bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plankton food webs of the Gulf of Mexico spawning grounds of Atlantic Bluefin tuna
Authors: Stukel Michael R. , Gerard Trika , Kelly Thomas , Knapp Angela N. , Laiz-Carrión Raúl , Lamkin John , Landry Michael R. , Malca Estrella , Selph Karen E. , Shiroza Akihiro , Shropshire Taylor A. , Swalethorp Rasmus
Published: July 2020

We used linear inverse ecosystem modeling techniques to assimilate data from extensive Lagrangian field experiments into a mass-balance constrained food web for the Gulf of Mexico open-ocean ecosystem. This region is highly oligotrophic, yet Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ABT) travel long distances from feeding grounds in the North Atlantic to spawn there. Our results show that the food web is dominated by the microbial loop (>80% of net primary productivity is respired by heterotrophic bacteria and protists that feed on them). In contrast, herbivorous food web pathways from phytoplankton to metazoan zooplankton process <4% of net primary production in the mixed layer. Nevertheless, ABT larvae feed preferentially on calanoid copepods and other suspension-feeding zooplankton that in turn derive much of their nutrition from diatoms and mixotrophic flagellates. This allows ABT larvae to maintain a comparatively low trophic level (∼4.0 for pre-flexion larvae; ∼4.2 for post-flexion larvae) that increases trophic transfer from phytoplankton to larval fish.
On the molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 retention in the upper respiratory tract
Authors: Paris Kristina A. , Santiago Ulises , Camacho Carlos J.
Published: July 2020

Cell surface receptor engagement is a critical aspect of viral infection. At low pH, binding of SARS-CoV and its ACE2 receptor has a tight interaction that catalyzes the fusion of the spike and endosomal membranes followed by genome release. Largely overlooked has been the role of neutral pH in the respiratory tract, where we find that SARS-CoV stabilizes a transition state that enhances the off-rate from its receptor. An alternative pH-switch is found in CoV-2-like coronaviruses of tropical pangolins, but with a reversed phenotype where the tight interaction with ACE2 is at neutral pH. We show that a single point mutation in pangolin-CoV, unique to CoV-2, that deletes the last His residue in their receptor binding domain perpetuates this tight interaction independent of pH. This tight bond, not present in previous respiratory syndromes, implies that CoV-2 stays bound to the highly expressed ACE2 receptors in the nasal cavity about 100 times longer than CoV. This finding supports the unfamiliar pathology of CoV-2, observed virus retention in upper respiratory tract1, longer incubation times and extended periods of shedding. Implications to combat pandemics that, like SARS-CoV-2, export evolutionarily successful strains via higher transmission rates due to retention in nasal epithelium and their evolutionary origin are discussed.
Global relationships between crop diversity and nutritional stability
Authors: Nicholson Charlie C. , Emery Benjamin F. , Niles Meredith T.
Published: July 2020

Nutritional stability – a food system’s capacity to provide sufficient nutrients despite disturbance – is a critical feature of sustainable agriculture, especially in light of ongoing climate change. Yet, measuring nutritional stability has proven challenging. Addressing this challenge will help identify resilient food systems, detect shortcomings in nutrient availability, and evaluate if stability-focused interventions actually work. We develop a novel approach that uses 55 years of crop data across 184 countries to assemble over 22,000 bipartite crop-nutrient networks. We then quantify the tolerance of these networks to disturbance simulated via sequential crop loss (Fig. 1) and evaluate patterns of crop diversity and nutritional stability across countries, over time and between crop supply scenarios (imports versus in country production). We observe a positive, saturating relationship between crop diversity and nutritional stability across countries; however there is substantial variability between countries over time. Next, despite crop diversity gains since 1961, nutritional stability has remained stagnant or decreased in all regions except Asia. A decline in the average number of nutritional links per network (range: -3 to -18% across regions) and the aforementioned saturating relationship explain this counter-intuitive finding. Finally, we find that imports increase crop diversity and improve or sustain stability, indicating that nutrient availability is market exposed in many countries, particularly developing states. Although applied globally, our approach is applicable across levels of organization, from household intake to sub-national production, and provides a way forward for understanding the contributions of crop diversity to the stability of nutrients available for human consumption.
3D single cell scale anatomical map of sex-dependent variability of the rat intrinsic cardiac nervous system
Authors: Leung Clara , Robbins Shaina , Moss Alison , Heal Maci , Osanlouy Mahyar , Christie Richard , Farahani Navid , Monteith Corey , Chen Jin , Hunter Peter , Tappan Susan , Vadigepalli Rajanikanth , Cheng Zixi (Jack) , Schwaber James S.
Published: July 2020

We developed and analyzed a single cell scale anatomical map of the rat intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS) across 4 male and 3 female hearts. We find the ICNS has a reliable structural organizational plan across individuals that may provide the foundation for further analyses of the ICNS in cardiac function and disease. The distribution of the ICNS was evaluated by 3D visualization and using data-driven clustering. The pattern, distribution and clustering of ICNS neurons across all male and female rat hearts is highly conserved, demonstrating a coherent organizational plan in which distinct clusters of neurons are consistently localized. Female hearts had fewer neurons, lower packing density and slightly reduced distribution, but with the same localization. We registered the anatomical data from each heart to a geometric scaffold, normalizing their 3D coordinates for the standardization of common anatomical planes and providing the path where multiple experimental results and data types can be integrated and compared.
Multiple stages of evolutionary change in anthrax toxin receptor expression in humans
Authors: Choate Lauren A. , Barshad Gilad , McMahon Pierce W. , Said Iskander , Rice Edward J. , Munn Paul R. , Lewis James J. , Danko Charles G.
Published: July 2020

The advent of animal husbandry and hunting increased human exposure to zoonotic pathogens. To understand how a zoonotic disease influenced human evolution, we studied changes in human expression of anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2), which encodes a cell surface protein necessary forBacillus anthracisvirulence toxins to cause anthrax disease. In immune cells,ANTXR2was 8-fold down-regulated in all available human samples compared to non-human primates, indicating regulatory changes early in the evolution of modern humans. We also observed multiple genetic signatures consistent with recent positive selection driving a European-specific decrease inANTXR2expression in several non-immune tissues affected by anthrax toxins. Our observations fit a model in which humans adapted to anthrax disease following early ecological changes associated with hunting and scavenging, as well as a second period of adaptation after the rise of modern agriculture.
Motifs of the C-terminal Domain of MCM9 Direct Localization to Sites of Mitomycin-C Damage for RAD51 Recruitment
Authors: McKinzey David R. , Gomathinayagam Shivasankari , Griffin Wezley C. , Klinzing Kathleen N. , Jeffries Elizabeth P. , Rajkovic Aleksandar , Trakselis Michael A.
Published: July 2020

The MCM8/9 complex is implicated in aiding fork progression and facilitating homologous recombination (HR) in response to several DNA damage agents. MCM9 itself is an outlier within the MCM family containing a long C-terminal extension (CTE) comprising 42% of the total length, but with no known functional components and high predicted disorder. In this report, we identify and characterize two unique motifs within the primarily unstructured CTE that are required for localization of MCM8/9 to sites of mitomycin C (MMC) induced DNA damage. First, an unconventional ‘bipartite-like’ nuclear localization (NLS) motif consisting of two positively charged amino acid stretches separated by a long intervening sequence is required for the nuclear import of both MCM8 and MCM9. Second, a variant of the BRC motif (BRCv), similar to that found in other HR helicases, is necessary for localization to sites of MMC damage. The MCM9-BRCv directly interacts with and recruits RAD51 downstream to MMC-induced damage to aid in DNA repair. Patient lymphocytes devoid of functional MCM9 and discrete MCM9 knockout cells have a significantly impaired ability to form RAD51 foci after MMC treatment. Therefore, the disordered CTE in MCM9 is functionally important in promoting MCM8/9 activity and in recruiting downstream interactors; thus, requiring full length MCM9 for proper DNA repair.
Dopamine release and its control over early Pavlovian learning differs between the NAc core and medial NAc shell
Authors: Stelly Claire E. , Girven Kasey S. , Lefner Merridee J. , Fonzi Kaitlyn M. , Wanat Matthew J.
Published: July 2020

Dopamine neurons respond to cues to reflect the value of associated outcomes. These cue-evoked dopamine responses can encode the relative rate of reward in rats with extensive Pavlovian training. Specifically, a cue that always follows the previous reward by a short delay (high reward rate) evokes a larger dopamine response in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core relative to a distinct cue that always follows the prior reward by a long delay (low reward rate). However, it was unclear if these reward rate dopamine signals are evident during early Pavlovian training sessions and across NAc subregions. To address this, we performed fast-scan cyclic voltammetry recordings of dopamine levels to track the pattern of cue- and reward-evoked dopamine signals in the NAc core and medial NAc shell. We identified regional differences in the progression of cue-evoked dopamine signals across training. However, the dopamine response to cues did not reflect the reward rate in either the NAc core or the medial NAc shell during early training sessions. Pharmacological experiments found that dopamine-sensitive conditioned responding emerged in the NAc core before the medial NAc shell. Together, these findings illustrate regional differences in NAc dopamine release and its control over behavior during early Pavlovian learning.
SCFCdc4ubiquitin ligase regulates synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis
Authors: Zhu Zhihui , Ismail Mohammad Bani , Shinohara Miki , Shinohara Akira
Published: July 2020

Homologous chromosomes pair with each other during meiosis, culminating in the formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC), which is coupled with meiotic recombination. In this study, we showed that a meiosis-specific depletion mutant of a cullin (Cdc53) of the SCF (Skp-Cullin-F-box) ubiquitin ligase, which plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation during mitosis, is deficient in SC formation, but is proficient in the formation of crossovers, indicating uncoupling of meiotic recombination with SC formation in the mutant. Furthermore, the deletion of thePCH2gene encoding a meiosis-specific AAA+ ATPase suppresses SC-assembly defect induced byCDC53depletion. On the other hand, thepch2 cdc53double mutant is defective in meiotic crossover formation, suggesting the SC assembly with unrepaired DSBs. A temperature-sensitive mutant of theCDC4, which encodes a F-box protein of the SCF, shows similar meiotic defects to theCDC53depletion mutant. These suggest that SCFCdc4, probably SCFCdc4-dependnet protein ubiquitylation, regulates and collaborates with Pch2 in SC assembly and meiotic recombination.

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair with each other and form the synaptonemal complex (SC). In this study, components of the SCF (Skp-Cullin-F-box) ubiquitin ligase, Cdc53 and Cdc4, are required for SC formation. A meiosis-specific AAA+ ATPase Pch2 antagonize the functions of Cdc53 and Cdc4 for proper SC assembly.
A novel approach for improving information security management and awareness for home environments
Authors: Alotaibi Fayez Ghazai , Clarke Nathan , Furnell Steven M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The human factor is a major consideration in securing systems. A wide and increasing range of different technologies, devices, platforms, applications and services are being used every day by home users. In parallel, home users are also experiencing a range of different online threats and attacks and are increasingly being targeted as they lack the knowledge and awareness about potential threats and how to protect themselves. The increase in technologies and platforms also increases the burden upon a user to understand how to apply security across differing technologies, operating systems and applications. This results in managing the security across their technology portfolio increasingly more troublesome and time consuming. This paper aims to propose an approach that attempts to propose a system for improving security management and awareness for home users.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed system is capable of creating and assigning different security policies for different digital devices in a user-friendly fashion. These assigned policies are monitored, checked and managed to review the user’s compliance with the assigned policies to provide bespoke awareness content based on the user’s current needs.

Findings

A novel framework was proposed for improving information security management and awareness for home users. In addition, a mock-up design was developed to simulate the proposed approach to visualise the main concept and the functions which might be performed when it is deployed in a real environment. A number of different scenarios have been simulated to show how the system can manage and deal with different types of users, devices and threats. In addition, the proposed approach has been evaluated by experts in the research domain. The overall feedback is positive, constructive and encouraging. The experts agreed that the identified research problem is a real problem. In addition, they agreed that the proposed approach is usable, feasible and effective in improving security management and awareness for home users.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed design of the system is a mock-up design without real data. Therefore, implementing the proposed approach in a real environment can provide the researcher with a better understanding of the effectiveness and the functionality of the proposed approach.

Practical implications

This study offers a framework and usable mock-up design which can help in improving information security management for home users.

Originality/value

Improving the security management and awareness for home users by monitoring, checking and managing different security controls and configurations effectively are the key to strengthen information security. Therefore, when home users have a good level of security management and awareness, this could protect and secure the home network and subsequently business infrastructure and services as well.
An intelligent robot for indoor substation inspection
Authors: Wang Chenjie , Yin Lu , Zhao Qing , Wang Wei , Li Chengyuan , Luo Bin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To ensure the safety of electric power supply, it is necessary to inspect substation equipment. With the dramatic increase in the number of substations, especially indoor substations, intelligent robot inspection has become an important development direction. This paper aims to describe the design of a trackless robot with a robotic arm, which is capable of navigating autonomously and inspecting the equipment in a narrow and complex indoor substation.

Design/methodology/approach

A robust four-wheel platform powered by electric motors is used to carry the robot. By fusing multiple-sensor data and visual markers, the robot achieves autonomous movement based on simultaneous localization and mapping. In addition, to accurately obtain the reading of meters located at height or in a narrow space, the robot is equipped with a newly designed visual servo robotic arm.

Findings

In practical application, the robot satisfies the requirements of substation inspection, improves work efficiency, saves costs and achieves good results. The robot is also approved by the relevant departments of the State Grid Corporation of China.

Practical implications

After stable operation in a substation for a period of one year, the robot shows high efficiency and stability, meeting the requirements of indoor substation inspection. Meanwhile, the robot greatly promoted the realization of indoor and outdoor integrated substation automatic inspection, and is expected to be further applied in other industrial inspection sites, including mine, tunnel and nuclear power plant.

Originality/value

Due to the complex indoor environment, most of the existing inspection robots are only used outdoors, and there are no good trackless inspection robots for use indoors. The proposed robot is a trackless intelligent inspection robot for use in indoor substations. The robot features a number of important modules, including an autonomous localization and navigation module and a visual servo manipulator module, which can be used in narrow spaces or at height.
Narratives of reform: the Mental Health Act (MHA) in England and Wales from the 1983 MHA to the Wessley Review (2018)
Authors: Cummins Ian
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine reform of mental health legislation in England and Wales. It covers the period from the introduction of the 1983 MHA to the proposed reforms outlined in the Wessley Review that was published in December 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature-based project.

Findings

Reform of the mental health legislation reflects two potentially conflicting strands. One is the state’s power to incarcerate the “mad”, and the other is the move to protect the civil rights of those who are subject to such legislation. The failures to development adequately funded community-based mental health services and a series of inquiries in the 1990s led to the introduction of Community Treatment Orders in the 2007 reform of the MHA.

Research limitations/implications

The development of mental health policy has seen a shift towards more coercive approaches in mental health.

Practical implications

The successful reform of the MHA can only be accomplished alongside investment in community mental health services.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the tensions between the factors that contribute to mental health legislation reform.
How do the financial and oil sanctions affect the Iran's economy: a DSGE framework
Authors: Nakhli Seyyed Reza , Rafat Monireh , Bakhshi Dastjerdi Rasul , Rafei Meysam
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the current paper is to analyze the simultaneous effects of oil sanctions and financial sanctions on Iran's macroeconomic variables in a small open economy in the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A DSGE model with the new Keynesian approach has been designed for the above mentioned purpose giving consideration to households, production, trade, oil, government and central bank sectors. All of the parameters were calibrated by using geometric means of macroeconomic variables in 2004–2017 as the steady-state values of the variables in the static model.

Findings

Amplifying the intensity of the oil sanctions reduces oil production due to decreasing investment, technology and export of oil and reduces the central bank's foreign reserves ratio to the money base that leads to an increasing exchange rate. Furthermore, oil sanctions decrease the government revenues due to a decrease in oil export and by the government imposing an expansionary fiscal policy in the form of increasing current expenditure and preserving construction expenditure to prevent deepening the recession, which causes budget deficit and then the issue of more bonds with a higher nominal interest rate. On the other hand, financial sanctions raise transaction costs and marginal costs in the trade sectors that lead to inflation and a decrease in nonoil export and various kinds of imports. Due to inflation and uncertainty, consumption of a household increases and investment expenditure of a household decreases.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, few studies in the world have analyzed the economic effect of the sanctions in the framework of DSGE models. There is no study in Iran to date which investigates the effects of the sanctions in the form of a DSGE model. So, this paper is the first study in Iran and one of the few studies in the world using a DSGE model for analyzing the effects of sanctions. Imposing three kinds of oil sanctions in addition to a financial sanction is another innovation of the current paper.
Entrepreneurial families in business across generations, contexts and cultures
Authors: James Albert , Hadjielias Elias , Guerrero Maribel , Discua Cruz Allan , Basco Rodrigo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This article is the editorial for the special issue on “Entrepreneurial Families in Business Across Generations, Contexts and Cultures”. We aim to develop a road map that can help academics and practitioners navigate the findings of the articles contained in this special issue. We also suggest future lines of research around the topic of entrepreneurial families in business.

Design/methodology/approach

We develop a conceptual model for interpreting and understanding entrepreneurial families in business across contexts and time.

Findings

Our conceptual model highlights the importance of context and time when conducting research on entrepreneurial families in business.

Practical implications

The findings in this special issue will be of relevance for decision makers who tailor policies that embrace different economic and social actors, including entrepreneurial families.

Originality/value

This editorial and the articles that make up this special issue contribute to family business research by contextualising the phenomenon of entrepreneurial families in business. We propose a new holistic perspective to incorporate context and time in the study of entrepreneurial families that own, govern and manage family firms over time.
Beyond panic buying: consumption displacement and COVID-19
Authors: Hall Michael C. , Prayag Girish , Fieger Peter , Dyason David
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study evaluates consumption displacement, the shift in consumption that occurs when consumers experience a change in the availability of goods, services and amenities to which they are accustomed as the result of an external event, and which is characterised by the points in space and time where consumption occurs and by the movements to, from, and between those points, that is occurring as a result of the effects of COVID-19 on the services sector in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on consumer spending data, the authors identify patterns of consumption displacement for the hospitality and retail sectors as defined by ANZSIC. We answer where, when, how, what and why consumption displacement happens.

Findings

The findings provide evidence of spatial and temporal displacement of consumption based on consumer spending patterns. Evidence of increased spending in some consumption categories confirms stockpiling behaviours. The hospitality sector experiences a sharp decline in consumer spending over lockdown.

Originality/value

Given the lack of studies analysing the impacts of crises and disasters on the services sector and consumption displacement, this study provides evidence of different forms of consumption displacement related to COVID-19.
Enhancement of PMS activation in an UV/ozone process for cyanide degradation: a comprehensive study
Authors: Goodarzvand Chegini Zahra , Hassani Hessam , Torabian Ali , Borghei Seyed Mehdi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation in the ultraviolet (UV)/ozone process for toxic cyanide degradation from aqueous solution by a novel and simple method.

Design/methodology/approach

Photocatalytic degradation of cyanide (CN-) was carried out using a bench-scale photoreactor. Optimization of the UV/ozone process for the highest removal of cyanide was obtained. The effect of parameters such as ozone concentration, PMS concentration, temperature, cations (Cu2+, Co2+ and Fe2+), cyanide concentration, anions (bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, nitrite, nitrate and sulfate [SO42−]) and scavengers (ethanol [EtOH], humic acid, TBA and NaN3) was investigated for CN- degradation.

Findings

Complete removal of 50 mg/L cyanide was obtained in 4 min in an ozone/UV/PMS process. The cyanide removal increased from 49.3% to 100% by adding the persulfate dosage up to 100 mg/L. The effect of various cations (II) on the cyanide degradation was enhanced in the order Cu2+ > Co2+ > Fe2+. Hydroxyl radical based on different radical quenchers such as salicylic acid proved as the main oxidizing radical for oxidation. The application of ozone/UV/PMS to treat wastewater containing cyanide shows high degradation efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The ozone/UV/PMS system could be a process for degradation and detoxification of cyanide.

Practical implications

This study provided a simple and effective method for degradation of cyanide from aqueous solution. This method was applicable to protect environment from a huge amount of toxic cyanide wastewater produced by different industrial processes.

Originality/value

The PMS activation is done via a simple and effective method, which is carried out with the ozone/UV system. There are two main innovations. One is that the novel catalytic role of bimetallic ions in the ozone reaction with cyanide and the further decomposition of intermediate products is investigated. The other is that the optimized conditions were obtained for the removal of cyanide as a water contaminant. Furthermore, predominant oxidizing species by PMS activation are identified.
Estimating marine protected area network benefits for reef sharks
Authors: Martín Gerardo , Espinoza Mario , Heupel Michelle , Simpfendorfer Colin A.
Published: July 2020

Animal movement has direct applications in spatial management and conservation planning, yet it is rarely taken into account for the design of natural protected areas. For instance, reef shark species are thought to benefit from marine protected area networks, even though their movement behaviour remains poorly characterized. Poor understanding of species' movements implies that the benefits of MPA networks for species' populations are still widely unknown.

To understand the consequences of movement behaviour for protection, we modelled movements of three reef shark species' (Carcharhinus albimarginatus, C. amblyrhynchos and C. leucas) with distinct levels of reef association using real passive‐acoustic telemetry data. The model simulates if individuals are protected or unprotected by their movements in a system of reef patches in a network of MPAs. Model parameters that control individuals' movements were estimated from acoustic telemetry data. To estimate benefits for species we monitored longevity and time spent in protected habitats across all scenarios of reef protection, fishing intensity (11 values for each) and protection of high or low suitability reefs (a reef‐dependent factor that attracts sharks to reside in it) for populations of 1,000 individuals per species.

The time individuals spent in protected reefs increased linearly with protection until it levelled off after 50%–80% of reefs protected (78% C. amblyrhynchos, 72% C. albimarginatus and 52% C. leucas, at 100% protection). Individuals' life span decreased exponentially with fishing intensity. Reef protection only mildly counteracted life span lost to fishing. Protecting highly suitable reefs increased time spent in protected reefs, optimal protection was reached at a lower number of reefs protected, and life expectancy was higher with protection of highly suitable reefs.

Synthesis and applications. Our framework can be applied to many studies using passive‐acoustic telemetry to track animal movements. Protected area networks benefit species highly attached to protected sites. To increase benefits of marine protected area networks for all species (with low and high degrees of reef attachment) we need to understand the use of reef‐adjacent areas, dispersal routes and characterize reef suitability for multiple species.
Public sector innovation, e‐government, and anticorruption in China and India: Insights from civil servants
Authors: Wu Alfred M. , Yan Yifei , Vyas Lina
Published: July 2020

Both China and India are adopting information and communication technologies to facilitate openness and transparency in their governments, and hence reduce corruption. Distinctive from their traditional anticorruption approaches, is the innovative e‐government approach an effective solution to corruption in these two large developing countries? This paper addresses the question through comparative in‐depth interviews with 44 mid‐ or senior‐level officials in the public sector in these two countries. The first study of its kind, our research shows that civil servants in both countries overall think positively about transparency and technology in reducing corruption. However, to what extent these innovative measures will be effective is conditional on various factors, such as political willingness, income inequality, and infrastructure readiness. What is worth noting is that the Chinese respondents were more positive regarding the role of transparency, whereas the Indian respondents were more positive about the role of technology, which may reflect the different facilitators of corruption and the constraints of anticorruption in China and India.
High‐sensitivity troponin T use in non‐chest pain presentations in the emergency department
Authors: Buntine Paul G , Sze Serena , Aldridge Emogene S
Published: August 2020

Objective

To explore troponin testing yield in patients who present to the ED without chest pain.

Methods

A retrospective medical record audit of all patients who presented to ED in November 2018 and had troponin measured.

Results

A total of 1124 troponin assays were performed in 763 patients, 48.7% had no documented chest pain; 8.8% of these met high‐risk criteria and 1.1% were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome.

Conclusions

Despite ED troponin testing in the absence of chest pain being common practice, it rarely assisted in a meaningful diagnosis. Consequences of testing may include delays to patient discharge and additional downstream testing.
Nitrite production by ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria mediates chloramine decay and resistance in a mixed‐species community
Authors: Keshvardoust Pejhman , Huron Vanessa A. A. , Clemson Matthew , Barraud Nicolas , Rice Scott A.
Published: July 2020

As water distribution centres increasingly switch to using chloramine to disinfect drinking water, it is of paramount importance to determine the interactions of chloramine with potential biological contaminants, such as bacterial biofilms, that are found in these systems. For example, ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are known to accelerate the decay of chloramine in drinking water systems, but it is also known that organic compounds can increase the chloramine demand. This study expanded upon our previously published model to compare the decay of chloramine in response to alginate, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Nitrosomonas europaea and a mixed‐species nitrifying culture, exploring the contributions of microbial by‐products, heterotrophic bacteria and AOBs to chloramine decay. Furthermore, the contribution of AOBs to biofilm stability during chloramination was investigated. The results demonstrate that the biofilm matrix or extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), represented by alginate in these experiments, as well as high concentrations of dead or inactive cells, can drive chloramine decay rather than any specific biochemical activity of P. aeruginosa cells. Alginate was shown to reduce chloramine concentrations in a dose‐dependent manner at an average rate of 0.003 mg l−1 h−1 per mg l−1 of alginate. Additionally, metabolically active AOBs mediated the decay of chloramine, which protected members of mixed‐species biofilms from chloramine‐mediated disinfection. Under these conditions, nitrite produced by AOBs directly reacted with chloramine to drive its decay. In contrast, biofilms of mixed‐species communities that were dominated by heterotrophic bacteria due to either the absence of ammonia, or the addition of nitrification inhibitors and glucose, were highly sensitive to chloramine. These results suggest that mixed‐species biofilms are protected by a combination of biofilm matrix‐mediated inactivation of chloramine as well as the conversion of ammonia to nitrite through the activity of AOBs present in the community.
Identification of common cardiometabolic alterations and deregulated pathways in mouse and pig models of aging
Authors: Fanjul Víctor , Jorge Inmaculada , Camafeita Emilio , Macías Álvaro , González‐Gómez Cristina , Barettino Ana , Dorado Beatriz , Andrés‐Manzano María Jesús , Rivera‐Torres José , Vázquez Jesús , López‐Otín Carlos , Andrés Vicente
Published: July 2020

Aging is the main risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which have become a global concern as the world population ages. These diseases and the aging process are exacerbated in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS or progeria). Here, we evaluated the cardiometabolic disease in animal models of premature and normal aging with the aim of identifying alterations that are shared or specific to each condition. Despite differences in body composition and metabolic markers, prematurely and normally aging mice developed heart failure and similar cardiac electrical abnormalities. High‐throughput proteomics of the hearts of progeric and normally aged mice revealed altered protein oxidation and glycation, as well as dysregulated pathways regulating energy metabolism, proteostasis, gene expression, and cardiac muscle contraction. These results were corroborated in the hearts of progeric pigs, underscoring the translational potential of our findings, which could help in the design of strategies to prevent or slow age‐related cardiometabolic disease.
Genetic diversity in Iranian indigenous sheep vis‐à‐vis selected exogenous sheep breeds and wild mouflon
Authors: Eydivandi S. , Sahana G. , Momen M. , Moradi M.H. , Schönherz A.A.
Published: July 2020

The heterogeneity of climate and different agro‐ecological conditions in Iran have resulted in development of 27 indigenous sheep breeds. Wild Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis) is believed to be the ancestor of Iranian sheep. Evaluation of genetic diversity and population structure within and among domestic breeds has important implications for animal breeding programs and genetic resources management. Based on 50K SNP genotype data, we studied the genetic diversity of five indigenous Iranian sheep breeds: Afshari (n = 37), Moghani (n = 34), Qezel (n = 35), Zel (n = 46) and Lori‐Bakhtiari (n = 46), and Asiatic mouflon (n = 8) sampled from Iran. Furthermore, genetic diversity and the breed admixture of Iranian sheep were assessed on a larger geographic scale using a reference panel comprising: three indigenous Afghan breeds – Arabi (n = 15), Balouchi (n = 15) and Gadik (n = 15); three indigenous breeds from Turkey and Cyprus – Cyprus Fat Tail (n = 30), Karakas (n = 18) and Norduz (n = 20); and three commercial European breeds – Suffolk (n = 19), Comisana (n = 24) and Engadine Red Sheep (n = 24). The results revealed that the investigated breeds are divided into five genetically distinct clusters according to their geographic origin. Afshari was closest to the local mouflon population and showed signs of mouflon admixture. Qezel was identified as a hybrid sheep breed. Much evidence supported the Afghan breeds being identical. Inbreeding values, which were estimated based on ROHs, were highest for Suffolk (FROH = 0.0544) and lowest for Balouchi (FROH = 0.0078). In conclusion, analysis of selected breeds from neighboring countries along with Asiatic mouflon gave a deeper insight into the evolutionary history and origin of Iranian sheep with important implications for future breed management.
A comparison of postoperative respiratory complications associated with the use of desflurane and sevoflurane: a single‐centre cohort study
Authors: Zucco L. , Santer P. , Levy N. , Hammer M. , Grabitz S. D. , Nabel S. , Ramachandran S. K.
Published: August 2020

Sevoflurane and desflurane are the most commonly used volatile anaesthetics for maintenance of anaesthesia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between choice of volatile anaesthetic and early postoperative respiratory complications, and to address a critical knowledge gap in safety outcomes between these two commonly used agents. We performed a retrospective analysis of adult (non‐cardiac surgery) patients who received sevoflurane or desflurane for the maintenance of general anaesthesia at our institution between 2005 and 2018. We evaluated the association between desflurane exposure (when compared with sevoflurane) and the primary outcome of postoperative respiratory complications, defined by early post‐extubation desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) or re‐intubation within 7 days postoperatively. Multivariable regression analyses were performed and adjusted for confounding factors, including patient, anaesthetic and surgical factors. Propensity matched, interaction and sub‐group analyses were performed to assess outcomes in high‐risk groups: morbidly obese (BMI > 35 kg.m−2); elderly (age > 65 years); and high risk of respiratory complications as well as the primary outcome at 24 h. Desflurane was used for 23,830 patients and sevoflurane for 84,608 patients. Patients exposed to desflurane did not demonstrate a reduced risk of postoperative respiratory complications when compared with sevoflurane (adjusted odds ratio 0.99, 95%CI 0.94–1.04, p = 0.598). These findings were consistent across all sub‐groups of high‐risk patients and in the propensity score matched cohort. In summary, desflurane use was not associated with reduced postoperative respiratory complications when compared with sevoflurane. In the context of environmental and cost concerns with volatile anaesthetic agents, our study provides important data to support organisational decisions regarding the use of desflurane.
Clinical aspects of abdominal actinomycosis: a systematic review
Authors: Manterola Carlos , Grande Luis , Riffo‐Campos Ángela L. , Salgado Carla , Otzen Tamara
Published: July 2020

Background

Abdominal actinomycosis (AA) is a rare infection. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence available on AA.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted. Data sources included Trip Database, BIREME, SciELO, Cochrane Library, WoS, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, IBECS and LILACS. Eligibility criteria included: studies related to surgically treated AA, in adult population, without language and sex restriction, published between 1966 and 2019. The following variables were analysed: publication year, age, sex, geographical origin, location of lesions, clinical manifestations, risk factors, species isolated and treatments used.

Results

A total of 1505 studies were initially identified. After scrutinizing titles and abstracts, and checking duplications, 221 articles including 406 subjects with AA were included. All were case reports or series. Mean age of subjects was 49.2 years and 56.2% were female. The highest proportion of articles was published between 2015 and 2019 (18.7%). Publications were predominantly from the USA (12.2%). Structures usually involved were abdominal wall, colon and appendix. The most common presentation was abdominal mass (39.2%). In 42.1% of patients, an associated factor was found, highlighting intrauterine devices (14.3%). The microbiology studies highlighted Actinomyces israelli. Morbidity, recurrence and verified mortality were 18.2%, 1.0% and 2.2%, respectively. Penicillin was the most used antibiotic.

Conclusion

Evidence about AA is scarce and dispersed within a reduced range of articles and cases.
Factors influencing recurrence of stage I–III rectal cancer in regional Australia
Authors: Haggstrom Lucy , Kang Sharlyn , Winn Robert , Putnis Soni , Nasser Elias , Chen James , Aghmesheh Morteza , Brungs Daniel
Published: July 2020

Background

As treatments for rectal cancer improve with developments in surgical techniques, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the nature of recurrences are evolving. We used a comprehensive database of a large Australian population with stage I–III rectal adenocarcinoma to identify timing and prognostic significance of recurrences, and factors associated with risk of developing recurrent disease.

Methods

All patients with locoregional rectal cancer treated with curative intent in our health district from 2006 to 2017 were included. Multivariate analysis using Cox regression models were used to identify factors associated with recurrence.

Results

A total of 483 patients were included. Recurrence occurred in 117 (24.2%) of 483 patients, being locoregional in 15 (3.1%) patients, distant in 85 patients (17.6%) and both locoregional and distant in 17 (3.5%) patients. Compared to those with locoregional recurrence, those with both locoregional and distant recurrence had worse cancer‐specific survival. On univariate analysis, factors associated with recurrence included stage, grade, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery type and distal tumour location. Factors which remained significant on multivariate analysis included higher grade and stage.

Conclusion

In the era of multimodality therapy for rectal cancer, recurrences are predominantly distant. Traditional predictors including higher stage, grade and distal tumour location remain independently associated with recurrence, despite current treatment paradigms.
An experimental study of teachers’ evaluations regarding peer exclusion in the classroom
Authors: Kollerová Lenka , Killen Melanie
Published: August 2020

Background

While research has documented negative social and academic consequences that occur when students experience peer exclusion, few studies have been conducted to investigate teachers’ evaluations of peer exclusion.

Aims

This study investigated whether ethnic and gender biases enter teachers’ evaluations of classroom peer exclusion that met criteria for bullying.

Sample

Teachers (N = 740; 77% female) of early and middle adolescents participated in the study. Participants were recruited from 118 elementary and secondary schools across the Czech Republic.

Methods

Using a between‐subjects design, teachers evaluated a scenario of classroom peer exclusion initiated by majority ethnic (Czech) students. The scenarios varied contextual characteristics: target’s ethnicity (majority Czech vs. minority Arab), target’s gender, and excluders’ gender.

Results

Analyses revealed several subtle contextual effects. Although teachers viewed exclusion as having a more negative impact for the fair treatment of Arab targets than for Czech targets, their reasoning about the wrongfulness of such exclusion was less focused on the moral concerns about fairness for Arab than for Czech targets. In contrast to girl targets, teachers were less concerned about the harmful impact on exclusion for boy targets when considering intervention. Excluders’ gender had significant interactions with the target’s gender on reasoning about wrongfulness of exclusion and the target’s ethnicity for viewing exclusion as impairing the target’s academic engagement.

Conclusions

The findings of subtle ethnic and gender biases underscore the need for research on teacher perspectives on peer exclusion and for training teachers how to address peer exclusion in the classroom across various contexts.
Cytoreductive treatment in patients with CALR‐mutated essential thrombocythaemia: a study comparing indications and efficacy among genotypes from the Spanish Registry of Essential Thrombocythaemia
Authors: Alvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Angona Anna , Andrade‐Campos Marcio , Soledad Noya M. , Teresa Gómez‐Casares M. , Cuevas Beatriz , Caballero Gonzalo , García‐Hernández Carmen , García‐Gutiérrez Valentín , Palomino Alicia , Ferrer‐Marín Francisca , Isabel Mata‐Vázquez M. , Moretó Ana , Magro Elena , Murillo Ilda , Manuel Alonso‐Domínguez Juan , María Guerra José , Guerrero Lucía , María Raya José , Pérez‐Encinas Manuel , Carreño‐Tarragona Gonzalo , Fox Laura , Pastor‐Galán Irene , Bellosillo Beatriz , Hernández‐Boluda Juan Carlos ,   and on behalf of the MPN Spanish Group (GEMFIN)
Published: August 2020

The present study assessed the criteria for initiating cytoreduction and response to conventional therapies in 1446 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 267 (17%) of which were CALR‐mutated. In low risk patients, time from diagnosis to cytoreduction was shorter in CALR‐positive than in the other genotypes (2·8, 3·2, 7·4 and 12·5 years for CALR, MPL, JAK2V617F and TN, respectively, P < 0·0001). A total of 1104 (76%) patients received cytoreductive treatment with hydroxycarbamide (HC) (n = 977), anagrelide (n = 113), or others (n = 14). The estimated cumulative rates of complete haematological response (CR) at 12 months were 40 % and 67% in CALR and JAK2V617F genotypes, respectively. Median time to CR was 192 days for JAK2V617F, 343 for TN, 433 for MPL, and 705 for CALR genotypes (P < 0·0001). Duration of CR was shorter in CALR‐mutated ET than in the remaining patients (P = 0·003). In CALR‐positive patients, HC and anagrelide had similar efficacy in terms of response rates and duration. CALR‐mutated patients developed resistance/intolerance to HC more frequently (5%, 23%, 27% and 15% for JAK2V617F, CALR, MPL and TN, respectively; P < 0·0001). In conclusion, conventional cytoreductive agents are less effective in CALR‐mutated ET, highlighting the need for new treatment modalities and redefinition of haematologic targets for patients with this genotype.
The problem of measurement bias in comparing selected subgroups
Authors: Mendoza Jorge L. , Lee Seunghoo , Fife Dustin
Published: July 2020

Estimates of subgroup differences are routinely used as part of a comprehensive validation system, and these estimates serve a critical role, including evaluating adverse impact. Unfortunately, under direct range restriction, a selected mean (
) is a biased estimator of the population mean
as well as the selected true score mean
. This is due partly to measurement bias. This bias, as we show, is a factor of the selection ratio, the reliability of the measure, and the variance of the distribution. This measurement bias renders a subgroup comparison questionable when the subgroups have different selection ratios. The selected subgroup comparison is further complicated by the fact that the subgroup variances will be unequal in most situations where the selection ratios are not equal. We address these problems and present a corrected estimate of the mean difference, as well as an estimate of Cohen’s d* that estimates the true score difference between two selected populations,
. In addition, we show that the measurement bias is not present under indirect range restriction. Thus, the observed selected mean
is an unbiased estimator of selected true score mean
. However, it is not an unbiased estimator of the population mean
. These results have important implications for selection research, particularly when validating instruments.