bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policies in Hard Times: Assessing the Impact of Financial Crises on Structural Reforms
Authors: Gokmen Gunes , Nannicini Tommaso , Gaetano Onorato Massimiliano , Papageorgiou Chris
Published: March 2021

It is argued that crises open up a window of opportunity to implement policies that otherwise would not have the necessary political backing. We show that not only is the crises–reforms nexus unfounded in the data, but rather crises are associated with a reversal of liberalisation interventions depending on the institutional environment. We find that, in democratic countries, crises occurrences have no significant impact on liberalisation measures. On the contrary, after a crisis, autocracies reduce liberalisation in multiple economic sectors, which we interpret as the fear of regime change leading non-democratic rulers to please vested economic interests.
Fraud Deterrence Institutions Reduce Intrinsic Honesty
Authors: Galeotti Fabio , Maggian Valeria , Villeval Marie Claire
Published: March 2021

The impact of deterrence institutions beyond their immediate scope of application is unknown. Using a quasi-experiment with naturally occurring variation in inspections, we found evidence of spillover effects across contexts. We identified fraudsters and non-fraudsters on public transport who were or not exposed to ticket inspections. We measured the intrinsic honesty of the same persons in a new context where they could misappropriate money. Instead of having an educative effect across contexts, the exposure to deterrence practices increased unethical behaviour of fraudsters but also, strikingly, of non-fraudsters. Learning about the prevailing norm is the likely channel of this spillover effect.
Immediate post-procedural functional assessment of percutaneous coronary intervention: current evidence and future directions
Authors: Ding Daixin , Huang Jiayue , Westra Jelmer , Cohen David Joel , Chen Yundai , Andersen Birgitte Krogsgaard , Holm Niels Ramsing , Xu Bo , Tu Shengxian , Wijns William
Published: March 2021

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guided by coronary physiology provides symptomatic benefit and improves patient outcomes. Nevertheless, over one-fourth of patients still experience recurrent angina or major adverse cardiac events following the index procedure. Coronary angiography, the current workhorse for evaluating PCI efficacy, has limited ability to identify suboptimal PCI results. Accumulating evidence supports the usefulness of immediate post-procedural functional assessment. This review discusses the incidence and possible mechanisms behind a suboptimal physiology immediately after PCI. Furthermore, we summarize the current evidence base supporting the usefulness of immediate post-PCI functional assessment for evaluating PCI effectiveness, guiding PCI optimization, and predicting clinical outcomes. Multiple observational studies and post hoc analyses of datasets from randomized trials demonstrated that higher post-PCI functional results are associated with better clinical outcomes as well as a reduced rate of residual angina and repeat revascularization. As such, post-PCI functional assessment is anticipated to impact patient management, secondary prevention, and resource utilization. Pre-PCI physiological guidance has been shown to improve clinical outcomes and reduce health care costs. Whether similar benefits can be achieved using post-PCI physiological assessment requires evaluation in randomized clinical outcome trials.
Communicating uncertainty: contrasting the communication experiences of patients with advanced COPD and incurable lung cancer
Authors: Ngwenya Nothando , Crang Clare , Farquhar Morag , Rintoul Robert C , Mahadeva Ravi , Calvert Lori D , Murray Scott A , Barclay Stephen
Published: March 2021

Background

Due to the uncertain disease trajectory and variable rate of progression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), health care professionals (HCPs) are challenged in explaining what the future may hold for patients compared to those with lung cancer (LC). Support and communication of timely information can significantly improve health outcomes.

Objective

This study sought to identify factors that impact communication and support and recommend ways to improve patients’ understanding of living with life-threatening illness.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with patients with LC (n = 22) and advanced COPD (n = 18), their informal carers (21 LC and 18 COPD) and HCPs (n = 51). Patients were recruited from primary and secondary care in the East of England, UK, during 2010–12.

Results

Directness and clarity characterized communication in LC, whereas uncertainty and limited explanations predominated in COPD. Discussions on how the disease might impact on decisions and preferences to be made in the future were less common in COPD. Information for LC patients was mainly from hospital clinicians and any information for COPD patients mainly from primary care clinicians.

Conclusions

The experience of COPD patients could be improved by professionals soon after diagnosis explaining to them the typical pattern of decline in COPD, highlighting the inherent uncertainties about when exacerbations and death may occur. This conversation should lead to planning for the different challenges that the patient and informal carer recognize as most important to them. This contrasts with the ‘breaking bad news’ conversation that oncologists are highly trained to deliver.
Genomic analysis of dibenzofuran-degradingPseudomonas veroniistrain Pvy reveals its biodegradative versatility
Authors: Lopez-Echartea Eglantina , Suman Jachym , Smrhova Tereza , Ridl Jakub , Pajer Petr , Strejcek Michal , Uhlik Ondrej
Published: March 2021

Certain industrial chemicals accumulate in the environment due to their recalcitrant properties. Bioremediation uses the capability of some environmental bacteria to break down these chemicals and attenuate the pollution. One such bacterial strain, designated Pvy, was isolated from sediment samples from a lagoon in Romania located near an oil refinery due to its capacity to degrade dibenzofuran (DF). The genome sequence of the Pvy strain was obtained using an Oxford Nanopore MiniION platform. According to the consensus 16S rRNA gene sequence that was compiled from six 16S rRNA gene copies contained in the genome and orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) calculation, the Pvy strain was identified as Pseudomonas veronii, which confirmed the identification obtained with the aid of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and MALDI BioTyper. The genome was analyzed with respect to enzymes responsible for the overall biodegradative versatility of the strain. The Pvy strain was able to derive carbon from naphthalene (NP) and several aromatic compounds of natural origin, including salicylic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, trans-cinnamic, vanillic, and indoleacetic acids or vanillin, and was shown to degrade but not utilize DF. In total seven loci were found in the Pvy genome, which enables the strain to participate in the degradation of these aromatic compounds. Our experimental data also indicate that the transcription of the NP-dioxygenase α-subunit gene (ndoB), carried by the plasmid of the Pvy strain, is inducible by DF. These features make the Pvy strain a potential candidate for various bioremediation applications.
Prediction of count phenotypes using high-resolution images and genomic data
Authors: Kismiantini  , Montesinos-López Osval Antonio , Crossa José , Setiawan Ezra Putranda , Wutsqa Dhoriva Urwatul
Published: March 2021

Genomic selection (GS) is revolutionizing plant breeding since the selection process is done with the help of statistical machine learning methods. A model is trained with a reference population and then it is used for predicting the candidate individuals available in the testing set. However, given that breeding phenotypic values are very noisy, new models must be able to integrate not only genotypic and environmental data but also high-resolution images that have been collected by breeders with advanced image technology. For this reason, this paper explores the use of generalized Poisson regression (GPR) for genome-enabled prediction of count phenotypes using genomic and hyperspectral images. The GPR model allows integrating input information of many sources like environments, genomic data, high resolution data, and interaction terms between these three sources. We found that the best prediction performance was obtained when the three sources of information were taken into account in the predictor, and those measures of high-resolution images close to the harvest day provided the best prediction performance.
Genome-wide identification of microRNAs involved in the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus
Authors: Qin Zihai , Li Junji , Zhang Ye , Xiao Yufei , Zhang Xiaoning , Zhong Lianxiang , Liu Hailong , Chen Bowen
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs (18–24 nt) and function in many biological processes in plants. Although Eucalyptus trees are widely planted across the world, our understanding of the miRNA regulation in the somatic embryogenesis (SE) of Eucalyptus is still poor. Here we reported, for the first time, the miRNA profiles of differentiated and dedifferentiated tissues of two Eucalyptus species and identified miRNAs involved in SE of Eucalyptus. Stem and tissue culture–induced callus were obtained from the subculture seedlings of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla and were used as differentiated and dedifferentiated samples, respectively. Small RNA sequencing generated 304.2 million clean reads for the Eucalyptus samples (n = 3) and identified 888 miRNA precursors (197 known and 691 novel) for Eucalyptus. These miRNAs were mainly distributed in chromosomes Chr03, Chr05, and Chr08 and can produce 46 miRNA clusters. Then, we identified 327 and 343 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) in the dedifferentiation process of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla, respectively. DEmiRs shared by the two Eucalyptus species might be involved in the development of embryonic callus, such as MIR156, MIR159, MIR160, MIR164, MIR166, MIR169, MIR171, MIR399, and MIR482. Notably, we identified 81 upregulated and 67 downregulated miRNAs specific to E. camaldulensis, which might be associated with the high embryogenic potential. Target prediction and functional analysis showed that they might be involved in longevity regulating and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. Further, using the gene expression profiles, we observed the negative regulation of miRNA–target pairs, such as MIR160~ARF18, MIR396~GRF6, MIR166~ATHB15/HD-ZIP, and MIR156/MIR157~SPL1. Interestingly, transcription factors such as WRKY, MYB, GAMYB, TCP4, and PIL1 were found to be regulated by the DEmiRs. The genes encoding PIL1 and RPS21C, regulated by upregulated miRNAs (e.g., egd-N-miR63-5p, egd-N-miR63-5p, and MIR169,) were downregulated exclusively in the dedifferentiation of E. camaldulensis. This is the first time to study the miRNA regulation in the dedifferentiation process of Eucalyptus and it will provide a valuable resource for future studies. More importantly, it will improve our understanding of miRNA regulation during the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus and benefit the Eucalyptus breeding program.
New Changes, New Possibilities: China’s Latest Patent Law Amendments
Authors: Yu Ronald , Yip Kenneth
Published: March 2021

New amendments to China’s Patent Law feature open licensing which should encourage the use of patents, and promote the more rapid broadcast and dissemination of new technology. They should also offer the possibility of greater transactional visibility, transparency and traceability which has important ramifications for IP valuation and reporting in IPOs, annual and other reports. Other provisions underscore China’s efforts to improve its patent system by introducing new protections for patent holders, mechanisms to reduce abuse, provisions to strengthen patent-related public services and promote the use of patents. There are also a number of changes that should interest pharmaceutical companies, patent litigants, patent holders and app developers.
Implementation of preventive measures to prevent COVID-19: a national study of English primary schools in summer 2020
Authors: Sundaram Neisha , Bonell Chris , Ladhani Shamez , Langan Sinéad M , Baawuah Frances , Okike Ifeanychukwu , Ahmad Shazaad , Beckmann Joanne , Garstang Joanna , Brent Bernadette E , Brent Andrew J , Amin-Chowdhury Zahin , Aiano Felicity , Hargreaves James
Published: March 2021

We examined the feasibility of implementing preventive measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission across 105 English primary schools in summer 2020 via a survey and interviews with headteachers. High rates of implementation of most recommended measures were noted with the exception of requiring 2 m distance for students, fitting hand sanitizers in classrooms and introducing one-way systems in school corridors. Measures such as regular handwashing and stopping assemblies were considered easy to implement. Majorly challenging measures included distancing between individuals (for students: 51%, N = 99; for staff: 34%; N = 98; for parents: 26%, N = 100), spacing out desks (34%, N = 99), keeping same staff assigned to each student group (33%, N = 97) and staggering break times (25%, N = 99). Rapid implementation was facilitated by staff commitment and communication among stakeholders, but hampered by limitations with guidance received, physical environments, resources, parental adherence and balancing preventive measures with learning. Difficulties with distancing for younger children suggest that smaller bubbles with fewer distancing requirements within these may be a policy option. Schools require further financial, human resource and other support for effective implementation of preventive measures.
Reduced FSH and LH action: implications for medically assisted reproduction
Authors: Bosch E , Alviggi C , Lispi M , Conforti A , Hanyaloglu A C , Chuderland D , Simoni M , Raine-Fenning N , Crépieux P , Kol S , Rochira V , D'Hooghe T , Humaidan P
Published: March 2021

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) play complementary roles in follicle development and ovulation via a complex interaction in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, reproductive organs, and oocytes. Impairment of the production or action of gonadotropins causes relative or absolute LH and FSH deficiency that compromises gametogenesis and gonadal steroid production, thereby reducing fertility. In women, LH and FSH deficiency is a spectrum of conditions with different functional or organic causes that are characterized by low or normal gonadotropin levels and low oestradiol levels. While the causes and effects of reduced LH and FSH production are very well known, the notion of reduced action has received less attention by researchers. Recent evidence shows that molecular characteristics, signalling as well as ageing, and some polymorphisms negatively affect gonadotropin action. These findings have important clinical implications, in particular for medically assisted reproduction in which diminished action determined by the afore-mentioned factors, combined with reduced endogenous gonadotropin production caused by GnRH analogue protocols, may lead to resistance to gonadotropins and, thus, to an unexpected hypo-response to ovarian stimulation. Indeed, the importance of LH and FSH action has been highlighted by the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ICMART) in their definition of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as gonadal failure associated with reduced gametogenesis and gonadal steroid production due to reduced gonadotropin production or action. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of determinants of reduced FSH and LH action that are associated with a reduced response to ovarian stimulation.
Emotions and EU foreign policy
Authors: Smith Karen E
Published: March 2021

This article assesses the role that emotions play in European Union foreign policy-making. EU decision-making has often been depicted as technocratic and ‘de-dramatized’, yet there are still situations in which emotions can affect the process and outcomes of foreign policy decision-making. Using examples of the EU's responses to crises in Ukraine and Myanmar, the article illustrates that emotions can motivate the taking of particular decisions at particular times. Further, the EU expresses emotions in its foreign policy communications, although its use of emotional diplomacy may not be accompanied by substantive action appropriate to the emotions expressed, thus revealing the existence of an emotions–action gap. The ‘emotional turn’ in foreign policy analysis can open up new directions for research in EU foreign policy, and the conclusion considers other promising avenues for researching emotions and EU foreign policy.
Charismatic leadership in foreign policy
Authors: Wivel Anders , Grøn Caroline Howard
Published: March 2021

Charismatic leadership is an integral yet understudied aspect of foreign policy in liberal democratic states. Combining insights from recent developments on charismatic leadership in organization and management studies with literature on foreign policy, we construct a novel theoretical framework for understanding how foreign policy leaders exercise charismatic leadership. We argue that charismatic leadership makes sense of who ‘we’ are and where we are going through communicative practices. We specify these practices and discuss why charismatic leadership is important in foreign policy analysis; what it is; and how and why sense-making matters for a charismatic leadership style. We contribute with new empirical knowledge by probing our theoretical propositions in a comparative case-study of the charismatic leadership practices of Donald Trump and Angela Merkel. The case-studies illustrate the importance of charismatic communication for both leaders, while disclosing variations in both the ‘thickness’ of charismatic leadership practices and their compatibility with rational legal authority and liberal democratic values.
Surface selection of haddock and cod in the Norwegian demersal seine fisheries
Authors: Ingólfsson Ólafur Arnar , Humborstad Odd-Børre , Løkkeborg Svein
Published: March 2021

Size selection in active fishing gears is a continuous process and undersized fish may escape during the whole fishing operation. Fish that escape during the surface hauling operation are likely to experience higher mortality due to barotrauma-related stress than fish escaping at the fishing depth during the towing process. A well-functioning selectivity device should therefore select mostly at depth for enhancing survival probabilities of escaping fish. The current gear regulation in the Norwegian demersal seine fishery is likely to cause large proportion of undersized fish to escape at the surface. In this study, we estimated surface selection of haddock and cod in demersal seine by using an automatic release system and a small meshed codend that collected fish escaping during surface hauling. The collecting bag contained 19% undersized haddock compared to 10% in the conventional square-mesh codend indicating that about 50% of undersized haddock brought to the surface were released. The proportions of undersized cod were 8% for the collecting bag and 1% for the conventional square-mesh codend. These results demonstrate that surface selection is significant for both haddock and cod. Based on this finding, we discuss methods to improve size selectivity at the fishing depth.
Energy saving strategy for residential buildings: case study in Armenia
Authors: Papoyan Atanes , Zhan Changhong , Han Xueying , Li Guanghao
Published: March 2021

In this article the research is concentrated on defining the possibility and potentials of design to enhance the energy efficiency and refine the climate conditions in the existing residential buildings in Armenia. The digital model of existing residential building is used to calculate the annual energy consumption, by simulation software—Autodesk Green Building Student. The horizontal solar panel systems offered by local market leaders were applied to calculate the annual savings, the required installation area, prices, etc. Consequently, the actual efficiency of energy saving technological process of residential buildings in Armenia is estimated. Based on the applied strategies and obtained fact, some recommendations are made for residential buildings. This article is intended to help and to be stimulus for architects and constructors to consider and include green technologies in their new projects.
Estimation of tourism carbon footprint and carbon capacity
Authors: Huang Tianyue , Tang Zi
Published: March 2021

The calculation of tourism carbon footprint is of great significance to low-carbon tourism. This study estimates the tourism carbon footprint in Heilongjiang Province from 2009 to 2018 by using tourism carbon footprint and tourism carbon capacity models. The results show that the total tourism carbon footprint of Heilongjiang Province increased fast to 2.97 times from 5.926million tons in 2009 to 21.13million tons in 2018, while its per capita tourism carbon footprint increased from 53.9 kg to 116.0 kg. During the same period, tourism carbon capacity continued to grow steadily from 15.18billion tons to 21.96billion tons, and the growth rate was 50% of the growth rate of tourism carbon footprint. Tourism carbon emissions can be absorbed by environmental capacity, and the risk of carbon deficit is relatively small.
On the Generalized Bykovskiĭ Presentation of Steinberg Modules
Authors: Kupers Alexander , Miller Jeremy , Patzt Peter , Wilson Jennifer C H
Published: March 2021

We study presentations of the virtual dualizing modules of special linear groups of number rings, the Steinberg modules. Bykovskiĭ gave a presentation for the Steinberg modules of the integers, and our main result is a generalization of this to the Gaussian integers and the Eisenstein integers. We also show that this generalization does not give a presentation for the Steinberg modules of several Euclidean number rings.
Tensor Structure on the Kazhdan–Lusztig Category for Affine 𝔤𝔩(1|1)
Authors: Creutzig Thomas , McRae Robert , Yang Jinwei
Published: March 2021

We show that the Kazhdan–Lusztig category $KL_k$ of level-$k$ finite-length modules with highest-weight composition factors for the affine Lie superalgebra $\widehat{\mathfrak{gl}(1|1)}$ has vertex algebraic braided tensor supercategory structure and that its full subcategory $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$ of objects with semisimple Cartan subalgebra actions is a tensor subcategory. We show that every simple $\widehat{\mathfrak{gl}(1|1)}$-module in $KL_k$ has a projective cover in ${\mathcal{O}}_k^{fin}$, and we determine all fusion rules involving simple and projective objects in ${\mathcal{O}}_k^{fin}$. Then using Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov equations, we prove that $KL_k$ and $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$ are rigid. As an application of the tensor supercategory structure on $\mathcal{O}_k^{fin}$, we study certain module categories for the affine Lie superalgebra $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}(2|1)}$ at levels $1$ and $-\frac{1}{2}$. In particular, we obtain a tensor category of $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}(2|1)}$-modules at level $-\frac{1}{2}$ that includes relaxed highest-weight modules and their images under spectral flow.
Durability of Viral Neutralization in Asymptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 for at Least 60 Days
Authors: Haymond Amanda , Damluji Abdulla A , Narayanan Aarthi , Mueller Claudius , Reeder Alex , Alem Farhang , Maxwell G Larry , Petricoin Emanuel F , Liotta Lance , deFilippi Christopher R
Published: March 2021

A cohort consisting of asymptomatic healthcare workers donated temporal serum samples after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Analysis shows that all asymptomatic healthcare workers had neutralizing antibodies, that these antibodies persist for ≥60 days, and that anti-spike receptor-binding domain immunoglobulin G levels were correspondingly durable over the same time period.
NGO Accountability: A Conceptual Review across the Engaged Disciplines
Authors: Kaba Marcel
Published: March 2021

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are pivotal actors in international affairs. They manage billions of dollars in funding, work all around the world, and shape global policies and standards. It thus comes as no surprise that the subject of accountability has drawn the interest of an increasing number of scholars across disciplines. Though there seems to be agreement about its desirability, accountability is also described as chameleon-like and ambiguous. And despite calls for more cross-disciplinary learning and conceptual clarity, there does not exist a comprehensive review of accountability conceptualizations across and within disciplines, or how the different meanings relate to each other. Based on the conceptual review of 217 research articles published within the last twenty years, this study identifies and analyzes conceptualizations of accountability in the major journals of five engaged disciplines: accounting, development studies, international relations and political science, organization studies and management, and public administration. Integrating this broad scholarship reveals that: (1) there exist 113 different conceptualizations of accountability, 90 of which are rarely used and appear in less than 5 percent of all analyzed articles, (2) scholars have used forty-three different conceptualizations in 2019 compared to seventeen conceptualizations in 2009, (3) many conceptualizations refer to same phenomena by different name (duplication), and different phenomena by the same name (conflict), and that (4) conceptual ambiguity contributes to ambiguity among the forty different terms used to measure and operationalize accountability. These findings illustrate a lack of cross-disciplinary learning and accumulation of knowledge, and suggest that new conceptualizations be introduced only if one or more of the 113 existing ones don't already capture an idea sufficiently. The purpose of this article is to serve as a concept map for scholars when debating and charting new directions for the study of accountability.
Epidemiology, clinical aspects, outcomes and prognostic factors associated with Trichosporon fungaemia: results of an international multicentre study carried out at 23 medical centres
Authors: Nobrega de Almeida João , Francisco Elaine Cristina , Holguín Ruiz Alexis , Cuéllar Luis E , Rodrigues Aquino Valério , Verena Mendes Ana , Queiroz-Telles Flávio , Santos Daniel Wagner , Guimarães Thais , Maranhão Chaves Guilherme , Grassi de Miranda Bianca , Araújo Motta Fabio , Vargas Schwarzbold Alexandre , Oliveira Márcio , Riera Fernando , Sardi Perozin Jamile , Pereira Neves Rejane , França E. Silva Ivan Leonardo A , Sztajnbok Jaques , Fernandes Ramos Jéssica , Borges Botura Monica , Carlesse Fabianne , de Tarso de O. E Castro Paulo , Nyirenda Themba , Colombo Arnaldo L
Published: March 2021

Background

Trichosporon fungaemia (TF) episodes have increased in recent years and mortality rates remain high despite the advances in the management of sepsis. New concepts about its clinical course, treatment and microbiology need to be investigated for the better management of this infection.

Objectives

To describe the aetiology, natural history, clinical management and prognostic factors of TF.

Methods

TF episodes documented between 2005 and 2018 in 23 South American centres were retrospectively investigated by using a standard clinical form. Molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility testing and biofilm production were also performed.

Results

Eighty-eight TF episodes were studied. Patients had several underlying conditions, including haematological diseases (47.7%), post-operative status (34%), solid organ transplants (n = 7, 7.9%), among others. Seventy-three (82.9%) patients had a central venous catheter (CVC) at TF diagnosis. The 30 day mortality rate was 51.1%. Voriconazole-based therapy was given to 34 patients (38.6%), with a 30 day mortality rate of 38.2%. Multivariate predictors of 30 day mortality were age (OR 1.036), mechanical ventilation (OR 8.25) and persistent neutropenia (OR 9.299). CVC removal was associated with over 75% decreased risk of 30 day mortality (OR 0.241). Microbiological analyses revealed that 77.7% of the strains were identified as Trichosporon asahii, and voriconazole showed the strongest in vitro activity against Trichosporon spp. Most of the strains (63%) were considered medium or high biofilm producers.

Conclusions

Older age, mechanical ventilation and persistent neutropenia were associated with poor prognosis. CVC may play a role in the pathogenicity of TF and its removal was associated with a better prognosis.
Probability of pharmacological target attainment with flucloxacillin in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection: a prospective cohort study of unbound plasma and individual MICs
Authors: Moser Stephan , Rehm Sophia , Guertler Nicolas , Hinic Vladimira , Dräger Sarah , Bassetti Stefano , Rentsch Katharina M , Sendi Parham , Osthoff Michael
Published: March 2021

Objectives

MSSA bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with considerable mortality. Data regarding therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and pharmacological target attainment of the β-lactam flucloxacillin are scarce.

Patients and methods

We determined the achievement of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets and its association with clinical outcome and potential toxicity in a prospective cohort of 50 patients with MSSA-BSI. Strain-specific MICs and unbound plasma flucloxacillin concentrations (at five different timepoints) were determined by broth microdilution and HPLC–MS, respectively.

Results

In our study population, 48% were critically ill and the 30 day mortality rate was 16%. The median flucloxacillin MIC was 0.125 mg/L. The median unbound trough concentration was 1.7 (IQR 0.4–9.3), 1.9 (IQR 0.4–6.2) and 1.0 (IQR 0.6–3.4) mg/L on study day 1, 3 and 7, respectively. Optimal (100% fT>MIC) and maximum (100% fT>4×MIC) target attainment was achieved in 45 (90%) and 34 (68%) patients, respectively, throughout the study period. Conversely, when using the EUCAST epidemiological cut-off value instead of strain-specific MICs, target attainment was achieved in only 13 (26%) patients. The mean unbound flucloxacillin trough concentration per patient was associated with neurotoxicity (OR 1.12 per 1 mg/L increase, P = 0.02) and significantly higher in deceased patients (median 14.8 versus 1.7 mg/L, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Flucloxacillin pharmacological target attainment in MSSA-BSI patients is frequently achieved when unbound flucloxacillin concentrations and strain-specific MICs are considered. However, currently recommended dosing regimens may expose patients to excessive flucloxacillin concentrations, potentially resulting in drug-related organ damage.
Haem is crucial for medium-dependent metronidazole resistance in clinical isolates of Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Boekhoud Ilse M , Sidorov Igor , Nooij Sam , Harmanus Céline , Bos-Sanders Ingrid M J G , Viprey Virginie , Spittal William , Clark Emma , Davies Kerrie , Freeman Jane , Kuijper Ed J , Smits Wiep Klaas ,   the COMBACTE-CDI Consortium, Bonten Marc , Davies Kerrie A , Kuijper Ed J , Rupnik Maja , Wingen-Heiman Sebastian , Tacconelli Evelina , Wilken Tuba , Petrosillo Nicolla
Published: March 2021

Background

Until recently, metronidazole was the first-line treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection and it is still commonly used. Though resistance has been reported due to the plasmid pCD-METRO, this does not explain all cases.

Objectives

To identify factors that contribute to plasmid-independent metronidazole resistance of C. difficile.

Methods

Here, we investigate resistance to metronidazole in a collection of clinical isolates of C. difficile using a combination of antimicrobial susceptibility testing on different solid agar media and WGS of selected isolates.

Results

We find that nearly all isolates demonstrate a haem-dependent increase in the MIC of metronidazole, which in some cases leads to isolates qualifying as resistant (MIC >2 mg/L). Moreover, we find an SNP in the haem-responsive gene hsmA, which defines a metronidazole-resistant lineage of PCR ribotype 010/MLST ST15 isolates that also includes pCD-METRO-containing strains.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that haem is crucial for medium-dependent metronidazole resistance in C. difficile.
Activity Impairment, Work Status, and Work Productivity Loss in Adults 5–7 Years After Burn Injuries
Authors: Spronk Inge , Van Loey Nancy E E , van der Vlies Cornelis H , Haagsma Juanita A , Polinder Suzanne , van Baar Margriet E ,   The Burden of Burn Injuries Study Group, Nieuwenhuis M K , Middelkoop E , Pijpe A , Stoop M M , Boekelaar A A , Trommel N , Hiddingh J , Meijer J , Akkerman M , Boekelaar A , Pijpe A , Roodbergen D , Stoop M M , van Zuijlen P P M , Dokter J , van Es A , van der Vlies C H , Beerthuizen G I J M , Eshuis J , Hiddingh J , Scholten-Jaegers S M H J , van Baar M E , Haanstra T M , Middelkoop E , Nieuwenhuis M K , Novin A
Published: March 2021

An important aspect of the rehabilitation of burn patients is social participation, including daily activities and work. Detailed information on long-term activity impairment and employment is scarce. Therefore, we investigated activity impairment, work status, and work productivity loss in adults 5–7 years following burn injuries, and investigated associations with burn-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) domains. Adult participants completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment General Health questionnaire and the Burn Specific Health Scale-brief (BSHS-B) 5–7 years post-burn. Outcomes were compared between participants with mild/intermediate and severe burns (>20% total body surface area burned). Seventy-six (36%) of the 213 participants experienced some degree of activity impairment due to burn-related problems 5–7 years post-burn. Seventy percent of the population was employed; 12% of them experienced work productivity loss due to burn-related problems. Nineteen percent reported changes in their work situation (partly) because of the burn injury. A higher proportion of participants with severe burns had activity impairments (56% vs 29%; P = .001) and work productivity loss (26% vs 8%; P < .001) compared to participants with mild/intermediate burns. Activity impairment and work productivity loss were both associated with burn-related work problems and lower mood, measured with the BSHS-B. In conclusion, a substantial part of the study population experienced activity impairment and work productivity loss, was unemployed, and/or reported changes in their work situation due to their injury. Particularly patients with severe burns reported productivity loss and had lower employment rates. This subscribes the importance of addressing work-related functioning in the rehabilitation of burn patients.
Synthetic construction of the Hopf fibration in a double orthogonal projection of 4-space
Authors: Zamboj Michal
Published: March 2021

The Hopf fibration mapping circles on a 3-sphere to points on a 2-sphere is well known to topologists. While the 2-sphere is embedded in 3-space, four-dimensional Euclidean space is needed to visualize the 3-sphere. Visualizing objects in 4-space using computer graphics based on their analytical representations has become popular in recent decades. For purely synthetic constructions, we apply the recently introduced method of visualization of 4-space by its double orthogonal projection onto two mutually perpendicular 3-spaces to investigate the Hopf fibration as a four-dimensional relation without analogy in lower dimensions. In this paper, the method of double orthogonal projection is used for a direct synthetic construction of the fibers of a 3-sphere from the corresponding points on a 2-sphere. The fibers of great circles on the 2-sphere create nested tori visualized in a stereographic projection onto the modeling 3-space. The step-by-step construction is supplemented by dynamic three-dimensional models showing simultaneously the 3-sphere, 2-sphere, and stereographic images of the fibers and mutual interrelations. Each step of the synthetic construction is supported by its analytical representation to highlight connections between the two interpretations.
Changes in Relationships between the USDA Forest Service and Small, Forest-Based Communities in the Northwest Forest Plan Area amid Declines in Agency Staffing
Authors: Santo Anna R , Coughlan Michael R , Huber-Stearns Heidi , Adams Mark D O , Kohler Gabriel
Published: March 2021

This article explores the changing relationships between the USDA Forest Service and 10 small, forest-based communities in the Northwest Forest Plan area in Washington, Oregon, and California. Interviews with 158 community members and agency personnel indicated that community member interviewees were largely dissatisfied with the agency’s current level of community engagement. Interviewees believed that loss of staff was the primary factor contributing to declining engagement, along with increasing turnover and long-distance commuting. Interviewees offered explanations for increasing employee turnover and commuting, including lack of housing, lack of employment for spouses, lack of services for children, social isolation, improving road conditions making long-distance commuting easier, agency incentives and culture, decreasing social cohesion among agency staff, unpaid overtime responsibilities, and agency hiring practices. Community member perceptions regarding long-term changes in community well-being and agency-community relationships were more negative than agency staff’s perceptions.
Field-based remote sensing models predict radiation use efficiency in wheat
Authors: Robles-Zazueta Carlos A , Molero Gemma , Pinto Francisco , Foulkes M John , Reynolds Matthew P , Murchie Erik H
Published: March 2021

Wheat yields are stagnating or declining in many regions, requiring efforts to improve the light conversion efficiency, known as radiation use efficiency (RUE). RUE is a key trait in plant physiology because it links light capture and primary metabolism with biomass accumulation and yield, but its measurement is time consuming and this has limited its use in fundamental research and large-scale physiological breeding. In this study, high-throughput plant phenotyping (HTPP) approaches were used among a population of field-grown wheat with variation in RUE and photosynthetic traits to build predictive models of RUE, biomass, and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR). Three approaches were used: best combination of sensors; canopy vegetation indices; and partial least squares regression. The use of remote sensing models predicted RUE with up to 70% accuracy compared with ground truth data. Water indices and canopy greenness indices [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI)] are the better option to predict RUE, biomass, and IPAR, and indices related to gas exchange, non-photochemical quenching [photochemical reflectance index (PRI)] and senescence [structural-insensitive pigment index (SIPI)] are better predictors for these traits at the vegetative and grain-filling stages, respectively. These models will be instrumental to explain canopy processes, improve crop growth and yield modelling, and potentially be used to predict RUE in different crops or ecosystems.
Synonymous mutation in Growth Regulating Factor 15 of miR396a target sites enhances photosynthetic efficiency and heat tolerance in poplar
Authors: Zhao Yiyang , Xie Jianbo , Wang Sha , Xu Weijie , Chen Sisi , Song Xueqin , Lu Mengzhu , El-Kassaby Yousry A , Zhang Deqiang
Published: March 2021

Heat stress damages plant tissues and induces multiple adaptive responses. Complex and spatiotemporally specific interactions among transcription factors (TFs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and their targets play crucial roles in regulating stress responses. To explore these interactions and to identify regulatory networks in perennial woody plants subjected to heat stress, we integrated time-course RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, degradome sequencing, weighted gene correlation network analysis, and multi-gene association approaches in poplar. Results from Populus trichocarpa enabled us to construct a three-layer, highly interwoven regulatory network involving 15 TFs, 45 miRNAs, and 77 photosynthetic genes. Candidate gene association studies in a population of P. tomentosa identified 114 significant associations and 696 epistatic SNP–SNP pairs that were linked to 29 photosynthetic and growth traits (P<0.0001, q<0.05). We also identified miR396a and its target, Growth-Regulating Factor 15 (GRF15) as an important regulatory module in the heat-stress response. Transgenic plants of hybrid poplar (P. alba × P. glandulosa) overexpressing a GRF15 mRNA lacking the miR396a target sites exhibited enhanced heat tolerance and photosynthetic efficiency compared to wild-type plants. Together, our observations demonstrate that GRF15 plays a crucial role in responding to heat stress, and they highlight the power of this new, multifaceted approach for identifying regulatory nodes in plants.
Classification of 4XMM-DR9 sources by machine learning
Authors: Zhang Yanxia , Zhao Yongheng , Wu Xue-Bing
Published: March 2021

The ESA’s X-ray Multi-mirror Mission (XMM–Newton) created a new high-quality version of the XMM–Newton serendipitous source catalogue, 4XMM-DR9, which provides a wealth of information for observed sources. The 4XMM-DR9 catalogue is correlated with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR12 photometric data base and the AllWISE data base; we then get X-ray sources with information from the X-ray, optical, and/or infrared bands and obtain the XMM–WISE, XMM–SDSS, and XMM–WISE–SDSS samples. Based on the large spectroscopic surveys of SDSS and the Large Sky Area Multi-object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST), we cross-match the XMM–WISE–SDSS sample with sources of known spectral classes, and obtain known samples of stars, galaxies, and quasars. The distribution of stars, galaxies, and quasars as well as all spectral classes of stars in 2D parameter space is presented. Various machine-learning methods are applied to different samples from different bands. The better classified results are retained. For the sample from the X-ray band, a rotation-forest classifier performs the best. For the sample from the X-ray and infrared bands, a random-forest algorithm outperforms all other methods. For the samples from the X-ray, optical, and/or infrared bands, the LogitBoost classifier shows its superiority. Thus, all X-ray sources in the 4XMM-DR9 catalogue with different input patterns are classified by their respective models that are created by these best methods. Their membership of and membership probabilities for individual X-ray sources are assigned. The classified result will be of great value for the further research of X-ray sources in greater detail.
Dense gas in local galaxies revealed by multiple tracers
Authors: Li Fei , Wang Junzhi , Gao Feng , Liu Shu , Zhang Zhi-Yu , Li Shanghuo , Gong Yan , Li Juan , Shi Yong
Published: March 2021

We present 3 mm and 2 mm band simultaneously spectroscopic observations of HCN 1–0, HCO+ 1–0, HNC 1–0, and CS 3–2 with the IRAM 30 m telescope, towards a sample of 70 sources as nearby galaxies with infrared luminosities ranging from several 10$^{5}\, \mathrm{L}_{\odot }$ to more than 10$^{12}\, \mathrm{L}_{\odot }$. After combining HCN 1–0, HCO+ 1–0, and HNC 1–0 data from literature with our detections, relations between luminosities of dense gas tracers (HCN 1–0, HCO+ 1–0, and HNC 1–0) and infrared luminosities are derived, with tight linear correlations for all tracers. Luminosities of CS 3–2 with only our observations also show tight linear correlation with infrared luminosities. No systematic difference is found for tracing dense molecular gas among these tracers. Star formation efficiencies for dense gas with different tracers also do not show any trend along different infrared luminosities. Our study also shows that HCN/HCO+ line ratio might not be a good indicator to diagnose obscured active galactic nucleus in galaxies.
The Impact of Varying Warning Color on E-Cigarette Advertisements: Results From an Online Experiment Among Young Adults
Authors: King Jessica L , Simper Connor , Razzouk Jacob , Merten Julie W
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Advertisement warnings are often overlooked, which reduces the opportunity for risk communication.

Methods

We used Prolific to survey 1131 young adults (18–35) who currently used e-cigarettes or tobacco products. We randomized participants to one of four warning conditions: black text on white background (BW), white on black (WB), black on yellow (BY), and yellow on black (YB). We examined associations between condition and attention, recall, ad appeal, perceived message effectiveness (PME), and intentions to use e-cigarettes using chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) where appropriate. We conducted logistic regressions by condition for attention and recall controlling for demographics and tobacco use.

Results

The warning was selected as the most attention-capturing area of the advertisement more often by those exposed to yellow warnings than white (59.9% vs. 46.8%), even after controlling for demographics and tobacco use (p < .05). Recall was greater among those exposed to yellow warnings than white (44.2% vs. 37.3%), which held in controlled models. There were no significant differences between yellow and white warnings for ad appeals, PME, or intentions to use. In subanalyses, WB warnings generated higher PME (10.1 vs. 9.5) and lower intentions to use e-cigarettes (3.0 vs. 3.3) than black on white (BW) (each p < .05).

Conclusions

Yellow warning color increases attention and recall of the warning, but this increase in attention did not translate to differences in downstream effects. Among currently mandated warning variations, the white text on black background warning appears more effective than the BW. Future research should examine whether differences translate to behavior change.

Implications

We tested color variations of the FDA-mandated nicotine text warning on e-cigarette advertisements. Yellow variations (yellow text on black background and BY) better-captured attention and increased warning recall compared to the mandated black and white warnings. Among the FDA-mandated BW and WB warnings, the WB variation appears more effective, generating higher perceived message effectiveness and lower intentions to use e-cigarettes. Given the difficulty in implementing pictorial warnings in the United States, color might represent an alternative to improve warning effectiveness. Findings may also be applicable to those designing tobacco-related health communications.
Considerations for Assessment and Deployment of Rapid Antigen Tests for Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Pollock Nira R , Lee Francesca , Ginocchio Christine C , Yao Joseph D , Humphries Romney M
Published: March 2021

Diagnostic testing is a critical tool to mitigate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, but molecular testing capacity remains limited. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect SARS-CoV-2 protein antigens (Ag) offer the potential to substantially expand testing capacity and to allow frequent, large-scale, population screening. Testing is simple, rapid (results generally available within 15 minutes), and applicable for diagnosis at point of care. However, implementation of Ag RDTs requires a detailed understanding of test performance and operational characteristics in each testing scenario and population being evaluated. Successful implementation of Ag RDTs on a large scale should combine testing with technical oversight and with clinical and public health infrastructure, and will require production at levels much higher than presently possible. In this commentary, we provide detailed considerations for Ag RDT assessment and use cases to encourage and enable broader manufacturing and deployment.