bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conspicuous anticonsumption: When green demarketing brands restore symbolic benefits to anticonsumers
Authors: Sekhon Tejvir S. , Armstrong Soule Catherine A.
Published: November 2019

This article introduces the concept of conspicuous anticonsumption and provides evidence that it can be an effective means for green demarketing brands to encourage anticonsumption. Conspicuous anticonsumption refers to practices whereby brands provide visible signals imbued with meaning that consumers use to convey environmental motivations for consumption reduction activities. Two experiments suggest that without a signal, observers perceive anticonsumers to have lower socioeconomic status. However, when a visible signal communicates environmental motivations for anticonsumption actions, negative status inferences are mitigated and perceptions of the associated brand become more favorable. These visible signals confer status and restore the symbolic benefits that are often lost when consumption is forgone. Because symbolic benefits are powerful drivers of consumption choices, conspicuous anticonsumption can appeal to a broader base of moderate consumers. This practice has the potential to reduce negative environmental impact on a societal level as well as have positive outcomes for the brand. Counter to the prosocial perspective taken in most anticonsumption literature and activist thinking, This study highlights the importance of focusing on the personal symbolic benefits and costs of anticonsumption at the individual level.
Conservation Risk and Uncertainty in Recovery Prospects for a Collapsed and Culturally Important Salmon Population in a Mixed-Stock Fishery
Authors: Connors Brendan , Atlas William , Melymick Christina , Moody Megan , Moody Jason , Frid Alejandro
Published: November 2019

Mixed-stock fisheries simultaneously exploit populations that may differ in their conservation status, and uncertainty in stock-specific harvest rates can hamper evaluations of recovery prospects for depressed populations. These difficulties are exemplified in the Sockeye Salmon population from the Atnarko watershed, which collapsed in the early 2000s, causing cultural and economic hardship. A recovery plan identified the incidental harvest of Sockeye Salmon by mixed-stock fisheries in the Atnarko as a potential, but poorly understood, impediment to recovery. We reconstructed harvest rates for salmon in Indigenous and commercial fisheries and used an age-structured state-space model of stock–recruit dynamics to predict how a range of future mixed-stock harvest rates would influence recovery. Under recent harvest rates, there is a 50–60% chance that the population will grow to exceed a recovery goal of 15,000 spawners over the next four generations. Eliminating the harvest of Sockeye Salmon altogether increased predicted recovery prospects to a maximum of 69%, suggesting that factors other than fisheries are contributing to the lack of recovery (e.g., ocean conditions) and that harvest management alone is unlikely to lead to recovery with a high degree of certainty. We developed a generalized migration, harvest, and catch monitoring simulation model to quantify how different monitoring scenarios might improve estimates for mixed-stock harvest rates. Increasing the number of specimens collected for genetic samples improved the harvest rate estimates for each stock caught in the mixed-stock fisheries, particularly for the smallest stocks, and relative to single sampling events conducted near the peak of the return migration, weekly sampling improved estimates only slightly but provided insurance against missing the peak of the return migration. Our study highlights collaborative research initiated and directed by the Nuxalk Nation to promote the recovery of a depressed stock that is inherent to traditional foods, thereby contributing to a global effort to integrate Indigenous cultural values with biological conservation.
α‐Synuclein Real‐Time Quaking‐Induced Conversion in the Submandibular Glands of Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: Manne Sireesha , Kondru Naveen , Jin Huajun , Anantharam Vellareddy , Huang Xuemei , Kanthasamy Arthi , Kanthasamy Anumantha G.
Published: November 2019

Background

Identification of a peripheral biomarker is a major roadblock in the diagnosis of PD. Immunohistological identification of p‐serine 129 α‐synuclein in the submandibular gland tissues of PD patients has been recently reported.

Objective

We report on a proof‐of‐principle study for using an ultra‐sensitive and specific, real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay to detect pathological α‐synuclein in the submandibular gland tissues of PD patients.

Methods

The α‐synuclein real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay was used to detect and quantify pathological α‐synuclein levels in PD, incidental Lewy body disease, and control submandibular gland tissues as well as in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections.

Results

We determined the quantitative seeding kinetics of pathological α‐synuclein present in submandibular gland tissues from autopsied subjects using the α‐synuclein real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay. A total of 32 cases comprising 13 PD, 3 incidental Lewy body disease, and 16 controls showed 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Interestingly, both PD and incidental Lewy body disease tissues showed 100% concordance for elevated levels of pathological α‐synuclein seeding activity compared to control tissues. End‐point dilution kinetic analyses revealed that the submandibular gland had a wide dynamic range of pathological α‐synuclein seeding activity.

Conclusions

Our results are the first to demonstrate the utility of using the real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay on peripherally accessible submandibular gland tissues and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue sections to detect PD‐related pathological changes with high sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the detection of seeding activity from incidental Lewy body disease cases containing immunohistochemically undetected pathological α‐synuclein demonstrates the α‐synuclein real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay's potential utility for identifying prodromal PD in submandibular gland tissues. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Texture Features of Magnetic Resonance Images: A Marker of Slight Cognitive Deficits in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Betrouni Nacim , Lopes Renaud , Defebvre Luc , Leentjens Albert F. G. , Dujardin Kathy
Published: November 2019

Background

Cognitive impairment is a frequent nonmotor symptom of Parkinson's disease. Depending on severity, patients are considered to have mild cognitive impairment or dementia. However, among the cognitively intact patients, some may have deficits in a less severe range. The early detection of such subtle symptoms may be important for the initiation of care strategies.

Objective

To identify imaging markers of early cognitive symptoms, potentially before usual signs, such as atrophy, become manifest.

Methods

A total of 102 patients with Parkinson's disease and 17 age‐matched cognitively intact healthy controls underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment and T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Parkinson's disease patients were separated into 3 groups according to their cognitive status: intact, with slight slowing, and with mild deficits in executive functions. Texture features as measured by first‐order and second‐order statistics were computed in the following 6 brain regions: the hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, putamen, caudate nucleus, and pallidum. They were tested between the groups, and their correlation with cognition was examined. Volumetric measurements were made for comparison.

Results

Texture analysis showed significant between‐group differences for 2 features—skewness and entropy in the hippocampus, the thalamus, and the amygdala—and the volume analysis revealed no between‐group difference. These features were significantly correlated with cognitive performance.

Conclusion

These results support the assumption that signal alterations associated with Parkinson's disease–related cognitive decline can be captured very early by texture analysis. As these changes appear to reflect clinical phenomena, texture analysis may be a promising marker for helping cognitive phenotyping in Parkinson's disease. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
New methods for objective angiogenesis evaluation of rat nerves using microcomputed tomography scanning and conventional photography
Authors: Saffari Tiam M. , Mathot Femke , Bishop Allen T. , Shin Alexander Y.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Nerve regeneration involves multiple processes, which enhance blood supply that can be promoted by growth factors. Currently, tools are lacking to visualize the vascularization patterns in transplanted nerves in vivo. The purpose of this study was to describe three‐dimensional visualization of the vascular system in the rat sciatic nerve and to quantify angiogenesis of nerve reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

In 12 Lewis rats (weighing 250–300 g), 10 mm sciatic nerve gaps were repaired with ipsilateral reversed autologous nerve grafts. At 12 and 16 weeks of sacrifice, Microfil® contrast compound was injected in the aorta. Nerve autografts (N = 12) and contralateral untreated nerves (N = 12) were harvested and cleared while preserving the vasculature. The amount of vascularization was measured by quantifying the vascular surface area using conventional photography (two‐dimensional) and the vascular volume was calculated with microcomputed tomography (three‐dimensional). For each measurement, a vessel/nerve area ratio was calculated and expressed in percentages (vessel%).

Results

The vascular volume measured 3.53 ± 0.43% in autografts and 4.83 ± 0.45% vessels in controls at 12 weeks and 4.95 ± 0.44% and 6.19 ± 0.29% vessels at 16 weeks, respectively. The vascular surface area measured 25.04 ± 2.77% in autografts and 26.87 ± 2.13% vessels in controls at 12 weeks, and 28.11 ± 3.47% and 33.71 ± 2.60% vessels at 16 weeks, respectively. The correlation between both methods was statistically significant (p = .049).

Conclusions

Both methods are considered to successfully reflect the degree of vascularization. Application of this technique could be used to visualize and objectively quantify angiogenesis of the transplanted nerve graft. Moreover, this simple method is easily reproducible and could be extrapolated to any other desired target organ ex vivo in small animals to investigate the vascular network.
Deterministic homogenization of Vlasov equations
Authors: Kenne Rodrigue B. , Nguetseng Gabriel , Woukeng Jean Louis
Published: November 2019

We address the homogenization of the Vlasov equations using the sigma‐convergence method. Assuming that the electromagnetic field is strong and is highly oscillating in both space and time, we derive the homogenization result. We then study some special cases leading to already known results.
Hybrid 3D analytical linear energy transfer calculation algorithm based on precalculated data from Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Deng Wei , Ding Xiaoning , Younkin James E. , Shen Jiajian , Bues Martin , Schild Steven E. , Patel Samir H. , Liu Wei
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The dose‐averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) for intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT) calculated by one‐dimensional (1D) analytical models deviates from more accurate but time‐consuming Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. We developed a fast hybrid three‐dimensional (3D) analytical LETd calculation that is more accurate than 1D analytical model.

Methods

We used the Geant4 MC code to generate 3D LETd distributions of monoenergetic proton beams in water for all energies and used a customized error function to fit the LETd lateral profiles at various depths to the MC simulation. The 3D LETd calculation kernel was a lookup table of these fitted coefficients, and LETd was determined directly from spot energies and voxel coordinates during analytical dose calculations. We validated our new method by comparing the calculated LETd distributions to MC results using 3D Gamma index analysis with 3%/2 mm criteria in 12 patient geometries. The significance of the improvement in Gamma index analysis passing rates over the 1D analytical model was determined using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test.

Results

The passing rate of 3D Gamma analysis comparing LETd distributions from the hybrid 3D method and the 1D method to MC simulations was significantly improved from 94.0% ± 2.5% to 98.0% ± 1.0% (P = 0.0003). The typical time to calculate dose and LETd simultaneously using an Intel Xeon E5‐2680 2.50 GHz workstation was approximately 2.5 min.

Conclusions

Our new method significantly improved the LETd calculation accuracy compared to the 1D method while maintaining significantly shorter calculation time even comparing with the GPU‐based fast MC code.
Elucidating natural product structures using a robust measurement of carbon residual chemical shift anisotropy combined with DFT
Authors: Das Akhi , Nath Nilamoni
Published: November 2019

Determination of configurations and conformations is an important step in the structural characterization of small molecules. Apart from utilizing isotropic J‐couplings and nuclear overhauser effect (NOEs) measured in isotropic solution, anisotropic Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) data such as residual dipolar couplings and residual chemical shift anisotropies (RCSAs) were also used to elucidate complex small molecule structures. Measuring RCSA has always been historically difficult due to the isotropic shift effect accompanied by molecular alignment and therefore only occasionally applied in a few examples. Here, we present a robust measurement of carbon RCSAs using a smaller gel‐stretching device to determine the structures of a few small molecules. A systematic study on how different density functional theory computed anisotropies of the chemical shift anisotropy tensors impact RCSA data interpretation has also been discussed. We also discuss the effect of utilizing various carbons as reference nuclei for RCSA data extraction as well as the orientation behavior of estrone in orthogonal alignment media.
Osteological evidence of short stature and parieto‐squamosal arch craniosynostosis in a non‐adult male from the 13th century Leiria, Portugal
Authors: Garcia Susana J. , Santos Ana Luisa
Published: November 2019

Conditions that cause bone dysplasias and premature closure of sutures are rare. This study aims to discuss the underlying condition of a juvenile exhumed from the São Martinho church graveyard, Leiria, Portugal. The necropolis's stratigraphy dates this individual ca. 1211 AD, the date the church was founded. The skeleton is 84% complete, and the bones are well preserved. Pelvic morphology indicates a male individual. Age at death estimated from the length of the third molar was 17.8 years, whereas skeletal maturation indicated an age ranging between 14 and 16 years. The unusual features of this individual include (a) a stocky body with rugose muscle attachment sites, particularly on the clavicle and upper limb bones, and short long bones; (b) squamous and parieto‐mastoid sutures synostosis that resulted in an asymmetrical vault and mandible. Femur length is consistent with 9.5–12.0 years old. Hundreds of conditions can cause short stature. In this individual, the skeletal characteristics point to a mild form of skeletal dysplasia consistent with hypochondroplasia. However, only genetic tests could confirm this hypothesis. Despite his appearance, this individual survived to late adolescence and was buried in the same way as the other individuals of this medieval community. This study reports the first case of skeletal dysplasia in the Portuguese palaeopathological record.
Utility of BMIQ, a novel web‐based weight management programme, at an academic weight management centre
Authors: Barenbaum Sarah R. , Mathews Sherin E. , Saunders Katherine H. , Minero Guadalupe , Mauer Elizabeth , Aronne Louis J. , Shukla Alpana P.
Published: November 2019

Background

BMIQ is a customizable online platform used to deliver evidence‐based behavioural management that complements office visits with healthcare providers. BMIQ offers educational materials, meal plans and tracking tools for patients, and remote monitoring and guidance for physicians. In this retrospective chart review, the implementation and utility of BMIQ was assessed in patients treated at the Comprehensive Weight Control Center (CWCC) at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Methods

The study included all new patients seen at the CWCC between 9/1/2016 and 6/1/2017 who enrolled in BMIQ. Use of BMIQ was assessed by the number of enrolled patients who activated their account and viewed BMIQ sessions. Demographics, comorbidities, medications, and weight change during 6‐month follow‐up were obtained from the electronic medical records.

Results

Of the 495 new patients enrolled in BMIQ, 217 met the inclusion criteria of 6‐month follow‐up. The mean age was 50.2 (±13.1) and 72% (n = 157) were female. Sixty‐four percent (n = 138) activated their BMIQ account and viewed greater than or equal to 1 BMIQ session. The average number of physician and registered dietitian visits were 3.5 (±1.1) and 1.9 (±1.6), respectively. The average number of weight loss medications was 1.6 with metformin being the most commonly prescribed (76%). Mean weight loss at 6 months was 7.0 ± 5.9%; 59% achieved greater than or equal to 5% weight loss and 28% achieved greater than or equal to 10% weight loss. The total number of physician visits and weight‐loss pharmacotherapies used were significant predictors of patients achieving greater than or equal to 5% weight loss. Regular BMIQ usage was an independent predictor of patients achieving both greater than or equal to 5% and greater than or equal to 10% weight loss at 6 months.

Conclusion

Clinically significant weight loss was achieved in the majority of patients with limited in‐clinic physician and registered dietitian follow‐up in combination with BMIQ. This retrospective study demonstrates the utility of online behavioural therapy as part of a medical weight management intervention.
Psychological and weight history variables as predictors of short‐term weight and body fat mass loss
Authors: Akter Sharmin , Dawson John A. , Kahathuduwa Chanaka N. , Chin Shao‐Hua , Binks Martin
Published: November 2019

Objective

Identifying predictors of early weight loss may have value in predicting longer‐term success in weight loss programmes. This study examined if weight history variables (ie, weight cycling history [WCH], age of onset of obesity [AOO]), and preintervention Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and Power of Food Scale (PFS) scores predicted weight loss (WL) and fat mass loss (FML) following a 3‐week calorie restriction intervention.

Methods

Thirty‐two participants (19‐60 y; body mass index [BMI] 30‐39.9 kg/m2) participated in a 3‐week calorie restriction intervention (1120 kcal/d) as part of a larger clinical trial with 28 completers included in the current analyses. Preintervention WCH, AOO, TFEQ, and PFS subscale scores were collected, and WL and FML were measured. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to predict WL and FML for relevant covariates in this study.

Results

WCH, AOO, preintervention TFEQ subscale scores, and PFS subscale scores did not predict WL (all Ps > .08) or FML (Ps > .06) except, PFS‐food tasted scores significantly predicted WL (r = −0.40, P = .03).

Conclusion

Although these variables were not robust predictors, results for at least the PFS suggest there may be value in further exploring this measure using larger sample sizes.
Immunoproteasome subunit β5i regulates diet‐induced atherosclerosis through altering MERTK‐mediated efferocytosis in Apoe knockout mice
Authors: Liao Jiawei , Xie Yunpeng , Lin Qiuyue , Yang Xiaolei , An Xiangbo , Xia Yunlong , Du Jie , Wang Feng , Li Hui‐Hua
Published: November 2019

The immunoproteasome contains three catalytic subunits (β1i, β2i and β5i) that are important modulators of immune cell homeostasis. A previous study showed a correlation between β5i and human atherosclerotic plaque instability; however, the causative role of β5i in atherosclerosis and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here we explored this issue in apolipoprotein E (Apoe) knockout (eKO) mice with genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of β5i. We found that β5i expression was upregulated in lesional macrophages after an atherogenic diet (ATD). β5i/Apoe double KO (dKO) mice fed on the ATD had a significant decrease in both lesion area and necrotic core area, compared with eKO controls. Moreover, dKO mice had less caspase‐3+ apoptotic cell accumulation but enhanced efferocytosis of apoptotic cells and increased expression of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK). Consistently, similar phenotypes were observed in eKO mice transplanted with dKO bone marrow or treated with β5i‐specific inhibitor PR‐957. Mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that β5i deletion reduced IκBα degradation and inhibited NF‐κB activation, promoting Mertk transcription and efferocytosis, thereby attenuating apoptotic cell accumulation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that β5i plays an important role in diet‐induced atherosclerosis by altering MERTK‐mediated efferocytosis. β5i might be a potential pharmaceutical target against atherosclerosis. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Novel Approach to Investigating Effect of Sulfur as a Coagent on the Quasi‐Static and Cyclic–Dynamic Fatigue Properties of Peroxide Cured EPDM
Authors: Zou Huimin , Qiu Guixue , Liu Guangyong , Soddemann Matthias , Xu Jiayong
Published: November 2019

The effect of sulfur on the quasi‐static and cyclic–dynamic fatigue properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) after three fatigue cycles were investigated under two specially designed test programs. The results turned out that sulfur as a coagent slowed down the vulcanization rate of EPDM compounds and reduced the chemical crosslinks. Further study on the effect of sulfur on the crosslinking behavior showed that this effect could be quantitatively described in linearity and became more distinct at higher crosslinking density. The addition of sulfur as a coagent improved the tearing performance of EPDM as a result of newly generated polysulfur bonds (Sx). The strain and frequency sweep procedures were designed to study the dynamic rheological behavior and we obtained that the storage modulus of EPDM depended less on the addition of sulfur as well as sweeping temperature in sulfur‐assisted curing system. The changes of loss factors obtained from the two sweep procedures were employed to survey the dynamic fatigue properties of EPDM, indicating that the fatigue behavior depended more on peroxide dosage than sulfur content, which might be due to the smaller proportion of polysulfur bridges in the final crosslinking structures of EPDM. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:455–463, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of Thermoplastic Starch and Photocrosslinking on the Properties and Morphology of Electrospun Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) Mats
Authors: Mondragón Margarita , López‐Villegas Oliver , Sánchez‐Valdés Saúl , Rodríguez‐González Francisco Javier
Published: November 2019

Nonwoven fibrous mats of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were successfully prepared through the electrospinning technique using a mixed solvent system of isopropyl alcohol and water. The influence of TPS on the morphology and structure of the fibrous mats was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The addition of TPS to EVOH resulted in beaded electrospun fibers. The SEM images revealed decreasing average width of the blend fibers and increasing quantity of beads with an increased TPS content. EVOH/TPS fibers mats irradiated under ultraviolet light using sodium benzoate as a photosensitizer were also prepared. The size and number of beads were diminished in the photocrosslinked EVOH/TPS fiber mats. The as‐spun and crosslinked EVOH/TPS fiber mats exhibit a superior fluid uptake ability (with 20 wt% of TPS) and superior barrier properties (with 20 and 40 wt% of TPS) in comparison to those observed in neat electrospun EVOH mats. These properties are of particular interest for use in dressing materials for the medical industry and for use in multilayer plastic fuel tanks for the automotive industry, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:474–480, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Oral Anticoagulant Prescription Trends, Profile Use, and Determinants of Adherence in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Perreault Sylvie , de Denus Simon , White‐Guay Brian , Côté Robert , Schnitzer Mireille E. , Dubé Marie‐Pierre , Dorais Marc , Tardif Jean‐Claude
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose

Data on oral anticoagulant (OAC) uptake and pattern of use are limited. Real‐life data in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are important for understanding patient exposure. A cohort study of new OAC users was built to assess trends of drug use from 2011 to 2017, persistence rate, switching rate, adherence level, and predictors of adherence.

Methods

We built a cohort using the Régie d’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and Med‐Echo administrative databases of new adult OAC users within 1 year following hospitalization with a diagnosis of AF. New users of OAC were defined as having no OAC claims in the year before cohort entry. We assessed trends of OAC use; persistence rate, defined as a gap between refills of no longer than two times the duration of the previous prescriptions; and adherence level, defined as the proportion of days covered (PDC) over a 1‐year period following initiation. Predictors of nonadherence (PDC less than 80%) were analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results

The cohort consisted of 33,311 incident OAC users. Of total OAC claims, the proportions of warfarin claims decreased from 77.9% in 2011 to 12.7% in 2017, with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) accounting for 87.3% of claims, of which apixaban and rivaroxaban accounted for 60.1% and 23.4%, respectively, by the end of 2017. One year after OAC initiation, persistence rates ranged from 53% with warfarin to 77% with a high dose of apixaban. Approximately 75% of incident OAC users were considered “adherent” (PDC 80% or more), with a mean PDC of 95.6–98.1%, compared with “nonadherent,” with a mean PDC varying between 43.1% and 50.7%. Older age, female sex, higher CHA2DS2‐VASc score (to predict thromboembolic risk in AF), prior stroke, and treatment with chronic cardiovascular disease drugs were associated with high adherence levels.

Conclusion

The clinical uptake of DOACs increased over time, accounting for 87.3% of prescriptions in 2017. In our study, 25% of new OAC users presented a low adherence level. Adherence to OACs remains a significant challenge in patients with AF.
PHOTOVOLTAICS LITERATURE SURVEY (No. 154)
Authors: Hameiri Ziv
Published: November 2019

In order to help readers stay up‐to‐date in the field, each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles that are most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Renewable Energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal of Applied Physics, and Applied Physics Letters. To assist readers, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions please email Ziv Hameiri at ziv.hameiri@unsw.edu.au.
Aquatic treadmill walking at three depths of water in people with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Narasaki‐Jara Mai , Wagatsuma Mayumi , Holt Jacob Lee , Acuña Stephan Manuel , Vrongistinos Konstantinos , Jung Taeyou
Published: November 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to analyse kinematic and spatiotemporal gait characteristics of aquatic treadmill walking among three different depths of water in individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Methods

A total of 13 individuals with traumatic brain injury participated in the study and completed walking trials at three different depths as follows: waist, chest, and neck level, which was adjusted by a movable floor pool. A self‐selected comfortable walking speed at the waist level was used as a matched speed for all walking trials. Participants completed three aquatic treadmill walking trials under each of the three water depths. Each participant's gait was captured by a customized underwater motion analysis system and processed by a two‐dimensional motion analysis software.

Results

The repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant differences in spatiotemporal and joint kinematic variables across three conditions: stance swing ratio (p = .023), peak hip flexion (p = .001), hip range of motion (p = .047), and peak ankle dorsiflexion (p = .000). Various water properties in conjunction with motor impairments might have contributed to alterations in gait kinematics.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that walking in neck‐depth water may not be ideal for gait training as it appears to limit hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. It is recommended that waist to chest‐depth water be used to provide an accommodating environment for aquatic gait rehabilitation.
Systematic exploration of predicted destabilizing nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) of human aldehyde oxidase: A Bio‐informatics study
Authors: Coelho Catarina , Muthukumaran Jayaraman , Santos‐Silva Teresa , João Romão Maria
Published: November 2019

Aldehyde Oxidase (hAOX1) is a cytosolic enzyme involved in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotic compounds. The enzyme belongs to the xanthine oxidase (XO) family of Mo containing enzyme and is a homo‐dimer of two 150 kDa monomers. Nonsynonymous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (nsSNPs) of hAOX1 have been reported as affecting the ability of the enzyme to metabolize different substrates. Some of these nsSNPs have been biochemically and structurally characterized but the lack of a systematic and comprehensive study regarding all described and validated nsSNPs is urgent, due to the increasing importance of the enzyme in drug development, personalized medicine and therapy, as well as in pharmacogenetic studies. The objective of the present work was to collect all described nsSNPs of hAOX1 and utilize a series of bioinformatics tools to predict their effect on protein structure stability with putative implications on phenotypic functional consequences. Of 526 nsSNPs reported in NCBI‐dbSNP, 119 are identified as deleterious whereas 92 are identified as nondeleterious variants. The stability analysis was performed for 119 deleterious variants and the results suggest that 104 nsSNPs may be responsible for destabilizing the protein structure, whereas five variants may increase the protein stability. Four nsSNPs do not have any impact on protein structure (neutral nsSNPs) of hAOX1. The prediction results of the remaining six nsSNPs are nonconclusive. The in silico results were compared with available experimental data. This methodology can also be used to identify and prioritize the stabilizing and destabilizing variants in other enzymes involved in drug metabolism.
Development of a Bacillus thuringiensis based dsRNA production platform to control sacbrood virus in Apis cerana
Authors: Park Min G , Kim Woo J , Choi Jae Y , Kim Jong H , Park Dong H , Kim Jun Y , Wang Minghui , Je Yeon H
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Sacbrood virus (SBV) is a fatal viruses that infects the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana in Korea. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) has been suggested as a promising strategy for the suppression of honey bee viruses. For the efficient control of SBV infection using RNAi, simple and cost‐effective methods to produce double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) are needed.

RESULTS

To develop a dsRNA production platform using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), pBTdsSBV‐VP1 vector was constructed in which the SBV vp1 gene was located between two oppositely oriented cyt promoters. Both strands of the vp1 gene were bidirectionally transcribed under the control of the sporulation‐dependent cyt promoter in Bt cells transformed with pBTdsSBV‐VP1, and the resulting dsRNA was easily extracted from the Bt transformant, Bt 4Q7/pBTdsSBV‐VP1, by inducing its autolysis. The replication of SBV was dramatically suppressed in A. cerana workers who ingested the dsRNA produced from the Bt 4Q7/pBTdsSBV‐VP1.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we successfully silenced SBV in its host, A. cerana, by the application of exogenous dsRNA produced from an entomopathogenic bacteria, Bt. These results suggested that Bt could be a useful dsRNA production platform to control viral pathogens in their host insects. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of potential candidate genes controlling pea aphid tolerance in a Pisum fulvum high‐density integrated DArTseq SNP‐based genetic map
Authors: Barilli Eleonora , Carrillo‐Perdomo Estefanía , Cobos Maria José , Kilian Andrzej , Carling Jason , Rubiales Diego
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Pea (Pisum sativum) is one of the most important temperate grain legumes in the world, and its production is severely constrained by the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). Wild relatives, such as P. fulvum, are valuable sources of allelic diversity to improve the genetic resistance of cultivated pea species against A. pisum attack. To unravel the genetic control underlying resistance to the pea aphid attack, a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed using the previously developed high density integrated genetic linkage map originated from an intraspecific recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (P. fulvum: IFPI3260 × IFPI3251).

RESULTS

We accurately evaluated specific resistance responses to pea aphid that allowed the identification, for the first time, of genomic regions that control plant damage and aphid reproduction. Eight QTLs associated with tolerance to pea aphid were identified in LGs I, II, III, IV and V, which individually explained from 17.0% to 51.2% of the phenotypic variation depending on the trait scored, and as a whole from 17.0% to 88.6%. The high density integrated genetic linkage map also allowed the identification of potential candidate genes co‐located with the QTLs identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work shows how the survival of P. fulvum after the pea aphid attack depends on the triggering of a multi‐component protection strategy that implies a quantitative tolerance. The genomic regions associated with the tolerance responses of P. fulvum during A. pisum infestation have provided six potential candidate genes that could be useful in marker‐assisted selection (MAS) and genomic assisted breeding (GAB) after functional validation in the future. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A Novel Route for a Fluorescent Temperature Sensor Based on the Reabsorption Process in Sm2+‐Doped KCl
Authors: Morassuti Claudio Yamamoto , Finoto Simone , Silva Junior Reis , Lima Sandro Marcio , Andrade Luis Humberto da Cunha
Published: November 2019

Fluorescent temperature sensors have attracted attention in recent years, due to their potential for use in situations where conventional temperature sensors are unsuitable. There are a lack of appropriate sensors at the microscale for industrial, laboratory, and medical applications. Sm2+:KCl crystals possess luminescence properties that enable them to be used as sensors in a new approach for local temperature measurements, by determining the blueshift or the ratio between the intensities from the allowed 4f–5d transitions. A broad emission band centered at 750 nm at 300 K, with high quantum yield (1.00 ± 0.05), is observed when exciting these crystals in the ultraviolet (UV)–vis range. This emission lies within the optical response range of commercial Si‐based photodetectors, which are readily available at relatively low costs. Furthermore, the crystals can be excited using red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) or a solid‐state laser at 600–650 nm, which are used to produce fluorescent thermometers with a relative sensitivity of 0.24% K−1 (A1/A2 ratio) at 299 K and 1.43 cm−1 K−1 (blueshift).
Semi‐idealized simulations of wintertime flows and pollutant transport in an Alpine valley. Part II: Passive tracer tracking
Authors: Sabatier Tiphaine , Largeron Yann , Paci Alexandre , Lac Christine , Rodier Quentin , Canut Guylaine , Masson Valéry
Published: November 2019

Under wintertime quiescent conditions, thermally driven circulations represent one of the only sources of tracer dispersion over mountainous terrain. Those circulations can be unequally developed at a valley scale since they strongly depend on local morphological arrangement. At the same time, very heterogeneous pollutant distribution can be observed, as for instance in a French Alpine basin located in the Arve River valley. This complex basin regularly shows large variations in pollutant concentrations with certain sectors suffering from poor wintertime air quality. On the other hand, the surrounding tributary valleys appear to be less affected, suggesting that the basin local dynamics may participate in pollutant trapping. The present study intends to classify the pollutant transport mechanisms in terms of efficiency and to identify the most dynamically vulnerable atmospheric volumes regarding pollutant accumulation. This is achieved through a set of semi‐idealized high‐resolution numerical simulations reproducing a full diurnal cycle with passive tracers released continuously at a constant rate. The model is used as a laboratory in order to quantify the influence of several processes on transport mechanism efficiency. This approach underlines the high efficiency of vertical transport by anabatic winds while horizontal transport efficiency by up‐valley wind systems remains weak, leaving the surrounding tributary valleys almost unaffected by the basin pollution during daytime. At night, the efficiency of horizontal transport by the down‐valley wind systems depends on the tracer source location within the basin. In addition, the tracers emitted within the tributary valleys do not reach the basin bottom because of thermal stratification and local morphological arrangement but rather degrade the air quality of mid‐altitude villages lying along the basin sidewalls.
Laser spectroscopy steered 13C‐labelling of plant material in a walk‐in growth chamber
Authors: Slaets Johanna I. F. , Resch Christian , Mayr Leopold , Weltin Georg , Heiling Maria , Gruber Roman , Dercon Gerd
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Carbon‐13 (13C)‐labelled plant material forms the basis for experiments elucidating soil organic carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions. Quantitative field‐scale tracing is only possible if plants are labelled homogeneously in large quantities. By using a laser spectrometer to automatically steer the isotopic ratio in the chamber, it is possible to obtain large amounts of homogeneously labelled plant material.

Methods

Ninety‐six maize plants were labelled for 25 days until tassel formation in a 15 m3 walk‐in growth chamber with a continuous air δ13C‐CO2 value of 400‰. A Los Gatos Research laser absorption spectrometer controlled the ambient δ13C‐CO2 value in the chamber through steering of the mass flow controllers with 13C‐enriched and natural abundance CO2 gas.

Results

Laser absorption spectroscopy steering kept the δ13C value of chamber air between 368 and 426‰. The resulting 1 kg dry matter of 13C‐labelled shoots showed an average δ13C value of 384‰ and accuracy of 8‰ (half width of the 95% confidence interval). Only the oldest leaves showed larger heterogeneity. The growth chamber eliminated variability between plants. The δ13C value of the stabile material did not differ significantly from that of bulk material.

Conclusions

Laser spectroscopy controlled 13C labelling of plants in a walk‐in growth chamber successfully kept the isotopic ratio of the CO2 in the chamber air constant. Therefore, large quantities of material were labelled homogeneously at the inter‐ and intra‐plant level, thus establishing a method to provide high‐quality input for quantitative isotopic tracer studies.
Single-cell high-content imaging parameters predict functional phenotype of cultured human bone marrow stromal stem cells
Authors: Kowal Justyna M. , Schmal Hagen , Halekoh Ulrich , Hjelmborg Jacob B. , Kassem Moustapha
Published: November 2019

Cultured human bone marrow stromal (mesenchymal) stem cells (hBM-MSCs) are heterogenous cell populations exhibiting variable biological properties. Quantitative high-content imaging technology allows identification of morphological markers at a single cell resolution that are determinant for cellular functions. We determined the morphological characteristics of cultured primary hBM-MSCs and examined their predictive value for hBM-MSC functionality. BM-MSCs were isolated from 56 donors and characterized for their proliferative and differentiation potential. We correlated these data with cellular and nuclear morphological features determined by Operetta; a high-content imaging system. Cell area, cell geometry, and nucleus geometry of cultured hBM-MSCs exhibited significant correlation with expression of hBM-MSC membrane markers: ALP, CD146, and CD271. Proliferation capacity correlated negatively with cell and nucleus area and positively with cytoskeleton texture features. In addition, in vitro differentiation to osteoblasts as well as in vivo heterotopic bone formation was associated with decreased ratio of nucleus width to length. Multivariable analysis applying a stability selection procedure identified nuclear geometry and texture as predictors for hBM-MSCs differentiation potential to osteoblasts or adipocytes. Our data demonstrate that by employing a limited number of cell morphological characteristics, it is possible to predict the functional phenotype of cultured hBM-MSCs and thus can be used as a screening test for “quality” of hBM-MSCs prior their use in clinical protocols.

Significance statement Clinical trials employing cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) demonstrate the presence of a large inter-donor variability in biological functions and clinical efficacy. By applying high-content imaging methodology to cultured BM-MSCs obtained from a large cohort of donors, morphological features including cell area and nucleus geometry as predictors for cell differentiation and proliferation were identified. These parameters can serve as selection criteria for BM-MSC populations to be used in clinical trials of enhancing bone regeneration.
Introducing LIVA to measure long‐term firm performance
Authors: Wibbens Phebo D. , Siggelkow Nicolaj
Published: November 2019

Research summary

This article introduces a new measure of long‐term firm performance: long‐term investor value appropriation (LIVA). This measure helps to address a disconnect between the common theoretical assumption that managers optimize firm value, and the widespread empirical practice of measuring performance using short‐term ratios such as return on assets (ROA). LIVA can lead to markedly different strategic insights compared to commonly used measures such as ROA and cumulative abnormal returns. For instance, the widely cited finding of a U‐shaped relation between acquisition experience and performance turns out to be largely driven by short‐term stock price movements and vanishes when using 10‐year LIVA.

Managerial summary

Managers have a large number of performance measures at their disposal, such as return on assets, total shareholder returns, and earnings before interest and taxes. However, these short‐term measures do not capture well whether a firm creates long‐term shareholder value, which is one of the primary objectives for most firms. Addressing that gap, this article introduces a new measure called long‐term investor value appropriation (LIVA). LIVA can be constructed using publicly available stock market data and it can help managers to better analyze historical long‐term performance.
Pure Organic Semiconductor‐Based Photoelectrodes for Water Splitting
Authors: Otep Sultan , Michinobu Tsuyoshi , Zhang Qichun
Published: November 2019

Currently, photoelectrochemical water‐splitting research is dominated by inorganic and organic–inorganic hybrid photoelectrodes. Although organic semiconductors have several advantages over their inorganic counterparts, the development of photoelectrodes based on pure organic materials has been lagging for the last decade. Recent improvements in molecular design, synthesis, and processing of organic semiconductors, such as polythiophenes, graphitic carbon nitrides, conjugated acetylenic polymers, alternating donor–acceptor‐conjugated polymers, and N‐containing fused‐ring small molecules, significantly enhance the performance of these photolectrodes without added cocatalysts. Although this research has been conducted over the past few years, this overlooked topic still stays unexplored, with more efficient materials yet to be discovered. Herein, the early development and recent advances of exclusively organic photoelectrodes for water splitting are summarized and brief perspectives for future improvements are provided.
Highly Efficient Sn–Pb Perovskite Solar Cell and High‐Performance All‐Perovskite Four‐Terminal Tandem Solar Cell
Authors: Yao Yanqing , Lv Feng , Luo Lie , Liao Liping , Wang Gang , Liu Debei , Xu Cunyun , Zhou Guangdong , Zhao Xusheng , Song Qunliang
Published: November 2019

Recently, Sn–Pb low‐bandgap (Eg) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted enormous interest as an ideal bottom cell for all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. However, due to the lack of high‐performance Sn–Pb low‐Eg PSCs, the development of all‐perovskite tandem solar cells is severely constrained. Herein, the performance of Sn–Pb low‐Eg (1.2 eV) PSC is improved significantly using diluted poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as a hole transport layer with a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 19.58% and short‐circuit current density of 29.81 mA cm−2. The four‐terminal (4‐T) all‐perovskite tandem solar cell is constructed using an optical splitting system with this high‐efficient low‐Eg PSC as the bottom cell and a wide‐Eg (1.6 eV) PSC as the top cell. The best all‐perovskite 4‐T tandem solar cell shows a PCE of 23.26%.
The noncanonical BMP signaling pathway plays an important role in club cell regeneration
Authors: Shafiquzzaman Md , Biswas Soma , Li Ping , Mishina Yuji , Li Baojie , Liu Huijuan
Published: November 2019

The bronchiole is a major site for the development of several life-threatening disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung adenocarcinomas. The bronchiolar epithelium is composed of club cells and ciliated epithelial cells, with club cells serving as progenitor cells. Presently, the identity of the cells involved in regeneration of bronchiolar epithelium and the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that Prrx1, a homeobox transcription factor, can mark club cells in adult mice during homeostasis and regeneration. We further show that the noncanonical signaling pathway of BMPs, BMPR1A-Tak1-p38MAPK, plays a critical role in club cell regeneration. Ablation of Bmpr1a, Tak1, or Mapk14 (encoding p38α) in Prrx1+ club cells caused minimal effect on bronchiolar epithelium homeostasis, yet it resulted in severe defects in club cell regeneration and bronchiole repair in adult mice. We further show that this pathway supports proliferation and expansion of the regenerating club cells. Our findings thus identify a marker for club cells and reveal a critical role for the BMP noncanonical pathway in club cell regeneration.