bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basal ganglia high-frequency activity is co-modulated with the phase of motor cortical beta and shifted between the subthalamic nucleus and the internal pallidum during sustained motor control
Authors: Fischer Petra , Pogosyan Alek , Green Alexander L. , Aziz Tipu Z. , Hyam Jonathan , Foltynie Thomas , Limousin Patricia , Zrinzo Ludvic , Samuel Michael , Ashkan Keyoumars , Da Lio Mauro , De Cecco Mariolino , Luchetti Alessandro , Brown Peter , Tan Huiling
Published: August 2020

Beta oscillations are readily observed in motor cortex and the basal ganglia, but to which extent they are functionally relevant is unclear. To understand how activity transfer between different nodes of the cortico-basal ganglia network is affected by cortical beta oscillations in different behavioural conditions, we recorded local field potentials and electroencephalography (EEG) activity in a low-force motor control task and during rest in Parkinson’s patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The patients received DBS of either the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or the internal globus pallidus (GPi), which allowed us to investigate if STN and GPi broad-band high-frequency activity (HFA; >150 Hz) is co-modulated with the phase of motor cortical beta activity. We found significant modulation patterns in the STN and the GPi, which were inverted while patients performed the task, showing that GPi activity fluctuations likely are crafted by other inputs than the direct excitatory STN afferents. We also found that consistent STN modulation disappeared during rest, showing disengagement in this condition, while GPi modulation was maintained, again evidencing that beta-band activity fluctuations in the GPi can be relatively independent of those in the STN. The difference between HFA modulation patterns in the task and rest recordings suggests a potential functional role of beta phase-locked HFA modulation in controlling sustained contractions. Examination of HFA co-modulation patterns at different sites of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network under different behavioural conditions may provide a tool with which to define the impact of beta synchronization on network communication.
Time-course analysis ofStreptococcus sanguinisafter manganese depletion reveals changes in glycolytic, nucleotide, and redox metabolites
Authors: Puccio Tanya , Misra Biswapriya B. , Kitten Todd
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Manganese is important for the endocarditis pathogen,Streptococcus sanguinis. Little is known about why manganese is required for virulence or how it impacts the metabolome of streptococci.

Objectives

We applied untargeted metabolomics to cells and media to understand temporal changes resulting from manganese depletion.

Methods

EDTA was added to aS. sanguinismanganese-transporter mutant in aerobic fermentor conditions. Cell and media samples were collected pre- and post-EDTA treatment. Metabolomics data were generated using positive and negative modes of data acquisition on an LC-MS/MS system. Data were subjected to statistical processing using MetaboAnalyst and time-course analysis using Short Time series Expression Miner (STEM).

Results

We observed quantitative changes in 534 and 422 metabolites in cells and media, respectively, after EDTA addition. The 173 cellular metabolites identified as significantly different indicated enrichment of purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Further multivariate analysis revealed that the top 15 cellular metabolites belonged primarily to lipids and redox metabolites. The STEM analysis revealed global changes in cells and media in comparable metabolic pathways. Products of glycolysis such as pyruvate and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate increased, suggesting that enzymes that act on them may require manganese for activity or expression. Nucleosides accumulated, possibly due to a blockage in conversion to nucleobases. Simultaneous accumulation ofortho-tyrosine and reduced glutathione suggests that cells were unable to utilize glutathione as a reductant.

Conclusion

Differential analysis of metabolites revealed the activation of a number of metabolic pathways in response to manganese depletion, many of which may be connected to carbon catabolite repression.
Two-stage Dynamic Deregulation of Metabolism Improves Process Robustness & Scalability in EngineeredE. coli
Authors: Ye Zhixia , Li Shuai , Hennigan Jennifer N. , Lebeau Juliana , Moreb Eirik A. , Wolf Jacob , Lynch Michael D.
Published: August 2020

We report improved strain and bioprocess robustness as a result of the dynamic deregulation of central metabolism using two-stage dynamic control. Dynamic control is implemented using combinations of CRISPR interference and controlled proteolysis to reduce levels of central metabolic enzymes in the context of a standardized two-stage bioprocesses. Reducing the levels of key enzymes alters metabolite pools resulting in deregulation of the metabolic network. The deregulated network is more robust to environmental conditions improving process robustness, which in turn leads to predictable scalability from high throughput small scale screens to fully instrumented bioreactors as well as to pilot scale production. Additionally, as these two-stage bioprocesses are standardized, a need for traditional process optimization is minimized. Predictive high throughput approaches that translate to larger scales are critical for metabolic engineering programs to truly take advantage of the rapidly increasing throughput and decreasing costs of synthetic biology. In this work we demonstrate that the improved robustness ofE. colistrains engineered for the improved scalability of the important industrial chemicals alanine, citramalate and xylitol, from microtiter plates to pilot reactors.
A JAK/STAT-Mediated Inflammatory Signaling Cascade Drives Oncogenesis In AF10-Rearranged AML
Authors: Chen Bo-Rui , Deshpande Anagha , Barbosa Karina , Kleppe Maria , Li Xue , Yeddula Narayana , Campos Alexandre Rosa , Wechsler-Reya Robert J. , Bagchi Anindya , Meshinchi Soheil , Eaves Connie , Jeremias Irmela , Haferlach Torsten , Frank David A , Ronai Ze’ev , Chanda Sumit , Armstrong Scott A. , Adams Peter D. , Levine Ross L. , Deshpande Aniruddha J.
Published: August 2020

Leukemias bearing fusions of the AF10/MLLT10 gene are associated with poor prognosis, and therapies targeting these fusion proteins are lacking. To understand mechanisms underlying AF10 fusion-mediated leukemogenesis, we generated inducible mouse models of AML driven by the most common AF10 fusion proteins, PICALM/CALM-AF10 and KMT2A/MLL-AF10, and performed comprehensive characterization of the disease using transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and functional genomic approaches. Our studies provide a comprehensive map of gene networks and protein interactors associated with key AF10 fusions involved in leukemia. Specifically, we report that AF10 fusions activate a cascade of JAK/STAT-mediated inflammatory signaling through direct recruitment of JAK1 kinase. Inhibition of the JAK/STAT signaling by geneticJak1deletion or through pharmacological JAK/STAT inhibition elicited potent anti-oncogenic effects in mouse and human models of AF10 fusion AML. Collectively, our study identifies JAK1 as a tractable therapeutic target in AF10-rearranged leukemias.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Gene fusions of AF10/MLLT10 are recurrent in acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia and are associated with extremely poor survival outcomes. We show that the JAK1 kinase is required for activation of the AF10 fusion oncotranscriptome and for leukemogenesis. Since a number of JAK/STAT pathways inhibitors are in clinical development or approved for use, our studies may help develop a therapeutic strategy for AF10-rearranged leukemias.
To close or to collapse: the role of charges on membrane stability upon pore formation
Authors: Lira Rafael B. , Leomil Fernanda S.C. , Melo Renan J. , Riske Karin A. , Dimova Rumiana
Published: August 2020

Resealing of membrane pores is crucial for cell survival. We study membrane surface charge and medium composition as defining regulators of membrane stability. Pores are generated by electric field or detergents. Giant vesicles composed of zwitterionic and negatively charged lipids mixed at varying ratios are subjected to a single strong electric pulse. Charged vesicles are prone to catastrophic collapse transforming them into tubular structures. The spectrum of destabilization responses includes the generation of long-living submicroscopic pores and partial vesicle bursting. The origin of these phenomena is related to the membrane edge tension, which governs pore closure. This edge tension significantly decreases as a function of the fraction of charged lipids. Destabilization of charged vesicles upon pore formation is universal – it is also observed with other poration stimuli. Disruption propensity is enhanced for membranes made of lipids with higher degree of unsaturation. It can be reversed by screening membrane charge in the presence of calcium ions. We interpret the observed findings in light of theories of stability and curvature generation and discuss mechanisms acting in cells to prevent total membrane collapse upon poration. Enhanced membrane stability is crucial for the success of electroporation-based technologies for cancer treatment and gene transfer.
Drug binding sites in the multidrug transporter MdfA in detergent solution and in lipid nanodiscs
Authors: Bahrenberg T. , Yardeni E. H. , Feintuch A. , Bibi E. , Goldfarb D.
Published: August 2020

MdfA, a member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS), is a multidrug/proton antiporter fromE. colithat has been considered a model for secondary multidrug (Mdr) transporters. Its transport mechanism, driven by a proton gradient, is associated with conformational changes, which accompany the recruitment of drugs and their release. In this work, we applied double-electron electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy to locate the binding site of one of its substrates, tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) within available crystal structures. We carried out Gd(III)-nitroxide distance measurements between MdfA labeled with a Gd(III) tag and the TPP analog mito-TEMPO (bearing the nitroxide moiety). Data were obtained both for MdfA solubilized in detergent micelles (n-dodecyl-β-D-maltopyranoside (DDM)), and reconstituted into lipid nanodiscs (ND). For both DDM and ND, the average position of the substrate at a neutral pH was found to be close to the ligand position in the If(inward facing) crystal structure, with the DDM environment exhibiting a somewhat better agreement than the ND environment. We therefore conclude that the Ifstructure provides a good description for substrate-bound MdfA in DDM solution, while in ND the structure is slightly modified. A second binding site was found for the ND sample situated at the cytoplasmic side, towards the end of transmembrane helix 7 (TM7). In addition, we used DEER distance measurements on Gd(III) doubly labeled MdfA to track conformational changes within the periplasmic and cytoplasmic sides associated with substrate binding. We detected significant differences in the periplasmic side of MdfA, with the ND featuring a more closed conformation than in DDM, in agreement with earlier reports. The addition of TPP led to a noticeable conformational change in the periplasmic face in ND, attributed to a movement of TM10. This change was not observed in DDM.

Statement of Significance

MdfA is multidrug transporter fromE. coli, which exhibits multidrug efflux activities with an unusually broad spectrum of drug specificities. While it has been established that solute transport by similar transporters is coupled to significant conformational changes, previous studies raised the possibility that this is not the case for MdfA. Moreover, it is not clear how MdfA functionally accommodates chemically dissimilar substrates. Towards resolving these open questions, we used double-electron electron resonance distance measurements to determine the binding site of a spin labeled drug analog within available crystal structures of MdfA and to examine how MdfA responds conformationally to drug binding. Moreover, we explored how these two are affected by the media, detergent micelles vs lipid nanodiscs.
A crossed-disciplinary evaluation of parental perceptions surrounding pediatric non-invasive brain stimulation research
Authors: Behan Michael , Nawshin Tanjila , Nemanich Samuel , Kowalski Jesse , Sutter Ellen , Francis Sunday , Dubinsky Janet , Freese Rebecca , Rudser Kyle , Gillick Bernadette
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Recruitment for pediatric non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) studies is often challenged by low enrollment. Understanding parental perceptions regarding NIBS is crucial to develop new communication strategies to increase enrollment.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrating a crossed-disciplinary approach, the authors conducted a survey at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair querying the perception of risk and preferences of current and future parents associated with pediatric NIBS research. The survey consisted of 28 closed-text questions including demographics, photographs portraying NIBS, terminologies and factors related to NIBS studies.

Findings

Complete surveys were analyzed from 622 parent participants. A significant number of participants (42.8%) perceived the photographs of NIBS as “risky.” Additionally, 65.43% perceived the term “Non-invasive brain therapy” as not risky, a word combination not currently being used when recruiting potential participants. Over 90% (561/622) of participants chose the photograph of child-friendly MRI suite.

Research limitations/implications

Although this survey identified aspects crucial in recruitment for pediatric NIBS research, there were limitations. For example, the authors did not record the sex or demographic distribution (e.g. rural versus urban setting) of the participants. These factors may also influence recruitment messaging.

Originality/value

For important medical research to impact and improve the lives of the potential remedies, participation by the public in clinical trials is necessary. Often the general public perceives the trials as risky as a result of poor marketing communication recruitment material. This study sought to be understood if how the message is encoded has an impact on the decoding by the receiver.
Merchants’ response towards urban tourism development in food markets
Authors: Mashkov Rotem , Shoval Noam
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In an age when a tourist’s gaze is more involved in the daily lives of locals, it is evident that traditional food markets are being rediscovered as a space for recreation. Yet, the pressure of tourism development may result in retail gentrification to the point of losing the sense of local identity. Focusing on the “boutiquing” process at Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, this paper aims to measure the physical change in the marketplace, to understand merchants’ attitudes towards tourism development, and to differentiate merchants based on their responses to these changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Two main research methods were used: comparative mapping of the business mix and in-depth interviews with merchants. The first method was used to characterize the physical change in the market, and the second method was used to examine merchants’ attitudes and responses to tourism development.

Findings

There has been a significant physical change in the business mix of the market, with displacing mainly of traditional uses. A strong link between the merchants’ responses to tourism development and their stall ownership status has found.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study lie in its nature as a qualitative study of a case study; there is difficulty in generalizing and drawing universal conclusions.

Originality/value

Add to existing knowledge regarding merchants’ responses in traditional food markets to tourism development in the context of retail gentrification.
Analysis of content strategies of selected brand tweets and its influence on information diffusion
Authors: P Sridevi , Niduthavolu Saikiran , Vedanthachari Lakshmi Narasimhan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design organization message content strategies and analyse their information diffusion on the microblogging website, Twitter.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 29 brands and 9392 tweets, message strategies on twitter are classified into four strategies. Using content analysis all the tweets are classified into informational strategy, transformational strategy, interactional strategy and promotional strategy. Additionally, the information diffusion for the developed message strategies was explored. Furthermore, message content features such as text readability features, language features, Twitter-specific features, vividness features on information diffusion are analysed across message strategies. Additionally, the interaction between message strategies and message features was carried out.

Findings

Finding reveals that informational strategies were the dominant message strategy on Twitter. The influence of text readability features language features, Twitter-specific features, vividness features that influenced information diffusion varied across four message strategies.

Originality/value

This study offers a completely novel way for effectively analysing information diffusion for branded tweets on Twitter and can show a path to both researchers and practitioners for the development of successful social media marketing strategies.
The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on stock market performance: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Anh Dao Le Trang , Gan Christopher
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study explores the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and its following lockdown on daily stock returns in Vietnam, a fast-growing emerging market that successfully revived after the pandemic lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses panel-data regression models to evaluate the influence of the daily increase in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases during pre-lockdown and lockdown on daily stock returns of 723 listed firms in Vietnam from 30 January to 30 May 2020.

Findings

The study confirms the adverse impact of the daily increasing number of COVID-19 cases on stock returns in Vietnam. The study also discloses that the Vietnam stock market before and during the nationwide lockdown performed in opposing ways. Though COVID-19 pre-lockdown had a significant, negative impact on Vietnam's stock returns, the lockdown period had a significant, positive influence on stock performance of the entire market and the different business sectors in Vietnam. The financial sector was hardest hit on the Vietnam stock market during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Research limitations/implications

The study indicates investors' confidence and trust in the Vietnam government's decisions to combat COVID-19 and favorable stocks prices were the main reasons that the Vietnam stock market rebounded during and after lockdown.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the impact of COVID-19 during the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods on stock performance in Vietnam, a rapidly developing economy that was successful in controlling the pandemic with a rejuvenated stock market after lockdown.
Risk management and corporate governance failures in Islamic banks: a case study
Authors: Alhammadi Salah , Archer Simon , Asutay Mehmet
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the choice and ongoing evaluation of a firm’s business model, as a matter of strategic guidance, are key aspects of corporate governance (CG), with particular reference to risk management (RM) in Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a case study approach, with a single case, which was chosen as it fits very well the purpose of this research. The data collection was based largely on documentary evidence. Company data were collected from company annual reports, press releases and legitimate web sites. The ORBIS Bank Focus database was also used to produce a comparative financial analysis.

Findings

The study findings illustrate how an apparently successful business model may fail due to an inherent instability that could have been identified through the application of careful risk analysis (including stress testing) in the choice and ongoing evaluation of the business model, which robust CG and strategic guidance require. In particular, Arcapita’s problems illustrate the dangers to Islamic financial institutions (IFI) from business models that involve undue exposure to liquidity risk.

Practical implications

The issues raised in the paper are important in that Islamic banking and finance is an integral part of the global banking and finance industry. Investors and regulators are now requesting corporate management to provide improved service to shareholders and other stakeholders alike. IFI rely on the confidence of investors and market participants, just like conventional institutions and when this confidence erodes, it may prove difficult to regain.

Social implications

The global credit crisis of 2008 caused significant difficulties to firms, especially financial institutions, even with substantial government intervention in the economy, which raised some issues of CG and ethics.

Originality/value

This paper extends the knowledge of the potential effects of weaknesses in CG and RM, with specific reference to strategic guidance in the choice and ongoing evaluation of a firm’s business model, especially in relation to the Islamic banking sector. It also provides a telling illustration of the need for the enhancements of the Basel Committee’s prudential requirements set out in the various Basel III documents.
Process mining approach to formal business process modelling and verification: a case study
Authors: Ito Sohei , Vymětal Dominik , Šperka Roman
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The need for assuring correctness of business processes in enterprises is widely recognised in terms of business process re-engineering and improvement. Formal methods are a promising approach to this issue. The challenge in business process verification is to create a formal model that is well-aligned to the reality. Process mining is a well-known technique to discover a model of a process based on facts. However, no studies exist that apply it to formal verification. This study aims to propose a methodology for formal business process verification by means of process mining, and attempts to clarify the challenges and necessary technologies in this approach using a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

A trading company simulation model is used as a case study. A workflow model is discovered from an event log produced by a simulation tool and manually complemented to a formal model. Correctness requirements of both domain-dependent and domain-independent types of the model are checked by means of model-checking.

Findings

For business process verification with both domain-dependent and domain-independent correctness requirements, more advanced process mining techniques that discover data-related aspects of processes are desirable. The choice of a formal modelling language is also crucial. It depends on the correctness requirements and the characteristics of the business process.

Originality/value

Formal verification of business processes starting with creating its formal model is quite new. Furthermore, domain-dependent and domain-independent correctness properties are considered in the same framework, which is also new. This study revealed necessary technologies for this approach with process mining.
Street vending: transformative entrepreneurship for individual and collective well-being
Authors: Giraldo Mario , Garcia-Tello Luis , Rayburn Steven William
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the lived experience of vendors as they enact street vending practice that emerges as transformative entrepreneurship and service where they live and work.

Design/methodology/approach

This research qualitatively explores street vending in a multi-cultural, multi-local study to understand how these businesses operate to positively impact individual, collective and societal well-being.

Findings

This research reveals street vending is a creative, transformative entrepreneurial activity that improves individual and collective well-being. The research exposes multiple forms of habitual and transformative value delivered by vendors, resulting in improved eudaimonic and hedonic well-being that ripples out from vendors to families, communities and society.

Research limitations/implications

A framework of street vending practice is provided to guide service designers and policymakers as they seek to support street vendors as they move from informal to formal and from survival to growth business modes.

Originality/value

This research extends existing conceptualizations of transformative entrepreneurship beyond prior focus on economic transformation and prior limitations of transformative entrepreneurship to business in growth modes.
Older consumers’ reaction to a patronizing sales interaction
Authors: Chéron Emmanuel , Weins Christian , Kohlbacher Florian
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of patronizing by salespeople when interacting with older consumers in a retail situation of shopping for a mobile phone. In addition to patronizing behavior, the impact of the age of the salesperson and gender of the consumer are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on statistical analyzes of a between-participants controlled experiment collected via an online survey of 338 members of the German Senior Citizens League.

Findings

The study contributes to the field of services marketing by confirming that older consumers reject patronizing sales interactions and by showing that men are more tolerant of condescendence than women, especially when younger salespeople are involved.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is the use of fictional situations with a selected number of manipulated variables in a simulated sales interaction.

Practical implications

Rejection of a patronizing sales interaction was found to be similar by both genders with an older salesperson. Furthermore, retail shops of technical appliances could prevent potential problems by being cautious of having younger male salespeople interacting with older women customers.

Originality/value

Research on the impact of condescending sales interaction as perceived by older consumers is scarce and has not previously considered the role of customer gender and salesperson age. Beyond investigating the perception of participants to patronizing, the role of the salesperson age and customer gender were investigated.
Identification of study habits and skills associated with the academic performance of Bachelor's degree Food Science and Technology students at the University of León (Spain)
Authors: Renes E. , Prieto B. , López M. , Fresno J. M. , González‐Raurich M. , Tornadijo M. E. , Prieto M. , Álvarez‐Ordóñez A.
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence the academic success or failure of Food Science and Technology students at the University of León (Spain). A questionnaire of 68 questions was distributed among 185 students during the 2017 to 2018 academic year. Those students who were satisfied with passing exams, studied in the library, and/or faced personal problems showed low academic performance. In addition, some factors, such as studying Physics previously, attending class, and/or studying all the topics for the exams, were associated (P < 0.05) positively with the grade point average obtained. Academic performance of the students in the different years of study did not present significant differences (P ≥ 0.05). This study reinforces the need to introduce changes in the current University of León´s education program.
Characterization of putative circular plasmids in sponge‐associated bacterial communities using a selective multiply‐primed rolling circle amplification
Authors: Oliveira Vanessa , Polónia Ana R. M. , Cleary Daniel F. R. , Huang Yusheng M. , de Voogd Nicole J. , da Rocha Ulisses N. , Gomes Newton C. M.
Published: August 2020

Plasmid transfers among bacterial populations can directly influence the ecological adaptation of these populations and their interactions with host species and environment. In this study, we developed a selective multiply‐primed rolling circle amplification (smRCA) approach to enrich and characterize circular plasmid DNA from sponge microbial symbionts via high‐throughput sequencing (HTS). DNA (plasmid and total community DNA) obtained from sponge (Cinachyrella sp.) samples and a bacterial symbiont (Vibrio sp. CyArs1) isolated from the same sponge species (carrying unknown plasmids) were used to develop and validate our methodology. The smRCA was performed during 16 hr with 141 plasmid‐specific primers covering all known circular plasmid groups. The amplified products were purified and subjected to a reamplification with random hexamer primers (2 hr) and then sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. The developed method resulted in the successful amplification and characterization of the sponge plasmidome and allowed us to detect plasmids associated with the bacterial symbiont Vibrio sp. CyArs1 in the sponge host. In addition to this, a large number of small (<2 kbp) and cryptic plasmids were also amplified in sponge samples. Functional analysis identified proteins involved in the control of plasmid partitioning, maintenance and replication. However, most plasmids contained unknown genes, which could potentially serve as a resource of unknown genetic information and novel replication systems. Overall, our results indicate that the smRCA‐HTS approach developed here was able to selectively enrich and characterize plasmids from bacterial isolates and sponge host microbial communities, including plasmids larger than 20 kbp.
Using intrinsic and contextual information associated with automated signal detections to improve call recognizer performance: A case study using the cryptic and critically endangered Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis
Authors: Leseberg Nicholas P. , Venables William N. , Murphy Stephen A. , Watson James E. M.
Published: August 2020

Rapid expansion in the collection of large acoustic datasets to answer ecological questions has generated a parallel requirement for techniques that streamline analysis of these datasets. In many cases, automated signal recognition algorithms, often termed ‘call recognizers’, are the only feasible option for doing this. To date, most research has focused on what types of recognizers perform best, and how to train these recognizers to optimize performance.

We demonstrate that once recognizer construction is complete and the data processed, further improvements are possible using intrinsic and contextual information associated with each detection. We initially construct a call recognizer for the Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis using the r package monitoR, and scan a test dataset. We then examine a number of intrinsic variables associated with each detection generated by the recognizer, and several contextual variables associated with the species' environment and ecology, to determine if they might help predict whether a given detection is a true positive (target signal) or false positive (non‐target signal). We test several logistic regression models incorporating different combinations of intrinsic and contextual variables, selecting the best‐performing model for application. We train the model, using it to calculate the probability each detection is a true or false positive.

Substituting this model‐derived probability for raw recognizer score improved the recognizer's performance, reducing the number of detections requiring proofing by 60% to achieve a recall of 90%, and by 76% to achieve a recall of 75%.

This technique is applicable to any recognizer output, regardless of the underlying algorithm. Application requires an understanding of how the recognizer algorithm determines matches, and knowledge of a species' ecology and environment. Because advanced programming skills and expertise are not required to apply this technique, it will be particularly relevant to field ecologists for whom building and operating call recognizers is an element of their research toolbox, but not necessarily a focus.
colorist: An r package for colouring wildlife distributions in space–time
Authors: Schuetz Justin G. , Strimas‐Mackey Matthew , Auer Tom
Published: August 2020

Maps are essential tools for communicating information about wildlife distributions in space and time. As observational datasets grow and enable description of distributions at broader spatiotemporal extents and finer spatiotemporal resolutions, new opportunities arise for visualizing when and where animals occur.

Here we present a package for the r statistical computing environment, colorist, that facilitates visualization of animal distributions in space and time using raster inputs. In addition to enabling display of sequential change in distributions through the use of small multiples, colorist provides functions for extracting several features of interest from a sequence of distributions and for visualizing those features within an HCL (hue–chroma–luminance) colour space.

Resulting maps allow for ‘fair’ visual comparison of occurrence, abundance or probability density values across space and time and can be used to address questions about where, when and how consistently a species or individual is likely to be found. Functions can also be harnessed to visualize distributions of multiple species or individuals within a single time period when research questions are focused on understanding the degree to which species or individuals partition space.

By colouring temporal features of distributions, while simultaneously controlling their perceptual weight, we expand the set of tools available for exploring wildlife movements through space–time and for communicating research results. We expect colorist functions will prove useful for visualizing other types of multivariate data that we have yet to consider.
High Alcohol–Preferring Mice Show Reaction to Loss of Ethanol Reward Following Repeated Binge Drinking
Authors: Ardinger Cherish E. , Grahame Nicholas J. , Lapish Christopher C. , Linsenbardt David N.
Published: August 2020

Background

Beyond yielding high blood ethanol (EtOH) concentrations (BECs), binge‐drinking models allow examination of drinking patterns which may be associated with EtOH’s rewarding effects, including front‐loading and consummatory successive negative contrast (cSNC), a decrease in intake when only water is available to subjects expecting EtOH. The goals of the current study were to broaden our understanding of these reward‐related behaviors during binge EtOH access in high alcohol–preferring (HAP) replicate lines (HAP2 and HAP3) of mice selectively bred to prefer alcohol. We hypothesized that both lines would show evidence of front‐loading during binge EtOH access and that we would find a cSNC effect in groups where EtOH was replaced with water, as these results have been shown previously in HAP1 mice.

Methods

HAP replicate 2 and replicate 3 female and male mice were given 2 hours of EtOH or water access in the home cage for 15 consecutive days using "drinking in the dark" (DID) procedures. Mice received the same fluid (either 20% unsweetened EtOH or water) for the first 14 days. However, on the 15th day, half of the mice from these 2 groups were provided with the opposite assigned fluid (EtOH groups received water and vice versa). Intake was measured in 1‐minute bins using specialized sipper tubes, which allowed within‐session analyses of binge‐drinking patterns.

Results

EtOH front‐loading was observed in both replicates. HAP3 mice displayed front‐loading on the first day of EtOH access, whereas front‐loading developed following alcohol experience in HAP2 mice, which may suggest differences in initial sensitivity to EtOH reward. Consummatory SNC, which manifests as lower water intake in mice expecting EtOH as compared to mice expecting water, was observed in both replicates.

Conclusions

These findings increase confidence that defined changes in home cage consummatory behavior are driven by the incentive value of EtOH. The presence of cSNC across HAP replicates indicates that this reaction to loss of reward is genetically mediated, which suggests that there is a biological mechanism that might be targeted.
Association of frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination with tobacco withdrawal symptoms and smoking lapse behavior in African Americans
Authors: Bello Mariel S. , Liautaud Madalyn M. , De La Cerda Julianne T. , Pang Raina D. , Ray Lara A. , Ahluwalia Jasjit A. , Leventhal Adam M.
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Frequent experiences of discrimination could increase vulnerability to tobacco withdrawal and smoking lapse in populations subject to tobacco‐related health disparities. This laboratory study (2013–17) examined whether individual differences in perceived exposure to discrimination in one's daily life predicted tobacco withdrawal symptoms and smoking lapse behavior following acute tobacco deprivation in African American smokers.

Design

Mixed design with the between‐subjects continuous variable of perceived discrimination crossed with the within‐subject variable of tobacco deprivation status (deprived versus non‐deprived).

Setting

Academic medical center in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Participants

African American non‐treatment seeking daily cigarette smokers (n = 607, ≥ 10 cig/day).

Measurements

At a baseline visit, self‐reported frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination in one's daily life was measured [everyday discrimination scale (EDDS)]. At two subsequent counterbalanced experimental visits (16‐hour tobacco deprivation versus ad‐libitum smoking), self‐report assessments of various tobacco withdrawal symptom domains [Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges), Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and Current Impulsivity Scale (CIS)) and a behavioral smoking lapse analogue task were measured.

Findings

Adjusted models demonstrated that greater frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination was associated with larger deprivation‐induced increases in acute urges to smoke to alleviate negative mood, several negative mood states and subjective cognitive functioning—effect sizes were small in magnitude (βs = 0.09–0.13; Ps < 0.02). Data were inconclusive for associations between perceived exposure to discrimination and deprivation‐induced changes in cravings, urges to smoke for pleasure, positive mood reduction, other symptoms or smoking reinstatement behavior.

Conclusions

Frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination appears to be modestly associated with increased severity of some deprivation‐induced tobacco withdrawal symptoms in African American smokers.
Mechanical circulatory support for early surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal defect with cardiogenic shock
Authors: Vondran Maximilian , Wehbe Mahmoud S. , Etz Christian , Ghazy Tamer , Rastan Ardawan J. , Borger Michael A. , Schroeter Thomas
Published: August 2020

Postinfarction ventricular septal defect (pVSD) due to acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of primary surgical repair of pVSD in patients with CS and examine whether it is influenced by the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. Between October 1994 and April 2016, primary surgical repair of pVSD complicated by CS was performed in 53 patients. Thirty‐six (68%) were implanted pre‐operatively with an intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP), 4 (8%) with extracorporeal life support (ECLS), and 13 (24%) received no MCS device. Prospectively collected demographic and perioperative data were analyzed retrospectively. All‐cause, 30‐day mortality rates were analyzed and multivariate analysis was performed to differentiate independent risk factors. No pre‐operatively implanted MCS device was able to improve 30‐day survival, whereas pre‐operatively implanted ECLS tended to have a positive effect (P = .106). The post‐operative need for a MCS device or escalation of MCS invasiveness (IABP upgrade to ECLS) was associated with a higher 30‐day mortality (P = .001) compared with patients without any MCS device or those with pre‐operatively implanted MCS devices. An independent risk factor for 30‐day mortality was the interval between acute myocardial infarction and surgery <7 days (OR 5.895, CI 1.615‐21.515; P = .007). Pre‐operative implantation of ECLS for CS tends to improve the outcome of early primary surgical pVSD repair. The need for a post‐operative MCS device is associated with a worse 30‐day survival after early primary surgical pVSD repair.
Pharmacogenetic studies of thiopurine methyltransferase genotype‐phenotype concordance and effect of methotrexate on thiopurine metabolism
Authors: Zimdahl Kahlin Anna , Helander Sara , Wennerstrand Patricia , Vikingsson Svante , Mårtensson Lars‐Göran , Appell Malin Lindqvist
Published: August 2020

The discovery and implementation of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) pharmacogenetics has been a success story and has reduced the suffering from serious adverse reactions during thiopurine treatment of childhood leukaemia and inflammatory bowel disease. This MiniReview summarizes four studies included in Dr Zimdahl Kahlin's doctoral thesis as well as the current knowledge on this field of research. The genotype‐phenotype concordance of TPMT in a cohort of 12 663 individuals with clinically analysed TPMT status is described. Notwithstanding the high concordance, the benefits of combined genotyping and phenotyping for TPMT status determination are discussed. The results from the large cohort also demonstrate that the factors of gender and age affect TPMT enzyme activity. In addition, characterization of four previously undescribed TPMT alleles (TPMT*41, TPMT*42, TPMT*43 and TPMT*44) shows that a defective TPMT enzyme could be caused by several different mechanisms. Moreover, the folate analogue methotrexate (MTX), used in combination with thiopurines during maintenance therapy of childhood leukaemia, affects the metabolism of thiopurines and interacts with TPMT, not only by binding and inhibiting the enzyme activity but also by regulation of its gene expression.
Disordered serum erythroferrone and hepcidin levels as indicators of the spontaneous abortion occurrence during early pregnancy in humans
Authors: Wei Shuting , Liu Wei , Qi Yu , Guo Yifan , Zhang Shuping , Wang Li , Zhuang Taifeng , Zhang Na , Liu Sijin
Published: August 2020

Spontaneous abortion is a common, detrimental outcome of pregnancy, and can be induced by a variety of factors, including pathophysiological conditions and socioeconomic circumstances. Despite numerous studies examining the aetiology of spontaneous abortion, there is limited understanding of the disordered iron transportation between mother and fetus through the placenta. Recently, erythroferrone (ERFE) was recognized as a novel negative regulator of hepcidin that can elevate nutritional iron absorption and macrophagic iron egress for enhanced erythropoiesis. However, its diagnostic significance in different disease conditions associated with iron remains poorly understood. In the current study, we discovered disordered maternal iron homeostasis in women who had spontaneous abortions during early pregnancy, as characterized by increased serum iron and hepcidin levels, and conversely, reduced serum ERFE levels, compared to healthy control individuals and women with normal pregnancy. Comprehensive statistical analyses revealed the correlation between different variables and pregnancy status, signifying the pronounced diagnostic value of an increased ratio of serum hepcidin and ERFE (HE ratio) in recognizing adverse pregnancy status. In contrast to previous non‐selective discrete surrogates, such as iron, hepcidin and ferritin, the HE ratio may otherwise stand for a novel and more representative hallmark for early spontaneous abortion.
Short somatic alterations at the site of copy number variation in breast cancer
Authors: Murakami Fumi , Tsuboi Yumi , Takahashi Yuka , Horimoto Yoshiya , Mogushi Kaoru , Ito Takeshi , Emi Mitsuru , Matsubara Daisuke , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Saito Mitsue , Murakami Yoshinori
Published: August 2020

Copy number variation (CNV) is a polymorphism in the human genome involving DNA fragments larger than 1 kb. Copy number variation sites provide hotspots of somatic alterations in cancers. Herein, we examined somatic alterations at sites of CNV in DNA from 20 invasive breast cancers using a Comparative Genomic Hybridization array specifically designed to detect the genome‐wide CNV status of approximately 412 000 sites. Somatic copy number alterations (CNAs) were detected in 39.9% of the CNV probes examined. The most frequently altered regions were gains of 1q21‐22 (90%), 8q21‐24 (85%), 1q44 (85%), and 3q11 (85%) or losses of 16q22‐24 (80%). Gene ontology analyses of genes within the CNA fragments revealed that cascades related to transcription and RNA metabolism correlated significantly with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positivity and menopausal status. Thirteen of 20 tumors showed CNAs in more than 35% of sites examined and a high prevalence of CNAs correlated significantly with estrogen receptor (ER) negativity, higher nuclear grade (NG), and higher Ki‐67 labeling index. Finally, when CNA fragments were categorized according to their size, CNAs smaller than 10 kb correlated significantly with ER positivity and lower NG, whereas CNAs exceeding 10 Mb correlated with higher NG, ER negativity, and a higher Ki‐67 labeling index. Most of these findings were confirmed or supported by quantitative PCR of representative DNA fragments in 72 additional breast cancers. These results suggest that most CNAs are caused by gain or loss of large chromosomal fragments and correlate with NG and several malignant features, whereas solitary CNAs of less than 10 kb could be involved in ER‐positive breast carcinogenesis.