bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood RNA Signatures Predict Recent Tuberculosis Exposure in Mice, Macaques and Humans
Authors: Ault Russell C. , Headley Colwyn A. , Hare Alexander E. , Carruthers Bridget J. , Mejias Asuncion , Turner Joanne
Published: November 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death due to a single infectious disease. Knowing when a person was infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb) is critical as recent infection is the strongest clinical risk factor for progression to TB disease in immunocompetent individuals. However, time sinceM.tbinfection is challenging to determine in routine clinical practice. To define a biomarker for recent TB exposure, we determined whether gene expression patterns in blood RNA correlated with time sinceM.tbinfection or exposure. First, we found RNA signatures that accurately discriminated early and late time periods after experimental infection in mice and cynomolgus macaques. Next, we found a 6-gene blood RNA signature that identified recently exposed individuals in two independent human cohorts, including adult household contacts of TB cases and adolescents who recently acquiredM.tbinfection. Our work supports the need for future longitudinal studies of recent TB contacts to determine whether biomarkers of recent infection can provide prognostic information of TB disease risk in individuals and help map recent transmission in communities.
TGS-GapCloser: fast and accurately passing through the Bermuda in large genome using error-prone third-generation long reads
Authors: Xu Mengyang , Guo Lidong , Gu Shengqiang , Wang Ou , Zhang Rui , Fan Guangyi , Xu Xun , Deng Li , Liu Xin
Published: November 2019

The completeness and accuracy of genome assemblies determine the quality of subsequent bioinformatics analysis. Despite benefiting from the medium/long-range information of third-generation sequencing techniques, current gap-closing tools to enhance assemblies suffer multi-alignments and high error rates, resulting in huge time and money costs.

We developed a software tool, TGS-GapCloser that uses the low depth (>=10X) single molecule sequencing long reads without any error correction to close gaps. The algorithm distinguishes gap regions from the alignments of long reads against original scaffolds, corrects only the candidate regions, and assigns the best sequences to each gap. We demonstrate that TGS-GapCloser improves the contig N50 value of draft assembly by 25-fold on average, updating above 90% gaps with 93.96% positive predictive value. Despite of high error rate of raw long reads, improved assemblies archive Q50 (99.999%) single-base accuracy with only 11.8% decrement to inputs. Besides it could complete more gaps, and is also ∼29-fold faster than mainstream gap-closing tools. BUSCO analysis revealed that 3.4%-13.1% more expected genes were complete. TGS-GapCloser also shows its power to fill gaps for ultra large genome assembly of ginkgo (∼12Gb) with 71.6% of gaps closed. The validation of inserted or merged gap sequences was conducted with NGS reads and reference genomes, respectively. The updated genome assemblies may promote the gene annotation, structure variant calling and thus improving the downstream analysis of ontogeny, phylogeny, and evolution.
Dynamic Palmitoylation Events Following T-Cell Receptor Signaling
Authors: Morrison Eliot , Wegner Tatjana , Zucchetti Andres Ernesto , Álvaro-Benito Miguel , Zheng Ashley , Kliche Stefanie , Krause Eberhard , Brügger Britta , Hivroz Claire , Freund Christian
Published: November 2019

Palmitoylation is the reversible addition of palmitate to cysteine via a thioester linkage. Following stimulation of the T-cell receptor we find a number of proteins are newly palmitoylated, including those involved in vesicle-mediated transport and Ras signal transduction. Among these stimulation-dependent palmitoylation targets are the v-SNARE VAMP7, important for docking of vesicular LAT during TCR signaling, and the largely undescribed palmitoyl acyltransferase DHHC18 that is expressed in two isoforms in T cells. Using our newly developed On-Plate Palmitoylation Assay (OPPA), we show DHHC18 is capable of palmitoylating VAMP7 at Cys183. Cellular imaging shows that the palmitoylation-deficient protein fails to be retained at the Golgi.
The dehydration process in the DL-phenylglycinium trifluoromethanesulfonate monohydrate crystal revealed by XRD, vibrational and DSC studies
Authors: Wołoszyn Łukasz , Ilczyszyn Maria M. , Kinzhybalo Vasyl
Published: November 2019

Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and temperature-dependent IR spectroscopy were used to study the dehydration process of crystalline DL-phenylglycinium trifluoromethanesulfonate monohydrate (PGTFH), C8H10NO2
+·CF3SO3
−·H2O. PGTFH dehydrates in one step centred at 353 K and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, whereas the anhydrous compound (PGTF) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\overline{1}. The dehydration process in PGTFH is preceded by a weakening of both the noncovalent aromatic–aromatic interactions and the packing contacts. This process is accompanied by the breakage of medium-strength O—H...O hydrogen bonds between ions inside layers and a reorganization of the ions within the layers. This reorganization results in the formation of two different ion pairs (DL-phenylglycinium trifluoromethanesulfonate) and the formation of a new hydrogen-bond network. The dehydration process does not destroy the nature of the crystal structure. Both crystals, i.e. hydrated and anhydrous, have a layered structure, although the layers of each crystal are arranged somewhat differently.
(4-Carboxybenzyl)triphenylphosphonium hexafluoridophosphate tetrahydrofuran monosolvate
Authors: Traver Joseph R. , Guillet Gary L. , Hillesheim Patrick C.
Published: November 2019

The title compound, C26H22O2P+·PF6
−·C4H7O, crystallizes as a cation-anion pair with a single solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. Hydrogen bonding occurs between the carboxylic acid group on the cation and the oxygen atom of the solvent molecule. Longer hydrogen-bonding interactions are observed between fluorine atoms of the anion and H atoms on the phenyl rings of the cation.
A brand-new world: brand-endorsers-users fit on social media
Authors: Borges-Tiago Maria Teresa , Tiago Flavio , Veríssimo José Manuel , Silva Tiago
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The digital relationship between brand and users, and brand and endorsers has been analyzed from different angles. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how these three elements co-create online the brand personality of the firm, through user-generated content.

Design/methodology/approach

This study gathered data from the hotels’ websites, Facebook, Twitter and TripAdvisor accounts, examining the content posted by the hotel, by tourists and by the celebrity endorsing some of the hotels. To pursue the aims, the brand personality dimensions communicated online were assessed through content analysis for the global presence and for each social network by user typology to establish the alignment of brand personality traits communicated.

Findings

Digital communication was found to vary significantly between the hotels and tourists in different social networks. The amount of content created by tourists is significantly higher than the ones produced by the hotel. The sincerity dimension of brand personality was confirmed in both communications. However, tourists’ brand image impacts brand personality differently than the hotels themselves. Furthermore, an analysis of the influence of customers on social networks indicates that celebrity personality traits seem to impact on the image of a hotel brand.

Originality/value

This research can be used to help brand managers to understand better the digital co-branding with clients and celebrity, as well as to identify gaps in their brand personality strategy. It could also assist future researchers focusing on digital celebrity endorsement since few researchers have analyzed digital communication in different social networks.
Searching for high pressure processing parameters for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes reduction in Concord grape juice
Authors: Petrus Rodrigo , Churey John , Worobo Randy
Published: November 2019

Purpose

High pressure processing (HPP) has been widely used for high-acid (pH<4.6) juices. The purpose of this study was to investigate optimal parameters aimed at achieving 5-log reduction of the pathogens of reference in Concord grape juice (pH 3.39).

Design/methodology/approach

Grape juice was inoculated with five strain cocktails of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes. In total, 11 trials were carried out based on a Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD). The pressure (P), ranging from 319 to 531 MPa, and dwell time (t), from 35 to 205 s, were tested. The performance of the combinations (P × t) was evaluated by pathogen challenge microbiological assays.

Findings

E. coli O157:H7 was more resistant to HPP than S. enterica. L. monocytogenes did not grow in unprocessed juice (before HPP). Findings demonstrated that moderate pressures (~400 MPa) and short dwell times (~2 min) were effective in achieving a greater than 5-log reduction in the pathogens of reference.

Practical implications

Because the maintenance costs of equipment exponentially increase with pressure beyond 600 MPa, significant reductions in process pressure are highly desirable.

Originality/value

The results of this study can supplement the dearth of information on the applicability of high pressure as a Concord grape juice processing technology in terms of the pathogens inactivation. Furthermore, the use of a cocktail of five strains of pathogens inoculated in Concord grape juice to challenge different HPP parameters has not been reported.
Research on production process optimization of precast concrete component factory based on value stream mapping
Authors: Wang Shuqiang , Tang Jia , Zou Yiquan , Zhou Qihui
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process optimization of a precast concrete component production line by using value stream mapping.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an empirical focused on of lean production theory and value stream mapping. The data in the case study were collected in real time on-site for each process during the production process of a prefabricated exterior wall.

Findings

The results of the current value stream map indicate that the main problems of the current production process are related to equipment, technology and organization. The equipment problems include simple demolding and cleaning tools and the lack of professional transfer channels. The technology problems include the lack of a marking mechanism and pipeline exit mechanism. There is a lack of standard operating procedures and incomplete process convergence. A comparison and analysis of the current value stream and the future value flow indicate that optimizations of the process flow, the production line layout, and the standard operating procedures have shortened the delivery cycle, reduced the number of workers, improved the operator’s operating level and balanced the production line.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide practitioners with a clear understanding of the optimization of the precast concrete component production and represent a method and basis for the process optimization of a factory production line; the approach is suitable for process optimization in other areas.

Originality/value

This research represents an innovative application of lean production theory and value stream mapping in a complex production line of precast concrete components and thereby fills the gap between the theory and practice of the optimization of a precast concrete component production line.
Whom to please: the government or the company? A case study of Ayla Hotels and Resorts in Djibouti, East Africa
Authors: Darwish Doa'a , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: November 2019

Subject area

International Business Management, Global Business Strategy and Human Resource Management

Study level/applicability

This case is suitable for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, specifically in human resources management, business strategy and international business management courses.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: to figure out the appropriate staffing approaches for the foreign investment projects; to understand the challenges that companies face when they expand in the foreign market; to understand the different foreign markets entry modes.

Case overview/synopsis

The Nayel and Bin Harmal Investment Co. LCC. is an experienced company that owns a hotel chain with three properties in the UAE. In 2011, it decided to invest in Africa and build a new hotel – Ayla Djibouti Hotel – in Djibouti. The hotel’s construction is nearly complete. This has urged Bashar Al Tamimi to begin devising a staffing strategy for the hotel. Of particular concern is Djibouti’s lack of manpower with hospitality qualifications and expertise. Consequently, Al Tamimi must grapple with some difficult questions: Should he hire staff with the appropriate international hospitality experience? Or should NBHI invest in the human capital in Djibouti and train Djiboutian people to operate the hotel? Which strategy or approach will lead to the most successful and profit-making outcome for Ayla Djibouti

Complexity academic level

This case is suitable for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, specifically in human resources management, business strategy and international business management courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
Dicoma Corporation: challenges for future growth
Authors: Borda Armando , Cordova Carlos , Leon Juan Carlos
Published: November 2019

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: students will identify the reasons for a firm to internationalize and its specific internationalization entry mode; students will distinguish how to follow the client and how physic distance strategies work; students will analyze a host country’s external environment using the PESTEL framework, and they will analyze the international strategies followed by a multinational enterprise using the integration-responsiveness framework as well.

Case overview/synopsis

The authors explore the case of DICOMA Corporation, a Costa Rican multinational enterprise with presence in five countries. Adrian Sanchez, who is Dicoma’s president, needs to craft an international strategy to increase the international sales in the foreign markets where the firm operates. The company may follow two paths. On the one hand, Dicoma can adopt the strategy of following its major clients to expand overseas, which will lead to the opening of operations in more countries, but making the foreign sales highly dependent on these types of partnerships. This has been so far the path pursued by Dicoma in its international expansion. On the other hand, Dicoma can opt to focus on increasing commitments in the existing international markets where it already has operations by capturing new clients in those locations but scarifying the potential business opportunities to enter into other countries in partnership with its major clients.

Complexity academic level

Post-graduate early stage business students enrolled in programs such as Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, Master of International Business, executive education programs, among others.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available upon request for educators only. These teaching notes should be shared solely with the instructor and students should not have access to. Please contact your library to gain login or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC): powerless but accountable leadership for former GCEO
Authors: Mpherwane Maijang , April Kurt , Barnardo Claire
Published: November 2019

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: identify the key challenges of leading a large organisation that is self-serving as compared to one that has people of integrity in its employ; understand how resilient leaders need to be to remain focussed on the task at hand while faced with resistance and controversy at every turn; demonstrate how to cultivate a culture of trust and integrity in an organisation bereft of both, and rebuild an organisation’s reputation; navigate the dynamics of having an unruly subordinate [chief operating officer (COO)] who in reality is more powerful; and develop key skills in practicing self-care in an environment where one is constantly undermined and devalued.

Case overview/synopsis

This case looks at the leadership of former GCEO Lulama Mokhobo at the South African Broadcasting Corporation SABC from 2012 to 2014 and her lived experience within the theme of empowered powerlessness. With an unsupportive board, destructive COO, and minister of communications at government level, Lulama is disempowered in her position and battles to make changes. Colleagues attest to the unusually complex dynamics that she had to navigate on a daily basis. The case details how this eroded Lulama’s self-confidence as well as her ability to lead the organisation and pushed her to resign. The SABC managed to undo the strides she made during her tenure and now finds itself in financial quagmire due to poor and questionable decisions made after her resignation as the GCEO of the organisation.

Complexity academic level

The target audience for this case comprises students enrolled in tertiary business education programmes who have already had some sort of work experience and hands-on exposure to real-world business. MBA and EMBA students, as well as executive education programmes. Including disciplines such as leadership, organisational behaviour and people management and strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Does it get better over time? A longitudinal assessment of enterprise system user performance
Authors: Sedera Darshana , Lokuge Sachithra
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Anecdotal discussions suggest that enterprise system (ES) user performance is low when such complex systems are introduced, and then improves over time. However, there is a dearth of scientific rigor and empirical evidence about the user performance over the lengthy lifecycles. Moreover, our scientific understanding of user performance phenomenon is further convoluted by the various user groups (i.e. operational, management and executive), who purport to have often conflicting objectives and priorities. Using a longitudinal study design of two surveys, gathering data twice from 465 respondents representing three organization, the purpose of this paper is to explore the changes in user performance of operational, management and executive staffs, across the key phases of the ES lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal study approach was followed, gathering data using two surveys. The two surveys were conducted six years apart, yielding data from 465 ES users. The respondents belong to operational, managerial and executive staffs of three organizations that were using the same market-leading ES, SAP.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights on how user performance changes over time, across the ES lifecycle phases. Importantly, it was observed that the three user cohorts demonstrate substantial differences on their performance with the system.

Research limitations/implications

The research results may lack generalizability due to homogeneity of the sample in terms of the types of the system, implementation partners and the industry sector the respondents belonged to.

Practical implications

Based on the study findings, organizations can introduce tailor-made management interventions for each user cohort for each ES lifecycle phase.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence for a phenomenon that still lacks scientific rigor and empirical evidence. By conducting a longitudinal survey of all ES user cohorts, the study provides insights into ES user performance.
Working in social prescribing services: a qualitative study
Authors: Beardmore Amy
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Social prescribing (SP) is an emerging area of public health that has the potential to alleviate pressure on primary care by offering non-clinical solutions to health problems. Whilst there is an increasing body of literature exploring service design and impact, there is little research that focuses specifically on the SP workforce. The purpose of this paper is to explore routes into SP, worker’s experiences of the sector and potential career progression.

Design/methodology/approach

For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight members of the SP workforce with varying levels of responsibility from within six different organisations in an urban/suburban area of South West England. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Pathways into the sector were varied, and those without direct experience often brought transferable skills from other professions. Careers in SP were clearly rewarding, and some providers had established good support structures for staff. However, some participants were in need of additional training in areas such as collaborative working and staff management. Staff working at a more senior level – particularly in community-based organisations – seemed less well supported overall, with limited career progression. Staff in such organisations also reported working beyond contractual hours.

Originality/value

This study has revealed inconsistencies between the experiences of staff in some community organisations vs those associated with larger, more established services. It has also highlighted a need for further training and capacity building in some areas. These findings may be of interest to those commissioning or funding SP services in the future.
Evaluation of behavioral biases affecting investment decision making of individual equity investors by fuzzy analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Jain Jinesh , Walia Nidhi , Gupta Sanjay
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Research in the area of behavioral finance has demonstrated that investors exhibit irrational behavior while making investment decisions. Investor behavior usually deviates from logic and reason, and consequently, investors exhibit various behavioral biases which impact their investment decisions. The purpose of this paper is to rank the behavioral biases influencing the investment decision making of individual equity investors from the state of Punjab, India. This research would provide valuable insight into the different behavioral biases to investors and other participants of the capital market and help them in improving investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conducted on the individual equity investors of Punjab, India. Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process was applied to rank the factors influencing the decision making of individual equity investors of Punjab. The primary factors considered for the study are overconfidence bias, representative bias, anchoring bias, availability bias, regret aversion bias, loss aversion bias, mental accounting bias and herding bias.

Findings

The three most influential criteria were herding bias, loss aversion bias and overconfidence bias. The five most influential sub-criteria were “I readily sell shares that have increased in value (C61),” “News about the company (Newspapers, TV and magazines) affects my investment decision (C84),” “I invest each element of my investment portfolio separately (C71)” and “I usually hold loosing stock for long time, expecting trend reversal (C52).”

Research limitations/implications

Although sample survey conducted in the present study was based on a limited sample selected from a particular area that truly represented the total population, it is considered as the limitation of this study.

Practical implications

The outcome of this research provides investors with a better understanding of behavioral biases that influence their decision making. This study provides them a guideline on different behavioral biases that they should consider while making investment decisions.

Originality/value

The research model is based on the available literature on behavioral finance and the research results and findings would add value to the existing knowledge base.
The Politics of M&A Antitrust
Authors: MEHTA MIHIR N. , SRINIVASAN SURAJ , ZHAO WANLI
Published: November 2019

Antitrust regulators play a critical role in protecting market competition. We examine whether the political process affects antitrust reviews of merger transactions. We find that acquirers and targets located in the political districts of powerful U.S. congressional members who serve on committees with antitrust regulatory oversight receive relatively favorable antitrust review outcomes. To establish causality, we use plausibly exogenous shocks to firm–politician links and a falsification test. Additional findings suggest congressional members’ incentives to influence antitrust reviews are affected by three channels: special interests, voter and constituent interests, and ideology. In aggregate, our findings suggest that the political process adversely interferes with the ability of antitrust regulators to provide independent recommendations about anticompetitive mergers.
Evaluation of DNA Extraction Methods for Processing Fingerprint Powder‐Coated Forensic Evidence
Authors: Cornwell Samuel J. , Tay Jasmine W. , Allan Rudi K. , Zoranjic Jasmin , O’Rourke Nicholas J. , Byard Graham B. , Rye Marie S.
Published: November 2019

In unison, fingerprinting and DNA analysis have played a pivotal role in forensic investigations. Fingerprint powders that are available on the market can come in a range of colors and with specific properties. This study evaluated the efficiency of DNA extraction from samples coated with 3 brands of fingerprint powders: Lightning, Sirchie, and SupraNano, covering a range of colors and properties. A total of 23 fingerprint powders were tested using the Chelex, Promega DNA IQ™, and Applied Biosystems™ PrepFiler™ DNA extraction protocols. The DNA IQ™ and PrepFiler™ methods extracted higher yields of DNA in comparison to Chelex, which also accounted for better quality of PowerPlex x00AE; 21 DNA profiles recovered. There were no signs of degradation or inhibition in the quantification data, indicating that samples returning low DNA yield was due to interference during DNA extraction and not PCR inhibition. DNA profiles were recovered from the majority of fingerprint powders with only a single powder, Sirchie Magnetic Silver, failing to produce a profile using any of the methods tested. A link was observed between the DNA extraction chemistry, fingerprint powder property, that is, nonmagnetic, magnetic and aqueous, and the brand of fingerprint powder. Overall, the DNA IQ™ method was favorable for nonmagnetic fingerprint powders, while magnetic fingerprint powders produced more DNA profiles when extracted with the PrepFiler™ chemistry. This study highlights the importance of screening DNA extraction chemistries for the type of fingerprint powder used, as there is not a single DNA extraction method that suits all fingerprint powder brands and properties.
Clinical effects beyond cocaine use of sustained‐release dexamphetamine for the treatment of cocaine dependent patients with comorbid opioid dependence: secondary analysis of a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial
Authors: Blanken Peter , Nuijten Mascha , van den Brink Wim , Hendriks Vincent M.
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Sustained‐release (SR) formulations of dexamphetamine and mixed amphetamine salts have shown positive effects in the treatment of patients with a cocaine use disorder. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of SR‐dexamphetamine for patients with cocaine dependence in terms of cocaine use reductions. In this secondary analysis, we assessed whether SR‐dexamphetamine treatment also improves the health status of these patients.

Design

Multi‐centre randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting

Four supervised heroin‐assisted treatment (HAT) out‐patient clinics in the Netherlands. In HAT, methadone treatment‐refractory opioid‐dependent patients can self‐administer individually titrated doses of pharmaceutical grade diacetylmorphine, coprescribed with oral methadone.

Participants

Seventy‐three cocaine‐dependent patients (90% males; average age = 48.7 years), participating in HAT for their treatment‐refractory comorbid opioid dependence.

Interventions

Twelve weeks pharmacotherapy with once‐daily, supervised intake of two tablets of SR‐dexamphetamine (2 × 30 mg/day) or two identical placebo tablets.

Measurements

Assessment every 4 weeks: cocaine use (time‐line follow‐back), physical health (Maudsley Addiction Profile–Health Symptoms Scale), mental health (Brief Symptom Inventory) and illegal activities (Addiction Severity Index). Primary outcome was ‘overall health’, a dichotomous, multi‐domain response index based on physical health, mental health and social functioning.

Findings

Compared with placebo, SR‐dexamphetamine resulted in larger increases in the number of cocaine abstinent days (P = 0.004) and the proportion of overall health treatment responders (P = 0.045) from the 4 weeks preceding baseline to the final 4 weeks of treatment. While the number of cocaine abstinent days was not associated with overall health in the total study sample, it was positively associated with overall health among patients in poor overall health at the start of SR‐dexamphetamine treatment (n = 50), i.e. patients with the potential to improve on this multi‐domain response index (odds ratio = 1.076; 95% confidence interval = 1.025–1.130).

Conclusions

SR‐dexamphetamine reduces cocaine use and may improve clinically relevant health‐related outcomes in patients with cocaine dependence who are participating in heroin‐assisted treatment for their comorbid heroin dependence.
Rates of stillbirth by maternal region of birth and gestational age in New South Wales, Australia 2004–2015
Authors: Berman Ye’elah , Ibiebele Ibinabo , Patterson Jillian A. , Randall Deborah , Ford Jane B. , Nippita Tanya , Morris Jonathan M. , Davies‐Tuck Miranda L. , Torvaldsen Siranda
Published: November 2019

Background

Research suggests that in Australia, maternal region of birth is a risk factor for stillbirth.

Aims

We aimed to examine the relationship between stillbirth and maternal region of birth in New South Wales (NSW), Australia from 2004 to 2015.

Methods

Adjusted logistic regression was used to determine odds of stillbirth by maternal region of birth, compared with Australian or New Zealand‐born (AUS/NZ‐born) women. Intervention rates (induction or pre‐labour caesarean) by maternal region of birth, over time, were also examined. Interaction terms were used to assess change in relative odds of stillbirth, over two time periods (2004–2011 and 2012–2015).

Results

There were 944 457 singleton births ≥24 weeks gestation that met the study inclusion criteria and 3221 of these were stillbirths, giving a stillbirth rate of 3.4 per 1000 births. After adjustment for confounders, South Asian (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.42, 95% CI 1.24–1.62), Oceanian (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.17–1.80) and African (aOR 1.46, 96% CI 1.19–1.80) born women had significantly higher odds of stillbirth that AUS/NZ‐born women. Intervention rates increased from the earlier to the later time period by 13.1% across the study population, but the increase was larger in African and South Asian‐born women (18.1% and 19.6% respectively) than AUS/NZ‐born women (11.2%). There was a significant interaction between ethnicity and time period for South Asian‐born women in the all‐births model, with their stillbirth rates becoming closer to AUS/NZ‐born women in the later period.

Conclusion

South Asian, African and Oceanian maternal region of birth are independent risk factors for stillbirth in NSW.
Managing highly sensitized renal transplant candidates in the era of kidney paired donation and the new kidney allocation system: Is there still a role for desensitization?
Authors: Schinstock Carrie A. , Smith Byron H. , Montgomery Robert A. , Jordan Stanley C. , Bentall Andrew J. , Mai Martin , Khamash Hasan A. , Stegall Mark D.
Published: November 2019

Kidney paired donation (KPD) and the new kidney allocation system (KAS) in the United States have led to improved transplantation rates for highly sensitized candidates. We aimed to assess the potential need for other approaches to improve the transplantation rate of highly sensitized candidates such as desensitization. Using the UNOS STAR file, we analyzed transplant rates in a prevalent active waiting‐list cohort as of June 1, 2016, followed for 1 year. The overall transplantation rate was 18.9% (11 129/58769). However, only 9.7% (213/2204) of candidates with a calculated panel reactive antibody ≥99.9% received a transplant, and highly sensitized candidates were less likely to receive a living donor transplant. Among candidates with a CPRA ≥ 99.5% (ie. 100%), only 2.5% of transplants were from living donors (13 total, 7 from KPD). Nearly 4 years after KAS (6/30/2018), 1791 actively wait‐listed candidates had a CPRA of ≥99.9% and 34.6% (620/1791) of these had ≥5 years of waiting time. Thus, despite KPD and KAS, many sensitized candidates have not been transplanted even with prolonged waiting time. We conclude that candidates with a CPRA ≥ 99.9% and sensitized candidates with an incompatible living donor and prolonged waiting time may benefit from desensitization to improve their ability to receive a transplant.
Response to underwater laser pointer in the Orange‐finned Anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and three‐spot damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus
Authors: Cohn Emilie , Cole Patrick , Haymaker Amanda , Garner Austin M. , Londraville Richard L.
Published: November 2019

Response of orange‐finned anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and three‐spot damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus to red laser‐pointer light was studied in Mo'orea, French Polynesia. Four magnificent anemones Heteractis magnifica and their resident fish were observed for typical behaviours (biting, chasing, hiding, posing, lunging and retreating) with and without exposure to laser‐pointer light. Lunging behaviour increased significantly for both fish species upon exposure to laser‐pointer light; none of the other behaviours changed significantly. We advance the hypothesis that orange‐finned anemonefish and three‐spot damselfish interpret laser pointer stimulation as a territorial threat.
Flexure Pivot Oscillator With Intrinsically Tuned Isochronism
Authors: Thalmann E. , Kahrobaiyan M. H. , Vardi I. , Henein S.
Published: November 2019

The most important property for accurate mechanical time bases is isochronism: the independence of period from oscillation amplitude. This paper develops a new concept in isochronism adjustment for flexure-based watch oscillators. Flexure pivot oscillators, which would advantageously replace the traditional balance wheel-spiral spring oscillator used in mechanical watches due to their significantly lower friction, exhibit nonlinear elastic properties that introduce an isochronism defect. Rather than minimizing this defect, we are interested in controlling it to compensate for external defects such as the one introduced by escapements. We show that this can be done by deriving a formula that expresses the change of frequency of the oscillator with amplitude, i.e., isochronism defect, caused by elastic nonlinearity. To adjust the isochronism, we present a new method that takes advantage of the second-order parasitic motion of flexures and embody it in a new architecture we call the co-RCC flexure pivot oscillator. In this realization, the isochronism defect of the oscillator is controlled by adjusting the stiffness of parallel flexures before fabrication through their length Lp, which has no effect on any other crucial property, including nominal frequency. We show that this method is also compatible with post-fabrication tuning by laser ablation. The advantage of our design is that isochronism tuning is an intrinsic part of the oscillator, whereas previous isochronism correctors were mechanisms added to the oscillator. The results of our previous research are also implemented in this mechanism to achieve gravity insensitivity, which is an essential property for mechanical watch time bases. We derive analytical models for the isochronism and gravity sensitivity of the oscillator and validate them by finite element simulation. We give an example of dimensioning this oscillator to reach typical practical watch specifications and show that we can tune the isochronism defect with a resolution of 1 s/day within an operating range of 10% of amplitude. We present a mock-up of the oscillator serving as a preliminary proof-of-concept.
Generalization of Machine-Learned Turbulent Heat Flux Models Applied to Film Cooling Flows
Authors: Milani Pedro M. , Ling Julia , Eaton John K.
Published: November 2019

The design of film cooling systems relies heavily on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations, which solve for mean quantities and model all turbulent scales. Most turbulent heat flux models, which are based on isotropic diffusion with a fixed turbulent Prandtl number (Prt), fail to accurately predict heat transfer in film cooling flows. In the present work, machine learning models are trained to predict a non-uniform Prt field using various datasets as training sets. The ability of these models to generalize beyond the flows on which they were trained is explored. Furthermore, visualization techniques are employed to compare distinct datasets and to help explain the cross-validation results.
Sound Pulses and the Heart
Authors: Darner Charles L.
Published: November 2019

A personal experience is reported for the benefit of persons experimenting with audible repetitive sound pulses. Prolonged exposure to pulses having a repetition rate higher than the normal heart-beat rate appears to fix the cardiac rhythm at an abnormally high rate. The heart-beat rate can be reduced again by listening to pulses at lower rates, but the time required to effect the cure may be considerable longer than is required to cause the abnormality.
Wrist Posture Does Not Influence Finger Interdependence
Authors: Chakrabhavi Niranjan , SKM Varadhan
Published: November 2019

A task involving an instructed finger movement causes involuntary movements in the noninstructed fingers of the hand, also known as finger interdependence. It is associated with both mechanical and neural mechanisms. The current experiment investigated the effect of finger interdependence due to systematic changes of the wrist posture, close to neutral. Eight right-handed healthy human participants performed submaximal cyclic flexion and extension at the metacarpophalangeal joint at 0° neutral, 30° extension, and 30° flexion wrist postures, respectively. The experiment comprised of an instruction to move one of the 4 fingers—index, middle, ring, and little. Movements of the instructed and noninstructed fingers were recorded. Finger interdependence was quantified using enslavement matrix, individuation index, and stationarity index, and it was compared across wrist postures. The authors found that the finger interdependence does not change with changes in wrist posture. Further analysis showed that individuation and stationarity indices were mostly equivalent across wrist postures, and their effects were much smaller than the average differences present among the fingers. The authors conclude that at wrist postures close to neutral, the finger interdependence is not affected by wrist posture.
The Novel Nuclear Targeting and BFRF1-Interacting Domains of BFLF2 Are Essential for Efficient Epstein-Barr Virus Virion Release
Authors: Dai Yu-Ching , Liao Yen-Tzu , Juan Yi-Ting , Cheng Yi-Ying , Su Mei-Tzu , Su Yu-Zhen , Liu Hung-Chun , Tsai Ching-Hwa , Lee Chung-Pei , Chen Mei-Ru
Published: November 2019

Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BFRF1 and BFLF2 are homologs of conserved viral nuclear egress complex (NEC) in all human herpesviruses, unique amino acid sequences and functions were identified in both proteins. In this study, the nuclear targeting and BFRF1-interacting domains were found within the N terminus of BFLF2. We showed that amino acids (aa) 82 to 106 are the major region required for BFLF2 to interact with BFRF1. However, the coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) data and glutathione transferase (GST) pulldown experiments revealed that multiple regions of both proteins contribute to reciprocal interactions. Different from the canonical nuclear localization signal (NLS) in other herpes viral homologs, BFLF2 contains a novel importin-dependent nuclear localization signal, including R47, K50, and R52 and several neighboring discontinuous arginine and histidine residues. Using a bacmid complementation system, we show that both the nuclear targeting and the novel nuclear localization signal within aa 82 to 106 of BFLF2 are required for virion secretion.
Cause and Effectors: Whole-Genome Comparisons Reveal Shared but Rapidly Evolving Effector Sets among Host-Specific Plant-Castrating Fungi
Authors: Beckerson William C. , Rodríguez de la Vega Ricardo C. , Hartmann Fanny E. , Duhamel Marine , Giraud Tatiana , Perlin Michael H.
Published: November 2019

Plant pathogens use molecular weapons to successfully infect their hosts, secreting a large portfolio of various proteins and enzymes. Different plant species are often parasitized by host-specific pathogens; however, it is still unclear whether the molecular basis of such host specialization involves species-specific weapons or different variants of the same weapons. We therefore compared the genes encoding secreted proteins in three plant-castrating pathogens parasitizing different host plants, producing their spores in plant anthers by replacing pollen. We validated our predictions for secretion signals for some genes and checked that our predicted secreted proteins were often highly expressed during plant infection. While we found few species-specific secreted proteins, numerous genes encoding secreted proteins showed signs of rapid evolution and of natural selection. Our study thus found that most changes among closely related host-specific pathogens involved rapid adaptive changes in shared molecular weapons rather than innovations for new weapons.
Drug-Resistant Epimutants Exhibit Organ-Specific Stability and Induction during Murine Infections Caused by the Human Fungal Pathogen Mucor circinelloides
Authors: Chang Zanetta , Heitman Joseph
Published: November 2019

The emerging fungal pathogen
Mucor circinelloides
causes a severe infection, mucormycosis, which leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. Treatment of
Mucor
infection is challenging because
Mucor
is inherently resistant to nearly all clinical antifungal agents. An RNAi-dependent and reversible mechanism of antifungal resistance, epimutation, was recently reported for
Mucor
. Epimutation has not been studied
in vivo
, and it was unclear whether it would contribute to antifungal resistance observed clinically. We demonstrate that epimutation can both be induced and reverted after
in vivo
passage through a mouse; rates of both induction and reversion are higher after brain infection than after infection of other organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs). Elucidating the roles played by epimutation in drug resistance and infection will improve our understanding of
Mucor
and other fungal pathogens and may have implications for antifungal treatment.
Insights into the Host Range, Genetic Diversity, and Geographical Distribution of Jingmenviruses
Authors: Temmam Sarah , Bigot Thomas , Chrétien Delphine , Gondard Mathilde , Pérot Philippe , Pommelet Virginie , Dufour Evelyne , Petres Stéphane , Devillers Elodie , Hoem Thavry , Pinarello Valérie , Hul Vibol , Vongphayloth Khamsing , Hertz Jeffrey C. , Loiseau Irène , Dumarest Marine , Duong Veasna , Vayssier-Taussat Muriel , Grandadam Marc , Albina Emmanuel , Dussart Philippe , Moutailler Sara , Cappelle Julien , Brey Paul T. , Eloit Marc
Published: November 2019

Several arboviruses emerging as new pathogens for humans and domestic animals have recently raised public health concern and increased interest in the study of their host range and in detection of spillover events. Recently, a new group of segmented
Flaviviridae
-related viruses, the Jingmenviruses, has been identified worldwide in many invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, pointing out the issue of whether they belong to the arbovirus group. The study presented here combined whole-genome sequencing of three tick-borne Jingmenviruses and one bat-borne Jingmenvirus with comprehensive phylogenetic analyses and high-throughput serological screening of human and cattle populations exposed to these viruses to contribute to the knowledge of Jingmenvirus host range, geographical distribution, and mammalian exposure.
Is running associated with a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and is the more the better? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pedisic Zeljko , Shrestha Nipun , Kovalchik Stephanie , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Liangruenrom Nucharapon , Grgic Jozo , Titze Sylvia , Biddle Stuart JH , Bauman Adrian E , Oja Pekka
Published: November 2019

Objective

To investigate the association of running participation and the dose of running with the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Journal articles, conference papers and doctoral theses indexed in Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, MasterFILE Complete, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Prospective cohort studies on the association between running or jogging participation and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and/or cancer mortality in a non-clinical population of adults were included.

Results

Fourteen studies from six prospective cohorts with a pooled sample of 232 149 participants were included. In total, 25 951 deaths were recorded during 5.5–35 year follow-ups. Our meta-analysis showed that running participation is associated with 27%, 30% and 23% lower risk of all-cause (pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 0.79), cardiovascular (HR=0.70; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.98) and cancer (HR=0.77; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.87) mortality, respectively, compared with no running. A meta-regression analysis showed no significant dose–response trends for weekly frequency, weekly duration, pace and the total volume of running.

Conclusion

Increased rates of participation in running, regardless of its dose, would probably lead to substantial improvements in population health and longevity. Any amount of running, even just once a week, is better than no running, but higher doses of running may not necessarily be associated with greater mortality benefits.