bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secretion of proteins and antibody fragments from transiently transfected endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Heller Loree , Thinard Reynald , Chevalier Melanie , Arpag Sezgi , Jing Yu , Greferath Ruth , Heller Richard , Nicolau Claude
Published: July 2020

In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuroinflammation can lead to blood‐brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. After intravenous or intra‐arterial injection into mice, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) home to the damaged BBB to promote neurovascular repair. Autologous EPCs transfected to express specific therapeutic proteins offer an innovative therapeutic option. Here, we demonstrate that EPC transfection by electroporation with plasmids encoding the reporter protein GFP or an anti‐β‐amyloid antibody fragment (Fab) leads to secretion of each protein. We also demonstrate the secreted anti‐β‐amyloid Fab protein functions in β‐amyloid aggregate solubilization.
Obstructive monitoring
Authors: Finkle Aaron , Shin Dongsoo
Published: July 2020

We consider a principal–agent relationship in which the principal's monitoring can be obstructive to the agent, reducing the agent's productivity. We show that, with obstructive monitoring, the optimal output schedule is distorted in all directions—the high‐cost agent produces less, and the low‐cost agent produces more than the first‐best levels. Moreover, if the principal has a choice, she will make monitoring deliberately obstructive, because when monitoring is obstructive, although the agent's productivity decreases, his information rent is extracted more effectively. We also show that obstruction is optimal even when the principal is unable to commit to her monitoring strategy ex ante.
Prediction of Adverse Events in a High‐Risk Population: The Skilled Nursing Facility Prognosis Score
Authors: Kaehr Ellen , Unroe Kathleen T.
Published: July 2020

This editorial comments on the article by Burke et al. in this issue.
Sarcopenia and myosteatosis in patients undergoing curative radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: Impact on survival, treatment completion, hospital admission and cost
Authors: Findlay M. , Brown C. , De Abreu Lourenço R. , White K. , Bauer J.
Published: July 2020

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard of body composition analysis at the tissue‐organ level. The present study aimed to determine the impact of CT‐defined sarcopenia and myosteatosis on outcomes, including overall survival, unplanned hospital admissions and related costs, in patients who had completed treatment of curative intent for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods

Retrospective observational study of patients undergoing radiotherapy of curative intent ± other treatment modalities for HNC. Tissue density data derived at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) were evaluated with sarcopenia defined per sex‐specific published threshold values for skeletal muscle index, stratified by body mass index and mean skeletal muscle attenuation in HU (Hounsfield units).

Results

Pre‐ or post‐treatment images were available for 79/98 patients (80.6%) and 61/98 patients (62.2%), respectively. Sarcopenia was present in 42/79 patients pre‐treatment and 36/61 patients post‐treatment, whereas myosteatosis was present in 63/79 patients pre‐treatment and 48/61 patients post‐treatment. In patients with pre‐ and post‐treatment images (n = 60), the median (range) percentage weight change was −8.5% (−29.9 to +11.7). On multivariable analysis, a post‐treatment sarcopenia hazard ratio of 3.87 (95% confidence interval = 1.22–12.24, P = 0.021) and a pre‐treatment myosteatosis hazard ratio of 8.86 (95% confidence interval = 1.12–69.88, P = 0.038) were independent predictors of reduced overall survival. There was no difference in radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment completion based on pre‐treatment sarcopenia status. The mean (SD) difference unplanned hospital admission cost was $15 846 ($17 707) for patients without sarcopenia versus $47 945 ($82 688) for patients with sarcopenia at any time point (P = 0.077).

Conclusions

As CT‐defined sarcopenia and myosteatosis hold clinically meaningful prognostic value, muscle status evaluation is recommended in routine clinical practice.
“We Don't Exactly Fit In, but We Can't Opt Out”: Gay Fathers' Experiences Navigating Parent Communities in Schools
Authors: Goldberg Abbie E. , Allen Katherine R. , Carroll Megan
Published: July 2020

Objective

This qualitative study, which was guided by an integrative theoretical lens incorporating ecological, intersectional, and minority stress frameworks, examined the heteronormative and gendered contexts of gay fathers' relationships with other parents in their children's schools.

Background

Parents' interactions with other parents in the school environment can be a source of support, connection, tension, and/or alienation, and are significant to parents' overall school involvement, which in turn has implications for child academic and psychosocial adjustment. Little work has examined gay fathers' experiences in schools, and with other parents specifically, despite the potential salience of their gender and sexuality.

Method

The sample consisted of 40 gay fathers from 20 couples with adopted elementary school‐aged children (M = 9 years). The in‐depth interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes were evident: (a) school environments are heteronormative, homonormative, and gendered domains that gay fathers must navigate; (b) parent communities in schools are sometimes sites of disconnection, exclusion, and hostility around intersections among gender and sexuality, and race and class; and (c) parent communities in schools are also environments in which gay fathers experience connection, inclusion, and social support despite the prevalence of stigma.

Conclusion

The school parent community is an important microcosm for children's academic and psychosocial outcomes. These gay fathers, who were actively involved in their children's schools, experienced both inclusion and exclusion in this heteronormative, gendered context. Their intersections of privilege and marginalization reveal the need to change institutional norms and advocate on behalf of diverse families in the educational environment.
Effect of recorded maternal voice on emergence agitation in children undergoing bilateral ophthalmic surgery: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yang Yan‐Yan , Zhang Ma‐Zhong , Sun Ying , Peng Zhe‐Zhe , Liu Pei‐Pei , Wang Yan‐Ting , Zheng Ji‐Jian , Wu Jun‐Zheng
Published: July 2020

Aim

This study was designed to investigate whether the playing‐back of the recorded maternal voice through the headphones to children undergoing bilateral ophthalmic surgery has clinical effects on the incidence of emergence agitation, and the anaesthesia recovery course.

Methods

In this prospective, blinded and randomised study, 127 children, aged 2–8 years and undergoing bilateral ophthalmic surgery were randomly allocated to one of the two groups: group T (treatment group, listening to recorded mother's voice via headphones) or group C (control group, wearing headphones without auditory stimuli). The primary outcome was the incidence of emergence agitation, and the secondary outcomes were the awakening time, and the post‐anaesthesia care unit (PACU) stay time.

Results

Children in the group of listening recorded mother's voice exhibited significantly low incidence of emergence agitation compared with those in the control group (32.8 vs. 55.6%; odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.39(0.19–0.80); P = 0.010). The awakening time was shorter in group T as compared to that in group C (22.9 (10.4) vs. 27.3 (13.7); P = 0.048). As results, the group T had significantly less PACU stay time with early discharge than the group C did (29.7 (12.1) vs. 34.8 (14.1); P = 0.031).

Conclusions

Recorded mother's voice is an efficient method to reduce emergence agitation in children undergoing bilateral ophthalmic surgery with sevoflurane anaesthesia. Also, patients woke faster and PACU stay time was shorter in the mother's voice group as compared with the control group.
Evaluation of the psychological status of mothers of children with cystic fibrosis and the relationship between children's clinical status
Authors: Unal Yuksekgonul Ayşe , Aslan Ayse T , Sismanlar Eyuboglu Tugba , Soysal Sebnem , Budakoglu Işıl I
Published: July 2020

Aim

In this study, we aimed to determine the psychosocial status of primary care givers of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and its relationship with the clinical scores of children with CF.

Methods

Thirty‐six patients with CF and their primary care givers were assessed. A personal information form, as well as the Parent Attitude Research Instrument, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Beck Depression Scale and modified Shwachman‐Kulczycki Score, were used for data collection.

Results

All the CF children's primary care givers were their mothers. The mothers' occupation and educational level affected their child‐rearing attitudes (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the frequency of hospital visits and hospitalizations was associated with increased emotional exhaustion, depression and negative attitudes towards child‐rearing (P < 0.05). Higher levels of emotional exhaustion in mothers were associated with increased depersonalization and depression, while personal accomplishment was associated with lower levels of depression (P < 0.05). Depression was present in 69.4% of mothers, and its severity was correlated with their children having a poor clinical status. Moreover, increased depression was associated with increased negative attitudes towards child‐rearing (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The rate of depression is high in mothers of children with CF. These mothers displayed a negative attitude towards child‐rearing, along with the disease, which was more severe in their children. These mothers should undergo routine psychosocial screening, and support should be given to those in need.
Incidence and severity of bean common mosaic disease and resistance of popular bean cultivars to the disease in western Kenya
Authors: Mangeni Bonphace Collins , Were Hassan Karakacha , Ndong'a Millicent , Mukoye Benard
Published: July 2020

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a high protein crop and the main legume in the cropping system of western Kenya. Despite its importance, common bean yields are low (<1.0 t/ha) and declining. Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) are the most common and most destructive viruses and can cause a yield loss as high as 100%. In Kenya, a limited number of cultivars and exotic genotypes with resistance to BCMV and BCMNV strains have been reported. This study sought to determine the distribution and screen popular cultivars for resistance to the viruses. In October 2016 and May 2017, two diagnostic surveys for bean common mosaic disease (BCMD) were conducted in seven counties of western Kenya namely Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Nandi, Vihiga, Kakamega and Siaya. Leaf samples showing virus‐like symptoms were collected and analysed by ELISA. Sixteen popularly grown bean cultivars together with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), soybean (Glycine max), green grams (Vigna radiata) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) were planted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized block design with three replicates. The plants were inoculated with BCMNV isolate at 3‐leaf stage. Data were taken weekly for 3 weeks on type of symptoms expressed and number of plants infected. In total, 270 bean farms were visited. Symptoms of mosaic, downward curling, local lesions, stunting or a combination of these were observed during both surveys. Mean virus incidence was higher in the short rain season (50.2%) than in the long rain season (35.6%). The mean BCMD severity on a scale of 0–3 was highest (2.3) in Kakamega County and lowest (0.5) in Siaya. On variety resistance tests to BCMNV isolate, 10 bean cultivars were susceptible, four tolerant and two resistant. BCMNV is widely distributed across counties probably because of use of uncertified seeds by farmers and inoculum pressure from seed and aphid vector. For improved yields of common bean, farmers should be advised to plant certified seeds for all legumes in the cropping system.
The effect of apatinib on pharmacokinetic profile of buspirone both in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Zhang Xiao-dan , Li Ying-hui , Chen Dao-xing , You Wei-wei , Hu Xiao-xia , Chen Bing-bing , Hu Guo-xin , Qian Jian-chang
Published: July 2020

Objective

In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential interaction of apatinib and buspirone and underlying mechanism.

Methods

UPLC-MS/MS assay was applied to determine the concentrations of buspirone and its main metabolites (1-PP and 6-OH buspirone) after incubated with liver microsomes. Moreover, the connection of in vitro and in vivo was further determined. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: group A (20 mg/kg buspirone) and group B (buspirone vs 40 mg/kg apatinib). Tail vein blood was collected and subjected to the UPLC-MS/MS detection.

Key findings

Apatinib inhibited the generations of 1-PP and 6-OH buspirone dose-dependently with IC50 of 1.76 and 2.23 μm in RLMs, and 1.51 and 1.48 μm in HLMs, respectively. There was a mixed mechanism underlying such an inhibition effect. In rat, AUC(0–t), AUC(0–∞), Tmax and Cmax of buspirone and 6-OH buspirone increased significantly while co-administering with apatinib, but Vz/F and CLz/F decreased obviously while comparing group A with group B .

Conclusions

Apatinib suppresses the CYP450 based metabolism of buspirone in a mixed mechanism and boosted the blood exposure of prototype drug and 6-OH buspirone dramatically. Therefore, extra caution should be taken when combining apatinib with buspirone in clinic.
A Multifactorial Model of Dyslexia: Evidence from Executive Functions and Phonological‐based Treatments
Authors: Pasqualotto Angela , Venuti Paola
Published: July 2020

In this research, we examined the responsiveness to treatment in 49 Italian children with Dyslexia. In part A, we compare the efficacy of a phonological‐based treatment (Ph‐T) with a cognitive training of executive functions (CT). In part B, we investigate whether a sequential treatment (CT+Ph‐T) has a larger remedial effect compared to the pure phonological‐based treatment (Ph‐T + Ph‐T). Results after 24 hours of treatment showed significant improvements in the executive functions (EFs) for the sequential group only. Considering reading accuracy, children benefited significantly from both treatments; however, only the sequential group significantly improved in reading speed. Crucially, the reading gains appeared to be related to improvements in the EFs, supporting a multifactorial model of this disorder. The aforementioned findings suggest that the combination of cognitive training of EFs with a phonological‐based treatment can be used effectively in rehabilitating dyslexia.
Using audio stimuli in acceptability judgment experiments
Authors: Sedarous Yourdanis , Namboodiripad Savithry
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we argue that moving away from written stimuli in acceptability judgment experiments is necessary to address the systematic exclusion of particular empirical phenomena, languages/varieties, and speakers in psycholinguistics. We provide user‐friendly guidelines for conducting acceptability experiments which use audio stimuli in three platforms: Praat, Qualtrics, and PennController for Ibex. In supplementary materials, we include data and R script from a sample experiment investigating English constituent order using written and audio stimuli. This paper aims not only to increase the types of languages, speakers, and phenomena which are included in experimental syntax, but also to help researchers who are interested in conducting experiments to overcome the initial learning curve. Video Abstract link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoWYY1O9ugs
Beliefs in national continuity are related to essentialist thinking and to perceptions of the nation as a family
Authors: Siromahov Metodi , Buhrmester Michael , McKay Ryan
Published: July 2020

National narratives serve to foster a sense of collective continuity—the perception that the nation has preserved its traits, values and goals across many generations. The present study explores some of the correlates of such perceptions of collective continuity (PCC). We predicted that people who see their nation as more continuous would tend to think about social groups in more strongly essentialist terms and to feel personally attached to other group members (a phenomenon known as identity fusion). An international sample of 307 respondents (predominantly from the United States and India) completed measures of PCC, social essentialism, identity fusion and national identification. Both hypotheses were supported at the level of the level of the full sample, suggesting that perceived national continuity is related to a general cognitive predisposition for essentialist thinking and also to one's sense of personal attachment to the nation. However, exploratory analyses by nationality revealed that the results could not be replicated with the Indian participants, potentially as a result of cultural factors. Identity fusion was also more strongly correlated to cultural/essentialist continuity than to historical continuity. Interpretations and directions for future research are discussed.
Development and validation of the paediatric Carbohydrate Perception Questionnaire (pCPQ), an instrument for the assessment of carbohydrate‐induced gastrointestinal symptoms in the paediatric population
Authors: Hammer Johann , Memaran Nima , Huber Wolf‐Dietrich , Hammer Karin
Published: July 2020

Background

There is an unmet need for a validated, test‐specific symptom questionnaire to evaluate carbohydrate perception during breath tests. Our aim was to develop and validate a questionnaire for the assessment of symptoms after a provocative carbohydrate load.

Methods

After a literature search and initial focus group‐style interviews, five relevant complaints were identified. Responses were given on a Likert‐type faces scale with a language children use and understand. Reliability, validity and responsiveness to change were established by the implementation of the questionnaire during breath tests in 215 pediatric subjects. Correlation between the questionnaire and a medical interview by a pediatrician who was blinded to the results of the questionnaire (n = 19) was determined.

Key Results

The questionnaire had good face and content validity (Lawshe ratio = 1). Intraclass correlation coefficients for test‐retest reliability (n = 116) demonstrated good repeatability (P < .001), and effect sizes were small (Cohen's d < 0.15 for all symptoms). Convergent validity and discriminant validity were supported according to the multitrait‐multimethod matrix method. The results obtained by the questionnaire correlated highly with the result of the medical interview (P < .001; Fisher's exact test). Cronbach's alpha was 0.81. Responsiveness was verified for the whole patient group and subgroups with medium to high effect sizes.

Conclusions and Inferences

The paediatric Carbohydrate Perception Questionnaire (pCPQ) is a simple, test‐specific questionnaire for a pediatric population. It is a valid instrument with excellent psychometric properties to assess gastrointestinal symptoms after carbohydrate ingestion. The pCPQ can replace non‐validated symptom assessment during carbohydrate breath tests and allows a standardized diagnosis of carbohydrate intolerance.
Anatomical assessment by cone beam computed tomography with the use of lateral cephalograms to analyse the vertical bone height of the anterior palate for orthodontic mini‐implants
Authors: Möhlhenrich Stephan Christian , Kniha Kristian , Peters Florian , Chhatwani Sachin , Prescher Andreas , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali , Danesh Golamreza
Published: July 2020

Objective

Lateral cephalograms (LC) should be usable to evaluate the vertical bone height of the anterior maxilla for planning the placement of orthodontic mini‐implants (OMI). The purpose of this study is to determine the usability of LC for examining the real vertical dimension of the anterior palate.

Setting and Sample Population

Lateral cephalograms and corresponding cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were employed for examining 30 fresh cadaver heads.

Materials & Methods

The minimum (distance A) and maximum (distance B) vertical palatal bone heights on LCs at the level of first premolars were measured, whereas the corresponding measurements were taken via CBCTs on the median, and 2‐, 4‐ and 6‐mm paramedian planes. Additionally, the overall minimum vertical palatal height on CBCT was recorded.

Results

Distance A and B on LC were about 8.3 ± 2.5 mm and 9.9 ± 2.5 mm, respectively. The median palatal height on CBCT was significantly higher than both measurements on LC (P < .01). Furthermore, the bone supply on the paramedian planes was similar or higher on CBCT compared to Distance A and similar or less compared to Distance B. The strongest correlation at the level of the premolars was found in the comparison of the maximum vertical palatal height via LC with the vertical palatal height on the median plane via CBCT (r = .84, 95% CI: 0.69‐0.92, P < .001).

Conclusions

In order to make the best possible use of the vertical bone supply of the anterior palate and to avoid injuries to the nasal floor, Distance A should be taken into account for planning paramedian OMI placements and distance B for median OMI insertion.
In vivo and ex vivo actions of a novel P. gingivalis inhibitor on multi‐species biofilm, inflammatory response, and periodontal bone loss
Authors: Ho Meng‐Hsuan , Hasturk Hatice , Young Daphne F. , Xie Hua
Published: July 2020

Chronic periodontitis is one of the most common infectious inflammatory diseases worldwide. Current therapeutic options for the disease are only partially and temporarily successful due to periodontal re‐emergence of pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone bacterium in the oral microbial communities, which elicits a dysbiosis between the microbiota and the host. Previously, we reported a peptide inhibitor of P. gingivalis (SAPP) that specifically targets P. gingivalis and reduces its virulence potential in vitro. Here, we show that SAPP can modulate the ability of P. gingivalis to suppress the host innate immune system. Using a cytokine array analysis, we found that the levels of several cytokines including IL‐6, IL‐8, and MCP‐1 in the culture media of human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) were significantly diminished in the presence of P. gingivalis. Whereas the levels of these cytokines were restored, at least partially, in the culture media of HOKs by SAPP treatment. Furthermore, we also observed in an ex vivo assay that SAPP efficiently inhibited biofilm primed formation by mixed‐species oral bacteria, and significantly dampened the abnormally innate immune responses induced by these bacteria. We also demonstrated, using a mouse model, that SAPP could prevent alveolar bone loss induced by P. gingivalis. Our results suggest that SAPP specifically targets P. gingivalis and its associated bacterial communities and could be envisioned as an emerging therapy for periodontitis.
Maternal microbiome regulation prevents early allergic airway diseases in mouse offspring
Authors: Liu Jing , Tu Changli , Yu Jinyan , Chen Meizhu , Tan Cuiyan , Zheng Xiaobin , Wang Zhenguo , Liang Yingjian , Wang Kongqiu , Wu Jian , Li Yanlei
Published: July 2020

Background

Asthma is a serious global health problem, severely affecting the lives of sufferers and their families. An exceptionally hygienic home and reduced microbial exposure can aggravate the incidence of childhood asthma.

Methods

Specific‐pathogen‐free BALB/c mice were pre‐treated with bacterial lysate (BL; 1 mg/kg) as a high microbial load maternal mouse model, and then, the offspring mice were established as an allergic airway disease (AAD) model. The expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and HDAC9 in the mother's intestine and the offspring's lungs were detected. Relevant indicators of regulatory T cells (Tregs) were identified in the mother and offspring mice. The changes in the expression of Th1‐, Th2‐, Th9‐, and Th17‐related cytokines in the offspring mice were evaluated among different pre‐treated groups.

Results

After augmenting the mothers’ intestinal microbiota through oral BL gavage, the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the colon mucosa and colon lymphoid tissues was enhanced and that of HDAC9 in the colon mucosa was decreased, and the proportion of spleen Tregs was increased. The offspring showed similar changes in the AAD model compared with the offspring of the control‐group mothers: TLR2 and TLR4 expression in the lungs and the proportion of spleen Tregs increased, HDAC9 expression in the lungs decreased, and AAD‐induced airway pathologic characteristics were reversed; additionally, Th1/Th2 and Th9 imbalances were rectified.

Conclusions

This study presents a new framework for the prevention of childhood asthma, elucidating the mechanism of regulating the mother's intestinal microbiome to protect the offspring's early asthma via animal experiments.
The PI3K pathway induced by αMSH exerts a negative feedback on melanogenesis and contributes to the release of pigment
Authors: Mosca Sarah , Cardinali Giorgia , Flori Enrica , Briganti Stefania , Bottillo Irene , Mileo Anna M. , Maresca Vittoria
Published: July 2020

The melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) belongs to the family of the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR). Activated GPCRs can promote the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway. Few studies deal with the role of the PI3K pathway activation in response to αMSH. On B16‐F10 cell line, we investigated the αMSH‐dependent modulation of pAKT/AKT, as a key element of the PI3K pathway after rapid and prolonged stimulation. We demonstrated that αMSH triggers a rapid modulation of AKT which culminates in an increase in its phosphorylation. We highlighted a comparable upregulation of pAKT after exposure to αMSH on primary cultures of normal human melanocytes (NHMs) expressing a wild‐type MC1R. On B16‐F10 cells, NHMs, and an ex vivo model of human skin biopsies, we explored the influence of PI3K/AKT signaling triggered by αMSH, focusing on the control of melanogenesis and pigment release. We showed that the αMSH‐dependent PI3K/AKT pathway exerts a negative feedback on melanogenesis and promotes the extracellular release of pigment. We strengthened the role of the PI3K/AKT pathway triggered by αMSH in preserving redox equilibrium and genome integrity, highlighting its role in affecting cell survival.
Pseudophoenix ekmanii (Arecaceae) seeds at suboptimal temperature show reduced imbibition rates and enhanced expression of genes related to germination inhibition
Authors: Visscher A. M. , Castillo‐Lorenzo E. , Toorop P. E. , Junio da Silva L. , Yeo M. , Pritchard H. W.
Published: July 2020

Pseudophoenix ekmanii is a critically endangered palm species that can be found in the southeast of the Dominican Republic. The temperatures to which P. ekmanii seeds are exposed upon dispersal range from 32 to 23 °C (max and min) and can reach a low of approximately 20 °C in January. Our aim was to analyse the effect of suboptimal (20 °C) and optimal (30 °C) germination temperature on seed imbibition, moisture content, embryo growth and gene expression patterns in this tropical palm species.

Seed imbibition was tracked using whole seeds, while moisture content was assessed for individual seed sections. Embryo and whole seed size were measured before and after full imbibition. For transcriptome sequencing, mRNA was extracted from embryo tissues only and the resulting reads were mapped against the Elaeis guineensis reference genome. Differentially expressed genes were identified after statistical analysis and subsequently probed for enrichment of Gene Ontology categories ‘Biological process’ and ‘Cellular component’.

Our results show that prolonged exposure to 20 °C slows whole seed and embryo imbibition and causes germination to be both delayed and inhibited. Embryonic transcriptome patterns associated with the negative regulation of germination by suboptimal temperature include up‐regulation of ABA biosynthesis genes, ABA‐responsive genes, as well as other genes previously related to physiological dormancy and inhibition of germination.

Thus, our manuscript provides the first insights into the gene expression patterns involved in the response to suboptimal temperature during seed imbibition in a tropical palm species.
The Ideational Foundations of Symbolic Ideology
Authors: Goren Paul , Motta Matthew , Smith Brianna
Published: July 2020

Theories of symbolic ideology view it as an affective orientation untouched by ideational content. Drawing on Shalom Schwartz's theory of basic human values, we propose that four bedrock values—universalism, openness to change, conservation, and self‐enhancement—shape symbolic ideology. We explore whether politically sophisticated and unsophisticated individuals ground symbolic ideological identities in cognitive values to a comparable degree. Using data from two nationally representative U.S. surveys, we find that universalism and conservation predict liberal‐conservative attachments for people at all levels of sophistication. By contrast, openness to change and self‐enhancement values appear to have little influence on symbolic ideology. The universalism and conservation effects hold controlling for multiple psychological and individual differences variables. These results suggest that ideational predispositions play a substantial role in shaping symbolic ideology.
Platform urbanism, smartphone applications and valuing data in a smart city
Authors: Rose Gillian , Raghuram Parvati , Watson Sophie , Wigley Edward
Published: July 2020

Recent scholarship on smart cities and platform urbanism has explored the very wide range of data harvested from urban environments by digital devices of many kinds, analysing how not only efficiencies but also profits are sought through the extraction, circulation, transformation, commodification, integration, and re‐use of data. Much of that data is generated by smartphone applications. This paper looks at the design of a group of eight smartphone apps by a range of different actors in Milton Keynes, a small UK city with a large number of smart city initiatives. The apps are understood as a co‐constitutive interface between data circulations and embodied users. The paper focuses specifically on the data that the apps generated and shared and on how the app designers anticipated that the data would create different kinds of value for embodied app users. While some data circulations were understood as ways of generating financial value, the paper argues that a number of other forms of value were assumed in the app design. The paper identifies two of these, which it terms normative values and interactive values. It examines how the data mobilised by the smart city apps enacts particular versions of these values, and how those values co‐constitute specific kinds of bodies, agencies, and geographies in digitally mediated cities.
Preference for whole blood versus plasma donation among university students
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L.
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives

Debate continues about whether monetary payments encourage or discourage self‐motivated behaviour such as blood donation. With the growing number of paid plasma donation centres in the United States, and the ongoing challenge to recruit and retain volunteer blood donors, a better understanding of the impact of compensation on donation preferences is essential.

Material and Methods

A sample of 459 undergraduate students (73·9% female, mean age =18·9, SD = 1·3 years) completed an anonymous online survey that included a question about their preference for donating blood, donating plasma or neither. Preferences were re‐assessed after providing information regarding current differential compensation for blood and plasma donations, and in the context of a hypothetical scenario where both blood and plasma donors could receive payment.

Results

Participants initially expressed a clear preference for donating blood (73·7%) relative to plasma (3·9%), but these preferences shifted in favour of plasma donation (47·7%) versus blood donation (39·4%) after learning that plasma donors can be paid. However, when asked to consider a hypothetical future wherein payment was offered for either type of donation, participants again reported a strong preference for donating blood (79·3%) relative to plasma (6·3%). These preferences did not differ as a function of sex or donation history.

Conclusion

These results suggest that a significant proportion of young adults are positively motivated to donate blood or blood products by the opportunity for payment.
Teachers’ Practices and Perceptions of the Use of ICT in ELT Classrooms in the Pre-Covid 19 Pandemic Era and Suggestions for the 'New Normal'
Authors: Sher Ryn Ang , SC Sandaran,
Published: July 2020

ICT is the acronym for Information and Communication Technology and refers to a varied set of technological tools and resources used communication to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. In the context of teaching and learning, the integration of ICT can assist students in acquiring English language competency as well as enhancing the quality of their learning experience. Previous research has shown that there exists barriers to implementing ICT in teaching and learning, i.e. teacher-level barriers and school-level barriers. Despite there being barriers for ICT integration in teaching and learning, the Covid 19 pandemic has fast tracked ICT integration, and today teachers and students worldwide have been forced to work online regardess of whether they are prepared in terms of knowledge, skills and resources for the 'technologisation' of teaching and learning. This study investigated teachers’ practices and perceptions in using ICT in English Language Teaching (ELT) with a focus on the obstacles faced by English language teachers in using ICT in their lessons, measures taken to increase their ICT usage and the perceptions of using ICT in the classroom. Respondents in this study were 18 teachers in a premier school with either a training in English language teaching or English background and at least 5 years' teaching experience. Using a 60-item questionnaire, data was gathered on respondent’s ICT literacy, obstacles faced, ICT usage and their perceptions of using ICT in the classroom. The findings of the research suggest the lack of ICT literacy and time allocated for teaching and learning process as the main obstacles faced by English teachers in using ICT. In addition, the overall ICT literacy of the teachers were still limited and needed to be improved especially in the use of internet so that they would gain more confidence in implementing ICT in their classroom. While the findings show that the main problems that had restricted the teachers in using ICT in their teaching is the lack of ICT skills and confidence in implementing ICT in the classroom, this study recommends that schools provide more training and ICT courses to teachers to improve teachers’ ICT literacy as a measure to embrace the new normal of the Covid 19 pandemic digitalised era.
Quality Teaching Practice: Value Education in the Language Classroom
Authors: Yuan Yi Tan , Abdul Samat Norhanim
Published: July 2020

The latest Malaysian Educational Blueprint (2013-2025) asserts the importance of producing value-driven Malaysians through education. English language teaching should be aimed beyond producing more proficient users as it possesses a nature that is particularly suitable for value incorporation. This research aims to investigate how English teachers communicate values to students, the kinds of values communicated and whether the values communicated are stipulated by the Ministry of Education. This research utilized a qualitative case study approach on two respondents, an experienced English teacher and a novice English teacher. Their lessons were videotaped, transcribed and coded based on a set of established analysis tool. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to further understand the values depicted by the respondents. The results of the research show that teachers consciously incorporated values through selected topics, tasks and explicit moral statements. They subconsciously transmitted values through classroom rules and regulations, curricular substructures and expressive morality. It is found in this research that teachers applied much more subconscious approaches to communicate values than that of conscious ones during teacher-student encounter, with classroom facilitation being used as the medium most frequently. The kinds of values communicated included spiritual, intellectual, esthetical, positive, interactional, citizen, economical and modernized values. About half of the values communicated were stipulated by the Ministry of Education. This research provides new insights into how Malaysian English teachers can improve the quality of their teaching by harnessing the full potential of a language classroom to educate values.
Polysulfone hemodialysis membrane incorporated with Fe2O3 for enhanced removal of middle molecular weight uremic toxin
Authors: Said Noresah , Zainol Abidin Muhammad Nidzhom , Hasbullah Hasrinah , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Goh Pei Sean , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Abdullah Mohd Sohaimi , Ng Be Cheer , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah , Kamal Fatmawati
Published: July 2020

Removing middle molecular weight uremic toxin remains as one of the most challenging tasks in hemodialysis. Hence, in this study a high performance polysulfone (PSf) hemodialysis membrane was developed by incorporating iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles. The PSf/Fe2O3 hemodialysis membrane and pristine PSf membrane were prepared via dry-wet spinning process. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle, average pore size, and porosity measurements. The biocompatibility profiles of the membranes were also evaluated in terms of protein adsorption and blood coagulation time. Next, the performance of the membranes was determined by measuring pure water permeability (PWP), bovine serum albumin rejection, and removal of various solutes such as urea and lysozyme. The incorporation of Fe2O3 resulted in significant increment of the PWP from 40.74 L/m2/h/bar to 58.6 L/m2/h/bar, mainly due to the improved water transport properties of the membrane. Moreover, the percent removal of urea and lysozyme was reported to be 75.1% and 35.6%, respectively. PSf/Fe2O3 hemodialysis membrane is proven to have a bright prospect for enhanced blood purification process.
Characterisation of poly(vinyl alcohol)- polycaprolactone hybridized scaffold for potential skin tissue regeneration
Authors: Chee Tan Yong , Mohd Yusoff Abdull Rahim , Nik Malek Nik Ahmad Nizam
Published: July 2020

The fabrication of a hybridized scaffold constituting hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers for tissue engineering has received an increasing attention recently. Due to the high compatibility with water, a hydrophilic polymer, though is able to enhance cell affinity and proliferation, has a very high biodegradable rate and low stability in aqueous medium that eventually puncture its biomedical applications. Thereby, the addition of a hydrophobic polymer in the hydrophilic polymer scaffold is recommended to increase the hydrophobic property of the scaffold in order to reduce the limitation. Nonetheless, the fabrication of the hybridized scaffold is extremely challenging because the hydrophilic and the hydrophobic polymer tends to dissolve in different types of solvents, i.e. water and organic solvent, respectively, that subsequently restricts their blending process. In this work, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) scaffold, a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold, and their hybridized scaffold were produced through casting method for potential skin tissue regeneration. We found that the glacial acetic acid was an appropriate solvent used to prepare hydrophobic PCL solution with low molecular weight (16 kDa) for PCL-PVA blend, with mass ratio 1:1, without using any surfactant. The solvent was also used for the preparation of PCL scaffold with high molecular weight (80 kDa). The fabricated polymer scaffolds were then evaluated using FTIR-ATR, contact angle measurement, and tensile strength analysis. FESEM images of the PVA-PCL hybridized scaffold showed that the PCL was well dispersed in the PVA scaffold. FTIR-ATR spectra showed that the hybridized scaffold exhibited the crucial functional group of PVA and PCL at 3310.97, 1720.10, 1557.80, 1241.69, 1172.90, 1044.95, and 719.44 cm-1. The contact angle of the PVA, PCL, and PVA-PCL hybridized scaffold were 61.3o, 82.7o, and 75.9o, respectively, with tensile strength 16.5747, 2.4038, and 7.417 MPa, respectively.
Risk of acquiring listeriosis from consumption of chicken offal among high risk group
Authors: Wai Ga Yarn , Tang John Yew Huat , Alias Nadiawati , Kuan Chee Hao , Goh Sur Guat , Radu Son
Published: July 2020

Listeria monocytogenes causes mild foodborne infection in healthy adults but serious complication in high risk group such as infant, pregnant women, immunocompromised and elderly. This study aims to estimate the probability of infection based on the survivability of L. monocytogenes in chicken offal, particularly chicken liver, gizzard and heart. A total of 20 µl of L. monocytogenes with inoculum size of 9.02 log CFU/ml was spiked on the chicken offal and stored at room temperature (28oC) for 0, 1, 3, and 6 h. This experimental design was aimed to simulate the contaminated chicken offal stored at temperature danger zone. It was found that chicken offal supported the growth of L. monocytogenes that it significantly grows at 3 and 6 h incubation. Risk assessment was performed by combining this result with the data from our previous studies as well as data from government agencies and other studies. Dose-response model was used to estimate the probability of listeria infection per year. Immunocompromised was the highest risk group, followed by pregnant women, elderly and general population with probability of infection per year estimated at 3.78 x 10-3, 1.76 x 10-4, 5.68 x 10-8 and 5.75 x 10-9, respectively. It can be concluded that high risk group requires extra caution in their food consumption in order to prevent listeriosis which can result in serious complication and death.
Effects of magnesium ions in microbial cells adhesion of attached growth system for the enhancement of biogas production
Authors: Lutpi Nabilah Aminah , Yee Shian Wong , Tengku Izhar Tengku Nuraiti , Kiong Yiek Wee
Published: July 2020

This research aims to improve the biogas production by employing cell immobilisation technique under thermophilic conditions. The thermophilic fermentative biogas production was carried out by immobilising the anaerobic sludge obtained from palm oil mill treatment plant on granular activated carbon (GAC) in repeated batch mode. Different concentration of magnesium ions (Mg2+) (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 g/l) on biogas production was investigated at 60°C with an initial sucrose concentration of 5 g/l as feedstock. The effect of Mg2+ supplementation at the initial stage of immobilisation process is important to increase the formation of biofilm in the attached growth system. This study had found that Mg2+ could enhance the biogas production capacity with optimum Mg2+ concentration of 0.75 g/l.
Process optimization of supercritical CO2 extraction of Roselle using response surface methodology
Authors: Lee Peng Wong , Mohd Setapar Siti Hamidah , Mohd Nasir Hasmida
Published: July 2020

Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly known as Roselle, is a native plant in Malaysia that is rich with bioactive compounds. In the present study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction of Roselle was investigated. The optimum particle size (212µm, 300µm, 425µm, 600µm, and 710µm) to obtain highest yield was pre-determined. The effects of two operating parameters, pressure (20MPa, 25MPa, and 30MPa) and temperature (40 ºC, 60 ºC, and 80 ºC) on extraction yield were studied using response surface methodology (RSM). From the experimental data, the optimum conditions were achieved using particle size 300µm, pressure 27.5MPa, and temperature 50.8 ºC. Using the optimized parameters, the highest extraction yield was predicted to be 163.26 mg-extract/g-dried sample. The validation experimental results were consistent with the predicted values.
Multicasting in modified chordal ring of degree six network topology
Authors: Raja Ma’amor Shah Raja Nor Farah Azura , Othman Mohamed , Abd Karim Nor Suriya
Published: July 2020

Wired networking environment has presented some interesting challenges to the study of network casting. Hence, graphs are usually used to represent networks of communication. In practice, the topology should be well-designed to meet future reliability demands. Therefore, Modified Chordal Ring of Degree Six (CHRm6) topology has been proposed as mathematical model to represent a network. This paper discussed about multicasting scheme focusing on even and odd nodes. CHRm6 structure has been used to derive results in multicasting scheme. In this type of network, CHRm6 involved a high total number of nodes to deliver a message to multiple destinations simultaneously in terms of multicasting.
Analysis of CD4+ T cells in HIV-1 infection model combined with RTI and PI treatments
Authors: Sutimin Sutimin , Tjahjana R. Heru , Sunarsih Sunarsih
Published: July 2020

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system and subsequently leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). CD4+ T cells are among the immune systems destroyed by HIV. The HIV transmission from cell to cell is an infection process of spreading HIV-1 infection. The study developed a mathematical model by considering the contact between HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells and healthy CD4+ T cells, incorporating antiretroviral treatment. The stability of equilibriums for the model was studied. The local stability for disease-free equilibrium and the global stability for endemic equilibrium were studied. Numerical simulations were presented to examine the implication of antiretroviral therapy. Simulation results showed that reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) therapy was more effective compared to protease inhibitor (PI) therapy in increasing the number of healthy CD4+ T cells.