bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Periodic albinism of a widely used albino mutant of Xenopus laevis caused by deletion of two exons in the Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome type 4 gene
Authors: Fukuzawa Toshihiko
Published: November 2020

The periodic albino mutant of Xenopus laevis is a recessive mutant, in which reduced amounts of melanin appear in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and in melanophores at the late embryonic stage, after which both RPE and melanophores gradually depigment. Three types of pigment cells (melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores) have been reported to be affected in this albino. However, the causative gene of the periodic albinism remains unknown. Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects humans and mice, which is caused by defective biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelles (LROs). Two subgenomes (L and S) are present in the allotetraploid frog X. laevis. Comparison of genes between the chromosomes 1L and 1S revealed that the HPS type 4 (hps4) gene was present only in chromosome 1L. In the albino mutant, a 1.9 kb genomic deletion in the hps4.L gene including exons 7 and 8 caused a premature stop codon to create a truncated Hps4 protein. Injection of wild‐type hps4.L mRNA into mutant embryos rescued the albino phenotype. These findings indicate that hps4 is a causative gene for the periodic albinism in X. laevis. The phenotype of this mutant should be reassessed from the perspective of LRO biogenesis.
Lymph node dissection for bladder cancer: Current standards and the latest evidence
Authors: Nakagawa Tohru
Published: November 2020

Lymph node dissection is an indispensable component of radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Information obtained with lymph node dissection is highly predictive of patient survival, affecting decision‐making for adjuvant therapy (diagnostic role). Also, lymph node dissection provides survival benefits in certain patients by removing metastasized nodes (therapeutic role). However, an optimal extent of lymph node dissection has not been established yet. Data from surgical mapping studies showed that approximately 10% of the primary lymphatic landing sites were common iliac nodes, suggesting that lymph node dissection below the common iliac bifurcation is suboptimal. Several retrospective studies have shown a possible survival advantage with more extended lymph node dissection. However, the results of the first prospective randomized controlled trial failed to prove the survival advantage of extended lymph node dissection up to the level of the inferior mesenteric artery, compared with lymph node dissection below the bifurcation of the common iliac artery. Currently, lymph node dissection templates recommended by major guidelines are not consistent with each other. Furthermore, the evidence is limited in the settings of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, robot‐assisted surgery and high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive disease. Physicians need to decide the extent of lymph node dissection for each patient, taking into account the potential survival benefit and possible harms of extended lymph node dissection. Another randomized controlled trial is currently underway and will provide further evidence shortly.
Knowledge synthesis: How to improve the use of evidence from clinical trials?
Authors: Sarkis‐Onofre Rafael , Agostini Bernardo Antonio
Published: November 2020

Background

The value of systematic reviews (SRs) is determined by methodology and reporting quality of primary studies and how the SR is conducted and reported.

Aim

This study discusses key aspects of clinical trials (CTs) that might affect the value of SRs.

Design

Narrative review.

Results

We highlighted the following CT factors that could affect SR value: Defining the purpose of CTs is important because it could directly impact whether an SR question is appropriately answered and formulated; choose the most appropriate intervention to answer a proposed SR question is critical because we can exclude or include different studies, directly influencing selection bias; when conducting SRs, the study's search must be restricted to equal or highly similar comparison groups, allowing suitable comparisons of the outcomes’ estimates; in SRs, it may be interesting to explore the effect of the most common definition of the disease used in clinical practice, being useful in evidence‐based dentistry and easily translated to daily practitioners; and deficiencies in CT reporting can lead to unusable reports, biased results, and conclusions.

Conclusion

All aspects discussed were found to be important for improving the use of evidence from CTs.
Digital resilience: How rural communities leapfrogged into sustainable development
Authors: Tim Yenni , Cui Lili , Sheng Zhenzhong
Published: November 2020

Digital social innovation (DSI)—the novel use of digital technology to address societal challenges—plays a critical role in our collective pursuit of sustainable development. In this practitioner paper, we present an in‐depth DSI case study where the grassroots communities in a remote county leveraged e‐commerce to leapfrog out of poverty, becoming successful entrepreneurs with online businesses that thrive on a global scale. Based on this case study, we first discuss three leapfrogging opportunities afforded by e‐commerce, which were successfully embraced by the grassroots communities to begin the transformative journey. We then reveal three obstacles that emerged during the technology leapfrogging process, which have challenged the sustainability of the grassroots DSI endeavour. Lastly, we discuss three top‐down interventions that have been instrumental in overcoming the bottleneck of grassroots leapfrogging development and subsequently nurture a self‐sustaining, resilient community. Overall, by discussing some of the common barriers to the growth and sustainability of DSI, and how they have been addressed, this article offers insights and recommendations for policymakers, public and private sector practitioners, and communities in underdeveloped regions to navigate both the potentials and pitfalls of technology leapfrogging, and ultimately build a pathway towards resilience and sustainability.
Farmland bird assemblages exhibit higher functional and phylogenetic diversity than forest assemblages in France
Authors: García‐Navas Vicente , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: November 2020

Aim

Under a global change scenario, research focused on changes in assembly patterns over spatial and temporal axes is paramount. Despite an increasing need to assess whether associations among diversity and community metrics change in relation to environmental heterogeneity, the way in which community assembly rules vary across habitats has been hardly explored. Here, we tested for differences in patterns of functional diversity (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) between farmland and forest bird communities in order to improve our understanding about how biological communities respond to anthropogenic disturbances.

Location

Continental France.

Taxon

107 species of common birds.

Methods

We used an extensive dataset (13 years; 7,115 bird communities) from the French Breeding Bird survey in conjunction with a matrix of 142 functional traits (including information on habitat, diet, life‐stories, behaviour and morphology) to compute different metrics of FD and PD and examine how these vary between habitat types and across time.

Results

We found that farmland assemblages showed higher FD and PD than forest assemblages, which were phylogenetically clustered. Both FD and PD of forest assemblages increased with increasing species richness, whereas in farmland assemblages the relationship was asymptotic in both cases. This pattern may be due to the accumulation of generalists, which can end up displacing specialist species when the environment becomes oversaturated triggering a decline in diversity. Contrary to expectations, FD and PD of farmland assemblages increased over the study period, whereas forest assemblages showed a non‐linear pattern. Farmland and forest assemblages also showed divergent trajectories over time in relation to FD metrics.

Main conclusions

Although farmland intensification led to a sharp decline in populations of farmland birds, agricultural landscapes in southern Europe still harbour diversity‐rich communities probably due to the legacy effects of past land‐use (traditional practices). Our study highlights the need to take into account the influence of historical landscape configurations when assessing the effect that contemporary land uses have on biotic communities.
Retracted: Disruption of microRNA‐214 during general anaesthesia prevents brain injury and maintains mitochondrial fusion by promoting Mfn2 interaction with Pkm2
Authors: Liu Tiejun , Wang Bin , Li Gai , Dong Xiaoliu , Yu Guannan , Qian Qingzeng , Duan Likun , Li Hongxia , Jia Zhao , Bai Jing
Published: November 2020

Duration of surgical general anaesthesia is associated with severe brain injury and neurological deficits. The specific mechanisms underlying post‐general anaesthesia brain injury, however, still remain to be elucidated. Herein, we explore the role of microRNA‐214 (miR‐214) in the occurrence of brain injury after general anaesthesia and its underlying mechanism. Hippocampal tissues and neurons were isolated from rats exposed to 2% sevoflurane. TUNEL stains reflect hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Cultured hippocampal neurons stained with JC‐1 and MitoTracker dyes were imaged by fluorescence microscope to visualize changes of mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial fusion. Mitochondrial function was evaluated. Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) binding to miR‐214 or pyruvate kinase M2 (Pkm2) was confirmed by co‐immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, dual luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. After exposure to 2% sevoflurane, up‐regulated miR‐214 expression and impaired interaction between Mfn2 and Pkm2 were found in rat hippocampal tissues. Rats exposed to 2% sevoflurane also experienced neuronal injury, mitochondrial defects and deficits in the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) signalling. miR‐214 was shown to target Mfn2 by impairing its binding with Pkm2. Inhibiting miR‐214 expression using its specific inhibitor improved mitochondrial membrane potential, enhanced mitochondrial fusion, maintained mitochondrial function, restored interaction between Mfn2 and Pkm2, and activated the Bdnf signalling in cultured hippocampal neurons. Adenovirus infection of miR‐214 inhibitor reduced neuron apoptosis and maintained mitochondrial function in the hippocampus of rats exposed to 2% sevoflurane. Taken together, the study demonstrates inhibition of miR‐214 is cerebral protective against brain injury following general anaesthesia.
Association between homocysteine and obesity: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Jinxiang , You Dingyun , Wang Huaping , Yang Yanhong , Zhang Dan , Lv Junyan , Luo Sufeng , Liao Rui , Ma Lanqing
Published: November 2020

According to previous studies of obesity, we found that the association between homocysteine concentrations and obesity was reported controversially. Thus, we carried out this meta‐analysis to investigate this association. We searched PubMed, The Cochrane library, and EMBASE database for studies that evaluate the relationship between homocysteine concentrations and obesity from inception to March, 2019. The quality of all included studies was assessed by the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality (AHRQ). The RevMan5.3 software and Stata12.0 software were used for conducting all data analyses. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used as a measure of effect size to assess the relationship between homocysteine concentrations and obesity through a meta‐analysis. The level of significance was set at P < .05. A total of 14 studies were ultimately included in our meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis of the 14 studies found remarkable lower homocysteine concentrations in controls than in obese patients (SMD = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.25‐1.27, P < .01; I2 = 94% and P < .01 for heterogeneity), regardless of nutritional status, dietary habit, insulin resistance (IR) status, special disease history, history of medicine taken, genetic background, and so on. Homocysteine concentrations in nonobese patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were lower than obese patients with PCOS (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.20‐0.77, P < .01; I2 = 39% and P = .18 for heterogeneity). The result of our meta‐analysis showed that homocysteine concentrations were significantly elevated among obese patients.
Down syndrome caregivers' support needs: a mixed‐method participatory approach
Authors: Hart K. M. , Neil N.
Published: November 2020

Background

The purpose of the study was to explore the support needs of caregivers of children with Down syndrome from their perspective using a mixed‐method participatory research approach.

Methods

Concept mapping methodology was used to obtain caregiver perspectives. Twenty‐one caregivers answered the question ‘Are parents of individuals with Down syndrome supported, why or why not?’ Caregivers were involved in the analysis of the data through concept mapping procedures.

Results

Sorted data were analysed with multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Participants generated eight thematic clusters representing the support needs of caregivers of children with Down syndrome. The themes included online and social support, support system gaps, areas where support is lacking, Down syndrome community support, financial support, advocacy needs, educational support and concerns for community programming.

Conclusions

Themes align with previous research on support needs of parents of children with developmental disabilities. The study highlights the need for more local organisations to offer support that is affordable and accessible for families. Results will support future programme planning for services for individuals caring for those with Down syndrome.
Birth signalling hormones and the developmental consequences of caesarean delivery
Authors: Kenkel William
Published: November 2020

Rates of delivery by caesarean section (CS) are increasing around the globe and, although several epidemiological associations have already been observed between CS and health outcomes in later life, more are sure to be discovered as this practice continues to gain popularity. The components of vaginal delivery that protect offspring from the negative consequences of CS delivery in later life are currently unknown, although much attention to date has focused on differences in microbial colonisation. Here, we present the case that differing hormonal experiences at birth may also contribute to the neurodevelopmental consequences of CS delivery. Levels of each of the ‘birth signalling hormones’ (oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and the glucocorticoids) are lower following CS compared to vaginal delivery, and there is substantial evidence for each that manipulations in early life results in long‐term neurodevelopmental consequences. We draw from the research traditions of neuroendocrinology and developmental psychobiology to suggest that the perinatal period is a sensitive period, during which hormones achieve organisational effects. Furthermore, there is much to be learned from research on developmental programming by early‐life stress that may inform research on CS, as a result of shared neuroendocrine mechanisms at work. We compare and contrast the effects of early‐life stress with those of CS delivery and propose new avenues of research based on the links between the two bodies of literature. The research conducted to date suggests that the differences in hormone signalling seen in CS neonates may produce long‐term neurodevelopmental consequences.
Arterial stiffness measured by cardio‐ankle vascular index is greater in non‐obese young women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Kilic Derya , Kilic Ismail Dogu , Sevgican Cihan Ilyas , Kilic Oguz , Alatas Erkan , Arslan Muhammet , Avci Esin , Guler Tolga
Published: November 2020

Aim

The association of metabolic abnormalities and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been documented, but few studies have focused on cardiovascular risk in these women. The aim of this study was to compare arterial stiffness by using the cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) in PCOS women with controls, and to evaluate whether any clinical or laboratory variables had independent associations with it.

Methods

A group of 160 women, matched for age and body mass index were recruited. Diagnosis of PCOS was made according to the Rotterdam criteria. Arterial stiffness using CAVI was evaluated in non‐obese young woman, with and without PCOS.

Results

In the PCOS group (n = 80), 60 cases (75%) had findings of hyperandrogenism, 59 (73.8%) had ovulatory dysfunction, and 70 (87.5%) had an ultrasonographic appearance of polycystic ovaries. Women with PCOS had significantly higher mean CAVI values when compared to subjects without PCOS (5.78 ± 0.64 vs 5.28 ± 0.77, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that androgen excess was associated with increased arterial stiffness, independent of ovulatory dysfunction, polycystic ovaries, body mass index and age.

Conclusion

This data suggests that vascular compliance is decreased in young women with PCOS. Androgen excess is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness.
Ghrelin promotes angiogenesis by activating the Jagged1/Notch2/VEGF pathway in preeclampsia
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Yang Lina , Chen Yaping , Zhang Liwen , Fei He
Published: November 2020

Aim

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), has been found to be involved in the regulation of blood pressure; however, its effects in preeclampsia (PE) and the potential underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between ghrelin and PE and reveal the possible mechanism underlying any relationship.

Methods

The levels of ghrelin and VEGF in the plasma of 6 early‐onset PE (EOPE), 6 late‐onset PE (LOPE) and 12 healthy pregnant (HP) women were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The recombinant plasmid, pCDH‐ghrelin, was designed to overexpress ghrelin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We analyzed angiogenesis in vitro and investigated the mechanism using MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell migration assay, Matrigel‐induced tube formation assay and western blotting.

Results

Ghrelin was significantly decreased in EOPE patients (P < 0.05) but elevated in LOPE patients compared to HP groups (P > 0.05). There was a significant decrease in plasma level of VEGF in EOPE and LOPE patients compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The proliferation, migration and tube formation ability of HUVECs were enhanced after transfection with pCDH‐ghrelin. Ghrelin increased VEGF by activating the Jagged1/Notch2 pathway.

Conclusion

Our study uncovered that ghrelin has the potential to improve endothelial function by promoting angiogenesis through Jagged1/Notch2/VEGF pathway.
Phase‐Contrast MRI Detection of Ventricular Shunt CSF Flow: Proof of Principle
Authors: König Rebecca E. , Stucht Daniel , Baecke Sebastian , Rashidi Ali , Speck Oliver , Sandalcioglu I. Erol , Luchtmann Michael
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The evaluation of a suspected malfunction of a ventricular shunt is a common procedure in neurosurgery. The evaluation relies on either the interpretation of the ventricular width using cranial imaging or invasive techniques. Several attempts have been made to measure the flow velocity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) utilizing different phase‐contrast magnet resonance imaging (PC MRI) techniques. In the present study, we evaluated 3 T (Tesla) MRI scanners for their effectiveness in determining of flow in the parenchymal portion of ventricular shunt systems with adjustable valves containing magnets.

METHODS

At first, an MRI phantom was used to measure the phase‐contrasts at different constant low flow rates. The next step was to measure the CSF flow in patients treated with ventricular shunts without suspected malfunction of the shunt under observation.

RESULTS

The measurements of the phantom showed a linear correlation between the CSF flow and corresponding phase values. Despite many artifacts resulting from the magnetic valves, the ventricular catheter within the parenchymal portion of shunt was not superimposed by artifacts at each PC MRI plane and clearly distinguishable in 9 of 12 patients. Three patients suffering from obstructive hydrocephalus showed a clear flow signal.

CONCLUSION

CSF flow detected within the parenchymal portion of the shunt by PC MRI may reliably provide information about the functional status of a ventricular shunt. Even in patients whose hydrocephalus was treated with magnetic adjustable valves, the CSF flow was detectable using PC MRI sequences at 3 T field strength.
Limited Utility of Gadolinium Contrast Administration in Routine Multiple Sclerosis Surveillance
Authors: Johnston Gregory , Johnson Thomas , Solomon Andrew J. , Bazylewicz Michael , Allison James B. , Azalone Emily , Ulano Adam
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Assess the incidence of enhancing lesions on follow‐up MRIs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to determine the utility of intravenous, gadolinium‐based contrast agent (IV‐GBCA) use in routine follow‐up imaging.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified head MRIs associated with an MS diagnosis acquired between January 1, 2015and January 10, 2018. Final reports were reviewed to determine the presence of (1) a new or larger lesion, (2) at least one enhancing lesion, and (3) if at least one enhancing lesion was new or larger on Fluid‐Attenuation Inversion Recovery (FLAIR). For MRIs with at least one enhancing lesion, but no new or larger enhancing lesions, reports and images of the preceding MRI were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 1,805 MRIs performed on 920 patients were included. 354/1,805 (20%) MRIs reported new or enlarging lesions. 138/1,805 (8%) MRIs reported at least one enhancing lesion. Of these, 117/138 (85%) reported at least one enhancing lesion that was new or larger. In the remaining 21 MRIs which contained an enhancing lesion but none of the enhancing lesions were reported as new or enlarging, at least one enhancing lesion was present on preceding MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhancing lesions are uncommon on follow‐up MRIs in MS patients. Our data suggest that new enhancing lesions are not present on a follow‐up MRI when two conditions are met: (1) preceding MRI does not demonstrate any enhancing lesions and (2) there is no interval change of the lesions on the current 3D‐T2‐FLAIR sequence compared to the preceding 3D‐T2‐FLAIR sequence. IV‐GBCA should be reserved for instances when temporal knowledge of lesion formation is needed.
Prospective Motion Correction for Brain MRI Using an External Tracking System
Authors: Nael Kambiz , Pawha Puneet S. , Fleysher Lazar , George Kezia , Stueben Julianne , Roas‐Loeffler Michael , Delman Bradley N. , Fayad Zahi A.
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A wide range of strategies have been developed to mitigate motion, as a major source of image quality degradation in clinical MRI. We aimed to assess the efficiency of a commercially available prospective motion correction (PMC) system in reducing motion in acquiring high‐resolution 3D magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient‐echo (MPRAGE).

METHODS

A total of 100 patients who referred for brain MRI studies were prospectively imaged using a 3.0T scanner. 3D MPRAGE acquisition was obtained with and without application of PMC. The motion tracking system (KinetiCor Inc.) consisted of a quad camera apparatus, which tracks a specific marker on patient's head by evaluating the marker's optical pattern. The patient's head motion in 6 degrees of freedom throughout the acquisition was then incorporated into the MRI sequence, updating the image acquisition in real time based on the most recent head pose data. MPRAGE images with and without motion correction were assessed independently by two board‐certified neuroradiologists using a 5‐point Likert scale. Statistical analysis included kappa and Wilcoxon Rank‐Sum tests.

RESULTS

Observers 1 and 2 identified nondiagnostic studies in 17.2% and 20.7% of patients (K = .78, 95% CI .70‐.86) without motion correction and in 5.7% and 8% of the studies with motion correction (K = .84, 95% CI .76‐.92). The number of nondiagnostic studies was significantly (P = .001) reduced from 19.5% to 5.7% after motion correction in consensus read analysis.

CONCLUSION

The described motion tracking system can be used effectively in clinical practice reducing motion artifact and improving image quality of 3D MPRAGE sequence.
Associations of breastfeeding or formula feeding with infant anthropometry and body composition at 6 months
Authors: Tahir Muna J. , Ejima Keisuke , Li Peng , Demerath Ellen W. , Allison David B. , Fields David A.
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of mode of feeding with infant anthropometric and body composition variables at 6 months of age. We studied 259 infants whose exclusive mode of feeding (breast or formula) to 1 month was confirmed. Standard anthropometric characteristics of the infants (weight, length and weight‐for‐length z scores) were obtained, and body composition (total fat mass, fat‐free mass, trunk fat mass and body fat percent) was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) at 6 months (±12 days). General linear models were used to test the associations of mode of feeding with infant anthropometric and body composition variables at 6 months after adjustment for maternal and infant covariates. In this cohort of predominantly breastfed, White infants of highly educated mothers, fat‐free mass was lower (P = .002), and trunk fat mass (P = .032) and body fat percent (P < .001) were greater in breastfed infants than in formula‐fed infants at 6 months of age. After adjustment for covariates, total fat‐free mass was significantly lower (β = −372 g, [SE = 125, P = .003]), and body fat percent was significantly greater (β = 3.30, [SE = 0.91, P < .001]) in breastfed infants than in formula‐fed infants. No other significant associations were observed. These findings support those of previous studies reporting greater fat‐free mass in formula‐fed infants during the first 6 months of life. Additional research is warranted to explore whether differences in infant body composition by mode of feeding persist throughout the life course and to assess causality.
A single gene in Fusarium oxysporum limits host range
Authors: Li Jiming , Fokkens Like , Rep Martijn
Published: November 2020

Fusarium oxysoporum f. sp. radicis‐cucumerinum (Forc) is able to cause disease in cucumber, melon, and watermelon, while F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis (Fom) can only infect melon plants. Earlier research showed that mobile chromosomes in Forc and Fom determine the difference in host range between Forc and Fom. By closely comparing these pathogenicity chromosomes combined with RNA‐sequencing data, we selected 11 candidate genes that we tested for involvement in the difference in host range between Forc and Fom. One of these candidates is a putative effector gene on the Fom pathogenicity chromosome that has nonidentical homologs on the Forc pathogenicity chromosome. Four independent Forc transformants with this gene from Fom showed strongly reduced or no pathogenicity towards cucumber, while retaining pathogenicity towards melon and watermelon. This suggests that the protein encoded by this gene is recognized by an immune receptor in cucumber plants. This is the first time that a single gene has been demonstrated to determine a difference in host specificity between formae speciales of F. oxysporum.
The nature of beauty: behavior, cognition, and neurobiology
Authors: Skov Martin , Nadal Marcos
Published: November 2020

Beauty is commonly used to refer to positive evaluative appraisals that are uniquely human. Little is known, however, about what distinguishes beauty in terms of psychological function or neurobiological mechanisms. Our review describes recent empirical studies and synthesizes what behavioral, cognitive, and neuroscientific experiments have revealed about the nature of beauty. These findings suggest that beauty shares computational mechanisms with other forms of hedonic appraisal of sensory objects but is distinguished by specific conceptual expectations. Specifically, experiencing an object as pleasurable is a prerequisite for judging it to be beautiful; but to qualify as beautiful, an object must elicit especially high levels of pleasure and be matched to internal learned models of what counts as beautiful. We discuss how these empirical findings contradict several assumptions about beauty, including the notion that beauty is disinterested, and that it is specific toHomo sapiens.
Phosphate or nitrate imbalance induces stronger molecular responses than combined nutrient deprivation in roots and leaves of chickpea plants
Authors: Nasr Esfahani Maryam , Inoue Komaki , Nguyen Kien Huu , Chu Ha Duc , Watanabe Yasuko , Kanatani Asaka , Burritt David J. , Mochida Keiichi , Tran Lam‐Son Phan
Published: November 2020

The negative effects of phosphate (Pi) and/or nitrate (NO3−) fertilizers on the environment have raised an urgent need to develop crop varieties with higher Pi and/or nitrogen use efficiencies for cultivation in low‐fertility soils. Achieving this goal depends upon research that focuses on the identification of genes involved in plant responses to Pi and/or NO3− starvation. Although plant responses to individual deficiency in either Pi (–Pi/+NO3−) or NO3− (+Pi/–NO3−) have been separately studied, our understanding of plant responses to combined Pi and NO3− deficiency (–Pi/–NO3−) is still very limited. Using RNA‐sequencing approach, transcriptome changes in the roots and leaves of chickpea cultivated under –Pi/+NO3−, +Pi/–NO3− or –Pi/–NO3− conditions were investigated in a comparative manner. –Pi/–NO3− treatment displayed lesser effect on expression changes of genes related to Pi or NO3− transport, signalling networks, lipid remodelling, nitrogen and Pi scavenging/remobilization/recycling, carbon metabolism and hormone metabolism than –Pi/+NO3− or +Pi/–NO3− treatments. Therefore, the plant response to –Pi/–NO3− is not simply an additive result of plant responses to –Pi/+NO3− and +Pi/–NO3− treatments. Our results indicate that nutrient imbalance is a stronger stimulus for molecular reprogramming than an overall deficiency.
Exclusive Growth? Rapidly Increasing Top Incomes Amid Low National Growth in South Africa
Authors: Bassier Ihsaan , Woolard Ingrid
Published: November 2020

Despite South Africa’s need for inclusive economic growth, we find that the top income percentiles continue to diverge from the rest of the income distribution. We compare household survey data and tax data (which, unlike household survey data, includes accurate data for the very rich) to investigate the patterns of income growth over the period 2003 to 2018. We find that the gap between the stagnant middle and the top end of the income distribution widened, particularly over the post‐recession period. We also show that the divergence was partly driven by high returns to capital for those with top incomes.
A concept analysis of health communication in a home environment: Perspectives of older persons and their informal caregivers
Authors: Piculell Erik , Skär Lisa , Sanmartin Berglund Johan , Anderberg Peter , Bohman Doris
Published: November 2020

Background

Health communication (HC) is a vast research field focusing on changing health behaviours, and rapidly evolving technology is creating different ways and possibilities to reach target groups and audiences. In the context of home care, a deeper understanding of HC is lacking, specifically for older persons with care needs and their informal caregivers. The aim of this concept analysis is to identify and construct the meaning of HC from the perspective of older persons in need of care in the home environment and their informal caregivers.

Materials and methods

This study utilised Rogers’ (2000) Evolutionary Concept Analysis Method (EMCA) to create and construct a meaning of the concept of HC. The EMCA was based on a systematic literature review of scientific articles, using CINAHL, Pubmed and Inspec (2000‐2017). A total of 29 articles were retrieved and analysed.

Results

The identified attributes of the concept were as follows: resources of the recipient, influence on decisions and advantages of tailored information. HC was described as both contributing to knowledge as well as being overwhelming where habits and resources influenced the use of information. The attributes led to the following descriptive definition of HC: ‘Tailored HC, based on needs and resources of the recipient influence care decisions’. The home environment influenced HC by habits and interactions between older persons and their informal caregivers.

Conclusions

The home environment influenced HC in terms of social aspects of interactions and habits and between the older person and the informal caregiver. Tailored information with the use of technology contributed to knowledge in care of older persons and their informal caregivers. HC was shown to contribute to improve care for older people in their home environment.
Polarization and the Decline of Economic Voting in American National Elections
Authors: Ellis Christopher R. , Ura Joseph Daniel
Published: November 2020

Objective

There is substantial evidence that American voters blame or credit the president for the state of the economy when making electoral decisions. However, a variety of findings on economic voting, cognitive biases in information processing, and party polarization indicate that both objective and subjective economic information should become less important to voters as partisan polarization increases. We evaluate whether partisan polarization attenuates the link between economic performance and citizens’ votes.

Methods

We estimate statistical models of the incumbent party vote shares in U.S. presidential elections from 1952 to 2016 including as predictive terms national partisan polarization (DW‐NOMINATE) and the interaction between polarization and economic growth (annualized second quarter GDP change in election years).

Results

We find support for our expectation that greater partisan polarization mitigates the association between economic performance and American election returns.

Conclusion

Economic performance exerts less influence on vote choices when parties are highly polarized than when they are not. Also, currently high levels of partisan polarization in the United States indicate elections will remain competitive, even if economic conditions otherwise favor or undermine an incumbent candidate's chances of winning.
Enhancing Democracy: Can Civic Engagement Foster Political Participation?
Authors: Binder Martin
Published: November 2020

Objective

The aim of the present article is to address Tocqueville's hypothesis that voluntary associations and volunteering are breeding grounds for democratic virtues and skills and thus enhance political participation.

Methods

Data from the British Household Panel Survey data set spanning the years 1991–2008 are analyzed using multivariate panel data regression techniques to assess the effect of voluntary association membership/activities on political participation in the United Kingdom.

Results

It is found that organizational activity (more than mere membership) positively impacts political participation, but these effects are smaller than usually found and depend on types of associations and degree of activity. Sensitivity analyses support the finding that the political interest more strongly predicts political party support than associational activities. Further support for causal interpretations is scant.

Conclusion

Some evidence for Tocqueville's hypothesis can be found for the United kingdom during the sample horizon, but the effect is sensitive to model specification and issues of reverse causation remain.
Short‐ and long‐distance signaling in plant defense
Authors: Sun Tongjun , Zhang Yuelin
Published: November 2020

When encountering microbial pathogens, plant cells can recognize danger signals derived from pathogens, activate plant immune responses and generate cell‐autonomous as well as non‐cell‐autonomous defense signaling molecules, which promotes defense responses at the infection site and in the neighboring cells. Meanwhile, local damages can result in the release of immunogenic signals including damage‐associated molecule patterns and phytocytokines, which also serve as danger signals to potentiate immune responses in cells surrounding the infection site. Activation of local defense responses further induces the production of long‐distance defense signals, which can move to distal tissue to activate systemic acquired resistance. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on various signaling molecules involved in short‐ and long‐distance defense signaling, and emphasize the roles of regulatory proteins involved in the processes.
Investigation of Ctenocephalides felis on domestic dogs and Rickettsia felis infection in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Authors: Tsai Kun‐Hsien , Yen Tsai‐Ying , Wu Wen‐Jer , Carvalho Ronalg , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre‐Edouard
Published: November 2020

Rickettsia felis is an obligate intracellular Gram‐negative bacterium which causes flea‐borne spotted fever in humans. In the past decades, R. felis has been detected worldwide in Ctenocephalides felis fleas and various other arthropods. However, due to its shared symptoms with other common vector‐borne diseases, human infection is prone to be underestimated or misdiagnosed, especially in the malaria‐endemic areas including sub‐Saharan Africa, where confirmatory laboratory diagnoses are not usually available. In this study, a ‘One Health’ approach was adopted to explore potential vector‐borne and zoonotic pathogens in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (DRSTP), an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea. By collaborating with local veterinarians, 1,187 fleas were collected from 95 domestic dogs across the country and later identified as Ct. felis using taxonomic keys. A cytochrome oxidase gene‐based phylogenetic analysis revealed that all collected fleas belonged to a single haplotype and were identical to isolates from Ivory Coast and Brazil that clustered into a clade of tropical distribution. Additional samples of 14 chigoe fleas (Tunga penetrans) were collected from the surrounding environment of the dogs’ resting spots. Rickettsia felis infection in fleas was examined by molecular methods targeting the citrate synthase (gltA)‐ and outer membrane protein A (ompA)‐coding genes as well as the R. felis‐specific pRF plasmid. The bacterial DNA was detected in 21.01% (146/695) of cat fleas but none of the chigoe fleas. Microimmunofluorescence assay was then performed to assess pathogen exposure of the residents. Of 240 dried blood spots from participants with dog contacts, 8 (3.33%) exhibited R. felis antibodies. Our findings demonstrated the presence of R. felis in DRSTP. Further extensive epidemiological studies regarding its prevalence and its role in causing febrile illness while the nation is entering pre‐elimination stage of malaria will be carried out.
Benefit Cost Analysis of Electrification of Urban Districts: Case Study of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Authors: Rajabi Roya , Thompson Jordan , Krarti Moncef
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the results of a feasibility analysis are summarized to assess the energy, economic, and environmental benefits of electrification and renewable energy integration for an urban district of Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. First, the energy demand for the district is reduced through the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs) appropriate for Philadelphia’s climate. Then, a combination of distributed generation (DG) systems including wind, photovoltaics, and hydropower is evaluated to determine optimized hybrid systems that meet the energy demand of non-electrified and electrified districts. The analysis indicates that the implementation of common and proven EEMs to all the district buildings can reduce its annual energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 13% and 13.8%, respectively. These EEMs are estimated to be cost-effective based on the current electricity price of $0.082/kWh offered by Philadelphia’s utility, Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO). Through cost optimization analysis, a hybrid DG system combining wind and hydropower connected to the grid is found to lower the cost of energy for the non-electrified district to $0.007/kWh, lower than the current PECO rate, with the added benefit to lower carbon emissions by 10%. Moreover, the analysis considered the case of an electrified district which reduces life cycle costs by 3.5%. By implementing electrification and EEMs, the electricity usage decreases by 14% and peak demand by 19.5% as well as CO2 emissions by 18%. Through cost optimization to design a hybrid DG system that can meet energy demands of the electrified district, wind and hydropower connected to the grid is found to achieve a cost of energy of $0.008/kWh and carbon emissions reduction of 34.9%.
Balloon Locomotion for Extreme Terrain
Authors: Nayar Hari D. , Pauken Michael T. , Cable Morgan L. , Hans Michael A. , Ginoya Manit
Published: November 2020

BALLET (BALloon Locomotion for Extreme Terrain) is a new concept vehicle for robotic surface mobility on planetary bodies with an atmosphere. The vehicle is composed of a buoyant balloon with six evenly distributed suspended payload modules each serving as a foot for locomotion over inaccessible rugged terrain. While the physics of BALLET will apply on Venus and Mars, the environmental conditions and available component technology limit our consideration to Titan. We describe the concept in detail, its applications for science missions on Titan, mission deployment scenarios, analyses of the concept under varying environmental conditions, and simulations of its locomotion. The concept is shown to be feasible and provides a new approach for exploration of rugged lakes, dunes, shorelines, and cryovolcanic regions on Titan.
Optimization of a Bioinspired Piezocomposite Pump Based on an Electromechanical Model
Authors: Shan Xin , Bilgen Onur
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the mechanical design and modeling of an active segment of a bioinspired piezocomposite aquatic pump. The design and analysis is based on an electromechanical Euler-Bernoulli beam model. The self-contained propulsion/pumping system is composed of a series of piezo-active soft cymbal-like segments that are connected by passive soft films. By applying coordinated excitations for expansion and contraction to different active segments, the design creates a traveling wave along the pump axis, which in return propels the fluid to generate a unidirectional thrust force. In the model, the insulation and mechanical properties of the waterproofing sealant layer are considered. Using the proposed electromechanical model, a parametric analysis is conducted to understand the effectiveness of the cymbal-like piezocomposite active segment. Two performance metrics are considered, including the area change of the enclosed by the cymbal-like segment, and the work done by the actuators. The optimal structural parameters of the piezocomposite pump are decided by these performance metrics.
Parametric Analysis of Structural Properties of a Rectangular Partially-Clamped Wing
Authors: Katibeh Mohammad , Bilgen Onur
Published: November 2020

The so-called solid-state ornithopter concept seeks to employ piezoelectric materials to generate flapping motion instead of relying on conventional mechanisms and multi-component actuation systems. The motion can be induced on a wing-like partially-clamped composite substrate with a piezocomposite device (i.e. the Macro-Fiber Composite actuator.) In this research, a design for a flapping wing is proposed based on the analysis of critical system parameters such as geometric properties and boundary conditions. A series of finite element simulations are conducted based on the variation of those parameters. Consequently, the effects of parameters on the structural response is studied. Also, modal analysis is done to examine the effects of geometric parameters on the resonant frequencies of the system. Heaving and pitching responses are examined.
Pneumatic Extension Actuators With Kirigami Skins
Authors: Iannucci Steven , Li Suyi
Published: November 2020

Soft pneumatic actuators have found many applications in robotics and adaptive structures. Traditionally, these actuators are constructed by wrapping layers of reinforcing helical fibers around an elastomeric tube. This approach is versatile and robust, but it suffers from a critical disadvantage: cumbersome fabrication procedures. Wrapping long helical filaments around a cylindrical tube requires expensive equipment or excessive manual labor. To address this issue, we propose a new approach towards designing and constructing pneumatic actuators by exploiting the principle of kirigami, the ancient art of paper cutting. More specifically, we use “kirigami skins” — plastic sleeves with carefully arranged slit cuts — to replace the reinforcing helical fibers. This paper presents an initial investigation on a set of linear extension actuators featuring kirigami skins with a uniform array of cross-shaped, orthogonal cuts. When under internal pressurization, the rectangular-shaped facets defined by these cuts can rotate and induce the desired extension motion. Through extensive experiments, we analyze the elastic and plastic deformations of these kirigami skins alone under tension. The results show strongly nonlinear behaviors involving both in-plane facet rotation the out-of-plane buckling. Such a deformation pattern offers valuable insights into the actuator’s performance under pressure. Moreover, both the deformation characteristics and actuation performance are “programmable” by tailoring the cut geometry. This study lays down the foundation for constructing more capable Kirigami-skinned soft actuators that can achieve sophisticated motions.
Self-Sensing Control of Antagonistic SMA Actuators Based on Resistance-Displacement Hysteresis Compensation
Authors: Prechtl Johannes , Seelecke Stefan , Motzki Paul , Rizzello Gianluca
Published: November 2020

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a well-known class of smart materials which allow the design of compact and silent actuation mechanisms. A remarkable feature of SMAs is self-sensing, namely the possibility to reconstruct the actuator position information from electrical resistance measurements. In case of simple SMA actuators, such as spring-loaded wires, the relation between resistance and displacement is usually linear and thus simple to exploit for self-sensing. For more advanced actuator types, such as protagonist-antagonist SMA configurations, the resistance-displacement characteristic is often hysteretic and thus more difficult to invert in real-time. To deal with this issue, this work proposes a novel self-sensing method for protagonist-antagonist SMA actuators having a highly hysteretic resistance-displacement behavior. An online hysteresis compensation scheme, based on the modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii model, is implemented and used to linearize the resistance-displacement characteristic. A lab setup which allows characterization of antagonistic SMA system as well as implementation of self-sensing control architectures is also developed. Experimental results show how, when combined with a PI controller, the developed scheme permits to noticeably reduce the error in comparison to compensator-free self-sensing architectures.