bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Anaerobic Ciliates (Ciliophora, Armophorea) from China: Morphology and SSU rDNA Sequence, with Report of a New Species, Metopus paravestitus nov. spec
Authors: Li Song , Zhuang Wenbao , Pérez‐Uz Blanca , Zhang Qianqian , Hu Xiaozhong
Published: August 2020

The morphology and phylogeny of two metopid ciliates, collected from anaerobic habitats in China, were investigated using live observation, protargol staining method, and SSU rDNA sequencing. The new species Metopus paravestitus nov. spec. can be distinguished by a combination of the following features: oblong cell with densely arranged ectobiotic prokaryotes perpendicular to cell surface, filiform intracytoplasmic structures packed in the anterior portion of the cell. Our work also demonstrates the wide geographical distribution of Metopus es (Müller, 1776) Lauterborn, 1916. The order Metopida is consistently depicted as a paraphylum in SSU rDNA phylogeny. Metopus paravestitus nov. spec. is closely related to its marine congeners than to freshwater forms. The present study confirms once again the non‐monophyly of the genus Metopus and genus Metopidae.
Staffing Levels and COVID‐19 Cases and Outbreaks in U.S. Nursing Homes
Authors: Gorges Rebecca J. , Konetzka R. Tamara
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Nursing homes have experienced a disproportionate share of COVID‐19 cases and deaths. Early analyses indicated that baseline quality was not predictive of nursing home cases, but a more nuanced study of the role of nurse staffing is needed to target resources and better respond to future outbreaks. We sought to understand whether baseline nurse staffing is associated with the presence of COVID‐19 in nursing homes and whether staffing impacts outbreak severity.

DESIGN

We analyzed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) facility‐level data on COVID‐19 cases and deaths merged with nursing home and county characteristics. We used logistic regressions to examine the associations of staffing levels from Nursing Home Compare with the outcomes of any COVID‐19 cases and, conditional on at least one case, an outbreak. Among facilities with at least one case, we modeled count of deaths using hurdle negative binomial‐2 regressions.

SETTING

All nursing homes in the CMS COVID‐19 Nursing Home Dataset with reports that passed the CMS Quality Assurance Check as of June 25, 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Residents of nursing homes that met COVID‐19 reporting requirements.

MEASUREMENTS

A nursing home is defined as having at least one case is if one or more confirmed or suspected COVID‐19 case among residents or staff is reported. Conditional on at least one case, we examine two outcomes: an outbreak, defined as confirmed cases/certified beds >10% or total confirmed and suspected cases/beds >20% or >10 deaths, and the total number of deaths attributed to COVID‐19 among residents and staff.

RESULTS

A total of 71% of the 13,167 nursing homes that reported COVID‐19 data as of June 14 had at least one case among residents and/or staff. Of those, 27% experienced an outbreak. Higher registered nurse‐hours are associated with a higher probability of experiencing any cases. However, among facilities with at least one case, higher nurse aide (NA) hours and total nursing hours are associated with a lower probability of experiencing an outbreak and with fewer deaths. The strongest predictor of cases and outbreaks in nursing homes is per capita cases in the county.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of COVID‐19 in the community remains the strongest predictor of COVID‐19 cases and deaths in nursing homes, but higher NA hours and total nursing hours may help contain the number of cases and deaths.
The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with hair transplantation surgery for the treatment of alopecia
Authors: Fan Zhe‐Xiang , Gan Yuyang , Qu Qian , Wang Jin , Lunan Yang , Liu Bingcheng , Chen Ruosi , Hu Zhi‐Qi , Miao Yong
Published: August 2020

Background

Transplanted hair follicles suffer from various injuries, which are difficult to prevent. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was reported to be an excellent procedure to promote capillary regeneration and reduce ischemia‐reperfusion injury.

Aim

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of HBOT as an adjuvant therapy for hair transplantation surgery.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with II‐IV alopecia were divided into the control group and HBOT group randomly. The control group was treated with routine FUE procedure, while HBOT group combined with HBOT. Patients were treated with 100% oxygen under 2.0 atmospheres absolute pressure for 60 minutes through a facemask during HBOT and take the therapy daily for 7 days continuously after operation. Satisfaction and clinical improvement were evaluated at the fourth week and the sixth month postoperatively.

Results

Itching and folliculitis were significantly decreased in HBOT group (11.8% vs 35.3%). In addition, HBOT resulted in a lower postoperative shedding rate (27.6 ± 2.6% vs 69.1 ± 2.4%); nevertheless, the survival rate at 9 months showed no significant difference between HBOT (96.9 ± 0.5%) and control (93.8 ± 0.6%). The early postoperative satisfaction in control group was much lower than HBOT group (52.9% vs 88.2%), whereas all patients showed satisfaction with the final result.

Conclusion

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is able to minimize the postsurgical follicle shedding and lead to less folliculitis and itching, which provides evidence for HBOT to act as an adjuvant therapy for hair transplantation surgery.
International optimism: Correlates and consequences of dispositional optimism across 61 countries
Authors: Baranski Erica , Sweeny Kate , Gardiner Gwendolyn ,   Members of the International Situations Project, Funder David C.
Published: August 2020

Objective

The current exploratory study sought to examine dispositional optimism, or the general expectation for positive outcomes, around the world.

Method

Dispositional optimism and possible correlates were assessed across 61 countries (N = 15,185; mean age = 21.92; 77% female). Mean‐level differences in optimism were computed along with their relationships with individual and country‐level variables.

Results

Worldwide, mean optimism levels were above the midpoint of the scale. Perhaps surprisingly, country‐level optimism was negatively related to gross domestic product per capita, population density, and democratic norms and positively related to income inequality and perceived corruption. However, country‐level optimism was positively related to projected economic improvement. Individual‐level optimism was positively related to individual well‐being within every country, although this relationship was less strong in countries with challenging economic and social circumstances.

Conclusions

While individuals around the world are generally optimistic, societal characteristics appear to affect the degree to which their optimism is associated with psychological well‐being, sometimes in seemingly anomalous ways.
Development of SSR markers from transcriptome data for the pear rust pathogenGymnosporangium asiaticum
Authors: Weng Han , Tao Si‐Qi , Liang Ying‐Mei
Published: August 2020

The pear‐cypress rustGymnosporangium asiaticumis one of the most significant causal agents of pear rust in Asian pear, severely affecting the pear industry. Research on the genetic diversity of this widespread pathogen has been hampered due to the absence of molecular markers. In the current study, we developed 16 novel microsatellite markers forG. asiaticumfrom transcriptome data by combining next‐generation sequencing and PCR screening. These polymorphic markers were tested on 96 individuals from nine provinces in China. The number of alleles for these markers ranged from two to nine, with an average of five at each locus. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.0411 to 0.7666, with an average of 0.4417. In addition, the observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosities were 0.0312–0.6941 and 0.0417–0.8000, respectively. We also observed low‐to‐moderate levels of genetic differentiation and extremely significant gene flow between the nine provinces. Of these 16 developed simple sequence repeat loci, 11 were transferable to otherGymnosporangiumspecies. These new microsatellite markers can be used in future large‐scale studies of the genetic structure and diversity ofG. asiaticum.
The Gordian Knot of Practicing Digital Transformation: Coping with Emergent Paradoxes in Ambidextrous Organizing Structures*
Authors: Smith Pernille , Beretta Michela
Published: August 2020

Despite increasing scholarly attention on digital transformation, there are only limited micro‐level insights into how incumbent firms organize and manage their digital transformation efforts on a daily basis. Through a longitudinal, exploratory qualitative case study of a large firm, this article investigates how organizational members respond to an ambidextrous organizing model designed to accelerate digital innovations. The firm relied on a hybrid model of separation and integration to organize and manage its digital transformation efforts. This study unfolds the implications and consequences of such a model at the micro‐level. By applying a paradox lens, it shows how the coping actions of organizational members affected the digital transformation. The article illustrates how the hybrid organizing model led to the emergence of three paradoxes at the organizational level (paradoxes of organizing, attention, and knowledge sharing) that organizational members had to cope with. It shows how organizational members, through their coping with these paradoxes, indirectly affected the organizing model by altering its original design; and how the management, influenced by these learnings, subsequently adapted the model to enable a better sustainability over time. Overall, the findings show and explain why organizing for digital transformation is a particularly complex and paradoxical endeavor. They also provide important insights to managers and organizational developers, helping them to become aware of possible tensions in their organizing efforts as well as of coping strategies and practices to tackle these tensions. Finally, the article suggests different paths for further research in digital transformation and digital innovation from a micro‐level perspective.
Echocardiographic predictors of first onset of atrial fibrillation in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Baron Toaldo Marco , Mazzoldi Chiara , Romito Giovanni , Poser Helen , Contiero Barbara , Cipone Mario , Guglielmini Carlo
Published: August 2020

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) as a consequence of left atrial (LA) dilatation, and it affects survival and quality of life.

Objectives

To evaluate the usefulness of echocardiography in predicting the first occurrence of AF in dogs with MMVD.

Animals

Forty‐four client‐owned dogs with MMVD, 22 dogs that developed AF, and 22 dogs that maintained sinus rhythm.

Methods

Retrospective observational study. Medical databases were reviewed for dogs that developed AF during the year after diagnosis of MMVD (AF group). The last echocardiographic examination obtained while still in sinus rhythm was used to derive selected variables. For each dog with AF, a control dog matched for body weight, class of heart failure, and LA dimension was selected. Echocardiographic results including LA volumes and LA speckle tracking echocardiography (STE)‐derived variables were measured.

Results

Among the tested echocardiographic variables, only LA diameter (P = .03) and left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (P = .03) differed significantly between groups, whereas body weight‐indexed variables of cardiac dimension as well as LA volumes and volume‐derived functional variables were not different. Among the STE‐derived variables, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) results differed significantly between the AF group (23.8% ± 8.6%) and the control group (30.5% ± 9.6%; P = .03). A value of PALS ≤28% predicted AF occurrence with sensitivity and specificity of 0.80 and 0.65, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Absolute cardiac diameters and LA STE (in particular, PALS) are useful echocardiographic predictors for the development of AF in dogs with MMVD.
Teachers as Orchestrators of Neuronal Plasticity: Effects of Teaching Practices on the Brain
Authors: Brault Foisy Lorie‐Marlène , Matejko Anna A. , Ansari Daniel , Masson Steve
Published: August 2020

Students' behavioral outcomes are often used by both researchers and teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of pedagogical interventions. Extensive research using behavioral metrics has found that some interventions are more effective than others in certain contexts. However, there has been less focus on how different interventions impact the processing of academic skills at a neural level. To explore this question, we conducted a narrative review of literature examining two or more interventions related to the same subject of learning. We discuss five main themes that encompass different pedagogical practices: (1) orienting attention toward particular features; (2) teaching a particular strategy; (3) changing the level of cognitive engagement; (4) setting an educational context; and (5) interacting with the learner. We provide examples of how these pedagogical practices lead to changes in both brain and behavior. This review provides insights into how teachers orchestrate neural plasticity through different pedagogical choices.
Capturing open ocean biodiversity: Comparing environmental DNA metabarcoding to the continuous plankton recorder
Authors: Suter Leonie , Polanowski Andrea Maree , Clarke Laurence John , Kitchener John Andrew , Deagle Bruce Emerson
Published: August 2020

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is emerging as a novel, objective tool for monitoring marine metazoan biodiversity. Zooplankton biodiversity in the vast open ocean is currently monitored through continuous plankton recorder (CPR) surveys, using ship‐based bulk plankton sampling and morphological identification. We assessed whether eDNA metabarcoding (2 L filtered seawater) could capture similar Southern Ocean zooplankton biodiversity as conventional CPR bulk sampling (~1,500 L filtered seawater per CPR sample). We directly compared eDNA metabarcoding with (a) conventional morphological CPR sampling and (b) bulk DNA metabarcoding of CPR collected plankton (two transects for each comparison, 40 and 44 paired samples, respectively). A metazoan‐targeted cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) marker was used to characterize species‐level diversity. In the 2 L seawater eDNA samples, this marker amplified large amounts of non‐metazoan picoplanktonic algae, but eDNA metabarcoding still detected up to 1.6 times more zooplankton species than morphologically analysed bulk CPR samples. COI metabarcoding of bulk DNA samples mostly avoided nonmetazoan amplifications and recovered more zooplankton species than eDNA metabarcoding. However, eDNA metabarcoding detected roughly two thirds of metazoan species and identified similar taxa contributing to community differentiation across the subtropical front separating transects. We observed a diurnal pattern in eDNA data for copepods which perform diel vertical migrations, indicating a surprisingly short temporal eDNA signal. Compared to COI, a eukaryote‐targeted 18S ribosomal RNA marker detected a higher proportion, but lower diversity, of metazoans in eDNA. With refinement and standardization of methodology, eDNA metabarcoding could become an efficient tool for monitoring open ocean biodiversity.
Sphingolipids: Regulators of azole drug resistance and fungal pathogenicity
Authors: Song Jinxing , Liu Xiao , Li Rongpeng
Published: August 2020

In recent years, the role of sphingolipids in pathogenic fungi, in terms of pathogenicity and resistance to azole drugs, has been a rapidly growing field. This review describes evidence about the roles of sphingolipids in azole resistance and fungal virulence. Sphingolipids can serve as signaling molecules that contribute to azole resistance through modulation of the expression of drug efflux pumps. They also contribute to azole resistance by participating in various microbial pathways such as the unfolded protein response (UPR), pH‐responsive Rim pathway, and pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) pathway. In addition, sphingolipid signaling and eisosomes also coordinately regulate sphingolipid biosynthesis in response to azole‐induced membrane stress. Sphingolipids are important for fungal virulence, playing roles during growth in hosts under stressful conditions, maintenance of cell wall integrity, biofilm formation, and production of various virulence factors. Finally, we discuss the possibility of exploiting fungal sphingolipids for the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat infections caused by pathogenic fungi.
Reconsidering the “protective” hypothesis of Helicobacter pylori infection in eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Doulberis Michael , Kountouras Jannis , Rogler Gerhard
Published: August 2020

Since its discovery, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has attracted attention in the biomedical world with its numerous pathophysiologic implications, both gastrointestinal and systemic. Beyond its well‐established carcinogenic properties, emerging evidence also supports “harmful” proinflammatory and neurodegenerative roles of H. pylori. On the other hand, H. pylori infection has been proposed to be “protective” against several diseases, such as asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a relatively new, allergen/immune–mediated disease, which has also been linked to these considerations. Main arguments are a postulated shift of immune responses by H. pylori from T helper 2 (TH2) to TH1 polarization, as well as a potential decline of the H. pylori burden with the dramatic parallel rise of ΕοΕ: a series of observational studies reported an inverse association. In this review, we counter these arguments by providing further epidemiological data, which point out that this generalization might be rather incomplete. We also discuss the limitations of the existing studies evaluating a possible association. Furthermore, we provide current evidence on common pathogenetic components, which share both entities. In summary, the claim that H. pylori is protective against EoE is rather incomplete, and further mechanistic studies are necessary to elucidate a possible association.
Investigating the psychometric properties of the Carers’ Fall Concern instrument to measure carers’ concern for older people at risk of falling at home: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ang Seng Giap Marcus , O’Brien Anthony Paul , Wilson Amanda
Published: August 2020

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Carers’ Fall Concern Instrument (CFC‐I) for measuring carers’ concern for older people (care recipients) at risk of falling.

Background

Family carers are crucial in preventing older people from falling at home. Their concerns for older people at risk of falling have severe implications on carers’ psychological well‐being and ability to prevent falls. However, there is no validated instrument measuring this concern.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was used to examine the validity and reliability of the CFC‐I. Carers looking after older people living at home completed the 17‐item CFC‐I and provided information about their care arrangements and the older people's fall history. Construct validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis and hypothesis testing. Internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient.

Results

143 carers completed the survey either by face‐to‐face or by online. After deleting one item with an item‐total correlation of below 0.3, the remaining 16‐item CFC‐I reported a Cronbach alpha of 0.93. Construct validity was supported by strong item‐total correlations (0.51–0.76), mean inter‐item correlations (0.47) and factor loadings (0.557–0.809). Factor analysis revealed three factors that include concerns about care recipients’ health and function, living environment and carers’ perception of fall and fall risk. The 16‐item CFC‐I can discriminate between carers of older people with and without recurrent (fallen 3/ more times) falls.

Conclusion

The 16‐item CFC‐I is a valid and reliable scale for measuring carers’ concern for the older people's risk of falling. Future analysis of test–retest and inter‐rater reliability of the instrument will further support its clinical use for carers.

Implications for practice

The newly developed multi‐item CFC‐I can be used to quantify the carers’ level of fall concern and inform targeted interventions for carers when caring for older people who are at risk of falling.
Analysis of CRISPR‐Cas9 screens identifies genetic dependencies in melanoma
Authors: Christodoulou Eirini , Rashid Mamunur , Pacini Clare , Droop Alastair , Robertson Holly , Groningen Tim van , Teunisse Amina F. A. S. , Iorio Francesco , Jochemsen Aart G. , Adams David J. , Doorn Remco van
Published: August 2020

Targeting the MAPK signaling pathway has transformed the treatment of metastatic melanoma. CRISPR‐Cas9 genetic screens provide a genome‐wide approach to uncover novel genetic dependencies that might serve as therapeutic targets. Here, we analyzed recently reported CRISPR‐Cas9 screens comparing data from 28 melanoma cell lines and 313 cell lines of other tumor types in order to identify fitness genes related to melanoma. We found an average of 1,494 fitness genes in each melanoma cell line. We identified 33 genes, inactivation of which specifically reduced the fitness of melanoma. This set of tumor type‐specific genes includes established melanoma fitness genes as well as many genes that have not previously been associated with melanoma growth. Several genes encode proteins that can be targeted using available inhibitors. We verified that genetic inactivation of DUSP4 and PPP2R2A reduces the proliferation of melanoma cells. DUSP4 encodes an inhibitor of ERK, suggesting that further activation of MAPK signaling activity through its loss is selectively deleterious to melanoma cells. Collectively, these data present a resource of genetic dependencies in melanoma that may be explored as potential therapeutic targets.
The effectiveness of consistent roguing in managing banana bunchy top disease in smallholder production in Africa
Authors: Omondi Bonaventure A. , Soko Misheck M. , Nduwimana Innocent , Delano Ronald T. , Niyongere Celestin , Simbare Alice , Kachigamba Donald , Staver Charles
Published: August 2020

The removal of infected individuals is a common practice in the management of plant disease outbreaks. It minimizes the contact between healthy individuals and inoculum sources by reducing the infectious window of contaminated individuals. This requires early detection and consistent removal at landscape scale. Roguing of mats with symptoms of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) in Cavendish banana production systems has been tested in Australia, using trained personnel, but has never been tested in smallholder systems. We studied the effectiveness of long‐term consistent roguing in prolonging the productivity of banana orchards under smallholder farming systems in highland banana and plantain dominated production systems in Africa. We assessed the possibility of low‐risk seed sourcing from the managed plots. Roguing reduced BBTD incidence to 2% in managed farmer fields and to 10% in experimental field plots, while a nonmanaged field eventually collapsed in the same period. With roguing, new infections decreased monthly compared to an exponential increase in a nonmanaged field. The emergence of new infections in both managed and nonmanaged farms followed a seasonal cycle. BBTD managed plots were a source of low‐risk seed for replacing the rogued mats in the same fields, but perhaps not safe for use in nonendemic areas. We conclude that it is possible for smallholder farmers to recover and maintain banana productivity with rigorous roguing, which would entail early identification of symptoms and early removal of diseased mats. Studies are needed on the intensity of roguing under different disease and production conditions.
Ion homeostasis for salinity tolerance in plants: a molecular approach
Authors: Amin Insha , Rasool Saiema , Mir Mudasir A. , Wani Wasia , Masoodi Khalid Z. , Ahmad Parvaiz
Published: August 2020

Soil salinity is one of the major environmental stresses faced by the plants. Sodium chloride is the most important salt responsible for inducing salt stress by disrupting the osmotic potential. Due to various innate mechanisms, plants adapt to the sodic niche around them. Genes and transcription factors regulating ion transport and exclusion such as salt overly sensitive (SOS), Na+/H+exchangers (NHXs), high sodium affinity transporter (HKT) and plasma membrane protein (PMP) are activated during salinity stress and help in alleviating cells of ion toxicity. For salt tolerance in plants signal transduction and gene expression is regulated via transcription factors such as NAM (no apical meristem), ATAF (Arabidopsis transcription activation factor), CUC (cup‐shaped cotyledon), Apetala 2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF), W‐box binding factor (WRKY) and basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP). Cross‐talk between all these transcription factors and genes aid in developing the tolerance mechanisms adopted by plants against salt stress. These genes and transcription factors regulate the movement of ions out of the cells by opening various membrane ion channels. Mutants or knockouts of all these genes are known to be less salt‐tolerant compared to wild‐types. Using novel molecular techniques such as analysis of genome, transcriptome, ionome and metabolome of a plant, can help in expanding the understanding of salt tolerance mechanism in plants. In this review, we discuss the genes responsible for imparting salt tolerance under salinity stress through transport dynamics of ion balance and need to integrate high‐throughput molecular biology techniques to delineate the issue.
Fines, Fees, Forfeitures, and Disparities: A Link Between Municipal Reliance on Fines and Racial Disparities in Policing
Authors: Shoub Kelsey , Christiani Leah , Baumgartner Frank R. , Epp Derek A. , Roach Kevin
Published: August 2020

We investigate a possible linkage between municipal reliance on fines, fees, and forfeitures as a revenue source and policing behavior. With a dataset of four million traffic stops made by North Carolina municipalities, we demonstrate that a regular reliance on fines, fees, and forfeitures has powerful, predictable, and racially distinct impacts on black and white drivers, and that fiscal stress exacerbates these differences. A greater regular reliance on fines, fees, and forfeitures is linked to a decrease in the probability of white, but not black, drivers being searched; and increased odds of finding contraband among those white drivers who are searched, but no such change for black drivers. We validate the North Carolina tests with aggregate analyses of municipalities across four states.
Sustainability Synergies or Silos? The Opportunity Costs of Local Government Organizational Capabilities
Authors: Deslatte Aaron , Stokan Eric
Published: August 2020

Public managers serve many sovereigns, work within fiscal constraints, and face competing demands for finite resources. This article applies a strategic management lens to local government sustainability capabilities to examine the conditions under which local governments diversify into new areas of service delivery and when they do not. Building on recent efforts to apply resource‐based theories to the public sector, the authors distinguish between more and less fungible capabilities and posit that local government officials make such commitments to enhance the competitiveness of their communities. Two surveys of U.S. cities provide evidence that governments that rely on tax incentive‐based development approaches may struggle to make sustainable development gains. Such cities are more likely to devote resources disproportionately to delivering benefits to firms at the risk of incurring increasing opportunity costs over time. Prior commitments to traditional, firm‐based economic development capabilities appear to inhibit their ability to pursue broader sustainability policies. However, economic development strategic planning can also positively influence some investments in greenhouse gas reduction efforts. Moreover, cities facing more competition for development are more likely to integrate planning and performance measurement to assess their sustainability commitments.
Theca cell‐conditioned medium added to in vitro maturation enhances embryo developmental competence of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes after parthenogenic activation
Authors: Zhang Jun , Deng Yanfei , Chen Weili , Zi Yonghong , Shi Deshun , Lu Fenghua
Published: August 2020

Theca cells (TCs) play a key role in follicular growth and atresia. TCs synthesize androgens that act as substrate for granulosa cells (GCs) aromatization to estrogens needed for oocyte maturation. However, the effects of TCs in the form of conditioned medium on in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental competence of buffalo oocytes remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the impacts of TC‐conditioned medium (TCCM) on maturation efficiency and embryo development of buffalo oocytes after parthenogenic activation (PA). Our results showed that TCCM that was collected on day 2 and added to IVM medium at a 20% proportional level (2 days & 20%) exerted no significant effect on IVM rate (43.06% vs. 44.71%), but significantly (p  < .05) enhanced embryo development (oocyte cleavage, 80.93% vs. 69.66%; blastocyst formation, 39.85% vs. 32.84%) of buffalo oocytes after PA compared with the control group. However, monolayer TC significantly (p < .05) promoted both maturation efficiency (48.84% vs. 44.53%) and embryo development (oocyte cleavage, 80.39% vs. 69.32%; blastocyst formation, 35.38% vs. 29.25%) of buffalo oocytes after PA compared to that in the control group. Furthermore, TCs secreted some testosterone into the conditioned medium, which significantly (p < .05) promoted the expression levels of oestrogen synthesis‐related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1 and 17β‐HSD) in buffalo cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). Our study indicated that TCCM (2 days & 20%) did not significantly affect IVM efficiency, but enhanced embryo developmental competence of oocytes after PA principally by stimulating the secretion of testosterone and facilitating estradiol synthesis of buffalo COCs.
Post‐traumatic symptom severity mediates the association between combat exposure and suicidal ideation in veterans
Authors: Glenn Jeffrey J. , Dillon Kirsten H. , Dennis Paul A. , Patel Tapan A. , Mann Adam J. , Calhoun Patrick S. , Kimbrel Nathan A. , Beckham Jean C. , Elbogen Eric B.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Previous studies of military veterans have produced mixed findings regarding whether combat exposure is directly related to suicidal ideation or is indirectly related to suicidal ideation via its influence on other factors. The present study used a longitudinal design to test the hypothesis that post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity mediates the effect of combat exposure on suicidal ideation in veterans.

Method

Participants included 319 post‐9/11 veterans (83.4% male; 42.1% White/52.1% Black; Mage = 39.7) assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapped confidence intervals were employed to examine the direct and indirect relationships between combat exposure, suicidal ideation, and PTSD symptom severity.

Results

Results from the mediation model, in which demographic variables and non‐combat trauma were included as covariates, revealed that the indirect effect of combat exposure on suicidal ideation via PTSD symptom severity was statistically significant, accounting for 64.1% of the covariance between combat exposure and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

This study provides longitudinal evidence that the effects of combat exposure on suicidal ideation are mediated by PTSD symptom severity, suggesting the importance of targeting such symptoms in treatment to mitigate suicide risk among veterans with combat exposure.
Effects of vegetation pattern and of biochar and powdery soil amendments on soil loss by wind in a semi‐arid region
Authors: Pajouhesh Mehdi , Gharahi Nasrin , Iranmanesh Mahdieh , Cornelis Wim M.
Published: August 2020

Dust emission from wind erosion is a widespread phenomenon in arid and semi‐arid areas having considerable implications for ecosystems and human well‐being. However, few studies have examined the efficiency of biochar amended to soil on wind erosion control. Aimed at studying the effect of biochar on resistance of soils against wind erosion, a wind tunnel experiment was conducted. We tested (a) soils amended with hard waste walnut wood biochar and soft maize cob biochar, and (b) soils amended with powdery waste wood and powdery maize cob, and compared them with (c) non‐treated soil, in their susceptibility to wind erosion and also the additional effect of various patterns of vegetation cover. Amending soil with biochar and powdery material did significantly increase their resilience to wind erosion because of increased soil aggregation. In comparison with the non‐treated control, the mass flux of un‐vegetated soil reduced from 4.42 to 1.86 g m−2 s−1 for the waste walnut wood biochar, from 4.28 to 1.50 g m−2 s−1 for maize cob biochar, from 4.11 to 1.44 g m−2 s−1 for powdery maize cob and from 3.97 to 1.14 g m−2 s−1 for powdery waste walnut wood. When combining amendments with vegetation, there was still a substantial improvement, though the soil treatments responded differently in terms of soil loss to different vegetation patterns. A single row vegetation pattern had the highest mass flux, while a zigzag vegetation pattern had the lowest. In conclusion, waste wood or maize cobs, whether applied as biochar or as powdery material, are able to fix soil and reduce wind erosion.
Prospective assessment of Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile colonization and acquisition in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Austin Kristin , Sweet Michael , Likar Eric , LaSala P. Rocco , Murray Amanda , Wen Sijin , Ross Kelly G. , Kanate Abraham S. , Veltri Lauren , Matuga Rebekah , Cumpston Aaron
Published: August 2020

Background

Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) possess numerous risk factors for Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) and experience a high rate of diarrhea. Colonization rates of Clostridium difficile vary greatly among subgroup analyses with recent studies demonstrating colonization rates in the blood and marrow transplant units up to nine times that of the general population.

Methods

The primary objectives of this study were to identify the rate of C difficile colonization and acquisition in HSCT patients admitted to the blood and marrow transplant unit. This was a prospective study that included all adult patients admitted for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Stool specimens were routinely collected on admission and weekly thereafter for a maximum of six samples per patient.

Results

Forty‐two patients met inclusion criteria and had baseline samples available for analysis. The rate of C difficile colonization on admission was 24%, and an additional 9% of patients acquired the organism during admission. Twelve percent of patients developed CDI that was diagnosed clinically. Univariate analysis showed an increased risk of colonization for patients with three or more prior chemotherapy cycles.

Conclusions

Given high colonization rates coupled with high risk of CDI in this population, providers must be judicious when testing for CDI and interpreting test results for HSCT patients.
Barriers to blood donation on social media: An analysis of Facebook and Twitter posts
Authors: Ramondt Steven , Zijlstra Melissa , Kerkhof Peter , Merz Eva‐Maria
Published: August 2020

Background

To better understand donor behavior and ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply, various observational studies have examined barriers to blood donation. This study used Facebook and Twitter data to enhance existing research on donation barriers and associated emotions communicated on social media by both donors and non‐donors.

Study design and methods

We conducted a semantic network analysis (SNA) with 168 232 public Dutch language social media messages from Facebook and Twitter during 2012‐2018. SNA uses concepts as nodes in a network and the relationship (ie, co‐occurrence) as links between them. We identified the relationship between donation barriers, non‐donation (voluntary and involuntary), and dissatisfaction (anger and disappointment) within social media messages. This computational method was combined with an analysis examining significant relationships in‐depth.

Results

Twelve donation barriers were identified: lifestyle, donation location, medical reasons, no invitation, opening times, physical reactions, pregnancy, remuneration, sexual risk behavior, time constraints, travels, and waiting times. More messages related to involuntary non‐donation compared to voluntary non‐donation. Involuntary non‐donation was associated most strongly with medical reasons and sexual risk behavior, while voluntary non‐donation was associated most strongly with resentment regarding remuneration of the blood bankʼs top management. Anger associated most strongly with sexual risk behavior and disappointment most strongly with medical reasons.

Conclusion

Discussions around blood donation are increasingly taking place online. Donation barriers found in this study differ from those in survey research. Insights into how donation barriers are communicated in an ever‐growing online environment can be utilized to enhance recruitment and retention strategies.
Slot blotting and flow cytometry: two efficient assays for platelet antibody screening among patients with platelet refractoriness
Authors: Ameri Zahra , Vahidi Reza , Khaleghi Morteza , Dehesh Tania , Sheikhbardsiri Amir , Farsinejad Alireza
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

Frequent platelet transfusion may lead to the formation of alloantibodies and immune‐mediated platelet destruction. Currently, identifying economic and effective screening methods is necessary for the management of platelet transfusion while different tests were recommended. The present study aims to challenge the performance of slot blotting (SB) and flow cytometry (FC) assays in detecting immune platelet refractoriness.

Materials and Methods

Sera from 118 patients who received blood components and were clinically suspected of platelet refractoriness were enrolled. Platelet‐reactive antibodies were explored in parallel by SB, FC and monoclonal antibody‐specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) techniques. In a further study, chloroquine‐treated platelets were incubated with MAIPA‐positive serum, and then, the results of the SB and FC techniques were compared.

Results

Using MAIPA as a reference, antibodies were detected in 51 sera, with specificity for human leucocyte antigens (HLA), human platelet antigens (HPA) or both HLA/HPA, in 27, 18 and 6 patients, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of SB and FC were 86·3%, 88·1%, 82·4% and 95·5%, respectively. The Spearman correlation revealed significant (P < 0·001) correlations between FC (r = 0·763) and SB (r = 0·738) with MAIPA. In respect to HPA antibody detection, SB had 83·3% sensitivity and 92·6% specificity compared to 91·7% and 96·3% for FC while both approaches are acceptable (P < 0·001, r = 0·69; P < 0·001, r = 0·773) and can be recommended.

Conclusions

The present study acknowledges that among the used methods, the flow cytometry's performance is the most appropriate, but slot blotting, with acceptable sensitivity, can be used as an acceptable and convenient procedure for platelet antibody screening.
The Effectiveness of Non‐Pharmacological Interventions on Apathy in Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Cai Yan , Li Liyu , Xu Chang , Wang Zhiwen
Published: August 2020

Background

Apathy is one of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which is the most frequent and can accelerate the progress of dementia.

Aims

To systematically review the evidence of effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions on apathy in patients with dementia.

Methods

Databases including the Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, CNKI, and Wan Fang Data were searched for systematic reviews of the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions on apathy in patients with dementia. AMSTAR 2 was applied to assess the methodological quality of reviews.

Results

Nine systematic reviews were included. The average level of overall confidence for included systematic reviews was low. Among all the non‐pharmacological interventions involved in this review, the effectiveness of multisensory stimulation, music therapy, cognitive stimulation, and pet therapy was relatively robust. The effects of reminiscence therapy, therapeutic conversation, progressive muscle relaxation, art therapy, exercise therapy, occupational therapy, dementia special care units, nursing staff education, and comprehensive interventions need to be validated further. Meanwhile, the current evidence failed to support the effects of psychomotor therapy and validation therapy on apathy.

Linking Evidence to Action

Non‐pharmacological interventions for apathy in patients with dementia are acceptable. In spite of requirements for adequate and high‐quality original studies and quantitative systematic reviews to validate the efficacy of non‐pharmacological interventions, multisensory stimulation, music therapy, cognitive stimulation, and pet therapy are deemed the most helpful according to evidences available.
Inter‐hemispheric inhibition sculpts the output of neural circuits by co‐opting the two cerebral hemispheres
Authors: Carson Richard G.
Published: August 2020

‘Inter‐hemispheric inhibition’ is used frequently to describe the action of one hemisphere in suppressing or impeding processing in its counterpart. It is widely believed that this is required in order to prevent a bilateral cerebrum giving rise to simultaneous and potentially competing outputs. It is argued here that a fundamental role of inter‐hemispheric inhibition is to support contrast enhancing and integrative functions by co‐opting the capacities of the two cerebral hemispheres. Drawing upon an extensive body of empirical data, derived largely from animal models, and associated theoretical modelling, it is demonstrated that inter‐hemispheric projections act via mechanisms such as surround/lateral inhibition. The principal functional unit of callosal influence comprises a facilitatory centre and a depressing peripheral zone, which together shape the influence of converging inputs to pyramidal neurons. Inter‐hemispheric inhibition is an instance of a more general feature of mammalian neural systems, whereby inhibitory interneurons act not simply to prevent over‐excitation but to sculpt the output of specific circuits. The narrowing of the excitatory focus that occurs through crossed surround inhibition is a highly conserved motif of transcallosal interactions in mammalian sensory and motor cortices. A case is presented that the ‘inter‐hemispheric competition’ model has been sustained, and its clinical derivatives promoted, by erroneous assumptions concerning that revealed by investigative techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The alternative perspective offered here is also shown to be consistent with known associations between the structural integrity of callosal projections and the magnitude of the motor deficits that are exhibited following stroke.

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Analysis of a virus-resistant HIV-1 model with behavior change in non-progressors
Authors: Rabiu Musa , Willie Robert , Parumasur Nabendra
Published: August 2020

We develop a virus-resistant HIV-1 mathematical model with behavioural change in HIV-1 resistant non-progressors. The model hasВ both disease-free and endemic equilibrium points that are proved toВ be locally asymptotically stable depending on the value of the associated reproduction numbers. In both models, a non-linear Goh{Volterra Lyapunov function was used to prove that theВ endemic equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable for specialВ case while the method of Castillo-Chavez was used to prove the globalВ asymptotic stability of the disease-free equilibrium point. In both theВ analytic and numerical results, this study shows that in the context ofВ resistance to HIV/AIDS, total abstinence can also play an importantВ role in protection against this notorious infectious disease.
A Novel Real-Time Thermal Analysis and Layer Time Control Framework for Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Fathizadan Sepehr , Ju Feng , Rowe Kyle , Fiechter Alex , Hofmann Nils
Published: August 2020

Production efficiency and product quality need to be addressed simultaneously to ensure the reliability of large-scale additive manufacturing. Specifically, print surface temperature plays a critical role in determining the quality characteristics of the product. Moreover, heat transfer via conduction as a result of spatial correlation between locations on the surface of large and complex geometries necessitates the employment of more robust methodologies to extract and monitor the data. In this article, we propose a framework for real-time data extraction from thermal images and a novel method for controlling layer time during the printing process. A FLIR™ thermal camera captures and stores the stream of images from the print surface temperature, while the Thermwood Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM™) machine is printing components. A set of digital image processing tasks were performed to extract the thermal data. Separate regression models based on real-time thermal imaging data are built on each location on the surface to predict the associated temperatures. Subsequently, a control method is proposed to find the best time for printing the next layer given the predictions. Finally, several scenarios based on the cooling dynamics of surface structure were defined and analyzed, and the results were compared to the current fixed layer time policy. It was concluded that the proposed method can significantly increase the efficiency by reducing the overall printing time while preserving the quality.
The Value of Information From Horizontal Distributed Acoustic Sensing Compared to Multicomponent Geophones Via Machine Learning
Authors: Jreij Samir F. , Trainor-Guitton Whitney J. , Morphew Michael , Chen Ning Ivan Lim
Published: August 2020

Faults play an important role in recharging many geothermal reservoirs, and seismic information can image the locations of these faults. The value of information (VOI) metric is used to objectively quantify and compare the value of two types of seismic receiver data via a machine learning approach. The demonstrated VOI methodology is novel by including spatial models from seismic data and obtaining the information statistics from machine learning. Our two-dimensional numerical experiments compare images created from sparsely spaced (80 m), two-component geophone sampling to high spatial resolution (1 m), single-component DAS. We used a three-fold cross validation of a U-Net convolutional neural networks to achieve average classification statistics. The results suggest that when horizontal sources are utilized, geophones and DAS identify reflectors and non-reflectors at roughly the same rate. The average F1 score for horizontal DAS is 0.939 and 0.931 for geophones. For images created from a vertical source, DAS performed marginally better (F1 = 0.919) than geophones (F1 = 0.877). Our transferrable methodology can provide guidance on which acquisition scenarios can improve images of important structures in the subsurface and present an efficient method for obtaining reliability statistics from high-dimensional, spatial data.