bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of the Buttock Applied Strain Test to Diagnose Radicular Pain in Patients With Low Back Pain
Authors: Samolsky Dekel Boaz Gedaliahu , Sorella Maria Cristina , Vasarri Alessio , Melotti Rita Maria
Published: April 2020

Background

Low‐back pain (LBP) pathophysiological conditions include nociceptive back pain, somatic referred pain, radicular pain (RP), and radiculopathy. Differential diagnosis is challenging; guidance may come from patients’ thorough clinical history and physical examination and, particularly for lumbar RP, from the evaluation of subjective responses of injured lumbar nerves to a strain applied at the buttock (buttock applied strain [BUAS] test).

Methods

In a sample of 395 consecutive patients with LBP, sensitivity, specificity, and prior probability (positive predictive values [PPVs] and negative predictive values [NPVs]) of the BUAS test were evaluated against 2 reference tests: the straight leg raising test (SLRT) and the painDETECT (PD) questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) and χ2 analyses were used to evaluate the BUAS test outcomes’ dependence upon independent variables (gender, age group, pain localization, SLRT outcomes, and PD outcomes). Cohen’s kappa statistic was used to assess inter‐rater agreement.

Results

Compared with the PD questionnaire, the BUAS test showed a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, and NPV of 82%; compared with the SLRT, the BUAS test showed a sensitivity of 82%, NPV of 82%, specificity of 40%, and PPV of 40%. Inter‐rater agreement of Cohen’s kappa was 0.911. Significant associations were found between BUAS test outcomes and pain localization, SLRT outcomes, and PD outcomes, but not with the predictors gender or age group. MLR showed significant congruent relationships between BUAS test and PD outcomes.

Conclusion

Among patients with LBP, the BUAS test showed satisfactory sensitivity, specificity, prior probability, and inter‐rater reliability; thus, it may be considered a useful adjunctive tool to diagnose RP in patients with LBP. For more generalized results, more research, in clinical settings other than pain clinics, is needed.
The Impact of Veto Players on Incremental and Drastic Policy Making: Australia's Carbon Tax Policy and Its Repeal
Authors: Ike Vivian
Published: April 2020

Does the number, ideological congruence, and/or individual cohesion of veto actors influence policy making to be incremental or drastic? Rather than compare veto actors across different states as is already extensively addressed, this article compares the different veto actors involved in Australia's 2011 Carbon Tax Policy and its 2014 “Carbon Tax Repeal” policy. It uses quantitative data to measure the number, ideological congruence, and individual cohesion of the different veto actors. The results show that, because of the smaller number of veto actors, their higher ideological congruence, and lower individual cohesion, policy making was rather drastic than incremental for the 2014 repeal policy compared to the 2011 Carbon Tax Policy. The results, however, challenge the assumption that many veto actors hinder effective policy change and suggest that because a single or few veto actors can easily execute drastic policy making, they can likewise easily halt effective policy. These have implications for policy making.

Related Articles

Båtstrand, Sondre. 2015. “More than Markets: A Comparative Study of Nine Conservative Parties on Climate Change.” Politics & Policy 43 (4): 538‐561. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12122

Fisher, Sarah. 2015. “Federalism's Fractured Decision Making in the Kyoto Protocol.” Politics & Policy 43 (1): 1‐29. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12110

Kwon, Sung‐Wook, and Sylvia Gonzalez‐Gorman. 2019. “Influence of Local Political Institutions on Policy Punctuation in Three Policy Areas.” Politics & Policy 47 (2): 300‐325. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12295
What have we learnt about asthma control from trials of budesonide/formoterol as maintenance and reliever?
Authors: Jenkins Christine R. , Bateman Eric D. , Sears Malcolm R. , O'Byrne Paul M.
Published: April 2020

Despite improvements in medications, devices and understanding of the disease, about half of all asthma patients worldwide remain inadequately controlled, suggesting the need for a new approach to asthma management. Poor adherence to prescribed maintenance therapy and over‐reliance on SABA reliever medication is a common cause of inadequate control. This article reviews published data from 6‐ to 12‐month, double‐blind, RCT and open‐label real‐world studies involving budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) and relevant comparator approaches to asthma management, and considers how these compare in achieving the treatment goals described in guidelines. The data confirm that patients with asthma treated with budesonide/formoterol MART achieved the same or better asthma symptom control compared with ICS/LABA plus SABA regimens at similar or higher ICS doses, with consistently lower rates of exacerbations and considerably lower annual requirement for oral corticosteroids. These findings have been confirmed across a range of severities of persistent asthma. With the MART approach, maintenance dosing ensures coverage for day‐to‐day control, and the use of a reliever with anti‐inflammatory properties (budesonide/formoterol) provides extra doses of ICS as soon as symptoms prompt the use of reliever, resulting in a 40–50% reduction of exacerbations compared with an ICS‐based treatment approach plus as‐needed SABA as reliever. As‐needed, budesonide/formoterol has also recently been shown to be more effective as a reliever in mild asthma than SABA alone, reducing exacerbations by up to 64% in the SYGMA studies.
Sketch maps for searching in spatial data
Authors: Zare Zardiny Ali , Hakimpour Farshad , Shahbazi Mozhdeh
Published: April 2020

Much research has been conducted on the use of sketch maps to search in spatial databases, nevertheless, they have faced challenges, such as modeling of the data abstraction level, aggregated features in sketches, modeling of semantic aspects of data, data redundancy, and evaluation of the results. Considering these challenges, in this article a new solution is presented for searching in databases based on data matching. The main difference between this solution and the other approaches lies in the parameters introduced to match data and how to solve the matching problem. Using geometrical, topological, and semantic parameters in the matching, as well as performing the matching process in the two phases of partial and global, has resulted in an

of about 78%. The evaluation process is performed based on the matching parameters and the matching procedure; finally, the result is acceptable compared to previous implementations.
Development of a flow standard to enable highly reproducible measurements of deformability of stored red blood cells in a microfluidic device
Authors: Robidoux Jonathan , Laforce‐Lavoie Audrey , Charette Steve J. , Shevkoplyas Sergey S. , Yoshida Tatsuro , Lewin Antoine , Brouard Danny
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Great deformability allows red blood cells (RBCs) to flow through narrow capillaries in tissues. A number of microfluidic devices with capillary‐like microchannels have been developed to monitor storage‐related impairment of RBC deformability during blood banking operations. This proof‐of‐concept study describes a new method to standardize and improve reproducibility of the RBC deformability measurements using one of these devices.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The rate of RBC flow through the microfluidic capillary network of the microvascular analyzer (MVA) device made of polydimethylsiloxane was measured to assess RBC deformability. A suspension of microbeads in a solution of glycerol in phosphate‐buffered saline was developed to be used as an internal flow rate reference alongside RBC samples in the same device. RBC deformability and other in vitro quality markers were assessed weekly in six leukoreduced RBC concentrates (RCCs) dispersed in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol additive solution and stored over 42 days at 4°C.

RESULTS

The use of flow reference reduced device‐to‐device measurement variability from 10% to 2%. Repeated‐measure analysis using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) method showed a significant monotonic decrease in relative RBC flow rate with storage from Week 0. By the end of storage, relative RBC flow rate decreased by 22 ± 6% on average.

CONCLUSIONS

The suspension of microbeads was successfully used as a flow reference to increase reproducibility of RBC deformability measurements using the MVA. Deformability results suggest an early and late aging phase for stored RCCs, with significant decreases between successive weeks suggesting a highly sensitive measurement method.
A comparison of thyroid hormone levels and plasma capillary zone electrophoresis in red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scriptaelegans) and map turtles (Graptemysspp.) depending on season and sex
Authors: Leineweber Christoph , Öfner Sabine , Stöhr Anke C. , Marschang Rachel E. , Mathes Karina
Published: April 2020

Background

Thyroid hormones and capillary zone electrophoresis are rarely studied in reptile medicine.

Objectives

The goal of this prospective study was to establish RIs for plasma proteins and thyroid hormones, total tetraiodothyronine (tT4), free T4 (fT4), total triiodothyronine (tT3), and free T3 (fT3), as well as iodine blood levels in red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and map turtles (Graptemysspp.).

Methods

Variables were measured over 1 ½ years to determine variations depending on sex and season, as well as any correlations between the parameters. A total of 131 blood samples from red‐eared sliders and 51 blood samples from map turtles were collected from May 2016 to November 2017. The levels of tT4, fT4, and fT3 were measured using standardized autoanalyzer test systems; tT3 was measured by ELISA and iodine inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Total protein was quantitated using the biuret method, and plasma protein fractions were measured using capillary zone electrophoresis.

Results

The results showed significant variations in thyroid hormone levels and plasma protein fractions depending on sex and season. Total T4 and fT4 concentrations were significantly (P < .05) correlated in both turtle species and sexes in all seasons. Thyroid hormone levels correlated with blood proteins in a few seasons, including a positive correlation between tT4 and fT4 in female red‐eared sliders in fall and female map turtles in summer and fall.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the importance of considering species, season, and sex variations when interpreting thyroid hormone and plasma protein levels. It also shows that thyroid hormone levels are not always influenced by total protein and albumin.
Weedy rice: An expanding problem in direct‐seeded rice in the Philippines
Authors: Juliano Leylani M. , Donayre Dindo King M. , Martin Edwin C. , Beltran Jesusa C.
Published: April 2020

Weedy rice is morphologically similar to cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.). It has biological characteristics that identify it as a weed. Its important weedy characteristics, that is, early and heavy seed shattering, makes it very difficult to control. Weedy rice has not been reported to be an important weed problem in transplanted, flooded rice. However, the shift to direct‐seeded rice (DSR) due to water issues and high costs of labor has increased reports of weedy rice becoming an expanding important problem in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Experts believe that the growing adoption of DSR in Asian countries will result in the rise of weedy rice as one of the top troublesome weeds in rice production. Early and recent surveys in the Philippines have indicated the urgent need to increase awareness of weedy rice among farmers to allow the implementation of a number of effective location‐specific weed management strategies. These surveys and other studies conducted since weedy rice was first reported in 1991 confirmed that weedy rice and grass weed species caused major problems in DSR areas. About 35% of the 4.56 M ha harvested area in the country is planted with DSR. As cultivated and weedy rice are close relatives, it would be very difficult to implement management options very early in crop growth. However, a deeper understanding of the underlying traits of weedy rice can help develop a holistic approach toward effective and economic weed management.
Zero Torque Compliant Mechanisms Employing Pre-buckled Beams
Authors: Bilancia Pietro , Smith Samuel P. , Berselli Giovanni , Magleby Spencer P. , Howell Larry L.
Published: April 2020

The concept of a statically balanced mechanism with a single rotational degree-of-freedom is presented. The proposed device achieves static balancing by combining positive stiffness elements and negative stiffness elements within an annular domain. Two designs are discussed. The first is composed of an Archimedean spiral and two pinned-pinned pre-buckled beams. The overall mechanism is modeled via an analytical approach and the element dimensions are optimized. The optimal configuration is then tested through finite element analysis (FEA). A second approach replaces the spiral beam with elastic custom-shaped spline beams. A FEA optimization is performed to determine the shape and size of such spline beams. The behavior of the negators is used as reference for the optimization so as to achieve a complete balancing. A physical prototype of each configuration is machined and tested. The comparison between predicted and acquired data confirmed the efficacy of the design methods.
Analytical Method for Hydrodynamic Force in Finite-Length Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing Including Turbulence Effect
Authors: Jin Yingze , Yuan Xiaoyang
Published: April 2020

To improve the efficiency in nonlinear dynamic calculation of finite-length tilting-pad journal bearings (TPJBs) under dynamic loads, an analytical method for hydrodynamic bearing forces, which considers the turbulence effect, is proposed using the method of separation of variables under the dynamic Gümbel boundary condition. No thermal effects are considered because this method is designed for the low viscosity case. The infinitely long bearing pressure is introduced as the circumferential pressure, and a general solution of the nonhomogeneous Reynolds equation is derived as the axial pressure. The turbulence model of Ng and Pan is characterized by a linear function of film thicknesses. A complete analytical expression of hydrodynamic bearing forces is derived. The analytical simulation shows slight differences and extremely low time expense in lubricating and dynamic performance compared to published data and finite difference method (FDM) simulation. The analytical method could be used to fast evaluate the nonlinear dynamic performance of a TPJB-rotor system in the low viscosity environment, supporting the nonlinear dynamic design of the system.
Combined Effects of Nanofluid and Geometrical Structures of a Parallel Plate Channel With Semicircle Corrugations on Flow Characteristics and Thermal-Hydraulic Performance
Authors: Ajeel Raheem K. , Wan Salim Wan Saiful-Islam
Published: April 2020

The combination of corrugated surface and nanofluid techniques can boost thermo-hydraulic performance with the ability to make thermal systems more effective and reliable. In this numerical study, the combined effect of different structures of a semicircle-corrugated channel is investigated and examined, as well as different types of nanofluids on thermal and hydraulic performance in the Reynolds number range from 10,000 to 30,000. With respect to the fluid medium, four kinds of nanoparticles Al2O3, CuO, SiO2, and ZnO are used and investigated. The volume fraction of nanoparticles and the diameter of the particles are in the range of 0–0.08 and 20–80 nm, respectively. The findings show that the geometrical structures of the tested channel have a great effect to improve heat transfer enhancement, approvingly around 2.3–3.7 times that of the smooth channel. Furthermore, the outcomes show a dramatic increase in the heat transfer coefficient as the volume fractions of nanoparticles and Reynolds number are increased, and with the decline of particle size, but it accompanied with the increase of shear stress. Among the nanofluids used here, SiO2–water offers the highest enhancement of heat transfer. For all forms tested here, the rib shape of a semicircle-corrugated channel displays the best thermal-hydraulic performance of 2.84 at a volume fraction of 0.08 and Re = 10,000.
Plasma polymerization of cyclopropylamine in a low-pressure cylindrical magnetron reactor: A PIC-MC study of the roles of ions and radicals
Authors: Mathioudaki Stella , Vandenabeele Cédric R. , Tonneau Romain , Pflug Andreas , Tennyson Jonathan , Lucas Stéphane
Published: April 2020

A study of plasma polymerization of cyclopropylamine in a low-pressure cylindrical magnetron reactor is presented. Both experimental and numerical approaches are used to investigate thin film growth mechanisms and polymer film properties depending on the magnetic field strength. Combining both approaches enables the consistency of the numerical model to be checked while acquiring data for understanding the observed phenomena. Samples are first analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and ion beam analysis to illustrate the differences in degrees of chemical functionalization and cross-linking between the regions of high and low magnetic fields. 3D particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision simulations are then performed to shed light on experimental results, after implementing a set of electron-cyclopropylamine collision cross sections computed using the R-matrix method. The simulations enable the main radicals produced in the discharge to be tracked by determining their production rates, how they diffuse in the plasma, and how they absorb on the reactor walls. Additionally, the cyclopropylamine ion (C3H7N+) behavior is followed to bring insights into the respective roles of ions and radicals during the plasma polymerization process.
Strategic Understandings: An Investigation of Professional Academy Youth Soccer Coaches’ Interpretation, Knowledge, and Application of Game Strategies
Authors: Price Amy , Collins Dave , Stoszkowski John , Pill Shane
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore professional soccer coaches’ interpretations of features suggesting players’ game understanding across the age phases of professional academy youth soccer in England, with particular attention paid to the role of strategic understanding. Semistructured interviews were conducted with coaches (n = 19) of players aged 9–23 years to better understand how coaches understand and apply methods to develop players’ strategic game understanding. Data revealed that coaches prioritized the technical and tactical development of their players over strategic development. However, across the age phases, coaches encountered challenges with coaching for strategic understanding (i.e., maintaining control of the game, players as problem solvers, player reflection, and coaching individuals within a team). The authors suggest that coaches and program designers need to show more intent toward developing players’ strategic understanding, becoming more purposeful when choosing “how” to develop this. In particular, coaches should consider how coaching methods that seek to develop players’ metacognitive game skills can be applied, with the goal of developing self-aware, flexible, and independent players as learners who demonstrate an appropriately “deep” understanding of the game.
Investigating the Barriers and Facilitators to Achieving Coaching Certification
Authors: Gurgis Joseph J. , Kerr Gretchen A. , Stirling Ashley E.
Published: April 2020

Despite a significant number of coaches pursuing formal coach training through the National Coaching Certification Program in Canada each year, very few complete the entire certification process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers and facilitators that influence Canadian coaches’ decisions to acquire coaching certification. A mixed-methods convergent parallel design was employed to address the research question. The participants included 1,518 certified and noncertified coaches across Canada who completed an online questionnaire identifying the barriers and facilitators to pursuing coaching certification; of this sample, 38 coaches participated in a follow-up telephone interview. Using the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, the findings suggest that most coaches reside in the precontemplation stage, in which they believe in and are thinking about certification, but have yet to engage in preparation. The barriers to pursuing certification included time, cost, tediousness of the process, and inaccessible evaluators, whereas the facilitators included enhanced knowledge and skills and improved coaching reputation. Future directions for increasing participation rates in the certification process include clearly identifying and broadly disseminating the benefits of acquiring certification, clarifying the criteria for evaluation, streamlining the certification process and incorporating online models, enhancing accessibility of evaluators, and incentivizing and rewarding certification.
Worst to First: Turnaround Leadership Through the Lens of Successful High School Football Coaches
Authors: Westfall Scott
Published: April 2020

Turnaround leadership is a topic of particular interest within sports, as newly hired coaches are often expected to transform struggling teams into “winners.” The present study qualitatively examined American high school football coaches (N = 11) who led a dramatic turnaround within their school’s football program. After being hired, these participants experienced relatively quick success, as they achieved a winning record (M = 1.73 years) and reached the state playoffs within a short period of time (M = 1.82 years). Steps of the turnaround process included assembling a staff of quality assistants, creating a vision for program success, formulating a strong plan that supported the vision, generating buy-in from players and key members of the program, creating and celebrating early achievements, sustaining success through the establishment of new goals and benchmarks, and fighting the urge to become complacent once new levels of success were reached (i.e., making change stick). As a part of their coaching turnarounds, all of the participants talked about the importance of incorporating a quality strength and conditioning program into their team’s training regimen. Meanwhile, the majority of the participants identified “educational athletics” as the core of their coaching philosophy, in which they viewed their jobs as coaches as an extension of the classroom. Moreover, most participants implemented character education into their programs and used football as a platform for teaching life lessons to their players. Yet, the most recurrent theme of the process, and the most recommended approach for achieving a coaching turnaround, was establishing positive coach–athlete relationships.
From Center Stage to the Sidelines: What Role Might Previous Athletic Experience Play in Coach Development?
Authors: Crickard Travis , Culver Diane M. , Seguin Cassandra M.
Published: April 2020

Traditionally, playing experience in sport has been used as a springboard into the coaching profession. Specifically, playing experience has been discussed in research as facilitating the transition into early coaching roles, fast-tracking through coach education programs, and being viewed as a desirable factor in high-performance sport. However, explorations into the intricacies that make this playing experience so valuable have been minimal. Thus, this Insights article is meant to foster discussion within the coach research community regarding the role of playing experience in coaching pathways from a position perspective. This unique area of inquiry may offer insight to those concerned with coach pathways, coach development, and coach education. To promote this discussion, the following article will present some avenues through which previous playing experience could be explored. In addition, the authors will present a study that was conducted with high-performance head ice hockey coaches who formerly played goaltender and offer interesting directions for future research inquiries. Notably, the authors will consider playing experience in connection with career advancement, potential implications for hiring processes, considerations for coach education, and possible barriers to coaching opportunities.
Comparison of Concussion Sideline Screening Measures Across Varying Exertion Levels Within Simulated Games
Authors: Dubas Rebecca L. , Teel Elizabeth F. , Kay Melissa C. , Ryan Eric D. , Petschauer Meredith A. , Register-Mihalik Johna K.
Published: April 2020

Context:Currently, there is no gold standard to evaluate the effect of varying game-like exertion states on Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3rd Edition (SCAT-3) outcomes. Baseline assessments may occur before, during, or after physical activity, while postinjury evaluations predominantly occur following physical activity. Thus, clinicians may be comparing postinjury evaluations completed following exertion to baseline evaluations completed following varying levels of rest or exertion, which may not be a valid method for clinical decision making.Objective:To determine the effect of various physical exertion levels on sideline concussion assessment outcomes and reliability.Design:Within-subjects, repeated measures.Setting:Field.Participants:Physically active participants (N = 36) who regularly participate in basketball activity.Intervention:Subjects participated in 2 simulated basketball games, completing a symptom checklist, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, and Balance Error Scoring System before game play, during halftime, and at the completion of each simulated game. Pulse rate was assessed as a proxy of physical exertion.Main Outcome Measures:Total symptom, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, and Balance Error Scoring System scores.Results:Physical exertion did not significantly predict symptom, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, or Balance Error Scoring System scores, although a trend toward higher symptom scores was observed for females (ß = 0.03,P = .09). All assessments had poor to moderate reliability across sessions (.15 < interclass correlation coefficient [2,1] < .60).Conclusion:Low- to moderate-intensity physical activity did not have a significant effect on clinical concussion sideline assessments; however, the low test–retest reliability observed prevents strong conclusions on these relationships. The poor overall reliability does not allow for clear recommendations for what state of baseline physical exertion (ie, rested or exerted) provides optimal data to make postinjury clinical decisions, although baseline concussion assessments completed at rest have the most valid and conservative normative values for injury comparison.
There is no liberal media bias in which news stories political journalists choose to cover
Authors: Hassell Hans J. G. , Holbein John B. , Miles Matthew R.
Published: April 2020

Despite most journalist being liberal, they do not discriminate against conservatives by what news they choose to cover
Repurposing the Antiamoebic Drug Diiodohydroxyquinoline for Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infections
Authors: Abutaleb Nader S. , Seleem Mohamed N.
Published: April 2020

Clostridioides difficile, the leading cause of nosocomial infections, is an urgent health threat worldwide. The increased incidence and severity of disease, the high recurrence rates, and the dearth of effective anticlostridial drugs have created an urgent need for new therapeutic agents. In an effort to discover new drugs for the treatment ofClostridioides difficileinfections (CDIs), we investigated a panel of FDA-approved antiparasitic drugs againstC. difficileand identified diiodohydroxyquinoline (DIHQ), an FDA-approved oral antiamoebic drug.
Photoprotective Role of Photolyase-Interacting RAD23 and Its Pleiotropic Effect on the Insect-Pathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Wang Ding-Yi , Mou Ya-Ni , Tong Sen-Miao , Ying Sheng-Hua , Feng Ming-Guang
Published: April 2020

RAD23 is able to repair yeast DNA lesions through nucleotide excision in full darkness, a mechanism distinct from photolyase-dependent photorepair of UV-induced DNA damage but functionally unknown in filamentous fungi. Our study unveils that the RAD23 ortholog in a filamentous fungal insect pathogen varies in subcellular localization according to external cues, interacts with a photolyase required for photorepair of cytotoxic (6-4)-pyrimidine-pyrimidine photoproducts in UV-induced DNA lesions, and plays an essential role in conidial UVB resistance and reactivation of UVB-inactivated conidia under visible light rather than in the dark, as required for nucleotide excision repair. Loss-of-function mutations of RAD23 exert pleiotropic effects on radial growth, aerial conidiation, multiple stress responses, virulence, virulence-related cellular events, and phenotype-related gene expression. These findings highlight a novel mechanism underlying the photoreactivation of UVB-impaired fungal cells by RAD23 interacting with the photolyase, as well as its essentiality for filamentous fungal life.
Whole-Genome Sequence of
Streptomyces kaniharaensis
Shomura and Niida SF-557
Authors: Zhu Wen , Liu Xuan , Hughes Margaret , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , Richards Nigel G. J.
Published: April 2020

Streptomyces kaniharaensis
is a Gram-positive bacterium that produces formycin A 5′-phosphate, a C nucleotide with antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Here, we report the sequencing, assembly, and annotation of the draft genome sequence of
Streptomyces kaniharaensis
Shomura and Niida.
Lower gastrointestinal symptoms and symptoms-based triaging systems are poor predictors of clinical significant disease on colonoscopy
Authors: Ismail Mohd Syafiq , Aoko Olufemi , Sihag Sandeep , Connolly Eimear , Omorogbe Joseph , Semenov Serhiy , O'Morain Neil , O'Connor Anthony , Breslin Niall , Ryan Barbara , McNamara Deirdre
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Lower gastrointestinal symptoms (LGS) are a common cause of referral to the gastroenterology service. International guidelines are available to prioritise referrals. Some studies have reported that symptoms alone are a poor marker of clinically significant disease (CSD) but symptoms remain the main way to prioritise referrals in routine clinical practice.

Aims/background

To correlate LGS with colonoscopy findings in an unselected patient cohort and to investigate whether using National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines improve risk stratification.

Method

Colonoscopy data over a 2-year period were obtained from our endoscopy database. Only patients with assessment of symptoms as their primary indication for colonoscopy were included. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria: known inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), familial cancer syndromes, polyp and colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance, and prior colonoscopy within 5 years. Demographics, symptoms and colonoscopy findings were recorded and analysed.

Results

1116 cases were reviewed; 493 (44%) males, age 54.3 years (16–91). CSD occurred in only 162 (14.5%); CRC 19 (1.7%), high-risk adenoma 40 (3.6%), inflammation 97 (8.7%) (IBD 65 (5.8%), microscopic colitis 9 (0.8%) and indeterminate-inflammation 23 (2%)), angiodysplasia 6 (0.5%). Diarrhoea gave the highest diagnostic yield for CSD of 5.3% (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.2 to 4.7, p<0.001), followed by PR bleeding, 2.9% (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.9, p=0.003). Weight loss gave the lowest diagnostic yield of 0.4%; (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.28 to 2.24, p=0.65). 592 (53%) and 517 (46%) fitted the NICE guidelines for CRC and IBD, respectively. Using NICE positivity improved detection but overall yield remained low 3% vs 0.4% (OR 7.71, 95% CI 1.77 to 33.56, p=0.0064) for CRC, and 9% vs 2.8% (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.99 to 6.17, p<0.0001) for IBD.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence of CSD in our unselected symptomatic patients is low (14.5%). A holistic approach including combining symptoms and demographics with novel tools including stool biomarkers and minimally invasive colonoscopy alternatives should be applied to avoid unnecessary colonoscopy.
Mental healthcare for psychiatric inpatients during the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Li Shen , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2020

During this 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia epidemic, some experts have expressed concern for the mental healthcare of different types of population groups. However, hospitalised patients with severe mental illness are seemingly overlooked. Psychiatric patients are still a vulnerable group who need to obtain more attention and respect, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. In this commentary, we briefly introduce the situation of hospitalized patients with severe mental illness and suggest some effective measures that should be rapidly undertaken to reverse current challenges.
Time patterns of external and alcohol-related mortality after marital and non-marital separation: the contribution of psychiatric morbidity
Authors: Metsä-Simola Niina , Moustgaard Heta , Martikainen Pekka
Published: April 2020

Background

External and alcohol-related mortality is elevated postseparation, but the role of poor mental health in explaining this excess is unclear. We assess postseparation excess mortality by union type and over time since separation and examine how psychiatric morbidity present already before separation, during the separation process and after separation attenuates this excess.

Methods

Using individual-level register data from 1995 to 2012, we followed 311 751 Finns in long-term unions. Psychiatric morbidity was identified from dates of prescription medication purchases and hospital admissions, separations from dates of moving out of joint households and mortality from the Death Register. Cox regression was used to analyse postseparation mortality controlling for psychiatric morbidity before, during and after separation.

Results

External and alcohol-related excess mortality is most pronounced immediately after separation, particularly among men, and is much larger following marital than non-marital separation. After sociodemographic factors are adjusted for, further adjustment for psychiatric morbidity attenuates the excess by about 25%. Psychiatric morbidity poorly explains alcohol-related postseparation excess mortality, but for suicide mortality, adjustment for psychiatric morbidity reduces the excess by about 40% among men and 50% among women. Among women, this is largely due to psychiatric morbidity present already before separation, whereas among men the attenuation is also due to psychiatric morbidity during the separation process and after it.

Conclusion

Separation may exacerbate the problems of people already in poor mental health, and relationship dynamics should thus be considered during treatment. Particularly among men separation is a risk factor for suicide even without pre-existing mental health problems.
Is power training effective to produce muscle hypertrophy in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Orssatto Lucas B.R. , Bezerra Ewertton S. , Shield Anthony J. , Trajano Gabriel S.
Published: April 2020

Power training has been suggested to be effective in improving strength, power, and functional capacity in older adults. However, there is still a lack of systematic investigations reporting its effectiveness for muscle hypertrophy. Thus, this study investigated the effect of power training on muscle hypertrophy and compared its magnitude with traditional moderate-velocity resistance training in older adults. A systematic search was conducted to identify clinical trials investigating the effect of power training on muscle hypertrophy (power training vs. control) and/or comparing the effect of power training versus moderate-velocity resistance training for a meta-analytical approach. Ten studies comparing power training to control conditions and 9 studies comparing power training to moderate-velocity resistance training were selected. Three studies were classified as high quality and 2 were preregistered. The meta-analysis showed that power training was superior for muscle hypertrophy compared with control condition (n = 8 studies; standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04, 0.58; p = 0.029), and resulted in similar hypertrophy compared with moderate-velocity resistance training (n = 7 studies; SMD = 0.07; 95% CI = –0.18, 0.32; p = 0.50). No significant heterogeneity was observed (p = 0.46 and 0.54, and I2= 0% and 0%, respectively). Our data suggest that power training is effective for muscle hypertrophy in older adults, with similar effectiveness as moderate-velocity resistance training. (PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42019128951.)

Novelty It is known that power training might be superior to moderate-velocity resistance training for function improvements in older adults, but there was no meta-analysis investigating its effect on muscle hypertrophy. Power training is effective to induce muscle hypertrophy in older adults to a similar extent as moderate-velocity resistance training.
Polyvinylidene difluoride-based composite: glassy dynamics and pretransitional behaviour
Authors: Starzonek Szymon , Zhang Kena , Drozd-Rzoska Aleksandra , Rzoska Sylwester J. , Pawlikowska Emilia , Szafran Mikolaj , Gao Feng
Published: April 2020

This paper presents results of broadband dielectric spectroscopy studies in the composite system for which particularly strong interactions between polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF: ferroelectric polymer,TC= 453−473 K) matrix and barium strontium titanate (BST) ferroelectric micro-particles can be expected. For PVDF the super-Arrhenius (SA) dynamics, associated with segmental motions freezing at the glass temperatureTg= 235 K, is evidenced. The addition of BST particles qualitatively changes dynamics, converting the SA-type behaviour in PVDF to the clear Arrhenius one in BST/PVDF composite. The latter crossovers to the relaxor-type SA dynamics on cooling, exactly at the glass temperature of PVDF. The preliminary model explaining such unique behaviour is proposed. For the consistent portraying of the SA evolution of primary relaxation times in PVDF and BST/PVDF, the activation energy index analysis was carried out and the new equation, entropy and symmetry controlled, is introduced. Studies are accomplished by the analysis of the ferroelectric-paraelectric transition in PVDF and for the composite system. They led to the discovery of the strong pretransitional anomaly ofdε∕dT, extending even to the vicinity of the room temperature, The semi-discontinuous nature of melting in PVDF and its composites, with the discontinuity metric △T≈ 20 K is suggested.

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Instability and phase transitions of a rotating black hole in the presence of perfect fluid dark matter
Authors: Hendi Seyed Hossein , Nemati Azadeh , Lin Kai , Jamil Mubasher
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we study the thermodynamic features of a rotating black hole surrounded by perfect fluid dark matter. We analyze the critical behavior of the black hole by considering the known relationship between pressure and cosmological constant. We show that the black hole admits a first order phase transition and, both rotation and perfect fluid dark matter parameters have a significant impact on the critical quantities. We also introduce a new ad hoc pressure related to the perfect fluid dark matter and find a first order van der Waals like phase transition. In addition, using the sixth order WKB method, we investigate the massless scalar quasinormal modes (QNMs) for the static spherically symmetric black hole surrounded by dark matter. Using the finite difference scheme, the dynamical evolution of the QNMs is also discussed for different values of angular momentum and overtone parameters.
A CMB search for the neutrino mass mechanism and its relation to the Hubble tension
Authors: Escudero Miguel , Witte Samuel J.
Published: April 2020

The majoron, a pseudo-Goldstone boson arising from the spontaneous breaking of global lepton number, is a generic feature of many models intended to explain the origin of the small neutrino masses. In this work, we investigate potential imprints in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) arising from massive majorons, should they thermalize with neutrinos after Big Bang Nucleosynthesis via inverse neutrino decays. We show that measurements of the CMB are currently sensitive to neutrino-majoron couplings as small as $$\lambda \sim 10^{-13}$$λ∼10-13, which if interpreted in the context of the type-I seesaw mechanism correspond to a lepton number symmetry breaking scale $$v_L \sim {\mathcal {O}}(100) \, \mathrm{GeV}$$vL∼O(100)GeV. Additionally, we identify parameter space for which the majoron-neutrino interactions, collectively with an extra contribution to the effective number of relativistic species $$N_\mathrm{eff}$$Neff, can ameliorate the outstanding $$H_0$$H0 tension.
Solitary waves under curved topography and beta approximation
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi , Yang Liangui , Zhang Ruigang
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the mechanisms of excitation and propagation of nonlinear Rossby waves are investigated by the approach of topographic balance under the beta approximation for the first time. Using time-space elongation transformation and perturbation expansion method, a Korteweg–de Vries model equation for topographic Rossby wave amplitude is derived. The influences of topography parameters on Rossby solitary waves are discussed through qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Anticipointment Detection in Event Tweets
Authors: Kunneman F. , van Mulken M. , van den Bosch A.
Published: April 2020

We developed a system to detect positive expectation, disappointment, and satisfaction in tweets that refer to events automatically discovered in the Twitter stream. The emotional content shared on Twitter when referring to public events can provide insights into the presumed and experienced quality of the event. We expected to find a connection between positive expectation and disappointment, a succession that is referred to as anticipointment. The application of computational approaches makes it possible to detect the presence and strength of this hypothetical relation for a large number of events. We extracted events from a longitudinal dataset of Dutch Twitter posts, and modeled classifiers to detect emotion in the tweets related to those events by means of hashtag-labeled training data. After classifying all tweets before and after the events in our dataset, we summarized the collective emotions for over 3000 events as the percentage of tweets classified as positive expectation (in anticipation), disappointment and satisfaction (in hindsight). Only a weak correlation of around 0.2 was found between positive expectation and disappointment, while a higher correlation of 0.6 was found between positive expectation and satisfaction. The most anticipointing events were events with a clear loss, such as a canceled event or when the favored sports team had lost. We conclude that senders of Twitter posts might be more inclined to share satisfaction than disappointment after a much anticipated event.
Only Code Has Value?
Authors: Coatta Terry
Published: April 2020

A recent conversation about development methodologies turned to the relative value of various artifacts produced during the development process, and the person I was talking with said: the code has "always been the only artifact that matters. It’s just that we’re only now coming to recognize that." My reaction to this, not expressed at that time, was twofold. First, I got quite a sense of déjà-vu since it hearkened back to my time as an undergraduate and memories of many heated discussions about whether code was self-documenting. Second, I thought of several instances from recent experience in which the code alone simply was not enough to understand why the system was architected in a particular way.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 causes rapid bronchodilation via nonepithelial PGE2
Authors: Marsh Brenda J. , Fryer Allison D. , Jacoby David B. , Drake Matthew G.
Published: April 2020

Transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) is a ligand-gated cation channel that responds to endogenous and exogenous irritants. TRPA1 is expressed on multiple cell types throughout the lungs, but previous studies have primarily focused on TRPA1 stimulation of airway sensory nerves. We sought to understand the integrated physiological airway response to TRPA1 stimulation. The TRPA1 agonists allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and cinnamaldehyde (CINN) were tested in sedated, mechanically ventilated guinea pigs in vivo. Reproducible bronchoconstrictions were induced by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves. Animals were then treated with intravenous AITC or CINN. AITC and CINN were also tested on isolated guinea pig and mouse tracheas and postmortem human trachealis muscle strips in an organ bath. Tissues were contracted with methacholine, histamine, or potassium chloride and then treated with AITC or CINN. Some airways were pretreated with TRPA1 antagonists, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the EP2 receptor antagonist PF 04418948, or tetrodotoxin. AITC and CINN blocked vagally mediated bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. Pretreatment with indomethacin completely abolished the airway response to TRPA1 agonists. Similarly, AITC and CINN dose-dependently relaxed precontracted guinea pig, mouse, and human airways in the organ bath. AITC- and CINN-induced airway relaxation required TRPA1, prostaglandins, and PGE2 receptor activation. TRPA1-induced airway relaxation did not require epithelium or tetrodotoxin-sensitive nerves. Finally, AITC blocked airway hyperreactivity in two animal models of allergic asthma. These data demonstrate that stimulation of TRPA1 causes bronchodilation of intact airways and suggest that the TRPA1 pathway is a potential pharmacological target for bronchodilation.
Experimental oxygen concentration influences rates of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release from cardiac and skeletal muscle preparations
Authors: Li Puma Lance C. , Hedges Michael , Heckman Joseph M. , Mathias Alissa B. , Engstrom Madison R. , Brown Abigail B. , Chicco Adam J.
Published: April 2020

Mitochondria utilize the majority of oxygen (O2) consumed by aerobic organisms as the final electron acceptor for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) but also to generate reactive oxygen species (mtROS) that participate in cell signaling, physiological hormesis, and disease pathogenesis. Simultaneous monitoring of mtROS production and oxygen consumption ( Jo2) from tissue mitochondrial preparations is an attractive investigative approach, but it introduces dynamic changes in media O2concentration ([O2]) that can confound experimental results and interpretation. We utilized high-resolution fluorespirometry to evaluate Jo2and hydrogen peroxide release ( Jh2o2) from isolated mitochondria (Mt), permeabilized fibers (Pf), and tissue homogenates (Hm) prepared from murine heart and skeletal muscle across a range of experimental [O2]s typically encountered during respirometry protocols (400–50 µM). Results demonstrate notable variations in Jh2o2across tissues and sample preparations during nonphosphorylating (LEAK) and OXPHOS-linked respiration states at 250 µM [O2] but a linear decline in Jh2o2of 5–15% per 50-µM decrease in chamber [O2] in all samples. Jo2was generally stable in Mt and Hm across [O2]s above 50 µM but tended to decline below 250 µM in Pf, leading to wide variations in assayed rates of Jh2o2/O2across chamber [O2]s and sample preparations. Development of chemical background fluorescence from the H2O2probe (Amplex Red) was also O2sensitive, emphasizing relevant calibration considerations. This study highlights the importance of monitoring and reporting the chamber [O2] at which Jo2and Jh2o2are recorded during fluorespirometry experiments and provides a basis for selecting sample preparations for studies addressing the role of mtROS in physiology and disease.