bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valorization of carbon dioxide (CO2) to enhance production of biomass, biofuels, and biorenewables (B3) in Chlorella saccharophilaUTEX247: a circular bioeconomy perspective
Authors: Kareya Mukul Suresh , Mariam Iqra , Rajacharya Girish Halemirle , Nesamma Asha Arumugam , Jutur Pannaga Pavan
Published: October 2021

Carbon dioxide supplementation regulates the metabolism of photosynthetic organisms, initiating CO2 fixation through the central carbon metabolism and partitioning the carbon in various metabolic processes. It is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of carbon fixation and partitioning to control and regulate biomass and lipid production. In this context, we investigated the metabolic and physiological responses of a freshwater microalga, Chlorella saccharophila, supplemented with very low CO2 (VLC) (300 ppm or 0.03%) and high CO2 (HC) (30 000 ppm, or 3% v/v), for its potential as a biorefinery strain. Our results demonstrate that growth with HC was enhanced 1.4‐fold in comparison with VLC. We speculate that growth with VLC was supported by the central electron flow. Similar changes were observed in various biochemical constituents, i.e., lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. It was also observed that the total pigment productivity was 1.8‐fold higher with HC supplementation than in cultures supplemented with VLC, further indicating enhanced growth in HC. Applying qualitative metabolomics, we identified nearly 23 essential metabolites. There was an accumulation of sugars and antioxidants such as trehalose and α‐tocopherol in VLC as compared to HC. In conclusion, our objective is to understand HC supplementation in C. saccharophila UTEX247 and to provide valuable insights leading to enhanced biomass for the production of biofuels and high‐value biorenewables (B3) in the context of a circular bioeconomy by the valorization of carbon dioxide (CO2). © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Dynamic microfluidic bioreactor—Hip simulator (DMBH) system for implant toxicity monitoring
Authors: Badhe Ravindra V. , Bijukumar Divya , Mesquita Pedro , Cheng Kai Yuan , Ramachandran Remya Ampadi , Lin Yang , Mathew Mathew T.
Published: October 2021

The generation of degradation products (DPs) like ions and organo‐metallic particles from corroding metallic implants is an important healthcare concern. These DPs generate local and systemic toxicity. The impact on local toxicity is well documented, however, little is known about systemic toxicity. This is mainly due to the limited scope of the current microtiter plate‐based (static) toxicity assay techniques. These methods do not mimic the systemic (dynamic) conditions. In this study, it is hypothesized that DPs incubated with cells in static conditions might provide improper systemic toxicity results, as there is no movement mimicking the blood circulation around cells. This study reports the development of a three‐chambered prototype microfluidic system connected to the operational hip implant simulator to test the cellular response induced by the DPs. This setup is called a dynamic microfluidic bioreactor—hip simulator system. We hypothesize that a dynamic microfluidic system will provide a realistic toxicology response induced by DPs than a static cell culture plate. To prove the hypothesis, Neuro2a (N2a) cells were used as representative cells to study systemic neurotoxicity by the implant DPs. The microfluidic bioreactor system was validated by comparing the cell toxicity against the traditional static system and using COMSOL modeling for media flow with DPs. The hip implant simulator used in this study was a state‐of‐the‐art sliding hip simulator developed in our lab. The results suggested that static toxicity was significantly more compared to dynamic microfluidic‐based toxicity. The newly developed DMBH system tested for in situ systemic toxicity on N2a cells and demonstrated very minimum toxicity level (5.23%) compared to static systems (31.16%). Thus, the new DMBH system is an efficient tool for in situ implant metal systemic toxicity testing.
Soluble phenolic compounds affect functional and rheological properties of black bean protein isolates
Authors: Fernando Supun , Manthey Frank A.
Published: October 2021

Background and objectives

Phenolic compounds are known to form complexes with proteins which cause changes in the structural, functional, and nutritional properties of both compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of removing soluble phenolic compounds from whole bean and cotyledon flours on the functional and rheological properties of black bean protein isolates.

Findings

Protein isolates from cotyledon flour free of soluble phenolics (CFPInoP) had significantly lower (p < .05) ash content and significantly higher (p < .05) protein content and brightness compared with other protein isolates. CFPInoP had significantly greater (p < .05) wettability, dispersibility, foaming capacity (FC), foaming stability, emulsion capacity (EC), and emulsion stability (ES) than other protein isolates. Water‐binding capacity (WBC) was significantly greater (p < .05) for protein isolates with high phenolic content. Storage modulus and loss modulus were lower for protein gels made from protein isolates containing phenolic compounds compared with those made from protein isolates without soluble phenolic compounds.

Conclusions

Removal of soluble phenolic compounds improved the functional and rheological properties of black bean protein isolates.

Significance and novelty

As potential food ingredients, the functional properties of black bean protein isolates without soluble phenolic compounds were better compared with protein isolates with soluble phenolic compounds.
Terminal Ligand and Packing Effects on Slow Relaxation in an Isostructural Set of [Dy(H2dapp)X2]+ Single Molecule Magnets**
Authors: Pfleger Rouven F. , Schlittenhardt Sören , Merkel Marcel P. , Ruben Mario , Fink Karin , Anson Christopher E. , Bendix Jesper , Powell Annie K.
Published: October 2021

We report three structurally related single ion Dy compounds using the pentadentate ligand 2,6‐bis((E)‐1‐(2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐hydrazineylidene)ethyl)pyridine (H2dapp) [Dy(H2dapp)(NO3)2]NO3 (1), [Dy(H2dapp)(OAc)2]Cl (2) and [Dy(H2dapp)(NO3)2]Cl0.92(NO3)0.08 (3). The (H2dapp) occupies a helical twisted pentagonal equatorial arrangement with two anionic ligands in the axial positions. Further influence on the electronic and magnetic structure is provided by a closely associated counterion interacting with the central N−H group of the (H2dapp). The slow relaxation of the magnetisation shows that the anionic acetates give the greatest slowing down of the magnetisation reversal. Further influence on the relaxation properties of compounds1 and 2 is the presence of short nitrate‐nitrate intermolecular ligand contact opening further lattice relaxation pathways.
Ligand‐stereoselective allosteric activation of cold‐sensing TRPM8 channels by an H‐bonded homochiral menthol dimer with head‐to‐head or head‐to‐tail
Authors: Wang Guangyu
Published: October 2021

Both menthol and its analog WS‐12 share the same hydrophobic intra‐subunit binding pocket between a voltage‐sensor‐like domain and a TRP domain in a cold‐sensing TRPM8 channel. However, unlike WS‐12, menthol upregulates TRPM8 with a low efficacy but a high coefficient of a dose response at membrane hyperpolarization and with ligand stereoselectivity at membrane depolarization. The underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, this in silico research suggested that the ligand‐stereoselective sequential cooperativity between two menthol molecules in the WS‐12 pocket is required for allosteric activation of TRPM8. Furthermore, two H‐bonded homochiral menthol dimers with both head‐to‐head and head‐to‐tail can compete for the WS‐12 site via non‐covalent interactions. Although both dimers can form an H‐bonding network with a voltage sensor S4 to disrupt a S3–S4 salt bridge in the voltage‐sensor‐like domain to release a “parking brake,” only one dimer may drive channel opening by pushing a “gas pedal” in the TRP domain away from the S6 gate against S4. In this way, the efficacy is decreased, but the cooperativity is increased for the menthol effect at membrane hyperpolarization. Therefore, this review may extend a new pathway for ligand‐stereoselective allosteric regulation of other voltage‐ and ligand‐gated ion channels by menthol.
Characterizing academic performance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with population‐based achievement tests
Authors: Al‐Kaylani Hend M. , Reasoner Erin E. , Loeffler Bradley T. , Mott Sarah L. , Madasu Susan , Liu Audrey , Langbehn Kathleen , Conrad Amy L. , Dickens David , Grafft Amanda , Harshman Lyndsay , Modi Arunkumar J. , van der Plas Ellen
Published: October 2021

Background

Recent shifts from radiation to chemotherapy‐based treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have contributed to reduced long‐term morbidity. Despite this, ALL survivors remain at increased risk for long‐term cognitive impairments.

Aim

To identify demographic and treatment factors associated with school performance in pediatric survivors of ALL.

Methods

We collected standardized test scores for reading, math, and science obtained in a school setting from grades 3–11 in 63 ALL survivors (46.0% boys). Most participants were assessed across multiple grades (median number of grades n = 5, range 1–7), and 269 observations were considered in the analyses. Treatment exposures were extracted from medical records. Socio‐economic status was estimated using participation in free/reduced lunch programs at school. Mixed effects linear regression models were conducted to determine factors associated with school performance.

Results

ALL survivors' scores were comparable to state norms on reading, math, and science performances. On multivariable analysis, participation in free/reduced lunch programs was significantly associated with lower reading scores (β = −12.52; 95% CI −22.26:−2.77, p = .01). Exposure to radiation during treatment was also associated with lower reading test scores (β = −30.81, 95% CI −52.00:−9.62, p = .01). No significant associations between demographics and treatment parameters were observed for math and science test scores.

Conclusions

We utilized population‐based achievement tests conducted from grades 3–11 to characterize school performance in ALL survivors. Our results imply that survivors with low socio‐economic status and those exposed to radiation during treatment could benefit from early monitoring and intervention to maximize academic success.
The Ethics of Psychological Artificial Intelligence: Clinical Considerations
Authors: Fulmer Russell , Davis Tonya , Costello Cori , Joerin Angela
Published: October 2021

Psychological artificial intelligence has a growing research base but often overlooks ethical considerations. Drawing from a review of the literature, the experiences of three counselor educators, and an industry insider, this article names six issues relevant to psychological artificial intelligence. The clinical implications of each issue are discussed, some at the national level, some at the practice level. Suggestions for the counseling profession, with an emphasis on prevention, are offered.
Discerning Student Depression: Religious Coping and Social Support Mediating Attachment
Authors: Klausli Julia F. , Caudill Carrie
Published: October 2021

We assessed pathways linking attachment and depression in college students (N = 190) to investigate the interplay of mediators, namely, social support and simultaneous engagement in positive and negative religious coping. Moderated serial mediation models revealed directions in which attachment predicted perceptions of social support, which then predicted negative religious coping and depression. Positive religious coping partially buffered detrimental effects of negative religious coping but could not completely offset the link to depression. Counselor implications are identified.
Rac1/pSTAT3 expression: A pharmacodynamic marker panel as a first step toward optimization of thiopurine therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients
Authors: Deben Debbie S. , van Adrichem Arjan J. , Drent Roosmarie , Puts Sabine , Pelzer Kelly E. J. M. , van Bodegraven Adriaan A. , Wong Dennis R. , Leers Mathie P. G.
Published: October 2021

Thiopurine derivatives, such as azathioprine and mercaptopurine, are standard conventional treatment options in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Unfortunately, approximately half of patients discontinue thiopurine therapy within 2 years. To improve the prediction of clinical effectiveness, thiopurine therapy is currently optimized using therapeutic drug monitoring. Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) has been suggested as a potential pharmacodynamic marker of the thiopurine effect in lymphocytes. The active thiopurine metabolite 6‐thioguanine triphosphate (6‐Thio‐GTP) causes T cell apoptosis via Rac1 and the downstream transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). The aim of this study was to develop and validate a functional pharmacodynamic multiparameter flow cytometric assay to determine Rac1/pSTAT3 expression in the various leukocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood in order to predict therapeutic response in IBD patients in the future. Peripheral blood samples of healthy subjects (no fever or clinical complaints of active disease, C‐reactive protein < 10 mg/L) were used for immunocytochemical labeling, applying an optimized fixation and permeabilization strategy. A gating procedure was performed to separate all leukocyte subpopulations. Quantitative data were obtained by measuring presence and median fluorescent intensity. In vitro, Rac1 presence and expression were detectable in all leukocyte subpopulations. After IL‐6 stimulation, used as proxy for inflammation, a distinct pSTAT3 signal could be detected in T lymphocytes of healthy subjects. In vivo, an upregulated pSTAT3 signal was detected in nearly all IBD patients with active disease and differed substantially from the signal found in IBD patients in remission on thiopurines and healthy subjects. We developed and validated a functional flow cytometric assay to assess Rac1 and pSTAT3 presence and expression. This opens a venue for a pharmacodynamic assay to predict thiopurine effectiveness in IBD patients.
Individual heterogeneity in fitness in a long‐lived herbivore
Authors: Lohman Madeleine G. , Riecke Thomas V. , Williams Perry J. , Sedinger James S.
Published: October 2021

Heterogeneity in the intrinsic quality and nutritional condition of individuals affects reproductive success and consequently fitness. Black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) are long‐lived, migratory, specialist herbivores. Long migratory pathways and short summer breeding seasons constrain the time and energy available for reproduction, thus magnifying life‐history trade‐offs. These constraints, combined with long lifespans and trade‐offs between current and future reproductive value, provide a model system to examine the role of individual heterogeneity in driving life‐history strategies and individual heterogeneity in fitness. We used hierarchical Bayesian models to examine reproductive trade‐offs, modeling the relationships between within‐year measures of reproductive energy allocation and among‐year demographic rates of individual females breeding on the Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, using capture–recapture and reproductive data from 1988 to 2014. We generally found that annual survival tended to be buffered against variation in reproductive investment, while breeding probability varied considerably over the range of clutch size‐laying date combinations. We provide evidence for relationships between breeding probability and clutch size, breeding probability and nest initiation date, and an interaction between clutch size and initiation date. Average lifetime clutch size also had a weak positive relationship with apparent survival probability. Our results support the use of demographic buffering strategies for black brant. These results also indirectly suggest associations among environmental conditions during growth, fitness, and energy allocation, highlighting the effects of early growth conditions on individual heterogeneity, and subsequently, lifetime reproductive investment.
Impact of processing parameters in plasma electrolytic oxidation on corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy type AZ91
Authors: Aljohani Talal A. , Aljadaan Sami , Bin Rubayan Meteb T. , Khoshnaw Fuad
Published: October 2021

This study aims to investigate the effect of the processing parameters in plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy type AZ91. The PEO coatings were prepared on the samples using alkaline‐based electrolyte. Both unipolar and bipolar, different frequencies and duty cycles were applied. Corrosion tests, using potentiodynamic polarization, linear and cyclic, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, were applied on the as‐received and PEO coated samples. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the surface morphology, for example, micropores, as well as to measure the thickness of the coated layer by changing the processing parameters. The results show that the size of micropores is interrelated to the duty cycle percentage and current polarities, as the higher frequency causes thinner coating layers, with fewer micropores, consequently higher corrosion resistance. In addition, increasing the duty cycle, a denser and more compact coating was obtained. The XRD results showed a missing peak of the α‐Mg phase in a PEO coated sample using bipolar, the highest frequency (1666 Hz), and the highest duty cycle (66.6%). The mils per year calculations showed that the PEO coated has a lower corrosion rate by at least 8 times than the as‐received alloy.
The importance of acknowledging diagnostic uncertainty in patients with new‐onset paroxysmal spells
Authors: El Halabi Tarek , Dirani Maya , Nasreddine Wassim , Hmaimess Ghassan , El Sabbagh Sandra , Wazne Jaafar , Toufaili Hassan , Hasbini Dana , Beydoun Ahmad
Published: October 2021

Objective

The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of paroxysmal spells of indeterminate nature (PSIN) in a large cohort of children and adults with suspected new‐onset seizures, to evaluate the reasons for including patients in this category, and to calculate the rate of erroneous diagnoses if the epileptologists were compelled to label those events as epileptic seizures or nonepileptic paroxysmal spells.

Methods

Patients identified for this study participated in a prospective study evaluating patients with suspected new‐onset unprovoked seizures. The workup included a detailed history and a thorough description of the spells, a 3‐hour video EEG recording, and an epilepsy protocol brain MRI. Based exclusively on a detailed description of the ictal events, two epileptologists were asked to independently classify each patient into those with a definite diagnosis of unprovoked seizures or a definite diagnosis of a nonepileptic paroxysmal spells (group 1) and those with PSIN (group 2).

Results

A total of 1880 consecutive patients were enrolled with 255 (13.6%) included in the PSIN group. Patients with PSIN were significantly younger than those with a definite diagnosis, and PSIN were significantly more frequent in children with developmental delay. The most common reason for including patients in the PSIN group was the inability to categorically discriminate between a seizure and a nonepileptic mimicker. When the raters were compelled to classify the spells in the PSIN group, the frequencies of erroneous diagnoses ranged between 32% and 38%. The final diagnoses on those patients were made based on the results of the EEG, MRI, and follow‐up visits.

Significance

Our data indicate that a diagnostic category of PSIN should be recognized and ought to be used in clinical practice. Acknowledging this uncertainty will result in lower frequencies of erroneous diagnoses, possible stigma, and potential exposure to unnecessary antiseizure medications.
Sevoflurane as bridge therapy for plasma exchange and Anakinra in febrile infection–related epilepsy syndrome
Authors: L’Erario Manuela , Roperto Rosa Maria , Rosati Anna
Published: October 2021

Febrile infection–related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a devastating immune inflammatory–mediated epileptic encephalopathy. Herein, we discuss a previously healthy 8‐year‐old boy with FIRES in whom high dosages of conventional and nonconventional anesthetics were ineffective in treating SE, as were ketogenic diet, intravenous corticosteroids, and immunoglobulins. After 29 days of prolonged SRSE, the patient was successfully treated with sevoflurane paired with plasma exchange, for a total of five days, thus obtaining a stable EEG suppression burst pattern with no adverse events. Anakinra at the dosage of 100 mg b.i.d. was started seven days after sevoflurane and plasma exchange had been discontinued and was effective in ensuring non‐recurrence of SE. Sevoflurane as bridge therapy for immunosuppressive treatment could be considered an early, safe, and effective option in treating convulsive SE in which an autoimmune‐inflammatory etiology can reasonably be hypothesized.
Provenance, source weathering, and tectonics of the Yarlung Zangbo River overbank sediments in Tibetan Plateau, China, using major, trace, and rare earth elements
Authors: Huyan Yuying , Yao Wensheng , Xie Xuejin , Wang Lijun
Published: October 2021

This paper studies the major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs) in fluvial sediments from the Yarlung Zangbo River (YZR) on the Tibetan Plateau, China, with the aim of investigating their provenances, sediment maturity, weathering conditions, and tectonic settings. All samples and analytical techniques are based on Environmental Geochemical Monitoring Networks, which are a crucial part of IGCP259/360 (Global Geochemical Baseline). The results show that the YZR sediments consist of greywacke and litharenite with low‐moderate maturities of textures and minerals. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) (49–71), plagioclase index of alteration (49–77), and index of compositional variability (ICV) values (0.82–1.54) indicate that both mature and immature sediments are present in the YZR and have experienced weak to moderate weathering with little intense weathering in the source area, which is also confirmed by the ICV‐CIA, A‐CN‐K, A‐CNK‐FM, and MFW plots. Moreover, the provenance discrimination diagrams suggest that the YZR sediments are predominantly derived from felsic rocks that are close to the upper continental crust and from acid intermediates, and the tectonic settings of the YZR source rocks were associated with active continental margins and continental island arcs. The overall sediment types, weathering conditions, and tectonics of the YZR were consistent with those of the Brahmaputra River and Meghna River during the Himalayan–Tibetan orogeny, while the sediments of the Brahmaputra River are characterized by recycled‐quartzose sources when compared with the other two Himalayan rivers due to the contributions of quartzolithic composition.
The association of oxidative stress biomarkers with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Banik Sujan , Ghosh Antara
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there were controversial outcomes in the literature between the association of oxidative stress biomarkers and T2DM. The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to critically examine the association of oxidative stress biomarkers with T2DM.

Methods

We systematically searched different electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to find the relevant studies up to May 2021. The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to define the variation between the study groups.

Results

A total of 22 case‐control studies with 2853 subjects (1667 diabetic patients and 1186 healthy controls) were found to be eligible for this meta‐analysis. The pooled results of meta‐analysis showed a significant difference in the levels malondialdehyde (SMD [95% CI]: 2.27 [1.62, 2.91]), nitric oxide (SMD [95% CI]: 1.40 [0.00, 2.81]), glutathione (SMD [95% CI]: −1.76 [−2.94, −0.59]), and total antioxidant status (SMD [95% CI]: −1.40 [−2.28, −0.51]) between the patient group and healthy subjects, whereas no significant difference was observed in the superoxide dismutase levels (SMD [95% CI]: −1.20 [−2.55, 0.15]) and glutathione peroxidase levels (SMD [95% CI]: 0.07 [−2.80, 2.94]).

Conclusion

The present analysis suggests that oxidative stress might have a potential role in the pathogenesis of T2DM in humans. However, further studies should be needed to elucidate the possible mechanism and strengthen this evidence.
The role of sociodemographics, behavioral factors, and internet use behaviors in students' psychological health amid COVID‐19 pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Hosen Ismail , al Mamun Firoj , Mamun Mohammed A.
Published: October 2021

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic drastically impacted students' psychological well‐being by interchanging their regular activities. Students are more engaged with online activities, which may affect their mental health. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the magnitude of psychological health of the Bangladeshi students, where the role of online use behaviors is also investigated.

Methods

An online‐based cross‐sectional survey was conducted between 7 October 2020 and 2 November, 2020 among Bangladeshi students utilizing a convenience sampling technique. The survey questionnaire included items concerning sociodemographics, behavior and health‐related variables, online use behaviors, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐2), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐2). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the data (i.e., binary logistic regression was performed to examine the association between variables and hierarchical regression analysis was performed to predict the variance for depression and anxiety).

Results

Out of 601 included students, 260 and 196 students reported the symptoms of depression (43.3%) and anxiety (32.6%), respectively, where female students experienced a higher level of psychological problems. The psychological suffering was also significantly associated with medical college students, having an affair, less sleep time, not performing physical exercise, excessive internet use, and not watching news during online activities. After adjusting all of the studied variables in the hierarchical regression models, it explained 10% and 9.6% variance of depression and anxiety, respectively.

Conclusions

During this pandemic situation, a relatively higher level of psychological complications was observed among the Bangladeshi students. Regrettably, any specific policy was absent in the country to assuage that outcome. Therefore, based on the study finding, a few strategies and policies were recommended that may be helpful to alleviate psychological issues among the students.
Clinical manifestations of influenza and performance of rapid influenza diagnostic test: A university hospital setting
Authors: Phetcharakupt Varistha , Pasomsub Ekawat , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin
Published: October 2021

Background

Rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) is a diagnostic tool that detects the influenza virus nucleoprotein antigen. The RIDT is widely used in clinical practice because it is simple and cost‐effective, and provides results within 10‐15 minutes.

Objective

We aimed at evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the Sofia® RIDT compared with the Luminex® multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The other goal was to determine the predicting factors for diagnosing influenza among individuals with influenza‐like illness (ILI).

Method

Patients with ILI who had the results of both tests were retrospectively reviewed. We determined the performances of the RIDT.

Results

A total of 473 patients were included with a median age of 58 (interquartile range 41‐74) years. Of these, 47.1% were male, and 16.2% were diagnosed with influenza by the RIDT or RT‐PCR's positive test. For influenza A, the RIDT showed a sensitivity of 76.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 59.8‐88.6) and a specificity of 97.9% (95% CI 96.1‐99.0), whereas for influenza B, it showed a sensitivity of 47.1% (95% CI 23.0‐72.2) and a specificity of 97.1% (95% CI 95.2‐98.5). Patients with influenza were more likely to present with fever (81.8% vs 63.1%), cough (81.8% vs 66.1%), and rhinorrhea (41.6% vs 26.5%) compared to those without influenza (P < 0.05, all), and had a higher proportion of pneumonia (19.5% vs 10.6%, P = 0.029) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (5.2% vs 1.5%, P = 0.063). The predicting factors for influenza among patients presented with ILI were cough (odds ratio [OR] 2.77; 95% CI 0.21‐0.81, P = 0.010), rhinorrhea (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.03‐3.36, P = 0.037), and higher body temperature (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.23‐2.19, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The sensitivity of the RIDT for the diagnosis of influenza is fair in contrast to the specificity. Among patients with ILI, cough, rhinorrhea, and higher body temperature might be factors for predicting influenza.
Does Low Education Delay Structural Transformation?
Authors: Basu Parantap , Guariglia Alessandra
Published: October 2021

Why do some countries industrialize later than others? Recent literature suggests that the prime reason is low agricultural productivity. This paper argues that the initial level of human capital could also be a contributing factor. We construct a neoclassical growth model, which predicts that countries with a greater initial knowledge gap industrialize later. We use this model as a baseline and calibrate it to historical data for the United Kingdom. We find that our baseline model performs well in replicating actual historical U.K. gross domestic product series during the postindustrialization era. The same model also explains a significant fraction of past and recent cross‐country variations in per capita income levels.
The Persistence and Change of Institutions in the Americas
Authors: Acemoglu Daron , Robinson James A.
Published: October 2021

Though many empirical and theoretical approaches to comparative development assume that institutions persist for long periods of time, specific institutions vary a lot over periods as long as a century. Therefore, a convincing theory of institutional persistence must explain how persistence of institutional equilibria and accompanying incentive environment is consistent with changes in specific institutions. In this paper, we propose a simple explanation of how economic institutions may persist even when political institutions change and illustrate it with the economic history of the U.S. South and some examples from Latin American history.
The Dissipation of Minimum Wage Gains for Workers through Labor‐Labor Substitution: Evidence from the Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance
Authors: Fairris David , Bujanda Leon Fernandez
Published: October 2021

This paper utilizes worker‐firm matched data on city contract establishments affected by the Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance to explore the extent of labor‐labor substitution following establishment of a minimum wage. We are able to test for substitution on observable and unobservable skill and demographic features and to measure the extent to which such substitution dissipates the benefits of a wage minimum for workers in affected firms. The results suggest substitution toward male, Latino, and black workers and workers possessing prior formal training. All are characteristics that generate a wage premium in this segment of the low‐wage labor market in Los Angeles. Evidence for substitution based on unobservables is presented as well. The latter is revealed by the finding that the “before” wages of workers who are new to city contract work following the ordinance are significantly higher, conditional on observable characteristics, than the “before” wages of city contract workers who were hired preceding the ordinance. We estimate that the initial wage gain for workers is dissipated by roughly 27% through labor‐labor substitution.
Corruption, Centralization, and the Shadow Economy
Authors: Echazu Luciana , Bose Pinaki
Published: October 2021

In their pioneering work on corruption, Shleifer and Vishny (1993) find that a centralized bureaucracy results in lower bribes. Our paper extends the analysis to economies with formal and informal sectors. When corrupt officials operate in both sectors, bureaucratic centralization is beneficial when confined to the formal sector; however, we show that cross‐sector centralization can result in higher bribes and lower welfare. Furthermore, contrary to Choi and Thum (2005), we demonstrate that, depending on the organization of the bureaucracy and the productivity of the informal sector, the presence of the shadow economy may have adverse effects on corruption and welfare.
Third Degree Price Discrimination in Linear‐Demand Markets: Effects on Number of Markets Served and Social Welfare
Authors: Kaftal Victor , Pal Debashis
Published: October 2021

We analyze the welfare impact of monopolistic third degree price discrimination when all markets are not necessarily served by uniform pricing. We consider n markets with linear demand curves. Each demand is characterized by the price intercept of the demand curve and by the size of the market, as measured by the area under the demand curve. Based on these two exogenous parameters, we establish the necessary and sufficient conditions to determine the number of markets to be served under uniform pricing and the direction of the welfare change under third degree price discrimination.
The Effect of Minimum Salaries on Employment of Teachers: A Test of the Monopsony Model
Authors: Boal William M.
Published: October 2021

The market for schoolteachers, at least outside metropolitan areas, has frequently been cited as an example of labor monopsony. To test for monopsony, this study measures the employment effects of increases in state‐mandated minimum salaries in two nonunion states: South Carolina and Texas. In South Carolina, there is weak evidence of a negative effect in rural school districts, with an estimated short‐run demand elasticity of about –0.2. In Texas, there is strong evidence of a negative effect in both urban and rural school districts, with an estimated short‐run demand elasticity of about –0.4. These results apparently reject the monopsony model of the market for schoolteachers.
Public Pollution Abatement, Regional Capital Mobility, and Tax Competition
Authors: Hadjiyiannis Costas , Hatzipanayotou Panos , Michael Michael S.
Published: October 2021

The environmental economics literature has ignored the effects of the interaction among capital mobility, private and public pollution abatement, and cross‐border pollution on environmental policies. We analyze these effects in the context of a general equilibrium model. We find, among other things, that (i) when countries are symmetric, the presence of public pollution abatement makes Nash equilibrium pollution taxes efficient while lump‐sum taxes remain inefficient; and (ii) when countries are asymmetric, both taxes are inefficient and the Nash equilibrium pollution taxes depend mainly on the direction of capital mobility, factor intensity, and the degree of cross‐border pollution. These results indicate that policy cooperation is more important when countries are different.
Risk Perception, Ambiguity, and Nuclear‐Waste Transport
Authors: Riddel Mary
Published: October 2021

Although ambiguity has received ample attention in the theoretical expected‐utility literature, measures of ambiguity are rare. Here, I present a framework for eliciting and estimating risk and ambiguity simultaneously using a risk ladder. The model, based on a variant of the induced‐distribution approach of Hill, Perry, and Willis (2007, Estimating Knightian uncertainty with survival probability questions on the HRS, unpublished paper, University of Michigan), allows me to estimate risk and ambiguity jointly and derive the correlation between the two. The approach allows for heterogeneity and measurement error in the perceived risk distribution.

I apply the model to data from a survey of perceived mortality risk from transporting radioactive waste to the proposed Yucca Mountain facility. The data suggest that the public perceives transport risk well in excess of that estimated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Moreover, the perceived risks are highly ambiguous. The success (and cost) of transport plans may hinge on planners' ability to reassure and educate the public about the true risks of transport.
Innovation and the Long‐Run Elasticity of Total Taxable Income
Authors: Russo Benjamin
Published: October 2021

The elasticity of taxable income determines revenue and welfare responses to taxes. Measurement of this elasticity is an ongoing focus of tax policy research. Empirical studies report short‐run elasticities. However, general equilibrium relationships can cause short‐run and long‐run elasticities to diverge. This paper uses a Computable General Equilibrium simulation model to construct long‐run taxable income elasticities. The model differs from most previous simulation analyses of tax policy by its inclusion of endogenous, profit‐motivated Research and Development and innovation. The results indicate that (i) taxable income elasticities can be relatively large, even if tax rate changes initially have only modest effects on labor supply and saving; (ii) total taxable income could be much more responsive to the corporate tax than to the individual tax; and (iii) the elasticities are substantially larger under endogenous innovation than under exogenous innovation. Together the results indicate an increase in the likelihood that the incidence of capital income taxes shifts away from capital as economies evolve toward higher levels of innovation.
Higher Levels of Circulating Osteoprogenitor Cells Are Associated With Higher Bone Mineral Density and Lean Mass in Older Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Feehan Jack , Smith Cassandra , Tripodi Nicholas , Degabrielle Elizabeth , Al Saedi Ahmed , Vogrin Sara , Duque Gustavo , Levinger Itamar
Published: October 2021

Circulating osteo progenitor (COP) cells are a heterogeneous population of cells that circulate within the peripheral blood with characteristics of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem and progenitor pool. Little is known about the behavior of this cell population in humans. The aim of this study was to identify whether a relationship exists between COP cells (as a percentage of the peripheral blood monocytic cells) and musculoskeletal morphometry and to identify if COP have potential clinical utility as a biomarker for osteoporosis. We recruited 57 older adults (median age: 69 years; IQR: 65, 75 years) living independently in the community and performed cross‐sectional analysis to identify associations between the percentage of COP cells and body composition parameters, and through receiver operating characteristic analysis, we evaluated their ability to act as a biomarker of osteoporosis. COP cells were moderately associated with whole‐body bone mineral density (BMD) (r = 0.323, p = 0.014) and bone mineral content (BMC) (r = 0.387, p = 0.003), neck of femur BMD (r = 0.473, p < 0.001), and BMC (r = 0.461, p < 0.001) as well as appendicular lean mass (ALM) (p = 0.038) and male sex (p = 0.044) in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis controlling for age, gender, height, and weight, COP cells remained strongly associated with neck of femur BMD (p = 0.001) and content (p = 0.003). COP cells were also a good predictor of osteoporosis (dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry [DXA] T‐score < −2.5) at the neck of femur (cutoff: 0.4%; sensitivity: 100%; specificity 79%) and total body (cutoff: 0.35%; sensitivity: 80%; specificity: 81%). This study shows strong relationships between bone parameters and COP cell number and male sex. They also have potential as a biomarker of osteoporosis, which may provide a new tool for advanced detection and screening in clinical settings. Future larger evaluation studies should verify the cutoffs for biomarker use, and further explore the relationship between COP cells and muscle. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Extracellular vesicles are the primary source of blood‐borne tumour‐derived mutant KRAS DNA early in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Hagey Daniel W. , Kordes Maximilian , Görgens André , Mowoe Metoboroghene O. , Nordin Joel Z. , Moro Carlos Fernández , Löhr J.‐Matthias , EL Andaloussi Samir
Published: October 2021

Up to now, the field of liquid biopsies has focused on circulating tumour DNA and cells, though extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been of increasing interest in recent years. Thus, reported sources of tumour‐derived nucleic acids include leukocytes, platelets and apoptotic bodies (AB), as well as large (LEV) and small (SEV) EVs. Despite these competing claims, there has yet to be a standardized comparison of the tumour‐derived DNA associated with different components of blood. To address this issue, we collected twenty‐three blood samples from seventeen patients with pancreatic cancers of known mutant KRAS G12 genotype, and divided them into two groups based on the time of patient survival following sampling. After collecting red and white blood cells, we subjected 1 ml aliquots of platelet rich plasma to differential centrifugation in order to separate the platelets, ABs, LEVs, SEVs and soluble proteins (SP) present. We then confirmed the enrichment of specific blood components in each differential centrifugation fraction using electron microscopy, Western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis and bead‐based multiplex flow cytometry assays. By targeting wild type and tumour‐specific mutant KRAS alleles using digital PCR, we found that the levels of mutant KRAS DNA were highest in association with LEVs and SEVs early, and with SEVs and SP late in disease progression. Importantly, we established that SEVs were the most enriched in tumour‐derived DNA throughout disease progression, and verified this association using size exclusion chromatography. This work provides important direction for the rapidly expanding field of liquid biopsies by supporting an increased focus on EVs as a source of tumour‐derived DNA.
Telegenetics: The experience of an Indian center (Centre for Human Genetics) during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Rao Nivedita , Kanago Dhanashree , Morris Monisha , Narayan Vinu , Varshney Kruti , GN Sanjeeva , Bhat Meenakshi
Published: October 2021

Because of the lockdowns and restrictions placed on non‐emergency medical services due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, we were prompted to set up telegenetic services for patients and families with genetic disorders. Genetic medicine poses special challenges because the unit of consultation and counseling is often the family and not just the individual. We describe here our experience over eight months in 2020 in evaluating 539 families with genetic disorders on a virtual platform. Patients from urban and rural districts of Karnataka and neighboring states received telegenetic consultation. Families were phoned by genetic counselors 14–28 days after the initial consultation to measure feedback. One member of each family was invited to complete a modified 9‐item Telehealth Satisfaction Scale (TeSS scale). Of 293 respondents, approximately 87.3% reported satisfaction with the visual and audio quality of online contact and 86.7% on saving travel time and expenses. A shorter waiting time for appointments as compared to in‐person appointments in the previous year was seen in approximately 90%. Nearly 87% reported satisfaction with online genetic consultation; however, 74% of these indicated a preference for a face‐to‐face appointment. The reasons for this included a cultural perception of confidence instilled by meeting medical specialists in person. Telegenetics presents unusual advantages in India because of the high usage of smartphones, unlimited Internet data as a feature of most Internet plans, free web‐based video applications, and digital payments. We suggest that telegenetics may be an alternative in providing a hybrid model of care in non‐emergency situations especially where resources are limited.
Estimation of the degree of surgical difficulty anticipated for pancreatoduodenectomy: Preoperative and intraoperative factors
Authors: Kosaka Hisashi , Satoi Sohei , Kono Yumiko , Yamamoto Tomohisa , Hirooka Satoshi , Yamaki So , Hashimoto Daisuke , Sakaguchi Tatsuma , Sekimoto Mitsugu
Published: October 2021

Background

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is a technically complex procedure. Preoperative anticipation of the degree of difficulty could contribute to patient safety during trainee surgical education.

Methods

We prospectively administered a questionnaire to the chief surgeon after each PD performed between 2016 and 2018 at our institution (99 consecutive patients). The surgeon rated the difficulty of the procedure; we then analyzed this information against perioperative data.

Results

The difficulty of PD was ranked as simple (29.3%), moderate (40.4%), or difficult (30.3%). The difficult procedures required an operative time of 2 h longer than the simple procedures and involved an additional 800 mL of intraoperative blood loss. Postoperative complications were similar in all groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that an unrecognized tissue plane for dissection was an independent determinant of a difficult PD (odds ratio [OR]: 89.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.2‐861.2; P < .001). Independent predictors of a difficult PD were a pretreatment status of borderline resectable or unresectable (OR: 21.9, CI: 5.3‐90.6; P < .001) and cholangitis during the preoperative period (OR: 4.1, CI: 1.3‐13.0; P = .017).

Conclusions

Surgeons deem the PD procedure to be difficult when the proper tissue plane for dissection is unrecognized. Preoperative assessment of the anticipated difficulty could contribute to better operative management.