bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of participatory approaches to empower health workers in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting Health Workers for Change
Authors: Olude Obaraboye , Vlassoff Carol , Niyikora Julienne , Krentel Alison
Published: November 2022

This systematic review assesses participatory approaches to motivating positive change among health workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The mistreatment of clients at health centres has been extensively documented, causing stress among clients, health complications and even avoidance of health centres altogether. Health workers, too, face challenges, including medicine shortages, task shifting, inadequate training and a lack of managerial support. Solutions are urgently needed to realise global commitments to quality primary healthcare, country ownership and universal health coverage. This review searched 1243 titles and abstracts, of which 32 were extracted for full text review using a published critical assessment tool. Eight papers were retained for final review, all using a single methodology, ‘Health Workers for Change’ (HWFC). The intervention was adapted to diverse geographical and health settings. Nine indicators from the included studies were assessed, eliciting many common findings and documenting an overall positive impact of the HWFC approach. Health workers acknowledged their negative behaviour towards clients, often as a way of coping with their own unmet needs. In most settings they developed action plans to address these issues. Recommendations are made on mainstreaming HWFC into health systems in LMICs and its potential application to alleviating stress and burnout from COVID-19.
Teaching Trade during COVID: Conducting a WTO Simulation through Remote Delivery
Authors: Bratt Duane , Anderson Greg , Kukucha Chris , Sabiston David
Published: November 2022

In Fall 2020, all universities in Alberta went with remote delivery of classes due to COVID-19 restrictions. This provided not only teaching challenges, but also opportunities. Professors at three Canadian universities teaching similar undergraduate courses in international political economy decided to use the challenges/opportunities of COVID-19 restrictions to experiment with a World Trade Organization (WTO) simulation across three campuses through remote delivery. Simulations are frequently used for teaching in political science, but what was unusual was doing it through remote delivery. This paper assesses the effectiveness of the experiment. It traces the origins/evolution of the idea, learning objectives for the students, preparation by the professors to design the WTO simulation, and the experience of the actual simulation. It also addresses the challenges (technological, timing, assignments, grading, student anxiety, etc.). In addition, it identifies the steps that were taken to reduce and mitigate the challenges. It also acknowledges the mistakes that were made by the professors in designing and implementing the assignment. These observations and reflections are informed by the materials that the professors prepared, their thoughts on the experience, and the feedback from participating students (through official student evaluations as well as a special survey instrument). It provides lessons for future online simulations.
Differential interactions of α-synuclein conformers affect refolding and activity of proteins
Authors: Bagree Gayatri , Srivastava Tulika , Mahasivam Sanje , Sinha Meetali , Bansal Vipul , Ramanathan Rajesh , Priya Smriti , Sharma Sandeep K
Published: November 2022

The accumulation of protein aggregates as intracellular inclusions interferes with cellular protein homeostasis leading to protein aggregation diseases. Protein aggregation results in the formation of several protein conformers including oligomers and fibrils, where each conformer has its own structural characteristic and proteotoxic potential. The present study explores the effect of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) conformers on the activity and spontaneous refolding of firefly luciferase. Of the different conformers, α-syn monomers delayed the inactivation of luciferase under thermal stress conditions and enhanced the spontaneous refolding of luciferase. In contrast, the α-syn oligomers and fibrils adversely affected luciferase activity and refolding, where the oligomers inhibited spontaneous refolding, whereas a pronounced effect on the inactivation of native luciferase was observed in the case of fibrils. These results indicate that the oligomers and fibrils of α-syn interfere with the refolding of luciferase and promote its misfolding and aggregation. The study reveals the differential propensities of various conformers of a pathologically relevant protein in causing inactivation, structural modifications and misfolding of other proteins, consequently resulting in altered protein homeostasis.
Epidemiology and Etiology of Pediatric Burns in Iran
Authors: Bagheri Tooran , Fatemi Mohammad Javad , Hoveidamanesh Soodabeh , Ghadimi Tayyeb , Asgari Marzieh , Rahbar Arya , Rahbar Hossein , Momeni Mahnoush
Published: November 2022

Pediatric burns have long-term physical, psychological, economic, and social consequences for the patient and family. This study was designed to investigate the epidemiology, causes, and mechanism of pediatric burns in Iran, considering the impact the cultural and environmental differences of countries have on burn incidence. This study is a survey study that was performed from 2016 to 2017 on patients referred to Shahid Motahari hospital. Patients in the study included hospitalized children aged 0–18 years who themselves or their parents were able to answer questions. Questions were answered in the categories of the demographic characteristics of the child and parents, epidemiological characteristics of the burn, information on socio-economic and education status, and the underlying causes of the accident. Most burns occurred in the age group less than two years of age and in boys. The most common cause of burns was hot liquids. Collision with containers containing hot liquids inside the kitchen, collision with containers containing hot liquids outside the kitchen space, and overturning containers containing hot liquids were the most common mechanisms of burns. Flame burns were the most common cause of burns in school-age children. Half of the parents had an elementary level or lower education. Economic, social, and cultural conditions of families, parents’ education, and access to preventive education are related to the extent and mechanism of burns. Paying attention to epidemiology and recognizing the main causes of child burns plays an important role in designing and planning preventive measures.
Co‑cultivation of anaerobic fungi with Clostridium acetobutylicum bolsters butyrate and butanol production from cellulose and lignocellulose
Authors: Brown Jennifer L , Perisin Matthew A , Swift Candice L , Benyamin Marcus , Liu Sanchao , Singan Vasanth , Zhang Yu , Savage Emily , Pennacchio Christa , Grigoriev Igor V , O'Malley Michelle A
Published: November 2022

A system for co-cultivation of anaerobic fungi with anaerobic bacteria was established based on lactate cross-feeding to produce butyrate and butanol from plant biomass. Several co-culture formulations were assembled that consisted of anaerobic fungi (Anaeromyces robustus, Neocallimastix californiae, or Caecomyces churrovis) with the bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum. Co-cultures were grown simultaneously (e.g., ‘one pot’), and compared to cultures where bacteria were cultured in fungal hydrolysate sequentially. Fungal hydrolysis of lignocellulose resulted in 7–11 mM amounts of glucose and xylose, as well as acetate, formate, ethanol, and lactate to support clostridial growth. Under these conditions, one-stage simultaneous co-culture of anaerobic fungi with C. acetobutylicum promoted the production of butyrate up to 30 mM. Alternatively, two-stage growth slightly promoted solventogenesis and elevated butanol levels (∼4–9 mM). Transcriptional regulation in the two-stage growth condition indicated that this cultivation method may decrease the time required to reach solventogenesis and induce the expression of cellulose-degrading genes in C. acetobutylicum due to relieved carbon-catabolite repression. Overall, this study demonstrates a proof of concept for biobutanol and bio-butyrate production from lignocellulose using an anaerobic fungal-bacterial co-culture system.
Challenging stylometry: The authorship of the baroque play La Segunda Celestina
Authors: Hernández-Lorenzo Laura , Byszuk Joanna
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to verify the possibility of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz authoring the anonymous part of the baroque play La Segunda Celestina, commissioned to Agustín de Salazar, and left unfinished after his death. This is a first systematic stylometric study on this problem and a baroque hispanoamerican text. In our study, we faced building a balanced corpus from few available resources, and took extensive evaluation measures to deal with unclear stylometric signals. We use a variety of established attribution and verification methods, and introduce a novel evaluation procedure of examining historic texts with scarce corpora. The results support Sor Juana’s authorship, and unravel new connections between her and other authors of the time, showing, still undermined, powerful impact of her works on the epoch. The solutions adopted in solving methodological problems of such a complex task show how stylometry can overcome similar challenges.
A Bayesian approach for torque modelling of BeXRB pulsars with application to super-Eddington accretors
Authors: Karaferias A S , Vasilopoulos G , Petropoulou M , Jenke P A , Wilson-Hodge C A , Malacaria C
Published: November 2022

In this study, we present a method to estimate posterior distributions for standard accretion torque model parameters and binary orbital parameters for X-ray binaries using a nested sampling algorithm for Bayesian parameter estimation. We study the spin evolution of two Be X-ray binary systems in the Magellanic Clouds, RX J0520.5−6932 and RX J0209−7427, during major outbursts, in which they surpassed the Eddington limit. Moreover, we apply our method to the recently discovered Swift J0243.6+6124, the only known Galactic pulsating ultra-luminous X-ray source. This is an excellent candidate for studying the disc evolution at super-Eddington accretion rates, because its luminosity spans several orders of magnitude during its outburst, with a maximum LX that exceeded the Eddington limit by a factor of ∼10. Our method, when applied to RX J0520.5−6932 and RX J0209−7427, is able to identify the more favourable torque model for each system, while yielding meaningful ranges for the NS and orbital parameters. Our analysis for Swift J0243.6+6124 illustrates that, contrary to the standard torque model predictions, the magnetospheric radius (Rm) and the Alfvén radius (RA) are not proportional to each other when surpassing the Eddington limit. Reported distance estimates of this source range between 5 and 7 kpc. Smaller distances require non-typical neutron star properties (i.e. mass and radius) and possibly lower radiative efficiency of the accretion column.
Metallicity profiles of ultradiffuse galaxies in NIHAO simulations
Authors: Cardona-Barrero S , Di Cintio A , Battaglia G , Macciò A V , Taibi S
Published: November 2022

Supernovae feedback driven expansion has proven to be a viable mechanism to explain the average properties, such as size, colour, mass, and internal kinematics, of a large fraction of ultradiffuse galaxies (UDGs). Here, we explore the origin of stellar metallicity gradients in feedback driven simulated UDGs from the NIHAO project and compare them with the observed distribution of metallicity gradients of both Local Group (LG) dwarfs as well as of the recently observed UDG DF44. Simulated UDGs display a large variety of metallicity profiles, showing flat to negative gradients, similarly to what is observed in LG dwarfs, while DF44 data suggest a flat to positive gradient. The variety of metallicity gradients in simulations is set by the interplay between the radius at which star formation occurs and the subsequent supernovae feedback driven stellar redistribution: rotation supported systems tend to have flat metallicity profiles while dispersion supported galaxies show negative and steep profiles. Our results suggest that UDGs are not peculiar in what regards their metallicity gradients, when compared to regular dwarfs. We predict that UDGs formed via SNae feedback should have flat-to-negative metallicity profiles: desirably, a larger observational sample of UDGs’ gradients shall be available in the future, in order to test our predictions.
WALLABY pre-pilot and pilot survey: The Tully Fisher relation in Eridanus, Hydra, Norma, and NGC4636 fields
Authors: Courtois Hélène M , Said Khaled , Mould Jeremy , Jarrett T H , Pomarède Daniel , Westmeier Tobias , Staveley-Smith Lister , Dupuy Alexandra , Hong Tao , Guinet Daniel , Howlett Cullan , Deg Nathan , For Bi-Qing , Kleiner Dane , Koribalski Bärbel , Lee-Waddell Karen , Rhee Jonghwan , Spekkens Kristine , Wang Jing , Wong O I , Bigiel Frank , Bosma Albert , Colless Matthew , Davis Tamara , Holwerda Benne , Karachentsev Igor , Kraan-Korteweg Renée C , McQuinn Kristen B W , Meurer Gerhardt , Obreschkow Danail , Taylor Edward
Published: November 2022

The WALLABY pilot survey has been conducted using the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP). The integrated 21-cm H i line spectra are formed in a very different manner compared to usual single-dish spectra Tully–Fisher measurements. It is thus extremely important to ensure that slight differences (e.g. biases due to missing flux) are quantified and understood in order to maximise the use of the large amount of data becoming available soon. This article is based on four fields for which the data are scientifically interesting by themselves. The pilot data discussed here consist of 614 galaxy spectra at a rest wavelength of 21 cm. Of these spectra, 472 are of high enough quality to be used to potentially derive distances using the Tully–Fisher relation. We further restrict the sample to the 251 galaxies whose inclination is sufficiently close to edge-on. For these, we derive Tully–Fisher distances using the deprojected WALLABY velocity widths combined with infrared (WISE W1) magnitudes. The resulting Tully–Fisher distances for the Eridanus, Hydra, Norma, and NGC4636 clusters are 21.5, 53.5, 69.4, and 23.0 Mpc, respectively, with uncertainties of 5–10 per cent, which are better or equivalent to the ones obtained in studies using data obtained with giant single dish telescopes. The pilot survey data show the benefits of WALLABY over previous giant single-dish telescope surveys. WALLABY is expected to detect around half a million galaxies with a mean redshift of $z = 0.05 (200\, \mathrm{Mpc})$. This study suggests that about 200 000 Tully–Fisher distances might result from the survey.
Introducing the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC): a resource combining PATRIC, IRD and ViPR
Authors: Olson Robert D , Assaf Rida , Brettin Thomas , Conrad Neal , Cucinell Clark , Davis James J , Dempsey Donald M , Dickerman Allan , Dietrich Emily M , Kenyon Ronald W , Kuscuoglu Mehmet , Lefkowitz Elliot J , Lu Jian , Machi Dustin , Macken Catherine , Mao Chunhong , Niewiadomska Anna , Nguyen Marcus , Olsen Gary J , Overbeek Jamie C , Parrello Bruce , Parrello Victoria , Porter Jacob S , Pusch Gordon D , Shukla Maulik , Singh Indresh , Stewart Lucy , Tan Gene , Thomas Chris , VanOeffelen Margo , Vonstein Veronika , Wallace Zachary S , Warren Andrew S , Wattam Alice R , Xia Fangfang , Yoo Hyunseung , Zhang Yun , Zmasek Christian M , Scheuermann Richard H , Stevens Rick L
Published: November 2022

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) established the Bioinformatics Resource Center (BRC) program to assist researchers with analyzing the growing body of genome sequence and other omics-related data. In this report, we describe the merger of the PAThosystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC), the Influenza Research Database (IRD) and the Virus Pathogen Database and Analysis Resource (ViPR) BRCs to form the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC) https://www.bv-brc.org/. The combined BV-BRC leverages the functionality of the bacterial and viral resources to provide a unified data model, enhanced web-based visualization and analysis tools, bioinformatics services, and a powerful suite of command line tools that benefit the bacterial and viral research communities.
Database resources of the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2023
Authors: Sayers Eric W , Bolton Evan E , Brister J Rodney , Canese Kathi , Chan Jessica , Comeau Donald C , Farrell Catherine M , Feldgarden Michael , Fine Anna M , Funk Kathryn , Hatcher Eneida , Kannan Sivakumar , Kelly Christopher , Kim Sunghwan , Klimke William , Landrum Melissa J , Lathrop Stacy , Lu Zhiyong , Madden Thomas L , Malheiro Adriana , Marchler-Bauer Aron , Murphy Terence D , Phan Lon , Pujar Shashikant , Rangwala Sanjida H , Schneider Valerie A , Tse Tony , Wang Jiyao , Ye Jian , Trawick Barton W , Pruitt Kim D , Sherry Stephen T
Published: November 2022

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provides online information resources for biology, including the GenBank® nucleic acid sequence database and the PubMed® database of citations and abstracts published in life science journals. NCBI provides search and retrieval operations for most of these data from 35 distinct databases. The E-utilities serve as the programming interface for most of these databases. New resources include the Comparative Genome Resource (CGR) and the BLAST ClusteredNR database. Resources receiving significant updates in the past year include PubMed, PMC, Bookshelf, IgBLAST, GDV, RefSeq, NCBI Virus, GenBank type assemblies, iCn3D, ClinVar, GTR, dbGaP, ALFA, ClinicalTrials.gov, Pathogen Detection, antimicrobial resistance resources, and PubChem. These resources can be accessed through the NCBI home page at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
HGTree v2.0: a comprehensive database update for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events detected by the tree-reconciliation method
Authors: Choi Youngseok , Ahn Sojin , Park Myeongkyu , Lee SaetByeol , Cho Seoae , Kim Heebal
Published: November 2022

HGTree is a database that provides horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event information on 2472 prokaryote genomes using the tree-reconciliation method. HGTree was constructed in 2015, and a large number of prokaryotic genomes have been additionally published since then. To cope with the rapid rise of prokaryotic genome data, we present HGTree v2.0 (http://hgtree2.snu.ac.kr), a newly updated version of our HGT database with much more extensive data, including a total of 20 536 completely sequenced non-redundant prokaryotic genomes, and more reliable HGT information results curated with various steps. As a result, HGTree v2.0 has a set of expanded data results of 6 361 199 putative horizontally transferred genes integrated with additional functional information such as the KEGG pathway, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, various visualization tools in the HGTree v2.0 database website provide intuitive biological insights, allowing the users to investigate their genomes of interest.
Very large hidden genetic diversity in one single tumor: evidence for tumors-in-tumor
Authors: Chen Bingjie , Wu Xianrui , Ruan Yongsen , Zhang Yulin , Cai Qichun , Zapata Luis , Wu Chung-I , Lan Ping , Wen Haijun
Published: November 2022

Despite the concern of within-tumor genetic diversity, this diversity is in fact limited by the kinship among cells in the tumor. Indeed, genomic studies have amply supported the ‘Nowell dogma’ whereby cells of the same tumor descend from a single progenitor cell. In parallel, genomic data also suggest that the diversity could be >10-fold larger if tumor cells are of multiple origins. We develop an evolutionary hypothesis that a single tumor may often harbor multiple cell clones of independent origins, but only one would be large enough to be detected. To test the hypothesis, we search for independent tumors within a larger one (or tumors-in-tumor). Very high density sampling was done on two cases of colon tumors. Case 1 indeed has 13 independent clones of disparate sizes, many having heavy mutation burdens and potentially highly tumorigenic. In Case 2, despite a very intensive search, only two small independent clones could be found. The two cases show very similar movements and metastasis of the dominant clone. Cells initially move actively in the expanding tumor but become nearly immobile in late stages. In conclusion, tumors-in-tumor are plausible but could be very demanding to find. Despite their small sizes, they can enhance the within-tumor diversity by orders of magnitude. Such increases may contribute to the missing genetic diversity associated with the resistance to cancer therapy.
Theoretical Approaches in Digital Religion Studies
Authors: Evolvi Giulia
Published: November 2022

This chapter provides an overview of theoretical frameworks employed to study digital religion from the beginning of the field in the 1990s to its current theoretical developments and possible future directions. It is divided in four parts: first, it explores four waves of digital religion studies and the definitions used to describe religion and the Internet; second, it presents the three theoretical frameworks of mediation, mediatization, and religious-social shaping of technology; third, it describes some of the recently developed theories in the field (third spaces, hypermediation, mediatized religious design, religious digital creatives, and the technological apologetic); and fourth, it reflects on the possible future directions of the field, highlighting the need to focus on global perspectives, sociocultural issues connected with religion, and the development of new platforms and technologies.
DNA Hyper-methylation Associated With Schizophrenia May Lead to Increased Levels of Autoantibodies
Authors: Wei Hui , Yuan Yanbo , Zhu Caiyun , Ma Mingjie , Yang Fude , Lu Zheng , Wang Chuanyue , Deng Hong , Zhao Jingping , Tian Runhui , Zhu Wanwan , Shen Yan , Yu Xin , Xu Qi
Published: November 2022

Background and Hypothesis

Environmental stressors may influence immune surveillance in B lymphocytes and stimulate autoimmune responses via epigenetic DNA methylation modifications in schizophrenia (SCZ). 

Study Design

A total of 2722, Chinese Han origin subjects were recruited in this study (2005–2011), which included a discovery follow-up cohort with 40 remitters of SCZ (RSCZ), 40 nonremitters of SCZ (NRSCZ), and 40 controls (CTL), and a replication follow-up cohort (64 RSCZ, 16 NRSCZ, and 84 CTL), as well as a case-control validation cohort (1230 SCZ and 1208 CTL). Genomic DNA methylation, target gene mRNA transcripts, and plasma autoantibody levels were measured across cohorts. 

Study Results

We found extensive differences in global DNA methylation profiles between RSCZ and NRSCZ groups, wherein differential methylation sites (DMS) were enriched with immune cell maturation and activation in the RSCZ group. Out of 2722 participants, the foremost DMS cg14341177 was hyper-methylated in the SCZ group and it inhibited the alternative splicing of its target gene BICD2 and may have increased its autoantigen exposure, leading to an increase in plasma anti-BICD2 IgG antibody levels. The levels of cg14341177 methylation and anti-BICD2 IgG decreased significantly in RSCZ endpoint samples but not in NRSCZ endpoint samples. There are strong positive correlations between cg14341177 methylation, anti-BICD2 IgG, and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) scores in the RSCZ groups, but not in the NRSCZ groups. 

Conclusions

These data suggest that abnormal DNA methylation could affect autoreactive responses in SCZ, and that cg14341177 methylation and anti-BICD2 IgG levels may potentially serve as useful biomarkers.
P020 Polysomnographic titration of non-invasive ventilation in motor neurone disease (3TLA): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Berlowitz D , Rowe D , Howard M , Piper A , Graco M , Braat S , Singh B , Sousa T , Lannin N , Sawyer A ,   TLA Trial Group
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The benefits of using non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on survival in motor neurone disease (MND) are well-established. Recent MND cohort studies have extended this finding to suggest that adherence with NIV of >4 hours/day improves survival more than <4 hours/day, and that any use increases survival more than no use at all. Despite these data, only approximately 19% of Australians with MND start NIV. Our team has recently demonstrated that specific and individualised NIV titration using polysomnography (PSG) leads to better NIV usage in MND. However, for this clinical practice model to result in sustained benefits, evidence of effectiveness across multiple sites, as well as culture and practice change must occur. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to determine if the proportion of participants using NIV for >4 hours/day during the 7-week post-randomisation period is higher in the PSG (Intervention) than the Control group.

Methods

A two-arm, individual participant, assessor-blinded RCT in 7 MND care centres across Australia. Eligible participants will be randomised (1:1) to either the Intervention (PSG assisted optimization of NIV) or a Control group (sham PSG). Respiratory, sleep and patient-reported outcome measures will be collected at baseline and follow-up 7 weeks after the PSG. An implementation science program, health economic evaluation and 12-month cohort follow-up will be undertaken.

Data collection is underway.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (#CT05136222).
P092 Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea: A scoping review of systematic reviews
Authors: Qian Y , Dharmage S , Hamilton G , Senaratna C , Perret J
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) challenges public health and health care significantly. Summarizing the evidence and identifying research gaps on risk factors for OSA could focus efforts to reduce the disease burden.

Methods

We performed a scoping review to map the current evidence of OSA-related risk factors. Medline was searched systematically for systematic reviews/meta-analyses including observational and interventional studies, excluding reviews limited to paediatric populations.

Results

Of 974 abstracts, 49 eligible systematic reviews were retrieved, covering six major categories of risk factors, namely demographic(n=9), lifestyle(n=9), genetic(n=11), comorbidity-related(n=10), environmental(n=2), and other(e.g., protein level, surgery, n=12). Obesity/BMI and increasing age were major risk factors for OSA, however, longitudinal obesity trajectories or weight changes were not explored. Smoking was inconsistently associated with OSA. Alcohol consistently increased OSA severity(n=5). 5-HT2A(5-hydroxy-tryptamine), tumor necrosis factor- α, and angiotensin converting enzyme activity were associated with increased risk of OSA(n=4 for each). Comorbidity-related risk factors were identified including asthma, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, depression while allergic rhinitis and Parkinson’s disease had null and negative effects, respectively. Menopause, ethnicity, and enlarged adenoids/tonsils are yet to be systematically synthesized.

Overall, there was no review analyzing any longitudinal risk factor for OSA in the general population.

Discussion

Although this review supports the potential benefit of reducing OSA and its severity from weight loss and/or quitting smoking among the general population, there is an absence of data on longitudinal risk factor trajectories, which could help guide and strengthen public health policy.
Exit from periodic joint-tenancy: what “bare trust”, exactly?
Authors: Chan Alex Chun Hei , Leung Samuel Yee Ching
Published: November 2022

The commercial world runs itself through an intricacy of legal relationships amongst which a tenancy may be one of the most common. The statutory law of the United Kingdom superimposes a trust over every tenancy so that each co-tenant is deemed to be a trustee of each other. Can a co-tenant then ditch his/her cohorts and extinguish a periodic tenancy only to re-contract with the landlord over the very property without committing a breach of trust? This was considered not long ago in Procter v Procter [2022] EWHC 1202 (Ch) and most recently in Pile v Pile [2022] EWHC 2036 (Ch). We trace back to what had been adjudicated by the House of Lords in Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Monk [1992] 1 AC 478 (HL) three decades ago, scrutinize the sufficiency of a line of authorities developed since then and as they were applied in Procter and Pile, and venture to suggest that the statutory trust is one of its own kind deserving wider and deeper study beyond traditional trust analysis and why.
Geographic Location, Management Strategy, and Huanglongbing Disease Affect Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities Across U.S. Citrus Orchards
Authors: Xi MengYuan , Deyett Elizabeth , Ginnan Nichole , Ashworth Vanessa E. T. M. , Dang Tyler , Bodaghi Sohrab , Vidalakis Georgios , Roper M. Caroline , Glassman Sydney I. , Rolshausen Philippe E.
Published: November 2022

The benefits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to agroecosystems have been well recognized. Citrus is a globally grown fruit tree commonly found in association with AMF. Global citrus production is currently under the threat of the pandemic huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Since its introduction in the United States, the disease has devastated the Florida citrus industry and is now at the doorsteps of commercial orchards in California. Here, we tested how the two distinct climatic zones within the continental United States where citrus is mostly grown (California and Florida) influenced AMF community diversity and composition. We also assessed in what capacity low-input organic farming and HLB disease affected the AMF communities colonizing the citrus roots. Root samples were collected from 88 trees across 10 orchards. Orchards were selected based on conventional or organic practices in California and based on HLB symptom severity in Florida. AMF communities were characterized using high-throughput sequencing of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Taxa names were assigned based on a phylogenetic analysis that comprised a backbone of AMF reference sequences from Mycobank and virtual taxa from the MaarjAM database. AMF were detected in 78% of citrus root samples, with taxa belonging to six genera ( Dominikia, Funneliformis, Glomus, Rhizophagus, Sclerocystis, and Septoglomus) and unknown Glomeraceae genera. Geographical location, management practice, and disease affected AMF community composition. We provide evidence that perennial agroecosystems are composed of generalist and specialist AMF taxa comparable with other ecosystems and identified ubiquitous taxa that could potentially be exploited for agricultural purposes.
Implementation of a Virtual Asynchronous Scribe Program to Reduce Physician Burnout
Authors: Stephens Jennifer , Kieber-Emmons Autumn M. , Johnson Melanie , Greenberg Grant M.
Published: November 2022

Goal:

Administrative burden is one of many potential root causes of physician burnout. Scribe documentation assistance can reduce this burden. However, traditional in-person scribe services are challenged by consistent staffing because the model requires the physical presence of a scribe and limits the team to a single individual. In addition, in-person scribes cannot provide the flexible support required for virtual care encounters, which can now pivot geographically and temporally. To respond to these challenges, our health network implemented an asynchronous virtual scribe model and evaluated the program's impact on clinician perceptions of burnout across multiple outpatient specialties.

Methods:

Using a mixed-methods, pre-/postdesign, this evaluation measured the impact of an asynchronous virtual scribe program on physician burnout. Physicians were given the Professional Fulfillment Index tool (to self-assess their mental state) and free-text comment surveys before virtual scribe initiation and again at 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals after program implementation. Descriptive statistics of survey results and qualitative review of free-text entries were analyzed for themes of facilitation and barriers to virtual scribe use.

Principal Findings:

Of 50 physician participants in this study, 42 (84%) completed the preintervention survey and 15 (36%) completed all 4 surveys; 25 participants (50%) discontinued scribe use after 12 months. Burnout levels—as defined by dread, exhaustion, lack of enthusiasm, decrease in empathy, and decrease in colleague connection—all trended toward improvement during this study. Importantly, quality, time savings, burnout, and productivity moved in positive directions as well.

Practical Application:

The cost burden to physicians and the COVID-19 pandemic inhibited the continued use of asynchronous virtual medical scribes. Nevertheless, those who continued in the program have reported positive outcomes, which indicates that the service can be a viable and effective tool to reduce physician burnout.
Pediatric Penetrating Neck Trauma Resulting From a Metal Boat Cleat: A Case Report
Authors: How Stephanie , Swain Shakeva , Lau Patricio E.
Published: November 2022

Background:

Clinical decision making for pediatric neck trauma is challenging because data and reports are sparse. We present a case report showing current recommendations for managing pediatric neck injuries.

Case Presentation:

This is the case of an 11-year-old boy who presented to our Level I trauma center after a slip and fall on a metal boat cleat (metal fixture used to secure rope). He suffered a penetrating injury to his neck, requiring operative exploration. This case report provides an overview on the rare incidence of pediatric penetrating neck trauma and treatment options.

Conclusion:

This case highlights penetrating neck injuries, which are uncommon in the pediatric population. This case report is unusual due to the method of injury and nature of the object. Neck trauma via a metal boat cleat is particularly rare. A comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the neck, mechanism of injury, thorough clinical examination, and proper workup are essential to providing effective care.
Small-amplitude head oscillations result from a multimodal head stabilization reflex in hawkmoths
Authors: Chatterjee Payel , Mohan Umesh , Sane Sanjay P.
Published: November 2022

In flying insects, head stabilization is an essential reflex that helps to reduce motion blur during fast aerial manoeuvres. This reflex is multimodal and requires the integration of visual and antennal mechanosensory feedback in hawkmoths, each operating as a negative-feedback-control loop. As in any negative-feedback system, the head stabilization system possesses inherent oscillatory dynamics that depend on the rate at which the sensorimotor components of the reflex operate. Consistent with this expectation, we observed small-amplitude oscillations in the head motion (or head wobble) of the oleander hawkmoth,
Daphnis nerii,
which are accentuated when sensory feedback is aberrant. Here, we show that these oscillations emerge from the inherent dynamics of the multimodal reflex underlying gaze stabilization, and that the amplitude of head wobble is a function of both the visual feedback and antennal mechanosensory feedback from the Johnston's organs. Our data support the hypothesis that head wobble results from a multimodal, dynamically stabilized reflex loop that mediates head positioning.
Stress anisotropy in confined populations of growing rods
Authors: Isensee Jonas , Hupe Lukas , Golestanian Ramin , Bittihn Philip
Published: November 2022

A central feature of living matter is its ability to grow and multiply. The mechanical activity associated with growth produces both macroscopic flows shaped by confinement, and striking self-organization phenomena, such as orientational order and alignment, which are particularly prominent in populations of rod-shaped bacteria due to their nematic properties. However, how active stresses, passive mechanical interactions and flow-induced effects interact to give rise to the observed global alignment patterns remains elusive. Here, we study
in silico
colonies of growing rod-shaped particles of different aspect ratios confined in channel-like geometries. A spatially resolved analysis of the stress tensor reveals a strong relationship between near-perfect alignment and an inversion of stress anisotropy for particles with large length-to-width ratios. We show that, in quantitative agreement with an asymptotic theory, strong alignment can lead to a decoupling of active and passive stresses parallel and perpendicular to the direction of growth, respectively. We demonstrate the robustness of these effects in a geometry that provides less restrictive confinement and introduces natural perturbations in alignment. Our results illustrate the complexity arising from the inherent coupling between nematic order and active stresses in growing active matter, which is modulated by geometric and configurational constraints due to confinement.
Allometric scaling relationships in mouse placenta
Authors: Saghian Rojan , Cahill Lindsay S. , Debebe Sarah K. , Rahman Anum , Serghides Lena , McDonald Chloe R. , Weckman Andrea M. , Kain Kevin C. , Sled John G.
Published: November 2022

Fetal growth and maturation are highly intertwined with placental development during pregnancy. Here we used placental vascular morphology measurements (depth and span) as well as the umbilical artery (UA) diameter of previously published studies on three different mouse strains (C57BL6/J, CD-1 and BALB/c), which were exposed to different conditions (combination antiretroviral therapy, chronic maternal hypoxia and malaria infection) at different embryonic days, to test the hypothesis that placental vascularization and specifically the UA size affect conceptus weight. Interaction of each study parameter with embryonic day, strain and exposure to treatments are studied to investigate the stability of the scaling relationships across and/or within strains and conditions. In addition, the effect of UA diameter on the placental growth measurements (depth and span) is studied. These results show that the power-law scaling relationship of conceptus weight and placental depth with the UA diameter is conserved across strains and conditions with the scaling exponent of approximately 3/8 and 5/8, respectively. By contrast, the relationship between conceptus weight and either the placental span or depth is different between strains and conditions, suggesting multiple mechanisms of vascular adaptation.
NDUFS3 knockout cancer cells and molecular docking reveal specificity and mode of action of anti-cancer respiratory complex I inhibitors
Authors: Kurelac Ivana , Cavina Beatrice , Sollazzo Manuela , Miglietta Stefano , Fornasa Agnese , De Luise Monica , Iorio Maria , Lama Eleonora , Traversa Daniele , Nasiri Hamid Razi , Ghelli Anna , Musiani Francesco , Porcelli Anna Maria , Iommarini Luisa , Gasparre Giuseppe
Published: November 2022

Inhibition of respiratory complex I (CI) is becoming a promising anti-cancer strategy, encouraging the design and the use of inhibitors, whose mechanism of action, efficacy and specificity remain elusive. As CI is a central player of cellular bioenergetics, a finely tuned dosing of targeting drugs is required to avoid side effects. We compared the specificity and mode of action of CI inhibitors metformin, BAY 87-2243 and EVP 4593 using cancer cell models devoid of CI. Here we show that both BAY 87-2243 and EVP 4593 were selective, while the antiproliferative effects of metformin were considerably independent from CI inhibition. Molecular docking predictions indicated that the high efficiency of BAY 87-2243 and EVP 4593 may derive from the tight network of bonds in the quinone binding pocket, although in different sites. Most of the amino acids involved in such interactions are conserved across species and only rarely found mutated in human. Our data make a case for caution when referring to metformin as a CI-targeting compound, and highlight the need for dosage optimization and careful evaluation of molecular interactions between inhibitors and the holoenzyme.
Familiarity with, perceptions of and attitudes toward butterflies of urban park users in megacities across East and Southeast Asia
Authors: Lim Voon-Ching , Sing Kong-Wah , Chong Kwek Yan , Jaturas Narong , Dong Hui , Lee Ping-Shin , Tao Nguyen Thien , Le Dzung Trung , Bonebrake Timothy C. , Tsang Toby P. N. , Chu Leo , Brandon-Mong Guo-Jie , Kong Wye-Lup , Soga Masashi , Wilson John-James
Published: November 2022

Perceptions of, and attitudes toward, wildlife are influenced by exposure to, and direct experiences with, nature. Butterflies are a conspicuous and ubiquitous component of urban nature across megacities that are highly urbanized with little opportunity for human–nature interactions. We evaluated public familiarity with, perceptions of and attitudes toward butterflies across nine megacities in East and Southeast Asia through face-to-face interviews with 1774 urban park users. A total of 79% of respondents had seen butterflies in their cities mostly in urban parks, indicating widespread familiarity with butterflies. Those who had seen butterflies also had higher perceptions of butterflies, whereas greater than 50% of respondents had positive attitudes toward butterflies. Frequent visits to natural places in urban neighbourhoods was associated with (i) sightings of caterpillars, indicating increased familiarity with urban wildlife, and (ii) increased connectedness to nature. We found two significant positive relationships: (i) between connectedness to nature and attitudes toward butterflies and (ii) between connectedness to nature and perceptions of butterflies, firmly linking parks users' thoughts and feelings about butterflies with their view of nature. This suggests that butterflies in urban parks can play a key role in building connectedness to nature and consequently pro-environmental behaviours and support for wildlife conservation among urban residents.
Mid-frequency song and low-frequency calls of sei whales in the Falkland Islands
Authors: Cerchio Salvatore , Weir Caroline R.
Published: November 2022

Although sei whales (
Balaenoptera borealis
) are distributed throughout the globe, their behaviour and vocal repertoire are poorly described. We used passive acoustic monitoring to describe the vocal behaviour of sei whales in the Falkland Islands, between December 2018 and April 2019. We isolated more than 2000 low-frequency calls for manual classification, of which 510 calls with high signal-to-noise ratio were quantitatively measured. Five categories of stereotyped call types in the 15–230 Hz range were described, some with multiple subcategories. These included some similar to previously described calls (e.g. downsweeps), but others that were novel in acoustic structure and frequency band. In the mid-frequency range, we documented a highly stereotyped, hierarchically structured and rhythmically repetitive song display. Songs were arranged in phrases with a structure composed of repetitive sub-phrases, and a diverse variety of sounds in the 1–5 kHz range. Singing commenced in late February, despite the presence of whales and calls since early December, and continued through April. These acoustic properties and behavioural characteristics indicate that this is likely a male breeding display similar to songs and singing of other balaenopterids. This is the first detailed description of a song display for sei whales, highlighting the importance of the Falkland Islands.
Variable expression of linguistic laws in ape gesture: a case study from chimpanzee sexual solicitation
Authors: Safryghin Alexandra , Cross Catharine , Fallon Brittany , Heesen Raphaela , Ferrer-i-Cancho Ramon , Hobaiter Catherine
Published: November 2022

Two language laws have been identified as consistent patterns shaping animal behaviour, both acting on the organizational level of communicative systems. Zipf's law of brevity describes a negative relationship between behavioural length and frequency. Menzerath's law defines a negative correlation between the number of behaviours in a sequence and average length of the behaviour composing it. Both laws have been linked with the information-theoretic principle of compression, which tends to minimize code length. We investigated their presence in a case study of male chimpanzee sexual solicitation gesture. We failed to find evidence supporting Zipf's law of brevity, but solicitation gestures followed Menzerath's law: longer sequences had shorter average gesture duration. Our results extend previous findings suggesting gesturing may be limited by individual energetic constraints. However, such patterns may only emerge in sufficiently large datasets. Chimpanzee gestural repertoires do not appear to manifest a consistent principle of compression previously described in many other close-range systems of communication. Importantly, the same signallers and signals were previously shown to adhere to these laws in subsets of the repertoire when used in play; highlighting that, in addition to selection on the signal repertoire, ape gestural expression appears shaped by factors in the immediate socio-ecological context.
Prioritizing pollinators over pests: wild bees are more important than beetle damage for watermelon yield
Authors: Leach Ashley , Kaplan Ian
Published: November 2022

Insect pests and pollinators can interact directly and indirectly to affect crop production; however, impacts of these interactions on marketable yield are little known. Thus, the evaluation of interactions between pests and pollinators are needed to best prioritize management efforts. Over 2 years, we evaluated the impact of pollinator visitation and/or beetle (
Acalymma vittatum
) infestation on fruit set and yield in seedless watermelon production. In 2020, we tested the main effect of pollinator visitation: two or eight honeybee visits, two wild bee visits, hand pollinated and open pollinated. In 2021, we crossed wild and managed pollinator visitation (two or four honeybee visits, two or four wild bee visits, hand pollinated and open pollinated) with varying beetle infestation levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 beetles/plant). In both years, wild bees contributed significantly to high fruit yields, and exclusive visitation from wild bees increased yield by a factor of 1.5–3 compared to honeybees. In 2021, pollination was the only significant factor for fruit set and marketable yield even when compared to the varying beetle infestation levels. These data advocate for a reprioritization of management, to conserve and protect wild bee pollination, which could be more critical than avoiding pest damage for ensuring high yields.