culture religieuse serait propice à l’intégration de la spiritualité en milieu scolaire.
In punta di matita: disegni, vignette e testi di Galantara, Scalarini e Podrecca
Authors: Pagano Roberto
Published: April 2020

Il saggio fornisce spunti e chiavi di lettura su due figure fondamentali della stampa satirica in Italia, Gabriele Galantara e Giuseppe Scalarini, i più importanti disegnatori politici dell’Italia tra fine Ottocento e avvio del Novecento. In parallelo, uno sguardo sul sodale di Galantara, il giornalista Guido Podrecca, con la traiettoria politica che lo portò dalle comuni posizioni socialiste all’irreparabile frattura ideale e personale. Di Galantara e Scalarini si esaminano anche le relazioni con le vicende dei giornali e periodici di riferimento, L’Asino e l’ Avanti!. I due disegnatori sono protagonisti di una vera e propria lotta delle idee, per l’emancipazione sociale delle classi più umili. Vignette e iconografia diffondono tra grandi masse popolari, allora poco o punto alfabetizzate, elementi di immediata percezione ai fini della maturazione politica e della crescita culturale.
Measuring Lethal Force Performance in the Lab: The Effects of Simulator Realism and Participant Experience
Authors: Blacker Kara J. , Pettijohn Kyle A. , Roush Grant , Biggs Adam T.
Published: April 2020

Objective

The goal of the current study was to compare two types of shooting simulators to determine which is best suited for assessing different aspects of lethal force performance.

Background

Military and law enforcement personnel are often required to make decisions regarding the use of lethal force. A critical goal of both training and research endeavors surrounding lethal force is to find ways to simulate lethal force encounters to better understand behavior in those scenarios.

Method

Participants of varying degrees of experience completed both marksmanship and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios on both a video game and a military-grade shooting simulator. Using signal detection theory, we assessed sensitivity as a measure of lethal force performance overall. We used hit rate to assess shooting accuracy and false alarm rate to assess decision making.

Results

Results demonstrated that performance was correlated across simulators. Results supported the notion that shooting accuracy and decision making are independent components of performance. Individuals with firearms expertise outperformed novices on the military-grade simulator, but only with respect to shooting accuracy, not unintended casualties. Individuals with video game experience outperformed novices in the video game simulator, but again only on shooting accuracy.

Conclusion

Experience played a crucial role in the assessment of shooting accuracy on a given simulator platform; decision-making performance remained unaffected by experience level or type of simulator.

Application

We recommend that in expert populations or when assessing shooting accuracy, a military-grade shooting simulator be used. However, with a novice population and/or when interested in decision making in lethal force, a video game simulator is appropriate.
Wool felt: Characterization, comparison with other materials, and investigation of its use in hospital accessories
Authors: dos Santos Heloisa Nazaré , Lana Sebastiana Luiza Bragança , Neto José Henrique Martins
Published: April 2020

This article presents groundbreaking research on wool felt for use in hospital accessories. The results of mechanical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemical, flammability, and microbiological tests are presented, as well as research on the acceptability of three wool felt hospital accessories (i.e. sheet cover, pillowcase cover, and insole). An innovative approach was utilized to compare the mechanical properties of unwashed and washed wool felt samples by three different washing machines, with textiles commonly used in hospital (i.e. nonwoven of polyester felt, woven of 100% cotton, and woven of a blend of 67% cotton and 33% polyester). The mechanical tests showed that the wool felt had tensile resistance similar to that of polyester felt, superior elongation to the 100% cotton and the blend, inferior tearing stress, lower resistance to slippage, and good pilling resistance. After washing, the wool felt washed with the extractor washer and dry washer increased their tensile strength 33% and 19%; the tear strength did not change; the slippage decreased; and the samples washed with the dry washer showed 14% less pilling than those not washed. The SEM tests showed differences in appearance of the fibers after the washing processes. Chemical tests revealed that 0.11% of lanolin was retained in the wool felt after washing the samples with the dry process. The flammability tests showed the dependence of carbonization length with the wool felt washing process. The volunteers showed a good acceptance of the wool felt accessories emphasizing the feeling of freshness, release of pain, and reduction in sweating and unpleasant odors. Microbiological tests showed growth in the insoles of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Candida albicans, commonly found in the hospital environment.
Patriotism or Paychecks: Who Believes What About Why Soldiers Serve
Authors: Krebs Ronald R. , Ralston Robert
Published: April 2020

Although voluntary recruitment to the military is today the Western norm, we know little about citizens’ beliefs regarding service members’ reasons for joining. This article, reporting and analyzing the results of a nationally representative U.S. survey, rectifies this gap. We find that, despite the reality of market-based recruitment, many Americans continue to subscribe to an idealized image of service members as moved by self-sacrificing patriotism. This belief is most heavily concentrated among conservative Americans. Liberal Americans are more likely to believe that service members join primarily for economic reasons. Those furthest to the left are more inclined to aver that service members join chiefly to escape desperate circumstances. Perhaps most surprising, we discover a disconnect between respondents with military experience and their families: The former are more likely to acknowledge that pay and benefits are a primary motivation for service, whereas their families are more likely to embrace a patriotic service narrative.
Knowledge acquisition strategy, speed of capability development and speed of SME internationalisation
Authors: Hilmersson Mikael , Johanson Martin
Published: April 2020

From a study following two sequential on-site data collection stages at 618 internationalising SMEs in Sweden, Poland and China, we identify and validate four distinct international knowledge acquisition strategies. In contrast to traditional theories suggesting that firms develop capabilities by generating their own experience, we show that Grafters and Pragmatists have a higher speed of international capability development than Experiencers and Networkers. Subsequently, by drawing on capability development theory, we show that the speed of capability development has a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped) effect on the speed of spread between international markets. These findings have consequences both for practitioners and theory.
Importance of haemogram parameters for prediction of the time of birth in women diagnosed with threatened preterm labour
Authors: Tolunay Harun Egemen , Elci Erkan
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the importance of complete blood count parameters for predicting the timing of birth in threatened preterm labour cases.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 92 patients who were diagnosed with threatened preterm labour (24–34 gestational weeks). The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of birth (group 1: delivered within the first week after diagnosis; group 2: delivered later than 1 week). We compared characteristics and complete blood count parameters between these two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences in maternal age, body mass index, gravida, parity, haemoglobin levels, and gestational weeks between the two groups. The mean cervical length was 24.24 ± 3.60 mm in group 1 and 30.70 ± 5.32 mm in group 2. There were significant differences in the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell count, red cell distribution width (RDW), absolute lymphocyte cell count, and absolute neutrophil cell count between the two groups.

Conclusion

Maternal serum RDW, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell count, absolute lymphocyte cell count, and the absolute neutrophil cell count profile could guide clinicians in predicting the time of birth in threatened preterm labour cases.
Colony Volatiles and Substrate-borne Vibrations Entrain Circadian Rhythms and Are Potential Cues Mediating Social Synchronization in Honey Bee Colonies
Authors: Siehler Oliver , Bloch Guy
Published: April 2020

Internal circadian clocks organize animal behavior and physiology and are entrained by ecologically relevant external time-givers such as light and temperature cycles. In the highly social honey bee, social time-givers are potent and can override photic entrainment, but the cues mediating social entrainment are unknown. Here, we tested whether substrate-borne vibrations and hive volatiles can mediate social synchronization in honey bees. We first placed newly emerged worker bees on the same or on a different substrate on which we placed cages with foragers entrained to ambient day-night cycles, while minimizing the spread of volatiles between cages. In the second experiment, we exposed young bees to constant airflow drawn from either a free-foraging colony or a similar-size control hive containing only heated empty honeycombs, while minimizing transfer of substrate-borne vibrations between cages. After 6 days, we isolated each focal bee in an individual cage in an environmental chamber and monitored her locomotor activity. We repeated each experiment 5 times, each trial with bees from a different source colony, monitoring a total of more than 1000 bees representing diverse genotypes. We found that bees placed on the same substrate as foragers showed a stronger phase coherence and a phase more similar to that of foragers compared with bees placed on a different substrate. In the second experiment, bees exposed to air drawn from a colony showed a stronger phase coherence and a phase more similar to that of foragers compared with bees exposed to air from an empty hive. These findings lend credence to the hypothesis that surrogates of activity entrain circadian rhythms and suggest that multiple social cues can act in concert to entrain social insect colonies to a common phase.
Ten Modifiable Health Risk Factors and Employees’ Medical Costs—An Update
Authors: Goetzel Ron Z. , Henke Rachel Mosher , Head Michael A. , Benevent Richele , Rhee Kyu
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To estimate the relationship between employees’ health risks and health-care costs to inform health promotion program design.

Design:

An observational study of person-level health-care claims and health risk assessment (HRA) data that used regression models to estimate the relationship between 10 modifiable risk factors and subsequent year 1 health-care costs.

Setting:

United States.

Participants:

The sample included active, full-time, adult employees continuously enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance plans contributing to IBM MarketScan Research Databases who completed an HRA. Study criteria were met by 135 219 employees from 11 employers.

Measures:

Ten modifiable risk factors and individual sociodemographic and health characteristics were included in the models as independent variables. Five settings of health-care costs were outcomes in addition to total expenditures.

Analysis:

After building the analytic file, we estimated generalized linear models and conducted postestimation bootstrapping.

Results:

Health-care costs were significantly higher for employees at higher risk for blood glucose, obesity, stress, depression, and physical inactivity (all at P < .0001) than for those at lower risk. Similar cost differentials were found when specific health-care services were examined.

Conclusion:

Employers may achieve cost savings in the short run by implementing comprehensive health promotion programs that focus on decreasing multiple health risks.
How can we facilitate online disclosure of safeguarding concerns in under 18s to support transition from online to face-to-face care?
Authors: Sullivan Verity , de Sa Joia , Hamlyn Elizabeth , Baraitser Paula
Published: April 2020

Sexual health services (SHSs) routinely screen service users aged 17 years and under for safeguarding concerns and provide support after disclosure. SHSs are increasingly available online to 16–17 year olds. However, evidence is limited on translation of established face-to-face safeguarding procedures to online services, challenging service innovation. We aimed to establish factors that would encourage users to disclose a safeguarding concern online and facilitate appropriate response. Four semi-structured interviews were completed by young people (YP) aged 16–21 years ( n = 2) and safeguarding experts ( n = 2). These complemented a workshop attended by YP aged 16–18 years ( n = 7) and key stakeholders ( n = 9), both exploring factors that would encourage or inhibit disclosure. Results were analysed using matrix-based ‘framework’ approach. Four key themes emerged: (1) YP lack understanding about ‘normal’ sexual relationships and may not know they are being exploited. (2) Confidentiality is a key concern and clarification around limitations of confidentiality and consequences of disclosure are required. (3) YP feel online services may be convenient and avoid embarrassment, providing control, but fear online disclosure might set off an uncontrollable chain of events. (4) After disclosure, YP want certainty of help. To facilitate online disclosure, we recommend SHSs provide: (1) Information to assist YP to recognise concerns. (2) Clarification that confidentiality cannot be assured. (3) Transparency about processes following disclosure. (4) Examples of the benefits of disclosure. Further collaborative work to test and refine improvements are required.
Effects of chemical modification on the performance evaluation of photoinitiated, dispersion-polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-co-vinylbenzyl chloride) microsphere
Authors: Abdullah Norhayati , Mahmod Rabiatul A. , Jusoh Rohayu , Beg Mohammad Dalour Hossent , Islam Muhammad Remanul
Published: April 2020

Poly(methyl methacrylate- co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate- co-vinylbenzyl chloride) microsphere was prepared by dispersion polymerization, initiated by light using water/ethanol mixture. The sulfonated hypercrosslinked (HXL) polymer resin was synthesized via three stages, namely, precursor synthesis (photoinitiated dispersion polymerization), post-polymerization after hypercrosslinking reaction, and post-polymerization before hypercrosslinking reaction. The optimized precursor was functionalized before the hypercrosslinking reaction to investigate its ion-exchange capacity, specific surface area (SSA), morphology, and thermal stability. Post-polymerization after hypercrosslinking reaction showed that the chlorine content and SSA are higher than post-polymerization before hypercrosslinking reaction. HXL reaction took place using Friedel–Crafts alkylation with the aid of FeCl3 catalyst. Lewis acid (FeCl3) also played a significant role which contributed to high SSA of the HXL polymer. The particles produced from photoinitiated dispersion polymerization have advantages and could be used in solid-phase extraction, drug delivery, and high-performance liquid chromatography.
Racially derogatory cartoons and racial vilif ication laws: Where to draw the line?
Authors: Swannie Bill
Published: April 2020

This article examines whether racially derogatory cartoons are capable of infringing Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). In particular, it examines the exemption of ‘artistic work’ in section 18D, which depends on the artistic work being published ‘reasonably’. Courts have struggled to apply the concept of ‘reasonableness’ to cartoons, noting that cartoons are exaggerated by their nature and that they often convey political messages.
The 4 D’s of Pellagra and Progress
Authors: Williams Adrian C , Hill Lisa J
Published: April 2020

Nicotinamide homeostasis is a candidate common denominator to explain smooth transitions, whether demographic, epidemiological or economic. This ‘NAD world’, dependent on hydrogen-based energy, is not widely recognised as it is neither measured nor viewed from a sufficiently multi-genomic or historical perspective. Reviewing the importance of meat and nicotinamide balances during our co-evolution, recent history suggests that populations only modernise and age well with low fertility on a suitably balanced diet. Imbalances on the low meat side lead to an excess of infectious disease, short lives and boom-bust demographics. On the high side, meat has led to an excess of degenerative, allergic and metabolic disease and low fertility. A ‘Goldilocks’ diet derived from mixed and sustainable farming (preserving the topsoil) allows for high intellectual capital, height and good health with controlled population growth resulting in economic growth and prosperity. Implementing meat equity worldwide could lead to progress for future generations on ‘spaceship’ earth by establishing control over population quality, thermostat and biodiversity, if it is not already too late.
Acute cardiotoxicity associated with alemtuzumab infusion for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ahrabian Dariush , Neill Lorna , Bell Robert , Leary Siobhan M
Published: April 2020

Alemtuzumab infusion is rarely associated with serious cardiac toxicity. We report a case of acute troponin-negative chest pain with dynamic T-wave changes, immediately following first infusion of alemtuzumab in a patient with multiple sclerosis. The chest pain and ECG (electrocardiogram) changes improved with cessation of alemtuzumab and conservative management. The presumed cause was infusion-associated cytokine release, but the precise mechanism is unknown.
Relationship of economic development, family income and health status in China: The moderating role of environmental pollution perception
Authors: Chen Lijuan , Fan Youqing , Guo Wei
Published: April 2020

Based on the matched data set of the 2013 Chinese General Social Survey and the gross domestic product per capita data extracted from China Statistical Yearbook 2013, this study used hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation models to examine whether environmental pollution perception would moderate the association between economic development and health status. Results revealed that economic development had a mediating effect via family income on health status. A moderated actor effect showed higher level of pollution perception weakens the relationship between family income and health status. Our findings suggested that appropriate environmental regulations should be implemented to sustain healthy economic growth in China.
Social Capital’s Impact on College Graduation Rates, Debt, and Student Loan Defaults
Authors: Joanis Steve , Burnley James , Mohundro J. D.
Published: April 2020

This study extends the literature on education economics and student retention by examining social capital as a predictor of college graduation rates, student debt levels, and student loan default rates. Coleman’s social capital theory is employed to understand how social influences can impact students through external social support (i.e., social capital). The study uses school-level data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and two social capital measures. Results suggest that social capital, at both the state and the community level, significantly influences graduation rates, student debt levels, and loan default rates. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Time-dependent three-dimensional Oldroyd-B nanofluid flow due to bidirectional movement of surface with zero mass flux
Authors: Ahmad Manzoor , Shehzad Sabir Ali , Iqbal Asif , Taj Muhammad
Published: April 2020

Unsteady three-dimensional flow of an incompressible Oldroyd-B nanomaterial is reported in this article. The origin of flow is time-dependent surface spreading in lateral directions transversely taking nanoparticles with zero mass flux. The formulated partial differential system is reframed by similarity variables into ordinary differential system. The obtained system is solved by the process of homotopy analysis for dimensional temperature and concentration of nanoparticles. Physical parameter behavior on temperature and concentrations of nanoparticles is examined using graph and tabular data. The surface temperature is also measured and evaluated, and it is found that the temperature is reduced for greater unsteadiness parameter values. We found that the higher [Formula: see text] enhances the curves of nanoparticle concentration and temperature while these curves retard for the incrementing values of [Formula: see text] The increasing nature of Brownian movement [Formula: see text] and Lewis number Le corresponds to lower profiles of nanoparticles concentration.
Synchronous detection of vascular tension and nitric oxide release in pulmonary artery: A combined application of confocal wire myograph with confocal laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Zhuang Xiao-Ling , Zhu Zhuang-Li , Zhu Jie-Ling , Lai Su-Mei , Gui Long-Xin , Lin Mo-Jun
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To detect the vascular tension and nitric oxide (NO) release synchronously in mice pulmonary artery, we perform two experiments and present a novel application of confocal wire myograph coupled with the confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Methods

In the first experiment, viable endothelium-intact mouse pulmonary artery (outer diameter 100–300 μM) rings underwent a one-hour preincubation with a NO-specific fluorescent dye, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein diacetate Calbiochem (2.5 μM), and then precontracted with phenylephrine (Phen, 10−6 M), and subsequently dilated in acetylcholine (ACh, 10−6 M – 10−4 M). The endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and NO generation in pulmonary artery rings were simultaneously recorded. In the second experiment, after 30-min incubation with the former NO fluorescent dye, the qualified pulmonary artery rings were co-incubated for another 30 min with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 10−4 M Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME), and then pretreated with Phen (10−6 M) followed by ACh (10−5 M). The Ach-induced vasodilation and NO release were recorded simultaneously.

Results

ACh (10−6 M – 10−4 M) promoted pulmonary artery relaxation and intracellular NO release in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, L-NAME (10−4 M) significantly attenuated the vasodilatation and the intracellular NO release.

Conclusions

This combined application visually confirms that the synchronous changes in Ach induced vasodilation and NO release, which provides a new method for cardiovascular research.
Educational assessment of the major lower limb amputations videos on YouTube
Authors: Yammine Kaissar , Assi Chahine
Published: April 2020

Objective

Videos of surgical procedures are viewed by some as potential training resources for surgeons and residents. However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of surgical videos on learning and understanding complex three-dimensional surgical procedures. Lower extremity amputation is a complex surgery, and many residents and surgeons have low exposure to this type of procedures. This paper investigates the educational quality of lower extremity amputation videos posted on YouTube.

Methods

The search was limited to the first 100 videos. Full-length videos of any major lower limb amputation or disarticulation were included. Key basic video data such as title, YouTube address (http://), country of origin, channel source, uploading date, video duration time, number of views, number of up-voters and number of down-voters were collected. An educational assessment tool has been developed specifically for limb amputations. It consists in 11 items: three general and eight amputation-specific, each having a maximum score of 2.

Results

In total, 13 videos met the inclusion criteria for final analysis. Four videos reported the surgical technique of above knee amputation, two reported that of knee disarticulation and the remaining seven videos described below knee amputation. The average score (±SD) was 12.77 ± 5.2 yielding an average grade close to “Fair.” A high level of concordance was found between the two assessors ( κ = 0.79). No correlation was found between educational assessment tool score and the pre-set variables (r = 0.6, R2 = 35.4%, F = 1.09, P = 0.4).

Conclusions

Most videos describing lower extremity amputation techniques were found to be of low-to-moderate quality. Only 4 out of 13 (30.7%) had an excellent educational and technical quality. Surgeons and surgical residents should be aware that not all posted videos on YouTube are beneficial. High educational quality videos are needed since many surgeons and residents have a low exposure to such surgeries.
User online behavior based on big data distributed clustering algorithm
Authors: Wang Yan
Published: April 2020

With the development of big data technology more and more perfect, many colleges and universities have begun to use it to analyze the construction work. In daily life, such as class, study, and entertainment, the campus network exists. The purpose of this article is to study the online behavior of users, analyze students’ use of the campus network by analyzing students, and not only have a clear understanding of the students’ online access but also feedback on the operation and maintenance of the campus network. Based on the big data, this article uses distributed clustering algorithm to study the online behavior of users. This article selects a college online user as the research object and studies and analyzes the online behavior of school users. This study found that the second-year student network usage is as high as 330,000, which is 60.98% more than the senior. In addition, the majority of student users spend most of their online time on the weekend, and the other time is not much different. The duration is concentrated within 1 h, 1–2 h, 2–3 h in these three time periods. By studying the user’s online behavior, you can understand the utilization rate of the campus network bandwidth resources and the distribution of the use of the network, to prevent students from indulging in the virtual network world, and to ensure that the network users can improve the online experience of the campus network while accessing the network resources reasonably. The research provides a reference for network administrators to adjust network bandwidth and optimize the network.
Path planning for unmanned surface vehicle based on predictive artificial potential field
Authors: Song Jia , Hao Ce , Su Jiangcheng
Published: April 2020

The path planning for high-speed unmanned surface vehicle raises more complicated requirements to reduce sailing time and save energy. In this article, a new predictive artificial potential field is proposed using time information and predictive potential to plan a smoother path. The principle of artificial potential field with vehicle dynamics and reachability in local minimum is studied. According to global and local path planning, the most state-of-the-art traditional artificial potential field and its drawback are analysed at first. Then we proposed predictive artificial potential field with three modifications: angle limit, velocity adjustment and predictive potential to improve the feasibility and flatness of the generated path. In addition, we compare the performance between traditional artificial potential field and predictive artificial potential field, where predictive artificial potential field successfully restricts the maximum turning angle, cuts short sailing time and intelligently avoids obstacle. From the simulation results, we also verify that predictive artificial potential field can solve concave local minimum problem and enhance the reachability in special scenario. Therefore, the more reasonable path generated by predictive artificial potential field reduces sailing time and helps conserve more energy for unmanned surface vehicle.
Wheat Bran Intake Enhances the Secretion of Bacteria-Binding IgA in a Lumen of the Intestinal Tract by Incrementing Short Chain Fatty Acid Production Through Modulation of Gut Microbiota
Authors: Matsuzaki Konosuke , Iwai Katsuki , Yoshikawa Yuko , Shimamura Yuko , Miyoshi Noriyuki , Hiramoto Shigeru , Asada Kenichi , Fukutomi Ryuuta , Su Hongru , Ohashi Norio
Published: April 2020

Wheat bran, a by-product generated in large amounts during wheat processing, consists of 36.5% to 52.4% total dietary fiber. In this study, we investigated the effects of wheat bran intake on the intestinal tract immune system through the modulation of gut microbiota. Balb/c mice were fed with AIN-93G diets containing wheat bran with 2 different particle sizes (average particle size of 53 µm: powdered wheat bran; PWB, and 350 µm: granulated wheat bran; WB) as dietary fibers for 4 weeks. In the wheat bran intake groups, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs: acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) in the feces were increased after the intake of both particle-size diets, especially in the PWB group, in which the increase occurred immediately. 16S rRNA-based metagenomics of the fecal microbiota revealed that the Shannon Index (α-diversity) and weighted UniFrac distances (β-diversity) in wheat bran intake groups were significantly higher than those in the Control group, and the ratio of the certain family within the order Clostridiales in the fecal microbiota was increased after wheat bran intake, probably some including SCFA-producing bacteria. CXCR5, which is a key surface marker expressed on T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, tended to increase at the expression level in wheat bran intake groups. In addition, the amounts of secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) and the proportion of IgA-binding bacteria in the feces from wheat bran intake groups were significantly higher than those from the Control group. These findings suggest that wheat bran may enhance Tfh-mediated IgA production in the intestine by SCFA increment through the modulation of gut microbiota and is expected to maintain and improve a healthy intestinal environment.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Authors: Hammond Stephanie , Phillips Jennan
Published: April 2020

Once considered a harmless alternative to smoking tobacco, e-cigarettes are now a public health threat. Occupational health nurses should recommend workers avoid using e-cigarettes and vaping unless suggested by their doctor for smoking cessation purposes.
Social Activism amid Multiple Identities: Christians in Hong Kong
Authors: McGill Jenny , Kuen Ip Kim , Chiu Jeffrey , Mui Timotheus
Published: April 2020

This article considers how church-state relations have affected the political and social activism of Christians in Hong Kong. It examines how Hong Kong Christians are contesting their identities and levels of activism amid shifting state and cultural views and restrictions. This process illustrates the negotiation of the national, ethnic, and religious identities of Hong Kong Christians. Written by a diverse mix of authors (varying by gender, citizenship, experience, and profession), this article reflects an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural view of the current identity challenges that Hong Kong Christians face.
Mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 is necessary for AML survival
Authors: Khan Dilshad H. , Mullokandov Michael , Wu Yan , Voisin Veronique , Gronda Marcela , Hurren Rose , Wang Xiaoming , MacLean Neil , Jeyaraju Danny V. , Jitkova Yulia , Xu G. Wei , Laister Rob , Seneviratne Ayesh , Blatman Zachary M. , Ketela Troy , Bader Gary D. , Marhon Sajid A. , De Carvalho Daniel D. , Minden Mark D. , Gross Atan , Schimmer Aaron D.
Published: April 2020

Through a clustered regularly insterspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) screen to identify mitochondrial genes necessary for the growth of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, we identified the mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2). In AML, knockdown of MTCH2 decreased growth, reduced engraftment potential of stem cells, and induced differentiation. Inhibiting MTCH2 in AML cells increased nuclear pyruvate and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), which induced histone acetylation and subsequently promoted the differentiation of AML cells. Thus, we have defined a new mechanism by which mitochondria and metabolism regulate AML stem cells and gene expression.
The HRI-regulated transcription factor ATF4 activates BCL11A transcription to silence fetal hemoglobin expression
Authors: Huang Peng , Peslak Scott A. , Lan Xianjiang , Khandros Eugene , Yano Jennifer A. , Sharma Malini , Keller Cheryl A. , Giardine Belinda , Qin Kunhua , Abdulmalik Osheiza , Hardison Ross C. , Shi Junwei , Blobel Gerd A.
Published: April 2020

Reactivation of fetal hemoglobin remains a critical goal in the treatment of patients with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. Previously, we discovered that silencing of the fetal γ-globin gene requires the erythroid-specific eIF2α kinase heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), suggesting that HRI might present a pharmacologic target for raising fetal hemoglobin levels. Here, via a CRISPR-Cas9–guided loss-of-function screen in human erythroblasts, we identify transcription factor ATF4, a known HRI-regulated protein, as a novel γ-globin regulator. ATF4 directly stimulates transcription of BCL11A, a repressor of γ-globin transcription, by binding to its enhancer and fostering enhancer-promoter contacts. Notably, HRI-deficient mice display normal Bcl11a levels, suggesting species-selective regulation, which we explain here by demonstrating that the analogous ATF4 motif at the murine Bcl11a enhancer is largely dispensable. Our studies uncover a linear signaling pathway from HRI to ATF4 to BCL11A to γ-globin and illustrate potential limits of murine models of globin gene regulation.
PATCHing platelet data to improve transfusion
Authors: Gehrie Eric A. , Tobian Aaron A. R.
Published: April 2020

The Platelet Transfusion in Cerebral Hemorrhage (PATCH) trial, a trial of platelet transfusion in patients on antiplatelet agents with cerebral hemorrhage, suggested that platelets worsened outcomes. Reanalysis of the data by the investigators revealed that despite randomization, some, if not all, of the adverse effects of platelets reflected worse baseline hemorrhage in patients in the platelet arm.
Experimental dyspnoea interferes with locomotion and cognition: a randomised trial
Authors: Lawi David , Dupuis-Lozeron Elise , Berra Gregory , Allali Gilles , Similowski Thomas , Adler Dan
Published: April 2020

Background

Chronic respiratory diseases are associated with cognitive dysfunction, but whether dyspnoea by itself negatively impacts on cognition has not been demonstrated. Cortical networks engaged in subjects experiencing dyspnoea are also activated during other tasks that require cognitive input and this may provoke a negative impact through interference with each other.

Methods

This randomised, crossover trial investigated whether experimentally-induced dyspnoea would negatively impact on locomotion and cognitive function among 40 healthy adults. Crossover conditions were unloaded breathing or loaded breathing using an inspiratory threshold load. To evaluate locomotion, participants were assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Cognitive function was assessed by categorical and phonemic verbal fluency tests, the Trail Making Tests (TMTs) A and B (executive function), the CODE test from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-IV (processing speed) and by direct and indirect digit span (working memory).

Results

The mean time difference to perform the TUG test between unloaded and loaded breathing was −0.752 s (95% CI −1.012 to −0.492 s) (p<0.001). Executive function, processing speed and working memory performed better during unloaded breathing, particularly for subjects starting first with the loaded breathing condition.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that respiratory threshold loading to elicit dyspnoea had a major impact on locomotion and cognitive function in healthy adults.
Air pollution and the development of asthma from birth until young adulthood
Authors: Gehring Ulrike , Wijga Alet H. , Koppelman Gerard H. , Vonk Judith M. , Smit Henriette A. , Brunekreef Bert
Published: April 2020

Background

Air pollution is associated with asthma development in children and adults, but the impact on asthma development during the transition from adolescence to adulthood is unclear. Adult studies lack historical exposures and consequently cannot assess the relevance of exposure during different periods of life. We assessed the relevance of early-life and more recent air pollution exposure for asthma development from birth until early adulthood.

Methods

We used data of 3687 participants of the prospective Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort and linked asthma incidence until age 20 years to estimated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), <10 μm (PM10), and 2.5–10 μm, and PM2.5absorbance (“soot”) at the residential address. We assessed overall and age-specific associations with air pollution exposure with discrete time-hazard models, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Overall, we found higher incidence of asthma until the age of 20 years with higher exposure to all pollutants at the birth address (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) ranging from 1.09 (1.01–1.18) for PM10to 1.20 (1.10–1.32) for NO2) per interquartile range increase) that were rather persistent with age. Similar associations were observed with more recent exposure defined as exposure at the current home address. In two-pollutant models with particulate matter, associations with NO2persisted.

Conclusions

Exposure to air pollution, especially from motorised traffic, early in life may have long-term consequences for asthma development, as it is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma through childhood and adolescence into early adulthood.
Hierarchical discovery of large-scale and focal copy number alterations in low-coverage cancer genomes
Authors: Khalil Ahmed Ibrahim Samir , Khyriem Costerwell , Chattopadhyay Anupam , Sanyal Amartya
Published: April 2020

Background

Detection of DNA copy number alterations (CNAs) is critical to understand genetic diversity, genome evolution and pathological conditions such as cancer. Cancer genomes are plagued with widespread multi-level structural aberrations of chromosomes that pose challenges to discover CNAs of different length scales, and distinct biological origins and functions. Although several computational tools are available to identify CNAs using read depth (RD) signal, they fail to distinguish between large-scale and focal alterations due to inaccurate modeling of the RD signal of cancer genomes. Additionally, RD signal is affected by overdispersion-driven biases at low coverage, which significantly inflate false detection of CNA regions.

Results

We have developed CNAtra framework to hierarchically discover and classify ‘large-scale’ and ‘focal’ copy number gain/loss from a single whole-genome sequencing (WGS) sample. CNAtra first utilizes a multimodal-based distribution to estimate the copy number (CN) reference from the complex RD profile of the cancer genome. We implemented Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter and Modified Varri segmentation to capture the change points of the RD signal. We then developed a CN state-driven merging algorithm to identify the large segments with distinct copy numbers. Next, we identified focal alterations in each large segment using coverage-based thresholding to mitigate the adverse effects of signal variations. Using cancer cell lines and patient datasets, we confirmed CNAtra’s ability to detect and distinguish the segmental aneuploidies and focal alterations. We used realistic simulated data for benchmarking the performance of CNAtra against other single-sample detection tools, where we artificially introduced CNAs in the original cancer profiles. We found that CNAtra is superior in terms of precision, recall and f-measure. CNAtra shows the highest sensitivity of 93 and 97% for detecting large-scale and focal alterations respectively. Visual inspection of CNAs revealed that CNAtra is the most robust detection tool for low-coverage cancer data.

Conclusions

CNAtra is a single-sample CNA detection tool that provides an analytical and visualization framework for CNA profiling without relying on any reference control. It can detect chromosome-level segmental aneuploidies and high-confidence focal alterations, even from low-coverage data. CNAtra is an open-source software implemented in MATLAB®. It is freely available athttps://github.com/AISKhalil/CNAtra.
Correction to: The International Conference on Intelligent Biology and Medicine (ICIBM) 2019: bioinformatics methods and applications for human diseases
Authors: Zhao Zhongming , Dai Yulin , Zhang Chi , Mathé Ewy , Wei Lai , Wang Kai
Published: April 2020

After publication of this supplement article [1], it is requested the grant ID in the Funding section should be corrected from NSF grant IIS-7811367 to NSF grant IIS-1902617. Therefore, the correct ‘Funding’ section in this article should read: We thank the National Science Foundation (NSF grant IIS-1902617) for the financial support of ICIBM 2019. This article has not received sponsorship for publication.
A practical staging atlas to study embryonic development of Octopus vulgaris under controlled laboratory conditions
Authors: Deryckere Astrid , Styfhals Ruth , Vidal Erica A. G. , Almansa Eduardo , Seuntjens Eve
Published: April 2020

Background

Octopus vulgaris has been an iconic cephalopod species for neurobiology research as well as for cephalopod aquaculture. It is one of the most intelligent and well-studied invertebrates, possessing both long- and short-term memory and the striking ability to perform complex cognitive tasks. Nevertheless, how the common octopus developed these uncommon features remains enigmatic. O. vulgaris females spawn thousands of small eggs and remain with their clutch during their entire development, cleaning, venting and protecting the eggs. In fact, eggs incubated without females usually do not develop normally, mainly due to biological contamination (fungi, bacteria, etc.). This high level of parental care might have hampered laboratory research on the embryonic development of this intriguing cephalopod.

Results

Here, we present a completely parameter-controlled artificial seawater standalone egg incubation system that replaces maternal care and allows successful embryonic development of a small-egged octopus species until hatching in a laboratory environment. We also provide a practical and detailed staging atlas based on bright-field and light sheet fluorescence microscopy imaging for precise monitoring of embryonic development. The atlas has a comparative section to benchmark stages to the different scales published by Naef (1928), Arnold (1965) and Boletzky (2016). Finally, we provide methods to monitor health and wellbeing of embryos during organogenesis.

Conclusion

Besides introducing the study of O. vulgaris embryonic development to a wider community, this work can be a high-quality reference for comparative evolutionary developmental biology.
Ionizing radiation modulates the phenotype and function of human CD4+ induced regulatory T cells
Authors: Beauford Samantha S. , Kumari Anita , Garnett-Benson Charlie
Published: April 2020

Background

The use of immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of advanced cancer is rapidly increasing. Most immunotherapies rely on induction of CD8+ tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells that are capable of directly killing cancer cells. Tumors, however, utilize a variety of mechanisms that can suppress anti-tumor immunity. CD4+ regulatory T cells can directly inhibit cytotoxic T cell activity and these cells can be recruited, or induced, by cancer cells allowing escape from immune attack. The use of ionizing radiation as a treatment for cancer has been shown to enhance anti-tumor immunity by several mechanisms including immunogenic tumor cell death and phenotypic modulation of tumor cells. Less is known about the impact of radiation directly on suppressive regulatory T cells. In this study we investigate the direct effect of radiation on human TREG viability, phenotype, and suppressive activity.

Results

Both natural and TGF-β1-induced CD4+ TREG cells exhibited increased resistance to radiation (10 Gy) as compared to CD4+ conventional T cells. Treatment, however, decreased Foxp3 expression in natural and induced TREG cells and the reduction was more robust in induced TREGS. Radiation also modulated the expression of signature iTREG molecules, inducing increased expression of LAG-3 and decreased expression of CD25 and CTLA-4. Despite the disconcordant modulation of suppressive molecules, irradiated iTREGS exhibited a reduced capacity to suppress the proliferation of CD8+ T cells.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that while human TREG cells are more resistant to radiation-induced death, treatment causes downregulation of Foxp3 expression, as well as modulation in the expression of TREG signature molecules associated with suppressive activity. Functionally, irradiated TGF-β1-induced TREGS were less effective at inhibiting CD8+ T cell proliferation. These data suggest that doses of radiotherapy in the hypofractionated range could be utilized to effectively target and reduce TREG activity, particularly when used in combination with cancer immunotherapies.