bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of carrot puree incorporation on quality characteristics of instant noodles
Authors: Prerana Shere , Anupama Devkatte
Published: October 2019

The present investigation was undertaken to develop carrot puree‐incorporated noodles and increase vegetable intake in the diet of consumers. Carrot puree was incorporated at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g per 100 g of refined wheat flour. Cold extrusion and air‐drying method were used to prepare noodles. Carrot noodles were analyzed for nutritional, sensory, cooking, and textural properties. Forty grams of vegetable puree per 100 g of refined wheat flour was preferred in sensory evaluation. The nutritional analysis results of 100 g dried carrot noodles indicated increase in total carotenoids (1.58 mg) and minerals such as calcium (36.3 mg), phosphorous (140.4 mg), iron (9.5 mg), potassium (192.4 mg), and crude fiber (3.85 g) compared with control. Carrot noodles in comparison with control (14.33%) showed decreased cooking loss (8.74%) which affirmed better binding of fiber particles with starch–protein matrix. The texture analysis of test noodles showed reduction in hardness (27.06%), springiness (79.78%), and cohesiveness values (0.74%) compared with control noodles.

Practical Applications

Instant noodle enrichment with vegetable source (carrot) will not only find a new avenue for the noodle industry to provide healthier option to the consumers but also nutritionally enhance the noodles with micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and phytochemicals. The carrot in puree incorporation improves the sensory, cooking, and nutritional qualities of noodles. The enrichment with vegetable source (carrot) will develop low‐energy dense air‐dried instant noodles and can help increase vegetable intake in the diet of consumers through a food matrix that is well appreciated by all age groups.
Knowledge of US Midwifery Credentials Among Members of the American College of Nurse‐Midwives
Authors: Jefferson Karen , MacKenzie Rachel K. , Hackley Barbara , Perlman Dana
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Three midwifery credentials are granted in the United States: certified nurse‐midwife (CNM), certified midwife (CM), and certified professional midwife (CPM). Confusion about US midwifery credentials may restrict growth of the midwifery profession. This survey assessed American College of Nurse‐Midwives (ACNM) members’ knowledge of US midwifery credentials.

Methods

ACNM members (N = 7551) were surveyed via email in 2017. The survey asked respondents to report demographic information and to identify correct statements about the education, certification, and scope of practice of CNMs, CMs, and CPMs. Responses to 17 items about all midwives certified in the United States, a 5‐item subset specific to CNMs/CMs, and one item related to location of midwifery practice by credential were analyzed.

Results

Nearly a quarter of the membership (22.1%) responded to the survey. Higher scores on the survey indicated greater identification of correct statements about the education, certification, scope, and location of practice of CNMs, CMs, and CPMs. Significant differences in scores were found among ACNM members based on their level of education, degree of professional involvement in midwifery, and prior practice as a nurse. ACNM members with higher scores on the survey held a doctorate, worked in Region I, and had greater professional leadership involvement in midwifery organizations. Participants with less nursing experience prior to their midwifery education also scored significantly higher on the survey.

Discussion

Although two‐thirds of respondents correctly answered items on the preparation, credentialing, and scope of practice of CNMs, CMs, and CPMs, a significant minority had gaps in knowledge. Results of this survey suggest the need for outreach about US midwifery credentials. Future research to replicate and expand upon this survey may benefit the profession of midwifery in the United States.
Total flavones of Rhododendron simsii Planch flower protect rat hippocampal neuron from hypoxia-reoxygenation injury via activation of BKCa channel
Authors: Guo Yan , Yu Xiao-Meng , Chen Shuo , Wen Ji-Yue , Chen Zhi-Wu
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To study the effects of total flavones of Rhododendra simsii Planch flower (TFR) on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in rat hippocampal neurons and its underlying mechanism.

Method

Model of H/R was established in newborn rat primary cultured hippocampal neuron. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) activity as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cultured supernatants of the neurons were examined. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and Hoechst33258 staining were, respectively, used to detect cell viability and apoptosis of neurons. Protein expression and current of BKCa channel were assessed by using Western blotting and whole-cell patch-clamp methods, respectively.

Key findings

In the ranges of 3.7–300 mg/l, TFR significantly inhibited H/R-induced decrease of neuronal viability and increases of LDH, NSE and MDA in the supernatants as well as apoptosis; TFR 33.3, 100 and 300 mg/l markedly increased current of BKCa channel rather than the BKCa channel protein expression in the neurons.

Conclusions

Total flavones of R. simsii Planch flower had a protective effect against H/R injury in rat hippocampal neuron, and activation of BKCa channel may contribute to the neuroprotection.
Effectiveness of dry heat application on ease of venepuncture in children with difficult intravenous access: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Suchitra Eva , Srinivasan Ranjini
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of dry heat application in children with difficult intravenous (IV) access.

Design and Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the pediatric wards of a tertiary care hospital in a Metropolitan city in South India. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, children in the age group of 5–18 years were randomized into intervention and control groups of 42 children each. The intervention was an electric heating pad (40°C) applied at the site of the identified IV access for 10 min before IV insertion. Outcomes included the number of IV attempts, the time required to access the IV line, and the discomfort level of the child expressed in terms of the Oucher scale.

Results

With respect to the number of attempts taken to achieve an IV access, all children in the intervention group only required one attempt, whereas only 29% of those in the control group required a single attempt (p < .001),X2(1, 84) = 43.67,p < .001. The mean time (in seconds) to insert an IV line was lower in the intervention group (M = 64.56, standard deviation [SD] = 28.32) than in the control group (M = 110.70,SD = 51.54),t(82) = 5.09,p < .001. Children in the intervention group were 45.2 percentage points more likely to experience a discomfort level of “little hurt” as compared to their counterparts in the control group,X2(1, 84) = 18.02,p < .001. Results from regression analyses supported the unadjusted outcomes comparisons between the two groups.

Practice Implications

Dry heat application before IV line insertion significantly improves the ease of venepuncture and reduces the pain perceived by the patient. This method of IV cannulation can be adopted in children with problematic IV access.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with hepatitis B virus–induced chronic liver disease covering chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zeng Yongbin , Chen Shanjian , Fu Ya , Wu Wennan , Chen Tianbin , Chen Jing , Yang Bin , Ou Qishui
Published: October 2019

The information regarding the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on gut microbiota and the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatitis B virus–induced chronic liver disease (HBVCLD) is limited. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota composition in the three different stages of hepatitis B virus–induced chronic liver disease patients and healthy individuals. Faecal samples and clinical data were collected from HBVCLD patients and healthy individuals. The 16S rDNA gene amplification products were sequenced. Bioinformatic analysis including alpha diversity and PICRUSt was performed. A total of 19 phyla, 43 classes, 72 orders, 126 families and 225 genera were detected. The beta‐diversity showed a separate clustering of healthy controls and HBVCLD patients covering chronic hepatitis (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); and gut microbiota of healthy controls was more consistent, whereas those of CHB, LC and HCC varied substantially. The abundance of Firmicutes was lower, and Bacteroidetes was higher in patients with CHB, LC and HCC than in healthy controls. Predicted metagenomics of microbial communities showed an increase in glycan biosynthesis and metabolism‐related genes and lipid metabolism–related genes in HBVCLD than in healthy individuals. Our study suggested that HBVCLD is associated with gut dysbiosis, with characteristics including, a gain in potential bacteria and a loss in potential beneficial bacteria or genes. Further study of CHB, LC and HCC based on microbiota may provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of HBVCLD as well as a novel treatment strategy.
The Myb‐like transcription factor phosphorus starvation response (PtPSR) controls conditional P acquisition and remodelling in marine microalgae
Authors: Kumar Sharma Amit , Mühlroth Alice , Jouhet Juliette , Maréchal Eric , Alipanah Leila , Kissen Ralph , Brembu Tore , Bones Atle M. , Winge Per
Published: October 2019

Phosphorus (P) is one of the limiting macronutrients for algal growth in marine environments. Microalgae have developed adaptation mechanisms to P limitation that involve remodelling of internal phosphate resources and accumulation of lipids.

Here, we used in silico analyses to identify the P‐stress regulator PtPSR (Phaeodactylum tricornutum phosphorus starvation response) in the diatom P. tricornutum. ptpsr mutant lines were generated using gene editing and characterised by various molecular, genetics and biochemical tools.

PtPSR belongs to a clade of Myb transcription factors that are conserved in stramenopiles and distantly related to plant P‐stress regulators. PtPSR bound specifically to a conserved cis‐regulatory element found in the regulatory region of P‐stress‐induced genes. ptpsr knockout mutants showed reduction in cell growth under P limitation. P‐stress responses were impaired in ptpsr mutants compared with wild‐type, including reduced induction of P‐stress response genes, near to complete loss of alkaline phosphatase activity and reduced phospholipid degradation.

We conclude that PtPSR is a key transcription factor influencing P scavenging, phospholipid remodelling and cell growth in adaptation to P stress in diatoms.
Musical sonification improves motor control in Parkinson's disease: a proof of concept with handwriting
Authors: Véron‐Delor Lauriane , Pinto Serge , Eusebio Alexandre , Azulay Jean‐Philippe , Witjas Tatiana , Velay Jean‐Luc , Danna Jérémy
Published: October 2019

A growing number of studies postulate the use of music to improve motor control in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The effects of music are greatly variable from one individual to the other and do not always reach the expected benefits. This study aimed to optimize the use of music in the management of movement disorders inherent to PD in a handwriting task. We developed and tested musical sonification (MS), a method that transforms in real‐time kinematic variables into music. Twelve patients with PD, on medication, and 12 healthy controls were recruited in a pretest/training/posttest design experiment. Three training sessions were compared, for which participants were asked to produce graphomotor exercises: one session with music (unrelated to handwriting), one with MS (controlled by handwriting), and one in silence. Results showed that the performance in training was better under MS than under silence or background music, for both groups. After training, the benefits of MS were still present for both groups, with a higher effect for PD patients than for control group. Our results provide a proof of concept to consider MS as a relevant auditory guidance strategy for movement rehabilitation in patients with PD.
Do Reputational Sanctions Deter Negligence in Information Security Management? A Field Quasi‐Experiment
Authors: Tang Qian , Whinston Andrew B.
Published: October 2019

Security negligence, a major cause of data breaches, occurs when an organization's information technology management fails to adequately address security vulnerabilities. By conducting a field quasi‐experiment using outgoing spam as a focal security issue, this study investigates the effectiveness of reputational sanctions in reducing security negligence in a global context. In the quasi‐experiment, a reputational sanction mechanism based on outgoing spam was established for four countries, and for each country, reputational sanctions were imposed on the 10 organizations with the largest outgoing spam volumes—that is, these organizations were listed publicly. We find that because of our reputational sanction mechanism, organizations in the four countries, including those that were not listed, reduced outgoing spam significantly compared to those in similar countries. Within each country, the listed organizations, whose reputations were actually sanctioned, reduced spam to a greater extent than those that were not listed. The spam reduction in the not‐listed organizations is mainly driven by increased security awareness, while the reduction in the listed organizations is primarily due to reputation effect. Among the listed organizations, those ranked lower were more responsive to the reputational sanctions. Moreover, we find that reputational sanctions have a stronger effect on large organizations and important organizations that provide network access and transit to others.
Testing Basic Assumptions of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire‐15 in a Sample of Clinically Depressed and Suicidal Youth
Authors: Hunt Quintin A. , Weiler Lindsey M. , McGuire Jenifer , Mendenhall Tai , Kobak Roger , Diamond Guy S.
Published: October 2019

Objective

Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescence. The mechanisms of adolescent suicidality, however, are not fully understood. Although the Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicide, as assessed by the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire‐15 (INQ), may be a promising framework, systematic study of its utility during adolescence is lacking.

Method

To this end, we utilized factor analyses and hierarchical regression analyses to test the factor structure, correlates, and predictive validity of the INQ in a sample of clinically depressed and suicidal adolescents (N = 120, aged 12–18). The sample was mostly female (81.9%), ethnically diverse (68.2% non‐White) and with nearly a third identifying as a sexual minority (31.8%).

Results

Contrary to studies including adult samples in which a two‐factor solution is identified, results within this sample indicated three factors: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and perceived isolation. Perceived burdensomeness and the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and perceived isolation predicted suicide ideation above and beyond depression, but thwarted belongingness and perceived isolation did not.

Conclusion

Perceived burdensomeness appears to play a role in adolescent suicidality and may be a point of intervention, yet the notable deviation from previous findings and the relative weakness of two of the factors warrant further study.
Urban Politics On Ethnic Entrepreneurship
Authors: Schmiz Antonie , Hernandez Tony
Published: October 2019

This paper introduces the special issue on “Urban Politics on Ethnic Entrepreneurship” based on research insights and focused discussion that bridges disciplinary discourses. It challenges ethnic entrepreneurship theory by presenting new perspectives and empirical case studies from North America and Europe. As ethnic diversity is widely regarded as a special asset for entrepreneurial cities in the competitive global city environment, there is a need to better understand how ethnic entrepreneurship is used as a resource in city branding and how it is enabled through certain policies. Starting from the historical development of ethnic entrepreneurship research, the introduction leads over to the theoretical embedding of the special issue with its relational focus on space. The contribution proceeds with linking ethnic entrepreneurship to urban politics and outlines three major fields of research that are covered in the special issue: symbolic value to urban development, placemaking and social inclusion, and urban planning.
Faultless and Genuine Disagreement over Vague Predicates
Authors: Odrowąż‐Sypniewska Joanna
Published: October 2019

In this article I propose a view which explains how it is possible that the disagreement concerning clear cases of a given vague predicate is genuine, whereas that concerning borderline cases is faultless. I take the possibility of faultless disagreement concerning borderline cases to be an important characteristic of vague predicates and in my view any adequate theory of vagueness should account for it. My proposal might be called “contextual supervaluationism” and it is inspired by Kölbel's relativist view from his paper “Vagueness as Semantic”. Following Kölbel I claim that the range of admissible sharpenings assumed by supervaluationism is context‐dependent, but contrary to him I maintain that we need supertruth as well as truth at a sharpening. Moreover – again unlike Kölbel – I argue that utterances concerning borderline cases are permissible. I claim, however, that such utterances should be assertives rather than assertions, since they express only a weak belief of the speaker. It is the different illocutionary forces of utterances concerning clear cases and borderline cases that make it possible to explain the distinct nature of disagreements over such cases.
Xenon modulates synaptic transmission to rat hippocampal CA3 neurons at both pre‐ and postsynaptic sites
Authors: Nonaka Kiku , Kotani Naoki , Akaike Hironari , Shin Min‐Chul , Yamaga Toshitaka , Nagami Hideaki , Akaike Norio
Published: October 2019

Key points

Xenon (Xe) non‐competitively inhibited whole‐cell excitatory glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (IAMPA,IKA,INMDA), but had no effect on inhibitory GABAergic whole‐cell current (IGABA).

Xe decreased only the frequency of glutamatergic spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude or decay times of these synaptic responses.

Xe decreased the amplitude of both the action potential‐evoked excitatory and the action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs and eIPSCs, respectively) via a presynaptic inhibition in transmitter release.

We conclude that the main site of action of Xe is presynaptic in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and that the Xe inhibition is much greater for eEPSCs than for eIPSCs.

To clarify how xenon (Xe) modulates excitatory and inhibitory whole‐cell and synaptic responses, we conducted an electrophysiological experiment using the ‘synapse bouton preparation’ dissociated mechanically from the rat hippocampal CA3 region. This technique can evaluate pure single‐ or multi‐synapse responses and enabled us to accurately quantify how Xe influences pre‐ and postsynaptic aspects of synaptic transmission. Xe inhibited whole‐cell glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by the three subtypes of glutamate receptor (IAMPA,IKAandINMDA). Inhibition of these ionotropic currents occurred in a concentration‐dependent, non‐competitive and voltage‐independent manner. Xe markedly depressed the slow steady current component ofIAMPAalmost without altering the fast phasicIAMPAcomponent non‐desensitized by cyclothiazide. It decreased current frequency without affecting the amplitude and current kinetics of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. It decreased the amplitude, increasing the failure rate (Rf) and paired‐pulse rate (PPR) without altering the current kinetics of glutamatergic action potential‐evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents. Thus, Xe has a clear presynaptic effect on excitatory synaptic transmission. Xe did not alter the GABA‐induced whole‐cell current (IGABA). It decreased the frequency of GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude and current kinetics. It decreased the amplitude and increased the PPR and Rf of the GABAergic action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents without altering the current kinetics. Thus, Xe acts exclusively at presynaptic sites at the GABAergic synapse. In conclusion, our data indicate that a presynaptic decrease of excitatory transmission is likely to be the major mechanism by which Xe induces anaesthesia, with little contribution of effects on GABAergic synapses.
Paradigm shift in thin-film growth by magnetron sputtering: From gas-ion to metal-ion irradiation of the growing film
Authors: Greczynski Grzegorz , Petrov Ivan , Greene J. E. , Hultman Lars
Published: October 2019

Ion irradiation is a key tool for controlling the nanostructure, phase content, and physical properties of refractory ceramic thin films grown at low temperatures by magnetron sputtering. However, in contrast to gas-ion bombardment, the effects of metal-ion irradiation on properties of refractory ceramic thin films have not been extensively studied due to (i) low metal-ion concentrations (a few percents) during standard direct-current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and (ii) difficulties in separating metal-ion from gas-ion fluxes. Recently, the situation has changed dramatically, thanks to the development of high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS), which provides highly-ionized metal-ion plasmas. In addition, careful choice of sputtering conditions allows exploitation of gas-rarefaction effects such that the charge state, energy, and momentum of metal ions incident at the growing film surface can be tuned. This is possible via the use of pulsed substrate bias, synchronized to the metal-ion-rich portion of each HiPIMS pulse. In this review, the authors begin by summarizing the results of time-resolved mass spectrometry analyses performed at the substrate position during HiPIMS and HiPIMS/DCMS cosputtering of transition-metal (TM) targets in Ar and Ar/N2 atmospheres. Knowledge of the temporal evolution of metal- and gas-ion fluxes is essential for precise control of the incident metal-ion energy and for minimizing the role of gas-ion irradiation. Next, the authors review results on the growth of binary, pseudobinary, and pseudoternary TM nitride alloys by metal-ion-synchronized HiPIMS. In contrast to gas ions, a fraction of which are trapped at interstitial sites, metal ions are primarily incorporated at lattice sites resulting in much lower compressive stresses. In addition, the closer mass match with the film-forming species results in more efficient momentum transfer and provides the recoil density and energy necessary to eliminate film porosity at low deposition temperatures. Several novel film-growth pathways have been demonstrated: (i) nanostructured N-doped bcc-CrN0.05 films combining properties typically associated with both metals and ceramics, (ii) fully-dense, hard, and stress-free Ti0.39Al0.61N, (iii) single-phase cubic Ti1−xSixN with the highest reported SiN concentrations, (iv) unprecedented AlN supersaturation in single-phase NaCl-structure V1−xAlxN, and (v) a dramatic increase in the hardness, due to selective heavy-metal ion bombardment during growth, of dense Ti0.92Ta0.08N films deposited with no external heating.
Structural basis for the docking of mTORC1 on the lysosomal surface
Authors: Rogala Kacper B. , Gu Xin , Kedir Jibril F. , Abu-Remaileh Monther , Bianchi Laura F. , Bottino Alexia M. S. , Dueholm Rikke , Niehaus Anna , Overwijn Daan , Fils Ange-Célia Priso , Zhou Sherry X. , Leary Daniel , Laqtom Nouf N. , Brignole Edward J. , Sabatini David M.
Published: October 2019

Complex regulation

The protein kinase mTORC1 controls cellular growth in response to external signals. In the presence of nutrients, it localizes on the surface of the lysosome, where it is activated. The Raptor domain of mTORC1 binds to a complex comprising the protein Ragulator and a heterodimer of the Rag guanosine triphosphatase, which can adopt four different nucleotide conformations depending on nutrient availability. Rogala
et al.
determined the structure of the Raptor-Rag-Ragulator complex at 3.2-angstrom resolution by cryo–electron microscopy. The structure shows why Raptor binds only to a specific nucleotide conformation of the Rag heterodimer and suggests a model for how mTORC1 would dock onto the lysosomal surface, which is a key step in its activation.

Science
, this issue p.
468
Intracellular Pharmacodynamic Modeling Is Predictive of the Clinical Activity of Fluoroquinolones against Tuberculosis
Authors: Donnellan Samantha , Aljayyoussi Ghaith , Moyo Emmanuel , Ardrey Alison , Martinez-Rodriguez Carmen , Ward Stephen A. , Biagini Giancarlo A.
Published: October 2019

Clinical studies of new antitubercular drugs are costly and time-consuming. Owing to the extensive tuberculosis (TB) treatment periods, the ability to identify drug candidates based on their predicted clinical efficacy is vital to accelerate the pipeline of new therapies. Recent failures of preclinical models in predicting the activity of fluoroquinolones underline the importance of developing new and more robust predictive tools that will optimize the design of future trials.
Regulation and Anaerobic Function of the
Clostridioides difficile
β-Lactamase
Authors: Sandhu Brindar K. , Edwards Adrianne N. , Anderson Sarah E. , Woods Emily C. , McBride Shonna M.
Published: October 2019

Clostridioides difficile
causes severe antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis.
C. difficile
is an anaerobic, Gram-positive sporeformer that is highly resistant to β-lactams, the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. The resistance of
C. difficile
to β-lactam antibiotics allows the pathogen to replicate and cause disease in antibiotic-treated patients. However, the mechanisms of β-lactam resistance in
C. difficile
are not fully understood.
Metabolomics Study of the Synergistic Killing of Polymyxin B in Combination with Amikacin against Polymyxin-Susceptible and -Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Hussein Maytham , Han Mei-Ling , Zhu Yan , Zhou Qi , Lin Yu-Wei , Hancock Robert E. W. , Hoyer Daniel , Creek Darren J. , Li Jian , Velkov Tony
Published: October 2019

In the present study, we employed untargeted metabolomics to investigate the synergistic killing mechanism of polymyxin B in combination with an aminoglycoside, amikacin, against a polymyxin-susceptible isolate of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, FADDI-PA111 (MIC = 2 mg/liter for both polymyxin B and amikacin), and a polymyxin-resistant Liverpool epidemic strain (LES), LESB58 (the corresponding MIC for both polymyxin B and amikacin is 16 mg/liter).
Probing the Nanostructure and Arrangement of Bacterial Magnetosomes by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering
Authors: Rosenfeldt Sabine , Riese Cornelius N. , Mickoleit Frank , Schüler Dirk , Schenk Anna S.
Published: October 2019

This study explores lab-based small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a novel quantitative stand-alone technique to monitor the size, shape, and arrangement of magnetosomes during different stages of particle biogenesis in the model organism
Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense
. The SAXS data sets contain volume-averaged, statistically accurate information on both the diameter of the inorganic nanocrystal and the enveloping protein-rich magnetosome membrane. As a robust and nondestructive
in situ
technique, SAXS can provide new insights into the physicochemical steps involved in the biosynthesis of magnetosome nanoparticles as well as their assembly into well-ordered chains. The proposed fit model can easily be adapted to account for different particle shapes and arrangements produced by other strains of magnetotactic bacteria, thus rendering SAXS a highly versatile method.
No Evidence of Apoptotic Response of the Potato Psyllid
Bactericera cockerelli
to “
Candidatus
Liberibacter solanacearum” at the Gut Interface
Authors: Tang Xiao-Tian , Tamborindeguy Cecilia
Published: October 2019

“
Candidatus
Liberibacter solanacearum” is a pathogen transmitted by the potato psyllid
Bactericera cockerelli
(Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in a persistent manner. In this study, we investigated the molecular interaction between “
Ca.
Liberibacter solanacearum” and the potato psyllid at the gut interface. Specifically, we focused on the apoptotic response of potato psyllids to the infection by two “
Ca.
Liberibacter solanacearum” haplotypes, LsoA and LsoB.
The ESCRT-0 Protein HRS Interacts with the Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 2 Antisense Protein APH-2 and Suppresses Viral Replication
Authors: Martini Fanny , Arone Coline , Hasset Amy , Hall William W. , Sheehy Noreen
Published: October 2019

While APH-2 is the only viral protein consistently expressed in infected carriers, its role in HTLV-2 infection is poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the interaction between the ESCRT-0 component HRS and APH-2 and explored the role of HRS in HTLV-2 replication. HRS is a master regulator of protein sorting for lysosomal degradation, a feature that is manipulated by several viruses to promote replication. Unexpectedly, we found that HRS targets APH-2 and possibly Tax2B for lysosomal degradation and has an overall negative impact on HTLV-2 replication and release. The negative impact of interactions between HTLV-2 regulatory proteins and HRS, and by extension the ESCRT machinery, may represent an important strategy used by HTLV-2 to limit virus production and to promote persistence, features that may contribute to the limited pathogenic potential of this infection.
Structural Glycoprotein E2 of Classical Swine Fever Virus Interacts with Host Protein Dynactin Subunit 6 (DCTN6) during the Virus Infectious Cycle
Authors: Borca M. V. , Vuono E. A. , Ramirez-Medina E. , Azzinaro P. , Berggren K. A. , Singer M. , Rai A. , Pruitt S. , Silva E. B. , Velazquez-Salinas L. , Carrillo C. , Gladue D. P.
Published: October 2019

Structural glycoprotein E2 is an important component of CSFV due to its involvement in many virus activities, particularly virus-host interactions. Here, we present the description and characterization of the protein-protein interaction between E2 and the swine host protein DCTN6 during virus infection. The E2 amino acid residues mediating the interaction with DCTN6 were also identified. A recombinant CSFV harboring mutations disrupting the E2-DCTN6 interaction was created. The effect of disrupting the E2-DCTN6 protein-protein interaction was studied using reverse genetics. It was shown that the same amino acid substitutions that abrogated the E2-DCTN6 interaction
in vitro
constituted a critical factor in viral virulence in the natural host, domestic swine. This highlights the potential importance of the E2-DCTN6 protein-protein interaction in CSFV virulence and provides possible mechanisms of virus attenuation for the development of improved CSF vaccines.
Prevention of respiratory outbreaks in the rehabilitation setting
Authors: Corpus Carla , Williams Victoria , Salt Natasha , Agnihotri Tanya , Morgan Wendy , Robinson Lawrence , Maze Dit Mieusement Lorraine , Cobbam Sonja , Leis Jerome A
Published: October 2019

Background

Respiratory viral (RV) outbreaks in rehabilitation facilities can jeopardise patient safety, interfere with patient rehabilitation goals and cause unit closures that impede patient flow in referring facilities.

Problem

Despite education about infection prevention practices, frequent RV outbreaks were declared each year at our rehabilitation facility.

Methods

Before and after study design. The primary outcome was the number of bed closure days due to outbreak per overall bed days. Process measures included delays in initiation of transmission-based precautions, RV testing and reporting of staff to occupational health and safety (OHS). Balancing measures included the number of isolation days and staff missed work hours.

Interventions

Based on comprehensive analysis of prior outbreaks, the following changes were implemented: (1) clear criteria for initiation of transmission-based precautions, (2) communication to visitors to avoid visitation if infectious symptoms were present, (3) exemption of staff absences if documented due to infectious illness, (4) development of an electronic programme providing guidance to staff about whether they should be excluded from work due to infectious illness.

Results

The number of bed closure days due to outbreak per overall bed days dropped from 2.8% to 0.5% during the intervention season and sustained at 0.6% during the postintervention season (p<0.001). There were fewer delays in initiation of droplet and contact precautions (28.8% to 15.5%, p=0.005) and collection of RV testing (42.9% to 20.3%, p<0.001), better reporting to OHS (9 vs 28.8 reports per 100 employees; p<0.001) and fewer isolation days (7.8% vs 7.3%; p=0.02) without a significant increase in missed work hours per 100 hours worked (4.0 vs 3.9; p=0.12).

Conclusion

This Quality Improvement study highlights the process changes that can prevent respiratory outbreaks in the rehabilitation setting.
No distinct microbiome signature of irritable bowel syndrome found in a Swedish random population
Authors: Hugerth Luisa W , Andreasson Anna , Talley Nicholas J , Forsberg Anna M , Kjellström Lars , Schmidt Peter Thelin , Agreus Lars , Engstrand Lars
Published: October 2019

Objective

The ethiopathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown. While a link to the gut microbiome is postulated, the heterogeneity of the healthy gut makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. We aimed to describe the faecal and mucosa-associated microbiome (MAM) and health correlates on a community cohort of healthy and IBS individuals with no colonoscopic findings.

Design

The PopCol study recruited a random sample of 3556 adults; 745 underwent colonoscopy. IBS was defined by Rome IV criteria and organic disease excluded. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted on sigmoid biopsy samples from 376 representative individuals (63 IBS cases) and faecal samples from 185 individuals (32 IBS cases).

Results

While sigmoid MAM was dominated by Lachnospiraceae, faeces presented a higher relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae. Microbial richness in MAM was linearly correlated to that in faeces from the same individual (R²=0.255, p<3E-11) as was diversity (R²=0.06, p=0.0022). MAM diversity decreased with increasing body mass index (BMI; Pearson’s r=−0.1, p=0.08) and poorer self-rated health (r=−0.15, p=0.007), but no other health correlates. Faecal microbiome diversity was correlated to stool consistency (r=−0.16, p=0.043). Several taxonomic groups were correlated to age, BMI, depression and self-reported health, includingCoprococcus catusassociated with lower levels of depression (r=−0.003, p=0.00017). The degree of heterogeneity observed between IBS patients is higher than that observed between healthy individuals.

Conclusions

No distinct microbial signature was observed in IBS. Individuals presenting with low self-rated health or high BMI have lower gut microbiome richness.
Risk and protective factors associated with BV chronicity among women in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Thoma Marie E , Brotman Rebecca M , Gray Ronald H , Sewankambo Nelson K , Wawer Maria J
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To assess risk and protective factors associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) chronicity ascertained by Nugent score criteria.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort study included 255 sexually experienced, postmenarcheal women who provided weekly self-collected vaginal swabs for up to 2 years. Vaginal swabs were scored using Nugent criteria and classified as normal (≤3), intermediate (4–6) and Nugent-BV (≥7). Detailed behavioural/health information were assessed every 6 months. A per-woman longitudinal summary measure of BV chronicity was defined as the percentage of each woman’s weekly vaginal assessments scored as Nugent-BV over a 6-month interval. Risk and protective factors associated with BV chronicity were assessed using multiple linear regression with generalised estimating equations.

Results

Average BV chronicity was 39% across all follow-up periods. After adjustment, factors associated with BV chronicity included baseline Nugent-BV (β=35.3, 95% CI 28.6 to 42.0) compared with normal baseline Nugent scores and use of unprotected water for bathing (ie, rainwater, pond, lake/stream) (β=12.0, 95% CI 3.4 to 20.5) compared with protected water sources (ie, well, tap, borehole). Women had fewer BV occurrences if they were currently pregnant (β=−6.6, 95% CI −12.1 to 1.1), reported consistent condom use (β=−7.7, 95% CI −14.2 to 1.3) or their partner was circumcised (β=−5.8, 95% CI −11.3 to 0.3).

Conclusions

Factors associated with higher and lower values of BV chronicity were multifactorial. Notably, higher values of BV chronicity were associated with potentially contaminated bathing water. Future studies should examine the role of waterborne microbial agents in the pathogenesis of BV.
Detailed amount of particle breakage in nonuniformly graded sands under one-dimensional compression
Authors: Peng Yu , Ding Xuanming , Xiao Yang , Deng Xin , Deng Weiting
Published: October 2019

The coexistence of broken and unbroken grains in each size range can disturb the assessment of actual amount of particle breakage. In this study, a series of one-dimensional compression tests were carried out on three kinds of coral sands and a silica sand to clarify the detailed amount of particle breakage for nonuniformly graded sands. Before the compression tests, both coral and silica sand assemblies were divided into different grain-size groups and dyed in different colors, then mixed as nonuniformly graded packings. After the compression, grains of different color in each size range were discerned quantitatively by implementing particle images segmentation on images of grains. Results show that the extent of particle breakage was found to be larger than the change in relative mass percentage in most size ranges, and the new “absolute particle breakage” wdfor each size range satisfied linear relationships with the logarithmic value of compression pressure. Compared with silica sand, coral sand has weaker abrasion under high pressure due to the strong interlock among grains. New breakage indexes of sand samples, based on detailed particle breakage, are proposed. The detailed particle breakage could be useful for proposing a breakage-dependent constitutive model of crushable granular soils.
Experimental high energy physics summer school for high schools
Authors: Gürbüz S. , Adıgüzel A. , Özcan V.E. , Kırpıcı S.M. , Yılmaz A.
Published: October 2019

Experimental High Energy Physics Summer School for High Schools, (Liseler İçin Deneysel Yüksek Enerji Fiziği Yaz Okulu — lidyef2018) was held 9–16 September 2018 at Boğaziçi University, Turkey, with financial support from TÜBİTAK under the 4004 grant No. 118B491. Out of nearly 700 (11th and 12th grade) applicants, 30 were selected from all around Turkey. Students were introduced to the fundamentals of high-energy physics and performed experiments that demonstrated the techniques of this field, such as a salad-bowl electrostatic accelerator and a cloud chamber. Here we report on the planning, implementation, and the outcomes of lidyef2018, which can serve as a template for similar activities in the future.
A Wide Frequency Range Low Jitter Integer PLL with Switch and Inverter Based CP in 0.18 μm CMOS Technology
Authors: Sahani Jagdeep Kaur , Singh Anil , Agarwal Alpana
Published: October 2019

This paper aims at designing a digital approach based low jitter, smaller area and wide frequency range phase locked loop (PLL) to reduce the design efforts and power which can be used in System-on-chip applications for operating frequency in the range of 0.025–1.6[Formula: see text]GHz. The low power, scalable and compact charge pump is proposed which reduces the overall power consumption and area of proposed PLL. A frequency phase detector (PFD) based on inverters and tri-state buffers have been proposed for the PLL. It is fast which improves the locking time of PLL. Also, pseudo-differential voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is designed with CMOS inverter gates. The inverters are used as phase interpolator to maintain the phase difference of 180∘ between two outputs of VCO. Also, the inverters are used as variable capacitors to vary the frequency of proposed VCO with control voltage. It demonstrates the good phase noise performance enabling proposed PLL to have low jitter and wide frequency range. All the major blocks like PFD, charge pump and VCO are designed using digital gate methodology thus saving area and power and also reduce design efforts. Also, these digitally designed blocks enable the PLL to have low jitter small area and wide range. The proposed PLL is designed in a 0.18-[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS technology with supply voltage of 1.8[Formula: see text]V. The output clocks with cycle-to-cycle jitter of 2.13[Formula: see text]ps at 1.6[Formula: see text]GHz. The phase noise of VCO is [Formula: see text]137[Formula: see text]dBc/Hz at an offset of 100[Formula: see text]MHz and total power consumed by the proposed PLL is 2.63[Formula: see text]mW at 1.6[Formula: see text]GHz.
A Formalization Model Transformation Approach on Workflow Automatic Execution from CIM Level to PIM Level
Authors: Li Zonghua , Zhou Xiaofeng , Ye Zhengwei
Published: October 2019

Model transformation is a keystone in carrying out model-driven development. Currently, many studies have focused on model transformation, those researches study the automatic transformation from PIM to PSM and from PSM to code, but only few have dealt with how the CIM-level model is automatically mapped onto the PIM-level model. Even though some studies have proposed the semi-automatic transformation from CIM-level model to PIM-level model, only few mechanisms are discussed to protect the consistency between the CIM-level model and the PIM-level model in these researches because notation specification of these CIM-level model and PIM-level model does not contain precise semantics. Focusing on workflow perspective, this paper proposes an automatic model transformation approach, which applies a formal model to define the automatic mapping of the workflow from CIM-level model to PIM-level model. This proposal extends Petri nets model elements to define a bridge model, then we use this bridge model to link the CIM-level model (BPMN) and PIM-level model (SCM) following model-driven approach. The metamodels, the transformation rule and the transformation plug-ins have been defined in Eclipse Modeling Framework. Meanwhile, the plug-ins have been empirically validated by a Travel Agency case study. This study shows that using extended Petri nets model as a bridge model to define an automatic model transformation between CIM-level model and PIM-level model is feasible. This approach by means of formal model can ensure the correctness and completeness of the target model, and it can also maintain the consistency between the source model and target model.
Software Defect Prediction Based on Cost-Sensitive Dictionary Learning
Authors: Wan Hongyan , Wu Guoqing , Yu Mali , Yuan Mengting
Published: October 2019

Software defect prediction technology has been widely used in improving the quality of software system. Most real software defect datasets tend to have fewer defective modules than defective-free modules. Highly class-imbalanced data typically make accurate predictions difficult. The imbalanced nature of software defect datasets makes the prediction model classifying a defective module as a defective-free one easily. As there exists the similarity during the different software modules, one module can be represented by the sparse representation coefficients over the pre-defined dictionary which consists of historical software defect datasets. In this study, we make use of dictionary learning method to predict software defect. We optimize the classifier parameters and the dictionary atoms iteratively, to ensure that the extracted features (sparse representation) are optimal for the trained classifier. We prove the optimal condition of the elastic net which is used to solve the sparse coding coefficients and the regularity of the elastic net solution. Due to the reason that the misclassification of defective modules generally incurs much higher cost risk than the misclassification of defective-free ones, we take the different misclassification costs into account, increasing the punishment on misclassification defective modules in the procedure of dictionary learning, making the classification inclining to classify a module as a defective one. Thus, we propose a cost-sensitive software defect prediction method using dictionary learning (CSDL). Experimental results on the 10 class-imbalance datasets of NASA show that our method is more effective than several typical state-of-the-art defect prediction methods.
Innovations and Growth: Evidence from Finnish SMEs
Authors: Tohmo Timo , Storhammar Esa
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study is to clarify the factors that affect the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to create innovations that promote firm growth. Studies regarding the relationship between research intensity and growth have typically produced mixed results, revealing a modest or non-existent influence of innovations on sales growth. These studies have typically used patents as indicators of innovation. We directly asked firms whether their innovations had affected their growth, and we regressed the results over several variables, covering a wide range of dimensions related to (1) personal factors, (2) firm-related factors (including questions that reflect a firm’s innovation strategies), and (3) regional factors. Our analyses of Finnish SMEs revealed that trust, innovation activities and networking are essential components of firms’ ability to create innovations that contribute to high firm growth. A multinomial logistic regression analysis also provided support for the assumption that age, technological level and firm location affect firm performance.
Introduction to the thematic collection ‘Apennines-Tyrrhenian system’
Authors: Brogi Andrea , Prosser Giacomo
Published: October 2019

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the ‘Apennines and Tyrrhenian system’ collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/the-apennines-tyrrhenian-system
An Ultra-Low Energy Human Activity Recognition Accelerator for Wearable Health Applications
Authors: Bhat Ganapati , Tuncel Yigit , An Sizhe , Lee Hyung Gyu , Ogras Umit Y.
Published: October 2019

Human activity recognition (HAR) has recently received significant attention due to its wide range of applications in health and activity monitoring. The nature of these applications requires mobile or wearable devices with limited battery capacity. User surveys show that charging requirement is one of the leading reasons for abandoning these devices. Hence, practical solutions must offer ultra-low power capabilities that enable operation on harvested energy. To address this need, we present
the first fully integrated custom hardware accelerator
(HAR engine) that consumes 22.4 μJ per operation using a commercial 65 nm technology. We present a complete solution that integrates
all steps of HAR
, i.e., reading the raw sensor data, generating features, and activity classification using a deep neural network (DNN). It achieves 95% accuracy in recognizing 8 common human activities while providing three orders of magnitude higher energy efficiency compared to existing solutions.