bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exenatide extended release in patients with type 1 diabetes with and without residual insulin production
Authors: Herold Kevan C. , Reynolds Jesse , Dziura James , Baidal David , Gaglia Jason , Gitelman Stephen E. , Gottlieb Peter A. , Marks Jennifer , Philipson Louis H. , Pop‐Busui Rodica , Weinstock Ruth S.
Published: June 2020

Aims

To test whether a long‐acting GLP‐1 receptor agonist would improve glucose control in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to determine whether the presence of residual beta cell function would affect the response. In addition, we sought to determine whether the drug would affect beta cell function.

Methods

We performed a randomized placebo‐controlled trial of exenatide extended release (ER) in participants with T1D with and without detectable levels of C‐peptide. Seventy‐nine participants were randomized to exenatide ER 2 mcg weekly, or placebo, stratified by the presence or absence of detectable C‐peptide levels. The primary outcome was the difference in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels at 24 weeks. Participants were followed for another 6 months off study drug.

Results

At week 24, the time of the primary outcome, the least squares (LS) mean HbA1c level was 7.76% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.42, 8.10) in the exenatide ER group versus 8.0% (95% CI 7.64, 8.35) in the placebo group (P = 0.08). At week 12 the LS mean HbA1c levels were 7.71% (95% CI 7.37, 8.05) in the exenatide ER group versus 8.05% (95% CI 7.7, 8.4) in the placebo group (P = 0.01). The improvement at week 12 was driven mainly by those with detectable levels of C‐peptide. Those treated with exenatide ER lost weight at 12 and 24 weeks compared to those treated with placebo (P <0.001 and P = 0.007). The total insulin dose was lower, but not when corrected for body weight, and was not affected by residual insulin production. Adverse events were more frequent with exenatide ER, but hypoglycaemia was not increased.

Conclusion

Treatment with exenatide ER may have short‐term benefits in some individuals with T1D who are overweight or who have detectable levels of C‐peptide, but short‐term improvements were not sustained.
COVID‐19 and thalassaemia: A position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation
Authors: Farmakis Dimitrios , Giakoumis Anastasios , Cannon Lily , Angastiniotis Michael , Eleftheriou Androulla
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Many patients with haemoglobinopathies, including thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, are at increased risk of developing severe complications from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Although epidemiologic evidence concerning the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection in these patients is currently lacking, the COVID‐19 pandemic represents a significant challenge for haemoglobinopathy patients, their families and their attending physicians.

Methods

The present statement summarizes the key challenges concerning the management of haemoglobinopathies, with particular focus on patients with either transfusion‐dependent or non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia, identifies the gaps in knowledge and suggests measures and strategies to deal with the pandemic, based on available evidence and expert opinions. Key areas covered include patients’ risk level, adaptation of haemoglobinopathy care, safety of blood transfusions, blood supply challenges, and lifestyle and nutritional considerations.

Conclusions

The proposed measures and strategies may be useful as a blueprint for other disorders which require regular hospital visits, as well as for the timely adaptation of patient care during similar future pandemics.
Predictive processing: Is the future just a memory?
Authors: F.A. França Thiago
Published: June 2020

Predictive processing seems like a radical departure from traditional theories of information processing in the brain, but a broader view of predictions highlights many similarities with standard frameworks. Predictive processing is memory and competitive bias in a new outlook—and we should use this correspondence to advance research on both fronts.
Rousseau's three revolutions
Authors: Hanley Ryan Patrick
Published: June 2020

Rousseau's relation to the French Revolution – and in particular his status as the Revolution's precursor or predictor or progenitor – has been often examined. Yet almost no sustained attention has been given to what is arguably Rousseau's most significant and explicit statement on revolution and its role in civilization's development. This paper calls attention to this statement and argues for its key significance on three fronts: first, for how it organizes Rousseau's conjectural history of civilization in the second Discourse; second, for the insight it offers into the processes of Rousseau's pre‐Hegelian philosophy of history; and third, for the normative political implications of its standard for measuring the relative progress of inequality in a given society at a given time.
Selection on ultrasonic call rate in neonatal rats affects low frequency, but not ultrasonic, vocalizations in adults
Authors: Lesch Raffaela , Orozco Andrea , Shilling Margaret , Zimmerberg Betty , Fitch W. Tecumseh
Published: June 2020

In this experiment, we studied a rodent model selected over 57 generations for high or low rates of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) during maternal separation as pups. We investigated the influence of this breeding on the adult animals’ subsequent vocal output, comparing acoustic variables across developmental stages. We hypothesized that selection on pup USV rate would impact adult USV production without affecting lower frequency calls. Contrary to this hypothesis, we found neither number of USV calls or other acoustic variables to differ among selected adult lines. Instead, we found that pup USV selection mainly affected adults’ low‐frequency (human‐audible) calls. Furthermore, low‐frequency vocalizations did not fully fit a predicted correlation between body weight and fundamental frequency: high line males, although the heaviest on average, did not produce the lowest fundamental frequencies. Our findings suggest that selection for early ultrasonic vocal behaviour pleiotropically results in changes in anatomical production mechanisms and/or neural control affecting low‐frequency calls.
Genetic architecture, demographic history, and genomic differentiation of Populus davidiana revealed by whole‐genome resequencing
Authors: Hou Zhe , Li Ang , Zhang Jianguo
Published: June 2020

Forest trees are an excellent resource from which to understand population differentiation and heterogeneous genome variation patterns due to the majority of forest trees being distributed widely and able to adapt to different climates and environments. Populus davidiana is among the most geographically widespread and ecologically important tree species in China. Whole‐genome resequencing data of 75 individual examples of P. davidiana throughout China were conducted, finding that all examples from different regions were clearly divided into either Northeast (N), Central (C), and South (S) populations. The ancestors of P. davidiana diverged into Northern group, comprising both N and C and Southern populations approximately 792,548 years ago. This time point of differentiation suggests that divergence of P. davidiana populations might have been triggered by the mid‐Pleistocene transition. The three populations experienced considerable periods of bottleneck following divergence, with population expansion beginning around 5,000 years ago after the end of the last glacial maximum. We found N to be the center of origin of P. davidiana in China. The migration route of P. davidiana in China was from N to S. Although the majority of the regions of genomic differentiation between N and S populations can be explained by neutral processes, a number of tested outlier regions were also found to have been significantly influenced by natural selection. Our results highlight that linked selection and rates of recombination were important factors in genomic differentiation between the N and S populations. Finally, we identified a substantial number of functional genes related to climate change during population differentiation and adaptive evolution.
Discriminating Pennisetum alopecuoides plants in a grazed pasture from unmanned aerial vehicles using object‐based image analysis and random forest classifier
Authors: Yuba Norio , Kawamura Kensuke , Yasuda Taisuke , Lim Jihyun , Yoshitoshi Rena , Watanabe Nariyasu , Kurokawa Yuzo , Maeda Teruo
Published: June 2020

Timely and accurate weed detection in pasture is critical for efficient grazing management. Although high‐resolution images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer new opportunities for the detection of weeds at the farm scale, pixel‐based image analyses do not always produce the best results and object‐based image analysis (OBIA) has improved weed discrimination accuracy. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of OBIA on UAV images by integrating random forest (RF) classifier with auxiliary information layers to discriminate and map Pennisetum alopecuroide plants, a prolific and harmful weed, in a grazed pasture. The UAV images were captured at different flight altitudes (28, 56, 82 and 114 m). The OBIA‐RF algorithm included 20 input features: five layers (red‐green‐blue [RGB] or hue‐saturation‐brightness [HSV] image bands, texture and digital surface model) and the descriptive statistics (median, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) for each object. The predicted P. alopecuroides maps were evaluated for out‐of‐bag accuracy and generalized error accuracy in the test dataset. HSV‐based classification had higher classification accuracy, and the lowest altitude of 28 m (spatial resolution, 0.9 cm) was considered the most suitable for the weed detection. Overall, the optimal classification accuracy was achieved in the HSV‐based OBIA‐RF model using the images from the lowest altitude (highest spatial resolution). Among the 20 input features, the brightness information (V layer) in the HSV images was considered the most important because P. alopecuroides ears are black.
‘Don’t underestimate the things that I will do’
Authors: Ahmad Raz
Published: June 2020

Based on a true story. It is about an awakening in which a single mother realizes that she has been manipulated by her society — rather, what the society instilled into her mind.
‘There’s nowhere wonky left to go’: Gentrification, queerness and class politics of inclusion in (East) London
Authors: Burchiellaro Olimpia
Published: June 2020

This article explores the class politics of inclusion. Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork, I examine a community campaign organized to oppose the closure of a pub to make way for urban redevelopment and the local Council’s and property developers’ proposal to be ‘inclusive’ by planning a ‘replacement LGBT venue’ on its former site. Through this case study, the article shows the struggle surrounding the ‘norms of intelligibility’ imposed onto working‐class and ‘queer’ expressions of sexuality in the attempt to gentrify a disadvantaged urban space. The article contributes to extant critical discussions of inclusion by unveiling the struggle surrounding the classed normative conditions attached to it. It further adds to queer perspectives on organization by showing how inclusion is predicated on ‘straightening up’ the ‘wonkiness’ of ‘queer(ness)’ in the pursuit of profit.
Left ventricle automatic pacing threshold management in CRT systems: A comprehensive review
Authors: Zoppo Franco , Gagno Giulia
Published: June 2020

Modern cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device‐based threshold detection enables capture management and voltage output adjusting to combine consistent left ventricular (LV) pacing with acceptable battery drainage. The current technologies available for LV capture automatic confirmation in most cases require the evoked response, as well as “LV pace to right ventricular sense” algorithms. The LV pacing percentage counter may overestimate the CRT delivery which may be reduced due to pacing inhibition (by sensed LV activation) or inadequate capture due to subthreshold current or pacing into refractory tissue. Moreover, the LV threshold at implant and its behavior over time (as a marker of electrical viability) and the ineffective CRT issues (subthreshold stimulation or concealed loss of capture) are discussed. The purpose of the present review is to explore these new challenges regarding LV pacing automatic management.
MiR‐30a‐5p inhibits proliferation and metastasis of hydatidiform mole by regulating B3GNT5 through ERK/AKT pathways
Authors: Guo Zhenzhen , Sun Qiannan , Liao Yangyou , Liu Chao , Zhao Wenjie , Li Xiaoxue , Liu Huan , Dong Ming , Shang Yuhong , Sui Linlin , Kong Ying
Published: June 2020

Hydatidiform moles are gestational trophoblastic disease. They are abnormal proliferations of trophoblast cells that have the potential to become cancerous. miR‐miR30a‐5p is a tumour suppressor that participates in the development of numerous diseases. However, the role of miR‐30a in hydatidiform moles and the mechanisms underlying its effects are presently unclear. This study explored the levels of miR‐30a and B3GNT5 expression in human hydatidiform mole tissue. The results showed that miR‐30a and B3GNT5 were differentially expressed in normal placenta and hydatidiform mole, and miR‐30a decreased cell proliferation, invasion and migration in trophoblast cell lines. Upon further examination, it was confirmed that miR‐30a directly targeted the 3’untranslated region of B3GNT5 using a dual‐luciferase assay. The results of the present study also revealed that miR‐30a reduced the proliferation, invasion and migration ability in JAR and BeWo cells by regulating B3GNT5, which may inactivate the ERK and AKT signalling pathways. This study demonstrated that miR‐30a was a novel target B3GNT5 that serves an important role in the development of hydatidiform moles, suggesting that miR‐30a may serve as a novel potential biomarker or useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for hydatidiform moles in clinical settings.
Heterozygous mutations in ZP1 and ZP3 cause formation disorder of ZP and female infertility in human
Authors: Cao Qiqi , Zhao Chun , Zhang Xiaolan , Zhang Heng , Lu Qianneng , Wang Congjing , Hu Yue , Ling Xiufeng , Zhang Junqiang , Huo Ran
Published: June 2020

The human zona pellucida (ZP) is a highly organized glycoprotein matrix that encircles oocytes and plays an essential role in successful reproduction. Previous studies have reported that mutations in human ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 influence their functions and result in a lack of ZP or in an abnormal oocytes and empty follicle syndrome, which leads to female infertility. Here, we performed whole‐exome sequencing in two probands with primary infertility whose oocytes lacked a ZP, and we identified a heterozygous mutation in ZP1 (NM_207341:c.326G>A p.Arg109His), which is situated in the N‐terminus, and a heterozygous mutation in ZP3 (NM_001110354:c.400G>A p.Ala134Thr), which is situated in the ZP domain. The effects of the mutations were investigated through structure prediction and in vitro studies in HeLa cells. The results, which were in line with the phenotype, suggested that these mutations might impede the function of cross‐linking and secretion of ZP proteins. Our study showed that the two mutations in ZP1 and ZP3 influenced the formation of the ZP, causing female infertility. Meanwhile, these data highlight the importance of the ZP1 N‐terminus in addition to the conserved domains for ZP1 function and ZP formation. Additionally, the patient with the ZP1 mutation delivered a baby following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); thus, we suggest the targeted genetic diagnosis of ZP genes to choose appropriate fertilization methods and improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.
Secondary contact zones of closely‐related Erebia butterflies overlap with narrow phenotypic and parasitic clines
Authors: Lucek Kay , Butlin Roger K. , Patsiou Theofania
Published: June 2020

Zones of secondary contact between closely related taxa are a common legacy of the Quaternary ice ages. Despite their abundance, the factors that keep species apart and prevent hybridization are often unknown. Here, we study a very narrow contact zone between three closely related butterfly species of the Erebia tyndarus species complex. Using genomic data, we first determined whether gene flow occurs and then assessed whether it might be hampered by differences in chromosome number between some species. We found interspecific gene flow between sibling species that differ in karyotype by one chromosome. Conversely, only F1 hybrids occurred between two species that have the same karyotype, forming a steep genomic cline. In a second step, we fitted clines to phenotypic, ecological and parasitic data to identify the factors associated with the genetic cline. We found clines for phenotypic data and the prevalence of the endosymbiont parasite Wolbachia to overlap with the genetic cline, suggesting that they might be drivers for separating the two species. Overall, our results highlight that some gene flow is possible between closely related species despite different chromosome numbers, but that other barriers restrict such gene flow.
Cardboard nesting cavities may promote the development of Osmia cornuta and reduce infestation of kleptoparasitic mites
Authors: Eeraerts Maxime
Published: June 2020

Mason bees (Osmia spp.) are receiving increasing attention as they are very effective pollinators of multiple crops. However, different bee‐associated kleptoparasites are known which can be detrimental to the development of the bees’ offspring. To date, clear evidence‐based guidelines to control these kleptoparasites are lacking for growers. This study investigates whether different types of artificial nesting materials—cardboard tubes and wooden grooved boards—influence the development of the European orchard bee (Osmia cornuta) as well as the infestation rate of kleptoparasitic mites in the bees’ nest. This preliminary study provides insight that cardboard tubes reduce the infestation rate of mites by 81.8% and as such promote successful development of the European orchard bee by 15.5%. Using cardboard tubes over wooden grooved boards should be advised to growers as an effective management strategy to avoid infestation of kleptoparasitic mites and to enhance successful bee development.
The Enabling, Enacting, and Elaborating Factors of Safety Culture Associated With Patient Safety: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Lee Seung Eun , Dahinten V. Susan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Worldwide, 1 in 10 hospital patients is harmed while receiving care. Despite evidence that a culture of safety is associated with greater patient safety, these effects and the processes by which safety culture impacts patient safety are not yet clearly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of various safety culture factors on nurses’ perceptions of patient safety using an innovative theoretical model.

Design

This descriptive, correlational study drew on deidentified, publicly available data from the 2018 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. The study sample included 34,514 nurses who provided direct care to patients in medical and surgical units in 535 hospitals in the United States.

Methods

Multilevel linear regression was used to examine the effects of 11 safety culture factors on nurses’ overall perceptions of patient safety. The 11 safety culture factors were grouped as enabling, enacting, and elaborating processes, and entered in separate blocks.

Findings

All 11 safety culture factors were associated with nurse‐perceived patient safety, and all but two of the 11 factors uniquely predicted nurse‐perceived patient safety. Staffing adequacy was the strongest predictor of nurse‐perceived patient safety, followed by hospital management support for patient safety (both enabling processes), and continuous organizational learning and improvement (an elaborating process).

Conclusions

Hospital administrators and managers play a key role in promoting a safety culture and patient safety in healthcare organizations through enabling and elaborating processes.

Clinical Relevance

Organizational efforts should be made to provide sufficient staffing and hospital‐wide support for patient safety. However, all staff, administrators, and managers have a role to play in patient safety.
Phylotranscriptomics reveals extensive gene duplication in the subtribe Gentianinae (Gentianaceae)
Authors: Chen Chun‐Lin , Zhang Lei , Li Jia‐Liang , Mao Xing‐Xing , Zhang Lu‐Shui , Hu Quan‐Jun , Liu Jian‐Quan , Xi Zhen‐Xiang
Published: June 2020

Gene duplication plays an important role in plants for diversification and adaptation to new habitats. In this study, we aim to reconstruct the genome‐scale phylogeny and identify large‐scale gene duplication events for the subtribe Gentianinae (Gentianaceae), which is a great symbol of the alpine plants in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. We sequenced and assembled 70 transcriptomes from 67 species, representing all six recognized genera in the subtribe Gentianinae plus the closely related outgroups. Using phylogenomic approaches, the backbone relationships of Gentianinae were almost fully resolved with high bootstrap support. Although instances of conflicts were observed between nuclear and plastid phylogenies, six major clades of Gentianinae were consistently recovered in both phylogenies. In addition, we revealed a high occurrence of duplicated genes in our transcriptome assemblies. Using several gene tree reconciliation methods, we collectively identified 10 nodes in the species tree with large concentrations of duplicated genes. Further analysis indicated that many of these duplicated genes likely arose from hybrid polyploidy, which might also account for some of the topological incongruences between nuclear and plastid phylogenies in Gentianinae.
Diverse epiphyllous fungi on Cunninghamia leaves from the Oligocene of South China and their paleoecological and paleoclimatic implications
Authors: Maslova Natalia P. , Sokolova Aleksandra B. , Kodrul Тatiana M. , Tobias Anna V. , Bazhenova Natalia V. , Wu Xin‐Kai , Jin Jian‐Hua
Published: June 2020

The unique co‐occurrence of thyriothecia belonging to three fossil genera of epiphyllous fungi, Stomiopeltites Alvin & Muir (Micropeltidaceae), Callimothallus Dilcher, and Trichothyrites Rosendahl (Microthyriaceae), are reported on the leaves of the same host plant, Cunninghamia shangcunica Kodrul, Gordenko & Sokolova from the Oligocene Shangcun Formation of the Maoming Basin, South China. In China, Stomiopeltites is identified for the first time, Callimothallus is known from the Oligocene and Miocene of Guangxi and Zhejiang provinces, and Trichothyrites previously has been found only in the Eocene palynological assemblages of the Maoming Basin. The presence of abundant and diverse epiphyllous micromycetes, together with the taxonomic composition of the Shangcun megaflora and pollen assemblage, as well as quantitative climatic estimates obtained using Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program, confirm the existence of a warm and humid climate in this region during the late early Oligocene. The geographic and stratigraphic distributions, comparisons with extant analogues, as well as ecological and paleoclimatic implications of the fossil fungi are discussed.
Prevalence and characterization of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs with signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease: A multicenter study
Authors: Hauck Christina , Schmitz Silke S. , Burgener Iwan A. , Wehner Astrid , Neiger Reto , Kohn Barbara , Rieker Thomas , Reese Sven , Unterer Stefan
Published: June 2020

Background

Dogs with hypoadrenocorticism (HA) frequently show signs of gastrointestinal disease (SGD). The prevalence of dogs presented for chronic SGD with HA is unknown.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of HA in dogs with chronic SGD and to identify clinical and laboratory variables for HA in this population.

Animals

One hundred fifty‐one dogs with chronic SGD.

Methods

In this multicentered prevalence study a standardized workup was performed in prospectively enrolled dogs with SGD > 3 weeks duration. Basal serum cortisol concentration was measured in every dog with ACTH stimulation test (ACTHST) if basal serum cortisol concentration was <3 μg/dL.

Results

Basal serum cortisol concentration was <3 μg/dL in 80/151 (53%) dogs, <2 μg/dL in 42/151 (28%) dogs, and < 1 μg/dL in 9/151 (6%) dogs. In 6/151 dogs HA was diagnosed based on ACTHST (stimulated serum cortisol concentration < 2 μg/dL), a prevalence of 4%. There was no difference in history, physical examination, and laboratory variables between dogs with HA and those with other causes of chronic SGD. In 4/6 dogs with HA, there was melena or hematochezia indicating gastrointestinal blood loss. Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, or both was not observed in any dog.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The prevalence of HA among dogs with chronic SGD is higher than in the general population. Based on these results, testing adrenal function should be performed as a standard screening test in dogs with chronic SGD to differentiate between HA and chronic enteropathies.
HCV screening: Moving from theory to practice
Authors: Parigi Tommaso Lorenzo , Aghemo Alessio
Published: June 2020

See Article on Page 1545
Mountain railway alignment optimization considering geological impacts: A cost‐hazard bi‐objective model
Authors: Song Taoran , Pu Hao , Schonfeld Paul , Zhang Hong , Li Wei , Hu Jianping , Wang Jie
Published: June 2020

Railways are greatly threatened by geological hazards whose disastrous effects include severe economic losses as well as serious casualties. It is vital to properly account for such geological hazardous impacts during a railway alignment optimization process. However, geological factors are complex, especially in mountainous regions. Besides, economic factors are also crucial in railway alignment design. Therefore, railway alignment optimization can be termed as a cost‐hazard bi‐objective decision‐making process. So far, least‐cost railway alignment optimization has been studied quite thoroughly while the complicated geological hazard factors have received relatively little attention. In this study, a bi‐objective alignment optimization model considering cost and geological hazard is developed. A novel geological railway alignment optimization model is proposed, which includes spatial geological constraints and geological hazard evaluations, after geological railway alignment design criteria are presented and analyzed for three kinds of typical geological hazards: debris flows, landslides, and rockfalls. The geological hazard evaluation includes geological susceptibility and vulnerability assessments. Then, this model is integrated with a previous least‐cost alignment optimization model to construct a cost‐hazard bi‐objective model. The alignment searching processes are also improved to solve the proposed model by integrating geological‐constraints‐handling and bi‐objective alignment optimization approaches. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by applying it to a complicated real‐world case. The results show that the proposed method can produce less expensive and safer solutions than the best alignment designed by experienced human designers while satisfying all required design standards. Moreover, the method's applicability for solving actual problems is further demonstrated through the sensitivity analysis.
Rheumatoid meningitis with yellowish‐white matter on the brain surface
Authors: Tsunogae Marie , Fujiwara Satoru , Shigeyasu Masashi , Sasaki Natsuhi , Shimizu Yuri , Hara Shigeo , Kohara Nobuo
Published: June 2020

A 68‐year‐old man presented with a 3‐month history of progressive cognitive impairment. His brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple hyperintense lesions in the subarachnoid space, which suggested leptomeningitis. A brain biopsy was performed, and we found a yellowish‐white matter spread on his brain surface. Although the pathological evaluation did not lead to the diagnosis, steroid therapy improved his symptoms in five weeks. However, concomitantly with steroid tapering, his cognitive dysfunction relapsed and he developed swelling of finger joints consistent with rheumatoid arthritis, and then, we finally diagnosed him with rheumatoid meningitis. The characteristic yellowish‐white matter on the brain surface might be helpful for investigating the cause of leptomeningitis with unknown etiology.
Genetic identification of 91 poplar cultivars based on SSR markers
Authors: Sun Pei , Jia Huixia , Yue Zhiqiang , Li Jinhua , Li Jianbo , Zhang Jin , Lu Mengzhu , Hu Jianjun
Published: June 2020

Accurate genetic identification and relationship analysis of poplar cultivars is necessary to establish commercial poplar plantations and select suitable breeding strategies. In this study, 91 poplar cultivars belonging to four sections (Aigeiros, Tacamahaca, Populus and Turanga) and inter/intra‐sectional hybrids were genotyped using 18 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In total, 222 alleles were amplified with an average of 12.3 alleles per marker. The mean polymorphic information content and power of discrimination were 0.706 and 0.813, respectively. Five SSR markers (ORPM_103, ORPM_247, GCPM_1048, GCPM_1255 and LG_X_19) constituted a core fingerprint and were sufficient to identify all the tested cultivars. With some notable exceptions, cultivars of the same species generally clustered together in cluster (UPGMA) and ordination (PCO) analyses. Flow cytometry indicated that 11 poplar cultivars were triploid. Among these, seven had three alleles at some loci, suggesting that SSR markers could indicate the ploidy level to some extent. This study provides useful genetic information for the identification and protection of poplar cultivars in China and offers a guideline for the selection of poplar crossing parents based on ploidy level and genetic relationships.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in CD40 ligand deficiency: A single‐center experience
Authors: Uygun Dilara Fatma Kocacık , Uygun Vedat , Karasu Gülsün Tezcan , Daloğlu Hayriye , Öztürkmen Seda Irmak , Çelmeli Fatih , Törün Selda Hançerli , Özen Ahmet , Barış Safa , Aydıner Elif Karakoç , Yalçın Koray , Kılıç Suar Çakı , Hazar Volkan , Bingöl Ayşen , Yeşilipek Akif
Published: June 2020

Deficiency of the CD40L, expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes, is caused by mutations in the glycoprotein CD40L (CD154) gene. Resulting defective humoral and cellular responses cause a clinical presentation that includes recurrent sinopulmonary bacterial infections, opportunistic infections, sclerosing cholangitis, neutropenia, and autoimmune manifestations. HSCT represents the only curative treatment modality. However, the therapeutic decision to use HSCT proves challenging in many cases, mainly due to the lack of a phenotype‐genotype correlation. We retrospectively reviewed patients with CD40L deficiency who were transplanted in Antalya and Göztepe MedicalPark Pediatric HSCT units from 2014 to 2019 and followed by Akdeniz University School of Medicine Department of Pediatric Immunology. The records of eight male cases, including one set of twins, were evaluated retrospectively. As two transplants each were performed on the twins, a total of ten transplants were evaluated. Conditioning regimens were predominantly based on myeloablative protocols, except for the twins, who received a non‐myeloablative regimen for their first transplantation. Median neutrophil and platelet engraftment days were 13 (range 10‐19) and 14 (range 10‐42) days, respectively. In seven of ten transplants, a CMV reactivation was developed without morbidity. None of the patients developed GVHD, except for one mild case of acute GVHD. All patients survived, and the median follow‐up was 852 days. Our data show that HSCT for patients with CD40 ligand deficiency is a potentially effective treatment for long‐term disease control.
Challenging and redesigning a new model to explain intention to leave nursing
Authors: Slater Paul , Roos Mervi , Eskola Suvi , McCormack Brendan , Hahtela Nina , Kurjenluoma Kaisa , Suominen Tarja
Published: June 2020

Background

It is important to have a full and detailed understanding of the factors that influence intention to leave nursing. It has been shown to be the best predictor of actual turnover, and turnover has a significant financial impact and also on the provision of care.

Aims

The aim is to examine the impact of predictive work environment factors on nurses’ intention to leave their position and to explore contributing factors.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey using a convenience sample (n = 605) of Finnish nurses drawn from five clinical settings. The Nursing Context Index, an internationally used and psychometrically validated tool, was used to measure workplace practice environment, work stress, job satisfaction and intention to leave. A response rate of 29.4% was achieved, exceeding power calculation estimates.

Results

Personal satisfaction and satisfaction with profession and resources, and organisational commitment were significantly related to intention to leave. Younger nurses reported higher levels of intention to leave and there was variability among clinical specialties. Measures of stress and practice environment had no significant relationship with intention to leave.

Discussion

This study provides a new theoretical model for understanding intention to leave. Having a better understanding of the factors that may help reduce intention to leave allows for targeted interventions to be developed and implemented. This would help reduce the personal and financial implications associated with turnover.

Implications for practice, policy, management and education

The findings have significant implications for all aspects of nursing. Educators need to prepare new nursing staff for the working environment; policymakers must ensure that nursing satisfaction is promoted to strengthen organisational commitment and nurse managers and leaders respond accordingly in implementing effective interventions.
Reconceptualizing the Enclave: Measuring Success Among Latino‐Owned Businesses
Authors: Orozco Marlene
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study considers whether ethnic economy characteristics, such as serving a primarily co‐ethnic customer base or having a business located among co‐ethnics (i.e., enclaves), promote greater success for Latino‐owned businesses. Previous studies offer unclear accounts of how the enclave is measured and have suffered from issues of selection bias. I validate spatial measures with additional measures related to ethnic economies.

Methods

Rather than starting with a predetermined geographic location, I leverage a national business sample, the 2018 Survey of U.S. Latino Business Owners (N = 4,024), to estimate an ordered logistic regression that predicts the successful characteristics of the economic niche under which Latino‐owned businesses operate.

Results

I find Latino‐owned businesses have the greatest profitability selling Latino products but see the greatest revenue returns serving mostly non‐Latino customers. I uncover the largest effect sizes among Latino‐owned businesses that mainly employ co‐ethnics rather than among businesses located within a defined geography.

Conclusion

These findings suggest ethnic economies are not geographically bounded, as previously theorized, but rather culturally based.
The novel HLA‐DQB1 allele, DQB1*05:02:23
Authors: Gualandris Federica , Di Chiara Valeria , Bacis Sara , Castellani Laura , Falanga Anna
Published: June 2020

HLA‐DQB1*05:02:23 differs from DQB1*05:02:01 by a mutation at nucleotide 450.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in kidney transplant recipients: Experience of the italian marche region
Authors: Maritati Federica , Cerutti Elisabetta , Zuccatosta Lina , Fiorentini Alessandro , Finale Carolina , Ficosecco Marta , Cristiano Fabrizio , Capestro Alessandro , Balestra Emilio , Taruscia Domenica , Vivarelli Marco , Donati Abele , Perna Gian Piero , Giacometti Andrea , Tavio Marcello , Onesta Maicol , Di Sante Laura , Ranghino Andrea
Published: June 2020

Background

Infection related to Coronavirus‐19 (CoV‐2) is pandemic affecting more than 4 million people in 187 countries worldwide. By May 10, 2020, it caused more than 280 000 deaths all over the world. Preliminary data reported a high prevalence of CoV‐2 infection and mortality due to severe acute respiratory syndrome related CoV‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in kidney‐transplanted patients (KTRs). Nevertheless, the outcomes and the best treatments for SARS‐CoV‐2‐affected KTRs remain unclear.

Methods

In this report, we describe the clinical data, the treatments, and the outcomes of 5 KTRs with SARS‐CoV‐2 admitted to our hospital in Ancona, Marche region, Italy, from March 17 to present. Due to the severity of SARS‐CoV‐2, immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, and mTOR‐inhibitors were stopped at the admission. All KTRs were treated with low‐dose steroids. 4/5 KTRs were treated with hydroxychloroquine. All KTRs received tocilizumab up to one dose.

Results

Overall, the incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in KTRs in the Marche region was 0.85%. 3/5 were admitted in ICU and intubated. One developed AKI with the need of CRRT with Cytosorb. At present, two patients died, two patients were discharged, and one is still inpatient in ICU.

Conclusions

The critical evaluation of all cases suggests that the timing of the administration of tocilizumab, an interleukin‐6 receptor antagonist, could be associated with a better efficacy when administered in concomitance to the drop of the oxygen saturation. Thus, in SARS‐CoV‐2‐affected KTRs, a close biochemical and clinical monitoring should be set up to allow physicians to hit the virus in the right moment such as a sudden reduction of the oxygen saturation and/or a significant increase in the laboratory values such as D‐dimer.
Nature as Refuge in Chinese Film and Literature
Authors: Zhang Chunyan
Published: June 2020

In the period of 1920s and 1930s, traditional Chinese ideas and aesthetics, although embattled and in the process of being superseded by modern and Western aesthetics, did not totally disappear or die out in Chinese film and literature. For example, the image of nature continued to be constructed for its ability to relieve the misery of humanity. This is demonstrated in the films A Poet at the Edge of the Sea (1927) and Sand Washed by Waves (1936). However, because of social turmoil and turbulence of this period, the peaceful inner spirit as conveyed in the traditional culture seemed unattainable. There were more hints of social struggles in the “utopia”, as shown in the films Little Toy (1933) and Return to Nature (1936). The traditional ideas and aesthetics were also continued by some writers, such as Zhou Zuoren, Feng Wenbing, Yu Pingbo and Wang Tongzhao, who still had close spiritual connections with traditional culture. Sometimes the spirit of the “return to nature” was embedded with another mark of this period: the influence of Western culture, as shown by several of Guo Moruo’s poems.
The Burial Space Research Database (Data Paper)
Authors: Pillatt Toby , Beale Gareth , Green Katie , Maxwell Debbie , Mytum Harold , Niven Kieron , Richards Julian , Smith Nicole
Published: June 2020

The Burial Space Research Database is a new repository for data produced from systematic archaeological surveys of burial spaces, undertaken on a per memorial basis. It enables the many local, community groups conducting research in this field to share their findings and publish results. The structure and form of the database requires groups to use a standardised recording methodology and vocabulary, meaning that datasets from different surveys are interoperable, allowing connections and comparisons to be made within and between local research projects. While burial space research is dominated by data on people and inscriptions, the database is also designed to accommodate archaeological approaches to recording that include detailed descriptions of the material form of monuments. A sophisticated search interface allows users to interrogate the archived datasets using a variety of different criteria, potentially revealing previously unrecognised temporal and spatial trends in the postmedieval history of commemoration. By acting as a central repository for burial space research, including individual people commemorated, the database also has the potential to become a powerful tool for genealogical and family history studies, drawing together disparate records in one place and making them freely available.
Numerical Study on Flow Field Distribution Regularities in Wet Gas Desulfurization Tower Changing Inlet Gas/Liquid Feature Parameters
Authors: Deng Qingbo , Ran Jingyu , Niu Juntian , Yang Zhongqing , Pu Ge , Yang Lin
Published: June 2020

In the wet gas desulphurization tower, the uneven distribution of flue gas will have a negative impact on the desulphurization process. The effect should be counterbalanced by increasing the amount of slurry spray, which will increase the operating costs. Adding deflectors will also bring negative effects and increase the expenses. In order to avoid the negative influence, this paper studied the flow field distribution regularities of flue gas in desulfurization tower at different inlet velocities and liquid–gas ratios. Velocity field distribution character was evaluated by uniformity index. The results showed that the flue gas forms a vortex in the tower and a local high-speed gas-flow appears in the empty tower, which led to a poor flow field uniformity. After adding the spray, the flow field is integrated into uniformity. The slurry has obvious integration effect on flue gas. The lower the inlet flue gas velocity is, the higher the velocity uniform index in the desulfurization tower will be, and the heat exchange between the two phases more sufficient. To achieve the same uniformity, the less amount of slurry is required while the inlet velocity is slower. The energy consumption and material consumption of the desulfurization system can be effectively reduced by reducing the import speed reasonably.
Study of Aerodynamic Performance and Power Output for Residential-Scale Wind Turbines
Authors: Hasan Alaa S. , Abousabae Mohammed , Salem Abdel Rahman , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: June 2020

This study presents the rotor blade airfoil analysis of residential-scale wind turbines. On this track, four new airfoils (GOE 447, GOE 446, NACA 6412, and NACA 64(3)-618) characterized by their high lift-to-drag ratios (161.3, 148.7, 142.7, and 136.3, respectively). These new airfoils are used to generate an entire 7 m long blades for three-bladed rotor horizontal axis wind turbine models tested numerically at low, medium, and rated wind speeds of 7.5, 10, and 12.5 m/s, respectively, with a design tip speed ratio of 7. The criterion to judge each model’s performance is power output. Thus, the blades of the model that produce the highest power are selected to undergo a tip modification (winglet) and leading-edge modification (tubercles), seeking power improvement. It is found that the GOE 447 airfoil outperformed the other three airfoils at all tested wind speeds. Thus, it is opted for adding winglets and tubercles. At 12.5 m/s, winglet design produced 5% more power, while tubercles produced 5.5% more power than the GOE 447 baseline design. Furthermore, the computational domain is divided into two regions: rotating (the disc that encloses the rotor) and stationary (the rest of the flow domain). Meanwhile, the numerical model is validated against the experimental velocity measurements. Since Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes with k–ω shear stress transport turbulence model can capture the laminar-to-turbulent boundary layer transition, it is used in the 18 simulations of the current work. However, large eddy simulation (LES) can deal successfully with the various scale eddies resulting from the rotor blades and its interactions with the surrounding flow. Thus, the LES was used in the six simulations done at the rated wind speed. LES power output calculation is 7.9% to 11.9% higher than the RANS power output calculation.
Reducing Instrumentation Errors Caused by Circumferential Flow-Field Variations in Multistage Axial Compressors
Authors: Chilla M. , Pullan G. , Gallimore S.
Published: June 2020

The effects of blade row interactions on stator-mounted instrumentation in axial compressors are investigated using unsteady numerical calculations. The test compressor is an eight-stage machine representative of an aero-engine core compressor. For the unsteady calculations, a 180-deg sector (half-annulus) model of the compressor is used. It is shown that the time-mean flow field in the stator leading edge planes is circumferentially nonuniform. The circumferential variations in stagnation pressure and stagnation temperature, respectively, reach 4.2% and 1.1% of the local mean. Using spatial wave number analysis, the incoming wakes from the upstream stator rows are identified as the dominant source of the circumferential variations in the front and middle of the compressor, while toward the rear of the compressor, the upstream influence of the eight struts in the exit duct becomes dominant. Based on three circumferential probes, the sampling errors for stagnation pressure and stagnation temperature are calculated as a function of the probe locations. Optimization of the probe locations shows that the sampling error can be reduced by up to 77% by circumferentially redistributing the individual probes. The reductions in the sampling errors translate to reductions in the uncertainties of the overall compressor efficiency and inlet flow capacity by up to 50%. Recognizing that data from large-scale unsteady calculations are rarely available in the instrumentation phase for a new test rig or engine, a method for approximating the circumferential variations with single harmonics is presented. The construction of the harmonics is based solely on the knowledge of the number of stators in each row and a small number of equispaced probes. It is shown how excursions in the sampling error are reduced by increasing the number of circumferential probes.
Coolant Jets Interaction in Effusion Cooling System: Experimental and Numerical Study
Authors: Jiang Y. , Murray A. V. , Ireland P.T. , di Mare L.
Published: June 2020

The interaction of coolant jets is significant in effusion settings as a result of the short streamwise and spanwise distance between films. This complicates the design of effusion cooling devices because computing the interaction between numerous, closely spaced rows of films is a challenging task. A flat plate effusion cooling model is investigated at both low and high blowing ratios. Pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) is used to measure film effectiveness. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations are performed to examine the cooling flow features in detail. The mesh sensitivity is studied to demonstrate the effect of mesh size on film effectiveness. The solution obtained by coarse mesh may not capture the correct trend with blowing ratio variation. Results of the computational work by fine mesh demonstrate good agreement with the measured effectiveness. Coolant jets interaction is also investigated. The profile of quantities such as velocity, temperature, kinetic energy, and Reynolds stress at several locations in the flow field is compared. The boundary layer profiles are scaled by the thermal boundary layer thickness to study the feature of heat transfer. It is observed that profiles of the flow quantities are self-similar. Two distinct scalings are found: an outer scaling based on boundary layer thickness which collapses the upper part of the profiles; an inner scaling which collapses the profiles at distances from the wall comparable to the penetration depth of a single jet. The latter scaling is based on the distance from the wall to the minimum temperature profile. This distance identifies the location of the coolant leaving the effusion cooling device.