bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rheological fingerprinting as an effective tool to guide development of personal care formulations
Authors: Ozkan S. , Alonso C. , McMullen R. L.
Published: May 2020

Objective

Conventional rheological techniques in the linear viscoelastic region provide insights about the spatial configuration of the microstructural components of personal care formulations in their ‘at‐rest’ state. However, they fail to describe the textural experience associated with large and fast deformations during daily consumer application. In this study we present a non‐conventional rheological technique—large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS)—for probing the transformation of a material during its application. This technique is proposed a practical tool for formulators in their efforts to design products with desired textural attributes.

Methods

A non‐linear rheological technique termed LAOS was utilized to capture the textural expression perceived by consumers. Lissajous plots (stress vs. strain or strain rate) provide a fingerprint of the formula and are utilized to both analyse the thickening mechanism and monitor the influence of various parameters, such as the chemistry, molecular properties, colloidal parameters and processing conditions.

Results

In this study, we showcased several approaches for modifying the texture of personal care formulations and show the influence of various parameters on the characteristics of the Lissajous curves and their relation to sensorial perception. This fingerprinting technique shows that increasing the molecular weight or hydrophobic modification boosts the elasticity and thickening efficiency of a given polymer. Differences in the chemistry of rheological ingredients also influence the characteristic Lissajous fingerprint. In high concentration surfactant systems, which tend to form worm‐like micelles, their unique Lissajous fingerprints indicate structure rebuild because of fast kinetics at large but slow deformations. Analysis of lamellar gel‐based hair conditioner formulations demonstrates the unique high yield stress of these types of materials, accompanied by the fast breakdown transition from a solid to viscous structure because of their crystalline lamellar gel structure.

Conclusion

The LAOS technique presented in this article is intended to better capture the textural expression perceived by consumers. Lissajous plots—generated from the LAOS experimental data—provide a fingerprint of the tested formula and are utilized to both analyse the thickening mechanism and monitor the influence of various parameters, such as the chemistry and molecular weight of the thickener, pH of the formula medium and influence of other ingredients in the formula (surfactants, emulsifiers, etc.).
First come, first served: Possible role for priority effects in marine populations under different degrees of dispersal potential
Authors: de Leeuw Christiaan A. , Peijnenburg Katja T. C. A. , Gillespie Rosemary G. , Maas Diede L. , Hanzawa Naoto , Tuti Yosephine , Toha Abdul Hamid A. , Aji Ludi Parwadani , Becking Leontine E.
Published: May 2020

Aim

Studying clearly delineated populations in marine lakes, islands of sea, we investigated the interplay of habitat size, dispersal potential, and priority effects in shaping marine population genetic structure.

Location

Marine lakes and coastal locations in Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Taxon

Mussels (Mytilidae, Brachidontes spp.)

Methods

Populations were sampled from four coastal locations and 22 marine lakes of similar age (~8,000 years), yet differing in size (0.04–4.7 km2) and degree of connection to the adjacent sea. While some lakes are highly connected, allowing potential influx of larvae from the sea, others have very limited water exchange. We assessed the phylogeographical structure and demographic history using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, and combined this with geometric morphometrics. The effects of lake characteristics on population genetic diversity and structure were tested using linear regression and Mantel tests.

Results

Each lake contained one of six distinct genetic lineages, which were characterized by deep phylogenetic splits and significant morphometric differences. These lineages likely represent separate species. The lineages showed similar demographic patterns, with lakes containing founder populations that rapidly expanded and diverged. Genetic diversity within lake populations was significantly correlated with lake area, but not with physical connection to the adjacent sea. Within lineages that occurred in multiple lakes there was strong population structure (average ΦST 0.65), which did not conform to an isolation‐by‐distance pattern or to the degree of dispersal potential.

Main Conclusions

Marine lakes across a gradient of physical isolation show strong population structure and evidence for in situ divergence. We hypothesize that the observed genetic structure is the result of priority effects. In addition, reduction of habitat size appears to reduce genetic diversity, even at very small spatial scales. Our findings are relevant in the context of ongoing alterations to coastal hydrodynamics, which lead to habitat reduction and influence migration among populations at fine spatial scales.
Association of triglyceride glucose index and its combination of obesity indices with prehypertension in lean individuals: A cross‐sectional study of Chinese adults
Authors: Zeng Zhen Yu , Liu Su Xuan , Xu Hao , Xu Xia , Liu Xing Zhen , Zhao Xian Xian
Published: May 2020

For normal‐weight population, the management of prehypertension may be more beneficial by identifying insulin resistance (IR) status than relying solely on traditional indicators of obesity. We investigated the association of triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, a simple surrogate marker of IR, and its combination of obesity indices with prehypertension in lean individuals. A total of 105 070 lean adults without hypertension were included in this analysis. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐height ratio (WtHR), and TyG were calculated according to the corresponding formula; TyG‐BMI, TyG‐WC, and TyG‐WHtR were calculated by multiplying the corresponding two parameters. Gardner‐Altman plots, partial correlation, and logistic regression analyses were applied to explore the associations in continuous variables and quartiles. The prehypertensive ones had higher mean values of TyG, TyG‐BMI, TyG‐WC, and TyG‐WHtR than normotensive individuals. All the four indicators showed positive correlations with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. After full adjustment, only TyG‐BMI and TyG‐WC were significantly associated with prehypertension in both genders. Furthermore, TyG‐BMI had the highest OR for prehypertension. Our study showed that TyG‐BMI might be an accessible and complementary monitor in the hierarchical management of non‐obese prehypertensive patients.
Extracellular vesicles enhance oxidative stress through P38/NF‐kB pathway in ketamine‐induced ulcerative cystitis
Authors: Xi Xiao jian , Zeng Jin jiang , Lu Yong , Chen Shao hua , Jiang Zhi wen , He Peng jie , Mi Hua
Published: May 2020

Long‐term abuse of ketamine causes ketamine‐induced cystitis. The functional alterations of bladder epithelial cells in microenvironment during cystitis remain poorly understood. Here, we explored extracellular vesicles (EV) alteration in ketamine‐induced toxicity. To simulate the high‐concentration ketamine environment in vivo, we established an in vitro model of high ketamine using human uroepithelial cells (SV‐HUC‐1). Cell viability and proliferation were assessed to evaluate the effects of various concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mmol/L) of ketamine on SV‐HUC‐1 cells. The cell supernatant cultured at a concentration (0, 1, 2, 4 mmol/L) of ketamine was selected for EV extraction and identified. Subsequently, we assessed different groups (ketamine, ketamine plus EV blocker, EV, EV plus extracellular vesicles blocker) of oxidative stress and expression of inflammation. Last, luciferase reporter assay was performed to study the transcriptional regulation of EV on the NF‐kB and P38 pathway. The results of our study suggested that treatment with 0, 1, 2 or 4 mmol/L ketamine altered the morphology and secretion capacity of extracellular vesicles. As the concentration of ketamine increased, the average particle size of EV decreased, but the crest size, particle concentration and EV protein increased. Moreover, after the addition of EV blocker, EV secreted at different concentrations were blocked outside the cell membrane, and the degree of oxidative stress decreased. Our study provided evidence that ketamine alters the secretion of EV by directly stimulating cells in inflammation microenvironment and EV play significant roles in intercellular signal communication and the formation of KIC.EV
Study on microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum LIP‐1 by emulsification method
Authors: Ma Lili , Shang Yina , Zhu Yingdan , Zhang Xiaoning , E Jingjing , Zhao Lihua , Wang Junguo
Published: May 2020

We prepared probiotic microcapsules with lactoprotein as the wall material using an optimized emulsification method. Results of an orthogonal experiment showed that when the water–oil ratio was 1:10, the skim‐milk concentration was 35% (wt/wt), the emulsification time was 10 min, stirring speed was 600 r/min, microencapsulation efficiency was 86.59%, and particle size was 52.56 μm. The evaluation of microcapsules' performance in simulated human digestion confirmed that the microcapsules released the probiotics completely in simulated intestinal fluid within 90 min. The survival rate after exposure to simulated gastric fluid for 90 min was 53.3%, which was significantly higher than that of free cells (16.81%; p < .05). The freeze‐drying survival rate was 63.10%. The viability of the probiotics decreased only by 0.46 log CFU/g during storage at 4°C for 21 days, benefit by microcapsules' denser structure. These results provide a theoretical reference for an industrial application of microencapsulation.

Practical applications

Microcapsulation technology can be applied to produce functional and healthy food containing probiotic bacteria, such as yoghurt, cheese, ice cream, and other products. Microcapsule powder can be prepared by freeze‐drying as a lactic acid bacterial starter. Microcapsules are a potential drug delivery system, and Lactobacillus plantarum LIP‐1 is a beneficial probiotic that lowers blood cholesterol.
Quartz halogen radiated fast and energy‐efficient convective vacuum drying of green tea fortified Himsagar mango: Optimization, kinetics, and quality assessment
Authors: Chakraborty Rajat , Roy Sagarika , Mondal Pijus
Published: May 2020

The nutritional attributes of Himsagar mango (HM; Mangifera indica L.) were enriched through fortification with green tea (GT; Camellia sinensis) extract followed by an energy‐proficient rapid drying technique. The HM fortified by GT (HMGT) was dehydrated employing vacuum‐drying under quartz halogen radiation (QHRVD) and the optimal process parameters were determined corresponding to a minimal moisture content of the final dehydrated HMGT deploying Taguchi orthogonal design. Additionally, an efficient periodic convective‐drying protocol was coupled with QHRVD (PQHRVD) to further escalate the dehydration of HMGT through cyclic injection of CO2 to stimulate forced diffusion, thus facilitating drying time reduction by approximately 50% compared to QHRVD. Faster drying rate and superior energy‐efficiency could be achieved in PQHRVD owing to higher effective moisture diffusivity (4.71 × 10−10 m2 s−1) and lower activation energy (2.13 kJ mol−1) in comparison with QHRVD (2.03 × 10−10 m2 s−1; 3.65 kJ mol−1). Thus, the periodic CO2 convection exhibited a remarkable reduction in processing time and energy consumption and produced a functionally enriched HM with significantly higher antioxidant properties, phenolics, ascorbic acid, and flavonoid contents.

Practical applications

Himsagar mango (HM), a tropical high‐demand fruit has been fortified with green tea (GT) (Camellia sinensis) extract for quality improvement. The amalgamated Himsagar mango was subsequently vacuum‐dried to improve the product shelf‐life and to augment the nutritional attributes. The energy‐efficient quartz halogen radiated vacuum‐drying (VD) technique was optimized to render a superior quality foodstuff. The VD operation was further intensified through periodic convection by CO2 to make the operation more beneficial. The cyclic CO2 convection resulted in significant augmentation in drying rate and rendered a lucrative foodstuff. The nutritionally enriched “HM fortified by GT” (HMGT) product displayed improved nutritional attributes (higher antioxidant properties, phenolics, ascorbic acid, and flavonoid contents) and enhanced shelf life for potential application in preparation of candy, cake, sweet, or dietary supplements. Therefore, the energy‐proficient and rapid drying method providing the functionally improved HMGT product can lay a prospective foundation for bakery and related food industries.
COVID‐SAFER: Deprescribing Guidance for Hydroxychloroquine Drug Interactions in Older Adults
Authors: Ross Sydney B. , Wilson Marnie Goodwin , Papillon‐Ferland Louise , Elsayed Sarah , Wu Peter E. , Battu Kiran , Porter Sandra , Rashidi Babak , Tamblyn Robyn , Pilote Louise , Downar James , Bonnici Andre , Huang Allen , Lee Todd C. , McDonald Emily G.
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection causes high morbidity and mortality in older adults with chronic illnesses. Several trials are currently underway evaluating the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for acute infection. However, polypharmacy predisposes patients to increased risk of drug‐drug interactions with hydroxychloroquine and may render many in this population ineligible to participate in trials. We aimed to quantify the degree of polypharmacy and burden of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) that older hospitalized adults are taking that would interact with hydroxychloroquine.

METHODS

We reanalyzed data from the cohort of patients 65 years and older enrolled in the MedSafer pilot study. We first identified patients taking medications with potentially harmful drug‐drug interactions with hydroxychloroquine that might exclude them from participation in a typical 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) therapeutic trial. Next, we identified medications that were flagged by MedSafer as potentially inappropriate and crafted guidance around medication management if contemplating the use of hydroxychloroquine.

RESULTS

The cohort contained a total of 1,001 unique patients with complete data on their home medications at admission. Of these 1,001 patients, 590 (58.9%) were receiving one or more home medications that could potentially interact with hydroxychloroquine, and of these, 255 (43.2%) were flagged as potentially inappropriate by the MedSafer tool. Common classes of PIMs observed were antipsychotics, cardiac medications, and antidiabetic agents.

CONCLUSION

The COVID‐19 pandemic highlights the importance of medication optimization and deprescribing PIMs in older adults. By acting now to reduce polypharmacy and use of PIMs, we can better prepare this vulnerable population for inclusion in trials and, if substantiated, pharmacologic treatment or prevention of COVID‐19. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1636‐1646, 2020.
Visualising endocytosis in plants: past, present, and future
Authors: DRAGWIDGE J.M. , VAN DAMME D.
Published: May 2020

Chris Hawes had a lively fascination for the immensely complex organisation of the endomembrane system, including the process of endocytosis. This is the method by which eukaryotic cells internalise membrane proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and cell wall enzymes from the cell surface through membrane bound vesicles. Endocytosis occurs progressively, starting with early membrane deformation, scission, and finally the release of the vesicle into the cytoplasm. Next to secretion, endocytosis allows the cell to control the proteome composition of its inner and outer surface membrane and as such, its communication with the outside world. Whereas endocytosis was initially considered theoretically impossible in plants due to their high turgor pressure, it is now established as essential for plant life. Furthermore, endocytosis remains a highly active field of research, both in yeast, animal, and plant model systems. Over the past three decades, the tools and techniques used to visualise, quantify, and characterise endocytosis have resulted in an increasingly higher spatiotemporal understanding of this process. Here we provide a brief history of plant endocytosis research from the time when Chris Hawes was investigating the process, to the current state‐of‐the‐art in the field. We will end this chapter with a discussion on some promising future developments for plant endocytosis research.

Lay Description

Endocytosis is a key process whereby eukaryotic cells can selectively take up membrane proteins, extracellular material and lipids. As this process controls the abundance and protein composition of the plasma membrane, it also controls the communication of the cell with the outside world. Whereas endocytosis was initially considered theoretically impossible in plants due to their high turgor pressure, it is now established as essential for plant life. Today, endocytosis remains a highly active field of research, both in yeast, animal, and plant model systems. Endocytosis was one of the favourite research topics of Chris Hawes, which is why this mini‐review is part of the Festschrift issue in his honour. We provide here a brief history of plant endocytosis research from the time when Chris Hawes was investigating the process, to the current state‐of‐the‐art in the field. Over the past three decades, the tools and techniques that were developed to visualise, quantify, and characterise endocytosis have allowed to achieve an increasingly higher spatiotemporal understanding of this process. We end this chapter with a discussion on some promising future developments for plant endocytosis research.
Moist exposed burn therapy in recovery of patients with immature, red hypertrophic scars successfully treated with a pulsed dye laser in combination with a fractional CO2 laser
Authors: Liu Xiao‐jia , Ouyang Hua‐wei , Lei Ying‐ , Yu Yi‐ling , Gold Michael H. , Tan Jun
Published: May 2020

Background

The efficacy of pulsed dye laser combined (PDL) and UltraPulse fractional CO2 in treatment of hypertrophic scars is well documented. The present study investigates the efficacy of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO)/moist exposed burn therapy (MEBT) in postlaser wound management.

Methods

Sixty‐one patients with immature, red hypertrophic scars were enrolled in this clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: (a) the MEBO treatment group (n = 30) and (b) the control group (n = 31) treated with chlortetracycline hydrochloride ointment. Demographic data such as age, gender, and cause of scars were recorded. A visual analogue score (VAS) was collected to measure pain at 1, 6, 24, 72 hours, and 7 days post‐treatment. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to determine the response of the scars before and 3 months after the treatment. The wound healing time and pigmentation scores were also recorded.

Results

No significant differences were found in age, gender, and etiology of the scars in the two groups. The VAS scores in MEBO group were significantly lower than the control group within the first 3 days after treatment. The wound healing time of the MEBO group was significantly shorter than the control group. For both groups, VSS scores were significantly decreased and the scar markedly improved. However, the VSS scores were significantly lower in the MEBO group compared with the control group 3 months after treatment and pigmentation formation was dramatically lower in MEBO group compared with the control.

Conclusion

MEBT/MEBO treatment reduced the post‐treatment pain, shortened the wound healing duration, promoted the overall scar condition, and reduced the incidence of pigmentation.
School and Cybervictimization Across High School: Normative Developmental Trajectories and Bidirectional Links with Loneliness
Authors: Espinoza Guadalupe , Schacter Hannah L. , Juvonen Jaana
Published: May 2020

The current study examines normative developmental trajectories of school and cybervictimization across 3 years of high school and tests whether school and cybervictimization experiences predict increases in loneliness at school or whether loneliness at school increases the risk of victimization. Gender differences are also explored. Data were drawn from a longitudinal sample of 4,339 ethnically diverse U.S. adolescents (Mage = 15.02) who completed surveys in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Whereas school victimization decreased, cybervictimization increased across high school. School‐based victimization and loneliness were bidirectionally related across time (controlling for cybervictimization), but cybervictimization and loneliness were not related (controlling for school victimization). The findings provide a nuanced account of the associations between school and cybervictimization with feelings of isolation at school.
Contingent Electric Shock as a Treatment for Challenging Behavior for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Support for the IASSIDD Policy Statement Opposing Its Use
Authors: Zarcone Jennifer R , Mullane Michael P. , Langdon Peter E. , Brown Ivan
Published: May 2020

Issues

The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) is an international group of researchers, clinicians, students, parents, and self‐advocates that promotes worldwide research and exchange of information on intellectual and developmental disabilities. IASSIDD recently developed a policy statement regarding their opposition to the use of contingent electric skin shock (CESS) with individuals with challenging behavior and intellectual and developmental disabilities. To support the policy, the available literature was reviewed to evaluate the efficacy, side effects, generalization, and long‐term effectiveness of the procedure as an intervention for challenging behavior.

Findings

The review provides a history that demonstrates that, although CESS can decrease the frequency of challenging behavior, it comes at a cost in terms of physical and emotional side effects, and questions remain regarding the long‐term effectiveness of the procedure. In addition, we raise several ethical and methodological issues that make the research on the use of CESS even more concerning.

Conclusions

Although research continues in some countries, these studies are now rare. In fact, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has just banned the use of such devices with individuals with self‐injury and aggression. It is hoped that, because there are many other forms of treatment that have shown to be effective for severe challenging behavior, we can completely avoid the use of CESS.
Predictors of changes in subjective daytime sleepiness in response to CPAP therapy withdrawal in OSA: A post‐hoc analysis
Authors: Roeder Maurice , Sievi Noriane A. , Kohler Malcolm , Schwarz Esther I.
Published: May 2020

Subjective sleepiness is the hallmark symptom of untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and leads to an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and impaired quality of life. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard therapy for OSA and improves sleepiness. The aim was to identify factors that might predict recurrence of sleepiness in times off CPAP and to define OSA patient types with a likely effect of CPAP on sleepiness. A post‐hoc analysis of six clinical trials, including 132 patients with OSA effectively treated with CPAP prior to study inclusion, who were allocated to 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawal, was conducted to assess predictors of a change in subjective sleepiness. A multivariate regression model was used to assess predictors of a change in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. In response to CPAP withdrawal, the median apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and the ESS score significantly increased compared to baseline on CPAP by 32.6/hr (95% CI, 28.8, 36.4)/hr and 2.5 (95% CI, 1.8,3.2), respectively (p < .001), in the included 132 patients. There was an independent positive association of AHI (Coef. [95% CI] 0.04 [0.01, 0.08]) with an increase in ESS score upon CPAP withdrawal, and an independent negative association of age (coef. [95% CI], −0.10 [−0.18, ‐0.2]), ESS on CPAP (coef. [95% CI], −0.21 [−0.40, −0.015]) and active smoking status (coef. [95% CI], −1.22 [−2.26, −0.17]). These findings suggest that younger patients with a low residual sleepiness on CPAP and a recurrence of more severe OSA during CPAP withdrawal are at highest risk of suffering from a clinically relevant return of daytime sleepiness in times off CPAP.
Interhemispheric sleep depth coherence predicts driving safety in sleep apnea
Authors: Azarbarzin Ali , Younes Magdy , Sands Scott A. , Wellman Andrew , Redline Susan , Czeisler Charles A. , Gottlieb Daniel J.
Published: May 2020

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of car crashes; however, conventional measures of sleep apnea severity do not clearly identify those individuals who are at greatest risk. Here we tested whether, among individuals with sleep apnea, those with reduced interhemispheric sleep depth coherence, measured by correlation between right and left hemisphere odds ratio product, are at greater risk. The sample was derived from the Sleep Heart Health Study, a prospective observational cohort study, and included 1,378 adults with sleep apnea. The occurrence of a car crash was ascertained by a questionnaire administered 2 years after the sleep study, which asked about the occurrence of crashes during the year prior to questionnaire administration. We computed the sleep depth coherence from electroencephalograms recorded during baseline sleep studies and after 5 years. The weighted kappa coefficient and Bangdiwala's B were 0.34 and 0.59, respectively, indicating a fair to moderate stability over a 5‐year interval. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index and miles driven per year, was used to assess the risk of a car crash. Compared to the lowest quartile of sleep depth coherence (<0.86), individuals in the highest quartile (>0.93) had a 62% (95% confidence interval, 22%‐81%) lower risk of an accident. Further adjustments for usual sleep duration and sleepiness did not meaningfully alter these findings. Higher interhemispheric sleep depth coherence is associated with significantly lower risk of motor vehicle crashes in individuals with sleep apnea. This suggests that high interhemispheric sleep depth coherence may be a marker of resistance to sleep apnea‐related adverse neurocognitive outcomes.
The Role of Crosslinguistic Influence in Multilingual Processing: Lexicon Versus Syntax
Authors: Lago Sol , Mosca Michela , Stutter Garcia Anna
Published: May 2020

Multilingual research could offer a unique perspective on how the languages already acquired by a person affect the online processing of a new language. But it is currently difficult to assess this issue because theoretical accounts of multilingualism have focused on acquisition rather than processing and most empirical research to date has gathered untimed (offline) evidence. To help bridge this gap, we formulate hypotheses that can help derive processing predictions from existing accounts of multilingualism. But crucially, and based on previous findings in second language processing, we identify ways in which assumptions about crosslinguistic influence may need to be revised to allow the separate treatment of lexical and syntactic processing, and to consider the role of variables such as language dominance and proficiency. In our view, the question of what's special about multilingualism is worth studying, but more research is needed before we can begin answering it.
Hemoglobins in the legume–Rhizobium symbiosis
Authors: Larrainzar Estíbaliz , Villar Irene , Rubio Maria Carmen , Pérez‐Rontomé Carmen , Huertas Raul , Sato Shusei , Mun Jeong‐Hwan , Becana Manuel
Published: May 2020

Legume nodules have two types of hemoglobins: symbiotic or leghemoglobins (Lbs) and nonsymbiotic or phytoglobins (Glbs). The latter are categorized into three phylogenetic classes differing in heme coordination and O2 affinity. This review is focused on the roles of Lbs and Glbs in the symbiosis of rhizobia with crop legumes and the model legumes for indeterminate (Medicago truncatula) and determinate (Lotus japonicus) nodulation. Only two hemoglobin functions are well established in nodules: Lbs deliver O2 to the bacteroids and act as O2 buffers, preventing nitrogenase inactivation; and Glb1‐1 modulates nitric oxide concentration during symbiosis, from the early stage, avoiding the plant’s defense response, to nodule senescence. Here, we critically examine early and recent results, update and correct the information on Lbs and Glbs with the latest genome versions, provide novel expression data and identify targets for future research. Crucial unresolved questions include the expression of multiple Lbs in nodules, their presence in the nuclei and in uninfected nodule cells, and, intriguingly, their expression in nonsymbiotic tissues. RNA‐sequencing data analysis shows that Lbs are expressed as early as a few hours after inoculation and that their mRNAs are also detectable in roots and pods, which clearly suggests that these heme proteins play additional roles unrelated to nitrogen fixation. Likewise, issues awaiting investigation are the functions of other Glbs in nodules, the spatiotemporal expression profiles of Lbs and Glbs at the mRNA and protein levels, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their regulation during nodule development and in response to stress and hormones.
Evolutionary divergence of photoprotection in the green algal lineage: a plant‐like violaxanthin de‐epoxidase enzyme activates the xanthophyll cycle in the green alga Chlorella vulgaris modulating photoprotection
Authors: Girolomoni Laura , Bellamoli Francesco , de la Cruz Valbuena Gabriel , Perozeni Federico , D'Andrea Cosimo , Cerullo Giulio , Cazzaniga Stefano , Ballottari Matteo
Published: May 2020

The xanthophyll cycle is the metabolic process by which the carotenoid violaxanthin is de‐epoxidated to zeaxanthin, a xanthophyll with a crucial photoprotective role in higher plants and mosses. The role of zeaxanthin is still unclear in green algae, and a peculiar violaxanthin de‐epoxidating enzyme was found in the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Here, we investigated the molecular details and functions of the xanthophyll cycle in the case of Chlorella vulgaris, one of the green algae most considered for industrial cultivation, where resistance to high light stress is a prerequisite for sustainable biomass production.

Identification of the violaxanthin de‐epoxidase enzyme in C. vulgaris was performed by genome mining and in vitro analysis of the catalytic activity of the gene product identified. The photoprotective role of zeaxanthin was then investigated in vivo and in isolated pigment‐binding complexes.

The results obtained demonstrate the functioning, even though with a different pH sensitivity, of a plant‐like violaxanthin de‐epoxidase enzyme in C. vulgaris. Differently from C. reinhardtii, zeaxanthin accumulation in C. vulgaris was found to be crucial for photoprotective quenching of excitation energy harvested by both photosystem I and II.

These findings demonstrate an evolutionary divergence of photoprotective mechanisms among Chlorophyta.
Changes in South American hydroclimate under projected Amazonian deforestation
Authors: Eiras‐Barca Jorge , Dominguez Francina , Yang Zhao , Chug Divyansh , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis , Miguez‐Macho Gonzalo
Published: May 2020

Continued deforestation in the Amazon forest can alter the subsurface/surface and atmospheric branches of the hydrologic cycle. The sign and magnitude of these changes depend on the complex interactions between the water, energy, and momentum budgets. To understand these changes, we use the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model with improved representation of groundwater dynamics and the added feature of Amazonian moisture tracers. The control simulation uses moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) based observations of land use, and the deforestation simulations use a “business‐as‐usual” scenario projected for 2040–2050. Our results show that deforestation leads to changes that are seasonally very different. During the dry season, deforestation results in increased albedo and less available net radiation. This change, together with reduced leaf area, results in decreased evapotranspiration (ET), less atmospheric moisture of Amazonian origin, and an increase in temperature. However, we find no changes in precipitation over the basin. Conversely, during the wet season, surface winds increase significantly due to decreased surface roughness. Vapor transport increases throughout the deforested region and leads to an increase in easterly moisture export, and significant decrease in precipitation within the deforested regions of Eastern Amazon. Contrary to expectations, the moisture tracers in WRF show no evidence that precipitation decreases are due to recycling or changes in stability.
Decomposability of lichens and bryophytes from across an elevational gradient under standardized conditions
Authors: van Zuijlen Kristel , Roos Ruben E. , Klanderud Kari , Lang Simone I. , Wardle David A. , Asplund Johan
Published: May 2020

Lichens and bryophytes are abundant primary producers in high latitude and high elevation ecosystems, and they play an important role in ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. Despite their importance, little is known about the decomposability of lichens and bryophytes either among or within species, at the whole community level, or how this decomposability is affected by their functional traits. Here, we studied decomposability of lichens and bryophytes at the community‐level and individual species‐level (using 21 species and genera) collected from an elevational gradient in alpine Norway. In order to isolate the elevation effect on litter quality, we used a standardized laboratory bioassay to measure decomposability. In contrast to our expectations, we found that community‐level decomposability of lichens and bryophytes increased with elevation and thus decreasing temperature. In contrast, phosphorus release from the litter decreased with elevation while nitrogen release was unresponsive. Decomposability was explained by nutrient concentrations, litter pH and primary producer group identity (lichens versus bryophytes) at both the individual species and community levels. Species turnover (changes in species composition and abundance) was the main driver of decomposability across elevation at the community level, despite some of the traits explaining decomposability showing high intraspecific variability. Our study highlights the importance of among‐species variation in determining lichen and bryophyte decomposability. Further, the higher decomposability that we found for higher elevations suggests that global warming might result in a shift towards slower decomposable lichen and bryophyte species.
Flow irregularities from syringe infusion pumps caused by syringe stiction
Authors: Peduzzi Neris , Batliner Martin , Grass Beate , Buehler Philipp K. , Schmid Daners Marianne , Meboldt Mirko , Weiss Markus
Published: May 2020

Objective

The current study aimed to evaluate the extent of the slide‐stick phenomenon in differently designed infusion syringes at various infusion rates and filling positions.

Methods

Fluid delivery from three 50‐mL infusion syringe brands (BD; Codan; Fresenius) was investigated using a flow sensor at flow rates of 0.5, 1.0, or 5.0 mL h−1, with the syringes filled with either 10, 30, or 50 mL of distilled water. Two identical models (A/B) of the same infusion pump model were used. The effect of flow rate variations on the plasma concentration of a continuous epinephrine infusion in a 3 kg neonate receiving a continuous infusion of 0.1 μg kg min−1 epinephrine was studied using a pharmacokinetic simulation model.

Results

Considerable variations in calculated plasma epinephrine concentration were detected between flow rates of 5 and 0.5 or 1 mL h−1 for all syringe types and filling volumes. The median deviation of plasma concentration for the 5 mL h−1 flow rate varied depending on assembly from 1.3% (Codan) to 1.8% (Fresenius). This was more pronounced for lower flow rates, where at 1 mL h−1 the deviation varied from 3.3% (BD) to 4.8% (Fresenius) and at 0.5 mL h−1from 4.9% (BD) to 5.4% (Fresenius). Differences between filling volumes (within syringe type and flow rate) did not appear to have relevant influence on variations in calculated plasma epinephrine concentration.

Conclusion

Infusion set rate rather than syringe brand or filling volume was a major predictor for syringe stiction‐related amount of variation in the calculated plasma epinephrine concentration.
Property without Prosperity: Subjective Valuation, Financial Citizenship, and Negotiating Moral Personhood among Manufactured Homeowners
Authors: Formanack Allison
Published: May 2020

Although an estimated twenty‐two million Americans occupy manufactured homes (MHs), less than one‐quarter of MH owners title their homes as real estate. Instead, most title their homes as personal property, which offers fewer legal protections against sudden eviction or unit repossession. Drawing from five years of anthropological research conducted within urban MH Communities (MHCs) in Lincoln (Nebraska) and Boulder (Colorado), this article details the many complicating factors MH owners in land‐lease MHCs consider before deciding to occupy depreciating assets titled as “chattel.” MH owners in Lincoln, for example, tend to emphasize the cost‐saving features of their manufactured homes, in particular the lower tax rate and maintenance costs. By contrast, Boulder MH owners typically describe their homes as investments, and resist efforts to restrict or limit (mobile) home sales even when located in land‐lease MHCs. Together, these case studies illustrate differing perspectives, motivations, and sociolegal contexts in which MHC owners claim respectability as well as citizens’ rights through “landless” homeownership.
Material Flow Control in High‐Variety Make‐to‐Order Shops: Combining COBACABANA and POLCA
Authors: Thürer Matthias , Fernandes Nuno O. , Stevenson Mark
Published: May 2020

Material flow control mechanisms determine: (i) whether an order should be released onto the shop floor; and (ii) whether a station should be authorized to produce. Well‐known approaches include Kanban, Drum‐Buffer‐Rope (DBR), Constant Work‐in‐Process (ConWIP), Paired‐cell Overlapping Loops of Cards with Authorization (POLCA), Workload Control (WLC), and Control of Balance by Card Based Navigation (COBACABANA). The literature typically treats these approaches as competing, meaning studies argue for the superiority of one over another. However, a closer look reveals that existing mechanisms either focus on order release (ConWIP, DBR, WLC, and COBACABANA) or on production authorization (Kanban and POLCA). This study therefore calls for a paradigm shift and argues that the different mechanisms may play complementary rather than competing roles. Using simulation, we assess the performance of COBACABANA and POLCA in a high‐variety make‐to‐order shop, a type of shop arguably in most need of material flow control given the importance of throughput times and delivery time adherence. Results demonstrate that COBACABANA outperforms POLCA, but the simultaneous adoption of both control mechanisms outperforms the use of either one in isolation. More specifically, adding POLCA production authorization to COBACABANA order release enables the superfluous direct load to be further reduced, resulting in shop floor throughput time reductions of between 15% and 26% while further reducing the percentage tardy and mean tardiness by up to 14%. Compared to no material flow control, the new combined mechanism realizes a reduction of almost 50% in the percentage tardy and more than 30% in mean tardiness.
Crowdshipping and Same‐day Delivery: Employing In‐store Customers to Deliver Online Orders
Authors: Dayarian Iman , Savelsbergh Martin
Published: May 2020

Same‐day delivery of online orders is becoming an indispensable service for large retailers. We explore an environment in which in‐store customers supplement company drivers and deliver online orders on their way home. We consider a highly dynamic and stochastic same‐day delivery environment in which online orders as well as in‐store customers willing to make deliveries arrive throughout the day. Studying settings in which delivery capacity is uncertain is novel and practically relevant. Our proposed approaches are simple, yet produce high‐quality solutions in a short amount of time that can be employed in practice. We develop two rolling horizon dispatching approaches: a myopic one that considers only the state of the system when making decisions, and one that also incorporates probabilistic information about future online order and in‐store customer arrivals. We quantify the potential benefits of a novel form of crowdshipping for same‐day delivery and demonstrate the value of exploiting probabilistic information about the future. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of this form of crowdshipping and show the impact of changes in environment characteristics, for example, online order arrival pattern, company fleet size, and in‐store customer compensation on its performance, that is, service quality and operational cost.
Pecking order and core‐periphery in international trade
Authors: Magerman Glenn , De Bruyne Karolien , Van Hove Jan
Published: May 2020

This paper analyzes the impact of market size and trade costs on bilateral trade flows. A multi‐country trade model with firm‐level heterogeneity in productivities and countries’ market potential provides a simple micro foundation for the link between these variables. In the model, market size and trade costs jointly determine a country‐specific pecking order of exporters serving their destination countries. In a counterfactual setting where bilateral trade costs are homogeneous across country pairs, market size predicts a common ranking of exporters among destination countries. This leads to a unique core‐periphery structure of the world trade network. With heterogeneous trade costs, we illustrate the impact of market size and trade costs on bilateral trade flows and its margins in a simple gravity‐like setting. Using an instrumental variables approach, we find that both market size and trade costs (measured through the network position of countries) have a significant impact on bilateral exports: countries in the core bilaterally trade more with other countries in the core than with peripheral countries, conditional on typical observables.
Happy Lottery Winners and Lottery‐Ticket Bias
Authors: Kim Seonghoon , Oswald Andrew J.
Published: May 2020

The world spends a remarkable $250 billion a year on lottery tickets. Yet, perplexingly, it has proved difficult for social scientists to show that lottery windfalls actually make people happier. This is the famous and still unresolved paradox due initially to Brickman and colleagues. Here we describe an underlying weakness that has affected the research area, and explain the concept of lottery‐ticket bias (LT bias), which stems from unobservable lottery spending. We then collect new data—in the world’s most intense lottery‐playing nation, Singapore—on the amount that people spend on lottery tickets (n = 5626). We demonstrate that, once we correct for LT bias, a lottery windfall is predictive of a substantial improvement in happiness and well‐being.
Traumatic injury results in prolonged circulation of ultralarge von Willebrand factor and a reduction in ADAMTS13 activity
Authors: Dyer Mitchell R. , Plautz William E. , Ragni Margaret V. , Alexander Wyeth , Haldeman Shannon , Sperry Jason L. , Guyette Francis X. , Zuckerbraun Brian S. , Rollins‐Raval Marian A. , Raval Jay S. , Neal Matthew D. ,   A TACTIC Publication
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Increases in plasma von Willebrand Factor (VWF) levels, accompanied by decreases in the metalloprotease ADAMTS13, have been demonstrated soon after traumatic injury while downstream effects remain unclear.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A cohort of 37 injured trauma patients from a randomized control trial investigating the use of prehospital plasma transfusion were analyzed for activity and antigen levels of ADAMTS13 and VWF at 0 and 24 hours after admission. Relevant clinical data were abstracted from the medical records. Trauma patient plasma was analyzed via agarose gel electrophoresis to evaluate the effects of injury on VWF multimer composition compared to healthy controls.

RESULTS

von Willebrand factor levels were elevated at presentation (189% [110%‐263%] vs. 95% [74%‐120%]), persisting through 24 hours (213% [146%‐257%] vs. 132% [57%‐160%]), compared to healthy controls. Ultralarge VWF (UL‐VWF) forms were elevated in trauma patients at both 0 and 24 hours, when compared to pooled normal plasma (10.0% [8.9%‐14.3%] and 11.3% [9.1%‐21.2%], respectively, vs. 0.6%). Circulating plasma ADAMTS13 activity was decreased at 0 hours (66% [47%‐86%] vs. 100% [98%‐100%]) and at 24 hours (72.5% [56%‐87.3%] vs. 103% [103%‐103%]) in trauma patients. ADAMTS13 activity independently predicted the development of coagulopathy and correlated with international normalized ratio, thromboelastography values, injury severity, and blood product transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Traumatic injury is associated with acute coagulopathy that is characterized by increased UL‐VWF multimers and reduction in ADAMTS13, which correlates with blood loss, transfusion requirement, and injury severity. These findings suggest the potential for future trials targeting ADAMTS13 repletion to enhance clearance of VWF multimers.
Development of a novel fracture fragment stabilization system for minimally invasive osteosynthesis and in vitro comparison to traditional Kern bone reduction forceps
Authors: von Pfeil Dirsko J. F. , Horstman Christopher
Published: May 2020

Objective

To develop and evaluate a novel fracture fragment stabilization system, the Sirius minimally invasive bone reduction handle system (SMH), in an artificial fracture model (FxM) simulating a canine femoral fracture repair with a minimally invasive orthopedic approach.

Study design

In vitro experimental study.

Sample population

Synthetic fractured femurs with soft‐tissue coverage analog (n = 8).

Methods

The developed SMH consisted of modified Kern forceps connected with existing external skeletal fixation components. Intramedullary Steinman pin placement with the SMH or traditional Kern forceps only (KO) was performed by 16 participants in randomized order. Demographics and surgical experience of participants and outcome variables (fragment movement, early/final gap formation, time of procedure, assessed practicability by visual analog scale) were recorded and statistically evaluated.

Results

The SMH was more difficult and took longer to assemble (P = .031 and P = .008); SMH resulted in a smaller final reduction gap (P = .008). More surgical experience resulted in faster surgery times (R2 = 0.766) but was not correlated with final fracture gap formation.

Conclusion

The SMH was associated with reduced fragment gap formation in this simulated setting.

Clinical significance

The SMH may be helpful for maintaining reduction of femoral fractures in dogs. Additional studies of the SMH should be conducted to fully assess the effectiveness and practicality in clinical cases.