bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of rodent eradication on seed predation and plant community biomass on a tropical atoll
Authors: Miller‐ter Kuile Ana , Orr Devyn , Bui An , Dirzo Rodolfo , Klope Maggie , McCauley Douglas , Motta Carina , Young Hillary
Published: October 2020

Invasive rodent eradications are frequently undertaken to curb island biodiversity loss. However, the breadth of rodents’ ecological impact, even after eradication, is not always fully recognized. For example, the most widespread invasive rodent, the black rat (Rattus rattus), while omnivorous, eats predominantly seeds and fruit. Yet, the effects of seed predation release after eradication on plant communities and ecological functions are not well understood, posing a gap for island restoration. We examined the role of seed predation release following black rat eradication in changes to tree composition and aboveground biomass across an islet network (Palmyra Atoll) in the Central Pacific. We conducted repeated surveys of seed, juvenile, and adult tree biomass and survival in permanent vegetation plots before and after the eradication of rats. We observed a 95% reduction in seed predation for an introduced, previously cultivated tree population (Cocos nucifera). Juvenile tree biomass of all species increased 14‐fold, with C. nucifera increasing the most, suggesting that eradication increased this tree's competitive advantage. Indeed, based on stage‐structured demographic models, rat eradication led to a 10% increase in C. nucifera population growth rate. The effect of invasive rodent seed predation varies considerably among the plant species in a community and can shift competitive dynamics, sometimes in favor of invasive plants. These bottom‐up effects should be considered in evaluating the costs and benefits of eradication. Documenting the variation in invasive rodent diet items, along with long‐term surveys, can help prioritize island eradications where restoration is most likely to be successful.
Debate: Supporting the mental health of school students in the COVID‐19 pandemic in New Zealand – a digital ecosystem approach
Authors: Merry Sally N. , Cargo Tania , Christie Grant , Donkin Liesje , Hetrick Sarah , Fleming Terry , Holt‐Quick Chester , Hopkins Sarah , Stasiak Karolina , Warren Jim
Published: October 2020

The pandemic is creating unprecedented demand for mental health support for young people. While schools often facilitate mental health support for their students, the demands for online teaching and the uncertainty created by the pandemic make traditional delivery of support through schools challenging. Technology provides a potential way forward. We have developed a digital ecosystem, HABITS, that can be integrated into school and healthcare systems. This has allowed us to deploy specific evidence‐based interventions directly, and through schools, to students and to parents in New Zealand during the current pandemic. Chatbot architecture is particularly suited to rapid iteration to provide specific information while apps can provide more generalised support. While technology can provide some solutions, it is important to be aware of the potential to increase current inequities, with those facing the greatest challenges to health and well‐being, also least able to afford the resources to access digital interventions. Development of an integrated and equitable digital system will take time and collaboration.
Identification of peripheral CD154+ T cells and HLA-DRB1 as biomarkers of acute cellular rejection in adult liver transplant recipients
Authors: Boix F , Legaz I , Minhas A , Alfaro R , Jiménez–Coll V , Mrowiec A , Martínez–Banaclocha H , Galián J A , Botella C , Moya–Quiles M R , Sanchez–Bueno F , Robles R , de la Peña–Moral J , Ramirez P , Pons J A , Minguela A , Muro M
Published: October 2020

Decreasing graft rejection and increasing graft and patient survival are great challenges facing liver transplantation (LT). Different T cell subsets participate in the acute cellular rejection (ACR) of the allograft. Cell-mediated immunity markers of the recipient could help to understand the mechanisms underlying acute rejection. This study aimed to analyse different surface antigens on T cells in a cohort of adult liver patients undergoing LT to determine the influence on ACR using multi-parametric flow cytometry functional assay. Thirty patients were monitored at baseline and during 1 year post-transplant. Two groups were established, with (ACR) and without (NACR) acute cellular rejection. Leukocyte, total lymphocyte, percentages of CD4+CD154+ and CD8+CD154+ T cells, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch between recipient–donor and their relation with ACR as well as the acute rejection frequencies were analysed. T cells were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con-A) and surface antigens were analysed by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. A high percentage of CD4+CD154+ T cells (P = 0·001) and a low percentage of CD8+CD154+ T cells (P = 0·002) at baseline were statistically significant in ACR. A receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the cut-off values capable to stratify patients at high risk of ACR with high sensitivity and specificity for CD4+CD154+ (P = 0·001) and CD8+CD154+ T cells (P = 0·002). In logistic regression analysis, CD4+CD154+, CD8+CD154+ and HLA mismatch were confirmed as independent risk factors to ACR. Post-transplant percentages of both T cell subsets were significantly higher in ACR, despite variations compared to pretransplant. These findings support the selection of candidates for LT based on the pretransplant percentages of CD4+CD154+ and CD8+CD154+ T cells in parallel with other transplant factors.
Turbulent Details Simulation for SPH Fluids via Vorticity Refinement
Authors: Liu Sinuo , Wang Xiaokun , Ban Xiaojuan , Xu Yanrui , Zhou Jing , Kosinka Jiří , Telea Alexandru C.
Published: October 2020

A major issue in smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) approaches is the numerical dissipation during the projection process, especially under coarse discretizations. High‐frequency details, such as turbulence and vortices, are smoothed out, leading to unrealistic results. To address this issue, we introduce a vorticity refinement (VR) solver for SPH fluids with negligible computational overhead. In this method, the numerical dissipation of the vorticity field is recovered by the difference between the theoretical and the actual vorticity, so as to enhance turbulence details. Instead of solving the Biot‐Savart integrals, a stream function, which is easier and more efficient to solve, is used to relate the vorticity field to the velocity field. We obtain turbulence effects of different intensity levels by changing an adjustable parameter. Since the vorticity field is enhanced according to the curl field, our method can not only amplify existing vortices, but also capture additional turbulence. Our VR solver is straightforward to implement and can be easily integrated into existing SPH methods.
Moving from trends to benchmarks by using regression tree analysis to find inbreeding thresholds in a critically endangered bird
Authors: Flanagan Alison M. , Masuda Bryce , Grueber Catherine E. , Sutton Jolene T.
Published: October 2020

Understanding how inbreeding affects endangered species in conservation breeding programs is essential for their recovery. The Hawaiian Crow (‘Alalā) (Corvus hawaiiensis) is one of the world's most endangered birds. It went extinct in the wild in 2002, and, until recent release efforts starting in 2016, nearly all of the population remained under human care for conservation breeding. Using pedigree inbreeding coefficients (F), we evaluated the effects of inbreeding on Hawaiian Crow offspring survival and reproductive success. We used regression tree analysis to identify the level of inbreeding (i.e., inbreeding threshold) that explains a substantial decrease in ‘Alalā offspring survival to recruitment. Similar to a previous study of inbreeding in ‘Alalā, we found that inbreeding had a negative impact on offspring survival but that parental (vs. artificial) egg incubation improved offspring survival to recruitment. Furthermore, we found that inbreeding did not substantially affect offspring reproductive success, based on the assumption that offspring that survive to adulthood breed with distantly related mates. Our novel application of regression tree analysis showed that offspring with inbreeding levels exceeding F = 0.098 were 69% less likely to survive to recruitment than more outbred offspring, providing a specific threshold value for ongoing population management. Our results emphasize the importance of assessing inbreeding depression across all life history stages, confirm the importance of prioritizing parental over artificial egg incubation in avian conservation breeding programs, and demonstrate the utility of regression tree analysis as a tool for identifying inbreeding thresholds, if present, in any pedigree‐managed population.
Preordering in Luxury Fashion: Will Additional Demand Information Bring Negative Effects to the Retailer?*
Authors: Shen Bin , Zhang Ting , Xu Xiaoyan , Chan Hau‐Ling , Choi Tsan‐Ming
Published: October 2020

Preordering is an emerging business model in luxury fashion, which provides consumers the opportunity to preorder new collection products immediately after fashion runway shows and helps retailers collect preordering information for updating demand forecast. Based on our observations of industrial practices, we establish stylized analytical models for a supply chain consisting of a luxury brand (supplier) and a retailer. In addition, we explore the consequences of preordering for the supply chain, its members, and conspicuous consumers. Results show that preordering information incentivizes the retailer to increase product scarcity and leverage consumers’ conspicuous consumption to charge a premium retail price, which consequently allows the supplier to increase the wholesale price. However, preordering information updating may have negative effects on the retailer due to the increased wholesale price, but this case always benefits the supplier. We recognize that preordering has two effects, a service‐extending effect and a precision‐improving effect, which positively and negatively affect consumers, respectively. Thus, retailers offering the preorder services should provide consumers with incentives (e.g., gifts or coupons) to achieve an all‐win scenario with preordering information updating. This finding is consistent with widely observed industrial practices in e‐commerce. In addition, our numerical studies interestingly show that all supply chain members can benefit from an increase in the level of conspicuous consumption in the market.
Global perspective of COVID‐19 epidemiology for a full‐cycle pandemic
Authors: Ioannidis John P. A.
Published: October 2020

As of October 2020, there are >1 million documented deaths with COVID‐19. Excess deaths can be caused by both COVID‐19 and the measures taken. COVID‐19 shows extremely strong risk stratification across age, socioeconomic factors, and clinical factors. Calculation of years‐of‐life‐lost from COVID‐19 is methodologically challenging and can yield misleading over‐estimates. Many early deaths may have been due to suboptimal management, malfunctional health systems, hydroxychloroquine, sending COVID‐19 patients to nursing homes, and nosocomial infections; such deaths are partially avoidable moving forward. About 10% of the global population may be infected by October 2020. Global infection fatality rate is 0.15‐0.20% (0.03‐0.04% in those <70 years), with large variability across locations with different age‐structure, institutionalization rates, socioeconomic inequalities, population‐level clinical risk profile, public health measures, and health care. There is debate on whether at least 60% of the global population must be infected for herd immunity, or, conversely, mixing heterogeneity and pre‐existing cross‐immunity may allow substantially lower thresholds. Simulations are presented with a total of 1.58‐8.76 million COVID‐19 deaths over 5‐years (1/2020‐12/2024) globally (0.5‐2.9% of total global deaths). The most favorable figures in that range would be feasible if high risk groups can be preferentially protected with lower infection rates than the remaining population. Death toll may also be further affected by potential availability of effective vaccines and treatments, optimal management and measures taken, COVID‐19 interplay with influenza and other health problems, reinfection potential, and any chronic COVID‐19 consequences. Targeted, precise management of the pandemic and avoiding past mistakes would help minimize mortality.
A priori intuition and transcendental necessity in Kant's idealism
Authors: Kohl Markus
Published: October 2020

I examine how Kant argues for the transcendental ideality of space. I defend a reading on which Kant accepts the ideality of space because it explains our (actual) knowledge that mathematical judgments are necessarily true. I argue that this reading is preferable over the alternative suggestion that Kant can infer the ideality of space directly from the fact that we have an a priori intuition of space. Moreover, I argue that the reading I propose does not commit Kant to incoherent modal views. If we carefully distinguish between different senses of modality, the fact that our spatial form of intuition is (in some sense) contingent does not undermine the claim that this form can explain how our mathematical judgments are (in some sense) necessary.
Trade‐off drives Pareto optimality of within‐ and among‐year emergence timing in response to increasing aridity
Authors: Waterton Joseph , Mazer Susan J. , Meyer Justin R. , Cleland Elsa E.
Published: October 2020

Adaptation to current and future climates can be constrained by trade‐offs between fitness‐related traits. Early seedling emergence often enhances plant fitness in seasonal environments, but if earlier emergence in response to seasonal cues is genetically correlated with lower potential to spread emergence among years (i.e., bet‐hedging), then this functional trade‐off could constrain adaptive evolution. Consequently, selection favoring both earlier within‐year emergence and greater spread of emergence among years—as is expected in more arid environments—may constrain adaptive responses to trait value combinations at which a performance gain in either function (i.e., evolving earlier within‐ or greater among‐year emergence) generates a performance loss in the other. All such trait value combinations that cannot be improved for both functions simultaneously are described as Pareto optimal and together constitute the Pareto front. To investigate how this potential emergence timing trade‐off might constrain adaptation to increasing aridity, we sourced seeds of two grasses, Stipa pulchra and Bromus diandrus, from multiple maternal lines within populations across an aridity gradient in California and examined their performance in a greenhouse experiment. We monitored emergence and assayed ungerminated seeds for viability to determine seed persistence, a metric of potential among‐year emergence spread. In both species, maternal lines with larger fractions of persistent seeds emerged later, indicating a trade‐off between within‐year emergence speed and potential among‐year emergence spread. In both species, populations on the Pareto front for both earlier emergence and larger seed persistence fraction occupied significantly more arid sites than populations off the Pareto front, consistent with the hypothesis that more arid sites impose the strongest selection for earlier within‐year emergence and greater among‐year emergence spread. Our results provide an example of how evaluating genetically based correlations within populations and applying Pareto optimality among populations can be used to detect evolutionary constraints and adaptation across environmental gradients.
Mothers’ Self‐focused Reflective Functioning Interacts with Childhood Experiences of Rejection to Predict Current Romantic Relationship Quality and Parenting Behavior
Authors: Borelli Jessica L. , Ensink Karin , Gillespie Marie L. , Falasiri Ehsan , Bernazzani Odette , Fonagy Peter , Berthelot Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Los padres expuestos al rechazo en su infancia podrían tener problemas de vinculación en sus relaciones actuales. El funcionamiento reflexivo (FR), la capacidad de comprender la conducta propia y de los demás mediante la perspectiva de los estados mentales subyacentes (cogniciones, emociones) se ha identificado como posible proceso de protección. El objetivo de este estudio longitudinal fue analizar si el FR modera el efecto de las experiencias de rechazo de los padres durante la infancia en el funcionamiento posterior de las relaciones con las parejas y los bebés. Se incluyó a mujeres embarazadas con experiencias de abuso y abandono, quienes completaron la Entrevista de Apego en los Adultos (Adult Attachment Interview), la cual se codificó para el FR y las experiencias de rechazo en la infancia. Durante dos evaluaciones de seguimiento, cuando sus bebés tenían cinco meses y diecisiete meses, las madres de nuestra muestra que tenían pareja informaron sobre la cohesión diádica con estas parejas. Además, a los cinco meses después del parto, las madres completaron tareas de interacción con sus bebés, que después se evaluaron usando instrumentos de evaluación observacionales (p. ej., CARE‐Index). Los resultados de las madres con las parejas (N = 93) indicaron que el FR moderó la relación entre la cohesión diádica con las parejas a los 17 meses solamente. Además, los resultados con todas las madres de la muestra (N = 108) indicaron que el FR moderó la relación entre las experiencias de rechazo informadas retrospectivamente y las conductas dominantes e indiferentes con los bebés. El FR entre adecuado y alto se asoció con una indiferencia más baja y una satisfacción con la relación más alta en el contexto del rechazo, y a su vez se lo asoció con niveles más altos de control. Estos resultados tienen consecuencias clínicas importantes, ya que el FR es susceptible de cambios y puede, por ende, implementarse de manera más prominente dentro de diferentes intervenciones.
Pseudoenzymes: dead enzymes with a lively role in biology
Authors: Adrain Colin
Published: October 2020

This Special Issue comprises twelve authoritative reviews that highlight an understudied but rapidly developing area of biology: catalytically inactive enzyme homologs. These pseudoenzymes, sometimes called ‘dead enzymes’, are found within most enzyme families and generally arose via gene duplication events. Dead enzymes have lost their enzymatic capacity, often via the evolutionary loss of key catalytic residues. However, as this Special Issue highlights, pseudoenzymes are far from being functionally ‘dead’. In fact, they fulfill a range of critical biochemical roles, frequently appearing more versatile as biochemical regulators than their catalytic cousins. The functions of dead enzymes from diverse enzyme families often follow recurring themes, including allosteric regulation of their catalytically active counterparts, acting as signaling scaffolds, or as inhibitors that recognize and sequester the substrates of their catalytic homologs. As well as highlighting the breadth and depth of dead enzyme biology, this Special Issue emphasizes the power of pseudoenzymes as key biochemical regulators in health and disease and potentially as more tractable drug targets than some enzymes themselves. We hope you find these reviews enlivening, and we thank the authors for these excellent contributions.
Adequacy of hemodialysis in acute kidney injury: Real‐time monitoring of dialysate ultraviolet absorbance vs. blood‐based Kt/Vurea
Authors: Vasquez‐Rios George , Zhang Frank , Scott Mitchell G. , Vijayan Anitha
Published: October 2020

Background

Current guidelines recommend monitoring the adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) treatments in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Blood‐based methods for calculating urea such as reduction ratio (URR) and single‐pool Kt/Vurea (spKt/Vurea) require pre‐ and post‐HD blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measurements. This study aims to compare real‐time monitoring of urea clearance using dialysate ultraviolet absorbance (UV) with laboratory‐measured spKt/Vurea.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center, retrospective study among hospitalized patients with AKI, who required intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Those patients whose dialysis dose was simultaneously monitored by spKt/Vurea and UV‐absorbance (UV‐spKt/Vurea) were included in the study. The statistical correlation between both methods was assessed by means of the Pearson moment product correlation, Mann–Whitney U‐test and Bland–Altman analysis of agreement.

Results

Thirty patients with AKI were evaluated. There was no statistical difference between the mean spKt/Vurea calculated by traditional methods and the mean UV‐spKt/Vurea. (1.37 ± 0.37 vs. 1.28 ± 0.36, P = 0.12, CI: 95%). A Pearson moment correlation analysis revealed a close agreement between both methods (r = 0.79, P < 0.001). Furthermore, Bland–Altman analysis showed that >95% of the data points were confined within the upper and lower levels of agreement.

Conclusion

In this pilot study of patients with AKI, UV‐spKt/Vurea correlated with standard blood‐based spKt/Vurea and may be a useful tool to monitor dialysis adequacy. Larger studies evaluating multiple UV and blood‐based measurements per patient and a more diverse AKI population are needed to confirm this initial observation.
Important components for Dutch in‐home care based on qualitative interviews with persons with dementia and informal caregivers
Authors: Vullings Isabelle , Labrie Nanon , Wammes Joost D. , de Bekker‐Grob Esther W. , MacNeil‐Vroomen Janet
Published: October 2020

Background

Dementia care in the Netherlands is increasingly dependent on informal care and has the aim to keep persons with dementia at home for as long as possible. However, little is known about the preferences and needs of people with dementia living at home. Including people with dementia and their informal caregivers in research and policy creation could help to identify necessary forms of support, and tailor care to their personal preferences and needs.

Objective

To identify important components of in‐home care for persons with dementia and their informal caregivers in the Netherlands.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews across the Netherlands, between March and June 2019 using thematic analysis.

Setting and participants

Persons with dementia (n = 5) and informal caregivers (n = 14) were primarily recruited through dementia care organizations. Additionally, a case manager was recruited to reflect upon the semi‐structured interviews findings.

Results

Five themes concerning important care components were identified including the need for: a social network, formal care, information, emotional support and easier access to care. The complexity of the dementia care system posed a common difficulty for persons with dementia and informal caregivers.

Conclusion

This study suggests that a dementia care package should be developed that includes both informal and formal care, the provision of information and emotional support, and help with access to care. The creation of this care package could help to tailor dementia care to the preferences and needs of the persons with dementia and their informal caregivers.
Effect of RvD1/FPR2 on inflammatory response in chorioamnionitis
Authors: Li Anna , Zhang Lin , Li Junxia , Fang Zhenya , Li Shuxian , Peng Yanjie , Zhang Meihua , Wang Xietong
Published: October 2020

Chorioamnionitis (CAM), as a common intrauterine infectious disease, is the leading cause of premature birth, stillbirth, neonatal infection and sepsis. The formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) is a member of GPCRs widely distributed in a variety of tissues and is associated with many inflammatory diseases. With the discovery of FPR2 in human placenta, the possibility of exploring the function of FPR2 in obstetrics is evolving. The Resolvin D1 (RvD1) plays an important role in the resolution of inflammation by combining with FPR2. In this study, we evaluated the role of FPR2 and RvD1 in CAM, not only in the human placenta but also in mouse models. The expression of FPR2 increased in the placenta of CAM patients and the downstream PPARγ/NF‐κB signalling changed accordingly. Moreover, Fpr2−/− mice were highly susceptible to LPS, displaying a worse CAM symptom, compared with WT mice. By establishing a model of trophoblast inflammation in vitro, it was confirmed that RvD1 rescued the effect of LPS on inflammation by combining with FPR2 and its downstream PPARγ/NF‐κB pathway. Otherwise, RvD1 improved the preterm labour in a mouse model of CAM induced by LPS. Altogether, these findings show that RvD1 alleviated the inflammation of trophoblast in vivo and in vitro through FPR2/PPARγ/NF‐κB pathway, suggesting RvD1/FPR2 might be a novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate CAM.
Effectiveness of growth factor‐induced therapy for skin rejuvenation: A case series
Authors: Samizadeh Souphiyeh , Belhaouari Lakhdar
Published: October 2020

Background

Microneedling in combination with the use of growth factors can help with a range of indications, including skin rejuvenation. There is an increase in request for safe minimally invasive procedures with no‐to‐minimal downtime. This procedure offers regeneration and is becoming popular as part of the regenerative, minimally invasive era.

Aims

To examine the efficacy of a course of two sessions of growth factor‐induced therapy using propriety preparation of AQ recovery serum.

Methods

Thirty women with various ethnic backgrounds (Chinese, Caucasian and Latino) with an average age of 38 years old participated and mild‐moderate visual facial aging signs Two sessions with 2‐week intervals were completed using a derma stamp (transdermal drug delivery method) and 2 mL of growth factor serum (AQ Skin Solution recovery serum‐contain a mixture of contains a mix of transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β), granulocyte monocyte‐colony‐stimulating factor, and platelets‐derived growth factor with patented technology for extraction and composition at each session. The procedures were carried out for anti‐aging and skin rejuvenation. Clinical assessment, VISIA photography, independent assessment of before and after photographs baseline and six weeks by two clinicians and two laypersons were carried out. The participants used FACE‐Q questionnaire (outcome satisfaction) and scored changes in terms of their skin texture, radiance, pore size, wrinkles, pigmentation, tightness and overall skin appearance.

Results

Physician's global assessment revealed growth factor‐induced therapy resulted in skin rejuvenation in all races with 95% confidence, and this increased to 98% confidence for Latinos and Caucasians within the six weeks. Participants’ subjective rating revealed improvement of overall skin appearance with 95% confidence. Most noted improvements were in brightness, skin texture, and tightness.

Conclusion

This study revealed improvement in overall skin appearance, brightness, skin texture, and tightness. The treatment is non‐invasive, safe, with no or minimal downtime and resulted in high participant satisfaction.
Predicting miRNA‐lncRNA‐mRNA network in ultraviolet A‐induced human skin photoaging
Authors: Lin Yao , Lin Mengbi , Liu Yufang , Zhang Jie , Lai Wei , Xu Qingfang , Zheng Yue
Published: October 2020

Background/Objective

Recent researches had reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) played a role in skin photoaging. Our previous study found that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression was changed in the UVA‐irradiated skin fibroblasts, but the regulating network of noncoding RNA in UV‐induced skin changes has not been elucidated well. Here, we investigated the interactions of miRNA‐lncRNA‐mRNAs in skin photoaging mechanisms.

Methods

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were irradiated with UVA at 10 J/cm2 once a day lasting for 14 days. miRNA expression profiles were detected by high‐throughput sequencing. miRNAs changed significantly were identified by qRT‐PCR. Functional annotation analysis and pathway enrichment were carried out using Gene Ontology and KEGG, and predicted miRNA‐lncRNA‐mRNA interactions were performed via bioinformatic analysis.

Results

34 differentially expressed miRNAs (>1.5‐fold changes, P < .05) after UVA irradiation were identified to interact with distinct lncRNAs. miRNA‐lncRNA‐mRNA network prediction and regulatory role analysis showed that the gene expression of cellular process, cell part, and binding was mainly coordinated in UVA‐irradiated fibroblasts. miRNA‐lncRNA‐mRNA‐signal transduction pathway analysis showed that TNF signaling pathway, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, and lysosome were mainly affected after UVA irradiation.

Conclusion

miRNA‐lncRNA‐mRNA network played a critical part in skin photoaging. Our research provided novel insights into the repeated UVA‐induced skin damage in noncoding RNA regulatory field and might help to further understand the delicate interplay of gene regulation at the noncoding RNA level in photoaged skin and UV‐induced skin cancers in future researching and provide novel insights into the repeated UVA‐damaging pathology and potential targets for preventing human skin photoaging.
Animal, feed and rumen fermentation attributes associated with methane emissions from sheep fed brassica crops
Authors: He Yuhua , Sun Xuezhao , You Peihua
Published: October 2020

Methane emissions from ruminants enhance global warming and lead to a loss of feed energy. The emissions are low when fed brassica crops, but the factors contributing to low emissions are unknown. A meta‐analysis was conducted with individual animal data collected from seven experiments. In these experiments, methane emissions were measured using respiration chambers. Animal characteristics, feed chemical composition and rumen fermentation parameters were included for the analysis using multiple regression models. Feed intake level, animal live weight and age were animal factors that were weakly and negatively related to methane yield (g/dry matter intake). The duration in which sheep were fed brassica crops was a significant contributor in the model, suggesting that the effect on emissions diminishes with time. Among a range of feed chemical composition characters, acid detergent fibre and hot‐water‐soluble carbohydrate contributed significantly to the model, suggesting that both structural and soluble carbohydrates affect methane formation in the rumen. There was no significant correlation between the concentration of sulphate in brassicas and emissions, but nitrate was moderately and negatively correlated with methane yield (r = −.53). Short‐chain fatty acid profiles in the rumen of animals fed brassicas were different from those fed pasture, but these parameters only moderately correlated to methane emissions (r = .42). Feeding forage rape resulted in low rumen pH. The pH before morning feeding was strongly correlated to methane yield (r = .90). Rumen pH, together with microbial communities mediated by pH, might lead to low emissions. Bacteria known to produce hydrogen were relatively less abundant in the rumen contents of brassica‐fed animals than pasture‐fed animals. In conclusion, animal and feed factors, rumen fermentation and microbial communities all affect methane emissions to some extent. The interactions of these factors with each other thus contribute to methane emissions from brassica‐fed sheep.
Public health service increased risk donor kidney grafts for transplant into children, a survey of pediatric nephrologists
Authors: Anderson Blaire , Jezewski Emily , Sela Nathalie , Westphal Scott , Hoffman Arika
Published: October 2020

Background

Kidney transplant is the best treatment for end‐stage renal disease (ESRD); however, access is limited by severe organ shortage. Public Health Service increased risk donors (PHS‐IRD) represent a significant portion of available organs which are discarded at disproportional rates.

Methods

Pediatric nephrologists were surveyed regarding PHS‐IRD kidneys to understand attitudes and perceived barriers to the use of these grafts in children. We sought to elucidate what methods may help increase the likelihood of PHS‐IRD acceptance.

Results

Twenty‐two responses were received from United States pediatric nephrologists representing 11 UNOS regions (response rate 5.9%). Of respondents, 50% had been practicing for 20+ years, 77% in academic hospitals, and 63% in cities with over 1 000 000 people. All respondents worked in an institution with a kidney transplant program. 41% reported that they would not accept PHS‐IRD kidneys under any circumstance, 45% would accept depending on the candidate's medical status, and 14% routinely accepted PHS‐IRD kidneys. Infectious transmission was the biggest disincentive reported (59%), with only 55% of respondents feeling comfortable counseling families on the associated risks. 82% of respondents did not perceive all PHS‐IRD as the same, and 90% supported stratifying PHS‐IRD into tiers based on risk, which would increase the likelihood of organ acceptance (82%) and assist in counseling families (91%).

Conclusions

With improved utilization, PHS‐IRD kidneys offer a step toward decreasing the organ shortage. These findings suggest hesitance in use of PHS‐IRD kidneys for pediatric recipients. Further stratification of risk could aid in provider organ acceptance and counseling patients.
Epidermal carotenoid levels in vivo of patients with plaque psoriasis: Effects of narrow‐band UVB phototherapy
Authors: Darlenski Razvigor , Deliyska Radostina , Al‐Sadek Lina Tabet , Hristakieva Evgeniya , Fluhr Joachim W.
Published: October 2020

Background

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by hindered antioxidant defense and increased formation of free radicals. There are limited data on the skin carotenoids in psoriatic skin as well as their modulation during narrow‐band UVB (NB‐UVB) phototherapy of the disease.

Aim

The aim of this prospective study is to reveal the skin carotenoids levels during NB‐UVB phototherapy of psoriasis in humans.

Material and methods

Twenty Caucasian subjects with mild‐to‐moderate plaque psoriasis (15m; 5f) were enrolled in the study, and nine gender‐ and age‐matched healthy volunteers were recruited for controls of oxidative stress measurements. All psoriasis patients underwent 10 sessions of NB‐UVB phototherapy. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 10 sessions of NB‐UVB phototherapy. The assessment of carotenoid levels in the skin in vivo was performed by a non‐invasive, reflectance spectroscopy‐based device. Psoriasis severity was assessed by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). The dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was evaluated in psoriatic patients.

Results

Baseline carotenoid levels were significantly lower in psoriasis patients in comparison to healthy controls. NB‐UVB phototherapy insignificantly diminished carotenoid levels in the skin of psoriasis patients, while clinical improvement both in PASI score and DLQI was observed.

Conclusion

We showed the levels of skin carotenoids in psoriatic patients are lower than in healthy subjects. NB‐UVB did not change significantly skin carotenoid levels. Further studies should elucidate the potential effect of antioxidants supplementation during NB‐UVB of psoriasis.
Carbon emission flux and storage in the degraded peatlands of the Zoige alpine area in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhou Wenchang , Cui Lijuan , Wang Yifei , Li Wei , Kang Xiaoming
Published: October 2020

The Zoige alpine peatlands cover approximately 4,605 km2 of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and are considered to constitute the largest plateau peatland on the Eurasian continent. However, the Zoige alpine peatlands are undergoing major degradation because of human activities and climate change, which would cause uncertainty in the budget of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) and carbon (C) storage in global peatlands. This study simultaneously investigates the CH4 and CO2 emission fluxes and C storage at three typical sites with respect to the peatland degradation gradient: peatland, wet meadow and dry meadow. Results show that peatland degradation would increase the CO2 emission and decrease the CH4 emission. Moreover, the average C emission fluxes were 66.05, 165.78 and 326.56 mg C m−2 hr−1 for the peatland, wet meadow and dry meadow, respectively. The C storage of the vegetation does not considerably differ among the three sampling sites. However, when compared with the peatland (1,088.17 t C ha−1), the soil organic C storage decreases by 420 and 570 t C ha−1 in case of wet and dry meadows, respectively. Although the C storage in the degraded peatlands decreases considerably, it can still represent a large capacity of C sink. Therefore, the degraded peatlands in the Zoige alpine area must be protected and restored to mitigate regional climate change.
A novel virus transforms blood transfusion
Authors: Klein Harvey G.
Published: October 2020

See editorial on page 2463–2463, in this issue
COVID‐19 and the water sector: understanding impact, preparedness and resilience in the UK through a sector‐wide survey
Authors: Cotterill Sarah , Bunney Sarah , Lawson Elizabeth , Chisholm Alastair , Farmani Raziyeh , Melville‐Shreeve Peter
Published: October 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic led to drastically altered working practices. During the UK lockdown, a questionnaire was distributed to water professionals to understand their experiences and perceptions of organisational response. Findings were evaluated on the measures of mitigation, adaptation, coping and learning. Employees’ perceived there were adequate procedures to mitigate a threat, partly due to preparations for Brexit. Participants quickly adapted, with eighty‐four percent working from home. Coping was experienced at an individual and sector level. IT issues and care responsibilities made it harder for individuals to cope, but good communication and signposting of support helped. Eighty percent felt able to continue their usual role, implying coping mechanisms were effective. At the sector level, coping involved the ability to meet an increased water demand with a remote workforce. Lessons learned highlight the importance of communication and collaboration. Future crisis plans should prepare for prolonged crises of international magnitude and multiple threats.
Monitoring Damage in Nonoxide Composites at High Temperatures Using Carbon-Containing CVD SiC Monofilament Fibers as Embedded Electrical Resistance Sensors
Authors: Panakarajupally Ragav P. , El Rassi Joseph , Manigandan K. , Singh Yogesh P. , Morscher Gregory N.
Published: October 2020

Electrical resistance (ER) has become a technique of interest for monitoring SiC-based ceramic composites. The typical constituents of SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites, SiC, Si, and/or C, are semiconducive to some degree resulting in the fact that when damage occurs in the form of matrix cracking or fiber breakage, the resistance increases. For aero engine applications, SiC fiber reinforced SiC, sometimes Si-containing, matrix with a boron nitride (BN) interphase are often the main constituents. The resistivity of Si and SiC is highly temperature dependent. For high temperature tests, electrical lead attachment must be in a cold region which results in strong temperature effects on baseline measurements of resistance. This can be instructive as to test conditions; however, there is interest in focusing the resistance measurement in the hot section where damage monitoring is desired. The resistivity of C has a milder temperature dependence than that of Si or SiC. In addition, if the C is penetrated by damage, it would result in rapid oxidation of the C, presumably resulting in a change in resistance. One approach considered here is to insert carbon “rods” in the form of CVD SiC monofilaments with a C core to try and better sense change in resistance as it pertains to matrix crack growth in an elevated temperature test condition. The monofilaments were strategically placed in two nonoxide composite systems to understand the sensitivity of ER in damage detection at room temperature as well as elevated temperatures. Two material systems were considered for this study. The first composite system consisted of a Hi-Nicalon woven fibers, a BN interphase and a matrix processed via polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) which had SCS-6 monofilaments providing the C core. The second composite system was a melt-infiltrated (MI) prepreg laminate which contained Hi-Nicalon Type S fibers with BN interphases with SCS-ultramonofilaments providing the C core. The two composite matrix systems represent two extremes in resistance, the PIP matrix being orders of magnitude higher in resistance than the Si-containing prepreg MI matrix. Single notch tension–tension fatigue tests were performed at 815 °C to stimulate crack growth. Acoustic emission (AE) was used along with ER to monitor the damage initiation and progression during the test. Post-test microscopy was performed on the fracture specimen to understand the oxidation kinetics and carbon recession length in the monofilaments.
New Insights From Conceptual Design of an Additive Manufactured 300 W Microgas Turbine Toward Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Applications
Authors: Badum Lukas , Leizeronok Boris , Cukurel Beni
Published: October 2020

Owing to the high energy density of hydrocarbon fuels, ultramicrogas turbines (UMGT) with power outputs below 1 kW have clear potential as battery replacement in drones. However, previous works on gas turbines of this scale revealed severe challenges due to air bearing failures, heat transfer from turbine to compressor, rotordynamic instability, and manufacturing limitations. To overcome these obstacles, a novel gas turbine architecture is proposed based on conventional roller bearing technology that operates at up to 500,000 RPM and an additively manufactured monolithic rotor in cantilevered configuration, equipped with internal cooling blades. The optimum turbomachinery design is elaborated using diabatic cycle calculation, coupled with turbomachinery meanline design code. This approach provides new insights on the interdependencies of heat transfer, component efficiency, and system electric efficiency. Thereby, a reduced design pressure ratio of 2.5 with 1200 K turbine inlet temperature (TIT) is identified as most suitable for 300 W electric power output. In following, a review of available additive manufacturing technologies yields material properties, surface roughness, and design constraints for the monolithic rotor. Rotordynamic simulations are then conducted for four available materials using a simplified rotor model to identify valid permanent magnet dimensions that would avoid operation close to bending modes. To complete the baseline engine architecture, a novel radial inflow combustor concept is proposed based on porous inert media combustion. computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted to quantify compressor efficiency and conjugate heat transfer (CHT) analysis of the monolithic rotor is performed to assess the benefit of the internal cooling cavity and vanes for different rotor materials. It is demonstrated that the cavity flow absorbs large amount of heat flux from turbine to compressor, thus cooling the rotor structure and improving the diabatic cycle efficiency. Finally, the results of this conceptual study show that ultramicrogas turbine with electric efficiency of up to 5% is feasible, while energy density is increased by factor of 3.6, compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Achieving near-zero temperature coefficient of resistivity in atomic layer deposition TiSixN films through composition tuning
Authors: Feit Corbin , Chugh Srishti , Dhamdhere Ajit R. , Kim Hae Young , Dabas Shaurya , Rathi Somilkumar J. , Mukherjee Niloy , Banerjee Parag
Published: October 2020

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to systematically vary the composition of TiSixN films by modulating the ratio of Ti and Si precursors with NH3 as a coreactant. The as-synthesized films have varying atomic (at.) % Si (0 ≤ x ≤ 24.2) to provide both metallic (i.e., TiN) and insulating (i.e., Si3N4) behavior. The competing material properties reduce the temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of the film, thereby generating a regime where electrical conductance is independent of temperature. The TiSixN (Si = 3.4 at. %) film with 139.6 nm thickness exhibits a near-zero TCR of −23 ppm K−1, between 298 and 398 K, and a resistivity of 348.1 μΩ cm. Materials characterization using x-ray reflectometry, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, in conjunction with van der Pauw measurement and spectroscopic ellipsometry, are conducted to characterize film properties. Correlating structural, electrical, and optical properties provides insights into the electronic interactions of TiN with Si3N4, synthesized as an ALD nanocomposite thin film.
Deep GaN through-substrate via etching using Cl2/BCl3 inductively coupled plasma
Authors: Okamoto Naoya , Takahashi Atsushi , Minoura Yuichi , Kumazaki Yusuke , Ozaki Shiro , Ohki Toshihiro , Hara Naoki , Watanabe Keiji
Published: October 2020

In this study, the etching characteristics for fabricating deep GaN through-substrate vias at a high etching rate exceeding 1 μm/min using high density Cl2/BCl3 inductively coupled plasma were investigated. The etching rate decreased almost linearly with increasing BCl3 content up to a 25% gas mixture ratio; however, an etching rate of more than 1 μm/min was achieved. The highest GaN/Ni metal mask etching selectivity was obtained at the gas mixture ratio of 10%. However, large pillars were formed in almost all the via holes, which was attributed to the wafer temperature during etching. By optimizing the etching conditions, GaN via holes with depths of 91 μm and diameters of 80 μm without pillars were successfully formed at an etching rate as high as 1.5 μm/min and with an etching selectivity as high as 35. Furthermore, it was clarified that the etch-back of the Ni metal mask produced sidewalls with two different slopes in these via holes.
The Strength of the Situation: Disentangling the Situational Explanation for Effort Gains in Swimming Relays From Person-Related Accounts
Authors: Hüffmeier Joachim , Schleu Joyce Elena , Nohe Christoph
Published: October 2020

Prior research showed that swimmers swim faster in relay than in individual competitions if they start at later relay positions. This finding is typically explained via the swimmers’ relay position and their associated perception that their individual performance is indispensable for their teams’ performance. Using multilevel modeling, the authors disentangled this situational explanation from alternative accounts focusing on individual differences between swimmers. Two studies empirically supported the situational explanation: When using a within-person approach and, thus, controlling for between-person variance (i.e., individual differences between swimmers), the swimmers’ relay position remained a significant predictor of the increases in effort spent in relays. This finding held when controlling for the on-average higher instrumentality in the relay versus the individual competitions. Thus, the often observed effort gains in swimming relays probably are due to the swimmers’ relay position as a situational explanation and stem from the motivating impact of teamwork versus individual work.
Superficial white matter imaging: Contrast mechanisms and whole-brain in vivo mapping
Authors: Kirilina Evgeniya , Helbling Saskia , Morawski Markus , Pine Kerrin , Reimann Katja , Jankuhn Steffen , Dinse Juliane , Deistung Andreas , Reichenbach Jürgen R. , Trampel Robert , Geyer Stefan , Müller Larissa , Jakubowski Norbert , Arendt Thomas , Bazin Pierre-Louis , Weiskopf Nikolaus
Published: October 2020

Superficial white matter mapping provides the foundation for systematic studies of this crucial structure.
Spatial localization of charged molecules by salt ions in oil-confined water microdroplets
Authors: Lhee SangMoon , Lee Jae Kyoo , Kang Jooyoun , Kato Shota , Kim Sunhee , Zare Richard N. , Nam Hong Gil
Published: October 2020

Salt ions promote heterogeneous localization of charged molecules toward the interface of aqueous microdroplets in oil.