bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VHL ligand binding increases intracellular level of VHL
Authors: Frost Julianty , Rocha Sonia , Ciulli Alessio
Published: April 2021

The von–Hippel Lindau (VHL) protein is a tumour suppressor protein frequently mutated in the VHL disease, which functions as substrate recognition subunit of a Cul2 E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL2VHL). CRL2VHLplays an important role in oxygen sensing, by binding and targeting Hypoxia Inducible Factor-alpha subunits (HIF-alpha) for ubiquitination and degradation. VHL is also commonly hijacked by heterobifunctional degrader molecules known as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In previous work we reported the structure-based design and functional characterisation of VHL inhibitors (VH032 and VH298) that induce the HIF response in cells. Here, we use unbiased quantitative mass spectrometry to identify the proteomic changes elicited by the VHL inhibitor and compare this to hypoxia or broad-spectrum prolyl-hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzyme inhibitor IOX2. Our results demonstrate the VHL inhibitor selectively activates the HIF response that is also present in the hypoxia- and IOX2-induced proteomic changes. Interestingly, VHL inhibitors were found to selectively upregulate a single protein, which is VHL itself. Our analysis revealed that this occurs via protein stabilisation of VHL isoforms and not via changes in transcript levels. Increased VHL levels upon VH298 treatment resulted in turn to reduced levels of HIF-1α protein. Our results demonstrate the high specificity of VHL inhibitors and suggest that use of these inhibitors would not produce overtly side effects due to prolonged HIF stabilisation. They also exemplify the concept that small-molecule binding induced protein stabilisation can increase protein levels inside cells.
Development of the GM(1,1,⊗b) model with a trapezoidal possibility function and its application
Authors: Li Shuliang , Gong Ke , Zeng Bo , Zhou Wenhao , Zhang Zhouyi , Li Aixing , Zhang Li
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to overcome the weakness of the traditional model, in which the grey action quantity is a real number and thus leads to a “unique solution” and to build the model with a trapezoidal possibility degree function.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the system input and output block diagram of the model, the interval grey action quantity is restored under the condition of insufficient system influencing factors, and the trapezoidal possibility degree function is formed. Based on that, a new model able to output non-unique solutions is constructed.

Findings

The model satisfies the non-unique solution principle of the grey theory under the condition of insufficient information. The model is compatible with the traditional model in structure and modelling results. The validity and practicability of the new model are verified by applying it in simulating the ecological environment water consumption in the Yangtze River basin.

Practical implications

In this study, the interval grey number form of grey action quantity is restored under the condition of insufficient system influencing factors, and the unique solution to the problem of the traditional model is solved. It is of great value in enriching the theoretical system of grey prediction models.

Social implications

Taking power consumption as an example, the accurate prediction of the future power consumption level is related to the utilization efficiency of the power infrastructure investment. If the prediction of the power consumption level is too low, it will lead to the insufficient construction of the power infrastructure and the frequent occurrence of “power shortage” in the power industry. If the prediction is too high, it will lead to excessive investment in the power infrastructure. As a result, the overall surplus of power supply will lead to relatively low operation efficiency. Therefore, building an appropriate model for the correct interval prediction is a better way to solve such problems. The model proposed in this study is an effective one to solve such problems.

Originality/value

A new grey prediction model with its interval grey action quantity based on the trapezoidal possibility degree function is proposed for the first time.
Unpacking the SEC’s new disgorgement powers
Authors: Ryan Russ , Baughman Matthew H. , Lawrence Carmen J. , Lipson Aaron W. , Walker Richard H. , Rapoport Jessica , Barry Katie , Hiers Scott
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To analyze the impact of recent legislation that amended the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to expressly empower the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to seek disgorgement in federal district court proceedings and to codify applicable statutes of limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

This article provides an overview of the authors’ prior work analyzing courts’ treatment of SEC disgorgement and summarizes how the scope of the remedy has evolved since Kokesh v. SEC (2017). Then, the article analyzes the changes to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 contained in Section 6501 the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which statutorily empowered the SEC to seek and obtain disgorgement in federal court actions. Finally, the authors discuss the impact of the legislation on the Supreme Court’s decisions in Kokesh and Liu v. SEC (2020).

Findings

The availability and appropriateness of SEC disgorgement have been the subject of vigorous debate. Just as courts began to iron out the contours of SEC disgorgement in the wake of Kokesh and Liu, Congress intervened by granting to the SEC explicit statutory authority to seek a remedy traditionally obtained at equity. In passing this legislation, Congress answered some questions that remained after Liu but also raised many new ones. These new questions will likely take years to resolve through subsequent litigation and potentially additional legislation.

Originality/value

Original, practical analysis and guidance from experienced lawyers in financial services regulatory and enforcement practices, many of whom have previously worked in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.
Getting critical with disciplinary literacy: a read aloud strategy
Authors: Wrenn Melissa , Gallagher Jennifer L.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explain and demonstrate a critical disciplinary read aloud strategy that has both an equity goal and a social studies goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors begin by explaining background information on read alouds and critical disciplinary literacy. Then, the authors explain the four steps in the critical disciplinary literacy read aloud strategy. As the authors do so, they share important research that supports each of the four steps. Next, the authors offer a sample lesson plan using the informational picture book, Carter Reads the Newspaper.

Findings

The lesson plan uses a 5E template to promote critical disciplinary literacy before, during and after reading in such a way that teachers can foster inquiry through the use of social studies read alouds. After reading this article, teachers will understand more about what critical disciplinary literacy means, what it looks like a lesson plan and how to create their own similar plans using the template and resources provided.

Originality/value

The critical disciplinary literacy strategy offers teachers a way to engage elementary students in work that highlights social justice topics and inquiry.
Adaptation to vector‐based transmission in a honeybee virus
Authors: Norton Amanda M. , Remnant Emily J. , Tom Jolanda , Buchmann Gabriele , Blacquiere Tjeerd , Beekman Madeleine
Published: April 2021

Global pollinator declines as a result of emerging infectious diseases are of major concern. Managed honeybees Apis mellifera are susceptible to numerous parasites and pathogens, many of which appear to be transmissible to sympatric non‐Apis taxa. The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is considered to be the most significant threat to honeybees due to its role in vectoring RNA viruses, particularly Deformed wing virus (DWV). Vector transmission of DWV has resulted in the accumulation of high viral loads in honeybees and is often associated with colony death. DWV has two main genotypes, A and B. DWV‐A was more prevalent during the initial phase of V. destructor establishment. In recent years, the global prevalence of DWV‐B has increased, suggesting that DWV‐B is better adapted to vector transmission than DWV‐A.

We aimed to determine the role vector transmission plays in DWV genotype prevalence at a colony level.

We experimentally increased or decreased the number of V. destructor mites in honeybee colonies, and tracked DWV‐A and DWV‐B loads over a period of 10 months.

Our results show that the two DWV genotypes differ in their response to mite numbers. DWV‐A accumulation in honeybees was positively correlated with mite numbers yet DWV‐A was largely undetected in the absence of the mite. In contrast, colonies had high loads of DWV‐B even when mite numbers were low. DWV‐B loads persisted in miticide‐treated colonies, indicating that this genotype has a competitive advantage over DWV‐A irrespective of mite numbers.

Our findings suggest that the global increase in DWV‐B prevalence is not driven by selective pressure by the vector. Rather, DWV‐B is able to persist in colonies at higher viral loads relative to DWV‐A in the presence and absence of V. destructor. The interplay between V. destructor and DWV genotypes within honeybee colonies may have broad consequences upon viral diversity in sympatric taxa as a result of spillover.
Sex‐specific foraging of an apex predator puts females at risk of human–wildlife conflict
Authors: Schultz Hendrik , Chang Kevin , Bury Sarah J. , Gaskett Anne C. , Dennis Todd E. , Ismar‐Rebitz Stefanie M. H. , Southey Ian , Hohnhold Rebecca J. , Millar Craig D.
Published: April 2021

Urbanisation and anthropogenic alteration of ecosystems has led to conflict between humans and wildlife. Such conflict is often observed in apex predators. Although human–wildlife conflict has been extensively studied, male/female differences in behaviour are rarely considered.

We investigated male/female differences in foraging behaviour of the predatory/scavenging brown skua Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi breeding on a New Zealand island nature reserve in proximity to farmland. These skuas are subject to culling, when perceived as a threat to livestock.

As part of a long‐term ecological study, we used high‐resolution Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to characterise the space‐use of foraging brown skuas. We also analysed stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) from modern and archived blood samples to investigate possible changes in diet over the past ~30 years.

Analysis of 100 GPS tracks collected from 2014 to 2016 demonstrated that males and females consistently visited different habitats. Males spent most of their time close to their breeding territory on the island nature reserve and females frequently visited a farmed island approximately two kilometres away. Consistent with this finding, we show that male and female skuas also differed markedly in their diets: males specialised on burrow‐nesting white‐faced storm petrels Pelagodroma marina (80%) with only a small proportion of sheep remains Ovis aries (<6%) contributing to their diet. In contrast, female diet comprised 27% white‐faced storm petrels, other seabirds (18%) and a relatively large proportion of sheep remains (47%). Further, our data (186 blood samples from 122 individuals) show that this male/female difference in diet has persisted at least since 1987.

Because females fed disproportionally on sheep remains, they may be more vulnerable to being culled by farmers. Importantly, our case study suggests that intersexual differences in diet and foraging patterns can have major implications for the reproduction and survival of apex predators that interact with farming. We strongly suggest that intersexual differences in behaviour should be considered when investigating human–wildlife conflicts.
Effect of infection by Beauveria bassiana on hemolymph and free amino acid in Xylotrechus rusticus
Authors: Ding Junnan , Yu Shaopeng , Wang Hui
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to clarify changes in the immune response of the hemolymph after infection with Beauveria bassiana in Xylotrechus rusticus larvae in order to reveal the physiological regulating mechanism of the pathogenic fungi. The results showed that B. bassiana was infectious to X. rusticus adults. The main infection sites were the thoracic internodes, lower wings, and abdomen. After infection with B. bassiana, the number of blood cells in the X. rusticus larvae was significantly higher than the control. The number of plasma cells and granulocytes in the hemolymph of the insect was largest. The total number of blood cells was mainly affected by the changes in number of plasma cells and granulocytes. The trehalose content in X. rusticus larvae after B. bassiana treatment continued to decrease compared to the control. The glucose content in the larvae hemolymph increased first, then decreased. The acid trehalase activity was significantly higher than the control, and the high activity was maintained for 60–84 h after infection with B. bassiana. Nineteen kinds of free amino acids were detected in the larvae hemolymph infected by B. bassiana. After infection, the total amount of free amino acids in the larvae hemolymph presented a trend where the amount first declined, then rose. Proline, arginine, and glutamine were the main amino acids required for the growth and development of B. bassiana in X. rusticus larvae. The amount of hemolymph and free amino acids played an important role in immunity during the infection with B. bassiana.
Experimental data and predictive equation of the specific heat capacity of fruit juice model systems measured with differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Sánchez‐Romero María Angélica , García‐Coronado Pedro , Rivera‐Bautista Cecilia , González‐García Raúl , Grajales‐Lagunes Alicia , Abud‐Archila Miguel , Ruiz‐Cabrera Miguel Angel
Published: April 2021

Specific heat capacity () is regarded as a fundamental parameter for the design, operation, and optimization of the heat transfer equipment widely used in the food industry. Using the calorimetric ASTM E1269‐11 standard procedure, the –temperature () curves of fruit juice model systems prepared at different mass fractions of fructose/glucose/sucrose/citric acid/pectin and water were measured. Thus, experimental data of for solid samples in crystalline and amorphous states from −80 °C up to the melting temperature range and for aqueous samples from −80 to 110 °C were generated. In the tested temperature interval, the of crystalline, amorphous, and aqueous samples were found to be in the ranges of 0.037 ± 0.020 to 5.61 ± 0.04; 0.061 ± 0.004 to 3.12 ± 0.19, and 0.363 ± 0.05 to 3.24 ± 0.14 kJ/kg °C, respectively. Also, a generalized empirical equation based on the type and concentration of components was developed to predict the curves of the studied samples. The proposed equation exhibited a low error sum of squares (SSE <  57.3) and a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.927). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with a confidence level of 95% (p < 0.05). The curves were influenced by temperature, thermal transitions, water, solid types, and compound interactions. Glucose was one of the solids that most significantly influenced the values of samples.

Practical Application

The experimental specific heat capacity data and empirical equation proposed in this study are relevant to the design, evaluation, and optimization of heat transfer equipment involved in many foods and biochemical industrial processes such as cryopreservation, frozen storage, freezing, chilling, drying, and the cooking of hard candies.
Enzymatic acylation of rutin with benzoic acid ester and lipophilic, antiradical, and antiproliferative properties of the acylated derivatives
Authors: Li Hai‐Mei , Xu Ting‐Ting , Peng Qing‐Xia , Chen Yong‐Sheng , Zhou Hua , Lu Yu‐Yun , Yan Ri‐An
Published: April 2021

Rutin (3′,4′,5,7‐tetrahydroxy‐flavone‐3‐rutinoside) was enzymatically acylated with benzoic acid and its esters (methyl benzoate and vinyl benzoate) using Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (Lipozyme TLIM). The acylation reaction was optimized by varying the reaction medium, reaction temperature, acyl donor, substrate molar ratio, and reaction time. The highest conversion yield (76%) was obtained in tert‐amyl alcohol (60 °C, 72 hr) using vinyl benzoate (molar ratio of 1:10) as acyl donor. The acylation occurred at the 2′′′‐OH and 4′′′‐OH of the rhamnose unit and the 2′′‐OH position of the glucose moieties. Three novel rutin acylated derivatives (compounds 1–3) were purified and characterized by HR‐MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. We found that acylation significantly improved lipophilicity, capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation, anticancer capacity and substantially maintained the antioxidant activity of rutin. This research provides important insights in the acylation of flavonoids with different glycosyl moieties.

Practical Application

In this study, three novel rutin derivatives were successfully synthesized and the highest conversion yield (76%) was obtained by reacting the rutin and vinyl benzoate at molar ratio of 1:10 in tert‐amyl alcohol for 72 hr at 60 °C. Introducing a benzoic acid substituent into rutin molecule significantly improved their lipophilicity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in lipophilic system. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that acylation significantly improved anticancer capacity and substantially maintained the antioxidant activity.
Effectiveness of joint species distribution models in the presence of imperfect detection
Authors: Hogg Stephanie Elizabeth , Wang Yan , Stone Lewi
Published: April 2021

Joint species distribution models (JSDMs) are a recent development in biogeography and enable the spatial modelling of multiple species and their interactions and dependencies. However, most models do not consider imperfect detection, which can significantly bias estimates. This is one of the first papers to account for imperfect detection when fitting data with JSDMs and to explore the complications that may arise.

A multivariate probit JSDM that explicitly accounts for imperfect detection is proposed, and implemented using a Bayesian hierarchical approach. We investigate the performance of the JSDM in the presence of imperfect detection for a range of factors, including varied levels of detection and species occupancy, and varied numbers of survey sites and replications. To understand how effective this JSDM is in practice, we also compare results to those from a JSDM that does not explicitly model detection but instead makes use of ‘collapsed data’. A case study of owls and gliders in Victoria, Australia, is also illustrated.

Using simulations, we found that the JSDMs explicitly accounting for detection can accurately estimate intrinsic correlation between species with enough survey sites and replications. Reducing the number of survey sites decreases the precision of estimates, while reducing the number of survey replications can lead to biased estimates. For low probabilities of detection, the model may require a large number of survey replications to remove bias from estimates. However, JSDMs not explicitly accounting for detection may have a limited ability to disentangle detection from occupancy, which substantially reduces their ability to accurately infer the species distribution spatially. Our case study showed positive correlation between Sooty Owls and Greater Gliders, despite a low number of survey replications.

To avoid biased estimates of inter‐species correlations and species distributions, imperfect detection needs to be considered. However, for low probability of detection, the JSDMs explicitly accounting for detection is data hungry. Estimates from such models may still be subject to bias. To overcome the bias, researchers need to carefully design surveys and choose appropriate modelling approaches. The survey design should ensure sufficient survey replications for unbiased inferences on species inter‐dependencies and occupancy.
Financialization and Corporate Performance in China: Promotion or Inhibition?
Authors: Xu Shan , Guo Lili
Published: April 2021

Using a sample of Chinese listed firms for the period 2009 to 2018, we analyze the relationship between the financialization of non‐financial corporations (NFCs) and corporate performance from both long‐term and short‐term perspectives. Our results show that the impact of financialization on firm performance is not simply a crowding‐out or pulling effect but rather depends on the type of financial assets held by the firms. The holdings of investment financial assets generally have a pulling effect on both the short‐term performance and market expectations of a firm's future profits as proxied by Tobin's Q, but they crowd out the innovation activities that are critical to long‐term performance. Although monetary financial assets positively affect corporate profitability, they inhibit the increase of return on invested capital and long‐term performance. Additionally, compared with monetary financial assets, investment financial assets play a more important role in promoting short‐term performance, although the crowding‐out effect on innovation activities is more prominent for investment financial assets. Furthermore, this paper also concludes that compared with manufacturing and non‐state‐owned enterprises (NSOEs), the role of financialization in promoting the performance of non‐manufacturing and state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) is more significant.
The association of alcohol use with all‐cause and cardiovascular disease‐related hospitalizations or death in older, high‐risk Veterans
Authors: Blalock Dan V. , Grubber Janet , Smith Valerie A. , Zulman Donna M. , Weidenbacher Hollis J. , Greene Liberty , Dedert Eric A. , Maciejewski Matthew L.
Published: April 2021

Background

The prevalence of alcohol misuse among older adults has grown dramatically in the past decade, yet little is known about the association of alcohol misuse with hospitalization and death in this patient population.

Methods

We examined the association between alcohol use (measured by a screening instrument in primary care) and rates of all‐cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)‐related 6‐month hospitalization or death via electronic health records (EHRs) in a nationally representative sample of older, high‐risk Veterans. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including frailty and comorbid conditions.

Results

The all‐cause hospitalization or death rate at 6 months was 14.9%, and the CVD‐related hospitalization or death rate was 1.8%. In adjusted analyses, all‐cause hospitalization or death was higher in older Veterans who were nondrinkers or harmful use drinkers compared to moderate use drinkers, but CVD‐related hospitalization or death was similar in all categories of drinking.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the complex association between alcohol and all‐cause acute healthcare utilization found in the broader population is similar in older, high‐risk Veteran patients. These findings do not support an association between alcohol consumption and CVD‐specific hospitalizations.
Interim CEO and corporate long‐term investment: evidence from China
Authors: Wu Fei , Yu Jing , Zhao Yujie , Zhou Donghua
Published: April 2021

Building on the short‐term nature of interim CEO contracts, this paper examines the effect of interim CEO appointment on corporate long‐term investment measured by a firm’s R&D spending. We find robust evidence that the corporate R&D investment level is significantly lower during the interim CEO appointment period. The negative association between R&D investments and the interim CEO appointment is most pronounced when interim CEOs exhibit a myopic tendency. The primary findings disappear in the subsample of state‐owned companies, highlighting the bright side of state ownership in ameliorating managerial myopia. Finally, we document that appointing an interim CEO is costly for shareholders in the short run as well as in the long run.
Food addiction in a large community sample of Canadian adults: prevalence and relationship with obesity, body composition, quality of life and impulsivity
Authors: Minhas Meenu , Murphy Cara M. , Balodis Iris M. , Samokhvalov Andriy V. , MacKillop James
Published: April 2021

Background and aims

Parallels between the persistent overconsumption of food and addictive drugs have given rise to the notion of food addiction. In a large community sample of Canadian adults, the current study examined the prevalence of food addiction and its relationship with obesity, quality of life and multiple indicators of impulsivity. A secondary goal was to analyze differences between obese and non‐obese individuals with and without food addiction.

Design

Cross‐sectional in‐person assessment.

Setting

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Participants

A total of 1432 community adults (age = mean ± standard deviation = 38.93 ± 13.7; 42% male) recruited from the general community using print, bus and internet advertisements.

Measurements

Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, anthropometrics (including body mass index), body composition (e.g. body fat, muscle mass, body water), World Health Organization Quality of Life scale and impulsivity measures, including impulsive personality traits, delay discounting and behavioral inhibition.

Findings

The prevalence of food addiction was 9.3% and substantially below that of obesity (32.7%), although food addiction was significantly more common among obese individuals (18.5%, P < 0.001). Food addiction was associated with significantly lower quality of life in all domains (βs = −0.21 to −0.34, Ps < 0.001) and significantly higher impulsive personality traits, particularly negative and positive urgency (βs = 0.37 and 0.30, Ps < 0.001). Subgroup contrasts within both the obese and non‐obese strata revealed that food addiction was associated with significantly lower quality of life in all domains (Ps < 0.001). Food addiction among non‐obese individuals was also associated with higher body mass index (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In a general community sample, food addiction was present in slightly fewer than one in 10 individuals, approximately one‐third the prevalence of obesity, but with twice the prevalence among obese individuals. Food addiction appears to be associated with substantively lower quality of life and elevations in impulsivity, particularly in deficits in emotional regulation.
Mortality in the Americas from 2013 to 2015 resulting from diseases, conditions and injuries which are 100% alcohol‐attributable
Authors: Chrystoja Bethany R. , Monteiro Maristela G. , Owe Glory , Gawryszewski Vilma Pinheiro , Rehm Jürgen , Shield Kevin
Published: April 2021

Aims

To describe mortality in the Americas from 2013 to 2015 inclusive resulting from diseases, conditions and injuries which are 100% attributable to alcohol consumption.

Design and setting

Mortality registry, population‐based study. The data come from 30 of the 35 countries of the Americas for the triennium of 2013 to 2015.

Participants and cases

A total of 18 673 791 deaths coded by three‐digit ICD‐10 codes were analyzed.

Measurements

Cause (underlying), and age‐specific and age‐adjusted mortality rates were calculated by sex and country.

Findings

From 2013 to 2015 inclusive, among 30 of the 35 countries of the Americas, an average of 85 032 deaths per year were entirely attributable to alcohol. Men accounted for 83.1% of all 100% alcohol‐attributable deaths, and death rates were higher for men than for women across all countries; however, the ratios of 100% alcohol‐attributable deaths by sex varied by country. The majority of all 100% alcohol‐attributable deaths occurred among those aged under 60 years (64.9%) and were due to liver disease (63.9%) followed by neuropsychiatric disorders (27.4%). Age‐adjusted 100% alcohol‐attributable mortality rates were highest in Nicaragua (23.2 per 100 000) and Guatemala (19.0 per 100 000), although the majority of all 100% alcohol‐attributable deaths occurred in the United States 36.9%), Brazil (24.8%), and Mexico (18.4%).

Conclusions

From 2013 to 2015, more than 85 000 deaths in the Americas were 100% attributable to alcohol. Most of those occurred in people under 60 years and the highest mortality rates occurred in the United States, Brazil and Mexico.
Treatment for pure red cell aplasia after major ABO‐incompatible allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a multicentre study
Authors: Longval Thomas , Galimard Jacques‐Emmanuel , Leprêtre Anne‐Claire , Suarez Felipe , Amiranoff Denise , Cazaux Marine , Kaphan Eleonore , Michonneau David , Dhedin Nathalie , Coman Tereza , Nguyen Quoc Stéphanie , Peffault de Latour Régis , Resche‐Rigon Matthieu , Sicre de Fontbrune Flore
Published: April 2021

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) with major ABO incompatibility is responsible for transfusion dependent anaemia, impaired quality of life and iron overload. We conducted a retrospective study, over a 10‐year period, which included all consecutive patients who received a major ABO mismatched aHSCT, to assess the impact of specific treatment on PRCA. We did not observe any PRCA in the 57 aHSCT issued from cord blood. Among the remaining 631 patients, cumulative incidence of PRCA was 10·5% [range 8·2–13.0]. The median duration of resolved PRCA was 171 days [IQR 116; 261]. Pre‐transplant high isohaemagglutinins titre was associated with an increased risk of PRCA (P < 10−4). PRCA did not affect overall survival (P = 0·95). Twenty‐two patients (33·3%) received at least one specific treatment. The most commonly used treatments were rituximab (17 patients) and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI; seven patients). Regarding PRCA resolution, we did not observe a significant difference between treated or untreated subjects (HR = 0·93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·48– 1·80; P = 0·82). Similar results were observed with erythropoietin treatment (22 patients, HR = 0·86 95% CI: [0·47–1·57] P = 0·62). Our data do not support the use of erythropoietin, rituximab or DLI for the treatment of PRCA.
Surfactant cocamide monoethanolamide causes eye irritation by activating nociceptor TRPV1 channels
Authors: Zhao Fang , Wang Shuangyan , Li Yan , Wang Jin , Wang Yujing , Zhang Chunlei , Li Yong , Huang Longjiang , Yu Ye , Zheng Jie , Yu Boyang , Pessah Isaac N. , Cao Zhengyu
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose

Cocamide monoethanolamide (CMEA) is commonly used as a surfactant‐foam booster in cosmetic formulations. Upon contact with the eye or other sensitive skin areas, CMEA elicits stinging and lasting irritation. We hypothesized a specific molecular interaction with TRPV1 channels by which CMEA caused eye irritation.

Experimental Approach

Eye irritancy was evaluated using eye‐wiping tests in rabbits and mice. Intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and action potentials were measured using Ca2+ imaging and current clamp respectively. Voltage clamp, site‐direct mutagenesis and molecular modelling were used to identify binding pockets for CMEA on TRPV1 channels.

Key Results

CMEA‐induced eye irritation is ameliorated by selective ablation of TRPV1 channels.Rodents exhibit much stronger responses to CMEA than rabbits. In trigeminal ganglion neurons, CMEA induced Ca2+ influx and neuronal excitability, effects mitigated by a TRPV1 channel inhibition and absent in TRPV1 knockout neurons. In HEK‐293 cells expressing TRPV1 channels, CMEA increased whole‐cell currents by increasing channel open probability (EC50 = 10.2 μM), without affecting TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, and TRPA1 channel activities. Lauric acid monoethanolamide (LAMEA), the most abundant constituent of CMEA, was the most efficacious and potent TRPV1 channel activator, binding to the capsaicin‐binding pocket of the channel. The T550I mutants of rabbit and human TRPV1 channels exhibit much lower sensitivity to LAMEA.

Conclusions and Implication

CMEA directly activates TRPV1 channels to produce eye irritation. Rabbits, the standard animal used for eye irritancy tests are poor models for evaluating human eye irritants structurally related to CMEA. Our study identifies potential alternatives to CMEA as non‐irritating surfactants.
Mixed pixel removal in north Tamil Nadu region for accurate area measurement
Authors: Mani Prabu , Rajendiran Nagalingam Shanker , Aruldoss Celine Kavida , Elanchezhian Ganesh
Published: April 2021

In remote sensing, vegetation and water areas delineation from satellite image plays a vital role for urban and rural planning. Delineation of vegetation and water area is a challenging task due to mixed pixels and geometric distortion over the boundary region. Geometric distortion arises due to change in velocity and speed of satellite during image acquisition, and mixed pixels arises due to different surfaces in a particular area. Traditional methods apply classifier algorithms such as support vector machine, neural network, and fuzzy for vegetation and water area delineation. The traditional methods require more training dataset and consume more interpretation time for delineation. In this article, we propose transverse dyadic wavelet transform (TDyWT) to delineate vegetation and water area from Landsat 8 images. The TDyWT method enhances the boundary and curvature area of satellite image for accurate delineation. From the experimental results, the proposed TDyWT approach delineates the area of subclass for vegetation and water areas with 95% of accuracy with respect to the ground truth.
The role of cannabis in pain management among people living with HIV who use drugs: A qualitative study
Authors: Chayama Koharu Loulou , Valleriani Jenna , Ng Cara , Haines‐Saah Rebecca , Capler Rielle , Milloy M.‐J. , Small Will , McNeil Ryan
Published: April 2021

Introduction

People living with HIV who use drugs commonly experience chronic pain and often use illicit opioids to manage pain. Recent research suggests people living with HIV use cannabis for pain relief, including as an adjunct to opioids. This underscores the need to better understand how people living with HIV who use drugs use cannabis for pain management, particularly as cannabis markets are undergoing changes due to cannabis legalisation.

Methods

From September 2018 to April 2019, we conducted in‐depth interviews with 25 people living with HIV who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada to examine experiences using cannabis to manage pain. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and coded. Themes were identified using inductive and deductive approaches.

Results

Most participants reported that using cannabis for pain management helped improve daily functioning. Some participants turned to cannabis as a supplement or periodic alternative to prescription and illicit drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines, opioids) used to manage pain and related symptoms. Nonetheless, participants' access to legal cannabis was limited and most continued to obtain cannabis from illicit sources, which provided access to cannabis that was free or deemed to be affordable.

Discussion and Conclusions

Cannabis use may lead to reduced use of prescription and illicit drugs for pain management among some people living with HIV who use drugs. Our findings add to growing calls for additional research on the role of cannabis in pain management and harm reduction, and suggest the need for concrete efforts to ensure equitable access to cannabis.
Posterior drooling in children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Delsing Corinne PA , Bekkers Stijn , Erasmus Corrie E , van Hulst Karen , van den Hoogen Frank JA
Published: April 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effect of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A) injections, submandibular gland excision (SMGE), and bilateral submandibular duct ligation (2DL) for the control of posterior drooling in children with neurological impairment.

Method

In a retrospective cohort, children with neurological impairment (e.g. cerebral palsy) treated between 2000 and 2016 were identified. Mean age at time of surgery was 9 years (range 1–21y). The primary outcome was posterior drooling severity by a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0–10) at baseline, 8‐weeks, and 32‐weeks follow‐up. The secondary outcome was lower respiratory tract infections during the follow‐up period.

Results

Ninety‐two patients (out of 475; 47 males, 45 females) were identified. They were undergoing three different treatments: BoNT‐A (n=63), SMGE (n=16), and 2DL (n=13). A significant reduction in VAS over time was observed in the total group of 92 patients. After SMGE, VAS decreased significantly from 6.82 (SD 3.40) at baseline to 2.29 (SD 1.93) at 8 weeks, and 2.17 (SD 2.58) at 32 weeks (F[2.34]=11.618, p<0.001). There was no significant decrease after both BoNT‐A and 2‐DL.

Interpretation

Posterior drooling is an unfamiliar, potentially life‐threatening condition that is treatable with medication, BoNT‐A injections, or surgery. Although all treatments reduced signs and symptoms of posterior drooling, there is a greater effect after SMGE compared to BoNT‐A and 2‐DL.

What this paper adds

Submandibular gland excision has better results for posterior drooling than botulinum toxin A or submandibular duct ligation.
What makes mindful self‐initiated expatriates bounce back, improvise and perform: Empirical evidence from the emerging markets
Authors: Singh Sanjay Kumar , Vrontis Demetris , Christofi Michael
Published: April 2021

Drawing upon the self‐determination theory (SDT), this study examines what makes individual employees leverage improvisational capability to act extemporaneously to find relevant solutions for enhanced task performance. Using supervisor‐subordinate dyadic self‐initiated expatriates (SIEs) samples, we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine this study's hypotheses. We found that mindfulness influences resilience and improvisation in the workplace. Furthermore, we found improvisation to mediate the influence of resilience on task performance. We discussed in detail the essential findings and their contributions to advance theory and practice in the field.
Training related risk factors for exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage in British National Hunt racehorses
Authors: McGilvray Tegan A. , Cardwell Jacqueline M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is an important condition of horses performing high intensity exercise, with reported prevalence among racehorses of up to 95%, based on the detection of blood on tracheobronchoscopy. Previously identified risk factors include age, sex, season, race type, years spent in racing and lower airway inflammation.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of EIPH in British National Hunt racehorses as indicated by two outcome measures: presence of tracheal blood on tracheobronchoscopy, and presence of moderate‐large (significant) proportions of haemosiderophages in tracheal wash (TW) fluid; and to identify training‐related risk factors for these indicators of EIPH.

Study design

Prospective longitudinal study.

Methods

Data from tracheobronchoscopy and TW cytology were analysed using univariable and multivariable mixed‐effects logistic regression.

Results

1184 observations, from 177 horses, were analysed. The prevalence of tracheal blood was 7.2% (95%CI: 5.8, 8.8) and significant haemosiderophages in TW fluid was 36% (95%CI: 33.3, 38.8). Increased time in training was significantly associated with increased odds of EIPH. For each additional year spent in training the odds of tracheal blood and presence of significant proportions haemosiderophages increased approximately 1.5‐fold (OR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.1‐2.0; P = .005; and OR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.3, 1.8; P < .001, respectively). Current inflammation was associated with previous haemorrhage, but not current haemorrhage.

Main limitations

There are no standardised measures for quantification of TW cytological parameters for EIPH diagnosis. Few horses were examined following jumping. Recent racing dates were not included in analysis.

Conclusions

Increasing time in training was a risk factor for both indicators of EIPH. Current inflammation was associated with previous haemorrhage, but not current or future haemorrhage, suggesting that haemorrhage leads to inflammation but not that inflammation leads to haemorrhage. Overall, our findings are consistent with the capillary stress failure theory of EIPH. The development of standardised measures for TW cytological diagnosis of EIPH is warranted.
Cooperation strategy for an online travel platform with value‐added service provision under demand uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Xumei , Liu Yi , Dan Bin
Published: April 2021

This paper considers a tourism supply chain (TSC) composed of an online travel platform (OTP) that possesses private information about uncertain demand and a tourism service provider (TSP) that invests in value‐added service. We investigate the OTP's cooperation strategy, which consists of the cooperation model choice between the agency and the wholesale models and the demand information sharing decision. The results show that when both the commission rate and the value‐added service efficiency are relatively low or high, the OTP chooses the wholesale model and shares information only if the service efficiency is relatively high. When the service efficiency is medium, the OTP prefers the agency model and information sharing. However, when the commission rate is relatively high and the service efficiency is relatively low, as the demand signal accuracy increases, the OTP's preferred cooperation strategy switches from the agency model and information sharing to the wholesale model and no information sharing. In particular, compared with the wholesale model, the agency model may benefit the OTP less (more) even if the commission rate charged by the OTP is high (low). We also find that the OTP's optimal cooperation strategy may be inconsistent with that of the TSP and the TSC, and there exist the Pareto improvement regions of the cooperation model and information sharing strategies.
Erosion of refractory carbides in high‐temperature hydrogen from ab initio computations
Authors: Tucker William C. , Bauschlicher Charles W. , Abbott Lauren J. , Cheikh Dean , Preudhomme Michael , Haskins Justin B.
Published: April 2021

Advanced concepts for in‐space propulsion require coatings that are resistant to erosion in high temperature and pressure hydrogen. The erosion of refractory carbides of interest for this application (ZrC, NbC, HfC, and TaC) is investigated using combined ab initio thermodynamic computations and equilibrium product analyses. The carbides are shown to erode through a combination of four governing reactions, the relative extent of which depend on environmental conditions. The product profiles from these reactions are complex but exhibit lower hydrogen saturation at higher temperatures and lower pressures. A metric is derived to determine the applicability of equilibrium analyses for erosion rates, based on experimental conditions. Heritage mass loss experiments on ZrC in hydrogen satisfy the equilibrium criteria, and, correspondingly, the computed equilibrium erosion rate agrees quantitatively. The results suggest that previously postulated non‐equilibrium effects, namely the prolonged incongruent vaporization originating from high carbon mobility, do not drive erosion over the hours‐long timescales of the experiments. For specific in‐space propulsion designs, comparisons of carbide performance show TaC and HfC outperform other carbides and meet the criteria needed to close designs.
The anatomical basis behind the neuromodulation effects associated with pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Aksu Tolga , Yalin Kivanc , Bozyel Serdar , Gopinathannair Rakesh , Gupta Dhiraj
Published: April 2021

The anatomical basis underlying the neuromodulation effects seen with pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) is not fully understood. Left atrial (LA) electro‐anatomical maps of 38 patients who underwent catheter cardioneuroablation for vagally mediated bradycarrhythmias were studied. During the procedure, LA ganglionic plexi (GPs) were systematically identified and ablated. Design PVI lines were created on these maps by a blinded observer, and the degree of overlap between four GPs and individual PVs was assessed. Here, 1.7 ± 7 (35.5 ± 17.0%) of the total 31.6 ± 10 GP ablation sites per patient were found to overlap with the design PVI lines. The overlap was higher for the right‐sided GPs, p < .001. The degree of GP–PV overlap varied: 1 PV in 5 (13.2%) patients, 2 PVs in 15 (39.2%), 3 PVs in 16 (42.1%), and all 4 PVs in 2 (5.3%). No patient had zero GP–PV overlap. A vagal response was most commonly observed during ablation at the left superior GP (89.5%), while a sympathetic response was observed most often during the right superior GP ablation (97.4%). Some degree of GP–PV antral overlap is the norm, and this is more pronounced for the right‐sided PVs. There is significant individual variability in the degree of overlap which may explain why neuromodulation effects are not seen universally following PVI.
Individual reversible plasticity as a genotype‐level bet‐hedging strategy
Authors: Haaland Thomas R. , Wright Jonathan , Ratikainen Irja I.
Published: April 2021

Reversible plasticity in phenotypic traits allows organisms to cope with environmental variation within lifetimes, but costs of plasticity may limit just how well the phenotype matches the environmental optimum. An additional adaptive advantage of plasticity might be to reduce fitness variance, in other words: bet‐hedging to maximize geometric (rather than simply arithmetic) mean fitness. Here, we model the evolution of plasticity in the form of reaction norm slopes, with increasing costs as the slope or degree of plasticity increases. We find that greater investment in plasticity (i.e. a steeper reaction norm slope) is favoured in scenarios promoting bet‐hedging as a response to multiplicative fitness accumulation (i.e. coarser environmental grains and fewer time steps prior to reproduction), because plasticity lowers fitness variance across environmental conditions. In contrast, in scenarios with finer environmental grain and many time steps prior to reproduction, bet‐hedging plays less of a role and individual‐level optimization favours evolution of shallower reaction norm slopes. However, the opposite pattern holds if plasticity costs themselves result in increased fitness variation, as might be the case for production costs of plasticity that depend on how much change is made to the phenotype each time step. We discuss these contrasting predictions from this partitioning of adaptive plasticity into short‐term individual benefits versus long‐term genotypic (bet‐hedging) benefits, and how this approach enhances our understanding of the evolution of optimum levels of plasticity in examples from thermal physiology to advances in avian lay dates.
Examining Callous‐unemotional Traits and Anxiety in a Sample of Incarcerated Adolescent Females
Authors: Deskalo Avital Y. , Fontaine Nathalie M. G.
Published: April 2021

Callous‐unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., lack of guilt and empathy) are a risk factor associated with antisocial behavior. Youth with CU traits can be differentiated by varying levels of co‐occurring anxiety. In this study, we examined CU variants in incarcerated adolescent females (n = 109) and their associations with emotional and behavioral problems and history of maltreatment. Semi‐structured interviews were also conducted with a subsample of the participants (n = 13). Participants with CU traits and anxiety had similar levels of conduct problems compared to individuals with high CU traits without anxiety, but they reported more childhood maltreatment (especially sexual abuse).