bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The width of keratinized mucosa around dental implants and its influencing factors
Authors: Wang Qi , Tang Zhihui , Han Jie , Meng Huanxin
Published: May 2020

Background

A few evidence is available in the literature concerning the pattern of variation in the width of keratinized mucosa (KMW) around dental implants and factors that may affect the KMW.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the KMW at the buccal aspect of dental implants and to analyze its influencing factors.

Materials and Methods

The current study was a retrospective study conducted on 726 patients with 1252 dental implants. The following parameters were evaluated by reviewing the medical records of each patient, including the age, gender and smoking status of each patient, the reasons of teeth loss, the position of implants, the bone augmentation procedures, and the KMW. Binary logistic regression analysis with the generalized estimating equations was utilized to analyze the factors that may affect the KMW of dental implants.

Results

The KMW of implants located in the maxilla was significantly higher than that of implants located in the mandible (P < .01), except for the upper and lower canines. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of the implants presenting inadequate KMW (<2 mm) in the periodontitis‐caused tooth loss group was 1.91 times of the non‐periodontitis‐caused tooth loss group. The risk of implants presenting inadequate KMW after receiving simple and complex bone augmentation procedures was 1.65 and 2.62 times of the risk of implants without bone augmentation, respectively. The longer the follow‐up period, the higher the risk of implants presenting inadequate KMW will be.

Conclusions

The KMW at the buccal aspect of implants is related to the position of implants. Tooth loss due to periodontitis, the bone augmentation procedures, and the process of functional period would increase the risk of implants presenting an inadequate amount of keratinized mucosa.
Ought implies can, asymmetrical freedom, and the practical irrelevance of transcendental freedom
Authors: Scholten Matthé
Published: May 2020

In this paper, I demonstrate that Kant's commitment to an asymmetry between the control conditions for praise and blame is explained by his endorsement of the principle Ought Implies Can (OIC). I argue that Kant accepts only a relatively weak version of OIC and that he is hence committed only to a relatively weak requirement of alternate possibilities for moral blame. This suggests that whether we are transcendentally free is irrelevant to questions about moral permissibility and moral blameworthiness.
Long‐term sustainability of wood‐pasture separation processes—A matter of seed mixtures and management
Authors: Schaumberger Silke , Krautzer Bernhard , Graiss Wilhelm , Pötsch Erich M.
Published: May 2020

We studied the performance of different seed mixtures and the influence of liming on the establishment of a montane pasture under acidic site conditions during a wood‐pasture separation process from 1998 to 2001 in Styria, Austria. Two treatments (with and without liming) were established, each with four seeding treatments (without seeding, commercial, site‐adapted and site‐specific mixtures), and all plots were regularly fertilized from 1998 to 2002. Vegetation surveys and forage analyses regarding development of vegetation cover, seeded species persistence, quality and yield parameters were conducted again in 2014 and 2016; soil samples were taken in 2015. After cessation of regular fertilization, the analysed soil parameters declined to levels that were sufficient or low for grasslands. pH decreased again over time, but still was significantly higher (p = .0034) in the liming treatment. The single liming during experimental set‐up also caused better long‐term performance for nearly all vegetation, quality and yield parameters. The site‐specific seed mixture performed best regarding most analysed parameters, under both liming treatments. Concerning seeded species, the habitat‐typical species Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra agg. and Trifolium repens persisted best with and without liming. All analysed vegetation and yield parameters stayed far behind their results of 2001 and their potential. The use of site‐specific seed mixtures supports the establishment of productive grassland on specific locations. The long‐term results also illustrated that even low‐input management like liming in multi‐annual intervals can help to improve acidic site and growing conditions significantly and thereby increases the sustainability of cost‐intensive wood‐pasture separation processes under similar conditions.
A feminist perspective on COVID‐19 and the value of care work globally
Authors: Bahn Kate , Cohen Jennifer , van der Meulen Rodgers Yana
Published: May 2020

The shared response to the COVID‐19 crisis demonstrates that the vast majority of society believes human wellbeing — not economic growth — should be at the centre of policy. COVID‐19 exposes the foundational role of care work, both paid and unpaid, to functioning societies and economies. Focusing on ‘production’ instead of the sustainable reproduction of human life devalues care work and those who perform it. Women’s physical and mental health, and the societies that rely on them, are at stake. When these policies are formulated, the field of feminist economics has valuable lessons for mitigating hardships as countries navigate the related economic fallout. A comprehensive response to the COVID‐19 crisis must recognize this gendered work as an integral part of the economic system that promotes human wellbeing for all.
The reported impact of public involvement in biobanks: A scoping review
Authors: Luna Puerta Lidia , Kendall Will , Davies Bethan , Day Sophie , Ward Helen
Published: May 2020

Background

Biobanks increasingly employ public involvement and engagement strategies, though few studies have explored their impact. This review aims to (a) investigate how the impact of public involvement in biobanks is reported and conceptualized by study authors; in order to (b) suggest how the research community might re‐conceptualize the impact of public involvement in biobanks.

Methods

A systematic literature search of three electronic databases and the INVOLVE Evidence Library in January 2019. Studies commenting on the impact of public involvement in a biobank were included, and a narrative review was conducted.

Results and discussion

Forty‐one studies covering thirty‐one biobanks were included, with varying degrees of public involvement. Impact was categorized according to where it was seen: ‘the biobank’, ‘people involved’ and ‘the wider research community’. Most studies reported involvement in a ‘functional’ way, in relation to improved rates of participation in the biobank. Broader forms of impact were reported but were vaguely defined and measured. This review highlights a lack of clarity of purpose and varied researcher conceptualizations of involvement. We pose three areas for further research and consideration by biobank researchers and public involvement practitioners.

Conclusions

Functional approaches to public involvement in biobanking limit impact. This conceptualization of involvement emerges from an entrenched technical understanding that ignores its political nature, complicated by long‐standing disagreement about the values of public involvement. This study urges a re‐imagination of impact, re‐conceptualized as a two‐way learning process. More support will help researchers and members of the public to undergo such reflective exercises.
Non‐necrotizing granulomatous pneumonitis and chronic pleuritis in soldiers deployed to Southwest Asia
Authors: Gordetsky Jennifer , Kim Christine , Miller Robert F , Mehrad Mitra
Published: May 2020

Aims

Reports of respiratory illnesses among soldiers returning from Southwest Asia have been described. During deployment to Southwest Asia, soldiers are exposed to various respiratory hazards, including dust storms, smoke from burn pits and industrial air pollutants. A few studies have reported increased rates of constrictive bronchiolitis and asthma in these patients. We sought to expand upon the pathological findings in this cohort.

Methods and results

Lung biopsies from veterans of Southwest Asia were identified and re‐reviewed. All patients had undergone pulmonary function tests and chest high‐resolution CT imaging with no significant findings. Overall, 59 patients with a history of inhalational exposure to at least one of the following were identified: smoke from burn pit, dust storm and sulphur plant fire. Samples included video‐assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsies (57 of 59, 96.6%) and cryobiopsies (two of 59, 3.4%). Patients were predominantly male (54 of 59, 91.5%) with an age range of 24–55 years (mean and median = 35). Non‐necrotising, poorly formed granulomas were identified in 22 cases (22 of 59, 37.2%). The granulomas were mainly bronchiolocentric and were associated with chronic lymphoplasmacytic bronchiolitis, similar to hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Pleural reaction in the form of focal chronic lymphocytic pleuritis and/or focal pleural adhesions were seen in 43 of 57 (75.4%) biopsies.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to report pleural reaction as well as features of HP in this population, suggesting that pleural reaction and HP may be part of the spectrum of Southwest Asia deployment‐related lung diseases.
Stability to thermal treatment of dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV inhibitory activity of a boarfish (Capros aper) protein hydrolysate when incorporated into tomato‐based products
Authors: Harnedy‐Rothwell Pádraigín A. , McLaughlin Chris M. , Crowe William , Allsopp Philip J. , McSorley Emeir M. , Devaney Martin , Whooley Jason , McGovern Brian , Parthsarathy Vadivel , O'Harte Finbarr P.M. , FitzGerald Richard J.
Published: May 2020

Biofunctional peptide ingredients should retain their stability following standard processing operations in food‐based delivery vehicles. A boarfish protein hydrolysate, exhibiting anti‐diabetic activity, was subjected to a range of thermal treatments following incorporation into tomato‐based soup and juice products. The dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV) inhibitory activity and peptide profile of the hydrolysate within the products were assessed before and after thermal treatment. The treatments applied had no effect on the DPP‐IV inhibitory activity or peptide profile of the protein hydrolysate. The heat‐treated (90 °C × 1 min and 121 °C × 42 s) juice‐fortified beverage had microbial counts within the acceptable limits for consumption when stored at 4 °C for 30 days. Furthermore, the hydrolysate within the beverage products was resistant to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) regardless of whether it was heat‐ or non‐heat‐treated, or stored for 30 days at 4 °C. Therefore, tomato‐based beverages are suitable delivery vehicles for biofunctional peptide ingredients.
Femtosecond laser direct writing in SiO2‐Al2O3 binary glasses and thermal stability of Type II permanent modifications
Authors: Wang Yitao , Wei Shuen , Cicconi Miss R. , Tsuji Yuta , Shimizu Masahiro , Shimotsuma Yasuhiko , Miura Kiyotaka , Peng Gang‐Ding , Neuville Daniel R. , Poumellec Bertrand , Lancry Matthieu
Published: May 2020

We investigate the potential of fabricating thermally stable refractive index contrasts using femtosecond (fs) near‐infrared (IR) radiation in aluminosilicate glasses. A set of pure SiO2‐Al2O3 glasses are manufactured, characterized (density and Raman), and investigated after being irradiated by fs laser within the Type II regime. The formation of nanogratings is identified and studied using quantitative birefringence measurements. Their thermal stability is then investigated through 30 minutes step isochronal annealing (up to 1250°C). For both SiO2 and 50SiO2‐50Al2O3 compositions, the normalized birefringence does not decrease when tested up to 1100°C, while for the 4,6 mol% GeO2‐SiO2 erased for 20% at 1000°C.
A gene co‐expression network analysis of the candidate genes and molecular pathways associated with feather follicle traits of chicken skin
Authors: Ji Gai‐ge , Zhang Ming , Liu Yi‐fan , Shan Yan‐ju , Tu Yun‐jie , Ju Xiao‐jun , Zou Jian‐min , Shu Jing‐ting , Wu Jun‐feng , Xie Jin‐fang
Published: May 2020

Back and thigh skin of chickens showed significant differences in the thickness and the feather follicle density and size, which are important traits for slaughtered chickens' appearance. In the present study, global gene expression profiling was conducted in the back and thigh skin of chickens using Microarray technology. The results showed that 676 genes were differentially expressed between back and thigh skin. The expression of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including PPP1R3C, IGF1, PTCHD1, HOXB6, FGF9, CAMK4, SHH, BMP8B, FOXN1 and PTGER2, was validated by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), and the results were consistent with microarray results. Functional analysis revealed that the DEGs were significantly involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion and transport process, and the pathways were significantly mapped into the ECM‐receptor interaction, peroxisome, focal adhesion, Hedgehog and PPAR signalling pathways. Protein–protein interaction network analysis suggested that signalling pathways related to feathers morphogenesis and development, such as Wnt, FGF, MAPK, SHH and BMP signalling pathways, occupied important positions in the network. Genes involved in these signalling pathways and adhesion molecules might play a vital role in skin and feather follicle development. Further single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association analysis of Wnt3A showed that the AC genotype of SNP g.255361 C>A significantly increased the feather follicle density of thigh skin. Our findings may provide new insights on candidate genes and pathways related to skin and feather follicle formation of chickens.
Offering welcome in the kingdom of the sick: A physician guide to hospitality
Authors: Schrewe Brett , Ruitenberg Claudia W.
Published: May 2020

Rationale, aims and objectives

The onset of acute illness may be accompanied by a profound sense of disorientation for patients. Addressing this vulnerability is a key part of a physician's purview, yet well‐intended efforts to do so may be impeded by myriad competing tasks in clinical practice. Resolving this dilemma goes beyond appealing to altruism, as its limitless demands may lead to physician burnout, disillusionment, and a narrowed focus on the biomedical aspects of care in the interest of self‐preservation. The authors propose an ethic of hospitality that may better guide physicians in attending to the comprehensive needs of patients that have entered “the kingdom of the sick.”

Methods

Using philosophical methods, the authors explore what compels people to present to emergent medical attention and why altruism may not offer physicians a sustainable way to address the vulnerabilities that occur in such situations. They then present the concept of hospitality from a Derridean perspective and use it to interpret a narrative case of an on‐call paediatrician caring for an infant with bronchiolitis to demonstrate how this approach may be practically implemented in the acute care hospital context.

Results

Hospitality allows physicians to acknowledge that clinical presentations that are routine in their world may be disorienting and frightening to patients experiencing them acutely. Further, it recognizes that the vulnerability that accompanies acute illness may be compounded by the unfamiliarity of the hospital environment in which patients have sought support.

Conclusion(s)

While it is unlikely that anything physicians do will make the hospital a place where patients and caregivers will desire to be, hospitality may focus their efforts upon making it less unwelcoming. Specifically, it offers an orientation that supports patients in navigating the disorienting and unfamiliar terrains of acute illness, the hospital setting in which help is sought, and engagement with the health care system writ large.
Trends and predictions for survival and mortality in individuals with Down syndrome in Brazil: A 21‐year analysis
Authors: de Campos Gomes F. , de Melo‐Neto J. S. , Goloni‐Bertollo E. M. , Pavarino É. C.
Published: May 2020

Background

Regional heterogeneities and sociodemographic characteristics affect mortality and population survival in Brazil. However, for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) this information remains unknown. In this study, we analysed survival and mortality rates among DS individuals in the five Brazilian geographic regions. In addition, we investigated whether there is an association between mortality and sociodemographic factors across administrative regions.

Methods

Data between 1996 and 2016, comprising 10 028 records of deaths of individuals with DS, were collected from database records of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System. Data on race/ethnicity, sex, age and years of schooling were defined for the association analyses. Survival data were analysed according to the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model.

Results

The number of deaths among people with DS has increased in recent years. Children are more susceptible to death, especially in the first years of life. Individuals living in the northern region, Indigenous women and people with no years of schooling have higher mortality. In the Southeast and South region, for White and Yellow, survival is related to a higher level of education. Ethnic factors and years of schooling influence risk for mortality across the administrative regions.

Conclusions

These findings show that sociodemographic characteristics affect survival and are associated with the risk of mortality for people with DS. In addition, this suggests that differences in access to health services among Brazilian regions, especially in the first years of life, may affect the survival of individuals with DS.
Docosahexaenoic acid protection against palmitic acid‐induced lipotoxicity in NGF‐differentiated PC12 cells involves enhancement of autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis and necroptosis
Authors: Montero Manuel L. , Liu Jo‐Wen , Orozco José , Casiano Carlos A. , De Leon Marino
Published: May 2020

Lipotoxicity (LTx) leads to cellular dysfunction and cell death and has been proposed to be an underlying process during traumatic and hypoxic injuries and neurodegenerative conditions in the nervous system. This study examines cellular mechanisms responsible for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6 n‐3) protection in nerve growth factor‐differentiated pheochromocytoma (NGFDPC12) cells from palmitic acid (PAM)‐mediated lipotoxicity (PAM‐LTx). NGFDPC12 cells exposed to PAM show a significant lipotoxicity demonstrated by a robust loss of cell viability, apoptosis, and increased HIF‐1α and BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein‐interacting protein 3 gene expression. Treatment of NGFDPC12 cells undergoing PAM‐LTx with the pan‐caspase inhibitor ZVAD did not protect, but shifted the process from apoptosis to necroptosis. This shift in cell death mechanism was evident by the appearance of the signature necroptotic Topo I protein cleavage fragments, phosphorylation of mixed lineage kinase domain‐like, and inhibition with necrostatin‐1. Cultures exposed to PAM and co‐treated with necrostatin‐1 (necroptosis inhibitor) and rapamycin (autophagy promoter), showed a significant protection against PAM‐LTx compared to necrostatin‐1 alone. In addition, co‐treatment with DHA, as well as 20:5 n‐3, 20:4 n‐6, and 22:5 n‐3, in the presence of PAM protected NGFDPC12 cells against LTx. DHA‐induced neuroprotection includes restoring normal levels of HIF‐1α and BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein‐interacting protein 3 transcripts and caspase 8 and caspase 3 activity, phosphorylation of beclin‐1, de‐phosphorylation of mixed lineage kinase domain‐like, increase in LC3‐II, and up‐regulation of Atg7 and Atg12 genes, suggesting activation of autophagy and inhibition of necroptosis. Furthermore, DHA‐induced protection was suppressed by the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine, an inhibitor of autophagy. We conclude that DHA elicits neuroprotection by regulating multiple cell death pathways including enhancement of autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis and necroptosis.

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How industrial bacterial cultures can be kept stable over time
Authors: Wassenaar T.M. , Zimmermann K.
Published: May 2020

The tremendous variation that exists between bacterial species illustrates the power of evolution, which is the continuous process of mutation and selection over time. Even within a bacterial species, individual members can harbour an impressive degree of genetic variation, depending on the species. The question then arises how similar the offspring of a given bacterial cell over time is, and how long it takes before differences are noticeable? Here we show that on the one hand one can expect random mutations to arise, as a result of various mechanisms. On the other hand, there are forces at play that keep the offspring of a cell genetically relatively constant, unless there is selection for a particular characteristic. The most common mechanisms behind mutations that can appear in a bacterial population are briefly introduced. Next, it is explained why nevertheless such mutations are rarely observed, as long as single colonies are randomly selected, unless selective pressures apply. Since quality control of industrial bacterial cultures is likely to depend heavily on genome sequencing in the near future, the accuracy of whole-genomic sequencing technologies is also discussed. It can be concluded that the bacteriologists who started picking single colonies from agar plates more than hundred years ago were unknowingly ingeneous, as their practice maintains a bacterial culture stable over time.

Significance and Impact of Study

The questions addressed here are relevant for industries that depend on live bacteria for (manufacturing of) their products, as they have to guard their bacterial cultures that remain unchanged over time. The explanation why randomly selection of single colonies keeps a population stable can be of use in bacteriology courses. The limitations of whole-genome sequencing are relevant to legislators to avoid overinterpretation of those data.
Proteostasis disturbances and endoplasmic reticulum stress contribute to polycystic liver disease: New therapeutic targets
Authors: Santos‐Laso Alvaro , Izquierdo‐Sanchez Laura , Rodrigues Pedro M. , Huang Bing Q. , Azkargorta Mikel , Lapitz Ainhoa , Munoz‐Garrido Patricia , Arbelaiz Ander , Caballero-Camino Francisco J. , Fernández‐Barrena Maite G. , Jimenez‐Agüero Raul , Argemi Josepmaria , Aragon Tomas , Elortza Felix , Marzioni Marco , Drenth Joost P. H. , LaRusso Nicholas F. , Bujanda Luis , Perugorria Maria J. , Banales Jesus M.
Published: May 2020

Background & Aims

Polycystic liver diseases (PLDs) are genetic disorders characterized by progressive development of multiple biliary cysts. Recently, novel PLD‐causative genes, encoding for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident proteins involved in protein biogenesis and transport, were identified. We hypothesized that aberrant proteostasis contributes to PLD pathogenesis, representing a potential therapeutic target.

Methods

ER stress was analysed at transcriptional (qPCR), proteomic (mass spectrometry), morphological (transmission electron microscopy, TEM) and functional (proteasome activity) levels in different PLD models. The effect of ER stress inhibitors [4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA)] and/or activators [tunicamycin (TM)] was tested in polycystic (PCK) rats and cystic cholangiocytes in vitro.

Results

The expression levels of unfolded protein response (UPR) components were upregulated in liver tissue from PLD patients and PCK rats, as well as in primary cultures of human and rat cystic cholangiocytes, compared to normal controls. Cystic cholangiocytes showed altered proteomic profiles, mainly related to proteostasis (ie synthesis, folding, trafficking and degradation of proteins), marked enlargement of the ER lumen (by TEM) and hyperactivation of the proteasome. Notably, chronic treatment of PCK rats with 4‐PBA decreased liver weight, as well as both liver and cystic volumes, of animals under baseline conditions or after TM administration compared to controls. In vitro, 4‐PBA downregulated the expression (mRNA) of UPR effectors, normalized proteomic profiles related to protein synthesis, folding, trafficking and degradation and reduced the proteasome hyperactivity in cystic cholangiocytes, reducing their hyperproliferation and apoptosis.

Conclusions

Restoration of proteostasis in cystic cholangiocytes with 4‐PBA halts hepatic cystogenesis, emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy.
China’s market economy, shadow banking and the frequency of growth slowdown
Authors: Le Vo Phuong Mai , Matthews Kent , Meenagh David , Minford Patrick , Xiao Zhiguo
Published: May 2020

The activity of the Shadow Banks in China has been the subject of considerable interest in recent years. Total shadow banking lending has reached over 60% of GDP and has grown faster than regular bank lending. It has been argued that unregulated shadow banking has fuelled a credit boom that poses a risk to the stability of the financial system. This paper estimates a model of the Chinese economy using a DSGE framework that accommodates a banking sector that isolates the effects of lending to the private sector including shadow bank lending. A refinement of the model allows for bank lending including lending by the shadow banks to affect the credit premium on private investment. The main finding is that while financial shocks are significant, it is real shocks that dominate. The model is used to simulate the frequency of growth slowdowns in China and concludes that these are more likely to be driven by real sector shocks rather than financial sector, including shadow bank shocks. This paper differs from other applications in its use of indirect inference to test the fitted model against a three‐equation VAR of inflation, output gap and interest rate.
Visual indeterminacy and the puzzle of the speckled hen
Authors: Munton Jessie
Published: May 2020

I identify three aspects to the puzzle of the speckled hen: A general puzzle, an epistemic puzzle, and a puzzle for the representationalist. These puzzles rely on an underlying “pictorialist” assumption, that we visually perceive general, determinable properties only in virtue of determinate properties or more specific, local features of our visual experience. This assumption is mistaken: Visual perception frequently starts from a position of uncertainty, and is routinely able to acquire information about general properties in the absence of more specific information. Acknowledging that visual indeterminacy is structured this way resolves all three puzzles of the speckled hen.
Long‐distance early endosome motility in Aspergillus fumigatus promotes normal hyphal growth behaviors in controlled microenvironments but is dispensable for virulence
Authors: Bieger Baronger Dowell , Rogers Audra Mae , Bates Steven , Egan Martin John
Published: May 2020

In filamentous fungi, early endosomes are continuously trafficked to, and from, the growing hyphal tip by microtubule‐based motor proteins, serving as platforms for the long‐distance transport of diverse cargos including mRNA, signaling molecules, and other organelles which hitchhike on them. While the cellular machinery for early endosome motility in filamentous fungi is fairly well characterized, the broader physiological significance of this process remains less well understood. We set out to determine the importance of long‐distance early endosome trafficking in Aspergillus fumigatus, an opportunistic human pathogenic fungus that can cause devastating pulmonary infections in immunocompromised individuals. We first characterized normal early endosome motile behavior in A. fumigatus, then generated a mutant in which early endosome motility is severely perturbed through targeted deletion of the gene encoding for FtsA, one of a complex of proteins that links early endosomes to their motor proteins. Using a microfluidics‐based approach we show that contact‐induced hyphal branching behaviors are impaired in ΔftsA mutants, but that FtsA‐mediated early endosome motility is dispensable for virulence in an invertebrate infection model. Overall, our study provides new insight into early endosome motility in an important human pathogenic fungus.
Does corruption boost or harm firms’ performance in developing and emerging economies? A firm‐level study
Authors: Martins Lurdes , Cerdeira Jorge , A.C. Teixeira Aurora
Published: May 2020

In the last decade, a growing number of studies have addressed the ongoing debate about whether corruption “sands” or “greases” the wheels of business at the firm level. This study revisits this debate and proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework to test whether corruption harms or boosts firm performance, as well as the extent to which this relationship is mediated by the countries’ institutional settings, the size and strategic behaviour of the firms, and market competition. Based on a sample of 21,250 firms located in 117 emerging and developing countries, and resorting to instrumental variable (IV) estimations, three main results were found: (a) regardless of the proxy used for corruption and firm performance, the former clearly harms the latter; (b) corruption “greases the wheels” of business for African firms but it “sands the wheels” for firms in Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Southern Asia; and (c) the negative impact of corruption on performance is mitigated for larger and exporting firms.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Roadmap for Compact Heat Exchangers in High Temperature Reactors
Authors: Keating Robert B. , McKillop Suzanne P. , Allen Todd , Anderson Mark
Published: May 2020

The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy is to advance nuclear power in order to meet the nation's energy, environmental, and energy security needs. Advanced high temperature reactor systems will require compact heat exchangers (CHXs) for the next generation of nuclear reactors. The DOE is sponsoring research to support the development and deployment of CHXs for use in high temperature advanced reactors. The project is being executed by an Integrated Research Project (IRP) that includes university research institutes, national laboratories, manufacturers, and industry experts. The objective is to enable the use of CHX designs in advanced reactor service. A necessary step for achieving this objective is to ensure that the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5 has rules for the construction of CHXs for nuclear service. However, construction rules alone are not sufficient to deploy a CHX in an advanced reactor. A strategy for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XI, Inservice Inspection (ISI) of a heat exchanger in an operating nuclear reactor will also be required. The purpose of this ASME Code Roadmap is to identify the research gaps impeding the development of suitable construction and ISI rules for CHXs for high temperature reactor service and to provide a framework to utilize the research project results consistent with the expectations and needs of the industry and future owners.
Systematic scrotum ultrasound in male infertility: what to look for
Authors: Falticeanu Ana Andreea , Lebecque Olivier , Dupont Michaël
Published: May 2020

Ultrasound is a useful, cost-effective and minimally invasive tool that can be used in the workup of male infertility. Patient history, semen analysis and hormonal results often precede ultrasound examination as a part of the workup of male factor infertility.In our article, we advocate the added value of a systematic approach of the scrotal ultrasound. We propose a checklist for the complete analysis of testicular and paratesticular structures, useful in everyday practice for both clinicians and radiologists, highlighting what can be expected of and what should be found in the radiologist's report.
Analysis of the tonal sound generation during phonation with and without glottis closure
Authors: Kniesburges Stefan , Lodermeyer Alexander , Semmler Marion , Schulz Yvonne Katrin , Schützenberger Anne , Becker Stefan
Published: May 2020

The human phonation is characterized by periodical oscillations of the vocal folds with a complete glottis closure. In contrast, a glottal insufficiency (GI) represents an oscillation without glottis closure resulting in a breathy and weak voice. In this study, flow-induced oscillations of silicone vocal folds were modeled with and without glottis closure. The measurements comprised the flow pressure in the model, the generated sound, and the high-speed footage of the vocal fold motion. The analysis revealed that the sound signal for vocal fold oscillations without closure exhibits a lower number of harmonic tones with smaller amplitudes compared to the case with complete closure. The time series of the pressure signals showed small and periodical oscillations occurring less frequently and with smaller amplitude for the GI case. Accordingly, the pressure spectra include fewer harmonics similar to the sound. The analysis of the high-speed videos indicates that the strength of the pressure oscillations correlates with the divergence angle of the glottal duct during the closing motion. Physiologically, large divergence angles typically occur for a pronounced mucosal wave motion with glottis closure. Thus, the results indicate a correlation between the intensity of the mucosal wave and the development of harmonic tones.
Seabed and range estimation of impulsive time series using a convolutional neural network
Authors: Van Komen David F. , Neilsen Tracianne B. , Howarth Kira , Knobles David P. , Dahl Peter H.
Published: May 2020

In ocean acoustics, many types of optimizations have been employed to locate acoustic sources and estimate the properties of the seabed. How these tasks can take advantage of recent advances in deep learning remains as open questions, especially due to the lack of labeled field data. In this work, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to find seabed type and source range simultaneously from 1 s pressure time series from impulsive sounds. Simulated data are used to train the CNN before application to signals from a single hydrophone signal during the 2017 Seabed Characterization Experiment. The training data includes four seabeds representing deep mud, mud over sand, sandy silt, and sand, and a wide range of source parameters. When applied to measured data, the trained CNN predicts expected seabed types and obtains ranges within 0.5 km when the source-receiver range is greater than 5 km, showing the potential for such algorithms to address these problems.
Children's role in pandemic is still a puzzle
Authors: Vogel Gretchen , Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: May 2020

Some countries reopen schools, hoping it won't accelerate transmission.
Without fossil fuels, reactors churn out chemicals
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: May 2020

Prospects brighten for making fertilizer, plastics with solar and wind power.
Contributions of maternal and fetal antiviral immunity in congenital disease
Authors: Yockey Laura J. , Lucas Carolina , Iwasaki Akiko
Published: May 2020

Viral infections during pregnancy can have devastating consequences on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, and maternal health. In this review, we examine fetal and maternal immune defense mechanisms that mediate resistance against viral infections and discuss the range of syndromes that ensue when such mechanisms fail, from fetal developmental defects to establishment of chronic infection. Further, we highlight the role of maternal immune activation, or uncontrolled inflammation triggered by viral infections during pregnancy, and its potential downstream pathological effects, including tissue damage and fetal demise. Insights into the respective contributions of direct viral toxicity versus fetal and maternal immune responses that underlie the pathogenesis of congenital disease will guide future treatment strategies.
Sample collection from asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2: Implications for surface evolution
Authors: Morota T. , Sugita S. , Cho Y. , Kanamaru M. , Tatsumi E. , Sakatani N. , Honda R. , Hirata N. , Kikuchi H. , Yamada M. , Yokota Y. , Kameda S. , Matsuoka M. , Sawada H. , Honda C. , Kouyama T. , Ogawa K. , Suzuki H. , Yoshioka K. , Hayakawa M. , Hirata N. , Hirabayashi M. , Miyamoto H. , Michikami T. , Hiroi T. , Hemmi R. , Barnouin O. S. , Ernst C. M. , Kitazato K. , Nakamura T. , Riu L. , Senshu H. , Kobayashi H. , Sasaki S. , Komatsu G. , Tanabe N. , Fujii Y. , Irie T. , Suemitsu M. , Takaki N. , Sugimoto C. , Yumoto K. , Ishida M. , Kato H. , Moroi K. , Domingue D. , Michel P. , Pilorget C. , Iwata T. , Abe M. , Ohtake M. , Nakauchi Y. , Tsumura K. , Yabuta H. , Ishihara Y. , Noguchi R. , Matsumoto K. , Miura A. , Namiki N. , Tachibana S. , Arakawa M. , Ikeda H. , Wada K. , Mizuno T. , Hirose C. , Hosoda S. , Mori O. , Shimada T. , Soldini S. , Tsukizaki R. , Yano H. , Ozaki M. , Takeuchi H. , Yamamoto Y. , Okada T. , Shimaki Y. , Shirai K. , Iijima Y. , Noda H. , Kikuchi S. , Yamaguchi T. , Ogawa N. , Ono G. , Mimasu Y. , Yoshikawa K. , Takahashi T. , Takei Y. , Fujii A. , Nakazawa S. , Terui F. , Tanaka S. , Yoshikawa M. , Saiki T. , Watanabe S. , Tsuda Y.
Published: May 2020

Collecting a sample of asteroid Ryugu

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft recently traveled to the nearby carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu to collect samples and return them to Earth for laboratory analysis. Morota
et al.
describe Hayabusa2's first sample collection, taken during a brief touchdown on Ryugu's surface. Close-up images and video taken during the sampling process allowed the authors to investigate the surface colors and morphology on a small scale. Relating these to the surface craters and stratigraphy constrains the evolution of Ryugu. The authors conclude that the asteroid experienced a prior period of strong solar heating caused by changes in its orbit. The sample is expected to arrive on Earth in December 2020.

Science
, this issue p.
654
Contrasting Patterns in Diversity and Community Assembly of Phragmites australis Root-Associated Bacterial Communities from Different Seasons
Authors: He Rujia , Zeng Jin , Zhao Dayong , Huang Rui , Yu Zhongbo , Wu Qinglong L.
Published: May 2020

Understanding the composition and assembly mechanisms of root-associated microbial communities of plants is crucial for understanding the interactions between plants and soil. Most previous studies of the plant root-associated microbiome focused on model and economic plants, with fewer temporal or seasonal investigations. The assembly mechanisms of root-associated bacterial communities in different seasons remain poorly known, especially for the aquatic macrophytes. In this study, we compared the diversity, composition, and relative importance of two different assembly processes (stochastic and deterministic processes) of bacterial communities associated with bulk sediment and the rhizosphere and endosphere of
Phragmites australis
in summer and winter. While we found apparent differences in composition, diversity, and assembly processes of bacterial communities among different compartments, season played important roles in determining BCCs and their diversity patterns and assemblages. We also found that endosphere bacteria mainly originated from the rhizosphere. The results add new knowledge regarding the plant-microbe interactions in aquatic ecosystems.
Can Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Bacteria Be Distinguished by Sensory Protein Abundance?
Authors: Bhar Subhrajit , Bose Tungadri , Mande Sharmila S.
Published: May 2020

Sensory proteins (SPs) act as sensors and actuators for a cell and participate in important mechanisms pertaining to bacterial survival, adaptation, and virulence. Therefore, bacterial species residing in similar ecological niches or those sharing common pathotypes are expected to exhibit similar SP signatures. We have investigated profiles of SPs in different species of
Escherichia coli
and present in this article the sensory protein index (SPI), a metric for quantifying the abundance and/or distribution of SPs across bacterial genomes, which could indicate the virulence potency of a bacterium. The SPI could find use in characterizing uncultured strains and bacterial complexes, as a biomarker for disease diagnostics, evaluating the effect of therapeutic interventions, assessing effects of ecological alterations, etc. Grouping the studied strains of
E. coli
on the basis of the frequency of occurrence of SPs in their genomes could potentially replicate the stratification of these strains on the basis of their phylotypes. In addition,
E. coli
strains belonging to the same pathotypes were also seen to share similar SP signatures. Furthermore, the SPI was seen to be an indicator of pathogenic potency of
E. coli
strains. The SPI metric is expected to be useful in the (pathogenic) characterization of hereto uncultured strains which are routinely sequenced in host microbiome analysis projects, or from among an ensemble of microbial organisms constituting a biospecimen. Thus, the possibilities of using the SPI as a biomarker for diagnosis of a disease or the outcome of a therapeutic intervention cannot be ruled out. Further, SPIs obtained from longitudinal ecological samples have the potential to serve as key indicators of environmental changes. Such changes in the environment are often detrimental to the resident biome and methods for timely detection of environmental changes hold huge socioeconomic benefits.
Role of Glutamate Synthase in Biofilm Formation by Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Kimura Tan , Kobayashi Kazuo
Published: May 2020

Bacillus subtilis forms robust biofilms in the presence of large amounts of carbon sources, such as glycerol. However, little is known about the importance of the metabolic systems, or the relationship between metabolic systems and regulatory systems, involved in biofilm formation. Glutamate synthase, encoded by gltAB, is an enzyme that converts 2-ketoglutarate (a tricarboxylic acid [TCA] cycle intermediate) and glutamine into glutamate, which is a general amino group donor in metabolism. Here, we show that a ΔgltA mutant exhibited early arrest of biofilm formation in complex medium containing glycerol. This phenotype was not due to glutamate auxotrophy. Consistent with its biofilm formation phenotype, the ΔgltA mutant exhibited an early decrease in expression of the epsA and tapA operons, which are responsible for production of biofilm matrix polymers. This resulted from decreased activity of their regulator, Spo0A, as evidenced by reduced expression of other Spo0A-regulated genes in the ΔgltA mutant. The ΔgltA mutation prevented biofilm formation only in the presence of large amounts of glycerol. Moreover, limited expression of citrate synthase (but not other TCA enzymes) restored biofilm-forming ability to the ΔgltA mutant. These results indicate that the ΔgltA mutant accumulates an inhibitory intermediate (citrate) in the TCA cycle in the presence of large amounts of glycerol. The ΔgltA mutant formed biofilms when excess iron was added to the medium. Taken together, the data suggest that accumulation of citrate ions by the ΔgltA mutant causes iron shortage due to chelation, which prevents activation of Spo0A and causes defective biofilm formation.

IMPORTANCE Bacillus subtilis, a model organism for bacterial biofilm formation, forms robust biofilms in a medium-dependent manner. Although the regulatory network that controls biofilm formation has been well studied, the importance of the underlying metabolic systems remains to be elucidated. The present study demonstrates that a metabolic disorder in a well-conserved metabolic system causes accumulation of an inhibitory metabolic intermediate that prevents activation of the system that regulates biofilm formation. These findings increase our understanding of the coordination between cellular metabolic status and the regulatory networks governing biofilm formation.
A Novel Heme Transporter from the Energy Coupling Factor Family Is Vital for Group A Streptococcus Colonization and Infections
Authors: Chatterjee Nilanjana , Cook Laura C. C. , Lyles Kristin V. , Nguyen Hong Anh T. , Devlin Darius J. , Thomas Lamar S. , Eichenbaum Zehava
Published: May 2020

Group A streptococcus (GAS) produces millions of infections worldwide, including mild mucosal infections, postinfection sequelae, and life-threatening invasive diseases. During infection, GAS readily acquires nutritional iron from host heme and hemoproteins. Here, we identified a new heme importer, named SiaFGH, and investigated its role in GAS pathophysiology. The SiaFGH proteins belong to a group of transporters with an unknown ligand from the recently described family of energy coupling factors (ECFs). AsiaFGHdeletion mutant exhibited high streptonigrin resistance compared to the parental strain, suggesting that iron ions or an iron complex is the likely ligand. Iron uptake and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) studies showed that the loss ofsiaFGHdid not impact GAS import of ferric or ferrous iron, but the mutant was impaired in using hemoglobin iron for growth. Analysis of cells growing on hemoglobin iron revealed a substantial decrease in the cellular heme content in the mutant compared to the complemented strain. The induction of thesiaFGHgenes intransresulted in the induction of heme uptake. ThesiaFGHmutant exhibited a significant impairment in murine models of mucosal colonization and systemic infection. Together, the data show that SiaFGH is a new type of heme importer that is key for GAS use of host hemoproteins and that this system is imperative for bacterial colonization and invasive infection.

IMPORTANCEECF systems are new transporters that take up various vitamins, cobalt, or nickel with a high affinity. Here, we establish the GAS SiaFGH proteins as a new ECF module that imports heme and demonstrate its importance in virulence. SiaFGH is the first heme ECF system described in bacteria. We identified homologous systems in the genomes of related pathogens from theFirmicutesphylum. Notably, GAS and other pathogens that use a SiaFGH-type importer rely on host hemoproteins for a source of iron during infection. Hence, recognizing the function of this noncanonical ABC transporter in heme acquisition and the critical role that it plays in disease has broad implications.
Differential Vpu-Mediated CD4 and Tetherin Downregulation Functions among Major HIV-1 Group M Subtypes
Authors: Umviligihozo Gisele , Cobarrubias Kyle D. , Chandrarathna Sandali , Jin Steven W. , Reddy Nicole , Byakwaga Helen , Muzoora Conrad , Bwana Mwebesa B. , Lee Guinevere Q. , Hunt Peter W. , Martin Jeff N. , Brumme Chanson J. , Bangsberg David R. , Karita Etienne , Allen Susan , Hunter Eric , Ndung’u Thumbi , Brumme Zabrina L. , Brockman Mark A.
Published: May 2020

The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu enhances viral spread by downregulating CD4 and BST-2/tetherin on the surface of infected cells. Natural variability in these Vpu functions may contribute to HIV-1 pathogenesis, but this has not been investigated among the diverse viral subtypes that contribute to the HIV-1 pandemic. In this study, we found that Vpu function differs significantly among HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C, and D. On average, subtype C clones displayed the lowest ability to downregulate both CD4 and tetherin, while subtype B and D clones were more functional. We also identified Vpu polymorphisms that associate with functional differences among HIV-1 isolates and subtypes. Our study suggests that genetic diversity in Vpu may play an important role in the differential pathogenesis and/or spread of HIV-1.