bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The neurohypophysial oxytocin and arginine vasopressin system is activated in a knee osteoarthritis rat model
Authors: Nishimura Haruki , Kawasaki Makoto , Suzuki Hitoshi , Matsuura Takanori , Baba Kazuhiko , Motojima Yasuhito , Yamanaka Yoshiaki , Fujitani Teruaki , Ohnishi Hideo , Tsukamoto Manabu , Maruyama Takashi , Yoshimura Mitsuhiro , Nishimura Kazuaki , Sonoda Satomi , Sanada Kenya , Tanaka Kentarou , Onaka Tatsushi , Ueta Yoichi , Sakai Akinori
Published: July 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes chronic joint pain and significantly impacts daily activities. Hence, developing novel treatment options for OA has become an increasingly important area of research. Recently, studies have reported that exogenous, as well as endogenous, hypothalamic‐neurohypophysial hormones, oxytocin (OXT) and arginine‐vasopressin (AVP), significantly contribute to nociception modulation. Moreover, the parvocellular OXT neurone (parvOXT) extends its projection to the superficial spinal dorsal horn, where it controls the transmission of nociceptive signals. Meanwhile, AVP produced in the magnocellular AVP neurone (magnAVP) is released into the systemic circulation where it contributes to pain management at peripheral sites. The parvocellular AVP neurone (parvAVP), as well as corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH), suppresses inflammation via activation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Previously, we confirmed that the OXT/AVP system is activated in rat models of pain. However, the roles of endogenous hypothalamic‐neurohypophysial hormones in OA have not yet been characterised. In the present study, we investigated whether the OXT/AVP system is activated in a knee OA rat model. Our results show that putative parvOXT is activated and the amount of OXT‐monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 positive granules in the ipsilateral superficial spinal dorsal horn increases in the knee OA rat. Furthermore, both magnAVP and parvAVP are activated, concurrent with HPA axis activation, predominantly modulated by AVP, and not CRH. The OXT/AVP system in OA rats was similar to that in systemic inflammation models, including adjuvant arthritis; however, magnocellular OXT neurones (magnOXT) were not activated in OA. Hence, localised chronic pain conditions, such as knee OA, activate the OXT/AVP system without impacting magnOXT.
Negative effects of individual heterozygosity on reproductive success in a wild bird population
Authors: Botero‐Delgadillo Esteban , Gilsenan Carol , Mueller Jakob C. , Kempenaers Bart
Published: July 2020

The evolutionary consequences of individual genetic diversity are frequently studied by assessing heterozygosity–fitness correlations (HFCs). The prevalence of positive and negative HFCs and the predominance of general versus local effects in wild populations are far from understood, partly because comprehensive studies testing for both inbreeding and outbreeding depression are lacking. We studied a genetically diverse population of blue tits in southern Germany using a genome‐wide set of 87 microsatellites to investigate the relationship between proxies of reproductive success and measures of multilocus and single‐locus individual heterozygosity (MLH and SLH). We used complimentary measures of MLH and partitioned markers into functional categories according to their position in the blue tit genome. HFCs based on MLH were consistently negative for functional loci, whereas correlations were rather inconsistent for loci found in nonfunctional areas of the genome. Clutch size was the only reproductive variable showing a general effect. We found evidence for local effects for three measures of reproductive success: arrival date at the breeding site, the probability of breeding at the study site and male reproductive success. For these, we observed consistent, and relatively strong, negative effects at one functional locus. Remarkably, this marker had a similar effect in another blue tit population from Austria (~400 km to the east). We suggest that a genetic local effect on timing of arrival might be responsible for most negative HFCs detected, with carry‐over effects on other reproductive traits. This effect could reflect individual differences in the distance between overwintering areas and breeding sites.
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Protoporphyrin IX Photodegradation Using Multi‐Wavelength Light Sources
Authors: Sánchez Víctor , Garcia Marlon Rodrigues , Requena Michelle Barreto , Romano Renan Arnon , de Boni Leonardo , Guimarães Francisco E. G. , Pratavieira Sebastião
Published: July 2020

Photodynamic procedures have been used in many applications, ranging from cancer treatment to microorganism inactivation. Photodynamic reactions start with the activation of a photosensitizing molecule with light, leading to the production of cytotoxic molecules that promote cell death. However, establishing the correct light and photosensitizer dosimetry for a broadband light source remains challenging. In this study, we proposed a theoretical mathematical model for the photodegradation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), when irradiated by multi‐wavelength light sources. The theoretical model predicts the experimental photobleaching (temporal change in PpIX concentration) of PpIX for different light sources. We showed that photobleaching occurs independently of the light source wavelengths but instead depends only on the number of absorbed photons. The model presented here can be used as an important mathematical approach to better understand current photodynamic therapy protocols and help achieve optimization of the doses delivered.
Sublethal infection of different pine species by the pinewood nematode
Authors: Pimentel Carla S. , McKenney Jessica , Firmino Paulo N. , Calvão Teresa , Ayres Mathew P.
Published: July 2020

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the pinewood nematode and causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), is a globally destructive pine pest. PWD is favoured by high temperatures and drought, butB.xylophiluscan also persist in symptomless hosts in areas not prone to PWD. We compared seedlings of differentPinusspecies that were inoculated withB.xylophiluswhen well‐watered and under moderate temperatures, conditions that favour sublethal infections. We compared isolates ofB.xylophilusin south‐west Europe (Portugal) and south‐east USA (Louisiana).P.pinea,P.pinaster, andP.radiatawere challenged in both areas with inoculations of localB.xylophilus.P.sylvestrisin Portugal andP.palustrisin Louisiana were also tested. Seedling mortality was low, as expected, but nematode establishment was common. There were higher nematode densities and more damage in seedlings ofP.sylvestrisandP.radiata, followed byP.pinaster, withP.pineaandP.palustrisproving to be more tolerant. Life history of hosts was a better predictor of resistance toB.xylophilusthan geographical origin, even under sublethal conditions. Fast‐growing species (P.radiataandP.pinaster) appeared most likely to be symptomless carriers in areas not prone to the development of PWD. Cold‐adapted species (P.sylvestris) may still be suitable hosts for the pathogen, even at the sublethal conditions of their distribution areas. There were more nematodes per gram of host using nematode isolates from Portugal. Nonetheless, our results opposed the hypothesis that North American pinewood nematodes have such low virulence that they are obligatorily saprophytic.
Producer Services and Productivity: A Global Value Chain Perspective
Authors: Cheng Dazhong , Xiao Zhiguo
Published: July 2020

Services have long been blamed for their stagnant productivity and cost disease. This study demonstrates that producer services defy the cost disease. We explore, in the context of global value chains (GVCs), how the growth of producer services helps improve the productivity of final goods and services and how the effects differ for local and foreign sources of producer services. The GVC revolution, along with technological progress, expands the market and deepens division of labor across the world, which, in turn, magnifies the available varieties of producer services as intermediate inputs. The proliferation of producer services, along with their productivity enhancement induced by the GVC competition, helps boost the overall productivity and reduces the cost of supplying producer services. We develop a simple model to justify this mechanism and employ the World Input‐Output Database to quantify producer services and the GVC division of labor. The empirical results are consistent with theoretical predictions.
When Would a Democratic Governor Increase Social Welfare Funding? The Joint Moderation of a State's Economy and a Governor's Budgetary Authority
Authors: Swanson Jeffrey , Ki Namhoon
Published: July 2020

The partisanship of a policy maker is often noted as correlated with a state government's support for social welfare. However, less attention has been paid to how a governor is able to steer the budget in a manner that reflects her political views. This study assesses how changes in the economy and level of budgetary authority of the governor can jointly condition the effect of a governor's partisanship on the change in social welfare spending. Using the panel data for 49 U.S. states from 1987 to 2014, we examine whether budgetary authority allows governors to respond to an economic contraction in the expected partisan manner. Using a three‐way interaction model, we found that Democratic governors are more likely to increase social welfare funding when the economy contracts, particularly when she has high budgetary authority relative to non‐Democratic counterparts. The results highlight how the state of the economy and institutional constraints jointly condition the budget process.
A gentle reminder that mean does not imply modal behavior: Few are in‐group biased in minimal groups
Authors: Sand Anders
Published: July 2020

Previous research reports that people organized into newly formed, arbitrary groups (i.e., minimal groups) are on average in‐group biased. However, that people on average behave in a certain way does not imply that most people behave that way. Here, I report four studies (n = 224) demonstrating in‐group biased average behaviors driven by a minority of about 30% participants. Further, only 14% reported allocating resources in a group‐biased manner because they “favored the in‐group.” I investigate and discuss how methodological issues related to non‐normally distributed data, not taking participants’ intentions into account, and using fixed response matrices can lead to overestimations of how widespread in‐group bias is in minimal groups.
Objective assessment of skin microcirculation using a smartphone camera
Authors: Tesselaar Erik , Farnebo Simon
Published: July 2020

Background

Existing techniques for assessment of microcirculation are limited by their large size and high costs and are often not so easy to use. Advances in mobile technology have enabled great improvements in smartphone sensor technology. In this study, we used SkinSight, an app for iPhone and iPad, to measure changes in skin microcirculation during physiological provocations. The system estimates changes in the concentration of hemoglobin in the skin by analyzing the reflected light emitted from the built‐in light‐emitting diode and detected by the camera of the smartphone.

Methods

A relative hemoglobin (Hb) index was measured during a 5‐min arterial occlusion, post‐occlusive reactive hyperemia, and a 5‐min venous occlusion in 10 healthy subjects, on two separate days. The index was calculated in an area of the skin from the color information in the images acquired by the phone camera. Polarized light spectroscopy imaging was used to measure changes in red blood cell concentration for comparison.

Results

During arterial occlusion, relative Hb index was unchanged compared to baseline (P = .40). After release of the cuff, a sudden 60%‐75% increase in Hb index was observed (P < .001) followed by a gradual return to baseline. During venous occlusion, Hb index increased by 80% (P < .001) followed by a gradual decrease to baseline after reperfusion. Day‐to‐day reproducibility of the relative Hb index was excellent (ICC: 0.92, r = 0.94), although relative Hb index was consistently higher during the second day, possibly as a result of changed lighting conditions or calibration issues.

Conclusion

Microvascular responses to physiological provocations in the skin can be accurately and reproducibly measured using a smartphone application. Although the system offers a handheld, easy to use and flexible technique for skin microvascular assessment, the effects of lighting on the measured values and need for calibration need to be further investigated.
How the Alt‐Right Label Informs Political Assessments
Authors: Cluverius John , Banda Kevin K. , Daly Hannah R.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To determine how the alt‐right label informs how voters assess individuals and political candidates.

Methods

We use a survey experiment with a hypothetical candidate. Along with a control, we vary the ideological label the hypothetical candidate uses, including conservative and alt‐right.

Results

The alt‐right label leads people to view candidates as holding more right‐leaning ideological and issue positions relative to no label and often—specifically on issues relating to race, gender, and norms—relative to a more explicit conservative label.

Conclusion

These results shed light on how citizens come to understand and use new ideological labels and suggest that the alt‐right label conveys context‐specific information that differs from that connected to the conservative label.
Who's an iAddict? A Sociodemographic Exploration of Device Addiction Among American Adults
Authors: Nelson Justin J. , Pieper Christopher M.
Published: July 2020

Objective

In this study, we explore how daily Internet and social media use are related to feeling addicted to technological devices and describe the sociodemographic indicators of device addiction for U.S. adults.

Methods

Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, we estimate a series of logistic regression analyses predicting device addiction.

Results

We find that social media use, rather than Internet use alone, is a stronger indicator of device addiction. Women report more addiction than men, and employment and education are both associated with increased addiction. Results describe device addiction as a felt reality for U.S. adults of all ages, while also noting particular social and demographic class characteristics for which these dilemmas may be more acute.

Conclusion

“iAddiction” appears to be endemic to general conditions of postscarcity and concentrated in those with particularly high situations of ontological security. Directions for constructive theory building in the sociology of technology are elaborated.
Popularity and Visibility Appraisals for Computing Olympic Medal Rankings
Authors: Garcia‐del‐Barrio Pedro , Gomez‐Gonzalez Carlos , Sánchez‐Santos José Manuel
Published: July 2020

Objective

The ranking of countries in the Olympic Games generates a great deal of interest among analysts, academics, and fans. This article proposes an innovative approach to provide Olympic medals (gold, silver, and bronze) with different weights based on metrics of popularity and media visibility and create an alternative historical ranking.

Methods

The analysis uses “Google Trends” and “MERIT” appraisals to capture content and news articles on the Internet that relate to the different types of metals. Figures on weekly relative search intensity in Google and content in the Internet registered monthly are used to track changes over time and thus to control for differences between Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

Results

The results show that gold medals gather far more attention than silver and bronze medals. By applying the estimated multiplying factors, we create an alternative historical ranking of countries that shows some relevant changes.

Conclusion

The use of weights based on popularity and visibility has managerial implications and opens new avenues for future research.
Semantic‐based urban growth prediction
Authors: Mc Cutchan Marvin , Özdal‐Oktay Simge , Giannopoulos Ioannis
Published: July 2020

Urban growth is a spatial process which has a significant impact on the earth’s environment. Research on predicting this complex process makes it therefore especially fruitful for decision‐making on a global scale, as it enables the introduction of more sustainable urban development. This article presents a novel method of urban growth prediction. The method utilizes geospatial semantics in order to predict urban growth for a set of random areas in Europe. For this purpose, a feature space representing geospatial configurations was introduced which embeds semantic information. Data in this feature space was then used to perform deep learning, which ultimately enables the prediction of urban growth with high accuracy. The final results reveal that geospatial semantics hold great potential for spatial prediction tasks.
SpotLight on Dynamics of Individual Learning
Authors: Rahman Roussel , Gray Wayne D.
Published: July 2020

Averaging performance over a group of individuals implicitly assumes that there is only one set of methods for accomplishing the task and that all learners acquire those methods in the same sequence. We maintain that the average subject is a mythical beast and, rather than profiling a mythical beast, we ask “how do different people each learn the same complex task?” To answer our question, we use SpotLight—a tool for analyzing changes in individual performance as skill is acquired. Specifically, in this report, we use the SpotLight on 40 scores and measures of performance (some collected at millisecond level, others collected once per game), to investigate the skill acquisition of nine individuals each of whom devoted 31 h to becoming skilled players of the classic cognitive psychology game of Space Fortress (Mané & Donchin, 1989). Turning the SpotLight on our best and worst players reveals patterns of performance plateaus, dips, and leaps. Examining these patterns reveals differences as well as commonalities in the evolution of methods discovered and used by each individual across 31 hours of skill acquisition.
Hits and Errors
Authors: Langston Lee S.
Published: July 2020

The gas turbine industry has had many successes, but this past year it has been dogged by the specter of two great mistakes—one that occurred, and another that is being threatened. Many groups are pushing for the immediate elimination of natural gas as a fuel source, and some jurisdictions have begun to ban new residential gas hook-ups. This study analyzes if it can be avoided and a crisis for a major segment of the gas turbine industry can be averted.
Hybrid Electric Propulsion
Authors: Lents Charles E.
Published: July 2020

Electrified propulsion holds the promise of reducing aviation’s CO2 emissions footprint through three means: access to green grid electric energy, improvements in aircraft performance through new airframe and propulsion system architectures and enabling further optimization of the gas turbine cycle. Charging an aircraft battery pack with green electric energy and using this energy to drive electric propulsors results in a zero emissions vehicle. This is practical for light aircraft and short missions. Boosting a Jet-A burning gas turbine with green electric energy (again stored in a ground charged battery), in either a parallel or series turbo-electric architecture can yield a net reduction in CO2 emissions, as long as the fuel burn required to carry the weight of a discharged battery pack does not overcome the reduction in fuel burn afforded by the ground charged battery. Several studies have indicated that a net savings is possible with cell level energy densities approach ∼ 500 whr/kg, a reasonable target for the 2030 time frame. Electrified propulsion can also enable unique aircraft configurations, employing a veryhigh efficiency prime mover (gas turbine) designed for running only a generator at peak efficiency, and/or distributing the propulsors throughout the aircraft, for improvement in L/D and propulsive efficiency.
Periodically Forced Nonlinear Oscillators With Hysteretic Damping
Authors: Bountis Anastasios , Kaloudis Konstantinos , Spitas Christos
Published: July 2020

We perform a detailed study of the dynamics of a nonlinear, one-dimensional oscillator driven by a periodic force under hysteretic damping, whose linear version was originally proposed and analyzed by Bishop (1955, “The Treatment of Damping Forces in Vibration Theory,” Aeronaut. J., 59(539), pp. 738–742). We first add a small quadratic stiffness term in the constitutive equation and construct the periodic solution of the problem by a systematic perturbation method, neglecting transient terms as t→∞. We then repeat the analysis replacing the quadratic by a cubic term, which does not allow the solutions to escape to infinity. In both cases, we examine the dependence of the amplitude of the periodic solution on the different parameters of the model and discuss the differences with the linear model. We point out certain undesirable features of the solutions, which have also been alluded to in the literature for the linear Bishop's model, but persist in the nonlinear case as well. Finally, we discuss an alternative hysteretic damping oscillator model first proposed by Reid (1956, “Free Vibration and Hysteretic Damping,” Aeronaut. J., 60(544), pp. 283–283), which appears to be free from these difficulties and exhibits remarkably rich dynamical properties when extended in the nonlinear regime.
How Uncertain Is Too Uncertain? Validity Tests for Early Resilient and Risk-Based Design Processes
Authors: Hulse Daniel , Hoyle Christopher , Tumer Irem Y. , Goebel Kai
Published: July 2020

A number of risk and resilience-based design methods have been put forward over the years that seek to provide designers the tools to reduce the effects of potential hazards in the early design phase. However, because of the associated high level of uncertainty and low-fidelity design representations, one might justifiably wonder if using a resilient design process in the early design phase will reliably produce useful results that would improve the realized design. This paper provides a testing framework for design processes that determines the validity of the process by quantifying the epistemic uncertainty in the assumptions used to make decisions. This framework uses this quantified uncertainty to test whether three metrics are within desirable bounds: the change in the design when uncertainty is considered, the increase in the expected value of the design, and the cost of choice-related uncertainty. This approach is illustrated using two examples to demonstrate how both discrete and continuous parametric uncertainty can be considered in the testing procedure. These examples show that early design process validity is sensitive to the level of uncertainty and magnitude of design changes, suggesting that while there is a justifiable decision-theoretic case to consider high-level, high-impact design changes during the early design phase, there is less of a case to choose between relatively similar design options because the cost of making the choice under high uncertainty is greater than the expected value improvement from choosing the better design.
Analysis of Leaf Seal Leakage Performance Under the Influence of Manufacturing Variations Using Experiment and Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Griebel Clemens
Published: July 2020

In this paper, test data are combined with results from two different computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to investigate the leakage performance of leaf seals. Experimental data are gathered for centric rotor position using a rotating test rig at various rotational speeds, inlet pressures, and preswirl velocities. The test results are compared to brush and labyrinth seal leakage data from previous studies and reveal elevated leakage rates of the leaf seal. As the tested leaf seals are subject to thermal leaf deformation from welding during the manufacturing process, the influence of geometry variations within the leaf pack on leakage performance is investigated with the help of numerical simulations. Both a fully resolved leaf model and a modeling approach based on porous media are used. The CFD models are validated based on pressure measurements within the up- and downstream coverplate gaps at three different radii. Both CFD models show good agreement with test data for different inlet parameters. A variation of cold clearance shows moderate influence on leakage and small clearances can be brought into context with hydrodynamic lift-up indicated by experimental leakage data. Much higher sensitivity on leakage mass flow is predicted for variations in leaf spacing at the leaf root and leaf tip. The latter is discussed as an explanation for the measured leakage of the test seal with its manufacturing variations, while the first quantitatively shows optimization potential at the design stage of leaf seals.
Surface Wear Anisotropy in AlSi10Mg Alloy Sample Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting: Effect of Hatch Style, Scan Rotation and Use of Fresh and Recycled Powder
Authors: Mishra Ashish Kumar , Upadhyay Ram Krishna , Kumar Arvind
Published: July 2020

Additive manufacturing (AM) has witnessed substantial growth in recent years due to its excellent manufacturing capabilities and innovative production methodologies. However, the mechanical suitability aspect in terms of material wear has not received much attention yet and needs rigorous assessment. This study investigates the wear anisotropy in an AlSi10Mg alloy sample fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique. Different scanning strategies encompassing the island and the continuous scanning patterns were used in sample manufacturing. The effects of the scanning vector orientation, design pattern, and the island pattern size on the mechanical wear and wear anisotropy have been analyzed in detail. The study also focused upon a comparative investigation of the wear properties at the top and the side surfaces to understand the wear anisotropy in different directions. The samples are fabricated both by the fresh and the recycled powder and the role of powder state is described. The ball-on-disk test is performed to simulate the similar contact applications for marine/automotive components such as bearings. Bearing steel balls are used as a standard sliding counterpart material to investigate the wear properties. The wear microstructure is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Overall, the island strategy with 2 mm hatch style and 45 deg scan rotation have achieved better wear resistance and friction coefficient compared with the continuous hatch style. The wear behavior is found to be anisotropic. The Raman spectra validate the presence of silicon and carbon particles on the wear track, which have a significant effect on the tribological properties. The type of particles present in the sliding zone characterizes different wear stages. Wear mechanism is described by considering four parameters, namely, scan pattern, scan vector rotation, type of powder, and the wear measurement direction. Results show that the surface wear rate of samples made by the fresh powder is lower than the recycled powder. However, samples of the recycled powder have friction modifier characteristics. The best wear rate and friction coefficient values are obtained with the island strategy (2 mm hatch, 45 deg scan rotation) in the side plane and are 3.76 × 10−6 mm3/N m, 0.0781, respectively.
Full-Annulus URANS Study on the Transportation of Combustion Inhomogeneity in a Four-Stage Cooled Turbine
Authors: Chi Zhongran , Liu Haiqing , Zang Shusheng , Pan Chengxiong , Jiao Guangyun
Published: July 2020

The inhomogeneity of temperature in a turbine is related to the nonuniform heat release and air injections in combustors. In addition, it is influenced by the interactions between turbine cascades and coolant injections. Temperature inhomogeneity results in nonuniform flow temperature at turbine outlets, which is commonly measured by multiple thermal couples arranged in the azimuthal direction to monitor the operation of a gas turbine engine. Therefore, the investigation of temperature inhomogeneity transportation in a multistage gas turbine should help in detecting and quantifying the over-temperature or flameout of combustors using turbine exhaust temperature. Here the transportation of temperature inhomogeneity inside the four-stage turbine of a 300-MW gas turbine engine was numerically investigated using 3D CFD. The computational domain included all four stages of the turbine, consisting of more than 500 blades and vanes. Realistic components (N2, O2, CO2, and H2O) with variable heat capacities were considered for hot gas and cooling air. Coolants were added to the computational domain through more than 19,000 mass and momentum source terms. his was simple compared to realistic cooling structures. A URANS CFD run with over-temperature/flameout at 6 selected combustors out of 24 was carried out. The temperature distributions at rotor–stator interfaces and the turbine outlet were quantified and characterized by Fourier transformations in the time domain and space domain. It is found that the transport process from the hot-streaks/cold-streaks at the inlet to the outlet is relatively stable. The cold and hot fluid is redistributed in time and space due to the stator and rotor blades, in the region with a large parameter gradient at the inlet, strong unsteady temperature field and composition field appear. The distribution of the exhaust gas composition has a stronger correlation with the inlet temperature distribution and is less susceptible to interference.
Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Does Not Improve Running Anaerobic Sprint Test Performance in Semiprofessional Adolescent Soccer Players
Authors: Guimarães Rodrigo dos Santos , de Morais Junior Alcides Correa , Schincaglia Raquel Machado , Saunders Bryan , Pimentel Gustavo Duarte , Mota João Felipe
Published: July 2020

Ergogenic strategies have been studied to alleviate muscle fatigue and improve sports performance. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) has improved repeated sprint performance in adult team-sports players, but the effect for adolescents is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of NaHCO3 supplementation on repeated sprint performance in semiprofessional adolescent soccer players. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 15 male semiprofessional adolescent soccer players (15 ± 1 years; body fat 10.7 ± 1.3%) ingested NaHCO3 or a placebo (sodium chloride) 90 min before performing the running anaerobic sprint test (RAST). A countermovement jump was performed before and after the RAST, and ratings of perceived exertion, blood parameters (potential hydrogen and bicarbonate concentration), and fatigue index were also evaluated. Supplementation with NaHCO3 promoted alkalosis, as demonstrated by the increase from the baseline to preexercise, compared with the placebo (potential hydrogen: +0.07 ± 0.01 vs. −0.00 ± 0.01, p < .001 and bicarbonate: +3.44 ± 0.38 vs. −1.45 ± 0.31 mmol/L, p < .001); however, this change did not translate into an improvement in RAST total time (32.12 ± 0.30 vs. 33.31 ± 0.41 s, p = .553); fatigue index (5.44 ± 0.64 vs. 6.28 ± 0.64 W/s, p = .263); ratings of perceived exertion (7.60 ± 0.33 vs. 7.80 ± 0.10 units, p = .525); countermovement jump pre-RAST (32.21 ± 3.35 vs. 32.05 ± 3.51 cm, p = .383); or countermovement jump post-RAST (31.70 ± 0.78 vs. 32.74 ± 1.11 cm, p = .696). Acute NaHCO3 supplementation did not reduce muscle fatigue or improve RAST performance in semiprofessional adolescent soccer players. More work assessing supplementation in this age group is required to increase understanding in the area.
Inhibition of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) facilitates the elimination of HIV-1 viral reservoirs in CD4
+
T cells ex vivo
Authors: Zhou Dawei , Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Jean Maxime , Kong Weili , Fiches Guillaume , Biswas Ayan , Liu Shuai , Yosief Hailemichael O. , Zhang Xiaofeng , Bradner Jay , Qi Jun , Zhang Wei , Santoso Netty , Zhu Jian
Published: July 2020

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitors have the potential to eliminate the latent HIV-1 in AIDS patients.
Strain engineering of the magnetic multipole moments and anomalous Hall effect in pyrochlore iridate thin films
Authors: Kim Woo Jin , Oh Taekoo , Song Jeongkeun , Ko Eun Kyo , Li Yangyang , Mun Junsik , Kim Bongju , Son Jaeseok , Yang Zhuo , Kohama Yoshimitsu , Kim Miyoung , Yang Bohm-Jung , Noh Tae Won
Published: July 2020

Strain-engineered magnetic multipole moments can generate novel anomalous Hall effect in antiferromagnetic oxide thin films.
Comprehensive mapping of immune perturbations associated with severe COVID-19
Authors: Kuri-Cervantes Leticia , Pampena Maria Betina , Meng Wenzhao , Rosenfeld Aaron M. , Ittner Caroline A. G. , Weisman Ariel R. , Agyekum Roseline S. , Mathew Divij , Baxter Amy E. , Vella Laura A. , Kuthuru Oliva , Apostolidis Sokratis A. , Bershaw Luanne , Dougherty Jeanette , Greenplate Allison R. , Pattekar Ajinkya , Kim Justin , Han Nicholas , Gouma Sigrid , Weirick Madison E. , Arevalo Claudia P. , Bolton Marcus J. , Goodwin Eileen C. , Anderson Elizabeth M. , Hensley Scott E. , Jones Tiffanie K. , Mangalmurti Nilam S. , Luning Prak Eline T. , Wherry E. John , Meyer Nuala J. , Betts Michael R.
Published: July 2020

Profound plasmablast expansion, innate cell modulation, and T cell activation are defining features of severe COVID-19.
A Comprehensive Genomics Solution for HIV Surveillance and Clinical Monitoring in Low-Income Settings
Authors: Bonsall David , Golubchik Tanya , de Cesare Mariateresa , Limbada Mohammed , Kosloff Barry , MacIntyre-Cockett George , Hall Matthew , Wymant Chris , Ansari M. Azim , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Schaap Ab , Brown Anthony , Barnes Eleanor , Piwowar-Manning Estelle , Eshleman Susan , Wilson Ethan , Emel Lynda , Hayes Richard , Fidler Sarah , Ayles Helen , Bowden Rory , Fraser Christophe ,   HPTN 071 (PopART) Team
Published: July 2020

Viral genetic sequencing can be used to monitor the spread of HIV drug resistance, identify appropriate antiretroviral regimes, and characterize transmission dynamics. Despite decreasing costs, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is still prohibitively costly for routine use in generalized HIV epidemics in low- and middle-income countries. Here, we present veSEQ-HIV, a high-throughput, cost-effective NGS sequencing method and computational pipeline tailored specifically to HIV, which can be performed using leftover blood drawn for routine CD4 cell count testing.
Draft Genome Sequences of Plant-Pathogenic Klebsiella variicola Strains Isolated from Plantain in Haiti
Authors: Fulton James C. , Klein Jeannie M. , Bec Sladana , Fayette Joubert , Garrett Karen A. , Jones Jeffrey B. , Timilsina Sujan , Harmon Carrie L.
Published: July 2020

The genus
Klebsiella
includes pathogenic and nonpathogenic species. We report the 5.57-Mb genome sequences of two
Klebsiella variicola
strains, G18-1365 and G18-1376, isolated from symptomatic plantain plants in Haiti. These strains are genetically closely related (average nucleotide identity [ANI] > 99%) to the previously described type strain of
K. variicola
, DSM 15968.
Genome Sequences of 14 Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains Isolated before and during the Time Frame of the 2018 Multistate Outbreak Associated with Romaine Lettuce
Authors: Stanton Eliot , Wagner Sara , Florek Kelsey R. , Kaspar Charles W.
Published: July 2020

Several outbreaks of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 associated with contaminated leafy green vegetables have been documented. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 14 strains isolated from human patients in the state of Wisconsin during a multistate outbreak in early 2018 that was linked to consumption of romaine lettuce.
New Draft Genome Sequence of the Ergot Disease Fungus Claviceps paspali
Authors: Oberti H. , Abreo E. , Reyno R. , Feijoo M. , Murchio S. , Dalla-Rizza M.
Published: July 2020

Here, we report a new draft genome sequence of an isolate of the ascomycete
Claviceps paspali
that is responsible for ergot disease in grasses of the
Paspalum
genus. This new draft genome sequence will provide useful data for evaluating intraspecies and interspecies genome variation in
C. paspali
and other
Claviceps
genus members.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Lactobacillus fermentum Strain Isolated from Domestic Sewage in Kerala, India
Authors: Babu Pradeesh , Veedu Archana Palillam , Prakash Vidhya , Prasad Megha , Salim Amrita , Madhavan Ajith , Nair Bipin G. , Pal Sanjay
Published: July 2020

We report the draft genome sequence of a putative probiotic strain,Lactobacillus fermentumASBT-2, isolated from domestic sewage in Kerala, India. The strain showed probiotic properties (tolerance to low pH and bile salts, binding to host matrix) and reduced the coliform count by 90% in a biofilter used to treat wastewater.
COVID-19: minimising contaminated aerosol spreading during CPAP treatment
Authors: Donaldsson Snorri , Naver Lars , Jonsson Baldvin , Drevhammar Thomas
Published: July 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concern for healthcare workers getting infected via aerosol from non-invasive respiratory support of infants. Attaching filters that remove viral particles in air from the expiratory limb of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices should theoretically decrease the risk. However, adding filters to the expiratory limb could add to expiratory resistance and thereby increase the imposed work of breathing (WOB).

Objective

To evaluate the effects on imposed WOB when attaching filters to the expiratory limb of CPAP devices.

Methods

Two filters were tested on three CPAP systems at two levels of CPAP in a mechanical lung model. Main outcome was imposed WOB.

Results

There was a minor increase in imposed WOB when attaching the filters. The differences between the two filters were small.

Conclusion

To minimise contaminated aerosol generation during CPAP treatment, filters can be attached to expiratory tubing with only a minimal increase in imposed WOB in a non-humidified environment. Care has to be taken to avoid filter obstruction and replace filters as recommended.
Novel risk stratification algorithm for estimating the risk of death in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma: external validation in a retrospective chart review
Authors: Hájek Roman , Gonzalez-McQuire Sebastian , Szabo Zsolt , Delforge Michel , DeCosta Lucy , Raab Marc S , Bouwmeester Walter , Campioni Marco , Briggs Andrew
Published: July 2020

Objectives and design

A novel risk stratification algorithm estimating risk of death in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma starting second-line treatment was recently developed using multivariable Cox regression of data from a Czech registry. It uses 16 parameters routinely collected in medical practice to stratify patients into four distinct risk groups in terms of survival expectation. To provide insight into generalisability of the risk stratification algorithm, the study aimed to validate the risk stratification algorithm using real-world data from specifically designed retrospective chart audits from three European countries.

Participants and setting

Physicians collected data from 998 patients (France, 386; Germany, 344; UK, 268) and applied the risk stratification algorithm.

Methods

The performance of the Cox regression model for predicting risk of death was assessed by Nagelkerke’s R2, goodness of fit and the C-index. The risk stratification algorithm’s ability to discriminate overall survival across four risk groups was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and HRs.

Results

Consistent with the Czech registry, the stratification performance of the risk stratification algorithm demonstrated clear differentiation in risk of death between the four groups. As risk groups increased, risk of death doubled. The C-index was 0.715 (95% CI 0.690 to 0.734).

Conclusions

Validation of the novel risk stratification algorithm in an independent ‘real-world’ dataset demonstrated that it stratifies patients in four subgroups according to survival expectation.
Protocol for a single-arm confirmatory trial of adjuvant chemoradiation for patients with high-risk rectal submucosal invasive cancer after local resection: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG1612 (RESCUE study)
Authors: Kadota Tomohiro , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Sasaki Takeshi , Saito Yutaka , Ito Masaaki , Mizutani Tomonori , Ogawa Gakuto , Shitara Kohei , Ito Yoshinori , Kushima Ryoji , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Muto Manabu
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Intestinal resection with lymph node dissection is the current standard treatment for high-risk lower rectal submucosal invasive cancer after local resection; however, surgery affects patients’ quality of life due to stoma placement or impaired anal sphincter function. A recent study demonstrated that adjuvant chemoradiation yields promising results.

Methods and analysis

This study aims to confirm the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemoradiation, consisting of capecitabine and concurrent radiotherapy (45 Gy in 25 fractions), measured by 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS), over standard surgery in patients with high-risk lower rectal submucosal invasive cancer after local resection. The primary endpoint is 5 year RFS. The secondary endpoints are 10 years RFS, 5-year and 10-year overall survival, 5-year and 10-year local RFS, 5-year and 10-year proportion of anus-preservation without stoma, Wexner score, low anterior resection syndrome score, adverse events and serious adverse events. During the 5-year trial period, 210 patients will be accrued from 65 Japanese institutions.

Ethics and dissemination

The National Cancer Center Hospital East Certified Review Board approved this study protocol in October 2018. The study is conducted in accordance with the precepts established in the Declaration of Helsinki and Clinical Trials Act. Written informed consent will be obtained from all eligible patients prior to registration. The primary results of this study will be published in an English article. In addition, the main results will be published on the websites of Japan Clinical Oncology Group (www.jcog.jp) and jRCT (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/). As to data curation, it has not been prepared yet.

Trial registration number

jRCT1031180076
Doctors’ professional identity and socialisation from medical students to staff doctors in Japan: narrative analysis in qualitative research from a family physician perspective
Authors: Haruta Junji , Ozone Sachiko , Hamano Jun
Published: July 2020

Objective

Becoming a doctor involves transforming a lay person into a medical professional, which is known as professional socialisation. However, few studies have clarified differences in the professional socialisation process in detail. The aim of this study was to clarify the process of professional socialisation of medical students to residents to staff doctors.

Design

We used narrative analysis in qualitative research as a theoretical framework.

Setting

This study was conducted in Japan.

Participants

Participants were collected using a purposive sample of doctors with over 7 years of medical experience. We conducted semistructured interviews from September 2015 to December 2016, then used a structured approach to integrate the sequence of events into coherent configurations.

Results

Participants were 13 males and 8 females with medical careers ranging from 8 to 30 years. All participants began to seriously consider their own career and embodied their ideal image of a doctor through clinical practice. As residents, the participants adapted as a member of the organisation of doctors. Subsequently, doctors exhibited four patterns: first, they smoothly transitioned from ‘peripheral’ to ‘full’ participation in the organisation; second, they could no longer participate peripherally but developed a professional image from individual social interactions; third, they were affected by outsiders’ perspectives and gradually participated peripherally; fourth, they could not regard the hospital as a legitimate organisation and could not participate fully.

Conclusion

The professional socialisation process comprises an institutional theory, professional persona, legitimate peripheral participation and threshold concepts. These findings may be useful in supporting professional development.
Effect and feasibility of district level scale up of maternal, newborn and child health interventions in Pakistan: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Memon Zahid Ali , Muhammad Shah , Soofi Sajid , Khan Nimra , Akseer Nadia , Habib Atif , Bhutta Zulfiqar
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Pakistan has a high burden of maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality. Several factors including weak scale-up of evidence-based interventions within the existing health system; lack of community awareness regarding health conditions; and poverty contribute to poor outcomes. Deaths and morbidity are largely preventable if a combination of community and facility-based interventions are rolled out at scale.

Methods and analysis

Umeed-e-Nau (UeN) (New Hope) project aims is to improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in eight high-burden districts of Pakistan by scaling up of evidence-based interventions. The project will assess interventions focused on, first, improving the quality of MNCH care at primary level and secondary level. Second, interventions targeting demand generation such as community mobilisation, creating awareness of healthy practices and expanding coverage of outreach services will be evaluated. Third, we will also evaluate interventions targeting the improvement in quality of routine health information and promotion of use of the data for decision-making. Hypothesis of the project is that roll out of evidence-based interventions at scale will lead to at least 20% reduction in perinatal mortality and 30% decrease in diarrhoea and pneumonia case fatality in the target districts whereas two intervention groups will serve as internal controls. Monitoring and evaluation of the programme will be undertaken through conducting periodical population level surveys and quality of care assessments. Descriptive and multivariate analytical methods will be used for assessing the association between different factors, and difference in difference estimates will be used to assess the impact of the intervention on outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

The ethics approval was obtained from the Aga Khan University Ethics Review Committee. The findings of the project will be shared with relevant stakeholders and disseminated through open access peer-reviewed journal articles.

Trial registration number

NCT04184544; Pre-results.