bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of drugs with constipation-inducing potential and laxatives in community-dwelling older adults in Bahrain: therapeutic implications
Authors: Al Khaja Khalid A J , James Henry , Veeramuthu Sindhan , Tayem Yasin I , Sridharan Kannan , Sequeira Reginald P
Published: May 2020

Objectives

This study evaluated the prevalence of prescribing drugs with constipation-inducing potential and the prophylactic use of laxatives in community-dwelling older adults.

Method

An audit of outpatient prescriptions ordered for older adults aged ≥65 years with one or more chronic morbidities in 24 governmental primary healthcare centres in Bahrain. The prescriptions were collected by pharmacist-in-charge of each health centre between December 2015 and June 2016. The proportion of prescriptions with constipation-inducing drugs and co-prescribed laxatives was determined.

Key findings

The overall prevalence of prescribing drugs with the potential to cause constipation was 30.5% (642/2106). Prescriptions with at least one anticholinergic/drug with anticholinergic potential (DAP) were 22.5% (473/2106): single medication in 16.6% (350/2106) and two or more combinations in 5.9% (124/2106). A combination of two or more anticholinergics/DAP accounted for 2.9% (61/2106) prescriptions. Constipation-inducing drugs other than anticholinergics such as multivalent cation preparations and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers were prescribed in 8.0% (168/2106) of cases. Orphenadrine and first-generation antihistamines, both with high anticholinergic drug burden, were the frequently prescribed medications, either alone or combined. The rate of prescribed laxatives was 2.96% (19/642), mostly for those on constipation-inducing drug monotherapy.

Conclusion

Approximately a third of prescriptions for older adults had constipation-inducing medications, typically a single DAP. Prescribing laxatives were uncommon and did not correlate with the prevalence of prescribing drugs with constipation potential. Physicians' awareness about anticholinergic drugs and their potential risks, and the prophylactic use of laxatives to mitigate iatrogenic constipation are to be included in continuing professional programmes.
Adipose‐resident myeloid‐derived suppressor cells modulate immune cell homeostasis in healthy mice
Authors: Stivers Katlin B , Chilton Paula M , Beare Jason E , Dale Jacob R , Alard Pascale , LeBlanc Amanda J , Hoying James B
Published: May 2020

The metabolically dynamic nature of healthy adipose places this tissue under regular inflammatory stress. A network of adipose‐resident anti‐inflammatory immune cells modulates and resolves this endogenous inflammation. Previous work in our laboratory identified a CD11b+Gr1+ subset of these immunosuppressive adipose stromal cells in healthy mice. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), typically associated with cancer and chronic inflammation, have a similar surface marker phenotype and accumulate in adipose of high‐fat diet‐fed mice. Given the routine inflammatory stresses on healthy adipose and the suppressive nature of the tissue‐resident immune cells, we hypothesized that these CD11b+Gr1+ cells were a genuine population of MDSCs involved in regulating tissue homeostasis. Flow cytometric analysis of these cells found that they were CD11b+CD301− Ly6C+Ly6G+/− and did not express traditional macrophage markers. Moreover, in vitro functional assays demonstrated that these cells suppressed αCD3/αCD28‐induced T‐cell proliferation, solidifying their identity as bona fide adipose‐resident MDSCs. Systemic MDSC depletion altered adipose immune cell dynamics in otherwise healthy mice, increasing the number of CD4+ effector memory T cells and modifying the surface markers expressed by adipose‐resident macrophages. In addition, transcription of various immunomodulatory cytokines was clearly dysregulated in the adipose of MDSC‐depleted animals compared with controls. Altogether, our findings indicate that there is a population of bona fide MDSCs in the adipose of otherwise healthy mice that actively contribute to the health and immune homeostasis of this tissue.
Applying the moving epidemic method to determine influenza epidemic and intensity thresholds using influenza‐like illness surveillance data 2009‐2018 in Tunisia
Authors: Bouguerra Hind , Boutouria Elyes , Zorraga Mokhtar , Cherif Amal , Yazidi Rihab , Abdeddaiem Naima , Maazaoui Latifa , ElMoussi Awatef , Abid Salma , Amine Slim , Bouabid Leila , Bougatef Souha , Kouni Chahed Mohamed , Ben Salah Afif , Bettaieb Jihene , Bouafif Ben Alaya Nissaf
Published: May 2020

Background

Defining the start and assessing the intensity of influenza seasons are essential to ensure timely preventive and control measures and to contribute to the pandemic preparedness. The present study aimed to determine the epidemic and intensity thresholds of influenza season in Tunisia using the moving epidemic method.

Methods

We applied the moving epidemic method (MEM) using the R Language implementation (package “mem”). We have calculated the epidemic and the different intensity thresholds from historical data of the past nine influenza seasons (2009‐2010 to 2017‐2018) and assessed the impact of the 2009‐2010 pandemic year. Data used were the weekly influenza‐like illness (ILI) proportions compared with all outpatient acute consultations. The goodness of the model was assessed using a cross validation procedure.

Results

The average duration of influenza epidemic during a typical season was 20 weeks and ranged from 11 weeks (2009‐2010 season) to 23 weeks (2015‐2016 season). The epidemic threshold with the exclusion of the pandemic season was 6.25%. It had a very high sensitivity of 85% and a high specificity of 69%. The different levels of intensity were established as follows: low, if ILI proportion is below 9.74%, medium below 12.05%; high below 13.27%; and very high above this last rate.

Conclusions

This is the first mathematically based study of seasonal threshold of influenza in Tunisia. As in other studies in different countries, the model has shown both good specificity and sensitivity, which allows timely and accurate detection of the start of influenza seasons. The findings will contribute to the development of more efficient measures for influenza prevention and control.
Catalyst‐free in situ synthesis of ZrC nanowires with excellent thermal stability
Authors: Yan Ningning , Fu Qiangang , Li Kun , Hu Dou , Xie Wei , Wang Weiyan , Zhang Yuyu , Zhuang Lei , Zhou Lei , Zhang Jiaping , Shi Xiaohong
Published: May 2020

No catalyst‐assisted zirconium carbide nanowires (ZrCNWs) were successfully synthesized by thermal evaporation and in situ reaction using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and ZrCl4 as carbon and zirconium sources. Vapor‐Solid (VS) mechanism was proposed to explain the growth process of ZrCNWs. The ZrCNWs prepared at 1400°C have a single crystal structure with the diameters of 130‐290 nm. The axial growth direction of ZrCNWs is [111] and the yield is 76.5 wt%. After heat treatment at 1700°C, 2100°C, and 2450°C, the diameter of ZrCNWs increased and their aspect ratio decreased. By simulating the thermal stress of a single ZrCNW, it is speculated that the coarsening and fracture of ZrCNWs are caused by the overall slip of the atomic layers and the stress concentration at the dislocations.
Association between periodontitis and pulmonary function based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)
Authors: Lee Wei‐Cheng , Fu Earl , Li Chung‐Hsing , Huang Ren‐Yeong , Chiu Hsien‐Chung , Cheng Wan‐Chien , Chen Wei‐Liang
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between impaired pulmonary function and periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we examined the association between pulmonary function and severity of periodontitis using the univariate and multivariate regression models. Moreover, the association between obstructive or restrictive spirometry patterns and periodontitis status was also determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 10,645 participants were included in our study. The values of predicted FEV1%, predicted FVC%, and FEV1/FVC were found to gradually decline with increasing severity of periodontitis (p < .001). Obstructive and restrictive pulmonary functions were significantly associated with severity of periodontitis.

Conclusion

Individuals with a greater degree of periodontitis had poor pulmonary function. However, further long‐term cohort studies are required for a comprehensive evaluation.
Time to Leverage Health System Collaborations: Supporting Nursing Facilities Through the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Unroe Kathleen T. , Vest Joshua
Published: May 2020

This editorial comments on the article by Wang et al. in this issue
Decision‐making process to undergo surgery among adolescent patients with cleft lip and/or palate
Authors: Matsunaka Eriko , Kumagai Yukari , Ike Miho , Takano Sachiko , Kogo Mikihiko
Published: May 2020

Aim

As patients with cleft lip and/or palate grow older, the main decision‐making process for treatment is likely to shift from a parent‐centered to a patient‐centered process. However, many adolescent patients have difficulty in treatment decision‐making. This study aimed to clarify the decision‐making process regarding undergoing surgery among adolescent patients with cleft lip and/or palate.

Methods

Participants were adolescent patients with cleft lip and/or palate aged 14–18 years who were admitted to a hospital in Japan for surgery. Fourteen patients (six boys, eight girls) and their parents agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected in face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. Data were analyzed qualitatively with inductive content analysis.

Results

Fifteen categories were classified into three themes for adolescent patients' decision‐making processes regarding undergoing surgery. The three themes were: (a) a doctor's recommendation for surgery, (b) psychological conflict about surgery, and (c) a final decision about surgery.

Conclusion

This study's findings suggest that adolescent patients with cleft lip and/or palate were not adequately involved in the decision‐making process before undergoing surgery. Medical staff need to explain other treatment options, the risks and benefits of surgery with materials and methods that adolescent patients can understand as part of “a doctor's recommendation for surgery.” Medical staff and parents need to encourage adolescent patients to communicate their preferences and values to reduce patients' “psychological conflict about surgery” and adolescent patients' intentions should be considered in “a final decision about surgery.”
Coronary artery disease in patients with congenital heart defects
Authors: Jokinen E.
Published: May 2020

The prognosis of patients with congenital heart defects has improved significantly: more and more patients reach adulthood and old age. At the same time, the possibility of cardiovascular morbidity increases. The conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease are at least as high or even higher in patients than in the general population. Obesity and sedentary life style are more common in adults with congenital heart defect (ACHD) than in general population. In some patients, for example those with coarctation of the aorta or patients with operated coronary arteries in the infancy, the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is clearly increased. In some patients with cyanotic heart defects (e.g. Fontan), the incidence of CAD might be lower, but it usually returns to the average level or higher after correction of the defect. Coronary artery disease is one of the most important reasons for mortality also in ACHD patients, and the consequences of a coronary event might be more fateful in a patient with a corrected congenital heart defect than in her/his peer. There should be a paradigm shift from operative mortality and short‐term outcome to long‐term morbidity and prevention of cardiovascular disease – a task that often has been forgotten during follow‐up visits.
Meanings of Theory: Clarifying Theory through Typification
Authors: Sandberg Jörgen , Alvesson Mats
Published: May 2020

Developing and evaluating scientific knowledge and its value requires a clear – or at least not too unclear – understanding of what ‘theory’ means. We argue that common definitions of theory are too restrictive, as they do not acknowledge the existence of multiple kinds of scientific knowledge, but largely recognize only one kind as ‘theory’, namely explanatory knowledge. We elaborate a typology that broadens and clarifies the meaning of ‘theory’. Consisting of five basic theory types – explaining, comprehending, ordering, enacting and provoking theories – the typology offers a framework that enables researchers to develop and assess knowledge in more varied ways and for a broader set of purposes than is typically recognized, as well as providing a more level playing field within the academic community.
Functional Connectivity and Structural Disruption in the Default‐Mode Network Predicts Cognitive Rehabilitation Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Fuchs Tom A. , Ziccardi Stefano , Benedict Ralph H. B. , Bartnik Alexander , Kuceyeski Amy , Charvet Leigh E. , Oship Devon , Weinstock‐Guttman Bianca , Wojcik Curtis , Hojnacki David , Kolb Channa , Escobar Jose , Campbell Rebecca , Tran Hoan Duc , Bergsland Niels , Jakimovski Dejan , Zivadinov Robert , Dwyer Michael G.
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Efficacy of restorative cognitive rehabilitation can be predicted from baseline patient factors. In addition, patient profiles of functional connectivity are associated with cognitive reserve and moderate the structure‐cognition relationship in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Such interactions may help predict which PwMS will benefit most from cognitive rehabilitation. Our objective was to determine whether patient response to restorative cognitive rehabilitation is predictable from baseline structural network disruption and whether this relationship is moderated by functional connectivity.

METHODS

For this single‐arm repeated measures study, we recruited 25 PwMS for a 12‐week program. Following magnetic resonance imaging, participants were tested using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) pre‐ and postrehabilitation. Baseline patterns of structural and functional connectivity were characterized relative to healthy controls.

RESULTS

Lower white matter tract disruption in a network of region‐pairs centered on the precuneus and posterior cingulate (default‐mode network regions) predicted greater postrehabilitation SDMT improvement (P = .048). This relationship was moderated by profiles of functional connectivity within the network (R2 = .385, P = .017, Interaction β = –.415).

CONCLUSION

Patient response to restorative cognitive rehabilitation is predictable from the interaction between structural network disruption and functional connectivity in the default‐mode network. This effect may be related to cognitive reserve.
Classroom Disorder and Internalizing Problems Among Swedish Adolescents: Changes Between 1988 and 2011
Authors: Evans Brittany E. , Kim Yunhwan , Hagquist Curt
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Internalizing problems have increased among Swedish adolescents. We examined whether classroom disorder was associated with internalizing problems and whether it explained the trends in internalizing problems. Furthermore, we examined whether school contextual factors were associated with internalizing problems and whether they moderated the association between classroom disorder and internalizing problems.

METHODS

We used repeated cross‐sectional survey data (1988‐2011) among all 15‐ to 16‐year‐old students in Värmland, Sweden (N = 9491 boys, N = 9313 girls). School‐level factors were the proportions of students with a low/average socioeconomic or an immigration background.

RESULTS

Results from mixed effects models showed that classroom disorder was associated with internalizing problems across the years of investigation but did not explain the trends in internalizing problems. This association was moderated by the school‐level proportion of students with a low/average socioeconomic background but not the school‐level proportion of students with an immigration background.

CONCLUSIONS

Students who perceived their classroom to be disorderly more often also reported more internalizing problems. Future studies are necessary to investigate other potential school factors that may explain the trends in internalizing problems.
Acacetin inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence by targeting pneumolysin
Authors: Li Shufang , Lv Qianghua , Sun Xiaodi , Tang Tianzhong , Deng Xuming , Yin Yunhou , Li Li
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is an important commensal and pathogenic bacterium responsible for pneumonia, meningitis and other invasive diseases. Pneumolysin (PLY) is the major virulence factor that contributes significantly to the interaction between S. pneumoniae and the host.

Key findings

In this study, the results of antibacterial analysis, the haemolysis test and the Western blotting assay showed that acacetin inhibited PLY-mediated pore-forming activity caused by S. pneumoniae culture precipitates and purified PLY without anti-S. pneumoniae activity. In addition, acacetin treatment inhibited PLY oligomerization without affecting the expression of PLY in S. pneumoniae culture supernatants. Live/dead cells and cytotoxicity assays suggested that acacetin significantly enhanced the survival rate of injured cells by inhibiting the biological toxicity of PLY without cytotoxicity in the coculture system. The in vivo mouse model of S. pneumoniae infection further demonstrated that acacetin treatment could significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory factors (INF-γ and IL-β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and alleviate the pathological damage of lung injury.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results presented in this study indicated that acacetin inhibited the pore-forming activity of PLY and reduced the virulence of S. pneumoniae in vivo and in vitro, which may provide a leading compound for the treatment of S. pneumoniae infection.
Moving beyond the riverine barrier vicariant paradigm
Authors: Naka Luciano N. , Pil Maria W.
Published: May 2020

One of the main goals of evolutionary biology is to understand the processes behind current patterns of biodiversity. Shared geographic distributions among unrelated species may result from a common history, providing a unique opportunity to assess the evolution of the landscape and the origins of biodiversity. Until recently, vicariance prevailed as the main evolutionary model to be tested, and the riverine barrier hypothesis the null model for taxa with river‐bounded distributions. In recent years, however, multispecies comparative approaches have unveiled idiosyncratic scenarios among codistributed species, suggesting that rivers may or may not play a role in the speciation process. In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Kopuchian et al. (2020) explore predictions of the riverine barrier hypothesis in a major subtropical river system, evaluating the degree of mitochondrial and nuclear genomic differentiation in seven bird species with allegedly morphological differentiation across the Paraná‐Paraguay river system. The authors show that in only one case, the genetic differentiation was concordant with the river. Interestingly, pairs presented disparate divergence times and/or distinct demographic histories. In most cases, putative contact zones broadly coincided with the transition of different ecoregions, such as the Espinal/Chaco ecological ecotone. These findings argue against the role of the Paraná‐Paraguay river system as a major biogeographic barrier and highlight the need to explore the role of ecology in species diversification. Here, we feature different perspectives for studying the processes governing species divergence and suggest a basic protocol to advance the study of riverine barriers.
Gut‐brain axis serotonergic responses to acute stress exposure are microbiome‐dependent
Authors: Lyte Joshua M. , Gheorghe Cassandra E. , Goodson Michael S. , Kelley‐Loughnane Nancy , Dinan Timothy G. , Cryan John F. , Clarke Gerard
Published: May 2020

Background

Understanding the mechanisms underpinning the response to acute stress is critical for determining how this can be modulated in both health and disease and across sexes. Stress can markedly alter the microbiome and gut‐brain axis signaling with the serotonergic system being particularly sensitive to acute stress. As the impact of acute stress on regional serotonergic dynamics in the gut‐brain axis and the contribution of the microbiome to this are poorly appreciated, we used microbiota‐deficient mice to assess whether the serotonergic response to acute stress exposure is microbiome dependent.

Methods

Adult male and female conventional, germ‐free, and colonized germ‐free mice underwent a single acute stressor and samples were harvested immediately or 45 minutes following stress. Serotonin and related metabolites and serotonergic gene expression were determined.

Key Results

Our data clearly show the microbiota influenced gastrointestinal serotonergic response to acute stress in a sex‐ and region‐dependent manner. Male‐specific poststress increases in colonic serotonin were absent in germ‐free mice but normalized following colonization. mRNA serotonergic gene expression was differentially expressed in colon and ileum of germ‐free mice on a sex‐dependent basis. Within the frontal cortex, absence of the microbiome altered basal serotonin, its main metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and prevented stress‐induced increases in serotonin turnover.

Conclusions and Inferences

The gut microbiome influences the set points of the brain and gastrointestinal serotonergic systems and affected their response to acute stress in a sex‐ and region‐dependent manner.
TGFam‐Finder: a novel solution for target‐gene family annotation in plants
Authors: Kim Seungill , Cheong Kyeongchae , Park Jieun , Kim Myung‐Shin , Kim Jihyun , Seo Min‐Ki , Chae Geun Young , Jang Min Jeong , Mang Hyunggon , Kwon Sun‐Ho , Kim Yong‐Min , Koo Namjin , Min Cheol Woo , Kim Kwang‐Soo , Oh Nuri , Kim Ki‐Tae , Jeon Jongbum , Kim Hyunbin , Lee Yoon‐Young , Sohn Kee Hoon , McCann Honour C. , Ye Sang‐Kyu , Kim Sun Tae , Park Kyung‐Soon , Lee Yong‐Hwan , Choi Doil
Published: May 2020

Whole‐genome annotation error that omits essential protein‐coding genes hinders further research.

We developed Target Gene Family Finder (TGFam‐Finder), an alternative tool for the structural annotation of protein‐coding genes containing target domain(s) of interest in plant genomes. TGFam‐Finder took considerably reduced annotation run‐time and improved accuracy compared to conventional annotation tools.

Large‐scale re‐annotation of 50 plant genomes identified an average of 150, 166 and 86 additional far‐red‐impaired response 1, nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich‐repeat, and cytochrome P450 genes, respectively, that were missed in previous annotations. We detected significantly higher number of translated genes in the new annotations using mass spectrometry data from seven plant species compared to previous annotations.

TGFam‐Finder along with the new gene models can provide an optimized platform for comprehensive functional, comparative, and evolutionary studies in plants.
Gemma cup and gemma development in Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Kato Hirotaka , Yasui Yukiko , Ishizaki Kimitsune
Published: May 2020

The basal land plant Marchantia polymorpha efficiently propagates in favourable environments through clonal progeny called gemmae. Gemmae develop in cup‐shaped receptacles known as gemma cups, which are formed on the gametophyte body. Anatomical studies have described the developmental processes involved over a century ago; however, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Recent studies have started to unravel the mechanism underlying genetic and hormonal regulation of gemma cup and gemma development, showing that it shares some regulatory mechanisms with several sporophytic organs in angiosperms. Further study of these specialized organs will contribute to our understanding of the core regulatory modules underlying organ development in land plants and how these became so diversified morphologically over the course of evolution.
Prevention of left atrium esophagus fistula: Appraisal of existing technologies and strategies
Authors: Jiang Ruhong , Zei Paul C. , Jiang Chenyang
Published: May 2020

Catheter ablation has emerged as an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial esophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare, but feared complication. With increasing utilization of ablation therapy for AF, the understanding of the relationship between AEF and ablation has been improved in recent years. Efforts to reduce the risk of AEF have focused on decreasing the risk of severe esophageal injury (EI) and the presumed subsequent progression from EI to AEF, including esophageal temperature monitoring, esophageal cooling systems, esophageal deviation devices, and decreasing and/or curtailing ablation energy delivery. Periprocedural assessment may help identify higher risk patients and detect early esophageal lesions. This review systematically summarizes and evaluates the current strategies and techniques utilized to reduce the risk of AEF in the clinical workflow for AF ablation. We expect that this review will help clinicians to better understand the principles, advantages, and disadvantages of these methods, and to find suitable strategies using current available tools.
Singular troubles with singleton socrates
Authors: Krämer Stephan
Published: May 2020

I identify a problem for Kit Fine’s truthmaker semantics for ground: it excludes a range of plausible structures of grounding hierarchies. Specifically, there is an attractive view about the grounds of the existence of individual singleton sets which is inconsistent under the truthmaker account. I then develop a modification of the truthmaker account which avoids this difficulty and show that it preserves most of the desirable features of the original account, such as the propositional logic of ground it yields.
Neural correlates of fluctuations in the intermediate band for heart rate and respiration are related to interoceptive perception
Authors: Keller Micha , Pelz Holger , Perlitz Volker , Zweerings Jana , Röcher Erik , Baqapuri Halim Ibrahim , Mathiak Klaus
Published: May 2020

Supratentorial brain structures such as the insula and the cingulate cortex modulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The neural underpinnings of separate frequency bands for variability in cardiac and respiratory data have been suggested in explaining parasympathetic and sympathetic ANS modulation. As an extension, an intermediate (IM) band in peripheral physiology has been considered to reflect psychophysiological states during rest. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the neural correlates associated with IM band variability in cardiac and respiratory rate and identified dissociable networks for LF, IM, and HF bands in both modalities. Cardiac and respiratory IM band fluctuations correlated with blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) signal in the mid and posterior insula and the secondary somatosensory area, that is, regions related to interoceptive perception. These data suggest that in addition to the commonly considered LF and HF bands, other frequency components represent relevant physiological constituents. The IM band may be instrumental for assessment of the CNS‐ANS interaction. In particular, the relation between the IM band and interoception may be of physiological and clinical interest.
The spatial frequency spectrum of fearful faces modulates early and mid‐latency ERPs but not the N170
Authors: Bruchmann Maximilian , Schindler Sebastian , Straube Thomas
Published: May 2020

Prioritized processing of fearful compared to neutral faces is reflected in behavioral advantages such as lower detection thresholds, but also in enhanced early and late event‐related potentials (ERPs). Behavioral advantages have recently been associated with the spatial frequency spectrum of fearful faces, better fitting the human contrast sensitivity function than the spectrum of neutral faces. However, it is unclear whether and to which extent early and late ERP differences are due to low‐level spatial frequency spectrum information or high‐level representations of the facial expression. In this pre‐registered EEG study (N = 38), the effects of fearful‐specific spatial frequencies on event‐related ERPs were investigated by presenting faces with fearful and neutral expressions whose spatial frequency spectra were manipulated so as to contain either the average power spectra of neutral, fearful, or both expressions combined. We found an enlarged N170 to fearful versus neutral faces, not interacting with spatial frequency. Interactions of emotional expression and spatial frequencies were observed for the P1 and Early Posterior Negativity (EPN). For both components, larger emotion differences were observed when the spectrum contained neutral as opposed to fearful frequencies. Importantly, for the EPN, fearful and neutral expressions did not differ anymore when inserting fearful frequencies into neutral expressions, whereas typical emotion differences were found when faces contained average or neutral frequencies. Our findings show that N170 emotional modulations are unaffected by expression‐specific spatial frequencies. However, expression‐specific spatial frequencies alter early and mid‐latency ERPs. Most notably, the EPN to neutral expressions is boosted by adding fearful spectra—but not vice versa.
The re‐occurrence of violations in occupational safety and health administration inspections
Authors: Mendeloff John , Gray Wayne B. , Armour Philip , Neuhauser Frank
Published: May 2020

How well do firms in the United States maintain compliance with occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) standards after being cited for a violation? How and why does this vary among standards? This paper identifies serious violations of 91 frequently cited standards at manufacturing plants during 1992–2002 and tracks compliance with that standard in later inspections over 10 years. While formal measures of Repeat violations are quite low, we find considerably higher re‐violation rates for some standards once we look separately at how often health standards are cited in later health inspections and safety standards cited in later safety inspections. Characteristics of the standards affect re‐violation rates, but not always in the expected direction. Standards whose violations are rated as more hazardous or which received higher initial penalties tend to have more re‐violations. These findings could reflect inspector behavior, with those standards getting more attention and thus being cited more frequently. When, as in the case of OSHA and other enforcement agencies, we know about violations only when inspectors cite them, we need to consider bureaucratic behavior as well as employers' incentives.
Malignant pleural effusion survival prognostication in an Asian population
Authors: Quek Jonathan Caleb , Tan Qiao Li , Allen John Carson , Anantham Devanand
Published: May 2020

Background and objective

LENT and PROMISE scores prognosticate survival in patients with MPE. Prognostication guides the selection of interventions and management. However, the predictive value of these scores and their refinements (modified‐LENT) in Asians remain unclear. We aim to evaluate the performance of LENT, modified‐LENT and clinical PROMISE scores; identify predictors of survival; and develop an alternative prognostication tool should current scores lack accuracy.

Methods

Retrospective medical record review of an Asian pleuroscopy database from 2011 to 2018 of patients with MPE was conducted. The prognostic capability of current available scores were evaluated using C‐statistics. Demographic and clinical variables as predictors of survival were assessed, and an alternative model was developed using logistic regression.

Results

In 130 patients, the C‐statistics for modified‐LENT was not significantly different from LENT (0.59 (95% CI: 0.52–0.67) vs 0.56 (95% CI: 0.49–0.63); P = 0.403). In 57 patients, the PROMISE C‐statistics was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.53–0.91). In our alternative prognostication model (n = 147), Sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, Leukocyte count, EGFR mutation, Chemotherapy and primary Tumour type (SELECT) were predictors of 90‐day mortality (C‐statistic = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79–0.95)). SELECT sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios using a predicted probability of 90‐day mortality cut‐off point of 10% were 0.91, 0.68, 0.34, 0.98, 2.83 and 0.13, respectively.

Conclusion

The LENT, modified‐LENT and PROMISE scores have poor accuracy of survival prognostication in Asian patients with MPE undergoing pleuroscopy. The proposed SELECT prognostication model is accurate at identifying patients with high probability of survival at 90 days.
Arabidopsis REM16 acts as a B3 domain transcription factor to promote flowering time via directly binding to the promoters of SOC1 and FT
Authors: Yu Yanchong , Qiao Longfei , Chen Jiacai , Rong Yongheng , Zhao Yuhang , Cui Xiankui , Xu Jinpeng , Hou Xiaomin , Dong Chun‐Hai
Published: May 2020

Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) is a key modulator for dynamic organization of actin cytoskeleton. Interestingly, it was found that the ADF1 gene silencing delays flowering, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, ADF1 was used as a bait to screen its interacting proteins by the yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) system. One of them, the REM16 transcription factor was identified. As one of the AP2/B3‐like transcriptional factor family members, the REM16 contains two B3 domains and its transcript levels kept increasing during the floral transition stage. Overexpression of REM16 accelerates flowering while silencing of REM16 delays flowering. Gene expression analysis indicated that the key flowering activation genes such as CONSTANS (CO), FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), LEAFY (LFY) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS (SOC1) were upregulated in the REM16 overexpression lines, while the transcription of the flowering suppression gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) was decreased. In contrast, the REM16 gene silencing lines contained lower transcript levels of the CO, FT, LFY and SOC1 but higher transcript levels of the FLC compared with the wild‐type plants. It was proved that REM16 could directly bind to the promoter regions of SOC1 and FT by in vitro and in vivo assays. Genetic analysis supported that REM16 acts upstream of SOC1 and FT in flowering pathways. All these studies provided strong evidence demonstrating that REM16 promotes flowering by directly activating SOC1 and FT.
A draft genome of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) reveals genome‐wide and local effects of domestication
Authors: Pinosio Sara , Marroni Fabio , Zuccolo Andrea , Vitulo Nicola , Mariette Stephanie , Sonnante Gabriella , Aravanopoulos Filippos A. , Ganopoulos Ioannis , Palasciano Marino , Vidotto Michele , Magris Gabriele , Iezzoni Amy , Vendramin Giovanni G. , Morgante Michele
Published: May 2020

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees are both economically important fruit crops but also important components of natural forest ecosystems in Europe, Asia and Africa. Wild and domesticated trees currently coexist in the same geographic areas with important questions arising on their historical relationships. Little is known about the effects of the domestication process on the evolution of the sweet cherry genome. We assembled and annotated the genome of the cultivated variety “Big Star*” and assessed the genetic diversity among 97 sweet cherry accessions representing three different stages in the domestication and breeding process (wild trees, landraces and modern varieties). The genetic diversity analysis revealed significant genome‐wide losses of variation among the three stages and supports a clear distinction between wild and domesticated trees, with only limited gene flow being detected between wild trees and domesticated landraces. We identified 11 domestication sweeps and five breeding sweeps covering, respectively, 11.0 and 2.4 Mb of the P. avium genome. A considerable fraction of the domestication sweeps overlaps with those detected in the related species, Prunus persica (peach), indicating that artificial selection during domestication may have acted independently on the same regions and genes in the two species. We detected 104 candidate genes in sweep regions involved in different processes, such as the determination of fruit texture, the regulation of flowering and fruit ripening and the resistance to pathogens. The signatures of selection identified will enable future evolutionary studies and provide a valuable resource for genetic improvement and conservation programs in sweet cherry.
Soluble mediators in packed red blood cells augment lipopolysaccharide‐induced monocyte interleukin‐1β production
Authors: Chong Fenny , Rooks Kelly M , Flower Robert L , Dean Melinda M
Published: May 2020

Background and objectives

Soluble mediators in packed red‐blood‐cell (PRBC) units have been hypothesized as a mechanism associated with transfusion‐related immune modulation. Soluble mediators including damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to activate inflammasomes. Inflammasome complexes maturate caspase‐1 and interleukin (IL)‐1β. We assessed whether PRBC supernatants (SN) modulated IL‐1β driven inflammation and whether macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was a contributing factor.

Materials and methods

Isolated monocytes were incubated with PRBC‐SN in an in vitro transfusion model. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added in parallel to model a bacterial infection. Separately, recombinant MIF was used in the model to assess its role in IL‐1β driven inflammation. IL‐1β and caspase‐1 were quantified in the PRBC‐SN and culture SN from the in vitro model.

Results

PRBC‐SN alone did not induce IL‐1β production from monocytes. However, PRBC‐SN alone increased caspase‐1 production. LPS alone induced both IL‐1β and caspase‐1 production. PRBC‐SN augmented LPS‐driven IL‐1β and caspase‐1 production. Recombinant MIF did not modulate IL‐1β production in our model.

Conclusions

Soluble mediators in PRBC modulate monocyte IL‐1β inflammation, which may be a contributing factor to adverse effects of transfusion associated with poor patient outcomes. While MIF was present in PRBC‐SN, we found no evidence that MIF was responsible for IL‐1β associated immune modulation.
A local Jacobian smoothing method for solving Nonlinear Complementarity Problems
Authors: Arenas Favian E , Martínez Héctor Jairo , Pérez Rosana
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we present a smoothing of a family of nonlinear complementarity functions and use its properties in combination with the smooth Jacobian strategy to present a new generalized Newton-type algorithm to solve a nonsmooth system of equations equivalent to the Nonlinear Complementarity Problem. In addition, we prove that the algorithm converges locally and q-quadratically, and analyze its numerical performance.
Assessment of two sludge stabilization methods in a wastewater treatment plant in Sotaquirá, Colombia
Authors: Castellanos-Rozo José , Galvis-López Jaqueline A. , Merchán Castellanos Nuri A. , Manjarres-Hernández Elsa H. , Rojas Alex L.
Published: May 2020

Wastewater sludge is a by-product of waste water treatment; it is often employed in agricultural processes following appropriate microbiological stabilization. In this study, we evaluated two methods of sludge stabilization in the waste water treatment plant of Sotaquirá, Colombia. The two assessed stabilization methods were dewatering on drying beds and alkaline stabilization. The stabilization through dewatering on drying bed was carried out for five months. Alkaline stabilization was conducted for 96 hours with three concentrations of calcium oxide, 7%, 9%, and 13% w/w. Humidity, pH, organic carbon, phosphorus, organic nitrogen, fecal coliforms, somatic phages, total helminth eggs, and Salmonella sp. were monitored monthly for the sludge under dewatering treatment and at 0, 12, 24 hours for sludge under alkaline stabilization treatment. Both treatments succeded in eliminating Salmonella sp. Helminth eggs were eliminated by alkaline stabilization, whereas it was reduced to one or zero helminth eggs with the dewatering treatment. Somatic phages were eliminated with alkaline stabilization but were only reduced to 3.52 log CFU/g with the dewatering method. Dewatering on drying beds produced biosolids that can be used for soil restoration. Whereas alkaline stabilization produced biosolids that can be used for agricultural purposes. Alkaline stabilization with 9% and 13 % calcium oxide ostensibly reduced nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the sludge, whereas 7 % calcium affected less the phosphorus concentration of the sludge. These results indicate that sludge dewatering on drying beds is an effective sludge sanitation protocol to be implemented in small waste water treatment plants, such that in Sotaquirá, Colombia.
Functional analysis of variance of air pollution caused by fine particles
Authors: Olaya Javier , Ovalle-Muños Diana Paola , Urbano-León Cristhian Leonardo
Published: May 2020

Environmental pollution is harmful to human health, as it can lead to chronic respiratory diseases. In particular, fine particles suspended in the air (PM2.5) count among the most aggressive air pollutants. PM2.5 levels vary depending on local conditions. The goal of this work was to compare year-round airborne PM2.5 readings from three air quality surveillance stations in Cali (Colombia) to determine whether these show significant spatial and temporal variation. We subjected the obtained PM2.5 dataset to a functional analysis of variance. We observed that PM2.5 levels vary significantly among the three measurement sites on a temporal scale. Whereas in the morning hours PM2.5 levels among the three sites differed most, in the afternoon and evening hours, the corresponding PM2.5 levels were not significantly different.
A Microfluidic System to Measure Neonatal Lung Compliance Over Late Stage Development as a Functional Measure of Lung Tissue Mechanics
Authors: Schappell Laurel E. , Minahan Daniel J. , Gleghorn Jason P.
Published: May 2020

Premature birth interrupts the development of the lung, resulting in functional deficiencies and the onset of complex pathologies, like bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), that further decrease the functional capabilities of the immature lung. The dysregulation of molecular targets has been implicated in the presentation of BPD, but there is currently no method to correlate resultant morphological changes observed in tissue histology with these perturbations to differences in function throughout saccular and alveolar lung development. Lung compliance is an aggregate measure of the lung's mechanical properties that is highly sensitive to a number of molecular, cellular, and architectural characteristics, but little is known about compliance in the neonatal mouse lung due to measurement challenges. We have developed a novel method to quantify changes in lung volume and pressure to determine inspiratory and expiratory compliance throughout neonatal mouse lung development. The compliance measurements obtained were validated against compliance values from published studies using mature lungs following enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The system was then used to quantify changes in compliance that occurred over the entire span of neonatal mouse lung development. These methods fill a critically important gap connecting powerful mouse models of development and disease to measures of functional lung mechanics critical to respiration and enable insights into the genetic, molecular, and cellular underpinnings of BPD pathology to improve lung function in premature infants.
Characterization of the Optimal Damping Coefficient in the Continuous Contact Model
Authors: Poursina Mohammad , Nikravesh Parviz E.
Published: May 2020

This paper presents an analytical formula to characterize the damping coefficient as a function of system's parameters in a continuous force model of impact. The contact force element consists of a linear damper which is in a parallel connection to a spring with Hertz force-deformation characteristic. Unlike the existing models in which the separation condition is assumed to be at the time at which both zero penetration (deformation) and zero force occur, in this study, only zero contact force is considered as the separation condition. To ensure that the continuous contact model obtains the desired restitution, an optimization process is performed to find the equivalent damping coefficient. The analytical and numerical investigations show that the resulting damping coefficient can be expressed as a function of system's parameters such as the effective mass, penetration speed at the start of the impact, Hertz spring constant, and the coefficient of restitution.
Liquid Flow Forced Convection in Rectangular Microchannels With Nonuniform Heating: Toward Analytical Modeling of Hotspots
Authors: Azari Milad , Sadeghi Arman , Dejam Morteza
Published: May 2020

The heat generated by microprocessors has an extremely nonuniform spatial distribution with hotspots that have heat fluxes several times larger than the background flux. Hence, for an accurate design of microchannel heat sinks used for cooling of micro-electronic devices, models are required that can take such a nonuniform distribution of wall heat flux into account. In this study, analytical solutions are obtained for hydrodynamically fully developed but thermally developing mixed electro-osmotic and pressure-driven (PD) flow in a rectangular microchannel with a peripherally uniform but axially nonuniform distribution of the wall heat flux. It is assumed that the heat flux is applied over a finite length, to mimic a physically more realistic situation, and the Péclet number is small so that lateral temperature variations are negligible as compared to the axial variations of temperature. By comparing the results with those of full numerical simulations for exponential (EHF), sinusoidal (SHF), and stepwise (STHF) distributions of wall heat flux, it is demonstrated that the solutions obtained are accurate up to a Péclet number of 10. Fortunately, this value is larger than the maximum Péclet number of electro-osmotic microflows. Furthermore, it is shown that smoother distributions of wall heat flux give rise to higher heat transfer rates. The model developed in this study can pave the way for modeling of hotspots in more complicated microfluidic devices.
Effects of Crack Closure on the Fatigue Crack Growth Rates of Ferritic Steels Subjected to Severe Reversing Loads
Authors: Azuma Kisaburo , Hidaka Shinjiro , Yamazaki Yasuhiro
Published: May 2020

Low-alloy steels are extensively used in pressure boundary components of nuclear power plants. The structural integrity of the components made of low-alloy steels can be evaluated by the flaw evaluation procedure provided by Section XI of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. According to the Code, the stress intensity factor range ΔK can be used to determine the fatigue crack growth rates of the material. However, it has been reported that the fatigue crack growth rate under severe reversing loads is also strongly influenced by crack closure behavior. This paper discusses the relation between applied stresses and the fatigue crack growth rate for cracks in low-alloy steels exposed to air. Compressive-tensile cyclic loadings are applied to center-notched plates to obtain the fatigue crack growth curves. The test data demonstrate that effective stress intensity factor range predicted by our closure model described the crack growth property more accurately. A comparison among crack closure models indicates that our crack closure model is suitable to predict the crack growth rates when low constraint conditions are assumed at the crack tip due to severe reversing loads.