bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The AGN fuelling/feedback cycle in nearby radio galaxies – III. 3D relative orientations of radio jets and CO discs and their interaction
Authors: Ruffa Ilaria , Laing Robert A , Prandoni Isabella , Paladino Rosita , Parma Paola , Davis Timothy A , Bureau Martin
Published: October 2020

This is the third paper of a series exploring the multifrequency properties of a sample of eleven nearby low-excitation radio galaxies (LERGs) in the southern sky. We are conducting an extensive study of different galaxy components (stars, dust, warm and cold gas, radio jets) with the aim of better understanding the AGN fuelling/feedback cycle in LERGs. Here, we present new, deep, sub-kpc resolution Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) data for five sample sources at 10 GHz. Coupling these data with previously acquired Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) CO(2–1) observations and measurements of comparable quality from the literature, we carry out for the first time a full 3D analysis of the relative orientations of jet and disc rotation axes in six FR I LERGs. This analysis shows (albeit with significant uncertainties) that the relative orientation angles span a wide range (≈30○–60○). There is no case where both axes are accurately aligned and there is a marginally significant tendency for jets to avoid the disc plane. Our study also provides further evidence for the presence of a jet-CO disc interaction (already inferred from other observational indicators) in at least one source, NGC 3100. In this case, the limited extent of the radio jets, along with distortions in both the molecular gas and the jet components, suggest that the jets are young, interacting with the surrounding matter and rapidly decelerating.
Redshifted 21-cm bispectrum – I. Impact of the redshift space distortions on the signal from the Epoch of Reionization
Authors: Majumdar Suman , Kamran Mohd , Pritchard Jonathan R , Mondal Rajesh , Mazumdar Arindam , Bharadwaj Somnath , Mellema Garrelt
Published: October 2020

The bispectrum can quantify the non-Gussianity present in the redshifted 21-cm signal produced by the neutral hydrogen ($\rm {H \small {I}}$) during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR). Motivated by this, we perform a comprehensive study of the EoR 21-cm bispectrum using simulated signals. Given a model of reionization, we demonstrate the behaviour of the bispectrum for all unique triangles in k space. For ease of identification of the unique triangles we parametrize the k-triangle space with two parameters, namely the ratio of the two arms of the triangle (n = k2/k1) and the cosine of the angle between them (cos θ). Furthermore, for the first time we quantify the impact of the redshift space distortions (RSD) on the spherically averaged EoR 21-cm bispectrum in the entire unique triangle space. We find that the real space signal bispectra for small and intermediate k1-triangles ($k_1 \le 0.6 \, \, {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$) is negative in most of the unique triangle space. It takes a positive sign for squeezed, stretched, and linear k1-triangles, specifically for large k1 values ($k_1 \ge 0.6 \, \, {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$). The RSD affects both the sign and magnitude of the bispectra significantly. It changes (increases/decreases) the magnitude of the bispectra by $50\!-\!100{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ without changing its sign (mostly) during the entire period of the EoR for small and intermediate k1-triangles. For larger k1-triangles, RSD affects the magnitude by $100\!-\!200{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and also flips the sign from negative to positive. We conclude that it is important to take into account the impact of RSD for a correct interpretation of the EoR 21-cm bispectra.
A principal component analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission in NGC 2023
Authors: Sidhu Ameek , Peeters Els , Cami Jan , Knight Collin
Published: October 2020

We use the measured fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission features at 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.0, and 11.2 μm in the reflection nebula NGC 2023 to carry out a principal component analysis (PCA) as a means to study previously reported variations in the PAH emission. We find that almost all of the variations (99 per cent) can be explained with just two parameters – the first two principal components (PCs). We explore the characteristics of these PCs and show that the first PC (PC1), which is the primary driver of the variation, represents the amount of emission of a mixture of PAHs with ionized species dominating over neutral species. The second PC (PC2) traces variations in the ionization state of the PAHs across the nebula. Correlations of the PCs with various PAH ratios show that the 6.2 and 7.7 μm bands behave differently than the 8.6 and 11.0 μm bands, thereby forming two distinct groups of ionized bands. We compare the spatial distribution of the PCs to the physical conditions, in particular to the strength of the radiation field, G0, and the G0/nH ratio and find that the variations in PC2, i.e. the ionization state of PAHs are strongly affected by G0 whereas the amount of PAH emission (as traced by PC1) does not depend on G0.
Dark supernova remnant
Authors: Sofue Yoshiaki
Published: October 2020

An almost perfect round hole of CO-line emission with a diameter of 3.7 pc was found in a molecular cloud (MC) centered on G35.75−0.25 (l = 35${{^{\circ}_{.}}}$75, b = −0${{^{\circ}_{.}}}$25) at radial velocity of 28 km s−1. The hole is quiet in radio continuum emission, unlike the usual supernova remnants (SNR), and the molecular edge is only weakly visible in 8 and 24 μm dust emissions. The hole may be either a fully evolved molecular bubble around a young stellar object (YSO), or a relic of a radio-quiet SNR that has already stopped expansion after rapid evolution in the dense MC as a buried SNR. Because G35.75 exhibits quite different properties from YSO-driven bubbles of the same size, we prefer the latter interpretation. The existence of such a “dark” SNR would affect the estimation of the supernova rate, and therefore the star formation history, in the Galaxy.
Do Meristic Characters Used in Phylogenetic Analysis Evolve in an Ordered Manner?
Authors: Brocklehurst Neil , Haridy Yara
Published: October 2020

The use of ordered characters in phylogenetic analysis has been inconsistent throughout the history of phylogenetic inference. It has become more widespread in recent years, and some have advocated that all characters representing continuous or meristic traits should be ordered as a matter of course. Here, using the example of dental evolution, we examine two factors that may impact on whether meristic characters actually evolve in an ordered manner: the regulatory hierarchy governing the development of teeth that allows large sections of the entire tooth row to be suppressed in a single transition and regionalization of the tooth row where different modules have a degree of independence in their evolution. These are studied using both empirical and simulated data. Models of evolution of such characters are examined over molecular phylogenies to see if ordered or unordered models fit best. Simulations of tooth-row evolution are designed to incorporate changes in region size and multiple levels of developmental control to suppress individual regions or the entire row. The empirical analyses show that in a clade with largely homodont dentition the characters evolve in an ordered manner, but if dentition is heterodont with distinct regionalization their evolution better fits an unordered model. In the simulations, even if teeth are added and removed from the tooth row in an ordered manner, dividing the row into independently evolving modules can lead to characters covering multiple modules better fitting an unordered model of evolution. Adding the ability to suppress regions or the entire tooth row has a variable effect depending on the rates of suppression relative to the rates of addition and subtraction of individual teeth. We therefore advise not following a single policy when deciding whether to order meristic traits but to base the decision on a priori knowledge of the focal clade’s evolution and developmental biology. [Discrete characters; ordered characters; phylogeny; teeth.]
A novel epidermal gland type in lizards (α-gland): structural organization, histochemistry, protein profile and phylogenetic origins
Authors: Carvalho André L G , Jeckel Adriana M , Nisa Carolina , Luna María Celeste , Piantoni Carla
Published: October 2020

Chemical signalling is an essential component of the communication system of lizards, and epidermal glands are responsible for producing semiochemicals that regulate many behavioural interactions. Two types of epidermal glands have been previously described for lizards: follicular and generation glands. Generation glands are characterized by the aggregation of novel glandular cell types in the epithelium and the lack of a lumen or external pore. Despite the fact that several subtypes of generation glands have been recognized over the years, the morphology, taxonomic distribution, function and evolutionary origins of generation glands remain nearly unexplored in Neotropical clades. Here, we describe a novel escutcheon-type generation gland (‘α-gland’) for lizards of the South American family Tropiduridae, characterize its structural and ultrastructural organization, and study the homology of the constituent parts in a phylogenetic framework. The α-glands emerged in the ancestor of Eurolophosaurus, Plica, Strobilurus, Tropidurus and Uracentron, and are found in at least 39 species with diverse ecological habits. We preliminarily analysed the protein profile of α-glands and discovered differential expression of protein components between sexes. Our investigations change the general view about epidermal gland homology, leading us to argue that generation and follicular glands are possibly more closely related functionally and evolutionarily than previously thought.
Hyalorbilia oviparasitica Clade Detected in Field Soils Cropped to Sugar Beets and Enriched in the Presence of Heterodera schachtii and a Host Crop
Authors: Witte Hannes , Yang Jiue-in , Logan Geoffrey D. , Colindres Nicole B. , Peacock Beth B. , Smith Becker Jennifer , Ruegger Paul M. , Becker J. Ole , Borneman James
Published: October 2020

This study endeavored to test two hypotheses: (i) Hyalorbilia oviparasitica and related species (H. oviparasitica clade) will be detected in sugar beet fields in California’s Imperial Valley and (ii) the population densities of these fungi will increase in the presence of their nematode host (Heterodera schachtii) and a host plant of this nematode. The H. oviparasitica clade includes potent hyperparasites of sedentary stages of plant-parasitic nematodes, which have the ability to substantially suppress the population densities of several endoparasitic nematode species. In this study, 21 of 25 Imperial Valley soils cropped to sugar beets harbored members of the H. oviparasitica clade. The population densities of these fungi increased, on average, approximately 10,000-fold in the presence of H. schachtii and its host Swiss Chard over one nematode generation. An rRNA ITS sequence analysis showed that members of the H. oviparasitica clade were the dominant group of fungi associated with H. schachtii females derived from these soils. These results provide evidence supporting the hypotheses.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Replacing defective thymus function
Authors: Kreins Alexandra Y. , Graham Davies E.
Published: October 2020

Purpose of review

Transplantation of cultured postnatal allogeneic thymus has been successful for treating athymia, mostly associated with complete DiGeorge syndrome, for more than 20 years. Advances in molecular genetics provide opportunities for widening the range of athymic conditions that can be treated while advances in cell culture and organ/tissue regeneration may offer the prospect of alternative preparations of thymic tissue. There are potential broader applications of this treatment outside congenital athymia.

Recent findings

At the same time as further characterization of the cultured thymus product in terms of thymic epithelial cells and lymphoid composition, preclinical studies have looked at de-novo generation of thymic epithelial cells from stem cells and explored scaffolds for delivering these as three-dimensional structures. In the era of newborn screening for T-cell lymphopaenia, a broadening range of defects leading to athymia is being recognized and new assays should allow differentiation of these from haematopoietic cell defects, pending their genetic/molecular characterization. Evidence suggests that the tolerogenic effect of transplanted thymus could be exploited to improve outcomes after solid organ transplantation.

Thymus transplantation, the accepted standard treatment for complete DiGeorge syndrome is also appropriate for other genetic defects leading to athymia. Improved strategies for generating thymus may lead to better outcomes and broader application of this treatment.
Association of age at menarche with hypertension in rural Chinese women
Authors: Liu Dechen , Qin Pei , Liu Yu , Sun Xizhuo , Li Honghui , Wu Xiaoyan , Zhang Yanyan , Han Minghui , Qie Ranran , Huang Shengbing , Li Yang , Wu Yuying , Yang Xingjin , Feng Yifei , Zhao Yang , Hu Fulan , Zhang Ming , Lu Jie , Hu Dongsheng , Sun Liang
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The study aimed to explore the association of age at menarche with hypertension and whether adiposity and insulin resistance mediated the association in rural Chinese women.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study enrolling 7518 women (median age 56 years) from a rural Chinese area from 2013 to 2014. Adiposity was measured by BMI and waist circumference, and insulin resistance was measured by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence limits (Cls) for the association of age at menarche with hypertension were estimated by using multivariate logistic regression models. The contribution of adiposity and insulin resistance to the association was estimated by mediation analysis.

Results:

Among 7518 women, 3187 (42.39%) had hypertension. Age at menarche was inversely associated with hypertension (per additional year of menarche, OR = 0.965, 95% Cl: 0.935–0.995). BMI or waist circumference and HOMA-IR completely mediated the association of age at menarche with hypertension (for BMI and HOMA-IR: total indirect effect: OR = 0.970, 95% Cl: 0.962–0.978 and direct effect: OR = 0.994, 95% Cl: 0.963–1.026; for waist circumference and HOMA-IR: total indirect effect: OR = 0.981, 95% Cl: 0.973–0.988 and direct effect: OR = 0.983, 95% Cl: 0.952–1.014).

Conclusion:

Early age at menarche was positively associated with hypertension. Adiposity and insulin resistance seemed to be two vital mediators of the association between age at menarche and hypertension in rural Chinese women.
Donor-specific antibodies in heart transplantation: can we afford the price or is it too steep to pay?
Authors: Nikolova Andriana P. , Kobashigawa Jon A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose of review

One-third of patients awaiting heart transplant are sensitized and 25–35% of heart allograft recipients develop de novo DSAs. Solid phase assays for DSA measurement have facilitated wider use of antibody monitoring and as such, our experience with DSAs is continuously evolving.

Recent findings

DSAs continue to exhibit poor correlation with biopsy-proven rejection. Novel molecular technologies, such as cell-free DNA and the molecular microscope (MMDx, which detects rejection-associated intragraft mRNA transcripts), are emerging as more sensitive methods to capture subclinical graft injury. High-resolution typing techniques are providing insight into the differential immunogenicity of HLA classes through epitope and eplet analysis. As sensitization of the transplant population is continuing to rise, our repertoire of desensitization strategies is also expanding. However, there is an acute need of predictive algorithms to help forecast the responders and the durability of desensitization. Novel immunomodulatory therapies have allowed safely transplanting across a positive crossmatch with good short-term survival but reported greater degree of rejection and lower long-term graft survival.

Our experience of outcomes as pertaining to DSAs still originates primarily from single-center studies. Our field is confronted with the challenge to establish common practice algorithms for the monitoring and treatment of DSAs.
The “PalliActive Caregivers” Intervention for Caregivers of Patients With Cancer in Palliative Care
Authors: Arias-Rojas Mauricio , Carreño-Moreno Sonia , Arias-Quiroz Natalia
Published: October 2020

This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and possible effects of the “PalliActive Caregivers,” nursing intervention, on the uncertainty in illness and quality of life of family caregivers of patients with cancer receiving palliative care. This pilot study used a randomized controlled design. The participants were 80 family caregivers. The experimental group received the novel “PalliActive Caregivers” intervention. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Quality of Life scale, and an Intervention satisfaction questionnaire. The caregivers who received the intervention “PalliActive Caregivers” reported a high degree of satisfaction (9.74 on a 10-point scale). The intervention showed a significant decrease in uncertainty regarding illness in the experimental group (P = .009), as well as a significant decrease in the psychological well-being of quality of life within the experimental and control groups, before and after the intervention (P = .013, P = .010). It is recommended that future studies using the “PalliActive Caregivers” intervention examine the effects on other variables such as the burden of patient's symptoms, caregiver burden and rewards, self-efficacy in symptom management, competence, unmet needs, and satisfaction with care.
Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy: an introduction to the first special edition
Authors: Norreys P. A. , Ridgers C. , Lancaster K. , Koepke M. , Tynan G.
Published: October 2020

A European consortium of 15 laboratories across nine nations have worked together under the EUROFusion Enabling Research grants for the past decade with three principle objectives. These are: (a) investigating obstacles to ignition on megaJoule-class laser facilities; (b) investigating novel alternative approaches to ignition, including basic studies for fast ignition (both electron and ion-driven), auxiliary heating, shock ignition etc.; and (c) developing technologies that will be required in the future for a fusion reactor. The Hooke discussion meeting in March 2020 provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in inertial confinement fusion research world-wide to date. This first edition of two special issues seeks to identify paths forward to achieve high fusion energy gain.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)’.
Progress and opportunities for inertial fusion energy in Europe
Authors: Tikhonchuk V. T.
Published: October 2020

In this paper, I consider the motivations, recent results and perspectives for the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) studies in Europe. The European approach is based on the direct drive scheme with a preference for the central ignition boosted by a strong shock. Compared to other schemes, shock ignition offers a higher gain needed for the design of a future commercial reactor and relatively simple and technological targets, but implies a more complicated physics of laser–target interaction, energy transport and ignition. European scientists are studying physics issues of shock ignition schemes related to the target design, laser plasma interaction and implosion by the code developments and conducting experiments in collaboration with US and Japanese physicists, providing access to their installations Omega and Gekko XII. The ICF research in Europe can be further developed only if European scientists acquire their own academic laser research facility specifically dedicated to controlled fusion energy and going beyond ignition to the physical, technical, technological and operational problems related to the future fusion power plant. Recent results show significant progress in our understanding and simulation capabilities of the laser plasma interaction and implosion physics and in our understanding of material behaviour under strong mechanical, thermal and radiation loads. In addition, growing awareness of environmental issues has attracted more public attention to this problem and commissioning at ELI Beamlines the first high-energy laser facility with a high repetition rate opens the opportunity for qualitatively innovative experiments. These achievements are building elements for a new international project for inertial fusion energy in Europe.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)’.
A simplified economic model for inertial fusion
Authors: Hawker Nicholas
Published: October 2020

A simple model for the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of an inertial fusion power plant is developed. The model has 14 parameters. These have been designed to be technology agnostic, such that the model may be applied broadly to all variants of inertial fusion. It is also designed to allow easy use of proxies from existing technology. The variables related most intimately to the physics challenges of inertial fusion, such as gain and target cost, are treated as parameters such that requirements can be found without bringing complex physics into the model. A Monte Carlo approach is taken to explore the parameter space. The most important conclusion is that a combination of high gain (greater than 500) and high fusion energy yield per shot (greater than 5 GJ) together appear to unlock more cost competitive designs than those in the existing literature. Designs with LCOE as low as $25/MWh are found with optimistic but not obviously unrealistic inputs.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)'.
Vaginal dinoprostone versus placebo for pain relief during intrauterine device insertion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Alshahrani Majed S. , Albezrah Nisreen A. , Miski Najlaa T. , Aboudi Saud A. , Abuzaid Mohammed , Alomar Osama , Salem Hany , Al-Badawi Ismail A. , Baradwan Saeed
Published: October 2020

Objective

To investigate the safety and efficacy of vaginal dinoprostone versus placebo in pain relief during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Setting

Not applicable.

Patient(s)

Women undergoing IUD insertion and receiving vaginal dinoprostone or placebo.

Intervention(s)

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were screened from inception to 01-October-2020, using the following search strategy: (dinoprostone OR cervidil OR prepidil) AND (intrauterine device OR iud).

Main outcome measure(s)

IUD insertion related pain, patient satisfaction, provider ease of IUD insertion, and side effects.

Result(s)

Five studies met the study inclusion criteria, comprising 862 patients; equally 431 patients received vaginal dinoprostone and placebo. All studies had an overall low risk of bias. When compared to placebo, dinoprostone significantly correlated with decreased pain at tenaculum placement (SMD=−0.79, 95% CI [−1.43, −0.16], p=0.01), decreased pain at uterine sounding (SMD=−0.88, 95% CI [−1.54, −0.22], p=0.009), decreased pain at IUD insertion (SMD=−1.18, 95% CI [−1.74, −0.61], p<0.001), decreased need for additional analgesia (RR=0.34, 95% CI [0.22, 0.53], p<0.001), increased patient satisfaction (SMD=1.41, 95% CI [0.62, 2.20], p<0.001), and increased provider ease of IUD insertion (SMD=−1.17, 95% CI [−1.62, −0.73], p<0.001). Fever was statistically significantly higher in dinoprostone versus placebo group (RR=3.73, 95% CI [1.47, 9.44], p=0.006). All other side effects—including nausea, vomiting, shivering, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vasovagal attack, uterine perforation, and postprocedural bleeding—did not substantially differ between both groups.

Conclusions

This first ever meta-analysis advocates that dinoprostone is safe, effective, and yields favorable analgesic outcomes during IUD insertion.
Chromosome-scale assembly of the genome ofSalix dunniireveals a male-heterogametic sex determination system on chromosome 7
Authors: He Li , Jia Kai-Hua , Zhang Ren-Gang , Wang Yuan , Shi Tian-Le , Li Zhi-Chao , Zeng Si-Wen , Cai Xin-Jie , Wagner Natascha Dorothea , Hörandl Elvira , Muyle Aline , Yang Ke , Charlesworth Deborah , Mao Jian-Feng
Published: October 2020

Sex determination systems in plants can involve either female or male heterogamety (ZW or XY, respectively). Here we used Illumina short reads, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long reads, and Hi-C reads to assemble the first chromosome-scale genome of a female willow tree (Salix dunnii), and to predict genes using transcriptome sequences and available databases. The final genome sequence of 328 Mb in total was assembled in 29 contigs, and includes 31,501 genes. We inferred a male heterogametic sex determining factor on chromosome 7, suggesting that, unlike the female heterogamety of most species in the genusSalix, male heterogamety evolved in the subgenusSalix. TheS. dunniiX-linked region occupies about 3.21 Mb of chromosome 7, and is probably in a pericentromeric region. Our data suggest that this region is enriched for transposable element insertions, and about one third of its 124 protein-coding genes were gained via duplications from other genome regions. We detect purifying selection on the genes that were ancestrally present in the region, though some have been lost. Transcriptome data from female and male individuals show more male- than female-biased genes in catkin and leaf tissues, and indicate enrichment for male-biased genes in the pseudo-autosomal regions. Our study provides valuable genomic resources for studying sex chromosome evolution in Salicaceae family.
The effect of salt on the dynamics of CoV-2 RBD at ACE2
Authors: Peter E. K. , Schug A.
Published: October 2020

In this article, we investigate the effect of electrolytes on the stability of the complex between the coronavirus type 2 spike protein receptor domain (CoV-2 RBD) and ACE2, which plays an important role in the activation cascade at the viral entry of CoV-2 into human cells. At the cellular surface, electrolytes play an important role, especially in the interaction of proteins near the membrane surface. Additionally, the binding interface of the CoV-2 RBD - ACE2 complex is highly hydrophilic. We simulated the CoV-2 RBD - ACE2 complex at varying salt concentrations over the concentration range from 0.03 M to 0.3 M of calcium and sodium chloride over an individual simulation length of 750 ns in 9 independent simulations (6.75µstotal). We observe that the CoV-2 RBD - ACE2 complex is stabilized independent of the salt concentration. We identify a strong negative electrostatic potential at the N-terminal part of CoV-2 RBD and we find that CoV-2 RBD binds even stronger at higher salt concentrations. We observe that the dynamics of the N-terminal part of CoV-2 RBD stabilize the protein complex leading to strong collective motions and a stable interface between CoV-2 RBD and ACE2. We state that the sequence of CoV-2 RBD might be optimized for a strong binding to ACE2 at varying salt concentrations at the cellular surface, which acts as a key component in the activation of CoV-2 for its viral entry.

SIGNIFICANCE

A novel coronavirus, coronavirus type 2 (CoV-2), was identified as primary cause for a worldwide pandemic of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2). The CoV-2 spike protein is a major target for the development of a vaccine and potential strategies to inhibit the viral entry into human cells. At the cellular surface, CoV-2 activation involves the direct interaction between ACE2 and CoV-2 RBD. At the cellular surface, electrolytes play an important role, especially in the interaction of proteins near the membrane surface. We thus investigate the effect of ion conditions on the interaction of the CoV-2 RBD - ACE2 complex and find stabilizing effects. We speculate that CoV-2 RBD is optimized for strong binding to ACE2 at varying salt concentrations.
Subjugating Translational Inhibition in Response to Ribosomal Protein Insufficiency by a Herpesvirus Ribosome-Associated Protein
Authors: Vink Elizabeth I. , Andrews John , Duffy Carol , Mohr Ian
Published: October 2020

In addition to being required for protein synthesis, ribosomes and ribosomal proteins (RPs) also regulate mRNA translation in uninfected and virus-infected cells. By individually depleting 85 RPs using RNAi, we found overall protein synthesis in uninfected primary fibroblasts was more sensitive to RP-depletion than those infected with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Although representative RP-depletion (uL3, uS4, uL5) inhibited protein synthesis in cells infected with other DNA viruses, HSV-1-infected cell protein synthesis unexpectedly endured and required a single virus-encoded gene product, VP22. During individual RP-insufficiency, VP22-expressing HSV-1 replicated better than a VP22-deficient variant. Furthermore, VP22 cosedimented with ribosomes and polyribosomes in infected cells. This identifies VP22 as a virus-encoded, polyribosome-associated protein that compensates for RP-insufficiency to support viral protein synthesis and replication. Moreover, it reveals an unanticipated class of virus-encoded, ribosome-associated effectors that reduce the dependence of protein synthesis upon RPs and broadly support translation during physiological stress such as infection.
DRP1 IS REQUIRED FOR AGRP NEURONAL ACTIVITY AND FEEDING
Authors: Jin Sungho , Yoon Nal Ae , Liu Zhong-Wu , Horvath Tamas L. , Kim Jung Dae , Diano Sabrina
Published: October 2020

The hypothalamic orexigenic Agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons are crucial for the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis. Here, we show that fasting-induced AgRP neuronal activation is associated with dynamin-related peptide 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial fatty acid utilization in AgRP neurons. In line with this, mice lacking Drp1 in adult AgRP neurons (Drp1AgRPKO) show decrease in fasting-or ghrelin-induced AgRP neuronal activity and feeding and exhibited a significant decrease in body weight, fat mass, and feeding accompanied by a significant increase in energy expenditure. In support of the role for mitochondrial fission and fatty acids oxidation,Drp1AgRPKOmice showed attenuated palmitic acid-induced mitochondrial respiration. Altogether, our data revealed that mitochondrial dynamics and fatty acids oxidation in hypothalamic AgRP neurons is a critical mechanism for AgRP neuronal function and associated behavior.
Transcriptome-wide Mendelian randomization study prioritising novel tissue-dependent genes for glioma susceptibility
Authors: Robinson Jamie W , Martin Richard M , Tsavachidis Spiridon , Howell Amy E , Relton Caroline L , Armstrong Georgina N , Bondy Melissa , Zheng Jie , Kurian Kathreena M
Published: October 2020

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have discovered 27 loci associated with glioma risk. Whether these loci are causally implicated in glioma risk, and how risk differs across tissues, has yet to be systematically explored.

We integrated multi-tissue expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and glioma GWAS data using a combined Mendelian randomisation (MR) and colocalisation approach. We investigated how genetically predicted gene expression affects risk across tissue type (brain, estimated effective n=1,194 and whole blood, n=31,684) and glioma subtype (all glioma (7,400 cases, 8,257 controls) glioblastoma (GBM, 3,112 cases) and non-GBM gliomas (2,411 cases)). We also leveraged tissuespecific eQTLs collected from 13 brain tissues (n=114 to 209).

The MR and colocalisation results suggested that genetically predicted increased gene expression of 12 genes were associated with glioma, GBM and/or non-GBM risk, three of which are novel glioma susceptibility genes (RETREG2/FAM134A, FAM178BandMVB12B/FAM125B). The effect of gene expression appears to be relatively consistent across glioma subtype diagnoses. Examining how risk differed across 13 brain tissues highlighted five candidate tissues (cerebellum, cortex, and the putamen, nucleus accumbens and caudate basal ganglia) and four previously implicated genes (JAK1, STMN3, PICK1andEGFR).

These analyses identified robust causal evidence for 12 genes and glioma risk, three of which are novel. The correlation of MR estimates in brain and blood are consistently low which suggested that tissue specificity needs to be carefully considered for glioma. Our results have implicated genes yet to be associated with glioma susceptibility and provided insight into putatively causal pathways for glioma risk.
Sequel movie revenue prediction model based on sentiment analysis
Authors: Ahmad Ibrahim Said , Abu Bakar Azuraliza , Yaakub Mohd Ridzwan , Darwich Mohammad
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Sequel movies are very popular; however, there are limited studies on sequel movie revenue prediction. The purpose of this paper is to propose a sentiment analysis based model for sequel movie revenue prediction and to propose a missing value imputation method for the sequel revenue prediction dataset.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequel of a successful movie will most likely also be successful. Therefore, we propose a supervised learning approach in which data are created from sequel movies to predict the box-office revenue of an upcoming sequel. The algorithms used in the prediction are multiple linear regression, support vector machine and multilayer perceptron neural network.

Findings

The results show that using four sequel movies in a franchise to predict the box-office revenue of a fifth sequel achieved better prediction than using three sequels, which was also better than using two sequel movies.

Research limitations/implications

The model produced will be beneficial to movie producers and other stakeholders in the movie industry in deciding the viability of producing a movie sequel.

Originality/value

Previous studies do not give priority to sequel movies in movie revenue prediction. Additionally, a new missing value imputation method was introduced. Finally, sequel movie revenue prediction dataset was prepared.
Divestiture strategy, CEO power and firm performance
Authors: Brahmana Rayenda Khresna , You Hui-Wei , Yong Xhin-Rong
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the moderating role of chief executive officer (CEO) power on the relationship between divestiture strategy and firm performance by framing the relationship under the agency and power circulation theories.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on a sample of 319 non-financial public-listed companies in Malaysia from the year 2012–2016 and estimates the model under two-step generalized method of moments panel regression to eliminate the endogeneity issue.

Findings

The results show that divestiture strategy decreased the firm performance. Meanwhile, greater CEO power changed that divestiture effect but still failed to increase the performance. This study also indicates the CEO power strengthens the relationship between firm performance and divestiture.

Research limitations/implications

The overall findings show that the positive moderating role of CEO power on the relationship between divestiture and performance. This research confirmed the agency and power circulation theories by showing that CEO power can make divestiture strategy works. However, the moderating plot tells different. CEO power may strengthen the relationship between divestiture and performance; it fails to boost up the performance in overall. Therefore, this study is about CEO power on the strategic decision and gives a good implication for corporate governance concerning the impact of CEO power on the organization’s alignment process.

Originality/value

This study examines the effect of CEO power on the performance of divestiture strategy implementation by contesting the agency and power circulation theories within an emerging country context.
Why does perceive safety endure in crime hotspots? Case of Delhi
Authors: Nakamura Hiroki , Managi Shunsuke
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Using a case study from Delhi, India, this study aims to investigate why perceived safety endures despite crimes in the neighborhood. Local residents in Delhi feel considerably less fearful of crime in their neighborhoods, and a majority reported feeling safe in their neighborhoods, especially during the daytime.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper hypothesized that similar to the crime itself, perceptions of safety or the fear of crime, also tend to be concentrated in hotspots. Following a hotspot analysis based on the respondents’ perceptions of safety, the data gathered were applied to the perceived neighborhood structure. Using two perception-of-safety models, this paper could analyze the ripple effect of individual perception on the neighborhood by adding the calculated values of the perceived safety hotspot through hotspot analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that income, trust in others, attachment to the local neighborhood and police access can increase residents’ perceptions of safety. Additionally, the neighborhoods’ perception of safety was found to positively impact the individual’s perception of safety.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited in terms of generalizing the findings. Further studies could potentially include not only other cities in India but also, cities in developing countries in Africa and Latin America, where residents tend not to fear crime despite high crime rates.

Practical implications

Residents’ perceived safety does not necessarily reflect local crimes and security. Local policies to improve residents’ perceptions of safety have to often be separated from crime reduction because a reduction in some crimes would not necessarily improve residents’ perception of safety. Contrarily, if the crime rate is high, as in the case of Delhi, people may have a moderate fear of crime across the neighborhood.

Originality/value

Notably, this study found that, along with trust in others and attachment to the local neighborhood, individuals’ perception of safety is positively affected by neighborhoods’ perception of safety, which is assessed by the alternate analytic model.
Effects of sourdough on improving the textural characteristics of microwave‐steamed cake: A perspective from dielectric properties and water distribution
Authors: Wu Yejun , Yan Bowen , Zhou Juan , Lian Huizhang , Yu Xiaojun , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei , Fan Daming
Published: October 2020

A sourdough combined with microwave heating method was adopted to make steamed cake (SSC), the dough yield, fermentation time and additive amount of sourdough were optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to obtain microwave‐steamed cake (MSSC) with high‐quality attributes and then the potential mechanism of sourdough on the improvement of the MSSC texture was investigated. The addition of sourdough with the optimized parameters could greatly improve the specific volume, porosity, hardness, and chewiness of MSSC, which was mainly related to changes in dielectric properties and water distribution. The results of dielectric properties confirmed that sourdough increased the dielectric properties of the system during microwave heating, affecting the microwave heating characteristics. And the changes of water states and distribution by T2 relaxation analysis showed that sourdough restricted water mobility during heating and facilitated the retention of water trapped in MSSC. Additionally, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that sourdough weakened the gluten network structure, and triggered a looser and smoother microstructure.

Practical Application

Steamed cake (SSC) is one of the most popular fermented foods in China, while its commercial development is greatly limited by the drawbacks of traditional steam heating. In recent years, the applications of microwave heating and sourdough in cereal‐based foods processing have gained more and more interest. However, there is little information about the application of sourdough combined with microwave heating in SSC production. This study revealed that sourdough addition increased the specific volume, porosity, texture, and consumer preference of MSSC, providing a natural, high‐efficiency, and easy‐to‐operate means for the fabrication of high‐quality fermented foods.
Adjuvant radiotherapy for endometrial cancer with cervical stromal involvement: A patterns of practice survey in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Lapuz Carminia , Govindarajulu Geetha , Tacey Mark , Lim Adeline , Johnson Carol
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to describe the patterns of practice in Australia and New Zealand for post‐operative radiotherapy in endometrial cancer with cervical stromal involvement.

Methods

A ten‐item survey including five clinical case scenarios in endometrial cancer with cervical stromal invasion was emailed to Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) radiation oncologists in 2018. Responses were analysed to determine relative frequency distributions and preferred adjuvant treatment modalities for the clinical case scenarios.

Results

A total of 65 respondents initiated the survey with 27 respondents treating more than 11 endometrial cancer cases annually. Only 31 respondents answered all five clinical case scenarios. Preferred adjuvant radiotherapy modalities varied for the Stage II cases between vault brachytherapy (VB), pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or a combination. For the stage IIIA and IIIC1 cases, the majority recommended pelvic EBRT with or without VB boost (79% and 77%), and of these, most combined with chemotherapy (61% and 88%). For 4 of the 5 case scenarios, when pelvic EBRT was offered, most recommended a VB boost.

Conclusion

This patterns of practice survey suggests variability in adjuvant radiotherapy recommendations in endometrial cancer with cervical involvement, particularly in cases where there is lack of randomised data and discrepancies in consensus guidelines.
Reducing Hunger with Payments for Environmental Services (PES): Experimental Evidence from Burkina Faso
Authors: Adjognon Guigonan S. , van Soest Daan , Guthoff Jonas
Published: October 2020

Both environmental protection and poverty alleviation are high on the international policy agenda for developing countries. We examine whether conditional environmental cash transfer programs contribute to the social protection of the beneficiaries, using data from a randomized controlled trial on reforestation, implemented in cooperation with the government of Burkina Faso. Randomly selected farmers were invited to undertake maintenance activities to increase the survival rate of trees that were planted on degraded forest lands. Compensation, in the form of monetary payments, varied with the number of trees still alive nine months after the tree planting. The timing of the conditional payments coincided with the lean season, when most farmers needed cash for food consumption and agricultural inputs. Six months after the transfers, the recipient households reported 12% higher food consumption expenditures compared to the control group, as well as a 35 and 60% reduction in, respectively, moderate and severe food insecurity. Our data indicate that the transfers received during the lean season were not only used to address immediate consumption needs but also to invest in crop and livestock production. The investments resulted in subsequent increases in agricultural outputs and income. We thus conclude that conditional environmental cash transfers, when paid in the lean season, can not only support consumption smoothing in the short run but can also improve livelihoods in the longer run.
Why do general practitioners disregard direct to healthcare professional communication? A user‐oriented evaluation to improve drug safety communication
Authors: Møllebæk Mathias , Kaae Susanne
Published: October 2020

Post‐approval drug risks are a significant public health problem. A central instrument to mitigate them in the European Union is direct to healthcare professional communications (DHPC), typically a letter sent from the manufacturer to prescribers. However, evaluations show that DHPCs have limited impact on prescribing behavior. Which factors influence prescribers’ lack of adoption of DHPCs remains unknown. This article presents a think‐aloud reading study of 17 Danish general practitioners’ reading aloud a 2013 DHPC about new oral anticoagulants, interjecting their immediate reactions and associations to daily clinical routines concurrently. We found that interviewees inferred more from the DHPC than risk information. It was perceived to be commercially biased, which generally discouraged reading despite learning new safety information. DHPCs were also disregarded because they are isolated from routinely used clinical information sources. Furthermore, DHPCs were perceived as pre‐emptive acts of legal defence aiming to relocate responsibility from the manufacturer onto prescribers. In conclusion, the study indicates that certain DHPCs may be disregarded because of the perceived motivations that prescribers attribute to the DHPC senders. While the specific letter itself was deemed unsatisfactory, its legitimacy among prescribers remains the central challenge. Further integration with trusted and established information structures is also needed.
Endocytosis in plants: Peculiarities and roles in the regulated trafficking of plant metal transporters
Authors: Ivanov Rumen , Vert Grégory
Published: October 2020

The removal of transmembrane proteins from the plasma membrane via endocytosis has emerged as powerful strategy in the regulation of receptor signalling and molecule transport. In the last decade, IRON‐REGULATED TRANSPORTER1 (IRT1) has been established as one of the key plant model proteins for studying endomembrane trafficking. The use of IRT1 and additional other metal transporters has uncovered novel factors involved in plant endocytosis and facilitated a better understanding of the role of endocytosis in the fine balancing of plant metal homoeostasis. In this review, we outline the specifics of plant endocytosis compared to what is known in yeast and mammals, and based on several examples, we demonstrate how studying metal transport has contributed to extending our knowledge of endocytic trafficking by shedding light on novel regulatory mechanisms and factors.
Translating Socioeconomic Status Between Nonhuman Primate and Human Studies in Health Research
Authors: King Rosalind B. , Paukner Annika
Published: October 2020

Evidence supports the proposition that early childhood adversity has long‐term health implications. Experimental research on the effectiveness of social policy interventions provides the gold standard of evidence but is difficult to obtain using humans. Animal models may play a role in generating a mechanistic evidence base, but researchers need appropriate models of socioeconomic status (SES). In this article, we discuss theoretical considerations for the development of appropriate animal models of SES to study its effect on health and development, emphasizing the literature on nonhuman primates. Focusing on the potential for translation between animal and human models, we define SES conceptually and outline its links to health. We then note demonstrated areas of equivalence and potential limits. We conclude with questions whose answers could help move the field forward.