bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competition Between Plasmopara viticola Clade riparia and Clade aestivalis: A Race to Lead Grape Downy Mildew Epidemics
Authors: Mouafo-Tchinda Romaric A. , Fall Mamadou L. , Beaulieu Carole , Carisse Odile
Published: May 2022

There is evidence of five clades of Plasmopara viticola in the world. Only two clades, riparia and aestivalis, have been identified as responsible for downy mildew epidemics in Quebec, Canada. It was reported in 2021 that epidemics caused by clade riparia start 2 or 3 weeks before those caused by clade aestivalis and that clade aestivalis was more aggressive than clade riparia. The objective of this work was to study the competition between P. viticola clade riparia (A) and clade aestivalis (B) and to compare the aggressiveness of both clades in mono- and coinfection situations. Suspensions of sporangia from both clades with six percentage combinations (AB 100-0; AB 89-11; AB 74-26; AB 46-54; AB 23-77; and AB 0-100) were inoculated on leaf discs (cultivar Vidal), and three other combinations (AB 88-12; AB 68-32; and AB 47-53) were inoculated on living leaves of grape plants (cultivar Vidal). Then, sporangium production, expressed as the percentage of sporangia produced by each clade, was estimated on leaf discs after eight cycles of infection-sporulation and then validated on living grape leaves after five cycles. The aggressiveness of clades in monoinfection situations on leaf discs was compared with that in coinfection situations. The results show that the percentage of sporangia produced by clade aestivalis increases with the infection-sporulation cycle while that produced by clade riparia decreases. The area under the sporangium production progress curve (AUSPPC) of clade aestivalis was significantly higher than that of clade riparia. The aggressiveness of P. viticola clades riparia and aestivalis in coinfection situations was different from that in monoinfection situations and was strongly influenced by the percentage of each clade in competition. These results suggest that, on the grapevine cultivar Vidal, P. viticola clade aestivalis is more competitive than clade riparia and that the percentage of each clade present in the vineyard should be considered for management of downy mildew.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .
Fungicide Sensitivity of Gaeumannomyces Species Associated with Take-All Root Rot of St. Augustinegrass in Texas
Authors: Zidek Matthew , Jo Young-Ki
Published: May 2022

Gaeumannomyces species are soilborne fungi associated with take-all root rot (TARR) of St. Augustinegrass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum) and other warm-season turfgrasses. Penetrant fungicides, such as demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) and quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs), have been labeled and used for TARR management. Reports of turfgrass pathogens resistant to these fungicide groups are increasing. However, there is no fungicide sensitivity information for Gaeumannomyces species in turfgrass. In this study, sensitivities to QoI fungicide azoxystrobin and DMI fungicide tebuconazole were determined for Gaeumannomyces species ( G. graminicola, G. arxii, and G. floridanus) isolated from St. Augustinegrass in Texas. A discriminatory concentration of 0.1 µg a.i. ml−1 was deemed suitable for rapid screening and accurate prediction of the effective concentration of a fungicide that inhibits fungal growth by 50% (EC50) for tebuconazole and azoxystrobin. The EC50 values of Gaeumannomyces species ranged from 0.021 to 0.1 µg ml−1 for tebuconazole (with the exception of one isolate having an EC50 value = 0.296 µg ml−1) and from 0.014 to 0.399 µg ml−1 for azoxystrobin. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate fungicide sensitivities of Gaeumannomyces species associated with TARR in St. Augustinegrass to fungicides in the DMI and QoI chemical groups. Most isolates tested in this study can be considered sensitive to tebuconazole and azoxystrobin. This indicates that the fungicide resistance of Gaeumannomyces species from St. Augustinegrass in Texas lawns might not be prevalent at the moment. Future field validation needs to confirm in vitro sensitivities and field efficacy of tebuconazole and azoxystrobin.
Male Caregivers' Stories
Authors: Pierce Linda L. , Steiner Victoria
Published: May 2022

Men transitioning from noncaregiver to caregiver for their partner (wife or long-term friend) with stroke may find that role unsettling. Male caregivers' success stories in caring for these partners through authors' reflections from their experience are shared. These men's stories focused on achievements: (1) gaining confidence through functional improvement; (2) nurturing success through mutually positive attitude; and (3) resuming “normal” roles. Providers can learn from these accounts, sharing these success stories with other caregivers so that they can successfully adapt to new roles in caring for women partners with stroke.
US Nationwide Insight Into All-cause 30-day Readmissions following Inpatient Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Radadiya Dhruvil , Devani Kalpit , Ashhab Ashraf , Gaisinskaya Polina , Charilaou Paris , Reddy Chakradhar , Gaddam Srinivas
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims:

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with a high risk for morbidity, mortality, and hospital readmission. Data regarding those risks in the United States is scarce. We assessed post-ERCP 30-day readmission rates, their etiologies, and impact on the health care system using national data.

Methods:

Using the National Readmission Database 2016, we identified patients who underwent inpatient ERCP from January 2016 to December 2016 using ICD-10-CM procedure codes. The primary endpoint was all-cause 30-day readmission rate. Etiologies of readmission were identified by tallying primary diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression with complex survey design was used to identify independent risk factors associated with readmission.

Results:

A total of 130,145 patients underwent ERCP, 16,278 (12.5%) were readmitted within 30 days, with an associated cost of 268 million dollars. Nearly 40% of readmissions occurred within 7 days, and 47.9% were related to gastrointestinal etiologies. Male gender, increased comorbidities, cirrhosis, Medicare insurance, and pancreatitis or pancreatitis-related indications for ERCP were readmission risk factors. Performance of cholecystectomy on index hospitalization decreased odds of readmission by 50% (adjusted odds ratio: 0.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.52, P<0.0001). While academic and nonacademic centers had similar readmission rates, high ERCP volume centers had higher rates compared with low-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio:1.10, P=0.008).

Conclusion:

All-cause 30-day readmission rates after inpatient ERCPs are high, mostly occur shortly postdischarge, and impose a heavy health care system burden. Large, multicenter prospective studies assessing the impact of center procedure volume on complications and readmission rates are needed.
Primitive Myxoid Mesenchymal Tumor of Infancy With Fatal Hemorrhage In Utero: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Haga Mitsuhiro , Motojima Yukiko , Masuda Wataru , Fujino Takashi , Tamaru Jun-ichi , Nakamura Takumi , Oya Soichi , Amikura Takayuki , Higashino Masahiko , Kanai Masayo , Moriwaki Koichi
Published: May 2022

Primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy (PMMTI) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. We present the case of a newborn male who experienced a severe hemorrhage in utero from the tumor on the scalp. He died at the age of 24 hours owing to hemorrhagic shock. The tumor was posthumously diagnosed as PMMTI. A literature search indicated that cases of severe hemorrhage from soft tissue sarcomas in utero or at birth are limited to infantile fibrosarcoma. This is the first case of PMMTI with massive hemorrhage. Clinicians must be aware of hemorrhagic complications of PMMTI.
Outcomes of Pediatric Patients With Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma Treated With Interval Compression
Authors: Zandaki Dua’a , Ismael Taleb , Halalsheh Hadeel , Ibrahimi Ahmad K.H. , Sarhan Nasim , Ghandour Khalil , Shehadeh Ahmad , Sultan Iyad
Published: May 2022

Background:

Interval compression (IC), a regimen of alternating vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide/etoposide every 2 weeks, improves survival for localized Ewing sarcoma (ES), with uncertain effect on metastatic disease.

Materials and Methods:

We reviewed the charts of pediatric patients with metastatic ES treated with IC at our center between January 2013 and March 2020. We calculated event-free survival and overall survival (OS) and used log-rank tests for univariate comparisons.

Results:

We identified 34 patients 2.7 to 17.1 years of age (median: 11.6 y). Twenty-six patients (76%) had pulmonary metastases, and 14 (41%) had extrapulmonary metastases. All patients received local control therapy: surgery only (n=7, 21%), radiotherapy only (n=18, 53%), or both (n=9, 26%). The estimated 3-year OS and event-free survival were 62%±9% and 39%±9%, respectively. Patients with pulmonary-only and extrapulmonary metastasis had a 3-year OS of 88%±8% and 27%±13%, respectively (P=0.0074). Age group (above vs. below 12 y), or primary tumor site did not affect survival, but local control therapy did (surgery only, 83%±15%; combined surgery and radiation, 30%±18%; radiation only, 15%±10%; P=0.048).

Conclusion:

IC yielded similar outcomes for patients with metastatic ES to other reported regimens. We suggest including this approach to other blocks of therapy.
Soft Tissue and Visceral Organ Sarcomas With BCOR Alterations
Authors: Whittle Sarah B. , Fetzko Stephanie , Roy Angshumoy , Venkatramani Rajkumar
Published: May 2022

Sarcomas with BCOR alteration are a heterogenous group characterized by changes including internal tandem duplications (ITDs) and recurring fusions with CCNB3, ZC3H7B, and other rare partners. With widespread genomic testing, these alterations are now associated with histologies such as Ewing-like sarcoma (BCOR::CCNB3), high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ZC3H7B::BCOR), and clear cell sarcoma of kidney (BCOR-ITD). BCOR altered sarcomas of soft tissues and organs were identified through PubMed using keywords “Sarcoma (AND) BCOR” from 2005 through October 2021. Summary statistics and outcome data were calculated using STATA v12.1. Forty-one publications described 190 patients with BCOR altered soft tissue or organ sarcomas. BCOR-ITD was most common, followed by BCOR::CCNB3, ZC3H7B::BCOR. BCOR-ITD tumors occurred mainly in infants, BCOR::CCNB3 commonly occurred in adolescent young adults, and ZC3H7B::BCOR only in adults. The most common site for BCOR::CCNB3 fused tumors was extremity, BCOR-ITD kidney and ZC3H7B::BCOR uterus. Metastasis was rare in patients with BCOR::CCNB3. While most underwent resection and chemotherapy, few received radiation. Median follow-up of survivors was 24 months. Five year overall survival for patients with BCOR::CCNB3 fusions was 68% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 46%-83%). Patients with BCOR-ITD and ZC3H7B::BCOR had worse prognoses with 5 years overall survival of 35% (95% CI: 15%-56%) and 41% (95% CI: 11%-71%), respectively, demonstrating need for collaborative efforts identifying optimal treatments to improve outcomes.
New Approaches Promise to Improve Local Ewing Sarcoma Results
Authors: Cohen Ian J. , Ash Shifra
Published: May 2022

The study by Whelan and colleagues showed that addition of busulfan and melphalan conditioning and autologous stem cell rescue to conventional EURO-E.W.I.N.G STUDY chemotherapy in local nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma improves prognosis. However, almost 30% of these study patients will have relapsed before this stage of therapy is reached, and 78% of his patients were at high risk because of inadequate response to the initial chemotherapy given. Further improvement could be achieved by the integration of other novel advances with this approach. Ash and colleagues have shown that the separation of such cases into high- and low-risk groups by using CD56 negativity of the tumor cells is an improvement over current methods with a 100% 10-year progression-free survival in CD56− nonpelvic local isolated Ewing sarcoma patients. Their patients were treated on the SCMCIE 94 protocol, associated with no relapses before 30 months in 24 consecutive patients independent of the CD status. Integration of these novel approaches in diagnosis and treatment would allow truly high-risk patients, who would benefit from the procedure, to reach the busulfan and melphalan stage of therapy and delineate those patients who can be cured without such therapy. Details of the SCMCIE 94 protocol are given and the possible reasons for the different relapse patterns are discussed.
A Stakeholder Evaluation of an RN-to-BSN Academic Progression Program
Authors: Dixon Mary E. , White Kenneth R. , Hinton Ivora , DeGennaro Regina , Dowling Tomeka
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate programmatic elements supporting BSN attainment by employed nurses holding associate degrees or diplomas, using a stakeholder involvement approach.

BACKGROUND

Studies have associated higher percentages of baccalaureate-prepared nurses with improved clinical outcomes. Since 2013, the study organization supported an RN-to-BSN requirement with an academic progression benefit program and achieved an 80% BSN goal by 2021.

METHODS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Framework for Program Evaluation was used. A mixed methods approach was orchestrated by a stakeholder team to explore use and importance of programmatic elements, and motivators and barriers for degree attainment, using an online survey and focus groups.

RESULTS

Respondents revealed a significant association between BSN degree attainment and financial assistance and perceived importance of financial assistance and educational fairs.

CONCLUSIONS

Validating organizational tactics is important for achieving increased numbers of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and supportive of the cost-effective use of resources.
Reawakening Neuritis of the Median Nerve after Carpal Tunnel Release: Defining and Predicting Patients at Risk
Authors: Roberts John M. , Muller John N. , Hancock Patrick C. , Loloi Justin , Hollenbeak Christopher S. , Taylor Kenneth F.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Patients with long-standing carpal tunnel symptoms may develop transient and, paradoxically, worsened neuropathic pain immediately following release. The authors have termed this “reawakening phenomenon.” The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of patients with this phenomenon to those with a standard postoperative course.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent carpal tunnel release at a single institution between January of 2012 to December of 2017. Patients demonstrating increased neuropathic pain in the median nerve distribution postoperatively without evidence of complex regional pain syndrome were included. A comparison cohort was composed of the remaining patients identified. Demographic data, medical history, carpal tunnel history, and electromyogram and nerve conduction study findings were recorded.

Results:

A total of 640 patients were identified; 440 met criteria. Seventeen patients were found to have symptoms consistent with median nerve reawakening phenomenon. The reawakening cohort was older (71.1 versus 56.8 years), more likely to have evidence of thenar muscle atrophy (58.8 percent versus 13.48 percent), and more likely to have fibrillations and sharp waves on electrodiagnostic studies. Although not statistically significant, they also had a longer duration of symptoms (4.9 versus 2.9 years). Of those patients with reawakening phenomenon, 14 had resolution of their symptoms at an average period of 4.4 months. Three remaining patients who were subjectively symptomatic had normal or improved postoperative electromyogram and nerve conduction studies.

Conclusions:

Reawakening of the median nerve has not been previously described but occurs in 3.9 percent of hands following routine carpal tunnel release. Preoperative counseling of patients at high risk for reawakening phenomenon is recommended.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, III.
Ex Vivo Machine Thrombolysis Reduces Rethrombosis Rates in Salvaged Thrombosed Myocutaneous Flaps in Swine
Authors: Brouwers Kaj , Kruit Anne Sophie , van Midden Dominique , Rijpma Sanna R. , Schuijt Tim J. , Koers Erik J. , Zegers Her J. H. , Hummelink Stefan , Ulrich Dietmar J. O.
Published: May 2022

Background:

There is a risk for thrombotic complications (2 to 5 percent) associated with microsurgical reconstruction. Current thrombolytic therapy has a salvage rate between 60 and 70 percent, but it is afflicted by bleeding complications (2 to 6 percent). The use of machine perfusion for delivering thrombolytic agents is a new method that could potentially reduce these complications. In this article, the authors compared flap salvage outcomes comparing machine thrombolysis versus a manual flush with tissue plasminogen activator.

Methods:

Sixteen bilateral flaps (12 × 9 cm) were dissected from eight female Dutch Landrace pigs (70 kg). Thrombosis was induced in free rectus abdominis flaps by clamping the pedicle’s veins for 2 hours. Flaps were either thrombolysed with 2 mg tissue plasminogen activator (1 mg/ml) during 2 hours of machine perfusion (perfusion group; n = 8) or injected intraarterially (manual group; n = 8) before replantation. Near-infrared fluorescence angiography was used to confirm thrombus formation and to assess tissue perfusion; muscle biopsy specimens were analyzed for ischemia/reperfusion injury directly after thrombolysis and 15 hours after replantation.

Results:

A higher incidence of secondary thrombosis was seen in the manual group compared to the perfusion group (n = 6 versus n = 0, respectively; p < 0.001), resulting in two complete flap failures. Fifteen hours after replantation, mean fluorescence intensities were 13.0 (95 percent CI, 10.1 to 15.8) and 24.6 (95 percent CI, 22.0 to 27.2) in the perfusion and manual group, respectively (p < 0.001), and mean muscle injury scores were comparable, measuring 7.5 ± 1.5.

Conclusion:

Two hours of machine thrombolysis of compromised flaps in a porcine model showed higher salvage rates compared to a manual injection with tissue plasminogen activator and reduced the incidence of secondary thrombosis.

Clinical Relevance Statement:

Using machine perfusion systems for ex vivo thrombolysis provides the benefits of local treatment of a composite tissue without the risk of systemic complications and may improve salvage rates and reduce the incidence of secondary thrombosis.
Long-Term Outcomes After Vaginal and Laparoscopic Mesh Hysteropexy for Uterovaginal Prolapse: A Parallel Cohort Study (eVAULT)
Authors: Fitzgerald Jocelyn J. , Sokol Eric R. , Rardin Charles R. , Cundiff Geoffrey W. , Paraiso Marie Fidela R. , Chou Jiling , Gutman Robert E.
Published: May 2022

Importance

Data on long-term mesh hysteropexy outcomes are limited. This study provides 7-year data from the original VAULT (Vaginal and Laparoscopic Mesh Hysteropexy for Uterovaginal Prolapse Trial) study.

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes and success for laparoscopic sacral hysteropexy (LSHP) and vaginal mesh hysteropexy (VMHP).

Study Design

This multicenter, prospective parallel cohort was an extension to the initial VAULT study. Subjects were contacted, and informed consent was obtained. We collected baseline demographics and the latest Pelvic Organ Prolapse–Quantification examination data from chart review and conducted telephone interviews to update demographic information and collect Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short-Form, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, prolapse reoperation/pessary use, and complications. Surgical success was defined as no bulge symptoms, satisfaction score of “very much better” or “much better,” and no reoperation/pessary use.

Results

Five of 8 original sites enrolled 53 subjects (LSHP n = 34 and VMHP n = 19). The LSHP group was younger (67 vs 74, P < 0.01), but there were no differences in parity, body mass index, menopause, race, insurance, tobacco use, or Charlson Comorbidity Index. The median subjective follow-up was 7.3 ± 0.9 years. Composite success was 82% LSHP versus 74% VMHP. Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short-Form composite scores were similar at baseline and improved for both groups (P < 0.01) with lower bother observed in the LSHP group (20.8 vs 43.8, P = 0.01). There were no differences in complications.

Conclusions

Over 7 years after surgery, LSHP and VMHP have high success, low retreatment, and low complication rates that did not differ between groups. Although there is a trend toward better anatomic support in the LSHP group, these findings were not significant and we are underpowered to detect a difference.
Adverse Events for Overactive Bladder Medications From a Public Federal Database
Authors: Sze Christina , Drangsholt Siri , Stoddard Michelina D. , Singh Zorawar , Sansone Stephanie , Bhojani Naeem , Zorn Kevin , Elterman Dean , Chughtai Bilal
Published: May 2022

Importance

Clinical data on the use of overactive bladder (OAB) medications are limited by the physician interpretation of adverse effects rather than those that are patient reported.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between OAB medications and adverse drug events (ADEs) through the self-reporting U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Report System database.

Study Design

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Report System (FAERS) database was queried from 2004 to 2019. Adverse drug events were recategorized. Disproportionality analysis was used to detect the risk signals for each OAB medication and ADEs. χ2 values were calculated to assess the association between ADEs and dosage.

Results

A total number of 14,102 reports were identified. The most frequently reported OAB medications were mirabegron (35%), transdermal oxybutynin (27%), and solifenacin (25%). Neuropsychiatric (NP) ADEs were highest with tolterodine and fesoterodine usage (16% and 15.6%, respectively) and transdermal oxybutynin had the lowest (6.5%). Increasing the dose of tolterodine or fesoterodine was not associated with increased NP ADEs. Oxybutynin had the highest risk of affect/mood disorder, agitation, and balance/movement disorder; however, it had the lowest risk of headache/migraine compared with all OAB medications. Mirabegron compared with all other OAB medications had the lowest risk of affect/mood disorder and agitation; however, it had the highest risk of headache and migraines.

Conclusions

The FAERS database not only is a repository of ADEs but also may represent evolving prescribing habits for OAB medications. Transdermal oxybutynin had the lowest NP ADEs and may be appropriate for selected individuals.
The Relationship Between Perineal Body Size, Total Vaginal Length, Apical Prolapse, and Prolapse Symptoms
Authors: Kinay Tugba , Tapisiz Omer Lutfi , Kiykac Altinbas Sadiman , Kayikcioglu Fulya , Karakaya Jale , Moraloglu Tekin Ozlem
Published: May 2022

Importance

Currently, apical prolapse is diagnosed via assessing the levels of C and D points in the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system. However, it is not yet known whether the other components of this system are useful for diagnosing apical prolapse and its symptoms.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the perineal body size (PB), total vaginal length (TVL), and apical prolapse and its symptoms.

Study Design

Two hundred women, 100 women with apical prolapse and 100 women without, were included in this cross-sectional study. The association between the PB, TVL, and apical prolapse and its symptoms were evaluated. The relationship between the other POP-Q measurements and apical prolapse/prolapse symptoms were also evaluated as the secondary outcome of the study.

Results

The TVL (cutoff value, ≤8 cm; sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 60%) and the genital hiatus size (GH; cutoff value of >4.5 cm; sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 91%) were significantly associated with apical prolapse. The PB cutoff value of 3.4 cm or less had lower sensitivity (49%) and specificity (70%) for the diagnosis of apical prolapse. The GH (cutoff value, >4.8 cm; area under curve [AUC], 0.927), C (cutoff value, >−5.8 cm; AUC, 0.955), and Ba (cutoff value, >−1.1 cm; AUC, 0.891) were significantly associated with apical prolapse symptoms. However, there was no association between the PB or TVL with symptoms.

Conclusions

The study results showed that the TVL and GH were more strongly associated with apical prolapse than PB. The GH, C, and Ba were also associated with prolapse symptoms, but PB and TVL were not.
Occultella gossypii sp. nov., an alkali-resistant isolate from soil sampled in a cotton field
Authors: Ge Xianfeng , Huang Ruirui , Liu Wenzheng
Published: May 2022

A non-spore-forming, motile and alkali-resistant actinobacterium, designated N2-46T, was isolated from an alkaline soil sample collected from a cotton field in the Xinjiang region of PR China. Strain N2-46T formed creamy colonies on tryptone soy agar and managed to survive in extreme alkaline conditions at a pH value of 11. Strain N2-46T displayed the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity of 99.65 % to

Haloactinobacterium kanbiaonis

HY164T, followed by

Occultella aeris

F300T (99.61%) and

Occultella glacieicola

T3246-1T (98.54 %). 16S rRNA-directed phylogenetic analysis showed that strain N2-46T was embedded in a subclade with

O. aeris

F300T with a bootstrap value of 71.8 %. The phylogenetic tree based on core genes of genome sequences showed that strain N2-46T formed a unique subclade next to

H. kanbiaonis

HY164T and

O. aeris

F300T with a bootstrap value of 100 %. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization and the average nucleotide identity analyses showed that strain N2-46T displayed the highest values of 67.1 % (63.2–70.7 %) and 91.82 % with

H. kanbiaonis

HY164T, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that strain N2-46T and its three closest neighbours exhibited comparable distribution patterns in heavy metal resistance genes and biosynthetic gene clusters, while displaying distinctions probably related to ecological adaptation. MK-8(H4) was identified as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The main fatty acids were identified as iso-C14 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. Polar lipids are composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, mono and diacylated phosphatidylinositol dimannosides, as well as several uncharacterized polar lipid, glycolipid, and phospholipids. Genotypic and physiological analyses support the view that strain N2-46T (=JCM 34413T=CGMCC 1.18819T) should be classified as a novel species of the genus

Occultella

, for which the name Occultella gossypii sp. nov. is proposed.
Bacterial protein secretion systems: Game of types
Authors: Filloux Alain
Published: May 2022

Protein trafficking across the bacterial envelope is a process that contributes to the organisation and integrity of the cell. It is the foundation for establishing contact and exchange between the environment and the cytosol. It helps cells to communicate with one another, whether they establish symbiotic or competitive behaviours. It is instrumental for pathogenesis and for bacteria to subvert the host immune response. Understanding the formation of envelope conduits and the manifold strategies employed for moving macromolecules across these channels is a fascinating playground. The diversity of the nanomachines involved in this process logically resulted in an attempt to classify them, which is where the protein secretion system types emerged. As our knowledge grew, so did the number of types, and their rightful nomenclature started to be questioned. While this may seem a semantic or philosophical issue, it also reflects scientific rigour when it comes to assimilating findings into textbooks and science history. Here I give an overview on bacterial protein secretion systems, their history, their nomenclature and why it can be misleading for newcomers in the field. Note that I do not try to suggest a new nomenclature. Instead, I explore the reasons why naming could have escaped our control and I try to reiterate basic concepts that underlie protein trafficking cross membranes.
A human activity-aware shared control solution for medical human–robot interaction
Authors: Su Hang , Qi Wen , Schmirander Yunus , Ovur Salih Ertug , Cai Shuting , Xiong Xiaoming
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a human activity-aware adaptive shared control solution for human–robot interaction in surgical operation. Hands-on control and teleoperation are two main procedures switched frequently in teleoperated minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The detailed human activity in the procedures can be defined and recognized using the sensor information. In this paper, a novel continuous adaptive shared control method is proposed for manipulators with Cartesian impedance control in the surgical scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

A human activity-aware shared control solution by adjusting the weight function is introduced to achieve smooth transition among different human activities, including hands-on control and teleoperation. Instead of introducing various controllers and switching among them during the surgical procedures, the proposed solution integrated all the human activity-based controllers into a single controller and the transition among the procedures is smooth and stable. The effectiveness of the proposed control approach was verified in a lab setup environment. The results prove that the robot behavior is stable and smooth. The algorithm is feasible and can achieve a human activity-aware adaptive shared control solution for human–robot interaction in surgical operation.

Findings

Based on the experiment, the results confirm that the proposed human activity-aware adaptive shared control solution can switch the device behavior automatically using the real-time sensor information. The transition between different activities is smooth and stable.

Practical implications

For teleoperated surgical applications, the proposed method integrated different controllers for various human activities into a single controller by recognizing the activities using the real-time sensor information and the transition between different procedures is smooth and stable. It eases the surgical work for the surgeon and enhances the safety during the transition of control modes. The presented scheme provides a general solution to address the switching of working procedures in teleoperated MIS.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to propose human activity-aware adaptive shared control solution for human–robot interaction in surgical operations.
Anti-vibration control design for TORA based barge-type offshore floating wind turbine using extended order high gain observer
Authors: Shah Syed Awais Ali , Gao Bingtuan , Bhatia Ajeet Kumar , Liu Chuande , Rauf Arshad
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Barge-type offshore floating wind turbine (OFWT) commonly exhibits an under-actuated phenomenon in an offshore environment, which leads to a potential vibration-damping hazard. This article aims to provide a new robust output feedback anti-vibrational control scheme for the novel translational oscillator with rotational actuator (TORA) based five-degrees of freedom (5-DOF) barge-type OFWT in the presence of unwanted disturbances and modeling uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an active control technique called TORA has been used to design a 5-DOF barge-type OFWT model, where the mathematical model of the proposed system is derived by using Euler–Lagrange's equations. The robust hierarchical backstepping integral nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (HBINTSMC) with an adaptive gain is used in conjunction with extended order high gain observer (EHGO) to achieve system stabilization in the presence of unwanted disturbances and modeling uncertainties. The numerical simulations based on MATLAB/SIMULINK have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and control law.

Findings

The numerical simulation results affirm the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed control law for the TORA based OFWT system. The results demonstrate that the proposed control law is robust against unwanted disturbances and uncertainties. The unknown states are accurately estimated by EHGO which enables the controller to exhibit improved stabilization performance.

Originality/value

A new mathematical model of the 5-DOF barge-type OFWT system based on TORA is the major contribution of this research paper. Furthermore, it provides a new adaptive anti-vibration control scheme by incorporating the EHGO for the proposed model.
An adaptive polynomial dimensional decomposition method and its application in reliability analysis
Authors: Sheng Xiangqian , Fan Wenliang , Zhang Qingbin , Li Zhengling
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The polynomial dimensional decomposition (PDD) method is a popular tool to establish a surrogate model in several scientific areas and engineering disciplines. The selection of appropriate truncated polynomials is the main topic in the PDD. In this paper, an easy-to-implement adaptive PDD method with a better balance between precision and efficiency is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the original random variables are transformed into corresponding independent reference variables according to the statistical information of variables. Second, the performance function is decomposed as a summation of component functions that can be approximated through a series of orthogonal polynomials. Third, the truncated maximum order of the orthogonal polynomial functions is determined through the nonlinear judgment method. The corresponding expansion coefficients are calculated through the point estimation method. Subsequently, the performance function is reconstructed through appropriate orthogonal polynomials and known expansion coefficients.

Findings

Several examples are investigated to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method compared with the other methods in reliability analysis.

Originality/value

The number of unknown coefficients is significantly reduced, and the computational burden for reliability analysis is eased accordingly. The coefficient evaluation for the multivariate component function is decoupled with the order judgment of the variable. The proposed method achieves a good trade-off of efficiency and accuracy for reliability analysis.
Numerical solution for high-order ordinary differential equations using H-ELM algorithm
Authors: Lu Yanfei , Weng Futian , Sun Hongli
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a novel algorithm to solve initial/boundary value problems of high-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and high-order system of ordinary differential equations (SODEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is based on Hermite polynomials and extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm. The Hermite polynomials are chosen as basis function of hidden neurons. The approximate solution and its derivatives are expressed by utilizing Hermite network. The model function is designed to automatically meet the initial or boundary conditions. The network parameters are obtained by solving a system of linear equations using the ELM algorithm.

Findings

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a variety of differential equations are selected and their numerical solutions are obtained by utilizing the Hermite extreme learning machine (H-ELM) algorithm. Experiments on the common and random data sets indicate that the H-ELM model achieves much higher accuracy, lower complexity but stronger generalization ability than existed methods. The proposed H-ELM algorithm could be a good tool to solve higher order linear ODEs and higher order linear SODEs.

Originality/value

The H-ELM algorithm is developed for solving higher order linear ODEs and higher order linear SODEs; this method has higher numerical accuracy and stronger superiority compared with other existing methods.
Readiness for lean-sustainability in start-ups during the COVID-19 era
Authors: Sreenivasan Aswathy , Suresh M.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 epidemic using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM).

Design/methodology/approach

A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data in addition to the scheduled interview. The TISM methodology is used to determine how the variables interact, and the matrice d’Impacts croises-multiplication applique´ a classement (MICMAC) method is used to rank and categorise the lean-sustainability enablers.

Findings

This study identified ten lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study says that the key factors are leadership and managerial commitment, implementation of employee skills and abilities, strategic need, personnel engagement and financial ability.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused primarily on lean-sustainability characteristics for start-ups.

Practical implications

This research will aid key stakeholders and academics in better understanding the factors that contribute to lean-sustainability in start-ups.

Originality/value

This study proposes the TISM technique for start-ups, which is a novel attempt in the subject of lean-sustainability in this industry.
Corporate governance reforms and risk disclosure quality: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Gull Ammar Ali , Abid Ammar , Hussainey Khaled , Ahsan Tanveer , Haque Abdul
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance (hereafter, CG) reforms on the risk disclosure quality in an emerging economy, namely Pakistan. The authors also investigate the impact of CG reforms on the relationship between CG practices and risk disclosure quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a manual content analysis method to a sample of non-financial companies listed on the PSX-100 index for 2009–2015, to examine the impact of CG reforms on risk disclosure quality. The authors use pooled ordinary least squares and the system GMM estimations to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The authors find that CG reforms have a positive impact on risk disclosure quality. The results indicate that certain CG practices such as CEO duality and board independence are associated with risk disclosure quality. Interestingly, the findings also highlight the effectiveness of CG reforms by showing that the revised code positively moderates the CG practices and risk disclosure relationship.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have policy implications for regulatory bodies of emerging economies trying to strengthen the CG structures and to introduce risk disclosure regulations to cater the information need of stakeholders.

Originality/value

The authors provide new empirical evidence for the impact of CG reforms on risk disclosure quality using a unique setting of an emerging economy, namely Pakistan.
Understanding tourists' policing attitudes and travel intentions towards a destination during an ongoing social movement
Authors: Lai Michael T.H. , Yeung Emmy , Leung Rosanna
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Policing activities aim to provide a safe environment for tourists. With the recent major protests that have erupted around the world, and the novel use of excessive police force against protestors, people may wonder if the policing deployment is for destination safety or to deter tourists from visiting. This paper aims to investigate anti-police and pro-police attitudes and tourists' behavioural responses towards a popular destination experiencing an ongoing social movement.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected between December 2019 and January 2020 (during the social movement). An online survey with a snowball sampling method was adopted to reach international tourists who were aware of the social movement in Hong Kong.

Findings

The results revealed that an individual with an anti-police attitude was found to be related to cognitive and affective destination images and perceived risks while those holding a pro-police attitude were more concerned with destination images only. No significant correlation was found between attitudes towards policing and travel intention.

Originality/value

This research presents a first attempt to investigate the relationship between tourists' policing attitudes and their behavioural responses during an ongoing social movement in a popular destination city.
Broad‐ and small‐scale environmental gradients drive variation in chemical, but not morphological, leaf traits of vascular epiphytes
Authors: Guzmán‐Jacob Valeria , Guerrero‐Ramírez Nathaly R. , Craven Dylan , Brant Paterno Gustavo , Taylor Amanda , Krömer Thorsten , Wanek Wolfgang , Zotz Gerhard , Kreft Holger
Published: May 2022

Variation in leaf functional traits along environmental gradients can reveal how vascular epiphytes respond to broad‐ and small‐scale environmental gradients. Along elevational gradients, both temperature and precipitation likely play an important role as drivers of leaf trait variation, but these traits may also respond to small‐scale changes in light, temperature and humidity along the vertical environmental gradient within forest canopies. However, the relative importance of broad‐ and small‐scale environmental gradients as drivers of variation in leaf functional traits of vascular epiphytes is poorly understood.

Here, we examined variation in morphological and chemical leaf traits of 102 vascular epiphyte species spanning two environmental gradients along Cofre de Perote mountain in Mexico: (i) a broad‐scale environmental gradient approximated by elevation as well as by species' lower and upper elevational limits, and (ii) small‐scale environmental gradients using the relative height of attachment of an epiphyte on a host tree as a proxy for variation in environmental conditions within the forest canopy. We also assessed whether variation in morphological and chemical leaf traits along these gradients was consistent across photosynthetic pathways (CAM and C3).

Broad‐ and small‐scale environmental gradients explained more variation in chemical traits (marginal R2: 11%–89%) than in morphological traits (marginal R2: 2%–31%). For example, leaf carbon isotope signatures (δ13C), which reflects water‐use efficiency, varied systematically across both environmental gradients, suggesting a decrease in water‐use efficiency with increasing lower and upper elevational limits and an increase in water‐use efficiency with relative height of attachment. The influence of lower and upper elevational limits on trait variation differed between photosynthetic pathways, except for leaf dry matter content and leaf nitrogen‐to‐phosphorus ratio. Contrary to our expectations, broad‐ and small‐scale environmental gradients explained minimal variation in morphological leaf traits, suggesting that environmental conditions do not constrain morphological leaf trait values of vascular epiphytes.

Our findings suggest that assessing multiple drivers of leaf trait variation among photosynthetic pathways is key for disentangling the mechanisms underlying responses of vascular epiphytes to environmental conditions.

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Root trait shifts towards an avoidance strategy promote productivity and recovery in C3 and C4 pasture grasses under drought
Authors: Chandregowda Manjunatha H. , Tjoelker Mark G. , Pendall Elise , Zhang Haiyang , Churchill Amber C. , Power Sally A.
Published: May 2022

Plant species show a broad spectrum of plasticity in their covarying root traits in response to soil water limitation ranging from no change to shifts towards traits that enhance water and nutrient acquisition. Knowledge of root trait correlations and associated trait plasticity under drought is crucial to sustaining grassland production, including rangelands and pastures, under future, drier climates.

Here, we investigated below‐ground responses to drought in four C3 and three C4 grasses and whether these explain above‐ground responses during extreme cool‐season drought and post‐drought recovery in a well‐replicated field experiment. We hypothesised that (a) C3 and C4 functional groups differ in their below‐ground trait responses to drought: C3 species shift their traits in line with a drought avoidance strategy and C4 species shift towards drought tolerance strategies; (b) post‐drought recovery is associated with below‐ground carbon reserves in both functional groups.

Root traits in the C3 functional group differed from C4 by having higher values for specific root length, nitrogen and soluble sugar concentrations, while C4 root traits were associated with higher mean diameter, tissue density and starch concentrations. Drought‐induced plasticity in root traits in both functional groups was evidenced by increased values for specific root length, soluble sugars and nitrogen concentrations, and reduced values for tissue density, which we interpret as a drought avoidance strategy. Increasing root soluble sugars in C3 and C4 grasses and lower root tissue density in C4 species under drought were associated with greater above‐ground productivity. Above‐ground biomass recovery post‐drought was predicted by root and crown soluble sugar concentrations and root longevity across both plant functional groups.

These findings highlight the importance of understanding links between root trait plasticity and plant productivity during and following drought for predicting plant species' responses to changes in a future climate.

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