bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biochar influence simazine decomposition and leaching
Authors: Cheng Hongguang , Wang Jinyang , Tu Chenglong , Lin Shan , Xing Dan , Hill Paul , Chadwick Dave , Jones Davey L.
Published: December 2020

The application of biochar to land has been promoted as a strategy for sequestering carbon in soils, for improving soil fertility and remediating soil pollution. However, the implications of biochar amendments on mycorrhizal associations and pesticide decomposition in agricultural soils are poorly understood. In this study, we compared the effects of four treatments; control (no biochar and no arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), biochar (biochar without AMF), AMF (AMF without biochar) and biochar + AMF (AMF and biochar) on the fate of simazine. We specifically focused on the sorption, leaching and biodegradation behaviour of simazine. Our results showed that when symbiosis existed between plants and AMF, biochar inhibited simazine decomposition and AMF inoculation alleviated this inhibition. In contrast, this alleviation was not observed when the plant was removed. In addition, AMF inoculated into the biochar amended soil significantly decreased simazine concentration in the leachate; however, in the AMF‐only treatment, no effect on simazine leaching was observed. These phenomena were attributed to variation in the soil's sorption capacity due to biochar application or AMF inoculation. Overall, biochar application combined with AMF inoculation has the potential to mitigate simazine accumulation in the topsoil and reduce its availability.
Usability of a self‐administered geriatric assessment mHealth: Cross‐sectional study in a geriatric clinic
Authors: Rasheedy Doha , Mohamed Hebattullah Elshazly , Saber Heba Gamal , Hassanin Hany Ibrahim
Published: December 2020

Aim

mHealth can facilitate comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in countries with limited geriatric healthcare facilities. It can compensate for the lack of trained geriatricians and integrate CGA in different healthcare disciplines leading to better clinical outcomes. This study assessed the usability of a self‐administered geriatric assessment smartphone application.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study included participants from the geriatric clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. This study was performed in three phases: development and validation of an abbreviated geriatric assessment tool, and validation of the application prototype. Twenty subjects were recruited for pretesting the abbreviated assessment tool, then another 50 patients to validate this tool in a face‐to‐face interview. Afterwards, another 12 patients completed the prototype followed by a standardized office visit interview. Each assessment domain was evaluated in agreement with a valid reference test during the clinical interview.

Results

The application was simple and user friendly. The scores of each domain correlated to the reference test scores (rho = 0.59–0.93). Most of the domains exhibited good agreement with the reference tests (kappa = 0.68–1.00) (except for frailty and nutritional assessment).

Conclusions

The mHealth geriatric assessment is possible and highly desirable during physical distancing and beyond. Obviously, this approach cannot substitute for clinical examination and multidisciplinary standard CGA. However, it may overcome some barriers facing the geriatrization of medicine. It would help general practitioners to provide pre‐CGA evaluation, particularly in areas with limited access to formal geriatric healthcare services. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 222–228.
Feasibility of using “SMARTER” methodology for monitoring precipitating conditions of pediatric migraine episodes
Authors: Connelly Mark A. , Boorigie Madeline E.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility in children of an intensive prospective data monitoring methodology for identifying precipitating conditions for migraine occurrence.

Background

Migraine headaches are a common pain condition in childhood and can become increasingly chronic and disabling with repeated episodes. Identifying conditions that forecast when a child's migraine is likely to occur may facilitate next‐generation adaptive treatments to prevent future migraine attacks.

Methods

In this cohort study of a sample of 30 youth (ages 10–17) with migraine recruited through a pediatric headache clinic, smartphones supplemented with wearable biosensors were used over a period of 28 days to collect contextual data thought to be potentially relevant to headache occurrence. Self‐reported data on headache occurrence, lifestyle, and perceptions of the environment were collected in 4 epochs per day using custom real‐time reporting software. Data derived from the wearable biosensor included information on autonomic arousal and physical activity. Built‐in sensors on participants’ own phones also were used to indicate location and to quantify the sensory environment (e.g., ambient noise and light levels). Data fidelity was monitored to evaluate feasibility of the methods, and participant acceptability was assessed via an end‐of‐study survey.

Results

Self‐report data were obtained on a mean of 88.9% (24.9/28) of assigned days (SD = 22.4%) and at a mean of 68.9% (77.2/112) of assigned moments (SD = 24.5%). Data from the wearable biosensor were obtained for a mean of 18.7 hours per day worn (SD = 2.3 hours), with participants on average wearing the sensor on 20.3 days (SD = 9.9). Fidelity of obtaining objective data from phone sensors on the sensory environment and other environmental conditions was highly variable, with these data obtainable from 5 to 22/30 (16.7%–73.3%) of participants’ own phones. Most participants (63.3%–100%) responded with at least “somewhat agree” to questions about acceptability of the study methods. However, 5 to 7/30 (16.7%–23.3%) patients indicated difficulties with burden and remembering to wear the sensor. Almost all participants (29/30, 96.7%) agreed that they would want information about when a migraine might occur.

Conclusions

A contemporary data sampling approach comprising ambulatory sensors and real‐time reporting appears to be acceptable to most youth with migraine in this study. Reliability of acquiring some data sources from participants’ own phones, however, was suboptimal. Further refining these data sampling methods may enable a novel means of predicting and preventing recurrences of migraine episodes in youth.
Hepatocellular adenoma, approximately half and predominantly inflammatory subtype, in 38 Japanese patients with several differences in age, gender, and clinical background factors from Western populations
Authors: Izu Asami , Sugitani Masahiko , Kinukawa Noriko , Matsumura Hiroshi , Ogawa Masahiro , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Yamazaki Shintaro , Takayama Tadatoshi , Hano Hiroshi , Yao Takashi , Kanda Hiroaki , Suzuki Koyu , Hayashi Seisyu , Ariizumi Syunichi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Morishita Yukio , Matsumoto Koshi , Nakamura Naoya , Nakano Masayuki
Published: December 2020

Aim

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) has a lower prevalence in Japan than in Western countries and HCA subtypes have been reported for only a few Japanese patients. We analyzed HCA subtype data 38 patients from 23 hospitals in Japan in order to examine character and difference between Western countries.

Methods

To confirm HCA and to analyze subtypes, we performed immunohistochemical examinations.

Results

Thirty‐eight cases were found to have HCA without cirrhosis. The male/female ratio was 18/20. Ages ranged from 15 to 79 (average, 43.2) years. Male and elder patients are not rare, furthermore, most of elder patients are male. Glycogen storage disease, past history of medicament use, hepatitis B virus surface antigen‐positivity, antihepatitis C virus ‐positivity, diabetes mellitus, obesity, lipid metabolism disorder and alcoholism were present in of 6, 8, 1, 1, 6, 6, 4, and 6 cases, respectively. As to HCA subtypes, HNF1alpha‐inactivated HCA, beta‐catenin activated HCA (b‐HCA), inflammatory HCA (IHCA) and unclassified HCA (U‐HCA) accounted for nine (23.7%), four (10.5%), 17 (44.7%) and eight (21.1%) cases, respectively. Two cases showed coexistence of HCA and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at surgery, and another had HCC which had been detected 23 years after HCA diagnosis. The HCA subtype of one of the former cases was U‐HCA, while the remaining two had b‐HCA and U‐HCA.

Conclusions

In Japanese HCA cases, the proportions of U‐HCA, male and elder cases were slightly higher than in Western countries, and most of elder patients were male. IHCA was however common regardless of race, and was assumed to be the predominant subtype of HCA.
The modern management of Barrett’s oesophagus and related neoplasia: role of pathology
Authors: Kumarasinghe M Priyanthi , Armstrong Michael , Foo Jonathan , Raftopoulos Spiro C
Published: December 2020

Modern management of Barrett’s oesophagus and related neoplasia essentially focuses upon surveillance to detect early low‐risk neoplastic lesions and offering organ‐preserving advanced endoscopic therapies, while traditional surgical treatments of oesophagectomy and lymph node clearance with or without chemoradiation are preserved only for high‐risk and advanced carcinomas. With this evolution towards figless invasive therapy, the choice of therapy hinges upon the pathological assessment for risk stratifying patients into those with low risk for nodal metastasis who can continue with less invasive endoscopic therapies and others with high risk for nodal metastasis for which surgery or other forms of treatment are indicated. Detection and confirmation of neoplasia in the first instance depends upon endoscopic and pathological assessment. Endoscopic examination and biopsy sampling should be performed according to the recommended protocols, and endoscopic biopsy interpretation should be performed applying standard criteria using appropriate ancillary studies by histopathologists experienced in the pathology of Barrett’s disease. Endoscopic resections (ERs) are both diagnostic and curative and should be performed by clinicians who are skilled with advanced endoscopic techniques. Proper preparation and handling of ERs are essential to assess histological parameters that dictate the curative nature of the procedure. Those parameters are adequacy of resection and risk of lymph node metastasis. The risk of lymph node metastasis is determined by depth invasion and presence of poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion. Those adenocarcinomas with invasion up to muscularis mucosae (pT1a) and those with superficial submucosal invasion (pT1b) up to 500 µ with no poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion and negative margins may be considered cured by endoscopic resections.
Is pre‐referral management of anterior urethral strictures prior to urethroplasty appropriate?
Authors: Ojima Kenichiro , Horiguchi Akio , Shinchi Masayuki , Hirano Yusuke , Hamamoto Koetsu , Kimura Fumihiro , Takahashi Eiji , Asano Tomohiko , Ito Keiichi , Azuma Ryuichi
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To evaluate whether the management of anterior urethral strictures prior to definitive urethroplasty is appropriate.

Methods

Of a total of 419 men diagnosed with anterior urethral strictures at hospitals across Japan and thereafter referred to our institution for definitive urethroplasty between 2004 and 2019, the medical records of 371, for whom data on stricture characteristics at the initial diagnosis and pre‐referral management were available, were retrospectively reviewed. A pre‐referral single transurethral procedure, such as direct vision internal urethrotomy or urethral dilation, was considered appropriate only for favorable stricture, defined as a single nontraumatic untreated bulbar urethral stricture ≤2 cm in size, and repeat transurethral procedures were considered inappropriate in any circumstances. The association between the appropriateness of the pre‐referral management strategy and patient and clinical characteristics was analyzed.

Results

A total of 242 patients (65.2%) had a pre‐referral history of at least one transurethral procedure, and performing the procedure was considered inappropriate for 221 patients (59.6%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, location of the patient's residence far from our institution (outside of the Kanto area; odds ratio 3.35, 95% confidence interval 1.86–6.04; P < 0.0001), voiding with intermittent dilation (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.38–4.12; P = 0.002), iatrogenic stricture (odds ratio 11.18, 95% confidence interval 5.30–23.61; P < 0.0001), and stricture longer than 20 mm (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.47–6.38; P = 0.003) were the independent predictors of inappropriate use of transurethral procedures.

Conclusions

Transurethral procedures are often inappropriately used. There is a clear need to promote appropriate management strategies for urethral strictures among general urologists.
Laser‐pulse melting of calcium oxide and some peculiarities of its high‐temperature behavior
Authors: Bgasheva Tatiana , Falyakhov Timerkhan , Petukhov Sergei , Sheindlin Michael , Vasin Andrey , Vervikishko Pavel
Published: December 2020

The study aims to address and overcome the existing hurdles and challenges in measuring the melting temperature of calcium oxide (CaO). Despite numerous experiments of this kind in the past, the exact melting point (MP) of CaO still remains quite uncertain due to three factors associated with it: a high melting temperature, an optical semitransparency, and a high vapor pressure in the vicinity of the melting point. The method used in the present study is based on the laser‐pulse heating with CO2‐ and Nd:YAG‐lasers. It was designed specifically to eliminate the possible ambiguity due to variance in absorbance in the specimen bulk. Temperature measurements were performed with advanced multichannel pyrometry combined with probe laser reflectometry. Subsequently, this technique allowed to determine both the melting and the solidification points of CaO. The final measurement of the melting point amounted to 3160 ± 10 K.
A porcine study of the area of heated tissue during hot‐balloon ablation: Implications for the clinical efficacy and safety
Authors: Nakahara Shiro , Wakamatsu Yuji , Sato Hirotsugu , Otsuka Naoto , Fukuda Reiko , Watanabe Ryuta , Kurokawa Sayaka , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Takaoka Motoki , Nagashima Koichi , Kobayashi Sayuki , Taguchi Isao , Okumura Yasuo
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Hot‐balloon ablation depends solely on thermal conduction, and myocardial tissue is ablated by only conductive heating from the balloon surface. Despite growing clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of hot‐balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), the actual tissue temperature and the mechanism of heating during such ablation has not been clarified. To determine, by means of a porcine study, the temperatures of tissues targeted during hot‐balloon ablation of AF performed with hot‐balloon set temperatures of 73°C or 70°C, in accordance with the temperatures now used clinically.

Methods

After a right thoracotomy, thermocouples with markers were implanted epicardially on the superior vena cava (SVC) and pulmonary veins (PVs) in six pigs. The tissue temperatures during hot‐balloon ablation (balloon set temperatures of 73°C and 70°C, 180 s/PV) were recorded, and the maximum tissue temperatures and fluoroscopically measured distance from the balloon surface to the target tissues were assessed.

Results

Sixteen SVC‐ and 18 PV‐targeted energy deliveries were performed. Full‐thickness circumferential PV lesions were created with all hot‐balloon applications. A significant inverse relation was found between the recorded tissue temperatures and distance (r = −.67; p < .001) from the balloon surface. No tissue temperature exceeded either of the balloon set temperatures. The best distance cutoff value for achieving lethal tissue temperatures more than 50°C was 3.6 mm.

Conclusion

The hot‐balloon set temperature, energy delivery time, and tissue temperature data obtained in this porcine study supported the clinical efficacy and safety of the hot‐balloon ablation as currently practiced in patients with AF.
Institutional monitoring and litigation risk: Evidence from employee disputes
Authors: Rayfield Blake , Unsal Omer
Published: December 2020

In this article, we investigate how institutional investors help mitigate business‐related risks in a corporate environment. Using a large sample of employment disputes, litigations, and court cases, we find that institutional investors play a significant role in reducing employment litigation. We observe that firms with larger shares of institutional ownership have a lower incidence of employment lawsuits and that long‐term institutional investors are more effective at decreasing employee mistreatment. Our results suggest that institutional investors can improve the employee work environment and help mitigate future employee litigation. The improvement in employee work conditions has been shown to increase a firm's value through increased employee output, reduced litigation, and direct and indirect costs. Our results shed light on the effectiveness of institutional monitoring on a firm's litigation risk.
Real‐world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease: the Scottish ustekinumab cohort
Authors: Plevris Nikolas , Fulforth James , Siakavellas Spyros , Robertson Andrew , Hall Rebecca , Tyler Amy , Jenkinson Philip W , Campbell Iona , Chuah Cher Shiong , Kane Claire , Veryan Jennifer , Lam Wai Liam , Saunders Jayne , Kelly Christopher , Gaya Daniel , Jafferbhoy Hasnain , Macdonald Jonathan C , Seenan John Paul , Mowat Craig , Naismith Graham , Potts Lindsay F , Sutherland Diarmid Ian , Watts David , Arnott Ian , Bain Gillian , Jones Gareth , Lees Charlie W
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin‐12/23. In Scotland, it was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease in 2017. The objective of this study was to establish the real‐world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients receiving ustekinumab across eight Scottish National Health Service health boards between 2017 and 2019. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of Crohn's disease with symptoms attributed to active disease plus objective signs of inflammation at baseline (C‐reactive protein ≥ 5 mg/L or fecal calprotectin ≥ 250 μg/g or inflammation on endoscopy/magnetic resonance imaging) and completion of induction plus at least one clinical follow‐up at 8 weeks. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to establish 12‐month cumulative rates of clinical remission, mucosal healing, deep remission, and perianal fistula response. Rates of serious adverse events were described quantitatively.

Results

Our cohort consisted of 216 patients (female sex, 37.9%; median age, 39.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] 28.8–51.8 years; disease duration, 9.9 years, IQR 6.0–16.5 years; prior biologic, 98.6%) with a median follow‐up of 35.0 weeks (IQR 17.4–52.0 weeks). Twelve‐month cumulative rates of clinical remission, mucosal healing, and deep remission (clinical remission plus mucosal healing) were 32.0%, 32.7%, and 19.3%, respectively. In patients with active perianal disease (n = 37), the 12‐month cumulative perianal response rate was 53.1%. The serious adverse event rate was 13.6 per 100 patient‐years of follow‐up.

Conclusion

Ustekinumab is a safe and effective treatment for the treatment of complex Crohn's disease.
Evaluation the effect of subchronic feeding of transgenic cotton line (CKC1) on the faecal microbiota of albino rabbits
Authors: Salisu Ibrahim Bala , Shahid Ahmad Ali , Yaqoob Amina , Gul Ambreen , Rao Abdul Qayyum
Published: December 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the host health. As such, consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about the potential effect of certain foods/feeds, particularly of transgenic origin on the gut microbiota. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recommended in their guidelines, to study the effect of transgenic food/feed on host‐microbiota, yet, few studies have focused on the evaluation of such effects mainly due to culturing difficulties. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the potential adverse effects of transgenic diet consumption on some specific gut microflora (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup and Enterococcus genus) of rabbits. A total of forty‐eight rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups and fed a diet containing a variable proportion of transgenic cottonseeds at 0, 20, 30 and 40% inclusion level, respectively. Changes in the specific or total faecal bacterial population were monitored at five different experimental stages (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days) using both the traditional plate count method (TM) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). No significant differences (p > .05) were observed concerning numbers of specific bacteria or total bacteria between the control and experimental groups, though qPCR showed numerically higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies as compared to the values obtained from TM. However, such numerical differences were biologically insignificant (p > .05). Similarly, no significant variations were noticed in the calculated B/E (log10 copies of Bifidobacterium per g faces/log10 copies of E. coli genome per g faeces) ratios in all the groups. All the ratios were in the range of 1.24 to 1.30 throughout the experiment, indicating a good balance of intestinal microflora and greater resistance to intestinal disorders. It is therefore concluded that feeding transgenic cottonseeds could not adversely affect the gut microflora of rabbits during a long‐term study.
Response to ‘Cesarean section or non‐breastfeeding for prevention of MTCT – Beware of sending the wrong message’
Authors: Pan Yu‐Chen , Jia Zhi‐Fang , Wang Yue‐Qi , Wang Chong , Li Jie , Jiang Jing
Published: December 2020

We are glad to respond to the concerns of Drs. Levy and Terrault about our articles on the mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HBeAg‐positive mothers. We agree with Drs. Levy and Terrault that antiviral therapy of HBV during pregnancy could effectively decrease the MTCT, and this strategy has been recommended by WHO for pregnant women with a high viral load. However, the long‐term influences of the abrupt cessation of antiretroviral drugs in mothers and prenatal exposure to antiviral drugs in newborns are not completely understood and are still under investigation. And not all pregnant mothers would accept this regiment due to the medication availability and individual willingness. It makes sense to study the influential factors on MTCT among mothers with high‐risk transmission but not taking antiviral drugs. Despite the relatively large number of subjects included in our cohort (N = 857), post hoc power computation shows that the test efficacy is far from adequate to detect the association between delivery mode or feeding type and HBV MTCT. Therefore, we summarized the relevant studies to reach a relatively reasonable conclusion in HBsAg‐ and HBeAg‐positive pregnant mothers not taking antiviral drugs. We provide an alternative option for HBsAg‐ and HBeAg‐positive pregnant mothers who cannot access or defer to antiviral therapy during pregnancy to reduce the risk of HBV transmission to their offspring.
Gene family amplification facilitates adaptation in freshwater unionid bivalve Megalonaias nervosa
Authors: Rogers Rebekah L. , Grizzard Stephanie L. , Titus‐McQuillan James E. , Bockrath Katherine , Patel Sagar , Wares John P. , Garner Jeffrey T. , Moore Cathy C.
Published: December 2020

Freshwater unionid bivalves currently face severe anthropogenic challenges. Over 70% of species in the United States are threatened, endangered or extinct due to pollution, damming of waterways and overfishing. These species are notable for their unusual life history strategy, parasite–host co‐evolution and biparental mitochondrial inheritance. Among this clade, the washboard mussel Megalonaias nervosa is one species that remains prevalent across the Southeastern United States, with robust population sizes. We have created a reference genome for M. nervosa to determine how genome content has evolved in the face of these widespread environmental challenges. We observe dynamic changes in genome content, with a burst of recent transposable element proliferation causing a 382 Mb expansion in genome content. Birth–death models suggest rapid expansions among gene families, with a mutation rate of 1.16 × 10−8 duplications per gene per generation. Cytochrome P450 gene families have experienced exceptional recent amplification beyond expectations based on genome‐wide birth–death processes. These genes are associated with increased rates of amino acid changes, a signature of selection driving evolution of detox genes. Fitting evolutionary models of adaptation from standing genetic variation, we can compare adaptive potential across species and mutation types. The large population size in M. nervosa suggests a 4.7‐fold advantage in the ability to adapt from standing genetic variation compared with a low diversity endemic E. hopetonensis. Estimates suggest that gene family evolution may offer an exceptional substrate of genetic variation in M. nervosa, with Psgv = 0.185 compared with Psgv = 0.067 for single nucleotide changes. Hence, we suggest that gene family evolution is a source of 'hopeful monsters’ within the genome that may facilitate adaptation when selective pressures shift. These results suggest that gene family expansion is a key driver of adaptive evolution in this key species of freshwater Unionidae that is currently facing widespread environmental challenges. This work has clear implications for conservation genomics on freshwater bivalves as well as evolutionary theory. This genome represents a first step to facilitate reverse ecological genomics in Unionidae and identify the genetic underpinnings of phenotypic diversity.
Reliability and validity of Japanese version of Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale
Authors: Chikada Ayaka , Mitsui Jun , Matsukawa Takashi , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Toda Tatsushi , Ogata Katsuhisa , Goto Jun , Wenning Gregor K. , Tsuji Shoji
Published: December 2020

Background/Aim

The Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) has been broadly used to assess the progression of multiple system atrophy (MSA). In this study, we translated UMSARS into Japanese and tested the reliability and validity of the translated version for the assessment of Japanese patients with MSA.

Method

UMSARS was translated into Japanese. For the evaluation of the reliability of the translated version, 60 and 70 participants with MSA were assessed by two neurologists using the Japanese versions of UMSARS‐I and UMSARS‐II, respectively. For the validation, 70 participants with MSA were evaluated by one neurologist using the Japanese versions of UMSARS‐I and UMSARS‐II, and other scales. Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Cohen's kappa coefficient [κ (w)], and Spearman rank correlation were calculated.

Results

Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the Japanese versions of UMSARS‐I and UMSARS‐II were 0.87 and 0.90, respectively. The κ (w) values of UMSARS‐I and UMSARS‐II items were 0.61‐0.81 and 0.51‐0.86, respectively. The total UMSARS‐I score correlated well with the scores of Barthel Index, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale, Functional Independence Measure, and Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) part 2 (Spearman rank correlations, −0.75, −0.71, −0.82, and 0.81, respectively). The total UMSARS‐II score correlated well with the scores of International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and MDS‐UPDRS part 3 (Spearman rank correlations, 0.85 and 0.86, respectively).

Conclusions

The Japanese version of UMSARS is reliable and valid for the assessment of the clinical severity of MSA in Japan.
Psychological capital, well‐being, and patient safety attitudes of nurses and midwives: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Elliott Rosalind , Fry Margaret
Published: December 2020

Nursing and midwifery are unarguably stressful endeavors requiring high levels of psychological capital and coping strategies. The impact of the work environment on patient safety outcomes suggests that high nurse/midwife stress may be associated with more adverse patient events. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological capital of clinical nurses and midwives and identify explanatory factors (including psychological capital, well‐being, and health‐related behaviors) contributing to attitudes to patient safety. A descriptive web‐ and paper‐based survey comprising a convenience sample of nurses and midwives in acute health facilities in Sydney, Australia, was performed (October 2018 and April 2019). Variables included psychological capital, psychological well‐being, work culture, and attitudes to patient safety. Descriptive statistics were performed and a regression model was specified (a statistical significance of P < 0.05 was set a priori). Psychological capital, depression score, and work engagement had a significant effect on patient safety perceptions when controlling for other factors. The findings suggest that nurse and midwife well‐being is an important consideration when striving to improve patient safety.
Photosystem II heat tolerances characterize thermal generalists and the upper limit of carbon assimilation
Authors: Perez Timothy M. , Socha Annika , Tserej Olga , Feeley Kenneth J.
Published: December 2020

The heat tolerance of photosystem II (PSII) may promote carbon assimilation at higher temperatures and help explain plant responses to climate change. Higher PSII heat tolerance could lead to (a) increases in the high‐temperature compensation point (Tmax); (b) increases in the thermal breadth of photosynthesis (i.e. the photosynthetic parameter Ω) to promote a thermal generalist strategy of carbon assimilation; (c) increases in the optimum rate of carbon assimilation Poptand faster carbon assimilation and/or (d) increases in the optimum temperature for photosynthesis (Topt). To address these hypotheses, we tested if the Tcrit, T50and T95PSII heat tolerances were correlated with carbon assimilation parameters for 21 plant species. Our results did not support Hypothesis 1, but we observed that T50may be used to estimate the upper thermal limit for Tmaxat the species level, and that community mean Tcritmay be useful for approximating Tmax. The T50and T95heat tolerance metrics were positively correlated with Ω in support of Hypothesis 2. We found no support for Hypotheses 3 or 4. Our study shows that high PSII heat tolerance is unlikely to improve carbon assimilation at higher temperatures but may characterize thermal generalists with slow resource acquisition strategies.
Models of cultural heritage buildings in a procedurally generated geospatial environment
Authors: Tobiáš Pavel , Cajthaml Jiří
Published: December 2020

This article presents a methodology combining building information modelling, CAD, procedural modelling, 3D GIS, and digital cartography to create information models of cultural heritage buildings and their geospatial environments both in history and nowadays. The results of the workflow are 3D web scenes where the most historically significant buildings are presented as detailed 3D textured information models. These models consist of 3D representations of specific architectural elements, which contain semantic information and attributes. Other valuable buildings are modelled classically in CAD and they can be identified as one complete object each, and thus the users can view concise information about the history and important aspects of the buildings. Finally, the common conurbation is generated procedurally. The 3D visualizations can be viewed in a web browser without any plugins needed, and can familiarize users from the general public with the architectural structure of the objects of interest and their environment.
Weather Downtime and its Effect on Fishing Operation in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Yaakob Omar , Quah Peng Chau
Published: December 2020

Kertas kerja ini membentangkan hasil kajian mengenai kesan cuaca ke atas industri perikanan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk menentukan perhubungan yang jelas antara operasi menangkap ikan dan cuaca terutama di musim tengkujuh. Kertas kerja ini difokuskan kepada corak ombak dan angin dan kesannya ke atas kebolehoperasian bot perikanan, tangkapan, kesediaadaan dan harga ikan. Kesan ke atas aktiviti nelayan dan pendapatan akibat cuaca buruk juga dibincangkan. Keputusan yang diperolehi menunjukkan pertalian rapat antara cuaca dan operasi menangkap ikan dan seterusnya pendapatan nelayan. Kajian ini juga menyimpulkan bahawa kesan cuaca lebih ketara bagi nelayan Pantai Timur berbanding nelayan Pantai Barat.

Kata kunci: Kesan cuaca, bot perikanan, operasi perikanan, tengkujuh

This paper presents the results of a study of the effect of weather downtime on the fishing industry in Peninsular Malaysia. The study was carried out with the aim of establishing a clearer relationship between weather and fishing operation, especially during monsoon season. This paper focused on the wind and wave pattern and their effects on fishing boat operability, fish landing, fish availability, and price. The effect on the fishermen activity and income as a result of the weather down time was also discussed. The result of the study has indicated that there is a close relationship between weather and fishing operation as well as fishermenâ€™s income. The study also concluded that weather has been significantly affecting the East Coast fishermen compared with their West Coast counterparts.

Key words: Weather downtime, fishing boats, fishing operation, monsoon
Accounting for multi-delay effects in an HIV-1 infection model with saturated infection rate, recovery and proliferation of host cells
Authors: Adak Debadatta , Bairagi Nandadulal , Hakl Robert
Published: December 2020

Biological models inherently contain delay. Mathematical analysis of a delay-induced model is, however, more difficult compare to its non-delayed counterpart. Difficulties multiply if the model contains multiple delays. In this paper, we analyze a realistic HIV-1 infection model in the presence and absence of multiple delays. We consider self-proliferation of CD4+T cells, nonlinear saturated infection rate and recovery of infected cells due to incomplete reverse transcription in a basic HIV-1 in-host model and incorporate multiple delays to account for successful viral entry and subsequent virus reproduction from the infected cell. Both of delayed and non-delayed system becomes disease-free if the basic reproduction number is less than unity. In the absence of delays, the infected equilibrium is shown to be locally asymptotically stable under some parametric space and unstable otherwise. The system may show unstable oscillatory behaviour in the presence of either delay even when the non-delayed system is stable. The second delay further enhances the instability of the endemic equilibrium which is otherwise stable in the presence of a single delay. Numerical results are shown to be in agreement with the analytical results and reflect quite realistic dynamics observed in HIV-1 infected individuals.
New species of Abrolophus (Acari: Erythraeidae) from Iran with a key to species with a comb-like seta on the palpal tarsus

Authors: Hakimitabar Masoud , Saboori Alireza , Fadaei Elnaz
Published: December 2020

In this study, larva of Abrolophus bochkovi sp. nov. collected from Qazvin province is described and illustrated. A key to larval species of Abrolophus of the world with a comb-like seta on the palpal tarsus is presented. Moreover, A. karamani Haitlinger & Šundić, is considered as a junior synonym of A. aitapensis (Southcott 1948).
Sustained Exposure to High Carbohydrate Availability Does Not Influence Iron-Regulatory Responses in Elite Endurance Athletes
Authors: McKay Alannah K.A. , Peeling Peter , Pyne David B. , Tee Nicolin , Welveart Marijke , Heikura Ida A. , Sharma Avish P. , Whitfield Jamie , Ross Megan L. , van Swelm Rachel P.L. , Laarakkers Coby M. , Burke Louise M.
Published: December 2020

This study implemented a 2-week high carbohydrate (CHO) diet intended to maximize CHO oxidation rates and examined the iron-regulatory response to a 26-km race walking effort. Twenty international-level, male race walkers were assigned to either a novel high CHO diet (MAX = 10 g/kg body mass CHO daily) inclusive of gut-training strategies, or a moderate CHO control diet (CON = 6 g/kg body mass CHO daily) for a 2-week training period. The athletes completed a 26-km race walking test protocol before and after the dietary intervention. Venous blood samples were collected pre-, post-, and 3 hr postexercise and measured for serum ferritin, interleukin-6, and hepcidin-25 concentrations. Similar decreases in serum ferritin (17–23%) occurred postintervention in MAX and CON. At the baseline, CON had a greater postexercise increase in interleukin-6 levels after 26 km of walking (20.1-fold, 95% CI [9.2, 35.7]) compared with MAX (10.2-fold, 95% CI [3.7, 18.7]). A similar finding was evident for hepcidin levels 3 hr postexercise (CON = 10.8-fold, 95% CI [4.8, 21.2]; MAX = 8.8-fold, 95% CI [3.9, 16.4]). Postintervention, there were no substantial differences in the interleukin-6 response (CON = 13.6-fold, 95% CI [9.2, 20.5]; MAX = 11.2-fold, 95% CI [6.5, 21.3]) or hepcidin levels (CON = 7.1-fold, 95% CI [2.1, 15.4]; MAX = 6.3-fold, 95% CI [1.8, 14.6]) between the dietary groups. Higher resting serum ferritin (p = .004) and hotter trial ambient temperatures (p = .014) were associated with greater hepcidin levels 3 hr postexercise. Very high CHO diets employed by endurance athletes to increase CHO oxidation have little impact on iron regulation in elite athletes. It appears that variations in serum ferritin concentration and ambient temperature, rather than dietary CHO, are associated with increased hepcidin concentrations 3 hr postexercise.
Inhibitory Control Across Athletic Expertise and Its Relationship With Sport Performance
Authors: Hagyard Jack , Brimmell Jack , Edwards Elizabeth J. , Vaughan Robert S.
Published: December 2020

Inhibitory control may be vital in elite sport. The authors examined the link between athletic expertise, inhibitory control, and sport performance in a two-part quasi experiment. Inhibitory control was indexed using the Stop-Signal Task, athlete expertise was categorized on literary recommendations, and sport performance was assessed using athlete and coach ratings. Study 1 examined cross-sectional and longitudinal patterns of inhibitory control across athletic expertise. Study 2 investigated whether the inhibitory control–sport performance relationship was moderated by expertise. Study 1 showed that expertise was linked to greater inhibitory control cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Study 2 revealed that expertise was related to superior performance on the Stop-Signal Task and athlete and coach performance ratings, and this relationship was moderated by athletic expertise. Inhibitory control relates to sport performance, increases with greater athlete expertise, and develops longitudinally. Long-term participation in sport may bring about changes in inhibitory control, which may lead to improved sport performance.
Alaska oil bid alarms scientists
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: December 2020

Mapping plan for Arctic refuge ignores risks, critics say
Slowdown in plate tectonics may have led to ice sheets
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: December 2020

Decreased ocean crust production tied to rapid cooling
QRICH1 dictates the outcome of ER stress through transcriptional control of proteostasis
Authors: You Kwontae , Wang Lingfei , Chou Chih-Hung , Liu Kai , Nakata Toru , Jaiswal Alok , Yao Junmei , Lefkovith Ariel , Omar Abdifatah , Perrigoue Jacqueline G. , Towne Jennifer E. , Regev Aviv , Graham Daniel B. , Xavier Ramnik J.
Published: December 2020

Transcriptional control of proteostasis

Tissue homeostasis requires the coordinated activity of multiple cell types to initiate and then resolve inflammation. Intrinsic cellular stress-response pathways facilitate adaptation to stress and tissue restitution. Among these stress pathways, the unfolded protein response can elicit two divergent outcomes: adaptation to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress or termination by programmed cell death. You
et al.
identified QRICH1 as a transcriptional regulator controlling adaptation to ER stress at the level of protein translation and secretion. The authors further demonstrate the role of the QRICH1 program in inflammatory diseases of the colon and liver.

Science
, this issue p.
45
Nanoscale control of internal inhomogeneity enhances water transport in desalination membranes
Authors: Culp Tyler E. , Khara Biswajit , Brickey Kaitlyn P. , Geitner Michael , Zimudzi Tawanda J. , Wilbur Jeffrey D. , Jons Steven D. , Roy Abhishek , Paul Mou , Ganapathysubramanian Baskar , Zydney Andrew L. , Kumar Manish , Gomez Enrique D.
Published: December 2020

Finding the path to better desalination

Polyamide membranes have been used in large-scale desalination for decades. However, because of the thinness of the membranes and their internal variability, it has been hard to determine which aspects of the membranes most affect their performance. Culp
et al.
combined electron tomography, nanoscale three-dimensional (3D) polyamide density mapping, and modeling of bulk water permeability with zero adjustable parameters to quantify the effect of 3D nanoscale variations in polymer mass on water transport within the polyamide membrane (see the Perspective by Geise). They found that variability in local density most affects the performance of the membranes. Better synthesis methods could thus improve performance without affecting selectivity.

Science
, this issue p.
72
; see also p.
31
Achieving large uniform tensile elasticity in microfabricated diamond
Authors: Dang Chaoqun , Chou Jyh-Pin , Dai Bing , Chou Chang-Ti , Yang Yang , Fan Rong , Lin Weitong , Meng Fanling , Hu Alice , Zhu Jiaqi , Han Jiecai , Minor Andrew M. , Li Ju , Lu Yang
Published: December 2020

Stretching diamond to the limit

Diamond is thought of as being unbendable, but thin samples can actually deform elastically. Applying relatively large amounts of strain to diamond may shift its electronic properties, which is of interest for a number of applications. Dang
et al.
elastically stretched micrometer-sized plates of diamond along different crystallographic directions. These relatively large samples show that deep-strain engineering can be accomplished in more uniform diamond specimens and may have a large impact on the electronic properties.

Science
, this issue p.
76
Interactions between nascent proteins translated by adjacent ribosomes drive homomer assembly
Authors: Bertolini Matilde , Fenzl Kai , Kats Ilia , Wruck Florian , Tippmann Frank , Schmitt Jaro , Auburger Josef Johannes , Tans Sander , Bukau Bernd , Kramer Günter
Published: December 2020

Co-co assembly for oligomers

Most of the human proteome forms oligomeric protein complexes, but how they assemble is poorly understood. Bertolini
et al.
used a ribosome-profiling approach to explore the existence of a cotranslational assembly mode based on the interaction of two nascent polypeptides, which they call the “co-co” assembly. Proteome-wide data were used to show whether, when, and how efficiently nascent complex subunits interact. The findings also show that human cells use co-co assembly to produce hundreds of different homo-oligomers. Co-co assembly involving ribosomes translating one messenger RNA may resolve the longstanding question of how cells prevent unwanted interactions between different protein isoforms to efficiently produce functional homo-oligomers.

Science
, this issue p.
57
The puzzle of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
Authors: Maeda Justin M. , Nkengasong John N.
Published: December 2020

More data are needed to understand the determinants of the COVID-19 pandemic across Africa
A little better all the time in 2021
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: December 2020

A famous story about the Beatles tells of the collaboration between Paul McCartney and John Lennon on the song “Getting Better” for their legendary Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. After McCartney wrote the lines “I've got to admit, it's getting better; a little better all the time,” Lennon wryly added, “It can't get no worse.” This story could serve as an epigraph as the calendar turns from the year 2020, which could hardly have gotten much worse, to 2021, when we hope life will indeed get a little better all the time. Better from COVID-19 because of the vaccines, better from misinformation spread by outgoing president Donald Trump and his allies, and better, we can hope, when it comes to the production and distribution of scientific knowledge.
The Use of Fluorescently Labeled ARC1779 Aptamer for Assessing the Effect of H2O2 on von Willebrand Factor Exocytosis
Authors: Avdonin Piotr P. , Trufanov Sergey K. , Rybakova Elena Yu. , Tsitrina Aleksandra A. , Goncharov Nikolay V. , Avdonin Pavel V.
Published: December 2020

Here, we propose a new approach for quantitative estimation of von Willebrand factor (vWF) exposed on the surface of endothelial cells (ECs) using the ARC1779 aptamer that interacts with the vWF A1 domain. To visualize complex formation between vWF and the aptamer, the latter was conjugated with the Cy5 fluorescent label. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stained with the ARC1779-Cy5 conjugate and imaged with a fluorescence microscope. The images were analyzed with the CellProfiler software. vWF released from the Weibel–Palade bodies was observed as bright dot-like structures of round and irregular shape, the number of which increased several times after HUVEC exposure to histamine or thrombin. Staining with ARC1779-Cy5 also revealed long filamentous vWF structures on the surface of activated HUVEC. vWF secretion by ECs is activated by the second messengers cAMP and Ca2+. There is evidence that hydrogen peroxide also acts as a second messenger in ECs. In addition, exogenous H2O2formed in leukocytes can enter ECs. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of H2O2on the vWF exposure at the surface of HUVEC using the proposed method. It was shown that hydrogen peroxide at concentration 100 µM, which is lower than the cytotoxicity threshold of H2O2for cultured HUVEC, increased several times the number of dot-like structures and total amount of vWF exposed on plasma membrane of HUVEC, which suggest that H2O2acts as a mediator that activates exocytosis of Weibel–Palade bodies and vWF secretion in the vascular endothelium during inflammation and upon elevated generation of endogenous reactive oxygen species in ECs.
Pre-eclampsia complicated by severe hyponatraemia
Authors: Montebello Annalisa , Thake John , Vella Sandro , Vassallo Josanne
Published: December 2020

A 41-year-old woman was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 35 weeks gestation. She was treated with antihypertensives but, unfortunately, her condition became complicated by severe hyponatraemia. Her sodium levels rapidly dropped to 125 mmol/L. The cause for the hyponatraemia was the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. She was initially managed with fluid restriction, but an emergency caesarean section was necessary in view of fetal distress. Her sodium levels returned to normal within 48 hours of delivery.

Pre-eclampsia is rarely associated with hyponatraemia. A low maternal sodium level further increases the mother’s risk for seizures during this state. Additionally, the fetal sodium rapidly equilibrates to the mother’s and may result in fetal tachycardia, jaundice and polyhdraminios. All these factors may necessitate an emergency fetal delivery.