bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Types of union participators over time: Toward a person‐centered and dynamic model of participation
Authors: McKay Alexander S. , Grimaldi Elizabeth M. , Sayre Gordon M. , Hoffman Michael E. , Reimer Robert D. , Mohammed Susan
Published: May 2019

Previous research on union participation has been disjointed, with no clear consensus on the definition and nature of participation. Additionally, few studies have examined how participation changes over time, with those that have finding mixed results regarding its stability. We propose that these mixed and inconsistent findings are due largely to past research focusing on overall levels of participation, ignoring differences inhowindividuals participate. To remedy this, we adopted a person‐centered approach to identify different types of union participators. Using a large sample of union members, we conducted latent transition analysis and found six union participator classes: high participators, leadership participators, formal union promoters, informal union promoters, silent supporters, and non‐participators. In addition, we examined how individuals changed membership across two time points (separated by 6 years), antecedents of class membership (role tenure and union commitment), and outcomes (freerider intentions and actual financial contributions to the union's political action fund). The six classes differed uniquely, in terms of the ways people participate, changes in how people participate over time, what predicted class membership, and how class membership impacts two outcomes. The current study demonstrates that person‐centered approaches can both clarify previous conflicting findings within the participation literature and predict meaningful outcomes.
The role of incubators in overcoming technology ventures’ resource gaps at different development stages
Authors: Yusubova Ayna , Andries Petra , Clarysse Bart
Published: May 2019

Although incubation is considered important for overcoming resource challenges in technology ventures’ early life, there is a doubt about its relevance in later development stages, when the initial idea is commercialized and the venture tries to grow. Building on the resource‐based view of the firm and on a stage‐based perspective of venture development, this study argues that the resource gaps facing technology ventures differ between different development stages, and that the support provided by incubators therefore needs to be adapted to the venture’s development stage. We study the interaction between the iMinds incubator, located in Flanders, and eight technology ventures in its portfolio. In the Conception and Development stage, we observe resource gaps in terms of technical knowledge and access to end users, which the incubator addresses by offering direct technical support and access to its research and end user network. The subsequent Commercialization stage is dominated by business knowledge gaps, which the incubator amends through direct coaching and trainings. In the Growth stage, ventures typically lack the necessary team members, market players, and follow‐up financiers to grow their firm. The incubator addresses these resource gaps by providing access to its network. In all development stages, the incubator’s internal knowledge base, networking capabilities, and matching focus/selectivity are crucial in order for ventures to benefit from the incubator’s support. Our study suggests that these underlying capabilities can either be developed organically, or through the merger of different research institutes. Moreover, it points to the importance of local embeddedness for the geographical extension of these capabilities. These findings contribute to the literature on incubation and on venture development. They have important implications for policy makers, incubation managers, and entrepreneurs seeking incubation support.
Tailoring restoration interventions to the grassland‐savanna‐forest complex in central Brazil
Authors: Schmidt Isabel B. , Ferreira Maxmiller C. , Sampaio Alexandre B. , Walter Bruno M. T. , Vieira Daniel L. M. , Holl Karen D.
Published: May 2019

Defining the reference system for restoration projects in regions characterized by complex vegetation mosaics is challenging. Here we use the Cerrado region of Brazil as an example of the importance of clearly defining multiple natural and anthropogenically altered states in grassland‐savanna‐forest mosaics. We define three main, natural vegetation types–grassland, savanna, and scleromorphic (cerradão) forest–to (1) distinguish between original and degraded states and (2) set appropriate targets for and guide restoration. We contend that the differences in Cerrado vegetation composition originally were driven by soil conditions and secondarily by fire frequency and precipitation patterns that differ from the core to the edge of the Cerrado region. Grasslands are found on the shallowest, least fertile soils and/or in waterlogged soils; scleromorphic forests are generally located on deeper, more fertile soils; and savannas occupy an intermediate position. In recent decades, this biophysical template has been overlain by a range of human land‐use intensities that strongly affect resilience, resulting in alternative anthropogenic states. For example, areas that were originally scleromorphic forest are likely to regenerate naturally following low‐ or medium‐intensity land use due to extensive resprouting of woody plants, whereas grassland restoration requires reintroduction of grass and forb species that do not tolerate soil disturbance and exotic grass competition. Planting trees into historic grasslands results in inappropriate restoration targets and often restoration failure. Correctly identifying original vegetation types is critical to most effectively allocate scarce restoration funding.
On the Estimation of Population Size from a Dependent Triple-Record System
Authors: Chatterjee Kiranmoy , Bhuyan Prajamitra
Published: May 2019

Population size estimation based on a capture–recapture experiment under a triple-record system is an interesting problem in various fields including epidemiology and population studies. In many real life scenarios, there is inherent dependence between capture and recapture attempts. We propose a novel model that successfully incorporates the possible dependence and the associated parameters have nice interpretations. We provide estimation methodology for the population size and the associated model parameters based on the maximum likelihood method. The model proposed is applied to analyse real data sets from public health and census coverage evaluation studies. The performance of the estimate proposed is evaluated through extensive simulation study and the results are compared with existing competitors. The results exhibit superiority of the model over the existing competitors both in real data analysis and in a simulation study.
Safety Planning on Crisis Lines: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Perceived Helpfulness of a Brief Intervention to Mitigate Future Suicide Risk
Authors: Labouliere Christa D. , Stanley Barbara , Lake Alison M. , Gould Madelyn S.
Published: May 2019

Background

The role of crisis hotlines traditionally was limited to de‐escalation and service linkage. However, hotlines are increasingly recruited to provide outreach and follow‐up to suicidal individuals. Hotlines have the opportunity to not just defuse current crises but also provide brief interventions to mitigate future risk. The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) is a brief intervention designed to help manage suicidal crises, but its feasibility and effectiveness on hotlines are not established.

Aims

This study examined feasibility and perceived effectiveness of SPI, as reported by 271 crisis counselors at five centers in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network.

Method

Counselors were trained to use SPI. Self‐report surveys were completed immediately after training (time 1) and at the end of the study, approximately 9 months later (time 2).

Results

Counselors reported that SPI was feasible and helpful, and was used on both incoming and follow‐up calls. Utilization and perceived effectiveness at time 2 were predicted by self‐efficacy, feasibility, and helpfulness at time 1.

Limitations

Results are preliminary and limited to counselors’ perceptions. Future RCTs should establish efficacy of SPI for crisis callers.

Conclusion

The Safety Planning Intervention is a promising approach to reduce crisis callers’ future suicide risk that hotline counselors report is both feasible and helpful.
Cosmetics increase skin evenness: Evidence from perceptual and physical measures
Authors: Batres Carlota , Porcheron Aurélie , Latreille Julie , Roche Magalie , Morizot Frédérique , Russell Richard
Published: May 2019

Background

Cosmetics are commonly attributed with increasing skin evenness, yet little published data characterizes the effect, either perceptually or physically. We therefore investigated whether makeup increases skin evenness using a perceptual measurement and two physical measurements of color and luminance homogeneity.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐two French women (aged 29‐45 years) were photographed without cosmetics, with self‐applied cosmetics, and with professionally‐applied cosmetics. In Study 1, 143 participants rated skin evenness. In Study 2, each face was delineated to create regions of interest (ROI) in the cheek and forehead areas. Both ROIs were then analyzed for luminance homogeneity using an established measure (Haralick homogeneity) and a new measure that incorporates chromaticity (H76).

Results

In Study 1, the faces were rated as having more even‐looking skin with either self‐applied cosmetics or professionally‐applied cosmetics than without cosmetics. In Study 2, the luminance homogeneity measure found that the cheek ROI, but not the forehead ROI, was more homogeneous after both self‐applied cosmetics and professionally‐applied cosmetics when compared to without cosmetics. The new measure incorporating chromaticity found greater homogeneity in both ROIs in the two cosmetics conditions. The new measure incorporating chromaticity also better predicted the perceived skin evenness ratings from Study 1.

Conclusion

These results provide systematic empirical evidence that makeup increases perceived skin evenness, and that these increases are partly predicted by physical measurements of skin luminance and color. The data also indicate that H76—the new measure of skin evenness that incorporates chromaticity—better predicts perceived skin evenness.
Successful eradication of chronic symptomatic Candida krusei urinary tract infection with increased dose micafungin in a liver and kidney transplant recipient: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Multani Ashrit , Subramanian Aruna K. , Liu Anne Y.
Published: May 2019

Treatment of symptomatic candiduria is notoriously challenging because of the limited repository of antifungals that achieve adequate urinary concentrations. Fluconazole, amphotericin B‐based products, and flucytosine are established treatment options for most Candida species. Candida krusei exhibits intrinsic resistance to fluconazole and decreased susceptibility to amphotericin B and flucytosine. In transplant patients, both amphotericin B‐based products and flucytosine are less desirable because of their toxicities. Other triazole antifungals are unappealing because they do not achieve adequate urinary concentrations, have multiple toxicities, and interact with transplant‐related immunosuppressive medications. Echinocandins are well‐tolerated but have been traditionally deferred in the treatment of symptomatic funguria because of their poor urinary concentrations but there is a small but emerging body of literature supporting their use. Here, we present a case of successful eradication of chronic symptomatic C krusei urinary tract infection with micafungin 150 milligrams daily in a liver and kidney transplant recipient, and we review the literature on treatment of symptomatic candiduria.
The polyadenylation factor FIP1 is important for plant development and root responses to abiotic stresses
Authors: Téllez‐Robledo Barbara , Manzano Concepcion , Saez Angela , Navarro‐Neila Sara , Silva‐Navas Javier , de Lorenzo Laura , González‐García Mary‐Paz , Toribio René , Hunt Arthur G. , Baigorri Roberto , Casimiro Ilda , Brady Siobhan M. , Castellano M. Mar , del Pozo J. Carlos
Published: May 2019

Root development and its response to environmental changes is crucial for whole plant adaptation. These responses include changes in transcript levels. Here, we show that the alternative polyadenylation (APA) of mRNA is important for root development and responses. Mutations in FIP1, a component of polyadenylation machinery, affects plant development, cell division and elongation, and response to different abiotic stresses. Salt treatment increases the amount of poly(A) site usage within the coding region and 5′ untranslated regions (5′‐UTRs), and the lack of FIP1 activity reduces the poly(A) site usage within these non‐canonical sites. Gene ontology analyses of transcripts displaying APA in response to salt show an enrichment in ABA signaling, and in the response to stresses such as salt or cadmium (Cd), among others. Root growth assays show that fip1‐2 is more tolerant to salt but is hypersensitive to ABA or Cd. Our data indicate that FIP1‐mediated alternative polyadenylation is important for plant development and stress responses.
A case series of pediatric patients with direct antiglobulin test negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Authors: Miller Jonathan , Cai Wei , Andrews Jennifer , Narla Anupama
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) can be challenging since the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) has been reported to be falsely negative in 3%‐11% of cases. In children with anemia, laboratory and/or clinical evidence of hemolysis and a negative DAT, clinicians should consider further specialized testing to confirm AIHA to accurately diagnose and treat this uncommon pediatric entity.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was undertaken at a large tertiary care academic pediatric hematology practice to describe our experience with DAT‐negative AIHA.

RESULTS

From January 1, 2010 through August 1, 2016, 10 children were described who had clinical and laboratory evidence of AIHA, a negative DAT, and further specialized serologic testing confirming this diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

This case series highlights the need for further serologic workup when a child's clinical presentation is highly consistent with AIHA despite a negative DAT.
Self‐translation and English‐language creative writing in China
Authors: Dai Fan , Zheng Wei
Published: May 2019

This article considers creative writing in a foreign language as one type of translation, more specifically, ‘self‐translation,’ in which the original text is usually not written, but exists liminally in the mind of the author. It explores how cultural and linguistic aspects of creative writing are treated through the analysis of extracts from the creative work in English by one of the authors of this article, and from the creative assignments by her students. In the process, the linguistic aspect of this study is informed by the concept of ‘cosmopolitan English,’ while the key issue in self‐translation or creative writing is how to translate the culturally‐loaded content of one culture into forms of expression comprehensible to audiences from other cultures and other societies.
Modified ischaemic nerve block of the forearm: use for the induction of cortical plasticity in distal hand muscles
Authors: Hayashi Ryutaro , Ogata Katsuya , Nakazono Hisato , Tobimatsu Shozo
Published: May 2019

Key points

Ischaemic nerve block (INB) of the forearm rapidly reduces somatosensory input to a part of the body, which leads to the functional reorganization of the temporarily deafferented primary motor cortex (M1).

We applied a novel modified INB (mINB) to the forearm, maintaining mean blood pressure, to assess cortical plasticity in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and the M1 regions associated with small hand muscles.

S1 excitability was measured by median nerve somatosensory‐evoked potentials (SEPs), while M1 excitability was evaluated by motor‐evoked potentials (MEPS), using transcranial magnetic stimulation.

The finding that S1 excitability increased and M1 excitability decreased after the mINB was removed reflects the differential short‐term cortical plasticity of the S1 and M1 regions.

These opposite effects observed for the S1 and M1 regions following the mINB may indicate a possible intra‐hemispheric interaction between the S1 and M1 regions.

Ischaemic nerve block (INB) causes short‐term sensory deprivation, leading to functional reorganization in the deafferented motor cortex (M1). We used a modified INB (mINB) to evaluate cortical plasticity in the somatosensory cortex (S1) and M1 region associated with small hand muscles, because INB strongly inhibits muscles distal to the tourniquet. Thirty‐three healthy adults participated in different combinations of four experiments. A pneumatic tourniquet was placed just below the right elbow and inflated to induce a mINB. We recorded the median nerve somatosensory‐ and motor‐evoked potentials (SEPs and MEPs) before, during and after mINB placement and assessed spinal cord excitability using F‐wave measurements. SEPs at Erb's point (N9) were abolished during the mINB; those at cortical N20 were suppressed. After removing the mINB, N20 amplitudes increased significantly, while those at N9 did not fully recover. P14 amplitudes after tourniquet deflation immediately recovered to baseline levels. M1‐MEP amplitudes decreased during the mINB, and Erb‐MEPs were suppressed. After the mINB was removed, M1‐MEPs remained suppressed, while Erb‐MEPs fully recovered. F‐waves were not affected by the intervention. Therefore, sensory, but not motor, nerve function was affected by the mINB. S1 excitability was enhanced after the mINB was removed, indicating that S1 and M1 excitability were modulated in opposing directions after deflation. These after‐effects may reflect isolated effects or interactions between the S1 and M1 regions. Our findings may facilitate improved understanding of the sensorimotor modulations that occur distal to the tourniquet due to temporal deafferentation and lead to development of novel neuromodulation protocols.
The spiking and secretory activity of oxytocin neurones in response to osmotic stimulation: a computational model
Authors: Maícas Royo Jorge , Leng Gareth , MacGregor Duncan J.
Published: May 2019

Key points

A quantitative model of oxytocin neurones that combines a spiking model, a model of stimulus–secretion coupling and a model of plasma clearance of oxytocin was tested.

To test the model, a variety of sources of published data were used that relate either the electrical activity of oxytocin cells or the secretion of oxytocin to experimentally induced changes in plasma osmotic pressure.

To use these data to test the model, the experimental challenges involved were computationally simulated.

The model predictions closely matched the reported outcomes of the different experiments.

Magnocellular vasopressin and oxytocin neurones in the rat hypothalamus project to the posterior pituitary, where they secrete their products into the bloodstream. In rodents, both vasopressin and oxytocin magnocellular neurones are osmoresponsive, and their increased spiking activity is mainly a consequence of an increased synaptic input from osmoresponsive neurons in regions adjacent to the anterior wall of the third ventricle. Osmotically stimulated vasopressin secretion promotes antidiuresis while oxytocin secretion promotes natriuresis. In this work we tested a previously published computational model of the spiking and secretion activity of oxytocin cells against published evidence of changes in spiking activity and plasma oxytocin concentration in response to different osmotic challenges. We show that integrating this oxytocin model with a simple model of the osmoresponsive inputs to oxytocin cells achieves a strikingly close match to diverse sources of data. Comparing model predictions with published data using bicuculline to block inhibitory GABA inputs supports the conclusion that inhibitory inputs and excitatory inputs are co‐activated by osmotic stimuli. Finally, we studied how the gain of osmotically stimulated oxytocin release changes in the presence of a hypovolaemic stimulus, showing that this is best explained by an inhibition of an osmotically regulated inhibitory drive to the magnocellular neurones.
Effects of Preheating and CO2 Dilution on Oxy-MILD Combustion of Natural Gas
Authors: Moghadasi Mohamad Hassan , Riazi Rouzbeh , Tabejamaat Sadegh , Mardani Amir
Published: May 2019

Oxy-moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion, which is a novel combination of oxy-fuel technology and MILD regime, is numerically studied in the present work. The effects of external preheating and CO2 dilution level on the combustion field, emission, and CO formation mechanisms are investigated in a recuperative laboratory-scale furnace with a recirculating cross-flow. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with eddy dissipation concept (EDC) model are employed to perform a 3-D simulation of the combustion field and the turbulence–chemistry interactions. In addition, a well-stirred reactor (WSR) analysis is conducted to further examine the chemical kinetics of this combination when varying the target parameters. The simulations used the skeletal USC-Mech II, which has been shown to perform well in the oxy-fuel combustion modeling. Results show that with more preheating, the uniformity of temperature distribution is noticeably enhanced at the cost of higher CO emission. Also as inlet temperature increases, the concentration of minor species rises and CO formation through the main path (CH4→CH3→CH2O→HCO→CO→CO2) is strengthened, while heavier hydrocarbons path (C2H2→CO) is suppressed. Meanwhile, greater CO2 addition notably closes the gap between maximum and exhaust temperatures. In a highly CO2-diluted mixture, chain-branching reactions releasing CH2O are strengthened, while chain-terminating reactions are weakened. CH2O production through CH3O is accelerated compared with the straight conversion of methyl to formaldehyde. When diluting the oxidant, methylene CH2(s) plays a more influential role in CO formation than when pure oxygen is used, contributing to higher CO emission.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. III. LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 powder obtained from Ecopro Company, Ltd. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiNi0.2Co0.05Mn0.1O0.7.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. V. LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2 powder obtained from TODA America. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.3O1.6.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. IX. LiCoO2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiCoO2 powder obtained from BTR New Energy Materials, Inc. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Co 2p, O 1s, C 1s, Co 3s, Co 3p, and Li 1s are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show only minor tin contamination. Making use of the O 1s, Co 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiCo0.9O1.7.
Measuring thickness in thin NbN films for superconducting devices
Authors: Medeiros Owen , Colangelo Marco , Charaev Ilya , Berggren Karl K.
Published: May 2019

The authors present the use of a commercially available fixed-angle multiwavelength ellipsometer for quickly measuring the thickness of NbN thin films for the fabrication and performance improvement of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The process can determine the optical constants of absorbing thin films, removing the need for inaccurate approximations. The tool can be used to observe oxidation growth and allows thickness measurements to be integrated into the characterization of various fabrication processes.
The role of pitch and harmonic cancellation when listening to speech in harmonic background sounds
Authors: Guest Daniel R. , Oxenham Andrew J.
Published: May 2019

Fundamental frequency differences (ΔF0) between competing talkers aid in the perceptual segregation of the talkers (ΔF0 benefit), but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. A model of ΔF0 benefit based on harmonic cancellation proposes that a masker's periodicity can be used to cancel (i.e., filter out) its neural representation. Earlier work suggested that an octave ΔF0 provided little benefit, an effect predicted by harmonic cancellation due to the shared periodicity of masker and target. Alternatively, this effect can be explained by spectral overlap between the harmonic components of the target and masker. To assess these competing explanations, speech intelligibility of a monotonized target talker, masked by a speech-shaped harmonic complex tone, was measured as a function of ΔF0, masker spectrum (all harmonics or odd harmonics only), and masker temporal envelope (amplitude modulated or unmodulated). Removal of the masker's even harmonics when the target was one octave above the masker improved speech reception thresholds by about 5 dB. Because this manipulation eliminated spectral overlap between target and masker components but preserved shared periodicity, the finding is consistent with the explanation for the lack of ΔF0 benefit at the octave based on spectral overlap, but not with the explanation based on harmonic cancellation.
IRF2 transcriptionally induces
GSDMD
expression for pyroptosis
Authors: Kayagaki Nobuhiko , Lee Bettina L. , Stowe Irma B. , Kornfeld Opher S. , O'Rourke Karen , Mirrashidi Kathleen M. , Haley Benjamin , Watanabe Colin , Roose-Girma Merone , Modrusan Zora , Kummerfeld Sarah , Reja Rohit , Zhang Yafei , Cho Vicky , Andrews T. Daniel , Morris Lucy X. , Goodnow Christopher C. , Bertram Edward M. , Dixit Vishva M.
Published: May 2019

Pyroptosis requires the induction of gasdermin D expression by the transcription factor IRF2.
The ClpCP Complex Modulates Respiratory Metabolism in Staphylococcus aureus and Is Regulated in a SrrAB-Dependent Manner
Authors: Mashruwala Ameya A. , Eilers Brian J. , Fuchs Amanda L. , Norambuena Javiera , Earle Carly A. , van de Guchte Adriana , Tripet Brian P. , Copié Valérie , Boyd Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2019

Oxygen is used as a substrate to derive energy by the bacterial pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
during infection; however,
S. aureus
can also grow fermentatively in the absence of oxygen. To successfully cause infection,
S. aureus
must tailor its metabolism to take advantage of respiratory activity. Different proteins are required for growth in the presence or absence of oxygen; therefore, when cells transition between these conditions, several proteins would be expected to become unnecessary. In this report, we show that regulated proteolysis is used to modulate energy metabolism in
S. aureus
. We report that the ClpCP protein complex is involved in specifically modulating aerobic respiratory growth but is dispensable for fermentative growth.
Ethanol Decreases Pseudomonas aeruginosa Flagellar Motility through the Regulation of Flagellar Stators
Authors: Lewis Kimberley A. , Baker Amy E. , Chen Annie I. , Harty Colleen E. , Kuchma Sherry L. , O’Toole George A. , Hogan Deborah A.
Published: May 2019

Ethanol is an important biologically active molecule produced by many bacteria and fungi. It has also been identified as a potential marker for disease state in cystic fibrosis. In line with previous data showing that ethanol promotes biofilm formation by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, here we report that ethanol reduces swimming motility using some of the same proteins involved in surface sensing. We propose that these data may provide insight into how microbes, via their metabolic byproducts, can influence
P. aeruginosa
colocalization in the context of infection and in other polymicrobial settings.
Vaccine Approaches To Protect against Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis
Authors: Fischetti Vincent A.
Published: May 2019

Streptococcal pharyngitis (or strep throat) is a common childhood disease affecting millions of children each year, but it is one of the only childhood diseases for which a vaccine does not exist. While for decades the development of a vaccine has been the center of attention in many laboratories worldwide, with some successes, no corporate development has yet to be initiated. The reason for this probably lies in our inability to conclusively identify the streptococcal molecule or molecules responsible for the heart cross-reactive antibodies observed in the serum of rheumatic fever patients. Without this specific knowledge, any streptococcal vaccine antigen is suspect and thus not the target for a billion-dollar investment, despite the fact that the exact role of cross-reactive antibodies in rheumatic fever is still questionable. This article will describe the development of several approaches to protect againstStreptococcus pyogenesinfections over the past several decades.
Kinome-Wide RNA Interference Screening Identifies Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Phosphatidylinositol Metabolism as Key Factors for Rabies Virus Infection
Authors: Besson Benoit , Kim Seonhee , Kim Taehee , Ko Yoonae , Lee Sangchul , Larrous Florence , Song Jihwan , Shum David , Grailhe Regis , Bourhy Hervé
Published: May 2019

Rabies virus relies on cellular machinery for its replication while simultaneously evading the host immune response. Despite their importance, little is known about the key host factors required for rabies virus infection. Here, we focused on the human kinome, at the core of many cellular pathways, to unveil a new understanding of the rabies virus infectious cycle and to discover new potential therapeutic targets in a small interfering RNA screening. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and phosphatidylinositol metabolism were identified as prominent factors involved in rabies virus infection, and those findings were further confirmed in human neurons. While bringing a new insight into rabies virus biology, we also provide a new list of host factors involved in rabies virus infection.
Salmonella
Genomic Island 1B Variant Found in a Sequence Type 117 Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolate
Authors: Cummins Max Laurence , Roy Chowdhury Piklu , Marenda Marc Serge , Browning Glenn Francis , Djordjevic Steven Philip
Published: May 2019

SGI1 and variants of it carry a variety of antimicrobial resistance genes, including those conferring resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactams and carbapenems, and have been found in diverse
S. enterica
serovars,
Acinetobacter baumannii
, and other members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
. SGI1 integrates into Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria by targeting a conserved site 18 bp from the 3′ end of
trmE
. For the first time, we describe a novel variant of SGI1 in an avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
isolate. The presence of SGI1 in
E. coli
is significant because it represents yet another lateral gene transfer mechanism to enhancing the capacity of
E. coli
to acquire and propagate antimicrobial resistance and putative virulence genes. This finding underscores the importance of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to microbial genomic epidemiology, particularly within a One Health context. Further studies are needed to determine how widespread SGI1 and variants of it may be in Australia.
Robust Transcriptional Response to Heat Shock Impacting Diverse Cellular Processes despite Lack of Heat Shock Factor in Microsporidia
Authors: McNamara-Bordewick Nora K. , McKinstry Mia , Snow Jonathan W.
Published: May 2019

We do not fully understand why some fungal species are able to grow at temperatures approaching mammalian body temperature.
Nosema ceranae
, a microsporidium, is a type of fungal parasite that infects honey bees and grows optimally at the colony temperature of 35°C despite possessing cellular machinery for responding to heat stress that is notably simpler than that of other fungi. We find that
N. ceranae
demonstrates a robust and broad response to heat shock. These results provide important insight into the stress responses of this type of fungus, allow new comparisons with other pathogenic fungi, and potentially enable the discovery of novel treatment strategies for this type of fungus.
Association between cultural factors and readmissions: the mediating effect of hospital discharge practices and care-transition preparedness
Authors: Rayan-Gharra Nosaiba , Balicer Ran D. , Tadmor Boaz , Shadmi Efrat
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The study examines whether hospital discharge practices and care-transition preparedness mediate the association between patients’ cultural factors and readmissions.

Methods

A prospective study of internal medicine patients (n=599) examining a culturally diverse cohort, at a tertiary medical centre in Israel. The in-hospital baseline questionnaire included sociodemographic, cultural factors (Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, family collectivism, health literacy and minority status) and physical, mental and functional health status. A follow-up telephone survey assessed hospital discharge practices: use of the teach-back method, providers’ cultural competence, at-discharge language concordance and caregiver presence and care-transition preparedness using the care transition measure (CTM). Clinical and administrative data, including 30-day readmissions to any hospital, were retrieved from the healthcare organisation’s data warehouse. Multiple mediation was tested using Hayes’s PROCESS procedure, model 80.

Results

A total of 101 patients (17%) were readmitted within 30 days. Multiple logistic regressions indicated that all cultural factors, except for minority status, were associated with 30-day readmission when no mediators were included (p<0.05). Multiple mediation analysis indicated significant indirect effects of the cultural factors on readmission through the hospital discharge practices and CTM. Finally, when the mediators were included, strong direct and indirect effects between minority status and readmission were found (B coefficient=−0.95; p=0.021).

Conclusions

The results show that the association between patients’ cultural factors and 30-day readmission is mediated by the hospital discharge practices and care transition. Providing high-quality discharge planning tailored to patients’ cultural characteristics is associated with better care-transition preparedness, which, in turn, is associated with reduced 30-day readmissions.
Advance directives in European long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Andreasen Paula , Finne-Soveri Ulla Harriet , Deliens Luc , Van den Block Lieve , Payne Sheila , Gambassi Giovanni , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D , Smets Tinne , Lilja Eero , Kijowska Violetta , Szczerbińska Katarzyna
Published: May 2019

Background

End-of-life care practices in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are the focus of growing attention in Europe, due to rapidly increasing number of older persons living in LTCFs. The knowledge about end-of-life discussions or existence of written advance directives in the European LTCFs is scarce. This study’s aim is to investigate the prevalence of written advance directives and their sociodemographic associates, among recently deceased LTCF residents, in six European countries.

Methods

Data from the European Union-funded PACE database were collected from 322 LTCFs in six European countries in 2014. The assessments were performed by using two questionnaires designed for LTCF administrative staff and for staff member.

LTCFs were selected within each country by using proportional stratified random sampling procedure. Facilities with certain types and sizes were included from each country.

Multilevel multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate associations between written advance directives and selected predictors.

Results

In total, 32.5 % of the 1384 deceased LTCF residents had a written advance directive with a range from 0% to 77 % between countries. The proportion of the most common advance directive, ‘Do not resuscitate in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest (DNR)’, varied correspondingly from 0% to 75%.

LTCF type (OR 2.86 95% CI 1.59 to 5.23) and capability of expressing at the time of admission (OR 3.26 95% CI 2.26 to 4.71) were the independent predictors for advance directive. Residents living in LTCFs where physician was available were less likely to have advance directive compared with residents from LTCFs where physician was not available.

Conclusion

Extensive differences for prevalence of written advance directive exist between countries among older LTCF residents in Europe. Timely and appropriate response to LTCF resident’s health needs and preferences efforts advance care planning.
HTX-011 reduced pain intensity and opioid consumption versus bupivacaine HCl in bunionectomy: phase III results from the randomized EPOCH 1 study
Authors: Viscusi Eugene , Gimbel Joseph S , Pollack Richard A , Hu Jia , Lee Gwo-Chin
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

There is a need for local anesthetics that provide consistent analgesia through 72 hours after surgery. This study evaluates the use of HTX-011 (bupivacaine and meloxicam in Biochronomerpolymer technology), an extended-release, dual-acting local anesthetic, in reducing both postoperative pain over 72 hours and postoperative opioid use when compared with bupivacaine hydrochloride (HCl) and saline placebo. Inclusion of low-dose meloxicam in HTX-011 is designed to reduce local inflammation caused by surgery, potentiating the analgesic effect of bupivacaine. Previously, significant synergy has been observed with bupivacaine and meloxicam with both given locally together.

Methods

EPOCH 1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled phase III study in subjects undergoing a primary unilateral, distal, first metatarsal bunionectomy in which subjects received either a single intraoperative dose of HTX-011, immediate-release bupivacaine HCl or saline placebo.

Results

A total of 412 subjects were dosed. The results for the primary and all four key secondary endpoints were statistically significant in favor of HTX-011. HTX-011 demonstrated superior, sustained pain reduction through 72 hours, significantly reduced opioid consumption and resulted in significantly more opioid-free subjects compared with saline placebo and bupivacaine HCl. Safety was similar across groups with fewer opioid-related adverse events observed in the HTX-011 group.

Conclusions

HTX-011 demonstrated significant reduction in postoperative pain through 72 hours with significant reduction in opioid consumption and a significant increase in the proportion of opioid-free subjects compared with saline placebo and the most widely used local anesthetic, bupivacaine HCl.

Trial registration number

NCT03295721.
Metabolic equivalents of body weight resistance exercise with slow movement in older adults using indirect calorimetry
Authors: Nakagata Takashi , Yamada Yosuke , Naito Hisashi
Published: May 2019

We examined the metabolic equivalents (METs) of body weight resistance exercise with slow movement in older adults using indirect calorimetry. Thirteen men and 7 women (mean age, 70.8 ± 4.8 years) participating in this study performed 4 exercises (squat, knee push-up, crunch, and heel-raise). Squat was categorized as 3.6 to 3.8 METs, whereas knee push-up, crunch, and heel-raise were categorized as 2.1 to 3.2 METs based on aerobic energy expenditure. Those values are comparable with those of younger adults.
The impact of epigenetics on cardiovascular disease
Authors: Prasher Dimple , Greenway Steven C. , Singh Raja B.
Published: May 2019

Mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represents a huge burden to society. It is recognized that environmental factors and individual lifestyles play important roles in disease susceptibility, but the link between these external risk factors and our genetics has been unclear. However, the discovery of sequence-independent heritable DNA changes (epigenetics) have helped us to explain the link between genes and the environment. Multiple diverse epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and the expression of non-coding RNA molecules affect the expression of genes that produce important changes in cellular differentiation and function, influencing the health and adaptability of the organism. CVDs such as congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, cardiac fibrosis, hypertension, and atherosclerosis are now being viewed as much more complex and dynamic disorders. The role of epigenetics in these and other CVDs is currently under intense scrutiny, and we can expect important insights to emerge, including novel biomarkers and new approaches to enable precision medicine. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of the role of epigenetics in CVD.
Study of characteristics on metabolism of Penicillium chrysogenum F1 during bioleaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil
Authors: Deng Xinhui , Yang Zhihui , Chen Runhua
Published: May 2019

Penicillium chrysogenum F1 is very efficient in bioleaching heavy metals from the soil and is used for that purpose. We found that F1 can extract 19.8 mg Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn from 2.5 g soil; the total heavy metals’ bioleaching ratio was 60.4%. In this study, the bioleaching mechanism was investigated by means of metabonomics; different metabolite ions were screened (relative standard deviation >30%) and analyzed using clustering, univariate and multivariate analysis. Statistical analyses via Volcano Plot, principal component analysis, and partial least square discriminant analysis models revealed a difference between Ctrl 7 (the controls cultured and sampled on day 7) and Ctrl 15 (the controls cultured and sampled on day 15). Samp 15 (the samples cultured with heavy-metal-contaminated soil) was significantly different from Ctrl 7 and Ctrl 15. Analysis of the different ions demonstrated that the glucose catabolism pathways of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were enhanced, and glucose anabolism through the pentose phosphate pathway was inhibited during bioleaching. At the same time, the metabolism of glutathione was also downregulated. Therefore, the catabolism of glucose was unaffected by the addition of heavy-metal-contaminated soil, and increasing glucose is beneficial to catabolism. The extraction of metals is mainly attributed to the metabolites of the TCA cycle.
Applications of Laplacian spectrum for the vertex–vertex graph
Authors: Ju Tingting , Dai Meifeng , Dai Changxi , Sun Yu , Song Xiangmei , Su Weiyi
Published: May 2019

Complex networks have attracted a great deal of attention from scientific communities, and have been proven as a useful tool to characterize the topologies and dynamics of real and human-made complex systems. Laplacian spectrum of the considered networks plays an essential role in their network properties, which have a wide range of applications in chemistry and others. Firstly, we define one vertex–vertex graph. Then, we deduce the recursive relationship of its eigenvalues at two successive generations of the normalized Laplacian matrix, and we obtain the Laplacian spectrum for vertex–vertex graph. Finally, we show the applications of the Laplacian spectrum, i.e. first-order network coherence, second-order network coherence, Kirchhoff index, spanning tree, and Laplacian-energy-like.
Rates in almost sure invariance principle for quickly mixing dynamical systems
Authors: Cuny C. , Dedecker J. , Korepanov A. , Merlevède F.
Published: May 2019

For a large class of quickly mixing dynamical systems, we prove that the error in the almost sure approximation with a Brownian motion is of order [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. Specifically, we consider nonuniformly expanding maps with exponential and stretched exponential decay of correlations, with one-dimensional Hölder continuous observables.
Soliton propagation of electromagnetic field vectors of polarized light ray traveling in a coiled optical fiber in the ordinary space
Authors: Korpinar Talat , Demirkol Ridvan Cem , Korpinar Zeliha
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we relate the evolution equations of the electric field and magnetic field vectors of the polarized light ray traveling in a coiled optical fiber in the ordinary space into the nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation by proposing new kinds of binormal motions and new kinds of Hasimoto functions in addition to commonly known formula of the binormal motion and Hasimoto function. All these operations have been conducted by using the orthonormal frame of Bishop equations that is defined along with the coiled optical fiber. We also propose perturbed solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger’s evolution equation that governs the propagation of solitons through the electric field [Formula: see text] and magnetic field [Formula: see text] vectors. Finally, we provide some numerical simulations to supplement the analytical outcomes.
The stationary distribution and extinction of a double thresholds HTLV-I infection model with nonlinear CTL immune response disturbed by white noise
Authors: Qi Kai , Jiang Daqing , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: May 2019

This paper investigates the stochastic HTLV-I infection model with CTL immune response, and the corresponding deterministic model has two basic reproduction numbers. We consider the nonlinear CTL immune response for the interaction between the virus and the CTL immune cells. Firstly, for the theoretical needs of system dynamical behavior, we prove that the stochastic model solution is positive and global. In addition, we obtain the existence of ergodic stationary distribution by stochastic Lyapunov functions. Meanwhile, sufficient condition for the extinction of the stochastic system is acquired. Reasonably, the dynamical behavior of deterministic model is included in our result of stochastic model when the white noise disappears.