bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral health promotion apps: an assessment of message and behaviour change potential
Authors: KACZMARCZYK Katherine H , GRAY-BURROWS Kara A , VINALL-COLLIER Karen , DAY Peter F
Published: September 2020

Background

Oral health worldwide needs improving: untreated dental caries is the most common health condition affecting people globally. Mobile applications (apps) have potential to provide preventative oral health interventions. This study aimed to investigate the quality of available oral health promotion apps, assessing information provided and the barriers to oral health addressed using psychological frameworks.

Methods

A content assessment of oral health promotion apps targeted at adults in the UK iTunes store was conducted. The quality of 22 apps was assessed against 3 objective indices derived from the Delivering Better Oral Health toolkit, Theoretical Domains Framework and Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy. Index scores were calculated and descriptive analyses were completed.

Results

On average, four Delivering Better Oral Health messages, seven Theoretical Domains Framework components and eight Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy components were addressed per app. The most common components were: ‘take at least two minutes to brush’ for the Delivering Better Oral Health index, ‘goals’ and ‘intentions’ for the Theoretical Domains Framework index and ‘goal setting (behaviour)’ for the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy index.

Conclusion

The quality of information available in oral health apps requires improvement with the majority addressing only a few barriers to oral health. Currently, there is no recognized scale for evaluating oral health apps: this study provides a suggested method for future app evaluation. There is opportunity for a new app to be created based on health behaviour change theory which includes all the Delivering Better Oral Health messages.
Pragmatic Mobilities and Uncertain Lives: Agency and the Everyday Mobility of South Sudanese Refugees in Uganda
Authors: O’Byrne Ryan Joseph , Ogeno Charles
Published: September 2020

This article investigates the pragmatic, everyday journeys of South Sudanese refugees in northern Uganda’s Palabek Refugee Settlement through a mobilities-focused analytical lens. Despite the repatriation of vast numbers of refugees, little is known about the diversity of refugees’ later movements. Recognition of this complexity is important. Although many of our South Sudanese interlocutors take part in multiple interconnected movements both within and across borders, these are frequently irregular and unpredictable. We define these refugees’ ‘pragmatic mobilities’ as ‘the experience and practice of multiple, distinct yet interconnected mobilities, despite trying times and unknowable circumstances’, thereby attending to the fractured (dis)junctures between these journeys as well as to their full temporal and geographical scope. By setting the practice and experience of South Sudanese refugees’ ongoing and everyday mobilities within wider personal and regional historical perspectives, we argue that the diversities within these refugees’ ‘pragmatic mobility’ practices demonstrate powerful manifestations of agency. We consequently understand these movements to be essential elements within everyday—yet crucial—practices to gain and maintain personal and collective control in otherwise uncertain contexts.
V1460 Her: a fast spinning white dwarf accreting from an evolved donor star
Authors: Ashley R P , Marsh T R , Breedt E , Gänsicke B T , Pala A F , Toloza O , Chote P , Thorstensen John R , Burleigh M R
Published: September 2020

We present time-resolved optical and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and photometry of V1460 Her, an eclipsing cataclysmic variable with a 4.99-h orbital period and an overluminous K5-type donor star. The optical spectra show emission lines from an accretion disc along with absorption lines from the donor. We use these to measure radial velocities, which, together with constraints upon the orbital inclination from photometry, imply masses of $M_1=0.869\pm 0.006\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ and $M_2=0.295\pm 0.004\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ for the white dwarf and the donor. The radius of the donor, $R_2=0.43\pm 0.002\, \mathrm{\it R}_\odot$, is ≈50 per cent larger than expected given its mass, while its spectral type is much earlier than the M3.5 type that would be expected from a main-sequence star with a similar mass. Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectra show strong N v 1240-Å emission but no C iv 1550-Å emission, evidence for CNO-processed material. The donor is therefore a bloated, overluminous remnant of a thermal time-scale stage of high mass transfer and has yet to reestablish thermal equilibrium. Remarkably, the HST UV data also show a strong 30 per cent peak-to-peak, $38.9\,$s pulsation that we explain as being due to the spin of the white dwarf, potentially putting V1460 Her in a similar category to the propeller system AE Aqr in terms of its spin frequency and evolutionary path. AE Aqr also features a post-thermal time-scale mass donor, and V1460 Her may therefore be its weak magnetic field analogue since the accretion disc is still present, with the white dwarf spin-up a result of a recent high accretion rate.
Three-component modelling of C-rich AGB star winds – V. Effects of frequency-dependent radiative transfer including drift★
Authors: Sandin Christer , Mattsson Lars
Published: September 2020

Stellar winds of cool carbon stars enrich the interstellar medium with significant amounts of carbon and dust. We present a study of the influence of two-fluid flow on winds where we add descriptions of frequency-dependent radiative transfer (RT). Our radiation hydrodynamic models in addition include stellar pulsations, grain growth and ablation, gas-to-dust drift using one mean grain size, dust extinction based on both the small particle limit (SPL) and Mie scattering, and an accurate numerical scheme. We calculate models at high spatial resolution using 1024 gridpoints and solar metallicities at 319 frequencies, and we discern effects of drift by comparing drift models to non-drift models. Our results show differences of up to 1000 per cent in comparison to extant results. Mass-loss rates and wind velocities of drift models are typically, but not always, lower than in non-drift models. Differences are larger when Mie scattering is used instead of the SPL. Amongst other properties, the mass-loss rates of the gas and dust, dust-to-gas density ratio, and wind velocity show an exponential dependence on the dust-to-gas speed ratio. Yields of dust in the least massive winds increase by a factor 4 when drift is used. We find drift velocities in the range $10\!-\!67\, \mbox{km}\, \mbox{s}^{-1}$, which is drastically higher than in our earlier works that use grey RT. It is necessary to include an estimate of drift velocities to reproduce high yields of dust and low wind velocities.
Dietary and lifestyle factors effect erythrocytePIG-Amutant frequency in humans
Authors: Lawrence Rachel , Haboubi Hasan , Williams Lisa , Doak Shareen , Jenkins Gareth
Published: September 2020

It is well understood that poor diet and lifestyle choices can increase the risk of cancer. It is also well documented that cancer is a disease of DNA mutations, with mutations in key genes driving carcinogenesis. Measuring these mutations in a minimally invasive way may be informative as to which exposures are harmful and thus allow us to introduce primary preventative measures, in a bid to reduce cancer incidences. Here, we have measured mutations in the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (PIG-A) gene in erythrocytes from healthy volunteers (n = 156) and from non-cancer patients attending the local endoscopy department (n = 144). The X-linked PIG-A gene encodes an enzyme involved in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor synthesis. A silencing mutation in which leads to the absence of GPI anchors on the extracellular surface which can be rapidly assessed using flow cytometry. The background level of PIG-A mutant erythrocytes was 2.95 (95% CI: 2.59–3.67) mutant cells (10−6). Older age increased mutant cell frequency (P < 0.001). There was no difference in mutant cell levels between males and females (P = 0.463) or smokers and non-smokers (P = 0.186). In the endoscopy group, aspirin users had lower mutant frequencies (P = 0.001). Further information on diet and exercise was available for the endoscopy patient group alone, where those with a higher health promotion index score had lower mutant frequencies (P = 0.011). Higher dietary intake of vegetables reduced mutant cell levels (P = 0.022). Participants who exercised for at least 1 h a week appeared to have reduced mutant frequencies than those who did not exercise, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.099). This low background level of mutant erythrocytes in a population makes this assay an attractive tool to monitor exposures such as those associated with lifestyles and diet, as demonstrated here.
Causal manipulation of feed-forward and recurrent processing differentially affects measures of consciousness
Authors: Allen Christopher , Viola Tommaso , Irvine Elizabeth , Sedgmond Jemma , Castle Heidi , Gray Richard , Chambers Christopher D
Published: September 2020

It has been theorized that cortical feed-forward and recurrent neural activity support unconscious and conscious cognitive processes, respectively. Here we causally tested this proposition by applying event-related transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at early and late times relative to visual stimuli, together with a pulse designed to suppress conscious detection. Consistent with pre-registered hypotheses, early TMS affected residual, reportedly ‘unseen’ capacity. However, conscious perception also appeared critically dependent upon feed-forward processing to a greater extent than the later recurrent phase. Additional exploratory analyses suggested that these early effects dissociated from top-down criterion measures, which were most affected by later TMS. These findings are inconsistent with a simple dichotomy where feed-forward and recurrent processes correspond to unconscious and conscious mechanisms. Instead, different components of awareness may correspond to different phases of cortical dynamics in which initial processing is broadly perceptual whereas later recurrent processing might relate to decision to report.
Understanding Heterogeneous Effects of Performance Management: An Application of Kroll’s Contingency Approach to Educational Accountability
Authors: Gigliotti Philip
Published: September 2020

Performance Management (PM) systems are intended to inform managerial decision-making, driving performance improvements through managerial reforms. Despite the prevalence of these systems, they were implemented with little evidence of the assumed relationship between PM and organizational performance. Since 2010, a literature on this relationship has developed, but it is heterogeneous and inconclusive. This review develops a theoretical framework of heterogeneous PM effects adapted from Kroll (2015, Public Performance & Management Review, 39, 7–32) and assesses it for consistency with empirical evidence from three cases of educational accountability reforms. This framework assumes that effects of PM systems are driven by the effectiveness of an organization’s managerial response, which is determined by adopting one of three strategies: prospecting, reacting, or gaming. The cases demonstrate that organizational strategy, as inferred from managerial response, predicts performance under accountability. This raises questions about how to predict managerial response, suggesting that managerial autonomy plays an important role.
Discovery of two ‘chimeric’ Gastrotricha and their systematic placement based on an integrative approach
Authors: Kieneke Alexander , Todaro M Antonio
Published: September 2020

Sublittoral sand from the islands of Sardinia (Italy) and Flores (Azores) – separated by more than 3700 km linear distance and 8 years between two independent sampling campaigns – yielded conspicuous specimens of two bizarre, yet undescribed, species of the marine gastrotrich clade Macrodasyida. These gastrotrichs combine several character traits that were already known from two, non-related genera. Morphological data were carefully analysed and digitally documented, and nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences were used for phylogenetic inference. The results of these analyses claim for the erection of a new genus. Specimens of the new taxon have a body length of less than 400 µm and are characterized by a wide, funnel-shaped mouth opening shielded dorsally by an oral hood and possess a posterior peduncle that ends with a Y-shaped pair of appendages that carry the posterior adhesive tubes. Further tubes occur as anterior, ventrolateral and lateral series; the gonads are unpaired and there is a set of two accessory reproductive organs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the results of former studies and clearly place the new taxon in Thaumastodermatidae. We hereby propose the establishment of Chimaeradasys gen. nov. and describe C. oligotubulatus sp. nov. from the Azores and C. polytubulatus sp. nov. from Sardinia.
Clinical Features of Trousseau Syndrome With Cerebral Infarction as the Initial Manifestation
Authors: Ren Ruifang , Yan Haiqing , Gui Yongkun , Zhao Jun , Wang Haoliang , Ji Danxia , Song Jinggui , Zhang Ping
Published: September 2020

Objective:

There are few reports of Trousseau syndrome with cerebral infarction as the initial manifestation before the discovery of the tumor, which is often missed and misdiagnosed, and there is no unified therapy. To explore the clinical features of the Trousseau syndrome and, among those features, the risk factors for cerebral infarction as the initial manifestation.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of 416 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction and malignant tumor admitted at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between January 2015 and December 2017. The patients were grouped as: (1) cerebral infarction as the initial manifestation; and (2) tumor as the initial manifestation. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the clinical features (age, sex, characteristics of the infarction, characteristics of the tumors, treatments, depression, coagulopathy, The National Institute of Health stroke scale score, platelet count, red cell count, hemoglobin, atherosclerosis, and coagulation parameters) and the hypercoagulable state.

Results:

A total of 416 patients met the criteria were included: 212 (51.0%) in the group with cerebral infarction as the initial manifestation and 204 (49.0%) in the group with tumor as the initial manifestation. The multivariable analysis showed that metastatic cancer (odds ratio=2.517; 95% confidence interval, 1.193-5.311; P=0.015) and depressive state (odds ratio=3.158; 95% confidence interval, 1.522-6.551; P=0.002) were independently associated with the Trousseau syndrome with cerebral infarction as the main manifestation.

Conclusions:

Trousseau syndrome with cerebral infarction as the initial manifestation was associated with metastatic cancer and depressive state. There was no difference in coagulation status between the 2 groups.
Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Whole-Body Composition in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Brance María Lorena , Di Gregorio Silvana , Pons-Estel Bernardo A. , Quagliato Norberto J. , Jorfen Marisa , Berbotto Guillermo , Cortese Noel , Raggio Juan C. , Palatnik Mariano , Chavero Ignacio , Soldano Juan , Wong Romulo , Del Rio Luis , Sánchez Ariel , Brun Lucas R.
Published: September 2020

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to joint deformity and disability, as well as muscle involvement. Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and possible contributing factors associated with sarcopenia in RA patients.

Patients and Methods

Adult RA patients (n = 105) of both sexes and 100 subjects as control group (CG) matched by age, sex, and body mass index were included in this cross-sectional study. Whole-body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 as low muscle strength (handgrip) and low muscle mass (appendicular skeletal muscle mass [ASM] index by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry). The association between sarcopenia and associated factors was evaluated using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Significantly lower percentage of lean mass and ASM were found in the whole RA group compared with controls. However, lower lean parameters (total lean mass, percentage of lean mass, and ASM) were observed only in female subjects. The ASM index was significantly lower in female subjects with RA (RA 31.0% vs CG 11.9%) without differences in male subjects. On the other hand, fat mass and most adipose indices were significantly higher in both female and male subjects with RA. Female RA patients had higher prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Through univariate logistic regression analysis, the time of corticosteroids use, cumulative corticosteroid dose, previous fragility fractures, total lean mass, and ASM were associated with sarcopenia.

Conclusions

Higher prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity were found in female RA patients. Sarcopenia was found in younger female subjects with RA compared with healthy control subjects. Sarcopenia was associated with previous fragility fractures in female patients with RA.
Determinants of Diagnostic Delay in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1
Authors: Varenna Massimo , Crotti Chiara , Ughi Nicola , Zucchi Francesca , Caporali Roberto
Published: September 2020

Background/Objective

Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) is a disabling painful disease, with variable outcomes in terms of chronic pain and disability. A long time between onset and diagnosis seems predictive for late recovery and progression toward a chronic disease. This study aims to investigate demographic and clinical variables associated with delayed CRPS-1 diagnosis.

Methods

From March 2013 to January 2018, consecutive patients newly diagnosed according to International Association for the Study of Pain diagnostic criteria for CRPS-1 were recruited. Demographic and clinical variables were collected at diagnosis. Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons; Cox proportional hazards model was applied to evaluate the variables associated with delayed CRPS-1 diagnosis.

Results

One hundred eighty patients entered the study. At diagnosis, women were older, and foot was more often involved than hand. The triggering event was more commonly a trauma without fracture for foot disease and a fracture for hand localization. No differences between hand and foot disease were found by the International Association for the Study of Pain diagnostic categories (clinical vs research) or pain measures. Variables significantly associated with a longer time between disease onset and diagnosis were foot localization, general practitioner referral, higher number of visits before CRPS diagnosis, and prior physiotherapy prescribed for symptoms later diagnosed as CRPS. An overt clinical manifestation (research CRPS-1) predicted a shorter delay.

Conclusions

Foot localization, prior physiotherapy prescribed for symptoms later diagnosed as CRPS, and a disease without overt clinical manifestations were independent predictive factors for a delayed diagnosis. Clinicians should pay attention to these issues to ensure a timely diagnosis and possibly avoid progression toward a chronic disease.
Emerging source of infection – Mycobacterium tuberculosis in rescue dogs: a case report
Authors: Mentula Silja , Karkamo Veera , Skrzypczak Teresa , Seppänen Jaana , Hyyryläinen Hanne-Leena , Haanperä Marjo , Soini Hanna
Published: September 2020

Rescue dog activity is a heavily increasing form of dog charity. Imported homeless dogs represent a reservoir of zoonotic diseases putting owners, veterinarians and pathologists repeatedly at risk. The clinical signs of tuberculosis in a dog are non-specific and diagnosis is often delayed or dismissed. We present a case of 9 months of possible exposure at home and definite exposure at laparotomy and autopsy to intestinal tuberculosis in a family dog imported from Romania to Finland. Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms started 2 years after the import. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting proceeded and led to spontaneous death.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

was identified in the liver, lymph nodes and intestine at autopsy. Exposed persons were notified and follow-up was provided, and no further infections were identified within 12 months of follow-up. The heavily increasing import of companion animals presents unexpected public health risks, such as prolonged exposure to tuberculosis, of which the general public is not aware. The dramatic consequences and high costs of tuberculosis could be reduced through accessible information of the risks of imported animals to both the general public and veterinarians, in addition to availability of rapid diagnostics and proper personal protection.
Diverse outcomes of controlled human malaria infection originate from host-intrinsic immune variation and not var gene switching
Authors: Milne Kathryn , Ivens Alasdair , Reid Adam J. , Lotkowska Magda E. , O’Toole Áine , Sankaranarayanan Geetha , Sandoval Diana Muñoz , Nahrendorf Wiebke , Regnault Clement , Edwards Nick J. , Silk Sarah E. , Payne Ruth O. , Minassian Angela M. , Venkatraman Navin , Sanders Mandy , Hill Adrian V.S. , Barrett Michael P. , Berriman Matthew , Draper Simon J. , Rowe J. Alexandra , Spence Philip J.
Published: September 2020

Falciparum malaria is clinically heterogeneous and the relative contribution of parasite and host in shaping disease severity remains unclear. We explored the interaction between inflammation and parasite variant surface antigen (VSA) expression, asking whether this relationship underpins the variation observed in controlled human malaria infection (CHMI). We uncovered marked heterogeneity in the response of naive hosts to blood challenge; some volunteers remained quiescent, others triggered interferon-stimulated inflammation and some showed transcriptional evidence of myeloid cell suppression. Significantly, only inflammatory volunteers experienced hallmark symptoms of malaria. When we tracked temporal changes in parasite VSA expression to ask whether variants associated with severe disease preferentially expand in naive hosts (as predicted by current theory) we found that var gene profiles were unchanged after 10-days of infection. The diverse outcomes of CHMI therefore depend upon human immune variation and there is no evidence for switching or selection of var genes in naive hosts.
COVID-19 superspreading in cities versus the countryside
Authors: Eilersen Andreas , Sneppen Kim
Published: September 2020

So far, the COVID-19 pandemic has been characterised by an initial rapid rise in new cases followed by a peak and a more erratic behaviour that varies between regions. This is not easy to reproduce with traditional SIR models, which predict a more symmetric epidemic. Here, we argue that superspreaders and population heterogeneity are the core factors explaining this discrepancy. We do so through an agent-based lattice model of a disease spreading in a heterogeneous population. We predict that an epidemic driven by superspreaders will spread rapidly in cities, but not in the countryside where the sparse population limits the maximal number of secondary infections. This suggests that mitigation strategies should include restrictions on venues where people meet a large number of strangers. Furthermore, mitigating the epidemic in cities and in the countryside may require different levels of restrictions.
Microbiomes and host genetics provide evidence for ecological diversification among Caribbean members of the sponge genusIrciniaNardo, 1833
Authors: Kelly Joseph B. , Thacker Robert W.
Published: September 2020

Sponges live in symbioses with microbes that allow the hosts to exploit otherwise inaccessible resources. Given the potential of microbiomes to unlock new niche axes for the hosts, microbiomes may facilitate evolutionary innovation in the ecology of sponges. However, the hypothesis that ecological diversification evolves via the microbiome among multiple, closely related sponge species living in sympatry is yet untested. Here, we provide the first test of this hypothesis withinIrcinia, a genus possessing diverse and abundant microbiomes that engage their hosts in nutritional symbioses. We used genome-wide SNP data (2bRAD) to delimit genetic species boundaries using BFD* among fourIrciniagrowth forms that putatively constitute distinct species and two nominal species,I. campanaandI. strobilina. We also evaluated the performance of two single-locus genetic barcodes, CO1 and ITS, in resolvingIrciniaspecies boundaries. We then used 16S rRNA metabarcoding to test whether the genetic species units uncovered by BFD* harbor microbiomes that are compositionally unique within each host lineage and distinct relative to seawater microbial communities. BFD* recovered genetic species boundaries that are generally reflected in the morphological differences of the growth forms and upheld the species designations ofI. campanaandI. strobilina, whereas CO1 and ITS provided comparatively little species-level phylogenetic resolution. The microbiomes were found to be compositionally distinct relative to seawater microbial communities, conserved within host lineages, and non-overlapping relative to the microbiomes of other host lineages. These results support a model by which microbiomes underly ecological divergence in resource use among closely related sponge species. This research provides insights into the roles of microbiomes in ecological speciation of sponges and sets the groundwork for further investigation of adaptive radiations in sponges.
A minimal yet flexible likelihood framework to assess correlated evolution
Authors: Behdenna Abdelkader , Godfroid Maxime , Petot Patrice , Pothier Joël , Nous Camille , Lambert Amaury , Achaz Guillaume
Published: September 2020

An evolutionary process is reflected in the sequence of changes of any trait (e.g. morphological, molecular) through time. Yet, a better understanding of evolution would be procured by characterizing correlated evolution, or when two or more evolutionary processes interact. Many previously developed parametric methods often require significant computing time as they rely on the estimation of many parameters. Here we propose a minimal likelihood framework modelling the joint evolution of two traits on a known phylogenetic tree. The type and strength of correlated evolution is characterized by few parameters tuning mutation rates of each trait and interdependencies between these rates. The framework can be applied to study any discrete trait or character ranging from nucleotide substitution to gain or loss of a biological function. More specifically, it can be used to 1) test for independence between two evolutionary processes, 2) identify the type of interaction between them and 3) estimate parameter values of the most likely model of interaction. In its current implementation, the method takes as input a phylogenetic tree together with mapped discrete evolutionary events on it and then maximizes the likelihood for one or several chosen scenarios. The strengths and limits of the method, as well as its relative power when compared to a few other methods, are assessed using both simulations and data from 16S rRNA sequences in a sample of 54 γ-enterobacteria. We show that even with datasets of fewer than 100 species, the method performs well in parameter estimation and in the selection of evolutionary scenario.
Relationship between Regional White Matter Hyperintensities and Alpha Oscillations in Older Adults
Authors: Kumral Deniz , Cesnaite Elena , Beyer Frauke , Hofmann Simon M. , Hensch Tilman , Sander Christian , Hegerl Ulrich , Haufe Stefan , Villringer Arno , Witte A. Veronica , Nikulin Vadim
Published: September 2020

Aging is associated with increased white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and with the alterations of alpha oscillations (7–13 Hz). However, a crucial question remains, whether changes in alpha oscillations relate to aging per se or whether this relationship is mediated by age-related neuropathology like WMHs. Using a large cohort of cognitively healthy older adults (N=907, 60-80 years), we assessed relative alpha power, alpha peak frequency, and long-range temporal correlations (LRTC) from resting-state EEG. We further associated these parameters with voxel-wise WMHs from 3T MRI. We found that a higher prevalence of WMHs in the superior and posterior corona radiata as well as in the thalamic radiation was related to elevated alpha power, with the strongest association in the bilateral occipital cortex. In contrast, we observed no significant relation of the WMHs probability with alpha peak frequency and LRTC. Finally, higher age was associated with elevated alpha power via total WMH volume. Although an increase in alpha oscillations due to WMH can have a compensatory nature, we rather suggest that an elevated alpha power is a consequence of WMH affecting a spatial organization of alpha sources.
DISSECT: DISentangle SharablE ConTent for Multimodal Integration and Crosswise-mapping
Authors: Schau Geoffrey , Burlingame Erik , Chang Young Hwan
Published: September 2020

Deep learning systems have emerged as powerful mechanisms for learning domain translation models. However, in many cases, complete information in one domain is assumed to be necessary for sufficient cross-domain prediction. In this work, we motivate a formal justification for domain-specific information separation in a simple linear case and illustrate that a self-supervised approach enables domain translation between data domains while filtering out domain-specific data features. We introduce a novel approach to identify domainspecific information from sets of unpaired measurements in complementary data domains by considering a deep learning cross-domain autoencoder architecture designed to learn shared latent representations of data while enabling domain translation. We introduce an orthogonal gate block designed to enforce orthogonality of input feature sets by explicitly removing non-sharable information specific to each domain and illustrate separability of domain-specific information on a toy dataset.
Differential gene expression reflects larval development and survival of monarch butterflies on different milkweed hosts
Authors: Gonzalez-De-la-Rosa Pablo M. , Loustalot-Laclette Mariana Ramirez , Abreu-Goodger Cei , Markow Therese Ann
Published: September 2020

Second instar larvae of the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus, from a nonmigratory population in Irapuato, Mexico, were reared for twenty-four hours on three species of milkweed hosts:Asclepias curassavica, A. linaria, and Gomphocarpus physocarpus.We then measured larval growth and differential expression of coding genes and of microRNAs. Larval growth was similar on the twoAsclepiasspecies, while little growth was observed onG. physocarpus. The greatest differences in coding gene expression occurred in genes controlling growth and detoxification and were most extreme in comparisons betweenG. physocarpus and the twoAsclepias. MicroRNAs are predicted to be involved as regulators of many of these processes, in particular miR-278, differentially expressed here, could be an important regulator of growth through Hippo signaling. The implications for survival of the monarch, especially in the context of environmental factors altering the availability of their favored milkweed species, are discussed.
Transmission of allosteric response within the homotrimer of SARS-CoV-2 spike upon recognition of ACE2 receptor by the receptor-binding domain
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sayan , Bhattacharyya Rajanya , Sengupta Jayati
Published: September 2020

The pathogenesis of novel SARS-CoV-2 virus initiates through recognition of ACE2 receptor (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) of the host cells by the receptor-binding domain (RBD) located at spikes of the virus. Following receptor-recognition, proteolytic cleavage between S1 and S2 subunits of the spike protein occurs with subsequent release of fusion peptide. Here, we report our study on allosteric communication within RBD that propagates the signal from ACE2-binding site towards allosteric site for the post-binding activation of proteolytic cleavage. Using MD simulations, we have demonstrated allosteric crosstalk within RBD in apo- and receptor-bound states where dynamic correlated motions and electrostatic energy perturbations contribute. While allostery, based on correlated motions, dominates inherent distal communication in apo-RBD, electrostatic energy perturbations determine favorable crosstalk within RBD upon binding to ACE2. Notably, allosteric path is constituted with evolutionarily conserved residues pointing towards their biological relevance. As revealed from recent structures, in the trimeric arrangement of spike, RBD of one copy interacts with S2 domain of another copy. Interestingly, the allosteric site identified is in direct contact (H-bonded) with a region in RBD that corresponds to the interacting region of RBD of one copy with S2 of another copy in trimeric constitution. Apparently, inter-monomer allosteric communication orchestrates concerted action of the trimer. Based on our results, we propose the allosteric loop of RBD as a potential drug target.
Modeling the dynamic behaviors of the COPI vesicle formation regulators, the small GTPase Arf1 and its activating Sec7 guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1 on Golgi membranes
Authors: Sager Garrett , Kawai Ryoichi , Presley John F. , Sztul Elizabeth
Published: September 2020

The components and subprocesses underlying the formation of COPI-coated vesicles at the Golgi are well understood. The coating cascade is initiated after the small GTPase Arf1 is activated by the Sec7 domain-containing guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1. This causes a conformational shift within Arf1 that facilitates stable association of Arf1 with the membrane, a process required for subsequent recruitment of the COPI coat. Although we have an atomic level knowledge of Arf1 activation by Sec7 domain-containing GEFs, our understanding of the biophysical parameters that regulate Arf1 and GBF1 association with Golgi membranes and with each other is limited. We used Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) data and kinetic Monte Carlo simulation based on continuous-time random walk to assess behavior of Arf1 and GBF1 during COPI vesicle formation in live cells. Our analyses support a model in which Arf1 and GBF1 associate with Golgi membranes independently, with an excess of GBF1 relative to Arf1, and in which Arf1 activation is much faster than GBF1 cycling on the membrane. Interestingly, modeling the behavior of the GBF1/E794K mutant stabilized on the membrane is inconsistent with the formation of a stable complex between it and an endogenous Arf1, and suggests that its prolonged association with the membrane occurs independently of complex formation.
NF-κB modifies the mammalian circadian clock through interaction with the core clock protein BMAL1
Authors: Shen Yang , Wang Wei , Endale Mehari , Francey Lauren J. , Harold Rachel L. , Hammers David W. , Huo Zhiguang , Partch Carrie L. , Hogenesch John B. , Wu Zhao-Hui , Liu Andrew C.
Published: September 2020

In mammals, the circadian clock coordinates various cell physiological processes, including the inflammatory response. Recent studies suggested a crosstalk between these two pathways. However, the mechanism of how inflammation affects the circadian clock is not well understood. Here, we investigated the role of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in regulating clock function. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological approaches, we show that perturbation of the canonical NF-κB subunitRELAin the U2OS cellular model altered core clock gene expression. While RELA activation shortened period length and dampened amplitude in these cells, its inhibition lengthened period length and caused amplitude phenotypes. NF-κB perturbation also altered circadian rhythms in the master suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) clock and locomotor activity. We show that RELA, like the clock repressor CRY1, potently repressed the transcriptional activity of BMAL1/CLOCK at the circadian E-box cis-element. Biochemical and biophysical analysis showed that RELA competes with coactivator CBP/p300 for binding to the transactivation domain of BMAL1. This mechanism is further supported by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showing that the binding sites of RELA, BMAL1 and CLOCK converge on the E-boxes of clock genes. Taken together, these data support a significant role for NF-κB in directly regulating circadian clock function and highlight mutual regulation between the circadian and inflammatory pathways.
Top managers' communication efforts as response to tensions in product innovation: an attention-based view
Authors: Pan Fagerlin Wen , Wang Yueqi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to map different kinds of tensions in product innovation and investigate how top managers use communication to shape subordinates' attention and thereby respond to these tensions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an embedded case study of four innovation centers within a Nordic multinational firm.

Findings

This study identifies three kinds of tensions that reside in product innovation, namely dilemma, paradox and trade-off. Further, this study reveals how joint attention (among top managers and subordinates) as a response to tensions can be achieved through different aggregates of top managers' communication efforts.

Originality/value

In opening the black box of tensions in product innovation and identifying multiple tensions, this study contributes to advancing the understanding of the attention-based view. Different from previous studies that simply consider communication as channels for information processing, the findings indicate that the contents and practices of communication can help top managers to shape subordinates' attention and thereby respond to tensions. This study also extends the research focus of attention from top managers to the whole organization, by revealing the importance of building a joint pattern of attention among top managers and subordinates.
Covid-19 created a gender gap in perceived work productivity and job satisfaction: implications for dual-career parents working from home
Authors: Feng Zhiyu , Savani Krishna
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine gender gaps in work-related outcomes in the context of Covid-19. The authors hypothesized that the Covid-19 pandemic would create a gender gap in perceived work productivity and job satisfaction. This is because when couples are working from home the whole day and when schools are closed, women are expected to devote more time to housework and childcare.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a sample of employed women and men from dual-career families who were working from home since Covid-19 lockdowns started. In total, 286 US-resident full-time employees participated in this study. Participants were asked to report their work productivity and job satisfaction before and since Covid-19 lockdowns.

Findings

It is found that before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were no gender differences in self-rated work productivity and job satisfaction. However, during the lockdown, women reported lower work productivity and job satisfaction than men.

Research limitations/implications

Participants retrospectively reported their work productivity and job satisfaction before Covid-19. However, there are unlikely to be systematic gender differences in retrospective reports of these measures. Further, the authors only sampled opposite-sex dual career parents. Future research needs to examine the effects of lockdowns on women and men in other types of households.

Practical implications

Given the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, many regions might experience multiple periods of lockdown, and many workplaces have already adopted or are likely to adopt long-term work-from-home policies. The findings indicate that these long-term changes in the workplace might have long-term negative effects on women’s perceived productivity and job-satisfaction in dual-career families.

Social implications

The findings suggest that society needs provide additional support to women working from home and taking care of children or other dependents, particularly during lockdowns or during times when schools and daycare centers are closed.

Originality/value

The current research is one of the first to claim that despite the greater amount of time that women spend in housework and childcare than men, during normal times, they are as productive and as satisfied with their job as men. However, the Covid-19 pandemic increased women’s housework and childcare beyond a threshold, thereby creating a gender gap in work productivity and job satisfaction.
Public-private partnership in Western and non-Western countries: a search for relevance
Authors: Fauzi Fadhli Zul , Kusumasari Bevaola
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to compare the implementation of public–private partnership (PPP) in Western and non-Western countries by analyzing several predetermined aspects such as government and political system, PPP’s model of agreement, political commitment and the role of PPP supporting unit.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses comparative case studies to compare the implementation of PPP in seven Western and non-Western countries by using various appropriate data such as frequently used agreements, government systems, political commitments and PPP-supporting units to understand the extent of differences in the success of PPP implementation found in each country.

Findings

The results reveal that the implementation of PPPs in Western and non-Western countries do not significantly differ, except for in the instance of political commitments. Political interventions in PPP implementation still frequently occurred in non-Western countries, which consequently disrupted the implementation of PPP itself.

Originality/value

Previous comparison of PPP studies only focused on the implementation of PPP without analyzing the political context in each country. One of the contributions that this paper will bring to the conversations around PPP is that the implementation of PPP will be analyzed with regard to political contexts.
Input Shaping for Feed-Forward Control of Cable-Driven Parallel Robots
Authors: Baklouti Sana , Courteille Eric , Lemoine Philippe , Caro Stéphane
Published: September 2020

This paper deals with the use of input-shaping filters in conjunction with a feed-forward control of cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs), while integrating cable tension calculation to satisfy positive cable tensions along the prescribed trajectory of the moving platform. This method aims to attenuate the oscillatory motions of the moving platform. Thus, the input signal is modified to make it self-cancel residual vibrations. The effectiveness, in terms of moving-platform oscillation attenuation, of the proposed closed-loop control method combined with shaping inputs is experimentally studied on a suspended and nonredundant CDPR prototype. This confirms residual vibration reduction improvement with respect to the unshaped control in terms of peak-to-peak amplitude of velocity error, which can achieve 72% while using input-shaping filters.
An Automatic Insulin Infusion System Based on Kalman Filtering Model Predictive Control Technique
Authors: Patra Akshaya Kumar , Nanda Anuja
Published: September 2020

During the past few decades, optimal control of blood glucose (BG) concentration with adequate feedback loop has been of ample importance for Type-I diabetes mellitus (TIDM) patients as far as an artificial pancreas realization is concerned. Now-a-days, in addition to the BG control, the design of the micro-insulin dispenser (MID) with a robust control algorithm to regulate the other chronic clinical disorders based on prolonged medications is also quite indispensable. A novel Kalman filtering model predictive controller (KFMPC) has been proposed in this work to solve the aforementioned problem. For designing of the KFMPC, a ninth-order state-space model of the TIDM patient with MID is considered. In this control strategy, the conventional model predictive controller is re-formulated with a state estimator based on the Kalman filtering methodology to improve the control execution. The justification of enhanced control performance of KFMPC is demonstrated by comparative result analysis with other published control techniques. The simulations are carried out through matlab/simulink environment, and the results indicate comparatively better control ability of the suggested algorithm to control the BG level within the normoglycemic range (70–120 mg/dl) as far as accuracy, stability, quick damping, and robustness.
Femtosecond Pulsed Ti:Sapphire Laser-Assisted Surface Texturing on Piston Ring and Its Tribology Characterization
Authors: Ezhilmaran V. , Vasa N. J. , Krishnan Sivarama , Vijayaraghavan L.
Published: September 2020

Femtosecond laser-assisted surface texturing of compression piston rings is proposed and demonstrated. A femtosecond pulsed Ti3+:sapphire laser is used to generate dimples of the same size but with different area density on a moly-chrome ceramic deposited cast iron piston ring. The influence of the surface morphology and tribology operating conditions, such as reciprocating frequency and temperature of the lubricant, on friction and wear characteristics of textured piston rings and plateau honed liner samples is investigated. A decrease in the friction coefficient is observed with the texturing of rings. The dimple area density, which is defined as the ratio of the total textured area and the total area of the surface, of 16% and 27% offered a reduced coefficient of friction and minimize wear on the liner surface.
Mapping of the Denitrification Pathway in Burkholderia thailandensis by Genome-Wide Mutant Profiling
Authors: Vitale Alessandra , Paszti Sarah , Takahashi Kohei , Toyofuku Masanori , Pessi Gabriella , Eberl Leo
Published: September 2020

Burkholderia thailandensis
is a soil-dwelling saprophyte that is often used as surrogate of the closely related pathogen
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, the causative agent of melioidosis and a classified biowarfare agent. Both organisms are adapted to grow under oxygen-limited conditions in rice fields by generating energy through denitrification. Microoxic growth of
B. pseudomallei
is also considered essential for human infections. Here, we have used a Tn-Seq approach to identify the genes encoding the enzymes and regulators required for growth under denitrifying conditions. We show that a mutant that is defective in the conversion of N
2
O to N
2
, the last step in the denitrification process, is unaffected in microoxic growth but is severely impaired in biofilm formation, suggesting that N
2
O may play a role in biofilm dispersal. Our study identified novel targets for the development of therapeutic agents to treat meliodiosis.