bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Broadband deep‐red‐to‐near‐infrared emission from Mn2+ in strong crystal‐field of nitride MgAlSiN3
Authors: Liu Shengqiang , Zhang Shiyou , Mao Ning , Song Zhen , Liu Quanlin
Published: June 2020

Broadband near‐infrared (NIR) phosphors have received increasing attention for fabricating phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes (pc‐LEDs) as NIR light source. Most of the reported broadband NIR phosphors originate from Cr3+ in weak crystal field environments. Herein, we report a luminescent material, MgAlSiN3:Mn2+ with CaAlSiN3‐type structure, demonstrating that broadband deep‐red‐to‐NIR emission can be achieved via doping Mn2+ into crystallographic sites with strong crystal field in inorganic solids. This phosphor is synthesized via easy‐handle solid‐state reaction, and the optimized sample, (Mg0.93Mn0.07) AlSiN3 shows an emission band with peak at ~754 nm, FWHM of 150 nm, and internal quantum efficiency of 70.1%. The photoluminescence intensity can further be enhanced by co‐doping Eu2+ as sensitizer. This work provides a new strategy for discovering new broadband NIR phosphors using Mn2+ in strong crystal field as luminescence center.
SIRT2 suppresses expression of inflammatory factors via Hsp90‐glucocorticoid receptor signalling
Authors: Sun Kai , Wang Xuan , Fang Na , Xu Ao , lin Yao , Zhao Xiaofang , Nazarali Adil J. , Ji Shaoping
Published: June 2020

SIRT2 is a NAD+‐dependent deacetylase that deacetylates a diverse array of protein substrates and is involved in many cellular processes, including regulation of inflammation. However, its precise role in the inflammatory process has not completely been elucidated. Here, we identify heat‐shock protein 90α (Hsp90α) as novel substrate of SIRT2. Functional investigation suggests that Hsp90 is deacetylated by SIRT2, such that overexpression and knock‐down of SIRT2 altered the acetylation level of Hsp90. This subsequently resulted in disassociation of Hsp90 with glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and translocation of GR to the nucleus. This observation was further confirmed by glucocorticoid response element (GRE)‐driven reporter assay. Nuclear translocation of GR induced by SIRT2 overexpression repressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which were even more prominent under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Conversely, SIRT2 knock‐down resulted in the up‐regulation of cytokine expression. Mutation analysis indicated that deacetylation of Hsp90 at K294 is critical for SIRT2‐mediated regulation of cytokine expression. These data suggest that SIRT2 reduces the extent of LPS‐induced inflammation by suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors via SIRT2‐Hsp90‐GR axis.
Diet intake control is indispensable for the gluconeogenic response to sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition in male mice
Authors: Hashiuchi Emi , Watanabe Hitoshi , Kimura Kumi , Matsumoto Michihiro , Inoue Hiroshi , Inaba Yuka
Published: June 2020

Aims/Introduction

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) lowers blood glucose and causes a whole‐body energy deficit by boosting renal glucose excretion, thus affecting glucose and energy metabolism. This energy deficit not only decreases bodyweight, but also increases food intake. This food intake increase offsets the SGLT2i‐induced bodyweight decrease, but the effect of the food intake increase on the SGLT2i regulation of glucose metabolism remains unclear.

Materials and Methods

We administered SGLT2i (luseogliflozin) for 4 weeks to hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme gene G6pc reporter mice with/without obesity, which were either fed freely or under a 3‐hourly dietary regimen. The effect of feeding condition on the gluconeogenic response to SGLT2i was evaluated by plasma Gaussia luciferase activity, an index of the hepatic gluconeogenic response, in G6pc reporter mice. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry.

Results

In the lean mice under controlled feeding, SGLT2i decreased bodyweight and plasma glucose, and increased the hepatic gluconeogenic response while decreasing blood insulin. SGLT2i also increased oxygen consumption under controlled feeding. However, free feeding negated all of these effects of SGLT2i. In the obese mice, SGLT2i decreased bodyweight, blood glucose and plasma insulin, ameliorated the upregulated hepatic gluconeogenic response, and increased oxygen consumption under controlled feeding. Under free feeding, although blood glucose was decreased and plasma insulin tended to decrease, the effects of SGLT2i – decreased bodyweight, alleviation of the hepatic gluconeogenic response and increased oxygen consumption – were absent.

Conclusions

Food intake management is crucial for SGLT2i to affect glucose and energy metabolism during type 2 diabetes treatment.
Myosin heavy chain isoforms in the myocardium of the atrioventricular junction of Scyliorhinus canicula (Chondrichthyes, Carcharhiniformes)
Authors: López‐Unzu Miguel A. , Soto‐Navarrete María Teresa , Sans‐Coma Valentín , Fernández Borja , Durán Ana Carmen
Published: June 2020

The atrioventricular junction of the fish heart, namely the segment interposed between the single atrium and the single ventricle, has been studied anatomically and histologically in several chondrichthyan and teleost species. Nonetheless, knowledge about myosin heavy chain (MyHC) in the atrioventricular myocardium remains scarce. The present report is the first one to provide data on the MyHC isoform distribution in the myocardium of the atrioventricular junction in chondrichthyans, specifically in the lesser spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula, a shark species whose heart reflects the primitive cardiac anatomical design in gnathostomes. Hearts from five dogfish were examined using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. The anti‐MyHC A4.1025 antibody was used to detect differences in the occurrence of MyHC isoforms in the dogfish, as the fast‐twitch isoforms MYH2 and MYH6 have a higher affinity for this antibody than the slow‐twitch isoforms MYH7 and MYH7B. The histochemical findings show that myocardium of the atrioventricular junction connects the trabeculated myocardium of the atrium with the trabeculated layer of the ventricular myocardium. The immunohistochemical results indicate that the distribution of MyHC isoforms in the atrioventricular junction is not homogeneous. The atrial portion of the atrioventricular myocardium shows a positive reactivity against the A4.1025 antibody similar to that of the atrial myocardium. In contrast, the ventricular portion of the atrioventricular junction is not labelled, as is the case with the ventricular myocardium. This dual condition suggests that the myocardium of the atrioventricular junction has two contraction patterns: the myocardium of the atrial portion contracts in line with the atrial myocardium, whereas that of the ventricular portion follows the contraction pattern of the ventricular myocardium. Thus, the transition of the contraction wave from the atrium to the ventricle may be established in the atrioventricular segment because of its heterogeneous MyHC isoform distribution. The findings support the hypothesis that a distinct MyHC isoform distribution in the atrioventricular myocardium enables a synchronous contraction of inflow and outflow cardiac segments in vertebrates lacking a specialized cardiac conduction system.
RNA‐directed DNA methylation has an important developmental function in Arabidopsis that is masked by the chromatin remodeler PICKLE
Authors: Yang Rong , He Li , Huang Huan , Zhu Jian‐Kang , Lozano‐Duran Rosa , Zhang Heng
Published: June 2020

In Arabidopsis, RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is required for the maintenance of CHH methylation, and for de novo methylation in all (CG, CHG, and CHH) contexts, but no obvious effect of RdDM deficiency on plant development has been found to date. We show that the combination of mutations in the chromatin remodeler PKL and RdDM components results in developmental alterations, which appear in a SUPPRESSOR OF DRM1 DRM2 CMT3 (SDC)‐dependent manner.
Reactivity to accelerometer measurement of youth with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities
Authors: Zhu X. , Haegele J. A. , Wang D. , Zhang L. , Wu X.
Published: June 2020

Background

Reactivity occurs when research participants alter their behaviours due to the awareness of being monitored, which is a concern with using wearable devices to measure physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine reactivity to accelerometer measurement among youth with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities (ID).

Methods

A sample of 175 youth with ID (108 with moderate and 67 with severe ID) was recruited from residential centres in China. Demographic data were measured using a parent‐reported questionnaire, and light physical activity (LPA) and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using the ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. Data were analysed using an analysis of covariances where Day 1 LPA/MVPA, Day 2–6 LPA/MVPA, and Day 7 LPA/MVPA were repeated measures.

Results

Youth with moderate ID had significantly higher LPA (8.01%) and MVPA (10.30%) on Day 1 than Day 2–6. Similarly, youth with severe ID had significantly higher LPA (21.69%) and MVPA (19.48%) on Day 1 than Day 2–6. An inverse reactivity was also found on Day 7 among youth with severe ID for LPA (−10.65%) and MVPA (−14.82%).

Conclusions

Reactivity to accelerometer measurement was found for youth with moderate and severe ID. Findings support the utilisation of a 1‐day familiarisation period, as well as discounting the final day of measurement, when examining physical activity behaviours among youth with moderate and severe ID.
Self‐defining memories after severe traumatic brain injury: A preliminary study
Authors: Rochat Lucien , Renaud Olivier , Arnould Annabelle , Lardi Robyn Claudia , Barbot Frédéric , Azouvi Philippe , Van der Linden Martial
Published: June 2020

Autobiographical memory plays a major role in the (re)construction of sense of identity, a recurrent issue after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although the recall of specific autobiographical events is frequently impaired in patients with TBI, little is known about how these changes affect their sense of self and identity. Thus, we examined self‐defining memories (SDMs), that is, the most significant personal memories supporting one’s sense of identity, in 16 patients with severe TBI and in matched controls. To this end, participants recalled three SDMs and rated their emotions in response to memory retrieval. In addition, characteristics of SDMs such as specificity, meaning‐making, self‐connections that reflect identity stability or identity change, content (theme, presence of tension, and redemption sequences) were analysed by independent raters. The main results showed that patients’ SDMs were less specific and contained fewer redemption sequences than did those of controls but did not significantly differ in thematic content, presence of tension, meaning‐making, self‐connections that reflect identity stability or identity change and affective responses to memory retrieval. Furthermore, among the patients’ memories that refer to the TBI‐related event itself, only one contained an explicit meaning. Despite the lack of specificity in memories, patients with severe TBI were able to extract meaning from personal memories although they could struggle with integrating the TBI‐related event into their sense of identity. These characteristics of SDMs may contribute to disturbances in sense of self and continuity in patients with severe TBI, as well as difficulties in personal or social adjustment. These results also open up relevant prospects for psychological interventions in identity‐related issues in patients with TBI.
Patterns of orofacial pain practice amongst oral medicine specialists in Australia
Authors: Tiwari Lalima , Balasubramaniam Ramesh
Published: June 2020

Background

This study aimed to evaluate and describe the current patterns of practice pertaining to orofacial pain amongst oral medicine specialists in Australia and provide insight into the access of care available to orofacial pain patients in Australia.

Methods

A survey involving questions relevant to orofacial pain, patient and practitioner demographics was designed and disseminated via an online polling platform to all Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registered oral medicine specialists. Results were collated online, and simple descriptive statistics were utilised for data analysis.

Results

Twenty‐six oral medicine specialists were included in this study, with a survey response rate of 81.2%. All specialists considered orofacial pain practice as part of the oral medicine specialty. 96.2% assessed and managed orofacial pain patients as part of their oral medicine practice. The greatest proportion (30.8%) of oral medicine specialists were practicing in Western Australia, a state which represents 10.3% of the Australian population. All respondents reportedly diagnose temporomandibular disorders, followed by orofacial neuropathy (96.2%) and headache or neurovascular disorders (80.8%). 92.3% of specialists managed orofacial neuropathy followed by temporomandibular disorders (84.6%) and headache or neurovascular disorders (50%).

Conclusion

This is the first study to report on patterns of orofacial pain practice amongst oral medicine specialists in Australia. Findings demonstrate that oral medicine specialists in Australia are actively engaged in the assessment and management of the orofacial pain patient. There, however, appears to be disproportionate access to care by oral medicine specialists for patients with orofacial pain across Australia.
Trauma‐Specific Treatment for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Review of the Literature From 2008 to 2018
Authors: Keesler John M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk for adverse experiences and developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, trauma and PTSD in this population are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Despite the availability of multiple types of trauma‐specific treatments for the general population, there is a gap in understanding these collective interventions within the IDD literature.

Specific Aims

The aim of this article was to conduct a review of the peer‐reviewed literature on trauma‐specific treatment and IDD published from 2008 to 2018.

Method

A systematic search of online databases was conducted using Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, and Social Work Abstracts. A quality appraisal was conducted on the studies included in the review.

Findings

Twelve articles described four types of trauma‐specific treatments: child–parent psychotherapy, exposure therapy, trauma‐focused cognitive behavior therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. All studies demonstrated that the interventions were well tolerated and associated with improvement in trauma symptoms. Eight studies demonstrated sustained improvement at follow‐up, ranging from 6 weeks to 5 years.

Discussion

Research on trauma‐specific treatments among individuals with IDD continues to present with methodological limitations yet provides considerations for future practice and a foundation for future research.
Caring for the carers: Advice for dealing with sleep problems of hospital staff during the COVID‐19 outbreak
Authors: Ballesio Andrea , Lombardo Caterina , Lucidi Fabio , Violani Cristiano
Published: June 2020

Hospital staff are at the frontline in the COVID‐19 outbreak. The stressors they experience may induce sleep problems in a population already at risk. Sleep deprivation, long shifts and insomnia in hospital staff have been associated with individual, organizational and public health hazards. These include increased risk of mental and somatic disorders, altered immune responses, medical errors, misunderstandings, drowsy driving and burnout. In March 2020, the World Health Organization called for providing access to mental health and counselling for health professionals involved in the COVID‐19 outbreak. To answer this call, we propose practical advice for the management of sleep problems (sleep deprivation, insomnia and shift work) that can be included in supportive interventions. The advice is based on psychobiological principles of sleep regulation and on guidelines for the treatment of insomnia and was implemented within an initiative offering psychological support to the staff of three university hospitals in Rome.
Radiomics in liver diseases: Current progress and future opportunities
Authors: Wei Jingwei , Jiang Hanyu , Gu Dongsheng , Niu Meng , Fu Fangfang , Han Yuqi , Song Bin , Tian Jie
Published: June 2020

Liver diseases, a wide spectrum of pathologies from inflammation to neoplasm, have become an increasingly significant health problem worldwide. Noninvasive imaging plays a critical role in the clinical workflow of liver diseases, but conventional imaging assessment may provide limited information. Accurate detection, characterization and monitoring remain challenging. With progress in quantitative imaging analysis techniques, radiomics emerged as an efficient tool that shows promise to aid in personalized diagnosis and treatment decision‐making. Radiomics could reflect the heterogeneity of liver lesions via extracting high‐throughput and high‐dimensional features from multi‐modality imaging. Machine learning algorithms are then used to construct clinical target‐oriented imaging biomarkers to assist disease management. Here, we review the methodological process in liver disease radiomics studies in a stepwise fashion from data acquisition and curation, region of interest segmentation, liver‐specific feature extraction, to task‐oriented modelling. Furthermore, the applications of radiomics in liver diseases are outlined in aspects of diagnosis and staging, evaluation of liver tumour biological behaviours, and prognosis according to different disease type. Finally, we discuss the current limitations of radiomics in liver disease studies and explore its future opportunities.
Phylogenetic reassessment of gorals with new evidence from northern Myanmar reveals five distinct species
Authors: Li Guogang , Sun Nan , Swa Kyaw , Zhang Mingxia , Lwin Ye Htet , Quan Rui‐Chang
Published: June 2020

Researchers have recognised one to seven species of goral (Naemorhedus spp., Caprinae, Bovidae). We compared all available whole mitogenomic sequences, including eight new ones from northern Myanmar, and now recognise five distinct species. Naemorhedus caudatus remains a valid species. Naemorhedus griseus is a synonym of Naemorhedus goral. Naemorhedus evansi is a valid species, with a geographic range that extends northwards into southwestern China. Naemorhedus cranbrooki and Naemorhedus baileyi are distinct species, not synonyms. Molecular divergence analyses suggest that goral speciation was closely related to the rapid uplift of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains from the early Pliocene to the Pleistocene.
Change of practice? Change of research position?
Authors: Møller Jane Ege , Christensen Mette Krogh
Published: June 2020

Møller, Christensen encourage us to revisit key principles of action research, reconsider the researcher’s outsider role as a means to better understand complexity in practice.
The CWPS Rubik’s cube: Linking diversity of cell wall polysaccharide structures with the encoded biosynthetic machinery of selected Lactococcus lactis strains
Authors: Mahony Jennifer , Frantzen Cyril , Vinogradov Evgeny , Sadovskaya Irina , Theodorou Ilias , Kelleher Philip , Chapot‐Chartier Marie‐Pierre , Cambillau Christian , Holo Helge , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: June 2020

The biosynthetic machinery for cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS) production in lactococci is encoded by a large gene cluster, designated cwps. This locus displays considerable variation among lactococcal genomes, previously prompting a classification into three distinct genotypes (A–C). In the present study, the cwps loci of 107 lactococcal strains were compared, revealing the presence of a fourth cwps genotype (type D). Lactococcal CWPSs are comprised of two saccharidic structures: a peptidoglycan‐embedded rhamnan backbone polymer to which a surface‐exposed, poly/oligosaccharidic side‐chain is covalently linked. Chemical structures of the side‐chain of seven lactococcal strains were elucidated, highlighting their diverse and strain‐specific nature. Furthermore, a link between cwps genotype and chemical structure was derived based on the number of glycosyltransferase‐encoding genes in the cwps cluster and the presence of conserved genes encoding the presumed priming glycosyltransferase. This facilitates predictions of several structural features of lactococcal CWPSs including (a) whether the CWPS possesses short oligo/polysaccharide side‐chains, (b) the number of component monosaccharides in a given CWPS structure, (c) the order of monosaccharide incorporation into the repeating units of the side‐chain (for C‐type strains), (d) the presence of Galf and phosphodiester bonds in the side‐chain, and (e) the presence of glycerol phosphate substituents in the side‐chain.
Inhibition of ROCK signaling pathway accelerates enteric neural crest cell‐based therapy after transplantation in a rat hypoganglionic model
Authors: Zhao Yuying , Ge Xin , Yu Hui , Kuil Laura E. , Alves Maria M. , Tian Donghao , Huang Qiang , Chen Xinlin , Hofstra Robert M. W. , Gao Ya
Published: June 2020

Background

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by enteric ganglia absence in part or entire of the colon, due to abnormal colonization and migration of enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) during development. Currently, besides surgery which is the main therapy for HSCR, the potential of stem cell‐based transplantation was investigated as an alternative option. Although promising, it has limitations, including poor survival, differentiation, and migration of the grafted cells. We hypothesized that modulation of extracellular factors during transplantation could promote ENCCs proliferation and migration, leading to increased transplantation efficiency. Considering that the RhoA/ROCK pathway is highly involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and neurite growth, our study explored the effect of inhibition of this pathway to improve the success of ENCCs transplantation.

Methods

Enteric neural crest cells were isolated from rat embryos and labeled with a GFP‐tag. Cell viability, apoptosis, differentiation, and migration assays were performed with and without RhoA/ROCK inhibition. Labeled ENCCs were transplanted into the muscle layer of an induced hypoganglionic rat model followed by intraperitoneal injections of ROCK inhibitor. The transplanted segments were collected 3 weeks after for histological analysis.

Key Results

Our results showed that inhibition of ROCK increased viable cell number, differentiation, and migration of ENCCs in vitro. Moreover, transplantation of labeled ENCCs into the hypoganglionic model showed enhanced distribution of grafted ENCCs, upon treatment with ROCK inhibitor.

Conclusions and Inferences

ROCK inhibitors influence ENCCs growth and migration in vitro and in vivo, and should be considered to improve the efficiency of ENCCs transplantation.
A 12‐month pilot study outcomes of vagus nerve stimulation in Crohn's disease
Authors: Sinniger Valérie , Pellissier Sonia , Fauvelle Florence , Trocmé Candice , Hoffmann Dominique , Vercueil Laurent , Cracowski Jean‐Luc , David Olivier , Bonaz Bruno
Published: June 2020

Background

The vagus nerve has anti‐inflammatory properties. We aimed to investigate vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a new therapeutic strategy targeting an intrinsic anti‐inflammatory pathway in a pilot study in Crohn's disease patients. The main objectives addressed the questions of long‐term safety, tolerability, and anti‐inflammatory effects of this therapy. This study is the continuation of previous reported findings at 6 months.

Methods

Nine patients with moderate active disease underwent VNS. An electrode wrapped around the left cervical vagus nerve was continuously stimulated over 1 year. Clinical, biological, endoscopic parameters, cytokines (plasma, gut), and mucosal metabolites were followed‐up.

Key Results

After 1 year of VNS, five patients were in clinical remission and six in endoscopic remission. C‐reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin decreased in six and five patients, respectively. Seven patients restored their vagal tone and decreased their digestive pain score. The patients' cytokinergic profile evolved toward a more “healthy profile”: Interleukins 6, 23, 12, tumor necrosis factor α, and transforming growth factorβ1 were the most impacted cytokines. Correlations were observed between CRP and tumor necrosis factor α, and some gut mucosa metabolites as taurine, lactate, alanine, and beta‐hydroxybutyrate. VNS was well tolerated.

Conclusion & Inferences

Vagus nerve stimulation appears as an innovative and well‐tolerated treatment in moderate Crohn's disease. After 12 months, VNS has restored a homeostatic vagal tone and reduced the inflammatory state of the patients. VNS has probably a global modulatory effect on the immune system along with gut metabolic regulations. This pilot study needs replication in a larger randomized double‐blinded control study.
Effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum on inflammasomes and their regulators in H400 cells
Authors: Aral Kübra , Milward Michael R. , Gupta Dhanak , Cooper Paul R.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that regulate immune processes in response to infections and tissue damage. They modulate Interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) expression, a major proinflammatory cytokine. The inflammasome/IL‐1β pathway is involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression and the periodontal pathogens Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) have been reported to cause chronic inflammation in HNSCC. The aim of this study was to characterise the role of these pathogens in regulating inflammasome activity and the IL‐1β response in HNSCC in vitro.

Methods

An HNSCC cell line (H400) was exposed to Fn and Pg individually or in combination for 24h, ± incubation for 30 min with 5 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Transcript levels of inflammasomes, NLRP3 and AIM2; inflammasome‐regulatory proteins, POP1, CARD16 and TRIM16; and inflammasome‐component, ASC and caspase 1 and IL‐1β, were assayed by RT‐PCR. Expression of IL‐1β was by immunocytochemistry and ELISA.

Results

NLRP3 expression was significantly upregulated in response to Pg, Fn + Pg, Pg + ATP and Fn + Pg + ATP. AIM2 was significantly upregulated by Fn, Pg and Fn + Pg + ATP exposure. All conditions significantly upregulated IL‐1β gene expression. POP1 expression was significantly downregulated by Pg or Fn exposure but not by Fn + Pg. Intracellular pro‐ and mature IL‐1β were significantly higher following Fn and Pg + ATP exposure.

Conclusion

Pg alone increased IL‐1β by upregulating AIM2, NLRP3 and downregulating POP1. Fn promoted IL‐1β by increasing AIM2 and downregulating POP1. Pg + ATP with or without Fn upregulated NLRP3, IL‐1β by downregulating POP1. Periodontal pathogens may contribute to HNSCC pathogenesis by increasing the IL‐1β response due to inflammasome dysregulation.
The Influence of Finance Policies on Charter School Supply Decisions in Five States
Authors: Buerger Christian
Published: June 2020

This paper tests if charter school finance policies influence charter school location. I create a theoretical framework describing the location incentives created by charter school finance provisions and test their relevance empirically by applying a two‐step approach consisting of negative binomial models and Wald tests. Using data from New York, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio, I provide evidence that states’ finance provisions are an important policy lever impacting charter school location. Several robustness checks corroborate the initial results.
Balancing of hormonal biosynthesis and catabolism pathways, a strategy to ameliorate the negative effects of heat stress on reproductive growth
Authors: Kaur Harleen , Ozga Jocelyn A. , Reinecke Dennis M.
Published: June 2020

In pea (Pisum sativum L.), moderate heat stress during early flowering/fruit set increased seed/ovule abortion, and concomitantly produced fruits with reduced ovary (pericarp) length, and fewer seeds at maturity. Plant hormonal networks coordinate seed and pericarp growth and development. To determine if these hormonal networks are modulated in response to heat stress, we analyzed the gene expression patterns and associated these patterns with precursors, and bioactive and inactive metabolites of the auxin, gibberellin (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene biosynthesis/catabolism pathways in young developing seeds and pericarps of non‐stressed and 4‐day heat‐stressed fruits. Our data suggest that within the developing seeds heat stress decreased bioactive GA levels reducing GA growth‐related processes, and that increased ethylene levels may have promoted this inhibitory response. In contrast, heat stress increased auxin biosynthesis gene expression and auxin levels in the seeds and pericarps, and seed ABA levels, both effects can increase seed sink strength. We hypothesize that seeds with higher auxin‐ and ABA‐induced sink strength and adequate bioactive GA levels will set and continue to grow, while the seeds with lower sink strength (low auxin, ABA, and GA levels) will become more sensitive to heat stress‐induced ethylene leading to ovule/seed abortion.
Transepidermal water loss in the orphan forms of ichthyosis
Authors: Erickson Taylor R. , Murphrey Morgan B. , Abu‐Zayed Hajar , Wu Benedict , Ibler Erin , Rangel Stephanie M. , Paller Amy S.
Published: June 2020

As a surrogate measure of skin barrier dysfunction, we sought to determine differences in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) among ichthyosis subtypes and correlate TEWL with clinical severity. Subjects with Netherton syndrome had the highest TEWL values (increased water loss), while TEWL values were lowest in subjects with epidermolytic ichthyosis. TEWL correlated with severity only in lamellar ichthyosis and age was inversely correlated with TEWL (rs = −.213, P = .02). TEWL is an objective measure that complements disease severity in ichthyosis and may be used as an adjuvant to monitor treatment response.
Spouses' responses to the dietary nonadherence of their partners managing diabetes
Authors: August Kristin J. , Franks Melissa M. , Rook Karen S. , Stephens Mary Ann Parris
Published: June 2020

The association between patients' dietary nonadherence and spouses' involvement in patients' diabetes diet was examined, with spouses' anxiety about nonadherence considered as a mediator of this association. Daily diary data from 128 older adult patients with type 2 diabetes and their spouses were analyzed using multilevel models. Results revealed that on days when patients reported less adherence to their diabetes diet than usual, spouses reported greater anxiety about patients' diabetes management, which, in turn, was related to greater spousal persuasion and pressure the same day. The association between patients' nonadherence and diet‐related support on the same day was not mediated, however, through spouses' anxiety. The findings contribute to an understanding of spouses' responses to patients' nonadherence to their diabetes regimen.
Exploring the Demand‐Side Factors Associated with the Use of Implants in Kenya
Authors: Obare Francis , Mumah Joyce , Odwe George , Machiyama Kazuyo , Cleland John
Published: June 2020

We explore the demand‐side factors associated with the use of implants in Kenya given the notable rapid increase in uptake of the method in the country. Data are from a longitudinal study conducted among married or cohabiting women aged 15–39 years at the time of recruitment in one rural (2,424 women) and one urban (2,812 women) site. Analysis entails descriptive statistics and estimation of multivariate logistic regression models. The results show that the key demand‐side factors associated with the use of implants were low discontinuation of the method compared with alternatives and strong motivation on the part of the women for long‐term spacing of births. However, implants had no perceived advantages over the main alternative methods in terms of beliefs about possible damage to health or unpleasant side effects or in terms of satisfaction with use. The findings suggest that addressing concerns about safety for long‐term use and for health may increase demand for implants in particular and long‐acting reversible contraceptives in general in the study settings or in similar contexts, especially among women who desire long‐term spacing of births.
Social Network Analysis Methods and the Geography of Education: Regional Divides and Elite Circuits in the School to University Transition in the UK
Authors: Gamsu Sol , Donnelly Michael
Published: June 2020

This paper uses social network analysis methods to explore how the spatial mobility of students to attend university creates regional divisions and socio‐spatial hierarchies of schools and universities. Using community detection methods as our methodological lens we stitch together regional economic geography, the student mobilities literature and the sociological and geographical analysis of elite education. Combining these statistical techniques with qualitative data from our broader study, we explore student flows between different geographical areas in the UK for universities. The clusters or ‘communities’ of areas underline how student migration to attend university in the UK is a moment which reflects and re‐creates regional and national boundaries. The second part of the paper examines school to university student flows, highlighting a distinctive, predominantly English cluster of elite schools and universities. Examining student mobility patterns with network methods allows us to distinguish a distinctive archipelagic geography of elite formation through higher education.
Pattern‐based calibration of cellular automata by genetic algorithm and Shannon relative entropy
Authors: Momeni Ehsan , Antipova Anzhelika
Published: June 2020

While cellular automata (CA) are considered an effective algorithm to model urban growth, their precise calibration can be challenging. The Shannon relative index (SRI) is an indicator of urban sprawl accounting for dispersion or concentration of built‐up/non‐built‐up areas. This study uses SRIs directly in the calibration of CA as patterns, applying a genetic algorithm (GA). Moreover, the kappa coefficient is used in the calibration process. CA was calibrated using data for 2001 and 2006 and validated using 2011 data to model urban growth in Shelby County, TN. Results indicate that the kappa coefficient achieves the highest value using the proposed method (89.48%) compared with a GA without patterns (86.15%, which underestimates 32.22 km2) or logistic regression (85.83%, which underestimates 36.76 km2). A more precise calibration of urban growth using the proposed method helps city planners to provide more realistic models for the future of the region.
Successful implementation of preventive measures leads to low relevance of SARS‐CoV‐2 in liver transplant patients: Observations from a German outpatient department
Authors: Ossami Saidy Ramin Raul , Globke Brigitta , Pratschke Johann , Schoening Wenzel , Eurich Dennis
Published: June 2020

Background

Immunosuppressed liver transplant (LT) patients are considered to be at high risk for any kind of infection. What the outbreak of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) means for the transplant cohort is a question that, as of now, cannot easily be answered. Data on prevalence, relevance of the novel virus, and clinical course of the infection in stable LT patients are limited.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal swabs were performed in our outpatient department during the shutdown between March and April 2020 in Germany.

Results

The prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 was 3%. Three out of a cohort of 101 LT patients were asymptomatic for respiratory diseases. Respiratory complaints were common and not associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The overall monthly mortality rate was 0.22% and did not show alterations during the shutdown in Germany.

Conclusions

If preventive measures are applied, LT patients do not seem to be at a higher risk for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Telemedicine in the outpatient setting may help to maintain distance and to reduce direct patient contact. However, standard of care must be guaranteed for patients with relevant comorbidities in spite of pandemics, because complications may arise from preexisting conditions.
Safety and efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of canine thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lee Ber‐In , LaRue Susan M. , Seguin Bernard , Griffin Lynn , Prebble Amber , Martin Tiffany , Leary Del , Boss Mary‐Keara
Published: June 2020

Thyroid carcinoma develops spontaneously in dogs, with only 25% to 50% of cases amenable to surgery at diagnosis. Local control for unresectable tumours can be provided with external beam radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective study is to describe the safety and efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for treatment of canine thyroid carcinoma. Twenty‐three dogs met inclusion criteria; median tumour volume before SBRT was 129.9 cm3(range, 2.7‐452.8 cm3). Sixteen patients (70%) had unresectable tumours. Pulmonary metastasis was present or suspected in 10 patients (44%) before SBRT. Patients were prescribed 15 to 40 Gy to targeted tumour volume in one to five fractions. Twenty patients evaluated had overall response rate of 70% (complete response, n = 4; partial response, n = 10). Thirteen out of sixteen (81%) symptomatic patients had clinical improvement within a median time of 16 days (range, 2‐79 days). Median progression free survival (MPFS) was 315 days. Median survival time (MST) was 362 days. Nine patients (39%) had grade 1 acute radiation toxicity. Three patients had grade 1 late radiation toxicity (two leukotrichia and one [4%] with intermittent cough). Responders had significantly longer MPFS (362 vs 90 days; HR 4.3; 95% CI 1.4‐13.5;P= .013) and MST (455 vs 90 days; HR 2.9; 95% CI 1‐8.4;P= .053). Presenting with metastasis was not a significant negative prognostic factor (MST 347 vs 348 days without metastasis;P= .352). SBRT is a safe and effective treatment modality for non‐resectable canine thyroid carcinoma.
E‐cigarettes, nicotine, the lung and the brain: multi‐level cascading pathophysiology
Authors: Herman Melissa , Tarran Robert
Published: June 2020

Tobacco smoking is highly addictive and causes respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and multiple types of cancer. Electronic‐cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) are non‐combustible tobacco alternatives that aerosolize nicotine and flavouring agents in a propylene glycol–vegetable glycerine vehicle. They were originally envisaged as a tobacco cessation aid, but whether or not they help people to quit tobacco use is controversial. In this review, we have compared and contrasted what is known regarding the effects of nicotine on the lungs vs. the effects of nicotine in the brain in the context of addiction. Critically, both combustible tobacco products and e‐cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive, plant‐derived alkaloid that binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Nicotine's reinforcing properties are primarily mediated by activation of the brain's mesolimbic reward circuitry and release of the neurotransmitter dopamine that contribute to the development of addiction. Moreover, nicotine addiction drives repeated intake that results in chronic pulmonary exposure to either tobacco smoke or e‐cigarettes despite negative respiratory symptoms. Beyond the brain, nAChRs are also highly expressed in peripheral neurons, epithelia and immune cells, where their activation may cause harmful effects. Thus, nicotine, a key ingredient of both conventional and electronic cigarettes, produces neurological effects that drive addiction and may damage the lungs in the process, producing a complex, multilevel pathological state. We conclude that vaping needs to be studied by multi‐disciplinary teams that include pulmonary and neurophysiologists as well as behaviourists and addiction specialists to fully understand their impact on human physiology.

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The effect of diaphragm fatigue on the multidimensional components of dyspnoea and diaphragm electromyography during exercise in healthy males
Authors: Boyle Kyle G. , Mitchell Reid A. , Ramsook Andrew H. , Schaeffer Michele R. , Koehle Michael S. , Sheel A. William , Guenette Jordan A.
Published: June 2020

Key points

Diaphragm fatigue may increase the intensity (sensory dimension) and unpleasantness (affective dimension) of dyspnoea, which may partially explain why diaphragm fatigue negatively affects exercise performance.

We hypothesized that diaphragm fatigue would negatively affect exercise performance via increases in both the intensity and unpleasantness of dyspnoea, and that the increase in dyspnoea would be mechanistically linked to an increase in diaphragmatic EMG (EMGdi), a surrogate measure of neural respiratory drive.

Fatiguing the diaphragm prior to exercise reduced cycling performance and increased both the intensity and unpleasantness of dyspnoea. The change in submaximal dyspnoea unpleasantness was significantly correlated with the change in cycling performance.

Pre‐fatigue of the diaphragm did not increase EMGdi during exercise and is therefore unrelated to the increase in either the sensory or affective dimension of exertional dyspnoea.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of diaphragm fatigue on the multidimensional components of dyspnoea and diaphragm electromyography (EMGdi) during cycling. Sixteen healthy males (age = 27 ± 5 yr,  = 45.8 ± 9.8 ml kg−1 min−1) completed two high‐intensity, time‐to‐exhaustion cycling tests in randomized order: (i) inspiratory pressure threshold loading (PTL) prior to exercise to induce diaphragm fatigue (pre‐DF) and (ii) no PTL (control). Diaphragm fatigue after PTL was confirmed via cervical magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves. Dyspnoea intensity and unpleasantness were measured throughout exercise with the 0–10 category‐ratio Borg scale and following exercise using the Multidimensional Dyspnoea Profile (MDP). EMGdi was continuously recorded via a multipair oesophageal electrode catheter. Time‐to‐exhaustion decreased with pre‐DF vs. control (9.0 ± 5.5 vs. 10.7 ± 7.5 min, P = 0.023). Pre‐DF increased dyspnoea intensity ratings by 0.6 ± 1.0 Borg 0–10 units at the highest equivalent submaximal exercise time (HESET) a participant could achieve in both conditions (P = 0.020). Dyspnoea unpleasantness ratings increased with pre‐DF by 0.5 ± 1.0, 0.7 ± 1.2 and 0.9 ± 1.4 (all P < 0.05) Borg 0–10 units during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th minutes of exercise, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the change in breathing unpleasantness ratings at HESET and the change in time‐to‐exhaustion (r = 0.66, P = 0.006). The immediate perception domain, a combination of peak unpleasantness and specific dyspnoea descriptor intensity ratings, was the only component of the MDP that was significantly increased with pre‐DF (4.3 ± 1.9 vs. 3.6 ± 1.8, P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in EMGdi. In conclusion, diaphragm fatigue has negative effects on multiple domains of dyspnoea, which may partially explain why exercise performance decreases with it.
Ciber riesgos: Su dimensión social, funcional y etica
Authors: Signorino Barbat Andrea
Published: June 2020

El presente artículo no pretende ser un enfoque tradicional referido a nuevas tecnologías -si podemos referirnos así en un tema relativamente actual-, en el sentido de presentar las tecnologías aplicadas a seguros y sus riesgos, o comentar sus virtudes y defectos, o explicar los tipos de Ciber riesgos existentes, sino que pretende aproximar el tema en forma general al lector y reflexionar sobre los Ciber riesgos en sentido amplio. En esta línea, analizaré este tipo de riesgos clasificados metodológicamente en tres dimensiones que he dado en llamar dimensión social, funcional y ética. La dimensión social  refiere a los riesgos que las tecnologías y el mundo cibernético implican para el consumidor – asegurado en el contexto del entramado social-, la dimensión funcional, implica los riesgos que se presentan para las empresas aseguradoras en su gestión interna- y la dimensión ética, -tal vez la más trascedente, refiere a los peligros que el Ciber mundo puede generar para las personas en su individualidad, como seres humanos, si los riesgos implicados no son adecuadamente manejados, regulados o contextualizados-.
Instrumentos econômicos de garantia de reparação de danos ambientais: elementos conceituais sobre os seguros ambientais
Authors: Saraiva Neto Pery
Published: June 2020

O estudo desenvolvido no presente artigo tem por objetivo investigar os denominados seguros ambientais. Busca-se enfrentar questões relacionadas aos pressupostos, amplitudes, regulamentação e eficácia deste instrumento econômico de garantia de reparação de danos ambientais. Para tanto parte-se da investigação da ideia e do conceito de riscos ambientais como baliza para a compreensão da infortunística ambiental e do sistema de responsabilidade civil ambiental no Brasil. Fixados esses elementos conceituais iniciais analisa-se como a legislação trata da incorporação de mecanismos de seguros para fazer frente à reparação dos danos ambientais, sendo apontadas, nessa legislação, falhas que implicam inclusive sua não efetividade. Para fixar bases de superação dessa falta de efetividade, o instituto dos seguros é estudado em seus elementos, origens, funcionalidades e características, no intuito de compreender as formas de assegurar os riscos ambientais. Demonstra-se uma assimetria entre o sistema de responsabilidades ambientais e o de atuação dos seguros, segundo a ótica de definição e delimitação do risco ambiental e do risco assegurável. Propõe-se a necessidade de um modelo legislativo sistematicamente coerente e previsível, na forma de uma política de garantias para fazer frente ao dever de reparação dos danos ao meio ambiente, envolvendo a delimitação do risco, da infortunística e das formas de reparação dos danos ambientais, e que contenha clareza e demarcação a respeito dos riscos ambientais que devem ser suportados pelos seguros, em conformidade com os objetivos legais que moveram a instituição desses instrumentos econômicos.
Los seguros de responsabilidad civil de base reclamación (claims made) y los desafíos de su aplicación en el Derecho Portugués: el caso de la responsabilidad ambiental
Authors: Assunção Soares Patricia
Published: June 2020

El propósito de este estudio es investigar lo contracto del seguro de responsabilidad civil de base reclamación y los desafíos que plantea su aplicación, aplicándolo al instituto de la responsabilidad ambiental, en el sistema legal portugués. La opción por el instituto y la relevancia del su análisis se justifica debido a la naturaleza de los siniestros y daños que poden surgir de la responsabilidad ambiental y por las circunstancias que caracterizan la consecuente reclamación. 

En una breve descripción, nuestro estudio se dirige específicamente al análisis del contenido de la cláusula claims made, a la legalidad de su contenido normativo, al impacto de esta cláusula en la determinación del concepto de reclamación, a determinación del momento del ocurrencia da misma y su alcance objetivo y subjetivo, terminando con hipótesis prácticas relativas a la responsabilidad ambiental, que nos permiten probar, en la práctica, las conclusiones extraídas en la presente investigación.

Nuestra análisis en el sistema legal portugués resultó en la conclusiones siguientes: el contenido normativo de la cláusula claims made cuando se aplica a los casos relacionados con responsabilidad ambiental que examinamos, no merece censura legal, que el concepto de siniestro se identifica con la exteriorización de los hechos del asegurado para el asegurador y el conocimiento del asegurador y que la determinación del momento del reclamación coincide con la citación judicial del asegurado en caso del reclamación judicial.