bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel culture method to diagnose fungal infections with biopsy tissues
Authors: Zhao Jiankang , Zhang Yulin , Fan Yanyan , Xiong Zhujia , Xia Yudi , Zou Xiaohui , Han Jiajing , Li Binbin , Wang Chunlei , Liu Xinmeng , Lu Binghuai , Cao Bin
Published: January 2020

Biopsy tissue is a difficult sample to gain for the identification of potential pathogen in the clinical laboratory. At present, there are no effective culture methods for small-sized biopsy tissue. In this study, we propose a novel tissue biopsy culture method based on Myco/F lytic liquid culture system, namely, tissue was grinded before injected into culture bottles. More types and numbers of fungi are cultivated using this culture system than sputum or BALF culture. A few of mycobacteria were also detected with ground tissues. The method may be a promising alternative to or supplement for the traditional plate culture in clinical practice.
MRCA time and epidemic dynamics of the 2019 novel coronavirus
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wang Mei
Published: January 2020

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) have emerged from Wuhan, China. Studying the epidemic dynamics is crucial for further surveillance and control of the outbreak. We employed a Bayesian framework to infer the time-calibrated phylogeny and the epidemic dynamics represented by the effective reproductive number (Re) changing over time from 33 genomic sequences available from GISAID. The time of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) was December 17, 2019 (95% HPD: December 7, 2019 – December 23, 2019). The median estimate ofReshifted from 1.6 to 1.1 on around January 1, 2020. This study provides an early insight of the 2019-nCoV epidemic. However, due to limited amount of data, one should be cautious when interpreting the results at this stage.
A critical role for Musashi in photoreceptor morphogenesis and Vision
Authors: Sundar Jesse , Matalkah Fatimah , Jeong Bohye , Stoilov Peter , Ramamurthy Visvanathan
Published: January 2020

Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins are known for their role in stem-cell renewal and are negative regulators of cell differentiation. Interestingly, in the retina, Musashi proteins, MSI1 and MSI2 are differentially expressed throughout the cycle of retinal development including robust expression in the adult retinal tissue. To study the role of Musashi proteins in the retina, we generated a pan-retinal and rod photoreceptor neuron specific conditional knockout mouse lacking MSI1 and MSI2. Independent of sex, photoreceptor neurons with simultaneous deletion of Msi1 and Msi2 were unable to respond to light and displayed severely disrupted OS morphology and ciliary defects. The retina lacking Musashi exhibited neuronal degeneration with complete loss of photoreceptors by six months. In concordance with our earlier studies that proposed a role for Musashi in regulating alternative splicing, the loss of Musashi prevented the use of photoreceptor-specific exons in transcripts critical for OS morphogenesis, ciliogenesis and synaptic transmission. Overall, we demonstrate a critical role for Musashi in the morphogenesis of terminally differentiated photoreceptor neurons. This role is in stark contrast with the canonical function of these two proteins in maintenance and renewal of stem cells.
GS-Preprocess: Containerized GUIDE-seq Data Analysis Tools with Diverse Sequencer Compatibility
Authors: Rodríguez Tomás C. , Pratt Henry E. , Liu PengPeng , Amrani Nadia , Zhu Lihua Julie
Published: January 2020

RNA-guided nucleases (e.g. CRISPR-Cas) are used in a breadth of clinical and basic scientific subfields for the investigation or modification of biological processes. While these modern platforms for site-specific DNA cleavage are highly accurate, some applications (e.g. gene editing therapeutics) cannot tolerate DNA breaks at off-target sites, even at low levels. Thus, it is critically important to determine the genome-wide targeting profile of candidate RNA-guided nucleases prior to use. GUIDE-seq is a high-quality, easy-to-execute molecular method that detects and quantifies off-target cleavage. However, this method may remain costly or inaccessible to some researchers due to its library sequencing and analysis protocols, which require a MiSeq platform that must be preprogramed for non-standard output. Here, we present GS-Preprocess, an open-source containerized software that can use standard raw data output (BCL file format) from any Illumina sequencer to create input for the Bioconductor GUIDEseq off-target profiling package. Single-command GS-Preprocess performs FASTQ demultiplexing, adapter trimming, alignment, and UMI reference construction, improving the ease and accessibility of the GUIDE-seq method for a wide range of researchers.
The role of vegetative cell fusions in the lifestyle of the wheat fungal pathogenZymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Francisco Carolina Sardinha , Zwyssig Maria Manuela , Palma-Guerrero Javier
Published: January 2020

The ability of fungal cells to undergo cell fusion allows them to maximize their overall fitness. In this study, we characterized the role of thesogene orthologous inZymoseptoria triticiand the biological contribution of vegetative cell fusions in the lifestyle of this latent necrotrophic fungus. Firstly, we show thatZ. triticiundergoes self-fusion between distinct cellular structures and its mechanism is dependent on the initial cell density. Next, the deletion ofZtSoresulted in the loss of cell-to-cell communication affecting both hyphal and germlings fusion. We show thatZ. triticimutants for MAP kinase-encodingZtSlt2(orthologous MAK-1) andZtFus3(orthologous MAK-2) genes also fail to undergo self-stimulation and self-fusion, demonstrating the functional conservation of this signaling mechanism across species. Additionally, theΔZtSomutant was severely impaired in melanization, which leads us to identify a trade-off between fungal growth and melanization. Though it has been proposed that So is a scaffold protein for MAP kinase genes from the CWI pathway, its deletion did not affect the cell wall integrity of the fungus. Finally, we demonstrated that anastomose is dispensable for pathogenicity, but essential for the fruiting body development and its absence abolish the asexual reproduction ofZ. tritici. Taken together, our data show thatZtSois required for fungal development, while vegetative cell fusions are essential for fungal fitness.
Terminating contamination: large-scale search identifies more than 2,000,000 contaminated entries in GenBank
Authors: Steinegger Martin , Salzberg Steven L
Published: January 2020

Metagenomic sequencing allows researchers to investigate organisms sampled from their native environments by sequencing their DNA directly, and then quantifying the abundance and taxonomic composition of the organisms thus captured. However, these types of analyses are sensitive to contamination in public databases caused by incorrectly labeled reference sequences. Here we describe Conterminator, an efficient method to detect and remove incorrectly labelled sequences by an exhaustive all-against-all sequence comparison. Our analysis reports contamination in 114,035 sequences and 2767 species in the NCBI Reference Sequence Database (RefSeq), 2,161,746 sequences and 6795 species in the GenBank database, and 14,132 protein sequences in the NR non-redundant protein database. Conterminator uncovers contamination in sequences spanning the whole range from draft genomes to “complete” model organism genomes. Our method, which scales linearly with input size, was able to process 3.3 terabytes of genomic sequence data in 12 days on a single 32-core compute node. We believe that Conterminator can become an important tool to ensure the quality of reference databases with particular importance for downstream metagenomic analyses. Source code (GPLv3):https://github.com/martin-steinegger/conterminator
Nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform bridges 4-D chromatin organization with molecular function
Authors: Li Yue , Eshein Adam , Virk Ranya K.A. , Eid Aya , Wu Wenli , Frederick Jane , VanDerway David , Gladstein Scott , Huang Kai , Anthony Nicholas M. , Bauer Greta M. , Zhou Xiang , Agrawal Vasundhara , Pujadas Emily M. , Esteve George , Chandler John E. , Bleher Reiner , de Pablo Juan J. , Szleifer Igal , Dravid Vinayak P , Almassalha Luay M. , Backman Vadim
Published: January 2020

In eukaryotic cells, chromatin structure is linked to transcription processes through the regulation of genome organization. Extending across multiple length-scales - from the nucleosome to higher-order three-dimensional structures - chromatin is a dynamic system which evolves throughout the lifetime of a cell. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate the behavior of chromatin organization and its relation to molecular function at all length- and timescales at both a single-cell and a cell population level. Herein, we present a multi-technique nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that bridges electron tomography and optical superresolution imaging of chromatin conformation and transcriptional processes, with resolution down to the level of individual nucleosomes, with high-throughput, label-free analysis of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Utilizing nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nm, sub-Mb genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains is directly influenced by active gene transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the chromatin packing domain structure is correlated among progenitor cells and all their progeny, indicating that the organization of chromatin into fractal packing domains is heritable across cell division. Further studies employing the nano-ChIA platform have the potential to provide a more coherent picture of chromatin structure and its relation to molecular function.
How Many Streamlines are Required for Reliable Probabilistic Tractography? Solutions for Microstructural Measurements and Neurosurgical Planning
Authors: Reid Lee B. , Cespedes Marcela I. , Pannek Kerstin
Published: January 2020

Diffusion MRI tractography is commonly used to delineate white matter tracts. These delineations can be used for planning neurosurgery or for identifying regions of interest from which microstructural measurements can be taken. Probabilistic tractography produces different delineations each time it is run, potentially leading to microstructural measurements or anatomical delineations that are not reproducible. Generating a sufficiently large number of streamlines is required to avoid this scenario, but what constitutes “sufficient” is difficult to assess and so streamline counts are typically chosen in an arbitrary or qualitative manner. This work explores several factors influencing tractography reliability and details two methods for estimating this reliability. The first method automatically estimates the number of streamlines required to achieve reliable microstructural measurements, whilst the second estimates the number of streamlines required to achieve a reliable binarised trackmap than can be used clinically. Using these methods, we calculated the number of streamlines required to achieve a range of quantitative reproducibility criteria for three anatomical tracts in 40 Human Connectome Project datasets. Actual reproducibility was checked by repeatedly generating the tractograms with the calculated numbers of streamlines. We found that the required number of streamlines varied strongly by anatomical tract, image resolution, number of diffusion directions, the degree of reliability desired, the microstructural measurement of interest, and/or the specifics on how the tractogram was converted to a binary volume. The proposed methods consistently predicted streamline counts that achieved the target reproducibility. Implementations are made available to enable the scientific community to more-easily achieve reproducible tractography.
Purine-responsive expression of theLeishmania donovaniNT3 purine nucleobase transporter is mediated by a conserved RNA stem-loop
Authors: Licon M. Haley , Yates Phillip A.
Published: January 2020

The ability to modulate gene expression in response to changes in the host environment is essential for survival of the kinetoplastid parasiteLeishmania. Unlike most eukaryotes, gene expression in kinetoplastids is predominately regulated post-transcriptionally. Consequently, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and mRNA-encoded sequence elements serve as primary determinants of gene regulation in these organisms; however, few have been ascribed roles in specific stress-response pathways.Leishmanialack the capacity forde novopurine synthesis and must scavenge these essential nutrients from the host.Leishmaniahave evolved a robust stress response to withstand sustained periods of purine scarcity during their lifecycle. The purine nucleobase transporter, LdNT3, is among the most substantially upregulated proteins in purine-starvedL. donovani.Here we report that the post-translational stability of the LdNT3 protein is unchanged in response to purine starvation. Instead, LdNT3 upregulation is primarily mediated by a 33 nucleotide (nt) sequence in theLdNT3mRNA 3’-untranslated region that is predicted to adopt a stem-loop structure. While this sequence is highly conserved within the mRNAs of orthologous transporters in multiple kinetoplastid species, putative stem-loops fromL. donovaniandTrypanosoma bruceinucleobase transporter mRNAs are not functionally interchangeable for purine-responsive regulation. Through mutational analysis of the element, we demonstrate that species specificity is attributable to just three variant bases within the predicted loop. Finally, we provide evidence that the abundance of thetrans-acting factor that binds theLdNT3stem-loopin vivois substantially higher than required for regulation of LdNT3 alone, implying a potential role in regulating other purine-responsive genes.
Immune dysregulation in SHARPIN-deficient mice is dependent on CYLD-mediated cell death
Authors: Ang Rosalind L. , Sundberg John P. , Sun Shao-Cong , Gillespie Virginia L. , Heeger Peter S. , Xiong Huabao , Lira Sergio A. , Ting Adrian T.
Published: January 2020

SHARPIN, together with RNF31/HOIP and RBCK1/HOIL1, form the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) E3 ligase that catalyzes M1-linked poly-ubiquitination. Mutations inRNF31/HOIPandRBCK/HOIL1in humans andSharpinin mice lead to auto-inflammation and immunodeficiency but the mechanism underlying the immune dysregulation remains unclear. We now show that the phenotype of theSharpin-/-mice is dependent on CYLD, the deubiquitinase that removes K63-linked poly-ubiquitin chains. The dermatitis, disrupted splenic architecture, and loss of Peyer’s patches in theSharpin-/-mice were fully reversed inSharpin-/-Cyld-/-mice. There is enhanced association of RIPK1 with the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) following TNF stimulation inSharpin-/-cells, and this is dependent on CYLD since it is reversed inSharpin-/-Cyld-/-cells. Enhanced RIPK1 recruitment to the DISC inSharpin-/-cells correlated with impaired phosphorylation of CYLD at serine 418, a modification reported to inhibit its enzymatic activity. The dermatitis in theSharpin-/-mice was also ameliorated by the conditional deletion ofCyldusingLysM-creorCx3cr1-creindicating that CYLD-dependent death of myeloid cells is inflammatory. Our studies reveal that under physiological conditions, TNF- and RIPK1-dependent cell death is suppressed by the linear ubiquitin-dependent inhibition of CYLD. TheSharpin-/-phenotype illustrates the pathological consequences when CYLD inhibition fails.

Short Summary

In the absence of SHARPIN, cells fail to properly regulate the deubiquitinase CYLD, leading to RIPK1-mediated cell death. Deletion ofCyldreverses the sensitivity ofSharpin-/-cells to TNF-induced cell death, as well as the multi-organ inflammation and immune dysfunction observed inSharpin-/-mice.
K-space algorithmic reconstruction (KAREN): a robust statistical methodology to separate Bragg and diffuse scattering
Authors: Weng James , Dill Eric D. , Martin James D. , Whitfield Ross , Hoffmann Christina , Ye Feng
Published: January 2020

Diffuse scattering occurring in the Bragg diffraction pattern of a long-range-ordered structure represents local deviation from the governing regular lattice. However, interpreting the real-space structure from the diffraction pattern presents a significant challenge because of the dramatic difference in intensity between the Bragg and diffuse components of the total scattering function. In contrast to the sharp Bragg diffraction, the diffuse signal has generally been considered to be a weak expansive or continuous background signal. Herein, using 1D and 2D models, it is demonstrated that diffuse scattering in fact consists of a complex array of high-frequency features that must not be averaged into a low-frequency background signal. To evaluate the actual diffuse scattering effectively, an algorithm has been developed that uses robust statistics and traditional signal processing techniques to identify Bragg peaks as signal outliers which can be removed from the overall scattering data and then replaced by statistically valid fill values. This method, described as a `K-space algorithmic reconstruction' (KAREN), can identify Bragg reflections independent of prior knowledge of a system's unit cell. KAREN does not alter any data other than that in the immediate vicinity of the Bragg reflections, and reconstructs the diffuse component surrounding the Bragg peaks without introducing discontinuities which induce Fourier ripples or artifacts from underfilling `punched' voids. The KAREN algorithm for reconstructing diffuse scattering provides demonstrably better resolution than can be obtained from previously described punch-and-fill methods. The superior structural resolution obtained using the KAREN method is demonstrated by evaluating the complex ordered diffuse scattering observed from the neutron diffraction of a single plastic crystal of CBr4 using pair distribution function analysis.
Flattening filter for Gaussian-shaped monochromatic X-ray beams: an application to breast computed tomography
Authors: Donato Sandro , Arfelli Fulvia , Brombal Luca , Longo Renata , Pinto Andrea , Rigon Luigi , Dreossi Diego
Published: January 2020

The vertical intensity distribution of synchrotron-based X-ray beams usually has a Gaussian profile encompassing large intensity variations. For biomedical imaging applications this may entail sub-optimal dose distributions and large fluctuations in terms of image noise. Commonly, planar metallic filters coupled with absorbing slits systems are applied to adjust the delivered flux and to limit intensity variations, respectively. The latter results in a reduction of the effective beam size. A flattening filter that counterbalances the transverse inhomogeneity, while retaining a sufficient flux, has been developed in the context of a monochromatic phase-contrast breast computed tomography application, ongoing at the Elettra synchrotron facility. The implementation of the new filtration system results in homogeneous intensity (hence dose) distribution and signal-to-noise ratio across the imaged volume. Finally, and most importantly, it allows a wider portion of the beam to be used, directly translating into a major (∼40%) reduction of the overall scan time for samples requiring a field of view larger than the beam size (i.e. multiple translation steps).
The most dangerous employees in the workplace
Authors: Lilly Juliana
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to summarize the existing literature on workplace respect and to help explain how employees who feel excluded and disrespected at work may retaliate against the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough review of the literature was conducted. This review is prepared by an independent writer who adds her own impartial comments and places the studies in context.

Findings

Based on the findings of the studies reviewed, employees who feel disrespected at work may retaliate by complaining or withdrawing from work. The emotions and hurt feelings resulting from disrespectful behavior are often hard to articulate, and managers may not realize how hurtful their actions are to the employee. The paper offers suggestions on how organizations may reduce the potential damage by reflecting on their work environment that may be fueling employee negativity.

Originality/value

This briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Nonprofit branding: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sepulcri Lara Mendes Christ Bonella , Mainardes Emerson Wagner , Belchior Cícero Caldeira
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine articles on nonprofit branding over an 18-year time span to develop an overview and better understanding of the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the Scopus database in a search for studies that deal, regardless of the approach, with branding in a nonprofit context. Subsequently, through a systematic review, a database with 84 articles was generated and 77 articles were submitted to bibliometric analysis.

Findings

This study identified six main research areas (brand and donation, brand management, brand orientation, nonprofit and for-profit partnership, communication strategies and stakeholder management), which were analyzed and discussed, seeking to identify the relationship between research in each area. In addition, this study presents the limitations of the research and thus verify that, although this body of literature is growing, the complexity of the nonprofit sector offers several opportunities for future research, which are pointed out at the end of the study.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the academic literature on the topic by providing a systematization of knowledge about branding in the nonprofit sector and also offers insights about nonprofit branding to institutions and managers in this industry.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the authors’ knowledge, to evaluate and quantify the progress of brand literature in the nonprofit sector.
Research into student mental health: where have we come and how can we improve?
Authors: Brown Poppy
Published: January 2020

Purpose

There has previously been limited research into student mental health. However, recognition of the unique challenges and the scale of mental health problems within universities is increasing. A number of projects aiming to address the knowledge gap and develop appropriate interventions and toolkits have recently begun. The purpose of this paper is to present and evaluate such projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical appraisal of current and recent research in student mental health is presented in this paper.

Findings

These projects are likely to bring huge benefits. However, limitations include the need for increased collaboration, use of validated measures for evaluation, and consideration of the context of implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should consider ways to overcome these limitations.

Originality/value

Discussion and evaluation of current research is important for dissemination and for encouraging future improvement.
Associations between white blood cells count and obesity in apparently healthy young adults
Authors: Ghannadiasl Fatemeh
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The elevated white blood cells (WBCs) count has been reported to be a predictor of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. This study aims to determine the associations between WBCs count and obesity in apparently healthy young adults.

Design/methodology/approach

In this cross-sectional study, the authors evaluated the body mass index (BMI) in 392 apparently healthy young adults of both sexes. The WBCs count was measured using standard counter techniques. The inclusion criteria were the agreement to participate in the study, between 18 and 25 years of age, lack of self-reported diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney and infectious diseases.

Findings

According to the BMI classification, underweight and overweight or obesity were observed in 14.58 and 11.48 per cent of young adults, respectively. The mean WBC was 6.5 ± 1.5 (×10³ cells/µL). Higher values of WBCs were found in women than in men (p= 0.02). The young adults with higher BMI had a higher WBCs count. There was a positive correlation between WBCs count and weight and BMI (r = 0.19 and r = 0.22,p< 0.001, respectively).

Research limitations/implications

This research was a cross-sectional study. Future studies are suggested using longitudinal studies to examine more relationships between obesity and WBCs count in apparently healthy young adults.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide evidence for weight management in this age group to reduce diseases associated with increased WBCs count.

Originality/value

The WBCs count was related to increasing levels of BMI per cent 2 C even in the normal range.
Consumers’ exposure to claims on pre-packed bread: the case of a developing country, Lebanon
Authors: Bou-Mitri Christelle , Khnaisser Lama , Bou Ghanem Mira , Merhi Samar , Fares Jessy El-Hayek , Doumit Jacqueline , Farhat Antoine G.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to assess the exposure of Lebanese consumers to nutrition and health claims (NHCs) on pre-packed bread.

Design/methodology/approach

Bread samples (n= 354) from all the bakeries (n= 44) located in Mount Lebanon, between 2017 and 2018, were assessed. Breads with nutrition claims were analyzed using standard methods. A cross-sectional study was also conducted among 400 supermarket shoppers.

Findings

Results showed that among the collected samples of bread (n= 354), 59.6 per cent carried at least one claim, 47.2 per cent had non-nutrient claims, 32.5 per cent had nutrition claims and 15.3 per cent presented health claims. Claims related to sugar, salt and fiber content were the most commonly used (28.8 , 16.4 and 14.7 per cent, respectively). NHCs were mostly present on whole wheat bread. Breads with claims were more expensive. Half of the participants (49.8 per cent) relied on NHCs whenever purchasing bread, especially females (OR = 2.35, 95 per cent CI = 1.44-3.84,p= 0.001), those following a specific diet (OR = 4.56, 95 per cent CI = 2.02-10.25,p< 0.001) and those with the lowest household income (OR = 0.795, 95 per cent CI = 0.639-0.989,p= 0.040).

Originality/value

The overall findings showed that Lebanese consumers are highly exposed to NHCs, especially those at higher risk which could lead to serious public health issues if their use is not strictly regulated and controlled. Moreover, NHCs could be used as a tool to increase consumers’ awareness and help them make healthier choices during shopping.
Effects of Kakato‐tsurutsuru socks on dry heels in healthy volunteer subjects
Authors: Kamo Atsuko , Umehara Yoshie , Negi Osamu , Iwata Makoto , Kamata Yayoi , Suga Yasushi , Ogawa Hideoki , Tominaga Mitsutoshi , Takamori Kenji
Published: January 2020

Kakato‐tsurutsuru (Kt) socks have been selling for almost 30 years in Japan. Wearers claim they improve heel dryness despite no scientific evidence. We investigated the effects of Kt socks on heel dryness by questionnaire, clinical scores and non‐invasive skin measurements. In a double‐blind, randomized cross‐over study, 10 healthy volunteers wore control or Kt socks over 2 weeks in sequence for 4 weeks. Skin hydration and evaporation of the medial and dorsal heel were measured before and every week during the trial. Clinical evaluations of desquamation and cracked skin were scored by a dermatologist. A visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire of comfort, sock climate humidity and skin dryness was conducted. The VAS of comfort was significantly higher in Kt than controls. Average Δskin dryness in control and Kt groups was −1.63 and 2.22, respectively, showing a significant improvement. In the clinical findings of the dorsal side of the heel, Δdesquamation and Δcracked skin scores were significantly decreased and Δstratum corneum hydration significantly increased in Kt compared with controls. Kt socks may retain evaporated sweat with components of natural moisturizing factors, supporting the water‐holding ability of the heel stratum corneum. These findings suggest that Kt socks may improve heel skin dryness.
Changing food consumption patterns in rural and urban Vietnam: Implications for a future food supply system
Authors: Bairagi Subir , Mohanty Samarendu , Baruah Sampriti , Thi Huong Trinh
Published: January 2020

Rapid income growth and urbanisation could significantly change the composition of the food basket in many emerging economies. This study estimates a demand system, including 15 major food items in Vietnam, with multiyear household survey data. We find a large variation in the estimated price elasticities (–0.05 to –0.88) and expenditure elasticities (–0.16 to 2.56). Food types, urban status and income groups can explain this variation. We also find that the staple food, rice, is already an inferior good for rich urban households in Vietnam. Moreover, food preferences are evolving away from rice but towards animal proteins (fish, pork, chicken, eggs and milk), fruits and vegetables, irrespective of urban status and income groups. As the Vietnam economy continues to grow with a doubling of gross domestic product (GDP) in the next decade, per capita rice consumption in both urban and rural areas and across different income groups will continue to decline, whereas demand for other high‐value products will rise. Thus, government policy should focus on encouraging demand‐oriented food production. In addition, crop diversification at the farm level needs to improve substantially to meet the rising demand for these food products due to income growth and urbanisation.
Good Food in the City: How Cultural Ideas About Food Shape Street Vending Regulation
Authors: Hanser Amy
Published: January 2020

Why, after years of restrictive regulation of street vending, and food vending in particular, have cities across North America welcomed new food carts and trucks? In this article I draw on a case study of Vancouver, Canada, to demonstrate the important effect of ideas about food on the regulatory and policy changes that have allowed food carts and trucks to proliferate. In particular, new cultural discourses have imbued food with a multivalent goodness. This goodness is understood to have the capacity to do good in the city by bringing good urban places into being. While these discourses favour the tastes of the privileged, ideas about ‘good’ food expand beyond the ‘gourmet’ to embrace health, environment, economy, cultural diversity and creativity, as well as community building, local identity and visions of vibrant, shared public spaces. The proliferation of discourses about ‘good food’ has produced a potent set of cultural ideas that animates popular and policy discussions about street food in the city; in Vancouver, these ideas provided the impetus to push for regulatory change and generated consensus around new, less restrictive regulation of food vending on streets and sidewalks.
Succession, power‐sharing and the development of representative institutions in medieval Europe
Authors: KOKKONEN ANDREJ , MØLLER JØRGEN
Published: January 2020

Historians have documented that in medieval Europe, bargaining over the loyalty of lay magnates and high clergy was most intense during successions and that this often forced monarchs to give political concessions. We argue that matters related to succession predict short‐term power‐sharing concessions by rulers but that – because they do not permanently alter the balance of power between ruler and elite – they only trigger lasting changes of political institutions if these changes are in the mutual interest of the ruler and the elite groups. It follows that successions are unlikely to have long‐term effects on representative institutions but that they may consolidate the rules regulating succession (the succession order). Using the natural deaths of monarchs as an instrument for successions, we confirm these claims with a new dataset that includes fine‐grained data on succession and parliament‐like assemblies in 16 European polities between 1000 and 1600. These findings shed new light on the development of representative institutions in medieval Europe, on the changes in succession orders that brought about clear rules about primogeniture and on the political leeway of legislatures in authoritarian regimes more generally.
Accounting for the burden and redistribution of health care costs: Who uses care and who pays for it
Authors: Carman Katherine Grace , Liu Jodi , White Chapin
Published: January 2020

Objective

To measure the burden of financing health care costs and quantify redistribution among population groups.

Data Sources

A synthetic population using data combined from multiple sources, including the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)/Health Research Educational Trust (HRET) Employer Health Benefits Survey, American Community Survey (ACS), and National Health Expenditure Accounts (NHEA).

Study Design

We estimate two dollar amounts for each individual in the synthetic population: (a) payments to finance health care services, which includes all payments by a household and their employers to finance health care, including premiums, out‐of‐pocket payments, federal and state taxes, and other payments; and (b) the dollar value of health care services received, which equals the amount paid to providers for those services.

Data Extraction Methods

We linked the nationally representative survey data using statistical matching. We allocated health care expenditures from the NHEA to individuals and households based on expenditures reported in the MEPS.

Principal Findings

We show that higher‐income households pay the most to finance health care in dollar amounts, but the burden of payments as a share of income is greater among lower‐income households.

Conclusions

Accounting for all sources of payments provides a clear picture of the burden of financing health care costs, and how that burden is spread under our current financing system.
Is mortality readmissions bias a concern for readmission rates under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program?
Authors: Papanicolas Irene , Orav E. John , Jha Ashish K.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To determine whether the exclusion of patients who die from adjusted 30‐day readmission rates influences readmission rate measures and penalties under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP).

Data Sources/Study Setting

100% Medicare fee‐for‐service claims over the period July 1, 2012, until June 30, 2015.

Study Design

We examine the 30‐day readmission risk across the three conditions targeted by the HRRP: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), and pneumonia. Using logistic regression, we estimate the readmission risk for three samples of patients: those who survived the 30‐day period after their index admission, those who died over the 30‐day period, and all patients who were admitted to see how they differ.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We identified and extracted data for Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries admitted with primary diagnoses of AMI (N = 497 931), CHF (N = 1 047 552), and pneumonia (N = 850 552).

Results

The estimated hospital readmission rates for the survived and nonsurvived patients differed by 5%‐8%, on average. Incorporating these estimates into overall readmission risk for all admitted patients changes the likely penalty status for 9% of hospitals. However, this change is randomly distributed across hospitals and is not concentrated amongst any one type of hospital.

Conclusions

Not accounting for variations in mortality may result in inappropriate penalties for some hospitals. However, the effect of this bias is low due to low mortality rates amongst incentivized conditions and appears to be randomly distributed across hospital types.
Global and regional potential of wastewater as a water, nutrient and energy source
Authors: Qadir Manzoor , Drechsel Pay , Jiménez Cisneros Blanca , Kim Younggy , Pramanik Amit , Mehta Praem , Olaniyan Oluwabusola
Published: January 2020

There is a proactive interest in recovering water, nutrients and energy from waste streams with the increase in municipal wastewater volumes and innovations in resource recovery. Based on the synthesis of wastewater data, this study provides insights into the global and regional “potential” of wastewater as water, nutrient and energy sources while acknowledging the limitations of current resource recovery opportunities and promoting efforts to fast‐track high‐efficiency returns. The study estimates suggest that, currently, 380 billion m3 (m3 = 1,000 L) of wastewater are produced annually across the world which is a volume five‐fold the volume of water passing through Niagara Falls annually. Wastewater production globally is expected to increase by 24% by 2030 and 51% by 2050 over the current level. Among major nutrients, 16.6 Tg (Tg = million metric ton) of nitrogen are embedded in wastewater produced worldwide annually; phosphorus stands at 3.0 Tg and potassium at 6.3 Tg. The full nutrient recovery from wastewater would offset 13.4% of the global demand for these nutrients in agriculture. Beyond nutrient recovery and economic gains, there are critical environmental benefits, such as minimizing eutrophication. At the energy front, the energy embedded in wastewater would be enough to provide electricity to 158 million households. These estimates and projections are based on the maximum theoretical amounts of water, nutrients and energy that exist in the reported municipal wastewater produced worldwide annually. Supporting resource recovery from wastewater will need a step‐wise approach to address a range of constraints to deliver a high rate of return in direct support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6, 7 and 12, but also other Goals, including adaptation to climate change and efforts in advancing “net‐zero” energy processes towards a green economy.
Comparison of Commercial Kits for Recovery and Analysis of Bacterial DNA From Fingerprints
Authors: Assenmacher Daniel M. , Fields Stephen D. , Crupper Scott S.
Published: January 2020

In forensic science, fingerprints are a common source of evidentiary information. However, latent examination is not always successful and trace human DNA cannot always be obtained. Thus, examining the fingerprint microbiome may offer a suitable alternative to more traditional methods of forensic identification. The Zymo Research ZR Bacterial/Fungal DNA MicroPrep™ Kit, Qiagen QIAmp® DNA Mini Kit, Promega Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit, and the MPBio FastDNA® Spin Kit were compared for their ability to yield a sufficient amount of bacterial DNA for next‐generation sequencing in order to obtain a microbiome profile. Prints were deposited onto slides, allowed to sit for up to 1 month, and total DNA isolated and quantified using each kit. The kit from Zymo Research yielded the most concentrated DNA sample (0.0084 ng/µL) in the least amount of time as compared to other kits examined. Although this amount of DNA was far below the recommended DNA concentration threshold recommended for next‐generation sequencing, a microbiome profile was successfully obtained. As interest in using the microbiome of an individual as a forensic tool continues to increase, there is the possibility that the microbiome of a fingerprint could complement traditional human DNA profiling in the future. This study provides evidence that trace amounts of bacterial DNA from fingerprints is quantifiable and sufficient for microbiome analysis.
Evaluating the Potential for Unintentional Occupational Exposure to Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues Among Medicolegal Death Investigators and Autopsy Technicians
Authors: Chiu Sophia K. , Li Jessica F. , Nolte Kurt B.
Published: January 2020

Recent increases in deaths in the United States from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (fentanyls) have raised concerns about possible occupational exposures to these potent agents. Medicolegal death investigators and autopsy suite staff might perform job tasks involving exposure to fentanyls. The potential for exposure to fentanyls among medicolegal death investigators and autopsy technicians at a state medical examiner's office was evaluated through review of caseload characteristics, injury and illness logs, and procedures and policies and discussions with management and employee representatives. The evaluation showed that this medical examiner's office had low potential for work‐related exposure to fentanyls; its standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment requirements should reduce the potential for occupational exposure. Medicolegal death investigation agencies can develop and implement guidance to control exposures and provide workforce education and training to reduce the potential for work‐related exposure to fentanyls.
Flaviviral disease mosquito vector surveillance in Incheon Metropolitan City and the Hwaseong area, Gyeonggi‐Do, Republic of Korea, in 2015
Authors: Bahk Young Yil , Jun Hojong , Jegal Seung , Kim‐Jeon Myung‐Deok , Roh Jong Yul , Lee Wook‐Gyo , Park Seo Hye , Ahn Seong Kyu , Lee Jinyoung , Gong Young Woo , Kwon Mun Ju , Kim Tong‐Soo
Published: January 2020

Owing to global climate change, the global resurgence of vector‐borne infectious diseases and their potential to inflict widespread casualties among human populations has emerged as a pivotal burden on public health systems. In this study, the prevalence of flaviviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and their target vector diversity, abundance, and distribution was investigated to enable the mapping of hotspots for these diseases. For the surveillance of the vector mosquitoes carrying flaviviruses during April to November 2015, female mosquitoes were collected to study whether they carried pathogens from abroad at seven locations in Incheon Metropolitan City (Incheon) as a typical urban area and Hwaseong‐si (= city, Hwaseong) of Gyeonggi‐do (= province) as a rural area. A total of 15 species belonging to seven genera (29,102 female mosquitoes) were collected with black‐light and BG‐Sentinel™ traps at a collection rate of 260 per trap/night from whole collection locations. The most collected mosquito species in Incheon were Aedes vexans nipponii (species ratio (SR), 29.9%) and the Culex pipiens complex (SR, 28.8%), followed by Anopheles sinensis s.l. (SR, 27.9%) and Ochlerotatus koreicus (SR, 7.1%). From the results of viral RNA detection, five flaviviruses were found in 20,981 individuals (excluding An. sinensis; 696 pools) in the Cx. pipiens complex and Ae. vexans nipponii. Three Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)‐positive pools were from the Cx. pipiens complex, a Chaoyang virus pool was found from Ae. vexans nipponii, and the remaining unidentified flavivirus pool was from Cx. pipiens. The three JEV‐positive pools were phylogenetically grouped as genotype V. The results of our study demonstrate that enhanced monitoring and long‐term surveillance of these vector viruses are of great public health importance.
Authentication of honeys from Caramulo region (Portugal): Pollen spectrum, physicochemical characteristics, mineral content, and phenolic profile
Authors: Silva Luís R. , Gonçalves Ana C. , Nunes Ana R. , Alves Gilberto
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to analyze the botanical origin, quality parameters, phenolic compounds, and minerals of 20 honey samples from Caramulo region (Portugal). Six samples were monofloral from Eucalyptus sp., being this one the predominant pollen in the analyzed samples, followed by Castanea sativa. The average values obtained for the physicochemical parameters were as follows: 4.7 pH; 16.8% moisture; 81.4 Brix; 0.3% ash; 512.8 µS/cm electrical conductivity; 22.6 meq/kg free acidity; 12.4 meq/kg lactonic acidity; 35.1 meq/kg total acidity; 2.1 mg/kg hydroxymethylfurfural; and 16.3 °Gothe for diastase activities. A total of 18 phenolics were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and protocatechuic acid were the major ones. Nine minerals were detected by atomic absorption spectrometry; potassium and phosphorus were the predominant mineral elements. This is the first study about honeys from Caramulo region, which revealed to have a good quality and be a rich source of essential minerals and phenolics.

Practical Application

The interest in the analysis of honey has increased significantly in recent years, concerning its characterization, safety implications, and health impact. Given these facts, the authentication of honeys, based on the geographical and botanical origins, has been assuming great importance, being mainly associated with high‐quality honeys. Therefore, we decided to analyze physicochemical parameters, phenolic composition, and mineral content of 20 Caramulo honey samples. Our results indicate that Caramulo honeys possess high‐quality levels, good freshness, maturity, and proper processing, and are also rich in several bioactive substances with health‐promoting properties, including phenolic compounds, potassium, and phosphorus.
The impact of food processing on the phenolic content in products made from juneberry (Amelanchier lamarckii) fruits
Authors: Mikulic‐Petkovsek Maja , Koron Darinka , Rusjan Denis
Published: January 2020

Sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds were analyzed in the fruits of juneberry (Amelanchier lamarckii). Different food products were made from fresh juneberry fruits: jam, liqueur, juice, and tea. A detailed analysis of the phenolic component was performed using high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and the content of phenolics in different products was compared with the control treatment (fresh fruits extracted with 70% methanol: 27% water: 3% formic acid; v/v/v). Four sugars and six organic acids were determined in the fruits. The main sugars were glucose (61 g/kg fresh weight [FW]) and fructose (64 g/kg FW) and the acids: malic (5.85 g/kg FW) and citric acid (2.6 g/kg) were abundant. Hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonol glycosides were the major phenolic groups in juneberry fruits. Fruit processing significantly affected the content of phenolic compounds in the different fruit products. Liqueur had 17% higher phenolic acid contents than the control treatment (fresh fruits extracted with a solution of 70% MeOH/27% H2O/3% formic acid) and jam had 14% higher content than the control, calculated on the dry mass of fruit. Juneberry juice had the highest content of total analyzed phenolics (298 mg/100 mL), followed by liqueur (108 mg/100 mL) and tea (8 mg/100 mL). Fruits of juneberry are rich in bioactive compounds and a useful source for the food industry for making various health snacks, jellies, marmalades, alcoholic drinks, juices, and so on.

Practical Application

Juneberry is becoming a desirable organically grown fruit species with many views as new functional food. The content of phenolic compounds has been measured in different food products made from juneberries. The results could be useful for food and nutraceutical industry.