bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of labor conditions on health conditions of diagnostic nurses
Authors: Pavlova Anna , Luchkevich Vladimir , Mishkich Irena
Published: July 2020

The article presents the analysis of the influence of specific professional activities of nurses on their health, quality and productivity when conducting diagnostic testing of patients. We studied the activities and structure of time expenditures of nurses when performing the medical diagnostic testing of patients under their specific operating conditions. The incidence and severity of clinical and functional disorders in nurses that result in reduced physical functioning, emotional state and quality of their professional activity, were studied. Using a dedicated questionnaire (“Professional Burnout (MBI)”), the severity and prevalence of the components of the emotional burnout syndrome was studied. Organizational and preventive measures to optimize their working conditions have been proposed. The developed method of integral evaluation of the performance quality and efficiency has been presented, as well we the process approach model of professional activities of nurses engaged in diagnostic testing of patients.
Nocardia spp.: A Rare Cause of Pneumonia Globally
Authors: Lynch Joseph P. , Reid Gail , Clark Nina M.
Published: July 2020

Members of the Nocardia genus are ubiquitous in the environment. These aerobic, gram-positive organisms can lead to life-threatening infection, typically in immunocompromised hosts such as solid organ transplant recipients or those receiving immunosuppressive medications for other reasons. This current review discusses the microbiology of nocardiosis, risk factors for infection, clinical manifestations, methods for diagnosis, and treatment. Nocardiosis primarily affects the lung but may also cause skin and soft tissue infection, cerebral abscess, bloodstream infection, or infection involving other organs. Although rare as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia, Nocardia can have severe morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with comorbidities or compromised immunity. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy are critical to optimizing patient outcomes. Species identification is important in determining treatment, as is in vitro susceptibility testing. Sulfonamide therapy is usually indicated, although a variety of other antimicrobials may be useful, depending on the species and susceptibility testing. Prolonged therapy is usually indicated, for 6 to 12 months, and in some cases surgical debridement may be required to resolve infection.
Comparative Analysis on the Effects of Sarcopenia following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Matched-Control Analysis
Authors: Ardeljan Andrew D. , Polisetty Teja S. , Palmer Joseph , Vakharia Rushabh M. , Roche Martin W.
Published: July 2020

Despite the high incidence of sarcopenia in the orthopaedic community, studies evaluating the influence of sarcopenia following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if sarcopenic patients undergoing primary TKA have higher rates of (1) in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS); (2) medical complications; (3) implant-related complications; (4) fall risk; (5) lower extremity fracture risk; and (6) costs of care. Sarcopenia patients were matched to controls in a 1:5 ratio according to age, sex, and medical comorbidities. The query yielded 90,438 patients with (n = 15,073) and without (n = 75,365) sarcopenia undergoing primary TKA. Primary outcomes analyzed included: in-hospital LOS, 90-day medical complications, 2-year implant-related complications, fall risk, lower extremity fracture risk, and costs of care. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Patients with sarcopenia undergoing primary TKA had greater in-hospital LOS (4 vs. 3 days, p < 0.0001). Sarcopenic patients were also found to have increased incidence and odds of 90-day medical complications (2.9 vs. 1.1%; odds ratio [OR] = 2.83, p < 0.0001), falls (0.9 vs. 0.3%; OR = 3.54, p < 0.0001), lower extremity fractures (1.0 vs. 0.2%; OR = 5.54, p < 0.0001), and reoperation (0.9 vs. 0.5%; OR = 1.87, p < 0.0001). Additionally, sarcopenic patients had greater 2-year implant-related complications (4.3 vs. 2.4%; OR = 1.80, p < 0.0001), as well as day of surgery ($52,900 vs. 48,248, p < 0.0001), and 90-day ($68,303 vs. $57,671, p < 0.0001) costs compared with controls. This analysis of over 90,000 patients demonstrates that patients with sarcopenia undergoing primary TKA have greater in-hospital LOS, increased odds of 90-day medical complications, falls, lower extremity fractures, and reoperations. Additionally, sarcopenia was associated with greater 2-year implant-related complications, day of surgery costs, and 90-day costs. The study is useful as it can allow orthopaedic surgeons to properly educate these patients of the potential complications which may occur following their surgery.
A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Interventions for Therapeutic Purposes in the Elderly
Authors: Velayati Farnia , Ayatollahi Haleh , Hemmat Morteza
Published: July 2020

Background Many elderly people suffer from chronic health conditions and mobility limitations. Therefore, they may benefit from traditional rehabilitation or telerehabilitation interventions as an alternative for this type of services.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of telerehabilitation interventions with traditional rehabilitation services for therapeutic purposes in the elderly.

Methods This systematic review was conducted in 2018. The searched databases were Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ProQuest. The search was conducted with no time or language limitation. The selected papers included the randomized clinical trial studies in which elderly people aged 60 and over used telerehabilitation services for treatment purposes. The quality of the studies was evaluated by using the physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale. Data were extracted by using a data extraction form and findings were narratively synthesized.

Results After screening the retrieved papers, eight articles were selected to be included in the study. According to the findings, telerehabilitation was used for the elderly after stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), total knee replacement, and in patients with the comorbidity of COPD and chronic heart failure. Overall, in most studies, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups and the level of improvements was similar for most outcomes.

Conclusion Telerehabilitation services can be regarded as an alternative to traditional rehabilitation approaches to reduce outpatient resource utilization and improve quality of life. However, more rigorous studies are suggested to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation services for specific diseases or health conditions.
Lower Blepharoplasty Three-Dimensional Volume Assessment after Fat Pad Transposition and Concomitant Fat Grafting
Authors: Cristel Robert T. , Caughlin Benjamin P.
Published: July 2020

Lower blepharoplasty is a commonly performed procedure to improve the aesthetic of the lower eyelid and upper midface. Combined fat pad transposition and fat grafting has not been previously studied using three-dimensional (3D) analysis. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the benefits of fat pad transposition with concomitant autologous fat grafting in lower blepharoplasty and to determine quantitative volumetric effects on the tear trough and lower periorbital region using VectraXT 3D imaging and analysis. A retrospective review was performed to identify patients undergoing primary lower blepharoplasty with combined fat pad transposition and fat grafting. The study time period was from September 2017 to March 2019 with a mean 6.5-month postoperative follow-up. This study was performed in a private practice institution (Kovac Cosmetic Center, Oakbrook Terrace, IL). Nine subjects were enrolled in the study with four males and five females. All subjects underwent lower blepharoplasty with combined fat pad transposition and fat grafting without any additional procedures. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were taken with the VectraXT 3D camera system and software. 3D photographs were then compared to assess the volume changes in the periorbital region. The volume in the lower periorbital region was assessed using 3D analysis. All subjects were found to have an increase in volume in the periorbital region. There was a mean volume gain of 2.84 mL on the right and 2.87 mL on the left. There was no statistical difference among volume gains between sides (p = 0.95). Combined fat pad transposition and autologous fat grafting is an effective procedure for improving the tear trough deformity and periorbital area. The use of 3D volume assessment is able to accurately measure and quantify the volume changes of the postoperative results.
Indian Society of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care (ISNACC) Position Statement and Advisory for the Practice of Neuroanesthesia during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jangra Kiran , Manohar Nitin , Bidkar Prasanna U. , Vanamoorthy Ponniah , Gupta Devendra , Rath Girija P. , Monteiro Joseph , Panda Nidhi , Sriganesh Kamath , Hrishi Ajay P. , Das Bhibukalyani , Yadav Rahul
Published: July 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major health emergency in today’s time. In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China was attributed to a novel coronavirus. The World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic. As the majority of the cases suffering from COVID-19 are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, it becomes a great challenge to identify the infected persons in the absence of extensive testing. In the hospital environment, it can infect several other vulnerable patients and healthcare providers, significantly impacting the hospital services. Anesthesiologists are at an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission from the patients, as they are frequently involved in several aerosol-generating procedures. It is not possible to identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients solely based on history-taking during their first point of contact with the anesthesiologists at the preanesthetic checkup clinic.

Most of the neurosurgical conditions are of urgent in nature and cannot be postponed for a longer duration. In view of this, the position statement and practice advisory from the Indian Society of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care (ISNACC) provides guidance to the practice of neuroanesthesia in the present scenario. The advisory has been prepared considering the current disease status of the COVID-19 pandemic, available literature, and consensus from experts in the field of neuroanesthesiology. Since the pandemic is still progressing and the nature of the disease is dynamic, readers are advised to constantly look for updated literature from ISNACC and other neurology and neurosurgical societies.
Identifying edges that facilitate the generation of extreme events in networked dynamical systems
Authors: Bröhl Timo , Lehnertz Klaus
Published: July 2020

The collective dynamics of complex networks of FitzHugh–Nagumo units exhibits rare and recurrent events of high amplitude (extreme events) that are preceded by so-called proto-events during which a certain fraction of the units become excited. Although it is well known that a sufficiently large fraction of excited units is required to turn a proto-event into an extreme event, it is not yet clear how the other units are being recruited into the final generation of an extreme event. Addressing this question and mimicking typical experimental situations, we investigate the centrality of edges in time-dependent interaction networks. We derived these networks from time series of the units’ dynamics employing a widely used bivariate analysis technique. Using our recently proposed edge-centrality concepts together with an edge-based network decomposition technique, we observe that the recruitment is primarily facilitated by sets of certain edges that have no equivalent in the underlying topology. Our finding might aid to improve the understanding of generation of extreme events in natural networked dynamical systems.
Enhanced ferroelectric polarization in epitaxial superconducting–ferroelectric heterostructure for non-volatile memory cell
Authors: Ravikant  , Singh Charanjeet , Panchwanee Anjali , Rakshit Rajib K. , Singh Manju , Reddy V. R. , Choudhary Ram Janay , Ojha V. N. , Kumar Ashok
Published: July 2020

We report the growth and polarization switching properties of epitaxial ferroelectric–superconducting heterostructure PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) (100 nm)/YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) (100 nm) thin films for non-volatile ferroelectric random access memory elements. The epitaxial nature of the heterostructure is verified using the reciprocal space mapping data with the superconducting phase transition temperature (Tc) of nearly 25 K far below the Tc of as-grown YBCO under the same condition. The significant remanent polarization (Pr) ∼ 45 µC/cm2 at 1 kHz can switch from one state to another using 1 μs pulse. The devices meet the basic criteria of memory elements, such as high resistance ∼10 GΩ at 8 V, a butterfly-like capacitance–voltage (C/V) loop, significant polarization, a sharp change in the displacement current, long-time charge retention, and small fatigue at room temperature.
Continuous-Flow Photochemical Transformations of 1,4-Naphthoquinones and Phthalimides in a Concentrating Solar Trough Reactor
Authors: Yaseen Madyan A. , Mumtaz Saira , Hunter Richard L. , Wall Daniel , Robertson Mark J. , Oelgemöller Michael
Published: July 2020

A series of photochemical transformations has been successfully conducted under continuous-flow conditions in a concentrating solar trough reactor. Photoacylations and [2+2]-photocycloadditions involving 1,4-naphthoquinones gave the corresponding photoproducts in moderate to high yields with residence times of 70min. Likewise, acetone-sensitized photodecarboxylations involving phthalimides furnished the corresponding benzylated hydroxy phthalimidines in good to excellent yields and purity with residence times of 40min. Compared with corresponding exposures to direct sunlight conducted in a solar float, flow operation generally gave superior conversions and subsequent yields.
Boundaries at play
Authors: Machicao y Priemer Antonio , Fritz-Huechante Paola
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we model the left-bounded state reading and the true reflexive reading of the se
clitic in the Spanish psychological domain. We argue that a lexical analysis of se provides us with a more
accurate description of the different classes of psychological verbs that occur with the clitic. We provide a unified analysis
where the use of the two readings of se are modeled by means of lexical rules. We take the morphologically simple
but semantically more complex basic items (e.g. asustar ‘frighten’) as input of the lexical rules, getting as the
output a morphologically more complex but semantically simpler verb (e.g asustarse ‘get frightened’). The
analysis for psych verbs correctly allows only those verbs assigning accusative to the experiencer or the stimulus to combine with
se, hence preventing dative verbs from entering the lexical rules. The analysis also demonstrates how to
account for punctual and non-punctual readings of psych verbs with se
incorporating ‘boundaries’ into the type hierarchy of eventualities.
The coupling of matter and spacetime geometry
Authors: Jiménez Jose Beltrán , Heisenberg Lavinia , Koivisto Tomi
Published: July 2020

The geometrical formulation of gravity is not unique and can be set up in a variety of spacetimes. Even though the gravitational sector enjoys this freedom of different geometrical interpretations, consistent matter couplings have to be assured for a steady foundation of gravity. In generalised geometries, further ambiguities arise in the matter couplings unless the minimal coupling principle (MCP) is adopted that is compatible with the principles of relativity, universality and inertia. In this work, MCP is applied to all standard model gauge fields and matter fields in a completely general (linear) affine geometry. This is also discussed from an effective field theory perspective. It is found that the presence of torsion generically leads to theoretical problems. However, symmetric teleparallelism, wherein the affine geometry is integrable and torsion-free, is consistent with MCP. The generalised Bianchi identity is derived and shown to determine the dynamics of the connection in a unified fashion. Also, the parallel transport with respect to a teleparallel connection is shown to be free of second clock effects.
Far-field and near-field directionality in acoustic scattering
Authors: Wei Lei , Rodríguez-Fortuño Francisco J
Published: July 2020

Far-field directional scattering and near-field directional coupling from simple sources have recently received great attention in photonics: beyond circularly-polarized dipoles, whose directional coupling to evanescent waves was recently applied to acoustics, the near-field directionality of modes in optics includes phased combinations of electric and magnetic dipoles, such as the Janus dipole and the Huygens dipole, both of which have been experimentally implemented using high refractive index nanoparticles. In this work we extend this to acoustics: we propose the use of high acoustic index scatterers exhibiting phased combinations of acoustic monopoles and dipoles with far-field and near-field directionality. All solutions stem from the elegant angular spectrum of the acoustic source, in close analogy to electromagnetism. A Huygens acoustic source with zero backward scattering is proposed and numerically demonstrated, as well as a Janus source achieving face-selective and position-dependent evanescent coupling to nearby acoustic waveguides.
Tsirelson Polytopes and randomness generation
Authors: Bierhorst Peter , Zhang Yanbao
Published: July 2020

We classify the extreme points of a polytope of probability distributions in the (2,2,2) CHSH-Bell setting that is induced by a single Tsirelson bound. We do the same for a class of polytopes obtained from a parametrized family of multiple Tsirelson bounds interacting non-trivially. Such constructions can be applied to device-independent random number generation using the method of probability estimation factors (2018 Phys. Rev. A 98 040304(R)). We demonstrate a meaningful improvement in certified randomness applying the new polytopes characterized here.
Tension and compression effect on mechanical properties of Fe and B2
Authors: Huang Gang , Zhang Qingdong , Li Shuo
Published: July 2020

The elastic constants, ideal strength, band structure and electronic density state of Fe and B2 under tension and compression were studied by using the first principle. The structural parameters calculated at 0 pressure are consistent with the experimental results. The dependence of elastic constant and stress can be obtained by using static finite strain technique. The ideal tensile and compressive strength of Fe and B2 were studied by calculating the stress-strain relationship. At last, the micro mechanism which affects the stability of the structure was analyzed by using the results of electronic structure calculation. The results show that the compressive strength of Fe and B2 structure is higher than the tensile strength. When the stress of cell structure exceeds a limit, it will be destroyed, resulting in the sudden decrease of Poisson’s ratio, B and G, the asymmetry of energy band structure and the decrease of electron density of state energy.
The Effect of Brood Quantity on Nest Site Choice in theTemnothorax rugatulus(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Sasaki Takao , Briner Jennifer E , Pratt Stephen C
Published: July 2020

Ant colonies are self-organized systems, meaning that complex collective behavior emerges from local interactions among colony members without any central control. Self-organized systems are sensitive to initial conditions, whereby small random effects are amplified through positive feedback and have a large influence on collective outcomes. This sensitivity has been well demonstrated in collective decision-making by ants that use mass recruitment via trail pheromones, where it is attributed to the highly nonlinear relationship between the amount of pheromone on a trail and its effectiveness at attracting recruits. This feature is absent in many species, such as the rock ant Temnothorax rugatulus (Emery) whose tandem run recruitment shows a linear relationship between effort and effectiveness. Thus, these ants may have other behavioral responses that amplify initial differences during collective choices. We investigated this by testing whether nest site selection is influenced by small differences in the amount of brood at competing sites. Our results show that T. rugatulus colonies prefer a nest containing brood items to an empty nest, even when the brood-containing nest has only one brood item. When both nests have brood, colonies prefer the nest that contains more. However, as the numbers of brood items becomes more similar, this preference becomes weaker. Moreover, the smaller the difference in brood number, the more likely are colonies to split between sites. We discuss potential behavioral mechanisms for the observed effect, as well as its implications for number sense in ants.
Hypothesis testing for phylogenetic composition: a minimum-cost flow perspective
Authors: Wang Shulei , Cai T Tony , Li Hongzhe
Published: July 2020

Quantitative comparison of microbial composition from different populations is a fundamental task in various microbiome studies. We consider two-sample testing for microbial compositional data by leveraging phylogenetic information. Motivated by existing phylogenetic distances, we take a minimum-cost flow perspective to study such testing problems. We first show that multivariate analysis of variance with permutation using phylogenetic distances, one of the most commonly used methods in practice, is essentially a sum-of-squares type of test and has better power for dense alternatives. However, empirical evidence from real datasets suggests that the phylogenetic microbial composition difference between two populations is usually sparse. Motivated by this observation, we propose a new maximum type test, detector of active flow on a tree, and investigate its properties. We show that the proposed method is particularly powerful against sparse phylogenetic composition difference and enjoys certain optimality. The practical merit of the proposed method is demonstrated by simulation studies and an application to a human intestinal biopsy microbiome dataset on patients with ulcerative colitis.
A decision-theoretic approach to Bayesian clinical trial design and evaluation of robustness to prior-data conflict
Authors: Calderazzo Silvia , Wiesenfarth Manuel , Kopp-Schneider Annette
Published: July 2020

Bayesian clinical trials allow taking advantage of relevant external information through the elicitation of prior distributions, which influence Bayesian posterior parameter estimates and test decisions. However, incorporation of historical information can have harmful consequences on the trial’s frequentist (conditional) operating characteristics in case of inconsistency between prior information and the newly collected data. A compromise between meaningful incorporation of historical information and strict control of frequentist error rates is therefore often sought. Our aim is thus to review and investigate the rationale and consequences of different approaches to relaxing strict frequentist control of error rates from a Bayesian decision-theoretic viewpoint. In particular, we define an integrated risk which incorporates losses arising from testing, estimation, and sampling. A weighted combination of the integrated risk addends arising from testing and estimation allows moving smoothly between these two targets. Furthermore, we explore different possible elicitations of the test error costs, leading to test decisions based either on posterior probabilities, or solely on Bayes factors. Sensitivity analyses are performed following the convention which makes a distinction between the prior of the data-generating process, and the analysis prior adopted to fit the data. Simulation in the case of normal and binomial outcomes and an application to a one-arm proof-of-concept trial, exemplify how such analysis can be conducted to explore sensitivity of the integrated risk, the operating characteristics, and the optimal sample size, to prior-data conflict. Robust analysis prior specifications, which gradually discount potentially conflicting prior information, are also included for comparison. Guidance with respect to cost elicitation, particularly in the context of a Phase II proof-of-concept trial, is provided.
Learning in Finnish Social Work Practice and Research
Authors: Tirronen Anniina , Kinder Tony , Stenvall Jari
Published: July 2020

Accepting Bartlett’s vision of social work’s evolution resulting from action research, the article argues that in Finland, extensive action research is occurring, and this is resulting in service innovations. However, little of this research is published in academic journals and has only limited dissemination. Drawing on data from new interviews with experienced social workers in the City of Tampere, Finland, the article details the nature and extent of action research by social workers. A new framework with which to analyse action research from the logic-of-practice is used to show not only how extensive the action research is, but also how readily situated action research can be analysed from a broader perspective, making dissemination easier.
Cryptic species and taxonomic troubles: a rebuttal of the systematic treatment of the Asian ladies’ tresses orchids (Spiranthesspecies; Orchidaceae) by Paceet al.(2019)
Authors: Surveswaran Siddharthan , Gowda Vinita , Sun Mei
Published: July 2020

In a recent research article by Pace et al. (2019), the authors claimed to have used information from phenology, morphology and molecular phylogenetics in their nomenclatural review of the Spiranthes sinensis complex. However, there are several scientific and botanical nomenclature issues with the Pace et al. (2019) paper in addition to its many errors and misinformation, which can be severely misleading and have the potential to affect our understanding of the highly complex Asian Spiranthes group. Here, we compare and critique their study in light of our study published prior to the article in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. We suggest that the authors should have resorted to improved and new molecular data and a truly integrative analysis to support: (1) re-circumscription of the S. sinensis species complex for each of the six species they recognized, and the treatment of S. hongkongensis as a hybrid; and (2) all the new synonymies they proposed for Asian Spiranthes.
Phylogenetics ofPaepalanthus(Eriocaulaceae), a diverse Neotropical monocot lineage
Authors: Andrino Caroline O , Sano Paulo T , Inglis Peter W , Hensold Nancy , Costa Fabiane N , Simon Marcelo F
Published: July 2020

Paepalanthus is a diverse monocot genus with remarkable diversity distributed in the Neotropical highlands of South America. The genus comprises 410 species arranged in subgenera, sections, subsections and series. Added to this complex classification, Paepalanthus shows considerable morphological heterogeneity and includes three other genera in it, Actinocephalus (Körn.) Sano, Lachnocaulon Kunth and Tonina Aubl. A broadly sampled phylogenetic inference for the genus is still missing, precluding a better understanding of its delimitation and further studies in the group. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogenetic study for Paepalanthus to date, as well as morphological survey of characters that delimit the main lineages found. We assembled a morphologically and geographically representative sampling of Paepalanthus and associated genera comprising 356 accessions in a combined dataset of plastid (trnL-F, psbA-trnH) and nuclear (ITS, ETS) regions. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods were used for phylogenetic reconstruction. We found that Paepalanthus and 16 of its 28 infrageneric categories are not monophyletic, as well as the closely related genus Actinocephalus. Thirty-six well-supported clades are recognized. Morphological characters show high levels of homoplasy, and concepts traditionally used in the classification of Paepalanthus were found to be inconsistent. We confirmed that Paepalanthus as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic and revealed several new relationships in Eriocaulaceae. To make Paepalanthus monophyletic, the genus must be re-circumscribed. These results also provide a foundation for future investigations of the diversification and evolution of flora of the Neotropical highlands of South America.
Microbiome in the setting of burn patients: implications for infections and clinical outcomes
Authors: Corcione Silvia , Lupia Tommaso , De Rosa Francesco G ,   Host and Microbiota Interaction Study Group (ESGHAMI) of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)
Published: July 2020

Burn damage can lead to a state of immune dysregulation that facilitates the development of infections in patients. The most deleterious impact of this dysfunction is the loss of the skin’s natural protective barrier. Furthermore, the risk of infection is exacerbated by protracted hospitalization, urinary catheters, endotracheal intubation, inhalation injury, arterial lines and central venous access, among other mainstays of burn care. Currently, infections comprise the leading cause of mortality after major burn injuries, which highlights the improvements observed over the last 50 years in the care provided to burn victims. The need to implement the empirical selection of antibiotic therapy to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria may concomitantly lead to an overall pervasiveness of difficult-to-treat pathogens in burn centres, as well as the propagation of antimicrobial resistance and the ultimate dysregulation of a healthy microbiome. While preliminary studies are examining the variability and evolution of human and mice microbiota, both during the early and late phase burn injury, one must consider that abnormal microbiome conditions could influence the systemic inflammatory response. A better understanding of the changes in the post-burn microbiome might be useful to interpret the provenance and subsequent development of infections, as well as to come up with inferences on the prognosis of burn patients. This review aims to summarise the current findings describing the microbiological changes in different organs and systems of burn patients and how these alterations affect the risks of infections, complications, and, ultimately, healing.
Hypoxia response and acute lung and kidney injury: possible implications for therapy of COVID-19
Authors: Del Vecchio Lucia , Locatelli Francesco
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic of unprecedented severity affecting millions of people around the world and causing several hundred thousands of deaths. The presentation of the disease ranges from asymptomatic manifestations through to acute respiratory distress syndrome with the necessity of mechanical ventilation. Cytokine storm and maladaptive responses to the viral spread in the body could be responsible for the severity of disease. Many patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI) during the course of their disease, especially in more severe cases. Many factors could cause kidney damage during infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. It is still unclear whether direct viral damage or the overexpression of cytokines and inflammatory factors are preeminent. According to autoptic studies, in most of the cases, AKI is due proximal tubular damage. However, cases of collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were reported as well in the absence of signs of direct viral infection of the kidney. Considering that severe hypoxia is a hallmark of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, the involvement of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) system is very likely, possibly influencing the inflammatory response and outcome in both the lungs and kidneys. Several bodies of evidence have shown a possible role of the HIF pathway during AKI in various kidney disease models. Similar observations were made in the setting of acute lung injury. In both organs, HIF activation by means of inhibition of the prolyl-hydroxylases domain (PHD) could be protective. Considering these promising experimental data, we hypothesize that PHD inhibitors could be considered as a possible new therapy against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Improved Tactile Perception of 3D Geometric Bumps Using Coupled Electrovibration and Mechanical Vibration Stimuli
Authors: Sun Xiaoying , Zhang Chen , Liu Guohong
Published: July 2020

At present, the tactile perception of 3D geometric bumps (such as sinusoidal bumps, Gaussian bumps, triangular bumps, etc.) on touchscreens is mainly realized by mapping the local gradients of rendered virtual surfaces to lateral electrostatic friction, while maintaining the constant normal feedback force. The latest study has shown that the recognition rate of 3D visual objects with electrovibration is lower by 27$\%$ than that using force-feedback devices. Based on the custom-designed tactile display coupling with electrovibration and mechanical vibration stimuli, this paper proposes a novel tactile rendering algorithm of 3D geometric bumps, which simultaneously generates the lateral and the normal perceptual dimensions. Specifically, a mapping relationship with the electrostatic friction proportional to the gradient of 3D geometric bumps is firstly established. Then, resorting to the angle between the lateral friction force and the normal feedback force, a rendering model of the normal feedback force using mechanical vibration is further determined. Compared to the previous works with electrovibration, objective evaluations with 12 participants showed that the novel version significantly improved recognition rates of 3D bumps on touchscreens.
Diet-induced dyslipidemia induces metabolic and migratory adaptations in regulatory T cells
Authors: Amersfoort Jacob , Schaftenaar Frank H , Douna Hidde , van Santbrink Peter J , van Puijvelde Gijs H M , Slütter Bram , Foks Amanda C , Harms Amy , Moreno-Gordaliza Estefania , Wang Yanyan , Hankemeier Thomas , Bot Ilze , Chi Hongbo , Kuiper Johan
Published: July 2020

Aims

A hallmark of advanced atherosclerosis is inadequate immunosuppression by regulatory T (Treg) cells inside atherosclerotic lesions. Dyslipidemia has been suggested to alter Treg cell migration by affecting the expression of specific membrane proteins, thereby decreasing Treg cell migration towards atherosclerotic lesions. Besides membrane proteins, cellular metabolism has been shown to be a crucial factor in Treg cell migration. We aimed to determine whether dyslipidemia contributes to altered migration of Treg cells, in part, by affecting cellular metabolism.

Methods and results

Dyslipidemia was induced by feeding Ldlr−/− mice a western-type diet for 16–20 weeks and intrinsic changes in Treg cells affecting their migration and metabolism were examined. Dyslipidemia was associated with altered mTORC2 signalling in Treg cells, decreased expression of membrane proteins involved in migration, including CD62L, CCR7, and S1Pr1, and decreased Treg cell migration towards lymph nodes. Furthermore, we discovered that diet-induced dyslipidemia inhibited mTORC1 signalling, induced PPARδ activation and increased fatty acid (FA) oxidation in Treg cells. Moreover, mass-spectrometry analysis of serum from Ldlr−/− mice with normolipidemia or dyslipidemia showed increases in multiple PPARδ ligands during dyslipidemia. Treatment with a synthetic PPARδ agonist increased the migratory capacity of Treg cells in vitro and in vivo in an FA oxidation-dependent manner. Furthermore, diet-induced dyslipidemia actually enhanced Treg cell migration into the inflamed peritoneum and into atherosclerotic lesions in vitro.

Conclusion

Altogether, our findings implicate that dyslipidemia does not contribute to atherosclerosis by impairing Treg cell migration as dyslipidemia associated with an effector-like migratory phenotype in Treg cells.
From Inefficient Behind-the-Border Policies to Inefficient Trade Agreements: A Two-Tier Asymmetric Information Model
Authors: Bouët Antoine , Laborde David , Martimort David
Published: July 2020

We consider a general equilibrium model of international trade with two layers of informational asymmetries. Private information of Home producers on costs affects the design of ‘behind-the-border’ policies reflecting the political influence of inefficient producers. Home's supply is contracted, causing trade, and motivating the use of tariffs. Eliminating those instruments by means of a trade agreement may become impossible once Home has also private information on its redistributive concerns. Home, when subject to strong influence by inefficient producers, might be reluctant to adopt free trade, which may lead to limited tariff cuts and give a role for export subsidies.
Participation of two general stress response proteins from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri in environmental stress adaptation and virulence
Authors: Barcarolo María Victoria , Gottig Natalia , Ottado Jorgelina , Garavaglia Betiana S
Published: July 2020

Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) is the bacteria responsible for citrus canker. During its life cycle Xcc is found on leaves as epiphyte, where desiccation conditions may occur. In this work, two Xcc genes, XAC0100 and XAC4007, predicted in silico to be involved in general stress response, were studied under salt, osmotic, desiccation, oxidative and freezing stress, and during plant-pathogen interaction. Expression of XAC0100 and XAC4007 genes was induced under these stress conditions. Disruption of both genes in Xcc caused decreased bacterial culturability under desiccation, freezing, osmotic and oxidative stress. Importantly, the lack of these genes impaired Xcc epiphytic fitness. Both Xac0100 and Xac4007 recombinant proteins showed protective effects on Xanthomonas cells subjected to drought stress. Also, Escherichia coli overexpressing Xac4007 showed a better performance under standard culture, saline and osmotic stress and were more tolerant to freezing and oxidative stress than wild type E. coli. Moreover, both Xac0100 and Xac4007 recombinant proteins were able to prevent the freeze-thaw-induced inactivation of L-Lactate dehydrogenase. In conclusion, Xac0100 and Xac4007 have a relevant role as bacteria and protein protectors; and these proteins are crucial to bacterial pathogens that must face environmental stressful conditions that compromise the accomplishment of the complete virulence process.
Modelling variation in wood stiffness ofPinus ponderosausing static bending and acoustic measurements
Authors: Vaughan Damon , Auty David , Dahlen Joseph , Sánchez Meador Andrew J , Mackes Kurt H
Published: July 2020

Wood removed in Southwestern US forest restoration treatments currently has limited markets and thus low value. One important property of wood in structural products is its stiffness (measured as modulus of elasticity), which is known to vary systematically within trees. Directly measuring wood stiffness is expensive, time consuming and destructive. Therefore, we tested samples of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.) from northern Arizona destructively in bending and also non-destructively using acoustic velocity (AV) methods. In total, we tested multiple pith-to-bark small clear (2.54 × 2.54 × 40.64 cm) samples from up to four heights in 103 trees. We first measured the standing-tree AV of sample trees, then the AV of small clear samples, and finally measured wood stiffness using three point static bending tests. We found that a Michaelis–Menten curve was a good fit to the radial profile of wood stiffness, with a steep increase outward from the pith that approached an asymptote. The AV of small clear samples, coupled with measured volumetric density values, approximated the static modulus of elasticity values with high accuracy (r2 = 0.86). At the stand level, a model predicting standing tree AV from tree morphology fit the data well (r2 = 0.77). Results indicate that southwestern ponderosa pine contains outerwood with relatively high stiffness that could be suitable for structural products. However, when assessed using wood stiffness, the trees take a long time to reach maturity (~50 years) and thus the corewood proportion is large. AV measurements are a good way to assess variability within and among stands and thus could be employed to segregate the resource by expected stiffness values. Segregation could help identify stands not suitable for structural uses and direct them toward more appropriate products.
The Genome of the Softshell Clam Mya arenaria and the Evolution of Apoptosis
Authors: Plachetzki David C , Pankey M Sabrina , MacManes Matthew D , Lesser Michael P , Walker Charles W
Published: July 2020

Apoptosis is a fundamental feature of multicellular animals and is best understood in mammals, flies, and nematodes, with the invertebrate models being thought to represent a condition of ancestral simplicity. However, the existence of a leukemia-like cancer in the softshell clam Mya arenaria provides an opportunity to re-evaluate the evolution of the genetic machinery of apoptosis. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence for M. arenaria which we leverage with existing data to test evolutionary hypotheses on the origins of apoptosis in animals. We show that the ancestral bilaterian p53 locus, a master regulator of apoptosis, possessed a complex domain structure, in contrast to that of extant ecdysozoan p53s. Further, ecdysozoan taxa, but not chordates or lophotrochozoans like M. arenaria, show a widespread reduction in apoptosis gene copy number. Finally, phylogenetic exploration of apoptosis gene copy number reveals a striking linkage with p53 domain complexity across species. Our results challenge the current understanding of the evolution of apoptosis and highlight the ancestral complexity of the bilaterian apoptotic tool kit and its subsequent dismantlement during the ecdysozoan radiation.
Genomic Analysis of the Only Blind Cichlid Reveals Extensive Inactivation in Eye and Pigment Formation Genes
Authors: Aardema Matthew L , Stiassny Melanie L J , Alter S Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Trait loss represents an intriguing evolutionary problem, particularly when it occurs across independent lineages. Fishes in light-poor environments often evolve “troglomorphic” traits, including reduction or loss of both pigment and eyes. Here, we investigate the genomic basis of trait loss in a blind and depigmented African cichlid, Lamprologus lethops, and explore evolutionary forces (selection and drift) that may have contributed to these losses. This species, the only known blind cichlid, is endemic to the lower Congo River. Available evidence suggests that it inhabits deep, low-light habitats. Using genome sequencing, we show that genes related to eye formation and pigmentation, as well as other traits associated with troglomorphism, accumulated inactivating mutations rapidly after speciation. A number of the genes affected in L. lethops are also implicated in troglomorphic phenotypes in Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) and other species. Analysis of heterozygosity patterns across the genome indicates that L. lethops underwent a significant population bottleneck roughly 1 Ma, after which effective population sizes remained low. Branch-length tests on a subset of genes with inactivating mutations show little evidence of directional selection; however, low overall heterozygosity may reduce statistical power to detect such signals. Overall, genome-wide patterns suggest that accelerated genetic drift from a severe bottleneck, perhaps aided by directional selection for the loss of physiologically expensive traits, caused inactivating mutations to fix rapidly in this species.
Functional annotation of genomic variation: DNA methylation episignatures in neurodevelopmental Mendelian disorders
Authors: Sadikovic Bekim , Levy Michael A , Aref-Eshghi Erfan
Published: July 2020

The breadth and complexity of genetic testing in patients with suspected Mendelian neurodevelopmental disorders has rapidly expanded in the past two decades. However, in spite of advances in genomic technologies, genetic diagnosis remains elusive in more than half of these patients. Epigenomics, and in particular genomic DNA methylation profiles, are now known to be associated with the underpinning genetic defects in a growing number of Mendelian disorders. These often highly specific and sensitive molecular biomarkers have been used to screen these patient populations, resolve ambiguous clinical cases and interpret genetic variants of unknown clinical significance. Increasing the diagnostic yield beyond genomic sequencing technologies has rapidly propelled epigenomics to clinical utilization, with recent introduction of DNA methylation ‘EpiSign’ analysis in clinical diagnostic laboratories. This review provides an overview of the principles, applications and limitations of DNA methylation episignature analysis in patients with neurodevelopmental Mendelian disorders, and discusses clinical implications of this emerging diagnostic technology.
The Essence of Slavery: Exploitation in Human Rights Law
Authors: Jovanovic Marija
Published: July 2020

The modern slavery discourse has brought attention to the idea of ‘human exploitation’, which underpins a range of practices comprised by this popular umbrella term. Despite its extensive use, the concept of exploitation has never been defined in international law. This article articulates the necessary and sufficient conditions for the notion of exploitation in the context of the human rights prohibition against slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. This is done by examining international legislation, jurisprudence and the philosophical discussions of this concept. Articulating the parameters of exploitation sets firm boundaries of this right while leaving enough room for its further refinement in light of the new and emerging forms of modern slavery. Such analysis is a pioneering effort at elucidating the theoretical foundations of the prohibition of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
Hamas and Hezbollah: hybrid actors between resistance and governance
Authors: Lecocq Sharon
Published: July 2020

This analytical review essay discusses five recent books on Hamas and Hezbollah, which see the groups as peculiar yet increasingly important actors in the Middle East and in international relations more broadly. The books illustrate a growing attention to these actors, not merely as armed spoilers, but as legitimate incumbents in national elections and providers of local governance. They also highlight the challenges this approach creates for traditional International Relations (IR) frameworks, in which such actors are not easily situated. Together, the books provide a rich actor-centred perspective on these cases and display various complementary social scientific theories, methods and data with which they can be approached. This review aims to tease out the novel insights these works and cases have to offer for recent debates on norm contestation in IR. Rather than evaluating these actors' discourse and behaviour against western normative frameworks in IR and international politics, the books contribute by exposing a wealth of different norms, and different approaches to interpreting and applying norms, beyond those frameworks.