bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life of children with low language from early childhood to adolescence: results from an Australian longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Le Ha N.D. , Mensah Fiona , Eadie Patricia , McKean Cristina , Sciberras Emma , Bavin Edith L. , Reilly Sheena , Gold Lisa
Published: June 2020

Background

Low language abilities are known to be associated with significant adverse long‐term outcomes. However, associations between low language and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) are unclear. We aimed to (a) examine the association between low language and HRQoL from 4 to 13 years and (b) classify the children’s trajectories of HRQoL and language and examine the association between language and HRQoL trajectories.

Methods

Data were from an Australian community‐based cohort of children. HRQoL was measured at ages 4–13 years using the parent‐reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. Language was assessed using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF)‐Preschool 2nd edition at 4 years and the CELF‐4th edition at 5, 7 and 11 years. Multivariable linear regression and mixed effect modelling were used to estimate cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between low language and HRQoL from 4 to 13 years. A joint group‐based trajectory model was used to characterize associations between HRQoL and language trajectories over childhood.

Results

Children with low language had substantially lower HRQoL than children with typical language from 4 to 13 years. Higher language scores were associated with better HRQoL, particularly in social and school functioning. Three HRQoL trajectories were identified: stable‐high (51% of children), reduced with slow decline (40%) and low with rapid decline (9%). Children with low language were less likely to follow a stable‐high HRQoL trajectory (40%) while 26% and 34% followed the reduced with slow decline and low with rapid decline trajectories, respectively.

Conclusions

Children with low language experienced reduced HRQoL from 4 to 13 years. More than half had declining trajectories in HRQoL highlighting the need to monitor these children over time. Interventions should not only aim to improve children’s language ability but also address the wider functional impacts of low language.
The C‐terminal 17 amino acids of the photoreceptor UVR8 is involved in the fine‐tuning of UV‐B signaling
Authors: Lin Li , Dong Huaxi , Yang Guoqian , Yin Ruohe
Published: June 2020

Plant UV‐B responses are mediated by the photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8). In response to UV‐B irradiation, UVR8 homodimers dissociate into monomers that bind to the E3 ubiquitin ligase CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1). The interaction of the C27 domain in the C‐terminal tail of UVR8 with the WD40 domain of COP1 is critical for UV‐B signaling. However, the function of the last 17 amino acids (C17) of the C‐terminus of UVR8, which are adjacent to C27, is unknown, although they are largely conserved in land plants. In this study, we established that Arabidopsis thaliana UVR8 C17 binds to full‐length UVR8, but not to COP1, and reduces COP1 binding to the remaining portion of UVR8, including C27. We hypothesized that overexpression of C17 in a wild‐type background would have a dominant negative effect on UVR8 activity; however, C17 overexpression caused strong silencing of endogenous UVR8, precluding a detailed analysis. We therefore generated YFP‐UVR8N423 transgenic lines, in which C17 was deleted, to examine C17 function indirectly. YFP‐UVR8N423 was more active than YFP‐UVR8, suggesting that C17 inhibits UV‐B signaling by attenuating binding between C27 and COP1. Our study reveals an inhibitory role for UVR8 C17 in fine‐tuning UVR8–COP1 interactions during UV‐B signaling.
How do people in prison feel about opt‐out hepatitis C virus testing?
Authors: Jack Kathryn , Linsley Paul , Thomson Brian James , Irving William Lucien
Published: June 2020

The prison population is central to the campaign to eliminate hepatitis C virus as a public health threat. In the UK, this has led to the introduction of a national ‘opt‐out’ policy, requiring people in prison to be tested for HCV unless they decline, with a target to test 75% of those admitted. However, in a representative prison estate in the East Midlands of England (20,000 prison entrants per annum) testing rates were only 13.4%. This qualitative study explains why the rates of test uptake are so far short of target. This qualitative study examines the experiences of 45 people in prison about hepatitis C virus testing in an English category C (low security) prison. The data collection method was semi‐structured interviews. The data were coded and analysed according to the research questions, and interpretation of the data was aided by the use of a thematic network approach. The themes Fear, Insufficient Knowledge, Stigma, Privacy, Choice and Prison Life emerged as the principal barriers to test uptake. Test Uptake Facilitators that promoted testing were identified by participants and benefits presented of prison health care being a Health Farm. In order to increase hepatitis C virus test uptake, significant changes and flexibility in the timing, location, and staff deployed to test are required. Providing information to people in prison about hepatitis C virus transmission and treatment may reduce fears and enable the test uptake target to be met and sustained.
Associations of retinal microvascular caliber with large arterial function and structure: A population‐based study of 11 to 12 year‐olds and midlife adults
Authors: Liu Mengjiao , Lycett Kate , Wong Tien Yin , Grobler Anneke , Juonala Markus , He Mingguang , Dwyer Terry , Burgner David , Wake Melissa
Published: June 2020

Objective

We examined associations between retinal microvascular and large arterial phenotypes to explore relationships between the micro‐ and macro‐vasculature in childhood and midlife.

Methods

Participants were 1288 children (11‐12 years, 50.9% female) and 1264 adults (mean age 44 years, 87.6% female) in a cross‐sectional population‐based study. Exposures were retinal arteriolar and venular caliber quantified from retinal images. Outcomes included arterial function (pulse wave velocity; carotid arterial elasticity) and structure (carotid intima‐media thickness). Multivariable regression models were performed adjusting for age, sex, and family socioeconomic position.

Results

In children, one standard deviation wider arteriolar caliber was associated with slower pulse wave velocity (−0.15 SD, 95% CI −0.21, −0.09) and higher elasticity (0.13 SD, 95% CI 0.06, 0.20); per SD wider venular caliber was associated with faster pulse wave velocity (0.09 SD, 95% CI 0.03, 0.15) and lower elasticity (−0.07 SD, 95% CI −0.13, −0.01). The size of adult associations was approximately double. Wider arteriolar caliber was associated with smaller carotid intima‐media thickness (−0.09 SD, 95% CI −0.16, −0.03) in adults but not children. Venular caliber and carotid intima‐media thickness showed little evidence of association.

Conclusions

Narrower retinal arterioles and wider venules are associated with large arterial function as early as mid‐childhood. Associations strengthen by midlife and also extend to arterial structure, although effect sizes remain small.
Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 is expressed in choroid plexus epithelial cells and ependymal cells in human and mouse brains
Authors: Chiba Yoichi , Sugiyama Yasunori , Nishi Nozomu , Nonaka Wakako , Murakami Ryuta , Ueno Masaki
Published: June 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is now recognized as one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the disease‐modifying effects of anti‐diabetic drugs on AD have recently been attracting great attention. Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of anti‐diabetic drugs targeting the SGLT2/solute carrier family 5 member 2 (SLC5A2) protein, which is known to localize exclusively in the brush border membrane of early proximal tubules in the kidney. However, recent data suggest that it is also expressed in other tissues. In the present study, we investigated the expression of SGLT2/SLC5A2 in human and mouse brains. Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin sections from autopsied human brains and C3H/He mouse brains revealed granular cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in choroid plexus epithelial cells and ependymal cells. Immunoblot analysis of the membrane fraction of mouse choroid plexus showed distinct immunoreactive bands at 70 and 26 kDa. Band patterns around 70 kDa in the membrane fraction of the choroid plexus were different from those in the kidney. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the expression of Slc5a2 mRNA in the mouse choroid plexus. Our results provide in vivo evidence that SGLT2/SLC5A2 is expressed in cells facing the cerebrospinal fluid, in addition to early proximal tubular epithelial cells. These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may have another site of action in the brain. The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on brain function and AD progression merit further investigation to develop better treatment options for DM patients.
Displacement and stress distribution of Kilroy spring and nickel‐titanium closed‐coil spring during traction of palatally impacted canine: A 3‐dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Lena Sezici Yağmur , Gediz Meltem , Akış Ahmet Alper , Sarı Gözde , Duran Gökhan Serhat , Dindaroğlu Furkan
Published: June 2020

Objective

To compare the stress distribution and initial displacements during traction of palatally impacted canine between Kilroy and nickel‐titanium (NiTi) closed‐coil springs by means of the finite element analysis.

Setting and Sample Population

A finite element method analysis of two traction methods for a maxillary impacted canine.

Materials and Methods

The corresponding periodontal ligaments (PDLs), brackets, molar tubes and a 0.019 × 0.025‐in base stainless‐steel (SS) wire were modelled and imported to ANSYS SpaceClaim version 2020 R1. Traction was simulated under two different set‐ups with equal force magnitude (60 g); (1) the Kilroy spring, which is made of 0.016‐inch SS, and (2) the NiTi closed ‐coil spring. Von Mises stress distributions and initial displacements of the maxillary teeth were analysed.

Results

In both mechanics, while the highest stress was seen on the impacted canine (Kilroy, 10.41 kPa; NiTi closed‐coil, 5.27 kPa), the stress distribution decreased as the distance from the impacted canine increased. The Kilroy spring showed a greater total displacement (465.60 μm) on the impacted canine. The higher stresses on the adjacent lateral (5.29 kPa) and premolar (6.41 kPa) occurred with the Kilroy spring.

Conclusions

The Kilroy spring yielded higher stresses than the NiTi closed‐coil spring on the impacted canine and the adjacent teeth. The difference between distribution of the stresses over the impacted canine induced greater displacement with the Kilroy spring, particularly in the vertical direction.
Atrioesophageal fistula post atrial fibrillation ablation: A multicenter study from China
Authors: Li Chang‐Yi , Li Song‐Nan , Jiang Chen‐Yang , Fu Hua , Liang Ming , Wang Zu‐Lu , Zhong Jing‐Quan , Zhou Xian‐Hui , Wu Qi , Chang Dong , Wang Yan , Zhou Gen‐Qing , Liu Wen‐Shao , Song Wei , Sang Cai‐Hua , Long De‐Yong , Du Xin , Dong Jian‐Zeng , Ma Chang‐Sheng
Published: June 2020

Background and objective

Atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but devastating complication with high mortality post atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The purpose of current study was to determine the epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, and management of AEF after AF ablation.

Methods and results

Patients with diagnosed AEF were included and retrospectively analyzed according to the registry of 11 centers in China from January 2010 to December 2019. A total of 16 AEF cases were identified from 44 794 patients who received a left atrial ablation procedure (0.035% per procedure). The interval from procedure to clinical onset of AEF averaged 18.3 days (3‐39 days). The fever ranked the most common symptom, occurred in 14 of the 16 cases, followed by neurological deficits (n = 11), chest pain (n = 5), and hematemesis (n = 4). Patients undergoing surgical repair had a better prognosis compared to those receiving nonsurgical management ([4 of 8] 50.0% vs [8 of 8] 100%, P < .05) with an overall mortality rate of 75.0%.

Conclusion

AEF is highly characterized by varied manifestations. Early diagnosis and urgent surgical repair are vital to those patients and associated with improved survival rates.
Who Should Compensate the Sales Agent in a Distribution Channel?
Authors: Kouvelis Panos , Shi Duo
Published: June 2020

We analytically study a value chain consisting of three independent parties: a manufacturer, a retailer, and a sales agent. Either the manufacturer or the retailer may compensate the sales agent, and a variety of supply contracts may be used between the manufacturer and the retailer: price‐only, buyback, and channel rebate. We first compare the efficiency of different supply contracts under either compensation scheme, and then compare the two compensation schemes when executed with the best performing supply contract for the parameter range. Under manufacturer compensation, we find that the price‐only contract may perform well in encouraging sales effort and it can dominate the distribution channel coordinating contracts in certain parameter (production and sales effort costs) range. Under retailer compensation, we find that, within the value chain, the buyback contract performs better in quantity coordination and the channel rebate contract performs better in sales effort coordination. Interestingly, our results show that an appropriate supply contract in support of a salesforce compensation scheme helps mitigate the inefficiency brought by the asymmetric sales effort information, and can lead to value chain first best for a wide range of parameters. When this is not the case, manufacturer compensation executed via the price‐only contract dominates for stable demand markets and retailer compensation executed via channel rebate contract dominates when the market’s uncertain outcomes are distinct.
Shareholder Value Effects of the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal on the Automotive Ecosystem
Authors: Jacobs Brian W. , Singhal Vinod R.
Published: June 2020

This study provides empirical evidence on the effect of the September 2015 Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal on the stock prices of publicly traded firms in the global automotive ecosystem. We focus on both the supply chain partners of VW—tier‐1 suppliers; tier‐2 suppliers; and business customers—and three groups of firms that are not VW supply chain partners—other motor vehicle manufacturers; parts manufacturers not identified as VW suppliers; and wholesalers, retailers, and rental agencies not identified as VW customers. We find that tier‐1 suppliers of direct material to VW suffered a mean stock price reaction of ‒2.69% in the week following the scandal, but this effect varied by region. European suppliers were the most impacted with a mean stock price reaction of ‒5.52%. Suppliers with larger revenue dependence on VW experienced greater negative stock price reactions, as did suppliers of components for engines and/or emissions systems. Non‐VW parts manufacturers experienced a positive effect. We find a mean stock price reaction of ‒5.28% to VW’s European customers, but no significant effects for non‐VW customers. European motor vehicle manufacturers experienced a mean stock price reaction of ‒7.60%. Our results suggest that firms should not just focus on selecting and monitoring responsible suppliers but also apply some of the same principles to developing responsible customers. Our work also has implications for industry groups, regulators, and legal systems, entities that have the resources and capabilities to effectively monitor large firms to reduce illegal or irresponsible behavior such as the VW scandal.
Network of Networks: Preliminary Lessons from the Antwerp Port Authority on Crisis Management and Network Governance to Deal with the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: van den Oord Steven , Vanlaer Niels , Marynissen Hugo , Brugghemans Bert , Van Roey Jan , Albers Sascha , Cambré Bart , Kenis Patrick
Published: June 2020

In this article, the authors describe and illustrate what they call a “network of networks” perspective and map the development of a lead network for the Antwerp Port Authority that governed organizations and networks in the port community before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. They find that setting a collective focus and selective integration are crucial in the creation and reproduction of an effective system to adequately deal with a wicked problem like the COVID‐19 pandemic. The findings on crisis management and network governance are used to engage practitioners and public policy planners to revisit the current design and governance of organizational networks within organizational fields that have been hit by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
China's Railway Transportation Safety Regulation System Based on Evolutionary Game Theory and System Dynamics
Authors: Feng Fenling , Liu Chengguang , Zhang Jiaqi
Published: June 2020

China's railways were restructured in 2013. The number of regulatory practitioners has decreased significantly, making real‐time regulation more difficult. Regulatory transfers from inside to outside the railway industry increases information risks. A more reasonable regulation mechanism is needed. The article considers introducing a public supervision mechanism into the railway transportation safety regulation system, which includes two regulators and one regulatee. As the government regulator, the State Railway Administration (SRA) regulates the safety of China Railway Corporation (CR) and encourages the public to act as supervisors to expose the CR's unsafe production information. To analyze the risks and effectiveness of the system, a multiplayer evolutionary game and system dynamics‐based model for railway transportation safety regulation is established. The decision processes of players under different conditions are simulated. The results show that improving the public supervision ratio is conducive to improve the CR's safe production ratio. However, there is no evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) in the system. Strategies and evolutionary processes have large fluctuations, which represent high risk. Excessive penalty and reward coefficients can aggravate the amplitude and frequency of fluctuations, causing uncertainty in regulation and making it more difficult to control the actual problems. A dynamic reward and punishment mechanism is proposed to control these fluctuations. The system finally achieves an ESS that results in the lowest regulation investment for the SRA, a safe production ratio for the CR of 95%, and a public supervision ratio of 95.2%. Introducing public supervision and dynamic reward and punishment mechanisms help to stabilize and improve the CR's safe production ratio and to decrease the SRA's regulatory investment.
Facies model of a sedimentary record for a Pantanal‐like inland wetland
Authors: Tineo David Eric
Published: June 2020

Despite recent advances in wetland studies, ancient wetland deposits are still not well documented, and their facies characteristics are poorly registered. Sedimentary facies and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Miocene Yecua Formation (Chaco foreland basin, Central Andes, Bolivia) and their comparison to Pantanal‐like modern wetlands provide an insight into their variability, suggesting a facies model for large inland wetlands that developed in a tropical–subtropical climate. Sedimentological features show that clastic, chemical and biological processes in these environments lead to distinguishable lithofacies variations. Six architectural elements are described: (i) muddy sublittoral (FA1); (ii) mixed siliciclastic–carbonate shoreface (FA2); (iii) sand‐flat (FA3) and (iv) mud‐flat (FA4) deposits; (iv) floodplain (FA5); and (vi) simple channel deposits (FA6). The succession is composed of shallowing‐upward parasequences with different facies characteristics caused by climatically‐driven changes of the water level over three orders of magnitude and cyclicity. These cyclic changes reflect a climatic control on the sedimentation. A palaeoclimatic interpretation suggests a generally warm, humid climate with marked rainfall regime changes. The aim of this article is to use this dataset to improve the understanding of depositional elements, lithologies and stratigraphy in tropical–subtropical large inland wetlands. The proposed criteria will help in recognizing inland wetland deposits in other sedimentary basins.
Problematizing ‘Bordering, Ordering, and Othering’ as Manifestations of Socio‐Spatial Fetishism
Authors: Paasi Anssi
Published: June 2020

This paper will re‐examine and reflect critically Henk van Houtum and Ton van Naerssen’s paper ‘Bordering, Ordering and Othering’ that came out in a related theme issue in TESG in 2002. My first goal is to contextualise their paper into the debates on borders/bordering that began to flourish at the turn of the millennium and have emerged since then. I will then evaluate the enduring significance of this text and discuss the geohistory of othering. My final intention is to push their ideas further and to problematise the processes of bordering, ordering and othering as ideological and material manifestations of socio‐spatial fetishism that often conceal power relations and the alternatives for challenging and transcending these processes.
Molecular characterisation ofRhDvariants in North Indian blood donor population
Authors: Khetan Dheeraj , Verma Anviti , Chaudhary Rajendra K. , Shukla Jai Shankar
Published: June 2020

Objectives

A molecular analysis of serologically RhD variant samples was conducted to find the incidence of various D variants in our blood donor population.

Background

Determining a blood donor's RhD phenotype and genotype is important as transfusion of units with a weak D or partial D phenotype can result in immunisation of the recipients.

Methods

Samples with discrepant D and weak D phenotypes identified on testing with at least five different monoclonal anti‐D antisera were considered serological RhD variant and subjected to molecular testing (Massarray kit, Agena Bioscience, San Diego) for variantRHDgene.

Results

A total of 39 samples, including 19 RhD discrepant samples and 20 weak D samples, were identified as serological RhD variant from a total of 4386 samples. Thirteen (13/39) samples carried variants leading to weak D phenotype, and eight samples had variants leading to partial D categories. Seven samples (7) could not be characterised, whereas 11 samples were identified as Rh negative (RHD*01N.01) after molecular testing. Overall incidence of D variants in the study population was 0.48%.RHD*weak D type 1(5, 0.1%) andRHD*DFR1(5, 1%) were the most common variants identified.

Conclusions

Few samples with weak reaction on serological testing were found to be partial D variant and vice versa. Donor centres should develop a protocol for genotyping of samples with aberrant results on serological testing for assessing the actual RhD status of an individual as results of serological testing may be misleading.
Interactions of gene expression, alternative splicing, and DNA methylation in determining nodule identity
Authors: Niyikiza Daniel , Piya Sarbottam , Routray Pratyush , Miao Long , Kim Won‐Seok , Burch‐Smith Tessa , Gill Tom , Sams Carl , Arelli Prakash R. , Pantalone Vince , Krishnan Hari B. , Hewezi Tarek
Published: June 2020

Soybean nodulation is a highly controlled process that involves complex gene regulation at both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels. In the present study, we profiled gene expression changes, alternative splicing events, and DNA methylation patterns during nodule formation, development, and senescence. The transcriptome data uncovered key transcription patterns of nodule development that included 9669 core genes and 7302 stage‐specific genes. Alternative splicing analysis uncovered a total of 2323 genes that undergo alternative splicing events in at least one nodule developmental stage, with activation of exon skipping and repression of intron retention being the most common splicing events in nodules compared to roots. Approximately 40% of the differentially spliced genes were also differentially expressed at the same nodule developmental stage, implying a substantial association between gene expression and alternative splicing. Genome‐wide‐DNA methylation analysis revealed dynamic changes in nodule methylomes that were specific to each nodule stage, occurred in a sequence‐specific manner, and impacted the expression of 1864 genes. An attractive hypothesis raised by our data is that increased DNA methylation may contribute to the efficiency of alternative splicing. Together, our results provide intriguing insights into the associations between gene expression, alternative splicing, and DNA methylation that may shape transcriptome complexity and proteome specificity in developing soybean nodules.
Anti‐A/B isoagglutinin reduction in an intravenous immunoglobulin product and risk of hemolytic anemia: a hospital‐based cohort study
Authors: Wallenhorst Christopher , Patel Ami , Shebl Amgad , Hubsch Alphonse , Simon Toby L. , Martinez Carlos
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are derived from large human plasma pools. IVIG‐associated hemolytic anemia (HA) is a known class effect, likely attributed to dose‐dependent passive transfer of anti‐A/B isoagglutinins. Two isoagglutinin reduction steps were implemented in the manufacturing process of Privigen (human 10% liquid IVIG): exclusion of high–anti‐A–titer donors in 2013, replaced by specific immunoaffinity chromatography in 2015. We aim to estimate the clinical effectiveness of both measures.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Using the US hospital‐based Premier Healthcare Database, three Privigen cohorts were generated based on calendar periods indicative of manufacturing changes: Period 1 (baseline) January 2008 to December 2012, Period 2 (high–anti‐A–titer donor exclusion) October 2013 to December 2015, and Period 3 (immunoaffinity chromatography) October 2016 to April 2019. HA within a 10‐day at‐risk period after Privigen administrations was identified from review of patient record summaries. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated from Poisson regression (Period 1 reference) adjusting for hospital setting, sex, age, Privigen indication, dose, and first use.

RESULTS

Crude incidence rates of HA were 1.49 per 10,000 person‐days in Period 1 (38 HA, 9439 patients), 1.01 in Period 2 (20 HA, 7710 patients), and 0.14 in Period 3 (3 HA, 7759 patients). Adjusted IRR for HA in Period 2 was 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41‐1.23), and in Period 3 was 0.10 (0.03‐0.33) compared with Period 1. The IRR for HA in Period 3 compared with Period 2 was 0.14 (95% CI, 0.04‐0.47).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of immunoaffinity chromatography in Privigen manufacturing resulted in a significant 90% reduction of HA risk. HA has become a rare event in association with Privigen use.
Feasibility of a pilot program for COVID‐19 convalescent plasma collection in Wuhan, China
Authors: Li Ling , Yang Ru , Wang Jue , Lv Qilu , Ren Ming , Zhao Lei , Chen Hanwei , Xu Haixia , Xie Songli , Xie Jin , Lin Hui , Li Wenjuan , Fang Peng , Gong Li , Wang Lan , Wu Yanyun , Liu Zhong
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

A novel coronavirus has caused an international outbreak. Currently, there are no specific therapeutic agents for coronavirus infections. Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is a potentially effective treatment option.

METHODS

Patients who had recovered from COVID‐19 and had been discharged from the hospital for more than 2 weeks were recruited. COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP)‐specific donor screening and selection were performed based on the following criteria: 1) aged 18‐55 years; 2) eligible for blood donation; 3) diagnosed with COVID‐19; 4) had two consecutive negative COVID‐19 nasopharyngeal swab tests based on PCR (at least 24 hr apart) prior to hospital discharge; 5) had been discharged from the hospital for more than 2 weeks; and 6) had no COVID‐19 symptoms prior to convalescent plasma donation. In addition, preference was given to CCP donors who had a fever lasting more than 3 days or a body temperature exceeding 38.5°C (101.3°F), and who donated 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms. CCP collection was performed using routine plasma collection procedures via plasmapheresis. In addition to routine donor testing, the CCP donorsʼ plasma was also tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid and S‐RBD‐specific IgG antibody.

RESULTS

Of the 81 potential CCP donors, 64 (79%) plasma products were collected. There were 18 female donors and 46 male donors. There were 34 first‐time blood donors and 30 repeat donors. The average time between CCP collection and initial symptom onset was 49.1 days, and the average time between CCP collection and hospital discharge was 38.7 days. The average volume of CCP collected was 327.7 mL.

All Alanine transaminase (ALT) testing results met blood donation requirements. HIV Ag/Ab, anti‐HCV, anti‐syphilis, and HBsAg were all negative; NAT for HIV, HBV, and HCV were also negative. In addition, all of the CCP donorsʼ plasma units were negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. Of the total 64 CCP donors tested, only one had an S‐RBD‐specific IgG titer of 1:160, all others had a titer of ≥1:320.

CONCLUSION

Based on a feasibility study of a pilot CCP program in Wuhan, China, we demonstrated the success and feasibility of CCP collection. In addition, all of the CCP units collected had a titer of ≥1:160 for S‐RBD‐specific IgG antibody, which met the CCP quality control requirements based on the Chinese national guidelines for CCP.
An Overview of Stock Portfolio Returns and Return Premia in Japan: The Case of Size and Book-to-Market Portfolios
Authors: Tsuji Chikashi
Published: June 2020

This article explores Japanese stock portfolio returns and return premia by focusing on size- and book-to-market (BM)-sorted portfolios over the period of 1990 to 2020. As a result of our investigations, we derive the following useful findings. (1) In general, the value and/or size effects are continuously seen in the Japanese stock market. However, (2) these effects much depend on the economic and business background: for the performance of size- and BM-sorted portfolios in Japan, the value effect is stronger in some sub-periods; while the size effect is clearer in other sub-periods. Furthermore, (3) this study employs the data in US dollars, and computes various statistics and measures for both our full sample period and many different sub-periods, whose economic circumstances are rather different. Therefore, not only for academic researchers but also for international investors, our findings shall be highly beneficial for enriching the understanding of Japanese stock portfolio returns and return premia.
Standards and Methods for Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Assessments in Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Freitas Christopher J.
Published: June 2020

Methods for verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification (V&V and UQ) have been the subjects of interest to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the mechanical engineering community as a whole for over three decades. During this time period, ASME's Fluids Engineering Division and ASME's Codes and Standards V&V Committee have led the development of methods and standards for performing verification, validation, and uncertainty assessments focused on grid-based discretizations. This paper reviews the work that has gone into the specification of the standards and the continuing efforts of the V&V Committee to formulate methods and procedures for verification, validation, and quantifying numerical uncertainty.
Optimization of operating parameters of an off-road automotive diesel engine running at highway drive conditions using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Marri Vinod Babu , Madhu Murthy K. , Amba Prasad Rao G.
Published: June 2020

The typical tradeoff between the two major emissions from compression ignition (CI) engines, smoke and oxides of nitrogen, is the unresolved challenge to the researchers. Techniques like engine downsizing, lowering intake oxygen concentration, multiple injections, use of retarded injection timings and higher injection pressures, etc. are widely employed for the alleviation of these harmful emissions. The influence of variation of fuel injection pressure (FIP), boost pressure, pilot injection timing (PIT), pilot injection quantity (PIQ) and main injection timing (MIT) are experimentally investigated in the present work. Mahindra mHawk four-cylinder diesel engine with provisions of a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and common-rail direct injection (CRDi) is chosen for the experimentation. Test runs are conducted at 1750 rpm and 80.3 N.m (4.6 bar bmep) corresponding to highway drive conditions, using 10 % EGR. Response surface methodology is employed for the design of experiments and to analyze the experimental data. Multi-objective response optimization is carried out to optimize engine-operating parameters that give desired performance and engine-out emissions. Confirmatory tests are conducted at design conditions to validate the results predicted by the model. This study reveals that the optimum performance and emission characteristics could be obtained using 120 kPa boost pressure; 61.1 MPa fuel injection pressure; 11.5 % pilot injection quantity with pilot injection at 332 °CA and main injection at 359 °CA.
Optimization of the Process Parameters for Hydrotreating Used Cooking Oil by the Taguchi Method and Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Sonthalia Ankit , Koul Rashi
Published: June 2020

Hydrotreating process is an alternate approach for producing diesel hydrocarbons from the biomass-based oils. In the present study, used cooking oil was selected for the hydrotreating process due to its high abundance. A batch reactor was used for carrying out the experiments. To increase the reaction rate a manganese, cerium promoted ruthenium-based catalyst supported on Al2O3 was used. The design of experiments was used for optimizing the process parameters. The Taguchi method was selected as it reduces the number of experiments which saves time and money. The study was aimed at increasing the conversion percentage and diesel selectivity and reducing the naphtha selectivity. Since multi-objective optimization was required, fuzzy logic was incorporated which utilizes the human thought logic. The analysis of variance shows that the reaction temperature and reaction pressure significantly affect the output parameters. Higher temperature leads to cracking of the oil resulting in the formation of large amount of lower carbon chains. Moreover, high hydrogen pressure results in increase in the hydrogenation process, thereby increasing the diesel selectivity. The optimized parameters obtained from the study were 360 °C reaction temperature, 40-bar initial reaction pressure, and 200-min reaction time. Confirmation experiment was carried out using these parameters, and the conversion efficiency and diesel selectivity was 89.7% and 88.2%, respectively. The study shows that the combination of Taguchi and fuzzy logic is an effective method for optimizing the process parameters of the hydrotreating process.
An Old Problem Reconsidered: The Wahl–Fischer Torsional Instability Problem
Authors: Infante E. F. , Doughty S.
Published: June 2020

The phenomenon of torsional instabilities found in rotating mechanical systems powered by induction motors was encountered in the late 1930s by Wahl and Fisher in a turnpike exhaust system. Subsequently, this phenomenon has been repeatedly found to affect a number of similar physical systems and has led to a number of studies and analysis that have clarified the reasons for these instabilities, associated with the torque characteristics of induction motors. Surprisingly, none of these studies have presented a mathematical qualitative analysis of the eigenvalues of the differential equations that describe such electromechanical systems. This is the central purpose of this paper. It depends on the identification and exploitation of a particular “central” solution to the differential equations that describe the system, and of its relationship to a simpler formulation of the same system. This turns out to be a rather modest mathematical endeavor which, however, yields result that illuminate the nature of the instabilities encountered and provides a designer of such systems with the tools to abate or avoid these instabilities.
Associations Between Physical Activity and Perceived School Performance of Young Adolescents in Health Behavior in School-Aged Children Countries
Authors: Ng Kwok W. , Sudeck Gorden , Marques Adilson , Borraccino Alberto , Boberova Zuzana , Vasickova Jana , Tesler Riki , Kokko Sami , Samdal Oddrun
Published: June 2020

Background: Regular physical activity and doing well in school are important for growing adolescents. In this study, the associations between physical activity and perceived school performance (PSP) are examined together. Methods: Young adolescents from 42 countries (n = 193,949) in Europe and Canada were examined for associations between self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and PSP. Multinominal analyses were conducted with 0 to 2 days of MVPA and below average PSP as reference categories. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported for pooled data and individual countries after controlling for family affluence scale. Results: Girls had better PSP than boys, yet more boys participated in daily MVPA than girls. The associations between PSP and MVPA were inverted U shaped. The strongest association for very good PSP was among young adolescents who reported 5 to 6 days MVPA (odds ratios = 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–2.4) after controlling for family affluence scale. Conclusions: Young adolescents with average or better PSP took part in at least 3 days of MVPA in a week, suggesting that participating in some MVPA was positively associated with PSP. More days of MVPA in a week, especially for young adolescents with below average PSP, would be beneficial for health and school performance.
STK38 promotes ATM activation by acting as a reader of histone H4 ufmylation
Authors: Qin Bo , Yu Jia , Nowsheen Somaira , Zhao Fei , Wang Liewei , Lou Zhenkun
Published: June 2020

STK38, a reader of histone H4 ufmylation, regulates ATM activation.
ITCZ shift and extratropical teleconnections drive ENSO response to volcanic eruptions
Authors: Pausata Francesco S. R. , Zanchettin Davide , Karamperidou Christina , Caballero Rodrigo , Battisti David S.
Published: June 2020

Volcanic eruptions trigger ENSO response through shifts in the ITCZ and extratropical-to-tropical teleconnections.
CReP mediates selective translation initiation at the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Kastan Jonathan P. , Dobrikova Elena Y. , Bryant Jeffrey D. , Gromeier Matthias
Published: June 2020

CReP recruits translation machinery to the ER and promotes local translation during global protein synthesis repression.
Two centuries of settlement and urban development in the United States
Authors: Leyk Stefan , Uhl Johannes H. , Connor Dylan S. , Braswell Anna E. , Mietkiewicz Nathan , Balch Jennifer K. , Gutmann Myron
Published: June 2020

New spatiotemporal settlement data enable unprecedented examination of urban and regional change in the United States since 1810.
VapBC22 toxin-antitoxin system from
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is required for pathogenesis and modulation of host immune response
Authors: Agarwal Sakshi , Sharma Arun , Bouzeyen Rania , Deep Amar , Sharma Harsh , Mangalaparthi Kiran K. , Datta Keshava K. , Kidwai Saqib , Gowda Harsha , Varadarajan Raghavan , Sharma Ravi Datta , Thakur Krishan Gopal , Singh Ramandeep
Published: June 2020

The VapBC22 toxin-antitoxin system regulates adaptation to oxidative stress and virulence in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
.
Noninvasive in vivo 3D bioprinting
Authors: Chen Yuwen , Zhang Jiumeng , Liu Xuan , Wang Shuai , Tao Jie , Huang Yulan , Wu Wenbi , Li Yang , Zhou Kai , Wei Xiawei , Chen Shaochen , Li Xiang , Xu Xuewen , Cardon Ludwig , Qian Zhiyong , Gou Maling
Published: June 2020

The subcutaneously injected bioink was noninvasively printed into customized living tissue constructs in situ.
Nitrogen in black phosphorus structure
Authors: Ji Cheng , Adeleke Adebayo A. , Yang Liuxiang , Wan Biao , Gou Huiyang , Yao Yansun , Li Bing , Meng Yue , Smith Jesse S. , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Liu Wenjun , Shen Guoyin , Mao Wendy L. , Mao Ho-kwang
Published: June 2020

We synthesized a new allotrope of nitrogen, providing prospects for nitrogen-based high-energy-density materials and 2D materials.
COVID-19 diagnostics in context
Authors: Weissleder Ralph , Lee Hakho , Ko Jina , Pittet Mikael J.
Published: June 2020

Understanding the performance of existing COVID-19 tests and different clinical needs can inform development of next-generation tests.
Draft Genome Sequences of Bacillus subtilis Strains TNC1(2019), TNC3(2019), and TNW1(2019), as Well as Bacillus velezensis Strains TNC2(2019) and TNW2(2019), Isolated from Cabbage Kimchee
Authors: Perron Gabriel G. , Neupane Tejaswee , Mendoza Rachael A.
Published: June 2020

We report the draft genome sequences of five novel
Bacillus
strains isolated from five different batches of fermented Napa cabbage kimchee. Strains TNC1(2019), TNC3(2019), and TNW1(2019) were identified as
Bacillus subtilis
, while TNC2(2019) and TNW2(2019) were identified as
Bacillus velezensis
.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Bifidobacterium dentium Isolated from a Crude Fecal Extract Used for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Simpson Erin , Sanjar Fatemeh , Wylie Dennis , Park Sowon , Koh Hong , Bae Jaewoong , Kook Sun-Young , Kim Seokjin , Kim Hyun Jung
Published: June 2020

We present the draft genome sequences of two
Bifidobacterium dentium
strains isolated from a fecal extract for fecal microbiota transplantation at a hospital in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic and functional analyses were performed to understand the physiological characteristics and functions of
Bifidobacterium
spp. in the human intestine.
Genome Sequences of Plant-Associated
Rhodococcus
sp. Isolates from Tunisia
Authors: Dhaouadi Sabrine , Win Joe , Mougou Amira Hamdane , Harant Adeline , Kamoun Sophien , Rhouma Ali
Published: June 2020

The draft genome sequences of plant-associated
Rhodococcus
spp. from Tunisia are reported here. Two
Rhodococcus fascians
strains were obtained from almond rootstocks, and one
Rhodococcus kroppenstedtii
strain was obtained from a pistachio tree. The fourth
Rhodococcus
sp. strain was isolated from an ornamental plant.
Complete Genome Sequences of 16 Mycoplasma bovis Isolates from Canadian Bison and Cattle
Authors: Register Karen B. , Bayles Darrell O. , Ma Hao , Windeyer M. Claire , Perez-Casal Jose , Bras Ana L. , Suleman Muhammad , Woodbury Murray , Jelinski Murray D. , Alt David P.
Published: June 2020

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 12
Mycoplasma bovis
isolates cultured from Canadian bison and 4 cultured from Canadian cattle. The sequences are of value for understanding the phylogenetic relationship between cattle and bison isolates and will aid in elucidating the genetic basis for virulence and host specificity.
Complete Genome Sequence and Annotation for
Romboutsia
sp. Strain CE17
Authors: Maki Joel J. , Nielsen Daniel W. , Looft Torey
Published: June 2020

Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of
Romboutsia
sp. strain CE17, which was isolated during a screen for spore-forming anaerobic microorganisms that colonized the surface of chicken eggs.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptococcus anginosus UMB0839, Isolated from the Female Urinary Tract
Authors: Scott Thomas , Miller-Ensminger Taylor , Voukadinova Adelina , Wolfe Alan J. , Putonti Catherine
Published: June 2020

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Streptococcus anginosus
UMB0839, isolated from the female urinary tract. The total size of the genome is 2,104,786 bp assembled into 42 contigs with a GC content of 38.8% and 284× genome coverage.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella oxytoca Strain Bearing
mcr-9
from Qatar
Authors: Tsui Clement K. M. , Sundararaju Sathyavathi , Al Mana Hassan , Hasan Mohammad Rubayet , Tang Patrick , Perez-Lopez Andres
Published: June 2020

Klebsiella oxytoca
is an opportunistic human pathogen causing nosocomial infection. We report the draft genome of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing
K. oxytoca
isolate harboring an
mcr-9
gene, a recently discovered colistin resistance analog, from Qatar. The genome statistics, along with the sequence type and resistance mechanisms, are predicted for the assembled genome.
Whole-Genome Sequences of
Salmonella
Isolates from an Ecological Wastewater Treatment System
Authors: Connolly Charles J. , Kaminsky Laura , Pinto Gabriella N. , Sinclair Priscilla C. , Bajracharya Gyasu , Yan Runan , Nawrocki Erin M. , Dudley Edward G. , Kovac Jasna
Published: June 2020

Twenty-seven
Salmonella
isolates were collected from four locations within an ecological wastewater treatment system located at The Pennsylvania State University and were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. The sequences obtained were used for
in silico
characterization, including serotyping and phylogenetic relatedness analysis.
Complete Genome Sequence of a SARS-CoV-2 Strain Isolated in Northern Germany
Authors: Pfefferle Susanne , Huang Jiabin , Nörz Dominik , Indenbirken Daniela , Lütgehetmann Marc , Oestereich Lisa , Günther Thomas , Grundhoff Adam , Aepfelbacher Martin , Fischer Nicole
Published: June 2020

Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain isolated from an oropharyngeal swab sample from a female patient with COVID-19 who was infected in Hamburg, northern Germany.
Supplemental Material: Evidence for ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism discovered in the Appalachian orogen
Authors: Gonzalez Joseph , al. et
Published: June 2020

Methodological background and petrologic data.
Supplemental Material: U-Pb dating of overpressure veins in late Archean shales reveals six episodes of Paleoproterozoic deformation and fluid flow in the Pilbara craton
Authors: Rasmussen Birger , al. et
Published: June 2020

Sample descriptions, analytical procedures, and data Tables S1–S7.
Supplemental Material: No evidence for carbon enrichment in the mantle source of carbonatites in eastern Africa
Authors: Casola Valentin , al. et
Published: June 2020

Additional information on sample location, sample description, carbon and oxygen analytical methods, and the Rayleigh distillation model.