bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthy BIM: the feasibility of integrating architecture health indicators using a building information model (BIM) computer system
Authors: Rice Louis
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced billions of people into lockdown; foregrounding the important relationship between architecture and health. In this context, there is heightened urgency for the construction sector to improve the healthiness of buildings. Accordingly, the research identifies the feasibility of measuring various building health indicators (BHIs) through the use of a building information management (BIM) model. The research seeks to find optimal strategies for integrating the near ubiquitous use of BIM with a range of health indicators related to building design.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify potential BHIs for use in BIM models. The research then undertook a Delphi technique in order to test the hypothesis. In total, three rounds of questionnaire-based surveys were undertaken with expert participants.

Findings

The research identifies three different levels of BIM complexity in order to achieve the integration of health indicators. The most simple strategy suggests BHI can be directly measured using existing BIM models; the next level of sophistication requires “plug-in” software to BIM models; the final level would require additional sensors and detectors in a “smart” building.

Practical implications

The research is significant for users of BIM, building designers, public health advisors, construction professionals, healthcare providers, social prescribers, architects and clients.

Originality/value

The integration of BHI into the architectural design process is an important step towards the construction sector improving health and well-being. The research provides for the first time a rigorous identification of the most viable mechanisms through which BIM may be used to measure the healthiness of a building.
Maintenance management of heritage buildings in Iraq
Authors: Kashkool Afrah Mohammed Hasan , Al Ali Saba Sami
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Heritage buildings, as any other buildings are subject to decay and deterioration. This issue increases significantly when a country undergoes complicated circumstances of unrest, as is the case in Iraq. The purpose of this study is to rethink the maintenance approach to heritage buildings in Iraq from a systematic management standpoint. It proposes the development of a management system through the functions of proper planning, organizing, directing and controlling. The study aims to scrutinize the weak areas of performance in the investigated work process in Iraq and provide suggestions to address them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an exploratory study, using interviews with responsible people in Iraqi heritage buildings administration to investigate the procedures applied on maintenance work for the heritage buildings. Besides, maintenance reports were reviewed and three case studies of buildings recently assigned for maintenance were visited and examined to identify the current course of actions at work and to uncover the points of weakness and strength.

Findings

The researchers identified a kind of unreal planning in the maintenance process, which appeared to be a manifestation of corrective maintenance (CM) rather than a preventive one. Such an aspect was highlighted due to several causes, among which most important were as follow (1) the lack of sufficient allocated budgets and (2) the shortage of hand labor and building technicians in this field, including professionals with an architectural training background, who could make practical choices to heritage maintenance thus preventing improper solutions that would harm the authenticity of the asset. Such factors could be mitigated if a good maintenance management system is to be adopted. A proposed system is hereby suggested, upgrading the current guideline and laws by the specialized authorities in addition to recommending the application of digital documentation.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how maintenance management system can be applied for heritage buildings
An investigation of the consumer’s trusting mechanism in emerging healthcare technology
Authors: Wei Xinyu , Xie Heng , Peng Xianghui , Prybutok Victor
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate how the consumer’s trusting mechanism influences their behavioral adoption intention in the context of genetic testing.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the technology acceptance theory and trust formation theory, the research posits and develops a comprehensive trust model by integrating trust-related factors that correlate to the consumer’s trusting beliefs and trusting intention. Survey data with 525 respondents allow to test and validate the model.

Findings

The tested model shows that technology institutional trust base, end-user’s cognitive trust base and social influence are significant determinants of trusting beliefs. The findings also reveal that mediation effects of performance expectancy and perceived risks exist in the relationship between trusting beliefs and trusting intention.

Originality/value

The foreseeable positive impact and rapid market growth of emerging healthcare technologies necessitate the strong need to study user acceptance. However, there is a lack of research on how consumers trust and their adoption intention of such innovations. Prior empirical evidence from different contexts and perspectives also show contradictory findings. This research extends the existing technology acceptance literature to a healthcare context, provides an improved generalized understanding of the consumer’s trusting mechanism in emerging biotechnology and discusses practical insights for regulatory authorities, healthcare institutes and medical professionals.
Appropriate polypharmacy: a barometer for integrated care
Authors: Mair Alpana , Antoniadou Eleftheria , Hendry Anne , Gabrovec Branko
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medicines by one individual, is a common and growing challenge driven by an ageing population and the growing number of people living longer with chronic conditions. Up to 11% of unplanned hospital admissions in the UK are attributable to, mostly avoidable, harm from medicines. However, this topic is not yet central to integrated practice. This paper reviews the challenge that polypharmacy presents to the health and care system and offers lessons for integrated policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Two commonly encountered scenarios illustrate the relevance of addressing inappropriate polypharmacy to integrated practice. An overview of the literature on polypharmacy and frailty, including two recent large studies of policy and practice in Europe, identifies lessons for practitioners, managers, policy makers and commissioners.

Findings

Comprehensive change strategies should extend beyond pharmacist led deprescribing initiatives. An inter-professional and systems thinking approach is required, so all members of the integrated team can play their part in realising the value of holistic prescribing, appropriate polypharmacy and shared decision making.

Practical implications

Awareness and education about polypharmacy should be embedded in inter-professional training for all practitioners who care for people with multimorbidity or frailty.

Originality/value

This paper will help policy makers, commissioners, managers and practitioners understand the value of addressing polypharmacy within their integrated services. Best practice national guidance developed in Scotland illustrates how to target resources so those at greatest risk of harm from polypharmacy can benefit from effective pharmaceutical care as part of holistic integrated care.
Does arts engagement and cultural participation impact depression outcomes in adults: a narrative descriptive systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Elsden Esme , Roe Brenda
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore whether engaging with arts and culture affect depression in adults. This is because depression is the most common mental health disorder. Diversification of mental health services, initiatives in arts in health and social prescribing are providing emerging evidence of benefits relating to depression outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review design adhering to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses reporting guidelines. MEDLINE®, Embase and American psychology association PsycINFO were searched and six studies were deemed eligible. Data extraction and quality appraisal enabled a narrative descriptive summary comparing study design, characteristics, populations and key results relating arts and cultural engagement to depression outcomes.

Findings

The total number of participants across the studies were 49,197. Three studies reported mean age, 58.78 years (15–99 years). Gender reported by five studies was 52.4% (n = 24,689) female and 47.6% (n = 22,439) male. Five studies found that engaging with arts decreased your odds of having depression.

Originality/value

This systematic review found emerging evidence that arts and cultural engagement benefits a wider population by reducing depression incidence. Establishing and understanding the association between arts engagement and decreasing depression incidence in a population is relevant to health-care providers, the general population and policymakers alike.
A review of the trend of microlearning
Authors: Leong Kelvin , Sung Anna , Au David , Blanchard Claire
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Microlearning has been considered as a promising topic in work-based learning. This paper aims to review the trends of microlearning in terms of related publications and Internet searches. Hopefully, the findings can serve as a reference for the education sector, government, business and academia to promote, design and use microlearning.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, two sets of analysis were conducted. Firstly, the authors analysed the publication trend of microlearning. Second, the authors analysed the trend of Internet searches related to microlearning. More specifically, the authors analysed real-world data of 14 years obtained from Scopus and Google Trends for the purpose. These data include the first relevant publication found in the database.

Findings

In total, 476 relevant publications have been identified during 2006–2019. According to the findings from the analysis of the identified publications, microlearning is a relevantly new and emerging global topic involving authors, affiliations and funding sponsors from different countries. Moreover, many microlearning-related publications were conducted from perspectives of e-learning or mobile learning. Furthermore, the authors notice higher education was the most frequently mentioned education level in the identified publications. On the other hand, language learning (i.e. second language, vocabulary learning, etc.) had been mentioned more times in the titles and abstracts than other subject areas. Overall, the increasing trend of publications on “microlearning” (as a knowledge supply) is in line with the established increasing Internet searches of “microlearning” (as a practical demand) in recent years.

Practical implications

From the work-based learning perspective, microlearning has been considered as one of the key topics in talent development topics. Policymakers, educators, researchers and participators have the responsibility to explore how to promote, design and use microlearning to help people to learn in the right direction through valid knowledge with ethical consideration.

Originality/value

Although many works had been done on microlearning, there is a lack of comprehensive studies reviewing the trends of microlearning in terms of related publications and Internet searches. This study aims to fill this gap by analysing real-world data obtained from Scopus and Google Trends – these data include the first relevant publication found in the database. The authors believe this is the first time that a study has been conducted to comprehensively review the development trends of microlearning. Hopefully, this study can shed some light on related research.
Citrate utilization under anaerobic environment in Escherichia coli is under direct control of Fnr and indirect control of ArcA and Fnr via CitA‐CitB system
Authors: Jiang Fengwei , Huang Xinxin , Barbieri Nicolle L. , Logue Catherine M. , Nolan Lisa K. , Li Ganwu
Published: December 2020

Most Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains do not cause disease, naturally living in the lower intestine and is expelled into the environment within faecal matter. Escherichia coli can utilize citrate under anaerobic conditions but not aerobic conditions. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we explored regulatory mechanisms of citrate fermentation genes by global regulators ArcA and Fnr under anaerobic conditions. A gel mobility shift assay showed that the regulator proteins ArcA and Fnr binded to the promoter region localized between the citAB and citCDEFXGT operons. Subsequent assays confirmed that ArcA indirectly controled the expression of citrate fermentation genes via regulating CitA‐CitB system, while Fnr directly regulated but also indirectly modulated citrate fermentation genes via controling CitA‐CitB system. Deletions of arcA and fnr significantly reduced the growth of Escherichia coli in M9 medium with a citrate carbon source. We conclude that both ArcA and Fnr can indirectly control the citrate utilization via CitA‐CitB system, while Fnr can also directly regulate the expression of citrate fermentation genes in E. coli under anaerobic conditions.
Community structure of bacterioplankton and its relationship with environmental factors in the upper reaches of the Heihe River in Qinghai Plateau
Authors: Qian‐Qian Zhang , Sheng‐Long Jian , Ke‐Mao Li , Zhen‐Bing Wu , Hong‐Tao Guan , Jin‐Wen Hao , Shu‐Yi Wang , Yao‐Yao Lin , Guo‐Jie Wang , Ai‐Hua Li
Published: December 2020

Planktonic microorganisms play a key role in the biogeochemical processes of the aquatic system, and they may be affected by many factors. High‐throughput sequencing technology was used in this study to investigate and study the bacterioplankton community of water bodies in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin in Qinghai Plateau. Results showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the predominant phyla in this river section, while the main genera are Thiomonas, Acidibacillus, Acidocella, Rhodanobacter, Acidithiobacter and Gallionella, which are autochthonous in the acid‐mine drainage. Additionally, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, permanganate index and pH are significantly correlated with the bacterioplankton abundance and are the main limiting factors for the spatial distribution of the bacterioplankton. PICRUSt inferred that the mainstream microbial assemblages had a higher abundance of KOs belong to metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, while the tributary had higher abundance of KOs belong to the immune system. The relationship between bacterioplankton community composition and environmental factors in the Heihe River basin was discussed for the first time in this study, which provides a theoretical basis for the healthy, orderly development of the water environment in the Heihe River Basin.
Wide distribution of Phycisphaera‐like planctomycetes from WD2101 soil group in peatlands and genome analysis of the first cultivated representative
Authors: Dedysh Svetlana N. , Beletsky Alexey V. , Ivanova Anastasia A. , Kulichevskaya Irina S. , Suzina Natalia E. , Philippov Dmitriy A. , Rakitin Andrey L. , Mardanov Andrey V. , Ravin Nikolai V.
Published: December 2020

Phycisphaera‐like WD2101 ‘soil group’ is one of the as‐yet‐uncultivated phylogenetic clades within the phylum Planctomycetes. Members of this clade are commonly detected in various terrestrial habitats. This study shows that WD2101 represented one of the major planctomycete groups in 10 boreal peatlands, comprising up to 76% and 36% of all Planctomycetes‐affiliated 16S rRNA gene reads in raised bogs and eutrophic fens respectively. These types of peatlands displayed clearly distinct intra‐group diversity of WD2101‐affiliated planctomycetes. The first isolate of this enigmatic planctomycete group, strain M1803, was obtained from a humic lake surrounded by Sphagnum peat bogs. Strain M1803 displayed 89.2% 16S rRNA gene similarity to Tepidisphaera mucosa and was represented by motile cocci that divided by binary fission and grew under micro‐oxic conditions. The complete 7.19 Mb genome of strain M1803 contained an array of genes encoding Planctomycetal type bacterial microcompartment organelle likely involved in l‐rhamnose metabolism, suggesting participation of M1803‐like planctomycetes in polysaccharide degradation in peatlands. The corresponding cellular microcompartments were revealed in ultrathin cell sections. Strain M1803 was classified as a novel genus and species, Humisphaera borealis gen. nov., sp. nov., affiliated with the formerly recognized WD2101 ‘soil group’.
Biotechnological approaches for the production of designer cheese with improved functionality
Authors: Chourasia Rounak , Abedin Md Minhajul , Chiring Phukon Loreni , Sahoo Dinabandhu , Singh Sudhir P. , Rai Amit Kumar
Published: December 2020

Cheese is a product of ancient biotechnological practices, which has been revolutionized as a functional food product in many parts of the world. Bioactive compounds, such as peptides, polysaccharides, and fatty acids, have been identified in traditional cheese products, which demonstrate functional properties such as antihypertensive, antioxidant, immunomodulation, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Besides, cheese‐making probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exert a positive impact on gut health, aiding in digestion, and improved nutrient absorption. Advancement in biotechnological research revealed the potential of metabolite production with prebiotics and bioactive functions in several strains of LAB, yeast, and filamentous fungi. The application of specific biocatalyst producing microbial strains enhances nutraceutical value, resulting in designer cheese products with multifarious health beneficial effects. This review summarizes the biotechnological approaches applied in designing cheese products with improved functional properties.
Harvesting of Onion Grass, Romulea rosea L. by Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita Latham
Authors: Moore Gregory M.
Published: December 2020

The harvesting of Onion Grass (Romulea rosea) corms by flocks of Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is well known. Individual birds and large flocks feed on the weed in pastures, grasslands and recreational turf. Flocks of Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo were observed feeding on Onion Grass at seven sites along the Maribyrnong River at Keilor, Victoria. Flock size and feeding habits were noted, as were the depth of corms, the time taken to remove corms from the ground and the number of eaten and lifted but uneaten corms. From the data collected, it was estimated that an individual bird can extract and eat about 200 plants per hour and that even a small flock can consume several thousand plants in a feeding session. Corms were typically within 20 mm of the soil surface and were removed primarily by the cockatoo with its beak, but the left foot was sometimes used to excavate the corm from the soil. Flock feeding sessions lasted from about 0.5 to 2.5 hours, but feeding by individual or pairs of birds was often shorter. Plants that had been removed from the soil appeared to have intact corms, but all that was left were the outer scales. Of the plants removed from the soil, only 6% had intact corms attached. The removal of large numbers of Onion Grass plants could impact on their population numbers over time if there was repeated annual harvesting.
Brown−Vialetto−Van Laere and Fazio−Londe syndromes: SLC52A3 mutations with puzzling phenotypes and inheritance
Authors: Gayathri Santhalingam , Gowda Vykuntaraju K. , Udhayabanu Tamilarasan , O'Callaghan Benjamin , Efthymiou Stephanie , Varalakshmi Perumal , Benakappa Naveen , Houlden Henry , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem
Published: December 2020

Background

Brown−Vialetto−Van Laere syndrome (BVVLS) and Fazio−Londe disease (FLD) are rare neurological disorders presenting with pontobulbar palsy, muscle weakness and respiratory insufficiency. Mutations in SLC52A2 (hRFVT‐2) or SLC52A3 (hRFVT‐3) genes can be responsible for these disorders with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The aim of this study was to screen for mutations in SLC52A2 and SLC52A3 among Indian families diagnosed with BVVLS and FLD.

Methods

SLC52A2 and SLC52A3 were screened in one FLD and three BVVLS patients by exon‐specific amplification using PCR and sequencing. In silico predictions using bioinformatics tools and confocal imaging using HEK‐293 cells were performed to determine the functional impact of identified mutations.

Results

Genetic analysis of a mother and son with BVVLS was identified with a novel homozygous mutation c.710C>T (p.Ala237Val) in SLC52A3. This variant was found to have an autosomal pseudodominant pattern of inheritance, which was neither listed in the Exome Variant Server or in the 1000 Genomes Project database. In silico analysis and confocal imaging of the p.Ala237Val variant showed higher degree of disorderness in hRFVT‐3 that could affect riboflavin transport. Furthermore, a common homozygous mutation c.62A>G (p.Asn21Ser) was identified in other BVVLS and FLD patients. Despite having different clinical phenotypes, both BVVLS and FLD can be attributed to this mutation.

Conclusion

A rare and peculiar pattern of autosomal pseudodominant inheritance is observed for the first time in two genetically related BVVLS cases with Indian origin and a common mutation c.62A>G (p.Asn21Ser) in SLC52A3 can be responsible for both BVVLS and FLD with variable phenotypes.
Diphenylcyclopropenone plays an effective therapeutic role by up‐regulating the TSLP/OX40L/IL‐13 pathway in severe alopecia areata
Authors: Gong Yugang , Luo Li , Li Ling , He Xun , Lu Wei , Sha Xiaowei , Mao Yujie
Published: December 2020

Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is considered to be the most effective treatment of severe AA. However, the mechanism is unclear and an early predictor for the efficacy needs to be explored. The TSLP/OX40L/IL‐13 pathway is an important pathway to initiate and maintain Th2 immune responses. Our previous work suggests this pathway may play a role in severe AA treated with DPCP. Thus, to further investigate the mechanism of TSLP/OX40L/IL‐13 pathway in severe AA treated with DPCP and explore the predictor for the efficacy of DPCP therapy, we conducted a prospective study to compare expression levels of TSLP, OX40L, Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL13, and Th1 cytokine IFN‐γ in severe AA patients before and after the treatment. Results showed that 21 AA patients were responsive (responders) to the DPCP therapy and 12 were not responsive (non‐responders). Responders had lower levels of TSLP, OX40L and IL‐13 than non‐responders before the treatment. After the DPCP treatment, TSLP, IL‐5 and IL‐13 increased and IFN‐γ decreased in responders while there were no changes of TSLP, IL‐4, IL‐13 and IFN‐γ in non‐responders. Our data suggest that the TSLP/OX40L/IL‐13 pathway is down‐regulated in some severe AA patients and DPCP might play a therapeutic role by up‐regulating the pathway in these severe AA patients. The TSLP/OX40L/IL‐13 pathway could be a predictor of response to the DPCP therapy for severe AA patients.
Lipopolysaccharide preconditioning reduces liver metastasis of Colon26 cells by enhancing antitumor activity of natural killer cells and natural killer T cells in murine liver
Authors: Nishikawa Makoto , Kinoshita Manabu , Morimoto Yuji , Ishikiriyama Takuya , Nakashima Masahiro , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Ono Takeshi , Seki Shuhji , Moriya Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Junji , Kishi Yoji
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning drastically augments bactericidal activity but reduces the host inflammatory response. Therefore, it may be beneficial to prevent postoperative infectious complications and mitigate host damage by surgical stress. Considering its clinical application, how LPS preconditioning influences the antitumor effect in the liver is an important issue. We then investigated the effect of LPS preconditioning on antitumor activity against Colon26 tumor cells in mice.

Methods

Lipopolysaccharide preconditioning was induced in mice by the intraperitoneal injection of 5 μg/kg LPS for three consecutive days. Intraportal inoculation of Colon26 cells, which express luminescent protein called Nano‐lantern, was performed to evaluate the effect of LPS preconditioning on tumor liver metastasis. The antitumor activities of cytotoxic liver lymphocytes, especially natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells, against Colon26 cells were also examined in LPS preconditioned mice.

Results

Lipopolysaccharide preconditioning remarkably prevented liver metastasis of Colon26 cells, as observed by IVIS imaging system, and prolonged survival after tumor inoculation. LPS preconditioning increased the proportions and number of liver NK cells and NKT cells and augmented their intracellular perforin and granzyme B expression, while reducing their intracellular expression of IFN‐γ. An in vitro antitumor cytotoxicity assay revealed that LPS preconditioning significantly augmented antitumor cytotoxicities of the liver NK cells and NKT cells, especially NKT cells, against Colon26 cells.

Conclusions

Lipopolysaccharide preconditioning potently augmented antitumor cytotoxicity of liver NK cells and NKT cells, thereby improving mouse survival after intraportal inoculation of Colon26 tumor cells. It may be useful for perioperative care in oncological patients.
Accuracy of bone segmentation and surface generation strategies analyzed by using synthetic CT volumes
Authors: Engelkes Karolin
Published: December 2020

Different kinds of bone measurements are commonly derived from computed‐tomography (CT) volumes to answer a multitude of questions in biology and related fields. The underlying steps of bone segmentation and, optionally, polygon surface generation are crucial to keep the measurement error small. In this study, the performance of different, easily accessible segmentation techniques (global thresholding, automatic local thresholding, weighted random walk, neural network, and watershed) and surface generation approaches (different algorithms combined with varying degrees of simplification) was analyzed and recommendations for minimizing inaccuracies were derived. The different approaches were applied to synthetic CT volumes for which the correct segmentation and surface geometry were known. The most accurate segmentations of the synthetic volumes were achieved by setting a case‐specific window to the gray value histogram and subsequently applying automatic local thresholding with appropriately chosen thresholding method and radius. Surfaces generated by the Amira® moduleGenerate Lego Surfacein combination with careful surface simplification were the most accurate. Surfaces with sub‐voxel accuracy were obtained even for synthetic CT volumes with low contrast‐to‐noise ratios. Segmentation trials with real CT volumes supported the findings. Very accurate segmentations and surfaces can be derived from CT volumes by using readily accessible software packages. The presented results and derived recommendations will help to reduce the measurement error in future studies. Furthermore, the demonstrated strategies for assessing segmentation and surface qualities can be adopted to quantify the performance of new segmentation approaches in future studies.
Word embeddings for biomedical natural language processing: A survey
Authors: Chiu Billy , Baker Simon
Published: December 2020

Word representations are mathematical objects that capture the semantic and syntactic properties of words in a way that is interpretable by machines. Recently, encoding word properties into low‐dimensional vector spaces using neural networks has become increasingly popular. Word embeddings are now used as the main input to natural language processing (NLP) applications, achieving cutting‐edge results. Nevertheless, most word‐embedding studies are carried out with general‐domain text and evaluation datasets, and their results do not necessarily apply to text from other domains (e.g., biomedicine) that are linguistically distinct from general English. To achieve maximum benefit when using word embeddings for biomedical NLP tasks, they need to be induced and evaluated using in‐domain resources. Thus, it is essential to create a detailed review of biomedical embeddings that can be used as a reference for researchers to train in‐domain models. In this paper, we review biomedical word embedding studies from three key aspects: the corpora, models and evaluation methods. We first describe the characteristics of various biomedical corpora, and then compare popular embedding models. After that, we discuss different evaluation methods for biomedical embeddings. For each aspect, we summarize the various challenges discussed in the literature. Finally, we conclude the paper by proposing future directions that will help advance research into biomedical embeddings.
Altered gene expression profile of Wolbachia pipientis wAlbB strain following transinfection from its native host Aedes albopictus to Aedes aegypti cells
Authors: Bishop Cameron , Asgari Sassan
Published: December 2020

Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular bacterial symbiont prevalent among arthropods and nematodes. To survive and reproduce, Wolbachia interacts with and modifies host subcellular structures, while sensing and responding to changes within the cellular environment. In mutualistic associations, Wolbachia may provision the host with metabolites, or help to maintain the chemical homeostasis of the host cell. Some strains can rapidly invade insect populations by manipulating host reproductive biology, while also preventing viral replication, allowing their use in vector control of arthropod‐borne viruses. The Aedes albopictus‐derived strain wAlbB is promising in this regard. When transinfected into the Yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, wAlbB reaches high frequencies within wild populations, and strongly inhibits viral transmission. Despite its obvious potential, much is still unknown about the molecular interactions between Wolbachia and host that enable its use in vector control. Furthermore, most Wolbachia transinfection research to date has focused on host effects. In the current study, we used a cell line model to explore the effect of transinfection of wAlbB from Ae. albopictus to Ae. aegypti. Using RNA sequencing, we show that several genes associated with host‐symbiont interactions were downregulated by transinfection, with the greatest downregulation exhibited by prophage‐associated genes.
Spectrum of Inborn errors of immunity in a cohort of 90 patients presenting with complications to BCG vaccination in India
Authors: Yadav Reetika Malik , Dalvi Aparna , Gupta Maya , Bargir Umair Ahmed , Shabrish Snehal , Aluri Jahnavi , Kulkarni Manasi , Hule Gouri , Kambli Priyanka , Setia Priyanka , Jodhawat Neha , Taur Prasad , Desai Mukesh , Madkaikar Manisha Rajan
Published: December 2020

World Health Organisation recommends the practice of BCG vaccination at birth in countries which have a high incidence of tuberculosis and/or high leprosy burden. The BCG vaccination is considered safe for a competent immune system. However, in children with weakened immune systems cause of which can be primary or secondary, the vaccine may lead to side effects which can be localized or disseminated. In this study, we report a spectrum of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) commonly referred to as primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) diagnosed in a large cohort of patients presenting with complications to BCG vaccination from India. Retrospective data analysis of patients referred to ICMR‐ National Institute of Immunohematology (ICMR‐NIIH) for IEI workup between 2007 and 2019 was done. IEI was identified in n = 52/90 (57.7%) patients presenting with BCG complications. Of these, n = 13(14.4%) patients were diagnosed with severe combined immune deficiency, n = 15(16.7%) with chronic granulomatous disease, n = 19(21.1%) with Inborn errors of IFN‐γ immunity, n = 4(4.4%) with Combined immunodeficiency and n = 1(1.1%) with Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency type1. Majority of cases with BCGosis (88%) had an underlying IEI. This study strongly highlights the need for evaluation of patients with BCG complications for underlying IEI. While disseminated BCGosis strongly predicts underlying IEI, even localized persistent adenitis may be a warning sign of underlying IEI. It is also strongly recommended to record a family history of previous sibling death prior to administration of this live vaccine and deferring live vaccine till the diagnosis of IEI is ruled out in cases with a positive family history.
The glass border: Gender and exporting in developing countries
Authors: Davies Ronald B. , Mazhikeyev Arman
Published: December 2020

Using firm‐level data across 80 developing and transition economies, we explore the productivity differences between firms depending on their export status and the gender composition of their leadership. We find that for small‐ and medium‐sized firms where leaders are arguably involved in ‘on the ground’ activities, female‐led exporters have an exporter productivity premium three times that of comparable male firms. This suggests they face greater export barriers. For larger firms, we find the opposite, suggesting that large, female‐led firms experience more difficulties in gaining via learning by exporting. Together, these point to significant concerns female firms face when exporting.
Knowledge, attitude, and perception towards voluntary blood donation among university students in Nigeria
Authors: Ogundeji Sunday Peter , Ajayi Oluwafemi David , Busari Olusogo Ebenezer , Ogundeji Olajumoke A. , Adepoju Oluwaseun Adewole , Esan Folayan GJ
Published: December 2020

Background

Adequate provision of safe blood through voluntary non‐remunerated donation (VNRD) is critical to the delivery of quality health care. Understanding the factors affecting blood donation and addressing them would lead to an improvement in blood donation in Africa. The objective of this study was to determine factors affecting VNRD among culturally diverse Nigerian students.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional descriptive study, 840 students were selected by a stratified random sampling technique and given a pretested semi‐structured self‐administered questionnaire which included questions on knowledge, attitude, and perception of respondents towards voluntary blood donation. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 18·6 years (SD 1·8). The male‐to‐female ratio was 1:1·5. More than half (54·5%) of the respondents had good knowledge about blood donation with those of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) contributing the most to the knowledge base [p < 0·001, OR‐2·0, CI95 = 1·3, 3.0]. About 62% showed a willingness to donate blood, and the highest proportion were from the CMHS [χ2 = 29·62, p < 0·001]. Of those that had donated at least once in the past, males are more likely to donate than females [37 (60·7%) vs. 27 (39·3%)] (p = 0·001, OR 2·5 CI95 = 1·5–4·3).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the knowledge about blood donation is inadequate among the population studied although most of them were willing to donate blood. Efforts to increase the pool of VNRD should focus on young people and especially females. We recommend that student’s societies be engaged with activities aimed to improve their knowledge of blood donation and demystify erroneous beliefs hindering blood donation. These engagements may take place at orientation programmes for fresh students, exhibitions at student unions events, and during the commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day.
EFFECTS OF ACADEMIC DEGREE AND DISCIPLINE ON RELIGIOUS AND EVOLUTIONARY VIEWS IN CHILE AND COLOMBIA
Authors: Marín César , García‐Merchán Victor Hugo , Arbeláez‐Moreno Julián David , Ochoa‐Berrío Esteban Camilo , Martínez‐Rincón Diego , D'Elía Guillermo
Published: December 2020

Relationships between degree/area of academic formation and religious and Darwinian views are controversial. This study aimed to compare the religious beliefs and acceptance of Darwinian evolution between two contrasting South American scientific communities (Chile and Colombia), accounting for different degrees and areas of academic formation. In 2018, 115 last year bachelor students (surveyed as freshmen in 2014 for a previous study) from Chile, and 283 first/last year bachelor students, graduate students, and professors from Colombia, all belonging to biology, chemistry, or physics, were surveyed. Chilean students/faculty were significantly more agnostic/atheist, more accepting of Darwinian evolution, and less creationist than their Colombian counterparts. Academic degree and area differently affected these views in both countries, as only in Chile there was a clear tendency among biologists and physicists with higher degrees to hold less religious and creationist views. Marked differences between the history, socioeconomic contexts, and especially in high school and university curricula of both countries might explain these results.
“The thing about animals is they are not judgemental”: Stories and images from formerly incarcerated women about their relationships with companion animals
Authors: Jarldorn Michele
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION: The data presented in this research brief are drawn from a project which asked 12 former prisoners what they thought outsiders should know about imprisonment and release. One of the themes arising from the data suggested that, rather than participating in a mandated programme or professionally delivered intervention, the reasons for successfully staying out of prison were based on relationships and connections. Sometimes these relationships were with family, community, a specific worker or group and, for six of the women, with companion animals. It was a combination of these relationships which helped the participants find their own pathways to staying in the community and, eventually, out of the criminal justice system.APPROACH: Data were created using Photovoice, an arts-based, qualitative, participatory action research method where participants take photographs and then use those images to help tell their story. Participants were invited to talk about anything they saw as important for outsiders to know about their experiences of imprisonment and release. Unexpectedly, six of the women chose to speak about the importance of their relationship with companion animals.FINDINGS: The data presented here show the value that women in this project placed on their relationships with companion animals. More broadly, their data point to the importance of having non-judgemental relationships and the benefits of being able to ‘give back’.CONCLUSION: The unexpected findings presented in this research brief suggest that social workers must take into consideration all relationships criminalised women have, not just those with other humans.
Learning with dogs: Human–animal bonds and understandings of relationships and reflexivity in practitioner-research
Authors: Ceatha Nerilee
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION: This article highlights the importance of ethnographic observations of human–animal bonds (HAB) to inform social work practice and applied social research. It explores the relationship between the author and Bruno, a rescue dog, through conventional ideas on attachment theory, connectedness and containment.METHODS: These perspectives are applied to the author’s experiences of undertaking a PhD on the protective factors that promote LGBTI+ youth wellbeing. This emphasises reflexivity as an integral component of practitioner research, with the potential to explore the complexities and subjectivities of our emotional lives.FINDINGS: Through recognition of the dynamics of attachment, our roles as companion-carers prompt help-seeking to ensure reflective practice and effective caregiving. Our relationships with companion-animals resonate with the process of undertaking a PhD, through prioritising self-care and seeking work–life balance. These ideas are also relevant for collaborative studies underpinned by an iterative research process, described by a Consulting, Conducting, Collaborating and Checking cycle.CONCLUSION: The article concludes with an appeal to social work practitioners and practitioner- researchers to discover ways in which concepts of HAB, and our interconnectedness with all living beings, can be applied to policy, practice and research with those whom we work with, their families and within our broader communities.
Comparing Methods to Identify Wear-Time Intervals for Physical Activity With the Fitbit Charge 2
Authors: Claudel Sophie E. , Tamura Kosuke , Troendle James , Andrews Marcus R. , Ceasar Joniqua N. , Mitchell Valerie M. , Vijayakumar Nithya , Powell-Wiley Tiffany M.
Published: December 2020

There is no established method for processing data from commercially available physical activity trackers. This study aims to develop a standardized approach to defining valid wear time for use in future interventions and analyses. Sixteen African American women (mean age = 62.1 years and mean body mass index = 35.5 kg/m2) wore the Fitbit Charge 2 for 20 days. Method 1 defined a valid day as ≥10-hr wear time with heart rate data. Method 2 removed minutes without heart rate data, minutes with heart rate  ≤ mean − 2 SDs below mean and ≤2 steps, and nighttime. Linear regression modeled steps per day per week change. Using Method 1 (n = 292 person-days), participants had 20.5 (SD = 4.3) hr wear time per day compared with 16.3 (SD = 2.2) hr using Method 2 (n = 282) (p < .0001). With Method 1, participants took 7,436 (SD = 3,543) steps per day compared with 7,298 (SD = 3,501) steps per day with Method 2 (p = .64). The proposed algorithm represents a novel approach to standardizing data generated by physical activity trackers. Future studies are needed to improve the accuracy of physical activity data sets.
An activity-dependent local transport regulation via degradation and synthesis of KIF17 underlying cognitive flexibility
Authors: Iwata Suguru , Morikawa Momo , Takei Yosuke , Hirokawa Nobutaka
Published: December 2020

Neuronal activity–dependent dampening and regeneration of dendritic KIF17 transport underlie cognitive flexibility.
Intraplate volcanism triggered by bursts in slab flux
Authors: Mather Ben R. , Müller R. Dietmar , Seton Maria , Ruttor Saskia , Nebel Oliver , Mortimer Nick
Published: December 2020

Slab flux drives the frequency of volcanic eruptions by stimulating an enriched reservoir in the mantle transition zone.
From code to market: Network of developers and correlated returns of cryptocurrencies
Authors: Lucchini Lorenzo , Alessandretti Laura , Lepri Bruno , Gallo Angela , Baronchelli Andrea
Published: December 2020

The collaborative nature of code development affects trading of cryptocurrencies, showing that transparency is a network property.
Ultrafast solid-liquid intercalation enabled by targeted microwave energy delivery
Authors: Zhang Ming-Jian , Duan Yandong , Yin Chong , Li Maofan , Zhong Hui , Dooryhee Eric , Xu Kang , Pan Feng , Wang Feng , Bai Jianming
Published: December 2020

Mechanism of targeted microwave energy transfer drives solid-liquid intercalation to completion in minutes.
Structural basis for transcriptional coactivator recognition by SMAD2 in TGF-β signaling
Authors: Miyazono Ken-ichi , Ito Tomoko , Fukatsu Yui , Wada Hikaru , Kurisaki Akira , Tanokura Masaru
Published: December 2020

A disordered region in the transcriptional coactivator CBP adopts a helical conformation when bound to SMAD2.
Aβ oligomers induce pathophysiological mGluR5 signaling in Alzheimer’s disease model mice in a sex-selective manner
Authors: Abd-Elrahman Khaled S. , Albaker Awatif , de Souza Jessica M. , Ribeiro Fabiola M. , Schlossmacher Michael G. , Tiberi Mario , Hamilton Alison , Ferguson Stephen S. G.
Published: December 2020

A sex-specific prion-amyloid interaction predicts that some Alzheimer’s disease therapies may not work in female patients.
Interdomain Flexibility of Chikungunya Virus nsP2 Helicase-Protease Differentially Influences Viral RNA Replication and Infectivity
Authors: Law Yee-Song , Wang Sainan , Tan Yaw Bia , Shih Orion , Utt Age , Goh Wei Yang , Lian Bing-Jun , Chen Ming Wei , Jeng U-Ser , Merits Andres , Luo Dahai
Published: December 2020

CHIKV nsP2 plays multiple roles in viral RNA replication and virus-host interactions. The helicase and protease regions of nsP2 are connected through a short linker.
Type I Interferon Acts as a Major Barrier to the Establishment of Persistent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Infections
Authors: Broto Laura , Romero Nicolás , Méndez Fernando , Diaz-Beneitez Elisabet , Candelas-Rivera Oscar , Fuentes Daniel , Cubas-Gaona Liliana L. , Courtillon Céline , Eterradossi Nicolas , Soubies Sébastien M. , Rodríguez Juan R. , Rodríguez Dolores , Rodríguez José F.
Published: December 2020

Members of the
Birnaviridae
family, including infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), exhibit a dual behavior, causing acute infections that are often followed by the establishment of lifelong persistent asymptomatic infections. Indeed, persistently infected specimens might act as efficient virus reservoirs, potentially contributing to virus dissemination.
Neonatal Mouse Gut Metabolites Influence Cryptosporidium parvum Infection in Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: VanDussen Kelli L. , Funkhouser-Jones Lisa J. , Akey Marianna E. , Schaefer Deborah A. , Ackman Kevin , Riggs Michael W. , Stappenbeck Thaddeus S. , Sibley L. David
Published: December 2020

Cryptosporidiumsp. occupies a unique intracellular niche that exposes the parasite to both host cell contents and the intestinal lumen, including metabolites from the diet and produced by the microbiota. Both dietary and microbial products change over the course of early development and could contribute to the changes seen in susceptibility to cryptosporidiosis in humans and mice.
Supplemental Material: Mesozoic crustal melting and metamorphism in the U.S. Cordilleran hinterland: Insights from the Sawtooth metamorphic complex, central Idaho
Authors: Ma Chong , al. et
Published: December 2020

Geologic map of the Sawtooth metamorphic complex (Fig. S1), sample outcrop photos (Fig. S2), whole-rock spider diagrams (Fig. S3), plots of igneous zircon trace element versus zircon age (Fig. S4), rare earth element patterns of igneous zircons (Fig. S5), details of analytical methods, sample information (Table S1), whole-rock elemental data (Table S2), zircon U-Pb data (Table S3), titanite U-Pb and trace element data (Table S4), zircon trace element data (Table S5), and zircon Lu-Hf data (Table S6).
Supplemental Material: Ice-thickness variation during marine oxygen isotope stage 4–2 glaciation determined from kame terraces in the Rangitata Valley, New Zealand
Authors: Thackray Glenn , al. et
Published: December 2020

Information on luminescence methods
Heterotopic ossification after local steroid injection
Authors: Li Sean S , Li Suellen S , Abrams Reid A
Published: December 2020

Pachydermodactyly (PDD) is a rare, benign disease associated with progressive swelling of the periarticular soft tissue of phalangeal hand joints typically treated with local steroid injections. We present a case of a 37-year-old man with PDD treated with local steroid injections. He later developed heterotopic ossification and para-articular calcifications in the injection sites. Heterotopic ossification is not associated with PDD nor is it a recognised complication of local steroid injections. This is the first case in literature of heterotopic ossification occurring after local steroid injection and brings to attention a new potential complication of a widely performed procedure.