bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted genome editing of plants and plant cells for biomanufacturing
Authors: Buyel J. F. , Stöger E. , Bortesi L.
Published: March 2021

Plants have provided humans with useful products since antiquity, but in the last 30 years they have also been developed as production platforms for small molecules and recombinant proteins. This initially niche area has blossomed with the growth of the global bioeconomy, and now includes chemical building blocks, polymers and renewable energy. All these applications can be described as “plant molecular farming” (PMF). Despite its potential to increase the sustainability of biologics manufacturing, PMF has yet to be embraced broadly by industry. This reflects a combination of regulatory uncertainty, limited information on process cost structures, and the absence of trained staff and suitable manufacturing capacity. However, the limited adaptation of plants and plant cells to the requirements of industry-scale manufacturing is an equally important hurdle. For example, the targeted genetic manipulation of yeast has been common practice since the 1980s, whereas reliable site-directed mutagenesis in most plants has only become available with the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 and similar genome editing technologies since around 2010. Here we summarize the applications of new genetic engineering technologies to improve plants as biomanufacturing platforms. We start by identifying current bottlenecks in manufacturing, then illustrate the progress that has already been made and discuss the potential for improvement at the molecular, cellular and organism levels. We discuss the effects of metabolic optimization, adaptation of the endomembrane system, modified glycosylation profiles, programmable growth and senescence, protease inactivation, and the expression of enzymes that promote biodegradation. We outline strategies to achieve these modifications by targeted gene modification, considering case-by-case examples of individual improvements and the combined modifications needed to generate a new general-purpose “chassis” for PMF.
Delayed Teleoperation with Force Feedback of a Humanoid Robot
Authors: Moya Viviana , Slawiñski Emanuel , Mut Vicente
Published: March 2021

Teleoperation systems allow the extension of human capabilities to remote-control devices by providing the operator with conditions similar to those at the remote site through a communication channel that sends information from one site to the other. This article aims to present an analysis of the benefits of force feedback applied to the bilateral teleoperation of a humanoid robot with time-varying delay. As a control scheme, we link adaptive inverse dynamics compensation, balance control, and P+d like controllers. Finally, a test is performed where an operator simultaneously handles the locomotion (forward velocity and turn angle) and arm of a simulated 3D humanoid robot to do a pick-and-place task using two master devices with force feedback, where indexes such as time to complete the task, coordination errors, path tracking error, and percentage of successful tests are reported for different time-delays. We conclude with the results achieved.
Lung ultrasound presentation of COVID-19 patients: phenotypes and correlations
Authors: Secco Gianmarco , Delorenzo Marzia , Salinaro Francesco , Zattera Caterina , Barcella Bruno , Resta Flavia , Sabena Anna , Vezzoni Giulia , Bonzano Marco , Briganti Federica , Cappa Giovanni , Zugnoni Francesca , Demitry Lorenzo , Mojoli Francesco , Baldanti Fausto , Bruno Raffaele , Perlini Stefano ,   The GERICO (Gruppo Esteso RIcerca COronarovirus) Lung US Pavia Study Group, Martino Ilaria , Guglielmana Barbarah , Zunino Ilaria , Quaglia Federica , Pettenazza Pietro , di Marco Serena Pioli , Briganti Domenica Federica , Falchi Anna Giulia , Alfano Claudia , Mossolani Elisa , Sciarrini Massimiliano , Zattera Caterina , Maisak Igor , Tassi Michele , Galati Stefano , Capozza  , Melara Ilaria , Chiodi Benedetta , Vignaroli Damiano , Scattaglia Lorenzo , Bissichini Giulia , Bazzini Marco
Published: March 2021

Bedside lung ultrasound (LUS) can play a role in the setting of the SarsCoV2 pneumonia pandemic. To evaluate the clinical and LUS features of COVID-19 in the ED and their potential prognostic role, a cohort of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients underwent LUS upon admission in the ED. LUS score was derived from 12 fields. A prevalent LUS pattern was assigned depending on the presence of interstitial syndrome only (Interstitial Pattern), or evidence of subpleural consolidations in at least two fields (Consolidation Pattern). The endpoint was 30-day mortality. The relationship between hemogasanalysis parameters and LUS score was also evaluated. Out of 312 patients, only 36 (11.5%) did not present lung involvment, as defined by LUS score < 1. The majority of patients were admitted either in a general ward (53.8%) or in intensive care unit (9.6%), whereas 106 patients (33.9%) were discharged from the ED. In-hospital mortality was 25.3%, and 30-day survival was 67.6%. A LUS score > 13 had a 77.2% sensitivity and a 71.5% specificity (AUC 0.814; p < 0.001) in predicting mortality. LUS alterations were more frequent (64%) in the posterior lower fields. LUS score was related with P/F (R2 0.68; p < 0.0001) and P/F at FiO2 = 21% (R2 0.59; p < 0.0001). The correlation between LUS score and P/F was not influenced by the prevalent ultrasound pattern. LUS represents an effective tool in both defining diagnosis and stratifying prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The correlation between LUS and hemogasanalysis parameters underscores its role in evaluating lung structure and function.
A virtual commissioning based methodology to integrate digital twins into manufacturing systems
Authors: Barbieri Giacomo , Bertuzzi Alberto , Capriotti Andrea , Ragazzini Lorenzo , Gutierrez David , Negri Elisa , Fumagalli Luca
Published: March 2021

Digital Twin (DT) is considered a key approach to enhance the system reactivity to uncertain events due to its ability to getting data from the field and triggering actions on the physical asset. Given the modern technological and rapidly changing work environment, it is likely that in the next years companies will need to retrofit their manufacturing systems by integrating DTs. In this context, it is fundamental to define the necessary steps for the development of DTs and for their integration into manufacturing systems through a DT architecture. In response to this issue, a methodology based on Virtual Commissioning is proposed. A stepwise approach is illustrated in which the DT is designed, integrated and verified using a virtual environment. The methodology is validated through the integration of a DT into a flow shop for the implementation of a scheduling reactive to machine breakdown. By following the steps of the proposed methodology, a DT architecture able to improve the makespan of the studied flow shop is developed, suggesting the potential applicability of the approach to industrial manufacturing systems.
Sex and Relationship Differences on the Short Love Attitude Scale: Insights from the Hungarian Adaptation
Authors: Meskó Norbert , Zsidó András N. , Láng András , Karádi Kázmér
Published: March 2021

Love styles are attitudes towards romantic relationships that are related to sexual motivation, sociosexuality, mate value, and relationship status. In the present study, the Short Love Attitude Scale (LAS-SF) was adapted to Hungarian, and the original factor structure was replicated with a Hungarian sample of 800 participants (439 females, mean age = 38.6 years). The results show that the Hungarian LAS-SF is a reliable and valid measure, which enables cross-cultural comparisons. Differences in love styles were revealed across sexes and relationship statuses. All men except singles scored relatively high on Eros, while the highest Eros scores among women were obtained for those in a committed relationship. Women and men preferred the same strategy (Ludus) to achieve short-term relationship goals.
A partial skeleton of a new species of Tynskya Mayr, 2000 (Aves, Messelasturidae) from the London Clay highlights the osteological distinctness of a poorly known early Eocene “owl/parrot mosaic”
Authors: Mayr Gerald
Published: March 2021

Tynskya eocaena is an early Eocene bird with a raptor-like skull and semi-zygodactyl feet, whose description is based on a skeleton from the North American Green River Formation. In the present study, three-dimensionally preserved bones of a new species of Tynskya, T. waltonensis, are reported from the London Clay of Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex, UK). The fossils belong to a single individual and provide new insights into the skeletal morphology of messelasturids. In particular, they reveal unusual vertebral specializations, with the cervical vertebrae having concave rather than saddle-shaped caudal articulation facets and the caudalmost thoracic vertebra being platycoelous (flat articular surfaces). The very deep mandible and a derived morphology of the ungual phalanges support a sister group relationship between Tynskya and the taxon Messelastur (Messelasturidae). Phylogenetic analyses of an emended data matrix did not conclusively resolve the higher-level affinities of messelasturids and the closely related halcyornithids, with both taxa sharing derived characters with only distantly related extant taxa (Accipitriformes, Strigiformes, Falconiformes, and Psittaciformes). An analysis that was constrained to a molecular scaffold, however, recovered messelasturids as the sister taxon of a clade including psittaciform and passeriform birds. The derived morphologies of the mandible and cervical vertebrae suggest specialized feeding adaptations of Tynskya, and messelasturids may have exploited a feeding niche, which is no longer available to extant birds.
Regional groundwater flow and karst evolution–theoretical approach and example from Switzerland
Authors: Scheidler Stefan , Huggenberger Peter , Dresmann Horst , Auckenthaler Adrian , Epting Jannis
Published: March 2021

In regional scale aquifers in the Rhine Valley and Tabular Jura east of Basel (Switzerland), the groundwater circulation was investigated using regional-scale geological and hydraulic 3D models. The main aquifers in the area comprise the Quaternary aquifer of unconsolidated gravel deposits along the River Rhine and its tributaries, as well as the regional scale karst aquifer within the Upper Muschelkalk. Land subsidence, a process likely associated with salt solution mining, indicates further subordinate groundwater bearing segments and complex groundwater interactions along fault zones. In the aquifer systems we investigated, regional-scale groundwater circulation was simulated and visualized in relation to the geological settings. Lithostratigraphic units and fault structures were parameterized and analyzed, including the sensitivity of hydraulic properties and boundaries. Scenario calculations were used to investigate the sensitivity that the aquifer systems had to hydraulic parameter changes during Quaternary aggradation and degradation in the main valley. Those calculations were also done for base-level changes in the Rivers Rhine and Birs. For this purpose, this study considered probable historic base-levels before river regulation occurred, and before river dams and power plants were constructed. We also focused on scenarios considering increased groundwater recharge rates, e.g. due to exceptional long-lasting precipitation, or heavy rainfall events in the catchment area. Our results indicate that increased groundwater recharge rates in the catchment areas during such events (or periods) are associated with orders of magnitude increases of regional inflow into the Upper Muschelkalk karst aquifer. Furthermore, the groundwater fluctuations and groundwater saturated regions within the karst aquifer shift to places where high densities of sinkholes are documented. When the surface water base-levels adapt to probable historic levels, it leads to increased hydraulic gradients (i.e. local lowering of the groundwater level by up to 7 m). Those increased gradients are associated with increased groundwater flow within some aquifer regions that are particularly prone to karst development.
A systematic evaluation of assumptions in centrality measures by empirical flow data
Authors: Bockholt Mareike , Zweig Katharina A.
Published: March 2021

When considering complex systems, identifying the most important actors is often of relevance. When the system is modeled as a network, centrality measures are used which assign each node a value due to its position in the network. It is often disregarded that they implicitly assume a network process flowing through a network, and also make assumptions of how the network process flows through the network. A node is then central with respect to this network process (Borgatti in Soc Netw 27(1):55–71, 2005, 10.1016/j.socnet.2004.11.008). It has been shown that real-world processes often do not fulfill these assumptions (Bockholt and Zweig, in Complex networks and their applications VIII, Springer, Cham, 2019, 10.1007/978-3-030-36683-4_7). In this work, we systematically investigate the impact of the measures’ assumptions by using four datasets of real-world processes. In order to do so, we introduce several variants of the betweenness and closeness centrality which, for each assumption, use either the assumed process model or the behavior of the real-world process. The results are twofold: on the one hand, for all measure variants and almost all datasets, we find that, in general, the standard centrality measures are quite robust against deviations in their process model. On the other hand, we observe a large variation of ranking positions of single nodes, even among the nodes ranked high by the standard measures. This has implications for the interpretability of results of those centrality measures. Since a mismatch of the behaviour of the real network process and the assumed process model does even affect the highly-ranked nodes, resulting rankings need to be interpreted with care.
Hydrous cerium oxides coated glass fiber for efficient and long-lasting arsenic removal from drinking water
Authors: Li Ronghui , Yang Weiyi , Gao Shuang , Shang Jianku , Li Qi
Published: March 2021

A novel arsenic adsorbent with hydrous cerium oxides coated on glass fiber cloth (HCO/GFC) was synthesized. The HCO/GFC adsorbents were rolled into a cartridge for arsenic removal test. Due to the large pores between the glass fibers, the arsenic polluted water can flow through easily. The arsenic removal performance was evaluated by testing the equilibrium adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, and packed-bed operation. The pH effects on arsenic removal were conducted. The test results show that HCO/GFC filter has high As(V) and As(III) removal capacity even at low equilibrium concentration. The more toxic As(III) in water can be easily removed within a wide range of solution pH without pre-treatment. Arsenic contaminated ground-water from Yangzong Lake (China) was used in the column test. At typical breakthrough conditions (the empty bed contact time, EBCT = 2 min), arsenic researched breakthrough at over 24,000 bed volumes (World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water is 10 mg/L). The Ce content in the treated water was lower than 5 ppb during the column test, which showed that cerium did not leach from the HCO/GFC material into the treated water. The relationship between dosage of adsorbents and the adsorption kinetic model was also clarified, which suggested that the pseudo second order model could fit the kinetic experimental data better when the adsorbent loading was relatively low, and the pseudo first order model could fit the kinetic experimental data better when the adsorbent loading amount was relatively high.
Preparation and properties of CMAS resistant bixbyite structured high-entropy oxides RE2O3 (RE = Sm, Eu, Er, Lu, Y, and Yb): Promising environmental barrier coating materials for Al2O3f/Al2O3 composites
Authors: Sun Yanan , Xiang Huimin , Dai Fu-Zhi , Wang Xiaohui , Xing Yan , Zhao Xiaojun , Zhou Yanchun
Published: March 2021

Y2O3 is regarded as one of the potential environmental barrier coating (EBC) materials for Al2O3f/Al2O3 ceramic matrix composites owing to its high melting point and close thermal expansion coefficient to Al2O3. However, the relatively high thermal conductivity and unsatisfactory calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS) resistance are the main obstacles for the practical application of Y2O3. In order to reduce the thermal conductivity and increase the CMAS resistance, four cubic bixbyite structured high-entropy oxides RE2O3, including (Eu0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3, (Sm0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3, (Sm0.2Eu0.2Er0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3, and (Sm0.2Eu0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 were designed and synthesized, among which (Eu0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 and (Sm0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 bulks were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to investigate their mechanical and thermal properties as well as CMAS resistance. The mechanical properties of (Eu0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 and (Sm0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 are close to those of Y2O3 but become more brittle than Y2O3. The thermal conductivities of (Eu0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 and (Sm0.2Er0.2Lu0.2Y0.2Yb0.2)2O3 (5.1 and 4.6 W·m−1·K−1) are only 23.8% and 21.5% respectively of that of Y2O3 (21.4 W·m−1·K−1), while their thermal expansion coefficients are close to those of Y2O3 and Al2O3. Most importantly, HE RE2O3 ceramics exhibit good CMAS resistance. After being attacked by CMAS at 1350 °C for 4 h, the HE RE2O3 ceramics maintain their original morphologies without forming pores or cracks, making them promising as EBC materials for Al2O3f/Al2O3 composites.
Adolescents as active managers of their own psychological needs: The role of psychological need crafting in adolescents’ mental health
Authors: Laporte Nele , Soenens Bart , Brenning Katrijn , Vansteenkiste Maarten
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Satisfaction of adolescents' basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness contributes to their well‐being. Socialization figures (e.g., parents) can assist adolescents in getting these needs met. In addition, adolescents can engage in need crafting, thereby proactively managing their behavior towards improved need satisfaction. This research aimed to develop a need crafting measure and to examine the role of need crafting in adolescents’ need‐based experiences and mental health.

Method

A cross‐sectional study in 233 Flemish students (Study 1; Mage = 16.6, 58.4% female) addressed the psychometric properties of a need crafting measure and its associations with relevant constructs. Using a three‐wave longitudinal study in 436 Flemish students (Study 2; Mage = 16.33, 66,0% female), we investigated the role of need crafting in adolescents’ mental health and the intervening role of need‐based experiences.

Results

In Study 1, a CFA yielded evidence for the psychometric quality of the need crafting measure. Need crafting was related in meaningful ways with different validation constructs and with adolescents' need‐based experiences. Study 2 showed that need crafting was related to adolescents’ mental health, both at the level of inter‐individual differences and at the level of intra‐individual change. Need‐based experiences accounted partly for the mental health benefits associated with need crafting, with the effects remaining significant after controlling for perceived maternal need‐support.

Conclusion

The findings provide initial evidence for the importance of adolescents' need crafting in mental health. Future research needs to further examine factors that determine adolescents’ ability to manage their own psychological needs.
The Hodeida Agreement that Never Was: Design, Implementation, and Implications on Conflict and Peace in Yemen
Authors: Fakirah Ibrahim Galal
Published: March 2021

On December 13, 2018, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, attended the conclusion of the Stockholm Agreement. The agreement was comprised of three subsidiary arrangements: the Hodeida Agreement; the Prisoner's Deal; and the half-page Taiz Understanding. The Hodeida Agreement, which was backed by UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 2451 (2018) and 2452 (2019), contained several issues with a three-week timeline, including: (1) an immediate ceasefire; (2) redeployment, not withdrawal, of forces; (3) the formation of a UN-led Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC); (4) removal of fortifications and halt of military reinforcements; (5) demining of Hodeida ports, not the city; (6) a strengthened UN presence; (7) and security and economic measures.
Disciplinary Privilege and the Promise of Decampment: A Response to James Thuo Gathii's “The Promise of International Law: A Third World View”
Authors: Johns Fleur
Published: March 2021

It is an immense privilege to respond, as discussant, to James Gathii's 2020 Grotius Lecture.1 I have known and admired Professor Gathii and his work for decades. He is one of those people who manages to combine great accomplishment in international legal scholarship and practice with an unswerving commitment to teaching, collegiality, and mentoring. In these, and in other ways, James Gathii walks his talk. And his talk, as you have heard, is challenging.
Can the historical gender gap index deepen our understanding of economic development?
Authors: Perrin Faustine
Published: March 2021

Knowledge of the long relationship between gender equality and economic growth is hampered by the lack of information and resources on the various dimensions of gender equality. This paper is a first attempt to assess the size of the gender gap and investigate its relationship with economic growth from a historical perspective. Exploiting a unique census-based dataset of 86 French counties in the mid-nineteenth century, I construct a historical gender gap index measuring the size of the gap between men and women in three critical areas: economic opportunities, educational attainment, and health. A county comparison allows me to identify the strengths and weaknesses of French counties in closing the gender gap. I find that France can be divided into two main areas, the North and the South. In particular, the Northern counties that have done most to narrow the gap display better economic performance. Boys' and girls' education and family structures appear to be crucial determinants of gender equality. Gender equality is positively and significantly associated with economic performance. Accounting for the multi-dimensions of gender equality is crucial for economic development.
Son preference and the fertility squeeze in India
Authors: Aksan Anna-Maria
Published: March 2021

India's sex ratio at birth (SRB) has become increasingly masculine, coinciding with a declining total fertility rate. Couples often resort to sex-selective abortion or even infanticide to ensure the birth of a son. We use household-level data from all four waves of India's National Family Health Survey (NFHS) to investigate the effect of India's demographic transition on the SRB. Mixed-effects logit regression analysis demonstrates that since the early 1990s, the probability of a third-order birth being male is decreasing in the number of sons previously born, while for second-order births, this effect does not become apparent until the 2000s. Accounting for geographic heterogeneity in the fertility transition, we find additional heterogeneity in son preference and sex selection at the village/neighborhood level. This heterogeneity has strengthened over time at both second- and third-order births and in more and less gender skewed regions of the country, suggesting potential convergence in sex ratios across India. By incorporating the most recent 2015–16 round of the NFHS, we demonstrate that previously documented trends in sex selection continue, and additionally that sex selection is increasingly occurring at lower parities as the desire for a smaller family combines with the traditional preference for sons.
Petrogenesis and tectonic implication of the lower Silurian high-Sr/Y subvolcanic rocks from the South Qilian suture zone in the Qilian Orogen, NW China
Authors: He Xiaohu , Fu Changlei , Yan Zhen , Wang Bingzhang , Niu Manlan , Li Xiucai
Published: March 2021

As the remnant of the South Qilian Ocean, the South Qilian suture zone recorded abundant information on the Cambrian–Ordovician subduction history of the southern branch of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean. However, the closure timing of the South Qilian Ocean and subsequent collision are poorly constrained. In this study, we report early Silurian (433–435 Ma) U–Pb ages of felsic subvolcanic rocks from Lianhuashan, Ayishan and Shihuiyao of the Lajishan district within the South Qilian suture zone. They intruded the Late Ordovician – Silurian sedimentary or Late Ordovician volcanic rocks and have high SiO2(61.43–73.06 wt%), Sr/Y ratios with significant different rare earth elements (REEs) and trace-element spider diagrams, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, probably implying that they were formed through distinctly different generation mechanisms. Geochemistry of the Lianhuashan dacites reveals compositions typical of adakitic rocks derived from partial melting of lower crust in a thickened setting. The Ayishan dacites were derived from partial melting of crustal materials with the involvement of minor peridotite mantle, and the Shihuiyao rhyolites were derived from partial melting of felsic crust. The similar geochemical characteristics of coeval post-collisional igneous rocks in the Central Qilian and South Qilian blocks indicates that the lower Silurian subvolcanic rocks were generated in a thickened crust of post-collisional setting. Considering their intrusive contacts with Late Ordovician – Silurian retro-foreland basin and Late Ordovician collisional volcanic rocks, we propose that the South Qilian suture zone was at a transitional stage from collisional to post-collisional during the early Silurian Period.
Utility of whole-genome sequencing during an investigation of multiple foodborne outbreaks of Shigella sonnei
Authors: Mikhail Amy F. W. , Pereboom Monique , Utsi Lara , Hawker Jeremy , Lighthill Jonathan , Aird Heather , Swindlehurst Mark , Greig David R. , Jenkins Claire , Godbole Gauri , Elson Richard
Published: March 2021

In April 2018, Public Health England was notified of cases of Shigella sonnei who had eaten food from three different catering outlets in England. The outbreaks were initially investigated as separate events, but whole-genome sequencing (WGS) showed they were caused by the same strain. The investigation included analyses of epidemiological data, the food chain and microbiological examination of food samples. WGS was used to determine the phylogenetic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance profile of the outbreak strain. Ultimately, 33 cases were linked to this outbreak; the majority had eaten food from seven outlets specialising in Indian or Middle Eastern cuisine. Five outlets were linked to two or more cases, all of which used fresh coriander although a shared supplier was not identified. An investigation at one of the venues recorded that 86% of cases reported eating dishes with coriander as an ingredient or garnish. Four cases were admitted to hospital and one had evidence of treatment failure with ciprofloxacin. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the outbreak strain was part of a wider multidrug-resistant clade associated with travel to Pakistan. Poor hygiene practices during cultivation, distribution or preparation of fresh produce are likely contributing factors.
Level ordering and opacity in Tetsǫ́t’ıné: a Stratal OT account
Authors: Jaker Alessandro , Kiparsky Paul
Published: March 2021

Dene (Athabaskan) verbs are widely known for their complex morphophonology. The most complex patterns are associated with two conjugation markers, /s/ and /n/, which are associated with a floating H tone to their immediate left. In this paper, we provide an analysis of /θe/ and /ɲe/, the reflexes of the /s/ and /n/ conjugations in Tetsǫ́t’ıné. Whereas previous accounts of these conjugations have relied heavily on morphological conditioning, we show that, once level ordering, autosegmental phonology and metrical phonology are brought to bear on the problem, morphological conditioning is not required. Within the framework of Stratal OT, we propose the Domain Reference Hypothesis, by which phonological constraints may only refer to morphological domains and their edges. In addition, we show that in Tetsǫ́t’ıné there is a correlation between phonological opacity and morphological structure, as predicted by the Stratal OT model.
COVID-19 Changed the Injury Patterns of Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Rozenfeld Michael , Peleg Kobi , Givon Adi , Bala Miklosh , Shaked Gad , Bahouth Hany , Bodas Moran
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Injury patterns are closely related to changes in behavior. Pandemics and measures undertaken against them may cause changes in behavior; therefore, changes in injury patterns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak can be expected when compared to the parallel period in previous years.

Study Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare injury-related hospitalization patterns during the overall national lockdown period with parallel periods of previous years.

Methods:

A retrospective study was completed of all patients hospitalized from March 15 through April 30, for years 2016-2020. Data were obtained from 21 hospitals included in the national trauma registry during the study years. Clinical, demographic, and circumstantial parameters were compared amongst the years of the study.

Results:

The overall volume of injured patients significantly decreased during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the greatest decrease registered for road traffic collisions (RTCs). Patients’ sex and ethnic compositions did not change, but a smaller proportion of children were hospitalized during the outbreak. Many more injuries were sustained at home during the outbreak, with proportions of injuries in all other localities significantly decreased. Injuries sustained during the COVID-19 outbreak were more severe, specifically due to an increase in severe injuries in RTCs and falls. The proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations did not change, however more surgeries were performed; patients stayed less days in hospital.

Conclusions:

The lockdown period of the COVID-19 outbreak led to a significant decrease in number of patients hospitalized due to trauma as compared to parallel periods of previous years. Nevertheless, trauma remains a major health care concern even during periods of high-impact disease outbreaks, in particular due to increased proportion of severe injuries and surgeries.
Substitution of pure fruit juice for fruit and sugar-sweetened beverages and cardiometabolic risk in European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-NL: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Scheffers Floor R , Boer Jolanda MA , Wijga Alet H , van der Schouw Yvonne T , Smit Henriëtte A , Verschuren WM Monique
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Dietary guidelines on pure fruit juice differ between countries regarding the question whether pure fruit juice (without added sugars) is an acceptable substitute for fruit or should be avoided because of its comparable sugar content with that of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). We modelled whether substituting pure fruit juice for fruit or SSB was associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Based on a validated FFQ at baseline, we calculated the relative contribution of pure fruit juice to total consumption of fruit and pure fruit juice (${{{\rm{pure}}\;{\rm{fruit}}\;{\rm{juice}}\;\;\left( {{\rm{g}}/{\rm{day}}} \right)} \over {{\rm{fruit}}\; + \;{\rm{pure}}\;{\rm{fruit}}\;{\rm{juice}}\;\left( {{\rm{g}}/{\rm{day}}} \right)}}$) and to total consumption of SSB and pure fruit juice (${{{\rm{pure}}\;{\rm{fruit}}\;{\rm{juice}}\;\;\left( {{\rm{g}}/{\rm{day}}} \right)} \over {{\rm{SSBs}}\; + \;{\rm{pure}}\;{\rm{fruit}}\;{\rm{juice}}\;\left( {{\rm{g}}/{\rm{day}}} \right)}}$). In multivariate analyses (Cox regression), we assessed associations with incidence of type 2 diabetes, CVD, CHD and stroke after an average follow-up of 14·6 years.

Participants:

About 35 000 participants from the EPIC-NL study, aged 20–70 years at enrolment.

Results:

Substitution of pure fruit juice for SSB was associated with lower risk of all endpoints. For type 2 diabetes and CHD, for example, drinking 75–100 % (as compared with 0–<25 %) of total SSB + pure fruit juice as pure fruit juice showed hazard ratio (95 % CI) of 0·74 (95 % CI 0·64, 0·85) and 0·85 (95 % CI 0·76, 0·96), respectively. Substitution of pure fruit juice for fruit was not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes, CVD, CHD and stroke.

Conclusions:

Substituting pure fruit juice for SSB was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk, whereas substituting pure fruit juice for fruit was not associated with cardiometabolic risk.
Social security and endogenous demographic change: child support and retirement policies
Authors: Cipriani Giam Pietro , Fioroni Tamara
Published: March 2021

This paper studies retirement and child support policies in a small, open, overlapping-generations economy with PAYG social security and endogenous retirement and fertility decisions. It demonstrates that neither fertility nor retirement choices necessarily coincide with socially optimal allocation, because agents do not take into account the externalities of fertility and the elderly labor supply in the economy as a whole. It shows that governments can realize the first-best allocation by introducing a child allowance scheme and a subsidy to incentivize the labor supply of older workers. As an alternative to subsidizing the elderly labor supply, we show that the first-best allocation can also be achieved by controlling the retirement age. Finally, the model is simulated in order to study whether the policies devoted to realizing the social optimum in a market economy could be a Pareto improvement.
End of life communication among caregivers of children with cancer: A qualitative approach to understanding support desired by families
Authors: Kenney Ansley E. , Bedoya Sima Zadeh , Gerhardt Cynthia A. , Young-Saleme Tammi , Wiener Lori
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Clinicians and parents are encouraged to have open and honest communication about end of life with children with cancer, yet there remains limited research in this area. We examined family communication and preferred forms of support among bereaved caregivers of children with cancer.

Methods

Bereaved caregivers were recruited through a closed social media group to complete an online survey providing retrospective reports of end of life communication with their child and preferences for communication support from health-care providers. The sample of 131 participants was mostly female (77.9%; n = 102) with an average age of 49.15 (SD = 8.03) years. Deceased children were of an average age of 12.42 years (SD = 6.01) and nearly 90% of children died within 5 years of diagnosis.

Results

Most caregivers spoke with their child about their prognosis (61.8%; n = 131) and death (66.7%; n = 99). Half of children (48%; n = 125) asked about death, particularly older children (51.9% ≥12 years; p = 0.03). Asking about dying was related to having conversations about prognosis (p ≤ 0.001) and death (p ≤ 0.001). Most caregivers (71.8%; n = 94) wanted support to talk to their children. Fewer wanted providers to speak to children directly (12.2%; n = 16) or to be present while caregivers spoke to the child (19.8%; n = 26). Several themes emerged from a content analysis of open-ended responses regarding preferences for provider support.

Significance of results

Most caregivers discussed issues pertaining to end of life irrespective of demographic or medical factors. Qualitative themes provide insight into support desired by families to help with these difficult conversations.
SCALODEEP: A Highly Generalized Deep Learning Framework for Real‐Time Earthquake Detection
Authors: Saad Omar M. , Huang Guangtan , Chen Yunfeng , Savvaidis Alexandros , Fomel Sergey , Pham Nam , Chen Yangkang
Published: March 2021

The detection of earthquake signals is a fundamental yet challenging task in observational seismology. A robust automatic earthquake detection algorithm is strongly demanded in view of the ever‐growing global seismic dataset. Here, we develop an automatic earthquake detection framework based on a deep learning approach (SCALODEEP). It extracts high‐order features embedded in three‐component seismograms by encoding a time‐frequency representation of the data (scalogram) into a deep network with skip connections. The SCALODEEP is trained and validated on an open‐source dataset from North California, and then employed to seismicity detection in four areas, including Arkansas, Japan, Texas, and Egypt. Despite vastly varying characteristics of regional earthquakes (e.g., focal mechanism, duration, and noise level), SCALODEEP successfully detects seismic signals over a broad range of local magnitudes (as low as −1.3) and outperforms conventional algorithms such as STA/LTA, FAST, and template matching. Compared to recently proposed deep learning based frameworks (e.g., CRED and Earthquake transformer), SCALODEEP achieves a superior generalization ability via a sophisticated network architecture. In summary, our study offers a promising new tool to improve existing earthquake detection systems and, as importantly, sheds light on designing an effective deep learning network for generalized earthquake detection.
Patient-Reported Experiences With Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: Resilience and Resources Required
Authors: Stiles-Shields Colleen , Osos Sylwia , Sunnquist Madison L. , Mak Grace Zee , Skelly Christopher L. , Drossos Tina
Published: March 2021

Objective: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a vascular condition that is treated surgically. MALS is a diagnosis of exclusion and therefore often requires that pediatric patients undergo an exhaustive number of tests and potential experiences with misdiagnosis before receiving an accurate diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of the current mixed-methods study was to assess the pediatric patient- and parent-reported experience of (a) coping with and managing symptoms associated with MALS and (b) the diagnostic, treatment, and recovery process for pediatric MALS. Methods: Nine postsurgical pediatric patients ( M age = 20.11 ± 3.59; all <18 at time of surgery) and 6 parents participated in semistructured focus groups and completed self-report questionnaires about their experiences and current functioning. Results: Four themes emerged: (a) the impact of MALS (physical and psychosocial), (b) uncertainties and feeling misunderstood, (c) extensive medical tests, and (d) mental health impacts, with an additional three themes related to specific querying (i.e., appreciation, recommendations, and interdisciplinary treatment team). With the exception of variable long-term physical impacts, patients and their parents reported fairly consistent experiences, and the content of these themes was consistent with self-reported quantitative data. Conclusions: The current study highlights the resilience and resources seemingly required for effective diagnosis and intervention for pediatric MALS. The need for increased knowledge about MALS, the inclusion of an interdisciplinary treatment team, and long-term follow-up for pediatric patients with MALS are implicated.

Implications for Impact Statement

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a frequently overlooked cause of chronic abdominal pain. As a diagnosis of exclusion, pediatric patients must undergo exhaustive medical testing to receive care and are often told that their pain does not have a physical etiology. Patients and their families want for providers to become more knowledgeable of MALS and to demonstrate belief in patients’ reported symptom experience.
Antibiotic resistome from the One-Health perspective: understanding and controlling antimicrobial resistance transmission
Authors: Kim Dae-Wi , Cha Chang-Jun
Published: March 2021

The concept of the antibiotic resistome was introduced just over a decade ago, and since then, active resistome studies have been conducted. In the present study, we describe the previously established concept of the resistome, which encompasses all types of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the important findings from each One-Health sector considering this concept, thereby emphasizing the significance of the One-Health approach in understanding ARG transmission. Cutting-edge research methodologies are essential for deciphering the complex resistome structure in the microbiomes of humans, animals, and the environment. Based on the recent achievements of resistome studies in multiple One-Health sectors, future directions for resistome research have been suggested to improve the understanding and control of ARG transmission: (1) ranking the critical ARGs and their hosts; (2) understanding ARG transmission at the interfaces of One-Health sectors; (3) identifying selective pressures affecting the emergence, transmission, and evolution of ARGs; and (4) elucidating the mechanisms that allow an organism to overcome taxonomic barriers in ARG transmission.
Zebrafish as an animal model for biomedical research
Authors: Choi Tae-Young , Choi Tae-Ik , Lee Yu-Ri , Choe Seong-Kyu , Kim Cheol-Hee
Published: March 2021

Zebrafish have several advantages compared to other vertebrate models used in modeling human diseases, particularly for large-scale genetic mutant and therapeutic compound screenings, and other biomedical research applications. With the impactful developments of CRISPR and next-generation sequencing technology, disease modeling in zebrafish is accelerating the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of human genetic diseases. These efforts are fundamental for the future of precision medicine because they provide new diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. This review focuses on zebrafish disease models for biomedical research, mainly in developmental disorders, mental disorders, and metabolic diseases.
The co-chaperone Fkbp5 shapes the acute stress response in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of male mice
Authors: Häusl Alexander S. , Brix Lea M. , Hartmann Jakob , Pöhlmann Max L. , Lopez Juan-Pablo , Menegaz Danusa , Brivio Elena , Engelhardt Clara , Roeh Simone , Bajaj Thomas , Rudolph Lisa , Stoffel Rainer , Hafner Kathrin , Goss Hannah M. , Reul Johannes M. H. M. , Deussing Jan M. , Eder Matthias , Ressler Kerry J. , Gassen Nils C. , Chen Alon , Schmidt Mathias V.
Published: March 2021

Disturbed activation or regulation of the stress response through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a fundamental component of multiple stress-related diseases, including psychiatric, metabolic, and immune disorders. The FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) is a negative regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), the main driver of HPA axis regulation, and FKBP5 polymorphisms have been repeatedly linked to stress-related disorders in humans. However, the specific role of Fkbp5 in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in shaping HPA axis (re)activity remains to be elucidated. We here demonstrate that the deletion of Fkbp5 in Sim1+ neurons dampens the acute stress response and increases GR sensitivity. In contrast, Fkbp5 overexpression in the PVN results in a chronic HPA axis over-activation, and a PVN-specific rescue of Fkbp5 expression in full Fkbp5 KO mice normalizes the HPA axis phenotype. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed the cell-type-specific expression pattern of Fkbp5 in the PVN and showed that Fkbp5 expression is specifically upregulated in Crh+ neurons after stress. Finally, Crh-specific Fkbp5 overexpression alters Crh neuron activity, but only partially recapitulates the PVN-specific Fkbp5 overexpression phenotype. Together, the data establish the central and cell-type-specific importance of Fkbp5 in the PVN in shaping HPA axis regulation and the acute stress response.
Sex-dependent role for EPHB2 in brain development and autism-associated behavior
Authors: Assali Ahlem , Cho Jennifer Y. , Tsvetkov Evgeny , Gupta Abha R. , Cowan Christopher W.
Published: March 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors. It is frequently associated with comorbidities, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, altered sensory sensitivity, and intellectual disability. A de novo nonsense mutation in EPHB2 (Q857X) was discovered in a female patient with ASD [13], revealing EPHB2 as a candidate ASD risk gene. EPHB2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in axon guidance, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, positioning it as a plausible contributor to the pathophysiology of ASD and related disorders. In this study, we show that the Q857X mutation produced a truncated protein lacking forward signaling and that global disruption of one EphB2 allele (EphB2+/−) in mice produced several behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of ASD and common associated symptoms. EphB2+/− female, but not male, mice displayed increased repetitive behavior, motor hyperactivity, and learning and memory deficits, revealing sex-specific effects of EPHB2 hypofunction. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in the intrinsic excitability, but not excitatory/inhibitory ratio, of motor cortex layer V pyramidal neurons in EphB2+/− female, but not male, mice, suggesting a possible mechanism by which EPHB2 hypofunction may contribute to sex-specific motor-related phenotypes. Together, our findings suggest that EPHB2 hypofunction, particularly in females, is sufficient to produce ASD-associated behaviors and altered cortical functions in mice.
Host genetics exerts lifelong effects upon hindgut microbiota and its association with bovine growth and immunity
Authors: Fan Peixin , Nelson Corwin D , Driver J Danny , Elzo Mauricio A , Peñagaricano Francisco , Jeong Kwangcheol C
Published: March 2021

The gut microbiota is a complex ecological community that plays multiple critical roles within a host. Known intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect gut microbiota structure, but the influence of host genetics is understudied. To investigate the role of host genetics upon the gut microbiota structure, we performed a longitudinal study in which we evaluated the hindgut microbiota and its association with animal growth and immunity across life. We evaluated three different growth stages in an Angus-Brahman multibreed population with a graduated spectrum of genetic variation, raised under variable environmental conditions and diets. We found the gut microbiota structure was changed significantly during growth when preweaning, and fattening calves experienced large variations in diet and environmental changes. However, regardless of the growth stage, we found gut microbiota is significantly influenced by breed composition throughout life. Host genetics explained the relative abundances of 52.2%, 40.0%, and 37.3% of core bacterial taxa at the genus level in preweaning, postweaning, and fattening calves, respectively. Sutterella, Oscillospira, and Roseburia were consistently associated with breed composition at these three growth stages. Especially, butyrate-producing bacteria, Roseburia and Oscillospira, were associated with nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in genes involved in the regulation of host immunity and metabolism in the hindgut. Furthermore, minor allele frequency analysis found breed-associated SNPs in the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) receptor genes that promote anti-inflammation and enhance intestinal epithelial barrier functions. Our findings provide evidence of dynamic and lifelong host genetic effects upon gut microbiota, regardless of growth stages. We propose that diet, environmental changes, and genetic components may explain observed variation in critical hindgut microbiota throughout life.