bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological performance of soybean genotypes grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions
Authors: Cotrim Mayara Fávero , Gava Ricardo , Campos Cid Naudi Silva , de David Carlos Henrique Oliveira , Reis Igor de Assis , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: September 2020

Gas exchange analysis is an important technique, as the reduction in yield may be related to the decreased photosynthetic activity, due to adverse climatic factors in the growing site. The hypothesis of this study was that contrasting soil water conditions result in different photosynthetic performance in soybean genotypes. Thus, our objective was to analyse the physiological capacity in soybean genotypes under field conditions with optimal soil moisture and under water deficit. The experimental design was random blocks with 10 genotypes (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and P10) and three replicates. Individual analysis of variance was performed in both environments (irrigated and rainfed), and a correlation network between the traits was generated. We measured the traits net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, instant water‐use efficiency, instant carboxylation efficiency and grain yield. Stressed plants reduce stomatal conductance and transpiration, but increase the instant water‐use efficiency as a defence mechanism in sub‐optimal soil moisture conditions. The P6 genotype obtained better physiological capacity under irrigated conditions, while the P10 genotype showed the better performance under rainfed conditions, which makes it tolerant to water stress. Our findings can contribute to the genotype formation and parental choice steps in breeding programs aimed at obtaining both irrigation‐responsive and drought‐tolerant genotypes.
Evaluating the role of composition and local structure on alkali out‐diffusion in glasses for thin‐film solar cells
Authors: Bansal Neetu , Gupta Mukul , Mohanty Bhaskar Chandra , Singh Kulvir
Published: September 2020

The presence of alkali ions has reportedly improved the performance of CIGS/CZTS–based thin‐film solar cells. The out‐diffusion of the alkali ion, in particular, Na, from the glass substrate offers a facile scalable route of supplying the alkali ions during the growth of the absorber layer. In this work, we demonstrate the diffusion of different alkali ions (Li/Na/K) from composition tuned glasses with intentionally incorporated excess alkali ions into a thin Mo film, typically used as a bottom electrode in solar cells. We also evaluate the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the glasses for suitability as a substrate in thin‐film deposition. The out‐diffusion of alkali ions to the overlayer is found to be critically influenced by the composition and the local structure of the glasses. The Na ions exhibit the highest extent of diffusion among the alkali ions present in glass substrates, while that for the K‐ions is the lowest. For the glasses with mixed alkali ions, the presence of Li facilitated the out‐diffusion of Na, whereas K ions appear to inhibit the same. Differently with the existing reports, we show that the activation energy and the presence of Ca ions as additional modifiers play a crucial role in the transport mechanism of the ions. In addition, the synthesized glasses exhibit hardness of the order 5‐7 GPa, density ~2.55 g cm‐3. The glass transition temperature lies between 535 and 580°C and the coefficient of thermal expansion 8.5‐10 ppm/K, which is highly suitable for use as substrates in thin‐film solar cells.
Independent director tenure and dividends
Authors: James Hui Liang , Wang Hongxia
Published: September 2020

We empirically test the Expertise vs. Management friendly hypotheses of independent director tenure through dividend policies. We find that the likelihood and the level of dividends increase with independent director tenure, and firms with long‐tenured directors are more likely to smooth dividends. This positive tenure–dividend relation is only evident in well‐governed and low‐free‐cash‐flow firms. The results suggest that managers use dividends as camouflage to divert public scrutiny from compromised monitoring of long‐tenured directors, but they are pushed to pre‐commit to dividends in well‐governed firms. We also document that investors value dividends with a premium in firms with long‐tenured directors, further corroborating the view that longer‐tenured directors are perceived as less effective monitors. The results are robust to various variable measures and model specifications, and support the Management friendly hypothesis.
Fine‐scale estimation of inbreeding rates, runs of homozygosity and genome‐wide heterozygosity levels in the Mangalarga Marchador horse breed
Authors: Bizarria dos Santos Wellington , Pimenta Schettini Gustavo , Fonseca Mayara Gonçalves , Pereira Guilherme Luis , Loyola Chardulo Luis Artur , Rodrigues Machado Neto Otávio , Baldassini Welder Angelo , Nunes de Oliveira Henrique , Abdallah Curi Rogério
Published: September 2020

With the availability of high‐density SNP panels and the establishment of approaches for characterizing homozygosity and heterozygosity sites, it is possible to access fine‐scale information regarding genomes, providing more than just comparisons of different inbreeding coefficients. This is the first study that seeks to access such information for the Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horse breed on a genomic scale. To this end, we aimed to assess inbreeding levels using different coefficients, as well as to characterize homozygous and heterozygous runs in the population. Using Axiom ® Equine Genotyping Array—670k SNP (Thermo Fisher), 192 horses were genotyped. Our results showed different estimates: inbreeding from genomic coefficients (FROH) = 0.16; pedigree‐based (FPED) = 0.008; and a method based on excess homozygosity (FHOM) = 0.010. The correlations between the inbreeding coefficients were low to moderate, and some comparisons showed negative correlations, being practically null. In total, 85,295 runs of homozygosity (ROH) and 10,016 runs of heterozygosity (ROHet) were characterized for the 31 horse autosomal chromosomes. The class with the highest percentage of ROH was 0–2 Mbps, with 92.78% of the observations. In the ROHet results, only the 0–2 class presented observations, with chromosome 11 highlighted in a region with high genetic variability. Three regions from the ROHet analyses showed genes with known functions: tripartite motif‐containing 37 (TRIM37), protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1E (PPM1E) and carbonic anhydrase 10 (CA10). Therefore, our findings suggest moderate inbreeding, possibly attributed to breed formation, annulling possible recent inbreeding. Furthermore, regions with high variability in the MM genome were identified (ROHet), associated with the recent selection and important events in the development and performance of MM horses over generations.
EU‐27 Public Opinion on Brexit†
Authors: Walter Stefanie
Published: September 2020

Although there has been much interest in British public opinion on Brexit, much less is known about how EU‐27 Europeans view the Brexit negotiations. This is surprising, because Brexit confronts the EU‐27 with difficult choices. Whereas accommodating the UK carries the risk of encouraging further countriesto leave the EU, an uncompromising negotiation stance increases the economic and social costs of Brexit. Using original survey data from 39,000 respondents in all EU‐27 countries collected between the start of the Brexit negotiations and December 2018, this article shows that exposure to the economic risks of Brexit makes respondents more willing to accommodate the UK, whereas a positive opinion of the EU decreases their willingness to compromise. Moreover, many Europeans face an accommodation dilemma that moderates these preferences. Overall, the EU‐27 public unsentimentally supports a Brexit negotiation line that safeguards their own interests best.
In natura ovine whey proteins concentration by ultrafiltration combining batch and diafiltration operating modes
Authors: Pavoni Julia Menegotto Frick , Leidens Nataly , Luchese Cláudia Leites , Baldasso Camila , Tessaro Isabel Cristina
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to concentrate the ovine cheese whey proteins using ultrafiltration (UF). Two different experiments were carried out: in Experiment 1, the whey was concentrated using the batch‐operating mode until a volumetric concentration factor (VCF) of 4, followed by two steps of diafiltration (DF). In the second experiment, an aqueous solution of calcium chloride (0.5 L of CaCl2—60 g/L) was added in order to change the ionic strength of the feed solution, and the same process parameters were used (VCF = 4; DF = 2 steps). For both experiments was observed high occurrence of fouling, in Experiment 1, the water permeance decreased from 38.8 to 1.5 L m−2 hr−1 bar−1 (96.2% of fouling), and in Experiment 2 decreased from 38.0 to 1.0 L m−2 hr−1 bar−1 (97.4% of fouling). The results indicated that the addition of CaCl2 promoted greater protein aggregation and precipitation, resulting in higher protein retention (99.1%). DF steps increased the protein purification in the concentrate fraction, evidencing that UF/DF processes are suitable for whey protein concentration.

Practical Applications

This work takes into account the concentration of ovine cheese whey proteins by the ultrafiltration (UF) process. Whey has a high functional and nutritional value since it contains proteins, lactose, and minerals. Specifically, ovine whey has higher protein content in comparison to bovine whey, which makes it a product of greater interest. It is important to emphasize that there is little literature about ovine whey processing. Moreover, one differential of this work was the use of the DF operation mode combined with the UF process, which can improve protein concentrate characteristics. Another differential was the use of fresh ovine whey, showing a more realistic scenario since it involves a feed stream with more complexity, which can expand the ideas for practical possibilities of application. From a novelty perspective, although UF of bovine whey has been studied a lot, the process for ovine whey has not still been studied extensively and deserves attention.
D‐CARE: The Dementia Care Study: Design of a Pragmatic Trial of the Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of Health System–Based Versus Community‐Based Dementia Care Versus Usual Dementia Care
Authors: Reuben David B. , Gill Thomas M. , Stevens Alan , Williamson Jeff , Volpi Elena , Lichtenstein Maya , Jennings Lee A. , Tan Zaldy , Evertson Leslie , Bass David , Weitzman Lisa , Carnie Martie , Wilson Nancy , Araujo Katy , Charpentier Peter , Meng Can , Greene Erich J. , Dziura James , Liu Jodi , Unger Erin , Yang Mia , Currie Katherine , Lenoir Kristin M. , Green Aval‐NaʼRee S. , Abraham Sitara , Vernon Ashley , Samper‐Ternent Rafael , Raji Mukaila , Hirst Roxana M. , Galloway Rebecca , Finney Glen R. , Ladd Ilene , Rahm Alanna Kulchak , Borek Pamela , Peduzzi Peter
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Although several approaches have been developed to provide comprehensive care for persons living with dementia (PWD) and their family or friend caregivers, the relative effectiveness and cost effectiveness of community‐based dementia care (CBDC) versus health system–based dementia care (CBDC) and the effectiveness of both approaches compared with usual care (UC) are unknown.

DESIGN

Pragmatic randomized three‐arm superiority trial. The unit of randomization is the PWD/caregiver dyad.

SETTING

Four clinical trial sites (CTSs) based in academic and clinical health systems.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 2,150 English‐ or Spanish‐speaking PWD who are not receiving hospice or residing in a nursing home and their caregivers.

INTERVENTIONS

Eighteen months of (1) HSDC provided by a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant dementia care specialist who works within the health system, or (2) CBDC provided by a social worker or nurse care consultant who works at a community‐based organization, or (3) UC with as needed referral to the Alzheimer's Association Helpline.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcomes: PWD behavioral symptoms and caregiver distress as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q) Severity and Modified Caregiver Strain Index scales. Secondary outcomes: NPI‐Q Distress, caregiver unmet needs and confidence, and caregiver depressive symptoms. Tertiary outcomes: PWD long‐term nursing home placement rates, caregiver‐reported PWD functional status, cognition, goal attainment, “time spent at home,” Dementia Burden Scale‐Caregiver, a composite measure of clinical benefit, Quality of Life of persons with dementia, Positive Aspects of Caregiving, and cost effectiveness using intervention costs and Medicare claims.

RESULTS

The results will be reported in the spring of 2024.

CONCLUSION

D‐CARE will address whether emphasis on clinical support and tighter integration with other medical services has greater benefit than emphasis on social support that is tied more closely to community resources. It will also assess the effectiveness of both interventions compared with UC and will evaluate the cost effectiveness of each intervention.
A unique primary structure of RDL (resistant to dieldrin) confers resistance to GABA‐gated chloride channel blockers in the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch
Authors: Kobayashi Takeru , Hiragaki Susumu , Suzuki Takeshi , Ochiai Noriaki , Canlas Liza J. , Tufail Muhammad , Hayashi Naotaka , Mohamed Ahmed A.M. , Dekeyser Mark A. , Matsuda Kazuhiko , Takeda Makio
Published: September 2020

The primary structure of the second transmembrane (M2) segment of resistant to dieldrin (RDL), an ionotropic γ‐aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAR) subunit, and the structure–function relationships in RDL are well conserved among insect species. An amino acid substitution at the 2′ position in the M2 segment (Ala to Ser or Gly) confers resistance to non‐competitive antagonists (NCAs) of GABARs. Here, a cDNA encoding RDL was cloned from the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. Unlike insect homologs, native TuRDL has His at the 2′ position (H305) and Ile at 6′ (I309) in the M2 segment and is insensitive to NCAs. Single and multiple mutations were introduced in the M2 segment of TuRDL, and the mutant proteins were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and examined for the restoration of sensitivity to NCAs. The sensitivity of a double mutant (H305A and I309T in the M2 segment) was greatly increased but was still considerably lower than that of insect RDLs. We therefore constructed chimeric RDLs consisting of TuRDL and Drosophila melanogaster RDL and examined their sensitivities to NCAs. The results show that the N‐terminal region containing the Cys‐loop as well as the M2 segment confers functional specificity; thus, our current understanding of the mechanism underlying NCA binding to GABARs requires reappraisal.

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Single hair fiber assessment techniques to discriminate between mineral oil and coconut oil effect on hair physical properties
Authors: Kaushik Vaibhav , Chogale Ritesh , Mhaskar Sudhakar
Published: September 2020

Aim

To utilize a matrix of single‐fiber hair testing methodologies to mechanistically understand the impact of common oiling treatments—coconut oil and mineral oil—on hair strands. Further, the effect of hair twisting—experienced in everyday grooming practices—on hair strength was investigated under different scenarios.

Methods

Study involved multiple surfactant wash cycles of hair swatches with and without overnight hair oil treatments. Instrumental testing was done on strands from hair swatches—Tensile Extension, Torsional Stretching, and Tensile Extension of twisted hair fibers.

Results

Differentiation was observed in tensile and torsional testing parameters with 20 wash cycles, while no statistical significance was observed in single wash. However, when we combine the two stresses together by extending the twisted hair strands, a clear differentiation was seen even in single cycle for coconut oil in comparison with mineral oil and surfactant wash. The differentiation in tensile parameters for twisted fibers becomes much more prominent with multiple cycles. Penetration of coconut oil in hair strands makes the fiber core more flexible and thus helps negotiate the torsional stress at the time of extension.

Conclusions

Product benefit discrimination in single‐strand testing can be amplified by combining multiple stresses in one testing methodology. Observing the consumer habits and incorporating the torsion component in standard tensile testing of hair helps differentiate the two commonly used hair oiling treatments. Coconut oil was found to significantly increase the tensile strength of twisted fibers owing to its penetration inside hair core.
Opening up the black box: Technological transparency and prevention
Authors: Li Lu
Published: September 2020

We discuss the behavioral and welfare implications of uncovering determinants of successful prevention. Based on a novel reinterpretation of prevention, we introduce the concept of technological transparency (TT)—the extent to which scientific knowledge allows agents to predict the success of their effort conditional on observable risk determinants. When risk determinants are observable ex ante, TT refines the information partition and induces more efficient prevention but does not necessarily improve welfare when the risk is insurable. At the same time, TT may harm welfare if information is incompletely disclosed. When risk determinants are only observable ex post, TT may increase effort by triggering future regret. Our framework facilitates a deeper understanding of the connection between knowledge and the efficient choice of preventive effort. Our findings inform the cost‐benefit analysis of advancing knowledge about risk processes, as well as the effective disclosure of such knowledge to the public.
Do probiotics in pregnancy reduce the risk of group B streptococcal colonisation?
Authors: Jois Ravisha S , Tan Jason K , Silva Desiree
Published: September 2020

Rectovaginal group B streptococcal (GBS) colonisation affects approximately 30% of pregnant women, which significantly increases the use of antibiotics in mothers and babies. In this review, we aim to answer two questions: (i) In pregnant women, does the use of probiotics prevent GBS colonisation prior to delivery when compared with placebo; and (ii) In GBS positive pregnant women, does the use of probiotics reduce the risk of GBS colonisation prior to delivery when compared with standard treatment. Pubmed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, OVID, clinical trials.gov, grey literature and conference proceedings were systematically searched to identify eligible trials. References of included trials were also reviewed. A total of four studies (n = 402) were included in the final review. Two studies reported on the prevention of GBS colonisation in healthy pregnant women, and two studies reported on the rate of GBS clearance after probiotic administration. Meta‐analysis of the two studies using random effects model indicated that GBS clearance with probiotics was not statistically significant with odds ratio 2.12 (95% confidence interval 0.60–7.50, P = 0.17). Collection of adverse events data was not a primary or secondary aim in any of the studies. We conclude that there is limited evidence to recommend the regular use of probiotics to minimise the risk of GBS colonisation. Results from ongoing studies are likely to add to the current existing evidence.
Standard procedures for the diagnostic pathway of sleep‐related epilepsies and comorbid sleep disorders: A European Academy of Neurology, European Sleep Research Society and International League against Epilepsy‐Europe consensus review
Authors: Nobili Lino , de Weerd Al , Rubboli Guido , Beniczky Sándor , Derry Christopher , Eriksson Sofia , Halasz Peter , Högl Birgit , Santamaria Joan , Khatami Ramin , Ryvlin Philippe , Rémi Jan , Tinuper Paolo , Bassetti Claudio , Manni Raffaele , Koutroumanidis Michalis , Vignatelli Luca
Published: September 2020

Background

Some epilepsy syndromes (sleep‐related epilepsies [SRE]) have a strong link with sleep. Comorbid sleep disorders are common in patients with SRE and can exert a negative impact on seizure control and quality of life.

Purposes

To define the standard procedures for the diagnostic pathway of patients with possible SRE (scenario 1) and the general management of patients with SRE and comorbidity with sleep disorders (scenario 2).

Methods

The project was conducted under the auspices of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) and the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) Europe. The framework of the document entailed the following phases: conception of the clinical scenarios; literature review; statements regarding the standard procedures. For literature search a step‐wise approach starting from systematic reviews to primary studies was applied. Published studies were identified from the National Library of Medicine’s MEDLINE database and Cochrane Library.

Results

Scenario 1: despite a low quality of evidence, recommendations on anamnestic evaluation, tools for capturing the event at home or in the laboratory are provided for specific SRE. Scenario 2: Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders (especially respiratory disorders) in patients with SRE are likely to be beneficial for seizures control.

Conclusions

Definitive procedures for evaluating patients with SRE are lacking. We provide advice that could be of help for standardising and improving the diagnostic approach of specific SRE. The importance of identifying and treating specific sleep disorders for the management and outcome of patients with SRE is underlined.
The self as the locus of morality: A comparison between Charles Taylor and George Herbert Mead's theories of the moral constitution of the self
Authors: Abbott Owen
Published: September 2020

This paper provides a critical comparison of two leading exponents of the relationship between morality and selfhood: Charles Taylor and George Herbert Mead. Specifically, it seeks to provide an assessment of the contribution each approach is able to make to a social theory of morality that has the self at its heart. Ultimately, it is argued that Taylor's phenomenological account neglects the significance of interaction and social relations in his conceptualisation of the relationship between morality and self, which undermines the capacity of his framework to explain how moral understandings and dialogic moral subjectivity develop in a world of shared meaning. I then argue that Mead's pragmatist interactionist approach overcomes many of the flaws in Taylor's framework, and offers a grounded conceptualisation of the relationship between self and morality that is able to provide a basis for a properly social account of moral subjectivity.
Left‐wing extremism in India: Red terror through the novel
Authors: Sarkar Debjani , Manna Nirban
Published: September 2020

This article is a compilation of recent scholarly research produced on Anglophone fiction inspired by left‐wing extremism (LWE) in India, known as the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency. With a brief historical glimpse distinguishing the three phases of the movement, the article begins with a contextualization of the canon. It perceives the immediate reason for the upshot of scholarship in this field. The array of literature is categorized and contextualized into subfields for a lucid examination of critical debates in fiction. It establishes how the novel has grown over the years to identify with distinct phases of LWE—Naxalism and Maoism. Some observations on the genre are chalked out, which include a biased scholarship to a lack of firsthand empirical knowledge in the writings. The whole repertoire is incorporated to analyze the significant trends in existing research, laced with deciding factors of global popularity, literariness, and readership. A thorough survey of the available research is ascertained to direct and formulate a direction for future scholarship.
Are psychopaths moral‐psychologically impaired? Reassessing emotion‐theoretical explanations
Authors: Larsen Rasmus Rosenberg
Published: September 2020

Psychopathy has been theorized as a disorder of emotion, which impairs moral judgments. However, these theories are increasingly being abandoned as empirical studies show that psychopaths seem to make proper moral judgments. In this contribution, these findings are reassessed, and it is argued that prevalent emotion‐theories of psychopathy appear to operate with the unjustified assumption that psychopaths have no emotions, which leads to the hypothesis that psychopaths are completely unable to make moral judgments. An alternative and novel explanation is proposed, theorizing psychopathy as a degree‐specific emotional deficiency, which causes degree‐specific differences in moral judgments.
NbALY916 is involved in potato virus X P25‐triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Yang Xue , Tian Yanzhen , Zhao Xing , Jiang Liangliang , Chen Ying , Hu Shuzhen , MacFarlane Stuart , Chen Jianping , Lu Yuwen , Yan Fei
Published: September 2020

Systemic necrosis often occurs during viral infection of plants and is thought mainly to be the result of long‐term stress induced by viral infection. Potato virus X (PVX) encodes the P25 pathogenicity factor that triggers a necrotic reaction during PVX‐potato virus Ysynergistic coinfection. In this study, we discovered that NbALY916, a multifunctional nuclear protein, could interact with P25. When NbALY916 expression was reduced by tobacco rattle virus (TRV)‐based virus‐induced gene silencing, the accumulation of P25 was increased, which would be expected to cause more severe necrosis. However, silencing of NbALY916 reduced the extent of cell death caused by P25. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of NbALY916 increased the accumulation of H2O2 and triggered more extensive cell death when coexpressed with P25, even though accumulation of P25 was itself reduced by the increased expression of NbALY916. Furthermore, transient expression of P25 specifically induced the expression of NbALY916 mRNA, but not the mRNAs of three other ALYs in Nicotiana benthamiana. In addition, we showed that silencing of NbALY916 or transient overexpression of NbALY916 affected the infection of PVX in N. benthamiana. Our results reveal that NbALY916 has an antiviral role that, in the case of PVX, operates by inducing the accumulation of H2O2 and mediating the degradation of P25.
Do modern types of wheat have lower quality for human health?
Authors: Shewry P. R. , Hassall K. L. , Grausgruber H. , Andersson A. A. M , Lampi A.‐M. , Piironen V. , Rakszegi M. , Ward J. L. , Lovegrove A.
Published: September 2020

Wheat is the major staple food in Western Europe and an important source of energy, protein, dietary fibre, minerals, B vitamins and phytochemicals. Plant breeders have been immensely successful in increasing yields to feed the growing global population. However, concerns have been expressed that the focus on increasing yield and processing quality has resulted in reduced contents of components that contribute to human health and increases in adverse reactions. We review the evidence for this, based largely on studies in our own laboratories of sets of wheats bred and grown between the 18th century and modern times. With the exception of decreased contents of mineral micronutrients, there is no clear evidence that intensive breeding has resulted in decreases in beneficial components or increases in proteins which trigger adverse responses. In fact, a recent study of historic and modern wheats from the UK showed increases in the contents of dietary fibre components and a decreased content of asparagine in white flour, indicating increased benefits for health.
SARS‐CoV‐2 viral clearance during bone marrow aplasia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation—A case report
Authors: Jarmoliński Tomasz , Matkowska‐Kocjan Agnieszka , Rosa Monika , Olejnik Igor , Gorczyńska Ewa , Kałwak Krzysztof , Ussowicz Marek
Published: September 2020

Respiratory viral infections are known causes of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we report a unique case of a child with viral pneumonia caused by coinfection with human metapneumovirus (MPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS‐CoV‐2 after HSCT. A 9‐year‐old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent allogeneic HSCT from a matched, unrelated donor. During the post‐transplant period, in profound leukopenia (below 10 leukocytes/µL), she was diagnosed with SARS‐CoV‐2, MPV, and RSV pneumonia and was treated with ribavirin and chloroquine. Before leukocyte recovery, the girl became asymptomatic, and SARS‐CoV‐2 and RSV clearance was achieved. The shedding of SARS‐CoV‐2 stopped before immune system recovery, and one may hypothesize that the lack of an inflammatory response might have been a contributing factor to the mild clinical course. Post‐transplant care in HSCT recipients with COVID‐19 infection is feasible in regular transplant units, provided the patient does not present with respiratory failure. Early and repeated testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 in post‐transplant patients with concomitant infection mitigation strategies should be considered in children after HSCT who develop fever, respiratory symptoms, and perhaps gastrointestinal symptoms to control the spread of COVID‐19 both in patients and in healthcare workers in hospital environments. Training of staff and the availability of personal protective equipment are crucial for containing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Colonization of red raspberry flowers and fruit by Botrytis cinerea under commercial production conditions in northwestern Washington, USA
Authors: Kozhar Olga , Peever Tobin L.
Published: September 2020

Colonization of red raspberry flowers and fruit by Botrytis cinerea was determined during 2017–2018 growing seasons under commercial fungicide application programmes used for grey mould management in northwestern Washington, USA. Colonization of flowers and fruit was assessed qualitatively (incidence, %) and quantitatively (abundance, number of colonies) by recovering B. cinerea from surface‐disinfested samples. Both incidence and abundance of flower colonization were significantly lower than fruit colonization in both untreated and fungicide‐treated plots. Incidence of flower colonization did not differ significantly between untreated and fungicide‐treated plots (43% vs. 45%, respectively). In contrast, significantly greater colonization incidence was detected at green fruit stage in untreated compared to fungicide‐treated plots (96% vs. 77%, respectively). Ripe fruit had the greatest colonization incidence among the three stages sampled and colonization was not significantly different between untreated and fungicide‐treated plots (100% vs. 92%, respectively). Similarly, colonization abundance of flowers did not differ significantly between untreated and fungicide‐treated plots (1.0 colonies per colonized flower in both treatments), but colonization abundance of green and ripe fruit was decreased 2.3‐ and 2.1‐fold, respectively, in fungicide‐treated plots. DNA fingerprinting analysis of the pathogen revealed that different multilocus genotypes colonized flowers and fruit within the same inflorescence and that genotypic diversity increased through time, suggesting independent infection events. Overall, our results demonstrate that under current environmental conditions, raspberry flowers may not be the exclusive or major route of infection for grey mould of red raspberry in northwestern Washington. Implications of current findings for management and further research are discussed.
Membrane dynamics during individual and combined abiotic stresses in plants and tools to study the same
Authors: Rawat Nishtha , Singla‐Pareek Sneh L. , Pareek Ashwani
Published: September 2020

The plasma membrane (PM) is possibly the most diverse biological membrane of plant cells; it separates and guards the cell against its external environment. It has an extremely complex structure comprising a mosaic of lipids and proteins. The PM lipids are responsible for maintaining fluidity, permeability and integrity of the membrane and also influence the functioning of membrane proteins. However, the PM is the primary target of environmental stress, which affects its composition, conformation and properties, thereby disturbing the cellular homeostasis. Maintenance of integrity and fluidity of the PM is a prerequisite for ensuring the survival of plants during adverse environmental conditions. The ability of plants to remodel membrane lipid and protein composition plays a crucial role in adaptation towards varying abiotic environmental cues, including high or low temperature, drought, salinity and heavy metals stress. The dynamic changes in lipid composition affect the functioning of membrane transporters and ultimately regulate the physical properties of the membrane. Plant membrane‐transport systems play a significant role in stress adaptation by cooperating with the membrane lipidome to maintain the membrane integrity under stressful conditions. The present review provides a holistic view of stress responses and adaptations in plants, especially the changes in the lipidome and proteome of PM under individual or combined abiotic stresses, which cause alterations in the activity of membrane transporters and modifies the fluidity of the PM. The tools to study the varying lipidome and proteome of the PM are also discussed.
Challenges Associated With the Response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID‐19) Pandemic in Africa—An African Diaspora Perspective
Authors: Renzaho Andre M. N.
Published: September 2020

The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa extracted huge health, social, and economic costs. How can lessons learnt during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa help to mitigate the likelihood of a long‐term devastating effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) outbreak on the African continent? Despite COVID‐19 spreading quickly across the globe after being first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019, African countries remained relatively unaffected until the second week of March 2020. The majority of Africa countries have been at low to moderate risk. However, they have experienced many sociocultural, economic, political, and structural challenges. These have included laboratory capacity and logistical challenges; ill‐equipped public health systems; land border permeability, and delayed preparedness to transnational threats; and abject economic deprivation, lack of basic infrastructure, and associated sociocultural implications. There needs to be a strong country‐level leadership to coordinate and own all aspects of the responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic in a collaborative, transparent, and accountable way. Strategic and sustained response plans to fight the pandemic should incorporate culturally competent strategies that harness different cultural practices and strengthen cultural security. They should also promote and strengthen the implementation of the International Health Regulations.
Diagnosis and management of oral ulcerations associated with mycophenolate mofetil in kidney transplantation
Authors: Tenório Jefferson R. , Tuma Marina , Martins Fabiana , Ortega Karem L. , Cristelli Marina , Gallottini Marina
Published: September 2020

Aims

The final diagnosis of oral mucosal ulcerations in solid organ transplant recipients represents a challenge. We describe a unique case of oral ulceration related to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) toxicity, 11 years after kidney transplantation, whose dose reduction was sufficient to resolve it.

Methods and results

A 54‐year‐old female patient, who underwent kidney transplantation 11 years ago, presents multiple ulcers on the buccal mucosa bilaterally, soft palate and tongue dorsum, for 8 months, with moderate pain. The diagnosis of oral ulcerations associated with MMF therapy was assumed by excluding infection and malignancy diagnosis. After MMF dose reduction, the oral ulcers healed utterly.

Conclusions

MMF toxicity manifested as oral ulcers. Reduction or discontinuation of MMF therapy should be considered in a patient with refractory oral ulcers and a negative workup for other causes.
Suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and neurocognitive dysfunctions among patients with first‐episode schizophrenia
Authors: Yin Yi , Tong Jinghui , Huang Junchao , Tian Baopeng , Chen Song , Cui Yimin , An Huimei , Tan Shuping , Wang Zhiren , Yang Fude , Tian Li , Tong Yongsheng , Hong L. Elliot , Tan Yunlong
Published: September 2020

Objective

To determine whether suicidal ideation or suicide attempts are linked to poor neurocognitive function among individuals with first‐episode schizophrenia (FES).

Method

We performed a cross‐sectional study on 159 Chinese inpatients (Mage = 27.1 years; 52.2% females) with minimal‐treated FES and collected their suicidal history through interviews and medical records. Neurocognitive performance, psychopathology, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, respectively.

Results

Approximately 1/10 FES inpatients had any suicide attempts, and more than 1/4 reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Inpatients with a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation scored significantly worse in the overall seven neurocognitive domains compared with those without past suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. Linear regression suggested that suicide attempts were mainly associated with lower scores in working memory and speed of processing, after adjusting for education levels. The associations remained robust after further controlling for psychopathological and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

First‐episode schizophrenia patients with suicide attempts had more severely impaired neurocognitive performances in specific domains. Fundamental neurocognitive dysfunctions should be assessed, detected, and treated after their suicide risk assessments.
A Democratic Emergency After a Health Emergency? Exposure to COVID‐19, Perceived Economic Threat and Support for Anti‐Democratic Political Systems
Authors: Roccato Michele , Cavazza Nicoletta , Colloca Pasquale , Russo Silvia
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The urgency of the COVID‐19 pandemic has led governments to impose restrictions on individual freedom and required citizens to comply with these restrictions. In addition, lockdowns related to COVID‐19 have led to a significant economic crisis. We aimed to study how the pandemic and related economic threats have impacted support for anti‐democratic political systems.

Method

We analyzed data from a quota panel of the Italian adult population (N = 1,195), surveyed once before and once during the pandemic.

Results

A hierarchical regression model showed that exposure to COVID‐19 and perceived economic insecurity were associated with support for anti‐democratic political systems, independent of participants’ predispositions toward a strong leader.

Conclusion

An authoritarian personality is not a necessary precondition for individual anti‐democracy: when facing severe personal threats, anyone could restore a subjective sense of control over the social world by becoming anti‐democratic, independent of their initial predisposition to support anti‐democratic political systems.
The Effect of Classmates’ Maternal College Attainment on Volunteering in Young Adulthood
Authors: Kim Jinho
Published: September 2020

Objective

In this study, I explore whether and how attending class with students who have a college‐educated mother generates positive spillovers to classmates’ volunteering behavior in young adulthood.

Methods

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), I employ a quasi‐experimental research design that exploits variation in student composition across grade cohorts within schools.

Results

This study finds that the proportion of classmates with college‐educated mothers has a positive impact on the likelihood of students’ engagement in volunteering in young adulthood. Exposure to a higher proportion of classmates with college‐educated mothers increases adolescents’ future volunteering, in part, by directly transmitting civic values and providing civic opportunities and indirectly increasing “dominant status” attainment in young adulthood.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the spillover effects of having peers with highly educated mothers go beyond educational outcomes and influence volunteering behavior that persists into adulthood.
The effect of some upscaling procedures on the slope derived from digital elevation models
Authors: Zhang Qianning , Shang Haibin
Published: September 2020

Digital elevation models (DEMs) and their derived parameters play an important role in geosciences. When upscaling, the influence of the upscaling procedure on the accuracy of DEMs' derived parameters has not been systematically studied. In this study, slope is taken as an example to explore the effect of upscaling procedure on the accuracy of DEMs' derived parameters. The meaning of upscaling is converting the data from finer resolution to coarser resolution. The two upscaling procedures of EES (elevation to elevation first, then elevation to slope) and ESS (elevation to slope first, then slope to slope) combined with four aggregation rules of maximum, mean, median, and minimum were used to obtain the slope result at the desired resolution in plain, hill, and mountain areas. From the experimental results, it can be concluded that the upscaling procedure significantly affected slope accuracy at the desired resolution. To obtain the slope result with higher accuracy during upscaling, it was recommended that the upscaling procedure of ESS combined with the mean or median aggregation rule was adopted whatever the terrain complexity. This study can be applied for the selection of upscaling procedure and aggregation rule in the upscaling of slope and it warns us to pay more attention to the upscaling procedure when obtaining the DEM‐derived parameters at multi‐resolutions.
New molecular basis associated with CD36‐negative phenotype in the sub‐Saharan African population
Authors: Le Toriellec Emilie , Muralitharan Vintuya , Chadebech Philippe , Jouard Alicia , Ansart‐Pirenne Hélène , Pirenne France , Tournamille Christophe , Croisille Laure
Published: September 2020

Background

CD36 glycoprotein is expressed by various cell types, including platelets (PLTs), monocytes, and erythroid precursors, and is also the receptor for several ligands. However, absence of CD36 expression seems asymptomatic and is poorly described in Caucasians. In contrast, the frequency reaches 7% and 11% in African Caribbean and Asian persons, respectively. Lack of CD36 expression exposes to the risk of immunization in case of pregnancy or PLT transfusion. Two types of deficiency have been described: in Type I, PLTs and monocytes lack CD36 expression and the subjects are homozygous or compound heterozygous for CD36 mutations, whereas in Type II, only PLTs (Type IIa), and rarely also erythroid cells (Type IIb), are affected. Molecular events leading to Type II deficiency are poorly understood.

Case Report

An African girl, diagnosed with homozygous sickle cell disease and regularly transfused, was assessed for PLT CD36 expression by immunofluorescence microscopy. The deficiency was then confirmed by monoclonal antibody immobilization of PLT antigen (MAIPA) assay, and the subtype was assessed by flow cytometry. The underlying molecular basis was characterized by DNA sequencing. Furthermore, we tested the serum for possible anti‐CD36 immunization.

Results and Conclusion

Flow cytometric analysis on the patient's blood samples allowed the diagnosis of Type I CD36 deficiency. CD36 antibodies, probably due to her past history of red blood cell transfusions, were identified by MAIPA and by Luminex technology assay. Interestingly, we identified through sequencing a new molecular basis involved in CD36 deficiency: two adenines were replaced by one guanine in Exon 4 (c.367_368delAAinsG) leading to a stop codon at Position 76.
Probabilistic Modeling of Driver Behaviors at Urban Crossroad Interactions
Authors: Liu Yuan-Cheng , Chan Kuei-Yuan
Published: September 2020

The interactions with human drivers is one of the major challenges for autonomous vehicles. In this study, we consider urban crossroads without signals where driver interactions are indispensable. Crossroads are parameterized to be used in studying how drivers pass the crossroad while maintaining a desired speed without collision. We define a probability of yielding for each car as a function of vehicle speed and the distance-to-intersection for both vehicles, while the interactions between vehicles are characterized by a point of action for incoming vehicles from different directions. Driver behaviors in terms of acceleration/deceleration given current circumstances are also modeled probabilistically. The method is then analyzed and validated by data collected from human drivers in the simulated environments. The result shows comparable prediction accuracy to the state-of-the-art method, where characteristic parameters of drivers are also shown to be critical for the behavior predictions. We also extend our model to two real-world urban crossroads applications : crash analysis and traffic characteristic parameters identification. In both cases, our prediction results are analogous to those acquired in virtual environments. For autonomous vehicle, our method can help building a computer-driving logic that matches human behaviors, such that interactions between different drivers will be more intuitive.
Modeling and Simulation of Subcooled Coolant Loss Through Circumferential Pipe Leakage
Authors: Ghosh Sandip , Saha Samir Kumar
Published: September 2020

This work demonstrates the leak flow behavior of subcooled water at high pressure and high temperature through a narrow slit analogous to a pipe crack. The modeling and simulations are based on the loss of coolant accident in the primary loop piping of pressurized heavy water reactors where a subcooled liquid is subjected to a rapid depressurization. Prediction of critical leak flow pattern is crucial in the design methodology of costly high energy pipelines in the perspective of leak before break consideration. For a variety of entry and exit conditions, the interphase mass transfer has been studied using computational techniques. Presence of thermodynamic nonequilibrium was detected on several occasions due to high transit velocities. A comparison with experimental findings indicates the validity of a flashing model for safety analysis of similar high energy thermal systems.
Hydrogel-Forming Microneedle Arrays for Sustained and Controlled Ocular Drug Delivery
Authors: Amer Maher , Chen Roland K.
Published: September 2020

Microneedles (MNs) provide a minimally invasive alternative to intravitreal injections and a promising means to sustainable ocular drug delivery. To optimize the sustained drug release profile and to ease the administration of the MN array to the eye, the number of MNs in an MN array and their layout need to be carefully selected. In this study, the drug release kinetics of MN arrays with varying numbers of MNs (8, 12, and 16) is studied over a four-week period. The MN arrays show a much more uniform drug release profile than the single injections. Only the 16-needle MN array fully released all the amount of loaded drug at the end of the 4-week period. Both 8- and 12-needle arrays showed a steady release rate over the 4-week period, which is the longest sustained release duration that has been reported. Zero-order models are created to predict drug release profiles for the three MN arrays. It is estimated that the MN array with 8 needles can deliver the drug for up to 6 weeks. The models can be used to design MN arrays with a given targeted therapeutic index for sustained drug delivery.