bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES): Analysis of the impact of confinement in eating disorders and obesity—A collaborative international study
Authors: Fernández‐Aranda Fernando , Munguía Lucero , Mestre‐Bach Gemma , Steward Trevor , Etxandi Mikel , Baenas Isabel , Granero Roser , Sánchez Isabel , Ortega Emilio , Andreu Alba , Moize Violeta L. , Fernández‐Real Jose M , Tinahones Francisco J. , Diegüez Carlos , Frühbeck Gema , Le Grange Daniel , Tchanturia Kate , Karwautz Andreas , Zeiler Michael , Favaro Angela , Claes Laurence , Luyckx Koen , Shekriladze Ia , Serrano‐Troncoso Eduardo , Rangil Teresa , Meler Maria Eulalia Loran , Soriano‐Pacheco Jose , Carceller‐Sindreu Mar , Bujalance‐Arguijo Sara , Lozano Meritxell , Linares Raquel , Gudiol Carlota , Carratala Jordi , Sanchez‐Gonzalez Jessica , Machado Paulo PP , Håkansson Anders , Túry Ferenc , Pászthy Bea , Stein Daniel , Papezová Hana , Bax Brigita , Borisenkov Mikhail F. , Popov Sergey V. , Kim Youl‐Ri , Nakazato Michiko , Godart Nathalie , van Voren Robert , Ilnytska Tetiana , Chen Jue , Rowlands Katie , Treasure Janet , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana
Published: September 2020

Confinement during the COVID‐19 pandemic is expected to have a serious and complex impact on the mental health of patients with an eating disorder (ED) and of patients with obesity. The present manuscript has the following aims: (1) to analyse the psychometric properties of the COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES), (2) to explore changes that occurred due to confinement in eating symptomatology; and (3) to explore the general acceptation of the use of telemedicine during confinement. The sample comprised 121 participants (87 ED patients and 34 patients with obesity) recruited from six different centres. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) tested the rational‐theoretical structure of the CIES. Adequate goodness‐of‐fit was obtained for the confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach alpha values ranged from good to excellent. Regarding the effects of confinement, positive and negative impacts of the confinement depends of the eating disorder subtype. Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and with obesity endorsed a positive response to treatment during confinement, no significant changes were found in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients, whereas Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) patients endorsed an increase in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology. Furthermore, AN patients expressed the greatest dissatisfaction and accommodation difficulty with remote therapy when compared with the previously provided face‐to‐face therapy. The present study provides empirical evidence on the psychometric robustness of the CIES tool and shows that a negative confinement impact was associated with ED subtype, whereas OSFED patients showed the highest impairment in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology.
High Concentrations of Pharmaceuticals in a Nigerian River Catchment
Authors: Ogunbanwo Olatayo M. , Kay Paul , Boxall Alistair B. , Wilkinson John , Sinclair Chris J. , Shabi Rasheed A. , Fasasi Abolaji E. , Lewis Gregory A. , Amoda Olanrewaju A. , Brown Lee E.
Published: September 2020

Pharmaceutical contamination of the environment is recognized as a global problem although most research has focused on Europe and North America to date, and there remains a dearth of information for developing countries, including those in Africa. To address this data gap, the occurrence of 37 pharmaceuticals belonging to 19 therapeutic classes was monitored in surface water and effluents in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Samples were collected quarterly between April 2017 and March 2018 from 22 sites, and 26 compounds were detected at least once, many in the µg/L range. Maximum concentrations for those compounds detected ranged from 75 to 129 µg L−1, and even mean concentrations for 13 compounds were in the order of µg L−1. These values are among the highest ever measured globally. Sewage effluent was more important than drug manufacturing waste in polluting rivers, although there are likely to be numerous unregulated sources of effluent being discharged to rivers that require further study, including urban waste collection areas and vacuum trucks that collect effluent. Seasonal trends in the data were complex, with some compounds being found at higher concentrations in the dry season and, conversely, others being greater during the wet period; this variation potentially relates to the variety of pollution sources in the catchment. Pharmaceuticals are indispensable to human health, although their usage and discharge into the aquatic environment may lead to ecological problems and antibiotic resistance. The data we present indicate that pharmaceutical pollution of freshwaters is a serious issue in Nigeria, and management efforts are needed to improve this problem. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:551–558. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Deriving a Chronic Guideline Value for Nickel in Tropical and Temperate Marine Waters
Authors: Gissi Francesca , Wang Zhen , Batley Graeme E. , Leung Kenneth M.Y. , Schlekat Christian E. , Garman Emily R. , Stauber Jenny L.
Published: September 2020

The absence of chronic toxicity data for tropical marine waters has limited our ability to derive appropriate water quality guideline values for metals in tropical regions. To aid environmental management, temperate data are usually extrapolated to other climatic (e.g., tropical) regions. However, differences in climate, water chemistry, and endemic biota between temperate and tropical systems make such extrapolations uncertain. Chronic nickel (Ni) toxicity data were compiled for temperate (24 species) and tropical (16 species) marine biota and their sensitivities to Ni compared. Concentrations to cause a 10% effect for temperate biota ranged from 2.9 to 20 300 µg Ni/L, with sea urchin larval development being the most sensitive endpoint. Values for tropical data ranged from 5.5 to 3700 µg Ni/L, with copepod early–life stage development being the most sensitive test. There was little difference in temperate and tropical marine sensitivities to Ni, with 5% hazardous concentrations (95% confidence interval) of 4.4 (1.8–17), 9.6 (1.7–26), and 5.8 (2.8–15) µg Ni/L for temperate, tropical, and combined temperate and tropical species, respectively. To ensure greater taxonomic coverage and based on guidance provided in Australia and New Zealand, it is recommended that the combined data set be used as the basis to generate a jurisdiction-specific water quality guideline of 6 µg Ni/L for 95% species protection applicable to both temperate and tropical marine environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2540–2551. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Analytical modeling for signaling‐based DRX in 5G communication
Authors: Kumar Maheshwari Mukesh , Agiwal Mamta , Rashid Masud Aurangzeb
Published: September 2020

The millimeter wave (mmWave)‐enabled 5G wireless networks can meet the increasing demands of data rates and mobile subscriptions. However, the mmWave wireless networks require directional beamforming to overcome the propagation and penetration losses. The directional communication in turn increases the user equipment's (UE) energy expenses, as it has to perform beam searching to identify the best beam pair. Discontinuous reception (DRX) is a popular mechanism for energy saving in LTE/LTE‐A networks. The DRX mechanism when applied to mmWave‐5G networks, would also be required to incorporate the beam searching procedure making it less effective. In this article, we propose signaling‐based DRX to improve UE's energy saving in 5G networks by reducing the impediments of beam searching. Though the frequent requirement of beam searching in 5G cannot be avoided, the time in the beam searching can be curtailed if data/paging is absent. We propose to use power saving indication (PSI) that can be applied to both, connected‐ and idle‐state DRX. We employed semi‐Markov model to obtain the probabilistic estimation of power saving and delay for the proposed mechanism. The performance analysis shows that signaling can be used to improve energy saving in 5G DRX by limiting beam searching when not necessary.
Maximum temperature rise of fire plume ejected out of the compartment window with a horizontal eave
Authors: Li Linjie , Gao Zihe , Li Yilin , Xu Pai , Zhao Ningyu , Liu Jialiang
Published: September 2020

This study focuses on the maximum temperature rise of fire plume ejected out of the compartment window with a horizontal eave. Based on the symmetry of ejected plume and pictures recorded by the cameras in the study, the shape of ejected thermal plume out of the window under the eave is suggest as an isosceles trapezoid, and the ejected thermal plume rising at the edge of the eave is assumed to be a rectangular fire source. The dimensions of the rectangular fire source are theoretically deduced for compartment fire process of different window geometry, width of eave, and heat release rate, according to the conservation of plume mass. The previous predictive model for plume temperature proposed by Quintiere is popularized to the ejected flame above an eave by including the dimensions of the rectangular fire source as well as the width of eave. The results would provide theoretical guidance to the application of fireproof eave in high‐rise building for fire protection designs.
Ca/Cu Co‐doped SmFeO3 as a Fuel Electrode Material for Direct Electrolysis of CO2 in SOECs▴
Authors: Wang S. , Deng S. , Hao Z. , Hu X. , Zheng Y.
Published: September 2020

The electrochemical conversion of CO2 to CO by using solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is an attractive technology for sustainable utilization of greenhouse gas to chemicals. In this work, Ca and/or Cu doped SmFeO3 perovskite materials in the form of Sm1–xCaxFe1–yCuyO3–δ (x = 0, y = 0; x = 0.1, y = 0; x = 0, y = 0.1; x = 0.1, y = 0.1) are evaluated as SOEC fuel electrode for direct electrolysis of CO2. The Ca and Cu co‐doped sample Sm0.9Ca0.1Fe0.9Cu0.1O3–δ (SCFCO) presents the highest electrical conductivity value of 15.18 S cm−1 among all of the samples under CO2 atmosphere at 700 °C. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis reveals that the CO2 dissociative adsorption and charge transfer of Ca and Cu co‐doped fuel electrode are significantly enhanced, resulting in the greatly decrease in polarization resistance compared with that of the undoped sample. The current density of an electrolyte‐supported single cell with the SCFCO fuel electrode reaches as high as 1.20 A cm−2 at the applied voltage of 1.5 V and 800 °C, which is 60% higher than that of the SmFeO3–δ fuel electrode. Furthermore, the cell shows an impressive stability for the durability test, indicating the excellent electrocatalysis performance and coking tolerance of SCFCO as a promising fuel electrode material for direct electrolysis of CO2.
A survey of subspace recycling iterative methods
Authors: Soodhalter Kirk M. , de Sturler Eric , Kilmer Misha E.
Published: September 2020

This survey concerns subspace recycling methods, a popular class of iterative methods that enable effective reuse of subspace information in order to speed up convergence and find good initial vectors over a sequence of linear systems with slowly changing coefficient matrices, multiple right‐hand sides, or both. The subspace information that is recycled is usually generated during the run of an iterative method (usually a Krylov subspace method) on one or more of the systems. Following introduction of definitions and notation, we examine the history of early augmentation schemes along with deflation preconditioning schemes and their influence on the development of recycling methods. We then discuss a general residual constraint framework through which many augmented Krylov and recycling methods can both be viewed. We review several augmented and recycling methods within this framework. We then discuss some known effective strategies for choosing subspaces to recycle before taking the reader through more recent developments that have generalized recycling for (sequences of) shifted linear systems, some of them with multiple right‐hand sides in mind. We round out our survey with a brief review of application areas that have seen benefit from subspace recycling methods.
Mortality and cause of death in patients with tracheostomy: Longitudinal follow‐up study using a national sample cohort
Authors: Jin Young Ju , Han Seung Yoon , Park Bumjung , Park Il‐Seok , Kim Jin‐Hwan , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: September 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long‐term mortality and cause of death in patients with tracheostomy.

Methods

Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐Health Screening Cohort were collected from 2002 to 2013. A total of 2394 tracheostomy participants and 9536 control participants were included in this study. The crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for tracheostomy‐associated mortality were analyzed. Subgroup analysis according to age and cause of death was analyzed.

Results

The tracheostomy group showed a significantly higher rate of death (69.1%) than the nontracheostomy group (13.3%). The adjusted HR for mortality was 13.5 in the tracheostomy group. The most common cause of death after tracheostomy was a circulatory disease, followed by neoplasm, respiratory disease, and trauma.

Conclusions

Patients with tracheostomy had a significantly increased long‐term mortality rate compared with patients with nontracheostomy. The circulatory disease was the most common cause of death following tracheostomy.
miR‐141‐3p inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway
Authors: Zhang Cuicui , Kong Xianghui , Ma Deliang
Published: September 2020

miR‐141‐3p is proven to play a prominent role in various inflammation‐related diseases. Nonetheless, little is known concerning the function of miR‐141‐3p in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) dysfunction and the underlying mechanism. ApoE knockdown (ApoE−/−) C57BL/6 mice and human VSMCs were employed to establish atherosclerosis (AS) animal model and cell model, respectively. The expressions of miR‐141‐3p and Keap1 mRNA were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to determine inflammatory cytokines IL‐6, IL‐β and TNF‐α. Cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were analyzed by BrdU assay, Transwell assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was carried out to determine the regulatory relationship between miR‐141‐3p and Keap1. Additionally, Western blot was used to detect the function of miR‐141‐3p on the expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2 and HO‐1 in VSMCs. miR‐141‐3p was remarkably down‐regulated in both AS animal model and cell model while the expression of Keap1 was elevated. Proliferation and migration of VSMCs were suppressed after miR‐141‐3p mimics transfection and cell apoptosis was promoted. miR‐141‐3p also inhibited the expressions of IL‐6, IL‐β, TNF‐α and Keap1 but promoted the expressions of Nrf2 and HO‐1. Moreover, the binding site between miR‐141‐3p and the 3′UTR of Keap1 was confirmed. miR‐141‐3p is down‐regulated during AS, and it can alleviate VSMCs' dysfunction by targeting the Keap1/Nrf2/HO‐1 axis.
A systematic review of cultural adaptations in the global application of ABA‐based telehealth services
Authors: Sivaraman Maithri , Fahmie Tara A.
Published: September 2020

With telehealth gaining acceptance as a service delivery method, behavior analysts are now providing services to individuals worldwide. This review highlights the cultural adaptations used in ABA‐based telehealth treatments for individuals with ASD outside of the United States. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria and the data were synthesized narratively. All studies reported some type of cultural adaptation, with most studies reporting changes made to the service delivery method. This included using translated materials; training in the language of the client; and matching the trainer in birthplace, ethnicity, or gender with the participants. The adaptations described in published research can serve as a resource for behavior analysts who have interest in global telehealth services. However, given the emerging nature of this area of research, it is challenging to know which adaptations are necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. The review concludes with ideas for research development in this area.
The effect of chloroquine on the TRPC1, TRPC6, and CaSR in the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in hypoxia‐induced experimental pulmonary artery hypertension
Authors: Kaymak Emin , Akin Ali Tuğrul , Tufan Esra , Başaran Kemal Erdem , Taheri Serpil , Özdamar Saim , Yakan Birkan
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life‐threatening disease characterized by a constant high pulmonary artery pressure and the remodeling of the vessel. Chloroquine (CLQ) has been observed to inhibit calcium influx. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of CLQ on transient receptor cationic proteins (TRPC1 and TRPC6) and extracellular calcium‐sensitive receptor (CaSR) in a hypoxic PAH model. In this study, 8‐ to 12‐week‐old 32 male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200 to 300 g, were used. The rats were studied in four groups, including normoxy control, n = 8; normoxy CLQ (50 mg/kg/28 d), n = 8; hypoxia (HX; 10% oxygen/28 d) control, n = 8; and HX (10% oxygen/28 d) + CLQ (50 mg/kg), N = 8. Pulmonary arterial medial wall thickness, pulmonary arteriole wall, TRPC1, TRPC6, and CaSR expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methods. At the end of the experiment, a statistically significant increase in the medial wall thickness was observed in the hypoxic group as compared with the control group. However, in the HX + CLQ group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the vessel medial wall as compared with the HX group. In the TRPC1‐, TRPC6‐, and CaSR‐immunopositive cell numbers, messenger RNA expressions and biochemical results showed an increase in the HX group, whereas they were decreased in the HX + CLQ group. The inhibitory effect of CLQ on calcium receptors in arterioles was observed in PAH.
Role of alkylated residues in the tetrapeptide self‐assembly—A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Muthusivarajan Rajarajeswari , Allen William J. , Pehere Ashok D. , Sokolov Konstantin V. , Fuentes David
Published: September 2020

Designing peptide sequences that self‐assemble into well‐defined nanostructures can open a new venue for the development of novel drug carriers and molecular contrast agents. Current approaches are often based on a linear block‐design of amphiphilic peptides where a hydrophilic peptide chain is terminated by a hydrophobic tail. Here, a new template for a self‐assembling tetrapeptide (YXKX, Y = tyrosine, X = alkylated tyrosine, K = lysine) is proposed with two distinct sides relative to the peptide's backbone: alkylated hydrophobic residues on one side and hydrophilic residues on the other side. Using all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, the self‐assembly pathway of the tetrapeptide is analyzed for two different concentrations. At both concentrations, tetrapeptides self‐assembled into a nanosphere structure. The alkylated tyrosines initialize the self‐assembly process via a strong hydrophobic effect and to reduce exposure to the aqueous solvent, they formed a hydrophobic core. The hydrophilic residues occupied the surface of the self‐assembled nanosphere. Ordered arrangement of tetrapeptides within the nanosphere with the backbone hydrogen bonding led to a beta sheet formation. Alkyl chain length constrained the size and shape of the nanosphere. This study provides foundation for further exploration of self‐assembling structures that are based on peptides with hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties located on the opposite sides of a peptide backbone.
An effective process for the synthesis of dihydropyridines via SO4−2/SnO2‐catalyzed Hantzsch reaction
Authors: Koduri Ramesh Goud , Pagadala Ramakanth , Varala Ravi , Boodida Satyanarayana
Published: September 2020

Sulfated tin oxide (STO) was established as an admirable heterogeneous catalyst for the single‐step synthesis of dihydropyridine derivatives via Hantzsch reaction. The synthetic method was mainly used in the presence of STO as a heterogeneous solid catalyst. STO‐catalyzed Hantzsch reaction afforded good yields (90–94%) in acetonitrile at 80°C. The synthesized titled compounds were characterized and confirmed by High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS), Fourier Tranform‐Infrared (FTIR), 1H and 13C‐NMR, and spectral data.
lncMGPF is a novel positive regulator of muscle growth and regeneration
Authors: Lv Wei , Jin Jianjun , Xu Zaiyan , Luo Hongmei , Guo Yubo , Wang Xiaojing , Wang Shanshan , Zhang Jiali , Zuo Hao , Bai Wei , Peng Yaxing , Tang Junming , Zhao Shuhong , Zuo Bo
Published: September 2020

Background

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in diverse biological processes and diseases. While a large number of lncRNAs have been identified in skeletal muscles until now, their function and underlying mechanisms in skeletal myogenesis remain largely unclear.

Methods

We characterized a novel functional lncRNA designated lncMGPF (lncRNA muscle growth promoting factor) using RACE, Northern blot, fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative real‐time PCR. Its function was determined by gene overexpression, interference, and knockout experiments in C2C12 myoblasts, myogenic progenitor cells, and an animal model. The molecular mechanism by which lncMGPF regulates muscle differentiation was mainly examined by cotransfection experiments, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull‐down, and RNA stability analyses.

Results

We report that lncMGPF, which is highly expressed in muscles and positively regulated by myoblast determination factor (MyoD), promotes myogenic differentiation of muscle cells in vivo and in vitro. lncMGPF knockout in mice substantially decreases growth rate, reduces muscle mass, and impairs muscle regeneration. Overexpression of lncMGPF in muscles can rescue the muscle phenotype of knockout mice and promote muscle growth of wild‐type mice. Mechanistically, lncMGPF promotes muscle differentiation by acting as a molecular sponge of miR‐135a‐5p and thus increasing the expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), as well as by enhancing human antigen R‐mediated messenger RNA stabilization of myogenic regulatory genes such as MyoD and myogenin (MyoG). We confirm that pig lncRNA AK394747 and human lncRNA MT510647 are homologous to mouse lncMGPF, with conserved function and mechanism during myogenesis.

Conclusions

Our data reveal that lncMGPF is a novel positive regulator of myogenic differentiation, muscle growth and regeneration in mice, pigs, and humans.
Cement solidification/stabilization of the toxicants from spent commercial SCR catalyst
Authors: He Chuan , Kong Fanhai , Bao Qiang , Zhang Fajie , Wang Lele , Ma Yunlong , Yao Yan
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

The present work focuses on a harmless treatment of hazardous substances in spent commercial selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst by using cement as a binder. The spent V2O5‐WO3/TiO2 SCR catalysts were ground and mixed with the cement to prepare the solidified products, according to a simple method in this study. The solidified products were subsequently submitted to a characterization process based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N2 adsorption–desorption analysis. The leaching characteristics of hazardous substances, such as V, As, Cr and Pb, in solidified products were studied and the effects of mixed ratio between deactivated SCR catalyst and cement on leaching characteristics of hazardous substances were investigated.

RESULTS

The experimental results showed that the cement was effective in immobilizing hazardous substances (V, As, Cr and Pb) present in the spent catalyst. When the cement hardened with 50% spent catalyst addition, the solidified products exhibited extremely low leaching concentrations of V, As, Cr and Pb, which are 0.6, 1.3, 2.3 mg L−1 and 16.5 μg L−1, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The leaching toxicity of hazardous substances is far lower than that of the National Standard of China and European regulations. The characterization analysis revealed that the active silicate sand hydroxyl compounds play an important role in immobilizing hazardous substances in spent SCR catalyst. The cement solidification method was expected to achieve the harmless treatment on spent SCR catalyst for the first time. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt period increases ethanol‐induced aggressive behavior in adolescent male mice
Authors: Demarque Kelly C. , Krahe Thomas E. , de Oliveira Gabriel Melo , Abreu‐Villaça Yael , Manhães Alex C. , Filgueiras Cláudio C. , Ribeiro‐Carvalho Anderson
Published: September 2020

Ethanol exposure during development is associated with deficient social behavior, such as aggressive behavior, and ethanol consumption is associated with violent crimes, thus raising the possibility that individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder may exhibit exacerbated social deficits in response to ethanol exposure. The present study evaluated the effects of ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt period (i.e., a critical time period during which ethanol's effects are augmented) on aggressive behavior and ethanol‐induced aggression during adolescence. From postnatal Day 2 (PD2) to PD8, Swiss mice received either ethanol (5 g/kg, i.p.) or saline on alternate days. On PD39, aggressive behavior was assessed using the resident‐intruder paradigm in male mice, and social dominance was investigated using the tube dominance test in both males and females. Testis structure and testosterone levels were evaluated in male mice. Early ethanol exposure increased the gonadosomatic index and the number of Leydig cells. The thickness of the seminiferous tube decreased. No difference in testosterone levels was found. The ethanol‐exposed resident mice exhibited increased number and duration of aggressive episodes only when challenged with a low ethanol dose (1 g/kg) before confrontation. Female mice early‐exposed to ethanol won more confrontations in the tube dominance test. The present findings suggest a critical brain growth spurt period that is susceptible to ethanol‐induced alterations of social dominance behavior in females. Although basal levels of aggression were unaffected, early ethanol exposure resulted in greater susceptibility to ethanol‐induced aggression in adolescent male mice.
The phenotype associated with variants in TANGO2 may be explained by a dual role of the protein in ER‐to‐Golgi transport and at the mitochondria
Authors: Milev Miroslav P. , Saint‐Dic Djenann , Zardoui Khashayar , Klopstock Thomas , Law Christopher , Distelmaier Felix , Sacher Michael
Published: September 2020

TANGO2 variants result in a complex disease phenotype consisting of recurrent crisis‐induced rhabdomyolysis, encephalopathy, seizures, lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and cardiac arrhythmias. Although first described in a fruit fly model as a protein necessary for some aspect of Golgi function and organization, its role in the cell at a fundamental level has not been addressed. Such studies are necessary to better counsel families regarding treatment options and nutrition management to mitigate the metabolic aspects of the disease. The few studies performed to address the pathway(s) in which TANGO2 functions have led to enigmatic results, with some suggesting defects in membrane traffic while others suggest unknown mitochondrial defects. Here, we have performed a robust membrane trafficking assay on fibroblasts derived from three different individuals harboring TANGO2 variants and show that there is a significant delay in the movement of cargo between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi. Importantly, this delay was attributed to a defect in TANGO2 function. We further show that a portion of TANGO2 protein localizes to the mitochondria through a necessary but not sufficient stretch of amino acids at the amino terminus of the protein. Fibroblasts from affected individuals also displayed changes in mitochondrial morphology. We conclude that TANGO2 functions in both membrane trafficking and in some as yet undetermined role in mitochondria physiology. The phenotype of affected individuals can be partially explained by this dual involvement of the protein.
Morphology of ctenostome bryozoans: 2. Haywardozoon pacificum, with implications of the phylogenetic position of the genus
Authors: Schwaha Thomas , Grischenko Andrei V. , Melnik Viacheslav P.
Published: September 2020

The genus Haywardozoon represent a little known genus of ctenostome bryozoans that has only been found in the deep‐sea. It forms small, mostly uniserial colonies lacking polymorphs. Zooids have a conspicuous apertural closure mechanism consisting of a cuticular lower lip that closes the aperture. The systematic placement of the genus remains uncertain, detailed morphological studies that include soft‐body morphological traits are missing. Consequently, this is the first study analyzing H. pacificum by means of histological serial sections and 3d‐reconstruction. Zooids are ovoid and in some cases solitary, that is, showing no interconnected zooids. Most prominent is the large vestibular wall that can be more than half of the total length of the zooid. Its vestibular wall is particularly lined by a complex, multilayered and branched cuticle. A single pair of lateral parieto‐diaphragmatic muscles is present. The polypide is small and comprises about 17 tentacles. The digestive tract is short, has an elongated cardia, a vestigial caecum and a vestibular anus. An ovipositor/intertentacular organ and several oligolecithal oocytes were detected. Several aspects of zooidal morphology, including the structure of the bilateral aperture, parieto‐diaphragmatic muscles, general structure of the gut and the thick cuticle, clearly indicate an association to the ctenostome superfamily Alcyonidioidea. Therefore, we reject the previous placement into Hislopioidea and suggest a possible association to pherusellid ctenostomes. New reproductive characters show that H. pacificum is a broadcaster contrary to some other deep‐sea forms that are brooding.

Research Highlight

Morphology of ctenostome bryozoans remain little investigated. This contribution is the second of a series of detailed morphological analyses of this understudied clade of bryozoans. The morphological investigation of Haywardozoon pacificum revealed numerous characters that show a closer relationship to Flustrellididrae rather than Hislopiidae as previously assumed.
Role of eosinophils in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of COVID‐19
Authors: Tan Yingzheng , Zhou Juan , Zhou Qing , Hu Lingli , Long Yunzhu
Published: September 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic, which has severely affected global public health security. However, the diagnosis and treatment of the disease need further exploration. Therefore, this retrospective analysis was conducted on multiple indicators of peripheral blood in patients with COVID‐19 to determine the role of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and eosinophils in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of COVID‐19. Baseline information and clinical records of 40 patients were collected, including demographic data, disease status, medication, and laboratory routine. The correlation between the inspection indicators and disease classification, as well as prognostic factors, was analyzed. Decreased eosinophils were detected in 33 out of 40 patients with COVID‐19 on admission, while lymphocytes and eosinophils were inversely related to the severity of the disease, according to the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Thus, it could be deduced that eosinophils have better sensitivity for the diagnosis of COVID‐19 and play a major role similar to lymphocytes in assessing the prognosis of patients.
An improved sliding window prediction‐based outlier detection and correction for volatile time‐series
Authors: Ranjan Kumar G. , Tripathy Debesh S. , Prusty B Rajanarayan , Jena Debashisha
Published: September 2020

Steady‐state forecasting is indispensable for power system planning and operation. A forecasting model for inputs considering their historical record is a preliminary step for such type of studies. Since the historical data quality is decisive in edifice an accurate forecasting model, data preprocessing is essential. Primarily, the quality of raw data is affected by the presence of outliers, and preprocessing refers to outlier detection and correction. In this paper, an effort is made to improve the existing sliding window prediction‐based preprocessing method. The recommended reforms are the calculation of appropriate window width and a new outlier correction approach. The proposed method denoted as improved sliding window prediction‐based preprocessing is applied to the historical data of PV generation, load power, and the ambient temperature of different time‐steps collected from various places in the United States and India. Firstly, the method's efficacy through detailed result analysis demonstrating the proposed preprocessing as a better way than its precursor and k‐nearest neighbor approach is presented. Later, the improved out‐of‐sample forecasting accuracy canonizes the proposed method’s concert compared to both the above techniques and the case without preprocessing.
Polyethylene glycol‐fusion repair of sciatic allografts in female rats achieves immunotolerance via attenuated innate and adaptive responses
Authors: Smith Tyler A. , Ghergherehchi Cameron L. , Mikesh Michelle , Shores Jaimie T. , Tucker Haley O. , Bittner George D.
Published: September 2020

Ablation/segmental loss peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) exhibit poor functional recovery due to slow and inaccurate outgrowth of regenerating axons. Viable peripheral nerve allografts (PNAs) as growth‐guide conduits are immunologically rejected and all anucleated donor/host axonal segments undergo Wallerian degeneration. In contrast, we report that ablation‐type sciatic PNIs repaired by neurorrhaphy of viable sciatic PNAs and a polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐fusion protocol using PEG immediately restored axonal continuity for many axons, reinnervated/maintained their neuromuscular junctions, and prevented much Wallerian degeneration. PEG‐fused PNAs permanently restored many sciatic‐mediated behaviors within 2–6 weeks. PEG‐fused PNAs were not rejected even though host/donors were neither immunosuppressed nor tissue‐matched in outbred female Sprague Dawley rats. Innate and adaptive immune responses to PEG‐fused sciatic PNAs were analyzed using electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for morphological features, T cell and macrophage infiltration, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression, apoptosis, expression of cytokines, chemokines, and cytotoxic effectors. PEG‐fused PNAs exhibited attenuated innate and adaptive immune responses by 14–21 days postoperatively, as evidenced by (a) many axons and cells remaining viable, (b) significantly reduced infiltration of cytotoxic and total T cells and macrophages, (c) significantly reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and MHC proteins, (d) consistently low apoptotic response. Morphologically and/or biochemically, PEG‐fused sciatic PNAs often resembled sciatic autografts or intact sciatic nerves. In brief, PEG‐fused PNAs are an unstudied, perhaps unique, example of immune tolerance of viable allograft tissue in a nonimmune‐privileged environment and could greatly improve the clinical outcomes for PNIs relative to current protocols.
Facilitation of dopamine‐dependent long‐term potentiation in the medial prefrontal cortex of male rats follows the behavioral effects of stress
Authors: Lamanna Jacopo , Isotti Francesco , Ferro Mattia , Racchetti Gabriella , Anchora Lavinia , Rucco Daniele , Malgaroli Antonio
Published: September 2020

The effect of stress on animal behavior and brain activity has been attracting growing attention in the last decades. Stress dramatically affects several aspects of animal behavior, including motivation and cognitive functioning, and has been used to model human pathologies such as post‐traumatic stress disorder. A key question is whether stress alters the plastic potential of synaptic circuits. In this work, we evaluated if stress affects dopamine (DA)‐dependent synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). On male adolescent rats, we characterized anxiety‐ and depressive‐like behaviors using behavioral testing before and after exposure to a mild stress (elevated platform, EP). After the behavioral protocols, we investigated DA‐dependent long‐term potentiation (DA‐LTP) and depression (DA‐LTD) on acute slices of mPFC and evaluated the activation of DA‐producing brain regions by western and dot blot analysis. We show that exposure to the EP stress enhances DA‐LTP and that desipramine (DMI) treatment abolishes this effect. We also found that DA‐LTD is not affected by EP stress unless when this is followed by DMI treatment. In addition, EP stress reduces anxiety, an effect abolished by both DMI and ketamine, while motivation is promoted by previous exposure to EP stress independently of pharmacological treatments. Finally, this form of stress reduces the expression of the early gene cFOS in the ventral tegmental area. These findings support the idea that mild stressors can promote synaptic plasticity in PFC through a dopaminergic mechanism, an effect that might increase the sensitivity of mPFC to subsequent stressful experiences.
Investigating changes in rainfall seasonality across South Africa: 1987–2016
Authors: Roffe Sarah J. , Fitchett Jennifer M. , Curtis Christopher J.
Published: September 2020

Changes in rainfall seasonality across South Africa may have detrimental impacts on crop yields and surface water supplies. Despite this, these have rarely been investigated across the South African summer‐, winter‐ and year‐round rainfall zones (SRZ, WRZ and YRZ respectively) using consistent methods. Rainfall seasonality changes are explored here using daily rainfall and temperature records for 1987–2016 from 46 meteorological stations spanning a grid across South Africa. Focusing on comparable methods that statistically define the SRZ, WRZ, YRZ, we apply a ratio of monthly rainfall: temperature and a percentile‐based wet‐season start‐ and end‐date metric, which each provide annual outputs of the degree of seasonality, and the timing, duration, magnitude and intensity of wet‐season rainfall. Although relatively few statistically significant trends are detected, some regional spatial patterns are evident. Trends for most locations across the southwestern Cape and western coast are indicative of a decrease in the strength of seasonality with a reduction in winter wet‐season rainfall, and are broadly consistent with observed and projected poleward dynamics of the southern hemisphere subtropical high‐pressure belt and mid‐latitude westerlies. Trends towards later wet‐season start‐dates together with a reduction in summer wet‐season rainfall amount are prominent across most of the interior and northeastern locations, and may be linked to Hadley cell expansion recorded in recent decades. Along the southern coast, trends towards an increase in the degree of seasonality together with a shorter wet‐season, concentrated around the winter months, are evident. If sustained, the trends quantified present a concerning outlook for continued crop production and water resource management, and thus warrant further investigations on rainfall seasonality shifts and the drivers thereof across southern Africa.
Effect of tropical sub‐seasonal variability on heatwaves over India
Authors: Zore Tukaram , Landu Kiranmayi , Gogoi Partha Pratim , Vinoj Velu
Published: September 2020

One of the important consequences of changing climate is the increase in temperature extremes and heat stress over many regions of the world. Understanding the various factors that modulate these events on different time scales is of utmost importance due to their great societal relevance. For example, understanding and prediction on sub‐seasonal time scales is crucial for reducing losses due to extremes and diligent management of limited resources. In this study, the effect of tropical intraseasonal oscillations like convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) such as equatorial Rossby wave (ER), Kelvin wave, mixed Rossby gravity waves and the Madden and Julian Oscillations (MJO) in modulating heatwaves occurrence over India is explored. We find that these oscillations significantly modulate extreme heat events. The extent of the modulation is also found to be highly dependent on the location, type and phase of these waves. The maximum effect is observed in case of ER with positive phase (defined as high outgoing longwave radiation phase) enhancing the frequency of the events by almost twice the normal values, and supporting long duration and more intense heatwaves while the opposite phase totally suppresses the heatwave events. The effect of MJO is region dependent with positive (negative) phase increasing (decreasing) the heatwave frequency over South and Eastern (North‐western) parts of the country. Kelvin and MT waves are also found to have lesser but significant effect on heatwaves, and mostly reduces the occurrence of heatwaves. Overall, the study shoes that the ER wave has the most significant effect on the frequency and duration of heatwaves over the study region.
Aerobic capacity and fatigability are associated with activity levels in women with hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Foucher Kharma C. , Aydemir Burcu , Huang Chun‐Hao , Horras Megan , Chmell Samuel J.
Published: September 2020

Physical activity is important for physical function and pain relief in people with lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA). Unfortunately, people with OA are not as active as their peers without OA. The objective of this study was to determine whether aerobic capacity and fatigability are associated with physical activity in women with hip OA. We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 36 women with hip OA. We assessed aerobic fitness as predicted VO2max from a 6‐min walk test. We assessed fatigability using a treadmill test. Finally, we assessed self‐reported physical activity using the UCLA activity scale and quantified steps per day and activity intensity using accelerometers. We used Pearson correlations to determine associations. We used regression analysis to determine whether fatigability mediated the association between aerobic fitness and physical activity. On average, subjects were moderately active via the UCLA score (5.2 ± 1.3 out of 10). Aerobic fitness (R = 0.582,p < .001) and fatigability (R = 0.516,p =.003) were significantly correlated with UCLA scores. However, aerobic fitness was the best predictor of UCLA scores, as well as sedentary time, and time spent in light activity. Fatigability was not a mediator between aerobic fitness and UCLA scores. Aerobic fitness and fatigability may be modifiable barriers to physical activity in people with OA. Future interventional studies should examine whether improving aerobic fitness improves physical activity or fatigability.
Ecometrics and the paleoecological implications of Pleistocene faunas from the western coastal plains of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
Authors: Faith J. Tyler , Braun David R. , Davies Benjamin , DeSantis Larisa R. G. , Douglass Matthew J. , Esteban Irene , Hare Vincent , Levin Naomi E. , Luyt Julie , Pickering Robyn , Power Mitchell J. , Sealy Judith , Stynder Deano
Published: September 2020

The Pleistocene ungulate communities from the western coastal plains of South Africa's Cape Floristic Region (CFR) are diverse and dominated by grazers, in contrast to the region's Holocene and historical faunas, which are relatively species‐poor and dominated by small‐bodied browsers and mixed feeders. An expansion of grassy habitats is clearly implied by the Pleistocene faunas, but the presence of ruminant grazers that cannot survive the summer dry season typical of the region today suggests other important paleoecological changes. Here we use dental ecometrics to explore the paleoecological implications of the region's Pleistocene faunas. We show that the dental traits (hypsodonty and occlusal topography) of the ungulates that occurred historically in the CFR track annual and summer aridity, and we use these relationships to reconstruct past aridity. Our results indicate that the Pleistocene faunas signal paleoenvironments that were on average less arid than today, including during the summer, consistent with other lines of evidence that suggest a higher water table and expansion of well‐watered habitats. Greater water availability can be explained by lower temperature and reduced evapotranspiration during cooler phases of the Pleistocene, probably coupled with enhanced groundwater recharge due to increased winter precipitation.
How do firms reorganize to implement digital transformation?
Authors: Balakrishnan Radhakrishnan , Das Satyasiba
Published: September 2020

The paper follows an explorative approach to digital transformation (DT), an organizational transformation achieved through digital technologies such as mobile technologies, social media, cloud, internet‐of‐things, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence. The study involving qualitative research on 14 technology‐intensive firms, attempts to understand structural changes and managerial actions associated with DT. The study has found that medium and large‐sized firms handle innovation and operations separately wherein the small firms build innovation into operations by embedding relevant skills in team members. The small firms focus on process innovation whereas the other firms focus on both process optimization and new market offerings. The study has new findings on DT managerial actions that include organization‐centric activities linked to employee engagement, external stakeholder‐centric activities connected to partner engagement, and technology‐centric activities related to achieving economies of scale. This study provides a basis for both the academicians and practitioners while embarking on DT.
Exit, voice, loyalty to sport organization power
Authors: Lassalle Frédéric
Published: September 2020

This research focuses on the relational dynamics between organizations. The goal is to link Hirschman's (1970) model Exit, Voice, Loyalty (EVL), to Galbraith's (1983) power model Personality, Property, and Organization (PPO). The study will show a preferential link between one power of PPO model and a mode of conflict of the EVL model. The existence of control over the dominant organization leads to a choice of a suitable mode of conflict for a strategic change.