bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the mortality burden attributable to temperature and PM2.5 from the perspective of atmospheric flow
Authors: Han Ling , Sun Zhaobin , He Juan , Zhang Bihui , Lv Mengyao , Zhang Xiaoling , Zheng Canjun
Published: November 2020

The flow of the Earth’s atmosphere not only largely determines its temperature status, but also profoundly affects aerosol concentrations. Therefore, exploring how to evaluate the synthetical effects of temperature and aerosol pollution on human health is an important topic. Regarding the atmosphere as a whole, we quantified the mortality burden attributable to short-term exposure to abnormal temperatures and PM2.5 in Beijing from the perspective of atmospheric flow. We first divided the atmospheric stability into three levels (including disturbed, normal, and stable conditions) according to the variations in meteorological conditions and PM2.5 concentrations across the stable weather index levels. We then applied a generalized additive model to separately evaluate the short-term effects of temperature and PM2.5 on mortality under each level of atmospheric stability. We further estimate the associated mortality burden using two indicators, namely attributable fraction and attributable number of deaths. Abnormal temperatures were responsible for most of the mortality burden. Cold temperatures accounted for a substantially higher mortality burden than hot temperatures. The synthetical mortality effects of temperature and PM2.5 varied for different atmospheric stabilities. A stable atmosphere poses the strongest synthetical effects of temperature and PM2.5, while a normal atmosphere provides comparatively beneficial conditions for human health. Our results indicated that the synthetical health impacts of temperature and PM2.5 driven by atmospheric flow need to be considered in the further promulgation of public health policies and air pollution abatement strategies, particularly in the context of climate change.
Substantial decline in atmospheric aridity due to irrigation in India
Authors: Ambika Anukesh Krishnankutty , Mishra Vimal
Published: November 2020

Compound extremes of soil moisture (SM) drought and high vapor pressure deficit (atmospheric aridity) are disastrous for natural and social systems. Despite a significant expansion in irrigated area in India, the role of irrigation on SM and atmospheric aridity is not examined. We used observations, reanalysis datasets, and high-resolution simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to show that irrigation significantly modulates SM and atmospheric aridity in India. The Indo-Gangetic Plain, which is one of the most intensively irrigated regions in the world, experienced significant (P-value = 0.03) cooling (∼0.8 °C) and an increase in solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence during the crop growing season (November–February). Atmospheric aridity has significantly (P-value = 0.0002) declined (−1.38 kPa) while SM (1.6 m3 m−3) and relative humidity (RH) (2.0%) have increased over the Indo-Gangetic Plain during 1979–2018. We conducted high-resolution simulations using the WRF model to examine the role of irrigation on atmospheric aridity. Irrigation strongly modulates SM drought and atmospheric aridity by increasing latent heat and RH and reducing sensible heat. Our findings have implications as irrigation can influence compound extremes of SM drought and atmospheric aridity. Climate models need to incorporate the influence of irrigation for reliable projections in the intensively irrigated regions.
Optimization of abrasive wear behaviour of halloysite nanotubes filled carbon fabric reinforced epoxy hybrid composites
Authors: Muralidhara B , Kumaresh Babu S P , Hemanth G , Suresha B
Published: November 2020

This research article presents the role of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) incorporated carbon fabric/epoxy under a dry sand three-body abrasive wear (D3BW) condition. HNTs filled carbon fabric/epoxy nanocomposites are structured by hand layup assisted by the vacuum bagging process. The experiments were planned using L16 Taguchi array. The load, abrading distance, and filler loading were considered as a controlling factor. Wear volume loss associated in D3BW with two different sand particles size (212 μm and 425 μm) were investigated. Post-wear surface morphology was observed under the scanning electron microscope, and micro-cutting, and micro-ploughing were predominant. Both 212 μm and 425 μm sand particles had a similar wear volume loss, but, the composites were wear-resistant towards the 425 μm sand particles. Based on the experimental results, analysis of variance and multi-linear regression models, the load, abrading distance, load + abrading and load + filler loading had considerable impact on the abrasive wear on the composites. However, the filler loading had no definite impact on the abrasive wear behaviour.
Strategies for high performance and scalable on-chip spectrometers
Authors: Wang Junzhuan , Zheng Binjie , Wang Xiaomu
Published: November 2020

Miniature spectrometers provide promising potential for on-chip or in situ optical analysis. In recent years there has been significant progress towards reducing the size and improving the performance of these spectrometers. The workhorse is light splitting components. This work has been led primarily by the innovative use of new light analysis strategies and new nanostructured materials with the notable increase in the spectral range and resolution. This review summarizes the latest developments classified as monochromatic, modulated and computational types of miniature spectrometers according to the spectral extraction methods. Particularly, we highlight the recent advances in designing of sophisticated gratings, resonators, interferometers and photonic crystals (PCs), the emerging of novel nanostructured materials and improvement in the computational spectra reconstruction algorithms. We examine the different approaches employed to reduce size and enhance light–matter interaction of the final spectrometers, especially emphasizing the trade-off between various metrics of the spectrometer including device footprint, measurable spectral range, spectral resolution, sensitivity as well as complementary metal oxide semiconductor compatibility. We also examine potential applications of on-chip spectrometers and outlook where further developments are required.
The Pornography Industry
Authors: Tarrant Shira
Published: November 2020

We may know pornography when we see it, but the business of pornography is a surprisingly elusive subject. Reliable figures about the industry are difficult to come by and widely disputed, but one matter that is hardly debatable is that pornography is a major and ubiquitous enterprise. Porn allegedly accounts for one-third of all internet traffic currently, though the data about actual consumption is unclear. Reports in recent years have suggested that 70 million individuals visit porn sites every week; that among viewers aged 18-24, women watch more porn than men; and that among middle-aged, white-collar workers, three-quarters of men and half of women have admitted to looking at pornography websites while at work. While debates and emotions around porn can run high, there is a crucial need for reliable information and rational conversation. In this book, Shira Tarrant parses the wide range of statistics that we have on the pornography industry, sorting myth from reality in an objective, fascinating and knowledgeable fashion. She looks at ongoing political controversies around the industry, the feminist porn wars, the views of the religious right, the history of pornography, landmark legal cases, and the latest in medical research. The Pornography Industry also explains the industry basics -who works in porn, why people become performers, how much they earn, and what happens on a porn set. It further delves into important questions such as: how many teenagers watch porn and should we worry about it? What is porn piracy and can it be stopped? What can the industry do about sexist and racist pornography? Does porn cause violence against women? Can people become addicted to porn? Is watching porn the same as infidelity? By presenting competing perspectives in an even-handed way, The Pornography Industry will enable readers to explore these provocative issues and make their own best decisions about the debates.
Who’s Watching Porn?
Authors: Tarrant Shira
Published: November 2020

Myths and stereotypes about sexuality are common. This misinformation also applies when it comes to questions about who is watching porn—and why. There is a lot of research exploring these issues; but as for solid conclusions, the jury is still out.

The question...
The Future of Porn
Authors: Tarrant Shira
Published: November 2020

The pornography industry is known to be an early adopter of technology that helps drive change across broader society. Pornography is also known for ensconcing racist, patriarchal stereotypes in a sexy package. It can promote pleasure, or even progressive change, in terms of...
HamletRevision: Bhardwaj’sHaideras Crossmapping and Contact Zone
Authors: Hoydis Julia
Published: November 2020

Completing his trilogy of adaptations of Shakespearean tragedies, Indian director Vishal Bhardwaj’s film Haider (2014) tackles Hamlet. A generic fusion of realist drama, Bollywood movie, and espionage thriller, the film intersects the Elizabethan source text’s revenge plot with intertextual references to journalist Basharat Peer’s contemporary war memoir Curfewed Nights (2011), detailing the realities in insurgency-torn Kashmir in the 1990s. Taking its cue from the film’s controversial reception, which runs the gamut from censorship, appraisals, and criticism that Indian film does not need the ‘crutch’ of Hamlet to claim attention, this article explores questions about border-crossing, violence, and reconciliation raised on the level of form and content. Haider presents an adaptation of not one but two source texts: one ‘global’ and one ‘local’. The result, this article argues, is astonishingly harmonious and the contested metaphors of adaptation theory and global Shakespeare studies, such as ‘appropriation’ or ‘indigenization’, apply less to it than that of a transcultural ‘contact zone’ (Pratt, Mary Louise. Imperial Eyes. Travel Writing and Transculturation, 2nd. ed. London and New York: Routledge, 2008) and of a ‘crossmapping’ (Bronfen, Elisabeth. Crossmappings. On Visual Culture. London and New York: I.B. Tauris, 2018). By placing greater emphasis on communality and having the ending turn from revenge to forgiveness, Haider interrogates the transcultural appeal of Hamlet, drawing attention to histories of violent conflict. It also reveals a revisionist agenda that captures both hidden political realities and a haunting refiguration of Shakespeare.
Stability Indicating Method for Polysorbate 80 in Protein Formulations
Authors: Webster Gregory K , Chang Jean C , Heflin Julie L
Published: November 2020

Polysorbates (also known as “Tween”) are common components of protein formulations used to minimize protein adsorption and stabilize the protein. These nonionic surfactants are heterogenous mixtures of fatty acids with a complex reversed-phase profile due to the inhomogeneity of the polymers present. Polysorbates can be oxidized, which can be hard to detect in the complex polymer profile. Further adding to the analytical challenge is the lack of a chromophore for the detection of these polymers.

The routine analysis of polysorbates in protein formulations was greatly improved through the introduction of online solid-phase extraction (SPE) to simplify the polysorbate profile for quantification. However, this method combines many of the polysorbate polymers into a single peak for detection, thus limiting its effectiveness for detecting degradation. To address the need for a stability indicating method without the complexity of the reversed-phase profile, an optimized online SPE method was developed and investigated. Using polysorbate 80, this investigation shows that further expanding the step gradient can yield a profile that is stability indicating and available for routine testing of protein formulation.
Shifts in sensitivity of amphibian metamorphosis to endocrine disruption: the common frog (Rana temporaria) as a case study
Authors: Ruthsatz Katharina , Dausmann Kathrin H , Paesler Katharina , Babos Patricia , Sabatino Nikita M , Peck Myron A , Glos Julian
Published: November 2020

Effective conservation actions require knowledge on the sensitivity of species to pollution and other anthropogenic stressors. Many of these stressors are endocrine disruptors (EDs) that can impair the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis and thus alter thyroid hormone (TH) levels with physiological consequences to wildlife. Due to their specific habitat requirements, amphibians are often sentinels of environmental degradation. We investigated how altered TH levels affected the bioenergetics of growth and development (i.e. age, size, metabolism, cardiac function and energy stores) before, during and after metamorphosis in the European common frog (Rana temporaria). We also determined how ontogenetic stage affected susceptibility to endocrine disruption and estimated juvenile performance. TH levels significantly affected growth and energetics at all developmental stages. Tadpoles and froglets exposed to high TH levels were significantly younger, smaller and lighter at all stages compared to those in control and low TH groups, indicating increased developmental and reduced growth rates. Across all ontogenetic stages tested, physiological consequences were rapidly observed after exposure to EDs. High TH increased heart rate by an average of 86% and reduced energy stores (fat content) by 33% compared to controls. Effects of exposure were smallest after the completion of metamorphosis. Our results demonstrate that both morphological and physiological traits of the European common frog are strongly impacted by endocrine disruption and that ontogenetic stage modulates the sensitivity of this species to endocrine disruption. Since endocrine disruption during metamorphosis can impair the physiological stress response in later life stages, long-term studies examining carry-over effects will be an important contribution to the conservation physiology of amphibians.
Phylogeny and diversity of alkane-degrading enzyme gene variants in the laurentian great lakes and western atlantic
Authors: Christian William C , Butler Timothy M , Ghannam Ryan B , Webb Paige N , Techtmann Stephen M
Published: November 2020

Many aquatic environments are at risk for oil contamination and alkanes are one of the primary constituents of oil. The alkane hydroxylase (AlkB) is a common enzyme used by microorganisms to initiate the process of alkane-degradation. While many aspects of alkane bioremediation have been studied, the diversity and evolution of genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation from environmental settings is relatively understudied. The majority of work done to-date has focused on the marine environment. Here we sought to better understand the phylogenetic diversity of alkB genes across marine and freshwater settings using culture-independent methods. We hypothesized that there would be distinct phylogenetic diversity of alkB genes in freshwater relative to the marine environment. Our results confirm that alkB has distinct variants based on environment while our diversity analyses demonstrate that freshwater and marine alkB communities have unique responses to oil amendments. Our results also demonstrate that in the marine environment, depth is a key factor impacting diversity of alkB genes.
Vitamin D Receptor Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Association With Vitamin D Levels and Endoscopic Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shirwaikar Thomas Anusha , Criss Zachary K , Shroyer Noah F , Abraham Bincy P
Published: November 2020

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) comprise a heterogenous group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders that are multifactorial in etiology. Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling plays a role in modulating the immune response in IBD as a cause and/or a consequence of chronic inflammation.

Aim

The aim of this study is to study the associations between vitamin D receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs), vitamin D levels, and endoscopic disease activity in IBD.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analysis of IBD patients who underwent endoscopic evaluation at a tertiary care hospital. Demographic variables, IBD disease type and location, medical therapies, vitamin D levels, and endoscopic disease activity were collected. Colonic biopsies obtained were investigated for the presence of VDR SNPs: ApaI, TaqI, BsmI, FokI, and Tru9I.

Results

Patients in endoscopic remission had higher vitamin D levels compared with those with inflammation found on endoscopy (P = <0.001). Patients with lower vitamin D levels were homozygous for Fok ancestral alleles (P = 0.0045). With regard to endoscopic disease activity, we found no differences in mutations of any of the VDR SNPs in our sample.

Conclusions

The association between the presence of the ancestral FokI and lower vitamin D levels suggests a multifactorial etiology for vitamin D deficiency in IBD. Higher vitamin D levels in those in endoscopic remission compared with lower levels in those with active inflammation suggests that the impact of VDR gene SNP on disease activity may be overcome with replacement therapy.
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases of Colorado, Including New State Records forArgas radiatus(Ixodida: Argasidae) andIxodes brunneus(Ixodida: Ixodidae)
Authors: Hutcheson H Joel , Mertins James W , Kondratieff Boris C , White Monica M
Published: November 2020

We report 28 species of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) from Colorado (CO). We include the soft ticks (Argasidae) Argas (Argas) cooleyi Kohls and Hoogstraal, Argas (Persicargas) radiatus Railliet, Carios (Alectorobius) concanensis (Cooley and Kohls), Carios (Alectorobius) kelleyi (Cooley and Kohls), Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) hermsi Wheeler et al., Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) parkeri Cooley, Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) turicata (Dugès), Otobius (Otobius) lagophilus Cooley and Kohls, and Otobius (Otobius) megnini (Dugès). We include the metastriate hard ticks (Ixodidae) Dermacentor (Americentor) albipictus (Packard), Dermacentor (Dermacentor) andersoni Stiles, Dermacentor (Dermacentor) parumapertus Neumann, Dermacentor (Dermacentor) variabilis (Say), Haemaphysalis (Aboimisalis) chordeilis (Packard), Haemaphysalis (Gonixodes) leporispalustris (Packard), and Rhipicephalus (Rhipicephalus) sanguineus Latreille. Prostriate hard ticks include Ixodes (Ixodiopsis) angustus Neumann, Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) baergi Cooley and Kohls, Ixodes (Trichotoixodes) brunneus Koch, Ixodes (Scaphixodes) howelli Cooley and Kohls, Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) kingi Bishopp, Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) marmotae Cooley and Kohls, Ixodes (Ixodiopsis) ochotonae Gregson, Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) sculptus Neumann, Ixodes (Ixodiopsis) soricis Gregson, Ixodes (Ixodes) spinipalpis Hadwen and Nuttall, Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) texanus Banks, and Ixodes (Ixodiopsis) woodi Bishopp. Argas radiatus and Ixodes brunneus represent new state records. Review of collection reports revealed that inclusion of Ixodes (Multidentatus) auritulus (Neumann), Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) cookei Packard, Ixodes (Phoeloioxdes) marxi Banks, and Ixodes (Ixodes) pacificus Cooley and Kohls is dubious or unconfirmed and, conversely, that C. concanensis and H. chordeilis have distributions that include CO. We list an additional five species occasionally detected and 13 exotic species intercepted in CO. Tick-host associations, geographical distributions, and medical/veterinary importance are included.
Similarity in fine-to-total root mass ratio leads to comparative plant–soil feedbacks between co-occurring native and invasive plants
Authors: Tang Xuefei , Wei Chunqiang , Gao Lunlun , Jia Bingbing , Lu Xinmin
Published: November 2020

Aims

Soil biota can affect plant–plant interactions and non-native plant invasions via plant–soil feedback (PSF). Understanding the drivers underlying interspecific variations in PSF is important for predicting the role of soil biota in non-native plant invasions. Recent studies found that PSF could be predicted by plant traits. The success of plant invasions is also linked with plant traits, suggesting a potential linkage between PSF and plant invasion via plant traits, but has not yet been tested. Here, we compared PSF between six phylogenetically paired co-occurring native and invasive plants, and explored the potential linkage between PSF with plant root traits.

Methods

We conducted a two-phase PSF experiment. Field collected soils were conditioned by the six plant species for 3 months firstly, then seedlings of these plants were grown in living or sterilized soils that had been conditioned by conspecific vs. heterospecific (the congener/confamilial species) individuals. We estimated effects of biota in conspecific (conspecific PSF) or heterospecific (heterospecific PSF) soils relative to sterilized soils, and the relative effects of biota in conspecific vs. heterospecific soils (PSF-away) on plant biomass.

Important Findings

In general, soil biota suppressed plant growth, and there were no differences in conspecific PSF, heterospecific PSF and PSF-away between native and invasive plants. PSF increased with rising plant fine-to-total root mass ratio in the presence of soil biota, and its value was comparable between native and invasive plants. Our results indicate that similarity in plant fine-to-total root mass ratio that predicted PSF may have partially led to the comparable PSFs between these native and invasive plants. Studies exploring the linkages among plant traits, PSF and plant invasions with more plants, in particular phylogenetically distant plants, are needed to improve our understanding of the role of soil biota in plant invasions.
Effects of defoliation timing on plant nutrient resorption and hay production in a semi-arid steppe
Authors: Zhang Tongrui , Li Frank Yonghong , Wang Hao , Wu Lin , Shi Chunjun , Li Yanlong , Hu Jie
Published: November 2020

Aims

Nutrient resorption is a key plant nutrient conservation strategy, and its response to environmental and management changes is linked to nutrient cycling and production of ecosystems. Defoliation is a major pathway of mowing affecting plant nutrient resorption and production in grasslands, while the effect of defoliation timing has not been unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of defoliation timing on plant nutrient resorption and production in a steppe ecosystem.

Methods

We conducted a field experiment in a semi-arid steppe of Inner Mongolia including four treatments: early defoliation, peak defoliation, late defoliation and non-defoliation. We measured plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption at species and community levels, and quantified plant N and P fluxes in resorption, litter return and hay output. Plant production in the mowing system was assessed by hay production and quality.

Important Findings

Peak and late defoliation, but not early defoliation, reduced plant community N and P resorption proficiency; and late defoliation reduced N resorption efficiency but not P resorption efficiency. Peak and late defoliation, but not early defoliation, reduced plant nutrient resorption flux and litter nutrient return flux. Defoliation timing did not alter root nutrient accumulation as nutrient uptake from soil likely compensated the deficit of nutrient resorption. Peak defoliation had the highest hay production and quality, while early defoliation had the lowest. Our results provide new insights into the nutrient cycling in mowing grassland, and imply that the mowing timing can be used as a tool to mediate the balance between conservation and production of steppes, and the early mowing before plant peak biomass period is recommended for conservation of the steppes while keeping sustainable pastoral production.
Tension pneumoperitoneum following upper endoscopy
Authors: Denkler Catherine , Sterbling Helene M , Seoudi Hani
Published: November 2020

Perforation of the digestive tract is a rare complication of endoscopy. Massive accumulation of air within the peritoneum resulting in the abdominal compartment syndrome is much less common with <20 cases reported. In this report we present a case of jejunal perforation during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy that resulted in tension physiology with mesenteric ischemia, severe acidosis, renal failure, coagulopathy and massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The patient had a sudden onset of shock as soon as her abdomen was decompressed, indicating that she possibly developed a reperfusion injury. She did not respond to resuscitative efforts and ultimately died.
‘The Faithful Remnant of the True Church of England’: Susanna Hopton and the Politico-Theology of the Nonjuring Schism
Authors: Lewis Simon
Published: November 2020

Susanna Hopton (1627–1709) is best known for her devotional literature, and her association with the Anglican clergyman and poet, Thomas Traherne (1636–74). Significantly less scholarly attention, however, has been devoted to her role and influence as a Nonjuring theologian. By analysing some neglected letters and publications, this paper not only illuminates Hopton’s independence as a theological controversialist but also explores her role as an evangelist for the Nonjuring cause. Fresh evidence is advanced to elucidate the ways in which Hopton’s theological trajectory differed from those of Nonjuring divines. Furthermore, by exploring Hopton’s friendship with the prominent Nonjuring divine, George Hickes (1642–1715), this paper enhances our knowledge of clerical perceptions of women theologians during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
The distribution of petroleum resources in Malaysia: unpacking federalism
Authors: Zulhafiz Wan Zahari Wan M , Shuaib Farid Sufian bin
Published: November 2020

This article examines the concept of federalism in the oil and gas industry in Malaysia. The petroleum industry is one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) to enhance national growth under Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). Due to its economic significance, the petroleum industry was given priority by the Government of Malaysia. The development of the oil and gas industry in Malaysia can be divided into two stages, ie the period before 1974 and after 1974. Prior to 1974, the ownership of hydrocarbon resources was placed under the jurisdiction of the respective 13 states forming part of Malaysia. In 1974, the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) was passed by the Parliament of Malaysia. Pursuant to the PDA, a national oil company has been established in the form of a public listed company which is called Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas). The national oil company was granted the entire ownership and the exclusive rights, powers, liberties and privileges of exploring, winning and obtaining petroleum onshore and offshore Malaysia. Each state permanently conferred its ownership, rights, powers, liberties and privileges in the petroleum by executing the vesting instrument specified in the PDA. This article examines the rights of ownership of the Federation and the various states of Malaysia with regards to the hydrocarbon resources at the time of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, and the gradual changes in the ownership of the hydrocarbon resources from the states to the absolute ownership of the Federal government in 1974. Furthermore, this article examines the legislation regulating petroleum resources and the role of the states and federation in the upstream oil and gas industry prior to 1974 and after the enactment of the PDA.
Evolution of linguistic complexity in Hearthstone: a resource and an example in linguistic game studies
Authors: Jacquin Jérôme , Xanthos Aris
Published: November 2020

The present paper uses corpus linguistics methods to study a born-digital cultural artifact, namely the collectible card game Hearthstone, released in 2014 and still under active development in 2020. As indicated by the developers’ public statements, such a game, which is framed as an ongoing service rather than a final product, needs to strike a balance between two conflicting constraints: while the game must remain easily accessible at any stage of its development to increase the player base, the player’s experience must be constantly renewed to keep the existing player base from getting bored and leaving the game. In practice, this translates into the regular addition of new card sets by the developer. Our hypothesis is that linguistic traces of these opposite forces can be found in the evolution of lexical diversity in the text of the game’s rules, as opposed to its ‘flavour’ text, which plays no role in the game’s mechanics. To test this hypothesis, a corpus documenting the first two years of the game has been built and it is distributed in open access. The analysis of lexical diversity in these data shows that the rule text vocabulary is both highly controlled and subject to steady diversification. We view these features as reflecting stakes that characterise the ongoing management and development of a game-as-a-service like Hearthstone.
COVID-19 Investigational Treatments in Use Among Hospitalized Patients Identified Through the US Coronavirus Disease 2019–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network, March 1–June 30, 2020
Authors: Acosta Anna M , Mathis Adria L , Budnitz Daniel S , Geller Andrew I , Chai Shua J , Alden Nisha B , Meek James , Anderson Evan J , Ryan Patricia , Kim Sue , Como-Sabetti Kathryn , Torres Salina , Dufort Elizabeth , Bennett Nancy M , Billing Laurie M , Sutton Melissa , Keipp Talbot H , George Andrea , Pham Huong , Hall Aron J , Fry Alicia , Garg Shikha , Kim Lindsay
Published: November 2020

Using a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated hospitalization surveillance network, we found that 42.5% of hospitalized COVID-19 cases with available data from March 1–June 30, 2020, received ≥1 COVID-19 investigational treatment. Hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and remdesivir were used frequently; however, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin use declined over time, while use of remdesivir increased.
Light curve analysis of six totally eclipsing W UMa binaries
Authors: Latković Olivera , Čeki Atila
Published: November 2020

We analyze multicolor light curves of six totally eclipsing, short-period W UMa binaries and derive, for the first time, their orbital and stellar parameters. The mass ratios are established robustly through an automated q-search procedure that performs an heuristic survey of the parameter space. Five stars belong to the W and one to the A subtype. The mass ratios range from 0.23 to 0.51 and the fillouts from $10\%$ to $15\%$. We estimate the ages and discuss the evolutionary status of these objects in comparison with a sample of other short-period W UMa binaries from the literature.
Eastern US deciduous tree species respond dissimilarly to declining soil moisture but similarly to rising evaporative demand
Authors: Denham Sander O , Oishi A Christopher , Miniat Chelcy F , Wood Jeffrey D , Yi Koong , Benson Michael C , Novick Kimberly A
Published: November 2020

Hydraulic stress in plants occurs under conditions of low water availability (soil moisture; θ) and/or high atmospheric demand for water (vapor pressure deficit; D). Different species are adapted to respond to hydraulic stress by functioning along a continuum where, on one hand, they close stomata to maintain a constant leaf water potential (ΨL) (isohydric species), and on the other hand, they allow ΨL to decline (anisohydric species). Differences in water-use along this continuum are most notable during hydrologic stress, often characterized by low θ and high D; however, θ and D are often, but not necessarily, coupled at time scales of weeks or longer, and uncertainty remains about the sensitivity of different water-use strategies to these variables. We quantified the effects of both θ and D on canopy conductance (Gc) among widely distributed canopy-dominant species along the isohydric–anisohydric spectrum growing along a hydroclimatological gradient. Tree-level Gc was estimated using hourly sap flow observations from three sites in the eastern United States: a mesic forest in western North Carolina and two xeric forests in southern Indiana and Missouri. Each site experienced at least 1 year of substantial drought conditions. Our results suggest that sensitivity of Gc to θ varies across sites and species, with Gc sensitivity being greater in dry than in wet sites, and greater for isohydric compared with anisohydric species. However, once θ limitations are accounted for, sensitivity of Gc to D remains relatively constant across sites and species. While D limitations to Gc were similar across sites and species, ranging from 16 to 34% reductions, θ limitations to Gc ranged from 0 to 40%. The similarity in species sensitivity to D is encouraging from a modeling perspective, though it implies that substantial reduction to Gc will be experienced by all species in a future characterized by higher D.
Sequence Resource of Bacterial Communities Associated with Hemp in Ohio
Authors: Willman Matthew , Keener Harold M. , Benitez Maria-Soledad
Published: November 2020

In spite of changes in regulation and increased hemp cultivation and commercialization, information on hemp best production practices in the United States is scarce. Due to hemp’s human consumption, particularly as concentrated oil, hemp is often grown with low synthetic chemical inputs. Therefore, microbiome management and the use of microbial inoculants are important tools to increase hemp productivity. As a first step to characterize the hemp core microbiome, we completed a survey of bacterial communities associated with different tissue types of plants grown in a field in Ohio. This local dataset could be integrated with further hemp microbiome surveys to identify potential beneficial interactions relevant to plant health and productivity but also to evaluate microbiome impacts on product efficacy and safety.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Severity of Chronic Pain in German Adolescent School Students
Authors: Könning Anna , Rosenthal Nicola , Brown Donnamay , Stahlschmidt Lorin , Wager Julia
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

Prevalence estimates of severe chronic pain in pediatric community samples are rare and inconclusive. This study aimed to (1) examine the prevalence of chronic pain severity grades in school children and (2) investigate differences between pain severity grades for pain-related characteristics, including pain locations, sociodemographic characteristics, emotional functioning, insomnia, school factors, and health care utilization.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 2220 school students in Germany (52% female individuals, age: M=13.0; SD=1.8; range, 10 to 18 y). Pain severity was assessed using the validated Chronic Pain Grades for adolescents. Comparisons between Chronic Pain Grade subgroups of adolescent characteristics were conducted using χ2 tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and 1-way analysis of variance.

Results:

In school students, 31.0% had chronic pain with 8.2% categorized as severe. Individuals with higher pain severity tended to be girls and have multisite pain, more symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety, and a higher emotional burden of pain. Individuals with higher pain severity also reported less school satisfaction, lower perceived school performance, and more insomnia. Pain medication intake and physician visits because of pain were more common in those with more severe pain.

Discussion:

Severe chronic pain affects nearly 1 in 10 adolescent school students and is associated with several negative health outcomes and increased health care utilization. It is important to ensure that specialized pain treatment programs are available to these students and that they are aware of the different negative health outcomes associated with the pain condition.
Advances of adeno-associated virus applied in gene therapy to hemophilia from bench work to the clinical use
Authors: Pei Xiaolei , Han Mingzhe , Zhang Lei
Published: November 2020

Hemophilia A and B are diseases caused by a single gene deficiency and are thus suitable for gene therapy. In recent clinical research, adeno-associated virus (AAV) was employed by several teams in the treatment of hemophilia A and B, and the outcomes were encouraging. In this review, we summarized the most recent research on the mechanism and application of AAV in the treatment of hemophilia, trying to analyze the advantages of AAV gene therapy and the main challenges in its clinical use. We also summarized the clinical trials involving hemophilia, especially those employing AAV gene therapy to treat hemophilia A and B, some of which have already been completed and some that are still ongoing. From the reports of the completed clinical trials, we tried to determine the correlations among AAV dose, AAV serotype, immune response, and gene expression time. Finally, taking into account the most recent studies investigating AAV capsid modification, transgene optimization, and AAV chaperones, we summarized the direction of basic research and clinical applications of AAV in the future.
Aptamer technology: a new approach to treat lymphoma?
Authors: Zu Youli
Published: November 2020

Oligonucleotide aptamers are a class of small-molecule ligands. Functionally similar to protein antibodies, aptamers can specifically bind to their targets with high affinity. Biomedical studies have revealed the potential clinical value of aptamer technology for disease diagnosis and targeted therapy. Lymphoma is a group of cancers originating from the lymphatic system. Currently, chemotherapy is the primary treatment for lymphoma, although it may cause serious side effects in patients due to lack of target specificity. Here, we selectively discuss the recent development of potential applications of aptamer technology for precision lymphoma therapy, which are able to not only achieve high therapeutic efficacy but also do not cause off-target side effects.
T cell response in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Liu Lian , Xu Ling , Lin Chen
Published: November 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the third zoonotic coronavirus to have an outbreak in the first two decades of the 21st century. Human-to-human transmission of this virus has threatened thousands of lives around the world. SARS-CoV-2 shares 79% and 50% sequence homology with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), respectively. Like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection, evidence has shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection also causes acute tissue damage due to a pathological immune response, particularly in severe cases. T cells play an important role in virus clearance and prevention, and in this paper, we summarize dynamic changes in the T cell count, subsets, phenotype, and function in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients based on current clinical reports. This review may help to better understand the pathological immune response of T cells and facilitate making better therapeutic strategies for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Cardiac Myosin Activation for the Treatment of Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Bernier Thomas D. , Buckley Leo F.
Published: November 2020

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction is the hallmark pathology in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Increasing left ventricular contractility with beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitors, or levosimendan has failed to improve clinical outcomes and, in some situations, increased the risk of sudden cardiac death. Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists and phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitors retain an important role in advanced heart failure. Thus, there remains an unmet need for safe and effective therapies to improve left ventricular systolic function. Two novel cardiac myotropes, omecamtiv mecarbil and danicamtiv, target cardiac myosin to increase left ventricular systolic performance. Neither omecamtiv mecarbil nor danicamtiv affects cardiomyocyte calcium handling, the proposed mechanism underlying the life-threatening arrhythmias associated with cardiac calcitropes and calcium sensitizers. Phase 2 clinical trials have demonstrated that these cardiac myosin activators prolong left ventricular systolic ejection time and promote left ventricular and atrial reverse remodeling. At higher plasma concentrations, these agents may be associated with myocardial ischemia and impaired diastolic function. An ongoing phase 3 clinical trial will estimate the clinical efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil. An additional study of these agents, which have minimal hemodynamic and renal effects, is warranted in patients with advanced heart failure refractory to guideline-directed neurohormonal blockers.
Fetal Hypothyroidism Impairs Aortic Vasorelaxation Responses in Adulthood: Involvement of Hydrogen Sulfide and Nitric Oxide Cross talk
Authors: Nourabadi Davood , Baluchnejadmojarad Tourandokht , Zarch Seyed M. M. , Ramazi Samira , Serenjeh Morteza N. , Roghani Mehrdad
Published: November 2020

Thyroid hormones have a wide range of effects on growth, differentiation, evolution, metabolism, and physiological function of all tissues, including the vascular bed. In this study, the effect of fetal hypothyroidism on impairment of aortic vasorelaxation responses in adulthood was investigated with emphasis on possible involvement of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)/nitric oxide interaction. Two groups of female rats were selected. After mating and observation of vaginal plaque, one group received propylthiouracil (200 ppm in drinking water) until the end of pregnancy and another group had no propylthiouracil treatment during the fetal period. In adult rats, aortic relaxation responses to l-arginine and GYY4137 were assessed in the presence or absence of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride and dl-propargylglycine in addition to the biochemical measurement of thyroid hormones and some related factors. Obtained findings showed a lower vasorelaxation response for GYY4137 and l-arginine in the fetal hypothyroidism group, and preincubation with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride or dl-propargylglycine did not significantly aggravate this weakened relaxation response. In addition, aortic levels of sirtuin 3, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cystathionine gamma-lyase, and H2S were significantly lower in the fetal hypothyroidism group. Meanwhile, no significant changes were obtained regarding serum levels of thyroid hormones including free triiodothyronine;, total triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, total thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone in adult rats. It can be concluded that hypothyroidism in the fetal period has inappropriate effects on the differentiation and development of vascular bed with subsequent functional abnormality that persists into adulthood, and part of this vascular abnormality is mediated through weakened interaction and/or cross talk between H2S and nitric oxide.
Tacrolimus Bayesian Dose Adjustment in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Marquet Pierre , Cros Florine , Micallef Ludovic , Jacqz-Aigrain Evelyne , Woillard Jean-Baptiste , Monchaud Caroline , Saint-Marcoux Franck , Debord Jean
Published: November 2020

Background:

Immunosuppressant Bayesian Dose Adjustment (ISBA) is an online expert system that estimates the area under the curve (AUC) of immunosuppressive drugs through pharmacokinetic modelling and Bayesian estimation to propose dose adjustments to reach predefined exposure targets. The ISBA database was retrospectively analyzed to describe tacrolimus pharmacokinetics and exposure, evaluate the efficiency of ISBA dose recommendations, and propose tacrolimus AUC0–12h target ranges for pediatric renal allograft recipients treated with immediate release tacrolimus.

Methods:

The database included 1935 tacrolimus dose adjustment requests from 419 patients <19 years old who were treated with immediate-release tacrolimus and followed in 21 French hospitals. The tacrolimus exposure evolution with patient age and posttransplantation time, the correlation between trough tacrolimus concentration (C0) and AUC0–12h at different periods posttransplantation, and the efficiency of dose recommendations to avoid underexposure and overexposure and to decrease between-patient AUC variability were investigated.

Results:

Tacrolimus AUC showed large between-patient variability (CV% = 40%) but moderate within-patient variability (median = 24.3% over a 3-month period). Dose-standardized exposure but not the AUC/C0 ratio significantly decreased with time posttransplantation and patient age. We derived AUC0–12h ranges from the consensual C0 ranges using linear regression equations. When the ISBA recommended dose was applied, the AUC distribution was narrower and a significantly higher proportion was within the targets (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

ISBA efficiently reduced tacrolimus underexposure and overexposure. The AUC0–12h target ranges for pediatric patients derived from the database were similar to those previously reported for adults. Estimating the AUC/C0 ratio could help determine personalized C0 targets.
UTILITY OF ORAL FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY WITH ULTRA-WIDEFIELD IMAGING SYSTEM FOR EVALUATION OF VARIOUS RETINAL DISORDERS
Authors: Yamao Sayaka , Tsujioka Taishi , Takada Ryota , Matsumoto Fumiko , Kusaka Shunji
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the utility of oral fluorescein angiography with ultra-widefield imaging system (oral UWF-FA) predominantly in children.

Methods:

We recruited 17 patients aged 2 years to 22 years with retinal disorders. Each patient ingested a dose of fluorescein sodium set by body weight mixed with 100 mL of juice. Images were scored using four parameters as follows: branch retinal vessel identification, retinal vessels visualization, foveal avascular zone visualization, and clinically important findings such as leakage, microaneurysms, neovascularization, or significant nonperfusion area visualization. Based on the aggregate score, we classified the image quality into three grades.

Results:

Sixteen of 17 patients completely ingested the fluorescein sodium, and ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography was performed. Images were classified as high quality in nine cases, moderate quality in four, and poor quality in three. In 13 cases (81.3%), images had adequate quality to evaluate retinal conditions. Of three patients with poor-quality images, 2 took 10 minutes to ingest fluorescein sodium and the other ingested only half the dose. The adverse event of a mild skin rash was noted in one patient.

Conclusion:

Oral ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography is effective in evaluating retinal pathology and is a useful alternative especially for pediatric patients who cannot tolerate intravenous line placement.