bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How parties compete (3)
Authors: Webb Paul , Bale Tim
Published: November 2021

Parties in the UK know that party competition is about far more than strategic shifts in ideology calculated to maximize voter appeal. It is also about the day-to-day business of projecting and protecting their reputations in the country’s print, broadcast, and social media, all of which are increasingly interrelated, even inseparable. This chapter explores those images, looking at their potential impact on voters and at how party leaders, the media, and parties’ own marketing efforts help to create and maintain them. It concludes with further multivariate models which broadly confirm the significance for voting behaviour and party competition of the range of factors identified in the first six chapters of this book: ideology, social location, leaders, and the competence and cohesion of political parties all play a part.
The Scale of Empire
Authors: Scheidel Walter
Published: November 2021

Over the long run of history, changes in the geographical and demographic scale of empire add up to an evolutionary profile that casts light on the underlying driving forces. This chapter surveys these dynamics by exploring the spatial reach and duration of empires, their population size, and long-term variation between different parts of the world. It identifies the largest and most populous empires in world history, compares premodern agrarian and modern colonial empires, and links their properties to geographical and ecological conditions. It provides context for the following chapters and helps situate individual cases on a broad spectrum of historical outcomes.
The Return Expectations of Public Pension Funds
Authors: Andonov Aleksandar , Rauh Joshua D
Published: November 2021

The return expectations of public pension funds are positively related to cross-sectional differences in past performance. This positive relation operates through the expected risk premium, rather than the expected risk-free rate or inflation rate. Pension funds act on their beliefs and adjust their portfolio composition accordingly. Persistent investment skills, risk taking, efforts to reduce costly rebalancing, and fiscal incentives from unfunded liabilities cannot fully explain the reliance of expectations on past performance. The results are consistent with extrapolative expectations, since the dependence on past returns is greater when executives have personally experienced longer performance histories with the fund.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Scientific ideologies on the move: Sino-British exchanges, scientific freedoms and the governance of science in Britain, 1961–1966
Authors: Newman Francis
Published: November 2021

In the early 1960s, amidst a period of considerable debate surrounding how civil science in Britain should be governed, British scientists—especially those associated with the Royal Society—and their counterparts in the People's Republic of China (PRC) began tentative exchange programmes. Although such unusual interactions between Cold War adversaries were enabled by claims that science was a universal and apolitical phenomenon, the ways in which institutional and individual participants were embroiled in these domestic debates illuminate how their ideological outlooks shaped their views on exchange and on the science they encountered. By focusing on three interrelated exchanges during this period—an individual scientist's visit to the PRC, a Royal Society delegation to China, and a larger research programme bringing junior Chinese researchers to Britain—I argue that participating British scientists' conceptualizations of ‘scientific freedom’ framed how they judged science in China, and the value of these exchanges; their observations and actions during these interactions reflected their views on domestic British debates over the governance of science. This study thereby sheds light on how the ideological attitudes of participants of science diplomacy shape its practice.
Emotional ego- and altercentric biases in high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: Behavioral and neurophysiological evidence
Authors: Hartmann Helena , Lengersdorff Lukas , Hitz Hannah H. , Stepnicka Philipp , Silani Giorgia
Published: November 2021

Self-other distinction is a crucial aspect of social cognition, as it allows us to differentiate our own mental and emotional states from those of others. Research suggests that this ability might be impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but convincing evidence of self-other distinction deficits in the emotional domain is lacking. Here we aimed at evaluating emotional self-other distinction abilities in adults with and without ASD, in two behavioral pilot studies and one fMRI study. By using a newly developed virtual ball-tossing game that induced simultaneous positive and negative emotional states in each participant and another person, we were able to measure emotional egocentric and altercentric biases (namely the tendency to ascribe self-/other-related emotions to others/ourselves, respectively). Despite no behavioral differences, individuals with ASD showed decreased activation 1) in the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) during active overcoming of the emotional egocentric bias vs. passive game viewing, and 2) in the right supramarginal gyrus (rSMG) during ego-vs. altercentric biases, compared to neurotypical participants. These results suggest a different recruitment of these two regions in ASD when dealing with conflicting emotional states of oneself and another person. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of considering different control conditions when interpreting the involvement of rTPJ and rSMG during self-other distinction processes.
CINmetrics: An R package for chromosomal instability analysis
Authors: Oza Vishal H. , Fisher Jennifer L. , Darji Roshan , Lasseigne Brittany N.
Published: November 2021

Genomic instability is an important hallmark of cancer and more recently has been identified in others like neurodegenrative diseases. Chromosomal instability, as a measure of genomic instability, has been used to characterize clinical and biological phenotypes associated with these diseases by measuring structural and numerical chromosomal alterations. There have been multiple chromosomal instability scores developed across many studies in the literature; however, these scores have not been compared because of the lack of a single tool available to calculate and facilitate these various metrics. Here, we provide an R package CINmetrics, that calculates six different chromosomal instability scores and allows direct comparison between them. We also demonstrate how these scores differ by applying CINmetrics to breast cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The package is available on CRAN athttps://cran.r-project.org/package=CINmetricsand on github athttps://github.com/lasseignelab/CINmetrics.
Reconstructing heterogeneous pathogen interactions from co-occurrence data via statistical network inference
Authors: Man Irene , Benincà Elisa , Kretzschmar Mirjam E. , Bogaards Johannes A.
Published: November 2021

Infectious diseases often involve multiple pathogen species or multiple strains of the same pathogen. As such, knowledge of how different pathogen species or pathogen strains interact is key to understand and predict the outcome of interventions that target only a single pathogen or subset of strains involved in disease. While population-level data have been used to infer pathogen strain interactions, most previously used inference methods only consider uniform interactions between all strains, or focus on marginal interactions between pairs of strains (without correction for indirect interactions through other strains). Here, we evaluate whether statistical network inference could be useful for reconstructing heterogeneous interaction networks from cross-sectional surveys tracking co-occurrence of multi-strain pathogens. To this end, we applied a suite of network models to data simulating endemic infection states of pathogen strains. Satisfactory performance was demonstrated by unbiased estimation of interaction parameters for large sample size. Accurate reconstruction of networks may require regularization or penalizing for sample size. Of note, performance deteriorated in the presence of host heterogeneity, but this could be overcome by correcting for individual-level risk factors. Our work demonstrates how statistical network inference could prove useful for detecting pathogen interactions and may have implications beyond epidemiology.
Transgenerational effects decrease larval resilience to ocean acidification & warming but juvenile European sea bass could benefit from higher temperatures in the NE Atlantic
Authors: Howald Sarah , Moyano Marta , Crespel Amélie , Cominassi Louise , Claireaux Guy , Peck Myron A. , Mark Felix C.
Published: November 2021

1.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ocean acidification (OA) and warming (OW) as well as the transgenerational effect of OA on larval and juvenile growth and metabolism of a large economically important fish species with a long generation time. Therefore we incubated European sea bass from Brittany (France) for two generations (>5 years in total) under current and predicted OA conditions (PCO2: 650 and 1700 µatm). In the F1 generation both OA condition were crossed with OW (temperature: 15-18°C and 20-23°C). We found that OA alone did not affect larval or juvenile growth and OW increased developmental time and growth rates, but OAW decreased larval size at metamorphosis. Larval routine metabolic rate (RMR) and juvenile standard metabolic rate (SMR) were significantly lower in cold compared to warm conditioned fish and also lower in F0 compared to F1 fish. We did not find any effect of OA on RMR or SMR. JuvenilePO2critwas not affected by OA, OW or OAW in both generations.

We discuss the potential underlying mechanisms resulting in beneficial effects of OW on F1 larval growth and RMR and in resilience of F0 and F1 larvae and juveniles to OA, but on the other hand resulting in vulnerability of F1, but not F0 larvae to OAW.. With regard to the ecological perspective, we conclude that recruitment of larvae and early juveniles to nursery areas might decrease under OAW conditions but individuals reaching juvenile phase might benefit from increased performance at higher temperatures.

Summary statement

We found that OA did not affect developmental time, growth, RMR and SMR, while OW increased these traits. OAW decreased larval size at metamorphosis. We discuss underlying mechanisms and the ecological perspective resulting from these results and conclude that recruitment to nursery areas might decrease under OAW conditions but individuals reaching juvenile phase might benefit from increased performance at higher temperatures in Atlantic waters.
Critical role of H3K27 methylation in cell fate determination of two cell lineages in male gametophyte
Authors: Huang Xiaorong , Sun Meng-Xiang
Published: November 2021

During angiosperm male gametogenesis, microspores divide to produce a vegetative cell (VC) and a male germline (MG), each with a distinct cell fate. How the MG cell/VC fate is determined remains largely unknown. Here, we report that H3K27me3 is essential for VC fate commitment and H3K27me3 erasure contributes to the MG cell fate initiation in male gametophyte of Arabidopsis. The VC-targeted H3K27me3 erasure disturbed the VC development and resulted in the VC fate shifting towards a gamete destination, which suggests that MG cells require H3K27me3 erasure for triggering the gamete cell fate. Multi-omics and cytologic analysis confirmed the occurrence of extensive cell identity transition due to H3K27me3 erasure. Therefore, we experimentally confirm that the MG cell/VC fate is epigenetically regulated. The H3K27 methylation plays a critical role in the guidance of MG cell/VC fate determination for pollen fertility in Arabidopsis. Our work also provides new evidences for two previous hypotheses that the germline cell fate is specified by the differential distribution of yet unknown determinant, and VC maintains the microspore’s default program, namely the H3K27me3 setting, whereas MG requires reprogramming.
Unraveling the spatiotemporal spread of COVID-19 in Brazil through spatial network connectivity
Authors: Barrozo Ligia V , Small Christopher
Published: November 2021

Background

Describing and understanding the process of diffusion can allow local managers better plan emergence scenarios. Thus, the main aim of this study was to describe and unveil the spatiotemporal patterns of diffusion of the COVID-19 in Brazil from February 2020 until April 2021.

Methods

This is a retrospective purely observational ecologic study including all notified cases and deaths. We used satellite-derived night light imagery and spatiotemporal Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis to quantify the spatial network structure of lighted development and the spatiotemporal transmission of the pathogen through the network.

Results

The more populous state capitals within the largest network components presented higher frequency of deaths and earlier onset compared to the increasing numbers of smaller, less populous municipalities trending toward lower frequency of deaths and later onset. By week 48 2020, the full network was almost completely affected. Cases and deaths showed a distinct second wave of wider geographic expansion beginning in early November 2020.

Conclusions

The spatiotemporal diffusion in Brazil was characterized by an intertwined process of overseas relocation, hierarchical network transmission and contagious effects. A rapid response as the immediate control of all ports, airports and borders combined with mandatory quarantine are critical to retard disease diffusion.
Optimal information loading into working memory in prefrontal cortex explains dynamic coding
Authors: Stroud Jake P. , Watanabe Kei , Suzuki Takafumi , Stokes Mark G. , Lengyel Máté
Published: November 2021

Working memory involves the short-term maintenance of information and is critical in many tasks. The neural circuit dynamics underlying working memory remain poorly understood, with different aspects of prefrontal cortical (PFC) responses explained by different putative mechanisms. By mathematical analysis, numerical simulations, and using recordings from monkey PFC, we investigate a critical but hitherto ignored aspect of working memory dynamics: information loading. We find that, contrary to common assumptions, optimal loading of information into working memory involves inputs that are largely orthogonal, rather than similar, to the persistent activities observed during memory maintenance, naturally leading to the widely observed phenomenon of dynamic coding in PFC. Using a novel, theoretically principled metric, we show that PFC exhibits the hallmarks of optimal information loading. We also find that optimal loading emerges as a general dynamical strategy in task-optimized recurrent neural networks. Our theory unifies previous, seemingly conflicting theories of memory maintenance based on attractor or purely sequential dynamics, and reveals a normative principle underlying dynamic coding.
Occurrence, antimicrobial resistance pattern and molecular characterization ofListeria monocytogenesisolated from bovine’s milk and meat in Mekelle City, Ethiopia
Authors: Kidanu Tesfay Hailu , Gugsa Getachew , Redda Yisehak Tsegaye , Ahmed Meselu , Awol Nesibu
Published: November 2021

Listeria monocytogenesis an opportunistic and emerging foodborne zoonotic pathogen that encompasses a diversity of strains with varied virulence and can cause serious human and animal infections worldwide with low incidence but high hospitalization and case fatality rates. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016 to June 2017 to estimate the molecular epidemiology ofL. monocytogenesand its serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance pattern of isolates in Mekelle City. A total of 768 (384 of milk and 384 meat) samples of bovine origin were collected using a purposive random sampling technique. Isolation and identification ofL. monocytogeneswas done according to standard and recommended bacteriological procedures. Genome-based confirmation of each isolate was performed at species and serovar levels by targetingIap, Imo0737, ORF2819andORF2110 genesusing specific primers.In vitroantimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using agar plate antibiotic disk diffusion method. The overall prevalence ofL. monocytogeneswas 26 (3.39%). Sample type prevalence rates ofL. monocytogeneswere 4.17 % and 2.6% in meat and milk samples, respectively. There was a statically significant difference (p<0.05) on the prevalence rates of the organism in meat samples collected from abattoir (1.67%), butcher shops (8.33%), and restaurants (8.33%). Serovars that were identified were belonged to 1/2b and 4b. Large proportions of isolates were highly susceptible to Ampicillin (88.46%) and Vancomycin (84.62%). However, the isolates had shown the highest level of resistance against Nalidixic Acid (96.15%). The highest intermediate was observed to Amoxicillin (57.69%). Moreover, 42.31% of the isolates were developed resistance for more than two drugs. Hence, both its occurrence and development of a multi-drug resistance indicated that, a coordinated effort is imperative to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by this pathogen in food chains and on controlled and careful use of antimicrobials both in veterinary and human treatment regimes.
Genome-wide screen uncovers novel pathways for tRNA processing and nuclear–cytoplasmic dynamics
Authors: Wu Jingyan , Bao Alicia , Chatterjee Kunal , Wan Yao , Hopper Anita K.
Published: November 2021

Transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs) are essential for protein synthesis. However, key gene products involved in tRNA biogenesis and subcellular movement remain to be discovered. We conducted the first comprehensive unbiased analysis of the role of nearly an entire proteome in tRNA biology and describe 162 novel and 12 previously known Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene products that function in tRNA processing, turnover, and subcellular movement. tRNA nuclear export is of particular interest because it is essential, but the known tRNA exporters (Los1 [exportin-t] and Msn5 [exportin-5]) are unessential. We report that mutations of CRM1 (Exportin-1), MEX67/MTR2 (TAP/p15), and five nucleoporins cause accumulation of unspliced tRNA, a hallmark of defective tRNA nuclear export. CRM1 mutation genetically interacts with los1Δ and causes altered tRNA nuclear–cytoplasmic distribution. The data implicate roles for the protein and mRNA nuclear export machineries in tRNA nuclear export. Mutations of genes encoding actin cytoskeleton components and mitochondrial outer membrane proteins also cause accumulation of unspliced tRNA, likely due to defective splicing on mitochondria. Additional gene products, such as chromatin modification enzymes, have unanticipated effects on pre-tRNA end processing. Thus, this genome-wide screen uncovered putative novel pathways for tRNA nuclear export and extensive links between tRNA biology and other aspects of cell physiology.
Evolution and function of genomic imprinting in plants
Authors: Rodrigues Jessica A. , Zilberman Daniel
Published: November 2021

Genomic imprinting, an inherently epigenetic phenomenon defined by parent of origin-dependent gene expression, is observed in mammals and flowering plants. Genome-scale surveys of imprinted expression and the underlying differential epigenetic marks have led to the discovery of hundreds of imprinted plant genes and confirmed DNA and histone methylation as key regulators of plant imprinting. However, the biological roles of the vast majority of imprinted plant genes are unknown, and the evolutionary forces shaping plant imprinting remain rather opaque. Here, we review the mechanisms of plant genomic imprinting and discuss theories of imprinting evolution and biological significance in light of recent findings.
Context-dependent functional compensation between Ythdf m6A reader proteins
Authors: Lasman Lior , Krupalnik Vladislav , Viukov Sergey , Mor Nofar , Aguilera-Castrejon Alejandro , Schneir Dan , Bayerl Jonathan , Mizrahi Orel , Peles Shani , Tawil Shadi , Sathe Shashank , Nachshon Aharon , Shani Tom , Zerbib Mirie , Kilimnik Itay , Aigner Stefan , Shankar Archana , Mueller Jasmine R. , Schwartz Schraga , Stern-Ginossar Noam , Yeo Gene W. , Geula Shay , Novershtern Noa , Hanna Jacob H.
Published: November 2021

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent post-transcriptional mRNA modification, regulating mRNA decay and splicing. It plays a major role during normal development, differentiation, and disease progression. The modification is regulated by a set of writer, eraser, and reader proteins. The YTH domain family of proteins consists of three homologous m6A-binding proteins, Ythdf1, Ythdf2, and Ythdf3, which were suggested to have different cellular functions. However, their sequence similarity and their tendency to bind the same targets suggest that they may have overlapping roles. We systematically knocked out (KO) the Mettl3 writer, each of the Ythdf readers, and the three readers together (triple-KO). We then estimated the effect in vivo in mouse gametogenesis, postnatal viability, and in vitro in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). In gametogenesis, Mettl3-KO severity is increased as the deletion occurs earlier in the process, and Ythdf2 has a dominant role that cannot be compensated by Ythdf1 or Ythdf3, due to differences in readers’ expression pattern across different cell types, both in quantity and in spatial location. Knocking out the three readers together and systematically testing viable offspring genotypes revealed a redundancy in the readers’ role during early development that is Ythdf1/2/3 gene dosage-dependent. Finally, in mESCs there is compensation between the three Ythdf reader proteins, since the resistance to differentiate and the significant effect on mRNA decay occur only in the triple-KO cells and not in the single KOs. Thus, we suggest a new model for the Ythdf readers function, in which there is profound dosage-dependent redundancy when all three readers are equivalently coexpressed in the same cell types.
The critical success factors to remote development of construction management skills and competencies in Nigeria
Authors: Onyia Uzor , Egbu Charles , Suresh Subashini , Renukappa Suresh
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Construction management skills and competencies (CMSC) are of greatest importance for the industry to succeed and thrive. Some factors are critical to CSMC development. Hence, following the restrictions occasioned by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, this study reviewed and examined these factors to understand their level of influence in the remote development of CMSC adopted by the industry within and post the disruptions induced by the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative and descriptive research method. Data were sourced from 155 completed and usable survey questionnaires with registered and licensed engineering and construction professionals practicing in both private and public sectors in Nigeria. Participants were drawn from the membership database of the Nigeria Society of Engineers.

Findings

The identified critical success factors (CSFs) are categorised into organisational factors which include leadership, engineering project networks and eLearning, measurement and review system, strategy and resources, organisational culture, tradition and structure. In addition to individual factors in this order of influence; willingness to learn, promotion and career development, obtaining certified qualification and obtaining respect of peers are CSFs of remote development of CMSC in Nigeria.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to identify and examine the CSFs to remote development of CMSC tailored to developing countries in Africa. It explored the two categories of CSFs in both remote and traditional CMSC developments and established that the organisational factors remain positively dominants in traditional as well as in remote development of CMSC. It further ranked the individual factors in their order of influence in Nigeria, offered insights into motivation of construction management trainees in developing countries and offered areas of improvements such as quality of training and certification.
Psychological and the physical health impacts of forensic workplace trauma
Authors: Mistry Dipti , Gozna Lynsey , Cassidy Tony
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Health-care professionals working in inpatient forensic mental health settings are exposed to a range of traumatic and distressing incidents with impacts discussed variously as “burnout”, “compassion fatigue”, “secondary trauma stress” and “vicarious traumatisation”. This study aims to explore the short- and long-term psychological and physical health effects of trauma exposure in the workplace for frontline staff in a forensic setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 nursing staff members working in the male personality disorders care stream in a Medium Secure Hospital.

Findings

Thematic analysis yielded five themes: categories of trauma; how well-being is impacted; ways of coping and managing; protective factors; and systemic factors, with sub-themes within each of the superordinate themes.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that some staff members were affected both physically and psychologically as a result of trauma-focused work whereas other staff members were unaffected. The psychological and physical health effects were broadly short-term; however, long-term effects on staff member’s social networks and desensitisation to working conditions were observed. A broad range of coping methods were identified that supported staff member’s well-being, which included both individual and organisational factors. Staff member’s health is impacted by exposure to workplace trauma either directly or indirectly through exposure to material, and there is a greater need to support staff members after routine organisational provisions are complete. Staff should receive education and training on the possible health effects associated with exposure to potentially traumatic material and events.

Originality/value

This research has further contributed to understanding the staff needs of nursing staff members working with the forensic personality disorder patients within a secure hospital setting. This research has identified the following service developments: the need for ongoing support particularly after organisational provisions are complete; further prospects to engage in psychological formulations; greater opportunities for informal supervision forums; staff training to understand the potential health impact associated with trauma-focused work; supervisors being appropriately trained and supported to elicit impacts of trauma-focused work on staff members; and additional opportunities to discuss well-being or monitor well-being.
A temperature-insensitive FBG acceleration sensor with sinusoid-shaped curved beams
Authors: Qiu Zhongchao , Mu Ruwang , Zhang Yuzi , Li Yanan , Teng Yuntian , Hong Li
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to solve the problem of temperature cross sensitivity of fiber Bragg grating in structural health monitoring, proposing a novel acceleration sensor based on strain chirp effect which is insensitive to temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

A kind of M-shaped double cantilever beam structure is developed. The fiber grating is pasted in the gradient strain region of the beam, and the chirp effect is produced under the action of non-uniform stress, and then the change of acceleration is converted into the change of reflection bandwidth to demodulate and eliminate the temperature interference. Through theoretical analysis, simulation and experimental verification with rectangular beam sensor.

Findings

The results show that the sinusoidal curvature beam sensor is insensitive to the change of temperature and is more likely to produce chirp effect. The sensitivity is about 317 pm/g, and the natural frequency is 56 Hz.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an insensitive to temperature changes sensor which has effectively solved the temperature cross-sensitivity problem in building structure health monitoring.
Effect of anxiety on COVID‐19 infection in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Ozkan Kurtgoz Pervin , Sackan Fatih , Kızılarslanoglu Muhammet Cemal , Bilgin Ozlem , Guney Ibrahim
Published: November 2021

Some evidence suggests that anxiety deteriorate the immune system. We aimed to determine the effect of anxiety on COVID‐19 infection in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Our study was conducted with 80 HD patients. State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) questionnaires were administered between April 15 and May 1, 2020. These patients were followed up for about 8 months and COVID‐19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates were recorded. Twenty‐one (26%) of the patients were diagnosed with COVID‐19 infection. Fourteen out of twenty one (66.6%) of the patients were hospitalized, and 8/21 (38%) of them died due to COVID‐19. STAI‐S (p= 0.006) and BAI (p= 0.021) scores were found to be higher and STAI‐T (p= 0.040) score was found to be lower in HD patients who were infected with COVID‐19 compared to without, at the follow‐up period. It might be concluded in this study that COVID‐19 was more common in anxious HD patients.
mRNA vaccines against COVID‐19: a showcase for the importance of microbial biotechnology
Authors: Brüssow Harald
Published: November 2021

Pfizer‐BioNTech and Moderna developed in record time mRNA vaccines against COVID‐19 of high efficacy. The modest protection achieved with a similarly designed mRNA from CureVac underlines the importance of biotechnological details in formulation such as replacement of uridine by pseudouridine in the mRNA encoding the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein or the lipid composition of the nanoparticle coating the mRNA. Phase 3 vaccine trials and vaccine studies in special subject groups as well observational studies in whole populations confirmed the real‐world vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease, particularly against severe COVID‐19 cases and to a lesser extent against mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. mRNA vaccine protection extended also to the alpha and beta variant viruses. The surge of delta variants led to an increase of infections and cases even in populations which achieved high vaccine coverage. This efficacy decline resulted to a lesser extent from a weaker neutralization of the delta variant but mostly from a waning vaccine protection over time. Data from Israel documented the efficacy of a third ‘booster’ injection 5 months after the second injection in older segments of the population. Adverse reactions consisted of transient injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, fever and chills. Extensive surveillance studies documented a good safety profile revealing only a non‐significant increase in transient facial nerve paralysis and a significant, but modest increase in myocarditis in vaccinated young males that was lower than the myocarditis risk induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Does variability in automated perfusion software outputs for acute ischemic stroke matter? Reanalysis of EXTEND perfusion imaging
Authors: Bivard Andrew , Churilov Leonid , Ma Henry , Levi Christopher , Campbell Bruce , Yassi Nawaf , Meretoja Atte , Zhao Henry , Sharma Gagan , Chen Chushuang , Davis Stephen , Donnan Geoffrey , Yan Bernard , Parsons Mark ,   the EXTEND investigators
Published: November 2021

Aims

We reprocessed the Extending the time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits (EXTEND) perfusion imaging with a different automated software with the aim of comparing mismatch eligibility and outcomes.

Methods

EXTEND baseline perfusion imaging data were reprocessed using autoMIStar software to identify patients who were eligible based on the same target mismatch criteria as per the original trial.

Results

From the 225 patients fulfilling RAPID‐based mismatch criteria randomized in the EXTEND study, 196 (87%) patients met the revised mismatch criteria. Most common reasons for not meeting revised criteria were core >70 ml (n = 9), and no perfusion lesion/lack of penumbral tissue (n = 20). The revised perfusion lesion volumes were significantly smaller compared to the original RAPID volumes (median 68 ml IQR 34–102 ml vs. 42 ml 16–92 ml, p = 0.036). Of the patients who met the revised mismatch criteria, 40% receiving alteplase had modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–1 at 3‐month compared to 28% with placebo (Adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.23, CI 1.08–4.58, p = 0.028). In contrast, in the original mismatch cohort, 35% receiving alteplase had mRS 0–1 at 3‐month compared to 30% with placebo (adjusted OR = 1.88, p = 0.056).

Conclusions

These data reinforce the benefit of alteplase in the later time window, and suggest that differences in automated perfusion imaging software outputs may be clinically relevant.
Molecular analyses revealed three morphologically similar species of non‐native apple snails and their patterns of distribution in freshwater wetlands of Hong Kong
Authors: Yang Qian‐Qian , Ip Jack Chi‐Ho , Zhao Xing‐Xing , Li Jia‐Nan , Jin Yu‐Jie , Yu Xiao‐Ping , Qiu Jian‐Wen
Published: November 2021

Aim

Effective control of invasive species and conservation of native biodiversity requires accurate species identification. Several species of apple snails (Ampullariidae: Pomacea) from South America have become widespread pests in Asia since their introduction in the early 1980s, but their taxonomic uncertainty has hindered our understanding of the invasive processes. We aim to determine the identity and distribution of Pomacea species in Hong Kong, which has been known as a stepping stone of species invasion.

Location

Hong Kong.

Methods

We collected 162 apple snails from five freshwater wetlands of Hong Kong, sequenced the mitochondrial COI, genotyped the nuclear EF1α and built a COI dataset of 1378 sequences of apple snails from mainland China, Malaysia, Argentina and Brazil. We identified the species, determine the introgression pattern and analysed their population structures.

Results

We found the co‐occurrence of P. canaliculata, P. maculata and P. occulta in Hong Kong for the first time. Pomacea canaliculata represented the dominant species (85% of collected specimens). The three Pomacea species from Hong Kong had low genetic diversity. High genetic similarity existed between P. canaliculata populations of Hong Kong and Malaysia, P. occulta populations of Hong Kong and mainland China and P. maculata populations of mainland China and Malaysia. Our samples contained a high proportion of hybrids.

Main conclusions

Apple snails may have been introduced into Hong Kong multiple times: both P. canaliculata and P. occulta likely came from Argentina; P. maculata came from both Argentina and Brazil. Genetic drift largely explains the differentiation of Pomacea spp. among regions. Introgressive hybridization may have contributed to population fitness by increasing genetic variation to neutralize the founder effect. The knowledge on species identity, distribution and genetic diversity of apple snails from this study will contribute to better understanding their invasive mechanisms and prevention of their continued spread in Asia.
An investigation of the nonlinear creep damage accumulation of different materials: Application of a novel damage model
Authors: Zhao Xu , Niu Xuming , Song Yingdong , Sun Zhigang
Published: November 2021

Variable creep load is one of the most important failure modes for the hot components in aero‐engines. To accurately predict creep damage and remaining life, a novel nonlinear creep damage accumulation model was proposed based on the Wilshire equation and isodamage line, which takes the influence of load history into account and uses ultimate tensile strength to compensate the temperature effect. Two‐step loading experimental results of GH4169, X8CrNiMoNb‐16‐16, Al‐99.98, and Sn‐3.5Ag‐0.5Cu were utilized to verify the accuracy of the proposed model and to compare it with the existing models (i.e., Pavlou, Batsoulas, Hu, and time fraction models). It was determined that the novel model was better at predicting damage accumulation than all others model. Furthermore, two cases of damage evolution process exist for different materials under the same variable loading conditions.
Searching for the causes of decline in the Dutch population of European Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur)
Authors: de Vries E. H. J. (Lisenka) , Foppen Ruud P. B. , van der Jeugd Henk , Jongejans Eelke
Published: November 2021

European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur have experienced a sharp decline in population numbers over past decades. Much uncertainty exists about the main cause or causes. Several pressures have been suggested, but because they affect different stages of the life cycle of the Turtle Dove, it is difficult to compare their contributions to the population decline. Here we applied a full life cycle approach to study how different pressures may have resulted in the decline. This was achieved by combining a review of existing literature on possible threats, pressures and the vital rates they concerned, with the analysis of an age‐structured matrix model. The population model was parameterized using estimates from a mark–recapture analysis and supplemented with vital rate estimates from the literature. Comparison with a Life Table Response Experiment (LTRE) was used to determine whether the Turtle Dove literature focuses on those vital rates in which the most important changes have taken place over time. The population model projected a similar decline to that observed in population counts. The LTRE analysis showed that declines in the number of clutches (halved since the 1960s) and in juvenile survival (relative annual rate of change of –1.33% since the 1950s) contributed most to the decline in the projected population growth rate. Although these vital rates are often reported as possible causes of population decline, the reviewed studies often focused on specific reproductive stages, such as egg survival or nestling survival, which did not show a large temporal change. Thus, there is a partial mismatch between our modelling results and the focus in the literature. Juvenile survival is thought to be affected by hunting, degradation of wintering habitat and infection with Trichomonas gallinae, and loss of foraging habitat seems to affect the number of clutches. The focus of conservation measures should therefore be on these threats and pressures. The first steps have already been taken with the completion of the international single species action plan for the conservation of the Turtle Dove and the implementation of the first conservation measures on the breeding grounds.
Normothermic machine perfusion attenuates hepatic ischaemia‐reperfusion injury by inhibiting CIRP‐mediated oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission
Authors: Liu Wenyan , Fan Yang , Ding Hongfan , Han Dan , Yan Yang , Wu Rongqian , Lv Yi , Zheng Xinglong
Published: November 2021

Extracellular cold‐inducible RNA‐binding protein (CIRP) is a proinflammatory mediator that aggravates ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) could effectively alleviate the IRI of the liver, but the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. We show that human DCD livers secreted a large amount of CIRP during static cold storage (CS), which is released into the circulation after reperfusion. The expression of CIRP was related to postoperative IL‐6 levels and liver function. In a rat model, the CIRP expression was upregulated during warm ischaemia and cold storage. Then, rat DCD livers were preserved using CS, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) and NMP. C23, a CIRP inhibitor, was administrated in the HOPE group. Compared with CS, NMP significantly inhibited CIRP expression and decreased oxidative stress by downregulating NADPH oxidase and upregulating UCP2. NMP markedly inhibited the mitochondrial fission‐related proteins Drp‐1 and Fis‐1. Further, NMP increased the mitochondrial biogenesis‐related protein, TFAM. NMP significantly reduced inflammatory reactions and apoptosis after reperfusion, and NMP‐preserved liver tissue had higher bile secretion and ICG metabolism compared to the CS group. Moreover, C23 administration attenuated IRI in the HOPE group. Additionally, HL‐7702 cells were stimulated with rhCIRP and C23. High rhCIRP levels increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. In summary, NMP attenuates the IRI of DCD liver by inhibiting CIRP‐mediated oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission.
Improving and maintaining healthy lifestyles are associated with a lower risk of diabetes: A large cohort study
Authors: Kuwahara Keisuke , Yamamoto Shuichiro , Honda Toru , Nakagawa Tohru , Ishikawa Hirono , Hayashi Takeshi , Mizoue Tetsuya
Published: November 2021

Aims

It is well known that healthy lifestyles measured at one time‐point are inversely associated with diabetes risk. The impact of transitions in combined lifestyles in real settings remains unknown.

Materials and Methods

The trajectory patterns of combined lifestyles over three years were identified using group‐based trajectory modeling in 26,647 adults in Japan. Two types of indices (not having the unhealthy lifestyle [easy goal] and having healthiest lifestyles [challenging goal]) were developed using five lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, sleep duration, and body weight control. This index was calculated using the yearly total score (0–5; higher score indicated healthier lifestyles). Diabetes was defined by high plasma glucose level, high hemoglobin A1c level, and self‐report.

Results

Five trajectory patterns were identified for each index and it was shown that healthier patterns are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes during 6.6 years of average follow‐up. For example, with a challenging‐goal, compared with a persistently very unhealthy pattern, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.65 (0.59, 0.73), 0.50 (0.39, 0.64), 0.43 (0.38, 0.48), and 0.33 (0.27, 0.41) for ‘persistently unhealthy’, ‘improved from unhealthy to moderately healthy’, ‘persistently moderately healthy’, and ‘persistently mostly healthy’ patterns, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data reinforce the importance of improving and maintaining health‐related lifestyles to prevent diabetes.
Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment outcome of fungal endocarditis: A systematic review of reported cases
Authors: Meena Durga Shankar , Kumar Deepak , Agarwal Madhulata , Bohra Gopal Krishana , Choudhary Rahul , Samantaray Subhashree , Sharma Shivang , Midha Naresh , Garg Mahendra Kumar
Published: November 2021

The landscape of fungal endocarditis (FE) has constantly been evolving in the last few decades. Despite the advancement in diagnostic methods and the introduction of newer antifungals, mortality remains high in FE. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in patients with FE. We also aim to examine the aforementioned factors as a determinant of mortality in FE. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, and all patients ≥18 years with proven fungal endocarditis were included. A total of 220 articles (250 patients) were included in the final analysis. Candida was the commonest aetiology (49.6%), followed by Aspergillus (30%) and Scedosporium species (3.2%). The proportion of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and intravenous drug users was 35.2% and 16%, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 40%. On multivariate analysis, Aspergillus endocarditis (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4‐9.7; p = .009) and immunocompromised state (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.24‐6.3; p = .013) were independently associated with mortality. Patients treated with surgery along antifungals had better survival (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09‐0.42; p < .001) compared to those treated with antifungals alone. Recurrence of FE was reported in 10.4% of patients. In conclusion, FE carries significant mortality, particularly in immunodeficient and Aspergillus endocarditis. We advocate the use of surgery combined with antifungals to improve clinical outcomes.
Rapid improvement of skin lesions in CHILD syndrome with topical 5% simvastatin ointment
Authors: Kallis Penelope , Bisbee Elizabeth , Garganta Cheryl , Schoch Jennifer J.
Published: November 2021

Congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects (CHILD) syndrome is a rare X‐linked dominant disorder of cholesterol synthesis characterized by unilateral ichthyosiform dermatitis with ipsilateral limb hypoplasia. Recently, pathogenesis‐based treatment has demonstrated improvement of skin lesions with statins by decreasing formation of cholesterol intermediates through inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. We report a 10‐month‐old girl who presented with unilateral scaly ptychotropic plaques, who experienced rapid, near‐complete clearance with topical 5% simvastatin monotherapy twice daily.
Gene expression profiling reveals transcription factor networks and subgenome bias during Brassica napus seed development
Authors: Khan Deirdre , Ziegler Dylan J. , Kalichuk Jenna L. , Hoi Vanessa , Huynh Nina , Hajihassani Abolfazl , Parkin Isobel A. P. , Robinson Stephen J. , Belmonte Mark F.
Published: November 2021

We profiled the global gene expression landscape across the reproductive lifecycle of Brassica napus. Comparative analysis of this nascent amphidiploid revealed the contribution of each subgenome to plant reproduction. Whole‐genome transcription factor networks identified BZIP11 as a transcriptional regulator of early B. napus seed development. Knockdown of BZIP11 using RNA interference resulted in a similar reduction in gene activity of predicted gene targets, and a reproductive‐lethal phenotype. Global mRNA profiling revealed lower accumulation of Cn subgenome transcripts relative to the An subgenome. Subgenome‐specific transcription factor networks identified distinct transcription factor families enriched in each of the An and Cn subgenomes early in seed development. Analysis of laser‐microdissected seed subregions further reveal subgenome expression dynamics in the embryo, endosperm and seed coat of early stage seeds. Transcription factors predicted to be regulators encoded by the An subgenome are expressed primarily in the seed coat, whereas regulators encoded by the Cn subgenome were expressed primarily in the embryo. Data suggest subgenome bias are characteristic features of the B. napus seed throughout development, and that such bias might not be universal across the embryo, endosperm and seed coat of the developing seed. Transcriptional networks spanning both the An and Cn genomes of the whole B. napus seed can identify valuable targets for seed development research and that ‐omics level approaches to studying gene regulation in B. napus can benefit from both broad and high‐resolution analyses.