bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and laboratory characteristics in outpatient diagnosis of COVID-19 in healthcare professionals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Porto Luís Cristóvão , da Costa Claudia Henrique , Nunes Alessandra Sant’Anna , Bouzas Isabel , Ferreira Tiago C. , Porto Vinicius M. , Secco Danielle A. , Vilas Boas Sandra P. C. , Faria Anamelia C. , Marins Rosangela A. G. , Duarte Cíntia A. , Bittencourt Elizabeth P. , Loureiro Anderson V. , Santos Angela Maria G. , Souza Vania Maria A. , Silva Fernanda H. , Lopes Maria Cristina , Castro Marcelle V. , Silva Areta D. , Vasconcelos Flavia M. , Moreira Diego S. , Motta Juliana P. , Lima Cristiano V. , Menezes Raphaela S. , Brazão Nathalia B. V. , Nogueira Jeane S. , Villela Silva Ana Paula , Brito Ingrid A.A. , Costa Scarlathe B. , Lemes Roberta Mariana R. , dePaula Jessica Isis O. , Bongionanni Giovanna L. , Bezerra Ohana C. L. , Andrade-Neto Valter V. , Morette Leonardo , Barbosa Rafael S. , Sanches Jose Afonso L. , Melo Pedro L. , Freire Sergio M. , Souza Romulo , Gomes Laiz , Felizardo Denize P. , Rodrigues Alexsandre V. , Franco Priscila A. , Miranda Renata , Rufino Rogerio
Published: October 2020

Aims

This study aimed to identify the symptoms associated with early stage SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infections in healthcare professionals (HCP) using both clinical and laboratory data.

Methods

A total of 1,297 patients, admitted between March 18 and April 8, 2020, were stratified according to their risk of developing COVID-19 using their responses to a questionnaire designed to evaluate symptoms and risk conditions.

Results

Anosmia/hyposmia (p <0.0001), fever (p<0.0001), body pain (p<0.0001), and chills (p=0.001) were all independent predictors for COVID-19, with a 72% estimated probability for detecting COVID-19 in nasopharyngeal swab samples. Leukopenia, relative monocytosis, decreased eosinophil values, CRP, and platelets were also shown to be significant independent predictors for COVID-19.

Conclusions

The significant clinical features for COVID-19 were identified as anosmia, fever, chills, and body pain. Elevated CRP, leukocytes under 5,400 x 109/L, and relative monocytosis (>9%) were common among patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. These variables may help, in the absence of RT-PCR tests, to identify possible COVID-19 infections during pandemic outbreaks.

From March 19 to April 8 2020, 1,297 patients attended the Polyclinic Piquet Carneiro for COVID-19 detection. Healthcare professional data was analyzed, significant clinical features were anosmia, fever, chills and body pain. Elevated CRP, leukopenia and monocytosis were common in COVID-19.
deMeta: Removing sub-studies from meta-analysis of genome wide association studies (GWAS)
Authors: Sun Jiangming , Wang Yunpeng
Published: October 2020

Post-GWAS studies using the results from large consortium meta-analysis often need to correctly take care of the overlapping sample issue. The gold standard approach for resolving this issue is to reperform the GWAS or meta-analysis excluding the overlapped participants. However, such approach is time-consuming and, sometimes, restricted by the available data.deMetaprovides a user friendly and computationally efficient command-line implementation for removing the effect of a contributing sub-study to a consortium from the meta-analysis results. Only the summary statistics of the meta-analysis the sub-study to be removed are required. In addition,deMetacan generate contrasting Manhattan and quantile-quantile plots for users to visualize the impact of the sub-study on the meta-analysis results.

Availability and Implementation

The python source code, examples and documentations ofdeMetaare publicly available athttps://github.com/Computational-NeuroGenetics/deMeta-beta.

Contact

jiangming.sun@med.lu.se(J. Sun);yunpeng.wang@psykologi.uio.no(Y. Wang)

Supplementary information

None.
Structure of transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase reveals unique organization of EF and dioxygenase domains
Authors: Myllykoski Matti , Sutinen Aleksi , Koski M. Kristian , Kallio Juha P. , Raasakka Arne , Myllyharju Johanna , Wierenga Rikkert , Koivunen Peppi
Published: October 2020

Prolyl 4-hydroxylases (P4Hs) catalyze post-translational hydroxylation of peptidyl proline residues. In addition to collagen P4Hs and hypoxia-inducible factor P4Hs, a poorly characterized endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H-TM) is found in animals. P4H-TM variants are associated with the familiar neurological HIDEA syndrome. Here, the 3D structure of the soluble human P4H-TM was solved using X-ray crystallography. The structure revealed an EF-domain with two Ca2+-binding motifs inserted to the catalytic domain. A substrate-binding cavity was formed between the EF-domain and the catalytic domain. The active site contained bound Fe2+and N-oxalylglycine. Comparison to homologous structures complexed with peptide substrates showed that the substrate interacting residues and the lid structure that folds over the substrate are conserved in P4H-TM. Differences to homologs were found in the extensive loop structures that surround the substrate-binding cavity and generate a negative surface charge. Ca2+-binding affinity of P4H-TM was determined to be within the range of physiological Ca2+concentration in the ER. The proximity of the EF-domain to the active site suggests that Ca2+-binding is relevant to the catalytic activity. P4H-TM was found both as a monomer and a dimer in solution, but the monomer-dimer equilibrium was not regulated by Ca2+. The solved 3D structure suggests that the HIDEA variants cause loss of P4H-TM function. In conclusion, P4H-TM shares key structural elements with the known P4Hs while possessing a unique property among the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases having an EF-domain and a catalytic activity potentially regulated by Ca2+.
What do unit root tests tell us about unemployment hysteresis in transition economies?
Authors: Çağlayan Akay Ebru , Oskonbaeva Zamira , Bülbül Hoşeng
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the hysteresis hypothesis in unemployment using monthly data from 13 countries in transition.

Design/methodology/approach

Stationarity in the unemployment rate of selected transition economies was analyzed using four different group unit root tests, namely, linear, structural breaks, non-linear and structural breaks and non-linear.

Findings

The empirical results show that the unemployment hysteresis hypothesis is valid for the majority of transition economies, including Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, the Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia. However, the results strongly reject the null hypothesis of unemployment hysteresis for the Kazakhstan and the Slovak Republics.

Originality/value

This study revealed that, for countries in transition, advanced unit root tests exhibit greater validity when compared to standard tests
Employment discrimination against gender diverse individuals in Western Australia
Authors: Bates Trudy , Thomas Cati S. , Timming Andrew R.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper explores employment discrimination against gender diverse job applicants and employees in Western Australia (WA).

Design/methodology/approach

Using grounded theory, this study draws on semi-structured interviews with respondents (n = 20) who identified as trans women, trans men, nonbinary or agender. Thematic analysis focused on the multiple dimensions of disadvantage experienced by respondents, including subtle, not so subtle and overt types of employment discrimination.

Findings

The authors’ results point to several reasons why gender diverse individuals (GDIs) may fear the labor market, including difficulties in concealing their stigma and acquiescence to discrimination. On the other hand, our results also point to sources of organizational support, including encouragement from direct line managers and colleagues who are also Allies.

Practical implications

The results of the research have important implications for sociological frameworks surrounding dramaturgy, stigma, aesthetic labor, organizational silence and social identity. Practical implications for employers, employees, human resource (HR) professionals and trade unions are also articulated.

Originality/value

Whereas previous studies have prioritized the discriminatory experiences of GDIs in the US and European labor markets, this study reports on gender diverse voices in WA. Furthermore, recent work on this topic has been experimental and largely quantitative, whereas the present study offers a compelling set of profound narratives, thereby addressing calls for qualitative research that foregrounds the complexities and nuances of lived experience for GDIs and renders their voices heard.
Disrupting rules of emotion in an urban English classroom
Authors: Sosa Teresa , Hall Allison H. , Collins Brian
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the regulation of emotions in critical literacy, its resulting racial oppression and students’ response to emotional control. The authors examine a student discussion of a poem, looking specifically at the affective responses of students’ interactions as these open possibilities for identifying ways that students confront, resist and subvert emotional control. This research question asks how students resisted limited forms of emotion and enabled opportunities for varied affective forms of engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

In this analysis, the authors explored both emotions and discourse (broadly defined as languages, actions, embodied acts, etc.) as they construct the flow of activity in this discussion. The authors also looked at past familiar practices that make the present one recognizable and meaningful.

Findings

The findings indicate black students resisted emotion rules by discussing racism, a highly taboo subject in schools. Students also rallied against an interpretation that felt as a distraction, an attempt to negate or shut down the naming and sensing of racism in the poem and in the classroom. Despite the constant regulation of emotions before, during and after the discussion, black youth firmly indicated their right to judge the interpretation that the poem had nothing to do with racism as inadequate and steeped in whiteness.

Originality/value

In schools, critical literacy often fails to attend to how emotions are managed and reflect racial control and dominance. For critical literacy as an anti-oppressive pedagogy to confront the oppressive status quo of schools, it must no longer remain silent or leave unquestioned rules of emotional dispositions that target marginalized students.
Harmful cultural practices and HIV stigma as psychosocial issues in North Central Nigeria
Authors: Nalah Augustine Bala , Azlinda Azman , Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of harmful cultural practices and its implications on stigmatization and the spread of HIV infection among people diagnosed with HIV in North Central Nigeria. It will help to identify the cultural values that pose a threat to the social, health and psychological well-being of the members of the society. This study will provide recommendations through educational teachings to community leaders and policymakers for health-care protection through Human Rights Act.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the qualitative phenomenological research design through a face-to-face in-depth interview to collect data using the audio recorder and field notes. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit, from three selected hospitals, 20 participants aged 18 years–56 years who gave their consent by filling the informed consent form between April 2019 and July 2019. The data collected were analyzed through thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 8 software. Also, thematic network analysis was used to visualize the themes, sub-themes and quotations.

Findings

The study findings indicate that sociocultural factors and HIV stigma in Nigeria are significant psychosocial problems that have adverse implications for health and psychological well-being. These problems contribute to the harmful traditional practices, thereby making people vulnerable to contracting HIV infection. The nontherapeutic practices of female genital mutilation, sexual intercourse during menstruation and tribal marks or scarification cause medical complications such as vesicovaginal fistula, rectovaginal fistula and HIV infection. Also, the practice of 18 months of sexual abstinence during breastfeeding predisposes couples to extramarital affairs and HIV infections. The findings also reveal that lack of education contributes to gender inequality.

Originality/value

The research uses a scientific method using ATLAS.ti 8 software for the transcription, organization and thematic analysis of the qualitative data. The study findings will benefit specifically the young girls and women who are usually the victims of the harmful cultural practices of female genital mutilation, gender inequality, sexual intercourse during menstruation and lack of female education in North Central Nigeria. Also, this study will serve as a relevant document and guide for policy implementation of Human and Child Rights Acts against all harmful cultural practices and gender inequality.
The impact of information technology capabilities on agri-food supply chain performance: the mediating effects of interorganizational relationships
Authors: Zeng Mengjie , Lu Jianjun
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Motivated by the apparent presence of the “productivity paradox” of information technology (IT) in agri-food supply chain (SC), the purpose of this paper is to explore how IT capabilities affect agri-food supply chain performance (SCP). Specifically, this paper investigates the direct and indirect impacts of IT capabilities on agri-food SCP through interorganizational relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the questionnaire survey method based on relevant literatures. Data are collected from Chinese 265 core firms' agri-food SC. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is mainly employed for hypothesis testing and analysis.

Findings

The main findings are as follows. First, IT capabilities have significant direct impact on agri-food SCP. Second, IT capabilities enhance interorganizational relationships in the agri-food SC. Third, interorganizational relationships positively influence agri-food SCP. Last, interorganizational relationships are important path factors and mediate the indirect impact of IT capabilities on agri-food SCP.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to a particular sample, that is, agriculture-related firms in Chinese agri-food SC. The results need to be generalized to encompass wider samples. Future research could in greater detail study the links among IT capabilities, interorganizational relationships and agri-food SCP.

Practical implications

The study's findings could provide practical reference value for agriculture-related firms to design appropriate strategies to solve the IT “productivity paradox” and improve agri-food SCP from the perspectives of IT capabilities and interorganizational relationships.

Originality/value

This paper constructs a newly developed framework based on the resource-based view (RBV) and relational view to examine the links among IT capabilities, interorganizational relationships and agri-food SCP, and innovatively verifies the mediating effect of interorganizational relationships on the impact of IT capabilities on agri-food SCP.
Predicting trust in police: the impact of instrumental and expressive concerns in street-identified Black-American men and women
Authors: Chambers Darryl L. , Payne Yasser A. , Sun Ivan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

While the past few decades have witnessed a substantial number of studies on public attitudes toward the police, a relatively thin line of inquiry has focused exclusively on low income urban Black-Americans, and especially street-identified Black populations. The purpose of this paper, however, is to examine trust in police amongst street-identified Black men and women.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on a street participatory action research methodological approach, the authors collected survey data (N = 520) from two low-income unban Black neighborhoods, to examine the effects of an instrumental model versus an expressive model on procedural- and outcome-based trust in police.

Findings

The findings suggested a community sample of street-identified Black men and women were able to differentiate between procedural- and outcome-based trust. The instrumental model was better in predicting procedural-based trust in police, while the expressive model accounted better for outcome-based trust in police.

Research limitations/implications

Implications for street participatory action research methodology, future research and policy are also discussed.

Originality/value

This paper is an original manuscript.
Species distribution modelling is needed to support ecological impact assessments
Authors: Baker David J. , Maclean Ilya M. D. , Goodall Martin , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: October 2020

Legislation commonly mandates the mitigation of impacts to biodiversity in planning and development processes, with potential impacts identified through some form of ecological impact assessment. Yet, protections for biodiversity are frequently undermined because the distributions of priority species are poorly known in most locations at the spatial scales required to inform planning decisions (i.e. c. 1–100 ha).

Planning applications are often screened against opportunistic records to determine potential impacts to priority species. However, raw occurrence records provide information only on where a species has been detected and cannot be used to indicate if a species is likely to be absent from a site.

Inferences drawn from these data on the likelihood of a species being present at a site can only be correctly interpreted through an appropriate species distribution modelling (SDM) framework that ensures assumptions about the data and models are formalised and documented. We argue that SDM frameworks must be integrated into ecological impact assessments to improve support for biodiversity protections within planning and development processes.

Biases and uncertainties in opportunistic data create modelling challenges, but recent methodological advances can minimise their impacts on predictions. We advocate co‐production with practitioners of SDM tools, mapping products and best‐practice guidelines specific to planning processes.

Policy implications. The integration of species distribution modelling frameworks into ecological impact assessments will strengthen biodiversity protections in planning and development processes by ensuring methodological transparency and rigour in the interpretation of species occurrence data.
Riparian buffers act as microclimatic refugia in oil palm landscapes
Authors: Williamson Joseph , Slade Eleanor M. , Luke Sarah H. , Swinfield Tom , Chung Arthur Y. C. , Coomes David A. , Heroin Herry , Jucker Tommaso , Lewis Owen T. , Vairappan Charles S. , Rossiter Stephen J. , Struebig Matthew J.
Published: October 2020

There is growing interest in the ecological value of set‐aside habitats around rivers in tropical agriculture. These riparian buffers typically comprise forest or other non‐production habitat, and are established to maintain water quality and hydrological processes, while also supporting biodiversity, ecosystem function and landscape connectivity.

We investigated the capacity for riparian buffers to act as microclimatic refugia by combining field‐based measurements of temperature, humidity and dung beetle communities with remotely sensed data from LiDAR across an oil palm dominated landscape in Borneo.

Riparian buffers offer a cool and humid habitat relative to surrounding oil palm plantations, with wider buffers characterised by conditions comparable to riparian sites in continuous logged forest.

High vegetation quality and topographic sheltering were strongly associated with cooler and more humid microclimates in riparian habitats across the landscape. Variance in beetle diversity was also predicted by both proximity‐to‐edge and microclimatic conditions within the buffer, suggesting that narrow buffers amplify the negative impacts that high temperatures have on biodiversity.

Synthesis and applications. Widely legislated riparian buffer widths of 20–30 m each side of a river may provide drier and less humid microclimatic conditions than continuous forest. Adopting wider buffers and maintaining high vegetation quality will ensure set‐asides established for hydrological reasons bring co‐benefits for terrestrial biodiversity, both now, and in the face of anthropogenic climate change.
Language use in ancestry research and estimation
Authors: Maier Christopher , Craig Alba , Adams Donovan M.
Published: October 2020

Recent discussions have revolved around the concept of ancestry and ancestry estimation; however, the associated terminology and its theoretical underpinnings have not been similarly examined. This research evaluates the concepts (e.g., race, ancestry, ethnicity) currently in use, examines if they are consistent with the groups employed to illustrate them (e.g., Black, European, Hispanic), and looks for patterns in language usage. Articles in the Anthropology, Odontology, and General sections of theJournal of Forensic Sciencesbetween 2009 and 2019 were evaluated for ancestry‐related language use. For each article, the concepts, examples, and bibliographic information were recorded, and the relationship between concept and example was examined. These data were cross‐tabulated to evaluate relationships between the variables. Cramer's V was used to assess the strength of association of these relationships. In this sample, ancestry predominates, especially recently The concept used is significantly associated with all variables except publication date and authors’ institution(s). Despite the prevalence of the ancestry concept, racially based terms for individual groups were common. The use of ancestry, over race, in forensic contexts has been suggested to be a primarily linguistic change; these results may support that assertion. Inconsistent language usage leads to a lack of clarity in meaning among researchers and misinterpretation of the data. It is critical to recognize that inconsistencies exist, but also to understand why they exist. These results underscore the long overdue need for the inclusion of diverse perspectives in forensic anthropology, especially in the current conversations surrounding ancestry and ancestry estimation.
Results of the 3D Virtual Comparison Microscopy Error Rate (VCMER) Study for firearm forensics
Authors: Chapnick Chad , Weller Todd J. , Duez Pierre , Meschke Eric , Marshall John , Lilien Ryan
Published: October 2020

The digital examination of scanned or measured 3D surface topography is referred to as Virtual Comparison Microscopy (VCM). Within the discipline of firearm and toolmark examination, VCM enables review and comparison of microscopic toolmarks on fired ammunition components. In the coming years, this technique may supplement and potentially replace the light comparison microscope as the primary instrument used for firearm and toolmark examination. This paper describes a VCM error rate and validation study involving 107 participants. The study included 40 test sets of fired cartridge cases from firearms with a variety of makes, models, and calibers. Participants used commercially available VCM software which allowed digital data distribution, specimen visualization, and submission of conclusions. The software also allowed participants to annotate areas of similarity and dissimilarity to support their conclusions. The primary cohort of 76 qualified United States and Canadian examiners that completed the study had an overall false‐positive error rate of 3 errors from 693 comparisons (0.43%) and a false‐negative error rate of 0 errors from 491 comparisons (0.0%). This accuracy is supplemented by the participant's provided surface annotations which provide insight into the cause of errors and the overall consistency across the independent examinations conducted in the study. The ability to obtain highly accurate conclusions on test fires from a wide range of firearms supports the hypothesis that VCM is a useful tool within the crime laboratory.
Bilateral synchronous tonsillar metastasis from a mixed form of neuroendocrine tumor in the lung: Case report and literature review
Authors: Noël Antoine , Rodriguez Alexandra , Lelong Clément , Noël Jean‐Christophe
Published: October 2020

Here, we report the case of a 54‐year‐old man with a history of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung, who developed bilateral neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the palatine tonsils. Faced with this atypical situation, another biopsy of the lung lesion was performed, revealing NEC histology patterns. This article describes the first case of metastasis to the bilateral palatine tonsils from the NEC component of a mixed NEC/SCC of the lung, highlighting the importance of reconsidering the diagnosis of the primary tumor histology, particularly in lung cancer with the possible presence of mixed tumor after phenotype transdifferentiation of the primary tumor.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

Mixed lung carcinoma can be revealed after the presence of neuroendocrine carcinoma metastasis.

What this study adds

Bilateral neuroendocrine carcinoma of the palatine tonsils should be considered as metastases, particularly in the presence of lung cancer with a poor response to treatment.
Postnatal testicular development and actin appearance in the seminiferous epithelium of the Habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis
Authors: Kurohmaru Masamichi , Matsui Toshiyasu , Igarashi Hitomi , Hattori Shosaku , Hayashi Yoshihiro
Published: October 2020

The postnatal testicular development and actin distribution in the seminiferous epithelium were examined by light microscopy, using the testes of the Habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis; snake) from 0‐year‐old to 3‐year‐old. At 0‐year‐old (about 1 month after birth), the testis was quite small in size, and the seminiferous epithelium was composed of only Sertoli cells and large spermatogonia. Actin immunoreactivity was observed in the peritubular myoid cells, but could not be detected in the seminiferous epithelium. At 1‐year‐old (about 10 months after birth), the testicular size increased to a great degree. In the seminiferous epithelium, spermatocytes newly appeared. Actin could still not be detected in the seminiferous epithelium. At 2‐year‐old (about 1 year and 10 months after birth), the testes continued to develop in size. In the seminiferous epithelium, elongate spermatids and round spermatids were frequently seen, in addition to Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Thus, active spermatogenesis was clearly recognized at this age. Moreover, the actin distribution in the seminiferous epithelium was observed at the site between Sertoli cells and spermatids, as well as that at adult stage. The immunoreactivity of actin in the peritubular myoid cells gradually increased from 0‐year‐old to 2‐year‐old. Conclusively, it seems likely that spermatogenesis in the Habu initiates at 2‐year‐old, accompanying with the appearance of actin in the seminiferous epithelium.
Study bystanders and ethical treatment of study participants—A proof of concept
Authors: Eyal Nir
Published: October 2020

The ethics of research on human subjects is often construed as a fine balance between the interests of patients in need of novel health interventions, and those of study participants who should remain safe in the process. But there is a third group in the mix. Some people belong to neither category, yet research can affect or jeopardize them. Call such people “bystanders.” This article shows that thinking about bystander protection can question whether there is an upper limit on the risks that studies may legitimately visit upon their participants. Thus, thinking about appropriate bystander protection can shed light on the appropriate protection of study participants. Core research ethics, which focuses on the latter, must consider the former as well.
“Unexpected event”: Having an infants with cleft lip and/or palate
Authors: Çınar Sevil , Ay Ayşe , Boztepe Handan , Gürlen Eda
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to determine the difficulties that the mothers of infants with a cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) go through, the problems they encounter in this process, and how they perceive the support of healthcare professionals, families, and friends. The study used a phenomenological approach from qualitative research methods. The study sample included 18 mothers of 0 to 3‐month‐old infants with CL/P. The data were collected using socio‐demographic information form and semi‐structured interview form. The data obtained from the interviews were evaluated using content and thematic analysis approaches. On the basis of the interviews conducted with mothers of infants with CL/P, the following themes emerged: (a) “unexpected event: having an infant with CL/P,” (b) “using social media,” (c) “stigma,” and (d) “uncertainty of long‐term treatment.” In this study, it was determined that mothers experienced shock, confusion, sadness, and disappointment in this process; therefore, they used social media to seek support from the families as well as conducted research on the disease that involved a lot of uncertainty due to long‐term treatments. The present study can help healthcare professionals, who play a role in the care and treatment of infants with CL/P, to understand and know what mothers need in the preoperative period.
Historical social stratification and mobility in Costa Rica, 1840–2006†
Authors: Diaz Vidal Daniel
Published: October 2020

Using both rare and ethnically identified surnames, this study tracks the economic status of social groups in Costa Rica between 1840 and 2006. The results show that, despite its relative equality compared to most of Latin America, social mobility rates in Costa Rica were low, with an intergenerational correlation of status at the surname level near 0.8. Social mobility rates in recent years have been as low as they were in the nineteenth century. Interestingly, however, these low rates of mobility are no worse than those in Chile, England, or Sweden in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There is no indication that Costa Rica was an unusually immobile society, despite its ethnic differences and Latin America's reputation for low social mobility rates.
Response to the Letter to the Editor on ‘On Quantile‐based Asymmetric Family of Distributions: Properties and Inference’
Authors: Gijbels Irène , Karim Rezaul , Verhasselt Anneleen
Published: October 2020

Rubio (2020) points out an identification problem for the four‐parameter family of two‐piece asymmetric densities introduced by Nassiri & Loris (2013). This implies that statistical inference for that family is problematic. Establishing probabilistic properties for this four‐parameter family however still makes sense. For the three‐parameter family, there is no identification problem. The main contribution in Gijbelset al. (2019a) is to provide asymptotic results for maximum likelihood and method‐of‐moments estimators forallmembers of the three‐parameter quantile‐based asymmetric family of distributions.
Farmer’s participatory approach for breed improvement in Malpura sheep
Authors: Gowane Gopal R. , Sharma Lalit Mohan , Misra S. S. , Mallick P. K. , Kumar Arun
Published: October 2020

The objective of the study was to propose a model for a community‐based breeding programme (CBBP) in Malpura sheep. The study was carried out for nine years (2012–2018) in 31 villages covering 77 flocks. The average flock size was 54.39 ± 0.65. The study revealed that the Malpura sheep is a long‐day breeder with 72.1% of lambing during August to January. The higher concentration of lambing in this period is to avoid the stress of harsh summer and scarcity of feed. The disposal pattern of male lambs was stringent due to selection. Only 3.1% of male lambs reach to adult stage. For females, the replacement rate was 34.11%. The live weights (kg) from 8,263 lambs were 3.34 ± 0.01, 14.61 ± 0.04, 20.48 ± 0.07 and 30.01 ± 0.16, for birth, three‐, six‐ and 12‐month age, respectively. Non‐genetic factors such as sex, season and year of birth and flock significantly influenced growth. The heritability was 0.20 ± 0.03, 0.20 ± 0.008, 0.23 ± 0.004 and 0.17 ± 0.009 for birth, three‐, six‐ and 12‐month weight, respectively. This indicated scope for genetic improvement, given a systematic breeding programme, is in place. The present model followed by sheep breeders is highly dependent upon the Government aided Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) for supply of breeding rams, data collection and health care. Alternate self‐sustainable model of CBBP is proposed wherein a breeder's organization leads the way to establish a ram‐rearing centre (RRC), teams of experts for ram selection, data collection and market linkage. CSWRI will continue to assist for selection decisions and real‐time data entry using a cloud‐based “Avimegh” platform. The early selection of 5% male lambs at weaning and rearing them at RRC until final selection at 12‐month will provide unbiased selection of rams under CBBP. The surplus rams will be sold by RRC for profit. Several key measures such as micro‐finance, co‐ordination between stakeholders, market linkage and technical input for data collection and selection have been suggested to make the CBBP self‐sustainable.
Healthcare professionals‐related factors affecting parents' participation in decision making for neonates with life‐threatening conditions: A qualitative study
Authors: Banazadeh Marjan , Khanjari Sedigheh , Naddaf Amir , Oskouie Fatemeh
Published: October 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Neonates with life‐threatening conditions face complex clinical circumstances that confront parents and professionals with ethical decisions. Parents' participation in decision making has not gained sufficient attention in practice. Understanding factors affecting parents' participation is required. This study is part of a comprehensive project that explored the process of parents' participation in decision making for neonates with life‐threatening conditions. The current study aimed to explore healthcare professionals‐related factors affecting parents' participation in decision‐making for neonates with life‐threatening conditions.

Methods

A grounded theory methodology was used in the comprehensive project. Twenty‐two interviews/68 hours of observation were conducted. Data were concurrently analysed throughout data generation and constant comparative analysis. Data collected until theoretical saturation was reached, the extracted categories were coherent and the emerging theory made sense. After coding stages, the core category and the relationships with other main categories involved in the process of parents' participation in decision‐making were developed. For this study, the category reflecting healthcare professionals‐related factors affecting parents' participation in decision‐making was reported.

Results

Four themes were found: risk aversion including fear of litigation, fear of being accountable to the parents, and fear of bearing emotional distress; unprofessionalism including poor adherence to professional ethics, inadequate skill/knowledge, poor communication, and nurses' negligence in playing their professional role; information deficiencies including insufficient information, conflicting information, and complex and technical information, and clashes of attitudes including conflict about parents' participation in decision‐making and conflict about the best interest of neonates.

Conclusion

Professionals should be aware of their role in involving parents in decision making. Training professionals on family centred care principle and communication skills contribute to support parents emotionally and respond empathically to their negative expressions. Training on ethics, development, and dissemination of guidelines and rules of conduct can make professionals more sensitive to ethical aspects of their work and may reduce their fear of litigation.
A serum containing vitamins C & E and a matrix‐repair tripeptide reduces facial signs of aging as evidenced by Primos® analysis and frequently repeated auto‐perception
Authors: Lintner Karl , Gerstein Francine , Solish Nowell
Published: October 2020

Background

Allegations on the benefits of incorporating vitamin C, vitamin E, and combinations thereof in topical skincare formulations are mostly based on in vitro and ex vivo experiments and/or limited protocols of specific stress conditions (pollution, UV exposure, laser irradiation,…).

Objective

To evaluate the instrumentally measurable effects and quantitative consumer perceptions of a protective and reparative serum on a panel of volunteers under normal nonstressed conditions of use, employing FOITS technology and innovative self‐assessment methods.

Method

In an open‐label study women of ≥40 years with visible signs of photoaging applied a serum comprising l‐ascorbic acid USP (15% w/v), tocopheryl acetate USP, and 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide‐38 to the face once daily for 56 days. Skin roughness and isotropy changes were evaluated on days 0, 28, and 56, visual instrumental evaluation of skin‐tone parameters was assessed on days 0 and 56. Subjects completed self‐assessment questionnaires every third day of the trial period for radiance, homogeneity, and wrinkle appearance.

Results

Skin‐roughness parameters decreased significantly by 8%‐9% (P < .05) and subjects experienced a significant increase in skin isotropy (P < .05). Photographic analysis revealed significant improvements in skin tone, with a 9% decrease in redness and 8% increase in homogeneity (P < .0001 for both), in excellent agreement with subjects' perception of significant improvements of radiance, complexion, and wrinkles.

Conclusion

The study confirms statistically significant correlation between objectively measured and quantitative subjectively perceived benefits of the bespoke serum containing antioxidants and a matrix‐restoring peptide.
Glioblastoma and malignant melanoma: Serendipitous or anticipated association?
Authors: Yang Kevin , Stein Thor D. , Huber Bertrand R. , Sartor Emmett A. , Rachlin Jacob R. , Mahalingam Meera
Published: October 2020

We describe a patient who had primary glioblastoma (GB) and malignant melanoma (MM). A 78‐year‐old man presented with several weeks to months of history of gait disturbance, confusion, memory disturbance, and worsening speech. Imaging studies performed on admission revealed a large frontotemporal lobe mass associated with the surrounding zone of vasogenic edema. Given the patient's medical history of incomplete biopsy of a midback tumor performed three weeks before, the presumptive clinical diagnosis was metastatic MM. Pathological examination of frozen sections of fragmented specimens obtained at stereotactic biopsy performed on admission revealed a high‐grade malignant neoplasm characterized by discohesive cells in a blue myxoid background and abundant foci of tumor necrosis. Given these features, in conjunction with the abovementioned pathological report, the frozen section diagnosis by the neuropathologist was “neoplasm identified, favor melanoma.” Due to the paucity of lesional tissue, a limited immunohistochemistry performed on the permanent sections revealed positive staining of lesional cells for Sox10 alone using a multiplex MART1/Sox10 immunostain and S‐100 protein, an immunohistochemical profile supporting the presumptive frozen section diagnosis. A tumor debulk procedure, performed two weeks later, revealed histopathologic features most compatible with GB, IDH wild‐type. Thus, additional immunohistochemistry on the permanent sections revealed positive staining of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Sox10, and S‐100 protein as well as negative staining of gp100, a complex carbohydrate matrix protein in embryonic melanosomes, using a specific antibody HMB45. The concomitant occurrence of MM and GB in our patient underscores the association between these two entities. Our literature review suggests that the sporadic co‐occurrence of these two conditions is likely not serendipitous.
Metropolitan Manufacturing Decline and Environmental Inequalities in Industrial Air Pollution in the United States
Authors: Smiley Kevin T.
Published: October 2020

The changing manufacturing economy has received scant attention in research on environmental inequalities, even though manufacturing work in the United States has dropped precipitously since the mid‐20th century. I integrate manufacturing decline in metropolitan areas into the study of environmental inequality by using data on industrial air pollution in 1990, 2000, and 2010. I test to see if an indicator of change in the number of manufacturing workers in a metropolitan area from 1970 to each of the three study years is associated with more or less industrially produced toxic emissions. Findings show, somewhat counterintuitively, that metropolitan areas that have had a larger drop in manufacturing work are linked to greater industrial air pollution and that these findings hold in all U.S. regions except the West. Implications focus on how the indelible imprint of manufacturing history may condition contemporary pollution levels.
Safety profile of high molecular weight polymerized hemoglobins
Authors: Muller Cynthia R. , Williams Alexander T. , Munoz Carlos J. , Eaker Allyn M. , Breton Amanda N. , Palmer Andre F. , Cabrales Pedro
Published: October 2020

Background

Hemoglobin (Hb)‐based oxygen (O2) carriers (HBOCs) are being developed as alternatives to red blood cells and blood when these products are unavailable. Clinical trials of previous HBOC generations revealed side effects, including hypertension and vasoconstriction, that were not observed in preclinical studies. Large molecular weight (MW) polymerized bovine Hb (PolybHb) represents a new class of HBOC with promising results. We evaluated the safety profile of PolybHb after an exchange transfusion (ET) in guinea pigs (GPs). This study compares changes in indices of cardiac, inflammatory, and organ function after ET with high (R‐state) and low (T‐state) O2affinity PolybHb with high MW.

Study Design and Methods

Guinea pigs underwent a 20% ET with PolybHb. To assess the implication of PolybHb ET on the microcirculation, hamsters instrumented with a dorsal window chamber were subjected to a similar volume ET.

Results

T and R‐state PolybHb did not induce significant alterations in cardiac function. T‐state PolybHb induced mild vasoconstriction shortly after transfusion, while R‐state did not have acute effects on microvascular tone.

Conclusion

Large MW PolybHbs were found to be safe and efficacious in increasing O2carrying capacity and the O2affinity of the PolybHb did not affect O2delivery or extraction by tissues in relevant preclinical models. In conclusion, these results suggest that both T‐state and R‐state PolybHb are safe and do not impair O2delivery. The results are encouraging and support further evaluation of high MW PolybHbs and their future feasibility compared to allogenic blood in a trauma model.
First Penicillin-Binding Protein Occupancy Patterns for 15 β-Lactams and β-Lactamase Inhibitors in Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Sayed Alaa R. M. , Shah Nirav R. , Basso Kari B. , Kamat Manasi , Jiao Yuanyuan , Moya Bartolome , Sutaria Dhruvitkumar S. , Lang Yinzhi , Tao Xun , Liu Weiguo , Shin Eunjeong , Zhou Jieqiang , Werkman Carolin , Louie Arnold , Drusano George L. , Bulitta Jürgen B.
Published: October 2020

Mycobacterium abscessus
causes serious infections that often require over 18 months of antibiotic combination therapy. There is no standard regimen for the treatment of
M. abscessus
infections, and the multitude of combinations that have been used clinically have had low success rates and high rates of toxicities. With β-lactam antibiotics being safe, double β-lactam and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations are of interest for improving the treatment of
M. abscessus
infections and minimizing toxicity.
Soil Characteristics Constrain the Response of Microbial Communities and Associated Hydrocarbon Degradation Genes during Phytoremediation
Authors: Correa-García Sara , Rheault Karelle , Tremblay Julien , Séguin Armand , Yergeau Etienne
Published: October 2020

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a group of organic contaminants that pose a risk to ecosystems’ health. Phytoremediation is a promising biotechnology with the potential to restore PAH-contaminated soils. However, some limitations prevent it from becoming the remediation technology of reference, despite being environmentally friendlier than mainstream physicochemical alternatives. Recent reports suggest that the original soil microbial diversity is the key to harnessing the potential of phytoremediation. Therefore, this study focused on determining the effect of two different soil types in the fate of phenanthrene (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) under balsam poplar remediation. Poplar increased the degradation of phenanthrene in forest, but not in agricultural soil. The fungi were affected by poplars, whereas total bacteria and specific PAH-degrading bacteria were constrained by soil type, leading to different degradation patterns between soils. These results highlight the importance of performing preliminary microbiological studies of contaminated soils to determine whether plant presence could improve remediation rates or not.
The Interaction of Natural and Vaccine-Induced Immunity with Social Distancing Predicts the Evolution of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Good Michael F. , Hawkes Michael T.
Published: October 2020

The ability of our society to function effectively moving forward will depend on how the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is contained. Immunity to the virus will be critical to this equation.
Estimation of Full-Length TprK Diversity in Treponema pallidum subsp.pallidum
Authors: Addetia Amin , Lin Michelle J. , Phung Quynh , Xie Hong , Huang Meei-Li , Ciccarese Giulia , Dal Conte Ivano , Cusini Marco , Drago Francesco , Giacani Lorenzo , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: October 2020

Syphilis continues to be a significant public health issue in both low- and high-income countries, including the United States where the rate of syphilis infection has increased over the past 5 years.Treponema pallidumsubsp.pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, carries the outer membrane protein TprK that undergoes segmental gene conversion to constantly create new sequences. We performed full-length deep sequencing of TprK to examine TprK diversity in clinicalT. pallidumsubsp.pallidumstrains. We then combined our results with data from all samples for which TprK deep sequencing results were available. We found almost no overlap in TprK sequences between different patients. Moreover, our data allowed us to estimate the total number of TprK variants thatT. pallidumsubsp.pallidumcan potentially generate. Our results support how theT. pallidumsubsp.pallidumTprK antigenic variation system is an equal adversary of the human immune system leading to pathogen persistence in the host.
An Expanded Genetic Code Enables Trimethylamine Metabolism in Human Gut Bacteria
Authors: Kivenson Veronika , Giovannoni Stephen J.
Published: October 2020

Links between trimethylamine-
N
-oxide (TMAO) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have focused attention on mechanisms by which animal-based diets have negative health consequences. In a meta-analysis of data from foundational gut microbiome studies, we found evidence that specialized bacteria have and express a metabolic pathway that circumvents TMAO production and is often misannotated because it relies on genetic code expansion. This naturally occurring mechanism for TMAO attenuation is negatively correlated with CVD. Ultimately, these findings point to new avenues of research that could increase microbiome-informed understanding of human health and hint at potential biomedical applications in which specialized bacteria are used to curtail CVD development.