bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-traumatic Growth in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: The Role of Illness Cognitions and Physical Quality of Life
Authors: Hamama-Raz Yaira , Nativ Shlomit , Hamama Liat
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

The symptoms and complications associated with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] have been found to be associated significantly with impaired health-related quality of life. Nevertheless, there may also be a positive psychological change such as post-traumatic growth, as was noted among patients with other chronic diseases, but this remains understudied in patients with IBD. In this study, we explored associations between post-traumatic growth and illness cognitions (helplessness, acceptance and perceived benefits). In addition, we evaluated whether physical quality of life in IBD patients mediates the link between illness cognitions and post-traumatic growth.

Methods

The study employed a cross-sectional design. Two hundred patients diagnosed with IBD completed questionnaires assessing illness cognitions, physical quality of life and post-traumatic growth.

Results

There was a negative association between illness cognition of helplessness and post-traumatic growth, and positive associations between illness cognitions of acceptance and illness cognitions of perceived benefits, and post-traumatic growth. In addition, the association between an illness cognition of helplessness and post-traumatic growth was mediated via physical quality of life. Yet, the signs of the direct and the indirect paths of an illness cognition of helplessness on post-traumatic growth were opposite.

Conclusions

This study extends the literature on the role of illness cognitions as an important component in facilitating the process of post-traumatic growth among IBD patients. Based on the findings, the management of IBD patients should incorporate more interventions aimed at exploring cognitive aspects of the illness in order to improve physical quality of life and enhance personal growth.
Contact-free sensor signals as a new digital biomarker for cardiovascular disease: chances and challenges
Authors: Saner Hugo , Knobel Samuel Elia Johannes , Schuetz Narayan , Nef Tobias
Published: November 2020

Multiple sensor systems are used to monitor physiological parameters, activities of daily living and behaviour. Digital biomarkers can be extracted and used as indicators for health and disease. Signal acquisition is either by object sensors, wearable sensors, or contact-free sensors including cameras, pressure sensors, non-contact capacitively coupled electrocardiogram (cECG), radar, and passive infrared motion sensors. This review summarizes contemporary knowledge of the use of contact-free sensors for patients with cardiovascular disease and healthy subjects following the PRISMA declaration. Chances and challenges are discussed. Thirty-six publications were rated to be of medium (31) or high (5) relevance. Results are best for monitoring of heart rate and heart rate variability using cardiac vibration, facial camera, or cECG; for respiration using cardiac vibration, cECG, or camera; and for sleep using ballistocardiography. Early results from radar sensors to monitor vital signs are promising. Contact-free sensors are little invasive, well accepted and suitable for long-term monitoring in particular in patient’s homes. A major problem are motion artefacts. Results from long-term use in larger patient cohorts are still lacking, but the technology is about to emerge the market and we can expect to see more clinical results in the near future.
The impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on loneliness among older adults in Austria
Authors: Stolz Erwin , Mayerl Hannes , Freidl Wolfgang
Published: November 2020

Background

To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ‘lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+).

Methods

Three analyses were conducted: (i) a comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013–17) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (ii) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020) and (iii) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March–June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel).

Results

We found (i) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (ii) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness and (iii) that loneliness was higher during ‘lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone.

Conclusions

We found evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, could be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.
The Work-For-Hire Doctrine in Russia: Recent Law Enforcement Trends
Authors: Galoyan Arman , Glonina Vera
Published: November 2020

This paper aims to describe the work-for-hire regime in Russia and provide the readers with practical information on the due formalization of relations between a company and its employees with regard to the intellectual property (hereinafter ‘IP’) that they create. We have reviewed recent high-profile cases (e.g. Rambler v NGINX, Mr. Mamichev v Interveeam LLC and Veeam Software, Laboratory Kaspersky v Cybersecurity Solutions) that reveal the most common problems related to the work-for-hire regime. Based on our analysis of the applicable legislation, court practice and doctrine, we have given some practical tips and recommendations on how to avoid widespread challenges concerning works for hire in Russia.
30-Day perioperative mortality following venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in patients with normal preoperative ejection fraction
Authors: Menon Priya R , Flo Forner Anna , Marin-Cuartas Mateo , Lehmann Sven , Saeed Diyar , Ginther André , Borger Michael A , Ender Jörg
Published: November 2020

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of early outcomes in patients with normal preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in whom venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was implanted for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) during the first postoperative 48 h.

METHODS

Retrospective single-centre analysis in adult patients with normal LVEF, who received VA-ECMO support for PCCS from May 1998 to May 2018. The primary outcome was 30-day perioperative mortality during the index hospitalization.

RESULTS

A total of 62 125 adult patients underwent cardiac surgery at our institution during the study period. Among them, 173 patients (0.3%) with normal preoperative LVEF required VA-ECMO for PCCS. Among them, 71 (41.1%) patients presented PCCS due to coronary malperfusion and in 102 (58.9%) patients, no evident cause was found for PCCS. Median duration of VA-ECMO support was 5 days (interquartile range 2–8 days). A total of 135 (78.0%) patients presented VA-ECMO-related complications and the overall 30-day perioperative mortality was 57.8%. Independent predictors of mortality were: lactate level just before VA-ECMO implantation [odds ratio (OR) 1.27; P < 0.001], major bleeding during VA-ECMO (OR 3.76; P = 0.001), prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR 1.01; P < 0.001) and female gender (OR 4.87; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality rates of VA-ECMO in PCCS patients are high, even in those with preoperative normal LVEF. Coronary problems are an important cause of PCCS; however, the aetiology remains unknown in the vast majority of the cases. The implantation of VA-ECMO before development of tissue hypoperfusion and the control of VA-ECMO-associated complications are the most important prognostic factors in PCCS patients. Lactate levels may help guide timing of VA-ECMO implantation and define the extent of therapeutic effort.
Outdoor Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bulfone Tommaso Celeste , Malekinejad Mohsen , Rutherford George W , Razani Nooshin
Published: November 2020

Background

While risk of outdoor transmission of respiratory viral infections is hypothesized to be low, there are limited data on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in outdoor compared to indoor settings.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed papers indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science and preprints in Europe PMC through 12 August 2020 that described cases of human transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Reports of other respiratory virus transmission were included for reference.

Results

Five identified studies found a low proportion of reported global SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred outdoors (<10%) and the odds of indoor transmission was very high compared to outdoors (18.7 times; 95% confidence interval, 6.0–57.9). Five studies described influenza transmission outdoors and 2 adenovirus transmission outdoors. There was high heterogeneity in study quality and individual definitions of outdoor settings, which limited our ability to draw conclusions about outdoor transmission risks. In general, factors such as duration and frequency of personal contact, lack of personal protective equipment, and occasional indoor gathering during a largely outdoor experience were associated with outdoor reports of infection.

Conclusions

Existing evidence supports the wide-held belief that risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is lower outdoors but there are significant gaps in our understanding of specific pathways.
A rare case of acute idiopathic colocolic intussusception in an adult patient
Authors: Seifen Christopher , Herzig Werner , Schlüchter Roger , Schraner Christian
Published: November 2020

Adult intussusception is a rare condition that is frequently associated with malignancy and requires surgical approach. Symptoms are often non-specific and of subacute or chronic character. Therefore, computerized tomography (CT) scan is the most commonly used modality for identifying adult intussusception. A 51-year-old female presented with a 1-day history of increasing abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan revealed intussusception. Intra-operatively, colocolic intussusception was present and laparoscopically reduced. A lead point was found neither intra-operatively nor in post-operative ileocolonoscopy and resection of involved bowel segments was not necessary.
Creation/destruction of ultra-wide binaries in tidal streams
Authors: Peñarrubia Jorge
Published: November 2020

This paper uses statistical and N-body methods to explore a new mechanism to form binary stars with extremely large separations (≳ 0.1 pc), whose origin is poorly understood. Here, ultra-wide binaries arise via chance entrapment of unrelated stars in tidal streams of disrupting clusters. It is shown that (i) the formation of ultra-wide binaries is not limited to the lifetime of a cluster, but continues after the progenitor is fully disrupted, (ii) the formation rate is proportional to the local phase-space density of the tidal tails, (iii) the semimajor axis distribution scales as p(a)da ∼ a1/2da at a ≪ D, where D is the mean interstellar distance, and (vi) the eccentricity distribution is close to thermal, p(e)de = 2ede. Owing to their low binding energies, ultra-wide binaries can be disrupted by both the smooth tidal field and passing substructures. The time-scale on which tidal fluctuations dominate over the mean field is inversely proportional to the local density of compact substructures. Monte-Carlo experiments show that binaries subject to tidal evaporation follow p(a)da ∼ a−1da at a ≳ apeak, known as Öpik’s law, with a peak semi-major axis that contracts with time as apeak ∼ t−3/4. In contrast, a smooth Galactic potential introduces a sharp truncation at the tidal radius, p(a) ∼ 0 at a ≳ rt. The scaling relations of young clusters suggest that most ultra-wide binaries arise from the disruption of low-mass systems. Streams of globular clusters may be the birthplace of hundreds of ultra-wide binaries, making them ideal laboratories to probe clumpiness in the Galactic halo.
Glycolytic expression in lower-grade glioma reveals an epigenetic association between IDH mutation status and PDL1/2 expression
Authors: Givechian Kevin B , Garner Chad , Benz Steve , Rabizadeh Shahrooz , Soon-Shiong Patrick
Published: November 2020

Background

The interplay between glycolysis and immunosuppression in cancer has recently emerged as an intriguing area of research. The aim of this study was to elucidate a potential epigenetic link between glycolysis, isocitrate hydrogenase (IDH) status, and immune checkpoint expression in human lower-grade glioma (LGG).

Methods

Genomic analysis was conducted on 507 LGG samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Data types analyzed included RNA-seq (IlluminaHiSeq) and DNA methylation (Methylation450K). Unsupervised clustering grouped samples according to glycolytic expression level and IDH status. Global promoter methylation patterns were examined, as well as methylation levels of LDHA/LDHB and immune checkpoint genes. Methylation data from a knock-in IDH1R132H/WT allele in HCT116 cells and ChIP-seq data from immortalized human astrocytes using an inducible IDH1R132H mutation were also assessed.

Results

Glycolytic expression distinguished a tumor cluster enriched for wild-type IDH and poorer overall survival (P < .0001). This cluster showed lower levels of LDHA promoter methylation and a higher LDHA/LDHB expression ratio. These samples also displayed lower PDL1/2 promoter methylation and higher PDL1/2 expression, which was more pronounced for PDL2. IDH1R132H/WT cell line data showed that induced changes in methylation were enriched for genes involved in immune regulation, and ChIP-seq data showed that promoter H3K4me3 decreased for LDHA, PDL2, and PDL1 upon induction of IDH1R132H.

Conclusions

These results suggest a previously unrecognized epigenetic link between glycolysis and immune checkpoint expression in LGG. This work advances our understanding of glioma genomics and provides support for further exploration of the metabolic-immune interface in LGG.
Regulating off-centering distortion maximizes photoluminescence in halide perovskites
Authors: Lü Xujie , Stoumpos Constantinos , Hu Qingyang , Ma Xuedan , Zhang Dongzhou , Guo Songhao , Hoffman Justin , Bu Kejun , Guo Xiaofeng , Wang Yingqi , Ji Cheng , Chen Haijie , Xu Hongwu , Jia Quanxi , Yang Wenge , Kanatzidis Mercouri G , Mao Ho-Kwang
Published: November 2020

Metal halide perovskites possess unique atomic and electronic configurations that endow them with high defect tolerance and enable high-performance photovoltaics and optoelectronics. Perovskite light-emitting diodes have achieved an external quantum efficiency of over 20%. Despite tremendous progress, fundamental questions remain, such as how structural distortion affects the optical properties. Addressing their relationships is considerably challenging due to the scarcity of effective diagnostic tools during structural and property tuning as well as the limited tunability achievable by conventional methods. Here, using pressure and chemical methods to regulate the metal off-centering distortion, we demonstrate the giant tunability of photoluminescence (PL) in both the intensity (>20 times) and wavelength (>180 nm/GPa) in the highly distorted halide perovskites [CH3NH3GeI3, HC(NH2)2GeI3, and CsGeI3]. Using advanced in situ high-pressure probes and first-principles calculations, we quantitatively reveal a universal relationship whereby regulating the level of off-centering distortion towards 0.2 leads to the best PL performance in the halide perovskites. By applying this principle, intense PL can still be induced by substituting CH3NH3+ with Cs+ to control the distortion in (CH3NH3)1-xCsxGeI3, where the chemical substitution plays a similar role as external pressure. The compression of a fully substituted sample of CsGeI3 further tunes the distortion to the optimal value at 0.7 GPa, which maximizes the emission with a 10-fold enhancement. This work not only demonstrates a quantitative relationship between structural distortion and PL property of the halide perovskites but also illustrates the use of knowledge gained from high-pressure research to achieve the desired properties by ambient methods.
Peritoneal Dialysis–Associated Peritonitis Caused by Mycobacterium abscessus in Children—A Case Report
Authors: Imam Omar , Al-Zubaidi Khaled , Janahi Mohammad , Imam Abubakr , Leghrouz Bassil , Dobson Simon , Sundararaju Sathyavathi , Tsui Kin Ming , Hasan Mohammad Rubayet , Perez-Lopez Andres
Published: November 2020

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)–associated peritonitis constitutes a major complication associated with the procedure. PD-associated peritonitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria, usually as a result of an infection related to the PD catheter, has been reported in adults and is associated with significant complications and poor outcome. The management of PD-associated peritonitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus is particularly challenging because this species is resistant to many antimicrobials commonly used to treat mycobacterial species. We present here the second reported case of PD-associated peritonitis caused by M. abscessus in children. Our patient was a 9-year-old boy with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who presented with suspected peritonitis, and his PD fluid cultures eventually grew M. abscessus. The patient received a 3-week course of triple therapy with clarithromycin, amikacin, and meropenem in addition to PD catheter removal. The infection completely resolved even though a susceptibility report at the end of treatment revealed that the isolate was resistant to clarithromycin and had decreased susceptibility to carbapenems. Our observations suggest that PD catheter removal is important in PD-associated peritonitis caused by M. abscessus in children and that more studies are needed to define the optimal length of treatment.
Sleep duration and mood in adolescents: an experimental study
Authors: Booth Stephen A , Carskadon Mary A , Young Robyn , Short Michelle A
Published: November 2020

Study Objectives

This study examines the relationship between experimentally manipulated sleep duration and mood in adolescents.

Methods

Thirty-four adolescents (20 male), aged 15–17 years, lived in a sleep laboratory for 10 days and 9 nights. They were allocated to one of three sleep “doses” for five consecutive nights for 5, 7.5, or 10 h sleep opportunity per night. Two baseline nights and two recovery nights entailed 10 h sleep opportunity per night. Mood was measured every 3 h during wake using unipolar visual analogue scales measuring the mood states “depressed,” “afraid,” “angry,” “confused,” “anxious,” “happy,” and “energetic.”

Results

Mixed models analyses with post hoc comparisons revealed that participants in the 5-h group, but not the 7.5- or 10-h groups, reported being significantly more depressed, angry, and confused during sleep restriction than at baseline. Adolescents were significantly less happy and energetic during sleep restricted to 5 h and significantly less energetic during sleep restricted to 7.5 h. When adolescents had 10 h sleep opportunities their happiness significantly increased. No statistically significant effects of sleep restriction were found for fear or anxiety, although small-to-moderate effects of sleep restricted to 5 or 7.5 h were found. Two nights of recovery sleep was not sufficient to recover from increased negative mood states for the 5-h group, although recovery occurred for positive mood states.

Conclusions

Given the prevalence of insufficient sleep and the rising incidence of mood disorders and dysregulation in adolescents, these findings highlight the importance of sufficient sleep to mitigate these risks.
Meta-Analysis of Soybean Yield Response to Foliar Fungicides Evaluated from 2005 to 2018 in the United States and Canada
Authors: Kandel Yuba R. , Hunt Cathi , Ames Keith , Arneson Nicholas , Bradley Carl A. , Byamukama Emmanuel , Byrne Adam , Chilvers Martin I. , Giesler Loren J. , Halvorson Jessica , Hooker David C. , Kleczewski Nathan M. , Malvick Dean K. , Markell Samuel , Potter Bruce , Pedersen Wayne , Smith Damon L. , Tenuta Albert U. , Telenko Darcy E. P. , Wise Kiersten A. , Mueller Daren S.
Published: November 2020

Random-effect meta-analyses were performed on data from 240 field trials conducted between 2005 and 2018 across nine U.S. states and Ontario, Canada, to quantify the yield response of soybean after application of foliar fungicides at beginning pod (R3) stage. Meta-analysis showed that the overall mean yield response when fungicide was used compared with not applying a fungicide was 2.7% (110 kg/ha). Moderator variables were also investigated and included fungicide group, growing season, planting date, and base yield, which all significantly influenced the yield response. There was also evidence that precipitation from the time of planting to the R3 growth stage influenced yield when fungicide was used (P = 0.059). Fungicides containing a premix of active ingredients from multiple groups (either two or three ingredients) increased the yield by 3.0% over not applying a fungicide. The highest and lowest yield responses were observed in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Better yield response to fungicides (a 3.0% increase) occurred when soybean crops were planted not later than 21 May and when total precipitation between planting and the R3 application date was above historic averages. Temperatures during the season did not influence the yield response. Yield response to fungicide was higher (a 4.7% increase) in average yield category (no spray control yield 2,878 to 3,758 kg/ha) and then gradually decreased with increasing base yield. Partial economic analyses indicated that use of foliar fungicides is less likely to be profitable when foliar diseases are absent or at low levels.
Components of Aggressiveness in Phytophthora nicotianae During Adaptation to Multiple Sources of Partial Resistance in Tobacco
Authors: Jin Jing , Shew H. David
Published: November 2020

Black shank is a devastating disease of tobacco caused by Phytophthora nicotianae. Host resistance has been an integral part of black shank management but after the loss of Php single-gene resistance following its widespread deployment in the 1990s, growers have relied on varieties with varying levels of partial resistance. Partial resistance is effective in suppressing disease, but continued exposure can result in an increase in pathogen aggressiveness that threatens durability of the resistance to P. nicotianae. Aggressiveness components in P. nicotianae were characterized following adaptation on two sources of partial resistance, Fla 301 and the Wz genomic region from Nicotiana rustica. An aggressive isolate of the two major races of P. nicotianae, race 0 and race 1, was adapted for either one/two or five/six generations on the two resistance sources, giving four sets of isolates based on race, number of generations of adaptation, and source of resistance. Across the four sets of isolates, adapted isolates infected higher proportions of tobacco root tips, produced more sporangia per infected root tip, and caused larger lesions than their respective nonadapted isolates of the same race and from the same resistance source. Adapted isolates also produced more aggressive zoospore progeny than the nonadapted isolates. Adaptation to partial resistance involves multiple aggressiveness components and results in the increased aggressiveness observed for P. nicotianae. These results improve our knowledge on the nature of P. nicotianae adaptation to partial resistance in tobacco and indicate that different resistance sources are likely to select for similar aggressiveness components in the pathogen.
Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions for SARS-CoV-2 on norovirus outbreaks: an analysis of outbreaks reported by 9 US States
Authors: Kraay Alicia N.M. , Han Peichun , Kambhampati Anita K. , Wikswo Mary E. , Mirza Sara A. , Lopman Benjamin A.
Published: November 2020

Importance

The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on incidence of other infectious diseases is still being assessed.

Objective

To determine if the observed change in reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States was best explained by underreporting, seasonal trends, or reduced exposure due to NPIs. We also aimed to assess if the change in reported norovirus outbreaks varied by setting.

Design

An ecologic, interrupted time series analysis of norovirus outbreaks from nine states reported to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) from July 2012–July 2020.

Setting

Surveillance data from Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin were included in the analysis.

Participants

9,226 reports of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks with norovirus as an epidemiologically suspected or laboratory-confirmed etiology were included in the analysis, resulting in more than 8 years of follow up. Outbreak reports from states that participated in NoroSTAT for at least 4 years were included in the analysis (range: 4–8 years).

Exposure

The main exposure of interest was time period: before (July 2012–February 2020) or after (April 2020–July 2020) the start of NPIs in the United States

Main outcome

The main outcome of interest was monthly rate of reported norovirus outbreaks. As a secondary outcome, we also examined the average outbreak size.

Results

We found that the decline in norovirus outbreak reports was significant for all 9 states considered (pooled incidence rate ratio (IRR) comparing April 2020-July 2020 vs. all pre-COVID months for each state= 0.14, 95% CI: 0.098, 0.21; P=<0.0001), even after accounting for typical seasonal decline in incidence during the summer months. These patterns were similar across a variety of settings, including nursing homes, child daycares, healthcare settings, and schools. The average outbreak size was also reduced by 61% (95% CI: 56%, 42.7%; P=<0.0001), suggesting that the decline does not reflect a tendency to report only more severe outbreaks due to strained surveillance systems, but instead reflects a decline in incidence.

Conclusions and relevance

While NPIs implemented during the spring and summer of 2020 were intended to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, these changes also appear to have impacted the incidence of norovirus, a non-respiratory pathogen. These results suggest that NPIs may provide benefit for preventing transmission of other human pathogens, reducing strain to health systems during the continued SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Transcriptional regulation of structural and functional adaptations in a developing adulthood myocardium
Authors: Sunny Sini , Challa Anil Kumar , Barchue Joseph , Ramamurthy Muralidharan T. , Crossman David K , Pogwizd Steven , Cinghu Senthilkumar , Rajasekaran Namakkal S.
Published: November 2020

The development of the heart follows a synergic action of several signaling pathways during gestational, pre- & postnatal stages. The current study aimed to investigate whether the myocardium experiences transcriptional changes during the transition from post-natal to adult hood stages. Herein, we used C57/Bl6/J mice at 4 (28-days; post-natal/PN) and 20 weeks (adulthood/AH) of ages and employed the next generation RNAseq (NGS) to profile the transcriptome and echocardiography analysis to monitor the structural/functional changes in the heart. NGS-based RNA-seq revealed that 1215 genes were significantly upregulated and 2549 were down regulated in the AH versus PN hearts, indicating a significant transcriptional change during this transition. A synchronized cardiac transcriptional regulation through cell cycle, growth hormones, redox homeostasis and metabolic pathways was noticed in both PN and AH hearts. Echocardiography reveals significant structural and functional (i.e. systolic/diastolic) changes during the transition of PN to adult stage. Particularly, a progressive decline in ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output was observed in AH hearts. These structural adaptations are in line with critical signaling pathways that drive the maturation of heart during AH. Overall, we have presented a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis along with structural-functional relationship during the myocardial development in adult mice.
Patterns and Causes of Signed Linkage Disequilibria in Flies and Plants
Authors: Sandler George , Wright Stephen I. , Agrawal Aneil F.
Published: November 2020

Most empirical studies of linkage disequilibrium (LD) study its magnitude, ignoring its sign. Here, we examine patterns of signed LD in two population genomic datasets, one fromCapsella grandifloraand one fromDrosophila melanogaster.We consider how processes such as drift, admixture, Hill-Robertson interference, and epistasis may contribute to these patterns. We report that most types of mutations exhibit positive LD, particularly, if they are predicted to be less deleterious. We show with simulations that this pattern arises easily in a model of admixture or distance biased mating, and that genome-wide differences across site types are generally expected due to differences in the strength of purifying selection even in the absence of epistasis. We further explore how signed LD decays on a finer scale, showing that loss of function mutations exhibit particularly positive LD across short distances, a pattern consistent with intragenic antagonistic epistasis. Controlling for genomic distance, signed LD inC. grandifloradecays faster within genes, compared to between genes, likely a by-product of frequent recombination in gene promoters known to occur in plant genomes. Finally, we use information from published biological networks to explore whether there is evidence for negative synergistic epistasis between interacting radical missense mutations. InD. melanogasternetworks, we find a modest but significant enrichment of negative LD, consistent with the possibility of intra-network negative synergistic epistasis.
High throughput functional screening for next generation cancer immunotherapy using droplet-based microfluidics
Authors: Wang Yuan , Jin Ruina , Shen Bingqing , Li Na , Zhou He , Wang Wei , Zhao Yingjie , Huang Mengshi , Fang Pan , Wang Shanshan , Mary Pascaline , Wang Ruikun , Ma Peixiang , Li Ruonan , Cao Youjia , Li Fubin , Schweizer Liang , Zhang Hongkai
Published: November 2020

Currently high throughput approaches are lagged for isolation of antibodies whose function goes beyond simple binding, which have prevented the next generation cancer immunotherapeutics, such as bispecific T cell engager antibodies or agonist antibody of costimulatory receptor, from reaching their full potential. Here we developed a highly efficient droplet-based microfluidics platform combining with lentivirus transduction system that enables functional screening of millions of antibodies. To showcase the capacity of the system, functional antibodies for CD40 agonism with low frequency (<0.02%) were identified with 2 rounds of screening. To demonstrate its versatility, an anti-Her2/anti-CD3 bispecific antibody library was established using bispecific T cell Engager (BiTE) platform and functional screening enabled efficient identification of potent anti-Her2/anti-CD3 BiTE antibodies. The platform could revolutionize the next generation cancer immunotherapy drug development and research world.
CICLOP: A Robust, Faster, and Accurate Computational Framework for Protein Inner Cavity Detection
Authors: Garg Parth , Sacher Sukriti , Gautam Prutyay , Mrinal  , Atul  , Ray Arjun
Published: November 2020

Internal cavities in proteins are of critical functional importance. They can serve as substrate/ligand binding sites, pave path for movement of bio-molecules and even mediate structural conformations occurring between domain interfaces during structural transitions. Yet, there is a paucity of computational tools that can accurately, and reliably characterize the inner cavities of the proteins, a prerequisite for elucidating their functions. We have developed a novel method, CICLOP, that can accurately identify these regions at an atomic resolution. The method is able to accurately detect residues lining the inner cavity, the diameter and volume occupied by the cavity, as well as physicochemical properties of residues lining the cavity such as their hydrophobicity and secondary structure distribution in detail. Additionally, our method also provides an option for computing conservation scores for the residues detected on the inside, allowing for a thorough functional characterization of the cavity.

Availability

CICLOP is available at http://ciclop.raylab.iiitd.edu.in/. A compiled Linux executable can be downloaded from https://ciclop.raylab.iiitd.edu.in/standalone/
Single-cell transcriptomics of the early developing mouse cerebral cortex disentangles the spatial and temporal components of neuronal fate acquisition
Authors: Moreau Matthieu X. , Saillour Yoann , Cwetsch Andrzej W. , Pierani Alessandra , Causeret Frédéric
Published: November 2020

In the developing cerebral cortex, how progenitors that seemingly display limited diversity end up in producing a vast array of neurons remains a puzzling question. The prevailing model that recently emerged suggests that temporal maturation of these progenitors is a key driver in the diversification of the neuronal output. However, temporal constrains are unlikely to account for all diversity across cortical regions, especially in the ventral and lateral domains where neuronal types significantly differ from their dorsal neocortical counterparts born at the same time. In this study, we implemented single-cell RNAseq to sample the diversity of progenitors and neurons along the dorso-ventral axis of the early developing pallium. We first identified neuronal types, mapped them on the tissue and performed genetic tracing to determine their origin. By characterising progenitor diversity, we disentangled the gene expression modules underlying temporal vs spatial regulations of neuronal specification. Finally, we reconstructed the developmental trajectories followed by ventral and dorsal pallial neurons to identify gene waves specific of each lineage. Our data suggest a model by which discrete neuronal fate acquisition from a continuous gradient of progenitors results from the superimposition of spatial information and temporal maturation.
The impact of the China–USA trade war on USA Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies
Authors: Wu Yu , Turvey Calum G.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of the 2018–2020 China–US trade war on US farm bankruptcies as filed under Chapter 12. The key task is to identify the economic factors affecting farm bankruptcies generally, and to then control for the trade war impacts including the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), floods, agricultural conditions and the health of agricultural finance leading into the trade war.

Design/methodology/approach

Results were obtained using ordinary least square regression and panel fixed effect model using bankruptcy rates and number as the dependent variable. Independent variables included market effects, credit conditions, yield variation, trade impacts, 2019 flooding, macroeconomic conditions and regional fixed effects. The authors use cubic splines to interpolate annual and quarterly data to a monthly base.

Findings

Based on a fixed effect model, the authors find that all other things being equal the China–USA trade war would have had a significant impact on Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies, increasing the bankruptcy rate by 25.7%. The flooding in 2009 had minor effects of increasing the rate by only 0.05%. The overall impact will, however be substantially lower than the 25.7% because of the MFP. The MFP variables (binary) had mixed effects and its true impact is unknowable at this time; however, the authors also find that a 1% increase in the producer price index decreases bankruptcy rates by 2.62% and farm bankruptcy numbers by 3.70%. Likewise a 1% increase in GDP reduces bankruptcies by 3.25%. These suggest that the MFP program will have likely reduced farm bankruptcies considerably than what would have occurred in their absence. The authors also find that states heavily dependent on trade faced lower market uncertainty. Broader economic factors (net charge-offs of farm loans held by insured commercial banks, US real GDP, the average effective interest rate on nonreal estate farm loans) affect farm bankruptcy.

Research limitations/implications

The authors use monthly bankruptcy statistics, however not all data were available in monthly measures requiring interpolation using cubic spline functions to approximate monthly changes in some variables. Although the MFP had mixed effects in the model, the mid- to longer-term effects may be more impactful. These longer-term effects (and even shorter-term effects through 2020) are complicated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which will require a different identification strategy than that employed in this paper.

Originality/value

The analysis and results of this paper are, to the authors' knowledge, the first to investigate the impact of the China–US trade war on Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings. The use of cubic splines in the interpolation of agricultural data is also a technical innovation.
Research on consumers' health information consultation patterns
Authors: Wu Dan , Xu Hao , Fan Shu
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify consumers' health information consultation patterns by analyzing information sources to better understand consumers' health information needs and behavior in the context of multisource health information.

Design/methodology/approach

Haodaifu Online, an online health consultation (OHC) website in China, was used as a research data source, and 20,000 consultation cases were collected from the website with Python. After screening and cleaning, 1,601 consultation cases were included in this study. A content analysis-based mixed-methods research approach was applied to analyze these cases.

Findings

The results indicate that with the participation of OHC, there are 15 patterns of consumer health information consultation. Besides OHC, health information sources reported by consumers included medical institutions family/friends and the Internet. Consumers consult on a wide range of health issues including surgical conditions obstetrical and gynecological conditions and other 20 subjects. Consumers have multiple information needs when using OHC: getting prescriptions, diagnosing diseases, making appointments, understanding illnesses, confirming diagnoses and reviewing costs. Through further analysis it was found that consumers’ health information consultation patterns were also significantly different in health issues and health information needs.

Originality/value

This study broadens one’s understanding of consumer health information behavior, which contributes to the field of health information behavior, and also provides insight for OHC stakeholders to improve their services.
Motivations for music information seeking as serious leisure in a virtual community: exploring a Eurovision fan club
Authors: Bronstein Jenny , Lidor Danit
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the motivations of a group of music fans of the Eurovision Song Contest to seek information about the competition and to participate in a virtual community of fans.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws from the uses and gratifications framework to understand the needs that a particular mass medium fulfills for its users. Fifteen Eurovision fans were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interviewees were asked to talk about how they seek information about the competition, to relate their engagement and participation with the virtual community and to reflect on the role that the community of fans and the Eurovision have in their lives.

Findings

Content analysis revealed four themes that reflect the motivations that shape many aspects of participants lives, relating to seeking information about the Eurovision Song Contest, fulfilling the need for serious leisure, making social connections, finding a sense of belonging and forming an identity.

Social implications

The study examines the motivations of a group of people who share a common interest that shaped the ways the seek information, related to others, view themselves and construct their identity and make social connections, all to satisfy their love and admiration for the competition, and this regardless of the societal stigma that the competition might carry.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on serious leisure information seeking by exploring the role that information and social media play in different aspects serious leisure activities.
HealthKeepers Network: financial sustainability in emerging market sociopreneurship
Authors: Tsamenyi Mathew , Gyamfi Nana Yaa A.
Published: November 2020

Learning outcomes

Students should be able to appreciate the exigencies of managing social enterprises in a largely profit-oriented economic domain; understand the interplay of choice and trade-offs in business management and be equipped to make optimal choices; and appraise new, creative and profit-making approaches for sustaining social enterprise.

Case overview/synopsis

Daniel Mensah and his team were to deliberate on options available for ensuring financial sustainability of HealthKeepers Network (HKN), a not-for-profit organization focused on community health and grassroots capacity development. As the economy of Ghana moved towards middle-income status, funding from global organizations had begun to decline. To ensure HKN’s continuity, Mensah needed to re-engineer HKN’s finances and consider options available for ensuring cash inflows to support the organization’s operations. Each of the available options involved specific setbacks or challenges for HKN to overcome to achieve financial sustainability. Mensah and his team were to engage in a brainstorming session analyse the available options and map the way forward for HKN.

Complexity academic level

This case is suitable for undergraduate and graduate-level programmes in business management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Gazelle Infotech-optimizing humanitarian supply chain for disaster management
Authors: Ali Sadia Samar , Kaur Rajbir , Goyal Kirit
Published: November 2020

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this paper are follows: students should be able to understand the complexity related to the provision of safe drinking water for disaster-hit areas and effective solutions to overcome this problem. Also, students should be able to evaluate the need for awareness about post traumas mental health especially in case of disasters and identify how technology can provide answers to such critical issues.

Case overview/synopsis

The case represents a unique scenario where the head of an organization has moved away from the financial prospect and invested time and efforts for the provision of safe drinking water to the inaccessible areas and devise strategies for the improvement of disaster relief operations.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate and post graduate students.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 4: Environmental Management.
Do not perish outdated CDS/ISIS data: ABCD ILS from the same family is there to make it alive
Authors: Shoeb Md. Zahid Hossain , Rahman Md. Mukhlesur
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the migration of outdated computerized documentation system/integrated set for information systems (CDS/ISIS) database in to fully functional Web-based Automatización de Bibliotecas y Centros de Documentación (ABCD) integrated library system (ILS), which is derived from the the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) CDS/ISIS software technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The existing integrated set for information systems (ISIS) tags were needed to be remapped as per the tag of MARC-like or structured bibliographic format database by editing integrated set for information systems print formats. Moreover, a sequence of tasks was required to complete the whole process. The major procedures were accomplished as exporting ISIS data into .iso format, creating ABCD database and uploading .iso file into the new database. The next part was configuration and connection with the Web interface after editing PFT.

Findings

CDS/ISIS users who have data in the international organization for standardization format on old versions of CDS/ISIS software applications now have the opportunity to migrate their data into the new application. The detailed process had been outlined not an only successful method of migrating outdated valuable records, also creation of ABCD database.

Originality/value

This paper may help the users of CDS/ISIS or WinISIS to migrate for ABCD and not to expire or give up their valuable data. This is one of the best ways to migrate ISIS data to ABCD with proven functionality. A specific aim of Automatización de Bibliotecas y Centros de Documentación Integrated Library System is to offer a tool for librarians, rather than information communications technology technicians, which is achieved by taking library and information science principles.
Identifying influence patterns of regional agricultural drought vulnerability using a two-phased grey rough combined model
Authors: Sun Huifang , Fang Liping , Dang Yaoguo , Mao Wenxin
Published: November 2020

Purpose

A core challenge of assessing regional agricultural drought vulnerability (RADV) is to reveal what vulnerability factors, under which kinds of synergistic combinations and at what strengths, will lead to higher vulnerability: namely, the influence patterns of RADV.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phased grey rough combined model is proposed to identify influence patterns of RADV from a new perspective of learning and mining historical cases. The grey entropy weight clustering with double base points is proposed to assess degrees of RADV. The simplest decision rules that reflect the complex synergistic relationships between RADV and its influencing factors are extracted using the rough set approach.

Findings

The results exemplified by China's Henan Province in the years 2008–2016 show higher degrees of RADV in the north and west regions of the province, in comparison with the south and east. In the patterns with higher RADV, the higher proportion of agricultural population appears in all decision rules as a core feature. A smaller quantity of water resources per unit of cultivated land area and a lower adaptive capacity, involving levels of irrigation technology and economic development, present a significant synergistic influence relationship that distinguishes the features of higher vulnerability from those of the lower.

Originality/value

The proposed grey rough combined model not only evaluates temporal dynamics and spatial differences of RADV but also extracts the decision rules between RADV and its influencing factors. The identified influence patterns inspire managerial implications for preventing and reducing agricultural drought through its historical evolution and formation mechanism.