bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Courtesy calls for reciprocity: Appointment of uncertificated independent directors in China
Authors: Li Yanlin , Liu Jiawei , Tian Gary Gang , Wang Xin
Published: January 2021

Research Question/Issue

Using regulatory qualification requirements for being an independent director in China, we examine the effect of explicit norms of reciprocity between uncertificated independent directors (UIDs), who are not qualified at the beginning of their appointment, and insiders.

Research Findings/Insights

We find that UIDs are less likely to cast dissenting votes after their appointment, especially after they are qualified, and that firms with UIDs exhibit more expropriation and information opacity. Our main results are robust to alternative explanations and endogeneity tests.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our study contributes to the literature on reciprocity theory by presenting a new reciprocity norm under the rules of ID qualification and documenting that independent directors who highly value board appointment reciprocate with less independence.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study offers insights to policy makers regarding how to effectively establish and enhance regulations for qualification for independent directors throughout the world.
Effects of age on the structure and bleaching/dyeing behaviour of hair
Authors: Wang Haona , Kong Li , Xia Honghui , Huang Jie Min , Deng Bo , Pan Heng
Published: January 2021

The structure and bleaching/dyeing behaviour of hair sampled from people of various ages were investigated to provide guidance for wig‐making. Hair surface and cross‐sectional morphology were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, whereas the number density and size of melanin granules were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The suitability of hair for dyeing was determined by the trade‐off between the fracture strength and lightness of bleached samples. Hair collected from 26‐year‐olds showed the highest number density and the lowest size of melanin granules, thus featuring the lowest mechanical strength reduction and the highest lightness increase after bleaching. The optimal bleaching conditions for such hair were identified as bleaching time = 80 minutes, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration = 60 mL/L, and bleaching temperature = 75°C. Considering its resilience to damage and favourable dyeing behaviour, hair sampled from 26‐year‐olds was concluded to be most suitable for wig‐making. Thus, the present research provides guidance for the selection of raw materials for wig‐making.
Shape matters: the relationship between cell geometry and diversity in phytoplankton
Authors: Ryabov Alexey , Kerimoglu Onur , Litchman Elena , Olenina Irina , Roselli Leonilde , Basset Alberto , Stanca Elena , Blasius Bernd
Published: January 2021

Size and shape profoundly influence an organism’s ecophysiological performance and evolutionary fitness, suggesting a link between morphology and diversity. However, not much is known about how body shape is related to taxonomic richness, especially in microbes. Here we analyse global datasets of unicellular marine phytoplankton, a major group of primary producers with an exceptional diversity of cell sizes and shapes and, additionally, heterotrophic protists. Using two measures of cell shape elongation, we quantify taxonomic diversity as a function of cell size and shape. We find that cells of intermediate volume have the greatest shape variation, from oblate to extremely elongated forms, while small and large cells are mostly compact (e.g. spherical or cubic). Taxonomic diversity is strongly related to cell elongation and cell volume, together explaining up to 92% of total variance. Taxonomic diversity decays exponentially with cell elongation and displays a log‐normal dependence on cell volume, peaking for intermediate‐volume cells with compact shapes. These previously unreported broad patterns in phytoplankton diversity reveal selective pressures and ecophysiological constraints on the geometry of phytoplankton cells which may improve our understanding of marine ecology and the evolutionary rules of life.
Surgical treatment of phimosis due to preputial stenosis in a Thoroughbred colt
Authors: Colgate V. A. , Payne R. J.
Published: January 2021

A 6‐month‐old Thoroughbred colt was referred to Rossdales Equine Hospital with a recent history of discomfort and inability to protrude the penis whilst urinating, resulting in accumulation of urine within the prepuce. Careful examination and manual palpation revealed a constrictive ring of fibrous tissue at the level of the preputial orifice. With no evidence of trauma or a persistent penile frenulum, a tentative diagnosis of phimosis due to congenital preputial stenosis was made. Exploratory surgery confirmed the diagnosis and surgical transection and release of the fibromuscular ring at three sites allowed the colt to protrude the penis and urinate normally immediately post‐operatively. At follow‐up examination 11 months later, the colt continued to be able to extrude the penis and urinate conventionally. A slight excess of skin was present at the end of the prepuce but this was only of minor cosmetic concern.
Transposable element regulation and expression in cancer
Authors: Grundy Erin E. , Diab Noor , Chiappinelli Katherine B.
Published: January 2021

Approximately 45% of the human genome is composed of transposable elements (TEs). Expression of these elements is tightly regulated during normal development. TEs may be expressed at high levels in embryonic stem cells but are epigenetically silenced in terminally differentiated cells. As part of the global ‘epigenetic dysregulation’ that cells undergo during transformation from normal to cancer, TEs can lose epigenetic silencing and become transcribed, and, in some cases, active. Here, we summarize recent advances detailing the consequences of TE activation in cancer and describe how these understudied residents of our genome can both aid tumorigenesis and potentially be harnessed for anticancer therapies.
Maternal presenteeism: Theorizing the importance for working mothers of “being there” for their children beyond infancy
Authors: Edgley Alison
Published: January 2021

This study theorizes why full‐time working women with partners and school‐age children deploy talk of maximal irreplaceable maternal care. The concept of maternal presenteeism frames women's personal beliefs, perceptions, and ambitions as subject to normative pressures associated with intensive mothering and a postfeminist sensibility. The accounts of 20 women who combine motherhood of school‐age children with full‐time professional work are analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that even women in demanding careers with partners talk about seeking to be maximally visible to their children and construct forms of workplace flexibility as a matter of luck. By contrast, maternal irreplaceability was viewed as a matter of fate. Examples of resistance to maternal presenteeism served to highlight these normative assumptions and a conflation of ideologies within the accounts of some working mothers. Vestiges of “intensive mothering,” performative notions of “presenteeism” drawn from regimes of work, and a postfeminist sensibility can be identified in the intersubjective experience of some working mothers. A postfeminist sensibility explains why social practices consistent with forms of “intensive mothering” may persist beyond infant years, and yet get recast as choice
Glutathione S‐transferase gene polymorphic sequence variations: Association with risk and response to Imatinib among Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patients of Kashmir
Authors: Baba Shahid M. , Shah Zafar A. , Pandith Arshad A. , Geelani Sajad A. , Mir Mohammad M. , Bhat Javid R. , Gul Ayaz , Bhat Gul M.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) gene deletion or polymorphic sequence variations lead to decreased enzyme activity that influences susceptibility and response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We aimed to analyze relation of different GST gene sequence variants with susceptibility and response to Imatinib in CML.

Material and Methods

A total of 150 CML cases and equal number of age and gender matched healthy controls were genotyped for five GST polymorphisms by multiplex‐PCR and PCR‐RFLP techniques. BCR‐ABL1 transcripts were quantified by quantitative Real Time PCR (qRT‐PCR).

Results

GSTT1, GSTO1, and GSTO2 SNPs revealed no association, while as GSTM1null genotype was observed to protect against the development of CML (OR = 0.53, P = .01). GSTP1 variant genotypes AG (OR = 2.1, P = .003) and GG (OR = 5.6, P < .001), significantly associated with increased risk of CML. Combined genotype analysis showed protective impact of GSTT1present/GSTM1null (OR = 0.44, P = .003) while as GSTT1present/GSTP1‐GG (OR = 6.92, P < .001) and GSTM1present/GSTP1‐GG (OR = 6.33, P < .001), significantly increased CML risk. GSTM1null genotype individually and in combination with GSTT1present associated with superior rate of major molecular response (MMR) and event free survival (EFS) (log‐rank P = .029). GSTO2‐AG+GG genotype associated with significantly inferior MMR rates at 3, 6, and 12 months. Also, patients with GSTO2‐GG genotype showed significantly reduced EFS (log‐rank P = .025). Multivariate analysis confirmed GSTM1null as a better (HR:0.19, P = .029) and GSTO2‐GG genotype as an independent poor prognostic factor (HR:2.29, P = .037).

Conclusion

GSTM1null genotype seems to have a better prognostic role while GSTP1 variants significantly increase CML risk. Also, results support a correlation between disease outcome and GSTO2 polymorphism.
Comparison of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Plate and Titanium Elastic Intramedullary Nail in Treating Pediatric Humeral Fracture
Authors: Kong Jin‐song , Huang Yang , Chen Tao , Weng Qi‐hao , Zheng Yi‐jing , Yu Yang
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of titanium elastic intramedullary nail (TEN) and open reduction and internal fixation with plate (ORIF) in the treatment of humeral fracture in children.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out in a total of 69 patients who were admitted to the hospital from January 2013 to December 2018. These patients, including 41 males and 28 females, were aged from 6 to 12 years old with a median of 8 years. These patients were diagnosed with humeral fracture and underwent the surgery of ORIF (n = 22) or TEN (n = 47). The intraoperative bleeding, operation time, length of stay (LOS), and fracture healing time were compared between the two groups. The therapeutic effect was assessed by the shoulder range of motion, the elbow range of motion, the UCLA shoulder function score, and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) 6 months after the surgery.

Results

The intraoperative bleeding (97.20 ± 27.83 mL vs 185.60 ± 37.50 mL, P < 0.05), the operation time (53.70 ± 11.87 min vs 73.50 ± 13.33 min, P < 0.05), and the fracture healing time (9.30 ± 4.23 weeks vs 13.45 ± 3.67 weeks, P < 0.05) in the TEN group was significantly decreased than those in the ORIF group. There was no significant difference in the LOS between the two groups. The length of follow‐up is 3 and 6 months. The shoulder range of motion (110.88° ± 15.82° vs 98.37° ± 16.22° at 3 months and 162.88° ± 17.29° vs 117.65° ± 19.38° at 6 months, both P < 0.05), the elbow range of motion (105.23° ± 2.81° vs 87.12° ± 4.73° at 3 months and 137.47° ± 4.82° vs 109.67° ± 5.83° at 6 months, both P < 0.05), and the UCLA shoulder function score (28.58 ± 4.74 vs 21.64 ± 7.23 at 3 months and 33.05 ± 3.27 vs 25.78 ± 3.87 at 6 months, both P < 0.05), and the MEPS (80.76 ± 3.53 vs 65.33 ± 9.43 at 3 months and 97.48 ± 1.23 vs 88.22 ± 3.65 at 6 months, both P < 0.05) in the TEN group were greater than those in the ORIF group. In the TEN group, complications occurred in three of 47 cases (6.38%), including one case (2.13%) of bone nonunion and two cases (4.25%) of irritation response around the nail. In the ORIF group, complications occurred in four of 22 cases (18.18%), including one case (4.55%) of delayed healing, one case (4.55%) of deep infection, and two cases (9.08%) of radial nerve injury. The complication rate was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

TEN can be a good technique for the treatment of humeral fracture in children, with the advantages of less intraoperative bleeding, shorter operative time, quicker healing, and better recovery of shoulder range of motion and elbow range of motion.
Rational design and testing of abiotic stress‐inducible synthetic promoters from poplar cis‐regulatory elements
Authors: Yang Yongil , Lee Jun Hyung , Poindexter Magen R. , Shao Yuanhua , Liu Wusheng , Lenaghan Scott C. , Ahkami Amir H. , Blumwald Eduardo , Stewart Charles Neal
Published: January 2021

Abiotic stress resistance traits may be especially crucial for sustainable production of bioenergy tree crops. Here, we show the performance of a set of rationally designed osmotic‐related and salt stress‐inducible synthetic promoters for use in hybrid poplar. De novo motif‐detecting algorithms yielded 30 water‐deficit (SD) and 34 salt stress (SS) candidate DNA motifs from relevant poplar transcriptomes. We selected three conserved water‐deficit stress motifs (SD18, SD13 and SD9) found in 16 co‐expressed gene promoters, and we discovered a well‐conserved motif for salt response (SS16). We characterized several native poplar stress‐inducible promoters to enable comparisons with our synthetic promoters. Fifteen synthetic promoters were designed using various SD and SS subdomains, in which heptameric repeats of five‐to‐eight subdomain bases were fused to a common core promoter downstream, which, in turn, drove a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene for reporter assays. These 15 synthetic promoters were screened by transient expression assays in poplar leaf mesophyll protoplasts and agroinfiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves under osmotic stress conditions. Twelve synthetic promoters were induced in transient expression assays with a GFP readout. Of these, five promoters (SD18‐1, SD9‐2, SS16‐1, SS16‐2 and SS16‐3) endowed higher inducibility under osmotic stress conditions than native promoters. These five synthetic promoters were stably transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana to study inducibility in whole plants. Herein, SD18‐1 and SD9‐2 were induced by water‐deficit stress, whereas SS16‐1, SS16‐2 and SS16‐3 were induced by salt stress. The synthetic biology design pipeline resulted in five synthetic promoters that outperformed endogenous promoters in transgenic plants.
Gibbs Flow for Approximate Transport with Applications to Bayesian Computation
Authors: Heng Jeremy , Doucet Arnaud , Pokern Yvo
Published: January 2021

Let π0 and π1 be two distributions on the Borel space (Rd,B(Rd)). Any measurable function T:Rd→Rd such that Y=T(X)∼π1 if X∼π0 is called a transport map from π0 to π1. For any π0 and π1, if one could obtain an analytical expression for a transport map from π0 to π1, then this could be straightforwardly applied to sample from any distribution. One would map draws from an easy-to-sample distribution π0 to the target distribution π1 using this transport map. Although it is usually impossible to obtain an explicit transport map for complex target distributions, we show here how to build a tractable approximation of a novel transport map. This is achieved by moving samples from π0 using an ordinary differential equation with a velocity field that depends on the full conditional distributions of the target. Even when this ordinary differential equation is time-discretised and the full conditional distributions are numerically approximated, the resulting distribution of mapped samples can be efficiently evaluated and used as a proposal within sequential Monte Carlo samplers. We demonstrate significant gains over state-of-the-art sequential Monte Carlo samplers at a fixed computational complexity on a variety of applications.
Central giant cell granuloma of the maxilla: Long‐term follow‐up of a patient treated with an adjuvant corticosteroid
Authors: de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , Martins Allisson Filipe Lopes , Abreu Lucas Guimarães , Mesquita Ricardo Alves , von Zeidler Sandra Ventorin , Estrela Carlos , Mendonça Elismauro Francisco
Published: January 2021

Background

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is one of the most intriguing lesions of the jaws and its nature has not yet been fully elucidated. Clinically, some CGCG behave more aggressively, while others have an indolent course. In cases of aggressive CGCG of the maxilla, effective personalized therapies are worth understanding.

Case report

We report here a challenging case of aggressive CGCG in a 15‐year‐old girl which was misdiagnosed as an endodontic lesion. Radiographically, a large osteolytic lesion involving the hard palate from the central incisor to the second premolar, extending into the nasal cavity, with loss of the lamina dura and cortical resorption was observed. The lesion expanded aggressively after extensive curettage. With possible mutilation and defects due to a more radical approach to the lesion, treatment with systemic prednisone and intralesional triamcinolone hexacetonide associated with a calcitonin nasal spray was instituted. The decision in favor of this therapeutic strategy was made after careful immunohistochemical analysis of calcitonin and glucocorticoid receptors. The H‐score for the staining of glucocorticoid and calcitonin receptors in multinucleated giant cells was 222 and 153.6, respectively. The lesion reduced in size, and no adverse effects associated with medications were observed. Another curettage was performed, and only fibrous connective tissue was found. The patient is in follow‐up for 11 years without evidence of recurrence.

Conclusion

Pharmacological agents hold clinical promise in cases of aggressive CGCG affecting the maxilla of pediatric patients. Investigating the expression of calcitonin and glucocorticoid receptors in order to plan treatment is very helpful in the decision to manage aggressive CGCG.
Pneumocystis pneumonia with hypogammaglobulinemia in a pediatric patient who underwent heart transplantation
Authors: Takajo Daiji , Sehgal Swati , Blake Jennifer , Aggarwal Sanjeev
Published: January 2021

A 23‐month‐old Caucasian female who had heart transplantation (HT) at 11 days of age was diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in the setting of secondary hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG). She was diagnosed with HGG at 5 months of age and had been receiving monthly intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. This is the first case report describing the clinical course of PCP in a pediatric patient with HGG. She developed PCP 23 months after HT even when she was off steroids and was receiving timely IVIG. The case posed some clinical questions regarding PCP prophylaxis and HGG management.
Hair follicle dystrophy in a litter of domestic cats resembling lanceolate hair mutant mice
Authors: Rostaher Ana , Bettenay Sonya , Specht Lisa , Silva Kathleen A. , Bechtold Lesley , Chen Jiang , Majzoub Monir , Mueller Ralf S. , Sundberg John P.
Published: January 2021

Contexte

Une nouvelle anomalie congénitale de la tige pilaire ressemblant au phénotype nu des rongeurs est décrite dans une portée de quatre chats européens (DSH). Les données relatives aux anomalies de la tige pilaire et des follicules pileux sont rares en médecine vétérinaire.

Objectifs

Décrire et comparer les anomalies structurelles de ces chats avec d’autres dystrophies félines et d’autres mammifères.

Sujets

Une portée de chats DSH avec alopécie progressive non‐inflammatoire.

Méthodes

L’évaluation histopathologique, la microscopie électronique à transmission et l’analyse des éléments par rayons X définissaient les changements pilaires et cutanés des chats nés alopéciques. Les données ont été comparées aux archives de chats normaux et de souris mutantes Dsg4lahJ et Krt75tm1Der.

Résultats

La microscopie électronique à lumière et à balayage des poils a révélé des défauts de forme de l’extrémité de la tige pilaire en pointe ou en lance. Les données histopathologiques consistaient en des tiges pilaires enflées, initialement au dessus de la matrice du bulbe pilaire et ensuite retrouvé dans les parties distales des follicules pileux télogènes, semblables à ceux observés chez les souris mutantes Dsg4lahJ Krt75tm1Der . La microscopie électronique à transmission de la tige pilaire et des follicules pileux a révélé une perte de la structure normale des poils de garde chez les chats alopéciques. Il y a avait une diminution statistiquement significative du contenu en sulfure juste au dessous des défauts des tiges pilaires (trichothiodystrophie).

Conclusions et importance Clinique

une forme rare d’alopécie congénitale résultant en une dystrophie folliculaire est décrite chez le chat, comparable aux changements de la tige pilaire et du follicule pileux décrits dans plusieurs souches de souris mutantes avec une mutation génétique unique des gènes des molécules d’adhésion ou de kératine.
InsurTech
Authors: Vigil Iduate Alejandro
Published: January 2021

Los cambios tecnológicos impulsan la necesaria modernización y actualización en materia de seguros, donde impacta el análisis de estos la creación de cadenas de información, la utilización de nuevos dispositivos, programas y medios de comunicación, lo que implica adecuarse a los cambios sin perder la esencia del contrato de seguro y toda la actividad que se desarrolla a su alrededor.
Contratación on-line
Authors: Medina Magallanes Pablo , De la Fuente Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2021

Frente al surgimiento de las nuevas tecnologías, la regulación tradicional enfrenta desafíos diversos para poder adaptarse a las cambiantes circunstancias económicas y sociales que todo esto conlleva. El objeto del presente artículo es hablar de manera específica sobre la aplicación de las nuevas tecnologías al contrato de seguro, estableciendo los retos a los que se enfrenta el actual panorama regulatorio y los principales elementos para regular las nuevas tecnologías emergentes. Se busca explicar, desde una perspectiva legal, el funcionamiento de la contratación electrónica de seguros en México y establecer algunas consideraciones de lo que podría ser tomado en cuenta por la regulación para resolver algunas de las problemáticas esenciales que enfrenta estas nuevas formas de canales de comercialización de productos de seguros.
Gobierno corporativo y supervivencia empresarial en época del Covid 19
Authors: Tapia hermida Alberto J.
Published: January 2021

Este estudio comienza analizando la influencia de la pandemia del COVID 19 como origen de la gran crisis económica del siglo XXI y como acelerador dramático de las tendencias principales de la regulación mercantil y financiera. Después, su segunda parte examina la regulación del gobierno corporativo en España en época del COVID 19 analizando las tendencias generales y la normativa extraordinaria sobre los órganos de gobierno de las sociedades mercantiles en general y de las sociedades anónimas cotizadas en particular. Además, examina la normativa extraordinaria sobre las cuentas de las sociedades mercantiles y otras medidas extraordinarias que repercuten en el Derecho societario. La tercera parte del estudio analiza las medidas para facilitar la supervivencia empresarial en España en época del COVID 19, tanto en sentido funcional, con las medidas concursales y societarias, como estructural o institucional, con la creación del Fondo Apoyo a la Solvencia de Empresas Estratégicas (FASEE).
Interés asegurable en los contratos de leasing.
Authors: Salamanca Ibarra Oscar Eduardo
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo tiene por finalidad efectuar un análisis de las sentencias propuestas de forma que se puedan evidenciar los criterios aplicados por los jueces para la resolución de los casos. En este entendido, se efectuará una breve descripción de los hechos, se incluirá una breve reseña de los fallos de instancia y de los fundamentos adoptados en dichos fallos, se planteará un problema jurídico que a juicio del autor del presente trabajo se procuró resolver por parte de las Cortes y finalmente se hará un análisis crítico de la decisión adoptada conforme al problema jurídico planteado.  
 Las sentencias corresponden a casos en los que la controversia se deriva de la interpretación de contratos de leasing y el análisis de la existencia del interés asegurable sobre los bienes objeto de dichos contratos. Este análisis permitirá entender la posición jurisprudencial respecto al aseguramiento de los bienes objeto de este tipo de contratos, lo que a su vez permitirá comprender el alcance y la necesidad de propiciar un correcto aseguramiento de los diferentes intereses que pueden tener las partes, esto es el locatario y la compañía de leasing.
La responsabilidad civil del agente de seguros
Authors: Bataller-Grau Juan
Published: January 2021

La responsabilidad civil profesional del agente ha sido resuelta por el legislador por una lacónica norma de la que es dable extraer dos consecuencias: el régimen jurídico aplicable no es el mismo para agentes exclusivos y vinculados que para operadores de banca seguros; y la previsión del legislador se limita a imputar esta responsabilidad civil al asegurador cuando de agente exclusivo o vinculado se trate. Esta escueta regulación deja muchas cuestiones abiertas lo que obliga a analizar los diferentes elementos de cualquier responsabilidad civil a la luz de la nueva regulación.
Alone in the Gym: A Review of Literature Related to Physical Education Teachers and Isolation
Authors: Spicer Christa , Robinson Daniel B.
Published: January 2021

Feelings of isolation have long been found to be experienced by many teachers, particularly by those within some specialist disciplines, including physical education (PE). The potential effects of teacher isolation are undesirable and plentiful. They include a lessening of interest in one’s work, burnout, and/or an absence of community connection. Given the uniqueness of their discipline, PE teachers may especially be impacted by the following: Their discipline is “low status” and marginalized, they are frequently both physically and psychologically isolated from their peers, and they often are one of very few PE specialists in a school. Given these sorts of unique challenges for PE teachers, the authors undertook a scoping review of literature in order to gather and provide a comprehensive and up-to-date account of peer-reviewed literature related to PE teachers and isolation, as well as offer implications for PE research and practice.
Real-time tracking of bacterial membrane vesicles reveals enhanced membrane traffic upon antibiotic exposure
Authors: Bos Julia , Cisneros Luis H. , Mazel Didier
Published: January 2021

Tracking membrane vesicle behavior in living bacterial microcolonies reveals that vesicle transport is enhanced with antibiotics.
The strike of the dragonfly larvae
Authors: Wood Hannah M.
Published: January 2021

The predatory strike of dragonfly larvae can inspire the design of fast robotic movement with enhanced control and precision.
Daptomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium Can Be Delayed by Disruption of the LiaFSR Stress Response Pathway
Authors: Prater Amy G. , Mehta Heer H. , Beabout Kathryn , Supandy Adeline , Miller William R. , Tran Truc T. , Arias Cesar A. , Shamoo Yousif
Published: January 2021

LiaFSR signaling plays a major role in mediating daptomycin (DAP) resistance in enterococci, and the lack of a functional LiaFSR pathway leads to DAP hypersusceptibility. Using
in vitro
experimental evolution, we evaluated how
Enterococcus faecium
with a
liaR
response regulator gene deletion evolved DAP resistance.
A Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) Efflux Pump, SCO4121, from Streptomyces coelicolor with Roles in Multidrug Resistance and Oxidative Stress Tolerance and Its Regulation by a MarR Regulator
Authors: Nag Ankita , Mehra Sarika
Published: January 2021

One of the key mechanisms of drug resistance in bacteria is overexpression of efflux pumps.
Streptomyces
species are a reservoir of a large number of efflux pumps, potentially to provide resistance to both endogenous and nonendogenous antibiotics. While many of these pumps are not expressed under standard laboratory conditions, they result in resistance to multiple drugs when spread to other bacterial pathogens through horizontal gene transfer.
Clostridium perfringens Produces an Adhesive Pilus Required for the Pathogenesis of Necrotic Enteritis in Poultry
Authors: Lepp D. , Zhou Y. , Ojha S. , Mehdizadeh Gohari I. , Carere J. , Yang C. , Prescott J. F. , Gong J.
Published: January 2021

In necrotic enteritis (NE), an intestinal disease of chickens,
Clostridium perfringens
cells adhere tightly to damaged intestinal tissue, but the factors involved are not known. We previously discovered a cluster of
C. perfringens
genes predicted to encode a pilus, a hair-like bacterial surface structure commonly involved in adherence.
Genetic Evaluation of Nosocomial Candida auris Transmission
Authors: Roberts Scott C. , Zembower Teresa R. , Ozer Egon A. , Qi Chao
Published: January 2021

Whole-genome sequences of
Candida auris
isolates from nosocomial and nonnosocomial infections were compared. The average numbers of single nucleotide variations were different between the two groups. The small amount of genetic variability between intra- or interhost isolates suggests recovery of all colonizing or infecting genomes for comparison is required for outbreaks.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Upper Airway Swab Collection for Detection of Viral and Bacterial Pathogens by Individuals or Caregivers Compared to Health Care Workers
Authors: Harrison Ciara , Lindholm Daniel E. , Steer Andrew C. , Osowicki Joshua
Published: January 2021

Self- or caregiver collection of upper airway swabs reduces infectious exposures of health care workers (HCWs) and the need to redeploy clinical staff to testing roles. We aimed to determine whether self- or caregiver collection has adequate diagnostic performance for detection of viral and bacterial upper airway pathogens.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium bovis BCG SL222 Sofia, the First WHO Reference Reagent for the M. bovis BCG Vaccine of the Russian BCG-I Substrain
Authors: Panaiotov Stefan , Hodzhev Yordan , Tolchkov Vladimir , Mihailov Alexander , Kofinov Roumen , Kantardjiev Todor , Stefanova Tzvetelina
Published: January 2021

Mycobacterium bovis
BCG SL222 Sofia is a substrain descending from the Russian BCG-I vaccine strain. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of BCG SL222 Sofia, which will facilitate identity assurance and will contribute to more consistent manufacturing, standardization, and differentiation of substrains used in vaccine production.
Metamorphic P-T-t evolution of amphibolite in the north Hengshan terrane, North China Craton: Insights into the late Paleoproterozoic tectonic processes from initial collision to final exhumation
Authors: Qian Jiahui , Yin Changqing , Li Shun , Zhang Jian
Published: January 2021

Amphibolite retrograded from high-pressure (HP) mafic granulite can provide valuable insight into exhumation of deeply buried crust in orogenic belts. In the north Hengshan terrane of the North China Craton, amphibolite occurs as rims of HP mafic granulite block or as smaller homogeneous boudins representing retrograde products of the granulite. Three amphibolite samples were selected. The rocks are mainly composed of hornblende + plagioclase + quartz + biotite + ilmenite with or without garnet pseudomorph consisting of plagioclase + hornblende + ilmenite and symplectite of hornblende + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene. The pseudomorph-, symplectite-bearing sample experienced a post-peak isothermal decompression at >800 °C that was accompanied by breakdown of garnet and clinopyroxene. Isopleths of the maximum An in plagioclase and Ti in hornblende were used to constrain the Tmax stage of ca. 6 kbar/825–850 °C, which was followed by cooling and post-cooling decompression. For the sample showing an “equilibrated” mineral assemblage, a medium-temperature decompression from >6.8 kbar/685 °C to 3.6–4.8 kbar/640–660 °C was inferred. P-T evolution of the north Hengshan terrane is characterized by two discrete (post-peak and post-cooling) decompression processes. Zircon U-Pb dating of amphibolite yields a metamorphic age of 1868 ± 15 Ma, which is interpreted to record the timing of late amphibolization. Synthesized metamorphic P-T-t data in the Hengshan-Wutai area indicate a complicated tectonic evolution that includes an older collisional orogeny at ca. 1.95 Ga and a younger metamorphism at ca. 1.85 Ga. The post-cooling decompression path of the amphibolite may reflect final exhumation of the north Hengshan terrane through the late deformation/metamorphism of the Zhujiafang shear zone.
E-bike and classic bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries presenting to the emergency department
Authors: Verbeek Anna J M , de Valk Janneke , Schakenraad Ditmar , Verbeek Jan F M , Kroon Anna A
Published: January 2021

Background

E-bike usage is increasingly popular and concerns about e-bike-related injuries and safety have risen as more injured e-bikers attend the emergency department (ED). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the main cause of severe morbidity and mortality in bicycle-related accidents. This study compares the frequency and severity of TBI after an accident with an e-bike or classic bicycle among patients treated in the ED.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of patients with bicycle-related injuries attending the ED of a level 1 trauma centre in the Netherlands between June 2016 and May 2017. The primary outcomes were frequency and severity of TBI (defined by the Abbreviated Injury Scale head score ≥1). Injury Severity Score, surgical intervention, hospitalisation and 30-day mortality were secondary outcomes. Independent risk factors for TBI were identified with multiple logistic regression.

Results

We included 834 patients, of whom there were 379 e-bike and 455 classic bicycle users. The frequency of TBI was not significantly different between the e-bike and classic bicycle group (respectively, n=56, 15% vs n=73, 16%; p=0.61). After adjusting for age, gender, velocity, anticoagulation use and alcohol intoxication the OR for TBI with an e-bike compared with classic bicycle was 0.90 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.45). Independent of type of bicycle, TBI was more likely if velocity was 26–45 km/hour, OR 8.14 (95% CI 2.36 to 28.08), the patient was highly alcohol intoxicated, OR 7.02 (95% CI 2.88 to 17.08) or used anticoagulants, OR 2.18 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.97). TBI severity was similar in both groups (p=0.65): eight e-bike and seven classic bicycle accident victims had serious TBI.

Conclusion

The frequency and severity of TBI among patients treated for bicycle-related injuries at our ED was similar for e-bike and classic bicycle users. Velocity, alcohol intoxication and anticoagulant use were the main determinants of the risk of head injury regardless of type of bicycle used.
Remote patient monitoring for ED discharges in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Aalam Ahmad A , Hood Colton , Donelan Crystal , Rutenberg Adam , Kane Erin M , Sikka Neal
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 has had a significant effect on healthcare resources worldwide, with our knowledge of the natural progression of the disease evolving for the individual patient. To allow for early detection of worsening clinical status, protect hospital capacity and provide extended access for vulnerable patients, our emergency department developed a remote patient monitoring programme for discharged patients with COVID-19. The programme uses a daily emailed secure link to a survey in which patients submit biometric and symptoms data for monitoring. Patients’ meeting criteria are escalated to a physician for a phone or video visit. Here, we describe the development, implementation and preliminary analysis of utilisation of the programme.
Abstracts from international emergency medicine journals
Authors: Production EMJ
Published: January 2021

Editor’s note: EMJ has partnered with the journals of multiple international emergency medicine societies to share from each a highlighted research study, as selected by their editors. This edition will feature an abstract from each publication.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Biological Processing and Disease
Authors: Koksal Ali Riza , Verne George Nicholas , Zhou QiQi
Published: January 2021

The ability of translated cellular proteins to perform their functions requires their proper folding after synthesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is responsible for coordinating protein folding and maturation. Infections, genetic mutations, environmental factors and many other conditions can lead to challenges to the ER known as ER stress. Altering ER homeostasis results in accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins. To eliminate this problem, a response is initiated by the cell called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which involves multiple signaling pathways. Prolonged ER stress or a dysregulated UPR can lead to premature apoptosis and an exaggerated inflammatory response. Following these discoveries, ER stress was shown to be related to several chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorders, fatty liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease that have not yet been clearly demonstrated pathophysiologically. Here, we review the field and present up-to-date information on the relationship between biological processing, ER stress, UPR, and several chronic diseases.
Comparison of resting metabolic rate prediction equations in college-aged adults
Authors: Ducharme Jeremy B. , Fennel Zachary J. , Pike Ben , Coleman Alexis , Mermier Christine M. , Lauver Jakob D. , Guilkey Justin P. , Johnson Kelly E.
Published: January 2021

Prediction equations have been considered an accurate method for estimating resting metabolic rate (RMR) across multiple populations, but their accuracy for college-aged individuals not on an athletics team remains to be determined. Sixty-two college-aged (18–30 yrs) males (n = 31) and females (n = 31) had their RMR measured (RMRm), using indirect calorimetry, and body composition assessed via air-displacement plethysmography. The World Health Organization (WHO), Mifflin−St Jeor (Mifflin), Harris−Benedict (HB), Cunningham, and Nelson equations were used to estimate RMR. No difference was observed between the Cunningham and RMRm regardless of sex (p ≥ 0.05). All other prediction equations estimated a significantly lower RMR for males (p < 0.05). The Mifflin and Nelson equations predicted an RMR that was significantly lower than RMRm for females (p < 0.05). When compared with RMRm, no difference was detected for females using the WHO, HB, or Cunningham (p ≥ 0.05). Only the Nelson equation predicted an RMR that was outside of the clinically acceptable range (±10% of RMRm) regardless of sex. The Cunningham, WHO, and HB equations can accurately predict RMR for college-aged males and females. RMR prediction equations used in this study are less accurate for those with greater RMRs.

Novelty: For adults 18–30 years old that are not on an athletics team, the Cunningham equation can accurately predict RMR. The Nelson equation should not be used to predict RMR for this population. There is a systematic bias for RMR prediction equations to underestimate higher measured RMR values.
Predicting open-water thermal regimes of temperate North American lakes
Authors: Gillis Daniel P. , Minns Charles K. , Shuter Brian J.
Published: January 2021

Temperature profoundly affects the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of lakes and is influenced by several abiotic factors. Lake temperature modelling permits regional estimates of seasonal fish thermal habitat availability; however, this requires models that are accurate across large spatial scales. To address this, we fit a semi-mechanistic seasonal temperature-profile model (STM) to 369 morphometrically diverse North American lakes with data spanning 1971–2016. STM with a fixed-depth thermocline formula accurately modelled lake temperature (median pseudo-R2: 0.95, median lake-year-specific root mean square error (RMSE): 1.13 °C). We used random forests to select candidate predictors, then used linear mixed-effects modelling, based on these predictors, to create empirical equations to predict STM parameters from lake-specific morphometric and climate measures. We tested the accuracy of our equations by predicting thermal profiles in 776 Ontario lakes, finding good agreement between predicted and observed temperatures (median lake-year-specific RMSE: 2.38 °C) and stratification occurrence (91.7%). These findings enhance our understanding of the factors that influence lake temperatures and can be used to identify lake types and regions that may be especially susceptible to climate change.
Impact of LHC Higgs couplings measurements on bosonic decays of the neutral Higgs sector in the scNMSSM
Authors: Telba Marwa , Binjonaid Maien
Published: January 2021

We analyze the Next-to-minimal supersymmetric Standard Model with Grand unification boundary conditions under current theoretical and experimental constraints. We compute the mass spectrum of the model and focus on the three lightest particles in the Higgs sector (two CP-even scalars, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and one CP-odd, [Formula: see text]). The reduced couplings of such particles, singlet-doublet components, their branching ratios to bosons and reduced cross-section to photons and massive gauge bosons via gluon fusion are thoroughly and systematically scrutinized. Our analysis is focused on the parameter space where the singlet-doublet coupling [Formula: see text] is as large as possible (keeping the perturbativity bound intact) and the ratio between the vacuum expectation values of the up-type and down-type Higgses [Formula: see text] is as small as possible, which is the region representing the most natural case of the NMSSM. We show the impact of recent constraints from the LHC on the SM-Higgs couplings to bosons and fermions on the parameter space of the model and the consequent implications on the Higgs sector. The results show that while the model is still able to account for current data, and provide an opportunity for discovery of extended Higgs sectors, recent LHC Higgs couplings constraints rule-out parts of the parameter space where [Formula: see text] (non-SM-like) and [Formula: see text] are non-singlet with masses below 400 GeV.
On Nash theory of gravity with matter contents
Authors: Channuie Phongpichit , Momeni Davood , Al Ajmi Mudhahir
Published: January 2021

One of the alternative theories to Einstein’s general theory, a divergence-free theory was proposed by J. Nash with Lagrangian density given by [Formula: see text]. Although it was proved that the Nash theory does not have classical Einstein limits, it has been proven to be formally divergent free and considered to be of interest in constructing theories of quantum gravity. The original Nash gravity without matter contents cannot explain the current acceleration expansion of the Universe. A possible extension of theory is by adding some matter contents to the model. In this work, we generalize Nash theory of gravity by adding the matter fields. In order to examine the effects of this generalization, we first derive the equations of motion in the flat FLRW space–time and examine the behaviors of the solutions by invoking specific forms of the Hubble parameter. We also classify the physical behaviors of the solutions by employing the stability analysis and check the consistency of the model by considering particular cosmological parameters.
On the Multiplicity and the Cohen–Macaulayness of Fiber Cones of Graded Modules
Authors: Manh Nguyen Tien
Published: January 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a Noetherian local ring with maximal ideal [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] an ideal of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] an [Formula: see text]-primary ideal of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] a finitely generated [Formula: see text]-module, [Formula: see text] a finitely generated standard graded algebra over [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] a finitely generated graded [Formula: see text]-module. We characterize the multiplicity and the Cohen–Macaulayness of the fiber cone [Formula: see text]. As an application, we obtain some results on the multiplicity and the Cohen–Macaulayness of the fiber cone[Formula: see text].
Commutativity Conditions for Rings and Generalized 2-CN Rings
Authors: Yao Hua , Sun Jianhua , Wei Junchao
Published: January 2021

Firstly, the commutativity of rings is investigated in this paper. Let [Formula: see text] be a ring with identity. Then we obtain the following commutativity conditions: (1) if for each [Formula: see text] and each [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are relatively prime positive integers, then [Formula: see text] is commutative; (2) if for each [Formula: see text] and each [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a positive integer, then [Formula: see text] is commutative. Secondly, generalized 2-CN rings, a kind of ring being commutative to some extent, are investigated. Some relations between generalized 2-CN rings and other kinds of rings, such as reduced rings, regular rings, 2-good rings, and weakly Abel rings, are presented.
Generalised Chain Conditions, Prime Ideals, and Classes of Locally Finite Lie Algebras
Authors: Aldosray Falih A.M. , Stewart Ian
Published: January 2021

A Noetherian (Artinian) Lie algebra satisfies the maximal (minimal) condition for ideals. Generalisations include quasi-Noetherian and quasi-Artinian Lie algebras. We study conditions on prime ideals relating these properties. We prove that the radical of any ideal of a quasi-Artinian Lie algebra is the intersection of finitely many prime ideals, and an ideally finite Lie algebra is quasi-Noetherian if and only if it is quasi-Artinian. Both properties are equivalent to soluble-by-finite. We also prove a structure theorem for serially finite Artinian Lie algebras.
Fundamental Groups of Graphs of Cyclic Subgroup Separable and Weakly Potent Groups
Authors: Asri M.S.M. , Wong K.B. , Wong P.C.
Published: January 2021

We give a characterization of the cyclic subgroup separability and weak potency of the fundamental group of a graph of polycyclic-by-finite groups and free-by-finite groups amalgamating edge subgroups of the form [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] has infinite order and [Formula: see text] is finite.
Structure of a Class of Rank Two Lie Conformal Algebras
Authors: Wang Wei , Xia Chunguang
Published: January 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a complex number, and a class of non-semisimple and non-solvable rank two Lie conformal algebras [Formula: see text] are introduced. In this paper, conformal derivations, conformal quasiderivations, generalized conformal derivations and conformal biderivations of [Formula: see text] are studied. Besides, central extensions and conformal modules of rank one of [Formula: see text] are determined.
FLATTENING THE CURVE IN RISK MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19: DO LOCKDOWNS WORK?
Authors: ALLEN DAVID E. , MCALEER MICHAEL
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a novel analysis of the global spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease using the R package “nCov2019”, with an emphasis on the global spread and forecasts of the disease, and the rate of transmission in individual countries at two different points in time, namely, March and September 2020. This throws in sharp relief the relative effectiveness of the attempts to risk manage the spread of the virus by “flattening the curve” (aka planking the curve) of the speed of transmission, and the efficacy of lockdowns in terms of the spread of the disease and death rates. Simple cross-sectional regressions are able to predict quite well both the total number of cases and deaths, which cast doubt on the above measures. The algorithmic techniques, results and analysis presented in the paper should prove useful to the medical and health professions, science advisers and risk management and decision making of healthcare by state, regional and national governments in all countries.