bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordination of gene expression with cell size enables Escherichia coli to efficiently maintain motility across conditions
Authors: Honda Tomoya , Cremer Jonas , Mancini Leonardo , Zhang Zhongge , Pilizota Teuta , Hwa Terence
Published: May 2021

To swim and navigate, motile bacteria synthesize a complex motility machinery involving flagella, motors, and a sensory system. A myriad of studies has elucidated the molecular processes involved, but less is known about the coordination of motility expression with cellular physiology: In Escherichia coli, motility genes are strongly upregulated in nutrient-poor conditions compared to nutrient-replete conditions; yet a quantitative link to cellular motility has not been developed. Here, we systematically investigate gene expression, swimming behavior, and cell growth across a broad spectrum of exponential growth condition. We establish that E. coli up-regulates the expression of motility genes at slow growth to compensate for reduction in cell size, such that the number of flagella per cell is maintained across conditions. The observed 4-5 flagella per cell is the minimum number needed to keep the majority of cells motile. This simple regulatory objective allows E. coli cells to remain motile across a broad range of growth conditions while keeping the biosynthetic and energetic demands to establish and drive the motility machinery at the minimum needed. Given the strong reduction in flagella synthesis resulting from cell size increases at fast growth, our findings also provide a novel physiological perspective on bacterial cell size control: A larger cell-size at fast growth is an efficient strategy to increase the allocation of cellular resources to the synthesis of those proteins required for fast growth, while maintaining processes such as motility which are only needed on a per-cell basis.
Have China's exports improved the export technology level of the other BRICS countries? An empirical analysis based on data from SITC
Authors: Jiang Feng , Chen Chaofan , Lan Qingxin , Zhu Zhaoyi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether China's exports can effectively improve the global competitiveness of other BRICS countries' exports from the perspective of intra-BRICS export trade.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper extends the multinational trade model and analyzes the mechanism of the technological upgrading effect from the perspective of dynamic general equilibrium theory. In addition, this paper uses the export panel data of 217 products with three-digit SITC codes from China to other BRICS member countries from 2000 to 2016 and constructs a dynamic empirical model for parameter estimation.

Findings

The results show that China's exports to other BRICS member countries can effectively promote the technological improvement of other BRICS member countries' export products. In particular, the formal establishment of the BRICS organization in 2010 has significantly improved the efficiency of China's export technology optimization.

Originality/value

In the background of the prevalence of anti-globalization and the proliferation of protectionism, this paper proves that the deepening of trade cooperation between other BRICS members with China can help optimize their own international trade competitiveness and allow China's development dividend to benefit more countries and people.
Cooperative advertising and quantity discount in manufacturer-retailer supply chains
Authors: Zaheri Amin , Rafiee Majid , Kayvanfar Vahid
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of existence and lack of discount on the relationships between one manufacturer and one retailer under the cooperative and the non-cooperative games and the members’ profits are compared.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first approach, the manufacturer’s price function is constant, and in the second approach, this price function is a decreasing function with respect to lot size. These approaches are modeled through three games structure, including two Stackelberg games and one cooperative game.

Findings

Some numerical instances comprising sensitivity analysis are provided, and then the members’ profits in different scenarios are compared. This paper reveals that in the presented models, whether the members are inclined to change their profits.

Practical implications

This paper presents a tool of decision-making for the type of relationships of members in two different circumstances, and an approach is also presented to maximize the members’ profit.

Originality/value

In this paper, the relationships between one manufacturer and one retailer are studied under six different circumstances, where pricing, cooperative advertising and inventory cost are considered simultaneously. Also, a different model is presented to make a balance in individual profits and gain more profit for each member compared to the cooperative and non-cooperative game.
Analysis of YouTube video contents on Koha and DSpace, and sentiment analysis of viewers' comments
Authors: Deori Maya , Kumar Vinit , Verma Manoj Kumar
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to evaluate certain characteristics of the videos of the software Koha and DSpace posted on YouTube. Since YouTube has the potential to provide the content creator to share their knowledge and experience through their content which has become much more beneficial to the information seeker. Nowadays, people search for queries or tutorial videos on YouTube very often to earn a better understanding of the term. Sentiment analysis of the viewers' opinion of the videos is another purpose of this study.

Design/methodology/approach

Dataset for evaluating the characteristic of the videos of Koha and DSpace was extracted by using Webometric Analyst by creating YouTube API. Once retrieval of data was completed, a manual verification was enhanced to filter out spam videos unrelated to the scope. After the confirmation of authentic relatable videos, seeking the video's id as query, the comments per video were extracted using Webometric Analyst. For opinion mining, the Parallel Dots API web service was used in Google Sheets as an addon function. The sentiment, multilingual sentiment, emotion, intention and word frequency of the viewers' opinion was examined with the help of certain default functionalities.

Findings

Webometric Analyst extracted a total of 461 and 397 videos of Koha and DSpace, respectively, uploaded on the YouTube platform. The findings of the study indicate that the growth rate of videos on Koha is decreasing, while the number of videos uploaded on DSpace is gradually increased in the last 10 years. The highest number of videos posted in 1–20 min duration category with mostly high definition (HD) with standard YouTube license and prominently in the English language. The sentiment analysis of the total extracted comments on Koha and DSpace videos found to be 2043 and 862 comments, respectively, among whom “Positive” comments are mostly found and with “Happy” emotion can be highly detected with most supportive “Feedback” intention on both Koha and DSpace videos. The top word frequency signifies that the users of both the software are using the comments section of the videos on YouTube to ask and provide troubleshooting help to each other.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has some limitations too; the dataset for the study includes only those videos whose title, description or keywords sections had the query terms “Koha” or “DSpace” there are chances that some videos would have been left out from the dataset related to these software.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to evaluate the characteristics and sentiment of both the videos Koha and DSpace. Through this, the popularity, likeness and dislike and the impact of the contents of the videos uploaded will be disclosed, and creators can make an improvement by referring this, and the seekers will adapt to the use of correct and authentic information.
Effect of nozzle diameter on mechanical and geometric performance of 3D printed carbon fibre-reinforced composites manufactured by fused filament fabrication
Authors: Chacón Jesús Miguel , Caminero Miguel Ángel , Núñez Pedro José , García-Plaza Eustaquio , Bécar Jean Paul
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is one of the most popular additive manufacturing (AM) technologies due to its ability to build thermoplastic parts with complex geometries at low cost. The FFF technique has been mainly used for rapid prototyping owing to the poor mechanical and geometrical properties of pure thermoplastic parts. However, both the development of new fibre-reinforced filaments with improved mechanical properties, and more accurate composite 3D printers have broadened the scope of FFF applications to functional components. FFF is a complex process with a large number of parameters influencing product quality and mechanical properties, and the effects of the combined parameters are usually difficult to evaluate. An array of parameter combinations has been analysed for improving the mechanical performance of thermoplastic parts such as layer thickness, build orientation, raster angle, raster width, air gap, infill density and pattern, fibre volume fraction, fibre layer location, fibre orientation and feed rate. This study aims to assess the effects of nozzle diameter on the mechanical performance and the geometric properties of 3D printed short carbon fibre-reinforced composites processed by the FFF technique.

Design methodology approach

Tensile and three-point bending tests were performed to characterise the mechanical response of the 3D printed composite samples. The dimensional accuracy, the flatness error and surface roughness of the printed specimens were also evaluated. Moreover, manufacturing costs, which are related to printing time, were evaluated. Finally, scanning electron microscopy images of the printed samples were analysed to estimate the porosity as a function of the nozzle diameter and to justify the effect of nozzle diameter on dimensional accuracy and surface roughness.

Findings

The effect of nozzle diameter on the mechanical and geometric quality of 3D printed composite samples was significant. In addition, large nozzle diameters tended to increase mechanical performance and enhance surface roughness, with a reduction in manufacturing costs. In contrast, 3D printed composite samples with small nozzle diameter exhibited higher geometric accuracy. However, the effect of nozzle diameter on the flatness error and surface roughness was of slight significance. Finally, some print guidelines are included.

Originality value

The effect of nozzle diameter, which is directly related to product quality and manufacturing costs, has not been extensively studied. The presented study provides more information regarding the dependence of the mechanical, microstructural and geometric properties of short carbon fibre-reinforced nylon composite components on nozzle diameter.
Sustainability strategy of Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil industry: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Wardhani Ratna , Rahadian Yan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Global palm oil production is growing rapidly, especially in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia and Malaysia as the biggest producers. Despite significant contributions to these countries’ economies, environmental and social aspects continue to be debated within this industry. The sustainability strategy is very important for the palm oil industry. This study aims to explore the sustainability strategy using six elements, namely, stakeholder engagement, governance and leadership, sustainability view and the economic, environmental and social strategies of Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study observes 21 Indonesian palm oil companies and 44 Malaysian palm oil companies from 2014 to 2018 with a total observation of 280 firm years. The methodology used in this study is a qualitative content analysis of six themes based on the sustainability strategy elements, which was further developed into 40 indicators. Content analysis is carried out on information published in annual reports and sustainability reports.

Findings

The study results indicate that stakeholder engagement, governance and leadership and strategic view of the palm oil companies in Indonesia and Malaysia are still likely to be weak. Palm oil companies have not demonstrated their focus on implementing economic, environmental and social strategies. Although the results indicate that there is a greater emphasis on environmental and social strategies than on economic issues, attention to both issues is still very low.

Practical implications

Palm oil companies need to integrate sustainability strategies in their business models and communicate them well to stakeholders to increase their competitive advantage in the palm oil industry. The government also needs to issue stricter rules and incentives to encourage companies to implement sustainability strategies.

Social implications

The study results provide implications for the communities around palm oil plantations to provide better social control so that companies can implement sustainability strategies in their business processes.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance of sustainability practices integrated into palm oil companies’ business models, which have not been well implemented in the palm oil industry in the world’s largest producing countries.
Consistent pattern of higher lability of leaves from high latitudes for both native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora
Authors: Zhang Youzheng , Pennings Steven C. , Liu Zixia , Li Bo , Wu Jihua
Published: May 2021

Global variation in litter decomposition rates is driven by climate, decomposer taxa and litter quality. Most large‐scale studies of litter quality have made comparisons across species, rather than within a species sourced from different latitudes. Here, we aim to explore latitudinal variation in leaf litter decomposition rate and litter quality within a species.

We investigated whether the typical interspecific pattern of increased litter lability at higher latitudes also holds within plant species, by comparing leaf litter decomposition rates and litter traits from stands of native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora in Chinese coastal wetlands spanning 20° of latitude using parallel greenhouse and field transplant experiments.

We found that leaf litter from high‐latitude plants decomposed 46.6 ± 5.1% faster than that from low‐latitude conspecifics, with similar patterns in both plant species in both decomposition experiments. Higher lability of leaves from high latitudes was associated with lower levels of plant defensive compounds (phenolics and tannins) and higher levels of nutrients (Ca, Mg and Na). Litter from the exotic S. alterniflora decomposed faster than litter from the native P. australis, being consistent with lower defences and higher nutrient concentrations in S. alterniflora litter.

Our results show that individual species follow the same pattern of increasing litter lability at higher latitudes previously reported in cross‐species geographical comparisons. Moreover, this pattern can develop rapidly (<4 decades) in an introduced species, raising the question of whether it is caused by phenotypic plasticity or adaptation.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The influence of roots on mycorrhizal fungi, saprotrophic microbes and carbon dynamics in a low‐phosphorus Eucalyptus forest under elevated CO2
Authors: Castañeda‐Gómez Laura , Powell Jeff R. , Ellsworth David S. , Pendall Elise , Carrillo Yolima
Published: May 2021

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO2) can impact soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics by changing the rates of carbon (C) losses and gains. In the rhizosphere, these changes are usually assumed to be the result of root‐mediated eCO2 impacts on saprotrophic microbes via altered below‐ground C allocation. This C allocation can also impact mycorrhizal fungi and their role in SOM dynamics. However, direct field quantifications of the influence of roots on both mycorrhizal fungi and saprotrophs together with SOM dynamics in forests exposed to eCO2 are rare. This is especially true in phosphorus (P)‐limited systems, even though ecosystem responses to eCO2 are known to depend on P availability.

We assessed root mediation of eCO2 impacts on saprotrophs, mycorrhizal fungi, and C dynamics of root litter and mineral soil C (SOM‐C) in a mature, P‐limited Eucalyptus woodland exposed to eCO2. We used a novel nested‐mesh‐bag method to manipulate roots access to the substrates in a 1‐year field incubation. We used an isotopic approach to trace C dynamics and performed a comprehensive microbial community analysis, along with nutrients and enzymatic activity measurements.

Roots increased microbial biomass, fungal:bacterial ratio, plant‐derived C gains and substrate C losses while decreasing P availability and specific enzymatic activity. eCO2 increased bacterial relative abundance in root litter and protozoa in SOM‐C, but it did not enhance root impacts or mycorrhizal fungi biomass.

Our combination of in‐situ approaches allowed us to demonstrate that while roots have multiple impacts on soil microbial communities and C dynamics, they are not the main drivers of responses to eCO2 in this P‐limited forest. Other factors beyond enhanced root‐derived below‐ground C inputs such as seasonality of nutrient and water availability, and shifts in plant communities may be more important in modulating eCO2 impacts on soil dynamics in P‐limited systems.

​

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Potential role for the tumor suppressor CYLD in brain and notochord development
Authors: Li Te , Wang Yiyan , Li Dengwen , Zhou Jun , Zhang Bo , He Xianfei
Published: May 2021

Background

The cylindromatosis (CYLD) tumor suppressor is a microtubule‐associated deubiquitinase that plays a critical role in the regulation of cell signaling and contributes to a variety of physiological and pathological processes. However, the functions of CYLD in zebrafish are less well known, particularly with regard to their development and physiology. In this context, we investigated the loss of function of CYLD in zebrafish via transcription activator‐like effector nuclease (TALEN)‐based gene deletion.

Methods

Semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR was used to quantify CYLD mRNA expression in zebrafish embryos at various developmental stages. We also performed whole‐mount in situ hybridization to further assess the dynamic expression and distribution of CYLD in the entire zebrafish embryos at different stages. In addition, we deleted CYLD in zebrafish with TALENs to investigate its potential impact on embryonic development.

Results

The expression of CYLD mRNA varied during early embryonic development. The CYLD mRNA localized to the brain and notochord of developing zebrafish embryos. Homozygous deletion of CYLD resulted in embryonic death before 8 h post‐fertilization.

Conclusions

CYLD appears to play an important role in central nervous system development in zebrafish. Although severe embryonic death restricted analysis of homozygous mutants, further research into the role of CYLD in central nervous system development is warranted.
Graduate rural work outcomes of the first 8 years of a medical school: What can we learn about student selection and clinical school training pathways?
Authors: Fuller Lara , Beattie Jessica , Versace Vincent
Published: May 2021

Objective

To determine the student characteristics and clinical school training pathways that are associated with postgraduate rural practice.

Design

A cross‐sectional observational study.

Setting

Deakin University's School of Medicine, encompassing 3 rural and 2 metropolitan clinical schools, including a rural longitudinal integrated clerkship (LIC) year.

Participants

A total of 948 School of Medicine medical graduates (2011‐2018) who had an Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency registered work location in Australia (September 2019).

Main outcome measure(s)

Graduates' work locations were linked with admission and clinical school training data and analysed for significant associations.

Results

Graduates completing a rural LIC year and a regional rural clinical school year were 7 times more likely to be working rurally than metropolitan trainees. A small number of rural background (RB) students completed a rural LIC and rural clinical school year, 66.7% of whom were practising rurally. Further associations with rural practice were attending a rural clinical school for 2 years or a rural LIC for 1 year, student having a RB, rurally bonded course placement and being an international student.

Conclusion

The significant influence of a rural LIC year on graduate rural work location is noteworthy, especially when undertaken by students from a RB in combination with a second regional rural clinical school year. These findings support the strategic alignment of rural student selection with rural clinical school training pathways to achieve the greatest impact on rural graduate workforce outcomes.
Micro‐credit NGOs and strategic trust: An odd couple?
Authors: Huda Kazi A. S. M. Nurul
Published: May 2021

This study contributes to the micro‐credit literature by addressing the lack of philosophical dialogue concerning the issue of trust between micro‐credit NGOs and rural poor women. The study demonstrates that one of the root causes of NGOs’ contested roles in Bangladesh is the norm that they use (i.e., trust) to rationalize their micro‐credit activities. I argue that Bangladeshi micro‐credit NGOs’ trust in poor village women is not genuine because they resort to group responsibility sustained through aggressive surveillance. I maintain so by drawing on a trust‐based theoretical framework that uses various philosophical insights. Drawing on the same conceptual framework, I also contend, somewhat softening the previous claim, that if micro‐credit trust is trust at all, it is at most strategic, not generalized. For being strategic, it has many undermining effects on local social solidarity norms, rendering Bangladeshi micro‐credit NGOs and strategic trust an odd couple with no moral compass. To bring forth the moral impetus in micro‐credit activities, I lay out some recommendations intended for organizations, managers, and policymakers, consistent with normative corporate social responsibility initiatives. However, further studies can be initiated based on this paper, suggesting its importance for future research.
Inactivation of the CB2 receptor accelerated the neuropathological deterioration in TDP‐43 transgenic mice, a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Rodríguez‐Cueto Carmen , Gómez‐Almería Marta , García Toscano Laura , Romero Julián , Hillard Cecilia J. , de Lago Eva , Fernández‐Ruiz Javier
Published: May 2021

The activation of the cannabinoid receptor type‐2 (CB2) afforded neuroprotection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) models. The objective of this study was to further investigate the relevance of the CB2 receptor through investigating the consequences of its inactivation. TDP‐43(A315T) transgenic mice were crossed with CB2 receptor knock‐out mice to generate double mutants. Temporal and qualitative aspects of the pathological phenotype of the double mutants were compared to TDP‐43 transgenic mice expressing the CB2 receptor. The double mutants exhibited significantly accelerated neurological decline, such that deteriorated rotarod performance was visible at 7 weeks, whereas rotarod performance was normal up to 11 weeks in transgenic mice with intact expression of the CB2 receptor. A morphological analysis of spinal cords confirmed an earlier death (visible at 65 days) of motor neurons labelled with Nissl staining and ChAT immunofluorescence in double mutants compared to TDP‐43 transgenic mice expressing the CB2 receptor. Evidence of glial reactivity, measured using GFAP and Iba‐1 immunostaining, was seen in double mutants at 65 days, but not in TDP‐43 transgenic mice expressing the CB2 receptor. However, at 90 days, both genotypes exhibited similar changes for all these markers, although surviving motor neurons of transgenic mice presented some morphological abnormalities in absence of the CB2 receptor that were not as evident in the presence of this receptor. This faster deterioration seen in double mutants led to premature mortality compared with TDP‐43 transgenic mice expressing the CB2 receptor. We also investigated the consequences of a pharmacological inactivation of the CB2 receptor using the selective antagonist AM630 in TDP‐43 transgenic mice, but results showed only subtle trends towards a greater deterioration. In summary, our results confirmed the potential of the CB2 receptor agonists as a neuroprotective therapy in ALS and strongly support the need to progress towards an evaluation of this potential in patients.
Waste Aversion Reduces Inequity Aversion Among Chinese Children
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Benozio Avi
Published: May 2021

An underlying aspect of the development of fairness is the aversion to unequal treatment toward equally deserving parties. By middle childhood, children from Western cultures are even willing to discard resources to avoid inequity. Here, a series of four studies were conducted to assess the robustness of inequity aversion in a culture that emphasizes the value of “Thrift” (i.e., waste aversion). Seven‐year‐old Chinese participated in third‐party (N = 83) and first‐person (N = 116) distributive interactions and considered both inequity aversion and waste aversion. Our findings demonstrate that Chinese children accepted inequity (unlike Americans) in the presence of waste but avoided inequity (similar to Americans) in the absence of waste. Cultural and noncultural accounts of waste aversion are discussed.
Open globe injuries: Epidemiology, visual and surgical predictive variables, prognostic models, and economic cost analysis
Authors: Lee Brendon W. H. , Hunter Damien , Robaei Dana S. , Samarawickrama Chameen
Published: May 2021

Background

Open globe injuries (OGI) represent a visually and economically devastating cause of vision loss. We examined the epidemiology, predictive variables, prognostic models, and economic cost of surgically managed OGI.

Methods

A retrospective tertiary centre study from 2008 to 2018 of 155 consecutive OGI in individuals aged 16 and older was performed. Medical records review, application of Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) and Classification and Regression Tree Analysis (CART) and cost analysis were undertaken. Key outcomes measured were visual acuity, number of operating theatre visits, prognostication using OTS and CART and estimated costs.

Results

Younger males at work with inadequate protective eyewear (89.1%) and falls in the elderly were overrepresented. Inferior visual outcomes were associated with a more severe OTS score, a larger injury zone, increasing age, the presence of retinal detachment, extraocular muscle involvement, intraocular foreign body, and globe rupture (R2 = 0.723, p < 0.001). Multiple operating theatre visits were required in the presence of retinal detachment, lens or orbit involvement, work‐related injury, globe rupture, and a history of previous intraocular surgery (R2 = 0.0423, p < 0.001). Both OTS and CART prognosticated outcomes (p < 0.001). The OTS predicted for no vision (no light perception/enucleation/evisceration) and profound visual loss (worse than 6/120; specificity: both 100%, sensitivity: 88.2% and 88%) whereas the CART predicted for visual survival (light perception or better) and minimal‐to‐severe visual loss (6/120 or better; specificity: 88.5% and 81.7% , sensitivity: 97.7% and 100%). Estimated annual OGI cost for Australia was AUD48.1–60.5 million (USD37.3–47.0 million).

Conclusions

The total cost of OGI is immense with young males and the elderly being disproportionately affected. Implementation of targeted government legislation and public health preventative measures may be cost‐effective in ameliorating the significant burden.
Safety and pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in combination with pegvorhyaluronidase alfa in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Heineman Thomas , Baumgart Megan , Nanavati Charvi , Gabrail Nash , Van Wart Scott A. , Mager Donald E. , Maneval Daniel C. , Fathallah Anas M. , Sekulovich Rose E.
Published: May 2021

This open‐label, phase Ib study (NCT02346370) assessed the effect of pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PVHA; PEGPH20) on the plasma pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of docetaxel in 15 patients with stage IIIB/IV non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The docetaxel PK profile from this study was consistent with simulations from a published docetaxel population PK model, and did not demonstrate an effect of PVHA on docetaxel PK. A maximum a posteriori Bayesian fit of the literature PK model to the docetaxel PK appeared unbiased. Adverse events (AEs) were generally consistent with previous reports for docetaxel monotherapy in NSCLC, except for higher incidence of musculoskeletal events, including myalgias, with PVHA plus docetaxel. The most common AEs were fatigue (87%), muscle spasms (60%), and myalgia (53%). Four patients experienced thromboembolic events (27%), three leading to treatment discontinuation. PVHA appeared to demonstrate an acceptable safety profile when given with docetaxel without significantly changing the plasma PK of docetaxel in patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC.
Opportunities and challenges in translational science
Authors: Austin Christopher P.
Published: May 2021

The mission of translational science is to bring predictivity and efficiency to the development and dissemination of interventions that improve human health. Ten years ago this year, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences was founded to embody, conduct, and support this new discipline. The Center’s first decade has brought substantial progress across a broad range of translational areas, from diagnostic and drug development to clinical trials to implementation science to education. The origins of the translational science and advances to this point are reviewed here and allow the establishment of an ambitious future research agenda for the field.
Modeling and simulation to predict the degree of disability over time in acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Park Sang‐In , Kang Dong‐Wha , Lim Hyeong‐Seok
Published: May 2021

Disability in patients with acute stroke varies over time, with the prediction of outcomes being critical for proper management. This study aimed to develop a model to predict the cumulative probability of each modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score over time with inclusion of significant covariates. Longitudinal data obtained from 193 patients, 1–24 months after onset of acute ischemic stroke, were included for a modeling analysis using nonlinear mixed‐effect modeling (NONMEM). After selecting a model that best described the time course of the probability of different mRS scores, potential covariates were tested. Visual predicted check plots, parameter estimates, and decreases in minimum objective function values were used for model evaluation. The inclusion of disease progression (DP) in the baseline proportional odds cumulative logit model significantly improved the model compared to the baseline model without DP. An inhibitory maximum effect (Emax) model was determined to be the best DP model for describing the probability of specific mRS scores over time. In the final model, DP was multiplied with the baseline cumulative logit probability with a baseline adjustment. In addition to differences in lesion volume (DLV), the final model included comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on Emax as statistically significant covariates. This study developed a model including DLV, NIHSS score, and comorbid DM for predicting the disability time course in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This model may help to predict disease outcomes and to develop more appropriate management plans for patients with acute stroke.
Echocardiographic parameters associated with in‐hospital adverse outcomes in patients with Takotsubo syndrome
Authors: Farina Lauren A. , Tibrewala Anjan , Voit Jay M. , Raissi Sasan R. , Chen Liqi , Welty Leah J. , Khan Sadiya S. , Freed Benjamin H. , Akhter Nausheen
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. We sought to evaluate the association of cardiac mechanics on presentation with in‐hospital adverse outcomes in patients with apical TTS.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 468 patients with TTS based on ICD‐9/10 codes between 2006 and 2017. The association of echocardiographic parameters with a composite outcome of heart failure and all‐cause mortality during the index hospitalization was analyzed.

Results

One hundred and forty one patients with the apical subtype and adequate imaging were included. 113 (80.1%) were female, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 41.7% ± 12.4%, and global longitudinal strain was −10.1% ± 3.2%. The composite outcome occurred in 58 patients (41%), with heart failure occurring in 55 patients and death occurring in nine patients. Global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global radial strain, right ventricular fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and right ventricular free wall strain were significantly worse in patients who experienced the composite outcome in univariate analyses. However, only LVEF was independently associated with the composite outcome in multivariable‐adjusted analysis.

Conclusions

In patients with apical TTS, the strain has limited prognostic utility in the acute setting compared to LVEF, which was the only echocardiographic parameter associated with in‐hospital heart failure and all‐cause mortality.
Regional spillover into third‐order European elections
Authors: Schakel Arjan H.
Published: May 2021

Second‐order election research clearly reveals that national incumbency impacts on European election outcomes but despite the increasing importance of regions few studies explore the impact of regional politics. I theorize that governmental status at the regional level, regional authority, and the relative timing of the regional election affects vote share swings between European and previously held national elections. Based on an analysis including 12,545 vote share swings for 468 parties that compete elections held in 209 regions in 11 European Union member states since 1979, I find strong evidence for prospective regional voting, that is, voters rewarding parties in government at the regional level. First, parties that are in national opposition and in regional government incur larger vote share gains than parties that are in opposition at both levels. Second, these vote share gains become larger when regional authority increases and, third, when a regional election has preceded a European election.
Aberrant expression of LncRNA CASC2 mediated the cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy of colon cancer cells by sponging miR‐19a via NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Peng , Pan Yan , Sun Jujun , Pan Gaiyan
Published: May 2021

Abnormal and rapid proliferation of colon cancer cells is a severe problem that can be regulated by non‐coding RNAs. Thus, our study focused on effects of lncRNA CASC2 and miR‐19a on colon cancer cells. Expressions of lncRNA CASC2, miR‐19a, Bcl‐2, Bax and NF‐κB/p65 were examined by RT‐qPCR. Cell viabilities were detected by CCK‐8. A luciferase report assay was used for measuring binding conditions between lncRNA CASC2 and miR‐19a. Western blotting was used to evaluate expression of LC3‐I, LC3‐II and p62 related to autophagy. Expression of lncRNA CASC2 lower in cancer cell lines and the overexpression reduced the cell viability of HT29 and SW480. Furthermore, Bcl‐2 was suppressed by overexpressed lncRNA CASC2, while Bax was upregulated. LC3‐Ⅰ and p62 were both inhibited, but LC3‐Ⅱ was promoted. MiR‐19a was predicted to bind lncRNA CASC2 and expressed higher in cancer cell lines. Overexpressed miR‐19a reduced expression of lncRNA CASC2 and increased cell viability. This was repressed by upregulated lncRNA CASC2. Bcl‐2 and Bax expression and proteins implicated in autophagy that are regulated by lncRNA CASC2 upregulation were reversed by miR‐19a overexpression. NF‐κB was upregulated in colon cancer cell lines, while inhibition of NF‐κB reversed functions of lncRNA CASC2 and magnified roles of miR‐19a. Our findings showed that lncRNA CASC2 inhibited cell viability in colon cancer cell lines and miR‐19a reversed its functions through the NF‐κB signalling pathway, suggesting that these could be factors in treating colon cancer in the future.
Identification of growth differentiation factor 15 as a pro‐fibrotic factor in mouse liver fibrosis progression
Authors: Qi Peng , Ma Ming‐Ze , Kuai Jing‐Hua
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was elucidate the inhibitory role of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in liver fibrosis and its possible activation mechanism in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of mice. We generated a GDF15‐neutralizing antibody that can inhibit TGF‐β1–induced activation of the TGF‐β/Smad2/3 pathway in LX‐2 cells. All the mice in this study were induced by carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide. In addition, primary HSCs from mice were isolated from fresh livers using Nycodenz density gradient separation. The severity and extent of liver fibrosis were evaluated by Sirius Red and Masson staining. The effect of GDF15 on the activation of the TGF‐β pathway was detected using dual‐luciferase reporter and Western blotting assays. The expression of GDF15 in cirrhotic liver tissue was higher than that in normal liver tissue. Blocking GDF15 with a neutralizing antibody resulted in a delay in primary hepatic stellate cell activation and remission of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride or thioacetamide. Meanwhile, TGF‐β pathway activation was partly inhibited by a GDF15‐neutralizing antibody in primary HSCs. These results indicated that GDF15 plays an important role in regulating HSC activation and liver fibrosis progression. The inhibition of GDF15 attenuates chemical‐inducible liver fibrosis and delays hepatic stellate cell activation, and this effect is probably mainly attributed to its regulatory role in TGF‐β signalling.
The bright side of third‐party marketplaces in retailing
Authors: Zheng Shengming , Yu Yugang , Ma Buqing
Published: May 2021

A prevalent practice for retailers is to provide a marketplace for third‐party sellers (3P sellers) to sell products directly to consumers, charging the sellers a commission fee. This study investigates the downstream retailer's optimal strategy to introduce a 3P seller who sells a substitutable product. We develop a game‐theoretic model, through which our first result shows that the retailer introduces a 3P seller only when the marginal costs of the products are in a medium range. Second, the retailer's strategy of introducing a 3P seller may benefit the manufacturer, even though the introduction creates downstream competition that may reduce the sales of the manufacturer's product. This happens because the strategy of introducing a 3P seller can mitigate the double marginalization between the manufacturer and retailer. In contrast to the conventional wisdom that introducing a 3P seller always results in a “win–lose” outcome for the retailer and manufacturer, we derive evidence that introducing a 3P seller can lead to a “win‐win” outcome for the retailer and manufacturer and thus improve the channel performance. Lastly, we find that the retailer's 3P seller introduction strategy can also improve the consumer surplus because this strategy increases competition.
Water sensitivity of cement‐based materials
Authors: Zhou Chunsheng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Zhendi , Yang Zhenli
Published: May 2021

Cement‐based materials are the most widely used construction materials on the planet. Cement‐based materials play a fundamental role in modern civilization and will for the foreseeable future. Although great efforts have been devoted to discovering the behaviors and optimizing their performances, several long‐standing controversies persist for the fundamental water‐related properties of cement‐based materials, which hinder theoretical researches and mislead technological developments. Inspired by the decreasing water permeability of clay‐bearing rocks, the term “water sensitivity” in geophysics is borrowed and proposed for cement‐based materials. The lamellar structure of negatively charged nanoparticles is responsible for swelling in clay‐based reservoir rocks. Amorphous calcium silicate hydrate gels in cement‐based materials have similar micro‐structural characteristics. They probably swell upon wetting and contract upon drying, making the pore structure of cement‐based materials dependent on water content. More importantly, several unexplained behaviors of cement‐based materials can be rationalized using water sensitivity. Thorough exploration of both the micro‐structural characteristics and performances validate the use of water sensitivity for cement‐based materials. Because water participates in or regulates almost all physical and chemical processes of cement‐based materials, water sensitivity can be a part of the interpretations of almost all of their properties and performances.
Historical biogeography of New World passalid beetles (Coleoptera, Passalidae) reveals Mesoamerican tropical forests as a centre of origin and taxonomic diversification
Authors: Beza‐Beza Cristian F. , Jiménez‐Ferbans Larry , McKenna Duane D.
Published: May 2021

Aim

The fauna of Mesoamerica is extraordinarily species rich and exhibits a high degree of local, regional and high‐elevation endemism. Traditionally, this area has been seen as a transition zone between the Nearctic and Neotropical regions; in contrast, new data suggest that Mesoamerica is a centre of origin and taxonomic diversification. For example, the diversity of species and genera of Passalidae in Mesoamerica is concentrated in montane environments and there are many locally endemic taxa; thus, Mesoamerica has been suggested as a centre of origin and taxonomic diversification for the group. However, this hypothesis has not been formally tested.

Location

New World tropics, with an emphasis on Mesoamerica.

Taxon

Coleoptera, Passalidae (tribes Passalini and Proculini)

Methods

We studied timing and geographic patterns in the taxonomic diversification of Neotropical Passalidae. We used DNA sequence data from 3 genes (CAD, Wingless, 28S) for 93 species of Passalidae, along with information from the fossil record, to generate a time‐calibrated phylogeny for the group. Additionally, we performed Ancestral Area Estimation and Ancestral State Reconstruction of the altitudinal distribution niche.

Results

The divergence time analyses recovered a much older estimated timing of origin and diversification events in Passalidae than previously proposed. We recovered the origins of the New World Passalidae in the late Jurassic and the split between Passalini and Proculini during the mid‐Cretaceous. Moreover, we observed congruence between timing and patterns of clade diversification and major paleogeographical events; for example, the origin and crown diversification of montane genera during the uplift and emergence of Mesoamerica from the sea.

Main conclusions

Orogenic events throughout the Paleogene and Neogene played a major role in the diversification of New World Passalidae. Moreover, Nuclear and Southern Mesoamerica are centres of origin and taxonomic diversification for Proculini.
Solar process heat for sustainable production of concentrated peach puree
Authors: Colak Gunes Neslihan , Gungor Emrah , Gunes Mustafa
Published: May 2021

The food industry is one of the most suitable sectors for solar process heat applications. Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems generate steam using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a receiver. In this study, how a CSP system connected hybrid to the boiler system can be utilized to produce more sustainable peach puree concentrate (PPC) have been examined. The amount of steam required for PPC production was calculated using the measurements rendered in a real fruit juice concentrate plant and the data obtained from them. A parabolic trough‐type CSP system of 1 MWthwas designed, which is placed in the area of the plant, and it was determined that the steam quantity obtained during the production period is able to meet how much of the current consumption. Also, it has been shown how much CO2eqemission reduction will be achieved by using CSP.

Practical Applications

Concentrated fruit juice production is one of the thermal energy intense food processes. Therefore, utilization of renewable energy sources for process heat is very important. We designed a CSP system in this study with using production data from a real fruit juice factory. This CSP system is naturally applicable to both fruit juice and all food industry using steam at similar temperatures and pressures. Fossil fuels are one of the main responsible for global warming. For this reason, the use of solar thermal systems is promising to ensure sustainability in food production and reduce the environmental impacts of the product.
A primer on sleep for MFTs: Implications and practical considerations
Authors: Novak Joshua R. , Gillis Brian T.
Published: May 2021

Despite many marriage and family therapists (MFTs) utilizing the Biopsychosocial‐Spiritual (BPSS) framework in assessment and treatment, there is still a lack of education on sleep and the implications for mental, emotional, and relational health. Newer research within many fields highlights the far‐reaching spillover effects of short or poor‐quality sleep that can affect our clients. MFTs need to know how to assess, how to provide proper psychoeducation, how to apply this knowledge in clinical settings, and how to collaborate with other healthcare providers. As such, the purpose of this article is threefold: (a) review the biopsychosocial‐spiritual importance of sleep; (b) equip MFTs with information on sleep assessment, how to identify situations for referral, and how to provide psychoeducation on sleep hygiene; and (c) review important considerations for research and practice for MFTs.